When Sanji woke up, he wasn't thinking of his birthday. His first thought was breakfast, then Nami, then Robin, and then guilt about thinking about Nami before Robin, and then guilt for dawdling so much on the two that he hadn't started breakfast for either of them yet. So he got out of his bunk, and trudged to the kitchen. You'd think that the cook would be a morning person, but he was strongly against sunrises and what they stood for. Mornings were so platonic, very much unlike the passionate fantasies of the night he so often indulged himself with. His dreams had gotten so much more vivd since he'd left Kamabakka Kingdom. It was a simmering heat in him that flared at the slightest touch. It was Nami's intoxicating perfume, or Robin's glossy locks. It was a certain… Il-ne-savait-quoi. But it was there, and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. It had gotten past respect and flirtatiousness to pure disgusting pervertedness. And it definitely made him less of a gentleman.
As he mulled over these unpleasant ideas, he began preparing breakfast. After washing his hands, and much consideration, it was decided that it would be acceptable to spend a bit of their precious flour (such things were difficult to obtain out on the ocean) on some savoury crepes. Eggs were cracked with care into a large bowl, and shells were sent to the compost bin. A frying pan was set on the stove to be heated. A dash of salt was whisked into the mixture, and milk was poured in as well. A cup of flour, melted sugar and butter, and the batter was complete. The mix was divided and poured into the frying pan, one by one. Shortly after, dozens of crisp, thin crepes were steaming on a large plate, waiting to be garnished. Sanji set out the whipped cream, syrup, chocolate sauce, and various other condiments. Then, he chopped up some fresh strawberries and mikans from the Sanji rang the breakfast bell.
"It's ready!" he shouted, "Come and get it!"
Immediately, Luffy bounded into the kitchen, reaching over and grabbing a crepe, stuffing it in his mouth. Sanji winced, noticing his captain's lack of manners and finesse.
"Sanji!" yelled Luffy, "These are good! They're kinda plain, but they're REALLY good!"
"I know they're damn-good! I bloody well cooked them! Now save the rest for you crewmates, will you!" yelled back Sanji.
Robin and Nami sashayed into the kitchen, making small talk as they sat down. Instantly, Sanji was at their service, putting on a large smile and scurrying over to wait on them.
"Bonjour, Nami-swan!" he exclaimed, setting down in front of her a glass a freshly-squeezed mikan-juice.
"Bonjour, Robin-chwan!" he cried, setting down in front of her a steaming mug of coffee.
"Good morning Sanji-kun!" said Nami, as Robin smiled not-so-discreetly.
"How are you lovely ladies doing today?" he asked, dotingly.
"We're just fine," replied Robin, dropping a lump of sugar in her cup, "Thank you for asking, Cook-san."
"No problem at all!" he exclaimed.
"Say," began Robin, "I need a bit of help with something, would you mind assisting me after breakfast?"
"Of course not!" declared Sanji, delighted to be of any help to his female Nakama. Robin gave him a small smile.
"Thank you sincerely," she said, emitting a small giggle.
Slowly but surely, the rest of the crew began filing into the dining room, chatting and laughing as they took their seats. Soon enough, the plates began looking bleak, and Sanji set to preparing some more food. Finally, when the flour supply had been thoroughly exhausted, breakfast was finished. Everyone (except Zoro, who refused to admit it) agreed it had been a spectacular meal. And it was those small things, those little moments of happiness, which reminded Sanji why he loved to cook. For people. For their enjoyment. For their good health.
He quickly cleaned up the kitchen, and set out to find Robin. He found her at her garden, watering the plants they'd both grown to love. Sanji for their nutrition, and Robin for their beauty. Originally, Robin had only been growing flowers, but after a convincing talk with Sanji, she'd lent some of the space to several vegetable plants and herbs.
"Hello Robin-chwan!" said Sanji, walking, nearly prancing, to where she stood.
"Hello Cook-san," said Robin, pausing from her chore to look up at him.
"You mentioned earlier a certain task you required help with…" said Sanji, trailing off.
"Ah yes!" said Robin, setting down her watering can and picking up a pair of gardening gloves.
"I was wondering if perhaps you could assist me in pulling the weeds in the garden."
Immediately, Sanji felt something was off. Robin had the capability to do the task in less than a minute, given her Devil Fruit and all. And she wasn't the type to ask for help like this. But Sanji pushed away these thoughts and accepted the gloves she'd given him.
Several hours later, the task had been painfully completed, and Sanji stood up straight for the first time in what seamt like ages. His back was aching, and though he had used gloves, his fingernails were caked in mud and dirt. He now understood why Robin enjoyed gardening as a simple past time pleasure. The work was strenuous, even for someone with as muh stamina as him. He streched his legs, and began walking towards the washroom.
A hot shower later, he walked onto deck and realised something was wrong. There was no sound, save for the waves crashing against the boat. He tried not to panic, but he started rushing around, looking for his crew.
"Hey!" he yelled, "Come on out you bastards! This isn't funny!"
He set to opening door after door, and finally yanked the kitchen door open.
"SURPRISE!" screamed the crew, jumping out of their hiding place. Sanji screamed, and jumped up, banging his head on the doorframe.
"Sanji!" yelped Chopper, rushing over to his side.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," he graoned, holding his head. He got up and sat at the bar, where Nami set down a poorly-decorated and half-eaten chocolate cake in front of him. It read 'H…yB..th...y,.anji!' in blue icing.
Nami sighed.
"We're really sorry, Sanji," she said, giving a pointed glare at Luffy, "but you know how this rubber captain acts around food."
"It's not a problem at all, Nami-swan!" said Sanji, beaming happily at the destroyed dessert. He of all people knew how terrible Luffy was at restraining himself. And besides, it was the thought that counted, right? Luffy wiped his face, and licked his fingers.
"Nami," he whined, "can we just light the candles already? I want to EAT!"
Nami punched him.
"You've had more than enough of your fill!" she yelled, "Let Sanji have some, will you!?"
"I hope you enjoy the cake I've made," said Zoro, a queer grin plastered on his face.
"Err…" muttered Sanji, "It's ok if Luffy wants more…"
"Oh come now, shitty-cook," said Zoro, cutting a slice onto a plate, and stabbing of a chunk with a fork.
"You know you want some…" he said, dangling the chunk in front of Sanji's eyes.
"No, I'm ok, real—" the harsh shoving of cake into his mouth interrupted Sanji. He gagged, but managed to swallow it down.
"Luffy…" he choked, "How did you *gag* manage to eat this?"
Luffy tilted his head.
"What do you mean?" he said, "Zoro's cooking is great!"
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" said Zoro, a glint in his eye, "Maybe we don't even need swirly-brows in the crew anymore…"
"I'd like to object to that notion," said Robin.
"Oh Robin-chwan!" swooned Sanji, "You really do value me!"
"Well, yes," replied Robin, "and it would be just terrible if we threw you off the boat, and you were suddenly lacerated by sharks," she finished with a smile.
"In any case, Happy Birthday, Cook-san," said Brook, placing a skeletal hand onto Sanji's shoulder.
"And just wait till you get your present from me!" he cried, bending down to whisper something into Sanji's ear. Immediately, Sanji steamed up, and his nose exploded with blood all over the cake.
"Oh. No," said Usopp robotically, a grin on his face, "Now. We. Will. Need. Another. Cake."
"What. A. SUPER. Shame." Said Franky, just as monotonously.
"I don't get it," said Chopper pouting.
"They mean to say that the marimo's cooking sucks," said Sanji, who had recovered and was wiping his nose, "here, I'll make another cake."
"But Sanji," said Chopper, "it's your birth—"
"And there's nothing I'd enjoy more on my birthday than cooking for my loved ones. Got a problem with that, Monster?"
"Nope!" yelped Chopper.
"Aww…" said Zoro, creepily, "Am I one of your loved ones?" he snickered.
"NO!" screamed Sanji, kicking him, starting a duel.
'Another year gone by, and still they're as childish as they were 2 years ago…' thought Nami, cleaning up the bloody cake. 'But whatever. Zoro's cooking does suck anyways.'
A.N.:Wow. That was long. But yes! If you couldn't tell, Sanji is one of my favourites. And Zoro sucks at cooking. Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! I'll see you tomorrow for Galdino A.K.A. Mr.3!