I'm sorry for not updating! Thanks to the Guest who brought me back to this :P Anyhow, I've written way ahead and it's nearly done.
Thanks for keeping up with the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter
"Hey Sanji!" Ace called, spotting the blonde amongst the crowd. Sanji made his way over. "You feeling any better?"
"Yeah I am. And you guys suck. Chopper counted over fifty-three pieces left stuck in my back and nearly didn't let me go tonight." The black haired man whistled.
"Oops." Ace offered a sheepish smile. Sanji shot him a glare.
"Oops indeed."
"Don't worry!" Ace laughed, pounding Sanji on the shoulder. He leaned in to the chef. "We haven't told anyone about 'that' yet so in the meantime, we're even."
"You better fucking not." Sanji snorted.
"Well, I forgot to tell you, Robin passed on her compliments. Congrats bro, mission success."
"Really?" Sanji sighed, relieved. "That's good."
"Let's move to the races then! Are you going to bet?"
"Of course!" They made their way downstairs to the underground of the club. The numbered tables from yesterday were gone, replaced with a large oval track surrounded by barriers. The people swarmed around raised platforms, shouting their preferences for the win and waving handfuls of money and tickets.
"Ace!" A voice shouted over the milling of the crowd. They saw Luffy's hand waving furiously, accompanied by the incredible tall Brook and Franky. Sanji spotted the bright flare of Nami's locks. Ace waved back and they pushed their way through. Greeting each other, they settled down among the crowd.
"Alright! Let's place our bets!" Nami smacked her fist into an open palm.
"Yeah!-" Sanji shot up his hand.
"No thanks!" the rest chorused, feeling dread pool in their stomach. She glared at them, pouting.
"Why not? It's fun!"
"For you maybe," Usopp muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" She turned towards the artesian with an ominous grin.
"Nothing!"
"Nothing? Then nothing can reduce your debt. I forgot to tell you, from the last time you borrowed off me, the interest rose by fifteen-"
"Do you want my spare change, I saved-"
"Thank you Usopp," she sing songed, snatching the money from his trembling hands. Usopp's shoulders sagged in defeat, still mumbling profanities.
"You can bet and we'll watch," Ace said, gesturing towards the betting booths.
"Fine, I'm going to win a lot tonight!" Nami yelled, charging into the crowd.
"I think Nami's a fortune teller," Usopp mumbled. "She wins the bet for nearly every race!"
"Why don't we make a bet between us? No money 'cause we're broke." Ace suggested, as they gathered around the track, leaning on the barriers.
"Alright, then if I win then," Luffy paused, pouting, "you have let me have a motorbike!"
"If I win, you can't touch my food when I eat." Ace grinned.
"If I win, I'll cook for you only once, per day." Sanji blew a ring of smoke into the air. The brothers snapped their heads to the chef.
"No way!" they cried, scandalised. Sanji glanced at them before surveying the dispersing smoke.
"A bet is a bet."
"Shit! Then we'll just have to make sure he doesn't win!" Ace banged his fist on the barrier.
"Well I bet if I win, you all have to shout me cola!" Franky shouted.
"Well… if I win, do you suppose Nami would show me her panties?" Brook asked.
"I'm not in this game." Usopp shook his head.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please finalise your bets. The first race will soon begin!" The loudspeaker crackled animatedly. The crowd began to return to their places and chatter grew in the stands.
"Okay, who are you vouching for?" Ace gestured towards the numbered tracks where dogs quivered behind the closed gates at the starting line. They all scanned the line for a moment before coming to their decision.
"Number one!" Luffy cried.
"Seven," Sanji drawled. "Because seven starts with the same letter as 'sexy'."
"Number two!" Franky clenched his fist.
"I suppose nine looks good." Brook fingered his chin.
"Then I'll go with four." Ace leaned his elbows on the concrete barrier.
"Pepepepepepe!" A voice laughed into the loudspeaker. "Are you ready?" The crowd roared. "I said, are you ready?"
"Yes!" The crowd pumped their fists. Ace groaned.
"Not him again."
"He's funny! Stupid but funny!" Luffy grinned. Sanji narrowed his eyes at Luffy, hand paused mid-cigarette draw. Luffy calling someone stupid? What?
"You heard that right," Usopp nodded at Sanji. "He's an idiot."
"You'll see. He's a pain in the backside," Brook added.
"Super pain in the butt," Franky agreed. Sanji rolled the cigarette in his fingers, contemplating their words.
"Who is he?"
"Foxy. He's replacing his boss, for some reason. It happens sometimes."
"Oh I see."
"The race will start in three, two…" A horn blared as the door of the gates burst open and the frenzied dogs leapt into action with drool flying from their mouths.
"Come on!"
"It looks like number one is in the lead with six just behind. No, wait! Is this number four coming into the lead? Seven looks to be catching up too! This is a close race!" The ecstatic man jumped up and down the raised platforms. "But what's this? Nine just ran into eight and seven!" Sanji gasped as the rest cheered. "It looks like nine and eight are out! Seven is going on but looks a little left behind!"
"I'm going to win!" Luffy declared, crossing his arms as the dogs zoomed around the bend.
"Someone just threw a piece of meat onto the track! It looks like number one is distracted!"
"Eh?! No way! What are you doing?" Luffy yelled, waving his arms. Sanji laughed.
"You would've done the same!"
"Looks like you won't be getting that motorcycle Luffy!"
"I will! Come on!"
"And we're nearing the finish line! Who's going to claim first?" They clenched their fists in anticipation as they watched the dogs run.
"It's –"
"It's number two!"
"Aw yeah! Super!" Franky pumped his fist. "You all got to shout me!"
"Shit," Ace cursed. "I was so close."
"Next time bro," Franky grinned.
"Okay for the next one, how about whoever's dog comes last has to do whatever the winner tells them?" Sanji suggested.
"That's vague." Brook frowned.
"It just makes it more fun." Sanji shrugged.
"That was a fun night!" Luffy laughed, stretching his arms behind his head as the van bumped along the road. Ace grinned.
"Yeah but you're pretty damn selfish Luffy."
"Huh? How?"
"You dumped your betting promises to Zoro. He's going to kill you."
"No he won't! He loves it!"
"Tell him that when he whips your ass."
"Sanji! Are you okay?" Hatchan patted the blonde down. "I'm sorry I got you in all that trouble for my own reasons but… I'm very grateful! I'm in your debt!"
"I'm fine boss, really. I only got a few cuts. That's it." Sanji waved him off. "Anyhow, I'm ready for work." He rolled up his sleeves. Hatchan made a noise, apprehension still clear on his face.
"If you're not feeling well, please take a break."
"Sure, but I won't need it." Sanji headed off into the café kitchen before his boss could call him back.