Hey everybody,
the following chapter is actually inspired by an idea of a very sweet reader and at the beginning I was like 'no way, this is not possible' and several days later it was so much fun to write^^'
I hope you will enjoy it and have a lovely weekend
Until next time ;-)
To a fair dance
-Sanji-
"No, I'm not doing it."
"Zoro!"
"I said it before. I'm all in if it's about taking action, but I'm not in the mood for such a stupid farce." The Marimo crossed his arms relentlessly and leaned back against the main mast on whose bench he was sitting. "If you want to pull an act like that, go ahead, but count me out."
"It won't work without you," Nami objected, half pleading, half lecturing, while she stood next to him with her arms crossed as well. "We have no choice."
"Then you should have discussed it with me beforehand, because then I would have told you beforehand that I won't do this crap."
"Please Zoro, I panicked," Usopp justified himself, halfway kneeling in front of him. "You only get in with name or money and before I knew what I was doing, the name just slipped and they probably thought I was Hawk Eyes' servant or something, I don't know. In any case, they were thrilled. "
"So? Not my problem."
"A small infiltration would mean significantly less attention than if we would attack openly. Remember, we are in enemy territory and Marines are everywhere. If we are discovered, the prisoners will probably be executed immediately." Robin shrugged. "All we want is the keys from the commander and this would be the perfect opportunity to get them without risking a fight."
"And all of that only because these gullible idiots fall for every crap," Sanji murmured and lit a new cigarette. He wasn't exactly happy about the situation, but it wasn't like they had much choice either. "In any case, we should make sure that we no longer let the two of them roam around on their own in some foreign city from now on. I could really do without this crap." They all sighed unanimously.
"Well, so what are we supposed to do?" laughed Franky lightly. "Can't just leave without the Captain, can we?"
"And Chopper certainly blames himself for everything," Jinbei noted, "and he's probably even more worried."
No one said anything anymore. They could all see Franky's and Jinbei's words weighing heavier on their swordsman's shoulders with each passing second, his soft groans testifying that he was about to give in.
"Fine, fine! I got it," Zoro growled, rubbing his face in exasperation. "Okay, if it cannot be helped, I'm in. What's the plan?"
Nami and Usopp exchanged a relieved grin. But Sanji still had his doubts that this would work.
"Seems simple, doesn't it? You go in there, talk to him, and in an inconspicuous moment you borrow his keys."
"I don't think we should make it so easy for ourselves," Nami opposed Franky, now much more serious. "If Zoro gets caught, we'll have another problem. I think it's better if he doesn't take over the theft, but... me," she murmured, crossing her arms and obviously deep in thought before nodding.
"That's exactly how we do it," she said quietly and then looked up decisively. "I have a plan."
"I'm really not convinced that this will work," Sanji murmured, knowing full well that he was contradicting the grandiose plan of his beloved Nami. "The whole plan depends on the Marimo's acting talent. On second thought, there is now way this will work."
"Well, he fooled the world – including us – for over two years. I think he'll manage an evening," Usopp replied, handing him opaque sunglasses big enough to hide his eyebrows.
"You forget that he always had people like Hawk Eyes and this Marine to make sure he didn't misbehave." Sanji put on his sunglasses and turned to the small mirror.
"Well, that's why you're going as well. Together with Nami you can handle it." Usopp sounded confident, while Sanji gelled his hair back. To his regret, he had already had to shave off his beard, but it would grow back. It was important that he was not so easy to recognize, even though probably no one would pay attention to him. "And once we have the key, we'll take care of the rest."
Truth be told, that was what Sanji disliked most about that plan, that he and the Marimo – who were not among the stronger ones of the crew for nothing – would not be present to free the other two. On the other hand, Nami was right. This plan could only work with Zoro and Sanji and success depended on how well they would work together... so it was doomed to failure from the outset.
And this uncertainty did not help Sanji at all; he was nervous. Again and again, he had to think back to that conversation in a dark dungeon and he did understand why Zoro was anything but happy about this whole thing, since the success depended on him and Sanji having to work together well. That meant Sanji had to pull himself together and show that he had learned from that conversation, but he didn't really know how.
"So, how do I look?" he asked, turning to Usopp. "Do you recognize me?"
Usopp gave him a thumbs up.
"You won't stand out a bit between all these snobs. Though you look a bit sleazy at second glance. Sorry."
"Well, still better than being labeled by someone as Hawk Eyes' servant."
Usopp sighed and followed him outside.
"Aren't we all somehow the servants of the great Hawk Eyes," he murmured sarcastically.
"Given his ego," Sanji agreed with a nod.
"Don't you have to hurry?" mumbled Usopp, nodding over to the horizon where the sun was already setting. "Otherwise, you'll be too late."
"Nah, the star of the evening is always late. That's fine," Sanji said, although he found it difficult to accept that the Marimo should be the star of the evening.
The next moment the door to the women's cabin opened and Nami stepped out, a truly dreamlike sight. She wore a rather simple, but perfectly fitting, high-necked black dress, her hair open but tucked back, the make-up as simple as the dress. The most seductive chaperon Sanji had ever seen.
"Come on, Zoro. We're late," she called back inside, putting on her coat.
"I hate heels," came an irritated voice from inside, causing a soft tone of surprise from Usopp, "and I hate evening dresses."
"Yes," Nami said, no less unnerved. "You've said that already 31 times. And now come on, the sooner we have the key, the sooner you can put on your ugly boots again."
A soft giggle came from the depths of the cabin.
"Yes, you're enjoying this whole thing, aren't you, Robin," the Marimo growled.
"A little," she confirmed.
"You really have to get going," Usopp said timidly.
"Another crappy comment from the offside and you can force yourself into the dress."
Instantly, Usopp had slipped five steps backwards. Once again, Sanji was surprised at how dangerous this soft voice could sound. But the next moment he almost didn't care.
He knew it was Zoro, obviously pissed off and bad-tempered Zoro, but that didn't change that revelation. Nami had truly surpassed herself. Neither the grimaced expression nor the shaky steps could dismiss this phenomenon. An elegant, slightly flared white dress with silver applications, the shoulders covered with white lace and the green hair in flowing curls, a tribute to a certain navy ball, as Sanji remembered too well the newspaper articles. He knew it was Zoro. But that didn't change the fact that this sight...
"Okay, so let's get going."
Sanji took a deep breath and remembered that this was a mission they had to complete successfully to free captain and crewmember, and he could almost see Zoro repeating these very thoughts like a prayer again and again.
So they left. It wasn't far to walk to, and while Zoro kept complaining quietly, Nami reminded them of the plan. She went a few steps ahead, Zoro was the taillight. Sanji was in the middle and still didn't know what to make of this situation.
"Okay, there's the town hall," noted Nami, taking a deep breath; obviously, she was nervous, too. "Zoro, this whole plan relies on you. So..."
"Yeah, yeah, not my first time playing this role," he growled from behind, "but I could really do without the corset."
"I know," Nami sighed and stopped. "You've said that often enough."
Sanji had also stopped and watched the entrance of the pompous building, the last guests seemed to have just arrived and were about to enter the building. So far so good.
Suddenly, someone clutched the crook of his arm. Sanji was already about to grab that hand, ready to battle, when he realized that it was the – damn elegant – hand of Zoro, who had linked his arm with Sanji's and looked almost emotionlessly at the city hall.
"What the hell are you doing?" whispered Sanji, staring down at the Marimo. He rolled his eyes and looked up at him, almost drowning in the tawdrily mantle Nami had forced on him. Even now, it was not a pleasant feeling for Sanji that he was significantly taller than the other. No, it just made it harder to remember that this beauty was actually Roronoa Zoro.
"Did you even listen for a second? We have to be convincing, and I have to survive on these heels all evening, so don't you dare complain," he growled, so obviously him.
"Don't be such a baby, heels aren't that uncomfortable," Sanji murmured with a shrug, only then realized what he had said.
For a moment he found himself exposed to Zoro's mocking gaze before he slowly shook his head: "I don't even want to know," he grumbled.
"Hey, come on, guys," Nami called them, almost at the end of the street, several feet ahead of them.
Shortly afterwards they had reached the entrance, and although they were the last to arrive, Sanji could hear the whispering, the furtive and undisguised glances from staff as well as guests watching them from the windows or inside. It seemed the news that Lady Loreen was going to visit this ball had made it across the island very quickly. Zoro at his side took a deep breath and snorted softly, but nothing else showed what he was thinking.
Sanji himself was nervous. This was not their first coup, not their first charade, but usually Zoro played no major role in such, and Sanji was a bit uncomfortable facing him in this form. It was too easy to forget who the other was and how they actually dealt with each other, and their role in this plan certainly did not make that any easier.
Then they reached the front door and suddenly Zoro's whole posture at Sanji's side changed. While Nami informed the security guard of their names – which was absolutely unnecessary since everyone knew the woman next to Sanji and nobody cared about Nami's or his names – Lady Loreen showed the most beautiful yet reserved smile, politely answered questions asked, introduced Nami as lady's companion and Sanji as a business partner. But none of those present gave Nami or him a second glance, while the security guard almost rolled over taking a bow.
After the ladies had their coats removed, they exchanged one last glance, then the double doors were pushed open, and the music died on the other side when someone loudly announced Lady Loreen's arrival.
Sanji felt the pressure of Zoro's hand urging him to walk forward when he forgot for a moment how his legs worked, and instantly he was the center of attention. But everybody only stared at Lady Loreen. And Zoro played his role frighteningly well. Smiling, he met greetings with friendly phrases, tilted his head slightly when someone bowed or curtsied, and shook hands with strangers.
If Sanji was totally honest, he thought the smile seemed forced, the voice monotonous, and the movements hesitant, but he was sure that no one who did not know the lady in white would actually notice. The mantle of celebrity would take care of that.
Out of the corner of his eye, he made sure Nami was still behind them, but then his attention was demanded by the mayor of the city, who rushed towards them and excitedly shook both of Zoro's hands, enthusiastically thanking Lady Loreen for honoring them all with her presence; then greeting Sanji and Nami rather disinterestedly.
"I was quite surprised when I heard that you were visiting, Lady Loreen," he continued, grabbing Zoro's hand again, who dug the other directly into the crook of Sanji's arm as if reaching for safety. "Since that unfortunate incident on Marijoas, your public appearances have become rather rare."
Instantly Sanji felt boiling hot and at the same time goose bumps slid down his forearms. He hadn't expected them to get into trouble so quickly. It was true that Lady Loreen had not officially showed up anywhere since Eizen's foiled coup. On the contrary, Zoro had made it clear that he would no longer keep up that act, so it would not be a big surprise if the world soon knew the truth. Depending on what Zoro would say now, they would be exposed immediately, but when Sanji looked down at him, he only encountered this perfect smile, which he knew too well from Hawk Eyes and of which he knew only too well how dangerous it was.
"You're right, Mayor Nakama," Lady Loreen – Zoro! – replied so friendly and heartily that the sharp thorns underneath remained almost unnoticed. "My poor health and the private hardships of first being betrayed by my mentor and then separated from my fiancé by law have challenged me quite a bit."
"Oh, I...", the old man replied immediately, dismayed, when he noticed how indiscreet his remark was.
"Excuse me, Mayor, I did not mean to embarrass you. You are quite right, evenings like today have become a rare commodity for me, and as you surely know, I am involved in some foundations for which my public relations are important, so I very much regret not having fulfilled my social duties adequately. So, please, let us forget for now the tribulations of the past weeks and enjoy the finer things in life. I heard you support the Children's Cancer Foundation of the Kingdom of Melonia. I would love to talk to you about that. "
"Of course, of course. May I offer you a drink? Wine? Champagne?"
Sanji stared at Nami while Zoro exchanged unimportant stuff with the Mayor. Who the hell was the person by his side? With every word he became more convincing, the smile more real, the movements more natural. It was scary. He would have trusted Robin to put up such an act, Nami too, even Hawk Eyes, but not the Marimo, but maybe those weren't his words at all, which didn't change the fact that he had brought them across quite believably.
Nami only gave him a stern look to concentrate, straightened her necklace, and then showed a friendly smile again when she was also offered wine.
The big question now was how to draw the Commander's attention to Zoro. But this concern was actually unnecessary. More and more people approached them, partially pushing Nami back, while they also addressed Sanji now, mainly about his connection to Lady Loreen. He politely answered what Nami had told him to do. But the tall Marine with sunglasses on his nose and cigar in his mouth made his way through the other guests with ease.
When he arrived, he bowed deeply so that they could read the inscription on his coat.
"Lady Loreen, an honor to meet you."
Zoro next to Sanji tilted his head slightly.
"Vice Admiral Cancer. I think we've already met. At the inauguration of the Marine Headquarters, if I'm not mistaken. You gave the welcomespeech and moderated between other speeches, didn't you?"
"Oh, I'm flattered that you remember me." Then he straightened up and looked at Sanji dismissively. "And this is?"
"An acquaintance, Mr. Hanadji. He is patron of several foundations I support," Zoro explained with such a friendly smile that Sanji got goosebumps.
"Pleasure to meet you," Sanji lied smoothly, tilting his head slightly.
"Likewise," the soldier grumbled coolly, and Sanji knew why he was looking at him so disparagingly. He also had gelled back hair, also wore sunglasses, and a brown suit with a blue shirt also appeared under his marine coat. Except for the cigar, it almost seemed as if they had copied from each other. Then he turned back to Zoro and Sanji didn't mind, after all, the soldier should not look at his face too closely.
While the Commander and Zoro were talking about some past meeting, Sanji let his eyes wander over the people, noticed the two waiters returning his gaze, and how Nami was now talking to the Mayor, who was probably glad to be able to cover up the embarrassing moment with Lady Loreen before turning away and greeting other guests. But most important were the many soldiers, who stood more or less conspicuously in the shadows of the pillars. Most of them were not in uniform, wearing dresses and suits, but their posture betrayed them anyway; this party was better guarded than some fortresses.
One could almost forget about it, but this was a dangerous game. Nami had warned them several times about the risk – which of course they were all aware of – that it meant going to an event where so many soldiers would be present. This, of course, meant that the base would be less staffed, but the soldiers also knew Sanji and Nami's faces, especially of course the Commander whose keys they wanted to steal. Therefore, the two had to restrain themselves and be inconspicuous and Zoro had to secure everyone's attention. And he did.
In addition to the Commander, other people came and hardly anyone gave Nami or Sanji more than a sideways glance, let alone a word, while Zoro on his arm behaved among these people as if he belonged to them. His choice of words wasn't always ideal, but nobody seemed to mind, and Sanji caught himself listening intently and almost forgetting who this little personality really was.
In between, Nami had disappeared for a moment, but that didn't really surprise Sanji and when the Mayor opened the dance, all eyes were on Zoro, who gave the Mayor the honor and let go of Sanji's arm; it felt numb.
It was a short, stiff dance and Sanji doubted more and more that their plan would work out after he had dared to hope for a moment. It might be that Zoro could feign a few words, but he obviously couldn't dance. This meant that Sanji had to make a real effort, and could only pray that Zoro would join in. With champagne in his hand, Sanji kept his eyes on the Commander, who in turn looked like he was watching Lady Loreen continuously. Had they already blown their cover?
Then Nami reappeared next to him and offered Sanji her hand. Like some other guests, they walked to the dance floor, but were still waiting for the opening dance to be over.
"Okay, everyone is ready," murmured Nami, who, as expected, had taken the opportunity to check that everyone was in position behind the scenes. She sounded calm, but Sanji wasn't. His heart was pounding so loudly that someone had to hear it as soon as the music would stop.
"All right," he whispered, noticing the tension rise even more. But he suppressed it and nodded towards Zoro. He met Sanji's gaze, still in the Mayor's arm, without batting an eyelid.
As the song ended, Zoro dropped to a quick curtsy. With the other dancers, Sanji and Nami entered the dance floor, but now came the next tricky moment, yet again Sanji's concern seemed unnecessary. All by himself, the Commander approached Zoro and asked him for a dance. It seemed as if luck was on their side that evening. Zoro dropped to another curtsy while Cancer bowed. Sanji couldn't see what happened afterwards as other couples squeezed themselves on the dancefloor between them.
Finally, the first notes of music were played and luckily this song was a bit faster. Sanji and Nami moved slightly against the current, grazed the backs of other dancers from time to time, came closer and closer to this big one with the white coat. Sanji took a deep breath, counted the steps, and then it was already over.
Nami nodded at him and gradually they moved to the corner of the dance floor, let go of each other, bowed and the next moment she was gone. Again, Sanji had no choice but to watch the others present and once again he noticed what a charisma Lady Loreen had.
Although simply a guest, although surrounded by other personalities of name and influence, an aura seemed to float around the woman in white, as she moved across the parquet with the Marine in the white coat, the other guests seemed almost automatically to keep a respectful distance.
The Commander danced with a little more vigor than the Mayor, but still quite stiff and rough in his movements – as one might have expected from a soldier – and it also seemed more like a social duty than a pleasure.
Zoro's face, on the other hand, revealed nothing about his true thoughts as he smiled at the Commander and they talked quietly, drowned out by the music.
Sanji had to hand it to him, so far, he had done an impressively good job. It was almost shocking how well Zoro played this role and now Sanji understood why he hadn't questioned the newspapers for a second and why it had been so difficult for him to believe Zoro's confession back then.
He behaved differently. Yes, even Zoro knew how to trick someone and that it was sometimes necessary, but his voice, his body language, and above all his glare quickly betrayed him – in addition, he generally had something suspicious about him – one of the many reasons why he usually did not take on such roles.
But here and now he sometimes seemed wooden and flat, his choice of words thoughtless and his facial expressions stilted, but apparently no one else noticed, as if they all wanted to believe that Lady Loreen was exactly what the newspaper wanted her to be. Sanji had the feeling that Zoro could strip here and now and pick a fight – exactly in that order – and yet everyone present would see Lady Loreen as the shy noblewoman Roronoa Zoro clearly wasn't.
He sighed softly. No matter what it was, they should be grateful, because that was the only way they could somehow carry out their coup, hopefully successfully. So, Sanji drank his champagne and waited.
It took another song for Nami to reappear, she only nodded briefly to Sanji as she stepped to the edge of the dance floor and as agreed, Zoro's dance with the Commander ended purely by chance right at her feet and two sentences and a bow later Nami danced with the Commander while Zoro joined Sanji.
It was really difficult for him, today even more than usual. And how could it not if this woman smiled at him like that? But the eyes, they showed that there was much more buried, and that Sanji should be careful. This woman was the Marimo and Sanji should not forget that.
"And?" Zoro took the glass that Sanji handed him and took a long sip before grimacing. "Too sweet," he grumbled softly.
"So far, everything is going as planned," Sanji replied. The trick had been simple. Nami had grabbed the key, taken it to the kitchen where Usopp had made a duplicate, and now she brought it back. Absolutely unproblematic. "I'm quite surprised how much they all fall for you. Kind of scary."
"It's always like this, so annoying," Zoro said with a heavy sigh. "I could behead someone in front of them and they would probably still ask me for a dance. No one takes me seriously in this body."
Sanji swallowed, hoping that no one was eavesdropping.
"Their mistake, isn't it? Anyone who underestimates an opponent will regret it."
"You underestimated me back then."
He had expected it, he had expected that he had to be careful. When Zoro was in this form, Sanji found it harder to find the right words he would otherwise choose, but at the same time Zoro seemed much more sensitive.
"Well, I..." He interrupted himself. The song had ended and Nami bowed deeply to the Commander, who seemed to have little interest in her. Obviously, he had only agreed to dance with her because Lady Loreen had asked him to.
With a big smile, Nami approached them, exchanged two or three words with other guests on the way, before she gratefully accepted the glass Sanji handed her.
"So, guys? No fighting yet?" She always seemed to be having the time of her life during such actions as she took a sip from her glass. "Oh, it's delicious."
"Not yet," Zoro grumbled threateningly, putting his empty glass away.
"Did everything work out?" replied Sanji, to which she only showed him her empty palms, to indicate that she no longer carried the key with her.
"Means, we'll just have to wait for the sign," Zoro remarked, but he sounded like it wasn't nearly as an easy task as it should be. As if he had jinxed it, Sanji noticed some guests approaching them like hungry predators.
"We certainly have five minutes left until the others are ready. Would you like to use the time and powder your nose quickly?", Nami offered Zoro almost friendly. "If you want to escape the pack and get out of your shoes for two minutes, I asked," she explained dryly on Zoro's obviously confused look.
This explanation elicited the first honest smile of the evening and two words later they left Sanji behind. As if on cue, the guests turned around, having no interest in getting to know a greasy snob with gelled hair and sunglasses.
Once again, Sanji had little choice but to observe the people and it took him a lot of effort to ignore the few beauties that even this small island had to offer. But he had to concentrate and not let Zoro doubt for a second that he had listened to him back then. They had to work together as a team, and they had never been good at that unless they could bark at each other.
"Would you like a glass of wine, sir?"
"Yes, plea... Oh."
It was Robin who held out the tray to him, a mysterious smile on her lips.
"Usopp has just interrupted the radio signal," she explained quietly, her eyes and ears everywhere, of course. "I've locked the front doors and back entrances so far, be ready for the diversionary maneuver."
"I don't know if it will be that easy," Sanji murmured, accepting the wine. "Cancer, or whatever this guy is called, doesn't seem to be as interested in Lady Loreen as we had hoped. What do we do when he just leaves? "
"Don't worry and just stick to the plan, then everything will work out." She winked at him briefly. "Trust him, he knows what he's doing."
Then she walked towards the dance floor and the musicians, who had now switched back to the boring, heavy songs, which was why the dance floor was almost empty.
From the other side of the hall, Nami and Zoro came back, dressed up as ever, but even though they were both smiling – Zoro obviously faking it – Sanji could see their tension, which he shared. They exchanged a glance briefly, then the two ladies also headed to the dance floor, meeting the black-haired waitress as if by chance, without any of them stopping in their way.
Sanji took a deep breath. He was almost scared of this moment because his doubts were great that their diversionary maneuver would be successful. But now there was no turning back.
The heavy music died, and the persistent silence made people look up.
"Ladies and gentlemen." The Mayor stood on stage with Lady Loreen in front of the musicians, both with microphone in their hands, and the mere presence of the lady in white silenced the guests almost instantly. It seemed almost magical. Then the Mayor thanked Lady Loreen for her presence and after a few polite phrases, Zoro thanked for the opportunity to focus the attention of those present on the various foundations that Lady Loreen had been supporting for years. Sanji wondered if these words were really Zoro's or if Robin had perhaps helped him.
Once again, he had the feeling that Zoro really wasn't a talented speaker, and yet everyone listened to him, yet Sanji listened to him and forgot his fast-beating heart for a moment.
When the short speech ended and the Mayor wanted to leave the stage with Zoro, Nami seized her chance.
"We want to see you dance again," she shouted over the politely applauding crowd. "My lady, please, do us the favor. We are so happy to have you here today and I'm sure we all want to see you dance again. Like back then, at the grand Navy ball, right?"
Someone here and there agreed loudly, and a soft whisper ensued.
With an apologetic smile, Lady Loreen tried to refuse, but Nami didn't need to play her role anymore, while other guests were now begging and cheering Lady Loreen. Nami seized the moment and chimed the crowd to call Lady Loreen in chorus, and almost everyone present followed. The Mayor took this as an opportunity to take the microphone again and calm the guests down, which he only succeeded in after a few attempts.
He then turned to Zoro and also asked him with pointing to the cheering crowd, which led to even more applause.
"All right, but please have mercy on me," Lady Loreen said with such a sweet smile that Sanji would forgive her – him! – almost everything, especially when those green eyes turned to him. "Mr. Hanadji, would you be so kind?"
For a moment all eyes were on Sanji, so much power this soft voice had. Except for a silent whispering and rustling of clothes, nothing could be heard as necks stretched. But he had known it would happen, so he showed his best smile, bowed deeply, and said loudly, "It would be my honor."
Then he walked to the empty dance floor and the crowd seemed to split in front of him. Zoro let the Mayor help him down the stage and then took the two steps towards Sanji in the middle of the dance floor.
Again, Sanji bowed deeply and offered his hand to the other, his sunglasses slipping a bit while he just stared at the floor. After a moment, this fine hand grabbed his and he straightened up.
There was dead silence in the room and Zoro looked at him absolutely seriously, although his mouth was smiling. How the hell should this whole thing work? They could fight each other, cover each other's backs quite well, but this... there was no way this would work.
Sanji swallowed and stepped towards the other, putting one hand around his waist while Zoro grabbed his shoulder.
"You're sure?" that this can somehow work, Sanji asked when the first notes of the music began. He was far from sure. This whole distraction was based on the plan that they would deliver a fantastic dance, and Zoro couldn't dance!
"Just get started," Zoro growled, so inappropriate for that smile. "I can easily keep up with a serial womanizer like you."
…
Okay, whatever worry he had, Sanji threw it overboard.
"As you wish!"
Should this bastard sink if he couldn't swim. After all, Sanji could dance!
He tightened his grip, took a deep breath, and then moved forward.
What the...?!
Stunned, he stared down at Zoro, who leaned into his arm, yet as light as if Sanji's hand barely touched him. A soft smirk glided over these gentle features and made him look much more like Roronoa Zoro.
"What? Is that all you have to offer? Leader?"
Oh, Sanji seemed to have underestimated the other.
"Okay Marimo, if you want to play like that, you can have it. Let's put on a show for these people!"
And they did, surprisingly.
It was as if Sanji could move freely. Zoro was light in his arms, his posture as if he had done nothing but dancing all his life, and with every step he followed, he was there, he did what Sanji wanted, as if this dance was perfectly choreographed and rehearsed for hours.
The spectators recoiled, gasping for air, as Sanji led the lady in white through a sweeping semicircle, pushed him away, pulled him back close, let him turn around himself, let him turn around Sanji. No matter what Sanji did, Zoro followed him, did what Sanji wanted, as if he were reading his mind.
The music got faster, and Sanji picked up the rhythm, Zoro followed without looking the least surprised, as if it were the easiest thing in the world, while he continued to lean in Sanji's arm, his back straight, that dangerous smile on his lips and those piercing eyes on Sanji. He almost seemed like he was having fun.
Sanji had fun.
He hadn't expected this!
He had seen the pictures, read the newspaper, had known that Lady Loreen was considered a good dancer, but from the moment he had known that it had been Zoro, he had expected that these reports had been rather embellished, had suspected that Hawk Eyes and company had supported him. A good dancer was able to lead beginners through a dance and considering what a snob Hawk Eyes was, he probably could dance.
But it was only possible lead someone through a dance, if the other was also willing to follow and... Zoro did not follow!
This made no sense at all. This damn Marimo was not someone to let others take the lead. He was only loyal to Luffy – and even that was sometimes difficult for Sanji to understand. How a guy like Zoro had come to the decision to follow Luffy – but otherwise he didn't let himself be told what to do, always the first to rush forward and always the one who set the tone.
So how could he... how could Sanji lead him?
It was far too easy. People like Zoro did not follow and if they did, then only reluctantly.
Sanji had expected that he would have to force the other to take every little step, had expected that Zoro would step on his feet a thousand times – both extra and because he just couldn't do better – and that this dance would be a similarly stiff fiasco as the Mayor's dance.
But that was not the case. That was definitly not the case at all.
Not only did Zoro follow him as if he had never done anything else, he also danced good, fuck good!
With every step, every figure, every beat, Sanji dared to try more and each time Zoro kept up, carried out the forms every time to the end, his fingers elegant, his feet stretched, took his time to keep each posture for a second before moving on to the next sequence of steps, always that smug smile on his lips, always his gaze on Sanji, as if he knew more than Sanji himself.
The crowd gasped and let out sounds of surprise when Sanji threw the lady in white into the air, but Zoro himself moved as if they had danced together a thousand times, as if he knew Sanji's movements and preferences inside and out.
It reminded him a bit like they were fighting back-to-back. In those moments, he never had to be considerate of Zoro, could fight as he saw fit, and knew that Zoro could dodge his attacks and cover his blind spots, just as it was the other way around.
At the same time, it also reminded him of how they fought with each other, if one really wanted to call it that, because if he was honest – even if he would never say it out loud – they didn't really fight with each other, it was more of a friendly exchange of blows, a constant trial of strength, some slight movement whenever it was too tight on the ship. Zoro rarely showed a grin and they both cursed at each other quite wonderfully, but even then, they knew exactly how the other would move, which attacks the other preferred, and of course, if someone was struggling or wasn't back to best at that moment.
And yet it was quite different, after all, this was not a fight, after all, a dance was a togetherness, teamwork, and maybe that's why he had these goose bumps; he wasn't used to working with Zoro so easily.
"I'm really surprised that you can dance so well," he murmured as he caught Zoro again. "Could have said that before, I wouldn't have had to worry so much."
"Of course, I can dance," grumbled the other, "half of my training Mihawk forced me to dance."
"Yeah, sure," Sanji huffed, turned him out briefly and pulled him back in.
"Seriously," came the reply. "Dancing and sword fighting have a lot in common."
"If you say so." Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Sanji could see Cancer turning away from the dance floor. "Dammit! Our diversionary maneuver isn't working."
"Don't worry, it's fine." Surprised, he looked down at his dance partner, who was still leaning in his arms like the born dancer and calmness personified. "Do you know what the biggest difference is between dancing and sword fighting?"
"Huh?" Where did that come from?
"In dancing, there is a leader and a follower. The dance can only be successful if both work together. In fighting, on the other hand, both parties want to take the lead."
"Okay?" Could be, but Sanji didn't know why Zoro had to come up with this theory lesson where they were about to fail in their plan.
"In dancing, the partner follows the leader, but this only works as long as the rules are clear. If the leader fails, the partner must take over to save the dance."
"Are you telling me I'm bad at dancing?" he grumbled, his eyes back on Cancer, who was now sitting at a table looking at his watch. Whatever the Marimo wanted to explain to him, that had to wait, because it was still way too early, if the soldier wanted to leave now, they had a problem.
"No, you're actually leading pretty well." Alert! "You just misunderstood something. You thought because you're leading, this was a dance, but Cook, I'm a swordsman. I don't follow."
For a moment he stared down at Zoro, who grinned at him like the devil himself.
"…What?"
"You may lead the dance, but I control the fight."
"Uah!"
Sanji stumbled back, crashed into two tables, fell to the ground, heard people screaming as his eyes followed his sunglasses sliding across the floor, ending up right in front of white shoes, laying innocently between white beads and glittering stones. Then his gaze slid up these shoes, along the dress, up to Zoro, who looked down at him, his dress half torn, one breast bared, as if someone had jerked at its strap, torn the dress.
"You underestimated me," Zoro whispered almost tonelessly. "And now run!"
Sanji stared at him. What the hell was going on?!
Suddenly, Nami threw herself between them, the pompous coat over Zoro, before pointing at Sanji with her arm outstretched.
"A groper!" she roared. "This is a fraud. Someone has to arrest him!"
Then she winked at him almost apologetically and he understood. The truth was simple, Sanji had never known the whole plan. The diversion had never been the dance, the real diversionary maneuver was just beginning; he was the red herring.
All the soldiers – in uniform or civilian clothes – moved towards him, while Nami clutched the Marimo wrapped in his coat close to her chest and complained loudly that they needed help.
The next moment Sanji realized that he didn't have time to observe. He jumped to his feet, the first fingers pointed at him, people whispered and shouted his name when he was recognized. Was that why Nami had lured Zoro to the toilet? To prepare the dress?
Whatever it was, Sanji jumped up and then he ran.
"What the hell was that?" he cursed. "I had to hide for three hours! Couldn't get back to the ship with a tail of Marines, after all!"
Usopp rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Well, we had to keep the soldiers busy somehow so they wouldn't return to the base. That's why we had to stage an incident."
"And portray me as a sexual predator?! At a ball?!"
The others exchanged a glance.
"Oh, come on! I'm not that bad!"
Again, the others exchanged a look, but no one said anything.
"Well, at least we have Chopper and our captain back," Jinbei said conciliatorily. "Now we just have to wait for Nami and Zoro and then it was a complete success."
Sanji snorted loudly.
"At least you could have initiated me," he murmured, pouting.
"We didn't want to run the risk of you messing up the plan?" Usopp became a little quieter with every word.
"Me?! You were worried that I would mess up the plan, but not the Marimo?!"
Again, consensual silence.
"You're mean."
~ Two days later ~
It was a beautiful morning.
Sanji had just prepared breakfast and was standing outside at the bow to light the second cigarette of the day. Up in the crow's nest there was light burning, the Marimo was still training, which was why he would probably sleep through breakfast as so often. Sanji should perhaps put something aside for him, after all, it was not easy to make sure that the mosshead ate regularly.
But he didn't want to let these worries spoil the wonderful sunrise when the seagull with the newspaper came, and he paid for it. He took another puff of his cigarette and then opened the newspaper.
It was really a beautiful... He choked on the smoke of his cigarette, staring at the front page in disbelief.
"Oh God, I'm dead."