One Piece: Sea Devil Sanji

Noon before the start of the battle, the Strawhats arrived where Cricket lived and found him passed out on the seashore after a long dive in the ocean. Chopper treated him and they met up with his two friends, Masira and Shoujou, the leaders of "Saruyama Alliance".

Once Cricket woke up, he explained that if Sky Island existed, the only way to reach it would be through the "Knock Up Stream". In order to reach it, he had them go into the forest to search for a "South Bird", a bird whose head always points south. During this, the Saruyama Alliance would upgrade the Going Merry in order to withstand the Knock Up Stream.

Meanwhile, hearing what Sanji did to one of his crewmembers, Bellamy wanted to take revenge. He found out about the Strawhats going to meet Cricket, so he along with his crew payed him a visit. However they only found the man, his two companions and the Going Merry, with no sight of the others.

Bellamy and his crew decided to beat them up and steal the gold that Cricket amassed after many years of diving into the sea. They severely injured him and the others, and partially destoyed the Merry in the process.

When the Strawhats returned with the South Bird in tow, Luffy decided to get the gold back after learning what happened and he went looking for Bellamy who returned back to Mock Town. Sanji decided to tag along with him.

That evening the two found Bellamy and Luffy took him down with one punch. He then took the gold and headed back to Cricket's house while the remainder of the Bellamy Pirates were too afraid to fight back.

Just before exiting Mock Town...

"What do you mean, you're staying?" asked Luffy, looking at Sanji in bewilderment.

"There is something here that I need to take care of on my own" answered Sanji "Go back to the others and head for Sky Island, I'll follow right after"

"But how would you go to Sky Island by yourself- Oh right, you can fly"

He then eyed Sanji for a second and asked "So what's this thing you need to do?"

Sanji chewed on his cigarette in thought 'It's going to get very loud and messy in just a bit, there's no way they won't notice what's about to happen... And if they decide to interfere, they'll be put in grave danger...' he sighed at that, then said "Before I tell you anything, I want you to promise me that no matter what, you're not to interfere with what I'm about to do"

Holding the bundle of gold on his shoulder, Luffy stared at him with a frown "Okay..." he said. "You're starting to worry me"

"Well, look... You remember Blackbeard, right? The one Ace is chasing after"

"Yeah" nodded Luffy "Ace told me about him when we met at Alabasta"

"He's in this town" Luffy's eyes widened a bit at that and Sanji added "As a matter of fact, he's the one you had an argument with this morning at the tavern"

"Whoa, really!?" exclaimed Luffy. "If only Ace was here... Maybe I should help him and catch Blackbeard for him"

"No, you can't, Luffy!" Sanji objected firmly. "He's too much for you to handle at the moment"

"Huh...? So what? Didn't you say I need to fight strong people to awaken my Haki?"

"Yes I did. But what I meant is people who are at your level of strenght" Sanji took a long puff of smoke in preparation of what he's about to say next, knowing that it'll upset him "You can't just challenge anyone you encounter, Luffy... There are those in this world who are simply way beyond you to face at your current level. They'll slaughter you in a heart beat. That's the sad truth. And unfortunately, Blackbeard is one of them right now"

There was a flash of hurt in Luffy's eyes at Sanji's words, before anger flared up in his c.h.e.s.t and shouted at the cook "Don't tell me who I can and can't challenge, Sanji! I'm not afraid of anyone! I'll beat Blackbeard's a.s.s. No, not just him. I'll beat all their asses and become the Pirate King!"

Sanji ignored his outbust and spoke calmly, looking him right in the eyes "I have no doubt that you'll, Luffy. It's something that I have absolute faith in. Why do you think I chose to follow you as my captain then? Do you really think I'm the kind of person who'll follow just about anyone?"

They tensely maintained eye contact for several long seconds before Luffy lowered his head, his hat shadowing his eyes as he spoke "Sorry... I shouldn't have yelled at you like that... It's just..."

"There's no need to apologize" Sanji shook his head "I know what I said is a bit harsh and may come as lack of faith in you. However, you still needed to hear it, Luffy. You may be my captain, but I consider you a friend and a little brother first. I don't want to see you get over your head and get killed fighting the wrong person..."

Sanji patted his shoulder, making him lift his head and look at him again "You'll be the Pirate King, Luffy. I'm absolutely sure of it. So never doubt my faith in you"

Slowly a grin spread on Luffy's face and nodded at the blond. He then glanced briefly at the town and looked back at Sanji "So... does Blackbeard have something to do with you wanting to stay back?"

"Yes" Sanji took his hand back, putting it in his pocket.

"Why? Are you going to fight him?"

"Yes" Sanji confirmed again. "I have to stop him before he comes chasing after us" 'Among other reasons...'

"Eh, what do you mean?"

"Well..." Sanji hesitated for a second then pulled two wanted posters from his jacket and showed them to him "It's because of this..."

Luffy snatched them from Sanji's hand seeing his photo on one of them "Wow!! 105 million! Shishishi, that's so awesome!" he looked at the second one "Oh, even Zoro has one now. Whaaa, 60 million! It's even more than my first bounty! This is great! I bet he'll be very happy to see this- Wait..." he frowned and looked back at Sanji "What do you mean it's because of this? Are you saying that Blackbeard wants my head for the bounty?"

Sanji sighed, knowing where this is going "Yes"

"But why? Isn't he a pirate too?" questioned the captain.

"It's complicated" said Sanji, then explained "He wants to catch someone with a high enough bounty so the W.G. would reward him with the vacant Shichibukai post after Crocodile's arrest. It just so happens that you're the one he laid his eyes on"

"And you want to stop him on your own... To protect me..." Luffy looked at him with a sombre expression.

Sanji held up his hand and spoke "Look, Luffy. I know what you're thinking, but you can't. I told you Blackbeard is too powerful for you right now. Let me give you an idea of how much, okay. You know how strong Ace is, right? Well, he's even stronger. Not counting his subbordinates, all of whom as strong or even stronger than you and the moss-head. And he is accompanied with three of them in town right now"

"I don't care, Sanji" Luffy was't deterred "I won't let you face them by yourself. If you're going then I'm going too"

"Don't you have any faith in me?"

"That's not what I meant!"

"Then believe in me like I believe in you. Leave this to me and go back to the rest. You're the captain Luffy, so remember, the crew's safety always comes first, that's your responsibily. So think about them. What if they get embroidered in this fight? They're just not ready to face this kind of enemy? Besides a crew can't function without its captain, so you need to be with them to leave for the Sky Island, or we'll lose our only chance at getting there"

Luffy deflated a bit, knowing that Sanji was right, yet he still couldn't accept it just like that. He clenched his fist in frustration as he lowered his head again and said "You're part of my crew too, Sanji. I can't let you face danger by yourself"

"I'm the right man for this job, Luffy, and you know it. As a captain, sooner or later you'll be forced to make these kinds of hard decisions. So let me handle it. And don't make it sound like I'm going to my death. I'll be kicking their shitty a.s.s left and right. So, have some faith in me, okay"

"..."

Seeing Luffy not moving, eyes glued to the floor, teeth gritted and not saying anything, Sanji knew that his words got through to him. Sanji smiled and said "Thanks Luffy. I know this is a hard decision for you but you know it's the right one to make, so thank you for putting your trust in me"

Once he finished, he turned and started walking back in town in the direction where he sensed his four targets congregating.

"Sanji" Luffy called for him after he walked a couple of steps away "I'll become stronger, Sanji, so we'll never be in a situation like this ever again, I'll personally make sure of it" his voice calm and steady as he spoke and he had a new determination in his eyes. "But for now, beat their a.s.s, captain's orders"

Sanji stopped for a moment, smoke rising from between a small smile on his lips before he continued forward and raised his hand in the air "Ay ay, captain"

***

Back to Skypiea...

As they kept questioning him, Sanji had relaying what happened back at Jaya to his crewmates. He'd have liked them not knowing about it but the situation back there just didn't allow it.

Nami and Robin were understandably upset with him. They berated him for his recklessness especially Nami who shouted and knocked on his head a couple of times, but were ultimately relieved that he returned safe.

Zoro for his part didn't say anything to the matter and acted like nothing happened. Sanji though could see the same determination in his eyes that he felt from Luffy that night, which made him smile inwardly.

"Yeah!!! I finally got out!!!!" shouted Luffy pumping his fists in the air as he fell out of the giant snake's mouth.

He was followed right after by Pierre, a large pink bird with a red polka dot pattern on its body that ate the Horse-Horse Fruit(Uma Uma no Mi), and a little girl named Aisa. She had short brown hair and two small wings on her back, and was wearing sandals, a yellow fur dress and cap.

"*P*... *Pie*..." g.r.o.a.n.e.d Pierre after hitting his head on the ground.

"*Heh*... *Heh*... Finally we're out..." said Aisa as she picked herself up and looked at her surroundings "What happened here?"

"Ah, Sanji!!" exclaimed Luffy seeing his cook accompanied by Nami, Robin and Zoro who was carrying a passed out Chopper.

He lunged at the blond, tightly hugging his face, before the latter managed to utter even a single word "I'm hunnnngryyy!! Make me a lunch box or I kick your ass!" he demanded loudly.

"Get off! Is this the first thing you say to me after we meet again!?" Sanji cried back as he tried to shake him off, but if their long adventure had proven anything, is was two things: Luffy could not be dissuaded when he set to his mind to something, and his stomach was almost as much of a force to be reckoned with as he was himself.

The rest of the Strawhats sweatdropped at their captain.

After a few minutes of unsuccessfully trying to pry the hungry man off of him, Sanji finally relented with a deep sigh and a roll of his eyes. "Fine, fine! I'll cook you some food! Geez, you're such a pain!" he complained, and at the promise off food the rubber man finally relinquished his hold on Sanji.

"Shishishi, man I'm starving!" laughed Luffy as he patted the cook's shoulder "I'm so glad you're back, Sanji!"

"I told you so, shit-head, did you have any doubt?" Sanji smirked at him.

"Shishishi, of course not" Luffy grinned back.

"Citezens of the blue seas" suddenly called Wyper for them from behind.

They turned around, finding him looking at them sternly. "Ah! You again!" said Luffy.

Wyper pointed his bazooka at them "Didn't I tell you to leave this island and go back to the blue sea? You're not welcome here. This is my ancestors land. So leave now or I'll treat you like Enel and eliminate you!"

"Wyper, don't!" shouted Aisa as she run towards him "They're my friends!"

"I'll deal with you later, Aisa. Now get out of my way" he pushed her to the side, still aiming his weapon at the Strawhats.

"You know... Enel is still not completely out for count..." said Sanji pointing at where he left him "Why don't you focus on him instead of us?"

Just then came the enraged voice of Skypiea's god "Damn you!!!" he was glaring at them after he extracted his head from the ground and stood back up, his gaze especially concentrated at Sanji "So close... I was so... My plans would have worked flawlessly if it wasn't for you...!! Everyone would fear me... worship me...!! My world... A punk like you is no match for me!! It is impossible! I'm the almighty god!! The almighty god!!!"

"Shut up!!!" yelled Luffy, bringing Enel's attention on him.

"In this world... there are a lot of people. In the blue sea there are a lot of monstrous guys..." the image of his cook fighting the Blackbeard pirates played in his mind which made him grit his teeth "Someone like you..." he glared at Enel "You're just a frog at the bottom of a well!"

"Shut up punk! You're just another piece of trash!" Enel transformed into a gigantic Raijin-looking thunder god made of pure electricity.

*Max 200,000,000 Volt Amaru*

"With you lot out of the way, the world will be mine again!" he took a pose ready to attack "There will be no one to stop me!!!"

"Sanji... I want extra meat in my lunch box..." said Luffy as he removed his hat and handed it to Nami. He then cracked his knuckles, clenching his fists "Leave this guy to me"

"No problem" responded Sanji "Don't take too long though or the food will get cold"

"Got it" nodded Luffy.

"Captain-san" said Robin as Luffy started to walk towards Enel "Can you take the fight somewhere else than here? I don't want this historical city to get damaged"

"Leave that to me, Robin-chan" Sanji grinned at her before he disappeared and appeared near Enel, kicking him in the stomach.

"Arrrgh!!" cried Enel as he was sent flying in the distance.

Sanji then jumped in the air and looked at Luffy "Drum Island..." he said with a smirk.

"Dahahaha, yeah!" Luffy laughed as he stretched his arms and grabbed onto Sanji's leg. The latter kicked forward, propelling Luffy after Enel. "Wooohoooo...!!!" was Luffy's excited cry as he rocketed in the air.

"Will Luffy be okay? Can he win against that guy?" asked Nami as Sanji landed back down.

"Don't worry" he looked at her "Did you forget what Luffy's fruit is?"

"Oh! You're right, Cook-san" said Robin realization.

"Of course!" realization hit Nami too "I should have realized sooner. His body is made of rubber so he's immune to lightning!"

"It's like he's Enel's one and only natural enemy" added Zoro.

"Exactly" confirmed Sanji "That guy may possess one of the most powerful Devil Fruits but it's just his bad luck that he's facing against Luffy" he puffed from his cigarette and continued "So see, there's nothing to worry about. Luffy will definetly win"

Sanji then looked at Wyper "As for you, I think you should go look for your fallen comrades. I sense that some of them are on their last breaths. If they don't get immediate medical attention, they'll definetly lose their lives. The fighting here is over, so you should go to them before it's too late"

"Are you a Mantra(Observation Haki) user?" asked Wyper.

"Yes" nodded the blond "That's why I can tell. So if you value your comrades lives leave immediately. I'm sure that little girl can lead you to them in time" he pointed at Aisa. "You can use Mantra too, right?" he asked her.

"Yes, I can. And he's right Wyper" she looked at the Shandian warrior "I can still hear their voices, but they're very faint. We need to hurry and help them. So please don't fight anymore!" she pleaded with tears in her eyes.

Wyper looked at the little girl then at Sanji and back at the little girl before he relented "Alright we'll go" he picked her up then looked one more time at Sanji and company "I'll leave you be for now... But if you try anything weird on this island... I'll come after you" he warned before he left with Aisa.

"What should we do now?" asked Zoro after Wyper left "We came all the way here looking for gold, but this 'Golden City' is just some ruins"

"Now that you mention it" said Nami looking around "I don't see any gold anywhere"

"It was Enel" said Robin "I was the first to meet him earlier. He already knew that we were looking for the gold. He told me that we were a few years too late, so he must have taken it and hid it somewhere else"

"I don't know about the gold in this city but when I was flying here I spotted a giant golden belfry floating on a cloud above this island" said Sanji abruptly making their eyes widen.

"Really!?" exclaimed Nami with Beli signs in her eyes and hugged his arm "Take me! Take me! I want to see it!"

"Is that true, Cook-san!?" even Robin was showing excitement at the news, though for a completely different reason. There was a Poneglyph embedded into the belfry.

"I'll show it to you" he grinned at the two and held them before he Sky Walk towards the belfry.

Watching them disappear in th air, Zoro shrugged "I'll stay here then and look after Chopper and the strange knight" he said as he walked towards the knocked out Gan Fall whom Pierre was now kneeling by his side.

***

"Whaaa!! This is magnificent!" exclaimed Nami, seeing the golden belfry as they landed in front of it.

"It looks even more majestic up close..." commented Sanji.

"It truely is" added Robin before she briskly walked towards the center of the belfy where she could see a blue stone tablet with some ancient writing on it.

"What's that?" asked Nami.

"That's a Poneglyph" answered Sanji.

"Oh, it's those things that Robin is looking for, right?" Sanji nodded at Nami's question. She smiled "I'm glad for her then"

"Me too" Sanji smiled too, watching as Robin began to decipher the writing on the tablet.

"It's a pity though" Nami lifted her head, looking at the bell "This belfry is way too big to be carried in our ship. And I don't have the heart to break such a beautiful thing for the gold..." she sighed "Looks like we'll have to give up on it"

Sanji looked at Nami, finding her brown eyes dyed golden as they gazed transfixedly on the bell mesmerized by it. He smirked as an idea came to his mind, then walked to stand in front of her "My lady, might I ask for a dance?"

Nami puffed out her cheeks at him, upset that the lascivious cook had blocked her view at the bell. "What are you on about?" she asked, her hands on her h.i.p.s.

"We may not be able to take this belfry with us but we can make an unforgettable memory out of it" he took a deep drag of his cigarette before pulling it from his mouth to exhale the thick smog, watching as it was instantly snatched away by the ever-present wind. His blue eye watched as the wisps were shredded under its fierce claws, and were drawn up to the sky ceiling above their heads. "I don't think there ever was someone who danced here before" he brought his gaze back at her again with playful smirk.

"You're crazy" she croosed her arms.

"Maybe, but you still didn't answer my question. Here, let me ask again properly" he purred, then placed one hand behind his back and bowed his head while holding out his free hand to her "I humbly request a dance of the gorgeous lady, if you would have me"

Nami rolled her eyes at his dramatized rendition of propriety, but rather than be annoyed by it, she was amused. She decided to humor him for a while and obediently slid her slender hand into his well-kept ones. Her eyes twitched as he looked up with a grin and quickly brought her hand to his lips so he could softly press a kiss to the top of it.

"Watch it, mister. Don't get carried away" she warned, trying to put more bite into the words than she was truly feeling. Warmth bloomed where his mouth touched her skin, and identically in the middle of her c.h.e.s.t where her heartbeat jumped; perhaps it was the ethereal atmosphere this high up, filling the world with a sense of romanticism, but the faintest haze of pink blossomed across Nami's cheeks as well.

Sanji just smiled coyly at her before he threw his cigarette and smoothly pulled her into position, holding her hand up while his curled about her waist.

"Me? Carried away? I scoff at the notion" he answered coolly before he began to guide her expertly in the dance. They slowly whirled about as they mirrored the eternal waltz of the wind, and all the while Sanji's gaze remained fixed on Nami's face.

She continued to stare at him with a lion's intensity as her hand rested on his shoulder, but in reality she felt more like the antelope, cornered and meek. There was something so dangerous about the way he was gazing at her right now, a smoldering fire deep in his eye, but it was a danger that Nami wanted to dive headlong into, a heat that she wanted to bathe herself in.

Nami found herself even more transfixed by this than the wonder of the golden belfry, and was unable to tear her gaze away, or do anything really but stare back with her mouth slightly agape in nothing short of awe. Had Sanji's blonde hair always had that beautiful sheen to it, or was it the celestial light playing tricks on her eyes? The way he was holding her, too, so sure of himself as he carried her effortlessly along, was setting her heart to a furious tempo.

Nami had no idea what he was thinking as he watched her with that calm, calculated, fiery gaze, and she closed her mouth as she gulped slightly. She wondered if she had fallen into a dream; the entire thing was just that extraordinarily sensual and romantic, neither of which she normally associated with the flirty Sanji. "Nami-san" he said suddenly, drawing her out of her slightly panicky fit.

"H-Huh?"

"I'm really relieved that you're safe" a blush blazed across her cheeks as he leaned forward to press his forehead against hers. She was still out of sorts, still captured in that smoldering fire of his eye. "I'm sorry that I wasn't by your side these couple of days. I don't know what I would've done if…" he trailed off with a pained expression, as if the words themselves were a thorn in his tongue, unable to be forced out.

Nami's heart swelled with warmth seeing the concern in his eye, and she deigned to pull herself a little bit, an arc forming in her back as their middles brushed slightly together while they continued to slowly traverse circles across the clowdy floor.

"I'm not a damsel in distress, Sanji-kun... I can take care of myself" she smiled sweetly at him.

Sanji mirrored her smile "You're so independent, Nami-san. That's what I love about you" she grinned up at him at the compliment and then his eyes flickered down to her lips for a brief second. Nami knew what was coming next, what his intention was and she welcomed it.

Almost moving on instinct, she tilted her head upward and to the side as Sanji's face slowly descended to kiss her.

At the exact moment their lips met, the wind sang in a melodious symphony in tune with Nami's singing heart, dancing around them in a swirling sphere reflecting the golden glow of the belfry. As the joy, love and ecstasy of it all burst inside Nami, her world became clear and blurry all at once, and the soft clouds surrounding them seemed as if diving to the earth in a tremendous crescendo to serenade the pair of dancers.

Nami's hand drifted from Sanji's shoulder to the back of his neck, while his migrated to the small of her back; the fingers of their other hands, still held aloft, crept apart such that they could entwine tightly together. Captured in the kiss of the man who had stolen her heart, Nami was contented to remain in that dream for the rest of time, for that short, sweet moment.

Nami was not sure how long they kissed, but by the time they had broken apart they had stopped dancing and were just standing where they first landed, their faces flushed and their skin shining with a thin layer of sweat. Sanji cupped Nami's cheek in his hand, sweeping her orange hair behind her ear while he gazed lovingly down at her.

"I must be dreaming" he laughed airily.

"Funny, I was just thinking the same. Do you think we could be having the same dream?"

"Oh, I hope so" came his rumbling reply, bringing an impish smile to Nami's face as she wound her arm around his neck and began to curl her fingers about the ends of his straight blonde locks. Sanji once more brought her hand, still locked in his grasp, to his lips to press a kiss to the top, holding it for a long time before pressing lighter kisses along her knuckles. Nami watched him with a warm smile, enjoying the feeling his lips left behind on her skin and the romantic mood of it all-

The romantic mood that was utterly ruined as a chilly wind passed by them and she abruptly sneezed in Sanji's face.

"I'm so sorry!" she gasped in mortification as he frowned deeply and began rubbing phlegm off his face. Blushing darkly, she hid her face in her hands, while Sanji just laughed heartily. "It's not funny, Sanji-kun! Oh, man, what a moodkiller" she g.r.o.a.n.e.d while peering through her fingers at him.

"It's okay, Nam-san, I thought it was cute" he snickered as he shook the sleeve of his jacket lightly. The embarrassed navigator just continued to wallow in her astronomically bad luck, whining, until Sanji wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his c.h.e.s.t. Hiding her fiery face in the folds of his jacket, he stroked her hair while continuing to laugh.

She could feel it rumbling in his c.h.e.s.t, vibrating against her face, and though it was kind of at her expense she felt a little better. "Ah, that was funny, but probably not a good thing. It's a bit cold at this altitude and you're only wearing a bra on top, not that I mind the view though. Maybe we should get back to the ship so you can wear something warmer, I don't want you to get sick"

"No. I like the sound of crawling into my room and never getting out" she muttered. He laughed again before pulling her away from him. Her fingers clung desperately to the fabric of his jacket, trying to pull herself back into his embrace where she did not have to face the reality of what she just did, but to no avail. He patted her head as she continued to pout pathetically. "Look on the bright side; I'm probably the only guy who would let you sneeze in his face and not get mad"

"That doesn't help, Sanji-kun! she wailed and whirled around, trying to run away and isolate herself. But the cloud they were on wasn't that big and found herself crouching down at the edge of it. Sanji laughed as he followed her, and she grimaced with red face as she peeked at him. "I hate you. Stop teasing me"

"I'm not teasing! Really! It was so adorable, your face all scrunched up and that little high-pitched mousy sneeze~" He cooed as he crouched down in front of her, grinning widely showing too much teeth. Nami turned her back to him with a haughty huff, turning up her chin at him.

"You think that's a compliment? Jeez, you're dense" It was only playful banter, now; Nami was still mildly embarrassed, but at least glad he really didn't care, even if that was kinda gross. She continued to sit there with her chin upturned as Sanji continued to try and get her up with no success; then, suddenly, the floor fell away beneath her. She squeaked in alarm and threw her arms to cling to the nearest thing, which happened to be the playful cook, who had decided enough was enough and picked her up.

He looked down at her as he grinned brightly "There. Much better"

"I hate you" she repeated and stuck out her tongue at him.

"I love you too, Nami-san" he winked with a breathy chuckle, and successfully managed to get Nami fl.u.s.tered once more. He began to walk towards the warmest corner of the cloud where the sun shined the brightest as Nami steamed like a boiling egg, short-circuiting so much that she couldn't even speak, just stare intensely at him. "If you want to say something, say it, Nami-san!" he laughed at her.

She was frustrated at how so easy it is for him. "… Fine. I love you" she grumbled finally, admitting defeat. Sanji turned his head to beam triumphantly at her, then leaned forward to give her a soft peck on the end of her nose. Despite herself, she could not help but smile widely in joy, and as he was pulling away she poked her head forward to bump her nose against his affectionately "Thanks for the dance. You were right, I don't think I'll ever forget this memory"

"Me too" he said with a big smirk.

Sanji sat down with her on his l.a.p and they silently watched the endless sea of clouds drifting above. Nami rested her head against his shoulder, sleepiness setting in after a tiring day for her, and closed her eyes listening to his breathing and heartbeat. Lulled by the sounds of the man holding her, Nami drifted off into a content sleep...

A couple of minutes later, Sanji turned his head to his left as Robin approached and sat down by his side.

"Was it to your satisfaction?" Sanji asked with a smile.

"The information on the tablet itself, no... But I found a message written by its side which gave me a clue" she beamed at him "I think I'm a step closer to finding the Rio Poneglyph"

"I'm happy for you, Robin-chan" he grinned at her. "Let's get back to the others then, I'll cook your favorite tonight as celebration" He then gently wrapped his arms around Nami and was about to stand back up, but Robin caught the sleeve of his jacket, preventing him so.

"Cook-san..."

"Yes, Robin-chan" he turned his head back towards her again.

"Thank you..." she suddenly leaned in giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. Once she pulled back, she smiled softly at him, looking him in the eye and said "If it wasn't for you, I'd have given up on my dream back in Alabasta..." she laid her head on his shoulder, winding her arm around his back pressing herself against him "I don't know what I'd have done if you weren't there for me. And I certainly wouldn't be here now. So thank you for giving me hope again"

Sanji smiled gently down at her and wordlessly pulled her closer by the waist as he affectionally nuzzled her hair. He felt her smile, and she squeezed him so tightly that she felt his lungs constrict. He didn't complain, though.

"Can we stay like this for some time?" She asked tentatively.

"Of course. I can't deny you anything, Robin-chan" he placed a kiss on top of her head before he lifted his head from her hair. "However, not too long. A certain captain said he'd kick my a.s.s if I don't cook him some food after all" he joked.

She giggled good naturally then burried her head deeper into his neck, her forehead almost brushing against that of the sleeping Navigator opposite from her.

Looking down at the two girls in his arms, Sanji sighed deeply as he breathed in their intoxicating scent 'This is heaven' a serene smile formed on his lips.