Life and Trials of a Former Assassin

Chapter 2

As the four were standing outside the building with Makino locking the door Luffy decided something needed to be done. He liked Sanji. He thought he would make an awesome friend and he saw how Zoro looked at him. Luffy didn't know if they made plans but he wanted to make sure they saw each other again and that Sanji would become one of their group.

"Hey Sanji." Luffy began. He saw both Sanji and Zoro look at him. "Me and Zoro are going to our friend Jinbei's house for a cook out. Everyone in our group will be there. You have to come. That way you can meet everybody and become friends all at once."

Sanji knew he must have looked concerned with the sudden invite if the look on Luffy's face was anything to go by. But all he saw in his eyes was innocent hopefulness. So maybe he could have friends emphasis on the multiple part. It wouldn't be that bad. He had already decided to try to have a stable normal life friends were part of that equation. "Sure. I'll have to go back home and get my car and meet you there. What do you want me to bring?"

The glint in Luffy's eyes should have made him worried. The almost maniacal laugh that followed should have given hint to what was about to happen. Luffy grabbed Sanji arm and started walking down the road. "Meat! We need lots of meat! But don't worry about your car Zoro will drive us!" He laughed and added in a devilish tone. "If he can find it and doesn't get lost."

Not in front of him! "Dammit Luffy I don't get lost!"

An hour and forty five minutes and one enthusiastic trip through the grocery store later Sanji stood with Zoro and Luffy in front of a house in the suburbs. It was made of brick as many of the houses were with a lush green lawn and tall trees in front. A row of flowers led to the doorway. Sanji had forgotten his nervousness in the chaos that was Luffy and the calm that was Zoro but now it returned. He never had friends. He had acquaintances and people he considered family but not someone that bordered the two. He kept reminding himself that it had been two years and no contact from the Vinsmokes. He could do this.

Luffy rang the doorbell. "Oi! Guys open up I can smell food!"

Sanji took in the sight before him as the door opened. It was a tall barrel chested man with a soul patch who opened the door. He smiled widely. "Hey guys you made it."

Luffy picked up the bags he was holding. "Yeah and we brought meat and a new friend." He pushed his way into the house with Zoro following. Sanji took one last look outside and followed them in.

Sanji took in the house. It felt open. His paranoid mind took in multiple exits. The french doors to the back were open as were the windows. A decent sized kitchen was on his left with a living room in front of him and a hallway to his right. The sounds of laughter and music of Twenty One Pilots drifting from the back yard.

Luffy set his bags down in the kitchen and started to drag Sanji outside to introduce him. Luffy had decided he was going to be part of their family. Sanji looked back at Zoro who smiled apologetically at Luffy's enthusiasm. Sanji followed knowing a lost cause when he saw one.

"The big guy who let us in in Jinbei." Luffy pulled Sanji by the arm over to an incredibly tall skinny man with an afro and another tall but bulky man with blue hair and star tattoos on his arms who Sanji recognized. Both were singing along with the music and adding their own words. They looked up and Luffy introduced them. "Brook." Brook tipped his head in greeting. "Franky."

Franky stood up. "Super! Sanji's here. Hey Robin come look."

A raven haired beauty Sanji knew well as she had given him a new identity when he and Zeff decided to quit running and settle down rose from her chair and made her way over. Sanji was nervous that his past and this new future he was trying to make was going to crash head on. He fiddled with the lighter in his pocket. He stopped smoking for the most part but kept it around for stressful situations and this was one. His paranoia was back and he was too anxious to spout his usual nonsense. "Robin so nice to see you."