Life and Trials of a Former Assassin

Chapter 12

Days after returning home Sanji was setting up for a party at their home. The morning after coming back the need to see his friends was strong. He had gone to the Baratie to see that part of his family and reassure himself all was well. He was happy to see Zoro was his calm self again. Now he just needed to see, hear and touch his friends so he organized a party.

Their home was big enough for the ten of them and more if need be. Their main group was coming but the others were off doing something else which he was fine with. His nakama as Luffy called them were the ones being threatened not the others. Ace and Sabo were safe or at least as safe as the two could be.

Sanji had been marinating steaks and a large ham was cooking all morning. Their friends would start to arrive before lunch. He had lucked out that he could get them all together on such short notice. Zoro hadn't even questioned his need for the party. Sanji was thankful that though the Marimo may not know the whole story he knew this was something his partner needed.

The chef worked on making a large spread for his friends. He made all the things to go with the meat as well as deserts. He heard the doorbell ring and paused as Zoro went to get the door. Luffy and Nami were the first to arrive. The exuberant bouncy ball that was Luffy smelled the food and commented. "Sanji meat!"

Sanji couldn't hide his smile as he yelled. "Wait bastard! The rest aren't here yet!"

Luffy laughed and went into the living room setting up the Xbox. Nami walked into the kitchen to see what was being made. "Nami my sweet is there something I can get you?" Sanji asked as he bowed to her unable to hug her with his hands dirty.

"I'm just looking." She replied with a smile that she then dropped. "Sanji, Zoro told me you had to leave to see those people" and she said that word with such distaste he wondered what Zoro had told her "why didn't you say anything to us."

Nami was such a lovely angel to worry about him. "I didn't want to trouble any of you beautiful ladies with my issues. I took care of the matter and I'm home now."

"Ok." Nami sighed. "None of us, Zoro especially, liked you being there alone. Just remember we're your friends. We'll always be here no matter what."

Sanji loved his friends. "Thank you my dove. I will always remember that."

Nami knew better than to ask but she did anyway. "Do you need help?"

"No I couldn't sully your hands with kitchen work. Please relax until the food is done." Sanji replied.

She mumbled as she walked off. "Since the beginning of time history would beg to differ that a woman's place is in the kitchen."

A few minutes later Usopp arrived with his girlfriend Kaya and Chopper. After that Franky and Robin arrived together. Sanji noted the look Robin gave him. They would have to talk alone at some point. The last to arrive were Brook then Jinbei.

To pass the time until Sanji was finished the younger of them played Halo on the Xbox while there was an impromptu play put on in the dinning room by Brook playing violin and Jinbei and Franky performing. Sanji was pleased the chaos was complete.

When he set the table Luffy was the first to sit followed by the others. Sanji held off Luffy from grabbing as the others filled their plates. The proud chef stood by waiting to serve and watching the smiling faces.

Looking at his friends surrounding the table talking and laughing Sanji knew he would do anything for them. He would burn the world around them to keep them oblivious to reality and to keep the monsters of the shadows at bay. Whatever it took to protect them and keep them this happy he would do it. As an after thought he gave a slight wave at the camera in the light that hung over the table hoping his sister was watching.