Bound by Blood and Sea || Sanji || Zoro

A Stranger on the Rooftop

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, except for Aileen. 
There will be changes from the original story.

TW: slavery, abuse, blood

Have fun reading! <3

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I leaned against the railing on the roof of a motel, feeling a cold breeze brush through my hair. My gaze lingered on the horizon, where the sun slowly set. Oxygen filled my lungs as I took deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a dark figure walking toward me. I stood still, gaze fixed on the pink and orange colours of the sunset. The man stretched out his arm towards me, a cigarette between his fingers. "Want one? You look distressed," a deep voice offered. "No, thank you. I don't smoke," I declined still not looking at him.

The man shrugged and lifted the cigarette to his own lips. He pulled out a lighter from his pocket and flicked it. That's when I turned my head, watching as the flames burst forth, a small, bright blue cone illuminating his face in the dim light.

As soon as my eyes met his, the man's lips turned upwards into a big grin. "Well, aren't you a beauty?" I kept my mouth shut, not knowing how to respond to such a phrase. My eyes scanned him up and down. The clothes he wore, were elegant and expensive, especially his polished, black, leather shoes. Same for his black suit, which looked as if it were custom-made. Was that guy rich? There was no way any normal person could afford such attire. Maybe if I seduced him, I could get him to give me some money, otherwise I could just steal it from him.

Even though I desperately needed the money, I didn't make a move on him. There was something about him that stopped me. Perhaps it was his gaze -  beyond the obvious lust it showed a deep, heart-wrenching pain. I knew that feeling all too well. That could have been the reason, that stopped me from robbing the man. Or maybe... maybe I was just a slave to my body and carnal instincts because the intense stare of his didn't leave me unbothered. 

Finally I looked at his face; his jawline was so sharp I bet he could slice a human being in two, a strand of blonde hair covered his right eye an his eyebrows were curled? I blinked twice, not believing what I saw. His eyebrows acctually had the form of a spiral! But that couldn't be natural, right? 

I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts, because why should I care about his eyebrows or him in general. I needed to focus on getting money. Since I apparently couldn't bring myself to steal from him, I needed to get out of here and find another doner. However I stayed put. Something about the man was captivating. In my mind I screamed at myself to get the hell out of here, but still my body didn't move an inch. 

"My name is Sanji. What's yours, darling?" "I am Aileen."

I stretched out my hand for him to shake, but he turned it around and softly pressed his lips against the back of my hand. "A pretty name for a beautiful lady. It's a pleasure to meet you, mi amor." Against my will I let out a giggle, and Sanji smiled at me. "Where are you from, Aileen?" 

"I'm from the East Blue," I decided not to give him the exact location, because I just met him and even though he seemed really nice, you never know. It was better not to trust people too quickly, I learned that the hard way. 

"Ah, the East Blue. An area full of treasures. The women there are said to be as beautiful as jewels." I chuckled at his remark. This guy really is a flirt. So instead of answering his statement, I asked him the same question.

"The North Blue, love, that's where I'm from. So, my lady, what do you do for a living? If you don't mind me asking that is." How many different nicknames had that guy already used on me? Too many, that's for sure. Still, it was kind off endearing.

"Not at all! I'm a pirate." Or better said I would be if I finally found a crew or had enough money to buy a ship myself. But he didn't need to know that, right? After all he was just some random dude and it wasn't like he was a pirate, who's crew I could join-

"Really? Me too!" I blankly stared at him for a second, my brain trying to comprehend what he just said. Sanji was a pirate? How could that be? He looked so wealthy and elegant. How could someone like that be a pirate? Except - maybe he was that kind of captain that horted all the treasures, not sharing with his crew. "Well to be specific, I am the cook." I looked at him dumbfounded. A cook... dressed like this? Cooks normally wore old robes full of food stains, not a tailored suit. 

"Wow your captain must love you if you have the money for this type of clothes." At that Sanji let out a loud laugh. "Yeah he does indeed, but I had this even before I joined the crew." I couldn't help but smile as he chuckled. "What's the name of this crew of your's anyway? Perhaps I know them."

Sanji grined at me as he explained: "Oh I am part of the Straw Hat Pirates." Time seemed to slow down. The Straw Hat Pirates. Sanji was the chef of the Straw Hat Pirates. My smile fell immediately as I absorbed his words. 

"The Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy's crew?" I asked him in a tight tone. Sanji slightly hesitated, taking in my displeasure, before he nodded. "Yeah Luffy's our captain. Do you know him by any chance?" he asked carefully. 

Yes, yes I knew that asshole quite well. Better than I wished to. "You need to bring me to him," I told him, not bothering to answer the question, because then I would've just stated the obvious. 
"Now why would I do that, sweetheart?" "Because I need to talk to that little bastard! Trust me he'll want to see me."  

Sanji chuckled in amusement at my feasty remark. "And why's that?"
I gave him a mischievous smirk before dropping the bomb. 

"Because I'm his sister."