Sanji's Siren Song

Chapter 1 ~ Baratie ~

The back door to the kitchen of Baratie slams open with so much force that the entire kitchen shakes and everyone stops as "Zeff!" is screamed so loud that it is heard even in the front of house, while the line staff simply watch as a young woman with hair the most violent shade of purple, scans the kitchen, clutches her chest and whimpers "Help me!" as she collapses on the ground.

"What the hell is goin' on back here?" the gruff voiced owner of Baratie projects, "Asherah!" Zeff gasps as he lays eyes on the woman who has collapsed in his kitchen, and hobbles over to kneel by his adopted daughter "You - run back and make sure Sanji's old room is tidy, it's closer than hers. You three, help me carry Asherah back there" Zeff instructs his line staff. "Right, you lot, back to work and make sure the dinner service is completed" Zeff barks while following the boys to Sanji's old room, once the staff have put Asherah down, Zeff pulls up a chair to sit beside the woman, "You lot get back to the kitchen".

"Sanji" Asherah moans, the next morning, turning her head to bury her nose further into the pillow she had been sleeping on, breathing in the smell of stale cigarettes, cooking and the unmistakable scent that belonged to Sanji and Sanji alone. "Oh, Ashy love, you taught him your Song, didn't you?" Zeff asked once Asherah's gazed had cleared and locked on Zeff "Where is he?" Asherah replied with tears in her eyes already having an idea on what the answer would be, Zeff swallowed slowly "He sailed away to try and find the All Blue, darlin'", "Wha... why?? I could have..." Asherah finished on a sob and grabbed Zeff's hand.

"Now, I'm gonna ask again.... you taught him your Song, didn't you?" Zeff asked again but a lot softer, Asherah nodded "You remember when you and Sanji were stranded on that rock?" Zeff didn't say anything but simply patted her hand and waited for Asherah to continue "Mama wanted me to keep an eye on Sanji while she kept watch on you, but he was so restless when he was trying to sleep, so I sang to him, but I didn't know it was my Song until a few years later when you gave me the book about Sirens" Asherah finished.

"I'm sorry about so much darlin'.... I never asked your Mama to fetch a ship for us. I never thought that she would get so close to those bastards that she would die and I'm sorry for not bein' able to help much with raisin' a Siren for a daughter" Zeff rambled with a bowed head, "Papa Z, you did more for me than most others would. Besides, how would you know about the Siren side of all this" Asherah waved to herself in general "You are a Human Mate to a Siren, Mama wouldn't have filled you in on all this...." Asherah groaned clutching her chest again, "Why does it feel as if my heart is actually being torn in two?" Asherah moaned "Because it is Love, I read some of the book I got for you, it is a combination of many things, but simply put, for the moment the distance between you and Sanji is the biggest issue, you need to be closer to him to get your strength back. I'll organize a special transport to take you in the general direction that the Straw Hat Pirates sailed, and you will be able to give them more information on the direction you need to take when you are on board, but there is no way you can swim there yourself" Zeff finished looking at the tears welling in Asherah's dark ocean blue eyes, "I'll go and send a message to the Siren transport ship, you try and get some sleep" Zeff stated patting Asherah's hand and tucking it back under Sanji's blankets.

- Two Days Later -

"Thank you for coming as fast as you could Captain Andrina" Zeff stated as the Captain of the Delphine stepped onto the dock of Baratie, "How is Asherah?" Andrina questioned, "Not good, her pain has been slowly getting worse and she hasn't been able to get out of Sanji's bed or far from anything that has his scent on it" Zeff replied, "And... errr... I've not been able to find a chance to get around to explain' to her about what needs to happen between her and Sanji when you catch up to the Going Merry" Zeff continued, blushing fiercely for an old sea dog, Andrina smiled, patted Zeff on the back and laughed - a sound that warmed his chest and reminded him of water falling gently over rocks - "That is alright, I will explain it to Asherah, once we get on the sea as she will be somewhat better the closer we get to her Mate. So, Captain Zeff, we cannot waste any more time, can you please pack up Asherah's belongings, the book that I gave you and as many items that have her Mate's scent on it as you can to ease her pain. Daviana, Kiana please go with Captain Zeff to help him move Asherah onto the Delphine", "Captain Andrina, can I ask one more small favor?" Zeff requested, "For you? Anything" Andrina continued "I have a letter for Sanji explaining a few things about Asherah that I'd like you to deliver for me" Zeff concluded, "Of course" Andrina agreed.