Sanji's Siren Song

Chapter 10 ~ The Going Merry ~

"Gods do you think they have finally finished?" Zoro complains to Nami on deck the next morning, "I hope so. I'm so tired.... The ear plugs kinda help but, that note Ash sings at the end... it cuts through my brain. I can see why Sirens are dangerous now. Ash could sing us to wreak the Going Merry whenever she wants" Nami replied rubbing her temples, "As long as the Waiter keeps her happy and we keep him alive, we don't have to worry about that" Zoro reasoned as Nami laughed. "Good morning, Crew!" Luffy called as he bounded onto the deck, "I wonder what's for breakfast?" Luffy continued, "I think Asherah wore him out..." Usopp complained following Luffy into the sunshine.

"Breakfast!" Sanji called from the galley, "Yeah food! FINALLY!!" Luffy called bouncing for the stairs, "Coffee" Nami muttered as she followed her Captain into the galley, where she found that Sanji had somehow found the time to create a whole spread of pastries, toast, bacon, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, baked beans, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, "Wow, Sanji, I didn't think you'd have the energy for all of this today" Nami commented heaping food onto her plate, "I am surprisingly energetic this morning" Sanji replied with a smile, "Asherah.... Not so much" he finished on a giggle, "Gross" Nami replied turning her nose up at the information, "We don't want to know what you got up to with the Siren, Waiter. We all heard it" Zoro commented, "Oh dear" Ash stated from the doorway going bright red at the thought, Zoro looked over his shoulder when he heard Ash and at least had the respect to look abashed "Sorry" he whispered softly and sat down with his breakfast. "Sorry Ash" Nami added as Asherah sat down next to her, "Don't be too embarrassed, it's good to hear someone is having fun on the ship" Nami added as Asherah smiled.

A few weeks later while observing the crew, Ash knew that she could not stay on the Going Merry for much longer, "Zoro! Can I talk to you about something?" Asherah asks approaching the swordsman "Sure. What do you need?" Zoro countered with a rare smile for the Siren, who had grown on him, "I can't stay here for much longer. You all need to go on and find your dreams. I must ask a favour.... Please keep an eye on Sanji for me... I know he drives you crazy, but it would make me feel better leaving knowing that he has someone looking out for him" Asherah implored, Zoro nodded at her, "I will".

"Please sweetheart, you don't need to go" Sanji begs Asherah a few hours after her conversation with Zoro "Sanji you know that I can't stay, Sirens don't normally stay with their Mate for extremely extended periods of time. I've stayed long enough, I am a distraction not only for you but to the rest of the crew" Ash stated gently, cupping Sanji's cheek "But you can guide us to The Grand Line and the All B...." Sanji started, "Stop!" Asherah held her hand up and placed her fingers on Sanji's lips "If you ask anything of me, I will do it, but don't ask that of me. That is your adventure, you need to find it on your own, plus I'm only a song away - maybe a bit longer - but sing my song and I'll be able to find you anywhere from the East Blue to the All Blue. Besides I may have my own adventure..." Asherah trailed off, taking Sanji's hand and placing it on her lower abdomen, "A..a...are you sure?" Sanji stammered with wide eyes "No, not really" Asherah admitted "That's why I must go back to Mako Village and consult with the elders, since I don't have anyone else. But I am strong enough now to swim back there without needing to call on the Delphine" Asherah continued, "You will let me know? Unlike your mum waiting to tell Zeff of his sons..." Sanji asked "Yes, I will let you know My Love" Ash answered cuddling into Sanji's shirt, "Do you need to pack?" Sanji continued "No, I don't need anything... I just have to dive over the side and as soon as I hit the water, my scales will appear and off I go" Ash stated as she saw Sanji's face fell, she pulled out a small turquoise blue draw string bag and pressed it into his hands "What's this?" Sanji asked, "One of my scales, keep it close to your heart and you should be able to feel my emotions more clearly over the distance that will be expanding between us" Asherah replied, Sanji nodded and slipped the bag into his shirt pocket over his heart.

"I've never really seen your scales" Sanji murmured into Ash's ear as he pulled her closer and placed a kiss below said ear, "They are the most beautiful shade of blue... similar to the blue of your eyes" Ash softly replied, Sanji buried his hand into the hair at the nape of Asherah's neck and tilted her head to pepper kisses along her throat, Ash moaned "Sanji... I must go" he nodded into Asherah's neck and placed a last kiss on her collarbone before letting her go, "Don't be gone too long" Sanji begged as Asherah's shook her head "I don't think I'll be able to stay away for a long. I will see you soon, I love you my Mate" Asherah stated as she gave Sanji one last kiss and before waiting for a reply Asherah turned out of Sanji's arms and took off at a jog for the taffrail, jumped and dove over hitting the East Blue with a surprisingly small splash, Sanji walked to the rail and saw Asherah pop up near the Going Merry, "Show me your scales my Love" Sanji called with a smile, Asherah disappeared under the water before suddenly popping up in a dolphin jump, Sanji burst out laughing as Asherah righted herself again, "Swim safe my Mate!" Sanji called and began humming their Song as a form of farewell, Asherah smiled, waved, blew a kiss, and dove back under the water.

"Nami.... What are you doing?" Zoro called, "I don't know. But I think we need to make way and get going..." Nami replied, Zoro looked a little confused, Sanji laughed "What's the matter Mosshead? Asherah's just given Nami a little incentive to get us moving". Asherah popped up a kilometer or so away from the Going Merry to make sure that Nami got her Song to get the Straw Hat Pirates moving towards their dreams as she swam back to Mako Village and her own adventure.