A Glittering Promise

Looking out through the chocolate made window, animated flowers danced delightfully in the streets. Animated faces suddenly popped from benches, carpets, house doors, and many others supposed non-living furniture. Surprised visitors jumped, clutching their hearts as if they would drop on the floor. Instead of being spooked, people new to the place would always find themselves in awe. Houses made of chocolate and candies with whip cream roofs, lollipop Ferris wheels, candy shops, ice cream on house roofs, and more. Anyone would be too amazed the first time. Furthermore, the air-filled candy and chocolaty flavor teased the curious noses of newcomers.

Sanji, the third prince of the Vinsmoke family and member of the famous Straw Hat pirate group, inhaled deeply to savor all sweetness around the island. Nevertheless, nothing would ever beat the most gratifying aroma coming from the kitchen, Pudding-chan preparing her new experimental chocolate recipe. He promised not to peek at whatever she had been doing, but he could not help himself.

"Pudding-chan! ~" Sanji called out to his lovely wife, his head popped from the kitchen entryway.

"Gyahhh!" Pudding incidentally threw the bowl with chocolate syrup on it. The three-eyed girl watched in horror as the bittersweet contents went upward. Tears started to form at the corners of her eyes. Saving the chocolate, Sanji vanished from the kitchen entryway and appeared at Pudding's side. He managed to catch his wife in his arm and the chocolate, which poured its way back to its container.

"How could you do that!!! That chocolate cost more than your life, you Vinsmoke dog!!!" Sanji's smiling face, when he caught her and the bowl, turned sour. Hiding his eyes with his bangs, he placed the bowl with chocolate on the table.

Sanji removed the cigarette stick between his lips. "Sorry, Pudding, I didn't mean to..." He darted his eyes to avoid looking at Pudding.

"I-I didn't mean to say that." Pudding clutched her chest. The volume of her voiced diminished into a soft tone. Pudding ran towards Sanji. Grabbing Sanji's sleeves while looking on the other side, she murmured an almost muted "I love you."

The third prince picked up the words and blushed, his once black orbs turned into heart eyes. His heart was beating fast. He grabbed Pudding's hand and placed it over his heart. His distorted face projected his honest perverted mind. Smoke escaped from his nostrils as he kept grinning creepily at Big Mom's daughter.

"You!!! Disgusting! Shameful! Pervert! HUH! That's why your friends left you alone!" Pudding, with hands glued on her hips, mocked Sanji while looking down on him. When Pudding realized what she had done, she stepped back slowly. Knocking off the utensils she had been using, loud clink and clang resounded throughout the kitchen.

Sanji's curly eyebrows furrowed, along with his mouth. Sanji knew Pudding never meant what she had been saying when her other persona was out. However, that persona was also Pudding. His feelings for Pudding; he could not tell if it was strong enough to forgive her every time.

"Sanji-san..."

"Look, I know why your personality is kind off all over the place but I need to tell you how I truly feel." Sanji faced Pudding, hands in his pocket. "I hate the Vinsmoke. They are not my family. I usually can take any insult. I get insulted a lot when I was a kid. I am used to it. However, the way I am now, I don't want any insult linking to those bastards. Moreover, I like my crewmates a lot. Please don't insult them."

"I'm sorry, Sanji-san. But, I don't know if I can suppress my other personality from speaking her mind." The young prince moved closer to Pudding and brought her into his tight embrace. Pudding smelled the smoke from Sanji's cigarette. She pushed him away and did a series of uncontrollable coughs.

"Pudding, are you okay?" Sanji caressed her back gently. He looked at her wife with eyes full of concern. He moved away from her and threw away the cigarette.

"Sanji..." With a blushing face, Pudding gestured for Sanji to come closer to her. "I know an effective medicine." Pudding declared and pulled Sanji towards her, bringing their faces closer, and their lips touched.

"Pudding..." Sanji tried to register what had just happened. "-chan" Sanji licked his lips. He remembered the warmth of Pudding's lips. It was soft and taste like chocolate. Sanji turned tomato red. "Pudding-chan, I love you!~" Sanji declared in a sing-song voice. "Let's get married! Well, never mind, we are married in my head anyways" Sanji gave Pudding his most genuine smile.

Pudding nodded her head. As she clasped her hands together, she lovingly glanced at Sanji and smiled. "Let's get married after your adventure. Will you take me away from here?"

Sanji could not distinguish if he heard Pudding correctly. The Straw Hat's cook was too surprised to respond. "A-a-are you for real? Am I dreaming? A girl would wait for me? I can die now." A fountain of blood poured out from his nose.

"Sanji-san... get a grip of yourself." Pudding kept on shaking Sanji until his consciousness returned. Sanji abruptly clasped Pudding's hands.

"Wait for a little here. I'll be back." Sanji dashed outside of the chocolate house and ran around town. Jogging, he scanned the area for something he wanted Pudding-chan to have, a token to symbolize their promise. When he spotted the store, he wanted to go to, he frantically ran inside. He did not waste any time and picked up the glittering emerald ring from the jewelry shop.

"Pudding-chan" Looking all serious, Sanji ran towards Pudding and slowly knelt before her. Presenting a red box on his palm, he extended his hand to her.

"W-w-what are you doing? This is embarrassing." Pudding hid her blushing face by burying her face on her hands. She peeked at Sanji through her fingers.

"Pudding-san, w-would you marry me after we find the One Piece and eloped with me?" Sanji gulped. He started to perspire, thinking how Pudding would react to his proposal.

"HUH!? As if you can find the most precious treasure, ONE PIECE!!! Mama would never allow you to escape with the Straw Hat!!! HA HA HA!"

"I like to marry you." Sanji bravely stated before the terrible persona Pudding was portraying. "Please, let me make you happy."

"Sanji-san, yes. My answer is yes!" Pudding returned to her soft personality.

Sanji's face brightened. "YES!!!" He shouted as he pumped his fist into the air. "I'll marry Pudding."

"Hey, Sanji! Don't you dare cheat on me? There are two girls in your crew, right?" Pudding's creepy persona was speaking. "I don't like them. They can go ahead and die! HA HA HA!"

The blonde young lad smiled, still on his knees. "Could it be you're jealous?"

"What?" Pudding exclaimed. "Who's jealous? No way, I would be jealous! I just don't like them." Pudding clenched her fists, turning her back on Sanji.

Sanji kept on smiling to himself. He knew Pudding tried to cut off her memories of Nami and Robin, but she did not. The goodness in her was one of her best assets. No one could be extremely good after all. Pudding was a perfect match, in his eyes, a good balance between kindness and well... a little creepiness.

Sanji had been trying to hold his small chuckles and Pudding noticed. "You are creeping me out! What are you laughing about?"

"Nothing, it's just I remember how I come to love you." Sanji innocently smiled and took Pudding's one hand. He inserted the emerald ring on her finger, which fitted perfectly on her. It matched the mint color water lily clip on her hair. Moreover, it complimented her simple and lovely pink dress. Sanji kissed her hand and smiled at her.

Sanji had decided to continue his voyage with his friends. The Straw Hat crew might have been waiting forever. "Pudding, I need to go. Please wait for me." One last time, they shared an unforgettable kiss, Pudding embraced got tighter, as the emerald ring shimmered reflecting the sunlight.