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The Chef's Princess	By : Lady_Kae Category: +M to R > One Piece Views: 9739 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece nor am I making any money from this fiction.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
The Chef's Princess
Chapter Two:...Has An End
A One Piece Fanfiction

Sanji shivered a little in bed, and he bolted upright, wide awake and fearful. It was the dead of night, and he was short a bedfellow. Sure enough, there was a sealed letter on the other pillow with her engagement ring on top of it. With shaking hands, Sanji cracked the wax seal on the letter.

My darling Sanji,
I'm so sorry, but I can't stay here. As much as I don't want to take the throne, I am still Denebra’s princess and there are still customs I must adhere to. As the direct heir to the throne, I have to face Magnus for my birthright or surrender it to him outright. I was already planning on the latter of the two once you proposed to be. I was going to give up my claim to the throne. That was until he slaughtered the rest of our family. His own child, Sanji. You know how close Aden and I had grown.
He doesn't know anything of what you and Zeff have taught me over the years in my summer visits to Baratie. I've been combining those techniques with the royal swordplay that Martin has taught me. Don't believe me? Ask him about it. I don't know how much of a shot I stand, but if I die, I die knowing I did try. Magnus will pay for the atrocity he has committed and justice will be met by my hand. Even if I can't kill him, I will make him suffer like he has never known.
If news does reach that I did lose to him, don't go in search of him, Sanji. None of you. I mean it. If I die, I have the peace knowing that I was loved by you. It kills me that I did this to us, just after we were going to start planning the rest of our lives together. I love you enough to do this though. If what Martin said is true, that Magnus is sending an entire fleet here to kill me, I will not give him the satisfaction of your death. Of the deaths of everyone aboard Baratie. I've already sent a letter to him by gull telling him to call the fleet off, that I'm coming to him. I know for a fact with the way I worded the letter that he will stop them.
I'm blessed to have had such a wonderful friend, such an amazing person like you in my life Sanji. I've loved you since the first time you smiled at me. I knew even then that you were the one. And you are. You are the only man who has ever kissed me, loved me as deeply as a man can a woman, the only man who made me second guess everything I'm doing now. Thank you for loving me, Sanji. You have such a big heart, and I want you to find the happiness, however brief it was, that we had once more. Don't wait, if it comes, embrace it like we did. However sudden our relationship was, we had years of friendship behind it. I don't regret a single minute. I sure as hell don't regret taking you on as a lover. You're that damn good, Sanji…

Sanji couldn't help but laugh tearfully at that sentence. Leave it to Tamara to be blunt with him.

Don't let my death hold you back. Whoever she is, she'll be lucky as hell to have you.
I'll always be with you, from everlasting to everlasting, my heart. I love you.
With every fiber of my being,
Your Mara

Sanji let the letter flutter to the floor as he held his face in both hands. " Don't let her die..." he whimpered into the darkness. " Please god, don't let her die. Let her come back to me." His tears continued to fall to the floor and soft sobs wracked his body. His heart was torn asunder.
Sanji knew Tamara wasn't coming back.

Zeff groaned as he heard a pounding on his door. " Keep your shirt on!" he snarled. Getting out of bed, he stalked to his door and threw it open. One of the prep cooks was there. " What the hell do you want?"
" Chef! The Golden Swan! It's no longer docked alongside Baratie! Tamara's gone as well!" he cried breathlessly. Almost all the staff was in a tizzy with worry for her.
Zeff's eyes widened in shock and he made a mad dash to Sanji's room. Sure enough, the bed was empty and devoid of both occupants. He saw the letter still on the floor and the engagement ring that Sanji had given Tamara was sitting on the nightstand. " No...That stupid girl!" he bellowed.
Making his way to the kitchens, Zeff found them devoid of Sanji as well. The boy's boat was still moored to the restaurant, so Sanji had to be here somewhere. Making his way outside, Zeff found Sanji leaning against the balcony barrister while smoking a cigarette.
" She doesn't want us to follow. She...She offered her life up for all of ours." Sanji's voice was strained and Zeff realized that the boy...No, young man had been crying for a good chunk of the night. Sanji's hand shook as he took another drag off his smoke and he felt Zeff's hand settle on his shoulder sympathetically.
" There is no way we could have stopped her, is there?" he asked the young man quietly.
" No. You know how she is when her mind is made up." Sanji replied. " I tried to change her mind last night Zeff, but in the end, I knew deep down she was still leaving. Why did it have to come to this?"
" Things, for good or ill, happen for a reason Sanji. Those we meet, even briefly, touch us and teach us something. We live our lives learning from those lessons, even if they hurt." He drew a deep, ragged breath in an attempt to stave off his own tears. " I knew that girl had fire in her."
" More than you'll ever know." Martin said weakly as he came up beside the other two men. There was a sealed letter in his hands. " His majesty wrote her highness and you a missive...It seems as if I was too late to get it to both of you." He shook his head as he handed it to Sanji. " I'm sorry, Sanji. I know the two of you were best friends."
Sanji shook his head in the negative. " She was more than that, Martin. I was going to marry her." He replied softly.
Martin looked surprised at this news and Zeff cleared his throat as he pulled the wounded man off to the side. " He asked Tamara for her hand on her birthday a week and a half ago. I was hoping it would be enough to keep her here, but it seems as if it was all for not."
" Their majesties were very fond of him." Martin after a long moment. " They saw how much Tamara loved him, and how happy just being near him made her. I know I overheard the queen say once that he would make a fine prince...I'm sure he has you to thank for that."
" More like he knew I would kick his ass if I heard he hadn't behaved himself." Zeff chortled sadly. His gaze was on Sanji now as the young man stared out onto the horizon, watching and hoping for that gleaming golden sail.
Sanji opened the letter that Tamara's father had written her and he felt more tears come to his eyes. The king and queen had been wonderful people, they had always accepted him with open arms. The world was definitely darker without them in it.
Hell, Sanji's entire world had shattered when he found Tamara gone in the dead of night.

Our sweet Tamara,
If you get this letter, it's too Late for your Mother and I. I beg yOu, never return to Denebra. DOn't put yourself in hArms way to avenGe our deathS. LIve your life to the Fullest, and if the fateS will it we hope with SaNji. Your motheR and I Knew all along How muCh you lOve him, eveN at youR yoUng agE. That's why we nevEr triEd to Force yOu to cOurt anY of the men that wOuld come vyIng for a chance to do So. We would HavE loved to watch The twO of you maRry, to wAtch you Raise our gRanDchildrEn with HIm. He woUld have maDe aN excellenT pRince fOr yoU, For what He lacKS in NoblE bloOd he makeS up fOr with what Is in hiS heart.
Sanji, if you Are rEading this wiTh her, The onLy thing we ask Is that you coNtinue to make heR as happy aS you haVe. If thE two of You hAve not come togetHer by this point BecausE yOu were hesitaNt about what we would say, aBolish those tHoughts. You havE aLways had ouR bLessing, you nEeDn't have thought otheRwise. TO us, you were the onlY ChoICe for our dAughter, No matter Where you came from before.
We love both of you, Tamara anD Sanji, and We Always will. LIve, children, and love. For wiThout love, lIfe has no meaniNG.

Your mother and father,
Marion and Percival

Sanji folded the letter. He doubted it would have stopped Tamara, and he buried his head in his arms. More tears came unbidden and his shoulders shook from the force of his sobs.

A month passed. Sanji tried his best to busy himself in his work, but every time he was outside he looked towards the northern horizon. He kept praying Tamara would return to him, to all of them aboard Baratie. Even old Zeff was somber, though he tried his best not to let it show.

Sanji was out on the deck after the restaurant closed and he heard Zeff coming toward him. The slow gait in which the old man was walking with told Sanji that the news was weighing heavily on the owner of Baratie as well.
Silently, Zeff stood beside the young man and handed him a mug of ale.
Definitely not good.
Sanji took a deep drink. " What's the news?" He stated simply.
" A merchant ship found the wreckage of the Golden Swan last week. According to what I heard, the ship was blasted apart by cannon fire, though the two ships found with it were in the same state. I'm sorry Sanji. They didn't find any survivors." Zeff's voice was soft and wavering and one look at the old man revealed that he had tears in his eyes.
Sanji's head hung low and he clenched the mug in his hand tightly. His heart felt as if it had just shattered.
Tamara was gone.

Two years seemed to fly by. Though it had taken some time, Sanji grew quite flirtatious with the female patrons of Baratie. He still thought of Tamara often, as any man would a love they had lost as tragically as Sanji had Tamara, and the thought of her didn't sting like it used to. Soon he found himself joining a pirate crew and he looked down at the belongings he was taking with him. Two yellowed letters and Tamara's engagement ring, along with the wedding bands, were tucked away safely with the rest of his possessions. Taking one last look at his bed, the bed that he had made love to Tamara in that night, Sanji felt a tear trickle down his cheek. Not only was he saying goodbye to the life he had led here, but to her. Tamara's memory clung to this room like a spector. So many memories in this room. The two of them staying up late to talk about what they had learned in the kitchens after a long day of dish duty or peeling potatoes, reading books together. Sanji telling her about what he thought the All Blue was like as Tamara sewed something new or patching something of his that had been either burnt or cut. The two of them playing old maid or some sort of card game on rainy days.
Yes, Tamara’s memory was embedded in every facet of this room, Sanji thought.
She would never be exorcised from this room, or his heart…

Two and a half years later:
Sanji was laughing long and loud as everyone clanked their mugs together in a toast. Zoro had finally grown a set and had asked Nami to marry him. The two had been together since the crew's reunion six months ago and Sanji, while jealous, couldn't help but feel happy for them. He knew that kind of happiness first hand after all. Though it was short lived. he thought. His chest ached for a brief moment as he thought of Tamara. He missed her laugh, her smile. She'd be twenty if she were still alive. The same age as Nami...Getting ready to turn twenty one too...
They would have been married by now, and might have been expecting their first child, maybe even their second...
" You okay, Sanji?" Nami asked him tentatively. They had all been worried how he would accept the news.
" I'm fine, Nami." he replied with a small smile. " I'm happy for you guys, I really am, as I know the happiness you guys have. I was just thinking is all."
" What? On who you're going to harass now with your proclamations of love and undying devotion?" Zoro teased as he pulled Nami back against him. Everyone, including Sanji, laughed at that one.
" No. I was thinking my my fiance..." he began. " She died a little less than five years ago, so no, I haven't been chasing skirts behind her back."
Everyone at the table went quiet.
" Wait a minute? You, the consummate playboy, were not only in a steady relationship with a single woman, but you were going to marry her?" Zoro was stunned at this revelation to say the least.
Sanji nodded. " Both of us were young, I was only seventeen at the time, but I had been in love with her for years. We were childhood friends, and over time, that grew. We had only been engaged for a week before she died." He took a deep drink from his mug and he sighed a little. He hadn't spoken this openly about Tamara since Zeff had given him the news about the wreckage of the Golden Swan.
" Who was she?" Robin asked him. All eyes were on him in extreme curiosity now. Well, they were about to get a hell of a shock.
" Her name was Tamara Leonias." Sanji heard a collective gasp from around the table. It figured that most of them would know the fallen line of Denebra.
" She was a princess though!" Zoro exclaimed. " I heard rumors of what she did after her parents were murdered by pirates. There were rumors that either she or her uncle had been planning an uprising, though the people sided with her uncle by the time everything was said and done. From what I heard, those two got into it pretty fierce. She took his left hand and one of his eyes, but in the end, she was fatally wounded and her ship was attacked at sea as the remaining members of the resistance tried to get her to safety."
“ It wasn’t pirates who murdered her parents.” Sanji corrected. “ Magnus slaughtered the rest of their family to that he would be the only viable heir to the throne. I received the news of the Golden Swan's wreckage among two other ships. I hadn't heard what she did to her uncle though. She made me swear not to go after him in retaliation for her death, as she had given her life in exchange for those of us on Baratie at the time. Tamara said she wouldn't give Magnus the pleasure of our deaths." He lit a cigarette and he took a deep steadying drag. It made him proud that even at her young age, Tamara had still fought as valiantly as she had. He wished he could have seen that fight. “ I just wish that her body had been found."
Everyone went silent, now seeing their shipmate in an entirely new light.
" So that's why you called yourself Mr. Prince..." Luffy said out of nowhere.
Sanji laughed long and loud. " And you guys thought I was joking about that." Back in Alabasta, he had donned the codename Mr. Prince over transponder snail to keep the Pirate Warlord Crocodile from gleaning his true identity. If he had married Tamara, he would have been a prince after all.
" She wanted you to find love again, didn't she?" Robin said, a tender smile on her face. It was heartbreaking to know about this after the fact, but Sanji had become a stronger man for it. He knew the value of love, and that put his flirtatious attempts with any lady he came across into perspective. He was trying to honor his lost love's dying wish for him.
Sanji blew his plume of smoke and nodded. " Yeah. To be honest, I've never really spoken about her after her death. Everyone else on Baratie was afraid to bring her up once we heard the news she was gone. They all loved her, as they had watched the two of us grow up together, and you guys should have heard the reaction when Tamara accepted my proposal..." Sanji laughed a little. " I thought they were going to blow the roof off the restaurant."
" How did the two of you meet anyways?" Franky asked him.
Sanji smiled and he hunkered down. That's what he got for revealing a little bit about his past after all. It was his turn to tell a little more about his story now.
And that's exactly what he did.
" You know...Looking back on everything, I would have never thought that all your flirting was an attempt to honor Tamara's wishes. I thought you were just a massive pervert." Nami told him quietly as everyone began talking amongst themselves once more.
Sanji laughed again. " Don't get me wrong, I am a pervert." he teased. " It took me over a year to start feeling like myself again. Time doesn't heal the wound, but it makes it easier to bear. I cherish love, having known it and lost it. I don't know if I'll ever find it though. Yes, it's been almost five years, but the thought of actually loving someone as deeply as I loved Tamara scares me. To be completely honest, I'm overly flirtatious to drive women away, not to attempt to charm them Nami. I don't want to risk my heart like that ever again. As much as I want to honor Tamara’s memory, I can't bring myself to do the one, most selfless request that she asked of me."
Nami gave Sanji a hug, one that spoke volumes of support and understanding and there were tears in her eyes as she pulled away from him. " From personal experience, you do it just a little too well." she teased and Sanji laughed. " You shouldn't be afraid though, not every woman out there will have the circumstances that surrounded Tamara. Did you bury her at sea?"
" A body was never recovered. Every year on her birthday though, I'll get some chrysanthemums and float them out one by one on the water." Sanji replied. " That's my way of visiting her grave, as the sea is her grave." He would whisper things to each flower, detailing everything that was going on in his life before casting Tamara's favorite flower into the waves.
Nami nodded. Come to think of it, she had watched him do that shortly after he had been brought onto the crew. " Her birthday is coming up again soon, isn't it?" she asked.
Sanji nodded. " The twenty fifth of August. I don't know the exact date she died, but I wanted to use a date I knew I would never forget. It was the day we got engaged as well. We should be reaching port just before then if we keep to course.”
Nami nodded. “ We should be there in three days and according to reports we’ll be in town for two weeks for the log pose to adjust.” she replied. “ If I’m lucky, we can get a tailor to patch up our sails.” She looked over as Robin sewed a new patch onto Chopper’s shirt. “ Maybe not just the sails.”
Sanji nodded. At least he would be able to sit on the docks and keep his yearly tradition alive. He had quite a bit more to talk about since the crew had come back together.

Sanji was over looking the pantry. Once someone else returned from the city, he would be making his own rounds to get the groceries. Looking at his jacket as it hung up in the corner near the door, Sanji grimaced at the tear that ran along the back from a sword slash that barely missed wounding him. He definitely needed to find a tailor as well. He was in need of some new clothing period. If Tamara were with us, she’d have something done in a jiffy. Every summer she made us all new smocks to wear in the kitchen. I’ve still got the last one too, though it doesn’t fit any more. So light, but very durable and stain resistant. Zeff adored those smocks. he thought with a chuckle. Sanji had been thinking more about Tamara since the other night. Honestly, he had felt at ease ever since he had shared his and Tamara's story with everyone. Something had healed inside him, and he sighed happily. Talking about her, about all the good she had brought to his life, had been very, very cathartic. Thinking of her again was getting to be easier as well.
Maybe Nami was right. Maybe Sanji did need to let go of that fear that he had held onto for so long. Maybe he would meet a pretty girl in town and he could have a fling for the two weeks they were in port.

Nami was smiling ear to ear. “ This is it!” she squealed. This was the most famous clothing shop in the entirety of the Grand Line.
Boutique Harrod.
Nami looked down at her newspaper and her gaze fell on a picture of the shop owner, Grigori Harrod with his only seamstress, Genevieve Cygne. The young woman in the picture was attempting to keep her face out of the camera while Harrod was smiling cheesily like the camera ham he apparently was. Nami had always wanted one of Cygne’s signature evening gowns and had always heard how exquisite they were. She was hoping to get the young woman to agree to make her wedding dress.
For once, money was of no object. Nami would pay any price for that gown. She entered the boutique and she sighed as the smell of flowers gently wafted through the room. There was a single vase near where a draping form was in the corner, and Nami stepped over to it. Now, talk about a coincidence.
Hadn’t Sanji just mentioned chrysanthemums were his fiance’s favorite flower?
Nami smiled as she bent over to smell the pale pink mums and she heard a slight gasp behind her.
“ Oh my goodness! I’m sorry. I didn’t even hear the door open. Welcome to Boutique Harrod. My name is Genevieve. How can I help you today?” the young woman from the picture said sweetly. She set a few bolts of cloth down on the cutting table beside the dressform and Genevieve walked over to Nami. Nami had to hold back her own gasp. She could see why Genevieve was keen on keeping her face away from the camera. The poor dear had a scar running from her hairline down to her chin. She was lucky to not have been blinded in her left eye! Even with the scar though, Nami had to admit the other woman was lovely. She had short brown curls that bounced with every movement she made, wide ocean blue eyes, a slightly round face set with an aquiline nose and pale pink lips that seemed to be curled up in a permanent smile.
Sanji would be on his knees before Genevieve in an instant.
Finally finding her voice, Nami smiled in return and she shook Genevieve’s extended hand. “ I was hoping to find out if you can inspect our sails. I’m worried that they’ve been patched one too many times and that they’re getting a little threadbare. There was also another matter I was hoping to ask about, but it can wait for now.” Nami sighed a bit. She wasn’t sure how to broach the topic of needing a wedding dress.
Genevieve shook her head. “ No it can’t. I can see it in your eyes. Go ahead and talk to me about it. I need to hurry and at least get this dress going before I can take a look at your sails.”
And so Nami began talking about her impending nuptials and little details that seemed completely irrelevant. By the time Nami had finished speaking about how they only had a two week time frame, there was a gleam in Genevieve’s eye.
“ So, the legendary pirate hunter huh? I bet he’s wild behind closed doors, isn’t he?” Genevieve said with another broad smile. She laughed at the guilty blush on Nami’s face and she kept looking at the door. “ Don’t worry hun, I don’t turn my customers over to the navy. Pirates need clothing too, and sometimes a fair edge in outrunning those pompous gits.” She gave Nami a thumbs up and the navigator chuckled brightly, now relaxing again in Genevieve’s presence. This gal certainly had some spunk. “ As for your dress, I have the perfect idea in mind! I have yet to make a wedding gown, and this will definitely be deserving of being the first. You’re lucky you came to me and no one else. I’m the fastest seamstress on the Grand Line.”
Nami went to roll her eyes until she looked at the dressform. What had initially been just a bare form and a few bolts of fabric was now a two thirds completed ball gown. When in hell had she gotten the slip and twill underneath without Nami noticing? She saw both sleeves and the perfectly coiffed fabric that would rest just slightly above the breast line resting by the sewing machine that the form was in front of. Whoever was getting this gown was going to be the envy of the party indeed.
“ I still have the other pieces to attach as you can see, as well as stitching in the flowers this particular customer wanted, and the beading and embroidery I still have to do by hand. I’d say it’ll be done in roughly seven hours.” Genevieve said proudly.
“ That I would actually pay to watch to see if you can pull it off.” Nami replied with a wry smirk. For all she knew, it was just boasting to help her sell her wares.
Genevieve smirked. “ I’ll make you a bet. After I inspect the sails, both of us come back here and you can watch me finish the gown. If I can’t get it done in seven hours, I’ll make your wedding dress for free. Deal?”
“ And if you win?” Nami asked.
Genevieve winked as she grabbed a box with a handle, more than likely tools of her trade. “ I still get your business in the end because you’ll want that dress no matter what.” she replied with a short laugh.
Nami smirked as well. “ You’re on lady.” she replied.

Sanji heard footsteps on deck and he exited the galley to see who was back. His brow arched when he saw Nami with another young woman. “ Don’t tell me you’ve been recruiting.” he called down to her playfully.
“ Nope, just got taken prisoner is all.” the young woman shot back with a bright smile. “ I’ll go ahead and head up the rigging to get started. Where can I find you once I’m done, Nami?”
“ I’ll be on deck Genevieve. No worries.” the redhead replied. “ Did you want to head into town for the groceries Sanji?”
Neither saw Genevieve slip on the ropes at the mention of the chef’s name.
Sanji seemed to be knocked from his reverie as he looked back to Nami. Genevieve? Why did that name sound familiar? No matter. He could figure it out as he was looking through the food stands. She was certainly spunky though, he thought with a grin. “ Yeah. Have you found out what island is next?”
“ Yes, it’s about a two month trip to this one, so make sure we have enough to contend with the boys and their appetites.” Nami looked up the main mast at Genevieve, who was sliding slowly down a rope as she inspected the length of the sail. She must have done this quite a few times. “ Would you like to join us for dinner tonight? I promise Sanji’s an excellent cook!” she called up to the seamstress.
Genevieve almost slipped again as she lost focus. “ Uh...No thanks! I still have that ball gown to finish tonight, remember?”
Sanji’s brow quirked and he chuckled. “ And you’re going to work on it without eating anything? That's not healthy you realize.” he called up to her.
" You'd cringe if you knew how many meals I've skipped because of work." Genevieve retorted. " I'll be fine."
“ We made a bet that she had to finish it in seven hours flat. No breaks.” Nami explained. “ If I win, I get my wedding dress free.”
Genevieve suddenly dropped down to the deck, landing right beside Sanji from where she had let go of the rope. She looked mildly uncomfortable, and she kept her head turned away from him. “ However, that does not include hemming or any minor alterations that I’ll have to make when my client arrives for pick up.”
Nami nodded. “ Of course. I’m going to like getting my gown for free.” she said with an evil grin.
Sanji shook his head and he slowly inched to the left so that he could look closer at Genevieve. His eyes went wide at the sight of her. With the exception of her hair and the scar on her face, she looked a lot like what Tamara would if she had survived and hit this age.
Damn, now he had to apologize to Zoro for constantly ribbing on him about Tashigi. Now Sanji knew what it felt like to be looking at a loved one’s doppelganger.
“ Don’t count on it, Nami.” Genevieve replied cockily. Her demeanor changed instantly as she looked up at the sails with a soft sigh. With a shake of her head as if to clear her thoughts, Genevieve moved towards the stairs leading to the main deck. “ Concerning your sails however. You’re right that they are definitely threadbare. They won’t last if you guys hit a hurricane on the way to your next destination, and you’ll be sitting ducks for the navy. Downside is is that I can’t sew the sails and your gown in a two week time frame. You guys will be here at least a month and a half. I have to have Mr. Harrod custom order the fabric for the sails, and that’ll take three weeks to get here unless you want to pay to have it expedited over. Even then, that only shaves a week and a half off.”
Nami’s brow furrowed. Well, that just put a damper on things. “ I guess we don’t have a choice. I’ll let the others know when I get back to the ship tonight.” Nami replied. “ Are there any villas for rent right now, seeing as we’ll be stuck here for a bit?”
“ I’m not too sure to be honest, but Mr. Harrod purchased me a rather large home last year as my bonus for bringing in as much business as I have. If anything, you all are welcome to stay with me. If you’ve got a map, I can point out the best location to hide your boat too. The navy never goes anywhere near it because the cove can be a mite treacherous to reach during low tide, but there is also a cave there that's big enough to hide this bad boy.” Genevieve smoothed her hand over the main mast and she smiled a little fondly. It had been a very long time since she had been on a boat this big.
“ Why go through so much trouble to help a bunch of pirates?” Sanji finally asked her. She wasn’t anything like Tamara. Tamara didn’t speak like that. Even during her summer stays on Baratie, her patterns of speech had been very proper. This woman’s voice was nothing like that at all.
Besides, Tamara was dead and gone. Sanji had needed to mentally remind himself of that fact.
Genevieve gave Sanji a smile as she ruffled his hair. “ Like I told Nami, pirates need clothing too. Sometimes they need new sails so that they can outrun those pompous navy dandees." Sanji immediately set to preening his hair even as he shot Genevieve a glare. Now she seriously reminded him of Tamara. " I have no love for the navy, despite the fact that they rescued me about five years ago. The ship I was on capsized in a storm and I was sent adrift clinging to a barrel. I was lucky to be found alive. They only gave me gruel to eat, and they threw me into the brig even though I was just a kid. They claimed there was no where else to put me.” Genevieve’s brow furrowed at the thought. “ So yeah, no love for the navy and it’s marines.”
Sanji shrugged. Good enough for him. “ It’s not often we find people who would rather deal with pirates than the navy is all.”
“ I can tell just by looking at you, Mr. Suit and Tie in the middle of summer, that this pirate crew is probably unlike any crew out there sailing the five blues.” Genevieve tapped her finger against her chin as she looked at the state of his pants as opposed to his sleeves. “ Do you not use your hands or something?”
Sanji was thrown for a loop. Five blues?! She believed in the All Blue as well?! Wait a second...How the hell had she been able to tell that he fought with his feet? “ A cook’s most important tool is their hands. Gotta make sure I keep my tools in working order you see. How did you figure that out?”
“ The fabric...Lift your leg up a minute…” Surprisingly, Sanji did as she asked without any smart remarks. Genevieve muttered a little under her breath and she scowled as she inspected everything over. “ You shouldn’t be abusing such a fine material as this if you fight with only your feet. The fabric is worn, and over patched with quick slip stitches to close all the tiny holes you’ve made. You don’t have half as many in your sleeves or cuffs. Looks like I’m going to have my hands full with you guys. First the sails, then Nami’s wedding dress. Now I’m determined to find something you’ll like that’s durable as well.”
Sanji had to admit, he was impressed she could tell all that just from glancing at his clothing for a few moments. “ I don’t know if that’s a challenge you can win, Ms. Genevieve. I’m not exactly known for holding back on my attacks.” Sanji said as he lit up a cigarette. The scowl he got from the young brunette reminded him so much of Tamara that he couldn’t help but laugh. She scowled at him like that every time he lit up a smoke. Wow. This gal was going to have all of them chasing their tails he was sure. A month and a half under her roof? That didn’t feel like a prison sentence as much as he had thought at first. “ I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I got that exact same look from someone else a long time ago.” he chortled.
“ You’re not smoking in my house. I don’t mind the patio, but not inside.” Genevieve ordered.
“ I can manage.” Sanji agreed. When had it been decided on? Then again, Luffy would say yes in a heartbeat and Nami would prode for it because it would save money. “ Ms. Genevieve, if you like, you can show me where it is we’re going and I can lead the rest of the crew there seeing as how you and Nami will be indisposed for the next several hours. I’d rather you eat first though. It’s harder to work on an empty stomach.”
Genevieve rolled her eyes. He still hadn’t dropped the issue about food. Her stomach gave a long, high pitched growl indicating it’s need for nourishment at that exact moment. A fierce and embarrassed flush met her cheeks and Genevieve groaned in embarrassment.“ Fine.” she acquiesced. " I guess I'm having dinner with you guys."
Sanji chuckled with a broad grin. “ Good.”
Genevieve looked at her watch. “ I need to go help Mr. Harrod close the shop, but I’ll be back before long. Pull your sails up for now and hide your jolly roger. At least the navy won’t know at the first glance that this is a pirate ship.” she said matter of factly. “ You’re not the only crew we’ve helped out.” She added with a small smile as both Sanji and Nami looked at her curiously. “ I’ll be back in about an hour.”
Nami was smiling devilishly ear to ear as she watched Genevieve shoot back into the town and her gaze shifted over to Sanji. After knowing him for years, Nami was more than certain he was intrigued with her. It was refreshing to see him just be polite as opposed to overly flirtatious, and he was watching her leave as well. “ She likes chrysanthemums…” Nami said out of the blue.
Sanji jolted at that statement. “ What?” he questioned.
“ I said she likes chrysanthemums. It’s something you two have in common. I can’t shake the feeling you two would get along famously.” Nami said.
“ She’s not an option.” Sanji replied as he shoved his hands into his pockets. He hated himself for even saying it. Then again, Sanji knew in his heart that she wasn't Tamara. Genevieve wasn't anything like the former princess he had wanted to marry. “ You know how Zoro is stuck on that navy chick Tashigi because she looks like his dead friend?”
“ Yeah.”
“ Genevieve looks just like Tamara would have, sans the scar of course.” Sanji replied. “ I might keep mentally comparing her to a ghost, to Tamara's memory. It’s not fair to either of us if I were to do that. I'll grant it to you though Nami, she's the exact kind of gal I'd gravitate to.” He walked back into the galley to get supper started and he looked out into the crowd one last time. He could see Genevieve in the crowd from here, though it was surprising to see her turned towards the ship. His brow furrowed a little. Was she having second thoughts about her offer to help them? As if she had spotted him, she waved and Sanji smirked. Turning back towards the door, he raised his hand to return the wave.
Sanji needed to get the chrysanthemums tomorrow, he realized. Tomorrow would have been Tamara’s twenty first birthday, as he had turned twenty two back in March. Well, this year, he was determined to start fresh. She likes chrysanthemums...Nami’s voice echoed in his head. She’s playing match maker, only because I told her that I’m scared to open up my heart again. What if Genevieve was the one? Would I be able to separate her from Tamara's memory though? he thought to himself as he began cooking. He needed to make sure there was enough for Genevieve tonight as well. As much as she looked like Tamara, the two were like night and day in their actions. Tamara flowed and ebbed, Genevieve was like a tsunami, as if her very presence commanded attention. Sanji smirked a bit, reconsidering what he had said on deck. Maybe Genevieve was an option after all. She'd be a nice distraction while they were here, and it would get Nami off his back. It was as if the redheaded navigator had taken it upon herself to make sure that he fulfilled Tamara's last wish for him.
Sanji stirred the contents in his pan without batting an eye and he heard a few of the others start filing into the galley. He turned for a moment to start grabbing a few things for a stir fry, and he waved to Franky, Chopper, and Robin. By the sound of things, Nami was catching them up on the status of the sails and how long they were looking to be in town.
" What's with all the extra food tonight Sanji?" Robin asked, curious.
" We'll have one more at the table tonight. Better to be prepared than to not have enough served." Sanji replied with a large grin. " If the growls coming from Genevieve's stomach said anything, she's probably hungry enough to eat a horse. Besides, I can't shake the feeling that she's going to put a couple of you guys to shame tonight."
" So the tailor is going to be joining our table tonight?" Franky asked with a grin. " I'll give her credit. She's braver than most."
" She'd rather deal with pirates than the navy if that says anything." Nami chuckled. " Besides, I got a good feeling about her. She could tell that we're not an average crew to begin with."
" I'll say." Chopper giggled. " How many pirate crews have a talking reindeer, a rubber man, a walking, talking skeleton, and a woman that can multiply her limbs?"
" Let's not forget the world's greatest seafaring chef." Sanji interjected with a laugh. Brook was walking in now as the rest of them laughed brightly at the cook's cheek. " Everything alright Brook?"
Brook sighed a bit. " I'll be fine. I just wish I were fifty years younger is all." he said wistfully. " Ran into the prettiest little lady on the way back through town."
Sanji sighed a little himself, only to find himself thinking of Genevieve at the moment. She was lovely in her own right, the scar on her face made her stand out. It boiled his blood that someone had even dared do such a thing to a lady, but what was done was done. Who knew how old that scar was anyways?
" I smell food!" Luffy said loudly as he came into the galley. Usopp and Zoro were right behind him.
Sanji had to turn away as Nami gave Zoro a welcoming kiss on the lips before the two took their normal seats beside one another. Despite his warm wishes for their impending nuptials, Sanji was being constantly reminded that the woman he loved was gone.
And you still haven't moved on. It's been five years Sanji. It's time to let her go...Time to turn your attentions to someone new...he thought to himself. Sanji was praying that he actually went through with it. Genevieve's face floated in his mind's eye for a moment. Damn, that was quick. Maybe he was more interested in the seamstress than Sanji had initially thought.

Laughter filled the galley aboard the Thousand Sunny. Genevieve had returned in the hour timeframe that she had told Nami and Sanji she would and she was having so much more fun than she thought she would. Her laughter was bright and lilting, and both Nami and Robin were monopolizing her in conversation. It wasn’t often the two women had anyone else to talk to about female things.
Sanji was already clearing the dishes away, and he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. As he had thought, Genevieve had a hearty appetite like the rest of the crew, though she had been put to shame by Luffy. She had bested Zoro though in how much she had packed away though, and the swordsman’s reaction still had Sanji chuckling. None of them had been expecting that.
“ Nami, we need to get going if I’m going to get that dress done in a decent amount of time. Mr. Harrod already knows I’m heading back to finish it tonight.” Genevieve said with a smile. “ I dare say things are going to get much more lively under my roof with all of you.”
“ Thank you for allowing us to stay with you while you’re working on the sails.” Robin replied. “ Are you sure you’re going to be able to fit all of us under one roof though?”
Genevieve laughed. “ We’ll see. Bear in mind, Harrod’s is the most famous boutique on the Grand Line, and I work there. Do you honestly think I’m struggling? Sanji, you remember that spot I pointed out on the map, right?” She had shown them the minute she had gotten back onto the Thousand Sunny. With Nami going with her, Sanji had been the best choice to show the location to.
“ Yeah. We’ll get the boat over there before the tide runs and we’ll get it into the cave. I have to make sure we bring any perishables with us, so I hope you have room in your fridge Ms. Genevieve.” He still couldn’t place why the name sounded familiar.
Genevieve nodded. “ I don’t eat at home as often as I should, so trust me when I say there’s plenty of room.” Her gaze grew sad and she sighed. “ No matter. By the time you guys get back to town, I should be finished and I can lead you all to my home from there.”
Sanji and the rest of the crew nodded. “ We’ll see you then.”

“ He seems pretty aloof.” Genevieve said to herself as she walked beside Nami.
“ You’ve got him pretty intrigued you know.” Nami said sweetly. “ The poor guy is kinda complex though. You look like someone who was very dear to him, and I think it’s throwing him off.”
“ Old girlfriend?” Genevieve snorted with disgust. He was handsome enough to have probably plowed a gal in every single port they had stopped in.
“ Not quite. Sanji was engaged about five years ago, and his fiance died pretty tragically. He hasn’t moved on, though he told us she wanted him to.” Nami’s face fell at the thought. “ It’s a shame. He’d make some other gal a damn fine husband.”
Genevieve’s face was contemplative as they came to the shop door and she opened it with her key. She walked over to what at first glance was a transponder snail, and it began playing music when Genevieve turned it on.
“ A radio snail!” Nami squealed. She hadn’t seen one since she had been back home.
“ I have to have music if I have to pull over time. You might as well get comfortable.” She said with a confident smirk. She had already gotten the rest of what she needed to finish the dress. Putting the sleeves and collar on would be a cinch. Sewing the flowers into place would take another thirty or so minutes as they were already cut. The longest part was the beading and embroidery. She only had the seven hour time frame to work in.
This was going to be a hell of a test of skill on Genevieve’s part. She had never completed one of her gowns in less than twelve hours. This one will have only had eight hours worth of work put into it.

Sanji and the rest of the crew were walking back into town from the northern entrance. “ Did Nami say which way Harrod’s was?” he asked.
“ I think she mentioned something about Mundy Street.” Robin replied. Or maybe her home was on Mundy Street. Robin had been talking to Franky about something when Genevieve had brought it up.
“ No need.” Chopper said as his nose twitched. “ I can smell Nami coming this way.” The eight members of Thousand Sunny all looked in the direction Chopper had faced and they saw two silhouetted figures coming towards them.
“ You guys have everything you need?” Genevieve asked them as they all came to a stop. Everyone gave her the affirmative and Genevieve smiled brightly. “ Alright then. Follow me everyone.”
The Strawhats did as told as Genevieve took the lead. Sanji was watching her from a few steps back as she talked to Robin again. If he was reading their lips right, they were talking about books. Now something about the stars had come up. Sanji's brow quirked a little. Then Robin asked the big question.
" So is your husband going to make a fuss about all of us?" Robin teased.
Genevieve turned a brilliant shade of red in the low light. " I'm not married, Robin. In fact I don't even have a boyfriend or significant other." the embarrassed seamstress replied.
" Oh really?" Robin's head turned towards Sanji and he did his best to look straight ahead. This was the main street of the town and there was only one house at the end of it. Somehow he had a feeling this was the place Genevieve was taking all of them to.
It was. It had looked much smaller from down the street though. The house had everyone looking around in awe as they came to a stop in the foyer.
This wasn’t a house, Sanji surmised as his jaw dropped. She said Mr. Harrod had purchased her this house as her bonus for working for him?! Again it wasn’t a damn house! It was a bonafide mansion! “ Where’s the kitchen?” he asked instantly. He needed to see it, just had to. Sanji was positive he was going to be in heaven.
Genevieve smiled softly and she pointed towards a hall to the left. “ Down that hall, third door on the right. It’s directly across from dining room.”
Sanji took the bag of perishables from Franky and he hurried down the hall. Everyone chuckled at his haste.
“ Did you guys want a tour tonight or tomorrow?” Genevieve asked them all. She jumped when what could only be Sanji’s utter squeal of rapture echoed from the kitchen. “ Is everything okay with him?”
The rest of the crew was laughing brightly. “ Knowing Sanji, and seeing how big your house is, I think he just found his little slice of heaven here in port.” Franky replied. " Maybe while we're here I can start redesigning the interior areas. Make all the rooms everyone's been asking for." Maybe one extra to be on the safe side too...I've got a feeling about this chick...he thought to himself. She was the exact kind of person Luffy would want on his crew. Franky was positive that she would be asked to join them soon enough.
Genevieve sighed a little ruefully. She hated living here because she was alone. It got too quiet. Being around these pirates made it feel as if living on the Thousand Sunny was an adventure in of itself. “ I do have cleaning staff that comes in every day to manage the upkeep, and there’s a library on the second floor. Just don’t let him smoke inside the house.” Genevieve reiterated as she pointed her thumb over her shoulder. Everyone laughed at that and they all agreed. She was being more than generous in welcoming them into her home after all. She walked towards the marble staircase to lead them to the guests rooms. She’d come back down and show Sanji where he was sleeping once she was done. Knowing what she did of the man, he was probably stocking the kitchen to his specifications. She’d have to leave grocery money for him in the morning before she went to work. “ Actually...the room overlooking the garden with the balcony is completely off limits. That’s my work room here at home, and I’ve got another important project I’m working on.”
Nami and Robin nodded. They would be able to keep the boys corralled away from it.
“ Let’s get you all upstairs and in bed then.” Genevieve smiled brightly, and she began walking up the stairs fully now.

Sanji was looking over Genevieve’s kitchen utensils. They weren’t used often, but they were high end and he was impressed with her kitchen. It was set up like a restaurant’s kitchen in all honesty. She hadn’t been joking when she said there would be plenty of room to stock their food in the fridge. It was a walk in refrigerator, and the little bit that she had in there was close to the front.
“ I’m going to love cooking in here for the next month.” he said under his breath.
“ Are you sure you don’t need a change of pants?” Genevieve asked him. She was leaning against the door, and had only been watching him for a few minutes as he looked over her kitchen ware. “ That squeal put images in my head that didn’t need to be there.”
Sanji couldn’t help but laugh loudly at that. “ No, but you’ve got a damn good layout in here though. I haven’t stepped foot in a proper kitchen in years.” Sanji’s hands ran over the smoothed marble countertops and a small tear slipped from his eye. The palace kitchens back in Denebra had been just like this, functional but aesthetically pleasing. He hadn’t missed Tamara this much in years. Maybe it was because Genevieve reminded him of her in looks.
“ You alright?” Genevieve’s voice was soft and full of concern. Her hand settled on his shoulder and she turned him to look at her. “ Nami told me a little of what happened to your fiance. I’m sorry if I remind you of her...I...I’ll just take you up to your room and head to bed myself.” Her voice was trailing in regret and she pulled her hand away. She didn’t like the thought of torturing the man with the sight of her when he was still in love with his fiance’s memory.
No sooner had Genevieve turned around, Sanji paused her movements by taking her hand in his. A pleasing shock ran through them both and Genevieve gasped at the contact. No man, beside Mr. Harrod, was even willing to touch her because of her looks. She looked at their joined hands as if shocked and she met his gaze as he pulled her closer. “ It’ll pass.” Sanji replied as he gave her a small hug. He needed to start over...He had to get over this. Damn it all, he had to get passed the fact that he was interested in Genevieve, no matter how much she looked like Tamara. He hadn’t been genuinely interested in a woman in years. “ Thank you for understanding, Ms. Genevieve. However, I’m was wondering if you could show me where I can smoke first so that I don’t piss you off.”
“ Call me Genny, Sanji.” Genevieve whispered as she pulled him along, a soft, flirtatious smile on her face.

“ So who won the bet?” Sanji had a cigarette in his hand and he stood still. Genevieve had insisted on getting his measurements before she went took him to his room.
“ I did. I had only seconds to spare though when I put the last bead into place, so it wasn’t as if I had massive amounts of time.” She double checked her measuring tape as she measured the inseam. “ How tall are you again?” His pants looked a little short for his legs, and she shook her head.
“ One hundred seventy three centimeters? Give or take a few centimeters of course.” Sanji replied. Well, the last time he had been measured was back when he had been on Baratie and had gotten fitted for his last suit there.
“ Kick off your shoes, and stand straight against the pillar there.” Genevieve had to grab her step stool in order to get up high enough to make her mark. “ Go ahead and step away Sanji.” she said. “ Now let’s see…”
Sanji heard the crack before Genevieve could even scream. The minute she leaned forward, one of the support legs broke and she went tumbling off the stool. Dashing forward, Sanji caught her before she could get hurt and he eased Genevieve back onto her feet. “ Never thought you’d be the clumsy type, Genny.” he teased mirthfully. Her hands were clinging to his shoulders tightly as she looked at the broken stool in shock and her body was molded tightly against his. She was a little on the small side, Sanji realized. She couldn’t be more than one hundred and fifty six centimeters. He found he liked that.
She wasn’t small. Genevieve was fun sized.
“ I forgot I needed to fix that one…” Genevieve whispered. “ That was the entire reason I put it out here.” She shook her head ruefully and Genevieve looked to Sanji, suddenly realizing their proximity. She blushed brightly even as he gave her an amused smile.
“ You alright?” he asked her, his voice just shy of a flirtatious purr. One of his hands wrapped around hers to keep her close. Sanji liked the way she felt against him and he wasn't to keen on letting her move yet. He leaned forward and Genevieve leaned back a bit as Sanji tried to close their proximity even more. Holy hell, she mused as she was forced to get a good, close look at him. Sanji was a handsome little devil. His hair was parted to the right, covering his eye, but the other that was currently locking their gazes was the loveliest shade of steel blue that she had ever seen on a man. Genevieve had always thought she liked men who were clean shaven, until she saw Sanji's goatee and soul patch. The way he kept it trimmed made her want to nibble on his jaw line...
Another furious blush claimed her cheeks at the thought. “ Fine!” Genevieve squeaked out nervously and she cleared her throat. “ I’m fine Sanji. Not the way I thought I’d be rolling my birthday in in all honesty.”
Sanji’s brow furrowed a little. It was coincidence that she looked like Tamara, could sew, and had the same fondness of chrysanthemums his lost love had. The kitchen was set up just like palace’s kitchen in Denebra. It was more than coincidence that she had Tamara’s birthday. He pulled away hurriedly and he yanked up Genevieve’s left arm, pulling the sleeve down to expose it. No discoloration, no scar...Just smooth skin. He let her go as if burned, though he saw the tint of make up against his palm. Had he brushed her face earlier when he caught her? No, no Sanji hadn’t. What was she hiding there?
Genevieve’s hand flew across Sanji’s face faster than he could react. “ You son of a bitch! What the hell was that about?!” she demanded.
Sanji shook his head, fairly sure he was losing his grip on sanity for a moment. “ I’m sorry, Ms. Genevieve.” he whispered. “ It’s a coincidence that you look like her, that you sew when she loved to sew, like the same flowers she did….It’s the fact that you share the same birthday as her…” Sanji’s voice cracked as he began falling to his knees and Genevieve followed him down. “ I’m sorry, but, she had a scar on her elbow from an accident when we were kids. I…” He felt Genevieve pull him tight against her and his arms wrapped loosely around her waist.
“ It’s okay Sanji.” she whispered into his hair. He was crying now, she could feel his tears soaking into her shirt. “ I understand...I know this must be hard for you.” She looked over at her arm knowingly, and she pulled the sleeve back down. “ I’m not her...And I can’t bring her back.”
Sanji’s breathing evened out against her, and Genevieve chanced a look down. He was fast asleep, his face just shy of being buried between her breasts. Something told her that he would be in heaven if he were conscious right now. Shaking her head in resignation, Genevieve grunted as she dragged him towards one of the loungers. She wasn’t going to wake him right now.
Part of her didn’t want to anyways.

Sanji could feel fingers running through his hair and his eyes fluttered a little as he began waking fully. Whatever he had fallen asleep against was the softest thing he had ever lain against, and he looked up. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he saw the gentle rise of her breasts on either side of his face, and Sanji almost went limp in his happiness. Like he had told Nami, he was a pervert. The smirk on Genevieve’s face was speaking volumes. How had they ended up in this position again?
“ It’s almost daybreak.” she said. “ I wasn’t expecting you to sleep that long in all honesty.” She blushed a bit as Sanji nuzzled his face between her breasts and she smacked him on the back of the head. That stopped him.
“ Sorry.” he said with a smile. That smile all but said he wasn’t apologetic in the slightest and that he’d take another hit if he was given that opportunity again. Before Genevieve could get up from the divan that they had been stretched out on, he pulled her in for another hug. “ I really am sorry about earlier Ms. Genevieve. I don’t have any excuses for my actions, I just…” Sanji felt Genevieve’s finger pause his ramblings before he could get on a roll. Her forehead bumped his playfully, and Sanji pulled her hand down with a small smile on his face. Their fingers laced together without either of them realizing it.
“ Just shut it already. I told you I understood why… Now, are you going to let me show you to your room or are you just going to sleep out here every night?” Genevieve interrupted.
“ You can just show me where your room is.” Sanji purred playfully. He laughed as Genevieve shoved him away with a roll of her eyes. “ You haven’t gotten to sleep yet have you?”
Genevieve shook her head and she stretched as she stood up. Her shirt rode up a little and Sanji saw the darkened skin of a nasty scar on her hip. What had happened there? How had she gotten the scar on her face to begin with? Those weren’t questions for now. Right now, he needed to find out what room he was supposed to be sleeping in and then he would go to the kitchen to start breakfast. Well, once he was sure Genevieve was sleeping first. He mumbled the thought aloud without realizing it when Genevieve scoffed. Sanji was trying to mother her it seemed and they had known each other less than a day.
“ I’m not going to sleep until after my client comes by to look at her gown. That’s my only appointment today and then I’m going to get some sleep. I can make some of the shirts we need to stock here at home once I wake back up.” she groaned tiredly. She wouldn’t dare tell him, but Genevieve had dozed off herself and had only woken up just before he had. It was the best she had slept in a long, long time. “ I get paid pretty damn well before you ask. Mr. Harrod adores me for the amount of work I can get done in a single week and pays me twice as much.”
Sanji chuckled. “ My old boss was the same way.” he whispered. “ Then again, I was with him for ten years. He was more of a father than my boss.”
Genevieve began leading Sanji through the house towards the room she was putting him in. Zoro and Nami were sequestered in the honeymoon suite at the other end of the hall. His room was actually the closest to her room.
Sanji nodded as he looked at the accommodations, and once he had put what clothing he had brought with him into the armoire, Sanji began walking back towards the kitchen. “ Are you sure you don’t want to chance a nap?” he asked Genevieve as she followed him silently.
“ No, the appointment is at nine sharp. I’m going to eat first, and then go get ready. Like I said, I can sleep once I get back.” Genevieve yawned. “ Coffee would be nice though.”
Sanji nodded. “ Sounds like a plan then.”

Sanji was in his room for a brief moment gathering a change of clothing and his toiletries when he thought he heard something. Genevieve had returned home about an hour ago and once he had forced her to sit down and eat something for lunch, she had announced she was going to bed. Curious, Sanji followed the noise to a set of double doors near his borrowed room and he listened a little closer. Soft sobs could be heard on the other side, as well as mumbling into the pillow that he couldn't make out. His brow furrowed a little. This was probably Genevieve's room, but why was she crying? He couldn't stand to see a woman upset, all it did was make him want to make everything better. Sanji walked away from the door, worried now for his new friend. Hopefully it wasn't anything major.
She probably won't wake up until it's near supper time...he thought. Today was her birthday as well. Maybe she thought with all the hustle and bustle of everyone settling in that her special day would be over looked.
Not if Sanji had anything to say about it.

Genevieve sniffled a little as she woke up. Her head pounded from crying herself to sleep and her eyes felt beyond dry. She had something to be happy about though. Her appointment with her client had gone well, very few alterations had needed to be done, and she had gotten some more sleep. She felt pretty damn good otherwise. There was a gentle strum of two guitars coming from the foyer and it’s melody had her tapping her foot to the beat, filling her with a happiness that hadn't been there before. Looking to the clock, she was surprised to see it was well after sundown. She hadn’t given Sanji the money to stock the kitchen with either. Damn. Well, she could find something to eat she was sure.
Soon enough, she was sliding down the railing of the stairs, and everyone gave her a small cheer as she appeared and all of them wished her a happy birthday to her surprise. All except one person.
Sanji wasn’t there. Genevieve blushed at the fact that she had hoped to see him.
“ Sanji left some food for you in the kitchen. He went down to the docks for a little bit.” Nami said.
Genevieve entered the kitchen and she smiled as she saw several plates laden with food. It seemed as if he had already caught onto her eating habits. There was a single chrysanthemum on the tray with it with a small note tied to it that read ‘Happy Birthday’. A soft look reached her eyes as she sniffed the bloom and she set it back on the tray. The moment it was cleared, she washed the dishes herself and Genevieve rushed out the door with something in her hand.
There was probably still time to catch him there.

Sanji took sip of the glass of wine he had poured, Tamara’s favorite of course, and he picked up another bloom. “ We’re in a port town called Romoria. I’d think you’d like it here, Mara.” he said quietly. “ There’s a seamstress here that you’d probably get along famously with too. You would pass for twins, you and her. Nami’s all abuzz because she’s a famous seamstress and the first wedding gown she’s making will be Nami’s. I know you would have made your own too, and it would have been the most beautiful dress in the world. Her name is Genevieve.” Something pinged in Sanji’s mind suddenly and he laughed. “ It figures...We briefly talked kids in the event you were pregnant before you left...You said you wanted to name her that if we had a girl.” He cut the bloom from its stem and he lowered it to the water as carefully as he could so that it would float.
“ You should probably know that you would have had a gem if you had returned to him…”
Sanji turned in surprise as Genevieve walked towards the end of the dock to sit beside him. She had the single bloom he had given her in her hands. “ He’s missed you a lot, I can tell. There was even a moment he thought that I was you in disguise. I’m sorry that this happened to both of you, but I know you’re proud of him and watching over him. Happy birthday to you by the way, and for the record it’s my birthday too. My name is Genevieve Aurelie Cygne.” She was so focused on the flower she didn’t see Sanji noticeably react to the name. “ I would have loved to have met you too...To see if we are as much alike as Sanji says we are. I bet we could have talked about sewing, and all sorts of stuff. Maybe you could have helped me with Nami’s gown. This will have to be good enough though.” Genevieve pulled the stem away from the flower and she lowered it down to the water as well. Soon it joined the rest of the blooms that were floating out over the moonlit horizon.
Sanji swallowed thickly and he felt her hand cover his. “ You didn’t have to join me.” he said, barely able to find his voice. He gave her a squeeze with his fingers and Genevieve leaned her head against his shoulder.
“ You shouldn’t have to be alone either. I think it’s sweet that you do this for her every year, talking to the flowers before sending them out to sea.” Genevieve sighed. “ At least she has one person who remembers her, who still cherishes her this much. I wish that could be a possibility for me too.”
“ Why couldn’t it be?” Sanji asked her. His hand turned a little as his fingers laced with hers and his head leaned against Genevieve’s as well. “ You’re a beautiful woman, Genny. You could have any man you wanted.”
“ What if I told you that you’re not the only one around here who’s been guarding their heart? I’ve had men see me from the right side and look at me with interest until I turn to face them fully. This scar…” Genevieve’s voice cracked and her hand gripped his tightly. “ It’s chased more than it’s fair share of men away. They see it as a deformity, not a badge of courage like Mr. Harrod calls it. I got it two years ago when a navy officer got pissed that I wasn’t going to allow him to bed me on the first date.” She felt Sanji turn her in his arms and she tucked her head under his chin. “ That bastard ruined me, so I live now as I probably will after you all leave. Alone.”
“ You’re not ruined, Genny…” he whispered. Without warning, a chrysanthemum bloom landed on top of Genevieve’s hair and Sanji stared at it in shock. Was this supposed to be a sign? Was Tamara trying to tell him something from the afterlife, that she approved of the woman in his arms?

From an overpass five blocks away, Nami gave Usopp a high five. “ Good shot Usopp.”
“ Do you really think that he’ll go for it?” Luffy asked as he stared intently towards the docks. The rest of the crew had followed from a distance to see how this played out. Nami had been expecting for Genevieve to take the bait and she had.
Hook, line, and sinker.
" Oh he’ll go for it alright. Seriously, even I can see that those two need to be together. If anyone can look past something physical like a scar, it’s Sanji, which will help heal Genevieve’s heart and confidence. She told me about how she’s been snubbed over by shallow men because of that scar. She wants to find happiness herself, but she can’t because the guys she comes into contact with are assholes. And if any woman can worm her way into Sanji’s heart again, I’ll bet a hundred thousand berries that Genevieve can. He’s scared to try to find his own happiness again, and Genevieve can give him that happiness.” Nami kept her eyes on both of them and she smirked. Sanji needed someone to claim his heart unintentionally for him to fully let go of the past. Sometimes, that took a little prodding.

Genevieve laughed a little as she cradled the pure white bloom in her hands. “ I think this was her way of saying hello, or that she’s listening.” she sniffled.
“ Or maybe it was a message for me.” Sanji whispered. Both his hands cradled hers and Genevieve’s sea blue eyes met his. With a small smile, they both nodded and put the blossom into the water. Okay Tamara. I’ve got it. I’m not rushing into it though. he thought. He turned back to look at Genevieve, who was watching the flower float out to sea. “ I wasn’t lying you know.”
“ About what?” she asked him. Genevieve turned back to look at him and her breath caught in her throat. It had been a long time since a man had looked at her like that. His hand came up to cup her cheek and he leaned in close to her until they were nose to nose.
“ That you’re beautiful.” Sanji whispered. His lips touched hers tentatively at first, forcing a shocked gasp from Genevieve, but she sighed as he kissed her fully.
It was time to let go of the past, and time to embrace the future.
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The Chef's Princess