mekachu04 | petite reprise

petite reprise – chapter 3

Last Sanji was aware, their charges were still asleep in the infirmary, curled up together on one of the beds. Chopper had joined them later on the Sunny's lawn, confirmed Sanji and Zoro's suspicions, and left the rest of the crew to ponder the how and whys though dinner. The boys are still sound asleep when Sanji brings them some food later. He doesn't like them sleeping through a meal, but Chopper is hesitant to wake them up considering how deeply asleep they both are. Just this once, Sanji lets it go.

Understandably, he's not surprised at all to hear someone in his kitchen late that night.

What he is surprised to see is not someone raiding his fridge - but instead pilfering his utensil drawer. The child is just as surprised to be caught in the act as Sanji is to walk in on him, back against the cabinets, armed with a blade now held with the edge threatening harm should Sanji come closer.

Sanji studied in the knife in the boy's hand, the tension in his shoulders.

"That's a Tourne Knife" he says finally. "It's for cutting vegetables and decorative garnish. Not for flesh or bone."

There's that head tilt - it's subtle, but Sanji sees it. He saw it in the alley. A part of his wants to stare back - because that's what the kid is doing. He's trying to stare Sanji down, protected by the fringe of his bangs. And Sanji can feel that in his heart so bad.

Sanji makes a point to look away, gaze slow around his kitchen. Nothing else seems amiss. He rolls his shoulders, heading to the fridge and pulls out some vegetables. He'll bet some stock going on the stove. Starts his prep work for a late night stew. He lets the boy mull over his words, lets him exist unchallenged for a moment. Sanji doesn't know the boy's past, judgint from Chaopper's report of the two on their check ups, not even Kidd does right now. But there are things about how the boy acts, how he reacts to things that hit too close to home, too close to Sanji's own barely addressed upbringing. Sanji glanced over at the blade, the boy's hold on it. The deadly way he held it.

He was familiar with knifes as a weapon. But not as a tool.

Sanji wipes his hands and steps away. Pointedly doesn't look at the way the blade starys up between them. There's a stool in the corner that Chopper uses from time to time. Killer's not much taller then their doctor. He pulls it up next to the counter where he's working. "Come up here," he invites the kid, "And I'll show you how to do a tourne cut on these carrots."

He works by himself for a while, treating Killer like a cat; pretending to ignore him completely and let him approach on his own. He felt more than saw the kid finally climb up next to him, and worked slower, giving the child a chance to see him peal the vegetable. He worked though the majority of the batch before he held the peeler out, "Trade me?"

Neither moved for a long moment, and Sanji was about to rescind the offer when Killer tentatively took the peeler from him. Sanji remained where he was, palm open, until Killer put the tourne knife handle in his hand.

Killer wasn't a terrible helper, but... Sanji bit his lip; Killer was getting it, but his movements were strange. Stilted. He almost laughed - it was like then he'd first forced Zoro into helping him, years and years ago.

Actually.

Actually, it was almost identical to Zoro, "Killer-kun?" Sanji hedged, "are you right or left handed?"

The boy looked at him then, Sanji making eye contact for the first time with him. Cold blue eyes looking back, uncomprehending of his question.

He remember once, Zoro admitting that even his own sensei had spend most of his early years teaching him right handed moves, because that what most of the other kids were. That he didn't get real training with his dominate hand until he had advanced enough to started doing two sword techniques

Sanji tried to remember how he'd adjusted his technique for Zoro back then, reaching around the boy's back to move the little blade to his left hand and reposition it. Tried to act casual once he did and the warning signs started to siren - tried to force calm and casual as Killer froze up so bad he'd stopped breathing.

Well.. at least he didn't stab him.

After he was sure Killer was holding the blade more comfortably, he stepped back to let him compose himself. Slowly, Killer moved and started trying to peel the carrots with a marked improvement.

Sanji could no longer hold back the grin on his face when the little boy shyly looked back at him once he's done with the first carrot.

"That look great!

The forever smile the boy gives back softens around the edges. Sanji realizes he's not fighting it; a real smile.

He takes one of the prepped carrots and takes the tourne knife in hand, "So - a tourne cut ensures root vegetables cook evenly..." he starts to explain, showing the boy the intricate cut.

"In the kitchen, knifes are tools, but they are also the soul of a chef. And each one has a something it is designed to do. Normally, you would never use another chef's tools without asking." Sanji explains as they clean up, carefully washing and drying each knife. Killer has relaxed as they worked quietly side by side; the kid honestly seems pretty happy with the monotonous prep work.

Sanji wondered if maybe he was happy to create something instead of just destroying. He knew he was at that age.

"As long as you use them correctly, and safely," Sanji added, "You can use mine, as long as I'm here supervising. We're on a ship, on the ocean. Accidents happen, and if one does happen in this kitchen, it's my responsibility. Do.. Do you understand?"

Killer was still for a long moment, before he turned to Sanji and nodded slowly.

Nami and Kidd would come in as he and Killer were finishing up, the sun just starting to brighten on the horizon. She had a hand on the other boy's shoulder - and Sanji wonder who found who first. She took her seat at the table but Kidd climbed right up the stool with Killer to see what they were doing. Sanji marveled at the fact the skittish boy that he'd been working with throughout the early morning gone and he raised his arm so Kidd could squeeze in front of him to look into the pot they'd set to simmer.

Sanji washed his hands, stepping away to give the boys a moment and smiling sweetly at Nami, "Nami-swan? Tea? Coffee? A small snack? I'll start prepping for breakfast here soon."

"Maybe some tea," she agrees, but nodded to the boys with a question.

"Ah. yes. Killer-kun and I were just getting some stew started for tonight. It will need to cook for most of the day, so best to get it started before everyone was up and underfoot." It was close enough to the truth after all. Killer seemed to shrink into Kidd for a moment, a guilty slump to his shoulders, but Sanji just gave him a warm smile, before turning the kettle on for Nami's tea.

Killer turned to her next, looking to see if she believed the story. Nami smiled back sweetly, "It smells wonderful. I can't wait to try it when its done. I'm glad to see you find such a good helper, Sanji-kun."