I have a bad habit of starting another fic when I have 1 or more in process. In reality I have 5 I'm working on at the same time. Two of them are still just too short to post.

She sighed as she looked at the total. 5050 beli. Only 5050 beli. If they didn't come across some money soon, they be broke and in trouble. Managing their spending was hard work, especially with a certain rubber-headed idiot devouring all of their food and with it their treasury. Sitting back in her chair and putting her hand over her eyes, she let out another long sigh. Maybe she had just calculated wrong. She had given money to Sanji, Chopper, Usopp and Franky. Food, medical supplies, and materials to repair the ship. She subtracted that from their previous total and counted the money in front of her.

4970 beli.

"Dammit!" she cursed, somewhat wishing she had not recalculated. They had even less than what she thought. "Maybe they have a casino here. I could win some easy money." She collected the money, folded it and put it in her purse then walked out the door and onto the deck.

"Robin! I'm going out!" she yelled in no particular direction, knowing the older woman would hear her from anywhere on the ship. She hopped off the ship and landed on the boardwalk.

There were only two towns on this tiny island. A poor fishing village with no striking features on one side and even poorer slums on the other. Her hopes of winning money slowly dwindled as she walked through the market.

"This is hopeless…" she slouched in defeat.

"Is there something I can help you with miss? You look distressed," a young man said as he approached her. He was dressed in a satin suit, and had his black hair neatly combed back. He looked at her with a kind, gentle smile. One arm was behind his back and the other in front had his jacket folded over it. She was instantly reminded of Sanji, save for the lack of swooning and perverted expression.

"Actually, yes. Do you know if there is a casino on this island?"

"Looking to find some quick cash, my dear?"

They began to walk together.

"You can say that," she smiled politely, not wanting to give any more information.

"Hmm," she put his hand on his chin, "Well, on this side of the island, there is only market places and bars. No casinos. But on the other side, there is."

"In the slums?" She looked at him skeptically.

"Well, the reason why they're slums is because of the casino. The people spend and lose all their money there. I happen to work there as a barkeep. I'd be happy to show you around."

If no one ever wins, why would i want to play there? She thought to herself.

"Well, I dunno. I-"

"NAMI!"

She flinched at the sudden yell and rolled her eyes as her captain bounded into her sight. Crashing over someone's barrel of fish on the way, with a quick 'sorry.'

"Nami! Can I have some money?! There's this really cool thing that Usopp and I found! If you pull on a string it flies into the air! It's super cool!" he failed is arms around as he described the object or amazement.

"Luffy. I told you before. We can't afford to buy useless things."

"But Namiiiiii! It's not useless! It flies!" he whined, trying to express the toy's importance.

"Luffy. No," she said repeated, shortly. The only way to deal with him is to be stern.

He opened his mouth to protest again but stopped when he finally noticed the man, "Eh? Who're you?"

"Oh, forgive me for my rudeness. My name is Richard," he said bowing, more to Nami than to Luffy.

"Hey, you kinda look like Sanji! Are you a pervert as well?" he asked blankly, poking at the buttons of the man's jacket.

Richard's face reddened and hand swatted Luffy's hand away, stumbling over his words for a response.

"Luffy…" she threw her hand over her eyes, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine…" he said with a tone of annoyance in his voice, before smoothing out the front of his jacket and composing himself once more.

"Hey Nami! How come the others got money! I want some too!"

Dammit. She had hoped he had forgotten.

"They all need to buy supplies for the ship. Necessities, Luffy."

"But Nami! It's really cool! If you come and see it you'd know!"

"Luffy! No! We're in a bit of trouble here! I'm not giving you any money! Okay?! Now go find Zoro! I'm sure he's gotten himself lost by now. We're leaving in a few hours."

"Fine," he pouted, beginning to sulk off in a random direction.

The man shot him a face of disgust that went unnoticed by the both of them.

He coughed, "Now, my dear," he held out is hand, "shall I show you to the casino?"

She nodded and awkwardly placed her hand in his. A wave of uneasiness followed in the contact. Her other hand went to her side, her fingers lightly brushed her Climatact. He might be truthful. If he wasn't, she'd be ready.

Something stopped him and Luffy found himself looking back at the two who slowly walked toward the edge of town. After a moment, he just shrugged it off and ran around the town, screaming for his, most likely lost, crewmate.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She didn't really know what to expect when they finally reached the village, but she definitely didn't expect to find such a large sparkling casino, just as the man had promised.

"See?" he gestured with one arm.

"Wow, I'm impressed," she again smiled politely to him.

"You didn't think I was lying did you?" he smiled.

"Well, I-"

"Allow me," he said hurrying up to the door and opening it her for her.

"Oh, um thank you," she awkwardly entered the building. She gave a subtle glance at the door as it closed behind her. She felt his arm snake around her shoulder as he led her in. She gave a slight shiver at his touch. He took note of this and gripped her skin tighter.

"What shall I show you first?" he smiled down at her.