*pokes head up from hole* Oh, hello! Didn't see y'all there. Been kinda busy. Anyway, I would just like to announce that this is my first foray into the OP fandom. Been slinking around between watching the anime, reading fanfiction, and reading the manga and of course it's kicked my head into overdrive with a new story idea. That said this was originally supposed to be a one shot, instead now it's looking to be a three shot. Sooo, go read and I'll see y'all later. *ducks back into hole*
A Queen's Dying Wish
Chapter 1
Eyes stare through the opposite wall of her room, of their room. She can't believe it. After so long…
Closing her eyes with a shake of her head she gets up, leaving the women's quarters to step out into the sunshine. She turns, looking over the deck of the ship, her eyes first landing on the brown furred doctor sitting in front of the mast with Brook.
Chopper catches her look, his eyes softening with understanding. She sighs, looking up until she finally finds their captain sitting where he normally is. Even after everything they've been through, his favorite seat is still on Sunny's head out above the water.
She walks across the green lawn, jogging up the stairs to where Jinbei mans the wheel. Even he seems to pick up on the thunderstorm within her for he looks away, his eyes more focused on the sea ahead than on the straw hat.
Grateful for the respect she approaches their Captain, the boy who made all their adventures possible. Looking at him now, however, she realizes that no longer is he the same teenager who saved her from Arlong's grasp but now the most feared man in the world.
Once more she swallows her worry. Coming up to stand at the bottom of the steps she calls out to him.
"Luffy?"
One hand on his signature straw hat, the other grabbing the figurehead he turns to her, grinning as childishly as always.
"Hey, Nami!"
"Luffy, can you come down here? I need to talk to you." He must sense her worry for he leaps down without a second thought, his expression tightening just the slightest to show his worry.
After having sailed the seas for so long, out of all of them, she thinks that he's changed the most. Not just in the way he handles himself, but in appearance. His cheeks have sharpened, allowing the small bit of black scruff she gave up yelling at him to shave months ago to show. His hair now hangs dangerously close to his shoulders, granting more of a wild look then she cares to admit.
His clothes as well have changed. The ruffled red shirt now buttoned over his shapely stomach still revealing the large scar dealt by Akainu years before. His shorts are longer, coming down to mid-shin instead. Perhaps the only things that have remained the same about him are the sandals and his forever loveable straw hat.
He steps closer, holding a hand out. "Nami, why are you shaking?"
Of course she's shaking. Why wouldn't she be shaking? This news is about to change everything.
Taking a deep breath, her brown eyes lock onto his onyx black, seeking the steadiness that only he ever seems to grant her even among stormy seas.
"Luffy, I'm…"
"They're here!"
With a tangerine in one hand and a pair of snips in the other, Nami looks up to find her sister running up the road waving her hands over her hand. She frowns in confusion, setting both items in the half-full basket as Nojiko slides to a stop in front of her.
"Who's here, Nojiko?"
Her sister bends over, resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath. Panting she gasps out, "Your… friends… here… Luffy…"
Finally understanding what the bluenette is trying to say her eyes go wide. She adjusts the band across her chest and takes off through the rows of tangerine trees, coming out in front of her childhood home as two figures appear over the hill.
Nami smiles, waving a hand over her head in greeting. Both figures wave in return, their forms eventually clearing to reveal Luffy wearing a dark red overcoat and his first mate, the one-eyed swordsman Zoro.
"Luffy!" Even from where he is she can hear him laugh before he runs up to her. When he's close enough she wraps her arms around him, enjoying the scent of sea salt that clings to his collar.
He grins. "Hey, Nami, we missed you."
A chuckle comes from behind him and she leans over his shoulder to find the swordsman finally having caught up to them. "What he means is that we haven't been able to get him to calm down since we entered the East Blue."
Recognizing the tone in his voice, Nami leans back, looking Luffy in the eye. "Luffy, what did you destroy this time?"
He grins, holding up his hands. "Nothing on the Sunny, I swear."
She looks up at Zoro in confirmation and he smirks.
"The Sunny is as in one piece as it always has been. The four Marine ships that followed us through the calm belt not so much. The sea kings seemed to really enjoy the snack we left them."
More than used to her lover's destructive ways she only shakes her head. She smiles softly, looking at them. "Why don't you two come in for some tea?" Recalling the swordsman's preference she adds, "And we have a bottle of sake for you too, Zoro."
They voice their agreement and she turns, walking to the door when she hears a gasp of surprise from both. She giggles, turning back to them. "Come on, I'll introduce you inside."
Inside her and Nojiko's small home she sets a pot of water to boiling before she unties the band around her chest, gently grabbing the bundle of fabric that comes off her back. While Zoro sits down at the table, his one eye focused on her in curiosity Luffy leans against the counter, his eyes solely on the bundle in her arms.
A soft burble comes from under the fabric and the Captain swallows. "Nami, is that...?"
She nods, pulling away the fabric to reveal a babe's soft pudgy face. The babe's eyes are open, revealing them to be a soft brown, nearly amber color. "Luffy, I'd like you to meet your daughter. Monkey D. Acebelle."
He steps closer, his eyes wide as he takes in the patch of black hair already growing on the girl's head. Slowly he raises a hand to the babe, only becoming aware of the limb shaking when it's within his sight. His eyes flick up to his lover in question. When she nods again, he gently rubs his finger over his daughter's cheek, delighting himself at the giggle he receives.
"Zoro!" Though he keeps his voice low to avoid upsetting the girl, both Nami and his first mate can't miss the excitement in his voice. "I'm a father. I have a daughter."
Looking at Luffy, she asks softly, "Would you like to hold her?"
He looks at her in surprise as if the idea had never crossed his mind. "I-I can?"
The first mate grins, looking at Nami. "Congratulations. I think you broke him."
Thinking about what he's told her of his past and of his own fears of being a parent she can't say she's surprised by the hesitancy he shows. Still, the only way he'll get over it is if he does it. Nami extends her arms, offering the bundle to him. As gently as possible he takes it from her, his eyes wide with an emotion they don't normally see in him. Fear.
Noticing it she speaks softly. "You're doing fine, support her head." She positions their daughter until the babe is resting comfortably in his arms and he finally begins to relax, leaning back against the counter.
As the tea kettle starts whistling, Zoro looks at her curiously.
"What'd you say her name was?"
Nami finishes making the tea before she turns to face the swordsman. "Acebelle, it's—"
"You named her after my brother?" Both turn to their Captain, Nami not in the least bit bothered by the shocked expression he has. Now going on five years after his brother's death at the hands of Admiral Akainu Luffy hasn't quite gotten over it, the rare nightmare still waking him up some nights.
"After your brother and my mother Bell-mère, yes."
For a second his expression is cold; as if he's trying to make up his mind. While it may only be a second, to Nami it feels like a lifetime before he grins the same childish grin he has every time he's won a hard-fought battle. "It's awesome." If there are tears in the corners of his eyes she won't say anything about it. Particularly not when nothing needs to be said.
Acebelle, deciding not to be ignored any longer, starts to whimper. Luffy looks at her in shock, about to start panicking himself when Nami grabs a bottle sitting in the flame dial warmer beside the stove. She tests it on her wrist first before handing it to him.
"Here," Seeing his shock turn to confusion she rolls her eyes. "She's just hungry. Give her the bottle and she'll be okay."
Luffy takes the bottle and sets it to her lips, his eyes lighting with joy when the girl starts to drink from it in earnest.
While their daughter is occupied, Nami goes for the wine cabinet, pulling out a bottle of sake for the swordsman, setting it on the table in front of him while she sets the teacups on the counter.
"So, Zoro, wanna tell me what trouble you two have gotten into in the last few months?"
The green-haired swordsman rubs the back of his head, shrugging. "Between the Captain playing cannon tag with the idiot clown and the dumb cook fawning over Robin, there hasn't been much. You were right about Jinbei being able to handle the navigating but gotta admit no one can do it like you."
Smiling, she looks over to check how much is left in the babe's bottle before stating, "I'm not surprised. Jinbei's pretty good with the currents though I admit I miss being out there with you. I think my home is permanently set to be on the seas."
When Luffy hears this he perks up, looking at her hopefully. "Does that mean you'll come back and be our navigator again, Nami?"
Her smile turns sad and she reaches, cupping his cheek in her hand. "I wish I could but I can't until Acebelle is older." The bottle being empty, she carefully takes their daughter from him, burping her before walking into her bedroom. While she's in there Zoro looks to Luffy.
"Luffy, you know we can't take a baby with us. Especially with some of these fights we've been getting into with the Marines lately." The Captain groans, turning around to slam his head on the counter.
"I know, Zoro. I might be an idiot half the time but I know better than that."
Zoro pulls the cork on the bottle. Taking a swig he sighs, setting the bottle back on the table. "I ain't saying we can't but give it a few years before you start dragging Ace into the New World with us."
Luffy lifts his head up, frowning at his first mate. "Ace?"
The swordsman shrugs.
"Nickname or not, Acebelle and I are not going back to sea until she's at least fifteen." Both men look up at Nami's words to find her quietly shutting the door behind her. "I just laid her down for a nap so if you wake her up there'll be hell to pay."
Getting a nod from both she turns to Zoro. "I agree. I want to be back out on the sea as much as you can't stand being on land for more than a few days but I won't risk our daughter's life on the Grand Line until she's old enough to know how to fight and is able to protect herself. After that, I'll gladly come back to the crew."
Her words put a new spark of hope in Luffy's heart. His eyes widen and he sits up, placing his hands on the counter to hold himself up.
"You mean it, Nami?"
She sighs, walking over to him. "Yes, Luffy. Once she turns fifteen I'll be willing to come back to the crew and hopefully, her with me."
He grins, looking at his first mate. "Zoro!"
A vein appears in her forehead and she growls, smacking him in his head. "You idiot, I just said you need to be quiet."
Luffy whines, rubbing the swollen bump. Not as worried about her idiot lover waking their daughter Nami grabs her cup of tea, coming over to join Zoro at the table.
"Anyway, there's something I've been worried about." Her expression turns sour, looking at the men in concern. "The Marines. One way or another they'll find out I'm here and come after me."
Their expressions copy hers and Zoro sets his bottle down, his hand coming to rest on his swords out of habit. "That there is a tough one. When they find out someone with a sixty-six million berry bounty is hiding in the East Blue every Marine in the sea is gonna come after you. We won't be able to stick around long anyway because of Emperor business in the New World."
The Captain grimaces. "That's not the worst of it." Zoro arches an eyebrow. Luffy sighs. "If they find out that Nami's had my daughter they'll come after her like they did for Ace before he was born. To stop 'the spread of evil.'" He quotes bitterly remembering what he'd heard from his grandfather.
Realizing just how much danger they're in, Nami looks to her lover. "Then what do you suppose we do?"
In return he looks to her, his expression uncharacteristically serious.
"You're not gonna like it but it's the only you both will escape their notice. You have to hide her."
Nami scowls, crossing her arms over her chest. "Like that'll help. In case you haven't noticed, Luffy. Cocoyashi village isn't like the mountain you grew up on. There is no place to hide her."
"Don't be so sure." He grins, never taking his eyes off of her. "Zoro, how far is it from here to the village?"
The swordsman arches an eyebrow. "Four miles give or take."
"Who else knows about Acebelle?"
Now she really doesn't know where he's going with this. Acebelle's only two and a half months old, she hasn't exactly wanted to take her off the farm yet. This being part of the reason. "Genzo, Nojiko, and now you two. The midwife who helped deliver her left the island a month ago."
He nods, his grin growing. "There ya go. That's your answer. No one in the village besides the old man and your sister knows about Acebelle so there's no chance of it accidentally slipping. As long as you keep Acebelle on the farm and out of sight no one will question it."
"Hey, Luffy, I think you're forgettin' something." Zoro leans forward, waving his bottle at Nami. "Nami still has a bounty on her head. If someone catches sight of her then the Marines will come here to find her."
Realizing the problem, Luffy's brows furrow in thought. Until Nami perks up, grinning at them. "Actually I think I have the answer to that one. It's not too hard for me to dye my hair a darker color." She explains quietly. "Whenever I need to go to the village I can just dye my hair or even just have Nojiko go for me. Either one would work."
She can visibly see the worry drop off of Luffy's shoulders. Before, when she first joined she hadn't ever thought that such a carefree and childish man could worry. Now, after having been his friend and lover for so long he's almost like an open book to her.
He nods. "That works for me." Then he hesitates, pausing to look her in the eye for a minute before stating in a small voice. "I want to see her." He tilts his head down, the brim of his hat covering his eyes. "I don't want to do what Dragon did to me. I want to be in her life but I know that I can't be there every day. No matter what it takes I'll try to be in the East Blue every couple years until you and she are ready to join us."
Her eyes go wide. "Luffy—"
The Captain grins at Zoro. "After all wasn't Usopp just saying something about missing Kaya?"
Zoro chuckles. "Yeah, Mr. Sniper King was whining about wanting to go by there and say hello. I'll imagine the idiot cook will be wanting to drop by Baratie as well." He pauses, tilting his head to look at the ceiling. "Actually, while we're on that it would be nice to drop by the old dojo."
Watching the two of them plan their voyage of the East Blue to see old faces all to disguise his visits to his daughter, it reminds her of just who this man is and what lengths he'll go to for his friends and now his family.
She smiles, hoping they don't notice the tears of relief hiding in her eyes. Out in the New World she's seen first hand how difficult things can be, how every day can be a battle. When she stepped off the Sunny back at Cocoyashi village she had been prepared to raise their child by herself for as long as it took them to find another chance to get back. Now, knowing that Luffy will fight to return even if it's just every couple of years, it means the world to her. That and on a quieter note she hopes Acebelle doesn't end up as crazy as her father. Gods help them if that happens.
A giggle of laughter escapes her, drawing their attention and she shakes her head. "You two are crazy."
The Captain merely grins while Zoro snorts. "What do you expect, Nami? We gotta—"
"Be a little crazy to have lived this long." She finishes his statement having heard it no more than a million times while sailing with them. "Trust me, I know. Anyway, what's this about playing cannon tag with Buggy?"
She can't say she's surprised to hear the idiotic clown's name. Ever since the beginning, the crazy clown has been after them. Each time ending up with the clown having his ass kicked forty-two ways to Sunday and then some.
"Oh, that?" Zoro asks casually. Nami nods and he throws a thumb at Luffy. "The idiot's been following us for the past three or four island chains trying to sink us. Every time he finds us Cap here just sends every cannonball right back at them. Half the time he doesn't even leave us any kind of fun so it's gotten to the point where first to hit it back takes the volley."
Luffy laughs, sliding into the seat beside Nami. "If you and Sanji weren't so slow you'd get more."
"What was that?" The first mate snarls.
Luffy childishly sticks his tongue out at him. As the swordsman leans forward ready to playfully fight with his Captain Nami gets in between them, glaring at them.
"While it's nice to know your competitiveness hasn't gone since I left must I remind you there is a baby sleeping in the other room?" Both settle back down at the reminder and Nami sighs, leaning back in her seat. "Speaking of Sanji, how is everyone? How did they take me leaving so suddenly?"
Zoro takes another swig of the bottle, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand before stating, "They weren't very happy about it but they seemed to buy the excuse that you were taking care of your sister while she was sick."
She arches an eyebrow. Is that really what they used to explain her sudden desire to leave the crew ten months ago? It seems so weak she wouldn't be surprised if they saw right through it.
As if reading her mind he huffs.
"When the stupid cook heard it he was hellbent on coming ashore and taking care of her himself but thankfully Robin and Chopper convinced him otherwise. Which I'm guessing Chopper knew of your sudden—" He pauses, searching for the right word. "Illness?" He finally says.
"Yeah." She nods. "He was actually the one who told me. I'd been getting sick the past few days so I went to him to see if he could tell me what was wrong. A few minutes later and tada I'm pregnant with Luffy's baby. I got so freaked out I threatened to kick him overboard if he told anyone." She inhales sharply, looking at Luffy. "That's something else we have to figure out. What are you gonna tell the crew?"
Stunned by the question he ducks under his hat, allowing the shadow to hide his expression. Able to read his Captain and friend so well after having known him for so long Zoro shrugs.
"You're the Captain." He quirks a grin, leaning forward. "But let me ask you this, Cap. We as a crew trust you to be our Captain. Do you trust us to be your crew?"
It's a stupid question, something he normally wouldn't need to ask but Zoro knows that after all the shocks Luffy's taken today he'll need the interference to get his mind in order.
After a minute Luffy sets a hand on his hat, nodding at them. "I'll tell them after we've set sail. After all, she'll be joining us soon enough anyway." All three know from experience how quickly time can pass by in a flash, it feeling like just yesterday the crew was joining back up on Sabaody. Fifteen years will pass before they know it and when it does, their daughter will be joining them on their adventures.
His words are a relief to Nami and she smiles sadly. "In that case, I guess that's it. There's nothing else that needs to be said."
Just then the front door swings open, allowing Nojiko to walk in carrying a large basket of tangerines. She looks up in surprise, setting the basket down on the counter.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
The trio gets up, Luffy shaking his head as he grins at her. "Don't worry. We're leaving anyway." Zoro stands by, resting his hand on one of the three swords at his side while the Captain turns to their navigator, his grin changing to a real smile. "I'll tell the crew you're doing well. Goodbye, Nami."
Hesitant to let him go just yet she lurches forward, ducking her head into his shoulder as she hugs him again. He dips his head down, his mouth hovering close to her ear.
"Two years, I promise."
Taking in one more whiff of his scent of sea salt she lets him go, stepping back as he turns and walks out the door.
"Zoro?" The swordsman pauses, about to follow his Captain out the door and turns back, grinning at her.
"Don't worry. I won't let the idiot kill himself." His eye flashes. "If he does I'll kick his ass back here myself." And he's out the door, both pirates walking back to the village in the rapidly fading light.
Nami sighs, turning back to grab the cups off the table when she hears Acebelle begin to cry through the bedroom door. Her sister giggles, walking over to set her hands on the cups.
"I'll take care of this. Go calm the little stinker."
The navigator smiles. "Thanks, Nojiko, I don't know what I'd do without you." As she walks into the bedroom she hears the bluenette giggle again.
"You'd probably drive yourself crazy."
She walks back into the main room, Acebelle slowly beginning to calm down now that she's back in her mother's arms. Nami becomes thoughtful, her eyes wandering to the window overlooking the road leading to town.
"Maybe, maybe not."
After all isn't she crazy already for being a part of the Straw Hat pirates? And the lover of the Pirate King himself? Or is it just one more adventure for her to go on? One that takes her on a road she never thought she'd be on.
Deadpool: *Pops up and grins* If you didn't like it, line up so we can shoot Grizz!
Grizz: *scowls* shut up, Wade. Ignore him, folks. We're currently stuck in some damn contract between my sister and Satan so he has been and will be floating around for a little while.
Deadpool: *gasps* Wha? But I thought you were the one who agreed to the contract. After all, you're the one who insisted on selling your soul in a drinking contest.
Grizz: Damn it, Deadpool. *Glares* For the last time that was different. *huffs* And I at least won my contest.
Deadpool: *grins* That's not what dear old Lucy told me.
Grizz: That's it! *grabs sword* Your head is mine! *pauses and smiles sweetly* I hope you enjoyed my first attempt at the One Piece Fandom and I and my punching bag, I mean roommate, will return with the remainder soon.
Grizzly—and Deadpool!—out for the night.
Grizz: *growls* Get back here so I knock the shit out of you, Wade!
Deadpool: *cackles*