A/N: I was planning to stop at that chapter, but I couldn't help myself. Everyone go with the Sanji-love!
Nami kept hugging Sanji. She was still in bed. Everyone was silent for that one moment.
Then an implosion of voices were heard from outside the ship
"S-Sanji! You DID do something!"
"WHAT DID YOU DO, SANJI?"
"M-m-melloriiiiiine..."
"Nami! Don't strain yourself too much! You might still be hurt somewhere. I think you might have a concussion! Lie back down and you'll feel like yourself in a while."Chopper tried to set Nami back to lie down, but she suddenly screamed and kicked him. He was sent flying to the wall.
"I-I'm sorry Chopper." Chopper stood up. Nami looked at the child who has been her companion for so many years. She couldn't believe what she just did. She wanted to cry. She wanted to be comforted by Sanji-kun- No, she didn't. She's still suffering from what happened. That's why she wants to be away from everybody else. That's why she thinks only Sanji-kun can help her. "I'm sorry, but it might not be a good idea to touch me right now."
"But why?" Chopper looked hurt. Nami wanted to comfort him somehow, but the words got stuck in her throat.
"Don't worry, Chopper. I'm sure there must be a good reason. Nami, what happened exactly?" Ah, Robin. Always the voice of reason. Her Nee-sama, always ready to help whenever she feels stressed. But why won't the words come out? She has to say something, right? These people will never hurt her. They will never betray her. They are nakama!
But she couldn't even look her in the eye.
"I-I'm not sure. I was- I was shopping, then- they caught me? Then Hiro- he said- I was going to follow him forever. T-then Sanji-kun was- he was fighting. And he smashed... the crystal ball."
"What crystal ball? Sanji?" Luffy didn't like it when stuff get complicated with his crew. He didn't like it when his lunch got interrupted by an emergency. He didn't like it when Nami acts weird and couldn't even look straight at him when talking. She's not their Nami. What's going on?
"I'm not sure myself. The guy said something about telling her brain who to trust, I think."
"But that's impossible!" Usopp couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"No, it's not." Everybody turned to stare at who spoke. It was Chopper. He looked mad-no, he was furious.
"People can send messages to the brain. You can control what somebody does. You can tell them to kill someone by just saying a specific word, or having them make you tea by snapping your fingers. It's like hypnosis. But that messes with their brains. He told Nami that she couldn't trust anybody but him! That means that even though she knows everything we went through together, her brain will tell her we're not on her side." Chopper's face looked very grave now. "If he did it badly, she could be brain dead right now!"
They all looked at their captain. He wasn't happy. "How do you reverse it?"
"We can't fix her that easily, Luffy. Imagine she's sick, only the sickness is in her head. It will take several days for her brain to recover. It could even take several years, if we're not careful!" Chopper was sad. "One wrong step around Nami, just touching her wrong could mean she will never trust anybody ever again."
"H-hey, Nami-san? Are you alright? You have to lie down." Sanji was positioning Nami on the bed. She couldn't say anything, and they're all talking about stuff concerning her. She wanted to hate herself. This is wrong. She had to say something, something that could help them.
"Sanji-kun destroyed Hiro's crystal ball. I don't trust Hiro anymore." Then Nami passed out.
Later, Nami woke up to Sanji's face. She couldn't stop the small burst of happiness and security she felt at that moment.
"Sanji-kun?"
"Nami-san! Are you alright? If you're hungry, I have some baked snacks full of my love!" Nami smiled at him. Sanji hoped she would hug him like earlier. Maybe even kiss him? He suppressed a giggle. Maybe even...
"No, thank you. I'm just a little thirsty, Sanji-kun." That's weird. Eh, he shouldn't hope that much everyday, anyway. But what else would be his purpose in life?
"Of course, Nami-san! Just let me prepare you a refreshment right away-"
"No, just water is fine." Why is Nami-san being so cold? She hugged him earlier, right? It's like she's back to the usual Nami. He sighed dejectedly, and went out a bit for some water.
Nami saw him leave. She suddenly didn't want that water so much anymore.
"Wait, Sanji-kun!"
Sanji turned around. She looked scared. Really scared. He walked slowly back to her and saw her regain her composure almost immediately.
"Sanji-kun, why don't we finish shopping instead? I wasn't able to buy anything today." She gave him the smile that won her millions of free drinks. He gave in at once.
"Hai, Nami-san!"
Sanji wanted to ask. He really did. But he should be enjoying the moment right now. But she-
"Nami-san, aren't you bothered by how close we are?" He looked down at the lady gripping his arm as if trying to choke it of all the blood (if there was any left). She stayed at the same position for a minute, then removed her arms. He felt the change in temperature immediately. Damn, why did he have to open his big fat mouth-
"Are you?" She smiled at him cheekily, but he could sense the uncertainty and fear in her tone. She's scared. Of what? Oh.
Sanji hope this would work. "Of course not, Nami-san! But it would definitely be more comfortable if we did-" He put his hand on her back, making sure not to touch anywhere near her back. "this."
He waited for the pain to arrive in his hand. It never came. No pinch, no slap, nothing! Not even an angry retort. What the hell-
Nami looked so unsure. He wanted to hug her at that very moment.
Nami was having an internal war at the moment. For one thing, yes, she DID mind, but for another, the town was so full of people. People who could catch her and tie her up and leave her to die. People who could fight her while she's unguarded. Only Sanji-kun can help her-NO. She isn't going to be like that. She HAS to fight this. She will be no use to the crew this way. What if she couldn't even navigate properly?
But on the other hand, this feeling of security and safety was something she hasn't felt in a very long time. Maybe she could even start to like it?
"Maybe I should stay away from people." She didn't know such things could ever come out of her mouth. But why, again? Oh, yeah. But-
Sanji took out a cigarette and lighted it. "That might be bad for you, Nami-san."
What? Why is he saying this now? Shouldn't he be happy about it or something? Shouldn't he want to fulfill all her dreams? Shouldn't he want to protect her and keep her safe from all the evil in the world forever? No, that's her brain talking. No.
"It's okay, I'll grow old with you and we'll stay safe forever." Now why did she say that?
Sanji wanted to answer with the usual "Hai!" and they would live happily ever after. They would stay together like they always did and maybe something might develop into love someday and-
But there's Luffy. There's All Blue. There's the map of the world. She's not saying this because she wants to.
He wondered if he was being taken for granted all along. Well, not that he didn't expect that to happen. Though a little hesitation would have been nice.
"You know, I might want to do evil stuff to you too, Nami-san."
"I know you'll never do that. You're a good person, Sanji-kun." That's probably true, but why does she have to be so damn irresistible? No, he had to stay strong. He really wants to do this and that to her, though he'll never take advantage of her that way. Even though the temptation is so great already, since she is in his arms right now.
"Nami-san. Did I ever tell you that I dream about our child sometimes?" This was definitely true. He would never lie to her. Maybe to somebody else, but never to her.
"Oh, Sanji-kun, look! Kitchen pans on sale!" He looked at where she was pointing. Giant Pans! On sale! He turned back to Nami. He wanted those pans.
But she'd already collapsed.
Oh, shit. He took one last lingering look at the pans, then picked her up and rushed her back to the ship.
Nami woke up and heard her stomach growl.
"Hungry, Nami-swan?" There beside the bed was her faithful guardian, holding a tray of something that smelled really good.
"I'm sorry about what happened, Sanji-kun. Did Chopper get angry?"
"Well, a bit." Best not tell her he got chewed out big time. Nami took a spoonful of soup, then sighed.
"I'm sorry about what I said. I should reflect on my actions earlier, Sanji-kun. My brain just isn't cooperating with me today."
"Of course it's not, Nami-san. But no need to apologize. I believe that you are stronger than that." He honestly did. But he shouldn't go specific right now. He should just let her talk it out, like Chopper said earlier.
"Do you ever doubt finding All Blue?" What?
"I used to. In the Baratie. I stopped trying to dream about it. But now, with Luffy here? Not anymore." That was a long time ago. Several years ago, when they had started travelling. Didn't he already tell them this before? Oh, wait. She wasn't with them when he was recruited, she stole the Going Merry and left them to deal with Arlong.
"I'm feeling that way right now. As if there's this huge block stopping me from mapping everything in the world." No. Nami was stronger than that. She really was. He should know, she was everything he could ever see since this whole trip started. She had to fix herself, soon.
"Don't worry, Nami-san. Everyone's here to help you. And All Blue will be on your map too, eventually." It should be. I'll do everything I can to make sure that happens.
"Thanks, Sanji-kun"
"Don't think about it. Now go to sleep, Nami-san. You've had a tiring day."
Sanji closed the door carefully. He stared out at the deserted corridor. Why was he acting like this? He should be happier with the amount of chances he gets to be alone with Nami-san. He should be overjoyed at every single lovey-dovey thing she does. But he's just disappointed in himself. Why couldn't he have saved her earlier than that? Why did he have to smash that stupid crystal ball? Why couldn't he have been stronger, faster, maybe a little smarter so he could fix her right now? He took a long drag out of his cigarette.
Not even this helps. It wouldn't even do anything for her.
"I need a drink."
A/N: And so ends chapter two! Reviews are appreciated, and will guarantee faster updates. Biased flamers will be ignored. Thanks for reading! :D
