Ch. 2- Preparations
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard © Me
Nami entered the kitchen with her basket of tangerines. There, Sanji was opening the oven and pulling out a triple-layer Angel's Food cake.
"Is that cake ready yet, Sanji?" Nami asked.
"Just to have to put on icing and decorations, Nami, my dear!" Sanji swooned.
At that moment, Chopper entered with a handful of red, yellow, and orange streamers.
"I got the streamers, Nami," said Chopper.
"Great," Nami said. "Help me set them up, would you?"
"Sure!" Chopper said before he shifted into Heavy Point and began to help Nami hang the streamers on the walls.
As Sanji began to decorate the cake with chocolate icing, Zoro entered with what appeared to be a Japanese Shogun helmet made of paper.
"This is the closest thing to a present that I could get, Nami," said Zoro. "Happy?"
"As long as it's for him, I don't care," Nami said. "Just set it on the table."
Usopp and Franky soon entered, as well, with boxes wrapped in colorful paper.
"We got the rest of Luffy's gifts," said Usopp.
"Set them on the table with Zoro's gift," Nami instructed as she pinned up another one of the streamers with Chopper's help.
Brook, Robin, and Blizzard were the last to enter.
"Yo-ho!" Brook chortled. "Miss Nami, I have been practicing day and night to perfect my birthday piece for Mister Luffy!"
"That's great, Brook," Nami said as she finished decorating one wall and began to start with another.
"One more thing," said Brook. "May I take a peek at your panties?"
THWACK! Nami kicked Brook in the skull.
"HELL NO!" she growled.
"Yo-ho-ho-ho-ho!" Brook laughed. "So HARSH!"
"Blizzard, you go outside and keep watch," Nami commanded the wolf-dog.
Blizzard raised his paw in a salute before he headed outside.
"Robin, can you help me and Chopper with the rest of the decorations?" Nami asked the archeologist.
"Certainly," Robin said before she crossed her arms. Soon, more arms sprouted from the walls and began to pin up the streamers, thus finishing the decorating.
"Thanks, Robin," Nami said, gratefully.
"My pleasure," Robin said.
"Nami," Usopp called the navigator. "Do you really think that holding a surprise party is a good idea? I kind of saw Luffy's face, and he looked a little hurt."
"He'll be okay, Usopp," Nami reassured. I think.
"So how much longer until the party starts?" asked Sanji.
"Until you finish with the party food and when everybody finishes with the presents," Nami said. "Chopper and I will be right back. We're going to go into the town to get a birthday card for all of us to sign. Don't let Luffy in here, no matter what, or else. C'mon, Chopper."
"Coming," said Chopper as he followed her out.
XXX
Luffy sat on the figurehead with his head resting in the palms of his hands. He had never felt so confused.
"Why would they forget my birthday?" he asked himself. "I'm pretty sure they knew for so long…so why did they forget, today?"
At that moment, he heard footsteps from behind him. Looking back, he saw it was Nami and Chopper, preparing to go into town, together.
"Where're those two going?" he wondered before he got down from the figurehead and headed their way.
When the navigator and doctor's noticed them, they gasped silently.
"Where you guys going?" Luffy asked.
"Nowhere," Chopper answered.
"Just into town to run a little errand," Nami added.
"Uh-huh," Luffy said, nodding. "Can I go with you?"
"NO!" Nami and Chopper yelled in unison, making Luffy jump back a bit. Nami chuckled nervously.
"I mean…no thanks, Luffy," she said. "Why don't you go play with the dog or something?"
Luffy looked at Nami in a surprised stare.
"Nami," Luffy said. "Are you sure that you don't remember what day it is?"
"I told you, Luffy," said Nami. "It's May 5th! Now if you don't mind, Chopper and I have to go."
With that being said, Nami took Chopper's hoof into her own and they walked into town together while Luffy looked on, his heart starting to feel heavy.
Now he was truly convinced that everyone had forgotten his birthday.
Luffy heaved a sigh and turned to go to the men's quarters.
"I think I'll lie down, for a minute," he mumbled, mirthlessly.
Yes, yes, I know. It's short.
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