Luffy, Chopper and Usopp were in the training room minutes after work. The captain in the mean time wracked at the hanging punching bag while under witness of the two crewmates.

Believe it or not, this was a part of Usopp's 'intensive' training. And it worked according to plan.

"What are you idiots doing?" Zoro asked, finding himself in the training room instead of the exit. His pride will never allow him to admit that he was lost.

"Go away, Zoro. Shoo-shoo. Luffy' s trying to concentrate," said Usopp.

"... Whatever." The swordsman didn't care. He had more important matters to worry about.

When the door closed, Usopp resumed, facing Luffy with a gulp and sweat on his brow. The captain was more serious than he thought.

The questioning began.

"Luffy!"

"Hai?"

"What colour is the sky?"

"Green!"

"What's your favourite food?"

"Salad!"

"What's your favourite pastime?"

"Swimming!"

"Who is your father?"

"I have no father!" (Somewhere in the building Dragon sneezed and became deeply depressed. Someone was talking about him.)

The chains burst and the poor bag was sent flying across the room; left tortured and forgotten.

Luffy heaved in oxygen and after taking off his gloves, he steadied himself with his hands on his hips, smile bigger than a kid in a candy store.

Chopper's eyes were stars after seeing the awesomeness. The coach nodded.

"He's ready."

Luffy walked over and sat in an awaiting chair and almost instantly, a towel was draped over his shoulders and a bottle of water was in his hand. As he drank, Usopp drummed at his shoulders; Helping ease the tension.

Instead of 1 week, it took 2. And Usopp's judgement was spot on. Luffy had become a man of steel.

"That was amazing, Luffy."

"Thanks. Am I ready now, Usopp?"

"More like born to be ready- You have definitely reached your peak."

'Shishishishi'

"Now tell us about the starter prank. Something tells me it went well." Usopp grinned. For the first test, he made Luffy buy Nami fake flowers but the catch was that he had to convince her that they were real.

"It went well actually. After she smelled them, she wasn't buying it so I told her that if she put them in some water she would. And she believed me! Her face when I told her it was a prank was priceless. 'Shishishishi'. I could not stop laughing."

"Brilliant! But what's important is that you didn't die, right?"

"Right. She did end up saying that you were rubbing off on me... A bad influence, she said."

Usopp ignored the accusation and bent down to meet Luffy's gaze. Hands anchoring on the armrests and nose touching between the captain's eyes.

"The real deal starts tomorrow. I know you can do it. But the real question is: Are you ready?"

"Yes," Luffy said all serious.

"Now go. Don't look back. And good luck."

Luffy gave a firm nod and as Usopp cleared the way, he walked out the room for his first mission with the aim to win.

As they watched him leave, Usopp dabbed at his eyes with a tissue to wipe the tears away.

*Sniff* *Sniff* "They grow up so fast."

"They sure do..." Chopper's eyes trailed down to the sniper's shoes. "Hey Usopp."

"Hm?"

"Your shoelaces are untied."

"Oh. Thank you." As he reached down to fix the imperfection, his eyes widened at the neatly tied bows."

The young doctor giggled behind his hands.

"Dammit Chopper!"

Prank #1: The I-don't-want-to-kiss-you Prank

One long, relaxing bath later, Nami was in her jammies applying moisturizer to her face when Luffy walked in and started brushing his teeth at his sink.

She smiled at him in the mirror and was delighted to get one in return which dimmed her thoughts about something being off about today. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Going to bed soon?" Nami asked as he wiped his face and accepted the moisturizer she pushed his way. It had done wonders for his skin.

"Yeah." As he moisturized he watched her oil the ends of her freshly washed hair with that sweet almond oil she had the custom of using. And he did so until her long orange locks were secured in a cute little bun. The act always fascinated him.

"I'll come join you soon," she said and Luffy made an affirmative hum and left the room.

Lately, she had decided it best to share a bedtime and a bed with her husband 4 times a week instead of 2. Night time was the time she dedicated to her beloved trade but she had been missing out on plenty of sleep lately so as a result, things had to change. Sleep was way more fulfilling when she slept at Luffy's side and he had no complaints about the new sleeping arrangements. As a matter of fact, he seemed pretty happy. So to Nami, it was like killing two birds with one stone.

She finished up her night time routine and switched the bathroom light off and proceeded to do the same for the other lights in the apartment.

When through, she yawned and made way to Luffy's room. Sleep was calling.

It was dark but she was still able to find her way under the covers. A skilled navigator at heart.

Before sleep could steal the show, Nami's eyes peeled back open. She figured it out.

"Luffy?" She nudged his arm. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah." He had a strong feeling about what she was going to say next. Honestly didn't expect it to take the whole day for her to finally notice.

"We didn't kiss today."

She was under the suspicion that he was avoiding her. Before he left for work, he was in a hurry; Upon returning, he had made up an excuse saying that he had to look for something and whenever she advanced, he would find a reason to leave the room.

"Yeah? So?"

"I mean, doesn't it bother you?" She reached over and switched on the bedside lamp and found him laying on his side facing away from her. "Turn around."

Luffy did as told and was almost caught off guard completely when his wife had already gotten super close to his face. He had to think fast and quickly covered his mouth.

Her lips met knuckles and she opened her eyes confused to see the wall of defense.

"No."

"What do you mean by 'no'?"

"It doesn't bother me."

She scanned his face for answers but what she found was that he was as serious as the day he asked her to marry him.

Her throat stinged for a brief moment. Her body was still trying to process what the hell was going on.

"What exactly doesn't bother you, Luffy?"

She was hoping that her ears were failing her.

"That we didn't kiss today. You said so yourself. We didn't and I don't mind one bit. I actually don't even care."

"Why are you saying all that?"

Her suspicions were right. He had been avoiding her.

"Is kissing that important to you?"

"It is."

"Well sorry. I've decided." What he said next was the start of Nami's anger. "I don't want to kiss you anymore."

"Then who would you kiss then?"

"No one."

That was the breaking point and Nami shuffled out of the covers and was about to take her leave but Luffy did not panic. He knew exactly what to do next.

"What do I do if she decides to leave, Usopp?"

"Just hold her back."

"Okay... But what if she tries to force one on me?"

"Trust me. You'll know what to do."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Positive. This prank is seamless."

Before Nami could take another step further, Luffy reached out and held her arm, gently yanking her back in bed.

She protested but after breathless struggle there was no other choice but to let Luffy cuddle her up in his arms which was something he knew she loved. However, all she could do was glare at his beaming face.

"For the last time, let me go."

"No."

"Luffy-"

"I said that I didn't want us to kiss anymore, not snuggle. I love snuggling." 'Shishishishi'

Nami cracked a smile and moved her hand to comb through his raven hair and Luffy panicked only a little. She knew his weakness!

The tone of her voice changed as she eased in closer staring him directly in the eyes. He had to remember his training!

"You don't want to kiss me anymore, huh?"

"That's right."

"Fine. What if I just steal them instead?"

"Then I'll be mad."

The seriousness was back and Nami froze, mentally repeating what he said in her mind over and over again. At this moment, her pot of anger had already began to boil. She wanted to leave. Couldn't stand being in the same room as him.

The same hand she used to show affection was now going to show him pain.

Nami left him in a ball holding his stomach, namely the part she delivered the ruthless punch. The last thing he remembered while seeing stars was the loud slamming of the door.

She was mad. And the prank was a success.

Rays reflected off the glass window and warmed Nami's long, bare legs. Slowly awakening, she stretched her arms outwards above her head and threw them back around what seemed to be her husband who held her protectively while he slept.

She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. God, she was so in love with this man.

She registered her surroundings and found that she was in her sleeping quarters and last night's tirade came back to her all at once.

How the hell did he have the nerve to find himself in her room?

Nami wiggled herself out of his grip, stood at a safe distance and threw throw pillows at him. Comically, the last one sent Luffy right off the bed.

"Ow! Oh hey, Nami," he said while smiling, "Good morning."

"Don't start playing games with me, Luffy. I'm not going to pretend that nothing happened last night. Why are you in my room? Didn't I say to leave me alone?"

"Last night I came to tuck you in. I wanted to sleep beside you so I stayed. You even started latching onto me as well so I just thought-"

Nami blushed, ashamed at her unconscious state. "I was asleep. But why? What part of leaving me alone don't you understand?"

"I can't do that. We're married."

Nami sucked in her lips. Who was he to tell her about the roles of marriage?

"Last night you -"

"It was a prank."

"What?"

"A prank."

She was at a loss, wondering if she should be mad, relieved or downright impressed. She couldn't decide but she had to make sure.

Luffy returned to his spot in bed and Nami sat next to him.

"Prove it."

He kissed her soft on the lips and Nami realized that she was more relieved than anything.

"There. It was just a - mmph!?"

She grabbed him by the ears and returned what he gave to her with much more fervour.

Pulling away for breath, Nami leered down at Luffy's ravished state. His red cheeks looked good against her emboidered orange sheets.

"I could have murdered you last night."

Luffy cracked a nervous smile. "Thanks for sparing me."

Like a cat playing with its prey, Luffy was as still as can be while Nami straddled him. Any sudden move could mean his downfall.

He had to go get ready for work but was attacked again for the second time that morning.

They had a lot of catching up to do.

Author's Note

That's a wrap! Hope you enjoyed. See you in the next one.