Hello guys ^^, I'm really, really sorry for the delay :(


"Luffy." The Knave loosened his belt with the sword and tossed it aside, and discarding the helmet as well. "The way you fight—it's reckless, unpredictable—crazy, really, just like you." The hatter smiled. "But I'm stronger than you now. Today, I'll take you to my queen. "

"You've never beat me in a fight, Sanji" Luffy reminded him, bracing himself.

Sanji laughed "That changes today."

The two of them charged each other, kicking and punching. Luffy knew that Sanji was good with a sword, but that was not his real weapon. That man could destroy rocks with bare feet; one of his kicks could incapacitate a normal man for at least ten minutes.

Sanji did not expect this agility from the hatter; after all, many years he remained without fighting, waiting for the princess' return in the same armchair—every day for the last five years! He had wasted his life. Sanji smirked."Was it worth it, Luffy? Waiting for a princess who doesn't care about this world?"

Nami felt her heart twist at his words.

"What do you know about her?!" Luffy blindly jabbed at his opponent, who dodged. "She cried over what you did, you know, with those animals and flowers!"

Luffy was losing his temper, and Sanji took advantage of this, kicking him very hard in the stomach. The hatter flew backwards twenty feet, before landing very hard on his rear.

"Luffy!" The name had leaped past her lips before Nami could register what she was saying. Immediately, she clamped a hand over her treacherous mouth.

Like a hunter assured of his prey, Sanji turned towards the sound, grinning sadistically. "Oh, so there you are, princess." Nami swallowed. The blonde's gaze, always so loving towards her in the Upper world, was now filled with a mocking hatred. "I should've known those idiots would shrink you." He pulled out a dagger. "Stay still and do not complicate my work." Nami was paralyzed; she was frozen with terror—she couldn't move—her only chance was—

"NO!" the hatter roared in fury. "Don't touch her!"

Luffy summoned his remaining energy and fly a punch and promptly fell to his knees. Knave fell on the ground, unconscious.

"Luffy!" Nami tripped out of the top hat and ran to the exhausted brunette. "Luffy, are you alright?" She was horrified to see the hatter risk so much for her sake, and clutched his enormous fingers.

"Yes, it's just that it's been a long time since I've been in a fight. I just need to eat something," he took her in his hand carefully and sat up very slowly. It really was sweet, how distressed she was.

"You need to rest, Luffy. Is there somewhere we can stay?"

"I know a place."

...

After a bit of a trek, they arrived in a small cave, the entrance of which was covered with large leaves; if you did not know of its existence, it would pass unnoticed. A perfect hiding place.

Luffy left his top hat and Nami on the floor and then leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.

"Luffy ..." began Nami hesitantly.

Luffy anticipated her concern. "Sanji's kicks are amazing. At the time they do not hurt so much, but the post-effect is horrible."

Nami noticed that he held his stomach tightly. It was so frustrating—she wanted to help, but her ridiculous size did not help at all. She had to do something.

"Luffy" she said softly. "Give me the potion to grow. So I can get help."

He frowned at her. He did not seem to like the idea of her walking around alone, especially not in these times. "Please, Luffy. I want to help, and if you do not give it to me, I'll go out and look for help anyway."

He thought of saying something, but gave up. "Okay. Eat it," he sighed resignedly, handing over one of the tiny iced cakes.

Nami took a bite and ate it. She felt strange, like when she drank the potion She closed her eyes, feeling the change. When she opens them again, the cave had another perspective.

"Thank you, Luffy." She turned to him "Luffy?"

The man in question had his eyes determinedly fixed to the ground, and his cheeks would have put tomatoes to shame. "Your clothes," he mumbled.

Nami looked at herself. She was completely naked. "Don't look!" She squawked, embarrassed.

"Here, take my coat." He took off the red overcoat and gave it to her. The redhead snatched it.

Nami was pink, her face on fire. This was by far the most embarrassing experience of her entire life.

"Nami ..."

"Don't look at me!" The coat was large, but tiny for the redhead's purposes. It was up about four fingers above her knee, and her generous breasts were compressed into the fabric as well as her hips. For the first time in her life the girl cursed her attributes.

"It's okay," Luffy said, trying not to laugh at her face. "It happens to everyone who takes this potion."

"It's not normal to me!" she cried without looking at him. "I feel so exposed."

"You're beautiful, so relax." He wanted to laugh, but his aching stomach did not help. Nami, rolled her eyes.

OOO

Sanji woke up with a terrible headache. Damn Hatter, he would pay for that humiliation.

"Knave, can you get up?" Asked one of the cards, holding out his hand. Sanji looked at its hand and refused help, getting up by himself.

"I'm fine, any soldier down?"

"No sir, he did not kill any."

Damn, thought the blonde. I'll make him swallow that arrogance. "Regroup, let's leave in one hour. I may not know where they are, but I know where they are going."

"Yes sir."

OOO

Luffy was asleep. He'll recover faster this way, thought Nami. Not wanting to stand still, she left the cave to find something to eat, or at least something that looked edible.

The flowers and plants here were completely different from her world. She saw a fruit that looked like a pear. Nami was about to touch it when a voice issued from somewhere around her foot. "If you don't want to dance for a whole day, you'd better not eat that fruit." It was Franklen, perched atop a mushroom, smoking.

"It's good to see you again, Franklen." Nami said curtly; she did not like the caterpillar much.

"Are you looking for food for the Hatter?" He inquired. The redhead paled. Was their location so obvious? Noting her concern, Franklen added "It's because I know the young man and I know Knave is after you both. The cave is the best hiding place he has."

Nami nodded, relieved. "I understand."

"If you want to help him, take these blue leaves to the wounds and those red fruits to eat," he said, pointing.

"Thank you, Franklen."

Nami returned to the cave with the leaves and fruit. Luffy was still asleep, his expression uneasy as if in a nightmare. She came close to him very slowly; he could think it was a threat and hurt her by accident.

"Luffy," she stroked his face cautiously with her thumb. "Luffy, wake up—" he grabbed her arms tightly. "Come on, Luffy, it's just a dream, wake up," Nami called louder this time.

"Ace ...Sabo..." he murmured. The weeping, desperate voice made Nami's heart ache.

"Luffy!" She shouted this time and that seemed to do the job, Hatter's eyes popped open, he looked startled, not recognizing where he was at first. She stood still, watching what he would do. Out of nowhere, he pulled her into a hug, burying his face in her neck, breathing deeply "Lu—"

"You're here," he asked quietly, the sound of his voice chilling her pale skin. "I'm going to open my eyes and you'll still be here, won't you?" Nami stroked his dark hair to calm him and reassure her presence.

"Yes, Luffy," she whispered. "I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." She was surprised herself to find it true. The girl wanted to go home, but also wanted about know this world of her father's stories, she wanted to know why everyone seemed happy and hopeful to see her, why such a terrible man looked exactly like Sanji from her world and she wanted to know more about this hatter who seemed willing to lose his life to protect her.

After Luffy calmed down and let Nami go, he took the red fruit and ate them all at once. "That was a good snack, now let's go to the castle," he said with a grin.

"We should stay, Luffy," she said. "It's almost dark, we're both exhausted and you're still hurt."

"I'm alright, Nami, look." Luffy got up at once and grimaced.

"It's not okay, now lie there." She took the blue leaves and gave it to him "Here, put it on your stomach."

"You meanie," he muttered. Nami laughed at him.

The two of them were in a comfortable silence. Nami reviewed the day's events. The strangest thing she thought would happen today was be Sanji's proposal, but look where she was now. Sanji, why was he here?

"Nami."

"Hm? What is it Luffy? "

"Where did you find those leaves and fruits?"

So slow! She thought. "Outside—Franklen told me to get these."

"You shouldn't have left," he said seriously. "Knave is still after you."

"I know, but I couldn't stay here and do nothing, you were hurt and hungry. I had to do something." Luffy stared at her for a few seconds.

"Alright, you're fine, so..." he rose again, and did not seem to feel any pain "I'll get some wood to light a fire, I'll be right back," he said as he left. Luffy did not want to leave her alone so came back quickly. He lit the fire easily and stood there, enjoying the warm light.

"Luffy?" He looked at her, inviting her to continue "Who's Knave?" He tensed.

"The red queen's right hand, does everything she says."

"Were you friends?" Luffy nodded. "What happened?"

"I don't know" he replied. "He had always been friends with Red since he was little. He said he fell in love and wanted to see her happy." He stirred the embers with a stick. "Are you scared of him?"

"Is not that it, is just..." What could she say? That he looked like her future groom in the other world? "Never mind."

"... Okay." The crackling sound of the bonfire covered the silence that fell on them.

"Thank you, Luffy"

"Hm? For what, Nami?" He asked confused.

"For everything, I think." She looked at him and realised he understood nothing. Rolling her eyes, she continued. "For protecting me, for taking care of me and for being so kind to me, I..." He breathed deeply. "I know I should remember you and I know that you expected a different person from the one in front of you right now, but... I want you to know that I trust you. "

Luffy stared at her in surprise, he was happy, very happy to hear it from her. He wanted to say that she is everything he expected for in the last few years. He said, instead, "You're welcome, Nami."

She smiled.

Nami got ready for bed. Luffy gave her something he called a "bubble plant" for her to use as a pillow, which, though odd, was very comfortable. She soon fell asleep through exhaustion, although knowing she would wake up soon, whether she wanted to or not because of the rain.

It was a rainy night, with lots of lightning striking the sky. Little 5-year-old Luffy slept peacefully in his bed when he heard desperate knocks on his door. He got up sleepy, knowing who it was on the other side.

The door flung open, and a cluster of reddish-orange hair jumped through it.

"Nami." He grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling "It's just rain."

"'Uffy," she couldn't even say his name. "Scared," she shivered, her eyes fastened on the darkness.

"Come on in, then." He took the 2-year-old girl to the bed with him, covering both of them, making a fort.

It was always like this, Nami was dying of fear from the thunder, and on nights like this it was not uncommon for her to run into Luffy's room and sleep with him. Her parents already tried to stay with her and take her to their bed, but the little one just calmed down in the little boy's arms. Frau and Arthur woke up worried about Nami, went to her room and found it empty, but knew where she had gone. They opened the door carefully so as not to wake them. Nami and Luffy slept peacefully, hugging each other.

Nami woke up feeling great. She hated rainy nights, and could never rest, but this one was better than ever—she didn't wake up, not even once. Nami tried to stretch herself when she felt two strong arms around her and froze.

Who…?

She turned her neck slowly and what was her surprise to see the Hatter himself embracing her in his sleep. Her face turned bright red. Nami released herself as fast as she could from him. Luffy slept peacefully, seemed recovered from yesterday's fight.

She could still feel the warmth of his arms on her body. She resorted to try to dispel the sensation, Nami lived in a society with almost no casual physical contact with the opposite sex, something reserved only to husband and wife, so it was not surprising her reaction. For a girl in Nami's social standing, waking up next to a man other than her husband was enough to destroy any chance of future marriages and social relationships.

She decided to leave those worries for later, here was not England. She was more interested in why Luffy, who yesterday was on the other side of the cave last night, decided to take such liberties with her in the middle of the night. She thought she could trust him, was she mistaken in her judgment of him? What more freedoms did he take? She came and shook him slowly.

"Luffy," she called. "Luffy!" She shook him harder, feeling him react.

He looked at her and smiled with the energy of a thousand suns, seemed very happy to see her, Nami felt overwhelmed by the emotions of those sweet eyes.

"Good morning, Nami." He sat down on the floor in front of her. "Did you sleep well despite the storm?"

"Luffy we have to talk, you have no right to ..." the sentence died in her throat when she thought of what he just said. "How do you know I can't sleep on a stormy night? Nobody knows that, there's no way you can know that." She drew back, intimidated.

"Of course I do!" Luffy was puzzled that she'd walk away. "We slept together when we were kids."

"What?!" Nami rose from the ground in shock, what was he saying? "Luffy if you're making this up..."

"I'm not," he assured "You used to come to my room and lay by my side." He came closer to her this time. "It rained very hard last night and you were trembling so I held you to calm you down, that's all. "

"I...I believe you." Nami knew Luffy would not do anything she did not want, he already made it clear he would protect her. Besides, she'd never slept so well in her life, his warmth was so familiar. "Thank you, Luffy. It's just a lot..."

"No problem," he patted her head. "Come on, I'll get you to Marmoreal."

"Marmoreal?"

"It's the White queen's castle." Luffy put the top hat on, ready to go.

OOO

White was in her garden, her subjects following behind a small distance, ensuring a minimum of privacy for their ruler, she was not allowed at any time to be alone, there was always someone watching her and assuring her safety. One of the guards came rushing toward her.

"Your majesty, Usopp brings news." The stern little mouse right behind him nodded seriously.

"Thank you. Please lend us some privacy." The guard bowed and left. White turned to the little animal with a smile on her face. "It's good to see you, Usopp."

"White Queen, Nami has returned to Wonderland." White's smile finally turned from the painted mask of all courtiers to that of a relieved ruler.

"Where is she, Usopp?" She asked. "Do not tell me that..."

"Stay calm," he assured her. "She's with the Hatter."

Her smile subsided. "How is he?"

"Very happy to see her, but Knave is behind them so they are taking a longer route."

"I worry about him, he's been very stable in the last few years, but with her back..."

"He'd go after her anyway—maybe with her around, he'll finally be alright."

"I hope so."

OOO

Nami hated storms, but the days after them were always pleasant with the scent of the plants and the drops of water falling from the leaves like precious stones. Flowers in that place were of exotic shades of blue, green, and even black.

"What are you looking at?" Luffy asked.

"I've never seen black roses before," she bent to pick them up. "They're beautiful."

"Don't touch them." He caught her hand before she touched the flower "The thorns are poisonous."

"Oh…" She pulled away, still holding the brunette's hand. "So, beautiful, but deadly."

"Exactly." He pulled her to follow him. "Come on."

Luffy knew that Knave would not give up until Nami was inside Marmoreal barrier. Every minute closer to the castle was also another minute closer to him—he would have to fight again to protect the redhead.

We should kill him next time, he wil take her from us.

The hatter ignored the thought. Instead he watched Nami out of the corner of his eye and smiled as he watched her marvel at her homeland, the land from which she should never have left.


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