Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. I am just a fan testing out my writing skills and living in my own little dream world.

Thank you to those who have given me feedback and added my story as a favourite! I am really honoured.

I hope I can continue to do the characters justice!

Chapter 4

"Good morning!" Nami called as she entered the kitchen to join her friends for breakfast.

"Good morning Nami-swan!" Sanji cooed back in his usual tone towards his favourite crew mates.

Usopp watched Nami carefully, she seemed way too happy.

"Something wrong Usopp?" Nami asked sweetly, far too sweetly. Usopp forced a smile and shook his head. He leant further back on his seat. This time he chose the seat the furthest away from the cook and the swordsman. Figuring Luffy was the strongest and safest he stuck by his best friend.

"Where is Chopper?" Zoro asked. It was not like him to be here later than the others, especially given the events of the past few days.

"Oh he is with Robin, getting the photos from yesterday ready" Nami said, grinning. She looked at Usopp and he struggled to swallow due to a sudden discomforting lump that formed in his throat. He had initially thought his invention was a good thing, now he was beginning to wish he had never thought of the idea. Women! They have such a way of making things more complicated than they need to be! He thought.

As if on cue Chopper entered the room with Robin. Between them they held 9 sets of photos. Usopp looked at the little reindeer that was still beaming brightly, finding the whole thing fun. He wished he could have his ignorance.

Robin spouted some hands that took a set each and passed them to their friends, before sitting down next to Nami and handing her a set with a subtle wink. Usopp knew too well what that was for. He took his pile reluctantly.

Sanji suddenly spat out his drink across the table, covering Brook in fluid. Brook took a napkin and gently wiped his face. The room went silent.

"Umm Zoro" Luffy spoke up, "in this photo why are you on top of Sanji?" he asked a little concerned. The photo was not clear due to the steam surrounding them. On top of that Robin's hands which had been holding Zoro against Sanji were not visible. From an outsiders perspective the position was interestingly close.

Zoro had a vein pulsing from the side of his head. He didn't have to look up to know that Nami was grinning profusely. He clutched onto the pile of photos more tightly. I'll kill her! He thought. He hated being tricked and played with more than anything. Knowing that Robin also had something to do with this did not put his mind at ease either. Women definitely = trouble!

Usopp shrank in his seat at the visible danger coming from both men.

Sanji was unimpressed with the photo but thought that his rage was hidden well. He refused to blame the female crew members and instead tried to turn it into something positive on his behalf. "Why Nami-san, Robin-chan" he began, "if you want a photo of me to keep close to your hearts all you have to do is ask".

Robin smiled at the cook and said "Thank you Sanji-san, I will keep that in mind". Usopp figured she was only trying to placate him.

Nami did not respond. Her attention was all on the swordsman in front of her. Zoro gritted his teeth and ripped the photo into shreds. He knew he shouldn't let her get to him, but there was no way he would allow such a hellish image to burn into his eyes.

"If you boys wanted to do some wrestling you should have said!" Franky pitched in with a wide grin. He could not help but wind them up about this. "It's like brotherly love" the cyborg continued before receiving two marks to his face, a foot from Sanji and a fist from Zoro. The pair may not work much as a team but when they did they were a dangerous match.

Sanji snatched Franky's photo off him and set it alight with one of his matches. "The last people on earth I would want to have this photo would be you idiots!" he spat, referring off course to the male members of the crew. He turned a deathly glare at Usopp, who handed over his copy without further hesitation. Sanji then bribed Luffy with more food in exchange for his. Luffy was not interested in a photo like that anyway and seeing how upset it made his friends he was willing to give it up. The fact the incident took place in itself was enough of a scar for Sanji, he did not need a memento.

"Yoohoohoo it's better than Punk Hazard!" Brook highlighted, now able to look at the image once the drink Sanji spat over him was clear.

"Punk Hazard?" Robin was curious, "why what happened there?"

Brook began to answer Robin's question when a plate slammed into his face with thanks from the cook and something beside him stomped hard onto his foot. The swordsman glared at the skeleton, grabbed him by the throat and whispered in his ear, "you dare and I will make your bones into fine carving blocks for my swords", with that the musician fell silent, jokingly releasing his soul to feign death. Zoro snatched the copy of the photo from his friend and tore it up.

Robin watched the scene in amusement. Clearly something else had happened between the cook and Zoro that the others did not know about. She was curious to know what.

Nami sat in front of Zoro tapping the photo playfully against her shoulder with her arms crossed. He remained calm and breathed slowly. He could not let her get to him. He recalled the memories of the previous morning, "that's right. What was it again? If someone doesn't like the picture of them then they can decide that no one can have it. But if someone wishes to keep it they must pay a price" he said. Nami's expression barely changed.

Usopp could not help but feel that Zoro was not talking about money when he said 'price'. He looked between Nami and Zoro. The two were fixed on each other as if having their own private glaring contest. He could cut the tension with a knife.

"I will give it back if you return the other one" Nami stated, before putting her copy of the photo of Sanji and Zoro in her cleavage. There is no way Zoro would try to snatch it from her with it concealed there. Sanji's seriousness dissipated quickly as he danced around, please at the fact the picture of him was so close to Nami's heart!

Zoro gritted his teeth. He really hated being played. However, it wasn't like he came unprepared. Two can play at this game, he thought.

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Nami teased, "Or do you not mind me keeping this little treasure?"

Zoro looked up at her and gave a deep sigh, "fine" he said and proceeded to pull the photo out from his Haramaki. He leant forward and placed his elbow on the table holding the photo up with its back facing her.

Nami reached out to take the picture when Zoro pulled it back slightly, "we had a deal" he reminded her. She sighed and nodded before reaching into her cleavage and pulling out the photo she had just placed there. They exchanged with no further problem.

Nami smiled at her achievement then looked down at the photo in her hands. The smile suddenly turned upside down and she glared at Zoro with such intensity that they all started to shift from their seats. "YOU TRICKED ME?!" she yelled in a deep tone of voice like a possessed being. Zoro just grinned.

"You weren't specific with which photo you wanted" he stated calmly, unaffected by the sudden wrath headed his way. He proudly destroyed the photo she just gave to him in front of her.

Nami's body trembled with annoyance. The rest of their friends slowly edged away from the fiery aura protruding from their navigator. The two of them remained starring at each other. Usopp felt like the world was being sucked into a huge black space in between them.

"Usopp!" Nami practically shouted his name. He jumped and looked her way but she did not break eye contact with the swordsman. Instead she reached out a hand towards the sharp shooter, flashing her hand open and closed as if demanding something.

The others looked at Usopp expectantly. Usopp had been hiding behind Luffy but even their captain found the woman scary and avoided her gaze, moving to the side to reveal his friend, TRAITOR! Usopp thought.

Nami grew impatient and turned her head to look his way. Usopp could feel his soul leave his body with one look from her. He froze on the spot, sweating profusely and silently praying to the gods. Nami took a step towards her friend and placed her hand in his pocket, taking out the camera.

"I believe it is my turn" she then turned away and started to walk out of the room. Usopp felt his knees go weak and he almost collapsed. A blossom hand came out of the floor and caught him. Phew! Thankfully that was all she wanted.

On leaving the room Nami did not hesitate to pass Zoro a look which could be interpreted as I will get you back for this!

Zoro did not respond and instead sat back on his seat and picked up his mug. His actions seemed to irritate the red head as she was not invoking a reaction in him, and with that she left the room slamming the door behind her.

Everyone suddenly breathed out.

"What the hell was that about?!" Franky asked out loud, not expecting an answer.

"SCARY!" Brook stated. Usopp and Chopper nodded in agreement.

"Nami isn't acting like herself" Luffy pointed out, the others looked at him. He was right off course. Luffy may seem like an idiot at times but he had moments where he could understand someone better than they could themselves.

"It would be safe to say Nami is a little pre-occupied" Robin agreed with their captain.

"Is this because of the photo?" Chopper asked, a little concerned that he might have contributed to Nami's upset.

Robin nodded.

"Yeah and we all know whose fault that is!" Sanji spat, starring accusingly at Zoro.

Zoro sat with his eye closed and arms crossed, the vein on his temple started to throb again at the sound of the cook's voice.

Sanji continued to insult the swordsman, calling him a stupid moss head with no heart or understanding of a woman's feelings. Zoro argued in turn that swirly brow was a moron who knew nothing and only ever made things worse. The verbal onslaught started to get physical.

Luffy, fed up of his friends constant bickering that morning stood up and pulled his two comrades aside. His expression was serious. "If you are going to fight" he said, "take it away from my food!" and with that threw the pair outside.

…

Later that morning Robin saw Zoro heading into the kitchen to get a drink after his training and decided to follow him. As Zoro was coming out Robin stopped him in his tracks. She looked at him as if studying him carefully. He scowled at her, "What?" he snapped.

"I guess as I helped inconvenience you it is only fair I share at least one of them with you" the raven head replied with an untrusting smile.

"One of them?" Zoro asked, "What are you talking about?" He never did like it when people didn't just cut to the chase.

Robin reached into her trouser pocket and handed Zoro a photograph. Zoro took it from her hesitantly.

Robin could not rid the smile off her face when she witnessed Zoro's reaction to the picture in his hands. The red tint started at the tips of his ears and gradually progressed through his cheeks and nose. She could not recall a time the man looked this way.

Zoro could not speak. Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse. There are more of these, he realised, and felt sick at the thought that Robin had them and was clearly up to no good.

"Don't worry Zoro-san, we destroyed most of them" Robin reassured him.

"We?" his expression shot up to look at her.

"Yes" Robin smiled, but was unwilling to give him more.

"Does Nami know about this?" he asked, but the raven head did not respond. That woman was cunning and difficult to read. He was reminded again how women make things complicated.

Zoro put the picture in his Haramaki along with the others. He then turned to leave but felt Robin's eyes on him.

"What?!" he spat, very irritated by now and in need of some exercise otherwise he would kill someone.

"Are you not going to destroy that one?" Robin asked.

Zoro froze, he could feel the Cheshire grin burning into his back. His fists clenched but he soon decided no response was the best response and left the room.

"Funny" Robin spoke softly to herself, "Nami didn't destroy it either" she smiled to herself as if knowing something no one else did. This trip was proving more interesting than she initially thought.

…

Later that morning Franky made Nami and Luffy aware of some land up ahead. Nami checked the log pose and her maps. This island was a little off course from their original destination. She seriously advised against it but when Luffy saw a set of caves and a huge rock shaped like a sea monster his eyes lit up and she knew he was not going to give in.

This didn't stop Nami from trying to argue her case though, with the assistance of Usopp to back her up with his fear of anything new disease. Zoro however, was as keen as their captain to walk into danger and told the pair to give up. They were going to dock if they liked it or not.

After some deliberating they docked in a large cave where the Sunny could be hidden easily from view of any potential enemies. Robin recommended that they split up into groups to explore and replenish their supplies.

Luffy as usual went off on his own before hearing anyone's plans. Nami made sure that Usopp followed him so he did not cause any mischief and found his way back without any problems. She gave Usopp carried a dendenmushi so he could call if there was a problem.

Chopper and Franky used the reindeer's sense of smell to guide them in the direction of where people were. People often indicated a town and there they might be able to get some supplies. Nami and Robin followed closely behind.

In need to let of some steam Zoro challenged Sanji to another hunting match, which the blond man accepted willingly.

Brook decided to stay on board the Sunny as he had recently received inspiration for a new song and wanted some privacy to perfect it ready for the dance his friends had promised that evening.

…

The town was not difficult to find and was not an unusual place. There were a number of shops available to look in. Franky headed over to the docks and Chopper walked with the women for a bit until he found some interesting book shops he wished to explore.

Nami managed to convince Robin to try out several outfits with her, taking photos as they went along of the ones they (mainly Nami) liked but were too expensive to purchase. After some haggling and a few Beri later Nami came out a satisfied customer and was willing to look at some places that her friend wanted to explore further.

While taking a break at a café the snail started to ring bda bda bda.

Nami looked at Robin, concern clear on her face. What the hell has their captain done now?!

"Usopp?" Nami asked unsure if it would be him or not.

"Nami?" Usopp's trembling voice was evident on the end of the line, "Thank the gods I got through!" he stated.

"What's wrong?" Nami asked.

"It's Luffy" Usopp started. I knew it! Nami shook her head.

"What has he done now?" she asked.

"Well, there was some old geezer who talked about some hidden treasure and…" Usopp was unable to finish his sentence. As soon as the navigator heard her favourite word she had no ears for anything else.

"Where are you?" She demanded. Usopp was crackling on the other end.

"Under…ground" he explained, but Nami was not able to hear him clearly before the line cut out.

"Did he just say underground?" Robin asked. Nami shrugged her shoulders, picked up her bags and said, "We need to find Chopper".

Nami and Robin found Chopper with Franky near the outskirts of the town, heading back towards the Sunny to put down their load.

"Chopper!" Nami called, running up to the reindeer, "we need your help!"

Chopper sensing urgency in her voice suddenly began to panic.

"Relax Chopper" Robin's tone was calming, "We just need your nose. Our captain has gotten himself lost again".

Chopper looked to Franky "do you mind taking my books for me?" he asked kindly. The shipwright was more than happy to oblige.

Robin also asked Franky to carry her belongings for her. He took them gently in his big hands and smiled at the archaeologist, pausing in their exchange a little longer than necessary. This was off course before their navigator slung her bag into his arms, shouted a brief thank you and ran off towards the woods with the doctor in tow.

"I better follow them" Robin sighed, looking at Franky she couldn't help but wonder why he suddenly looked a little down. "Thank you Franky" she said, placing a gentle hand on his and smiling sweetly at him before heading out.

Robin did not notice the wide grin on the ship wrights face from such a little exchange, nor the sudden surge of strength that he got from a sudden rush of adrenaline. Lifting up the other's loads Franky placed them on top of his cart of supplies and headed towards the ship, whistling as he went.

…

"Any luck?" Nami shouted to Chopper as they ran. The reindeer nodded and they followed closely behind him. They entered a clearing and came to a sudden halt. Chopper shook his head, "the trace ends here" he said, confused as to why that was.

"Perhaps it is a trap?" Robin liked to put negative thoughts like that out there now and then. Nami didn't look impressed by that thought.

They split up a little and looked around, including in the air. After all you could never be sure and more often than not if your enemy was not near you they were either above you or below you!

Nami stopped suddenly when she heard rustling and felt the ground shaking beneath her. She stepped backwards slowly, ushering the other two to come nearer. "Did you feel that?" she asked. They pricked their ears up and heard more rustling, then some footsteps. They seemed to be getting faster and were followed by a sudden roar.

"Wait this scent is familiar" said Chopper. He didn't need to explain though as the sound of metal swords leaving their sheaths rang in the air, followed by a gruff voice shouting "get back here!"

A large fury beast with sharp fangs and a petrified expression came storming into the clearing with a demon like aura chasing him closely from behind.

Nami screamed and picked up Chopper, holding him out in front of her and standing behind Robin. The dark haired woman did not flinch. Chopper however, had plenty to say about becoming something's food.

The beast barely looked at them as it jumped in the air and landed softly behind them. Zoro stopped running and came to a stop in front of his friends, "Damn it, that thing is fast." Zoro muttered under his breathe. He then looked at a scared Chopper and Nami and an unfazed Robin, "What the hell are you guys doing here?" he asked.

"Looking for Luffy" Nami explained.

"Why what the hell has he gotten himself into now?" Zoro said with a hint of irritation in his voice, "he is always causing trouble" he added.

Nami produced a fist and knocked him around the head, "you are one to talk!" she yelled, "That thing could have killed us!"

Zoro rubbed his head and looked up at her, "Maybe I won't try to stop it next time then and let it take you to hell for me!"

"Whatever" Nami responded, waving her hand back and forth as if ignoring him.

"Speaking of which" Robin added, and they all looked in the direction she was pointing.

There stood the beast, along with four more of its kind, circling around them. The one Zoro had chased appeared to be smiling. Sharp teeth protruding from its mouth. They were soon joined by more of the beasts who started stamping their feet. The ground shook violently beneath them.

Zoro turned around to face the enemy behind him, instinctively placing himself in front of his weakest member of the crew.

Nami felt the gentle prod of a hand on her waist, moving her to a safer position to help keep them a tight unit. The gesture however, did not go unnoticed by the keen eyes of their archaeologist.

"Um guys" Chopper spoke up, "does anyone else feel the ground moving?" he asked with a hint of fear in his voice.

They all looked at each other, then at the floor…

"Woooarrrggghhhh!" they all shouted in unison as the ground crumbled beneath them.

…

Sorry guys…it has taken me all week to write this and I haven't finished it yet! Please see this as PART 1 of Chapter 4! I struggled with this chapter. I hope I did the characters justice. I don't think it is one of my best, but hopefully you like it and it will keep you going until my writer's block disappears!

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