Zoro stood before her…the woman he loves. He could see her staring at him without a word. Her words might be joking but there was something different from the way she looked at him.

Zoro then pulled her. That shitty swordsman should not even dare do something to her! He wanted to stop him and to pull her away from him. That moss-haired idiot should not even be allowed to be anywhere around her.

However all those thoughts instantly vanished from his mind… with just the slightest of movements.

As he embraced Nami, Sanji could see the small smile quickly forming on her lips. As he buried his head onto her, Sanji witnessed how Nami's eyes softened.

He embraced her tightly.

She lifted her hands and touched his arms… it may not matter to Luffy or Chopper… but to him… that was a hug.

He cannot believe that she reciprocated the feelings Zoro had shown. He cannot believe that Nami let him hug her.

Arrows… bullets… swords… even if his body would be hit by any of those it would not even compare for the crumbling feeling deep inside his chest.

The world has stopped. Sanji could barely feel himself anymore.

Zoro finally let go of Nami. He could see her face as she suppressed a smile… she was blushing a bit… making his world collapse even more.

They made short comments with each other. Zoro turned and walked towards the unfinished house Luffy followed closely behind him. Chopper took Nami's hand and they also followed.

Sanji looked at his feet. He cannot move them.

He clenched his hands almost whitening his knuckles. He wanted to stop it. He wanted to kick Zoro for doing that. He wanted to do something… anything… just to react.

But he can't…

How could he? His muse was just so beautiful then… she was blooming at that moment. No matter how he could hear his world being shattered and crumbling at his feet he still cannot let go of the fact that this was the first time he had seen her so beautiful…

It once more captivated his heart… no matter how destroyed it was.

------------------

"Oi Luffy. I thought you were supposed to help us." Usopp said as he saw Luffy playing around.

"But I can't undesrstand what am I supposed to do." Luffy said as he pouted.

The girl just laughed. They were painting the finished part of the house with Usopp and Nami. Robin was also helping but she didn't really need to get dirty.

"There. All done!" Franky announced as he finally finished the house. Now all they have to do is paint it.

Robin noticed Franky. She smiled as a hand appeared in the nearby table. The hand picked the towel.

"Franky." Robin called. Franky turned to her and in an instant she tossed him the towel. Franky caught it in an instant.

Robin looked at Nami and Usopp they were arguing about what color to put inside the room. The girl and Luffy were also painting although Luffy was mixing random colors.

Robin decided that it would be okay and so she placed her brush down. She walked towards Franky.

"Where's cook-san?" Robin asked.

"Inside the ship… cooking of course." Franky said with a smile.

"I see." Robin said as she sat down beside Franky.

"Some kids huh? Don't you get tired taking care of them?" Franky said hoping to start a conversation.

Robin looked at them. Usopp is now scolding Luffy. Nami and the little girl were just laughing at the two.

"It's nothing. Sometimes I feel younger when I'm with them… as if my childhood days are coming back to me. Silly is it not?" Robin said with a gentle laugh.

Franky looked at the captain once more, he was the most childish of them all. Chopper was now restraining Luffy since he wanted to pick a fight with Usopp. Franky picked a cola and laughed.

"I guess." Franky said as he drank. He then turned to Robin and offered him a cola but Robin just shook her head gently.

"Franky… about what you said." Robin started as Franky turned red in an instant.

"Everything is true." Franky said lowering his head a bit. "Even though I don't fully understand it myself… "

Robin then went in front of Franky and lifted his head up a bit. Franky turned redder.

"I'm happy." Robin said with a gentle smile placing her hand on her cheek. "Even if you're still not sure… it was still a confession."

"That's unfair Nico Robin!" Franky said quite loudly. "You still haven't told me your answer!"

Robin sighed. She then took Franky's cola and sipped a bit from it.

"I'm still unsure… " Robin said giving the cola back, "but this is my first confession."

Robin looked at the children once more. They were getting louder.

"Let's see what's going on over there, shall we?" Robin said pointing at the rowdy group.

Franky nodded quite annoyed that Robin hadn't answered him directly. He stood up and started walking. Robin let Franky passed her.

"But even if I'm still unsure I have to say… " Robin said behind his back.

She made sure he would not see her blushing. If there was something she didn't want him to see it was that. He knew her as a strong woman and so she must prove it until the end. She would not show him how his confession was affecting her so much.

"I like being with you." Robin whispered behind him.

Franky stopped moving and looked at Robin behind him.

"Aniki!" the girl called making Franky stop turning around.

"Franky! Robin! Look at what I did!" Luffy shouted as well. Franky then gave up and continued walking forward.

"Let's go Robin. Our childish captain is calling." Franky said.

"Yes. I'm just behind you Franky. "

The two walked forward Franky was a half-step in front of Robin as she lagged behind. No one even noticed that there was something different between the two now. Their crewmates were busy having fun that no one really noticed.

Only a single child saw it. Her innocent eyes were happily seeing it clearly. She smiled.

When the two were near enough Robin finally let go of his hand, the same hand she was holding the whole time they were going nearer.

The girl smiled. "Aniki!" she called once more.

-------------

There was a bonfire that night. The house was finished. The log was set. They had gathered their supplies and by tomorrow morning they would depart.

A party was held. Food and drinks were served. Everyone was singing and happy. The little girl was with them as well enjoying her moments with the crew.

"Are you sure you'll be alright? They might be back." Usopp asked.

The girl just laughed, "I'll be fine."

"See Usopp she'll be fine!" Luffy shouted, "so let's have fun!"

"LET'S HAVE FUN!" Chopper cheered as well.

Sanji was somehow distant that time he could see very well that there was something different between Franky and Robin. He was happy for the guy but at the same time annoyed. Sanji looked at where Nami was surely she was drinking happily with the rest of them.

Sanji clenched his fist. Zoro was sitting quietly beside her.

Sanji didn't know what to do. He tried to forget about it the whole time. He locked himself up in the kitchen and worked for the feast just to forget but it was futile. His heart was still aching. The small smile on Nami's lips were playing over and over in his mind. It was maddening.

"Sanji-nii." A small voice said beside him.

Sanji looked at the voice and a pair of worried eyes was looking back at him. Sanji smiled back.

"What's wrong? Little miss." Sanji said gently.

The girl snuggled towards Sanji. Sanji was surprised a bit but he embraced the little girl.

"Look! Sanji's harassing her!" Usopp shouted pointing a finger at the two.

The child look up as Sanji blushed.

"She's even younger than me Sanji… you're reeeeeaaaaaaally desperate." Luffy joked.

The girl just laughed while Sanji started shouting. The other members of the crew continued to tease him.

The child looked at the blonde cook. She smiled a smile that's different from a while ago. Even though he was suffering a while ago he was smiling happily now.

It was real happiness. He was not faking it. Being with them was making him forget about what he was feeling.

The child felt that and she was happy now. She then looked at Nami and back at Sanji. After this he would remember it once again. When the lights faded, the laughs subside, and the songs stop… he would remember it again.

Soon enough the party would end as well.

------------------

They all stayed inside the new house. Robin and Nami stayed beside the little girl as the others find somewhere to sleep around the area.

The girl was tired but even though sleep was still overcoming her she still pushed herself awake. She felt something move and that made her wake up. She sat up. Robin was still sleeping beside her.

Her face was gentle and motherly. If she would have a mother she would surely want it to be Robin.

She looked at her other side expecting to see Nami but it seems that it was the cause for her to wake up. Nami was not there anymore.

She stood up her tiny feet searching for her slippers in the dark. She found it and started to walk. Chopper was sleeping on the floor all cuddled up with Luffy and Usopp. She walked slowly trying her best not to step on any of them.

The girl stopped at each and every one of them. She kissed them on the cheeks quietly. It was her thanks.

'If they would depart tomorrow this is the only time I could say thanks like this. Thank you oniichan.'

She slipped out of the room easily. Outside the room Franky was sleeping, his back was on the wall as he lightly snores.

The girl sat beside him and kissed him on the cheeks. Franky stirred a little but eventually went back to sleep. The girl just smiled at him.

"It's a splendid house aniki. Thank you very much." She said her voice barely a whisper.

She stood up and walked. Her eyes saw a faint light from the kitchen. She decided to go there. She pushed the door slightly making it creak a little.

"Did I wake you? Sorry sorry." Nami said smiling a little.

"It's ok Neesan. I wasn't-" she said and yawned.

Nami then stood up. She then started preparing something over the small kitchen.

"What time is it neesan?" The girl asked as she sat on a chair.

Nami then went back a mug of hot milk on her hands. She handed it to the girl. The girl bowed and accepted the mug. Nami then sat in front of her.

"It's morning." Nami answered.

The girl then sipped a bit. It was very warm.

"Where's Sanji niichan? I remember him sleeping in the kitchen."

"He's gone even before I wake up he's probably preparing breakfast for all of us." Nami assured.

The girl took another sip. She looked at the mug watching intently the white milk making waves inside the mug.

"Neechan… " The little girl started innocently, "is there anyone you love in this ship?" She looked up at Nami.

Nami waved her hand. "Of course I love everyone in the crew. Even though it doesn't look like it but those guys are truly important for me… I love them from the bottom of my heart."

"But is there anyone you love… above anyone else? Someone more important than those important to you?" She tried once more.

Nami thought. "I think I love all of them equally."

The girl was getting frustrated. Nami was not taking her seriously.

"Luffy-nii?"

Nami just laughed. "Luffy is like my little brother… a protective and loving younger brother. Same with Usopp. Of course Chopper would be in the same bunch… they're just too childish."

"Franky nii?"

Nami laughed harder. "Of course I noticed it… Franky has a thing with Robin. I can't even imagine what would Robin feel for him… I just can't see anything romantic with him."

The little girl laughed as well, "But aniki's super."

"Yeah… that ridiculous pose too. I can't understand why he never felt embarrassed doing that."

The girl was being cheerful now. "Sanji nii?"

Nami didn't laugh but rather she smiled. The girl saw it. Sanji was also important to her… a different feeling.

"Sanji-kun is very sweet… but even though I know how much he loves me I never took it seriously."

"Usopp-nii said that Sanji-nii is a womanizer. He would love any woman in sight." The girl said.

"So true. If I do fall in love with Sanji it would just be a pain. Even if I try… I just cannot see it. Sanji-kun is so nice though…but I know that someday he'll find someone who he can be serious with."

The girl was looking intently at Nami, her eyes never leaving the pirate's face.

"Then how about…" Nami looked at her, "Zoro-nii?"

She instantly saw it. Nami's eyes shook. It only took a blink of an eye but she was sure she saw it –a glimpse of her most precious memories.

He had saved her a lot before. Their first meeting was him saving her… even up until now he was looking after her. The memories they shared was almost as beautiful as Luffy… the only difference was that… this man was more important.

Nami wanted to laugh. She wanted to brush it of. She wanted to say something witty. The little girl was waiting. Her round innocent eyes were looking back. Nami wanted to shrug it off. She wanted to not think about it.

But she just can't…

Because she doesn't want to lie…

Because she knew very well the truth…

She looked at the child. She was still looking back. Nami moved her mouth but the words were trapped in her throat.

"Nami-nee." She said as she leaned closer to the older girl. Her hand extended and touched Nami's cheek. "Don't cry."

'Crying?'Nami thought.

Nami touched her cheek true enough they were wet. Now that explains the reason why her vision was getting blurry and her eyes were getting warmer… she was already crying.

"I'm fine." Nami said as the little girl went beside her, "I'm fine."

--------------

A cigarette lit beside the slightly opened door. He heard everything. He was trying his best not to say a word, trying his best to minimize the sound of his heartbeat. He placed the cigarette between his lips hoping that it would somehow calm him down.

A small peek and that did it. He already knew she was crying but seeing it did more damage to him. It was becoming less and less tolerable.

He started to walk. He knew well where Zoro slept.

--------------

Nami had finished crying. She had wiped the tears away from her eyes and was now smiling.

"I'm sorry." Nami said again.

"I should be sorry Nami-nee! You started crying because I asked that dumb question." The girl said her eyes were twinkling as well.

Nami placed her hand on the child's head. "I'm fine now." She then put on a large smile. "See?"

The girl nodded. But she then looked at the door.

"But there's someone else whom I would really like to see smile…" The girl said looking sad.

Nami looked at the girl. She stood up and opened it even more. She peeked outside and saw no one.

"What're you talking about?" Nami asked.

"I smelled something a while ago." The girl uttered, "cigarette."

Nami was shock.

"Oh no!" Nami uttered. "Sanji-kun."

Nami instantly dashed as the little girl hurried behind her. They went to the main door that hung open.

A loud noise was heard throughout the house. Anyone knows that it was Sanji's kick. A kick that could even sound like a bullet.

Nami hurried to the door. Nami stopped. She was too late.

------------

The sun was already rising, orange clouds were hanging lowly at the sky. Slowly the sun was lighting up the whole island.

The sun rose on his face. His eyes were dark.

Zoro just woke up and he felt the murderous intent from Sanji. Whatever he did, it made Sanji seriously mad.

"So what's this about?" Zoro asked as the sun gleamed on his blade.

Sanji didn't answer. He instantly charged. Zoro sheathed his sword and brought it up to defend himself from his kick. It was powerful more powerful than the usual.

Sanji was really serious. They aren't arguing anymore.

Zoro kicked back and away from Sanji.

"WHAT THE HECK! WHAT IS ALL THIS FOR!" Zoro shouted.

The others had already woken up. The sound from before and Zoro's voice woke everyone. They even thought that the enemies had return. When they arrived at the door Nami and the girl were there.

They didn't even ask what happened they all felt it. Sanji was definitely different.

"Luffy-nii! He's serious please stop him!" The girl pleaded holding Luffy.

She then looked at Usopp. "He's willing to kill Zoro-nii. Please stop it."

Usopp only looked at the girl. He cannot believe what he was hearing. He looked at Luffy.

"It's their fight." Luffy said. "We don't need to interfere."

The girl was crying now. How could they not see it? How could they not feel it? Could they feel it but ignoring it?

"No way." The girl said as she clenched her chest. She could feel it. All those hatred… those memories swirling.

"ALL THIS!" Sanji finally answered while extending his hand.

"I can tolerate the fact that I am hurting. I can ignore it, forget about it and just toss it to the shitty sea!" Sanji shouted, "I can continue living my shitty life while keeping my shitty mouth shut!

"What I can't forgive though is that a lady is crying for you!" Sanji shouted. "AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK YOU FEEL FOR HER! Shitty marimo!"

Nami suddenly stopped breathing. They already knew they were there. Sanji and Zoro already knew that they were there and listening… that she was listening.

Zoro looked at Nami then back at Sanji.

"What do you want me to do then?" Zoro asked in all seriousness.

"SOMETHING ANYTHING! SHE WAS CRYING FOR SOME SHITHEAD LIKE YOU! And I can't understand why. I won't rest until I know what you feel for her!"

Zoro stood up straight. He unsheathed his sword and looked intently at Sanji.

"What I feel?" Zoro said with a smirk.

"Zoro no…" Nami uttered, her lips were shaking.

"Yeah. I love her." Zoro then pointed his sword at the cook, "what're you going to do about it?"

Sanji spat out the cigarette and stepped on it roughly.

"What do you think shitty shithead marimo…" Sanji then looked at Zoro, "I'm going to do something."

Disclaimer:I never and would never own One Piece. Everything came from Oda.

Thank you very much for reading this fanfic. I am very grateful for your support. I hope you like the story. Please leave a review before you go please please it would help me very much in my writing.