Darkest Kiss

Chapter Six

I mindlessly tossed the ball into the air and caught it. The rhythmic pattern was soothing. It had been a couple of days and things were starting to become routine for me. I'd get up, eat breakfast, take a shower, find an abandoned classroom and let a couple of memories find me, wait until Chopper found me to give me medicine, I'd go down for dinner, and then I'd wander around aimlessly until I got tired and wanted to go to bed. I was getting better at triggering memories. In fact I'm almost positive I have most of my memories of my friends at least, back now, but things with the swordsman were still fuzzy. I was starting to remember little things about him, like I had all along known things about him but now I could remember laughing with him or threatening him with a debt. Besides the fact that I sat down next to Zoro at dinner a few nights ago, at large I've been avoiding him. I'm kind of afraid to find out that yes we were together, we broke up, and he moved on. Or worse, he's been waiting for me to remember him and come running back. I'm not sure I want a romance, not with someone on my crew, not when we have such large dreams we want to carry out. Hell I could be completely wrong; we could have just been fuck buddies.

I was in an abandoned science classroom now. I had found a small tennis ball earlier and I was tossing it mindlessly in the air and catching it in time perfectly. I lay back against the desk and stared at the ceiling letting memories come pouring back to me. The chemical scent that hung in the air seemed to trigger a lot of things. Despite that I could remember my friend's all clearly I was still having trouble remembering what happened during my 'capture'. I still didn't want to remember. I'm pretty sure it was just like how it was when I was a kid under Arlong. Maybe it was worse this time. I shivered and wished that I had Robin's easy company. She was out doing things that were useful for the rebels. I had barely seen Robin since the first day, and Chopper would always find me and bring me back for meals, but during the day I was always alone. So I really wasn't expecting to hear the door quietly open and shut. I tensed and froze. I didn't bother lifting my head to see who it was. I would know if it was a friend or not in a second. And I hated making eye contact with people. I hate my eyes. I tossed the ball up again.

"You have not reported any information to us."

I sighed catching the ball with ease and sat up to glare at the person. He had a large head and a short stubby body; he was wearing a rather tight leather outfit that didn't seem quite right on him. His large eyes and puffy purple hair left little doubt in my mind about who this was. He was Sanji and Luffy's friend Ivankov.

"I wasn't aware that-"

"We left you a letter which you have reportedly opened," he snapped. I bit my lip and took a deep breath. It was best not to fight with my friend's friends.

"You aren't my captain," I growled slowly. "And it's rude to interrupt people," I added.

Silence seemed to lap between us. Ivan didn't look ashamed but more puzzled by me. His large head cocked to one side and his fingers rested under his chin as he scrutinized me.

"Robin reported that you are missing a large part of your memory. Is this true?"

"Well how would I know if I'm missing a large portion of my memory? It's missing after all," I snapped back. I was being a bit short today, and I might have felt like being difficult. It was probably because I don't like having to 'report' anything to anyone. It brought back things with Arlong, and I hate that man. I leaned back and stared tossing the ball again.

"We'll tell you what we know about your sister," he said quietly from the door. The ball thumped loudly on the floor as I stared at him with renewed interest. It rolled to his feet and he bent down and picked it up before lightly tossing it back to me. I caught it and trained my gaze back to it to glare.

I want to know what's going on. Truly I do, but my friends told me to leave it up to them. I trust them, so I'm going to do exactly that… even if it drives me insane with worry. For now at least I'd leave it up to them. I trust my friends more than I trust these rebels.

"No thanks," I said quietly. "Luffy will get her back for me."

At least this man seemed to get my loyalty to my captain. He smiled gently and sat down on a desk next to mine. I was starting to feel bad about my rudeness earlier. These rebels weren't my enemy, in fact Robin was friends with them and so was a large part of our crew. We were all working together with them to help end this madness that the world government created.

"I really don't remember much. I just know that I was tortured," I said quietly after a few moments of silence.

"Have you figured out the coördinates on your map?" he asked politely.

"No," I lied easily with a defeated shrug for good measure.

I wasn't sure why I did just lie. It just seemed like the right thing to do before I could even analyze it, that and I was worried that if I did tell them I figured it out they would take it away from me and demand that I explain it to them. Luffy's impulsiveness was starting to rub off on me. Silence filled the room again. I was starting to think that maybe he didn't believe me; I turned slightly to look at him from my peripherals.

"We'll bring you some maps darling. Maybe if you study some of your older work you'll remember better?"

I nodded eagerly. And then he left. Without so much as a word goodbye. I shrugged and resumed playing catch by myself.

The odd hiccup in my day I didn't really think much about until later after dinner that night. Brook had still yet to reappear, and I was growing more and more worried. Everyone else assured me that it was normal and not to fret, Brook could take care of himself, and yada yada blah blah. When I returned to my room there were several maps folded neatly on my bed. Robin was still gone so I flipped the light on and hurriedly began to sort through them. A sense of urgency filled me until finally I found a map that looked like my own.

I hadn't drawn it, I could see several points of inaccurate data but I ignored it as I tried to study the similarities. Overall this map was about several miles off-center than my map. I could easily fix it for them but shrugged it off. I found the point I wanted on the map. The point that basically said you are here.

There was a fine, single dot, just outside a large forest that said 'Rodger's School'. I would have snorted at the irony but I was too fascinated. I nervously checked over my shoulder again and fumbled around in my pocket. I pulled out my map and compared the two. I was able to place it on my map but I couldn't do an exact spot. There was about a ten-mile radius that was messed up with the faulty older map. But I had a general area of where I was now. A leap of hope shot through me and a sense of overwhelming accomplishment. It was all interrupted by a faint knock on the door.

I froze for a split second before I hurriedly stuffed my map back into my pocket and threw a blanket over the others sprawled across my bed. I have no clue why I didn't want people to see me with maps, but it felt like something I should keep to myself, especially with what I was now starting to plan.

"Come in," I squeaked picking up the closest book and opening it to a random page. I felt a flutter of anticipation shoot through me as the door creaked open. I was half expecting Zoro to be standing there brooding, but I dismissed it quickly. Zoro doesn't know how to knock nor does he know what personal space was when it came to privacy.

Usopp stuck his head in and sheepishly grinned at me.

"Oh hey Usopp," I said. I found it odd but I refrained from feeling nervous or shifting around. Usopp and I were great friends at one point and time but he had never sought me out, and vice versa.

"Nami," he said easily and strode into the room leaving the door wide open. He came in and sat down on Robin's bed. He looked nervous. He pulled his arms over his head and leaned back against the wall trying to look more at ease. I sent him a quizzical look and half closed the book in my lap. I would wait for him to start the conversation. He was normally pretty good about not beating around the bush anymore.

He took a deep breath.

"Look Nami I know I've been kinda distant lately but it's been hard on all of us to have you gone and then have you come back and not remember us-"

"I ca-"

"Wait!" he half shouted. He blushed before coughing and clearing his throat. "Let me finish I have a lot to say," he added.

"That day when I took back your Clima Tact I thought I lost one of my best friends. You practically shoved it in my hands and told me to leave and then Arlong went after Robin… Nami even then you were still under their control you were still Nami, and I was so pissed at you for trying to give up, pissed at you for trying to protect us. You should know that we are all in this together, that you can rely on us. Please know that when I gave Clima Tact back it was in full confidence that you can do this Nami. You can beat this disease and you can come back to us. I know you can."

It took me a second of blank staring before I realized that he was done and I felt my eyes start to tear up. It was like a waterfall after that.

"God dammit Usopp," I hissed between sobs. Stupid jerk making me cry and feel awful all over again. How was I going to be able to go through with this now? I would have to include everyone but they needed to include me. I couldn't tell them if they insisted on leaving me behind to keep me safe.

"Nami don't cry!" he panicked, he was never good with emotional girls and I knew this quiet well. And I wasn't just upset for what I was planning. Disease, I was sick still. It was clear in my eyes and in my memory loss. I was sick, and I couldn't be relied on because I was supposed to be healing. I continued to sob, unable to really control it now.

He shifted so that he came over to my bed and sat down next to me. Thankfully he missed the maps or he would have felt the crunch underneath him. He flung his arm awkwardly around my shoulder and I leaned into his side to hide my face.

"Remember that one time you kicked my ass because you thought I drew all over your mirror?" he said after a moment trying to interrupt my sobs.

"No," I sobbed even louder. He was trying to cheer me up with a memory wasn't the right choice, but despite my friend's nervousness at my crying he grinned cheekily at me.

"I didn't even do it. Chopper and Zoro thought it'd be a funny Halloween prank to draw a bunch of witches all over your mirror in soap even though it was March. You were so pissed because one of them was very well drawn and looked like you and you assumed it was me. I was in the middle of eating porridge and you busted into the kitchen and tried to drown me in it. Sanji was even willing to help throw me over board before you even told him what you thought I did!" he paused to chuckle. "And Zoro would have gotten away with it if Chopper hadn't loudly asked why you didn't think his proclamation was funny."

"His proclamation?" I asked despite myself. I hiccupped and noticed that I had stopped crying. Usopp was still a fantastic story-teller, his voice changed in time with his story making it dramatic, and even with one arm he motioned wildly to catch attention. I was never really big on Usopp's lies but this didn't seem like one. It seemed like it actually happened.

"I think you should shut up now."

Usopp shrieked and jumped away from me falling to the floor with a thump. I laughed hysterically and doubled over at my sprawled out scared friend on the floor. I couldn't contain it. I knew Zoro had been standing there for a few minutes now, he was as always silent and if he hadn't spoken up he would have gotten away with being undected. I was unsure of how I knew he was there, I just knew. Zoro stood in the doorway glaring at the sniper with a venomous look.

"Ah come on Zoro he was just getting to the good part," I said wiping tears of laughter away.

"You remember?" Zoro asked looking a little fazed. I screwed up my face in thought.

I did remember that, but I couldn't remember the part that Usopp was talking about, the part that had Chopper and Zoro talking about a proclamation.

"Most of it," I settled for lamely.

Usopp sat up grinning.

"I knew this would help! I gotta go tell Chopper," he said excitedly and was out the door before either Zoro or I could stop him.

Zoro stood there awkwardly for a moment before turning around to leave as well.

"Wait," I called out. Inwardly I cringed as Zoro froze and turned around to look at me. Okay so maybe I had been avoiding him for that reason too. He was all of a sudden a lot colder towards me, not angry, but he was alarming blank and I hated it.

"What do you-"

"Why were-"

We both paused before Zoro grinned at me sheepishly.

"I thought I heard you crying," he answered my question for me. He paused as if waiting for me to answer his unfinished question.

"I want to talk?" I questioned nervously. I stuck my head out quickly in the hall and noticed with relief that it was empty. I tugged the swordsman inside and closed the door gently behind him.

"About?"

Oh he had me there. I have no clue why or what I wanted to talk to him about. I gave him a blank look and took my seat on my bed again.

"What Usopp was talking about? A proclamation?" I questioned with the first thing that popped into my mind.

"Oh the day I told you I love you for the first time?" he said easily and sat down next to me.

My heart stopped for a split second. How was he so at ease? Zoro? This didn't seem like him. Emotions were out of his comfort zone he didn't talk about them, he showed them but he sure as hell didn't talk about them. Talking about them was a weakness. Wasn't it? Suddenly my whole perspective of Zoro was gone. I had nothing. I had no clue who he was. I couldn't read him, or figure him out simply or easily. He was a very interesting puzzle, and an attractive one to boot. My mouth went dry as I struggled for a moment to formulate an answer. What do you say when someone tells you that they love you in such a straight forward way when you have no memory of it?

Zoro chuckled and leaned back on the bed frame.

"Why haven't you told me?" I growled.

He paused to look at me out of the corner of his eye before sighing something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'Chopper's going to kill me'.

"I've wanted to tell you… I've been hoping you would remember on your own. Besides you've felt it. I'm sure you know it already without me saying anything."

That part was true. I had known for a while, but I just couldn't bring myself to face it.

"Then how can you say it so causally now?" I snapped. I felt anger wrap itself around me and coil tightly to the point where my breath was rasping and I could barely speak above a whisper. How could he sit there so causal about emotions? It's Zoro! Expressing emotions was something he didn't do, no doesn't do. And how exactly did we even get involved?! I'm not very forward about such things either. In fact I'm pretty sure at one point and time I've sworn off men.

"You made me stop caring about that stuff," he shrugged as if he could hear the disbelief inside me. "I knew there was no reason to be embarrassed and that it made me stronger for admitting it. If I'm going to be the strongest in the world I better be damn sure to tell the girl I love that I love her."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I stressed. He could have told me the moment he realized I wasn't flinching away from his touch. He had plenty of alone time with me… and yet… he has never once really taken advantage of the situation. For a brief second I couldn't help but compare him to Sanji. Would Sanji ever take advantage of me in a situation like that? I stamped that down immediately, because honestly I can't even picture myself with anyone else on the crew. They're family.

So why wasn't I freaking out more about this? Why was this romance with Zoro practically falling into my lap like the most natural thing in the world?

"You don't remember me," he said flatly. "I wasn't about to scare you half to death by kissing you every chance I could or telling you that you were madly in love with me," he winked at me at the last part and I felt my face blush an even darker shade of red. What the hell was this man doing to me?

"Plus Chopper told me not to," he grumbled the last part out reluctantly.

He was right. With how I have been that would have done nothing but scare me, but at the same time, out of everyone Zoro was the one that I wasn't scared to let touch me. That, I liked being comfortable and in his arms. At least from what I could gather I still had affection for the swordsman.

"So where'd you find that necklace?" he asked when it became clear that I was at a loss of words on the subject. I smiled at the change of subject and I was thankful that he was still giving me the space to figure this entire thing out.

"It was in my locker," I answered.

"Damn… I didn't think to look there," he grumbled.

"Why were you looking for it?"

"I was going to steal it back from you and actually give it to you. You fucking stole it when I was dead asleep one night before I had the chance to give it to you," he growled. I smirked. That sounded a lot like something I would do.

"You're a poor thief," I said. I was on the verge of a giggling, but I tried to refrain.

"Well you're just poor," he snapped back. I think normally that would have pissed me off, but it was true. I was poor as of now, but I wasn't really concerned about it. I am rich in friends, as corny as that sounded.

"So are you," I was laughing now; Zoro's obvious disgruntlement with not looking in such an obvious place was starting to get to me. I was in a surprisingly good mood tonight anyways. My chest felt lighter and the sense of dread that had been over me since awakening seemed to falter.

"I'm not," he assured me.

"Then pay me back all that money you owe."

A sudden serious washed over us as Zoro didn't respond. His good eye was trained hard on me. I felt myself leaning in slightly, and I didn't even question why. I was going to kiss him. This banter between us was something we used to do so often it felt familiar and suddenly I wanted the familiarity of his kiss.

Zoro stood abruptly and my sheets that had been covering all the maps fell to the floor with him. His eyes widened as he looked at the top map.

"What?" he hissed. He bent over and scooped it up easily. "Nami, are you planning –"

"I'm not planning anything," I protested loudly and maybe too quickly. I was still embarrassed by the fact that he had just jumped away right when I was about to kiss him. I probably should have closed my eyes. They could be a bit unnerving but they were slowly becoming a hazel color and all the blue had disappeared.

"Ivankov gave them to me to see if looking at maps would help me get back some of my memory," I told him still talking rather quickly and kind of loudly.

His face softened at that and he visibly relaxed.

"You didn't steal them did you?" he questioned squinting at me in accusation.

"No, but next time I want something I'll keep that in mind," I replied relaxing with him. He smirked at my response.

"It's getting late… I better go."

He hesitated in front of me before quickly bending down and placing a warm kiss on my cheek.

"See you at breakfast," he said.

"Yeah…" I answered quietly as he strode out the door.

It was an odd feeling, that almost kiss. I had wanted to kiss him, and I could tell he wanted to too, but at the same time I'm really glad he jumped up when he did. I wasn't ready for him yet, and we both knew it. He was just giving me another piece to place in my puzzle. I rubbed my check where his warm lips had met my skin, it felt like it was burning, and it seemed to fill my chest with a deep longing. I clenched my eyes shut and let out a nervous breath.

()()()()()()()()()

I had waited up for Robin to return, and told her everything that had happened that day. She asked if the maps helped, and when I told her no she offered to take them back to Ivankov for me, so I gave them back. I didn't need them for anything, when my map was much more precise and accurate. After venting with the older woman, who didn't seem at all shocked by Zoro's 'secret' we went to bed.

Or at least Robin went to bed and I made a show of doing so as well.

After a few hours of her steady breathing filling the air I crept out of bed. I pulled on a sweater and quietly zipped up a pair of jeans. I grabbed my already packed back from under my bed, and my ugly ass sneakers and crept my way out. It was ridiculously easy to get out of there. I was excepting people to be on patrol and I easily avoided them. What I hadn't been ready for was to see Zoro and Sanji guarding the main door. Silently I cursed under my breath my plan already wrecked for the night when Zoro inclined his head in my direction. He knew I was there, I was sure he knew it was me too, but I wasn't about to walk into the open and give him proof. Cursing all the way back to my room I barely remembered to creep in and crawl back into bed quietly.

I woke up several hours later with a mild headache. I glanced over and noticed that Robin was already gone, and I doubt I would see her again until later tonight. Sighing I made my way to the bathhouse. There were several bathrooms throughout the school but only two bath houses, one for the boys and one for girls. Normally I woke up early enough to avoid seeing anyone else. Today I wasn't so lucky and I had to wait patiently for a group of small girls to finish using the showers. After that I groggily made my way to breakfast and slid into the seat beside Zoro. He flashed me a quick grin before turning his attention back on Chopper who was talking to him in a low voice.

The small doctor grinned at me and pointed to the water bottle and pill next to my plate. What bothered me about this was that it was already there waiting for me, like he knew I would sit down next to Zoro. I shrugged it off and decided not to get annoyed about it and took my pill and a large gulp of water. My mouth watered at the sausage on the main plate in front of us. I couldn't even remember the last time I had actual meat. Ever since I have been awakened I was on a fish and fruit diet, and although I love fruit I was really in the mood for some freaking sausage. I was tempted to see if anyone would notice me steal some when Sanji caught my wandering eye.

"Nami you're so beautiful when you think you're being sneaky," he told me and slid into the vacant seat on my other side.

I was surprised when almost immediately Zoro slung his arm over my shoulder and glared at the cook.

"Still off-limits, Blondie," he growled.

"So what? I can't compliment a beautiful woman? I doubt you'd have the elegance to make her feel special," Sanji snapped back.

"Yet I was the one that got the girl…" Zoro said trailing off and pulling me closer to his side of the bench.

I was dumb founded now more than I had ever been in my entire life. Although I was very against being basically called Zoro's property it still gave me an odd tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach. I felt like I had been in between these two several times for the same type of reason. But it didn't feel serious, just a reminder to Sanji that I was still spoken for. I know Sanji's a gentleman and would never actually try to steal away a friend's girlfriend but the possessiveness in Zoro's voice worried me that it would start a drastic fight. Sanji just scoffed in response.

"Don't insult Nami's judgment you big brute," the cook sneered. Zoro laughed for a moment before wolfishly biting into his sausage.

"Guys," I hissed. "I'm right here." I had enough of the childish behavior. I slammed my fist on the back of both of their skulls and stormed out, resolving to eat in a much quieter peaceful area. I grinned to myself for the normalcy. That and I managed to steal a piece of sausage. I slipped around the corner making careful note of the two guards by the front door. I wanted to snort. There was always more than one way in or out of any place. I would figure something out.

A/N: DOHMYGOODNESS! Yes I updated within a week... shocker. Don't get used to it. Slightly shorter chapter, but with some more Zoro action finally. Next chapter jumps about a month into the future. I'm sure I don't have to go over every single detail, besides Nami's life is getting a little boring here all cooped up ;). Anyways you'll get another update soon, possibly two weeks from now and that has a lot of what I consider action in it. Brace yourselves - Until next time,

Oceanwind~

OH! I just found out that it was PhoenixedDragon's birthday yesterday when I posted this chapter! Since she is a very good friend and I have nothing else I could possibly give her I devote this chapter to her! Cheers!