Chapter 7: Nightmare

Wisps of steam curled upwards from the porcelain tub like smoke rising from the embers of a fire. With a content sigh, Nami slid further beneath the warm waters and gently pushed the water back and forth with her wrinkled fingertips, enjoying how the bath softly caressed her aching body. Her muscles still felt stiff and sore from running around a wild forest and laying on a hard surface all night.

She'd definitely needed this.

She closed her eyes and completely submerged her head beneath the water for only a few seconds, allowing the bath to consume her before she lifted it back up, the liquid dripping off the strands of her drenched orange hair. As she reached over to the corner of the tub for the bottle of shampoo, she paused and listened for a moment. Usopp's snoring could be heard even through the bathroom walls. The moment she had announced she was going to take a bath, he had flapped his hand off at her as a poor imitation of a wave, and then closed his eyes as he continued to lay on the bed. She'd had a feeling he was going to fall asleep, and truthfully she couldn't blame him. She was also rather tired, but if she slept now she probably wouldn't be able to rest at night.

Nami sighed as she poured the shampoo over her head and caressed her head to make sure not a single piece of hair missed the cleaning treatment. "How long are we going to be stuck here?" she thought to herself. She'd told Usopp they would probably be okay, but honestly she was really worried. The Grand Line wasn't a kind place, especially to pirates, so for Luffy and the rest of their crew to find her and Usopp would be miraculous in itself. The only ones who would be helpful in navigating the ship in her abscence were Robin and Franky, but they would be useless in predicting the random weather and neither one had a log pose. Still, Nami couldn't lose hope so quickly. It wouldn't solve anything, and besides, it wasn't the first time that they had come out on top when the odds were highly stacked against them.

After thoroughly washing her hair and body, she stepped out of the tub and reached for one of the towels that conveniently hung nearby. She stood on the white mat placed in front of the tub and quickly dried off her body before wrapping the towel around her head and getting dressed. Her nose wrinkled at the unpleasant forest smell emanating off her clothes, especially after she'd just cleaned herself. She didn't really have a choice at the moment the moment though, so she simply forced herself to ignore the scent and stepped out of the bathroom.

Usopp lay sprawled out on the bed with his nose stuck up in the air and gentle snores escaping from his open mouth.

Nami smirked. He hadn't budged an inch since she'd entered the bathroom.

With a mischievous smile she swatted his foot. He gave a startled snort as his eyes popped open, only for them to shut again as he yawned.

"You're done already? What time is it?" he sleepily asked as he pushed himself up and propped himself on his elbows.

"Gee, there's a clock next to you. Why don't you look?"

"Well, you don't need to get snappy." Usopp blinked and glanced over at the clock. " It's almost three." His stomach suddenly gurgled loudly, and his hands immediately encircled his stomach like he was in pain. "I need fooood, and quick! I have a serious disease called If-I-Don't-Eat-Now-I'll-Die-Disease."

"Seriously? That was the best you could come up with?" Nami raised an eyebrow before she shook her head. " Anyways, I'm going to go and buy us some clothes really quick so why don't you take a bath while I'm gone. No offense, but you need one." Her nose wrinkled once more.

He stretched, then laid back down and closed his eyes. "No thank you."

"GET YOUR ASS IN THE TUB RIGHT NOW!" she snarled as she punched the back of his head and nearly sent him flying into the wall.

He cantered into the bathroom. "Yes ma'am!"

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Nami was known to get a little carried away when it came to shopping. She knew she probably should've been back at the hotel about a half hour ago, but luck seemed to be on her side when it came to haggling for lower prices and spotting amazing deals. Before she knew it, an hour had passed and there were three large bags on each arm. Her eyes glanced up at the clock tower and she bit back a smirk when she noticed it was a little past four.

"Well Usopp's gonna be pissed," she chuckled to herself, uncaring about the fact that she'd made Usopp wait while he was suffering from his 'disease'. "Oh well. He'll get over it."

Her stomach growled a little. "Guess it's dinner time huh?" She shifted the bags slightly to ease the pressure on her arms and proceeded back to the hotel. Right before she reached the plaza where their hotel was, a man with a long ponytail seemed to come right out of nowhere and bump into her, nearly knocking her to the ground.

"Hey, watch it!" Nami snapped in irritation as she quickly re-adjusted the balance of the bags. Her brows furrowed together as she looked up at the strange man, who appeared to be just as startled as she was.

"Oh, my apologies madame," the man said with a bow of his head. "I really should have been paying attention to where I was going, but I'm a tourist like many of the others here and I'm afraid I was just too drawn in by the sights around me to take notice of anything else.

Although still irritated, the navigator felt her anger quickly diminishing. The guy at least seemed polite, and besides, it wasn't as if she was hurt or anything. She merely sighed and nodded. "It's fine. No harm done right? Just watch where you're walking okay?"

"Oh absolutely!" He looked relieved. "And as a token of my appreciation, let me give you this little invitation that was handed out to me." He reached into his pants' pocket and pulled out a white card that flipped upwards.

Nami curiously looked at the card before reaching out and taking it. She opened it and realization hit her when she read the gold lettering printed neatly inside.

On Saturday the twentieth, a ball

will be held in the clock tower in

honor of Lady Margaret at

8 o' clock. Formal dress

is required.

"Wow, really?" she gasped in excitement. The orange-haired woman thoroughly enjoyed dressing up and attending a nice event whenever she was given the opportunity.

The man chuckled. "Absolutely, my lady. I have no reason to go, considering I'm by myself anyways. I'm assuming a lovely woman like you has somebody in her life to go with already."

"Well, I'm here with a good friend who I will definitely force to go with me," Nami waved off the compliment. "Anyways, I really appreciate this, so thanks for the invite. We'll definitely be going. Have a nice day!"

The stranger waved goodbye to her until she turned away from him and proceeded towards the hotel. He then smirked and went his own way.

Things were now in motion.

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"So this guy just randomly gave you an invitation to a really nice event to apologize for bumping into you? That's rather suspicious."

Nami shrugged her shoulders and tossed a shopping bag at Usopp, who had been laying on the bed and trying to not fall asleep while he waited for her to return. "I agree. Something was off about him, but I think we should go anyways. We'll be fine, and besides, it's not like we have anything else to do tomorrow night."

"Ugh, but this means I'm going to be forced to dance aren't I? I don't know the first thing about waltzing around!"

She waved her hand at him. "Now, now, it's really now hard. Maybe we'll practice a little tomorrow before we go. Anyways, hurry up and get changed so we can head out to dinner."

Like a dog about to get a treat, Usopp perked up and bolted to the bathroom. Nami smirked at just how easy it was to get him excited, and began to undress herself. "Don't come out here until I tell you to," she called out to the bathroom as she slipped her dirty shirt off. "I'm changing." He grunted in response, something about not wanting to see her naked anways, and she threw off her bottoms and underwear. Once she was standing completely bare in the middle of the room, she reached into one of the bags and pulled out a black underwear set, a black shirt, and a blue skirt that fell a couple inches above her knees. She stepped into a new pair of matching blue flats and brushed out all the knots in her hair with a brush she had seen on sale right before she'd left one of the stores.

"You can come out now."

The bathroom door clicked as Usopp stepped out wearing a dark green short sleeved shirt and beige khaki pants. "Nice choice of clothes for me," he complimented as he impatiently stood by the door with hands in his pockets, the growling from his stomach sounding more and more like a roar. "Can we go now?"

She grinned and playfully elbowed him as she stepped past him and into the hallway while she slipped their money and her card key into her bra. "Did you ever doubt my fashion sense?"

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They settled on a place that had a nice patio outside and a menu filled with a variety of different dishes. Along the way to the restaurant, Nami made sure she took enough for "tip". Usopp knew better though; a majority of the money was probably going to go towards their clothes for tomorrow's ball.

The sun had lowered itself by the time they finished their meal, which consisted of an assortment of pasta mixed with specialty sauce and several types of steaming bread. Nami even bought some wine for them to share, although she made it clear that it would be added to Usopp's debt.

The sharpshooter could only shrug at that. He'd lost track of his debt to her a long time ago.

Their server was a young man with disheveled auburn hair and grey eyes. He looked to be about their age and was very friendly, laughing with all the surrounding customers and carrying his tray around with such grace that one would think he was supporting a crown and bringing it to the royals.

As he cleared away the empty plates from their table, Nami decided to ask the one question that had been bugging her since she received the invitation.

"So, who is this Lady Margaret?"

The server, who had introduced himself as Vidson, seemed a bit startled by the question, but then regained his composure. "Ah, I figured you were travelers, so I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised that you don't know who she is. She's the wealthiest person on this island, so she is basically the one who holds the most power. A couple times a year she likes to throw parties and dances, usually as a personal celebration for herself. Tomorrow is her birthday, so she has decided to have a ball in her honor."

Usopp frowned. "Seems a bit conceited, doesn't it?"

Vidson shook his head. "Not really. I can understand wanting to have your birthday celebrated, and besides, it's not like she's demanding you bring her presents or anything. All she wants to have is a good time."

Nami propped her elbows on the the table and placed her chin on the back of her intertwined hands. "How exactly did she get so rich?"

"Ah, well she is a psychic. She ate a devil fruit called the psychic-psychic fruit, and made all of her money by assisting the Marines and other people who required her psychic powers. She has so much money that she doesn't know what to do with it all, so she doesn't lend her talents out as much anymore. It's quite interesting that she's helped the Marines since her brother himself is a pirate." Vidson suddenly jerked his head to the side as another customer called out his name. He bowed his head apologetically and took off.

"I wonder who her brother is?" Usopp asked himself out loud as he rubbed his fingers across his chin in thought.

Nami yawned and stretched her arms up. "Well, I guess it doesn't really matter. He probably isn't that important. Anyways, let's just look around town a little more and then head back to the room."

They both stood up, paid the bill and left, unaware of the eyes that followed their every move from the corner of the restaurant.

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As the sun began to set, more and more of the city lights began to glow and beckon the night walkers to enter their humble stores and bars. Trying to walk through the thick crowd of people felt as tiring as swimming against a strong ocean current. It got to the point where Nami had to loop her arm into Usopp's just so they didn't get separated.

"Dammit, don't these people sleep?" she hissed out in aggravation as her foot was stepped on by a young laughing woman who walked by. As she looked around she noticed that while the number of children in the crowd had certainly diminished since early afternoon, there were far more middle-aged and young adults that were looking to have a fun night with some friends. Usually Nami would have been more than happy to go walking around the city, have a few drinks and maybe even join a couple of dances while catching the eyes of any nearby men, but tonight she just wasn't feeling it. The thought of curling up into bed was far more alluring to her than the pounding music of a bar or dance club.

"You're starting to feel sleepy now, aren't you?" Usopp teased as he spoke in a voice that one would use for talking to a baby. He was surprised when she didn't bother hitting him or even send a glare his way. She merely rolled her eyes and allowed him to pull her through the crowd.

"Maybe I am. So what?" she grumbled before letting loose a yawn.

He shrugged and continued to walk towards their plaza. "Hey, no need to get defensive. I'm tired too. That wine we drank earlier didn't really help either."

Nami smirked. "Yeah, but it was damn good, wasn't it?"

"I've certainly had better but yeah..." he smirked, "I suppose it was."

The group of people thinned out once the pair reached their hotel. Nami let go of Usopp's arm as they entered the building. Both of them nodded towards an older woman who had replaced the mustached man's spot from earlier, and went into the elevator. Usopp hit their floor's button and they stood in silence as the doors shut and the box began it's ascent to the higher floor. The quiet air didn't carry tension, but rather appreciation from two tired people who simply couldn't wait to crawl into bed.

The elevator slowed to a halt when it reached the floor, and a ding followed as the doors opened. The hallway was quiet and empty, which served the pirates just fine. Nami reached into her cleavage and pulled out her card key, which she swiped into the card reader. A green light flashed, and they were finally back into their temporary home.

"Thank God!" Usopp cried out as he flung himself on to the bed and closed his eyes. Nami frowned and gave the bed a gentle kick.

"Excuse me, but we're going to be setting some ground rules here." She ignored his groan and continued. "First off, there will be no drooling on me. You want to slobber, then do it on yourself. Second of all, you will stay on your side of the bed. Thirdly, you try and hog any of the blankets and we'll be having a war. And last of all, I know I'm beautiful," she paused and pointed at herself, "but don't go touching me when I'm sleeping or you'll regret it. We clear?"

He raised an eyebrow and sat up. "Regardless of what you think, not every guy out there wants you. Not even my saliva thinks you're worthy, so I'll be more than happy to drool on my side of the bed, thank you!"

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Look, I'm gonna change into my pajamas so you should too. If you're one of those nude sleepers, that's not going to work with me." She reached into a bed and pulled out a white shirt and matching colored pants that had red roses all over them and the word "dream" written across the chest in scarlet red cursive.

"I-I do not sleep nude!" he sputtered defensively as he grabbed his own set of nightclothes, which was a pair of gray pants and a muscle shirt. He eyed the shirt with distaste before smirking. "I will have no shirt on though, so if you can't manage to keep your hands off me I understand."

The only response he received was a pillow to the face.

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She stood on her tip toes and peeked out the window, her small chubby fingers pressed into the dust and dirt that caked the window's stone surface. Outside of her window she could hear the songs of birds as they flew around each other and enjoyed the lovely summer air, and below were the sounds of laughter from children her age, probably enjoying a fun game of hide and seek. As the wisps of air danced into her room, all she could do was close her eyes and inhale the fresh scent of warmth, sunlight, and earth. They all shared one thing.

Freedom.

The word seemed to stab her in the chest as her fingers wiggled upwards into the small stream of sunlight that somehow managed to flow into her small room, their orange rays emitting scant feelings of warmth across her dirtied finger tips. How long had it been since she'd last been outside, enjoying the feeling of nature across her bare feet and the stroke of wind through her hair?

How long had it been since she'd actually smiled or laughed?

With a cry of defeat she fell onto her knees and began to sob. She'd promised herself a long time ago that she wouldn't cry anymore, that tears wouldn't make anything better. She'd also promised her mother that she wouldn't steal anymore, but that didn't last long, did it?

She's a small, weak child who feels like life has no meaning anymore. She's a lonely prisoner being forced to do something she loves for the wrong purpose, and if she's a bad girl then she won't be fed or allowed to bathe, and she's already skinny and dirty enough as it is.

As the warm tears fell down her and stung her eyes, she heard the faint words of a familiar voice, a voice that she could only barely remember.

"Nami, come here."

She lifted her head up and weakly looked towards her window, where the scents and sounds of freedom mocked her. She shakily forced herself to stand as she looked around in confusion.

"My little Nami, I'm here."

That voice...she'd heard it so many times in her dreams. Hesitantly, she walked over to the window, her small hands clutched in front of her chest. That sound had come from the window, but she was much too small to actually look out of it. Quickly she glanced around the room, feeling a bubble of hope as she spotted a wooden chair laying on its back. She roughly grabbed the chair and pushed it onto its legs, her hands shaking as she dragged it towards the window. At last, it was placed properly in front of the one escape from prison she had, the exit she'd considered taking so many times just so she could be free from this Hell.

As she stood on the chair and looked out the window, her eyes widened and tears once more slipped down her cheeks. Floating in front of her window was Belle-Mere, with a cigarette in her mouth and a smile on her face. She held out her arms and Nami realized that her adoptive mother-no, her real mother- was offering her freedom and escape.

"Are you tired of this life, Nami?"

Her lower lip trembled. "Yes Belle-Mere."

The woman kindly smiled. "Then come with me, and we'll be free together."

As Nami slowly climbed onto the ledge and looked at her mother with a trance-like state in her eyes, she found herself stopping. "But, what about Nojiko? We can't leave her behind."

Belle-Mere's eyes softened. "She'll be fine. But you won't be if I don't take you now. Besides, the agreement was I could only take one of you, and I chose you."

Her hand, which had been reaching out in front of her, suddenly stopped and pulled back. Nami carefully placed her hands on the window panes and shook her head. "No Belle-Mere, you can't do that. We're a family. We don't leave each other."

The woman sighed and lowered her arms as she looked sadly to the ground. "You should've come with me Nami. You could've been happy, but now you'll never be free." Her eyes shut, the cigarette falling out of her mouth as her body grew limp.

"Belle-Mere?" Nami asked, her voice shaking. She watched with horror as her mother's clothing suddenly became drenched with blood, little trails of the substance dripping from her mouth and nose before she fell towards the ground below.

"No! Belle-Mere!" the little girl screamed as she reached out to try and grab her mother. "No! I'll come with you! Belle-Mere, please some back!" She fell on to her knees and sobbed once more, feeling like she couldn't breath.

She had lost her mother once more, and it was all her fault.

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He wasn't sure if it was the crying or thrashing that woke him up first.

She was muttering, her body moving around as she tossed her head from side to side on the pillow. The muttering grew into loud groaning, which then turned into shouts. Alarmed, Usopp quickly turned on the side table light and looked at Nami, who had flung her hands up and appeared to be grabbing for something. Her clothes were sticky with sweat and clung to her body while tears dripped off her chin, leaving multiple trails behind on her reddened cheeks.

Seeing her like this frightened him. He had never known her to have any nightmares before, nor did Robin ever mention helping her deal with them. The words "Belle-Mere" and "no" were repeatedly shouted as the navigator appeared to be wrestling with a demon who had invaded her dreams. Unsure of what else to do, Usopp grabbed her and began to shake her.

"Nami, you need to wake up!" he commanded in a firm voice. Her shouting lowered a pitch but that was it. Her entire body trembled as she sobbed and tried to curl into a ball.

"Wake up!" he repeated once more in a louder voice. He didn't want to shake her anymore and hurt her, so he pulled her towards him and laid her head on his chest. Her face was hot and wet from all the tears, and strands of her bangs were sticking to him. He awkwardly rubbed her back and head, unsure of what he could even do to try and make her feel better.

Her shouting at last died down, and her trembling and movement stopped. Her breathing grew more even, and he could feel the tickle of her eyelashes against his skin as her eyes opened.

"Usopp?"

"I'm here Nami, it's okay. You were just having a bad dream."

A sob escaped her throat once more. "It was te-terrible. I watched Belle-Mere die in front of me again. She offered me freedom from Arlong, but I didn't take it b-because I didn't want to leave Nojiko. Belle-Mere l-looked so sad when I said no, and then she was covered in bl-blood and she stopped moving and then she fell and I couldn't save her!" Her hands curled into fists as she cried against his chest, uncaring of how weak she looked or childish she was acting. She needed him, and once again, he was there for her.

"You didn't do anything wrong Nami. Family sticks together, and it was very nice of you to think of your sister like that. Your mom would be proud of you. It's okay." Usopp didn't truly know if it really would be okay, but he always found the words to comfort him when he was full of despair, and he hoped it would help her.

"By the way, sorry I broke one of the rules. Guess I couldn't help touching you after all," he chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood.

She managed to laugh through her tears. "I told you so."

Usopp continued to hold her and rub her back and head until her breathing grew softer and he was certain she was asleep. He considered moving her back so she didn't wake up in the morning and yell at him for "taking advantage of her", but he decided that maybe he would risk that chance. She would probably feel safer with a pair of arms wrapped around her, and he definitely didn't want to wake up to her screaming again. He closed his eyes without bothering to turn the lamp off and placed his chin on top of her head before he closed his eyes and sleep took him.

Yeah, that seemed like a good idea.