Darkest Kiss

Chapter Seven

Thump.

I paused in my frantic scramble to glance back down at the ground. The zombies seemed to have lost interest in me and didn't even notice me shoot up a tree; they were busy stupidly running into the metal wall. Every now and then one of them would pause and scratch their head in confusion. It would have been comical if I had been on the other side of the wall. I glanced up at the dark sky and noticed the full moon. It was a normal blue color now, but it was still lighter than usual. I'm assuming that it is because I was an Other still at some degree even if my eyes were almost back to normal. The sky had lost its sickly green color since the last time I had been out at night and it took me a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness outside.

Thump.

I hadn't been outside in ages, and despite the fact that I missed the cool breeze of autumn I did not miss hearing the wailing noises of the zombies at night.

Thump.

I cringed and nervously glanced to the large metal gate. Around the school several large metal gates encased the area. There was no getting in or out during the night, and while I loved the extra piece of mind in that I could sleep safely and so could my friends it didn't help my current predicament.

Thump.

Several zombies were throwing their bodies mindlessly against the gate, but luckily their numbers didn't go over 10, they were jostling around too much for me to count a clear number. I could easily take them out with my Clima Tact but that meant risking being found by something much more sinister than a few zombies. I'm sure they have no clue that is actually the base for the rebels that are working so hard to bring down their demise but at the same time their persistence is annoying me.

Thump. Thump. Grrrrrrroooooooan.

I shivered and pulled my jacket closer to try to block out the cold as I peered out of the tree to stare down at them. I guess I brought this upon myself. I hadn't exactly covered up my tracks coming back and either these stupid zombies had either followed my scent or my footprints. I'm hoping for the former so they don't find me now.

Thump.

"NAMIIIIIII!"

I stifled a gasp and focused on keeping my heart rate even. I'm not positive of this but I'm sure zombies can pick up on that sort of thing, and although I'm perched up in this tree safely out of their reach that doesn't mean it will stop them from climbing up if they notice me. I can't exactly jump from here and over the high fence that separates me from a safe night. Luffy was hopefully just sticking his head out to call for me, although I knew that was just being too unrealistically hopeful.

I had gotten restless. I was bored, I was selfish. I was so freaking curious. It has been well over a month since we've been at the base camp, and I haven't been able to do anything. That might have been another one of the causes for this little field trip. I could blame it on any one of those things for the fact that I was now outside, at night, by myself. I just couldn't help myself. A loose window in the girl's locker room was beckoning me to explore the outside grounds. Rebels trained out there and a few of the kids played on the playground. I was sure that I am allowed out there, but I had avoided detection all the same. I climbed a tree close to the fence and jumped, not even thinking that I wouldn't be able to get back in. I had such confidence in my resurfacing thieving skills that I hadn't thought twice of it. I was getting rather good at stealing again; no one noticed that I had even snuck meat back into my diet. I was supposed to be avoiding it in case it caused a relapse but I knew that wasn't the case. I had never had the urge to sink my teeth into one of my friends. Except maybe Zoro, but that's a different story all together.

This last month has been torture. This slow moving, little to no action lifestyle is nothing compared to the days when we were out at sea. Even a slow day on the ocean wasn't lonely. Here I've noticed that Luffy and the others get sent out on missions almost daily, and if they aren't doing that they are resting for their next one or are trying to figure out a way to get my sister back. I was lonely. Robin was gone during the day and most of the night, sometimes she would be gone for days. Everyone else was just as busy and the only real interaction I got with everyone was twice a day, since I have cut out lunch from my meal time.

Brook has made it a point to avoid me all together so I can't hound him. He awkwardly just tells me to leave it to him and pushes me off on Zoro, but most of the time he gets in when I'm away brooding.

And I feel so helpless. I can tell I'm back to normal but Chopper insists on keeping me away from the action, and wants me to rest. I've stopped the medication but from time to time I'll have a mild headache and go see Chopper just in case. I want to hide it but I do not want to relapse at any cost. It's infuriating and to my greater and further frustration still no memory of my past relationship with Zoro has come back or my time as an Other. That and besides sitting next to each other at mealtimes we haven't been alone in the same room together since I almost kissed him. I have a sneaking suspicion he's been avoiding me.

"NAAMMMIIIII!"

I want to growl under my breath but I know I can't. Can't Luffy shut the hell up? I obviously can't answer him…

BANG!

I gapped at the large hole in the once perfectly flat metal wall to the point where I almost fell out of my tree.

"You dumb ass!" I roared. Honestly he couldn't just open the gate? Didn't he know what a door was?

There was a horrible shrieking noise and suddenly a squabble of Others came leaping out of the woods and into the hole. I swore loudly and sent several clouds into the sky above the zombies. I could at least take care of them now. I hadn't been expecting the Others, they must've heard the noise from the zombies and had come to investigate. Everything seemed to slow down as Luffy emerged from the dusty cloud he had created. All of the Others that had rushed in flew into the trees with sickening thuds as Zoro and Sanji strolled out after him. It was always laughable how ridiculously strong those three were. I was starting to wonder why the hell we weren't done with this nightmare yet. I leapt down from my hiding spot and stormed up to my captain.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I snapped. "I would have been fin-"

I would have finished my sentence but my captain roughly shoved his hat on my head as he pulled me into a tight hug.

"We were worried… you idiot," he mumbled into my hair.

Oh right. I was the one that had been irresponsible. I felt a wave of guilt hit me harder than a ton of bricks and I fell into Luffy's arms all too willingly. My legs just couldn't support my weight anymore, but Luffy was always there to catch a friend when they fell.

"Sorry," I whimpered. "I'm just so frustrated. I want to save-"

For the second time in less than a minute I was interrupted but this time by a chilling laughter that I knew all too well. I went rigid in Luffy's arms as he clenched me tighter for a second. Memories came flooding back to me leaving me immobile and I fought the urge to faint. Luffy wouldn't let my freedom be taken away from me. I glanced over my shoulder to see him there. His blue skin had turned a lighter gray color, his eyes were red, he seemed to have shot up a few feet and towered over us even more than he had.

"Long time no see Nami," he laughed. I felt my blood boil, I would have leapt at him. I really would have, but Luffy's firm grasp held me back.

"Nami," he said crisply catching my attention. "I'll take care of him." I swallowed and nodded to show him that I heard him.

"Zoro," he barked. I felt rather than saw the swordsman step forward.

"Sanji," he paused before unlatching me from his arms and handing me to Sanji.

"Watch her, and guard this," he said gesturing back to the gaping hole he had left in the wall.

They didn't need to answer and without another word Luffy shot himself at Arlong with a furious shout.

"LEAVE MY FRIEND ALONE!"

I felt a few tears slip out of the corner of my eyes and I strangled a sob. I love my friends, I know they would all do whatever they could for me, and that this whole mess was mostly my fault anyways, but they were still standing behind me, still supporting me, and still fighting for me. In a matter of seconds the ferocity of the fight had Arlong stumbling back into the woods and out of sight with Luffy following hot on his trail.

I knew they were all mad at me but at the same time we are friends. Sanji didn't hold me obnoxiously close or take advantage of the situation. In fact as soon as I shifted to move he gently placed me down and glared into the darkness. I took a step away as he lit up a cigarette. I doubt either of them had much to say to me at the moment. I couldn't even explain my actions. I tried to find the words to ease the now very awkward silence that fell between the three of us.

There was a small quick chirp of a violin in the darkness and Brook emerged out of the woods.

"I thought I heard Luffy…" he said in greeting.

"He's fighting Arlong again," Sanji answered taking a large puff of his cigarette.

Again, not as in again from Arlong park but again for my sake. Again to keep me save and sound. Again to make me happy. Again to win my freedom. Again to get back something that I had lost. Again for who knows how many times it was now… all for me. God I'm a selfish bitch.

I chanced to peak at Zoro. His jaw was clenched, and two of his swords were drawn. He was staring off into the darkness, ever alert.

"Ah, well… She'll be here soon," Brook said.

For a split second I was confused and then all over again I was hit with an enormous sense of guilt that my knees started to buckle again.

"Please… Zoro," I whispered and took a step closer to him. His eye locked on me for a fraction of a second before looking away.

"You don't need to ask," he said roughly.

"It'll be alright Nami," Sanji told me reassuringly.

But before Zoro could bark at him, or Brook could interrupt with a perverted ill-timed joked, a twig snapped in the woods.

We all froze and turned our attention in the general direction.

Zoro grabbed my shoulder and forced me to sit down.

"Let us handle this," he growled lowly.

Out of the woods emerged my sister. She looked the same as always, but her head was cocked and an eerie smile plastered on her face. Her hair had grown out slightly from the normal short cut she wore it in. Her eyes were an icy blue and reflected in the moonlight. Her clothes were slightly tattered but they were intact enough to cover her up without exposing anything. Her arm lifted in a half wave as she saw me.

"Nami."

She was still at least a football field's distance away from me, and she couldn't have said my name any louder than a whisper but I heard it all the same. I wanted to feel disgust or fear or even anger at myself but nothing rose to the surface. I honestly just wanted to run into her arms and beg for her forgiveness, to forgive me for ever letting any of this to happen to her when she should be home, safe and sound, when she should be away from a bunch of zombie pirates.

A pit of coldness filled my stomach as I watched her take a few more steps forward. My sister was harmless; she had never wielded a weapon in her life. My sister was pure; my sister was my biggest supporter. My sister now facing down a bloodthirsty swordsman and a perverted cook and she had no clue what she was doing. Suddenly my friends weren't protecting me but endangering the life of someone I love.

Zoro shifted in front of me.

"Remember you trust me," he told me glancing over at me. There wasn't a reassuring smile or a sweet tone to his voice. It was just a quick blunt reminder.

I wanted to yell no. I wanted to hit him upside the head and run after my sister. I wanted to knock her out and shove one of Chopper's pills down her throat. The look in his eye kept me locked to my seat though, and then I remembered I did trust him. I trusted him with everything, including the one thing I had never even given away to anyone in my entire life. My heart.

Brook sat next to me with his legs crossed and somehow offered me a cup of tea. I have no clue how he managed to do so but I wasn't about to question the laws of physics or probability at the moment. I just wordlessly accepted it and placed it down in front of me. I let out a long slow breath.

"If you hurt one hair on her head-"

"You'll charge me a million berries. Ya ya," Zoro grumbled.

"I'm charging you that for interrupting me. Learn some manners," I hissed but it was half-hearted. Zoro had already sprung forward.

I was unable to move my eyes away from him as he seemed to dance around my sister. He was testing her for weaknesses and trying to get around behind her. My sister had never been so fast, and her brute strength was obvious when Zoro's swords would clank loudly when he blocked her kicks and wild punches. I was expecting to see blood until I realized that Zoro was using the back of his blades.

A loud shout tore my gaze away from Zoro and Nojiko.

"RUN NAMI!"

I turned, too slow, as a sharp kick was aimed at my head. I wasn't able to dodge it fully and my cheek was grazed sending me flying into the ground. Sanji's shout had alerted me in time to avoid a major head wound but I was still seeing stars. I could barely see him handling a few Others himself and Brook was in the midst of a one on one fight. I was on my own with this one. I was pinned roughly to the ground and I struggled to kick out at the beast. It was inhuman, this strength. It was like I was being pinned down by a building.

The cold blue eyes stared down into mine as a hand wrapped around my throat. I frantically kicked out and reached for my Clima Tact. If I could just zap it… or something. It seemed to know what I thought because it grabbed my weapon and chucked it into a random direction elsewhere. There was a flash in front of my eyes and the world seemed to swim as a memory overcame me.

"Shar har har har, I've been searching everywhere for you Nami. Finally we can get back to making this world a better place for fishmen."

I didn't say anything, mostly because I knew refuting him now even with my superhuman strength could get me killed. I didn't nod though, or smile, or offer him any reassurance that I would cooperate. I was still fighting the urge to resist orders and find my friends. They were high up on the priority list for most wanted. We are a threat to them and their precious plan. It was best to keep an eye on Arlong and make sure he didn't stumble into them. He was stronger now more than ever, but I knew if I knocked out the chip they implanted on the back of his head he'd go back to being somewhat normal strength wise. As it was, it seemed he was resisting the chip drug himself. His talk of infecting other fishmen and eliminating humans was his main concern, and I was sure that wasn't what the government wanted. They wanted everyone enslaved; everyone to be mindless war machines so they could cover up the truth and do as they wished.

As far as I could tell mine was loose and I could pull it out easily, if I could cut open the skin behind my neck. I just wasn't sure what the after effects would do to me and I wanted to at least be safely away from Arlong before that happened. I heard a soft snap and my eyes shot up to the surrounding forest. I was on patrol around base for the government. So far I hadn't had to test my resistance to the chip drug, but now I was fighting the urge to shout out and tell Arlong there might be someone in the woods. I bit down hard on my tongue, to the point where I tasted blood.

"You smell delicious," Arlong laughed rounding around to face me. I could feel the blood dribbling out from my mouth and I fought the urge to tell him to screw off. I didn't dare open my mouth, terrified that I might say something beyond my control. "I've missed you Nami," he whispered. "Even if you betrayed me… I'll forgive you. You just have to join me again. You just have to make sure nothing stands in my way."

Arlong stood over me, his hand coming next to my cheek and pulling me closer to him. I fought the urge to scramble away from him as his sharp nose slide past and scrapped my cheek. I felt his hot tongue dance out to taste the blood near my lips. I could feel revulsion well up inside of me and just as I was about to bring up my knee a voice rang out in the clearing.

"Oi. Hands off our navigator."

I managed to lean on Arlong's side away from his hungry mouth to glare over my shoulder. That idiot. I had this handled. I should've known it would be him.

"Ah. I've been waiting. Where is your captain Straw Hat?"

"Doesn't matter where he is. I'm plenty to beat you," Zoro snapped wrapping his bandana around his head as he glared at me. It hurt to see him, it hurt to know that he thought I was a monster, that he couldn't trust me. It hurt to see him getting ready to fight to get me back. I had to think fast. I didn't want anyone fighting this monster. I heard the calm way he said Luffy's name and it all clicked. Arlong was resisting so he could get revenge on Luffy. He wanted to kill my captain and was more than likely helping plot a way to get him captured if he couldn't beat him. Arlong had never even mentioned Luffy or the others until now. I had been sure that he was blissfully unaware of them, but now it seemed he had ulterior motives in keeping his silence. He hadn't wanted me to catch on to him.

And I was sure this applied to the rest of my friends as well. To everyone that was affiliated with me so he could trap me again. So he could terrify me and show me how little life meant to him. So he could make sure I had no one to rely on and I would have to come back to him.

"What are you playing at Pirate Hunter?" I shouted out. I was hoping to draw their attention on me, and possibly fight Zoro myself. He might kill me, but at least I could give him enough time to escape Arlong.

He shot me a dirty look.

"You said you'd be back by sunset," he growled. "It's been 7 months."

I got the distinct impression that he had been searching for me and I felt my stomach drop uncomfortably.

"I said that back when I was a Straw Hat," I said tersely. How could I ever look at Luffy again and be able to tell him I was throwing away the freedom he fought so hard for away just to save him. Luffy would never accept that. Luffy was too strong to allow me to do this, but I had to try. I was sure the results otherwise would lead to someone's death and I couldn't live in a world without my friends.

I was very aware of how Robin must've felt when the government tried this with her.

Arlong slung his arm around my shoulder and laughed heartily. I fought the urge to look away from Zoro's tight expression. He was studying me, and he could always tell when I was lying. He had to know that this was similar. That I was afraid for him.

"You have to resign with the captain for anyone to recognize your decision," he said with a shrug. His glare turned back towards Arlong.

"I said hands off our navigator," he snapped.

Arlong sneered at him.

"And what are you going to do about it? Try and cut me?"

He shot forward with speed that I couldn't even follow with my Other eyes. I strangled a cry as Zoro caught his nose against two of his blades.

There weren't any words exchanged after that, but it was becoming clear fast that Arlong didn't have the upper hand. In fact they almost seemed evenly matched. This went on for several minutes as I stood there trying to think of ways I could possibly break up this fight before Zoro got hurt.

"NAAAAAAMMMMMMIIII!"

I winced as Luffy came trudging out of the undergrowth. He was panting and holding up a lantern which seemed oddly bright to me, it was like trying to look into the sun. He placed it down and his stretchy hands shot to Zoro and yanked him away from the fight.

"Excuse me Zoro! But he's mine," Luffy shouted as he launched himself at Arlong.

It was laughable how strong my captain is. Arlong wasn't even able to get in a single punch or bite, his resistance to Luffy however was ridiculous. Soon he had the rubber boy chasing him through the forest and the light of the early morning sun started to rise. Panicked I turned back to Zoro.

"I have to go now. Next time bring Chopper. He might be able to figure out how to subdue me."

"What? Nami you can't just-"

"I am not in control Zoro!" I snarled. I punched a tree and we both watched in daze as the stump cracked and swayed dangerously. The sky was turning a bright red and I panicked.

Zoro's hand shot out to grab me. His skin felt burning hot against mine.

"Leave it to us," he mumbled lowly. I strangled a sob and I couldn't turn to face him. I desperately wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I couldn't risk anymore time outside. The sun was about to rise. With a gentle jerk I pulled my wrist out of his grasp. I didn't even look over my shoulder to wave off Zoro as I shot back into the shadowy depths of the forest. I had to get back to base.

I had to keep on believing that they would find me again. I had to keep leaving it up to them.

I gasped as the Other's grip loosened slightly. The ice blue eyes peered at me with concern and I could see a flicker of consciousness ebbing through the clouded eyes. Suddenly the beast was kicked off me and Sanji stood over me panting. I was thankful that this Other wasn't a girl.

"Run!" he hissed through gritted teeth. I didn't hesitate. I shot off the ground, snapped up my Clima Tact, and dashed into the woods. I probably ran a lot further than I should have. I ran until my lungs were burning and the pinkness in the sky faded into the bright blue of morning. I ran without much direction but I knew exactly where I was.

I wasn't at all surprised when I bumped into Luffy. He must've been chasing Arlong back to base, but this was the exact clearing we had been in my memory. I wasn't surprised that Luffy was pissed at me either.

"What the hell Nami," he growled when he saw me coming out of the woods.

"Oh hi Luffy nice to see you too," I growled lowly. His eyes narrowed at me, and his lip curled back slightly.

"I told you to leave him to me. I don't care if you think you're strong enough for him. You're my friend and I told you to let me take care of him for you," he hissed.

That humbled me for a long moment. I could only stand there and fumble over thoughts in my mind. Luffy's simple ways was always a shock, although it shouldn't be. I should have known he would have thought of something stupid like that when he saw me.

"I wasn't coming to take your fight…" I started lamely.

"Then why the hell did you leave? What were you thinking? We were worried sick about you-"

"I'm sorry," I interrupted but I could feel anger bubbling inside me. "I don't exactly like you guys treating me like I'm useless. I'm still Nami. I still have plans to help make you the King of the Pirates and I still want to make a map of the world."

I have no clue why I said that. It sounded incredibly lame even to my own ears but it seemed to give Luffy pause.

"You aren't useless Nami. You're just under doctor's orders to get some rest."

These weren't Chopper's orders but some other stupid doctor in a clinic back at the school. Although, Chopper hadn't really refute them for my sake, and he even agreed with them to a certain extent.

"That guy isn't my doctor," I said smugly. Luffy grinned widely at me.

"Welcome back Nami."

I felt a wide grin spread across my face.

"Let's head back," I offered and started to lead the way back towards our camp. I refrained from calling him an idiot. I would get plenty of time later, and I'm sure he would give me plenty of excuses but right now I didn't want to hear him whine. He hummed a song under his breath as we trudged our way back. The sun was starting to rise, and I was surprised at how short the night had felt. Still we were in the woods so I tried to keep us in open patches of light and away from the darker shadows of the forest. The last thing I want is for us to be ambushed.

I was surprised at how long it took to get back to the school. While running had maybe taken me around 20 minutes it took us well into midday to make it back. Although the area was surprisingly hilly and steeper than I remembered, that might have contributed to it as well.

I cringed at the patched up messed fence that was in place of Luffy's giant hole. Zoro and Sanji were at the main gate talking to a couple of rebels as we reappeared.

Sanji smiled and was immediately at my side.

"Great news Nami~" he sang as he spun around me.

I already knew what it was. They had my sister back. I flung myself into Sanji's arms elated at the news and enjoying my friend's easy company. I really hadn't even thought of it, but the next thing I knew Zoro was stomping away, Luffy was frowning at me, and Sanji was on the ground with a severe nose bleed.

But at the moment I didn't care, I was already racing towards the infirmary. I was racing towards my sister.


A/N: There wasn't much Zoro in this chapter... hmmm. Don't worry. He'll be a thorn in your side soon enough. :p. And no that wasn't a LuNa moment... although I am a fan of the couple... I was shooting for the fantastic friendship Luffy offers. Don't worry! I'm guessing this story will be about 10 to 15 chapters at least somewhere in that range. Also I'm debating on putting up a Deleted Scene chapter. Where things that aren't making the story that have been cut out and placed, I'm thinking of doing a blooper reel type of thing (it consists of mostly humorish things). Possibly I'll make this into its own one-shot. What do you guys think? I have a poll up on my page if you guys feel like voting. Well... We are almost reaching a conclusion my friends... at least I am. I'm way ahead of writing than I am with posting. :p. Until next time!