The Golden Fighter

A/N: My next chapter is up. It took me a bit to write this one, but I think it came out nicely. Please read and enjoy.

I have also gone back to chapters 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8 to add a bit of character descriptions for my original characters. I will fix things primarily within the first eight chapters as time passes by. If anyone sees something that needs more explaining or clarification, then I will fix it when I get the chance.

Thank you, Cyclone20, for your suggestions.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to One Piece.

*SC* = Scene Change

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

Chapter 9: Beyond Friendship

Two days passed since the battle at Cyborg Island. The Straw Hat crew is still recovering from their wounds. Nami is has bandages throughout her body. Luffy has begun moving around the ship, but at a slow rate. Sanji uses crutches to move around the ship. He hates using them but lucky for him, he should recover fully within the next three days. Chopper is an amazing doctor. Everyone received minor wounds. They have already recovered from the previous battle.

Nami walks back into the infirmary since Chopper decided to keep Luffy there just in case anything happened. Nami gazes at the wounded Luffy. The past two days have been long for her. She is thankful for Toranu cheering her up. She has to become stronger, but how. She remembers Toranu suggest for her to master the element of weather at the next level, but how is that possible. Is there a way to control weather at a different level?

Nami hears groaning as she turns her attention to Luffy. Luffy's eyes open slowly as Nami jumps to his side.

"Luffy," said Nami.

Luffy turns his head to Nami. The way Nami looks at him makes him feel weird. Why does this feeling keep coming back? Why does it bother him? What is it? His brother Ace has always gave him lecture about woman, but he never cared. He should have listened more closely.

"N-Nami," said Luffy with a weaken voice.

"Don't speak, just rest," interrupted Nami.

Nami grabs Luffy's hand and gently rubs it. She spends the next twenty minutes telling Luffy of the events that occurred after he lost conscious to the rest events. After she finished, Luffy fell asleep. Nami stares at Luffy feeling happy that he is awake.

Over the next few hours, other members of the crew including Toranu would enter the infirmary to check up on Luffy. Nami stayed the entire time. She did not want to leave Luffy alone, no matter what.

To Chopper's surprise, Luffy recovered enough to move around the following day. Luffy, with the help of Nami, began to walk towards the kitchen. After breakfast, Chopper helped Luffy take a bath as Nami took her bath after Luffy was finished.

After her refreshing bath, Nami returns to the deck watching Luffy on the deck resting since Chopper forced him to take it easy. She watches as Usopp arrives with a deck of cards. Luffy, Chopper, Franky, and Brook participate in the card game.

Nami grabs a beach chair and puts it next to Robin. Nami lies down as Robin watches her.

Nami sighs. She looks at Luffy thinking about the past few days. He came for her. She knew he would. Now she finally understands why she fell in love with him. However, her latest nightmares have also been on her mind.

"What's with the dreamy look?" asked Robin.

"N-Nothing," replied Nami.

Robin smiles as she wonders if Nami now has feelings towards their captain. The black hair woman looks at Toranu, who nods to her. Robin decides to ask Toranu directly before she makes any more assumptions. Robin returns her attention to Nami and notices the orange hair woman's dark stare.

"You're safe now," said Robin.

Nami only nods as she watches Robin head towards Toranu, but she simply shrugs, not concern about it at all.

"Nami-swan!" shouted Sanji as he approaches the navigator in his love mode. "Is there anything your need? I could make anything to smooth your pain on your precious body!"

Nami gives Sanji a dark glare causing the cook to back off a couple of steps. Nami realizes her reaction and calms herself down trying not to show anger to her crewmates. She looks at Sanji remembering something she wanted him to do a while back.

"Yes, actually," said Nami.

She grabs a basket full of freshly picked tangerines and hands it to Sanji.

"Could you please make a tangerine pie for everyone? There should be enough for everyone to get at least slices, give or take Luffy doesn't eat it first," asked Nami.

"Sure Nami-swan!" replied Sanji.

Sanji returns to the kitchen as Nami gazes at Luffy again. She picks up another basket with one tangerine inside. She watches as Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Franky, and Brooke finish their card game. They separate and return to their own activities. Nami decides to give the tangerine to Luffy.

'I always keep him away from my tangerine. He deserves at least one,' thought Nami.

"Luffy," said Nami gaining the attention of the captain.

Luffy turns around and grins at Nami. Nami lifts her left arm showing Luffy the basket. She grabs the tangerine and presents it to Luffy. The captain stares at her in a confused motion. He knows that nobody touches Nami's tangerines. Nami rolls her eyes and tells him it is okay to eat. Luffy grins again and takes the orange. He slowly peels it and eats it piece by piece. Nami raises an eyebrow. She is surprise Luffy did not gulp the whole thing. Normally, he would do that, yet here he is enjoying the flavor of the tangerine.

Luffy's eyes gaze at the tangerine grove, but he soon catches Nami's eye twitching.

"Don't you dare," said Nami with a death glare.

Luffy begins sweating and decides it is safer not do anything stupid, for once in his life.

"Shishishishi," laughed Luffy.

Luffy grabs Nami causing her to blush. Instantly, Luffy notices her red checks as he begins to worry.

"Nami, are you okay? Are you sick?" asked Luffy as he places his hand on her forehead.

Nami blushes, but she manages to regain her composure and replies to Luffy.

"N-Nothing is wrong."

Luffy raises an eyebrow, but he decides to accept her answer. The weird feeling returns to him tenfold, but decides it is just hunger bothering him.

A few hours pass as Sanji exits the kitchen alerting the rest of the crew of lunch. Everyone runs to the kitchen trying to beat Luffy, who started running. Toranu begins whistling as he sticks out his leg tripping Luffy in the process. Toranu sends gentle winds towards Nami causing her to lose her balance for a few seconds. Robin and Zoro notice Toranu's actions and smirk knowing what he trying to do. In Zoro's opinion, he rather not involved himself in the situation and let things go as is. Robin, on the hand, she wants both to be happy and she is willing to help Toranu as needed.

Robin stands inside the dining room. She knows Nami and they always sit next to each other. She sits in the middle of one side of the table. This leaves two seats to her left and two seats to her right. Zoro sighs, but he decides to help her out. Zoro sits to Robin's far right side. Chopper, Franky, and Usopp sit on the other side. Brook sits on Robin's far left side. He knows he must leave at least one spot open for Nami next to Robin. Zoro smirks as he sees his opening. He gets up and sits next to Robin's left leaving the two seats to Robin's right open. Both of them know that Sanji will be the last one to sit down.

Toranu enters the dining noticing four seats left open. He sits on the seat across Brook. Soon, Nami enters the dining room and heads to the seat next to Robin. Toranu uses his wind element with enough force on Usopp to make it seem like Chopper hit him. Chopper smacks him as Usopp returns the attack. Franky becomes annoyed and tries to stop him. Luffy enters the room and notices the fight. Sanji returns to stop the fight kicking the chair next to Franky away. Luffy decides to take the only chair currently available. He sits next to Nami as the fight between Usopp, Chopper, and Franky ends. Sanji returns to the kitchen and he soon comes back with the food. The typical lunch occurs as the Straw Hats try to protect their food from Luffy.

The crew sighs as Luffy and Toranu enter another eating contest. The crew was surprise the first day Toranu was with them. He went on an eating rampage when trying to eat more than Luffy even though he lost in the end.

Nami watches in amazement. The first she witness this was the day before. She spent most of her time with Luffy during his recovery. She groans knowing their food supply will decrease even more with these two on board.

Toranu uses a bit of wind strong enough to push Nami off her chair. She falls towards Luffy, who manages to catch her. The two stare at each other's eyes while the crew watches with awe. Nami pushes herself off while Luffy helps her balance. Luffy tries to apologize, but Nami stops him, telling him it is hers.

*SC*

Later that night, Nami tries to clear her head. She just woke up from a nightmare of the past few days. The evil and sick laugh from Arlong and Enel continue to haunt her. The fear that ran through her when Fearghas appeared as well as Luffy's wound opening. Soon, her thoughts about Luffy's reaction to their situation run through her mind. She noticed him acting weird. Luffy has never acted like that before. Could it be possible for him to show feelings? Nami sighs. She knows her love is only one-sided.

Nami walks onto the deck. She watches the stars above enjoying the night sky. She looks around and notices Luffy on the grass looking at the stars. She approaches her captain wondering why he is still outside.

"Luffy, aren't you sleepy?" asked Nami.

Luffy turns his head towards Nami. He responds with a simple no. He sits up and pats the area next to him. Nami takes the hint and sits next to her captain. The two enjoy the night sky in silence as Toranu appears on the deck. He watches the two pirates sit next to each other. He smiles remembering his hometown.

'I can't wait to return home,' thought Toranu. 'But, I have a mission to complete.'

Toranu creates a stronger bit of wind, which causes a cold breeze. Nami begins to shiver as a result. Luffy notices this and grabs Nami. Nami yelps in surprise, but she gives into Luffy's warmth as he wraps his arms around Nami.

Toranu smiles as he returns into the ship.

*SC*

The next morning Brook walks around the ship. The show he saw last night interested him. He did not expect Luffy and Nami to embrace each other. However, he also noticed Toranu's interference. He would smile, but he has no skin, skull joke!

Brook returns to the deck and notices Luffy and Nami still asleep on the deck. Brook decides to help his captain before an angry cook decides to kill him.

"Luffy-san, Nami-san," said Brook loud enough to wake them.

Luffy and Nami wake up and realize their position. Nami breaks apart from Luffy trying to calm herself down.

"Luffy-san, Nami-san. Sanji-san is heading up here. It might be a good idea to return to your room since your still wearing the same clothes from yesterday," said Brook. "By the way Nami-san, could I see your pant-."

"I would bleed, but I have no blood, skull joke!" exclaimed Brook as he loses consciousness.

Nami runs to her room as Luffy shrugs. He does not care what Sanji thinks of his clothing.

*SC*

During breakfast, Nami continues to glance at Luffy sighing at times while eating. Toranu notices this and looks at Luffy. Luffy continues his usual routine causing Toranu to groan in frustration. Is Luffy really that naïve? Nami is struggling with her emotions while Luffy is acting as if nothing is happening. Toranu's eyes shot wide open the moment he realizes something. Perhaps Luffy is confusing his emotions with something else. Sometimes, but very rare, can butterflies in the stomach be mistaken for hunger. With Luffy's type of mind, there is a chance he is confusing the two.

Robin looks at Toranu and smiles at bit. He must have figured it out. She looks at Zoro, who simply rolls his eyes.

"Luffy! Get your own food!" shouted Usopp trying to defend himself from Luffy.

Luffy continues his onslaught of the food while various crewmembers try to defend themselves. However, Nami realizes Luffy is no longer stealing from her plate. Why was that? She decides not to test her luck and continues to eat peacefully.

*SC*

Toranu smirks. Oh, he has a dark plan. It involves a single room, a lock, and numerous scented candles. He turns around with Robin, Franky, and Brook following him. They nod as Franky enters an empty room. He places a bed inside with one blanket. He modifies the room to the point where it looks romantic. Robin and Brook asset the shipwright as Toranu keeps a watchful eye for the captain, navigator, and cook. The last thing he needs is one of them coming down the stairs and discovering his dark plan for the captain and navigator.

Later that day, Toranu walks up to Nami.

"Hey Nami-san," said Toranu. "How is your day?"

Nami smiles then replies, "I've been good."

Nami looks at Luffy, who is busy enjoying himself with Usopp and Chopper.

"Love the captain?" asked Toranu unexpectedly.

Nami's face turns red as she tries to hide it, but fails miserably. Robin sits next to Nami enjoying the red face her fellow crewmate is making.

"W-What do you two want?" asked Nami.

"To know your feelings for him," responded Robin.

"Do you love him?" asked Toranu.

Nami tries to form words, but her embarrassment keeps her from speaking well.

"I, well, um, I, um," started Nami, but she fails to speak.

It is at this moment, Nami knows she could no longer lie.

"Yes," said Nami. "I do."

Toranu and Robin smile as they look at each other. They nod knowing they can proceed with their plan.

"But, it will never happen," continued Nami.

Toranu and Robin raise an eyebrow.

"Why not?" inquired Toranu.

"By now, both of you should know the type of person Luffy is," said Nami. "He's too innocent. I can't do anything."

"But, everyone person is capable of love. It just takes some people more time than others," said Toranu.

"If he's willing to learn teach him," added Robin.

"I can't. Teaching love is not the same as feeling love," said Nami.

"We're not telling you to teach him to love you," said Robin. "We're telling you to teach him what love is. Then let nature take him the rest of the way."

Nami stays silent as she considers Toranu and Robin's words. However, she cannot force something onto Luffy.

"Think about it, Nami-san," said Toranu.

The day passes as night hits once again. Nami walks around the ship enjoying the night breeze. It is not as cold as the day before. The weather in the Grand Line changes so frequently.

The crew was busy most of the day, thus, they decided to have a late dinner. The rest of the crew exits the dining room as they walk around the ship. Zoro stays near the dining door with Franky. Sanji is the only crewmember who stayed in the kitchen. Franky grabs a few wood planks and swiftly and quietly attaches them in the door. Zoro sits in front of the door just in case the cook decides to break the door down.

Usopp and Chopper continue to distract Luffy as they play another game created by Usopp.

Robin sits next to Nami. Robin decides to enact Toranu's plan.

"Navigator-san," said Robin.

"Yeah," replied Nami.

"There is a new room Franky built in the second deck. He asked my opinion on it, but I think you're the better person," said Robin.

Nami raises an eyebrow.

"What type of room is it?" wondered Nami.

"It's a special room. Franky needs your opinion by tonight," said Robin.

"Why am I the better one?" asked Nami.

"Trust me, you are," replied Robin with a smile.

Nami gives in and gets up from her chair. Robin hands her a small map telling her which room.

Usopp and Chopper watch Nami enter the ship. They turn to Robin, who nods her head to him. They nod back to her. Brook approaches Luffy's group.

"Luffy-san, I have something to show you. Sanji keeps a special area for meat," said Brook.

The moment Luffy heard the word meat, he turn his attention to Brook.

"Where?" asked Luffy in excitement.

"Follow me," said Brook.

Luffy follows Brook as the rest of crew hope for the best.

"Oi, why is the door stuck?" yelled Sanji from inside the kitchen.

The crew turns their attention to Sanji. Now the difficult part of the plan occurs. They must keep Sanji from interfering with their plan.

*SC*

Nami finds the room Robin told her to find. She opens the door and her eyes widen when she sees what is inside. There is a single bed with one thin blanket. Around the room is a handful of furniture with candles lit on top. She wonders why Franky built such a room. She definitely does not recall ever asking him to build such a room. Is there something happening she does not know about? This type of room suggests romance, but there are only two women in the crew unless the men want this room. She shakes her head to get rid of her thoughts.

Suddenly, the door opens surprising Nami. Luffy walks into the room searching for meat.

"Hi Nami," said Luffy.

"What are you doing?" asked Nami.

"Brook told me there is meat in here, but I don't see it. His eyes must be getting bad," replied Luffy.

"But, he doesn't have any eyes," said Nami.

"Yohohohoho," laughed a voice outside the door. "Oops."

Nami raises an eyebrow. Why would Brook lie to Luffy? Why would Robin lie to her? Suddenly, it dawns on her.

'Damn you Robin,' thought Nami. 'I bet everyone is involved in this except for Sanji.'

"There's no food in here," said Nami.

Luffy groans in disappointment. He heads to the door to leave, but when he tries to open the door, he realizes he cannot move it.

"What's wrong?" asked Nami.

"Um, I can't open the door," replied Luffy.

Nami approaches the door and tries to open it, but she fails.

"Damn it," said Nami.

"I'll break it down," said Luffy.

"No!" shouted Nami. "You are not breaking anything. We've used up enough money feeding you!"

A few hours pass after the event. Nami begins to yawn, but she tries to stay awake.

"Sleep," said Luffy. "Take the bed."

"What about you? I can't leave you on the floor," replied Nami.

"It's okay," said Luffy.

Nami nods as she enters the bed. The crew will feel her anger in the morning.

Another thirty minutes pass, but Nami is unable to sleep. The cold air keeps her from sleeping. She continues to shiver, but her memory of the previous night comes back to her.

"Luffy," said Nami.

"Yeah," replied Luffy.

"Could you come here in the bed," said Nami.

Luffy gets up from the floor and walks to Nami. He stares at her as if he is trying to be cautious just in case she decides to hit him.

Nami notices his hesitation, which makes her a bit sad, but she realizes that it is her fault. She always hits him.

"Don't worry. I won't hit you," said Nami.

Luffy enters the bed as Nami covers them both with the cover. She begins blushing, but she feels his body heat. She snuggles up to Luffy enjoying his warmth.

The weird feeling returns to Luffy's stomach. He tries to understand what is happening, but decides it is due to hunger. Luffy wraps his arm around Nami causing her to yelp in surprise, but she does nothing to push him away.

Warmth spreads through Nami. Oh, how she wishes she could be like this for the rest of her life. Nami is broken out of her trance when she feels something warm on her head. She opens her eyes and realizes that Luffy is kissing her forehead.

"W-What are y-you doing?" asked Nami while she blushes red.

"I don't know," replied Luffy. "I just wanted to kiss your head."

Nami's eyes widen the moment he said. Then it dawns on her.

'Robin and Toranu were right,' thought Nami.

He is capable of love. At that moment, Nami decides to follow her heart. No matter how long it takes, she will help Luffy learn what love is.

Nami smiles as she falls asleep.

*SC*

A/N: I decided to have this chapter concentrate on improving Luffy and Nami's relationship. I will return with the main storyline the next chapter. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter though. Please review.