A/N: *"Star Wars" theme plays* And thus, the triumphant hero returns, having conquered the dreaded finals and slayed the writer's block. ^^ The point is I'm back with an update! So, enjoy!
Disclaimer: … Yeah, you all know already. xD
The Kiss Meant for Sanji, Part 1
The most annoying grinding and whirring noises woke Nami that morning. And when Nami awoke to annoying sounds, she often became very annoyed herself.
What made the noises even more unbearable was the fact that she could hear them all the way from the women's quarters. She was in her bed, curled up and comfortable. She felt so lazy that she had no inclination of getting up. But, now she was wide awake, with no hope of staying in her ball of warmth. Nami emerged from under her sheets and stretched her arms high above her head with a yawn. When she looked around the room, she noticed Robin's bed already tidy and made. Robin was always such an early bird.
Nami let out an exasperated sigh as she shifted to the side of the bed and let her legs dangle. She then stood up and started getting ready for the day. The noises continued, and it was starting to make her head ache. She could even hear Luffy's sing-song voice rule over the noises at moments. Just what in the hell was going on? The Sunny was sailing smoothly, so Nami assumed that the ship wasn't in any imminent danger.
Then again, when it came to Luffy, anything was possible.
Nami had pulled on a pink shirt and jean shorts before she wandered out of the women's quarters and headed for the lawn deck. As the combined sounds of Luffy and the grinding noises got louder, Nami found that her fuse was starting to burn too short. She had picked up such a pace that she burst through the door ahead of her and nearly shouted at the top of her lungs. She stopped herself just in time when she was what was happening.
Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were playing in the snow.
The temperature must've been over 70 degrees, and yet, thick, white flakes swirled around Nami as she walked further onto the lawn deck. The snow piled so high that it came up to Nami's knees, and it was even cold to the touch. The Sunny was nowhere near a winter island, which left Nami absolutely perplexed. Yet, she saw Franky tending to a large machine, the source of the grinding and whirring noises, as well as the flurries of snow. Robin, Brook and Sanji were closer to the bow of the Sunny, and Sanji seemed to be yelling, but Nami couldn't hear a word he said from where she was. She marched through the snow and up to Franky. She started to ask him what the machine was. Realizing that she was trying to speak to him, Franky shut the machine off. The noises ceased, and the snow dispersed.
"Awww, Franky! Turn it back on!" Luffy whined.
"Just hold on, Luffy!" Franky called to him. Then, he turned his attention to Nami. "What's up?"
"What is that… thing? And why is it so loud?!" Nami asked in frustration.
"Well, it's my suuuuuper snow-making machine!" Franky answered happily.
"So, it's fake snow?"
"Of course not! It's the real thing!"
"Well, why is that thing so noisy then?!"
"NAMI-SWAAANNNNN!"
Franky had no time to explain before Sanji whirled through the snow and lifted her off her feet.
"S-Sanji-kun!" Nami protested.
"Your bare feet must be frigid! Please let me massage them and make them warm again!" Sanji exclaimed.
"Just put me down where there's no snow." Nami told him seriously.
"HAAAIIIII!"
Sanji proceeded to carry Nami up the stairs and toward the bow of the ship, setting her down where Robin and Brook sat at a table together.
"Good morning, Nami." Robin greeted her.
"Nami-san…" Brook began.
"DON'T EVEN." Nami threatened. "I'm in no mood for that today. Or ever." Just as she had said those words, the grinding and whirring resumed, much to Luffy, Usopp and Chopper's excitement. Nami groaned, holding her head in her hands.
"Nami-swan, may I get you something for breakfast?" Sanji offered.
"Yes, please." Nami answered weakly. Sanji hurried off as Nami pulled up a chair next to Robin, who just smiled mysteriously as usual. How Robin could always be so patient with everyone in the crew, Nami would never know. What she did know was that she would never have that same patience. She began rubbing her feet to make them warm again.
"So, why are those idiots making and playing around in snow?" she asked.
"Don't you know, Nami-san? It's Christmas." Brook replied calmly. With his violin in hand, he began playing the all too familiar notes of "Jingle Bells." Nami pulled her hands up to tuck her hair behind her ears.
"I was trying to forget about that." she mused, resting her chin in her palm. Robin giggled at that.
Brook then stood up and started to play louder. Nami could hear the machine shut off once again before Franky, Luffy, Usopp and Chopper all began to sing the lyrics. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Nami rolled her eyes.
Sanji appeared with a plate of croissants and a mug of coffee. He placed the plate in between Nami and Robin and the mug before Nami. Robin had her own cup of tea in her hands as she sipped it.
"Ladies… I hope you enjoy." he cooed.
"Thank you, Sanji-kun." Nami told him. She grabbed a croissant and took a bite before looking around. "Hey, where's Zoro?"
"He's still sleeping." Robin commented.
"Stupid marimo…" Sanji muttered as he took Brook's seat at the table.
"With all of that?" Nami asked, now referring to the painfully out-of-tune singing of her crewmates. "He really will sleep through anything."
"We'll have to stop somewhere and get food for Christmas dinner." Sanji said, veering the topic of conversation away from Zoro. Robin nodded as she helped herself to a croissant.
"Good idea, Sanji-kun." Nami said. "We also have to shop for gifts for everyone!"
"Will we be doing secret Santas again this year?" Robin inquired.
"Hell no."
All three present were surprised to hear that another person had joined them in their discussion of Christmas. Zoro stood at the top of the stairs, scratching the back of his head with a scowl.
"I say no presents, no party, no anything this year." he said seriously.
"You say that every Christmas, and we still do all it anyway." Nami countered. "You're such a Scrooge, Zoro!"
In the background, they could hear Brook switch tunes. Suddenly, "Jingle Bells" turned into "Jingle Bell Rock." Nami couldn't help but tap her foot with a smile.
"Well, you certainly wouldn't object to food and drink on Christmas, would you?" Robin asked Zoro.
"That's different." Zoro stated.
"So, we'll have to get supplies at the next island." Robin reasoned. She directed her next question to Sanji. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Robin-chwan, thank you." Sanji said sweetly. Then, his voice turned sour. "We can't expect the shitty swordsman to understand."
"Oi…" Zoro said in a low voice.
"Now, now, none of that!" Nami intervened, waving her hands. "I just got out of a bad mood, and I don't want to go back into it."
"Of course, Nami-swan!" Sanji declared. Nami stood up and walked past Zoro.
"I'll have to see what inhabited islands are nearby on my map." she said over her shoulder. "Be right back!"
While Nami was sort of hesitant to leave Zoro and Sanji alone together for Robin to deal with, she crossed a lawn deck now free of snow. The hot weather was enough to melt it all quickly. Besides, the group of boys was absorbed in dancing and singing to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."
Nami hurried to the stern of the ship where the library was. Upon entering, she strode over to her desk and shuffled through log papers to find her map of the first half of the Grand Line. She unfurled it and laid it on top of the desk, scanning the piece of parchment. She didn't want to stray very much from the Log Pose's current heading, so she hoped that there was an island fairly close by. With luck, Nami jabbed her index finger onto a small dot just a few miles from where the Sunny was. She gathered the map up and rushed out of the library, leaving a trailed of log papers behind her. She would have to come back and clean that up later.
Nami re-emerged on the lawn deck, only to find everyone indulging in some breakfast. Every boy except for Sanji fought over the delicious spread that had been prepared for them. Nami was thankful that Sanji had made food for her and Robin first. She bypassed the bumbling group and returned to the bow of the Sunny, where Sanji was refilling Robin's teacup.
"So!" Nami announced. "There's actually an island not too far from this position." She set the map on the table, and Robin took a sip of tea as she looked at the map. Meanwhile, Nami turned around and addressed the entire crew.
"Mina!" she shouted. "We're making a quick stop for some more food! Franky, I need you to turn us to port at 45 degrees!"
"Right!" the cyborg responded after swallowing his food. He got to his feet and joined Nami, Sanji and Robin at the bow, grabbing the wheel. He turned the Sunny slightly and remained at the wheel.
"Need more food! Need more food!" Luffy began chanting. Soon, Usopp, Chopper and Brook had joined him.
"Shut up!" Zoro yelled at them. Yet, his command was in vain. Nami sighed and shook her head as she reassumed her seat at the table.
"This stop really will have to be quick." Nami said sternly. "We don't want the Log Pose to readjust in any way and take us off course."
"Don't worry, Nami-swan!" Sanji assured her. "I'll make sure those idiots are put to work! I've already put together a list of everything we'll need for Christmas dinner!"
"Very well, Sanji-kun." Nami said with a grin. "I'll leave it to you!"
The wind picked up a little bit and lifted Nami's hair, so she pulled it back into a short ponytail. The Sunny was well on its way.
It was only when the ship had arrived at the island that Nami realized the name of the island was Pāti Basho: "Party Place." When the crew all gathered together at the bow of the Sunny—Luffy in his customary spot on Sunny's head—Nami figured that they wouldn't even need to have a party this year. They could go to this one because it had definitely already started.
The harbor the Sunny was approaching was already filled with other ships, and people were everywhere. They were walking around, dancing, singing, eating, drinking, everything! The streets and buildings of the town were all decorated with bright lights, and shops were selling their wares, from food to toys. From the Sunny, the Strawhats could see a towering Christmas tree in the very center of the town, most likely in the square. Finally, real snow cascaded from the sky, and this officially put Nami into the Christmas spirit. The younger members of the crew started to get antsy, but before they could go anywhere, Nami called them all to attention.
"Now remember, Sanji's told you what you need to go and buy. NO side trips! I'm giving everyone an hour, and then we're leaving, with or without you! Got it?"
A resounding "hai" came from every member of the crew.
Franky navigated the Sunny very carefully until he could find a free spot in the harbor. Right as the ship came to a stop, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper and Brook bounded off onto the harbor deck and ran toward the town. Zoro was about to catch up.
"Zoro! Don't get lost!" Nami ordered him. A vein writhed in Zoro's forehead as he glared at Nami from the harbor deck.
"Shut it, woman! I won't!" he told her in irritation. He was walking away when Franky got off of the ship and started walking side by side with him. That left Nami with Robin, who she didn't mind shopping with, and Sanji, who she did mind shopping with.
"NAMI-SWAAANNN! ROBIN-CHWAAANNN! Won't you accompany me to the food vendors?" he requested.
"Actually, Nami and I have some shopping to do ourselves." Robin answered before Nami could. "But, we won't forget the things you need us to buy."
Sanji pouted a bit, but just briefly, before he knelt before Nami and Robin and bowed his head.
"Very well. A poor man is only as poor as his heart, but I know that my heart is rich with love for my ladies!" Nami rolled her eyes as Sanji took off toward the town. She and Robin took their time to get off the Sunny, but Nami started to shiver. Her shirt and shorts certainly weren't going to keep her warm.
"Uh, maybe I ought to dress in something heavier." Nami said through chattering teeth.
"I'll wait for you." Robin told her calmly.
"Okay!"
Nami ran as fast as she could back onto the Sunny and into the women's quarters. She threw on a light jacket and some khakis. Then, she returned to the entrance of the Sunny and looked down onto the harbor deck.
"Robin?" Nami shouted. However, her other female nakama had disappeared completely. Nami shrugged, accepting the fact that she was going out alone. She made her way onto the harbor deck and fought through a group of fishermen. She wandered through the town, marveling at the beautiful lights and even getting caught up into some dancing. Nami continued, and she spotted the heads of Luffy and Usopp as they entered a store. Other than them, Nami saw no sign of Robin or any other member of the crew.
Yet, at that moment, Nami spotted a clothing store. Unable to resist, she headed that way and spent a good deal of her hour in that store. When it was time to head back to the Sunny, Nami made her way down the bustling, main street. What she saw then nearly made her drop her bags of clothes and bust a gut. Zoro was waddling down the street, carrying huge gourds of sake on his back and in his arms. Nami skipped ahead to catch up with him.
"So, how's that going?" she teased when she approached him. Zoro looked at her and smiled confidently.
"Fine. Nothing I can't handle." he said.
"Uh huh… it sure looks like it." Nami goaded him.
"They're just awkward to hold, that's all." Zoro continued. Nami noticed that he wasn't going to be phased, but that was about to change. She smirked deviously and made a seemingly innocent comment.
"Well, it would just look really bad if everyone else beat you back to Sunny… including Sanji-kun."
It was as though Nami had flashed the color red in front of a bull. Zoro began to sprint down the street.
"HELL NO!" he roared, gaining the attention of everyone in the crowd as they stopped to witness a madman running through their town.
Nami finally let out a laugh, amused as she watched him become smaller and smaller the farther away he was. Nami strolled along until she was back at the harbor, and she found Zoro panting on the lawn deck of the Sunny, the gourds at his side. No one else had returned to the ship yet.
"You… witch…" he managed. Nami merely stuck her tongue out at him as she carried her bags on to the Sunny. Luckily, the rest of the crew wasn't far behind. Everyone carried at least one bag in each hand, and they were clamoring as they boarded their ship.
"Well, we got everything!" Usopp exclaimed. "What now?"
Nami examined her Log Pose and was relieved to find it unchanged. She grinned as she prepared to take her clothes back to her room.
"Take all of the food to the kitchen!" she commanded everyone. "Sanji has a lot of work to do! And Franky, get us out of here!"
Nami receded into the bowels of the Sunny as everyone separated and did their duties. Sure, it would've been fun to freeload all she wanted in that town, but Nami felt that there was nothing wrong with throwing a good, old-fashioned Straw Hat party.
Later that night, everything had been prepared. Nami had helped Franky resume the Sunny's course, and it was then time to get it all together. Lights were strung across the sails and masts of the ship. Even Nami's mikan trees were decorated with appropriately-colored lights: orange lights. Lights were wrapped around the railings, and wreaths hung on every door. A long table was bought for just this occasion, and it stood in the middle of the lawn deck. It was adorned with candles, plates and other utensils for place settings. There was also a small Christmas tree near the swing set, with presents underneath. The wine and sake were ready. The food was ready. And dinner was about to be served.
Nami and Robin were in the women's quarters, having decided to get all gussied up. Fittingly, Nami wore a red dress that hugged her curves and went down to her knees. It had a deep and revealing cleavage and tied at the back of her neck. Robin chose to wear a dark blue dress that went to the floor. The back of the dress was a beautiful, crisscrossing pattern. Nami thought that Robin looked as lovely as midnight. They helped each other with just a bit of make-up, and then, they arrived for dinner.
Of course, Sanji swooned right away.
"NAMI-SWAAANNN! ROBIN-CHWAAANNN! Angels from Heaven!" he cried. He catered to their every whim, offering each of them special seats on either side of him at the table.
"Well, way to make the rest of us feel underdressed." Usopp said with a chuckle.
"OWW! Looking good, ladies!" Franky exclaimed.
"Yohohoho, truly a beautiful sight to behold." Brook remarked.
"LET'S EAT ALREADY!" Luffy demanded. Every member of the crew laughed at that before they all took their seats. Zoro sat across from Nami, staring at her. Nami was mortified to feel her cheeks burning with a blush. He simply looked away and helped himself to some sake.
Once everyone's drinks were poured, each glass was clanked together in a huge circle.
"Kanpai!"
Nami took a swirl of her glass of wine and gulped. She helped herself to every food on the table, conscious of where Zoro's hands were so that she wouldn't touch them with her own. She even avoided eye contact with him. What was the matter all of the sudden? Zoro had only looked at her, and nothing else. So, why was Nami trembling like a school girl as she ate a bite of smoked salmon?
"Shawngi, yur food ish shoooo good!" Luffy managed through a mouth full of food. Nami downed her glass of wine and grabbed the bottle violently to pour herself some more. She would take this glass slow. She had to calm down.
Everyone stuffed themselves until there was hardly any food left, and they all slowed down as they got to dessert. Brook started playing "Silent Night" on his violin as everyone began to relax. Nami finished her wine just as Sanji stood up next to her and offered his hand.
"Nami-san, may I have this dance?" he asked softly.
"Oh, I guess." she answered a bit uncertainly. She couldn't help but glance at Zoro. He seemed preoccupied with another glass of sake. She had no idea why, but somehow, Nami felt insulted. So, if Zoro didn't care, then neither did she. Sanji took one of her hands in his and set his other hand on her waist. Nami rested her free hand on his shoulder, and they proceeded to slow dance. Luffy and Chopper pretended to slow dance together goofily, much to Sanji's chagrin. Even Franky offered his hand to Robin, and they started to sway together not too far from Nami.
"Oi, Brook, pick it up already!" Usopp exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Luffy and Chopper chimed in. Fulfilling their wish, Brook changed his pace and started to play "Joy to the World."
"Baka! Go back to playing that slow song!" Sanji protested angrily. Yet, he was promptly ignored as Brook began to sing along.
"It's okay, Sanji-kun." Nami told him. "I had fun dancing with you." She parted from him, but with one look over her shoulder, she saw that Robin and Franky hadn't quite separated yet. Nami raised an eyebrow out of curiosity.
"OI! Who bought THAT?!" Luffy shouted.
This got everyone's attention, and every pair of eyes followed the direction in which Luffy was pointing. Hanging on the upper deck by a string, just near the door to the kitchen, was a sprig of mistletoe.
There was a collective groan from the younger crew members. Everyone knew who was responsible for buying that, and they stared him down as Nami moved farther away from him.
"Oi…" Sanji said in a low voice.
"You ero-cook." Zoro grumbled.
"WHAT WAS THAT?"
"Sanji-kun!" Nami interrupted. "Why did you hang it up there? I'll bring it down."
"Oh no, Nami-san, let's you and I go up there!" Sanji suggested.
"Over my dead body!" Zoro yelled.
"Yeah, no making out! Ewwww!" Luffy, Usopp and Chopper said in unison.
Nami stormed to the upper deck with Sanji and Zoro fighting each other over access to the stairs. Having no patience, Nami yanked the mistletoe off of the string, and it fell into her open hand. She pinched its stem in between her index finger and thumb. She turned around to find Sanji and Zoro still bickering on the stairs. She made her way towards them. And then, just as Zoro had gotten an edge over Sanji, Nami tripped.
It was as though time itself slowed down. Nami felt her left ankle give in, and her momentum started to carry her down the stairs. She landed right on Zoro's chest, and her arms found their way around Zoro's neck. His hands somehow landed squarely on her hips. And their faces came together, smashing Nami's lips against his.
Yeah, this chapter was getting to be pretty long, so I decided to stop it at that cliffhanger. But, never fear! ;)
