"hey Nami? You're not looking so bright are you OK?" Tani commented to the navigator who was breathing heavily when trying to get out of bed. Nami turned to the concerned tracker and waved her off.
"I'm fine," Nami said with a wispy voice. Her sweaty forehead and flushed cheeks said otherwise, but Tani wouldn't pester her about it. "have you seen Vivi? I need to ask her some questions about Alabasta," Nami asked.
"I think she's gone to relax on the deck, she probably needs time to relax since we're about to go all 'saving the country from a civil war'... It must be nerve wrecking if you ask me," Tani rambled, pulling out a shirt from a set of draws and slipping it on. Nami nodded and sluggishly pulled herself out of bed and wobbled out the door, Tani's concerned eyes watched her the whole time.
...
"Nami!" the fearful cries of Vivi called out, interrupting the daily activities of the crew. Everyone rushed to the aid of their weakened navigator laying on the floor in a feverish mess. "who's a doctor?" Vivi cried, pulling Nami onto her lap to make the sickly women more comfortable. The crew looked at each other, then pointed at Nami. Vivi's face blanked.
"we need a doctor! This fever doesn't seem normal," Vivi said shakily. Nami shook her head, pulling herself off the ground and standing up painfully. Her hands gripping the railing of the Merry with whitened knuckles. "Nami hold still, you aren't well," Vivi stated.
"we... We can't stop, I'm fine... Really," Nami struggled to reassure. Nobody bought it. Nami glared, "we can't stop, didn't you all see the papers this morning. Alabasta is on the brink of a civil war, we need to get there as fast as possible," Nami sounded desperate. Vivi looked pale, a flash of emotions flew across her face. Landing on a face of determination.
"you're right, we do need to get to Alabasta as fast as possible," Vivi parroted, a small smile crawled onto her face. "captain, set your courses for the closest island, we're finding a doctor," she smiled, turning to the navigator who sighed and smiled weakly back. Luffy grinned and commanded as Vivi had requested. The crew set to work, while they left Nami to rest for the day.
The boat was set on course for the closest island. The crew decided to relax for for the ride there, worry for Nami's condition lingering in all their minds.
"I hope she didn't catch anything contagious, I would rather avoid flu season this year," Tani spoke aloud while messing around with a yo-yo. Luffy looked curious about her random statement.
"flu season? Do you get sick often?" he asked, leaning forward from his spot atop the Merry's head. Tani gave him a nod.
"sorta, it's a yearly thing. Do you not have flu season?" she responded. Luffy shook his head. "well if I think about it... Your out to sea all the time rather than cluttered in huge cities. So that space would probably make it harder to catch the flu or stomach bugs," she thought aloud. Luffy looked like his head was gonna explode from processing all that information. Tani laughed, spinning her yo-yo's absentmindedly.
"sounds boring," Luffy stated bluntly, Tani giggled and nodded in agreement. Luffy lazed around, looking at Tani with a soft smile. "sailing the seas with nakama is the best," he sighed happily, closing his eyes and sunbathing. Tani couldn't agree more.
The pair remained silent for the rest of the morning. At around lunch time they went to check on Nami, who had gotten worse. Not even Luffy's silly faces could put a smile on the sickly girls face. It wasn't a pretty sight... Tani felt knots curl and form in her stomach at the deathly look of pain and agony on Nami's face. It was awful... Sanji looked depressed when serving her lunch, which she failed to eat. Vivi didn't leave Nami's side for the whole day.
"she hasn't woken up since late this morning," Vivi sounded like she was on the brink of tears. Tani sighed and left the room after Vivi's update on Nami's state. It made her feel uncomfortable, she hadn't been in a situation like this since her grandpa was in hospital for pneumonia. Man she hated the cold...
"hey! Guys check this out," Usopp called from the deck. Everyone jumped up and ran for the front of the ship. Only to get slapped in the face with an icy breeze and a face full of snow! What the hell? It was sunny like 20 minutes ago! Luffy didn't seem bothered until someone pointed out his lack of warm clothing. "it looks like some guy is floating on the water?" Usopp pointed at the jester looking dude just chilling on the ocean.
"what the actual-" Tani started. The guy rose from the ocean, standing atop a giant submarine... Of course they have submarines in this world! Why wouldn't they! Tani was so lost in her stupid brain that she didn't realize that the submarine had opened up and a gangplank lowered down. A huge hippo of a man waddled out and boarded their ship. Nore did she realize the crowd of armed men surrounding her and the others aboard the deck.
The large man took a look around the boat, his eyes hungry with greed. What was he doing? Was he going to try a take over? Because he seemed to have a perfectly fine boat.
"this vessel looks simply delicious," the chubby man commented. Tani's face blanked. Delicious? What is he gonna do? eat the-
Chomp
"dont eat Merry!" Luffy shouted angrily at the man who was loudly chewing on the chunk of the ship his massive gob managed to chomp off the Merry. The small army of men who were surrounding the straw hats were swiftly taken out as everyone made a dash for this jackass.
"do you know who I am?! I'm the king of this kingdom! Wapol!" yelled big guts. Luffy huffed, throwing his arms back to prepare an attack.
"I don't care who you are, you bit Merry so I'm gonna kick your ass!" he declared, jumping towards Wapol. Tani was busy fending off a small group of goons to really be paying attention to Luffy's fight. Sanji's legs were flying around, while Zoro's blades clashed against the weapons of the goons. The sound of shots being fired and men shouting as their clothes set on fire were scattered around the deck.
Wapol opened his mouth wide, Luffy flew in much to the concern of Tani and the boys on deck. Who all froze as they watched the guy chew on the rubber man. Luffy's arms were still held out in preparation for a-
"gun gum bazooka!" he shouted, muffled by the closed mouth of Wapol. Luffy launched the man off the boat, sending him flying into the chilly oceans afar. His followers scrambled to chase after the man who probably had a devil fruit because that mouth was way too big for any regular human. The boat was freed from all the goons, leaving the crew to stand in confusion at the random encounter.
"well... I guess that confirms that there's an island nearby," Usopp broke the silence with a positive comment. Tani went to make a comment but a cold wind blew against her exposed skin... Oh right it's freezing!
Tani ran back into the girls cabin, pulling out the huge winter coat she brought from the other dimension store. As well as swapping out her lucky cap for a warm beanie, earmuffs, gloves and a thick wooly scarf. She looked like the stay puff marshmallow man... A very grumpy marshmallow man. They better find a doctor soon, she hated this place already. The shallow breaths of Nami in the room made Tani feel sick to her stomach.
"hang in there Nami," she whispered to the women, who groaned in pain. Vivi opened the door to the room and entered with a tray of food that was probably for Nami. Tani passed the blue haired princess without a word. Walking out on deck to find Luffy and Usopp making snowmen in the already thick layer of snow on the ship. Tani groaned at the snow... She hated the cold.
"how about a warm beverage for a lovely lady?" Sanji's suave voice asked. The dark skinned girl turned around to find a steaming cup of what looked like hot chocolate being handed to her by the god sent that is Sanji. She pulled her scarf down from her mouth and thanked the cook. Grabbing the mug and savouring the warmth it provided her.
"Tani Tani! Come play with us," Luffy called out, waving from behind his snowman. Tani smiled reluctantly and shook her head. Luffy pouted for a split second... Before he had a mischievous look and ducked behind the cover of his snowman. What was he-
Thwack!
A snowball collided with the unsuspecting victims face. Luffy's laughter filled the air, with some restrained snickers from Usopp. Tani remained frozen for a solid minute, she was mad... Mad and cold. If he wanted a war, he was gonna get one.
She stood up slowly, her hand swiping the snowy residue from her chilled skin. Her eyes burned with annoyance. Luffy was too busy rolling in the snow laughing his ass off to notice her change in mood. Tani quietly scooped a handful of snowballs into her hands, holding them behind her back. She waltzed over in a nonchalant fashion, a sickly sweet smile on her face. Luffy looked up at her with a successful grin... He doesn't suspect a thing.
Tani got in a little closer.
Almost there.
Now!
She pulled her arsenal of snowballs from behind her back and slammed them all into Luffy. Knocking the boy back onto the ground in a blanket of snow. She turned away with a maniacal laugh... Only for Luffy to throw another snowball at the back of her head with such force that she fell face first into the snow. Oh it's on!
Tani grabbed fists full of snow and piffed them at the rubber man, who avoided her attempts to hit him again. This lead to an all out war between the girl, the captain and the sniper. Usopp never missed a shot, he was probably the winner of the snowball fight. That didn't really matter because the three were giggling and enjoying themselves for hours. This was probably the first time... That Tani had ever not been bothered by the cold.
Dinner was pretty... Empty, without Nami around it just felt wrong. Her smile, her yelling when Luffy stole her food, her laugh at all the crews shenanigans. Everyone in the room seemed down. Even Luffy couldn't muster up the energy to steal as much food as he normally did. The atmosphere set Tani off, the girl slammed her hands on the table and stood up loudly.
"this is just wrong... Nami is all alone in the girls cabin," Tani said solemnly. Lifting her eyes to look at everyone in the room, the boys looked pretty bummed out. Even Zoro seemed off, and that guy had the emotional range of a G.I Joe action figure. Vivi looked just as sad as she had all day. Tani perked up as a thought bubbled in her brain. "why don't we go and keep her company tonight?" she suggested with a grin. Everyone seemed to brighten at the thought. Guess we're having a sleepover.
...
Nami rubbed her eyes tiredly as she lifted herself into an upright position. Her hand propping herself up while the other held her heavy head. The sound of snoring filled the quiet air, her eyes turned to find Vivi sleeping peacefully at the foot of Nami's bed. Zoro and Usopp were sleeping on the carpeted ground, while Tani slept in her bed with Luffy half on her bed and half on the floor. Sanji was absent from the room, most likely on watch for the night. Nami smiled at the sight, thankful for the amazing nakama she found herself sailing the world with.
...
"land ahoy!" Tani cheered from the crows nest, waving her arms to grab everyone's attention. Every able-bodied crew member ran to the front of the boat and looked at the massive mountain in the centre of the island. "let's get that doctor!" Tani said excitedly.
The boat made its way inward to dock. Sanji went into the cabin to grab and escort Nami, because he didn't trust Luffy to do it since he's as reckless as a bull in a china store. The boat slowly sailed inland, the shadows of trees being obscured by the snowy wind... Wait a sec? The trees are moving? The small shadowy blobs coloured and revealed themselves to be people... People with guns.
"leave!" a man shouted, his gun pointed towards the crew of the ship. A couple dozen men surrounded the banks of the lake, all of them aiming for those aboard the ship. Luffy held his shoulder but didn't move to attack just yet. Vivi stood beside Luffy with a concerned look in her eyes. "get out of this country!" another man demanded.
Luffy seemed to be growing visibly upset with their demands. He rolled his arm once, a man panicked and fired. Vivi pushed Luffy out of the way, the bullet grazing her shoulder. A small patch of blood stained her clothes, her hand holding the stinging wound. Usopp and Tani dropped to her side, Luffy looked angry now.
"Luffy stop!" Vivi commanded, Luffy halted and stared at her. "you call yourself a leader?! What leader resorts to violence?" she sounded saddened. Luffy's face dropped. Vivi turned back to the crowd of people, bowing to the ground.
"please, help us. Our navigator is very ill, sh-she... She could die," Vivi's voice shook with concern and desperation. Luffy looked at the people and bowed his upper body.
"please, save my nakama," he asked simply, his voice sounded hurt. A mix of the situation being stressful and Vivi's comment striking a cord. Tani turned to Usopp who looked concerned.
"wait," a deep, stoic voice called to the crowd. A large man in green armour called to the people, who all backed away to let him pass. "how can we trust you? Mere moments ago you threatened the people of this land. How do we know you won't just rampage our homes?" the man asked. Luffy tensed, scrunching up his face before lifting his head and staring deeply into the man's eyes.
"please, she needs help... My nakama needs help," he pleaded. Tani had never seen him in such a state of distress. It was unnerving to say the least. Sanji walked onto deck with Nami piggy backing on him. The green armoured man turned to look at her and his eyes softened.
"let them through," he said to the people, who all backed down. Some even offering to help them transport the sick navigator. Zoro stayed behind to guard the ship with Carue, the rest of the crew followed the armed men.
The trip to Bighorn (the town) was silent. Luffy was lost in thought, his face looking like a blank canvas. Tani bumped her shoulder against his and shot him a soft smile. He looked up at her, his blank face lightened slightly. Tani bumped into him again, Luffy's eyes flashed playfully. His shoulder bumped into hers, like a friendly game to lighten the mood.
"we should be arriving shortly," Dalton (the green armoured man) informed the straw hat crew. The tension seemed to ease up as the bright lights glittered in the distance. It looked like Christmas, Tani thought to herself with a childish smile. Luffy glanced at the girls awestruck face and found himself feeling warmer, his stomach did some weird flips... Maybe he was hungry.
The crew tumbled into a small hut. A man who wasn't a doctor but still had some kind of medical training looked over Nami's condition and looked defeated.
"it looks like she's going to need a professional, but Dr Kureha isn't down from the mountain at the moment," he stated. The crew looked among each other. What couldn't some random doctor look at her?
"what about your local doctor? Or a doctor in a town nearby?" Tani voiced her thoughts. Dalton shook his head.
"this land hasn't had any doctors since the rule of Wapol. Who banished all but 20 of the best doctors, and appointed them to work exclusively for him," Dalton explained... Of course! The closest island doesn't have doctors except the one on the giant ass mountain! What kind of unlucky hex had been placed on this crew?
"so you're saying that the only doctor around is the one on the top of the mountain?" Usopp asked, Dalton nodded in confirmation. Everyone's faces dropped... Everyone except Luffy.
"let's just climb the mountain," he stated like it was the most reasonable plan on earth. Everyone stared at him with blank expressions. Usopp being the first to vocalise his opinion.
"are you crazy?! How are you meant to climb a mountain? Let alone bring Nami who is so sick she can barely keep her eyes open!" Usopp complained, trying to reason with his crazy captain.
"the mountain is also inhabited by Lapahn's. They're very dangerous creatures who are extremely territorial. It wouldn't be wise to make such a journey," Dalton stated. Luffy clenched his fists.
"what else can we do? We don't know when the doctor will next show up. So we should go to the doctor," Luffy reasoned. He had a point, and if anyone could do it. It would be Luffy. "Nami, can you stay strong for me? We're gonna get you some help," he asked her.
"Lu-ffy..." Nami's weak voice interrupted. All eyes were on her. "let's... Let's do it," she smiled, Luffy groaned from ear to ear and held out a hand to high five the navigator. With a clap of the hands, the deal was sealed.
"I'm coming with you," Sanji declared, making his way to Nami. "I can't trust you to hold her delicately," Sanji pulled Nami onto his back, the girl limply laid on his back while Usopp went to tie a rope around the pair to prevent Nami from slipping off Sanji's back.
"I'm coming too, you guys are going to need all the help you can get if you wanna make it to that mountain in one piece," Tani decided with little thought, Luffy smiled at her and nodded.
"Usopp and I can stay here and wait for you guys to come back," Vivi said, Usopp let out a sigh of relief. Luffy nodded in confirmation, walking to the door. Tani quickly pulled off her earmuffs and shoved them into Nami's head. She needed them more than the tracker did anyway.
"let's go find that doctor!" Luffy commanded, Sanji and Tani nodded and followed behind Luffy who was leading the way. The chill of the winter air nipping at the four travellers on a mission to save their nakama.
...
"it's so cold..." Tani grumbled, trudging her legs through the knee deep snow. How the hell Luffy was running around in jorts! She would never know. "if I see that Wapol guy again, I'm going to shove his face into the snow and drown him..." Tani declared into her thick scarf. Luffy laughed, wrapping his warm arm around her shoulder. Tani melted at the touch, he was so warm!
"hurry up Luffy," Sanji snapped at the captain, his face shifted into a more pleasant one when addressing Tani. "if you're so cold why not embrace me?" he offered, Tani appreciated the offer.
"you should focus on Nami's warmth, I'd just be stealing it," she replied, Sanji looked back at the napping Nami on his back and shifted her into a more comfortable position. Tani turned back to Luffy and slung an arm around his shoulders.
A small rabbit charged at them for a solid 30 minutes before Luffy got feed up and punched the rabbit into the distance when it almost knocked Tani over. Tani felt a wave of panic hit her, didn't Dalton mention a dangerous creature that lurks in the woods? He didn't give a description of the beasts but it was probably a good idea to keep an eye on the area.
"what's wrong? You still cold?" Luffy asked. Tani looked at the questioning boy and gave him a reassuring look.
"well yeah, but I'll live," she assured, Luffy nodded and turned back to walking up the mountain base. Tani kept her eyes on the surrounding area. It felt like the snow had eyes, like they were being watched for every step they made. Did that snow just move or was she imagining things? She couldn't really say and it was bothering the hell out of her.
A white blur swiped at the dark skinned girls face, her body jerked backwards. The white furry paw clipped the tip of her long fringe, which flew backwards with her. Luffy turned back to look at her, watching in surprise at the large form of a rabbit loomed over her downed self. The winded girl remained stuck in the snow. If he didn't act now, she would probably die.
"gum gum pistol!" he launched a punch at the beast, sending it into the gathering pack of rabbit monsters. He ran towards Tani and hauled her up, the dizzy girl looked around in a daze before her brain registered what just happened. She grabbed Luffy by the collar of his jacket and dragged him away from the fight to catch up with Sanji before he was too overwhelmed.
Sanji jumped and dodged as much as he could, not letting a single blow hit Nami nor himself. Luffy sent his fists flying at the creatures attacking Sanji, while Tani whipped her yo-yo's at them. The Duo fended off the creatures as best they could. The creatures even retreated! Much to the relief of the straw hats. Luffy and Tani stayed on either side of Sanji and Nami. Keeping their eyes peeled for any more surprise attacks.
What they didn't suspect was a large number of the rabbits to rally at the top of the hill. They stood in a line, like a barricade to prevent them from passing. They proceeded to jump up and down, the impact of their jumps sent shockwaves through the earth below them. The crackly rumble of snow shifting sent Tani's stomach to drop.
"shit! The bastards are starting an avalanche!" she screamed, the cigarette in Sanji's mouth dropped as they looked on in horror at the rushing wave of snow racing down the mountain to submerge them.
"head for cover!" Sanji called as he ran towards a small spike of land, that wouldn't have enough room for the four of them. The space would be safe from the snow. He dived for it, his hands firmly gripped around Nami to steady her. Luffy and Tani continued to run past, searching desperately for cover. Luffy perked up when his vision landed on a sturdy looking tree up ahead.
Luffy looped his arm around Tani's waist, while the other grabbed the tree top. He launched himself with Tani in tow into the tree. Tani screamed rather pathetically, she still was not a fan of heights. Luffy's hold of her didn't loosen when they landed atop the tree, her arms found themselves wrapped around his neck so she didn't fall. A small whimper of fear left her throat as she looked down at the rushing snow the approached the tree.
The snow came much faster and much harder than the pair anticipated. The snow smashed into the tree, knocking it over. Both of them lost their grips on each other. Luffy went flying while Tani was caught on a branch that tangled around her scarf. She watched in horror as the sea of snow engulfed her view, the panicked eyes of Luffy staring into her terrified ones. She held and arm out, grabbing at Luffy but the snow was quick to consume her. Her senses grew cold, her breathing ceased. Her final thought lingered in her mind...
...Oh how she hated the cold...