A/N: Oh wow after 2 years I finally update... I'm really sorry for taking so long, I'm just really busy as of now, so it's hard to make updates...
Anyways here is the next chapter! Hope you guys enjoy :D
"An island down south? That's a weird name... is that far?" asked Luffy as he played and gave all the attention towards his straw hat.
"That's not the name of the island, Luffy, but the location" Ace tried to explain to his little brother who was once again dense about the choice of topic.
"Oh..."
"O-oi, Luffy, don't you think you should take this seriously?" Usopp muttered, his voice sounding a bit tense. "I mean this does sound a b-bit dangerous... and the center of this danger is you!"
The doctor, Chopper, who was clinging on the sniper nodded in agreement. Zoro on the other hand tried to remain calm about everything, if his captain and those he cared about are still in safe hands, then there's no need for him to panic knowing that everyone will eventually get out of this mess.
Ace on the other hand saw the fear in Luffy's friends eyes, and he completely understood why, in fact he himself was scared of how things are going to turn out from here on out.
"So will you go?" Ace paused for a while to rephrase what he had just said, "Rather, you have to go."
Luffy stopped fiddling with his hat to glance up at his brother. He saw Ace's face plastered with concern towards him, and the war that they might enter in soon.
Luffy understands the situation really well. He knows that if he delays any longer, things could get worse, he knows that he has to leave the island immediately, even if it means leaving the situation between him and Nami unresolved.
"The headquarters?"
"Like I said, it was attacked a few days ago... so it's unsafe for all four of you, especially you Luffy, to go back, but right now Gramps is strengthening their defences to prevent further damage."
"...This island?"
"Me and Marco's units will be in charge of protecting this place."
"..."
Everything seemed in place, and it seems like Luffy didn't have to worry much. Everyone had already prepared beforehand, everyone except for him of course.
"You will leave... right?" Ace asked one last time.
Luffy had to turn his gaze away from Ace for a bit before he made his decision. He bit his lip wondering if this was really okay, but there was no other choice right?
"Alright, this will seem like a great adventure anyway!" he responded as he gave his older brother a big grin.
There was relief in Ace's eyes when he saw the smile his brother had just given him.
"You'll leave in a week to prepare. The journey will last for a month... if things go smoothly."
Luffy nodded. He turned for the door along with his friends, but before he could, Ace called out to him once again.
"Franky, Robin, and Brook will be waiting for you in the island by the way. I just wanted you to know that."
Luffy's face lit up when he heard his friend's names. The last time he saw them was on the day before he left for Fuusha, so he definitely wanted to see them again. The raven haired boy then faced the door once again, but before he opened it, he looked at his older brother one last time.
"Ace..."
"Hmm?"
"Sorry... about Nami finding out..." his apology was sincere, and his brother could even see it in his eyes.
There was silence. Ace knew it wasn't his fault and that the girl would find out eventually anyway.
"Don't worry about it, just make sure you fix things before you leave alright?"
Luffy nodded and left the room in silence with his friends following him from behind, leaving Ace the only one in the Dadan residence.
The walk down the mountain was filled with silence with Luffy leading the team. Usopp, Chopper, and Zoro knew that they were partly at fault why Nami hated their captain, and seeing how Luffy tried to shrug it all off brought a pang of guilt within them. They knew how much their captain wanted to see her again, they knew how much he cared for the girl and how he felt for her. Heck there wasn't a single day where he wouldn't even mention the orange haired woman during their conversations. But then now, the reunion that Luffy had hoped for was all torn apart just because of a slight mistake.
"L-Luffy...?" the doctor called out from behind as he held Zoro's hand in fears that the man would get separated from the group.
"Hmmm?" Luffy looked back at Chopper as they kept moving forward.
"S-sorry..." Chopper looked down trying to think formulate words to ask for forgiveness. "About your friend..."
Luffy stopped moving for a moment, and the rest followed suit. There was silence. Luffy turned towards Chopper and walked towards him. Luffy crouched in front of the doctor to meet eyes. Chopper was scared on how his captain was going to react, but he didn't look away and waited for what his captain was about to say.
There was a pat on the shoulder. It was Luffy's way of comforting the young brunette.
"Heh it's fine! Don't worry too much about it!" Luffy assured the doctor and gave his brightest smile. "She gets mad a lot when we were kids, so I'm used to it."
Chopper's face lit up and felt reassured with his captain's words and actions. Usopp on the other hand was still concerned about his leader's affairs.
"But will you tell her...?" There was a pause.
Luffy looked towards the source of the question and saw his sniper, face painted with worry.
"I mean, you got a week right? So you have to tell her the truth and about you... leaving..." Usopp didn't actually know where he was going with this, but his only aim was to restore Luffy and Nami's relationship once more. "If she knew the truth then... she might take back—"
"Nah." Luffy stood up straight from his spot and turned his back on his friends and continued walking.
Then there was silence. They knew that once Luffy had decided upon something, then there was no turning back for him.
"I'm such an idiot." Nami hid her face with her hands while she sat down on a wooden stool, hoping that the events that had just transpired would eventually erase from existence.
Nojiko didn't know how to comfort her sister. She knew she was partly at fault for making her sister feel like this, especially after wanting Nami to forget about Luffy without knowing that the boy would actually come back.
The sisters were currently handling their stall in the market as usual. Nojiko was taking care most of the things since Nami was out of it due to what had happened before to the said orange haired girl.
"Why don't you try seeing him again..."
Nami lifted her head from her hands to have a glimpse at her older sister who was keeping watch for incoming customers.
"Well not now of course. Try to sort things out and clear your head first. You're really smart, Nami, and I don't want you making the wrong decisions okay? Bellemere wouldn't want to see you like this."
The name of their foster mother had a nice ring to Nami's ears. It has been a long time since she heard someone call her mother's name due to fears that might bring back some horrible memories of the past, of how Bellemere fought along with others to protect the island, to protect everyone, and for them to keep on living.
"I'll... I'll think about it."
Nojiko sighed at her sister's response.
"I'm really sorry."
Nami's eyes widened at what she had just heard from her sister. She looked up at the older woman and saw that she was still minding the stall. Then Nojiko's lips parted once more signalling that she wasn't finished with what she has to say.
"I'm really sorry for wanting you to forget about Luffy. I'm really sorry that because of it, you had to get hurt like this." Nojiko paused for a while, trying to find the right words for her to continue. "I wanted you to forget... because I was scared that you would wait for nothing. I didn't want you to get hurt, and have your life wasted on waiting for someone that might never come back."
"Nojiko..." Nami tried to call out, but only ended up as a whisper.
"I didn't want you to waste your life waiting forever, that's why I wanted you to forget about him... but..." Nojiko then faced her sister, walked towards her and wrapped her arms around the younger woman. "but I didn't know that things would turn out like this! I'm so sorry, Nami."
Warm tears slid down Nojiko's cheeks, she couldn't hold them back, not after the mistake she had done towards her sister. If she were to be honest about her intentions, it was truly because she was scared. She was scared that Nami might end up like her, waiting for nothing. Waiting for a man who had promise to come back for her, only to find out a few years later that he had already died during his service fighting in the war. She didn't want that same pain to be experienced by her only family, her only sister.
As she kept on sobbing, she felt gentle arms around wrap around her, signalling that Nami had returned the hug she was giving.
"It's fine... I understand." Nami told her sister in the most caring way as possible.
Nojiko nodded at what Nami had said and pulled herself back from the hug. She wiped her tears away and took a deep breath before she said what else she had to say.
"As for Sanji..."
Nami tensed up at the name.
"You should give him your answer soon." Nojiko knew that things had to be settled before everything else got worse "I mean you should know your answer by now right?"
Nami bowed her head a bit, staring at the ground. She bit her lip knowing that Nojiko was right, she can't leave the blonde hanging for too long, not especially now that Luffy was back.
"I'll... I'll tell him tomorrow..."
Nojiko smiled at her sister for what she had just said.
"But... that doesn't mean that I've forgiven him... Luffy I mean."
The following day had come and Nami waited patiently by the backdoor of Baratie. Just like what she had promised her sister, she was going to give her answer to Sanji. As much as she didn't want to do this, she knew she had to. This was the only way to finally settle things, the only way to lessen the weight that's been pulling her down.
Suddenly she hears the creaking of the door opening, and coming out of it was the person she has to face.
"Sorry Nami, did I make you wait long?"
Nami shook her head towards the blonde man who was now standing in front of her.
She didn't make any eye contact at first. Trying to formulate words that will hurt him the least, yet convey what she had to say.
The orange haired girl then takes one deep breath and finally faces the man in front of her.
"Sanji, I—"
"You don't have to say it." Sanji interrupted her. "I clearly know what you're going to tell me."
Sanji slowly looked away from Nami, yet he stood his ground, his eyes clearly showing a hint of sadness within them.
"Sanji..."
"It's fine, I guess I never really stood a chance did I? Especially knowing that he actually came back for you."
Nami was taken aback with what she had just heard.
"That's not it!" Nami bit her lip, pausing trying to think of what to say next or at least how to explain herself properly. "He didn't come back for me! And even if he was here, that idiot didn't even tell me anything..."
There was a hint of bitterness in Nami's voice. Sanji took notice of this.
"I guess that's how it looks like huh? But from how the way things are... it looks more like he just wasn't allowed to do so."
"Huh?" Nami was confused at what Sanji was saying, in fact why was he saying these things? And in the first place, how did he actually know that Luffy was back? Did someone tell him?
"Well I don't know the guy personally seeing as how I only arrived in the island after he had left 12 years ago." Sanji tried to explain himself seeing as how Nami was currently confused, most likely because of how he knew about Luffy's arrival. "But... while I was walking around town yesterday, I overheard some soldiers saying stuff like Luffy blew his cover, or how he had failed his task of sorts."
Nami's brows had furrowed by what she had just heard. What did Sanji mean by task? Blow his cover? Why did he have to hide his identity in the first place? Everyone was already aware that the soldiers were around the vicinity and him being one of them, was there even any reason for him to hide his identity? More questions just keep on building up inside Nami's head, and she just couldn't find any answers to it.
"Well I guess I'm taking up your time, I better get back to work." Sanji stated as he snapped Nami out of her thoughts. The blonde was already making his way back inside Baratie.
"W-wait Sanji!" Nami didn't even get to give him a proper explanation for her rejecting him, though there wasn't any reason anymore since Sanji already knew why, but she felt bad that things had to turn out this way.
Sanji halted and looked back at Nami. He knew that Nami was feeling guilty for rejecting him, and he didn't want that, he wanted to reassure her that he was just fine, true it hurts, but he'll get through it.
He took a few steps back towards Nami to face her once more. When he was in front of her, he leaned down towards Nami to give her a quick peck on the cheek. Once he pulled back, he gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry too much about me alright, Nami?" He looked at Nami as she looked back at him, his smile never faltering. "But if ever that Luffy guy ends up breaking your heart, make sure you run back and tell me and I'll definitely beat him up!"
Nami laughed at what the blonde had just said. It was reassuring that Sanji is taking the rejection well, and the weight that's been bringing her down had lightened up a bit.
With everything settled, Nami had left Baratie, and Sanji went back to work. As for where Nami was going, she wasn't quite sure. One thing for certain is that that last thing weighing her down is still nagging her, and she just wasn't sure if she wanted to actually confront that nagging feeling at all.
There was only One day left until the departure of Luffy and his gang. Everything needed for the voyage to the other island has already been taken care of. The only thing they had to wait for was the departure itself, and this will take place before the sun rises the following morning.
Of course everything was going smoothly, there were no enemy attacks or sightings so far, which is something the entire fleet is quite fearful of.
The only thing that hasn't been taken care of out of all the things needed was the situation between Luffy and Nami.
Ever since the incident of Nami figuring out Luffy's identity, the two had never met or spoken at all. When one noticed that the other was nearby, they would just turn around and walk the other way trying to avoid each other's contact.
It was definitely hard, especially for Luffy. He still seemed like his usual bubbly self, but his friends knew that this was all to reassure them that he was doing fine when he actually isn't.
Zoro, Chopper and Usopp tried to talk to Luffy on how he should go see the girl and tell her about the situation, and maybe if he did, then the girl would forgive him and take back her words. Luffy on the other hand only said that it was fine and no such thing was needed. That it was best that things stayed the way they are.
With that, the trio then decided to talk to Ace about it, but Ace on the other hand had told them that he already tried confronting Luffy about it, how he should fix things before he leaves and to not make any regrets seeing as how he might never get the chance to go back to Fuusha, but the brother only got the same response as the trio got.
"I wish there was some way we can help Luffy..." Chopper said to break the silence between the three of them.
Zoro, Usopp and Chopper were out in the harbour to do some last minute check-ups on their ship, to see if everything was definitely ready for tomorrow and that the reserves will last them until they reach the destined island. Since they were done with that said task, the trio was currently sitting by one of the benches in the harbour, overlooking the grand ocean before them.
"Man, I really feel bad... I mean it was kinda our fault things got messy between them..." Usopp stated.
Zoro only sighed at what his friends had to say.
"What's done is done, can't really blame anyone now." Zoro stated, not breaking his gaze at the ocean before him. "What happens here on out is all up to Luffy."
Chopper and Usopp remained silent. Chopper was somewhat agreeing to what Luffy's right hand man had just said, but Usopp on the other hand... He just couldn't accept it. Especially knowing that Luffy will definitely not do anything about the situation seeing as how his mind is already made up, and the only way to fix things is for someone to actually take the first step, and obviously Nami won't take it since she seemed as equally as stubborn as Luffy from Usopp's perspective.
"UGH! YOU KNOW WHAT I'LL JUST GO!" Usopp declared with a hint of irritation.
"Eh?" Chopper was rather confused by what Usopp had said. Mostly because the long nosed man wasn't usually the type to take the first initiative. "Go where Usopp?"
"To find that Nami girl of course!" Usopp stood up from his spot and looked at his friends. "If none of them will clear this up, then at least one of us has to!"
Chopper seemed convinced by Usopp's declaration, Zoro on the other hand only watched the sniper in silence.
Usopp felt a bit intimidated by Zoro's look, but that didn't stop him from what he had to do.
"A-AND DON'T TRY AND STOP ME OKAY, ZORO!" The sniper stated as he pointed the man he just called out.
"Do what you want." Zoro shrugged.
With that, Usopp walked away from his group of friends in search of Nami.
Chopper watched Usopp's figure walk away, and looked back at Zoro.
"Are you sure it's okay? You just said that it's—"
"If that's what he thinks is right, then just let him." Zoro told the brunette.
Chopper only nodded at what Zoro had told him.
"I said I was going to look for her, but I don't even know where."
Usopp walked along with the crowd, letting his feet lead him to who knows where. He was so convinced of himself that he will definitely fix the mess Luffy was in, but when he realized that he didn't even know where to look for the girl, or even what to tell her exactly, Usopp started to reconsider that maybe this wasn't the best decision. Despite this, he still couldn't back himself down now, knowing that time was running out for his friend, and at the same time the guilt that was eating him up knowing that it was partly their fault Luffy was in this situation.
As the sniper kept on walking, his feet slowly led him towards the market. Different stalls were set up selling food, clothes, and other necessities. Usopp actually enjoyed browsing through these stalls, and as he walked along the market, he saw a familiar looking orange hair from afar in a certain stall.
'I-It's her!' Usopp thought to himself.
He walked towards the stall selling oranges and met with the orange haired girl.
Nami saw the sniper in front of him, and she swore that in that moment her breathing stopped. She was sure that this guy was with Luffy, and seeing that he was in front of her, she was sure that he wants something from her.
"W-What do you want?" Nami stated with a stern voice.
Usopp was pushed back a bit by her tone of voice, she definitely wasn't happy seeing her, but he just couldn't back down now.
"I need to talk to you." Usopp tried to hold his ground.
Before Nami could tell him to go away, her sister had came in carrying a new crate with oranges in them.
"Oh Nami who's this? A customer perhaps?"
Usopp watched the tanned girl that had just appeared as she placed the crates down on the ground. He thought that maybe this was his chance to get Nami to talk to him.
"U-Uhm!" Usopp tried to find the right words to say. "Is it alright if I talk to this girl for a while? In private?"
Nojiko was slightly confused by what the boy had asked. What did he want with her sister? But the look on Nami's face definitely said 'No I don't want to talk to this guy at all'
"What for?" Nojiko asked.
"I want to talk to her about something concerning Luffy."
Nojiko's eyes widened at what she had just heard. She looked at her sister before giving her response. Nami looked uncomfortable and definitely looks like she doesn't want to listen to whatever this man in front of them had to say. As much as Nojiko wanted to abide to what her sister wants, she knows that that isn't the best answer.
Nami had been avoiding Luffy, and it wasn't doing the girl any good. She's been distracted and out of it. She's been having slip ups in works, getting etiher no, or too much sleep, and haven't been eating well. If there was anything that will finally clear things up between the two, this was definitely it.
"Nami" Nojiko called out to her sister. "I think you should go and talk to him."
Nami's eyes widened by what her sister had just said. "B-But Nojiko!"
"It's fine, I'll handle the shop." Nojiko stated as she tried to push Nami out of the stall.
Once Nami was on the other side of the stall, where Usopp was, the sniper had gestured at Nami to follow him.
They walked bit further away from the market, where there were less crowds and noise. The two found an empty bench nearby and sat there.
It was quiet at first. In fact awkward. Usopp didn't know how he should start, or what he should say first. He was starting to contemplate whether what he was doing was actually okay or not.
Then to break the silence, Nami suddenly spoke up, seeing as how she couldn't take the dragging silence any longer.
"If you're just going to waste my time then I'm going to leave now."
But before Nami could stand up, Usopp had stopped her.
"W-WAIT!"
Nami halted and looked at the sniper sitting beside her. This was Usopp's chance, his chance to fix everything. He took one deep breath and started talking.
"About Luffy..."
"I don't want to hear it." Nami retorted.
"B-But you have to!" Usopp started to panic.
"No I don't, it's just going to waste my time." This time Nami stood up from her spot, she wasn't going to listen to this guy, not at all.
Usopp kept on packing not knowing what to do seeing as how Nami was slowly walking away. No, he has to do something, this was his only chance. If he loses this, then it's all over, all over for Luffy.
Usopp then stood up and called out to Nami's retreating form hoping that whatever he will say now will halt her and make her sit back down.
"WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE TOMORROW, INCLUDING LUFFY!"
Nami stopped in her steps. Her eyes widened with what she just heard.
Luffy was leaving? Again?
Is this really happening? Is he really going to leave her again? The weight in her heart started to feel heavier. She knows that it was her decision not to see him anymore after what had happened, but why? Why now all of a sudden? Why did she have to find out that he's going to leave once again? And for how long will he be gone this time? She wanted to know, she wanted answers. Rather, she has to stop running away.
She turned her heel towards Usopp facing him once again. Usopp feeling slightly relieved seeing that Nami had stopped. He sat down on the bench once again and him gesturing for her to sit with him.
Nami followed and sat back down beside him once again. Her breathing was a bit heavier than usual, she wasn't quite sure whether she was ready for what she's going to hear, but she has to listen, she has to if she wants to understand why Luffy had to lie to her.
"Why..." Nami's voice was soft, but pleading "Why did he lie and hide himself from me? And now... he's going to leave me again. Why?"
Usopp saw the pained expression on Nami's face, and he knew that he has to explain everything if he wants to clear up this mess between them.
"Luffy's wanted."
In that moment, Nami was sure she had stopped breathing. Wanted? What does he mean? Why was he wanted, he wasn't a criminal right? No way, he was serving the military, so if he was wanted then that only meant one thing...
"Luffy is wanted by the enemy forces, and they're doing whatever means possible to look for him."
