Author's Note: This is my eleventh and one of my favorite chapters! I hope that you all enjoy it too! Please review! Flames and criticism are welcome! Enjoy!! XD

The Ritual of Fire Phoenix Island

Chapter 11: The Last Dance and An Unexpected Announcement!

Nami did exactly what she said she was going to do. She showered and then took a nap. Luffy was in the shower. He stood under the water and let it pour down his body. He looked up into the stream and closed his eyes. He was nervous about the dance. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about it. He opened his eyes and then looked down watching as the droplets dropped on by one from his hair. It seemed he was becoming more and more troubled lately, and he wasn't sure why. There was still…the emptiness…

Suddenly, there was a pain through out his chest. He leaned forward grabbing at the flesh of his chest as he brought up his other arm against the shower wall to hold him up. "Ahh!" he exclaimed as his nails bit into his skin. Blood began to drip down with the water. "I…I don't understand…" he whispered as he covered the scratches he just made with his hand. "What's happening to me…?" he whispered as he closed his eyes tight. He reopened them and then sighed. He finished his shower and then made his way to the men's quarters. He told the others he was going to sleep before disappearing inside. He was still warm from the shower. He removed his shirt and fell into his bed, falling fast asleep.

----

Nami woke up and glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was time to get up. She rolled out of bed and walked outside. She looked down and noticed Luffy was no where in sight. "Where's Luffy?" she asked.

"He went to sleep." replied Usopp.

"Oh…" she said as she made the climb downstairs. She walked over to the men's quarters and knocked. There was no answer. She knocked second time, "Luffy." she called through the door. There was still no answer. "I'm coming in!" she called and then slowly opened the door.

It was pretty dark inside. She slightly closed the door and slowly walked in. She spotted him in his bed. She walked up to him slowly and quietly. He was sprawled out with the covers tangled with his limbs. He was snoring quietly. She leaned over him as best should could since the top bunk was in her way. She noticed his brows were furrowed. 'Had he been thinking about something before he fell asleep?' she thought to herself.

Suddenly, he stirred in his sleep and his snores stopped and his face relaxed. 'He looks so peaceful…' she thought as she smiled. Then he moved his arm down bringing the covers down with him. He was shirtless. Nami stared down at his muscular chest and blushed. 'I better wake him...' she thought. She leaned further down and reached her hand out and then stopped. She gasped at what she saw. There were fresh scratches on his chest. 'Where…where did he get those?' she asked herself. The looked really fresh, as if he had gotten them just recently.

She furrowed her brows and reached down and grabbed his shoulder. She gave him a shake. "Luffy…wake up." she said softly. His eyes slightly fluttered as he slowly opened them. With his eyes hooded he slowly turned toward her and looked her in the eyes. It made Nami uncomfortable when he looked at her that way. She began to back away from him. However, he was much faster. He quickly reached up and grabbed her wrist and pulled her down hard. She roughly landed on his hard chest. It was almost like landing on solid rock.

"O…oi, matte, Luffy!! What are you doing?!" she yelled as she pushed herself up to look at him. He was still looking at her with his hooded eyes. Her heart started pounding and she was becoming very nervous. "L…Luffy!!" she yelled again.

Luffy began to blink rapidly and then his eyes flew open. He quickly sat up without thinking and collided with Nami, "Ow!!" they both yelled as they grabbed their heads.

"G…gomen, Nami!" he said loudly.

"W…what were you doing?!" she yelled at him.

"I…I don't know. I was asleep and the next thing I knew you were on me. What are you doing there anyways?" he asked confused.

"You did this?!" she yelled at him annoyed.

"I…I did?!!" he yelled back.

"Ugh…never mind!" she said annoyed as she got off him and stood up. Involuntarily her eyes moved to his chest and the scratches there. Luffy followed her gaze and then made a surprised noise as he quickly covered them with his hand. "What happened?" she asked softly.

"Uh…nothing…It was…an accident…while I was in the shower…" he explained quietly.

Nami narrowed her eyes at him, 'An accident?' she thought to herself. Then she shrugged and turned around, "Where are your slacks and shoes? We need to take them." she said with her back to him.

"There…in my locker." he replied quietly.

Nami turned back around and then walked over to the guy's lockers. She opened his and removed them. She closed it and then she turned toward Luffy, "Hurry up and get ready. We have to go already." she said as she walked out with his clothes.

Luffy watched her leave and then looked down at his scratches, "I hadn't meant to…" he whispered to himself before sighing and getting up to get dressed.

----

Nami walked out and walked a little ways from the door and then stopped. She had a completely puzzled look on her face. 'Had he really scratched himself on accident?' she thought to herself.

"You sure were in there a long time…" remarked Zoro with a raised brow.

'Why would he scratch himself?' she thought.

"Oi, did Luffy wake up?" asked Usopp.

'Well, he wouldn't do it on purpose so, it had to be an accident…right?' she continued to think.

"Oi, Nami?" asked Usopp as he raised a brow.

'I wonder how he did it though…? What was he doing…?' she thought as she furrowed her brows deeper.

"Oi, Nami?!!" yelled both Zoro and Usopp.

Nami jumped and then quickly looked up at the two, "Na…nani?" she asked.

Both of them stared at her with raised brows. "You okay?" asked Usopp.

"U…un…" she replied confused.

Then the door to the men's quarters opened and Luffy stepped out. Nami turned toward him. Their eyes met for a split second before Luffy lowered his gaze covering his eyes with his hat. Then he raised his arm as he put a hand on his hat. Then he made a throaty noise and looked up quickly. Then he turned and looked at Robin. He walked over and stood in front of her. Robin looked up at him questioningly. Then he removed his treasured hat and placed it on her head. Robin lifted it up with her finger and looked up at him surprised.

"I probably shouldn't wear it. Can you watch it for me?" he asked with a grin.

Robin stared up at him in surprise for awhile before smiling warmly at him. He had never entrusted her with his treasure before. She felt honored. "I shall protect it with my life." she said softly.

Luffy laughed, "No need to go that far, but I'm counting on you." he said as he smiled down at her.

"Ee…" she said as she nodded warm smile still on her face. Then both Luffy and Nami left the ship.

"I wonder what was up with Nami…?" asked Usopp with his hand to his chin.

"Who knows this time…" replied Zoro lazily as he closed his eyes.

----

Luffy and Nami walked to the place of the festival in silence, an uncomfortable silence. 'What's going on with Luffy?' she thought to herself as she looked over at him. He was looking away from her toward all the shops on his other side. Nami furrowed her brows, 'I hope he's okay…' she thought to herself.

They finally made it to the building of the festival. There was a man waiting there for the contestants. "Hello, might this be your partner?" he asked.

"Yes, he is." replied Nami with a smile.

The man smiled in return, "Alright, this young man will show you to your dressing room." he said to Luffy as he motioned to a young man behind him.

Nami handed the young man Luffy's slacks and shoes. "He might need help with his tie. Can you make sure someone is there to help him?" asked Nami to the young man.

"Yes ma'am. I will make sure someone will help him. Right this way sir." he replied with a smile as he turned to lead Luffy to his room. Luffy gave one last look at Nami before following the young man. Nami smiled at him before he turned and walked away. Nami had made sure the rest of his attire had been sent to his dressing room before she had sat with them for the remainder of the festival the day before. Once Luffy was out of sight, she turned and started for her dressing room.

She opened the door, stepped inside, and then closed the door. She leaned against it for awhile. She took a few deep breathes. 'I'm so nervous…' she thought to herself. Then she moved away from the door and changed her clothes. Once she was done changing she sat at the vanity and looked herself over. She applied a little cosmetic for show. Just as she finished with her touch ups, there was a knock on her door. She turned toward it in confusion. She got up and opened the door. There was a man standing there.

"Yes?" she asked confused.

"Sumimasen, I have come to direct all of the ladies to start the festival." he explained.

"Direct?" she asked with furrowed brows.

"Yes, ma'am, the women are to enter on one side and the men on the other." he explained.

"Oh, I see…" she replied as her face relaxed.

"Are you ready to go, ma'am?" he asked with a smile.

"U…un…" she replied and left her room closing the door behind her.

The escort stopped and picked up one more contestant, before leading them both to the left side of the stage. There were only six women competing today. The other four must have had too low a score and were eliminated.

Then the escort spoke, "You are to remain here until called for your performance. There is a man here who will direct you when it is your turn. The order in which you are standing is the order in which you will perform. You will exit the stage the same way you entered, on the left. You are to remain here the way you are dressed after your performance. You will be brought back on stage with your partners and the other contestants for the final scoring. Domo arigato." he explained before bowing and then leaving.

Nami looked at the rest of the contestants. She was fifth in line. 'So, we are fifth, huh?' she thought. Then she noticed Hanako was second. She narrowed her eyes. 'I wonder how well they are going to do?' she thought to herself. She sighed to herself and looked towards the wall in front of her. 'Luffy should be over there…' she thought to herself as she furrowed her brows. Then the pain in her chest returned. She doubled over slightly as she grabbed for her chest. Then she gasped. She slowly looked down and removed her hand and stared at it. 'Just now…my nails…they dug into my skin…Those scratches…his scratches…had he been…?' she thought to herself.

"Are…you okay?"

Nami quickly looked up to the girl on her left. She was the sixth contestant. Nami stood up straight, "U…un…I'm fine." she replied to the girl with a nervous smile.

"Nervous?" she asked with a smile.

"A…a little…" replied Nami with a genuine smile.

The girl looked away and looked a little worried, "Me too…I hope we win…" she said with a warm smile.

"I hope we do too…" replied Nami with a lopsided smile. The girl turned to her and laughed. Nami joined her laughter.

----

Luffy stood in the line with the other men where he had been directed to. He looked at the other men. They were all fidgety and looked nervous. He was just like them. He felt restless and nervous. He looked to the wall in front of him. "I wonder if Nami is on the other side…" he whispered. Then the pain shot up his chest. He grabbed it, "Not again…" he whispered. He winced from the pain in his chest and the scratches. "Whatever this is…is getting worse…or is it stronger…?" he whispered to himself as he furrowed his brows. The pain was like a horrible case of anxiety. He took a few deep breathes to calm himself down. He stood up straighter. The guy on his left was looking at him weird. He ignored him as he continued to stare at the wall in front of him. Finally, the first contestants were called onto the stage.

----

The crew sat in the crowd close to the middle. They listened to Mogu's announcements. It appeared there will only be six performances. Luffy and Nami were to be fifth.

"Fifth, huh?" said Sanji as he took a drag of his cigarette.

"Yeah, and that rude pair is second…" replied Usopp.

"I'm nervous…Think they will do okay?" asked Chopper.

"Me too…Yeah…Luffy won't step on her toes or anything will he?" asked Usopp.

"I'm sure Captain-san and Navigator-san will do just fine. Just believe in them." replied Robin with a gentle smile, Luffy's hat snug on her head.

"We have to get past these other performances first…I can't wait. Getting to see Luffy dance is a rare treat." replied Zoro with a devious grin.

"Aa, I have also been waiting for this…It will be something to see Luffy dancing…" replied Sanji with a chuckle.

"We see him doing crazy dances all the time…" replied Franky with a raised brow.

"Yeah, but not like this…" everyone replied.

"Well, I'm sure they will do just fine." remarked Franky with a grin.

Finally the performances started. The crew watched the rude pair's performance.

"Not bad…Only one mistake…That's better than the first performance. They were full of mistakes." remarked Sanji.

"Aa…Luffy and Nami better do better if they want to win this…" replied Zoro.

"Luffy not stepping on Nami's toes...? I kinda doubt it…" remarked Usopp with pursed lips.

Robin gave a bit of a laugh, "They will do just fine. Watch and see." she said with a gentle smile.

"You have so much confidence in them…" replied Usopp with narrowed eyes.

"Ee…they work really well together." she remarked.

"Eh?" they all asked looking towards her in confusion by her words. She only smiled and looked back down to the stage.

The other two performances were preformed. There were a lot of mistakes between the two. Now it was Luffy and Nami's turn.

Zoro rubbed both his hands together. "Here we go!" he said getting excited.

"Aa…let's see how our ahou Captain does…" replied Sanji with a grin.

"I'm so nervous!" cried Chopper.

"Me too!" cried Usopp with his hands in the air.

Mogu gave their introduction and walked off stage.

----

Nami's heart was pounding as she made her way up the stairs. She started walking towards the middle. She could see Luffy approaching from the other side. Her heart skipped a beat. They both stopped with a few feet apart from each other. She found herself smiling at him. He looked really good. He had his black slacks and shoes as well as the black striped, red long sleeve shirt, and silver tie with the diagonal silver stripes. The stripes were separate textures, but the same color. The tie matched with the silver buttons on his black vest. Even though his hair was in the same messy fashion as it always is…he still looked really good.

----

Luffy's heart was pounding as he climbed the stairs to the stage. He looked up, and saw her, his beautiful Navigator. He found himself smiling as he stopped a few feet from her. She wore a blue mini dress with spaghetti straps and a low 'V' neckline. It had a sheer skirt attached to the short hem of the dress. It flowed down loosely to her ankles. She wore silver high-heeled open toed shoes and jewelry. She wore a silver chain with silver ringed bracelets on each wrist and silver tear drop earrings. She had her hair in a half coil with a strand down her face. She looked beautiful.

The curtain began to open. Neither took their eyes off the other.

"Look! There they are!" exclaimed Chopper excitedly.

"Hooo, Luffy's all dressed up again." remarked Zoro with a huge smirk.

"He's even wearing a tie…" said Sanji with a side ways smile.

Once the curtains were fully opened, Luffy slowly raised his hand, offering it to Nami. Nami looked down at it and smiled. She slowly made her way to him and raised her hand. She hesitated before finally placing it in his. Luffy smiled and closed his hand around hers. Then all of a sudden, he forcefully pulled her to his chest. He put his other hand on her waist as he held her other hand. Nami brought her other hand to his shoulder. Once they were in position the music started, and so did their dance.

As soon as Nami stepped back with one leg, Luffy would step forward in its place. Their bodies stayed glued to each other. They twirled together a few times, as well as Luffy twirling Nami and then pulling her back to his body.

The crew's eyes bugged out and jaws dropped, except for Robin who only looked surprised. They were both extremely graceful and agile, and their bodies stayed glued together. Luffy had yet to step on Nami's toes.

Then suddenly, Luffy dipped Nami back. The hand that was on her waist slid across her back for support and he brought the hand holding hers out behind him palm down. She went down slowly. She brought the hand he had been holding out over her head gracefully while the other held his arm. Luffy slid one of his legs behind him for support, while the other leg…Luffy's knee was brought up between her legs. Nami slid one leg out next to the one he had between hers. The other she used for support. She was basically sitting on his knee.

The crew's eyes bugged further and jaws dropped wider, except for Robin who only looked more surprised.

That wasn't all Luffy was leaning over Nami, just inches above her low neckline. Then he finally pulled her up slowly. They resumed eye contact. Through out the whole dance, except for the dip, their eye contact never broke and they both had serious expressions. They twirled a few more times before Nami spun away from Luffy. Still holding hands they stood side by side. Then Luffy pulled on Nami as she twirled into him with her back to his front. She tilted her chin up to look at him while he leaned into her to look her at. Then she twirled away, but it was short lived, Luffy forcefully pulled her back to him. They dance, twirled, and dipped a few more times. The entire dance they kept perfect harmony and sync. Not once had Luffy stepped on her toes.

Luffy brought Nami down for the finally dip. It was done slower, much slower, than the other dips. Then Luffy slowly brought Nami up only enough to face him. He still held her in the dip, and then the music ended. They stayed staring into one another's eyes transfixed, even after the music and dance had already ended. Both were breathing heavily from the exertion of the dance. The audience sat stunned into silence at what they just witnessed, even the crew continued to only stare at the two with huge eyes and mouths open. Then there was a deafening roar from the crowd as they cheered. Luffy and Nami were jolted out of their trance as they both turned to the crowd. Luffy made a noise in realization. He looked back down at Nami. She was still in the dip and on his knee. He pulled her up. Then still holding hands they both faced the crowd and bowed.

The entire audience stood up and continued their applause. Even the crew was cheering for them loudly.

"NAMI-SAAAN!!! LUFFY!!!!" yelled Sanji.

"GO LUFFY, NAMI!!!" yelled Usopp, Chopper, and Zoro.

"SUPAAAA JOB LUFFY-ANIKI, NAMI-ONEESAN!!!!" yelled Franky in his blue star pose.

Robin was clapping and smiling warmly down at the two, in a more reserved applause.

The curtain closed blocking the two from the view of the audience. Nami was ecstatic. She couldn't believe the audience's reaction. She leapt onto Luffy wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his torso as she laughed gleefully, "Did you hear them?! Did you hear how loud they were cheering?! This is great! We are going to win this for sure!!" she exclaimed excitedly.

Luffy had made a surprised noise as Nami had leapt onto him. He caught her so she wouldn't fall and then joined her contagious glee. "Aa, I heard them!" he exclaimed as he laughed with her.

"We didn't even make a single mistake!!" she exclaimed.

Luffy laughed, "I know! I thought I would step on your toes for sure!" he exclaimed still laughing.

Nami's laughter died down and then she stared down at Luffy wide eyed. She finally realized where she was and who she was on. "G…gomen…" she said quietly. A blush crept up her cheeks as she stared down at Luffy with wide eyes.

Luffy chuckled, "It's okay. You were just happy." he said grinning as he set her down.

Nami brushed her hair out of her face and straightened her clothes. Then with the blush still staining her cheeks she smiled at Luffy, "So…see you at the scoring?" she said nervously.

"Aa." he replied quietly as he nodded. Then they both turned and headed off each side of the stage. Nami stopped just before going down the stairs and turned back to look toward Luffy. She watched as he descended the stairs and disappeared around the corner.

"Ma'am?"

Nami gasped and quickly turned. "G…gomen!" she apologized to the man smiling up at her and made her way down. As she turned the corner, she involuntarily looked over at Hanako. The woman glared at her. Nami turned away with a frown. They hadn't been able to see each other's dance. 'I wonder how they did?' she thought to herself as she got back in line.

The last performance finally ended. It had seemed like an eternity for the whole crew.

The contestants made their way back up the stairs. Nami watched as the men came up on stage from the other side. Her eyes locked with Luffy's as they approached one another. They both turned towards the closed curtain, standing side by side in the order of their performance. "This is it…" said Nami quietly as she stared at the closed curtain.

"Aa…" replied Luffy also quietly as he too stared at the closed curtain.

Then the curtain opened and there was a huge cheer from the audience. Luffy and Nami smiled at their crew who were also cheering loudly for them. Six women walked on stage each carrying a covered card. A woman stopped in front of each pair. Luffy and Nami watched as one stopped in front of them. Nami was very nervous and full of anxiety. She grabbed Luffy's hand and held it tightly. Luffy looked down at their held hands and then looked up at Nami face expressionless.

"Mellorine!! What beautiful women!!" exclaimed Sanji with his love-love eyes. The crew turned and glared toward him.

Mogu stepped on stage and faced the crowd. "Each of these Beeauutiful women has a concealed card that contains each score for the pair they are standing in front of! So, let's have it! What is on pair number one's card?!" he exclaimed loudly as he motioned to the first pair. The woman in front of them revealed their card. "We have a 9!!" exclaimed Mogu. The pair looked downcast. "Now for card number two!!" exclaimed Mogu. Nami tightened her grip on Luffy's hand. He winced slightly at the pain, but said nothing. "We have a 9.5 everyone!!! So far pair number two is in the lead!!" exclaimed Mogu. Nami squeezed Luffy's hand tighter. He winced again, but still said nothing. He looked over at her. 'A 9.5, huh…? They must have done a really good job…' thought Nami as she stared at the pair. Luffy looked over at the rude pair with an expressionless gaze. They were both looking at Luffy and Nami with smug smiles.

The other two cards were revealed an 8.5 and another 9. It was finally time for their revealing. Nami pulled her and Luffy's hands to her chin and closed her other hand around it in her anxiety. Luffy looked back over at her, face expressionless. The crew sat at the edges of their seats waiting for the card to be revealed. Nami closed her eyes tightly. The woman revealed their card. "WE HAVE A 10!!! A 10!!! The first 10 in over twenty years!!!" exclaimed Mogu.

Nami's eyes flew open and a grin broke out onto her face. "And the last card is another 9!! We have our winner's folks, The Monkey pair!! Congratulations to the happy couple!!" exclaimed Mogu loudly.

Nami released Luffy's hands and threw herself on him in her happiness, "We won!!" she exclaimed as she laughed.

"Aa…we won!" replied Luffy as he laughed. Nami opened her eyes and looked towards the rude pair as she was still holding onto Luffy's neck. They were glaring at them. Luffy turned toward them. Then he and Nami both gave the pair roguish grins. Hanako turned her nose up in the air and both she and Meji stormed off stage. The other pairs also left the stage, some of the women in tears.

Then Nami made a throaty noise, "Wait…did he just say…couple?" she asked loudly.

"Are?" questioned Luffy as he looked down at her. She pulled away from him and looked up into his face.

"Let's have a kiss to seal the deal!!" exclaimed Mogu.

Both Luffy and Nami's eyes grew wide. Nami quickly turned to Mogu, "A…a…kiss?!" she asked.

Mogu turned toward them, "That's right, a kiss. It's customary in the festival…Is that a problem?" he asked as he raised a brow.

"No…no, of course not!" she replied with a nervously laugh.

The whole crew's eyes bugged out of their head, "NAAANI?!!" they yelled at Mogu's request. Robin only looked down with wide eyes in surprise. The crowd nearest them turned and looked at them with weird expressions. "Oi, she's not really going to do it, is she?!" asked Zoro in a hushed voice toward the others.

Suddenly, the audience began to chant, "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss!!"

"Matte, Nami-san!!" exclaimed Sanji as sweat beaded down his face.

Then she turned toward Luffy and looked up at him slowly with a pained expression. "Oi, Nami, you aren't serious…are you?" asked Luffy as sweat beaded down his face. He also had a pained expression.

"I'm not about to lose my money and free stay at a luxury hotel now, when I've come so far! I can't just say no!" she replied in a hushed voice. He frowned down at her as sweat beaded down his face. She stepped closer into him and tilted her chin up.

"Na…mi…" he said a little worried.

"Oi, oi, oi, what is she doing?!" exclaimed Zoro in a loud hushed voice.

"Nami-san!!" exclaimed Sanji as he bit down on his vest.

Nami looked up into Luffy's eyes. 'This will be my first kiss…' she thought to herself. She began to move closer to him. Luffy gulped as he watched her come closer to his lips. She brought both hands up to his chest and kept coming closer as her eyes began to hood. He found her hooded gaze entrancing and felt himself relax. Then his eyes also began to hood. Finally her lips touched his in a gentle kiss. She closed her eyes as her hands slid up his chest and around his neck. He closed his eyes and his arms seemed to move on their own, wrapping themselves around her waist pulling her closer to him. The audience cheered loudly.

"What the hell?!!" yelled the crew.

Robin's eyes were wide in surprise. Then she smiled down at the two. "Yare, yare…" she said quietly.

"She really…did it!!" exclaimed Usopp in disbelief.

"NAMI-SAN!!" exclaimed Sanji with tears in his eyes.

"I can't believe she actually kissed him!!" yelled Zoro.

"Not just her…looks like he's kissing her back to me…and it's not just a peck…She must really want that money…" remarked Franky as he lifted his sunglasses with his index finger.

Nami finally pulled away from Luffy and looked up into his eyes in a hooded daze. He looked back down at her in the same hooded daze.

"Congratulations again to the happy couple!!" exclaimed Mogu as he motioned to them.

Nami's eyes fully opened as she turned toward Mogu. "Chotto matte, that's the second time you've said that!" she exclaimed with furrowed brows as she walked away from Luffy toward Mogu.

Then the curtain began to close. Mogu put down the den-den mushi he had been using to speak through and turned to Nami, "That's right." he replied looking at her confused.

"What do you mean by that?!" she asked.

Mogu laughed, "You're joking, right?" he asked nervously.

Nami and Luffy both stared at him with serious expressions. The curtain finally closed. Mogu stared at their serious expressions. Sweat beaded down around his face as he laughed nervously again, "You are joking…right?!" he said as he continued to laugh nervously.

Nami's eyes furrowed in worry, 'What's going on…?' she thought as her breathing began to quicken. "Why do you think we are joking?" she asked.

Mogu stopped smiling, "Well you must be! You just completed the ceremony!" he exclaimed with furrowed brows.

"The…the…the what?! What ceremony?!" yelled Nami in alarm as sweat beaded down her face.

"Well…the ceremony of marriage, of course!" he replied.

Nami inhaled sharply while Luffy made a throaty noise as their eyes grew huge and sweat beaded down their face. "What…did you say?" whispered Nami.

"Cho…chotto matte, you mean to tell me you didn't know?!!" yelled Mogu in alarm at her question.

Nami felt herself panic, "KNOW?! This wasn't on your poster!!" she yelled frantically.

"Actually…it was…" he replied as he pulled out a miniature flyer of the poster they saw when they first landed from his shirt pocket.

Nami snatched the paper out of his hands and began to read it. She read all the way down toward the end and gasped as her eyes went huge in horror. At the very bottom in fine print, was the word 'marriage'. She gripped the paper tightly, almost ripping it in half.

"Nami?" called Luffy concerned.

The rest of the crew made their way on stage. They spotted Luffy and Nami and began walking towards them, "Oi, Nami, what the hell was with…" began Zoro but stopped as he noticed her facial expression. "Oi, Nami, what's wrong?" he asked as they ran to them.

"There…there has to be some way…to…reverse this or…or void this or something!!" yelled Nami frantically as she looked at Mogu.

"Nami…" called Luffy softly in concern again.

"You mustn't!!" yelled Mogu in a slight panic.

"Oi, Nami, what the hell is going on?!" yelled Zoro. Nami slowly turned to them, the look of horror still on her face.

"Na…Nami-san…? What's going on?" asked Sanji as he was becoming concerned. She slowly rose a hand a handed them the flyer. Zoro snatched it and began to read it.

"It's the same as the poster we read when we first landed…" said Usopp in confusion.

"Just read it…" she whispered as she looked back to Mogu. "Why mustn't we?" she asked in a low voice.

"You will bring a curse upon our island if you do!" he exclaimed. Nami's eyes grew larger at his words. Luffy furrowed his brows with slightly parted lips in surprise at his words.

"NAAAAANNNNNNIII?!!!" yelled the crew as the read the whole flyer. Nami bowed her head.

"Yare, yare…" whispered Robin with huge eyes as sweat beaded down her face.

Luffy looked at Nami in concern. "Nami…gomen…" he said softly.

Nami turned to him quickly, "You're sorry?! Luffy, what do you have to be sorry about?! This is…all my fault…" she said the last part softly as she looked down. She looked on the verge of tears.

"This has to be some kind of joke!!" yelled Sanji.

"What is it with the jokes…?" asked Mogu quietly.

Nami turned and glared at him, "You started it!!" she yelled. He laughed nervously.

"What…what kind of curse is it?" asked Robin curious.

Everyone turned to look at Mogu. Mogu looked down, "A horrible curse. The deity of this island will forcibly, erupt the volcano. You see, the Dance Festival is part of a ritual to appease it. If…if the volcano erupts…people will die…" he explained quietly.

Everyone made throaty noise in response to his words. Nami looked down and smiled a mirthless smile as her eyes were shadowed, "I…I guess…it's not so bad…I mean…its only marriage…and we've completed the ritual…" she said quietly. Luffy frowned at her words.

"Only, Nami-san…?!" exclaimed Sanji.

"No…you haven't completely the ritual…The ceremony yes, but not the ritual. I said the Dance Festival was only part of the ritual…" explained Mogu.

Nami quickly looked up at Mogu with huge eyes. "Nani…?" she whispered.

"What do you mean only part of the ritual?!" asked Usopp loudly.

Nami stared at Mogu as sweat beaded down her face, "How…how do we…complete the ritual…?" she asked, however, she was sure she knew what he was going to say.

Mogu furrowed his brows, "You must…consummate the marriage…" he replied in a low voice.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!!!" yelled the crew. Robin stared at Mogu with wide eyes.

Nami stared at him with large eyes in disbelief. She could barely breathe. "Oi…Nami…what does…consummate mean?" asked Luffy quietly and uncertain.

Nami slowly turned to him. He was looking back at her in concern. Mogu started to laugh nervously, "You mean to tell me…that you don't understand?!" he asked as he laughed.

Nami quickly turned to Mogu, "Don't laugh at him!!" she yelled angrily. Mogu immediately stopped laughing and frowned at her. Everyone made throaty noises as they looked at her in surprise. "He…wouldn't understand…Luffy…Luffy isn't like that…" she said softly. She wanted to cry. She felt the tears form, but blinked them away.

Everyone looked at her sadly, "Nami…" said Usopp softly in concern.

"Nami-san…" said Sanji also in concern.

'People will die…' echoed through out her mind. "Luffy…it means…it means we have to…" she choked on her words. Her heart was pounding. She was having trouble saying it. She had to think of a word he would understand, without using the much harsher one.

Luffy stepped towards her, "Nami…?" he called quietly.

She slowly looked up at him. 'I have to just say it…' she thought to herself. "It means…we have to…" she took a deep breath, 'Just say it!' she yelled to herself in her mind. "It means we have to…mate…Luffy…" she finally said.

The look on his face told her he understood. He had made a throaty noise in surprise and took a step back from her with huge eyes. Luffy looked towards the others. There eyes were downcast. Then he furrowed his brows and looked toward Mogu, "How strong is this deity?" he asked in a low serious tone.

Everyone quickly looked up at him. "Are you out of your mind?!" yelled Mogu.

"Luffy! NO!!" yelled Nami at the same time. Everyone looked at her surprised.

"Nami?" questioned Luffy confused. She had almost sounded frantic.

"Don't you even think about what I think you're thinking! Luffy, are you forgetting what happened the last time we fought a so called deity?!" she asked.

"But Nami, we beat him didn't we?" he said as if she forgot this fact.

"Barely! Luffy, we were just lucky you were immune to him!...No...Luffy, this is my fault…I'm not going to let anyone get hurt or die because of my stupid mistake...I…I got greedy…and was selfish…No…it can be solved with out anyone being hurt…It's only marriage…and…my virginity…No big deal…" she said the last part quietly with a mirthless laugh. Then she looked down, her eyes shadowed, "It's a small price to pay when lives are at stake…especially all of yours…" she continued in a low voice.

Luffy frowned even deeper, "Nami…you don't have to…" he started to say.

Nami looked up at him quickly interrupting him, "Yes I do!!" she practically yelled at him. Luffy made a surprised noise at her outburst. "This is my fault! My fight…I don't want anyone to get hurt…" she said as she looked down.

Luffy's face relaxed. He walked up to her, "You say you don't want anyone to be hurt…Nami…what about you?" he asked softly.

Nami looked up at him with wide eyes. He looked sad to her. Tears began to glide down her cheeks. Luffy made a throaty noise at her tears, "Only thinking about others…You would suffer too…Wouldn't you? I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry that I dragged you down with me…Please Luffy…I have to do this…I wouldn't…I wouldn't…" she looked down, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you because of such a stupid mistake…If you want to help me…" she looked back up at him, "Luffy, please…just suffer alone with me…" she pleaded softly. Luffy's face fell as he watched the tears stream down her face. Then he nodded slowly. Everyone was looking at the two in concern. Chopper was tearing up.

Mogu cleared his throat, "Are you ready to be escorted to your hotel?" he asked.

Nami dried her tears and looked toward him, "Un…" she replied with a nod.

"Tomo will escort you." he said as he motioned to a woman standing some distance behind him. The woman bowed. Nami began to walk towards her and followed her. With the sad expression still on his face, Luffy began to follow.

"Oi, Luffy…you aren't really going through with this…are you?" asked Zoro.

Luffy stopped walking and slowly looked toward him, "I will do whatever she asks of me…If this is the help she wants…then I will help her…Unless she asks otherwise…I will help her no matter what……She is my Nakama." he said softly as he slightly looked down his hair concealing his eyes.

Zoro's eyes widened in surprise, and then his face relaxed as he nodded.

Robin walked up to him placing his hat on his head. Luffy looked up toward her. She was smiling at him sadly. He looked down concealing his eyes and continued to follow.

Then suddenly, he stopped. He watched Nami follow Tomo down the stairs and turn the corner, "Oi, announcer-ossan…" he called in a low voice without turning.

"Ha…hai?" asked Mogu.

"How long do we have until?" asked Luffy.

"Uh…until…sunrise…" he replied slightly confused. Luffy only nodded, walked down the stairs and disappeared around the corner.

Mogu scoffed, "You don't mean to tell me he doesn't want this…He's a guy…" whispered Mogu to himself.

The crew looked over at him angrily, "What did you say, you bastard announcer?!" yelled Sanji as he stomped over grabbing the guy by his shirt. Mogu cried out in alarm as his feet left the floor. "You don't know our Captain!! Of course he doesn't want this! He would do anything for his Nakama, and so would we! If…if this is what Nami-san wants…then…Luffy isn't like that…He will find a way. You heard him ask how long we have…which means…" Sanji turned to the crew, "he's counting on us! He might try and delay it." he said to them. Everyone nodded to him.

"Let's head back to the ship…find out what we can. We have to try to help them." Zoro said to the crew. Everyone nodded. Sanji threw Mogu to the ground as he followed the others off the stage.

Mogu stood up as he watched them leave and dusted himself off. Then he grinned maliciously, "Good luck with that…" he said as he chuckled to himself.

To Be Continued…

Translations and Explanations Corner:

1: Sumimasen is a various form of "pardon me/excuse me", "I'm sorry". It's basically just a polite apology.

Author's Note: Uwaah! And the plot thickens!! Dun dun dun!!! XP I can just see all of your expressions during this chapter! HAHAHA!! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Like I said before, this is one of my favorite chapters! To me it's the turning point of my story! XD I decided not to use a whole lot of Japanese this time. It's a pain in the butt, I know. Anywho, please review and give me your thoughts. I'm sure you all have a lot to say! XD