Author's Note: It's been awhile since I last touched this fic too, hmm? ~.~ Sorry… Anyways, I got nothing to say, other than: READ IT! And enjoy it. ;)

P.S. I didn't edit it… Surprised? You shouldn't be… I will probably end up reading it after I post it, and edit it then… So there… ¬.¬

The Vanity Princess

Chapter 11: Selfishness

Pulling back away from her a little, he even removed his hands to look at them. Watching him, Nami frowned softly in confusion. "Luffy, what is it?" she asked softly, wondering what happened all of a sudden.

"I… I'm glowing," he whispered softly, looking between his hands before looking up at her, "and so are you."

"G-Glowing?" she asked, frowning a little more. "What do you mean, glowing?"

"The energy… is so bright…" he said in a soft voice as he looked back up at her again, but frowned as the brightness slowly started to fade. "No!" he suddenly cried, reaching out to cup her face.

Gasping in surprise from his action, she pulled back, but he kept his hold. "L-Luffy?"

"It's going away. I don't want it to go away… It's… really pretty," he said, his voice starting to fade to a whisper.

They were both glowing? What did that mean? She stared back at him, but he just looked the same as he always did. Were they really glowing to him, and why? However, his face suddenly fell as he continued to stare at her face, but his eyes once again became unfocused. "It's gone," he whispered, letting his hands slide off her face as his blind gaze lowered.

"I-I'm sorry," she replied, looking back at him sadly. She wasn't really sure what had made them glow in the first place. However, she had felt quite a bit just a moment ago. Did it have something to do with how she had been feeling for him in that moment? If that's the case, then… Her head shot up with a gasp. If she'd really been feeling strong feelings for him at the time, which made her glow, had he been feeling strong feelings for her, since he had been glowing too?

"Nami?" he called, having been curious to her gasp and looked back up at her again.

Her heart once again began to pound, and her face softened with a smile. Did he feel the same for her as she did for him? She couldn't deny it now that she had strong feelings for him. She really did have them, and it was a nice feeling to realize it. However, it would be nice to know if he felt them too. Well, it would be nice if he figured it out. She really didn't want to have to tell him.

"Hey… Nami?"

Coming out of her thoughts, she blinked to clear her vision and straightened. "Yes, Luffy?" she asked, but had to pause for a second, realizing how quickly she'd just replied to him and blushed.

"Do you think—?" he started to ask, but then stopped himself, looking deep in thought, which was rare for the rubber boy.

She found herself asking eagerly, "Do I think what, Luffy?" She wanted to know if he figured it out. She watched as his eyes narrowed slightly and his brows dipped down a little lower into deeper thought to her question, making her bite her lip and pull back.

"I think you do know," he replied softly, now making her confused instead of embarrassed.

"Wait, what? What do I know?" she asked, starting to frown now.

"I was going to ask… do you think we're both glowing, because we had the same feelings, but you do know that already," he said, keeping the same tone as he continued to stare at her.

Her entire face lit up with color, and she lowered her head. Okay, so maybe he was a little more observant than she had first thought. It was pretty embarrassing. Keeping his eyes on her, Luffy began to frown at her silence, but then he blinked once when a new color started to show. "Nami… you're showing a new color. What's that mean?"

"A n-n-new color?" she stuttered, looking even more embarrassed. He could see that! "I-I don't know," she said, looking away from him. It was all silly really.

"Are you angry?" he asked, starting to frown.

"N-No… No, Luffy, I'm not angry. Maybe I should just keep reading—"

"What do you know, Nami?"

"What?" she asked immediately, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"You know everything, and I know you know what the glow meant. Tell me," he said, his frown very serious.

"L-Luffy… I… I can't tell you what the glow meant. I won't tell you," she said, looking down with a soft frown. "It's not something I can tell you. It's something you have to figure out fo-mmm!" she exclaimed with a gasp as her eyes shot open fully, gaping back at him in shock. His hand had slid onto her face, and in the next instant, she found his lips pressed into hers. She was in so much shock, that she didn't move a muscle for awhile. However, getting over her shock, she saw that his eyes were still opened, but only to slits, and she felt herself melting under his blind gaze.

A heat started to slowly wash over her, making her breathe a little heavier, and finally, she pressed back against his lips to kiss him back. His eyes pulsed a bit, but remained slits as he seemed to be watching her. Soon, her hand came up to rest against his face, and she moved a little closer to him. She felt as his arm pulled her closer against him, and she melded into him with a soft moan as she closed her eyes. Her arms wrapped around him, and they both seemed to deepen the kiss.

His eyes slowly began to open more, seeing the glow return in both of them. However, he never stopped the kiss. It felt very nice, and the nice feeling, he knew now, was what was making them glow. It was the feeling of love, a feeling he knew to be powerful. It was a wonder the glow was so beautiful. His navigator was beautiful. His eyes shifted to his hand on her cheek, which he slowly began to caress her beautiful face. He wanted to see her face again, not just the glow. It was what he missed seeing the most.

He knew exactly why he had these feelings. She had been willing to read to him, when he couldn't do much else, and not just for a few hours a day or even just one day. But for a few days now, that's all they did, pretty much all day. She read to him for that long, just for him. No one would do that for anyone unless they cared about them and cared about them a lot. Not only that, but he hadn't asked her. She had suggested it and hadn't stopped since. Then there was the fact that she chose to stay with him and continue reading to him, even though they had just arrived at a new island. She was doing these things, sacrificing her time and chance to explore… all for him… because she loved him.

Clamping his eyes shut tight, his hands slid across her face to wrap his arms around her, even feeling like he could possibly cry. He had never felt so good and happy, and of course, since he was happy, his lips formed into a grin that was followed by a snicker. Now that his lips were gone, Nami opened her eyes, feeling as his forehead pressed into hers and saw his grin as well as heard his trademark snicker, "Shishishi!" Her own face broke into a grin, and she laughed softly with him, wrapping her own arms around him to hold him.

After awhile, his smile shrank to a small and warm one, just staring back into her eyes, though he could only see her glow. One question seemed to be stuck within his mind, but if he asked it, would she answer it? Would she get upset? He really wanted to know though. Should he asked her now, or should he wait until later? Why did she love him? She had been willing to do this for him, and she didn't really complain about it-well, not technically.

He also knew he wasn't the sharpest tool in the box, nor was he patient or quiet. He was always annoying her and making her angry, all unintentional, of course. He did so many dumb things, which he knew, but he couldn't always help himself. Sometimes he was just too excited, and maybe he was a little hyper sometimes. He knew she didn't have the patience for him a lot of the time-Boy did he know-but yet… she still felt this way. He honestly couldn't understand why. Why?

"What?" she asked softly, losing her smile and watching him seriously.

A little bit of focus came back into his eyes, and he blinked at her once. "Huh?"

"You… looked like you were really deep in thought… I was just wondering what you were thinking about. You… lost your smile," she said, pulling back to look at him better.

"Oh," he said, but was all he said, still staring back at her. The glow was still there, but just a bit dimmer.

"So, what were you thinking about?" she asked again, just as softly, and then she tilted her head slightly to him in question.

Suddenly, he looked down, beginning to fidget a little, even looking a bit on the nervous side as he scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, well… I was just… um, thinking," he replied back nervously.

"Thinking, about what?" she asked, tilting her head a little more, curiously.

"I was just thinking… why?" he replied back quietly, fidgeting more.

"Why?" she repeated softly, blinking at him now with her eyes a little wider.

"Why – Why do you love me?" he blurted out, his cheeks flushing a little darker as he continued to stare at the ground.

Her eyes grew a little larger as she just stared at him. "Luffy, I," she started, but then paused, biting her lip as she looked back into his eyes, but then they pulsed as he lifted his head slightly. Was she about to say she didn't love him? Had he been mistaken? No, that couldn't be it. "I just do," she finally replied softly with a blush as she looked down. "I think I always have. I mean, you're Luffy. You would do anything for us, and so, I want to do anything for you too. And then, with reading this book with you, I just," she paused again, swirling her finger around on the blanket as her blush deepened, "I just fell in love with you even more. I've been really enjoying this time with you."

"Oh," he whispered, having nothing more to say. Words failed him in that moment as he just stared at her. However, the glow was fading slightly, making it harder for him to see her. "Well," he finally started after awhile as his blind gaze drifted down to the blanket below, "I… I really enjoy this time with you too."

Looking up at him, she stared at him for awhile before smiling slowly into something bright, and then she chuckled softly, making him look up at her. Seeing her bright glow, he slowly smiled himself, which eventually turned into a grin, and then he joined in her chuckles. Cupping his cheek, she slowly leaned forward towards him with her smile, and gently, she pressed her lips into his. Blinking a few times, he was surprised that she had kissed him this time, but then slowly, he closed his eyes and kissed her back.

However, suddenly, his brows twitched, and he pulled out of this kiss. His hand wrapped back around her head, and he pulled her to him, pressing her forehead to his shoulder as he craned his neck gently in a sort of embrace. Not having expected this, Nami gasped and went still for a moment. However, she then blinked and whispered his name in question, "Luffy?"

"I wish I could see you, Nami," he whispered, his eyes closed with his face buried into her hair, "but… I'm glad that I could see you like this. Thank you, Nami, for showing it to me. And… thank you… for loving me anyway."

Her deep blush returned as she stared off ahead, but then she relaxed and smiled. "You don't have to thank me, Luffy. You're giving me just as much as I'm giving you," she replied back very softly, but then after awhile, she said, "Would you like me to continue reading?"

He kept her in this way for awhile longer before finally pulling away with a grin and a nod. "Mm! Please?"

"Of course," she said, but she leaned against him, and he wrapped his arms around her. Then she continued to read.

"How could you possibly ask me that question? I came, didn't I?" said Luffy, looking down at Sanji, completely appalled.

Sanji's face screwed up with pain as he dropped his head forehead onto Luffy's shoulder. However, not before Luffy could see the tears that had rushed to his eyes. "Please, Luffy," Sanji's words were weak, "please… make her better. I can't take it anymore either. It hurts so much…"

Luffy stared down at Sanji, and his face fell. He could tell the man was at his limit. He had tried to be strong for the princess, but his own pain was bringing him down, and now with her being this way, even more so. "All right," Luffy finally whispered with a sigh. Perhaps, he really was being far too prideful. He was hurting them, even if they hurt him first, but it wasn't entirely Sanji's fault. He had merely remained with the princess after her decision.

"It's about time," Luffy muttered, and Nami looked up at him and smiled.

"Yes, it is. Maybe now, he will swallow his pride and do something," she agreed as she looked down at the book and continued reading.

With a heavy sigh, Luffy turned back around and went straight to her, clasped her wrist and forced her to turn towards him. Looking up at him, her eyes wide and filled with tears, she gasped from the sudden action as she stared up into his face. "Look, you must eat and drink or you will kill yourself. Come off of there," he said, and though his voice was rough with irritation, he didn't handle her roughly, but gingerly pulled her off of the window seat and carried her to a small table.

Quickly, the servants removed the lid to the tray, revealing a hardy meal underneath it. "I-I'm not hungry," she replied stubbornly and turned away from the food.

"You're probably right, but you will eat regardless," Luffy said, taking the golden utensil and digging up some of the food before conveying it to her mouth with a look of displeasure for having to do such.

Looking back up at him, they frowned at one another, but then she opened her mouth. After giving her water to drink, he actually fed her the entire meal, and she ate it without any more complaint. Watching them both, Sanji was so relieved that he didn't bother to stop the tears as he sat heavily on the floor. After the food was eaten, the servants quickly cleared the table, looking just as relieved and teary eyed as Sanji.

One of the servant girls stopped beside Luffy and bobbed a quick curtsy and whispered, "Thank you, my lord!" Then she quickly scurried out with the others.

Luffy watched after the girl with a thick frown. Everyone seemed to be so worried for their little princess. As a matter of fact, he was sure that they all loved her. There was only one explanation for such love and loyalty. With a sigh, he allowed the thought to enter his mind… It was because she took care of them. Sanji had said she did a very good job in keeping the kingdom and its people happy. If this were true, the people were probably thankful to her for taking on this job. Still yet, it made him angry to think about.

"Now that you have eaten, I'll be going," Luffy grumbled as he headed towards the door. He didn't see her head quickly come up and the move she had made to go after him, but she had quickly stopped herself.

"Do as you please," she whispered after him and looked away.

"Luffy, wait," Sanji called quietly, getting to his feet and hurrying after his friend, who was already far down the hall with his brisk walk. "Luffy, please wait!" he called again, and finally, Luffy halted, but did not turn to him. Finally reaching him, Sanji stepped in front of him, meeting the other man's heavy brow.

"What do you want now? I've done what I came to do. I'm going home," Luffy said as he started to walk passed, but Sanji grabbed his arm.

"Luffy, please, do you honestly think that will be enough? You've gotten her to eat this day, but what of the next and the next?" Sanji asked, and Luffy quickly shot him a glare.

"Am I to stay here now? Is that it? In the end she wins anyway, just because she decides to starve herself!"

Luffy sighed loudly, and Nami looked up at him. He was frowning with irritation. Nami just smiled, understanding his irritation and frustration. "If I could go into the book, I would, and then I would kick his ass," Luffy muttered, his lips curved far down in his displeasure.

Chuckling softly, Nami gave a nod and agreed, "As would I." Luffy hummed, but then he moved away from her and rested his head in her lap. Her cheeks heated, but she smiled down at him, running her hand over his hair gently, and then she continued to read.

"Am I to stay here now? Is that it? In the end she wins anyway, just because she decides to starve herself!" Luffy yelled back to his old friend, who was scowling at him now.

"You really are one selfish son of a bitch!" Sanji seethed, his patience gone and his anger rising.

"What did you say!" Luffy bellowed, nearly shaking the walls. His face was red with rage. Inside of her rooms, Nami shuddered and lowered he head. She could hear their yells clearly.

"You heard me, damn it! You're a selfish son of a bitch! You're only concerned with your own feelings and pain! Fine! Leave this place! I no longer want to even look at you! If she dies, it will be on your head! Get out of my sight!" Sanji yelled, giving Luffy a shove, and then in the next instant, both men were on the ground, struggling with each other, fists were flying and both were growling in their rage.

"My lords!" a man cried, rushing forward to attempt to come between the two squabbling men. More men came and pulled the two apart, but now they were fighting their holders to get back at the other. "Please, my lords! This will solve nothing!"

"You son of a bitch! Go back to your blissful, ignorant existence as a farmer!" Sanji yelled through clenched teeth.

"Shut your mouth, Sanji! You can keep groveling at her feet for all I care! Waste away your life as her servant!" Luffy spat, spitting down at the wood floors by Sanji's feet.

"Yes, and you continue living your empty, free," Sanji sneered the word, "existence! You keep living guilt free, even long after her death! Maybe you would be happy to see her dead, because then you would be able to finally leave this cursed place! Throw him out of here!" he commanded to the guards, holding Luffy, who was still trying to lunge at Sanji. "Throw him out!"

"Now who's letting whose anger and pride get the better of him!" one of the larger men bellowed, looking furious.

"Lord Garion," Sanji called, looking startled and confused.

"Wait! That can be my Jii-chan!" Luffy cried, grinning up at her from her lap.

"All right," Nami replied with a chuckle.

"Lord Garp," Sanji called, looking startled and confused.

"Take them both and dunk them in the pond," Garp commanded, and the men looked slightly amused, but carried them both down the hall.

"Wait a minute! Lord Garp!" Sanji called, but the men continued to drag him, and Garp followed after.

Once they were outside, both men were tossed into the pond. Both came out sputtered from the icy cold water seeping into their very bones. Already both of their teeth were clattering. They both crawled out, shivering badly and completely bewildered. Towels were thrown onto their heads, and both clung to the warm cloths.

"Now, get out of those wet and cold clothes before you both catch your deaths," Garp said with a grunt as he turned away from them.

"Damn it," Sanji cursed, but stammered to his feet and tried to follow after the man, but he was shivering so badly.

However, he paused, looking at Luffy behind him, who was also shivering just as badly. His head was lowered, and he had not moved to follow him. After awhile, Luffy finally spoke up. "Y-You're r-right. I w-will… s-stay for awhile-But only aw-while!" he exclaimed, finally looking up, his words catching on his clattering teeth. His lips were turning blue-ish. "A-And… I w-will s-see that sh-she gets better," he muttered before averting his eyes and finally walking passed Sanji to head inside.

Sanji watched after him, but then he said, "I w-will… have s-some clothes b-brought to you."

Luffy just nodded to acknowledge that he heard, but didn't turn or say more. After awhile, Sanji finally followed after him, getting colder and colder by the second.

"Good, I'm glad he cooled down and decided to stay," Luffy said, smiling softly up into the air.

"Me too. I'm glad someone made them see sense," Nami replied with a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, but I expected them to fight," Luffy replied with a nod.

"Oh? Really?" she asked, blinking down at him curiously.

"Yup," he replied, but said no more.

"Hmm," Nami hummed, but then she gasped softly when she heard voices, and quickly turned towards the deck. "The others, they're back."

"Ah," he replied and sat up.

"Nami-swaaan~!" Sanji exclaimed, but went quiet. "Ah, Nami-san?"

"We're over here!" Luffy called, and there was more silence, but then he heard Sanji's footsteps as he quickly ran over.

"And what are you doing over her with my Nami-swan~!"

"She's not-Mmm!"

"What does it matter, Sanji-kun?" Nami asked after slapping a hand to Luffy's mouth. "You knew either way we would be together, since I'm reading to him. We decided to come outside. Is that a problem?" she asked, glaring back at Sanji challenging.

Sanji stared for awhile, though he was staring at an irritated Luffy. However, he turned to Nami with hearts in his eyes and clasped his hands together. "Of course not, Nami-swan~!"

"We're hungry, Sanji-kun," she said, and that was all she needed to say before he was off to make the crew's dinner.

"Why did you stop me?"

Sighing deeply, Nami turned to look at him. He was frowning in her direction, his eyes looking a little to the left of her. "I just didn't want to say anything to him yet. He would have been all upset and then you would have been upset, and I just didn't want to deal with that right now. We've had a peaceful afternoon, and I didn't want that to be ruined," she said, turning away from him.

He relaxed slightly, still staring off into her direction, but then he sighed and said, "I guess it could have turned out like in the book, huh?"

"Something like that," she mumbled with a flush as she looked down at her lap and picked at imaginary threads.

Silence passed over them for a few moments, but then Luffy sighed and said, "All right, Nami. We don't have to say anything to them. I guess I wouldn't mind keeping it to ourselves for awhile." He smiled then and chuckled.

Looking up at him, she returned his smile with her own warm one. His eyes shifted directly over towards hers, and his own smile softened. "You're glowing again," he said very softly.

"Hmm," she hummed quietly, "I kind of feel like I'm glowing," she said before leaning against him.

Sighing contentedly, Luffy rested his head on hers and closed his eyes. Blind or not, he felt contentment. Even if he never got his eyesight back, even if he never completed his dream… he would always have Nami.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: Maaw~! *U* How cute~! It took me awhile to figure out what to write for this chapter… ~.~ I actually listened to the song that started this fic, and it gave me ideas! :D I will be able to put those ideas on paper for next chapter! X3 Once I get the chance to write it… ~.~ Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed! :D