Chess Piece

The next day…

It's Monday, everyone began going to school like normal. The weather is perfect, no cloud in the sky and the temperature is cool. The school bell hasn't rung, the students still were arriving to school.

Nami just arrived in her class and had a smile on her face. She couldn't stop remembering the night she spends with Luffy and the story he told her. She felt like the luckiest girl on earth. Her thoughts were interrupted by Vivi.

"Nami.." She called out waving to her.

"Good morning Vivi" she responded going to her seat.

"My, my, dont you look happy today" Robin spoke smirking.

"w-what I'm happy every day" Nami said flustered.

"Not this happy, your usual look bored and uninterested...here I thought you would still be haunted from the incident in Smile Corp" Vivi exclaimed.

"Well I'm not anymore" She said with a wide smile.

"Did Luffy help you through it" Robin asked smiling.

"(Blushing).k-kind of" she said quietly.

Vivi eyes widen with surprised hearing she admits it. She smiled at how happy she looks, even if it hurts her a bit. She did plan to go for Luffy but after seeing how they interact with each other in Smile Corp, she knew that they have something she can't go between.

"That's great..I'm happy for you" Vivi said to her with a smile.

"So what do you think of Luffy now?" Robin asked curious.

"Well now I think of him has a friend" Nami answered her.

"Are you sure it's nothing more.."

Nami face turned bright red. She turned to Robin and was about to speak until her eyes landed on Yusai who is looking out the window. The memories of the night with Luffy emerged causing her hands to turn into fist. The image of Luffy's scar appeared in her mind, causing her blood to boil. Her expression turned from happy to cold. She didnt notice her friend's reaction toward her change of mood. Her focus is on Yusai who slowly turned and faced her.

"Yusai!" Nami shouted in anger causing everyone to look at her.

Yusai didnt flinch from her shout. Instead he showed no emotion looking at her. "Whats gotten into her" he thought noticing how dark her expression is.

"Luffy told me about how you both met and about what you said to him…"

Yusai eye twitched. "So he told you...hmm, I thought she doesn't care about me or you but from her tone of voice and expression, you were able to break into her heart...now I have to deal with her anger" he thought sighing and looked away from her.

"(Tick mark)..Hey!,I'm talking to you!" Nami shouted to him comically.

"Nami settle down" Miss K said coming into the class.

Everyone faced the front except for Yusai who is staring out of the window. Nami had her arms crossed in frustration. "That guy..i need to talk with him" she thought tapping her arm. She soon realized something was missing. She turned her head to the empty desk near her. "Luffy, is he coming late" she thought wondering why he isn't at school yet. Her attention moved to Miss K who began to speak.

"Alright Class I have some great news…" she spoke.

Suddenly steps can be heard entering the class shocking everyone including Yusai.

"I proud to present.."

Black shiny hair swayed elegantly.

"Our new student, Boa Hancock" Miss K finished.

"WHAT!" Nami and Yusai shouted standing up from their desk.

"Where's Luffy!..I thought he is in this class" Hancock said unable to find Luffy.

"He sits next to Nami" she answered looking at Nami.

"Nami..(looked at her)..orange head their" Hancock said to her.

"You, why are you here?" Nami asked in shock.

"Because my Luffy is here"

"(Eye twitch)..my Luffy..he's not yours!"

"Are you sure...he must not have told you about us" she said smiling.

"About us?..what are you talking about?" Nami said confused what she meant.

"Settle down Nami..(looking at Hancock)..Miss Hancock, please take your seat" Miss K told her.

"(Looked away)..show me where my beloved Luffy sits" Hancock asked rudely.

"Next to me!" Nami answered glaring at her.

"You!..where is he?" she asked looking at the empty desk.

"I-I dont know?" Nami answered taking a seat.

Hancock started walking to Nami's desk. While she passed by many students, every male had heart shape eyes except for Zoro and Yusai. Sanji couldn't help but feel excited seeing a beauty like her. "Who is she, and how does she know Luffy" Yusai thought sitting back down.

"Tangerine, find yourself another desk" Hancock said to Nami.

"Excuse me!..why should I!"

"Because I must sit beside him not someone ill matter like you"

"(Clenched fist)..you bit.." Nami said until she was interrupted.

"Dont say another word Nami!" Kira shouted entering the room.

"Kira.." Nami said surprised seeing her here.

"I could hear you two from down the hall..(looking at Hancock)..you should take a seat"

"Not until Tangerine gets out" Hancock told her.

"Her seat is assigned to her..so you need to find one that it isn't in use"

"Tch, well I dont see any" She said crossing her arms.

(Thud)

"Here, sit right in front of the class" Kira said after placing a desk down in front of her.

"Hmph" Hancock said whipping her hair.

She took her seat in front of the class. Kira sighed from the trouble Hancock cause. Her eyes soon landed on Yusai who looked deep in thought staring at the window. She faced Miss K.

"Sorry for all this...I will be leaving now" Kira said and left the classroom.

"W-well class time to begin"

Nami crossed her arms and laid her head on them, facing towards Luffy seats. "Where are you" she thought feeling uneasy without him here next to her.

XXX

School is over and everyone began leaving. Nami's group were outside already.

"Jeez, that women sure is noisy" Zoro said talking about Hancock.

"Well she does have a loud mouth" Usopp spoke.

"That beauty!..can be as loud has she wants around me!" Sanji exclaimed twirling.

"What do you think is her and Luffy's connection" Vivi asked Robin.

"There's no connection!" Nami answered before Robin.

"How do you know that...she looks like she knows Luffy" Robin stated calmly.

"Well he doesn't know her!..he told me himself"

"When was that?"

"Oh..(sweating)..uh" Nami said nervously until seeing Yusai walking.

She felt the need to talk to him and to get her questions answer. Yusai sensed her coming but didnt turn and kept walking.

"Yusai!" Nami shouted and blocked his path.

Yusai stopped walking and stared at her.

"Where's Luffy?" She asked.

"I don't know?" He answered.

"How could you not know...you both live in the same house"

"Were not together 24 seven..(walking passed her)..but you should look for him yourself" he told her. "He might need it"

Nami watched has he walked away from her. She didn't understand what he meant. She clenched her fist from irritation in not knowing where Luffy is. She decided she was going to look for him and began running.

Yusai felt a gust of wind pass by him and stopped walking. He noticed Kira leaning against the wall waiting for him. She had a serious expression. Yusai sighed and continued walking with Kira who began following him.

XXX

"Luffy, where are you.." Nami thought looking around the city. She searched in many streets but no luck. She was going crazy going everywhere just to find him. "Ok, think Nami, where could Luffy be?" She thought to herself and began remembering his favourite place he took her. She smiled and began running.

Once she arrived, the tables were empty. She made a frown and turned around. She continued slowly walking toward the ledge. She put her elbow on it and placed her head on her hand. She gazes into the horizon. She felt depressed not able to find him. She closed her eyes and felt the wind going against her face. It is calming her down. She smiled from the warm feeling. Once she opened her eyes, she spotted something green from the corner of her eyes. She turned her head and saw a small hill of grass with a river flowing into the ocean. Her eyes widen soon spotting a straw hat. "Wait a minute..is that" She thought noticing her school uniform. Her smile widen.

"Luffy!" She shouted and began running.

She found stairs and began going down them. She started running to Luffy who is sitting looking at the river flowing. Nami began to run slower and slower until she was walking. She saw something different with Luffy. She couldn't see his face under his hat. Also, the fact that he didn't answer her made her angry so she decides to get his attention.

"Whats up with your hat…" Nami said with her hand inches away from his hat.

(Slap)

Nami eyes widen after Luffy slapped her hand away from his straw hat. Nami brought her hand close to her chest and rubbed it. She didn't know why he did that and felt hurt. She soon heard Luffy speak.

"Sorry.." he said quietly not looking at her.

Now she knew something was wrong and from the way he isn't facing her means something bad had happened. She decided to sit next to him looking at the river flow. It was quiet for a moment until Nami spoke.

"So are you going to tell me whats wrong?" she asked not facing him.

"..."

"Luffy, you can't sit here all day"

"..."

"You know you miss a big lesson today!"

"..."

"In the cafeteria, they were giving out free steaks and they were good..(smiling)"

Still no answer or reaction from him. She felt frustrated in him not talking.

"Fine then..if your not going to talk..I will leave" she said about to stand.

"Shanks left" he finally spoke.

Nami sat back down. Hearing what he just told her made her understand why he's acting like this. She knew Shanks is his uncle and is the only family he see's every day. When that type of person leaves someone, it leaves sadness but in this situation, it leaves someone being all alone.

Luffy eyes widen by the surprise hug Nami gave him.

"I'm sorry but you shouldn't be down in the dumps because he left, don't think your all alone...you made me worry when you weren't at school" she spoke.

"You were worried?" He said confused.

"Of course silly..how could I not be,..i know its sad that your uncle left but you have memories of him right, has long as you have the memories you created with him, your never alone.."

Nami went back and looked at him straight in the eye. She could see dry tears on his face. She smiled softly, rubbing his left cheek. Having a better look seeing his face with the straw hat, she couldn't help but blush. "Wow, never knew having something like this would make Luffy look…" she thought until her eyes landed on his lips. Her heart started beating fast. She felt herself heat up inside. Her head started to lean forward on its own. She soon stopped inches away from Luffy's face when his lips move.

"Nami…" he spoke softly.

Nami jumped away with the biggest blush across her face. Hearing her name from Luffy caused her insides to explode. She couldn't control it and was about to do something she didn't know she would. She breathed in and out calming herself.

"Nami, are you ok?" Luffy asked after her reaction.

"Y-ya, so were you going to say something?" She asked curious.

"(Nodded)..Thank you, I needed that" he said smiling to her.

He then stood up and stretched his arms. Nami soon found the Luffy she knows. He is back to himself and she couldn't be happier. She is surprised seeing a hand in front of her. She looked up and saw Luffy's signature grin causing her to blush. She took his hand and was pulled up.

"So, want to eat?" He asked cheerfully.

"Ya..but this time you're buying" she stated playfully.

Luffy nodded and began walking side by side. Their hands soon intertwined. Luffy eyes widen after feeling weight on his left arm. He looked to his side and saw Nami leaning against him with a smile that made him smile. The two were heading to the closest place that serves food which is Luffy's favourite place.

Nami decided to wait for him at the table while he went to get their lunch. She couldn't stop smiling seeing him walking away. Everything felt right to her now. She doesn't want this feeling to end.

"You two look like the perfect couple"

Nami reacted to the voice next to her. There was a guy sitting in the table next to her, wearing a grey and white hoodie.

"W-we're arent like that" she exclaimed embarrassed.

"Your not?..uh, that's interesting" the male voice said.

(Thud)

Nami saw a white chess piece being played on the table. She is confused why he had one in the first place.

"Why do you have chess piece?" She asked curious.

"No reason...and this chess piece is the queen, just so you know" he said having one finger on top of it.

"The queen..." she said softly, confused.

"Ya, the one that stands next to…(thud)..the king chess piece" he placed a white king chess piece next to the queen.

"Arent there more pieces in chess" she said.

"Yes, but these two are what matters in my game...you see, the target is the king but the problem is...I can't get to it"

"Why?"

"My opponent is quite a challenge but there are ways to get the king and that's…(Thud!)..first dealing with the queen" he said placing three more pieces around the queen but are black.

"Those are pawns, right?"

"Yes..just pawns in my game, which is more than my opponent has"

"Dont you have the same amount of chess pieces on each side"

"You do but in our case, no..you see, my opponent has two which for me I have unlimited..that's why, he will lose and I will win" he said separating the king from the queen that is surrounded by the rook's.

"Isnt that unfair?"

"Nothing unfair...it's just another way of playing the game, you just need learn how to play it...Nami" he said the last part deep.

Nami eyes widen from shock hearing her name from him. When she was about to speak, she heard Luffy's voice and turned her head.

"Nami!" He said in a happy tone with their lunch.

She looked back and didn't see the mysterious man anymore. She felt goosebumps not seeing him anymore. Luffy notice something wasn't right with Nami.

"Nami, are you ok?" He asked her.

"Oh,..Ya, its nothing..hurry up and bring the food, I'm starving" she said with a smile.

Luffy then placed the food on the table and the two began to eat. On the table, next to them, the king and queen chess piece were left with the king in front of the queen.

XXX

The day was slowly ending. The sky is orange yellow. Nami is seen standing outside of a store with her cellphone against her ear.

"So Mom, I'm going to be coming home late"

"Why?..is it because of a certain boy" she said teasing.

"M-me and Luffy are just friends"

"Friends!..so he isnt a classmate anymore"

"(Blush)..no, he's my friend"

"Are you sure it's nothing moore"

"M-mom!..I'm going to Luffy's place so see ya"

She hung up and sighed. She soon heard her heart beating. "Why do I always feel like this" she thought feeling warmth in her chest.

"Nami.." Luffy said coming out from the store.

"You got what you need?" She asked.

"Ya, sorry if I took too long" he apologizes.

"Dont worry, I just called my mom saying I'm going to come home late" she exclaimed.

"Oh, alright"

"So what did you buy?"

"close your eyes" he asked her.

"Uh, ok?" she said confused on why.

She did what he said and soon felt something cold going around her neck.

"Ok open them"

Nami did and looked down. Her eyes widen seeing what Luffy put on her. It is a necklace that had the colour in Tangerine and green leaf. She held it gently with one hand. She soon realized this looked familiar and looked at the store Luffy went in. "This place…" she thought remembering the first time she went in with Luffy.

"Last time you were sad that you didn't buy it so I bought you this and a thank you" he told her.

"A thank you..for what?" She asked confused softly.

"For helping me with Shanks leaving, sharing your story with me, letting me stay the night at your place, and for making going to school fun..because I get to hang out with you"

With that Nami hugged him with her arms around his neck. It confused Luffy making him blink a few times.

"I should be thanking you for making school fun for me...it was boring until you got here and..(tightening her hung)...also for being there for me in Smile Corp...I didn't know what would happen if you weren't there with me..so thank you" she spoke softly and let go.

Luffy smiled seeing the bright smile on Nami's face. He liked seeing it and never wants it to go away.

"So, should we go" Nami asked giving her hand.

Luffy nodded and took her hand.

XXX

During their walk, Nami couldn't stop her heart from beating fast. "Ok, ok, calm down Nami..it's just two friends spending some time together" she thought and bumped into Luffy.

"Hey..why did you stop all of a sudden" Nami said rubbing her noise.

"Were here" he said.

Nami eyes blinked and turned around. She and Luffy were standing in front of wooden doors. She is confused about why he stopped. She looked around and found no houses near by.

"Are you sure you're not lost because I don't see a house?" Nami questioned.

"No" Luffy said and unlocked the gate.

Once it opened, Nami is surprised seeing a house like dojo. The front yard is huge along with a small pond. The two began walking down the stone path. "Wow, so this is where he lives" she thought.

(SMASH!..SMASH!)

"What was that!?" Nami asked frightened after hearing bangs.

"Let see" Luffy said walking to the side of the house.

Nami followed him close behind fearing what was causing the ruckus. They started walking on the patio. The noise was getting louder and louder until they reached an open room and saw familiar faces.

"you need to do better than that if you want to take me down" Yusai spoke with bruises on his arms.

"(breathing heavily)..im not done yet" Sanji spoke exhausted.

The two were standing from across each other, glaring at each other. Along the side of the room, Kira, Vivi, Robin, Usopp and Zoro are seen watching the fight Yusai and Sanji are in.

"Whats going on here?" Nami asked in shock.

"Just a fight" Robin said normally.

"a fight!?..why exactly"

"Its ok Nami, this fight is between men…I must teach Yusai how to treat a lady with respect" Sanji told her.

He still had a score to settle with Yusai about the incident in Smile Corp and what he almost did to the girls he cherishes. Yusai accepted his request but wasn't going to just do nothing.

"(smiling)…Don't get involve, I've been waiting for a good fight even if my opponent just uses his legs and wears skinny black jeans..ah, maybe you should be called black leg Sanji..(showing his fist)…now give me all you got..(grinning)"