Author's Note: Hmm, I found some time to write this today. Thanksgiving break is so much closer! X3 Thinking about it makes me sooooo excited! Also, we will be finding out today if we make a move or not! XD We'll be heading to Minnesota if we do~! I'm excited about that too! Also! I'll be closer to Ara! :D I'll actually get to see and meet her! XD That is also exciting~! We'll actually get to get together and discuss and work on the books much easier~! ALSO EXCITING! XD I'm going to punch her in the face, and then glomp her! Buwahahaha! XD No, I'm kidding~! I'll just glomp her~! X3 BFF's FOREVER! *Snicker*

Engagement

Chapter 14: Choice

'Seeing his hat upon her head … I realized that I had lost. Perhaps she just felt safer with Luffy. Well … who wouldn't? Luffy was the strongest, no doubt. He would most definitely be able to keep her safe. It was still a shock to me, however, that our rubber idiot captain had wanted to be with Nami-san. It was all right with me though, as long as Nami-san was happy.'

"I see," he replied with a smile when his eyes shifted to the hat. "So then, you're going to accept his proposal?"

"Ah, Sanji-kun, I-" she started as her face slowly fell into a soft frown. "I'm really sorry about … all of this. I-It was my fault for misunderstanding, and … I've probably hurt you. So, I'm sorry," she said, lowering her head.

"No, you haven't hurt me, Nami-san. I was … actually … hoping the real owner would step up to clear up the misunderstanding. It was my fault all of this happened … so if I hurt you … I'm sorry. I didn't want to start any relationship that was based off of a misunderstanding. If it were to have happened anyways, well … that would have been different. I won't be upset or hurt if you decide to stay with Luffy. Disappointed maybe, but that's no big deal," he said, placing a new cigarette into his mouth and lighting it.

Sighing deeply, she started walking, slowly making her way towards him. "Well … we did talk and …" she paused, biting her lip and not really sure how to explain with happened, "I'm going to be honest, Sanji-kun … I told you yes, because … I was afraid of what would happen once we accomplished our dreams … I wanted … to feel safe and secure … and being married to you … I would have had that … So, I'm sorry for that too, but … Luffy, he …"

"I think I understand what you're trying to say," he said, leaning against the rail beside her. "If Luffy's chosen you … it's because the idiot cares about you. I know that we hardly ever take him seriously … but this is definitely something to take him seriously about, which I'm sure you've done."

"Yes," she replied softly as she lowered her head, "I considered his proposal seriously."

Nodding slowly as he looked away, Sanji took a long drag of his cigarette before releasing the smoke from his mouth. "So … are you going to accept it?" he asked, shifting his eyes to her as he gave a half smile.

Looking back up at him, she smiled as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before nodding. "Yes …" she replied softly as she opened her eyes and looked up at him with a soft flush.

Chuckling softly, he pushed off the rail and stepped towards her to gently place a hand on top of her head over the hat she still wore. "Then I wish you both happiness, Nami-san," he said, closing his eye into his smile.

"Thank you, Sanji-kun … I … feel a lot better, now that I've talked to you," she said, smiling wider with a rosier blush.

"Me too," he admitted with a chuckle before turning to head back to the dining room. "I'll leave you to it then … I'll need to speak with Luffy later … Let him know for me?" he asked over his shoulder. "Hope you'll still join us for breakfast. If not, I'll bring both of you something," he said, stopping at the dining room door and turning to look at her.

"Okay, I will. Thank you, Sanji-kun," she said, beaming back at him and making him smile wider as he opened the door and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

Sighing softly now that he was gone, but keeping her smile, she then turned back around, staring at the corner she would need to turn to get back to Luffy. "Here goes …" she whispered to herself as she took a step and headed for the back again.

"So? Did you talk to Luffy? You were gone for quite some time," said Usopp, looking back at Sanji, who was still standing in front of the door.

Sanji's eyes were closed, but then his lips curved up on one side into a smile. "No, but I did speak with Nami-san," he said as he moved towards the kitchen.

Glaring at his back, Zoro asked, "So … does that smug smile mean she chose you instead?"

"No," replied Sanji softly. "She did not choose me. She chose Luffy."

"Eh?" both Usopp and Chopper questioned as all eyes remained on Sanji. However, he wasn't meeting anyone's gaze.

"Seriously? She … actually chose Luffy? He's not mad at her anymore?" asked Usopp with a confused and blank stare.

"No, they talked ... She told me that she was going to accept his proposal," explained Sanji as he started to clean up.

"Is she serious about accepting it?" asked Zoro, staring back at Sanji intently.

"Yes," he replied back quietly, "she told me that she had considered it seriously. She was on her way, I'm guessing, to speak with him again. So, it looked as if she had gone to think about it by herself and was on her way to accept it."

Seeming satisfied with this, Zoro gave a nod and closed his eyes again. As long as she was serious, and the blonde was all right with it, then he was okay too. Shifting his eye up to Zoro, Sanji just smirked and chuckled as he set food aside for Luffy and Nami.

'It was humorous, to say the least, at just how much the Marimo looked after Luffy. He is kind of like the older brother figure. He was doing his job as First Mate well, that was for sure. It was commendable. However, soon it would be my part to speak with Luffy and make things right again. Would I be able to?'

To Be Continued …

Author's Note: Maw~! Well, that worked out well~! X3 Now up next … Nami speaking with Luffy again. *Snicker* X3 Oh, and be joyful. It was a longer chapter! XD I passed 1k words this time! Bahahahaha! XD Thanks for reading. ;)