Disclaimer: One Piece does not belong to me, it belongs to Oda.
Writing this ended up being kind of exhausting! There were quite a few emotions in this chapter :P
Thanks so much for the reviews, they are so so lovely to read! I hope everyone continues to enjoy the story :)
Chapter 28:
Chimes sounded, delicate and pure. The mysterious melody at first surrounded him. Then he heard it in his head. When he saw Kuina standing at the center of the blue lake, Zoro hadn't been able to believe it. She was a child – looked exactly as she had the day before she died. The chimes blared louder, and the melody's speed increased. The notes alternated, entrancingly slow then fast and syncopated. As the melody invaded his mind, he felt at once ecstatic. Kuina was there! Someway, somehow, alive. Zoro had grinned as he listened to the small girl before him. She spoke of training – becoming the strongest swordswoman in the world.
And then she disappeared. Zoro frowned down at the spot where she had once stood. But then the music increased in volume and tempo. It overwhelmed his thoughts, he couldn't even wonder where his friend had gone. He blinked. A surge of chimes clanged around and within his mind. Wincing, Zoro stumbled back. When he opened his eyes, a monster stood before him.
Wide, black eyes stared him down. The creatures pale face was framed by dark green hair. It bared its gray lips, revealing rows of long, sharp teeth. At the back of his head, the melody played on. The creature smiled. In a gurgling voice it spoke. I've taken her – your young friend.
Zoro growled, yanking a katana from its sheath. He would get Kuina back. She would not lose her dream – not again. The creature's smile widened. After I kill the girl, I'll get your other friend – the one with the orange hair. She looks tasty. A pale tongue flicked over the gray lips.
Zoro raised his katana, sizing the creature up with a steely gaze. He would never let it touch Nami. With a grunt, he began to make his way through the deep water. His limbs seemed to be moving slower than normal, but it didn't matter. He would defeat this monster. Both Nami and Kuina would be safe.
As he struggled through the water, the creature backed away, taunting him all the while. Kuina is under the water now. Unless you can kill me, she will die. The monster began to giggle. And I can't decide which part of the orange-haired woman I want to eat first! The chimes in his head were growing steadily louder.
Approaching the side of the lake, the water became suddenly shallow. Heaving his katana up, Zoro splashed quickly through the water. Eyes locked on the creature's pale form, he arced his katana down. Moving quickly, the creature slithered to the side. Its fin whipped beneath him, knocking his legs out from under him. As he fell, the fin flicked up, striking the katana from his grasp. And then he hit the lake. Cold water rushed over him. Without pause, Zoro dug his feet into the mud, standing as quickly as he was able. While he was still blinking the water from his eyes, he felt a tug at his belt. With a splash, his remaining katana fell into the water.
Before he could react, something struck his chest – it must have been the creature's fin. Zoro stumbled back a few feet. Lips pulled back in a snarl, the creature leapt at him. They tumbled back into the cold water together. It hissed. Moving quickly, Zoro managed to grab a pale wrist. The skin felt slimy beneath his hand. Zoro's head twisted to the side as the creature's other hand raked across his face. Its fin struck at his legs. Up close, the creature laughed. Your friends, they're screaming beneath the water. It sounds wonderful!
With a growl, Zoro threw the creature down into the water. Nami wouldn't die. And he wouldn't lose Kuina again either. As the creature struggled up from the shallows, Zoro rushed it. He grabbed its pale shoulders, pinning the creature down beneath the water. He felt scales beneath his fingers. It shrieked as it struggled beneath him. Sharp claws raked his arms. As the creature fought, Zoro glanced desperately over his shoulder. If Nami and Kuina were under the water, he had to find them soon. There wasn't much time. Beneath his hands, the creature's struggles were slowing. He had the vague thought that it was strange – the creature weakening. If it lived in the lake, shouldn't it have gills or something? The melody sounded loud. But he didn't have time to think about that. Nami and Kuina were in the water.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he became dimly aware of a blue, glowing light. Then there was a voice. It pierced through the melody and the tinkling chimes. Zoro cringed at the sudden noise.
"I leave you guys for twenty minutes!"
Zoro frowned in recognition. Will? Slowly, he blinked.
"Hey muscles! What are you-" The voice came to a sudden halt. Will gave a shout. "Zoro! Stop!"
Zoro looked up in confusion. Will was hovering nearby; his face was panicked. With a curse, the tiny man flew closer. When he was directly in front of Zoro's face, the small man erupted in white light. The melody halted. The chimes clanged dissonant, wrong. His head suddenly clear, Zoro blinked, trying to clear the spots from his vision. His breath came in heavy pants. He had thought…Kuina? He shook his head, it was impossible, she was dead. Why had he thought she was here? Zoro frowned. Will was shouting again.
"Save her! I'll take care of the last one!"
Save her? Was he talking about Nami? Was she in the lake? Had the creature been telling the truth? At the thought of the creature, Zoro's hands tightened. He could make it tell him where Nami was. But as his fingers gripped its shoulders, he realized that its skin felt different. It was no longer scaly and slimy. It felt soft – human.
Zoro turned, looking down. All noise in the cavern cut out; a hollow buzzing sounded in his ears. Beneath the shallow water, orange hair fanned out around her. Nami's brown eyes stared blankly upward. Her pale lips were slightly parted. Where his hands gripped her shoulders, the skin was dark, already bruising.
No. Zoro struggled to breathe. He didn't. She wasn't. He couldn't have. He yanked his hands back. She didn't move. No. Hands shaking, he scooped underneath her. In a swift motion, he heaved her from the water. Cradled in his arms, water poured off of her. Her head dangled limply back. Streams of water trickled from her mouth and nose. Digging his feet into the mud, Zoro surged to his feet. With his eyes on the shore, he splashed through the shallows.
When his boots scraped on the cavern's stone, he dropped to his knees. His chest rose and fell in rapidly panted breaths. In his arms, Nami was completely still. As carefully as he was able, he lowered the navigator to the cavern floor. Her face was whiter than he had ever seen it, and her lips had drained of all color. Zoro's heart hammered painfully in his chest. What had he done?
Still breathing rapidly, he leaned over the still woman, raising a shaking hand to the side of her neck. He pressed his fingers beneath her jaw, and held his breath. Water collected on his hair and nose, dropping like rain onto her expressionless face. He couldn't feel anything. Cursing, Zoro pressed his fingers harder against her neck. Where was it? He couldn't find it. Zoro's breaths came faster and the swordsman truly began to panic. This was Nami, she couldn't be – no.
Jerking his hand away, Zoro quickly positioned himself over the still woman. He didn't really know how to do this, but he was going to do his best. He had to. His hands stilled as he positioned them, one on top of the other, over Nami's chest. He couldn't mess up, not now. Without pause, he gave a quick, solid press against her chest. He steeled himself, then did another. And another. And another. As Zoro repeatedly compressed her chest, droplets from his hair and nose continued to drip down on her. Still, she didn't move.
"God Nami. Come on! You've gotta breathe." His voice was hoarse, his tongue felt heavy. His hands moved automatically, rhythmically pressing down on her. Zoro squinted his eyes, gritting his teeth in an angry snarl. This was his fault. He did this to her. She had to wake up – had to be okay. "Please Nami! I'm so sorry. Come on, breathe Nami. Breathe!" He pressed harder. "Nami, come on! Breathe!"
Below him, a single rasping cough sounded. Zoro froze, his hands halting mid compression. The coughing continued as water spurted from her mouth. With one hand on her shoulder and the other on her chest, he rolled her onto her side. The navigator's chest heaved and water poured from her mouth. Several barking coughs soon followed. And then she gasped, sucking in a deep breath of air. Eyes closed, her chest rose and fell as she sucked in breath after breath of fresh air.
Zoro's shoulder's drooped as he leaned suddenly forward. He reached a hand out, bracing himself against the cavern floor as he watched her. Color had returned to her lips and a flush was even beginning to show on her cheeks. She was alive. He closed his eyes. For a moment he had really thought – He shook his head. Opening his eyes, he continued to watch her. Her breathing was finally beginning to slow back to normal. His fingers twitched. He wanted to touch her. Feel her warm skin beneath his fingers. Verify beyond all doubt that she was okay. But he didn't. Instead, he clenched his fingers into tight fists. On her shoulders, two bruises stood out, dark against her skin. He had done that. He had hurt her – almost killed her. Zoro swallowed, looking away. If Willdren hadn't come back and snapped him out of it – Zoro's stomach clenched. He felt sick.
When he looked back, Nami's eyes were open. Wide brown eyes stared directly at him. She coughed again as she pressed against the ground, slowly maneuvering herself upright. Zoro scooted back. After what he'd done, she wouldn't want him anywhere near her. Zoro felt cold. He'd be lucky if she ever trusted him again. After this, it was doubtful he deserved her trust at all.
She blinked. Her voice was hoarse, scratchy. "Are you, you again?"
He nodded. Zoro paused, clearing his throat. It suddenly felt as though there was a lump in it. "Nami." He swallowed, looking down. "I'm so sorry. I didn't-"
His words were lost when a wet body struck his chest. Losing his balance, Zoro grunted as he dropped back into a seated position. Shaking arms wrapped around him as she pressed her face into his chest. Nami's voice was muffled when she spoke. "Baka. You really scared me."
When she hugged him, Zoro froze. At her words, he tentatively closed his arms around her. Gently as he was able, he wrapped an arm around her back. With the other, he cradled the back of her head. Against his chest, he could feel her shaking breaths. His arms tightened.
Her forehead burrowed against him. "Don't ever look at me like that again. I've never been afraid of you in my life. I didn't know what to do."
Zoro felt a physical ache in his chest at her words. Nami shouldn't – shouldn't ever have to be afraid of him. He squeezed his eyes closed, replaying the fight with the monster – picturing Nami in its place. He shook. "Nami, god – I'm so sorry." He swallowed. "I hurt you."
Her nose rubbed against his chest as she shook her head. "S'not completely your fault. They said men were weaker to the music in the first place."
"I need to be stronger then."
"I don't think there was really any way to prepare for this."
"I'll never forgive myself."
"I think you're being a bit dramatic."
Zoro looked incredulously down at her. "You're kidding right?! I almost killed you!"
Nami tilted her head up. Strands of wet hair clung to her forehead and neck. "You thought you were killing a terrifying monster."
"Which happened to be you."
She raised her eyebrows. "Should I be insulted?"
Zoro scowled. "Stop making light! I seriously fucked up."
Sighing, she leaned against him. "I'm not mad. I admit, when you freaked out and were giving me the death stare, I was pissed, not to mention scared out of my mind. But they were in your head. It's not your fault."
Letting out a slow breath, Zoro rested his chin on top of her head. He wasn't sure what prompted him to do it. But with his arms wrapped around her, and she being practically in his lap, it just felt like the natural place for his chin to be. He took in an even slower breath as he tried to sort his thoughts. When he had turned, and seen that it was Nami beneath his hands in the water. Zoro closed his eyes. It was an image he would never be able to erase. When he had seen her, he had been scared. No, not scared, terrified. And then she had just laid there, lips and face pale.
Zoro's grip on her tightened. "Nami." He paused, still working through how to say what he felt. "If something had happened to you – if I – I – didn't get you back." His jaw briefly clenched. "I don't know what I would've done."
Nami had gone still in his arms. Finally, her hoarse voice rose. "Baka, that's easy. You'd get the hell out of this labyrinth – after avenging me of course."
He was shaking his head before she had even finished speaking. "I just-" He paused, once again looking for the right words. "I can't imagine going back to the ship – and you – you not being there. I don't want to even think about it." He cleared his throat, the lump was back. "And for a second there, I thought I was going to have to live that." He swallowed. "And it terrified me." As he finished speaking, Zoro stared straight ahead. He didn't think he had spoken so openly about his emotions – ever. It was hard. But with all they had been through, he couldn't deny that Nami was connected to a lot of new emotions as of late.
Nami's head was once again pressed firmly against his chest. "You don't get scared."
"I was today."
"Zoro-" Nami's spoke with more hesitation than he had ever heard from the navigator. "I wouldn't want to imagine the ship without you either."
Zoro adjusted his arms, instinctively pulling her closer. He felt a constriction in his chest. Where she touched him, his skin was warm.
Nami's head remained buried against his chest. Her ears had begun to turn red. "I'm on your lap."
The corner of his lips twitched. "Yeah, you are."
She began to speak rapidly, her voice raising in pitch with each word. "I was just scared. And a little emotionally drained. I – well for some reason I'm finding that being close to you is calming." She stuttered. "You – uh – well, make me feel safe I think. And after all that, I just needed – um, this." By the time her voice trailed off, her ears were completely red. She took a deep breath, still refusing to meet his eyes. "You brought it up earlier, but I didn't want to talk about it – I still don't. But now that I'm in your lap and my arms are around you, and yours are around me – we kind of have to."
"Nami."
She froze.
Zoro shifted. "We don't have to talk about it. You know, I'm not the best at putting words to my thoughts. I've probably met my limit for the day." At this point, he felt his own face going red. "Just – we both know that there are new – erm – feelings here. Between us." As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted saying them out loud. He wasn't good with emotions, dealing with his own or reading others – at all. He knew his feelings had changed about her. But what if he had somehow misinterpreted everything on her end?
Nami slowly pulled away from his chest. Leaning back, she tilted her head upwards. Her eyes were wide, but her eyebrows had drawn together and her lips were pressed together in a determined line. She looked at him for a long moment, then spoke. "There are definitely feelings. I – well I've recently come to the conclusion they're actually a bit terrifying."
Zoro shook his head. "Not really scary. Just confusing and more than a bit distracting."
Nami raised her brows. "Distracting?"
He frowned. "Yeah, I'll be trying to do one thing – and then some kind of thought that has something to do with you will pop in my head. And then it won't get the hell out."
Nami covered her mouth, hiding her grin. "You know, you're actually making me feel better."
"You sound surprised."
"I am." She stuck out her tongue.
Zoro did his best to muster a convincing scowl. "You really are pretty shitty at talking about feelings. Here you are already changing the topic."
Nami's eyes widened. She gave him a shove. "You ass! Don't insult my ability to talk about feelings, while we are talking about our feelings!"
Zoro chuckled. "Maybe we've exhausted the feelings talk for today." After all, he really didn't know what else to say. He wasn't lying when he said that he wasn't the best at putting words to his thoughts. And beyond the fact that he was developing potentially strong feelings for the navigator, he hadn't managed to figure out anything else – much less put words to it.
Meanwhile, Nami regarded him with a narrow eyed stare. "Fine. But to be clear – we have feelings – for each other. And we will-" She bit her lip. "See where they go?"
He nodded. See where they go. He liked the sound of that. Just leave it – to luck. "I can do that."
Her lips slowly pulled back in a smile. "Okay. Me too." She paused, her eyes flicking down to his lips. Slowly, she leaned forward.
"Alright!"
Nami squealed, falling backwards at Will's sudden appearance. Zoro tugged her back at the last second, preventing her from tumbling back to the stone floor. They each leveled the small man with their own glare.
Dusting his hands together, he continued speaking. Seemingly oblivious to the dark looks being directed at him. "I took care of the other one." He shivered. "Ugh, sirens. Nasty, nasty creatures." He turned to look at them. "So glad to see the girl's okay." Will awkwardly scratched his head. "I was concerned for a minute there."
Zoro clenched his fist, looking down and away from them both.
He felt the gentle pressure of Nami's hand against his chest. He glanced up. Her face was solemn, her wide eyes fixed upon him. All traces of the previous levity had left her face. "Stop."
He shook his head. "I can't." His head lowered as his eyes traveled down to the bruises on her shoulders.
Cool fingers reached beneath his chin. Gently, they lifted until his eyes once more met hers. "Didn't you say you already had one distraction?" The side of her lips quirked up. "How are you going to get us safely out of this labyrinth if you have this on your mind too?" Unblinking brown eyes held his own. "You're going to have to let this one go." Her face broke out in a grin. "For my sake, if nothing else." With a wink, she retracted her hand.
Zoro re-clenched his fists, then slowly let them loosen. It wasn't that easy. But he nodded. He knew that the events that transpired in the lake were going to haunt him for a long, long time. But Nami didn't have to know that. Zoro gave her a small smile.
Will sighed. "I really can't get enough of you two." The small man slowly lowered himself to the floor. When his feet touched the stone, his wings flitted once more, then stopped altogether. Approaching them with tiny hurried steps, he twiddled his fingers.
Nami frowned at his nervous approach. "What?"
He laughed, anxiously scratching one of his pointed ears. "Heh. You won't guess what happened when I was summoned."
Neither Zoro nor Nami spoke.
Will cleared his throat. "Um, yes. Well it seems our ruler wants to meet you."
There was a moment of silence.
Zoro watched Willdren with a narrow eyed stare. "Why?"
Will's black eyes shifted between them. "I'm not completely sure." His lips twitched. "She sees more than most. She usually has her reasons. Though we seldom understand them."
Nami glanced in his direction. He met her gaze. When she looked back to Will, her voice was wary. "Do we have a choice?"
Will tilted his head, regarding Nami with a curious stare. "There is always a choice." He flicked his wings. "Of course, if you don't go to see her, I will no longer be able to guide you. It would be a betrayal towards her if I did."
Zoro growled. "So we don't have a choice."
Will adamantly shook his head. "You do! Just not a very good one."
"Great."
Nami shook her head. "We should probably go then." Her eyes shifted towards Will. "Is she going to try to eat us?"
Will frowned. "I want to say no. But you can never really be sure in here."
Nami slapped a hand against her forehead.
Meanwhile, Zoro began to think over plans of action. Whoever – or whatever – ruled the labyrinth must be powerful. Zoro's gaze turned to Nami. He had come close to losing her once already. He wasn't about to let anything like that happen again. He would have to be ready for whatever they might be facing when they met the labyrinth's ruler. Speaking of… Zoro lifted his head, trying to think back to the murky events from when the siren's music played in his head. "Where are my katana?"
Beside him, Nami froze. Her eyes flicked from him to the pool of water beyond. "In the lake."
At once, the memory of their splash as they dropped into the water played over in his mind. "Shit!" In a second, Zoro was on his feet, scanning the shallow water for his blades. As he fished through the water on his hands and knees, Nami called out from the shore.
"Hey Zoro! Mind grabbing my clima-tact while you're at it?" Her voice was cheery. "Thanks!"
Zoro sighed, running his hands along the muddy lakebed. "Sure." It was turning out to be a really, really long day.
Thanks for reading! :) Next up: Meeting the mysterious ruler of the labyrinth.
