Bell-mére
"They're really disgusting," moaned Usopp.
The third fellow member of the group twisted his eyes in annoyance and pointed with his head at the two people sitting in the small tangerine garden.
"Yes, how they lick themselves," said the little reindeer in disgust.
"I think it's cute." Robin smiled and put the book she was reading on her lap, "I've never seen the two of them so happy."
"What do you mean, Robin?" asked the doctor in his naivety "They were always happy before."
The black-haired woman was about to answer, but Shipscook came to her.
"Since then they've been even more happy."
"Yes, it would be nice to be in love." smiled Robin.
"Oh, Robin my dear, was this a declaration of love?" purred the ship's cook in love.
However, the woman didn't answer him.
She returned to her book.
"Hey, Sanji? Why aren't you jealous of Luffy?" it was now coming curiously from Usopp.
The dramatic events that the entire crew had expected a more than month ago had failed to happen. "The important thing is that Nami-swan is happy. Besides, the rubber head will screw it up anyway, and then I'll be her saviour in distress," Sanji increased in his daring fantasies.
"Oh, Usopp, you should understand these two," said Zoro. "Your girlfriend is waiting for you at home." "My...girlfriend?" Usopp stammered with a bright red head.
"Yes, Miss Kaya, the one you are bothering us with," laughed Franky. "Besides, if anyone should be complaining, it's Robin. After all, she's got the two lovebirds around her also at night."
"Yes, and then they really get crazy at night," the archaeologist said dryly without turning away from her book. When she was stared at by baffled and shocked looks from her fellow archaeologists, she began to giggle.
"It was just a joke," she laughed.
A month had passed since Nami had returned to her home village. But there was no sign of a return to normality. Even though Nami was beginning to resume her old bourgeois life, or perhaps because of that.
"She's impossible." the policeman from the village claimed to the tangerine grower. The young woman had once again brought him his oranges. "Genzo, she won't even tell me," sighed Nojiko. Her little sister was very peculiar in that way. She had even asked Nojiko not to tell Genzo a single word about her pregnancy. An absurd request, she thought, because her belly was growing day by day. The baggy clothes she wore couldn't cover this for very much longer either.
"All I know is that the straw hat crew had split up a year ago and that she stayed with Luffy," the young woman explained. It wasn't true, not completely true, but she only told him this one small detail so as not to break her promise. "And she didn't tell you the reason?", Genzo asked incredulously. "No, she's not saying anything. No matter how often I ask. You know the stubborn one," laughed Nojiko, "but tell me Genzo. Where is she anyway? She said she was going to your place?" Genzo looked at the younger perplex: "She wasn't here."
A warm breeze blew from the sea onto the small island. Nami had finally found the time to visit the grave of her stepmother. With a little trick she had been able to free herself from her older sister's over-motherly care. It was too simple for her, that she didn't mind not having tried it earlier.
"Bell-mére, I don't know if they've told you yet. But I'm back," she began with a smile.
"It's been an exciting journey, Bell-mére.
We've seen so much.
So much experienced.
Unfortunately, we also fought many battles.
They ended well for us.
I don't know, sometimes I felt like fate was trying for Luffy to make it.
At the beginning of our journey I never expected which wave we would start.
Bell-mére, I was naive enough to believe that One Piece was a pure treasure of gold, silver, and jewels. But I was surprised.
We destroyed Mary Geoise and with it the Redline and Fishman's Island.
By the way, I've forgiven Hatchan.
But please keep it quiet.
He really helped us.
Actually, I feel sorry for the fish mens.
They are discriminated against and some of them are sold as slaves. Bell-mére, I will never be able to forgive Arlong.
But I've learned on my journey why he hates us humans so much.
And Bell-mére, I don't regret becoming a pirate after all.
I'm sorry, but I had to realize that the Marines and especially the World Government are worse than most pirates.
Even if they are not respectable people. I don't know.
Have you met Luffy up there in the meanwhile?
He's OK, isn't he?
By the way, Bell-mére, did you know there were islands in the sky?
We went to Skypia ourselves.
Thank goodness for Luffy being such a dreamer.
I had my doubts.
At first.
I don't know how he always managed to erase my doubts with his smile.
Anyway, it gave me the confidence I needed for all our adventures.
Bell-mére, there were so many.
I can hardly count them.
I hope you weren't worried.
Luffy was always there to protect me.
So, I was fine.
Bell-mére, it was one of the happiest times of my life.
I'm so glad I listened to you.
I didn't give up.
I've never stopped smiling, either.
That's the way life brought me Luffy.
It's funny, actually.
We were a community of convenience once.
I couldn't help but become friends with him.
You already know that. Well, at some point, the feelings just got stronger, maybe they were always there. I don't know. It doesn't matter.
We were together.
We're having a baby, too.
Bell-mére, don't be angry with him.
He had no idea.
Otherwise he wouldn't have left me alone.
At least not like this.
I don't know how much time he would have had left.
But maybe it would've been enough for Chopper to heal him.
I don't understand him.
I don't know why he did it.
He left just like that.
Without a word of goodbye. Bell-mére, I must repeat myself, don't be mad at him.
I'm sure he had his reasons.
I'm not angry with him either.
I don't think so.
I must admit, I'd like to understand.
It would make it easier for me.
It's just that I miss him terribly.
Right now, I need him.
I didn't fulfil my dream yet.
But that's all right, Bell-mére.
I have a new dream for the first time.
I want to be a great mother, just like you. Is that okay, Bell-mére?
Do you think I can handle it? "