A/N: First hints at M content!

Also: (insert witty plea for reviews here).

Chapter 7

White light, blinding and all-encompassingand then... blurs of color, flashes of sky. She was dead, she was sure of it.

They all were.

She had watched it, hadn't she? It started with Zoro, and before she could even process that pain…

Sanji, Brook, Usopp… all standing up for each other. Because that's what a Straw Hat did. They took care of each other, protected each other, even sacrificed for each other. Even the weaker amongst them.

Usopp hadn't bailed. He had stood there by his fallen comrades, stood there and tried his best until he, too…

They vanished. Maybe that's just a nice word for died. Disintegrated. Gone.

And of course she was less than useless. Her last words were to call for help from Luffy… how shitty. To leave him with that, when he had to be suffering the most, as his last memory of her. To make him blame himself even more with her last plea. If he was even still alive, himself…

But... if she were dead… why did everything hurt so much?

She opened her eyes. She was in a very normal looking little room, complete with table, chairs, a large cabinet, and the warm comfy bed she was lying on. Also… there was a creepy little old man with an actual wizard's hat perched on his pale head.

What the fuck kind of afterlife was this?

What proceeded was a veritable freakout that even Nami felt vaguely ashamed of. She could barely process what had happened to her, and then there was this strange guy… she lost it. Luckily, she did minimal damage before she started to calm herself, huddled on the ground with her Clima-Tact under her hand- but pressed onto the floor next to her. The old man was trying his best to placate her, explaining that she had flown in, injured, and he had been trying to help.

Nami was only half listening.

If she were alive, then the others were too. They would be fighting tooth-and-nail to make it back to Sabaody- back to Luffy. Franky, Brook, Sanji, Zoro... Usopp… they weren't dead.

She almost cried… but then remembered she didn't have time to. She had to find a way back.

In the coming weeks her plans for reuniting were cut short by two discoveries:

1. She was on a Sky Island. Weatherpeia, to be exact, and not easy to just catch a ride off of. The old men who lived there studied weather, which seemed… oddly perfect for her. The coincidence of interests seemed suspicious. Maybe she had been sent here on purpose?

2. In time she found out via a newspaper that the randevou was delayed two years. It was good to see Luffy's picture on the page… his brother had been killed a couple weeks previous, and Nami had wished they could all be together. He needed them… but apparently Luffy realized they needed to bide their time, more.

This was after traveling towards the archipelago for several weeks. Her priorities had to change overnight.

She needed to make sure she never had to go through something like that again. She never wanted to just sit by and watch her friends… her family die. Not while she stood by, helpless.

She needed to get less helpless.

So she studied weather through the strange science of the wizard-men on Weatherpeia. It was fine. At the very least, it kept her mind busy so the time would pass quicker.

During periods of rest, however, she wondered about everyone else. She thought about their time together- not the battles they fought, or even the exciting moments of adventure and discovery. No, the things that seemed to cement themselves most in her mind were the small moments; the day to day. Eating Sanji's cooking. Watching Franky impress Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp with rockets and fireworks. Robin recommending a very long history book to Nami that she knew she would never read. Brook's music. Zoro, quietly listening, even when he pretended he wasn't- evidenced quite clearly when he would smirk at the antics of the crew.

She missed it all.

And then there were times, when she was alone in bed and couldn't quite get to sleep, that she would find herself drifting to more private moments. Or one, specifically. Not the kiss on Thriller Bark- that had been inconsequential, a mere matter of survival. But later… when they both made the conscious choice, and decided that it was what they wanted to do.

When he had kissed her, and she had felt so warm with his body pressed against her…

Obviously, there was something going on between them. He was not just her friend, but they never really got a chance to figure out anything beyond that.

Overall, from a completely objective physical standpoint, she couldn't figure out what attracted her to him, specifically. He'd probably cry to hear her say that, she thought with a laugh. Then again, she was never really susceptible to physical charms, was she? She liked him… because he was Usopp. He was a good man, who cared enough to fight for his friends, even when he had no chance. He fought for her at Arlong Park. He fought for Sanji and Zoro and Brook at Sabaody. Running away may seem like his number one move, but Nami knew that he only did so when his moral compass dictated it was acceptable.

So, that's why she was okay with kissing him.

More than okay.

As time went on, her late night thoughts began to drift to things that had never happened. She felt rather lonely- she didn't have anyone on this island she would really call a "friend," despite their kindness. No one her own age, no other pirates or adventurers… just old guys studying.

At night, she would sometimes turn to her imagination in a very different way. It wasn't the first time she had had sexual thoughts, of course, but she had never been the type to touch herself, before. She guessed this made her a late bloomer- she was perfectly aware that most people her age had much more experience with their own bodies (and maybe other bodies), but to her defense she had never had this much down time to consider such things before. Her younger days were spent in terror, fighting to save the people she loved. Her late teens spent running around the world with a crew of men she considered to be like family… well, until very recently.

Two years was a long time- more time than she had been together with the Straw Hats. Sometimes, her fantasies would turn to a character- a prince or a thief from a book she had once read. Sometimes, she would turn to people she had met on their journeys and never really thought about like that before. She would never, however, turn her sexual thoughts to any of the crew. That felt… off-limits, even if it were only in her mind. Except, again, for the one and only member of the crew she had ever had any kind of physical experience with. Just a kiss. Just a small touch, now and then, checking in with her to make sure she was okay.

In her mind, she took it a lot further. In her mind, that kiss didn't stop so soon. In her mind, she let herself fall to the desk, pulling him with her as he touched her in places she had never been touched, her hands in real life mirroring his in her mind…

Yeah, in the light of day she would feel a bit ashamed about it. Again, it was her mind, and she knew what happened there was just for her… but it still felt a bit strange to think about him like that. If they hadn't been separated, would those things have had a chance at happening? Would those hands, bigger than her own, have gripped her waist while his hips thrust-

"Young lady!"

She jumped. How the hell did she let those thoughts seep through into her daily routine!? She was currently doing some gardening, her usual morning task, when the old man that lived down the road approached her. Kopel. He was essentially the lead navigator onboard, and had worked closely with the man who first rescued her to help get her to Sabaody on time.

"Yes?" She managed to respond without the slightest trace of the annoyance she felt in her voice.

"I have happy news! It seems we've run into a good wind- we should be arriving in the next day or two, I believe." He stroked his long white beard, nodding to himself as he spoke.

That was earlier than expected. Her heart leapt, the excitement of reunion expelling all other thoughts and feelings from her head. Days. DAYS.

She had been counting down the years, months, weeks…. And now days!

She grinned wide, thanking the man sincerely for the good news. She couldn't wait to see them all again- maybe she would be the first to arrive? Somehow, that felt good too.

Soon, she would be home.

…

She had been here a while. Usopp could surmise that much by the number of shopping bags at her feet. He knew her immediately- there was never a moment's doubt. He didn't even need a clear view of her face as he entered the bar, quietly sitting to the side. The way she held herself, the almost regal dignity to her posture, and the composure she exuded in the face of the idiots cat-calling her from the table behind them, was enough.

"Hey, woman, get over here and drink with us," a very grisly, mockingly bad impressionist of Luffy called to her, making it a command.

She sighed, finally deeming the creep worthy of some small bit of her attention. "No thank you," she answered, the words polite enough but a hint of warning creeping into her tone, "I'm waiting for someone."

'Me,' Usopp thought, his heart in his throat as he studied her covertly, using his hat to hide his face. 'She's waiting for me. She just might not know it.'

"Hey, you better say yes!" the barkeep whispered, leaning down, "He's Straw Hat Luffy…"

Usopp did his best not to snort derisively. What a good joke.

An incredibly stupid-looking Sogeking (not at all as cool as the real Sogeking!), laughed. "Waiting for someone? Probably some weakling that'll cry when he finds out Captain Luffy is here. Come here now."

That time, it was absolutely a command. Usopp could positively feel the indignation emanating from her. She swiveled in her seat, still maintaining an unaffected expression. "I'm only going to say this once," she began, very clearly, "You're no match for me so I'm not gonna drink with you. Do you understand… Straw Hat who…?"

The fake Luffy stood, furious, shouting "his" name like a threat.

A woman from the fake group approached her next, attempting to threaten her with a gun.

"Sure Star Green Kill Devil," Usopp muttered as he utilized his weapon, done watching the disgusting display. The monster plant immediately grabbed the fake Nami in it's jaws and moved over to the other offending harassers.

This got Nami's full attention. "What is that plant?" she wondered aloud, and Usopp knew it was time- finally- for his introduction.

As cool as he possibly could, in a low voice, he asked, "So, young lady, do you wanna drink with me?"

She turned, as if in slow motion, her eyes meeting his and growing wide ahead of the grin that seemed to overtake her face.

"Usopp!" she cried, throwing herself at him, arms wrapped tightly around his head as she shoved his face right into her chest. She was jumping as she held him, her small top meaning he was essentially shoved right into her cleavage, skin-to-skin.

He understood her excitement, and tried not to think too much about just how soft her breasts were while she poured out her adoration, saying, "I can't believe it! You got stronger!"

"Er, yeah, you certainly seem to have blossomed, yourself," he managed, still quite firmly clutched to her chest.

When she pulled back away from him, she gestured over her shoulder, asking about the monster plant attacking her harassers. He explained that it was his new weapon, "Pop Greens."

Boy, had he had a hard time on that island. It was all worth it, though, to feel strong enough for his crew- strong enough for her. He could feel proud of the work he had put in. "I wasn't doing nothing for two years," he said, posing in pointed a way he hoped looked really cool, "I'm no longer part of the weakling trio with you and Chopper! I became a warrior that's unfazed by danger!"

He hoped she was suitably impressed- he had worked on that little speech quite a bit in his mind.

The fake Sogeking made some kind of comments about the plants, and Nami waved a hand. "Ignore them, come on Usopp- I have a favor to ask of you." She grabbed his hand firmly, leading him out of the bar. He noticed she released a little thundercloud, surrounded by some kind of bubble, as they walked out… those idiots in the bar should never have messed with this woman. Usopp didn't stick around to see the damage, but he could imagine it, as Nami pulled him through the swinging doors.

He was sure they looked impressive as they walked away from the lightning explosion, never looking back at it, Nami calmly explaining what she had been studying since the crew was split up. He was really singularly focused on making a good impression, especially on her.

He had thought about her more than he probably should have, given the nature of his island prison. It was dangerous to be distracted, even for a moment, on Boin Archipelago.

Not that he would let on to that fact- it wouldn't seem like a very "cool" image, the idea of him pining after her. He wasn't some lost puppy- he was Usopp, Brave Warrior of the Sea. He was excited to meet up with everyone again, and to show off how strong he had grown- he couldn't let his wandering thoughts about one woman pull away his foc-

Very abruptly, she pulled on his arm, dragging him off the main street and into an alley he hadn't even noticed was present- barely even an "alley," really, given the cafe tables set off to the side, as if it were used for extra seating during busy times. The area looked like it would be bright early in the day, but in the afternoon it was bathed in shadow from the cafe's peaked roof.

The minute the two were entrenched in said shadows, she kissed him.

She didn't touch him other than the kiss and a hand still gripping his wrist. It was like she was waiting, her other arm hanging loose by her side. He didn't quite know what to do with his own hands, and before he could decide she stepped back, a strangely shocked expression on her face.

"I'm sorry. That was not planned…" she said, shifting in a way that seemed to indicate she was about to step back, releasing his wrist. He grabbed her shoulders, effectively halting her. She had seemed all confidence and power when he first saw her, and now she looked like another person entirely- embarrassed and unsure. He knew a thing or two about that, at least.

"Well, it wasn't expected on my end either," he noted, shaking her a bit to try and lighten the mood, "but it wasn't unwelcome!"

She pursed her lips, looking him up and down. That haughty confidence was back, or at least an affectation of it. "Oh? It's been two years- you're sure you haven't found a better partner for your… what did you say back then? 'Natural talent?'"

He laughed, releasing her arms now that it didn't seem like she was going to leave. "I was on an island where everything wanted to eat me- especially the plants. The only other living human soul was an old hero in a suit of armor."

"Not your type?"

"How about you?" he asked, blowing past her joke entirely.

"I just kissed you. What do you think?" she sighed, a hand to her forehead. "Like I said, I was on an island in the sky. The only residents were a bunch of old- really old- men."

"Not your type?" he tried, repeating her lame attempt at a joke.

"Haha," she managed, voice flat. "Still… a lot can change in two years. Obviously." She said the last while gesturing to him haphazardly, though he thought she perhaps was staring a bit too intently at his chest while she said it. "I shouldn't have just assumed-"

"Nami? Don't take this the wrong way, but shut up." He was trying to make a new image for himself, to be a new person. A confident, strong person. He tried to swallow any remaining nerves as his body screamed at him to just do it already!

He pushed her backwards several steps, gently, matching her movements until she hit the wall of the clothing shop on the other side of the small alley. The minute her back hit the plaster it was like a bomb went off- he couldn't even be sure who started it, but suddenly they were pressed together, her soft pink lips moving against his, her hands… oh, her hands were everywhere. She seemed almost frantic- one minute, caressing his chest (he had to guess he was right in the assumption that she appreciated his new physique), the next, fingers tangling in his hair as she pressed him to her, her bubblegum tongue curving into his mouth without hesitation. Her arms then moved around to his back, no longer able to completely surround him as they once could, fingers digging into skin like she was holding on for a lifeline.

It was a total loss of control, and Usopp knew he had never seen her like that- never felt like that, himself. It was infectious, and he found himself pushing as much of his body against her as he could while still keeping that connection of gasping, moving mouths. She was making small sounds… he had never heard a woman make noises like that before, let alone Nami. It rolled something low in his stomach, like a monster, ready to wreak havoc. He couldn't stand it, the noises she made as she ground her pelvis against his.

Fuck. There was certainly no hiding how into this he was, with her so close, his erection by this point pretty damn obvious. His heart was thumping like it was trying to stage an escape, his own hands moving from her waist to play at the bottom fabric of her very, very tiny bikini top.

She tapped at his chest with both palms open, twice, in quick succession like a message. 'Hold on' that message said. 'Hold on.'

He took a rather ragged breath, moving with just the tiniest step back. They were very similar in height, especially given her heels, but it seemed as if Nami were suddenly quite small, her knees a little bent as if they were not quite supporting her right. He looked down at her breathy, glazed-eyed expression, and almost forgot why he wasn't kissing her still.

Right. She wanted to stop.

He gulped, removing his hands from her skin in a vain effort to keep it together.

"This… is not happening here," she said in a low voice, still catching her breath.

They were actually out in public. Outside. On a street. Holy shit he had actually completely forgotten that in the moment.

He moved beside her, leaning against the wall as he let himself drop down to the ground slowly, his arms resting on his bent knees. "I need a moment."

She sat down next to him, hugging her own knees to her chest. "Was that me or you? Who should be apologizing and feeling dumb, this time?"

He laughed, the sound a little raw. "I think we can share the blame."

"Good," she agreed, reaching up to steal one of his hands from where it rested, pulling it instead to her own knee. She cupped it between her hands, twining his fingers with her own. "So this is a thing, then? Is this a thing we do now?"

"God I hope so."

She smiled, staring down at his captured hand. "Okay. Okay then. So… I got here a few days ago. I've been waiting."

"A few days? So you get bragging rights for being first, huh?"

"Nah, I think Brook's been in town longer than me. He has some kind of a show coming up- or so I'd judge by the posters I've seen around town."

"Posters?"

"Oh, yeah! Seems like he's some kind of a big-shot rockstar now. I wonder if he made a lot of money…"

Usopp rolled his eyes. Some things do not change. "We need to resupply, don't we? We should buy fuel…"

"Later. I-" she took a breath, still resolutely looking down at his hand. "I meant to say, that I've been in town a few days, so I have a room."

The point of needing a minute, for Usopp, had been primarily so the blood running hot could hopefully return to other parts of his anatomy. Her words did not help his situation. His mouth went a bit dry, unsure of what to say next.

They were supposed to meet everyone at the Sunny that evening- a time was never originally specified. Just… end of the day.

"Oh?" he managed, sure that that was not exactly the answer she was looking for.

She turned her head sharply to look at him. "Again, given your reaction I feel like I should remind you that you can say no, but… but I'd like you to see it. The room."

"Yes please," he replied, in the manliest way he could manage with the breath knocked out of him.

She smiled, standing up and brushing at her tight, low-sitting jeans. Hands on her hips, she waited, looking down at him.

"I need… another minute," he breathed, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the wall.