WARNING

This chapter contains a recap of sexual assault. Proceed at your own risk. I have never gone through an experience like this but have the knowledge that mentions or discussions of experiences like these have the power to trigger some people or give them the drive to grow from it.

Once again, this is a warning to read at your own risk.

(Disclaimer: The rating remains the same. It is rated T for Teens and above.)

For those that do not want to risk being triggered and want to have a discreet gist of what happened in this chapter, I will provide a summary at the end, i. e. the bottom of this chapter not the pending end of this fanfic.

I

I

I

I

Nami and Robin each took turns to give Vivi a hug goodbye. Their unsuccessful shopping trip was over and she had to meet up with her father for a lunch date.

Cobra was a busy body but saved whatever time he had off to spend with his daughter. Vivi rarely declined his invitations.

"Why don't we go to a cafe," said Robin, "My treat."

Nami loved anything free. She didn't have any plans afterwards. Maybe if Robin was up for it, they could check out some more stores afterwards.

Nami smiled appreciative as the waiter placed her milk latte and mikan roll cake and Robin's earl grey tea on their table. They were at the nice confectionary, Whole Cake Delights, they liked to frequent ever so often. Nami even came here with Luffy a few times. He may not look like it but he too was a sucker for sweets.

"So," Robin began, "About that boyfriend you had."

Nami's smile disappeared. And she ruined the pretty latte milk neko design with a stir of the spoon.

"What about him?"

"What really happened?"

Nami never spoke about it. All her friends knew was that she was in a relationship with this guy 4 years older than her. They didn't even get a name but the next thing they knew, they broke up after being together for less than 3 months. Luffy of course knew what happened as well as her mum and sister. And a few others who were there that day.

She took a deep breath. Her eyes lowered pondering whether now was in fact time to talk about it but it had been so long and Robin being one of her close friends had the right to know.

Truth was it didn't bother her much anymore. She had long outgrown that.

"His name was Arlong. He was a business student, older, rich and knew his way around the campus and everything. Everyone respected him. He had his eyes on me and I saw an opportunity you know so I took it. I still can't believe to this day how ignorant I was.

"I wanted to have the full university experience. I had a boyfriend, went to clubs and late-night parties, the drinking- the whole works.

"He lavished me with money and gifts which I gladly accepted at first but then things got out of hand. It being my first relationship, the rate at which things were moving was fast.

"Any time we were intimate, it made my skin crawl but I thought I'd get used to it. We went and did everything he wanted. It was about him. Everything was about him..."

Robin was all ears. She usually enjoyed her tea hot but left it to cold.

"Arlong didn't care about who I was, where I came from, who my friends were and he especially hated when I spoke about Luffy. It became so bad that I'd ignore texts and phone calls when I was out with him so he wouldn't get angry. I had to lie to my best friend claiming that I was busy. I despised myself for that."

"The last day of our relationship was... well..." Nami gulped. A chill went up her spine. Her eyes shut tight, reliving the moment.

The moment when it all happened...

It was nearing the end of the party. The time was 1:00 am and everyone was either passed out, drunk or had gone home to catch up on some sleep.

Some lingered and danced and drank beer and alcohol. Nami and Arlong were in this lot. As Nami drank her 10th bottle that night, Arlong was dancing along with the booming music, grabbing her close and she could not ignore his roaming hands along her body. The alcohol numbed the discomfort, numbed the displeasure of his hot breath and earnest lips on her neck and shoulder.

Nami wanted to vomit but it was not the alcohol's fault. She wished she was anywhere but there but she was his girlfriend. His property. Things like this were supposed to be normal. At least, that's what he made her think.

More and more people left and how she wished to be a part of that crowd.

"We should go," she said. She tried to pry his hands off but he held fast.

"I say we stay. How's that?"

Arlong hated it whenever she said no. It was his least favourite word. However, she knew how to talk to him. Always knew which words to say.

"Maybe next time."

This tactic which had worked in the past left her for dead. It did not work. Arlong was not drunk per se. He did not have much to drink as she did but it was enough to mess with his mood.

He crushed his lips on hers and Nami refused the urge to push him away. He was never gentle or considerate. He always hurt her. Whenever she mentioned it he never listened so there was no use.

"Today's your birthday isn't it?"

Nami was not flattered nor happy that he remembered. She was to spend the day with Luffy who she hadn't seen in so long but that was a secret. It was planned months in advance and there was no way she was going to cancel. Arlong would have to kill her.

"It is but I already have plans."

"In that case, how about I come over and spend some time? I'll make your night extra special. What do you say?"

"No."

Nami spoke without thinking. She regretted it.

Arlong growled under his breath. Next, he took her roughly by the hand and dragged her to the nearest bathroom, lifted her on the bathroom sink and slammed the door shut.

At this point, Nami was scared. Terrified. There was no way out. The bathroom was small and stuffy with a tiny window. And even if it was big enough, leaving would be impossible. They were on the third floor.

"What are you going to do?" Nami surprised herself. Her voice was firm but a far cry from the horror welling up in the pits of her stomach.

She tried to remain calm but was failing miserably.

"It's been over two months and not once have we slept together. Girls usually give themselves to me within a week."

"This is all your fault, kitten."

The nickname Nami thought was sweet in the early days of their relationship, now sounded like poison. It was the most revolting and demeaning thing. A kitten could be viewed as something cute and precious. Other times like now, the name deemed her weak and helpless. Small and pathetic.

Arlong said it was all her fault as if she deserved it. She lead him on and took his money and his gifts. She did not love him or even liked him. She used him and now he had the right to use and abuse her.

Maybe he was right. It was her fault why he hit her and her fault why now at this moment, the day of her 19th birthday she was going to be raped. She couldn't wait for it all to be over so she could go back to her room and lock herself away from the world. She desperately wanted the night to end and she never wanted to see this sick bastard's face ever again. She blamed herself for making her bed. Now she had to lie in it.

Tears squeezed past her tightly shut eyes and she gulped nothing to ease her dry throat at hearing him unbuckle his pants and hearing it hit the tiled floor.

She planned on thinking only of the outing tomorrow with Luffy to distract her from what was to come but the mere thought of her best friend had her sobbing like a lost child. All hope was lost. No one was going to help her. She wished Luffy were here. All she wanted to be was by his side and she so badly wanted him to come and save her from her troubles like he did so many times in the past.

'Shhh' "It'll be over before you know it. I promise." Arlong's voice was low and mocking and he had the nerve to rub a gentle hand across her dishevelled hair as he brought himself closer.

His strong hands with difficulty forced her clamped legs open and Nami was reaching her limit. She could not hold him off any longer.

At this point, without paying attention, the music had died down and a banging came at the door.

"Is someone in there?"

"For crying out loud," Arlong muttered in frustration and quickly pulled his pants back up. He then took a towel off the rack and threw it Nami's way.

The door he forgot to lock creaked open revealing Hachi, one of Arlong's goons. He gaped at the scene. He was not the smartest guy around but it did not matter how one would look at it, the sight was not a pretty one. Products that were once on the sink were thrown everywhere. The obvious clothes on the floor and the red and blue swells of Nami's jaw, arms and poorly covered thighs.

Nami pulled the towel closer and had managed somehow to centre herself despite the aches and a hair's breadth escape from the worst experience of her life.

Before Arlong could escape out the door she had something to say.

"It's over."

"That's not your choice to make, kitten. We'll pick up another time. It isn't over yet."

He left then with Hachi behind him and Nami who could not believe her ears curled up and cried. All he had to do was let her go. She no longer wanted to be with him but he stated claim on her reminding her that she was his property. His and his alone.

She could report him but who would believe her? If it was the money and the gifts he gave her, surely she could find a way to pay him back. All she needed was time.

Nami avoided the mirror and got herself dressed, hating how her hands shivered at the jeans' zipper and buttons. Her legs had little strength left in them but she had to get out of there lest Arlong returned.

She left the apartment and during her walk back to her place, she couldn't stand it any longer and placed herself close to a wall and slid down it, stifling sobs and tears.

The worst was yet to come.

Nami tried calling her mum. She wanted someone to tell her that everything was going to be okay. She did not want to talk about it. Didn't want another person blaming her saying that it was all her fault. Anything but that. And how she yearned for it like a dying man clinging to life.

Her hands moved on their own dialling the very first number she could pick from her clouded conscience but as a consequence, the call did not lead to her mother. It lead to Luffy.

He picked up on the first ring.

"Nami? Oh, you're still up. Happy birthday! I didn't forget about our outing at 9. I'm just here trying to pick out something to wear. How have you been?"

Nami cried silently. Warm, heavy tears dripped down her face. She stoned herself.

"Nami? Is everything okay?"

"I'm okay, Luffy. I've been meaning to call my mum but called you by accident. I'm sorry." Her voice cracked on the last note but it was barely noticeable.

"You've never done that before, call me by accident, I mean... Are you sure you're okay? I'll listen."

"I'm... " Nami pressed her face to her hugged knees. "I'm not okay, but I will be. I promise."

She had started bawling at this point and Luffy listened silently on the phone.

"I wish you were here. I'm sorry for everything... I haven't been the best friend to you lately and I hate myself. I hate myself so much... I-"

"Nami, listen to me."

Nami sniffled, violently dabbing away the tears. Nevertheless, she listened.

"You're my best friend. And I won't listen to you say that about yourself because you mean the world to me. With that being said... Tell me the name of the bastard who made you cry."

Luffy was angry as expected. Scratch that. He was livid. And Nami knew that this exact thing would happen as soon as he found out. She had seen him get angry in the past especially in situations where his friends were involved but this time was a whole lot different. That is what Nami told herself. The fault was hers, to begin with.

"Was it him?"

"Before you get upset, Luffy, let me explain."

She intended to calm him down.

"Was it him?"

Luffy did not want calming down. All he wanted was one answer and one answer alone.

"...Yes."

Nami did not know how Luffy did it but the journey it took to reach her university was about a 2-hour drive. He came in 45 minutes.

He hopped out the passenger side of his dad's car and met her under the tree outside her dorm.

To hide her bruises, she donned a hoodie that was previously tied around her waist. Her hair, she released from its messy bun to hide the purplish bruise on her face, also hoping that the dark of the night would hide the lot of it.

She told him that he didn't have to come, that she was fine but he came despite her wishes. She needed him and he knew.

Luffy tore his seatbelt off as soon as he saw her, rushed out the car and before he could reach out and touch her, Nami took a step back.

Dragon, Luffy's dad, watched the exchange from afar.

"Nami?"

Luffy eyes widened in surprise. His brow furrowed and the frown he wore was deep.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that."

Nami tried to laugh it off, rubbing her shoulders and looking at her feet. It wasn't even cold. It was summer.

"He hurt you didn't he?"

"He did but-"

"There's no but, Nami." The bastard had to pay but Nami came first. Luffy wanted to console her. To let her know that he was there for her, right now and always.

He held his arms open towards her and watched her hesitate. Now, she was wary of him, but whether or not she came was her choice. He wouldn't force her to do anything she did not want to do.

It took her 5 seconds to cave in, and she approached, laid her head on his chest and allowed him to conceal her from the world.

"What took you so long?" He soothed. He did not expect an answer.

"I'll always be here for you, Nami. Everything is going to be okay."

Nami lost it and hooked arms around his neck. Her weak knees dragged both of them to the ground and Nami cried herself dry.

"I was so scared... and alone."

"What happened?"

Nami wasn't ready to talk about it but with Luffy, she told him everything. How he cornered her in the bathroom, demanding something she was not willing or ready to give. That he hit her more times than one.

Luffy had a thorough look at her face and Nami allowed him to pull her hoodie free off her shoulders and arms after he caught sight of the bruises. He silently counted them all while wiping Nami's tears away, listening to every last one of her sobs.

"I had it coming, you know. So leave things as they are. I should have ended things a long time ago."

"No. No one deserves to be treated like this. Not you, not anyone. You did nothing wrong, Nami."

"You don't understand."

Like her old classmates called her, she was a bitch. One day something like this was bound to happen. She had it coming. It was long overdue.

"I understand enough. I understand that you were hurt by someone you thought you could trust, that they almost took advantage of you and left you feeling sorry for yourself.

"You cannot expect me to do nothing about it."

"No, Luffy. You can't."

"What if he did rape you? What if he hurt you more than he already has?"

Nami had run out of words to say. If he did end up going that far as to rape her, she would have probably said the same thing. Trying to protect a sick bastard like Arlong was unthinkable. He had hurt her and had the potential to hurt others even far worse than he hurt her. He had to be stopped. He had to be put in place. Luffy was right.

And she told him exactly that.

"You're right."

Luffy sensed his best friend returning to her old self and he pulled her in for a tight squeeze, avoiding her arms. Nami soaked him in. He had come just as she wanted and told her the exact words she wanted to hear, but there was no telling what he was going to do next.

Luffy pulled away a moment too soon and stood, helping his best friend to her feet.

"What now?" she asked.

"Just sit tight. I'll be back."

He lead her to his dad's car opened the back seat and let her in, taking off his red jacket and placed it on her shoulders and tucked her in.

As he patted the sides to make sure she was comfortable, Nami stopped him with a small kiss to his forehead and another hug. Sometimes it was hard to believe he was real.

"Dad?"

"What is it, Luffy?"

"Do me a favour and call the cops."

The cops came and were met with the surprise of a lifetime. They were parked next to Dragon's car and were already in the middle of questioning Nami when Luffy who had disappeared a while ago returned dragging a large man on his shoulders.

That large man was Arlong, beaten to a bloody pulp, unconscious and they even spotted a few broken bones. For every bruise Luffy counted on Nami's skin, he repaid Arlong thrice the amount.

Nami was shell-shocked but no longer felt remorseful. She didn't even feel sorry for her ex. He was definitely now her ex. Luffy made sure of that. She finally saw the scum for who he was and cared not if he was dead or alive. She wished he was the former but that even she admitted was taking things too far.

Her eyes went wide upon seeing Hachi scrambling behind him. He posed as a witness and Nami was eternally grateful. Hachi was one of Arlong's friends who was not all bad. He told the police everything.

The cops wasted no time to put Arlong in handcuffs and that was the last time Nami saw or heard of him. Nami just knew that he wouldn't dare lay hands on her again.

By right, the cops should have left with Luffy too and Nami remembered the breath of relief she released once they drove away leaving Luffy unscratched. They did not even bother questioning him. They treated him like he didn't exist. A detail Nami took too lightly. She happened to learn at a much later date that Dragon, Luffy's father, had ties in the police department all across Japan.

Nami should have known when she saw an ambulance pull up without the usual display of flashing lights and loud siren. It rolled up, took the body on a stretcher and left. No one stirred out of sleep or came to look to see what was going on. It all happened so fast.

Now she was free. Arlong was never seen or heard of again. Rumour had it he bailed himself out and left the country.

"I had no idea you went through all that, Nami. I'm so sorry."

Robin was no longer in the mood for tea. Her heart ached for her friend but it was put to ease knowing that Luffy took care of things in the end. He was Nami's last hope and he showed up like a true friend.

"I'm okay now, honestly." Nami smiled and put a hand over Robin's. The hand that firmly held hers.

"Thanks for listening."

Bellemere asked Nami to invite Luffy over for dinner that evening and Nami had zero objections. She loved it whenever Luffy paid her a visit. This night was no exception.

Luffy ate till he was full and when it was time to go, Bellemere suggested a movie so he stayed even longer, passing out on Nami's shoulder. Little snores escaped him.

Nami charted fingers through his hair and rested her head absentmindedly on top his. She was glad when the movie finally ended. The ones her mum picked tended to be boring. She was surprised she too didn't fall asleep.

Nojiko who was sitting on Luffy's left of course had something to say as soon as Bellemere retreated to bed for her early shift.

"I don't get it," she said.

"What?"

Nami slapped Nojiko's hand away. All she wanted to do was cop a feel. Nami looked to be having the time of her life. Nojiko wanted to hop on the bandwagon.

"That. You claim that you guys aren't dating, yet you want him all to yourself."

"You're not making any sense. Luffy isn't an animal you can pet at the zoo so no."

"So only you're allowed to pet him?"

Nami pursed her lips.

"You have 5 seconds."

Nojiko celebrated and did the most, fervently ruffling Luffy's hair and even lightly scratching his scalp, marvelling at how soft and healthy it was. She did not have a good sense of time, however, and Nami quickly moved her hand away when Luffy reacted to her touch, leaning his head in the palm of her hand the way he did hers.

"That's enough."

"Stingy..."

"You know," said Nojiko standing to stretch. She too had an early shift but she wanted to poke some fun at Nami for a bit. Get her riled up a little and she knew exactly how.

"I can't wait for the day Luffy runs off with some pretty lady who doesn't play with his feelings and leave you in the dirt."

She had gone a bit too far than intended and her smirk vanished when Nami shot her a glare sharp enough to kill.

"Take that back."

"No."

Nojiko was amused. Had never seen Nami make that face before and wanted to play with it for a while longer.

"You don't mean that, do you?"

"I do. Every word."

Nojiko owed Nami's slow retaliation to Luffy sleeping on her arm but instead of a fight came tears and Nojiko didn't know whether to laugh or be sorry.

Without missing a beat, Luffy stirred from sleep and looked wide-eyed at his crying friend.

Nami read his mind and pointed shamelessly at her mean big sister and Nojiko had a strong feeling to run for the hills as soon as Luffy's and her eyes met.

"Shit."

To be continued...

Summary:

Robin gets Nami to confess what happened with her past relationship. The last straw was when he attempted to force himself on her after her reluctance to sleep with him. She claimed to be a virgin but he didn't believe her. Someone walked in on them before he could do anything.

Nami called Luffy (accidentally- she meant to call her mum); he came to see what the problem was; he beat the bastard to a pulp; the cops were called and that was the last Nami saw of her ex.

By the way, her ex was Arlong. -cringe your heart out-

The last scene is a funny episode between Nami and Nojiko. I suggest you read that.

Thanks a mil' for reading!