Thank you to everyone who read and enjoyed the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this one too. There's a bit more ZoNa drama in this one. ;P
I don't own One Piece or any of the characters.
The next few days passed in a blur. Nami was more on edge than when she first received the letter. 3 days had passed with no other threats. Rather than assuring her it was a fake, the time had made her more paranoid that Chew or one of the other guys would jump her from around every corner.
To make matters worse, many of her usually good clients were becoming aggressive now that they knew Robin and Franky were out of the office. She kept the baseball bat with her at all times.
Saturday evening was no different. Her usually polite client was yelling and cursing at her.
"You bitch! Taking all my money. I've paid my initial debt to you, why should I keep paying your interest rates?" He stood and slammed both hands on her desk. He leaned over, trying to get in her face to intimidate her. "Maybe I should show you what happens when you push a man too far."
Nami stood and smacked the bat on her desk, keeping a good grip on it. She leaned over and got in his face.
"I assure you, just because my bodyguards are away today does not mean I'm defenceless." She snapped. He was really trying her patience and she would not have any of his shit. "You were the one that approached me for a loan and agreed to my terms. You cannot back out halfway through just because you think you can get away with it. I think it is time for you to leave now." She tapped the bat on the desk for emphasis.
"You'll get what's coming to you, bitch." He turned and stormed out, but almost collided with Zoro as he opened the door out of her office. He shoved past and continued out the front door. Zoro watched him leave before returning his attention to Nami.
"What was that about? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It's nothing." Nami lied.
"You really are a stubborn witch, you know that? That was clearly not nothing." Zoro growled.
"What's it to you, anyway? You don't like me either."
Zoro was silent for a second. What was it to him? She was just his loan shark who he would be free from soon. But that last statement wasn't true. Not anymore. Over the past several weeks his feelings had softened drastically, he might even admit to himself that he liked her. Not that she felt the same way about him. With her sharp words both to his face and behind his back, her feelings were clear.
"What's that?" Nami indicated a letter he was holding, trying to change to topic.
"Oh, I found it on your front step on my way in." Zoro still sounded slightly concerned, handed it over.
Nami opened it and visibly paled.
You will pay.
Under the words was another Arlong Gang saw-nosed shark. Her hands trembled slightly. Did this mean it was real? Or was it a prank? There was still no details, why would they be so vague and mysterious if it really was them?
"What is it, Nami?" Zoro's voice was filled with concern again. He wanted her to ask for his help. He wanted to protect her. He hated that she had to go through all this alone; that she wouldn't rely on him.
"Just another death threat. Probably a hoax. Nothing to worry about." She still couldn't keep the weakness from her voice as she folded the letter and put it on the desk. That would be tonight's problem.
"You shouldn't take stuff like that so lightly!"
"Don't worry about it. Besides, I thought you couldn't come this weekend. Why are you even here?" Her words came out sharper than she wanted, must be the fatigue from her sleepless nights. She just didn't want to think about the letter. She saw the hurt in Zoro's face - only for a second - before he covered it. His expression became hard. Nami felt her stomach sink. Ah shit. She would have to apologize later.
"I came to pay off my debt." Zoro's voice was cold as he removed a very thick envelope from his inside jacket pocket. He had to all but shove it into her hands.
Numbly, Nami opened the envelope and looked at the large wad of cash inside. "How… how did you get all this? You still had 6 months…" she sunk into her chair staring at the money.
"Ha, figures you'd know exactly how long it would take and how much I owe." He laughed callously. It hurt that she just saw him as a source of money, but he wasn't surprised. "I won a swordsman tournament this weekend. That was the prize." Zoro stared at the orange hair woman. He had never seen her look so sad while holding so much money. What was her deal? He was relieved that he didn't have to see her again and feel all these frustrating emotions. He could go back to life as usual. Alone. The twinge of sadness and disappointment at never seeing her again was nothing he couldn't work out with training.
Nami was still staring at the money. How could this be? She thought she would have more time. To figure out how to make him stay. To get over him perhaps. She didn't know what her plan had been, just that she thought she had more time.
"Count it." Zoro demanded. "I don't want to be screwed over because you didn't stick to procedure."
Nami counted out the money. It was exactly what he owed. She shuffled the bills back into the envelope and locked it away in her desk safe.
"So, I guess this means you're leaving." She was angry. "It's not like I needed you anyway."
"What is your deal, woman?!" Zoro snarled. "You won't let me in, and you won't let me go. Figure your shit out and leave me out of it. I've paid my debt; I don't owe you anything." He turned on his heel and marched out. The soft tinkle of her front door chime a stark contrast to the mood left in the room.
Nami put her head in her hands, hiding the single tear that rolled down her cheek. "I'm sorry, Zoro."
Night could not come fast enough for Nami. She had tried to stay busy but her mind kept wandering back to her fight with Zoro and to the second letter. Both weighed on her heavily. Though she knew she ought to be more concerned about the latter.
She trudged up the stairs to her home. Maybe she should get out of town for a few days; clear her head. It would certainly calm her nerves about the letters.
As if on cue, there was a rustle in the back alley. Every muscle in her body froze, poised for action. Her hand gripped the bat so hard her knuckles turned white.
There was another rustle and a yowl of a cat. She sighed a breath of relief. It was just a cat, likely rummaging through her trash. That was a normal sound. She really should get out of town, at least until Robin and Franky got back. She could go see her sister and Chopper. She smiled as she imagined the look of surprised delight on her nephew's face.
She looked at her watch and climbed the remaining stairs, locking the door on the way. The last train left long ago. She would have to go tomorrow. That would give her time to get everything ready for her absence. That was one problem solved, only one to go.
Zoro's angry face flashed in her mind, ruining the slightly good mood she had gained. He was right, of course. He didn't owe her anything. He was right to be frustrated with her. She sighed and walked into the kitchen.
With Chopper gone, there was no need to make any big meals. She looked into the fridge for much too long. She was hungry but she didn't want to eat; or cook for that matter. She pushed aside a few jars and containers and found her leftover chinese take-away box. It was only a couple days old. She dumped the box onto a plate and threw it in the microwave.
The rubbery noodles and dry chicken did nothing to brighten her mood as she ate alone. She flipped on the T.V but wasn't interested in any of the programs. Eventually she turned it off. The silence became deafening as she ruminated on all the mistakes she had made with Zoro.
Suddenly she stood. "I'm not the only asshole here. You could have done just as much, Zoro." Although the room was empty, it felt good to say it out loud. While she was throwing a pity party, he was probably throwing a celebratory party. She refused to continue sitting here in despair. Surely she would feel better in the morning.
She got ready and tucked herself into bed, hopefully the morning would bring better things.
Zoro marched out of Nami's office for the last time. He was relieved to be free from her evil clutches. So why did he feel so miserable? Especially with the way that he left. Leave me out of it. What was he thinking? Wasn't that the opposite of what he actually wanted? Zoro grunted, once he got home that would be the end of it.
Unfortunately, his mood had not much improved upon his arrival home. Luffy cheerfully greeted him from kitchen.
"Congratulations on the tournament! Your final fight was SO COOL!" Luffy ran to the door, his eyes gleaming. "Also congrats of being totally debt free now! I kind of wish there was enough winnings left over for more meat though…"
"Hey, this isn't about you at all!" Zoro barked. He sighed and continued. "But thanks. I'm glad that you were able to come."
Zoro flopped down into one of the couches in the living room. "Women are stupid, Luffy. Be thankful you're asexual. You don't have to deal with infuriating women."
"Or men! You're pretty stupid yourself, Zoro." Luffy retorted matter-of-factly. He brought out two plates of juicy steak. It was the only thing he knew how to cook, but he did an excellent job.
"Hey, that's uncalled for. You're supposed to be on my side." Zoro accepted the plate.
"I am on your side. But you could just tell her how you feel."
"I have no reason to see her again now."
"Then call."
"It's not that simple, Luffy!"
"Sure it is! You pick up the phone, and say 'Nami, I love you. Wanna go on a date?'" Luffy said cheerfully between mouthfuls of meat.
Zoro groaned exasperatedly. "That's not what I meant! It's the situation that's difficult. I said some things that make it more difficult. She doesn't even like me. You remember what I told you she said to Robin behind my back?"
Luffy stopped eating for a second to become serious. "Honestly Zoro. It's not that complicated. You would do this for you, not her. Who cares if she doesn't like you back? You would be getting it off your chest. Then you would be able to move on. This is the first girl you've genuinely liked since Tashigi, and that was…" He trailed off counting on his fingers, trying to calculate how long ago that actually was.
"Okay, okay. I get it. There's no need to remind me."
"Besides, then I don't have to deal with a moody, green-haired dummy all the time!" Luffy stated, back to his happy-go-lucky self. Luffy remained joyfully oblivious to Zoro's inner emotional struggles.
"Hey! Just who are you calling a dummy!" Zoro snapped, though knew it was useless to argue with Luffy; the situation really was that easy for him. Could it really be that straightforward though? Maybe he should just call her? He shook his head, he should just forget about it for now. Luffy was right, he was being dramatic. He took a big bite out of steak and smiled at his friend.
Thank you for reading. I hope it was enough ZoNa for now. :P I'm having a bit of a hard time writing this next chapter, but hoping I can finish it soon.
Until then,
~Tanima