Chapter 8 It Was You
"Let's go!" Nami motioned.
Most of the crew went ahead. Nami was about to go with them when Zoro put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, I thought you might want this." he tossed her, her staff.
She gasped, "My staff! But how did you get this? I thought I lost it at sea!"
"Actually you dropped it when the storm knocked you down, I thought you might want it."
She smiled, "Yeah!" she attached it to her leg. "Thanks!"
Sneaking onto the ship would be anything but easy! How were they going to get up there? And even if they got up there how would they get up there without being seen?
"If we all go up there at once we're more likely to get caught." Nami whispered.
"Nami's right!" Zoro agreed, tying his bandana around his head, "Nami and I will go. You guys stand by incase we need your help!"
"Right!" they all agreed.
"Ok, give us a boost!" Zoro ordered.
They helped Nami up first. She peeked over the edge expecting to see a couple guards, but to her surprise no one was there.
"There's no one up here!" she whispered down to them.
She climbed on.
They helped Zoro up. He looked. "That's strange."
"Come on!" she motioned, "I think I know where they're keeping him."
He followed her below deck.
"This way!" she said pointing down a hallway.
When they reached the door they hid around the corner. Nami looked, then gasped.
"What?" Zoro asked looking over her shoulder. "Are there alot of them?"
He gasped as well. There was no one there!
"I don't get it. They had guards for me." Nami told him.
The swordsman looked around, "Something's not right.."
Nami ran to the door and jiggled the handle. "It's locked!"
He let out a laugh and gave a cocky grin, "Allow me!" POW! With one good kick from the swordsman the door flew open.
They ran in.
"Luffy!" she shouted. She screamed when she saw him.
He wasn't a pretty sight, he was in bad shape. He was black and blue, pretty beat up, and had cuts everywhere! Every part of his body had dried or fresh blood staining it.
Nami fell down to her knees beside him. "Luffy! Luffy!"
Zoro knelt down in front of him, he lifted his head. "Luffy! Come on, man! Wake up!"
Nothing.
Zoro growled then shook him. "LUFFY, YOU BETTER WAKE UP RIGHT NOW!"
He opened his eyes a little.
His two crew mates let out a sigh of relief.
"Zoro... Nami..."
"We're here!" said Nami.
He closed his eyes a moment and licked blood off his lip. "Can't let... him hurt you..."
"It's ok." Zoro said, "We're going to get you out of here!"
He closed his eyes and growled weakly, "Bastard pirate." he hung his head and fainted.
Zoro examined the shackles, "Damn it!" he put one of his swords in the key hole, "Come on! Come on!" Click! "Yes!" he grinned, "Now the other one.." Click.
Luffy was free!
He fell forward, Zoro caught him and picked him up.
He looked at Nami and nodded. "Let's get out of here."
The pirates ran out the door.
Nami and Zoro gasped. They were stopped by an ambush of snake men waiting for them on the other side of the door. Since Zoro was holding Luffy the snake pirates had no problem taking his swords from him. The pirates tied their hands behind their backs and led them above deck, save for Luffy, who they had to carry. They led them above deck. Arlong and other snake men waited for them. When they reached the deck the Snake Man holding Luffy dropped him. He fell to the deck with a thud, his hat fell off and landed beside him.
"Nami! I'm so glad you're all right!" Arlong said, "It's so nice to have you back safe and sound!"
She glared at him.
The snake men pushed her over to Arlong, she fell before him.
"And now I'm so sorry, but I have to kill your friends."
"The only one who's going to have to be killed is you!" Zoro growled.
"I have no interest in you, you weak P-human!"
"GIVE ME MY SWORDS BACK AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S WEAK!" the swordsman roared raged by the comment.
Scratches sliced at him. Zoro watched blood slide down his face, "What the-"
"I ate a cursed fruit!" the merman told him, proudly, "The Scratch Scratch Fruit!"
Zoro blinked then raised an eyebrow, "A Cursed Fruit?" he supressed a laugh then laughed hystericly, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The merman looked at him,"What are you laughing at?"
Zoro stomped his foot while he laughed, "You''re a merman and you can't even swim?" he threw his head back, "That's hilarious! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Arlong growled uncontrolably, "KILL HIM!"
Zoro stopped laughing when he saw snake men rushing toward him. He turned his head, "HEY GUYS NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME!"
The crew answered his call, and ran to the rescue. Sanji was the one who saved him. He kicked in a circular motion keeping the snake men away.
"You called?" the chef said, looking over his shoulder at the swordsman.
"THE HELL I CALLED!" he answered, "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU WAITING FOR!"
"Calm down!" Sanji said starting to untie Zoro's hands, "We're here aren't we!"
"SHUT UP AND JUST UNTIE ME!"
He did and the swordsman was free. He immediatly went after the snakeman with his swords. "GIVE ME MY SWORDS BACK!" he demanded punching the guy, who had them, in the face. When the snake man fell over he took them. Another snake man with a sword went after him. Zoro turned blocking the guy just in time. He smiled proudly, "Bad idea, coming after me." Swords rang and sparks flew.
The whole Straw Hat Crew was there, holding the snake men at bay.
Robin took great delight in using her ability to sprout arms from the snake men's backs and choke or punch them.
Two snake men ran after Chopper and cornered the little reindeer. He squeeled frightened then growled. He roared as he took his human form and pounded them down.
"Great job!" Usopp said giving him a thumbs up, "Just like I taught you!"
He felt someone breath down his neck. His face turned blue as beeds of sweat broke out on his forehead. He turned to an ugly snake man. "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!" he ran but when he got a chance he used his sling shot on the guy.
Sanji continued to fight everything in his way. Kicking anyone who dared to come near him.
"Hey!" Nami shouted to him, "Untie me!"
He looked over his shoulder, "I'm coming!" he said running to her.
When he knelt beside her, he was surprised to be blown away by a hard punch in the stomach. He looked and realized Arlong had done it.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" the merman roared, "I'M GOING TO END THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!" he started to run toward Luffy.
"LUFFY!" Nami shrieked.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and ran to defend their Captain. Robin was the first one to make it over, but before she even had a chance to use her abiltiy Arlong blew her away with a powerful punch.
Sanji ran over and tried to kick the merman but Arlong grabbed his leg and threw him against a wall.
Usopp was next. He shot mutiple times at Arlong but he either missed or they didn't affect him. When he ran in the way to protect his captain, Arlong ran him down.
Chopper was next, he stood in front of Luffy, holding Arlong back with powerful hand to hand combat but in the end Arlong threw him and won.
Arlong was almost in front of Luffy now. Zoro stopped him there by cutting him in the side. Arlong only stopped for a moment from the pain.
Zoro's head was lowered, "Stay back if you know what's good for you!" he threatened.
When Arlong didn't listen Zoro lashed out, he wasn't looking but he was positive he had sliced the merman in half. When he look up he was shocked to see that Arlong was holding the swords by the blades in his hands, yes they cut him and he bled but they didn't seem to be affecting him.
The swordsman's pupils shrunk, "What?"
The next moment, Arlong pulled the swords up and over his head, sending the swords and Zoro flying back. He hit the inside of the front of the ship and was knocked out.
Nami watched in horror as one by one her crew mates were beaten. She looked for something sharp then started to brush the ropes up against it.
Finally he was standing in front of Luffy, who was still unconious, he grinned down at him, with feeling of victory pulsing through him.
He grabbed a sword from one of the snake men and raised over Luffy and brought it down.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Nami screamed running over and sheilding the attack with her staff.
"What do you think your doing!" Arlong growled pushing down on the staff with the sword.
She growled then said, "I'm not going to let you hurt anyone anymore!"
He glared, "Fine!"
The next second his palm cut through the air like a knife, pushing her back, then, without warning, he stabbed her in the side.
She screamed, then grabbed her side and fell.
He glared down at her, "No one betrays ME and gets away with it!" he threw his head back and laughed.
Nami flinched in pain. She looked at Luffy, tears in her eyes. I'm sorry..
Luffy groaned a little, as he started to come to, his eyes opened slowly. He was shocked to see Nami's face right in front of his. He looked at her confused.
She gave a weak smile.
"Nami?"
His eyes glanced at the blood spilling from her side. His eyes widened then he looked back at her.
She laughed weakly, "I'm sorry..." she closed her eyes.
"Nami!" he shook her, "Nami, wake up!"
She didn't comply.
Luffy pushed himself up so he was sitting, he looked around. His pupils shrunk. His crew, all of his crew was there! They were all wounded and unconcious. His precious crew had come to save him and had gotten hurt in the prossess!
The wind blew. My crew... Tears started in his eyes. My crew!
He glared up at Arlong who was still laughing.
"YOU BASTARD!"
The merman's laughter was stopped by a hard punch in the face. Arlong fell down onto his back. The merman looked up at the pirate.
Luffy's head was lowered, his face shadow. His bloody fist shook violenty, "YOU SICK BASTARD! YOU HURT MY CREW!"
"So what if I did?" the merman hissed.
Luffy punched him again, "SHUT UP!" he reached down and grabbed his hat, he said this more calmly, "My crew means just as much to me," he picked it up, "as this straw hat..." he looked at Arlong with a fire lit to kill in his eyes, "And no one is going to hurt them and get away with it!"
The snake men attacked.
"Gum Gum Whip!" Luffy pulled back his leg and kicked it forward, snapping it like a whip against his enemies knocking many of them down. Two ran at him. Luffy pulled his hands far behind his back, then launched both of them forward simultaneously wrist to wrist, hitting his foe's very hard sending them flying. "Gum Gum Double Barrel!"
Other snake men tried to jump him but he seemed invincible as he threw them all off. He didn't seem interested in them, he ran like a mad man toward Arlong, who backed farther and farther away from him, pushing, punching or kicking any enemy that got in his way.
One came up behind him and jumped him, they rolled around on the floor. "GET OFF OF ME!" he demanded.
He grabbed hold of his opponent, then stretched his neck far back, and whiped it forward, hitting his opponent in the face.
He stood and went to run toward Arlong again when he found himself surrounded by more snake men. He lowered his head and growled. He had had enough of these bozos! "GUM GUM STORM!" The next second he unleashed a furious storm of countless powerful punches knocking out every snake man on board.
He stood in one place, head lowered, face hidden by the shadow of his hat. Luffy lifted his head, one angry eye could be seen and, as if on cue, lighting flashed behind him. For that instant Arlong was a afraid.
It began to rain.
Luffy's voice was dark and cold, "You're dead.."
Without warning Luffy fired his arm out and punched the merman. Arlong ran and returned to Luffy with his own punch. Luffy stretched his leg out and tried to kick Arlong but he jumped over it. The merman went to punch the pirate but Luffy grabbed his arm and threw him.
Arlong, who was now on the ground, looked over his shoulder at the pirate Captain, growling fiercely. Arlong stood and ran at him.
Luffy ran as well, they ran at each other and they met in hand to hand combat.
Lightning flashed.
The two clenched their fists hard, attempting to crush each other, both growling and trying to push each other back.
Luffy bent his leg, bracing himself, making sure he wouldn't be pushed back. Arlong did the same. The shark eyes came back small pieces of skin flew through the air.
"I'll kill you just like I killed Bellemere and all those people and all those other people in Dead Town!" the merman hissed.
Luffy shook his head a little as blood trickled down his face, "SO IT WASN'T A DISEASE! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO KILLED ALL THOSE PEOPLE!"
He let out a laugh, "That's right! All my snake men had to do was bite them and the poison did the rest!"
Luffy growled, "YOU'RE NOT A PIRATE! YOU'RE JUST A LOUSY MURDERER!"
As they continued with their test of strength, Arlong's eyes wandered off to the sword he had dropped when Luffy had punched him.
Arlong sprinted in an attempt to retrieve. Luffy stretched his arm out, grabbed it and brought it back to himself. He glared dangerously at Arlong then threw it behind himself.
Arlong growled.
"So this is it, huh? Here we are fighting, one of us destined to die." he laughed, "You know while your trying to get revenge you're crew is dying! Look at them!"
Luffy looked at them.
"They're dying. Are you really going to chose killing me over your crew? Do you really have to prove your worth by killing me?"
"They're strong," Luffy answered him, "Stronger than you'll ever be!"
Arlong chuckled, "But how strong is that?"
Luffy noticed Arlong was eyeing Nami.
They both stood silently for a second then they both ran toward her.
Luffy stretched both of his arms forward, trying to grab her before he got to her, but Arlong threw a barrel at him sending him flying back.
Arlong grabbed the sword then grabbed Nami.
Luffy sat up quickly, "NO! DON'T!"
"Why not?" Arlong taunted, "I thought you chose killing me over your crew?" the merman raised the sword in the air.
"LET HER GO!"
"Now," Arlong continued,"You'll have to chose. What's more important? Killing me? Or a member of your crew?"
"SHUT UP!" Luffy roared stretching his arm's forward, "I DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE ANYTHING!"
He grabbed Nami and pulled her back, sending them both tumbling backwards. They stopped when they hit the bow. Luffy picked her up and stood.
Her eyes opened partually. "Luffy?"
Luffy smiled, "Don't worry everything's going to be fine.." he looked over his shoulder at the merman, looking down, "You wouldn't understand," Luffy told Arlong, "You'd never understand how important my crew is to me." he looked up, "They're more important than killing anyone as worthless as you." he turned away. "I don't need to kill you to prove anything!"
Arlong rushed at him with his sword raised.
"LUFFY!" Nami exclaimed.
Luffy set Nami down turning around quickly, he grabbed the sword by the handle and fought for it.
Lightning flashed.
"YOU PATHETIC P-HUMAN! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE WORTH ANYTHING!" the merman questioned angrily.
Scratches tore at Luffy's face. The pirate Captain grinned widely."Because I'm King of the Pirates!" he pulled the sword out of Arlong's grasp and ran him through.
Nami gasped.
Arlong coughed. The pirate pushed it down harder, then pulled it out. The merman coughed, his hand on the spot where he had been stabbed. He staggered backwards until his body was against the side of the ship.
"You're finished.." Luffy said coldly.
Arlong gave a smile grin, "Not yet."
He grabbed Luffy's arm and fell backwards over the edge, Luffy went with him.
"LUFFY!" Nami screamed, hurrying to her feet and running to the side of the ship.
Before he hit the water he shot his arm up. Nami grabbed his hand.
"Hang on!" she cried.
Luffy did his best, it was hard though, Arlong was still hanging onto his other arm determined not to let go.
"I'll pull you up!" she shouted.
She started to when suddenly, blood flew in front of her eyes. She looked down. Shark eyes... Arlong was scratching her! More scratches sliced her. She screamed.
Luffy looked down at the merman, "LET GO OF ME YOU ASS!"
He laughed, "NEVER!"
Nami's eyes searched desperaetly for something to throw. She eyed the blood stained sword next to her. She picked it up with her free hand. And looked down. But what if I miss?
"THROW IT!" she heard Luffy shout.
She looked down at him, "But what if I miss!"
"THROW IT!" he shouted again.
She bit her lip. Sweat dripped off of her face. What if she missed? How could she live with herself if she killed her own Captain? But even though she wasn't sure, she trusted Luffy and if he was sure about it she would trust his judgement. She threw it.
Luffy moved his body back. Arlong screamed as it stabbed him. He let go and fell into the waters below.
But the two pirates were in no mood to celerbrate. Nami was having a hard time pulling Luffy up, her feet were skidding across the body of the ship and she was getting ever so close to falling off the ship herself.
"LET GO!" Luffy shouted to her.
"NO! I WONT!" I'll never let go.. Never..
She strained to pull him up but was having a hard time. I can't do it! She started to cry.
"NAMI! LET GO!" he persisted.
She looked down at him shocked, "But you'll fall!"
"TRUST ME!"
She looked away and let go.
He laughed, "YES!" he launched his hands far in front of him and grabbed onto the side of the ship, then fired his entire body forward.
He came zooming up and made it to safety. He fell to the deck with a thud.
He sat up rubbing his head, "Ow, that hurt."
"Luffy!" Nami shouted, running over. She jumped him and hugged him. "Oh Luffy! I was so scared!"
She cried.
He smiled and hugged her back.
"Luffy!" Zoro shouted, who had finally regained concousness, "Are you all right?"
He grinned and set his hat on top of his head, "Yeah, I'm fine!"
The swordsman looked back over his shoulder, "The others are banged up pretty bad, but I think they're going to be all right."
Luffy closed his eyes and laughed through his teeth. The expression faded and his eyes squinted. He fell back.
"LUFFY!" Nami exclaimed.
Zoro lifted him a little, his head fell back over Zoro's arm limply. "Luffy? Luffy?"
He didn't reply.
When they made it back to their ship Chopper treated everyone, but he was most concerned about Luffy.
He lay in a bed in the midst of them, still unconcious. He was now burning with a high fever. His face was broken in a deep sweat.
"Is his infection that bad?" Nami asked.
Chopper lowered his head, "It's much worse than that I'm afraid." he sighed, "I read up on these creatures and it seems that their claws can be just as poisonous as their teeth.
Nami covered her mouth and gasped, "Is there anything you can do?"
"Hopefully the medicine will make everything all better. If I gave it to him on time."
Zoro looked at him, "If"?"
The little reindeer shook his head."I just hope he's strong enough. I've done everything I can do."
They crew stood in silence for a moment then started to leave.
"Aren't you coming?" Sanji asked Nami.
She bit her lip but didn't answer.
"Let her go." Zoro told him.
They left.
This whole thing had been crazy, not that, that was surprising, nothing surprised her where Luffy was concerned. It always seemed like nothing was beyond him. But she never thought she would lose him, especially like this.
The next morning she found no change in her captain. She had stayed up all night with Luffy. I can't take this anymore. She left the room and walked onto the deck.
It was early in the morning. The sun was just rising, so obviously no one was awake.
She looked out over the ocean, reminding her of their talk a few days ago. She couldn't bare the thought of watching her captain ever so slowly fade away. And now she realized it more then every-
She looked up. He can't die... I- I.. She looked around as if she felt like someone could read her thoughts. I love him...
-she had fallen in love with him. And she realized this could be her last chance to tell him that she loved him.
She made her way back to his room. She sat down next to the bed. No change, he looked just as weak as before. If not worse. He was now breathing heavily, moaning as he turned his head from side to side.
She took the cloth from his forehead and dampened it then placed it back.
"Please," she whispered, "Please be all right..."
His breathing became heavier and he moaned louder. He whipped his head back and forth violently.
"Luffy!" she exclaimed.
She was going to call for Chopper but he had said he had already done everything he could do.
She took his head. "Come on! You can make it!"
He still continued, getting worse by the second.
She squeezed it, tears streamed down her face, "Hold on!"
He continued for another moment then it died down some, and then he stopped. His chest was still rising pretty quickly but he wasn't moaning anymore. Then she realized he was asleep.
She put her hand on his forehead it was sweating. She sighed in relief. His fever broke... She layed her head on the side of the bed and fell asleep.
When she awoke she was surprised to see her captain was gone. Luffy?
She got up and walked onto the deck. The first thing she noticed was that it was still morning and the sun was still rising. This confused her because she could have sworn she had slept for hours.
Then she gasped. She saw him! He was there standing at the front of the ship!
She sighed, a burden lifted from her shoulders. He was all right.
He looked over his shoulder and saw her. He walked up to her.
She felt nervous again.
"Hi, um, nice to see that your feeling better."
"You too!" He said grinning, "You slept a whole day away!"
She blinked surprised, "I-I did?"
He closed his eyes, "Yeah! But you deserved it, staying up with me all night!"
She blushed. The two pirates walked to the side of the ship together then gazed over the ocean.
"Ya know," he began, pushing his hat back so it hung from the string around his neck. "I don't think I would have made it.."
She looked at him, "What?"
He looked at her, "I don't think I would have made it if it wasn't for you."
She looked down, "Oh, uh, it was nothing."
He smiled at her. She blushed.
She looked away, "I'm sorry for everything that happened."
He put up a hand, "Don't worry about!"
She looked at him, "Are sure?"
He grinned, "Sure, I'm sure!"
She smiled then looked at the ocean. Then she thought about something then looked at him angrily, "I wouldn't of had to.."
He tilted his head, "Hmmm?"
"I WOULDN'T OF HAD TO STAY UP WITH YOU ALL NIGHT IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR INFECTION IN THE FIRST PLACE! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU! DO YOU WANT TO DIE! DO YOU WANT TO-"
Luffy laughed and cut her off with a kiss. She was surprised at first but then she closed her eyes and got into it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and continued to kiss him. He put his arms around her waist.
When they finished he grinned. He took his hat off and placed it on top of her head.
He closed his eyes grinned and laughed through his teeth.
She stared at him wonderingly.
"Ya know what?" he started, "I was looking for something all that time and I didn't know what it was." he opened his eyes, "But it was in front of me all along!"
She tilted her head, "What was that?"
He smiled, "You."
She blushed and smiled. They kissed.
"Here you go!" Luffy said handing the money to the old lady.
"Bah! I don't know why I bothered with you in the first place," she mumbled, "but since you're here..." she pulled them in. "Time for a check up!"
Nami smacked her forehead, "Not again!"
"Hey!" Chopper protested, "I'm the Doctor of this crew!"
"Looks like you need a check up as well!" she grabbed his arm.
"WAH!" he shrieked as she pulled him in.
Usopp tried next. "Listen, lady, we-"
"You look terrible!" the lady remarked. She pulled him in.
"Yikes!" he shrieked. "HEY! OW! THAT'S MY NOSE!"
Robin walked over, "I don't think this is necessary-"
"You too!" the old lady pulled her in as well.
Sanji walked in the small house, "Listen lady, this isn't-"
"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU!" the old lady screamed at him. She grabbed his cigarette and stomped on it.
"HEY!"
"DON'T YOU KNOW SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU!"
"THAT WAS MY LAST ONE, YOU OLD HAG!"
"Well too bad!"
Zoro walked up to the door, "Look lady we don't need-"
"Looks like your pretty banged up as well!" she interupted, "But who would be surprised, lugging around those sharp swords all day!" She pulled him in.
"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! HEY! THOSE ARE MINE! GIVE ME BACK MY SWORDS!"
"You'll get them back when I'm finished!" she growled.
Luffy and Nami looked at each other and laughed.
Finally it was time to set out again on their adventure.
Luffy and Nami were once again alone on deck. Just watching the ocean together.
"So here we are again." Nami started, "Off to find One Piece!"
He grinned and laughed his laugh, "Yup!"
The two were silent for a long moment. Even though they both knew it and they had even shared a kiss Nami felt she had to say it.
"Luffy.."
He looked at her.
"I love you."
He smiled at her, understanding in his eyes. "I love you, too, Nami..."
Their eyes locked. They kissed.
Now the pirates were off again! A new feeling there to bind them even closer together! And who knows what the future has in store for them! Even though they couldn't see the future and the road ahead of them, they did know what they were searching for. One Piece, the treasure that would make their dreams come true! Even though, in a way, their dreams all ready had.
THE END
Author's note:
Not what I had orignally had planned from the begining for the ending but I still think it's sweet! I really wanted this chapter to be good so I really thought it out! I think I had the fight down packed. My sister was playing this really rocky music when I wrote that part so I had no problemn making everyone pound on each other! Unfortutatelly when I got to the romantic part I was not in that sort of mood to write so I wrote it a different day. And I'm glad I did, I probably would have made them beat each other up! lol. Anyways I hoped you liked my Story. Make sure you leave a REVIEW telling me what you thought about it. THANK YOU!