Yes your long wait has ended. Here is my newest chapter! Sorry for the long wait, but I could not find any inspiration for this chapter. So finally I made myself sit down and write. If there are any major grammar and/or spelling erros blame Word spell check for that. Because that evil useless tool is my editor. Page breaks generally mean time or scene change. And I do skip around in time at least once or twice in this chapter.
Casually, the blonde commanded himself. Against their will, his long legs slowed their pace. But this was only momentary, he soon found himself almost running. Forcing himself to stop, he took out a cigarette. The much needed and welcomed nicotine flooded his lungs, blackening them further. His hands shook and his heart pounded. He had no reason to be nervous. Still, he found himself short of breathe and fidgety. He could see her house in the distance and that made him more nervous. Soon he would see her. That thought made his heart sing and his eyes turn to hearts.
"Soon my Nami-Swan, we can run into each other's arms proclaiming our undying love for each other!" said the chef as he threw the butt on the ground. Then with a nod, he step forward.
She ran into him. Hard. The impact sent both to crashing to the ground. As the dust cleared, Sanji was ready to kill the bastard for knocking him down. Coughing and sputtering out curses, Sanji picked himself up off the ground. Brushing off his suit, he readied himself to kick the dumbass in the head.
She was by no means beautiful. Certainly not the type to make Sanji swoon and get all fan-boyish. Hell, she wasn't even a young woman. Old, probably in her fifties. Her gray hair was pulled back into a simple matronly bun. But Sanji was a gentleman and he would not beat an old lady up.Standing up, the old woman spewed out a thousand apologies, her head bent towards the ground.
"It is ok." Sanji assured her, "No harm done." She lifted her face up and froze. Fear was blatantly etched into her face. Raising his eyebrow, Sanji, extended a hand towards her thinking she was hurt. The woman stiffened and backed away.
"Go away," The woman whispered. "She is not here."
"Who?" Sanji questioned her.
"Nami."
"I had not yet asked you if she was or not. Thank you for confirming that she is on this island."
Chiding herself the old woman ran off. She should have been more careful. Because she had recognized him as the suspicious fellow from the restaurant, did not mean that he remembered or had even saw her at the restaurant. And now on her way to warn Nami, she had run into him-literally. She needed a plan and quick, he would be at Nami's house in less than ten minutes. She had to save Nami and the little one from him, somehow.
Shaking his head, Sanji stared after the woman. She was a strangle little old lady. He had seen her in the diner, earlier. Then she had tried to pretend not to be interested in the crew, but she had failed miserably. And then when he had mentioned Nami's name to the cute little barkeep, she had scurried out of the place. But that had been at least three hours ago. She would have had plenty of time to warn Nami of them being here. Yet it was obvious from her reaction, that she hadn't done that yet. Shrugging it off, Sanji was more than determined to get to Nami now. She needed rescuing from crazy old people.
"Hungry." The captain complained again. He stared at the empty fridge, willing it to fill with food. He opened and pouted. Still no luck. Sighing, he left the kitchen and wandered the deck, shoulders hunched and arms hanging, feebly swinging back and forth.
"So hungry." He flopped down in the middle of the deck, becoming a log in everyone's way.
"Captain-san, is something wrong?" inquired Robin from her usual chair.
" Hungry."
"There should be some food in the fridge though."
"I ate it all"
"Luffy!" exclaimed Usopp, looking up from his newest invention. "You can't just eat all the food!"
"Why?" He replied innocently. "Sanji went to go get more anyway." An explosion rocked the ship and a blacken Usopp emerged from the black clouds.
"Look what you made me do!"
"Me?"
"Captain," Robin 's voice broke the bickering. "I don't think Chef-san went to get more supplies."
He stood outside her door and felt like he couldn't breathe. Had it really been a year since she had left them. Now, he was finally able to find out why. He felt like running away though. Perhaps it was better just to have let her go, not to come looking for her. If he didn't know the reason, he left, he could still go on pretending that it wasn't because of him. It was too late now, no turning back. Sweaty palmed grasped the door knocker.
"Come on in, Berta-chan." Her voice rang out, music to his ears. She sounded exactly the same as her remembered. A strong, passionate voice, hint of sadness, but no regret. He smiled to himself, she was going to be surprised.
Nami's ears perked up at the sound of the door opening and closing. She smiled. Berta, you are always calling on me. Honestly I am fine. Though it is nice to have someone worry over me.
"I will be out in just a minute. I need to finish these dishes." She dug her hands back into the soapy water, humming to herself.
Sanji stood in the living room, looking around, shocked. Nami had done quite well for herself, since she had left them. Small house, but furbished nicely. He ran his fingers over a wood chest. Cherry, and finely made. Stomach churning at the prospect of her coming out at any minute, he sat on the couch. Soothing, this was perhaps a couch of the Gods. Never before had he sat on something so comfortable. Yes she was doing quite well for herself.
A whimper brought his attention to the other side of the room. A bassinet? What? Sanji lifted himself from the couch and tentatively walked towards the foreign object. Why does Nami have a bassinet in her house? Is she babysitting? Yes that must be it. Cautiously he peered into the basket and down at the child. Red hair….red hair. He froze, he choked, and he died a little on the inside. There was no doubting it. This was Nami's child. He could tell from the hair. But what wounded him the most was who the child looked like. Except for the red hair, that…that…thing was the spitting image of Zoro.
"Sanji…" she froze as soon as she saw him. Emotions flooded her. So long had she seen any of them. Honestly, she thought she would never see any of them again. And yet, now he stood here. In her living room.
"Nami." He managed to choke out after some time. She felt wounded to the heart. Not Nami-swan. Not even Nami-san. Just Nami. A year had gone by with out any contact. In a way, she had expected Sanji to bring gifts, flowers, candies, jewelry. His words dripping with love and admiration, but now after a year, he can barely choke out her name. She jerked her face away from him ashamed. Slowly, painfully she walked towards the bassinet and picked her child up, cradling him to her bosom.
"Why are you here?" her words were bitter as if he had bitten into a lemon. From the way her shoulder's shook, he knew she was crying. He regretted coming here; it had been a bad idea.
"You left and I was curious, I wanted to see why.
"Go away, Sanji." He was ashamed; he had wanted this to be a happy reunion. But his own stupidity, his own jealousy had overtaken him. He watched her as she cuddled the infant gently. Then it dawned on him. Zoro. Zoro was the reason, Nami had left. The marimo head had been her lover and then when she had become impregnated with that beast's child, he had refused to acknowledge it! So ashamed, the pretty navigator had left! Flames danced in his eyes and he clenched his fist.
"I'll kill that bastard…" He growled, reaching out for Nami. As if anticipating his move, she stepped out of his reach.
"He doesn't know." She whispered. "I didn't tell him. It was just one night; we meant nothing to each other. Just one stupid night. I was so ashamed, so afraid. And then I realized I had to be strong. I could not stay on the ship. I would just get in everyone's way. Especially his. He already went out of his way to protect me. What would he have done, if he knew I was carrying his child? So I left. And no one's dreams were put on hold because of me." Sanji's arm fell limply by his side.
"Nami…"He didn't know what to say; he could feel her heart breaking. "What about your dreams? Whatever happened to making a map of the world?"
"I can still do that Sanji, some day, when he is older I can go out and make maps of the world. It is ok, I can wait. Right now, seeing him grow up is my dream." She kissed her son and laid him back into the bassinet. With determination, she turned around and looked her forever nakama in the eye. "I am strong!" He hugged her then and didn't want to let go.
She breathed in the smell of the jasmine tea hungrily. In the year, she had been without them; she perhaps missed Sanji's cooking the most. Nothing could compare to his. Gingerly she sipped the brown liquid, wanting to savor every last drop.
"Ah! Sanji-kun! You have gotten better!" She exclaimed, her eyes shining.
"Hai! Nami-swan! It was all for you, I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for when you came back, so I cook and bake and fried, sautéed all for you!" Sanji rambled on, blushing. Nami laughed, this was the Sanji-kun she remembered. Then Sanji became serious.
"Nami…how did it happen?" He felt the bile rising in the back of his throat as he thought of Nami and…and... Zoro together. "How did you end up in bed with Zoro?"
"We got drunk." Her tone was flat.
"That is a lie. You and Zoro can hold your alcohol better than anyone else I know."
"Sanji, we were drunk. I have no feelings for that ogre and he certainly has none for me."
Yet, after you left, he stood outside your room, just staring at the doors. I may have been a lovesick fool, but I am not blind. I saw the tears in his eyes, the ones he refused to let fall. Even though, he wouldn't admit to it, he missed you. If it wasn't for his damned loyalty to the captain, he would have gone after you.
"How much did you have to drink then?"
"I can't remember, maybe 20 bottles between the two of us. We were drunk Sanji."
Please don't bring back old memories. Seeing you again is hard enough. Every day I have to live with my decision. I have to push aside the regret. Every day the boy looks more and more like his father. And I want him to be like his father. I want him to be as strong and determined. I want him to one day fight against him and win. I want to raise a child that he can be proud of.
"You love him don't you?" the question knocked the air out of her, as if someone had punched her in the stomach. "You didn't run away because you were ashamed. You didn't run away because you didn't want to hinder our dreams. You ran away because you were afraid of your own feelings. I bet you did try to tell Zoro that you were pregnant. But he was probably, well, Zoro and was too stupid to figure out what you were saying to him. However, due to your current emotional instability, you took the misunderstanding for rejection and felt you had to live. You even convinced yourself it was for the best. Nami, you could have told me. I would have been there for you. My advances and attentions on you were not just to get you in bed. I truly did worship you. I see now where your heart lies. I wish I could have seen it earlier. You did not have to go through this alone." She smiled at Sanji's words. She knew them to be true. She did love Zoro. But it was not what she had convinced herself.
He loves you too Nami. Why do you think I hate him so much? If he could just open up his eyes, he could have you. Easily. I hate him because he can have you when I can't. I am just not what you are looking for.
"I need to get going back to the ship. The others will want to know you are here." He stood up and stretched.
"Don't tell them," Her eyes looked at him pleadingly. "Please? I don't want them to know. Especially Zoro. Robin and Chopper are fine. They knew I was pregnant before I left. I am sure they would want to see the baby. But I really don't want him to know. Luffy won't be able to keep it from Zoro and Zoro could probably scare Usopp into telling him things. So please don't say anything." Sanji didn't answer only hugged her one more time and opened the door to leave.
Outside stood the old woman, with a three other old people.
"AAAAAAHHH!" the old woman screamed. "We are too late! He has already come and killed Nami!"
"Um Berta-san," Nami peered out from behind Sanji. "I am fine. This is just an old friend of mine coming for a visit. Come in Berta though, I need help with my knitting." Smiling, she shut the door behind Sanji.
I'm sorry Nami-san. But he deserves to know. You will thank me for this later.
"Oi" He muttered sitting beside the sleeping swordsman and leaning up against the railing. Zoro opened one eye and snapped it shut.
"What do you want?" He demanded. His reply was a fold piece of paper and the words "Tomorrow morning." Opening up the note, he stared at it confused.
"Oi! What does this mean?" He called after the chef who was making his way to the kitchen.
"Just go to that address tomorrow baka and you will see."
The archeologist smirked and flipped a page in her book.
"What are you so smug about?" the green haired one question. He received no answer.
I so meant to end the story with this chapter. But lucky you people get another chapter. It will probably be short though. Once again comments will be left till after the final chapter. It will come in a special chapter: REVIEW RESPONSES!I have over 20reviews to respond to...plus whatever I get with this chapter and the next one. Too many! My head is going to explode! And I promise Yatchzee, I will fix all my mistakes after the final chapter! It will probably take me awhile. Yosh! Now to get on with my other stories. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you put it in Word and double space it, it is nine pages long. So this better be a long enough chapter for you insane people.