Sex, Tangerines and Chocolate

AN: I'm not feeling particularly clever today... so forgive me if I sound stupid... or mean. There was one question that I was meaning to ask for a while. When I read your guys reviews I always imagine all of you as female. I'm just guessing this... but I assume at least 90 of the users and readers on ARE female. I almost never come across a male author, or reviewer for that matter. I guess it's because the majority of the stories are romance. All I'm saying is to make yourself heard! Come on boys! I want to know if you're reviewing! It shows real character to stand up and say "I read One Piece romance/humour fics, and I damn well like it!" I told you I was feeling weird today... really weird.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece and I damn well hate it!

Chapter Eight: Hopeful

It had been a while since she had said good-bye to her somewhat solemn lover, and she missed him already. She valued the time they spent together "outside" of the bedroom just as much as a steamy mid-night rendezvous with him. She giggled to herself. It was such a girl answer. If you asked him, a guy, he'd probably comment on how hard it was to get her bra off last night. She sighed, a typical man.

"Nami-swan? What's wrong? You've been sighing for the past twenty minutes..." Her supposed "love cook" had been following her around since morning. She let him follow her, she knew Sanji was suspecting something. She didn't really know what. And that in itself was reason to be extremely cautious.

"Oh nothing really..." She trailed off, oblivious to the strange looks of Sanji.

"Hmmmmmmm... it must be a girl thing... am I right?"

Sanji was usually very good with, especially around women. He could pick up the slightest bit of concern, worry, or resent in any female voice. He always knew what to say, he always had the right words.

"Ah... how did you know Sanji-kun!" She doubted he would have the right words for a comment on what she was thinking right now. She could imagine it in her head.

"Eh...Sanji-kun? Do you have any advice for a girl, Of whom your completely infatuated and in love with, who you would give your life a thousand times over for, who's sleeping with your arch rival behind your back?"

No matter how she thought about it, that was the absolute best she could make it sound. Poor Sanji. If he knew he would be absolutely heart broken. Although she very much loved the blond haired man before her, it was a different kind of relationship. She had never actually told him that she appreciated his friendship. She really didn't know how.

"Eh... Nami-swan... What's wrong? You've been quiet for such a long time... Your beautiful, melodic voice is no longer blessing my unworthy ears of their presence!"

"Oh. It's nothing... Really." She trailed off, a small restaurant in the corner of her eye catching her interest. It was a dusty green and some paint was peeling of the walls. At the top near the roof, a small sign that read 'Bar' sealed the deal. Despite its grungy appearance, it really was a very charming little pub.

"Ah Sanji-kun! Let's get a drink!" She happily dragged him by the arm inside the building, sitting him down next to her on the small cushioned stools, waiting to be served by the very large, very scary looking bar tender. The fact didn't seem to faze her as she waved him over, flashing him a million dollar smile.

"What'll it be sweetie?"

"Hmmm... two... Hey! I know you! It's Nami... Remember!"

He looked her up and down, eyes squinting to make sure he had the right person in mind.

"Oh ya! It's you! Haven't seen ya in a while Nami! So... how's the singing going?"

"Oh... um... I haven't sung in a while... But, I plan to do some soon!"

"Mmmm... good. Your voice is beautiful. So, the usual I take it?"

"Make it two!" He walked of, grabbing two large glasses and different coloured ingredients.

Sanji watched her as she turned to him. she looked so happy, so... in her element. He had to admit the atmosphere of the place was very welcoming. The candlelight, the food looked quite good even from his standards. It all seemed very casual and laid back. She seemed to like this kind of atmosphere, he figured most people did... considering all the couples that were here. Wait a minute! Couples! As in two people! Together! At a restaurant! Was he! He was! He was on a date with Nami! His Nami-swan! And she was enjoying herself! With him! Of course he would have taken her to the fanciest restaurant on the island and money wasn't an object when it came to love... but it didn't matter! Nothing mattered!

"N-nami-swan?"

"Uh huh?" She was still in her bubbly, happy mood.

"W-would y-you consider th-this a...a...date?" His body recoiled, ready for the arsenal of loud insults of denial to string from her mouth.

"Uh..." she watched him as he braced himself. Poor Sanji, she thought again, he really did love her. She did too, in a different way. But she could never tell him that. It would break him. Both Zoro and Sanji had seemed so fragile when she first met them. Sure they were amazing fighters, but beneath that... she felt like if she touched them... even a little, they would break. Could she even say yes if she didn't mean it? Could she say yes to him? Without hurting him later? Would Zoro understand? She didn't care. She turned to him, the back of her hand stroking his cheek gently.

"Hai, Sanji-kun, you can have me just for tonight."

False hope...was better than no hope at all.

AN: Ha ha! I'm not giving any clues as to what happens next! The stories getting good! I've prolonged Nami's singing since I can't decide on a song! I like one! But then I find another good one! I might make her sing 'Hopeful' by Faith Evans. What do you think? Ah well, please review! Hugs and such yall!

Editors note: Beep: Please record message after next beep. Hi... editor here. sorry... I... can't make it to the phone... but I am off... strangling... the... author... for changing... the... damn... plot! ... Beep.