Chapter 5
For days after Sanji's failure to confess his love to Nami, he became moodier than ever. At the slightest provocation, Sanji would lash out angrily. Nami had noticed immediately but the others had been slow on the uptake. Zoro and Sanji fought physically and verbally, which wasn't much of a surprise, although they seemed to argue more often. Luffy had been banned from the kitchen and would sit in front of the door crying for hours, giving off loud, pitiful wails. Usopp had been banned from the kitchen as well and Sanji had warned him that if he were caught in the kitchen Sanji would bestow bodily harm upon him. In other words, Sanji threatened that he'd cut off Usopp's nose and fillet it. Sanji hadn't threatened Nami but had distanced himself greatly. No longer was her breakfast in the early morning as enjoyable as it had been before. No more flowers accompanied her dish, no more soft humming or loving poems, and no more would Sanji hang on her every word. This change had stabbed Nami in the heart and she felt less cherished. Nami admitted to herself that she had enjoyed his puppy-like devotion, but now Sanji was cold and unapproachable.
oOo
After a week had passed, the misery between the crewmembers and their cook had finally reached its zenith. Irritated with Sanji, Nami decided to confront him. When dinner had ended on an unpleasant note again, Nami followed Sanji to his room silently, anger fueling her. The door was closed but she slammed it open to face him. A look of shock appeared on Sanji's face.
"Nami-san? What's wrong?" He asked, his eyes wide. Nami stomped toward him, her face near his, fury splayed across her delicate features.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Nami thundered. Sanji was taken aback.
"W-what did I do?" He questioned meekly.
"Don't give me that! You've been a head case for weeks! Why are you rubbing all of us in the dirt!" Nami barked. Sanji was still surprised, but then his fists clenched, feeling the anger he'd been nursing for days boil in his veins.
"What business is it of yours to accuse me? What do any of you care how I feel!" He roared back. Nami felt another sting in her heart and a pang of fear but she had started a fight and was not ready to back down.
"Just because you're having some sort of emotional episode, you can't force your misery on us!" Nami screamed. Sanji suddenly felt contempt towards her, the woman he had idolized for so long.
"Maybe because you are the source of my misery!" Sanji shot back. That statement made Nami stop and stare at him.
"What…?" She murmured, her anger draining away suddenly. Sanji spun away from her, still fuming.
"Leave me alone Nami-san." He muttered grimly, contempt still clear in his voice. Nami was hurt by his words. Words tried to come from her mouth but they died on her lips. Sanji kept his back to her.
"Nami-san, please just go away…I'm suffering enough as it is…" Sanji mumbled miserably. Nami stared at his back, realization washing over her. A long, heavy silence hovered between them. Not bearing to see her face, Sanji stared hard at the wall. Nami's voice softly broke the silence.
"It was about me, wasn't it?" She whispered. Sanji's eyes widened and he looked at her.
"What?" Confusion clouded Sanji's mind.
"That dream…I heard you…a while back…" Nami explained, biting her lip and avoiding his eyes. He stared at her for long moments. Sanji knew which dream Nami was referring to. No dreams had troubled him since the morning he'd slept so late. A blush appeared on his face as he faced her.
"Nami-san…I'm not sure what to say…I'm sorry…" He apologized. Nami's face reddened when he admitted his secret.
"How long…have you…thought that way about me…?" Nami inquired coyly. Swallowing, Sanji answered.
"Since the day I…I fell in love with you." He replied delicately. Nami's eyes shot to his, wide.
"Huh?" She choked, her heart rate increasing. Sanji cleared his throat and gripped Nami's shoulders gently, keeping her facing him. His eyes locked with hers.
"Nami-san, I need to tell you this so please don't try to run away again." Sanji said with a serious tone. His eyes kept their long stare into hers. Nami had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were. They were a pleasant blue that at a distance seemed darker. The emotion they conveyed to her made her legs weak and her heart pound faster. Sanji's hands moved from her shoulders and cupped her small face.
"Nami-san…no…Nami…I love you…" Sanji said tenderly. Nami felt her face grow warm and cold at the same time.
"Sanji-kun…I—" She stared but he pressed a long finger against her lips.
"Don't Nami-san. I don't want you to feel guilty if you tell me you don't feel the same. I understand." Sanji explained, his eyes keeping their gentle gaze. Nami didn't know if she could answer even if she had wanted to.
Love had never been an option in her life, at least, the kind of love Sanji was offering. The only love Nami had known was the loving family atmosphere between her, Nojiko, and Bellemeré; and the loving friendship between her crewmembers. It was even harder for her to answer after all the years of isolation she'd suffered. Even after Nami had been freed she was still too afraid to get close to anyone. Then all the memories of when Sanji had been there for her came rushing back to the surface of her clouded mind. All the mornings of pleasant conversation, all the times he had paid such devoted attention to her, all the times he had defended her honor, and all the times he had protected her. Why hadn't she seen his love for her sooner? Why had she assumed Sanji treated all women he thought pretty with the same care? Tears welled up in her eyes when she remembered how he had risked his life so many times for her.
Sanji was horrified to see her crying.
"Nami-san! Why are you crying?" He asked anxiously, grasping her shoulders again. Nami's hands covered her face, trying to stop the flow.
"Sanji-kun…I…" Her voice tried to speak but her words broke into sobs. Sanji did the only thing he could do. His arms enveloped her and pressed her body against his in a tight, safe hug. Nami buried her face in his chest, tears staining his shirt. One of Sanji's hands moved on her head, stroking gently, trying to soothe her.
"I'm sorry Nami-san…I didn't mean to make you cry…" Sanji murmured softly. Nami sniffled and looked up at him, her face tear-streaked and her lips puckered.
"You didn't…I…I want to…say how I feel…but…but I don't know…how…" She whimpered. Sanji's other hand moved from her shoulder and brushed her cheek. His hands weren't rough but Nami could feel the slight calluses on his fingers. His thumb soothingly brushed away a tear running down her cheek.
"Nami…" He started, but she pressed her fingers against his lips. The tears slowing, her eyes glazed a bit, closing slowly. Sanji's eyes widened as her hands grasped the sides of his face, pulling him towards her. Rising to the balls of her feet, Nami moved closer to his face. Sanji was unsure what to do, his mind stunned. Before he could react, Nami's lips touched his. Sanji's face reddened. Nami's lips stayed against his, pressing so lightly and softly Sanji wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not. Eyes wide, his body petrified, his hands shook, unable to move anywhere. Nami pulled her mouth away slowly, her eyes opening halfway, gazing into his. Sanji felt lightheaded. Flushed, Nami bit her lip and looked away.
"I'm sorry…I should go." She started but Sanji grasped her face and pulled her lips back against his, only with more pressure. Nami's eyes shot wide but then glazed and fell shut again, savoring the intimate contact. Her hands wound around his neck, her body curving, fitting against his. Sanji's hands moved from her face, brushing down her back and gripping her small waist. Nami relished the kiss but almost jumped when she felt the tip of his tongue slide against the crevice of her lips. Her head started to pull away when one of his hands moved to the back of her head and held her against him. Nami wanted to push away but then Sanji's tongue slid into her mouth, searching for hers. Her tongue tried to move away but he found it and touched gently, playfully. The inside of Nami's body tingled and she felt dizzy at the passion Sanji's mouth was pouring into hers. A taste of smoke and flavor tickled the inside of her mouth and Nami found herself reveling in it. The grip she had around his neck tightened, pushing their mouths closer together, her tongue sliding against his. A moan from Sanji moved into her mouth and Nami smiled in her mind.
For Sanji, the kiss was becoming almost too intense. Finding the hem of her shirt, his hands slid up her back, his fingertips brushing over her warm skin. Nami shuddered in pleasure when she felt his touch on her bare skin. One of Sanji's hands left her back and ran down her waist, moving lower over the soft, graceful curve of her bottom. Heat started to build up in Nami's body, her head swimming in the intoxicating pleasure. Sanji's was lost to sensations, his hands feeling her wonderful and very real body. Carnal desires started to writhe inside the two, waiting for just the right moment to spring. Both were ready to let go of any sense of caution or reason when a voice outside the door sounded and the doorknob clicked, indicating it was about to open. Nami and Sanji tore away from each other, standing a safe distance away. Zoro opened the door and peeked in.
"Oi, are you two done fighting now?" He grumbled, a scowl on his face. Sanji recovered quicker than Nami and glared at the swordsman.
"What do you care if we're done fighting or not shitty swordsman?" Sanji growled. Zoro's scowl turned menacing.
"Watch it you damn cook!" Zoro threatened. Sensing a fight, Nami quickly stepped between the two.
"Hey! Stop it!" She warned, a look of fury on her still flushed face. Zoro glared a moment at Sanji then backed down. Sanji snorted and slipped his hands into his pockets, returning the look. Nami started to worry but then Zoro left the room and started down the hallway.
"Whatever you two are arguing about keep it down! I can't sleep!" Zoro bellowed back gruffly. Nami chuckled softly, knowing he could sleep through anything. Sanji's glare faded and he looked at Nami, a small smile on his face.
"Too close?" Sanji grinned. Nami managed a weak smile herself.
"H-hai…" She whispered meekly. Their eyes met and they felt a connection that seemed to say they were going to be sharing a secret from now on.
A/N: And that's all for now! Chapter 6 is on it's way!