Luffy hurried out of the galley and sprinted down the docks and into the woods at lightning speed. It didn't take her long to get home, and she went to the kitchen to pretend she'd been eating if Ace woke up before she was in bed. She ate a banana, making sure to chew it the whole way to her, Ace's, and Makino's area.

Thankfully, Ace was not in the hall, and when she opened his door slightly to look inside, he was deeply asleep. She gave a relieved sigh as she left his room and closed it quietly. She entered her own room and locked the door, laying on top of her thick blankets and pillows. She knew she couldn't sleep right now. All she could do was still feel Zoro's hard body against her small one. Oh and that cake was delicious. She hoped Zoro would be entertained tomorrow when creepy Sanji realized his delicious food was moldy.

Luffy did eventually fall asleep, but it was a dream that she woke up to with her body zinging. How was she supposed to get rest by having such dreams? But her next dream was much more pleasant and not passionate. She was sitting on Zoro's shoulders while they watched dolphins swim in front of the ship. She was on his ship. He told her they were going on an adventure, and that it would be super fun. Then his crew came over, but their faces were blurred because she couldn't really remember them very well. Except Chopper, but he was in deer form.

Then she was hiding inside the tangerine trees and Zoro tried finding her because she ate all of his food while he was in the bathroom. He was not happy because Sanji wouldn't give him seconds until the girls finished in case they wanted seconds, so he had to wait for who knows how long. And he was starving.

He found her and she tried running away, but he wrapped his arm around her waist. "I can't eat because of you," he mumbled against her back. "I guess I'll just have to eat out something else-"

Luffy woke up suddenly, very zingy. She didn't like this! She just wanted to get some rest! Damn recent book she read. Ace would be so upset she checked that one out, though she was already 17. And Makino had only blushed when she saw what Luffy picked out. That had surprised Luffy, but then again Makino was never good talking about such things.

The third try of sleeping, she finally had no dreams, and only woke up when her door was knocked on. She jolted in her bed, remembering what had happened before she went to sleep. Her face turned pink and she giggled. Last night was fun. But oh my those dreams actually bothered her. She didn't know what she'd do if Zoro said what he'd said in his second dream. It would be best to put that dream behind her, though.

She got out of bed and opened the door with sleepy eyes. "What is it Ace?" she asked.

"I was thinking we could go to the beach together. I know you're upset with me about getting mad at you about seeing that human," Ace replied. Luffy couldn't help it. "Zoro?" she asked.

"Him. I know you want to fight him again, and this time I could go with you if you want. I won't watch the whole thing because fighting with an audience sucks, but just to make sure nothing happens to you." Then he sighed. "I know you're already technically an adult, and are very strong, but I can't help but worry about you."

"Brother complex," Luffy said jokingly. "I love you, and that you wanna take care of me all the time, but I'll be fine on my own. And even if I did go to see Roronoa Zoro, I could take care of myself. I've won both times. I wish you would trust me to protect myself.

"Besides… he'll be gone in a couple days, and then you won't have to worry about me seeing him again. It'll all work out," Luffy said. She hated the words she'd just spoken. She'd known Zoro for a few days, but she really… like liked him. He was kind to her, and seemed to genuinely care about her, no matter if she was a mute and completely different species than he was. She knew it must be a little weird for both of them, but it's not like it got in the way of that intense makeout session last night. Well, a few hours ago.

She wondered what he was feeling like. Well, he was obviously very into it based on what was happening below. She couldn't help but giggle with a blush.

-x-

After Luffy had run away, Zoro had gone back into the galley and, to his horror, "I will see you tomorrow. Promise. And we can continue this activity" was still written on the kitchen table. He spent almost the rest of his watch desperately trying to scrub it off. It took forever before he just gave up with it barely visible. He hoped no one noticed it and looked closer. How would he explain that? There was no one else to blame considering it hadn't been there before everyone went to bed.

And the hickeys… he went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. They were almost completely gone, only looking like a few faded bruises. He'd be fine...

He was nervous that every time he sat at that table, or even looked at it, he'd remember the heated makeout. Then his face might always be red in that room. Maybe he'd suggest table cloths or cushions for the benches to hide them. So he couldn't see the place Luffy's small feet had been standing so she was level with Zoro.

He was thankful when his watch was over and he could go to bed for a few hours. However, sleep was impossible after what happened a few hours ago. He'd be napping a lot during the day all right.

When he got up, having not slept at all, he realized something. That massive dumbbell Luffy had created was still on deck. Depending on who he switched with, there was a chance he could just throw it overboard so it wasn't seen. Despite being exhausted, he got up before everyone and climbed the ladder at lightspeed and ran to the aft deck and picked up that massive metal weight and dropped it into the ocean. It made a loud splash, so Zoro ran across from where he tossed it overboard and pretended to be napping.

He felt so pathetic but it was for a good cause. By the time everyone was awake and Sanji called that it was breakfast, Zoro's blush had finally faded and he knew he could pretend nothing out of the ordinary happened last night. But then Robin said something that worried him.

"So, did Luffy come over last night?" she asked, taking a sip of coffee while looking at Zoro with a knowing smile. Oh… no, please let her not have spied, Zoro thought. He glared at her before composing himself. Only Robin noticed this small exchange, though.

"No. Most boring watch ever," he replied, taking a chug of his water. He really wanted dry sake. How convenient Luffy could make one whenever he wanted.

"Oh?" Robin asked simply.

Please don't say anything, please don't say anything… Zoro thought.

"That's too bad. We know you enjoyed fighting with her. Sanji, can I have some water?" Robin asked. As Sanji opened the refrigerator and pulled out the water purifier, he saw the fake pieces of cake.

"What the hell?!" he asked. Then he pulled the bags out and Zoro nearly spit out his drink. They were so moldy they had grown fur. Jeez, no wonder the nymphs had to buy real food. "I made this just yesterday! It shouldn't have gotten this moldy so fast…"

Robin was the only one to notice Zoro hiding a smirk. She furrowed her brows. Usually, he would make a demeaning comment, but here he looked like he was about to laugh. Maybe something had happened last night, but what would cause this? She looked down at the table, and saw something near her napkin.

She discreetly tried to see what was on the table without alerting it was there to the others. After squinting for a little while, she read what had been written there. She covered it with her napkin. Luffy was the only nymph who would come on the ship, and she would have to write instead of talk. She was positive it was Luffy, and this message was quite suggestive. She frowned. Zoro was playing with fire.

"I'll watch the ship," Zoro said after the meal was over. "There's nothing to see on the island and I'm sick of the awkwardness between the humans and nymphs."

"I think I'll stay as well. I have a few books I'd like to finish before I must return them," Robin said. Then she looked at Zoro, who looked away. Great. Robin probably knew and was going to tease him about it.

But after everyone left to go shopping or sightseeing the places where nymphs didn't spend time, Robin said something he hadn't expected.

She walked to where the swordsman was lifting weights, and said, "You are playing with fire while having a fling with Luffy." Zoro dropped the weight, almost crushing his toe. He glared at her. There was no use denying that she'd come over and things had gotten more than battle partners.

"It's none of your business," Zoro said coldly, crossing his arms. "I can do what I want."

"Yes, and you might cause all of us to disappear," Robin said just as coldly. Zoro scowled very strongly at her. She sighed. "We know how much they hate humans, Zoro. If they found out that you, a human, were being intimate with Luffy in secret, who knows what would happen to us. Or to her. There is obviously a reason she was so down yesterday morning. And you heard her brother tell us nymphs don't consort with humans. She could be breaking a law, or if they have a religion it could be a sin. We know nothing about them."

Zoro looked down. "She had to leave so no one knew she had been here." But then he grew angry. "Are you ordering me not to see her anymore?" he asked extremely coldly.

Robin sighed. "No, I am not ordering you to stop seeing her, but if they find out and things do go south, we are leaving, goodbye or no goodbye. Understand?"

"What if they go after her as well?" he asked. He wouldn't leave Luffy here and ditch if she was in danger.

"We leave her in their hands unless it is execution. And if they do come after us, I don't want us to fight."

"There's no way you could. They're too strong. Luffy defeated me twice. If there's a shit ton of them after us, we're goners. As long as they can't get us on the sea, we should be fine. I'm pretty sure… You better not tell the others. I don't need to be ridiculed or teased."

"I won't. Nice hickeys, though. She must have sucked hard," Robin said and left a bright red Zoro behind her as she went to her sun chair to read. Zoro muttered offensive words about the captain as he went to lift weights. "Oh! And I hope no one notices that message on the table!" she called. She was being merciless. Zoro just grumbled some more swear words.

-x-

Luffy and Ace walked through the forest to get to the coast, the one on the opposite side of the main village. This coast had real waves, not the soft sloshing waves at their home's beach. The two didn't go completely in the water because they'd get trapped and would die in the water. They just made some blankets and laid them down at the edge of the water where the foam touched before the water was sucked back into the next oncoming wave.

Seagulls also came here, and pelicans as well. No one but the nymphs knew about this place, and it was a long uphill walk to get there. They both took off their shoes and put their small feet in the wake.

There was a peaceful silence as Ace looked at the sky and Luffy looked at the sea.

"Ace? Has a nymph ever left here?" Luffy asked suddenly. "Like, left the island to go somewhere else?"

"I don't think so. I don't see why they would. We drown in the ocean and the rest of the world is flooded with humans. Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious. If any of us could have an adventure and then come back… It sounds neat," Luffy replied honestly.

"I know you've always wanted to go on an adventure, but who's to say you can't have an adventure here? And how would you even get anywhere? You don't know how to sail a boat, and all of the pirates that come and go would never take you and treat you right," Ace told her, noticing her sad demeanor when he said that. "What brought this on?"

Luffy took her time coming up with an answer. "When we were on the sheephead ship, it felt good to be there. It felt like it could be home, y'know? But I know it's not like I can sail away on it anyways. I'm just having silly thoughts… They'll pass, but I'll think of them for now." Then she asked, "Am I weird, Ace? Does no one else think like this?"

Ace also took a long time to answer. "I don't think you are weird, just different. Not in a bad way. I think you're just more open minded, but I hope that doesn't come around to hurt you. What's the real reason you are asking this stuff?"

"I have a secret, but I don't want you to tell anyone. It won't matter in a couple days anyway. Promise, okay?" Ace looked a little suspicious. "Please?"

"I promise I won't tell anyone. But it's making me worried. Just say it already," he said, though not unkindly.

"I have a crush on someone… and he's not a nymph," Luffy said, curling up and hiding her face in her knees. "There's something wrong with me… isn't there?" Luffy asked miserably. "I wish he was a nymph because I really like him and he likes me. And I know it will never work out."

Ace didn't know what to say. "Oh Luffy… Can I ask who it is?" Ace was secretly terrified for Luffy, but she was distraught over it, and he was going to help her. He wasn't going to scream at her not to feel that way. That'd probably make it worse.

"Roronoa Zoro… a pirate… I have a crush on a human pirate…" Luffy sniffled once. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"...Does he like you back?" Ace asked, feeling like he was walking on eggshells. Luffy nodded slowly.

"I sorta went over last night because I couldn't sleep and I wanted to fight, but we just ended up talking and eating cake. And he kissed me. Then I left after that because I didn't want you to know… but I've never been able to keep secrets from you. I'm just hoping you won't hate me or think I'm broken or something," she mumbled the last part.

"I could never hate you, Luffy. Ever. Even if you left with them and never came back, I wouldn't hate you. And I know you can't control who you have feelings for… I had a crush on Marco for a long time. Makino was the only one who knew, and she tried to 'help' me not like him anymore. But no matter what I did, I still loved him.

"At least the person likes you back, Luffy. I know that doesn't help, but you know you aren't just chasing after someone who doesn't love you like you love them," Ace finished, embarrassed about confessing this. But he knew Luffy needed to hear it.

"I never knew… and if I did leave, I'd never leave forever," Luffy said, looking straight into Ace's eyes. "I'd come back, no matter what, to see you and tell you everything that happened. But I know deep down, no one would want me on that ship. They're all afraid of me, and I'm afraid of them."

Ace hugged her. "When are they leaving?"

"Three days, I think," Luffy told him. "I know it hasn't been long since I met him, and we didn't start off on a good note, but I think he really does like me. He kissed me and was kind and didn't do anything I didn't want him to. He doesn't seem like a bad pirate… And you can tell they aren't horrible people based on their ship," Luffy said with a laugh.

"What do you think the others would do? Would I be in trouble?" Luffy asked nervously.

"I don't know. I have a feeling that it wouldn't be good, Luffy. The only reason I'd tell you to bury your feelings is for your own wellbeing. I'm sure, if someone really loved you, they'd leave you be if it was for your safety," Ace hypothesized gently.

"...Do you regret not being able to be together with Marco? And now you have to see him all the time? Is it hard?" Luffy questioned. She felt bad for her brother.

"Every time I see him I regret pushing my feelings away because I know now I'd never be able to confess, and he'd never want to be with me. I don't know if that makes it harder or for me to see him every day and not be able to be with him compared to you never seeing Zoro again," Ace answered truthfully. It really was hard for him to be around Marco all the time and not be with him how he had wanted to be… still secretly wanted to be.

"Okay… I'll just wait for the three days. If he's gonna leave anyway, might as well enjoy his company, right? Is that the right thing to do?" Luffy asked desperately. He wanted Ace to say it was the right thing to do, but that's not what he said.

"I don't know the right or wrong way to go about this, Luffy. Just do what you feel is right. And don't worry, I'll protect you."

The rest of the time they stayed at the beach was quiet and peaceful, both of them just listening to the waves they couldn't play in. They spent a little over two hours at the beach before leaving and heading back to their area. Luffy's thoughts were occupied by Zoro.

Luffy and Ace walked down the market street, wanting some candy from the candy shop. It was difficult recreating candy because they all ended up tasting the same; plain sugar, no flavoring. It was nice they could create desert dishes, though.

While they got closer to the candy store, Luffy heard a woman pleading. She automatically assumed it was a human, and would usually just pass by, but this time, she felt different for some reason. The sounds were coming from an alleyway, and she abruptly turned, surprising Ace.

"What are you doing?" he asked curiously. He followed her to the scene. An orange haired woman, with many shopping bags around her, was being restrained by three men. She was crying out for help, punctuated by swear words and offensive insults. But she couldn't get out of the grip.

It was clear these men weren't from the island for they didn't react when the small nymph came over. She glared at them, but they just laughed at her, asking why a little kid was here. Luffy did not like this, and walked over to brutally kick one of the men's shin. He fell to the ground with a cry of pain. One of the men kept their hold on Zoro's friend, and the other went towards Luffy.

Ace was fighting back the instinct to rush in and protect Luffy. But he didn't because he knew she would be irritated and insulted if he did.

The second the man not hurting the redhead woman tried to grab Luffy, but then his hand was laid on the dirty ground, his stump of a forearm bleeding copiously. Zoro's friend hadn't seen her transform her hand because the female nymph had been too fast for her human eyes.

The other man made a break for it, but Luffy let Ace go have his fun with the last man. Luffy considered banishing the two men in front of her, but they ran off, screaming in fear, picking up the severed hand on their way. She hoped they'd be traumatized and leave quickly since there were those that looked similar to Luffy all around most of the island.

Ace came back, smirking. "Have fun?" Luffy asked in a teasing voice.

"Yup," then he looked at the redhead trying not to cry. "Why'd you save her?" he asked.

"She is one of Zoro's friends… I think. Pretty sure. I think this one is the one obsessed with money and treasure," Luffy explained. "Let's go," she said, not giving Nami a second look, but Nami wanted to thank Luffy somehow.

"Luffy, Ace… will you have dinner with me and the crew? I want to- to thank you," she stuttered, still shaken by what had just happened with those men. Luffy looked to Ace, wondering what she should do.

"You decide."

Luffy bit her bottom lip momentarily but then nodded. Dinner was a few hours from then, though. Well, for nymphs it was. She thought humans had it at the same time, but she could be wrong. Nami gave a big smile at Luffy saying yes.

Luffy put her hand behind her back, creating a pen but acting like she'd pulled it out of a pocket. She wrote on the wall "What time?" But she left the words there, trying her best to not reveal any of her powers.

"Five should be good," Nami replied. "My name is Nami by the way. Sorry for not introducing myself sooner." Nami smiled at her and Ace, saying she'd see them in a few hours, and took her bags to leave.

"Hey, Ace. I have a fun idea!" Luffy suddenly said. Ace asked what it was, but Luffy just smiled and ran towards the harbor, candy store forgotten.

Nami arrived on the ship and brought all her bags to the women's room. Then she went to the deck and found Robin, telling her what had happened. She gave a surprised expression. That sounded like nothing the books said about nymphs nature.

But, then again, Luffy was having an affair with Zoro, so things must be somewhat different for her now.

"She broke a man's shin and chopped another one's hand off somehow. Then her brother went after the other one. I don't know what happened to that one." Nami then looked scared for a moment.

"I'm so sorry that happened. It must have been very scary. Good thing Luffy was there," Robin said. Nami nodded and gave a small smile. She agreed. It was very scary. She could predict what would have happened to her if no one had intervened. She hoped, if those men stick around, they won't do anything stupid and piss the nymphs off.

Zoro heard Luffy's name and immediately left the weight he'd been lifting to go see why they were talking about Luffy. "What about Luffy?" he asked. He tried not to have the hardness in his voice about them saying her name. What had they been talking about...?

"Luffy and her brother saved Nami from some thugs. Apparently both of them are coming over for dinner," Robin explained. She smiled at Zoro's blush, though not knowing the cause.

Zoro blushed because both him and Luffy would be in the room where things got somewhat heated. On the benches, too. He wondered what she had told Ace. How much he knew, since he and Luffy seemed really close. He guessed he might see at dinner.

But he would end up learning what the nymph knew earlier than that.