I do not own anything besides these words and the cover art.

"Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out…let's see how far we've come," Nami sang to Zoro ask she put on his satin robe.

He turned and smirked, "You're being dramatic. This is just another fight."

Nami shook her head, and her orange hair flew with her. "But I believe the world is burning to the ground. It's coming to an end…"

She stopped and looked at him, her arms crossed and Zoro saw how she gripped her biceps. Her nails pressed into her flesh as she chanted her mantra. Zoro put his bandages hands over her own and traced her thumbs across her hand. It tickled and soothed, and Nami slowly unwound.

"Say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to…cause you're right. It's all coming to an end…but we're going to find out. Cause we're together, right?"

Nami knew what he meant. She knew he was telling her that whatever happened after this fight, they would tackle it together. That he made her a promise and a part of that promise was a heavy oath that practically shackled him to her. It felt heavy, too heavy for a bunch of teenagers to think about, but Nami had always lived her life too grown up. Her pain, her suffering, her morals, her motives were all too "adult" for her. For once, this felt just right, like she did not have to overthink so much and follow the feelings she quieted for so long. It was different and strange. It scared her. It was unknown and uncharted, but Nami loved to make maps. If she needed to make a new one, perhaps it would be one her mother would be happy to look at…wherever she was.

Zoro caught the tear that rolled down her face and tilted his head, "Hey…"

"Can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time?" she asked, her brown eyes locked onto him, wanting the perfect answer.

Zoro was never right with his words, so he scratched the back of his head and shrugged, "I started running a long time ago, but there was nowhere to run to…until you…" Nami wanted to laugh but stopped herself because Zoro continued, "and I'm excited to see how far we can go."

The roar of the crowd brought them back to the present, and Nami jumped to lock Zoro into a hug. She squeezed and held onto the belief that the next few hours would be the most critical in her life, but she was ready to run…if he was running with her.

Zoro laughed, "Geez, Nami, relax. I'm not going anywhere just yet…but…I do need to get to the fight."

Nami held on but released just enough to whisper into his ear, "Good luck…I might just give you that kiss after all this."

Zoro was the one that held onto her now, and the tightness made Nami melt. He spoke and his voice shook against her chest. "A kiss won't be enough now…I need all of you. Nothing less."

Nami smiled and pulled away. She stuck out her tongue and winked, "You're way more selfish than me…"

Zoro smiled back and let her go. He headed towards the doorway, but Nami held his hand briefly and looked over her shoulder to tell him, "But I'll tell you just how selfish I am after the fight…okay?"

He tilted his head and threw her a smug grin, "You think I don't know…this is my 5th fight for you…I think I'm in too deep-"

"I'm serious," Nami said with a seriousness that cut him off. He looked her over and nodded quietly as the roaring grew louder and his name rang over the speakers.

"Alright, Nami…"

"Good luck, Zoro…" she said as she let him go and watched him exit into the bright lights of a battle she was not quite ready for.

Music Inspiration/Theme: "How Far We've Come" (Matchbox 20)

Bwahaha, the soundtrack to any movie that starts with a white boy bike riding to school but also…poetic.

So, here we are, folks. The ultimate battle. Who is Zoro's top competition? Will Nami tell him about Nojiko? What about Usopp? Sanji? What has Tashigi been doing with that traced signal? What has Crocodile and Arlong?

Here's to the next chapter…it's gonna be…explosive!

XoXo shipfiend