Author's Note: Hello! We are back to the main storyline. That is Luffy and Nami! Hope you guys enjoyed chapter 4. Not many people read/reviewed it but NO MATTER! It coincided with chapter 3 so that's why there wasn't much Luffy, Nami, or Usopp. But back to the main pairing! All rights reserved. Storyline in mine of course haha. Kind of a long chapter so make sure to have your snacks ready!
Slipping her final arm into her hoodie sleeve, Nami flipped her hair over her shoulder as she checked herself in the mirror. "I wonder if he'll like this outfit" thought the orangette thinking of Luffy. A light blush shaded her cheeks before she shook it away, confused as to why she cared if he liked her outfit. Her mind soon drifted to thoughts of her time with him.
"I wonder why he asked me to go with them. It's not like I'm a part of their group" she thoughtas her mind flashed back to earlier that day.
Flashback
"Oi Nami" called Luffy as he walked over to Nami balancing an inhuman amount of food on his breakfast tray. In comparison to Nami's two eggs, his plate could feed a starving army. Looking from the mountain of food to Luffy's eyes, the orangette offered a calm "Hm."
Luffy stopped in front of her and offered a sheepish grin. "So, last night was practically like your initiation into the crew. I'm the leader so I say you're in. We're all going to an amusement park later today and as the newest member, you must attend."
Smiling at his reasoning for her attending, Nami decided to play along with a smirk. "Is that what that was yesterday? Pretty crappy initiation if you ask me. A trial of courage? Baby stuff. No eating bugs or cash donation?"
"Well the bugs are yet to come of course. Our hazing for the crew isn't hardcore like a prison initiation so I didn't find it necessary to tell you that you were being tested" Luffy smiled as he laughed at his own joke.
Nami flinched slightly at what he had said but quickly hid it behind a stoic expression. She offered him a smile as she walked past him. "Why not? Sounds fun but you'd better not puke on me when we go on rides."
Luffy looked at her in shock that she had agreed. His long shot actual paid off. Was this an omnipotent story beyond his control? Deciding to appreciate her positive response, he offered a wink. "Awesome. Meet at room 275 later."
She just offered him a wave from over her head as she left Luffy to his food. He just watched her retreating figure. "Let the games begin."
Flashback End
"Might as well start living a little and stop worrying about the why's in life. I hate to admit that that idiot said something that got to me so much. Since I got permission from him to come on this trip, I might as well have fun" Nami thought while walking out of her room towards her new 'friends'.
Luffy was sitting on his bed fully dressed and dawning his straw hat. He was grinning foolishly but it spread across his face in an almost infectious way. It seemed like forever since he went somewhere that didn't condone the apparel. Another reason for him to hate school.
"Thanks for fixing my baby Usopp. Even if you were the one that tried to ruin her" Luffy thanked as he glanced over to a bruised but dismissing Usopp.
"No problem Captain. It was the least I could do. Even though I didn't break it in the first place" he said while mumbling the last part and rubbing the giant bump on his head.
Brook recoiled at the memory of Luffy's punishment. "I was so scared for you that my eyes could have bugged out of their sockets. Oh wait, I don't have eyes. Skull Joke! Yohohoh" he jested earning a boastful laugh from Chopper and Sanji.
Sanji was most likely laughing at Usopp for taking the blame for the hat. Sometimes it was good to have a rash and stubborn captain. All it took was throwing the long nosed teen under the bus for Luffy to believe it unconditionally and dish out some punishment.
"You're not a skeleton anymore so those don't work anymore!" shouted Usopp clearly still pissed that Brook scared him so bad yesterday. He had to throw out those pants to hide the evidence. That and they were ruined.
After that comment, the world around Brook seemed to fall apart and crash. His eyes turned cold and serious before he spoke. "My life was over when I became a skeleton. But now that I can't be funny anymore, my life has truly ended."
"Damnit what did I say asshole" complained Usopp getting flashbacks of that fateful night. Meanwhile, Chopper was on the floor in the fetal position due to the banter.
"I'm laughing so hard, I'm gonna asphyxiate. Get a doctor!" called a hysteric Chopper. This just earned a calm, "You're the doctor" from Zoro as he sat on the floor and leaned against the bed Luffy was on.
"Asphyxiate? Is that a food?" asked a confused Luffy.
"Idiot" sweatdropped Sanji as everyone but Usopp chuckled at their friend's foolishness. All the while, Luffy just looked around not knowing what he said wrong.
Putting down his phone from his ear and putting it in his pocket, Franky turned to his friends and quitted them down. "Oi everyone, Robin, Vivi, and strangely Nami are coming into the room now. You all ready to go?"
Somehow smiling wider than before, Luffy sat up from his bed. "Yosh. I'm ready."
"Ready for what? What're you planning with Nami? Eh?" inquired a sly looking Franky. Luffy defended saying he just meant ready to go but Sanji wrapped his arm around the teens shoulder.
"Listen Luffy. Don't tell her too much. Stay mysterious. That mystery will keep her interested."
"Whoa! Sanji's smooth?" questioned Chopper.
"Yeah I know how to play the game. All about playing the game" he coolly said earning a starry eyed coo from Chopper.
Walking into the room, Vivi, Robin and Nami walked past Franky who opened the door to let them in. Without missing a beat, Sanji's eyes took the form of hearts as he launched himself at the girls.
"Vivi-Chwan, Nami-Swan! My favorite color is blue, I'm a fantastic cook and heir to "The Baratie" restaurant, I am trained in taekwondo, and I'll love you forev-…" rambled on a love sick Sanji before getting hit on the back of the head by an annoyed Zoro. "Idiot cook."
Chopper, and Luffy sweatdropped at Sanji's actions. "Mystery huh? He just told them his life story right away. Idiot cook" they both thought in unison before agreeing with what Zoro called him.
Robin offered Zoro a smile as thanks to which he just looked away awkwardly. She went to say something to him but Sanji sent a kick towards him which he rolled to the other side of the bed to avoid. They began to trade blows and insults as everyone else converged on the exit.
"Okay everyone's ready? Let's go" shouted Vivi with an eccentric fist pump as they all walked out of the room leaving behind the arguing two who eventually, though fighting to see who could get through the door first, caught up quickly. They were all joking and laughing as they introduced themselves to Nami. Her smile never faltering much to Luffy's satisfaction.
"This is nice. I mean so far but things aren't always as they appear." Nami thought. She wanted to drop her guard and have unequivocal fun but she knew that was never the safe thing to do.
It was about noon so the sun was high in the sky when the group began to exit the building. The sun's rays split past the forest trees in a dance of illumination that invited a great new day. It was as if the endless darkness from the night before was a fading haze. Like a fleeting nightmare, waning from memory.
The group walked on the concrete path around the resort's welcome sign and garden until they came across a fully loaded stretch SUV.
Brook let out an impressed whistle and Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and Franky ogled over it with dinner plate sized eyes. Nami couldn't help but giggle at their childish antics along with Robin. Vivi just smiled at the sight of her pleased friends.
"You guys paid for the tickets so this is my treat" Vivi smiled as she placed her hands on her hips proudly.
"Damn. We got the tickets for free but thanks" stated Zoro flatly as he walked closer to inspect the car. Franky was already examining under the hood and fanboying over the V8 engine and aluminum cylinder heading.
"This car is SUPERR! The Thousand Sonny models are always top grade! It's good Zoro got lost last night so we could get this baby for the ride to the park" cheered Franky earning a scowl from his green haired friend.
"Shut your mouth you grease monkey. We knew about the park beforehand" Zoro yelled before muttering "bastard" under his breath.
"Quit you're bitchin moss head. Get in the car, we're leaving" Sanji called with his head poked over the opened car door as he pointed his thumb over his shoulder signaling for his friend to get in the car.
Grunting at his friend's order but complying none the less, Zoro and the rest of the group piled into the car. Luffy sat in the back left of the car near the window with Nami next to him and Brook next to her. Vivi was driving with Franky at shotgun and Zoro and Robin were in the captain seats behind them with Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper behind them. Lucky for the group, Vivi was rich so the car they were able to get fit the large crew comfortably.
"Road trip road trip!" sang Usopp and Chopper much to Sanji's annoyance. Zoro just watched out of the window, Robin was reading a book while Brook hummed along with Chopper and Usopp. Vivi and Franky idly chatted while she drove along with Sanji who talked from behind.
Luffy just looked out the window while Nami took in the groups atmosphere. "So warm. So light hearted. I could get used to this" she thought with a smile before turning to Luffy. He noticed this and glanced over to her without moving his head from the windows direction.
"What? Do I have something on my face? Is it food!? Sweet, seconds" asked Luffy before thinking aloud in a plain tone.
Ignoring the slightly gross comment from the teen, Nami just shook her head. "No it's not that weirdo. You've got something on your head is more accurate. What's with the hat?"
Everyone in the car who knew the story tensed slightly thinking the orangette was making fun of Luffy's hat. Luffy just looked out the window as if he was recalling a distant, bitter sweat time. The expression in his eyes looked like they were looking miles away. Something Nami took note as being mesmerizing but sadly, as quick as she saw that was as quick as the hat's shadow hid his eyes from view.
"This hat" began Luffy as he watched the sunlight pass through the spacing in between his fingers. "Is the most important thing in my life. Besides my friends of course. I can't wear it in school so that explains why you haven't seen it."
"Nice job keeping the mystery Luffy. That's right. Play the game" Sanji thought as he assumed his captain was done talking. He would soon be disappointed in his student but hey, he wasn't that good at 'playing the game' either.
"I never knew my mom since she died when I was born but my dad; well he wasn't exactly father of the year. He was never around and when he was, the bastard made it clear that he didn't want me. Always busy with his 'work'. Eventually, he left for work but never came home. Just up and disappeared. Asshole if you ask me." Luffy took a shaky breath as he recalled the rest of the story, pausing in the process. He always had a knack for getting too comfortable around his friends.
Nami stayed quiet after learning that the man in front of her was an orphan. She realized how little she actual knew about the guy and she didn't know if she was in any position to prod him for more details. Her silence seemed to be all Luffy needed as he continued to explain. Everyone else in the car who knew the story stayed quiet as well out of respect and Vivi, who was also new listened while driving.
"The hat though is all I've got left from my adopted father Shanks. He was an amazing person. Always laughing and trying to make me smile. He taught me how to truly be a man and protect the people I care about. He left me his hat when he had disappeared, leaving me with my grandfather. I still don't know why he had to leave. Something about work but that excuse isn't new. Seems like everyone leaves in my life and now, well I live alone."
Nami looked stunned to say the least. She was quiet the whole story and the playful banter the car was previously filled with died down to a solemn silence. "I guess other people have it pretty rough too" thought Nami.
Noticing the atmosphere, Luffy decided that as the group's leader, he had to right the ship. Offering her a smile, his voice took on a more upbeat tone. "But hey, at least I've got my friends. I've got them, my hat, and now you. So everything's okay."
Nami was now even more shocked at the reaction of Luffy. To think someone with such a past could smile so freely. That someone who should have abandonment issues was so open and willing to make friends and be happy. It was truly moving and Nami felt herself wanting to be like that. Like him. She smiled before she said "You're amazing."
She blushed at the slip of tongue but Luffy didn't seem to notice. "That goes for you too Vivi. You're my precious friend and I'll protect you forever. And don't you forget it. Now crank some tunes, it's too tense in here!" he shouted which garnered a cheer from everyone else. The electricity in the air was refilled astonishingly and it was as if nothing happened. But Nami knew otherwise.
"Protect us forever huh? Luffy I wish but it's not that simple. But you are amazing so maybe someday…." she thought as she watched as everyone sang along to the radio in carefree elation.
After about a half hour of driving, Vivi parked towards the front of the park and everyone piled out of Sonny. Luffy and the rest stretched as they gathered themselves. Chopper was puking into a bag since he apparently wasn't very good with transportation. Robin was rubbing his back to help him out much to Zoro and Sanji's jealousy.
"Let's go! Off to the deadliest ride we can find!" shouted Luffy as he lead the group to the entrance. At his comment, Chopper threw up violently one more time. He wasn't ready for this and he knew it.
"I'm gonna die. This is terrible" complained the small teen as he was handed gum and water by Vivi to wash the puke from his mouth. "Yeah me too. I've suddenly come down with the 'I can't go on any dangerous rides' disease. Sorry guys. I'll sit this one out" cowered Usopp as he tried to sneak back into the truck.
Getting caught by Zoro who picked him up by his hood with one hand like it was nothing, Usopp couldn't help but sob lightly as they walked past the front entrance and up to the first roller coaster of the day. There weren't enough seats for all of them at once since other people were also on line so they went in groups.
Zoro, Chopper, Franky, Robin and Brook got to go first. Luffy, Vivi, Sanji, Usopp, and Nami were next but while they waited on line, they were able to listen as their friends got locked in. "I might throw up on you" commented Chopper to Robin who just offered him a reassuring smile. "You'd better not! Robin doesn't need to smell like that Chopper!" scolded Zoro. Robin looked over to him with a hurt face.
"So you wouldn't like me if I smelled like throw up?" she questioned with puppy dog eyes. Zoro's face took on a light pink shade much to his dislike. "I didn't say THAAAA-!" he began to say before the ride shot them off at top speed making him yell in surprise.
As the next car rode up to a stop, the rest of the crew piled in. Luffy and Nami in the front with the rest in the rows behind them. Nami looked slightly nervous and Luffy noticed it so he decided to poke fun.
"Apparently princess, this ride is newly constructed so it may have a few screws loose" joked Luffy with a smirk scaring the orangette to his side.
"What does that mean!?" she faintly said as she began to feel lightheaded.
"Oh well I found all of these. Do you think they're important?" asked the brunette as he unfolded his shirt to reveal dozens of nuts, bolts, and screws. His eyes showed innocence, as if he truly wasn't sure but his smile told a different story. Nami however was too afraid to notice.
"Ohhh shit. Luffy what the hell! Of course those are import-!" began Nami before the ride jolted them forward with a startling acceleration. It wiped around curves and loops and rattled all the way. "WE'RE GONNA DIE!" she screamed as she closed her eyes in fear.
Luffy while screaming in excitement placed a hand on hers as they went down a steep drop in an attempt to comfort her. She still screamed but her eyes were now open. Horror was still evident but there was also joy. But mostly fear.
When Luffy's hand wrapped around hers, she felt a surge of safety envelope her body. As if his hand could save her if this ride decided to derail and launch high up and out of the park. She realized that was impossible so the feeling felt strange to her.
With the ride coming to a halt, Luffy offered his hand to help her out of the ride. She groggily took it and got out of the metallic death trap. "Why didn't we die? All those bolts. Stupid bolts" she complained feeling drained from her fear.
"Oh those" Luffy said. "I brought those from the resort. Took them from all the room service carts. I thought it'd be funny to give you a little scare." Grinning at himself, Nami wasn't amused.
"Jerk! I was scared shitless. Who does that!" she scolded as she punched him on the top of his head. Upon contact, Luffy let out a childish whine in protest of the reprimand. Apologizing and rubbing his head, Luffy noticed Nami begin to shake.
"Oi, Nami. I'm so sorry. Don't cry, I-…" he began before he was cut off by Nami's robust laugh. She laughed for a while much to the confusion of the young martial artist. As she calmed down, she grabbed hold of Luffy's arm and began to walk.
"You got me good Luffy. What's next" she asked. Vivi and Usopp walked past them to meet up with their friends as Sanji offered Luffy a nod filled with pride. Luffy nodded back as he turned to Nami.
"Well let's meet up with everyone else and decide from there, yeah?" he said. Nami nodded and their eyes locked for a moment before they separated. He walked down the metal steps with Nami next to him looking away embarrassed that she held his arm like that.
"Why did I do that? I'm not some school fangirl!" Nami scolded in her mind. "But hey. This is the nicest date I've ever been on with a guy. Wait date. This isn't a date?! Is it?" the orangette panicked mentally before she glanced over at Luffy. They happened to both glance over at the same time causing the girl to blush and avert her gaze while Luffy smirked to himself.
They quickly made it to the bottom where their friends were supposed to be waiting but they soon noticed that a few people were missing.
"Oi, where's moss head?" asked a confused Sanji as he only noticed Chopper, Franky, Robin, and Brook.
"We don't know. He said he had to use the bathroom and then, when we went to look for him at the bathrooms, he wasn't there" replied Franky crossing his arms as the rest of the group arrived.
"You let the guy whose beyond clueless with directions go to the bathroom by himself? What did you expect?" inquired Usopp who was shocked at his friend's carelessness. "Damnit how come Zoro gets to avoid these rides!?"
"Maybe he fell into the toilet and got flushed to the sewers. Quick grab a plunger. Zoro, we're coming!" yelled a panicked Chopper as he went to run off towards the bathroom.
Catching his arm before the teen could get far, Luffy pulled Chopper back to the group. "As cool as that would be Chopper, Zoro can handle himself. The rest of us can go have some fun while he's lost. If you find him great, if not, then we meet up at the exit at 8. Got it?" Luffy asked though it was more of an order.
The rest of the group, happy that they could still have fun nodded before walking off together towards the next ride. "We should have known Zoro was gonna get lost. He needs a bell around his neck. Yohohoh" laughed Brook with an agreeing Chopper. "Last day here everyone! Let's park it up!" Franky yelled earning excited cheers from his friends as they walked off.
Luffy walked up to a zoned out Robin before catching her attention saying, "You can go look for him if you want. Get away from the group and all."
Robin looked up to him with a shocked look before mirroring his smile and walking off to look for the man. Luffy watched her walk away satisfied that he set that in motion. Hopefully Zoro wouldn't screw it up again. Looking back to his group that was now pretty far away joking around, Luffy noticed Nami waited for him.
Raising a curious eyebrow, Luffy entangled his fingers and relaxed his hands behind his head. "So you waited, huh?" he asked with mock surprise.
"Don't let it get to your head."
Smiling at her response, the straw hat wearing teen asked, "What do you say we ditch them and go off on our own?"
Nami looked to be pondering the question before letting a sly smile dawn her lips. "Should I be worried about being alone with you? Will it be a PG-13 experience?" Luffy let out a chuckle at her teasing and shrugged his shoulders.
Nami's eyes shone with spirit as she looked to Luffy with the same sly smile. "That's enough of an answer for me I guess. Let's go" she said as she started walking off. Luffy just watched her walk off as he felt the pang from an unfamiliar sensation in his stomach. Disregarding it, he jogged to catch up with the orangette with a thought. "I wonder who's actually playing the game here."
Robin and Zoro
Robin had been walking around for a good 15 minutes. She was starting to wonder if Zoro was still even in the park. "Seriously, how can someone be this bad with directions? And people say woman can't drive. I'd hate to see Zoro trying to drive and getting lost" she thought as she stood in an open area while she looked around.
As if a messenger from the heavens delivered it on a silver platter, Robin caught sight of green hair. She noticed Zoro standing in front of a giant park map. He was clearly thinking of something because he looked uncomfortable and he was scratching his head with a scowl.
"Damnit I've been past this sign like seven times and it's not helping" the blackette heard him yell in frustration causing her to laugh a bit. Quickly, his words sunk in and she sweatdropped at the fact that he passed the same sign seven times. How was that humanly possible?
She walked up to him from behind and said, "You look a little lost. Need help?" Zoro turned around surprised but still with the same aggravated look on his face. He noticed it was Robin but that didn't help his mood.
"This park is like a damn maze. Definitely not safe for children. I mean seriously" he complained expecting her to agree with him. Robin chuckled at him before pursing her lips and answering him.
"Funny since there's probably a higher chance of you getting lost than kids. How old are you again?" This didn't improve Zoro's mood but Robin couldn't miss this chance to poke fun. Zoro turned around with a "Tsk" and began studying the map again.
"I'm not lost woman. They're just minor setbacks. What're you doing here anyway? Where's everyone else?" he stated before glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
Robin decided to let his ridiculous "minor setback" comment slide as she walked closer to him. She wrapped her arms around him from behind in an attempt to get his mind off of being lost. "I'm here to find you of course. Everyone else is having fun since they assumed you could handle yourself."
Zoro was tense from Robin being draped on him but answered with a challenging smirk. "Oh so you didn't think I could handle myself? Jokes on you Robin" he said leaving Robin slightly taken back. She grinned after composing herself and answered honestly.
"That's not it. I just figured now we can enjoy ourselves alone. Come on let's have fun. Or do you wanna spend the whole day at an amusement park getting lost over and over again?" she teased as she let go of the swordsman.
"Setbacks damnit. Minor setbacks" he protested with a pout. It wasn't his fault this place was an unsolvable maze. "Wait did she say alone? Shit does that mean something romantic?" Zoro thought panicked.
"Right, right. Well let's pretend that's not a load of bull. Come on, let's ride the merry-go-round" Robin said with a grin as she grabbed Zoro's hand much to his embarrassment and led the man to the ride.
If someone could describe a funnier image, Robin had never met them. Zoro and her were riding bejeweled pink horses while holding hands as the ride rotated and played princess music. The look on Zoro's face was that of annoyance, embarrassment, and disbelief.
"How could I let this woman make me ride something like this? Thank god Sanji's not here. I'd never hear the end of it" he thought with a scowl as he looked at the woman next to him who was smiling and laughing. He met her with a smile and soon noticed that their hands were still intertwined. Something Zoro was getting used to.
Meanwhile
"Holy Shit! Oi, is that Zoro on the merry-go-round!" screamed a shocked Sanji as he pointed at the ride before a crowd of people got in the way. Brook, Chopper and Franky looked but saw nothing.
"Zoro on a girly ride like that? Can't picture it" Franky said matter of factly as he turned back to Vivi who was looking at a mini map and planning their next ride.
"Zoro on a pink or purple pony? If I saw that, I'd die of laughter. If only I was still dead, then I wouldn't have to worry. Skull joke. Yohoho!" laughed Brook earning a thump on the head from Usopp who seemed to hate skeletal form Brook.
"Forget that! Where is Luffy and Nami! They're gone! They could have crashed on a roller coaster. We have to find them! I'ma comin!" Chopper yelled as he began to speed off. Franky grabbed him by the shirt collar without looking away from the map stopping the smaller teen in his tracks. Before Chopper could protest, Sanji pointed out that everyone else noticed the pair's absence around twenty minutes ago.
If Chopper was ever shocked in his life, this topped that. The realization seemed to make his world fall apart and crumble into millions of fragments and shards. "H-... how could I not have noticed. I'M A DOCTOR DAMNIT!" he yelled ashamed.
"Why does that matter?" Vivi asked with a chuckle and confusion in her tone. Usopp and Brook just laughed at this before they heard Sanji scream. "WHERE IS ROBIN-CHWAN!?"
"You didn't notice that this whole time?" Franky thought with disbelief. "Only an idiot wouldn't notice that."
"Oh! Your right. I didn't notice her missing either. I'm a terrible doctor" Chopper sobbed as his disgrace level increased.
"Chopper too?!" Franky yelled in his mind. How could his friends be that clueless about their surroundings? Seriously it's been like three rides already.
"And my woman sensing abilities that I'm so proud of must be worse than I thought. I'm a terrible excuse for a man!" Sanji sobbed with Chopper.
"You're both idiots" Usopp deadpanned while Brook chuckled in agreement.
7:30 (Luffy and Nami)
Nami and Luffy laughed in unison as they walked through crowds of people. "I wonder how room service must have reacted to all their carts falling apart" Nami laughed earning a chuckle from Luffy.
As their laughter died down, Luffy and Nami's eyes met. They exchanged smiles before Luffy spoke. He made seem like what he was about to say would be the most important things to ever be said. Ever. "So did you have fun today?"
Nami looked at him with a grin. "That's a stupid question. Of course I did. With all the rides, free food which by the way, I don't know how the hell you're not as fat as a house, and the giant stuffed Mikan you won me, how could I not have fun?"
"Speaking of which, this amusement park has some weird prizes. I swear I saw a giant karate penguin in a kids hands." Luffy joked earning a cackle form the orangette.
"So we got time for one more ride?" she asked with hope in her eyes. Luffy knew he couldn't say no so he just shrugged. "Well I am the captain so if I'm a little late, they can't leave without us. One more."
Nami's face brightened and she practically jumped for joy. She grabbed Luffy's hand and led him towards the Ferris wheel. Luffy had seen this in a few movies but forgot what that meant. "Is this the part where we kiss or is it when the murderer finishes off her victim?" Luffy thought with a chill running down his spine. "Let's hope for the best, I guess."
Nami and Luffy waited on line for a few minutes before they were ready to go on. Luffy winked to the operator and like they knew each other forever, the man knew exactly what Luffy needed. He nodded and pointed to the cart that had a '95' on it.
"Let's ride in this one" Luffy insisted as he led Nami to the red and orange cart. Nami looked at him confused that he was so adamant about that cart but didn't protest. Luffy and the orangette piled in and the ride began to move.
After a minute of content silence, Luffy looked to Nami. He wasn't dead yet so he assumed he was in the clear. She was looking out the gated window amazed at the view as soft carnival music played in the background and Luffy began to speak.
"Nami" he said getting the girls attention. "Since the moment I saw you, you've peaked my interest. I used to think it was you're out of place frowns or just the fact that you're drop dead gorgeous" he continued making the girl across from him blush furiously.
Luffy was also blushing madly but the goofy expression he had on his face showed that he was trying his best to deal with the situation. "But I realize now that it's something else. Something even rarer. When you smile, Nami, it's like the sunrise. It's like nothing else in the world and I'd go out of my way just to catch a glimpse of it. And now that I got to know you, I realized how much fun you are and I really like that" he finished. Nami was now as red as a tomato and she was looking out the window. "My first confession! Holy shit" she thought anxiously.
She realized that they stopped up there and the view was now stunning. Thousands of stars were in view but that didn't take away from what was happening in front of her right now. She looked at the crescent moon that was high above the sky and realized that she too was high above the ground.
Looking to Luffy, she noticed he was leaning in for a kiss. She knew that he couldn't see her from way up here but still, kissing Luffy now just felt wrong to her. "This sucks because I think I do like him" Nami thought with a frown. Nami looked at him and found herself leaning in too.
They were less than an inch apart and Nami could feel his breath on her face. It sent goose bumps down her spine but she knew this wasn't the right time. She would need to be completely honest with him first.
Tilting her face away from Luffy's, Luffy realized that the kiss wasn't coming so he opened his eyes. When he noticed Nami looking away uncomfortably, he couldn't help but frown.
"So this is the part where you murder me. Shit why are movies always so cruel?" he asked himself aloud earning a confused look from Nami.
"What?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well in movies, this is either the part where the main characters kiss or when the slasher chick finally murders her victim. I was hoping for option one but I guess I wasn't so lucky. I'm not going to die easily though so good luck" Luffy said seemingly serious.
Nami sat silent before letting out a roaring laugh. "How can a guy turn such an awkward situation into one so light hearted that fast?" Nami thought as she continued to laugh.
When the orangette calmed down, her gaze met the straw hat wearer and she asked curiously. "You're not serious right?"
Wanting to say yes and be honest, Luffy saw the playful look in Nami's eyes and decided against it. "Nah, you don't look crazy enough for murder. Just a little beheading would be fine for you I assume."
"Well of course. I need a trophy to take home with me after all" Nami laughed as she noticed they were nearing the ground.
"I understand that it's too soon. I can wait" Luffy said taking the playful nature out of the air. Nami looked at him before smiling. "He can wait huh? Luffy, you're too good for me. Stop making it hard to deny myself these feelings."
"Good. Let's go yeah? Everyone's probably waiting" Nami said as her and Luffy stood up. Nami grabbed Luffy's hand and they walked out of the cart and past the operator who gave Luffy a nod. The martial artist knew what the guy thought happened up there but he was just happy he wasn't murdered and his kiss was still a possibility.
Meanwhile (Zoro and Robin)
Robin and Zoro had been holding hands the entire day. Not that either of them were complaining but it confused Zoro to no end. "I thought she said that she liked some other guy. So why is she holding my hand? Does she know about how I feel? Is she teasing me?" Zoro thought as he glanced over to a smiling Robin.
She was humming a little tune and licking her ice-cream every once and a while. She soon noticed the look she was getting from Zoro and tilted her head. "What is it? You want some? I told you to get your own ice-cream but I guess you can have a little. Here" the woman said as she tilted the cone towards Zoro.
"Indirect kiss" flashed through Zoro's mind as he blushed slightly. He looked from the cone to Robin a few times before looking away embarrassed. "I don't like vanilla" he lied not knowing what else to say.
Robin just stared at the back of his head before smirking. She then put a playful smirk on her face and looked away with a scoff. "Who doesn't like vanilla? Seriously that's like not liking oxygen. Do you want to suffocate?"
Zoro who heard this couldn't believe what he was hearing. "How are those two things the same, weirdo?" he scoffed.
"They're both things you need to live duh. And you're the weirdo for not liking vanilla" she teased. "Seriously, you didn't want your own and I still offered to share. Why can't you be normal and like vanilla."
Zoro just looked at her dumbfounded and mouth agape. What was with her obsession with vanilla ice-cream? Zoro kept walking not knowing what to say but Robin stopped. Zoro didn't notice until his arm pulled from not being able to walk with the intermingled woman.
"What the-… Robin what's up? Why'd you stop walking? You hurt?" he asked as he stood in front of her confused. The blackette just stood there wordless. "Do you want me to car-.." he began to offer before Robin cut him off.
"About last night. Why haven't you asked about who the guy I liked is?" Robin asked sounding slightly offended. Zoro instantly took on a shade of pink as he took in a stunned breath.
"Wha-… what's this about all of a sudden?" he asked not getting an answer from Robin. He looked at her and seeing as she was waiting for an answer, he steeled himself and responded. "I didn't think it was my business."
This caught the woman off guard and it left a sharp but strange feeling in her stomach. "Not your business? So you didn't care?" she asked slightly hurt.
"What the… No I… well….. Of course I care dumbass" he hectically answered as his blush only intensified.
Robin looked at him assessing the situation but before she could continue, she saw a weird look cross Zoro's face. "What game are you playing at anyway? Who's the guy that you like and why do you wanna tell me so bad" he mumbled causing Robin to give him a, "Hm?" That didn't seem to be the answer Zoro wanted.
"WHAT ARE WE? WHAT AM I TO YOU" he shouted accidentally causing some bystanders to look and Robin's eyes to widen.
He took a step back not intending for it to come out so harsh but Robin had already acted. "You're the guy that I like. Are you really that dense? Why else would I have wanted to spend all day with you alone and offer you some of my ice-cream" answered Robin calmly earning a sweatdrop from Zoro.
"It always loops back to your ice-cream, huh" stated Zoro as he grabbed Robin by the waist and smashed his lips to hers. She didn't expect this but when her mind processed what was happening, it accepted the act.
The pair separated when they heard cheers from the onlookers. Their lips, bruised under the kiss's force and their faces were painted with light pink blushes. Zoro noticed the people watching and led Robin away by grabbing her shoulders and leading as the people whistled their good-byes to the couple.
"So to answer you're first question, you're my boyfriend, yeah?" she inquired with a playful smile as she looked over her shoulder to the green haired teen who was still guiding way. Zoro offered her a matching smile before he stopped walking and said, "I can't believe I did that? Not cool."
Robin smiled at this and Zoro grabbed her hand in his. "But yeah. As long as you're the girlfriend that is. Ready to head back?" he asked earning a nod from Robin. The pair walked to the meeting spot with the occasional pause of Robin redirecting Zoro in the right direction. Some things would never change.
The group all met at the same spot. The groups arrived shortly after each other with Luffy and Nami being last. Sanji made it a point to lean in close to Luffy and ask for all the details as Chopper flailed his arms in anger for being ditched. Luffy just disregarded Sanji with a quick "Nothing happened" and an apology to Chopper.
As they piled into the car, Luffy noticed that Vivi was practically falling asleep. "Oi Vivi. I've got my license. I'll drive, you go in the back and rest a bit." Vivi smiled at the offer before smiling and tossing Luffy the keys.
Nami went around and got into the passenger seat while Vivi and Franky took the pairs seats. As they drove off, Vivi said "I'm glad to have friends like you guys now. I had so much fun today. Thank you" and going to sleep on Franky's shoulder. Nami heard this and couldn't help but mentally agree with her.
Sanji meanwhile was biting his shirt in jealousy before turning to Zoro with a questioning look. "Were you on a pink horse today?"
Zoro tensed at the question as he looked over to Robin who offered him a shrug. "What kind of dumb question is that? Idiot cook" he disregarded as he wrapped his bandanna around his eyes and tried to go to sleep.
"Yeah well your hair is green" Sanji countered before pausing. "That was a lame comeback. I'm too tired for this shit. Night" he said before he curled up against the window and shut his eyes. Usopp and Chopper were already asleep and holding each other as they snored loudly along with Franky and Brook who were combining their rivers of drool.
Robin began to doze off before she felt a hand rest on top of hers. She took in a content breath before dozing off knowing who it belonged to. Meanwhile Luffy saw it through the rear view mirror with a smirk.
"You can go to sleep too Nami. I'll wake you when we get back to the resort" Luffy smiled making Nami comply. The SUV felt so safe with all of her new friends around her so it didn't take Nami long to get comfortable. Before dozing off, her hand found Luffy's on the car's center console. Luffy smirked at this as he was left to be awake in a car full of his precious friends.
"I'll protect you all" he thought to himself as he began to snack on some fries Chopper apparently couldn't finish. "Damn these are good."
Luffy pulled to a complete stop as he parked the SUV where they left from. He got out of the car and fighting the urge to draw on everyone's faces, woke them up. They all woke up with tired yawns and a pair of disgusted looks from Franky and Brook who drooled on each other. The crew went their separate way before Luffy went back to the front of the car to see a sleeping Nami.
"Shit man, I don't wanna wake her but I don't have her room key" he muttered before poking the orangette's cheek. She woke up with a grimace and smiling slightly at the sight of Luffy.
"Oi princess, we're here. I'll walk you back to your room" he whispered which got Nami out of the car. The chilly air woke her up enough to protest Luffy's offer.
"No, it's fine Luffy. I can make it myself. Go off to bed" she said as she groggily tried to walk away. Luffy laughed out loud before catching up to her. "You think I'm going to let a half asleep girl walk to her room alone in the dark. Don't be crazy Nami" Luffy said as he put his arm around Nami's waist and led her around the resort towards her building.
He didn't know why the students rooms were sometimes so far away but he didn't care. Regardless of how tired he was or the distance of the walk, he wanted to be with Nami as much as possible.
They walked in silence and were about halfway there when Luffy heard a gruff voice come from the woods. "Oi, bean sprout. You gotta learn not to take what ain't yours" the voice said as Luffy turned to meet a tall, tanned man. He was stocky with a long pointy nose, wore a Hawaiian designed yellow button up shirt, cargo shorts and golden chains around his wrists.
Nami was now completely awake and terrified beyond belief. Luffy felt her tense when they heard the voice so he knew this was going to be a problem.
"What do you mean what's not mine. I haven't taken anything" Luffy defended as he stood up straight. The man in front of him was at least a foot taller than the high schooler and Luffy was six feet. The man let out a crud "Shahaha" before replying.
"See kid. That's where ya wrong. Ya been foolin around with my girl. I've been watchin you this whole trip and that ain't goin to fly. Got me?" he conceitedly asked.
A plain look crossed Luffy's face before he spoke just as plain. "So you followed Nami all the way here, spied on her all this time, and then sat in the dark so you could make a creepy appearance. You realize how much of a stalker you sound like?" Luffy insulted earning a scowl from the man.
"And I don't know who your girl is man. So I think you're lost" Luffy said as he pulled Nami closer. However at this, Nami separated herself from Luffy and walked over to the giant man. "I can't let this happen. It's better if I comply and face the consequences later" Nami thought.
"Nami?" asked a shocked Luffy as he wondered why she was walking over to this guy. He seemed like a jerk to him.
"Luffy, this is Arlong. He's my boyfriend. Sorry but this is why we couldn't be together. I… I love him" Nami said with a pained look on her face. Luffy hadn't noticed this but he couldn't accept what he was hearing.
"Nami you don't mean that. Stop playing around. Let's go, it's late and we're leaving tomorrow" he said desperately hoping this was all a sick joke.
"Look who sounds like a stalker now, squirt. Take a hint and maybe ya will live" the man known as Arlong antagonized as he snapped his fingers. At this, dozens of guys, all about the thick size of Arlong and each at least six feet tall began walking out of the woods. Some had chains and others, scowls on their faces.
"Wow. A snap your finger signal and then you're cronies come out from hiding in a dark place. You watch too many movies bro" Luffy stated unimpressed earning a tick mark from Arlong.
The giant man tightened his grip on Nami before giving his men the order to attack Luffy. "Keep em alive boys. I don't plan on goin back to prison."
With that, they all charged Luffy at once. Nami was squirming to get free in order to stop this but Arlong's vice grip was too strong. She watched helplessly as the men charged at her friend.
She cringed as the first man swung a pipe with a steel chain wrapped around it but was surprised when it hit nothing but air. Luffy had jumped backwards landing upside-down on his hands before he pushed off the ground, hurling himself back into the air and launching both feet into the man's gut. He dropped the weapon and clutched his stomach before passing out.
"Whoa. He was weak like Charmin. Charmin toilet paper that is" Luffy stated as he cracked his knuckles and the rest of the men stood back in shock. This kid was supposed to be an easy beating for them.
"Get him you deadbeats or I'll kick your asses!" Arlong yelled as he waved his hand towards Luffy. They all charged again causing Luffy's eyes to be shadowed by his hat. "You poor bastards" Luffy whispered before the first attack was thrown.
One man even larger than Arlong threw a punch at Luffy who just sidestepped before throwing him at least ten feet into a tree like it was nothing. Luffy then dodged two more punches before landing one of his own in a man's gut. This caused the man to spit up and pass out.
As a knife slashed towards Luffy, he quickly disarmed the man wielding it and broke the blade off by throwing it at a slant towards a large stone. He then spring boarded off of two guys in order to kick a charging man in the face knocking out a few teeth. Within one motion, Luffy kicked off the man's face and did a backflip allowing for him to grab the two men's heads he just catapulted off of and slamming them together knocking them out as well.
Arlong's men looked taken aback by this while Luffy stood around the unconscious men looking as calm as ever. This boiled Arlong's blood so he shouted to his men "Oi, fall back weaklings. Let Chew, Kuroobi, and Hatchan handle the brat."
"Well this brat just knocked out a bunch of your men soooo" Luffy spoke before trailing off to mock the man. Luffy knew these guys must be Arlong's Lieutenants but he was confident he would be alright. He touched his hat and felt pride that Shanks was his father. Without him, he'd be dead right now.
The man, Hatchan made the first move as he sent a double sword slash at Luffy's legs. "Won't kill. Just paralyze" the man said kind of stupidly as he attacked Luffy ruthlessly.
"Katana huh? And he's pretty skilled too" thought Luffy as he tried to disarm the guy only for his hands to be swatted away by the man called Chew. Luffy was taken aback by their teamwork but still managed to dodge another slash. He then countered Chew's punch with one of his own. Chew hit the floor hard but was soon back on his feet.
Luffy was still dodging a flurry of blade attacks while taking a few scraps and minor cuts before Kuroobi sent an elbow at him. Luffy ducked under the blow before rolling away to create some distance. The three men now stood facing him with brute looks on their faces.
"Shit. Muay Thai Boxing, a Karate Variation, and Bushido with real swords. This might become trouble unless I go all out. And even then, I don't know" Luffy thought before the three men charged him again. Luffy back stepped a flying knee to the face before taking a punch to the shoulder. He was then grazed in the bicep by Hatchan's sword but was able to land a solid roundhouse kick to Chew's arm breaking it in the process. Breaking Chew's arm was strategically worth taking a cut to the arm.
The man let out a blood curdling scream as his arm hung at his hip broken. The attacks kept coming but now it was easier for Luffy to dodge and counter. Luffy went to disarm the swordsman when he saw an opening but was stopped when Arlong dashed in and sent a hard hook to Luffy's cheek.
Luffy was sent back a few feet and stumbled but was able to keep his footing before he received another elbow to the chin knocking him back so that he was against a large stone on the ground. Arlong raised a hand which stopped his men from continuing.
Luffy spit out a small amount of blood as he looked to Arlong with intense loathing. "We're leaving men. I'm gonna reward his skills wit his life. Consider ya self lucky kid" Arlong spoke as he began to walk away.
Before they completely left, Luffy called out to them. He fought through the pain in his mouth and yelled "So is that what that was Nami?! You set me up so her boyfriend could kick my ass with his cronies?!" Luffy was beyond hurt. His heart hurt more than his face and the look on Nami's face didn't help.
"No but-…" Nami began to say before she was cut off by Arlong.
"Yea that's exactly it. That's what ya get for fallin for a bitch shahaha!" Arlong said before he pulled Nami away. "Luffy, I'm so sorry. You were too good for me" Nami thought as tears began to stream down her face.
Luffy went to get up before the one known as Chew ran back to him. "This is for the arm, asshole" he seethed before punching Luffy hard in the eye. Luffy fell back on the rock and Chew ran off to rejoin the group.
"Damnit" Luffy yelled as every part his body cried out in pain. He wondered when it had started raining. Or perhaps it was just himself as tears began to drip from his face in pools. "She was my friend" he thought, slamming his fist into the ground again before passing out and becoming one with the darkness.
Author's Note 2: So many chances to end this but I wanted to end it with some conflict. And damn was there conflict. I bet you all thought it was over after they went to sleep and then BAM lol. This chapter, I realized was long as hell but it was SO much fun to write. So I hope it kept you interested the whole time. Let me know how you liked it and don't worry, IT'S NOT OVER, and I'll explain the details to Arlong and Nami in the next few chapters. Stay with me please! I can just imagine the flames from this chapter haha.
But review none the less or P.M me. Till then, thanks for everything and stickaround for more! Also P.M me if you caught the Star Trek reference or if you'd like to know where it is. I don't own it though I promise! –Edited as of 6/17/16