So, truth be told, I've had a hard two weeks. It was like everything came crashing down. I lost a friend of the family, I lost my client and ultimately ended up walking away from my company. I'm trying out for one that is closer to where I live, but so far no word. Also I'm having issues with college classes, and getting the scholarships to come in correctly. It's been one stressful thing after another, so if I get this on time, thank god. But I hope my troubles didn't come out into the writing, and I hope it is still a good one.

This story is a RobinXNami story for I need more ANGST. I really liked the idea you gave, and I would just hate it if I let my troubles ruin the story, so hopefully it doesn't. Thank you for putting the request in the tourney! Great idea that's sweet romance.

Next story will be for Cherry who wanted an AceXNami request.

I'm leaving this short and simple today. Have a great rest of the year!

Enjoy~

"Haha! Look at the weirdo reading her weird books!" A young boy shouted childishly, pointing an accusing finger towards the dark haired, blue eyed child that sat on a bench by herself in the school yard.

"Who reads such weird things?!" An immature girl pitched in, crossing her arms and snubbing the same little girl. "Maybe Robin is a weird monster that actually belongs in those books!"

This spurred on maniacal laughter in the small group of boys and girls that stood behind her, joining in with the lead girls bullying.

"Monster Robin!" The girl called out. Suddenly the whole group was repeating her words, "Monster Robin! Monster Robin! Monster Robin!" making the dark haired girl cower more and more from their bullying calls.

'What's so interesting about these books anyway?" One of the boys growled, snatching the book out of her hand and looking at it with a quirked brow, as if he really couldn't figure out what was so interesting."What the heck?! You can't even read these stupid things!" The letters were nothing like he had seen'. He tossed the book into the air, the dirt flying up as it landed with a thud.

"I can so read it!" She argued feebly, rushing over to the book and picking it up carefully, not wanting to damage it anymore than it already has. She dusted it off carefully, holding it close to her body this time so the boy couldn't grab it from her again.

"Yeah right you freak!" He argued back, scoffing at her argument. Suddenly the boy cried out and hunkered to the floor, holding his head in pain at the sudden punch that had been laid upon his skull. A large lump formed on his head and gasps from the group echoed out. They suddenly all began to inch backwards from the attacker who was ferocious and angry.

"Leave her alone!" A young girl with bright orange hair and feisty brown eyes shouted at him, raising a fist in a threatening way. "If I find out you are saying mean things to Robin again you'll regret it!"

"Like we're scared of you!" One of the boys croaked out, coming forward to protect his fallen friend that was recovering himself.

The boys all surrounded her, forming a small circle. They all pounced on her at once, finding courage with all of them helping one another against one person. The young girl though was not as weak as she looked; she took punches from the boys and for each one gave three more back to them. One by one the boys were defeated by the young girl, crying in pain at her fierce fighting until they were running away crying and holding their heads.

"Stay away from Robin I mean it! Next time I won't hold back!" She shouted after them, rubbing at a cheek that was bruising already and then putting her fists on her hips with a huff. She waited till they were back inside the school before she walked over to Robin and dusted the girl off, looking her over with worried eyes to see if she was injured at all. "Sigh. I'm sick of them always targeting you. If I have to punch them a hundred times to get them to leave you alone I would do it!"

"Nami…." Robin said, looking at the orange haired girl with sad eyes. "….are you okay? I'm sorry you had to help me again….." Robin was filled with guilt at her friend getting injured because of her….let alone that this wasn't the first time this has happened.

"What are best friends for?" Nami answered, a beaming smile on her face towards Robin. She was hoping if she showed she was alright, Robin would feel less guilty, but it seems like Robin was so easily fooled by her bruise and red spotted face.

A bell rang overhead, telling the two girls that the break was over. Quickly they rushed inside to continue their classes.

Nami and Robin had been friends for a couple years now, growing up next to one another and going to the same school. They were by each other all the time. There was no one without the other. From childhood, into middle school, into high school. The two of them grew closer and closer, becoming more like sisters than just friends, that's how deep their feelings went…At least, that's how Nami thought they both felt. In truth, Robin's feelings were more along the lines of love for her significant other.

Robin had fallen in love with Nami. Her bravery, her kindness, her loyalty towards her friends and family. She protected Robin whenever she was in trouble, and Robin helped Nami with whatever she could. She couldn't stop her heart from falling for the optimistic girl; like a magnet attracted to a metal. But Nami was straight, and right now she had a boyfriend named Luffy. He was a nice guy, humorous, nice, loyal, and adventurous. Not like Nami's other boyfriends she's had, but probably one of Robin's favorites.

Robin sat back quietly, watching over Nami and her boyfriends. If they were only after her for the wrong reason, or if their intentions were wrong, Robin would make them leave herself. It was hard, and it hurt to watch Nami date another person, but she was always happy when she was dating someone. If Nami was happy, Robin could hide these feelings inside of her. Especially with Luffy. She'd never seen Nami smile so brightly before with a guy. He'd brought out the best in her and always respected her ways. He never pushed her in doing things, and even when away from her and Robin tried seeing if his intentions were true, he was still the same. He didn't hit on Robin and cheat, he didn't let on that he wanted her for sex or her body. He simply wanted Nami to be with him because he enjoyed having her by his side. She really couldn't find any faults with Luffy other than he was too innocent in his way of thinking…which wasn't a bad thing at all. But her feelings were growing stronger, and it was going to become a problem if Robin let them get in the way of Luffy and Nami.

"Hey, have you seen Robin?" Nami asked, ducking her head into the classroom and asking the left over students who were still there.

"She already went home." One of the guys answered.

"DIdn't she go with you?" Another girl asked, looking at Nami with a quirked eyebrow. Everyone knew that they always went home together.

"Home huh? Maybe I told her to go without me…" Nami said, giving a short laugh and waving a thank you to the classmates.

But she was lying. She knew she didn't tell Robin to go home without her. It seemed that lately Nami could hardly find Robin anymore….it was almost as if she were avoiding Nami. This left her feeling guilty and sad. Had she done something wrong? Why was Robin mad at her?

"Nami!"

Said girl turned at hearing her name, and spotted her boyfriend running after her from the school. He held a goofy wide smile on his face, and he stopped in front of her with a small jump. "Did you find Robin?" He pocketed his hands, looking at her with a questioning look.

Nami furrowed her brows and shook her head. "Something's wrong Luffy. Robin's avoiding me for some reason."

"Did you two fight?" He asked, not finding it a big issue as he shrugged his shoulders. "Just make up."

Nami sighed in defeat, putting a hand to her face and shaking her head. "It's not that simple Luffy. We didn't fight or anything. But she's avoiding me for some reason."

"Just ask her." Luffy laughed at her, causing her frustration towards not knowing to grow.

"Gah!" She pushed Luffy in the chest, showing her frustration to him. This was one thing that seemed to always get on Nami's nerves with Luffy. He acted as if everything could be solve with something simple. He jumped into things without thinking, and thought that nothing could go wrong. But that was the thing! Obviously something had gone wrong if Robin was avoiding Nami. Robin wouldn't just null their friendship like she was if it was something simple. Something deeper was going on here and she wanted to find out what.

*knock knock*

"Yes? Oh! Nami! I was wondering where you were." Robin's mother said with a bright smile. It was all too common for Nami to come over to Robin's house or vice versa. Normally she didn't even knock, she just walked in like it was her own home, but if Robin was mad at her she didn't want to come in uninvited. However it seemed like her mother didn't know there was an issue going on.

"Is Robin home?" Nami asked, peering around her as if Robin would be standing there behind her or something.

"Oh yes! It's so unusual for you two not to come home together….." Robin's mother sighed, putting a hand to her chin and looking at Nami with a worried look. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh no! I wanted to hang out with my boyfriend a bit longer. And I figured Robin didn't want to feel uncomfortable around us." Nami said, making up a believable lie on the spot so she didn't worry.

"I see!" Her mother said with a proud smile. "I wish Robin would get a boyfriend." She shook her head and sighed, knowing far too well her daughter just wasn't interested in dating right now. "Come on in."

Nami nodded and stepped inside. Quickly Nami made her way up to Robin's room. She hesitated in front of Robin's door, her hand about to grab the knob and enter, but instead she let go and held her fist up. She gave a cautious knock on the door. "Robin? Can I come in?" She hesitantly opened the door and stepped in, shutting it behind her.

Robin turned from her book on the desk, glasses perched on her face in front of wide eyes full of shock. Her hair was pulled into a tight ponytail, giving her a childish look for a moment with her doe eyes. Robin gently stood up from her desk, shutting the book that was in front of her and standing sheepishly next to her chair.

"N-Nami, what are you doing here?" Robin asked, eyes glancing around the room, but never on Nami herself.

"What am I doing here?" Nami asked incredulously, wondering if Robin really was wondering why. "Are you saying that I'm not longer welcome here?"

"No that's.!" Robin tried to argue but was cut off by Nami again.

"So what? Our friendship is done? I'm not longer allowed to come see if you're alright?" Nami began getting more and more frustrated already.

"Nami, that's not…!"

"Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you did nothing wrong…"

"Then why?! Suddenly avoiding me every chance you get. Not talking to me anymore. And now it's weird if I visit you at your house?! What is going on?"

"It's nothing…"

"IT'S NOT NOTHING! Obviously something is wrong between us!" Nami sighed, trying to calm herself down before her shouting got too loud and Robin's mother was alerted to their quarrel. "Is it Luffy? Did he do something?"

"NO! He's great…" Robin stopped, digging her fingers into the chair.

But her answer put Nami off a little bit. The way Robin trailed off from what she was saying didn't sit right with her. "…..do you like Luffy?"

Robin looked up with wide eyes, wondering how Nami could have come to that conclusion. But it was a mistake to do that. She saw how much frustration and hurt was in Nami's eyes from what Robin was doing to her, and it made her feel guilty. "No, Nami….that's not it."

Tears were welling up in the corners of Nami's eyes. She was a strong girl who never cried, so this threw Robin off. This was affecting Nami so much that it has pushed her too this point. This only makes Robin more guilty for what she's done. "Then why?!" She asked desperately, stamping her foot down and angrily wiping at the tears. "Why are you avoiding me?!"

Robin couldn't hold it in anymore. So many emotions were swirling around inside of her that she felt like if she didn't let it out soon she'd explode. Before she could stop the words though, they came out. "Because I love you!"

The sentence echoed in the small room, silencing both girls as they stared at one another. Robin pursed her lips and fell back into the chair, putting a hand to her forehead with a sigh. "It's because I have fallen in love with you. If I'm around I can't guarantee I won't do something to ruin your relationships. I'm fine with just watching you be happy. Please, understand….."

The silence was unnerving between the two of them, and when Robin finally dared to look up at Nami it made her jolt backwards. A mix of shock, embarrassment, and disgust went across Nami's face, scaring Robin and telling her all she needed to know about how Nami felt about this confession. Robin stood with determination, feeling bad she unloaded all this on the orange haired girl.

"Listen Nami…" Robin reached out a hand to touch Nami's shoulder, but she suddenly jerked away, giving an apologetic, but scared look of her own towards Robin. "Nami!" Robin shouted as she darted out of her room, racing down the stairs past Robin's mother and out the door with tears still in the corners of her eyes. Nami couldn't reach the safety of her own room fast enough, but all she heard was Robin's confession playing over and over in her head now.

When Nami went to school the next day, she felt like she was dead. She didn't get any sleep last night because she was thinking on what Robin told her. How was she supposed to react to it now? She felt so conflicted about so many things that it was like she couldn't create a straight thought.

"Still mad?" Luffy was suddenly in front of her, looking at her upside down to see her face clearly.

Nami looked back up at him, then gave a sigh and looked back down. She didn't even want to deal with Luffy right now she was that conflicted on everything. The bell rang, taking Luffy's attention from Nami and run to his seat.

"Pssst, where's Robin?" The girl behind Nami whispered to her, bringing her attention to the empty seat by the window where Robin normally sat.

For the next two days after that Robin didn't show up for school either. Everyone in class including the teacher was starting to get worried about Robin. She was diligent in her studies, and never missed a day of school until now. Nami hadn't even heard from her outside of class either. Nami brought up the nerve to call her and text her, just to check if she was okay, but she never answered her. Nami even tried asking her mother, but obviously her mother was clued into at least a little of what was going on, because she denied Nami the right to go to Robin, and only gave her a feeble response of "She needs time right now."

"I heard Robin got an older boyfriend, and is running away with him."

"Really? I heard she got expelled because she was reading those weird books."

"No, no, no. I heard Robin tried to commit suicide. So she's on protective watch."

Nami stiffened up at the last gossip that seemed to make the girls gasp in that group. The others were so farfetched that it didn't seem plausible to even happen with Robin….but the last one could actually be plausible, and it sunk Nami's heart to the pit of her stomach. Robin wouldn't really do that would she? She wanted to tell herself no, but the more she sat at the school the desk, and saw Robin's empty seat, the more she thought on that little piece of gossip knowing away at her.

Once the bell rang, signaling school was over, Nami's legs couldn't carry her fast enough out of the building and towards her house. She slowed down in front of Robin's house, right next to hers, but she knew Robin's mom wouldn't let her in. Determination clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, spurring her on into her house and up to her room. She threw her book bag down across her room and climbed on top of her bed, reaching the window she knew face Robin's house where it should be her room. The lights were off, and the window was shut, scaring Nami; the gossip from before circling in her head.

Nami gulped and opened her own window, slipping out till she was crouched on her window sill. Carefully she reached out with her leg, until it was pressed on Robin's window sill. She had to balance herself over the gap between their houses to get her hands over, lifting the window up and thinking thankfully that the window was locked. She kicked her window sill, flinging her into Robin's window and toppling into the room messily.

"Robin?!" She called out desperately, looking around the room.

"Nami?" A small grumble came from the bed to her right, and sheets moved from the body under them shifting.

Robin sat up from the bed and looked in shock towards the sudden appearance of her orange haired friend in her room. Robin turned her body and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her eyes in wonder if it was a dream or not. But as she reached her hand up, Nami noticed the bandages that climbed from her wrist to the middle of her lower arm.

"Robin! How could you?!" Nami yelled at her, grabbing her arm as she ran over, standing in front of her now, looking at the bandaged arm. "How could you hurt yourself like that?" She ran her fingers over the bandages, panic and guilt clenching her inside her chest.

"Hurt myself?" Robin asked, and then seemed to quickly put two and two together. She grabbed Nami's hand that was moving along the bandages, stopping her movements. "I didn't do this to myself on purpose. I was helping mom cook and slipped. The knife I was holding fell and sliced my arm. Mom wanted me to heal a little before I went back to using it for school."

Nami took in what Robin told her and it seemed like all that panic slipped from her. She Felt joy surround her instead, and before either could blink Nami was jumping Robin backwards onto the bed in a tight hug. "You had me so worried! Everyone was saying these horrible things, and you wouldn't answer your phone! I thought you hated me! Or worse!"

Robin patted Nami on the back, the feeling of her own joy spreading through her that the one she loved was so worried about her just because she missed a few days. But that still didn't cover the sadness of rejection inside of her from Nami running off so suddenly that day. Robin slowly pushed back away from Nami, giving a thankful smile towards her instead.

"You should go back. I'm sure Luffy will be texting you soon." Robin told her gently, knowing it was like clockwork when Lufy messaged her.

"What? No! I want to stay with you!" Nami argued, her eyes showing rejection of her own that now Robin was pushing her away again.

Robin shook her head though, "Nami, I've told you my feelings I have for you. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I don't want to get between your relationships. I don't think I'll be able to hold back any longer if I continue to be by your side like I have been." She paused, letting this sink into Nami to really get the underlying message Robin had for her. "Please, go back to Luffy and continue how you were."

Nami opened her mouth, wanting to argue with her, but nothing would come out of her mouth. What could she say to Robin to change her mind? She understood what Robin was telling her, and saw why she was doing it, but it still hurt. Robin sat up and looked down at her bandaged arm, not wanting to see Nami's reaction once more. Nami felt defeated though, she knew Robin wasn't giving up on this now and so all she could do was give up. Slowly she got up and walked back to the window, giving one last backwards look to Robin in hopes she'd change her mind, but still she looked down.

That night was just another night that Nami wasn't able to sleep well. She thought on Robin so much that she felt like her mind just wouldn't let go of the issue. Nami felt so scared at the thought of losing Robin, and yet Robin was more scared on hurting Nami. But for some reason this hurt Nami more. Losing Robin hurt a lot, but knowing Robin wasn't going to be by her side anymore hurt Nami's chest until she felt like she couldn't breath anymore.

Nami thought back on losing her boyfriends she swore she had fallen for, and realized that though she hurt when they left, it was never a deep pain like this. It was so natural for Nami to be next to Robin, it never even occurred to her that their way of acting was only hurting Robin and her hidden feelings. How long had she been hiding these feelings? They were affectionate towards one another, so much people had asked a couple times if they were together, but Nami always took it as a joke.

She smacked herself in the head, cursing herself for her stupidity now that she knew what she had done all this time. Could Nami truly be happy if Robin wasn't around? How did Nami see Robin? As a sister of course!...Right?...She was questioning everything about herself now. Nami had a lot to think on right now, without telling herself it was impossible. She had to think openly about all this….

"Robin! You're back!"

"So is it true?"

"Do you have an older boyfriend?"

"Did you try to commit suicide?"

"Were you suspended?"

Robin looked at the crowds that were joining around her, staring at them in confusion. She gave a small chuckle, and a shake of her head. "I just got a small injury that the doctor wanted me to wait heal a little more before returning back." She held up her arm, explaining what had happened and making people laugh at her clumsy nature at home.

"Man! You had us worried!"

"Yeah, Nami was panicking!"

"Though I guess we're to blame for that."

The girls grew quiet at the thought of helping with Nami's worried state, feeling guilty now at the thought. Everyone knew how close Nami and Robin were, and so Nami not knowing probably panicked her beyond comprehension.

"Robin!" Nami's voice echoed in the hall, cutting through all the talking that seemed to be crowding around in the hallway.

"Ah! There she is!"

"Robin? What's wrong?" One girl commented, noticing that Robin looked more stiff where she stood, and looked down at the ground.

The stomping feet tapping on the floor signaled Nami growing closer and closer. The sound of people moving out of the way with shuffles, made Robin stiffen even more. Her feet wouldn't move, so she couldn't get away. The girls surrounding Robin moved, allowing Nami to cut into their group.

"Robin…." Nami's voice said sternly, trying to get her to look at Nami directly. But as Robin didn't look up from the ground and over at Nami, it only made her more determined. Nami grabbed Robin's face on either side, lifting her head forcefully and turning it towards her. Before she could lose her nerve, Nami leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Robin's lips.

This was the answer to Nami's questions she had filling her head. She knew it was a risk that could only harm their relationship more or build it back up. Where she thought she'd be opposed to the kiss, she instead felt relaxed and calm in the tender kiss, feeling Robin relax as well in the tender moment and just push back into her. The kiss seemed to last minutes to them, but in reality it was only a moment. When Nami pulled away and finally looked at Robin, the groups around them went from gasping in shock, to clapping and whistling at the two girls.

"Nami? But….why?" Robin mumbled, eyes fluttering open to look at her finally in the eyes.

"I can't have you leave me Robin. It took me forever to figure out, but the thought of you leaving me was something I couldn't handle. I only realized how I felt after I was already losing you." Nami stopped, hoping her words were actually coming and not just sounds. She was so nervous she felt like her brain was mush. Cheeks bright red by this point and hands shaking. "I don't need anyone else as long as you are by me."

"Nami…." Robin's eyes watered in pure joy at the confession, finally feeling like her love was being reciprocated back. Then her eyes looked up and she jolted, catching sight of Luffy standing there in the crowd. "…..Luffy…."

This made Nami jolt in surprise as well. She looked behind her at Luffy who was now in the open because people moved away from him, giving him space to walk up closer. His hands were pocketed, but his face still had his beaming smile shining towards them.

"Luffy….I…." Nami fumbled out, forgetting that Luffy was another issue she had to fix.

Luffy shook his head. "I was wondering when you two would make up." He simply said something that really had no meaning, but it was simple enough Nami knew he was accepting them being together and not him with Nami. "We're all still friends right?"

Robin and Nami let out choked laughs at being thankful towards his kind nature, and nodded towards him, showing that their friendship they had now between the three of them was a complex one no one else could probably keep up. Robin clasped her hand in Nami's showing how joyous she was for this new path in their lives, and Nami squeezed back in return, showing she was just as joyous.