Chapter Thirteen
Feelings
"What the fuck!?" Zoro's eyes grew as he saw the color of the heart on the watch was pink. He didn't know how to react because he never imagined Nami would feel that way towards him. She always annoys him and always gets mad at him. She always increases his debt which he didn't even know when he got. She's bossy and likes to order him around. He can't get the idea why would she feel that way about him. Then he thought it might just be the way of Nami expressing her feelings to him.
Zoro shook his head and concluded that the crappy watch was just a failure. There can't be a watch that can determine someone's feelings towards the other. And besides, even if it was true, he can't return those feelings to her because he already had an eye on a certain girl whom he thought was better than her; whom he felt more comfortable with. But then, he knew that they can never be because they're nakamas and she can never feel the same way about him. She's busy with her own goal and so was he. He can't have any distractions while he reaches for his goal even if he now admits he likes her. "Stop thinking worthless stuff when you're fucked up in this situation!" Zoro screamed to his self as he glanced at Robin, hiding his emotion with his blank face.
"Hey, Zoro. Did the watch works? This diamond ring is so beautiful!" Nami rested her elbow on his shoulder as she appreciated the beauty of the diamond ring around her finger.
"Yeah." Zoro said as he ignored her actions towards him.
Nami really liked her ring because she knew the stone embedded on it was a real diamond. As soon as she saw it, she had wished it would be given to Zoro but it was given to Alex. Luckily, Sasha accidentally exchanged their watches, letting her to have the ring. She can't tell if what Harry said was completely true because nothing changed as soon as they activated the watches. Maybe it's because Zoro just sees her as a friend. "As expected." Nami thought as she stared at the diamond blankly. Actually, she wanted Zoro to wear the ring on her because it would be very sweet. She just didn't know if he will agree because he knew she can wear it herself, that's why she asked Alex to wear it on her. She was actually feeling a little jealous because Zoro wore the necklace on Robin without even complaining. "Hmmm…"
Robin was a little surprised that her teardrop-shaped sapphire pendant was a little warm. She knew Alex didn't really have that kind of feelings towards her before, because he should have told her his little secret as soon as they started being friends. A physical attraction perhaps, but not the kind of emotion a decent person would feel. With what had happened to them in the past, it was all realized after knowing the truth. She got hurt after knowing it because she had trusted him but he kept secrets that she should've known from the very start. Though she moved on already, the only reason why she's getting affected was because everything she had buried was starting to be shoveled again. "Out of all islands in New World, why does it have to be Lava Ramata?" she thought as her memories started to pop in her mind one by one.
Alex stared at his watch for the result he wanted to know so badly as soon as the gatekeepers started to explain its use. Its heart was green which means, Robin only sees him as a friend. He can't help but to get mad of his self because it was his fault why her feelings changed. He got too confident that it didn't matter to him if there was something she had to know. He didn't tell her the truth. Even so, it didn't change the way he felt towards her. He still likes her no matter what because she's the type of woman he was looking for.
Alex wanted to be with her so much, he let go of his pride just to ask permission to Dragon along with Lassy that they will follow her to make things better and to apologize. It wasn't true that they were heading to a party and that they just needed a place to stay while Pico rests. The truth was that they were looking for their ship as soon as Luffy's name was spread all over the news because of what happened at Dressrossa. And it was in the right timing that the next island they were heading to was Lava Ramata and that Nami paired him up with Robin. Then it hit him again. He should tell to Robin the real reason why they were with them in the first place. He didn't want history to repeat itself again.
Alex glanced at Robin, who was rubbing her pendant with her thumb, and walked towards her, offering his hand. "Shall we go inside, now that it seems like everything is set?" he smiled warmly.
"I'll just ask Nami. Nami, are you all set?" Robin shifted her attention to Nami after Alex asked her, making him to retrieve his hand.
"Ohh! Yes. By the way Sasha-san, do you have a map for the island? From the looks of it, this island is huge." Nami said as she looked around, earning a smile from Lassy.
"Ahh… Yes." Sasha went back inside the door and got five maps out, giving them to each pairs.
Nami quickly checked the map and her eyes started to sparkle as soon as she saw what lies inside the island itself. Restaurants, hotels, malls, park, resorts, and everything a couple desires are all found in the island. But what really got her attention was the maze at the heart of the island, along with the center that has a question mark on it.
"What's the question mark here at the middle of the maze?" Nami asked.
"Woah! A maze! That looks fun! Hahaha! Zoro will never be found after going in there! Be careful, Nami!" Luffy laughed, making Zoro to grunt.
"If you try to go inside the maze, it's either you will end up outside the maze or you will reach that secret place with the question mark. There is a belief that only the couple with the purest love for each other can enter the place. Even I and my honey haven't seen it, yet we love each other so much. Many have tried but failed. I think even Alex-kun haven't seen the place, right?" Sasha explained and asked.
"I haven't." Alex answered with a straight face.
"I want to try it! But…" Nami glanced at Zoro. "I'm hopeless." She cried comically.
"Oi, oi, oi. Do you even think I would agree of going with a witch?" Zoro's eyebrow twitched.
"Oi, Marimo. Watch your mouth." Sanji threatened.
"Shut it, okama-lover." He mocked to Sanji, making Lassy to stare at him at the corner of his eyes.
"What did you say!?" Sanji yelled in his ear as he burst into flames.
"Will you two shut up!?" Nami sent Zoro and Sanji flying to the walls.
"Yosh! Let's enter now!" Luffy started walking as he placed his arm over Usopp's shoulder, cheering.
"Yeah!" Chopper giggled and started walking with Brook.
"Wake up, Sanji-kun. We'll be left behind." Lassy bent down and poked Sanji's cheek as he was knocked down with Zoro.
"Let's go, Zoro. Get your ass moving." Nami shook Zoro's shoulders.
"Shall we?" Alex asked Robin and reached out his hand.
"Alright." Robin smiled and placed her hand on his while she glanced at Zoro who was still knocked out with Sanji. "Will he be okay with… her?" she asked herself.
Nami and Lassy managed to wake up Zoro and Sanji after a few pokes and shakes.
"The only thing you have to pay here is the entrance fee for the hotel you'll be staying which is ten thousand belis for each couple. And only couples are allowed in each room." Harry said.
Everyone's eyes went on Nami.
"What? … Tch! Fine." Nami grunted as she looked for money inside her bag.
"You don't need to pay for us." Robin, Alex, and Lassy said as they got five thousand belis with them.
"Thank goodness then! This will go on your debts, you assholes." Nami said as she got thirty-five thousand belis out of her wallet.
"This door here is the back door of the hotel you'll be staying at. Just register to the counter and pay once you go inside. They will give you five keys and your rooms will be side by side so you can still check up on each other. Enjoy staying at Lava Ramata!" Sasha said as she opened the door.
As soon as Sasha opened the door, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and Brook ran as fast as they could inside. Their jaws dropped and their eyes sparkled as they saw how elegant the place was. Chandeliers were dangling from the ceiling, the lobby was bigger than their ship, different sizes of swimming pools can be seen outside by the glass doors and walls, a door (elevator) which eats group of people that scared Ussop and Chopper so much, and matching uniforms for the receptionist and crews of the place.
"Woahhh… This place is so awesome!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"Ahehe… Sorry about those idiots, it's their first time in such places. We are five couples." Nami smiled as she gave the money to the receptionist, earning the keys for their rooms. She tossed one by one their keys to Usopp, Brook, Lassy, and Robin because she knew they are the trusted ones from their partners. Their room was at the tenth floor so they have no choice but to use the elevator which Chopper and Usopp thought that eats people.
"Nuuuuuuuuuuuu! That door eats people!" Chopper screamed as it was the first time he encountered an elevator.
"H-He's r-right! Can't you see that when people get inside they disappeared!?" Usopp agreed as he shook behind Zoro.
"Hahaha! That door is magical!" Luffy laughed.
"Yohohoho~ It's interesting!" Brook agreed.
"Don't be scared, Chopper. I'll be here." Robin giggled and carried Chopper in her arms, patting his head which calmed him down.
"Oi, Robin~! W-What about me!?" Usopp whined as he saw everyone stepped in the elevator.
"You can stay down there if you want and never see us again." Nami grinned at him.
"I-I'm going!" he ran inside before the door closed.
Robin pressed the number ten button of the elevator and the floor started to move upward making Usopp to scream and Chopper to hold on tight to Robin, earning a blank stare from Zoro and Alex.
"We will be swallowed! Hahaha!" Luffy laughed as he got excited.
"Get me out of here!" Usopp screamed.
"Stop scaring him, you idiot!" Nami slapped Luffy's face.
After a few seconds the elevator stopped and everyone went out, looking for their rooms. "I told you there's nothing to fear in that portal, Chopper! I've been in that kind of doors when I was still with my eight thousand crew memebers!" Usopp said proudly to Chopper as Robin let go of him, making his eyes to sparkle and Nami to roll her eyes.
Everyone saw their rooms and started to enter one by one, leaving Nami, Robin, Lassy, Usopp, and Brook outside.
"Are we going on our separate ways after this and meet up after two weeks?" Robin asked Nami as she rubbed the key in her hand and thought "Please, say no."
"Hmmm… We could get together every morning for breakfast at the dining room at the third floor. Ohh! And I have your very own baby den den mushis with me." Nami answered as she got the color-coded den den mushis out of her bag, handing them one by one. "That's how are we going to connect with each other." She smiled.
"Alright, thank you." Robin said and stared at the number embedded on the door before going inside the room.
Yoooh! So what do yah think about this chapter? Keep thinking! I'm giving hints now. And Chapter 14 would be veeerryy loooong! So you better ready your review with it cause I won't do it anymore.. XD Anyways.. Review please! ^^
zoro-baby ever- Ohh.. It's a shame you're going to be gone for a while.. Well take care! ^^
myzorobin- So what do you think now?
Jabrax13- Sooo... I'm getting ready for your frustration.. .
VanillaAnime- There! What do you think? XD
Quasimoto- This one is not a cliffhanger anymore XD
Ak-gwendo97- Nuuuu Don't get confused XD
Majin no Tamashi- Thank you! There you have the results XD
Sexybunny- Thank you for reviewing! ^^ Ohh sorry if I take too long to update.. It's not easy writing fic at the same time going to college. So I hope you understand.. XD
Kate- Yes! Thank you! ^^
Otaku-SIG- It's showing Nami's XD
Demon Ragna- Ohh! I'll keep in mind about Luffy.. Sorry XD And the necklace, it's a surprise XD
Gren-sama- Thank you for loving it! ^^
