a/n: yay! another update! and only three days of school until summer!...and 4 more finals ...got a lot of writing done due to recent insomnia ...got my hair re-dyed...its Burple! (a cross b/t blue and purple)...Ok i'll shut up now!...CHAPTER 4!
"Pain" Ch.4
Zolo's brow knotted in frustration. Usopp nervously chewed on his fingernails. Nami was deeply concentrated. Sanji was concentrated on Nami. Chopper nervously looked
back and forth at his crewmates. Luffy was actually quiet. "Okay every one.", Luffy commanded, "let's go." "PAPER, ROCK, SCISSORS!", they all shouted in unison. "Ha ha!
Nami's one of the ship's guards!", Luffy taunted. "Aw man, I wanted to go shopping.", Nami mumbled "Okay, once more.", Usopp instructed; after all he was the self proclaimed
inventor of the game. "PAPER, ROCK, SCISSORS!" "Hah! The shit-cook's out! I can go buy some grog.", Zolo shouted enthusiastically. "Aw shaddup, Marimo.", Sanji
mumbled trying to hide the look of ecstasy on his face. 'Me and Nami-san...together...alone!...without anyone else! Thank you God of Love!'
"Hello, Sanji!" Is anybody home?", Luffy asked with a wide grin as he knocked on the head of a seemingly brain-dead Sanji. "Oh...uhhhhh...huh?", Sanji said with a dazed look
on his face. "We said we'll be back tonight, baka.", Said an annoyed looking Zolo...but...then again, Zolo always looks annoyed. "Allright then i'll have dinner ready.", Sanji replied
cooly. "Bye Sanji! Bye Nami!", Luffy called as he jumped over the side of the Merry Go. "Luffy! Wait up!", Usopp called shakily as he lowered the rope ladder. Then he, Zolo,
and Chopper slid down the ladder and disappeared from Sanji and Nami's view.
Sanji checked the position of the sun in the sky and decided that it was about noon. "Are you hungry, my dear Nami-san?", he asked sweetly. "Yeah, I am.", she replied moving
one of her hands to her stomach. "Then I will make my Nami-san an exquisite lunch and we can continue our conversation, like you promised earlier.", Sanji declared in a playful
voice. "Sounds like fun.", Nami replied with a small smile. "I'm gonna go take a nap in my room while you prepare the food, okay?" "Yes, my Nami-san", he replied running off to
the Kitchen to begin his work. Nami then stretched and gave a small yawn. 'God I'm tired...', she complained to herself as she descended the stairs leading to her quarters. She
kicked off her shoes sleepily, and settled down for her nap.
Sanji lightly rapped on Nami's door, but recieved no answer. He rapped a bit louder; still nothing. He decided to take a risk and quietly opened the door. He gave a deep sigh
and wore a half upon his face as soon as he saw her resting upon her bed. Trying his best not to wake his Nami-san abruptly; he stealthly approached her sleeping form. He then
knelt down beside her; preparing to wake his sleeping beauty. "Sanji-kun...", she murmered suddenly, still asleep. 'She's dreaming...about me!', Sanji thought; his cheeks turning
as red as Luffy's shirt. "Oh...Sanij-kun...oh", she mumbled, shifting sleeping positions slightly. 'Just what kind of dream is she having?', he thought; his cheeks turning even
redder. He then leaned in closer, hanging on her every word. "...oh...Sanji-kun." Sanji's mouth hung open a little now. "Sanji-kun...this chocolate is so great." Sanji's Jaw dropped
and he looked as if he had just been slapped in the face. After a few moments of grieving, he regained his composure. 'Well, you know what they say when you assume.', he
thought as he straightened his tie, still looking slightly embarassed.
Sanji then took advantage of the moment and simply stared at what he considered to be the epitome of beauty. He didn't get the chance to do this often. (Most of the time,
Nami would notice and Smack him.) Eventually, he let his thoughts drift back to his beloved Nami-san's recent suffering; his expression becoming somewhat pained. Noticing that
she was in a deep sleep; he allowed himslef to take her right arm in his hands. In somewhat of a trance; he pushed up her shirt sleeve and lightly let his fingers brush against her
bandage. He gave a sigh that was a bit louder than he intended. He suddenly felt her shift beneath his touch. "Sanji-kun...?", she said through a yawn. "Ahhh, good afternoon,
Nami-san.", he said, plastering a fake grin on his face to hide his feelings of concerns. "I just came to tell you that lunch is ready.", he said ;quickly releasing her hand, he could
almost feel the impending bodily harm. "and if you'll remember you promised me a special conversation afterwards." "I didn't forget.", she replied, her spirits seemingly brighter.
"Well then. lets enjoy our meal before it gets cold.", he replied as he took one of her hands into his own, and wrapped the other arm around her waist to help her up. "Okay.", she
said, "I'm really hungry.", she added leading the way down to the kitchen.
As she pushed the door open, she was taken aback by the sight of the beautiful place settings at their extremely 'rustic' kitchen table. Sanji had laid out candles, peppermint
leaves, and the good china. "I made it extra special all for you my Nami-san.", he said noticing the suprised look on her face. "It's beautiful.", she replied giving him a look so warm
Sanji thought that he felt the chilly room defrost. Wearing a galant smile, he took Nami's hand and led her towards the table. She took her seat as Sanji brought in their meal. He
had managed to save 2 steaks from being devoured by Luffy and/or Chopper, had prepared fluffy mashed potatoes, and had picked up some fine wine at the last port. "Bon
appetite.", he said as he set down her plate. "Thank you.", she said cheerfully as she reached for the silverware that Sanji had set out earlier. However, she found something
missing ; she had only a spoon and a fork. "uhhh...Sanji, are we out of knives?", she asked a little puzzled.
Sanji's heart stopped beating momentarily, and he put down his fork. 'I can't lie to her.', he decided. "umm...no...no...Nami-san." "Then, why didn't you give me one?", she
asked; fearing that she already knew the answer. "Uhhh...well...you see...um...", he stuttered nervously "It's just...you know.", he added as he scratched the back of his head. "I
know what?", she asked; her voice rising. Sanji sighed, "I'm sorry, Nami-san...I'm just worried about you.", he said; his gaze cast downward. "There's a big differnece between
being 'worried about me', and treating me like a child!", Nami shouted as she stood up. "I am not treating you like a child.", Sanji retorted; his voice rising also. "Yes you are!", she
nearly screamed "Well maybe if you'd stop acting like an ungrateful brat!", he shouted standing up as well. Nami just gave him a hurt look. "Nami, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.", he
said walking towards her. "Just leave me alone Sanji!", she yelled; regaining the look of anger on her face.
With that Nami stormed out of the kitchen. She was too angry to even feel the chill of the artic breeze as she headed to her room. Upon reaching her destination; she slammed
the door behind her and slid the lock into place. Crossing the room; she flopped down on her bed in exasperation. After a long moment of impaired breathing; she sat back up and
leaned her head against the wall. 'Who does he think he is?', she asked herself; her mind reeling. 'I can take care of myslelf!' Suddenly, her gaze rested on the small pair of
scissors on her desk. "I can do whatever I want.", she whispered decisievly. She crossed the room and picked up the scissors. She partially unwrapped the bandage on her arm,
and placed the cool metal against her skin. She pressed down hard and made a neat cut a few inches away from her old one. Then, her anger and tension melted away.
TO BE CONTINUED