Title- Patience
Author- kawaiichiisaikitsune (pirate-kiari)
Rating- T
Pairings- LuffyxNami, NojikoxOC, KohzaxViVi (may be more later on)
Summary- 'Balls weren't really what everyone said them to be. At least, to this young girl they weren't.' A story about a royal family, a farmer boy, a series of balls/dances, and everything in between. AU, LuNa
Kiari-san had somehow gotten stuck on this despite how much she'd actually been looking forward to the chapter. Odd, ne? But then she found inspiration and everything just came easy from there. She'd had planned this chapter to be a little longer, but oh well. Everything that was needed to be said is said. So, enjoy!
Disclaimer- She doesn't have the mind of Eiichiro Oda-sama. Though she wishes she did. XD
Patience
-Chapter Eleven: Surprise-
Unfortunately, Princess Nami never got a chance to go visit the farmer boy with all the running around and preparation for the ball that night. She convinced herself that it was quite all right though. She was no longer feeling sulky or bad about herself, because of her sister's wise advice. It was fine if she had to wait for the following day to go see him. And she was sure he would be fine. He always seemed to be so happy-go-lucky anyways. But if he needed, he could always come to her.
Nami trotted down the hall with a cheerful smile upon her lips. Despite the ball being within an hour, she was as happy as she'd ever been for it. Her best friend promised that she'd be there this day and she wanted to tell her the glorious news. Thus, her excitement was overly radiant as she rushed into her room to get dressed.
Her dress was old and slightly faded, but hugged her slender form prettily and enhanced her beauty. The dress was long and tight, trailing at her ankles while two slits crawled up her long legs on either side. The sleeves were short and slightly flared, slits also slicing up to her shoulders and stopping at the three-dimensional satin flower on top of her shoulder. The collar of the dress sat against her neck, connected by a flower button at her collarbone and repeated buttons to her hip on one side. The silken material shimmered a faded red, decorated with pink, white, and yellow flowers.
Golden bands encircled her wrists, studded with blood-colored diamonds, and swirled ruby jewels hung from her ears. A red diamond pendant hung around her neck on a golden cord, shaped in a glimmering heart.
Nami's bright orange hair was pulled up in two circular buns, red satin ribbons tied around them with their ends hanging down around her ears. Her long bangs fell in and around her face, framing it nicely. Her eyelids were colored with glittering crimson shadow and her lips were coating in a clear, shimmering gloss.
Upon reaching the ballroom, she found it already littered with many royal guests. When she looked around for her friend, however, she did not find her anywhere in the room. It was quite all right though, as it was still rather early and the ball was just beginning.
She tried not to seem too excited when a head of glimmering blue entered among the natural blacks and blondes. Even so, her pace was just quicker than leisurely as she headed over to the guest. She was slightly surprised to see her friend hanging on the arm of a man with sandy-blonde hair and a scar on his temple, but welcomed them both with smiles.
"ViVi-chan, I'm so glad you could make it. Who is this handsome man on your arm?" Nami grinned a sly little smirk.
"Oh, this is Kohza," ViVi blushed pleasantly, "My fiancé."
"Well it's very nice to meet you Kohza-kun. I'm glad to see my friend has a very attractive, level-headed looking man by her side," the orange-haired princess bow a little in greeting, smirk still in place.
"Likewise, Nami-san. It's a pleasure being here," the man bowed respectfully in return.
"And I hope you two enjoy your time, but would it be any bother if I steal ViVi-chan from you just for a while," she asked, clasping her hands together in a pleading manner.
Kohza smiled and dislodged his arm slowly from his fiancée's grip. "I have no objections. Take care ladies." He bowed again and left the two alone.
"What is it, Nami-chan?" the blue-haired princess questioned curiously, "What's gotten you so excited?"
"I've got news and a story for you, but first you must tell me how this happened between you and Kohza-kun within the last time I'd seen you," Nami grinned, "I wouldn't have expected anything so soon!"
The other blushed again, studying the marble floor beneath her feet. "Well," she began slowly, "Father planned it I believe and Kohza and I were such great friends from the start that I suppose it was very possible for it to grow to this. I'm rather happy about it." She giggled lightly. "Now tell me your news. I'm curious."
It was now Nami's turn to blush a pretty shade of pink, but she smiled none-the-less. "I think I might be in love," she proclaimed.
"Do tell me who with," ViVi gushed excitedly.
"You won't believe me when I tell you," she shook her head with a little chuckle, "But I think I've really fallen for the farmer boy who lives on the hill just out of the village."
"No!" the other cried in surprise, "Are you serious? That just seems so very bizarre."
"It's true; really it is."
"That's amazing. Tell me, please, what is he like?"
The two princesses talked for what seemed like endless hours on their love interests along with their other friends' possible ones. This kept them very entertained and separate from the rest of the ball's guests littering the ballroom throughout most of the night. Even when Kohza returned to his fiancée's side they continued on talking as if not noticing him there. However, the joyful time was not to last as both had hoped.
Suddenly there was a heavy banging at the large double doors before they just shattered open. The guests screamed, dust and splinters showering the ones closest to the doors as they tried rushing to the back of the ballroom to avoid whatever was at the door.
As the cloud of dust dispersed, four bulking silhouettes were clearly noticed. One stood tall before the others, a large weapon slung over his shoulders and looking very menacing. Eventually the obscuring dust cleared and Nami gasped sharply at who it revealed.
"I'm back," laughed an incredibly loud, deep voice, "Did you miss me?"
A hefty man stepped through the doorway, swinging his weapon down from his large shoulders and leaning his arm against the handle in a leisurely fashion. His skin was very pale with the slightest hints of an odd, sickly purple hue, but he was nowhere near ill. His face was long and sharply accentuated with a pointed nose and thin lips surrounding a sharp toothed smile. Dark slacks adorned his hips and an unbuttoned shirt rested on his shoulders, exposing a large blood-red tattooed sun on his chest. A furry square cap with side flaps sat upon his head, hiding dark eyes in its shadow and covering half a head of messy ebony hair that fell to his thick neck.
His thousand followers stood behind him all with hungry eyes and smirking lips. Their weapons glinted in the yellow-orange light, grinning malevolently at their future victims.
"Arlong," Nami hissed, her voice filled with hatred.
"My, my, look what we have here," he chuckled, "If it isn't the cute little orange-haired girl. My, have you grown into a lady."
The princess shivered violently as the man walked over to her with that evil glint in his eye, lifting her chin with a large finger. She still held her ground though, glaring up at the person she'd hoped to never have seen again. Without looking away, she saw him wave his other hand at his followers with that malicious smirk still in place.
"Kill them," he roared, "But keep her. I want the pleasure of her myself."
He kept her chin held high, not even glancing away as his crew roared and charged into the ballroom with a blood-thirsty hunger gleaming in their eyes. He loved the look of fear in her eyes much more than the beginnings of a blood bath.
II
Luffy sat atop the tallest tree he could find in their acre farm, gazing far off to the royal castle at nearly the other side of the village. Its lights were still shining brightly in the dark depths of the late night and it looked as though a lot was happening within the giant building.
For one reason or another, the scarred boy could not seem to fall asleep. Perhaps it was because of the uneasy feeling residing in the pit of his stomach or maybe it was just because Princess Nami was still plaguing his thoughts. Both wouldn't go away and he couldn't rid either of them no matter what he did. He couldn't figure out why.
So in his insomniac stupor he climbed up the tallest tree he could find and watched the castle afar. The castle was the only place still alive at that time of day, all other lights in and around the village put out and the silvery glow of the moon the only source left to give off any light. If the anxiety of worry wasn't seeping into him, he'd find it a rather pretty sight.
The farmer boy looked down at the foliage that brushed against his dangling legs. He looked up at the black midnight sky blinking back down at him. He looked back to the castle full of life and light. What was he suppose to do? There was no way he wanted to interrupt the princess and her fun at the ball, but he had this odd feeling of needing to see her again. The worry in his chest hurt and he knew the only way to rid it, but again, he didn't want to bother her. What was he suppose to do?
Luffy sighed and made his way down the tall tree and stood upon solid ground once again. He patted the dust and chipped wood from his pants without taking his eyes away from the castle obscured mostly by the village in front of it. He shook his head and sighed once again to himself.
No, he wouldn't go.
Instead he dragged himself back into the hut and to his room, pulling himself up into his hammock. His thoughts were still plagued, but he managed to fall into a light sleep, though troubled.
III
Blood splattered against cream-colored walls, streaming down in trickles of thick crimson liquid. The ballroom basked in blood-thirsty cries and shrieks of pain and terror. Laughter chimed and the sicken sound of metal cutting through flesh resonated against the painted walls. Bones snapped and crunched a painful song. The room was in a flurry.
"Now don't let them all flee," Arlong roared a thunderous laugh, his weapon slung against his shoulders, "Show them our power!"
The princesses and queens raced in whirls of silk and velvet, escaping through doors and jumping out windows. The men did what they could in their only defense. The princes slaughtered and the kings wounded. Nami and ViVi and Kohza managed to remain untouched as Niwa protected his wife and child from the onslaught of charging men.
"Stop it!" the orange-haired artist screamed, her voice almost too soft over everyone else's, "Stop it!" Heavy tears gathered in her dark eyes, horrible memories flooding painfully back. "Stop it, Arlong!" she cried, loosing her ground in her pathetic attempt of ceasing the slaughter, "Stop it!" She crumpled to her knees with a sickening weep, watching the room around her through flowing tears. "Why!" she screamed out to the leader, "Why?"
"You didn't think I'd not come back for my revenge, did you?" he laughed that laugh she hated, "Such a stupid girl."
-TBC-
--Review Replies—
-Chapter Ten-
zfree8, thanks for your review! Kiari-san is glad!
lunalove101, thanks for your review! Yay! Brownie! No, the link didn't work, but that's okay. C:
snowymountains56, thanks for your review! She is glad you like her story. It's finally hitting its climax.
Iwin Ulose, thanks for your review! Kiari-san figures some can have very queasy stomachs in the sense of nervousness. She doesn't have a queasy stomach herself, but thought it'd be a little entertaining if Nami did. XD And she'll update as soon as she possibly can.
FoxyRed, thanks for your review! No problem! Kiari-san is used to being awesome. XDD And she's glad you're enjoying.
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Flames are ignored, constructive criticism is highly appreciated, and praise is great for Kiari-san's ego.