Title- Patience
Author- kawaiichiisaikitsune (pirate-kiari)
Rating- T
Pairings- LuffyxNami, NojikoxOC (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

It's the last chapter! The final conclusion to this long story! Are you excited? Kiari-san is. XDD She hopes you enjoy it! And she's thinking of possibly adding an epilogue. What do you think?

Disclaimer- Wow, you really must be dense to still need to know whether she owns One Piece or not, which she doesn't, by the way.

Patience

-Chapter Seventeen: Recovery-

Princess Nami watched his chest rise up and fall back down at an even rate. He was donned in crisp white bandages from head to foot, little amounts of skin showing, and tucked underneath the thin blanket of the white bed. His face was relaxed, peaceful in his sleep, only his previous scar adorning the area. His hair was disheveled, resting carelessly on the prim pillow under his head.

His chest rose up and fell down. Rose up and fell down. Up and down. Up. Down.

The orange-haired woman stroked his cheek absently with a couple fingers, watching his face for any sign of anything. He would wake up. The doctor promised her that he would. But she was becoming discouraged. It'd been a week.

When he'd collapsed so suddenly, she instantly feared he'd just died on her. She nearly had a panic attack before the kind doctor could check him over to see that he just went unconscious, though he was in vital condition. All the villagers helped carry their four heroes to the clinic where the bearded man was able to take care of them. To this day, they all still rested in separate clinic rooms, but only one remained unconscious. No one was sure if he went into a comatose state or what, but everyone awaited his revival.

Throughout the week, the artist stayed at his side, leaving only to do the daily things like bathe and change her clothes. She even slept on the chair next to his bed, determined to be there for him, especially when he awoke.

"Nami, I brought you something to eat," Nojiko chimed, walking through the doorway with a plate piled with apple slices. She placed the dish upon the nightstand to her right, standing behind the chair. "You know, Sanji seems very disappointed that you haven't visited him yet."

"Thank you, Nojiko!" she replied, biting into one of the slices happily, "And I'll get to him eventually."

"Luffy comes first, huh?" she smiled knowingly.

"He hasn't even waken up yet," the princess frowned, looking at the peaceful face with worry, "I'm scared he might not. He could just stop breathing and he'll never wake. I'd never see him again! Weren't you scared when Niwa was unconscious for so long?"

"Of course, but," her smile softened and she rubbed her stomach, "He wanted to be here too much. He's stubborn like that. So, I knew he'd be back. I just had to be patient and wait for him."

"But it's been a week!"

"He'll be back," Nojiko patted her sister's shoulder assuringly, "Why don't you try talking to him. They say people in a comatose state can still hear everything around them. They just can't reply." She turned to leave, before stopping and looking over her shoulder, "I'll send the rest of them your 'get well's."

Nami smiled sheepishly, "Thanks."

"Of course," the queen smiled and left her alone with the unconscious boy.

II

He swam in unwavering darkness, unable to see anything but the black that loomed around him. Voices seemed to buzz above him, but nothing they said seemed to make any sense to him. The words were jumbled. He couldn't make them out through the haze. Even so, he felt as though he knew the voices; they were frighteningly familiar.

Ignoring all the buzz around him, he worked on the invisible restraints that held him in place. He knew he was lying in a comfortable bed, covers up to his chest; he could feel it. Where exactly he was and why he was there was unknown to him, as well as what was restraining his movement. His fingers twitched, but that seemed to be the best he could do. His energy was wiped and he gave up, floating in the still darkness surrounding him.

"Luffy."

Had he been able to, he would have jumped. The voice was so loud and recognizable. He tried to find the source, but was blind.

"I don't know if I believe my sister on this, but..." There was a pause; a long pause. "But maybe it could be worth a shot. Even if you can't hear me. I need to talk to you... for my own sake."

He tried to respond. He tried to tell her that he was listening; that he would listen to her no matter what. But his voice was lost in this black sea he swam in. His mouth wouldn't move and not even the slightest of sound bubbled in his throat. Still, he tried.

She laughed. It was the most bitter thing he'd ever heard. "What was I thinking. Of course you wouldn't answer me. It's not as if you'd just spring back to us after just hearing my voice. Though, I admit, I wish you would."

He stopped trying to answer her. He felt something soft and warm stroke his cheek; her fingers. He watched nothing. He said nothing. He merely listened.

"Your straw hat is here. I made sure no one touched it, since you don't like it when someone does. I hope you don't mind if I hold it, though." She paused again. Her warmth left his face. "You're coming back, right?"

She laughed again. It was a lot warmer than before, but she still berated herself, "Of course you are. You still have to return it to that Shanks person. Yeah, I remembered. I try to remember everything you've said to me or done for me. I guess that's because I'm infatuated with you. It's not love; I don't think I'm ready for that. But it's close. My heart skips a beat every time you're near and I feel like a tomato. I think that explains everything."

His body felt cool, as though someone had opened a window on a windy autumn day. Suddenly he felt an extra warmth touch his bandaged hand.

"Please wake up, Luffy. Prove you're still with us. Besides... I really miss you."

Her hand slipped into his frozen one. He twitched his fingers, slowly closing them around her small hand tightly, refusing to let go. He heard her gasp. That was the last thing he heard from her as her voice died in his ears.

Luffy's brows furrowed and his hold on Nami's hand tightened as he groaned awake. Despite the protest of his aching muscles, he slowly sat up on the bed, the blanket pooling around his hips. He brought a hand to his face, groaning at the pounding in his head as he blinked open his eyes to the bright light of the white room. It was a second or so before the pain dulled and he looked over at the princess with a smile, noting the straw hat in her lap and the loose grip on his hand.

Tears brimmed her warm chocolate eyes, making his smile melt into concern. "Don't cry, Nami," he said, not knowing what more to do, "I'm here."

"Oh my God," she whispered breathlessly. Next thing he knew, she had him in a tight hug, arms wrapped around his waist, face buried in his shoulder, and kneeling upon the bed. His smile returned and he laughed, curling his arms around her in return and letting her stay there.

His straw hat lay on the ground before them, forgotten.

III

The village was ecstatic at the news that the young farmer hero had finally regained consciousness. So excited, they threw a gigantic feast and party for all four of them. Despite still being injured and bandaged, the four of them joined the cheerful fiasco. Everyone ate and drank and danced and sang and chatted and partied themselves dry.

While Sanji was off with a bunch of village maidens and the king was with his queen, the farmers were seated at a long table piled with roasted food and alcohol. Despite being told not to drink due to his injuries, a large mug of beer was found in Ace's hand and he looked pleasantly tipsy. Luffy, on the other hand, wasn't drinking a thing, but stuffing his face with the feast as though it were his last meal. The villagers just laughed, telling them to heal up and enjoy themselves while also adding some thanks for saving the throne.

Nami smiled as she took the seat to the straw hat boy's other side, sitting sideways in the chair to face him directly. He stopped shoving food into his mouth to turn and look at her in return, cheeks puffed out much like a frog's throat when they croaked. She held back a giggle, "Chew and swallow."

He did as instructed, swallowing his whole mouthful in one giant gulp. He grinned toothily, "What is it, Nami?"

"I really just wanted to thank you for helping me and everything," she answered, smile never leaving her lips, "And well..." now she hesitated a little; "If there's anything I can do to repay you...?"

"Nope!" Luffy chimed.

"Oh, but there must be something I can do... we can do," she insisted, referring to both her sister and herself with the second phrase.

The other seemed to give it some actual thought for at least half a minute, before suddenly leaning over and pecking her lips. He drew back with that childish grin of his, "There! Now we're even."

Ace snickered from his side and held up his mug, "Cheers, Luffy. Cheers." The younger laughed, taking up his own glass and clinking it with his brother's before they both guzzled down their drinks.

Nami, however, was frozen with a heavy pink blush. She touched a finger to her lips, a strange tingling feeling in them. Butterflies danced in her stomach and she almost felt light-headed. But the overall feeling was nice. Slowly, the smile returned to her face and she regained the younger farmer's attention by calling his name. When he turned to her, she leaned over in turn and pecked his lips. "Thank you."

He smiled back at her, charcoal eyes glittering. "You're welcome."

The party continued for days on end without stop. Eventually it did come to an end, though, when everyone seemed to be absolutely dead from partying. Everyone returned to their homes to rest, the heroes to their respective clinic rooms due to the doctor's orders. Queen Nojiko and Prince Kenji went to stay with King Niwa while the orange-haired princess chose to visit her personal ebony-haired hero.

The straw hat clad boy sat against the head of the bed, blanket pulled up to his waist and yawning from exhaustion, yet very much awake. The artist sat on the edge of his clinic bed, side turned to him and watching her feet scuff against the wooden floor as she swung her legs back and forth. Silence hung around them like a thick fog, though not entirely uncomfortable. Still, they seemed to fidget slightly where they sat, feeling oddly awkward.

Outside the clinic, the sun had set, sending the skies in a whirl of reds and violets until the determined navy set as the backdrop. Yellow and white specks popped out of the dark wallpaper, blinking and winking and twinkling at their observers. The full moon sat high in the sky, layering the earth in its ethereal silver glow and watching all below with a slow smile. Those of insomniac nature sat by their windows and gazed up toward the heavens, wishing upon motionless stars and lolling their uneasy minds to a state of tranquility.

Inside the clinic, in one room, however, no one looked out the small window to admire the glittering nighttime sky. Instead, they sat in a lapse of silence and virtual stillness. That is, until one of them finally spoke up.

"Luffy?" Nami asked slowly, quietly. He looked at her, but she never turned to see if he was paying attention.

"Hm?"

"I was just thinking... and though it's probably not a very good idea," she was berating herself and he could tell that she was blushing slightly, but she carried on, "Would you come stay at the castle?"

He grinned, answering simply, "Can't."

She looked at him, disappointment flashing across her face, "Why not?" She couldn't understand while he was still smiling.

"Ace needs me at the farm."

"Oh. That would make sense."

"But!" She looked curiously at him and he continued grinning. "That doesn't mean we can't see each other. We can visit each other!"

His logic was simple, but Nami couldn't help but smile at it. He was right, after all, and it wasn't as if she minded visiting the farm, even if it was just to see him. So she nodded in agreement, smiling back at him as his grin widened.

"Well, it's late. I should let you rest and recover," the princess mused aloud, standing up from the bed. He didn't argue with her, slipping down to lay upon the mattress. She muttered a goodnight and flipped off the light switch as she reached the door. There, however, she paused and turned back into the room. "Luffy?" she whispered, though in the dark room it sounded so loud, "Can I sleep with you?" To herself, she sounded like a scared child asking to sleep with their parents for the night.

He didn't even seem to give it a second thought, though, holding open the covers for her. She wasted no time in removing her shoes and slipping under the blanket. Warmth enveloped her body and soul as she laid on her side, back to the other. She felt nothing more than a press on her waist as they got comfortable; his arm. Even so, she felt so secure and safe next to him and she sighed happily.

"You could come live in the farm with us," he suggested suddenly. She laughed.

"No way! It's too dirty for me."

Monkey D Luffy made a full recovery a couple days later, looking as healthy as he ever had. Both he and his brother were ordered by the doctor to lay off the heavy working before they were released to return to their cozy hut atop the small hill just outside the village. As expected, they didn't listen to the medical professional and the farming was immediately picked back up. But even so, they remained as healthy and physically well as ever.

And as silently promised, Princess Nami visited the young straw hat clad farmer daily. She kept him company as he worked, growing a stronger bond than anyone had with him. Forever they would still be infatuated with each other, but before love came a true friendship; something they were well on their way to truly having.

-The End-

--Review Replies--

-Chapter Sixteen-

Nuit Fleur, thanks for your review! Luffy deserved to kick Arlong's ass. XD And so he did. Hope you enjoyed!

T.O.B., thanks for your review! I'm not sure... Zoro not being lost would just be too odd. We'll see. XDD

catho, thanks for your review! It was, it was. You're most welcome.

Alastair, thanks for your review! Dude, she wasn't even thinking of the final kick! When she got your review, she referred back to her manga and was pleasantly surprised herself. She did try to make everything resemble the fight as best as possible in such an AU story. So yay! And the story will always be here to be reread! XD

lunalove101, thanks for your review! Don't worry! It'll always be here to be reread! XD And s'okay. She's rather lazy herself.

kabata4life, thanks for your review! Wow! Kiari-san knows what it's like to be internet deprived, but having to use an internet cafe in a different country?! That must be brutal! You poor thing.

NefertariNami, thanks for your review! It is kind of sad, isn't it? The story is completed.

kage karasu, thanks for your review! Thank you, thank you.

Jadeile, thanks for your review! Why thank you very much. She's glad you like. Arlong is under used, isn't he? But so is Eneru. He is Kiari-san's favorite villain. :D She would love to put Zoro in the story, but it's way too late. By the time you reviewed, the last chapter was already completed. Sorry!