A/N: aww man! My boyfriend bought a small and a long katana. Unsharp ofc. From japan… DROOLS now he just needs 2 more…

Theres just this problem with Zoro that nobody has as big a mouth as manga characters so only he can carry the sword in his mouth :)

Ameyoke: Haha you're kidding me. this story really made more impression than i thought it would.

Ryoku's Jiki Sweetie: I will try to update more frequently. Robin was out of character? maybe her intentions were a bit unclear. what i wanted was that Robin should tease Nami a bit, because, allknowing as she seems sometimes, she knows whats going on between them and is trying to tease Nami with that. maybe it wasn't clear enough sorry bout that :)

BTW: for the question about genres, i meant for the rating not the story itself, i plan a lot of all kinds of genres don worry :)

Part VIII

Questions and Demands

'Island ahead!' Usopp yelled from the high ships mast on the Flying Lamb. The windy sky and Nami's compass had taken them to yet another island on their long journey. It was well past noon and they were all impatient to explore another island and restock.

Under the deck Zoro had held Nami back from getting outside with the others.

'Why did you leave last night? You accept my demands even though they are a bit over the edge sometimes, but you always run away afterwards.' He had asked her. Nami had just gone to get her maps from her room and Zoro had stopped her in the doorway. She hesitated.

'Answer me.'

Nami sighed deeply.

'Look Zoro whatever your intensions are with me, I just don't know right now… I mean, what can I say, all this time you've just acted normal around me, but now you won some stupid bet you're suddenly into something more than friendship.'

'I saw an opportunity coming. I took it.' He shrugged.

'An opportunity to do what exactly?' He didn't answer.

'Look Zoro, I've never really trusted anyone else but my mum and my sister. All my life men mistreated me, why should you…' her voice trailed off. She bit her lower lip. Maybe she had gone too far.

'What?' He demanded blankly. Nami broke their eye contact and looked at her feet.

Hold your head up high. He is neither worth your memories nor your tears.

She looked up again to meet his serious eyes.

'Why should I be what? ... Why should I be any different? Was that what you was going to say? Is that what made you leave last night?' He almost spat it out.

Nami's thoughts shot back to the night before.

(Flashback)

Zoro pressed Nami up against the wall and snug into her hair. It had only been a few moments since they had kissed. A sober kiss by the way.

'Your smell is so... perfect.' He whispered into her ear. He took her hand and led her to his small cabin and suddenly took her into a tight embrace.

'Was this your purpose of the challenge?' She demanded.

'One thing leads to another and… Hmm by the way I thought I made the question and demands... not you.' He said seriously. He laid down on his bed, his arms behind his neck staring at her. She gazed out the small cow eye catching a glimpse of a star. She sat down on the bed next to him.

'Are you really angry about last night when I was drunk?' She asked. Zoro looked searchingly at her.

'Nah not at all. I'm always grumpy when I wake up. To be honest I think you complicate things Nami.' She thought about his words for a moment.

Zoro gently grabbed Nami's arm and pulled her closer.

'Kiss me again Nami.' He whispered. She looked down at his chest for a moment. When she looked up again their noses touched. Their lips became wet when they met in a gentle kiss. Nami broke the kiss a moment after and glared at Zoro, tears prickling behind her eyelids.

'What wrong?'

'I can't do this Zoro. This bet is going too far...'

(Flashback end)

'It's difficult for me to do this Zoro. I've never in my life trusted another man except this crew.'

'But I'm in this crew!'

'Yes but!... Look sometimes everybody is a chicken a-'

'Not me.' He interrupted her, straightening his back, showing muscular chest behind the white worn-out shirt. Nami couldn't help giggling.

'A-ha, yes but Zoro your not a normal guy.'

'Aha! Then I HAVE to be different than the other guys.' He added with a proud grin. She sighed defeated and smiled. A small pause played between them. A ray of sun shined in on their faces and suddenly all the little dust particles became visible.

'I guess… I know you aren't…' She looked around at the small grey creatures dancing and tumbling. Zoro removed a strand of hair from her face and gently stroked her cheek with the backside of two fingers. She focused her big eyes on the swordsman in front of her.

'So... What exactly is making you want me the first second and then ditch me the next?' He asked. Nami shrugged.

'I dunno... I mean what can I say, I'm a confused woman!'

'Actually baby… I kinda hoped our deal included you pleasing me with something else than just something as useless as food and drinks.' He said, a little above a whisper. She eyed him closely, leaned closer to him.

'Well, I'm not one you win in a contest, so… in your dreams.' She snickered at him and removed his hand.

'Then what about the night you spent with me?' He asked still fighting to win the argument.

'I was drunk!'

'And the kissing last night?'

'Oh yes, well... a girl has her needs.' She said starting to leave.

'Don't move.' He said desperately. Nami gave Zoro a is-that-the-best-you-can-do – look. Zoro hesitated. Nami was about to leave again but Zoro grabbed her arm hard and forced her back.

'Tell me you feel nothing for me. Tell me it's just sex. Then you can leave.' Nami became dead serious in a split second stared at the opening to the deck for a while wondering, before turning back to Zoro again.

'I feel nothing for you. It's just sex,' She swung around on her heels.

'Ta!' She said loudly whilst heading for the rest of the crew, leaving Zoro behind.

Zoro stood grounded staring at Nami dissappearing outside. He leaned up against the wall suddenly feeling a huge urge for a large nap.

How can she want me the first second and reject me the next? It can't only be her 'confusion'. How can it only be sex when she gets so upset and confused about her feelings?

Zoro shook his head to get all Nami's mixed signals out of his head. Their first night together Nami couldn't remember anything. That bet had surely not went the way he wanted it.

He looked thoughtful for a moment. Or had it? Nami had said it was just sex. Well he had one night left for 'just sex'. He just wouldn't believe she had absolutely no feelings involved, so maybe he could make her say it before tomorrow. If not, he'd just get another wonderful night with the orange haired girl.

Zoro remembered how he had demanded Nami to undress. He couldn't help smiling, feeling a slight shiver. She was so beautiful, naked in his bed under his thin bedcover still showing all her pretty curves. How could he let her go?

ahem, please review. i hope it's not too complicated, but it seems like i have straightened out possible confusion more or less? i hope i did.

I thank you all so much for all the kind compliments. but the best thing about it is that you like it.

ow man btw, i just reread my old sanjixzoro fic again 'Now or Never' its so fucking hillarious, i wish i could write like that still. anyway, sanji is really girly but i recomend it to you ZxN guys just for a laugh, i'm usually not so fond of this yaoi stuff. only once in a while.

Suggestions, questions, constructive critique is very welcome in a review! Thanks for reading