A/N: This will be my last chapter for awhile (three weeks!)…I hope I've filled in some blanks and satisfied some readers by doing this. Hope you enjoy, R&R, and understand that I'll be back soon!

Be warned, this chapter has some fluff and angst. But the rating stays the same for obvious reasons: nothing too bad happens. But pardon some language. Like I said, nothing too bad, totally kid-appropriate…kinda. (Obviously, it's all Sanji and Zoro.)

And…I'll just leave you to your story…yeah…

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Mariasol, Dabelle, and a few more characters to be revealed shortly…(BWA HA HA HA HA!)

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Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Chapter Five

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Nami's eyes widened in alarm at the sudden presence of his lips on hers. However, ever so slowly, her lids began to droop and she returned the kiss. It deepened, and she brought her arms around his neck while he pulled her closer, gradually pushing her against a brick wall in the alley next to the shop.

He drew back for breath, face flushed. The back of his head, where her fingers had previously been playing, was mussed, and she was sure hers looked no better.

"I…ah…" Nami stumbled with her words as oxygen quickly refilled her depraved lungs.

"Wow…"

Sanji, absently twisting a lock of her hair behind her ear, fingers surprisingly soft and gentle, made a small noise of agreement.

"What have I been doing?" he whispered next to her ear. He dropped his head down and kissed her cheek. "Leaving the crew and dating Mariasol…"

Nami's eyes flew open.

Oh, no.

"Sanji…"

Sanji grunted and kept fiddling with her hair, twisting it around his finger.

"Sanji…!"

He dropped kisses all over her face; her forehead, her nose, eack cheek, her eyes…

"SANJI!"

Nami pushed him away, panting heavily. He looked slightly surprised and disappointed by the abrupt interruption before cracking an easy smile.

"Hai, Mellorine?"

Nami tried hard not tho go back in time, remembering of all of the occasions and times he had called her that, in the same affectionate tone.

"Sanji…" she said slowly, "what are you going to do about Mariasol? She's your—'' she swallowed "—Your girlfriend."

He shrugged, and it was like he had spoken.

"Break up with her, I guess."

Nami took a deep breath. She had to do this, even though her body and soul desperately wished otherwise. Even though her heart was practically screaming 'Don't'.

"I can't do this to you two."

He looked at her curiously. "…What?"

"I can't do this, Sanji. I can't be with you. Not if it comes to the expense of someone else."

"Nami-sa—''

"Don't!" she cried sharply. "Don't protest! I won't ruin what you two have! The guilt I'd carry…No!"

"Nami—''

"You've known her long enough, haven't you?" she was practically hysterical, she knew, with her voice cracking and eyes tearing.

"Well…"

"Marry her! Forget about me!"

"Nami--!''

"Because she loves you! You should take that and be with her, forever! Sanji, I'd ruin you! I'd break you and tear up all of your hopes and dreams, and you know that! I'd ruin you!"

Nami edged away from the wall, backing toward the opening in the alley slowly. This was being a tad dramatic, she knew, but this needed to be heard.

"Nami!" he called out to her, "Don't! This can be solved!"

"How?" She was finally crying, she realized as she felt salty tears run down her face, her cheeks dampening.

"Sanji, if I saw a way that we could be together and happy, and wouldn't hurt anybody, I'd take it without a second thought! But I don't, and I don't want to ruin anyones' happiness! Or lives! Sanji, please…" she was closing in on her exit rapidly now "…I want you to be happy!"

With that, she turned and fled to the streets, screaming "Don't follow me!" when Sanji made a move to catch up to her.

And when he thought it just couldn't get any worse, it started to rain on him.

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The rain soaked her to the skin as she made her way through the deserted streets.

I should be happy. He loves her. She loves him. I shouldn't be in the way. She's been with him longer! So why can't I be happy?

Because I love him.

She stopped abruptly and her eyes widened in disbelief at what she had just admitted; even when Vivi had said that, four years ago, she had been incredibly doubtful. Love? Her? Impossible. She couldn't take love. Love…Love hurt people. Love meant trust, something she wasn't exactly ready to give.

But…doesn't love also allow you to be with the person you want to be with?

Nami shook her head and continued walking slowly, arms wrapped around herself. She wasn't too far away from the hotel…

You know, it might actually help listening to me. I know you. I can help you, believe it or not.

No!Nami's head shook violently and she covered her face with her hands.

No! If I listen to you, I'll just end up falling—completely falling—for him! I don't want that! I'd just hurt What's-her-face.

Mariasol. And what has she ever done for you?

I just don't want to cause trouble, okay? Is that a crime somehow? Besides… I'd run him away if I said—or did—something like that to him.

You forget, dear Nami, that he felt it first…

But he got over me! I should—and can—get over him!

Darling, no one forgets their first love; No one. So…

If I promise to consider telling him then would you just leave me alone?

Yes, and if you get yourself into some dry clothes. You're looking pretty—

"I don't care!" she screamed, tearing off the bracelet Sanji had just given her.

"I just don't care anymore…"

She threw the bracelet on the ground, into a puddle. With tears melting into the rain, she tried, sobbing, to stomp it, to crush it, to destroy the last few minutes.

She couldn't.

In fact, she stood in the street, in the rain, for so long, crying and screaming, that when the cloth came around and pressed to her face she didn't have it in her to save herself.

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Sanji awoke the next morning, a Sunday, relieved he had done all necessary shopping the day before and wouldn't have to worry about leaving the restaurant for any reason.

But first, a smoke.

As he lifted the lighter to his cigarette, the body beside him shifted, snoring loudly, and he lowered it almost guiltily.

Last night…he had "proposed" to Mariasol…After he had seen Nami's tears as she screamed and cried that she wouldn't be the third wheel, the stake to drive them apart…it had started an influx of emotions that only feeling needed and loved could fix.

Obviously, he felt more than guilty.

This is ironic, he thought as he pulled himself out of bed and walked over to his closet, pulling out his uniform: a simple white coat and black trousers. On the coat's collar was the restaurant's emblem: a tangerine and waves, sewn in red thread. They were two of the only things he felt he was able to bring along from his old life as a member of the Straw Hats Crew.

Of course he could've asked Nami to come with him…or he could've stayed in the first place. But that had seemed stupid at the time. Really! Nami wanting to tag along with him, helping him live out his dream.

I should have done it, though, he thought, writing a note for Mariasol.

Mari-chan---

Ohayo! I hope you've slept well. I'm at the restaurant, and since it's your day off (I think?), feel free whether to come or not.

Sanji

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As he made his way down the street, avoiding children playing, and giving elderly women and mothers a "Hello" or "Good Morning" he felt that if it wasn't for last night's episode he would've been the happiest man on earth.

His serene mood was crushed, however, the minute he saw the scene outside the doors of his restaurant.

He pushed those in his way away, making his way slowly to the doors. Reaching the front, he saw his rather hassled manager looking from person to person nervously. When he spotted Sanji, he mouthed an "Oi!" and pushed his way through to him.

Upon reaching him, he said in a rushed voice, "There's a group of customers inside, but there are a few in particular making trouble. One's totally exhausting our supplies and doesn't seem to have the intentions of paying! There are problems because of him everywhere. Not to mention—'' he lowered his head slightly and shifted his eyes "—he's looking for you. In a rather obnoxious voice, I might add. And his friend is so creepy! The stare he gives us seems to be life threatening, and the fact he has swords—three, actually—doesn't help that fact."

Those can only be one group, Sanji thought grimly, pushing himself away from his manager and marching into the restaurant, determination setting in with each step… Until he reached the table.

Sure enough, there at the table sat the crew he remembered only too well: Chopper and Usopp, fighting over a plate, Franky demanding cola and eating a plate of sea shrimp noodles he just knew were expensive. Robin was sipping an iced tea rather calmly, seemingly oblivious to the childishness of her crew mates around her, and reading a book. Zoro just sat back, feet on the table, swords across his lap, glaring at all in his way. And there, in all of his annoying splendor, was Captain Luffy, grabbing plate after plate of food, shoveling it into his mouth at amazing speeds. Sanji could almost see Beli with wings, flying away.

He shook his head, smirking. He sounded just like Nami, stressing out over money.

Nami. Where was she anyway?

He searched the table and crowd surrounding them. Orange hair? No.

Shouldn't she be with her own crew?

"OI!" he shouted, coming to a rest directly in front of the table. "Hey idiots!"

Heads around the restaurant swirled to him. Insulted customers and workers alike glared at him while the offending group merely looked at him in slight surprise. Obviously, said offending group were the Straw Hats whom were more then used to Sanji's language.

"The Mikan Nakama is now closed," he droned. "Unless you are part of this table here," he tapped the table with his foot, "Leave. Now."

The restaurant was emptied in a grand total of two minutes, to the satisfaction of a certain blonde chain smoker.

Luffy, obviously, was the first to speak up.

"Hey! Sanji! Nice place you've got here! Food's excellent, 'specially the MEAT! Ooh, speaking of that…" Luffy beamed through a mouthful, signature hat crooked, and shoved another plate in his mouth.

"I have also missed Cook-san's food, Luffy-san," Robin said with a mysterious smile.

"If it isn't the ero-cook," Zoro smirked.

"Shove it, Marimo," Sanji growled.

"We're looking for Nami," Usopp piped up. "Have you seen her? She was going out—on the island, obviously—last we heard."

"It's important we find her," Franky said casually, taking a swing of cola.

"We looked all over," said Chopper. "Then we remembered that you live on the island! We thought we could see if you knew anything."

"So you all paid me a visit?" Sanji asked. The sarcasm and steel was evident in his voice.

"Yeah!" Luffy swallowed a large fish, pulling out a skeleton before smiling.

"You've seen her, right?"

Sanji lit a cigarette, inhaled, and blew out smoke.

"Yeah," he finally drew out.

"Hrm," Robin said. If Sanji had been really paying attention, he would've noticed the lack of enthusiasm, or "thinking" her voice usually held when discovering something.

"Would've she have told us?"

"We haven't been in town that long, but still…"

"When did you see her?" Zoro's question cut quickly to the chase.

Sanji inhaled again. Stupid addiction. "…Last night. Why? And why are you so concerned finding her? Don't you know where she is?"

They all looked slightly uncomfortable.

"No."

Sanji turned to the source of the voice, which turned out to be a tall and muscular-looking man. His tanned skin was in contrast with his light hair, reminding him of Nojiko. Arms crossed, the stranger stared down Sanji. Sanji stared right back, unconcerned.

"This is Dabelle," Zoro said off handedly. "He's out new cook."

"Hey," Sanji said shortly, unexplained anger quickly rising up inside him. He turned back to the crew. "Now what were you saying about finding Nami? Didn't she come back last night? And why are you all so worried about finding her?"

Luffy finally spoke up. His hat shaded his eyes. "She never came back last night, and somebody is trying to kill her."

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A/N: Well, I hope I've kept it clean enough for all of you. Sanji's language and Zoro's naughty tongue are pretty common in the manga and anime, so I'm trying to keep in character. Sorry if the rest of the crew seems unnatural. I'll try to improve on them. x

Like I said at the beginning, there will not be an update for about three weeks.

VirgoMaiden ♡