Ch. 2- Make the Most of It

One Piece © Oda

"He ate EVERYTHING in your fridge?!"

"Everything, Vivi. Even stuff that was days old! It was like he was a garbage disposal or something!"

"I've heard of gluttons, but this is ridiculous."

Nami sighed as she put the last of the groceries in the back of her car, with the help of Zoro, Sanji, and Robin, while Usopp and Vivi sat in their seats.

"I can't believe this," Sanji grumbled. "He not only eats your entire fridge dry, but now, you have to buy twice as much food just to keep that greedy pig of a dog satisfied."

"Honestly, Sanji, I don't mind it," Nami said. "I mean...it's not really his fault, right? He doesn't really have a home of his own, and who knows how long it's been since he had a good meal?"

"I guess that's true," Sanji concurred. "Poor guy was probably starving."

"I know it seems like a lot," Nami began, "but I just have to make the most of it until I figure out what to do with him."

"Well, we'll help you if you need it," Robin said.

"Thanks," Nami said. "I'm gonna need all the help I can get with this guy."

"That's the last of them," said Zoro as he put the groceries in the back.

"Thanks for the help," Nami said as she and the rest got in the car and they all drove off.

"So, lemme get this straight, just one more time," Usopp said. "He says he's cursed to look like a dog? Are you sure it's not some guy in a costume?"

"That was what I thought, too," said Nami, "but when I was dressing his wounds last night, the fur was actually attached to his body. He really is a dog! Well...a human and a dog at the same time, I guess. When I asked him about how to lift the curse, he said the spirit who cursed him didn't give him any clues."

"Spirits can be pretty cryptic," Sanji said with crossed arms in contemplation.

"You actually believe in that nonsense?" Zoro asked.

"Well, there's a lot of lore and myth about stuff like that," Vivi said. "Why do you think people often make shrines for cats or raccoon dogs or even foxes? There's even a temple with herds of deer roaming around because they say that the deer are messengers of the gods."

"Either way," Nami started, "it looks like Luffy's staying with me for the time being." A pause. "...Unless...one of you guys could...?"

"What are you, crazy?!" Usopp questioned. "It's hard enough taking care of my puppy, Chopper!"

"Well, what about you, Vivi?" Nami asked. "Your backyard has tons of space."

"I have a whole menagerie of animals back at home, Nami," Vivi answered. "Including my duck, Carue, and my camel, Eyelash. My Father won't let me take in anymore animals."

"Zoro?" Nami asked. "You and Robin could take him, right?"

"You know our building doesn't allow dogs," Zoro said. "Human-like or otherwise."

"Sorry, Nami," Robin shrugged.

"...Sanji?" Nami asked, almost pleadingly.

"I already got in trouble with Old Man Zeff for feeding strays at the restaurant," Sanji replied. "Sorry, Nami, but it looks like you're stuck with him."

"...Great," Nami muttered in irritation.

XXX

A while later, the group had arrived at Nami's house, where they heard sound of the TV inside. They could hear gunshots, swords clanging, and yelling, so it must've been some sort of action show.

"Is he watching the TV in there?" Usopp asked.

"I was afraid of what Luffy might do if I left him alone," Nami answered. "I wanted to make him feel like there was still someone in the house with him."

"Sounds like something a dog owner would do," mused Robin.

"...Well, if you put it that way," Nami began, "it almost sounds like I'm treating him like he really is an animal instead of a guest in my house."

"I'm sure he doesn't mind," Vivi said.

"Well, still," Nami began, "let's just get this food in the house. I'm sure he's hungry by now."

"Fine with us," Zoro shrugged as the group went into the house after Nami unlocked the door. There, they found Luffy, sitting in front of the TV with a wagging tail as he watched the program that was on. It was some show about pirates and whatnot, but it certainly had him hooked. Nami almost found it cute how enthralled he was as he was watching it. However, his ears twitched as he heard the door close, causing him to turn and see the girl and her friends.

"Oh!" Luffy exclaimed. "Hey, Nami! You're back!" That's when he noticed the others behind her. "Oh, who are these guys?"

"Luffy, these are my friends," said Nami.

"Hi, I'm Vivi!" Vivi greeted. "It's nice to meet you!"

"And my name's Usopp," Usopp smiled. "A pleasure!"

"The name's Sanji," Sanji said. "Nice to meet you."

"My name is Robin," Robin said. "Charmed, I'm sure."

"And I'm Zoro," Zoro spoke.

"So you're all Nami's friends," Luffy grinned. "Nice meetin' ya! Shishishi!"

"Luffy, my friends are gonna come and visit us, once in a while," Nami said. "I hope you'll get along with them."

"Sure, I will!" Luffy answered. "They all look like good people!"

"How very nice of you, Luffy," Robin said with an amused chuckle.

"So, you're really cursed?" Zoro asked.

"Yeah, I am," Luffy answered before Usopp suddenly went up and stretched his lips back, showing his canine-like teeth. "H-hey, what are you doing?!"

"So this really isn't a costume, then?" Usopp inquired.

"Of course it's not!" Luffy argued. "Let go! That hurts!"

Nami, Robin, and Vivi couldn't help laughing a bit at the sight, and even Zoro and Sanji were a little amused. However, the humorous moment was soon interrupted when they heard a grumbling noise, which was followed by Luffy holding his paws to his stomach with a discontented expression on his face.

"That reminds me," he said. "Nami, did you bring some food? I'm starving!"

"Yeah, I brought some," Nami replied, "but I'm a little tired, right now, to cook anything."

"How about I make something instead?" Sanji asked. "I do work part-time at the Baratie."

"Huh?" Luffy muttered. "You mean you cook?"

"Hell yeah, I do," Sanji smirked. "Best in town, really."

"We ought to know," said Vivi. "We go to the restaurant where he works, all the time, and he always cooks our meals!"

"Pretty crappy food, though, if you ask me," Zoro muttered, which caused the blonde to glare at him.

"What was that, Moss-head?!" he questioned.

"You heard what I said, Dartboard-brow!" Zoro barked.

"Come on, you two!" Nami shouted. "Every time you fight in my house, you break something!"

"Hey, Sanji!" Luffy called. "I wanna try your food! Can you make me steak?! Anything with meat in it is okay!"

"Not surprising, considering you're a dog," Sanji said, "but sure, I'll make us all something since, I'm in the mood."

With that, he headed into the kitchen to make some delicious hamburger steaks topped with marinara sauce and sunny-side up eggs. Luffy had to have a rather big one to keep himself satisfied, but even after he finished his, he still attempted to snatch up anyone else's, which caused Sanji to yell at him. At first, Usopp and Zoro weren't going to be for it...until Luffy pulled out his secret weapon: the puppy-dog eyes. Seeing those big, round, saddened obsidian orbs of made it hard to ignore him, and when he added that little whine, they had weakened and gave the last of their hamburger steaks to them. Even Robin fed Luffy some of hers, unable to resist his canine-like charm.

In the end, though, everyone just ended up laughing and enjoying each other's company.

'Maybe,' Nami thought, 'this isn't so bad, after all.'

However, Luffy let out a loud burp, which caused Sanji, Zoro, and Vivi to grimace slightly in disgust while Robin and Usopp only laughed, the latter even praising him, which caused Nami to sweatdrop.

'I did say maybe,' she thought.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Hang in there, Nami. It'll be worth it in the end.

Review, please!