Yay, another chapter is done. I wonder how long this story will end up being. Meh, longest story I have ever written, and that includes my original ones.

Wow... I managed to do this while I was sick, but, my parents think this actually helped me. -shrugs- I dunno how they figure that. I guess because it relaxes me to type things. So, yeah. Also, I had half of this chapter done before I got sick anyway. XD Anyway, on with the story.

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Chapter 18: Meeting the crime lord

Luffy bolted around the corner, Zoro's hand clasped tightly in his own as he pulled the swordsman along behind him. There was another crash and then silence again. Luffy's eyes narrowed and his hat flew back off his head to whip behind him on the string.

Zoro's swords clinked together at his side as he ran. He had no clue where the hell they were going, but, it looked as if Luffy knew, so, he just kept up. Nami had sounded angry and scared in that scream, and although Zoro would never admit that he actually feared for the girl, he hoped she was okay.

Luffy yanked him around another corner, and then skidded to a stop, causing Zoro to almost crash into him.

"The hell…?" he asked and then looked up to see Sanji, Usopp and Chopper all running towards them. It took a moment for the others to register that Luffy was there, and they too, stopped.

"Nami's in trouble." both Sanji and Luffy said, looking at each other. Zoro started and then rolled his eyes.

"That was pretty obvious from her scream." he commented. Sanji glared at him and then spotted the hands that were still linked and a sly smile split his face.

"I see you two made up." he commented. Zoro was about to reply with a smart mouth remark when Luffy waved a hand in the air, signalling for silence.

"Later guys, we need to find Nami. Chopper, can you hear her? Anything at all that could be her or something related to her?" Luffy asked, looking at the smaller reindeer.

Chopper blinked and closed his eyes, ears twitching slightly as he tried to trace some sort of sound that could have related to Nami. Zoro was looking at Luffy, a little stunned. For someone who was so bouncy, stupid and just plain silly, he sure did know how to handle a difficult situation. Chopper shook his head.

"I can hear…" and he paused and then his eyes snapped open and he looked straight up at the building that was over them, "Up there. I can hear something up there."

"Good." and he looked at the wall.

"I can kick through that, easy." Sanji said, putting a hand over his cigarette, taking a last puff on it and then dropping it to the ground and grinding the heel of his foot on top of it.

"No. That'll alert them to us. We need to think of a better strategy then just bursting in there." Zoro replied. Sanji was about to retort when there was a loud crunch and the two looked around to see Luffy at the wall, his fist still against and his lithe body braced. Zoro blinked and Sanji sighed.

"Kid, you know you can't possibly be able to punch… through… stone?" the chef trailed off as the wall began to crackle and then thin cracks spider webbed out from Luffy's fist until a large hole fell inwards.

"Let's go." the boy said and stepped through. Zoro gave Sanji a smug look

"Apparently he can." Zoro said and then followed.

"Wow… he's strong." Usopp muttered as he walked through as well.

"So cooool!" Chopper cried and trotted after the three humans.

"How the fuck…?" Sanji muttered, and then shook his head, deciding it was better to just let the matter go rather than try and figure it all out. Nami was in trouble, and that was all that mattered to him.

"Hurry up dartboard!" Zoro's voice echoed out from the hole. Sanji frowned, and walked through the hole. After all of this was over, he was going to need a lot of therapy. Luffy walked forward through the dusty basement. He pulled his hat up off of his back and placed it back on his head again.

"Zoro… get your swords ready." he said quietly. The swordsman nodded, his white handled blade already halfway to his mouth, "Usopp, get your gun. Chopper… get mad. Sanji, stretch your legs."

"Hey, I don't need you to tell m-" Sanji began but he was cut off by a vehement glare from Luffy.

"Do you want to help Nami or not?" and Sanji nodded, a little unnerved by the boy's sudden intensity, "Then shut up and stretch your legs." and just as Luffy finished his sentence, the door they were heading towards, opened and Luffy looked at it.

"I heard something for sure down here." a weird sounding voice said as a large, bulky body stepped through the door. Luffy stayed perfectly still, but, Zoro could see the boy's fingers closing together ever so slightly, inch by inch, until they created a rock hard fist.

The swordsman could also see, that the fist Luffy had used to punch the wall, was the same one he had been shot in, and it was shaking. Luffy seemed to notice Zoro watching him, and he winked and moved his hand forward, pointing a single finger at the person in front of them.

"Who's there?" the same voice asked. Zoro winked back, and then the two launched forward, racing straight at the man. Sanji started and followed. He hadn't even noticed the two had been planning anything.

How strange.

Luffy was first there and he slammed a fist straight into the man's gut, knocking him backwards through the door. Zoro was next, spinning through the door and creating a whirling blade barrier so nothing would hit them while they tried to get out of the door.

He landed in a crouched position, arms crossed over his chest. Luckily, the only person who was in the corridor, was the guy Luffy had knocked out. Speaking of, the man was groaning and getting up.

Luffy dropped into a fighting stance and watched the man with sharp eyes. He slowly got to his feet and Zoro was on guard as well, watching quietly. Sanji, Usopp and Chopper were lined up behind them. Before the man had too much of a chance to recover, Luffy had him by the front of his shirt.

"Where's Nami?" he growled. The man looked back down at Luffy and sneered.

"What do you care?" he asked. Luffy gave him a quick shake.

"I care. Now, tell me or else."

"Figure it out for yourself." the man replied. Luffy frowned. Zoro raised an eyebrow.

"I think that was the wrong answer." he commented and the man was slammed back against the wall. Luffy leaned in close to the man's face and his lip curled.

"I don't need to figure it out, now tell me!" and the man groaned, his head reeling from the impact.

"Third level…" he muttered and then his head fell forward. Luffy dropped him onto the ground and twisted to look at the others.

"Let's go." and he moved down the corridor towards a door that was clearly labelled 'staircase'. Sanji looked at Zoro, who shrugged and followed.

"He's kinda scary." Usopp muttered to Chopper. The little reindeer shook his head.

"A little, but, he's soooo cooool!" and he trotted after them. Usopp sighed.

"How come no one believes me?" and he followed last. Luffy bounded up the stairs, the group behind him struggling a little to keep up.

"So, what are we going to do when we find her?" Usopp called from the back of the group.

"Rescue her of course." Sanji answered. Usopp gave a short, slightly sarcastic nod.

"Incoming!" Luffy called and Usopp jumped to the side as three men flew past. Luffy looked down at him and smiled, "Careful Usopp." and then he was running along the little platform and up the next set of stairs.

Zoro was next but he stopped at the bottom of the stairs which Luffy had bounded up. Sanji stopped behind Zoro and looked up as well and then the two jumped up the stairs, side by side.

Chopper turned into his big form, his anger finally reaching a level that triggered the strange reaction of his body. Zoro bounded up the stairs as the group of men above him braced themselves.

Luffy was gone, he didn't know where, but, he was sure the boy would turn up. He was probably fighting in the middle of the men. Sanji was beside him, but Zoro realized he didn't care. Sanji was a good fighter, and it would be handy to have him watch his back.

They reached the group of men and Zoro spun, flashing his swords out and around, catching four of the men across their chests before they could step back.

"Duck idiot!" Sanji yelled. Zoro didn't ask questions and he hit the floor, Sanji's leg swinging through the air above him. As soon as the light breeze had passed from the quick motion of the chef's leg, Zoro was up again, blades flashing and teeth gritted as he fought his way through all the men.

Sanji was on his hands, legs split and spinning as he took out ten of the fighters at a time. Zoro finished by stabbing his sword out and catching the last man in the arm. He shrieked and fell to the floor as Zoro stood straight. Sanji did the same behind him, and lit another cigarette.

"Well… that was fun." Sanji commented. Zoro looked around. Not once through the whole fight had he seen or heard from Luffy.

"Wow! You guys fought awesomely!" Usopp cried as he bounded towards them. He had his gun in his hand but it was obvious that the boy had been planning on joining in, but his sense of fear had kicked in big time before he could help.

Chopper was watching, his big form making the others eye him warily. Zoro looked around once more.

"Guys… where's Luffy?" he asked.

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Nami frowned at the tall, wicked looking being sitting before her. He had a nose that looked as though it belonged on a swordfish. His eyes were dark and slanted, and he had a thick upper body and skinny long legs. He wore a yellow Hawaiian shirt and a pair of shorts with sandals.

"Here's your money." she said tonelessly and dropped a large, heavy bag on the ground in front of the man. He raised an eyebrow and leant towards the bag.

"Ah… you're truly a loyal girl Nami." he replied. Nami rolled her eyes.

"Yeah yeah, now, where is Nojiko and Genzo?" she asked. The man shrugged.

"I have to count the money first. Hachi!" he called sharply.

"Yeah boss?" a tall man walked into the room, his spiked up hair brushing the top of the doorway as he walked in.

"Count the money. See if there's enough."

"Would I lie to you Arlong?" Nami asked, her eyes narrowed and her arms crossed over the long stick she held loosely in her right hand. The man chuckled.

"Of course not Nami… but, it's better to check. Hurry up Hachi." Arlong commanded. Nami frowned and rolled her eyes.

"Subtle as ever." she muttered, "I'm going back to my room." and she moved towards the door. Just before she reached it, a tall man with blonde hair and bright pink cheeks walked in. He had to duck as he came inside but, Nami wasn't focused on him.

She was focused on the boy that was in the man's arms. The back of his head was bleeding, the vital liquid making the boy's dark hair clump together. He was obviously unconscious and Nami had to clench her teeth to stop herself from either screaming, or running forward to try and help.

"We found this one on the second level stairs. The rest of his group are fighting our best fighters. They won't survive." the man said as he walked forward. Nami turned and watched as the one she knew as Choo pulled Luffy towards Arlong and then dumped the boy at the crime lord's feet.

Nami grit her teeth and walked back over, her façade falling back into place as easily as if she had donned a cloak.

"What did you do to him? Poor kid looks half dead." she commented. Choo raised an eyebrow.

"He fought, I fought back. Simple as that." he replied. Nami scoffed.

"An unfair advantage." she stated. Choo shook his head and crossed his arms.

"His own fault. He was trying to get up here. Why do you care so much anyway?"

"I don't." Nami replied, "But he's no good up here if he's going to die. Take him back downstairs again."

"No, he's alive. I made sure he was left alive." Choo stated.

"Boss! There's five hundred dollars missing." Hachi reported. Nami stiffened ever so slightly but she didn't let it show on her face.

"I'll get the money tonight." Nami said, her voice strong but emotionless. Arlong chuckled.

"Of course you will. But now, let's see if we can't get this little guy to wake up." and he leaned forward. Nami watched disinterestedly.

Luffy…she silently thought. Arlong poked a long finger into the boy's back and Nami's eyes narrowed slightly. Arlong poked again and this time it roused a groan from Luffy.

Nami watched as Luffy slowly sat up, his eyes dazed and his movements rather sluggish from the concussion he must have surely had. He looked around and then his eyes widened.

"Where am I?" he asked. Arlong laughed.

"In deep trouble." he replied. Luffy blinked and then chuckled.

"No, seriously, where am I?"

"…" and Arlong turned to look at Nami, who shrugged. Luffy looked over and his face brightened.

"Nami!" he cried and stood up.

Uh oh. Nami thought.

"You know this boy Nami?" Arlong asked. Nami smiled bitterly and nodded.

"Yeah, I know him. He was a part of my plan for the money." she replied. Arlong chuckled.

"You really are the devious little girl, aren't you?"

"Shut up, I don't need you patronizing me." she responded and Luffy blinked at the two of them.

"Whose this guy Nami?" he asked.

"He's my boss. I work for him." she replied and crossed her arms. Luffy looked at Arlong and blinked.

"Him? He looks like a freak." and Arlong stiffened.

"Who're you calling a freak you skinny little pipsqueak." he growled. Luffy frowned.

"At least I don't look like a fish." he responded.

Shut up Luffy. You're gonna get yourself killed. Nami privately thought.

"Choo, get this little bastard out of my sight." Arlong growled. The tallest man in the room moved forward and grabbed Luffy by the shoulders. The boy jabbed his elbow back and hit Choo in the stomach, knocking the taller man to the ground.

"Back off." Luffy said dangerously and turned to Nami, "We're going. Come on Nami." and he made to walk towards her. Hachi flashed in front of Luffy and held out a sword. Nami's fingers twitched.

"Get out of the way Hachi. I'm not going anywhere." Nami said boredly. Hachi paused a moment and then at a nod from Arlong, he moved to the side. Luffy was gazing at Nami in a confused way. Nami raised her chin at him.

"Did you seriously think I was your friend? Luffy, I didn't even want to be a part of your group, and the only reason I stayed with you for as long as I did, was because that idiot swordsman was threatening to kill me. I'm not stupid." she said and walked forward until she was standing in front of Luffy.

"Nami? We're friends." Luffy replied. Nami laughed, a dark and bitter laugh that held no joy at all.

"No. We aren't." and she unfolded her arms, "Take him and lock him in the room upstairs." and she turned away. Luffy fell into a fighting stance, prepared for an attack as Hachi ran towards him.

He didn't see the fist that came from behind and knocked him over the head, hitting the same place where he had been hit before and causing the boy to cry out in pain and then fall to the floor, holding his head. Nami kept walking. She had walked away before, and she could do it now. Nothing could affect her.

Nami reached her room that was across the hall and she slowly opened the door. It was dark and dusty inside, and sun streaming through the only window, gave her no comfort at all. What she had said to Luffy… was a lie.

She was his friend, but, how could he consider her his friend now? She had betrayed him. Walking into the room, she closed the door behind her and leaned back against it, her hands and legs trembling.

"I'm sorry Luffy… but, I can't have you spoiling my plans." she whispered before standing and walking over to the small desk that sat in the corner of the room. Pulling a piece of paper towards her, she began to draw lines across it with a pencil that had long ago lost it's usefulness.

It started out as a map, but, as Nami drew and she heard the echoing thumps and bangs that must have been the fight either downstairs, or Luffy trying to release himself, she could no longer keep her mind on the paper in front of her.

"So cruel." she muttered and laid her head down on the desk, and then an idea began to form in her mind. If she could… yeah, that would work! Nami sat up, a large smile spreading across her face as she did so. It would work really well actually! Luffy could do it. He'd be able to fix all this. Nami's smile fell slightly.

"But what if he can't?" she muttered aloud and then bit her lip. There was a knock on her door.

"Who is it?" she barked harshly.

"Kuroobi."

"What do you want?"

"Arlong wants to know when you are leaving for the rest of the money."

"When I leave. Now go away." and Nami rolled her eyes. There was clumping steps as Kuroobi walked away and then silence again. Nami sighed. Today wasn't her day, but then, it hadn't been her day when she had first been kidnapped by this freak anyway.

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Poor Luffy. I changed Arlong's arc around a fair bit, and I know he isn't a fish anymore and that's a bit of a bummer, but, after making Chopper's story the way it was, I thought this would be a little too farfetched. But ... don't lose heart my friends. I have something special planned... I hope you like it! XD Anyway. If you don't, meh, I'll live.

See you later peoples! I haven't said this in ages, but, I like reviews! -hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink-