Treasure Hunters
Author Notes: I don't have too much time to ramble, but I wanted to say a few things before I get into it.
First, I want to thank my loyal fans and reviewers. You make my heart leap with joy! I love seeing your words in my inbox! I want to thank one reviewer especially, who said she had not reviewed any other story in two years. I was so happy to hear that this story has interested her that much!
Second, I wanted to say… sorry. This is a Sanji/Nami-heavy chapter. I hope everyone enjoys it anyway!
Disclaimer: All Oda-sensei's. Own nothing.
Chapter 15: Usopp Lies/She Will Forgive Him
Suggested Track: "Northern Downpour," Panic! At The Disco
Nami had gotten out of the shelter hut she shared with Usopp that morning, somehow feeling energized. She joked with Usopp over breakfast that maybe that day, she would be the one to see Sanji, and went into town to try and help some of the other women with the laundry. Usopp was working by the water wheel as he always was, replacing the slats with more efficient ones that he had designed, while the women were using the water it was channeling into the storage well and filling a trough in which to wash their clothing.
"So, Nami, any sign of that husband of yours today?" One of the island wives joked. "It seems every day your brother is yelling that he's arrived!"
"Usopp lies all the time. I know he just wants to make me feel better," Nami giggled weakly. "I don't put any stock in it."
"What a pity!" A young woman laughed as Nami dipped one of her dresses in, put it against the washboard and ran the bar of detergent up and down it. "How's the baby doing today?"
"Oh, he's just crazy," Nami said with a little smile. "He's been squirming around since last night. If I didn't know better, I'd say he knew something I didn't."
"Think he's trying to get out?"
"No way!" Nami actually laughed at this. "Definitely too soon. Not for a few more weeks at the earliest!"
"It's strange, you just got so big so fast," another woman remarked, briefly giving Nami's middle a gently poke. "You must have a lot of stretch marks!"
"Don't even remind me. My husband will probably be disgusted. I've got stripes like a zebra." Nami winced, prodding her own side. "You calm down in there!" She sighed, and turned to hang her dress beside the other clothing on the communal line, and took a seat on the edge of the trough. "I'm exhausted already."
"Take it easy, okay?" Usopp called to her over his shoulder.
"I'm fine, Usopp!" Nami snapped back, and stretched her arms up over her head. "I'm just sore from standing. You try going around with a watermelon in your overalls and tell me how your back feels!"
"Oi, oi," Usopp grumbled, and continued working. "I'm trying to be nice."
"I know, sorry," Nami sighed, and reclined against the trough. That's when she noticed something out on the horizon. "Hey, I see a boat!" The island women turned around when Nami said this, and gasped.
"Nice try, Nami, but you know that won't work on me!" Usopp laughed.
"I'm not joking!" Nami got to her feet and rushed for the shore. "There's a boat. There's a boat!" Usopp turned around, and his jaw dropped as he recognized a familiar figurehead.
"It's… Sunny. No way!" He dropped his tools and rushed to Nami's side. "Hey! Guys! We're here!" He yelled, waving his arms over his head. "It's us! We're here!"
The look on Franky's face as he gazed through the binoculars to the shoreline was utterly and completely priceless. Brook stood beside him, laughing wildly as Franky burst into tears.
"It's them! They're there!"
"Yohohohohohoho! Yo-hohohohoho!" Brook slapped his knees (or he would have if he had knees) and clapped his hands in his excitement. "I knew Usopp was there, but-"
"You knew?" Franky grabbed Brook and throttled him. Brook kept laughing. Sanji was helping Robin down the stairs to the main deck so she could enjoy the sunshine, and, attracted by the noise, they joined Brook and Franky.
"What's going on?" Robin asked.
"We found Usopp." Brook said jubilantly. Franky brought his fist down on Brook's afro.
"And?"
"Oh, and Nami's there too," Brook added, excited to the point of bouncing on his heels.
"N-Nami?" Sanji's eyes widened, and he reached for the binoculars. "Let me see her!"
"No." Robin reached out with a fleur and tossed the binoculars from Franky's grasp to her own. "You will see Nami when you see Nami in person."
"Yeah, that's right," Franky agreed, frowning at Sanji. "You gonna be a man and go face her?" Robin and Brook both looked at Sanji evenly, as Sanji's face shifted to sudden sadness.
"There's a smaller boat coming towards us," Nami laughed as she and Usopp watched the approach. The rest of the village had gathered at their triumphant cries.
"Sanji! Oi! Sanji!" Usopp called. Nami took out her telescope to look, and her face fell. "Eh? What's wrong?" Usopp was about to take the telescope from her, but he soon heard what had broken her heart:
"Yohohohohoho!"
"Brook!" Usopp screamed joyfully. He could now see the afro against the sunny sky, and he jumped and waved to him. The boat had a small motor attached, and it quickly ran itself ashore as Brook jumped off the side and bounded across the water to them. Brook and Usopp locked arms and spun around, laughing with glee. "Brook! I'm so glad to see you!"
"Yohoho! Did you miss me?"
"Of course I did!" Usopp and Brook laughed like fools in their embrace, and Nami managed to smile again as they celebrated.
"Ah, we've been looking for you two for so long!" Brook exclaimed. "I'm so glad you two are here together!"
"Someone had to protect Usopp," Nami joked tearfully. Brook looked at her, and suddenly had to consider her. He let go of Usopp, turned to her, and bowed at the waist.
"May I see your fat girl panties?"
From the Internal Monologue of the Brave Man of the Ocean, Sogeking
The whole town was surprised to see a skeleton, especially a rude one! I'm pretty sure the crack all the village's women gave his skull will remind him not to call Nami fat. I think that this was the hardest she has cried through the entire separation. I'm not even sure it's because he called her fat, but it's definitely not helping. I packed what few possessions we have- the handmade dresses the village women helped Nami make, my extra set of clothes, my rudimentary slingshot- and Brook is trying to help the best way he knows how, cracking jokes. (Of course, if he's not careful, Nami's going to crack him! Man, I've gotta start writing these down.)
"I'm glad we've found you, Nami. Ever since you vanished, the food has really sucked!"
But Nami obviously feels so terrible, either because she's insulted, or because Sanji himself didn't come for her. She keeps pressing her fingers around the edge of the bump on her middle like she's trying to tuck it back in, and sighs. That is the noise that breaks my heart. Nami, please, please cheer up. You're going to see him again. And so will I.
I say farewell to the village chief as Nami settles herself in the boat. The women had all been working on crocheting a huge blanket for the baby, and they surprise her with it as she makes herself comfortable for the ride. I thank him profusely for all of his kindness, and for his people's kindness. We would have never survived without their generosity. He tells me that Nami would have never survived without me.
We sail back towards the ship, and once we're a little away from the island, Brook takes another Baby Den-Den Mushi from his pocket. "Franky! I'm on my way back! They're both with me!"
"Franky! Oi!" I shout from behind the receiver.
"Super!" Franky cheers eagerly.
"Nami?" The voice changes- Sanji's grabbed the speaker from Franky. I can't read his emotions, even on the face of the snail. "Hey, Nami, say something." Nami stares at the Den-Den Mushi, and looks away. "Nami-swan, if you're there, just let me hear your voice! It better really be her, Brook, you better not be yanking my chain!"
"I'm not! How harsh! Nami, say hello!" Brook prodded her, pushing the shell close.
"I don't want to talk," Nami murmured, and she wrapped the big blanket around her body and turned away.
"Okay. I heard her. I'm glad she's alive. Oi, Usopp, you behave yourself?"
"Are you kidding?" I crack my knuckles and smile wryly. (At least, I think I'm smiling wryly.) "I was the brave man of the island."
He's glad she's alive. Is that all he's going to say?
They pulled into the Soldier Dock just after nightfall and were greeted by Robin and Franky. Robin was being gently supported by Franky's hand, but managed to stay upright on her own when he went to chain the rowboat in. "It's so good to be back!" Usopp shouted as he jumped onto the platform. Brook got off after him, but Nami huddled over in the little boat, trying to cover her body as much as she could.
"I'm very glad you're back, my long-nosed friend," Robin said softly. "I was afraid you'd been blown away like a feather in the wind."
"Well, no need to fear, Robin, Captain Usopp will always find a way!" He grinned proudly. Robin smiled and embraced him, much to his surprise.
"I missed that." He was frozen in her arms for a moment, unsure of what to do or say, until he noticed something.
"Hey, you feel kinda limp, are you okay?" Usopp stepped back to look at her.
"I've lost some muscle mass," she replied in a very quiet voice. She then looked to Nami, still curled up in the boat. Franky glanced at Robin, and knelt down by the boat.
"Hey, Nami-sis, you need a hand up?" He beamed kindly.
"C-can I just stay here?" Nami asked, her voice quavering. Robin pursed her lips, and got down beside Franky. "Robin, everyone will know…"
"Nami, I'm sorry your secret is out, but hiding will do you no good," Robin stated firmly. Nami hung her head, and Usopp knelt down to whisper in her ear.
"That's not it." Robin glanced over to him, and he looked down. "She's… more pregnant than she thought she was."
"I'm ashamed," Nami mumbled. Robin frowned slightly, and looked back at her.
"He is going to see you eventually," Robin said softly, dangerously. Realizing it was no longer necessary for him to be there, Usopp got to his feet and walked up the stairs, and Brook followed him out. "Stand up, Nami, be proud! He wants to see you, no matter how you look!" Nami looked between Franky and Robin, both of whom were smiling supportively, and took Franky's hand. He pulled her to her feet and lifted her to the dock, and embraced her with tears running from his eyes into her hair.
"Nami, you look beautiful," Franky sniffled. "I don't care what you think! Sanji's going to think you're beautiful just the way you are!" Robin embraced Nami from the back, and the three stood in solidarity like mother, father, and daughter.
From the Internal Monologue of the Brave Man of the Ocean, Sogeking (Final Entry)
Nami's crying on Robin's shoulder, and that's good. She definitely needs to get it out of her system after holding it in around me for so long. I've been holding it back too, but now, I'm going to release my own pressure valve. I think I've only been this enraged once before in my entire life, but I think my reasoning is better this time. I've got my blood boiling. He didn't come to get her, he wasn't waiting for her when we got back, so what the hell is he doing? I run up the stairs to the grassy deck, and Sanji's sitting there by the mast, smoking and staring up at the sky. Big freaking surprise! He doesn't even look at me, just keeps sucking down that cancer. "Hey, Usopp. You okay?"
"Am I okay?" I can't believe my ears. "Am I okay? Of course I'm not okay!"
"What?" Sanji looks up at me. God damn it, he looks so stupid and pitiful. "What's wrong with you?"
"You… you bastard!" I can't believe this. "Nami told me how you treated her!"
"Yeah, I didn't get a chance to apologize. I know I screwed up." He sulks. Like I'm going to give a shit. "I guess you're on her side."
"Goddamn right I am! You don't even have a valid side!" I can't believe this idiot! "It's not just that you insulted her for carrying your child! It's that even though you treat her like shit, she's still devoted to you! Do you have any idea what she has been going through for the past six weeks?" I've clenched my fists, I don't know where this heat is coming from! "Every single day, she cried and called your name, wishing you would come for her, and you didn't even have the decency to come for her yourself!" I have a newfound strength, I grab him by the shirt collar and pull him from the ground to look me in the eyes. (The look of shock on his face, as his cigarette falls from his mouth to the ground, is priceless. I know he just wants to ask, "Where the hell is this coming from?" but I can't be stopped!)
"It's more than that! You made me lie to her! Because she needed you, I kept telling her you were there! I lied to her every single day just to get her to get out of bed and eat! I lied to her so she could sleep at night! I lied to her like I had to lie to my mother so she would die with a smile on her face! I almost wish we'd never been found because the lies I told her about you are better than the reality!" I drop him back to the ground, and he stares at me, awestruck. "Nami deserves a better man than even I can imagine, and if you don't have the… the… the testicular fortitude to be better than my lies, then you might as well throw your wedding ring into the sea!" My knees are shaking. I want to hit him, but I couldn't if I tried. He stares at me, mute with shock, and finally looks down.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm a shitty husband." His lips twitch, and he pulls his knees to his chest. "All the same… thanks for taking care of her." Sanji has not yet taken out a fresh cigarette. It's my turn to be shocked. "I couldn't face her… because I can't bear what I've done to her. I don't even know if I could have done half of what you did. Still… I could never have forgiven myself if something had happened to her, and I still can't. If I'm ever forgiven, it'll be you doing the forgiving." He folds his arms and rests his forehead on them, like a shamed dog, and I simply nod.
"Not today, Sanji," I say quietly. "Maybe someday, but not today." I hold my head high and coolly walk away to the galley. I can hardly believe I did that. I told him he needed to be better, and he listened to me! I can go piss myself with terror now, and I will still hold my head high like a man!
"Usopp!" Chopper grabs onto my leg. "I saw the whole thing! That was so cool!" He looks up at me with his eyes aglow, and I grin proudly.
"Yeah, I know, wasn't it?" I toss my head back. "I am a brave man of marriage counseling!"
I know Nami will forgive him and wrap her arms around him, and I know Sanji's going to take better care of her now, but I also know for a fact that I am the cause of at least a fraction of that. When it comes to love, that's further than I ever imagined I would go.
Robin and Franky walked Nami to the top of the stairs, and she peered out the window to where he sat, leaned against the mast, head in hands. Nami still had the blanket wrapped around her body, trying to hide it as much as she could. Franky and Robin both put their hands on her back. "Go to him, little sis," Franky urged her emotionally, and Robin nodded. She took a deep breath, and carefully stepped out into the moonlight evening air. She didn't smell cigarette smoke, at least not fresh smoke, and he didn't move even as she cautiously, silently approached him. Her footsteps on the grass rustled loud enough for him to hear, and he finally looked up. She froze in place, nervously starting to edge back towards the safety of the cabin house. He got to his feet. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and his eyes slowly traveled her contours. He reached forward, and she drew back.
"S-Sanji," she murmured, taking a full step back from him.
"Let me see you," he whispered. She froze, and took another step back. "Just let me see you! It's been almost two months since I last saw you, I want to be sure it's you!" She could hear the tears in his voice, his moist eyes wide as he stared at her. "Please, stay here. Nami, please." His lower lip wiggled, and Nami stayed still. "At least… let me look at you!" Sanji stumbled forward and grabbed the corner of the blanket that Nami held. She dropped it, and he stared her up and down. "Oh my god," he mumbled. She was big. She was definitely big, bigger than he could have possibly expected. He pressed one hand to her rounded middle as if to be sure it was real. "Y-You…"
"St-stop it!" Nami whirled around and hunched herself around her abdomen. "I'm… I'm sorry. You were right. I'm a total…" She bit down on her own words. "Complete… idiot!"
"Don't say that!" Sanji wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her in his grasp. "I'm the idiot, I'm the stupid one! You shouldn't have listened to me when I said that, and I wish I could erase it! If I could go back and do it over, I would cut myself off at the knees before even thinking to say that! I should have said I was thankful just to have you! And I am, and I'm sorry!"
"You were right, Sanji, just look at me," Nami whimpered, and he slid around to look her in the eyes. "Just… look. I'm not cute anymore, and I'm more pregnant than I ever thought I could be, and… I'm so stupid!"
"Don't say such things," he murmured. "Listen to me- I've never been happier to see you, you've never been more beautiful, and you're not stupid at all." Nami let out a sob and slid from his arms, dropping to her knees. He quickly sank down to half-catch her, and he wrapped her in his arms again as she began to cry onto his chest. "I never want to spend another day without you. I never want to be apart from you, my family, ever again. A world without you in it is pure hell." Nami whimpered and sobbed again.
"Why, Sanji, why?" She plead, and Sanji kissed her. He pulled back slowly, and tipped her chin so she would look him in the eyes.
"Because I missed you. Because you make me happy. Because you're my perfect woman. Because I love you, and nothing's going to change that or get in the way of that." He kissed her again. She stared at him, blinking the tears from her eyes, and finally smiled. She rubbed the last tears on her cheeks onto his shirt.
"You idiot," she whispered playfully, and buried herself in his arms. She slid to lay down in his lap, her head on his knees, and he stroked her hair. "I… I do love you, Sanji. You really love me?"
"Of course, my swan." He smiled, wrapping a strand of her hair on his finger. "Don't ever think otherwise."
End Notes: Aww, sweet and sappy chapter ending.
In the next chapter! Will Zoro ever find Luffy? What will happen to Nami and her baby? What are those damned Marines up to?
One last note: Somehow, the song "Northern Downpour" seems completely suited as a love song for Nami and Sanji. I might just be mushy.
Anyway, I'm going on summer vacation. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and I'll be back with chapter 16 in two weeks!
Don't forget to review!