I would like to appologize for not getting my lazy butt to work and updating in the past couple of days. I've actually had this chapter ready for about a day. I just didn't take time to post it. Darn me and my lazy butt! Oh, and school. That too.

Chapter 11

Vivi sat in her room. Ever since Crocodile's little announcement, she had been confined here. She bit her lip in frustration. She stood up and began pacing the length of the room, trying to straighten out her thoughts.

"Luffy-san..." she thought as she felt a fresh batch of tears. "I can't think about that. I have to stay focused. I have to escape this room!"

In the Streets of Alubarna

Nami, Sanji, and Zoro rode through the deserted streets. "Something's not right." Nami thought. "It's only 8 but, it's deserted.

They found a small bar, dismounted, and left their horses outside. Nami was the first to enter. She saw the bartender and decided to ask a few questions. "I better take it slow until I know what's going on." Nami thought. Then to the old woman, "Excuse me mam, me and my friends would like a drink please. Here's some beri." Nami handed the woman enough beri for three drinks. The woman took it and without a word, poured three drinks. As Zoro and Sanji sat at one of the tables, Nami sat at the counter and casually started a conversation. "So, we're sort of new to this town and we were just wondering, what events are happening?"

The woman seemed unwilling at first, but she eventually spoke. "Since you're new comers, I feel like I should give you a fair chance of escape." Here she leaned in closer. "Earlier today, a man stood at the top of the palace and announced he was holding our princess and king hostage. If we want them to live, we must do as he says. And that man's name is..." Nami leaned in closer. "...Sir Crocodile."

"What?!!!" Nami cried, spilling her drink.

"Get out before he knows you're here." the woman said. Then she disappeared into the back of the bar, leaving a shocked Nami and a curious Zoro and Sanji.

"Nami-san, what's the matter my dear?" Sanji asked, concerned. He had never seen Nami this spooked.

"N-Nothing." Nami stuttered. She already knew what she had to do but she couldn't have Zoro or Sanji tag along and mess it up. "I've got something to take care of. You guys just stay here for a little while and I'll be back soon." Nami said, her voice shaking. She handed Sanji some beri and then left.

"Nami-san!!!!" Sanji called after her but it was too late. Nami was long gone.

In the Palace

Vivi stood out on her balcony and gazed at the stars, all the time searching for an answer. There were two guards in the balcony with her. They had been instructed to guard her by Crocodile, who threatened their lives if they allowed Vivi to escape. They had appologized a thousand times and she had constantly tried to reasure him.

Suddenly, there was a noise from the palace roof above Vivi, and before she knew what had happened, the guards were lying at her feet, unconscious.

She looked up above her only to see a figure gracefully jump down, their shadow illuminated by the moonlight. They landed in front of the speechless Vivi.

Vivi backed up into her bedroom, fearing the worst.

"Am I really that scary?" a familiar voice asked and Vivi immediately smiled as Nami stepped into the light.

"How did you do that? I've been trying to escape all day!" Vivi exclaimed.

Nami grinned mischeiviously. "I have my ways."

Vivi just shook her head. Then she turned to the matter at hand. "Nami, you can't be here. They'll kill you. I can't let anyone else d..." Vivi said but stopped short. She suddenly fell to her knees and started sobbing uncontolably. Nami sat down next to her and gently cradled her head. She didn't know what was wrong, but she did know that Vivi needed comfort.

When she was done crying, Vivi looked up at Nami sheepishly. "I-I'm sorry." she stuttered. "It's just...alot has happened. That's all." "Should I tell her about Luffy?" Vivi wondered.

They walked over to the chairs in Vivi's room. They sat down and Nami turned to face Vivi. "Okay, so I know about Crocodile. Is that what you're upset about? That's why I came to see you here. I thought you might need some help." Nami said.

Vivi took a deep breath. "That's not exactly it. That's part of it." Vivi said slowly. She was still reluctant to tell her about Luffy. For some reason, she felt guilty.

Nami sensed that something else was really wrong. "Vivi, whatever it is, you can tell me." Nami said comfortingly.\

Vivi looked at the floor, her sadness apparent through her posture. "Something...something worse happened. Somebody...somebody has already died. And it's...it's Crocodile's fault. It's...Luffy." Vivi finished.

Nami stared at her wide eyes. "No. No! I don't believe that!" she cried.

Vivi looked at Nami who was growing angrier. "Nami...please..." Vivi begged.

"Luffy can't be dead!!!! Crocodile couldn't kill him before and he can't now!!!! NOT EVER!!!!!!" Nami yelled.

"Please stop!!!" Vivi cried.

Nami looked surprised at Vivi's outburst. She sank back into her chair, breathing in deeply to calm herself. She realized what Vivi must have already gone through and decided not to push the case further. "I'm sorry Vivi." Nami appologized, partly ashamed.

Vivi sighed. "It's okay." she replied in a way that suggested it wasn't okay at all. "But, there's still something else."

Nami looked surprised at this. What else could have happened?

Vivi took a deep breath before continuing. "Luffy, he tried to...he tried to kill my father and my fiance' two nights ago." Vivi said with difficulty. This was the first time she had admitted it outloud and it only made the reality worse. Luffy had really tried to kill her father!

Nami stood up, her hair shading her eyes like Luffy's often did. Her back was now to Vivi. "Vivi, I'm sorry, but I just can't believe that. Luffy would never do that." Nami said slowly and calmly. She turned to face Vivi and looked her straight in the eye. "Luffy isn't that kind of person!!!!" she yelled.

As Vivi looked into Nami's eyes, she saw something else besides anger. It was a look pleading with Vivi to tell her it wasn't true. To tell her that Luffy hadn't really done those things. It pleaded with her to say that she had been wrong, but of course, she hadn't. "Nami...I wish I could tell you that you were right, but I can't. It was him and their's no changing that. Nami, he was working for Crocodile." Vivi said, lowering her voice and looking at the floor when she said the last part. She couldn't look Nami in the eyes.

Nami sank to her knees. Vivi saw a single tear fall from her eye. "How could he? How could he go so far?" she said quietly.

Now it was Vivi's turn to comfort her. Vivi could never remember seeing Nami cry, even if it was only a teardrop.

Nami looked her in the eyes. "Tell me more." she said. "I want to understand."

So that's what Vivi did. They sat in her bedroom and Vivi told Nami everything that she knew. She said she didn't know what Crocodile had done to convince Luffy to help him, but he had. She also told her that she suspected that Luffy had been tortured sometime. She didn't know if it was her people or Crocodile but he had been in bad shape. The last thing she told her was exactly how Crocodile had punished Luffy for failing. When she was done, a new spark of determination and hope glistened in Nami's eyes.

"Vivi, Luffy isn't dead. Not yet anyway. I can feel it. He's alive wherever he is. But we have to find him before it's too late." Nami said.

"Nami! You heard what happened to him! There's no way-" Vivi started to protest but Nami put her hand up and stopped her.

"When I have a feeling like this, I'm never wrong. Now, where was Crocodile holding you and Luffy?" Nami asked.

Vivi was still not sure what to say. How could Luffy possibly be alive? But if there was a small chance he was, was she going to let him die? "I'm not exactly sure. The first time he took me there, I was knocked out, but, when he brought me back to the palace, I was able to catch glimpses through the blindfold. It's not here in the city because I saw the side of the hill that Alubarna sits on. I also remember seeing some old ruins. I think the place he was holding us wasn't far from those ruins." Vivi said uncertainly.

Nami actually broke out into a smile. "I know exactly where you're talking about, but it won't take me long to find him." she said. She stood up and walked toward the balcony. When Vivi didn't follow, she turned around. "You coming?" she asked.

Vivi shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, but if I come, Crocodile will harm my father. I'm sure of it. Once you find out something, come and tell me." Vivi said, then quickly added, "Good or bad."

Nami nodded and then turned to leave once again.

"Wait!" Vivi called as she was about to step outside.

"Change your mind?" Nami asked as she turned around.

Vivi shook her head as she dashed over to her dresser. "I have something for you." she said as she rumaged through the drawers. "Someone found this when the war was over. I knew it was yours so I had them fix it for you." Vivi stood up with something in her arms. It looked like a white piece of cloth. Vivi unfolded it and Nami smiled as she handed it to her.

"Thanks Vivi!" she said as she slipped on her cloak from her last Alabasta visit. The holes from her battle had been patched up and the white cloak looked like new. She smiled one last time at Vivi before turning around, pulling the hood over her face to hide herself, and then slipped out into the night.

Vivi walked out onto the balcony to see Nami off, but the other woman was already gone. At that moment, the two guards began to stir. Vivi dashed inside and sat on her bed.

One of the guards walked inside, appearing to be in a daze. He looked around the room and then at the blue haired princess sitting on her bed. "Princess Vivi?" he asked uncertainly, almost like he didn't believe she was there.

She smiled. "Oh, hello. You fell asleep and hit your head. I was going to wake you but I figured you might need the rest." Vivi said sweetly.

"Oh...well, thank you princess. We'll be out here if you need anything." he said and then returned to his post.

Vivi breathed a sigh of relief. "Be careful Nami." she thought.

In the King's Chamber

Crocodile sat on Cobra's throne and sipped a glass of wine. He was enjoying the power he now had. Cobra was being held by Mr.1 who was awaiting Crocodile's orders. If the guards didn't comply to his wished, he would give the order to kill Cobra. After that, he would bring use the princess as leverage. "Why was I ever a shichibukai? This is much easier. And much more fun." Crocodile thought.

Suddenly, the doors burst open and one of the guards ran in. "Sir Crocodile!!!! I have urgent news!" the guard cried. He didn't really mean it, but if he didn't pretend it was important, his true King would be killed.

Crocodile raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" he asked.

"The marines are on their way to Nanohana! They're coming to arrest you." the guard said. "I hope they do." he thought to himself.

Crocodile nodded. After all, he had been expecting this. He dismissed the guard with a wave of his hand. After the guard was gone, he stood up and walked to the room Cobra was in. "Cobra, I want you to do something for me. I want you to order your troops to Nanohana to fight the marines that are on their way here. If you don't, then your daughter will have an unfortunate accident." Crocodile said.

Cobra gave a defeated sigh. There was no way to fight this guy as long as he had Vivi. "Okay." he said meekly.

"Mr.1, take him to the courtyard to make his announcement. I'll be on my throne in my rightfull place as King of Alabasta." Crocodile said and exited the room.

By the end of that night, 10,000 members of the Alabasta Royal Guard were on their way to Nanohana to fight the marines by order of King Cobra. They were all thinking the same thing. "What are we doing?!"

So, what did you think? It's longer then the last few chapters have been, isn't it? I'm still nnot sure if that's good or bad, but I'll let you be the judge of that. I'll try to update either tomorrow or Friday. Thanks for waiting so long for this chapter! Bye for now!