A/N: Thanks for the review and sadly, No I have not seen all the episodes. I have watched over 300 of the anime and the rest was read by manga or from the net. I'm hoping to watch the anime at some point. Manga is okay for important details but it just doesn't have the same in depth as watching it, to me anyways. But I really appreciate the feedback.

For the review pertaining to the 'saving of Nami'. I am aware that Luffy saves her just as much and Sanji goes as well. Even Robin has done it a few times. But I want it seen from Nami's point of view, when it comes to the three. Luffy will help anyone that isn't a complete shit from children to old men. He's the type and he would save any of their nakama because he is that passionate about his crew. So him saving Nami is more of a given because that is the type of person he is and she would see this and think him saving her is him just being Luffy. And Sanji would try to save anything with breasts. He'll flirt with any woman and try to help them. So him helping Nami is just him helping any female. But with Zoro, he isn't the type to try to save just anyone. I know he has saved Robin but Nami would also know that in most cases Robin can look out for herself and is more dependable in a fight. So being saved by someone that believes in strength, that sometimes complains about it, even if it is a grunt or an eyeroll. It might make her feel weak in his eyes, especially when he seems to respect Robin more. That is my opinion anyways.

Oh, also, when Zoro and Luffy were discussing it. I could NOT go completely go into the subject or Nami would have taken it the RIGHT way and that would mess up the story. So she had to take it the wrong way. Zoro hinted at Luffy being in the same boat as him. So with him bitching about saving Nami, (if it wasn't figured out and I don't want anyone confused) and then ignoring her and pretending. They both care about her. An example: If Zoro saves her from danger, he puts her down, maybe snap once or twice, but that is all. Someone in love or that greatly cares, wants to assure themselves that the person is okay. Touching, holding, or simply by showing that they were greatly concerned. Neither at that point can express that her welfare means more than any other of their nakama. That is what Zoro meant and why also it was suggested that Luffy was in the same position. That make any sense because I just confused myself... Oii...

Side Note: I searched thrice, for the names in this chapter being related to anyone actually in One Piece but couldn't find it so I went with it. Also, don't worry. I'm not going to put Nami with an OC.

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

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Chapter Two : Friends With the Monster

Being dead was more comfortable than she would have thought. Fluffy, warm and smelt vaguely of smoke, apples and musk. It wasn't as horrible as she feared. Was she dead? Voices were rising, threatening to bring her out of the pleasant dreams. Dreams of grass, laughter and belonging. Where was she? A plush pillow was moved out of the way, her head turning to take in the surroundings. The room was spacious, clean and done in a man's tastes. The bed she was currently laying in took up half of the space. Black satin sheets covered the thick mattress; all with matching pillows. Whose room was it and why did it feel like they were moving? Was the room shifting?

Nami rubbed her eyes trying to recall how she had gotten there. Where was there? And what else? Her brain ached, a thousand pricks pierced her skull as she tried to recall the information. Who? How did she get here and why couldn't she remember anything? No, she could recall a man. Tall, slender, dark hair, with sky blue eyes. Who was he and why couldn't she remember anything else? The last coherent memory was of being a child, running and playing. She clearly wasn't a child any longer.

Panic set in being totally unaware of her surroundings and not knowing if she was in danger. Off the bed, it was unknown territory. Looking around, she got the feeling that she wasn't going to be hurt but how could she know if she didn't remember anything? Why did she feel like she should know this place? Why did it hurt to think?

She didn't know this place. The bed, the tiny table, the chest in the corner and clothes? The wardrobe drew her attention. Wow, someone had great taste in clothing. The dresses were made of the finest material and did she wear dresses? The night gown she had on now was made of silk and felt odd against her skin. The wardrobe was exquisitely tailored and made for one person. Shoes! So many pair and all her size. This couldn't be her room.

"Nami-love?"

The bright yellow shoes fell to the wooden floor at the sound of a voice. Her stomach hid for cover behind the spine and every instinct told her to run. She spun around to see who it was. Standing there was someone she didn't know or did she? Tall, slender, raven hair that was tied back with a black ribbon and deep blue eyes. The sharp pain behind her own eyes went ignored as she continued to study the intruder. Who was he and how did he know her name? She didn't know his name but there was something, she couldn't grasp it. How did she know him?

"Are you feeling alright? Should I get the doctor? Have you forgotten again?" The large man didn't move from his spot inside the doorway. The frame was completely blocked by his form, there was no way out.

"What do you mean again? Who are you and where am I?" Nami reached out, looking for something to use against him. There was nothing, she was defenseless against this man. He was part of her memories somehow but that didn't mean he was friendly or that she shouldn't be wary.

"Sit down, you're still weak. The doctor said it would take time for all the swelling to go down." He stepped inside the room and closed the door softly behind him. There were no weapons on his side. "You don't remember it Love, but you had an accident. There was a storm, you hit your head and fell over. We got to you in time but there was damage."

"I don't remember any of this but there was water, a ship." It fucking hurt but she could almost see a ship as she fell downward and wanting to return to it. Leaving someone behind, someone she cared about. A man? People? Hitting the cold water and then nothing. The man in front of her was also familiar. Did she know him?

"Don't strain yourself, it'll only cause you pain. You've been sleeping for almost two weeks while the doctor tended to you. You really had me frightened, I thought I lost you."

If she knew him, why didn't she feel anything? Nothing but fear and anxiety. Was it due to the injury he claimed she had sustained? Or was it because she had no memories? Not knowing was what frightened her most. "Then where am I?"

"You are on our ship, Death's Door. You're our navigator and I'm the captain, a pirate ship. Does any of this sound familiar to you?"

That was ominous but it was familiar. She got the feeling that she was a navigator. Maps, traveling and a dark haired captain. One that she had strong feelings for. Was he telling the truth? If she had lost most of her memories something would seem familiar and that did. There was some recognition when looking at him and there was something true in what he was saying.

"Doc says that most of the swelling has gone so you should start being able to remember things. You managed to wake for a few hours the other day and didn't know anything. Come, I'll take you to get some fresh air. The crew has been anxious to see that you are well."

"Wait, what is your name?" And she wasn't going out in just this in front of people she didn't know. Her eyes caught sight of the long pink robe hanging on the inside of the wardrobe. She slipped her arms inside and tied the sash closed.

"Les Morte, but the men call me Captain Les." A large calloused hand was held out for her to take. Les was offering to take her on a tour of the ship. "You don't remember yet but you will. We had very special relationship."

What? He was... couldn't be. How could she forget something like that? They had been lovers? Wasn't having a lover something a girl would recall? Then again, if she couldn't remember the last few years, she could forget anything. Wanting to at least get her bearings, she accepted the offer of a tour.

They were stepping out of the captain's quarters and her belongings were inside. Did she always share a room with him? Down a long passageway, going by an open doorway that contained maps inside. A charting room, one she didn't recognize, it was in disarray.

"Sorry about that. I had one of the men trying to navigate while you were out of it. He made bit of a mess inside your office. I can have someone help you clean it up."

"No, that is fine." She liked to work alone, that she knew. Nami made a mental map inside her head on how to get on deck from the quarters. Stepping outside on the deck, she got her first or the newest sight of the crew. There were over two dozen men working on board for a quick count. All of them stopping work to stare, making her feel self-conscious. Was that normal?

"Lady Nami, you're awake."

"I bet the captain is relieved. We can stop getting lost now."

They were greeting her and then went back to their work. It was a pirate ship and all the men had matching tattoos on their arms. A skull with a red scythe going through both eyes. The flag flapped overhead, calling attention to itself. She was a pirate? Pirates that seemed to know her and didn't blink as their captain lightly put a hand on her waist.

"Why don't I show you the rest of the ship? Lunch should be soon and you've always loved our cook's food."

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"Where else do you want to fucking search? I say this is our best bet. It is the closest island." Sanji lit up and knew that this argument would end like all the others. He wasn't going win it and before all was said and done, everyone would be pissed off. Three weeks of searching and not a hair. Whatever had taken her, it was no longer around.

"I still hate being the voice of reason b.." Robin clamped her mouth shut as all three pairs turned to her. Same as last week when she had finally spoke up when no one else would. As much as she wanted to find their navigator, she wasn't being driven by emotions on the matter.

"Don't you dare say it. Nami is out there and we're going to find her." Luffy didn't want to hear any of them suggest it. Nami wasn't dead and the longer they waited to find her, their chances were slipping away. She was out there and could be in danger. He'd already lost Ace, he wasn't going to lose Nami too.

"Someone has to say it and the others are too scared or ruled by emotions." Robin was okay with it turning into a fight. The sooner they accepted what it meant, the sooner all of them could move on and mourn properly. "No ship, no body and we know it was some kind of sea creature. There could be hundreds of them that we've never seen. She wasn't taken by a ship or other pirates. If a creature took her then it was for food."

"SHE'S NOT DEAD, DAMMIT! STOP SAYING THAT!" Sanji beat their captain to it this time. Luffy had been on the verge of ranting but wouldn't have been as polite. They all knew that Robin and Brook had given up on Nami after the first week. Some of them weren't going to abandon her. He didn't care if he had to find the fucking thing and make it spit her back up. Nami was alive, he just knew it.

"Do you really think she's gone?" Chopper muttered from between his folded knees. Poor Nami, had they failed her? Being a pirate meant losing crew sometimes. Was this going to be their first loss?

"Dammit, you're making him cry." Zoro reached out for the reindeer who was bawling like a child. All that wasn't necessary. They weren't going to give up on her and Nami was tougher than they gave her credit for. Wherever she was, she was waiting for them. He wasn't ready to give up and he wasn't the only one. Not until they had a body or solid proof.

"Good, crying is the first part of accepting. Accepting is a stage of mourning. The longer you hold on, the worse it will be." Someone had to be the voice of reason here. Skirting around the area was dangerous. The marines were close by and they were remaining in enemy territory to look in the same spots over and over. "If Nami were here she'd want to know why the hell we are just sitting here. If she is out there, it isn't in this damn spot or nearby. If you want to search, the broaden our range because this is a lost cause."

"Robin's right." Usoop cringed and was sure he was about to be punched and/or kicked. "I mean, she isn't around here. So maybe what took her, drug her off. They wouldn't take her only stay here. We got to look elsewhere if we hope to find her."

"Maybe," Sanji flicked the ashes and took in the almost dead sea. Nami wasn't around here so there was a chance that she had been carried elsewhere. "Why don't we try the next island? If someone took her, they might have stopped at the next island for supplies. We can ask about any ships that came through before us. We might get lucky."

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An island! The dress she pulled from the hanger was very soft and like the rest of her clothes, she feared putting them on. Les had said that he had went with her when she'd been fitted for all her clothes. He had bought them all for her. The garment was smooth and carressed the skin. It was a pale pink dress that crossed in the front and left the back bare. The waist was snug and the skirt flowed to the knees. Matching heels were slipped onto her feet. Not wanting to bother with her hair, she quickly pinned it up.

After spending the last two months between the quarters and her office, she was ready to stretch her legs on land. There were several things she wanted to take care of while on land. Les made mention of picking up a few supplies and had given her enough to go shopping. For someone that lived on a pirate ship, she had no recollection of being able to fight. Wouldn't she know how to defend herself? When she had asked Les, he had laughed and reminded her that she had no need for it. Everyone on the crew saw it as their duty to protect her. That had been familiar too.

What she didn't get was why her charts sucked. If she was such a good navigator, then why were her maps shitty? Les had once again laughed at her worries and reminded her that she had always planned on redoing them all. That did sound like something she'd do. She would need new paper and ink. They were currently just roaming the sea, she had time to get comfortable with the loss of memory. No one was pressuring her to accomplish anything. Everyone was almost too nice when it came to helping out. What she did recognize was the wonderful cooking of the chef. After eating just one meal, she knew that she had eaten things just as wonderful before.

Charts and some kind of training. That was her goal during the next few months. They could wish to protect her but that hadn't worked if she had gotten injured enough to lose her memory. It was time she took matters into her own hands and take control of her life, what she knew of it. Between those two chores, her days should be filled out. Les had the ship heading in a general direction with no destination in mind.

The only nagging issue that had her on edge was her 'relationship' with their captain. Everyone swore that they were lovers before the accident. She didn't feel like that were the case. Doc swore that was usual since she has no recollective memory of it and it is a touchy matter, very personal. Her boyfriend wasn't pressing her into doing anything. He was the perfect gentleman where she was concerned. On his grumpier days, he could be a bit gruff with the crew. Yelling, swearing and she had seen him strike a few. That didn't sit well with her but she didn't dare complain. To speak out would be undermining his position as captain. As long as he didn't ask for a physical relationship with her, then he could do what he wanted with the crew.

"Are you ready, child?" Nort, their chef, was the one to knock on the door. The older male had a grandfather's face and the stomach to hint that he loved his cooking.

"Coming, is Les accompanying us?" A part of her wanted to be alone for awhile. To get away and be alone away from the crew. She didn't mind Nort since the man was the most kind of the others and didn't leer at her when he got the chance.

"The captain is already on shore. I believe he recognized a fellow pirate and went over to converse. He gave me leave to escort you into town. A few others will be grabbing the supplies that I have requested. Shall we paint the town, child?"

"Lets do that." Nami took the elbow and was led down the plank. Standing on the docks, she took in the island before them. It was a grand place, with many places to shop. Today wasn't about jewels or clothes. The nagging need to do these two things was a constant voice in her head. The tip of her heels clanked on the boards. "People are staring."

"Because you are a rare, enchanting beauty and they are wondering how an old man got so lucky. Where would you like to go first?" Nort directed them around a stopped cart in the road. "Clothes? What would you like to buy?"

"Lets go to that weapon shop. I want to see what they have." There were swords, guns and axes in the window. That wouldn't be for her. Swinging something heavy needed muscles and she didn't want to bulk up. There had to be something for her to use. A row of swords were lined up, katanas. An armor display was set up in the corner. The dummy had three of the blades sheathed at the waist sash. Three katanas at once? Her gaze lingered on the mannequin, focusing on the three resting close together. Where had she seen that before?

"Come, no one uses three at a time. Are you looking for something specific, child?" Nort pulled her away from the display. No one but one of the Strawhats. They had it on good authority that the ship had been last seen heading North, in the opposite direction.

Nami assumed that he was right. What did she hope to find? Weilding a large weapon wasn't for her. Maybe that was why she had always allowed the others to protect her. A wooden staff was leaning against the wall. That might be light enough but she couldn't hide it. She really wanted to be able to hide the weapon. "Something light, easy to use and that I can hide."

"I got the perfect thing for you." Norten didn't see how letting the girl get something would hurt. No matter what she did with them, it wouldn't be enough to harm their captain. She was just a small female, "I'm a master of using knives but I think you might want to go with something smaller. What about shuriken, assuming you can hit a target?"

Too awkward. Nami leaned over the display and saw the perfect choice. In the box there had to be more than a hundred of the long weapons. She picked one of the senbon needles up to inspect the weapon. How did one use these? It was light and could be hidden. With her hair, she could carry weapons on her person at all times.

"Senbon needles," the proprietor spoke from an open doorway. Coming inside the shop wiping large hands on an apron. "A lady's weapon. Deadly if you got the talent for them. Not just anyone can use it. It takes a good eye and precise aim to master. But if you are wanting them, I guarantee the quality."

"And that being?" Nami didn't want to purchase something that was going to break on her while training with them. It would be some time before they stopped at another island and they might not have any.

"Made from bram steel, the best. Forged in the back room and by me. They won't break easily. Take a look," the blacksmith picked up one of the needles between two fingers and bent it slightly. "Strong enough to pierce a man's skull but flexible enough to withstand most impacts. The points should last for a long time as well."

"Alright, sold. How much for the box?" Nami was determined to master the weapon. If she had to train alone, it would take longer. No man would survive one of these going into an artery. Some of the needles were thicker and the lengths varied.

"Two thousand, for the lovely lady. Ten if the old man is buying."

"I'm buying, but he carries everything," but the old man was paying. The necessary amount was handed over. The box was taped shut and placed inside a tote bag. Another small box was placed inside, "What is that?"

"A gift. A sharpener for the larger needles. If they become too dull, a small twist and good as new. Enjoy them."

"Thanks," Nami noticed that Nort took the bag for her. With that done, she needed to buy some ink and paper. There had to be a shop around that carried the supplies she needed.

"I would suggest looking into some suitable training clothes too. Can't very well train you in them dresses. Nothing flashy or showy. Even an old man like myself can get distracted by a beautiful woman." Those jugs could tempt any man. The poor dear would cower if she knew how many of their crew had already been whipped for ogling the perfect chest. "Granted, I don't use such sissy weapons but I can teach you how to throw and where to stick a man to make em dead."

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Please review, would love to know what you think. Next chapter should be up in the next day or two.