A/N: A short update but it might be a few days before I update again. Thank you for those that did review so far and I will probably be add Law into the mix. My daughter agrees. After I pointed him out she started watching One Piece again and has decided he's very likeable. She's going to be doing a crossover I think, with Law x Sakura. I've also begun working on an xover myself, just messing with it. But the set couple will be some Nami x Luffy, the crossing pairings I got Sakura, Ino and Hinata coming over but haven't decided which males to put anyone with, still debating. Which is why I haven't bothered posting the first chapter yet. I'll figure it out soon.
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Chapter Five : Island of Eura
"Think she is okay?" Sanji spoke low enough not to alert their captain to the topic. It would take them another two days to reach the location where this island was supposed to be. All they had was a general direction to go on and they were going on luck. The log pose was pointing in this direction but there was no guarantee that it'd turn out to be the Island of Eura. Currently their extra addition was keeping their captain's attention with small talk. No one wanted to speak about what was weighing heavy on their minds. No one wanted to bring up how they felt or what to do once they reached their destination.
"Better be," Zoro kept his eyes closed. He didn't have to see to know that the cook was about to light up again. They were all concerned about what these last months had done to her. Being on a ship with those men and that captain. From the clothing, the escort, Nami was being dolled up like a kept woman. His gut twisted thinking that some stranger had somehow forced his attentions on her. The woman Chopper had described sounded like Nami but not her. Their navigator preferred tight, flashy clothing over prim and comfortable. Clothes that showed a man what he'd never have. "Or someone dies."
"We agree on that at least." Sanji flicked the ashes over, noticing that a few blew aside to land in the mossy hair. Nothing caught on fire so he remained silent. They still had no idea what the man planned to do. Besides trying to get this so called weapon and using Nami to do so. "You know, looking back I really am a stupid bastard."
Zoro opened his one eye to look at the cook. Did he want him to disagree, not going to happen. "An annoying, cocky, stupid, shitty bastard. At least Robin had the sense to find someone better."
"Hey!" That wasn't what he wanted to hear. Sanji should have known that he wouldn't find a sympathetic ear on the marimo. He knew he was stupid and had probably screwed everything up where Nami was concerned. That didn't matter right now, as long as she was safe. As long as she returned to them healthy and untouched. Well, unforced because if things had happened of her own free will, they couldn't do anything about that. If she had willingly chose another, they had no say in the matter. He'd rather see her happy with the shit swordsman instead of being forced to accept a man that didn't love her. At least he knew now that the other two had some feelings for her as well. Which had made these last few months so tedious. They wanted their Nami back and they were finally close. "Luffy has made up his mind, you know."
"I know," and once the man did, there was nothing they could do. Zoro was okay with that. If only one of them could welcome her back as more than a nakama, it should be Luffy. Nami was most comfortable with him and Luffy deserved her. "Better him than some shit cook."
"What did you say, you dickless asshole?" Sanji flicked the ashes again, not liking that tone. He didn't give a damn if it was true. Sure, he wasn't the ideal man and he would always have a weak spot for ladies. He was a man, he would appreciate a beautiful woman when he saw her. Striking one was also something he'd never do but that didn't mean he didn't know what it meant to be faithful.
"You heard me and I swear, you flick that shit at me again, I'll gut you." The smell of burning hair assaulted his nostrils. Zoro ran a hand over his head, putting a damper on the scorching strands. A shiver ran down his spine, and his breath came out in a gray puff. What the hell? Another deep breath and it ghosted in front of his face. "Feel that?"
"Yeah, does anyone see anything?" Sanji turned to the two captains standing by the lion head. Law was still wearing his long coat but Luffy had taken to wrapping his arms around himself. The temperature had suddenly ditched south, like walking into a freezer.
"Not yet, Blacklegs-ya but we are getting close. The first sign of getting too close is the cold weather." Law wondered why they didn't step inside and grab something to cover up with. It was only going to get worse the further they went inland. This part of the legend was true, would they also come upon a weeping island? "Strawhat-ya, better get a coat it's constantly dropping."
"I'm fine," Luffy stared out, looking for land. Where was this place? Where was the other ship? Nami was close, he could feel it. She was out there waiting on them, even if she didn't remember them. That bastard was going to pay.
"Look to the west, see that?" Law pulled the coat tighter around his frame to keep in the warmth. There was no sight of land but the distance was getting darker when it was barely after noon. There was also something moving across the sea. From the size, his guess was a ship. It could be anyone but only an idiot would stay that close to the island. Unless the island was their destination.
Barely, but Luffy could see the tiny moving shape along the horizon. That had to be their ship and it meant Nami was on board. So close but still too far away. The wind had picked up, increasing their speed. Would they arrive in time to prevent them from going into the weather? They were getting closer, he could make out the outline of a small rowboat being lowered into the water with people on board. "What are they doing?"
"Leaving the ship and heading in. That is Nami-ya?" Law handed over the spy glass after spotting someone with orange hair sitting in the middle of a dozen men. The posture was feminine and the shoulders very slender. The long hair was swept up to gracefully expose the back of the neck. The female was also sitting next to a very large and well dressed man. That had to be the captain since the rest of the crew looked rather ragged.
"What the hell are they doing? Can you do something, Luffy?" Sanji adjusted the lens of Usopp's personal scope, trying to get a better look. Another small boat was being lowered into the water. They were definitely leaving their ship to head into the storm. Didn't they realize what would happen when that downpour hit their boats?
"Not yet," Luffy was sure he might be able to reach her figuratively speaking if he stretched far enough soon. The problem was getting around all those large men and managing to get a good hold on her. They were crowding her and he didn't want one of those bastards latching on when he grabbed. "They are getting close to it."
Zoro accepted the spy glass from the cook without a word of thanks. The two boats were heading to the outskirts of the storm, only to suddenly stop. The large man sitting next to her leaned down to whisper something into her ear. The face turned to the side to answer. "It is her and he just fucking groped her ass. Did you see that?"
"Yeah, I did." Luffy swallowed the acid burning his throat. That hadn't been a friendly pat or the innocent caress of another nakama. Nami had already turned back around so he couldn't see how she had responded to the touch. It indicated more than a casual relationship. If they had become lovers, it would complicate matters. "I'm going to break his arms."
"What did you expect, Strawhat-ya?" Law couldn't tell how the girl had reacted to being fondled but the man's attentions were clear. The palm had taken it's time running along the curved bottom in a lover's caress. "If he's been lying to her and using her, then the captain is a man without morals. With a beautiful and vulnerable woman spending every day for months on his crew, did you think he wasn't going touch her?"
"I don't want to hear that." It meant they had failed her. Luffy knew that the other two felt the same as he. Nami deserved someone that cared about her, not that man. Even if she'd been willing, the relationship was a lie. The real Nami, the one they knew, wouldn't be with someone like that.
"Save it for later, something is happening." Law watched the navigator's arm raise into the air as they began to paddle once more. They were heading directly into the rain and there would be no way for them to dodge it. "Am I seeing things or is the rain parting?"
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The scene before her tore like an old wound that had been picked by jagged fingernails. The rain made it impossible to see much but the outline of old ruins near the shoreline. Nami ignored the strong arms that held her against the thick chest. The heat coming from it did nothing to warm the chill that had settled in her stomach. Something was wrong with this place, she could feel it. It was screaming at her to leave, to get out of there. There was no way Les would turn around because she was frightened.
"Captain!" Nort stepped up behind the pair unsure of whether or not to inform them of what was spotted. A few yards ahead of them was the crying rain that was keeping them from entering the island. If they didn't move soon, it would turn out bad. An open fight so close to the rain could end badly for the ship. The captain turned, "A ship is approaching from the South, it looks like them."
"Shit," Les couldn't see it but didn't doubt their word. He wanted to be gone before they got close enough to fire on. "Lower the two row boats. Gather up twenty of our best men. Give the order for the rest to commence an attack on their ship as soon as it gets close enough."
Was someone coming to attack them? Nami paid little attention to the conversation. Her mind lost to the sound of weeping that was coming from everywhere. So lost in the depressing melody, she was led to the small boat without any resistance. Hands helped her to the safest seat, with Les sitting down next to her. Men surrounded her, an arm was latched to her waist. A cold breeze forced her to seek what heat she could from the man at her side. How close were they going to get before they stopped?
Les ordered the men to take them closer. The rocking intensified with the waves and the drumming hiss of the upcoming rain made it hard to hear anything. Les gave an encouraging squeeze to the fragile shoulder, "Love, I need you to get us through."
"How?" She had no idea how to get inside that storm. The water surface was constantly being blown outwards with each constant drop. Just one drop would tear apart their small boat. She didn't want to imagine what that would do to her skin.
"The log pose, it will get us inside. Use it," Les called them to stop before the boats could be struck. Looking back the other ship was gaining distance and would no doubt come in as far as possible. A firm hold was kept on the tiny waist when she stood. If she noticed how his hand had lingered a bit over her bottom, she didn't comment. She raised her hand, the log pose already activated on the fragile wrist.
"It's working, Captain!" The men cheered seeing the rains begin to die down until the drops came to a complete stop. What water remained in the sky came down in a large splash, sending small waves outwards. "Row men, our fortunes await."
"Do you hear that?" Nami closed her eyes as the boat began to move once more. With the rain gone, she could hear it clearer. The many male voices were assuring her that there was nothing to worry about. She wasn't so sure, the panic had gotten stronger since the rain had stopped. Something didn't want her here.
It was a soft, feminine voice. 'Run. You mustn't come. Get away, you must get away. Jump now.'
Something slammed into the bottom of the boat, Nami felt herself tilting towards the right, away from the supportive arm. The voice repeated the order to jump, she dove the rest of the way. Sinking below the waters surface. For a moment she feared drowning with the huge coat making it hard to swim. The water was warm and flowed around her, as she broke the surface. She had been expecting to find hands reaching out to help her but she was nowhere near the small boat. They had been left in the distance, the shore was now only a few feet from her position. The water current had pulled her at an incredible speed. 'Run.'
Running was difficult as she drug herself out of the sea. The coat was the first thing she stripped off. The flowing skirt was also an issue being water logged. It was slipped down to pool around the feet. The cloggy shoes were abandoned as well. By the time she was done discarding the heavy clothing, she could hear Les screaming for her. The sound of his voice had the unexplainable panic doubling. Instinct was demanding that she run and run as far as she could from the man. The sand was warm beneath her feet, despite the chill in the air. There in the distance, was the start of a wooden structure. Nami was sure she could make it.
The wind had bumps popping over the exposed skin. Her legs were already going cold from the frigid temperature. Both lungs stung from the exertion of running, being soaking wet and freezing. The pain in her limbs was an afterthought, her mind set on the large construction up ahead. Trees, vines and bushes made it hard to see exactly where it led but somehow she knew that it was a bridge of some sort.
"Nami!"
Her feet skidded in the sand, bringing her body to a drastic stop. Her name was called again by several people. Coming towards the shore from another direction, coming in at an angle away from the two larger ships was a smaller boat. Not a rowboat, it was moving too fast to be manually operated. One in particular was hanging onto the odd white adornment up front in order to scream at her. "Luffy?"
The name slipped from her mouth and she had no idea where it had come from. Just as soon as it came, intense pain pierced behind her eyes. She rolled the name around in her mind, trying to ignore the pain it caused. Why did it hurt to try to remember? Bile rose with the heat growing between both temples. Her vision blurred and she grabbed her head to make it stop.
"Nort?" Les was the first to reach her, hearing her cry out in agony. From the clutching she was unconsciously trying to break the hold placed on her memories. All because that stupid captain couldn't refrain from acting like a behemoth. He had no idea why she had decided to run, he didn't give a damn. There was no protest when he scooped the trembling girl up in his arms bridal style after wrapping his coat around her like a blanket. He didn't need her catching her death of cold because she had decided to strip.
"It's holding, but I suggest we go." Nort waved the men to follow. There was an uproar when a loud noise echoed in the air. It was their damn ship, something had just struck the thing and it was torn down the middle. The few that were left on board were scrambling around to make it to safety. Who the hell had done that?
The ache was lessening enough that Nami could concentrate on what was happening around them. Her mind insisted that she try to fight the hold keeping her against the large captain. Self-preservation demanded that she stay where she was. It was warm inside the thick coat and her legs were still tingling from going numb. If she tried to run, there was no way she could get away from him.
"Relax, there is no need for you to be so impatient. That was foolish," Les kept the pace steady towards the construction. The bridge was old but should hold their weight. The wood creaked beneath their feet, groaning from being left to rot over the centuries. Glancing back, he could see that the other pirates had made it to land. No matter, his men would stall them. If they did manage to catch up later, none were a major concern for him. "Nort, have half of the men stall them."
Nothing would come of it, but the old cook turned and ordered twelve of the men to charge the approaching pirates. He had his own plans on how to get rid of the unwanted company. The clash and screams of fighting were behind them, growing duller the further they got into the foliage. The reason for the bridge came up unexpectedly as they stepped from behind some bushes right on top of a large gorge. The large temple sat at the far end, like a beacon to any that would dare risk crossing the rickety bridge. "Run, Captain, I'm going to blow it."
Blow the bridge? How were they going to get back out? Nami clenched the silk shirt having her body jarred from the rushed movements. The explosion echoed inside the stone pillars, causing dust to scatter. What was so important about keeping the other pirates from pursuing? Les didn't appear to be afraid of them, so why take such drastic measures in preventing them from following?
To keep them from the Temple? Or was it a stone castle? It was hard to tell what it had originally been. Most of the pillars were in sad shape, leaning to the side. Moss and vines trailed along the stone floor and the walls. The narrow path led to a large opening, directly into the center building. Nami took in the decaying structure, the destruction time had wrought to what had once been a beautiful and ancient civilization. A chill ran along her spine and sadness consumed her chest. Something very terrible had happened here.
Nort didn't like the way it felt. The hairs stood on his neck, like he was being watched. "This place is cursed. I'd swear I can practically taste the many emotions that linger here. I'd bet my favorite knives that most of them aren't positive. The hate is as thick as the mold."
"That is to be expected," Les adjusted the weight in his arms to allow the girl to look around the courtyard. It really was nastalgic and Nami had to feel it as well. "Can't you feel it, Love? We've finally come home."
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A/N: I know, readers are probably still wondering how Nami still got on that boat, what took her and a few other questions. I promise soon everything will be answered. And yes, Nort is the one suppressing Nami's memories as it was implied, so no one is confused. Thnx and please review!