hmfan: You guys are still reading right? They're leaving the island because no one said they should stay. They might come back. Lol As I get further into the anime, I've realized some characterization issues with my previous chapters. Please forgive me!

Oh my gosh, I read two doujinshi on deviantArt. One is called My Wonderful Woman by LiniAriva. The second called Signs of Affection by zippi44. They're absolute classics. The author of the 2nd story is from Germany. I see a lot of my readers are from there. Is One Piece big over there?

Surprise Letter

On a sweltering afternoon, after the Straw Hat Pirates stranded Luffy and Nami, the captain entered the girls' quarters. He entered knowing that Nami cooped herself in the library all that day to attempt to chart the island she observed the day before. So after he searched a few rooms, he finally found Robin lounging in her bed and reading a book on something that didn't interest him. Marching towards her, he plopped down on Nami's bed opposite to Robin's.

"Robin," he called, "I need help sending Ace a letter." Typically, he'd ask Nami to help him write letters, but he wanted to write about her this time. For the times she couldn't help him, he'd ask Robin. While he had the ability to read and write, those areas certainly weren't his forte.

"Oh," smiled Robin, "Would you like to begin now?" Walking over to the small sitting area of the quarters, she grabbed a quill pen and stationary paper nearby. Glancing back over to Luffy, she noticed he lacked his usual excitement. Slowly, he approached the table and dropped down in one of the chairs. His eyes concentrated on nothing as a pensive frown developed on his face. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

Luffy redirected his concentration to Robin. He briefly thought before he spoke and said, "I'm trying to remember what he taught me about girls."

Over the past few days, the crew had learned that Luffy knew much more about love and relationships than they previously thought. Robin especially underestimated how deeply the captain's feelings ran, but she quickly accepted them as sincere. When she witnessed Nami's doubts, she quickly reassured her that they matched well with each other. Their interactions when viewed through a perceptive lens, proved to have a film of tension.

"Okay, I'm ready."

Ace,

Remember when you told me how to treat a woman, and I blew you off? I still don't treat women much differently. But then, you told me something I had to do no matter what. You knew how love worked, and you told me what to do once I found the woman I wanted to marry. I didn't know that person would be part of my Nakama. Did you? You met her and you liked everyone on my crew, so you must have liked her, too.

I kept the list of feelings you said I'd get when I met the person, and I have everything. My heart beats fast, my face gets hot and my hands get wet. Maybe this didn't happen before because I didn't think about marrying her. Most of all, I will do anything she needs me to do, and I've felt that way since the moment I met her. I'll keep it quiet and secret until it happens, but I want to give her that rock we found in a pretty place and make her queen of the pirates.

Robin paused, "What rock, Luffy?" As she transcripted his musings, she realized just how extensive his plan had been. Albeit unrefined, he had a surprisingly detailed plan to propose. Was this the right timing? He grinned and left to retrieve a large gem the size of two fists. Clear as day, the pinkish diamond made a thud as Luffy placed it on the coffee table before her. Just how much was this worth? Perhaps, Nami would fall for anyone who gave this to her.

"I almost threw it away when I was a kid," he admitted almost proudly, "But, I'm glad I get to give it to Nami. She really likes shiny stuff like gold and treasure. She'll be happy if she gets somethin' like this."

Then again, could Luffy handle rejection? Even if their feelings were mutual, Nami might have some restraints. Robin wanted to make sure things would go smoothly before something catastrophic happened. He probably wouldn't ask again if she turned him down. "Maybe you should wait," advised the archaeologist.

Luffy looked up at her. The perplexed yet distraught concern in his eyes gave the impression that her words halted his heart. Before he had self-assurance and determination, but now, he fell limp to the idea of being patient with such an obvious solution to his newfound feelings. However, for now, he decided to follow Robin's advice. "Did she say something?" he asked with his brow furrowed.

"No, I just think you should think about what you want to confess so that she understands," she responded truthfully.

In his usual, vexed manner he crossed his arms and sighed. "Jeez," he whined, "How dumb is Nami? She doesn't know what marriage means?"

That's not what she meant, but maybe he'd buy that reasoning long enough to make a proper confession. Setting the pen down, she reclined in the chair to look back up at Luffy and then to the diamond. She knew she shouldn't dawdle in confronting Nami about her feelings while Luffy simmered in excitement.

Later in the day, as Luffy grew hungrier and more irritable he waited outside the mess hall like a puppy. The captain had difficulty practicing patience in the past. The earth didn't spin fast enough for him. No one meal could satisfy his hunger, and no nap could make him feel fully rested. Yet and still, he wanted his lunch as soon as it entered his mind. The same went for Nami. He wanted to be normal and new with Nami if that were possible. He didn't like this whole process of thinking about what to say. He wanted to joke with her and kiss her again.

Luffy's frustration showed through his furrowed brow and sinking frown. He'd been doing that a lot lately. Grabbing at the corners of his mouth, he pulled them to his knees as he sat with his legs crossed on the deck. Upon scanning the horizon, he noticed that Nami had already emerged from the library and currently lounged in a chair some ways away.

Suddenly, he stopped to see how her skin somehow glowed in the blistering sun. The heat returned to his face, and he tried to shake it off by moving the corners of his mouth up and down. However, the heat and hunger drained his stamina, and his mind drifted to nothingness until he began to see mirages of some sort.

What if his hunger for food combined with his hunger for Nami? How would that look? Nami as the plate to his feasts would be a genius idea. Tender meat upon her tender belly with the juices sliding down her smooth sides tempted him even though they obviously weren't present. He imagined plump fruits on her plump breasts and sweet, warm pastries down near her sweet, warm...

Drool waterfalled from his mouth.

Sanji came out of the kitchen knowing his dishes safely boiled. Naturally, he caught a glimpse of Nami lounging on the deck. Hearts and love filled his eyes as he fawned over her magnificent body. This short-lived moment ended when he looked to his right; Sanji saw Luffy doing almost the same thing. What? "Luffy," he growled, "What do you think you're doing?" As he grabbed at Luffy's arm, he noticed the drool cascading from his mouth. How sickening.

"He's been looking at her like he wants to eat her for almost half an hour now," noted Zoro.

"I can eat her?!" Luffy exclaimed.

Luffy's intrigue sparked an argument between Zoro and Sanji over whether or not Zoro was an idiot for making such a comment. Unbeknownst to them, their quarrel caught the attention of Nami.

"Luffy!" she shouted, dashing over to punch him. Sure, he could see her naked. He could even touch her, but they agreed to keep their attraction under wraps to avoid situations like this. If Luffy had a difficult time keeping it in his pants for 12 hours, they would probably go all the way that night.

Honestly, she enjoyed his attention and the newfound power of driving a seemingly asexual man into a lustful craze. Before his exclamation, she had accentuated her feminine features by arching her back and stretching. Red may have tinted her cheeks as she yelled, but she wanted to get the message across.

The captain grew annoyed. He felt like someone yanked food from his vision. "I'm hungry! I just wanted to look at you," he yelled back.

"Why would you look at me if you're hungry?"

Initially, he paused because even he couldn't fathom why he imagined eating food off of her. Phantom scents had taunted his nose and pulled him closer to her even now. Curiosity caused his fingers to twitch at the knuckles when he glanced down at her exposed hips over the brim of her bikini bottom and waist. Or maybe something more than curiosity struck him. Both their faces grew red.

"I don't know!" he shouted. The situation almost sincerely angered him, but he knew this feeling to be frustration. Would it be possible to have a friendship with Nami if this feeling didn't go away?

Sighing, Sanji dropped his arms to the side to redirect his attention to Luffy. He could slice the sexual tension if he wanted. "Luffy, we need to talk about the food," called Sanji before he tugged the back of Luffy's cardigan towards the kitchen.

At first calmly, then forcefully as his anger built up. He shut the door behind him before he threw Luffy to the floor. Things were getting out of hand. Either he needed answers, or he needed to put a stop to everything. Somehow, he couldn't figure out an answer for Luffy's behavior that could satisfy him. Sanji himself wanted Nami, but he had the restraint to only act on his desires if she desired him to. As he looked at the captain, he couldn't light enough cigarettes to calm his nerves as he began a lecture.

"The food's ready, right, Sanji?" Luffy asked as he looked around at the empty tables. He started to figure that they weren't about to talk about food.

"I have a lot to say, but I'll get to the point," began the cook before sitting down at one of the tables with his back to the door. "What are your intentions with Nami?"

Luffy had a lot to say, too. He could tell Sanji was serious and in a volatile mood by the heat that radiated from his body. Still, he wanted to be truthful and only delayed his response a few seconds. "Love," he blurted out because he knew that that meant. Robin and Ace told him to keep marriage a secret until he asked. Nami told him to keep their sexual tension a secret. Neither sentiments came to his thoughts first. When Sanji asked what he wanted to do with Nami, he thought with his heart.

The glowing innocence on Luffy's face calmed Sanji's nerves only slightly. The naive captain's infatuation stemmed from friendship. "You need to put aside your sick lust and think about how you feel about her. Like, if you could never touch her again, would you still love her?" asked Sanji.

"Yes," answered Luffy immediately.

"Do you love any other woman...or man?" he further questioned.

"No, not like I love Nami."

"What would you give for her?"

"Everything," Luffy replied.

"What about your dream?"

"We have the same dream."

"No, you don't," claimed Sanji. "She wants to map the world. You want to become Pirate King. What if her dream changes? What if you have to give up becoming Pirate King? You have to think of these things before you decide to be with her."

Of course, Luffy never thought of such a change in plans. In fact, even as Sanji suggested the possibility, his mind locked up, and he broke out into a cold sweat. That scenario could pose a grave consequence of marriage - a bondage through life and time. He loved her, yet letting go of something he wanted all his life seemed impossible. Surely, they could find a middle ground. Briefly, he flashed back to the faces of tears and anguish she had made since he had known her. As he thought that he could potentially trigger that pain, his chest tightened. Luffy's voice strained as he quietly said, "I would have to let her go so that she could chase her new dream."

While Sanji wanted to continue digging into Luffy's mind, he witnessed how distressed Luffy became. The interrogation broke him down, too, and now, Sanji felt at fault. Although he had wanted to deny this, he saw the resolve in his eyes the moment the captain first declared his love for Nami. Such a glimmer signified the start of an unstoppable tenacity. Reflecting on his life, Sanji loved every beautiful woman he met. He realized love meant something different to people who didn't fall in love as often. Even then, he wanted to withhold his blessing.

"Trust me! I'll make her happy. I'll make her happy every day," he proclaimed, "Ace taught me what to do."

Just as Luffy began to explain and rationalize his feelings, the pots in the kitchen began to overflow and smoke. Sanji rushed over, grabbing for his oven mitts and the dial on the stove. That bastard. How could Luffy mention Ace like that? Now, Sanji couldn't crush his dreams no matter how much he wanted to bring him down to earth. He valued Luffy more than a brother. Even as he peeked over his shoulder and incessantly asked about lunch, he couldn't bare to see his heart broken. For the first time that week, he questioned even Nami's sincerity.

Luffy ate less that day for lunch. The crew grew concerned when he left after only his third helping of ham. After he had crept away, Nami followed him. No one commented on her following him, but they all noticed her slip out after Luffy. Instead of blaming either one, they only hoped that the two could resolve whatever conflict arose between them.

When the rubbery captain entered the bath area, he took off his straw hat and looked into its inner crown. Previously, at lunch, between his bites images of the orange-haired girl interrupted his meal. Even looking into his hat, he could see her and all the memories they shared. He mused over the significance of sharing such a special treasure with her, and how wondrous it'd be to share his life with her.

Most of his life, he lived in the present and seized the day with every opportunity he had. Every decision led to achieving his inevitable dream of becoming Pirate King. However, now, he had two dreams. If only he could solidify the second, then he wouldn't feel such anxiety. Memories of her smile and laughter sparked a grin on his face, but then he frowned. Could moments like that continue? Not just with her but with everyone. He'd take her anywhere she wanted to go. Never had he felt so restless for something so far and abstract as marriage and love. "I need to ask her," he thought to himself.

He just couldn't ask for marriage until he answered the other questions first.

The water in the tub rose to an acceptable level and temperature. Once he finished undressing, he splashed into the center - not hearing the door open. His body succumbed to the warmth and water. Letting his arms fall limp over the side of the bath, he finally opened his eyes to see Nami undressing.

Another daydream? Oddly, he wasn't in such a whimsical mood that would prompt such a tantalizing image, but he didn't object. Instead of feeling the tension of arousal, he felt the serenity of her opulent beauty. From her citrus colored hair to the complementary cream of her skin, he observed her with a smile that fought against his fatigue. Gan Fall, he loved her so much.

With a smirk, Nami leaned forward over the sides of the tub. "When are you going to stop gawking at me, Luffy?" taunted the navigator. Surely, she could lure him out of his mood. The sight of him eating so few servings unnerved her. While she didn't know what caused Luffy to seem so down, she somehow felt responsible.

"How can you talk?" interjected Luffy.

Nami sighed, "What are you going on about?"

Once she entered the water to face him, Luffy accepted that this image was Nami. He weakly grinned and blurted, "You're beautiful."

Her face grew embarrassingly red as she covered her face in the water by sliding her bottom towards Luffy. So sweet and innocent he was. Still, she stroked the side of his rear with her toes and awaited his reaction. When she received no response, she stopped. "You've been weird today. Are you okay?" she huffed. How could he resist her body? Didn't he say she looked beautiful?

"Your face looks better when it's not red," he commented.

"Shut up!" yelled Nami back at him as she splashed water in his direction.

On an entirely different subject, he couldn't help but inquire about her plans. "You know, we'll never be able to live in one place."

Confused, she tilted her head to the side when she asked, "Yeah?"

"After I become Pirate King, I'll have to run forever."

"What are you talking about, Luffy?"

Luffy wanted to say what his restless mind repeated to him. His restraint could hardly hold him back from asking her to marry him. This girl was the right one for him. Her reactive temperament and entertaining irritability sent his heart racing. Previously, at dinner, he watched the way she ate. She picked her favorite food first just like he did. His eyes had been fixated on her the entire time. Her bright smile had a brilliant shine, and her laughter had such a pleasant melody to it that the entire affair humbled him until he could no longer eat.

Falling in love with Nakama like her happened so fast once he recognized the feeling. However, he needed to be rational, so he followed Robin's advice and waited. He didn't want to lose her as his Nakama again - even if that meant pushing off a proposal. "What if your dream changes?" he finally questioned.

Terse and frustrated, she replied, "It won't." Luffy never questioned his dream, so why would he doubt hers? For the years they've known each other, he never doubted her. Then, she added, "Why would you ask that?"

Nami wanted to argue at the mere thought until he replied with silence. That agitation subsided as the hot water calmed her. Watching each droplet of water cascade down his sleek, black hair and onto his wide shoulders, she felt pleasantly light-headed. Like a dream, her cloudy vision drifted. She wanted to embrace him in the most intimate way possible - a way that surpassed their emotional nights in bed and exceeded the intensity of their time in the doctor's office. Breathing more heavily, she felt the throbbing in her loins.

When she leaned forward, he didn't even flinch. Even through his water-induced fatigue, he would have typically reacted. She pressed her lips against his shoulders as she pulled his arm towards her. Again, no reaction. Placing his hand on her breast, he merely blinked up at her as she leaned over him to study every movement of his face. She wanted him, and if he showed no interest in her emotional and physical vulnerability, then what did that mean? She lost all her progress, and he had regressed to his previous naive character. She wanted to yell at him in embarrassment.

Before Nami could check for any other sort of reaction in his groin, he stopped her with her by grasping her wrist. He began, "Nami."

"What?" she stuttered out, shattering the intensity of her fixation. Tears swelled up in the corner of her eyes; she didn't want to look at him.

With his hand still firmly holding her wrist, he made direct eye contact. "I can't think when you do things like that," he warned.

Think? Since when did Monkey D. Luffy think? Perhaps the pain of getting rejected caused her to react so cholerically. She stood up, soaking him in water. Her tears were indistinguishable from the water on her face. She expected at least a grin, but he gave her nothing. As she dressed and made her way to the door, she didn't look back to see if he visibly cared. He didn't call out to her even as she slammed the door shut.

When she entered her room for a mid-day slumber, she saw Robin reading in the sitting area of the women's quarters. Quickly, she wiped away her tears, but she couldn't do anything to hide her puffy eyes and runny nose. Unfortunately, Nami knew Robin to be among the smartest Straw Hats, so she probably already realized the navigator had been crying. Falling back onto the bed, she exchanged greetings with her roommate. Lucky for Nami, Robin wasn't nosey. However, in a way, she wanted to vent. Maybe Robin knew something about why Luffy had been behaving so oddly.

"Robin," she whined. However, before she continued to vent out her anguish, she noticed something peculiar wrapped up in a bright red fabric on the coffee table. Like a magnet, it drew her closer and from her bed. Then the note with two distinctive styles of writing caught her attention.

Robin noticed, "Oh, Nami. What is the matter?" Maybe it wasn't a good idea for Nami to read that letter, but it was already too late. She noticed Luffy had continued the letter from earlier but refrained from reading until he brought it to her attention. Of course, as careless as he was, he left the letter about Nami in her room. Robin sat in silence as she watched Nami's gradual reaction to the contents of the letter.

The letter had neatly written characters until about half-way through where it suddenly had diagonal scratches and grammatical errors. Spots on the paper were puffy from drops of liquid. Undoubtedly, Luffy wrote the second half. Still, she began with the beginning.

I'm scared Ace. What if I can't make her happy? I want to be with her and laugh like Nakama, but i'm gonna mess that up if she doesn't want to marry me. I wish you could tell me if this is a good idea. I'd listen this time. Sanji told me to think Robin told me to wait, but I want this now. I want Nami to be my wife because she's the girl I love. My chest feels like it's full and stretching I will give her the entire world. I promise. Even if she doesn't want to marry me, I'll make sure she's happy.

Nami received an overwhelming weight of guilt on her shoulders. Her heart crushed beneath the passion between the words of his letter. She didn't express Luffy to express this type of love with such depth. Moreover, she didn't expect herself to take advantage of the situation with her lustful intentions of bedding him. Surprisingly, Luffy was the one to define his feelings so bluntly rather than losing himself to physical compulsions.

The rock no longer held her attention. She suddenly longed for his laughter and grins. Although she told him before, she wanted to solace him with adoration and reciprocate his feelings with a proper declaration of love. When she sat the letter down on the coffee table, she stared at it further. Crossing her arms across her chest and gripping her shoulders, she dropped into the sofa-chair opposite to Robin. Hot tears dropped from her eyes without shame as she sobbed. Only moments before, she wept over his lack of interest in sex.

Setting down her book, Robin said, "Nami, don't berate yourself. He only wants to talk to you for now. You don't have to give him an answer." The archaeologist did have a glimpse at Luffy's continuation of the letter.

However, had she known Nami would have such a reaction, she would have hidden it. Assuming Nami returned his feelings, she wanted to push her to give him a positive answer to his proposal.

She knew that in the golden age of pirates, the unpredictability of tomorrow caused individuals to hasten milestones in relationships. As she witnessed first-hand between the captain and navigator, the fruition of their relationship had been slow but then all at once. Courtship was scarce and especially uncommon among pirates.

However, Nami might have had different sentiments. Her answer? Right, among the enigmatic array of words written to the paper, was a question. She snatched her shoes from the floor near her bed and dashed out the door after haphazardly putting them on.

hmfan24: Sorry, I'm so late this week. I'm about to move. This chapter was going to be super long, but I wanted to consult you guys first. Are they moving too fast? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Luffy probably seemed slightly out of character this chapter, but hopefully you felt it was justified.