Author's Note: So, I've made it a goal to end this story in two weeks. I really hope I can do it … because if I can't … I will have to put my story on hold … for I don't know how long. Something's come up, and unfortunately, I won't be able to use my laptop for awhile. I don't know how long this will be, but it could be anywhere between a month and maybe even a few months. So, here's hoping that I can finish this story by then! X) Also, sorry I took so long with this chapter. I was kinda stuck, and I also bought a new expansion pack for The Sims 2, Apartment Life! X) So, I've been playing it … So, sorry … Anyways, here's chapter 13! Read, enjoy, and review! XD
Genderly Challenged
Chapter 13: Thou Art Not Thyself
Nami frowned as she walked through the town. She had needed a break from the ship and from her crewmates for at least a few hours. She was pretty irritated when she had left, seeing as Luffy had disappeared after breakfast. The others said he had left a little after she did, but hadn't gone back. After she had comforted Usopp, he had told her he'd be fine by himself for awhile. So, she had left the ship. She'd just been shopping for little things and had already been gone for about two hours.
"I wonder where that idiot ran off to …"
With a slight huff, she decided to go back to the ship. However, she blinked and paused when she thought she heard singing.
"Mm …?" She hummed as she turned in the direction of the voice.
Narrowing her eyes, she continued to listen, seeing as it was relatively quiet on the streets. She also noticed other people trying to listen in on the voice. Suddenly, some men came running around the corner and knocked her back a bit.
"Oi!" She exclaimed as she turned to them.
"Excuse us!"
"Come on! We gotta hurry! We don't know how long she will be there!"
"Right, let's go!"
"Eh …?" Nami questioned as she blinked after them.
Curious, she decided to follow in the direction the men had disappeared in. She turned the corner and noticed more men running in the same direction, even some women following.
"What's going on?" She whispered to herself with a frown, but noticed the singing voice was becoming louder.
Continuing on, she found herself at the edge of town, a few of the townspeople either sitting on rocks or looking out from behind the forest of trees. She frowned when noticing that the large majority of them were men. Looking up towards where they were facing, she frowned deeper when she didn't see anything. So, she decided to walk up the steep hill to look for herself. However, as she did, some turned and frowned at her.
"Oi, what are you doing?! We were here first!" One whispered loudly to her.
"Eh?" She questioned as she frowned at him in confusion.
"You gotta wait your turn!"
"Wait my turn ...? What the hell are you talking about?!"
"That's right! We're all taking turns getting close enough to see her! We don't wanna spook her, or she might stop singing!" A third man said.
"Or who will stop singing?" Nami asked as she quirked a brow.
"There's a really cute girl sitting on a rock up ahead. She's got a beautiful voice! Can't you hear it?"
Blinking, Nami looked up towards the hill. She could indeed hear the voice. "Of course I can hear it …"
"Well, that's why you gotta wait your turn!"
Her brows furrowed as her lips parted, really listening this time. Then her eyes widened when she recognized the voice. "Luffy …"
"You say somethin'-Oi!"
"Hey! Get back here!!"
Nami began to push forward through the forest of men as she made her way up the hill, many of them complaining and calling for her not to go up there. Ignoring them, she continued up having to push some away from her who tried to stop her.
"Get off of me!" She said before finally making it to the clearing.
Sure enough, sitting on a rock with his knees drawn to his chest and arms wrapped around them, was Luffy. He seemed to have no idea he even had an audience, and a rather large one at that.
"Hey! Come back! Don't disturb her!"
"Little punk! Thinks he can get to her, just 'cuz he's good lookin'!"
"You're gonna ruin it!"
Nami scoffed silently to the loud whispers behind her before slowly making her way towards Luffy. Her lips parted slightly in some awe of his voice. It was indeed pretty. She listened for a little longer before sighing with a frown and closing the distance.
"Luna …"
"Eh?" Luffy questioned as he jumped slightly from being called suddenly. He turned, staring at Nami blankly before his face suddenly broke into a grin. "Ah, Na …" He suddenly stopped when Nami shook her head and put a finger to her lips. Blinking, he looked behind her and to all the disappointed and angry faces behind her. "Eh?!"
"Aww! You ruined it!!"
"You made her stop!"
"You jerk, we were listening to her!"
"What'd ya go and do that for?!"
"Yeah, who do ya think ya are?!"
"Na … Nalu …? What …?" Luffy questioned as he gaped at the townspeople. "Oi, you were all watching?!" He exclaimed, a little upset that he'd been spied on.
With a sigh, she walked over to him and grabbed his hand, pulling him off of the rock. "Ah!" Luffy exclaimed as he straightened his knees to jump off from the rock as Nami pulled him along behind her. "Na-Nalu?" He questioned again.
Nami dragged him along behind her with a frown, ignoring all the ugly and angry glares the men gave her as well as the complaints for having stopped Luffy from singing.
"Oi, cute girl! Marry me!"
"Oi, no way! Don't listen to him! I could make you even happier!"
"Eh?!" Luffy exclaimed as he gaped at the men. "Are you out of her mind?! I'm not a-Mm …!"
Nami's frown turned more irritated as she wrapped the arm she'd been using to hold his hand, around Luffy's head to clap a hand over his mouth, and pulled him against her side to shut him up as they walked. She then used her opposite arm to grab his and kept pulling him along.
"Mm …!"
Once they were out of earshot of the townsmen, she released him and frowned down at him.
"Oi, Nami, what was that for?!"
"Are you an idiot?!"
He inhaled sharply as he moved his head back slightly away from her. Then he frowned at her upset. "I'm not an idiot!"
Brows twitching a bit, Nami stared down at him a bit curiously. This was the second time he got very defensive at being called an idiot. He had never cared before about her calling him an idiot. Why was now any different? However, she then had to remember he was female now.
"You can't go around telling people you're not really a girl, you idiot!"
"I said, I'm not an idiot! And you heard what he said! It was weird!"
"It doesn't matter! You just have to ignore it! Unless you want them laughing at you?!"
Luffy pursed his lips at her before huffing and crossing his arms as he looked away from her. She shook her head at him. "That's what I thought! Why were you out here anyway?!" His face softened then, but he remained frowning and quiet. "Ugh!" She exclaimed in some disgust as she turned to walk off.
"Ah!" Luffy exclaimed before running after her.
He followed behind her quietly, frowning softly at her back. Then he sighed softly as he closed his eyes. "Are you still mad …?"
"Of course I'm still mad, Luffy! How could you do that to him?! You know, I really don't care if you guys laughed at me … but Usopp is your best friend, and he tried to trust you! He knew you were going to laugh at him! But he didn't want you to!"
"He would have laughed too!"
"He told me that … but …" She started quietly, but stopped. Luffy's brows furrowed further, but his face remained in a relaxed and soft frown. "You should apologize to him …"
Luffy released a breath as he stared at her before sighing and lowering his head. "Okay …"
Shifting her eyes to the back, she gave him a small glance before her face softened. He really did seem down. 'Maybe he really does feel guilty about laughing at Usopp.' She thought as she shifted her eyes back to the front. 'Good …'
As soon as they made it back to the ship, Nami climbed aboard immediately, but Luffy did not. Turning, she glanced down at him, but he just stood where he was with his head lowered.
"Well? What are you waiting for?"
Remaining quiet, Luffy brought up his hands, clutching them together a bit. Quirking a brow, she leaned against the rail to look down at him. After awhile, he looked up at her, his expression soft.
"Do you …?" He started, but stopped and frowned more.
"Do I what?"
"Do you …" He started again before sighing and closing his eyes. After awhile, he opened them again. "Do you think he'll forgive me …?"
Blinking down at him for awhile, she finally smiled down at him softly with a small breathy laugh. "Of course he'll forgive you, Luffy … You're best friends, right?"
His expression only softened further, which caused her to tilt her head curiously. "Yeah …" He whispered before climbing up finally.
She moved out of his way and let him pass. For some reason, that didn't seem to lighten his mood at all. Furrowing her brows, she watched him walk away in some confusion. Then she tilted her head further when she noticed he was heading straight for the back of the ship. Sighing, she headed for her room, wanting some peace and quiet.
xxxx
After having sat down on her bed and began to read a book, she lifted her head after about fifteen minutes when she heard noise coming from the deck. With a sigh, she set her book down and got up to check it out. When she left her room, she blinked as she approached the rail and looked down once she heard the voices. Both Luffy and Usopp were sitting on the deck and hugging one another.
"I'm so sorry! I promise to never laugh at you again!!" Luffy wailed as tears streamed down his face in a comical cry with even snot running out of his noise.
"It's okay! I forgive you, Luffy!!" Usopp also wailed, who was crying equally as bad.
"We'll be friends forever, right?!"
"Of course we will!!"
"You guys are idiots … You any idea how gay you look right now …"
Both turned to scowl at Zoro, and with tears still streaming down their faces. "Shut up! We're having a moment!!"
Zoro snorted at the two as he continued to lean on the mast. "Idiots …" He muttered as he closed his eyes again.
"You're so mean, Zoro!"
"Can't you understand?!"
Zoro only began to snore in response to the two. Nami laughed softly, smiling down at the two warmly before losing her smile and wincing slightly. "Mm …"
The two didn't even seem to notice her there as they remained embraced and crying. Giving another slight laugh, but with less enthusiasm, she then turned and went back into her room. Sighing in contentment, she then went and sat down to continue reading.
xxxx
Later that day, lunch was prepared and everyone ate together again. Luffy and Usopp laughed boisterously together as they ate everything it seemed was back to normal.
"Ah! Ow!"
"Eh, you okay, Usopp?" Luffy asked as he blinked at his friend, who laughed nervously.
"Ah … yeah … Just …"
"Just?"
"It hurts …"
"Really?! It does?!" Chopper exclaimed with wide eyes.
"My stomach … it hurts because of …" Usopp started, but then blushed in embarrassment.
"You have menstrual cramps?" Robin asked as she sipped her drink.
"Uh … yeah …" Usopp replied quietly as his blush deepened.
Luffy frowned. "That sucks … Does it really hurt?"
"Yeah … pretty badly too … I don't know how you guys do this every month …" Usopp said as he frowned at both Nami and Robin.
"We're used to it … but it does suck …" Nami replied as she smiled at Usopp.
"Ee." Robin agreed with a gentle smile.
Blinking, Luffy looked from the women and to Usopp. He seemed a little confused about something. Suddenly, there was a chuckle.
"Still, Usopp getting his rag …" Zoro said as he shook his head. "That's just funny …"
"It's not funny!!" Luffy, Nami and Usopp all yelled.
"You laughed too, you idiot!" Zoro yelled at Luffy.
"Well … I don't think it's funny anymore!"
Robin's brows rose up as she listened in and watched. Nami sighed and shook her head. "You know Zoro … You forget you're a female right now …"
"I haven't forgotten!!"
"Oh, but I think you have …"
"What the hell are you talking about, woman?!"
Nami only chuckled at the irony of what he just said. "I mean … what happened to Usopp … could happen to you too …"
Zoro, as well as Sanji and Luffy sucked in their breath at this realization. Nami rose up her brows mockingly and smiled at his reaction. "What? You mean to tell me you never thought of this?" She asked, trying not to laugh at how considerably pale he became. She shook her head at him. "Now who's the idiot?"
"Che!" Zoro exclaimed as he turned away and crossed his arms.
Chuckling then, Nami went back to eating her lunch, a smile on her face.
xxxx
After lunch, everyone seemed to disperse onto the deck to their usual places. However, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Brook, and Franky all decided to entertain themselves. After Brook explicitly explained that … no, you cannot use my head … or any part of my body for that matter … as a ball … they finally decided that a real ball would do nicely. They also decided that playing volleyball on the beach would be nice. So here they were, next to Nami.
"Please!!"
"No!"
"Aww, come on, Nami! Please!!"
"I said no, Luffy!"
Luffy's lips stuck out in a pout as he frowned down at Nami in annoyance. Usopp was also frowning down at Nami. "But why not?!"
Nami turned her frown on Usopp then. "Same reason you couldn't use my underwear! It's gross!"
Luffy looked appalled. "Gross?!"
"Yes, gross! I bet neither of you showers as much as you should!"
"Eh?! What do you mean?!"
"We're going to get wet anyways …"
"Luffy … that's just disgusting …"
"… I didn't mean it like that! I shower!"
Scoffing, Nami looked away from the two as she shook her head. "Take a shower … and I might consider it …"
"Aren't you … on your period?"
Usopp sucked in his breath before turning to glare at Zoro, who was giving him a small smirk. "I'm … wearing …"
"He's wearing a tampon … So, of course he can still swim." Nami interjected to answer for him as she glared at Zoro. "Don't you need to go pull out the one stuck up your ass?"
Zoro immediately frowned before looking away with his eyes closed. "Che!"
Everyone immediately burst into laughter, Sanji and Luffy being the loudest. Usopp only smiled before smiling down at Nami. "Thanks."
"Don't worry about it. Now go shower … I'll let you guys borrow my swimsuits …"
"Woo hoo! Thanks Nami!" Luffy cried as he took off for the bath house.
"Thanks, Nami!" Usopp said as he took off after Luffy.
"But you both gotta wash them when you're done!" She called after them.
"Okay!"
Sighing, she gave a small smile before relaxing in her chair again. Then she tilted her head. It might be a nice idea to lounge out on the beach. Robin seemed to have the same idea, because she stood up and headed for their room. Getting up as well, Nami followed after her.
After everyone had shower and changed, they made their way down to the beach and away from the harbor. Sanji had offered to carry the chairs for them, but Nami didn't feel right letting him. So she and Robin carried their own chairs, while he followed behind them with a frown.
"It's not a problem if I do it … Nami-san …"
"Yeah, but if anyone sees, I could just see the looks on their faces if a woman was carrying chairs for two men …"
"I don't care … They don't know that you are the females, and I'm the male …"
"Well, I do care …"
Sighing, he removed his cigarette to blow out the smoke as he looked out towards the sea. Luffy, Usopp and Chopper had run out ahead of everyone and were in the process of finding a good spot. Franky walked just in front of the girls with Brook and Chopper, carrying the net, while Chopper carried the ball.
"Oi! This looks like a good spot you guys!" Luffy called as he waved his arm towards them.
"Ryokai!" Franky said as he and Chopper ran ahead.
Nami sighed as she shifted her eyes to the side and set her chair down some distance to watch the game, Robin joining her side. It was weird seeing Luffy in a swimsuit, and she wasn't sure she felt comfortable about it. Actually, it was weird seeing Usopp and Sanji in one too. Sanji had also asked politely for one. However, she didn't doubt his hygiene and so had agreed.
"Oi, you guys should play too!"
"No thanks, Luffy …"
"Aww, come on, Nami! It will be more fun with more people!"
"I just wanted to relax …"
"But you always relax …"
Sighing, Nami closed her eyes before opening them, and looking at him. "Alright … fine …"
"Woo hoo!"
"Awesome!"
"If Nami-san is playing, then I'm playing too …"
"Alright, Sanji!" Luffy cried as he jumped up and down in excitement.
"I guess I could play as well …"
"Uwah! Thanks Robin!" Luffy exclaimed with a grin before turning to Zoro, who was already asleep, and then he pursed his lips.
Usopp also pursed his lips, but shrugged. "At least the teams will be even this way."
Nami began to roll her shoulders to get ready for them game, as well as Luffy and Usopp who began to stretch. Then Nami hummed to herself. "Hmm …"
"What is it, Nami-chan?" Robin asked as she turned to face Nami.
"This shirt … It's much easier to play this with a swimsuit because it's not constricting." She said with a frown before shrugging, and then she reached down and pulled off the shirt.
"Ah!" The guys exclaimed as they gaped at her, a few cheeks flushing.
Looking up, Nami then blinked at their expressions before pursing her lips as she tossed her shirt aside. "What?"
Sanji then leaned towards Usopp and Luffy. "Nami-san's topless …"
"Aa … Nami's topless …" They both agreed with nods.
"You guys are idiots! I'm a guy now! It's not the same!" She yelled with flushed cheeks in embarrassment. "You guys go shirtless all the time!"
Sanji brought a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. "You're right, of course, Nami-san …" He said as he closed his eyes. 'But the mental image …'
Frowning deeper, she then reached up to grab and squeeze her pecs. "I don't even have boobs!"
A few hands went up to slap over their noses and mouths. Nami scoffed at them in disbelief. Then she spread her arms out to her sides with her palms and fingers towards the sky as she glared at them in irritation. "I'm sorry … Is this too much of a distraction for you?"
They shook their heads vigorously, but kept their hands on their faces with their eyes massive. Even Zoro had opened an eye at the noise and was blinking at Nami.
She scoffed again and dropped her arms. "Can we play now, or not?!"
Finally after deciding the teams, they started the game. Luffy, Usopp, Franky, and Brook were on one team. Nami, Robin, Sanji, and Chopper were on the other. Brook started the first serve and then the game was on. The game seemed to go back and forth between the two teams. Zoro had even stayed awake to watch and had even deemed himself as score keeper.
"Alright … Luffy's team's got six points … and Noodle's team's got five points."
"Yosh!" Luffy exclaimed with a grin. "Come on guys! We can beat them!"
"Aa!!"
"Yohohoho! Beautiful bouncing jugs of happiness!"
"Brook … you disturb me …" Nami muttered as she glared at the skeleton.
"Yohohoho!"
Shaking her head, she then looked over at the other guys."And like hell are we gonna let you win!" Nami yelled with pursed lips as she got into position. "Let's go!"
"Right!" Luffy said as he turned to Franky and nodded.
"Ryokai!" Franky exclaimed as he lifted the ball to serve.
Then he pegged the ball hard to the other side, wanting a swift serve that the others couldn't hit. It flew towards the other side and fast.
"Ah!" Nami and Sanji exclaimed as they moved towards it.
However, its chosen path was straight for Robin. Before she could react, the ball hit her … right in between her legs.
The guys' eyes widened before hands went to their mouths. "Oooo …!" Each of their faces showed the pain they knew she must be feeling.
"Robin! Are you okay?!" Nami cried as she went to her.
"Robin-chan!"
However, Robin didn't answer and instead sunk to her knees, her face showing her obvious pain as sweat began to bead down her face. One side if Luffy's lips twitched as a chuckle escaped his lips.
Zoro's lips also quirked into a smirk, "Does no one else find this kind of ironic?" He asked as he began to chuckle.
More chuckles escaped Luffy's lips. "It is kinda ironic …"
Franky also began to chuckle. "I guess it is a little ironic."
Even Usopp released a nervous chuckle. "That is kinda weird …"
"Yohohoho! What's ironic?! I don't get it!"
"Don't you guys dare laugh!!" Nami yelled as she scowled at them before turning her attention back to Robin. "Robin, are you okay …?"
"Robin-chan!" Sanji cried as he went to her other side, his expression showing his concern for her.
However, she only leaned forward, still in pain. Nami then looked over at Franky, still frowning deeply. "Get over here and help carry her back to the ship!"
"Ryokai!" He said as he went over and lifted her up into his arms with no trouble and carried her back to the ship, Chopper right behind, looking concerned.
Nami whirled around to frown at them. "How can you laugh at this?! She got hurt!" She seethed as she scowled angrily at them.
Sanji was also frowning deeply at them.
"But Nami! You don't find it ironic that Franky was the one who did it?! After what she-"
"Yes! I get it! But, Luffy, it's not funny! I'm sure you know how much that hurts! I cannot believe you guys would stoop this low … What is wrong with you guys?!" She yelled as she shook her head at them, her expression showing her disappointment. Then she looked at Usopp. "And you … Usopp … I'm really disappointed …"
Usopp immediately drooped, looking extremely guilty. Luffy pursed his lips at her as he propped his fists on his hips. "Robin will be just fine! The pain goes away after awhile!"
"That's not the point, Luffy!" Nami yelled as she took a step towards him.
Blinking, Luffy took a step back in surprise from the ferocity of her yell. It was deep, and it was angry. "Oi, Nami, calm down …"
"Do … not tell me to calm down, Luffy … I'm not even sure you're the same person who would fight tooth and nail for his crew mates! Especially if he can laugh at the expense of them!"
Luffy's face turned into a scowl then. "Take that back! I would do anything for my crew mates!"
"Yeah … except not laugh at them …" She said quietly as she shook her head and turned her back on him as she made her way back to the ship, Sanji right behind her.
He gaped softly at her back, his brows creased as he watched her walk away. Tears came to Usopp's eyes, his hand coming up to wipe them away. He felt extremely guilty, and for some reason, it made him want to cry. Sighing, Zoro remained in his spot as he closed his eyes. Luffy's eyes shifted downward slowly before his brows furrowed deeper.
'What is wrong with me …?'
To Be Continued …
Author's Note: So, what'd 'ja guys think! X) Sorry, but I do find this situation ironic … even if not funny … Although, I can laugh, seeing as I ain't a part of that crew! XD HAHA! –Nelson laugh- No, I'm kidding. Poor Robin … Anyways, let me know what ya guys think! X)