Author's Note: Ah, sorry I took so long with this one. I was actually suffering from another block. I hope this all meets all of your standards. I also kinda took a break to write that club one shot! XP And then there are the games I play … I just picked up Fallout 3 yesterday too … Well, not picked it up. We've had it for awhile, but my husband was playing it, so …! X) In any case, here is chapter 23. I hope you guys enjoy! X3

Genderly Challenged

Chapter 23: Thou Art Jealous!

The next evening, Tsura rushed down the streets, a massive grin on her face as she bumped into people and swerved in and out of them. She looked up at the names of the buildings before spotting the one she wanted. Grin managing to widen further, she ran inside and up to the desk.

"Excuse me!"

Looking up at the young girl, the man behind the counter blinked at her massive grin. "Can I help you …?"

"Yes, I really need to speak to Nalu-san!"

"Nalu-san …" The man repeated as his brows furrowed. "I believe I had instructions from a Nalu-san about a visitor …" He said as he began to look through his books.

"Really?! Nalu-san said to expect me?!" Tsura cried, more than pleased.

"I believe he did tell me to expect a visit from a young lady. One moment, please."

"Oh, of course!" She said as she began to rock on her heels, feeling excited.

"Ah, here it is." The man said as he turned the pages of his book. "Ah, yes. I'm to inform Nalu-san right away of your arrival. However, Nalu-san and his friends have gone out to run some errands."

At hearing this, Tsura drooped considerable. "Oh …"

"You are welcome to wait for their return in the lobby."

"Yes, of course. Thank you very much." She said quietly as she turned to the lobby to wait, disappointed she wouldn't get to see Nalu right away.

xxxx

"Please?"

"No …"

"Please?!"

"No!"

"Pretty please!!"

"I said no! Now stop asking me!"

"Come on, Nami! I'm hungry!"

"I don't care …"

"Didn't we just have dinner, you shit for brains? It's not like I don't cook enough, ungrateful worm!"

"Yeah, but that was an hour ago! I'm hungry again already!"

Rubbing her temples, Nami groaned quietly to herself and managed not to bump into people despite her closed eyes. 'How the hell am I attracted to this idiot …?'

"Come on, Nami … I'm really hungry …"

Stopping abruptly, Nami just remained that way as her teeth gritted. Gasping, Luffy also quickly stopped, worried he may have crossed the line with her and feeling slightly afraid. It was the way he'd said it … and the sound of his voice that had made her stop. It had been said in kind of a whine, but since his voice is feminine … it had actually sounded … cute … She began to bare her teeth angrily, because it was making her want to give him whatever the hell he wanted. 'Stupid … male … Gah!' She cursed in her head before releasing her breath and drooping.

"Fine …" She said in a weak voice, letting her male side win over. Then she continued walking with her shoulders drooped.

Luffy could only gape at her back in shock before a grin erupted onto his face. "Woohoo! Thanks Nami!" He exclaimed with a happy laugh as he ran forward, passing her up.

Blinking at Nami's back, everyone else's eyes were huge and completely shocked that she had actually given in and agreed to feed him. Following his nose, Luffy found a place where he thought would be a great place to eat.

"Here, Nami! Here!" He said as he bounced up and down, pointing to the building.

Flushing a bit, Nami quickly turned away with a bit of a groan. "Please don't do that …"

"Eh?" He questioned as he stopped and blinked at her in confusion. "Do what …?"

"Nothing … Just hurry up and go … get what you want … so we can leave …" She said as she felt herself becoming even more annoyed.

Brows raised in confusion and in curiosity, the others just watched the two as they tried to figure out Nami's behavior. Blinking still and then tilting his head, Luffy walked up to her and leaned down so that he could look directly up into her lowered face. Scowling a bit, she lifted her head and took a step back as her cheeks darkened a bit more.

"What are you doing?! Don't get so close to me!"

He continued to blink at her, his eyes wide and blank from his confusion. "Why not …?"

"Luffy, just shut up and go and get your food, please!" She yelled at him as she pointed towards the building.

Leaning back slightly, Luffy's expression slowly formed into a soft frown before he just turned and walked into the building without saying a word. Sighing, Nami pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes to calm herself.

"Nami-san … are you all right?"

"I'm fine!"

"You sure about that …?"

"Look you guys … I said I was fine …" She said as she turned to frown at both Sanji and Zoro.

To greater peeve her off, Robin just chuckled next to them. Baring her teeth slightly, she closed her eyes and just turned around, trying to ignore the older woman's amusement. Blinking in serious confusion, Sanji and Zoro exchanged looks, not understanding her anger in the least.

After walking inside, Luffy just stood on the inside of the building right at the entrance. He stared ahead of him with his soft frown, not really seeing the man in front of him.

"Um, excuse me, young lady? Can I help you with something?" Luffy only continued to stare ahead of him, his expression never faltering. "Young lady …?"

"I'm not hungry anymore …" He whispered so softly, that the man had to lean forward to hear what he said.

xxxx

Tsura began to fidget as she started to lose her patience. 'Where is Nalu-san? It's been over an hour already.' She thought to herself as she sighed for the hundredth time as she laid her head in her palm.

"Oh, so you thought taking your sweet time was a great idea?!"

"I didn't say that …"

"Okay, so then what did take you so long?!"

"Nothing …"

Blinking, Tsura sat up at hearing the familiar voice. "Nalu-san!"

"Eh?" Nami questioned as she looked up, forgetting her annoyance and argument with Luffy at call. "Tsura …?"

"You're back!" She cried as she got up and ran up to her.

Shifting her eyes to Luffy, Tsura intended to greet him with a glare, but was instead surprised at the expression he had. He wasn't pouting at her, or glaring really, or even pursing his lips. His expression was hard and his eyes almost cold with slightly furrowed brows. If she had to guess, the other girl wasn't in the best of moods. 'Wonder what's got her panties in a bunch …?'

"So, did you find anything on Manny?"

"Ah, Manny? Oh! Yes!" Tsura exclaimed as she began to laugh.

Luffy's eyes narrowed further at her reply before crossing his arms. "Well, that's good news." Nami said as she smiled down at the girl, which caused her to blush and smile happily. "So, what did you find out? Did you find her?"

"F-Find her? Ah … well … no, but …"

"No?" Luffy asked as his eyes narrowed even further. "Then why are you even here?"

"Luf-" Nami started before she cleared her throat. "Luna …" She said before giving Luffy a look to silence him. Turning back to Tsura, she then tried to force a smile and laughed. "What did you find out then?" She asked, trying not to show her disappointment.

"Well, there's this woman that I found … Well, I mean everyone knows who she is … She's kinda like the town crazy, just showed up one day."

"T-Town crazy?" Nami asked as she frowned a bit.

"Yeah, I was told that a few years back, she rambled on about a woman named Manny, but of course no one believed her."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she kept telling everyone that she used to be a man. Isn't that crazy?"

Everyone's eyes widened and jaws dropped a bit as they looked at one another. "Yeah, I know. It's crazy!" Tsura said, misunderstanding their reaction. "I do think it a little strange that you're looking for this same Manny person this crazy lady was rambling on about."

"Where is this woman?" Nami asked as she stepped a bit closer to her.

"You said you knew her …"

Throat clicking, Nami as well as everyone else turned to look at Luffy, his expression a deep and slightly formidable frown. "I-I what …?" Tsura asked as she looked at Luffy nervously.

"You said you knew who Manny was! You lied! I knew she was lying!" He exclaimed as he turned his frown on Nami.

"L-Luna, this isn't the time for this!"

"She didn't know what we were talking about from the beginning! She just happened to remember some crazy lady who mentioned about her!"

"Yeah?! Well so we got lucky?!"

"Lucky?! She lied to us! Just like I thought!"

"That doesn't matter! We still found some kind of lead!" Then she leaned in closer. "You heard what she said …!" She whispered for only him to hear. "There's no mistaking its truth …!"

He knew she was right, but for some reason, logic was once again fleeing his mind. He couldn't accept being lied to, not by someone like her. "S-So what?!"

"So what …?" Nami breathed out as she gaped down at Luffy with a deep frown.

"We can't trust her!"

"C-Can't trust her …? L-Lu-What the hell are you talking about?!"

Sanji stepped forward with a deep frown as well. "Luffy … what the hell are you talking about …?!" He whispered so that only Luffy and Nami could hear him. "She actually managed to find someone who'd been turned too, just like us. Nami-san is right. This is the best lead we've got. What the hell is your problem?"

"Nothing! I just don't like her!"

Gasping, Tsura's eyes grew large as her jaw dropped. "Lu … That's enough!" Nami yelled, becoming angry and afraid they would lose their lead if Luffy kept going like this.

"No, it's not enough! She's a liar, and I don't like her!"

Nami bared her teeth as she loomed over him. "Shut up!! You're just an idiot! You have no idea what the hell you're saying, and I already told you, I'm not risking this over your stupidity!"

"O-Oi, Nalu-san …" Sanji whispered as he and the others shifted their eyes to the people, who were now watching.

Luffy breathed in softly as he stared up at Nami wide eyed. Then his brows slowly furrowed deeply into a soft frown. "I'm not an idiot …" He whispered softly. "And I'm not stupid …" He continued just as softly as tears began to form in his eyes. Then he suddenly bolted from the hotel lobby. Throwing the doors open roughly, he turned and was gone, the doors slowly closing behind him.

Nami just gaped after him before she clenched and bared her teeth in irritation. "Nalu-san?" Tsura asked as she took a step forward.

Swallowing hard, she knew if she left at that moment, there was a small chance Tsura might do the same. However, she had lost her temper and hurt a friend … and that was unforgivable. They had all been friends for a long time and even trusted one another. However, when Nami heard that there was a chance of finding this woman, she took it and disregarded Luffy's feelings. One thing was right, Tsura had lied to them. He'd been right about that. Luffy had always been good at his instincts, and they hadn't failed him yet.

"I'm sorry …" She said softly as she just as quickly broke into a run, all those thoughts having run through her mind within two seconds, which hadn't even given the doors enough time to close before she rushed through them.

Now gaping at Nami's back, the others then quickly ran towards the door, surprised by both of their behavior. "Ah!" Tsura exclaimed as she reached out a hand before following behind them.

Nami turned in the direction Luffy had gone in, her eyes twitching when she spotted his long black hair in the crowd as he ran. Picking up her pace, she began to gain on him quickly. When she was close enough, she reached out an arm towards him.

"Luffy, wait!" She said as she grabbed a hold of his arm, and yanked him to a stop.

His hair whipped out towards the front from the suddenly stop, covering up his face completely. He seemed to droop in her hold, all of his hair having draped to the front. Gasping softly, Nami reached out her other arm to encircle his waist to keep him standing.

"L-Luffy?" She questioned in confusion.

He didn't say anything as he remained drooped over her arm, but then finally, he lifted his head slightly. "It's embarrassing …" He whispered almost too softly.

Releasing her breath in a bit of a sigh, she then forced him to stand, but he refused to lift his head. "Come on … We … need to talk anyways …" She said as she took his hand and led him away from curious eyes.

The others saw everything, and then blinked when the two continued on together, but away from them.

"Where are they …?" Usopp started before just frowning.

Walking through the town, Nami looked around for an ideal place to sit and talk. Blinking, she spotted a small park and even a bench. Looking through it, she could barely see anyone, and the bench was pretty secluded with trees all around it.

"Come on …" She said as she gave his hand a tug and then walked over to it. Sitting down, she then tugged for him to do the same. "Sit …"

He did so, but reluctantly, still not having lifted his head at all. Leaning back into the bench, she looked up through a surprisingly wide clearing in the trees at the darkening blue sky and sighed.

"Luffy … I'm sorry …" She said as she shifted her eyes towards him. She noticed his head lifting a bit more before shifting her eyes back up again. "I've been … really losing my temper lately …" She admitted as she continued to stare up.

From the corner of her eye, she could see him look up at her. Blinking slowly, she turned her head to look down at him, and her heart almost froze. He was looking up at her with an expression she couldn't quite pinpoint. However, it made her heart begin to slam inside of her chest and her limbs feel weak. It was almost soft, yet … sad … and maybe even something else, and then there were still tears in his eyes, making them appear glassy. Swallowing hard, she turned her head to look back up. She saw again from the corner of her eye as he did the same.

"There's … s-something else …" She started as she sighed deeply. "I also realized … I haven't been treating you … like I should …"

"What do you mean …?"

Blinking, she quickly looked over at his actually speaking instead of remaining quiet like she had expected him to. However, it still came out a soft whisper.

"I mean … I usually tend to … push my opinions on you … and usually get mad at you when you still decide to do the opposite …"

He looked up at her then, blinking a bit in confusion. "Yeah …?"

Shifting her eyes away, she then looked back up through the clearing. "See … that's just it … I usually just get mad at your decision …" She said as her frown softened. "I've kinda been … overriding you … haven't I?" She almost whispered as she watched the first star appear in the sky.

He continued to stare up at her as his lips began to part in a partial gape. "I'm really sorry about that …" She continued as she sighed again and closed her eyes. "I'm not really sure … why … Well, I mean, I'm sure it has something to do with my male side, because I normally just do what you say, whether I like it or not … because … you're the captain, and that's what we're supposed to do …" She explained as she opened her eyes again. "Somewhere along the way of being like this … I somehow forgot that … So, I'm sorry …"

Gaping at her awhile longer, he then slowly turned his head to look in front of him. "I haven't really been acting like a captain though …"

"Maybe not, but you still are. Being changed into a female never changed that fact …"

"Yeah but … it wasn't right of me to almost ruin everyone's chance to get changed back either … just because … I didn't like her …"

"Yeah, about that …"

Blinking, Luffy looked up at her again after his head had lowered once more. "Yeah …?"

"Why did you dislike her so much, when we had just met her …?"

Blinking up at her, his cheeks started to flush as he looked away from her. "I dunno …"

Tilting her head, Nami felt herself smiling. 'So, Robin was right …' She thought to herself, and as she did her heart seemed to skip a beat. Gasping softly and quietly in surprise, her hand went to her chest to clutch at it a bit. Why did this confirmation seem to get this kind of reaction out of her?

"You are jealous …."

Eyes growing a bit, he sucked in his breath softly before sitting up straighter and then turning to her. "I'm what?"

"Jealous … You're jealous." She said as a slow smile formed on her lips and a small amused chuckle escaped her lips.

His brows slowly began to furrow, which only seemed to amuse her further. "I am not!"

"Are too …" She said quietly, completely convinced.

"I am not!"

She burst into laughter, which only seemed to irritate him further. "You are so jealous!"

"What's so funny?! Aren't you the one saying you shouldn't laugh at your friends?!" He yelled as his lips stuck out in a pout and his cheeks deepening in color.

However, she only continued to laugh. Growling in irritation as his anger began to rise, his hands then clenched into fist before he launched himself on her and tackled her down to the ground. Nami cried out in a bit of surprise as they hit the ground. However, for some reason, this didn't seem to damper her laughter, but only fuel it as she erupted into another fit of laughter.

"It's not like I'm laughing at you in front of the others, like you did! It's just us!"

His lips pursed out again as he sat over her. "Why's it so funny to you?!"

Her laughter died down to little chuckles, that one may even consider giggles. "I dunno …!" She said as she grinned up at him. "So, then do you admit it's true?!"

"Of course not! I don't know what the hell you're talkin' 'bout! And what about you?!"

"What about me?! I'm not jealous!" She exclaimed as she began to laugh again.

"I'm talking about what Robin said!"

She felt herself calming a bit, but her grin remained. "What about it?"

"She said somethin' about being attracted to each other! Then you didn't want her to finish, why?!"

Her smile slowly began to fade. "B-Because …"

"Because what?!"

"Just because …"

"That's not an answer! You attracted to Sanji?"

"Wouldn't you like to know? You gonna be jealous?!"

"What for?!"

"Then why are you asking?!"

"B … Because …"

"Ooh! Because what, Luffy?!" She asked as her amusement began to return as well as her grin. "I thought because wasn't an answer!"

His lips stuck out in a further pout as he frowned down at her. He didn't have an answer for her. Because of this, she decided to continue.

"So, she said we were all attracted to each other … right?"

"And?" He asked, still very irritated by her laughter.

"Well, there's only one of me … Are you attracted to me, Luffy?" She asked, becoming more and more amused by the second.

His eyes widened as he stared down at her before huffing and turning his head away. "Don't you wish?"

"You know, you really suck at lying." She said with a bit of a smirk. "You have no clue who I'm attracted to, but I know who you are attracted to, and I know that's why you're jealous of just about everyone."

"Yeah, well, so what?!" He yelled as he turned to pout down at her in his irritation.

Not expecting that reply, Nami gasped as her eyes jerked open wider. "Wha-What …?"

"I said so what?! … Besides … I don't think I like you right now … You're mean …" He said with a huff as he looked away again.

She released another small bark of chuckles. "Mean?"

"Yes … mean!"

"Get a room …"

"Eh?" They both question before looking up at a man, who was frowning down at them with a quirked brow.

"I said get a room … A public park is no place for that kinda shit …"

Blinking in some confusion, both turned to look at each other before gasping. Luffy immediately stood up from his straddled position. "Ah, I'm sorry!"

Clearing her throat, Nami brought a fist to her face as her cheeks matched Luffy's color as well, a nice dark, and rosy hue. "I-It's okay …"

The man's brow rose further. "Dude … you had a hot chic straddling your lap and you didn't even seem to notice?!"

"Yeah, well mind your own business!" Nami yelled as she scowled at the man.

"Weirdo …" The man muttered as he continued on.

"You're just jealous you couldn't get that far!" Luffy yelled as he pulled down his eye and stuck out his tongue. "Mleh! Jerk …"

Nami released a soft chuckle as she watched her captain huff and turn back around with his eyes closed. However, at her chuckle, Luffy opened his eyes to look at her before scratching his head and looking off to the side. Chuckling again, she walked past him and sat back down on the bench. After awhile, he turned and joined her. They sat in silence for a long time, neither sure how to continue. Then Luffy sighed as he closed his eyes.

'Now what …?'

To Be Continued …

Author's Note: Fufufufu! X3 Lovely! Lovely! Cute little play! X3 I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It was a lot longer than I thought it would be … I couldn't fit all that I had originally wanted to into it … So,

I'm going to save it for next chapter! XD