Author's Note: Meh, not so sorry I took so long … I was busy … mmkay? -_- -picks nose- Being able to play games and spend time with my family is my own right, yo … XP So, I just took my time … I will do so with the next two chapters or so too … I think that's about as many chapters as I got left anyways. So, enjoy … while you can … Stories a pain in my ass … -_- Not even one of my favorites and it's caused me so much trouble … I can't wait until it's done … X( Then there was all the complaining and crap … Hmm … if you guys don't like my ending, TOUGH! XP Yeah … I'm in a bad mood, so bleh … I don't feels good … Anyways, here ya go …
Genderly Challenged
Chapter 26: Mutual Understanding with Thee
"So, here … here, and here …right?"
"That's what he said, Nami-san …"
Looking over the local map, Nami looked in thought as she nodded. "All right … and which did he say she would most likely be at?"
"This one here …" Sanji replied as he pointed to the location.
"Good, that's actually here in the harbor." She said as she rubbed her chin.
"So let's go already!"
"We can't just go bursting in there, Luffy …" Nami said as she turned to frown at him.
"Why not?! Let's just make her turn us back!"
"Yeah … like that will work!" She yelled back as she scowled at him. "She isn't just going to turn us back …"
He pulled a fist up with a deep frown. "Sure she will!"
"We're not going to go beating her up, you shit for brains idiot!" Sanji yelled as he scowled at Luffy.
Luffy's eyes narrowed into a glare as he shifted them to Sanji. "I didn't say we were … We just need to scare her …" He said in a low and steely voice.
"We will do no such thing!"
"We will if I say we will …" Luffy said as his expression began to form into a scowl slowly.
"That's enough you two! We have to go about this smartly … We have to figure out a way to get her to do it without using force or scaring her!" She said as she gave Luffy a pointed frown, who was frowning back at her. "We have to somehow convince her that … we've learned our lessons or … something!"
Luffy just huffed as he crossed his arms. "Whatever …"
"In any case …" Nami started, still frowning at Luffy before sighing and looking back down at the map, " … we need to figure out how to get close without alerting her. Somehow get in there to talk to her without her bailing on us."
"We could just try going there …" Zoro said from his place against the wall. "As long as we don't come off as a threat … it should be okay."
"I guess so …" Nami said as she stood up straighter. "It's worth a shot …" She continued as she rolled her neck. "I'm tired …" She said as she started to leave the room. "We can try tomorrow."
Everyone else seemed to disperse as well. Tilting his head, Luffy walked out after she had to go looking for her. He spotted her heading to the back. Looking behind him, he noticed Sanji had remained in the kitchen. Smiling to himself, he quickly went off after her as she turned the corner.
"Nami!" He called, but quiet enough that the others didn't hear him.
Furrowing her brows a bit, Nami turned to look at him. "What?"
His brows furrowed softly at the tone of her reply. She actually sounded annoyed. "I …" He started before blinking slowly and looking down. "Never mind …" He said quietly before turning to leave.
Closing her eyes and clenching her fists, she then took a deep breath to force herself to relax. "No, wait …" She said before approaching him.
Remaining turned around, he stared ahead of him before turning, still frowning. "I'm sorry …"
"No, it's okay … I'm sorry … I know that you're … probably annoyed with Sanji right now, but you don't have to worry about that, okay?" She said as she also frowned.
"A-Are you going to … talk to him, or …?" He asked a little nervously as he fiddled with his fingers while looking at them.
"I don't know yet …" She said as she looked to the side.
Quickly looking up, Luffy just blinked at her reply. "D-Don't know yet …?"
"Mm …" She hummed in reply before sighing. "I don't really know what to say to him …"
"Oh …" He replied as he looked down.
Stepping forward, Nami enveloped him with her arms in an embrace. "I'm sure things will work out …"
Gasping and not having expected it, Luffy stiffened in his surprise as his eyes widened. Then he blinked a bit as he felt himself relaxing. "I-I guess so …" He replied before a thought occurred to him. "I …" He started before he frowned softly. "I … don't want him to get hurt though …"
Staring off ahead of her, Nami's lips parted before she stepped away from him. "What?"
"I don't want him to get hurt …" Luffy repeated, his expression still soft.
Nami stared down at him for awhile before she smiled warmly. "Like I said … I'm sure things will work out."
He gaped up at her for awhile before a grin slowly formed on his lips and he chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"I'm sure Sanji will pop back up as soon as he's himself again … For all we know, he's only doing this because he's a woman right now …" She continued.
"Yeah, I guess that's true too … At least, I hope so …" Luffy replied as he scratched his head and looked down.
"He'll be fine …" Nami reassured as she tapped her knuckle under his chin.
Looking up at her, he chuckled again. "Yeah, he will. Thanks, Nami."
Tilting her head a bit, she then formed a smaller smile. "Were you worried about what I would think or say about his declaring his feelings for me?"
His cheeks flushed as he shifted his eyes away, still scratching his head. "I-Well-I mean-No … Um … N-Not really … I was just …"
Nami just chuckled as she shook her head, but then stepped up closer to him. "Only you can reach my star, remember?"
Eyes widening a bit, he then shifted them back to her, the blush deepening just slightly. Chuckling again, Nami cupped one of his cheeks, running a thumb over the flush there, causing the red to deepen even more in color. "I wonder … would you still blush like this if you weren't a female? It's kind of cute …"
"I-I-I …" He stuttered as he took a step back.
"I might have to give it a try once you turn back …" She said as she let her hand caress down his face, causing it all to redden completely.
"I … I …" He continued to stutter as he stumbled back and ramming against the ship's wall.
She chuckled again before turning. "I'm gonna go sketch some maps now. See you later!" She called as she smiled at him over her shoulder.
Heart pounding, all he could do was watch her walk away. Then he blinked a few more times before letting himself slide down the wall slowly as he released a shaky breath. His legs felt weak and were even tingling. It was as if all the blood had rushed to his head, so they no longer had blood in them to support his weight. After awhile, he finally stood up, albeit a bit shaky, but he stood none the less and then turned and headed back to the deck.
xxxx
A man walked down the harbor, stopping at a particular warehouse. With a chuckle, he then walked inside. The men inside immediately went alert at the lone man entering the warehouse with a smirk on his face.
"Who're ya and what the 'ell are ya doing 'ere?!"
"Now, now, captain … There's no need for such hostilities. I promise I won't cause you or your men trouble …"
"I still wanna know what the 'ell you're doin' here, lad …"
"I've been hearing … you've been having … 'girl' troubles …"
"Aye … ya heard right …"
"And trouble … with an orange haired man …"
A scowl appeared on the captain's face. "That's right …"
"What if I told you … I'm willing to help you get what you want …?"
"Why …?"
"Mmm … you see … a lesson needs to be taught … and unfortunately ... they're looking for me … I can't have that just yet …"
"Lookin' fer ya … Why would they be lookin' fer ya, laddie?"
"That information is for me to know … What does it matter as long as you get what you want. I'll also throw in a bonus … There are three other girls that will most likely be with them …"
Captain Archie's face lit up as he and his men straightened, obviously interested. "And 'ow do ya suggest we go about this? 'Ow are you gonna help us? The little lass by 'erself is stronger than we thought …"
"She's weakened by seastone … However, her other friends are strong … I can get you the seastone … and even … something else … I also have others willing to fight as well …"
Archie seemed to be in deep thought as he stared down at the man. "And if we're unsuccessful …?"
"I don't think we can fail with the things we have planned … I believe a few of their crewmates are Akuma no Mi users … I'm sure we can come up with ways to cripple the others as well … One of them for sure I know is actually weak against other women … As long as you promise not to touch my women … she will be crippled …"
"As long as I get that scarred bitch and 'er orange 'aired body guard … ya 'ave my word …"
"Good …Then we have a mutual understanding."
"This be'er work, laddie …"
"I'm sure it will …" The man said as he smiled. "I will have everything sent here to you …"
"I'll be lookin' forward to it then …"
"Me too …" The man said before he turned and exited the building.
Just outside were his followers. "So, how'd it go?"
"It went according to plan … He's in …"
"That's great, Manny-san!"
The man roamed an arm in front of him, just out of reach and as his arm past, he was suddenly a woman. "Yes, of course it is." Manny said as she smiled. "Ugh, it's great to be back as a woman. It's so disgusting and defiling taking on that form …" She said as her face took on a look of disgust. "Let's get back. We have a lot to plan for …"
"Yes, Manny-san!"
xxxx
Nami slowly made her way to the kitchen, wringing her fingers as she did. Opening the door, she then slipped inside, keeping her eyes on Sanji, who was inside the kitchen, cleaning. Biting her lip, she then took a deep breath and walked around the bar to go inside as well.
Jolting a bit, Sanji immediately turned to her. "Ah, Nami-san! I-I didn't even hear you come in."
"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you …"
Turning his back on her for a second, he dried his hands on a towel before turning back to her. "Is there something I can do for you, Nami-san?"
"Actually, I was … sort of … hoping we could talk …"
"Mm …" Sanji hummed quietly as he turned to the side.
"I … I think it's flattering about … what you said, but-"
"Don't worry about it … I know …"
"What?" She questioned as she looked up and blinked a few times.
"You … misunderstood me … I didn't really mean it like that … I mean … I did, but I didn't … Nami-san … I meant what I said that I'd do anything for you … You're … important to me, I'm sure just as much as you are …… to him …" He said quietly as he kept his gaze fixed onto the counter.
Nami just gaped at him, not really knowing what to say to him. So, she just waited to see if he'd continue.
Seeing and hearing him sigh, she then frowned a bit. "I knew it was too late the moment I saw him …" He paused for a long while as he tapped a nail on the counter. "… in your arms … When you brought him back from your … talk …" He finally finished before looking up at her. "What Robin was saying … about it being more specific … She was talking about you, wasn't she …? Of course, it was obvious about me and Luffy being attracted to you … but … she knew … who you were attracted to, and after really thinking about it … I knew it was him … and not me."
Her frown deepened, but softened as she continued to look at him. "I guess I always knew it …" He said as he shifted his eyes away. "Even so … I just wanted you to know … that I'd do anything for you … and if you need anything … please, don't hesitate to ask, Nami-san. I'll be there for you …"
Nami blinked softly as she continued to watch and listen before her expression completely softened. Then she stepped up to him and hugged him. Gasping in surprise, Sanji's cheeks then took on a pink hue as his one eye grew wide
"Thank you, Sanji-kun … You may not have thought so, but that actually means a lot to me. If I ever do need anything … I'll ask, okay?"
Expression softening, Sanji then drooped against her before hugging her back. "Thank you, Nami-san …"
She chuckled. "What are you thanking me for?"
"I don't know … I just felt that I needed to …" He said as his eyes softened. In actuality, he was thankful that she would come to him if she ever needed to.
Suddenly, there was a slight noise in the dining area. Both pulled away to look, just to see Luffy staring at them wide eyed. Sanji opened his mouth to speak and even took in a breath, but then Luffy just turned around and started to walk out.
"Sorry …"
"Ah!" Sanji started before looking up at Nami in concern. She was frowning in just as much concern at Luffy's back. Then she looked down at Sanji, and he knew she was asking him now for help. Furrowing his brows a bit, he then ran past her to go after him. "Wait!" He called once he'd run out of the door.
However, Luffy just kept walking. "Luffy, wait!" Suddenly, Luffy turned on his heel and shoved Sanji hard. "Ah!" He exclaimed as he hit the floor. Blinking in surprise, he looked up into Luffy's angry face.
"Are you happy now?!"
"Wha …? W-Wait, no, Luffy-"
"You succeeded! You got what you wanted!"
"No-No-No! It's not what you think! You misunderstand!"
"I didn't misunderstand anything!"
"I'm telling you, it wasn't what it looked like!"
Nami slowly stepped just out of the doorway, leaning against it as she watched with a deep frown, not sure at all what to do.
"Look, I didn't mean what you thought when I said what I did to, Nami-san! I already knew it was too late! I already knew it was you she was attracted to! Y-You misunderstood me … both of you did. I wasn't trying to take Nami-san away from you …"
Blinking as he lost his frown, Luffy just started down at Sanji with a look of some bewilderment. "What?"
"That … back there … was just a mutual understanding … It wasn't what you thought …" Sanji said softly, still remaining on the ground. "I mean … I just care about Nami-san … and always will, but … I wasn't trying to take her … Just … to let her know that if she needed anything … she could come to me."
Luffy's brows slowly furrowed. "N-Not …." Sanji started as he held up his hand to Luffy's frown. "… as anything else, but a friend …" He finished as he lowered his hand again. "I understand that it's your job to … see to her needs a-and all that … I just mean … if … she needed to talk, or … whatever …"
Luffy was still frowning down at him as he shifted his eyes up to Nami's worried frown. Then he shifted them back down to Sanji. Staring down at him for a long while, he then lost his frown as his expression turned a little more relieved and vulnerable, showing just how worried and even scared that he'd been. After awhile, he sank to his knees, joining Sanji on the floor.
"I'm sorry … I didn't mean to …" Sanji started as he sat up a bit.
"It's okay … Thanks, Sanji …"
Sanji blinked at him. "For …?"
"For … still wanting to be there for her … you know … if she …"
Sanji smiled at him gently. "Of course … we're friends … and ya know … you could talk to me too, you shit head …"
Luffy chuckled, but kept his gaze to the ground. "Thanks …"
Sighing in relief as she slid her eyes shut for a moment, Nami then stepped away from the door and walked over to them and knelt down next to Luffy. "I'm sorry, Luffy …"
"It's all right … I'm sorry for being stupid …"
"No … No, you weren't being stupid …" She said as she reached out and pulled him to her.
Blinking with wide eyes, he flushed a bit, seeing as Sanji was still right there. Sanji just smiled and shook his head. "No, he's just stupid …" He said, but it was said with a hint of affection.
Both turned pursed lips on him. However, his smile only widened, and he laughed. Then they both smiled and started laughing with him, Nami finally releasing her hold. Usopp rounded the corner and blinked at the three just sitting there and laughing.
"Eh? What're you guys doing?"
Everyone turned to look at Usopp, Luffy leaning his head all the way back with a grin.
"Having a mutual understanding …"
Blinking at all three having said the exact same thing, Usopp just stared down at them with a confused gape.
"Eh …?"
To Be Continued …
Author's Note: So help me … if anything is mentioned in a review about Sanji being gay because he happened to show affection towards Luffy … I will virtually pummel you into many teeny-tiny megabits of nothingness that will be forever lost in cyberspace … ya got me? -_- Yes, that includes you, heather … --; And yes … I'm still in a bad mood … I didn't feel like editing this … so if you saw any typos, grammar mistakes, or anything else … keep it to yourself … -picks ear- Anyways, ja …