Disclaimer : I do not own Nami nor One Piece nor any other shows I mention in this fiction.
Chapter three :
Family
Know what I hate? Tattoos. I freaking hate tattoos. So thank god I'm not going to let Bell-mere die and tattoo my arm in her memory. Did I mention I hate tattoos? Yes? Well sorry for repeating.
The reason why I hate tattoos is simply because my grandmother and mother rubbed off on me.
"Nami," I turned to look at Nojiko who had a big smile "Bell-mere's going to tell us a story!"
I nodded at her making sure to smile too, wouldn't want her to worry. I removed the blankets that were covering me and slowly got out of bed. Since the three of us are poor we have no choice but to share the same bed. It's not that bad, but Nojiko tends to kick.
I didn't even need to go to another room, I just turned to my left and walked towards the kitchen to wait for Nojiko and Bell-mere. Somehow I love living with them, sure I miss my own family but beggars can't be choosers.
Nojiko makes sure to play with me and teaches me games I already knew about, but I appreciate the gesture. She even reads me picture books. Basically she's a cool sister.
Bell-mere...she would have become an amazing mother, even better than mine. Now I know some of you might be rolling your eyes at the cliche sounding opinion but it's the truth.
My first mother was Japanese while my first father was an American.
My first mother had me when she was a young adult, the man who made her pregnant with me just walked out not taking responsibility. My mother didn't have enough money to raise a kid, she herself was still just emotionally a kid so she tried to abort me but it was too late by then. She had no choice but to confess to her own parents, my grandparents were disappointed but they didn't disown her. They just considered it a lesson to my mom to teach her to grow up and become more responsible instead of partying all day.
So I was raised by my grandparents, it helped that I took after my mother more than the mystery man who was my father. My grandparents just considered me another child and happily took me in, they were amazing at their job...the fact that my mother was the youngest of six siblings explains why they were so good at taking care of me.
When I turned six my mother came back into my life telling me that she was my mother. After that she tried to make it up to me, I just accepted her...what else was I supposed to do? She made a mistake and she left me with her parents but she tried to make it up to me. I might have hated her if I was older but I was just a kid who wanted parental affections back then so I happily accepted her.
That's why I think Bell-mere would make an amazing mother. She raised Nojiko and I despite being piss poor.
A hand brushing my hair brought me out of my thoughts making me look up to see the grinning Bell-mere, I returned her grin "Mom!" I called, I made it a point to let her know I think of her as a mom.
"Yo" she greeted as she picked me up and placed me in her lap as she sat down at the table
Nojiko took the seat next to Bell-mere, the kid was trying to act like a big girl. It was so amusing.
"Now what do you girls want to hear about today?" Bell-mere questioned
"I want to hear about marines!" Nojiko answered, whenever Bell-mere asked us what sort of story we wanted to hear about Nojiko answered marines, when I asked her why she just said that she was waiting for when Bell-mere would tell us more about her past.
Bell-mere hummed "Know what? I think Nami should choose, she never chooses" she said
Nojiko pouted but she knew Bell-mere was right, I tend to go with whatever Nojiko wants. I am mentally and spiritually more mature than her after all.
"Hmmm..." I started with a thoughtful look "I don't know" I lamely said earning sweat drops from the two
"Come on, there has to be something you want to know Nami" Nojiko said
"Then..." I started, was there something I was interested in this world? I already asked Genzo about pirates once to make sure they know I'm interested in pirates "I want to know more about East Blue" I have to make sure they know I'm interested in navigation too
"Yeah!" Nojiko nodded in agreement, she was interested too it seems
"East Blue, like its sister seas, comprises almost entirely of ocean, with a few scattered islands" Bell-mere said
"Only a few islands?" Nojiko asked, now that was interesting question.
"Well as far as I know there's not more than twenty." Bell-mere answered
"But that's a lot!" Nojiko said
"Compared to other seas? Our island is just an ant" Bell-mere bluntly said, "The East Blue is commonly known as the weakest of all the seas. Pirates who are considered great and threatening in this sea are regarded as low rate compared to pirates from the other seas and especially in the Grand Line"
"We're weak" Nojiko deadpanned and I snorted in amusement
"It's ironic" I spoke up "Gold Rogers came from the East Blue!" I exclaimed, I didn't want to talk for long or explain much mainly because I'm still just a baby. They knew I was smart but I didn't want them to know that my speech could rival an adult's
"Who's that?" Nojiko questioned
"The old king of the pirates" Bell-mere answered with a smirk, "I suppose you're right Nami, people tend to forget that Roger came from the weakest sea."
"Hmm, he's amazing!" I said in childish glee
"Well when you grow up you can become a marine and capture those amazing people" Bell-mere said
I did a disgusted noise "I hate marines!" I said with a childish pout
"Oh? Why's that?" Bell-mere asked in amusement, she just loved suggesting I become a marine because of my dislike for marines
"They're stuck up meanies.." I answered crossing my arms
"So are pirates" Nojiko retorted
I puffed my cheeks out "Well at least they admit it!"
"Hmm, I suppose you're right about that Nami. Personally both are pains in the asses" Bell-mere shrugged
"Ah, you said a bad word!" Nojiko pointed out
"No I didn't" Bell-mere said
"Yes!" Nojiko countered
And so the two engaged in a yes and no competition until a knock resounded.
Bell-mere stood up holding me in her arms, she opened the door "Pinwheel!" I happily greeted raising my arms to try and grab the pinwheel, I was obsessed.
Genzo flicked my forehead in amusement "Not today you little cat"
Did I mention I think cats are weak? One day I'll show Genzo that I am not a cat.
"What do you want?" Bell-mere asked raising an eyebrow, ever since I called Genzo 'daddy' Bell-mere has been a bit mean.
I call it tension, why can't they just kiss already? I totally ship them. Oda didn't do them justice, the two had a lot of chemistry.
"I was thinking today," Genzo started looking at me "Nami still hasn't visited the village" he stated
Right, I forgot. I never did go into the village.
"So?" Bell-mere questioned
"I decided to take her around" Genzo said
I shrieked as Bell-mere threw me at Genzo who caught me, I turned to glare at Bell-mere who promptly slammed the door in my face. "Come back at seven!"
I take back what I said earlier, she needs some parenting lessons.
"Crazy woman..." Genzo muttered adjusting his grip on me
"Pinwheel..." I murmured as I reached to grab the pinwheel
"Oh, just give it a rest Nami" Genzo said
I pouted, one day I'll get that pinwheel.
"So Nami, how's life been?" Genzo questioned during our walk
I shrugged
"I know you can answer" Genzo said
"How?" I asked
"You're really smart" Genzo answered
"Hmph!" I said closing my eyes and turning away
"Thanks" Genzo thanked
I looked at him raising an eyebrow in confusion
"You're too young to understand" Genzo said
Oh, if only he knew. "Grr!" I roared
"You still haven't gotten the roar down, it's more cute than intimidating" Genzo said in amusement
I glared at him.
"Just stick to meowing" Genzo added
The nerve!
The village was really tropical, lots of palm trees. The houses were all white but the roof were another color, everyone was busy with something walking around, selling things, buying things, kids were playing.
All in all Cocoyasi village was beautiful and resembled a tropical island that had a market place in the same area as the houses and shops. But that wasn't what made this place amazing, it was the people. All so loving, kind and caring. They made the place lively, it's sad how this will all change when Arlong comes along.
I don't hate Arlong, I used to but after I heard about his past I can say I don't hate him. I just dislike him for ruining other people's life when his old captain made a dying wish for them not to hurt humans.
"So?" Genzo asked me
"Pretty" I answered
He chuckled "This village is more than pretty, it's beautiful. We're all a big family here"
"We are?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows in confusion, I knew that the villagers were close with Nami but family? Isn't that a bit much?
"Yes, we're one big family and you know what? Family looks out for each other" he answered
"Then why aren't you guys helping Bell-mere?" I found myself asking in an accusing tone
Genzo sighed as if expecting me to ask that already "Bell-mere's too proud to accept help from others." well ain't that the truth, "But we still try to help her to the best of our abilities, if she ever needs something she can just ask us and we'll try and help"
"Hmmm" I hummed in thought
"Speaking of which, is there anything you want?" Genzo asked
"Money" I answered without missing a beat "Or fame or power" I added as an after thought
Genzo sweat dropped at me, "Anything else aside from money and things I can't get you?"
"Books" I answered
"Now that's something I can help with" Genzo said with a relieved sigh
"Oh, so this is the famous Nami I've heard about" an old lady said with a kind smile as I entered the library with Genzo who still wouldn't put me down
"H-hello..." I greeted playing the shy card
Genzo shot me a look that screamed he wasn't convinced.
"How polite" the librarian cooed
I gave a shy smile
"Yes, she's very polite" Genzo agreed
"Now what would the little Nami want?" the librarian asked
"Books..." I answered
"How old is she?" the librarian asked in surprise
"She just turned one today" Genzo answered
I did?!
"It's been a whole year since Bell-mere brought her and that other girl here, huh?" the librarian asked in nostalgia
"Yeah, I still can't believe Bell-mere took in two kids" Genzo said
"You have to admit, she's doing a good job" the librarian said
"As if I'll admit anything" Genzo said, his pride too big to admit that Bell-mere is a good mother
They forgot I was here didn't they? I turned to look around the library "Books..." I mumbled, drool coming out of my mouth in glee. Now me? I loved books. I loved information and knowledge.
In the end I got three books, two from Genzo and one from the librarian as a gift.
Navigation, how to sail and how to survive at sea. I plan on sailing early.
I survived in a storm when I was a baby, why can't I survive as a kid? Besides I really want to meet Shanks when he goes to Dawn Island.
"Come again if you ever want to read books Nami-chan" the librarian said waving her arm, she told me I can come borrow some books if I ever wanted
I grinned waving at her "Bye miss!"
There's one thing that always pissed me off about One Piece.
Nami's past.
I mean the whole gain one hundred million or whatever sum of money to get our village back promise when Arlong makes that kind of money twice a year while having your village enslaved sounds stupid. Nami was supposedly really smart, how the heck did she fall for that?
"Oi, stop glaring" Genzo ordered me flicking my forehead
I pouted "Was not..." I muttered closing my eyes
"Sure" he said
Now I don't care if Arlong enslaves my village, I can wait until Luffy frees us and gains a bounty but I can't let Arlong kill Bell-mere. How can a kid like me earn enough money?
I sighed in frustration.
"We're here" Genzo said as we reached my home
I grunted still frustrated. I felt him opening the door still not bothering to open my eyes, he walked inside and I felt him sitting down.
"What's wrong Nami?" Bell-mere asked voice twinkled in amusement
I didn't bother opening my eyes to look at her amused face "Nothing" I said
"Well I know what can make you feel better" Bell-mere said
I frowned opening my eyes "What?" I questioned
"Surprise!" Nojiko, Bell-mere and Genzo yelled at the same time
I winced at their volume, yelling in a baby's ear makes said baby get a headache. Why would they yell surprise any-oh. I stared at the small cake that had a single candle. "Huh?" I dumbly asked
"Happy birthday silly" Nojiko grinned at me
It's been seven years since I celebrated my birthday, so it's pretty heart warming that Bell-mere who could barely afford keeping us alive made sure to celebrate my birthday.
I felt tears well up in my eyes.
Huh? Why am I crying? This isn't part of the plan. I should just act...
"Why are you crying?" Nojiko asked
I realized the tears were starting to escape so I quickly wiped then away. Sniffing I placed on a bright smile "I'm just so happy!" and that wasn't a lie.
They did grow on me, but I thought it was because of the plan.
I realized that there's a chance that by pretending to feel a certain thing...those feelings might become real without me even knowing.
"We even brought you presents!" Nojiko started, "I brought you pencils while Bell-mere brought you some notebooks and sketchpads" she finished
We really are one big family, but it can't remain this way forever. One day I'll be leaving, I'll do really bad things, I'll hurt people for my own selfish goals...but I hope they'll still consider me their family.
Chapter end!
A/N : Thanks to all the reviews I've received so far, I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter