"Please, just leave this to me. I know why this happened." He replied, as he too turned to walk back onto the front of the deck, leaving Nami standing there alone. Nami stood there for awhile, pondering on what Zoro said. She knew that he is trust able, and since he is the first mate, she should leave this to him. But Luffy was her captain too, and she was worried about him as well.

Leaving the topic for awhile, she headed back on deck, and into the kitchen.

"Oh Nami-san." Sanji acknowledged her as she took a seat at the table. "You hungry?" He asked,

"Uh, kind of." She replied as he placed a plate of strawberries covered in whipped cream. "You know how fat this is going to make me?" She laughed before scooping a spoon of whipped cream and shoving it in her mouth with a grin.

"Nami-San is too beautiful to be fat." He smiled, as he placed 7 more plates of the same product down onto the table next to Nami. He they proceeded to peer his head out the door,

"Oi losers, and Robin-San, snack is ready." He shouted, heading back and sitting next to Nami. Nami chuckled to herself as the door was banged open, and 8 rowdy boys ran in, followed by Robin, as they took their seats and begun to scarf down the quick snack.

"Sanji this is amazing!" Usopp said with a mouth full of strawberries.

"Ugh." Sanji looked away, "Manners."

"Sorry." He replied.

Nami glanced over at Luffy, he seemed to be acting normal enough, shoving his plate in his mouth and stealing food from others plates. Looking quickly over at Zoro, she wondered if he had already sorted it out.

Sometimes I feel as if Luffy is pretending around us. She thought as she ate, He acts a bit too immature sometimes. I think he puts a shell around his real personality. I have no idea why though.

The kitchen was soon empty again, except for the blonde cook, who was washing dishes in silence. It was late afternoon, and Luffy was playing tag with Chopper and Usopp while Nami watched. She watched Luffy's face carefully. For some reason his trademark grin suddenly seemed so fake. He seemed to be hiding so much from them. Her thoughts traced back to when they found out about Ace's death. She wondered how Luffy reacted, and how he got over his death so quickly.

Then it hit her.

He wasn't over it, that's why he seems to be hiding something, that's why he was crying. Her hand crawled up to cover her shocked expression, and she suddenly felt so sorry for her captain. It was obvious he was struggling not to break down. He was trying to keep himself together for them. For his nakama. Trying to not show any weakness. She felt herself backing slowly away, as she raced up the crow's nest.

"Zoro, I know." She blurted out as soon as she had climbed up.

"What-"

"I know and I want, no I need to help him as well." She whimpered as tears began to escape from her eyes, dripping slowly down her face. Zoro got up, and walked over to her, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry Nami. If there's one thing I know about Luffy, he's strong. He won't let that get him down- At least not for a long time." Zoro stated, as he used his other hand to wipe away her tears.

"But Zoro... What if that's not true. What if he isn't as strong as he makes us think. What if-" Her voice was cut off as he put a hand over her mouth.

"Don't worry. He'll be fine. Trust me. I'll help him." He smiled, "Now go get yourself cleaned up. I don't think Luffy would like to see you like this, crying over him."

"Okay." She sniffed, as she made her way back down the ladder. "Thanks Zoro." She muttered before closing the trap door, and jumping back down on deck, heading to the bathrooms.

Once she left, all that she said was left rushing through Zoro's mind.

"What if he isn't as strong as he makes us think" That thought rushed over and over inside his mind. What if it was true. What if he was on the verge of breaking down. Zoro suddenly knew what he had to do. He picked himself up, and headed out to find Luffy.

"Luffy." Zoro placed his hand on his shoulder, causing his attention to switch from Usopp over to him.

"Hey Zoro." He replied casually with a grin. Zoro narrowed his eyes,

"Come with me for a sec Luffy."

"Alright. I'll be back soon Usopp." He turned away from Usopp, and followed Zoro into the lounge, where he motioned for Luffy to take a seat.

"Luffy..You know you can always talk to me right?" He looked down,

"Yeah.. "

"About anything. Hell I don't care what it's about. Just know I'm here for you, even if I wasn't there 2 years ago at the war, I'm here now..." His voice trailed off as Luffy looked down, his hat shading his eyes. Zoro narrowed his eyes, and roughly pushed his hat onto the ground, reveling Luffy, tears had just begun to flow down his cheek. "This is exactly what I'm talking about Luffy! Talk to me! I'm worried and concerned about you. I care!"

"Zoro..." He sniffed, turning his head slightly away from him, not looking him in the eyes.

"Please Luffy... I just need to know you're okay." Luffy looked back up at him hesitantly. There was a small pause

"I'm not. Okay? I've been a fucking mess for the last two years. I wasn't strong enough to protect him, so how am I supposed to protect 8 other people. I.. I just can't!" His tears flowed down, dripping off his cheek and onto the floor. He looked down, closing his eyes.

"Luffy... Look at me." Zoro gently used his hand to tip Luffy's head upwards, and when his eyes met Luffy's, he almost forgot how to breathe.

They looked so sad, and full of guilt. Zoro could hardly take it. Luffy's normal cherub eyes were covered with tears, and regret. Without even thinking, Zoro pulled Luffy into a tight hug.

"You don't need to protect us, Luffy!" He whispered softly. "There are 9 people in this crew, and each one of them is able to fight for themselves, and each one cares about you. You don't need to pretend with us, Luffy. We can see right through you."

Luffy bit his lower lip as more tears fell. They stayed in this position for a few minutes, before Nami's voice rang out

"Land!" She screamed from the deck.