Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
The first time Nami met Ace and Sabo was…interesting, to say the least.
Nami had been sitting in the lounge, trying to scam money from Zoro. It was all too easy. While Zoro was cursing her, Luffy came running towards them, looking terrified yet amused. He dove onto the couch and scrambled to place himself behind Zoro, using him as a shield.
Zoro grunted as Luffy's elbow dug into his back. He turned to look at him, an annoyed look on his face. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Luffy shushed him. "Ace is after me!"
Nami's curiosity was piqued. She had painstakingly made sure she'd memorized every one of the institutions inhabitants, and she couldn't recall ever hearing of an 'Ace.' "Who's Ace?"
He glanced up at her. "My brother," he said simply. Nami opened her mouth to ask another question when Luffy suddenly squeaked.
"Shhh. He's here!"
Nami looked around. No one had entered. "Where?"
The younger boy didn't answer. Instead, he sat up on his knees, still behind Zoro, looking at the space in front of him. He laughed. "But Ace, I made you look pretty!" He looked to a spot a little further to the right, and after a few short moments he laughed again, nodding. He turned to Zoro. "What do you think?"
Zoro seemingly looked 'Ace' over, and nodded in approval. "Definitely an improvement." Luffy beamed at him.
"Who the hell are you guys talking to?" Nami demanded.
Luffy looked terribly confused, and moved to sit in between his two friends, legs crossed. "Ace, of course." Before Nami could say another word, she saw Zoro give her a discreet shake of the head. What the hell was going on?
So far, Luffy had actually seemed sane, apart from his hyperactive tendencies. Now though, Nami wasn't so sure. She wondered what he could possibly have. She had researched various mental disorders before coming here, but only the more common ones. The only one she could think of that involved hallucinations was schizophrenia. Although, even if she had only known Luffy for about a day, she knew there was more to it. It was never that simple with Luffy.
As she observed her two fellow patients, she felt a sudden wave of sadness. They were good people. Luffy was cheerfully naïve, and had accepted her instantly. He adamantly insisted that they become friends. Zoro, although he seemed gruff and unapproachable, also made good company. It was obvious to anyone who saw him that he was amazingly loyal to Luffy. She wondered how long they had known each other. That high level of trust between them must've taken years to establish.
She was suddenly jerked from her thoughts when Luffy grabbed her arm roughly. "This is Nami! She's really stingy, but nice. She's my new friend."
Nami didn't know if she should be insulted or flattered.
Luffy gestured to what she assumed was meant to be his sibling. "These are my brothers Ace and Sabo."
Sabo? There was another one?
The raven-haired boy was looking at her expectantly, and Nami assumed they had apparently said something to her. "Hello," she said awkwardly. It wasn't everyday she talked to empty space. "Nice to meet you."
After a couple of hours spent goofing off and chatting with Luffy's brothers, it was curfew. They were all sent off to bed. Nami sat on her bed, thinking. She wanted to know what was wrong with Luffy. After a few minutes of speculation, each theory more wild than the former, Nami decided to ask Zoro. He and Luffy were close. The green-haired man was sure to know.
With that conviction, Nami pulled a hairpin from her head and made her way to the door. She tested the door handle and, expectedly, it was locked. She fiddled with it for a while, and eventually got it to open.
Nami scoffed. Lock-picking, one of the only useful things she had ever learned from her uncle. She stealthily walked out into the corridor. She turned left and continued until she arrived at a larger hallway, then turned down the hallway directly in front of her. Early that morning, Nami had stolen the institution's map from Smoker's office. She felt slightly guilty when she thought of how helpful he had been, and how she was now betraying his trust by going through his things, but pushed those feelings away. If he caught her tonight, he probably wouldn't be as nice.
She eventually found her way to Zoro's door. She used her hairpin to unlock the door like she had with her own, and walked in. Unfortunately for her, he was asleep.
Nami tried everything she could think of to wake him. She poked and prodded, yelled into his ear, slapped his face, and doused him with the glass of water she had found on his nightstand. Hell, she even tried tickling him. Suddenly, she was struck with an idea. She was curious about how deep that loyalty of his was anyways.
"Luffy's drowning!"
Instantly, Zoro was sitting up, muscles tense and eyes looking around frantically. His eyes landed on Nami and he glared at her. "What the fuck are you doing in my room?"
Nami rolled her eyes. "Such uncouth language." Zoro only glared harder. "I wanted to know about Luffy."
From the look on Zoro's face, Nami could tell that she had surprised him. "Luffy?" He asked.
"Is he schizophrenic?"
Realization passed over the older teen's features. "So this is about this afternoon, huh? Ace and Sabo?"
She nodded.
Zoro settled back against his headboard muttering about how people keep finding his room. Nami assumed he was talking about Luffy, but kept the questions to herself.
"I honestly don't know what's wrong with Luffy."
This shocked her. "You don't? Why not? Aren't you two best friends?"
Zoro paused at that. He thought for a moment, then said, "We've only known each other for a few months."
Another shock.
"But you haven't asked?"
"It isn't any of my business. If he wants to tell me, he will. I won't bother him about it."
"Aren't you curious?"
At this, Zoro pinned her with a hard stare. "Don't even think about asking him. From what I've gathered, it's not a comfortable subject."
Nami raised an eyebrow, amused. "You sure you've only known him for a few months?"
He scoffed. "Why is that so unbelievable, witch?"
She merely shook her head. He was practically Luffy's bodyguard. She entertained the thought for a moment, imagining Zoro in a suit and shaded glasses, trying to keep Luffy out of trouble. Nami snorted. Out of trouble. Ha.
Zoro continued, "I'm serious, though. Don't ask him about it."
Nami felt slightly offended. Who was he to tell her what information she could and couldn't pursue? "And why shouldn't I?
Zoro looked at her as if it was obvious. "He'll tell us when he's ready. When that time comes, we'll be there for him."
We? She wondered at that word, but didn't deny it. It'd be easier for her if she had allies here. That's why she said nothing against Zoro's claim. Not because of the warm feeling spreading throughout her body, or the happiness she unwillingly felt at being considered their friend. No, she told herself, that wasn't the reason at all.
They were tools. Nothing more.
Nami stared at the man in front of her. His face was red and he was breathing deeply. His glare was more humorous than frightening.
Luffy and Zoro had placed themselves before her as shields, and Marco was pulling the man away. The man turned his scowl to the guard, but was rewarded by a more effective glare from the blonde man. After the strange blue-haired man was gone, Luffy began giggling. His quiet chuckles soon turned into a full, blown-out laugh. Zoro smirked beside him, his eyes shining in amusement.
Nami looked at them, bemused. "Who was that?"
Luffy turned his eyes to her, still chuckling softly. "That was Buggy. He gets angry real easily, especially if you insult his nose or try to take his money."
She crossed her arms. "Is that a part of his disorder?"
Zoro nodded. "IED, Intermittent Explosive Disorder. He's easily irritated, and his rages are, well, explosive. Funnily enough, the only way he calms down apart from violence or drugs, is by blowing something up."
Luffy laughed. "Explosive, see?"
His green-haired friend snorted. "Yeah, apparently it's some strange form of pyromania. They say he's the only one they've ever seen who has an obsession with combustion." He glanced at her. "Why'd you try to take his money?"
Nami flushed scarlet. "None of your business."
He smirked. "Kleptomania?"
Her blush deepened. So what? She stole a lot. What was it to him? Besides, everyone here had one problem or another. She smirked mischievously. "What about you, Mr. Hypersomnia?" A few days ago she had broken into her doctor's files, and found Zoro's. Strangely, she couldn't seem to find Luffy's.
Zoro glared at her, though he had a faint—almost imperceptible—redness to his cheeks. "How did you know that?"
The tables were turned. "A girl has her ways."
Before Zoro could say anything else, Luffy interrupted. "What are you guys talking about?" He looked bewildered. "What's keptimana? And Hipsomia?"
Zoro rolled his eyes. "They're our disorders, moron." Luffy's mouth formed a big 'O'.
Nami frowned. What would they do now? Would they be more cautious around her, always wary she would take something? Leave her entirely? She tried to tell herself that she didn't care. The sound of Luffy's unique laugh pulled her from her insecure thoughts.
"Well, I was put in here for ABCD."
Nami was baffled by the statement, but Zoro only sighed. "ADHD, idiot."
ADHD, Nami wondered. Why would Luffy be put into a mental institution for ADHD? It wasn't a disease that people were hospitalized for. Nami voiced her thoughts.
"Why would you be put into a mental hospital for ADHD?"
Luffy immediately froze. His face was expressionless, although she noticed the sadness in his eyes, as if he were remembering something upsetting.
"None of your business." And with that he walked out of the room.
For the rest of the day, Luffy was in a terrible mood. He moped about, and it terrified Nami. Luffy was always so cheerful, and now because of her nosiness, he was uncharacteristically depressed.
Later at dinner, Luffy brightened up at one of Zoro's comments. Nami blinked at the suddenness. One second her friend had a raincloud hanging over his head, and the next he was as bright and lively as ever. Nami decided not to think about it.
She would never understand Luffy.
So, now you know what Nami and Zoro have. How many of you guessed correctly?
I'm pretty sure most of you know what kleptomania is, but I'll explain it briefly just in case. Kleptomania is basically impulsive stealing. You can't help the urge to steal.
Hypersomnia is less well known, so I'll explain that a bit more. Hypersomnia refers to a lot of different sleeping disorders, but Zoro specifically has idiopathic hypersomnia. Idiopathic hypersomnia is severe excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Someone with this disorder takes long naps during the day (a few hours long), despite getting enormous amounts of sleep during the night. Also, the sleep is very deep, and it's nearly impossible to rouse them. That's why Zoro was so surprised when Luffy was able to wake him up so easily. There are a few other side symptoms, but the only other symptoms Zoro experiences are deficits in memory and concentration, fatigue, and headaches.
ADHD is also common, so I won't go into detail. ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The name says it all. However, like Nami was thinking, that's not all there is to it. Luffy has another disorder. I won't tell you what it is yet though.
Thanks so much for all your encouragement! People are more interested in this than I thought they would be, and it makes me really happy.
-Spoons
