Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.
Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.
Warning: OOC possible. One shot.
Rating: T
Note: What is there to say but… HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAMI!
Summary: Birthday wishes might be overrated but not when they are made to come true.
LITTLE BITS AND PIECES OF HEAVEN
27 : Wish Come True
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAMI!"
The whole crew greeted in unison the moment the orange-haired navigator stepped inside the decorated galley—in the midst of popping confetti, clapping and shouting.
Their voices were surprisingly in sync and Nami wondered if they practiced the greeting days before her birthday or they were just that enthusiastic.
"Ah! Minna! Thank you!" She gushed as she looked at the happy, grinning faces of her crewmates and her own smile widened some more.
The room was filled with balloons in different colors of orange, white and silver. Some were floating up the ceiling with glittering streamers hanging down from them. Others were scattered all over the galley floor. There were letter balloons at the far end of the room with the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY spelled out.
The Straw Hats went all out with the decorating and Nami can't help but be pleased.
"You guys… this is wonderful!" She exclaimed as a whirl of hearts appeared suddenly in front of her.
"Nami-swan! Happy birthday!" Sanji stopped twirling and dropped down on one knee in front of the mapmaker. He held her hand in his, bowing slightly before planting a kiss on it. "Your birthday feast is ready my sweet mellorine!"
"Arigatou, Sanji-kun!" Nami glanced at the table, filled with delicious food and desserts, with a beautifully made three-tier cake in the middle, complete with sparklers. "Everything looks amazing!"
"Anything for you my love!" The blond cook sang and froze in happiness when Nami blew him a kiss.
"Nami! Happy birthday!" Chopper cheerily approached her and took her other hand, tugging her towards the direction of the table. They left Sanji, still frozen and kneeling down on one knee.
"Thank you Chopper!" She lifted him up and kissed his cheek. Chopper blushed and giggled and pointed towards the cake. "Time to blow the candles and make a wish."
"Yeah!" Luffy shouted, eyes sparkling from too much excitement at the food in front of him. "Come on Nami hurry, hurry!"
Nami just chuckled at her captain's impatience. Normally that would earn him a knuckle on the head but since this day is special… she decided to just let it go.
"Alright. Alright!" She said as she approached the table. She smiled at Robin, Franky and Brook as they all greeted her before marveling at the astounding cake in front of her.
"Wow!" She breathed out.
"Make a wish Nami!" Chopper said as he jumped on the empty dining chair to get a good view when she finally blew the candles out.
"Faster witch," Zoro drawled on her other side. He was sitting on the chair on her left, already enjoying a tankard of his favorite alcohol. "Luffy's about to turn rabid from hunger."
She narrowed her eyes at him yet he only smirked at her, muttering a 'happy birthday' before taking a drink from his mug as Luffy chanted 'meshi! meshi!' in the background.
"Come on birthday girl!" Usopp coerced her. "Make a wish and then blow the candles!"
"Oi you idiots! Don't rush Nami-san!" Sanji bellowed as he finally recovered from Nami's earlier blown kiss.
"It's alright Sanji-kun!" Nami's smile at him was enough to stop the chef in his tracks as hearts started popping out from him. She closed her eyes, silently making some wishes from her heart, before taking a deep breath and blowing the cake's candles so they can start the celebration.
Cheers broke out when she was able to blow them all in one go. Chopper was elatedly announcing how her wish will come true because of that.
Nami certainly hope so.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Usopp hollered as Sanji took her hand again to guide her to the seat at the head of the table—something Luffy graciously gave up for Nami's special day (with some cajoling and promises of meat).
"It's time to celebrate Nami's birthday!"
"Gimme."
Zoro paused in the middle of bringing his mug to his lips when Nami held out her hand to him, her palm facing upward.
"What?" He cocked an eyebrow at her.
Nami thrust her hand closer to his face, her fingers moving in a give me motion.
Zoro just continued looking at her blankly.
She made a face at him. "Gosh Zoro. Even Luffy has given me something for my birthday."
"Tch."
Nami sighed, resting both hands on her hips. No use teasing this surly swordsman if he have a birthday present for her.
Because the answer's most likely no.
Well she was expecting it. But of course that doesn't mean she wasn't disappointed.
She just decided to shove that thought down the deepest recesses of her mind and just enjoy her birthday celebration.
"You going anywhere tomorrow?" Zoro suddenly asked just when she was about to turn her back on him.
"Huh?" She blinked curiously at him. "Why?"
Zoro regarded her for a moment. "Let's go somewhere."
Nami's ears perked up at that and her eyes widened. Go somewhere?
Did he just… did he mean…
"Where?" She inquired almost breathlessly, her heart racing.
Zoro smirked. "You'll find out tomorrow." He stood up and made a grab for the bottle half-filled with sake. "Happy Birthday Nami." With that he moved to exit the galley to head to the nest for his watch, leaving her dumbfounded.
Honestly… did he just like… ask her out?
Seems like one of her birthday wishes will come true after all.
"So where are we going?"
That was the first thing Nami asked Zoro when they met each other on the deck the next morning after breakfast.
"Didn't Robin tell you?" The swordsman frowned at her.
"Robin?"
"Yeah. Robin's coming with us."
"Oh." Nami blinked. Robin's coming with them? The archaeologist didn't mention anything about that last night before they went to bed.
Yet she nodded to show her agreement and understanding… even if she doesn't really get it.
"Don't worry, you'll like it," Zoro assured her, when he saw her doubtful expression. "Just don't wear any of those pointy shoes you fancy."
Nami stared hard at him. She shouldn't wear pointy shoes? Does he mean high heels?
Why? Where are they going?
"Ara… are you two ready?" Robin's soft voice put a stop to their conversation. The raven-haired beauty was walking towards them, dressed in her hiking gear.
Nami looked at Zoro inquisitively who just nodded at her. "We'll go once Nami's ready." Then he walked away from her and headed towards the boy's quarters… probably to change as well.
"Not a problem," Robin smiled at him then at Nami.
"Oi! Luffy suddenly shouted as he bounded across the lawn, full of energy, with his adventure backpack already on his back. "Let's get going! Sanji! Where's our bento?!"
"Damn it aho sencho!" The blond cook shouted from the galley. "Can you just wait?!"
"Are you still not ready Nami?" Usopp walked past her, eyeing her up and down as he adjusted the straps of his own backpack.
"Ok wait." Nami held up a hand in a stopping motion. Everyone is in their hiking-slash-explorer apparels. "What is happening? Are we all going?"
"Of course!" Luffy said, pumping both arms up in the air. "It's an adventure!"
"Definitely!" Usopp frowned at her, offended that she sound disappointed that they will be joining them.
Nami mirrored his expression. "But…"
Usopp raised an eyebrow at her. "What? Wait don't tell me you think this is gonna be just you and Zoro?"
"No!" Nami growled under her breath, inwardly horrified that Usopp somehow sensed that. "Where did that even come from?!"
How in the world did they all know about today? She was pretty sure she was the only one Zoro asked last night.
The grin that appeared on Usopp's face was evil. "Oh. You do think it's just gonna be the two of you?"
"WHAT?!"
"Oooh… I did hear him tell you." the sharpshooter cooed as her face turned red. "But Robin also told us last night that we'll all be heading somewhere today."
Nami's frown deepened at that. So… they weren't actually going to be alone today. She honestly thought that was the case.
Because as far as she knows… she was the only one he asked.
Well… it wasn't though.
Nami shoulders slumped dejectedly. This is Zoro they're talking about. There is a much better chance of trying to shoot at the moon and hitting it. "I'll just go and get changed so we can head out to wherever we are going." She mumbled glumly.
So much for one of her birthday wishes coming true.
"Where are we heading?" Nami muttered under her breath as she trudged along the dense jungle trail, shoving away the enormous plant leaves that were blocking their path.
She had been rather excited about today last night. Right after Zoro told her they were going somewhere.
They. Them and their crew.
She pouted as felt annoyance stirring up inside her. She felt rather cheated. Not to mention, they had been hiking for about an hour now and she was getting tired. Robin has kept mum about where they were going. The same goes for Zoro, who was already a closemouthed person to begin with.
Between Luffy's constant hollering, Usopp complaining, Chopper getting excited with all the plant life growing along the trail, Zoro and Sanji's bickering every ten minutes and this excursion turning out to be one big of a disappointing trip… she was about to reach her breaking point.
"Are you ok Nami?"
Robin had stopped walking to wait for her, with a gentle smile gracing her lips. But Nami can see how brightly her usually cool blue eyes were shining from excitement.
Wherever they are heading… Robin's eager to get to it as fast as possible.
But she still doesn't get it why Zoro asked her last night. Robin could've just told her that she was planning on a hiking trip to the jungle… just right after her birthday.
"Where are we going Robin?" Nami can't stop herself from asking. She watched as the boys continued moving forward, noisy as ever. She wouldn't be surprised if they provoked whatever animals are lurking in this place because of racket they are making.
Good thing Franky and Brook decided to stay behind… or it'll be much noisier.
"Are you alright?" Robin inquired again. "Just a few more kilometers and we'll be there."
"Where and what is there?"
"Something that you like."
Nami looked startled at that. Then she narrowed her eyes at her friend. "You know Zoro said the same thing."
Robin chuckled.
"Robin come on! Spill! Tell me something!" Nami whined.
The older woman just smiled at her. "Let's go before the boys take a wrong turn or lose Zoro."
"Just let him get lost. We have Chopper. We'll find him later." Nami huffed as she followed Robin who had resumed trekking.
"That would be a shame."
"Why?!"
Robin glanced behind her mischievously. "Wherever we are going… Zoro has something for you there."
That made Nami stop in her tracks.
Zoro has something for her?
Robin chuckled again as she watched Nami's eyes widened.
"Let's get going shall we Nami?"
This time the navigator followed her almost immediately in stunned silence.
Is that why Zoro told her they were going somewhere today? Because he actually has something for her?
Her birthday present?
Nami fought the smile that was threatening to appear on her lips. Robin's sharp eyes might notice that she is excited about this.
A few more minutes of marching along the trail and Nami can't help but ask.
"What does he have for me anyway? And why is it inside this jungle?" Nami muttered darkly. She was excited at the thought of getting a gift from the ever-stoic swordsman but seriously, this non-stop hiking is slowly dampening her enthusiasm.
Robin glanced back at her amusedly. "It's a actually surprise. You don't like surprises?"
"From Zoro?" Nami blinked at that. "That thought is already a surprise in itself. Seriously, I don't think he's capable of doing anything like this." She glared at the idiot mosshead who were walking a few feet ahead of them. "Besides what kind of surprise is this that you have to exert so much effort to get it?"
The archaeologist giggled at her impatience. "Well to be honest, with a right push he is capable of anything. Give our swordsman some credit. Besides… as I have said you will like it."
Nami buried to her side. "You're behind this?"
"Hmm… yes and no."
"Robin! Stop teasing me!"
Robin turned to her and smiled that certain mysterious smile of hers.
"Let's just say, Zoro stumbled upon something in this place."
"You mean he got lost again and accidentally found something here right?"
"Fufufu… yes."
Nami pondered at the information she had been given. What is in this place that she likes?
Based on all the green foliage around her… there is nothing here that piques her interest.
So what the hell?
She glanced at Robin who had an almost serene expression on her face. Yet she was moving a bit faster than before. The boys had already disappeared from their sight. A few seconds passed and there were a lot of shouting and yelling ahead of them.
Robin motioned for her to pick up her pace. Ahead of them, multiple hands bloomed to part the gigantic leaves and branches that were blocking their path so they can easily make their way through it.
"Zoro accidentally found this place," Robin explained. "And I stumbled across him here while I was out exploring yesterday."
They reached the end of the trail. And Nami stared in awe at the scene before her.
A few feet ahead of them were ancient stone ruins of what could be a palace or a temple.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Robin murmured as she made her way towards the place.
The boys have now wandered off to explore the place. Nami can hear their excited voices echoing along the vast abandoned site.
But this is something that Robin likes… not her. She couldn't understand what's in it that both Zoro and Robin think she'll like.
Robin approached Zoro who was standing before a rather large boulder that was blocking the entrance towards what Nami could make out as a stone chamber.
She slowly followed her and watched as Zoro drew out one of his katanas and effortlessly sliced the boulder into pieces. He kicked off some of the rubbles, clearing the area as Robin beckoned for Nami to come closer.
Nami could make out a hole on the ground. Her questioning gaze met Robin's and the older woman just smiled at her.
"Happy birthday again Nami." And with that she left Zoro and her alone as she headed towards the now accessible chamber to explore what was inside.
Zoro was dusting his hands on his pants. "Let's go." He said.
"Go where?"
He pointed to the rather large hole on the ground.
Nami stared at him with wide eyes. It was then that she realized that the boulder earlier was meant to cover the hole rather than block the chamber's entrance.
"Nuh-uh." She stubbornly folded her arms across her chest. "I don't like gaping dark holes that looks like it's gonna swallow you and make you disappear to oblivion."
Zoro chuckled at her reaction. "Don't be such a chicken Nami. You'll like what's down there."
"Why is your gift for me down there?"
He frowned. "Robin told you?"
"Yeah."
He scratched the back of his head.
"It better be not the entrance to hell Zoro!"
"If it is then I would be dragging you to it! Not asking you to jump down with me!"
"Do you need any help?" Robin's voice suddenly spoke out of nowhere, interrupting their brewing verbal battle. A hand had bloomed out from one of the stone columns surrounding them, unsurprisingly with a mouth on it.
"Nah I got this." Zoro replied, scooping Nami into his arms suddenly.
"Zoro!"
With a shark-like grin, he leapt down the hole.
Nami screamed bloody murder at his ear, her arms clinging around his neck as hard as she could to the point of almost choking him.
They hit the ground not shortly after. And Nami's screamed was suddenly brought to a halt. She realized it wasn't the hole wasn't as deep as she initially thought it was.
But it was still dark… and scary. And her heart was still racing and thudding against her chest.
If this is Zoro's gift for her… she would maim him with his own swords once they get back to the Sunny.
Zoro set her down to her feet. But Nami did not remove her arms around his neck and clung tighter even as she glared at him in the dark.
She can hear him chuckling at her expense; feel him reaching down his pocket to pull something out.
There was a flicking sound and light suddenly filled the room. Zoro was grinning down at her, holding a lighter that he probably snagged from Sanji-kun's collection.
"Happy Birthday Nami."
And as the light slowly lit the room and bounced against some reflective surfaces, so did Nami's eyes as it widened with the realization of what was really Zoro's birthday present for her.
He had stumbled upon a chamber in the ruins filled with treasure.
And it was all for her.
Zoro just made some of her birthday wishes come true.
– The End –
R and R please.
