Hi again! Welcome to another Lunami story written by me. As seen in the description, this is a sequel to The Smiling Suns, and it is completely in Luffy's perspective. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for all the reviews and favs of the previous one!

The Hungry Suns

Hi, thoughts! It's me, Monkey D. Luffy.

But you knew that, right? Since you're in my brain and all that. Sorry, I'm new to these 'thoughts' thing. I usually say what I want to say all the time, but I'm not really feeling it right now, since it's midnight and I don't wanna wake Nami up. Oh yeah, Nami's with me. That's why I haven't left the bed to go get some meat. She's sleeping so peacefully I don't feel like waking her up. She's also tangled up, loop-de-looping my arms with her belly, which makes it difficult to get them off. It's kinda annoying, but also kinda cute.

I can't believe I'm refusing to eat meat. Well, not refusing refusing. I just can't go on the journey to get meat. It feels like it's been a thousand years ago that we left Wano, but I'm sure it's been less than that. I'm an Emperor now, which feels weird. Am I already a great pirate? Should I give Shanks my hat now? No, I don't think so. For me to do that, I have to be King of the Pirates. Then, I will be greater than Shanks. My bounty's huuuuuge though, and I'm really happy about that. Nami's bounty also increased. Hopefully no stupid guys try to get her, or they're gonna meet themselves with a Gum Gum 'Leave my Navigator alone' pistol. I have to remember to shorten that attack, it's too long. Gum Gum 'She's mine' pistol? Eh, I'll think about it later.

Nami's hot breath reaches my chest and I can't help but shiver every time. Maybe it's just because I'm hungry, but I don't think that's all it is. Since we joined mouths I've felt very differently about her. In a good way, of course! I've always loved her, but didn't think there was anything different from loving Zoro, or Usopp. But then after our wounds healed, she sat me down and explained to me how we felt for each other. It was kinda cool, discovering something that had been inside of me all along. It was an interesting adventure. She got me to read a lot more, though. Something about her boyfriend needing to at least be 10-year old reading level. I'm 19, I should already be at that level! She did give me fun books, though, so I'm not too mad. Oh, right, we're boyfriend-girlfriend now. Like how grandpa had to have had a girlfriend to give birth to my dad, and how my dad had to have a girlfriend to give birth to me. Don't know why Nami was all red when she explained that. I suppose we can marry later? I don't know when exactly. Hammock already told me to marry her even though we weren't boyfriend-girlfriend. I'd have to ask Nami about it later. I should also ask how exactly I give birth to someone. Not that I want to right now, the sea's not really meant for children. I learned that much from Shanks. If it came to that, though, I'd gladly give an arm for him.

When Nami told the crew we were boyfriend-girlfriend, they went really crazy for some reason. Sanji wanted to fight me and Zoro was laughing at him. Chopper was talking about some medical stuff that I didn't really understand. Something about counter septives. Nami got red at that and tried to fight Chopper, which was pretty funny. Robin smiled, Franky patted me on the back, congratulating me, Usopp was the most surprised, I'd say, running around the ship like a crazy guy. Brook asked me what color her panties were, and Nami punched him like usual. Not like I would've had an answer for him though? Why would I look at Nami's panties? Anyway, Jinbe also took it as calmly as Robin, smiling at us. I'm really glad none of them seemed to have trouble with us. It makes me happy to have such a cool crew.

"Luffffyyyyy," Nami says beside me. Wait what? She's awake? How? I wasn't getting up because I wanted her to sleep. "Your stomach is rumbling like a sea beast. Just go and eat." Oh. That explains it. I didn't even notice I was growling so loudly. What a shame, though. I feel bad for waking her up.

"Sorry, Nami," I tell her. "I didn't want to wake you up so I didn't go get some food."

"And because you didn't get some food you ended up waking me up anyway. That's a catch-22 right there."

"A what?"

"Nothing, Luffy," she says, still sleepy. My urge to kiss her is at an all-time high. With some work, she unloop-de-loops herself from me and sits up. "But since I'm up, I'm hungry too. Mind getting me some tangerine tart? I'd love you a lot if you diiiid," she says, looking at me smiling. I can't help but get red as well.

"Of course, Nami, shishishishi. Didn't think you'd have my appetite."

"I have my midnight urges too, you know? Now go, I'm hungry!" She throws a pillow at me, and I evade it pretty easily. Despite looking angry, I know Nami is just playing with me. She likes making me think. I wonder why.

"Will do, Nami. Sorry for waking you again."

"As long as I fall asleep in your chest again, I'll call it even."

"Deal!" I say, going out the door to the kitchen. Man, I'm so thankful for Nami. She forgives me very easily. I wonder if she realizes I like her sleeping on my chest too. What a great boyfriend I am! Yes I am! Go, me! I laugh a little to myself, getting a few shaky feelings in my stomach. Nami explained that's how you know someone is making you feel good. I laugh again knowing Nami makes me feel so warm inside. What a great girlfriend Nami is!

Most of our day on the ship has been pretty normal, to be honest. I get up, eat breakfast, share some food with Nami, and then I play with Usopp and Chopper. In between those play sessions, though, I look for her, give her a kiss, and keep playing. Sometimes I send her a gomu kiss by extending my lips from very far away and kissing her. It freaked her out at first. The first twenty times, maybe, but she warmed up to it. In the afternoon, I like to rest by Nami's side, either quietly sleeping in the map room, or taking her to the mast and sitting down looking at the calm sea. Then, at night, we go to sleep at our brand new Royal room, named by Nami, and built by Franky. It was huge! Much bigger than the male's room. I felt kinda bad sleeping somewhere that looked better than where my other friends were sleeping, but Franky explained that it was all right. That the captain and his girlfriend deserved a private space to share their intermate moments. I don't know what that means, but if he says it's okay, then I'm okay with it.

My stomach screams again, and I pat him, telling him that his food will be there soon. I gotta remember to get Nami's tangerine tart. And also some water probably. Sweets make everyone thirsty. I get so worked up thinking about Nami that I don't notice I already walked past the kitchen. I turn back, and finally enter the beautiful place where all dreams are realized. My nose already picks up the beautiful fragrance of Sanji's meat, and I can smell a hint of tangerine, probably the tart Nami desired. I was so distracted I didn't even notice there was someone already there waiting for me.

"Hold it there, captain," says a voice, easily recognized as Sanji's voice.

"Oh, hey Sanji. I came here for some food to eat. I also came in to get Nami's tart, and I know you wouldn't try to hit me, right? I'm getting her some food."

"I'm not here to fight you, Luffy, you can get whatever you want."

"Oh, cool!" I start getting the food from the fridge, but Sanji shuts it with one of his legs. "Huh?"

"But I was hoping I could talk to you," he says, taking a puff of his cigarette. I still don't get how he likes those, they don't taste like anything.

"Oh, sure! But be quick though, or Nami might get worried."

"With matters of love, even a lady such as her has to wait for a bit. Now, sit down."

"Huh? But Sanjiiii," I complain.

"Sit. Down."

I pout, but I don't really wanna fight Sanji right now, so I sit down where he tells me to. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Nami, who else?"

"What? Why do we need to talk about Nami? Did something happen to her?"

"What? No, you idiot! You tell me, did something happen to her? I swear if you did something to her…"

"I didn't do anything to her. Why do you wanna talk about her, though?"

"Hmph. Typical of you to not understand."

"Not understand what? You haven't said anything."

"A lady like Nami shouldn't be with a halfwit like you, is what I'm saying!" I can tell he's serious. There's not an ounce of joking on his face. I frown a little.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that a girl as smart as Nami should be with someone of an equal caliber. A scholar, a scientist! Someone with half a mind to be able to debate with her!"

"But I talk to Nami all the time!"

"Talking and understanding are not the same, Luffy."

"I understand everything she says, Sanji," I say, keeping my cool. I can tell Sanji wants what's best for Nami. "Even then, if you think she's so smart, you should trust her judgment, don't you think? She must've chosen me for a reason."

"I…uhhh," Sanji tries saying something, but looks to the ground, seemingly defeated. "Crap."

"I may not be smart like Robin, or as good at cooking as you, but I understand Nami. And I promise, Sanji, that I will always protect her no matter what. That's what you're worried about, right? That someone might target her if they find out she's the girlfriend of an Emperor?"

Sanji's face went wide. "You're so friggin' scary when you talk smart like that. It's unnatural."

I laugh. "Nami's a great teacher. Besides, I know you, Sanji. I know you wouldn't be saying this stuff if you didn't care about Nami, and I appreciate that."

"It's just…it felt like such a turn. I never thought you two…fit. You're both so different."

"I love different. I don't want the same, it's boring! Nami makes everyday feel different, even while I'm stuck in this ship doing nothing. She invites me for tea, and even if I don't like tea, I drink it and put on a dress to pretend I'm a lady friend of hers. I invite her to swing around the ship, and while she might not like how fast I go, she always ends up loving it. I also love how she explains things to me very strangulously-"

"You mean strenuously, right?" Sanji asked.

"Oh no, at one point she was choking me while explaining something to me."

"Should've been me it should've been me it should've been me it should've been me," Sanji said over and over again, a conqueror's haki of depression clouding the room. I didn't even know he had it! My crew is so strong.

While it was amusing, I still needed someplace to go. "Uhhh, am I good to go, Sanji?"

"Hold it, I'm not done. I still got a few more questions."

I groan, wanting to be close to Nami again very soon. I've realized during this trip that I start feeling anxious whenever I don't have Nami close to me, like somehow something will happen that will take her away. Something like a ball of fire-Nope! Nope! Don't think about fire, Luffy. Bad thoughts, bad thoughts, bad thoughts!

Sanji's question saved me, "Why do you love Nami? It has to be something else other than 'she's different' or I won't let you go. I trust you, Luffy, but I just have to know. For my own sanity, okay?"

I get it. Sanji is a very emotional guy when it comes to women. His lovey-dovey attitude with all of them isn't just because he's a perv (which I know Sanji can be at times) but because he genuinely cares for all of them, and I'm glad that he does.

"Nami is…well, she's Nami."

"Gotta be better than that."

"You interrupted me, let me finish!" I shut him up for good, and begin my spiel. "Nami is everything I didn't know I wanted. Nami is what I think about when people call me a hero. I know I've said I never want to be called a hero, but she makes me feel like one. I barely shared my food, but I'd gladly give her all of it. I also don't give a crap about money, so she can take all of One Piece for all I care. You know my only treasure is my hat, and all of you, but ever since I saved her for Arlong, I was seeing her in a different light. Nami isn't my treasure, because a treasure is an object, a symbol. But Nami is no object. She is her own self. Her own light. Nami is just something more than that, something I really can't explain, Sanji."

"You can explain it, Luffy. I don't need you to talk like a scientist, but please explain it your own way."

He's really putting a lot of pressure on me. But I try to answer regardless. "When I was a kid, and I played with Ace and Sabo along the fields of Gray Terminal, I always used to just smell death. Bodies were everywhere, and there was really nothing I could do to stop that from happening. I only had my brothers, and that's what kept me going. When I thought I lost Sabo, I didn't know it then, but I'm pretty sure I lost part of my happiness. Then the other half was taken by Ace. I can still smell the charred skin." You went and thought about him, Luffy, great job! No matter, just do like you've always done. Think of her, Luffy, think of her. "I got Sabo back, but I know I can never get Ace back, and that part of me has always been gone. But…I can just feel it, Sanji. I feel it when the sun shines and when I smell the tangerines in her hair and in the grove of the Sunny. I don't…smell death anymore. All I smell is her. I know it sounds weird, but it's true. I even had a dream once, running through Gray Terminal again, but instead of dead bodies, I smelled life, and flowers, and her. And then I wake up again, and she's there…with me. She's the half I'm missing," I start tearing up a bit. When did I get so sappy? "And she is my all." I look at Sanji, and he is completely stunned. "Is that a good enough response?"

The cigarette burning in his lips falls out, and I can't see his eyes when he gets up. He dashes at me, and I cover my face, expecting a kick. But instead, two arms are covering me. Sanji is hugging me.

"Sorry for doubting you, Luffy," Sanji says. It seems like he's crying, but I won't really ask that. I return the hug. "She's in great hands. Probably the best hands in the world. Not even my cook hands can compete."

"Wow, really Sanji?" I ask brightly, my tears already gone.

"Heck yeah," he says, letting go of the hug. "Now, don't keep the lady waiting, moron. Get the food."

Ah, typical Sanji once again. Feels good to have him back. I can't help but smile as I get a giant piece of meat and look at it with starry eyes. Obviously, I don't forget to grab Nami's tart. When I reach the exit door, a hand stops it from opening. Not again! "Sanjiii, I thought we were good now."

"We are, we are! Just, one more question and that's it, okay?"

"Fiiiine," I say.

"Your dream…after you become Pirate King…were you serious?"

I smile at him, knowing my dream is as important to me as it would be to him. "You're silly, Sanji. When am I not serious?"

"Heh. I should've guessed. It ain't gonna be easy, though."

"When has anything been easy for us? That's what makes it so fun, right?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Go on, now."

"I don't know, can I?" I joke, truly hoping I could actually leave right now.

Sanji sighs. "Yes. Go, you lucky bastard!"

"Shishishishi. Seeya, Sanji."

I open the door and direct myself to my quarters. Finally, my adventure in the kitchen has reached its end. Monkey D. Luffy once again triumphs in defeating his foe: feelings! Who needs 'em, am I right? Me, very much me. Anyways, hopefully Nami wasn't waiting too long. When I enter the room, my haki alerts me of yet another pillow coming straight at my head, and I dodge it again.

"Where have you been, Monkey D. Luffy?" Oh no, she used my full name. I don't like that.

"S-sanji used a different combination this time. It was hard to crack." In order to protect Sanji's dignity, I chose to keep it under wraps. Having Nami as my girlfriend gave me the advantage of learning how to lie a little, and while I wasn't Usopp, I could still mask a few things.

"Bullshit! What were you actually doing?" Dang it, I still can't lie to her.

"Sanji was being a bit difficult, but nothing I couldn't handle."

"Ugh, I swear, I'm gonna kill that cook if he keeps butting in our relationship. He knows this is for real!"

"Don't blame him, Nami, he really cares for you! Here, got your tart!"

"It still doesn't give him the right to insult you! Did he say you weren't right for me again?" she says, while taking a bite of the tart. She was in between being angry at Sanji and really enjoying the taste of his tart.

"A little…and some other things. But I straightened it all out, and I think he won't bother us again."

"Really? You straightened it out? Usually I'm the one backing him off."

"I did, really! I think he does believe me this time."

"Well, if you think so, I trust you, Luffy. Eat your meat, you still haven't bitten it."

"Oh yeah!" I say, not remembering I still had a piece of meat to devour. I tried giving some of the meat to her, but she happily refused, just happy enjoying the sweet taste of the tangerine dessert.

"Ugh, it's tough to get mad at him when he makes food this good," Nami says.

"Tell me about it, shishi!"

"Speaking of food, I wanted to speak to you a little about the logistics of your dream."

"Ya? Whab aboub ih?" I ask with my mouth full.

"Swallow first!" She gives me a small bonk in the head. "Anyway, I don't think you realize how hard that would be."

"Can't be that hard, Nami. I'll be King of the Pirates! The freest man of the sea!"

"Yes, but that doesn't automatically mean that you'll be able to give free food to everyone in the world. It's just not possible."

"It is to me!"

"You can't just keep saying that as if it'll suddenly materialize into existence!" she screams at me with shark teeth…and a little bit of Conquerors Haki? Nami's strong!

"I can, and it will! Just trust me, shishishi."

"Ugh, I really hope you know what you're doing, Luffy."

"I don't," I say.

"Stop being so honest," she pinches my cheek. Man, she's beautiful when she's angry.

"Come on, Nami, you know me. I don't have a clue about anything. But whenever I'm with you guys, we're the strongest in the world. If anyone can figure out how to make food free for absolutely everyone, then it's us. If we actually manage to do it, or not, I still want to try. You'll be with me, right?" I smile at her. I know she'll be with me, of course. But my dumb beating heart needs a bit of confirmation at times.

"Did you hit your head or something? Of course I will, and you better be ready to hand over the entire One Piece to me, your queen."

"Shishishishi, sure, Nami, unless that money helps us accomplish my other dream, in that case I'd tell you not to use it."

She looks at me with a face that would break mountains. "W-wait, Nami I was joking, you can have it! Ahhhhh!" I get very forcefully dragged by Nami to the top of the bed, and she pins both my arms at each side of my body, her full weight pushing down on them. "Uhh, Nami?" I can't help but grow red. With her feet, she kicks down the half-eaten meat and empty tart plate. I gotta remind myself to eat that meat later.

"Did you say something, captain? Is your money not to be shared by me? Hmmmmm?" she said, in a sultry voice. Hehe I got that word from one of her books.

"I-I mean, maybe it's helpful for my dream, and stuff, hehe."

"But, we are free, captain. When you become King, we'll be free to do anything, right?"

"Nami, you're silly, hehe. We're already free. We're plenty strong, so you can do whatever you want. We're just not the freest we can be."

"I see. Am I free to steal all your money to help you with your dream?" She sits on my lap. I'm really not hating how that's making me feel.

"That wouldn't really be stealing if I gave it to you, though. But if you want to steal it, sure, steal it," I tell her, following her playful demeanor. Hehe, demeanor. Funny word. Demeaner. Deminer. Demoaner.

"Stop thinking about how funny demeanor sounds, Luffy."

"Or what?" I smile, playing along a bit more.

"Or I'll be forced to do something unspeakable."

"Which is?" I ask curiously.

"I might have to kiss you to stop you from thinking."

"Well…you're free to do so, aren't you?"

It seems like that was the right response, because as soon as I asked, her lips were on mine, with full strength. If I wasn't rubber, I feel like my teeth would've broken from her force alone. Nami really has gotten stronger, and I couldn't be prouder of her. As always, I will always be there to protect her, but it makes me feel even warmer that she wants to go through the effort of making herself strong as well.

The kisses intensify, and so are Nami's hands, caressing all of me, like she feels like I won't be there the next minute. Oh, but I know. I very much know that the One Piece itself will not move me from this bed. I close my eyes and take it all in. It seems like going to the kitchen was not the final exploring I had to do. With my own two hands, I begin some adventuring of my own, touching the uncharted territories of Nami's skin. In the warm night of the Sunny, its course set toward an unknown island full of adventure, I focus only on my true light, the half I thought was gone. I can't help but smile as our embrace full of love makes us closer than ever. In the peacefulness of our room, all of the broken spirits, the broken hearts, the broken pieces. They all fall back into place, simultaneously becoming one to the rhythm of our movement, and the drumming of our hearts. Doom dut da da. Doom dut da da.