Chapter Two: A Fight At the Baratie

I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda!

AN: As stated in the previous chapter, this story is just for fun and a complete AU, but it seems people are taking offense. I received obscene guest reviews who not only asked what the heck was wrong with me in more polite language but dared to have the nerve that I should do the world a favor and quit writing or tell me that I'm sick for writing this. So to and any other person who has problems with writers like me or others because it's what we love and enjoy doing, let me give you an excellent quote from a friend of mine, "Remember, if you don't like my work, then don't read or review it. No one is forcing you to."

So the next time you want to bash a person's work because they write something you don't like, do the world a favor and keep it to yourself.

This chapter takes place at the Baratie, and I wanted to mix it up with the live-action a little. There are a few changes from what was shown in the live-action.

Nami wondered if she made a dangerous mistake. She had run off hours before her wedding to Arlong, and she knew he would be extremely furious, but she couldn't go through with it. She couldn't marry the monster who murdered her mother, enslaved her village, and raped her when she turned 16. She felt sick every time she remembered that night and every night that followed. She should have known better and realized that despite Arlong being a Fishman, he was still a man with needs who would seek the companionship of the opposite sex. She blamed herself for the last one, seeing Arlong looking weak and being the one who encouraged it this time. She should have known better, but she blamed it on a moment of weakness.

~~Flashback~~

"Oh, Nami, you do not know how happy you've made me," Arlong said as he caressed her cheek. "You won't regret being my wife."

"The same applies to you being my husband," she said.

Arlong grinned, looking at her in what Nami assumed was a loving manner. Hell, did he even know what love was? He leaned forward, but Nami looked away.

"Are you denying your future husband a kiss?"

"Like that would even be possible," Nami said. "You're a saw shark."

Nami was not being mean or rude, but it was a fact that she pointed out. Arlong's sharp nose would prevent that on top of his sharp teeth. Arlong gave a low growl, but he knew she spoke the truth.

"Who says we can't find a way?" he said. "Or even try?"

Nami had no desire to kiss him. The mere thought wanted to make her vomit. Arlong wasn't deterred as he started kissing and licking Nami on the neck. She wasn't expecting him to do that, and his actions caused her to moan slightly.

Arlong was grinning since he knew where her sensitive spot was. "That's my good girl," he purred in her ear.

Nami put her hands up, ready to shove him back, only to have him scoop her into his arms. "What do you think you're doing?!" she said.

Arlong gave her a look that was full of hunger and passion. "I thought we would continue this in bed."

"The hell I'm having sex with you!"

"You're being very stubborn, and we're not married yet," Arlong said.

"Stubborn? You damn bastard!" Nami hissed, wanting to scratch his eyes out. "You have forced me since I was 16! You don't give a damn if it hurts me or how I beg you to stop because of the pain!"

Arlong, to Nami's shock and surprise, looked guilty. "I—I never meant to hurt you during those times," he said. "Instincts make it challenging at times, and it was so long since I was with—"

"It doesn't give you the right to force me to have sex with you," Nami said.

"No…it never did."

Nami looked at him. Had she heard him right? Did Arlong admit to something that he did wrong? He even looked guilt-ridden. Was that even possible?! His firm grip on her loosened as he slowly placed her feet on the floor. Nami was staring at him, unsure this had just happened.

He was taller than her, so touching his cheek was out of the question. Instead, she took his hand, and he looked at her as she moved towards the bed. Arlong followed like an eager puppy. To want to have sex with Arlong was something Nami would have never done. Not in a million years, yet she did.

Arlong's savage and roughness was not there that day. No, he was gentle, willing to do everything that made her feel good. It was the first time sex had been enjoyable between them, and it went on for a few hours with a rest between the love sessions.

~~End of Flashback~~

"Is everything alright, Ma'am?"

Nami blinked as she looked up at the maître'd of the floating restaurant, The Baratie; a Fishman named Royston looked at her with concern. "What?" she said.

"I was asking if everything was alright?" Royston said. "You look unwell. May I get you some water?"

"Yes, please," Nami said.

Royston nodded and went to bring her some water. "Here you are, Ma'am," he said.

"Thank you," Nami said. "You're very kind, Royston."

Royston smiled. "Thank you," he said. "It is nice to be appreciated even if I am what I am."

"May I ask you something, Royston?" Nami said. "If it doesn't bother you." Royston was surprised, but he gave a polite nod. "Doesn't it bother you working here where people look down at you?"

Royston quickly looked at the other customers who were eating before answering. "If you mean do I face racism with every customer that comes in, then the answer would be yes," he said. "I have faced it for a long time, but I am fortunate to have an understanding employer. Even among my people, I face it more because of what I am."

"What do you mean?" Nami asked.

"I am, ma'am, a hybrid," Royston said quietly. "My father was a human, and my dear mother, a Fishwoman, was from the brown rockfish species."

Nami was stunned. Royston looked like a Fishman, but he was a hybrid. "I didn't know that…."

"That my people and yours can have children together?" Royston said, not looking upset at all. "We can interbreed with merfolk and other races."

Nami suddenly felt uneasy as she thought about all the times Arlong had been intermate with her. She could be pregnant and never know it! What if she was?! Would Arlong kill the baby, or would he accept the child?

"Are you alright?" Royston asked. "You look suddenly pale."

"I think I might need some fresh air," Nami said.

Royston offered her his hand, and she took it without hesitation; as they walked down towards the bar built with the mouth of the fish-designed restaurant, he asked her a question.

"I sense that you are more distressed over a more personal matter," Royston said. "I do not like to pry, but it is clear that you are upset."

Nami looked at him for a moment before she told him about the wedding deal but did not mention Arlong.

"So your fiancée is a man that you have no love but is forcing you into this outrageous marriage so you can save those you care for?" the hybrid Fishman said.

"Yes," Nami said.

The hybrid shook his head. "A young woman such as yourself deserves someone far better."

Nami was grateful for him and, oddly, his company. He was a good listener and was understanding of her situation. He bid her a pleasant farewell when they reached one of the open benches at the bar. Nami tried to tip him, but Royston politely refused.

"I am looking after a friend," he said before leaving.

Nami was surprised. Royston called her a friend. Her thoughts shifted to Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro, who was recovering from serious injuries he received during a dual with Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk, who was not only the Strongest Swordsman in the World but also one of the seven deadly Warlords. She decided to go and see how Zoro was doing.

Usopp and Luffy were still beside their friend as he lay in Nami's bed. "Nothing yet?" Nami asked.

"No," Usopp said, looking worried.

"He'll wake up," Luffy said, so positive.

Nami looked at Luffy. How could he be so positive? Zoro's wounds were severe, and Zeff told them that the swordsman was between dead and alive. "Luffy, you know there is a chance of him not waking up?" she said.

Luffy looked at her. "No, Zoro will wake up," he said. "He has a dream that he won't give up on."

"Not everyone can pursue their dreams, no matter how they want to," Nami said.

"Don't you have a dream?" Luffy asked her. "You should go after it if you do."

Nami did, but she also knew it would never happen. "Stop making everyone believe they can!" she snapped at him.

Usopp looked at Luffy, who seemed confused as Nami turned and left.

~~.~~.~~

People arrived at the Baratie unaware of the dorsal fin that broke the surface at high speed for a few moments before disappearing again. A water geyser exploded as Arlong, Chew, and Kuroobi burst forth, landing on the floating docks surrounding the restaurant, causing people to gasp in fear at the sight of them. Arlong glared at them before he sneered.

"Who's hungry?" he snarled in what he considered a joking manner.

The entrance doors banged open as Arlong barged with his two most trusted officers on his heels.

"Welcome to the Baratie," Royston said, trying not to look uneasy or alarmed. "How can I serve?"

Arlong glared as he reached out to move Royston's head to the left slightly. "Serve? An interesting choice of words."

Backing off, Arlong turned, starting down the stairs. "You have food here, don't you? We wanna eat."

Royston, fearing for the guests there, hurried after him, walking in step beside Kuroobi. "I'm afraid there are no more tables—"

"I see a bunch of tables," Arlong said.

The sight of Arlong descending the stairs caused a few customers to start moving from their tables. Something Arlong wasn't going to allow.

"Sit down!" he yelled, pointing at those starting to get up from their seats. "No one leaves." The saw shark approached a table and grabbed the unexpected man's chair. "Except you," he said, ripping the chair back with such force that the man flew out of the chair and slammed into the wall near the stairs.

Royston hurried to the poor man, checking on him before he motioned for help from the servers nearby. The hybrid Fishman watched Arlong chuckle as he sat at the table, brushing the man's cup of tea off the table and then grabbing his plate with a tomahawk steak. Chew grabbed the bottle of rum and started drinking from it.

"A savage brute," Royston said under his breath as Zeff came from the kitchens and headed for the table.

"Who are you, old man?" Arlong said.

"My name is Zeff, and I own this place."

Arlong snorted. "Well, I'm Arlong, and I rule the East Blue."

Zeff boldly glared right back at him. "No one owns the sea, not even one like yourself."

Kuroobi and Chew glanced back at Arlong, who hmphed at the man. "Listen up. I'm looking for a girl with orange hair," he said. "Her name is Nami."

"Orange hair, you say. hmmm?" Zeff said. "A real beauty."

Arlong leaned forward, eyes on Zeff. "Yes, she is. You've seen her?"

"No, can't say I have," Zeff said, remaining as calm as an ocean. "How about I fix you a meal? Anything off that menu, free of charge?"

Arlong nodded to the plate before him. "Well, I have a meal," he said. "If you don't bring me my missing fiancée before I finish, I might have to start adding these nice folks to the menu."

Arlong looked back over his shoulder, causing some customers to whimper in fear.

"You are a savage brute!"

"What was that?" Arlong growled, focusing his attention on Royston, who looked angry. "Did you say something?"

"Royston, calm down," Zeff said.

The maître'd might have been up in his years, but he had a strong sense of honor, and hearing Arlong say that beautiful young woman, his fiancée got his hybrid blood to boil. Anger replaced his fear of the other Fishman, who had a fearsome reputation in the East Blue. Not only that, but the customers were being threatened. "You heard me," Royston said. "How dare you come to the establishment and threaten these people?! To know you are this so-called fiancée—"

Arlong rose from his seat, blue eyes darkening as he moved towards the other. "You've seen her, haven't you? HAVEN'T YOU?! Where is Nami?!" Royston refused to answer, which angered Arlong. "Tell me, or I will kill you where you stand!"

Unknown to Arlong or Royston, Nami hid where she saw and heard it all. She feared for the hybrid and, without hesitation, rushed from hiding. "I'm here," she said. "Just don't hurt him, Arlong, please."

Seeing Nami, Arlong's mood quickly changed as his anger was swiftly forgotten. He went to her, looking so concerned, something that Kuroobi found sickening.

"Nami," Arlong said, taking her hands into his larger ones. "You had me worried. You up and left without a single word or even a note."

"I would have returned eventually," Nami said calmly.

"When?" Kuroobi said, scoffing. "When you returned with a few assassins or bounty hunters for Arlong-san's head?"

"Kuroobi, that's enough," Arlong said.

"She's lying and no doubt planning something," Kuroobi argued.

"I said, enough!" Arlong snapped as he turned to face the ray man. "We found Nami so we can return to Arlong Park."

"Nami!"

"Ohno," Nami whispered as Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp entered the dining room.

Arlong frowned at Luffy. "Nami, who is this—human?"

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be King of the Pirates!" the rubber boy said.

"Is that supposed to impress me?" Arlong sneered. "Do you know who I am, boy? I'm Arlong the Saw, and marines flee before my flag."

Luffy merely shrugged. "Not ringing a bell," he said. "Nami, is he a friend of yours?"

"Friend?" Arlong gave a rough laugh. "We're engaged to be married."

"Married?!" Sanji glared at Arlong. "To you? I find that hard to believe, especially with someone who is a monster."

"Monster?" Arlong snarled.

"Arlong, please," Nami begged, knowing the restaurant would be destroyed if he lost his temper. "Let's just leave."

Arlong glanced at her. "Leave?"

Nami still saw the fire of rage smoldering in his eyes and knew he wouldn't calm quickly. She quietly reached up, fingers touching the sun tattoo on his chest, pressing against him. "We're supposed to be getting married, aren't we?"

Nami's beauty and how she spoke drew Arlong back in. "Of course," he said in a more calm tone. "We're leaving," He looked back at Kuroobi and Chew.

Nami had hoped to leave the restaurant peacefully, but that didn't happen. Oh no, Luffy and his so-called righteousness had to interfere.

"Nami? What are you doing?" Luffy said, looking at her.

"Luffy, I tried to tell you, but you refused to listen," Nami said. "But I was never on your crew."

"I don't believe that," Luffy said. "If he's forcing you—"

"Boy, watch what you say around me," Arlong growled.

"Or what?" Luffy challenged.

Arlong's eyes narrowed as he stepped away from Nami, teeth bared menacing at Luffy. "Or I will teach you a lesson."

"Luffy, please," Nami said. "You don't know what you're doing."

"Let's not anger him, Luffy," Usopp begged, his knees shaking with fear.

"Out of my way," Arlong said.

"Not with my navigator," Luffy said, boldly getting in Arlong's face.

"What was that?" Arlong said with a growl.

"Nami is our navigator," Luffy said. "She stays with us."

"If you dare to stop Nami from leaving with me, then I'll teach you a lesson in manners and respect," Arlong snarled.

"Then… " Luffy said, putting on his straw hat. "You're gonna have to fight me."

Arlong smirked as he punched one hand into the other. "Then let the fighting begin."

Luffy grinned as he attacked Arlong, who quickly sidestepped and grabbed him, throwing him across the room where Luffy smacked into a column. Luffy grunted as he hit the floor.

"Get up!" Arlong barked.

Luffy grunted as he did so and attacked using his rubber abilities, striking Arlong in the chest twice and in the face. Arlong wasn't fazed at all.

"Not bad for a human," he chuckled.

Luffy launched his Gum Gum Pistol attack only to have Arlong grab his fist. The rubber boy tried again with his right fist, and once more, Arlong caught it. Luffy's eyes widened in anger as he was pulled to the Fishman.

"-Uh?" Luffy said as he found himself face to face with Arlong.

"—oh, big mistake," Arlong said. "Now I'm going to have to make an example out of you."

Arlong snarled, as did Luffy.

"Arlong, stop!" Nami shouted as he hurled Luffy through the air and shockingly right through the doors of the Baratie's entrance. "Arlong, please stop."

Arlong wasn't listening as he stormed up the stairs, out through the destroyed entrance doors. Nami started to follow, only to have Royston stop her.

"It is dangerous to go out there," Royston said.

"If I don't get Arlong to listen, he'll destroy the Baratie," Nami said as Kuroobie and Chew followed Arlong, looking eagerly for blood.

~~Outside the Baratie~~

Arlong chuckled as he stepped through the remains of the French entrance doors of the Baratie, eager to finish off the human who dared to challenge him. Luffy grunted as he got to his feet, meeting Arlong's gaze with his fiery defiance. Arlong knocked him away, making him roll along the floating docks of the restaurant. Luffy got to his feet, arms raised, ready to go on, grinning recklessly.

"I don't know what makes you so special, boy, if you think you can beat me," Arlong said.

"Why don't you come and find out," Luffy said.

Once more, they resumed their fight, landing strong hits against the other. Chew and Kuroobi stepped out as Arlong slammed Luffy face-first before him. The saw shark startled, chuckling as he glanced at his officers just as Luffy returned to his feet. Arlong was stunned to see him doing so. What was with this damn human?! He kicked Luffy with such force that he skidded a short distance, closing in on the boy before he had a chance to recover. Arlong backhanded him, sending him flying into the sail of a nearby boat, where Luffy landed on some fishing nets. Arlong couldn't believe it as Luffy pulled himself up, grinning again.

"Come on, fish-guy," Luffy said, unfazed. "Is that all you got?"

Arlong growled as he rolled his shoulders. Luffy caught him off guard by punching him right in the mouth, staggering him. Luffy took advantage of that moment, delivering a rubbery left hook followed by a right hook that knocked Arlong down onto his hands and knees. Kuroobi and Chew looked at each other with sudden concern. Were they going to see Arlong taken down by a human?

Arlong slowly looked up at Luffy, eyes darkening with growing anger. How dare this human do this to him?! Wait, the boy was a devil fruit user, meaning he could turn the tide of the fight in his favor.

"How about a drink?" he said, surprising Luffy as he splashed a massive seawater at him.

Arlong laughed as Luffy lay on the dock drenched by seawater. He closed in on the weakened devil fruit user, seizing him by his clothes and yanking him to his feet. The Fishman was ready to tear Luffy's throat out when a shout stopped him.

"Arlong, wait!"

Kuroobi cursed their luck as Nami rushed past them. Arlong was ready to kill that human, and now Nami was interfering. Arlong was still tense as Nami approached him.

"There's no need to kill him," she said. "You won, haven't you?"

Arlong noted the disbelief on Luffy's face when he spied the tattoo on Nami's left shoulder. He grinned, enjoying the look. What was that human expression? Ah, yes, rubbing salt in a wound.

"Nami's been a loyal member of the Arlong Pirates for years," he said, savoring his defeated enemy's look.

"Arlong, let's go," Nami said, stepping past him.

"Not until I finish my meal," Arlong said.

"You would your time killing a devil fruit user when we both know the sea can do the job for you?" Nami said, pausing to look back at him.

Arlong wanted to kill the boy, yet Nami had a good point. Why should he waste his energy when all he had to do was throw this human into the sea? A dark chuckle escaped his lips as he held Luffy arm's length out and let go. He watched with enjoyment as the boy struggled in vain to swim as he sank like a stone. Satisfied, he turned, motioning for Kuroobi and Chew to follow as he caught up with Nami. Arlong wrapped an arm around her, bringing her close to him.

"Once we're back at the Park, we'll have a private chat," Arlong said, keeping his voice low.

Nami was silent as she knew Luffy had perished because of her.

There's not much to say for this chapter. Remember to Read and Review.