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Hello, there guys! I hope you all have a wonderful new year (belated, I know but the thought counts, right?). Anyway, I would like to thank you all for your reviews and follows. And –drums, please – I am very glad to announce that the story has had more than a thousand views, you make me so happy! Other than that, here is the new chapter. Some of you commented that the fanfic is kind of dark so this part will actually work as a sort of comic relief. Special thanks to Shivisdivis once again! Enjoy :)
Chapter 7: Wait, what?
Zoro was awaken by the rays of light creeping in through the window. He was ready to turn around and go to sleep again when he felt a hot breath against his skin. He reluctantly opened his eyes and was met with the sight of his spunky friend, Nami. Her hot breath fanned his neck and he realized that they were in fact, tangled together. His eyes opened widely illustrating his surprise. He had his arms wrapped around her petite figure and she had her face buried in the crook of his neck. One palm gently touched his bare chest and her foot was awkwardly lying on top of his whereas his face was buried in her hair. Her chest made contact with his abdomen, silk flesh against hard rock abs.
Although he found the situation rather problematic at this point, he could not find the will to move away from her. He actually was very comfortable and the heat her body radiated was very comforting. He closed his eyes again and inhaled her scent. He was not quite sure how as he was positive her house did not have a garden, but she smelled of tangerines and something spicy. He let out a content sigh and tried to sleep again, but at that moment it dawned on him.
He had to take care of one little problem most man had to face every morning and her presence did not help the situation. He cautiously detangled himself from Nami, surprisingly in a very serene matter. When he left the bed, he could see Nami make a face and cover herself tightly with the blanket. He smiled understanding he was not the only one who appreciated the heat provided by the other occupant of the bed.
After some time, the orange-haired girl was up. At some point during her slumber, she started shivering because of the cold and now she was freezing. She opened her eye lids only to be confronted by the bright side of the room. At first, she was a little disorientated as she had not realized where she was. After the events from last night came back to her, she realized she was in fact in Zoro's room. She stayed at the bed for a little while, feeling like she deserved a lazy morning.
She made her way to the door and when she opened it she was greeted with the sight of the moss head moron in the kitchen. He looked up at her and chuckled. She supposed it was because of her morning her and generally appearance. She acted as though she could not care less but a part of her was embarrassed that he made fun of her appearance. "Oh, shut it already."
"Grumpy, aren't we? You know you should be thankful I did not wake you up and let you sleep in." She just shrugged it off and reached the coffeemaker, desperate for a cup of the hot liquid that would turn her to a human being again. "Cups are in the cupboard above your head."
She thanked him with a nod and took out a cup. She filled it with a considerate amount of the substance and took a big gulp. She sighed enjoying the beverage when she realized "Wait? Isn't it Thursday today?" he nodded and it gain him a punch in the head.
"What was that for?" he said angrily rubbing his head.
"Don't we have school, idiot? Damn it, I am going to kill you, Zoro."
"Do you think it would be wise to go to school with 2 hours of sleep? Come on, have a break. You have to relax once in a while." he leaned back, his back touching the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand. He had put on a white T-shirt and she could tell he was sleepy as well.
She sighed and said "I guess you're right. God knows how I would be now if I had been to school."
"I don't need to be God to know that you would be a wreck." that gained him another punch but this time on his bicep. He could make out a slight smile and he swore he heard a muffled 'jerk' being said. He decided to interrupt her train of though. "I will head to the market to grab something to eat. Turns out the fridge was empty." he mumbled something about an idiot, but being in the process of waking up she did not pay much attention. "Need anything else?"
"Nah, I'm just going to relax and watch some TV maybe. And I am hungry, so hurry."
His scowl deepened even more if it was possible. 'Witch', he thought and made his way to the door and left. Nami just lay back and enjoyed her coffee until thoughts started to pop up in her mind like a swarm of bees. She knew she could rely on Zoro, he was her friend. But she started having doubts about the idiot and that had to do a lot not only with his changed appearance.
She preferred not to think about that. Every time she would as much as glance to his body, she felt her cheeks redden and her heart skip a bit. He sure had grown more muscular over the years and she could not help but daydream about being held inside his embrace again. Of course, she had self-control so she did not show it but her mind kept torturing her. And he was indeed very handsome. Although his aqua green hair that made him resemble moss might look really weird to people, she had been accustomed to it and thought of it as one of the aspects that made him special. It also made a nice contrast with his tanned skin and dark eyes which scared people in combination with his scowl. But when they were in one another's company, his scowl turned into a smile and she could see his eyes beam with something she could not quite place, but that brought a thought to her lips.
And now she wanted to slap herself in the face. She could not think like that. Zoro was her friend, the one person she really trusted. She could not afford to lose him because of this nuisance. Maybe all these thoughts came to the surface because of his sudden reappearance and it was just a reaction to how much she had missed him, a mere delusion of her mind.
She sighed and she decided a cold shower was just what she needed to push away the inner conflict with herself. She made her way to the bathroom and entered through the door. She was happy to notice that there were both a bathtub and a shower. Although she was a very practical person, Nami usually made her baths long as she considered it a type of escaping. She filled the tub with steaming water and stripped out of her clothes, or rather Zoro's clothes. Now, that she was alone in the house, she had the freedom of blushing deeply.
She sank inside the bathtub and let out a content sigh. The hot water helped her muscles relax and relieved her from last night's stress a lot. She rubbed her neck and closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. After some time, she was not sure how long she had been there until she heard the door squeak when opening.
She panicked as she had not heard the front door of the house unlock or Zoro search for her (maybe he was really dim to realize that she was taking a bath). She was even more shocked when instead of short green hair she was met with the sight of long blue curls and a familiar face.
"VIVI? NANI?" (A/N: Nani is Japanese for what) she asked the intruder that was no other than her old friend, Nefertari Vivi.
"Nami? What are you doing here? And why are you in the bathtub?" the girl was utterly confused. She was sleepy, Nami could tell by her tone and sound of her voice. Her suspicions were confirmed when she took a better look at the girl in front of her. Vivi's blue hair was tangled and all over the place and her eyes were still trying to adjust to the light.
But she was even more surprised when she noticed what Vivi was wearing. A baggy white T-shirt hung loosely on her body. She was not as voluptuous as a certain orange-haired girl and so this shirt was not that tight around the area of her chest. It actually resembled of a very old and strange nightgown. However, what was strange was the fact that her friend did not have any pants on! She was in reality as she had just got out of someone's bed and Nami became infuriated at the thought as they currently stood in Zoro's apartment.
"I-I spent the night…here." she finally managed to say. She laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of her head. She could tell her friend was puzzled by the facial expression she gave her. But she was also very confused. Why was Vivi here? "What are you doing here?"
"Um, remember about this guy I've been telling you about?" Nami nodded she understood and let her continue "well, he finally asked me out. I wanted to tell you" she looked really apologetic "but I don't know, things happened very quickly and to tell you the truth it was nice keeping it to myself" she saw Vivi smile to herself and she smiled as well. Seeing her friend happy warmed her heart.
"It's okay. I may have done the same if I were you." she said. Knowing Vivi, she would feel guilty about it so she tried to reassure her that everything was fine. But then it dawned to her. "But, what about him?"
"We've been dating for about two months now." Nami was shocked that she hadn't had any clue but it was okay as long as Vivi was happy. She smiled at her again to show that she was glad that she was happy. But then she noticed a frown appear on her face. "And, um, I spend the night yesterday. This…this is actually his place."
Nami froze in place. Zoro's apartment. Vivi's boyfriend. Could it-could it be that Zoro was her boyfriend? And then, everything that occurred last night. Oh, god. Oh, dear god. She started sweating and then she realized she was naked taking a bath in the apartment of her best friend's boyfriend while she was there.
But how come Zoro came to sleep beside her? Had Vivi fallen asleep and then he got the chance and came to her? Oh, this situation was ugly. She had a sickening feeling to her stomach and she felt awful. If Zoro was Vivi's man and she was her best friend how could she explain the whole situation to her?
"And, um, where is he now?" Nami asked hesitantly. Her answer depended on that. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding. Maybe there was a simple explanation behind all of this.
"When I woke up, he was not with me. And knowing him, he most likely went out to grab something to eat." The sickening emotion was more acute now than ever. What had she done? What had Zoro done? She wanted to scream and just escape this weird situation but she was could not. She had to give an explanation to her friend about why she was here in the first place, but the number one reason she could not leave right then and there was because she could not move. She had all this range of feelings flowing inside of her that she could not take a step.
"But, Nami, really. What are you doing here?" she looked very anxious to hear her answer. Nami knew Vivi was not stupid. She was her friend after all. She knew Vivi had realized that her presence there could only mean one thing: some weird relationship between Nami and her boyfriend.
Vivi went to move outside, but a hand touched her shoulder. She looked at Nami who had abandoned the warmth of the bathtub and wrapped herself in a towel, clothes in hand. "Look, I will explain everything, just let me get dressed." she gave a slight smile at the worried girl in front of her and she was glad when she received one back.
"Okay. I'll wait in the living room."
With that Nami left the room and headed for the bedroom. She found her clothes and put them one in an instant and dried her hair with the use of the towel she had. She looked herself in the mirror and put on her shoes and went back out. She knew it would be difficult to tell her the whole story, but she owed that to her friend. She approached Vivi and sat beside her on the sofa. Just when she looked back at Vivi and was ready to open her mouth to speak, the front door opened with a thud.
Zoro emerged with a bag of food in hand. He headed for the kitchen to leave it in there without having noticed the girls sitting in the living room. Before he knew it, a mikan haired woman started attacking him. He growled and tried to push her off without hurting her.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" he screamed in her face.
"YOU FUCKING IDIOT! STUPID MOSS HEAD, HOW COULD YOU? YOU JERK! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! URGH, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU" she shouted while punching and hitting him. He started going back until he tripped and he found himself on the floor with Nami on top of him beating the hell out of him. He grabbed her wrists before she managed to punch him again.
"What is your problem woman?" she was clearly furious at him, but he had no clue as to why. Before he left the house, they were on good terms. He could not get what had possibly gone wrong during the time he was absent. She seemed really pissed, her eyes shooting daggers at him. He was not sure, but he could also identify that her eyes looked watery.
"You idiot, how could you not tell me that you have a girlfriend?" she screamed again. She managed to get her hands out of his grasp and attempted to suffocate him. Vivi was still seated on the sofa, shocked at what was taking place before you.
Zoro was dumbfounded. "What the hell are you talking about? I do not have a girlfriend!" he tried to reply while attempting to catch his breath. He was really confused as to why she would think so. Nami became even angrier, if that's even possible.
She laughed bitterly. "Yeah, and what about Vivi? You liar!" she punched him again and when he caught her hands again she bit him.
"OW! ARGH, YOU WITCH!" he hissed. "I have no idea who Vivi is. Now, calm down, will you?" Now she was even more confused. He noticed her expression soften as she realized he was telling the truth.
"I don't understand." She jerked her face a little to the left which was a sign she was honestly not getting it. And then, they both heard a giggle from behind them. Vivi was laughing at them?
"Um, Vivi? What's so funny?" she asked puzzled.
"That's not my boyfriend, Nami. But you two are sure fun to watch." Nami blushed and looked at Zoro that had a look screaming 'I told you so'. She punched him for the millionth time today.
"That's for having that creepy smirk on your face." She said before he had the chance to react and ask her exactly why she had done this. "Then, Vivi" she continued addressing the bluenette "who is your boyfriend? That's Zoro's apartment. If he is not your boyfriend, then who is?"
As if on cue, a raven haired boy emerged through the door that had been left open. He looked at the scene before him with surprise. Nami noticed he was wearing a straw hat and he had a red jacket on together with a pair of jeans and sandals. She found it odd that someone would go out wearing sandals in such weather.
"Um, Zoro…what's going on?" the boy asked with a question mark implied by his facial expression. He was carrying a giant bucket of chicken winks and two other bags of food.
The question was never answered as a smiling Vivi crossed the distance and addressed the black haired boy "Luffy!"
Said 'Luffy' directed his attention to the girl before them and smiled. He approached the girl and kissed her sweetly. "Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up." He smiled with one of the biggest grins Nami had seen in her life. He then laughed holding Vivi by the waist.
"I think that answers your previous question." Zoro whispered and she felt bad for beating him up. Not that she had hurt him, but it was wrong to do that since it all turned out to be a misjudgment.
"Ahh, Vivi, I forgot to tell you. My friend Zoro came in town after a long time and he will be staying here for a while." Then, he took on a confused expression again. "But, I do not know who the girl on top of him is."
When Nami and Zoro realized that they still were like that, they both blushed and turned to look at each other. Nami stood up and gave him her hand to help him up, too. Zoro turned to Luffy.
"Yeah, I forgot to tell you. Both you and Nami. Nami, this is my friend and roommate Luffy. Luffy, this is Nami, an old friend of mine. She was in trouble, so I offered her to spend the night yesterday. I thought you would not mind." Luffy's big smile was all the confirmation he needed. "And I suppose this is the Vivi you told me about." Vivi blushed and smiled at Luffy.
After Vivi put on some clothes as well, they all had breakfast together and talked for a little bit. Nami got to know Luffy and she became fond of him instantly. She was glad because he was not only Zoro's friend but Vivi's boyfriend as well and he turned out to be a good person.
At some point, Vivi got up to leave and Luffy joined her. They departed from the apartment and Zoro and Nami were alone again. "You know, you could have warned me about them. It was really weird meeting Vivi while I was taking a bath. And you know how guilty I felt when I thought she was your girlfriend?" Nami was talking on and on while helping Zoro clean up the mess Luffy caused eating.
"Why did you feel guilty?" he inquired and she turned to face her. She looked at him like she was embarrassed but her spunky personality did not let her show.
"We slept in the same bed while we were both underdressed if you know what I mean. Ig you were indeed her boyfriend, it would be awkward for me. She's my best friend and you're-"
He interrupted her wanting to know the answer to that. "What am I Nami?" he approached her closing the distance between them. He quirked his eyebrows and waited for he to respond to him.
She did not lose her confidence and she smirked "You are the muscle head idiot I unfortunately met." She did not even bulge, her voice confident and steady. That was Nami alright.
He grinned and moved to put the dishes away. Then, her voice broke the silence. "And what am I to you Zoro?"
He turned to look at her once again, grin still intact. "You are the constant pain in the ass I have to deal with, witch." And then she started laughing. Her laughter filled the room and his heart. He was glad to see her like that unlike the scared and insecure Nami he spent yesterday with. He turned around to go to the living room when something or rather a certain someone jumped onto his back.
"Well, then if I am a pain in the ass, I shouldn't be that nice to you. Carry me to the living room, marimo."
He growled and she giggled. He started to move and just as Nami thought she had him, she was dropped to the couch. However, she refused to let go of him, afraid that she would get hurt and they ended up on each other again.
"Ah, baka. Watch what you are doing."
"Oh shut up, witch. Serves you right." He lay comfortably on the couch and turned the TV on. He watched her stir and move until she was comfortable as well.
"Thanks." She mumbled.
"What for?"
"Letting me stay and taking care of me." She turned and gave him a hug. He was hesitant at first but he responded by hugging her back. She could feel his hard abs and muscles and he could feel her curves and smell her scent. "Thank you, Zoro."
"Maybe now you could get rid of my imaginary debt as a welcome gift." Another punch to the head. She moved away and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Not happening." She smirked. She turned to the TV for mere seconds until she decided to tell him where she had left the clothes she had borrowed. She looked over at him again and face palmed.
He had fallen asleep.
I know no action, no anything, but I think it's good to have a break from all the drama once in a while. Also, please let me know if the characters seem to be OOC. Any suggestions, reviews, follows or favorites are welcome! I hope you liked the chapter, sorry for taking so long to update but midterms are haunting my life for these last few weeks. So long till next update!
-T
