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Crossed	By : Confession68 Category: +M to R > One Piece Views: 3846 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Author�s Note: Here
it is, the 12^th chapter! XD I forgot to mention my latest
inspirational music. Shiny Toy Guys� Don�t Cry Out and Starts With One. Love both
of these songs! XP Thanks Seltap for showing me Shiny
Toy Guns! XD We shares moosic alls da time! XP Anyways, I hope you all enjoy my latest
chapter! XD Please review more and enjoy! x)

Crossed

Chapter 12: Re-evaluation

�Have you noticed�that L, Luffy and N-san have become more
depressed�?� asked S as he chopped up some vegetables slowly.

�Aa�� replied Sanji quietly as he tenderized the meat,
shifting his cigarette to the other side.

�This whole thing is�really�� started S as he sighed and
gently set his knife down.

�Aa�It�s pretty shitty�� finished Sanji for him with a deep
frown.

�Aa�� agreed S as he blinked down at the unfinished
vegetables. �I don�t think I have ever seen L or N-san so depressed
before�It�s�depressing�� he continued.

�Try not to think about it�� said Sanji as he turned to fry
up the meats. Removing his used up cigarette, he put it out, and then pulled out
a new one, lighting it. Taking a long drag of the new cig, he then sighed and
closed his eyes as he blew out the smoke slowly. �At least�I try not to. I
can�t stop thinking about Nami-san�I really want to hurt that shitty, psycho
bastard�Although, I�m not sure I will get that chance. So the best we can do is
focus on getting L and Luffy stronger�� he continued.

Nodding with his head lowered, S agreed as he lifted the
knife again and began to cut again. �I just hope it�s enough�It�s pretty risky
if we aren�t�� he said.

�Aa�but I�m willing to sacrifice myself for Nami-san�� said
Sanji.

�Of course�I would do the same for N-san in a heart beat.�
replied S.

Suddenly, the door to the kitchen opened and N walked in and
smiled at both before sitting at the table with a sigh. �Are you alright,
N-san?� asked S as he approached her with a snack he had prepared for her
before dinner.

Lifting her fork, she placed her head in her hand and began
to eat it slowly. �Un�I�m alright�� she replied quietly.

Coming into the dining room as well, Sanji sat down at the
table near her. �Are you sure�N-san�?� he asked.

Looking towards him, she gave a smile. �What about you? How
are you holding up�Sanji-kun?� she asked.

Eyes widening slightly, he sighed and closed his eyes as he
blew out the smoke from having inhaled a bit. �Don�t worry about me, N-san. I�m
just fine�� he replied.

Shaking her head, N kept her smile. �This has to be pretty
hard on you too. You care about her too, don�t you?� she asked.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, he turned back to her and
stared at her for awhile. �Aa, I do.� he replied.

Nodding, N looked back down at her desert. S looked from N
to Sanji with a slight frown. Everything was so different from their crew to
this one. Since L and N had already been together before they found him, he
hadn�t developed any feelings for N-san that he might have if they hadn�t been.
It didn�t mean he didn�t care about her, because he did. She definitely had a
special place in his heart. However, this Sanji had the chance if he did, that
was. However, to have them come along and basically show that it was a
possibility that Luffy and Nami were always destined to be together, could be
pretty crushing. Sanji seemed to be holding up pretty well, but S knew he might
not be holding up as well as he let on.

�So then�you�re okay�?� she asked again.

�Aa�I�m okay. Whatever makes Nami-san happy, makes me
happy.� he replied referring to Luffy and Nami. �As far as what that shitty
bastard did�He�ll pay for it�We�ll make sure of it�� he continued.

Frowning, she paused with her fork in her snack. �He�s not a
shitty bastard�He�s Luffy�He has to be in pain�suffering�something�I just
wish�I knew what it was�� she said quietly as her expression turned sad.

�N-san�?� questioned S as his expression turned concerned.

�It�s almost as if�I can feel it�It makes me sad when I
think of it�when I think of him�� she explained.

Both frowned at her, neither sure of what she meant. Closing
her eyes slowly, she set her fork down. �I just wish�they didn�t have to
fight�That�makes me so sad too�They�re Luffy�� she whispered as she placed her
hands over her face.

�They may all be Luffy�but that other one�is nothing like
him�� said Sanji as he removed his cigarette from his mouth.

�Un�� she mumbled, still hiding behind her hands. �Maybe
not�but he is still Luffy�� she continued.

Sighing, Sanji was beginning to understand. She didn�t see
this Luffy as a monster or a nuisance. She saw him as Luffy, the man she was in
love with, even if he was still a different person, just like his Luffy. He
shifted his eyes away and thought he would probably understand if this Luffy
had maybe been another Nami. He would still care about her.

�And it still hurts�� she whispered almost incoherently.

Frowning sadly, he closed his eyes and looked away as he
placed the cigarette back into his mouth. S also closed his eyes at her sad
words. Placing a hand on her shoulder gently, he leaned forward over her.
�Nami-san�Don�t be sad�Everything will work out, you�ll see�If he is
Luffy�then�maybe�I don�t know�I�m sure�Lu-L will come through�and Luffy too��
he said as he opened his eyes to look down at the top of her head.

Reaching up a hand, she gently placed it over his and gave a
slight squeeze. �I know it will�� she said as she leaned her head back and gave
him a sad smile. �I�m sorry for making you worry.� she continued.

Smiling in return, S shook his head. �It�s my job to worry
about you, Nami-san. You are my friend.� he said.

Smile turning warmer, she nodded before looking back down.
Sanji blinked at them a bit. They had a different friendship than he and Nami
had. Furrowing his brows a bit in a frown, he couldn�t help but to notice that
their counterparts were some how more mature than they were�S and Z never
fought with one another�Even U wasn�t as frightened by things as Usopp. Now he
saw how seriously this counterpart of his took his relationship with this Nami.
He never fawned over her, but still treated her with respect, and in doing so,
she also treated him better and with trust.

Shifting his eyes away, he finally stood up to finish
cooking their meal.

Finally getting up from his spot, Luffy made his way to the
others. �You alright now?� asked L as he smiled at Luffy.

�Aa�just had some thinking to do�� replied Luffy as he
smiled in return.

�I figured�� replied L.

�W-What were you thinking about Luffy?� asked Chopper
innocently.

Taking a deep breath, Luffy turned towards the sea. �A lot
of things�Things I probably shouldn�t worry about.� he said as he turned back to
his tiny friend with a grin.

�Eh?� questioned the tiny reindeer.

�Shishi, it�s nothing.� said Luffy as he pat the confused
reindeer�s head.

Staring up at him a bit longer, he finally smiled up at
Luffy. �Okay!� he finally said in contentment.

�We should be leaving soon�I think we�ve given them a good
enough head start...� said L with a frown.

Also frowning, Luffy lowered his gaze. �Aa�Jin said he would
bring more men tomorrow�to help train�It�s going to be interesting.� he said.

�Aa�That it is�� agreed L with a nod.

�It�s going to be difficult�Think you can both handle it?�
asked Zoro as he opened an eye to look towards them.

�Of course we can!� exclaimed Luffy with vehemence before
deflating slightly and his expression turning serious. �We have to�� he said a
little quieter.

�Aa, we do�He�s strong. We�ve gotten stronger, but still not
as strong as him. It�s going to be very hard, but I know we can do it.� said L
in reassurance.

�That�s right. She�s counting on me.�
said Luffy with a nod.

Smiling, L also nodded. �So is N�� he said.

Also smiling, Luffy nodded. �Aa�� he agreed.

�By the way�� started L as he frowned.

Also loosing his smile, Luffy tilted his head at L. �Eh?�

�I�wanted to apologize�about earlier�� he said quietly as he
lowered his gaze.

Blinking, Luffy looked at L in confusion. �Why are you
apologizing? What for?� he asked.

�She�wasn�t here for long�and we bombarded her with
questions�You never even really got to talk to her�She probably wanted to see
you�and your crew�� he said as he looked up at Luffy with a sad frown. �I�m
sorry�� he continued.

Staring at him for awhile with slightly wide eyes, he then
grinned at him. �It�s okay! It�s not like I won�t get her back! Then I will get
to see and talk to her all I want again!� he said as he chuckled.

Seeming relieved, L sighed deeply as he seemed to droop with
relief. �I still felt really bad�� he said.

�Shishi, it�s alright. I understand that there were things
you needed to know. Especially about the Shrimp�� replied Luffy with a grin.

�I was surprised about that.� said L with a confused frown.
�They seemed to be getting along�She even said he had been willing to sacrifice
himself for her�I don�t get it�I wonder what happened�� said L quietly.

�Don�t know�Nami was nice to him�� replied Luffy with pursed
lips.

Turning to him, L smiled knowingly. �She was being nice to
him, huh?� he said with a chuckle.

Nodding vehemently, he then frowned and plopped his butt
down on the deck as he crossed his arms. �How come she�s never nice to me?!� he
said loudly in annoyance.

Shrugging, L kept his smile. At least jealousy could be
evoked from him. He was sure now how Luffy felt. �So then it�s true�We were
meant to be together�� he thought to himself with a warm smile. He also
remembered the look she had given Luffy before she had to leave. It had been so
sad�Frowning himself, he sighed. Not only that, but it had been filled with
emotion, and maybe even longing�One thing was for sure, she definitely had her
reasons for why she wasn�t nicer to Luffy, but she most definitely cared about
him.

Walking up to Luffy, he pat his shoulder. �Don�t worry. I�m
sure things will get better once she gets back. You just have to take the
initiative.� he said.

�Ini-what? I gotta take what from Nami?� asked Luffy as he
raised a brow and stared up at L with a tilted head in confusion.

Chuckling, he then shook his head. �Never mind�I�m sure
you�ll figure it out�� he said as he grinned down at Luffy.

Blinking at L, Luffy tilted his head further as he stared up
at him with a wide eyed blank expression. �Huh�?�

xxxx

Sitting up on the roof, D had an arm rested on his raised
knee while the other was holding him up. He lightly ran a knuckle across his
lips as he stared out towards the rising sun. All he could think about was the
night before. He hadn�t gone back into the room since he had left it. He could
still remember the sounds of her cries coming from inside. After about half an
hour, it had gone quiet. He had figured she had cried herself to sleep. Her
tears had bothered him. After he had calmed down, it was all he could hear.

The other thing he remembered�was her repeating his name
over and over again�However, he wasn�t sure if it was his name she called�or his. He had never expected her to react
in that way. He had expected her to be horrified and maybe even disgusted. Pity
was something he could never accept, hers being no different. However, she had
sounded like as if she were the one in pain. What he had told her had actually
caused her pain. Continuing to run his knuckle across his lips, he shifted his
eyes downward when he heard the door open.

The door opened slowly and then she finally stepped out. She
walked out a distance and then turned to look up at him. He stared down at her
coldly. Her expression turned slightly sad as she began to play with her
fingers. �D-Did you not�go back to sleep�?� she asked tentatively.

�Don�t pretend like you care about me bitch�� he said in a
low cold voice.

Expression turning more sad and pained, she lowered her gaze
and nodded. �But I do care�� she
thought as she made her way to the kitchen. However, she knew that it wouldn�t
matter to him. He most likely wouldn�t believe her anyway. Walking into the
kitchen, Nate greeted her with a frown.

�Nami, are you okay?! I heard you crying last night�What
happened?� he asked.

Smiling at him, she shook her head. �It�s nothing. I just
got a little depressed is all�I think my tears might have disgusted and pissed
him off, so he ended up sleeping outside�� she lied. She didn�t want to tell
Nate the truth. She was pretty sure he wouldn�t understand.

Still with his frown, he nodded accepting her reply. Turning
away, her smile turned into a frown. She didn�t like having to lie to her
friend, but she knew she couldn�t possibly tell him what D had told her the
night before. Going to the fridge, she brought out food to be able to cook for
them. After she was done cooking, she set his plate out for him and then went
to give Nate his plate. Then she stepped outside.

�Breakfast is ready�� she called up without looking. At
hearing motion above her, she went back inside and sat at the table, waiting
for him to enter.

When he did, he stopped and looked right at her with a bit
of a frown. �What are you doing?� he asked as he went and sat down.

�I thought I would eat here with the both of you today�� she
said.

�I already told you, I don�t need your sympathy!� he said in
a loud voice as he stared at her coldly.

�It�s not sympathy. I just feel like having company today�It
gets pretty lonely when I�m by myself�� she said with a smile.

However, his face turned into a nasty scowl as he stood up
and slammed his palms down onto the table. �Don�t fuck with me!!� he yelled.

Frowning, Nate looked from one to the other with confusion.
�What the hell is he talking about?�
he thought to himself.

Furrowing her brows in a bit of anger, she too stood and
leaned forward over the table onto her hands. �I�m not showing you any pity!
Why should I?! You don�t deserve my pity!! You brought me here without my
wanting you to! I can�t even see my friends! I don�t want to be here with you!!
I have to put up with all of your weird moods and horrible attitude!! So damn
it, if I want to sit here with you, I think I have a right to do that!!� she
said in anger as she huffed.

Staring at her for a long while with his deep frown, his
face finally broke into a smirk as he slowly sat down with a scoff. �Do
whatever you want then�� he said as he sat down and began to eat.

Sighing in relief, she shakily sat down. She had lost her temper,
and it could have gotten her into a lot of trouble. However, he seemed to have
accepted her outburst. Reaching up, she lifted her fork and also began to eat.
Blinking, Nate shifted his eyes from one to the other trying to figure out what
just happened. Frowning, he had a feeling she had lied to him about why she had
been crying. �So then what actually happened?�
he thought to himself.

After she was done eating, she began to gather up the
plates. However, he grabbed her wrist, stopping her. �I�ll do it�� he said,
keeping his gaze to his food.

�It�s alright�I can clean up after myself�I always do it
anyway�� she said as she tugged on her wrist.

�I said�I�ll do it�� he said in a voice she wasn�t familiar
with. It almost sounded panicky.

Blinking, she stared down at his lowered gaze. She noticed
he never looked her in the eyes when he insisted on cleaning himself. �It�s
really alright, I can do it myself�� she said as she frowned and went to pull
away from him.

However, his grip tightened and he pulled her arm suddenly.
In doing so, she gasped and dropped the dish, and it shattered across the
floor. Inhaling sharply, his eyes widened as he stared down at the floor. �I�ll
clean it�� he said as he dropped to his knees and began to pick up each piece.

�Oh! I-I�ll help!� she said as she also knelt down.

�No!!� he cried as
he glanced up, but still didn�t meet her eyes. �No�I�I will do it�I can do it��
he said quietly as he picked up each piece. �It was my fault�� he whispered.

Gasping at his words, she sat back on her heels, almost
falling back onto her backside. �What did you say�?� she asked quietly.

Blinking, Nate looked on curiously, but in confusion. After
D gathered it all up, he took it all and dumped it. Then he grabbed the broom
to sweep up the rest. Nami watched him in everything he did, but then her
expression turned sad. She understood now. She knew exactly why he was doing
this. She realized now�it wasn�t that he wanted to�It was because he had to�Tearing up, she could only watch
the now terrified man clean up the mess. She had a feeling, he wasn�t quite
there anymore. Whatever those pirates did to him�it had really messed him up.

Covering her mouth, she finally stood up as she continued to
watch him frantically try to clean it all up. �What the hell is his problem?�
asked Nate as his face contorted in confusion.

�It�s nothing�Just�leave him alone�� she whispered as more
tears came to her eyes.

Turning to her, Nate frowned deeper at her tears as she only
watched him. �And what�s wrong with you�?� he thought to
himself.

After he finished cleaning the mess on the floor, he shakily
grabbed the plates from the table and took them to wash them. However, when he
was done cleaning everything, he just stood at the sink with his back to her.
Rubbing her arms unsurely, she shifted her eyes away from him, and then back to
him. He stayed where he was for a long time before he finally turned with his
head lowered and hair in his face as he made his way out, slamming the door
behind him. Jumping slightly from the noise, she began to tear up again.

�What the hell just happened?!� asked Nate as he frowned in
confusion.

Sniffing, she wiped her tears away as she furrowed her
brows. �It�s nothing�� she said in a stern voice.

Frowning a bit surprised, he stared at her for awhile before
he looked away from her. He had a feeling she just didn�t want to tell him. She
probably had her reasons for not wanting to say anything.

xxxx

The next morning, S and Sanji both woke early and began
breakfast for the crews and for Jin and his men. It was a loud and boisterous
meal with people everywhere. �Thanks for making us all breakfast. We will have
to pay you back some how�� said Jin with a smile as he ate.

�Shishishi, don�t worry about it! You�re helping us train!�
exclaimed Luffy as he laughed.

Watching in with curious eyes, Jin then grinned. �Yeah�I
guess so. Thanks Mugiwara!� he said as he took a swig of his drink. Luffy was
nothing like he had expected him to be. He was actually a really nice,
happy-go-lucky kinda guy. �So then why
the hell is this guy a pirate�and one
with a three hundred million beli bounty?� he thought to himself a bit in
confusion.

After everyone ate, they all made their way to the place of
training. �Are all of you really going to fight?� asked Luffy as he glanced
over his shoulder with wide, blank eyes.

�That�s right. Think you can handle it?� said Jin.

�Yosh! Bring it on!� exclaimed Luffy with a grin as he
pumped his fist into the air.

Chuckling, Jin nodded. �Will do!� he said.

After an hour of walking, they all made it to the training
spot. Chopper had also come to help, considering they needed all the help they
could get. As soon as they land on the next island, they would have to figure
out how to train. It was a bit risky since the other Luffy was bound to be
there too. One and a half weeks would be left until the two months was up. It
also all depended on how long it would take for the pose to set on that island.
However, Jin had said they would help them during that last week and a half.

With everyone rushing at them all at once, it was going to
prove difficult, but they had to take them on. They had to get stronger, and
this was one of the ways to do it. Luffy wasn�t sure just how it was this Luffy
was so much stronger than they were, but it must have been something he felt he
had to do. He knew that he needed to be stronger too�He wanted to be Pirate
King after all, but what was it that drove this Luffy to become as strong as he
was in the same time period?

That question riddled his thoughts constantly. He also knew
this Luffy wouldn�t hold back. He would give his one hundred percent and would
even go so far as to end a life. That meant he too had to go all out. He
couldn�t afford to hold back�Turning to everyone, his expression was serious.
Everyone else looked back at him, waiting for the signal to begin. Looking at
each face, he finally closed his eyes and took a deep breath before slowly
opening them again.

Nodding, he then gave a smile as he began to stretch. �Yosh!
Let�s get started!� he exclaimed.

�Aa!� every man there cried as they all also prepared for
the fight to come.

Sanji pulled out a fresh cigarette and cupped it to light it
as he got ready. Zoro pulled out all three of his swords as well as Z. Both
Usopp�s brought out their slingshots and checked their ammo supply again.
Franky cracked his metal knuckles as he grinned. Chopper got into his heavy
point and readied a rumble ball. Coby also stretched a long with Luffy.

Grinning at them all, L nodded as he too looked over each
face in preparation. He had to admit he was excited, his blood was pumping, and
his heart pounding in his ears. Chuckling, he then turned to Luffy, whom he
knew was feeling the exact same way. He was greeted with a grin in return.
Nodding to each other, they then both got into position. Turning his back to
Luffy�s, they pressed against one another as they watched all the men begin to
surround them.

�I think we should try out that move we had been working
on�� whispered L over his shoulder.

�Aa�I was just having that same thought�� said Luffy as his
smirk widened.

�Glad to know were on the same page then�� replied L with a
chuckle.

�Always.� said Luffy as he also chuckled and shifted his
eyes from side to side, seeing who would strike first.

Closing his eyes slowly, L exhaled slowly before opening
them slowly again. Just as he did, the first man charged. It was a deafening
battle cry of many voices that rose into the air around them. Rolling forward,
he kicked up his legs, kicking a man in his chin, sending him flying upward.
Springing himself back onto his feet, he then ducked to avoid Sanji�s kicks.
Then he jumped up to avoid Jin�s sword, but then had to lean back mid jump to
avoid Z�s. Sweat beading down his face. He flipped back completely and landed
on his feet as he let out his breath in relief.

�Lunging forward,
Luffy grabbed the first man to reach him and threw him over his shoulder as he
quickly recovered and jabbed another man in the gut. Spinning around, he dodged
Zoro�s swords, shoving his back using his own momentum against him to push him
into a few men. As he faced forward again, he leaned completely back as he
dodged a kick to the head. Grabbing the leg, he finished the flip backwards,
taking S with him, slamming him into the ground, and landing with feet into his
back. Jumping off he then kicked another man in the face, and then had to flip
backwards again to avoid Coby�s attack.

xxxx

As soon as they docked, D jumped down to the port, grabbing
the rope and tying it to the post. Turning, he made his way back on board,
grabbing his shirt and putting it on. Nami stared at his tattooed back as he
put his shirt on. Sighing with a frown, she turned and went into the kitchen.
�We need to get you to a doctor. Do you think you can walk it if I help you?�
she asked.

�Aa�I�ll be fine�� he said.

�Alright, then up we go�� she said with a smile as she
reached down and pulled his arm behind her shoulders.

Chuckling and grinding his teeth at the same time, he
attempted to get up on his good leg. Once up, they walked out of the door with
her supporting him the entire way. D only watched them pass with a bored look
on his face. Ignoring him completely, Nami continued to help Nate to the edge
of the ship.

�Here comes the hard part.� she said with a nervous smile as
she looked at him. Then she frowned at hearing D�s chuckle from behind.

�I can handle it�� said Nate with determination as he lifted
his bad leg over the rail and then the other. Turning, he attempted the climb
down with grunts from the pain.

Then Nami climbed over and followed him down. �That�s it�Not
too fast�� she said as she kept an eye on him.

As soon as he made it down, he fell to the ground. �Damn!�
he exclaimed.

Frowning, Nami jumped down the rest of the way and went to
him. �You okay?� she asked as she knelt down beside him to help him back up.

�Aa�I�m alright�� he said as he took her offered hand and
tried to stand again.

It took a great deal of effort, but they finally found a
doctor. As soon as they went inside, the doctor was able to see them right
away. �This is a nasty break�How�d it happen?� asked the doctor.

�Bit off more than I could chew�� replied Nate with an
unhappy frown. Nami also frowned and turned away.

�I see�� replied the doctor as he examined the break. �It
looks like it was set pretty good, but we are going to have to make sure. Then
we will have to cast it properly.� said the doctor as he turned to his nurse
and nodded.

Nodding, the nurse left to get the silently requested items.
After his leg was properly set and cast, the doctor then gave Nate a set of
crutches to walk with. Leaving the office, he had a bit of trouble using them.
�Damn, these things are ridiculous�� he said with pursed lips.

Chuckling, Nami went to him to help him situate them better.
�There, now try.� she said.

Walking a bit, he then smiled. �Ah, much better�Thanks for
paying for me�� he said.

Smiling as well, Nami then turned to make her way back to
the ship. �Don�t worry about it. It�s the least I can do.� she replied,
referring to his having saved her life and having taken her to see her nakama,
which is the reason his leg was broken in the first place. �You know�I�m
surprised he let us leave�� she said as she lost her smile.

�Aa�me too�I wonder what the hell his problem is�He really
pisses me off�� replied Nate with a scowl.

Sighing deeply, Nami frowned. �He just has�issues�he hasn�t
quite dealt with�� she said quietly.

�Issues? Yeah, I noticed�� he said sarcastically.

Frowning sadder, she sighed again. �Un�� she agreed as she
lowered her gaze.

�Hey�I�noticed that�I dunno�You seem sad every time you look
at him�Did something�happen?� he asked cautiously with a frown.

Sighing again, for it seems the hundredth time that day, she
looked away slightly. �It�s nothing�� she replied with her usual answer.

�You keep saying that too�I understand if you don�t want to
tell me�� he said.

�It�s not that I don�t�but rather�I don�t feel I have a
right too�� she said.

Turning to her, his expression turned confused. �Wait�Are
you saying he told you? Did he tell you what happened to him?! He actually
confided on you?!� he asked.

�Well�no�not really�� she replied as her frown turned
exasperated.

�Not really?� he asked more confused.

�He did�sorta tell me�but not confide�I think he was trying
to�horrify me�disgust me maybe�but�� she said as she placed a knuckle over her
lips.

�But�?� he asked for her to continue.

�Let�s just say�I don�t excuse or approve of how he is�but�I
understand why he is the way he is now�He has a pretty good reason to why he
dislikes people�and why he distrusts them so much�� she said quietly and sadly.

Blinking a few times as he stared at her with furrowed
brows, he then furrowed them deeper as he looked away. Also looking away, Nami
glanced to the side and then gasp. Stopping, she turned to what she had seen.
Also stopping, Nate turned to her awkwardly in question.

�What is it?� he asked.

In the building in front of them was D. He was staring at
something pinned to the wall and his expression looked shocked. His eyes were
wide, his skin slightly pale, and sweat beaded down his face. Frowning, she
approached the building and him. Perking suddenly, he quickly turned to her.
Then his expression changed into a deep frown. Reaching up, he ripped a piece
of paper from the wall and stuffed it into his pocket. Furrowing her brows
further, she gathered it must have been a bounty.

As soon as she approached him, she began to fiddle with her
fingers. �A-Are you collecting bounty posters?� she asked tentatively.

Ignoring her completely, he turned and went further inside.
She was surprised that he was even in here. It was risky coming into a place
like this. Looking around, she then stepped in and followed him. Grabbing a few
other posters, he then turned to her and approached her.

�Here�� he said as he tossed them at her chest.

Taking them from him, her eyes shifted to the one he had
stuffed in his pocket before looking at the ones he gave her. �Are these the
ones who are rumored to be here?� she asked as she looked up at him.

Nodding, he then walked past her to leave. Following him,
she looked over each poster. Nate was outside waiting for them. He narrowed his
eyes as D past, and then relaxed his expression as Nami came out. �Are those
the bounties that are here?� he asked.

�Un�There�s one here worth quite a bit�� she said quietly as
she looked over each one.

Looking over, he nodded. �That is a lot�� he agreed.

Once they got back to the ship, Nami went into the room and
sat down as she looked over the bounties. Then she set them to the side.
Everything about him seemed to suddenly make sense. His quest to become the
strongest�He wanted to make sure no one was stronger than him�so no one could
hurt him anymore. He had built an impenetrable wall around himself, locking in
all his emotions. His cold and icy exterior hid probably only more ice on the
interior. So just like L, he didn�t eat a fruit to become the way he was. He
was actually made that way�but not by his own will.

Lowering her gaze to the floor, she felt sad, very sad. She
couldn�t imagine how much he had suffered since he was a little boy, how much
he had endured. Hugging herself, she rose up her knees and hugged herself
tightly. �He must be so lonely...and he
must have been so scared�� she thought to herself as a cold chill washed
over her. Shivering, she lowered her forehead to her knees. �All wounds could be healed�right�?� she thought as tears came to
her eyes.

Lifting her head, she wiped the tears away and stood up. Walking
out, she made her way to the kitchen slowly. Opening the door quietly, she
could see him sitting at the table. He was staring down at the same bounty he
had ripped from the wall. Walking in quietly, she peered over his shoulder and
then gasped as her eyes widened. Quickly jumping out of his chair, he turned to
her, looking startled. Then he moved the bounty away from her eyes.

�What the hell are you doing?!� he bellowed in anger.

�That�That bounty�� she said as her breath caught in her
throat. �Oh my god�� she thought to
herself as she felt her nervousness rise.

�It�s none of your damn business!� he yelled at her.

�None of my�� she breathed as she furrowed her brows. �Where
is he�?� she asked as she furrowed them deeper.

xxxx

Sitting at the dining table, everyone was leaned back in
their chairs, satisfied from the meal. �Haa! That was great Sanji, S!!�
exclaimed Luffy with a grin.

�Of course it was, you shitty bastard!� exclaimed Sanji from
the kitchen.

S chuckled. �Thanks Luffy.� he replied with a smile.

�Shishishi!� laughed Luffy as he pat his belly.

�Oi, Dart Brows�Are you still made that you couldn�t get a
kick off on Luffy a few days ago?� asked Zoro with a smirk.

�Geez, how long are you gonna stay mad?� asked Usopp as he
frowned at Sanji.

�Shut your holes!!� yelled Sanji as he slammed his palm down
onto the counter.

Laughing, Luffy sat up. �That�s supposed to be a good thing,
right?! I�ve gotten a lot better and stronger and faster!� he exclaimed
excitedly.

�Ee, it�s definitely a good thing, Luffy.� replied Robin in
a gentle voice as she laughed softly.

�Aa, the Ero-cook never even laid a foot on L either�Maybe
he�s just getting worse�� chuckled Zoro as he sat back and closed his eyes with
a satisfied smirk.

�Shut up, stupid Marimo!! You want me to come over there and
show you how much worse I�ve gotten?!� yelled Sanji, almost losing the
cigarette that managed to stay in his mouth.

�Bring it on, Love-cook�� said Zoro as he stood and quickly
pulled Wadō
Ichimonji from it�s sheath.

�Oi, oi, knock it off!� yelled N as she stood up from her seat, looking
angry. �Why do you guys constantly fight each other?! Why can�t you be more
like Z and S?!� she yelled in her irritation.

Both Zoro and Sanji stopped and looked at N and then at Z and S. Both
were blinking at them, Z with a tilted head and raised brow. �Actually, I�ve
been meaning to ask...why is it that they don�t fight�?� asked Usopp,
with furrowed brows as he rubbed his chin.

Sighing, N sat back down as she closed her eyes. �It�s no wonder Nami
loses her temper so much�You guys are out of control�That�s the seventh fight
over the past four days�� she said quietly more to herself as she rubbed her
temples.

They all turned to look at her with blinking, confused eyes. Chuckling,
L rubbed her back as he leaned towards her. Also, chuckling, Luffy sat back in
his chair again. �We�re not out of control! We just like to have fun!� he
exclaimed.

�There�s a difference between fun and just plain out of control Luffy��
said N with a frown as she looked up at him. �Your crew is just crazy.� she said
as she frowned further.

Z and S seemed to find this amusing and both chuckled. N turned her
frown on them. �Shishishi! I wouldn�t have them any other way!� exclaimed Luffy
as he laughed.

The guys all chuckled along with Robin. �I�m sure Nami would beg to
differ�� she said with narrowed eyes.

�No way! Nami wouldn�t wanna change us!� he said as he started to purse
his lips.

�Sure she would! That�s why she loses her temper all the time! Maybe
you guys should behave more often!� said N in a raised voice.

Looking from one to the other, L�s eyes widened slightly.

�But that�s no fun!!� exclaimed Luffy as he leaned forward.

�There are better ways to have fun without yelling at each other,
fighting or running around like crazy maniacs! You, Usopp and Chopper make all
sorts of noise and break all sorts of things!� said N as she too leaned
forward.

Frowning, L raised up a hand. �Umm�� he said.

�We were just having fun!!� exclaimed Luffy.

�That�s not fun! That�s misbehaving! If you guys would behave more often,
she wouldn�t have to lose her temper with you guys so much! You complain that
she�s mean and always seems mad at you, well that�s why!!� she said as she
stood up with her palms flat on the table.

�Oi, Nami�calm down�� said L in a quiet, soothing voice as he placed a
hand on her arm.

�But I like who I am�� said Luffy with a serious frown and quiet voice.

�Ah!� N�s eyes widened as that small noise escaped her throat. Then she
looked down at L. He had a slight frown. Blinking a few times, she then looked
back at Luffy who was also frowning at her. �I-I�I�m sorry. I didn�t mean�to�yell
at you�� she said as she slowly sat back down.

Everyone was staring at her wide eyed. Usopp leaned over towards Zoro.
�She looked a lot like our Nami just now�� he whispered.

Zoro then leaned back towards Usopp. �Aa�� he agreed.

Eyes widening, Luffy looked at both Usopp and Zoro at what they just
said before looking back at N. She had looked a lot like Nami just now. Then
his expression turned troubled as he furrowed his brows and seemed to visibly
droop. �It is me�� he whispered before he got up and walked out.

�Ah, no wait!� said N, but he continued until the door closed behind
him. Frowning sadly, N also drooped. �I didn�t mean to�� she started to say.

Standing up, L placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it
affectionately. �I�ll go talk to him.� he said as he smiled warmly down at her.

Looking up at him sadly, she then nodded as she watched him leave.

To Be Continued�

Author�s Note: Dun, dun, dun!
Those evil cliff-hangers! XO Always rearing their ugly heads! XP Welp, I hope
you guys liked this chapter! XD So some folks got a rudes awakenin�s! XP I
wonders what�s theys gonna do �bout it�if at all�XP Anyways, I hoped you
enjoyed! XD Please review! PLEASE! I like those�Reading them gives me
motivation, yo. XP Hahaha! XD
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