The rest of the week passed normally, Nami ate with her friends every day as usual. She went through a series of training sessions and rehearsals every day. It was an exhausting week, so on the weekend, she stayed home.
On Sunday late afternoon, she was drawing maps on her desk, with her headphone on her ears, in her little bubble.
Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder, she gasped and turned, and took off her headphone. She saw Yamato, Law and Zoro.
«n- the fuck?!
ya- heyyy
n- please tell me you used the door
l- what?
z- yes, your mom said you were in your bedroom
n- cool, what's going on?
ya- we all sleep at Zoro's tonight, 'cause we leave early for Alabasta tomorrow
n- what?».
Yamato smiled and implied she did what Nami thought she did.
«z- you forgot?
n-... no, of course not
ya- let's do your bag
n- uh, sure, I... wait, I'll be back».
Nami went downstairs to see her mom.
«b- you could've told me about that trip
n- sorry, I didn't think I'd go, like, I'm on probation
b- it's gonna be fun, I'm sure
n- yeah, sure
b- how long is that?
n- 3 days
b- ohh.. what about your classes?
n- it's ok, the club manage about that
b- well then it's fine
n- is it?
b- yeah, just be careful, you know that
n- yeah sure... that's it?
b- what?
n- I thought you would've freaked out
b- didn't you want me to trust you, I'm trying to
n- oh, ok.. nice».
Nami went back to the bedroom, Law was sitting on the deck chair, looking at the drawings, Zoro was sitting on the bed, and Yamato was looking into Nami's wardrobe.
«l- what map is that?
n- none of your business»
She put the paper in a book to hide it.
«ya- let's make your bag
n- yeah, yeah».
Nami took a bag and put some clothes in it.
She said goodbye to her mom, and they went in Zoro's car. Yamato and Nami went on the backseat, Nami whispered.
«n- you crazy
ya- it's fine
n- I told you not to do that
ya- shh, it's fine
l- what are you talking about?
n- nothing..».
She said, sulking. Yamato smiled.
They arrived at Zoro's place and entered the castle. Mihawk and Perona were cooking in the kitchen.
«l- hi guys
ya- hello
mi- hi kids
p- ahh Nami!! ».
Perona hugged Nami, and she smiled.
«n- hi P, hello Mr. Roronoa
mi- hi Nami
p- we're trying your recipe, thanks for sending it to me by the way
n- your welcome».
She took a look at the counter.
«z- you don't seem to like it
n- no, no, I'm just looking
ya- what recipe is this?
n- roasted duck with tangerine sauce
l- tangerine?
p- yeah, that's the best thing I've ever tasted, ever
z- mmh
p- no, no, I mean, one of them, my dad cooks better, he's the best
ya- *chuckles*
mi- sure
z- well».
Zoro walked out of the room, followed by Law and Yamato.
«n- do you need help?
mi- is that this terrible?
n- no, it looks good, but if you need anything
mi- thank you».
Nami walked out of the room to join Zoro and the guys.
«p- isn't she so sweet?
mi- mh
p- I can't believe Hiyori hates her, she's so nice
mi- Hiyori?
p- yeah, she hates her, she's jealous because Zoro trains her
mi- I see ».
Upstairs guys just chilled in the lounge and then ate all together in the living room. Yamato and Nami slept in a guest room, and Law slept in Zoro's room.
At about 5 am, they left for the port, Kinemon, Oden, Hiyori, Helmoppo, Johnny, and Yosaku were waiting there. They all got on the ship, and since Alabasta was hours away, everybody found something to do.
Nami leaned on the barrel from the upper deck, to watch the horizon, she just loved sailing. Zoro found a spot to sleep not so far. Hiyori and Yamato got inside to talk. Law, Helmoppo, Johnny, and Yosaku were also inside, playing cards.
Mihawk and Kozuki brothers were talking on the lower deck.
About an hour later, Nami shivered feeling a powerful aura next to her, she noticed Mihawk was fixing the horizon, standing next to her. She looked up at him, wondering why he would stand there. He looked down on her.
«mi- interesting tattoo».
He said. Nami's whole body shivered. In her haste and surprise, she had forgotten to bandage the tattoo on her arm. She put her hand on it, a little ashamed and afraid of Mihawk's possible reaction if he didn't believe her next words.
«n- it's not... I mean... I don't- I'm not-
mi- a member of the Fishman Pirates crew?
n- I'm not
mi- then why?
n- I... they assaulted the island I was living on... and... *sighs* Arlong did this to me after he killed my dad so I wouldn't forget what he was able to do... so I would not run away from Cocoyashi or he would kill my mom and sister..».
She said, trying not to show a single emotion, even though her eyes were wet.
He put his hand on the top of her head, he was so much taller than her.
«mi- sorry about that».
She nodded.
«mi- how did you escape then?
n-... we didn't».
Mihawk looked confused.
«mi- what do you mean?
n- my mom got a deal with them...
mi- what deal?
n- that's a long story..
mi- can it put my kids in danger?
n- no, I'd never do anything that could get them harmed, I promise Mr. Roronoa
mi- good... and stop calling me like that, you can call me by my name
n-... ok...».
Nami went inside to wear something to hide her arms.
Zoro opened his eyes.
«z- you think we can trust her?
mi- you should tell me, you let her in our house many times
z-.. I trust her but... there are many things she doesn't say
mi- traumatic events are not easy to talk about, you should know that. But don't let your guard down.
z- fine».
When she was in the women's quarters, Nami heard Yamato and Hiyori talking.
«ya- no, you're harsh, she's nice
hi- not you! please! why does everybody like that bitch
ya- because she's nice, smart, and fun
hi- let me puke
ya- you just don't like her 'cause you don't like seeing her talking to Zoro
hi- she's trying to get him, I can see that
ya- I don't think she is and even tho she was, that's Zoro's last priorities, he doesn't give a shit about you or any other girls
hi- young being mean
ya- I'm honest, he's my friend, I know him, he won't fall utterly in love with you, either Nami exists or not, sorry for breaking your dream
hi- fine, there's still something about her that I don't... feel
ya- you don't feel?
hi- yeah, I've got a bad feeling about her
ya- I thought you didn't feel anything?
hi- come on, Yamato I'm serious
ya- fine, but until your feeling gets more precise, I'll keep thinking you're just jealous
hi- *sighs* fine, you want proof, my dad doesn't like her either
ya- what did you tell him for that?
hi- nothing!!... almost
ya- you want a proof you're wrong, Momo loves her, and kids have good instincts».
Hiyori rolled her eyes. Nami did the same and walked out to the upper deck. She didn't feel like facing Mihawk again, so she just walked up to the stern and sat, reading.
She only joined everyone 3 hours later, when they docked on Alabasta. They've been driven to the Capital to put their belongings in the hotel and went to the national dojo.
In less than 2 hours Yamato and Law would compete. They started training, while the other students were on the bleachers ready to see the fight. Oden and Kinemon gave them last advice about their opponents' weaknesses. Mihawk had a last word to Zoro before he left for a walk in the city, and of course, Perona followed him. Zoro walked up to the bleachers to sit with everyone, and when he looked up he saw a seat free next to Hiyori, and another next to Nami. Hiyori smiled when she saw him, implying he should come to sit next to her. He looked at her, with a neutral face and went to sit next to Nami. Hiyori was dead mad inside but kept smiling like nothing happened.
«z- yo ».
She looked at him, confused.
«n- yeah?
z- I think we need to talk
n- about what?
z- a lot of things but one among the others would be this».
He said, looking at her arm.
«n- he told you?
z- I heard
n- you should be happy, you wanted to get to know me.. here you are
z- it left more questions than answers to be honest
n- what do you wanna know then?
z-... everything».
He looked at her, intensely, and she grinned.
«n- that's a lot of things
z- I guess so
n- well, I guess I can tell you a little bit
z- yeah?
n- yeah, eventually if we were friends, I could tell you
z- *smiles* I guess I can work this out
n- can you?
z- let's see that».
The conversation stopped there, they just smiled on their own and kept watching Law and Yamato training.
Yamato has been the first to fight, and she won. Then 2 fights later, it was Law's turn. He fought hard but he was kinda distracted so he lost.
They waited for the ranking and the time for the next Yamato fight, and it would be the next day in the afternoon. Then left the dojo. They all reunited in Oden's room to have a feedback. Once it was did all the students went to the girls's suite, since it was the bigger room of all.
Nami didn't feel like talking and everyone so she just took her bag and went into the bathroom to take her shower. She wore a jogging suit and exited the bathroom.
Everyone was in the lounge of the quiet, sitting on the couches around the coffee table.
Obviously, there was no seat left, she noticed Hiyori spread her dress around her to specify she didn't want Nami to sit there.
Nami just ignored her, she grabbed the book from her bag and went to put it back where it was. Zoro looked at her, he made a confused face pointing at the book with his glare. She showed the couches with her look, to show him there was no room left. He nodded his face, signaling her to come, as he put his hand on his lap like she could sit on it. She smiled, amused, and rolled her eyes. He insisted and signed her to come again. She finally put her book back in her bag and walked towards him. He leaned back and spread his arms to let her some room, and she sat on his lap. She didn't totally sit back at him, she was in diagonal so she could talk to him and see him a little.
She softly said :
«n- what you're doing?
z- just talking
n- about what?
z- no idea
n- *smiles* do you ever pay attention to your surroundings?
z- when it's worth it
n-... where's your sister?
z- my dad rents a room for her, she's been there already
n- lucky girl
z- why?
n- she won't have to sleep in the same room as H..
z- *chuckles* that's how we call her now?
n- yeah, or like witch
z- no, you're the witch, woman
n- fine, so she's a monster, a dragon, no, a real kid
z- whatever you want
n- have you drink?
z- a little».
He showed his glass on the table.
«n- what is it?
z- wine
n- you drink wine?
z- yeah?
n- thought you were a sake guy
z- pretty much everything with alcohol does the job
n- damn, a narcissist fucker and alcoholic?
z- you're about to sum me up
n- *ironic* you're so easy to read».
He slightly grinned and leaned forwards to pick up his drink. In his movement, he passed his a around Nami's waist so she wouldn't fall. She shivered when she felt his arms around her, she didn't expect it but she then understood why. He leaned back on the couch and drank, but he didn't take his arm off of her. It took her a second to realise that.
«z- wanna?
n- sure».
She took his glass and drank a sip.
«n- not the best
z- you said it
n- *smiles*
z- what?
n- nothing
z- don't think I forgot what you had to tell me
n- I didn't, but not the best place for it
z-.. sure».
She gave him back his glass and put her other hand upon the one which he was holding her waistline with, like nothing, faking to listen to people's talk. Hiyori didn't miss a bit of what was going in on, she was dying inside. A few minutes later, Zoro squeezed his hand to attract Nami's attention, she looked at him.
«z- wanna sneak out
n- *surprised* where?
z- my dad also rent a room for me
n- fancy
z-... *waiting*
n- as long as I'm not in the same room as your groupie, I'm fine
z- *amused*... you can also sleep there if you want, I'll sleep as planned, with guys
n- *smiles* sweet
z- so?
n- so, yeah. let's go».
Nami stood up, and so did Zoro.
«ya- where you guys are going? we were about to start the game
z- I'll show P's room to Nami
ya- you don't sleep with us?
n- uh... no, sorry love
ya- yeah, ok, it's ok».
Nami took her bag and they walked out of the suite.
«n- do you know the number of your room, 'cause I'm not following you in the whole hotel to find it
z- uh..».
He searched his pockets and found a card.
«z- 107
n- ok».
She walked and he followed her. The room was on the same floor so it was quite fast. Zoro checked the card and they entered the room. Nami put her bag on the chair and sat on the bed, next to Zoro's bag.