Queen of the Pirates

Heading for Nami

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I take a deep breath, leaning against the railing of the Baratie and looking out at the open ocean. In just a few more minutes we will be setting sail to chase after Nami, and I hope to get back with the only girl I have felt a real connection with. A true friendship where I can say whatever I am feeling without embarrassment. I thought that she would change her mind about us, but it is clear that she is a woman on a mission. She has a past that needs to be taken care of, and I just wished she would have told us about it. We would have helped her.

"Ah, Akari, I have been looking for you," Luffy's cheerful voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "We are about to head out, and I don't want to leave my dumpling behind." His arms snake around my middle; his chest pressing against my back.

I giggle, "I would have to slap you if you left me here."

"I would never forget you."

"The ocean is beautiful, isn't it?" I happily sigh.

"It is, and I will always enjoy being out on the sea, but I would rather look at my best friend."

"Do you realize the words that come out of your mouth sometimes? Actually, don't answer, I already know that you just speak your mind. Gah, Luffy, you surprise me sometimes."

"Are you ready to head out?"

"I'm ready to find Nami and get to the bottom of all this, yes," I nod, pushing us away from the railing.

Luffy's arms fall away from me, "I got a lot of meat for the journey, and now that we have Sanji to make us meals, it is going to be great."

I turn to face him; a tender smile playing on my lips. "Didn't like what Nami and I would make?"

"I will always like what you make," he smiles.

I step up to him, pushing onto my toes to give me the height to press a kiss to his cheek. "Come on, captain, we need to set sail." I fall back onto my heels and start walking towards Sanji's ship that we get to use.

"What's the point of that?" Luffy falls into step beside me.

"Point of what?"

"The kiss. There wasn't a wound where you did it."

"Oh, well, it is usually a sign of affection, and just a way for me to say that I like you and I am glad to be by your side." I shrug, "It is like a step up from a hug, or when we tap foreheads. When you like someone more than a friend, you usually kiss them. Though, it isn't limited to that. Kisses on wounds is just one way they can be used."

"I learned something new then."

"Did you not like it?" I look up at him.

"It made that spot tingle, so I guess that means I liked it."

I chuckle, "This is a learning experience for both of us, so we will keep on piecing it together as we go."

"I'd like to see you blush more, so maybe I will give you a kiss," he smirks, looking down at me.

"You are the captain, so you can do whatever you please."

He shrugs, "That doesn't make you any lesser than me. That asshole Krieg said he would make you a pet, and I never want you to think that."

I shake my head, "I would never think that. You would never be like that, and that is why I like you the most."

"Good, because I like you more than anyone."