Author's Note: This is my first actual story other than my one shots. This story takes place after Franky joins their crew. Unfortunately OP is at a point of transition in the manga, and things might or might not happen. Since I don't know if Brook actually joins their crew or not, he is not in my story. Not to mention I don't know enough about him to put him in my story. If you haven't guessed this story takes place after Thriller Bark. If Brook does join them, just pretend he is there in the background somewhere, LOL! Also, we don't know yet how the crew interacts with the new ship, since they haven't shown this yet. So a lot of my story is an assumption as to how I assume they would interact with Sunny. I also got my hands on the Oda SBS blueprints of the Thousand Sunny. So I was able to find out important information on the ship layout, and where everyone sleeps. Not to mention rooms they have yet to show in the manga. I hope you all can see past the lack of knowledge and just enjoy my story:D Criticism is welcome, even flames. I could use it. Any good and bad reviews help me in my stories after all! So please review and let me know your thoughts! But be gentle if possible…o.o

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. I just love it to death!! XD

The Ritual of Fire Phoenix Island

Chapter 1: Understanding

"So…does anyone else ever wonder what our Captain thinks about when he sits up there by himself for so long?" asked Usopp, watching his Captain from his spot on the deck. "Or does he even think at all? Maybe he just enjoys the view." added Nami, not really sure Luffy is even capable of thought.

"I would have to agree with Nami-san. Luffy doesn't seem to think about anything. He always just rushes in, not even bothering to ask questions later." added Sanji from the doorway of the dining/kitchen, as he took a long drag of his cigarette. He was actually quite serious as he watched Luffy. "But who can think with such a beauty as yourself to take away a man's soul just by gazing at him, Nami-swaaan?" he said after a short silence with his usual love-love eyes and prancing in her direction.

Robin put her book down then to regard the subject, "Mmm..." she hummed as she shook her head and placed her chin in her hand, "Captain-san is definitely capable of thought. Did you ever think that maybe our Captain-san acts the way he does because he chooses to?" she asked them with her ever present gentle and understanding smile. "Chooses to?" they all ask simultaneously. Sanji and Nami both burst out laughing at the thought of Luffy 'acting' like he was silly. Robin's smile only widened. Usopp regarded Robin seriously, "I have to agree with Robin, I mean look how he handled Vivi when she thought she had to protect us. He had to have thought of something to say and do to make her understand she didn't have to. It's almost like he can easily read into people." The three stared at Luffy's back while letting what Usopp just said sink in. All three a little amazed Usopp even thought of this.

Nami looked Sanji's way, "He does make a point." Sanji can only nod in response.

"Well, why doesn't one of you go talk to him and find out?" asked a voice coming from slightly above them. They all looked up and to the left, as Zoro was coming down from the crow's nest.(1) He had a clean sheen of sweat above his brow caused by having just finished training.

Robin allowed a giggle and smile to escape before she lifted her book back over her face. Sanji mumbled something about needing to prepare lunch before disappearing into the kitchen. Zoro and Nami looked Usopp's way. He was already working on his new invention pretending he never heard Zoro. "Oi!!" Nami yelled in his direction. Zoro just chuckled at Nami's failed attempt at getting Usopp's attention.

"Ugh, I guess I will have to do it myself." she said annoyed, giving in.

She gave a look toward their Captain and finally decided to head over to him. She walked over to him quietly, while watching him as he was sitting atop of Sunny. As she finally reached her destination, she turned back once to regard the others. They were all watching her, even Sanji and Robin. She made a face at them showing her full annoyance at them for having forced her to be the one to talk to him. She turned back around to look up at her Captain. She began to contemplate whether she really wanted to talk to him or not. 'Why did she feel so uneasy talking to him? And why did everyone else not want to talk to him either?'

She scrunched up her nose and finally decided to speak to him. After all she didn't want to come off as a coward. "Ne, Luffy?" she called. No response…Nami was a little surprised he didn't respond to her calling him. 'Is he really this deep in thought, that he doesn't notice me here?' she thought to herself. Then she became a little annoyed, "Luffy!" she said at almost a yell.

All of a sudden Luffy jumped slightly, surprised at being called suddenly, "Nn, aa…"(2) he replied looking down at Nami. "What's up, Nami?" he asked with his usual wide grin from ear to ear.

"I...I was just wondering why you're so quiet over here?" she asked with a nervous smile.

"Uh, just thinking." He replied looking back at the horizon while his grin became a little smaller.

"Thinking…about what?" she asked, hoping for a more elaborate response.

Luffy just shrugged looking back down at her with his grin back, "Just stuff."

"Oh…" she said a little disappointed as she looked down at her feet. Luffy turned back around to the ocean view, his grin gone once again. Only a small smile played on his lips. Nami looked back up at her Captain. He was sitting with his legs and arms crossed. His hat hung down his back from a string around his neck, for it was a bit too windy for him to wear. The wind ruffled his loose hair around as it lightly fluttered against his forehead and face. His face had taken on a more serious look as he stared into the horizon.

Nami figured his vague and curt answers were meant as a dismissal, especially since he had said no more. She sighed to herself and began to turn away. She stopped half way as he finally spoke to her, "Did you want to sit up here?" he asked as he turned back and looked back down at her with his grin again. "Uh…un."(3) she answered with a nod, as she turned back around. Nami began to attempt climbing up onto Sunny. Suddenly a hand appeared in front of her face. Startled Nami looked up at Luffy, who was leaning over the side arm outstretched as he grinned and let out a small laugh. Nami looked at his hand for only a second before she grabbed it and allowed him to pull her up. As soon as she reached the top she let go of his hand and crawled toward the middle to sit down next to him. Luffy had changed his sitting position so that there was more room for Nami. He had one leg outstretched while the other was pulled to his chest. His right arm rested on the pulled up knee while he used the left to lean back on. Nami sat and pulled both knees to her chest and hugged them with both arms.

They sat in silence for a few seconds, until Nami finally spoke up, "So, what exactly do you think about Luffy?" she pauses for only a moment, "I would really like to know."

There were a few moments more of silence. Nami wasn't sure if he was contemplating answering her or not. She began to regret her question, but then he finally spoke, "I usually just think about what we have been through, and the day I will become Pirate King." Nami can only stare at Luffy, amazed that he even thought about things like the past and future. She always figured he thought about simple things, like, 'What is Sanji going to make for lunch?' Or even about meat. Luffy looked at Nami with his usual grin.

"Do you really think of those things Luffy?" she finally asked. "Aa." he replied with a nod and his grin. Then he turned his gaze back to the horizon. Nami joined his gaze not sure now what to say to him. It would seem Luffy was more complex than she first imagined.

Then she realized she didn't really know much about him, none of them did. "You know, we really don't know much about you Luffy." she said on that note.

"Really?" was his only reply.

She began to get annoyed by his vague and simple answers. Almost like she was having a one sided conversation. So she decided to make him elaborate, "Mind telling me a little about you?"

Luffy sat in silence for a few seconds before finally answering her, "Not really much to tell…I like meat and will be Pirate King one day." He says this with a grin and a bit of a giggle.

Nami's first response was annoyance, as she looked at him narrow-eyed. He was so simple-minded. Then she let her face relax, placed her head on her knees, and then watched him. She was looking for some kind of outward response from him, but he only had a blank stare and minor smile on his face as he stared out onto the horizon. It was almost as if there was no soul behind those big black eyes. "Luffy?" she asked softly head still placed on her knees.

"Hmm?" he replied looking back at her again. She had called his name not even really knowing how to ask him what she wanted to ask him. He only stares back at her with those blank soulless eyes, waiting for her to finish. She can only stare in return, not seeing anything in his gaze.

"Who are you?" she can only ask softly. It seemed the only appropriate thing to ask him. Luffy was taken aback by her odd question with only a small noise from the back of his throat and a look of slight surprise on his scarred face.

He sat and stared at her for a few seconds before he finally said something, "Are you ok? You're not sick again are you?" he asked with one eyebrow raised as he placed his hand to her forehead.

"I'm just fine, Luffy! I was serious!" she yelled at him as she slapped his hand away. She had raised her head from her knee as she did this. She looked back at him with furrowed brows, annoyed with his response. Luffy was still looking back at her with a slightly confused expression on his face, one eyebrow still raised. She almost felt sorry for the boy, who honestly looked confused by her question.

"Nami, what do you mean? We've been together for a long time. How can you not know who I am? I'm Luffy!" he said this to her as if she has some how gone mad, or had lost her memory.

Nami closed her eyes slowly counting to ten trying not to lose her patience with him. She was seriously contemplating pushing him over the side. She finally opened her eyes, "Baka!" she scolded and lightly tapped her knuckle over the top of his head, "I know your name is Luffy! But just because I know your name, it doesn't mean I know you as an individual!"

Somehow his eyebrow rose up higher as he tilted his head to the side with a frown, and rubbed the place on his head that she had hit. They stared at each other for a few more seconds. Her eyebrows had furrowed in frustration at his confusion. Finally she let her face relax, let out a sigh, and then looked back at the horizon. "Luffy…" she started calmly and quietly, "you know just about everything about us…about me. You know I wasn't raised by my blood parents, and that my foster mother was murdered by Arlong right in front of me. You know that he took me in as a kind of slave, making maps for him. You know he made me a deal that I could buy back my village, and that I stole from people and pirates to do just that." she explained to him.

"Aa..." he nodded still looking a little confused as Nami continued her story, "You also know that I have a love for money and mikans,(4) and that I can be a little short tempered and selfish. Luffy, you know me as a person, imperfections and all…not just my name…Do you understand?" she asked this last part while looking him in the eyes.

He continued to look at her with that unflinching and unsettling gaze that he had fixed on her the whole time she had explained herself. Luffy stared at her a little longer before looking back out into the horizon. "I think I do…" he finally said, "But…" he went silent once more.

Nami watched him as it appeared he was trying to gather his thoughts. He furrowed his brows a bit as he continued to gaze at the horizon. 'Was this really all there was to him? Is what they see of him everyday all that builds up this boy?' she thought to herself. She knew he had an unbending and almost unmerciful will. They had seen that during his argument and fight with Usopp. She also knew that he could be immature, childish, spontaneous, and clueless. However, she also knew that he was kind and the most unselfish being she had ever met, except for when it came to food... He always put others before himself, but there had to be more. Or…did there? Maybe she just wanted there to be more to him? But why would she want that? She furrowed her eyebrows and scrunched up her nose. He still looked like he was trying to think of something to say. She relaxed her face and looked away from him.

"Mmm…," she hummed while shaking her head, "never mind, it's okay…" Luffy looked back over at her with his blank stare. "Well…," she said while turning to move back toward the edge. "I will leave you to your thoughts." she finished saying.

"Aa." he responded following her toward the edge. As she turned back around facing him to climb down, he offered her his hand to help her down. She didn't hesitate this time and grabbed a hold of it. He stretched it down slowly lowering her down. As she reached the bottom she released his hand, and his arm snapped back into place. Without a word or even his usual grin, he disappeared back over the top. Nami was a little surprised by this.

When she was a little ways back towards the others, she turned back around to get another look at him. He was already sitting in the middle of Sunny with his arms and legs crossed. She turned back to continue her walk back towards the others.

She had a perplexed look on her face when she finally reached the others. They had all watched her approach and were anticipating what she would say. She only sat in her usual chair still deep in thought. They all continued watching her anxiously awaiting for her to speak at any moment. When she only continued sitting in silence with the perplexed expression on her face, Zoro and Usopp began to become annoyed, "Oi!! So what did he say?! What did you talk about?!" Zoro finally broke the silence at his loss of patience.

Nami looked up at Zoro as if noticing they were all looking at her for the first time. She immediately showed her annoyance at his question, "Well, if you wanted to know, you should have asked him yourself!" she yelled at him annoyed.

Robin only gently giggled at her response. "Che!"(5) was Zoro's only response at her remark, as he made his way toward the dining/kitchen and Sanji. "Oi…you done with lunch yet?" he asked still annoyed, as he approached the doorway.

"Have some patience, Marimo!" Sanji remarked to his question as he turned back into the kitchen.

"What did you call me, Dartboard?" Zoro retorted, ready to attack the cook. Usopp only looked at Nami annoyed, and then looked back at Luffy.

Zoro and Sanji were still arguing and name calling, making a huge ruckus in the process. "Hey! That's enough you two!!" Franky yelled as he emerged from his Weapon Development Room and descended down towards them. He spent a lot of time in there working on himself, or making new weapons for himself or the ship. "I can't concentrate with all the noise you two are making!" he screamed at them. Sanji finally walked back into the kitchen to make lunch and Zoro walked back onto the deck to settle in for a nap. Franky followed Sanji into the dining area and sat at the table awaiting lunch.

Robin sat in silence just watching the Navigator, who seemed to have a lot on her mind, and was staring at her Captain's back. A smile began to play on her lips as she watched her. Then she lifted her book back up to her face to continue reading.

After about fifteen minutes, Sanji finally came out to announce lunch was ready. Zoro got up from his short nap and began to walk with Robin and Nami inside to the dining area. Usopp and Chopper flew by ready to eat. Everyone had joined Franky in the dining area as they all took their seats…all but one person.

Sanji looked back in Luffy's direction. "Oi, Luffy!" he yelled toward him.

Luffy perked up and turned toward Sanji, "Nani?" Sanji can only stare at Luffy in surprise. Usually Luffy comes running at the mere smell of food, but yet here he sat not even realizing Sanji had just announced that lunch was ready.

"Lunch is served…"he repeated for him. Luffy stared back at Sanji for about three seconds before what he said finally registered.

"Yahoo!" he said as he jumped down and began running toward him. Sanji moved out of his way to watch him pass. He had been grinning and laughing all the while. Sanji continued to watch him as he plopped down and began to wolf down his meat. 'What was that all about?' he asked himself. 'What could he have possibly been so deep in thought about, that he didn't even hear my announcement for lunch?' The talk he and Nami had earlier came to mind. 'What did they talk about?' He watched as Luffy and Usopp began to fight over the same piece of meat, while Chopper was yelling at them from the side. Even Chopper who had been in his new infirmary had heard Sanji's announcement. He watched as Franky and Zoro joined the squabble.

It seemed no one had even noticed Luffy's slight tardiness. He was usually one of the first to sit down to any meal. Now that he was eating he seemed to be himself again. Luffy had of course won the battle over the hunk of flesh, and was now gulping it down in one bite, while Usopp frowned beside him. Franky and Zoro were yelling at him as Chopper tried fighting Luffy for another piece of meat.

"Sanji-kun…Are you ok?" Sanji didn't give it another thought, "Haaaii!! Nami-swaaan!"

To Be Continued…

Sorry but I like to use a little Japanese in my stories. I hope you all don't mind. Here are some translations of the words or responses you might not be familiar with. Also explanations of the ship.

1: The crow's nest doubles as a look out and a gym.

2: Aa is yes (informal). "aa" is generally only used by men.

3: Un is yes (informal) "un" is used only by women.

4: Mikan is mandarin orange.

5: Che is a general sound of annoyance.

I'm going on the assumption that everyone knows what Nani, Oi, and Hai mean, but if you don't just asked and I will tell what they do mean. :P