Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its characters. I also do not intend to profit from this story.

Note: This is the second One Piece fanfic I wrote. The first one was really not that serious. This is also a ZoroNami fic so if you're not a fan then don't read. The setting of this story is supposed to be in the middle of Thriller bark arc and Shabody Archipelago based on the manga.

Chapter 1: Just Ignore It

The Thousand Sunny once more sailed the blue seas of the Grandline. It was another perfect day –much to Nami's relief. Somehow being a navigator, these perfectly sunny days were always a blessing for her. She doesn't have to worry so much because there's no storm or cyclone. However she was always on her feet. Just one wrong calculation and it might be the end of their adventure. She was never fooled by the Grandline's temperament.

It was always a battle. This was her battle for sure. It was Grandline versus her. She wins most of the time though, much to her surprise.

Nami was sitting on the lawn of the large boat. She was reading some newspaper while everyone was also doing what they wanted to do.

Usopp was back on his workshop probably working on something unusual once more. Luffy is fishing with Chopper. Robin was watering her plants. Franky was doing maintenance on the ship. Sanji is in the kitchen and preparing snacks. Brook was playing his violin delicately on the lawn. And finally, Zoro is probably up there in the gym and training.

Sanji finally went outside. He was carrying a cart full of snacks. He seemed proud of himself as he pushed the cart towards Nami.

Luffy instantly inhaled the smell of food. With a blink of an eye he left his fishing rod and was already ogling at the feast Sanji had brought out.

"May I offer you your Perfect-Sunny-Day Snack. Nami-san." Sanji said offering a brightly coloured plate to Nami.

Nami smiled and took the plate and fork. She then tasted a bit.

"Delicious as always." She smiled at Sanji.

"Mellorine~~ Of course since it's for you Nami-swan~" Sanji shouted happily.

Luffy and the others were already around the cart even before Sanji said anything. That was why when Sanji looked back at the cart all of his dishes were almost gone. Amazingly, even Usopp had already gotten out of his workshop and was now chewing.

"Is this all?" Luffy said who seemed not satisfied with the amount of food.

"YOU SHITHEADS! Stop eating the food I prepared for Nami-swan and Robin-chwan!" Sanji shouted to the kids.

"Oh it's ok. I'm not that hungry." Robin said as she slowly descended down the stairs.

"There's still more in the kitchen. Go fetch." Sanji said and in an instant the three vanished before him. Even Brook was gone to the kitchen.

Sanji then served Robin as well. Seeing that Nami just smiled and went back to what she was reading.

Robin sat beside Nami as Sanji was saying something to entertain the two Straw Hat beauties. Nami was not really interested and so she didn't even pretend to listen.

Robin then remembered something and left. Nami was not really paying attention to her so she was a bit surprised to see Robin gone.

"Is it that interesting Nami-san?" Sanji asked.

Nami just nodded.

"We must know what's happening around us so that we could always be ready." Nami said.

Sanji then stood up and placed his hand on his chest.

"Do not fear Nami-san. I am always ready to protect you. There is nothing in this world that would ever harm you." Sanji said.

Nami was already used to this. She knows how much he means those words but somehow hearing it every day is making it less and less appealing.

She looked at Sanji. He was a handsome man. She doesn't mind that he smells of smoke. He could be lovable… but… but she just cannot understand why she cannot feel anything for him.

Sanji noticed that Nami was staring. He then started to blush. He closed his eyes and started to lean towards Nami.

Nami finally noticed what Sanji was doing. She then started to move back.

"Oi!" A deep voice suddenly spoke from nowhere making Nami turn towards the direction where it came from.

Sanji suddenly opened his eyes. His moment was ruined and he knew very well who destroyed it.

"Can't you see we're kind of busy? You really know how to ruin the mood stupid Moss head!" Sanji said.

Zoro's eyes were on Nami as Nami just looked at him without a trace of emotion whatsoever. She just shrugged the incident off and continued reading.

She was used to this already. She was already used to Sanji and his advances that she was just not amused or agitated anymore. She merely ignores everything.

Zoro then went to the tray where the snacks were. He picked up a something and started eating it. Sanji was shouting some random insults towards him but he shrugged it off. He was still looking at Nami… well technically he was looking at the newspaper hiding the navigator's face. He sighed.

The three then heard something from the kitchen. It sounded like an explosion.

The three looked at the kitchen. Sanji was worried now. His territory is being desecrated by those fools!

"I will be right back Nami-san. I just have to kick some bastards inside my kitchen." Sanji said. He then glared at Zoro for a while and ran towards the kitchen.

Zoro then sat on the ground. Somehow lying on Sunny's deck is better than back in Merry it was more comfortable.

"Don't you have anything else to do aside from sleeping?" Nami asked raising her eye brows a bit.

"Don't bother me. If I want to sleep then I will." Zoro said looking annoyed.

"I know. Besides… strong men like you and Luffy always get your way. Do you even know how it feels like… to have any fears?"

Zoros eyes were closed but he was still awake and Nami knew that. His lips then pulled up giving Nami a quick grin.

"Of course I have fears… That's the reason why I train." Zoro said.

Nami finally leaned and looked at Zoro. His face was so relax as if nothing in this world can harm him. His eyes were closed. Though his features weren't always gentle Nami was assured by the way he looked.

She was just looking at him. The wind passed by. Zoro didn't say anything anymore. Nami even thought that he was already asleep.

"I need to become stronger. I want to become stronger." His voice was barely of a whisper that if she had not been looking at him then she might've not noticed it.

Nami frowned. "Men… always thinking of getting stronger. Bunch of fools."

Zoro's eyes then opened. He doesn't seem surprise though to see Nami's face when he opened his eyes. Of course he knew what was happening around him even with eyes closed. A swordsman never lets his guard down.

"But we fools are the reason why you're still alive." Zoro said quite arrogantly.

Nami looked the other way. She then leaned back on her seat and gathered the newspaper.

"But don't charge me for it." Nami said at once.

"Stingy woman. " Zoro shouted at once in annoyance. He even had to sit up.

Nami just ignored him. He was always like this.

Zoro then lay back on the floor. Seeing how Nami is he suddenly smiled.

"You never change." Zoro said.

"And you're still an idiot."

"And I still have to protect you."

Nami then have to notice that. Although she knew it he never really acknowledges it. All the times that he had saved her. He never really brought it up.

Nami doesn't know how to react now. This was not something that happen everyday. She was never used to it… that was why she just can't ignore it.

"But of course."

But Nami had only one plan for these kinds of situation. Although it cannot be considered a plan since she just thought of it until now.

"I need you to protect me or else this ship won't go anywhere."

Sometimes there are things that can easily be ignored. Like Sanji's affections or Luffy's stupidity or even Usopp's lies… but in special cases whenever the swordsman acts like this she somehow cannot ignore it. She was always taken by surprise. He is not like this most of the times.

Even the most surprising attack the Grandline weather can throw at her was nothing… that was why she just cannot understand why she cannot ignore something as simple as this.