Warning: OOCness approaching the station.
Hi, it's been a while, like ages. (uneasy laugh) This is the last chapter. The ending, I would like you to comment about it…
Disclamier: I don't own any version of Beauty and the Beast or One Piece. I do own this story.
Genzo grew better with each passing day. He took the medicine every morning and every night. In between, he would walk and stroll with Nami and Nojiko around the plantation. Nojiko went into town and bought him a cane so he could walk by himself if he wanted. Even though he saw the chaos of the burnt trees, he was not depressed. He had his daughters with him and that was all he needed.
The townspeople came the day after the fire to see the destruction. Friends of the family volunteered to help Genzo rebuilt and re plant the tangerines. But, Genzo replied to his friends that everything was lost. There were no tangerines seeds left nor was there anything in the soil to help the growth. He remembered Karel's words: "your plantation is no longer alive".
A week passed. Seven days, one more day until the Spring Festival. The Spring Festival celebrated the coming of spring and that day, Nami was to return to Castle One Piece. She counted each day that passed and each day brought her closer to the promised date.
Cocoyashi was getting everything ready for the festival, but in the house of Genzo, Nami was uneasy. She felt something but she didn't know what the feeling was. As she was deep in thought, Nojiko interrupted her,
"Nami," she said, "If you want to go back, than go. I can take care of father. He's well enough to walk on his own."
"I don't want to go back. Don't you find it strange? Arlong and the rest are not back. Do you know what happened to them? The townspeople do not even care about their disappearance."
"Didn't you hear? They're dead."
"What?" Nami asked in shock. She hadn't left the plantation since she came back.
Her sister frowned. "I didn't know you care about them. Some villagers found them four days ago. They were attacked my some animals." Nojiko smiled, "Like a pack of wolves for something."
"Are you sure? Wolves?"
"What else? Bears? Foxes? Sparrows? Raccoons? Reindeers? A crazy man with three swords? Oh, Nami, you should really thank them. They saved us."
"Nojiko," Nami went to sit on the couch near the window, "I'm so confused."
"How so?" Nojiko leaned against the window. She stared at her sister in silence, neither of them speaking a word. "Nami, if you can't see it yourself, I don't know what to tell you." She left Nami alone by the window.
Nami sat by herself and thought about what she wanted. In a deep trace, she didn't notice that Genzo called her from another room. Nojiko went to him and told him about Nami. Their father fell silent, but he already knew what he wanted, yet he couldn't say it. It's Nami's life and decision, not his.
There was a constant tapping from where Nami was. Nami looked up from her chair and saw something small and green at the window still. She peered out to see it was Karel. "Karel?" She called, but there was no answer. The bird ruffled his feathers and tapped the window again. "Karel, what are you doing here?"
The bird made no reply. It tapped once more and flew away, but it left something white on the window still. Nami looked closely and saw it was snow.
"Snow?" Nojiko looked at it in Nami's palm. Nami brought the snow indoors and went to her father and sister. "You must be crazy. It's spring, silly. Winter passed a few months ago. It never stays winter all year long."
"Winter… all year… long…" Nami's eyes widen. "Karla!"
"Who?" Nojiko asked.
"The cat told me it's winter all year long in the castle grounds. Something must be wrong! It only snows at night!"
"Go." The deep voice of her father made her jump.
"Father," She turned to him, "What do you mean? I can't leave you."
"GO. Leave my house!" He stood up and supported himself with his cane, "I want you out of my house! Nojiko! Take her away from my sight!"
"Father?" Her eyes widen. Nojiko stared at her father with shock, but his sullen face could not hide his intention. She escorted Nami out of the room.
"Go. Go to the castle." Nojiko said. "Take the horse. You'll reach there before night fall. Tomorrow is spring. You must go before night fall. I fear something is wrong. You heard your knight. He wants you to return before spring."
Without another word, Nami ran to the fields to get Philip. Genzo and Nojiko stood in the threshold of his house and watched his daughter ride off. This time, instead of tears of pain, it was tears of joy. "God speed." He whispered.
As Nami rode on Phillip, she didn't care to notice the cherry blossoms surrounding her. The blossoms sped Phillip and led him down a new path. Nami tried to steer him away, but he would not listen to her. To Nami's surprise, she reached the castle gates in a few minutes.
She leap off Phillip and ran to the gates. They were locked. She called out, but no one came to open the gates. She called again but to no avail. Suddenly a gust of wind blew her against the gates, slamming her into the door. It felt like she was pinned to the gates. Nami tried to push herself up, but in a few seconds, she fell forward, the gates had broken. Her landing was soft and fluffy. Snow.
How was this possible? She questioned but shoved it from her thoughts as she ran to the castle. As she near it, she saw animals lying on the ground.
"Usopp! Sanji!" She saw the aardvark and the raccoon and ran to them. Snow covered them like a blankets. Their eyes opened slowly and a small smile appeared on Sanji's face. He made a noise, but Nami couldn't understand him. Then, his head fell into the snow with a thump.
"Nami." She looked up to see Chopper sitting against the wall of the castle.
She went to him, "What happened?"
"Sanji welcomes you back, but maybe it's too late."
"Chopper, what do you mean?"
"We waited for you as long as we could…" He sneezed as his eyes drooped, "We waited for you before… everyone… dying…" His head fell to the side and he said no more.
"Chopper! Chopper!" Nami shouted, but he could not reply. "I'm so sorry! If I had known…" She shot up and ran into the castle. "Is anyone there! Help! Someone!" She ran to and fro, from room to room until she reached the main chamber.
"Luffy?" The bear collapsed at the base of the wooden table. The china vase was shattered near his paw and the stem of a follow lay near. A petal was still connected to it. "Luffy?" She knelt down. The bear's head move up and his small black eyes look at her. He made a small growl. She reached out to touch him, but the bear shook his head as much as he could and jabbed toward the opened window with his snout.
Nami stood up and walked toward the window. Her heart stopped. Zoro was down below collapsed in the snow. Without another thought, she ran out of the room and to him. On her way out, she didn't notice that she had stepped on the rose petal, tearing it apart from the stem.
Luffy gasped and made no sound after that.
"Zoro! Hold on, I'm coming." Nami exclaimed to herself as she sped down the stairs. "Zoro!" She called when entered the courtyard. "Zoro!" He remained motionless when she knelt down beside him. Placing his head on her lap, she lightly slapped his face. "Zoro, please wake up! Please!" But he made no reply. "Zoro…" She whispered. Tears formed in her eyes, "You can't die, Z-z-zoro." They rolled down her face and onto his. "Zoro!" She cried out, "Wake up, dammit!" She slammed her fist on his chest. Now her tears flowed freely down. She rested her head on his, "Zoro, I wa… I …" She finished in an inaudible whisper.
Suddenly there was a loud explosion like fireworks. Her head shot up to see shining lights and then a strange wind blew against her. It swirled around Zoro and her until it engulfed them in a vortex. Her eyes widen when she saw the vortex expand. As it expanded, the snow fallen the ground dried up and left a deep green grass and flowers, a paved road, and a dirt path. The vortex spun and spun until it expanded to the outskirts of the estate. Soon afterwards, it disappeared.
Nami jerked in surprise when Zoro sat up from her lap. He rubbed his eyes and yawned and scratched his chest. "Did you hit me?" he asked randomly.
"ZORO!" Nami gasped in glee, "You're alive!" She leaped with her arms open and embraced him. "You stupid idiot." Zoro let out a smug laugh and returned her embrace. He opened his mouth but someone interrupted him.
"RORONOA ZORO!" The two turned to see a blonde hair man dressed in a black suit with a striped blue dress shirt and black tie. "Get you filthy hand off Nami-swan!"
"What are you talking about, Sanji?" Zoro growled.
"You were a human and I was a raccoon! I had a disadvantage but now, it's an even playing field for Nami's affection!"
"You want to fight?" Zoro moved his hands to his side.
"Sanji! Zoro! Don't you dare start a fight!" A new member ran up to them.
"Karla-chan!" Sanji cried out, forgetting about Nami. "You look as cute as the last time I saw you. And you look cuter when you're mad! Even when you were a cat, you were always cute too!"
"Uhhh… I'm Karel." The person backed away.
But before 'Karel' could say more, another member showed up. "Hey guys, I was flying back when I collapsed and then, poof. I'm back to my normal state. Nami broke the spell, didn't she, Karla."
'Karel' glared at him, "Yes, she did, Karel," She then hissed, "Now Sanji's on my back thanks to you."
"You like it though." The real Karel grinned. Karla growled in reply.
Nami looked at the twins. It was true that you can mistake one for the other. They had the same disheveled hair style; however Karla's was more rudely. It was dark green and shoulder length. At the moment, they dressed similar in large dark cloaks. Theie eyes were the same golden yellow, like a hawk's.
Usopp arrived with Chopper to meet the crowd. "We're back! We're back!"
"Most of us," Zoro looked around. "Where are the King and his brother?"
"EVERYONE!" They looked up to see a wide grinning man with a straw hat. He leaped down from the high window with his hand on the window ledge. It retracted when he landed. Only Nami was in shock.
"His Devil fruit, you'll get used to him after a while." Karel informed her. "I have one too. Remember, I could talk to trees."
"Oh, yeah."
"Yo," Ace appeared also, "How's everyone?"
"Nami broke the spell!" Usopp shouted in happiness. "We should celebrate! Like a the Spring Festival!"
Luffy began chatting on and on and then went to Sanji to beg for meat. Sanji sighed in annoyance, "I'll go make dinner. Nami, stay for dinner."
"I will," She replied.
"Good." He shouted to the twin, "Karla, I'll make your favorite dish!"
"Thanks Sanji," She smiled to him.
"Make my favorite too!" Usopp, Chopper, and Karel shouted.
Sanji groaned, "Back off."
"MEAT! MEAT!" Luffy chanted.
"Fine, meat it is." They followed Sanji into the castle only leaving Nami and Zoro.
Before Nami could follow suit, Zoro stopped her by grabbing her arm and then pulling her in his embrace.
"Nami," He whispered in her ear, "Repeat what you said to me earlier."
"Zoro," a blush appeared on her cheek, "I want to thank you. Thank you for saving my family and me. They mean the world to me."
Nami shook her head. When she opened her mouth to speak again, it was closed with a kiss. "I love you, Nami." He kissed her again. "I should thank you instead. You saved the castle. You saved everyone."
She giggled, "Zoro, I love you too."
Hand in hand, they walked toward the castle.
In the trees, a beautiful woman stood watching the newly made couple. "The Steward and his Lady," she smiled. "It was meant to be." She continued to watch as everyone who was turned into an animal returned to their human shape: Johnny and Yosaku, the servants of the castle. But she felt like she was missing someone or two.
Robin moved to sit front of the kitchen window to watch the celebration inside when she saw something in the corner. With a smirk, she caused a commotion. It brought Zoro into the kitchen and she threw a small orange fruit from the corner to get his attention. His narrowed his eyes at the fruit that hit him, but his eyes trialed to the corner.
"Karel!" He called when the idea came to him, "Come here. I need your help."
The next morning, Nami was woken by a shriek. Her eyes shot open to see Nojiko leaning over her bed. "How did you get here? Why did you wake me up with a scream?"
"I tired to retain her," Chopper laughed as he scratched his head. Nami sighed, but grinned widely at her sister.
"Chopper and Ace brought our father and me here. At first we didn't know who they were, but we remember that the fox's name was Ace. Aren't you happy to see us?"
"I'm ecstatic!" Nami jumped out of bed. "When did you arrive? This moring?"
"Yes, but wait until you see what Lord Zoro and Karel have done." Chopper smiled.
Nojiko nodded, "Yeah! Father's outside crying his eyes out. Come, we'll show you." She took Nami by the arm and pulled her outside to the courtyard and now through the courtyard into an open space of land. "Look!" Nojiko exclaimed.
Nami gasped, "Bellemere's tangerine trees! How?" She looked around to see everyone out in the fields picking and tasting the sweet fruit.
"Well," Karel spoke from behind her, "Lord Zoro found the tangerines your father sold us. They were in excellent shape, for some reason. We planted them last night in this field and I gave them a little boost in growth."
"Thank you!" Nami cried out and hugged him.
"Go to Lord Zoro and save him from your father," Karel pointed to his left. Her father was hugging and thanking Zoro enthusiastically. Zoro attempted to pry his arms apart but the old man's grip was too tight.
"Father!" Nami ran to him. Her father released Zoro, who let out a sigh of relief, and embraced her.
"Nami! It's so wonderful to see you safe and sound. There are no more animals or monsters on the castle ground! Oh what joy!"
(Warning, Major OOC of Zoro. Warning. You are now warned, but feel free to burst out laughing, or get mad...)
"Nami," Zoro looked at her, "I asked your father for you hand in marriage." He took her hands in his, "Your father gives me his blessing. Now, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?"
"Ummm, I, I…" There was silence. "No?" Nami pulled away from him. "I'm sorry."
"What! Why not?" Shock filled his face. Their friends and family around them stared in silence shock also. Some dropped their tangerines on the ground. Those running about stopped in their tracks.
"There are things I must do before I am married. Zoro, I'm sorry. I want to draw my own map of the world. I want to live my dream before I get tied down anywhere."
"Silly woman," Zoro wrapped his arms around her. "I would never do that to you. Perhaps, we can travel together. A lady needs an escort."
"What about your job here?"
"You father can be Steward in my place. He can take care of the tangerines and live here."
"I like this plan," Nami smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.
"We can leave when everything is settled down." She nodded in reply.
And as fairly tales end… They lived happily—
"WAIT! WAIT! What about us?" A monkey with a big red nose cried in the distance.
A black cat sat next to him and groaned, "You see, Buggy, bad guys never get good endings. I told you before."
"Shut up, Kuro. You're just jealous I have thumbs."
Kuro hissed, "Yeah, but your thumb can't protect you from my claws!" Buggy, with Kuro hot on his trial, shrieked and ran up and tree and into the forest.
…
…
…
Ahem, they lived happily ever after following their dreams, because this is One Piece.
Fin.
That's the end. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Tell me what you think of the ending, did you expect this?
101 reviews! I was gone so long I didn't see!!! And it was eight days ago…. LOL.
Thanks: Takahane: He collapsed because of the rose draining his life. It didn't happen in the movie. SkieLoon: I'll write more LM now, or try to… haha. Ryoku's Jiki Sweetie; Black Fox: You reviewed three times, thanks for pushing me to finish this., Solo Loco Ellingson-Rose; Rakusu Yamato: My 100th reviewer : D.
And thanks to everyone else!
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