I do not own One Piece
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Okay, so I realize that LuVi isn't the most popular category of OP fic, but I thought this up randomly one day as I was writing A Strange New Feeling and started writing. I had actually finished what will be about four chapters by the time I got back to ASNF, and I just forgot about this. Now, normally I feel that LuNa is the only good pairing for OP, but I just felt like writing this, even though with every paragraph I had to fight the urge to turn it into a LuNa, lol. So read on if you would like.
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A Welcome Return
Strange greeting?
It has been nearly one and a half years since they left this place. The Strawhat pirates had defeated everyone the world government threw at them in attempts to stop them. Almost out of nowhere, it hit the world, Strawhat Luffy, the once insignificant rookie pirate, had found one piece. His navigator had completed her map of the world, Sanji finally found the great blue, Franky decided to go back to Water 7 to see Ice-burg, and Brooke was reunited with Laboon. Zoro, unfortunately hadn't had another encounter with Hawk-eye, so he wasn't yet the greatest swordsman, but he was sure his time would come, soon. After leaving Brooke, Luffy and his crew decided to visit a good friend, so they changed course and would arrive in a little over two weeks.
The two weeks passed at a painstakingly slow pace, mostly because they were all looking forward to seeing her again. But, also because, there wasn't much to do on the way. They had a few scuffles with sea kings and the such, however, they hardly ever fought pirates or marines anymore, considering Luffy's new title.
Finally, they were there, "LAND!" yelled out Ussop as he jumped down from the crow's nest.
"Wahooo, finally we made it…" exclaimed an excited Luffy.
"Un…I can't wait." stated Nami as she got up from her chair.
"VIVI-SAN…..WE CAN FINALLY BE TOGETHER!!!" yelled Sanji as he pranced out of the kitchen.
They were almost in port when Robin walked out of the woman's quarters, looking a bit worried.
Luffy, who had a knack of seeing people's emotions, he smiled, "Robin, don't worry about it, I'm sure they forgave you long ago." He reassured her.
Robin only looked up at him and smiled, before looking down at the deck, smile still in place. Everyone was anxious to see Vivi again and catch up on stories and what not. They hadn't seen her in over a year and a half after all. However, Luffy felt more nervous than anxious.
They docked the ship and were greeted by a few soldiers of the royal guard. They were brought to the foot of the steps that lead up to the palace. The guards took their leave as the crew began to climb the steps. Just about halfway up, they saw someone at the top, and she instantly rushed down to meet them with a huge smile. When they were close, Luffy and the crew stopped, Luffy was a good ten feet ahead of the rest, who were walking behind him in a line. However, to the surprise of the entire crew, yes, this includes Robin and Zoro, she ran right by Luffy, without ever looking at him. He didn't turn around when she ran by, he just stood there, facing in the direction of the palace, in a state of wonder and slight disappointment.
The crew couldn't believe what they just saw, they couldn't fathom why Vivi would ignore Luffy, it just didn't make any sense. Every one of them had their mouths slightly parted in shock. Vivi stopped in front of the person in the middle of the line, which happened to be Chopper.
"I'm so glad to see all of you again." She said loudly as her smile grew, and tears slowly formed in her eyes. She walked over to Chopper and gave him a hug.
"Hi Vivi." He said, in a tone signifying that he was still deeply confused.
"Ussop." She said as she also gave him a hug.
"Zoro, Sanji." She said as she walked to each and gave them hugs.
"Ugh…" exclaimed Zoro in protest.
"OH….VIVI-SAN, ITS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU…..has our time away from each other deepened our affection, for I know this is the case for me." Sanji, of course in his love state. Nami glared at him in disbelief, Vivi only chuckled and walked over to Robin.
She said with a smile, "I know you as a criminal, but if they say your good, then I trust that you are, and I welcome you." She said as she also gave Robin a quick hug.
"Arigato." Robin replied, glad that she wasn't rejected.
Vivi then walked over to Nami and gave her a big hug. "Nami, I hope you've kept the boys in line." She said teasingly.
"Of course." Nami replied proudly, then her mood seemed to change, she was now in a puzzled state of mind, "Um…Vivi, why did you…." She started.
"And you…." Vivi said in an angry tone as she turned around to face Luffy, she began to slowly walk up to his back. The others were surprised by her tone and began to feel a little nervous, "The pirate king…." By now, Luffy had started to turn around to face Vivi with a blank expression on his face. Then, when she was only feet away from him, she jumped into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her head pressed firmly against his chest, right under his chin. He jumped at the sudden action, but he eventually put his arms around her and hugged her back. The crew was now dumbfounded as to what was going on. Vivi's eyes began to tear even more now, and she let out a few sniffles before pulling out of the hug. She was looking at the ground as she wiped away her tears and cleared her throat.
Looking back up at him, smiling, and turning to the others, "Let's get to the palace, I'm sure your all hungry." She said as he began to walk up the stairs. Everyone followed her, but the crew was baffled that Luffy hadn't burst into excitement at the mention of eating. Luffy was walking parallel to Vivi, only a few feet away.
"Um…Vivi?" asked Nami from behind.
She turned around to acknowledge her, "What is it?" she asked happily.
"Why…." She hesitated to ask, "why did you walk right passed Luffy?" she asked as her expression turned confused, as did the rest of the crew.
"Yea, what was up with that?" asked Ussop.
Vivi, turned her head, and hesitated for a moment before turning back, "Um…well, I just wanted to play with his mind is all, because he was the one in front…I…I just thought I would play a little trick is all…." She said before she started to chuckle nervously.
"Oh…is that it…" Nami replied, "Well you sure got us." She said as she smiled. But once Vivi turned back around, the crew looked at each other in confusion. They knew she made that up, just from the nervousness in her voice. So what was she really doing?
They had also noticed that Luffy hadn't turned his head, or made a noise at her explanation, which made them even more confused. But, they didn't want to push it, at least, not yet. So they all continued in relative silence until they reached the palace entrance and walked in, entering the dining hall and taking their seats. Luffy took a seat near the end of the table, and Vivi took her royal seat at the end, somewhat close to Luffy. The crew noticed this but didn't entirely think much of it, as they took their seats near the two and were served food.
Luffy ate in his usual manner, and the crew fooled around like they did at the celebration feast before they left the previous time. Nami looked over at Vivi, who had her arm up on the table, and her chin resting in her palm, she also had a warm smile. Nami also noticed where she was looking, and to her surprise, it was Luffy. Her eyes widened as she was about to say something, but felt someone's hand on her shoulder.
"Robin?" she asked in confusion.
"I noticed also, I don't think we should say anything yet." She told her with a smile as she turned back to finish eating. Nami only nodded as she turned back to watch Vivi.
About a half an hour later they had all finished and Vivi suggested that they all go into the bathhouse to relax for a while. Everyone agreed and followed her, this time, the boys were out of luck, Igoram had a wall set up between the woman's and men's sections. This made the guys frustrated, but none the less, they had a nice, relaxing bath.
/*/*/*/*/
Robin got up and said she would be in the guest room to read her book.
"Vivi?" questioned Nami.
"Yes?"
"Why did you really walk right passed Luffy when you came to greet us?" Nami seemed to be serious in her tone, Vivi felt herself getting nervous and her stomach began to churn.
"What do you mean….I…I already told you…" she replied.
"Yea…and I didn't buy it…" Nami replied with pursed lips, "So why then?"
Vivi slightly turned her head away from Nami and tilted it as she looked at the water, "Um…well…I guess…" she began to hesitate.
"Vivi…." Nami said teasingly.
"I couldn't look at him…" she said as she blushed, Nami had noticed and her eyes widened. 'No way…..' she thought to herself. She was just about to say something when Vivi suddenly stood up.
"I have to go do something." she stated in a hurry as she quickly left the bath and got her cloths on before leaving.
'Vivi…' Nami thought as she was getting more and more confused.
/*/*/*/*/
"Oi, Luffy?" asked Ussop.
"Hmmm?"
"You alright?"
Luffy looked at him in confusion, "Of course, why?"
"Well, when Vivi said we should go in to eat, you didn't do anything, usually you would be jumping around in excitement."
"Oh….ah, I just wasn't that excited to eat." He said in a mellow tone as he started to get out of the bath. He got to his cloths and put them on, before heading to the exit.
"Where are you going?" questioned Chopper.
He simply stated, "I don't know." before he walked out.
"What the hell…" Zoro blurted out.
"Yea, what's up with him?" added Sanji.
"I don't know, but I think it has something to do with Vivi…" said Ussop.
/*/*/*/*/
Vivi had left Nami in the bathhouse because she couldn't talk about why she did what she did. Luffy had left the men's section because he didn't really want to talk to the others about it. He decided to just take a walk in the city for a while, at least, until dinner. Vivi just went to her room to take a nap, trying to think things through.
It was now about time for dinner, so everyone went to the dining hall. With the exception of Luffy, who was just coming back from the city. Vivi seemed to be a little worried, for she had asked a few times where he was. Nami noticed how she was jumpy also; she was beginning to put things together. Just then, Luffy came into the dining hall and sat down in the chair he was in for lunch, without talking to anyone, and only glancing at Vivi. He wasn't all that hungry, and he felt nervous again.
"Oi, Luffy….where did you go?" asked Ussop.
"Ugh…I just went for a walk in the city…that's all." He said hurriedly as he grew a smile.
"Oh…okay…." Ussop replied suspiciously. The rest of the crew were looking at him in suspicion also. Nami looked at Vivi, who was looking at her plate with wide eyes; she seemed to be sweating a bit also. Vivi felt herself becoming more and more nervous, she fought the urge to look up and at Luffy.
Nami heard a giggle, "Robin?" she asked curiously, then, Robin whispered something into her ear, Nami also giggle as she turned to Vivi.
"Gee…it sure is hot in here, wouldn't you say…Vivi." She said teasingly.
Vivi looked up at her quickly with a look of horror on her face. She turned to Luffy quickly; he was looking down at his plate with an expressionless face. Nami noticed Vivi blush slightly when she looked at him, then when she turned to Nami again.
"Um…yea, I…" she started but couldn't think of anything to say.
"Maybe you have a fever…" suggested Luffy, who had his head down so his eyes were shadowed. Everyone looked to him and noticed a small smile. Vivi was just staring at him before she felt her heart start beating faster and faster. She looked around the table to everyone's faces, only Nami was looking at her, the rest at Luffy. She felt herself start breathing harder as the seconds passed, until, she shot up in her chair, and quickly made her way out of the dining hall. Nami watched her exit with a surprised look, as did everyone else, except for Luffy, who was still covering his eyes and smiling.
"What was that??" questioned Ussop.
"I think I know…" slyly stated Nami as she turned to Robin, then they both turned to Luffy.
Everyone was looking at the two, then looked at Luffy, who was still smiling, stood up, and slowly made his way out of the dining hall, the opposite side that Vivi had left.
"This is confusing me…." stated Chopper, grabbing his head.
"Aa…what's going on with Vivi…and Luffy seems off also." added Sanji.
"I don't really care." Said Zoro, everyone just scoffed at him.
Nami looked at Robin again, and they both grew smiles before going back to their food.
/*/*/*/*/
Once Vivi had left the dining hall, she started running; her heart was still pounding as she pushed open the doors to her room, locking them behind her as she jumped on her bed. She sat up after a few minutes and pulled a pillow to her chest, hugging it tightly. Her heart was beating normally now, but she still felt that feeling in her stomach. 'Why would she do that??' she asked herself as she felt herself become upset at what Nami had done. She was also worried that everyone might find out how she felt.
Luffy, once he got out of the dining hall, turned to walk down the hall before turning around the corner. He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. 'Damn….' He thought as his heart finally began to slow down, he had been very nervous the moment he had entered the dining hall. Although he only glanced at her for a second, he felt like he was going to die from the pounding of his heart. He couldn't look at her again or he thought he might actually do just that.
The crew finished up dinner and everyone decided to head off to bed, Nami and Robin left for a separate room, while the boys headed for their guest room.
/*/*/*/*/
A few hours had passed, and Ussop had woken up, only to notice that Luffy wasn't in his bed. He sighed and lay back down, closing his eyes.
Luffy was now leaning on a railing of one of the many balconies, just looking at the lights in the city below. Without his knowing, Vivi had walked onto the balcony also; however, she didn't make herself known right away. She was just standing behind him, watching him look at the city. That's when her heart began to pound hard again, and that feeling grew deeper into the pit of her stomach. She took a deep breath and walked to the side of Luffy, a couple feet away.
Luffy turned to her with a surprised expression, "Oh…Vivi….what are you doing up?" he questioned as he turned his head back to the city below.
She continued to look at him as she answered nervously, "Well….I…I guess I just couldn't sleep…what about you?"
Luffy sighed, "I don't know, I just didn't feel like sleeping…."
Vivi didn't say anything, then, after a few minutes of silence, Luffy finally spoke up, "Vivi…why did you walk right by me before?" he questioned her, "I felt really sad, I thought you didn't want to see me, that you were mad at me or something." He lowered his gaze to his hands.
Vivi felt herself get more nervous at his question, and what he said about feeling sad. "I…" she took a deep breath, "I was nervous…" she stated as she turned from him.
At her reply, Luffy looked up at her with widened eyes. "Nervous?"
"Un…I couldn't look at you, or talk to you, I was too nervous." She said as she took another step away from him.
"Nervous about what?" he asked as he stood up straight and faced her.
"Nervous about you, I had heard that you had become pirate king, and thought that you guys would come back for a visit. But then….when you finally came, I got scared. I was afraid to see you."
Luffy, who was becoming confused, asked her, "Why would you be afraid of us?"
Vivi sighed, "No…only you."
Luffy gasped quietly, "Me?" he asked in a whisper.
"Yes you…Luffy, I…I was afraid to see you, because I…I like you." She blurted out as she took a few more steps away, still not facing him, bringing her hands up to her chest, she felt tears start to fall down her cheeks.
"Vivi?" he asked in a whisper.
"During the time I spent on your ship, I started feeling things I hadn't felt before….only around you. Then when you left to continue your adventure in the grand line, I felt sad, not just sad that you left, but I felt torn up, that's when I realized how I feel about you." Luffy noticed tears dropping on the floor, "I was afraid because I knew you don't feel the same way." She said in a hurry as she ran down the hall to her room.
"Vivi…" he yelled out as she was running away, but it was too late, she was gone. Luffy sighed and leaned back over the balcony. "So that's why…" he said to himself as he began to smile.
Well this is my first chapter. Reviews would be awesome, good or bad.