Author's Note: Okay so, this was another idea I've been considering working on for some time, but just never got around to it. It's also another cheer up fic, because apparently, Surise's circumstances just took a turn for the worst! DX It's taking me longer than planned to finish this fic, so I've decided to make it a three parter. Here's the first part. You guys should seriously check out the song mentioned in the fic. It kinda goes! XD It's pretty much what a lot of this fic is based off of, really. This song really inspired me to write this, as well as a manga/anime called Pandora Hearts. I plan on making a Pandora Hearts AMV with this song one day! XD I just need to find the time. -_- Also, there are some things that happen in the fic, which I want to say so now. THERE ARE NO OTHER PAIRINGS IMPLIED OR INTENDED IN THIS FIC BESIDES LUNA. So, don't get the wrong idea about me shipping other pairs or strange couples. This is strictly LuNa, and the rest is just lost inhibition and sporadic behavior! It's Alice in Wonderland, after all! XD Anyways, enjoy! :D

This fic is dedicated to Surise! Please, cheer up! D:

Mad Hatter

Part I: The Dream

Waking with a start, Nami gasped, staring out of the window of the train as buildings and billboards whizzed past. She blinked a few times, not really seeing them as the images of her dreams played through her mind. She was falling asleep during the day more often lately, because she was having trouble sleeping at night. Each time she did, she would have the same sporadic dreams that she could never clearly understand. All she could really remember was this big creepy grin, dark hair and a hat. The dreams seemed to be getting clearer though, and for some reason, this really disturbed and scared her.

When the train screeched to a stop, she sighed and stood up to get off. She headed off habitually, knowing where to go as she flipped through the songs on her iPod, but paused, staring at one in particular. For some reason, she couldn't get this song out of her head. The Dream. She had heard the song once and downloaded it to her iPod. There was something about the song that just entranced her. She had looked up other songs by the artist, In This Moment, and found some other good ones, but this particular one was the one that stuck with her.

Pushing the button on her iPod, the song began to play, and a strange sensation moved all down her body, causing her to shudder. Shaking it off mentally, she continued walking down the sidewalk towards her college with a sigh, letting the song play out in her ears, filling her head with fuzz. Her eyes wandered up towards the clouds in the sky, somehow she managed not to run into anyone on the busy sidewalk. As she walked, she got that light fluttering feeling in her stomach, and she felt as if she were flying.

No.

As if she was falling.

Gasping loudly as she dropped her head, Nami stopped walking as her heart hammered in her chest, and the people walking around her gave her strange looks as they passed, but otherwise, paid her no mind. Taking a few deep breaths, she continued on to class, trying to keep her mind cleared of the fuzz.

"I'm late! So late!"

"Eh?" Nami looked all around for the tiny voice, and on closer inspection, she noticed no one else had noticed the voice. "What?" she whispered, starting to frown as she looked about herself.

Just down a very thin alley, she saw a small creature running away, but her brow twitched when she saw the bouncing white bunny ears, perched just beside his deer antlers. Shaking her head, she blinked her eyes, thinking she might be seeing things, but then watched as the small thing turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

"What – What was that?" she whispered to herself as she looked around, but everyone else was going about their business, not having noticed a thing. Looking back down the thin alley, she stared for a while, but then she shuddered and shook it off and just kept going. She was going to be late herself if she didn't hurry.

Once she was on campus, Nami rushed to her class and took her seat, releasing her breath once she was settled in. She had managed to make it on time, and that was good enough for her.

"Haah!" she breathed out before watching as her college mates began to file in, giving their greetings before their teacher finally made her entrance.

"Welcome to history class," Robin spoke kindly, and all attention turned to her as the students opened up their textbooks and laptops.

Nami prepared her things, looking over her notes and handed in her essay when Robin passed her. As the lesson progressed, she typed in her notes and listened . Then she jumped, when she heard the voice again.

"I'm late! So very late! I must hurry!"

Gasping, she jolted forward, her palms pressing into her desk as she watched that same reindeer/white rabbit run into the room. He ran around in circles beside Robin-sensei's desk before running up the stairs towards her. She gasped again and jumped back, terrified of the little creature. Then she looked around, but no one seemed to even notice him at all.

"I'm going crazy," she whispered, placing her hands over her face, wanting to just ignore the little thing, but he just kept calling.

"I'm late! So late!"

She whimpered, folding her arms onto her desk and burying her face into them. She was so scared. What was going on?

However, suddenly, she saw that grin flash before her eyes, and soon an image of a man wearing a white and black pinstripe suit, a red shirt and a black tie came into view. He also wore a hat upon his head with a card tucked into the red ribbon adorning the straw hat. Slowly, he lifted his head, his grin becoming visible; however, his eyes remained covered by the hat, and his hand came up to touch the brim of the hat.

"Nami."

However, everything went black, and she suddenly realized someone was shaking her and calling her name. "Nami-chan? Nami-chan?"

Gasping, she sat up quickly, blinking her eyes before looking up and seeing her teacher frowning down at her. "Nami-chan, are you all right? I've been trying to call to you and even gave you a few shakes, but you would not wake up," she said, her voice showing her concern.

"I-I," Nami stuttered, staring back up at her teacher in confusion before looking around at the other students, all looking concerned. "I'm sorry, Robin-sensei. I hadn't even noticed that I fell asleep. I … I thought I was awake. I could have sworn I was," she said, slowly lowering her head and touching her fingers to her forehead. "My apologies, Robin-sensei, I have not been getting a lot of sleep lately. I won't fall asleep again."

"All right, Nami-chan, but you're sure you're all right?" Robin asked again.

"Yes, Robin-sensei, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern," Nami replied, smiling up at the woman, but then she looked back down at her things.

"All right," Robin replied, moving back down the stairs towards her desk.

Shifting her eyes up to the woman, Nami frowned deeply. When had she fallen asleep? She could have sworn she was awake the entire time. Looking around, she noticed that little white rabbit/reindeer thing was nowhere in sight. Had it all just been a dream? But how was that possible? She hadn't even realized she'd been asleep to dream. What was even real anymore? How would she know if she was asleep and dreaming or awake?

When class was over, she gathered her things and headed out, thinking about the dream she hadn't realized was a dream. She had heard her name being called, that first time, but the voice had not been her teacher's. It was an unfamiliar voice, one she had never heard before. Placing her hand to her forehead, she rubbed it and closed her eyes. What was happening to her?

Sighing deeply, she looked up again and shook her head. It didn't matter. She needed to focus. Her next class was soon, and she barely had the time to get some lunch before it started. Hancock-sensei was a stickler for lateness.

"Yo, Nami!"

Looking over, she smiled back at Usopp, a freshman, like her, that she helped tutor for a little extra money, as they passed each other and greeted him in turn. "Hey, Usopp," she called as she continued on. As she made her way down the hall, she frowned at the sophomore, his mossy green hair showing over the coat over his head, completely out cold on a bench in the hall. She could swear that she always saw him asleep in different places all across the campus.

"Zoro, you shouldn't be sleeping there!" Franky-sensei, the shop teacher, called, cutting across her to get to the sophomore, and Nami smiled as she passed.

"I'm late! I'm so late! I must hurry!"

Gasping and stiffening, Nami froze in place, the other students walking passed her and speaking to one another, and more even greeted her. So why? Why was she hearing that voice again? She was too scared to look. Was she dreaming again? No, it felt so real; it all felt so real. She had to be awake. So then why? Finally, she turned around slowly, watching as the little thing whizzed in and out of the crowd, and it was headed right for her.

Her heart slammed into her chest before it started to beat rapidly. No one saw it! Why was it only her? When it came closer, she moved away from it, bumping into a few people. "Stay away," she heard herself whisper.

"Ah, Nami-san? Are you all right?"

"Nami-chan?"

She ignored the people calling to her, just taking steps back as the little reindeer with the white rabbit ears ran towards her. "Stop," she whispered, feeling as her face grew cold as the blood drained from it.

However, it only ran past her, yelling, "I'm so late!"

"Nami."

There was that voice again. He was calling to her. What did he want? Why was he calling her? Why was she seeing these things, hearing these things? Just as she thought this, that same grin flashed before her eyes, and he lifted his head, revealing a scar just under the brim of the hat, which was still concealing his eyes from view.

"Nami-san!"

Gasping, Nami's eyes flew open, and she realized she was lying on the ground-No, someone was holding her. Blinking her eyes to clear them, she looked around her, noticing a few faces looking down at her before her eyes met with the face holding her. "S-Sanji-kun?" she questioned, looking more and more confused. "What – What happened?"

"You just collapsed, Nami-san. Are you all right?" Sanji asked, looking down at her in some concern.

"I-I'm fine. I'll be fine," she said, pushing herself up, and he helped her get to her feet. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, refusing to glance at the other students. She headed off then, towards the cafeteria to hurry up and eat and head over to her next class.

Unfortunately, after she hurriedly ate her lunch, she still arrived to class late. "You're three minutes late, girl."

"I'm sorry, Hancock-sensei," Nami muttered with a sigh as she went to take her seat.

"Perhaps you want another essay to write, seeing as you like to keep the time to yourself," Hancock said, giving Nami a glare as she passed.

"No, I - I wasn't feeling well. I'll try not to be late next time," Nami said, giving a frown. She could swear that Hancock-sensei had it out for her.

Tilting her chin far into the air, Hancock regarded her down the length of her nose and said, "I sure hope not, girl! You've wasted mine by coming in late, and in forcing me to say so to you!"

"I'm sorry, Hancock-sensei," Nami muttered with another sigh as she got her things out.

xxxx

After her class—during which she'd surprisingly not once heard that voice again—she headed outside to wait for her next class to start. She had about forty-five minutes to waste, or rather, to study, until it started. She headed for the lawns to sit under a tree, since the day was so nice. However, she heard a noise and looked to the side. Seeing a large hole, dug out of the lawn, she quirked a brow. It had the yellow tape and orange cones to ward off curious people. Was there construction going on? Was it a broken main?

However, the noise came again, and she saw a bit of dirt fly out from the hole, but what came next made her stiffen. "I'm so late! I must hurry! So late already!"

"No," she whispered, but her feet began to move on their own towards the hole, and the closer she got, the more into the hole she could see.

Soon, the little reindeer rabbit came into view, and he was digging a deeper hole in the already big hole. More dirt was thrown out as he kept digging, and soon, he dug up a small door. Opening the door, he stepped inside, crying, "So late," and then closed it right behind him.

She could only stare down at the tiny door that only he could possibly fit into. However, soon, she felt dizzy, a hand flying to her forehead. "Oh," she exclaimed quietly as she swayed. "What?" she whispered, turning slightly away from the hole, and before she knew it, she was falling backwards into it. Darkness crept into the sides of her eyes as she fell, and she expected at any second to hit the bottom of the hole, but it never came. She just kept falling and falling, the opening getting smaller and smaller. She tried to speak, but no words came from her lips.

"Nami."

It was the voice again, calling to her. What did he want? Why was he calling to her, and why was she going to him? What? Was she going to him?

"Nami, come to me."

She gasped softly, opening her eyes again to the darkness, only it was no longer dark. There was light, and strange things floating around her. "What?" She looked all around her, more and more confused and definitely much more scared.

Where was she? Why was she falling? Was she dreaming again? Why was this happening to her? So many questions, but no answers to go with them. Looking down, she noticed that she was descending onto a grassy lawn, and now there was a blue sky and clouds. Was it her college grounds?

However, she landed softly on the grass, and when she looked about, she noticed she was on a ship. "A ship?" she whispered, looking about at the massive expanse of ocean surrounding the ship. "Where am I?" she whispered, looking all about before looking up. It wasn't just any ship, it was a pirate ship. Her eyes widened, showing fear now as she stared up at the flag, flickering and waving in the breeze, but then she gasped. The pirate flag … On the head of the skull and crossbones was the same hat she had seen that man wearing.

"I'm so late!"

Gasping, she quickly dropped her gaze, seeing that same reindeer rabbit, running up some stairs. He ran up to a door, opened it, and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Blinking after the tiny creature, she stared at the door in wonder. "What is this place?" she whispered, but then she frowned and stood up. "Well, there's no use in sitting around here," she whispered to herself as she headed for the door.

She took one step at a time slowly, taking the stairs to the deck above before just as slowly making her way to the door. Reaching out for the knob, she turned it before pulling it open. However, she gasped, taking a step back and tripping as she fell back onto her backside. In the doorway was a huge grin, but no body. "Wha-Wha-Wha-!?" she exclaimed, her tawny eyes opening as far as she could manage.

The grin began to chuckle and soon a body joined the grin, revealing that he wore a brown suit, and he smiled down at her. "Why, hello, you must be new here," he said, tilting his head to her as his pointed and furry ear twitched, and a tail came up to rub under his unnaturally long nose, the bell on his oversized red bowtie jangling as he moved.

She knew that face! "U-U-Usopp!" she cried, gaping up at him.

"Ah, you know my name?" he asked, tilting his head to the other side as he suddenly lifted up both legs to cross under him, though he remained in the air as his arms crossed over his chest.

"Oh, well," she started, a little confused that he didn't know her. "I – I was – I mean," she stuttered, not sure how to reply to him.

"Ah, well, that's okay. I'm Chesire Cat Usopp!" he exclaimed, giving her his grin again.

"Ch-Chesire Cat?" she said, blinking up at him, but now that he mentioned it, he did have cat ears and a tail. "Aah!" she cried, bringing an arm up as if she could block him, and then she pointed and cried, "You're floating!"

"Ah, really?" he asked, bending all the way down to look under himself and said, "Oh, I suppose I am." Then he moved all the way under himself, doing a flip. Coming back up, he just grinned down at her. However, he then brought up a hand, looking down at the claws there, making her shudder visibly and move back. "So, what brings you here?" he asked, still inspecting his long claws.

"I-Well, I don't even know how I got here?" she asked, still nervously staring at his threatening claws.

"Oh?" he asked, looking back down at her again. "Hmm, that's strange," he said, rubbing his chin with his tail as he stared off towards the sea, but then he perked, his tail shooting straight up. "Oh, look! An island!"

"What?" she said, turning to look, and sure enough, the ship was approaching an island. "A-An island," she whispered before turning back to him, "What island is th-Ah!" she exclaimed, looking all around, but he was nowhere in sight. "U-Usopp!" she cried, but there was no answer.

Frowning deeply, she then stood up, looking towards the harbor, which the ship was automatically docking at. Sighing, she decided to go into the town, and possibly find some answers. Climbing off the ship, with only a little trouble, she faced the bustling town and bit her lip. Taking small steps, she looked around at all the different people and different things. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. There were small shops, meat markets, produce markets and clothing shops, but the design and architecture was so different. It was nothing like Japan.

"Wow," she whispered, "it's amazing."

"Isn't it?"

Startled by the sudden voice, Nami jumped with a gasp and looked up to see Chesire Cat Usopp, floating beside her. He was lounging mid-air with his arms behind his head and his leg crossed over the other. "Oh, it's you again," she said, just staring up at him, but then she faced forward again. "Where am I?"

"Shouldn't you be asking yourself where you're not?" he asked, grinning widely at her.

"That doesn't make any sense!" she yelled, looking back up at him in some irritation.

"Doesn't it?" he asked, tilting his head. "Are you sure?" he asked, his tail coming up pressing into her throat before pulling back as it slid under her chin and flicked up at the edge of it.

Gasping, she took a step back as her face tinged pink a bit, and then she yelled, "Of course I'm sure! I know where I'm not! I want to know where I am!" However, she then looked towards the town, looking for any indication of where she might be, since he wasn't answering her questions.

"Well, then why not just have a look around?" he said, and when she looked towards him, he was nothing but a grin and eyes.

"I suppose I could," she muttered, giving him a strange look before walking on.

She looked through some of the shops, the ones that interested her, and just looked about the sights of the town. She even went inside some of the shops, especially the clothing ones, and found that they had decently styled clothes. However, she still couldn't help but to think the place was very strange. It was nothing she imagined the real world was like anywhere on the planet. Soon, she found herself at a park and to the side, she noticed a playground. In and around the playground, there were metal mushrooms decorating it, along with the play sets. Sitting atop one of the mushrooms, was the strangest man she had ever seen, and there was smoke billowing around him.

"Who-?" she started, but then grunted, realizing Chesire Cat Usopp was no longer with her, and now that she thought about it, he hadn't been for a long while.

Finding herself curious, she slowly approached the man, sitting atop the largest mushroom. Once she got closer, she almost considered just turning and walking away. However, she couldn't help but to gawk at the strange man. He seemed to be made of metal himself, and his legs extended out before him as he sat, tinkering … with his own body. Was he fixing it? And the smoke billowing out seemed to be coming from his body.

"Uh, excuse me, but … what exactly are you doing?" she asked, arching a brow. Maybe she could ask him where she was too. However, the man completely ignored her. Pursing her lips, she then asked, "Could you please tell me where I am?"

After awhile, the man finally lifted his head to look at her, and then a finger came up to push the sunglasses he wore out of his eyes. "Eeeh?" he exclaimed, his face coming close to hers. "What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?"

She blinked up at him before pointing a finger. "Aah! Franky-sensei!"

"Ah? Sensei?" he asked, looking confused, but then he snorted and looked down. "I'm no sensei, but I am Franky The Caterpillar."

Blinking a few times, she accepted this, seeing as Usopp seemed to react in the same way. Then, she looked around them and asked, "Where am I?"

"Grand Line!" he replied curtly before continuing to tinker with his body.

"G-Grand Line?" she asked, looking very confused. "What is that?"

"A place where dreams fly free, little girl," he replied, continuing his work.

"A place where – what?" she asked, looking confused, but then she just sighed. "Look, I'm not from here. Would you know how I could get back home?"

"How would I know, little girl, when I have no idea where you live," he replied with a snort as the smoke continued to puff out, but then it stopped. "Ah! It's fixed!"

She pursed her lips at him again and said, "I'm not a little girl-Ah!" she exclaimed when he hopped off the mushroom as his extra legs retracted in. Was he really wearing a Speedo with that black suit jacket and white button up shirt? He then reached up to readjust his black bowtie.

"Aah, aren't you a little girl?" he asked, looking down the length of his metal nose at her.

"I-I'm not a little girl! Stop calling me that!" she exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips.

"Ah well, the ship is here. You should follow him," he said, walking past her.

"Ah, follow him?" she asked, watching him, but then she started to follow after him. The ship? Was he talking about the one she came in? But who was he talking about? Follow who? Who should she follow?

"Yup," he replied, and that was all he said as he walked out of the park.

Not knowing what else to do, she just followed along behind him, and ended up right back at that same pirate ship. However, she then looked over at him, pondering over his mechanics, and she asked, "So, what happened to you here?" The Franky she knew didn't have all that … metal.

"Mmm, I was hit by a train," he replied, climbing over the side of the ship, and she quickly followed.

"Hit by a train!?" she exclaimed, staring back at him in shock.

"S'right … The Queen of Heart's train," he replied, but he didn't seem to want to give out more than that. He continued on through the ship, went up the stairs, and disappeared into the same door that The White Rabbit went into.

Biting her lip, she stared at that same door, feeling her heart begin to pound, and then she took a step towards it. However, a grin and eyes suddenly appeared into her path, blocking it off. "Ah, you came back," he said with a snicker.

"Aah, Usopp," she said, stumbling back slightly, startled by his sudden appearance. "Oh, well," she started, looking back towards the town, but then back at him, his body having appeared. It looked as if he was sitting on a chair with his leg crossed over the other and his arms folded behind his head again, "it didn't feel as if that place would have the answers I want, and this ship seems like my best bet."

"Of course it didn't," he replied, referring to the town having no answers. "But here, you just might find answers to your questions, and questions to your answers," he said, leaning back some.

"Q-Questions to my … answers?" she asked, looking confused before she frowned. "You're not making sense again."

"Am I not?" he asked, doing a back flip, mid-air with a chuckle.

"No, you're not," she replied, pursing her lips again.

"Hmm, I wonder," he said, but then looked up. "Ah, we are departing again. Shouldn't be too long to the next island," he said, floating towards the front to get a look.

Turning towards him, she frowned before stepping up towards him to look as well. "How long is it to the next island?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Hmm," he hummed before turning to give her a big smile, though his teeth weren't showing, and his eyes were closed, "five minutes?"

"E-Eh?" Five minutes? Really?" she asked, tilting her head. "Are the islands really that close?"

"Mm, are they really?" he asked, looking out again.

"Ah, what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, frowning up at him.

"Hmm, I wonder," he replied to her, which was really starting to irritate her.

Couldn't he just answer her questions? However, at least he answered how long it would take them to get to the next island. As she stood there, staring out at the sea, she felt herself calming down. There was something about it that almost felt nostalgic and calming. Reaching up, she brushed her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear, and then a small smile crossed over her features. What was it about this that made her feel warm inside? And the breeze was so nice.

After awhile, she started to look around at the ship, but soon, she turned towards the door, where both The White Rabbit and Caterpillar had disappeared into, and then she asked, "What's in there?" She also remembered that it had been the door he had come out of.

"I wonder," he replied again, making her head snap towards him with a frown. She was about to speak, but then he suddenly said, "Perhaps the answers to your questions, or more questions, but maybe even the questions to your answers."

"Why do you keep saying that? What does that even mean?" she asked, frowning again, but to her irritation, he just shrugged, looking far too carefree.

"Who knows?" he said with a deep chuckle. However, he then faced forward before she could speak again and said, "Ah, look, the next island is coming into view."

"Eh?" she questioned, looking over to see the island far in the distance, though they were approaching it fast. She was almost sad that the ship would stop soon. She rather liked the feel of it all. There was a tranquility about it that set her mind at ease. "Well, I guess I will explore this one too. I can't say I'm not curious. There was a lot of interesting things last stop. If I'm going to be in this strange place, I might as well get a look around at it," she said with a sigh.

"That's a very positive outlook!" he exclaimed, giving her his grin.

"I guess," she said with a shrug, waiting for the ship to dock before approaching the rail. "Just don't leave without me," she said, pouting at him as she started to climb down.

"I wouldn't dream of it~!" he said with a chuckle, and when she turned, he was gone.

"Hmph," she huffed before getting off the ship and walking through the town.

Looking around, she noticed there was a difference between this town and the last. This town was a lot nice, the shops bigger, and the people much more pleasant. Walking into a shop filled with fashionable clothes, though different from what she was used to, she smiled brightly and moved in to look through them.

"Have you heard? The Mad Hatter just docked."

"Eh?" Nami whispered, looking over towards the two women gossiping.

"But I hear he never leaves his ship," the other woman whispered with a smile and a chuckle.

"I heard it was rare that he did," the first said.

"I would like to see him. Getting a glimpse is most rare indeed," the other said.

"The Mad Hatter?" Nami whispered, staring back at the women, but then she turned towards the exit, wondering if they were referring to the ship she just left.

After all, the emblem on the flag had been a skull and crossbones, wearing a hat. Her eyes widened as a flash of the hat, grin wearing man came into her mind. Was he really on that ship? If he was the one calling to her, why hadn't he come out to see her? Did he know she was there? Then again, come to think of it, The Chesire Cat Usopp had suddenly appeared, stopping her from going inside. Why had he stopped her? Was he really preventing her from going inside? And when she asked him about it, he had seemed dodgy. Was she just looking too much into it?

After awhile, she took a step towards the exit and then another, before she found herself leaving it and heading back to the ship. In all honesty, she wanted to meet this Mad Hatter. She had quite a bit of questions for him. Why had he brought her there? Why her? Why didn't he speak to her right away? What was this place? How did she get there? So many questions, she had so many questions.

"Ah, did you not have fun?"

Halting in her step, Nami looked over to see the Cheshire Cat's grin and closed eyes as it floated within an alley. "Ah, well," she started, glancing towards the harbor, "no, it's not that, really."

"Ah, then what is it?" he asked, opening his eyes to regard her, and even his body became visible.

"Um, well," she started again, wondering if it would be okay to tell him, "I was-"

However, he interrupted her. "Why not come this way?" he asked, starting to float down the alley.

"Ah?" Nami questioned, watching after him before giving the harbor one more glance. However, she sighed before turning back to follow him. They came out of the other side, and Nami glanced around at the other buildings surrounding them.

"Ah, then you have arrived," a soft voice came, and Nami gasped and stiffened. She recognized that voice.

Turning around, she saw Robin, sitting on a bench, smiling up at them kindly and wearing an elegant and beautiful, dark purple ball gown. "Yes, that's right," Usopp replied, giving a big, catty grin as he floated over and lounged on the bench beside the woman.

Without looking, the woman reached out, petting over The Chesire Cat's ears, and he relaxed beside her, beginning to purr as his cheeks puffed out more cat-like with his head resting on her leg. "Ah-Ah-Ah!" Nami exclaimed, pointing towards the woman in shock. "R-R-Robin-sensei!"

"Mm, sensei?" Robin questioned, keeping her kind smile. "I am Nico "The Duchess" Robin."

"Ah, right," Nami replied with a nervous chuckle.

Robin's smile widened as she closed her eyes and chuckled. However, she then looked down at Usopp, whose tail was swishing slowly to and fro, and said, "Shall we then?"

"Of course!" Usopp exclaimed, popping up suddenly and hovering in place with a grin on his face.

"I would like to walk a bit in town first though," she said, looking over towards Nami. "Shall we?" she asked, giving her kind smile again.

"Oh, sure, I guess," Nami replied, waiting for the woman to pass before following after her.

"Do you like it here?" Robin asked as they walked through the streets.

"Oh, well, I … I haven't really explored it all that much yet," Nami replied, looking about the town, "but it is nice."

"Ee, I really like it here. When I come here, it makes me relax," Robin replied with a soft smile.

When she came there? What did she mean by that? "Where are you from?" Nami asked, and the woman turned her smile to her.

"Not too far, I guess," she replied with a chuckle as she turned away, though her answer only confused Nami.

"I-I see?" she replied, though she really didn't and her answer came out in more of a question. Why did they always speak so confusingly?

They ended up visiting a few shops, and Nami found she quite enjoyed herself and Robin's company. They hadn't really talked about anything important, mostly about the clothes and things they saw, but it was still very pleasant. She wasn't sure how long they remained out in the town, but eventually, Robin said, "Perhaps now, we should return."

"Eh?" Nami questioned, but Robin headed off, and so, she followed her. Before she knew it, they were right back at the same pirate ship.

Suddenly, The Chesire Cat Usopp returned, grinning down at Robin. "Need a hand?" he asked, holding his hand out to Robin.

"Yes, thank you," she said, placing her hand within his with a smile, holding her gown with the other.

The Chesire Cat then scooped her up easily and jumped up to the railing above. "Hup~!" he exclaimed, landing up on the rail before setting her down.

Nami blinked, but then pursed her lips up at him. Why didn't he offer to help her, even if she wasn't wearing a huge ball gown? With a heavy sigh, she began the climb up to the deck above. Once she was up top, Robin turned her warm and kind smile back to her and said, "Come and sit with me."

"Sit with you?" Nami asked, and Robin motioned to two lounge chairs, already set up for them. "Oh," she said with a blink, "I suppose I could."

Both women walked over to the chairs and each took a seat. There was a comfortable silence between them, and Nami felt herself relaxing once again to the gentle sway of the ship over the waves. However, soon, the ship began to set sail again, and after awhile, she started to smile. She felt so free there. No real worries and she felt so relaxed. Her school and work were millions of miles away in her thoughts, just accepting that she were there in that place. Closing her eyes, she took a very deep and relaxing breath.

Looking over towards Nami, a smile creased over Robin's lips, and then she looked over towards Usopp, who had his own catty grin and chuckled, and then he slowly vanished. Robin gave a soft chuckle, and Nami opened her eyes to look over to her. "Eh? What is it?" she asked, sitting up a little.

"I was just thinking … that things are about to get interesting," Robin replied quietly, smiling off to the horizon.

"Eh? What are you talking about?" Nami asked, but Robin only continued smiling at the horizon. With a sigh, only mildly irritated, she sat back again and let her eyes slide shut. However, after a moment, that grin flashed before her eyes, and that same voice whispered into her head.

"Nami."

Gasping softly, her eyes shot open, and she sat up, quickly looking over towards Robin. "Aah!" she cried, for the woman was no longer there. "What-Where?" she asked, looking all around her, but there was no one there at all. "What's going on?" she whispered as she stood up, but then she came face to face with that same door, up on the second level.

With a frown on her face, she sighed, and instead of taking her time, she took off for the second level, ready for her questions to be answered. She went straight to the door and threw it open. She took a step inside, but froze. That same man in her dreams … was sitting just a few feet away. That same hat adorned his head, which covered his face from view.

Slowly, very slowly, he lifted his head to look up at her with that grin on his face.

To Be Continued …

Author's Note: Bahahaha! I know, you all hate me for cutting it off right there. I'm already working on part 2, so don't get all tied up in knots! DX I want to give my thanks to Darth Hawk 32 for helping me out a great deal with this fic. He was kind of my guinea pig! DX However, he was patient with my persistence to wanting to show him scenes to see what he thought! XP I wanted this fic to be good, because it's important to me! DX Not sure why, but I do really hope that you guys enjoy it all the way through! XD I also hope that you enjoyed the first part so far! Thanks so much for reading! :D Ja ne~!