Takes place only a few days after leaving Arlong Park behind. Inspired by an old song I heard the other day. 'I Won't Take Less than Your Love' by Paul Overstreet and Tanya Tucker. Very sweet tune.

Disclaimer: OP belongs to Oda-sama

How Much Do I Owe You

It had been a few days since leaving Cocoyashi village behind and Nami was still in a state of wonderment. She had seen it with her own eyes. Heck, she'd been living it for the last week, and she still didn't believe it. Freedom. True freedom.

Luffy had given it back to her after demolishing Arlong Park... and she'd never forgive him for it.

The orange haired navigator watched her happy-go-lucky captain pester Ussop about borrowing some paints. The long-nosed sniper denied him over and over. He knew the precious paints and pencils would be lost or broken within the hour at Luffy's hands. Nami smiled softly as Luffy slunk off, dejected, for all of 30 seconds. Then the smell of Sanji's lunch distracted him and the frown wiped off his face.

Nami turned to face the blue horizon and leaned her arms on the railing next to the sheep figurehead. 'He is such a simple idiot, never once expecting anything like a basic 'Thank You'. That's why I haven't even tried. What could I say? Hey, Luffy, thanks for giving me my life back. My dreams. My heart.' Nami huffed, she couldn't think of anything more sappy or cheesy than that. The thing is, she owed him so much more than that.

She hated being in debt, especially to a rubber-brain who wouldn't even tell her how to pay him back. She tried to let it go but couldn't. Something in her wouldn't drop it.

"Hey, Nami," Luffy greeted happily as he climbed the stairs from the main deck. "Whatcha' doin'?"

Turning to the voice Nami was immediately greeted by a smoking shoeprint darkly imprinted on the forehead of the younger boy. It seemed the cook wasn't taking any chances that lunch would be gobbled up beforehand. She shook her head and leaned back on the railing. "I was just thinking about how I could pay my debt to you," she answered truthfully. Luffy cocked his head sideways and Nami thought he almost looked like and owl, or maybe a very confused frog. "I owe you so much."

Luffy snickered his usual laugh and shrugged happily. "Don't worry about it, Nami. You're nakama."

"Hey, Luffy," Ussop called from below. Navigator and captain looked over the deck rails to see the sniper holding 2 fishing poles. Luffy laughed and without another word jumped the rails and landed next to the long nosed boy.

Nami wanted to say something but Luffy was already gone. "Dammit," she muttered, frustrated. 'We're nakama. That's his answer for everything.' He'd said the exact same thing the evening after leaving her village when she first brought up her debt to him. However, no matter how many times he'd shrug it off and say don't worry, she still did.

After a delicious lunch Nami cornered Luffy again on the deserted aft deck. Before anyone could interrupt or the captain could run she dragged him upstairs by his collar. Once secluded in the orange trees she let him go and whirled on him. "Tell me what to do," Nami demanded. "What do you want?"

"What?" Luffy frowned in confusion. "Nami, you don't..."

"Think whatever you want to, Luffy, but I owe you everything. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you for what you've given me." Nami said, ignoring her captain's protests. "I'll give you whatever you want, if you just tell me!" She reached within the green branches and snatched one of the biggest oranges from its place. She shoved it into Luffy's hands and forced him to take it. "You've been practically begging for one of my oranges, right? I'll give you one a day for however long you want."

Luffy frowned and rolled the fruit between his hands. "No," he whispered, and then louder. "No, Nami, these are your oranges. I don't want one just because you think it'll pay me off. I want one because you want to give it to me." He said and pushed the orange back into Nami's surprised hands.

"Then what?!" Nami half yelled, narrowing her eyes as her temper flared. "What can I give you?" She looked down at the orange Luffy had refused. This wasn't normal for her. Tit for tat. One thing for another. It was the way her life had always worked. Nobody gave anything for free and always expected to be paid back for their services.

Luffy watched his navigator's confused and somewhat dejected expression. He thought really hard for a few seconds and then an idea struck. He placed a hand on Nami's cheek and raised her head so she was looking at him.

It was a gentleness she never would associate with her rambunctious captain. She raised her eyes and her face grew warmer as his hand remained there. "Luffy, wha-?"

"I don't need your money. I don't want your oranges." Luffy told her, in possibly the most serious voice she'd ever heard him use. "I will take your friendship and everything that goes with it. I'll help you, if you'll help me, and we all help each other. The payment is already taken care of by your nakama."

Nami smiled softly and stepped away. Luffy let his hand drop with a grin. Blinking back tears, her heart soared. This boy captain was really something amazing and she didn't know how she was ever lucky enough to enter his graces. With a quick move the navigator tossed the orange to Luffy again. He caught it on instinct and looked at Nami questioningly.

"I want you to have it, as a nakama." Luffy knew it was truth this time and tore into the fruit with record speed and she giggled. Maybe he only wanted a friend, but that wasn't anywhere near good enough for her, she couldn't even put words to how much more she owed to him.

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