One Piece Fan Fiction ❯ Home Is Where The Heart Is ❯ Reflections ( Chapter 1 )

**All characters featured in this fic was created by Eiichiro Oda. I just use them for personal enjoyment.**

~WARNING~

This story is rated NC-17 which means that there are sexual situations described that is not meant to be read by younger readers. If offended by this material please don't read any further. The coupling in this story is Luffy and Nami. Probably the first LuNami with sex in the fic! (well in English anyway) Enjoy! (It's my very first One Piece fic - but I think seeing episodes 1-109 gives me the confidence I need to attempt this. *grins*) I pray that I stay true to the characters I love dearly.

A/N - this takes place during the end of the Arlong Saga, so there is a lot of references that might be confusing to fans that has never seen the anime yet. I've seen Bellemere spelled many wierd ways in subtitles, but decided to have it spelled like it's french, seeing as the Japanese prounounce it Berumeru. Since they usually make 'L' sounds like 'R' sounds I took a guess. ^_^Bellemere means "Beautiful Mother" in french.

"Home Is Where The Heart Is" - a One Piece Lemon (Luffy x Nami)

Written by Djehuti/Sparrow

The uproar of the news spread like wildfire throughout the East Blue. Arlong and his band of Merman pirates had been defeated and overthrown. The first thought through most people's minds apon hearing the news was 'who the hell was strong enough to do that?' Another thought that usually ran afterwards would be 'is it just another tyrant that knocked him to the side only to take over and cause more hell?'

Then as more news leaked out in the days after Arlong's fall, it was revealed that no, it wasn't another tyrant moving up the ladder of badness. Rather, it was a small band of unknown pirates that did the deed. Not to cause trouble...but to save an island that was trapped in the grip of Arlong's rule. Why you may ask, did this small band of pirates risk their lives undertaking this task? Because of a woman's tears.

Cocoyashi village - just to the east of the pile of rubble that used to be Arlong's stronghold - was the central hub for the celebrations. People from all over the island, apon hearing the news, flocked to the small coastal village in droves. They brought food and drink as well as music - and the party hadn't shown signs of dying down after two days. It had been 8 long years of fear, suffering and anguish. Now with tyranny's end it was time to celebrate and rejoice in the taste of new freedom.

It was the evening of the third day, and Cocoyashi still resounded with loud laughter and song as throngs of people filled the streets - their faces aglow in the lanterns hanging above them from the palm trees. Recounts of the witnessed battle among villagers flew around by word of mouth with many a flamboyant gesture. It would be a tale that wouldn't grow old for a long time. A tale to be added to the island's rich history. It was the tale how Luffy's strawhat pirate crew defeated Arlong and his Mermen and in so doing - saved the entire island from his reign of terror.

Once people got a chance to meet these heroic pirates - most thought at first glance that they didn't look like they could have done what they did. Especially the one that had defeated Arlong himself. Currently they were gathered at the centre of the party where most of the hardcore party goers were still situated. Long tables covered in food circled around the square, while people danced and sang in the square itself. Other people chatted and sat around the tables, eating the large variety of food.

One of the pirates - the one with the long nose - was currently teetering on a tall stool with arms madly waving as he recounted his part of the story. Naturally, he exaggerated and embelleshed until the actual event was barely recognisable...but that was typically Usopp. And so the crew's resident sharpshooting liar and storyteller continued his rants, keeping the crowd enthralled.

Sanji, the blonde cook - was drifting around the square talking to people and eating, drinking wine and of course trying to woo the ladies. He was bandaged in various spots from the injuries he sustained during the fight, but on a whole he seemed pretty pleased with himself as he lounged in the midst of a crowd of pretty girls.

The first mate of the crew, and the swordsman of the group, was sitting near his Captain, getting something to eat and keeping mostly silent. It took a lot of demanding on his part to get the village doctor to allow him to leave the infirmary and join the festivities. Roronoah Zoro was injured the most out of all of them, from older and near fatal wounds that had still not healed fully. People wondered how he was still able to fight in the clutches of fever and bloodloss. It was a miracle in itself. Even now, the green-haired swordsman was sitting stoically in casual fashion and drinking from a large goblet. If it wasn't for glimpses of white bandages through the unbuttoned collar of his shirt - one wouldn't think he was injured.

Next to Zoro, was the bundle of energy that was the Captain of this interesting crew - Monkey D. Luffy. The 17 year old was currently putting his rubber powers into good use - shovelling as much meat that he could get his hands on - into his mouth. People a few meters down the table jerked in surprise as a hand shot out of nowhere to rip off a drumstick from a roasted chicken and zip back out of sight. People would tilt their heads to try and get a better look but would see nothing extraordinary. Other than the fact that the boy's arms were amazingly elastic.

Luffy was instantly recognisable in the crowd with his strawhat perched on his head with the bright red band. His childlike demeanor was endearing and full of charm - which drew people to him like a magnet. Luffy himself was probably unaware of this as he sat enjoying his food with a blissfully content expression. During the fight with Arlong, he didn't win unscathed and white bandaging was wrapped around his arm and midriff. Other than the bites he endured - he only had minor bruising and scrapes.

After nearly choking down a food covered plate (plate and all), Luffy looked around the square, spotting a familiar face here and there. Nojiko, Nami's sister was sitting not far off with a small boy and was chatting with the youngster while taking a swig from a large mug. Gen, the village's leader - was sitting with a group of older folk, exchanging stories and such as well as enjoying a drink with old friends from nearbye villages. During Arlong's rule, most people hid in their own villages - too afraid to travel too far. Now that the island was free once more, people were now able to travel without fear.

There was one face he couldn't find and Luffy turned to Zoro, shoving another drumstick into his mouth. Another one was in his free hand, ready to fill the space once he swallowed. "Mmmph glormph unn nmmii?"

Zoro raised an eyebrow and wiped a fleck of chicken that had hit his cheek. "I would swallow before speaking if I were you.." He grumbled in mild distaste.

Luffy grinned when he was able to speak. "Zoro! You gotta lighten up, it's a party! Anyway..I was wondering if you saw Nami anywhere? She seems to be missing."

Zoro shrugged, taking another long drink from the goblet he was holding. "Dunno...not lately. She was in the infirmary when I was there but she left before I did. That was the last time I saw her."

Luffy frowned for a moment, actually looking like he was deep in thought. Then before Zoro could comment, he grinned once again - seeming completely oblivious to the conversation. "Oh no!" He commented, looking around the long table. "There's no meat left! I'm gonna go look for some.." He jumped to his feet and darted through the crowd. Zoro stared after him before continuing to enjoy his drink.

~~~

Nami sighed as she stood in the moonlit house. It felt so different now - not only the place but her heart as well. It felt like the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She had finally been able to break free, like a butterfly escaping a spider's web. She had visited Bellemere's gravesite before making her way to the house...to just think and put things at rest. The house was quiet and only the moonlight illuminated the main room. It was peaceful and for the first time, Nami could feel that she could finally relax and feel completely at ease.

And all this was because of _him_.

With a sigh, Nami sank into a chair. She reached out to touch a framed picture from long ago of her with Nojiko and Bellemere. Their faces looked happy, and they were all smiling. It looked like they were laughing when the picture was taken - most likely by Gen. Nami smiled at the image, remembering the memory. "We did it Bellemere...we're finally free..." She whispered softly. She knew - that Bellemere's spirit was happy and at peace, now able to join the light in Heaven.

The _he_ came into her mind. Like he always did. Nami placed her chin on her hand and closed her eyes in reflection - memories flitting in her head of when she first joined up with Luffy's crew. Only then, she had joined them for her own means and not because she wanted to in the first place. She remembered even then - she had been fighting her growing emotions and had shoved them aside, only to have them creep up again. Her budding friendship with the crew, but also her growing affections for the Captain.

Why she had started to like him she had no idea. Perhaps it started even back when she didn't even know him. The memory of escaping from a large ship being attacked by Lady Alvida's group came to mind. She had released one of the life boats into the water and was just about to sail off when another boat landed with a great splash next to hers. She had looked over...and it was _him_. In that split second - it seemed that time had slowed down to a crawl. Then their eyes met and locked in that moment in time. Hers were surprised and his...his was full of adventure and freedom. Two things she craved. Then the moment had passed and he was gone. She never expected to see him again.

But life was strange in that way wasn't it? Here she was...a member of his crew.

She remembered the laughter and the antics on the Going Merry. Playing cards, watching Luffy and Usopp playing tag and annoying Zoro, sunsets from the crows nest, sunbathing on the deck...it was like a dream. Then reality had hit her when she saw the wanted poster of Arlong...the event that caused her to steal the Going Merry without telling the others and sail off to her home. She had no idea that Luffy and the others would have the gall to go after her.

She inwardly cringed when she recalled the complete and utter rudeness she had displayed to Luffy and the others. Especially when she had put on that nasty act infront of Zoro and Usopp in Arlong's lair. Seeing their anger and betrayal in their eyes was almost too much to bear. Then, there was Luffy...how she screamed at him to leave in the middle of the road - saying that she had only pretended to join them...to go away before she killed them next after Usopp (whom the boys didn't know was still alive). She remembered Luffy's look - boring into her...the sound of his voice when he spoke her name...then the feelings of anger and frustration when Luffy decided to nap in the middle of the road with no intentions of leaving.

"Luffy....why.." Nami whispered...burying her face in her hands. "After all that I said..."

He had done so much for her...nearly died for _her_. After all the rude things she said he still helped her. Her heart clenched when she remembered him gripping her arm so that she couldn't stab her tattooed shoulder with the dagger...she remembered looking up into his face, asking for his help through a blur of tears....then a gentle pressure as Luffy placed his precious hat on her head, hearing his strong voice clearly tell her that he would most certianly help her.

The fight had been the worst. She didn't get to see the start of it - she had been too afraid and lost in her own sorrow back in the deserted streets of Cocoyashi. She had thought that if she had gone back to the battle she would have seen a massacre...and she didn't want to see the people she cared for stare up at her with lifeless eyes...like when she saw Bellemere die. But when she rejoined her friends at the hole in the wall outside of Arlong's compound she found the villagers not only alive - but cheering and yelling encouragement. Zoro and Sanji were injured badly, yet still found the strength to fight. It was heartwrending to watch. Her heart had nearly stopped when she heard of Luffy's drowning and rescusitation by the hands of Gen and her sister.

Then the battle between Luffy and Arlong....she never felt so scared until those long minutes. But when she saw the furniture and maps fall from the third story window...watched the room that held many a nightmarish memory be destroyed - it was like being reborn into the light. She felt those feelings that had been hidden in her heart for so long break free and come to the surface. She had cried _his_ name. Cried her thanks to _him_.

And as Arlong's stronghold crumbled into a pile of debris - she had screamed Luffy's name - terrified that he had perished....but then that was replaced by the dizzying feeling of relief as he had stood on top of the rubble proclaiming in a loud voice that Nami...She...was his partner. She couldn't contain her tears of joy and dare she say it....love. Could she gain the courage to love again? She had been so afraid to get close to people for so long - for fear that they would she would lose them.

Nami looked down at the photograph of Bellemere and her sister....chuckling a little as she imagined in her minds eye her mother winking at her. "I know....I know. I think too much.." She said softly, wiping her eyes. She noticed then that her face was wet with tears. "It's over now....and I..can't thank him enough...."

Nami continued her 'conversation' - telling Bellemere about sailing off with Luffy and the others, heading to the grandline to search for the One Piece. She also confided that she will continue her dream to sail the world and draw the first world map. "It all starts here Bellemere..." She smiled and sniffed a little. "I'm going..."

Placing the photograph down, Nami stood and walked slowly to the door, gazing around the cozy little home one last time. It felt like Bellemere was standing in the room with her, encouraging her to go on. She glanced at the large bag of money and gold that she had left for the village - sitting in the middle of the room.

Then Nami opened the door and started to step out, when what felt like hands pushed her out the door. Did she trip or was it something else? Stumbling a little with a soft gasp - nothing surprised her more when she landed against a warm body.

TBC in part 2