One day after

Okay guys. So this is my first one-shot, and a pretty confusing one at that. It was created after I watched the uncut One Piece episodes "Luffy vs. Arlong" on New Year's Eve. The one-shot is about Zorro and Nami and their thoughts and feelings after the crew left Kokos. The end is completely different from what I had actually imagined, but somehow everything suddenly came by itself. So then, free the stage:


One day after


'It's been a day since we left Kokos. So we've been sailing the East Blue for over 24 hours now. You stand at the railing and check whether the course is still right. A smile crosses your face. Apparently we are correct. You stand there and look at the sea. The great, endless, blue sea. It's a beautiful day and you can see far. The sun is slowly setting on the horizon. Do you actually know how beautiful you look right now?While you stand there and support yourself on the railing? The setting sun bathes your silhouette in a red light. You look almost mystical. The shadows cover your body. Meanwhile the sun has sunk into the sea. It is dark. You're still standing at the railing. You know the moon will rise soon. That he will then bathe this ship in its white light. What does this scenario have to look like for a viewer? A pretty young woman with red hair leaning over the railing and looking at the dark water below. And a swordsman who, apparently, just sits leaning against the mast and sleeps. You think that I am asleep don't you? But you are wrong! I am awake and have been watching you for a while. You've been standing dot for at least two hours. Hardly moved. The wind is blowing through your hair, do you even notice? It seems to me that you have completely forgotten the world around you for the whole two hours.Are you even still registering us? You're staring at the water and your thoughts are right now, I think, quite a long way away. You're thinking of Bellemere, right? Do you miss her? Do you miss coconut, with all its inhabitants? Your sister Nojiko and Genzo? Do you miss her? I'm sure you miss her, what a stupid question! After all, you sacrificed eight years of your life to buy her out of Arlong's tyranny. It is very clear that you miss her. But why did you come with me then? Why didn't you stay with them? Now that the island is at peace and you and the other villagers are all free? Why did you come with me? '


'It's been a day since I left my past behind. We are already a whole day away from coconut. From coconut, from Nojiko and Genzo ... and from Bellemere. … Bellemere… I miss you Bellemere, but I have to live my own life. Now, after eight years, there is finally peace on the island.Now I could continue planting orange trees with Nojiko. I wouldn't have to steal anymore to get the ransom for coconut. Now I could live in coconut and finally be free. After eight long years I would finally be free. But I wouldn't be happy. I've had so many adventures with my friends. You helped me defeat Arlong. I can't just let her down now. I owe it to you to come with me. Plus, they were the only ones who made me laugh in the past eight years. Here on board the Flying Lamb I really laughed for the first time in years. I was happy again. Sure, I miss coconut and its inhabitants, but I've made up my mind: I want to go to sea! I want to draw a nautical chart of the whole world. That was always my dream, you know that. And you said to make my dream come true. And that I should have a lot of fun in life.I'm having fun now, Bellemere. Now I'm happy ... Believe me, I thought for a long time whether I should go with me, but I finally have to put an end to the past. I have to leave them behind and start all over again, far from coconut. And I'll get strong All of my friends are strong. I have to get as strong as her. I couldn't help them in the fight in Arlong Park because I was so weak. You almost died and I just watched. You risked your life for me in the process. Zorro almost died. Because of me. He ... he was injured and still fought Okta. He wasn't as weak as I was. I finally have to learn to defend myself. ... well? Already so late? I didn't notice how time went by. It's already night and the moon is in the sky. Now I also notice how cold I am. My goodness I'm already starting to tremble. I should rather go into the cabin ... Suddenly I feel someone wrapping his arms around me from behind.Strong arms. That can only be Zorro. Yes, it has to be Zorro. He steps behind me and holds me tight. I feel so safe, so safe in his arms. Am I imagining it or have I stopped shaking? '

"You are really cold. Better come in, otherwise you will catch a cold," he whispers in my ear.

"No, no, okay! I'm not cold at all."

'She feels completely hypothermic. No wonder when you consider how long she's been standing out here without moving. I hold her in my arms Slowly she stops shaking. My arm brushes her bandage briefly. '

"Does the wound still hurt?" I ask her.

"Oh nonsense! That was just a small scratch! I'm much more worried about your wound. Others would not even be able to get up with such a wound.", She replies to me.

'What? Are you worried about me? But why? I'm fine Why does she suddenly start crying now?'

"Do you know what worries I was about you? You could have died in the fight. Hawk's Eye only injured you. The wound hadn't even healed properly! And you're about to throw yourself into the next fight! I had so afraid for you! "

"You were scared for me? Really? But it didn't happen to me. I'm really fine. Now stop crying, please."

'But ... but what is he doing there? Why is he doing this? '

'My goodness! What's gotten into me? Why am I doing this? Just because she should stop crying? No definitely not! She looked as worried as she looked at me with tears in her eyes. I just couldn't help it. '

[i]'I suddenly feel his lips on my own. They feel so soft and warm. I wouldn't have expected that from him. Usually he's always so rough and unfriendly. But this, this is ... incredible. I suddenly feel warm.This feeling spreads all over my body. Makes its way from my stomach into all parts of my body. What kind of feeling is that? '

'It seems to me as if time has stood still. A second stretches to infinity. I don't know how long we've been standing here kissing, but I know there is no way I want it to end. I put my arms around your waist and I hold you tight. You wrap your arms around my neck like you never want to let go of me. I don't know how it feels, but all of a sudden I feel incredibly happy. Suddenly you loosen your lips from mine and look into my eyes. You smile. '

"Zorro?"

"Yes?"

'I look him straight in the eye and take all my courage together.'

"I think I fell in love with you."

'He looks at me completely speechless. There is no reaction from him. Why doesn't he answer?'

'What is she doing with me? Did she just say to me that she loves me? The way she looks at me ... So expectant ... And I'm standing here like the last idiot and I don't even have the guts to open my mouth. Otherwise I'm always so brave, what's the matter with me? '

'He's looking at me. He just looks at me. Then, after what seems to me to be an endless time, he finally opens his mouth ... '

"I think I love you too."

'And then he kisses me again, as if to confirm his words.'

'Yes, now I don't just believe it ... Now I know: I love you, Nami! '