40~ Nanohana

Mira

I was already sweating before we even reached a place to dock in Nanohana. Why is the desert so hot? I'm sweating in places I didn't even know could sweat! I was slumped over the railing, trying to fan myself.

"Vivi..." I whined. "It's so hot... How do you live like this?"

She gave me a sympathetic smile. "I guess you just get used to it."

"Well, we're finally here," Nami came up behind us. I tried to stand up a bit straighter and wipe away the sweat. "I'd tell you not to be too eager, but I guess that's asking too much. Do you have a plan for stopping the rebellion?" She stood beside us and placed her hands on her hips.

Before Vivi could answer, she glanced down at me. "Geez, Mira! You're sweating enough for the both of us!"

I stuck my tongue out at her. "I'm not used to this heat. Leave me alone."

She rolled her eyes and faced Vivi again. "Anyway, the plan?"

"I do have a plan," She stared at her home country. "But there's no guarantee it will make things stop."

"We'll help you make sure things stop." I assured her with a smile. "There's eight of us, and three of them are scary strong. This should go off without too much of a hassle."

She grinned. "I like your enthusiasm, but we're talking about a whole army."

"We've taken down fleets of Navy ships," I waved her off. "This should be a walk in the park." She just chuckled and pointed to a good place to dock. It was out of the way and kind of hidden from any Baroque Works agents that might come through here.

We all stared in amazement at the city in the distance.

"So this is an Alabasta city?" Usopp moved closer to the edge of the ship for a better look.

"Food!" Luffy wasn't even trying to contain his excitement.

"Listen, guys!" Most of us faced Nami. "Use self control and try not to act on instinct too much."

"Yes, Nami-san!" Of course Sanji was the first to reply.

I glanced over, already expecting someone to be missing. "Good grief..."

"The one who needs to hear that the most is already gone." Zoro voiced my thoughts.

"Food place!" Luffy's voice echoed back to us as he raced off towards the city.

"Get back here!!" Nami's outcry fell on deaf ears.

"He's all instinct..." Usopp mumbled as he worriedly stared after our idiot captain.

"What should we do?" Vivi held her hands close to her.

"Don't worry," Sanji placed his foot up on the railing. "Find where the most commotion is, and he'll be there." He jumped off and stared up towards Vivi.

"You got that right." Usopp grumbled as he folded his arms on the railing.

Nami held the side of her head and sighed angrily. "I wish he'd at least realize he has a bounty on his head. Especially in a big country like this!"

"Forget about him," Zoro said as he stood from the wall. I looked over to see Chopper getting his bag on, a huge grin in place. "Let him do whatever. Let's just eat first. We can think after that. You coming, Mira?"

"Ah, right! Just give me a couple minutes!" I raced off to my room as Zoro started down the ladder. I grabbed a small bag of coins, not wanting a repeat of Logue town. This should hopefully be enough.

Before I headed down, I adjusted my bag and slipped on my hat. Sanji and Zoro were waiting for me at the bottom. Chopper was beside them as well.

"Karoo and I can't go with you guys," Vivi suddenly said as we got ready to go.

"Eh? Why?" Nami asked, a bit shocked.

"We're too recognizable."

"Ah, I hadn't thought of that," I scratched the side of my head.

"Don't worry, Vivi-chan!" Sanji called up to her. "I'll go shopping for you, too!"

Karoo suddenly cried out. We all looked up to the bird. "What is it?" Vivi called up to him.

He squawked down at us and pointed behind some rocks. My eyes widened. "Oh, perfect!"

"Mr. 3's ship!" Vivi gasped.

Usopp scowled at it. "That creep didn't kick the bucket after all."

"There's no doubt about it," Vivi bit her lip. "His ship runs on the power of the Wax-Wax Fruit."

"The bastard's actually here?" Sanji came around to get a better look. I gripped Zoro's hand, remembering what we had gone through.

"This is bad." Zoro pulled me close to him. "He's seen our faces."

"It's alright!" Usopp grinned mischievously. "I have an idea."

~~~

"This is insane," I whispered from under the tarp. 'We look even more suspicious than if we were to try and sneak around!"

"There's no telling where he is, though!" Usopp whispered back to me. "We have to move around without being seen!"

"People are talking about us!" I hissed as my ears picked up the sound of concerned and slightly frightened voices.

"I think we're standing out quite a bit..." Nami agreed with me.

After a while, we came to a stop. Usopp peeked out, then threw the tarp off. "Alright! We can come out now, guys!" I just sighed and shook my head.

"We've been out for a while," Zoro stated, making Usopp flinch slightly.

"Only you, Vivi, and Karoo were under the tarp near the end," I added as I fixed my hat.

"Looks like nobody followed us," He tried to ignore what we had said.

"It's a miracle," Nami rolled her eyes.

"Vivi-chan," I tuned them out as Sanji spoke, and helped Vivi fold the tarp. "We're safe from view for a while."

She stopped folding and stared down at the tarp.

"Vivi-chan?" He tried claiming her attention again.

"Ah! Y-yes?! Yes, you were saying!" She jumped and faced him, startled.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly. I set the tarp down as a sad look crossed her eyes.

She looked away. "I'm sorry. I just felt so relieved, so... At the very least, from what I've seen of this town, things still seem to be alright,"

Everyone hushed as they listened. "I probably can't rest easy, but I think I'll make it in time."

"It does seem like a peaceful town," Nami noted as she peeked over our hiding spot behind a collapsed building wall.

"Hey, Vivi," She looked to Zoro. "You said you had a plan for stopping the rebel army, right? What will you do now? What should we do?"

"What?"

"If you think you're going to make it in time, it'd be better to act quick," He explained.

"That's true..." She shook her head. "But the agreement was only to bring me to Alabasta-" Nami knocked on her head.

"Ouch..."

"Come on, now! Are you still saying that?"

"Nami-san?" She rubbed her sore spot.

"We're here for you every step of the way," I smiled brightly at her. "Every last one of us. Even Luffy. We'll stick it through until the end."

"She's right," Nami agreed. "We traveled this far together. We can't just leave you now."

"Yeah," Usopp added in. "Don't act so distant!"

"Plus, I'm interested in this Warlord of the Sea!"

"Of course you are..." I mumbled up to Zoro. "You're only interested in seeing if you can bring him down."

"That's not entirely true," He countered back with.

"You don't have to mention it, though!" Nami got in his face. "Anyway, stop thinking that way!" She rounded on Vivi again.

"Not to mention people are out to kill all of us but me," Sanji spoke up. She faced him. I spotted a small bruise from Nami's fist. "There you have it!"

A cold chill filled the hot air around us. "Besides, if this country gets destroyed, we don't get our reward for bringing you here."

Of course it's coming from Nami. I hid behind Zoro.

"What're you doing?"

"Hiding from the money demon," I responded.

"By using me as a shield?"

"Yes,"

"Do you understand, Vivi?"

"Y-yes..."

"Very good, then!" Nami was bright and chipper again, the cold air gone.

"Go to hell." Zoro whispered.

"Back to where you belong," I held up the cross with my fingers.

"And I haven't forgotten about your debt, Zoro!" She turned to face us.

He flinched. "Why you-!"

"Even if I'm a ghost, I'll still come for my money!"

"You lousy-!"

"Begone, foul beast." I held my finger cross up closer to her. "Go back from whence you came. You do not belong on the realm of mortals (though that's questionable with some people) and back to the realm of demons and monsters!"

"Oh, cut it out, Mira." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, you'd better pay me the 400,000 berries you owe me!"

"It's gone up!" He exclaimed as I got in front of him.

"Begone, Money Demon!"

"I'm not a demon!"

"She's angry! Get the holy water!"

"I said knock it off! I'll make it go higher if you don't stop and if you don't pay me back soon!"

"Do not fall for her evil tricks!"

"450,000!"

"Mira, stop antagonizing her!"

"Do not listen to the temptress! She is only making things more fun!"

"500,000!"

"Mira, enough!" He clamped his hand over my mouth.

"Nami-san is in the right," Sanji took her side.

"Usopp, help me out!" Zoro turned to him.

"No way,"

"Nami, Mira has nothing to do with my debt! Drop it back to 400,000!"

"No way!" She crossed her arms. "She's your girlfriend! What you both do to anger me will increase the debt! Think of it as a debt you both now share."

I freed myself. "Now that's not fair!"

"Alright, guys, I think that's enough!" Vivi got between us. "There's still a few more important things I need to tell you."

"You got lucky," Nami pointed to us as Vivi continued.

"Northwest of this city is an oasis called Yuba. That's where the rebel army is based. I'd like to go there first to stop the uprising. But to get there, we'll have to cross the desert. For that, we'll need to stock up on the necessary food and water here. But Mr. 3 is in town..."

"In that case, it's no problem." We turned when Sanji spoke. "He hasn't seen my face."

"That's right!" Nami grinned. "You've met almost no one from the organization so far!"

"And one other hasn't either!" Zoro looked down to our little reindeer buddy.

"Oh, yeah! Chopper!"

"That's perfect," Sanji lit a cigarette. "We'll have a lot to carry. I'm counting on you."

Determination filled him. "Right! Got it!"

"Hey, are you guys gonna be okay?" Usopp stepped in.

"I'll be okay!" Chopper assured him as he changed into his normal reindeer form. "I wanna do what I can! There's no problem like this, right?"

"Alright!" Usopp gave him a thumbs up. "Now that's a human reindeer!"

"In that case, your help is appreciated." Vivi gave them each a quick hug.

"Leave it to us!" Sanji put his cigarette out and stood.

"I'll make you a list," Vivi pulled some paper out and a pen. "It'll have everything we'll need on it. Oh, and we'll all need clothes, too."

"Clothes?"

"Ordinary clothes so we won't stand out," She explained as she gave him the list.

"Ah, okay."

"And perfume!"

"Yes, Nami-san!" With that, he and Chopper set out.

"Food and water," Zoro called after them.

"Tabasco!" I rolled my eyes at Usopp.

"Forget about it, you two."

"Food and water!" "Tabasco!"

"I said no!"

"Sanji, food, water, and Tabasco, please!"

"You got it, Mira-chan!" Soon, they were out of sight. I settled into a shady part along the wall and tried to relax.

"Where could that idiot be?" Nami suddenly asked. "What is he doing?!"

"Hm?" I cracked an eye open. "Oh, you mean Luffy. Yeah, he probably got lost somewhere and is stranded in the desert."

"Knowing his luck, he probably is," Nami sighed. "He better be back before we have to go."

~Elsewhere....~

Luffy stood out in the middle of the desert. Heat waves rolled off the scorching sand around where he stood. Nothing but sand, dirt, and sand dunes surrounded him. The arid wind blew some loose sand up.

Luffy glanced around. "Hmmm... It doesn't look like there'd be a place for food at all. Actually, where am I?!" His cry echoed around him, getting lost in the desert landscape.

~Back in Nanohana~

"Jan Ken Pon!"

"HA! I win!" I flicked Usopp in the forehead. He winced and leaned back.

"That hurt!" He cried out. "How do you keep winning?!"

"Luck? Ready? Jan Ken Pon! HAHA!" *flick*

"YeeAAHH!!"

"Alright, that's enough," Nami always ruins the fun... "That's the fiftieth time you've won. I think he's had enough."

"Fine. Zoro! Let's go!"

"I'll pass."

"Party pooper!"

"So, tell me about this perfume." Nami spoke over me.

"Nanohana is famous for its perfume, but the perfume is actually made at an oasis called Katorea." Vivi explained. "It's a city west of here. They make all sorts of sweet and fruity smells. Anything you could want as a perfume, it can be made."

"That's pretty cool!" I exclaimed as I moved closer. "I hope they bring back some really good smelling perfume!"

"Ah, here they come now!" I stood from my spot to see Sanji and Chopper returning. Sanji had many large bags and a few smaller ones. Chopper carried a few on his back. Hopefully it will be enough for our journey.

He set the bags down before us. "For the lovely ladies, your clothes are in these bags. You guys get these." He tossed the others to Zoro and Usopp. Us girls went behind the wall so we could change.

Nami wore a powder blue and dark blue accented long skirt and a dark blue top with purple wave designs. She had a pale pink long shawl and gold jewelry to finish it off. Vivi was given a baby blue and dark purple skirt with a white trim around the waist. Her top matched the purple on the skirt and a light blue shawl. She was also given gold jewelry.

I was given an all purple outfit. The top had swirls of gold and silver threads woven into the fabric. My left arm has a thin, dark purple veil that attached to the top of my shoulder and my wrist. Small silver chains draped down my front from the bottom part of my top.

My skirt was a dark purple and gold trimmed waistband with light purple draping bits. There were peek-a-boo slits spread sporadically around the skirt near my feet. I examined myself, wondering why I had let him choose my clothes.

We stepped out to show off to the other. "Wow, this is wonderful!" Nami stood with her hands on her hips as she showed off. "I love these kinds of clothes!"

"I know I asked you to shop for us, Sanji-San, but aren't these outfits for dancer girls?" Vivi asked with blush on her cheeks.

"I feel very exposed..." I tried to cover my exposed stomach.

"Come, now! They look marvelous on you!" Sanji assured us, hearts in his eyes.

"I asked for commoners clothes..."

"Dancers are commoners, too!"

"But we're going to cross a desert..."

"Don't worry! If you get tired, I'll carry you!"

"That's not the point..." I sighed as those two bickered back and forth. I glanced over to Zoro to see him openly staring at me. He had a bite of food part way hanging out of his mouth.

A different heat covered my cheeks. "What're you staring at?"

He quickly swallowed. "You look... uh... well... ahem. I wasn't staring."

I giggled and covered my cheeks. "You totally were. Do you like this on me?" I slowly walked over to him and lifted his chin with a finger. "Does it make me look, dare I say, sexy?"

He swallowed hard as he stared into my eyes. He slowly looked over my body and spotted my tail wrapping around my waist. The tip of my tail twitched a bit and traced over his cheek.

"What's the matter, Zoro?" Pink colored his cheeks. "You look a little flustered. Should I make sure you aren't suffering from a heat stroke?"

His eyes darted behind him for a quick second before looking back to me. He stood and removed one of his top layers of clothing. "Use this. I don't want him-them staring." He stepped close and draped it over my shoulders.

"Zoro-"

"There," He smoothed it out and took a step back.

"AH! Zoro, you ruined it!!!" Sanji cried out and smacked him. "You can't cover up a beauty like her!"

"We also can't expose her like this!" Zoro snapped back. "We don't need her to be stared at- I mean, we can't let people know she's a Neko! You're the idiot who didn't get her a head piece!" I smiled as those two argued back and forth and used the hood to cover my ears.

I walked over and knelt down next to Chopper. "Hey, you okay, little buddy?"

He quivered and covered his nose more. "The smell is killing me..."

"That reminds me, where did you go?" Sanji was suddenly next to us.

"Various places!"

"Is he not feeling good?" Nami called over to us.

"The perfume is getting to him." Sanji replied.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry!" I quickly stood and moved as far away as I could. "I forgot your nose is very sentitive!"

"That's right! I forgot he has a sensitive nose." Vivi and Nami backed up a bit.

Nami sniffed herself. "Oh, this..."

"Some of it can be rather strong." Vivi pointed out.

I sniffed myself. "And I thought lavender was supposed to be a soft fragrance. I'm sorry."

"It's fine..." Chopper grunted. "I can manage..."

"Are you sure?" Nami sprayed more on her neck, making Chopper sit up and yell at her.

"That's mean!" I grabbed the bottle from her. "Don't mess with him like that!"

The scent drifted over to Sanji, who swooned over her. "Mellorine love into the abyss!"

"You're an idiot." I held back a snort at Zoro's remark.

"Why you!"

"In any case!" Usopp shouted over them. "We've accomplished our first goal of gathering supplies!"

"We're going to a place called Yuba, right?" Nami asked.

"Right." Vivi answered with a nod. "But first we have to trek through the desert. It will likely be much more difficult than you imagine right now."

"What do you mean?" I asked as I tilted my head a bit.

"There's no telling what might happen," She responded. "One wrong step in this burning land, and there's no guarantee you'll survive. I'm still a little uneasy and unsure about taking you to such a place. But I want to return peace to this kingdom! So, I ask you again. Everyone! Please lend me your help! I beg you..."

"You finally said it," Nami smiled. "We've been waiting for it!"

"There's no telling what happens on the sea, either. Right, Vivi-chan?" Sanji winked at her.

Zoro stood and attached his swords to his hip. "It'll be no different than before."

"You can count on us!" I gave her a thumbs up. "We're in this no matter what!"

"I can't wait to see the desert!" Chopper said happily.

"Alright, guys!" Usopp stood proudly. "What do you say we get going to Yuba now?"

"Yeah!" We threw our left arms up.

"Wait, something's not right." I slowly lowered my arms.

"Don't we seem to be missing someone?" Usopp asked.

"Oh yeah! Our captain!" I smacked my forehead. "I thought it sounded a little too quiet. Well, while we wait, lets get a game plan going so we're on the same page. Then, I'll make it Luffy friendly so he can understand most of it."

"Oh, good idea!" Vivi placed her fist in her palm. "Okay, here it is," She began explaining it to us.

Zoro stepped up beside me. "Are you going to be carrying your sword in your hand the whole time?" He whispered.

I glanced down at it. "You know, I haven't thought about that. Hm... Where can I attach it?"

"Here," He took it and secured it in place on the waist band. "That shouldn't go anywhere."

"Thanks," I smiled and listened back in on the plan.

~Meanwhile..."

Luffy took a bite of a rice ball an old man had given him so he would be quiet about his illegally obtained and very illegal Dance Powder. "This won't be enough food at all! That moron!"

Still, he munched on his food as he attempted to make his way back to Nanohana.