Please note: I do not own any One Piece characters, those are Eichiro Oda's creations :) I do own however, my OC's. This story is NOT supposed to follow the anime line in any way, shape or form, So please do not reply with negative feedback 3 Thanks, and enjoy :)
"May 21st already. I have been a true pirate for exactly 8 years now." Ace stood up from a big rock, and caught his balance. He turned around and made his way back to the island. "I've been out at sea for quite awhile, lets see if I can get some food and ask around for Luffy without being chased off again." He made his way up a dirt path, and soon, walked into a tiny town.
As soon as he made his way into the town, he noticed that there were many stands that sold anything from food to clothing. "Now.. Should I find something to eat first, or attempt to find Luffy. If I choose the first thing, I can be completely full when I am being chased out." he continued to walk down the line of stands, soon stopping and taking Luffy's wanted poster out of his pocket. "Might as well just take a chance and ask first this time."
He turned around to face a stand with bright green curtains tied to the sides. He saw a girl with a dark green hooded robe sitting towards the back of the stand, reading a rather thick book. He decided to take a shot and ask her if she had seen Luffy.
"Excuse me, miss? I have been sailing for days trying to find a certain someone. Can you tell me if you have seen this guy?" He handed Luffy's wanted poster to the girl in the hooded robe. She looked up from her book and took a hold of the wanted poster. She examined it for a good half minute, and then looked back up to Ace.
"And what business do you have with this guy, may I ask?" Her tone was a bit defensive.
"Well, its my brother, and I am trying to meet back up with him. I take it you haven't seen him." He reached back for the poster, but the girl pulled it close to her body.
"I knew from the start that you looked familiar."
Ace felt his left eye twitch 'Is she apart of the marines? Nice going, Ace. Now you are going to get chased around again.'
The girl took her hood off, and revealed her face to Ace. She had long purple hair that was tied up and her skin was slightly tanned. Her eyes flashed towards his, and then he noticed her shimmering green eyes. "I can't believe you don't recognize your best childhood friend. And after all these years.."
"Ume? No.. you can't be her." Ace's eyes widened, as he watched the girl smile sweetly.
"You do remember me!" She jumped up from her seat and walked out to meet Ace.
"I do now. Wow, Ume.. you have become quite the lady.." He held out his arms and walked forward, soon embracing her into a hug.
She let go of the hug and looked up to him "Thanks Ace, You have shaped out quite nicely yourself..So, how have you been? I heard you were apart of White Beard's crew now."
"Yeah, you heard correctly. I am actually on a mission to find someone, and on the way I hope to meet up with Luffy."
"How is he? I see that he's wanted now, he's finally reaching his dreams!"
"Yeah, I'm pretty excited to see him, if i even get a chance to. Oh, but enough about me, why did you move all the way out to this tiny island?"
"I actually hopped aboard a cargo ship, and i escaped to this island. Our village isn't what it used to be, ill tell you that right now. Everyone's moving away because there are hardly any jobs, no places to make money. I didn't want to end up without a home, so that's why I escaped."
"Well we should definitely catch up, when do you uh, get off work?" He looked towards the stand, and back at her.
"Oh, this is my personal booth. I sell jewelry that I make, but business is quite slow today." She looked around and sighed softly to herself, and then looked back up to Ace. "So, how long are you in town?"
"Well, I feel like I deserve a break from my job, and I DID just meet up with you for the first time in 8 years. We have a lot of catching up to do. You know of any good inn's that I might be able to crash at?"
"Ace, you know you are welcome into my house. It's just me living there.. It gets kinda lonely after awhile." She looked up to him and gave him another kind smile.
"Oh, but I can't intrude-"
"Nonsense, Ace. It will be fun, just like when we were kids."
"Yeah.. Just like when we were kids.." Ace looked down and rubbed the back of his neck. 'Yeah, when we were kids I had the biggest thing for you.' He shook his head and looked up only to see that Ume was not there anymore.
"Where did you go?"
"I'm locking up the shop. You feeling okay? You look rather hungry, I'll fix you a nice home cooked meal." She walked back into the booth and pulled down a wooden door from the window opening. She took off a key that was tied onto a long black ribbon around her neck, and locked the wooden door up.
"I would love to have a home cooked dinner made by you, I can't wait." He smiled and continued to watch as she closed up her tiny store. She walked out, and soon joined his side. "It's just right ahead." She began to walk down a dirt path towards her home, and Ace followed.
"So, are you sure you aren't going to get in trouble for staying awhile?"
"Yeah, my captain is understandable. He's such a great man, he's taught me everything I know."
"That's great Ace, I'm really happy for you! You always talked about how one day you were going to become a famous pirate.. You and Luffy both. I'm just so glad that I am able to see you once again."
"Thank You Ume, it means a lot." He smiled down to her. They soon reached Ume's house. To Ace's surprise, it was a pretty decent sized home made of brick. Ume unlocked the door, and went inside, walking over to the table and lighting a big candle.
"Wow, Ume this place is incredible! Its so big for just one person." Ace looked around the house, seeing pictures in frames, nick knacks on shelves, and sets of cozy furniture.
"Yeah, it's kinda crazy to say, but my parents help pay for it. That was another reason I moved. They wanted to see me live a good life, but they didn't want to give up our home. Too many good memories, you know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I miss it there.. I miss the fun times we used to have together."
"Pull up a chair, I'll make you something to eat." She put on a blue and pink apron, and tied the string into a bow that fit across her back. She pulled out a skillet and a couple pans.
"So, Ume.. How long have you lived here?"
"Oh, It's been about a year.. After you left, things just got worse for me. I couldn't concentrate in school, I had nightmares every night about you.. I had to get away. I'm going to be quite honest, they didn't subside." She walked over to the table and sat a small pastel green tea cup in front of him. She poured hot water into the little cup, and placed a small ball filled with green tea leaves inside of the cup.
"I'm really sorry, Ume. I never meant to make you worry." He looked down into the cup and stared at the changing water.
"Don't be sorry, Ace. I knew it would happen one day. I survived, and here we are again." She turned around and opened up her refrigerator door. She took out 2 eggs, a carrot, a bottle of soy sauce and a slab of raw meat. "It's not going to be an extremely big meal, I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow."
"Oh, no its not a problem at all Ume, I am extremely grateful to you for letting me stay under your roof." He watched Ume closely as she began to seer the cut of meat in a pan.
"Anything for you, Ace. I have a spare room right next to mine with a pretty nice bed in it. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all! I'm used to sleeping on bare floors, this is luxury!"
"I'm glad you think so." She flipped the piece of meat over in the pan. She sliced up the carrot and threw it in the pan along with the meat. A few minutes later, she cracked both eggs open over the meat, causing them to cook instantly. She put the nicely prepared meal onto a plate, and sat it in front of where Ace was sitting. She handed him a fork and a knife.
"Dig in. You look like you haven't had a decent meal in a few days." She smiled as she watched him pick up the knife and fork, and dig into his food.
"That's because I haven't. I'm starving, and this looks wonderful." He put a piece of the meat into his mouth. His expression brightened. "Ume, where did you learn to be such an amazing cook?"
"It's nothing, really Ace. I just taught myself-"
"No, this is the best meal I have had in quite awhile." He began stuffing the food into his mouth. Ume just watched in amazement. She giggled softly "I'm glad you like it." She sat down across the table from him and laced her fingers together.
"Ace, how did you get the nickname "Firefist" ?"
"Oh, you don't know about that yet.. I ate a devil fruit."
"Why does this not surprise me? Portgas D. Ace.. Always up to no good." She smiled and shook her head gently.
"Yeah, well I have sweet powers now. I have the ability of fire now. The only bad side about it is, the whole swimming thing.. And seeing that my vessel is so small, It makes it even more dangerous."
"You don't have a boat? Then what do you use?"
"Its more of like a large, enclosed surf board with a sail on the back.. I use my flame-flame fruit powers to power up the vessel and make it sail.
"That sounds interesting! You hafta show me tomorrow.."
"Of course, we have a lot more catching up to do." He sat down his fork and knife and chewed the remaining pieces of food in his mouth.
"That was quick, you poor thing.. you were really hungry." She stood up and took the plate from him. She placed it in the sink and walked back over to the table. "Let me show you to your room, it's getting late."
Ace stood up from the dinner table and pushed in his chair. "I must say, that meal was delicious Ume."
"Oh Ace, don't flatter me. It wasn't that great. I didn't even have that many ingredients to work with." she grabbed onto his right wrist gently and lead him over to the staircase.
"Ume, you need to understand that I have been a pirate for quite some time. I haven't had a home cooked meal since I lived back at home. And speaking of home.. I remember someone used to lead me to places just like how you are right now." a smirk formed across his face as Ume began to lead Ace up the stairs.
"That was so long ago, sorry I just haven't seen you in forever. It was instinct." she let go of his wrist and formed a smile "Now, come on you have got to be tired. Do you want to wash up? If so, the bathroom is this first door at the beginning of the hallway."
"I'd love that, but I kinda don't have any clothes."
"Well, I have a couple of oversized shirts of mine, and I might have a comfortable pair of pants for you. But for now, get situated in your room." she opened a door at the end of the hallway, leading to a medium-sized room with a full bed, and a matching night stand. Ume walked over to the stand and lit a small lamp.
"I'm sorry it isn't much but-"
"Ume, this is awesome, really. I'm used to sleeping in a hammock. And when I travel, it's more like anything I can find. Thanks, I appreciate everything that you have done for me." he fell backwards onto his new bed, and looked up to the ceiling.
"Portgas D. Ace your clothes are filthy! Off of the bed you are going to get it dirty before you have even slept in it!" Ume walked over to the bed and placed her hands onto her hips.
"Oh come on sassy. I don't mind sleeping in a little dirt." he gave her a wink, and then let out a laugh. "Oh, and by the way, you still blush easily."
Ume looked down and covered her face with her hands "Alright, that's enough. Go get washed up and I'll get you some clean clothes." Ace raised himself out of bed and stood up, giving a long stretch upward. "Alright, but promise we can talk a bit afterward." He walked out of the room and into the bathroom.
"Sure thing." Ume walked into her room next door and began to rummage through her closet. She soon found a full box of old clothes that was packed neatly in the back. She carefully opened the box and began to take clothes out, searching for an outfit that Ace could wear until his clothes were properly clean.
"Aha! This shirt will fit him. And here are some old shorts he might be able to fit into.." She sat aside a white shirt and a pair of black shorts and then closed up the box, soon putting it back in its original place.
"Ume? Did you happen to find any clothes yet? I just finished my shower." Ace leaned his head out the bathroom door and looked both ways down the hallway. Ume stood up, soon walking to the bathroom, the outfit in her hands.
"Here, try these. They might be a little snug, but it should work until I get your clothes clean, right?" she held out the clothes, and soon Ace grabbed onto them with his damp hands.
"Yeah, I'll make them work, thanks." He gave her a smile and shut the door. "By the way, you better be in my room by the time I'm done. We have some catching up to do!"
"I'm already in here!" Ume shouted back as she sat on the foot of Ace's new bed. After a few moments of sitting, Ace soon made his way into his new room. "That felt wonderful. I can't tell you the last time I got to take a decent shower!"
"I knew you probably needed it. Not that you smelled or anything.." Ume smiled as she watched him sit down next to her.
"So, Ume, you said that you moved away from home because things were getting difficult. Why did you choose to move out on your own? I figured it would be much tougher for a young woman."
"It was tough for the first couple of months. I didn't have my parents to talk to, or anyone at that. But, one day I realized that things weren't going to get better until I made an effort. I began going on more walks, getting to know a few people in town, and then soon opening up my own stand. Remember how I always dreamed of opening up my own jewelry shop?"
"Yeah, you used to be good at it, and by the looks of it now, I say you have gotten way better. I'm proud of you, Ume. You're the strongest woman I know." He gave her a soft smile and laid back onto his pillow.
"Thank you Ace, It means a lot to me." She looked out the window and saw flashes in the distance. "Looks like it's going to storm again."
"Hmm? Does this little island get bad storms?" Ace looked up to Ume, and then out the window.
"Yeah, it can get pretty bad. I've had to use my cellar twice this year. It's really terrifying when you live alone, and far enough away from civilization. I've learned to live with it."
"I remember when we were kids, I used to comfort you and Luffy during storms."
"Yeah, but then Luffy got to the point where he loved storms. Deep down, I'm still afraid."
"There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone's afraid of something." Ace grabbed onto Ume's hand and closed his eyes. "If you get too frightened, remember that I'm in the room right next to you." He opened his eyes and smirked at her.
"Haha, very funny. But thank you, Ace. Deep down, you're still the caring boy I grew up with. Anyways, it's getting late, And I have a lot to do tomorrow."
"Like what?"
"Well, I need to get some groceries. I want you to have a wholesome cooked meal every night." She stood up and stretched her arms to the ceiling
"Oh Ume, you don't need to do that-"
"Ace, I know I don't need to, but I WANT to. Just do me a big favor: Relax. You deserve it." She turned down the oil lamp on his nightstand. "Now, it's time for sleep."
"Alright, whatever you say, Ume." He smiled and got underneath the comforters.
"Night Ace." Ume began to close his door
"Can you keep it cracked, please?" Ace turned away from the door and soon shut his eyes.
"Of course." She smiled softly, and left the door at a crack.