"Chopper..." Ace said, kneeling on the ground before the small deer, his brow furrowed as he searched for the words. "You and me... It's not gonna work."

Chopper's large eyes grew wider, his expression falling. He had known from the way Ace had been acting that something had been weighing on the pirate's mind. And now the reason behind Ace's uneasiness had become clear. "Is it because I ran away when those guys attacked you? I'm a deer... and... we're really flighty! But! I'm going to try harder, Ace!! Even when I'm scared... I'm thinking about you!"

"Nah, it's not that... those guys were nothing... It doesn't bother me if I've gotta protect you, but..." Ace sighed, shaking his head, and reached up to adjust his hat self conciously.

"Then what's wrong, Ace!? Even yesterday... when you told me you liked my horns... Nobody ever looked at them like that before! I felt okay... to live as a human!"

"....Chopper. You're covered with fur. If I even flicker around you, you'll go up like a torch!!"

Chopper stared into Ace's apologetic eyes, and understood.

Ace sighed and rose, and turning his back to the deer, he headed towards his surf board.

Unfortunately his narcolepsy kicked in, and he broke his nose when he fell.

So he and Chopper had a little time together yet.





























No. I wasn't serious. What were you thinking?