Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. I only own Yami.


Chapter 2: Smoke and Fire (Smokin' Aces)

Nanohana, Alabasta. Three years later.

What's going on? Ace thought as he opened his eyes. He blinked a few times until he noticed that it was definitely potato mash in his face.

"Damn, did I fall asleep again?" he yawned and began wiping the food off his face. Then he saw the staring crowd in the bar. "What?" he asked, confused.

"You fell asleep?" one of them asked him incredulously, and he just shrugged.

"Yeah, I believe so." As the people around him gasped in relief, he scratched his head.

"Don't do this again! You really had us scared, we thought you'd died just now …" he heard somebody mutter, and then … darkness.


5 minutes later …

"What?" he awoke with a start.

"WE SAID DON'T DO THIS AGAIN!" he heard some people yell and blinked in confusion. Then, he heard the real cause of his awaking, and several shivers started to run down his spine as it brought back certain memories he had failed to suppress the whole time.

"Fire Fist Ace," he heard a female voice say, a voice he would never forget, no matter how hard he tried. And he tried very hard. A featherweight hand settled on his lower arm.

My God. Yami.

"I see, you learned a few nice tricks, didn't ya? But your narcolepsy seems to be pretty unharmed …"

Slowly, he turned his head to the source of the voice. Bright azure eyes glanced at him in utter amusement. He swallowed hard. His throat suddenly seemed way too tight.

"What, lost your voice?" she snickered. "Oh please don't tell me you just forgot that wonderful night three years ago?" A feigned pout followed her mocking words.

How could I forget? it came to his mind, but he forced himself to a half-hearted smile. She was just kidding, it had been almost ordinary to her, if not bad. He had been so damn inexperienced and all ...

"No, unfortunately not," he said in a successful attempt to sound sincere. She laughed, and he went rigid at the sound.

"Edgy, are we?" she chuckled and climbed a barstool next to him.

He still couldn't believe it. Was this really the girl he had tried to forget for whole three years? And now she just came walking in here and acted as if nothing had happened? WHAT THE HELL?

"Hey, Mister Barman. Your best sake please," she yelled at the man who nodded at her. "So …" she began and turned to Ace again. "Same old hat? Embarrassing, if you ask my opinion."

"Nobody asks your opinion," he muttered and stared his potato mash into pieces. "And I have a black one too, by the way."

She laughed again, it sounded like small and clear ringing bells. He liked it immediately. But he would never, never show her that, and so he tried hard to fight down a huge blush – and succeeded.

"… them when you joined Whitebeard's crew?" he heard her ask and shook his head fiercely to get it clear again.

"Sorry, what did you say?" he asked, annoyed at himself for having been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even heard her speak.

She smirked in amusement. "I said, nice tattoos. Did you get them when you joined Whitebeard's crew?"

"This one, yeah." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "The other one was made by some stupid idiot tattooist who didn't even know how to spell my name."

She laughed. "Stupid, really. Three letters and one wrong, not such a good rate."

The barkeeper gave her the requested glass of sake. "Cheers!" she said to Ace who just nodded and gulped down its content at one swallow. Then she wiped her mouth clean with the back of her hand and indicated to the man to bring her a new one.

"You don't look very surprised to meet me again," Ace said, watching her. And really, as it seemed like a wonder to him seeing her a second time, she looked as if she had expected it.

She shrugged. "I told you we'd meet again, didn't I?" And with that she gulped down her second glass of sake.

"Yeah you did, but did you actually believe it?" he asked curiously.

She cocked one eyebrow. "Of course I did."

"But … why?"

She shrugged again. "Just because."

"Ah. That's the best reason I've ever heard," he sighed, now a bit unnerved.

"What do you wanna hear, cowboy? That I loved you so much I just knew I would see you again?" She snickered. "That's not my style, you know."

He let out an annoyed sigh. Five minutes, and she just jarred on his nerves. The fact that she had been the one taking his virginity didn't make anything easier for him. Now that she ordered her third drink and something to eat, he used the moment to examine her secretly.

Had she been beautiful then – and she definitely had been –, she was simply mind-blowing now. She wore her hair shorter, barely reaching over her shoulders, and her figure was more than amazing. He had seen her naked, even if it had been in the moonlight, and from what he saw now he could tell that she had … grown, in some way. Definitely.

"Like what you see?" she took him out of his very … stimulating way of thoughts.

This time he was not so successful in fighting down the blush, and so he hid it by turning his face away from her but rolling his eyes for her to see. "What do you think?" he answered with a counterquestion.

"I think you like it," she giggled, and he silently wondered if this girl had any sense of inhibition or embarrassment at all. "By the way, do you own at least one shirt?"

"No," he answered and this time he was the one catching her staring. But it was difficult not to catch that, she was obviously pleased by the sight of him being shirtless, and he could not help being proud. He surely had cultivated his pectoral muscles over time, so this felt like being rewarded.

"Nice," she said appreciatively before turning back to her meal.

He had to clench his teeth so as not to ask "Really?" like a complete dumbass. And he wondered how she managed to be so not-embarrassed in any way. But he assumed that if she was allowed to stare at him, she could have nothing against him doing the same. And how could one not stare at her? She really was an appearance, especially since she knew how to dress. Her short shirt matched the colour of her eyes, and the khaki shorts accentuated her slender legs. Even the heavy boots she wore now just fit in the image. But the most obvious change was that she had weapons now, two little daggers dangling at both sides of her hips from a heavy belt. And he noticed that she still used that dark red lipstick, matching the colour of her hair.

She turned away from her plate, looking thoughtfully at all the women around them. They wore dancer's outfits with very short tops that looked more like bras than anything else and long skirts with many decorations all around. "Hm, I think I'm gonna get some of these too, they look quite hot." Then she turned to Ace. "You think they'd suit me?"

He just shrugged while struggling to swallow hard. Of course they would suit her, and he would love to see her in one of –

"Now that you finished staring," she interrupted his thoughts with a strangely calm voice, "would you mind turning around and beating the crap out of that shitty Marine?"

"I'm not … what?" he stammered, completely taken by surprise. And really, just as he turned his head to the entrance, a huge figure stepped in the doorway of the bar, blocking the sun out. He had short white-greyish hair, wore a white marine jacket that was undone so his bare muscular chest could be seen underneath, and he had two cigars stuck between his teeth. His eyes seemed to pierce through everything he looked at.

"Well, look who's here," he heard the man say hoarsely as he spotted him sitting at the counter. "Portgas D. Ace. And who's your little red-haired companion?"

"Smoker," Ace said calmly and smirked at him.

Yami cocked her eyebrows at that. "You know him too?"

"Yup," he said to her but kept his eyes glued to the Marine. "Yo, what's up?"

The Marine didn't seem to be so pleased at that disrespectful salutation. He narrowed his eyes at the pirate. "You're Whitebeard's Second Division Commander," he stated.

Ace just shrugged, the smirk never leaving his freckled face, while the people around him froze slash started to scream. "Yeah, I already knew that. If you're only here to tell me this, I'm sorry I have to disappoint you. I knew it before you did. So what can I do for you now?"

"Sit still and let me arrest you," Smoker growled.

"Sorry, but …" Ace began, but in the second he noticed his red-haired interlocutress being gone, he spotted her right behind the Marine. He gazed at her with wide eyes, his mouth gaping apparently. I didn't even see her leave … he thought alarmed. Is she crazy?

"Sorry but what?" Smoker requested. Then he noticed the sharp blade at his throat. "WHAT THE HELL?"

"I wouldn't move now if I were you, Smoky," a calm voice stated flatly.

Smoker had overcome his surprise quickly. "What should that be, a bread knife? But because I'm generous today and because I don't know you, which means that you're on no wanted poster, I'll give you one last chance. Leave, now, or I'll have you arrested," he grumbled, obviously annoyed.

As Ace saw her smirking in the most evil way he had ever seen someone smirk, he felt sweat trickling down his neck.

"I'm sorry, but I think I'll kill you now, Marine," she said, clear enough for everyone to hear.

What the hell …? She really is crazy!

This was the moment when everything burst in complete panic. People ran around, screaming and desperately going for the entrance, and then …


Yami heard the whirring sound seconds before the actual projectile smashed into the bar. With an inward curse, she jumped to the side, right at the moment the flying black-haired boy struck directly into the Marine's back, taking him with him on his way – straight into Ace, who, in turn, was carried away by the two bodies. Right through the counter and into the wall. And the next. And the next. And the next …

She stared wide-eyed at the unbelievable show, her jaw almost hitting the floor. She hadn't seen this coming, of course not … And at that moment she was glad she had been out of the way.

"I'M STARVING! MEEEEAAAT! GIMME MEEEAAAT!" she heard a voice cry out as the black-haired guy appeared in the opening he had created only seconds ago. He came into the bar, completely unaware of all the chaos, and sat down at the not destructed part of the counter. "MEEEAAAT!" he yelled again and hit the countertop with his fists as the barman didn't seem to move ever again, staring at him with a completely dumbstruck expression on his face.

Yami cleared her throat. "Boy, do you realise you just managed to hit two logias through a CONCRETE WALL?" she asked, not yet decided on whether to laugh or be scared.

"Huh?" the boy asked, adjusted the straw hat on his head and looked at her as if he started to take in his environment just now. "Are you the bargirl? Can you give me meat?" he questioned, looking completely innocent. She stared at him for some more moments, and then broke out into laughter.

"That … hahaha … is really … hahaha … the funniest thing … hahahaha … I've ever seen! Hahahahaha!"

"Huh?" the boy asked again, scratching his head in confusion. "So you're not the bargirl?"

"Hahahaha – oh, no, sorry, I'm not, hahaha …" She watched the boy ordering meat at several persons, until the barkeeper seemed to regain his composure and hurried to fulfil the boy's wishes. Then, an orange hat appeared in the 'doorway', and she decided to leave – for now.

"Luffy!" she heard the young man yell as she went away from the bar to get some new outfits.

"Huh? Oh, hey Ace!"

Several rumours inside. She chuckled as she imagined what could be happening. Perhaps the cowboy had him punched now. Or perhaps not. They seemed to know each other, as it seemed. And then, even if she was already around some street corners, she heard a third voice shout: "Monkey D. Luffy! Portgas D. Ace! I'll have you arrested!"

She rolled her eyes at that. Stupid Marines, they really were a pain in the ass. They always thought they were oh so superior, with all their morals held high and stuff, but really, they were no more than ordinary thugs and raiders. Murderers stuck in uniforms. She wouldn't forget what she had been about to do when the straw hat-wearing boy – Luffy, apparently – had burst into the bar. She had had him, that stupid Smoker, and most likely he would have taken his last breath if Mister Straw Hat hadn't saved him. Of course he all but knew that, he still felt superior with his freakin' logia powers.

Damned Marines, she thought as she kicked a small stone a few meters away. Then she looked around for a clothes shop and found herself some very nice dancer's outfits, but she knew she didn't have the time to try them out. She also bought a large black cloak, of course the cowboy was on his way through the desert, and she would accompany him, even if he didn't know that yet.

Oh, I'm late! she cursed inwardly as she heard the screams from outside. She quickly paid for her clothes and stuffed them in her bag, hurrying to get outside and come at that Marine guy. Or just watch him fight, she hadn't yet decided about that. She had to ask him something. Perhaps she wasn't supposed to kill him? She would see.

With a few well-placed steps, she climbed the next house roof and could now enjoy the scene playing right in front of her. There he stood, Smoker, literally fuming with anger, and opposing him was Ace. He had just pushed Straw Hat out of the way (Just how did they all get up here so fast?), and she saw the boy running away while stuffing his mouth with the food he carried away with him. It was crazy, and she almost laughed at it – hadn't she been so busy with figuring out why the cowboy saved the other boy's life. They must have a very special relationship, she mused and watched as fire began to erupt all over the young man's body.

Yup, he's definitely burning hot, she giggled inwardly as he dodged one of Smoker's attacks which was meant for the escaping straw hat boy.

"Give it up, Smoker. Even if you're smoke, you don't have any chance against fire," she heard him say smugly, and the devilish smirk on his face really fascinated her.

Smoker growled in response and threw another attack at the fire user, a thick fog-like cloud which blinded him for a few moments. "Crap!" she heard him curse, and this was the moment she decided to interfere.

In less than one second she was beside the huge figure of the Marine ready to cast another smoke attack, and pulled on his white sleeve. "Hey, Mister Smoky. Mind if I join your little game?"

His face was more than incredulous when he turned his head and spotted her standing next to him casually, with a sweet smile on her face. His cigars almost fell out of his mouth in surprise. "You!"

"Yah, me. But that's not my name, you should know," she said, the smile never leaving her face. "What do you want with my little cowboy?"

Smoker needed a moment to understand that she meant Ace with that. "I'll arrest him, for the world's sake!" he growled past his cigars. "And as you threatened me, you'll share his fate – now!" With that he launched a smoke cloud at her which she easily evaded.

"Sorry, Smoky, but you'll have to try harder if you wanna catch me," she giggled. He had given her the first right answer, he didn't have any personal purposes apparently, but would he also convince her with the second part? She knew him already, he was so damn convinced with his stupid sense of justice. Perhaps it was right she hadn't killed him? But he was a Marine after all … and all Marines were scum.

"Step aside!" Ace's voice came out of the smoke as he blasted it away with his favourite attack before she could continue her inquiry. "Fire Fist!"

Yami sighed. She had just given him the chance to escape, and what did he do? But she did as he wanted and jumped a few metres away. Unfortunately, Smoker also saw it coming and could evade Ace's attack.

The burning young man's eyes narrowed at her. "Go! Run, now!" And that was when she stared at him in awe. He really wanted to save her? Nobody ever saved her, not in all her life … nobody even tried … nobody except them, but that was past now anyway …

Her thoughts were interrupted by a certain fuming Marine twirling around in a whirlwind of smoke, trying to hit them both. She jumped aside as if it were nothing, still staring at Ace and not knowing what to do next. But he relieved her of that decision anyways as he jumped in her direction and shoved her out of the way, his deep black eyes boring into hers. "What the hell are you waiting for? LEAVE!"

Without thinking it over, she nodded. Then she disappeared in a flash. She heard the Marine shout something and the pirate shout in return, but she couldn't see them anymore. They dissipated in a blur of smoke and fire.

Yami ran away as fast as she could and jumped off the house, using the shadows as usual. That was the reason she was so fast, the reason why she could disappear in less than one second. The shadows were her metier, and because of the Kage Kage no Mi she had eaten years ago, she could use them for her purposes, even control them if she tried hard. So she was at the port in less than one minute, and she needed less than that to spot the ship she wanted, run there and jump on it.

Its crew was busy with upping the anchor and setting sails to depart in this very moment, and she used the time to change into the clothes she had bought. Nobody saw her in the shadows anyway if she didn't want them to. She was the shadows.

When she was finished, she looked to the port slowly shrinking in size as the ship sailed away from it, and for one second she wondered if he wouldn't come. Had the Marine beaten him up? But no, that couldn't be, he was too strong and she knew that.

With a soft smile, she watched the ship's crew. Straw Hat was there, of course, and the rest of his small crew: a green-haired guy carrying three swords at his hip – Oh, that's Roronoa Zoro –, momentarily busy with climbing around and fixing the sails as well as did a blonde, slender guy. A beautiful orange-haired girl stood at the upper deck just some feet away from her, shouting commands as if she was the captain, but obviously the captain was okay with that as she saw his large grin. A long-nosed boy with black curls framing his tanned face hurried around to make the cannon ready, with a small brown animal helping him – she stared in amazement as she heard the small being talk. He wore a red hat with a white cross – one moment, is he a doctor? – and a small pair of antlers came out of both sides of his furred head.

Then, she noticed the other girl. She stood further away, looking worriedly at the ships that started to follow them, her long blue ponytail waving in the wind. Next to her was a bright yellow duck with a cap on its head.

Tch! Now look at that … Yami thought in surprise when a loud 'thump!' caught her attention. She smiled seeing Ace land on the lower deck, and now everyone turned around in utter confusion and very much alarmed.

"Hey, guys," he greeted them casually.

"Who are you?" the orange-haired girl required, arms akimbo, and the others also narrowed their eyes at the intruder. All but the captain.

Aww, come on! Yami laughed inwardly. Does he look like a Marine to you?

"Ace!" Straw Hat beamed gleefully, and now everyone turned to him.

"You know him?"

"Yup, it's Ace, my older brother! Shishishi!"

"YOUR WHAT?" the whole crew shouted, stunned. And even Yami raised her eyebrows for no one to see.

Oh, I did so not expect that

"Oh yeah, hi, I'm Ace. Nice too meet ya. Well, is Luffy acting up with ya?" the young man grinned.

"ABSOLUTELY! YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL …" the whole crew shouted in unison, and the duck chimed in.

"KWEEEEEH!"

"He's an unruly pest. I really did all I could, but there was nothing better to result," the older brother grinned. If he did that, he just looked so dangerous. Dangerous but smart.

"A GREAT PITY," the crew replied, and Yami chuckled. This was indeed a weird pirate crew. Their captain didn't even seem offended one bit as he just grinned on and asked his brother about the purpose of his being here, which he answered confused with asking the boy if he didn't get his message. Obviously the younger one didn't know what he was talking about, but Ace just put it off, declaring it was not such a big deal as he was here now.

Their little conversation was interrupted by several ships coming nearer, and the long-nosed boy began to adjust the cannon.

"Those are Billion ships!" the blue-haired girl yelled frightened, but Ace just grinned.

"Yeah, I know. Leave them to me," he said and jumped over the railing.

"ACE!" everyone yelled and ran to the place he had stood seconds before, but he was already off on a small kind of boat propelled by fire. The Straw Hat Crew watched in awe as he drove further on, straight towards the ships, then launched a powerful attack at them.

"Fire Fist!", Yami heard him yell and grinned. He destroyed the whole bunch of ships at once, their crews falling or jumping overboard to save themselves from being burned, and landed safely on his boat – raft – whatever.

The crew cheered as he approached their ship again, and while rolling her eyes, she saw the wide smirk on his freckled face. "Yah, of course, that was just so amazing," she muttered as she stepped out of the shadows on the upper deck. Still unnoticed by the crew who continued staring at the burning ship wrecks and praising the fire user, she shook her head and looked him straight in the eyes as he came nearer on his … thingy.

Of course he noticed her instantly. As he looked up, he saw her staring at him, this annoying smirk still on her face. "You!" he yelled, pointing at her in astonishment as he almost fell off his … thingy.

"Yah, me," she sighed, feeling as if she repeated this sentence for the whole day already, and now everybody else looked at her in utter shock. "Once more: this is not my name, cowboy."


Author's note: Yeah, you see I don't really bother about how exactly everything happened and what exactly was said in the manga/anime because I don't have a current version in front of me and the anime I possess is in German. So this is my version, I hope that doesn't spoil your fun. Please review if you liked it! (I'll rework this sometime, I promise.)

And, by the way, "kage" means "shadow".

And I love Ace. A blushing Ace is definitely cute.

Oh, and somebody just told me the crossed out "S" is a tribute to Sabo. I have to admit I didn't know that, but it would make more sense if he'd come up with the easiest explanation for that. Yami is a stranger to him after all, and I don't think he'd reveal all his secrets and feelings to her. So I'll just leave that like this.