Hey guys,

so I picked this story up after more than two years and I thought up a plot that I think will satisfy you. I am just revising the first two chapters a bit, because there are a few things throwing me off about my writing style from back then. I won't change anything major though. So, don't worry.

What's interesting to know about this story: Well it's kind of a spin-off from the One Piece story line. Ace and Nojiko obviously never met according to Oda, but I kind of always wondered what would happen if they would. So this is my imagination running wild. I'll try not to make it a sad Ace-story, but I'll balance it with the original plot. As the story progresses you'll see what I mean.

Well, enough of my blah blah: ENJOY :)

Cherry


The sky was of the same dark gray color as the water surrounding her. She could not make out if it was day or night. She did not know how much time had passed by. Hours. Maybe even a day or two. It did not matter. Her strength had nearly faded and the only thing that kept her going was her will to find... Her hope for… She did not know anymore what she hoped for. What she could hope for. The thoughts which normally raced through her head were swept away one by one with every new wave she encountered on this rough sea.

The woman looked up at the sky. Bellemere would have said those clouds belonged in the hands of a skilled dry cleaner. She chuckled silently. But even though the thought she just had had, had been a happy one, it did cost her that last ounce of strength with which she had held on to the tiny wooden plank that had been her only companion for what felt like an eternity. She was hungry, thirsty and tired. So, so tired.

And with her arms slipping from the wood and a last breath her body sank into the sea.


"Hey Nojiko. It's Genzo for you."

The young woman turned around from where she had just served food to a weird looking stranger. There were always a lot of these guys in here. Most of them were idiots and had no table manners whatsoever. The bluenette walked a few steps towards her boss holding the phone out to her.

"Thanks Tsuba."

He handed her the phone (I refuse to write den den mushi. The last part sounds like the word for 'pussy' where I come from and it's just plain weird to hold that to your ear). While still standing at the side of the bar where it was rather noisy Nojiko began talking. If she just went to another room to talk someone might try a dine'n'dash on her and she would not have that. Besides she was used to this kind of volume by now.

"Heya Genzo. How are you doing?"

There was a light laughter at the other side. "You're full of energy as it seems. I'm fine. In fact everyone here is. But what's more interesting: How have you been holding up? Doesn't sound like you're suffering or something."

"I ain't. I'm doing good so far. I already have half the money I need to get back to you guys. Have you taken good care of Bellemere's oranges? I'll have your ass for it if you didn't."

It was a silly thought that Genzo would not take the best of care of her plantation. Nojiko knew that Genzo still loved Bellemere and would put all his devotion for her into the fruits. But that was why it was such fun making little remarks like that.

"O-of course. But Nojiko listen. You're on the Grand-Line now… You're young and… Ah, well… Just don't come back."

"What? Don't you want me back?" She grinned.

"No.", he sighed. "That's not what I meant…"

"I know", she said with the attitude of a cheeky kid that just tricked an elder.

"Why, you little brat." Another sigh. "Bellemere wouldn't have wanted for you to stay in this little town for ever. And it's not only her. We all here know that you are cut out for so much more than this."

'And here we go again…', Nojiko thought and then replied. "Genzo, I have already told you: I have to take care of the plantation and…"

"Well I think I'm doing a great job with it and don't you give me no crap about Nami or Bellemere here, you hear me? Do something for yourself."

Nojiko sighed. "Okay. If I ever get the urge to throw away everything that I've worked for and everything Bellemere died for and Nami nearly too, then I'm going to 'live a little'. But if I decide I'm going back you'll never bother me again with this stuff, alright?"

"You're never going to change. Well then I just wanted to hear how you're holding up and this is getting rather expensive now. We'll stay in touch."

"Yeah. Bye"

And with that Nojiko resumed to work. She chatted a little with the guests and laughed a lot, especially with the regulars.

The day passed like any other and before short it was already evening. The pub got crowded as more and more drunken men could be seen everywhere. It was just like any other ordinary day since she had gotten here. Just as she served a loud bunch of little no-name pirates another round of beer at one of the larger tables next to the entrance a guy walked into the pub. He was soaked to the bone which was not very difficult for he wore no shirt.

'How can he walk around like that? It's freezing outside. I hadn't even noticed that it's raining. Well, I've worked non-stop.'

And it continued to be like that. The rain only made the guest in the pub stay longer. It was already way past midnight and she served meals and beer to them, but for some strange reason her attention was drawn to that guy every now and then. He had seated himself at the bar and had ordered nothing but a beer which he drank quietly.

With another eight beer in her hands she walked over to the loud bunch who were still noisy and had gotten even more wasted. Nojiko put the beer on the table and was just about to walk back when someone grabbed her arm.

"Oi woman, come sit with us and chat a bit."

One of the pirates pulled her onto his lap and without letting go of her wrist he placed his other hand on her waist. He smelled like he had not even heard of a bath and looked like it, too. She turned her head to face him.

"I'm really sorry, sir, but I have to work so let me go, okay?", she said with a professional business-smile on her face.

"Aww. Now don't ya be like that. Everyone is served and ya can surely spare one or two minutes for me, can't ya dollface?"

'DOLLFACE?!' "I really need to go back to work sir." Nojiko tried half-heartedly to free herself, but the man just would not let go of her. He even let his hand wander up from her waist to her right breast. 'Okay, this is it!'

She turned her head to the kitchen window which was always open. "Boss?"

"Go ahead, Nojiko."

That was all she needed to hear. In a split second she had wound herself free and send the pirate over her shoulder to kiss the floorboards. He landed just in front of the door (you know those tiny double doors lucky-luke-style) and before he could say another word she kicked him out onto the wet streets. Nojiko pulled her tank top back in order, walked to the table and put her hand on it.

"So before you join him – one way or the other – you'll to pay the bill.", she said smiling.

The men payed and left in a hurry. Nojiko retreated back behind the bar. That disgusting guy had been right though. Although the pub would normally be empty right now there were still some customers left due to the rain. She started cleaning the glasses.

"It'll get you in trouble."

She turned to where the voice had come from. It was that shirtless guy.

"What?"

"To send pirates flying like that." He did not look up while speaking with her.

Nojiko put her left hand on her hip. "As long as you behave I won't treat you the same so don't be scared, little pirate."

Now he turned his face to her. He looked rather boyish and his freckles made the dumbfounded look on his face even worse. "What?"

"You are a pirate obviously. That tattoo on your back gives you away. It's quite large."

He laughed. "That's not what I meant. But it should be fun to watch you trying to kick me anywhere."

She grinned. "It sure would."

Just as she was starting to enjoy this little conversation the boss came out of the kitchen. "Heya Nojiko. We're closing up for today."

Said person turned back to her conversation partner. "So, still wanna see me… Ey, what's the matter with you. Yo, you alive?"

Her boss turned out the lights and shouted: "Oi, everyone get your asses up and go home. We're closin' up!"

While the guests left he walked over to his employee. "What's with him?"

Nojiko poked the seemingly dead man. "Dunno. I think he passed out or something. Can we just leave him here?"

"You can do what you want. Is it okay if I leave the cleaning in here to you? My wife's gonna kill me if I get home late again with you being so pretty an' all."

He winked at her playfully and Nojiko laughed. "No problem. You go ahead but leave me the keys will you?"

"Yeah, here. Bye."

"Bye."

And with that he left.

'So, and what am I supposed to do with you fella? Well, I'll just put you outside for now.'

That was easier said than done. She walked around the bar, turned him, lay his left arm over her shoulders and put her right arm around his waist. She had to admit that his toned and naked chest felt very nice under her fingers. With a pull she managed to get him of his chair. Though Nojiko was not a weak woman and this guy was not huge he did in fact weigh enough to make her breathe a little harder than usual. She walked slowly to the entrance and placed him outside in a sitting position right next to it.

With that done she started cleaning. There were a lot of glasses and the floor was dirtier than usual, too. Thank goodness the boss had already cleaned the kitchen. It took her an hour to clean it all up and by the time she was set to leave the clock showed her that it was already half past two.

Nojiko took her little backpack over her shoulder and stepped outside. The pub had sort of a wooden marquise under which she now stood. It still hadn't stopped raining.

'Damn, I'll surely get wet in this weather. Well, it can't be helped.' She shrugged her shoulders and was just about to close the door when she saw a little note on the floor. 'Wait, that's where I put this guy from before.'

Nojiko picked it up.

Thanks for the free beer!

'That insufferable… Argh! Great now I have to pay for that.' She kicked a bottle that lay in front of the pub to the other side of the street and started to walk home. It wasn't a very far walk, but the rain was getting harder and because she just wore her usual tank top and jeans it was rather cold. She started running. 'I just want to get home and take a relaxing, hot bath.'

Just when she turned around a corner she bumped into something and fell back. Nojiko looked up. It was rather someone she bumped into. A huge man more hairy than anything she ever wanted to see stood in front of her. He looked down on her with a gentle look on his face and offered her his hand to stand up.

"Lady, don't ya run as fast without looking where ya're goin'."

"I'm sorry, sir."

She took his hand and he pulled her up. In fact he pulled her up way higher than it would have been necessary. Her feet did not reach the ground anymore and his grip was getting tighter. She looked at him. His gentle smile from before had shifted into a disgusting look that sent shivers down her spine.

'This reminds me of… No! I don't want to think of it!'

She wanted to say something, but the man was faster. "So ya're that little waitress. I'll make ya remember ta never humiliate ma nakama again!", he roared and then he threw her backwards against a wall.

The impact knocked the breath out of her lungs and she saw stars for a second. She tried to push herself to her feet, but again she was pulled up. Not as high as before though. She could vaguely see more men coming from both ends of the alley and gathering around her now. Some of them had been in the loud bunch she had served. They were grinning wildly. She suddenly saw the huge pirate's fist coming her way and closed her eyes. Her mind went blank for a second when she was punched in the stomach yet again. Nojiko wanted to say something or scream. But her body was paralyzed. As if her whole strength had been drained from the hand that had held her by the neck.

'Why is this? Why can't I do something? Am I truly still this weak?'

The anger toward herself was so mind numbing that she did not even hear what the pirate said. She just knew that a second later she was kicked, soaring up into the air and then falling rapidly towards the ground. But instead of hitting the hard surface she was caught. She did not even bother to open her eyes as she was sure she would now be passed around from pirate to pirate so they could all take part in beating her senseless and whatever else. But this pirate did not hit her or did anything except hold her in place. She opened her eyes but everything was just a swirl of colors and movements so she closed them again.

It felt like she was in a tornado and her already maltreated stomach was about to turn upside down when the feeling slowly subsided after a few seconds. It was very much like getting out of the big roller coaster on Tanoshiihi island ('a fun day' I think. Don't hit me if it's wrong). She was feeling rather unwell and could not quite get a grip on what had happened.

"Oi woman. You alright?"

She knew that voice and opened her eyes immediately. Bad idea.

"No. I'm feeling sick."

The shirtless guy grinned. "Well, never heard that line from a woman in my arms before."

He put Nojiko down but steadied her as she was still no good on her feet. She did not know how but she heard herself say: "You didn't pay your bill, stupid pirate."

"That's not a very nice way to say thank you to your savior." He pouted while Nojiko finally looked around the small street.

All the pirates including the huge one lay face down in the mud. 'Wow. He took them all out in such a short time?'

"So, do I get a 'thank you' or what?" She looked at him. He was still pouting like a little child.

She laughed a little strained laugh. "Well I guess that makes up for the beer." Remembering something Nojiko turned in his arm and searched the alley with her eyes.

"What'cha looking for?", shirtless guy asked.

"My backpack. My keys are in that thing and I…"

"This thing?"

She turned around seeing him holding her mud covered backpack with two fingers of his free hand and a disgusted look on his face.

"Yes!"

She took a step to grab it from him, overjoyed. Again: Bad idea. Before she knew it she stumbled and fell just to be caught by his other arm this time.

"Oi, don't run in a condition like yours." He helped her to get on her feet again, but his arm stayed around her shoulders to prevent her from falling again.

"Thanks." She took her backpack and tried to clean it a little bit.

"Told ya, y'would get in trouble."

"Whatever.", she said kind of pissed and slapped his hand from her shoulder only to be proven again that she could not even stand without his help. She was stubborn that way.

He caught her again and swept her off of her feet into a princess-is-carried-by-prince position. "Your name was Nojiko, right? So, where do you live?"

Seeing that she had no other choice she reluctantly told him where to go and he carried her home through the rain.


So? Tell me what you think? Just leave a review below to make me smile or grow :)

Cherry