EEEYAAAAAAA! It's time for chapter 3! Thank you for reading thus far, and just remember, new chapters will be coming out everyday!

Special note: Lyrics to the song Girl by The Beatles is at the end of the chapter. Enjoy 3

"Wh-What? Are you sure it was him?" Ume glanced over to Ace, to notice that his complexion was starting to fade.

"Yes. That was him. It said his name." He formed a bright smile and looked back at Ume. "Don't you get it? He's finally become a famous pirate like he's always talked about!"

"So.. you're happy? Not worried?" Ume's tone turned from worried to confused in two seconds.

"A pirate can't worry, Ume. It's just not in our style. And yeah I am happy! He's my little brother and to know that he's following his dream, is amazing! I remember the first time I saw my wanted poster. It was like a blow to the chest, but in a good way. I knew that I had finally met my goal!" they had finally reached the top of the hill, and were standing in front of the door when Ace turned to face Ume.

"You wanna see how I sail the seas?" Ace had a big grin on his face.

"Are you sure you really wanna show me here? I mean there are all kinds of sea monsters out there-"

"Ume, do you REALLY think that sea monsters can defeat me? I'll be okay. I've been doing it for quite some time. Now, where can I show you?"

Ume sighed and bit her lower lip "South of here there is a small secluded beach with a cliff. Except, there are a lot of rocks around there."

"Rocks won't stop me. I need to go to the beach at the beginning of the village however, my vessel's tied up there. How about this, I'll show you tomorrow afternoon. It definitely looks like it could storm."

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea to me. I'm going to hold out on boarding up the windows, it doesn't seem like hurricane weather." She opened the door and nudged Ace inside. "Come on, before it rains on us."

"No need to get pushy." Ace let out a chuckle and stared into Ume's eyes. "It's alright, you're not alone anymore. If it storms, I'll spend time with you so it won't frighten you."

"I appreciate it. I'm sorry that I'm still a child." She slipped off her shoes and lit an oil lamp on the table next to the door. Ace followed her example and slipped off his boots.

"Nah, you're not a child. Everyone has something they are afraid of." He sat down at the kitchen table and sat the bags of clothes down on the floor. There was thunder rumbling in the distance.

"True. Speaking of, wanna see my safe room?"

"Safe room?" He watched her walk to a white door that was in the hallway connecting the kitchen to the rest of the house. She opened it, and beckoned Ace to follow her downstairs. He stood up and followed her down 10 steps. When they reached the bottom step, Ume flipped on the lights, revealing a whole basement, complete with kitchen, king-sized bed and wood-burning stove.

"Ume this is incredible! It's like another home down here. But, why is it your safe room?" He continued to look around, still becoming aware of the thunder approaching outside.

"Well, for one, storms cannot be heard as well as upstairs. Second, there are no windows down here. If the winds were to get too severe, there's no danger in me becoming injured by broken glass and debris. Before you came around, I would hide down here during storms. I was miserable, but I still felt safe." She turned around and faced him "But, now that you are here, It won't be necessary unless a really dangerous storm comes around."

The sound of thunder was upon them, along with howling wind and heavy rain. Ume flinched at each thunder crash, clenching her eyes shut. She felt a pair of strong arms around her, and then a kind voice to soothe her worries. "Ume, It's okay It's just a storm."

"Thanks Ace, but I'm okay. Let's go back upstairs and eat some dinner." She took ahold of his right hand, and gently tugged him towards the stairs. He had no choice but to follow her.

"So, what's for dinner?"

"I was thinking something quick, like soup." She reached into the fridge and took out a few vegetables and a slab of meat.

"That actually sounds perfect! I bet it will be wonderful."

"It will be done in no time. Why don't you relax in a hot bath? I'll call you when it's ready." She turned to him and flashed him a smile.

He picked up the bags filled with clothes that Ume had purchased for him. His heart fluttered. 'She has such a kind heart. I hope she knows how much she means to me.' He returned the smile, and started to walk up the stairs to his room and then the bathroom. He sat the bags down on his bed, and pulled out a comfortable shirt and pair of pants to sleep in. As he walked into the bathroom, and began undressing himself to shower, He glanced a look in the mirror, and then turned his head to turn the water on. "But there's no way she would want to be with a pirate."

Twenty minutes of sitting in hot bath water, Ace stood up and stepped out of the tub. He began to dry himself off, when he heard Ume call him down for dinner.

'I hope he likes this soup' She said to herself as she carried the stock pot to the table. She then turned around to the cabinet and pulled out two bowls, and set them on the table. When she turned around, she saw Ace walking towards her. "Smells good, that bath helped me relax a lot too." He sat down at the table and looked towards Ume.

"Thanks Ace, I hope you enjoy it. I hope you don't mind, but I need to take a quick shower. I'm not exactly that hungry at the moment."

"It's not a problem Ume. But, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm alright, just tired. I'll be back down in a bit." She turned towards the stairs, and made her way up to the bathroom. 'How can I let him know that when a storm hits, I get so frightened that I can't even eat.." She bowed her head and sat down into the bathtub.

Ace began to eat the meal that Ume prepared for him, when he looked out the window. He noticed that the wind was picking up, and that the storm seemed to be getting a bit worse. He leaned back in his chair, and began to sing softly to himself.

"Is there anybody going to listen to my story
All about the girl who came to stay?
She's the kind of girl you want so much
It makes you sorry
Still, you don't regret a single day
Ah girl….
Girl"