Chapter 4: To be a Lady

"She's asleep?!" I heard Luffy ignorantly yelled.

"Shuddup!" Ace hissed.

"But what about dinner?" He whined.

"Luffy would you zip it!" Sabo growled back to him.

"Hey, Farra wake up, we're hungry!" He started to shake me. Ace arms hooked around me as he pulled me closer, knocking Luffy on the head in the process.

"Idiot, she's asleep, leave her be!" Ace shouted defeating the purpose.

"Ace, it's all right, I'm up," I grumbled rubbing my eyes. Ace's clutch tightened.

"Sorry," He gasped.

"It's alright," I smiled at him before getting up.

"Farra, what are we going to eat?! I'm really hungry! Where's the food?" Luffy tugged at my dress, relentlessly attacking me with question after question. I walked into the dining area. (at least that's what I call it, Ace, Luffy, and Sabo ate wherever they wanted) Luffy was hot on my heels, the other two somewhere else. I could hear Sabo teasing Ace. Ace probably was bright red, his freckles hidden by a mask of pink and soft skin. I stopped suddenly forgetting what I was doing. Thinking about Ace really messed with me. In fact,…

"Where am I?" I gasped clutching my head.

"Farra?" Luffy grabbed a handful of my dress. I looked down at him in surprise. He looked at my with curious, almost terrified face. 'Had I scared him?'

"Hmm? Oh sorry, Luffy, I was….thinking about something else," I laughed holding my cheek. I walked over to my forgotten stew, was it stew? Or soup? I can't remember, Ace had….

My heart fluttered and I felt my checks burned.

'Mental note: don't think about Ace when doing something.'

"Um, Hey, Luffy?" He looked at me.

"What was I doing?" I asked. I turned to find him looking truly furious.

"MY FOOD!" He growled shoving a finger towards the pot.

"Oh, yeah, right!" I scurried over to the basket that we kept the bowls in. I stole a glance at the wall. On it hung the glasses that Ace, Sabo, and Luffy made the oath with. Above it was the clock.

"Holy crap! Luffy is that time right?!" I gasped turning to him.

"Food ;¬;" He groaned holding his stomach.

"What's wrong?" Ace suddenly asked walking into the room with Sabo behind him.

"I got to go!" I gasped filling three bowls with dinner and handing it to them. After which I proceeding to the door and throwing my jacket on. Suddenly my arm was snagged back. I turned to find Ace.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Ace, I'll be right back, I promise!" I said backing away.

"Where are you going?" Sabo repeated standing in front of the door.

"Relax, I have to go see Dadan," I pushed through them apologetically. I shoved the door open and hurried out into the cold night air.

"Farra!" Ace called, "I'm coming too."

"Ace, really it's okay, I'll be right back," but it was no use. Ace had ignored me and called back to Sabo and Luffy, "We'll be back soon!"

He turned back and walked with me. I sighed shaking my head.

"Ace I could've done without you," I huffed.

"Nah, you need me to protect you," He laughed shoving his thumb to his chest. Inside I was ecstatic but I could never let him know that. I pushed him playfully.

"I'm not as defenseless as you think, you big oaf."

We walked in awkward silence for a while. When I stole a glance at him he had his hands shoved into his pockets and he was staring ahead. I was exceptionally happy that he came with me though. Not just because he made my heart race, but he knew the way better than I did. It would have taken me a while to find Dadan's place without him.

"So what do you need to see Dadan for?" He asked holding a branch back for me to walk around.

"I usually go see her around this time so we could have tea, but today I'm running a l-little late," I shuddered as a breeze picked up and swept over us. Ace walked over to me and tugged my jacket on tighter around me.

"All of this for tea, *sigh* let's hurry or you'll freeze to death," He dragged me along gently.

"O-ok," I smiled.

He threw an arm around me allowing his body warmth to meet my cold skin. I nearly melted into his arms. It was nice to be embraced by someone. I was so occupied with his touch I hadn't realized we had arrived at our destination.

"Boss it's Farra and….ACE?!" I heard from inside.

"Why do they seem so surprised to see you?" I asked turning to Ace. He merely snorted as we walked through the door way.

"ACE?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Daden asked aggressively. I turned to Ace who just sneered at her and looked away.

"Old hag," he snorted

"How dare you,you little snot!" She screamed charging for him. I lept in front of him as the other bandits held her back.

"Farra," he breathed, "Step away."

"Ace, wait!" I snagged his wrist and held on for dear life. "Don't!" He ignored me and started forward more.

"Ace, if you do anything I swear I won't talk to you ever again!" That got his attention. He stopped himself and looked down at me. He wasn't sneering or even angry looking, instead he was frowning. He stepped back allowing me to stand in front of him without any more fuss.

"Whoa did you see that?" One bandit whispered.

"She totally controlled him?" Another gacked.

Ace blushed and snapped his head away from everyone. I could swear I saw a blush on his cheeks. I turned to Dadan and bowed apologetically.

"Sorry about all of this, Dadan." I smiled.

"Farra," She said regaining her composure, "Your late."

"I apologize, I had to do somethings." I bowed again.

"Come on it's time for tea." I began to follow her until I noticed that Ace wasn't following me. I went back for him and forced him to come along. We entered another room with a small table in the center. I felt a small tug on my wrist. It was Ace.

"Why do you do this?" He whispered into my ear.

"Do what?" I asked.

"Come to Dadan's every night?" He hissed hushly.

"Oh, so I can learn to be a lady," I smiled at him.

"?" He didn't seem to understand.

"I'm going to grow up someday, and when that day comes I want to know how to be polite." I smiled. He looked at me like I was stupid but then he blushed.

"What is it?" I asked.

"D-don't smile like that." He breathed.

"What?" I asked laughing.

"Farra!" Dadan called.

"Coming!" I called back.

Ace sat behind me as I went through the lesson, never removing his eyes from my back as I poured tea. It was kind of funny having Ace here this time. He would growl every time Dadan would scold me. I would laugh discreetly. Finally the lesson was over and I got up to leave.

"Farra, you know you could stay here," One of the bandits said until Ace growled at him. That idea was shot down instantly.

"Come on, Farra" Ace growled dragging me along. I smiled and nodded my head, "Ok!"

"Never make me go through that again," He sighed when we were a distance from the bandits.

"Next time don't come with me then." I shoved him, in vain of course, because I fell back on my butt. Ace busted out laughing, clutching his gut, mouth agape. I growled playfully and lunged forward tackling him to the ground. I shoved him into the dirt laughing when he gasped in surprise.

"Oh yeah!" He sneered flipping me over on the dirt. He laughed as I tried my hardest to push him off. He has this inhuman strength that is unexplainable. Suddenly, I felt a painful weight on my chest. Ace's arm was forcefully pressed to against my stomach and I couldn't feel my body.

"ACE," I gasped trying to free myself. He misinterpreted it as a game. "STOP, YOU'RE HURTING ME!"

He looked at me with something strange and hypnotic in his eyes than he jumped away realizing what he was doing. He yanked me up causing me to land on his chest.

"Farra! Are you ok?" He gasped.

"Y-yeah," I chocked holding on tightly to his shirt. My world was burning all around me as the air burned through my soar esophagus. We remained silent, in an awkward tangle of limbs. I could feel the mud on of my dirty back. This situation, what exactly happened, I wasn't entirely sure. Ace didn't seem to know either as I looked into his eyes. His breath fanned over my face as he looked up at me, a suddenly blushed rising on his cheeks. He was rather charming once one got past his rotten attitude. I giggled and rubbed my nose against his, which made him to blush more.

"Heh heh, I'm ok, really, Let's get back home," I slide off of him and stood in front of him.

"Farra, you're a weird girl," He smiled from his spot on the ground. He leisurely slung his arm behind his head smiling wider.

"Well, gee thanks a lot." I teased leaning back down over him. He looked at me and smiled again before dragging me back down with him. He suddenly forced his lips onto mine and brushed his arm around my waist. I squeaked in surprise as his arm sneaked over my head and he pressed his lips harder against mine. I giggled in pleasure. He pulled away as red as a tomatoe, his smile becoming softer. I smiled back sheepishly while still on top of him.

"C-can we go home now?" I asked playing with my hair. He laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, let's get going." He sighed.