:note:

T'is me again with another chapter. G-Guys...Thanks for the amazing feedback from the last chapter! (/;4;)/~ Cheers. xD.

My mind lately has just given up on thinking, ._. which comes in as a pain when you're trying to write *hits brain with chainsaw*. So that is why there has been a delay on this chapter!

Freaking mind. PFF. Always getting in the way.

This was supposed to be a long chapter...But its not. It's rather short actually.

ANYWAYS! This is a slight-AU FF, So things will change in the Lougetown Arc-thing.

I don't think anymore needs to be said on that manner xD.

ONTO THE CHAPTER! :D

Disclaimer: ._. Hi Oda.

(P.S HOLAY SHIET. ITS SO FREAKING COLD HERE. *turn's into ice cube* Seriously though...I think we have hit the Apocalypse people (Owo)/. One minute, we're flooded, the next we have a freaking heat wave and now it's like we're living in the Antarctic. . Freaking weather is piss-drunk again.)

Chapter 4

Ace stared hesitantly at the dock, repeatedly questioning in his mind whether it was a wise choice to step upon the island once more. He clearly remembers the last time he was here, being overwhelmed by the shock that this is where that man was born; let alone executed.

His brother certainly didn't seem hesitant however, for Ace was interrupted from his thoughts by a nearby laughing teen, laughing the memorable laugh like he has throughout his life. The said teen took his place next to the freckled man, a grin placed on his face. "S-shishi! Ace! Doesn't this island look amazing?" Grunting in response, Ace slowly turned his gaze over to his brother, his eyes narrowing.

"You haven't been here before?" He asked cautiously, inwardly sighing as he saw his brother send him his normal oblivious face; blinking a few times before once again sending the fire-user a grin.

"Nope!" Laughing once more, Luffy jumped over the side of the boat, landing perfectly on the dock-side before turning back to face Ace from below, his smile faltering. "Aren't you coming?"

Sighing once more, Ace got up from where he was perched on the rail, any signs of content fading completely as he glared at the ground in front of him, feeling the faint flames flickering on his shoulders.

"You know if you keep pulling that face people are going to think that your mentally shitting all the time."

"...Huh?" Turning around to face the bearer of the voice, Zoro stood there behind the freckled man; his arms crossed, looking as pissed as Ace previously did.

Before he had time to respond, another voice hit the air, belonging to the more eccentric navigator. "You're the last person I want to hear that from."

Twitching, the swords-man turned to face the mikan-haired girl, a scowl spreading across his already irritated face. "Was I talking to you?"

Turning away from the bickering duo, Ace grimaced; slowly making his way to the edges of the boat, lightly jumping off the side to his now joyful brother. Mirroring his brother's smile; Ace tried his best to forget all his worries from before as he walked aside the excited captain, nearly-laughing at the boy's fascination in the small city.

They had found themselves wandering into a nearby market;the aroma's of the sights and smells quickly bringing the brother's; curiosity getting the better of them.

Swinging his head round get a better view of the stalls;Ace's eyes started to soften, tired from the pained look they had been stained with for what seemed an eternity.

"Is there any place you want to go in particular, Lu?" Ace asked, smirking as he saw the younger leaning over an elderly lady's stall; eyes practically sparkling at the foreign objects.

Flinging his head over his shoulder's to see Ace's, Luffy blinked several times, before eyes lit up with remembrance. Pacing away from the lady's stall, he took a place next to Ace's; grinning with adventure written all over his face. "Yup!" Popping the 'p' on the answer, he started to laugh once more, before realization peeked in his eyes, staring at his brother with a blank face. "You probably wouldn't want to come though."

Hearing Luffy's words, Ace's stomach turned slightly, already guessing where it was that his brother wanted to go. Nodding at the choice of words;he put up his hand slightly, sending his brother a smile before he took a step in the opposite direction. "For once Lu, I'll take your word for it."

Staring at the freckled man's decision, Luffy grinned, throwing up his hand to match Ace's as he started to run ahead. "Mm! See you later!"

Watching as Luffy disappeared into the crowd, Ace let out a huge sigh;throwing his hand up to his forehead as he paced over to small shadowed street; leaning aside a wall. Bringing the palm of his hand over his eyes, he stood there in silence; replaying the last few hours continuously in his mind, biting down on his lip as he remembered his dying words.

How could he do that to Luffy?-Dying on him like that.

Was he maybe still out there?

No...That couldn't be right.

He was just with him.

-Right?

Bringing the palm swiftly off his eyes;his pupils scanned the area he was in, thinking where it is he should wander off to now. Deciding that he had no business anywhere else, he took it up to return to the ship.

Halting, Ace suddenly whipped his head around; slight fear written on his face.

The aura that hit the air just then...

...it was powerful.

Far too menacing for such a small city out in the East Blue. Wandering his eyes around the darkness, he clenched his fists, scowling at the emptiness which surrounded the small street. Glancing once more over his shoulder, he walked out onto the bustling walk-way; trying his best to ignore his instincts which were screaming to investigate the person it was radiating off.

Finally arriving at the dock, a slight smile crawled upon his face at the sight of his brother's ship;staring at the figure-head of the ship. The ship had a peaceful aroma -unlike the one a few moments ago-, much like the ship itself was wishing to invite it's Nakama home.

Like it was home.

His smile soon turned into a smirk, shaking the thoughts out of his head as he continued to head towards the caravel;before a edging tone hit the air around him.

"What is someone like you doing out here, Whitebeard Pirate?"

Whipping his head around to face to source of the sound, Ace instantly lept back, staring harshly into the smoke-filled eyes which penetrated at him with disgust. "Smoker..." Spitting out the words, his mind traveled back to the previous fight he had held with him, knowing well it resulted in zero-results.

Crossing his arms over his chest as he swiftly blew out another puff of smoke, the Marine clenched his fists; his eyes narrowing. "You never answered my question, pirate. I'll ask one more time..." Letting his hands fall to the sides of his body, Smoker flew forward, crashing the ground surrounding Ace as the pirate dodged the attack, the Marine gritting his teeth together. "What are the likes of you doing in a place like this?"

Landing easily on the ground behind him, Ace smirked;chuckling out words tinted with amusement. "Believe me, I would like to know that aswell."

AH. I know..Before you kill me. I know that was a short update.

So, I'm going to quickly move on to the replies to the reviews, and sleep for another week.

REEEPPPLLIIEEESSSS:

FairyoftheLake: I have updated again xD! I'm glad you enjoyed that chapter and I hope this one wasn't too short for you! :'3 There will be more next week, I promise you ;D.

yukiko hyuga-chan: I'm glad you love it! Here is a lil' more of it ;D. xD I hope you enjoyed it!

Animezpeeps: He hasn't seen much of it yet, so luckily he hasn't burned anyone to death yet ^w^. That's always a bonus xD. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

TheRealEvanSG: xDD. Yeaaaahh. *smiles awkwardly* I feel so bad for putting Ace through all this confusing stuff. And the mysterious things will have to stay mysterious! *falls into vortex of mystery* And Smoker was in this chapter! ;D. I hope you enjoyed it!

Natsu d uzumaki: Yup! You'll just have ta' find out ;D. I hope you enjoyed this chapter though!

scatteredPhilosopher: The fight is coming probably sooner than a lot of people expected, seeing as Smoker has turned up at the end of this chapter. And yeah owo. Now that you mention it, it seems stupid he didn't use it back then xD. And *drumroll*...You'll just have to find out ;D. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

RobinLynnSpade x3: Ahh. Ace and his brother complex xDD. I love it so much. Right now, he probably seems calm and collected, but that's because of the war...;D xD. I honestly feel so mean for doing all this shit stuff to him, yet I still do it xD. ;W;. And Luffy and his simple-ness. I love that s'well xD. There's a little about Lougetown in this chapter, and Smoker has already met Ace! .3. I hope you enjoyed it!

rion-rion: I'm glad you liked it! Well...*laughs awkwardly* A lil' of the action with Ace and Smoker (not in a dirty way xD) has already started! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

*collapses*

Thanks to all the people that reviewed, I honestly love hearing from you guys! Hopefully there will be another chapter out next week, though I promise nothing.

That's all folks ;3

-aslMeno