Ume cuddled close to Ace, as he soon pulled the covers over himself. He noticed Ume was still wide awake, and Ace himself was curious about the strange necklace that those three mischief makers were planning on stealing. He turned on his side to face her, and began stroking her hair softly. He decided to break the silence. "So, what is so special about that stone that those guys wanted?"
Ume yawned softly and blinked. "It gives anyone the power to be invincible. Even people with devil fruit powers."
"So it must be very rare."
"It is. But the thing is, I'm ready to be rid of it. I found it while walking in the woods one day, and thought It was just an ordinary stone, but I was wrong. When I went to go check out it's value, the person at the jewelry shop freaked out, and wanted to take it from me for just 50 measly berries. When I asked of it's true value, and claimed that it was worth over 50 thousand berries. I was disgusted that they tried to cheat me out of it, So I took it back and decided to sell it in my shop. But, when I've tried to sell it in the past, I've had many people try to haggle with me, but no one ever wanted to pay the price. Even at 12,000 berries, No one wants to pay that price." She sighed softly and closed her eyes.
"Don't sound so down, someone will buy it one day." He kissed her forehead and listened to her soft breathing. She seemed to have fallen asleep on him. "Sweet dreams, baby." He kissed her forehead once more, and fell asleep.
The next morning, Ace woke up, and noticed that Ume was not laying next to him. He jumped up out of bed, rushed downstairs, and noticed that Ume was laying on the couch in the living room. He walked over and kneeled down next to her. "Hey, Ume? Taking a nap already? It's only 10:00 AM."
"No no, not napping, just resting my head. It hurts a little bit."
"Then why don't you nap. I'm going into town for just a walk. I'll be back later." He stood up and walked towards the door. Ume opened her eyes, and spoke up "Just be careful, please."
Ace began walking around, looking at little shopping booths, when he noticed a group of people huddled around one man with Red hair. Ace made his way closer, and felt his heart skip a beat when he saw who the men were. His mouth formed a smile, as he pushed his way through the crowd, and spoke up. "HEY! What are you doing here, Shanks?" It was indeed, Shanks.
Shanks looked up, and smiled, while lunging towards Ace to give him a hug. "It's been a very long time, I haven't seen you since you were knee-high." He held onto Ace's shoulders, and looked him up and down. "By the way, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I'm living with Ume. We're a couple now." He smirked and watched Shanks as he began to laugh.
"I had a feeling you two would end up together."
"So, I guess I should ask you the same question. Why are you here? And where are your men?"
"My men are still on the ship. I came to see Ume, I have bad news to give her." His smile faded, as he rubbed the back of his head. Ace's heart sank, and he turned pale "What is it."
"I shouldn't say anything right now. Come on, lead me to Ume's house."
Ace did as Shanks requested. The two didn't talk much, and the mood felt quite dreary. Ace's heart raced, feeling like something terrible had happened. He didn't want whatever it was to affect Ume, since she didn't feel well, but he knew that there was no other way around it. They finally made it to the front door, when Ace opened it, and gestured Shanks in. "She's in the living room, let me go wake her up. In the meantime, take a seat in the kitchen. " He hesitantly made his way into the living room, keeping his eye on Ume, who was fast asleep. He kneeled down next to her and ran his fingers through her hair. "Hey, baby girl.. wake up." As soon as he touched her head, Ume twitched awake. She opened her eyes slowly, and stretched up to the ceiling.
"Hi Ace. Did you have fun on your walk?"
"I did. Listen, I need you to get up and come to the kitchen." He helped her sit up, and watched her stretch a second time. She finally stood up and began walking towards the kitchen. "What is it, Ace?" She then saw a man sitting at the kitchen table, looking at her. He stood up. Her palms got sweaty, as her heart began to race. "Is it.. it is! Shanks!" She ran towards him, throwing her arms around him, letting out a soft laugh.
"Wow, you're all grown up, Ume! I haven't seen you since you were knee-high."
Ace let out a chuckle as he watched the two. "You said the same thing to me.."
"Shanks, I missed you! You were my childhood hero!" She smiled brightly, and squeezed onto him tightly. She felt his one arm push her away softly "I'm glad to hear it. Listen Ume, there's something important I need to tell you. You need to sit down for this." His smile faded.
"Shanks? What's wrong?" She sat down in a seat, while looking up at Shanks. Ace sat down next to her, and took her hand into his. They noticed that Shank's eyes began forming tears. He wiped them away and took a deep breath.
"Ume, there's no easy way to tell you this. And I really don't want to, but it's my duty."
"Tell me what, Shanks? Out with it!"
"Ume, your parents are dead."