Here's Chapter 9.
More traveling.
The previous chapter was really deep though.
I needed to calm it down.
So, enjoy!
All rights of One Piece and Ace go to my man, Oda, for being an amazingly creative person.
Chapter 9: Alabasta Bound
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
Buddha truly hit the nail on the head on that one.
After literally spilling my guts to Ace about the years of anger I'd been harboring in my heart, I felt free. It was like some bonds, or metaphorical chains renounced their hold over me and let me go. I could actually breathe easy, even if that sounds weird.
I've come to this conclusion:
Ace.
I needed Ace.
I needed someone stable in my life with a comforting smile and a non-judging eye. I needed someone who could love me just for me, and be by my side just when I needed them.
And I got him.
Ace held me in his arms for only minutes, but to us, it felt like time had stopped. The snow had slowed down, the wind died off, and the fire blazed at the perfect temperature.
He eventually let me go.
"How does one so little hold onto so much since they were three?"
His voice sounded distant and scratchy, as though he'd forgotten how to talk.
"It was hard, Ace. The Commodore wasn't a true father figure. He mimicked the real thing. And Red loved me. But there was always that hidden aura inside him that I was actually a killer, and a good one at that."
"Children were always too old or too young to talk to, and honestly, no one really wants to hear a story like mine. I grew up to be really reclusive, and became good at holding in how I really feel. I wasn't good with close contact because I forgot how to trust people."
"I found solace in music, in writings, like poetry and novels, as well as in history. Whenever I was down, or fed up with my father, or school, I'd sit and read, or play music. I was kind of at my limit, yet again, when you stumbled across me in the shop."
At this, Ace smiles.
"Well then, Miss Rosie, I'm glad I 'stumbled' across you and your village when I did. That was one heck of a story. I'm sorry for having to make you delve back into such a dark childhood."
"Eh. If our . . . partnership as nakama is going to work, we need to have a balanced ground. I guess it's only fair. There's no need to apologize. I feel much better now."
"Good, I'm glad."
We smile at each other. It's one of the truest smiles I've ever had in my life.
"Rosie?"
Ace gives me a quizzical look.
"Hm?"
"What musical instrument do ya play?"
"Oh, well, that's easy. I play the violin, the piano, the guitar and I sing. Learning instruments got pretty easy with all those years of having nothing better to do than learn. My father thought I was being productive, for once in my life."
"I guess so. You'll play for me once won't ya?"
Laughing, I say in eagerness, "Of course!"
Thinking of a song to hum to, Paramore's "Looking Up" seems to be the perfect outro for this situation:
Things are looking up
Oh, finally
I thought I'd never see the day
When you'd smile at me
We always pull through
Oh, when we try
I'm always wrong
But you're never right
Oh, you're never right
Honestly, can you believe
We crossed the world while it's asleep?
I'd never trade it in
'Cause I've always wanted this and
It's not a dream anymore, no
It's not a dream anymore
It's worth fighting for
We end up spending one more night at the Inn.
And this time, I welcome Ace's warmth.
That bed is freezing.
And no, that does not mean I enjoy sharing the bed with Ace.
I'm just enjoying the additional warmth he provides, seeing as I'm a block of ice.
So, of course, I'm happy.
Together we make up: The Furnace and the Ice Block.
Alabasta's our next stop.
Alabasta is an established kingdom with a long history since it's a very old country. It is located on Sandy Island; roughly half-way through the first part of the Grand Line. With a population of over ten million people, this desert kingdom definitely has a lot in it.
I can't wait to explore somewhere new, and of course, warm.
"You know, Rosie, I have extreme narcolepsy."
"You . . . What?! And you're just telling me that now?!"
"Yeah, but get this. It hasn't happened since I've started traveling with you. It's the weirdest thing in the world."
"The hell? You make it sound like I'm a drug keeping the narcolepsy away."
"Well, maybe that's just it! Now I'm definitely never letting you leave my sight."
"Hey, Ace. Get this."
"Yeah?"
"Shut. The. Fuck. Up."
After traveling to Alabasta, I realized Ace and I had a problem. Neither of us was properly dressed.
Well, that was until Ace took out his little green backpack and had clothing for himself.
He comes back to me sporting nice black boots, black knee-length shorts with an eyelet-studded orange belt, a blue pouch belted around his left leg. He also wore a short second belt with a red 'A' on the silver buckle over his right hip, but left it unfastened and threaded the free end along the back of his shorts. A dagger in a green sheath hung at his left hip. On his left arm, he wore a Log Pose and a red and white striped bracelet around his wrist, an orange elbow guard, and his "ASCE" tattoo. He also wore a red beaded necklace and his signature orange hat.
For once in my life, I honestly think he's got something going with walking around without a shirt.
It's so hot; all this black clothing is making me dizzy.
I lied when I said I wanted it hot.
Why can't I get one location with just the perfect balance of hot and cold?
IS. THAT. SO. MUCH. TO. ASK. FOR.
"Ace. Ace I need lighter clothing."
"I know. We'll find a shop. I don't need you dying over there."
"Gee, thanks."
The one shop Ace and I found did happen to sell clothing.
There were very few options to pick from. However, these dance clothes they had were all very light and comfortable for the heat. Naturally, that's what I decided on wearing.
I put on the skirt, which is red, and falls down to my ankles, with red sandals with backs and a jewel on the larger toe section. I also put on the red top, which features small sparkling jewels and a white over coat garment without sleeves, which also reaches my ankles.
Spinning in a circle for Ace to see, I show off my new clothes.
"What do you think?"
Ace splutters a bit, with a slight blush coming forth on his cheeks, Lord knows why.
"It's f-fine, Rosie."
"Don't die over there, Ace. It's just an outfit for this heat. Chill out."
Ace is too far gone in his tiny world for him to notice I'm still trying to hold a conversation.
Paying the manager with some beli I had, we leave.
Well, we left, but one more so than the other.
I assume he'll be okay.
I think.
"Hungry?"
"'Course. What'd you like to eat?"
"Anything at this point. I've been contemplating eating you for the past ten minutes, Rosie."
"Naturally, your first option would be to resort to cannibalism, Ace. And naturally I'd be your first victim."
"Most definitely."
We laugh all the way to the restaurant, I think the only restaurant in this town, Nanohana, and enter the doors.
Who could've known what was to come?
A/N: You like the story so far?
With the amount of views it's gotten, I'm assuming you guys do.
If you'd like me to do something specifically with the story line, Ace, or Rosie, I'm all ears.
Review away.