Chapter 13: Tough guy act

Ace isolated himself so Luffy wouldn't see him cry. He had just read the letter left for him from Sabo. There was an aching pain in his heart, but he refused to talk to anyone about it. First Farra left, and then Sabo was killed. Screw it, there was no way he was going to go cry to someone about this crap. Ace stared out at the sea as his tears dried. He wasn't going back looking like he just cried a storm. He'd wait it out to make sure that there was no evidence of his tears. The note caught his attention once more as it swayed in his hands.

'Sabo,' He thought, 'why did you go out into the see alone like that.'

"He'll be missed." A voice suddenly said from behind. Ace jumped to his feet and flipped around to see a tall somewhat busty woman with silver hair. She wore a long over coat covered in dried mud and dirt.

"Who the hell are you?!" Ace growled.

"It's not polite to cuss in front of a Lady," She smiled softly, "I hope you treated Farra with far more respect than you treated me."

"Wh-what did you say?" Farra's name automatically sent shivers down the boys' spine.

"My name's Nora, I came to give my deepest condolences for the loss of your brother." She spoke slowly, as not to upset him.

"How do you know about Farra!?" he growled.

"Irrelevant," She said, "I've come to deliver this, and then I will be on my way."

She handed him a small package. He took it furiously and ripped it open. To his surprise there was a small crystal connected to thin wire, it looked sort of like the one Farra had.

"She refuses to wear it."

"What?" Ace asked.

"That is originally, Farra's necklace, but when she found out that it was connected to her new home she tried to destroy it. If you would please hold on to it for her? She does not realize how important it really is, and think of it this way…!" Nora raised her pointer finger up to the sky, "It's a promise…to one day see each other again."

Ace said nothing.

"I understand your feelings, Ace. I had a friend who moved away once." Nora smiled.

"Did you love that friend the way I love Farra?" He hissed.

"Hmm, no I suppose not," Nora smiled gently, "but hearing that you love her will surely be the drive she needs to go on. I'll leave you now."

"Why didn't Farra come herself?!" Ace suddenly asked.

"Because she wasn't strong enough," Nora turned her back to him, "she wasn't strong enough to face her brother's death, she wasn't strong enough to swallow her sorrows and move on."

"Wasn't?" Ace asked.

"Why would you want her to come, Ace? The one who loves her, wants to bring her back to the place where her kin died, for what reason, to rub the emotions in her face?" Nora still refused to look at him.

"THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL!" Ace screamed.

"No? So what, did you expect her to be okay to walk where he once walked, where they once walked side by side?" She asked.

"I don't want her-"

"Think about it Ace! It's best she stays with us for now!" Nora growled. "I'm sorry, but I really must go!"

"Wait!" Ace called after her, "c-can you tell Farra I-I well, you know…"He started to blush.

"You want me to tell her you miss her? How cute!" Nora spun around on her heel and clapped her hands together.

"Shut up" Ace growled.

"Promise me you'll keep that crystal, Ace." Nora said waving goodbye.

"I promise," he whispered lowly clutching the jewel to his chest.

Back in Atlantis….

"Lady Nora, Welcome Back!" The servants cheered as the woman walked into the palace doors.

"Thank you," She smiled handing one of the servants her over coat.

"Oh! Lady Nora you're back, I'm so glad!" Sparrow called from around the corner. "How was it?"

"The journey was quick, thanks to the dimensional gates. Where is Farra?" Nora smiled.

"With Nia and Âmy. They were trying to calm her down." Sparrow pouted.

"I see, well, maybe I should leave her be then." She half smiled half frowned walking down the hall to Milo's study.

"I guess." Sparrow said watching her leave. "lalalalala!"