A/N: *holds up hands* Yes. I am indeed guilty of late updates. But I have a valid excuse! D: I have been very, very sick. My tournament has started, but after all that practicing, blood, sweat and tears, I can't even play. T_T Sigh. Sad. Stupid sickness. So yeah, I wrote this chapter whilst being sick, so I apologize in advance for any grammar mistakes or any such errors. But I must say, I enjoyed writing this chapter very much, and I daresay you'll like it as well! ;D Oh yes. I should probably say that I don't own One Piece, but I do own my OCs; Derannah, Ruby, Zomi, Kimsha, Night... and the rest of my OCs are one hundred percent mine.

So, of course, as usual, big big big thanks to my reviewers! :* You guys are my fuel! ToxicBoost, SilentScreaming1944, aqua-empress, MsWildLuck, frostmoon13,and the two Guests who reviewed as well~ :3

Teehee! I've included a treat for you guys in here! Do enjoy! ;D

Later, I found myself sitting down at a wooden dais near the edge of the woods with my head in my hands. Zomi's conversation from two hours ago kept resounding in my head. "Night Tsukimaru, the boy with one of the most destructive powers in the world, has been kidnapped."

I had prompted to ask Zomi, then, "Kidnapped? Why are you so sure he was kidnapped?" He could have just run away.

She had shrugged, the slim arch of her eyebrows furrowing together slightly in thought, "Night isn't the type of boy to run away. Even if he did run, where would he go? How would he have gone? Night counts on Kimsha as his source on navigation."

"But who would kidnap him?" I had asked. Upon my observation, the country had been a very strongly-knit, crime-free community.

Zomi had sighed, "Who knows? All I'm sure of is that Night Tsukimaru did not disappear on his own will." After saying this, she had mumbled something about 'food can't get on the table by itself' and said that she had 'to go to work and will be back in two hours' before shooting off down the palm avenue.

Who knows? Her voice still echoed in my head. Who would kidnap him?By this time, the sun was beginning to set. The orange streaks of the falling sun filtered in through the leaves of the palm trees, basking the sand in a golden yellow light.

I subconsciously scratched my cheek, thinking about Kimsha. Sure, she was a bit eccentric – freaky, even – but I can't deny that she is unbelievably sweet.

I have to help her.

Lost in thought, I wondered for a long time about what I would be doing if I was in her shoes. If someone precious to me had been… kidnapped like that, what would I do? Would I appreciate anybody else's help or would I be pissed that someone else tried to interfere?

No. Definitely not. I'm a prick, but in situations like this, everybody would appreciate support. Even Kimsha. I sighed. If someone precious to me… like Jason… or Miki… or my parents… There was one more person who I wanted to include in that list, but the idea was so repellent that I pushed it out of my mind.

He doesn't care. I thought grumpily, throwing a glance at the cottage, which wasn't so far away. Why should he care about me, anyway? All I've been is a pain and a headache. "Stupid Ace! Stupid Whitebeard Pirate!" I vented my feelings by aiming a kick at the sand. Right. Because that helps so much.

But more importantly, I sighed, looking up at the darkening sky. Dusk was beginning to fall. What am I going to do to help Kimsha? My chest tightened at the thought of losing someone like she did. I have to appreciate her strength.

I remembered Kimsha's expression; the hurt, dead look in her eyes, and cringed. I'd probably be worse.

Then I flinched, remembering that I was lost, too, myself. A nasty thought crept into my brain. What if Night Tsukimaru faced the same fate that I did – only reversed? It's a possibility… but very unlikely. I grimaced. If this is the case, then it's very unlikely that Night will ever return to this island anytime soon.

I sighed. Impossible. If inter dimensional transport was this frequent – or easy – people would have found a way through, by now. I don't think it's very much possible.

But still…

Adrift in thought, I didn't notice that the sky was darkening. When I finally came to be, the sandy avenue of the village had been blanketed in pitch-black darkness. I could just barely make out the silhouette of the palm trees against the moonlight. Aside from the light from the sky, and the tiny amounts of luminosity provided by the cottages nestled in the trees, the entire island was dark.

I heard a low rumble. What was that? I blinked in surprise, my eyes not quite adjusted to the darkness. I glanced at my surroundings warily. I don't really like the dark… It's scary. And I had a bad feeling that if inter dimensional travel is true, then all that other fictional mumbo jumbo like the Sasquatch and the Boogeyman might not be a lie either.

Another low rumble passed through the trees. It sounded like the growl of an angry cat.

Eeeep! I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. HOW CAN I CALM DOWN? IT'S A DEMON! A DEMON! WHAT AM I GOING TO DOOOOOOOOOOOOOO? Now I'll never be able to get back home!

Technically speaking, I might not even survive. Ha. But it's more likely that I'll be possessed instead.

Still very cautious, I stood up, keeping an eye on the woods on my left. I can run pretty fast. If a demon happened to zip out of the woods, at least I'll be prepared. Hoping that life might give me some luck this time (since the chances of demons being real is very unlikely) I took a deep breath, preparing myself to run.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a pair of sinister yellow orbs suddenly appear in the darkness of the trees. My blood chilled. The rumble passed through the woods again, louder. And in the dark, I could just make out the shiny tip of a glistening white canine.

I took a deep breath. A shiver ran through my body.

I-It's a demon! Of course. Life hates me, after all.

I shrieked like crazy, sprinting towards the cottage with everything I had. I noticed heads poking out of all the nearby houses, but I didn't care. I was too preoccupied with the demon, which I was sure, was on my tail.

Not really keeping a clear head, I ran into the warm light of the cottage gratefully – only to hit my head on a wall. It's the demon! I'm going to die! I panicked.

It's the demon's sorcery! It's got me! I shrieked and flailed, desperate not to be caught by the demon, but then the wall reached out and grabbed me. Even though this seriously proved the fact that it was a demon, I felt a sense of déjà vu, so I stopped flailing around.

Hold up…

I looked up to gaze into a pair of familiar chocolate brown eyes. "Whoa, whoa, calm down." Ace cautioned, not letting go of my arm. But I wasn't convinced that I was safe, yet. Demons can teleport, you know.

I looked back at the door in panic and pushed past Ace, afraid of whatever that was chasing me. I screamed once more before a pair of slender arms fell around my shoulder. "Ruby-chan, what's wrong?" An infuriatingly pretty voice asked.

My irritation towards Zomi eased some of my panic, and I slowed down enough to glance at her and whimper, "A demon." I shivered as her mouth fell open in shock. "A demon is following me!" I couldn't take my eyes away from the door. I kept expecting a winged, yellow-eyed and scaly monster with horns to burst through the front door, clutching a flaming pitch fork.

A beat of silence passed as everyone in the room comprehended what I said.

"What!?" Zomi and Ace chorused in harmony.

"What are you talking about, Ruby?" Zomi asked urgently, grabbing hold of my arm.

I gulped, eyes still fixed on the door. My breathing was slowing down gradually, and my head was starting to clear. "I-I think it was a demon." I narrowed my eyes, unsure of myself now.

Those yellow orbs certainly weren't human. And there aren't any meat eaters on these islands. It can't be an animal.

Three pairs of eyes were glaring at the door warily now (Kimsha's cerulean orbs were still fixed on the floor; she didn't seem to care less about Satan's minions ((not odd, considering she's one of them))). "Are you sure you didn't imagine it, Ruby?" Ace asked, walking over to where Zomi and I were standing. In one swift motion, he drew me away from Zomi and placed a hand on my forehead. "Maybe you're a bit too tired…"

I rolled my eyes. As if Ace could measure temperature accurately. His body temperature is higher than normal. Besides, it's distracting when he touches me. "I know what I saw." I said, needling out of his grip. I did this mostly to convince myself. Maybe I did imagine it. "And don't touch me." I saw him raise an eyebrow out of the corner of my eyes.

A silence passed over the room. I still backed away from the door carefully, although Zomi and Ace stood their ground. Ace sighed and shook his head. "Do you want me to go out and check?" He asked wearily.

I stared at him in surprise. Why does he sound so bitter now? Geez, maybe it's not only the Grand Line that's hormonal. I raised an eyebrow. "What do you plan to do if there is, in fact, a demon waiting for us outside?"

Ace rolled his eyes. "Those kinds of demons aren't real, dumbass." He very deliberately walked over to the door.

I narrowed my eyes at him. What did he mean by that? Are there some kinds of demons that are real? I made a note to question him about it later, when he was in a better mood. Stupid hormonal pirate.

Everyone in the room (well, besides Kimsha) held their breath while Ace very slowly and deliberately walked out through the door and into the darkness of the tropical night. He and his ugly orange hat melted with the pitch-black color, and soon, we couldn't see him.

We waited, waited… and nothing happened.

So I did imagine it.

Zomi gave me an exasperated look before going to go sit next to Kimsha. I shrugged in apology. But I still felt uneasy. I'm sure I saw those yellow orbs… I didn't imagine that.

Ace walked back in through the front door, rolling his eyes. "See?" He said moodily. This is so odd. I've watched several One Piece episodes (several hours of my life that Jason stole), but I've never, ever seen Portgas D. Ace moody. Angry, yes, several times, but moody? No.

I scratched my cheek, staring at him. Weirdo. "What's your problem?" I snapped harshly.

Ace paused, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't have a problem." He grumbled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zomi crack a small smile. Whatever. She's a weirdo, too.

I took a step towards the stupid pirate. "Yes you do." I said, glaring at him.

Ace glared right back down at me. We were only one step away from each other now. "I don't."

I stifled a laugh. "Please, you so totally have a problem!" I shook my head. "You're lying to the queen – no, God – of problematic situations. Did you think you'd get away with that?"

Ace just sighed grumpily. "Of all the people on this world, I had to be stuck with you."

I paused, hurt. I looked up at Ace's face, and he realized – a bit too late – that what he said was a bit too mean. I glared at him stonily and set my teeth in a grim line. "You're welcome." I said coldly.

He opened his mouth to say something – that asshole better be apologizing – but we were interrupted by an odd, low moan.

All three of our heads whipped towards the door (Kimsha, of course… well, you know). What the hell? The low moan grew louder, and it was garbled oddly, as if it were trying to communicate with us. Could it be? I thought, my blood chilling. A true demon has arrived.

I was frozen to my place in fear, but I saw Zomi's face set in recognition. Maybe it's a native demon. Great. I'm going to be killed in the hands of a winged, yellow-eyed and scaly monster with horns and a flaming pitch fork, dressed in a grass skirt and coconut bra.

Just wonderful.

And then, out of the gloom of the night, a pale, wrinkly creature stepped into the light. It looked absolutely monstrous; lifeless white hair, serpentine eyes, a misshapen, hooked nose, pitted and pockmarked skin – and yes, it was dressed in island clothing. I think it was a female. I can tell by the attire.

A true demon.

Without thinking, I covered my eyes and shrieked. Ace in front of me skittered a few steps back, almost crashing into me (thank God almighty he didn't. That would have been the end of me).

When I took my hands off my face, I saw Zomi looking at both of us disapprovingly. "Really," she sighed, "stop being rude." The ugly demon shifted its snake-like gaze to me, and a chill ran down my spine. Rude? I shrieked internally. We're going to DIE!

"This woman is my next door neighbor." She tsked at the both of us, and then turned to face the… woman. She said a few words in her mother tongue, but the tone was apologetic. The woman nodded lifelessly. Zomi made a gesture towards the table, and she shakily walked over and sat on a chair.

"I," she said in her garbled, demonic voice, "have a story to tell." She had a thick accent. I realized just then that the garbled cry must have been her, trying to greet us properly in her language.

Zomi walked over to the demo—er, woman, and sat down beside her, taking her gnarled hands in her soft, smooth ones. "What happened, Auaui-obaachan?" She asked in a concerned tone. "Trouble back at home with your children?"

I turned to face her. "No," she croaked, "this story," she averted her eyes towards the redhead brooding on the sofa, "is about the disappearance of Night Tsukimaru."

I stared at her curiously. Zomi and I shared a glance before we turned back to look at Kimsha, who slowly lifted her head out of her knees. "Night?" She whispered. "What do you know about Night?"

Ace sank into a chair near the table as well. I threw a glare at him and went to sit with Kimsha on the sofa instead. I smiled at her reassuringly, but she didn't seem to notice me. Her startling cerulean orbs were fixed on the old woman.

"It was a while past dusk." She stared. "I was sitting on my swing, relaxing in the dark." She paused to cough. "I saw the blind boy near the woods."

Kimsha raised an eyebrow, but didn't interrupt. "He… appeared to be looking for something," she said in her distorted voice, "searching. He was searching for something. I found that odd. He had no companions. Why should a blind boy be searching near the edge of the woods for something?"

She was right. Why? "And that was when a tall, unnaturally tall big cat shot out of the woods and started circling the boy. I shrieked, because wild animals shouldn't be here in the first place, but before I could do anything, he lunged at the boy and knocked him out before dragging him into the woods."

A big cat… Somehow, I thought of the feline yellow eyes I saw in the darkness of the vegetation. Could it be?

Kimsha sat up from the sofa suddenly, surprising everyone. She walked over to the demon—I mean, woman and sat down in front of her, looking up at her. "Night is alive, isn't he?" She asked fiercely.

"At that time, he was alive." The woman croaked back. "The yellow-eyed cat did not bite him."

Yellow-eyes. It must be. Kimsha's eyes narrowed in concentration.

"I saw those eyes." I blurted out, and everyone turned to me. "I saw those eyes at the edge of the woods. Yellow, feline eyes and the tip of a pair of canines." I sighed. "That's what I saw. It fits."

The old woman stared at me for a while before standing up, bowing slightly. "That's all I have to tell you. I must be going back now." She walked towards the door shakily, but Zomi helped her there. "Thank you, Auaui-obaachan," she murmured in her soft voice.

Yellow eyes. The cat lives in the woods, maybe? I'm sure if we go and scout around the woods, we'd find tracks leading to the cat. We need to leave immediately, or we may be too late. Kimsha had the same idea, because she turned to Zomi and said as the same time as I did, "Let's go. Now."

Zomi looked at the both of us in surprise. "No." she said. "It's way too dark, and way too dangerous. We'll go in the morning."

"But Night is in danger." Kimsha said urgently. "We need to save him!"

Zomi shook her head. "No, Kimsha-chan. Night-kun will be safe. We'll go find him tomorrow."

I stood up and walked over to the irritatingly pretty girl. "He might not be safe! We might be too late, even now!" I felt my eyes bore into her green orbs. "We need to go, now!"

"Not a chance." Zomi said, shaking her head. "Tomorrow." She said decidedly. When I glared at her, she took my hand in hers. "Trust me, Ruby-chan. I know Night is fine."

I sighed, but didn't say anything.

"Now, let's eat and get a good night's rest."

After a fine island meal of coconut, fruit and fish, we were all feeling very full. The atmosphere had been very tense during dinner, and Kimsha had seemed to mutter under her breath as she crunched down coconut and dried fish.

Zomi and Kimsha would share the first room on the right. Ace could take Night's room, and I would be taking Zomi's. I didn't want to, of course. That's a bit too rude. She shouted down my protests and very forcefully made me take her room. In the end, I gave in to her violent hospitality, and ended up deciding to sleep in her room.

About an hour later, Kimsha went into her room wordlessly. Zomi stared after her and then stood up from her chair, yawning. She stretched, and then said, "I might as well get some sleep. I'm tired." She smiled warmly at the both of us and locked the front door before going into her room.

A few minutes of silence passed between Ace and I before we realized we were alone in the room. The both of us were sitting on the wooden sofa. The stupid pirate was still feeling moody, for some reason. I sighed, ignoring his dark temper. "We need to save him." I said concernedly. "For Kimsha. We'll go tomorrow, right? Let's formulate a plan."

At this, Ace turned his face towards me, and I couldn't see his eyes under his orange hat. "We're not going." He said quietly.

What? "Of course we're going!" I said in shock. "You don't want to help that little girl?"

Ace lifted his dark brown eyes to stare into mine. I looked away slightly but kept my front. "It's not our fight, Ruby." He said quietly.

"It's not our fight?" I snarled at him. "That's your excuse?"

"Fine, go! I'm not going!" Ace glared at me. "Knowing you, you'd probably go and get yourself killed, anyway!"

I flinched, and then stood up from the sofa, just to get away from him. "What the fuck is your problem, Portgas D. Ace?" I said violently. "I don't know what you're feeling so miserable about, but you don't need to take it out on me!"

"I don't have a problem." He muttered.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" I demanded. "Are you trying to say that it's my fault you're acting like this? What the hell do you want, Ace?" I glared at him stonily, fuming. The nerve of that asshole! I hate him. I swear. I hate him, so much.

Ace stood up from the sofa suddenly. "Yes. It's your fault." He said stonily, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I don't see how." I glared right back, crossing my arms as well. "I understand that you're not used to helping others, since you're a pirate." I snapped, walking over to the door of the room I was supposed to sleep in. "I know that you're pretty much like the spawn of a monster, but you don't need to act like it!"

Ace flinched, and then his jaw set in a grim line. "I'm not the spawn of a monster." He clenched his fists.

"Gee, you sure convinced me." I said sarcastically, placing my hand on the doorknob. "Just leave me alone, Portgas D. Ace. Talk to me when you're saner!" I glared at him. "I hate you!"

I didn't even know what happened next. It all happened so fast. One second, Ace was standing by the sofa, and I had my hand on the doorknob. But the next second, all of a sudden, he had me pressed against the wall, my arms pinned to my sides.

"Wh-What are you doing?" I stammered in surprise. "Let me go." I wriggled in his grip. My heart was beating furiously, but we were close enough that I'm sure Ace heard it. I felt a blush creep onto my face as Ace bore into me with those chocolate brown eyes of his. His hat fell back to rest against his back. His dark hair curled around his face. I could count the freckles on his face; we were that close. And despite myself, I couldn't help but think that I didn't mind this. In fact... it was kind of pleasant.

What the fuck is wrong with me? I shouldn't be feeling this way! I can't afford to feel like this. I need to get back home!

Besides, I thought, shaking a little, I don't even want to feel this way about this asshole!

"Let me go." I said in a small voice, my lower lip shaking dangerously. Shit. I so don't want to cry in this situation.

"This." Ace said, ignoring me. I blushed at the intensity of his voice. "This is what's wrong!" He said, moving his face even closer. Our faces were almost touching, now. Any of us could just move our heads an inch forward and we could be…

I blushed again. Furiously. I can't do this. I can't! I tore my eyes away from his alluring brown ones. That helped a little bit. But we were so close that I could feel his abs through our clothes. Not just his abs. I could feel everything! Even...

"Ruby." He said quietly, distracting me. "Look at me."

I shook my head slowly, keeping my eyes trained on dinner table to my right. I didn't say anything because I felt like I would start crying if I opened my mouth. Damn it, I can't afford to be this weak.

"Please." He almost pleaded.

"N-No." I said quietly, my voice shaking. "Please let me go."

Ace considered that for a moment, and then let go of one of my arms, which fell limply to my side. I wanted to push him away using that hand, but I couldn't find the strength to do so. "Exactly what about me do you hate so much, Ruby?" he asked softly.

I found it difficult to breathe all of a sudden. I didn't reply, and instead just closed my eyes, trying to stabilize my breathing. I couldn't afford to start wheezing right now.

I heard Ace sigh, and his warm breath lingered on the side of my face. It sent a weird electric current down my spine, and that really didn't help. My first instinct was to sigh, but I bit my lip and pressed back against the wall. I felt him caress my cheek with his fingertips. His fingers were warm. Gentle. Strong.

Another current went through me, and I let out a breathy sigh. I heard Ace stop and gasp in surprise, suddenly withdrawing his hand. No! I can't. I really can't. I felt horrible. I knew I was going to start crying any minute.

"Talk to me, Ruby." He pleaded softly. His voice was so soothing. So sweet.

No, Ruby. You can't.

I shook my head no. It was all I could manage. Why? Why is he making me feel this way?

Then his tone got a bit harsher. "This is what I mean!" He said. I felt his fingertips on my face again. "Why? Why do you hate me?" I heard him sigh. "I've had women before. Women from so many different countries." He said suddenly. "I've met several women. But none of them were like you. None of them ever hated me."

His fingers trailed down the side of my face, and down my neck. I resisted the urge to sigh, again. What the hell? I've never ever felt this way before. Why? Why now? "Have I made you mad somehow?" I could see his face scrunch up in confusion. "Have I hurt you somehow? I don't know. If I did, I didn't mean to. But I just don't understand, Ruby." His voice was slightly frantic now. "You're just so different. It's confusing me. You're so confusing!"

I still didn't reply, but I opened my eyes and turned my face towards his. What do you mean? I stared at him questioningly, trying to ignore the furious thudding in my chest.

"You're different. I knew that when I first met you. You were certainly very odd." He said, resting his forehead against mine. Involuntarily, I let out a sigh again, and I felt the hand he hand around my wrist tighten a little. "But Ruby…" he breathed against my face again, closing his eyes, and the blush in my cheeks deepened. The hand that was on my neck trailed down my arm to snake around my waist. Another current ran through me.

He opened his eyes and lowered his voice. The intensity of his gaze made me sigh, again. "I want you to be mine." He said shakily. "That's my problem, Ruby. I want you so badly."

A/N: *smiles innocently* COCKBLOCK HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. So what happens next? Does Ruby finally give in to Ace, or does more chaos ensue? FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON... HEART OF FIRE~!

*cringe* Yeah. I'm high on medicine again. Please, please, please review! :)