Summary: Where going home is delayed and the Queen of Spades comes back to give wedding invitations. And there is kidnapping. Kind of.

…Abalisk, I totally blame you for the idea. Full-heartedly.

Anywho. The theme for this chapter is Jayn's English cover of Dreamcatcher from Magical Girl Raising Project. The original song was done by Nano, but I find that the English lyrics from Jayn do the job well. You can also check out the piano cover done by fireteamtorch piano on YouTube for the piano alternative.

Please enjoy!

"Got everything you need, Tomo?"

"I—" A grunt left my lips as I hoisted up my bag. Even though it was supposed to be a supply bag every ninja was used to, being a backpack, it still seemed heavy. Um. My muscles probably weren't used to this because civilian exercises, but Vy's old pride was still there. Like, dammit, past me could bike 36 miles in half a day! That was something! Muu. "I think so?"

Kei gave me a single look of disbelief before sighing and shaking her head. It didn't take long for her to walk towards me with an outstretched hand. "C'mon, Tomo, let me help."

I tried not to pout while slowly slipping my right arm through the first strap. "It's okay, I-I think I can handle this, though, Kei! Really—"

And then I proceeded to fall over and onto my back from the weight. Er. Ow. It helped that the backpack cushioned a majority of my fall, but it still hurt. "Owwwww. Um…" I waved my hands around in the air in an attempt to get up, only to feel more helpless than usual. "Ehehehe… Oops?"

Kei huffed once before grabbing my right hand to pull me up effortlessly. "And that's why I offered," she said, raising an eyebrow at me all the while. I didn't miss how her other hand immediately went on to grab the unoccupied backpack strap to lift on her own, and it was hard to hold back the urge to gape at her holding up the darn thing without so much as a grunt. "Seriously, Tomo, what do you have in here?"

"Um, all the clothes that I've worn since coming here, one of Nii's hats, and a plush toy?" I squeaked honestly. Because there was no other way to answer that question. I still wondered how the backpack was bulging, because I could've sworn I put the bare minimum of the essentials in the darn thing.

Kei was now staring at me again. "One of 'Nii's' hats?"

Oh gosh. My face was flooding with heat yet again, but I still found the courage, or perhaps stubbornness, to reply. "I told you about the Mr. Hat thing already, Kei! And since we're going home, I kinda wanted a memento of him!"

My reincarnation buddy was starting to take on a rather dour face. For an analogy, it was like she had literally swallowed an entire lemon from my words alone. "A memento," she repeated slowly.

I couldn't help but squeak again, because Kei having a sour face was not something I was used to. "I-Is that wrong?"

Kei closed her eyes, shouldered my backpack effortlessly with one hand, and pinched the bridge of her nose with the other. "Only you, Tomo… only you."

"Wh-What's that supposed to mean?"

She removed her hand to smile instead. "Nothing, Tomo." Her smile looked genuine enough. "Nothing at all."

And then she reached over and flicked my forehead through my bangs with her free hand.

Definitely was not expecting that. I found myself reeling and covering my head with both my hands, because ow. "Ow! Kei!" I couldn't help the pout coming up on my face now. "What was that for?!"

"Just because," she was humming now, and I couldn't ignore the gut feeling that I was missing something. Again. Was it because of the seven months I was gone, or was Kei a bit more…out there than usual? "Just because, Tomo."

Before I could think on it more, she poked the little head-space left between my fingers as a way of ending the conversation. Because the backpack could only hang on one shoulder for oh-so-long.

And "Tomo." That nickname again. Before I had left, Kei almost always used "Tomo-chan." Never just "Tomo." Something happened, and I couldn't shake off the idea that "something" wasn't exactly good.

My mouth was opening before I could even reconsider. "Kei?"

By the time I said her name, Kei had already turned around to survey what was originally my room in the Marine base, checking the surroundings one more time before swiveling her head back to meet my stare. The question in her eyes was obvious before she even said anything. Nonetheless, she seemed up to entertaining the mood. "What is it, Tomo?"

I sucked in a breath. The same nickname, said so casually. There was no point in getting nervous now. I walked into this, and there was no "Run" button. Kei was not a Wild Pokémon. It took almost everything I had to not squeak again like Minnie Mouse. "Y-You're okay, right?"

Kei blinked at me. "Uh," she started slowly, clearly caught off guard for a mere second before straightening herself, jostling the backpack all the while. "Yeah? I mean, Tomo, why wouldn't I be?"

Ooookay, this was starting to turn into a game of 20 Questions, or something. Scratch that, why wasn't there a "Run" button? "Well, um." My heart beat against my ribs from the nervousness, and out of habit, I ducked my head to hide behind what I could use of my short hair. "Ever since you found me, you've been calling me, 'Tomo,' Kei. I'm just not used to it…" From the embarrassment, or perhaps some nervousness, I pressed my fingers together, trying not to fidget. "Before, it was just, 'Tomo-chan,' so…what changed?"

The sound of backpack shuffling paused. "Was that wrong? It's been a long while, so… yeah." Through what little I could see past my bangs, Kei seemed sheepish, rubbing her neck like… like that day two years ago. "Sorry if it made you uncomfortable."

Um.

Go, Tomoko-chan! And Hisako was pushing, oh god—

"N-NO, Kei! Not at all!" I don't even know where the courage to yell came from, but Kei was flinching and I was shrinking again. Frig, I was just becoming an open book to anything and everyone, wasn't I? Still, the words were leaving me faster than anything else. "It doesn't make me feel uncomfy at all! It just…" My face was already starting to feel like an oven, so the only thing I could think of was ducking my head and promptly jogging forward to wrap my arms around Kei's middle in a hug before she could move away. Because friend and embarrassment meant good hiding place. "I just missed you, so to hear that is kinda new and it makes me happy, so." I buried my nose into her familiar white-dark blue hoodie. "It's okay. You can keep calling me that."

A hand landed on the back of my head, patting it softly. "Huh," Kei mused quietly, but there was a hint of fondness in her voice that wasn't there before as her fingers ran through some small tangles in my hair. "The nickname stays then. But if you keep reacting like this, Tomo, someone's going to misunderstand the situation."

"Someone, no one, bleh," was my now childish mumble into her hoodie because the hug was nice and I didn't want to let go. "I wasn't lying when I said I missed you. And I really, really missed you, Kei."

Kei snorted before tightening the hug as much as she could. Even with the backpack in the way, it didn't stop her from putting her other arm around my shoulders to squeeze in return. "You friggin' dork."

There was another pause, long enough to make me wonder if I did something wrong. Then, there was no denying the soft whisper. Even if my right ear was pressed against her shoulder, the vibration in her chest was unmistakable. "I missed you too."

I couldn't stop myself from smiling brightly and squeezing tighter. Kei laughed. "T-Tomo, the ribs. Hey."

Yep. The words this time didn't even spark any embarrassment. I knew it as the truth. My bestest friend and my reincarnation buddy. "Oh, Kei, I love you!"

Hisako cackled in triumph. Emotional honesty 1, embarrassment 0!

Kei simply snorted above my head again. "You dork."

Then there was a loud CLICK.

The hand on my hair froze. "That was…" Kei shifted, and I looked up from her shoulder, just in time to see the lens of a DSLR duck behind the doorway.

My face was already flooding with heat. There was only one person I knew who had such an obnoxious camera. "NIIIIIIII!"

"Aww, darn it! I've been caught!" Sure enough, my Marine caretaker poked his head out from behind the wood, grinning teasingly. The camera around his neck only sparkled in the light. The fact that his ahoge bounced past the slit in his hat didn't help. Nor did the bright blue heart on Mr. Hat's visor in my direction. "Hi, Tomo-chan! Hope you don't mind the camera! With my little sis going home soon, Nii couldn't help but take pictures to commemorate the day! You were so cute just now!"

Yep, there went the butterflies. "Niiiiiiii, we were having a moment! Whyyyyy."

"Because you're adorable and I don't know if I can get this chance again?" He paused before raising his pointer finger with a brighter smile. "Also because your dad wants copies?"

That was it. I didn't even register Kei's shock as I slowly let go to stomp towards my Marine caretaker. What was I, a model? "Jack-niiiiiiiii! Please delete that photo!"

Mr. Hat promptly displayed a bolded exclamation mark as Jack-nii faked a gasp. "Never!" was the only reply I got before he promptly turned on his heel and bolted.

The hell. What the hell.

I could've sworn I heard Kei snicker. Hisako was already gloating loudly a la a Wicked Witch of the West, and I made sure to drop a curtain on her. Bleh.

Even with my legs starting to scream in protest before I even went on pushing anything, I ran after him. "NIIIIIIIII! PLEASE GET BACK HERE!"

"NEVER!"

"NIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

It was hard to miss Kei's fading laughter behind me as the chase began.

"Well, hime?" Papa patted my head comfortingly as I fought to catch my breath. How Jack-nii had that much stamina was beyond me. Non-ninja-status factored in and all. "Did you have fun running around?"

"T-Tried," was my best attempt at an answer, because that chase really shouldn't have happened in hindsight and I got tired over almost nothing. Jack-nii was fast on his feet for a reason. Chasing after him for a single picture was like asking to retrieve Black Zetsu from whatever Diglett hole he was hiding in. Because that was impossible. At least, right now. "But I'm okaaaaaaay?"

The slur wasn't even intentional, but it did a good job of getting a laugh out of Obito. "Tomo-chan, you could've asked us! We could've caught him for you!"

Uh, NO. Hisako said hotly in my place. Because there was no way I could yell at Obi.

Instead, what left me was a loud, "Nooooooooo, I would be worried that you'd beat the crap out of him instead…"

Without even raising my head, I knew Jack-nii was giving us all a "what-the-hell" face. "Tomo-chan, I've outrun pirates. And Mom's scarier. You think your Nii is going to go down that easily?"

Papa snorted, his hand still on my head. It was obvious he wasn't all that keen on letting up. Then again, seven months passed for him too. "Beat me in a fight, and we'll see about that."

With the nonchalant tone he used, I had no clue if he was being serious or trolling. Or a mix of the two. Instead, what went through my head was something along the lines of: No. Oh god, no. Miyako-bachan and Papa were bad about this already!

Hisako crossed her arms and nodded to herself. …I think I'd like to see that.

Hisako.

What? It's just a passing interest! As long as they don't die—

PLEASE DON'T IMPLY ANYTHING ELSE ASIDE FROM THAT.

I was not expecting Jack-nii to crack his knuckles with a teasing grin in return. "I'm up for it."

Hisako's jaw dropped before she screamed a loud and expectant, HOLY SHIT, I WANNA SEE THIS!

I DON'T!

C'MON, TOMOKO-CHAN, WOULDN'T IT BE A NICE FIGHT?!

I DON'T WANT TO SEE PAPA AND NII FIGHT, HISAKO!

My Nobody opened her mouth and then paused. Oh.

Outwardly, it took all I had to stay calm, and even then, the urge to grab onto something was strong. I needed a consistent rock at this rate and well, the options were limited. Instead of taking a deep breath like any other person, my hand was already reaching out for someone to hang onto.

I probably should've expected I'd latch onto Kei first. Technically, I grabbed the nearest jacket sleeve, but it did enough to catch her attention. Through my bangs, I could make out her turning to me, mouthing my nickname with a confused look in her eyes. Words couldn't even leave my lips at this point because I could've sworn sparks were flying between Papa and my Marine Caretaker, and the thought was terrifying. All I could do was shake my head while gesturing with my shoulder.

No fight, no fight, no fight, nofight, nofight, NOFIGHT. Please.

Thankfully, Kei got the message, reaching over with her other, free hand to pat mine softly before pulling back. "Judai-jichan," she started dryly, "before you start anything — don't you have to worry about helping Sensei with getting us back to Konoha?"

Papa's hand on my head tensed for a single second as Jack-nii and him exchanged wide-eyed stares. "Ah," he said quietly, before grinning a bit too brightly, "we got a bit too into the moment, didn't we?"

Jack-nii sighed and shook his head as Minato-san nearby laughed from his position of crouching on his knees. "At least you noticed now! Can I get some help?"

"Sure," Papa remarked, lifting his hand off my head to jog over. Out of curiosity, I looked over in that same direction. Past Kei's arm, of course, but it was still something. But looking over the Yellow Flash's work made me jump, because there was now a huge intricate fuinjutsu circle thingy in the middle of the pavement that just wasn't there before.

Er. Hey, Tomoko-chan. When did that show up?

Don't ask me. I don't know.

…Are you holding a grudge about the fight thing?

Muu.

Ah. Hisako said softly, huffing an exasperated breath before brushing a hand through my hair. Even if it was only in the mindscape, my head still felt tingly. I went too far, so I'll leave you be for a bit, Tomoko-chan. I'm sorry for teasing too much.

Outwardly, I tried not to pout. It felt like I messed up. Again. It's not your fault, Hisako…

Eh. My Nobody smiled wryly, shaking her head before pressing a small kiss to my head. Even if it was a mental gesture, just between the two of us, it was just as tingly as her hand from before. It was warm. Just let me take responsibility as your mental control booth and Nobody, dear. Just let me do that much. I'll be here providing commentary as always. Don't worry. I'm not going far away.

I couldn't help my last thought. Perhaps it was the events that happened in the past seven months, but they were already shared in the library anyway. Be safe, okay?

Pft, dear. Who do you think you're talking to? Hisako still let out a soft laugh, kissing my head yet again before walking away to another part of the library. Don't worry, Tomoko-chan. I love you too.

I tried not to flush outwardly red as Kei glanced over in Minato-san and Papa's direction too. "Do you need help, Sensei?"

"Oh, Kei-kun? Yes, that would be appreciated," was the loud yet mumbled answer, and Kei simply shot me a small grin before running over to help with what was quickly becoming a large fuinjutsu circle that reminded me of Fullmetal Alchemist, for some reason. Um. Obito and Kakashi were already geared up and ready to go home, if their most recent little spat was meaning anything, with Jack-nii conversing with Papa again, so why did it feel like there was something else going on…

"P-Papa, could I help too?" was already on the verge of my tongue when I took a step forward and promptly got blindsided.

To be more exact, big hands covered my eyes and pulled me back enough to where I couldn't move. "I just caught a little Princess!" was the loud shout from behind. A single second, and then the voice spoke up again with a soft and fond, "Remember me?"

Hisako paused in her vacuuming the library. Because she started that, apparently. The fuck just happened? she said simply.

Because of proper panic and surprise, what sounded like vague gasps left my throat before I could move my hands. My eyes were still covered, but judging by the calluses and the cheery voice, this was… "L-Leith-nee? Is that you?"

"Ding ding ding! The Princess got the right answer!" was the happy cry that followed, and the hands immediately left my eyes, leaving me to wince at the flooding of light. Ah, I was not prepared for the world after being sheltered away like that. I didn't even get a chance to turn around before arms were going under my knees to lift, and the squawk was already leaving me once my feet were in the air again. "Hi, Princess!"

Yep. The same white hair and hazel eyes. Of course it was my older sister figure. I pulled my arms in towards my chest, feeling small in her grip. Because, really, when was the last time Leith-nee carried me? The bit of wind from the sea didn't help much, considering I was still wearing my kimono dress and sandals, with no stockings. Brrrrr, cold. "H-Hi, Leith-nee. What are you doing here?"

"Why, Princess! I'm getting married!" was the hearty reply, and Leith-nee bounced me in the sudden half-hug all the while, grinning widely. She didn't even seem to care that her black and white baseball cap was sitting crooked on her head now. "And I need a bridesmaid, and there's no one else but you now, huh?"

"Eh?"

It immediately dawned on me that we weren't alone in the area. I didn't even have to look around to know the ninja were glaring in Leith-nee's direction. Kei included. Shit. This was Jack-nii's interrogation all over again. "…Leith," my Marine caretaker started first, his voice suspiciously quiet. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing?"

"Hey, Jack!" Leith-nee chirped, still not letting me go all the while as the glares seemed to intensify in her direction. And since I was being directly carried by her, I could feel the heat, and to be honest? It was uncomfortable. Like, seriously uncomfortable. "I'm just here to take my bridesmaid in preparation for the wedding!"

"Wait. It's happening now?" Jack-nii said incredulously. "I don't have all my stuff on me!"

"Why not now?"

"Leith?" Papa interrupted loudly, and it just dawned on me right there that Papa and Kakashi were around too. They could help with the situation. So, please, you two. Make everyone else stop glaring. Please.

"Oh, Tomo's dad, Fluffybutt!" Leith-nee chirped, and it vaguely registered in my ears that she was humming. Then again, from the fear or from the embarrassment, I don't even know anymore, my nose was tucked into the crook between her neck and shoulder to help me hide away. Because that was the closest thing I had to melting into a puddle for others to stare at. "Sorry, but I'm borrowing Princess!"

Hisako snorted loudly just as my ears picked up the small and shocked, "Fluffybutt?" from the newly nicknamed Chunin in question. I couldn't miss Obito's snicker either.

"Like hell you are without permission, Leith," was Papa's answer, and I could tell he was starting to get somewhat exasperated, even with the hint of what sounded like amusement in his voice. "Not that I don't trust you, but did you even bother asking hime first?"

There was a pause. "Whoops." Leith-nee then bounced me again, making me look up from her shoulder to make eye contact, and her expression was basically the most sheepish smile she could muster. It was still a grin that promised things I wasn't sure of. Uh. "Tomo? Wanna come with me?"

"Um," I said slowly, trying not to squeak, because I was not expecting to be at the focal point of what was turning into a messy situation. Again. There should've been something to say, like, "How did you find me," or"How did you know I was going out here?"

Instead, I don't even know if it was out of habit or desperation, my gaze was swiveling around to find my reincarnation buddy. It didn't take long to find her, and Kei was still glaring in Leith's direction while she stood near Minato-san and Obi. But, once my eyes landed on her, she jolted once before meeting my stare. Her chakra sensing must've told her I was looking. Still. Her expression spoke volumes of how much she was caught off guard by the situation, and she simply shrugged when meeting my stare.

The message in her eyes was still obvious.

It's up to you.

Really?

Hisako lightly pushed the back of my head. Leith's still waiting, dear.

Oh. Right.

I turned back to my older sister figure, took a breath, and blurted it out as nicely as I could. Because I couldn't think of any other compromise. "A-As long as Nii, Papa, and Team Minato get to come along too, then okay! I'll go!"

Leith-nee bounced me, lighter this time. "…Squirt," she said after a small pause, "That doesn't answer the question. Do you want to come along?"

My heart beat once. "Um. Yeah?" was my hesitant squeak back, because I was not expecting that response. "But I don't want to go without my family because I haven't seen them in seven months, Leith-nee, so as long as they're invited to your wedding too, then yes?"

I probably shouldn't have made it sound like a question. Even then, I could've sworn I heard Jack-nii let out an affectionate, "Awwwww," in time with Papa's audible snort, just as Leith-nee smiled softly. "Tomo, I was going to invite everyone. It's all mandatory invitations anyways, so you don't have to worry about being separated from your folks again." She brought me close for a cheek rub, jostling her hat all the while, and I tried not to blush. "I just can't let ya leave without some family time of our own, Chickadee~"

Yep. The heat was on again. I couldn't even stutter a question at the new nickname as Leith-nee gave one last bounce in the carry-hug. "Now! Ninja!" She paused before adding, "And the one Marine."

"Hey!"

Leith-nee continued on while ignoring Jack-nii's outburst. "I'll be taking Princess for a few days! Just look for the Whitebeard Pirates by next Sunday!"

"WHAT," Obito protested loudly, and that was all I got before Leith-nee was running like her pants were on fire, and my stomach was promptly flipping. Hisako had dropped her vacuum in exchange for loud, unrepentant laughter, and I could've sworn I saw cards flying in the air behind my sister figure as she ran, leaving a trail of literal crumbs in her wake. "TOMO-CHAN JUST GOT KIDNAPPED!" was all I heard before my mind promptly went into the thought process that was how to stop the incoming vomit. Aaaaah.

"L-Leith-neeeeeeeee," was the pitiful whine from my lungs as she kept running, my arms already winding around her neck for dear life because I didn't want to fall, aaaaaaah, "I-I'm motion sick!"

"Finally got out of there!" was her exuberant cheer, as if she didn't even mind that I was about to throw up on her shoulder at any moment, instead jumping over the nearest obstacle that was a big rock. For some reason. "Never thought I'd have to kidnap my bridesmaid, but desperate times call for desperate measures! And besides!" She bounced me again, jostling my stomach a little to make me open my mouth, much to my inner panic, but once I even moved my lips, she moved her hand that was on my shoulders to instead pop a small thing into my mouth. "I said I can't have ya leaving just yet, kiddo! We still need to have ya fitted for your dress!"

"Leith-nee, I'm happy, but wha—" was all I could get around what was quickly tasting like something spicy. "What's this?"

"Ginger drop," she said curtly, still running and it was only then that I realized that my stomach wasn't spouting random butterflies with the motion anymore. "To help curb the sickness. Besides, Princess," she turned her head to wink at me. "You wouldn't think your sister would just kidnap ya without planning for this now, huh?"

"N-No!" I squeaked around the ginger drop, now starting to register something vaguely sweet on my tongue. "B-But how did you find out I was leaving~?"

Another wink and bounce. I still had to cling to her as she ran to wherever, tucking my nose into the crook between her neck and shoulder again. Aaaah, movement. "The walls have ears, Chickadee~! And hey! You didn't think I was gonna leave you among Marines for these past few months without surveillance, didja?"

Huh, Hisako hummed thoughtfully. We didn't account for that.

Um.

"Noooooo?" I squeaked in embarrassment and shock, because even with my stomach calmed, we were moving really fast. Gosh, I missed everyone already. Leith-nee was already faster than Jack-nii, and he was fast. "B-But, Leith-nee, where are we going~?"

"To meet the Family! Your sis wants to spend time with you before you go, and you just gotta meet them!" Another jump, and my stomach flipped again. I tried not to swallow the ginger drop. "The old man and blue parrot, especially!"

Old man?

"Blue…parrot?" I said around the drop, just as the ground seemed to shake. I held onto the ginger drop as best as I could by closing my mouth, but once Leith-nee landed somewhere, another hand was winding around my waist, squeezing, and I knew it wasn't my big sis.

"Hey, Spoons, don't be so rough with the kid. We have two days of sea travel on our hands." Wait.

"Oh, c'mon, Ace, she's okay, and the invitations have all been sent. Davy can handle the rest."

WAIT.

"If you say so," was the answer, and once Leith-nee sat down somewhere and nudged me, I found myself getting lifted by someone else, and it was hard to hold back the squawk once I was up in the air again and looking down at freckles that belonged to one Fire Fist Ace. My big bro. Aaaaah. "Hey, Tomo!"

"A-Ace-nii! You're here too?" was my only reply back, and he laughed happily as soon as he flexed his right arm to promptly keep me up in the air like an airplane. With one hand. Whaaaa. I couldn't help the giggle back. "H-Hey! Where are we going?"

"Where else, sweetie? To the Whitebeard Pirates!" Without even faltering, he pressed his feet to the bottom of what was obviously a yellow raft, or really a boat, and I tried not to lurch back from the fire spouting off from his sandals, because where the heck did that come from. "We have a few days, so let's go!"

Leith-nee didn't need any commands to lower the obvious sails behind her head.

Don't blame me if you regret this, dear.

Huh?

Hell. I didn't even have time to consider anything else before an engine roared to life with Ace-nii's flames and wind was blowing through my hair with the push of the boat's wheels. "TO THE SEA WE GO!" my big bro roared.

I freely admit. I kinda screamed a little. At least Ace-nii and Leith-nee were here, because it quickly became obvious they weren't going to stand for fear and started playing what felt like a roleplay with me being the airplane.

"C'mon, Tomo, up in the air, up in the air! We got ya!"

"Just relax, Tomo! Spoons can swim!"

"What's that supposed to mean, Ace? Need me to do something else?"

…Yeah. It was fun. I would definitely have to apologize to Team Minato later.

My first introduction to Leith-nee and Ace-nii's crew was really different from how they first showed up in Nagareboshi Cafe two years ago.

What? Why are you staring at me like that?

…Okay, okay, not really. Leith-nee just did it all for me. Kinda.

"Alright, you lily-livered nerds! This is a special freakin' announcement!"

Just…well.

She had to lift you up, didn't she.

Please don't bring it up like that, Hisako.

Ace-nii snickering near us did nothing to help. Nearby, someone clearly muttered, "Spoons is…not cursing, what the he—"

"Shut the fuck up!" Leith-nee interrupted, and I tried not to squeak once she lifted me again, this time so I could sit on her shoulder. Or perch on it. Somehow. And holy shit, I was seeing a hundred pirates, and we were on the sea. Ehhhhhh? What had my life turned into? "Now. This cutie is Princess Tomoko, and y'all better say 'hi'!"

PFFFFTHA! Hisako guffawed loudly. Ace-nii was still snickering.

I was already blushing up a storm as soon as my hand hesitantly raised in the air to wave. "H-Hi…?"

The following silence was painful. Ace-nii's hand on my head was really the only comfort I had, aside from Leith-nee's presence.

The first person to speak up in the apparent crew of the Whitebeard Pirates was a medium-height, gruff looking man, who gave me a single stare before putting a palm to his face, shaking his head. "Oh dear god…" he bemoaned loudly through his fingers, "Leith, you can't just kidnap children, put her back…"

"Wait," spoke another man, this time with messy blond hair that reminded me of a pineapple. He even had a chest tattoo that was similar to the one Ace-nii had on his back. Huh? "The Tomoko? The one that calls you sister?"

This is new.

Leith-nee nodded happily, and it was with that motion that the rest of the men simply beamed, and I tried not to flinch at the growing number of smiles in my direction, because really, this was different from the crowds at Nagareboshi Cafe. This crowd had more than a thousand heads from just looking out at the horizon alone. "Ooooooooh, Princess Tomoko! Welcoooooome!"

Hisako whistled in approval. Respect. YES. This Princess thing is catching on quickly, and I like.

"Uguuuuu," was the high-pitched noise that left my throat, and I found myself wrapping my arms around Leith-nee's neck to hug, closing my eyes from the embarrassment. "L-Leith-neeeeeee! Why did you introduce me as 'Princess'?!"

And yes. My voice cracked too.

I really missed my family now, because this attention was whoa.

"Eh?" was my big sister's answer, and she bounced me on her shoulder. "Cuz you are to me."

It was such a simple answer, but the heat was already on and I couldn't bear to look out towards the crowd of men who were already cheering my new nickname like it was a prayer to the gods. Hell, I could've sworn I heard someone mutter, "the littlest sis…" like Jack-nii. It did not help the heart in any way.

Soon another pair of arms were winding around me, and it took all I had to not squawk and fidget like the kid I physically was as soon as my sandals found refuge on the ship deck floor, and I was looking up at another person. With his pink and purple kimono, along with the geisha-like hairstyle, I would've pegged him as a female if not for his rough hands and voice that gave it all away. "Oh, you poor sweet thing," was the remark, and I took a breath as soon as his hands smoothed out any wrinkles in my dress. "This foul brute doesn't have any manners."

Ace-nii chuckled as soon as Leith-nee protested above my head with a loud, "HEY!"

I wasn't expecting the man to reach into his kimono to pull out measuring tape. The sight of the small thing alone already had me relaxing, because it reminded me of Mama. "She wasn't too rough, was she, dear?" he was already extending the tape to my legs, nodding to himself enough to where I knew he was measuring me for something. Clothing? "Was the trip here alright? I know Ace can get a little… exuberant."

It wasn't that surprising that, this time, he gave a pointed look in my big bro's direction. Ace-nii only went, "Oi."

"I-I'm okay? Leith-nee and Ace-nii are okay too…" I went, voice cracking again because now he was measuring around my waist. "Um, and you're…"

"Izo." He looked up at me without even stopping his motions of measuring, smiling. "16th division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. It's nice to meet you, Princess Tomoko."

And now the oven was back on. "P-Princess?"

"You're the little sister of our two best crewmates, dear," was the calm answer, because now Izo-san was back to measuring my arms. "So, Princess."

He has a point.

H-Hisako…

"Jeez, Ace," another man snorted over Izo-san's head, actually reaching over to rest an arm around my big bro's shoulders. "You and Spoons just barely announced that you're getting hitched, and already you adopted!"

"Um."

"Well," Ace-nii rested a hand on top of my hair, ruffling it. It was hard to miss Leith-nee's warm grin in my direction too. "She's a good little sis, ain't she?"

"YOU'RE NOT DENYING IT!" The entire crowd yelled back at him.

Ace-nii laughed again. I couldn't help covering my face. The heat was too strong here. Aaaaah.

"Awwwww. The littlest sis…" went that same small voice in the corner of the large crowd.

This is how I lost track of my Marine caretaker and got to be known as the "Princess of the Whitebeards" on the side.

Heck. The wedding preparations hadn't even started yet. And with this…

"Sweetie, lower your hands. I can't measure your shoulders if you do that."

"Awww, Princess, don't worry, none of the crew will bite!" A pause before Leith-nee continued with a simple and scary, "Right?"

"NOT AT ALL!"

I was so screwed.