"Aaaaaaaace!"

Luffy jutted her bottom lip out in her infamous 'puppy-dog-pout', her right hand rubbing vigorously up and down her left bicep.

Maybe stealing the hat and running off with it was not such a great idea.

She hadn't been going that fast, and it wasn't as if she had been waving it around letting it catch on crates or brick walls...so it nicked the wall once!

Oh well.

At least it wasn't her head like last time.

Rolling his eyes at her antics, Ace couldn't believe she was being so dramatic. He had barely tapped her. Not to mention if he'd stolen her hat he knew for certain that he would have been issued multiple bruises and quite possibly a bleeding lip– it had happened before.

Never again.

Hat = precious.

Her precious = no touchy ever.

...unless given explicit permission or it was in danger...in which case it was recover the hat at all costs.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Ace took in his surroundings, realising that in their game of 'pirate-and-marine' they'd managed to end up deeper within the back streets.

"Cm'on Luffy, let's find your crew."

Guiding her down a different street and then another Ace successfully managed to get Luffy to 'U' turn so they were heading towards the water.

"Where's your ship docked?"

While he wasn't expecting a name of anywhere, a general description would be enough to get them where they needed to be.

"You know, I haven't the slightest idea."

Ace's step faltered slightly as he looked over to Luffy.

Nothing had changed.

It was like that one time Luffy had taken Shank's hat off, left it somewhere then couldn't remember where that 'somewhere' was.

The only difference was that he had both Sabo and Thatch to help him hunt down the hat. Not to mention Luffy had been in tears.

At least she'd grown out of that slightly awkward to deal with habit.

Three guys with one blubbering, nonsensical and distraught seven year old girl was an experience he never ever, ever, ever, EVER, wanted to repeat again.

EVER.

E-V-E-R.

"Cm'on Luffy. You're the Captain. You're supposed to take note of where you dock."

Her cheeky laugh was all he got in response.

Oh Luffy. How do you survive without us?

Exhaling deeply, Ace couldn't help but feel sorry for whoever Luffy had managed to ensnare as part of her crew.

Although, anyone who could keep up with Luffy could hardly be considered 'normal'.

From what he'd seen, albeit very briefly, he was pretty sure at least one wasn't human.

"What are your nakama like? What kind of people are they?"

Luffy's smile grew as she held up her hands in front of her counting them off.

"The world's future greatest swordsman; my navigator likes money and gold, but mostly gold so that she can get money– she also likes mandarins; a cook who makes the best-est food in the world; a liar and a reindeer who's super cute and fluffy!"

Luffy wrapped her arms around herself swing her upper body side to side as she thought of Chopper and his ultimate furry coat.

Ace just smirked as he watched Luffy. Well she had always wanted a puppy, but after proving incapable of taking care of a fish –poor Shishi – Thatch had denied any other pets of any form.

"Sounds like an interesting mix you've got going on."

"Oh! We also have a Princess and a duck with us for the moment. My crew's the best ever."

So not including the Princess and the duck, she had a grand total of five permanents. Not bad, but so like her to have a small crew. All of them quite probably handpicked.

"If you don't want the girl hurt, stop right there, Fire Fist!"

Luffy halted as she felt a cold metal brush against her skin.

Ace paused as he looked to the man in front of them.

Who the hell is this guy?

Angling his head slightly Ace narrowed his eyes as he took in the sight behind him, a growling sound emitting from his chest.

Pressed firmly into Luffy was a gun.

Luffy lifted a single eyebrow as she tilted her head towards Ace.

Growling?

Really?

How old was he again?

Well, whatever. It was Ace, and everyone knew he could be a little strange sometimes.

Ace returned his gaze to the man at least acting as the group's ring-leader of sorts.

This guy is seriously asking for a beating.

Luffy twitched slightly growing bored of the staring contest Ace was having with the big fat guy attempting to block their path.

Patience had never been her strong suit as she took a single step forward.

BANG.

AN: I'm really sorry to do this to you all but I have assignments over the next three weeks so the next chapter will probably be up in 3-4 weeks. I'm really sorry!