Sorry it's a short chapter,

kage kitsune 14: UPPDATED!

Kurosakura1225: We've got a rebel here! Haha!

Pirate Queen ofthe 21st centry: Updated!

avengeme: Hmm... perhaps... I can't tell you... You'll just have to read on :D

"Hey Rikku! You can't be serious!" Chaki had yelled outside of the medical room.

"Well, it's the least I can do… He kind of helped me, in a way…" Rikku tried to avoid Chaki's gaze.

When Rikku had come back night was approaching and the sun was setting. All of the soldiers and townspeople were relieved, though it was short lived when they saw an unconscious Fire Fist being hauled behind her. She told them not to worry and let them go back to town, sending some marines with them just in case Blackbeard's crew was still there. While she dragged Ace to the infirmary, she made sure to talk with the doctor herself telling him to fix him up as best he could. When he almost refused, she sent him a quick glare and was on her way. Though Chaki stopped her when she stepped outside the room.

"Just because he helped you, doesn't mean we should let him go. We could take him to Impel Down and you could get a promotion!"

Rikku instantly shot down the idea. "I don't need a promotion." She then continued. "Besides, once he wakes up, we'll tell him to be on his way…" She trailed off, thinking about how she could ask him how he knows her without grabbing Chaki's attention.

Chaki sighed, frustrated that she couldn't change the stubborn Commodores mind, and she turned around and left to let off some steam.

Rikku too sighed and walked down to her office. She was met with a bundle of paperwork that she had to fill out based on Banaro Island and what had occurred today. Once she finished that last paper she dropped her head and slept. Into a deep a reassuring sleep, she forgot about all her worries.

The next morning, her sleep had refreshed her, though a little so much that she forgot she had a pirate on her ship. She awoke with a brilliant smile and changed into a red t-shirt with a splash of black on the front, with dark blue jeans ripped on one knee, and threw on a black baseball cap over her long, dark, uncombed hair.

She swung open the door ready for another day of sailing. Her crew members greeted her and she gave a cheery 'good morning' back. It caused some of them to stop for a while before chuckling and getting back to work.

"Alright men! We're going to ready to set sail! Alright?" She was met with a loud cheer.

As she saw some boxes being loaded onto the ship, she went over to the man who was in charge. "What's all of this?" She asked.

"Oh, Commodore! Good morning! It's some food supplies given by the people." Rikku had frowned slightly at what she heard. "C-Commodore?"

"Have some men take half of the supplies back, and tell the people we don't need it." She ordered.

"Yes, ma'am!" He saluted as he re-shouted her order to the group of men.

A small marine came stumbling onto the ship with a heavy box onto the ship. She went over and helped steadying him before trying to take the box herself.

"N-no need Commodore!" He tried to carry it himself but it slipped slightly and Rikku had caught it.

She smirked. "No worries, I got this one." She heard some of the other marines muffling a laugh. "Hey! No laughing, we have work to do!" Obviously the small marine was flustered but he let it go and went back to get more.

She quickly made her way to the storage room and set the box down. When she stepped out a cool breeze had whipped through and the clouds had moved out of the sun's brilliant rays. Covering her eyes, she looked up at those who were working on the sails. "How's it going up there?" She shouted.

One of them gave her thumbs up though lost his balance. Rikku panicked from the ground, though when he recovered, she was instantly relieved.

"You're up early." Chaki came up next to her with two mugs which had steam coming out of the mugs.

Rikku shook her head. "No thanks."

Chaki handed her the mug anyway. "No worries, it's just hot chocolate. A little sugar might help you out."

Taking a sip, Rikku's shoulders had relaxed a little. "So are you still going to let him go?" Chaki asked again.

A confused look had crossed Rikku's face. "Who?"

"You know… The pirate." Just as Chaki said that, loud scuffling could be heard coming from the storage. They both looked towards the door behind them and out jumped Portgas D. Ace, freshly renewed, and on the run with some of the ship's food supplies.

"What?!" Rikku's eyes had widened. He stopped in the middle of the deck looking for an escape route, though his eyes landed on Rikku who he just passed a few second ago. "Crap! I forgot to put Kairoseki handcuffs on him!" Chaki ignored Rikku's side comment and pulled out a gun from her uniform, she shot at him though he easily evaded the bullet.

The marines who saw what was happening quickly went and grabbed weapons and surrounded him. "Stop!" Rikku had yelled, though it was already too late and a battle was unfolded onto her ship. Though it was more one-sided as Ace had the upper hand with his devil fruit.

"Rikku!" Chaki warned her, though Rikku put her mug down and ran into all the commotion and flung a punch at Ace. He caught her fist, and studied her face, recognition flooding his eyes. He pushed her back as a sword was aimed for him and he dodged it.

"Cease!" Chaki's voice had sounded over all of them, she knew Rikku's crew wasn't up for a fight with Whitebeard's Second Division Commander. She threw him an orange hat that she had in her hand. "We'll allow you to quietly leave the ship."

He caught it with one hand while his other hand still had the bag of food he had stolen. He took a glimpse at it before putting it on, and it shadowed his face. Rikku saw him smirk before looking at her. "Alright." He finally said. Then he slowly started walking.

He walked passed a few marines who tensed slightly, and then he walked past Rikku. Though not even an inch past her, his arm shot backwards throwing Rikku over his shoulder. Panic is written across her face along with everyone else's.

"Let go!" She punched his back several times before trying to shove his head away. Though he was still too strong, even with one arm.

He ran and jumped off the ship as the marines started shooting at him. While still holding Rikku the two landed in his Striker which he powered up and sped out.

Chaki, who was worried that Rikku would get shot, shouted the order to stop. She ran over to the edge of the ship and waved her fist angrily. "Cheap bastard! Get back here!" She turned to the crew. "After him!" Though to Chaki's dismay though, after a few minutes of pursuing, it could be seen clearly that the Striker was much faster than a marine ship and he had gotten away.

Al the while, Rikku was fighting back, and as she slowly stopped punching, she finally realized something and stopped hitting and struggling all together. Her eyes had widened and memories flooded back of her first meeting with the Strawhat crew.

"NO WAY! NOT AGAIN?!"

Sorry again that it's short.