Disclaimer:I do not own One Piece or anything related. Just the idea

Special thanks to my beta's Kerennie and ScarletteSorceress for helping me get the story to how it is now.

Chapter 4: The First Reunion and… She wears a skirt!?

Four months ago:

Nami was cured, Sanji was still beating himself up about being a burden on his 'fragile' captain – even though she clearly wasn't fragile. Every time she heard him say something about her condition and mix it in with how he burdened her, she didn't hesitate anymore to knock him into the nearest wall. Now it happened whenever he seemed to start talking about how ladies needed a man to look after them because of their delicate, aka fragile, bodies/skin/hands – whatever he deemed to be delicate really, Luffy hit him out of pure annoyance.

While on the way to Alabasta, they were getting ready for the trip through the desert. Luffy was running around like usual, enjoying the day and then with the call for lunch, she eagerly went to get her food. Sanji placed the food out and while they were in the middle of eating, he was talking about how she should be resting with Nami because they were ladies, aka delicate/fragile. Finally getting annoyed with being seen as weak and fragile by her cook, Luffy frowned and stood up mid-meal surprising everyone who knew that she never stopped eating till she was full – or there wasn't any food left to serve. The brim of her hat shadowed her eyes as she stood and faced Sanji and the others.

"Look, I know you're worried about me and that you feel guilty. But I've had enough of you calling me a 'lady' like I'm in need of protection like some helpless girl. I'm your friend Sanji, but more than that I am your Captain." Luffy stated softly before looking at Sanji with a challenge in her gaze. "Or do you feel that I'm too weak to even be your captain anymore?" she asked in a low, serious voice.

Luffy had tried to tell Sanji many times that it was okay, that she was fine, it wasn't his fault and she did what she had to do, but Sanji continued to insist on feeling guilty. Now instead of hearing his usual complements, she heard what he wasn't saying, whether he meant it or not. Weak. Defenseless. Fragile. Unfit to be captain – to sum it all up really.

Zoro was watching the event calmly, Usopp and Nami were looking nervously between the cook and captain, Chopper wasn't sure what to say and Vivi… well she was trying to think of a way to calm the situation.

Finally, Sanji spoke up as though to try and clear any misunderstanding. "No, that's not what I meant at all… it's just…" Sanji's voice cut off as he stared at his usually fun loving Captain.

"She's got a point you know." Zoro stated after a moment of neither of them talking. "She's the captain of our ship and crew, she's not some weakling in need of you worrying over every little thing. If Luffy were a guy, I bet you'd just brush it off and say 'it's just Luffy being Luffy.' You'd be happy that she was able to keep her promise that she'd keep Nami safe, and did the same for you in the process. Am I right?" he asked softly, trying to help in his own way.

Sanji frowned and looked towards the swordsman. The look on his face said that Zoro more than likely hit the nail on the head with his statements. "But… Luffy's…"

"If you feel that I'm too weak to be your captain, you can challenge me if you want. After all, a weak captain means that I can't protect you guys like a captain should, right?" Luffy offered to try and prove her worth.

"Luffy, I'm sure that's not necessary. It's just that Sanji deeply regrets not being able to do anything to ease your burden—" Vivi started to say before she was cut off by Luffy.

"WHAT BURDEN?!" Luffy questioned loudly, looking at Vivi and then the others. "How can you guys even think, even for a moment, that you are a burden to me? Aren't we friends? I would die for you guys if the need arose, so don't you ever think you are a burden! Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I'm no less capable or willing to do what it takes. I'm going to be King of the Pirates! If I can't protect my friends, how can I even accomplish that goal huh?!" Luffy questioned, stunning three of the 6 people into shocked silence. It was clear that more than just Sanji thought something along the lines of 'women are special' line of thinking. One was obvious, maybe the second one too, but the third was probably for a different reason altogether than just about Luffy being a girl. Sanji, Usopp, and Vivi to be precise.

Usopp had grown up trying to help women, his mother and Kaya for example, to see Luffy – being a woman – he can't help but want to 'protect' her as if it was built into him. Vivi however, wasn't thinking about her being a girl per say… just that she didn't think that Luffy felt that way about her friends… at least not that much anyway.

Zoro closed his eyes with a smirk as he took a drink of his alcohol while Nami crossed her arms with a smile, watching the others quite satisfied that Luffy was showing her metal by proving that gender didn't matter. Chopper was just glad that everything seemed to click into place now and smiled as he picked up another piece of food.

The next moment, the sniper and cook both got up and hugged Luffy tightly – completely catching her off guard. "Wha- what's gotten into you guys? Let go!" Luffy struggled half-heartedly as the two apologized repeatedly, one with hearts and tears in his eyes – he loved being lectured by her apparently, and the other just crying because he had doubted her even though it wasn't on purpose.

Laughter filled the room at last and Luffy tried pushing the men off so she could get to her meal. "SanjiI! I want dessert! Make me some!" she stated, trying to distract the cook with her never ending need for food and since he was a cook that loved to feed hungry people, she hoped this would work. It did. "Usopp stop rubbing your snot on me! That's gross!"

For Usopp she just shoved her palm and then her foot in his face to get him to back off long enough for her to get some food again. Then she used one hand to hold him away and the other to eat like usual. Nami and the others were laughing at their antics – now that the tension was gone they were able to enjoy the day once more as Luffy complained about the snot on her clothes and skin, now in need of a major shower to feel clean again.

Finally, a few days later, their ship at last landed in Alabasta, or more specifically the port town of Nanohana. In glee, Luffy ran off to the nearest restaurant. Unlike Zoro, Luffy was able to find her way around a town fairly easily… all she had to do was follow her nose to the best smelling food. Upon actually finding the restaurant, Luffy couldn't resist from getting there the fastest way possible… which was by launching herself there.

As that was happening, Sanji took it upon himself to find clothes for everyone and took extra special care to find outfits for the ladies under his protection – sue him, he still wants to protect his captain even if she didn't really need it. The dancer outfits would look divine on all three of them, he could just tell. However, on his way back to the crew's meet up point, he couldn't see his captain anywhere… add that to the fact that they lost their doctor somewhere too. Sanji gave Nami and Vivi their clothes at least, as well as the other guys. Sanji just couldn't wait to see what Luffy would look like in her outfit and Zoro had a feeling he'd be even stupider than he was with just Nami and Vivi looking like dancer girls and giving twirls and hearts to float away in the sky.

"Give me food!" Luffy yelled out happily once she sat down in a stool eagerly, not realizing that she sent someone flying through the walls in her rush to get to the food. She didn't really get why everyone, even the chef, was so nervous. It didn't matter though, as the chef told her that she should run while pointing to the hole in the wall. But she didn't care either way since they still gave her some delicious looking food. However, when a familiar face walked through the hole in the wall, with a smile on his face while greeting her, Luffy briefly stopped eating to stare at the person in front of her. "No way…"

"Hehe, hey Luffy. Long time no see. Been looking for you for a while." The man started to say before arms stretched out and snaked around him before a body came crashing into him.

"Ace! I haven't seen you in forever!" Luffy grinned happily, hugging him close. Ace, her beloved big brother, was here in front of her. After such a long time apart, Luffy was super stoked to see Ace again. He felt bulkier than last time she touched him, he wasn't as tall as before either… though that could be chalked up to her growing taller. He looked happy at least, and best of all, he was here.

The man called Ace grinned and gave Luffy a hug in return, surprising the people in the restaurant to no end. First the guy keeled over earlier as though dead, came back to life, fell asleep again, and when they thought the girl would get killed for sending him flying, the two end up hugging and smiling at each other. This day was just too weird for ordinary citizens like them.

Sitting back down, Luffy and Ace ordered more food and started talking to catch up over the time they've been apart. "I thought you stopped being a pirate or something. I didn't know what happened to you after your first few bounties were announced, and no one back at the village would let me read the newspaper long enough to see if you were in it." Luffy mentioned, still very much happy and excited, even though she was stuffing her mouth with food, she still managed to talk.

Ace laughed and finished his mouth full before looking to Luffy with a grin. "Come on Luffy, eat first and then we can talk. I'm not leaving any time soon so we'll have plenty of time for catching up. Knowing you, the way you came flying in here means your starving, right?"

Luffy just nodded, happy that she had food and add the fact that Ace was there just made it all the better. "But… Ace I can't help but wanting to know what happened. How come you didn't send any letters? I've been worried." She spoke as if she wasn't just lectured to eat first and talk later.

Grinning at Luffy's continued attempt to talk, Ace just shrugged and ate his food. "Sorry about that, it's been one adventure after another since I left. I'm sure it was the same for you once you started out to sea. Am I right?"

Grinning, for once having an empty mouth, Luffy giggled and nodded. "Yeah that's true. I guess I can't blame you for having fun. Just wait though, I'll surpass you one day and go further than you've gone. Just because you've got three years head start doesn't mean you can beat me to the One Piece." She stated full of her usual confidence before eating some more food. Honestly though, even if Ace could find the One Piece before her, she'd just fight him to take his spot as King. Simple as that, right? Giggling at the prospect of finally beating Ace in a fight, popped a piece of meat in her mouth.

Laughing, Ace watched Luffy with renewed fondness from when they grew up. "You haven't changed a bit. Well, at least in your personality anyway. You certainly grew a bit taller since I last saw you though." He stated, almost sounding relieved at this fact alone as he finished his food and Luffy finished hers around the same time.

"Oh yeah? Well I could say the same for you. What –"

"Well well, so here's where you've been, Straw Hat Luffy. Eating so calmly in public without a care in the world. You've got some nerve." A rough voice sounded, causing Luffy and Ace to look back at him. Blinking at the Marine talking to her, as she picked up her water to wash down the remnants of her food while Ace looked between the two. The Marine looked young despite his grey hair, built certainly as he happily just wore a coat with no shirt and the standard issue marine pants and shoes.

"Hey Luffy, you know him?" Ace asked, looking at his little sister in curiosity which just brought the Marines attention to Ace in surprise.

"What's a hot shot pirate like you doing here? Talking with Straw Hat like you're old friends no less… just what does Whitebeard want from Alabasta… Second Commander, Portgas D. Ace." The Marine asked as he blew out the smoke from his two cigars, fully prepared to catch them both if he got the chance, ignoring the commoners making a big deal about Ace.

Luffy didn't say a word as she watched the exchange while trying to figure out where she'd seen the Marine before. 'Hmm… he looks familiar… where have I seen him before again? Not at the marine base where Zoro was… not with Sanji's restaurant… not at Usopp's island… Nami's island? No… Dragon Land? Maybe…? Nah, how about Logue Town...? Uh…Wait…NO WAY!' Suddenly, Luffy spit some of the drink she'd already put in her mouth. "Smokey! What are you doing here in Alabasta I thought I got away from you back in Logue Town?!" she exclaimed nervously, knowing that she sure as heck couldn't beat this Marine with his smoke powers… is that why he always has two cigars? Weird…

Eye twitching from the liquid on his face, even a few angry spots showed on his forehead, Smoker wiped his face off with a towel. "What do you think Straw Hat? I told you that you couldn't leave without first beating me." Smoker stated calmly, watching the strange girl in front of him as she took a few more drinks from her cup. He kept a watchful eye on Ace too who frowned at the exchange of the brief words. However, before Smoker could say another word, Luffy put up her hand – just as he was about to reach over and grab her scrawny little neck and arrest her.

With her hand in a stop position, Luffy bowed to the owner/chef person, scooped up the water pitcher, swallowed down the water and dashed out of the restaurant in a hurry. "See you Smokey! I don't have time to deal with you today! Chase me later, please! See you later Ace, gotta run now!" she called back with a grin and with a wave of a hand, noticing the surprise on Ace's face before he called out to her to wait.

However, she didn't have time to do anything about it as said Marine came chasing after her. Luffy couldn't help but frown back at Smoker for his persistence. "I said later! What part of that don't you get?!" she yelled out hastily to Smoker in a rush to get away from him. Though as more Marines realized what the commotion was about and started surrounding her, Luffy stretched her arm to the roof of a building and ran over the tops.

Unluckily though, Smoker came flying right after her. "What are you doing here Straw Hat?! What purpose do you have for being on this island?" he demanded as he punched a smoke arm towards his target.

Luffy glanced back and jumped to a different building to get away. "What do you care why I'm here? I'm just here to beat up some guy named Crocodile! Leave me alone already! I'm already in the Grand Line and I'm not going to let you take me out of it!" Sticking her tongue out at Smoker, Luffy lost her footing at an open space and fell hard to the ground. Thankfully it didn't hurt a bit and she shook it off, carefully holding onto her hat. Luffy ran in the other direction on the ground. She needed to find her crew quickly and get away from the stupid Marines that were doing their best to surround and catch her. Besides, she was too cute to have her journey cut short so soon and she still needed to help Vivi as she promised. Smokey's timing couldn't have been worse.

"Guys! Where are you?! Zoro! Sanji! Nami! Someone answer me!" Luffy called out as she ran, though that ended up attracting more Marines. Pouting, Luffy stopped running for a minute. "You guys sure are persistent. Gum Gum…." Stretching a leg back, Luffy gave a smile from under the shade of her hat. "Whip!" She watched for the moment as the path was cleared up for the time being, then she ran the other way.

-A bit later-

After what seemed like forever, she managed to somehow lose the Marines and found her crew a while later. Hiding behind the wall, Luffy tried to catch her breath as she sat down and the others are face palming much to Luffy's obliviousness. Only Luffy could be found so quickly… although they were glad that they managed to stay hidden long enough for Luffy to escape the Marines before actually finding her friends again.

"Sanji… did you get water by any chance? This place is hot and I'm worn out from all that running and shouting." Luffy complained softly as she looked to her favorite cook, one hand fanning her face to try and cool off. Truthfully, she just really wanted to go back to the restaurant and have some more food… but she supposed that that wasn't so much of a good idea as it was highly likely she'd run into Smokey again, this of course had her sighing at the loss of some good food and maybe a chance to see her big brother again.

"Of course Luffy-chan, here you go my sweet. I also found a lovely outfit for you to wear while here in this hot desert. I would love it if you could put it on for me." Sanji responds sweetly with hearts in his eyes as he imagined her in said outfit. He gave Luffy some water and the clothes he got for her, only… the moment he looked at her he couldn't resist the hearts popping out of his eyes even larger than before as he noticed the light sheen of sweat on her beautiful face, making him swoon with joy. "Even when you're tired you're beautiful! Ah ha ha!"

Luffy gratefully accepted the water and after Nami pulled her to the corner where she and Vivi could provide shelter for Luffy to change, Luffy put on the dancer clothes and smiled happily. "Ooo, this is much cooler. Thanks Sanji!" she called happily as she finished dressing and putting on her standard sandals and straw hat back into place on her head.

"Just one thing, Luffy." Zoro spoke up with a raised eyebrow once she was done changing – after Sanji's loud swooning and overwhelming joy and twirls of seeing all three girls in dancer clothes finally quieted into the background a bit. "Isn't that going to be a little hard to fight in? You aren't used to skirts right?" Zoro asked, eyeing the clothes on Luffy for practical reasons. Sanji took his eyeing the wrong way and started getting into his face about how he better not be imagining Luffy indecently… though Sanji himself would totally love to see it too.

Luffy, not really caring about the argument between the guys, looked down at the skirt ponderingly before she shrugged. "It'll be fine. I used to wear dresses all the time when I was a kid, this one lady in town wouldn't let me dress any other way, as much as I hate to admit it. Besides, I got my shorts on still, so if the skirt gets in the way I'll just take it off." That issue taken care off, Luffy looked around the corner as she completely missed her friends jaw drop in shock that Luffy actually wore dresses once upon a time… no that Luffy actually wore dresses and didn't yell to the woman who put them on her. What's more, Luffy didn't complain that she had to wear a dress now… even if she was wearing her standard shorts underneath.

Usopp went closer to Nami with a hand on one side of his mouth and whispers to his friend. "Are we sure that's really Luffy? She's always refused to wear dresses or even skirts before now…"

"Good question… I never seen her like this before, let alone be so calm and accepting of an outfit like that. Like that one time…" Nami started with a finger raised to indicate it, staring at her friend intently as if it was the most shocking thing for her to encounter at the time.

Flashback:

They had just beat Captain Kuro and sent them packing, Nami had bought a new outfit for Luffy since her clothes seemed to always get dirty, plus her current clothes were all torn up. Being the good friend that she is, Nami picked out a red form fitting tang top with a short blue skirt, since those seem to be the colors that Luffy liked best. She even picked out some nice heels that were easy for both walking and running too – actually they were similar to the shoes Nami always. Smiling at the clothes and the idea of making Luffy look as pretty as she should look, even though she was pretty enough already. Nami wanted to help her friend shine. Reaching their new ship, Nami held up her purchased goods and showed Luffy.

"Hey Luffy, I got you some clothes. Girls should always look their best, so if you change into these you can wash your clothes in the meantime." Nami offered sweetly, though secretly planned to throw Luffy's old clothes in the garbage. She seriously doubted that Luffy even knew how to look nice, Luffy always seemed to prefer comfort over looking good for some reason.

Luffy looked over to Nami and grinned happily, reaching for the bag and looking at its contents. Pulling out the outfit and shoes, Luffy gave a big frown. "What's this? These aren't anything like my normal clothes… Why did you buy me a skirt? I don't like wearing skirts…" she grumbled, but nonetheless accepted the clothes either way – stuffing them back into the bag and dumped it on the deck by her feet as she invited Usopp to join the crew after Zoro spoke up.

End Flashback:

"I can vividly remember yelling at Luffy for being so rude and I still have that bag in the closet, untouched since then." Nami mused in thought. Usopp also remembered a point in time as well, it seemed, since he put a fist to his palm as a thought crossed his mind and held up two fingers this time.

"There was also that time that Sanji bought her a red gown… I think he called it… wine glass dress? It looked really tiny and short to me…" With a thoughtful finger to his chin, Usopp thought back to that day. "It was a week after we left Cocoyashi village and Sanji was doing his thing of trying to make you and Luffy like him more…"

Flashback 2:

"Nami-swan! Luffy-chan! I have something for you!" Sanji called out as he came twirling out of the kitchen bearing a fruit drink and some pudding for them to snack on. He also had a bag on his arm for reasons unknown.

"Ooo! Sanji thank you! I was getting hungry too." Luffy smiled happily, taking the offered snack and drink with glee, happily devouring the pudding. Though Nami was as cool as a button and smile sweetly at Sanji. "Thank you Sanji, you're so sweet. I don't suppose you'd be willing to find an umbrella for shade would you?" she asked while fluttering her eyes. This of course had our cook dance on his toes as he fetched what Nami wanted and put it up for her.

"How's that Nami my dear?" he asked with hearts billowing as smoke from his cigarette as he stood at her side happily. Nami on the other hand was enjoying her drink while reading the newspaper not looking at him anymore.

"Thanks Sanji, that helps a lot." She stated off-handedly. Somewhere in the background it could be heard from Zoro, "Sanji's getting used. Can't say it's a bad thing, it suits him perfectly." Thus starting another fight between the men.

Luffy glanced over to the two and couldn't help but notice the bag that hung carefully and out of the way while they fought. A thoughtful expression on her face, she decided to find out what he was carrying. "Hey Sanji, what's in the bag? You've been carrying it for a while now." Luffy asked, watching him curiously as said cook stopped fighting to grin with love hearts for eyes as he skipped to her side.

"I'm so glad you asked Luffy my sweet. I got something for you lovely ladies as a way to thank you for being in my life now and for allowing me to gaze upon your beauty every day. Here you go, this lovely red dress is for you, Luffy my love. While this lovely gem of a dress is for you Nami my sweet." Sanji cooed as he pulled out the dresses and gave them to the respective ladies.

Nami looked at the dress with delight and dazzle while Luffy looked at the dress in a curious manner. Holding it up to get a good look, eyes hidden in the shade of her hat, a prominent frown on her face before she simply tossed the dress into the ocean.

Sanji saw it and tried to reach over the railing with tears running from his eyes only to miss it by a hair. He stood reaching over the edge for what seemed like hours, really just a few minutes, before he turned to Luffy with tears and a handkerchief between his teeth. "Why Luffy? Why did you toss the dress away? It would've looked so good on you…"

Luffy, who had returned to the drink, glanced back at Sanji and quite bluntly and without blinking told him the truth. "I hate dresses. Sorry." She raised a hand to gesture her apology, though it was clear as day that she really wasn't sorry.

Sanji, though sad, was back to his normal self in no time saying something along the lines of, "Don't worry about it Luffy my dear. Even when you're cruel you still make my heart sing with joy…" and a bunch of other things that Usopp had drowned out as he focused on his ammunition making.

-End Flashback-

Nami and Usopp looked at each other nervously before they looked to Luffy in turn. Eyeing Luffy, Nami raised a hand to her mouth and whispered back. "I'm pretty sure she's our Luffy… then again I've been wrong about these things before. Plus, she actually kept us from getting into trouble with the Marines along with her this time somehow… I sense something bad is going to happen. I can feel it." She stated in fear as dread dropped on the two as to what could happen now that Luffy's done a one-eighty to what they thought they knew about her.

"Hey guys, where's Chopper?" Luffy asked as she looked around for their reindeer friend before glancing to the others. "I don't see him anywhere and he doesn't seem to be nearby." Concerned that something happened to Chopper, Luffy wanted to know what was going on while she was eating and running for her freedom.

Sanji frowned and looked around as well. "We got separated and I haven't seen him since. Not sure where to start looking really. Should we wait here until he comes back?" he suggested though just as he finished talking there was a shout.

"I'm here! Sorry I'm late!" Chopper called out, hooves over his nose as he approached his friends and sat down and taking a drink of water that was offered to him.

"Where have you been? Did you get lost?" Luffy asked curiously with a grin, though the doctor didn't take it kindly as it's usually Luffy and Zoro who get lost, not him.

"No! I just can't stand the smells in this town… I needed some fresh air." Chopper stated with a huff, but before he could say anything else there was yet another shout. This one not all that friendly sounding…

"There they are! I found Straw Hat and her crew! Get them!" A Marine shouted out as he pointed in their direction. The shout had Nami and Usopp looking at each other as the dread and disbelief starts setting in on their faces before hoping with all their might that everything would be okay somehow. Crossing their fingers and holding back tears of self-brought on betrayal via Luffy.

Present Day:

Luffy remembered the day when she was reunited with Ace again after 3 long years apart, even as she avoided the magma attacks and helped Whitebeard and his commanders the best she could. Jimbei came up with a plan to get Luffy and Marco over the wall and help Ace as quickly as they could. Now just to pull it off without the Marines catching on. "Hey Pineapple Head, what's your name? How do you know Ace?" Luffy asked as she ran with Marco towards the wall. What else was she supposed to call him when she didn't know his name? Plus, the nickname suited him… he had a head shaped like a pineapple after all.

Marco stumbled at the nickname but didn't let that keep him from continuing. "Marco, and you're Luffy right? Ace talked about you a lot. We sail on the same crew- yoi…" He responded, not sure what Luffy was trying to get at with the last question.

"Hmm…" Luffy looked at him blankly before smiling a wide smile. "Awesome, then you must know a lot about Ace huh? Maybe you could tell me stories about when he joined up with you guys and stuff." Luffy suggested eagerly, wanting to know all about Ace's adventures, apparently not taking into consideration that this was no time for a pleasant conversation.

Still running, Marco had a drop of sweat on his temple at Luffy's words. "Um… maybe after this war is over and we rescue Ace-yoi." He answered, unsure of what to make of the bubbly girl running beside him.

"Shishishi, alright then. It's a promise!"

Alright, new chapter everyone. I was really surprised to see that I had two more follows/favs and three reviews so quickly... You must really want this chapter pretty bad if I got my desired goal so quickly. I may not be able to keep up with you XD I'm still working on chapter 6 hehee. Oh well, I like a challenge. I think you'll like this chapter, I personally like Marco's and Luffy's reactions to each other. So I changed my mind on how the order of chapters go from this point on. You'll find out more about it in the next chapter as I don't want to spoil it yet.

I want to thank those of you who have reviewed and encouraged me to write more, I'm glad at least some of you are vocal in your interest and love of the story.

Guest - I don't know who you are, but thanks for reviewing nonetheless ^^ Hopefully the story will continue to interest and surprise you

Ace: Yeah... Well I hope it doesn't cause you just do everything against my wishes...

Luffy: Don't worry Ace *hugs* She plans to make your pride better in the next chapter

Hey... no spoilers...

Anyway, other reviewers I will/have responded to you in pms as I don't want to take up too much space here. I look forward to anything you have to say, reviews, ideas, comments, all of those are welcome. As always, fav/follow/review mix x 5 will bring the next chapter. I hope you like this story enough to do that.

See you,

AceAyane