Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own One Piece... just the idea that is this story...

Special thanks to kerennie for beta-ing and helping me come up with ideas for this chapter :)

Chapter 6: Teases and Truth in The Desert

After being introduced to the crew, Ace learned that his hunch earlier was right on the mark. There was a perverted cook, a moody swordsman and the liar guy… the swordsman might be less of concern than the other two though. Sure, Ace minded his manners and was kind to his sister's friends but that didn't mean that they should mistake his kindness for allowing them to do as they pleased.

"Hey Luffy," Ace called to her before they got too distracted and after his crew seemed to fully accept Luffy and her crazy behavior just as she was. "Who put you in that outfit anyway? I don't remember you ever liking that sort of thing." He commented lightly, not trying to give any hints to why he wanted to know.

Luffy smiled widely before twirling around for him to see and admire. "Do you like it? I wasn't too sure if it would look good on me when Sanji gave it to me." She told him easily as she looked down at the long skirt and the short shirt that showed off her belly like Nami's and Vivi's clothes were. Then she looked up at Ace with wonderment and curiosity on how he would respond to her question.

Sanji… that was the cook right? Ace glared at said man, giving him the deadliest glare he could muster. Sanji seemed to have noticed and he immediately tried to placate the fire fist by raising his hands and offering him a snack.

Ace wouldn't be dissuaded however as he continued to glare at Sanji. He went over to Luffy though and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Listen Luffy, if a guy gives you something like this again, make sure you punch him in the face good and hard, okay?" Ace told her gently. "I can't have my sister be so vulnerable to perverted eyes after all."

Luffy looked at Ace in curiosity as to what he could possibly mean. "Okay… but why would dressing like this make me vulnerable?" she voiced in wonder before she thought back to what Zoro said. "Ah! Do you mean I can't fight as well in a skirt?! So if I wear my normal shorts everything should be fine right?!" Luffy asked with a wide grin and moved to take off the skirt.

Ace quickly stopped her though, his red face more than obvious. He did NOT want to watch his sister change clothes… in fact if she was talking about her normal shorts, then in comparison to what she was wearing now, it'd be even worse! She'd be showing off a whole lot more of her skin than he was comfortable with. "No, Luffy! It's fine! You look cute in skirts and I'm sure you can fight just fine too! It's just that I don't want other guys to see how cute you are, is all! So put something over top of it so that you don't get burned in the desert sun okay? It's dangerous to have so much skin showing."

… Crap… what did he just say?! How could he let himself get so flustered as to blurt that out?! Everyone was staring at him now too! Sanji and Usopp had this look in their eyes that said 'you too huh, I knew it' and Zoro watched him as if he didn't know what to make of him. While Nami and Vivi they were staring curiously though he could almost guess that Nami's slowly spreading grin was not a good sign.

"Oh…?" Nami cooed as she put a finger to her chin while her eyes narrowed knowingly. "Did you call Luffy cute just now? You sounded very jealous too…" she teased Ace, as if the dots were slowly connecting in her mind.

However, Ace was saved as Luffy turned to him with a smile and gave him a hug. "You think I'm cute? Yay! I don't mind wearing skirts then if it means you think I'm cute!" She stated happily, though unknowingly making Ace even more red in the face. He walked right into that one didn't he… he had to somehow convince Luffy that she could just be herself without being so open with her body, and still be cute! He was still a man after all and he should NOT be thinking such things about his sister! So maybe he thought he was saved far too soon as Luffy only dug his hole deeper for him.

Alas, this time he might have been saved after all as the men from earlier started shooting cannon balls at them. Luffy separated from him and looked to be ready to fight them off, but Ace spoke up first. "Luffy, let me handle this. Don't worry I got it." Maybe now he could really tell off those guys in her crew and show that he meant business when it concerned protecting Luffy and her dignity. Hopping into his boat, he used his flames to head towards the 12 ships that were coming their way. He didn't seem nervous in the slightest while he could hear the crew behind him speaking in awe that he was going alone. Only Luffy and Zoro seemed to want to watch in interest and curiosity on how he was going to beat the massive group.

Luffy was more impressed that he could fly than the fact he was going to fight, typical but not unexpected. She'd seen him fight plenty of times after all. What really got them going though was the fact that Ace had destroyed each and every one of the ships with a single, flamed fist punch. To say the least, by the time Ace returned to the Merry, each one of the men got the message loud and clear. Don't mess with Luffy or I'll mess you up personally. A.k.a., No perverts allowed near Luffy. Even Zoro understood that he shouldn't stare and watch Luffy for too long… he had that habit every so often.

Usopp ended up being thoroughly terrified of Ace and yet in awe all at once. It was like he couldn't decide between shaking in terror that Ace's wrath would turn on him next or if he was shaking in pure excitement that Ace had just taken down a whole armada – as he called it, in one freaking attack! Chopper wasn't scared but rather seriously impressed with stars in his eyes.

As for Sanji… well let's just say he's accepted the challenge Ace presented and intends to do as he wishes anyway. He's planning a whole feast in celebration of Luffy finding Ace – just to get him to agree that is – and to celebrate the three women on board dressing so beautifully. He planned to steal Luffy from Ace with food… which might just work. Well, it would if it wasn't for the fact that Luffy shared everything she got from Sanji, that wasn't meat, with said brother. Which was a sight to behold on its own. Luffy NEVER shared food… at least that's what the crew believed until they met and saw her share with Ace.

Later, they learned where they needed to go and Ace decided to join them on the way to meeting Scorpion in Eremelu, having business with him. So Luffy took that to claim that he had joined her crew officially… though Ace did try to tell her otherwise, she didn't seem to hear it.

It was only half a day and Sanji was already bringing Luffy more food, much to Ace's enjoyment and dismay all at once. He enjoyed watching Sanji get frustrated when food he made for the women was given to him as well, he hated that the cook had yet to really get the message that Luffy just wasn't interested in the cook in such a way. Especially since she didn't really notice the reasons behind so much food. Alas, he didn't have to do anything this time as a certain other person grabbed what Sanji was bringing out – some sort of refreshing drink – and drank it up himself.

"Needs more alcohol stupid cook." Zoro stated, giving back the glass with a bored expression. He'd had enough of Sanji purposely and openly making moves towards Luffy. She wasn't some prize; she was their captain. Sanji was not treating her the way that Luffy would approve of if she only knew what he was doing.

In response, Sanji got angry and the two started bickering like they normally did. Ace didn't miss the assistance though and he couldn't help but smirk. Two working to protect Luffy from perverts was definitely more favorable than just him alone. Ace didn't know how long he would stay with the crew, but he was grateful that at least one of the men had Luffy's best interests in mind… and not in a perverted way. Even while the two were fighting, Zoro managed to smirk in Ace's direction. It was a silent agreement between the two that was made then. Annoy the cook, protect Luffy and get in the pervert's way whenever possible or make his life hell if he did anything while they weren't looking.

Luffy had been playing with the liar and the doctor, drinking with them and just messing around really. Ace watched them for a while, before his gaze settled on the long nosed man. Something about the boy made Ace uncomfortable, and it wasn't his nose. The fact that the man was a well-known liar probably set him off at first, but the fact that almost every word out of the man's mouth was a lie, made Ace not like the man even more. That man was going to betray Luffy… he didn't know when or how, but Ace felt it in his bones.

As for Luffy, ever since Ace said that she was cute in the skirt, she hasn't been able to sit still long enough from pure happiness at the simple complement. Her idea to wear a skirt for her reunion with Ace had gone without a hitch. Sure she surprised everyone, but since when was that a new occurrence? She was happy enough to share the desserts that Sanji brought for her with her big brother too. It was a rare thing to be complemented by Ace after all and she wasn't super hunger that she couldn't share with him. For some reason though, Ace kept watching the crew like they were the enemy. Which was odd, even for Ace.

Luffy was going to say something to him, but then Usopp and Chopper invited her to play a game and the loser had to drink some beer. Which was fine because they all lost eventually (don't really know the game since they play so many), and they just continued drinking by toasting. She forgot what all they toasted to, but one in particular got Ace's attention.

"Just when did I say I was gonna join your crew? Hey!" Ace complained from his seat on a barrel, drink in hand as well.

However, Luffy and her friends continued to toast happily. Ace was joining them for a while at least so that's what mattered. Having been given some delicious meat, Luffy turned to her beloved brother with a grin and a mouth full of food. "Ace, you sure you don't want to join? It'll be fun. I promise!"

"I can't right now, I'm chasing someone." Ace answered, taking a drink from his own mug. "I'm looking for a pirate named Blackbeard. He was a member of my division and he did the most unforgivable thing a pirate could do. So now it's my job to hunt him down and make him pay."

"And since we're all going in the same direction, you are technically a part of the crew now, you know." Nami stated with a sly grin as she watched Ace, a hand under her chin as she sat in her chair.

Ace looked over at her and he could swear he saw something going on in that head of hers that just made him want to run. Just what kind of girl was this navigator? He wasn't scared or anything, but he just got a bad feeling when he noticed that look of hers. Looking away, he took another drink from his mug, trying to pretend he didn't hear her.

"Hey! You're right! Ace is officially part of the crew now!" Luffy proclaimed and, for the 10th time since being on the ship again, she launched to Ace's side and hugged him. "Hehee, you finally joined my crew! Even when we were kids you were against the idea from the start but now you can't say anything about it." She laughed happily while Ace tried to keep his drink from spilling and keeping her from squishing him.

"No way! I don't know what you're talking about! I didn't join your crew, Luffy! I have my own friends remember?! Hey!" No matter how Ace tried, Luffy wasn't listening. She saw him as part of the crew and that was that. Everyone else was laughing at the siblings as one just hugged the life out of the other who was trying to get it into her thick skull that he was the one that was right.

-Landing in Nanohana, a few hours later-

After the girls got dressed in more desert ready clothes – much to Sanji's disappointment – and docking the ship in a decent hiding spot, Luffy beating up the local animal life and becoming their master only to have Chopper sooth the situation by giving up a portion of their food, they were finally on their way to beat Crocodile. They barely walked for an hour before Luffy was already complaining about the heat.

Nami tried to get Luffy to quiet down, but that only lasted for 3 seconds before the groaning and complaining continued. Sanji was going all gooey and lovey dovey with Luffy and offered to give her a piggy back ride if she was so tired. However, before either Ace or Zoro could do a thing, Nami and Vivi hit Sanji with a good strong punch each.

Luffy just looked at them disappointedly as she missed out on a piggyback ride. She had completely missed what Sanji was saying other than 'piggyback ride' and now their cook was out cold being dragged in the sand by Usopp via his ankle. A minute later she was right back to groaning and complaining about the heat.

Ace smirked a bit at the very 'Luffy' behavior that he was so used to, still present in his little sister. He worried for a while that maybe she'd be different when they saw each other again. However, now he found that his worries were unnecessary… at least concerning Luffy and her personality/behavior.

Chuckling a bit, Ace decided to tease her a bit. Both to amuse himself and to stop Luffy's complaining. "You know Luffy, it's probably because you got such a lame devil fruit that it feels so hot to you." He started to say and like clockwork, Luffy's reaction was predictable as she stopped complaining and instead turned to him in anger.

"It's not lame! Being rubber is awesome!" Luffy shouted as if that would prove anything. How many times have they had this exact conversation? She didn't know, but she didn't care either. Ace was there and he was teasing her to help her focus on something other than how hot it was.

"Not really. As for me, I got even better abilities than you do. I barely even feel the heat. Being fire has much more perks than being rubber does." Ace continued, baiting Luffy even more as his smirk only grew.

"Fire is cool but rubber is better than fire!" Luffy responded and for a good 10 minutes, it went back and forth of 'no it isn't' and 'yes it is', and 'No way, mine is better' and a bunch of insults thrown at each other and examples in between. It was an amusing argument and one that the crew sensed great affection in the words because of the familiarity the two showed from it.

After a while, Luffy quieted down and looked at him for a moment and then snickered. "I bet if you had water poured on you, you'd be extinguished into a puff of smoke." She stated in retaliation, only to realize that that wasn't a good thing at all. She didn't want Ace to be extinguished!

Ace looked at Luffy in surprise only to burst out laughing at Luffy's behavior as she realized what she just said.

Luffy on the other hand looked like she was about to dig a hole and drown herself in tears as she basically wished her beloved older brother to die. She didn't want him to die! She wanted to be with him forever!

Before Luffy could do or say anything else, she felt a gentle weight on her head and then she was pulled towards something soft but hard at the same time. Looking up as tears were peaking at the corner of her eyes, she saw Ace above her. His hand was on her head and he was holding her close to his chest in comfort. "Ace?" she asked softly, then continued. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it… please don't get a bucket of water poured on you! I don't want you to be extinguished! I don't want you to die!"

Ace's hand shifted to her shoulders as he wrapped both arms around her. "Don't worry Luffy. I'm not mad or anything and water can't kill me that easily. I can still shower you know and I got flesh and blood just like anyone else. I'm not going to die… remember?" The last words were spoken softly, privately, for just Luffy to hear and understand as he looked at her with a soft gaze. "So don't cry and just keep smiling. Okay?"

Luffy nodded slowly and wrapped her arms around Ace's waist and hugging him tightly in return.

Did she always fit this nicely in his arms?

After a moment of hugging, Ace let go of Luffy and gave her a smile before moving to catch up with the others, who had left them behind to let them have a moment. He had to let go when he did, otherwise… no he wouldn't even think about it. However, if his blushing face was any indication he had thought of something he was really embarrassed about. As much as the 2nd Division Commander tried to hide it under the rim of his hats shadow, it was there and he was escaping from Luffy in a rush.

What he had to worry about now was the liar, the pervert, possibly the swordsman and her navigator's sly look returning to her face as she looked at him. He and Luffy caught up easily enough, but that look was giving him the same feeling from before… run.

What now?

Nami looked at him as a slow smile slowly formed on her face. She had clearly seen his blush and she didn't let it escape attention either before she turned to Luffy with a helpful and innocent look on her face. "Luffy, rather than getting a break from Sanji, why don't you ask your big brother to do it? You haven't seen him in awhile right?" she suggested sweetly with the look and face that said 'I'm innocently trying to help.'

Everyone but Luffy and Chopper, since he was out cold from the heat, knew better. Even Ace was starting to see that woman's true colors as being mischievous and looking to gain something from whoever was her next victim. He hasn't known her for more than a few hours and yet he still could see that much!

Luffy looked at her friend for a moment. Take a break? Ask Ace… Yeah… Luffy missed Ace a lot and she really wanted to spend as much time with him as she could. Smiling at Nami, happy for the idea, Luffy then looked to Ace questioningly – which was odd since that wasn't what Nami was implying at all. "Ace?" she asked suddenly, as a thought came into her head. Ace needed a break and she knew just the perfect way to do it too.

Looking confused, Ace responded carefully, getting a sinking feeling somewhere in his gut. "What is it?"

Luffy grinned widely and then stood up as if the heat never bothered her. "Ace, if I find Blackbeard first, then you gotta join my crew! I'm not taking no for an answer! If I have to beat Whitebeard's ass to get him to let you leave, then I will. You're joining and that's that." She stated with a laugh while everyone else stared at her with wide open mouths. Some in disbelief, some in surprise... but definitely all were thinking 'WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?' while they were staring at their laughing captain who clearly thought she had just come up with the best solution to everything on her mind right then.

Don't kill me! The chapter is here now! I'm sorry it took sooo long! I had finals to study for, Grandma getting run over by a reindeer... not really but she had to go to the hospital. I'm also beta-ing some other OP stories and and and... I really had no idea what I was going to write for this chapter... SO! You can thank Kerennie for her much needed support and ideas to spur to life this chapter AND to EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO FAVORITED/FOLLOWED THIS STORY since my last update!

Holy CRAP! I got so many fav/follows it blew me away! Literally! I got 12 notices in ONE FREAKING DAY that I got more follows/favs on the story and sometimes on me as an author! Then MORE came in the following days and I said to myself 'okay, can't disappoint... gotta get out a chapter NOW (or... as soon as I knew what to write and get it typed up) and PLEASE EVERYONE WHO IS SO AWESOME AND FOLLOWING MY STORY!

You can ask Kerennie! I told her this exact same thing! You all BLEW ME AWAY with your support! THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! You guys are the best!

Alas, you still get a cliffhanger *evil me laughs*... At least I dropped a few hints in this chapter as to what may happen in future chapters. Can you find them? XD Anyway, I'll try and update weekly until school starts up again but I am working 3 jobs as well... so maybe every two weeks? Well... I'm not setting a schedule then... I'll update when I get the next chapter done. Could be in an hour or a few days too. XD

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I look forward to any reviews, favs, follows that come with it. Thanks again everyone!

Chao!

AceAyane