Title: Of Dreams and Desires
Pairings: Smoker x Ace, Sanji x Zoro, and other side pairings
Ratings: T - NC-17
Chapter: 16 of ?
Summary: When It Rains…
Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from this story; all props go to Eiichiro Oda.
Author Note: I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!
Beta Reader: descriptionsalive21, thank you so much!

Hina

Hina's pink waist-length hair swung behind her as she marched to the office on her ship. There had been a message sent to her by one of her subordinates saying she had an urgent call from Captain Smoker. There was no telling what problem he'd gotten himself into now, and it had been months since she'd last heard from him. She wasn't all that sure she wanted to bail his ass out of whatever problem he'd gotten himself into this time. She entered her office and picked up the mushi that was on her desk. "This is Captain Hina speaking."

The tired voice of her friend came through the speakers. "Hina, I need a favor."

"It's been three months and that's how you start our conversation?"

Smoker sighed in annoyance. "I have no time for pleasantries."

"Hina upset," she said as she poked her bottom lip out.

Smoker was silent for a moment before asking, "What is your location right now?"

Hina looked at the map on her desk out the corner of her eye. "I'm one thousand nautical miles away from the Alabasta Islands, why?"

He sighed in what sounded like relief. "I need you to make it there as soon as possible."

She raised her eyebrows when she realized what he was hinting at. "Why are you in Alabasta and not in Loguetown?"

Tired of everyone questioning him, Smoker huffed in annoyance. "Can you or can you not make it here."

Hina straightened her purple suit jacket before checking her captain's log to see if she had any important places she needed to be. Seeing her schedule was open, she gave the affirmative to Smoker. "I can be there in three days."

"Make it two and I'll send word of the exact location I need you to be."

The line was silent as the snail went back to sleep and Hina glared at the mushi before hanging up the dial. She sat in her desk chair and looked at her caged birds, listening to them sing their song while she rested. She sat in contemplation for a moment before she stood and hastily made her way to the bridge of the ship. When she arrived she gave word to the helmsman to direct the ship to the islands of Alabasta.

True to Smoker's request, Captain Hina arrived at the islands of Alabasta in two days. She stood on the deck of her ship looking at the desert island as they drew near. The rain that fell in the area was unusual due to the reports that had been coming into HQ regarding the drought Alabasta had been experiencing for the last few years. Her personal mushi rang, demanding her attention and she pulled it out of her pocket. "Captain Hina."

"Where are you?"

She lit a cigarette and ran a gloved hand through her hair. "I'm coming up on the islands now. What is it that you need, Smoker?"

"There's a ship that I need you to hunt down. It's carrying Dance Powder on it. Stop it before it reaches the coast."

Hina tapped her ashes into the water below as she asked, "What in the world is going on, Smoker? Dance Powder is illegal."

Smoker scoffed and the snail rolled its eyes. "You think I don't know that? I'm trying to stop the criminals trying to use it."

"Fine, I'll do it; but you owe me."

"Let me know when you've apprehended the ship, I'll meet you on it."

Hina was going to reply but Smoker didn't let her, as the snail went back to sleep in her hand and her lips curled slightly. Just like him to demand and not ask. She gave orders to her crew and her ship circled the coast of the island, checking for suspicious activity. It was a few hours before her scouts reported a finding.

"Ma'am! There's a ship to our three o'clock, looks to be a pirate ship but we cannot confirm."

Hina held her hand out and one of her subordinates placed a pair of binoculars in her palm. She looked out them, searching her three o'clock for the ship. It was raining and the mist made it difficult to see through, but upon finding it she hummed to herself in thought, it definitely wasn't a pirate ship, but it wasn't a commoner's ship either.

"Full speed ahead and prepare the cannons in case of combat." Hina pulled her gloves tighter on her hands and waited until they were on the tail of the unknown ship before she called for a warning shot. "Let them know we're here, boys, but don't damage the ship, there's no telling where the Dance Powder could be held."

Her crew responded with "aye" before the warning shot was fired.

She grabbed a speaker mushi and made her presence known to the craft. "I am Captain Hina of the Marines. I hereby confiscate your ship, stop all engines and surrender immediately."

Hina waited for a response.

There wasn't any movement for a while on the other ship, but then a cannon fire alerted her that they wouldn't be easily subdued. Hina turned to face her crew, commanding, "We do not fire back! Get as close to the ship as possible then dock–we will fight for control."

Pushing her vessel into full sail, Hina waited until they were right on the other before she jumped into the air and landed on the deck of the boat she'd identified as a Baroque Works ship. When she landed, she was instantly met with a sword attempting to slash at her face. Hina ducked and swiped her leg across the ground, knocking the feet of her assailant from under him. As he fell she called on her devil and Ori was more than happy to come out and assist her. She got to her feet and with her arm outstretched, she ran past the sword wielding man and trapped him in the binds of her devil.

After disposing of the enemy, she addressed her crew. "Get your asses down here, we take this ship now!"

There was wave after wave of Marines that bombarded down on the members of Baroque Works; both sides giving fierce battle cries as they met. Battle surrounded Hina and water blinded her vision as she fought her way to the bridge of the ship. She was almost there but was stopped by three Works members.

"Bitch, you think you can just take our ship. You don't know who you're messing with."

She tsked at their ignorance. "Sadly, it is you who doesn't know who you're messing with."

The middle heavy set man moved in first and was easily punched to the ground and then bound. While she was binding the first man, the second swung at her and would have made contact had the ship not of rocked at that precise moment and seeing an opening, the third man rushed Hina and tackled her flat on her back. She groaned at the weight of the man and punched him twice on the side of the head, dazing him enough so she could push him off of her. Once freed, she kicked the broad chested man in the stomach and was about to bind him but Ori cautioned her of the thinner of the three coming up behind her. Hina swiftly turned and delivered a powerful kick to the third man, knocking him unconscious. She bound both men and once done, she continued her way to the bridge.

Hina opened the door, expecting another fight but was instead surprised with the view of Smoker knocking the last enemy in the room down. She checked for any remaining men before she spoke to her friend, "I didn't expect you here."

A soaked Smoker sat in the commands chair and sighed. "I saw the ship and boarded it right as you showed up."

She grunted, kicking the man rising up beside her back down before she leaned against the doorframe. "I can't believe you called on me to hunt down a ship. Hina unthinkable."

Smoker lit his cigars before tossing her his zippo lighter. "We're friends from the same academy, don't be like that."

Hina lit her smoke and threw the lighter back to its owner. "I've always sympathized with poor Tashigi's troubles," Smoker glared at Hina and she laughed. "Smoker-kun, what's the meaning of this rain? I hope you didn't use the powder."

"Idiot, I know what a crime is," Smoker said. "The King of Alabasta chose to protect his country without using that powder, why would I ruin that?"

Hina smiled at her friend. "Pardon me, Hina contemplating. Such charming words now and again from the man they call 'White Hunter'."

She could see his cheeks turn a dusty pink before the blush disappeared. "Have you gotten rounder since I last saw you?"

The question was so stupid he didn't even grace it with an answer. "Take the ship back to headquarters, along with Crocodile."

Hina snorted. "You think I'll do it just because you say so?"

Smoker's tired features morphed into glee as he pulled out a coin from his pocket. Hina groaned and thumped her head on the door. "Heads."

He grinned around his cigars and flicked the coin into the air. Catching it, he slapped it down on the back of his hand and he raised an eyebrow before he removed his hand, chuckling. "Tails, you lose."

Hina clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You really are used to getting your own way aren't you? You haven't changed since you enlisted. Hina despair."

Smoker shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah… I haven't, but that's fine by me knowing that I haven't."

She chuckled as a mushi went off in the room and Hina looked around before she focused on Smoker who pulled his from his pocket. "Report."

"Sir, reporting in that we are in the center of town with the Shichibukai Sir Crocodile, and Petty Officer Tashigi is about to pass justice. Has the ship been found?"

Smoker blew out a stream of smoke. "It has, continue."

Hina heard the pitter patter of water for a while before Tashigi's voice passed through the snail.

"Sir Crocodile, a Baroque Works ship carrying Dance Powder for use in creating artificial rain has been captured. Leader of the secret criminal organization Baroque Works, Sir Crocodile, by the order of the Marine Headquarters acting with the authority of the World Government in accordance with the Naval Enemy Seizure Clause, you are hence forth stripped of all titles and privileges granted to you by the government."

Hearing all he needed to, Smoker shut off the mushi.

"She's really stepping up to the plate, huh?"

Smoker looked at Hina dully. "She's doing better now than she was when she first started, that's for sure."

She hummed and walked over to the control panel, opening the speakers of the ship. "Men, gather all the prisoners and put them in the brig. Attach the ships so we can move out and make course for Nanohana."

When Smoker stood he popped a few joints and grunted.

Hina's eyes held mirth. "You getting old there, Tensa?" She teased.

He glared at her. "Fuck you."

She threw her pink hair over her shoulder as she walked past him and out the room. "We've been-there-done-that and both of us agreed never to go down that path again."

Smoker watched her walk down the steps before he followed her and when outside, Hina made sure everything was secure before she gave the order for her ship to sail at full speed. The trip to the port wasn't long but it gave Hina enough time to really look at her long-time friend. Smoker never was a character to show many emotions but just seeing how much he was smoking indicated to her that something had happened while they were apart.

She approached her fellow captain and lit another smoke. "Anything you wanna tell me?"

Smoker didn't answer her right away, instead he watched her crew prepare to dock. He blew some smoke out his nose before he answered her. "You remember all those years ago, when you slept with that pirate woman, and I couldn't understand how you could break the justice code you pledged to the Marines?"

Hina eyes went wide and she leaned close to Smoker. "Smoker, who you fuck?"

Smoker rolled his eyes and pushed her away from him. "I didn't fuck anyone, but I'm just saying, I think I can understand what you meant… that it just happened."

She smiled big and laughed. "Oooh, I'm telling Kuzan."

He tsked. "Always got to run to Aokiji, this is why I tell you nothing."

She laughed and danced away from the now brooding man.

Honestly, Hina was happy he'd stepped out of line a little bit. Smoker had always been cold for as long as she'd known him. She'd tried to get him to liven up, and for a while they dated, or rather, she hung around him more than normal. Date is such a strong word. They'd attempted sex but dick just wasn't her thing. They agreed to part ways as friends and that's how they've remained ever since.

A crash pulled Hina from her musing and she raced over to the edge of the ship to see what incident was happening. "The hell is going on?" She looked around, spotting a cloud of dust where the stair ramp was and she glared at her subordinates. "What did I tell you about slamming down the stairs?"

There were a few mumbles of sorries.

Smoker chuckled as he brushed past her and down the stairs. "Get your crew in order, Captain Hina."

She made an indignant noise in the back of her throat before she followed him down to the port. The pair walked over to Smoker's ship and he addressed his crew. "Anything happen?"

A Marine saluted and reported in. "Sir, we spotted Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, Portgas D. Ace and we've attempted to make contact but were unable to."

Shocked at hearing that a pirate with such a high bounty was in the same area as Smoker and he hadn't attempted to capture him, caused Hina to question him. "Did you know he was in the city this whole time?"

Smoker didn't answer her, because he knew she'd have more questions. Questions he wasn't ready to answer yet, because he didn't have the answers himself. "Which direction did he sail in?"

"He went west, sir."

Smoker dismissed the man and raised a hand to Hina before she could speak. "Don't."

Hina huffed as she watched Smoker walk up the stairs to his ship and sit on the top step. She was just about to confront him again when Tashigi and her unit arrived at the ship. Smoker raised his eyebrow at her swift appearance. "How did you get here so fast?"

Her soft voice indicated to him something wasn't right. "They have boats designed to go downstream. The ride was a couple of hours at the most."

Hina tilted her head to the side and greeted the woman. "Welcome back, Master Chief."

Tashigi bowed her head in thanks as she continued towards the stairs. "I'm sorry Captain Hina. I'm tired and would like to rest for a bit"

Hina looked to Smoker who puffed out a smoke cloud. "I heard of the incident that happened with the Straw Hats."

Tashigi faltered in her steps but slowly continued her way up the stairs. "I'm sorry. I lent aid to the pirates. They were in our hands but I let them escape. These…" her voice broke, "these are disgraceful things for a Marine to do."

Smoker closed his eyes. "Why are you apologizing? Is that not your justice?"

She shook her head slowly. "It was not, sir, but it was the only thing I could do."

She stopped midway up the stairs and put her kanata down as a crutch. "Sir Crocodile said that dogs that run away to lick their wounds have no right of justice. He said that…that was the rule of the sea."

She used the kanata to proceed up the stairs. "Even though I knew where the enemy was, I could do nothing but to tell him… even though I knew when the bomb would occur I did nothing to back them up. And to top it all off, when we had our chance… when the Straw Hats were unconscious due to their hard fight for this kingdom I demanded that no one be allowed to lay a single hand on them. I had no justice to choose from."

Smoker let out a heavy breath. "Those who I had come to think of as the same level as myself are now dashing ahead and gaining infamous names for themselves."

Tashigi now stood before him but with her head bowed so low he could see the crown of her head. "On this sea, if you don't dash ahead then you're as good as dead. They know that we are to go forward or die. Who was it that decided to come to this sea?"

Tashigi bowed a little lower. "Sir, please forgive me, I need to rest."

He looked at the tear drops that landed on his boots, he moved to the side and let her past him. "Idiot."

She stopped just behind him with her head tilted towards the sky. "If those tears are so painful for you then become stronger."

She hiccupped, snot and tears dripping down her face and she raised a fist in the air. "I will, sir!"

Smoker dismissed her and he addressed his subordinates. "I bet you grunts wish you had guts like hers. She is your example, your role model, be her and you'll go far in this world. Now bring the prisoners on board."

Hina smiled at the display of affection and walked up the stairs to the deck of Smoker's ship. "I would jest and say you've gotten soft, but I see now it's just a soft spot for her."

Smoker ignored her and stood to retreat to his room. "Don't get lost on my ship."

Hina smiled and before she could make a smart comeback, the main den mushi rang and she watched a Marine answer it.

"Sir, it's HQ."

Smoker groaned and ran a hand across his face and he walked to the mushi and took the dial.

"Is this Captain Smoker?"

"Speaking."

"In regards to your subjugation of Sir Crocodile, you and Master Chief Petty Officer Tashigi are to report to the World Government so you can be presented with medals."

Smoker leaned forward a little bit to be sure he heard correctly. "Subjugation? We did no such thing, it was the Mugiwara Pirates. Did you not listen to my report?"

The unknown official on the other end continued to speak, disregarding any words spoken from the captain. "Furthermore we have decided to give you both a promotion in rank."

Seeing Smoker's face turn red, Hina placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's no use. The World Government wants to cover up what transpired here. Do you honestly think the World Government, of all people, wants to report to the world that the crisis of Alabasta had been averted by the hands of pirates?"

The man on the snail spoke as if there were no interruption. "The next concern is when you will be departing for your formal decoration ceremony."

Feeling its partner agitated, Moku slowly began to seep out from Smoker's body. "Cut the fucking crap."

Hina took a step forward and tightened her grip on his shoulder. "Smoker, be mindful of who it is you are speaking to. Do you know what will happen if you anger the brass?"

Smoker shrugged her hand off his shoulder. "You know what? I have a message for those old geezers at the World Government."

The snail went quiet for the first time since he'd picked up the phone. "Yes?"

"Tell them they can eat shit!"

Without waiting for a reply, Smoker hung up the dial and stormed off to his quarters. Hina shook her head and ran her gloved hand through her hair.

He's still getting into trouble.

Oh me, oh my, Hina is a hard character to write. If anything confused you guys just send me a pm or review and I'll clear it up. Seems like you all aren't having much problem following the story which is good. It's going to get a little intense from here on out, believe after this next chapter we'll be a little bit more focus on Ace. Thanks for reading and review if you can. Stay tune for next chapter: Roronoa Zoro - Huredhiel