Warnings at end of chapter.

Paradise

I groaned as the sun streamed in through the shutters that I forgot to shut before going to bed last night.

Ugh, why does the sun have to be so bright first thing in the morning?

I rolled over in an attempt to hide from it and buried my face in Ace's chest.

Ok this sun isn't so bad…

I took a deep breath of Ace's skin and let myself be lulled back to sleep by the rocking of the waves. That is until someone shouted from the deck.

"Sail ho!"

I am going to kill them.

I wasn't sure if I was referring to the people approaching our ship, or the imbecile that interrupted my early morning snuggles, but the fact remained that someone was going to die.

"Ace get up. There's somethin goin' on outside." I said, slapping his chest.

"Mmmm you deal with it. 'M sleepin." He mumbled back.

"You're so lazy." I said with a pout before getting up and dressing quickly in my standard shirt and jeans combo.

When I got on deck, I stood there blinking for a minute before my eyes finished adjusting to the piercing morning sun. Once my eyes had decided to start working again I weaved my way through the crew members lounging around on the deck over to Deuce. He was standing near the port railing with a spyglass in hand and asked,

"So what's going on? The crew isn't acting like we're under attack."

So you better have a damn good reason for making me get out of bed.

"Eh, I mean we kind of are. It's Isuka again." He said with a shrug and a highly annoyed voice.

"Again? What is with this bitch? She's been tailing us ever since we left Water 7. Didn't we lose her in the Floridian triangle?"

"We did, but she must have found her way out. And then found her way back to us. She's nothing if not persistent."

I rolled my eyes and said, "Persistent isn't the word I would use."

"I mean, she's just a girl in love. Can you blame her? Obviously she is just dying to be with the Captain." He said with a smirk.

Oh yes, real clever there Deuce.

"Don't be ridiculous, Ace would never even look twice at someone like her." I snapped at him.

"I didn't say he would. Oh no, Ariadne you wouldn't happen to be jealous now would you?"

I glared fiercely at him as I turned to walk towards the aft railing. Once there, I shooed the few men who were lazing there away. Once they were out of the way, I sent a quick attack towards the approaching ship with a half hearted shout of "Jet Cutter." Once I regained my footing, I turned to watch my stream of water fly through the air and slice cleanly through the masts on Isuka's ship.

Let that be a lesson to you bitch. Stay away from Ace.

After I dealt with Isuka, and watched her crew flail about in an attempt to deal with their felled masts, I went back to Ace and I's cabin in hopes of more cuddles. But once I got there I found that not only was Ace up and about, but Deuce, Skull, and Kotatsu had all gathered as well.

Well, so much for my morning.

"Did I miss a memo about a meeting or something?" I asked.

"Oh hey Air." Ace said.

"We were talking about what we need to do to get to the next island." Deuce said.

"Right, we're just a few days away from Sabaody, so we need to make a plan for how we're going to get the ship coated, so we can get down to Fishman island. I already have my eye on a good coater." Skull said.

yeah, not going to happen. Skull, the dude who has never been to Sabaody, knows a "good" coater? No thanks. Besides, if Papa Smog heard that I set sail on a ship he didn't coat? yeah no thanks, I'm not trying to die today.

"Thanks, but I'll handle the coating. No offence Skull, but I know this island and it's residents better than you ever could." I said.

"Oh yeah, this is your home island isn't it?" Ace asked.

"I was born here if that's what you mean. I wouldn't go so far as to call this place my home though. Regardless, it'll take 3-4 days to get the ship coated, so we'll have to make plans for what all we'll be doing for that time."

"A three day delay?" Ace said. I sighed and rolled my eyes at Ace's use of the word 'delay' over 'stay'. "Is the food good at least?"

"It's a major tourist stop, so yes there is a ton of good food. And if you behave, I'll even show you where it is." I said with a smirk.

"Great." He said before looking down at the map that was spread out on the table we had all gathered around. "But ok, what is the deal with that skull on the map? Is that a place we should avoid?"

Skull did his best to express his offence through his body language and said, "What do you mean Captain Ace? That's my symbol. In other words, that's the place I want to go. The destination. That's where we're heading now."

"Oh… But… Am I the only one who's a little uneasy about it being a skull?"

"What? Really? Fine, then…" Skull said in a shocked voice. Then he pulled out a pen, dipped it in red ink, and drew a large heart around the skull.

Oh Skull...

While Ace and Deuce shared a skeptical look, I giggled before saying, "Skull, that right there is exactly why you are my second favorite member of the crew."

"Awh, thanks Ari! Wait, what do you mean second favorite?"

I just turned and walked out while laughing as the boys shouted behind me.

"Whoa… This place is insane!" One of the crew men said and was echoed by the rest as we sailed deeper into the archipelago.

Sabaody… I'd like to say I missed you, but I think we both know that would be a lie…

"You never said this place was this was so…" Ace said, his face growing more and more excited.

"So…?" I prompted.

"Pretty?"

"Are you calling it pretty, or asking if it is?"

"I don't even know anymore. This place is just crazy. I keep thinking that I understand the Grandline and then we get to a place like this." Ace said.

Rookie…

I smirked and said, "Trust me, you will never understand the Grandline. I've lived here my whole life and this sea still finds ways to surprise and confuse me."

"yeah, I'm seeing that."

"But, Sabaody is beautiful. Which means it of course has a dark underbelly."

"Are you saying that because the underside of the roots is super dark?" Deuce said helpfully.

Oh for fuck sakes...

"No. I wasn't. I was saying that because this island is famous for its tourism, as well as it's slave market. Pretty much no one on this island is safe, so watch your step and don't go anywhere by yourself." I said.

"yeah, there are also a lot of world nobles hanging around. So make sure to stay out of trouble until the coating is done!" Skull added. "Especially you Captain!"

"Why are you singling me out?" Ace said.

"Because you're the one always causing trouble babe." I said.

"yeah yeah. Hey Air are those Graman things good?" Ace asked while pointing to one of the souvenir shops on one of the roots.

Looks like I'll be playing babysitter again. Not that that's a bad thing. I really don't want to be alone while we're here anyways. In case I run into one of them...

"They are pretty good actually. We can go get some later."

"Please keep an eye on him Ari." Skull said. "Please. If he runs into a world noble or something..."

"Alright, alright. No need to get testy. It'll be fine! And besides, even if something does happen I know all the best hiding spots on the island."

"Why does that not make me feel better?" He asked as our ship finally came to a stop near grove 20.

"I don't know but that sounds like a you problem. I suggest you-"

"THERE YOU ARE FIRE FIST! THIS TIME YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!" A voice called out which was met with the groan of the entire crew. I walked over to the railing and looked down to see the one and only Isuka.

Again.

Can this bitch just not take a hint? Does she seriously not see how out classed she is by our crew?

By me?

Ace walked over to my side and looked down at her as well and said, "Hey it's Isuka. What are you doin here? You on vacation?"

When he said that I noticed that she, for once, was out of her marine uniform and was instead wearing a flowery shirt and shorts.

"Of course I'm not on vacation! I'm here to fight you!" She yelled back.

Well, in that case, someone really should have told her that there is only one Marine out there who can make a floral print shirt look intimidating, and it really isn't her.

"Oh yea? Hey, what kind of local specialties do they have around here, you know besides the Graman things?" He asked.

Isuka blushed slightly before saying, "You want souvenir recommendations? I bought Grasen rice crackers for my subordinates. They do keep pretty well… Wait, I just said I wasn't on vacation!"

Does she really think anyone believes that?

Why can't she just leave us alone?

"Well, at least she didn't bring her men along with her." Skull said as he walked over to take Ace's place at the railing as he walked away. I watched as Ace walked to the other side of the ship and jumped over.

I'll follow him in a minute. I should probably make sure things don't escalate here.

"True, but does it really matter? She's a lieutenant, so it's not like her men are all that impressive regardless." I said with an eye roll.

"Come down here and fight me Fire Fist! Surrender yourself if you know what's good for you!" She yelled up at us again.

She didn't notice him leave? Seriously?

Deuce sighed from his place on the deck and said, "Don't think we'll be able to get off the ship for a while."

"She's stubborn. I'm jealous. Wish there was a stubborn woman chasing after me like that." One of the crew men said.

"It's not like that." I snapped at them.

Idiots. Why would they think it was anything like that? Ace doesn't give a shit about her!

"You're getting your ship coated aren't you? You won't escape!" Isuka shouted again.

How has she not lost her voice yet? All this shouting is ruining her vocal cords, and her voice is rather pathetic to begin with.

"Hey Skull-" I started to say before I was interrupted by Deuce shouting in the center of the deck.

"Damnit!" He shouted.

The hell?

"What?" I snapped at him.

"Ace's gone!" He whispered as loud as he could.

Am I the only one who noticed?

"yeah he left a while ago." I said

"Hah! Have you gone silent because you're terrified, know there's no escape, Fire Fist? At long last, your reckoning has come! Fire Fist! Are you listening to me? Answer me! What's wrong with you? Have you fallen asleep? Fire Fist!"

For fuck sakes will she just stop already?

"Oh will you just shut up you infuriating waste of space! Maybe no one is responding because they know that you aren't even worth looking at, let alone speaking to! Fuck! I can't think with all this incessant yapping in my ear!" I shouted, finally losing my patience.

Fuck, I might just kill that little shit just so I can have some peace and quite.

But Ace wouldn't like that, so I'll just have to deal I suppose…

"You ok Ari?" Skull asked, looking rather stunned by my outburst.

"I'm fine. I'm going into town to look for Ace. Don't worry about getting the ship coated. I'll handle that. Just take the ship over to grove 15 and leave it there."

"O-ok. Will do." He said.

And so with a fierce hair flip I turned to strut off the ship with my heels clicking loudly against the deck. Isuka continued to scream about how she was going to defeat me and Ace both as I leapt over the railing of the ship and landed on the nearest root.

It only took a few minutes for my haki to locate Ace. He had covered a surprisingly large distance. Since he'd left the ship he had made it all the way to Sabaody Park. As I walked through the main arch way to the park I was hit by countless sights, sounds, and smells that all reminded me of my childhood.

Oh man this place takes me back. Reminds me of Sera and Daddy…

But now isn't the time for that, I need to find Ace.

After looking around for a minute, I found him passed out on a bench under the ferris wheel, his cheeks stuffed with food even as he slept.

And those adorable puffed out cheeks right there are why I put up with this!

Walking up to him I ran my fingers through his hair and softly said, "Hey you wanna wake up? You're gonna choke if you sleep with your mouth full like that."

He jumped slightly as he woke and quickly swallowed the food in his mouth before saying, "Those were good! Man I sure did run and eat a lot. Actually, I ran so much I'm hungry again…"

Of course that would be the first thing out of his mouth. It's not like he just took a nap in a public place or anything like that...

"I swear I will never understand how your body works." I said with a fond chuckle.

"Yeah… Anyways, what's this place? I was so focused on the food I didn't get a chance to look around properly." He said, standing up and looking around.

"Oh, this is Sabaody Park. There's a lot of rides, games, food, and stuff like that."

"Oh yea? What about that one?" He asked, pointing to the gleaming wheel that was slowly spinning. "I bet you could see the whole ocean from up there."

"The ferris wheel? The view is pretty nice from up there. But I hear it's even better if you go on it with someone you like."

"Why's that?"

"Because when it stops at the top we'll be up there all by ourselves, and we can make out as much as we want without an audience."

Ace smirked and grabbed me by the waist before leaning down to whisper in my ear, "Just make out? Or could we do a little… more?"

I tensed for a second before smirking and saying, "I could be persuaded to do a bit more."

If that's what he wants.

"Great! Let's go!" He said before grabbing my hand and running towards the ferris wheel.

Ok, this place is a lot more fun with him.

Ace and I quickly made our way to the short line for the ride, and were perhaps a bit more handsy with each other than was proper, but no one was brave enough to comment on it. Before long we made it to the front of the line and waited as the bubble gondola slowly came to a stop in front of us. The attendant opened the door and said, "There you go! Do enjoy the wonderful sights of Sabaody Archipelago!" as we walked in.

"This is going to be so much fun!" I squealed as I pulled Ace to sit down next to me. But right before he did a certain bitch in heat just had to shove her way into the gondola.

You have got to be kidding me.

"I've found you at last, Fire Fist!" She shouted.

"What do you think you're doing? Go away!" I said but she ignored me and continued to shout at Ace.

"I've had enough of your sneaking and running around! Why didn't you just come out the front of the ship?"

"Because you were there." He said with a shrug.

"What? So… so you should do it anyways! You're a man aren't you?"

And now she's insulting his manhood? This bitch is seriously starting to piss me off.

"Don't be crazy!" Ace said.

"Just go away!" I shouted just as the door to the gondola swung shut behind her.

The ferris wheel began it's slow turn as the three of us sat in silence. Ace was looking happily out the window next to the door as I glared daggers at Isuka. She sat across from me with her hands awkwardly sat on her knees. She looked at Ace for a moment before the slightest tint of red crossed her cheeks.

Oh no you fucking don't.

Noticing a burn on the back of one of her hands I sneered and said, "Nice burn. What happened? Did you play with fire a little too much?"

She turned to glare at me with pure hatred in her eyes before she said, "This happened when I was a kid. Pirates attacked my village. Within moments it was a sea of flames and death. The fire took my parents…"

Oh boo fucking who. Just who is she trying to impress with that little sob story?

"I was trapped by the flames and smoke. It was a Navy officer who raced to the scene and actually saved me. That was Lieutenant Commander Draw, although he's been promoted- he's Vice Admiral Draw now. He's the reason I wanted to join the Navy."

Oh? I wonder if she means the same Draw I went to school with? Not that it matters.

"Every time I look at this hand, I remember my youth, I don't want any other children to have to go through what I did. That's why I swore an oath to lock up all the villainous pirates."

Wow so noble.

"Good for you, but I don't recall asking for your whole life story." I said with an eye roll.

Isuka ignored me and instead turned to look at Ace and said, "Listen to me Fire Fist. Quit the pirate life."

Excuse me?

"From what I can tell, you don't seem like a bad person." She continued.

I stared at her in mild shock at the pure audacity of this woman.

She thinks that Ace would quit being a pirate? And she thinks that SHE would be able to convince him of that?

"If you have nowhere else to go, come to the Navy. I can give you a personal recommendation!" She was staring at Ace with passionate and pleading eyes by this point. "I'm sure you would look good in a Navy uniform! We can take care of all of your friends together! What do you think? It's not a bad deal, is it?" She begged.

Oh that is it!

I felt my body begin to quiver with rage and just as I opened my mouth, ready to scream at this woman Ace said, "Hey the door's open." The door was indeed swinging wide open, and it was then that I noticed that we had reached the peak of the ferris wheel. "I'm getting hungry, so I'm gonna jump down first." He said, standing up.

"W- wait! You haven't given me an answer yet!" Isuka shouted, desperation soaking her voice.

Ace put his hand on his hat and said, "Quit pirating to be a Marine? Afraid I can't do that." Before turning and jumping out of the gondola. I watched as he jumped from one gondola to another and eventually made it safely to the ground.

With Ace gone, I turned to Isuka with my face painfully blank and said, "What now?"

"What?" She snapped with her face crumpled in disappointment.

"Ace isn't going to quit being a pirate. He is far too dedicated to himself and his dream for that."

"You think I don't know that? That's exactly why I want him by- on, my side." She said with a blush creeping back onto her cheeks before she shook her head and said, "Unlike you, he knows the meaning of loyalty and what it is to be a good person. You are nothing more than a traitor and a murderer. You don't deserve him and you know it."

Chuckling darkly, I slowly raised from my seat. I stalked across the gondola to tower over Isuka. Leaning down, my hands rested on either side of her head rest. Easily trapping her in front of me. I could feel her breath on my face as I drew closer, watching her shrink back and gulp.

"Well you see it isn't about deserving now is it? It's about ownership. And Ace? He's mine. And so help me if you decide to ignore my warning. If you EVER look at him like that again, or if you ever even think of speaking to him like that again, simply killing you would be far too great of a mercy. If you ignore me I will not only kill you. Oh no, not just you. I will find every survivor from your island and I will slaughter every last one of them. Then I will hunt down every person who so much as even remembers your pitiful little island and I will slaughter Every. Last. One. After that I will find every Marine to have ever served with you and I will slaughter EVERY SINGLE ONE. Then, and only then will I come for you. And trust me when I say that I will send you to a world of agony that you have no way of comprehending with your feeble little mind. If you test me, I will erase every last trace of your existence from this world. Do you understand me?"

Isuka had gone deathly pale and seemed to have lost the ability to speak as she just shakily nodded. I smirked and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and said, "Good that's all I wanted. But I'm glad we had this little chat. It was a long time coming, and I think we got to know each other so much better now. Don't you? But in all seriousness, I think we both know just how much experience I have with exterminating troublesome people right? Right."

Her eyes screamed with silent terror as she stared up at me. I laughed lightly, shaking my head before I turned to follow Ace to the ground

Oh how easily the weak crumble.

Once I was on the ground I jogged to catch up to Ace, and quickly hugged his arm to my chest.

"Well the ferris wheel was a bust be we can go find a bar to hang out in if you want?" I said, giggling as I smiled up at him.

No warnings beyond Ariadne being mildly insane and bloodthirsty.