Recap: The Yuht Kingdom is restored, however there are other problems to be solved. (Slightly M rated this chapter)

After the main event of the lantern festival had finished, the Yuht kingdom started the all night event, partying into the early hours of the morning. Due to the heavy partying, the kingdom had a one day hiatus, the Whitebeard pirates and the Yuht Kingdom natives were strewn around after their merrymaking. The rest of the pirates who weren't in the Yuht Kingdom who made it back onto the boat, passed out on the deck, rising up slowly as the midday sun woke them up from their deep sleep.

Ace rubbed his head, and wiped off his drool with the back of his hand, wincing at the harsh sunlight. He groaned, coughing to clear his throat as he stretched his back, he had a hell of a party, drinking, eating a ton of food, merry making with the natives and his comrades, however he remembered that he didn't see Ran at all, in fact he didn't see her at all. He remembered standing in the main plaza watching the lighting of the palace lanterns and waiting for Ran to come out. She walked out in gorgeous robes again, pumping her fist high at the crowd, smiling and toasting to her subjects and public for the era, and the night was just a big happy blur of colours, candles, delicious food, dancing and drinking. He twisted around clicking his back, he looked at the sky, to see the sun high in the sky, so he assumed it was about midday, and heard his stomach grumble, he jumped off the boat into town trying to find some food. He noticed, and smiled recognised some pirates and natives passed out together, and grinned as he saw some stalls setting up to sell the rest of the day. He walked into the food street, to see most of them just about to open, preparing the food and equipment, he sat down at a random stall, the stall owner pouring him a glass of water.

"Your highness!" he heard another stall owner call, noticing Ran with her signature hairstyle, but not in her royal gowns, just in normal streetwear, he laughed a little, as he originally thought that since Ran had taken back her throne she would forever be in those luxury robes, and thought it was comedic to see her go up to a stall with her royal gowns on. He noticed that it was her bare face, however she had been partying too much or too hard, since her face was a little paler, and she was much less energetic. The stall owner served him his food, reminding him why he came into town in the first place, and made up his mind to go to the other stall where Ran was. However he underestimated how hungry he was, and ended up eating a lot more than he expected, in fact the stall owner ran out of food. Ace paid the man, and turned to see if Ran was still there and not surprising to Ace she had disappeared. He grumbled, he hadn't seen or talked to Ran for a good two days and still hadn't been able to apologise for leaving her chains, and just wanted to talk to her. So he spent the rest of his day hunting after her. He went to the central palace, asking for her, however they couldn't give any information as they were not allowed, despite him being a Whitebeard pirate. He moved his hat off his head to scratch his head, then noticed Ran's friend who was attacker and betrayer quickly walk by him.

"Oi, you!" He called a little rudely, bowing his head to show him that he was still respectful.

"Yes Portgas D. Ace?" he asked simply.

"Do you know where Ran might be?"

"Lam Ou Ran's whereabouts are a secret, and to be quite honest we couldn't tell you because she often disguises herself, so you may have to just explore the kingdom."

"Do you know any favourite spots of hers?"

"Honestly. No." Ace sighed a little, he couldn't fault the man, since he told him the truth, thanked him and walked out, surveying the mountainous landscape that held vast forests. He grinned, putting his hat on his head, looking at the slowly setting sun, he was going to find her.

Ace went back to the street food market, to ask the stall owner that had served Ran where she went, and was directed to a large forest. So he quickly trekked through the forest, reminding him of his childhood days with Sabo and Luffy, reaching the top of the mountain, the sun had already set and he didn't want to run around with fire, in case he might accidentally set a forest alight. So he easily went back down to the mountain, purchased a lantern and started with another mountain. Despite his stomach growling his desire to find Ran was stronger as he was trekking up his second mountain. He met some very nice people who lives in the mountainous region that fed him and informed him that there was a special hot spring area, meaning that it was a secret spot, giving him the idea that Ran might be hiding out there. After paying and thanking the kind people he set off again, the lantern only giving him a small amount of light, luckily the moon had come out, giving off some moonlight, giving the forest a horror movie or fairy tale feel, however Ace took confidence in his devil fruit powers to scare off any wandering spirits and organisms.

As he trekked in the forest, he was thinking of what he wanted to say to Ran. He couldn't just walk up to her and then start spouting rubbish, no he wanted to say sorry that he left her in chains. He wanted to say he always admired her strength, fighting prowess and her professional attitude towards her work. That he looked up to her as a role model, sure she wasn't as strong against devil fruit users, and was distant with people, and a little stubborn among other things, he still admired her for being an exceptionally strong person. He was going to tell her how he felt his heart was going to be ripped out when he saw how the previous emperor treated her, how he wanted to set everything alight when he threw her on the floor. Just wanted to tell her that he felt so honoured to have someone as amazing as her as a friend.

Ace realised why the mountainous people had told him it was difficult to get to, because he met a large cliff surface, meaning he had to climb the cliff face (I'm sure there is another term for this), he thankfully pulled his body over the cliff, relived to find some trees, shaking his body to get rid of any lactic acid left in his muscles. He saw through the trees some steam, walking forward the trees thinned out and saw a large natural pool, with lots of randomly shaped rocks creating a natural barrier. He found a long branch that was high above the ground and hung his lantern, then started to take off his boots, shorts, underwear and trousers, messily placing them on the floor, and slid himself into the comfortingly hot water. Leaning his back against the spring edge, sighing in content as he felt the hot relaxing water relieve his sweaty tired muscles. He groaned a little, of the hot water bathing him, since he ate the devil fruit Ace was cautious enough to take showers only, not taking baths. In addition this hot spring had a natural sub-layer that acted as a bench, so he could sit down and relax. Although he did feel his legs weaken a little as he stayed in the water, but he didn't know if it was because he was submerged in water or because it was so relaxing in this spring.

Then he lifted his head up, he was supposed to be looking for Ran, and he just found a random hot spring and decided to strip off and relax. He opened his eyes and like magic she was in front of him. But not facing him, in fact he saw her rising from under the water, breaking the surface, standing up looking up at the moon, her back facing him. He opened his mouth, happy that he found her, however he kept his mouth shut, wanting to surprise her. He was content to see her long, thick ebony hair wet and heavy against her tanned back, enjoying her bask the moonlight, smiling a little as he heard her hum.

Ran was at peace, she definitely hadn't drunk as much as did last night, and she couldn't hold her alcohol very well, but last night she ignored her low tolerance and decided to drink like a fish, which didn't end very well. She woke with a pounding headache and a terrible mood, and an even worse hunger. She felt very off balance as well today, so she decided to take some nature treks and immerse herself back in nature and meditate in her favourite spots, clearing her fuzzy head, then call Zao to take her up to the hot springs and just relax, she had a lot to do the next day, and expected it to be stressful, trying to make the most of her free time. She put her clothes away, far away from the edge of the pool in case she splashed around too much and accidentally soaked her clothes. Her towel was not as far, but far enough from the edge away from any potential accidents. She shyly dipped her toe in, then her calf then submerged her body in, breathing in the fresh air that was slowly getting colder as the night progressed. She looked down to see the very bottom of the hot spring and decided to see how long she could be under water. To ensure she didn't bother any animals that may be lurking, she put up a sound barrier, and her hallucinogen barrier as well, confident that no one would be looking for her or even thinking about her, however she couldn't be too careful. She did it a couple times, smoothing out her hair, and looking up at the dark night sky, tilting her head as she basked in the moonlight. Lightly humming, she could almost fall asleep here, she lightly slapped her cheeks to wake her up a bit, and started to bend her back, stretching her back by bending herself back. She held onto the boulder so she wouldn't fall back as she bent her back, seeing if her head would be under water when did so.

Unfortunately she didn't imagine, fathom that Ace would be watching her from the opposite side of the hot spring. Her eyes widened and gasping in shock, as she accidentally let go of the rock, making her fall into the spring. However she accidentally swallowed some of the water, making her cough, however before she could push herself up to the surface, she was dragged up and back, against another human skin. She closed her eyes, knowing full well that Ace was probably naked, and didn't want to be rude and accidentally look somewhere she shouldn't. She was trying to feel from what she could feel, and to be honest she didn't know, because she was too embarrassed to know.

She heard him laugh, still squeezing her eyes shut, and she was still standing, not allowing herself to sit down in case there were any inappropriate parts touching. She felt his large warm hands envelop her wrists, knowing full well that Ace might suddenly jerk her back, and she wasn't quite ready for any action, despite her explicit dreams telling her otherwise.

"Ace, please let me go."

"Nope." He denied her instantly, pulling her against his chest. She could very easily feel from the very top of her ass all the way to her shoulders his hard, toned body which was much more impressive than what her dreams made it out to be. She tried very hard to not feel him, and ignore the feeling and presence of Ace, however he was making it hard for her, by holding her tightly against his body by wrapping his arms and hands around her, ensuring that escape was futile. She felt his calloused fingers brush her hair to one side, simply put his cold nose against her warm neck, and breathed gently behind her ear, making her tense up even more so.

"Oh am I making you uncomfortable?" He asked teasingly, still just grazing her neck, ever so gently. Her spine felt electric, and despite she was in a hot spring her body felt cold and hot.

"Yes." She answered honestly, although she wanted him to let her go, she held onto his arms that were under her bust, covering her nipples, trying to hide the more explicit body parts. Still squeezing her eyes shut. Before she could even protest, she felt herself being turned around, and now his hands on her lower back, and if she moved her arms her chest would be pressed very firmly against his chest.

"Ran" hearing him call her name in his warm golden voice, laced with a hint of gruffness, made her back prickle and spine quiver and her eyes open, facing his grey irises (his eyes switch from black to grey so I thought grey would be nice), he still couldn't get over her mismatched eyes, not that it shocked him anymore, it was just how pretty both her eyes were. He noticed the little flecks of darker amber in her yellow eyes, her yellow eye weren't like a cat, they were not bright yellow, and they were more muddy, dusty and an earthier yellow, contrasting greatly with her other eye. Her other eye wasn't black, it was just an extremely deep brown, that almost melted into her black pupil, but still just as beautiful. He noticed her shocked face when she opened her eyes to see their faces in such a close proximity, and chuckled.

"Ran have you ever been kissed?"

"N-no" She stuttered, averting her gaze. Remembering what Izou did tell him out of drunken confidence, that Ran was extremely new and innocent to relationships, which made Ace find her even more adorable, and ironic. That she knows how to kill, hunt, and spy yet doesn't know or experience a thing about relationships. It also boosted his male ego that he was going to be her first with everything. Although he has had numerous affairs with single women with consent from both parties, he felt exhilarated even when he was simply holding her bare body in his big bare rough hands.

"Have you held hands with a boy?"

"Yeah."

"Really?" his eyebrows rose up a little surprised.

"Yeah, I took my comrade's hand, well I grabbed it as we were running away from a bomb that we planted in the basement, and it was going to go off, so we had to get out of there as fast as possible." She explained, Ace smiled at her little story, her obliviousness and ignorance of what he was really asking. He could hear her quiet but rapid nervous breaths, which was almost making him a little nervous excited, he felt he was missing something with his more recent affairs before Ran. After the first initial affairs the novelty sex was wearing off, and he only been having little affairs when he reached towns because one he liked girls stroking his ego, and then hate himself after for being so narcissistic, and two he was pumped full of hormones and quiet session by himself just wasn't enough. But with Ran he felt adrenaline running in his veins, a little hot and nervous despite he was made of fire and frankly a little nervous, because he didn't want to disappoint her, since he was going to be her first for everything and hopefully her only, and vice versa.

He looked at her tanned face, noticing her diamond forehead marking, and her little tribal face markings, he didn't know why, but it made her appear cuter, exotic and fiercer at the same time, he couldn't explain it. He saw her embarrassed face, instantly wanting to see how red he could make her and where he could. Ran turned her face away a little, and closed her eyes shyly, she had never been in this sort of situation before, and she didn't hate it, but she hated not knowing what to do. She licked her dry lips, waiting for his next move and trying to keep her limbs covering her body.

"Ran, if you don't want to be kissed don't make a face like that." He teased, laughing at her shocked reaction, as she wriggled her nose and mouth, forcing her facial muscles into a different expression, but still ended up with the same cute, embarrassed face, with pouty lips. She almost whipped her head back as she realised that her forehead was actually pressed against his, but was prevented by Ace who pulled her arms down, which pulled her forward, keeping their foreheads pressed and their lips even closer, but not touching, just close. He noticed that her arms were crossed over her cleavage, and to be perfectly honest it was making her breasts spill out a little, which was really distracting for Ace, he didn't know why, since he has seen, felt, licked, done everything you could possibly do with breasts , and yet still felt a little bad and nervous seeing her breasts. He felt the extra soft, plushy warmness of her breasts on his hard chest, he felt his jaw almost drop at the sheer feeling of her breasts and-

"Oh? So that's where your other two piercings are eh?" his curiosity raising, itching to feel with his hands.

"Mhm" She agreed, rather quietly. Even though she was extremely nervous, so nervous that her legs felt numb, she still wanted to see if Ace kissed as well as her dreams did. She did what she never dreamed to do initiate the first kiss. Holding onto his big broad, manly shoulders, keep her forehead on his, and shyly press her lips on his. Then realise she didn't get a good enough idea of how he kissed to compare to her dreams, well that's what she told herself, and decided to try again. She took another quick breath, before kissing him again, letting her hands travel up to his hair, grasping it gently as she deepened the kiss, his one hand slipping into her hair and his other just barely grazing her ass. He moaned her name quietly, as she broke the kiss, staring down at him, still extremely red and embarrassed. He saw her eyes was a tad darker, maybe with a little bit of lust and excitement.

"So am I better in real life or in your dreams?" He smirked, looking straight at her eyes. He enjoyed her little growl of anger.

"I'm so going to kill Izou." She shook her head in annoyance, but she wasn't fully angry.

"No, he's way too valuable." Ace jested, merely pushing away her hair from her face, wanting to kiss her again, he even felt a little light headed, but that could be due to being in hot springs, but he was pretty sure it was it simply being with Ran. Ran sighed, lacing her hand with his, still got her forehead placed on his, her chest pushed up against his, her skin tingling from anticipation from her forehead down, their lips barely millimetres apart.

*Rustle*

"You heard that right?" their heads whipping around at the source of the noise, to see a mountain hog shyly walk to the tree where Ace had hung his lantern. The only sound that was heard, was the bubbling water of the hot spring, both of them had their eyes glued to the hog, trying not to startle it in any way possible. It looked at the lantern and then at Ace's randomly placed clothes and started to settle down on his clothes, ensuring Ace didn't have clean clothes.

"You know you can't wash your clothes here."

After somehow getting back to the ship, Ace slept even more soundly than ever, still feeling the warmth of her skin, and her weight on his legs, and the strange excitement he felt when he found out about her two secret piercings. He blushed a little, and even smirked into his hands that covered his face that he was the only one to know where her secret piercings were, even Izou didn't know. It made him ecstatic, and so much happier that he was able to find her, he was happy that she managed to overcome her shyness and kiss him first, because he was almost too chicken to do so. But he was just so happy to hold her in his arms which held her warm comfortable weight, and just feel her hair, and have the close skin to skin contact with her, and was planning to explore every part of her, physically and psychologically.

Ace placed his hat on his head as he walked out onto the deck, smiling up at the sunshine, he could feel it was going to be a good day. He joined his comrades in breakfast, chattering about other things as they feasted. After everything was licked clean they had packed away everything, drawing up plans of what was going to happen next, not minding that they were still at Yuht Kingdom, because they needed a good island to dock at where they wouldn't be chased out of town, and also some delicious food stalls to feast at. The natives were also extremely welcome to the pirates, in fact talking merrily with them as if they were long life friends.

Whitebeard sat in his chair, his nurses fussing over him.

"Oi Pops why are you so quiet?"

"Ran said she was going to come down and discuss something with me, and I have some ideas as to what she wants to discuss about." He said a little seriously, waiting for his newest recruit to come. Their heads at the sounds of hooves, they saw Ran dressed in traditional robes again, her hair coiled around ornamental hair sticks, her face once again covered in a white cloth, that was rippling in the wind as she rode down to the port. Just after she arrived they heard a second set of hooves that appeared to be her friend that pretended to attack and betray her, accompanying her. She graciously dismounted her horse, patting her horse's face, getting a pouch that contained sugar cubes to calm him down, and allowed him to drink the sea water. She calmly walked up the steps and onto the ship, her deep blue purple robes with intricate embroidery decorating the back of her robes trailed on the floor. The front opening up a little, giving a view to her cleavage and collarbones, the fur gently tickling her skin. She walked up the familiar circular platform in front of Whitebeard, she knelt down on one knee and crossed her arm over her chest.

"Father." She said warmly, smiling, bowing showing her respect, despite claiming her kingdom back. She rose to her feet and sat herself down on the steps of the platform, facing Whitebeard, smiling sweetly up at Whitebeard

"Ran, I don't need to tell you how proud I am of you, do I?"

"No no, but flattery is still nice." She joked.

"Now what is this issue you want to discuss?" The rest of the crew stopped whatever they were doing to hear, whispering their questions and theories as to what issue she was talking about.

"I think you have already figured out, but it is the issue of whether or not I will be returning as a pirate of your crew." The pirates stopped their whispering in shock. Especially Ace and Izou, their eyes wide in shock.

"How can you decide that?" Ace and Izou shouted in shock, both had different reasons.

"Please, no interruptions." Whitebeard said calmly, as he gazed down at his daughter.

"I cannot leave my people, my homeland and my kingdom. It is my responsibility now as a member of the past royal family. I would leave it to the politicians, however I would find it rather ironic and disappointing if I finally set the Yuht kingdom free, and then not help rule it. I don't want to be disrespectful to my people." She said evenly and calmly. "In addition when the previous emperor was ruling he had struck up various deals with other warlords and powerful pirates that kept this kingdom under protection, and now the Yuht Kingdom is now vulnerable, so I have to at least help."

"Of course, you were an important figure in liberating your kingdom and you want to look after your people. You're a responsible leader and that's a quality that I respect. However I would like it just as much if you were travelling with us."

"Well I'll always be a part of the Whitebeard pirates. I just don't know if I'm going to be travelling with you as of now."

"Well just know you are always welcome here, we'll always be your family, and having you on our team would be a great asset to us." Ran tried to not let herself cry, however she was failing miserably as Whitebeard, who was her only father figure was praising her and loving her as a true parent. Luckily she wasn't the only one, the other pirates were crying too, crying out for their master. She smiled as she stood up to hug them comforting them with smiles. Whitebeard smiled at his children, thinking how lucky he was to have such a family.

She wiped her tears on her robe sleeve, she felt a long hard tug on her heart and she was confused again. She was afraid of this, she still wanted to travel the world with the Whitebeard pirates, not wear these gorgeous, heavy clothes, and the sounds of paperwork and taking part in political debates sounded boring. However she felt the strong sense of duty, responsibility to her people and even thinking about such things, she felt selfish. She felt selfish that she wanted to leave behind running her country and help it stabilise after a huge event for her own selfish desires.

"Well my coronation is in a week, so I have then to decide really. That is if you want to wait a week?"

"Why would we miss one of the Whitebeard pirates becoming ruler? It's not everyday someone becomes ruler of their country." They reassured her, which made her feel a little safer and happier. She turned around to kneel down before Whitebeard, and asked her friend to help bring the gift, bringing multiple and various clay and stone pots, with various and expensive alcohols, making the old man laugh, and the nurses shout at Ran for bringing him alcohol. She laughed a little nervously, forgetting that he had to keep his health up, however she was happier that Whitebeard enjoyed her gift. She moved to the mass of the Whitebeard pirates, telling them that the blacksmiths in her kingdom had made the weapons that she uses in her trunk, and told them they could all ask the black smiths for some new weapons and that she would pay for them all. Resulting in a stampede off the boat and shouts of thanks.

Ran walked up to Izou, holding his delicate pure lily white hands in her tanned hands, both of them crying a little, Ran brought up a case, holding it out in front of Izou, a pair of ornate guns, with intricate detail. One gold coloured, one silver coloured, Ran reasoned she liked mismatching colours, smiling widely at Izou who shrieked at the beautiful gifts, trying them out. Ran moved onto Marco, thanking him for his wise words, kindness and being a great leader and role model and bruising her arm after their fight. She brought up a basket of ripe pineapples, seeing his face fall, she laughed, still handing him the pineapples and then also said his real gift was luxurious clothing that made him appear even more majestic and threatening at the same time, as well as a lot of secret compartments where he could hold all sorts of things, and also made out of a special material that increased his regenerative abilities. She also proceeded to making his face burn as she mentioned there was a very good match maker in the kingdom that could help him settle down with the right girl.

Turning to Thatch with a wide smile. Thatch was rather nervous, to see Ran, he didn't know what to expect from her. He felt guilty for doubting her, and even worse when he learnt the truth of her hardships, and just overall ashamed that he left his comrade because of a rumour.

"Thatch." She smiled calmly, he looked her nervously.

"I understand why you were suspicious of me, it's healthy and natural to be suspicious." She said gently.

"T-thanks for understand-" Ran punched him hard in the arm.

"It doesn't mean I forgive you." Thatch was clutching at his arm, his fellow commanders not moving a muscle out of fright or because they believed he deserved it.

"Okay I deserved that, and a lot more. I'm sorry for doubting you, and not actually asking you directly. I'm sorry for assuming things about you, when I haven't heard both sides of the story." He apologised profusely. He waited for her response, expecting another punch.

However he didn't het punched, he got thrown overboard.

Ran raised her hand to lift Thatch up back onto the ship, his pompadour not ruined at all, impressing everyone.

"Now I forgive you." She smiled, hugging Thatch to show her genuine sincerity.

"You don't have to give me a gift either, I mean I don't deserve it."

"Oh so I guess this paid annual pass to the maiden hot springs bath house in my kingdom is not of any value to you?" She waved a shiny card that had some very cute women printed eon it, which Thatch desperately looked at, but tried his hardest to not care. Ran handed him the card in both hands, bowing in respect, and he repeated the same, looked at the card, yipped for joy and brought Ran into a big bear hug.

She was turning to Ace, who was moody and angry at the sudden news, he felt cheated, pissed and that he was being played around with. He looked in the other direction, not wanting to face her at all.

"Lam Ou Ran." They heard her friend call.

"Yes?" turning around to face her friend.

"I have a question to ask you that will ultimately change your life."

"Sounds dramatic, why didn't you tell me before?"

"Well you were busy meditating, and it's only been (however many days I said there was) since you've come back, and I thought it would be best to show your friends." He explained plainly, the other commanders looked at him with pure interest.

He bent down on knee, as if swearing her allegiance, or his loyalty to her again. However it differed as Izou began to scream, Marco was looking at the man with his eyes wide open in shock. Thatch and Ace were blatantly staring.

"Oh Jesus Christ. What the fuck are you doing?" Ran questioned, as he brought out a medium rectangular box.

"Lam Ou Ran, would you become my betrothed, my partner, my Queen?" He proposed, looking up at her, opening the box to see a large ornate golden necklace that was decorated with carvings and jewels. They all stood still, looking at the whole scene. Ran, unsurprisingly had no expression, not saying anything at all, the rest of them in perfect silence.

Then Ran began to laugh manically, close to what a crazy person would laugh like.

"Oh my God. No." She denied clearly, shutting the box, and still laughing.

*Extra scene* (this happened any time when Ran joined to before they reached the Yuht Kingdom)

The Whitebeard pirates had docked at another island, prior to the docking Ran had already volunteered herself to look after the ship. Since they docked at secret port that was hard to get to, Ran assumed there would only be one or two other people looking after the ship, and that would be more than enough to look after the ship. She heard the call from above deck notifying her that they were docking, she yawned, scratching her chest, still lazing around in her hammock. If she wasn't meditating, training, on missions or free from Izou she would be found lazing around somewhere. In fact it was a game among Marco, Thatch and Ace to find the random spots where Ran dozed off and wake her up and run before she could kick their asses.

She heard the pattering of footsteps and the slowly growing quiet that was soothingly, yawning and stretching as she got out of her hammock. She hummed as she stretched her muscles, and looked in her desk pulling out some tone dials. In her previous work Ran didn't have enough time to relax really, so she collected a couple of tone dials to record some songs. She also lent them to Izou who liked to listen to music in his room as well, and was astounded that Ran had such a useful thing. Ran pressed the top of the shell to play some of her familiar tunes.

Although it may seem strange to listen to music first thing after getting up, but Ran was in a pretty good mood after her regular ten hour sleep, and wanted to feel a little more awake and active.

The room filled with a jazzy tune, loud trumpets and drums pumping a loud beat. Ran furrowed her eyebrows at the song, she never recorded this song, she had heard of it, but didn't remember recording this song. Must have been Izou, Ran smiled and shrugged, brushing her hair as she hummed, moving her hips to the rhythm.

"Boy, I will be your sexy silk
Wrap me around, 'round, 'round, 'round" Ran pulled off her sleeping hoodie, enjoying the cool air surrounding her.

"I'll be your pussycat licking at your milk
Right now down, down, down" She pulled down her sleeping shorts and panties, looking through her trunk for her comfortable black cotton granny panties. She folded her hoodie and her sleeping shorts and tucked it into her pillow case. Allowing the jazzy tune fill her head, as she mouthed the lyrics, humming.

"Oh, a kiss can last all night!
You'll have to seduce me, nibble and bite" Ran began to slowly sing along as she looked further into her trunk trying to find her comfortable bra. Ran hated wearing bras and would go braless as often as possible, however it was a summer island and she thought it was extremely inappropriate and scary to go braless on a pirate ship full of men, whilst wearing little clothing, since it was getting too warm to wear her trench coat everywhere. She sighed as she found her least worn bra, a white bra with pink lace decorating the cups, lacy side straps and pink ribbon back straps. She put it on begrudgingly, remembering why she bought it. Oh because it was cheap, and she wanted to buy something pretty, she secured it in place, and tested it, and then started to clean up her room, as she began to sing the song.

"(Aww, yeah)
But oh no no no
Whoa whoa go
Slow baby don't
Ohhhh!" Ace came back early because he didn't really want to explore the island, and to be honest he wanted to be alone. He nodded to the other pirates who were looking after the ship. He assumed Ran was in her room, as always, expecting her door to be closed with a do not disturb sign. However he was surprised to hear warm jazzy music down the halls, his curiosity growing, as he never heard any music down below the ship, especially jazz music. As he continued to walk further, he noticed it was originating somewhere near Ran's room.

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa boy you're gonna win!" He smiled a little at the lyrics he could hear, the woman's voice was impressively high, and rough at the same time, as he saw the unusual sight of Ran's open door.

"Say 'yeah, yeah, yeah' you're under my skin
I got butterflies within
Ohhhh!
I think I like you!" His eyebrows rose in surprise as he saw Ran in her undergarments, sort of brushed hair, and clothes messily surrounding her as she was reorganising her trunk. He waited for her to notice his presence, but surprisingly she was either ignoring him or didn't notice him at all. He leaned against the wall, observing her sing along with the song. His lips pulled into a knowing smirk, as she packed away her clothes neatly, and stretching and standing up, showing her plain black panties and the pink lace side straps, to Ace.

"Will you be my medicine man?
Put your hand on my chest
Feel the bump, bump, bump, bump"

She moved her body to the beat, patting her hand over her heart, as she sang confidentially.

"Will you be my sugar rush?
Make me get high with just one touch
A kiss can last all night!
You'll have to seduce me, nibble and bite" She grabbed her hair brush, singing into it as it was a microphone, adding a breathy intonation at the end of "bite". Ace stared in rapture, his hands shoved deep into his shorts pockets, he was so entranced because he had never seen this side of Ran, and wasn't sure if he wanted to anyone else about this side.

"(Aww, yeah)
But oh no no no
Whoa whoa go
Slow baby don't
Ohhhh!" She moved enthusiastically, holding her hand out as she acting out the lyrics, as if she was performing. Ace licked his lips as he continued watching her little show, his eyes was drawn to her cute plump ass that was apparently well hidden by her trench coat. However he was enjoying watching her sing her heart out, and not being so controlled and robotic.

"Whoa boy you're gonna win!
Say 'yeah, yeah, yeah' you're under my skin"

She stroked her arm, letting her fingers graze over her arm, Ace wished he could do the same, but didn't want to startle her, and certainly didn't want to disrupt her little performance.
"I got butterflies within
Ohhhh!
I think I love you!" Her warm low voice harmonised with the original singer's high voice, smiling as she let the music wash over her, her hips swaying.

"Now let's play a little game
(Whoa)
Close your eyes and count to five
(One, two, three)
Open your mouth for me sugar
(Yeah, come on)"

Ace slowly moved closer to her door frame, he didn't know he was actually moving, he was just becoming slowly drawn towards her, his cowboy's hat rim casting a shadow over his face, his eyes fixed on her, watching her body move to the beat of the music.

"Just a little more, yeah, yeah that's right
(Whoa)
Yeah, I can feel it baby, can you?
Ohhh!" Moving her head to the music, holding her brush as if it was a microphone, moving as if she was performing.

"Whoa boy you're gonna win!
Say 'yeah, yeah, yeah' you're under my skin
I got butterflies within
Ohhhh!
I think I love you! "

She sang the last line loudly into her hair brush, still moving to the music. Ace was about to pounce, however she moved to replay the song, wanting to sing again, halting him. He heard the song start again.

"Boy, I will be your sexy silk
Wrap me around, 'round, 'round, 'round" She grasped her long thick black hair, wrapping it around her finger. Ace's smile grew bigger, wanting to hear what the next set of lyrics was, completely entranced by her performance. He never wanted to grab something so badly, until now.

"I'll be your pussycat licking at your milk
Right now down, down, down" He watched her put down her hairbrush, and make little cat ears with her hands as she pretended to be a cat. She moved her body down as at the second line, pulling up a mirror to check her face, almost dropping it when she saw Ace at her door frame. She turned around in shock, letting him see her front, which gave his mind a lot to work with, ogling her not hiding it at all.

"ACE!" She hissed, her arms in a sort of defensive position, however she was frozen from shock. Ace's face couldn't help but keep his eyes on her, as the music continued to play, making the situation ironic. Then he realised what was happening, blushing, looking straight at her eyes, making sure to make eye contact, not to startle her. Even more. He noticed her pouty, slightly glossy lips parted, her face turning red from embarrassment.

"I-um. I don't. I wasn't, you know?" He poorly explained. The first thing she could think of was-

Ace bended back to dodge her throwing knives, stumbling back, checking there were no cuts, since he could feel the weapons go close to his face, and then standing right back up to see her close the door.

"Ran, I'm sorry!" He finally got out, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He stood at her door, trying to hear if she said anything. He heard rushed footsteps, and then the door suddenly opening, almost falling over her.

"I'm really sorry, I should have- you know?" he sheepishly looked at her with am embarrassed look that made Ran blush a little as well, because he looked so cute. Like a guilty child caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar, his freckles made it even cuter.

"It's okay." She mumbled, looking away, not able to actually face Ace's really cute embarrassed looks. Ace mistook her expression for annoyance, and felt even worse, because he didn't want her to be even madder.

"No, it's not. I did something wrong and I should-"

"No honestly. It's fine. Let's just let this go, and never speak of it again." She wisely suggested, Ace nodded as well, glad that she wasn't mad at him and was still speaking to him.

After that event happened, Ace guessed he was still going to live, so he decided to mess around with Ran a bit.

He was in the meeting with Ran and the other commanders, all of them looking serious. Thatch looked a lit up his cigarette. Ran looked at him a little confused.

"Why did you light up a cigarette? You usually smoke when you're stressed. Are you stressed?" Ran asked quietly

"Hehhe. I hate to admit it but I'm a little nervous when we talk about the next missions we have to do. It's weird that I've been a pirate for a while, and I still get butterflies in my stomach when I start these new missions." He admitted, taking in a draft. "This helps calms my nerves." Ran nodded.

"Butterflies in your stomach eh Thatch?" Ace emphasised, Thatch looked at Ace smiling who smiled innocently back. As Ran noticed what Ace was hinting at. Ace pretended to mock Thatch by patting his arm.

"Ohhhh!" cooing at Thatch, Thatch punched Ace in the arm jokingly as Ran was trying to keep her blush under control.

"I think I like you, more that you admitted your true feelings." Ace said warmly, smiling at Thatch friendly, and smirking at Ran, who was just staring at her paperwork.

"Ace are you sure you're okay today? You're acting a little weird. Did you eat something weird?"

"Mhmm I did have a lot of cookies and sweets. A lot of sugar. Maybe it's a sugar rush." He reasoned, Ran just looked down at her paper, trying to ignore Ace.

"Oh right, try and not destroy the boat or anything. We know how you can get." Marco advised, looking at Ace a little worried. They continued with their meeting, but Ran was much quieter as Ace was humming a certain jazzy song tune, confirming to Ran what Ace was exactly up to. As they ended the meeting, Ran quickly walked to her room, trying to gain her cool in her room as she was going to put away her papers. The others stayed behind on the deck for a few drinks and food, so she knew she wasn't being followed.

"Ran! Ran!" she heard him call, she walked away pretending to ignore him, walking faster, wishing her room was much much closer to the deck. Before she could turn into the corridor where her room was, she was turned around, and looking at Ace's very nice hard, toned and slightly sweaty muscled chest.

Oh no. No. No.

She looked up to see an impish, charming smile and a mischievous gleam in his eyes. His raven black tousled hair surrounding him, making him even more roguish and charming.

God fucking damnit.

"Ran~" he called gently, his arms encasing her between him and the wall, and then slowly moving his body very close to hers.

"You're getting under my skin." He whispered, teasingly, smirking down at her, his attitude and expression confident, like a lion stalking his prey. Her lips a little parted, as her skin started to prickle and sweat in anticipation or excitement. He moved his face a lot closer, making her squeak.

"Close your eyes" she obeyed instantly. "And count to five." He ordered which she did thankfully, concentrating on something else, feeling her face burn with embarrassment. He merely pressed his cheek against her cheek, enjoying her quick little nervous intake of breath when she felt his skin, on hers. Oh god despite feeling her face burn full of embarrassment and blush, her face felt so cold against Ace's much warmer, hotter rougher skin, it almost burnt her.

His lips were just a few millimetres apart from her ear, as he inhaled a little to smell her sweet hair, and exhaled a little to send chills down her spine, which made her clutch at his chest in shock.

"You'll have to seduce me, nibble and bite" he whispered in her ear, hopefully encouraging her to be as confident as she was when she was singing and dancing towards him.

This was so much fun to write xD
I just love Ace so much and it's soooo much fun to imagine this. *sighs* If only he was real.