-Tori's POV-

I stared at the giant whale ship. "Big," I gaped as I turned to Marco and Ace.

"That's the flagship, Moby Dick –yoi," Marco said ruffling my hair, "And where you'll meet Pops."

"By Pops you mean that Whitebeard guy, right?" I asked, mouth twisting in confusion.

"Yes, Pops, or more commonly known as Whitebeard, is one of the Four Emperors of the Sea," Ace stepped in.

"Emperor of the Sea?" I turned back to the ship tilting my head to the side, "What that?"

"A title for really strong pirates –yoi," Marco's arms turned into fire wings as he leapt from the small boat onto the deck of the much larger ship.

"Let's go Tori," Ace wrapped his arm around my waist before launching us onto the ship.

"Ace and Marco are back!" a man with funny brown hair shouted running over and capturing both men in a hug.

I shrank back against the railing not quite sure what to do. "And who are you?" he suddenly popped up in front of me grinning widely.

"Stay away from Thatch, he's a pervert –yoi," Marco shoved the other man lightly.

"What's a pervert?" I looked between the two, puzzled.

"Oh you are so cute!" the man, Thatch, grabbed me, pinning my arms to my sides as he pulled me against his chest.

Panicking, I kicked and struggled and quickly transformed and slipped from his grasp. I dashed between his legs, jumped onto a man's shoulder before disappearing under Ace's hat and breathing heavily as my heart pounded in my tiny chest. "Shh, Tori it's okay. Come on they won't hurt you," Ace soothed stroking my side with one finger, "You're safe here. You can come out."

"Promise?" I stuck my head out slightly.

"Promise," he held his hand out for me, "There's a good girl."

I jumped the short distance from his head to his outstretched hand, sitting with my paws covered by my tail. "Everyone, this is Tori, we were hoping she could join the crew," Ace said looking at a huge man I hadn't noticed before.

(Author's comment: Contrary to what may be Believed I am not dead. Just had a bit of a dry spell. I know the chapter is short and not much happens but I was told by a friend that I should have a new chapter up by the end of the weekend and this is all that came to me. O.k. this is the grammar edited version. Beta-ed by Claridessa.)