-Ace-
"Tori?" I stepped around everyone currently gathered on the deck cleaning up from last night's party. "Has anyone seen Tori?" I asked.
"No. but now that I think about it I haven't seen Marco yet," Thatch commented as he passed me, empty barrel in hand, "maybe they're in bed together." He laughed jokingly.
I glanced at Izo as Thatch dropped it turning back to us. "He wouldn't." I shook my head, biting my lip. "I mean he's old enough to be her Dad. Marco would-" I stopped looking at my fellow Commanders. "I'm checking his room." I shoved through the crowd glaring at the door leading below deck. There's no way Marco would, she's like a little kid, and he has more… self-restraint.
-Marco-
I shifted looking at the small girl curled up beside me, sleeping peacefully. I should get up and check on everyone, make sure no one fell overboard or something.
"Mm." Tori groaned trying to snuggle closer to me, trying to pull the blanket over her head.
"Morning –yoi," I chuckled ruffling her hair lightly.
"Sleepy," she yawned, whining as I sat up.
"Come on, let's go find Ace and see how everyone is. Breakfast may be late today –yoi." I stretched feeling my back pop.
The door swung open revealing panting Ace glaring daggers at me. "Marco care to explain what you're doing in bed with Tori?" small flames licked at his arms.
"Getting up –yoi." I swung my legs out letting my bare feet touch the floor.
"Where'd you go last night Ace?" Tori crawled to the edge of the bed. "I couldn't find you when I wanted to go to bed."
"So I brought her to my room –yoi." I cut in pulling on my shirt.
"Why were you in bed with her?!" The flames climbed as he continued shouting.
"I had a bad dream," she mumbled rubbing her eyes, climbing out of bed.
Ace's eyes widened as he took in what she was wearing. "Marco," he growled fire licking at his neck and shoulders.
"She had to wear something. It's not like she has any other clothes, besides her dress doesn't even fit her right –yoi." I interrupted handing tori her old dress.
"Can I keep your shirt? It's comfy." She smiled innocently.
"Sure –yoi." I ruffled her hair.
-Tori-
I watched confused as Ace glared at Marco. Why was he so upset? It's not that big a deal. Right? I don't know. Setting my dress on Marco's desk I stepped around Ace into the hall, maybe I can find Thatch and get some food.
Starting off in a random direction I looked around, down empty halls. Where is everyone? Maybe that funny smelling drink made them all sick. Marco said breakfast would be late…
"Eeep." I squirmed as I was lifted into the air and draped over someone's shoulder. I kicked and squirmed attempting to return to the floor.
"Will you stop struggling?" Ace snapped adjusting his grip on my hips and waist, so I wouldn't fall.
I drooped going limp in his hold.
-Ace-
I can't believe she tried going out on deck dressed like this. Doesn't she know there are perverts out there? Perverts like Thatch and Marco. I stepped into my room dropping her onto the bed, turning away quickly as HIS shirt rode up on her thighs. I rummaged through my closet looking for something she could wear. Damn me for getting rid of all my shirts. Grabbing a pair of pants, I tossed them at her hastily. "Put those on." My voice was strained when I turned back to her before quickly turning away again.
"Ace," she started a few moments later, "they don't fit."
She had her hands hanging uselessly at her sides, the pants bunched around her ankles, looking confused. "Marco was right you do need new clothes."
-Izo-
I turned back to look at the girl walking behind me, blue eyes wide in fascination. My gaze traveled from her excited face down Marco's shirt, past Ace's pants – tied at her waist by a rope- to her bare feet. "Alright Ace, first things first." I turned to the grumbling pirate beside me, "shoes."
"Fine." He growled, "Tori, don't get too far behind." I chuckled as she fell in step on Ace's right, his scowl lifting slightly.
*flashback*
"Tori, this is Izo, he's also a Division Commander. He's going to go shopping with us to help you get new clothes." Ace introduced me, shooting daggers at Marco, as the other man talked to Pops.
"Wrong," Tori said quietly, giving Ace a pointed look. "Girl." She pointed at me.
"No. Izo's a boy." Thatch patted me on the back.
Shaking her head she frowned, arms crossed, "Girl."
"What's going on here –yoi?" Marco sighed walking over.
"Ace and Thatch are wrong," Tori explained, "They said Izo's a boy but Izo's a girl," She whined pointing at me.
A small chuckle escaped Marco as he ruffled her hair, an action that only intensified the glare Ace was sending him. "Izo is a boy. He just likes wearing girl's clothing –yoi."
"Why?" she asked confused.
"Because they're comfortable," I cut in quickly.
"Oh."
*flashback end*
-Ace-
I stiffened as Izo leaned in to whisper in my ear. "Don't tell me you're still mad about her thinking you were wrong."
"Of course not," I snapped back trying to keep my voice down.
"No need to lie."
I glared at him opening my mouth to retort when I felt a light tap on my arm.
"Ace, what's ice cream?"
Izo and I turned to Tori incredulously. "You've never had ice cream before?" we both asked.
"No." she blinked innocently, head tilted to the side.
"Shoes and clothes can wait; let's get the girl some ice cream cone." Izo grabbed both our wrists dragging us towards the ice cream parlor.
I sat at a tall table while Ace and Izo went to buy me an 'ice cream cone' turning to see what exactly they were doing I gasped as the chair under me spun as well. Giggling I entertained myself spinning the chair until they got back.
"Here." Ace handed me a dark blue rock on top of an upside down mini tan mountain.
I poked the little rock, jerking back when it turned out it was cold, soft, and wet.
"You eat it." He chuckled with a smile, the spots on his cheeks seeming to get darker.
I smiled back taking the 'cone' from his hand, licking the top. It was sweet and almost fruity, but not quite.
"Do you like it?" he asked sitting across from me, resting his cheek against his hand.
"Yummy." I continued to lick my sticky treat. I looked up again just in time to see Ace's face hit the table, several people at tables close to us jumping and looking at him in shock. "Izo he fell asleep again."
(Author's Comment: It has been a long school year with 3 deaths among the student population, 2 suicides and 1 cancer. So I apologize for the wait between chapters, and it will probably be a bit before the next one. so I apologize now. Not betaed.)