-Tori-
I sat at a small bench watching as Ace and Izo argued about shoes, or which shoes they should buy me. Something along the lines of practicality vs cute. Getting up I began wandering the aisles looking at the various selection of footwear. I don't see why they were making a big deal out of it. If the shoes fit fine, then why does it matter what they look like?
"Tori." Izo appeared at the end of the aisle I was wandering "Try these on, and walk around for a bit. He held out a pair of shiny black shoes on a platform with a tall heel on the end.
"They don't look very comfy." I plopped onto the floor pulling them on.
"They don't look very comfy." I plopped onto the floor pulling them on.
"They look great on you" Izo smiled pulling me to my feet.
-Ace-
I sat up from where I was slumped in a chair, either I had a narcoleptic attack or Izo knocked me out. Looking up and down the aisle I frowned, where did Izo drag her off to now?
"Ace." Tori staggered into view on a pair of platform high heels. "I don't like theses shoes." She tripped falling forward.
I rushed forward wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into me to prevent her from falling. "Those seem dangerous let's try something Flatter." I helped her to the chair I had vacated slipping the heels from her feet.
"There you are. How are the shoes Hun?" Izo asked appearing with boxes of shoes.
"No heels, she'll hurt herself just trying to cross the deck." I glared at him.
"Oh, but Ace," He whined, filtering out all the heels.
"Can I have these?" Tori was trying the ribbons from one pair around her ankles and lower legs, they were black ballet styled flats.
"Of course, and we can try to find them in different colors if you want." Izo clapped excitedly.
"They were kind of cute, and the look of wide eyed joy on her face brought a rush of heat to my own.
"Are you blushing?" Izo whispered in my ear, face unnaturally close to mine.
"Of course not," I shoved him back. "Let's find the rest of her shoes and go get her some cloths." I glared at the purple abomination as she played with the unrolling sleeves flapping over her hands.
"Okay." She bounced quickly to her feet, childish grin on her face.
The warm returned with a vengeance Izo laughing as he walked away. If I weren't afraid he'd kick my ass for it I'd burn the insufferable Geisha.
-Later that day-
-Izo-
I stood with Ace outside the dressing room as Tori tried on my latest pick. I'd made the executive decision and grabbed her mostly dresses, a few shorts and shirts, some long pants and a couple other things for chilly weather. She could pick out the real winter wear when we were done here.
So far most things went down to her knees, but some of the shorts showed off quite a bit of thigh-Ace had been about ready to kill me when she comes out in those.
Tori stepped out in a knee length red dress with three-quarter sleeves, a black belt wrapped directly under her chest, and a flame design ranging from blues through reds and oranges to yellows crawling up the shirt.
"What do you think?" She twirled making the skirt fan out.
Ace sat up a little straighter, cheeks tinted pink. "It looks good on you."
I didn't pick this one out, but Ace is right she does look good.
"Ace are you okay?" Tori asked looking at him concerned. "Your face keeps turning red."
"I'm fine, just a bit warm."
"Tori, where's the one I picked for you?" I changed the subject.
It didn't fit." She stated simply.
"What makes you say that." I asked shaking my head slightly.
"It was really short."
"Can I see you in it anyway?"
"Sure"
-After Shopping-
-Marco-
I looked up from my seat next to Pops as Ace's angry voice carried across the deck followed by Izo laughter. "Looks like they're back –yoi," I sighed getting up slowly.
"Guraha, Ace is as lively as ever," Pops laughed.
My arms shifted to wings as I glided over everyone's head to land in front of the pair, standing between Tori and Thatch.
"You're as bad as Marco and Thatch!" Ace shouted fists on fire.
"I'm as bad? You were the one blushing every time she smiled at you!" Izo shot back swords in hand.
"Knock it off- yoi" I smacked them both upside the head.
"Why'd you hit me?" Izo whined rubbing his head.
"You're both acting like children." I sighed feeling a headache build," Ace go down to the second division's hall and find Tori a room-yoi" I turned and slipped through the crowd hands in my pocket.
-At Dinner-
-Tori-
I stood in the doorway of the same large room Thatch took me to yesterday staring around at everyone seeming to have specific seats. I glared as Teach started to approach me, there was something I really didn't like about that man.
"Come join us," he offered," no need to be shy." He chuckled, holding his arms wide.
I took a few steps back growling low in my throat.
"What's going on here?" Thatch asked placing a hand on my shoulder.
I was just offering a place for the little one to sit with us." Teach reached out to pat my shoulder.
"I jerked back with a sharp hiss, lashing out at his hand.
"Perhaps Tori should eat with us-yoi." Marco caught my wrist, tugging me over to sit with the other commanders, and pushing me into the seat between him and Ace.
Ace stopped eating long enough to lightly smack the back of my head, "Don't pick fights with the others," He ordered.
"I wasn't picking a fight. I just don't like him." I whined rubbing the spot where he hit me. "Owy." I looked up and down the table, then turned my attention to the rest of the room. "Ace?"
"Hm," He glanced up, slowing down slightly but continued to eat.
"Does everyone have tattoos like yours?"
(Author's comment: So I was planning on having this up by like valentine's day so I could post a cute fluff styled chapter but I lost my fluff thing and I spent so long looking for it before I knew it V-day was gone but here is next chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Leave me a review of anything you think should be included and/or if you can imagine Ace's reaction to her last question.)