Hey everyone! Wow, it took a while to update. I hit a major writer's block with this story, and the begining of school didn't help at all. My apologies.

weixuan18 - thanks for all the reviews! You very much made my day. As for the eyes... all will be explained.

Akasha-chan91 - Thanks so much! It's always nice to know I'm keeping everyone in character. Yeah, I don't really like it when Zolo is way out of wack. I'll live with it, but it takes away from the story. I hope he stays in character for this one!

Sanji-luver - I'll try!

mechanical-kitten - Thanks! It kinda went down the drain though. I hardly have enough time to write my own stories let alone someone elses. Yes, the green eyes rock!

Hibiki-chan - Yay! Aly's cool! Glad you think so!

ChainofDreams - I have only a few things to say. MAY THE FLUFF BEGIN!

xX-Avast-Xx - Well, can't blame ya for saying that. It's true!

Mirathin - Noo! Not the big anime eyes! I'll make another chappie! I promise! XD

Alright people, I realize that it took a while, but I think you guys deserve some...drumroll please...FLUFF! Please, please, please, please, PLEASE! tell me if Zolo is out of character! I hate nothing more than writing a character out of character and not knowing it! Okay, read, enjoy, and review.

WARNING: THERE IS FLUFF IN THIS CHAPTER! IF YOU ARE A GUY THAT IS SQUEAMISH ABOUT THAT OR A GIRL THAT JUST DOESN'T WANT TO READ IT, SKIP THE SECOND HALF OF THE FIC! ...you have been warned. (ps. the line thingy hates me today so if you don't want to read it, just stop when you see it. You won't miss any vital story line parts, just some nice fluff. Important stuff in the begining.)

Chapter 17

Moonlit Reflections

Aly's POV

The pale moon shone down on me, illuminating everything in a spectral light. I gazed up at it, surrounded by the stars. The moonlight was nothing more than a reflection of the sun. A mirror for something much brighter and bigger than itself.

Just like me.

Sighing, I rubbed the corners of my eyes as I stared at the horizon. I was settled on the goat's head of the Going Merry. My mind unable to let me sleep after the events of the previous day, I had gone out to the deck and convinced Nami to let me have watch. After a few looks and 'are you sure your okay?' s, she left me alone with my thoughts.

Heh, my thoughts. They were so easy to get lost in right now. I had quite a few things on my mind to say the least.

Green eyes… Those idiots! Were they trying to kill me? I stared at the mark on my wrist with contempt. It wasn't rocket science to figure out where all my new found power was coming from, where all these weird occurrences were born. The gods had given me a gift, and they were using me to the fullest.

A full Elemental has the power to change with the element currently in use. Skin color, eye color, hair color, all were common. AFTER you passed the final test. It was unheard of for someone who didn't have their full Elemental power yet to change. Just another bit of evidence that I was something no one had ever heard of.

The gods had a lot to answer to. But I suppose that included me too. After all, I was a reincarnation, a Chosen One, the vessel of the Light goddess Liora. A reflection of something much greater, just like the moon. Just a puppet…

Rage began to course through me, driving me to my feet.

Just a puppet? Just a puppet! Just a freaking puppet! Why didn't I see it before?

"Everything…" I hissed, digging my nails into hands. "Everything was set from the beginning… My friends, my family, my LIFE!" I was shouting now, not caring if the crew woke up. "You set everything up for me! Even my dreams were your idea! Weren't they? Weren't they! I never had a choice! When can I start living my own life? Huh? When? When can I start making decisions that weren't made for me! WHEN CAN I START LIVING FOR ME!"

Tiredness like I had never known washed over me, straining at every nerve, every scrap of sanity I had left. I slid off the goat's head, numbly settling onto the deck. It was too much. It was all too much.

Tears began to prickle at my eyes, rolling down my cheeks. All restraints I had were dissolved away in this madness, so I did the only thing I could. I sat on the deck and cried.

I don't know where all the tears were coming from, I must have drained half my body fluid, but they kept coming. I was so wrapped up in my tears that I didn't even hear the footsteps until the person was crouched down in front of me.

"Aly?" a voice asked softly. I looked though my tears to see Sanji crouched in front of me, a concerned look on his face.

"San...ji..." I muttered, burying my face deeper into my hands.

He gathered me into his arms, sitting next to me on the deck. I buried my face in his chest, doing everything I could from outright wailing at the frustration I felt. He stroked my hair and rocked me back and forth, whispering comforting words I couldn't make out over my sobs.

Eventually, the worst of it had passed, and I looked up at Sanji. He smiled down at me, looking odd without the ever present cigarette.

"Better now?" he questioned.

"I got your suit all wet." I responded, wringing the material out half heartedly. He laughed.

"That's alright." He stood, and offered me a hand. I took it, and was pulled to my feet, only to be hit by a wave of dizziness that forced me back to the planks. Sanji opened his mouth to say something but was drowned out by a loud growl from my stomach. I guess almost three days without food will do that to you…

"Umm…" I said awkwardly. "I guess I'm kinda hungry." Sanji laughed once again.

"I wondered why you didn't eat much of dinner. I'll go get you something and get you a blanket while I'm at it." The cook said, grinning like a love struck fool. "Will you be alright out here?"

"Yeah." I nodded, wiping my face dry. "I'm still on watch after all."

Sanji nodded and walked away. I waited until I heard his footsteps go below deck before letting out a sigh. A few more tears leaked out, but I furiously rubbed them away. Screw the gods. Screw them all. I had a dream to fulfill, whether it was preset or not.

But first, I had to get home. And whatever the situation would be, there was no way I could face it by breaking down and losing control. I had stayed in control for years, I wasn't going to let it slip now.

I looked out to the horizon. The next few barriers would be interesting to get through… Silently cursing, I wished I had remembered to ask Mihawk for some of is spare candles. They weren't just for decoration. The reason why they were made was so those who didn't have Elemental powers could get on and off our island. Once the flames were lit, they stayed lit. If they ever went out, only an Elemental could relight them again. Thus why my uncle could come and go as he pleased.

This time I heard Sanji come up behind me. Turning, I watched him set down plate after bowl of food in front of me.

"Geez Sanji! Did you get me enough food?" I laughed, grateful for the spread, most of it steaming in the cool night air.

"Just enough." He said, returning my smirk. He seemed glad that I was in good spirits again. "Let me go get you a blanket, alright?"

His words made me realize just how chilly it was out tonight. Suppressing a shiver, I nodded and he disappeared back into the ship. Digging into the five star cooking, my mind wandered back to my mother's cooking. As good as Sanji was, he didn't hold a candle to mom's dishes. The kind that would melt into you mouth and always leave you wishing for more…

But those days were long gone. Now, according to the gods, I had to save what was left… I sighed, putting down the soup I was slurping on. I had been trying to push the dire warning I got out of my mind. If I let myself dwell on it, it would only drive me nuts worrying. What kind of danger was my home in? Was Blake and Eva okay? And what about my friends? What the hell was happening over there?

I jumped slightly as a blanket slid around my shivering form. Smirking, I drew it closer, pushing empty dishes out of the way to make room for desert.

"Took your time didn't you Sanji?" I said, looking up.

Black pants…. White shirt… something wasn't right here… As soon as the green hair entered my vision, my smirk slid off my face. Stormy eyes met mine for a moment before Zolo turned.

"I'll go get the crap cook. You obviously like his company better." He said icily.

"Wait!" I scrambled to my knees, catching his wrist. Damn! How many times can I mess things up with this guy before he says to hell with it? "I'm sorry! I just didn't expect you to be out here, that's all."

He stopped walking and looked down at me, then stared pointedly at my hand clinging to his wrist. I let go hesitantly, afraid he was going to stalk off without another word. Sitting down with a muffled sigh, I picked up a dish.

"I wouldn't mind company, if that's what you came out here for." I said, scooting over like I was making room for him.

I held my breath, a moment of tense silence stretching forever. I stared at the ice cream slowly melting in the dish in front of me. The silence stretched longer. Finally giving into the urge to look up, I found Zolo's gaze focused on me.

"What?" I asked, slightly disturbed at the attention. Zolo wasn't one to stare, unless it was during a fight. His eyes roamed over my face.

"You've been crying." He stated evenly. Cursing, I rubbed my face with the corner of the blanket.

"What of it?" I scowled, daring him to make a big deal about it.

Another moment of silence, in which I didn't look up. Then I heard Zolo settle next to me, leaning against the railing.

"It's about the warning your gods gave you, isn't it?" Zolo asked, staring up at the stars. As soon as he mentioned it, my thoughts instantly went haywire with worry.

"What else is there to be a drama queen over?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Other than the fact we now have three girls bunking in a room comfortably made for one."

"I feel sorry for you, having to sleep in the same room as those two." He said, scowling in distaste. I laughed.

"It's not so bad. As long as Nami doesn't wake up before she wants to, everything is relatively calm." I commented, picking up the ice cream once again. Zolo stared curiously at it.

"What flavor is that?" He asked, the purplish color throwing him off.

"Black raspberry." I responded, scooping in a mouthful.

"I've never had any."

I choked.

"What!" I coughed. "What's wrong with you! Here!"

Before I registered what I was doing, I had scooped up some ice cream and popped it into Zolo's mouth. His eyes widened at the same time mine did. We sat there frozen. I felt a blush creeping into my cheeks, my face growing warm. I muttered an apology of some sort as I reclaimed the spoon, eyes fixed upon the deck.

What the hell was wrong with me!

Awkward silence reigned. I stared at the planks, counting the nails in each wooden board, while desperately trying to figure out my next action. Silence was the only thing coming from next to me.

For lack of anything else to do, I scooped up some more ice cream and brought it up to my mouth. But before I could get it in, a callused hand took hold of my wrist. I followed the spoon as it was guided away from me and past Zolo's lips. I could only stare as he drew the spoon out of his mouth via my wrist.

"Hm. Not bad." He commented, a slightly thoughtful look on his face. Then he looked at me and frowned. "What?"

"I… just thought you wouldn't like it. It's kinda an acquired taste." I said lamely, finding use for the jaw that had fallen open.

More silence. His hand was still wrapped around my wrist, the spoon in my hand still only inches from his face. I glanced down at the now melted ice cream in the bowl, then back to Zolo, only to find the swordsman staring at me.

For once, I allowed myself to gaze back, my eyes roaming over the face that fascinated me since the day up in the crows nest. It still amazed me how much his face described him. Sharp at the edges and hard to ignore. Then my gaze drifted to his eyes.

Dark eyes met deep blue.

His eyes… some sort of dark gray or black, they always reminded me of a storm brewing over the horizon. Dark, mysterious, and hiding everything else from view. I stared into his while he stared into mine, reveling in the moment.

Tearing my eyes away, I stared pointedly at his hand, which was still attached to my wrist. Following my gaze, he muttered an apology as he let go. I placed the spoon back in the bowl, and then brought my hand to rest on the side of Zolo's face.

He looked up, startled, and I once again got caught up in those eyes.

Suddenly, I found myself pressing my lips against his. Zolo tensed beneath me, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. I had both hands on his face, as if to make sure he got the full kiss before backing away.

The need for air eventually over whelmed the moment. I broke away with a small gasp, licking my lips absently. Wind chapped and rough, he tasted like sea salt and rum, pleasantly mixed with black raspberry. What I had just done came crashing down on me. Suddenly very afraid to look up, I dropped my hands back to my sides.

"Sorry…." I muttered.

I didn't get to say anymore as I was guided back to Zolo's face. He stared at me for a moment before crashing his lips down on mine. I draped my arms around his neck as his hands ran down my sides, resting at my hips. I shivered under his touch, goose bumps prickling at my bare skin. The kiss ended, only to begin a newer, passionate one. Parting my lip slightly, he did the same as his tongue slipped into my mouth, exploring. I savored the moment, determined to etch it into my memory forever.

We broke apart, both of us slightly breathless. The silence was only broken by our breathing and the lapping of the waves against the ship. No words were spoken, none needed to be. Settling comfortably against Zolo's chest, I stared up at the stars. I found my eyes closing, a smirk on my face at my final thought before sleep.

There was no way the gods could have predicted that.