Yo people! Me is back! Haha.
This one is an Omake chapter.
Some spoilers are included for the succeeding chapters for the two years gap.
Shishishi~
I own—
Law: Nothing. No one gave you One Piece as a gift for tomorrow.
=3=.. Ill ask this for my Christmas present then!
Read and enjoy folks!
(~pagebreak~)
Days before…
Marco as well as the other commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates gathered around the room. All of them bore serious looks on their faces as they wait for the reason for their summon. Apparently, the man in question which is Fire Fist Ace stood in front with his hands clenched at his sides.
"Guys… Help me how to ride a a bike!" Ace suddenly announced. The pyro is kneeling in front of them with a desperate look on his face. His hands were clasped together above his head.
"Ace…" Marco was stunned, unable to finish his sentence as Ace cut him.
"I'm desperate! Pease help me!" Ace bowed lower.
This time Marco facepalmed.
"Ace."
Ace raised his head.
"You… called us out for 'this', yoi?" The phoenix gave the man a bored looks which threatens to look like murderous if the pyro would say something that wouldn't be accepted by his ears.
"I told you I'm desperate! I need to learn how to ride a bike and fast!"
The rest of the commanders looked so irritated at the moment but obviously trying to hide it. They woke up 'early' in the morning thinking that the summon was for an emergency only to find out that their co-commander was just looking for someone to teach him how to ride a bike.
Great.
Really great.
Oh the idea of murdering Ace right there and then sounded so tempting.
"Humor us Ace, what is this stupidity for." Izou asked, trying to keep his hands crossed on his chest so that he won't be reaching for his gun slid on his obi.
"Izou! This isn't stupidity! Sei's birthday is approaching and I need a present for her!"
"Then tell me how these two things relate to each other." Really, he needs to stop himself from grabbing his pistol and trying to give Ace a warning shot. Too bad the Fire Fist's answer weren't helping his temper at all.
To everyone's surprise, Fire Fist covered his mouth with his hand and looked away. The group were about to give Ace a painful lesson from messing their goodnight sleep when the pyro finally spoke.
"I….her…" Ace whispered, obviously not coherent enough for the others to understand.
"Ace…" Marco growled.
"I want to ride a bike with her!" Ace shouted stunning everyone inside the room.
Though the Fire Fist was trying to hide his expression the commanders were able to catch a glimpse of those blushing freckled cheeks. His expression clearly states that he was so embarrassed with his own statement that he wanted the earth to swallow him whole right now.
Oh good.
At least they weren't the only people who thought that the idea was too cheesy to say out loud.
"…"
*snort*
Ace glared at his comrades who were trying to stifle their laughs but utterly failing at it. On his comardes defense, tat blush painted on the pyro's cheeks plus the glare wasn't an effective threat at all and just added to the hilarity of the situation.
The room roared with laughter.
"Stop laughing at me and help me out!" The Fire Fist shouted, noticing that his comrades were not going to stop laughing anytime soon.
Instead of doing as Ace say the laughter only increased, having some of the commanders lean for support and some roll on the floor.
Hell Ace getting in love is really something amusing for the Whitebeard Pirates. A few months ago, the thought of Fire Fist committing himself to a woman never crossed their minds. But who wouldn't? All they heard from the man is his undying obsession for the wellbeing of his brother.
That's why everyone of them were surprised to see Ace fussing on a girl who just appeared out of nowhere. Heck Ace even dove into the water even though knowing that he himself is a 'hammer' just to save the girl.
The next thing that surprised them is that hopeless look on Ace's face as he tries to wake up the girl. His eyes were filled with horror realizing the numerous injuries adorning her body and blood seeping out of her wounds. Ace never left the girl's side until she was fully well. They even saw that relieved look on the pyro's face when the lavender-haired blacksmith managed to escape death.
Fire Fist became a constant mage beside Sei. They didn't know if it was an unconscious act or a silent declaration:
Stay away from my girl.
And now…
This!
Man, they will never get enough of this.
After a few good minutes of undying laughter, some of the commanders managed to compose themselves and stay silent. Though the grins were unwipeable off their faces, much to Ace's dismay.
"So…?" Ace got a hopeful look on his freckled face.
"So what, yoi?" Marco asked. They won't be making this easy for Ace. Not when he messed up with their sleep for his random request.
"Are you helping me out?"
"Ace. Ace, Ace… What's with that attitude when you are asking us a favor?" Izou put an arm around ace's shoulders with a smug grin plastered on his lips.
Ace gulped.
It was then that the Fire Fist realized that everything wouldn't be a cake walk.
Not at all.
It will be a walk in hell.
(~pagebreak~)
May 17…
Sei 'was' having a wonderful sleep…
Yes, a peaceful dream he 'had'. Being able to meet up with his comrades again, sailing with their captain and Thousand Sunny. Everything seemed so real until he felt a tug on his shoulder and someone calling her name.
"Sei…wake up. It's morning already, Sei…"
She tried to ignore that voice, but because of the insistent call and tug on her shoulders, the girl unwillingly opened her eyes only to see Fire Fist Ace hovering over her with a big, stupid, happy and excited grin plastered on his face.
Sei blinked trying to gather her bearings.
"…"
1
2
3
"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY ROOM, ACE!" was heard throughout the Moby Dick followed by a loud crash.
The Whitebeard pirates shook their heads realizing that Ace never really learns.
A few days after the girl woke up from her comma, Fire Fist had been a constant figure beside her. Ace made sure of everything about her recovery. It was never unusual for them to know or hear that Ace had decided to sleep inside the blacksmith's room.
After a few days, they heard Sei insisting that she is already well and Ace need not sleep inside her room anymore.
"Really Ace. I'm already well. I can manage my own now. I'm really grateful for you looking out on me while I'm recovering but I'm already good. You can go back on sleeping on your own room. I'm sure it wasn't comfortable for you to be sleeping on the floor or on the chair."
Sei, it wasn't a problem for me at all. You're talking to the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates you know. I've slept in worse places."
Obviously that wasn't the point and Fire Fist wasn't getting it at all. Not when he still have that obliviously happy grin on his face.
"Ace…" The blacksmith sighed. How the heck would she relay to this man that it had been embarrassing that people inside the ship thinks that they are a couple? And the fact that Ace nonchalantly informed Whitebeard about his 'courting issues' didn't help he situation at all.
Sei, after getting weirded out from the strange looks she was having form the members of the Whitebeard crew, confronted Marco about it.
'Aren't you engaged? Ace said it to Pops' was Marco's answer to her.
Of course she confronted the Fire Fist about it.
Though there was a hint of disappointment in his voice, Ace explained that Whitebeard won't let him sleep inside the room if he won't say such thing. Sei doubted Ace's testimony. If there's one thing Ace cannot do, it is lying to Whitebeard.
Now back to the situation at hand…
She really needs to find a way to explain to the pyro in front of her that she wanted her 'personal space' back and that she is starting to feel uncomfortable always seeing Ace's sleeping face every time she wakes up in the middle of the night. All without embarrassing herself of course.
'Damn it, why is it that I'm starting to think that that narcoleptic pyro is handsome!' Sei wanted to pull her hair out of frustration and also an attempt to hide the now forming blush on her face.
For the past few days, the pyro had been constantly fussing over her health. She had heard from the commanders that Ace never left her side at all while she was in a comma. He was even holding her hand in a tight but gentle grip when she woke up. He had been nursing her back to health, constantly bugging the nurses and doctors looking out on her. He had been helping on changing her bandages and also volunteered to help her take a bath. Though he gave up on the suggestion after earning a few bumps on his head and face.
He took care of her, covering her every need. He even volunteered to sleep on the floor just to be allowed inside her room.
How in the world would she react on that?
Darn in she wanted to commit suicide for praising the man too much.
'Hey Ace, I'm starting to like you. Can you please move out of my room so I can regain my peace?' That would be one great declaration and confession.
"Sei?" Ace felt the blacksmith's forehead, checking for her temperature. The fired Fist a relieved smile. "I thought you are running a fever. Your face is quite red."
'Can you stop with that kindness! Are you trying to make me fall for you?!' Sei looked away.
Ace sighed.
"Sei… Is it bad for me to watch you sleep? Well, your face makes me sleepy too. More effective than narcolepsy actually."
Screech.
Sei could practically hear the sound inside her mind.
On the other hand, Marco, together with with co-commanders who were listening outside the room all shook their heads and facepalmed.
"He still needs to learn if she's going for a woman's heart." Vista stated in an amused voice and walked away. The others nodded in agreement.
They may be pirates—not really your ideal man and dream guy—but what kind of man would tell a girl that he fells sleepy by just looking at her?
Not to mention Ace is wooing that girl.
Probably just the great Portgas D Ace.
Oh utter stupidity.
'Was that supposed to be compliment?' Sei thought irritatedly.
"IDIOTIC PYRO! DON'T EVEN DARE STEP INSIDE MY ROOM!"
Ace flew out of the room with a few bumps on his face, landing on the deck with a loud crash. Marco glanced at the blacksmith's direction who was catching her breath from throwing Ace out of the room. Her flushed face clearly reflected annoyance.
"I'm starting to feel like an idiot for admiring you!" Sei grunted to herself which didn't go unnoticed by the other commanders who were listening at a distance.
They all snickered at the statement.
Hearing the reaction, the blacksmith glared at the direction which made the commanders scramble off.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Well even though he is always thrown outside the room, Ace being somewhat a masochist always enters the blacksmith's quarters. The crews on board the Moby Dick had been used on Ace getting thrown on different direction every time he enters Sei's room.
And on this particular day Ace had been insistent on waking up the blacksmith and starting his surprise, thought he is utterly failing at it.
(~)
"Land ho!" A crew shouted at the deck. Running low on supplies, Moby Dick had to stop on the first land they saw to gather necessities.
That's what Sei thought.
Whitebeard had ordered his crew to tell the lavender-haired girl the false information in order to give Ace the chance to have his time with the blacksmith. Besides it's not only Ace who has surprise for the girl.
"No." Sei declines Ace's encouragement to go exploring the island.
"But it'll be fun!" The pyro insisted not even noticing the still sour mood of the blacksmith.
"No." Sei began to walk away from the Fire Fist, trying to shake him off her back somehow.
"I'll treat you sweets. They said there is a good restaurant in the island."
Sei automatically turned and walked back and grabbed Ace's arm dragging the man towards the ramp of the ship connected to the port of the island.
With this Ace grinned to himself. Of course he had anticipated every situation which the blacksmith will decline his offer. And he has a trump card if all his plans have failed him. Sei can't resist sweets even though her moods are easily affected by sugar.
Remembering something, Ace removed his hat and placed it on Sei's head which the girl automatically grabbed.
"Thanks…" Sei mumbled.
The pyro's only answer is lowering the brim of his hat until it covers those violet eyes.
Ace fondly smiled at the girl before him. Actually aside from helping Sei from hiding her features from the public his hat serves another purpose. It was like he was marking his territory.
Men on their ship had backed off from their flirting when Ace started putting his hat atop of Sei's head and followed the girl around like a shadow.
This earned him a month of teasing among his co-commanders who noticed the act. Too bad Sei didn't notice it at all. He does hope that somehow the girl would look at him as a man.
Not just a friend.
Neither as his captain's older brother.
(~pagebreak~)
"Be careful Sei, there are a lot of tourist who comes to this island. We don't want you getting lost." Ace reminded as they entered the town. Actually a few weeks ago, he had Marco check the island nearby and found this one fitting his plans. Aside from checking out the island, he actually bugged Vista for some tips on a date. Playboy he might look like, he knows nothing on how to take a girl out. All he knows is being polite.
But hey, he's a pirate! It's not like a pirate needs to know such thing right?
"Where do you want to go?" Ace asked.
The pyro found himself with no companion since the blacksmith disappeared beside him.
"…Shit." Was all Ace had been able to say before roaming his eyes around to look for the girl. Why the heck did he manage to forget that 'directionless' illness the girl has.
(~pagebreak~)
Sei on the hand noticed a certain shop nearby which sells weapons. Her blacksmith instincts took over and walked towards the shop, already forgetting about her pyro companion. It actually took quite a while as she was really enjoying herself too much before she realized that she magnificently managed to separate herself from Ace.
The goddesses of fate really hates her more than she imagined. How the hell in the world will she manage to find that pyro in a mass of people without even the slightest idea of the restaurant Ace was talking about. Not to mention that he is directionless.
"Argggghh! Screw everything! I'll leave everything to luck!" Sei started marching off to a random direction hoping (slightly) that she will manage to find the way on her own.
(~)
After 10 hours of trying to find the way….
*rustle*
Sei slumped on the grass not even minding what could be underneath her. She could've been better if she had not left everything to her luck since she doesn't have one when it comes to directions.
The lavender-haired girl stared at the sky as she lay off the grass. The sky is almost dark indicating how much time flew as hen was busy getting lost.
I wonder if Ace is already back at the Moby Dick…
Sei sighed. Even though she asked herself that, the blacksmith still hopes that Ace is still looking for her.
"Where are you Ace…?" She muttered softly as he held the hat tighter. Her eyes closing from tiredness.
(~)
"Sei!" Ace shouted along the streets of the town as he continues to run in search for his companion. The somewhat lax feeling he had earlier were starting to be replaced by panic as more hours passed by. He never stopped running and shouting the blacksmith's name even though people were looking at him weirdly.
The pyro already forgot about his surprise and his other plans as worry run through his system. All in his mind right now is to find Sei.
Damn it! It's already getting dark!
Ace w3anted to kick himself for being so useless. How come that he wasn't able to find any clue about the girl's whereabouts. Not to mention that his orange hat really stands out among the crowd.
(~)
*grumble*
Sei woke at sound of her own stomach grumbling in hunger. Now she remembers it, she hasn't eaten anything yet for the day aside from the light breakfast served by Thatch. I should've brought something with me.
*grumble*
"Where is this anyways? Ace?" She questioned to no one. She roamed her eyes all over the place only to notice that it is already getting dark and all she can see around her are grass and trees.
"Great. I ended up inside a place where every tree and grass looks alike.—a forest." The blacksmith frowned. Of course it isn't the first time she ended up in such place. Actually it's the second.
Or is it?
A distant memory began to bug the back of her head letting various sceneries flow right before her eyes.
"Who are you?"
Another picture.
A boy tugging her hand leading her way out of the dark forest.
After that she wanted everything to stop. Sei began to run in hope that the flashes of memories would stop.
"Ace…" She began to call panicky hoping that the man would appear to stop those flashes of things that she is currently seeing.
I don't want to see it again…
No…
"Ace…" she called louder.
Blinded by the memories of her forgotten past, the blacksmith ran away already trapped inside her memories.
"Live… Stay safe… Sei…" A boy with a hair color similar to her smiled. Not even minding the numerous scratches and wounds decorating his small body.
Already blinded by her fears, Sei unknowingly ended up in a cliff hidden at the end of the forest. Her feet already stepped at the air, ready to fall at what seem to be a bottomless ravine when someone grabbed her. The next thing she knew was being enclosed in a warm embrace as the smell of sea and breeze filled her nose.
"A...A…Ace…?" the embrace went tighter but still gently held her.
"I thought I lost you for real." Ace muttered softly his voice hinting huge relief.
Ace's melancholic voice seemed to soothe her as her visions began to fade, her mind finally returning to the present. All those fear she had earlier were replaced by a great surge of relief. Her arms slowly returned the embrace, drowning all her fear in the man in front of her. "Stupid Ace! I thought you left me!"
She could feel the pyro chuckling softly.
"Thank you Ace."
(~)
"Ace are you sick?" Sei ask the pyro with a tone full of suspicion and doubt. Right now, the idea of getting Ace to the nearest doctor begins to dominate her mind.
Ace laughed. "No. Just stay still. You'd fall." He adjusted the blacksmith's weight on his back.
"I told you I can walk on my won. I'm not injured."
Though it may seem that the two were pretty close, Sei is already on the verge of biting off the man's head if not pulling his hair.
Ace grinned. Really, this girl was too headstrong with her will. The Fire Fist was considered as one of the hard headed person in their ship, but the girl's insistency could rival his own. But of course he isn't Luffy's brother for nothing. Ace just held the girl on his back like her weight was nothing to him.
Comfortable silence engulfed the two as Ace continued to trail out of the forest.
"Ace, I'm hungry." Sei complained. After getting found by Ace she forgot about her stomach complaining and right now it came back with a vengeance. Thank goodness that Ace didn't left her down, she might have slumped on the grass from exhaustion and hunger if she were walking alone. Actually, she is practically a dead weight on Ace.
Before the pyro could answer, his stomach growled in response.
The lavender-haired girl was surprised at the noise, not because of how loud it was but because she realized something about it. All the while she thought that the pyro already ate before looking for her (knowing he's a bottomless pit like his brother) but it doesn't seem to be the case. Ace searched for her all those long hours that she went missing. Of course that blushing face of the pyro he is trying to hide is more than enough confession.
"As you wish my princess." Ace once more adjusted her weight on his back.
Before Sei could retort at the endearment, the pyro already dashed back towards the town.
"AAAAAACCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEE!" The girl had no choice but to cling to the pyro tighter in hope that she won't fall off the road.
Ace grinned mischievously. "If I knew that'd be your reaction, I should've done this sooner." He faces the blacksmith slightly making their faces closer than before. Instead of answering, Sei just clinged harder on Ace.
"I swear Ace I'm going to choke you!"
Knowing that what was said was just an empty threat, the pyro laughed and just sped up. The whole trip out of the forest was eventful, consisting of Sei screaming and threatening about how she would kill Ace once she gets back to her feet and Ace just laughing everything off. It wasn't long before they stopped in front of a shop which the pyro seemed to refer as restaurant. The blacksmith glanced at the pyro with an unamused look.
"Wait till you get a taste of their food." Ace grinned and went in.
True enough to the pyro's words, the restaurant didn't seemed to as shabby as it looks outside. The old man owning the shop doesn't have issues with pirates at all and seemed to be a fan of Whitebeard. They were actually given special treatment as the owner recognized Ace being the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Enjoy your meal." Sei saw the owner wink at Ace before leaving.
The blacksmith wanted to sigh. Of course she knew what the owner was thinking about them. I've seen those stupid grin on Thatch-san and the other's face too many times already not to recognize.
They were thought as a couple.
"C'mon Sei let's eat!" The pyro already had a chunk of meat inside his mouth, obviously wasn't able to control himself in front of the food. Not that she blames him. She is also quite hungry too. Sei began to grab her utensils and ate like Ace does, enjoying the small talks and the stories they started to share.
Everything was peaceful until the deserts were served.
"Hahahahaha! Ace you should see your face!" Sei pointed out as she continued to laugh to the point she is already clutching her stomach. The pyro just wiped his face off the food that stuck with it. His narcolepsy is really something inconvenient for him, especially during meals. There were no times that he won't fell on his food. Actually, at first the whitebeard Pirates were surprised at his sleeping tendencies and were kind enough to remove the plate under his face. But as time goes by the crews started to get tired of seeing Ace sleeping during the meals that they just chose to ignore it. Apparently, the girl in front of her is having fun rubbing it off his face.
Ace begin to grin evilly which promises trouble. He grabbed the cake in front of him and flicked it off to the laughing blacksmith. Now, it is the pyro's turn to laugh when the cake landed on the girl's forehead, forming some kind of disfigured horn.
Then chaos ensued, leaving the owner of the shop shaking his head and sighing in the sidelines as he watch all those food he prepared soar in the air.
(~)
"Ace, why are we here?" A tone laced with suspicions was used by the lavender-haired girl. After that food fight at the restaurant, the man just dragged her to god-knows-where with that excited grin plastered on his freckled face. No matter how many time the blacksmith asked for their destination, Ace refused to give any information. Sei just realized that they ended up in a park near the beach.
The place wasn't as deserted as she thought it would be, in fact it is the contrary. There were quite a number of people enjoying some night strolling including some youths together with their pals.
It was picture of relaxation and peace.
"So.. why are we here?" Sei decided to break the silence.
"To watch? What else do you want?" Ace smiled at the girl as he laid down the grass beneath him. He felt the blacksmith sitting beside him and he found himself looking at that face. He can't help it. He had met many women before he saw Sei again but nothing caught his interest. Many had willingly offered themselves to him, but he graciously declined and now, he is going after a girl who doesn't even like him as a man.
Fate really knows how to play.
But I never regret anything.
Maybe it was fate that decided for him to be saved from Marineford. It was also fate that decided to let Sei join his brother's crew. It was also fate that lead the girl on Moby Dick.
"Then it must be fate that I fell for you…" Ace blurted out as he was smiling happily while staring at Sei fondly.
The wind blew hard.
Catching her now growing hair, Sei turned to the Fire Fist. "Did you say something?"
The Fire Fist just chuckled. "Say, you know how to ride a bike?" Ace pointed out the youths riding their bicycle not far from them. Ace grinned knowing what would be the blacksmith's answer. The fire fist almost laughed when the girl puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"No." Sei wanted to smack Ace on the ground. It was one of her greatest frustration of not being able to ride a bike and the man is rubbing it on her face.
Ace stood up. "Ride with me then."
"No. I don't have a death wish yet."
Ace somewhat pouted. "You're no fun."
"I try not to be."
Without a word, Ace reached out his hand.
The blacksmith didn't know what happened but she just found herself taking that hand. It was like she was under a spell upon looking at the smiling pyro in front of her. It was like an invitation that she cannot turn down. Not that she believes that Ace would let her fall, but by that moment she realized that she trusts this guy with her life.
And the truth doesn't even scare her.
Maybe she cannot admit it right now, but all she knows is that there is a somewhat sweet feeling in her whenever she sees eyes looking at her, smiling at her, holding her. No matter how much she tries to deny, no matter how much she tried ignoring Ace's presence the guy is like a plague.
She accepted the hand that reached her. The guy who saved her many for so many times.
Sei let Ace wrap his arms around her as she sat in front of Ace while he held the handle. Not once she felt fear even though the bike swayed as Ace tries to balance both of them. All she did is sit back and lean behind her, she felt Ace's arms firmed around her.
Silence engulfed the whole atmosphere as they both trailed down the beach. The night breeze comfortably blows everywhere, making the whole night perfect than ever.
"Ace?"
"hmmm?"
"I—" The blacksmith words were cut as the pyro lost his balance due to some rock they accidentally treaded on. Just as Sei expected Se landed with Ace's arms supporting her weight. The pyro made sure that he won't be pinning the girl too much, knowing that his weight is too much for her.
"You okay there?" Ace chuckled as he heard the blacksmith grumbled.
"Still alive."
"Sei—" This time it was not a rock which stopped Ace from his word, but the fact that he realized their positions. He knew he was trapped by the moment his eyes met those violet orbs.
No one dared to speak.
No one dared to move.
They both stared at each other, not breaking the moment.
"What took you so long, yoi?" A voice nearby was heard.
Both of them immediately scrambled away from each other as if burned. Ace automatically sent a death glare to Marco who was looking at them nonchalantly but mentally smirking inside.
Damn you, Marco.
The phoenix just shrugged at Ace, ignoring the silent threat. You were too slow yoi.
After a few moments of awkwardness, Marco asked again. "Oyaji orders us to get back to the ship, yoi. We thought you are missing, took you so long to stroll around." Marco glanced at Sei who refused to meet his eyes.
"Just… Just got lost a bit." And it wasn't even a lie at all.
(~)
"Marco? I thought all are back except for us?" The blacksmith found herself asking, noticing there are no crewmembers on the deck. None at all. Not even Whitebeard himself!
"Dining room?" The phoenix answered a he trailed the direction towards the said room.
They two men let Sei lead her way, making themselves go unnoticed. Just as the girl opened the door to the dining room, both Marco and Ace pushed the blacksmith inside, ignoring the yelp that came out from the sudden force.
The blacksmith landed on the floor with a thud. Her mind started ranting different kind of expletives as she rubbed her back getting herself to stand.
I swear once I see you two when I turn, Ill both freeze you till the next century! Knowing that the two commanders are both fire users.
"What the f—" Sei stopped in mid sentence as the room were bombarded with lights.
Since when did the kitchen became dark anyways?
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEI!" boomed throughout the ship.
What? Sei looked up only to see the whitebeard pirates all grinning towards her holding their boozes as they greeted her. How did—.
"Don't underestimate our intelligence unit, Ojou." Vista smiled at her, knowing the exact question running inside her mind.
"i—" Sei stuttered.
"Kid, what are you waiting for? This party is for you." Whitebeard grinned at her, already drinking on his large barrel of beer.
It had been a long time since she celebrated her birthday. It was way back then when her family is still alive. No one cared to know, she decided to let it unknown unless her captain asks. For how many years she was running away from the world government and the navy that she already forgot such trivial thing.
"Whitebeard-san…" She was left speechless. How should she react?
There were too much emotion in her that she didn't know which one to let out first. She felt a gentle push from her back, making her went to Whitebeard's direction.
Whitebeard just patted her head in his usual fatherly manner and gently pushed her at the back of the crowd where the food and gifts lay.
Food and sweets obviously made by Thatch. (his signature were on some foods for her not to know.)
A white kimono with lavender patterns and a hair clip obviously from Izou.
A navigation book from Haruta.
A sword strap came from Vista.
An overall coat came from Jozu.
An object similar to a log pose with a white paper inside was Marco's gift. (Whitebeard's Vivre Card)
Others' gifts were trapped inside the mountain of objects which were pushed at the very corner of the room.
As the pirates were busy ruffling her hair, she noticed that some foods were looking strange. Glancing at the crew, others raised their hands, telling that they tried to help cooking for her but utterly failed at it. The reason why there were still decent foods edible enough is because Thatch chased them out of the kitchen at a good 30 minutes of letting them inside his territory.
"Thank you…" She whispered lowering her head to hide all those brimming emotion in her eyes.
Everybody laughed at this.
"Gurarararararara! What are you sayin kid? You are family. This is given." Was Whitebeard's answer.
Family.
These pirates despite just appearing on their ship welcomed her with open arms. Whitebeard accepted her without hesitation. She even doubts that even though she isn't related with Ace, she would be accepted anyways.
And the party began.
"Ace~~~" Sei called out, looking for the pyro amongst the crowd.
Unknown to the girl, the pyro was hiding behind Marco' back hushing the phoenix to prevent him ratting out his location. Marco smirked at this and glanced at the blacksmith still looking for Ace.
Who would've thought that this is how Sei would act when she is drunk. They should've down this sooner.
Earning a toast from everyone from the ship, Sei was already affected by the alcohol in her system. To other she may seem just in her hyper self, but the somewhat flush on her cheeks would tell you otherwise. To their surprise, the blacksmith came out of nowhere and hugged Ace, latching himself to the shocked pyro like a koala. And the oh-so-mighty Portgas D Ace who was shocked from the sudden change started freaking out.
They still have long ways to go. Marco thought to himself.
(~)
Marco glanced at Whitebeard asking for permission. The captain just grinned at the phoenix giving his approval to leave the two be.
In the midst of the partying, some commanders noticed tht Ace and Sei had gone missing. Looking for the two, the group found tehm sleeping near the deck. Ace sleeping peacefully on the girl's lap. Sei, on the pther hand had hi hand atop of Ace's hair as if she was at the middle of strokng it. The commanders grinned at the scene and asked Thatch to take a picture.
The place may not be as romantic as others may see it but, the atmosphere between the two is really different, far away different from the first time the girl boarded their ship. Litle by little they saw Ace's efforts to breach all the walls of the blacksmith's heart making himself known to the girl's presence. He had endured all those times when the girl wasn't looking his way.
He cared for her so much that the girl finally accepted him unknowingly.
Sei may not be able to tell it herself, but they all knew that she is starting to fall for the pyro.
Jozu, put a blanket around the two before they left them and went back to the party. Before Marco left the scene, he once again glanced ta the blacksmith trying to confirm what he thought he just saw.
A silver chain with a red pendant hangs on the girl's neck. Noticeably, the pendant sway's at Ace's direction, which made Marco grin. Inside the pendant is Ace's Vivre Card.
The two may not know it, but the act of giving each other Vivre Cards are usually done by couples inside the Grand Line. Sei's compass was in Ace's possession and now, Ace finally decided to give his Vivre Card in a form of a pendant.
What would the two's reaction be if he revealed this little trivia to them.
Marco smiled at the thought.
(~)
Yayayayayayayayayayayay~! Im finally done~~
My apologies for not updating sooner, Me just got busy over my normal life and I cannot bring my tablet with me. But thanks to my awesome perseverance that I was able to finish this one on time. Hehehe.
Lemme thank my inspiration which decides to always come out of nowhere whenever I stare to space. This actually made me look like an idiot for grinning too happily at it.
Well tonight is May 16, 2013.. in my place that is…
10:33 in the evening.. and Im sleepy.. already.. haha..
Ive gotta go folks, I still need to wake up at 5:00 am and face stinkin reality mode..
Don't forget our birthday gifts! :D