A/N: I was bored one night and did a few fast sketches of some of the OCs in Blue Skies (Sora, Ken, and Kohaku). You can find the link here.

Also, reviews are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading, thanks for looking!

"Again?" Takamune Kenjiro asked, chuckling. He hooked some of his silver hair out of his face and behind his ear. It was long now, almost to his waist, so he kept most of it tied. Some strands got out though. Sora thought it was cute. He took a sip from his orange juice, resting his face in his palm and gazing at Sora through bright green eyes.

"Agaaaaaain," Sora groaned, making a face at the man as she stood behind the bar.

"I'm just going to beat you," he teased. "Then the score will be 267 me, zero you."

"Or it'll be 266 you, and one for me," Sora said, sticking her tongue out at Ken. "We haven't fought in like, seven years. Those points are all from when we were kids! And that's weird that you're even keeping track!"

"Don't act like you haven't been, princess," Ken replied, using the nickname she hated the most.

Sora poked his forehead. "Let's go now!"

"I'm tired," Ken sighed, dropping to the table and making extremely loud snoring sounds. Sora giggled, pushing him.

"Ken, come on," Sora said, pulling his long hair. "I've been practicing."

"Oh, you have?" he asked, suddenly interested. He sat up, raising his eyebrows at her. "So, does being a pirate suddenly also make you a great swordsman?" he teased, receiving a playful shove from Sora.

"No, but it does help," she stated as a matter of fact, crossing her arms over her chest. "You will be impressed."

"There's no need to impress me. You know I love you, Sora." Sora felt her chest tighten with the words and she smiled involuntarily, dimples creasing her delicate face.

But of course, she replied, "Sucks for you because I hate you."

Ken chuckled, shaking his head. He stood up. "If I beat you again today, you have to admit you love me."

"If I win?"

Ken shrugged, not really seeming to care. It was as though he already expected to win and didn't feel the need to offer Sora anything in exchange. "Whatever you want, princess."

"If I win, then you have to stop calling me 'princess'," she said, tossing off her apron and moving around the bar so she was standing directly in front of Ken.

"Fine. Grab your sword and I'll meet you at the usual place. Bring Marco or something – there needs to be a witness for when I beat you again."

Sora scoffed. "Whatever, old man."

"Oy. I'm not old."

"You have white hair."

"It's white blonde."

"White."

"I take back my 'I love you'."

Sora giggled, the smile reaching her eyes again. Ken smiled gently at the woman. So entirely, so completely, Sora was everything he could ever ask for in life. "I'll meet you there. I'll bring Thatch and Marco and Vista and Jozu."

"Ah, a pirate party," Ken teased, already heading for the door. "Five minutes."

"I can be there in two," Sora shot back, galloping up the stairs excitedly, her footsteps sounding like a raging stampede. She pounded on the door and screamed for her fellow crewmates, and Ken just chuckled, leaving the Sky Pub.

Perhaps it would have seemed odd to people – a Marine making nice with pirates – but status never really mattered to Ken. Everyone was a child of sea. If they flew a black flag, then they were a pirate; and if they flew a white one, then they were a marine. What did flags even matter? As far as Ken knew, the Whitebeard Pirates were a swell group of men; they took care of Sora. That was all that mattered.

Of course, if the World Government knew that the Meitou of the Marines associated himself with pirates without trying to arrest them during his free time, that might be a problem. But Arashi Island was home – Sora was home – and he couldn't not come home. He had every right to be here, no matter who was here as well. If the townspeople cared, then maybe Ken would care, but no one did, so it didn't matter. Nothing really mattered to Ken except for Sora.

The life she had chosen – Ken didn't have a problem with it. Sora had never been the kind of woman to hurt people without a purpose, so if there were people that Sora had killed or injured, Ken understood that it was within reason. He doubted that number was very high anyway. And even if it wasn't, he didn't care. He never condescended her for who she was and in return, she treated him the same way. He chose the life of a marine and she chose to be a pirate. Why discriminate based on the flag someone rose on their ship? Sora was still the girl he grew up with, and the woman he loved now. The tattoo on her arm and the ship she rode on didn't change that.

"Ready to go, old man?" called a voice from behind and Ken turned to see Sora running up the hill to meet him, her sword in hand. It was Ken's first sword, the one he had used for training and the one he gave to her while he trained her. It was a standard sized katana, with a bright red sheath and a golden hilt, the handle wrapped in purple. Several division commanders from Whitebeard's crew followed behind her.

"Oh, that's cute," Ken said, smiling at her. "You still use the sword I gave you?"

Sora glanced at it and shrugged. "Of course. Why would I not use it?"

"I don't know, because it's an old sword."

"That doesn't matter," Sora told Ken, shrugging. "What matters is the swordsman. And I am a damn awesome swordsman," she said with a wink, causing Ken to roll his eyes.

"Hey," Ken said, greeting the other men. They were Sora's main companions. Sora was eighteen – the youngest division commander on Whitebeard's Crew by far, but Ken knew that there was no way she would have been promoted to a position on a ship as strong as Whitebeard's without a reason. Ken knew she was strong, especially for her age.

At twenty-three, Ken also had an impressive repertoire – he had gained the title of Meitou of the Marines shortly after joining when he was sixteen. Dracule Mihawk had even acknowledged him – and that was an honor. Currently, he was ranked as a Junshou – a commodore – and he probably figured that that was enough for now. He was in no way even near ready to be promoted further. He felt like a part of it was because he was so inexperienced as a marine. The other part, however, was due to the fact that he did, occasionally, enjoy a cold glass of beer with some of the most dangerous pirates in the world at his own bar. Well, technically, it was his bar. A friend normally ran the Sky Pub when he was away.

"Going to beat our second division commander again?" Marco teased, receiving a look from Sora. He had never seem them fight but heard a lot from Ken about how they used to spar when they were kids.

Ken shrugged nonchalantly. "She's asking for it. If I must deliver my princess another humiliating defeat, then so be it," he said, sticking his tongue out at her. Sora slapped his shoulder playfully. "I can just use the flat side of my sword, and just slap her with it." Ken made a slapping motion at Sora's face.

The other division commanders laughed heartily as Sora rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Ken."

The older man unsheathed his blade – his own meitou – taking a stance as the other division commanders stepped back. "You ready to impress me, princess?"

"Stop calling me that," Sora groaned, tying her sword to her waist. She placed a hand over the handle and also took a stance, fingers tingling as she prepared to draw. As though feeling a simultaneous pulse, Ken and Sora shot forward at the same time, Ken striking from overhead and Sora ripping out her blade from is sheath and guarding from below. Gold sparks flew as the metal ground against each other, Sora and Ken pushing all their strength into their blades.

And then they leapt back together, unable to budge the other. Ken smiled. "I'm surprised that old sword didn't break."

"It's about the swordsman," Sora repeated, smirking. The division commanders recognized that mischievous look. It was the same as the one on her wanted poster – the overly confident side of the woman. It was a rare look but it was what made Sora so deadly in battle. Her confidence was overwhelming and because she had such a powerful haki, she crushed opponents before the real fight even started. It was all a mind game.

However, Ken seemed immune, taking a breath and tilting his head from side to side, rolling his shoulder blades back. "Sorry, but I feel like making it quick today. I have to go get ready for my date tonight." He widened his eyes and nodded as though remembering something. "Oh, wait, yeah, I think you'd know her! She's this weird girl that hates flowers but has some really odd love for cheese. She eats cheese with like, everything."

Sora rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Ken."

Ken grinned, the freckles on his face rising with his cheeks. "If I win, let's eat ramen tonight."

"We eat ramen every night," Sora sighed.

"One more night wouldn't hurt," Ken said with a smile. He didn't have time to say anymore because Sora charged him, swirling around, lashing her blade out, but Ken was faster and easily blocked her blow, pushing her back. "At least let me finish talking, princess."

Sora didn't respond and rushed forward again, feinting a slash but pulling back stabbing inward, only to have Ken hop backwards out of the way, deflecting her next strike with a flick of his wrist. This time, Sora was caught of guard with Ken's flurry of quick but strong parries, coming in at her from all directions. She was blown backwards, hitting the ground. Ken rushed her, but Sora whipped out her leg in a sweep, causing Ken to leap up, and Sora thrust her sword in he air, only to have it deflected by Ken again, the man landing safely on two feet.

"I thought you said you got better?" Ken teased.

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"I do."

"Lies."

Sora ripped forward, pulling her arm back for a slash, and Ken lifted his own arm to guard against it. However, he found himself knocked backwards, skidding against the grass. He pulled himself off the ground, dusting off his sleeve, which was now stained green. He was going to ask Sora what the hell that was, but then he remembered that she was cursed with the devil fruit.

"Did you hit me with your wind?" Ken asked, grinning. "You cheating cheater."

Sora made a face at Ken and then shrugged. "Not my fault that you don't have a fruit."

"You're not a swordsman, then. You're just a cheater."

The other division commanders just laughed. Ken's teasing always riled Sora up, and she charged him again, swinging wildly. Ken deflected easily, back stepping and choosing to defend rather than to counter. Gold sparks flew with each harsh contact, Sora propelling her hands with gusts of wind. But despite this, Ken was still able to block with no problem.

"Sorry, princess," he said, lowered his defense for one second and slashed at Sora's waist. She barely had time to block and was sent flying backwards due to sheer force. Unable to regain balance, Ken rushed her, pinning her to the earth. He locked both her hands above her head, perched on her stomach.

The woman huffed, looking away. 267 losses.

The older man just grinned, some of his hair falling loose. "Okay, princess, now you have to tell me you love me."

Sora narrowed her eyes, but the corners of her lips were trying not to curl into a smile. "Never."

"That was a part of the deal."

"I wanted to win," Sora sighed.

"I noticed your new tricks," Ken told her and Sora blinked several times as though not thinking Ken would see. "Your wind propulsion. I am impressed."

Despite the fact that she had lost quite horribly and was now pinned to the dirt, Sora grinned happily, like his acknowledgement was all she ever wanted in the first place. "Thanks."

"Still not as good as me," Ken added with a smile.

"I'll surpass you one day, Ken."

Ken leaned down and kissed her nose, the girl scrunching her face girlishly. "Yes, I know. But until that day comes, Sora, let me cover for you."

Sora smiled gently. "Okay." She paused, and bit her lip, smiling at the silver haired man. "I love you."

"I am psychic," said a voice and Sora turned to see Ace standing at the base of the stairs again.

"Oh, really?" Sora replied, placing down a glass she had been wiping.

Ace moved closer to her, crossing his arms over his chest and grinning. "Yes. I totally know what you're thinking about, all day, everyday."

Sora laughed, shaking her head. "Really? What am I thinking about, then?"

"Me, duh," Ace answered, causing Sora to laugh. He hopped into a barstool, spinning around several times before stopping to face her. "Small boobs, stop working."

"I can't not work." Sora felt like she had told Ace this a thousand times. But the stubborn man just would not listen. She felt bad always leaving Eiichi with the bar.

"Yes, you can."

"And what would I do instead of work?" Sora asked. "I don't want to go on a hike and Kohaku's present is still in the works. Got no excuse today, studly. Sorry."

"I have one more excuse," Ace admitted, grinning. Sora couldn't help but notice his freckles whenever he smiled. She always needed a few seconds to remember that Ken wasn't standing in front of her; it was a different man. Why, of all people, did the man in front of her need to be Ace? These past few days, it had been impossible to think straight; Ace wasn't completely wrong when he had guessed her thoughts.

But she needed to ignore it. She didn't have time to envelop herself in any kind of fantasyland. There were things that needed to be done – people she needed to protect. If she let her guard down for one second…no. Sora would never let her guard down. "What would that be?"

"Let's spar."

Sora snorted, her head tilting back a little as though this were a particularly funny joke. "I can tell you the result of that right now."

"Me as the victor? I know," Ace replied, grinning. "Come on, small boobs. Let's have a round – the two second division commanders dukin' it out! See which one of us is more suited for the job."

Sora laughed. "Oh, please. It won't even be a competition. We both know I'm going to crush you."

"Wanna bet?" Ace challenged, smirking.

"I'm just going to beat you, Ace."

"If I win, you take me on a second date," Ace said, ignoring her. "If you win, I take you on a second date."

The woman giggled, shaking her head. "No dice."

"Okay, what do you want to wager, then?"

"You stop calling me small boobs," Sora said.

Ace raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's all?"

Sora shrugged. "I'd feel bad if I put some kind of grand prize for myself. I'm choosing to be humble and taking small winnings so your morale won't be destroyed after I slap your face with my fists."

Ace laughed, holding his pinky out. "Fine. Let's do it now."

Sora put her elbow on the table, linking her finger with his. It was impossible for her to turn down a challenge. "You're on, bitch."

"Are you leaving me again?" Eiichi asked, returning to behind the bar to see Ace and Sora with their pinkies intertwined. Sora grinned sheepishly and Eiichi just rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. I've always taken care of this place anyway."

"Forever, we shall be together," Sora told Eiichi, pulling off her apron. She rounded the corner, following Ace out.

Eiichi sighed. He didn't mind always taking care of the Sky Pub. His family and Ken's had run it for years. While Ken had been away, Eiichi worked. While Sora had been away, Eiichi worked. He figured he'd be stuck with the job for the rest of his life.

But seeing that woman smile – Sora was his childhood friend. He, Ken, and Sora had grown up together. They were a few years apart, yes, but Ken and Eiichi were the people around Sora's age that took care of her when she was younger. Granted that both Ken and Sora were both much stronger than Eiichi, he knew he had to do what he could, and that was taking care of the Sky Pub. Ken had named it in Sora's honor, after all.

"Izou," Sora called the usual booth, catching the attention of the cross-dresser. Izou looked up from his food.

"Going to kill Ace in battle?" Izou asked, sliding out of the bar. He received a frown from Ace.

"Don't you have faith in me?" he complained, sighing.

"Marco, Thatch." Izou turned back to his senior commanders, who were both sipping from mugs of coffee. Sora hadn't even noticed Marco there; he normally came to sit at the bar and talk with her. She felt a little guilty.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Sora said, heading back to the bar. Ace turned to see Sora pulling out a sheet of foil and folding it, and ripping of pieces. She then placed the finished product on her head, pulling a few pins out of her pocket to hold it there.

Ace chuckled. "A crown?"

"Because I'm the king."

"You're just the princess," Ace replied. He pointed a thumb at his chest. "Big daddy is the king."

Izou and Sora both scoffed at that, Sora laughing afterwards. "Oh, I'm going to beat you so badly, you're going to cry." Sora followed Ace out of the bar, the crown still perched atop her head.

"You not gonna bring your pretend weapon?" Izou asked.

"It's not pretend!" Sora defended, making a face at Izou. "And I don't need it to beat this second rate pirate."

"You gonna just take that?" Thatch chimed in, slapping Ace on the back.

Ace just shrugged as though not being egged on. "Nah, don't worry about it, man. She'll get hers."

"If I win, he has to stop teasing my boobs," Sora informed the boys, hopping in front of them and facing them. Marco and Thatch were suddenly interested in the air around them as though they could see air particles, while Izou just stared straight at Sora's chest.

He tilted his head like he didn't understand. "What is Ace saying about your breasts?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

Sora frowned, making a pouty face. "That they're small."

Izou turned his head at Ace, raising an eyebrow. Having been found out, the younger man grinned sheepishly. "Oh, you're the biggest liar I know," Izou said quietly, but Sora was already done listening anyway, running towards the hill.

Ace took a deep breath. He needed to win this fight. "I can beat her, right?" he asked his fellow division commanders.

Izou shrugged. "Maybe."

Marco chuckled, offering Ace a sad smile. "But probably not."

It was the answer he had expected. However, he did notice something in the fight between Sora and Marco. Whenever she moved, she always left her right side slightly open. It was for a second and then it was guarded again – it was like she was leaving room to draw a sword. He remembered Marco saying that a swordsman trained her. If he could edge an attack into that tiny window, then he knew he had a shot of really beating her.

When Ace reached the hill, Sora was already ready, hanging upside-down from wind circles around her feet. She had tied her hair and was floating around in circles, hanging her arms so it looked like a puppet master was just swinging her around. She giggled to herself in enjoyment and Ace chuckled. What a weird woman.

"Ready, Portgas D. Ace?" Sora asked, lowering herself right-side-up to the earth.

"I don't know. I might kill you," Ace said, lifting both hands and shrugging. He received a playful push from Sora. "But I dunno, I guess I can't really kill you 'cause then I'd have no girl to go on a date with after I pulverize you."

Sora laughed while Thatch, Marco, and Izou exchanged glances. "We're missing something here," Izou told Ace.

"Oh, I bet small boobs here date number two if I can beat her," Ace informed them, resting his arm on her shoulder.

"There was a date number one?" Izou asked, staring straight at Sora. "Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"Because it wasn't important and it was shitty anyway," Sora answered, and Ace shoved her face teasingly, the woman grinning. Izou just decided to take that answer, not wanting to agitate Sora emotionally before a fight.

"Well, if our awesome day at the carnival was shitty, then wait 'til what I have in mind for date number two," Ace told Sora, rolling his shoulder blades back and doing washing machines as though warming up.

"Oh, so you've planned this out? In the time span of what, like, ten hours?" Sora teased. "Our date was yesterday, you know. And I only went because we had a proposition dealing with Kohaku. You think you can get me to come out again with you anytime soon?"

Ace smiled and answered, unhesitatingly, "Yes."

Izou saw Sora falter at that answer. He saw her bluff. Izou rolled his eyes. Why did Sora have to go through these kinds of measures rather than just admitting that she liked hanging out with the kid? It would certainly be a lot easier for Ace.

Then again, Izou didn't imagine Sora the type of person to go easy on anyone.

"Okay, the winner is the person who wins the match, right?" Ace asked.

Sora squinted her eyes. "Yes."

"Just asking, 'cause last time it was your pretend weapon thing."

"It's not pretend!"

Ace beckoned, ignoring her. "Come at me, small boobs."

Sora cracked her knuckles, the popping heard all the way from where Ace was. "You're gonna regret that." She burst forward, wind exploding from behind her as she closed the distance between them so quickly that Ace didn't have time to block. She punched him square in the gut and he flew backwards, hitting the ground hard. It'd been a while since he'd actually been hit quite that hard. Being a Logia type, Ace had to admit that he was a little spoiled in fights. Bullets passed through him, swords didn't cut him, and anyone that tried to hit him normally got burned.

He pulled himself up, knowing that was probably going to bruise. Sora was already in a stance, her hands in fists, ready to fight. "Aww, did widdo Ace-y poo forget that Sora has haki?" she cooed teasingly. "Your logia stuff won't work on me, shitty division commander."

Marco, Thatch, and Izou all 'ooh-ed' at Sora's insult, egging Ace on. And sure enough, a fire exploded in his eyes and he glared at Sora. None of them could even tell if he was joking or not. But they did know that if he wanted a shot at winning, he needed to get serious. Sora seemed to know this, too, and was doing this on purpose.

Flames ignited around Ace's hands as he balled them into tight fists. They crackled loudly, angrily, violently, billowing around his arms as Sora's wind blew embers around. Sora smiled, that same mischievous look crossing her face. Marco recognized it immediately – she was going to get serious.

Sora's haki burst forward in one pulsing motion, the air around them becoming thicker for a moment, and then fading as the heat from Ace's flames taking over the area. "I'm not going to go to easy on you," Sora told Ace. "You asked for it."

The fire around Ace's hands burst again as though acknowledging Sora's challenge. "Wouldn't be fun if you went easy on me, huh?"

Then like lightning, both parties shot forward, Ace throwing the first punch. Wind around Sora's hand swirled viciously, momentarily blowing away Ace's flames so she could dodge the punch and deliver one of her own. Ace saw it again, the brief moment were her right hand shot to her left hip, only to remember there was no blade to follow up the punch. It was there – he wasn't just imagining it – but thinking this allowed him to lose focus for one second and that was when Sora's left fist collided with his jaw, sending him flying backwards.

She didn't back up to take a stance – this time she followed him, leaping forward and allowing her body to be propelled by the wind. Ace held his arms up to block, but was kicked sharply in the back, and he jerked forward, slamming into the dirt again. "Dammit," he mumbled as he pulled himself up again. She was incredibly fast.

Ace leapt up, barely dodging a drop kick. Her kick uplifted earth, creating a much larger crater than he had ever seen during her fight with Marco. She was exerting all her strength. "Shinka Shiranui!" Ace called out, crossing his arms over his chest for a moment before firing two flame lances at Sora. They were flying straight at her and he thought he had a hit, but there was an explosion of wind and Ace had to shield his eyes. When he opened them, he saw her unscathed, wind settling around her.

She blew as though extinguishing a candle, mocking Ace. "I hope that's not all you got, studly." She whipped back her arm and slashed it in front of her. "Kazeken!"

Silver blades of wind hurtled toward Ace and he hopped backwards quickly. "Kagerou." He created a wall of flames in front of him to guard against her attack, the blades unable to penetrate fire. He lowered the wall to see Sora still standing there, smirking. "Seems like we're even."

Sora laughed, dismissing the idea. "I don't think so."

Ace made his hand into a gun, firing flame bullets at Sora, who easily deflected them with a swipe of her hand. In return, she held her left palm face up, while her right fingers seemed to be flicking off dust. Ace could see ripples in the wind – her own version of Ace's higan flying at him. He swept his arm, the wind disbanding with the heat of his flames. He grinned. "I'd say we're pretty even. But sorry, I've gotta end this quickly. I'm going on a date with a girl later on and I need time to plan everything out so she doesn't hate me."

Sora swallowed the lump in her throat at his words. So familiar and yet so strange. It wasn't Ken's voice anymore. It wasn't his face or his powers. It wasn't Ken. But then, it was. Sora focused on breathing. She could not let this man defeat her. Not in battle, not emotionally. She couldn't let him get in her head more than he already was. It would destroy her.

Ace continued to speak, flames crackling on his body. "I think you know her, she's this really off chick who likes stuffed animals and cheese."

"Stop talking," Sora said sharply, rushing Ace. She cocked her fist backward. She needed to end it. She needed to shut him up.

Ace dodged her fist as it shot downward, the earth shattering before her flesh even touched the ground. The pure pressure of her strength and wind propulsion was impressive.

Izou was worried. Without realizing it, Ace had already agitated Sora. Without even knowing Takamune Kenjiro, Ace was repeating history. The most painful thing for Sora was her past, and unknowingly, Ace was bringing up all that anguish with just his words. Izou watched Sora now, her movement wilder and less calculated than they had been during the fight with Marco. She wasn't thinking anymore – she just wanted to end the fight.

Izou glanced at Marco and Thatch. They could feel it, too.

Ace hopped backwards, dodging all her attacks pretty easily with simple shifts in his weight, moving with her punches and then swerving slightly so he still had room to step back. He moved backwards, and didn't allow Sora to get any closer, a tube of flame enclosing his body, his enkai. With one wave of his hand, he sent the flames out, fire forming more lances, launched towards Sora.

She seemed surprised and flipped through the flames, trying to dodge. But Izou saw one flame burn her arm and she grabbed it afterwards, wincing slightly. Sora was sensitive to temperature. She was easily cold but just as easily too hot also. She didn't have time to do more because Ace launched himself at her, trying to land a hit. Sora ducked and attempted to sweep at his legs, but Ace leapt over her and kicked downward. Sora rolled out of the way and lifted her arm just in time to block another of Ace's attacks.

"Watch out before your crown burns up," Ace teased Sora, noticing that she had pinned her foil crown pretty well – it was still in her hair. It was wrinkled and a little torn, but there nonetheless.

"Shut up," Sora shot back, leaping up. She enveloped her hand in a fierce, violent wind that encased her entire arm, launching it back for a punch. Izou recognized it. It was her tatsumaki dageki – tornado strike. Sora had only used it one time – for her promotion to second division commander – due to its devastating after effects. If Ace was hit by it, he might actually die.

"Sora—" Izou called out, but the woman didn't hear his voice.

Ace grinned, unafraid and unaware of the strength in that attack. "Sorry, princess," he said, and in that moment, Izou saw Sora falter for one small second upon hearing that familiar nickname. Ace took that chance. "Hiken!" It was smaller, but he managed to launch a flaming fist through Sora's right guard, striking her straight in the gut. She keeled over and Izou saw her lose consciousness for a second, her eyes blanking before snapping awake again. It was too late, however, because Ace had already slammed a kick into her broken guard. She was unable to regain balance, and Ace shoved her downward, kneeling over her stomach, pinning both hands above her head.

Some of Sora's clothes were singed, and she was out of breath, breathing hard. Izou knew it wasn't from exhaustion. "Oh, my God," Ace muttered, grinning. "I won!"

Sora coughed, still hurt from Ace's fire fist to her stomach. She had never been hit so hard. She felt like some of her ribs were probably cracked. Ace looked down at her, his dark hair falling into his face. "I won! Now we're going on a date and you're small boobs forever," Ace told her, grinning.

She looked up and for a second, it was Ken smiling down at her, his freckles rising with his smile. She coughed again, averting her eyes for a moment to wash out the image. When she looked back, it was the second division commander looking down her. "Yeah," she breathed. "You won."

Ace lowered his face to hers, rubbing his nose against hers briefly – an Eskimo kiss – and smiling gently. Sora was surprised by his affections, the breath catching in her chest. "It'll be fun. You won't regret it."

Ace climbed off her, holding out his hand to help her up. Sora stood up, feeling a stabbing sensation in her abdomen. She nearly fell over again, but Ace caught her gently, helping her stand and keep her balance. A look of concern crossed his face as he brushed hair out of her face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Sora groaned, holding her stomach. She grinned at Ace slightly. "That was a pretty rough punch. You really were trying to kill me, huh?"

"No, I wasn't!" Ace said, shaking his head. He scooped her up bridal style. "Sorry. Not letting my date walk home with an injury."

Sora sighed. She let her arms wrap around Ace's neck. It wasn't like she could really walk back to the bar like this. She needed at least a day to recover from Ace's punch. She felt the burns on her abdomen, still stinging. Ace noticed, sighing. "I'm sorry," he said again, sounding sincere.

"It's okay," Sora assured him. They reached Marco, Thatch, and Izou, all of whom were trying their best to hide their shock. Sora had lost a battle. To Ace. It wasn't that Ace wasn't strong because they all knew he was. But it was just common knowledge that Sora was stronger.

If Ace wasn't the mirror image of Ken, Izou knew that Sora would have won. Marco and Thatch knew it, too. But none of them wanted to say anything. Ace didn't know about Ken. Sora didn't tell him. It was probably because of this that she didn't want to say anything. She couldn't say anything.

"Be excited, though," Ace told Sora as they headed down the hill. "Date number two is going to be two times as awesome as the first one."

Sora found a little strength to giggle. "If it's not?"

"I'll be sad," Ace answered, shrugging as though this was supposed to have been known. "But it's going to be awesome. I promise. You will wish the rest of your life would be as awesome as our second date. You'd wish it would last forever."

The woman laughed again. "Okay, we'll see."

Ace smiled gently. He was glad that he won. He would have another chance to show this woman that he was serious. "We shall."