"So you did lie about Marco?" Ace teased a couple days later. Sora had been staying in bed a little later these past few days, snuggling with Ace, which he loved. But of course, she had to get up to help Eiichi down at the bar, and he woke up shortly after that, missing her presence next to him. How could he have possibly even thought about walking away from this woman? Looking back at this last week, Ace realized that perhaps he had blown things out of proportion. He was glad that they had decided to put that behind them and start anew.
Sora laughed, brushing him off. Since they were starting off fresh, Sora decided to come clean about certain things, and tell him a little more about herself. Ace had her trust. "I didn't lie. I said I didn't sleep with him, and we didn't sleep together."
"But you drunkenly made out with him," Ace said. "There was a moment of passion between you two that you failed to tell me about earlier when I asked. I totally had every right to be jealous. I haven't even got a peck on the lips and Marco gets tongue? Not fair."
"Are you mad? Or are you hurt?" Sora teased, and Ace rolled his eyes playfully, shoving Sora over the counter. She giggled and poured him a glass of water.
"I'm destroyed," Ace teased back. "Every time I think about it, it destroys me."
"Shut up," she said, poking her finger in his forehead, and the two shared a laugh.
"Come here," Ace said, reaching over to place his hand on the back of her head and pulled her closer to him to kiss her nose. Sora giggled girlishly and shoved him away.
"So, you guys made up, then?" Izou asked, placing a hand on his hips.
"We weren't fighting," Ace told Izou, smiling at Sora.
"Oh, okay, I totally believe you," Izou said skeptically, shoving Ace's head in jest. Ace swatted him away, laughing. "Sora, Marco and I are going to go out shopping today. Did you want to come or are you going to hang out with this kid?" He gestured to Ace, who just grinned.
"Sorry, but I think I'll stick with babysitting today," Sora said, and Ace pumped his fist triumphantly.
Izou chuckled. "Okay, well, hope to see you tonight."
"Oh, we'll see," Sora called after Izou, who waved before leaving the bar.
"What's tonight?" Ace asked.
"I'm going to have a threesome with Marco and Izou," Sora said, shrugging as though discussing the weather. Ace laughed, shaking his head. She was definitely back. "Tonight's the Toro Nagashi. It's a little late here, as it normally takes place in August for some other places, but for us it's always been around the middle of September. It's not so much a totally solemn event here, too, people set up stands and stuff for food in the town center that's only served once a year and there's live music and stuff."
"Are you going?" Ace asked.
Sora shrugged. "Maybe. It's still kind of sad for me so I'm not sure," she said, smiling despite her words.
"Well, at least you get to spend the day with me. And I'll keep you company if you want to stay in tonight, too," Ace offered, grinning.
Sora waved him off. "Oh, no, it's okay. People have really great food stands and it's an overall fun thing we have. Michio makes a killer mitarashi dango, and Coral's family makes mochi ice cream, and Coral sings later in the night. She's really good, you know."
Ace waved her off, not seeming to have been listening at all. "I said I'd never leave you, right? You asked me to stay; it was awesome."
The woman laughed. "Yeah, but I didn't mean be clingy," she teased.
"I am not clingy."
"Kinda clingy," Sora said, making the gesture with her fingers.
"Okay, then I'll go out and shop with Marco and Izou. Give you space," Ace said, standing up from his barstool.
Sora laughed, crossing her arms. "Even after I so generously volunteered to babysit you?"
"Yep," Ace said with a grin. "Your fault. Gotta keep you guessing, remember? I'll go buy something to wear tonight."
Sora laughed again and waved her arm, telling him to leave. "See you later."
"What?" Ace asked, putting a hand to his ear.
"What?" Sora replied, confused.
"That's all? Just a 'see you later'?" Sora smiled, knowing what he wanted to hear. He came behind the bar, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You know what I'm talking about," he said, grinning at her.
Sora giggled and slung her arms around his neck, tip toeing so her lips were by his ear. "I need you," she said softly, and Ace felt shivers ripple down his body. "To leave."
Ace frowned. "That doesn't count. You can't say something nice and then follow it with something evil."
Sora laughed, pushing Ace away. "That totally counts."
"You're a bad person," Ace teased, laughing. "Fine, it counts for today, but you better start being nice to me, or daddy's going to have to give his princess a spanking," he said, making the motion as he galloped backwards, which caused Sora to roll her eyes.
"Bye, studly," Sora said, waving as Ace made his way to the door.
"I miss you already. Please don't leave me. Always stay by my side. I need you, otherwise, my life is worth nothing," Ace pretended to say in agony, walking backwards and reaching out to Sora, who was laughing.
"Have fun."
"Bye," Ace said with a grin, pushing open the door and heading out to catch up with Izou and Marco.
But when Ace, Marco, and Izou returned to the bar late in the afternoon, to their confusion, the front door was locked. Ace turned it a few times, and tried to peer in through the windows, but the bar was completely dark. "Where'd she go?" he asked, turning to Marco and Izou, who both shrugged. They had already changed into their yukatas, cotton kimonos worn during the summer time.
Marco's was a light blue, decorated with goldenrod cherry blossoms. A deeper yellow sash was tied lower on his waist. Izou's was an off white, and he used his red and purple accessories from his normal kimono, tying up his hair nicely, as usual. The stores were all sold out of ones that would fit Ace nicely, so his was tied more loosely around his body, some of his chest exposed. It was a deep indigo, with white lotus flower designs floating across it. Izou had helped him tie the white sash around his hips and Ace figured he would wear his red pearl necklace with it as well.
"Should we go to the square?" Izou asked, glancing up at the sky. It was getting dark already, colorful lanterns strung between the streetlights lighting the way to the town square, where much of the festival was being held. The Toro Nagashi was the Lantern Festival.
"Sure," Marco said, leading the way.
"Does Sora normally not go to the Toro Nagashi?" Ace asked, catching up with his nakama. He had to be careful where he stepped; the yukata was a little big for him.
Marco shook his head. "No, she stays and runs the bar. She's probably out shopping for stuff now, but she'll open it up later."
"She doesn't like to come because it's still a little depressing for her," Izou chimed in. "Sometimes she'll come to put out a lantern for Ken, but then she goes right back to the bar."
Ace frowned. He wished he knew how to make her happy in situations like this.
"You should turn your bow the other way," they heard Michio tease, and to their surprise, saw Sora. She was wearing traditional gebi slippers with a light pink yukata with a design of white waves. The obi around her waist was a fiery red, a bow tied neatly in the back, with a paper fan resting under it. Her long hair was tied in a loose bun, white chopsticks sticking out from it.
Sora frowned at Michio. "You're mean. Why are we even friends?"
Michio laughed, patting her on the head and handing her a stick of mitarashi dango, three little mochiko rice dumplings covered in a thick sauce. "Fine, take that one on the house."
"Everything is on the house for me," she said, sticking her tongue out before biting off the first dumpling, taking a sip from the cup of hot green tea in her hand.
"Sora!" Ace called, grinning.
Sora turned at the sound of her name and smiled as Ace made his way over to her. "Yo."
Marco and Izou exchanged glances, wondering what suddenly changed her mind, until they realized that it was probably the young man running to meet her right now. If Ace had expressed interest in coming tonight, Marco and Izou had a feeling that interest also made Sora want to come out as well. She always had a hard time saying how she felt, but this was Ace. Everyone already knew how she felt.
"You came," Ace said, and lifting his hand to ruffle her hair, but Sora caught his wrist.
"I know it looks messy, but this took me forever to do," Sora warned, referring to her hair. "I don't understand tying hair with chopsticks."
"Why didn't you just use a hair tie, then?" Ace asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because this looks more ethnic," Sora reasoned, and Ace laughed. She tugged on the collar of his yukata. "This is too big for you."
"I can take it off if you want," Ace offered, still grinning.
"Please don't."
"I'm glad you decided to come tonight," Ace said. "I was so ready to stay in with you, you know."
"That's why you dressed in a yukata and came to the square without knowing where I was," Sora teased, smirking.
"Well, I was going to go back, and I was like, 'I'm gonna bring the spirit of summer to Sora, and wear it around the bar and maybe take it off and swing it around, give her a strip show since I owe her for giving me one before'," he said, laughing.
"Oh, stop," Sora said, pushing Ace away.
"Dude, can I have one? It smells awesome," Ace said to Michio, who handed him a stick of dango. Ace ate all three dumplings at once and didn't even seem to chew before swallowing them. His eyes widened. "Holy crap, these are the best dango I've ever had! You're the best chef ever!"
Michio chuckled and waved him off. "It's not that great."
"Stop being modest," Sora said, rolling her eyes. Ace was already handing over enough money for what seemed like twenty sticks and continued to eat and eat and eat, Sora remembering when she had an appetite like that. She giggled as Ace consumed most of Michio's stock. "Hey, stop before you choke," Sora said, and handed Ace some of her green tea.
Ace coughed and pounded his chest, snatching away the cup and pouring the liquid into his mouth. His eyes widened as he realized that it was scalding hot ocha, and he closed his mouth, trying to cough without spitting out all the food he had eaten. Sora giggled, patting him on the shoulder.
"I have some people to say hello to and things to do here, so I'll be around," Sora said, smiling.
"What? I wanna hang," Ace said, clearing his throat.
"I'll come find you later," Sora said. And for the first time, Ace didn't doubt these kinds of words. He sincerely believed she would come back for him and so he grinned. He also wanted to prove to Sora that he was definitely not clingy.
"Okay."
Sora smiled kindly and headed off, seeming to be amused by the multicolored lanterns strung about, and all the noise and chatter. Ace looked around at the smiling faces. Sora was right; it wasn't a solemn event. Here, the Toro Nagashi brought everyone together.
Ace spent most of the night with the other division commanders, trying new food and playing several games, chatting with people, and buying cute key chains or other souvenirs. Ace bought a hand fan with lotus flowers in a red sea, choosing to believe that it was fire, even though Marco and Thatch called him an idiot for that, laughing.
Unable to stay away from Michio's dango, Ace returned there with several other division commanders and bought some more. Thankfully, the man had replenished his stock of food, and Ace depleted it again.
Soon, Ace watched everyone leave the square, heading towards the beach, and so he followed Marco there as well. The breeze on the beach was cool, despite it being the end of summer, and Ace dug his toes into the sand. He brushed the hair out of his face to see people kneeling on the sand, brushing names onto paper lanterns, and continuing to write letters. Ace had never been to a Toro Nagashi before, so he asked Marco about it.
"The Toro Nagashi is a festival in which to honor the dead," he explained. "The paper lanterns serve as a guide, leading spirits of those who passed back to the other world. Sometimes people write messages on the lanterns, too."
"Who is yours for?" Ace asked, pointing at Marco's lantern.
"Ken and I were good friends," Marco said, glancing down at the lantern with the characters for 'Takamune Kenjiro' written on it in his sweeping calligraphy, followed by his own name. "I send one for him whenever we're here for the Toro Nagashi."
Ace looked around at the other division commanders to see that they all had lanterns, too, for friends or family they had lost. Ace didn't have any. He hadn't even really known what the Toro Nagashi was for and suddenly felt a little silly and out of place.
"Hey," Sora said, coming up behind them. In her hand, she had two calligraphy brushes and in her other hand dangled three paper lanterns. Ace noticed that on one of them, she had written "Takamune Kenjiro" on it as well. She looked up at Ace, chewing on her bottom lip. "Told you I'd come back."
"Hey," Ace greeted.
"I was, ah, wondering if you wanted to, I dunno," Sora said, shaking her head. She looked like she was going to change her mind, and then looked up at Ace. "Did you want to help me…send out a lantern for Ken?"
Marco's eyes flickered slightly at this, being that Sora didn't normally like to collaborate on lanterns. She always felt like her lantern to Ken needed to be her own. Ace was also surprised. "Are you sure that's okay?" he asked, and Sora smiled, nodding. She led him to an emptier patch of sand and Ace held out his hand for Sora to hand him a brush and Ken's lantern. Ace struggled with figuring out how to hold the brush to write nicely, and Sora laughed a little. "Can I write a message to Ken, too?"
Sora blinked several times, seeming surprised. "Yeah, sure."
Ace dunked his brush in a little inkbottle that Sora had and started to write. 'I may have never met you, but thank you for helping Sora to become the amazing woman she is today. She's right, you know. You can trust me. Please continue to watch over her.' Sora smiled at the note as Ace signed his name messily at the bottom. "Is that okay?"
Sora nodded. "Yeah."
"Who are the other two for?" Ace asked, pointing to the two blank lanterns in her hand.
Sora pursed her lips together. "Would it be okay if I made them for your mother and for Sabo?"
Ace felt the breath catch in his chest. This was a sad day for her, but yet she had thought of him, remembering his mother and the brother that he had only mentioned one time. He smiled gently. "Yeah."
Sora dipped her brush in ink and in her neat calligraphy, wrote 'Portgas D. Rouge' and 'Sabo' on the two lanterns, signing her name at the bottom. He noticed that she had written 'Belleville D. Sora' but didn't say anything, thinking that perhaps the period mark was an 'e' that was just written tiny. She wrote sweet messages to both of them, asking them to watch over Ace and how they would be proud of the man he had grown up to be, and Ace felt a warming feeling nestle in his chest as he found it hard to breathe. After Marco's explanation, he realized exactly why tonight might be a little rough for Sora, as anything dealing with Ken was very difficult for her to cope with, but she seemed to place those feelings on the side for a moment to respect Ace's feelings as well.
Without warning, Ace pulled her into a tight embrace, Sora holding both her arms out as not to crush the paper lanterns or smear her writing. One hand rested on the back of Sora's head, pressing her into his chest. "Thank you," Ace said quietly.
Sora relaxed, allowing Ace to hold her. She didn't think he would react this way, but she smiled nonetheless. "No, thank you," she said into his chest. She pulled away and gestured to the sea, where some lanterns were already floating out, glowing flecks in the dark ocean. "Let's send these off."
Ace nodded, and his finger ignited into a soft flame and he gently lit all three lanterns. The two of them then stepped in the water, the bottoms of their yukatas becoming wet as they waded out a little. Sora placed Sabo's in the water, pushing it out to sea with a light breeze. Rouge's one was next, and the two of them watched the lanterns meet up with hundreds of other lights, all riding the waves.
"It's always hard for me," Sora said quietly, feeling the ocean lap against her calves. "Sending out Ken's lantern. It's always hard. It's like…me accepting that he's gone and that I'm just all alone, you know? It's…I don't know. It's stupid and immature but—"
"No," Ace said softly, interrupting her. "It's not. But, you know, you're not alone this time." He lifted Ken's lantern placing it in the water, and with his other hand, guided Sora's small fingers to the lantern as well, so both of them were touching it. "I'm right here with you."
Together, Ace and Sora let go of Ken's lantern as the waves waned, and Sora watched as it floated out, the candle inside flickering dimly. Ace could see her hands shaking and upon instinct, gently grabbed one. Sora seemed surprised, looking up at Ace, who just smiled down at her. He saw a small smile form across her lips as her eyes returned to the sea, and she moved her hand. Ace thought that she was going to pull it away, but instead, she shifted her hand so that their fingers were laced together. Her hands were small, her fingers long and delicate, but they fit Ace's large, calloused hands perfectly. In that moment, he knew. It wasn't a thought anymore. It wasn't a speculation. He knew she was a reason. He existed for this woman.
Ace squeezed her hand and Sora's grip tightened slightly also. She looked up at him, took a deep breath, and smiled. "Thank you. I'm glad you're the person standing here with me."
"I love when you're nice to me," Ace said with a grin and Sora laughed, turning for the shore. To Ace's further surprise, she didn't let go of his hand, and together, they waded through the shallow water. They turned to face the ocean again, the sight of hundreds of lanterns floating away stealing Ace's breath. It reminded him of fireflies in a field, the lights bobbing with the slight waves of the ocean, proceeding towards the ocean. No one could tell whose lantern was who's anymore, just that the spirits of those who passed would be able to find a way back home. Some people left to return to the festivities back at the town square, but Ace and Sora stayed watched until the last light disappeared, fingers entwined the entire time.
"Your hands are small," Ace said, squeezing her hand lightly as they headed back. Their feet were covered in sand and the bottom of their yukatas were still damp, and they used their other hands to hold their slippers, the hands between them laced together still. Ace could get used to this.
"Your face is ugly."
Ace frowned. "Okay, first of all, that was a compliment, because it would be weird if you had sasquatch hands, and second of all, I can't decide on whether or not I believe you truly are an evil human being."
Sora laughed, moving into him so that her shoulder shoved him. "Gotta switch it up, you know? Keep you guessing!"
"You can be nicer about it," Ace teased. The music from the town square drifted towards them, volume increasing as they came closer, chatting about various things. Sora decided to tell him something else about herself and Ace's reaction was as she had expected. "You lied to me about your name, too?" he sighed.
Sora grinned sheepishly. "Well. Sorta. My name is Sora, right?"
"I don't even know anymore! You're a phony!"
She laughed. "Yes, it is still Sora. Belleville D. Sora. Nice to meet you."
"Shut up," Ace said, making a face at her. "What's up with that 'de Belleville' stuff, then?"
The woman shrugged. "I got teased about it when it came out on the wanted poster. Marines must have mixed up my name or something, I don't know. I heard it's not uncommon for mess-ups on wanted posters," Sora said, waving her hand as though she didn't care. "Ken thought it was funny and didn't say anything to the marines to change it. Also because that would mean he was associating with me and that'd look pretty bad for a marine. The crew still calls me 'Belleville', though, but when people ask, it's de Belleville, so they don't think I'm a pirate."
"I already knew you were a pirate," Ace scoffed. "And as if that one syllable would throw people off. You look exactly the same, except your hair length."
"Not! That poster was taken, like, six years ago. I look a little different."
"Yeah, you still look like a kid," Ace teased, and Sora made a face at him.
"At least I'm not a kid," she shot back, sticking her tongue out at Ace.
Ace glanced around him, looking confused. "I don't know who you're talking about, because I'm certainly not a kid."
"Oh, please. Oversized yukata, don't know how to write with a brush, playing little scavenger hunts. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're a kid," Sora scoffed, and Ace made an over exaggerated angry face, showing his teeth and creasing his brow into a V, making Sora laugh.
They entered the town square, music playing from the center stage, several people dancing to upbeat instruments and a sweet sounding voice. Sora was doing a little jig herself, alternating bobbing her shoulders and wiggling her head as she glanced around, as though trying to figure out what activity to do next. A few seconds passed and her hair bounced around and she was pursing her lips now, Ace realizing she was obviously not even thinking about anything besides the music. Ace smirked at her cute movements. "Wanna dance?"
"What?" Sora asked, stopping her dancing as though not realizing she had been doing it.
"Why look like a weirdo doing it all alone? Dance with me," Ace said, dropping his slippers and stepping into them.
"Do children like you even know how to dance?" Sora teased, despite the fact that she had started to become busy with wiggling around foolishly to the music from the center stage. She dropped her slippers also, slipping her slender feet into them.
"Um, I'm kind of a pro," Ace bragged, jabbing his thumb into his chest.
Sora snorted, flicking her wrist at him as though to say 'yeah, right!' and Ace frowned. Sora raised an eyebrow. "You really want to dance? You don't strike me as the kind of person to like dancing."
"Then you obviously don't know me at all," Ace said, as though he were suddenly crowned the king of dance.
"Fine," Sora said, stepping forward to the dance floor. Ace, still clutching her hand, followed, smiling as the music became louder.
They maneuvered through the outline of people, standing near the middle of the crowd, and Ace looked up at the stage for a brief moment. Coral was standing there, her red hair tied up out of her face. Both hands were clutching a microphone stand as her sweet soprano voice being carried through the speakers. She glanced down as though realizing that Ace was looking at her and for the first time, Ace noticed that she was looking at him without blushing. She smiled for a moment, waved at Ace and Sora, and turned back to her microphone, continuing to sing.
"She's cute, huh?" Sora said, turning to face Ace. "She's normally flustered and nervous, but you can tell that she completely changes into a really confident person when she sings. It's kinda cute."
Ace nodded. "I guess she's cute," Ace said, shrugging. He poked her forehead. "You're more my type, though," he said with a grin.
Sora scoffed, as she held both of Ace's hands, beginning to move to the music. "Please, as if I would ever even send a second glance your way," she teased, but continued to move with Ace anyway.
They spent the better of the night together like this, and to Sora's surprise, Ace was didn't disappoint. Not in the sense that he could dance – because Ace certainly could not dance – but Sora had fun watching him try. She knew she couldn't dance either, making Ace laugh when she did weird moves like squeezing her nose and raising her arm, wiggling her body downwards and then switching arms, as though she were diving into the water. He would try to swirl her around but he didn't know how to hold her hand when he did so, so she was either forced to let go of his hand and finish the turn on her own, or his wrist would twist and he would have to turn, too, causing Sora to burst out into laughter.
The division commanders watched from the sidelines, amused. It made them happy to see Sora the same bright spirited woman that had been aboard their ship four years ago, before the darkness of Ken's death had ascended on her. The recognized that innocent smile and her tinkling laughter, the look in her eyes when she looked at Ace. They all knew that he meant a lot to her, not as Ken's replacement perhaps, but as just himself. He was what she needed all these years when her heart had been locked away.
Izou sighed, fanning himself with a paper fan he had bought from a stand. Marco thought Izou was going to say something sweet about Sora and Ace, but instead, he said, "I wonder if Sora realizes that Ace can't dance to save his life. And neither can she. Look at them, flailing like dying animals."
Thatch chuckled. He had gotten over his infatuation with Sora quite recently, upon realizing that he was completely out of the running the moment she had met Ace. Now, he really liked seeing Sora and Ace together, because she was always smiling. That was what had captivated him in the first place; her smile and the dimples in her cheeks. "I'm pretty sure they don't care."
Izou smiled. "Probably not."
"You think she's in love with him?" Thatch asked Izou, who scoffed.
"Of course she is. But you know her, she's never going to say it and Ace is going to cry about it," he said, and Thatch laughed again, knowing all too well that that was probably what was going to happen.
"What's gonna happen when we have to leave?"
"Honestly," Izou started, shrugging. "I think Ace is going to stay."
Marco raised an eyebrow. "That's unlikely."
"But he loves her," Izou said. "It's pretty obvious that he loves her and so of course he would want to stay with her."
"But just because he wants to stay here, it doesn't mean that he will," Thatch replied, shrugging. "I don't think he's going to stay either."
"Ace isn't just going to leave Sora," Izou insisted. "He's not going to leave her behind."
Thatch chuckled, slapping Izou on the back. "You're talking like he's going to die or something! We're going to end up coming back eventually and everything will be fine. Sora and Ken did the same thing for almost four years. They'd see each other once every few months and that was enough."
"It was only enough because Ken was older than Sora," Izou reasoned. "Ken is five years older than Sora, but ten years older than Ace. Everyone always says age doesn't matter, but it does. Age – especially for men – means maturity. When Sora and Ken were together, Sora had to be mature about the fact that she never got to see Ken because Ken was mature about it. He was a lot older than her and understood that, although it was unfortunate, these kinds things happened, so Sora did the same, even if she didn't realize she was doing it. But Ace is still a kid. You expect him to be able to stay away from Sora just like that?" Izou shook his head. "It can't be done."
"I think you underestimate Ace," Marco said. "He's a pirate, too, you know. It's not going to be so easy for him to give up his dream. Sora didn't give up hers when Ken had to stay on the island because of his leg. She went out to sea anyway. She wanted to see the world and bring back stories for Ken, especially since he couldn't be a marine anymore. I think Ace will do the same. He'll be excited to come back and tell her about all the new stuff he's been doing."
Izou sighed and crossed his arms. "We'll see, I guess. It's going to be depressing either way. What if Sora never tells Ace that she loves him?" Izou mused, and clutched his chest as though in pain. "What if they never know each other's feelings? How heartbreaking! I want them to be together, dammit! Be together!"
Thatch snorted. "Calm down, man. It's only been a little over two months."
"Time doesn't matter!"
"I know," Thatch said. "But even if Ace was in love with her, he wouldn't tell her now. It's too soon. Especially now that they're so close. What if she freaks out? Ace will die."
"But we don't have much time left!"
Marco raised an eyebrow. "You know when we're leaving?" Even as the first division commander, he didn't know when they were leaving.
Izou laughed. "No, but I mean, we've been here a while. It's bound to come and then they're just going to have to say goodbye and Ace will cry and die inside and Sora will…" Izou seemed to think for a moment, "probably just stand there and call him a kid and then push him into the water."
Marco and Thatch chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Sounds like her," Thatch said, and then looked as someone called his name from some ways away. It was Akio and Haruo, and Thatch smiled. "Sorry, these kids have been asking me for help with shit. I never get a break."
"See you," Izou said, waving as Thatch jogged to meet up with the twins. Izou glanced at Marco. "Are you okay?"
"Why are you always asking that?" Marco asked with a chuckle. "Yeah, I'm okay."
"Just okay?"
Marco smiled slightly. "Just okay."
"I thought she'd end up with you, you know," Izou said, his eyes sliding back to the dance floor, where Sora was now hopping around Ace while flailing her arms. Ace was howling with laughter, needing to wipe tears from his eyes.
"A part of me did, too," Marco said. Izou was the only other person who really understood Marco's feelings for Sora. "But the other part of me always knew she wouldn't. It's complicating. And I'm coming to terms with it."
"Keeping your promise, hm?"
Marco smiled. "Yup."
Coral's music slowed down for a moment and she took a deep breath, a little tired from singing all night. "This is my last song for tonight," she said, smiling brightly. "Thank you for listening up until now and enjoy the rest of the evening." A piano started a quiet melody, a few violins chiming in. Coral closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and started in, her voice not sounding fatigued at all.
Sora smiled at Ace. "Let's grab some water or something," she suggested, as couples around them began to sway together. She spun on her heels ready to flee from the dance floor, but Ace caught her wrist immediately.
"Not fair, you can't dance with me all night and the second a slow song comes on, you bolt," Ace teased. "I can do swaying. Come on. One real dance. Please?" he asked, giving her his best innocent eyes.
Sora sighed and reluctantly, she let Ace pull her towards him, allowing his hands to be placed on her waist, right below her obi. He made a face as she just stood there, swaying to the gentle music and so he moved his hand, lifting both her arms and putting them on his shoulders. He grinned at her and then pulled her closer.
"Not so bad, right?" Ace asked, still flashing his crooked grin.
"I guess," she responded, laughing slightly to try and mask her uneven breathing and heart rate. Suddenly, the effect Ace had on her was intensified. She was aware of everything she was feeling now more than ever. She could feel her stomach jittering, and her chest was clenched, all from his warm touch. This man…really was everything she needed. He was all she could have possibly asked for.
But what about when he left? Sora couldn't do that again. She didn't want to be separated from him when the day came that he had to leave. She realized this now; she wanted to be at his side. Or at least, following behind him so she could watch his back and protect him. He was someone important to her and Sora couldn't let the Ken's fate consume Ace as well. Ace couldn't die. She couldn't let him leave her behind.
But Sora couldn't leave Arashi Island. There really were things she needed to do here. She needed to stay.
"What're you thinking about?" Ace asked, snapping Sora from her thoughts.
"How gross you are," Sora responded automatically, giggling as Ace's expression dropped.
"Too mean."
"Everything I say seems to be too mean," she laughed.
"'Cause it is."
She smiled. "You know, I'm actually really glad I came tonight," she said honestly. "I was going to stay locked up in my bar, wallowing in sorrow. But thank you for making tonight worthwhile."
Ace seemed surprised, but then smiled gently. "No, thank you. This was my first Toro Nagashi, so I didn't really understand it until Marco explained it. I know it was hard for you, but thank you, Sora. I really appreciate what you did for my mom and Sabo. I'm sure they do, too," he said, grinning now.
Sora was aware that their faces were mere inches away. She felt her breathing become shallow as Ace continued to speak. "I care about you so much," he said quietly as they continued to sway. "Thank you for thinking about me, even on your painful day."
"It's…cool," she breathed, not knowing what else to say. Ace's warmth was intoxicating, and he was slowly leaning in, Sora unaware that she, too, was closing the distance between them. They were going to kiss! They were going to kiss! Sora's mind was racing. Was she going to kiss back? Did she even remember how to kiss? Does her lip go on top of his or is it the other way around? Did that matter? Were her lips dry? Damn, she can't lick them now, her tongue would touch his mouth. Wait, was he going to kiss with tongue? Was she supposed to let that happen? Why were they going to kiss? What was happening?
Ace stopped however, right before their lips were about to touch. She could feel his breath on her skin. "Is it a yes?" he whispered.
"I don't know yet," Sora answered honestly, and Ace pulled back immediately, grinning.
"Moment ruiner. You're supposed to whisper back, 'yes, Ace, the answer is yes!' and then we kiss passionately and everyone cheers," Ace said dramatically, making faces as he spoke.
Sora choked back a laugh. "Everyone cheers? What makes you think everyone's even watching?"
"By everyone, I just meant Izou," Ace said, nodding across the way to where Izou was standing with Marco, holding both his fists up and shaking them at the sky as though upset or disappointed while Marco just laughed. "He was slapping Marco earlier, pretty excited about our supposed kiss." Sora laughed, shaking her head. She could imagine Izou doing that. "It's gonna be fireworks, you know. When we kiss."
Sora laughed again. "What makes you think that we're ever going to kiss?"
"I'm psychic," Ace answered, shrugging as though this were the answer to life. He then smiled gently at her. "But until then, I'll wait. It'll be even better when we do kiss and then you'll be like, 'Oh, Ace, I love kissing you, let's never stop kissing' and life will be complete."
She giggled, shaking her head as she laughed, feeling Ace's shoulders bob with his laughter as well. "We'll see if that day ever comes."
"When that day comes," Ace corrected. "How awesome would that be for me if I could get a kiss from you? And not like a peck, like, 'hello, good friend of mine', but like, passionate, slam-against-the-wall, fight-for-power tongue session like how you had with Marco – but even better, of course – kind of kiss."
Sora rolled her eyes. "Sorry, I used up all my make-out powers on Marco. I'm all out."
Ace sighed exasperatedly at another Marco joke, and Sora laughed again as Coral's song ended. They both clapped, releasing each other, as she thanked everyone again and helped the musicians move their instruments off the stage. Ace held out his hand. "I'm feeling another one of Michio's dango before retiring for the night. How about you?"
Sora smiled, and placed her hand in his, lacing their fingers together once more. This…felt right. "Yeah, me too."
A/N: When the bow on the yukata is tied in the front it means that the wearer is a prostitute. Reviews are appreciated. Thanks for reading :)