Second last chapter. Hope you have fun.

"What is it, my child?" Whitebeard asked, as Ann went into his office, looking at him.

"I'm confused. My feelings are quite a mess now," she sighed and sat down on the chair.

"So you come for my advice?" he asked softly.

Ann nodded and let a hand glide through her hair. She was silent for a moment, trying to figure out how to tell what was going on in her mind.

"Last night, as Marco and I were finishing the last part of his personal dance, we talk about how I thought it was a shame he didn't like dancing. He told me he loved to be taught by me and he would love to have more lessons. It was the way he said it that makes me confused. It haunted my dreams. Marco is my brother and that is all I feel for him," she said, hoping it made sense to him.

Whitebeard was silent for a moment. He could see why she was confused and had no clue what to do. He gazed at her. She was so young, intelligent, passionate and beautiful. She had probably no experience with love and that would make her feel insecure. He wondered what Marco was up to or if she had misinterpreted his intention.

"You should ask Marco what he meant last night. Say to him that his words and how he said it confuses you. I'm sure he'll tell you exactly what he means," Whitebeard said after a while.

"I guess you're right, Oyaji. I just … I don't want to hurt him," she said.

He chuckled. "Don't worry. Marco can handle it."

She nodded and left the office. Whitebeard was right. She had to talk to Marco, though she dreaded it somehow. Well, better get over with it. Tomorrow was the competition and she couldn't have her thoughts disturbing her. So she found herself outside his room, already knocking on the door. She entered, as he asked her to.

"Hey Ann. What's up, yoi?" he asked.

"I want to talk to you about last night. Your words and the way you said them confuses me. Are you serious about dancing lessons or is there more to it?" she asked.

He raised a brow and gestured her to sit on his bed, since he didn't have another chair. She did so, looking at him, waiting for his answer, as he sat next to her.

"I sure made you confused, didn't I, yoi?"

She nodded.

"Sorry, Ann. What I meant is that I want to learn how to dance more than just for this month. And I want you to be my teacher. Mostly because you're a great teacher, but also because you don't mock me for it. You're good and got patience. Izo actually tried once, but he gave up, yoi."

She sighed in relief. "I would be honored to teach you, Marco."

"Then it's settled. Every second evening, you will teach me, yoi."

She chuckled and puffed him. "Make sure not to forget."

He grinned to her. "I won't, yoi."

"Rest for today. You have the moves and you're good. I don't want any of us to dance today. I want you to relax and not think about the competition," she said.

"Sure, leader, yoi," he teased her.

Shaking her head, she left him, a burden taken from her shoulder. Thank heaven she didn't have to deal with love. It scared her, though Ace had often said that she was desirable for many men. Not only because she was beautiful, but she also had grace, intelligence, strength and passion. Still, just the thought of love made her feel insecure and she didn't like it.

-x-

The day had come and the crew was scattered on deck. Some still had chores, but most was sitting around or on the roof of the cabin or in the mast. All dancers were gathered together with their commander. Ann was confident that they would get among the top five. She knew how good they were and the others had said they were much better than anyone else, but Izo's, Thatch's and Haruta's dancers.

"Nervous?" Ace asked her.

"Never," she grinned.

He leaned closer to her. "Should we later show them how good you and I are together?" he whispered.

Ann smiled and nodded. That was a really great idea and it would shock the crew more. She gazed at Whitebeard, who told the rules and he then pulled out a number. 10. She watched the dancers and though they had some moves, they were even worse than Dadan. She didn't chuckle, but clapped, as they had danced, fearing how bad the others in that division then were.

As Haruta's dancers were up, she followed their moves with big interest. They were actually good and she had to admit that it must be because Haruta was their musician and knew about music. His group was followed by Namur's group, which were also good. Izo followed and then Thatch. Ann could now see why Izo, Haruta and Thatch had shared top 3 for a long time. They were really good.

Ace grinned encouraging, as his dancers were up. Ann smirked as she saw their start and even more as the crew gasps, while they were dancing. The movements were complex and elegant. Ace really had done a great job and Ann gave him an impressed nod, to which he gave her a big grin.

As if fate played with them, Ace had been the second left, leaving Marco's group to end the dance group competition. Ann gave each of the others a big encouraging smile, before she readied herself in the center. As the music started, the group was standing still for the first ten seconds, before they broke into a dance, building up tension. Ace was grinning, as all just stared at the group with wide open jaws. Marco, who hadn't been when the group practiced, was really impressed and happy he had let Ann taking care of it.

Cheers were to be heard as they were finished. Ann panted slightly, while the rest sat down, not being used to such a fast pace, even though they had practiced hard for an hour every day. Ann lifted her head, looking at Marco first, before she looked at Izo, Thatch and Haruta, all three looking impressed and slight worried, just as when Ace's group had danced. They left the dance field and got something to drink.

"That was so awesome Ann. Complicated, yet beautiful, just as you," Ace grinned.

"Thanks, Ace. You did well too. Your choreography was wonderful," she said.

"Yeah, but not as good as yours," he said.

"Wait, what? Are you telling me that it was Ann's choreography and that Marco didn't cheat?" Izo said.

"Yes," Ace replied.

"No way," Thatch said, while Ann chuckled.

"Sorry for keeping you guys in the dark, but dancing is my passion. Before joining I participated in many dance tournaments or contest, winning almost every time," she said.

Silence felt over Izo, Thatch and Haruta, while Marco came towards them. He was smirking, loving to see his brothers so lost. They always felt so confident in winning this and so it was sometimes good to pick them down from their cockiness. Sure they were good, but the never ending teasing about Marco having good dancers and always messed up at those contest was getting annoyed. Now he got some help and if Ann really would teach him to dance, he would be happy.

"You did well, Ann. That was really impressive, yoi," Marco said.

Ann smiled to him. "Thanks, commander. Now show them just what you've learnt," she grinned and he nodded.

Thatch: Oh. So that's what you were planning. I get it.

Marco: Are you sure you get it, yoi?

Thatch: Hey, I'm not stupid.

Haruta: Aside for that, I would say this do sound like something would happen, if we ever were to have such contest.

Ace: Yeah. I like how you all were kept in the dark.

Izo: Very close to what could happen.

Ace: Still, I don't dance.

Haruta: Why not?

Me: Doesn't matter now. Though dancing is a good way to make your body more flexible.

Ace: Oh.. Well maybe I should start to learn how to ... *zzzz*

Haruta: And here we go. Nighty bro.

Izo: Now I would suggest such contest to Oyaji.

Thatch: Like hell I would have time for it.

Marco: Let's not. Didi, just put the next chapter up so we and the readers can read who will win, yoi.

Ace: *jolts up* Review and I might do it.