Chapter 61
Flight

Somewhere in Grand Line, a few hours from an island named Jaya, was a wondrous and horrendous whirlpool. Above the rageful sea, a giant and thick cloud was shrouding the light of the morning sun. The day was as dark as a moonless night and the sound of the screaming ocean would have shattered the courage of any experienced pirate.

In the midst of this terrifying nightmare, a little ship was sailing upon the colossal waves. Courageous or utterly insane, its sailors were screaming, releasing their awe and dread in the form of bewildered cries.

A girl among them had her hands tightly clutched on the railing. Her heart was pounding furiously in her chest as she was facing the fiercest sea that she and her crewmates had ever seen. Yet, it wasn't the monstrous whirlpool, nor the darkness cast by the Millennium Cumulonimbus, not even the frantic cries of the pirates that made her heart beat so fast.

Lost in the recollection of her first kiss, the girl was completely unaware of the threatening situation she and her friends were in.

Her windswept hair was fluttering wildly, and so was her mind. Filled with long lost memories and sensations, the whirlpool the Merry was in was nothing compared to the maelstrom occurring in her head.

From the very first time her big, green eyes had met with the freckled teenager to their heated first kiss, Eli remembered it all.

First came Luffy; Luffy and his childish face. The boy had talked to her so naturally and with such familiarity that Eli wasn't quite sure how to react. It was the first time a boy had talked so openly to her. There was no judgment in his eyes, no hate, no disdain. With innocent curiosity, he had simply asked her who she was.

And then came Ace. His charming face, his dark eyes; the teen had looked at the new girl as if she was his equal. He had talked to her and his voice aroused an exciting and unfamiliar sensation inside of her.

She had loved him, from the very first time her eyes set on his face, she had loved him.

"Freckles... I wish I had some of those."

That was how it all started.

Ace and his deep dark eyes had made Eli feel so shaken and lost, that, like a complete idiot, she had blabbered the very first thing that had crossed her mind. The girl had let this stupid thought pass through her lips, unable to mouth anything else and, seeing his lovely smile upon hearing the foolish words, she heartily returned the gesture.

It felt good; for the first time of her life, Eli's words didn't incur neither frowns nor critics. For the first time of her life, she felt accepted for who she was. That shinning sensation of freedom aroused by the two boys' sincere smiles washed away her doubts, it washed away her memories and Eli felt that she could start anew.

That was how it all started. Upon her meeting with the two brothers, Eli had become someone else, someone free, she even had a new name. The ghost of her past had dispersed only to be replaced by wonderful friends, who all had become like a family. The happiness she had felt then concealed the darkness in her heart and that was when she became a runaway.

A runaway from her memories, and more dangerously, from her feelings.

Eli encaged herself in the role of the funny girl, rejecting the twisting sensation she felt whenever Ace looked at her. Instead, the girl had found herself acting playfully with him, adoring the smile on his lips to the frowning expression when they bantered together. It was new to her, but again, everything was, and so was she.

"How troublesome to have a careless little brother."

Ace had silently walked his way right next to the girl and, hearing his voice so close to her, Eli's insides trembled. Taking a step closer, his chest brushed against her arm, his unnatural heat gradually enveloping her body.

"Haha, I... I guess... that's better." Her face flushed, Eli was staring in space in front of her. "Who knows what- where we'd be otherwise..." she trailed off with a sheepish laugh.

"Somewhere really nice," Ace whispered, a large smirk on his freckled face.

Apparently, Eli's face could be redder, and she hoped that thanks to the darkness they were in Ace couldn't see it. Her eyes firmly fixed in the distance, she could see him in the corner of her field of vision. The young man had partly covered his previously bare chest with a shirt, of that she was glad, yet, the piece of clothing was of a bright red color, so bright compared to the dull scenery that she forced herself to stare at. Bright he was, his hat, his smile, his clothes, his chiseled chest, his freckles... every bit of him aroused her attention, as if Ace existed only for her eyes to watch.

Ace put his hand on the railing and brushed Eli's skin with his thumb.

So close to him, the girl felt herself shuddering, her skin tingling all over while her insides twisted and turned with the rapid rhythm of her heartbeats. The whole state she was in was overwhelming, painful and exquisite at the same time.

Ever since their reunion there was an aura emanating from him, a small glimmer in his eyes, something intangible making her lose her bearings. And now... Now, it was even worse. Eli wasn't sure where she was anymore, who she was was a rather blurry notion. Her body was shivering and bubbling from the inside; and from the faint contact of his skin on hers, a heat spread throughout her arm, her chest, and her head. She wanted to touch him; she wanted to feel his skin pressed against hers, yet, couldn't make a move.

It had been so long that Eli had tried to be careful. So long that the girl had stubbornly forced herself to call him a friend, even to the point where she had managed to make herself believe that she would never want more from him and that wanting more would be ultimately impossible, as well as terribly dangerous. But slowly, quietly, the young man had made his way into her heart, deeper than anyone. Stealthily, he had become indispensable, and her body had started acting on its own, speaking her want of him without her mind's consent.

Foolish, Eli had ignored the forerunner signs; the embrace they had shared in the winter kingdom, the tender night in the hotel room of Alabasta where Ace had told her about his past, and the affectionate moments that they shared as they grew closer and closer...

Eli had ignored it all, finding them excuses, hiding behind the role of the close friend; and she loved being Ace's friend, it was comforting and protective. The girl thought then that she could have remained his friend forever, while burying her feelings deep inside because what he already gave her was more than she could ever dream of. Her need of being close to him was entirely satisfied with the tender moments they spent together; all alone in the crow's-nest, visiting an island side by side, star gazing all night long...

But then, there was this night; this heated night after the summer festival in Kusai. It wasn't even a night, barely an hour, but after this erotic moment in the hotel room of the small and lovely island, Eli couldn't ignore her want of him anymore. From then on, her repressed desire had kept torturing her. She kept fighting as it was telling her that being a friend wasn't enough, no matter how close they were. It told her that she wanted more, that she needed more, but Eli knew that she couldn't have more and would rather run away than having to face his rejection.

How blind she was...

Ace had wanted her for at least as long as she did. The young man had been gentle and caring, he had shared the secret of his past with her, he had worried for her more than anyone did, he had spent all of his time by her side. Ace had even told her how he felt. Yet, once more, Eli had ignored it all.

"Are you still... afraid ?" Ace asked hesitantly.

Eli shook her head sheepishly, feeling a sting on her pounding heart as soon as she expressed her denial. She was afraid and that was the very reason why she couldn't touch him, no matter how much they both wanted it.

Her head dropped, Eli wanted to hide her face from him, but the sting became sharper.

If his kisses had dispersed her fears, they had not completely disappeared. They were still lingering in the darkness edging into the happiness of the moment, and as Ace was caressing her hand tenderly, Eli focused on the source of her pain.

A little glow... a voice... hers...? It was sad and, gently, it was warning her; Eli had no right to be loved, not him, not anyone. Unfair, oh so unfair, the girl pressed her eyelids together and concentrated all of her attention on the cruel sensation pricking on her guts.

She would hurt him.

Taking a deep breath Eli searched her mind for a confirmation, and slowly growing louder and clearer, she felt it in her boiling blood. In the end, she wasn't in danger... Ace was, and the threat was none other than the girl who loved him.

What crime had she committed to feel so unworthy of being loved ?

"Eli ?" Ace settled his hand on her curved back, warmth spreading from where his palm was. "Are you alright ?"

"I'm.. yeah.. sorry..." she mumbled.

"Don't run away from me," he whispered. "Okay ?"

Eli clenched her eyelids shut. "I won't, I promise."

It's wasn't empty words, she wouldn't run away from him, never again. Therefore, Eli had to forget, she had to hush these unreasonable doubts. The girl deserved to be loved; she definitely deserved to love as much as anyone else. Those fears were idiotic. They had to be ! They were obviously caused by her inexperience; there was no other possible explanation. No other...

Her eyes set on Ace's hand as he caressed her skin; Eli let his tender warmth suppress her fears. He was strong, stronger than she'd ever be, so how would she even be able to hurt him...?

Slowly, Eli turned in his direction, her fingers leaving the tender touch only to be replaced as the others glided on the wood to settle on his hand. Touching him, watching him felt like a release and, once more, the doubts dispersed. Her jade eyes filled with admiration, desire, and love, she returned his childish smile.

There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt. Eli was sure of it. She loved him, she had loved him for years and silently, the girl made herself a secret promise; she would never hurt him.

As Eli dived in the dark eyes of the young man, somewhere, a part of her deplored her carelessness before fading away...

"You look happy," Ace said.

The young man lifted his hand to her face and pushed a strand of hair from her eyes, his palm settling on her cheek. Slowly, Eli closed her eyes and wallowed the gentle warmth of the young man as well as the one fluttering inside of her.

"I am," she breathed, while her heart pounded with force and regularity in her chest.

She was happy beyond what could have been expressed, either by her words or the lovely smile that clung to her lips. Opening her eyes, she gazed at the freckled pirates' joyous face, a bright and warm sensation washing over her. At that moment, Eli reckoned that she had never felt such happiness overflowing her heart. With every pulse she loved him more, and silently, Eli reveled in the consuming sensation.

In the mist of the dark nightmare while the ocean and the other Straw Hats were screaming, the two pirates in love were smiling stupidly at each other.

However, in spite of being so deeply unaware of her surroundings, Eli's eyes caught sigh of something passing right before her eyes. Instinctively, her free hand lifted and caught the projectile piercing though the air.

The pain she felt expelled a loud gasp from her mouth as Eli's face snapped around to look at her hand. Blazing metal burning against her pale skin, a bullet was lodged in the flesh of her palm. Searing was the pain and perplexed was her reaction; her eyes blinked a few times, her enamored daze further fading away with each of the rapid flutters.

"What the hell...?" Ace muttered in disbelief.

His eyes widened as he watched the bullet smoking in Eli's injured hand and, like a shot, the two pirates' heads snapped to the side of the ship in search for the shooter. That was when, as they were jerked out of their infatuation, that the lovers noticed how calm the sea had became. The whirlpool had disappeared, but the cries of their other crewmates hadn't lessened. Gathered on the Merry's bow, the pair could hear their confusion as they stared bewilderedly at the seabed. Eli's eyes, however, were stuck on another sight; a huge raft made of gigantic tree logs wound together was coming at them. It had a large sail, sporting a pirate emblem; three skulls and behind them four crossbones.

"TSHAHAHAHA ! I FINALLY CAUGHT YOU STRAW HAT LUFFY !"

Eli recognized instantly the devious laugh, it was the huge and sinister man she had met the day before in Mock Town. Narrowing her eyes, she distinguished the sharpshooter standing next to him. He was obviously the one who shot the bullet. Since his shooting skills were perfect, Eli knew that he had purposely missed her. Did he do that to get her attention ? Still with the same unreadable look on his face, he was staring at the girl. As her fist clenched on the hot bullet, Eli gave him a challenging glare while ignoring the burning pain in her hand.

"WE ARE HERE TO TAKE YOUR ONE-HUNDRED-MILLION-BELI HEAD !" the huge man yelled.

One hundred... million...?

Oddly, far from frightened, the pirates were utterly surprised at the number. Apparently their captain's bounty had doubled, probably after the events in Alabasta. Ironically, the marines seemed to have a tricky sense of justice; by saving a whole nation, they gave Luffy a bounty that would attract the whole world's deadliest hunters' attention.

The man held out three posters as a proof. Using his binoculars, Usopp read them out loud; Monkey D. Luffy one hundred million, Portgas D. Ace eighty million, and now Zoro had his wanted poster, Pirate Hunter Zoro sixty million beli.

Hearing each massive amount of their crew's bounty caused an uproar on the Merry; Nami freaking out at the amazing sum, Luffy taunting his older brother, Zoro obviously proud, yet, badass as ever, huffing in disdain while Sanji kept insisting that Usopp watched the man's hands in search for his bounty.

The pirates were so excited that they did not notice how silent the sea had become. The waters began swelling beneath the little ship, causing it to slowly rise into the air, the huge raft growing distant as the Merry soared up.

And then, all of a sudden, a giant water pillar shot them up violently. Raising toward the heavens, so bright it was blinding; this was the knock-up stream.

"Waha ! This is so funny~ !"

The Merry was sailing vertically on the surface of the stream of light and the adventurous Straw Hats were looking upwards, amazed, utterly scared, impatient, or frenzied, they were all focused on their impossible course, sailing up to reach for the clouds, all but two quiet pirates... During her fall, Ace had caught Eli and she was now laying on him, protected in his warm embrace.

"The ship is leaving the stream !"

Her short hair fluttering violently, Eli lifted her face to peer at Ace's, the corners of her lips curling up seeing the young man smiling at her. His warm smile, his boyish freckles, his deep eyes glimmering heartily, Eli adored it all and slowly, quietly, she brought her lips to his.

It was soft, it was simple, but with this kiss the two pirates sealed their fates; there was no turning back now; they were lovers, for better and worse.

And now, while the chaos prevailed all around her, while her crewmates feared for their lives, Eli was smiling stupidly, her green eyes lost in the dark ones that belonged to the man she loved, she was walking on air. The light-hearted girl had no idea where she was walking to and she obviously didn't care, as long as she was with Ace, she would go anywhere.

"Set down the sail ! NOW !"

Eli pulled away and the both of them stood up. A monstrous sea king plummeting next to the Merry, the two pirates exchanged a large grin and Eli jumped on Ace's back playfully. Luffy's ecstatic cries pervading the ship, the lovers were looking upwards, at last, wallowing in the exciting moment together.

"SO COOOOOL ! WE'RE FLYING~ !"

to be continued

Betaed by Fox MC.

Sorry, this chapter was delayed due to a writer block. I really thought the previous chapter would be welcomed with loads of joyous yells, but no. Oh, well, I hope you are still interested in my story even if the two pirates had their first kiss.

Now what to say about this chapter...? Mmmh... It is mainly a recap of the past 60 chapters.

Ah, yes, a part of Eli is still torturing the girl, and now it had became more clear; she's afraid for Ace's safety and running away (like always) from the problem isn't the best course of action, obviously. Let's hope she can manage to unwind the mess of her thoughts and fight her fears once and for all.

Yet for now, lightheartedly, Eli is reveling in their love and they are going to reach Skypiea in the next chapter.

See you there.