Hello readers.

I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO SMILE-EVILY FOR BEING MY FIRST REVIEW EVER FOR THIS STORY! THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!

anyway. I kind of feel like this is a filler, but I also feel like it's extremely important. Because I want to try and keep Smoker to his true original Smokey-ness and not kill it. That's what I'm trying to do here. He isn't going to turn into some sap and fall all over Belle. cause I'm sorry, what story is fun without conflict?

It's just that I alway's imagine him as this awkward with women but great warrior. He doesn't know to to express himself despite all his military experience and plans.

Chapter Eight

*Hina the Black Cage wasn't sure what she wanted to do. Even so, it seemed her body did for she found herself wonder toward the kitchen. She let her strides lengthen as she got closer to the sounds of scrubbing, talking, and laughter. The smell of delicious food being made teased her nose.

The whole kitchen froze as Hina passed through the doors. The cooks faces flushed and hearts filled their eyes. The one person that didn't was the black hairs woman scrubbing at the floor. Hina grabbed a chair and sat in to the side of the girl, causing her to look up.

"What do you want Hina?" Belle asked as she wiped the sweat off her brow.

Hina crossed her legs and looked down at the tom boy. "I want to talk to you about something."

Belle sighed, she had a feeling she knew what she wanted to talk about. "Yes Hina." She leaned back down to continue her work.

The lightly pinked haired woman chewed on her lip as if she were chewing over her words. "It's about Smoker."

"What about him," Belle didn't even bother to actually ask as a question. She knew. All the female recruits always came to her asking her about Smoker.

Hina pulled a cigarette from her pocket and lit it. "You two have been friends for a long time, right?" Belle continued to scrub, not bothering to answer such an obvious question. The other woman breathed out a puff of smoke. "So you would know what kind of girls he is interested in, right?"

Laughter filled the kitchen as Belle stood on her knees. She looked at Hina and pushed down her laughter to answer. "Don't worry Hina, you are so his type."

The other woman flushed at Belle's answer, "Hina did not ask that question! Hina is embarrassed!" She turned her head away, upset.

Belle shook her head and went back to scrubbing the floors. "Look, if you're so interested in him, then I'll tell you what I tell every woman who asks me about him."

Hina opened her eyes and studied the odd woman before her.

"He is a great guy, he is loyal, and caring, but he is stubborn, and his determination can and usually does drive everyone away. He doesn't care much about anyone else except what he believes is right. He isn't an easy person to get along with." Belle swiped the short bangs from her face and continued. "I haven't seen a girl yet that can put up with him, so if you can, I think that would be great." The tom boy looked up at Hina, "He needs someone to keep him in check, besides me. It's a tiring affair and I obviously don't do a good enough job," she gestured to her work in the kitchen as an example.

Hina shifted as she absorbed this. "You seem to put up with him well enough." The other woman pointed out.

Belle snickered, "That's because I'm his friend and not his girlfriend." Her shoulders shuddered at the thought. "No thank you," she moved to scrub in a different spot.

The short haired woman was back on the roof, tired after her day of labor. There was a small bundle next to her head as she calmly studied the skies.

A cloud of smoke rose and collected itself next to her. Belle didn't even bother to pay attention as Smoker reformed his body and grinned at her.

"You are the best Belle!" Smoker reached for the bundle and untied it to attack the contents within.

Hooker, Belle thought trying to be angry, she just rolled her eyes and continued to watch the skies.

Smoker talked around a piece of bread in his mouth, "So how has the outside world been treating you?"

It really sounded like "Sow how hasth tha ouside orld bahn reaing u" But Belle understood him anyway.

"Pretty good, I guess," She sighed, thinking.

The two sat in silence as her friend finished his meal. Once done he laid down next to her and just enjoyed each other's company.

The moon had moved toward the bottom of the sky when Belle opened her mouth to speak. "I talked to Hina today."

Smoker's head turned toward his odd friend. "Yeah," he tired to sound calm, but a part of him was joyful. The only time Belle ever talked about a girl with him was when one was interested in him and she was playing the middle man.

"I think she really likes you," She smiled and looked at her asshole of a best friend. "So, if you ask her out, try not to fuck it up to bad. Again," she started to laugh at the face he made.

"Fuck you he muttered." His mind was already racing with a way to get Hina to say yes to dinner.

Belle snorted, "Not in a million years."*

Archer sighed as another villager shook their head at him. He had been assigned the western side of the island, armed with a poster of the Straw Hat Captain, Monkey. D Luffy, and descriptions of his other crew members. The Lieutenant squared his shoulders and headed for the last house, which so happened to be half way up a mountain, great. Once finally there he knocked on the door and waited.

A little girl answered the door, "What do you want?" She sneered. "Grandpa isn't taking another apprentice so if you here to learn you can go away."

She started to shut the door but Archer stopped her, "No, I'm with the Marines serving under Captain Adonna. I was wondering if you've seen this pirate?" He pushed the poster in her face.

The girl blinked and leaned into the picture. "No, she said," she pointed to the picture, "but I've seen him."

Archer blinked and looked back at the picture. That's when he saw a man's back in the corner of the poster. He looked like he was wearing overalls and had a satchel. He was one of the Straw Hat Pirates, he was sure.

The girl smiled at Archer, "He was a great apprentice! He helped Grandpa big time when the Firework Festival came." She seemed to positively glow. For a split second he saw his own daughters face, he blinked and nodded. "He said he came with some friends and they wanted gun powder. Anyway," she put her finger on her chin in thought. "I think they left about a week ago."

The Lieutenant smiled and gave the girl a respectful bow, making her giggle. "Thank you pretty lady, you were a mighty great help." The girl flushed with pleasure.

"No problem Mister!" She shut the door with a pleased grin on her face.

Captain Adonna stood amongst the group of Marines holding a check list for the different zones. Another group of men approached her and told her of their findings. Which wasn't much by the way. Belle sighed and lifted her head to try and see if another group was coming. She saw a large man with a white jacket heading her way, Smoker. Her heart jumped and started to race like it was in a competition to finish its tick tock first. His eyes met hers as he came closer. Oh man. She squared her jaw and readied herself to be professional. She was a Captain, not a flustering school girl. It didn't matter that less than twenty four hours ago he had be ravishing her body, sending her into heights of ecstasy she had never been before. Or that she had left him in the early hours while he was sleeping to put on a face like any normal day. She hadn't seen much of him after that. The preparations for the island and the organization for a search party had been paramount. So the cause of her little heart attack was that she had no idea what he was thinking. What had changed between them? What was their relationship now? Was what they shared last night a-one-time thing? So many unanswered questions. All of which she was more than happy to leave unanswered if she could just keep herself from thinking about his body while they were 5 feet from each other.

He came up to her and she instantly thought of the lines of lust and desire that had been etched into his face as he had pumped into her. Mission failed.

"How are things coming along?" He asked. All business.

Belle cleared her throat and focused on the chart in her hands. "So far we have only a shop keeper and a man from the east side of the village who saw the Straw Hats but apparently they just stayed for the Fireworks after shopping." She looked back up at him and lifted her shoulders and let them fall in a "that's all, sorry" manner. "Though," she started as she tapped her pen on the clip board, "this is the strangest band of pirates I have ever heard of, personally speaking." Her nose scrunched up as she thought over all the other reports of pirates she had ever read and caught. "They purchase their items, they don't raid them. They seem to move from island to island peacefully." Belle shook her head and met Smoker's eyes, "I've never heard of pirates who do such a thing."

A cloud of smoke lifted from the large mans lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You wouldn't say that if you met the Captain. He is an odd one." Smoker thought of that boys smile as he had faced death back at Loguetown on the execution block.

Belle gave him a strange look, but was quickly distracted as she saw her Lieutenant walking their way.

"Captain," Archer saluted her first then turned to Smoker, "Commodore." He looked back at his commanding officer and reported his findings.

This only caused his Captains brow to furrow. "So they helped the village?" She gave him a disbelieving look.

Archer nodded.

"You've got to be kidding me," She shook her head. "Why are we chasing after these guys, from what I've read and heard they are doing more good than bad." She shook her head in utter disbelief. "This is crazy. Pirates who help people." Belle finished her report on the clip board while shaking her head. "What is wrong with the world," she muttered to herself.

Smoker refocused on the woman before him. The same woman he would never think he would sleep with in a million years. The same woman he wanted to ring the neck of for leaving him to wake up without her. Even though logically, he knew what she did was for the best for both of them. It didn't mean that he had to like it though.

"Belle," she looked up to his face and his mind sent him pictures of her body bowing her face flushed with pleasure. "It's been a long day and I believe you owe the men a round of free drinks."

Belle blinked and smiled, "Yeah you're right, because I whipped your butt." He frowned at how pleased she sounded. "DRINKS ON ME TONIGHT!"

The men cheered and started to scatter to the nearest bar.

Smoker fell in step with his own friend and what was she now? He didn't know, but he was going to find out damn it. "Let me treat you to dinner so we can catch up." She shot him a sharp glance. "It's been ten years since we've seen each other, I want to know what you've been up."

He tried to see her expressions but she was using her bangs to hide her face. She nodded, and that was all he needed.

The group had congregated to a local bar. He watched as she went in and eventually came out. She met his gaze and he tried to grin, "Don't act like you're walking to your own executions. I don't bite, much."

Belle's face flushed at the thought of him biting her. Why did he have to do that? She glared at him but he just puffed on his cigars like he was completely innocent. Yeah sure, she believed that. Asshole.

They walked in silence for a long while. Just like old times. Even she had to admit she had missed this. To be able to enjoy someone's company without the social expectations of communications. Any other man would be trying to boast and talk to her about something or another that she was never interested in. Smoker just took the silence graciously as what was between them. No awkward silences or endless pointless babble. If there was something to be said, it would be said. No sooner and no less.

They entered a small unnoticeable restaurant. The waiter that approached them stumbled when he saw Smoker. The young man was obviously intimidated by the other man's girth.

"S-sir, I'm s-sorry but there is n-no smoking…" he seemed to lose his courage at this point.

Smoker stared down at him. He sighed finally, "Really?"

The man seemed to reconsider, "I can find a sit out back if you would still like too-"

Belle huffed and grabbed the cigars out of Smoker's mouth. "For heaven's sake don't torture the poor boy. You're intimidating enough as it is."

"Hey," Smoker frowned, "I wasn't doing anything.

She threw the cigars outside, "Yeah, that's the problem." She looked up at him, "you should quit anyway."

Smoker rolled his eyes, "That again." He grunted.

The young man watched the two with a growing smile. "I'll get you two a table," he stated more calmly stopping their light banter. He started to walk toward the center of the restaurant."You two make a lovely couple, how long have you been together?" He didn't seem to notice the lack of response. "I would guess a long time, you two have that 'comfortable' kind of thing. It's nice to see," there was a smile in his voice.

He led them to a quite table in the corner of the sit-down-and-eats. Once they sat down he gave them their menu's and filled their glasses with water. "I'll let you two look for something to eat and someone will be with you to take you orders."

There was an uncomfortable silence in his wake. First time for everything, Belle thought sarcastically as she buried her face into the menu before. Now this was awkward.

Smoker shifted in his chair completely uncomfortable. He couldn't believe that stupid guy had said such a thing. Even so, he stole a peek over the beautiful dark haired woman from the top of his menu. She was hiding from him. Great. Bastard had effectively murdered the mood. Man, he wasn't into this whole tip-toe bullshit. Setting own his menu, he looked directly at the slunk head before him. "We need to talk about last night."

He watched as her head came up and she glared weakly. "You've never been one to beat around the bush, huh." He didn't answer her. He wanted her to consent to this discussion. Looking down at her menu one last time; she folded her hands, crossed her legs so she could bounce her foot, and met his gaze. She nodded.

He reached into his jacket to pull out his cigars and stopped with the coffin nails half way to his mouth. Cursing he put them back in his jacket. "Look, I don't know about you, but I don't regret last night." Smoker leaned forward on his forearms and studied her face.

Belle sucked in as much air into her lungs as she absorbed his words. They made her happy, but didn't relieve her in anyway. She started to twist her fingers, "Neither do I, but where does that leave us?"

"Che…" she watched as he straightened his back and looked down his nose at her. "I don't give a shit where that leaves us. It is what it is."

Such artful expressions, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. Placing her hands back in front of her and letting the appendages continue their wrestling match she continued. "Don't be stupid. Everything has changed and you and I both know it. Or is it just me that keeps seeing you naked?"

He blanched at her glare. "Well, no but…"

"But what?" Belle sighed heavily. "You and I were always just friends. Now all of that has changed. It's made us change."

Smoker opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by a teenage girl with piggy tails and braces. As the girl took their orders and left their eyes connected once more.

He leaned forward once more. "I don't give a shit if it's changed the earth's gravitational field. I say we should see where this goes."

Belle's eye brow's twitched. What a jackass, "What about how this will affect our goals? The Straw Hats?"

He leaned back once more in thought. "I'm surprised you would ask such a thing. We already agreed about the Straw Hats, that doesn't change."

Her hand gripped tightly on the table, "I still want to beat you! I still want to see you looking up at from the ground with me standing over you in victory."

Smoker's eyes darken and he smiled a secret smile at her. "You can see me on the ground under you anytime." He voice was deep and gravely like before, causing her to blush.

Their food arrived effectively derailing the conversation and saving Belle from spontaneous catching fire in her seat.

The rest of their meal was consumed in silence. Once done Smoker insisted on paying. It bothered Belle but she let him, knowing he would only though a raging hissy fit if she didn't let him.

They walked back to the ship also in silence. It was nice to have the time to think.

They walked silently toward their rooms. Smoker's would be the first, Belle's was further down the hall.

Smoker grabbed her arm after she had nodded, ready to head to her room. His eyes burned into her as she glared at him. He could feel it again. The burning flow of words that swirled in his mind. So many things he wanted to say and none of which he could easily express. He wasn't good at that kind of thing, never had been.

"The ship is empty for the night, everyone is out partying." It was the only thing that left his mouth. Shit, he was such an ass. He was offering her a night in his bed like that would fix everything.

Even so, he couldn't find a way to get his mouth to work. This was probably why he was never much of a lady's man. All he could do was watch her as she studied him.

Finally she smiled, "how romantic." She rolled her eyes and let her body lean on his.

Smoker pulled her closer into his body and used his hands to lift her head to his.

There was no failure. Heat bubbled and burned like a volcano as their lips melded and tasted.

Yes. Everything really had changed.

REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM DO FOR THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE, BECAUSE I'M KINDA THINKING ABOUT IT STILL.

ALSO, THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING PATIENT AND WAITING FOR THIS POST! MUCH LOVE!