We didn't dock in port, but in a small alcove a short walk from the town. Vivi said that no one used that area for anything.

"Listen carefully guys, I want you all to do your best to control yourselves." Nami lectured.

"Of course, Nami!" Sanji replied happily.

"You do realize," Zoro said dryly, "That the one person who needs to hear that most has already jumped ship."

I leaned against Merry's railing, watching Luffy dash off into town. "Yeeeaaah. He's gone."

"GET BACK HERE!" Nami shouted as Luffy disappeared into the town.

Usopp stared in amazement. "He doesn't know the meaning of the word control."

Vivi looked disheartened, "What do we do now?"

"He's easy to find." Sanji said as he jumped off the ship.

"Yeah, look for the meat or the commotion and you'll find him." I said, jumping off after him. "I'll go find him before someone recognizes his 30 million berry face."

"Forget about him," Zoro grumbled as he climbed down the ladder, "He can take care of himself, let's focus on getting some food first, then we'll search for the idiot."

I sighed.

"I guess now I should tell you that Carue and I can't come along." Vivi said, "We'd be far to recognizable." She had a point, she was the crown princess of Alabasta after all.

"Don't worry," Sanji called, "I'll take care of all of your shopping, Vivi, my love."

The princess smiled. The moment was interrupted by Carue frantically warking. "What's wrong, Carue?" Vivi asked.

The duck pointed towards the alcove next to us.

"Oh no."

"Um.." I frowned, in the alcove there was an odd looking boat, "Am I missing something?" It must have been another thing from Little Garden.

"That's Mr. 3's ship!" Vivi shouted.

"I thought he was gone? Couldn't someone else have just... I don't know, stolen it?"

"No, that ship needs Mr. 3's wax-wax fruit powers to run."

"Ah, So we're going to have to be extra careful." I turned, thinking, "Guess we really can't spend to long here, someone's got to find Luffy."

"I told you that he'd be fine on his own." Zoro said, glaring.

I turned again, "Well we can't let him run wild in a city full of people who want to kill us."

He glared harder. I jumped off the ship, "Sanji, I'm trusting you to do all my shopping."

"Of course, Leanah, my love!"

I took off running, getting into the city and finding Luffy as fast as possible was my only concern. Running in the desert is hard, in case you didn't know. There's no traction what-so-ever, it was a miracle I didn't fall flat on my face and get a mouth full of sand.

It was still odd having energy to burn, that well rested feeling, you know? I really couldn't wait to go back to training, but with Chopper still fretting, even now after I had assured him I felt completely fine.

Enough about that for now, where was I? Right, I entered the city, slowing to a walk. It was beautiful. Really, I mean, the buildings and clothes, vibrant colors and wonderful craftsmanship. I inquired the direction of the market from people nearby. They were all very helpful, some even offered to take me there, but I politely declined and just followed the directions they gave me,

I walked through the streets, lots of interesting things to buy. A blue haired woman passed by me, I recognized her before she me.

"Hey!" She shouted, I dashed forward and into an alleyway.

Why is she here? I ran out onto the next street and continued running. How much of a coincidence must it be for her to be here? As I ran I noticed a lot more marines than just her, and most of them looked familiar.

I continued on to another street, seeking refuge anywhere I could find. Why are Lougetown marines here? I slowed down, taking refuge in a restaurant. Great, just great, Smoker chased us into the Grand Line. I huffed, Oh well, if I wait here, I might have a chance at finding Luffy. Or getting caught trying too. My stomach growled slightly, I looked around, it was a fairly nice place, with people enjoying meals at tables and one person stuffing his face at the bar. This seemed like a good a place as any, plus I might get a good meal myself. I walked over to the bar and sat next to the man.

"Excuse me, sir." I said addressing the man behind the counter, "I'd like some food please."

He walked over, "Of course, any idea what you'd like?"

"Uh..."

"Try the ham roast." The man next to me said. "Itsh really good."

I pointed at him, "I'll have what he recommended." Then I sat back as he went to get my food, "Oh! And two tequilas, please," The restaurant owner nodded, "Thanks mister." I said to the man beside me

"No problem." He ate a large bite of the food in front of him, "Two tequilas, eh? You a heavy drinker?"

"I wouldn't say heavy drinker..." I gave the man a smile, "I was actually hoping you might like one. Or can you con hold your liquor?" We both got a chuckle out of that.

I tapped the counter, I didn't like this feeling I was getting. I closed my eyes, then heard a thud next to me. My eyes snapped open, the man who had recommended my food was slumped forward with his face in his food.

"AHH!" A woman behind us screamed. "He died!"

"It must have been that poisonous desert spider."

I frowned, gently checking for a pulse. "He's not dead." I said, leaning back slightly, now getting a better look at the tattoo on his back. I felt like I should have known what it meant... I faintly remembered Shanks talking about a similar picture. Must've been drunk than night. I shifted forward again, pushing the man back into a sitting position, "He's sleeping." I confirmed.

I blinked, His face... He was definitely handsome, even with all the flecks of food on his face. He was smiling, just slightly, a small trickle of redish juice running down his chin from his mouth.

A flash. "You guys still loved me... Thank you..."

"You said you wouldn't die!"

I dropped him, and he slammed back into his plate. I gulped, breathing heavily. What the hell was that? I asked myself.

The man sat up on his own and glanced around.

"He's alive!" Someone shouted, I pulled out my bandana and handed it to him.

He wiped off his face. "Thanks." The man offered it back to me, smiling, "I'm Ace."

I took it from him, "Leanah."

He looked around at the staring crowd. "What's wrong with everyone?"

"They thought you were dead."

he blinked, then took another bite, "Oh, is that all?" He looked over at me, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

I shook my head, "Oh, no. Not at all."

Ace pushed a wanted poster over to me, "Have you seen this person? I've been looking for him."

I picked it up, keeping a blank face when I saw it was Luffy's. "Monkey D. Luffy... He's that new comer from the East Blue." I set the poster down, "Why are you looking for him?"

Ace turned to me, smiling just like Luffy would, "He's my brother."

"He's your what-now?" I asked, wanting to make sure I heard him right.

"He's my little brother."

I smiled, "Well, fortune has smiled on you Ace, Luffy is my captain."

"Really?!" He was excited now, I chuckled they certainly acted similar.

I nodded, "Yep, I've been a part of his crew for... oh say the better part of ten days now." I leaned on the counter, "I joined as they left Lougetown to head for the Grand Line."

"Ten days?"

"With this crazy crew it feels like so much longer." I sighed, "Our chef and swordsman can't stop fighting and all Luffy talks about is punching bad guys, and meat."

Ace laughed, "Sounds like my little brother."

I laughed, "Well I would be really embarrassed if it didn't!"

finally the man working the place set my food in front of me and the two tequilas. I pushed one towards Ace, "Want it?"

He shrugged, "Never been one to turn down a gift."

I held out my glass to him, "Cheers, Ace."

"Cheers."

We drank the tequila and I finished up my food. "I'm actually looking for Luffy myself." I admitted.

"But... shouldn't you know where he is?"

"Ehh..." I frowned. "Well, he ran off because he was excited, and hungry, which is why I looked for a restaurant, thinking he would have come here first... but he's not."

"Evidently." We shared a smile.

"You've got some nerve eating in the middle of a public place like this." That voice sent a chill right up my spine. Shit! How could I be so stupid!? Why did I stay here this long?! "Even for a division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Hello, Portgas D. Ace"

Wait... I glanced over at Ace, catching another small look at his tattoo, then it all clicked. "Ohhh." That's right... Shanks showed me a picture so I'd know who I could trust if I ever got separated from the crew...

The man behind the counter had the same idea, "No way! Not the Whitebeard pirates!"

I turned away a bit, praying to god Smoker didn't recognize me.

"I'm curious..." He continued, "What's such a big shot pirate doing in a country like this?"

Ace slowly set down his cup, turning around, "Me? I'm looking for my little brother." Everything went quiet and they stared at each other. I shifted uneasily in my seat. "So, what do you want from me now, captain?"

"I just want you to come quietly."

"No thanks, I think I'll pass."

"I thought you might say that." I turned away more, "I'm in this country hunting down another band of pirates."

I went stiff, then started scooting away from Ace, "Wait," He looked over at me, "Where are you going, Leanah?"

"Leanah!?" I heard Smoker shout.

I groaned, "You've done it now, Ace." I muttered, turning around slowly and saluting, "Captain, pleasure to see you again."

"Right." He glared at me, biting down hard on his cigars.

"Ehehehe... Smoking will kill ya, you know..." I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to force a smile.

"So I was right. The Straw Hats are here." He crossed his arms.

"Well I've actually run into Tashigi a little while ago... She didn't seem to happy to see me either... Imagine that!" I joked again.

The marine let out a puff of smoke, "What I still can't understand is why you would leave the Re-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I shouted, waving my arms, "MY BUSINESS IS MY OWN!"

And a second later, a different shout was heard. And it was approaching quickly. Another moment and the sound was given shape as Luffy crashed into the unaware Smoker, who went flying along with him, then both of them crashed into Ace, and the three of them crashed through the wall.

I pursed my lips, "Well... I think it's time for my exit!" I ran out the door of the establishment, Luffy would catch up. Eventually. Besides, he had his brother to help him if he got in too much trouble.

Author's Note:

AH I'M SO SO SORRY YOU GUYS!

This took forever and it's not even that long. But I promise you (Like I did last time this happened as some of you older readers may recall) that I will finish up the rest of the chapters a bit faster, but still holding my same quality.

I was really amazed actually, because I kept getting story followers after so long! But any way...

Thank you for reading! Reviews are always appeariated!

Your ever willing author,
Kari910