-Ace-

"Why do you look so happy?" Marco warily asked me. "Whatever you did to whoevers room you had better go undo it."

"Do I have to play pranks to be happy?" I asked him.

The correct answer to that question was no. I was happy when I ate- most of the time, because eating when you're sad or mad just ruins the taste of the food. And I was happy when I explored islands or when I talked about and/or saw Luffy. And Willow made me happy most of the time too. And being a part of Pops family made me happy.

See? I wasn't just happy when I played pranks on people. But it certainly helped.

"Generally, yes. You have an hour." He said crossing his arms.

"I haven't done anything." Though it wasn't too bad of an idea for me to go do a quickie while I had the chance.

"Pops wanted me to inform all division commanders that we're nearing an island and he will set off towards the island . . . alone. When he goes I'll be in charge. And a direct order, "He gave me this look as if this pertained to me and mostly me. "No one leaves the ship."

"Why are you looking at me like that? Jeez I've got a party to plan."

"Because you are one of the worst order followers on the crew. Sometimes you're worse than the newbies. So what is this I'm hearing about a party?"

"I'm going to throw Willow a surprise party." Though it might not be too much of a surprise with me having said something about it in the hall with her. Well crap. I was still throwing that party, surprise or not.

"What for Ace?"

"She's getting Pops mark, taking the final step of officially being a part of the family."

I couldn't help but smile. I was so glad. Granted that a tattoo doesn't make you a family member but it marks you as Pops and it shows your loyalty to him, which Willow had been after the first week, after she had adjusted to her new life. So this was really a long time coming for her even though she had only been here for several months.

"But wait Marco I've got a hypothetical type of question." I said stopping him as he began walking off. When he stopped I began looking around, damn the floor and my boots and that knot in the wall were suddenly so interesting. I wondered if that was even the correct word for what I was about to ask. I was only going to ask it once and I was going to ask only Marco. I mean I think that the word was the right word. I felt myself frowning, knowing that Willow would know for sure, she had a thing with words and knowing them and their meanings. She was like a dictionary without all of the hard work. But thank god she didn't use her broad and very extensive vocabulary often.

"You do?" He raised an eyebrow not masking the shock in his voice.

I nodded waiting for his consent to continue asking, to make sure that he was listening and that it was ok to even ask away like I was planning on doing. But his silence annoyed me and I just started asking my question wondering why I was even worried about Marco listening, he'd listen to me like it or not, or if I had anything I wanted to talk about. . .not that I had to talk to him about things much. . . that was more of a girl thing. But I admit if I needed something he was usually the first one I went to, one of the first people that I sought out.

"Um . . . well would it be weird if I had . . . um let's say this person liked someone more then . . . I-they like-" I shook my head. Ok this was stupid, not very productive and too obvious. "Never mind man. Come on and help me get everyone on the deck. Cole won't take too long with Willow's tat."

Marco let out a chuckle with a shake of his head. "And here I thought something serious and sensible was about to come from your mouth."

"Sorry to disappoint." I grinned and clapped, "Come on, get to it."

With a roll of his eyes he said 'ok' and continued on his way. I gathered up my division and most of the crew for 'some big surprise' but none of them knew what that big surprise was yet. The crew wasn't the only thing that I brought up to the deck. Barrels of rum and most of the glasses we had were brought up to the deck as well.

"Ace." Pops said stopping me, a large sake cup was half way lifted up to his mouth and though his voice had been slightly stern there was a small smile on his face. "What's the occasion son?" He asked.

I looked up at him with a huge smile, something that I could hardly stop doing. Really I couldn't help it. "You'll see."

He gave me a look and sat back with the words, "This had better be good boy."

"Oh it will be."

Now all I-we- had to do was wait. That was going to be soooooooo hard. We occupied ourselves with mindless chatter and people almost nonstop asking me what was with the big grin on my face or what I had done to make me so happy. I'd just smile even wider and told them they'd have to wait and see.

And finally the door leading below the deck slammed open and a voice- Cole's voice- shouted, "And now the new and improved guess of honor. . . Willow!"

We all stood there watching the doorway, waiting in suspense that was building to a point that it was almost painful. We all waited to see how Willow was new and improved- though I already knew how, or had more of an idea then the rest of the crew. But she didn't emerge, nothing happened, no one stirred, and not a sound was uttered.

Cole let out an annoyed growl that was audible to us all. She held up her index finger and reached into the darkness saying, "This isn't a fairytale ball girlie. No one really cares if you're made up or not." No one could hear what Willow said in response but we could all hear Coles answer to whatever she had said, "You're the one who chose your hand, with less flesh and more bone. The bonier the place the more painful it's going to be, that's just how tattoos work. No one's going to notice that you cried because they'll be too happy celebrating with drinks and stuff. Besides Fire Fist will give anyone a black eye if they make you cry anymore."

Everyone's attention went from the doorway to me. Some had arched eyebrows, looks of surprise or heads cocked like curious puppies or Luffy when he didn't understand something. But all of their expressions were the same, asking the same few questions, all except Izanagi, who was pouting, with a very swollen black eye.

"B-but now everybody knows." A voice grumbled, turning our attention back to the black doorway and the now slowly emerging girl.

"My bad. Now show them the tat. Act like you love it at least."

When the door leading below deck slammed closed, blocking Willows escape, everybody swarmed one of two things. A) They went straight to Willow or B) they got themselves a glass first and then went to see Willow and her tattoo.

I grabbed two glasses, filled them to the brim and pushed my way through the thick crowd that surrounded her. Once I reached Willow I pushed the glass into her hands before slapping her on the back and congratulating her. But instead of drinking the rum, instead of merrily gulping it down she stared at it.

"One won't kill ya." I told her.

She looked up at me with a startled expression, as if she had been deep in thought or something like that. "Y-you sure?"

I flashed Willow a smile, which was enough to convince her that occasionally sipping it when I looked at her wouldn't be too bad.

After a few hours of celebration Pops silenced the crew by simply clearing his throat. He made an announcement about how we wouldn't dock at the next island that we'd reach in like a weeks' time, that he would go alone and he'd take only one day to take care of business. No one was to leave the ship, let alone actually step foot on the island. And when he said all of that, I swear that he was talking to me.

But then he lifted his sake cup and with a nod smiled at Willow, who stood slightly behind me said, "To my daughter Willow." Before he took a long swig from the glass.

Almost instantly the celebration picked up exactly where it had been stopped.

/

/

/

A/N:

Ok so this chapter is out sooner than it should be but it's a lot shorter than usual and for that I apologize. However the next few chapters are going to be really long so they sort of make up for this really chapter.

Feedback. Thoughts. Opinions. Constructive criticism is all welcome and very greatly appreciated.