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Summary:
In his last minute effort to save his brother, Ace never thought that there is more to his flames. Before he knew it, he was sent somewhere far from the place he was supposed to die to a pair of bluest eyes he has ever seen. Ace X Fem Naruto.

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Author's note:
Me, Ziggy and Ace-chan would like to thank the following that previously reviewed the last two chapters :) Kisses and hugs to Darklife21, ShikiNamikaze, idea . getthe, Mikefreee, RosemaryThief and Alpha & omega23.

Oops… Ah yes, this chapter is a little OOC or fluffy, somehow.

Being a grown woman who had no other human contact in the last few years since the battle, Naru-chan may be a bit of a desperate one especially if she learned that Ace also felt the same way.

In this story, I changed Naruto's age closer to Ace's. Approximately, Ace is 22 (after the two-year time skip) while Naruto is 21 years old. So when Naruto found Ace, he is 20 years old and she is 19. Uh. Yeah, right.

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D's Orange Will
By: Zelga Lim Li

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Chapter 3 - Divergence

Her point of view…

It's been two years since Portgas D. Ace came barging into her life. He was… another wounded soul that needed healing.

Technically speaking, he is still not talking about one particular part of his past.

But… Naruto already knew of his brothers. Even though they do not share the same blood, the bond they have is special. Ace said that it is one of his most important treasures.

Then there are the people who raised him.

His own pirate crew. The Whitebeard pirates.

His dreams. His adoptive father's own dreams.

His fears. Insecurities. Well, he really didn't say them out loud. She just felt them. It was almost similar to her own childhood. That's why they get along so fine.

As she ponders on these things, Naruto knew that it is only a matter of time before her feelings for the wayward pirate changes. But knowing her cluelessness about certain things, maybe it already began.

It was really hard not to fall for this guy.

He is way so different from that person and even if they 'almost' share the same characteristics, Ace is…

"It's almost dawn. Why aren't you sleeping, Naruto?" Ace murmured behind her. His arms snaked closer, pulling Naruto towards his own body. She could feel his breath at the nape of her neck. Despite this intimacy which at first earned a few blushes from her end to his end, Naruto felt like she belong in his arms. She turned around and snuggled closer towards his warm embrace, Naruto smiled to herself as Ace tightened his hold.

Ace is like the missing part of her.

"Nothing…" Placing a soft kiss on his chin, Naruto took a whiff of Fire Fist's natural scent that earned a chuckle from the man himself. Even if he is the physical manifestation of fire, he smells like the ocean with a tinge of Ace's own distinct smell that she had no problems at tracking even from miles away.

"Naruto…" Removing one of his arms around her and placed them under his head to elevate his gaze as he look at her closely, Ace glances towards her with that almost familiar look in his eyes. His other hand caressed her back. Spending time with emotionless bastards in her lifetime, she knew how to read their wordless mannerisms.

Pouting her lips to avoid his questioning gaze, Naruto hummed absentmindedly and played with a swirling motion using her fingers on his broad muscled chest particularly on top of the seal that the old Sage gave Ace upon his arrival. It was hidden from plain view unless Ace decided to use a few chakra based techniques that she taught him in their numerous trainings.

The said seal is similar to the old one she used to have when Kurama was still inside of her. Regarding to whose chakra Ace has access to is yet to be determined. What puzzles her the most is the Rinnegan in the center instead of the usual swirl the Uzumaki's often used on their seals.

The man himself did not know that he has the said seal but when she pointed them out during one of their daily exercises, he was initially flabbergasted at the most and ecstatic for the rest upon earning an awesome new tattoo that disappears at will.

"I'm just excited. That's all…" Naruto said, her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Seeing this, Ace gathered the woman closer and held her carefully in his arms. "After everything that has happened, I got the chance to start over and live a new life… Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Ace."

"It was I who should thank you… for saving my life, Naruto…" Ace spoke softly. "For giving me another reason to live life… and appreciate my existence…" Reaching out to touch her face and cupped it lovingly. It was Ace's most tender expression as of date and Naruto melted once more.

"Perhaps we did each other a few favors since we first met," Naruto agreed distractedly. By then the blonde decided at that exact moment when she felt him all over her, holding her close like a delicate piece of treasure, as if she is the most important person in his life. Well, next to his little brother of course. All that matters now is how she's willing to do everything for this man. For him to see how important he is to her life. "And if you ever throw your life away like it was a piece of trash, I will make sure that you'd regret it, understand!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Ace agreed in daze when the blonde started to make her move. His face reddened when the blonde hastily removes her shirt earning a pained moan from the man himself. For that, Naruto smiled seductively. She knew that Ace is still hesitant in taking his claim over her as it was too soon for their newly discovered relationship and only agreed to their current sleeping agreement with a few kisses in between.

However, she isn't the type of person to wait.

Pushing him down on their bed, Naruto leaned down and whispered while tracing his lips with her fingertips. "If you die, I have no more reason on living… so make sure not to leave me alone, okay?" Brushing her lips over his, Naruto took Ace's hand and placed it over her heart. She knew he could feel her heart beating. It was fast and loud. Naruto could even hear it.

Or was it Ace's?

Her musings were cut short when Ace crushed his lips towards her own. Without her noticing, Naruto found herself beneath the said pirate. Pinning her down with that hungry and heated look on his eyes as if he is ready to devour her whole.

Smirking in triumph, Naruto held him closer and returned his kisses passionately.

Lovingly.

Wantonly.

When the need to breath made its presence known, both hesitantly parted ways and Ace looked at her while trying to catch his breath while her eyes smiled encouragingly at him.

Her irritable, self-conscious and beloved pirate.

"Naruto, I…"

"Just shut up and kiss me…" The blonde kunoichi growled at him, pulling him once more. "One more word, and I'll punch you in the face…"

Ace chuckled and nuzzled her neck with his nose, inhaling her unique scent as he slowly traced his sweet hot lips at the expanse of her neck, sucking it gently. Intertwining their fingers above her head, Fire Fist Ace finally lets go.

And all Naruto did in return was accept him with all her heart and soul.

I love you…

I love you too…

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After Naruto pay her respects to her parent's graves, she walks back towards the village where Ace is waiting.

It is time.

All her stuff is already sealed within a few storage scrolls. She even brought enough shuriken and kunais for emergency purposes. Ace did mention that there are some stores in his world that sells these kinds of weapons.

Since she cannot bring her money, she left them inside a jar and draw Gama-chan's face as a reminder. Of course, she'll never know when she would have the chance to visit back. As a precaution, she left some of her father's three pronged kunais scattered everywhere so she would know if their Hiraishin no Jutsu could travel in between worlds.

She is still working on Ace's bluish flames to be incorporated in her special kunai just in case.

A letter was left for Sasuke if he happens to drop by the village informing him where she is. Ace was mum about the said idea and shrugged his shoulders indifferently.

Oh well.

"Ready?" Ace asks.

"Always!" The former Kyuubi no Yoko jinchūriki smiled and grasp the pirates hand in a tight grip. Affectionately, Ace returned her smile and kissed her in the forehead. Thankfully, much to Naruto's relief, the said man is wearing a white coat with orange flame like motif at the edges similar to her father's haori covering his upper body. Not that she is distracted every time she sees him half naked. Instead of the kanji 'Fourth Hokage', Ace requested for Whitebeard's symbol similar to his tattoo to be sewed on its back.

During one of their strolls in Gaara's village while practicing his newfound skill, Ace was able to find an orange hat similar to the one he used to have, minus the smileys. Naruto attached two long orange side straps fastened by a medallion of a red swirl, the symbol of Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki clan's hometown. Ace later learned that it was the village where Naruto's maternal ancestors came from.

Fire Fist Ace grinned and put his arms around her as they walked in silence. Reaching the town proper, second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates procured a ball of blue flames.

Taking a deep mouthful of air, Naruto touched the flames and laughed quietly when she felt its warmth. It wasn't as hot as Ace's other flames.

Facing one another in a hair's breadth, Naruto could feel his closeness. Well, she is looking at his lips and Ace couldn't help himself but smile amusingly at her.

"So, should we start our journey with a kiss as a sign of good luck?" Ace teased his blonde kunoichi.

"Bastard!" Grumbling incoherently to herself, Naruto stepped on Ace's boots and reached out. Might as well take her kiss and be done with it. Her pirate smirked naughtily and kissed her with fervor while letting his flames enveloped them completely.

Seconds later, what was left was a swirling pattern of bluish like flames that is sure to leave a trail of ashes.

Atop the Hokage Mountain, a lone shadow smiled sadly upon witnessing their departure. "If you ever hurt her, I will follow you to the ends of your world and kill you in the worst ways possible, Portgas D. Ace…" The sole survivor of his own clan's demise promised to the winds as he closed his eyes finally letting his tears fall.

Goodbye, Naruto…

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