Hey~! Here is the Birthday Special! :) Marco might be a bit OOC, but oh well :D

„I need to hide and do it fast" I whispered as I sneaked around the deck.

I spotted Thatch, so I run to him and jump on his back. I was in my Bengal-form, so it was easy for me.

„Whoa! What the- oh, it's you Cat-chan?" asked the commander.

„Yeah, please hide me" I begged to him and he raised a brow.

„Why? Is something wrong?"

„Well, today is my birthday and my brothers always act like it's a big thing" I shrugged.

„WHAT?!" screamed the brown-haired man and I nearly fell off of his back.

„What's the problem, yoi?" came to us Marco and Ace.

„Today is Cat-chan's birthday!" exclaimed Thatch and the two stared at me.

„Why didn't you tell us?" asked Ace.

„It's not a big deal. It's just another day."

„No, it's not. It's important, yoi" shook his head the blonde.

„Cat~" came the voices from my brothers.

„Oh, no!" I yelled and begun to run again. „Where to hide? Where to hide?" and when I saw Pops, I immediately run to him and hide beside him. Fortunately his form was big enough to cover me. „Pops, please, I am not here" I whispered to him, earning a chuckle.

„Pops, have you seen Cat?" it was Lucas.

„No. I didn't see her all day, why?"

„Today is her birthday!" grinned my brother and went to look for me.

„So, girl, today is your birthday?" muttered Pop to me.

„Yeah. My brothers always make a fuss about it. I don't understand what the deal with it is. It's just another day."

„Why are you saying that?" wondered the captain.

„It's making me uncomfortable. I don't know how to answer to their greetings and a simple 'Thank you' doesn't seem to enough" I explained to him.

„Ah, I see. Well, my children sure will make a bigger fuss than your brothers!" laughed at me Whitebeard.

„Great. Are you not going to save me?"

„Gurararara, no."

„Thanks, Pops."

„Anytime, daughter."

I successfully avoided my brothers. I knew it was rude from me, but I just didn't get well the greetings, like I said to Pops. It made me uncomfortable and I felt that I couldn't give anything in return. I kept my Bengal-form all day, so I sneaked around easily. With a sigh I headed to my room, but when I stepped in, Marco stood there.

„I thought you'll come, yoi" smiled at me and I shifted back to human. His smile still sent butterflies into my stomach.

„Can I do something for you?" I tilted my head.

„Come with me."

„It doesn't sound good. Why?"

„It's your birthday, after all, yoi."

„Yeah, but-"

„It's your birthday. With us." my eye widened at the realisation.

It was true. For them, it was important, because they cared about their nakamas and their feelings. I felt horrible and I deserved it.

„Oh, God! I am so sorry! Marco, I didn't mean that way, it's just… you guys are so great, that it feels like we know each other from the beginning.I-" he silenced me with a hug and the blush immediately came up to my face.

„We are nakamas and everything about you important to us, yoi."

„Thank yo- KYAAAAAA!" with a swift moment, the commander threw me over his shoulder and begun to walk. „Marco, put me down!"

„No."

„Marco."

„Cat."

„I said put me down."

„And I said, no, yoi."

„You wanted to me to feel guilty, don't you?" I hissed at him, while I was beating his back.

„It worked" I could hear that he was smirking.

„I hate you, big blue chicken."

„Big blue chicken? I don't like the nickname."

„So what?"

He didn't answer, instead put me down and turned me around. We were in the diner, but there was nothing.

„Why are we here?"

„Well, I want to give you a present, yoi" came closer the blonde and I moved back, until I hit a table.

„W-what are you talking about?" I gulped and the blush came back.

„Oh, you know" whispered while he towered above me.

„I-"

„HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" jumped out everybody from under the tables, nearly causing a heart-attack. I stared at Marco, while he laughed at me, but my expression changed into a bitter and disappointed one.

„Happy Birthday, Cat!" hugged me my brothers, so I pushed my feelings back and turned my attention to them.

„Thank you and I am sorry for avoiding you" I squeezed them.

„Forget it" they grinned and the pirates hugged me as well. I realized, it wasn't as uncomfortable as at home. I felt their happiness and it caused me to be happy as well.

„Thank you so much" I wiped the tears from my eye and we the party started.

The party was awesome! Everybody danced and drunk, the air was full with cheer and humour.

„So, Cat…How old are you exactly?" came the question from Ace and everybody looked at me.

„Ace. It's a rather rude question to a woman" I laughed.

„I am just curious."

„Well, there is nothing to hide about my age. I am 22."

„I thought you are younger" blinked Thatch.

„Take it as a compliment" suggested Haruta.

„Well, thank you" I grinned.

The party lasted 'till dawn and most of the crew were sleeping. I stood on the desk, nearly my room, but I just didn't want to go back, because the feeling of the loneliness might find me again.

„Did you enjoy the party, yoi?" I heard Marco's voice.

„Yes, it was amazing. I am happy, that I am one of you guys" I smiled and a shivered from the wind.

„I didn't get the chance to say 'Happy Birthday', so Happy Birthday, yoi."

„Thank you."

„Would you turn around?"

I did as he asked and he held out to me a long box. I looked at him and raised a brow.

„It's for you, yoi."

I took it and opened the box; my breath stopped for a moment when I saw what was inside: a silver necklace with a beautiful azure blue teardrop pendant. I stared at it for God knows how long, but a light chuckle caused me to tear my attention from it.

„Marco, it's…wow…it's beautiful… I-I don't know what to say, a simple thank you is not enough…" I whispered.

„Are you let me put it on, yoi?"

Without a word I took the necklace, gave it to him and turned around. He pushed my hair aside and put the jewel around my neck.

„Perfect" he muttered after I turned back to him.

„It's amazing" I said while I played with the pendant.

„I know a way to thank me, yoi."

„Really? How?"

He took my hand and pulled into his chest. He put two fingers under my chin and tilted my head back a little. My heart was beating so fast, I was afraid, he might hear it.

He didn't say anything, just lowered to me and put his lips on mine. The fire awakened in me after a moment of shock and I answered to the kiss. My hands found their way to embrace him, while his hands laid on my waist. He licked my lips and I immediately let him to take over the domination. It was an amazing kiss and gave me the feeling like nobody had kissed me before. We parted when we needed air and I just stared into the light blue orbs. He watched me with a soft expression and my blush darkened.

„I hope you were enjoying your birthday, yoi" he said while he was giving me light kisses all over my face.

„Best. Birthday. Ever."