His head hung low, his wrists were bound with seastone shackles that zapped him of his energy. Currently he was reflecting on how he got here. How Blackbeard had murdered his friend Thatch, stolen the devil fruit that Thatch had found, consumed it and gained powers that by Ace's observation made him nearly impossible to defeat. The man could now manipulate gravity itself! Of course the scoundrel had also spouted off that he was tracking Luffy, and had the audacity to invite Ace to join them on their hunt. He had declined without hesitation, there was no way he'd go against his little brother.
He was pretty quiet until he saw silvery blonde hair from the corner of his eye, he then saw her standing directly in front of him. She wore a short sleeved kosode, and shortened hakama which gave the appearance of her wearing a skirt. Her feet were bare except for the wooden sandals that were currently on them. Her hair was in its usual half up style, he didn't have to look to know that he large silver barrette was holding her hair in place. He'd also learned that silver barrette held a concealed dagger that she would use in fights to surprise her opponents
She still had the red scarf around her neck, tied with a loose knot. on her obi was badge that held some sort of Asian characters he couldn't quite read.
He gave a small smile, realizing what she had once told him during their journeys together, "am I dying?"
"No. But that black hole wielding maniac nearly took you out of the picture," she answered. She shook her head as she looked to the shackles, and cursed the fact that she hadn't used the Apex to arrive here. She couldn't free him.
Ace observed her and gave her a broad smile. He tried to push for a cheerful demeanor while he advised her, "I know that look. You have to do something you don't really like to do because of your organization."
"I'm not allowed to intervene," she acknowledged. She sat down on the stone floor in front of him, her legs pulled up to her chest as she continued, "I tried to get authorization, but they won't allow it. The most I can do is be with you until your scheduled time—then I have to leave and someone will be there afterwards. I don't know who."
He nodded his head in understanding, but decided to change the topic. He'd rather not think about his upcoming execution, and he didn't want her visit tainted with her melancholy feelings over that fact.
"I'm sorry. You helped me in so many ways, you don't even know. But when it's the other way around, I'm useless," she apologized.
"Nah. This is a pretty good distraction. If I'm honest that's all I'm hoping for right now. I wouldn't call that 'useless'. So, how about you come over here and hug me? Then we can catch up," he countered.
Her eyes saddened as she explained, "I wasn't permitted to use the Apex to come here. If I tried to hug you, my body would just pass through yours right now. I'm in my natural form—my soul form. Which is also why when they come to talk to you, or check in—"
"Act like you're not here at all. I got it," he assured her. His face fell a little before he pleaded, "could you just try to hug me? It's been two years since we saw each other."
Rina gave a slight laugh as she stood up and approached him, "you haven't changed, Ace."
She gingerly placed her arms near his torso, moving around towards the back, her head turned to the side as she did her best to hug the air around his body, which she figured was the closest she could achieve without actually being able to touch him. For his part, he lowered his head, and moved his face slightly so it was like he was resting his head against hers. It wasn't ideal, but it would do. The affectionate contact was more than he'd had in a while.
He had missed her, if he was being completely honest. After she had left, and Isuka refused him just as he had anticipated she would, he had spiraled until he joined the Whitebeard Pirates. In truth, he had spiraled and even planned to commit an unforgivable sin just so he wouldn't be in the same after life as Rina. He didn't want to admit it, but feeling rejected by both her and Isuka had dug up the feelings he had of abandonment due to his parents deaths.
He smiled a little as he recalled how Whitebeard and his crew had welcomed him, and given him a sense of family. If he could pin point how Whitebeard had saved his life, that's exactly it. He'd taken in a ragtag team of misfits, and gave them a place where they could be part of something greater. He'd gained friends, brothers, and something he'd never had before—a father. Now, he had one of the most important women in his life back for however long he had left in this life. Then, he'd move onto the next life, where, he hoped he'd get to fight alongside her again.
Judging by how long she lingered with this hug, he surmised she had missed him as well. He didn't mind that she was taking her time with it. After a few more minutes she moved away from him. He looked to her with a relaxed smile and thanked her.
She gave a small shrug of her shoulders with a broad smile in response. He knew what that combined gestures meant from her. She had wanted to anyway. A thought occurred to him causing him to ask, "so I noticed you wear that scarf all the time—except maybe when you're sleeping? I don't know. You always went to bed after me and woke up before me—so, what are you hiding?"
She blinked a little before reaching up and unfastening the loose knot. After which the red silken scarf fell away, revealing a circular scar just off center on her neck. His eyes widened at the sight as he inquired, "what happened?"
"A hollow—it was going to kill Toru—I hadn't manifested my blade yet and I thought I had enough time to deflect the attack with kido, but I was wrong. All I had time to do was push Toru back out of the way and take the hit myself," she explained.
Ace's eyes grew wide at the thought of her taking such an injury, but more than that she had managed to survive it.
She picked up the scarf and wrapped it around her neck, securing it with a loose knot as she normally did. She looked to Ace and revealed, "I have many titles: daughter, niece, friend, Lieutenant, and two versions of 'sister', but the title I'm most proud of at this point in my life, is 'big sister'. Toru was the first to grant me that title by joining our family, as such, there's nothing I won't do to protect him if he needs protecting. The same goes for Sora. She may not have given me a new title, but she's the only one I get to call 'sister'."
Ace gave a nod of his head as he admitted, "I'd do the same for Luffy, no hesitation. That kid is the one that's loved me the longest—and if I had to lose that—it'd be worse than dying."
"Exactly," Rina agreed. He gave a small chuckle and began telling her about his travels with Luffy and his crew in Alabasta, while she divulged information about her squad, of which he now knew she was the second highest ranking officer.