Newbie's Skill

Twenty-Three

"I do miss Pops," I muttered. Marco tightened his hold on me. I sighed heavily, looking up at the two Whitebeard Pirates. "I can't go back."

"Why not?" Marco asked.

"I have to find Blackbeard. Not only that, but I ran away. A crew mate can't come and go as he pleases. A captain can't have a crew member that doesn't respect him."

"Ashlo," Ace sighed. "I was just like you when I first came on board. It's scary. We're scary. It's only natural that you're trying to protect yourself. Pops knows that."

"All of my stuff is here." Marco closed his eyes with a chuckle.

"Why don't you travel with Ace. I'll take your stuff back to the ship."

"Tell Pops there's a lot of gold that I've gathered in two months. Not like it's near the amount of one of your bounties, but there's still a lot." I turned to Ryker who smirked at me.

"You still owe me rent, Ash." I waved him off.

"Yeah, yeah. Your pay is in your room."

"Better be, or I'm kicking your ass." He walked upstairs to his room. I sighed dreamily.

"He's so hot when he's feisty." I felt the two older boys look at me strangely.

"What a weird kid you are," Marco laughed.

"I can stay here if you want."

"Nah. You're coming with me." Ace threw me over his shoulder, walking out of the house. Marco simply snickered.

"I'll help pack my boat with your stuff. Then, I'll head back to Pops to tell him the situation."

"Sounds good," Ace grinned. He handed me a pair of pants and boots. "Put these on. They're fireproof. Trust me, you'll need them." I eyed Ace with a look, and he got the gist. He turned around after chuckling a little. I kicked off my shoes, and I pulled off my jeans, pulling on the fireproof pants. Then, I put on the boots. Huh. These were actually comfortable.

"There's not much room, but you're small. I'm sure Ace can handle you." I jumped and almost fell into the water. Someone put a hand on my back, protecting the fall.

"Damn devil fruit users. You shouldn't be on the sea," Ryker scoffed. I laughed along with Ace and Marco.

"All right, Ashlo. You ready?" Ace held his hand out to me, and I smiled, taking it. I got in his flame boat first and he got behind me. "Are you sure you're ready to do this, Kid?"

"Yeah. I'm ready." He put his hands on my hips.

"I'll hang onto you so you don't fall out. I put you up front because the flames go back into the engine."

"Take care of him for me," Ryker called. "He's an idiot, but he's like a brother to me. I trust you guys." Marco and Ace smiled at him.

"Sure. He'll be safe and back on the ship when those two are done."

"Thanks. Take care!"

"Later!" Ace yelled as we took off for Alabasta. Ace then wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his head on my shoulder. "I thought I'd lost you," he mumbled, burying his head in my neck. I swallowed the thick lump in my throat.

"I'm sorry, Ace."

"I know you're scared, and I know you're trying to do what you think everyone else wants. However, I do want you on the ship. Marco wants you. Izo wants you. Pops wants you. You're one of us, and I want you to remember that. Please don't be so reckless with your life. Promise me, Ashlo."

"I promise."