Newbie's Skill

Thirty-Two

After Ace found who he was looking for, he fought against him, won, and saved his life from his own machine. Then, we said our farewells to the Straw Hat Pirates and left. We were currently on Ace's flame boat. I kinda liked this thing.

"I hope they'll be okay," I murmured. Ace hung over my shoulders lazily.

"Luffy won't let anything bad happen to them. You still wanna go back to Pops?" I nodded my head with begging eyes. He kissed my cheek and smirked.

"All right, then. Here we go." We took off, and I waved bye to the little seal warriors and my lizard friend over Ace's shoulder. Our chests were pressed up against each other, and I hugged him. "You all right?" I nodded into his chest. "I should have gotten you some ice cream for having to deal with all of this," Ace chuckled. I pouted at him. "I'll bring you some when I come back. Sound good?" I smiled up at him in agreement.

"Okay," I grinned.

"You are so innocent and sweet. It makes me want to cry sometimes."

"You're so dramatic," I chuckled.

"I see the Moby Dick up ahead."

"So soon?" I gave him my puppy eyes, and he chuckled.

"I'll only stay for a few days until you settle back down, but then I gotta go." He smiled down at me with that big brother look when my face lit up. He left his boat down on the sea, and he grabbed me, jumping up onto the ship. I laughed when he landed while he tickled me. I saw Pops' head turn in our direction immediately.

"Ace. Ashlo."

"I'm not staying long," Ace frowned. I didn't like that look on him. It made him look upset, and I didn't want him to feel that way. "I'm only here to make sure Ashlo gets settled."

"My stupid son," Pops sighed. I caught sight of Marco, but he was talking to someone else. My smile came back, and Ace nudged me towards my other big brother. I grinned up at him before I took off to the other side of the ship. Marco had barely turned before his arms were full with me, and I almost knocked him over.

"Geez, Kid. You almost gave me a heart-attack there. Where'd you come from?"

"The West Blue," I teased. He rolled his eyes, but he nevertheless took me into his arms more. "Me miss you," I mumbled.

"I missed ya, too, Bud."

"I brought him back just like I promised," Ace called. All eyes looked to him. "I also saw my kid brother in Alabasta."

"Oh yeah?" Marco asked. "And how was that reunion?"

"Smoother than I anticipated," Ace shrugged. He glanced at Pops. "I'm sorry about this, Pops."

"I know you mean well." Marco walked towards Ace and Pops with me still latched onto him. "Welcome back, my son," he said, placing a gentle hand on my head and messing it up gently.

"This kid wouldn't stop crying for you, Pops," Ace chuckled. I glared at him for throwing me under the bus. Pops simply laughed.

"Let the boy be," Pops smiled. "He'll grow out of it." I pouted up at Marco, and he just gave me a smile.