The Red Haired Devil

Chapter 12

"I'm burning up. I don't even think I can sweat anymore." Luffy complained and Kairi sighed.

"Will you please spare us the melodramatics, Luffy?" Nami asked fanning herself off with her hand. "You're only going to wear yourself out." He groaned. "I guess he's not listening."

"Can't go on." Chopper said laying on a piece of wood while Zoro dragged him. Kairi slowed down til she was behind him and sent a gust of wind at him to try and help cool him off. "Thanks, Kairi."

"No problem. I wish I could do more, but I can only control wind." She replied smiling down at him.

"Can you blow some wind at me too, Kairi?" Luffy asked and Kairi waved her hand causing a gust of wind to hit him and he sighed in relief at the nice breeze.

"I'm still wondering how she can be related to Luffy if she's that nice." Usopp whispered to Zoro and Zoro nodded in agreement. "Kairi, why doesn't the desert bother you?"

"Well, I was born here in Alabasta and I lived here for six to seven years. Also, I'm made of wind so the hot weather doesn't bother me."

"Water..." Luffy complained.

"Just one drink Luffy. Just one mouth full." Nami said and Kairi giggled.

"I hope she realizes he can stretch so one mouth full could be an entire barrel." Kairi whispered and Ace nodded. He took a drink and his cheeks stretched out. Usopp and Nami hit him in the back of the head causing him to spit a lot of it out.

"Don't drink so much!" Nami yelled.

"Idiot!" Usopp exclaimed. "You better save some of that water for Usopp!"

"Hold on, you just had some! I'm next!" Sanji yelled as Sanji, Luffy, and Usopp started fighting.

"Stop it, you guys! You're only going to wear yourselves out if you keep it up." Vivi said. Kairi noticed Ace watching them.

"She started it!" Luffy replied.

"It's your fault!" Nami yelled.

"It's always his fault!" Usopp replied.

***

"I'm so hungry!" Luffy complained as he sat around a fire with everyone else. Kairi stayed sitting next to Ace, the cold getting to her.

"Don't be such a greedy pig. It's still raw." Sanji replied as Luffy ate something not fully cooked. "Don't eat that! Your dinner will be ready in just a minute, Nami."

"Hey, that looks good." Usopp said staring at some of the food.

"Get away from that!"

"Jerk! We're starving!" Luffy yelled. "Give us food!"

"Ace, you're gonna be my heater for the night. It's freezing." Kairi said scooting closer to him and he chuckled.

"Fine by me." He replied putting his arm around her. Kairi felt herself becoming tired as she leaned her head on his shoulder. It wasn't long before she passed out.

Vivi approached Ace. "I suppose you're surprised, aren't you?" She asked and he looked up at her. "I mean by Luffy that is. I have to admit, I was a little surprised too at first. After all, he doesn't seem very much like a pirate captain, does he? I mean, normal pirate captains are respected or feared by their crews. Just this afternoon, a simple drink of water led to that big fight. Well, I think that's just the way Luffy does things. Took me a while to understand that."

"He's been like that as long as I can remember." Ace replied. "He was like that even before we thought Kairi died. He hasn't changed a bit since he was a kid. He seems like a fool, but people have always gathered around him. He may be my little brother, but he has this mysterious charm about him."