After Law left, I headed back towards the claw machines, since the whole scene had made me lose my appetite.

My mind wandered aimlessly as I weaved through the crowd.


Suddenly a fluffy mass of black and white was shoved into my face, covering my eyes. "What..?" I spluttered as I spit out pieces of fur. I pulled the object away and took in the sight of a Panda Bear in my arms. Peeking over the bear, I saw Kid standing there, a smug grin on his face.


"You actually got it ?!" I exclaimed in surprise.


The red haired teen stood proudly, "Of course..." he replied as he flashed his sharp teeth.



I opened my mouth to congratulate him but before I could speak, a tremor erupted from the crowd. A blonde, pineapple haired boy bursted through the mass of people. He wore a simple lavender jacket and black shorts. On his chest was a tattoo similar to the one that Ace had, and a sash tied around his waist read 'Disciplinary committee'



"OI!" he shouted to Kid as he stormed over, "YOU CANT GO BREAKING THE GAMES." He snapped as he gestured in the general direction of the claw machines .



Turning, I immediately saw the machine, which now looked more like a crumpled ball of tin. Pieces of glass and other stuffed animals lay strewn across the floor near it...I raised a curious eyebrow at Kid.




"Ok, so maybe I got a bit angry..." Kid admitted grudgingly, "but it's not my fault...the machine was mocking me-"



"That doesn't mean you can go break it!" Interrupted the blonde haired man.



The man's shouting seemed to tick Kid off more. "Don't tell me what I can't do." He growled back as his blood red eyes narrowed.



The blonde wasn't fazed by Kid's fierceness "I'm gonna have to take you in for destruction of school property" he coldly replied as he crouched lower.


In a blinding flash, he charged at Kid, his fist raised high above his head. A cerulean blue flame bursted from his fingers as he swung hard. The fire seemed to engulf everything in its path, and it was heading straight for Kid's unmoving body.





*BANG*





Orange flames met blue, as they consumed each other hungrily. The blazing fire burned fiercely, neither side giving in.



Ace gazed up playfully from under the rim of his hat, "Yo..Marco." he said with his signature grin as he continued to block the attack.


"What are you doing, Ace?" asked Marco in surprise.


I watched as Ace slowly let go of Marco's fist, "Sorry," he apologized as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Then he pointed a thin finger to a very unhappy Kid, "He's my responsibility so I can't have you arresting him....I'll get in trouble then."



Marco let out a frustrated sigh, "You should already be in trouble." he mumbled. " ....Isn't detention still suppose to be going on..hmmm?" He added accusingly.



"Haha....Yeah..." Ace replied as he flashed a sly wink. "But you're a great friend ....so you won't tell right?" He nudged Marco in the stomach as he spoke.



Marco shook his head at Ace"You better feel lucky that I'm such a great friend..."He grumbled as he crossed his arms. Then he lightly punched Ace, "Hurry up.....the others are gonna show up soon."



Ace gave a small salute of gratitude before turning back to us. He grabbed my hand with his right hand and Kid's with his left, "Thanks buddy!," he called back to Marco.



"No more excuses next time...Ace." Marco shouted as Ace literally dragged me and Kid out of the arcade.


~~~~~~~~

(Outside)


The bright sun lightly hit my pale skin, warming it up as Kid and I trudged behind Ace. Kid wore a dark scowl on his face, and Ace was quiet. After a few more steps, he stopped walking.


"That was almost your third strike Kid..." Ace said slowly, with his back turned to us. "You should really learn to control your anger..."



Kid suddenly yanked his hand from Ace's grip, "I don't need your help, scum." He angrily spat, acting like the old Kid. Then he whipped around and stormed off.


Ace watched Kid leave with a disapproving look in his eyes. The atmosphere felt heavy as we watched the red hair disappear down the road.


After a few minutes of silence, I lightly tapped Ace on the shoulder."What did you mean by Strikes?" I asked trying to change the mood.


He turned to me and put on a light grin on , "Well.....when you get a detention, you get a strike." he explained, "Three strikes and your out as the saying goes."


"Out? As in expelled!" I asked in surprise.


Ace laughed at this, "I wish..." He said, "Now That would be the best punishment ever." The comment confused me, but before I could ask, Ace quickly pointed towards the west. I caught sight of the electrified fence that cut through the center of the campus.


"Out means you get sent to the other side" Ace continued, "....or as we like to call it, Living Heeeeell..." His ominous voice rose and fell as he waved his fingers dramatically in the air.


I pushed him gently, "If you're trying to scare me, It's not gonna work" I said in my firmest voice, but I still sounded a bit unsure .


Ace grinned wider, "Sorry, couldn't help it..." he replied.

However, his expression quickly turned solemn , " But Believe me Akira, " he said in a dead serious tone, "The people over here are Paradise compared to the ones over there....."



I felt a shiver run down my back but it was chased away as Ace lightly patted my head, ruffling my dark hair. "Just try not to get into too much trouble." He advised with a playful smirk. Then he tipped his orange hat at me and walked off.


As his raven hair dissaperaed down the road, my eyes returned to staring out at the barren buildings on the other side of the fence...


A Living Hell huh...


~~~~~~~~~~



As I entered the dorm I found Killer reclined on the couch. His hockey mask was sitting on the table. Long blonde hair concealed his eyes, but his wide open and drooling mouth told me that he was sleeping. I quietly tip toed passed him, placing the fluffy panda bear on the table as well.


Where am I suppose to sleep now? I searched for a place as I walked thought the separate rooms. Many of them were filled with mechanical objects and metallic creations. Kid's room was locked, showing that he still hadn't retuned.

At that moment, I heard uneven knocking on our door. I poked my head out of the dorm and into the hallway, expecting Kid. But instead I came face to face with a dazed Luffy. He wore a loose red t shirt and baggy pants. his straw hat hung behind him on his back.


" Luffy?" I exclaimed in surprise, but before I could ask anything, his rubber like hand covered my mouth.


" Shh....Akira." he said in a slurred voice as he placed his other finger over his lip, " I'm ...trying ....to hide ...from Zoro."


"What did you do?" my muffled voice asked through his hand.


Luffy laughed as he started letting out small Hiccups. " I ... .drank..*Hic* all......his ....booze.*Hic*!" he cheered happily, as he tilted precariously to one side. His face was flushed a bright pink from the alcohol, and I could smell the strong scent in his heavy breath.


"Luffy...You're Drunk." I said slowly," Go back to your dorm."

Luffy just nodded absentmindedly as he swayed from side to side. I crossed my arms and looked straight at him., " You have no idea what I'm saying right?.."


" Yeeeeaaahhhh!" he sang back as he spun around, almost falling over. I let out a frustrated sigh before grabbing his hand. He's gonna end up killing himself in this state.


"Which ones your dorm, Luffy?" I asked as I led him down the hallway. Luffy stumbled behind me as he tried to think hard, causing his face to turn even redder.

" 10...6....3" he finally said.



I nodded, gazing at the number plates to reach the room. The door was similar to Kid's.


After Knocking briefly on the it, I turned to Luffy." Don't drink that stuff again...Okay?" I ordered firmly. He nodded and then let a wide grin come to his face.


" Thanks for being a great Nakama, Akira." he said happily. Then his arms wrapped around me suddenly. I was so surprised that I froze in place. He pulled me tight against his chest, allowing a distant heartbeat to enter my ear as I felt warm heat radiate from his body.



It felt good...safe.



Suddenly the door flew open. I heard a clatter and then shouting filled the air." What the HELL'S going on!" shrilled a voice.



I practically leaped out of Luffy's embrace, whipping around to see a seething Nami standing in the doorway.


" Naaaami..." Luffy greeted with a smile, " I was just hugging Akira." he said as he strayed to wobble again, " No big dea-" Suddenly, Luffy froze as he collapsed on my shoulder. Quiet snores came from his motionless body as he leaned against me.


I felt the air grow even colder.


I turned frantically to Nami," It's not what it looks like....Luffy's Drun-"

*SLAP*


The cold sting burned my cheek as Nami's hand made contact. My instinct told me to fight back, but the small tears that were streaming from her eyes made me stop.


In that moment, I saw it all: Liking a guy who didn't return the feeling, and then seeing him hug another girl that he just met...


" Nami, I'm sorry." I said, my hands limp by my side.


" Shut up, Akira." Nami snapped back, as she whipped the tears away quickly.

Then her expression hardened, turning into one that was completely devoid of emotions ," You just made the biggest mistake of your life." She said in a low voice.

*BANG*

The door slammed shut in my face as the roof to reverberated from the force.


I was left there standing in the silent hallway with a sleeping, drunk Luffy on my shoulder.


Now what do I do?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Gonna end it here...^_^


so yeah, gotta love those misunderstandings, :P

But Nami's only being mean because she really likes Luffy....

So who supports them getting together? Comment below :)


Anyway, vote, comment and share

And a big Thanks you to everyone who reads this story. ^_^