You sigh, rolling onto the couch and sighing. You were beat, sorting material used more muscle power than you were used too. A knock sounds on your door and you sigh before getting back up and going to the door. As you open it up, you're greeted by a beautiful blue eye.

           “___,” She smiles, stepping into your apartment and giving you a hug.

           “Reiju,” You greet hugging her back.

           “Hey beautiful!” Her red haired brother comes in with their blue haired brother.

           “Ichiji, Niji what brings all of you here?” You nod to them.

           “Car broke down near by. Sis said you can fix it.” Niji hums, putting an arm around your neck. “So… About that date.” He smiles with a husky tone.

           “What date?” You move away from him, opening the hall closet to retrieve your towing rope.

           “Don't waste your breath bro. She likes me more anyway.” Ichiji rumbles.

           “I do?” You quirk an eyebrow as you close the closet door.

           “Do you need any help?” Reiju asks.

           “Um…” You peer at her brothers. “Did Sanji come along by chance?” You question her lightly. Ichiji and Niji scowl at that.

           “He's with the car on Milestone.” She assures.

           “Awesome. You guys can relax here I'll be back.” You smile going out at that. You walk down the block to Milestone street. You smile as you spot the blond. He grins, coming over to take the rope from you, pausing when you hug him warmly.

          “___, I'm glad we broke down nearby… I've missed you.” He rumbles as you both move to hook the rope to the car. “Still no truck?”

          “Still in debt Sanji. But one day.” You breathe, adjusting the  ropes before nodding to Sanji to let up the brakes.

          “Let me pull it this time.” He frowns.

          “Oh I can't let you do that your highness.” You hum. He pouts at you now and you look away. “Come on Sanji, I need to get stronger for work anyway.”

          “Fine…” He grumbles going to let up the brakes. You start to pull with Sanji at the wheel, also pushing from the drivers side. “So how's working at the forge with all of the… Dwarves?” He inquires.

          “It's good. I'm not doing much yet but I'm learning at least.” You comment. “My trainer is pretty cool.”

          “Didn’t you say that Zoro guy was cool? I don't think our definitions are the same.” He says.

          “Zoro is cool, you two just happen to get along like oil and water.” You chuckle.

          “Well… I'm glad you like it. I hope the dwarves aren't being too difficult again.” He comments.

          “Actually these ones are more stubborn, prone to the old ways. But thats okay. You know I love a challenge.” You chuckle, the thought giving you a boost of energy.

         “I do love that about you.” He chuckles.

         Soon you reach your garage, easing the car in so you can get to work on it. Sanji stays on standby in case you need help though he knew you'd never ask for it. You loved working on cars, fixing them and all that. Seeing how everything went together was therapeutic in a way.

          "You look so happy when you're covered in oil and grease." Sanji marvels. You toss him a grin.

          "It's been awhile since I got to work on a car." You hum sheepishly, taking out the piece that needed fixed. You look it over and him taking it to your mini forge and reworking the metal. "There we go." You take it back, putting it back in before adjusting some other parts. "That should do it." You close the hood before nodding to him to start the car. He does so and it comes to life with a nice rumble.

            "So fast.." He blinks in surprise.

           "I'll go get them." You grin heading upstairs and going in. "Your carriage is fixed your Excellency." You give a bow when they look over.

           "You're the best." Reiju smiles, touching your cheek. "You must come by the mansion soon."

           "Ah you know your dad doesn't like me." You chuckle.

          "Who cares what he thinks." Niji rumbles. "You look good even when you're all dirty."

           "Please go now." You deadpan making Ichiji chuckle, leading his brother out. Reiju slips a bundle of money in your hand.

            "Take care my friend." She whispers before leaving. You look at the door before counting the money as usual she liked to give you more than needed.

           "Almost enough to pay half my debt." You smile taking it to your room and putting in your 'DEBT' Piggy bank. You pat the glass pig's head before grabbing some clothes and heading to the shower. Tomorrow is a new day.

           "Franky!" You call to the half elf, running up to the bus as he gets on. He looks back just as the doors close. "Damn." You grit your teeth. You check the street, brain scrambling. You couldn't be late already! A car stalling catches your ear and you look over as a raven haired elf gets out of his car with a scowl. You smirk briefly before hurrying over.

            "Hey, you having car problems?" You ask him quickly. The elf looks at you, gold eyes already judging you. "I can fix this for free right now. If you can take me to the infernal forge." You bargain, nerves bouncing slightly. He watches you for a moment before sighing and popping the hood for you.

             "Fine. I work at the hospital next to it anyway." He says, pausing when he looks up finding you already half in the engine. You swiftly find the problem, thankfully an easy fix. You soon lean back out giving him a nod. He blinks in surprise before trying to start his car. It purrs into life and you smile as you close the hood, swiftly getting in the passenger seat.

             "Phew. That was lucky." You grin as he blinks at you in awe. He soon shakes his head, driving off at that.

             "You're quick, and that's appreciated." He breathes.

             "Thanks, it was an easy fix though," You tell him. Peering at him, elves weren't really your favorite, but damn they were beautiful elegant creatures. This one in particular really was something to look at. "Glad we could help each other doctor."

             His eyes glint to yours briefly, a small smirk curling his lips. "It was lucky. I saw you miss your bus." He looks ahead. "Why are you heading to the forge? Are they giving tours now?"

             "Actually I work there." You grin. "Just started."

             "So now they let humans forge with dwarves…." He mutters. Your grin falls to a smirk, watching him. It was a reaction you had been expecting really. But then he smirks again and meets your gaze. "Good luck then. It can't be easy for you."

             "Uh…" You blink dumbfounded. "Thanks…" You manage and look away. The car soon stops in front of the factory and you get out, handing him your card. "Thanks. Maybe I can help you again sometime."

             "Maybe… May I have a second one for my son Law?" He inquires.

             "Sure. Have a good day." You cheerfully hand him a second one before heading into the forge.

           "You're early." Kid comments as you reach his level.

           "I caught a ride with someone when I missed the bus." You shrug, looking over the parts coming in. They looked the same but distinctly different. "These are new."

           "I was wondering if you'd notice. These are the loaders for a secondary gun on them." Kid informs as he gets started. You nod as you start sorting.

           Before long there is a deafening clang, making the forge shake. You and Kid look up, as the forge's glow intensifies.

           "Looks like a clog." You and him say together." You blink and look at him as he glances at you, turning off the assembly line.

           "Come on, we have to evacuate until the recovery team fixes it." He says going past. You follow after him, looking back at the forge briefly. He takes you to a bunker like area where other workers had gathered.

          "___! You made it!" Franky grins coming over.

         "I got here before you actually." You smirk. "A car stalled nearby so I fixed it to get a ride here."

         "Heh, thats your super luck." He chuckles thoughtfully.

         "Right? And he was a doctor, took two of my business cards." You boast happily.

         "Good for you." He grins before peering at Kid who had moved to another group. "How's training?" He murmurs so others wouldn't overhear.

         "Easier than expected. You?" You respond just as quietly. He makes a face you knew well. "You got that type huh? You come over after work. We'll do the same as the college." You hold up your forearm to him. He takes hold of it, nodding in determination.

          "Teamwork makes the dream work." He smiles. You nod as you pull away, pausing as someone leans their head on your arm. You look down at Zoro as he yawns.

           "Hey buddy, you stay up again?" You smile, moving your arm letting his head resting against your torso, rubbing his head lightly.

           "I need to find a new place…" He grumbles eyes closed sleepily.

           "I'll check my neighborhood, its quiet." You smile thoughtfully.

           "I like that idea." He hums.

           "He's going to fall asleep if you keep that up." Franky tells you.

           "Right… Sorry, his hair is just so soft." You murmur to him. Franky blinks before carefully touching Zoro's hair.

            'You're right.' He mouthed in awe. You chuckle at the face he makes before looking over as the boss comes in.

           "___ we got a job for you." He announces. The dwarves look at you as you go over to him. The recovery dwarves swiftly start to measure you at that, making you pause.

            "She'll fit." One says.

            "Perfect." Crocodile nods, "The clog is in one of the air shafts." He informs you, "We're going to send you down to dislodge it."

            "Wait." Kid comes over with a frown. "Do you even got protective wear for her? The blocked air can reach 200°."

            "We've got her covered." A recovery dwarf assures. He looks at you, "We would do it ourselves but we've gotten too buff ya see." He adds, flexing for you. You can't help but giggle at that.

            "I see. Then I guess a toothpick like me will have to do." You comment.

            "If you're worried then come along to help pull her back out." Crocodile tells Kid before briskly leading you and the team out. Kid moves to your side with a scowl.

            "I'm flattered." You hum, making him pause and look up at you. "You do care." You tease.

            ".... If they take too long to pull you out you'll come back looking like a cooked pig." He says with a slight smirk as if he were trying to scare you, but all you heard was-

            "Pig huh…" You look away with a small frown.

            "Wait. Don't just pull that out of everything I just said." He objects. You meet his gaze and stick out your tongue making him pause. "You…" His eyes narrow at you.

            "Still worried?" You smile.

            "Get charred, human." He scoffs looking away. You step into the top level and put on the protective gear they had for you. It was a bit tight but you could move about fine.

            "How far down?" You ask as they hook cables to the suit.

            "About fifteen feet." One of them tells you.

            "Good so I should be able to jump straight down without breaking anything, dislodge it by doing so and you guys pull me out as fast as you can." You smile before putting the helmet on.

            "Sure. Still sounds dangerous but I suppose faster is better in this situation." One nods.

             "Alright. Ready?" You ask, looking back as you reach the air shaft. They all give nods, Kid was frowning again. "Don't worry I'll be back before you can say charred human." You wave. He scowl at that and you peer down the dark hole. Swallowing briefly you hop in, letting gravity take you to the clog. Your feet hit the object and you feel it dislodge starting to fall away. But how the do light looked on it, made you grab it quickly as the hot air bursts past you.

         They start to pull you up quickly, you could feel the hot air wrapping around you. Felt like a sona without the steam. Your mind shifts from the temperature to the object you were pulling up with you as more light reaches you. Was this… Your heart stills for a moment as you feel a chill go through you despite the heat.

           Suddenly you are pulled out, falling to the ground you move the object away from you causing everyone to still. "Is that…"

            You remove the helmet, taking in the fresh air as you look at the slightly charred body you had pulled out. An awful scent reaches your nose and you hastily turn away, hand coming over your nose and mouth.

             That poor dwarf…