Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece

A/N: Please read my one-shot Tacit, Candy Pink before reading this.

Two Years Ago - I

…

On a quiet night in the Grand Line, bad things usually happened. Whether that be on some random island being terrorized or in the sea where a battle was going on. People were suffering. Strange and awful things happened every night and most people lived their lives without a care for it. Ignoring the problem. He was the same. At least, he used to be. But, right now that didn't matter because for some inexplicable reason he was thinking about things that happened long ago. Any other day, he'd close his eyes and shrug it off. Let it plague him until his thoughts were tired of playing, until his memories were tired of running around the track that was his mind, until they allowed him peace. But, when imagination ran in the dead of night where he didn't have anything else to focus on but those thoughts, the result was only one.

He couldn't sleep.

Sabo sighed into his pillow, burrowing his face within its feathery softness. It was cold tonight, but his torso was bare and his blanket was thrown haphazardly over his waist as he lay face down against the mattress. His metal pipe and hat sat at the foot of his bed. Nearby, should he ever need them. A half empty bottle of liquor stood on the nightstand. His liquid courage. He was tempted to get up and take a swig, but ultimately decided against it as he closed his eyes once more in an attempt to sleep.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

He clicked his tongue and peeked out from the pillow as the door opened, before he could even ask what the damned visitor wanted. Light from the hallway cast a straight white line of light, invading the room and illuminating his body as it attacked his eyes with deadly precision. He stayed in his position as the sight of a woman with light blonde hair covered by an orange beanie hat entered. She donned a frilly top with a large bowtie and pumpkin shorts.

He didn't know she was back.

"Is something wrong?" Sabo asked, then as an afterthought, "When did you get back?"

"They told me you've been moping," she said, completely ignoring his questions. She took out a newspaper and threw it at him. "Read it, Chief."

"I'm not Chief yet," he muttered.

Nevertheless, the revolutionary "chief" sat up, rubbing his head and taking the newspaper with an irritated sigh. He squinted his eyes, barely making out the words on the paper because of the dim lighting. But when he caught sight of the headline his fists clenched and he lowered his head, not letting her see the tears of relief that had begun to fall. So… Luffy was okay? Thank god. He could relax somewhat. He had been out breaking things, yelling and locking himself up for the past two weeks since the war of the best, but now that he knew about Luffy. Now that his little brother had shown up once more, he could calm down and properly mourn over Ace.

"Are you crying?" She asked.

With an arm, he rubbed furiously at his eyes. He had, for a moment, forgotten that she was there. "O-Of course not!"

She was grinning, he just knew she was.

She leaned her head against the door's frame, watching as he tried to compose himself. His brother had died before he had the chance to tell him that he was alive and now he had just found out that his last living sibling was still breathing. She had no doubts that this time, despite his position as soon to be second, Sabo would go to his brother to protect him whether Luffy called for his help or not. Losing someone you loved was never a pleasant feeling.

"It's a shame. I wish I could stay longer and watch you mope," she said with a small smile in his direction. Not like he could see it.

"Shut up!" He yelled, scrunching up his face and puffy eyes. It made him look less attractive, but she supposed a look like that was good every once in a while. She was glad to see it, before she left. They could speak over the DenDen Mushi, but they wouldn't be meeting again. At least, not for a long while.

"Boss gave me the 'okay,'" She said with a shrug, moving from her spot and standing in her usual slouch. "So, I'll be heading out now, Chief."

"Ah," he lifted his tear stained face in surprise as if only now registering that she'd be leaving. So, she had come to say goodbye to him? That was just like her. "Thanks for coming to see me." He tried his best to grin at her, but his tears of relief from the news ruined it.

"Everyone's worried about you," she scolded. "You're their soon to be Chief, you know? You can't do that."

"I know that," he muttered, pouting.

"As long as you know…" She smiled and placed a hand on his door, getting ready to close it. "I'll see you when I see you, Chief."

"Kuni." He called, "Don't be an idiot."

"I should be saying that to you." She said with a frown. "Be careful and think things through. When you're out doing whatever you want, you trouble others."

"I do think though," he said, mock angry. His grin gave him away.

"Yes, yes." She waved her hand side to side, as if brushing the topic away. "I know you do."

"You don't sound like you know," Sabo argued. His face suddenly cleared, going back to his more serious side. The side that paid attention to every detail. The side that shouldn't be making small talk as an excuse to avoid the thought of another leaving his side. At least this time it wasn't permanent. But with no one out there to protect her that wasn't permanent might not hold true. "Call for help and I'll come running."

"You know I can't do that," Kuni said, somewhat happy by his words.

"You can and you will." Sabo said with finality.

She shrugged, carelessly. "Alright then, I will."

That was a lie.

And they both knew it.

A lie to get him to shut his mouth and let her leave already. Sabo didn't call her out on it though. It would only cause more problems and more delay. She was already running late. Rushing was never good. She'd end up making mistakes if she was too hasty and they couldn't have that.

"I want reports every three days," Sabo said in an attempt to get her to stay longer. He didn't want her gone. Not that he'd ever voice that thought out loud. She was one of his subordinates. He was selfish, but not to the point where he'd monopolize a woman's time and life. Hack had told him that, in his case, not taking what he wanted was a bad thing. Something about missed chances. Sabo didn't quite know what the fishman meant by that though. "And I want you to tell me your exact location every twelve hours."

She nodded and with one last confident grin, "I'll see you, Chief."

"Yea," he nodded, ignoring the chief title. He wanted to say more, but he bit his tongue and swallowed the words. Vile and bitter. It ran down his throat like poison. "See ya."

They shared one more smile.

Kuni closed his door, sealing him back in darkness. Alone once more with his thoughts, but they weren't as bleak as they once were. If he tried, this time he might be able to fall asleep. He didn't try though. There was no sleep to be had tonight. She was gone. Sabo listened until Kuni's footsteps had long faded and he stared down at the picture of his little brother on the newspaper, holding his trademark strawhat to his chest. Sabo was somewhat amazed that Luffy was able to take such good care of the headwear, his little brother was usually more careless with his belongings.

"Hey, Luffy." He said to the paper. No. To air. "I hope nothing bad happens."

A fool's notion.

A/N: New series and as always for my new stories, this is a dual chappie release. I'm trying something new in this fic, straying from my usual One Piece type of writing, so I hope everyone enjoys it. This fic will be short, fifteen chapters at most. Events will be quick and skimmed through because I want the fic short. You won't be seeing Koala and the others a lot, this fic will mostly feature Sabo. As you'll soon see in upcoming chapters.

Want previews and more info on this fic? Visit my LIVEJOURNAL. You can find the link on my profile. If you're gonna leave a comment, please write your FF penname somewhere in the body of the comment.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!