Hello everyone!

I'm finally back again! I'm so sorry about the extremely long break, but now when schools over I'm finally fit for fight and ready to deliver a kick-ass story to you! Hopefully, you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.

I just want to warn you slightly, that there might be some minor character-spoilers for those of you whose not up to date with the airing episodes. I hope and don't think it's a major problem, since this story really has nothing to do with the canon, but I still want to warn you.

I also want to apologize beforehand for any bad English, grammar or spelling.

Disclamier: I do not own the characters of One Piece.

And now, without further ado, the story about a young Crocodile and an even younger Doflamingo!

Chapter 1

The young man, barley over his teenage years, whistled happily while twirling a strawhat on his forefinger. He had a feeling that this day would be just great. He was walking towards his hometowns harbor. The town wasn't big, but it was his home. He would miss it, and he would probably come back visiting when he had the chance. But right now, the world was waiting for him to do wonders. He stepped inside the harbor area and looked around. There wasn't much moving around, but something floating in the water in front of him.

"Woah!" The man shouted in delight, grabbing his hat in a firmer grip so he wouldn't lose it to the waves.

"Hm?" a sleepy voice came from the deck below him.

"Hey, that's a nice ship!"

A man, in probably his late thirties or early forties, looked up at the grinning teenager up on the doc. He had a hip flask on his right hand, the other arm behind his head as a pillow.

"It's stolen. My house burned down, so I'm living here now."

"Is that so?" The young man asked with a face shining of happy mischief. "That's cool! What's your name?"

"Rayleigh" the man introduced himself.

"I'm Roger" the young man said and put the strawhat on his head. "This must be faith Rayleigh, meeting you like this."

"Faith?" Rayleigh asked with a slight interest.

"Do you want to turn the world upside down with me?"

There was a moment of silence before Rayleigh bursts out laughing.

"The world? HAHAHA what the hell? Who are you and where are you from? Piss off!"

But the young man named Roger didn't move a muscle. He stayed still in front of the sitting man with the grin still attached to his face.

"Your ship is small, but it looks like it can make it through a storm if you handle it right. Just perfect for us to set sail in!"

"What do you mean us? Don't decide for me what to do! Why would I join you anyway?" Rayleigh said with a sigh when the annoying kid didn't disappear.

"Like I said!" Roger said again and jumped down on the boat. "We're gonna turn the world upside down. So come on, Rayleigh! Let's set sail!"

The blonde teen wrapped his jacket closer around his body. The air had gotten colder lately as autumn seemed to approach very fast this year. Four red earrings, two in each ear, jingled in the wind and people turned their heads slightly to look and the tall male passing them on the street. He didn't mind the stares, he was used to it and he secretly enjoyed them. He was a remarkable young man after all. His height was tall for someone his age and people always thought he was at least five years older than his seventeen years. He also had good look and decent grades. He knew he could nail straight aces if he put some effort in it, but he had other and more interesting things going on than school. And, let's just say his future career choice didn't really require great grades.

It wasn't like he tried to blend into the crowd either. His coat was made of black leather, but pink feathers adorned the jacket's collar and around the sleeves' end. His blonde locks stood out against his sun kissed skin and he wore a black striped mesh-shirt underneath. His look was completed with red leather pants and black army boots. Actually, he was quite dull from his usual flamboyant taste, but his purple, tinted glasses covering his eyes and an extra pair of brown goggles on his head weighted up his unusual style again.

He turned abruptly at the busy street's corner and walked into a smaller street with less people on it. The blonde boy walked a couple of more steps before he stopped by a short stair, leading down to a brown plain door. If the teenager hadn't walked through that door before, he would have missed it completely. He had until a few months ago. Above the door was a small sign that spelled Shakky's Rip-off Bar. He was set on a mission, and he was determined in succeeding.

He took the stairs in two long strides and opened the door. Inside the bar there was a warm and welcoming atmosphere. There was a bar counter to his right side and lots of booths aligned on his left. A door leading to the bathroom was placed in the bar's corner and a karaoke-stage along the short wall opposite of him.

"Hello Doflamingo, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?"

The blonde turned and looked at the woman who had popped up beside the counter. She was a slim but tall woman, dressed in a pink t-shirt and a black jacket. Her black short hair was neatly done, and two tufts at the bottom strands, framing in her face was pointing upwards. A cigarette was tucked between two slender fingers.

"Yo Shakky, nice to see you too", Doflamingo greeted and stuck out his tongue in a childish matter.

"Oh don't be like that, Docchan. I'm worrying about you, that's all", the raven said with a kind smile.

Doflamingo snickered and walked over to sit down in a barstool.

"You should be more worried about the brats that will be here any moment now."

As if on cue, the door opened again and two boys tumbled inside. They were drenched, so apparently it had started raining, hard.

"Hi Doflamingo", a grinning kid with red hair said and sat down on the blonde's right side. "How long have you been here?"

"Hello Shanks, I came a few minutes ago", Doflamingo answered and eyed the wet teen.

"Ah, then you just got away from the rain. Buggy and I were walking a few blocks away when the sky just opened up and the rain started to pour down. We ran then rest of the way."

Doflamingo cackled in delight at the soaked boys and watched the second boy, Buggy, fall down on a stool beside the red-head kid. He was totally out of it, not so weird considering the kid with the clown-nose was no athlete what so ever.

"Stupid rain", Buggy muttered and shivered from the cold.

"Here you go boys", Shakky said and put three big cups of hot chocolate in front of them.

It didn't even go a second before Buggy had thrown himself over his cup, gulping it down. But after the fifth gulp, he started to feel the burn in his throat. He slammed the cup down on the bar and started shouting and flailing, much to Doflamingo's amusement. Shanks however, started at his cup skeptically.

"I don't drink this stuff Shakky. I'm not a child."

"Oh I'm sorry Shanks-chan", Shakky apologized with a sweet smile. "Here is some lemonade instead."

"Thanks", Shanks said and took the glass with a happy face."

"No child, my ass!" Doflamingo said before cackling fanatically.

Shanks realized his mistake and his face grew red.

"Shut up you stupid poultry" Shanks hissed to the laughing blonde before turning to the woman with an angry expression. "Shakky!"

"I'm sorry, again, Shanks-chan", the woman behind the bar chuckled as she gave a glass to Buggy, who's mouth was still burning. "But you know the rules. No under-aged drinking in this bar."

Shanks sighed in defeat and brought his glass of lemonade to his mouth. Doflamingo had reduced his cackling to light chuckling by now, happily sipping on his hot chocolate.

"Ah, how you two amuse me", he said with a delight sigh. "The idiot with a clown nose and the brat with red hair, what a wicked gang."

Shanks was about to answer that the flamboyant bastard next to him made an excellent run for a position in their "wicked gang", but his thoughts were interrupted when the bar door opened for the third time that night.

"Hello boys", said a man with a curved black mustache, and he got a happy grin when he spotted the three youngsters by the bar. "and Shakky, of course."

"Captain Roger!" Shanks shouted with joy and jumped off from his stool to run to the new arrivals.

Behind Roger, another man with the name of Rayleigh appeared. He was much older than Roger, and he had a small smile on his face. His face was rugged from years living on the streets and his short dark-blonde hair was combed backwards. He had four rows of beard adoring his strong chin, and a scar running vertically over his right eye. He was wearing a purple shirt and round glasses.

"Hello Shanks", Roger said and ruffled the boy's red hair. "How has your day been?"

As Shanks told Roger all about what had happened since they last saw each other, they went and took a new seat at one of the booths. Buggy had succeeded in calming his burning mouth and sat down in the booth as well. Doflamingo however, roamed around in his pocket for some change.

"What do I owe ya, Shakky?"

The woman turned around from where she was pouring up beer to Roger and Rayleigh and gave Doflamingo a calculating but soft look.

"Don't be ridiculous, it's just hot chocolate. You owe me nothing."

Doflamingo nodded in thanks and stood up.

"You're leaving?"

"I don't want to interrupt their chummy meeting." Doflamingo said with a shrug of his shoulders

"That doesn't sound like you at all Doflamingo", Shakky said with a quirked eyebrow.

The blonde gave the woman a feral grin and started to walk to the door, using big steps and hands in his pockets.

"You're leaving boy?" Roger's dark voice asked.

"Aye sir," Doflamingo said without turning around. "You're having some kind of meeting, right?"

"No such thing", Roger said with a wave of his hand. "It's about life, and Shanks and Buggy's friends are always welcomed."

"He's not our friend!" Shanks and Buggy shouted in union, but they were being ignored.

"Alright then!" Doflamingo said and made a one-eighty turn, walking over to the booth and sat down beside Shanks, opposite from Roger and Rayleigh.

Shakky smirked from her position behind the bar. Sympathy-points from Roger and trying to not be interested had been his plan all along. Doflamingo always knew how to get inside of things. What a cunning little twerp. Once Roger and Rayleigh had gotten their beer and Shanks was finished talking about whatever he and Buggy had done during the day, the red-head grinned and turned to Roger.

"So, captain. When are we meeting your secret lover huh? There are thousands of rumors circling around in our group."

"You shouldn't believe in everything you hear Shanks", Rayleigh said with a calm voice. "And stop calling him captain. You make him sound like something he isn't."

"I don't and I won't", Shanks exclaimed. "That's why I'm asking captain."

Roger laughed at the bickering over the table.

"It's okay Rayleigh. Shanks can call me captain if he likes. Besides, it makes me feel like some infamous pirate", Roger said and laughed throatily.

Rayleigh just rolled his eyes.

"I'll tell you this much about her Shanks", Roger started and they all fell silent, even Shakky stopped with her task to listen. "She's a diamond among coal, and I'll introduce her to you."

"Really?" Shanks and Buggy asked in union and Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.

"Yes of course, you're my most loyal and trusted... erh... young men. You'll be able to meet her at the my annual masquerade party during the autumn festival." Roger explained, proud yet mischievous smile on his face.

"Good, then we can see if she's good enough for you" Shanks said determined and crossed his arms over his chest.

Roger's deep laugh echoed inside the empty bar. This was the first time Shanks and Buggy were invited to the spectacular party, which was the party of the year according to many in the city. Roger had always used the excuse they were too young before. Rayleigh gave him a strong point of his view that according to law, Shanks and Buggy where still underage. But as with many other of Rayleigh's points, Roger waved it away and pointed out for his right-hand man that none of them were exactly people that followed the law. What could Rayleigh use as argument to that?

"How about you, boy?" Roger asked and turned to Doflamingo.

"What about me?" Doflamingo asked back, faking confusion.

"You're older than them, am I right?" Roger said motioned for Shanks and Buggy.

"By two years, sir", Doflamingo said with a smirk.

"Good, then I thrust you to come along to the party and keep an eye on them, and no need to be so formal kid. Just call me Roger."

Doflamingo smirked and nodded. He was now officially inside this little gang... mission accomplished.

"Somehow I have a feeling it will end up being the other way around", Buggy muttered under his breath and Shanks agreed with a groan.

"Are you really sure it's okay to invite a complete stranger to meet this lover of yours Roger?" Rayleigh whispered quietly to his boss when the kids where arguing about who would be the biggest bother at the party.

"Ah, don't worry Rayleigh", Roger whispered back and dismissed the older man's worry with his hand. "Shakky likes him and Shanks does too, even if he doesn't want to admit it. They are the best person-knowers I know. It's an alright kid."

Rayleigh gave up with a sigh. Nothing could change Rogers mind once he had decided on something.

But that was why Rayleigh was there. To keep an eye on things, and this time it would be the blonde flamboyant boy named Donquixote Doflamingo.

Thirty minutes later, everyone said their goodbyes and a loud reminder from Roger that his party during the upcoming Autumn festival was a masquerade party, just like usual. He wanted to see everyone in great costumes. Buggy grained at the news while Shanks grinned from ear to ear.

Luckily for Doflamingo and the others, the rain had stopped and the sky was cloudy, but not a total overcast. The blonde steered his steps towards the closest subways station. As soon as he was out of sight from the bar, a male with dark head and glasses walked up beside him, keeping even steps with the young blonde.

"I take it from your subtle yet creepy smile that it all went well?" He asked with a normal voice.

"Everything went according to plan Vergo", Doflamingo said and turned right and onto the escalator leading down to the subway. "I have a foot inside their little group, and I succeeded in getting invited to Roger's party by the man himself."

"Good for you", Vergo said, same tone still in his voice.

The man didn't say anything more, but Doflamingo could see on his long time friend that he still had questions. He kept quiet because of the growing crowd the joined as the stepped onto the platform. They were lucky. They only had to wait half a minute for their train to arrive at the station. They stepped in together with a lot of other people. Doflamingo groaned, he hated rush hour.

"Why is it that you want so badly to be inside that gang?" Vergo asked as soon as they had settled on some seats that had been occupied by some kids that quickly moved after Doflamingo gave them a pointed look.

"Just for shits and giggles", Doflamingo explained for a casual shrug. "Information is always good also. I've told you Vergo. Connections is everything in this city."

"Especially if you wanna be a drug lord", Vergo said in agreement

"Well, I have never wanted to be a drug lord specifically. I want power and wealth. How I get it really doesn't matter two me."

"Whatever you say Doffy", Vergo said, no trace of judgment in his voice.

It never was.

"And Vergo..."

"Yes?" Vergo asked and turned to his unofficial boss.

"Was the pizza good?"

"How-"

"You got some pepperoni stuck to your cheek."

If Crocodile wasn't the man he was, the purplish raven would probably have fallen asleep. But Crocodile was Crocodile, so he didn't fall asleep, even if something was utterly boring. The lectures in the University and his border meetings gave him enough practice. He pinched the bridge of his nose. At least this chair was comfortable.

"Is there something I can get for you, sir?"

Crocodile gazed over at the blonde clerk who smiled that exaggerated smile Crocodile always received when he was inside this kind of stores. It was a clothing store with a very exclusive taste, and only a handful of people could really afford to buy anything here. Crocodile was one of them. He wasn't going to buy anything for himself this time, he was just gonna pay for whatever dress she chose.

The door to the fitting room opened and a strawberry-blonde beauty stepped out. She was wearing a dark-blue mesh dress made by the new upcoming designer Inazuma. The dress was tight around her chest and abdomen, but hung loosely around her hips and thighs. It fitted her very well.

"How do I look?" the young woman asked with her sweet voice and made a twirl, making the skirt swirl around her pale smooth thighs.

Portgas D. Rouge was the kind of woman Crocodile could imagine himself getting married to in the future. If he ever planned on getting married that is. There were some issues he had to consider. First of all, Rouge was his childhood friend and had become as close to him as a sister during their years together. The second, he found more interest in men. Thus, he didn't plan to get married... ever.

"You look absolutely amazing Madame", the clerk answered with the same annoying smile plastered on his face.

"Thank you", Rouge said with a polite smile. "Crocodile? Should I take it?"

Crocodile inspected her some more before standing up. Rouge wasn't a girly girl, but she had become more feminine than the tomboy from their childhood days. Crocodile thanked heaven for that.

"I cannot decide that for you. I'm not wearing it."

"Thank god for that", Rouge said with a roll of her eyes. "You are paying for it, though."

"The prize doesn't bother me", Crocodile answered with the clerk nodding enthusiastically in agreement.

"Fine", Rouge said with a chirpy voice. "Then I'll take it."

"Excellent choice, Madame."

As they waited by the counter for the clerk to wrap the dress in (expensive things needs to be taken care of properly) Crocodile turned to his friend who waited in excitement.

"I know I said you could get anything, but a dress? That's unusual for you Rouge."

"Yeah, I know. It's for the Autumn festival net week", the slightly reddish blonde explained, smiling mischievously. "I have told you we're invited to a masquerade party, right?"

"Yes you have," Crocodile said with an annoyed frown. "Apparently some big shot has invited you over, but why am I coming with you?"

Rouge gave him a stern look.

"Crocodile, it's not some big shot. It's someone I'm seeing right now, and I'm bringing you with me because I want to introduce you to each other."

"And you think a party where everyone is dressed like buffoons are the best occasion to do so?" Crocodile asked with a raised brow.

"Yes", she said and grinned.

Ah, there it was. That unwomanly grin that made her look like the little brat she had been around fifteen years ago, according to Crocodile himself at least. It was all happy face, every tooth showing and freckles shining. Crocodile could have rolled his eyes.

The young man had never told Rouge about his deep feelings for her, but he had a hunch she knew how dear she was to him. There were times he actually showed affection for her. He just didn't feel comfortable talking about it in words, not to anyone. Traces of feeling were traces of weakness, something Crocodile couldn't afford showing in his kind of world. This big shot, however, made him a little uneasy. He dearly hoped it wasn't some of the bastards in his rival companies. Then he would definitely end whatever Rouge and this man had, with or without Rouge's consent.

"Here you go sir", the clerk said and gave Crocodile the dress in its laminated cover and his credit-card.

"Thank you."

Crocodile turned to Rouge who also thanked the clerk. He gave her one of his rare small smiles and lean forward to peck her cheek.

"Here you go Miss Portgas, happy birthday*."

Rouge giggled, and again that childish grin was growing on her face.

The next day Crocodile walked into the buzzing lecture hall and up the stair to one of the rows in the back. Bartholomew Kuma was already sitting at his usual spot. Crocodile greeted him with a short nod before taking the seat next to his friend. They sat in comfortable silence and placed the things that the day's lecture asked for in front of them when the buzzing crowd died down and all eyes turned towards the open doors. A young male with raven hair and piercing golden eyes had stepped inside the lecture room. He stood still for a moment, sharp eyes scanning over the seats. His eyes caught with Crocodile and he was soon on his way up the stairs.

"Mihawk", Kuma said with a surprised look as the young man sat down on Crocodile's right side. "It's unusual to see you at a regular lecture such as this."

Dracule Mihawk shrugged his shoulders.

"The fencing season is over, which means nothing interesting is happening."

"So you're picking up your schoolwork?" Crocodile said dryly without looking up from his papers.

"That would be it."

Crocodile and Mihawk never had a friendly tone with each other, but they never got into fights either. They just got along, even with their grumpy tone. Well, Crocodile used his grumpy style. Mihawk usually had his normal stoic manner.

"Now gentlemen", Kuma spoke up in his gentle voice. "The professor is here so let us end this conversation and listen."

The lecture was all in all four hours, from eight to twelve with two twenty minutes breaks. Mihawk was reminded just why he didn't attend "regular" lectures. This was so boring. Crocodile was engrossed in paperwork from his businesses. He was a busy young man with a big company under his care and his spotless attending in the lectures schedule was only with body and not with his mind. Mihawk couldn't understand how the pale man had time to study and take care of a company at the same time. It seemed to be an awful lot of work. Kuma on the other hand was always alert during the lesson, taking notes.

'One hour left' Mihawk thought with a sigh. 'Enough for a small nap.'

Crocodile watched as the world's leading fencer slid down lower in his seat and soon he could hear a faint sound of heavy breathing. The purple-tinted raven rolled his eyes. He couldn't understand how a man as talented as Mihawk was this lazy. With all his traveling around the world and sharp brain he could easily start a successful company in a few years. When there was ten minutes left of the lecture Kuma turned towards Crocodile and poked his shoulder for attention.

"There is a big party coming up this weekend at one of the mansions on Upper East Side. I heard Rouge was invited."

"Yes", Crocodile grunted and finally put down his paperwork. "And apparently she's dragging me along. She's introducing me to someone she's been dating for a while."

"Rouge is seeing someone?" Mihawk suddenly spoke up.

Crocodile barely succeeded in holding his stature at the sudden interruption.

"Yes hawk-eye, and she has been for the latest months. How can you be so slow?"

"Isn't it Gol D. Roger who's hoisting this party?" Mihawk asked and ignored Crocodile.

"Yes", Kuma answered with a nod. "I'm invited by Roger's brother Dragon."

"I'm also invited", Mihawk said.

"Great, then I won't be suffering alone", Crocodile muttered.

* Yes, I do know that Rouge's actual birthday is June 10th, but I manipulated the date a tiny bit so it would fit with my story... sorry about that ^^

And there is the first chapter! I hope you enjoyed reading it, not too much lovey dovey here, but all stories must have an introduction, right? I'm probably gonna post next chapter in a week, maybe in four days if I feel inspired!

It would be lovely to get some points on what you think of the story so far, even if it is only the first chapter. Great to have you on board!

Love Milow