Luffy has finished his fight with Don Krieg and had finally convinced Sanji to join his crew so he was having a good day so far. He had Nami go in to the Baratie with a list of things he said were absolutely crucial for the trip, well she insisted after all knowing that Luffy was going to drive the cooks' absolutely nuts. Luffy made his way to the sleeping quarters where he planned on taking a rest when he saw something in the corner. Cocking his head to the side he listened to his more curious nature and ignored the danger alarm in his head. So he walked over to the folded piece of paper and saw the word 'Wanted' so he knew that it belonged to Johnny and Yusaku. He smiled and ran out to give it them. He was about to call out their names when he saw part of the picture and froze. 'No this can't be what I think it is.', was his panicked thought.

He quickly hid the paper behind his back when the two turned around, "Hey there big bro Luffy, what's up."

Putting on a big smile that he was known for he replied, "Nothing Johnny, I just can't wait for everyone to get here. This adventure is going to be so great."

Yusaku and Johnny laughed, "You are right about that, you don't mind if we tag along. We don't want to be a bother big bro."

Luffy shook his head and laughed out, "The more the merrier if you ask me. Nami said that it might take a while before everything is ready to get loaded so I am going to take a nap."

"You do that big bro Luffy, we got watch here.", Johnny said.

They turned back to each other and started talking again as Luffy rushed back to the sleeping quarters. He was about to pull out the wanted poster again when he heard a snore, he jumped and looked at Zoro dead asleep. He sighed with relief and pulled out the folded wanted poster again. His heart pounded in his chest and his hand shook slightly just seeing the part of the picture that was seen. 'That could be anyone's forehead right? It isn't his. It can't be. I don't want to go back. I don't have something good enough yet, not without…get them in trouble.' Luffy folded the poster more and put it in his pocket then he lay down and pretended to sleep, 'What do I have some defeated pirates captains and their crews…ummmm a defeated marine captain. I guess that is good I mean I do know what they can do. I guess now my only problem right now is, where is back?' Finally letting his mind rest his last thoughts were, 'Please don't be his poster, please. My life just started to get good and on the right track to where I want to go and do. I am going to give it too them after I wake up, that way I don't have to say any…who am I kidding he will know I am lying. I am so screwed if that is his poster.'

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Luffy woke up to Usopp shaking him, "Hmmmm, what's going on?"

Usopp chuckled at his captain, "Everything is already loaded, we though you would like some sleep. You looked pretty out of it, but we are on the water right now. We wanted to know where you wanted to go next."

Luffy gave the long nosed crew man a big smile, "Why…to the Grand Line of course." He jumped out of his hammock and ran out to the docks, "To the Grand Line men." His crew smiled at him and got ready to sail to the Grand Line. Luffy was happily hanging around his crew causing all the ruckus that he could all his crew could do was watch him in joy. They truly felt happy when he was happy; he was certainly contagious with his joy. Later that night Luffy stood watch and looked at the folded wanted poster in his hands. Everyone one was in bed asleep and all he could do was stare at the paper in his hand. Finally with shaking hands he unfolded it to the first fold his eyes shook. 'Come on Luffy you can do this, don't let him make you afraid.' With a shaky breath he finally pulled the last fold down and gave a whimper, 'It is him, how could I be so stupid. I am never going to get away from him. I knew this happiness was never going to last why did I even try?'

Johnny and Yusaku came out earlier than the rest the next morning, "Hey big bro Luffy. You ok?"

"I found this in the men's sleeping quarters.", the captain said, his head was down and his voice was emotionless. "I think it is yours."

"There is our Arlong poster, thank you Luffy. This is good, we thought we lost it.", Yusaku said taking the poster.

"Hey could you two do me a favor?", Luffy asked, still not looking up.

The two looked at each other and then at the captain acting out of character, "Um, sure what do you need?"

"Tell them that I am sorry, I won't be going with them to the Grand Line. Can you do that?"

Johnny gave a weird look to the captain, "Ummm, why is one of the extra boats free?"

"You will tell them for me right?", Luffy said finally looking up. His eyes were as emotionless as his voice.

"Yea we can do that, but why won't you tell them?", Yusaku asked.

Luffy knocked them out and then replied, "Because I don't want them to follow me." He then reached out with his arm and dragged himself out to the free side boat. As he grabbed the paddles he looked at the Going Merry, "I'm sorry, but you have to stay out of this." He then paddled away as fast as he could and out of sight of the Going Merry with only one thing repeating in his head as he dropped any and all emotions from his face, 'Should you see my wanted poster you are too come back immediately with any information that you find. Then I will decide as to whether or not you can go out again.' One last tear fell down his face, 'If I could just find the right information then everything should be great, I am almost done. Maybe they will let me join them again, that would be great.'