Warning:
Slash or gayness between Ace and Luffy. Don't like, don't read. Violence and adult themes. Explicit content. AU.
Author Note:
I have not been a large part of the One Piecefandom for long,and have not read/watched One Piece up to the most resent stories. I do not own or have any ties to the wonderful characters or story of One Piece. This is just a fan made fiction story about the lovely bond of two brothers. There may be some differences from canon because I don't want to make everything the same, even time frames. There will be more at the bottom of the chapter for the note,because I hated fanfiction that have too long of a note at the beginning of the chapter since I wanted to read the story first.
Chapter 1: The story of Luffy's beginning
A gasping sob lurched out of a curled figure sitting alone in the middle of a dense forest. Every cry caused shivers to attack the small frame. Luffy pulled his treasured hat tighter on his head to cover his teary face and suppress his crying. It wasn't fair. Life wasn't fair. For a small child of only 6, Luffy has had a hard life. The child was without parents, without friends, without really anyone to truly care for him. Although, he has some adults in his life none really have much to do with the boy.
Gramps was a marine with little time on his hands and Luffy wasn't sure if his life would be any better if he was more involved in it. Makino was a sweet, loving woman but had a hard life of her own. She ran a bar practically by herself and was supporting her elderly parents. She had little time to spend with Luffy although she truly enjoyed his company. Luffy was a rambunctious child that smiled like the sun with a carefree air. Many of the villagers enjoyed the boy to a degree. Luffy's bad habits were a put-off for most adults though. The boy was loud, rash, simple, blunt, and had little to no boundaries. Him later wanting to be a lawless pirate didn't help either.
Sadly, there were not many children in the small village around Luffy's age. Many were older and thought he was a stupid snot-nosed kid they did not want around. It wasn't his fault that he acted the way he did. He had no one to teach him any better. He learned to talk by listening to others and imitating them. He was very naive about some things because of this. He only knows how to read and write some words because of Makino. Otherwise, the poor boy only knew the survival things his gramps taught him. He was raising himself. He never asked for help because Garp taught him to survive on his own.
Therefore, it was a relief when Luffy meet Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates. Luffy was so happy to finally find friends, or people that wanted him around for longer than an hour or few minutes. It was the first time Luffy meet pirates and he was in awe of them. They walked into Makino's bar in loud laughter and spirt. Luffy had never seen men like them before. He curiously watched as a red headed man came up to the bar. The man had an air of strength to him that made Luffy a little wary.
Last week some bandits had come through and he had asked them some rapid-fire questions. The situation didn't go so well and he was left with a scar under his left eye. The event left him more shaken then when a group of older boys, that got annoyed with him, beat him up. He was able to fend off a few of the boys because of his brief training with monkeys by Gramps, but the adults were way different. He didn't want to be that vulnerable again.
"Hahaha. Hey kid want to hear a cool story of one of our adventures?" Shanks asked the small child that was sitting in a lonely corner of the bar. There was something about the boy that interested the pirate captain.
"Adventure?" Luffy softly questioned, cocking his head to the side in confusion. He never heard that word before.
Shanks blinked. "You never heard of an adventure? It's the best thing in the world".
The captain took the seat next to the kid and his eyes lit up. "Adventure is going to a new place or doing something new. We explored many different islands while sailing the seas and have seen many wonders".
Luffy gasped at Shanks in amazement, leaning forward in his chair. The scruffy pirate grinned at the child in joy and downed his beer quickly.
"I have seen islands in the sky with people flying around with wings like a bird. I've been under water in a city of fishmen with mermaids, shark people, and other sea creatures. I've been to winter islands full of snow, battled on stormy seas with sea kings, and found many treasures".
Luffy was on the edge of his seat in excitement. The images in his mind filling him with wonder. He was about to open his mouth with an overwhelming number of questions on his tongue when he caught himself. Most adults got annoyed and told him to leave them alone when he did that. Sitting back in his chair the shaggy, black haired boy gazed at the man quietly for a moment.
"Could you tell me more?" Luffy played with the tare in his shorts shyly.
The sight caught the pirate by surprise. He was sad that the child lost some of the awe in his eyes and was becoming more cautious and unsure. Somehow this fault so wrong to Shanks and he had to get the boys spark back. The captain relaxed in his seat even more, smiled warmly, and gently patted the boy's head. Luffy felt so safe and warm at that moment he never felt this way with another person before.
"Sure brat. I'd be happy to," Shanks laughed with affection.
Luffy grinned fully and laughed too. Some of shank's crew came over as the captain started telling the story of the island in the sky. After a while the whole bar was full of joyful laughter and banter.
"Then this huge flying man that looked like a pigeon came running at Lucky Roo for eating his roasted pig. Roo ran away with half of it in his mouth screaming "I got it first you bird brain," Everyone laughed loudly almost rolling on the floor. Lucky Roo grinned roguishly taking a large bite out of the tiger leg in his hand "It was delicious. For a bird he was pretty slow".
Luffy clutched his stomach as it ached in his laughter. He hadn't laughed so much in his life. Grinning he looked at Shanks. "It's good you didn't give the food to the pigeon. Makino says if you feed them, they won't leave you alone and only want more".
"Kid, you are amazing," Shanks laughed into his cup of sake. He glanced at the clock. "I'd love to share more stories, but it's getting late. I think you should go home before your parents start to worry".
Luffy shifted in his chair, suddenly not amused anymore. "You don't have to worry I can stay as long as I want".
The bar got a little quieter at that answer. Shanks, although still drunk, took on a more serious air. "Why not Luffy?"
Luffy gave his new friend a more confident smile that was a little sad. "I live by myself so I make the rules".
Shanks ducked his head to shield Luffy from his dark eyes. Someone as pure and wonderful as Luffy did not deserve such a life. Although Shanks truly liked the kid, more then he believed he could in just a few hours, he could not take the boy with them. The life of a pirate was dangerous and someone as young as Luffy would not be completely safe on his ship. Shanks clutched his hands tightly. He wanted Luffy safe. Damn. Shanks took a deep breath to try and become more sober to think better.
Although he could not take Luffy with him, he could spend a maximum of 2 months on the island if he gets his crew to hide the ship and try not to draw too much attention to himself. He saw how Luffy did not know many things and now realized he had no one to teach him. He could at least give this young boy that reminded him of his old captain and his young self a better chance. Looking up in determination he grinned at the boy.
"Would you like to see a pirate ship then Luffy?"
Luffy's eyes glowed in happiness and he jumped up in the air. "YES! Can I really Shanks?"
"Come on buddy," Shanks got up putting his hand on Luffy's shoulder. "You can stay with us while we are here, but you got to promise me one thing".
Luffy looked up at Shanks smirking face. "You can't look sad while on an adventure and this is an adventure. Right, Luffy."
Luffy's grin widened. "I can do that Shanks, I promise".
Page Break
Two weeks had pasted quickly for Luffy. They were the best he had ever had. Shanks and his crew showed off his entire ship to Luffy and he loved the Red Force. Luffy slept in the captain's quarters with Shanks. He loved the calming rocking motion of the ship as he slept and it was so relaxing to sleep with another person around. Luffy would sometimes get scared at night when there were loud sounds, like thunder storms or monkey growls, when in the dark and alone.
Although Luffy pouted at the thought of not being able to see the ship sailing. He had been trying for weeks to get Shanks to let him become a pirate. Once Luffy realized that the pirate crew were free to do what they wanted, go where they wanted, and be a family he wanted that too. Luffy never really understood the meaning of family since he did not really have one. Shanks looked very upset when Luffy asked questions about what he meant when he called his crew that.
"A family is people that love and care about each other no matter what. If one is hurt then the others will help them. Family is never being alone or forgotten. I truly am thankful that I have the crew that I have. Each person is amazing and makes me happy to be around. I love going on adventures with them and being free on the seas" Shanks told him.
Luffy really wanted that and he wanted to be a part of Shank's nakama. Luffy never truly realized how alone he was until he got a taste of what having friends and family was like. He never knew how horrible being lonely was and now Luffy was sure he would rather die than be alone again. For some reason Shanks wasn't listening to Luffy though. Shanks wanted him to stay here on the island to be safe, because being a pirate was dangerous unless you were strong. Shanks also could not stay with Luffy since he was wanted and he knew his Gramps as a marine would arrest Shanks.
Luffy signed in determination as he walked the halls of the ship passing a few people that gave him a pat on the head in greeting. Luffy was on his way to the mess hall to argue his point with Shanks again. Shanks and the others were teaching him many things to make him stronger and smarter. Although he did not like books, Shanks explained that without some knowledge pirates would not be good at anything. Pirates needed to know how the ship worked, swimming, what to eat, who to steal from, and other things.
Of course, after seeing the many different positions of the crew Luffy wanted to be a captain like Shanks. He was so cool commanding his crew and no one could tell him what to do. He was freer then the others and Luffy wanted to be the freest human possible. He hated being locked on this island and told what to do by Gramps.
Luffy tripped up on some steps as he was heading down and tumbled to the end of a corridor he did not remember. Opening a door on the left he found himself in the treasure room. Luffy grinned at seeing all the interesting and shiny items again. He wanted to find his own someday or steal it from other no good pirates. Shanks had drilled that into his head, somewhat literally. Not all pirates were good like the Red-Haired Pirates.
He walked around the room to glance at the items since he was lost again. Soon his stomach growled in anger. He needed food. Turning back to the door something bright blue catches Luffy's eye. Turning Luffy sees a chest with a weird looking fruit inside it. The fruit was the brightest blue Luffy had ever seen with swirls of yellow that looked like lightning. It was in the shape of an apple and Luffy could not look away. He walked closer to the fruit and picked it up. Why was a fruit in the treasure room?
He would ask Shanks. It looked mouthwatering almost like it was begging to be eaten. Luffy quickly took the fruit out of the room in search again for the mess hall. After a few turns he could hear his name being called up ahead with a grin he ran to the large dining area moving toward Shanks.
"Shanks! I finally found you," Luffy said behind the pirate.
"Thewf your. Grapplate" Shanks said through the food in his mouth without looking at Luffy. Luffy was used to it now since Shanks usually was starving from being hungover in the morning. Luffy thought he said there you are and grab a plate.
"Hey Shanks can I have this fruit?" Luffy asked holding up the fruit that no one looked at. Everyone was busy eating away.
"You know you don't have to ask Anchor" Shanks said after take a gulp of his drink, again not looking at the boy. "You can eat anything as long as you're not allergic or its already being eaten"
With that Shanks tried to take a rabbit from Benn's plate but had his hand slapped away. Shanks pouted while his first mate grinned. "You'll have to try better than that Captain".
Luffy chuckled and looked back at the fruit. Well he said yes. Luffy quickly puts the whole thing in his mouth and nearly gaged. It was the most disgusting thing he had ever eaten, even the bugs he had eaten while in the forest with the monkeys were better. It tasted like ashes and tar to the boy. Static started to tingle his skin as well.
"Yuck. That was the worst fruit ever!" Luffy yelled while grabbing some juice to wash the taste out.
"Hahaha. Not everything is a winner Anchor" Shanks patted him on the back with a grin, handing the boy some lamb. "Have some meat instead. I know it's your favorite".
"Meat!" Luffy grabbed the lamb and sighed in relief. The taste was so much better. "Whao do tada?"
"We're going into the village for some supplies, Anchor" Shanks chuckled.
Luffy nodded his head than glared at the pirate. "Stop calling me that". He pouted with his arms crossed still holding some of the lamb. Looking so adorable Shanks wanted to just hug the boy to death.
"Well you keep sinking in the water, anchor," Shanks teased with a shrug as if to say what can you do.
Luffy stuck his tongue out. "It's not my fault you're a bad teacher".
Shanks grabbed his chest in shock. "Anchor. How could you. I thought I was your favorite".
"Well, now that's Benn". The boy said sitting on the opposite side of Benn with a huff.
Benn grinned smugly at the gaping captain. "Ha, I'm his favorite now".
Shanks got down on his knees in front of his cute boy, and Luffy was his. After two weeks of having the adorable spitfire on deck he was completely tied around his little finger. Just one look at that pout or puppy eyes had almost the whole crew breaking down to give him what he wanted or make him happy. His boy's smiles could light the world and his pure heart was to be protected at all costs. It was so difficult for Shanks to tell Luffy no. Every time he told him no to being a part of the crew and sailing away with them, he wanted to cry inside. The only thing that was keeping him going on that front was the thought of Luffy hurt. The boy could not be a pirate yet. Though given a few years Shanks might yet steal the little anchor away.
"Please, please, please Luffy. Don't let the evil man corrupt you to his ways" Shanks begged.
"Hey, who you calling evil?"
"That man kills all fun with the dreaded papers of doom" Shanks wailed while clutching the boy tightly. Luffy giggled and hugged him back. He could never stay made at Shanks for long.
"Papers of doom? Really?" Benn raised an eyebrow at his captain.
"Hurry we must run away!" Shanks cried while running out onto the deck with Luffy in his arms laughing the whole way.
"I'm going to hate it when we leave the little shrimp." Lucky Roo sighed mournfully.\
"I know he reminds me of my own son. Have I should you his picture?" Yasopp asked. The whole crew sighed. "YES!"
Author Note 2:
I do not have a Bata to read this so any mistakes are my own and I am sorry about. If someone wants to become my Bata please let me know and have patience because I am not on constantly and it might be awhile before I get back to you. I don't know when I will update chapters because I do have a life, so sad, but I will complete the story. I hate leaving things incomplete. I have read a lot of fanfiction after learning more about the brother's story and love their brotherly bond. There is not enough fanfiction of them together, not just slash, but in a brotherly fashion. There might be some similarities between this fanfic and others, but I am not coping other works. The sad reality of fanfiction or any story is that ideas are going to be the same in some cases. There are no true original ideas, just ideas that were already there that have twists. For example, Luffy has the same characteristics as Naruto, Goku, and other anime characters. Does this mean he is a copy of them, no. So please don't flame me if the story is too alike another. Do let me know if large amounts of the story are too similar so I can make sure for myself though. Sorry I had issues with this topic before and would like to forewarn beforehand. Thank you for reading and for any creative criticism.