Chapter 1

Brother's Reach

Ace was at a loss.

one moment he was dying, and the next he was up-and-kicking back as a ten year old.

What the hell.

he died didn't he? if so then why was here? and last time Ace checked people didn't come back to life, let alone go back in time.

but he just fucking did both!

that is, unless hell looked exactly like the place he grew up in.

Ace made his way through the forest, all he wanted at that moment was to see his brothers, he missed them like hell, he had no idea what was going on, but if it meant getting a second chance in life, he was more then happy to accept. and this time he would make sure to protect his brothers, no matter what hardship.

speaking of brothers

If he was back in time and Luffy wasn't here yet, that meant Sabo was still alive

Ace's eyes widened in realization and he took off in a full sprint into the forest.

Sabo! he got to see Sabo again!

Sabo leaned against a tree, one of many in the green forest he sat in, he sighed heavily thinking it over again.

He was dead.

Or rather, he should be dead

No, he died.

but here he was, in the same place he was so many years ago, also, he was ten again.

Did he somehow survive?

No he definitely died.

But even then how did he get here?

Did he go back in time?

If that was even possible.

But-

"Sabo?" he heard ace call, Ace as he was, looked like he had run a marathon, he had beads of sweat running down his face, his eyes were wide as he starred at Sabo. catching his breath Ace slowly approached Sabo.

"Y-yeah?" Sabo was startled by the sudden call, but quickly composed himself and assuming Ace had gotten into some kind of trouble, stood up, prepared to start running. However, Sabo was once again startled when Ace ran and hugged him. "A-Ace? is something wrong?"

To Sabo's suspicion Ace hurriedly stood up and looked away "N-nothing, I just felt like hugging you" What the hell! Ace internally yelled at himself. He just fucking lied like Luffy! He goes back in time and the first thing he did was almost blow his cover?! smart move. "Anyway, lets go get some food." Ace held his hand out for Sabo. trying to change the subject.

"Ok." Sabo grinned. taking Ace's hand and pulled himself up. He now knew for sure two things, one, ace was hiding something and two, that he had gone back in time, Ace died back where he was from, he wasn't going to let that happen this time, he would protect Ace and Luffy, but, he knew it was going to be quite a bit harder when he had to keep his 'identity' a secret, he wouldn't blow his cover, he wouldn't tell them that he was from the future.

Neither of the two knew that they were thinking the same thing.

Ace walked back to Dadan's house grinning widely as he dragged a giant animal behind him.

He was positive today was the day that Luffy would get here, and although he didn't think Luffy went back in time too, he was more then exited to see his little brother.

This time however Ace would actually let the boy in sooner instead of trying to murder Luffy every time he was within a ten meter radius of him. he honestly felt bad for treating Luffy like that, but he would make up for that in this life time if he hadn't done that already.

Ace looked ahead fully resolved to do the best he could in this life. this time he wouldn't let Sabo die, this time he wouldn't be so weak this time he wouldn't make Luffy watch his death.

this time he would do it right.

Luffy silently walked next to his grandfather, head down, hat over his eyes and clenched fists.

why was he here? he was supposed do die not go back in time! And why the exact day he was going to see Ace? couldn't whatever it was that sent him back here give him some time to prepare his emotions? At this rate he was going to cry like shit, he hated tears and this wasn't helping. But on the other hand this gave Luffy a once in two lifetime chance to redo everything over again and get it right this time.

Luffy peeked at Garp who was looking right back at him, looked back down, and sighed. he could ask Garp where he was going, but what was the point if you already knew where, and even if he didn't know he didn't care enough to bother.

Garp eyes Luffy, he was especially surprised by Luffy's behavior, he was expecting for the kid to be running around and talking the whole was there, but he just walked next to him, not bothering to look up more then an inch or even utter a single word.

After what felt like an eternity for Luffy they finally arrived at the mountain bandits house. he wasn't prepared for this, he wasn't prepared to see Ace or Sabo again, he wouldn't be prepared even if he was given one hundred years.

Luffy watched Garp walk up to the door and pound on it, calling for Dadan "So annoying! whoever you are, do you want to get killed?!" a woman who Luffy recognized to be Dadan, yelled throwing the door open, she was rather overweight, with orang curly hair.

"It's me" Garp said simply.

"G-Garp-san!" Luffy smirked slightly as he watched the overweight woman's eyes widen and back away in fear. it was truly a funny scene.

Two men appeared behind Dadan, the shorter wore a polka-dotted dungarees and the taller was... a human chicken, that was all you could say. All three looked obviously terrified at the sight of Garp. but who wouldn't be?

"you seem to be doing well" was Garp's reply to the three bandits.

"please!" Dadan yelled out "you've gott'a give us a break! Ace is already ten you know!" she pleaded, hoping for the slightest bit of mercy.

"Oh yeah, already? how is he?" Garp asked completely ignoring Dadan's pleads.

The shorter man that had appeared behind Dadan spoke up "It's not funny! we can't handle him anymore! please, take him back!"

"putting that aside"

"don't put that aside!" the short man interrupted.

"what with that brat! he's annoying me!" Dadan asked pointing at Luffy, who had been glaring at the three bandits since they arrived.

Garp picked Luffy up by the back of is shirt "look after him too" he said. the bandits starred. "say hi Luffy"

Luffy looked up just enough to see his face, still glaring at them "I hate bandits" he said simply.

Garp was again surprised by Luffy but just left it as 'just a faze' and hit Luffy on the head "that's not how you greet someone!" Luffy however only looked away and grumbled.

"who's the kid?" the chicken guy asked.

"he's my grandson" the answer shocked the bandits shitless as their eyes widened in horror and their mouths hung open slightly at a loss for words.

"WHAT?!" they yelled

"we can't take care of another!"

"Garp's- I mean, Garp-san's grandchild!?" the three got on their knees and looked at Garp determinedly "No way!"

"alright" Garp started crossing his arms and staring down at them while Luffy laid down, his hat over his face looking ready for a nap "you choose, spend your entire life behind bars or raise him. I've over looked countless crimes you have committed."

Ace watched the scene with interest, sitting atop the animal he caught, last time he was positive Luffy was running around after some dragonflies not napping, did something happen differently? was this some kind of different universe? if so what happened? or did he just remember wrong?

whatever it was he would think about it later. Ace jumped down and walked up to Garp, a frown plastered on his face. he wanted to see his brothers face, the happy smile he always wore.

Garp turned around and smiled when he heard ace jumping down from an animal "oh, Ace" he started, not noticing Luffy flinch at Ace's name "are you back?" Ace only stopped for a moment his eyes not leaving Luffy. "Ace this is Luffy he's three years younger then you, he's going to live with you from now on, try to get along" Garp said pointing behind him at Luffy's 'sleeping' figure.

Dadan stood up fists curled in a ball "What?! you cant just decide that!"

Garp though, had different ideas as he looked back at the bandits darkly "huh, got any problems with that"

"We'll take him!"

"good. that's all from me. I'll stop by when I can" Garp started walking away

"um, what about child support?" asked one of them

Garp didn't stop walking "put it on my bill"

"this isn't a bar..."

"huh." this time Garp stopped only to glare at them.

they stood up straight "nothing! well take him!" once Garp was out of sight the bandits sighed in relief.

"whatever lets go eat" Dadan said and walked inside, the two men following her. Luffy slowly stood up putting his hat back on his head again and shot a short glance at Ace, then, without a word walked inside.

Ace was in shock, his mouth hung open as if trying to say something, but nothing came, just silence. he'd never seen such a sad look on Luffy, it didn't fit him, his eyes were dark, it was like a thousand stars disappeared from the universe, he never wanted to see that again.

once Ace opened the door he saw Dadan and Luffy siting by a fire in the center of the room, Dadan having sake and Luffy devouring a small bowl of rice. as Ace strode inside he found Luffy right in front of him and paused.

Luffy kept his head down he knew he didn't have to do this but if he didn't then Ace and Sabo would never accept him as their little brother. finally, Luffy looked up and put up a wide grin that made Ace's day "Hi! I'm Luffy, let's be friends!" God, did Luffy hate acting like that, it reminded him of when he was weak.

Ace grinned slightly at Luffy, crossed his arms and said "whatever"

Luffy's eyes widened but continued smiling "Great! I'm gonna go outside, bye!" and with that Luffy was gone.

Hey! how was the first chapter? please Read and Review I cant make a good story when I don't know what's wrong with it. thanks.

also please tell me if there's anything you want me to add to it. :) :) :)