Summary: Modern world AU. When Luffy gets taken away from his grandfather and brother, he ends up far away from home. There he meets a boy named Sabo who is determined to help him cope. But Ace is still determined to get his brother back. And he will search the whole world to find him.

A/N: And after popular demand I decided to continue this! Let me warn you though, this story is probably going to be short. Same thing goes for Cold Blooded Fate, I CAN'T write long stories. Period. Anyway, here goes chapter two! Hope you like it!

Chapter Two: Holding On and Letting Go

Sabo gave the silent boy next to him a sideways glance. As it was only his second day here, they –whoever they were- had decided to give him a free pass and not subject him to the horror of the dining hall quite yet. Someone must have caught them in a good mood. Somehow. Anyway, since Luffy was his self-proclaimed responsibility he decided to stay with him. Makino was more than willing to help them out and brought both the boys' breakfasts to their room. And yet, although he was saved from the loud, stressful atmosphere of the dining hall, Luffy still wasn't eating…

"What's wrong?" Sabo eventually asked, tired of seeing the boy pick at his food. "You don't like it?"

At the sound of the blonde's voice, Luffy's cheeks turned a bright red and he casted his eyes down in embarrassment.

Ah, so that's what this is about, thought Sabo. Or well, some of it…. With those thoughts came a bit of guilt. In his defense, he had only been trying to help but Luffy's pride had taken a hit the night before, in front and because of a stranger no less.

"Luffy…" Sabo sighed, adding a little bit of whine to his voice. "If this is about yesterday…"

"I'm sorry!" the raven-haired boy blurted out, his cheeks reddening even more if that was possible.

Sabo rolled his eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Do you know how I was on my first night here? I was bawling so hard, Makino had to stay with me all night to calm me down."

Luffy hesitantly sneaked a glance at him. "Really?"

No. "Yes! It was embarrassing but I needed it and so did you." Actually maybe. I was too young to remember it. But hey, it's better that way. And he needs to realize that, too.

"Hey, Luffy…" he started, a bit cautious himself.

The boy turned those big eyes, so full of innocent and curiosity to him. It cut the question short. Instead Sabo smiled at the kid, a small but encouraging raise of the lips. "Eat. Now."

"Mm!" With a soft nod, Luffy started inhaling his food and the blonde had to try hard stifle a laugh. He could ask him later. It was the first time Luffy was so energetic and the fact that Sabo had played a part into that, secretly made him feel proud.

Perhaps Luffy didn't trust him fully yet. But that was ok. They had time.

"So, what's the plan?"

Garp looked up from the newspaper to the boy leaning against the boy, quiet but determined. He stifled a sigh. "The plan?"

Ace's eyes narrowed. "Yeah. To bring Luffy back. Didn't you think of anything yet?" His breathing quickened when he saw his grandfather cast his eyes to the floor. "What? We are getting him back, aren't we?" He asked frantically. "Gramps? Gramps?"

"I don't think we should, Ace," Garp sighed for real this time, preparing himself for the rage that was coming.

"Why the hell not?!" Ace yelled, his eyes wide with panic. "Give me one good reason! Just one damn reason to abandon him there!"

"We're not abandoning him…"

"Oh, really? Then tell me, because apparently I'm too stupid to get it! What are we doing?"

Garp felt a thousand years old at the point. One of his grandsons was gone and the other was about to hate him for the rest of his life. Was he really sure he was doing the right thing here? "We're giving him a chance." Ace was literally growling at him at that point. "Think about it, Ace. Provided we could find him, which I doubt, are you sure it's the best for him to bring him back here?"

"The best for Luffy is to stay with me!" he yelled, his eyes shooting daggers at the old man. How dare he, how dare he suggest that Luffy was better off without them?

"A little selfish, aren't we?"

"I'm his brother! I can take care of him!"

"Can you really?!"

His grandfather's tone made the young boy freeze. Garp had managed to remain calm throughout the conversation, but now he was actually yelling right back at him. What Ace had failed to realize was how hard this was for Garp as well. Luffy wasn't just Ace's brother, he was also Garp's grandson. And if the old man was saying the kid would have a better chance without them, then perhaps he had truly thought about it.

Even so, Luffy was his brother and Ace couldn't let him go.

With his teeth tearing at his lip so hard it was sure to draw blood soon, he walked away, determined to find his brother. "Do whatever you want. I'm getting Luffy back."

"How are you going to do that, Ace?"

"I'll find a way! I don't care how long it takes! I'm getting him back!"

Extra: The Night Before

Sabo wasn't sure what was bothering him. In his sleepy state it took him a while to figure out it was a sound that was keeping him awake. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he got out of bed to locate the source of the noise. A deep sigh left him once he realized the source was no other than his new roommate.

The boy was clearly having a nightmare and whimpering in his sleep. Feeling sorry for the poor thing that was shaking like a leaf, his blanket somewhere on the floor, Sabo tried to wake him up.

"Luffy…" he called, shaking him slightly, still too sleepy to put any real force into it. "Luffy, wake up… You're having a nightmare."

When a sob shook the boy's young frame, Sabo finally took this seriously and was instantly wide awake.

"Luffy! Luffy! Wake up! Wake up!"

Luffy's eyes fluttered opened, his gaze frantic and disoriented.

"A-Ace?" he called out, the tears still flowing freely.

The other boy felt his heart clench at the sight. For a second there, he honestly wished he could somehow bring Luffy's brother here. But right now he was all the kid had and so he would help him as much as he could.

"No, Luffy, it's me."

"Ace?" He repeated, grabbing Sabo's shirt and holding on for dear life.

"No, it's me. Sabo. Remember?"

"A-Ace!" he kept sobbing, his face hidden in the blond boy's shirt.

Said boy opened his mouth to correct him again. Seeing how completely and utterly out of it Luffy was though, he gave it up, wrapped his arms around the shaking body and let him cry himself to sleep. He wasn't sure whether Luffy realized that he wasn't Ace or not, but either way the kid wasn't willing to let go and nobody was going to force him to.

At some point the black haired boy even scooted over to make room on his bed for his new friend so he wouldn't have to be standing up the whole time.

Makino found them the next morning on Luffy's bed with the younger one still hiding in the other's comforting embrace… And even if Luffy would be extremely embarrassed later by what had happened, he would also be even more grateful for the way his roommate handled him that night. Maybe Sabo was planning on keeping his promise after all…

A/N: That was actually quite long... I even wrote an extra scene for all the lovely people that took the time to review! See? When you people are nice to me, I'm nice to you too! That said please leave a review once again! Come on, it's a new chapter! Surely there must be something you want to say! Thanks for reading!