CH 2

Ace walks through the jungle aimlessly. He is still confused with the whole fiasco he just experience. What is this? Did he really travelled back to the past or everything is simply a nightmare?

Suddenly a bear appears in front of him. The bear is 5 times larger than him but there's no fear shown by the chibified former fire user. Both bear and him then start a staring, or more like glaring contest towards each other. "Ah, a bear," he said nonchalantly before the bear suddenly growls in anger and tries to attack the boy before being knocked down by Ace using an armament haki. Ace glads that he still can use haki and his strength is still same as he did before he died. He then carries the bear onto his shoulder, until a realization hits him.

"Wait, I think Luffy came here with gramps just after I killed a bear...and I think that time, I spitted at him..."

Ace is alerted. Is he the only one who being sent to past or there's other too? Ace stops walking. If today is his first day here...will he be the same Luffy? However, the reason why he know today is the day remains a mystery to him. He also doesn't know.

That's it, he's going to test it.

After a few minutes' walk, Ace finally reaches to Dadan's house. As he walks, he heard a commotion came from the entrance. He tries to walk closer until he saw something that made his heart almost stopped. He widens his eyes.

Garp is confronting Dadan about something and it's no doubt that he's sending Luffy over! So it's really today! His eyes then try to search for the bubbly boy he used to piggyback only finding him running like a toddler all over the yard.

Luffy! Ace really wants to scream and hug his cute little brother but his instinct tells him that he shouldn't do something suspicious like that because, one! He might being arrested by Garp for child molestation, changing a history and even worse, Luffy might no be able to be a pirate! Plus he still not sure whether Luffy will recognize him or not so he better try something else. Ace, think! Suddenly an idea sparks. What if he do an opposite? However, if he warmly welcome Luffy, Garp will be suspicious and he will try to dig his secret until he manage to get in and his big mouth will only spill it and of course, the situation might become more in danger!

And so, instead of spitting on Luffy, Ace glares at the owl eyes boy before he retreats to forest. Little that he know, the owl eyes are widens in shocked and follows him into the forest even after being called by Garp.

After a few minutes, he reaches to where his 'twins' supposed to be. Just by seeing him, Ace can feels an enormous of emotions is overflowing inside him.

"Yo, Ace!" Sabo calls. The greeting is normal but Ace can no longer feels the same. It's been so long since Ace see him. This boy is going to be killed soon and he is going to change that but he doesn't know what will change if Sabo is alive so he decides that he will protect Sabo at the last moment. However, it is not the only surprise for today.

Suddenly they heard a rustling sounds from nearby bushes and both of them start to get alerted. Slowly, the bushes reveal a small silhouette and a small voice. "Why..."

"Why won't you spit on me?" Luffy finally appears from the bushes with serious face, tears on his eyes, shocking both Ace and Sabo. Wait, did Luffy just said...'spit'?

Ace gulps. If he knows about the spitting, then this Luffy in front of him is...

"Luffy...are you...our Luffy? Our cute Luffy?" Luffy sobs and nods. Ace is shocked. Then...

"Ace!" Suddenly both Luffy and Sabo jump towards Ace in unison, shocking the oldest boy. Sabo?! Why?! But then, it hits him. Ace finally understands the reason of Sabo's behavior. There's no need for explanation. All three of them are hugging each other. There's no words can describes how they are feeling right now.

On that day, Ace got his brothers back.

"What?! You're alive?!"

Sabo nods from Ace's question. All three of them had gathered at the cliff for emergency ASL meeting. Poor Ace. It's not like he can do anything though since Sabo got amnesia before he died.

"Damn you Sabo! Then why didn't you contact me or Luffy!? Do you know how lost I am to raise this rubber brain chibi without you?!" Ace is the first one who rises his voice as he is the only one who have been left out since he died first.

"Ace too! How could you leave us like that!" And now it's Luffy turn to argue.

"But you died either!"

"I died at 40, in sickness, means I'm the only one died in natural death," Luffy pouts, shocking both of his brothers.

All three of them are speechless. It's kinda weird to discuss about the way they died even though right now they, no matter how they see it, are having a big problem. For fucking sake, they just time travelled! All three of them then look at each other and having a staring contest.

...

Finally Ace gives up and bows his head. "Sorry. Everything is my fault. I won't do it again!" Regret and shame can be heard from the tone he just used. Both Sabo and Luffy are speechless.

"Actually, me too. If only I remember sooner..." said Sabo.

Both of Luffy's eyes are crystalized. He can no longer contains his sorrow. His body is trembling to keep his tears from falling but no matter how much he try, the tears still falling down and wets his puffy cheeks. "I'm sorry!" Luffy suddenly cries, shocking both of his brothers.

"What?" Ace asks in surprised.

"Ace, you...you died because of me...if only you didn't save me, you will not die!" Luffy cries, his voice is trembling. The trauma is still residing in his heart no matter how long it had happened. What if he didn't time travel today? He will never see Ace and Sabo again!

Bonk!

"Aaw!" Luffy cries. Did Ace had just used an armament haki to hit him direct on his head? Like Granpa! How could he?! Suddenly, Luffy widens his eyes.

Ace...is trembling and finally cries as he can no longer contains the sorrow in his heart. His chest is hurt. He can't stop sobbing. Damn it! Why?!

"Ace..." Sabo calls, but can't find any word to continue.

"Sabo, Luffy!"

"?" Both Sabo and Luffy are wondering what Ace is going to say.

Ace smiles. It is such a sad smile though Ace himself can't describe how happy he really is right now. "Let's change something! I mean, this time, let's change something!"

"Huh?" Dadan is gathering dead leaves in front of her house until she realizes three silhouettes are running towards her direction. "What?"

"Dinner!"

Dadan is shocked. Did she just saw three children carrying ten giant deer each?! Those meats can be a provision that can last for weeks! Wait, did Ace is always that strong? Do Luffy is actually have that kind of strength? And who's that other brat?! How come the children is increasing?!

"Shishishi...let's eat until we full!" Luffy grins in excitement. He times travel. He meets his brothers again. He hunts food with them again. And they will eat together again!