Author's Note: \(*o*)/ I finally found the rough drafts that I did for the upcoming romance scenes... I believe I wrote these at like 3:00 in the morning. They're in need of total revision. Umm, I guess this chapter contains mistreatment, and talk of branding. Also, doing something against someone's will. So, beware!

A brand. On the small port island, where many pirates came to dock, many visitors did not know of what happened behind the scenes. Sage shuddered as she recalled how strict, and tormenting it was. There was three levels of classes. The top class with most benefits, was the rich. They lived in a gated community, closed off and shut away from the rest of the island. Mansions lined the paved streets. The middle class was next. Their area was built around the rich people's one, with slightly worn down buildings. Their buildings were very mundane, and the people living there were treated fairly good. Finally, the poor was given the shabbiest and most rundown part of town, on the outskirts. The roads were filled with potholes, and the buildings were falling apart. The poor people were not allowed to enter the other districts, and were denied access to many events. They could not attend festivals, were given the worst quality of food, and were treated like scum.

"This...brand...is to separate the rich and the poor. Every person receives one at the age of five. It can be in three places. Your neck, your hand, or... your cheek. You don't get to choose where." Sage remembered her mother, her cheek covered in black ink from the needle. She remembered the screams and squeals of the other people her age getting their brands as well. The needle, the sharp tip covered in black ink, and the prickling pain that ran through Sage's body as she was receiving hers. The small dove was printed, and then Sage was free to go. "But the worst pain is not when you get the brand. It's after." A day or two after the brand is given, a terrible burning sensation is felt around the brand. That's when the vines appear. "The vines represent what district you're in. Vines represent the poor district, and we are required to show them every time we enter a shop, to see... if the shop accepts us." Sage touched the back of her neck. The brand had morphed, it had become one with her skin. She could never remove it. She could never get rid of it.

"So that was what was on your father's hand. The brand." Killer crossed his arms, and tilted his head in thought.

"Yeah. My dad's one is on his hand. My mother's one was on her cheek." Sage cupped her right cheek, rubbing the smooth skin. What must it have felt like, to receive that mark on your face. To walk around, wearing a brand that labeled you as scum, as dirt, as trash. Her mother got her mark at the age of twenty-seven, way past the usual age of receiving it. That's because Mama wasn't originally from the poor part of town. She was from the rich area. She left her family for Father...

"Mother? I didn't see your mother when I went to talk to you."

"She...left...when I was five years old."

Sage secluded herself in her room. She was having too many memories of her mother, and tears threatened to spill over at any moment. But she refused to cry. Not in front of pirates. Not in front of Killer and Crow. Not in front of Kid. She just sat on her bed, staring at the picture of her family that she brought of her family. Her father's tall and kind demeanor. Her mother's long black hair, and smiling face. Sage's own wide eyes and tilted head, wondering what the camera was doing. Her family, together and happy. Content. Complete. Sage had never realized how much she missed her mother. How empty it made her feel. Now, she had made her decision and she was now a part of this ship. But she did not yet feel like a part of this crew.

"Yo, Doc! We're near the Sabaody Archipelago! The crew's heading ashore. Captain's orders are for you to leave the ship!" Sage groaned. She would have to listen to that red-haired monster's orders. Ugh. He would probably go around harming innocent people.

"Crow! Wait up!" Although they would probably just stop to restock and drink at a bar, Sage was interested in something else. She had never left her own island for all of her life. With this new freedom, where no one knew who she was. Where no one could judge her. She felt so free, free to do whatever she wanted. And... Sage impishly grinned. There's a park here with a lot of rides! Yes! Grinning to herself, as she ran to catch up Crow, Sage made a list of rides that she wanted to try out when they got to the park.

"You look like you're excited." Crow gazed at the smaller girl next to him.

"I wanna ride the rides at Sabaody Park! It looks so fun~!" Sage clapped her hands together, jumping up and down, full of happiness.

"What a child." Crow smiled, and ruffled Sage's hair. The black-haired girl pouted, and tried to comb the strands. "Baka, we gotta follow Captain's orders and follow him. If he tells us we can go somewhere, then we can."

"I know that... but if we get the chance to, I want to visit the park... You guys are probably gonna visit a bar anyway and get wasted..." Sage groaned at the way the men would be acting all hung over the next morning. Oh god, they act like women on their periods... "Crow, let's hurry, before we get left behind!

Sabaody Archipelago was like nothing Sage had ever seen. Bright, sunny, and with people all around. It was lively, and had way more people than what she was used to. It was loud. It was full of life. Busy looking at the sights, Sage's eyes darted from one thing to another, taking in all the sights and sensations. Her mouth agape, she could not believe the things she was experiencing.

"Gettin' all excited, Doc?" Crow laughed, his voice bellowing in Sage's ears. "Well, Cap' says to go to the Auction House. Don't get lost or anything, 'kay?" Crow turned, and followed the rest of the crew. Sage exhaled, and ran to catch up with him. It was strange, seeing how unaffected most of the people seemed. Especially with Killer and Kid up at the front of the group. Even though Sage and Kid's relationship had started roughly, she continued to keep her distance, but in moments like these she was not afraid of the red-haired man. It was almost as if he commanded respect as he walked, his head high. He also seemed a little cocky, but Sage felt safe around him, because she knew that no one would mess with him. Sage found herself staring at his broad back, and averted her eyes, blushing in embarrassment.

Sage was tempted to stop at some of the market booths and shops along the way, but her fear of being left behind kept her from wandering off. She stayed in back of Killer, and next to Crow, making sure to stay within reach of the pirate crew. They eventually reached a building, a large sign reading "Human" above the entryway. The building was a weird and peculiar shape, as if it had two roofs. Crow, Killer, Wire, Heat, and Kid ventured inside, Sage falling behind the group. She marveled at how large the building's entrance was, but soon ran to catch up with her crew.

Inside the building was a little dim, with rows and rows of chairs going all the way down to a stage. People were filling in the rows, and from the looks of their clothes, they looked high class and rich. There was a group in the front, with a strange clear glass around their heads- even the dog with them had one on. Sage tapped Crow. "Crow, why are those people wearing those things?"

"Ehh!? You don't know about the Celestial Dragons!?" Sage shook her head. She had only heard of Marines on her island, and she didn't like them one bit. Crow motioned for her to come closer. "Those people are called Celestial Dragons, they are the descendants of the people that created the World Government. They abuse their power, and treat people like dirt." Sage sighed. It seemed like more and more people nowadays were getting crueler. She lowered her eyes and stared at the floor. What were they doing here anyway?

"I've heard rumors about him, and they weren't pleasant. His manners aren't too good either..." Sage turned to the voice of her Captain, a cocky smirk on his lips. He is looking a man- one sitting with a spotted hat. He's flipping Kid off, but that's not what catches Sage's attention. It's the white bear next to him. It's wearing a jumpsuit, similar to the other crew members, with a insignia on it. But the fact that there is a bear, standing on it's two back legs like a person and conversing with other crew members, is what puts Sage in awe. And, it also makes Sage want to pet the snow white bear. Crow snickers, no doubt at Sage's dumbfounded face. Sage playfully punches Crow in the arm.

"I guess it's the first time you've seen that bear, huh?"

"I want to pet it! It looks so fluffy..."

"You don't want to do that, Doc." Crow leans closer, so he is near Sage's ear. "That there, is the Heart Pirates, whose Captain is Trafalgar Law. One of the Eleven Supernovas."