Author's Note: Okay, so I came out with this one right away, because I felt obligated after such a big ass cliffhanger! XD And just for you, the animaniac dude, it's just a tad longer, but not by much. X) I hope you all enjoy this long awaited and juicy chapter. And now, with no further ado, enjoy! XD

P.S. Oh! And Generic Reviewer No. 5! You made me laugh with your review! XD I'm sorry for making you cry! X3

Forbidden Love

Chapter 10: Why?

Luffy quickly, but discreetly looked over his shoulder to the actress entering the studio with her … two body guards. Sucking in his breath and his eyes threatening to fall out as large as they'd opened, he quickly turned and began to walk away, "I gotta go …"

Ace's sound of surprise came soon after to the barely heard whisper, and he quickly looked over to see Luffy's retreating back. "Oi! You can't leave now! We have a job to do!" He said, quickly running after him and grabbing his arm.

However, Luffy swiftly turned, his face completely devoid of color and from what it looked to also be full of terror and shoved Ace away from him harshly, "No, don't …! I have to go …!" He cried quietly in a panicked voice, before hurriedly making for the back of the studio.

"Oi, Luffy!" Ace cried after him, stumbling backwards from the shove, and falling onto his ass.

At Ace yelling his name, Luffy completely froze solid, an icy veil enveloping his entire being as he sucked in his breath. However, he wasn't the only one. The actress Luna and her two bodyguards also froze in place, having heard the cry. Luffy released a few shaky and rushed breaths before his face turned pained, and he slowly turned around, knowing they had heard Ace. Just as he'd feared, as his eyes lay upon her, she slowly turned to him as well, and their eyes met.

Ace just blinked up at Luffy in bewilderment before following his gaze to the actress, who it seemed wore the exact same color, but not the same expression as Luffy, having slowly looked over at Luffy. She looked completely shocked. Looking back and forth between the two as they just stared at one another, he became more and more bewildered. Even the two bodyguards looked shocked, even though he couldn't see much of them under their concealing caps and sunglasses.

Luffy swallowed hard, his brows furrowing further into his painful expression at seeing her face again, but it wasn't just a picture this time. It was really her. It took her a long while, but then her expression finally mimicked his pain as she took a step forward, and he took a step back. However, her face then seemed to turn to pained rage, taking a few more steps towards him.

"You …!" She breathed, speaking in the Japanese language, before she rushed towards him in a swift walk. Ace then quickly turned to Luffy, who took only a few steps back before standing his ground, and his expression lessened, "You … You … son of a bitch!" She finally screeched, slapping him hard across the face, and making his body twist forcefully to the strength of the slap. The loud slap resounded throughout the studio, causing everyone to shudder, "How dare you!?" She continued to scream, beginning to beat his chest with her fists and tears streamed down her face, "How could you do that to us!? How could you do that!?"

Luffy stood his ground, taking it, his expression turning more pained once again, and he bore his teeth in his inner anguish, just looking down at her, "How could you leave us like that?!" She screamed one last time before wilting against him and sobbing loudly into his chest, "Wh-y …!?" She wailed before embracing him tightly. By now she'd drawn a large crowd.

At hearing Ace cry Luffy's name, Boa had gone to investigate and made it to the front just in time to hear the woman scream her insult and see her give Luffy a hard slap to the face. Eyes widening quickly, she gasped before scowling and walking forward. However, an arm shot out to stop her and hold her there.

"What are you doing …!? Let go of me …!? How dare she-!?"

"Don't …" Shanks said, cutting her off, and just watched the pair carefully and just as painfully.

Luffy stared down at the top of her head, tears welling into his eyes. He slowly lifted his arms, but seemed to hesitate to embrace the sobbing woman himself. "Nami …" He whispered, and only Ace heard the name. His eyes widened in recognition from the name Luffy'd said upon seeing her image in the paper.

"Oi … get down …"

Training and instincts kicked in for both Luffy and Nami to the voice they heard, and Nami quickly moved away from Luffy, while Luffy swiftly ducked from the kick towards his head. "What the …!?" Ace cried, quickly crawling away backwards to the two bodyguards suddenly attacking his friend, "Oi! What the hell are you doing!?" He cried in his language.

Then he watched as the second bodyguard, his cap falling off to reveal green hair, removed two small short swords concealed within his person, and he swiped at Luffy, who skillfully dodged the swipes, and then the kick that soon followed after from the blonde man, who also lost his cap. He dodged and blocked all the hits, kicks and swords swinging his way with agile movements and great skill. Then suddenly, Luffy switched to the offensive, his expression showing his concentration as he disarmed the green haired man, grabbed them both by the wrists, and flipped them onto the backs, kneeling down in the middle of both.

Blinking in some confusion, Luffy then looked down into the faces of both his brothers, both of them with tears streaming down their temples, having lost their sunglasses during the flip. They were actually crying, "Son of a bitch … We missed your sorry ass … Why the hell did you go …?" The blonde man whispered, also in Japanese, before both got up to embrace him.

Face once again showing his pain, Luffy didn't hesitate to embrace them both, his tears finally coming through, and speaking in the same language as them, "I'm so sorry …!"

The actress, Luna, dropped to her knees behind him, hugging his back, still crying. He reached behind her head to gently hug her to his, pressing his cheek to hers as they all cried together. The crowd that had been drawn to the scene was just gaping at them, still amazed at the fighting, and now just dumbfounded to the four embracing and crying on the floor. Even though everyone else was completely clueless to what any of them said, Ace and Boa both understood every word.

Everything had happened so quickly, and everyone was just speechless. "Damn, it's so good to see you, Luffy! What the hell are you doing here!?" Zoro exclaimed in a loud whisper, everyone pulling away from him.

Luffy chuckled, wiping away his tears, "I will tell you guys later. We're causing a scene …"

"To hell with the scene! Luffy, what the hell? Why?" Zoro replied, frowning at him.

"L-Luffy's … right, as much as I want to hear what he has to say, we really shouldn't do that here." Sanji said with a smile he couldn't remove - he was so damned happy.

Luffy finally turned to look at Nami, who just stared into his eyes, her expression blank. She hadn't spoken a word since her outburst. Then she just leaned forward, hugging him again, "You're not leaving my sight …" She whispered with a quiver of her voice.

His expression softened before he smiled and finally hugged her back, "I won't leave again … I promise … It … It hurt too much the first time …" He whispered back to her.

Her eyes saddened and closed, more tears spilling down her face before she pulled away from him and wiped them away. "Good … but you're still not leaving my sight …"

He chuckled softly as he stood, reaching out his hands for her to take, which she did, and he helped her up while Zoro and Sanji stood as well. Luffy then turned to Ace, still on the ground just gaping at them. "I-I'm sorry …" He said to him with a frown, reaching out a hand to help him up.

Still frowning, Ace stared up at him for awhile, shifting his eyes to the three standing behind him before looking back up at Luffy again. He was beginning to understand some things, but he was still left in the dark as to why. After awhile, he took Luffy's hand, and Luffy pulled him up to his feet.

"I-It's … all right … but an explanation would definitely be nice … as would an introduction …" Ace said, dusting himself off, still frowning at Luffy.

Lowering his gaze with a bit of guilt and embarrassment for how he treated his best friend, he then turned to the others, "Ace … this is," he paused to swallow, "my family …"

Brows knitting together, Ace looked over to the other three, who looked nothing alike, "Your family …?"

"My two brothers … Zoro," He motioned to Zoro and then to Sanji, "and Sanji. And this," he then motioned to Nami, "Is my sister … Nami. Guys, this is Ace, my best friend for the past four years."

The three turned to Ace, all with unreadable, but Ace knew skeptical frowns, but each gave a slight bow to him, in which he returned. "You're not actually related, are you?"

Chuckling, Luffy turned a smile to him, "Weren't you the one who said a month ago, that you don't have to be related to be brothers?"

Looking over at Luffy, Ace then smiled again, a warm smile to match Luffy's, "Yeah … Yeah, I did. I have to say though … I don't understand …"

"That makes all of us …" Nami said quietly, looking over at Luffy with a soft frown.

Looking past them, Luffy cleared his throat, "Later …" He said, just as Shanks and Arlong approached them.

"Uh … I can't say that was the strangest thing I've seen, but," Shanks started, giving Luffy a confused and odd smile, "that was definitely strange …"

"I'm really sorry about this …" Luffy said, wilting slightly.

"No, it's all right. I'm sure there are good reasons. However, it seems that you all know each other."

"Yes, sir, Arlong. This … This is my family from Japan … Um …"

"Say no more, Luffy. I'm sure it's a personal matter, and you don't have to explain." The older man smiled while holding up a hand, "However, Miss Luna, you did come to sign your contract today. Has that changed?"

Taking a deep breath, Nami then forced herself to smile, "No, of course not."

"Then please, right this way." Arlong said, motioning for her to follow him down the hall.

Nami grabbed Luffy's hand, "You're coming too …"

Blinking at them, Arlong then gave a nervous chuckle. "Assistants aren't … usually … present for the-"

"He's coming too …" She repeated, her expression hard.

Clearing his throat, Arlong then released another chuckle, "Yes, of course," he then motioned for them to continue on, "this way."

They all went where he directed, Nami dragging Luffy along with her. He blinked at her back for a bit, but then he smiled warmly at her back. It was so good to see her again, even if it wasn't really what he wanted. He had missed her so much. Ace watched them all walk away, his eyes sharp and noticing quite a bit. It didn't really take a genius to put two and two together.

He had known Luffy for only four years, but in those four years they had been close. He probably knew more about Luffy than he, himself, did. There was something in the way his eyes and voiced change, something in his attitude that he'd caught. However, hopefully he would get an explanation rather than having to figure it out for himself.

xxxx

"Listen Luffy … why don't you go ahead and take the rest of the day off … you and Ace both. You've both accomplished all you really needed to do today with Miss Luna's visit. You can both finish up the rest of the work tomorrow. I know that today has been a … rough day for you, and I know that you need time with your family." Arlong said after Nami'd signed off all she needed to for the contract.

"Thank you, Arlong, sir. I appreciate it." Luffy said, giving the man a slight bow.

"It's not a problem, Luffy. I'll see you tomorrow."

Nodding to him, Luffy then stood and turned to his family, and then they all walked out, "Where are you guys staying?"

"Your place now. There's no way in hell we're letting you out of our sight, like Nami says." Zoro said, his expression unfaltering.

However, Luffy just smiled, releasing a breath and nodded, "That's fine. You guys come in a limo, or something?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you can send him off. Luckily, I brought my car today since it was supposed to rain …" Luffy explained as they walked down the halls to the main studio, where Ace was waiting.

"Oi, Arlong gave us the rest of the day off."

"Good, because I'm coming home with you …" Ace said, his face unreadable.

Luffy sighed and nodded with a chuckle, having expected that, "That's fine. I'll see you there then."

Nodding as well, Ace turned to leave, and Luffy turned to his family. "Shall we?"

They all made their way out, but a voice suddenly stopped them, "Luffy!"

Luffy halted, wilting a bit before turning with a weak smile, "Hancock …" The beautiful woman was making her way towards them, a soft frown on her face as she shifted her eyes to Nami and frowned deeper. "I'll be right back …" Luffy said, walking over to the woman. Nami's eyes narrowed a bit, watching the woman approach Luffy. "What is it, Hancock?"

"Is everything all right? Why did she hit you? What was she saying?" Hancock asked in a ramble of questions and then reached up to gently touch his face, the red mark still present.

Nami immediately stiffened, sucking in her breath. Luffy reached up to take Hancock's hand from his face, but was smiling as he lowered their hands, "I'm all right, Hancock. If it makes you feel any better, I definitely deserved it …"

"Who is she?"

"She's … She's my sister …"

"Your sister?" She asked, her brows coming together deeper, "She looks nothing like you."

"We were all adopted by the same man. We're all brothers and sister." This was the first time he'd ever spoken that word to anyone, adopted. However, perhaps he had his reason, a reason he, himself, did not know.

"Oh …" Hancock replied, a soft frown still forming over her beautiful face.

"I'm gonna take 'em home, okay? I'll see you later." He said, turning to walk back towards his family, offering her a wave as he did. She just watched him go with a sigh, her frown never leaving her face.

As they finally made it outside and told the driver from the limo he could go, Nami asked, "Who was that …?"

"That was Hancock … She's an actress that likes to … visit the studio."

"I've seen her … in magazines. She's a very famous actress here in the states …" Sanji said, looking quite impressed that Luffy knew her.

"Yeah, that's Hancock …" Luffy said curtly, but he didn't sound at all joyous to his words.

"She seemed pretty … close to you. She your girlfriend or somethin'-?"

"No." Luffy replied before Zoro could even finish his question. Nami had stiffened to Zoro's question, but relaxed again at Luffy's quick response. "Hancock is just Hancock …"

Making it to the car, he pulled out the keys and pressed the unlock button. The car's lights flashed it's greeting as they approached. "Whoa … Dude, this is your car?" Zoro asked, eyes wide as he began to circle it.

"Uh, yeah …" Luffy replied, opening the driver's side.

"This is a sweet ride, Luffy …" Sanji breathed, running his hand over the top, also looking it over with Zoro.

Nami just blinked at it. It really was a nice car, "It's American …"

"Ah, yeah, it is. I like our cars and all … but this one," Luffy chuckled, "I dunno, I just really liked it. You should see my bike."

"You got a bike!?"

Luffy laughed softly at Sanji, "Aa, it's back at my house."

"You have a house …?"

"Ah, well, it's a townhome …" Luffy turned to smile at Nami.

"Dude, can I drive?"

Hearing them all again, he could feel tears sting his eyes as he chuckled, and then he threw Zoro the keys, climbing into the back seat. "You're awesome …" Zoro breathed, quickly rounding to the front of the car and to the driver's seat.

"Just don't get pulled over."

"Haha, yeah …"

Sanji let Nami into the back before climbing into the front passenger seat, "Shitty swordsman … I was gonna ask him …"

"Early bird catches the worm, one eye …"

"Yeah, yeah …"

Nami smiled at her brothers, thinking she had never felt so happy that they were all together again. In thinking about Luffy, she lost her smile, looking over at him. "So … that Ace guy …?" Zoro started, already pulling out of the studio grounds onto the main streets, "He's … kinda pushy …"

Breaking into laughter, Luffy then shook his head, "Never. Ace is never pushy … This is the first time, but I understand why. I've … worried him for some time now … Especially … last month … on my birthday … He's just … ready for an explanation."

"What happened on your birthday?"

Luffy shifted his eyes to Nami, "I-It was nothing …"

"He was worried about ya, huh …?" Zoro asked, looking at him through the rearview.

"And what was that you were talking about … Don't gotta be related to be brothers …?" Sanji asked his own question in relation to Zoro's.

Luffy just chuckled, his expression softening into a smile, "Ace … has been with me since that first night I left …" Each actually looked surprised to hear that, "We happened to catch the same ride … If it wasn't for Ace … Don't think I'd 've made it this far … I think the same goes for him too. He's been a really great friend, and I trust him with my life."

They all listened, just watching him as he smiled, and then he tilted his head with a bigger smile and chuckle. Nami's expression softened, looking at that smile, but then her heart pulsed painfully. She hadn't seen Luffy smile genuinely like that in a long time. She was a bit jealous that that smile was for someone else other than them. However, if she'd not had her back turned on him back at the studio, she'd have seen that smile directed at her.

She continued to just watch him carefully, still not believing he was really right there. Both Zoro and Sanji frowned, exchanging glances before facing forward again. "So, are you going to tell us why?" Zoro asked, as he drove, having no idea really where he was going.

Losing his smile, Luffy looked out of the back window, "L-Let's wait … until we get home … By the way, turn left here …"

"He said left, dipshit …"

"I am turning left …"

"You turned right, idiot …" Sanji shook his head, "Whatever, I wanted to stop off at and get some things to cook anyways … if you don't mind, Luffy?"

"Not at all. I-It … would be great to taste your cooking again, Sanji …" Luffy said, laughing softly.

"Aa, I figured it would be."

xxxx

Ace waited patiently back at Luffy's house, wondering what was taking them so long. When he heard the car pull into the garage, he then turned towards the door to the lower stairwell. After about ten minutes, the door finally opened and they all stepped in.

"Man! You're bike is sweet, Luffy! You gotta let me take it for a ride!"

Then the three paused and blinked at him, while Luffy grinned as if this was a normal occurrence, having only half heard Sanji.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Sanji wanted to stop to get some things from the store."

"Ah, that's all right, Luffy. You know me."

"Aa, I know. Still gotta apologize for the wait."

Zoro released a shrill whistle, looking around Luffy's place. "When you said a townhouse … you never said it was this huge and three stories … Ah! Is this … your TV!?" He exclaimed, plopping onto the couch and grabbed for the remote. "Dude … I hate you …"

"Wow, Luffy … your kitchen, it …" Sanji said in awe, walking into the rather large kitchen and running his hands over the smooth light brown, speckled granite over dark cherry wood cabinets, "There's even an island … all stainless steel appliances …"

"This place really is incredible, Luffy …" Nami whispered to herself, also looking around.

Flushing a bit in embarrassment as he chuckled and shrugged, Luffy then walked over to the kitchen to sit on a barstool next to his bar, connecting to the family room. "It's home …"

Sanji set down his bags, beginning to remove the groceries inside, "You got pans?"

"Ah, yeah … It was a housewarming gift from Arlong's wife. Real expensive … but I never used 'em … Lemme get 'em." He said, getting off the stool to look under some of his cabinets, "Ah! Here they are …" He exclaimed, pulling out a box, never been opened.

"Aah …" Sanji breathed, shoving Luffy aside as he gaped at the box and running his hands over it, "Y-Y-You have …?" He couldn't even finish his sentence, "These are state of the art … worth more than two hundred and sixty thousand yen … and you have them stashed away in your cabinets …?"

"Ah, well … I-I don't cook … Wouldn't you rather they be in there, or ruined when I tried to cook with 'em …?"

"Good point." Sanji replied with a nod, already in the process of opening it.

Ace just watched them all and couldn't help a smile. They all seemed to know each other so well, he almost felt like an outsider now. "So … Mr. Monkey … care to explain now?" Zoro asked, staring at the TV screen, but it seemed, had not forgotten.

Ace sucked in his breath, his eyes widening as he quickly looked over at Zoro, "Wh-What … did you just say …?"

They all looked over at him in some surprise, and then Luffy scratched his head. "Ah … I guess after all this time … I never did tell you my last name, huh? Haha! Sorry!"

Ace looked over at Luffy, but he hadn't lost the shocked expression on his face, "Y-You're a Monkey …?"

"Aa, that's right … Monkey D. Luffy …" Luffy replied, beginning to frown as he approached his friend.

Ace's face suddenly lost all color, and he swallowed hard, "Luffy … you," he started before shaking his head, "Luffy … my last name Portgas … was my mother's name …"

"Ha?" Luffy questioned quietly, his brows slowly knitting further.

"Luffy … my real last name is Monkey … Monkey D. Ace …"

To Be Continued …

Author's Note: Dun Duun DUUUN!! XD Don't you just love those kinda endings to a chapter too? Cliffies are always a bitch! X) But they are so fun! XD Cliffies are awesome! X) Anyways, what did you guys think? Did you like the reunion? Did it make sense? Pah! Made total sense to me. Nami's not one to just run and hug him, hell no! She's gonna be spittin' mad pissed! Is what she's gonna be! XD Then! She will wilt and cry! X9 Anyways, lemme know, okay? This chapter was kinda important for me, and I couldn't wait to get to it. So, some input on it would be greatly appreciated! XD

260,000 Japanese yen = close to 3,000 US dollars. Actually, the estimated amount is, 267,450 yen = 3,000 US dollars.