Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

"Next week on the tenth, we are going on a field trip!" The teacher announced it with enthusiasm, so in response all of the third grade students cheered in unison. Even Ace, a rarity. "Now, before you go, please ask your parents to sign this sheet. Remember to bring it in by the seventh, or you can't go." Here, the teacher purposely lowered her voice in the saddest note, so all the children booed and someone even began to cry. But she regained her cheerful demeanor and the class bustled with excitement.

Ace was handed the slip of paper and he read it. It was in small font, but he could make out some of the long words. Sign here, date here, name here. It was easy for him.

The third grade field trip was a one-night stay at a log cabin house deep in the forest. There the children would experience the wonders of the wilderness and get their hands on nature. There was going to be games, activities, and hot, melted S'mores served around the campfire. This was going to be Ace's first field trip.

Sabo bumped his elbow, "Ace! When we get on the bus, let's sit together!"

"Yeah! And when we get to camp, we need to get the same room, the same bed, the same table!"

"Yeah!" Sabo agreed with a shout.

Of course, the children were so hyped up with the upcoming field trip it was hard to keep them down. All that was going through their little heads was that they needed their parent's signature, and then fun, fun, fun.

-.-.-

Ace and Sabo's conversations were all about the camp, so when Luffy joined in the group, the poor little child didn't understand a thing.

"What are you talking about? I want to know!"

Since Luffy was being stubborn, Ace finally gave in. He was planning to tell him when he and Zoro were at the dinner table. "Me and Sabo are going on a field trip!"

"Really?" Luffy chirped. Then, an unexpected answer was returned, "I'm going on a field trip too!"

"...what?"

"Where?"

"To the aquarium!" Luffy pulled out his slip of paper and shoed it to his friend and brother. It was exactly like theirs except it said 'The Aquarium' instead of 'One-night camp'. To Ace's shock, it was on the same day, however, Luffy's was only a day long. "We're going to see a lot of fishies, and then we're going to eat them!"

"Luffy, I don't think you'll get to eat them..." Sabo turned to Ace, "When I went, we were only allowed to look at them."

"Awwww! Really?" Luffy had a frown for a second, but it brightened up again, "Oh well! I want to see big fishies! Are there big fishies?"

"Yeah, and blue fishes, green fishes, and even rainbow!"

"Rainbow!" Luffy gleamed with delight, "I can't wait!"

They continued on talking until they reached the road where it split into four directions. Sabo went to the right, and Luffy and Ace went left. They waved to each other and headed home. Suddenly, on separating, Ace's face turned dark.

Luffy saw it immediately, "What's wrong Ace?"

"I'm not going."

"What? Where?"

"I'm not going to the stupid field trip."

"What!" Luffy screamed, "Why?"

"It's all stupid and boring, so I don't want to go anymore!" Ace folded his arms and frowned despondently. "So you better not tell Zoro that my class is going." He said it sharply so Luffy could understand.

Luffy didn't.

He didn't understand why Ace was mad all of a sudden. His brother and Sabo were laughing and talking about the camp with bright smiles. This was Ace's first to go somewhere with his friends! On a bus too! Their dad never rode on any vehicle except the van Robin's crew drove, so buses were a type of luxury for the two siblings.

He did, however, noticed the subtle habit Ace made. Whenever Ace folded his arms and acted overly pissed off, he was lying. Was he lying that he didn't hate the field trip and didn't think it was stupid and boring? Or was he lying at the fact that he thought the camp trip was going to be fun? Luffy was getting confused.

"But Ace, can I tell Daddy that I have field trip?"

"Say whatever you want!" Ace huffed, his arms still crossed. Luffy puckered up his little lips, but his confused feelings were erased because he was going to get his permission slip signed.

As they walked on home, Luffy began chirping about the aquarium, trying his best to lift Ace's current angry mood. He tried telling him of the types of fishes, and asked whether some can fly, but all of the replies were a 'hmph.' So eventually Luffy gave up, and ignored the spiky air until they reached home.

Zoro was off from work and was waiting for his children at the doorway. Luffy leaped into his father's chest and squeezed.

"Daddy daddy! Guess what! I have a field trip!"

"You mean, you're going on a field trip, right?"

"Uh...yeah!"

Zoro lifted Luffy into his arms and took Ace by the hand, "How was school?"

"Good." Ace answered simply. He always answered in this way, so Zoro didn't realize it. Plus, the man looked a little tired, so he wasn't in the healthiest of spirits. "What about you Zoro?"

"Ahh...just tired." Zoro answered honestly. "I made food, so eat first before working on your homework."

"Daddy daddy! Are you going to sign the paper?"

"Oh yeah...let me go and do that first." Zoro accepted the permission slip and quickly scanned through the text. When he spotted the things to sign, he clicked the pen and scribbled down a signature.

Meanwhile, Luffy and Ace sat around the tiny round table Zoro had set up when they were going to either working on their homework or eating. On the table was their favorite: ketchup fried rice with tons of green round peas. Luffy grinned in delight and ate. He swallowed a spoonful of rice and all of a sudden he felt like today was the greatest day of his life. Ace, on the other hand, appreciated the fried rice, but envy circled his gut. Instead of focusing on the depressing fact that he wasn't getting his permission slip signed therefore no field trip, he focused on the large grin on Luffy's face.

He made sacrifices before, so he was getting used to it. Ace gave up his threadbare blanket to keep his infant brother warm in the cold, poorly ventilated walls of the Shabondy Orphanage. He sacrificed his food for Luffy when the caretakers refused to give any. If Luffy wanted to go on an aquarium on a day when nobody was at home to keep Zoro safe, then Ace would give up his field trip.

"Daddy!" Luffy raised his spoon in the air, "Can I have seconds?"

"Already?" Zoro chuckled, "You're eating more and more these days."

"Yeah! I want to grow up and be tall as you daddy!"

Zoro smiled as he took the empty ketchup stained plate, but he peered over to Ace who was also halfway done with eating his, "Do you want me to put in extra, Ace?"

Ace blushed at his father's generosity, but he lowered his head down. The whole 'not going on a field trip' made him lose his appetite by a third.

"I'm fine."

Zoro suddenly looked worried, "A-Are you alright? Are you feeling sick?"

"I-I ate some cookies Per-Sabo's dad made." Ace spat out a quick lie.

"What cookies?" Luffy gasped, "I didn't get one..."

"I-I'll ask Sabo to get you some next time okay?" Ace promised, and that calmed Luffy before the crying storm came in.

"Okay!" Luffy turned his attention on the signed slip, "Daddy! Listen listen! I'm going to the aquarium and see the fishies! But I'm not allowed to eat them..."

-.-.-

The following day, the teacher announced to the class if they had their permission slip signed. A heavy feeling fell and gripped Ace's chest as he watched his classmates raised their little hands up with the signed paper. He felt like he was one of the 'bad, irresponsible' kids who forgot to sign. He saw some students hanging their heads in shame, and this enraged him. He wasn't like those stupid kids who only cared for video games the moment they go home! He was doing it for a purpose!

Sabo dropped his hand when the teacher accepted the slip. He noticed his partner didn't get his out.

"Ace, Mrs. Kalifa's asking for the permission slip."

"I know."

"W-Where's yours?" Sabo sensed the fighting aura, and tried to cushion up with a smile.

"...I forgot."

Sabo was about to utter, 'You forgot? Why did you forget?' like any other kid, but if he did he forebode a sudden fist in his face. Instead he whispered, "...is it because Luffy's going on the field trip on the same day?"

Ace stiffened and then gave a quick nod.

"Why?" Sabo shook his friend, "Why is it that bad to have field trips on the same day?"

"Just shut up okay!" Ace hissed sharply, "It's none of your business! And if you tell your dad that I'm not going, I'm going to hate you for the rest of my life!" Ace threatened him with the last bit because he knew that if Sabo told Sanji, then Sanji would tell Zoro.

Ace was Sabo's best friend, but there were times when he refused to tell him things that related to the family. He just got so mad when Sabo attempted to ask. He didn't know why; Ace's father was a good father, just like his. Their father never oogled over women and constantly thought about perverted things. Then again, Mrs. Kalifa warned the students when Ace moved into town that the child might be hard to get along. Why? Why why why-the questions filled his mind, but they were never answered.

So Sabo remained quiet in his seat and asked nothing more, just like a good friend did.

-.-.-

Ace left his permission slip in his backpack and never took it out. It remained in his backpack for three days. Two days before the due date, and everyone turned in their permission slips. All except Ace. Sabo was starting to get worried, but what else could he do? Ace was stubborn and wouldn't stir to any coaxing. During those days, however, poor Ace looked depressed. Whenever someone and his eyes met, he would force a strained smile and act like he was normal.

On the other hand, Luffy was full of bright spirits. He babbled on to Zoro about fishes while washing his teeth, and Zoro had to wipe Luffy's mouth off of all of the bubbles. He drew fishes around the date of his departure on the calendar, but he drew too much that the whole month was covered in colorful fishes. Luffy would suddenly jump up and down and squealing because he just couldn't wait.

Because of the polar opposite of his children, Zoro was heavily worried about Ace. He thought his son was jealous of Luffy going to the field trip. So, he used all of his courage (and taking bottles of medicine) to go to a nearby convenience store to buy eight set case of custard pudding. He hoped Ace would like that.

When his children were home, Zoro leaned down and whispered to them, "Look what's in the refrigerator."

The two blinked at each other and then a smile cracked open on their little faces. They threw their backpacks and shoes and ran into the kitchen, fighting for who was going to open the refrigerator. Zoro smiled when the two screamed out 'yeay!' and 'can we eat two?' Zoro bent down to pick up the backpacks, but both of them only zipped them up halfway so all of the folders spilled out.

He cursed under his breath and scrambled to collect the paper when something caught his eye. Zoro picked it up and read through it. He thought it was Luffy's: his son got so caught up with daydreaming about aquariums that he forgot to turn it in. When he saw that it was blank, and it said 'third grade field trip' it broke Zoro's heart.

"...ahh...Ace..." Zoro quickly gathered and put away the folders in the right places, but he kept the permission slip separate. He took it to a different room before his children came running in with two custard puddings in their hands and a spoon in their mouths. He waited patiently and quietly as his sons slurped the sweet delicacy. He did move to clean up the mess when Luffy spilled a spoonful onto the table. When the two were done and got up to put the spoons and empty containers away, Zoro tapped the surface of the table.

"Ace, would you come here for a second?"

"But Zoro, I need to clean my hands."

"It can wait."

Ace looked confused, giving a worried look at Luffy. Luffy just smiled nonchalantly.

"Daddy, can I wash my hands?"

"Yes, and can you stay in the bedroom until I call you?"

"Okay!" Luffy ran off while wiggling his sticky fingers like spiders.

Zoro paused to hear the sound of running water, and then he tapped the table again. Ace clenched and unclenched his sticky fingers, and then slithered down to sit next to Zoro.

"...um...w-what is it...dad?" Ace only called him that when he thought he was in serious trouble.

Zoro sighed and slipped the folded slip in front of Ace. His son's expression was blank until Zoro unfolded it to reveal the permission slip. Then Ace turned all blue.

"Zoro-!"

"Ace, why did you hide this?"

"I didn't hide it! I-I forgot!"

"-and were you going to continue to pretend even on the day when everyone goes to the field trip?"

Ace hung his head because his eyes were heavy with water. His heart was being torn apart from bitter sadness and confused. Why was he getting yelled at when he was doing something good? Why were the tears pouring out of his eyes, tears that burst from all the stress he had been keeping inside? Tears of happiness were also flowing out because his father loved him to notice something was wrong with him. His little body shook as he sniffled and coughed out a sob.

"I-I was doing it for you Zoro!" Ace sobbed, running his hands over his wet cheeks, "B-Because if we're not with you you'll get sick!"

Ace's head was suddenly patted with Zoro's large hands, "Ace, listen. First, I'm not angry at you at all. I'm feel...grateful that you did this for me, but...you're still a child Ace. Don't give up things just for me."

"B-But Zoro-"

"If you guys aren't at home, I can call Robin." This latently translated to 'picking him up and transporting him to the medical hospital and be confined in the chambers.' "It's only a few hours."

"B-But won't you be bored? Lonely?"

"I...I can talk to Robin now, so..." Zoro ran his hands through Ace's head, "Don't worry about me Ace. Have fun." He drew his hands away and pushed the signed permission slip toward him.

Ace held the permission slip with his trembling hands. Then another rush of tears gushed out from his eyes. He tried to smile to show how happy he really was, but the harsh sniffling got in the way. Even the failing attempt of a sloppy smile, Zoro understood and gave his son a strong hug.

"Now you're okay to clean your hands."

"O-Okay." Ace rubbed his eyes to clear out all of the tears. He made a straight face to try to look like he hadn't cried, but the red eyes were obvious. He folded the slip and quickly stuffed it in his backpack, and then he ran to the bathroom to finally clean his hands.

Zoro stood up and reached for the phone. He pressed a few numbers and waited for the line to pick up. This was Robin's personal cell phone number, so only she answered it.

"Hello? Zoro?" Robin asked suddenly, "What's the matter?"

"N-nothing...much. Um, will you pick me up on the tenth? My kids aren't at home that day."

"Where are the children going?"

"To a field trip." Then Zoro let out a sigh, "Robin, I feel...I feel so spoiled that I'm ashamed."

"Why?"

"Ace...he refused to show me the field trip permission slip because I'll be left alone."

"Aww, how sweet..."

Zoro brushed a hand over his face, "My god, I never knew kids would do these kinds of things."

"Well, they are special children, but children are born to be sweet angels. It's the environment that shapes their behavior. You raised them well, Zoro."

"Thanks Robin..." Zoro started to fidget, "Uhm...I-I'll hang up now."

He heard a soft giggle, "Alright. I'll see you on the tenth."

"Yeah, bye." Zoro hastily hung up the phone. Panting in quick breaths, he suddenly slithered down to his knees. Without the children nearby, the fear was crawling toward him. He covered ears and squeezed his eyes shut to shoo away the horror.

-.-.-

The sun was bright out and everything was beautiful. It was a perfect day to go on a field trip! Strange to say, a quirk of fate, something unexpected always happened.

Luffy was suddenly struck down with the flu.

Since he had been so excited for the field trip, he had worn himself out that his tiny body became vulnerable. The poor little child was down in bed, covered in blankets, tissue boxes spread all around like a rainbow about the bedpost, red and hot in the face, and tears were uncontrollably falling from his eyes. Right beside the bed was his 'field trip backpack' that he had stuffed with dozens of snacks and toys. Every time Luffy cast his eyes on the backpack it brought up another crying fit. He sobbed, sniffled, sneezed, and coughed as Zoro took his temperature. Ace was watching beside his father and feeling mighty sorry for his younger brother.

Zoro read the temperature and then didn't know what expression he should make at this moment. Both knew that Luffy would cry no matter what.

"I'm sorry Luffy, but you're too sick to go."

"B-But I wanted to go!' Luffy wailed out loud with a stuffy nose. "I wanted to go~!"

Zoro looked like he was going to cry also, but Ace had taken the spot. He started to sniffle up and peered up at his father.

"Z-Zoro, should I not go either-"

"No you're going." Zoro replied firmly, "J-Just, forget about us and enjoy it alright?" He stood up and guided Ace out the door. Luffy, the poor sick child, went on crying.

Outside, Robin was waiting with a large van parked in the apartment parking lot. When she heard the loud wailing of a child as the door opened, a sympathetic smile formed on her face. She didn't know all of the details, but she connected the dots.

"I guess you don't need me anymore."

"I'm sorry Robin for coming all the way here this early."

"Oh, no. It's fine." Robin peered to the doorway, "...I-I hope Luffy gets better."

"...I hope so too." Zoro leaned down and kissed Ace, "Have fun, got it?"

"O-Okay Zoro. Um...I'll get pretty rocks and stuff for Luffy."

"That'll be great." Zoro really meant it because he knew Luffy wasn't going to cease crying for a while, and he probably needed something to look forward to. Ace kissed Zoro, waved to Robin, and then ran off to school with his own 'field trip backpack.'