And cue the new arc! :D Action-wise, not much happens. It's still important, though, because it sets a lot of things up.
Also I'd like to welcome back angelrider13/Elri! (I forgot to do this when she first returned u_u) For those of you who don't know, she writes a lot of One Piece fanfiction and reading her amazing stories was one of the biggest reasons I began writing my own. So you can thank her, in part, for all of my earlier fics (including Divide) because she was (and still is) a big inspiration to me. She left for a few months when she found out her work was being stolen by another user (that's probably the worst thing that can happen to any sort of artist or writer) but now she's returned and I, along with the other readers, couldn't be happier. So check out her stuff and let's give her a big welcome!
Question: Has someone ever claimed something of yours as theirs? I have. Some kids from school took my drawings when I was little and claimed they drew them. I wasn't even any good... And there were a few times in high school. University is free of that, so far!
Disclaimer: You should know by now, really :P But I only own my words, not One Piece or any of its characters.
Trailing behind the first division commander, Ace hung his head low. He could see that his comrade was absolutely livid—he had every right to be with how blatantly his warnings were ignored—and it seemed nothing would quell him. It was weird seeing someone usually calm as on edge as he was. Sabo's big reveal—that he'd been appointed by Oyaji to watch over Ace—seemed to tip him over the edge. He never saw the blonde like that before.
Swallowing nervously, the youth thought it best to at least try to apologise—to appease the older brother who raised him. He looked up from the ground to the back of the man's head, taking calming breaths. "Marco," he began, catching the commander's attention. "Look, I'm sorry, alright? I… I was stupid."
After a moment of silence, Ace thought that his apology went unheard, but then the other spoke. "You could have gotten yourself killed, Ace."
The fire user's eyes widened. Everyone thought that he was dead, hadn't they? They thought that Teach killed him, that they'd lost him. A fresh wave of guilt slapped him in the face at that realization, making him feel even worse. His legs slowed to a halt, causing the one walking in front of him to do the same.
"…I wasn't thinking."
After staring hard into his eyes, Marco sighed. "You never think—that's why I always have to worry about you yoi."
Ace simply took the comment in stride, knowing that it was perfectly deserved.
"What do you think would happen if he attacked you yoi? You would have lost."
"Hey, I think I cou—"
"Ace," Marco warned, eyes narrowing. "You're still injured. And that staff of his is made of seastone yoi."
"Yeah but I—" The youth stopped mid-sentence and blinked, rolling what he just heard over in his head. "Wait, what?"
Marco sighed. "You didn't realize?"
"B-but it was metal, I'm sure of it!"
"That was a different weapon yoi. We've seen him use three so far."
Three? As Ace bore into the deepest reaches of his memory, he tried to recall his former encounters with the man. His earliest and most prominent vision of the item was a long, thick metal poll. It was the one he carried most often—the one he was known for. Then, when they watched the tape, he used a long metal pipe to beat one of Teach's men. And, while he hadn't paid it much mind, the more he thought about the bo staff he carried with him only a scant few minutes earlier, the more he began to realize it didn't carry the same sheen as the others.
…He had a seastone staff. Seastone. Should it be used against him, Ace's ability would have been rendered all but useless. The blonde bastard said he didn't come for a fight but then why did he bring a seastone weapon? As the wheels turned in his head, the fire user's eyes widened. He was fully prepared to fight. Talking things through was only Plan A. If Ace hadn't reacted as positively as he did…
"That bastard!"
Law opened the bedroom door for the blonde, greeting him with a lazy stare. He saw him approach the house ten minutes earlier and prepared for his arrival. Looking him up and down, he studied his appearance. Not a hair was out of place. He expected Blue's return to require him to patch up a few wounds and was intrigued when none were visible.
"You're alive—what a pleasant surprise."
Sabo snorted, "Always a charm, Trafalgar." He motioned past the surgeon but was stopped. Given a suspicious glare, he quickly realized his mistake. "I'm sterilized, I assure you."
Ordinarily Law wouldn't have cared what the blonde said—would've made him do it over again to be sure—but he noted that he changed out of his Low Town attire. Plus, Blue worried more than anyone about Luffy's health. Law knew he wouldn't risk making him sicker. So, after looking him over one more time, he nodded. "He's sleeping."
"I would assume. It's getting pretty late," Sabo stated as he paced over to the bed and sat down beside his brother, looking over him fondly.
After allowing the noble a moment of silence, Law decided to inquire about his unmarred appearance. With the way he spoke before he left, it sounded like he was going to risk his life. Surely he should show some signs of a scuffle, at least. But he didn't. Just what did he go to Low Town for? "So?"
"Hm?" the noble grunted, clearly not paying his associate much mind.
"Your rendezvous with Fire Fist—what, exactly, have you done to the fool?"
"Not a thing, my friend," was the simple, vague reply he was given. "He didn't require much… persuasion."
Law narrowed his eyes. "You're not the type to hold a civil discussion with the enemy."
"I take offense to that."
"You should."
After a sigh, Sabo turned his dark eyes from the sleeping teen to the scowling face of the gang leader, sending him a dull glare. "You need to have more faith in me, Traffy. I know what I'm doing."
"Call me that again and I'll use your left kidney as compensation."
"How kind of you," Sabo stated, lacing his words with sarcasm. It wasn't hard for the surgeon to tell that the noble wasn't too inclined to give him the answers he sought. They were meant to keep out of each other's business, after all. But that concerned him, too, and they both knew it. Whatever connection was known between them put him in danger, as well. Because of that he would get his answer. It would just take time. "He knows."
The surgeon's eyes narrowed. "And you let him go?"
Without warning, the blonde stood from his seat and paced over to the window, staring out into the blackness. Law could tell that he was biding his time, allowing his thoughts to collect before speaking. It was a long-held habit of the noble's to break eye contact and stare off into space whenever such a serious matter was brought up. "Originally I went to interrogate him and act according to that, however…" He sighed. "The boy's too simplistic—wears his emotions on his sleeve. It was quite sad, actually."
"Get on with it, Blue. I don't have all night," the surgeon stated, folding his arms in a show of impatience.
Sabo shot his associate a dull glare, warning him against any further interruptions before looking back to the scape of High Town. "Seeing him made me rethink my current strategy. I could use a fool like him. Having a few pawns scattered about will help me corner the King."
"Or he'll just add to the casualties."
"Perhaps, but I pride myself on my ability to think ahead. I can turn him into a valuable piece if I so choose."
"Because all of your plans have been going along tremendously, haven't they?" Trafalgar felt the rhetoric question quite necessary. Knowing the noble for as long as he did, he was well aware of his talent for calculating the many possible outcomes to each situation that came his way. That talent was his greatest asset. But he'd been sloppy as of late—both were well aware. If he'd taken the precautions he usually did when dealing with the Whitebeard gang, he wouldn't be in the mess he found himself in. Law wanted to make sure that he didn't forget that. Where the Blue Gentleman was concerned, the Surgeon of Death wasn't far behind. Sabo would have to keep out of trouble to assure Law stayed safe. "Let's not forget that there are now two enemies riding your coattail, or have you forgotten about your little tiff with Marshall?"
The noble reached up to rub his temple as his thoughts flooded with memories of the bloody traitor. True, the man hadn't crossed his mind much that day. Hawkins' reading threw him off. He needed to be at the top of his game if he wanted everything to run smoothly. "Ah, yes, Teach…" He grimaced. "It seems I'll have to work fast if I want to go through with my plan."
"And what plan is this?"
"Seven days," the blonde began with a wide grin, "and you'll know. Just remember our little agreement from before."
"Protect him for me."
Law frowned as he recalled their earlier conversation. Blue was always dramatic, but never when it came to his own life, nor the safety of his brother. He was cautious yet never counted himself out unless he knew something was wrong. The surgeon likely wouldn't be able to meet his expectations, though. Soon he would be…
"I refuse."
Sabo sighed. "Don't be like that, Trafalgar."
"He's your problem, not mine."
"Right, right," the noble said, waving a dismissive hand in a show of his rejection of that claim.
Furrowing his brow, the doctor began walking off, too tired to get into that conversation again. After spending hours watching over his patient, he really wasn't in the mood to discuss life and death with the blonde millionaire standing at the window. No, no, it was far too late for that.
But Sabo had one more question for him. "Law?" He seemed to take the other's glare as consent to continue. "Why my left?"
The dark man's scowl shifted to amusement and he glanced down at the other's torso before returning eye contact. "You baby your right side. I would never risk harvesting damaged goods."
The doctor's amusement seemed to reflect in his partner's eyes as the noble's mouth curved into the slightest of smiles. "You noticed."
"I'm a doctor, Blue. It's my job to notice."
"Your point, while valid, will go unheard."
Law raised an eyebrow. "You're being ridiculous. Why else would I—you know what? Forget it. I don't want try to comprehend what goes on inside that sociopathic brain of yours."
"A wise decision, my friend."
Dragging his lethargic form across his lab, Law glanced to his left at the shelves holding a myriad of jars containing his most valued organs, all beating off-sync with one another. He paused in his path to gawk at them further, eyes roaming across their surfaces, noting the differences in size, shape and health between each. Exhaling, he felt himself relax. Looking them over, he wondered how many he'd amassed over the scant few months since he began his collection. It looked to be at least in the sixties. At the rate he was harvesting them, he would soon run out of wall space. But that problem could be dealt with at a later time.
Smirking, he pulled one jar from its place, looking it over with interest. Even to that day he wasn't quite sure how his devil fruit worked—how he could remove limbs and organs from a victim's body yet keep them alive and connected to the one to whom they belonged. Even the most vital of organs—the heart—could be removed, still circulating blood through the owner's system even when not present. It was a medical impossibility and there he was holding proof. Most devil fruit abilities were like that, though—unexplainable. Rarely did he question his. If he ever wanted to know more about it, Sabo could—
Law frowned, derailing that train of thought before it could take root.
That cursed noble likely understood the ability better than him, seeing as he studied devil fruit, but he would force himself to ignore that fact. Thinking about that man did him no good, especially with how strange he'd been as of late. And soon, very soon, he would be taking action. After that, there would be no need for him to wonder about the blonde.
The weight of the heart seemed to multiply, the burden it carried with it growing as he thought. With each organ he possessed, there was a corresponding human. There were over sixty people's lives in the palm of his hand.
Staring into the veiny surface of the organ in his hand, watching its surface rise and fall with each beat, he narrowed his eyes. With a scowl returning to his features, he replaced the jar and began walking away. He needed rest.
"I trust you."
Your trust is misplaced.
"No, no, not like that," a young Sabo stated, hands on his hips as he stared at the smaller form of his student, scrutinizing him thoroughly.
Law pouted. "I don't get it."
With a sigh, the blonde scratched his head, looking over the younger as he thought. He groaned as he tried to explain. "You want to be a doctor, right?"
The boy nodded shyly.
"Then think of this," he began, gesturing to the blue spherical aura that surrounded them, "as your operating room, alright? You can move things around and separate them any way you want."
Law thought that over for a minute, mauling the explanation around in his head. If it was supposed to be like that, then maybe he could pretend. Makino said he wasn't ready to be out on the field but it would be alright if he was just practicing with his devil fruit, right? No one would get hurt or anything—so long as he could figure out how to put things back together. "Then… I could 'operate' on you?"
Sabo blinked at that, a clear confusion coating his face. "Operate on me?"
Again, the boy nodded, staring at the noble's right side. He'd long since noticed the way the blonde tended to it when they sparred; he was careful of any attacks aimed in that general area. Uninformed of what was wrong and not bold enough to ask, he never brought it up. It likely had to do with an old injury, but whether it was the muscle, the tissue or something else, he couldn't tell. If he could, for all he did for him, Law would have liked to fix it—made him feel better. He was going to be a doctor, after all; it would one day be his job.
"Sure, then," Sabo agreed after some thought, smiling. "Give it a try."
Taking a deep breath and focusing on his target, the boy lifted his arms, moving them about as though he was performing surgery. Slowly, carefully, he began separating the blonde's limbs. He cautiously looked to the older boy's face, greeted with a grin that said the parting of his arms didn't hurt.
"You're getting it," Sabo stated.
Reassured with those words and proud of himself for learning some control, he continued.
Lying flat on his bed, Ace groaned. Getting home from his little rendezvous with Sabo proved to be an annoyance. He was forced to sit in Oyaji's room and remain quiet as Marco, Thatch and Izo scolded him repeatedly, breaking only to discuss new developments with Oyaji and brainstorm reasons for the Blue Gentleman's interest in their youngest brother. It took everything he had not to join in and announce what he knew—that the blonde was one of the nobles he stayed with when he was recovering—but he managed to keep his mouth shut and was confident in his ability to do so again. But… he couldn't help the overwhelming guilt he felt, lying to his family like that. They were everything to him—the reason he was still alive—yet there he was keeping something so important a secret. It wasn't like he had much of a choice with the situation he was in, but that didn't make it right.
Then Marco inquired about Sabo being appointed to watch over the freckled youth, which he showed his blatant dislike for. Oyaji confirm it. Apparently he asked him not long ago, but the only reason he gave was that it would be 'useful to have him around,' whatever that meant. And why did it have to be Sabo? Why did he need a babysitter in the first place? Couldn't his father-figure trust him? Sure, he snuck off… a few times… and vanished for two weeks, leaving everyone to think he was dead… He wasn't doing well to prove his case.
Sighing, he sat up and reached for the top of his head, eyes widening when the tips of his fingers met dark strands. He cursed inwardly when he remembered that he no longer had his beloved orange hat. It was still in High Town, much to his dismay. Not having it around made him uneasy. He always wore it—always kept it, ever since his mother died. It was something of a memento, the only one he was able to keep over the years. It belonged to her for as long as he could remember, though he never saw her wearing it. Heck, he couldn't even imagine her putting it on—it didn't suit her. But still she kept it safe, telling him that it was important, which was why he made sure to keep it safe.
Now it was with the brat noble.
The youth chuckled, imagining what Luffy might do when he noticed it was still there. He didn't think he'd bother to return it—or rather, he would but Sabo wouldn't let him, especially if he was 'ill' as the blonde put it.
Ace grimaced. He didn't like the sound of that. Sure the kid was a noble of all things, but he was different and… Ace owed him his life. He didn't want to see something happen to him. Was it serious or just something small? If he was under the care of the Surgeon of Death, it couldn't be good. And was that man really trustworthy? He saved Ace, but…
"Damn it," he cursed, a scowl replacing his earlier worry. He shouldn't have concerned himself with those people anymore. They were out of his life. Except they weren't, really, because Sabo was the Blue Gentleman and the Blue Gentleman was an ally… which he was still trying to grasp. He couldn't trust the man—not fully, at least. His motives were questionable and his methods unheard of. But if he held any ill intent towards Fire Fist, he could have done him in back at the mansion. And he seemed friendly enough once that damn mask was off his face. It was disturbing, though, how the noble could change moods so drastically within a matter of moments. Ace first bore witness to it when he was almost strangled to death and the unease he felt then returned during his big reveal earlier that night. Even then, he knew almost nothing of the man. He'd have to keep his guard up.
Glaring at the empty spot on his nightstand, Ace let out a shuddering breath. "I want my damn hat."
Omake
Izo: -And you need to stop sneaking out!
Thatch: Yeah! We worry about, you know!
Izo: Especially with Thatch!
Thatch: Yea—hey!
Izo: You're still injured, you know! And that guy's dangerous!
Ace: -sighs- I know. Marco already—
Izo: What if he attacked you? Hm?
Thatch: We wouldn't be able to protect you. Hell, we didn't even know where you were!
Ace: I—
Izo: If Marco hadn't found you, you could be dead. That guy—
Ace: I know. -glances at Marco- A little help here?
Marco: -folds arms- You're on your own yoi.
Ace: -hangs head- Damn it all…
A/N: How was it? :D I know it wasn't the most exciting, especially after the last chapter, but I hope you still enjoyed a lot. It's very important, after all. I'm debating on making the next chapter Strawhat-centric or waiting a few more... what do you think? Would you like to see them sooner or later? Tell me in your review :) Also, you know how we've been learning more about Sabo since the last arc began? That's going to slow tremendously :P The focus will be shifting back to Ace and Luffy (which I know many of you have been dying for) so you won't get to test any theories about him anytime soon. I'll admit, I'll miss writing his banter with Law, but it'll only be a one arc break so I'll survive.
Also, expect the return of cliffies within the next few chapters e_e It's been too long.
To my lovelies~
Wolfguide: No need to apologise, I just get a lot of people asking for longer chapters and it's kind of sad, you know? ^^ Anyways, you're welcome and I hope you enjoyed the update!
Kuro Neko Kaizoku: Hehe just review whenever you like with whatever you want to say ^^ I'm just happy hearing from you guys. That you may have to wait a while for, not gonna lie :P
JuneBinoya: It's okay, I'm just happy you review at all ^^ You're welcome~ And don't worry, I promise I'll keep updating!
sakura240: Hehe yep! Hope you liked this update too!
The-Chibi-Master564: I'm with you on that. I just love Usopp and Kaya as a couple, but I can't see him with anyone else. You're welcome~
Mugiwara Otome: I make no promises when it comes to character death :P
mi-chan94: Lol yep, I can see it happening XD
SecretAnswers: Thank you! Really, you're too kind T^T Hehe don't apologise, I'm well aware it was anti-climatic. I wasn't really intending for it to be otherwise, though, since I didn't want to give the reader a feeling of something 'ending' because really the reveal was actually not much of anything. It seems like a big step, but it's a step backwards... I can't say more without spoiling XD Again, thanks! Hope you enjoyed!
The Madness Of My Life: Glad you like!
Guest: You realize that I reply to every review regardless of what it contains, right?
Yana5: Not sure what to say to this one... ^^;
Bluebird42: You won't get the chance to shank me because it's coming soon XD Really glad you enjoyed ^^
samettikettu: I had fun with that XD Glad you're satisfied with it! I pretty much winged the chapter so I worried it came out bad. Normally for more important scenes like that I plot it out but this time I didn't.
Neko-VongolaPrimo: Alright, I look forward to it ^^
Kitsune Foxfire: Nope, not just you! Or it shouldn't be. They're similar on a lot of levels, and there are many reasons for that, which I'll get to later.
Sully-van: Glad you like! And yep, it'll be coming up soon!
Diclonious57: I don't really care for that pairing much either. I'm more indifferent to it than anything.
Awakened-Masterpiece: He really is XD Yep, his mask could only last so long.
spoons-are-evil: I'm glad I was able to brighten your day :D Yeah, I don't really care for those either. Yeah, he really is the most honest character. But that can be a good thing and a bad thing... I agree, I feel bad for putting Marco through all of this. But, well... it had to happen. That's okay, I love your long reviews ^^ I'm not good with kids, not even one hehe... They drive me insane within the hour.
Son Goshen: Yes, yes I did XD You flatter me! Sabo being a nice guy is... debatable. Really? Wow! You have the most awesome barber in the world!
ASLfangirl: Good choice, remaining uneasy XD Yup, you haven't seen the last of Hawkins, I assure you. They're some of my favourite omakes to write XD
Darkspider: Most of the questions he asked were jumbled. He wasn't relly focusing XD Don't worry, though, he'll start questioning things once he's given time to think. Yeah, Sabo's not in the greatest position, but one thing about his character is that he always bounces back. True, it's not like Sabo really has anyone else to rely on at the moment, but there are other reasons for their interactions. Keep that in mind ^^ I feel sorry for Sabo and Law. It's probably worse than taking care of a room full of toddlers :P
Guest (2): Marco's story will be hinted at this arc, but the full reveal will happen later ;) You'll find out why Whitebeard chose Sabo later on.
Guest (3): You'll have to wait and find out ^^ Interesting theory though!
Child-4ever: That's not gonna be for a while, sorry! There's a lot to get to before we get to that.
MeikoKuran999: Still think that after what Sabo told Law? :P
buslimpan: Don't be relieved yet muahaha.
Aimiko: I make no promises when it comes to character death :P
azab: It's coming up soon ^^; I don't like reading stories where they unrealistically rush into a relationship so I don't plan on writing my story like that. Glad you like!
ThePhobiaPhoebe: You're too kind ;_; That happens to me, too. I sometimes have to rewrite whole scenes and proof read it just to make sure it's logical. It really slows down updating. Glad you're enjoying my odd rendition of Sabo! He's so fun to write. Seriously. Thanks for dropping a review~
Mon Esprite Libre: Glad you like!
For the Lelz: Sorry but there's no place for a fight scene in this part of the story. And while there will be fighting and high tension scenes later on, it's not an action story so they'll be minimal. Also the main 'action' will involve disturbing imagery, violence and torture but not so much actual fight scenes. It's just not that type of story. Plus I don't really find fight scenes interesting since they're just, well, fighting. I'm more for mental drama - plot twists and character building, that sort of stuff. Sorry :/ Yeah, I don't really like that pairing either.
SoulMore: YAY :D
Halabrad: Here's an update~
yukiko hyuga-chan: Here you go!
ssspooky: It's tough, but I don't like constantly working on one thing so that's why I have so many fics going at once ^^ It's fun. Glad you like! As always, I make no promises about character death.
(And that concludes todays update! It is 5:56am so I should probably head to bed right about now... Adieu~)