A Different Journey

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or Fairy Tail

So this chapter will entail Lucy recovering and going through a dragon thing, and Rayleigh, JImbei and Lucy going back to Marineford. And then her brothers and Shanks will come into play. Also I can't choose at the moment as to who I like better: Shanks or Law. But I love them both! Ugh! But now I kind of want Zoro to be her mate... I'm doomed. I made all the men too appealing. Shit.

Well, the romance is falling apart. Because they're all so attractive! And perfect for Lucy in different ways!

Fuck.

Answers to Reviews:

CherryPinkStar and fairypiece123: Lucy will give her message to the crew about the new plan this chapter. And as for what I'll do after I catch up to the anime/manga, well I'll have to get creative. Which means it'll probably take longer for me to update because I'll try to make the adventures after grand. Of course I will never compare to Oda in his ability to create amazing islands and adventures. So maybe I'll tone down all the drama after Dressrosa, because that arc is insane. So they'll need some smaller adventures. I'll have to deal with all the Yonko, Blackbeard, and Kidd too. So this story won't just end, and I'll try to make it amazing for everyone till the very end.

Flamestar072: So most people will be meeting Draco next chapter, as he will have to explain a few dragon things about Lucy, as we will finally be going more into deal about the who 'mate' deal in this story.

Saiai2: Hancock will always be forgiven for her actions, we all know that. And Mihawk is too powerful to get rid of. And he did fight seriously with everyone else, just not Lucy. They won't let him go just for that. They will keep a better eye on the two though, and while the government may threaten to revoke their status, those two are power houses of the Shichibukai. The government can't get rid of them. And Lucy's second form was more than enough to destroy everything in her path. The only reason she used it before was because she was running out of time and wanted to end things quick. But her third form, while powerful, isn't as strong as her second at the moment. Because she was still getting used to it and developing techniques with it when she used it. That spell she used against Moria was the only one she could use in that form.

PurpleLovingCutePineappleDork: Don't cry that much! Oh god, I'm sorry!

Chapter 38: Regroup

Dragon laughed at the reactions of all his subordinates, all surprised to find out that he was human. He had a family like all of them, he had a life beyond just the revolution. But the thing was they were all wrong about that. Lucy was only his child through blood, he had only held her when she was a baby. And they had only seen her when she had grown and begun her journey as a pirate. But people were now thinking she was called the 'Dragon Princess' as a reference to her being his daughter.

No doubt she hated it. She hated him after all. No one knew that though, nor did they care. People of this time seemed to just believe that the way of parents was the way of the offspring. But obviously not. He had been the son of a marine, he was a revolutionary, Rayleigh was a pirate, and now Lucy was a pirate. Blood doesn't dictate what you become.

Though it seemed she did take after him a bit, in everybody's' minds. Marineford, Impel Down, Enies Lobby, burning the flag…she had committed many 'sins' against the government as he had. But she did it for different reasons. She did it for her nakama. He did it for the world.

She was closer to her mother as well, but no one knew Layla here. Layla had given her the morals of a wonderful young woman. Layla had passed on more than he ever had, because Layla was there, teaching Lucy at a young age. He was sure Lucy's destruction of Slavery at Sabaody and her attack of a World Noble had to do with the fact that Layla didn't like it, and she had grown up in a society where it was outlawed.

It was best not to think that Lucy had gotten anything from him, it would only make him want a place in her life more.

Hancock watched over the men on her island. They were staying on the gulf of the island, as men weren't permitted inside the kingdom. This was as much as they could do without breaking the sacred laws of her people. Hancock would've preferred that Lucy stay in the palace, but with Trafalgar Law was the best place for her to be. He was a skilled doctor, with more advanced medicine than what Belladona had. It was frustrating, but for Lucy they would endure.

Lucy herself seemed fine, she would endure and wake up soon. Her body was just so exhausted that she hadn't woken up in a week after being treated. The doctor assured Hancock that she was perfectly fine, and upon hearing the news that her brother was alive as well, would not suffer any emotional damage. But Lucy had lost her brother for just a moment, and that may haunt her. She was still able to save Ace, though nobody knew how she was able to raise the dead.

Mihawk had left before they had reached her island, claiming to leave Lucy in Jimbei's and Hancock's hands, and if something happened to her he would hunt them all down. But he should return to his island, or else things would look suspicious. Ivankov and the others headed for Newkamma had also departed, wishing Lucy health and a swift recovery. Lucy had truly many more allies than the world realized.

And the strength those allies drew from Lucy, the courage they took from her, was something Hancock had never seen before. Hancock herself had drawn on Lucy, her will and strength to overcome her own fears for Lucy and head to Impel Down and then go to Marineford.

"Lucy's awake!" One of the men cried and all heads swiveled to the submarine, one of Trafalgar's men was excitedly calling this out. In an instant Trafalgar, Jimbei, Loke, and Hancock were all up and heading for the submarine. They strode after Trafalgar through the ship to Lucy's room, and entered to see her sitting up.

Lucy looked over to them when they entered. Her face red and fists balled into the sheets. She was panting and sweaty as well. The room also smelt musky. Hancock was not sure at all what was going on.

"Princess-ya, what's going on?" Law asked as he approached her. But she backed, she couldn't be near him. His scent was too much for her right now. But she couldn't go far, and he came closer and laid a hand on her forehead. She whimpered and he drew his hand back. She didn't look at him and turned her head to the others in the room. Jimbei and Hancock looked panicked as they stared at her. On the other hand the pieces seemed to be coming together in Loke's mind. "Princess-ya?"

Law tried to reach out and touch her again, and her body burned red hot where he touched her. She whimpered until it became a moan. Loke came over and removed the doctor's hand from her. Thankfully he was an animal as well. He knew what it was like. "Don't touch her right now, I have a fairly good idea of what's going on."

"And you're correct in your beliefs, Loke," Draco said as he appeared, landing on the frame of the bed in his smaller form.

"D-dragon?" Jimbei called out, everyone shocked at his appearance. Draco paid him no mind, and she watched as her father went to Law and shooed him out of the room. He did so with everyone else, chasing them away from her. When they were all out of the room Draco slammed the door with his wings, calling that he would explain everything after he talked with Lucy.

Lucy was still holding tight to the sheets, biting her lower lip as she tried to calm herself down. Hoping the pain would dull her instincts nature and desire. She looked to see Draco staring at her. "I told you it would be coming on soon. It was bound to happen soon enough," Draco said and sighed.

"You telling me about what it would be like and how it actually is are two very different things though," Lucy said, her chest heaving as she restrained herself. Law's scent was also all over the place, which did not help the matter.

"Any person that you have been even slightly attracted to during this time will seem incredibly appealing to mate with, I told you this," Draco said, looking at her with a demeaning eye. She growled at him and he bit her, making her yelp.

"How was I supposed to know I would be around someone I liked while I went through this? We had it all planned out, I would diverge from my crew for the week and then come back after I was all better and could be controlled, because I knew I was slightly attracted to Zoro, but I'm even more attracted to Law," Lucy explained and groaned as a wave of desire pulsed through her body.

"Well there's no stopping its course now. I'll explain things to those outside now," Draco said and got up and left. Lucy slumped down into bed, her nose scenting the air of Law all around her. She rolled over and buried her head in the pillow and muffled her scream of pain.

When the dragon came out of the room they were all waiting patiently as possible for answers to Lucy's condition. It wasn't every day that you saw a woman wake up from a week long sleep and get sick after all, and he knew it wasn't sickness. He made sure everyone who came near Lucy was spotless of germs, and her room was spotless too. "Draco…is Lucy going through that right now?" The lion asked, a hand ripping through his mane of hair as he fidgeted restlessly.

"What's wrong with her?" Law asked, wanting to know how to treat her immediately. But the dragon snorted and slapped him with a wing.

"There's nothing wrong with her. It's the course of nature you fools," the dragon said and furled his wings. "Lucy is in heat, like a normal young dragon. Like I said, nature." They all stopped when they heard this, Loke the only one who was not surprised. They were all…shocked to say the least. He never thought she would go through something like that. It was normal for animals, but Lucy looked so human. He never thought.

"How long will it last?" Hancock asked, her head tilting in curiosity.

"A week, but her body will only react more as time passes. She'll be looking for a mate since she doesn't have one. If she had one it wouldn't last as long though," Draco responded. "Listen, Lucy is not a normal human. She's a dragon as well. Her instincts and human side clash quite a bit, as is the case with the week of heat she'll go through. It'll come on every year from now on. It's a time where most dragons would go and find a mate, or copulate with the mate they've already chosen. But Lucy is young, and cannot just go and pick a mate since she is human.

"Lucy is a girl who knows very well what a mate is. I've beat it into her. A mate is not someone you can ever get rid of. When she chooses a mate, that'll be it, she'll be bound to that person for the rest of her life. And they too will be bound to her. Power will be shared along the bond of mates, and you cannot live long without your mate. If your mate dies…you die soon after from despair. Living life without them is impossible.

"Of course mates will defend each other till death if need be. And that's why they need to be strong. There is a requirement for someone to be worthy as a mate. They have to be strong, so that the offspring will be too, that being said, in making someone your mate the two must fight. If the chosen mate can stay on equal ground with Lucy they will be accepted. This is for her and her future mate's offspring. Pregnancy will weaken her, and so the male needs to be strong to defend her. But feelings of preexisting attraction can fuel desire for a person during this week. Trafalgar Law, your smell is something she is incredibly susceptible too during this time for that reason. It's the reason she reacted the way she did to your touch. You are a potential mate to her instincts."

Law felt a little smug at that fact, she was attracted to him as well. But he didn't know how to deal with the whole mate for life thing. He liked her, but he didn't know her that well.

"But Lucy doesn't know you well enough, and so she fights her instincts to mate with you. She refuses to mate with someone she doesn't know. And the mating itself would be awkward for her at this point in her life. Lucy is after all a virgin, and she's never been kissed. To go straight to having children at this point in her life would be strange for anyone. So she really doesn't want a mate yet," Draco explained and Law's eyes bugged out of his head a bit. That beautiful woman…had never done anything. She was pure and clean. That was a surprise. Surely people had to have made their attraction to her known by this point. Or had she just never been interested in them?

"What is this process like? To become a mate, that is," Hancock asked, and Jimbei looked highly uncomfortable with this entire talk. Loke on the other hand seemed to know most of this. He was part animal too, so maybe he already had a mate.

"First it requires the two to fight during this time of year, no holding back, for both to prove themselves worthy of the other. Intercourse would follow, where the two would mark each other's, pushing a part of themselves into each other. Lucy will make a mark on the person's body, pushing her magic into them. The person will then have access to some of Lucy's abilities, her dragon ones. And then the male she picks would make a mark as well, and naturally a piece of himself would transfer to her. The mark is a bite that breaks the skin after intercourse. The two will usually partake in more joining after that point, solidifying their bond, and then will curl up and sleep. This whole process is done away from people, far away. As the two must be completely alone and isolated," Draco finished.

Everything was quiet for a moment, no one knowing how to deal with what had just been explained to them. "How am I going to check on her wounds and treat her then?" Law asked, not understanding how this was going to work.

"We can either restrain her, or you can't do it," Draco said and he thought about this. He highly doubted anyone could restrain Lucy if she was being serious, but he didn't want one of his men to look after her. He wanted to do it himself. "The restraints we would use would press down on her magic, making her unable to break free. Magic cuffs."

No one was willing to answer. Law wasn't at first, but he had to treat her. "Ah, let's do it. I won't do anything but treat her, and then I'll leave and they can come off," Law said and they all sighed, but nodded. Draco disappeared and then reappeared with two pairs of cuffs. They were glowing, and Law had never seen anything like them.

Loke took them and entered the room, and came out a moment later. "She's tied down, I'll leave her to you. Draco I'll leave Lucy to you then when it comes to this, I'm not used to dealing with this heat." Draco nodded and beckoned for Law to follow him into the room. Hancock and Jimbei also left with Loke, back to the surface.

Law entered to see Lucy was laying down again, her arms linked to the cuffs which were around the metal headboard. And one foot was restrained as well. Lucy looked at him when he entered, and he could feel his body burning under her stare. But be could hold himself back. He knew the situation now. He went to her side and began to check on all her wounds and everything else. And when he was done with all his work he left the room with great difficulty. But that dragon had been staring him down the entire time, while Lucy had also been staring at him. But in a completely different manner did she stare.

He exited the room and sighed in relied. Dragging a hand over his face he left his ship, needing air. "Captain!" Bebo yelled for him and he sluggishly made his way to the deck and looked down to see his crew looking over the water. He looked as well and saw that there were ships on the horizon. Paddle ships at that, making their way towards them. The Whitebeard Pirates and Red Haired Pirates.

"Hebi-hime what should we do?" One of the Kuja women asked their leader, who was staring at the ships before nodding her head.

"Let them come, they are friends of Lucy's! Her brothers are coming to see their little sister. Though I do not understand why Red Hair is here," Hancock said and all her women agreed. The ships were too close to turn back now, and he highly doubted any of them wanted to go up against two Yonko ships.

The two ships docked near his, blocking Law in, and he felt the need to curse them for doing so. But reminded himself that Lucy's siblings were on one of this ships. But surprisingly it wasn't just her brothers who sprung off the ships. Red Hair and his leaders also leapt from theirs as well. "How is Lucy?" They all yelled in a concerned manner, looking panicked.

"How did you know Lucy was here?" Hancock asked and stood in front of them, the women of the island all readying their weapons on Red Hair and his.

"Mihawk told me, he's a friend, and he met Lucy through me. Don't worry the marines won't find her here," Red Hair responded, agitated as he wanted to see Lucy. "Now, how is she?" He asked again, some of his Haki coming out, he could tell because Law was beginning to sweat. He also noticed some of the women collapsing, along with his own crew. But Loke came up and stood in front of Shanks.

"You can't see Lucy, they can though," Loke said and motioned for her brothers to go on, and they jumped onto Law's submarine. Shanks was glaring down at Loke now, and Law felt bad for the man. But why couldn't the Yonko? "You're the strongest one here. You won't be any help to her condition to her now. You'll make her only worse."

"What did you say? I won't accept that I'll do anything to hurt her," Shanks bared down on Loke, and Law understood. Power. She'd seek out a strong mate. Law and everyone here was no match for Shanks. He was too powerful. Lucy would be after him. But unlike Law she didn't have feelings for the man like that. But she would try breaking out of the cuffs for sure if someone as strong as him appeared before her.

"Let me explain Lucy's condition then, and why Red Hair-ya can't see her," Law called out and Loke nodded, backing away from the mad Yonko. Law then explained Lucy and everything that she would be going through. Everything that the dragon had told them Law told this group. When he had finished Shanks was blushing, and Lucy's brother were outraged and didn't want to listen to it. "You're too strong for her to resist, Red Hair-ya. Let me make this clear, I won't hand Princess-ya over to you. I'm not as strong as you, but I won't let that happen."

"Oh, you want Lucy?" Shanks asked back, narrowing his eyes. Law could feel the power emanating from this man, Shanks could crush him easily. "I won't hand her to a man so easily. She's too precious to us all. To me as well. I don't want to be with Lucy like that, she's but a child. But one I adore nonetheless."

"Child? It must've been a very long time since you've seen her. She is no child, she's a strong woman. One I intend to make my queen," Law responded back, calmly. He wouldn't back down from this man. Her brothers weren't even getting into this matter, this talk being serious enough to choke the people around them.

"Ah…I haven't seen her in a long time. But that just means I'll have to talk to her for a while and re-get to know her. She may be a woman to everyone else, but I still only know her as she was as a child. She's still a child to me, and I won't hand her over to a boy like you," Shanks responded back to him.

"Whatever," Law said and turned away from the man, knowing if he continued this face off any longer he would surely pass out like some of the others in the area. Shanks laughed at him, and Law wanted to cut him to pieces. "You two should be fine," Law said to her brothers, who were both gaping and unsure of how to deal with all the news. "She sees you as brothers, but check with her Dragon before entering then. And she'll want food as well. She's been asleep for a week. Just woke up a bit ago, actually."

"We have food for Ryu-hime! Please take it, Ace-san, Sabo-san!" The women of the island cried out, coming forward with baskets of food. Her brothers took some and went back into the ship.

"We'll stay here till Lucy is better, and I can see her," Shanks said with a large smile on his face and plopped down on the ground. Hancock of course marched over to him and began to threaten the man about Lucy. But the man laughed her off, and thanked Hancock for taking care of Lucy. And then thanked all the women for looking after Lucy.

Law sneered and walked back into his ship, intent to not deal with the man for the rest of his time here.

"Ace-nii!" Lucy shouted and shot out of the bed when her brother walked through the door. Colliding with his chest. She was wrapped into a tight hug, but then hissed when she agitated one of her wounds. She was pulled away from her brother by Draco, and was forced back onto the bed. She had been released from her shackles when Law had left.

Her body was still burning, but because this was family she had no desire for them. Thankfully. That would be weird to go after her brothers. And she was going to get a lecture from the look in their eyes as they stood over her. She laughed nervously, and they raised their arms to hit her. But she gave them the puppy dog eyes and the collapsed and couldn't do anything against her. It still worked like a charm.

"Lucy…you scared us half to death when you collapsed on the field," Sabo said, taking a seat next to her and placing an arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder, curling into her big brother.

"Ah, don't do something crazy and stupid like that again," Ace said, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands in his own. Looking up at her with a pleading look.

"B-but…Ace-nii would've died for good if I hadn't. I don't want to lose anyone else, and not so soon after we saw each again," Lucy said, crying now, tears running down her cheeks. "It was too painful, Ace-nii. I couldn't save you in the end. I needed to be protected by you, and you died because of me. I held you as you bled out, I listened as your heart slowed. I didn't want a reality where you weren't sailing the sea existed. I want you to be waiting for me in the New World, with your crew and Shanks. And I want to come and fight you all, I want to laugh and party and dance with you all. If I couldn't do that with you all in the future…I would break."

Both her brothers took her in their arms at this point, she crying to herself as she thought of such a horrible future. Finally she was able to stop crying and calmed down enough to wipe her eyes. "I guess I should say 'Thank You', right? You saved me twice Lucy. And Pops, and Shanks has his arm back," Ace said and she looked at him quizzically.

"I did all that?" Lucy asked, tilting her head as she thought back. "All I remember is the spell and healing you. And then I blacked out."

The two began to laugh and held onto her tighter. "Of course you didn't meat to. But Pops and Shanks tried touching you while you were doing it, and they were blasted back. After Ace was fully healed and better Shanks's arm regrew itself, and Pops was healed and saved. Even the illness he's had for years is gone."

"Oh, I didn't know it would affect anyone else but you," Lucy said and thought back to what she did. The ancient words.

"What did you do?" Ace asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"I invoked the gods to return what had been lost. I thought it was just for returning life, but I guess Whitebeard's health had been lost and so had Shanks's arm. Hmm," Lucy hummed as she thought it over. She looked at both of her brothers and saw their shocked faces. "What?"

"You…called upon the Gods?!" They yelled, confused and Ace was touching his chest, asking if he had a god in him now. Sabo was just freaked that there were gods.

"Of course there are gods, but they live in the unseen realms. They usually don't get involved with humans either, but the Dragon God look after his own well. I'm pretty sure he's the one who visited me of the field and gave me the spell," Lucy said and laughed lightly. She then gripped her blanket below them and groaned. Damn, this was not the time for her heat to act up.

Her brother jumped away from her and cleared their throat. "Lucy…we know what you're…going through at the moment. Trafalgar Law explained everything, and why Shanks can't come in right now. But we have to say something, as your big brothers," Sabo said, clearing his throat with a blush on his cheeks.

"Shanks is here?" Lucy asked, ignoring whatever they wanted to say to her. She didn't want to hear what they were going to say about the whole thing.

"Ah, but apparently you're affected by strong men especially. He's decided to stay the week till he can see you. We won't allow him to get you, Lucy. Or Trafalgar Law, who apparently want to make you his queen. Lucy…how do you know this man?" Ace asked, his shoulders licking with flames and she sighed.

"I met him in Sabaody, and he helped me take down all the slavers and slave ports. We got along. He's not so bad," Lucy mumbled the last part, her brothers would not be happy to hear her say that. Thankfully they didn't seem to hear her.

"I don't trust him! He's shady and most likely is just a pervert! This I know Lucy, you must not give into any of his advances. We will guard you from him, we swear this. And when he leaves and we must as well, we will go off and find you a suitable mate. We promise," Sabo said proudly and she gaped at them and then got angry.

"You better not try picking out a guy for me, you idiots! That's almost like an arranged marriage, and I've nearly had numerous arranged marriages! I don't want that! I'll find a mate myself," Lucy said and glared at them both.

"What? You've nearly had an arranged marriage before? No!" Her brothers cried and she sighed, this was going to be a long week. She turned away from her brothers and looked out the small window on the sub, she could see Shanks's ship. She picked up his hat and put it on her head. She wanted to see him again. He was so close…but they were right. He was strong, and her instincts would beg for him.

But at least she knew he was close, and soon she could see him. And if he was here, then it meant he regarded her as a great pirate. He wouldn't let what happened at Marineford break their promise, just to make sure she was okay. It made her smile.

Shanks was excited. Today was supposed to be the last day of Lucy's heat. Just thinking about that was still weird. And the thought that he could be her mate if she had seen him. How his strength would attract her and drive her insticts. It was weird, thinking about the little Lucy he knew 'mating' and having children. But now they didn't have to think about it. Though she would go through it again in a year, and every year after that.

And most of his men were interested in this fact it seemed. Taking it to mean a week of sex with Lucy. He had yelled at them almost all week for those comments. And Trafalgar Law did not help the case, stating that Lucy was to be his queen. That had set Shanks off, and the fact that the doctor could see Lucy every day this week, when he couldn't get close to the sub.

All of the Whitebeards had gone and seen her as well, thanking her for saving Ace and their old man. Whitebeard had given her his vivre card as well, for when she came to the New World. They had left after four days of being on the island.

Whitebeard had a good laugh over everything, and then they had heard about Lucy nearly being in an arranged marriage and Shanks had nearly died. No. Never an arranged marriage for a pirate. She must have hated that. He was truly interested in what she had been through in all that time away. Her brothers had apparently learned everything, and had refused to tell Shanks. Apparently she had to explain it all herself, they couldn't tell him. Shanks understood that.

Finally though, he could speak to her again. He was practically bouncing with excitement at the thought of seeing her again. He smiled at all the girls on this Island of Women, they adored Lucy and their Empress. He was glad she had made such wonderful allies. Besides Trafalgar Law.

"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!" Lucy called out and he saw her, standing on the railing of the submarine. She took one look around and then she looked at him. Lucy's smile was as big and happy as it was before, and she launched herself at him. Shanks caught her, both arms coming around her, and they hugged, and Lucy wrapping her legs around him as well. They were holding each other tightly, and then he heard her crying.

"Hey now, no crying on me," Shanks teased, like he has when she was smaller. She laughed and pulled back, and he didn't know why, but his breathing stalled for a second. Her cheeks were red and she was smiling, and her eyes were glossed over with tears. But she was looking at him in a way he didn't remember her ever doing before.

"I just can't help it, Shanks, I'm so happy to see you again. Finally," Lucy said and wrapped her arms around him again. She let go and unwound her legs from his waist and he laughed again. She may have gotten bigger, but he was still taller than her by a lot. She pouted up at him and crossed her arms under her chest. "It's not fair, Shanks you got taller!"

He threw his head back and laughed and she was grasping his left arm now. It tingled a bit. But he let her do as she pleased, as usual. She played with his fingers and ran her hand over the length of it. She brought his hand to her face and kissed his fingertips. Shanks gaped at this, his face going red. "I'm so glad that you're alright, and that you have your arm back," Lucy said, smiling up at him, still clutching his hand as if it were some prized treasure. He was suddenly struck again by the fact that Lucy wasn't a child anymore. She was a young woman, and even now he could see the men in the area looking at her like a piece of meat. He gulped. He had not been expecting her to be anything but the brat he knew.

"Lucy!" Lucky called and she let go of him, and the warmth that enveloped his hand left. She turned away from Shanks and was caught into the strong embrace of Lucky. He was swinging her around a bit, and she was laughing. He watched as she was passed around. Next to Benn, who hugged her, bending over to come down to her height a bit. Yasopp scooper her up next, and then began to ask incessantly about his son. She smiled and laughed with them all. But something made him freeze as she went from one to the next. After greeting them she would give them all a kiss on the cheek.

He took a deep breath. Something felt wrong, his chest tight. He held onto the cloth above the area and then shrugged his shoulders. He looked back to Lucy who was waving him over and smiled, the tightness leaving as he got closer. But before he could pull her into a hug again someone took her away. He narrowed his eyes at this fact. Till he saw who it was.

Boa Hancock was hugging Lucy, and Lucy was hugging her back just as tight. The women of the island all took turns making sure Lucy was alright. And Lucy reassured them all that she was fine now, just a little sore. The women were all very interested in the week of heat, and Lucy did her best to explain it to the women who had never seen men before Shanks and all the others had come to this island. Lucy was very patient as she answered everything.

"Princess-ya," Trafalgar called to her, and Shanks narrowed his eyes at the man leaning against the railing of his own ship. Sadly Lucy went to him immediately, and stood by his side. They were talking quietly and to themselves when Lucy nodded her head and hugged the man before her. She was about to pull away from him when Trafalgar did something unforgivable.

"Princess-ya," Law called to her, standing on the deck of his ship. She turned from Shanks and came towards him. Walking to the ship and then jumping in order to land next to him. He came a bit closer to her and began to speak. "Don't do anything too strenuous for the next week."

"Are you leaving?" Lucy asked, a bit disappointed that he wouldn't be staying any longer. And she was finally out of her heat as well so they could talk. He chuckled and took her chin in his hand.

"Ah, we're leaving in a moment. Everyone's ready to go," Law said and she tilted her head as she stared at him. "I'll see you in the New World, Princess-ya," He whispered and then his other hand snaked out to her hip and pulled her closer to him. Her eyes widened as his face came closer, and finally he kissed her. Her eyes blew wide at first, not sure how she should react or what to do. She froze up a bit, nervous. But this wasn't bad.

Just for the sake of doing something and not just standing there like an idiot she wrapped her arms around his neck, not sure what to do besides that. This was her first kiss after all, and she wasn't complaining as Law pulled on her lower lip with his teeth. He didn't try to go farther than that though. And pulled away with a small peck to her lips.

Her face was beat red, she could feel in steaming. "You look delicious like that," Law whispered in her ear and her face went even redder, prompting the man to chuckle a bit. She unwound her arms from his neck and backed away.

"Shut up, it was my first," Lucy said, pouting at him. She watched as his eyes went back to her lips and shook her head. "I'll see you in the New World, Law." He nodded his head and she jumped off his ship, and then watched as he entered his ship and slowly submerged as they headed off.

"That bastard!" She heard Shanks yell and freaked when she saw his drawing his sword, and everyone else readying themselves to fight. She yelled for them all to stop, latching onto Shanks's arm, pulling his back from doing anything to Law.

"Shanks! Stop it, I let him kiss me, you don't need to kill him," Lucy told him, and she watched as Shanks eyes went back down to her. He lowered his arm with the blade in it and then looked out to sea. She tilted her head, he was acting weird. "Shanks?"

"Do you like him?" He asked her, taking Lucy off guard. She didn't expect him to ask her opinion, Sabo and Ace wouldn't have if they were here. They would kill Law anyway. She contemplated her answer.

"I am attracted to him, but I don't know anything about him. It might be a passing thing, but right now, after everything that's happened…I'm glad someone gave me my first kiss. And he's not a bad guy," Lucy told Shanks, and then reached up and pinched his nose. "Feelings are hard to explain. But, I do want to see him again. Whether something romantic or intimate comes out of that meeting or not will be decided then. I'm not thinking about him now though, Shanks. I'm thinking about you, and how much I've missed you."

Shanks looked down at her, finally, and nodded his head. He took her in both of his arms again and then threw her over his shoulder. She shrieked for a second, pushing up against Shank's back to look at him. Jimbei, Loke, and Hancock were yelling to treat her more delicately since she was still injured. But she just glared at Shanks. "Come on, Lucy. We're having a party! Everyone, let's get wasted!"

Lucy stopped glaring and began to laugh along with him. Her laugh finally dying down as she was brought onto the ship. She shook her head now, she was put down on a chair near the center of the deck, the others taking their places around her as well. Shanks on one side of her, Jimbei on the other, and Loke sitting between her legs. "You never change, Shanks," Lucy stated as the barrels of booze were rolled out.

"Implying the need to?" Shanks asked her, taking a barrel all for himself.

"Never," Lucy said and watched as he began to drink. She noticed the proximity to the Kuja though and decided they should move. She asked Benn and he agreed to move the ship farther out into the water. She didn't want to disturb the women of the island, they hated men and she didn't need them hating Shanks. Hancock had stayed behind because she couldn't stand men, and Lucy was surprised Hancock allowed so many even near her island. She knew her past. But Lucy was grateful for her tolerance.

The party was as grand as ever, singing and dancing, and alcohol going around to everyone. Yasopp was, as usual, the first to get drunk. On the other hand Lucy was sipping on her second drink after a few hours of partying. She felt an arm sling around her and Shanks was slightly drunk, she could tell that. "Lucy, you're gonna have to drink more if you want to party here," Shanks told her, a happy smile on his face as he chugged from his mug.

"I don't drink like the rest of you. It's betted I don't get drunk," Lucy said, mentally shivering as she thought of what she would do if she got drunk here.

"Oh, why?" Lucky asked as he tipped the barrel next to him back, following in Shanks's footsteps as he drank.

"You don't want to know. But I've never gotten drunk with my own crew, so I'm not getting drunk with all of you. None of them know what I'm like, and neither will you," Lucy stated adamantly, shaking her head for emphasis. All around the group groused and prodded, trying to make her tell.

"But I know. You forget I'm your spirit Princess, I've seen you drunk. Back in Fiore with Cana," Loke said and Lucy's face drained of all color as she groaned and buried her head in her hands. Not wanting to think about the times Cana would get her drunk. Cana would completely sober of course, and was not to be trusted with a drunk Lucy anymore. Lucy learnt that the hard way. Twice.

Everyone else laughed at her expense and she glared at Loke, who was now being poked and prodded for answers. Jimbei was her only support now. She turned away from them all and face the fishman, turning to him for support. He just patted her head, making her gape and mutter 'traitor' under her breath.

"Let's me first say…Lucy is a light weight, and when she gets past the tipsy range she doesn't stop drinking till she passes out," Loke began and she freaked out, tackling him to the ground and covering his mouth.

"No. No one is to ever know about those nights with Cana getting me drunk. I never want to relive the embarrassment again," Lucy said and pleaded with Loke, her eyes going a bit glossy at her command and he nodded his head in a moment. Promising not to tell. The tears stopped and she smiled triumphantly. "Ha, no one is knowing."

They all gaped at her, and redoubled their effort. Now everyone wanted to see her drunk, but she refused. They seemed to forget about it, grumbling about her being mean, but went back to their drinking and were once again merry as can be.

It was well into the day now, the drinking slowing down, and Lucy switching to water to keep her sober. She was watching them all, still next to Shanks. He was humming, his eyes closed, and rocking back and forth to the music he was making to himself. His left arm was around her, rocking her with him, and she was playing with his fingers.

It was still just a miracle to her. She worried it would be gone again soon, and prayed his arm stayed. She finally was able to give him back what he'd lost because of her, and the guilt of that had always haunted her a bit. But so long as he had it back, she didn't have to feel guilty. She smiled, leaning into the man's side as she thought. He still humming away.

She looked around at the crowd. Most had mellowed out from the alcohol, while others were still fighting over food and drinks. Just like always. Besides herself, Benn and Jimbei were the only sober ones. Benn was trying to keep Yasopp from jumping into the Calm Belt to take down a Sea King, and Jimbei was holding off the Sea Kings that had taken interest in their ship.

A large Sea King took up to the air near them, and she noticed something move below the surface of the water. Next thing they all knew, the giant sea kind was down for the count, bleeding heavily. And then a figure was jumping onto the deck of the ship. She tore herself from Shanks, getting ready for whoever it was. Shanks hit the ground as she let go, having been relying on her for balance.

She was surprised at who she saw. "Ah, Lucy. I thought you'd be on board," Rayleigh said as he began to ring out his cloak that he had. She gaped at the man.

"Rayleigh…how did you get here…how did you find me?" Lucy asked, approaching the man that everyone was now gaping at.

"Rayleigh!" Shanks cried out, getting up off the ground and coming over to the man. Rayleigh smiled at Shanks and looked around.

"My ship was wrecked during a storm while coming her, so I had to swim the rest of the way," Rayleigh said, taking out a flask from his pants and drinking. She rationalized that he had to have wrecked on a different part of the sea, and then swam through the Grand Line to the Calm Belt to Amazon Lily. "And Shakki and I put it together with a clue from Kuma. He told us that Amazon Lily was in your path. And you would've needed help to break into Impel Down. It made sense for Hancock to help if she considered you someone important to her. This would also be the best place to take you to rest then."

"Ah…what are you doing here then…wait are my nakama back?" Lucy asked, a hopeful look in her eyes. Thinking about them made her incredibly happy.

"Nope, they aren't back yet," Rayleigh said.

"Then how are they to follow your card back to Sabaody if you're not there?" Lucy asked, and Rayleigh explained how he left something with Shakki to make it. "Then…what are you doing here?"

"I think we need to speak in private for that, Lucy," Rayleigh told her and something in his eyes made her frown. But she nodded her head. She and Rayleigh walked off to the back of the ship so they could be alone. "Lucy…what do you plan to do now? Go to the New World and regroup?"

"Yes, I mean…we promised we would meet. And I want to see them," Lucy said, thinking about her nakama and placing her hand over her mark. "I have to go to Sabaody."

"Even after being completely destroyed like that by Kizaru and the others? After just barely being able to save your brother even with all the help you had at Marineford, and even then you weren't able to save him at first. What do you think will happen when facing the New World pirates? More admirals? The New World is a place that does not hold back. If you go there as you are now…you and your nakama will die," Rayleigh said, and she flinched at his words.

"I…I don't know. I don't want to lose them. But I have to go," Lucy said, staring Rayleigh in the eyes. He nodded his head.

"Then how about postponing it?" Rayleigh offered and she tilted her head. "I will train you to use Haki, a necessary skill to survive in the New World. You have already used Haoshoku Haki."

"Ah, that's what everyone was calling it at Marineford," Lucy said, remembering her scream.

"I will train you in all three, and you will be able to take on most anything then," Rayleigh said, and she looked him in the eyes.

"How long would it take?"

"It depends on how fast you can pick it up. Two years at most," Rayleigh said, and she took a deep breath. That was a long time. She also had Porlyusica. But…she couldn't risk the lives of her other nakama because she was impatient. She would find a way to save the healer in Fiore when the time came. For now she had people who needed her to worry over them more.

"How do I get them this message of a different meeting time though?" Lucy asked and Rayleigh grinned to himself.

"We'll need Jimbei for what I have in mind. Just the three of us though. And you'll be the star," Rayleigh said and she tilted her head, scooting away from him a little. "We'll get to work tomorrow, tell Jimbei. But no one else. Shanks has to leave as well, and then we'll get to training."

"Alright," Lucy said and got up, calling out to Jimbei on the front of the deck. He came back and Rayleigh began to go over the plan. When he was all finished explaining everything Jimbei nodded his head. They were doing this. "I better tell Shanks to leave tomorrow morning then." Lucy was disappointed at this, but knew she would see him again. In two years.

She walked to the front of the deck, Shanks waiting for her with a curious look on his face. She walked over to the group and decided not to tell them everything. "I have some things to work on with Rayleigh tomorrow, and Jimbei. Nothing to important, but, I'll be leaving with them in the morning. You can't come with either."

"What? Why?" Shanks asked, looking to Rayleigh as he emerged from the back of the ship with Jimbei.

"Some crew matter of Fairy Tail. I'm going to be working on something to broadcast a message to them all, no doubt they're worried. But it'll be fine," Lucy said and Shanks looked at her for a moment too long, and she thought he was going to start asking questions again. But he just nodded his head and went back to drinking. Rayleigh joining in with him, the two catching up.

Lucy took the time to relax. This would be the last time she would be able to.

Morning came to fast, and she had to say goodbye to Shanks and the others. She was wrapped in his embrace for a while, taking in the fact that this would be their last hug for two years. She kissed him on the cheek as she got down, and then moved to the others of the group.

"I'll see you in the New World," Lucy said and smiled confidently as she thought about it, grasping the straw hat on her head, and tilting it down as she looked up at him. "Don't think that encounter will be as friendly. After I take down all the other Emperors I'm coming to take you down, Shanks."

"I look forward to it, Lucy," Shanks said with a smile on his face. "Come soon though, I want to hear everything then. Everything."

"Promise!" Lucy said and watched as he walked onto his ship, and they made it out of the calm belt using oars on their ship. She smiled till they disappeared, and then became serious. She looked back to Jimbei and Rayleigh, Loke having gone home when she told him, and nodded her head. "Let's get started."

"Ne, Rayleigh, do you think they understood?" Lucy asked the man. The message had gone out the day before, and now they were on their way to an island called Rusukaina. Apparently it was great for training, and they would be staying there for the next two years.

"I'm sure they'll all get it, Lucy…well maybe not the dull looking one," Rayleigh commented, but didn't give a name. Who was he talking about then? Was it Zoro? She shook her head and concentrated.

When they got to the island the women of Amazon Lily wished her a good two years of training. They would come get her then. Rayleigh led to a spot of the island where they was a large tree thing, and told her no animals would go near it. So to go there if she was in danger.

He then led her to a spot and demonstrated Haki. Kenbunshoku, the ability to sense enemies and predict their moves. Busoshoku, an armor like Haki that could also be used as a weapon. It's how he could attack a Logia user. It also enhanced strength. And Haoshoku, the Conqueror's Haki. It would allow her to intimidate her enemies till they couldn't stand or be awake.

They made camp after that, and Lucy went for a walk to the stone.

She took off her hat and laid it on one of the stones and places Rayleigh's card and the others' in it as well. "I swear I'll get stronger, all of you. This will be the only break we take. I promise, so let's stop here, and get stronger. We'll have so much to talk about in two years from now. I can't wait to see how strong you all become too."

Shanks gaped at the paper. What had she done? Why? Rayleigh, it had to be him. Whatever those three had talked about, he knew it was this. But what was the point of it all? She still wasn't recovered fully either, so they should've at least waited for Lucy to get better. But that old man would never change. And it seemed Lucy had taken after the male side of her family after all, always doing crazy things and being completely fine with it all.

Sabo and Ace were both frozen is fear when they saw the paper. That little idiot! She should never have gone back to Marineford! Even more so they shouldn't have left her alone, it was only a matter of time after they left that she did something like this.

"Lucy!" Ace shouted, tugging at his hair with worry. Now the marines knew she was alive, so they would be after her again.

"I give up," Sabo said, slumping over. Lucy would do as she pleased, as she always did. There was no way to stop her when she wanted something. Just better to be ready when she would actually need help getting out of trouble.

"Why?" Ace said, crumpling right next to Sabo, both confused out of their minds as to why she did something like go back to Marineford. She had to have a reason. A message to send out. But it obviously wasn't for them.

Chopper had been flying back to Sabaody when he read the newspaper. He was shocked when he saw his captain on the front. She had returned to the place she had gone to war. And now she was doing it for another reason.

He read the article twice, and then looked at the picture of his captain. She had something on her arm. He narrowed his eyes. 3D was crossed out, and a 2Y was underneath it. What was it? He thought back on it. It had to be a message. Everything else was just a mess. "Ah!" Chopper shouted as he looked it over more closely. "I got it, Lucy! I know what you wanted to tell us! Tori-san, please go back!"

He would do as she asked, she was his captain. He would be able to use this time to do as he wanted, and become stronger for Lucy. A better doctor for her. The one she deserved. "I'll be able to take care of you even more after this, Lucy!"

Lucy took him out to sea, Chopper was desperate to follow her. Has he done anything to actually help her? He thought back to what happened on Sabaody. He didn't want to go through that again. But at the same time…Lucy must have felt more pain than all of them. Because Chopper joined her crew, he no longer cared what people thought of him. If it helps Lucy, he will become a real monster. He promised her, he would get stronger.

Robin was being led off the bridge when she was handed a newspaper from the revolutionaries. She had read it over and then took in the picture of her captain. "Roger that, Lucy," Robin said and smiled.

The revolutionaries around her were confused and she smiled. "Do you think I may be able to join you for a limited time? My captain has made a decision." Immediately they all seemed to grow excited with joy.

"We'll call the boss right away, Robin-san!" They said and the carriage moved even faster across the bridge. They sent a note somewhere and were all giddy with excitement.

She would work hard for Lucy during this time, and if she wanted to be strong for her captain than the best place to go was to her captain's father. Lucy may not like it very much though, she didn't like her father very much. But Lucy liked the revolution. And Lucy would be happy to know all about it when they all came together again. And Robin could also tell it was hard for Lucy to be so negative about her father, when he was the leader of the revolutionaries. She was too kind and forgiving to hold onto it for long.

And this would definitely make her stronger for Lucy. She would become stronger for her nakama.

"I see, my beautiful captain!" Sanji cried out as he looked the newspaper over. His lovely captain had given her orders. That stupid Ivankov was hovering around his still though, wondering what he was all excited for. Ruining his mood completely.

Bon Clay was also looking at him for answers, but wasn't as annoying as that stupid 'queen'. He would find a way to be stronger for her. She was his savior. She deserved nothing but the best from him. And sadly he already knew these cross dressers were skilled. He would have to endure hell, but it would make him stronger. Stronger for Lucy. And that was the best reason there ever could be for going through hell.

He would give her the best support as a cook that the Pirate Queen would need.

Usopp looked over the newspaper that came to the island and read it over and over again. He had been trying to escape to get back to her, but she had made her choice. "I got it! I got it, Lucy!" He was crying, so happy to know she was alive.

He immediately got up and began to run. He had to get stronger. A lot stronger. Much, much, much stronger for Lucy. She was always so perfect. She was strong and clever, kind and protective, smart and determined. She was also brave.

But she needed help. She knew that too. It's why she had him, all of her crew. He thought for so long she could do it on her on. Become the Pirate Queen. But he realized that she wasn't able to do it on her own. She needed them all to be stronger. She had pushed herself to her last drop, and hadn't been enough. She needed them to help her push.

She needed their support. It kept her strong. It was her nakama that made her strong. If they were stronger than they were right now in the future, then she would be stronger. And she could do it. She would journey to the end of this sea with their help, and become the Pirate Queen.

Nami was standing in front of that old weather wizard's house when she noticed the newspaper and went to go get it. She looked it over when she saw Lucy on the front of the paper. A straw hat on her head and her left arm crossed over her torso, the sign of Fairy Tail on her hand, and letters printed over her forearm that was towards the camera.

"Geez, Lucy. Ignore our feelings to want to see you like this…but, I understand. Haredas-san, teach me now, we've got time for me to learn," Nami said and turned to the old man. He was looking at her quizzically, but she was smiling. She would do as her captain asked.

Lucy had done so much for her. Saved her and her people. Had given her a home, a family. Lucy gave her people who loved her, and would protect her. Lucy had always given them all everything. Her protection, care, kindness, and love. Now it was time for them to show their captain they could be better, do better.

Nami would learn everything that she could, right here with the weather grandpas. She would learn everything, so she could navigate the New World. And any sea Lucy wanted to travel on. It was her responsibility. She would dedicate herself to this. Lucy wanted to become the Pirate Queen, she had to be a navigator worthy of a captain like that.

Franky had just gotten out of an explosion when he got the message from Lucy. "I see, this give me some time, Lucy." He now just needed to find where Vegapunk kept his weapons. He had a pretty good idea as to where they were. He had seen them on a schematic back in the base. With those he could really help Lucy.

Lucy had given him the chance to live his dream. Had made him embrace it once more. She brought him into the big world, across challenged and battles.

And she was the only one who could make his dream of a dream ship of his own a reality. The only captain who could do this was her. He would make become a better engineer, mechanic, and shipwright for her. She deserved that as his thanks for all she had done for him.

Brook was in his cell like compartment and had just been given the newspaper he asked for. He needed to know if there was any further news on his captain and her state. He was not very surprised to see she was in the paper. She was a very well-known person now, someone at the near center of the World stage. He was surprised to see why though. She had gone back to Marineford.

"I understand, Lucy-san," Brook responded and got up. He needed to do what he could in the time that his captain had given him. Get stronger and learn more wonderful music to take away the troubles of the crew in the future.

She had given him a real life once more. His shadow and a future of adventure. She had given him everything. All she had wanted was for him to play her music. Most were scared of him, yet she greeted everyone, no matter who they were, with a smile and open mind.

She deserved his absolute best music.

Wendy had arrived on an island of mountains. There was no flat ground. Just cliffs and ravines of death. The people were all very skilled in handling the land, and had offered to take her back to Sabaody. But she had found the news coo, finally once more after days of running around. And she had seen her captain and big sister on it, and had come to a conclusion. "Of course, Lucy-nee," Wendy said, looking up to the sky.

Her big sister was strong, but had ordered them to stop here. Wendy had to get stronger in this time, like she knew everyone else would.

Wendy hadn't been too much help in the past. She had been found and been a burden to Lucy for most of this journey. Lucy was fighting to not only become the Pirate Queen, she was doing this for the rest of Fairy Tail. The rest of their nakama. Lucy had been through so much, but always got back up.

It was time Wendy learnt to be a bit more like that. She had to do her best to help in this large task.

Zoro was waking up from a nap, that damn ghost woman waking him up from his rest. She was really annoying. He was having a good dream. He was on the Sunny, Lucy and him training. Waking up here and realizing it was a dream was no fun. "I brought you the newspaper. There's an update from your captain," the ghost woman told him and he woke up in a moment. He sprung up and towards the woman.

"What did you say?" He asked, but cringed when he moved. It hurt. He had been fighting too much, those damn baboons had sliced him a bit. He clutched the wounds, trying not to scream out in pain. But Lucy. He had to work past this. The ghost woman forced him to lie back down, and she held the newspaper above him while he read. He didn't get it. There had to be a reason.

He focused his attention as best as he could, but he couldn't get it just yet. He knew this had to be Rayleigh's idea, Lucy wouldn't do something like this. Not intentionally of her own planning. Zoro gritted his teeth. And then he finally understood. She had asked them to wait. She wanted them to get stronger. All of them.

Zoro knew just how to. So he did what he had to. He threw away his pride, his ambition, for Lucy. For his captain. For his best friend. Because she was more important.

He bowed his head and begged to be trained by the one man he swore to defeat. He was no idiot. He was no match for Mihawk, a friend of Lucy's, and had to get stronger. And the best one to teach him to defeat Dracule Mihawk, was Dracule Mihawk.

The man agreed finally, after much begging. And explaining Lucy's actions to her curious and protective father/brother/uncle figure – she said it depended on Mihawk's mood and what she was doing.

He would train Zoro after he was all healed. And then Zoro could return to Lucy's side, stronger. Just as she needed him. And in two years he would show her just how strong he could be, and still have room for growth in the New World. He wouldn't just watch her and assume he would never be her equal in strength. He was her first mate, he would match her. He would show Lucy, he could be the equal of a Dragon Princess and the Pirate Queen.

"See you in two years at Sabaody, Lucy!"

So I hoped you all liked it. It took a little longer than usual, but I did it. The next part will obviously be after the two year time skip. And it will begin with all the crew members and their arrivals and meeting up. And they're all just waiting for Lucy.

Like I said at the top...I can't decide who Lucy should be with. I added something for the top three picks, and my favorites as well. Law, Shanks, and Zoro. Obviously Zoro will get the most time with Lucy that all of them, then Law, and then Shanks. Which is why I think I'll have to say no to Shanks. He has little time with her, he'll be the last Yonko she takes down. I have to make a cut, and I think it will be him.

But tell me what you all think in your reviews! That being said:

Please Review!

~Stay Free