Shayla was a little embarrassed to face Luffy and Sabo after the whole spider and beetle incident. She hated that she was scared of insects, but there was no controlling this fear.

Ace went ahead of her because Shay wanted some time to get herself together before going back to her two friends. What would they say to her? They would probably laugh at her because of it. She would have to get this over with sooner rather than later or it would just be awkward to go back, more awkward.

She took a deep breath before going back and was quickly jumped, "I'm sorry Shay, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted you to see how cool it was" Luffy cried. Did he just? "I'm sorry too, Shay. We've never seen you scared of anything and I took advantage of this chance, but I went too far" Sabo said sincerely. They both apologized and didn't laugh at her. They really didn't think she was a weak girl?

Shayla smiled, "I forgive you" hugged Luffy back and signaled for Sabo to come here too. He blushed a little and went shyly over to them.

Ace laughed in the background, further increasing Sabo's blush. "come and join us Ace" she called him, "no" he said coolly. The young girl knew he wouldn't give in. Shay sighed, curled her hand into a fist, and bending the earth around his legs. Then took her hand up to her shoulder pulling him closer to them.

In a matter of seconds, he was right beside them and Shayla quickly hugged him before he could register what had happened, "your powers can be really annoying" he commented and slowly embracing her back.

-x-

They got hungry and went out to hunt. They caught two crocodiles, one to eat and the other to sell in town. The three boys sat on top of each other's shoulder and pretended to be a man. Shayla walked next to 'him' and played his daughter while pulling the dead reptile.

They got the skin for a good price and Ace suggested that they should eat ramen in a restaurant. As soon as they entered, they were about to be kicked out for being 'poor looking'. Sabo then showed them a golden seal, claiming to have found it outside. That story felt weird to her because she would have had noticed something like that was out on the street.

Shayla dismissed it for now but still thought to ask him later. They ordered ramen and a woman who was serving them came in with 4 bowls. It was delicious and they quickly ate it, ordering more.

They soon got caught but not before eating 32 bowls of ramen in total and jumped out of the window to escape. Happy that they got away the friends planned on going back to the woods, "Sabo" a man called, "Oi Sabo his calling you" Ace told him. Sabo looked back for a second before continuing, "he's got the wrong person" the blond defended.

The friends went over to a cliff and questioned him about the man, "I'm the son of a noble" finally answering them. The two black-haired boys looked confused, "son of a noble? Who is?" they asked, "I am" he screamed. Both of them just picked his nose, "so?" they asked. Shayla stood back and watch the scene, if they reacted like that to Sabo's father, would they do the same when she told them about hers? Hopefully.

Sabo told them that he ran away from home and that he was always a failure in their eyes. He was just a tool and would only get their love if he married a royal girl. Even though he had parents he was all alone.

"Ace, Shayla, Luffy. We'll definitely set sail one day and leave this country. To be free. I wanna know about the world and write a book about my adventures. I don't mind having to study navigation. I'll be stronger and become a pirate" Sabo declared proudly, making them all smile.

"You don't have to tell me, you know. I'll be a pirate, I'll fight, fight, fight until I'm the most famous. That's the way I'll prove my existence. I don't care if the bastards in the world don't recognize me. I don't care how much they hate me. I'll become a pirate; I won't run from anyone nor lose to anyone. Everybody will know my name," Ace vowed with his pipe in the air.

"oh, I see" the youngest of the 4 stepped over to the edge. "I'll become the Pirate King" Luffy yelled. Shocking the two older boys, "huh?" he just laughed. "you're talking nonsense again" Ace said while ruffing his own hair.

Sabo on the other hand join the boy and laughed too, "you're so funny, Luffy. I can't wait to see what will happen with you in the future" Shayla walked over to them, "I can see this one causing trouble for everyone" she patted him on the head, "what about you Shay" Luffy giggled.

It was her turn to dramatically scream her dream over the ocean, "I want to draw the world. I'll travel the world as a pirate and draw whatever looks the most beautiful on an island. Then I'll draw it in a way that illustrates the beauty of this world," she smirked at them. All of them flashing her a bright smile too, supporting each other's goals.

"It's great that we all wanted to become pirates. But is it's okay we all want to become captains too" Sabo started, "I didn't think of that? Sabo, I planned for you to become my navigator" Ace decided. "you'll be on my ship" Luffy declared, "I refuse" both boys yelled, "I'm going back to my crew" the girl smiled.

They all stir at her confused, "what do you mean your crew" the youngest asked. "I'm a pirate on board my father's crew that's how I know Shanks. Our two crews used to fight" she told them, but she didn't think it was time to tell them who her old man really was yet.

Shayla was afraid something in their relationship would change if she did. It wasn't like with Sabo's father, he was just a lowly noble from a faraway sea. The great pirate Edward Newgate aka. Whitebeard was known thought the whole world and sadly it always somehow affected her getting friends. She loves these idiots and didn't want to lose them, especially not when they all four got along so well.

"oh alright. Then it's the three of us that going to be a captain" the blond remembering it now.

-x-

Ace left not long ago to grab something and the three of them just played around. "Luffy, controlling a devil's fruit power can be difficult and you have to learn how to use it in your own style. There is no right or wrong everything depends on you" Shayla encouraged, "I learn this new trick," he told her, "then show me" she smiled. "alright, here I come. Gomu Gomu no pistole" he stretched his arm trying to hit her. But he ended up hitting the ground and then himself, "that something you have to work on sunshine" she giggled.

"Shay, Luffy come over here. Ace's back and wants us here" Sabo said. They walk over to a stump with 4 small red cups, "we'll find out who'll become a captain in the future. Maybe we'll all be on different ships" Ace told them. "Did you steal that liquor from Dada?" the youngest asked.

"Did you guys know, when men drink together, they become brothers?" Ace said smiling, ignoring the previous question. 'His smile looks really cute' the girl thought "brothers really" a big smile appeared on all their faces as he poured them some. "Maybe we won't be pirates on the same ship, but we'll be united by our bonds of brotherhood. No matter where we are or what we are doing… no one can break this bond." The boys took their cup and were ready to drink it, "what's wrong Shay, aren't you going to drink" the blond asked.

"This a bond between men and brotherhood, I'm neither," she told them, "but you're one of us" Ace responded, "I know. This is a men's vow, it's all for you guys. We can make another vow after you guys become brothers" she smiled meaning every word. "Alright but only if you sure" Luffy waited for some kind of confirmation and she nodded, "Ace continue" she was happy for them and that they found each other. Shayla didn't see the last 12 years as a total loss, she met these misfits after all.

"Alright, from now on we are brother's" the three of them clanked their cups together before drinking it.

"Now, let's make a vow for us all. I may not be a boy, but I am glad that I found you guys. I am 11 years and I actually never made a friend my age. You are a blessing and I love you. Here's a toast to family" she drank it too and almost spat it out again, "this is what daddy loves to drink so much" she questioned.

"Like it or not we too are bonded" and the guys cheered.

-x-

It's been a week since their vows, the 3 brothers and a girl was facing some delinquents close to the big gates. The fight against them was pretty easy and when the guards came, they ran away. They lived free, with no one to tell them what to do, it was… perfect.

The three boys she grew to call her family had just bought or rather stolen a sketchbook. So now she could practice her dream before actually going to sea herself. It was their way of supporting her goal and she would do whatever to help them too.

They came home with a deer for them to eat and gave it to Dadan. When dinner was ready at the hut it was chaos as always. Dadan got mad at them and threw them all into the bathroom to take a shower. Shayla didn't take a bath with the boys so; she made her own little place and got her own water to bath. She was growing up after all.

-x-

The next morning Dogra woke her and Luffy up because someone was there to visited them. Luffy quickly ran out of the room to see who it was. Shay turned around to sleep a little longer or that's what she hoped. Ace picked her up and took her outside, "you can't sleep all day" he took her out to the sun.

"No! Ace" and she curled up against him, "Shayla" he whispered and made her look. "Makino" Shay jumped down and hugged the woman. Makino had brought them clothes, for Luffy, it was a t-shirt with a star and for Shayla, it was a white dress with purple flowers. She didn't want to change in front of everybody, so she went inside.

When she came back out, she saw Sabo was given a purple shirt and Makino was trying the size on Ace, who was blushing, 'that's cute' she thought and smirked at his embarrassment. Shay walked over to the other guys, "Wow Shay you look like a girl" Luffy complimented, "She is a girl, stupid. But he's right Shay you look good" Sabo said in a gentleman kind of way.

Shayla looked at Ace went over to them blushing even more. "What's wrong Ace are you sick," she asked concerned and touched his forehead. "I-I'm fine," he said not looking at her at all, 'that's weird' she thought.

Makino made them all dinner and everybody enjoyed it with a big smile, "when I become a pirate I'll have a chef that can make great food like this" Sabo vowed, "I'm going to be a pirate first so, that's impossible" Ace challenged, "that's not fair. I'm going to become a pirate before either of you two" Luffy declared and the mountain bandits spit their drinks out as a dark figure appeared.

The two black-haired boys look at them not understanding what's going on until they heard a throat being cleared and the two boys suddenly felt fear as they turned around. "you two still going on about that" Garp asked. Ace and Luffy spit their drinks out too, "I'm telling you; you're going to be marines. Why is it so hard to understand" he yells, "Wait, Old man. How are you doing that, making them all shit their pants?" Shayla asked while pointed at all of them.

He punched Ace and Luffy over the head, "Dadan" and punched her too making all three fell to the floor. "It depends are you going to be a pirate too" he looked at Shayla with a menacing glare, "I'm not going to be a pirate. I'm already one" Shay whispers the last part, obviously not stupid. "That's Garp. so, this old man is Ace and Luffy's grandfather" Sabo looked scared too.

"Boy, you were talking about going out to sea too" Garp turned his gaze to Sabo. Luffy came and stood in front of the blond, "it's not 'boy'. It's Sabo. we shared a toast of brotherhood and promised to become pirates. Shayla too" he snitched.

Garp turned to the girl, "you lied to save yourself? Smart. You wanted to know how I make them all piss their pants?" he took his fist up, "Nah I'm good" nervously eating her food. "oh? So, in the words, there is now 4 idiot who wants me to give them a work out" cracking his hands, making them all sweat out of fear. The three boys were ready to run, Ace took Shay's hand and ran outside with the others.

Their scream could be heard throughout the forest "I said wait" the old man went after Luffy first. Garp tried to punch him but he jumped to avoid it and the ground instead. Next, it was Ace his grandpa punched after him but missed and hit the tree behind him. Sabo got caught and was spinning around, "this old man is a monster" she heard him say.

Shay on the other hand was different. When Garp tried to punch her, she punched back with stone gloves she quickly made. Garp looked surprised for a second and punched her again. So, she used her wind to redirect his fist. It went on for a while until he grabbed her by her wrist and lifted her up to his height, "I've heard rumors that a girl on a certain pirate ship had the powers to control the elements, that's you".

Shay smirked proudly "yeah, I'm the true daughter of Whitebeard. Are you going to turn me into the marines now" at least her family would come for her. Garp let her go, "No, I'm not. but according to the rumors you disappeared and are supposed to be a young adult by now" waiting for her answers, "yeah I was supposed to be" not elaborating.

He turned to the boys and they looked shocked to know who she was. Shay was afraid that they'll judge her, "let's continue brats" Garp looked at her for a second before going after them again. It was like he was covering for her. 'Nah that could be it' she thought. That meant a marine would care about a pirate. Anyway, she was grateful and went back to the hut, giving her a chance to think of what to say to them.

-x-

Shay was never known as a coward. She would face whatever problem she was having head-on, that's what her father taught her. Then why was she so afraid to talk to the guys. If they really were her friend they wouldn't care, right? It's like with Sabo's father they didn't care, but then again her father was the strongest pirate out there. But they want to be pirates too… so, they shouldn't care, right?

All these thoughts went through her head and when they came back beaten, she was facing the window, looking out into the dark sky. "Shayla is it true your father is one of the strongest pirate" Luffy asked excited, "yeah, he is" smiling down at him, "ne, Shay tell us about him" Sabo said with a big smile, "He's the captain of the Whitebeard pirates and he's the best" Smiling rival theirs.

Now she was waiting for Ace to accept her too but it never came. Shay turned to him, "Ace" her heart slowly breaking, "Ace?" Sabo asked, "Ace, come, Shayla is about to tell a story about her father" Luffy smiled at him. "I'm going to bed. I'm tired" Ace went over to sleep and Shay's worst nightmare care true: for her very best friend to leave her. "Guys I'll tell you about him another time. I'm tired too" without saying another word she lay down facing the wall tears silently going down her cheek.

-x-

The next morning, she felt awful as Luffy woke her up, "Shay it's morning get up" shaking her lightly and she saw that Ace wasn't there. "Just go without me today. Don't feel so good" Shayla said sadly not facing him at all, "but Shay it's more fun if we all are together" he protested. Sabo went over to them, "if it's about Ace he'll come to his senses. Don't worry" Shay hum not sure if she believes it, "let's go Luffy. Let her stay for today" and the two boys went out of the room.

Shayla didn't move for a few hours trying to figure out why he wouldn't accept her. About noon she went back to sleep. By 3 pm she woke up and decided she needs some fresh air because her head was killing her.

Outside she took some water and splashed it on her face. She took a comb to brush her hair and braiding them into two braids. Her hair was now waist length and she went out of the hut.

It was weird eating alone she was used to loud boys and before loud pirates. God, she missed her family. They would accept her without any problems. Maybe it was time to go back home now. She had been here for almost 7 months and it was time.

Shay went back to the hut to gather her things, not that she had that many things. The only important thing was her sketchbook that the brothers bought her. Maybe she should let them have it as a reminder about her. When she went back it was sunset and she decided to sleep so she could set sail in the morning.

-x-

Right before leaving Shay wrote the brothers a letter, 'Luffy, Sabo, and Ace. I've decided to set sail today and by the time you read this, I'll be long gone. I wanted to tell you, but I knew you'll stop me so, I didn't. This is not goodbye. This is until we meet again out on the wide sea as pirates.'

- Love Shayla

Shayla went over to the cliff edge where they made their promises and had prepared/stolen a small boat to set sail. She gathered food and water the day before so she wouldn't be hungry. Shay looked back one last time before she sailed forward going where ever the wind took her.

Suddenly she felt someone jumping on to the boat and she looked back to see an angry or regretful Ace, she couldn't tell. "You were just going to leave without saying anything", she blinked emotionless, "I did write a letter" why would he care, "I read it. Why would you leave us… leave me?" anger clear in his eyes, "I have to go back to my family" that only made him angrier, "we're your family Shayla, stay" he almost begged, "no. I'm going to stay where I'm not accepted," she said.

"I do accept you, Shayla" he stepped in front of her and took taking her hand, "when you guys found out. I wanted you to accept the most. When you dismissed me it really hurt because you're my best friend" he stood there regretful, "I promise I'll never hurt you ever again". Ace and Shayla stood there starring at each other. He offered her his other hand too.

She didn't know what to do. If she stayed, when would she go back to the pirate ship. Her thought was interrupted by Sabo and Luffy, "Shayla don't leave us. We don't care who your father is. Ace is an idiot for not seeing that" Sabo almost cried, "Yeah Shay, don't leave" Luffy repeated.

"Oi" Ace complained, "But they are right Shayla I'm an idiot. I'm sorry for acting like that" he continued. Shay could see the sincerity in his eyes and she knew he meant it. So she took his hand. The happiness was clear in his face, Luffy, and Sabo too. They really came to get her back and it warmed her heart. Shayla loves her father, but it always somehow affected her social life. She had finally made friends on her own without any interference from her pirate life.

The four of them walked into the forest but they didn't go in the direction of the bandits' hut, "where are we going" she asked still holding Ace's hand, "home" Sabo simply said. "But home is not this way" she was so confused, "we build a new home in the forest and we wanted to surprise you" Luffy his usually cheerful self said. Did they want to surprise her?

When did this become a thing for them and her, "I was going to apologize to you last night, but you were asleep and this morning I barely hear you leave. It was almost too late" he sounded sad. Shayla's heart skipped a beat at his little confession and she took Ace's arm instead and laid her head on this shoulders, "Hey what are you doing" she could see his blush as he panicked, 'that's cute' she through but didn't let go.

Sabo and Luffy teased them or rather him, "you two look cute together" Sabo teased, "yeah, Ace your face is all red" Luffy laughed. Ace's face was covered in complete red flush and yelling at them to shut up and for Shayla to let him go.

She didn't and enjoyed the little show because something like this would never embarrass her.

The treehouse wasn't the most beautiful, but it was enough. Sabo was about to climb up the ladder when Shayla used the earth as a jumper and threw them all up at the same time. "that was awesome, Shay" Luffy said impressed, not that it was hard to do.

"We three will sleep here and we made you a room for you" he showed her around in the not very large treehouse, "impressive. Not bad really" she smirked at them. "there's something missing" Ace started, "since it's a secret base we need traps" they started to gather the thing, "what if we forget it's there and accidentally stopple upon them" Shay was the brain of them all but they looked at her like she was the stupid one, "What?" she questioned, "what kind of idiot would do that" all three said in unison.

'huh, they really do share a brain cell' she thought.

The morning went by and they had their daily fights. Since there are four people, Shay could fight each of them 33 times. The last one was decided individually. Shay won all her fight against the brothers, Ace won 18times against Sabo and all his fight against Luffy. Sabo won 16times against Ace and all his fight again Luffy. Sadly, Luffy lost all of his fight against them. "Just you wait till I turn 11, I'll beat you all" he complained, "by them, we be 14 or 15 years. It's impossible for you to defeat us" Ace shoots down.

-x-

Winter was near and the brothers had to find jackets to wear. It got a lot colder, but it still didn't affect Shay that much. She only needed a hoody and long pants, she was good to go. Anything else and she would be sweating and anything less she was chilly.

The four were hunting and Luffy finally had his first prey, he was all happy. That was until a giant tiger came to claim it. Luffy didn't care and was ready to fight it for the meat but Sabo and Ace carried him away. Shayla got mad at the tiger and kicked it in the head, hurting it. She took the prey and ran after the boys, "here Luffy" he hugged her, "thank you" his smile was shining, and it warmed her heart.

They ate it and went up to the treehouse to sleep when Luffy started giggling, "having brothers and a sister sure is nice," he said under the blanket, "what are you happy about" Sabo didn't understand, "ne, you should join my crew Ace, Sabo, and Shay please" Shayla looked tired, "no" the three continued to argue: how they should join each other's crew.

That was until Luffy had an idea… yeah Luffy had an idea, "the one defeating lord tiger becomes the captain" he suggested, "then you have less of a chance" Sabo discouraged, "that's not true. None of us can defeat it yet" and got his two brother's attention, "interesting," they said. Luffy looked surprised like he didn't expect the two to agree, "then it's settled" Luffy smiled, "alright, I got it."

Like she said they shared a brain.

Shayla watched from the sideline as her friends were going on a suicide mission. They caught fish to get the tiger out, but it didn't show up instead it was a bear. The brothers decided to practice on the bear in the meantime. She could see they were trying their hardest, but it wasn't enough. When they all were losing and in danger, she stood up and was about to help them when a giant hammer slammed into the beast.

She could feel a force that she hadn't felt for some time and an old man came out. He defeated it and the brothers decided to offer him some fish as thanks. His name was Nogari and he was once a pirate, but he gave up when he was defeated by Gold Roger. 'Wait, his name is Gol D Roger' she thought. While he told his story, Shayla saw how Ace reacted and he walked away but she didn't follow him. When Nogari was done Luffy asked if he would train him as his pirate teacher.

After a while, they finally noticed that Ace left and Sabo told them the reason why "What? The Pirate King is Ace's dad" Luffy yells, Sabo told them that it was a secret and not to talk to Ace about it or he'll get mad.

Shayla was angry she doesn't care if he gets mad. She ran over to the treehouse to confront him, "My father's rival is your father" she walked over to him and punched him over the head, "you have some nerve for getting mad at me for having a famous pirate father when you have one yourself"

She stared at him waiting for an answer. "Who told you that" he asked, "it doesn't matter who told me. So, it's true?" still not conforming to it. Her anger kept rising as he refused to respond and he was just looking out the window.

"Hey Ace, so you went home before us" Sabo tried to act like nothing, "Hey Ace is it true your dad is Roger," Luffy said not sensing the danger. "Damnit Luffy. I told you not to tell anyone" Sabo panicked at shook Luffy a little. Ace was calm, "Luffy who told you that" getting information from the youngest instead, "Sabo told me. Ne Ace what kind of person is Roger" Sabo was actually blue as he tried to stop his brother.

They argued until Ace punched them both, "don't ever mention that name again" he warned. Shayla took this chance to make him even more mad, "Roger was a fun-loving strong pirate. He wanted to go to the end of Grand Line" the three stared at her in confusion, "how do you know that" Sabo asked and she smirked devilishly, "I met him" their eyes widen, "what! you met the Pirate King. How?" Luffy asked.

"He's my father's biggest rival. So, whenever they met up, they fought" she saw Ace's reaction. "So how come you acted like that with me when your father is just as famous or even more famous" still no idea why but she was met with silence once again, "whatever" she went to bed.

The next day she didn't speak to Ace and the day after that.