Chapter 40
Stussy poured three glasses of wine, and sat down at her desk. She hadn't expected today to turn out the way it did. Tucked away safely in South Blue meant she only had to be weary of the Portgas Family, who so far had no idea she was residing in their part of the city. None of the other gangs knew where she lived, or weren't supposed to.
"Well, I certainly hadn't expected to meet you at my own home," Stussy admitted, smiling. "Now, what do you gentlemen want from me?"
Buggy the Clown and Red Leg Zeff sat across from her. Zeff's gaze dark, while Buggy tilted his head. She could guess why they were here. Buggy had been going through his contacts for weeks, searching for Red Leg Zeff's adopted son. They were probably curious about the wedding she would be going to in two days time and who it was that was being married.
"Big Mom and the Vinsmokes are becoming worryingly close," Buggy said, leaning back in his chair, pointedly not touching the wine. "And now I have heard rumours of invitations of a new tea party. What's going on there, Stussy?"
"Why not ask her yourself?" Stussy chuckled. "Oh wait, you can't. You had to flee East Blue for being an Omega. I wonder how that works. You don't have a proper scent, it barely touches upon any scent, just as all Beta scents do. Such a curious thing."
"Doesn't matter what he is," Zeff growled. "What matters is that you start answering our questions."
"And why should I?" Stussy huffed. "I've been invited to the wedding, that much you must understand, otherwise you would never have bothered me here. No, your lot has not. So I suggest you scurry back off to your corners of the city, before you really annoy me."
A spike of Zeff's scent hit her, and Stussy braced herself, ready to pull out her gun. Buggy only grinned.
"There's no need to get angry here. You see, Stussy. You're in a bit of a bind here," Buggy said.
"And how is that?" she asked dryly.
"You didn't tell the Portgas Family that you were living in their territory. You're tied to the Big Mom gang, and they really hate the Charlotte Family right now for trying to stake a claim on their territory."
"So you're saying I should silence you here before you speak?" Stussy smirked, instantly drawing her gun. It was aimed right between Buggy's eyes, but he surprisingly didn't look fazed.
Her brow furrowed. He was usually terrified of violence.
"Try it and you're doomed," Buggy snorted. "For one thing, you're going to piss off my entire gang, not to mention Shanks. Also-"
The study doors burst open, and Stussy froze. She lowered her gun, an apology at the tip of her tongue. The Boss and Matriarch of the Portgas Family both strolled in, all alone. That didn't stop Stussy from raising her hands, leaving her gun on top of the desk.
Portgas D. Anne was hunched, clutching her cane tightly, but she walked by her son like she was the Queen of the world. Her son, Portgas D. Toshio, led her, holding her other arm, his grey eyes cold. Neither had weapons trained on her, but Stussy knew better. They could kill her in a blink of an eye.
"I happen to be associated with the Portgas Family," Buggy finished, smirking.
"Kid's right," Toshio mused. "We really don't like the Charlotte Family right now. So I suggest you start talking, and fast, pup."
Stussy had not been a pup in years. But right now, she felt like one. Shivering in the cold, abandoned and lost.
She handed over the invitation for Charlotte Pudding's and Vinsmoke Sanji's wedding.
Red Leg Zeff's eyes burned.
.::.
Nami looked out the Baratie's windows, seeing Zoro pulling up to the restaurant. He pretty much dumped his bike the moment he skidded to a stop, rushing into the Baratie. She saw a disgruntled Mihawk, who had been Zoro's passenger, park the bike properly, turning it off just as the doors slammed open.
"You said you heard about Sanji!" Zoro yelled, racing to their side, staring wide eyed at Zeff.
Zeff nodded and tossed something on to the table. Nami's brow furrowed, and Luffy blinked at her side, tilting his head.
"A piece of paper kidnapped Sanji?"
"No, you dolt!" Nami slapped the back of his head. "It's a wedding invitation!"
"Oh, Zeff's getting married?"
"No," Zeff grunted. "Sanji is."
"ZORO, YOU NEVER TOLD ME!" Luffy screeched. "I WANT TO BE THE BEST MAN! USOPP WON'T LET ME BE HIS!"
"IT'S NOT THEM, YOU IDIOT!" Nami snarled, smacking his head.
"But who else would marry Sanji?" Luffy blinked, before wincing and holding his head. "I'M CONFUSED!"
"It's an arranged marriage!" Nami huffed. "They are forcing him to marry somebody else!"
"WHAT?!"
Everyone began shouting. Surprisingly all except Zoro, Nami barely managed to calm herself down when she saw Zoro hadn't spoke a word. If his eyes could cut things up like his swords, the invitation would have been sliced to pieces by now. Mihawk, too, was quiet. He remained by Zoro's back, eyes piercing into the invitation.
.::.
Zoro growled lowly. "The Vinsmokes, isn't it?"
It took a moment for everyone to calm down, but instantly his gang's gazes were on him. Zeff sighed, and nodded.
"Sanji is being married off to Charlotte Pudding," Zeff said. "In two days time."
Nami blanched. "That... That hardly gives us anytime to plan..."
"We've got more than one problem."
As one they glanced back to see Sabo shoving the doors open, Marco the Phoenix (brunette Marco) and Eustass on his heels. Killer was right behind Kidd.
"What do you mean?" Zeff asked, baffled.
"The red haired bastard here has finally told us that Law went missing," Sabo scowled. "Just shy of a week ago."
"Traffy's gone?" Luffy gaped. "Jaggy, I thought you were keeping an eye on him!"
"It's not my fault Omegas get fucking kidnapped all the time-" Kidd began to complain.
"Not only that, Law went missing after trying to bust Ace out of Teach's Club yoi," Marco said, scowling. "Endangering not just himself, but Ace too. Both of them are now missing."
"Wait, what do you mean missing?" Usopp asked, startled.
Luffy turned to face them fully, eyes hard. Zoro frowned too, but he went back to staring at the wedding invitation.
Sanji had been kidnapped by the Vinsmokes. Zoro had been careless, and they had taken his mate in return. He reached up and rubbed his forehead. His head was starting to throb.
"I mean, neither of them are at Teach's Club yoi. Teach is furious," Marco said scowling. "Law's mobile shows he is in Dressrosa, but we've heard nothing on Ace."
"We find Sanji only to lose the other two!" Buggy groaned, throwing up his hands, storming off. "I'll go through my contacts AGAIN!"
"Why did Law try to rescue Ace?" Nami asked. "Did something happen?"
All eyes turned to Kidd. Sabo frowned, tilting his head as he glared. Kidd threw a glance back at Killer, who only shrugged.
"Yeah," Sabo mused. "Does seem kind of weird. What led you to exploding stuff all over the city, Kidd?"
"Dunno?" Kidd shrugged. "I mean, Ace called Law, and Law told me just to start exploding stuff? I just did what he wanted."
"That sounds nothing like you," Sabo snorted. "You've been stuck to Law's side like glue since you mated him."
"Is Ace okay yoi?" Marco asked. "He called me, and he was feeling anxious, but now he feels alright-"
"Look, Law didn't tell me much. Just that Ace really wanted out of there," Kidd insisted. "I doubt it's anything important right now, especially if you say he's fine, Phoenix."
Marco frowned, but Sabo nodded, grimacing. "He might have a point. There's more though. We've got a list of people who will be guests at the wedding."
"Haruta's informant is quite willing to hand over information yoi," Marco said, shuddering. "Don't ask me how or why. I don't want to think about it."
"And this will help us save Sanji?" Zoro asked, tilting his head.
"Yes. It also gives us a chance to bring down the gangs who have enforced the new Omega rules," Sabo said firmly. "Which brings me to the point. We've all worked together in some form or another. I propose that we take that to the next level and form an alliance."
"What kind of alliance?" Luffy blinked.
"Simple. One between the Revolutionaries, the Whitebeard gang, Straw Hat gang, this punk bastard's gang." Sabo jerked his thumb towards Kidd who growled. "The Red Haired gang, and the Portgas Family."
"I'll be going too," Zeff said, crossing his arms. "But it will be to save my pup."
"And I have business with the Vinsmoke Family," Mihawk said. "I already warned them off once. They have obviously not heeded it."
Zoro smirked. It would be an all out gang war.
"Blackbeard is one of the guests," Sabo said icily. "We get to him-"
"And we might find out what happened to Ace," Luffy said, just as coldly. "Good. Let's do this then."
.::.
Yamato had finally gave in and called for help. The idea amused Black Maria at first, but she saw why Yamato had asked when she smelled Ace's scent. His Omega was completely worked up from all the hormones, and only wanted the things that Ace wished for.
That meant he did not want to wear any of the kimono's Black Maria's Omegas had bought for Ace. Since he only had the clothes on his back, Maria had sent out her Omegas to go find some lovely pregnancy kimonos and pyjamas for the pregnant Omega. Everything had to be soft and comfortable. She had given her girls and boys plenty of money to spend on the fancy clothes.
Ace had been worked up ever since Kaido had ordered Yamato to give Ace a collar with their gang's symbol upon it a day ago, otherwise Ace could (and that meant would) be taken away. Yamato had done so reluctantly, but the younger Omega had been fussing ever since. It was a lovely collar, more akin to a necklace, just as Yamato's was. Black Maria thought it was gorgeous, but Ace was a fussy thing.
Ace ignored the kimono that lay on the bed. It was a lovely orange colour with a flame design at the bottom of it. Black Maria swore Ace would have liked it, but right now his Omega was not impressed. Instead Ace was complaining to Yamato, frustrated, all while he was still in his underwear. He didn't have any other clothes to wear. Not while the ones he arrived in were getting cleaned.
Ace's stomach muscles were softer, not overly so, but enough to be noticeable. His stomach wasn't growing properly out yet, but would soon. Black Maria knew he would look stunning when his belly began to fill out. No Alpha would be able to resist trying to court him.
The Phoenix was a lucky man.
"Why do I have to wear a kimono?" Ace sulked.
Yamato grimaced. "Sorry, but it's the height of fashion here in Wano. I can send someone out of the city for something else, but I doubt they'd know what to look for."
"It's going to be stiff and restricting and I don't want it! I don't want anymore omega kimonos," Ace complained. "I want to go home back to my nest. Marco had it just the way I like it! He's the best mate ever, but he's not here to cuddle me or sooth me with his scent. And why can't I have more apple juice? I know it's bad for my teeth if I drink it too much, but it tastes so good!"
Black Maria smiled inwardly at Yamato's panicked look. Black Maria however began to coo, letting her Omega's scent out to cloud the room, and sooth Ace's worked up Omega.
"It's not just an Omega kimono," she explained, opening up the kimono to place it around Ace's shoulders. "It's designed in mind for pregnant Omegas. It will be comfortable and soft. I promise."
Ace hissed at her when she placed the kimono on his bare shoulders, but slowly his scent grew calmer, and Yamato looked so relieved. Ace reached up and brushed the fabric, smoothing his fingers over it before looking away shyly.
"I suppose it's fine..." he mumbled.
"And look," Yamato grinned, tracing the fluffy parting around the neck. "It's really soft. You like soft, fluffy things, remember?"
"I do," Ace nodded, and slowly eased his arms into the sleeves, rubbing his cheek against the white fluff. "It is very soft..."
Black Maria almost laughed when Yamato sighed in relief, nuzzling Ace's cheek. Ace allowed Yamato to tie the front of the kimono together and thankfully he seemed to settle into the kimono.
.::.
"Sorry, Yamato," Ace apologised. "I'm all over the place."
It's embarrassing, getting so worked up over nothing. He was temperamental, sure, but he wasn't used to being quite this out of control. He got worked up over a kimono for goodness sake. His Omega was crooning happily now, and he couldn't help but trace the fluffy parting around the neck of the kimono.
"You're pregnant, Ace. It's to be expected," Yamato reassured, nuzzling his cheek again. "You're growing a baby."
"It's just I'm tired, I feel bloated, I need to pee all the time," Ace complained. "And I have a craving for ice cream, cookies and apple juice. I swear I'm also suffering mood swings all the time too! Because one moment I go from happy, to sad, and then to angry, and I have no clue why I'm doing that. I burst into tears when Kaido told you I had to wear a collar, and it was so awkward!"
"No need to worry," Black Maria soothed. "Master Kaido wasn't fazed at all, remember?"
If Ace thought back on it properly, then he would have remembered that Kaido hadn't minded at all. Queen had made a comment, but Kaido growled at him to be silent. Ace flushed though, because he had still started crying in front of Pops' enemies, the people keeping Ace prisoner.
"Also morning sickness," Yamato added. Yamato froze the moment the words came out, wide eyed.
"Why is it called that?" Ace snarled. "It's a misleading lie!"
"All this is happening because of all the hormones in your body," Black Maria said, smiling. "Your body is processing through them all, and for a while everything will be building up until you settle into the pregnancy. Remember, you're carry a pup, or multiple pups."
Ace grumbled. "I think it's obvious to me that I'm pregnant, Maria. I took the damn test way too many times and they all came out positive! I was still pretty early too. I only took them because Teach said I was acting funny."
Black Maria's brow furrowed. "Hm, if you did the test early and still got all positives then you might be having multiple pups. That does affect the test after all."
"I've only just processed one baby so far," Ace growled. "If I'm having pups, then I have no idea how many I'm having until my first scan. I can't process that."
"Ace?" Yamato hesitated.
"I need more cookies," Ace said, instantly locking his gaze on to Yamato. "Yamato, I need more cookies!"
Yamato hurried out the room, yelling for cookies.
Ace whimpered. Yamato ran away from him because he was being too demanding, but god he wanted cookies so badly. He had no idea what to do with one pup, never mind who knows how many. He hadn't even gotten to tell Marco yet.
Black Maria stroked his hair, even as Ace curled up into his nest on Yamato's bed, burying his head into the pillows. Yamato had brought him as many blankets and pillows as possible, and Ace had spoiled himself rotten in his nest building, even stealing some of Yamato's clothes to have a familiar scent close by.
"I hate all these hormones..." Ace groaned.
The Wardens of Strar has been released into the world! You can get it on Amazon in paperback and ebook :) Thank you to everyone who has shown support and especially everyone who has bought a copy. I appreciate every bit of help :)
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If you wish to know more about The Wardens of Strar, here is the back of the book:
Yasmiel is a young huntress from the quiet village of Horntale. When her life becomes entwined with the Wardens of Strar and the God of Death, she has to fight to save her family from the approaching darkness.
With the God of Death's undead army, the Mortem, hunting her at every turn, she must rely on the help of the Wardens of Strar, their Commander, and the mysterious voice inside her head.
But will she save her family and uncover the secrets of their past? Or will she be lost to the darkness forever?