Okay first of all, I apologise for the time it has taken to write this. It has been some crazy month with finishing the first edit of the book and studying for the Cambridge exam, but I finally got some time over to write this.

It's short, I know, but I felt that it was better than nothing, and I will try to write the next chapter soon, but I can't promise something. Yet I will try, we have the army coming up, then we have more Law and Cora-San and after that, well I haven't planned that far, but we may go into the end after that, but don't worry it won't feel rushed, I will give you a good ending, or I hope I will! I won't promise something I may be unable to keep!

Well be prepared for things to happen and change in the next chapter and the ones coming. Hopefully not months away. I will write on the others, then I will return here and, yeah we will see.

I don't think I have anything to explain in this one, if I have written a name wrong it's most likely because I am still in book mood.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and as always, thank you for reading!

Law kept an eye on Sanji as he walked next to him, more relaxed than ever before. With his family gone the other one had started to become more confident. He knew that Sanji had a long way to go and that he was still afraid, he didn't walk far on his own, but the change was still there, and it pleased him. To see his friend free from the ones that tormented him all those years, made him more pleased than almost anything.

"Are you sure it's okay?" Sanji asked him for the fifth time, and he smiled, as he had done before. If it had been anyone else he would have ripped their head off for bothering him, but it was different with the blonde.
"As long as this is what you want, I will not stop you," he was far from pleased that Sanji would visit Marco, but he would never tell the chef how to live his life or lock him up, even if he sometimes wished to do that, to protect him.
"But he is an enemy, if you don't feel comfortable with it…" Law cut him off by taking his hands.
"He is an enemy, not that it has stopped you before," he gave him smile and Sanji couldn't stop himself from doing the same. "And I do not feel comfortable, but this is not about me! It's your life and you are free to make your own choices. But I will be here if you need me, just a phone call away."
"I know, " Sanji almost whispered.
"Just don't join them," Law joked even if Sanji almost could hear a begging tone in there.
"That would mean that I would meet Ace every day, so no thank you," Sanji joked and Law couldn't help himself from laughing.
"Glad that someone around me has a good judgment," they started walking once more, Sanji still holding his hand and he wasn't sure if it was for his sake, or for Sanji's, but he did nothing to remove it.

Marco left the tree he was sitting in when he saw them coming, tilting his head when he saw them holding hands, wondering if something had happened on the way. He had learned that Sanji sought Law's protection and touch when he was scared, however none of them seemed scared, or rather Sanji.
Marco wasn't sure if he wished to know what would make Law look scared.
But both seemed happy, he almost thought he heard Law laugh but it disappeared as soon as he spotted him, and Law was back to his cold self. Seeing the sudden transformation was almost fascinating and Marco wondered how Law was when he was alone with his family, something he doubted that he would ever know.

"Hi," Marco waved when they got closer and Sanji gave him a small smile, clearly nervous. Marco did nothing to force him, giving him time.
"Are you sure?" Sanji turned towards Law once more who rolled he eyes.
"Ask one more time and I am going to say no and drag you back," he stated and Sanji nodded.
"You are free to come as well, if you wish Law," Marco offered, he had talked it over with Whitebeard who had after a discussion accepted it.
"I never knew you were one for jokes," he answered him and compared to the laughter he had heard before, which had been warm and friendly, this was the opposite. "The day I walk in there will be the day I die."
"No harm would come to you, I assure."

"You will never be able to convince him," Sanji whispered, loud enough for Law to hear.
"Can't remember you were one for jokes either," he glared at Sanji.
"I have grown up, and can now joke," Sanji answered.
"Apparently. One day you are scared of Cora-San, and the next day you try to joke."
"You were scared of Rosinante?" Marco had asked before he could stop himself and Sanji looked down.
"He wasn't the only one, most kids are."
"But not you?" Law glanced at Marco before laughing at something he couldn't understand and guessed never would.

"Call if you need anything," Law turned towards Sanji who nodded before the grey eyes turned towards Marco, and he knew what he would say. "If anything happens to him, I will kill you without hesitation!"
"I believe you will, but no reason to fret, he will be safe here," Marco could see that Law wanted to answer something but kept silent, and he understood how difficult it was for him. He had never considered how Law felt, only Sanji, but willingly letting someone you cared about walk into an enemy district was far from easy. "I promise he will be safe here."
"Your promise means nothing," was all he answered before walking away.
"Is he going to be alright?" Marco asked Sanji who gave him a baffled look, not used to anyone caring about Law.
"He will," was all he answered, knowing it didn't sound as assuring as he had hoped for. Marco didn't pointed it out, which pleased Sanji.
"So are you ready?" Sanji took a deep breath before he nodded.

Sanji tried not to stare but without succeeding. Everything was so different compared to his own district, compared to the rest of the city if he was honest. The rest of the city was grey, dark and depressing, crumbled buildings, abounded houses and destroyed lives, walking through the palace was like walking through a fairy tale, it reminded him of the books Cora-san had read to them as children.
Seeing the palace and comparing it to the rest of the city was surrealistic, all the horror in the city felt faraway when he walked here. He could for the first time understand why people sought protection from Whitebeard and chose to live here.

"I have never seen anything like it," Sanji finally said and Marco turned towards him, a bit puzzled.
"You mean since the city broke down?"
"No, I have never seen anything like it, in my life."
"You have never seen a building like this?" Marco tried to follow, but his question made Sanji look down, ashamed and he understood that it was the wrong thing to ask. "I apologise Sanji, I just got surprised. I knew you lived in the city before the royal family died, and I thought you had seen the old buildings, the palace was after all open to the public."
"No, no one ever took me."
"I am sorry to hear that."

"It's not your fault. I know that mother used to take my sister and oldest brothers to different places when they were younger. She may have brought me, but I can't remember seeing I was only three when she died, and after that…"
"Cora-San never took you and Law to visit places around town?" At those words Sanji laughed.
"He tried a few times, I didn't dare to leave the house and Law stated that he didn't do such thing, it was below him."
"To visit places in the city?"
"Apparently," Marco blinked a few times before he laughed, far from surprise hearing that.
"Well luckily I can show you around now," Marco gave Sanji a smile when he met his eyes, and the blonde nodded.

"You can pat them," Marco encouraged him when Sanji had been staring at the horses for a few minutes, after they stopped by the farm.
"Are you sure? I don't want to spoke them."
"There is no reason to fear that, they are used to have people patting them," Sanji nodded and slowly raised his hand for the horse to smell it, before he patted it, feeling it's soft fur under his finger.
"It's hard to believe how many animals you have here," Sanji looked around at the farm. He thought there were no animals left in town, besides rats, birds and insects. Most others had been eaten a long time ago, unless someone adopted them, but that was rare.

"We rescued what we could from the farms around the city before they become savaged by the others," Marco informed him and it was interesting to see how Whitebeard and his gang had thought about survival in a way others hadn't. The other gangs killed the animals for their meat, only wishing to eat at that moment. Whitebeard had saved the animals, benefitting from what they produced, being able to feed her people.
"They are different in reality."
"In reality?"
"Cora-San has shown us pictures, and tried to imitate them, but it's not the same."
"I can understand that." Marco answered with a smile before they continued walking.

"Oh," Marco said when he landed on the ground after walking into someone, and he looked up to see his father.
"Hi Marco," Whitebeard said with a laugh when he saw him and he smiled.
"Hello father. What are you doing?"
"Hiding from Thatch," he said with a mischievous smile.
"What have you done this time?"
"I have done nothing," Whitebeard simply answered when he gave him a look. "I remember a time when you never questioned my words."
"That was a long time ago, so what have you done?"
"Nothing," he simply answered before turning towards Sanji, who had just stared at the two of them, trying to follow and understand. He had never seen a parent and child act that way, and even if Cora-San had his ways, this was something else. "You must be Sanji, lovely to meet you."

Sanji lowered his eyes at once and Whitebeard gave Marco a worried look, but her oldest smiled to him.
"I promise that he won't harm you."
"You are our guest here, and no harm will come to you when you are here, neither from me or anyone else," Whitebeard's voice was soft and friendly, as much as it could be. Whitebeard turned when he heard Thatch shouting his name. "I need to go, but if you need anything, you only need to ask."
"I know father," Marco gave the older on a smile before he started running away, seconds before Thatch come rushing, only just avoiding to stop before he ran into Marco.

"Hi Marco" his best friend said with his brown hair in a mess. "Have you seen father?"
"What have he done?"
"Refusing to take his medicine, eat his vegetable and to do his exercise, according to Jozu."
"I haven't seen him, and I didn't see him run towards the east courtyard either," Marco smiled and Thatch laughed.
"Thank you," when both of them had disappeared he turned towards Sanji who still had his gaze towards the ground.

"I apologise, they can all be a bit much sometimes, especially father," Marco placed himself next to Sanji who slowly nodded.
"He seems…" he wasn't sure what to say, having no words to describe the large man.
"Eccentric? Not what you thought? Juvenile?" Marco gave him a few words he could use to describe them.
"Um yes…but also lovely, and I can see why he is well liked," Marco could hear some fear in Sanji's voice, yet his words were honest and it made the older one smile.
"I was lucky that Whitebeard found me when he did," Sanji met his eyes, "Who knows where I would be otherwise?"
"We were lucky to meet the people we met," Sanji almost whispered and Marco understood him, seeing that both of them had met people who could become their families.
"Yes we were," he gave the other one a smile. "Let us continue."

"I meet Smoker and Aokiji yesterday," Ace said as he entered the room and Sabo turned towards him. "They had Vegapunk with them."
"Did they now?" Sabo pretended to be surprised, but he was pleased hearing that the other man had been saved.
"Why didn't you informed me about Vegapunk?"
"And prevent old friends from being reunited? How could I?" He asked almost sarcastically before Ace started complaining. Sabo only ignored him and went to the kitchen to brew some tea to them, knowing that Ace would continue complaining for a long time, and it was better for his brother to get it off his chest.

"Here…" Vivi stopped when she saw Chopper tending to Luffy's, who hadn't taken his eyes of the reindeer. "I thought he was alright."
Vivi stepped closer making Luffy turn towards her with a friendly smile, especially when he saw the plate of food she was carrying.
"I am," he answered her.
"You almost died a few weeks ago, and even if you are better you still need to be careful. Didn't you listen to anything Law was saying?"
"No," the younger one laughed "Because I knew you would."
It was clear that the doctor was a bit frustrated.

"He said that even if your wounds are healed and you are feeling better, doesn't mean you are fully recovered. The weapon did a lot of damage and can affect you after you are healed, the Vinsmoke's were known to be cruel and to inflicted as much damage as possible."
"He is going to be alright?" Vivi walked closer and gave the leader a worried look and he took her hand.
"If he is a bit careful and comes to the checkouts I ask him, he will be alright."
"If not, Senguko can just save me again," Luffy laughed making both the others sigh.
"I would not count on that," Chopper told his leader, well aware that those words would not be heard.

"Just be careful," Vivi squeezed his hand.
"I promise," the smile he gave her were honest and full of care as he took the plate from her. Vivi really hoped he would be! Luffy had become a big part of her life, someone she really cared for, he protected her in a way no one had ever done.
Her father did because they were family, Pell and Chaka did out of obligation and because they were paid, at least in the beginning, but Luffy did it for other reasons, because they were friends. She hadn't had friends since she was a child, making Luffy even more special. He was someone she really liked and cared for.

"Thank you for the food!"
"Oh of course," Luffy's words took her back and she smiled once more.
"Chopper, do you want some?" The boy turned towards the animal who smiled and took a slice of an apple before leaving, returning towards his room. Vivi watched him leave and she felt relived, she wasn't sure why but something made her wish to be alone with Luffy. "Was it something you wanted?"
"Besides give you food?" She teased and the younger one nodded. "I was just wondering if you could tell me more about your plans for the city?"
Luffy tilted his head a bit surprised before he nodded and patted the place next to him and she sat down on the bed, as the man started telling her about the future he had planned.

"Are you worried?" Hawkins asked, making Law turn towards the other man, when he walked over. "His family is gone, there is no need."
Law gave him a cold glare in response. The Vinsmoke's may be dead, but it didn't mean that the town was safe. Doflamingo was still out there, even if he was a bigger threat to Cora-san and himself, but if he knew about Sanji, he would eliminate him without hesitation. And besides Doflamingo, the town was full of crazy people who could hurt you.
"He is in a enemies district."
"So was I and you never hurt me," Law thought of pointing out the 'was', but he was aware that she no longer saw Hawkins as an enemy. He couldn't say what they were, but not enemies anymore. "And I think that Whitebeard has a lesser chance of hurting Sanji, than you had of hurting me and my men, besides Marco are with him."

Law only hummed in response, aware that Marco would protect him, yet he was worried, would be until Sanji returned, even if he had been honest, the man was free to do as he pleased. Law wouldn't stop him, knowing that he may be gone one day and he had no desire to leave Sanji alone, frightened and incapable of making his own decisions.
Then he also had Cora-San to worry about. He knew that his father had left this morning, before any of them woke up, meaning that he had a bad night and didn't wish to meet them. Things had been a bit tense between them since he confessed that he wished to shoot him, he tried not to think of it, yet it still hurt and Cora-San knew that, making him avoid him more than usual.

"I need…" Law was about to turn away from the window when the ground shacked, soon followed by the sound of an explosion and he sought for the source.
"There!" Hawkins pointed towards the army district. He saw the flames reaching the sky.
"Prepare the men!" Was all he told the voodoo man who left his side without question. He had no idea of what was happening as he took his phone calling Sanji.
"Are you alright?" The chef asked as soon as he answered.
"I am, are you?"
"Yes, I am fine. What happened?"
"I don't know, but there has been an explosion at the army base," he could almost hear all the questions Sanji had, but he had no answers to provide so before he asked, he cut him off. "Are Marco there?"
"Yes."
"Can I speak with him?" he heard how his friend asked the other one who soon took the phone.

"Hello."
"Can Sanji stay with you?" He had no time to be polite or work around the bush.
"Of course," he heard that Marco was surprised by this. "I can return him home if you want."
"Not if he can stay there without being in any danger? Because I am unsure of what's happening."
"He will be safe here."
"Good, can I speak with him again?"

"Yes?" Sanji asked when he got the phone again.
"Are you fine with staying with Marco until I know more?" He had wanted to ask Marco first, before Sanji, because if it hadn't been okay, he would have to meet him. But he knew that Sanji was safer with Whitebeard's gang at the moment, they were more suited to fend off any enemy than he and the others were.
"Yes, but will you be alright?"
"I will, I am not alone here," he heard how Sanji started complaining when another explosion hit. "I need to go, call if you need anything!"
"Stay safe!"
"You too," he ended the call as tried to phone Cora-San instead, only to reach his voice mail. Making him anxious at once as he pulled out the map over trying to come up with a plan on what the hell was happening and could happen. Hawkins soon returned with two cups of tea before standing by his side, and he asked him to trying to reach Cora-San while he called Bepo. He wanted to know if the bear was safe, before returning to the maps, trying to come up with something.