A/N: It's been almost a year since I've updated this story, which I apologise for, but I do hope that you enjoy this chapter. It's a bit different from a lot of the other chapters, but I really did enjoy writing it! Hopefully it won't take me almost a year to update for the next chapter! I hope that everyone is doing well during these trying times, we've just got to keep up the good work and hygiene and don't forget to wear a mask!

We all lay on the floor of the ship, heaving breaths as we got used to the pressure.

"He…he was going to take our heads, wasn't he?"

Nami sounded terrified, lifting herself off of the deck.

"Yeah," my voice was quiet, but everyone was able to hear it. "Probably mostly Luffy's, but if Ace mentioned me…"

"You'd be dead, too."

Zoro's own voice was rough, but he was already sitting up.

"The man terrifies me."

It didn't hurt to admit this, especially knowing what I did.

Luffy was silent throughout all this, a pensive look on his face.

"How strong is he?"

A question that I didn't even really know the answer to, but I would attempt to answer regardless.

"You know how Shanks has those scars over his eye?" Luffy's eyes widened in shock, knowing exactly how deep those particular scars ran.

"He did that?"

I nodded, not at all shocked at the anger and wariness that filled his voice.

"Also, I don't think anyone else knows, so probably best not to mention it. I'm pretty sure Shanks was young at the time, but he's never been a pushover."

"Is it an Outlier thing, or a you thing?"

Sanji spoke, curiosity in his voice.

"SanjI!"

Nami was looking at Robin, nervousness and wariness in equal measure whilst Sanji had slapped a hand over his mouth, having forgotten that not everyone on the ship had known. I almost rolled my eyes, Robin would have found out eventually.

"It's all good. Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if Robin knew something about me was off."

I said the last part as quietly as possible, but Sanji must have heard since he bumped my shoulder gently.

"There's nothing wrong with you."

I couldn't help but give him a weak smile, knowing that it was both truth and fiction.

"I had a feeling that may have been the case, but you are not like the other Outlier's, are you?"

Robin's voice was quiet, but her tone indicated that she wasn't expecting an answer that she knew I wouldn't give. We were alike in that way, I supposed. Only she had far more experience in being hunted by the World Government than I did, she'd been hated for something far out of her control for far longer than myself. Who knows what other issues and problems that she had encountered, that I hadn't in the few years I had been here?

"And what was that you shouted? I didn't understand what you said?"

Usopp's voice was quiet as he asked.

I couldn't help but give a sheepish grin, "Ah, that."

I paused for a moment as the others gave me encouraging looks, "It basically translates to 'go to the crows' but it's technically ruder than that."

Zoro let out a bark of laughter, as the rest of the crew grinned.

"Nice, you'll have to teach me some."

"If I remember any more, sure."

A small silence gripped the crew, wondering if Robin would try anything against me. Zoro, who was tense beside the Captain, had his hands on the hilts of his katana. When Robin did nothing, most of the crew lost the tense shoulders, but not Zoro. He wasn't one to trust, and the fact that the last time a woman had simply asked to join the crew (aka. Me) they'd held a difficult secret, he was going to be keeping an even harsher eye on the newcomer.

Nami piped up, glad to not have to try and fight the black haired woman beside us, voice curious. "Who is Shanks?"

Robin spoke, a tone of shock in her voice. As though she couldn't quite understand someone who claimed themselves to be a pirate, didn't know who Shanks was.

"Shanks, also better known by him nomme de guerre Red-Haired Shanks. He's one of the Four Emperors of the Sea and one of the most powerful pirates in the world, if not one of the most powerful people."

"You know a Yonkou?"

Usopp's own shout sounded strangled, wheezing as he did so.

"Your dad's on his crew, Usopp."

"He is?"

I nodded, the tenseness of the situation lessening as we took in the comical look on the sharpshooter's face.

"Are we skipping over the fact that Luffy knows a Yonkou?"

"Yes." "No."

Nami and I stared at the other, neither of us wanting to break first. In the end I broke first, grinning as she huffed.

Usopp couldn't have cared less about our stare off, as he turned to Luffy with curiosity in his eyes. "Did he ever mention me?"

Luffy, happy to talk about something other than the man who would probably have killed us all given the chance, grinned.

"Yasopp never shut up about you! I met him when I was seven, and even then you were pretty much the only thing he ever spoke about."

Usopp' s eyes widened, stars appearing in them at the idea of his father speaking nonstop about him.

"Tell me more!"

Usopp had picked himself up off the ground, walking over to the Captain and sat himself back down, this time right in front of Luffy.

Luffy, happy to take the subject away from Shanks for the time being, acquiesced with a grin. Chopper, had at one point, moved closer to hear more about the man whom Luffy knew and the man Usopp had only really heard vague stories about from his mother and the elders of Syrup Village.

Everyone else seemed to drift away after this, going about their daily duties on the ship, the Captain was regaling the stories of Yasopp that he knew to his captive audience of two. Robin however hadn't. I could see she was curious about my origins, but behind her mask of polite humour she clearly didn't wish to ask the questions that were burning behind her eyes. And truth be told, she probably knew more about outliers than anyone, at est that would be the case if the poneglyph's had said anything. I couldn't know for sure, but with her background she may know something about why Outlier's were as despised as they were.

"Why don't you join me in the study?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course, lead the way."

I huffed out a laugh, "You probably know exactly where everything is on this ship, Wouldn't surprise me."

A slight amount of laughter bubbled out of her mouth, "Most likely, but it is only polite."

I rolled my yes, a smile on my face. Nami and I had been the only ones to really utilise the study so far. It was a small room, lined with almost bare bookshelves and two lovely old wooden desks, that Merry had told the others had belonged to Kaya's father. The things that I'd pinched from University was laying atop of the shelves, or strewn across the desk. Nami used the study to keep check of the money, large books showing the spending habits (or lack thereof) of the ship's residents, as well as large maps and cartography utensils. Usopp had his own workshop for inventing and thus didn't really come into the study, and Luffy had all but abandoned the Captains Quarters, where the study was located, to join the others in the men's room.

I used the room to catalogue, to write, to draw the adventures that we had so far. That, and to correspond with friends I had made living back in Loguetown. In particular a certain green haired fanboy, and the young lady and her grandfather who had graciously taken me in.

As Robin and I entered the study, I noticed that she was getting slightly warier and more closed off. I couldn't possibly know why, but it was starting to freak me out a little. Hopefully she wouldn't try to strangle me like last time. It may have been risky, but I closed the door behind us. If she wanted me dead, then i probably would be, but with the rest of the crew on the ship it would be difficult for anyone to get away with murder.

As I was sitting down, Robin was looking around the room at the maps, scrolls and books scattered about the place. It had been a while since Nami or I had cleaned up, but we had to do it together otherwise there would be arguments. (I had put a map somewhere on top of a shelf, and Nami hadn't been able to find it. She had ended up hiding all my pens. It would have devolved from there if Chopper hadn't innocently suggested that the two of us should just work together. In the end it was just easier for the two of us to clean up together so that we'd be able to find our own things.)

I watched Robin like a hawk, only looking down at the desk every so often. I was just waiting for her to say something, anything. It didn't take long.

"You're an Outlier?"

I tensed up, knowing this was coming, but nodded.

"You've been able to keep up a fairly low profile up until now. Most Outliers don't last longer than six months, you've been here for almost two years."

"Yes, and I've been lucky."

"Lucky?"

She sounded almost like a lost child, uncertainty clear in her tone.

"Yeah, lucky."

Sighing, I continued, "I knew things about this world before I was dumped on an island on route to Loguetown, I was able to learn and keep my head down."

Robin tilted her head, "You would have lived a relatively peaceful life if you hadn't joined this crew. You must have seen other Outlier's die, surely you had."

I sort of understood why she was so curious, and slightly frustrated.

"I had, and it was awful," Seeing life drain from a person's eyes, and then just disappear as though they had never existed, whilst everyone around them who had been jeering at them and chanting for their deaths just continued on as if nothing had ever happened, with the only evidence of their life being a pile of golden dust that blew away in the wind.

"But the things I know, things that will happen and things that have already happened. If I didn't do something, anything to help those I care about, what good is it that I'm here?"

Robin went to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth. It was as though she was choked up, struggling to speak.

I waited for a moment for her to gather herself together, and when she spoke next her voice came out as a whisper.

"Do you know anything about..."

Whatever she had been about to ask me about was interrupted by a knock at the door, and it opened. It was Nami, who peeked into the room, expecting something terrible to have happened, a frown on her face. When she saw the two of us chatting, just chatting, her face changed.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Sanji's cooked lunch."

Robin, who had been acting unlike herself at that point spoke up, a mask seeming to snap back onto her face, "We'll be right with you."

Sabo and Ace were still travelling together, happy to be in the others company, when Sabo received a call.

"Hello, Sabo here."

The snail's face morphed into one that Ace could vaguely recognise, having seen it on wanted posters and in Garp's wallet.

"Sabo, Ebony has found more like her. They're requesting assistance back in Alabasta."

Dragon's voice sounded, at least to Ace, similar enough to Garp's that Ace could recognise an almost familial connection, but the frown was uncharacteristic of every Monkey D. that Ace knew. And another thing that brought Ace more questions, like how had Ebony found more Outliers? There weren't normally this many in the world at once, or there hadn't been when Whitebeard was younger.

"How many?"

Sabo was straight forward, to the point. He had told Ace that his memories were still not all there, but he had said that Dragon had basically raised him after the accident. Funny how the Most Wanted Man in the World could raise another child, but wouldn't risk the life of his only son. Ace remembered late nights, when all the adults were asleep when the three of them would talk in halting whispers about their fathers, and how sometimes they would get so angry at them. Luffy had been the most forgiving, he always had been, he understood that him not knowing who his father was was probably a good thing, but if he ever came to Luffy and told him why he hadn't been around (even if it was a stupid reason) then he'd understand.

Fighting against the injustices of the world seemed to Ace to be a fairly decent reason, even if it had left one of his brothers fatherless, but if it hadn't then another one of his brothers would be dead.

He must have missed a decent portion of the conversation, because Sabo was looking at him expectantly, Dragon's face still on the den-den mushi.

"Ace? Are you okay?"

He thought he had heard a sharp intake of breath, but he could have been mishearing things.

"I'm fine, just thinking."

"Must be heavy thoughts, you hadn't answered me calling your name."

Ace sighed, placing his chin atop his crossed hands.

"Just thinking that if Luffy had been raised by his dad, then you probably wouldn't be here."

Sabo looked taken aback, probably never having thought about it like that. Apparently, neither had Dragon if the look on the snail's face was any indication.

Ace continued, "You know my feelings on fathers are complicated, but I can't help but be thankful. I'd have lost two brothers."

Ace didn't feel the need to censor his words here, Dragon would have been one of the few that Garp would have trusted with ace's birth and even if he hadn't, he was a smart man and could have figured it out by himself. It wouldn't have surprised him if Dragon had known either his mother, or his biological father, even as young as he had been when everything happened.

This time Ace spoke directly to Dragon, "Thank you for saving our brother."

Dragon was silent for a moment before he spoke, "Thank you, Ace for being his brother. I know my father isn't exactly..."

Sabo piped up at that moment, remembering the many training sessions that Garp had put the three of them through, "All there? A bit mad?"

Ace and Dragon both snorted, the one on the other end of the line speaking to the two brother

"Yes, my father is crazy and I'm sorry that all of you had to go through at least some of his mad training."

"Don't be, we may not have liked it but you can't say that it doesn't show results."

Unbeknownst to each other, each one of them shuddered in unison at the memories of Monkey D. Garp's training methods. They did get the best out of the person being trained, but the manner in high they were trained, and the lasting impact of a fist of love wasn't exactly to be proud of.

They sat in silence for another moment before Dragon spoke once more.

"It was nice speaking with you both, and especially you Ace. Perhaps I shall speak with Newgate about working together in the future."

Sabo grinned at the gobsmacked look on his brothers face, before saying goodbye to the man and hanging up.

"I wasn't expecting for Dragon to offer a working relationship with Whitebeard, but it shouldn't surprise me considering he's been thinking about reaching out to some of the more reasonable pirate crews."

"Oyaji is pretty reasonable, but I don't know what he'll do."

Sabo laughed, "We'll see when Dragon asks! Hopefully we'll get to see each other more often."

Ace smiled, "I'd love that, brother. I really would."

Robin had known Outliers, most of them had been killed trying to flee Ohara, having once found a home on the island who had welcomed them eagerly, hoping for more knowledge than what they could research themselves. None of them had known anything, of course, but many had been a great help in figuring out how certain parts of the language had worked and even helping on the digs that were vital for understanding the Poneglyph's.

Ebony, however, was unlike any Outlier she had known. She knew too much about the world around them, knew how to blend in amongst the everyday folk too well. It was as though she had been here before, had lived here before and was only just getting back into the swing of things.

Robin wasn't sure what to think of her, especially since she had a feeling that ebony knew her. What had happened to Robin, what had caused her to be chased from island to island, village to village, all in pursuit of a girl turned woman who had done nothing wrong, except know a language that the Government hadn't wanted anyone to study.

She had seen the crew's reaction when the cook had mentioned Ebony's Outlier status, but the Outlier in question hadn't even twitched, as though she knew that Robin would be trusted with this knowledge.

How could she know this?

Sitting down at the table in the galley, Robin was distrcated by plates of food, all looking immaculate and incredibly delicious. She had noticed the suspicious glances from the swordsman, and even the occasional ok from the Captain himself. What she hadn't expected, however was the glance and words from the sharpshooter as soon as everyone had sat down ready to eat.

"Now that you know Ebony's secret, are you going to do anything?"

Ebony, who had been taking a sip out of her glass at this point, choked, with the doctor slapping her back.

Everyone else looked shocked, as though they hadn't expected Usopp to be the one to actually ask the question. (And to be fair to the sharpshooter, it didn't seem like he had realised that he'd asked himself. He was looking rather nervous, but that seemed to be his general disposition.)

Robin didn't need to think, the answer would always be the same. "No."

"No?"

The swordsman was one she was going to have to be careful around until she knew that he trusted her. Too sharp, too shrewd under a layer of intense laziness and sake drinking.

"No. She know who I am and what I'm said to have done."

"And what is that?"

The navigator, slightly hiding behind the swordsman asked.

Robin opened her mouth, but those words had always been difficult for her to get out. Being accused of doing that to that many ships, as a child?

Luckily she didn't have to, as the Outlier spoke up, a query on her tongue.

"Do you want me to say it?" Robin went to say she could, but Ebony hadn't finished speaking. "I don't have to mention all that I know, just the reason for the bounty on your head in the first place and why it's a bullshit bounty."

She nodded. That seemed like a reasonable amount of knowledge for this crew, her new crew, to know about a wanted woman.

"Basically Nico Robin was accused of sinking six ships at the age of eight years old. A bullshit reason, considering that even if she had the power to do so, she didn't."

The Captain, whose eyes were normally happy and cheerful had turned dark and angry, his straw hat casting shadow over his eyes. Robin admitted that it was a shock to see the D. look so angry on her behalf.

(She couldn't know that he was thinking of his elder brother, who had been hunted before he had been even born for a bloodline that he had no want nor need of. Or of himself, who knew that if his father had been revealed he would be in a similar situation.)

"What's the real reason?"

Everyone could hear the anger in the Captain's voice. They were all angry. There was no need for an eight year old to have a bounty, especially a bullshit bounty that would just serve to make bounty hunters or those looking for some quick money to go after a child,

"She can read a language that the World Government doesn't acknowledge the existence of. She can read Poneglph's."

It wasn't the only reason, Robin knew, but she was glad that Ebony hadn't said anything more. If she grew to trust this crew, and they her, then maybe she would consider telling them more. Maybe.

The little reindeer was the first to voice their anger.

"Are humans stupid?!"

Nami scoffed, "It does seem that way. That's a ridiculously stupid reason to give anyone a bounty, especially a child!"

As each member of the crew voiced their own opinions of the stupidity of the World Government, she could feel herself start to relax, even if only a little bit.

It might be only for a short period of time, but she could see herself enjoying being amongst the Straw-hat Pirates.

Travelling the stream upwards took far longer than what was shown in either the anime or the manga, but it did allow for a little relaxation and time to finish off writing the latest adventure in the logbook.

One thing had been bothering me since we had left the galley, however, was the constant presence of someone or something watching me. It felt familiar, as though I had already met them once and now they were just keeping an eye out for me.

This would be proven true, when in the corner of my eye I saw a small child in a yellow rain coat, and curly white hair, and two large horns attached to their head.

The klabautermann of the Going Merry was in the room with me, and I couldn't help but stare at the sight.

"Cat got your tongue, chronicler?"

Merry's voice had changed slightly since we had last spoken, slightly more mature and infinitely more sarcastic.

"Merry! It's great to see you!"

I stood up, wanting to go in for a hug, but stopped just before I reached her. I had no idea if she would even be physical for me to be able to hug her.

I shouldn't have worked, as Merry herself stepped into my arms, as tiny as she was, for a hug. The thing was, is that in reality is that Merry was a much larger being than I was and thus was a lot stronger, picking me up with ease.

"Ebony! It's so good to speak with you again!"

Merry placed me carefully back onto the ground, letting go of my waist, but still keeping close by, resting her head on my stomach.

"You as well, what are you up to? Is there anything I can do to help?"

She shook her head, before stopping herself.

"Maybe there is?" It was clearly something that she was taking her time to think about and i was going to let her. We only had limited time together left and it was going to be hard on everyone. "Maybe gather the crew? I... I think I'd like to talk to everyone, see what they think of what's probably going to happen to me in the future."

I nodded, "That may be a good idea, although you know how Usopp is going to react to the thought of..."

"Leaving me behind?"

"Yeah."

The grin on her face after that wouldn't look out of place on any D. that I had met. The grin made me a bit suspicious of whatever it was she was thinking. So I asked her.

"What are you thinking?"

"Sunny will need a mentor! If there's enough of me left, maybe, just maybe, I'll still be here!"

I could remember Mini-Merry, but they wouldn't be the same as the Going Merry. But if more of her was salvaged, she would still be around to follow us on our adventures!

"Merry! That may work!"

She grinned, letting out a laugh that sounded very much like Luffy's.

I had joined this crew, hoping to save more than just Ace after all.

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't really noticed Merry grabbing my hand until she started to drag me out of the office. Calling together the crew was a good idea, but what i wasn't fully expecting was for Merry to just scream out the names of every single person on the ship bar myself as we passed by the sleeping quarters, and the kitchen.

For such a small figure, Merry sure had a loud voice.

"LUFFY! ZORO! SANJI! USOPP! CHOPPER! NAMI! ROBIN! GET YOUR ARSES INTO THE GALLEY PROMPT!"

Merry looked far too pleased with herself, looking up at me with a cheeky grin on her face. The two of us could hear the sounds of people getting themselves out of bed, or cleaning, or from being on watch. There was also the sounds of weapons being drawn, as the voice shouting at them to get into the galley wasn't exactly one that any of them recognised.

"Really, you had to shout at them?"

The laugh that she let out was the exact same one as the Captain.

"Of course! They wouldn't listen otherwise!"

The voices, and footsteps of everyone else on board were getting closer. They were honestly probably wondering why my own name wasn't called out amongst the rest, something that I'd have to explain (unless Merry was willing to do that for me?)

"Surely there would have been a better way to get their attention, Merry."

I hadn't noticed the others enter the room, weapons ready to to attack whomever was not meant to be on the ship almost as one, before they all did a spit-take at the name mentioned.

"MERRY?"

A/N: I really do hope that you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment if you have the time, and a favourite if you haven't already! Stay safe!