They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I do hope that you are enjoying this fic! Thank you all for all the comments and kudos! I know it's been a hot minute since I've worked on this. My mind just hasn't been with the main fic xD with the addition of doing other things, it got put on the back burner as I tried to find my love for working on my baby again. Thanks for sticking with me!
On with the fic!
Chapter Thirty-Five: Angels Fall (by Breaking Benjamin)
Chapter Summary: Within the fall out of Teach's demise, the others work to find Ace and Shanks. Shanks awakens to realize what is happening. Shanks realizes that something is wrong.
Buggy was huffing as he ran throughout the woods. One of his hands detached to keep pressure on the wound on Shanks' stomach. He could smell Shanks' heat pheromones. It was something that he was completely used to at this point. Maybe it was a perk of growing up together, it had no effect on his mind. His anger was flaring at the thought of what Teach might have done, but Shanks was acting like himself when he was still conscious. He could only hope.
It was stupid to leave Ace alone with Teach. Buggy already knew if Shanks was awake that he would be fighting him tooth and nail. Maybe he should have stayed behind and helped but Ace was right. Shanks needed to get out of there. Buggy's shirt was already covered in Shanks' blood as it was. The Omega was bleeding out and needed someone. Anyone.
"Don't you dare die on me, bastard." Buggy hissed. He would face Shanks' wrath later for leaving Ace behind.
But Ace was a Gol. He had Roger's blood in his veins. There wouldn't be getting through to him unless there was a chance there might be some of Shanks' personality had rubbed off on him. Though, he couldn't say anything about Mihawk. Mihawk was a fighter through and through. Though the Alpha Swordsman knew boundaries.
Ace was also a Portgas, and Buggy had the chance to meet Rouge in the past. Rouge could be just as stubborn as Roger was.
He could only hope that Ace had learned from his previous fight with Teach and used that to his advantage.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by hearing the small whimper come from Shanks. The air caught in his throat. That was never a sound he heard come from Shanks. Ever. No matter how much pain he was in. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Shanks had always been good at hiding things from him. Hell, he hid the existence of his two children from the world. Who knows what else he has been able to hide from everyone?
Looking down, he saw the crack of Shanks' eyes. Barely catching the stormy color of his irises peeking out. "Buggy…"
"Bastard, you've gotten yourself into a lot of trouble." Buggy replied.
"Ace…" Shanks wheezed.
"He'll be fine." Buggy stated. Even if he didn't quiet believe it himself, but he felt the need to reassure Shanks. Even injured, Omegas were known for going feral for their children. Even more so when their children were in danger or hurt. It wouldn't matter if Shanks was bleeding out. "If he's anything like you… he will be just fine."
"Red-Hair! Big Nose!" Buggy felt the vein pop out in his head as he looked up, seeing Marco flying down and landing next to them.
"Who the fuck are you—"
Buggy was cut off by Marco saying, "What the hell happened to him?"
"That bastard Teach stabbed him." Buggy replied.
"Set him down." Marco stated. Buggy moved, placing Shanks on the ground right in front of where Marco had landed. "Where's Ace?"
Buggy sighed, "He stayed behind to fight Teach."
Marco's gaze snapped up to him, "And you just let him?"
Buggy frowned. "You try talking an Omega into doing something they don't want to do. Especially one from that family."
Marco exhaled sharply. "Ace is like that." He mumbled as he ignited his hands into blue flames and placed them over the wound on Shanks' stomach. "We couldn't get through to him back then… I doubt he would listen to anyone but Red-Hair or Hawkeyes at this point. Maybe not even them."
The Omega gasped slightly as he reached up, a hand wrapping around Marco's wrist for a second as his eyes started to open more. "Marco… you have too…" Shanks still sounded in and out of it. Which was understandable. A drug induced heat and blood loss. Buggy wondered how he was even managing to talk as much as he was.
"I'll go find him." Marco replied, "You worry about you." The blonde paused, looking up to Buggy, "I slipped a heat suppressant into my pocket before we left the ship, it's in my pocket. It's a liquid form that is quick reacting. Give it to him."
Buggy nodded, moving until he was next to Marco and reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small vial that was in Marco's pocket. The blue-haired Alpha moved quickly opening it up and pulling Shanks' head up enough to dump it into his mouth. "C'mon, bastard, drink it up."
For a split second, he saw the flash of fear in Shanks' eyes, but he complied. "There you go, Red-Hair. That will help with some of the symptoms." Marco muttered, "We need to get him back to the ship. He needs a blood transfusion for the amount of blood he's lost. He's already losing color in his skin."
"Don't worry about me." Shanks mumbled, "Just find Ace and get him out of here."
"I will, but if I leave you here, I will never hear the end of it." Marco stated.
The Commander was still working, his flames dancing over the wound. Buggy was actually amazed watching Marco work. How focused he was on the wound despite knowing that Ace couldn't be far from them. Most Alphas would automatically go towards their mate or mate to be.
The suppressant already seemed to be kicking in as Buggy could feel the heat on Shanks' skin going down. His scent was stabilizing once more. Whatever it was that Marco brought along seemed to be working, which was good for them. Even if Shanks was injured, he could still fight.
Marco moved his hands away, sighing as he muttered, "It's what I can do for now."
Shanks groaned, pushing himself up, a hand moving to his abdomen for a second, "Thanks, Commander Marco."
"Don't mention it." Marco replied. "But, maybe, don't push yourself. You've been through a lot."
Shanks shook his head, stumbling on his feet for a second as he shook his head, "That doesn't matter." He huffed as he turned to start back towards where Buggy had just ran from.
"Oh, hell no!" Buggy shouted, arms wrapping around Shanks' torso to pull him back. "You fucking idiot."
"You can't stop me, Buggy. I have to go find my son." Shanks growled, "Thanks for the help, but this is going to finish today. That bastard won't breathe anymore."
"Red-Hair—" Marco started
"You can't go back! Not like this!" Buggy fought back.
"I don't care." Shanks exclaimed, throwing his head back and hitting Buggy square in the nose that had the Alpha dropping his arms to instead grab at his nose.
"Bastard!" Buggy shouted as Shanks broke away from them and started away from them.
Marco snorted, "What was that about trying to get through to Omegas especially from that family?"
"Shut up, bird brain."
Marco chuckled, looking amused for the moment, "I see where Ace actually gets it from."
"Bastard was like this even as kids." Buggy huffed. "He sets his mind to something and it doesn't change."
"Well, let's go with him. Ace will kill me if something happens to Red-Hair." Marco added, starting off towards where Shanks disappeared. "You coming or not, Big Nose?"
The vein in Buggy's forehead popped again as he growled. First, stop Shanks from being a damn moron. Second, punch Marco the Phoenix right in the nose. If he didn't die from trying to stop Shanks first.
"They are all idiots." Buggy groaned. "We are supposed to be going the other way, but no we have to go back towards the asshole." Still, Buggy complied and followed behind the others. "I'm surrounded by idiots."
Buggy watched Shanks' back. The way that the Omega was tense, but also the anger he could feel coming off of him. Shanks never truly showed anger around him much. When he did, it always felt like the world was at a standstill. Shanks was never one to just fight without a reason. He was never going to fight for himself, not unless his own life was on the line. This was far too personal now. He didn't see his mating mark.
Then there was what he overheard…
"Hey, bastard…" Buggy started.
Shanks turned his head just enough to show that he was paying attention, saying, "What? You can't stop me."
"I couldn't even if I tried." Buggy retorted. He sighed as he finally added, "Was it true?"
"What was?" Shanks had tensed almost immediately again, using nearby trees to keep himself balanced. Shanks was in pain. It was clear as day, but he was acting like he wasn't. At least he was conscious again.
"I overheard you and Teach." Buggy stated, "Did you… did you really lose a baby?"
He heard Marco make a noise of shock for a second as Shanks sighed. "I don't want to talk about that."
Buggy nodded. So, it was true and not just some lie that Shanks came up with on the spot to throw off Teach. Shanks would easily just smile and crack a joke if it wasn't the truth. Shanks was an incredibly good liar. "Shanks…"
"Just drop it okay, Buggy." Shanks snapped.
Buggy sighed, shaking his head. "I wanted to apologize… about what happened on Sabaody."
"Forget about it." Shanks replied, "No harm done."
Buggy growled, marching forward until he was now in front of Shanks. Stopping the Omega in his path. "No, I need too."
"Buggy—"
"Listen for a damn second." Buggy snapped, seeing the shock come to Shanks' face for a moment. "I'm fucking sorry. I was in love with you when we were kids, but I learned it was just that… a stupid crush as children. I'm not in love with you anymore, but I do…" He paused, groaning as he wiped at his face, "I do still love you like my nakama. The person who was there for me when we were younger. I never should have left you alone in Loguetown because I was so pissed off over a fucking Devil Fruit. I want you to be my brother again."
Shanks looked stunned for the second before he was pushing past Buggy, "We can talk about this later, I have to get to Ace."
"Will you at least take it easy for once?" Buggy questioned.
Shanks exhaled sharply as he continued forward, "Everything happens for a reason. Buggy. I can't lose faith in that. There was a reason for me being alone after the Captain's death. There was a reason my Mom was a Whitebeard Pirate. There was a reason that we went our separate ways. There is a reason Ace went after Teach to begin with. Marineford. It was all supposed to happen. Now this… there is a reason for everything, and I have to hold onto that. Now is not the time for deep conversations."
"I'll hold you to that." Buggy replied.
"You always do."
X
"Captain! You have to go ahead of us!" Sanji exclaimed. "He's stalling."
Luffy was huffing as he kneeled down. His body was still aching and fatigued from Marineford. The last thing he needed to be in was another fight. Zoro and Sanji were holding most of the battle for him. Keeping Burgess away from him, but Luffy could only really use defensive measures. Large objects were flying every which way at them.
"When we give you an opening, run and get to Shanks and Ace." Zoro shouted, moving to block the next piece of flying debris. "Stupid cook is right. They are trying to keep us here."
"There could be a chance that they are trying to take Shanks and Ace right out the back and away." Sanji added.
Luffy nodded. He had to get to them immediately. As the next strike came, his nakama jumped ahead of him, "Now, Luffy! Go!" Zoro shouted.
Luffy didn't have to be told twice before he was racing right past them. He would rather make sure the guy was defeated but he didn't really have a choice here. They were up against the clock right now.
X
Sabo growled as the next strike hit his staff. He huffed as he was forced to jump back and away from Doc Q. "Damnit…"
"Sabo, you need to go around." Koala exclaimed, "You have to get to the others!"
"I'm trying!" Sabo shouted back, moving his staff just in time to keep from getting hit in the face. He hissed as he turned his pipe in his hand, swinging it and hitting Doc Q straight in the face. "Get out of my way!"
Without a second thought, he was rushing forward, not even thinking twice of looking back. "Keep going, Sabo! Get to your brothers!"
Sabo put haki into his legs as he took off, rushing as quickly as he could in the direction that he believed that the two would be in. He slowed down slightly as he noticed the mixture of black mist and fire within the air.
"Well, that's not good."
It put more urgency into his steps as he started running again.
This could end badly if they weren't quick enough.
X
His body was exhausted as he grabbed all of his stuff off of the ground, dusting himself off and rubbing the blood on his hand off on his shorts. He stopped only long enough to look at the unmoving form of Teach. He frowned. Even with ripping his heart out, it still felt like this wasn't completely over yet. He had accomplished exactly what he had set out to do all those months ago.
He stumbled on his feet, walking towards where Teach was laying on the ground. Falling down to his knees as he huffed. Reaching out a shaking hand to press against one of Teach's pulse points.
Nothing.
He could almost breathe in relief as he felt his body give out, slumping onto his side as his eyes fluttered to try and shut.
Why was he so nervous?
Teach was dead.
He still had to get out of here. There were still Blackbeard Pirates around. There were only about nine of them if he remembered right. He still had to find Shanks and make sure that he was okay. Find Marco and tell him that he was okay. So many things to do, but he was so tired. He had heard a voice that had urged him on during that fight. Yet, he was completely alone. They would already be here if they had seen him. Was it just a fragment of his imagination?
That didn't matter.
He had won.
His eyes fluttered shut completely. Sleep taking him in seconds as he felt his narcolepsy kicking in. He would wake up in a couple of minutes. He was sure of it. His body just had to rest.
Everything had fallen back into place. He was him again. The same person who had accepted to be the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. The same person who had formed the Spade Pirates.
He was alive and he was going to stay that way. Even if he made mistakes along the way.
X
"ACE!" Luffy screamed.
He had barely seen him, but he was there. He was fighting. He was okay. The Alpha quickened his pace, listening for any more signs of fighting around him. He was this close to them. Ace had to be with Shanks now if he was fighting against Teach. There was no way that Ace would end up fighting him.
He could feel Ace's haki. The fluctuation. The anger. Ace was running purely off of adrenaline. He was still so far away. He had tried finding Shanks' already but had been unable to. Shanks was a master when it came to haki. He could easily hide it if he wanted to. Though, he wouldn't. Not in this situation. Not when he knew they were here for him. He would want to keep it activated just so they could find him. Something was wrong.
He grimaced as he put more haki into his legs. He was pushing himself, but he had no choice. He had to keep going.
"Wait, Straw Hat-ya!" Luffy paused, stopping in his place as he looked over to see Law running up to him. Long sword over his shoulder as he slid across the dirt next to Luffy. "I can get you there faster."
"Do it. Get me to them, Traffy." The Alpha stated.
Luffy nodded as Law grabbed only his hand, muttering, "Room." The large blue sphere showed up, covering the area well into where Luffy was sure he had seen Ace. Law held his hand out, adding in, "Shambles." Before the two of them were disappearing within a blink of an eye, landing on a nearby roof.
Law never let his hand go as Luffy looked around. Trying to find any sign of Ace. It was quiet now. The Alpha froze completely as he noticed Ace kneeling down next to Teach. He could see the rise and fall of his chest. Blood moving down his forehead, but he was alive. He quickly surveyed the area, not catching sight of Shanks that had brought a frown to his face. "Where is he?"
"Freckles-ya… won." Law muttered.
Luffy looked back to Ace, a grin coming to his face. Shanks must be stashed somewhere, or he had gotten away. Though, that didn't seem right. Shanks would stay nearby. Hell, there would be no way he would allow Ace to fight with the pregnancy.
Where was he?
"Ace!" Luffy shouted, he froze completely as he watched Ace slump over. Hitting the dirt a second later. "ACE!"