Author notes:

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I am doing much better in writing this story. I am still having some problems, but it is much better. Thank you all for your support.

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This was the longest and hardest (to write) chapter that I ever posted. Please be kind.

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Chapter 1: rewritten and beta'd by Kurapikababu.

Chapter 2: rewritten.

Chapter 3: small mistakes corrected.

Chapter 4: posted again and beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 5: written and beta`d by gabrielsangel23 and Gerbilfriend

Chapter 6: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend.

Chapter 7: written, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 8: written and here, beta`d by Gerbilfriend

Chapter 9: first scene YAY.

Chapter 10: planned.

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I don't own one piece!

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A Heartful thanks for Gerbilfriend for helping me with this chapter. As usual she is an awesome help, she even helped pick the title for this chapter! 3

Best of luck on your midterms (**Fighting**)

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Its Gerbilfriend here. sorry for the wait but I have entered midterm hell…

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Warnings:

English is my fourth language. The story will include thoughts about suicide, self-harm, and Ace self-worth issues.

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Thank you, To all of you that followed, favorite and especially reviewed. You are seriously amazing :D

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NightsBlackRose13

You make me blush hard every damn time! I am happy that you liked how I wrote Whitebeard, cause he isn't easy to write, and I completely agree with you that nobody should forget that the man is damn YONKO. I couldn't help but imagine him playing patty cake with same of his enemies singing "Pat it, roll it and mark it with a B.." .. LOL. Your fault! XD. looking forward to read your review for this chapter!

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Wolfiesilvester

Thank you for your review, it feels simple. Doesn't it? but it isn't, not really, you will know more as the story goes on.

Yeah, I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed writing Crocodile. I need to like the characters to be able to write them well and I don't really like crocodile, still it was fun to write. I am happy you enjoyed it. Let me know your thoughts about this chapter.

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Guest-chan (anon-chan) or My mile long reviewer ;)

I am really glad that you are feeling better (hope you are still well now).

Yeah, chaos is wonderful to write! :)

When I write a scene, I try to imagine the readers (you) reactions to it, so I am very happy that you found it funny as much as I did.

I have a little surprise (just for you**raising my eyebrows suggestively**) about Sabo.

Let me know what you think, cause I wasn't sure if I should added here or in the future.

Indeed, she played him like the fiddle. SHISHI, Lina can be real cunning when the times call for it.

Things are going 'smooth' compared to …. Sorry, no spoilers ;).

I hope you enjoy this chapter (and don't hate me), waiting for your reaction.

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Rodina. Ashraf

Thank you, thank you.

Your review made me crack up, it was so fun to read!

I am so happy that you found it hilarious, at times I thought I am taking it a bit too far.

Well, I am looking forward to what you think about the original 'plan' that I intended to use to humiliate Kizaru with, I reveal some of it here. It was hard for me to abandon it!

About how I intend to handle the other admirals and Blackbeard. Well, I have a lot of ideas, what you suggested is one of them but I am not 100 percent sure yet what will I use.

But, without giving any spoilers, I am gonna tell you a little secret. I tend to be nasty to characters I don't like, and here is the short list of 'character I despise', starring:

Akainu, Blackbeard, Kizaru, Doflamingo..

About Devil fruits, well, it's complicated matter to me. When writing an OC, you need to create a whole history for them, their characteristic and abilities…., especially since I am writing two OC's (my other story), so adding new devil fruit was too much to me. And I really wanted Lina to shine because for her mind, but maybe in her future there will be a devil fruit.

Thank you for your trust, it means the world to me! For novice writer with only two posted Fics (you should check my other fic MDNR, it's funny too!), that the best compliment anybody can give.

I am looking forward to hear your thoughts.

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Sousie

Hello, sousie, thank you for your review. I usually see you in MDNR. I am happy to hear that you love it! Looking forward to read your thoughts about the new chapter.

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Ilireanwri

Thank you for your review. Glad to hear that I was able to make you laugh. I am not sure sometimes if my writing gave the effect I want it to gave, so hearing it indeed made you laugh (sidesplitting laugh at that), made me feel accomplished. :)

Looking forward to read your thoughts!

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NCM

Hello! Nice to meet ya. Thank for your review.

Indeed the full plan is yet to be revealed.

Very happy to hear that you are enjoying it and that you appreciate my chaos ^^ (not everyone like you, especially the marines XD).

I do enjoy writing, I am also posting another Fic, but sometimes I feel a bit lost. Especially with how to go from scene A to scene B. I am working on it and encouragement always help.

Hope you enjoy this chapter, looking forward to read your thoughts.

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Please, read notes at the END.

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...

"Don't let them get any closer," Lina ordered loudly, straining her voice to be heard but nobody was paying attention to the minor details because they were all rather occupied with other things.

Calls of "aye, aye, aye"; "Har har"; "don't worry ma'am"; "we'll, ma'am" could be heard loud and clear all around her in what were distinctly cheery voices.

If the situation wasn't so serious and crucial, her brother's life in the line, Lina probably wouldn't have been able to stop herself from snickering.

Someone was calling her, her, ma'am.

Pity that the crew wasn't here to hear this.

Only Chopper wouldn't be shocked by hearing someone calling her ma'am (Luffy wouldn't be surprised too but only because he doesn't understand the significance of such a different title). Chopper had called her ma'am himself at their first meeting after all.

It was most definitely in no way her fault. She was really angry, frustrated and scared and she kinda lashed out, and poor Chopper was the witness of her fury. Luffy, did what he did best, pulled another genius plan, according to him at least, anyway she wasn't herself then, and as per usual it was Luffy's fault.

Her brother's idiocy could even leave her speechless and she had 17 years to get used to it, but as it had been proven, it was not enough to develop immunity.

Hundreds of years; no, even after thousands of thousands of years, Luffy would still be able, so effortlessly, to do something to leave her completely and utterly perplexed.

But the other members of their crew would definitely be shocked.

She could clearly imagine Nami patting her head saying how proud she was that little Lina was finally grown up and showing some backbone. Sanji would probably be busy cooking a feast and calling her ma'ammmmmmmm-swan while spinning around energetically. Zoro would snicker like her, and gave a known smirk and continue drinking or sleeping or training, depending on the time of the day until Sanji's voice and spinning got on his last nerves...

Franky would call her super and do his Super pose energetically just for her, which would make her blush (and maybe that time she would muster enough courage to join him). Robin would hug her and give her some pointers about tone, voice, how to control her body to look more intimidating (Robin was the master of intimidating after all), and maybe give her a book about it.

Usopp would share an epic tale as usual, (she wanted to hear a normal tale for once) about how he was once crowned as king, but before Usopp finish uttering the word: KIN... Luffy would stick his head out, giving Usopp his most serious look. Usopp would hurriedly correct his grave mistake by saying a lord. A lord of some ancient and powerful castle, with armored and strong knights bowing to him in respect…. Chopper would be listening in with great attention, stars lighting his eyes, calling Usopp my lord and bowing to him in reverence like those cool knights.

Brook would play her a song to accompany this epic tale and ask her, in all cheerfulness, while bowing if he may see her panties. He would try to ask at least once before Nami would put him in his rightful place, as she called it, or show him the right path (which was what? That violence could solve everything?).

Luffy would be standing watching over them, laughing his signature laugh (SHISHISHI) while patting his inflated stomach, having sized the moment the enraged Sanji started showing the marimo the right and proper way to treat a woman, especially a sensitive flower like their Lina-chawwn (the lesson was still on), to finish the whole feast that Sanji prepared in the honor of her step up in maturity ladder.

She shook her head, trying to erase the image she drawn so vividly of her nakama in her mind, an image she could almost touch and feel in her trembling bones.

She couldn't flutter now. Now wasn't the time for doubts and reminiscing.

Focus, focus, she repeated in her mind, focus.

You will mess up everything if you miss anything, even minor things mattered right now, and because of what, you being a cry baby missing your nakama wishing you didn't have to be in a leader position, that the responsibility was on someone else's shoulders, and you just had to follow.

You decided that you wanted no more regrets, no backing down when things became tough.

Lina took a long breath holding it in while clutching her eyes shut. She needed this precious moment in the busy and chaotic battlefield to regain her

equilibrium back.

She considered for second using the extra tension hormones that she was barely able to strangle out of Iva-chan, but no, she would keep it as trump card to use on the most critical of situations. Even though she was so tired and she could feel her body slowing down, her movement becoming sluggish. Even the staff that she was clutching for dear life felt heavy and she was afraid it would somehow slide out of her aching hands.

The effects of hormones were disappearing faster than they should, she hoped Luffy was in better state, no, he definitely was. She made sure that the path was as clear as possible, and the strongest player were otherwise occupied.

Luffy was fine and he would save Ace.

She would not be swayed, she could do this. She would.

She let out the breath she was holding in slowly, opening her eyes, watching with care what was happening around her, while her brain was busy going in detail over what happened since the chase began, examining and reexamining anything and everything.

Nothing of her uncertainty showed on her face, instead her face looked as if it was carved from marble. She learned at young age not to show any emotions. It made people back home stay far away from her, especially when comparing her to her outgoing brother. But she had never felt lonely, she had Luffy, and grandpa sometimes, Makino, then Shanks and Benny and the whole Red hair pirates, Ace and Sabo, Dadan and the bandits, her nakama.

They were all her home, her safe place, her courage.

Lina covertly eyed Luffy's progress but she wasn't able to see clearly his whereabouts, she did see several of Iva-chan's heads (was it a mirage?) energetically and loudly handling the 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma.

That was really good because she didn't want Luffy to face him now, or ever.

The memory and the feeling this person stirred in her were not something she wanted to examine right now.

She narrowed her eyes trying to peer across the battlefield. She was almost sure that she glimpsed the black and blue that was Jinbe head's, but it disappeared so fast that she wasn't sure.

She took long breath in and let it out.

Luffy please hurry up, this plea was echoing in her head since the plan had begun unfolding, it echoed so strongly now that she had to whisper under her breath.

"Luffy please hurry up, please."

There was one thing she was scared of. One thing that she doesn't have a counter plan for.

If it were to happen, a shudder run in her body, she didn't know what she could do, how she should counter it. She really hoped that it wouldn't happen, it would be really the worst of the worst.

She wished that Luffy would get to Ace now and they could be anywhere but here. That the three of them could be like they used to, sitting on that cliff sharing their dreams and talking about the adventures they intend to pursue.

"I am sure that I said I am here too," Kizaru voice announced behind her, waking her from daydreaming again, and having the marines renewing their wasted effort once more to save their hero.

Things were going good right now but a few minutes ago she had been sure that they were goners. The number of the marines attacking them was huge, enormous, more than she imagined and they were ruthless, bloodthirsty.

She knew that once she stepped out from the shadow and onto the stage, she would become the primary target in everyone eyes. She would need a miracle to stay alive as was proven by the number of marines and vice admirals attacking them.

Being the star of the show had it disadvantages in their eyes she was the main person to blame for catching the admiral and they were only partly right, the plan was a team effort, if only one turned his back or hesitated for even a second, or bluntly refused to follow through, the whole thing would have fallen apart, the domino chain she carefully built and deliberately triggered would end up going over the cliff (destroying everything she planned in its wake) and not just taking down another piece in the chain like it should.

This still could happen, she searched for her most worrisome ally (she wasn't sure if calling him an ally was the right word). Crocodile's group was getting closer to the wall of the plaza, and what was he planning now?

Even with the pirates high on victory spirits, they couldn't withhold from the continuous and vicious attacks from the marines. She felt her inexperience weighing on her then, she felt the momentum she worked so desperately to achieve slipping from her fingers, but then she heard the voice of the strongest man in the world bellowing and she was assured again.

She could finally breathe a little and put all her focus on observing the battlefield around her, and on deciding on what and when her next move would be.

Thank the gods, that Whitebeard played along with her plan, for second she saw him eyeing Luffy, and thought that she had overestimated him, that he wasn't able to comprehend what she was trying to do or what her true purpose was (or worse decided to ignore it and continue as usual).

She had considered that for those long minutes before he loudly and clearly ordered his pirates to join the show, that she may have committed grave mistake by not sharing her intentions clearly with him.

But she couldn't, not really, not when she herself wasn't sure how her plan was gonna play out and even if she had a solid plan, she was only a wannabe pirate that began sailing only a year go, how could she demand that the strongest man of the world to discard whatever plan he had devised (plan that he had obviously put more thought and time than her last ditch plan), and let's not forget they were in battlefield, not the time and place to discuss any new innovative plan.

While observing his commanding figure and his resolve Lina made a bet, she repeated to herself what Benny once told her 'to deceive your enemies you need to deceive your allies'.

So Lina had made a very risky bet but thankfully it worked out and she won the jackpot.

He was the strongest man in the world for very good reason apparently, he not only played along with her plan but he took control of it, not that she minded.

The Whitebeard pirates joining their ranks was blessing on so many levels, they supported the momentum and it was now surging to new heights.

Having seasoned pirates running the show made quite the difference on their side. Lina could feel the difference in the pirates' formation, not only in her group but in the other groups around her.

From shoving and chaos to efficiently standing side by side, the way their posture changed until they seemed more at ease, even their voices seemed less strained. All around the pirates were more energetic and cheerful. They were attacking not defending, and they were definitely more confident in their attacks.

She could leave the helm to the Whitebeard pirates, especially since her group had several of their commanders and enormous number of their subordinates surrounding her.

She eyed the commanders trying to remember all the information she crammed into her head back on the stolen marine ship (it seemed so long ago, and not just a few hours ago).

In front of her stood huge man, his long dark ponytailed hair swinging with the movement of his huge body that kept on moving swinging his giant sword at any brave soul that dared come near it range, Blenheim the commander of the 9th division of the Whitebeard pirates.

To her far left, a large tanned man with short blonde hair that was almost orange, a brown cape rested on his shoulders and he was wearing black and golden yellow striped pants that reminded her of giant bees was Kingdew the commander of the 11th division, he was busy shouting orders and flexing his impressive muscles.

On the right side stood a fairly short man, shorter than her (YAY), wearing green and white ruffed outfit with white tights and he saber that he wielded successfully, especially if one looked at the number of broken swords on the frozen ground and the ones that marines were still clutching for dear life, he was Haruta the commander of the 12th division of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Right behind her that she could hear his shouting commands clearly stood a man, even though he was wearing heavy makeup and a beautiful pink and purple kimono. Lina couldn't tell what he was doing more, shouting commands or shooting marines. The pair of flintlock pistols he was wielding had an impressive recoil sound. He or were they a she, which did they prefer, was Izo the commander of the 16th division.

There was one more that she couldn't find even though she turned around herself several times, Speed Jiru the commander of the 14th division, supposedly he wielded a jousting lance and a golden heater shield and possessed inhuman speed (hence the name, duh), nor Jinbe or Iva-chan were able to confirm if the speed was because of devil fruit or something else entirely. Several minutes ago she had witnessed a column of marines flying to every side in seconds, completely eliminated and she assumed that it was a sample of his work.

A sound of clash cut her observations short.

Hawkeyes 'Mihawk', the best swordsman in the world, Zoro's ambition, finally made his move.

The piercing impression he had left her with at their first meeting and from what she learned about him since then had made her assume (correctly) that he would prefer to observe and watch everything unfold in front of him and only then strike at the most appropriate moment (for him), and of course his target, was nothing less from the king (Luffy would be angry at her, but she was very relieved that his target wasn't Luffy).

Whitebeard didn't flinch or move, his smile was still present on his face and he even seemed amused, like he knew that Hawkeyes attack wouldn't reach him, so why should he bother!

And he didn't need to Bother.

Someone clashed with Hawkeyes stopping his attack, no, he even made Hawkeyes step back.

A single step, but that was still an impressive feast. The man who accomplished such feat had red petals flying all around him and was calmly twirling his mustache. Seriously ?

Well, she now understood the origin of his name 'Flower Sword' Vista the 5th division commander.

Admiral Akainu didn't seem amused like Whitebeard. Well, he wasn't amused before either.

She wasn't able to discern what was he saying (well, shouting) but he was definitely directing his rage to Hawkeyes (he was your ally, why?) who was coolly ignoring him and readying himself for the next attack from Flower Vista.

Akainu found himself in the receiving end of Whitebeard huge bisento.

Oh pity, he was able to dodge it, well, not completely seeing that lava was pouring from his left shoulder.

The old man was sharp and cunning and didn't let any chance to attack slip by him.

Whitebeard was obviously toying, she didn't have another word to describe it, with Akainu who was becoming more agitated (furious!) by the second, his next attack was proof enough.

Akainu wasn't trying to organize an attack and trying to be sneaky and precise, he was just attacking straight ahead. His attacks were still dangerous, extremely so, Lina didn't want to be on the receiving end of any of them, but something like that couldn't hope to faze the strongest man in the world.

There was not a small amount of marines surrounding Whitebeard, but for sure it would have been much (much, much) more without the chaos Lina's plan had brought. Still they were all standing around helplessly watching.

They apparently were smart enough to understand that this wasn't stage they could ever dream of stepping on. Those foolish enough to try to attack this roaring legend from behind were taken down effortlessly by the commander of the 7th division of the Whitebeard Pirates, Rakuyo and his spiked flail with the long chain moving beside him like a snake (Devil fruit? Like the one in Alabasta?) or by Namur, a shark fishman and the commander of the 8th division and the pirates under their command who were diligently watching over their captain's back.

Lina moved a bit, turning her head a little more to the right, squinting her eyes.

Not far from this heated battle, there was another one that had a cooler (than ice) feeling to it.

Facing Admiral Aokiji in fierce battle were Marco the Phoenix the 1st division commander and 'Diamond' Jozu the 3rd division commander.

The two teaming together were able to efficiently disable Aokiji's Ice attacks.

Marco using his hybrid form, transformed his feet into claws, to attack and slash his opponent while flying, and if there was any attack that he couldn't dodge, he would recover from immediately by summoning his blue flames around his body and the harmed body part.

He was resilient and fast giving no opening for Aokiji to counter attack or to find his footing, after all, he wasn't the only attacking him, standing not far from them his eyes not leaving the fight was Jozu.

Despite his massive body, his speed and reflexes were on par with his brute force. His speed when he was in his diamond form made him especially the dangerous opponent to have, particularly challenging for Logia users like Aokiji who were normally used to simply letting strikes shatter his ice form and just to emerge in another place but now Aokiji was finding it hard to fight in his normal way.

Diamond was one of the hardest substance in the world, combined with Haki, Aokiji was not having any kind of fun.

Suddenly a kick from Marco sent him several feet back and Aokiji instantly formed spears from his Ice and launched it on Marco who dodged by transforming his hands into wings and soaring into the sky. Jozu then launched another surprise attack shattering Aokiji's ice form and causing the Admiral to bleed from his mouth.

She felt true satisfaction at seeing Aokiji being pushed back, their last meeting still fresh in her mind.

"You wanna try to defeat me? Are you kidding me?!" Kizaru's voice sounded again close to her, well it wasn't actually his voice, Lina mused to herself, letting herself relax her hold on her staff and wipe her sweaty hands on her shirt.

She couldn't stop herself from thinking back to when they finally landed on the battlefield, for one thing the experience made her realize that she wasn't build for flying, sailing and walking maybe but not flying. She had a long and meaningful conversation (staring contest) with Crocodile before the first stage of her plan about making sure that she didn't end flying to her demise. His amused answer was accompanied with raised eyebrow, "you are facing the admirals, and you are concerned about flying."

He had point there, but still, Lina couldn't stop the trembling she felt running in her spine then and now, the ground was her best friend, her 'bestie'.

Anyway, before they joined the battlefield, she asked some of the pirates and okamas to get as close as possible to the three admirals (without being blasted away) and to record their voice using the Tone dials she gave them.

She wanted the show that she planned for the marines/the watchers/the whole world to be as believable as possible and to stop anybody from doubting it. Any questions or doubts would had lessen the allure of the show. And that was why she was quite upset, but not surprised, when none of them were able to bring anything usable, especially from Kizaru, the chosen one with the bloody worst luck ever.

But at the last moment, she realized what was staring at her right in the damn face. Yes, exactly.

Yes, she meant the green shapes around the eyes, a red rouge on the cheeks and on the lips which were open in a grin to show gleaming white teeth.

She shook her head in exasperation at the memory, she was stupid, missing the obvious.

Yes, the makeuped face of Bon-chan had been staring right back at her with his huge smile, blinking several times, apparently confused why was she staring at him like Luffy was staring at meat before he devoured it.

She couldn't fathom how she forget about Bon-chan's devil fruit ability to mimic someone's voice after touching them.

She asked him immediately to use his ability to impersonate Kizaru's voice and record his voice saying Kizaru's 'lines' on different Tone dials.

Of course, Bon-chan did what Bon-chan did best, and in a second he had turned. His distinct wide grin carried over to his new appearance. Seeing Kizaru smiling with a smile full of teeth was creepy to say the least!

Lina shuddered in disgust, she was gonna develop a complex after all the teeth she had the pleasure of meeting here.

Kizaru in Bon style, the okamas and Iva-chan had way too much fun with it. Having Kizaru singing and spinning around announcing all to hear his love and undying devotion to Iva-chan, the one and only true queen in his heart.

She had to admit it was hilarious to watch! (Luffy would have been rolling in the floor, laughing so hard he was unable to breathe).

It was between Kizaru saying, "The prima donna of this stage is me!" While using both his hand to gesture to himself for emphasis and swaying his hips in so much grace and kicking around in his ballet dance shouting "Turn Turn! I'm spinning! Like the bustling world!", that an idea struck her.

A genuinely genius-mad-scary idea. (To whom you ask? Well, you should find out for yourself!).

And for a whole moment the world stopped spinning while she seriously considered just discarding the complicated plan she devised and having Iva-chan use her …

Have her use...

Even thinking about the idea now had her unable to breathe.

Have Iva-chan use….

Use her female hormones on admiral Kizaru for the whole world to see.

Just imaging what kind of women Kizaru would turn into had her cracking up!

Kizaru with curves and boobs (Kizaru was tall so his breasts should be enormous!) and her sweet soft voice saying shyly, "The prima donna of this stage is me."

Maybe have him dress on those mini-dresses or skirts that Nami always pushed her to try saying "they made her legs look thin and long and made her booty and hips look lovely." Or "the narrow of her waist flares out at the hips in distinctively feminine way and it is so beautiful!"

Or maybe just have the okamas themselves dress him, no, it was a her now.

They did have a very unique taste in clothes. If you were to believe Iva-chan the okamas were the most fashionable people in the seven seas and beyond.

Female Kizaru with sexy garter thigh-high tights singing "I am sexy and I know it" would most likely (was damn sure) to leave a lasting impression.

She whole heartedly considered changing her plan, the image of the shocked jaw dropping faces of the marines (the whole world more like it) dancing behind her eyes (it would be worth it), the humiliation of the marines and Kizaru himself would be ...

Would be ….

But she discarded the idea almost as immediately as she thought of it.

She couldn't anticipate what the marines reaction would be after the effects of the shock had worn off (it would take long time for the shock to disappear but still), and that was what mattered!

She needed them to be predictable for her to be able to plan ahead and counter any move they made and there were so many variables and people and things that could go wrong. She didn't want to add to it, but to use it, like potter using his hands to shape the clay to fit their vision.

Also, the shock of female Kizaru would not only be too much for the marines but for the watching pirates and the world as whole.

She wondered in passing what kind of articles and titles would the newspaper print about such unique event: 'the first female admiral is literally a turncloak'; 'Kizaru's journey: the man and the women'; 'Discover your true inner female, it rocks!'; 'When you are on the battlefield, wear your tights tighter'; 'Yes, the sun is female!'; 'the speed of light, Kizaru's 360-degree turn'...

Speaking of which, the broadcast Den Den Mushi, she searched urgently for Buggy's group.

Good, she breathe sigh of relief.

They were all recording, for the world, to see what was going on this battlefield, and not only what Captain Buggy was doing. It had been a good idea to take those three Buggy fanatics aside and explain to them the importance of their role in showing captain Buggy greatness, they needed not only to show what the Great Captain Buggy was doing, but how what was he was doing was affecting the battlefield as whole and that was why they should broadcast everything, especially the marine's reaction, to see their faces turn sour after testing the bitter taste of defeat by our Great Captain Buggy.

Having the world see the defeat of the marines was the most vital thing for keeping Ace safe.

By catching Ace and trying to publicly execute him and by making sure that the whole world knew his secret, whose blood flowed in his vines, the marines made sure that he was a walking breathing target to wherever he went, but she intended it to use that platform against them, to make sure the whole world understood what would happen if anyone dared to come after her brother after this.

Every marine, pirate and bounty hunter, No, every damn person, after this day would know the cost of coming after Ace.

If any of them had the balls to consider to try to hunt her brother, after this day, they would think twice, no, ten times, because this, the battlefield in front of them in all of its glory, would be what they would have to deal with, if they ever dared to try.

She wanted the mere mention of her brother name to echo fear in their hearts and those images that were being broadcasted to the world to stay stuck in their heads in association with her brother name.

While the three pirate fanatics were using the Den Den Mushi to broadcast to the world what was really happening here, the remaining members of the group were doing fine under the leadership of the commander of the 15th division Fossa. He was wielding a katana that was engulfed in flames and the commander of the 6th Division Blamenco (wearing purple overalls, why was everyone obsessed with that color!), who apparently understood quickly that to have the ex-prisoners play along they needed to play Buggy's ego and use his name repeatedly.

She could her some of their commands echoed by the ex-prisoners, "help captain Buggy defend the right side"; "why are you leaving captain Buggy's back bare without protection." She had expected nothing less from the commanders of the Whitebeard's.

She could see Buggy standing on the captured admiral, who was being carried by several enthusiastic pirates and laughing loudly as he repeated the orders shouted by the two commanders.

She shook her head in amusement, if he puffed out his chest anymore he would become a peacock, he already was colorful enough.

She turned both her head and body to the left side, searching for Mr.1's group she didn't need to strain herself too much looking for them.

Mr.1 was crouching with both his hands and his head in the shape of very sharp blades in front of his group. Beside him to the left was 'Water Buffalo' Atmos the commander of the 13th division with his shiny golden armor and two large swords in each hand and from Mr. 1's other side was Curiel the 10th division commander armed with huge gun and bazooka in each hand and more on his back and body (she liked his hat! a watermelon-patterned bucket hat, she could imagine Luffy trying to swallow his head whole as greeting).

They were all facing several vice admirals standing in quite the distance from them, she was able to recognize some of them from their unforgettable experience at Enies Lobby, the long bearded one was vice admiral Strawberry and the one with cold face and long brown hair was vice admiral Onigumo, neither seemed calm like they were in Enies Lobby, they seemed quite distressed and were shouting orders over each other to the confused marines behind them while the three pirates were waiting passively for anyone to come to their range of attack, at least Mr.1 and Atomos were waiting for anyone to step into their range before eliminating them.

Curiel and his subordinates were firing nonstop with great accuracy at the small fries. She watched as Curiel smoothly transitioned from a gun to bazooka without his rapid-fire ceasing, making sure that chaos continued in the enemy camp.

She searched for the last group, the one that made her heart beat rapidly in worry,

Crocodile's group.

She was just in time to see Crocodile launch himself against Moriah. His own group followed after him launching themselves at Moriah's zombies with the same ferocity as their leader yet there were enough people to guard the captured admiral from any attack coming from behind.

That was just like Crocodile, not waiting around to be hunted, but becoming the vicious hunter instead. Don't wait for the chaos to come to you, but create more yourself instead.

She took several deep breathes trying to slow her racing heart.

Before they split into the now four groups, she made sure to whisper secretly to every group leader separately, while making sure it was being heard by the surrounded pirates, that the real Admiral Kizaru was with them and she was counting on them to guard him from those crazy marines.

Buggy boosted about it like she expected. Mr.1 eyed her silently and gave a nod of acknowledgement. Using him and Crocodile in primary roles in her plans was a dangerous bet, but she didn't have any other choices.

With Crocodile she didn't even consider trying that. She skipped that and went straight to his ego, from the way he clutched his cigarette in his mouth (was he trying to hide a smile? Does he know how to smile?) and his eyebrows rising a bit, it told her that he knew what she was trying to do, and he would play along for now because it amused him to do so.

From the start she tried to keep him in suspense, playing on his curiosity and superiority, she saw how he was eyeing her brother with interest, waiting to see what he would do next and she tried to make him feel the same way about her and for now she was succeeding but any minute this could change.

Her fear was that in the most critical moment he would leave them hanging or turn on them.

Now, that she knew that those four groups were still going strong and wouldn't be taking down any time soon, it was time for ...

.

.

Hhhssssssssssss….

She felt something grazing her left ear.

Lina turned her head around thinking that someone's blade accidentally grazed her, it wasn't the first time…. She saw the person beside her fall onto the frozen ground.

She didn't have the time to react before two other in front of her fell where they were standing.

She felt someone pulling her behind them and all could she see was pink and purple.

What was going on? She was finally able to think.

She crouched and moved a little bit to be able to secretly observe. What she could see from between the folds of Izo's kimono was the view of blood gushing from Blenheim's left shoulder, he had his sword drawn and shouting at ….

She couldn't see.

Who?

What?

Why now?

Things were going so good….

She breathed deeply trying to listen to the words around her to stimulate her brain into working.

"Dammit.."

"Move the admiral to the back"..

"Surround him..."

"Did it have to be this son of *itch!"

"Stand a little bit farther from each other, he can control .."

Blenheim had his sword drawn high for few seconds now, he wasn't moving.

He was immobilized, she finally realized.

Dammit.

Shit.

So he was the one that came.

He was crouching on Blenheim's injured shoulder now, looking at ease with a confident smile on his relaxed face

He was pushing his glasses up his nose when he announced that "I needed to see what all the fuss was about."

Donquixote Doflamingo was sitting on Blenheim's shoulder swinging his legs. Some considered him the strongest of the seven Shichibukai (not according to Crocodile).

The marines that were being pushed back seconds ago sized this opportunity to launch their counter attacks.

The other commanders had their hands full taking care of this counter attack.

Doflamingo seemed to ignore all of what his sudden appearance brought, and he moved his head from side to side as if trying to see something from different angle.

Izo fired at his head to which he easily dodged and continued moving his head as if nothing happened.

The feeling he gave off was overwhelming strength, it was the feeling she experienced when facing Whitebeard the first time, but Doflamingo strength was tinted with cruelty.

"What a warm welcome," he said moving his head to the side as of resting it on pillow.

"Just move," he added,

Lina was not sure to whom was he speaking exactly.

Izo in front of her tensed up.

"Please" he said, Lina could not find any sincerity in his voice.

Izo's answer was to shoot him simultaneously several rounds.

Until he suddenly stopped.

"Dammit," she heard him cursing, "Lina, run ..."

Izo moved as puppet on strings, leaving her exposed to Doflamingo's searching eyes.

Lina bolted.

Her mind was back to work like a machine finally fed the much needed oil.

Doflamingo had no interest in the captured admiral, he had no interest in ruining the plan. He did have interest in the master mind behind it, her, which meant she was safe for now and she needed to take him far away from her group.

Without him there they would be able to crush the marines quickly and then gave her the much needed support.

She needed time.

She abruptly stopped using her staff to stop her momentum, Doflamingo glided to stop few feet from her.

Good, she was able to pull him far enough, now to buy time.

He sat on the frozen ground, eyeing her all the while.

She felt a cold shiver run through her as though his eyes were stripping her bare, he was trying to assess her.

She could imagine exactly what he was seeing in front of him; a black haired girl wearing a short black and purple (Ageh) skirt and long black and purple (Agehhhh) sleeved shirt full of holes, looking blankly at him. She wasn't impressive or beautiful or intimidating. She only had her wits as her weapon.

She refused to show any reaction to him, she waited patiently for him to speak or react, while in her mind she began to count the seconds and calculating the time she needed to buy before getting any real backup.

Quantities of average pirates would do nothing here except pile up as dead bodies or be controlled by him for his own amusement.

"Sorry about before," he finally said still smiling, she didn't even blink.

"I have yet to introduce myself," he added as an apology that didn't reach his face or his voice.

Lina continued counting slowly 46, 47, 48...

"I am Donquixote Doflamingo," he said and paused as if his name was all the introduction he needed to gave, and in his case that was true. Both Iva-chan and Jinbe had a lot to say about him, specifically not to engage him in any kind of combat, even Crocodile had some unflattering things to say about him (they definitely had a history, an intriguing one).

Doflamingo was still watching her, she outwardly was watching him back calmly.

53, 54 ..

"I am here in my capacity as Shichibukai, but my full time job is being the king of Dressrosa."

He continued as way of explanation "it's a kingdom within the New World."

He paused and waited.

77, 78, 79…

He then deliberately lifted his hand.

Lina clutched her staff, she saw his eyes narrow watching her hands in interest.

82, 83..

And gestured to her.

It was her turn.

She felt as if she was being interviewed

87, 88, 89...

"After all, it wouldn't do not to be recognized by the mistress of the show."

Doflamingo wasn't a patient person, he wanted a reaction, concluded Lina.

94, 95..

She stopped herself from swallowing or coughing, even though she really wanted to clear her throat.

"Don't worry, I could hardly forget such unique greeting," she said her voice sounding normal in her ears (to her relief) and she hoped that the tremble she felt in her mind was not showing in any way in her voice or body movements.

"Fuffuffuffuffuffuffu," he laughed, her answer had pleased him.

"Good, I am curious what is your next move?" he asked, mirth still found in his tone of voice.

113,114..

She let herself arch an eyebrow at his question. Telling him clearly: Really, you expect me to answer that?

His smile widened and he continued after few seconds.

"I have an eye for talent such as you have."

He paused deliberately and stressing every word added, "Lina, D. Monkey."

Lina never thought she would hate hearing her name being uttered until she heard him speak it, she forced herself not to shudder and tried to continue thinking objectively.

Doflamingo loved to hear the sound of his own voice.

That was good, Lina saw no reason to stop him, she needed time to consider and prepare herself.

126, 127, 128...

She continued to look blankly at him, waiting for him to get to the point.

And Doflamingo did.

"Talents like yours are unique, it is a pity to waste it here on such unremarkable stage," he declared as if sharing a unique and true perspective.

133, 134,135...

"Ohh," she let herself say softly.

"You should join me," he announced straight away projecting so much confidence.

This was plain and simple a job offer. In the midst of the battlefield. Where she just took out an admiral and every marine was after her head. He, a Shichibukai, the marines' dogs as some called them, wanted her to join his crew.

Lina didn't know how she stopped herself from reacting. But she wasn't able to stop herself from pausing her mental counting for a second before she briskly resumed it.

. 151,152,153...

"It would be quite advantageous for you."

He continued to sell it to her. Like a little child he was trying to coax into eating the yummy and healthy weird looking purple (Aggh) vegetables.

"Why?" she asked, deliberately choosing to make her intentions as vague as possible.

"You are intelligent so I shouldn't have to tell you that after this stunt you pulled you will be hunted down and executed viciously. Joining me would mean no one could touch you," he paused.

"I protect what's mine," the possessiveness in his voice made her shiver.

178,179 ...

The feeling his words evoked were in no way pleasant.

But she had no doubt, that if she were to agree to join him she would be safe, that even the marines, no, the world government wouldn't be able to touch her or pursue her.

.

A hail of bullets directed at them cut the tense atmosphere.

Doflamingo turned his head to the direction of the attack seemingly unbothered and with flick of his hand the shooting trajectory changed from the pirates shooting in their direction to them shooting in each other's.

Lina stopped herself from flinching at the sight and turned her head back to observe him, his face showed boredom while his fingers effortlessly moved in different patterns.

He turned his head back to her, still waiting for her answer.

His smile was still the same.

186, 187 ...

She swallowed, before saying, "Such an offer is very tempting."

194,195..

From the corner of her eye she could see something was speeding this way, she didn't dare breathe.

Something was dashing at high speed into Doflamingo's direction.

Doflamingo finally reacted jumping backward before the impact occurred and firing several bullets from his fingers at the offender.

It was Speed Jiru who used his speed to dodge the bullets (she guessed), jumping backward and using his shield for extra protection.

"Oi, we were having a peaceful conversation here, no need for this kind of violent interruption."

Doflamingo tisked, seemingly annoyed, he was trying to attach his stings to Jiru to no avail. Jiru was keeping his distance from him while consistently moving with his high speed, circling Donflamingo.

Lina didn't move, she stayed in her place observing and hoping.

If she moved it meant she took a stand, she answered his offer and she would become both a target and liability, the safest place for her now was where she was standing.

Jiru suddenly halted his movement as some of his subordinates(?) were running his way with their swords drawing screaming that they couldn't control their bodies, Doflamingo's doing no doubt.

Jiru tried to maneuver them without hurting them but it was already too late.

Doflamingo only needed a second to capture him in web of strings, immobilizing him.

Dammit! Lina cursed inwardly.

She hated when she was right in such cases!

As she thought, this would not be enough to take him down or even distract him, he was strong and cunning and his wit was what made him a dangerous opponent in her opinion.

Doflamingo strolled back unhurriedly to the same place he was sitting before and sat facing her.

"Where were we?" he asked loudly.

She had no illusion that he remembered every word and move she did from the first time his eyes fell on her. She also knew that he was watching her when the Whitebeard commander attacked him to see her reaction, it was a test. Her passiveness meant she passed, for now, she guessed.

"Yes," he answered himself, "you were telling me how tempting my offer is." He said, using his finger to push his glasses up, his smile as confident and creepy as ever.

Lina had very few options while facing him, trying to manipulate him was not one of them. She needed to use a new approach.

"Very tempting," she repeated trying to ooze confidence like him.

She relaxed her whole body, making herself seem unthreatening and relaxed as possible, making sure to keep eye contact all time.

"But, no, thank you. I have a captain."

He didn't seem concerned with her refusal. Her words didn't faze him at all.

"Ah, your brother, strawhat Luffy." He said it as if he just remembered this information, Lina was not fooled.

"Your family seems to have a talent for trouble." He said, while gesturing with his hands at the situation around them and then he added, "Well, at least the fun kind."

He paused as if considering matters with heavy head.

"He could join too," he said, his tone had an underlying reluctance to it, like he was sacrificing great deal by letting Luffy join.

Lina burst out laughing.

She couldn't help it.

Luffy joining anybody was a hilarious idea. But him becoming an underling to someone like Doflamingo was…..., she didn't know the word to use to describe such travesty, the word probably did not exist.

Maybe because this was the first genuine reaction Lina gave him, and it did tell him a lot about she really thought of his offer. The amusement disappeared from his face, but his smile remained, somehow it looked more sinister now.

Lina was finding it hard to breathe and laugh at the same time. She knew she was walking on thin rope, microscopic, but somehow all her fears and burdens disappeared in front of this impossible image.

Oops, he did not seem to appreciate her continuous laughter, by the vein popping on his forehead, and his smile disappearing completely.

"If you don't want to join me willingly, I can always make you join unwillingly." He threatened, standing up flexing his fingers.

Lina stopped laughing, she readied her staff.

This was not what she intended, but no use crying over spilled milk, what was done was done.

"After all, I am not interested in your fighting powers, just your brain."

Before she was able to comprehend the meaning of his words, she felt piercing pain in her leg and found herself sitting on the ground unable to move, blood was gushing from her knee, her eyes never left him, she had expected some kind of attack but she didn't see it coming.

He was moving closer to her slowly as if taking stroll at the beach (having all the time in the world), his lips were moving but her pulse pounded in her ears so loudly she couldn't hear anything else.

She forced herself to listen to his words, still clutching her staff, she stopped trying to move and watched his feet moving closer in steady leisurely pace.

" …..really, I come and asked nicely ..."

He was only few feet from her.

.

Another.

.

Another.

.

.

.

Now.

.

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"Dammit, " she could her his cursing louder than her beating heart.

Dammit, she wanted to scream, but she didn't utter a word.

It didn't work, she wasn't even able to send him few feet back.

He was still standing in his place, only a few feet from her, drenched with water and electricity crackling around him.

The water wasn't deterring him.

WHY?

He was a devil fruit user, why?

Doflamingo seemed furious, he was touching the now blackish-pinky feather jacket. More veins were popping on his forehead.

The murderous aura emitting from him couldn't be mistaken to anything else.

"You ruined my jacket. It's my favorite, you *itch!"

He looked maniacally at her, pointing his finger at her head.

He lost any interest he had in her talent. Now, she was only someone that dared to ruin something he possessed.

"A talent like yours isn't that rare," he told her, she was replaceable.

Lina could feel his bloodthirst in every syllable he uttered, she finally let herself tremble, her whole body was trembling uncontrollably, the pain in her knee and the blood loss was making her feel lightheaded.

Her last moment in this life, while fighting for her brother freedom was seconds away, she realized.

She didn't feel afraid.

She did feel some kind of regret, but not as overwhelming as she thought. Maybe because she did her part and Luffy would save Ace, he promised.

But the feeling the dominant her heart and head was nostalgia.

Weird.

In stories about facing death that Robin and Usopp told them, they always said that the hero would see his whole life flash before his eyes before escaping death or actually dying when Robin was telling the story.

For her it wasn't a flash showing all her memories, and adventures, her regrets and joys, like a fast running movie.

No.

For her it was a memory.

A specific one.

She doesn't know why this memory, but if this were to be her last moment, she was happy it was this one.

.

.

.

.

...

Grandpa had come back that day, and as usual the day gone down to hell from there.

The fist of love had appeared frequently, she herself get a taste. A small taste compared to her three big brothers, followed with screaming match, where Ace and Luffy were competing for the louder voice, but were completely defeated by grandpa.

Then followed the regular lecture about good marines and bad pirates that even Luffy, with his lack of attention, knew by heart.

Sabo was able somehow to keep Luffy and Ace quiet for while, enough for Lina to distract grandpa by asking about marine regulations (which he never remembered and after saying some absurd things he would admit that he didn't know and laughed it off) and Sabo immediately reminded Luffy about food which did the trick for an hour or so, then the whole thing begin anew.

Lina didn't like those days, not because she didn't like grandpa, or because his constant fights with her brothers, or the fist of love and grandpa absurd training regime.

No, it was just that those days always made her feel confused and unsure. A feeling of loss always filled her heart.

It was evening now, grandpa was gone, he was probably drinking himself to sleep with Dadan as usual.

Both Luffy and Ace were sprawled at the forest floor, snoring, full from devouring their dinner and her's (Luffy!).

She and Sabo were watching them while contemplating their options.

They could leave them here and go to Dadan country for the night, or maybe try to drag them to their tree house or do camping here (neither of them even considered the option of waking them up, that was impossible, especially with all the food gone! ).

"Lina, stay here and keep watch over the morons, I will bring some blankets and supplies for tomorrow. We will sleep here tonight." Sabo finally said while sighing.

Lina shrugged, it didn't matter either way to her, but Sabo continued as if speaking to himself.

"I know nothing would happen to them if they stayed here. We all stayed in worse places, but it still better if we are all together."

"Go, I will keep the fire going," Lina finally said.

Sabo nodded, "I will be right back," and disappeared behind the trees.

Lina dragged them both near the fire, Luffy rolled around getting further from where she dragged him from in the first place.

She shook her head, and sit by the fire, throwing chunks of small wood into the flame, keeping it alive. She shivered a bit feeling the cold wind on her skin, and sat closer trying to stay warm, nights here were cold.

Sabo was back after half an hour with blankets a bag full of supplies that he no doubt stole from the bandits.

They both put everything in order quickly, dragging Luffy and Ace was tricky but somehow they were able to accomplish that by working together.

"Come on, Lina, let's also go to sleep," Sabo said while yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Tomorrow is gonna be a new day of hell training." He said and stretched his hands above his head.

Lina shook her head, "Go ahead, I wanna stay a little bit by the fire."

Lina turned and sit by the fire, using a long piece of wood to move the coals.

She felt Sabo sit beside her, his shoulder brushing her's.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"Nothing," she answered hurriedly.

She heard Sabo sigh.

"It isn't about what the two morons said about being marines and pirates."

Lina tensed a bit instinctively.

"Lina," he said softly not sure how to understand and handle this situation.

He finally said, "You know that our brothers are idiots, right?"

Lina nodded, that was a given.

"Don't let them or grandpa pressure you." He said and paused, "you are free to become whatever you want."

"But ..." Lina said and stopped.

"Hmmm .."

Lina needed time to organize her thoughts.

"If I were to become a marine, that mean I would hunt down pirates. You."

Sabo did not react, he was waiting for her to continue.

She swallowed, "and if I become pirate it means I would become an enemy to grandpa."

She shook her head, "And then there the problem of which crew I should chose if I decided to become a pirate." she turned to look at him and he nodded for her in encouragement to continue.

"Should I go with you or with Luffy or with Ace?"

"Well, you could form your own crew," Sabo suggested.

Lina shook her head before he even finished.

"You could join some other crew," he tried again.

"I considered that, the only crew that I know is Shanks', and even if Shanks accepted me, it means I would have to fight Luffy in the future. I could never fight my brother." Her voice had gotten a little bit high at the end, showing her distress at the thought.

Sabo put his hand around her shoulder, embracing her, he was trying to give her the comfort she needed.

"Well, you could always join me," he joked.

Lina relaxed in his embrace and rested her head on his shoulder.

"It would be fun, no stupid adventures and having to worry about food."

Sabo laughed.

"But I would still worry," her voice was muffled by his jacket.

"About Luffy?" Sabo asked.

Lina shook her head.

"I worry about Luffy all the time, he get in trouble but he somehow get out of them too, and not always with my help, but Ace ..." she stopped.

"Ace," Sabo repeated softly and sighed.

"I know that Ace is strong, stronger than me and Luffy together, but I am always afraid that he will somehow disappear like he never existed."

She felt Sabo tense a bit, his hand on her shoulder was clutching the fabric of her blouse.

Lina felt troubled, she then added while sighing.

"I don't know how to explain it."

Sabo relaxed a bit, and patted her shoulder when she blurted out.

"I just want him to be happy, truly happy."

"He is ...," Sabo began saying.

"He isn't," She cut him moving her head to look at him, with serious look at her face.

"He laughs and plays with us, pranks and jokes around, but there always a shadow accompanying everything he does, never leaving him alone."

Lina stopped, a little bit breathless and took a long breath.

"I know it is because who his father is, but I don't really understand why it should be Ace's fault what that moron did years ago!" she said angrily.

"That's how the world is," Sabo said reluctantly to her.

"Then the world should change," Lina announced with a finality that made Sabo laugh, "Yeah it should," he agreed wholeheartedly.

"I want to be there to see it," Lina declared, resting her head back on her brother's shoulder.

"Hmmm…."

"Ace's true happiness," She explained.

"Me too, I want to see it too," Sabo agreed softly.

They stayed like this for a while, both lost in their thoughts, the only thing disturbing the quiet was Luffy's snores that were sometimes accompanied by Ace's.

"Why can't we all stay here and not fight," Lina finally asked what was truly in her mind, her voice made her sound like she was whining.

"That would be so boring is what Luffy would say," Sabo tried to lighten the mood.

"No, he would say that he can't become the pirate king while staying here," Lina corrected.

"Let's go on adventure, Shishishi," Sabo mimicked.

Lina giggled, using Sabo's jacket to hide her laughter.

Sabo smiled and patted her on the head.

"We have our own dreams, Lina. Those dreams are worth fighting for, getting hurt for and even dying for."

"Find your own dreams," Sabo told her.

Lina began to shake her head.

"Take your time, you have all the time in the world." He assured her and added,

"And it doesn't have to be a pirate or a marine there are a lot of other things to choose from."

He used his hand that was embracing her to move her head, so she was now looking straight at him, he had a serious look on his face.

"And whatever you chose as long as you are happy with it, then we will be happy for you too," Sabo told her in decisive voice.

Lina stared at him and Sabo looked right back, his expression unchanging,

"Okay," Lina nodded and gave a small smile, she would try!

"And if those two morons trouble you again I will beat them up for you, deal?"

"Deal." Lina smiled a big smile, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Come on, time to sleep."

Lina laid to sleep on the blankets on the floor. Sabo helped tuck the blanket in firmly around her and laid beside her on his side, she murmured good night to his back and she heard him murmur the same back to her.

.

.

The last thing she saw as she gone to sleep that night was the blue of her brother's favourite jacket reflected by the fire, making her feel safe.

The blue of his jacket was swaying as she closed her eyes and fell asleep that night.

It was fitting for her to see it at the end.

It made her feel the same warmness she felt then.

The blue of his jacket was dancing right now.

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Brighter..

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Brighter..

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It looked like...

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Blue fire.

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I have a confession, my first plan was to transform Kizaru to a woman! But it didn't work with the other things I wanted.

Your thoughts about the chapter?

I am doing better in handling this story!

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Sorry about the cliffhanger, but not really :)

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Want the next chapter fast= leave a review ;)