Coco: Hey, hey, everyone~ I'm back with a new chapter as you can see. And I know I said there would be more Wren/Sanji interactions in this chapter, but there aren't many. It's still very Wren/Aceish though the rest of the crew is brought back in. This chapter just became longer than I thought, so I cut it off before we came back to a more Wren/Sanji focus. Of course, I don't want everything to solely based around them. Like I want her interesting with others. Especially the other members of the crew because as a whole, they'll all be helping her grow and trust people again.

Also as we go, you'll see Wren gradually thinking less about her plans and Doflamingo. Not saying that means she's going to slack on her life's goal of taking him down, but she'll relax more and allow herself to have fun and enjoy being part of the Straw Hats. You'll probably notice this change after the Alabasta Arc the most, but it won't always be 'my plans this' and 'I have to stay focused on taking him down' that, I promise.

But anyway, I hope you like the chapter~


"I was expecting more than that." Wren said as she sheathed her sword. "You marines were a disappointment."

Said marines laid defeated at her feet as Ace and Smoker were engaged in battle behind her in a tornado of fire and smoke. Wren's eye returned to normal as she turned towards Havel.

"Let's take our leave." Wren told her familiar.

Havel hurried to her side while jumping into her arms just as Ace and Smoker broke apart.

"Time to go." Ace said as he suddenly appeared in front of Wren as he reverted to his human form.

He grabbed Wren to pick her up bridal style, which had her gasping. She clutched Havel closer to her chest as Ace took off running with her still in his arms.

"I can run on my own," Wren protested. "Now, put me down, Ace."

He didn't do as she wished, which had her eye twitching as he ran from the marine reinforcements. He kept running for a while before ducking into an alley. He peeked around a building to see if they were being followed. When seeing they seemed to have gotten away, he finally sat Wren, who was glaring at him, down.

"Who the hell gave you permission to man-handle me?" She hissed.

Ace said he was sorry as he grinned, which had Wren's eyebrow twitching even more.

"Wren, just how do you know this pirate?" Havel asked as he looked up at her. "You don't seem to like him."

He's been wondering their connection this entire time. And just what was their relationship. Ace acted as if they were close friends while Wren only acted as if he was a nuisance.

"It's a long story." Wren told Havel. "Which will be left for another time. For now, we need to catch up to Luffy and the others."

"Yeah, about that," Ace began as he and Wren moved on. "How do you know Luffy?"

"He came to Magus with a sick crewmate." Wren replied. "My father treated her as best he could, but her sickness was caused by something that hadn't been seen in a hundred years. Then I found myself roped into taking them to a doctor who did know how to treat her. After that I traveled here with them as I have business with Crocodile."

Ace titled his head at that information as he and Wren used the alleyways to travel, so not to gain attention.

"Crocodile," Ace said. "What kind of business do you have with him?"

"To be blunt, I am here to kill him." Wren replied. "If that's what it takes to stop him."

Ace stopped in his tracks out of surprise as he looked at Wren with wide eyes.

"Huh, you want to pick a fight with a Shichibukai?" Ace asked. "Why? Wouldn't that get your captain in trouble?"

Wren frowned at the mention of Doflamingo as her arms tightened around Havel.

"I left the Donquixote Family." Wren confessed. "Or rather I was chased out."

She put her hand on her side after shifting Havel into one arm, which still ached from the deep gashes that Doflamingo had left on her. She wouldn't be surprised if they scarred once they were fully healed. Ace noticed her movement with his eyes narrowing in concern.

"Chased out…why?" Ace asked.

"That I cannot tell you." Wren replied. "Just as I cannot tell you why I'm here to take down Crocodile. The less you know the better."

Ace frowned. Wren's always been like this. Even as they've gotten to know each other better, she still keeps so many secrets. He was hoping she would trust him by now.

"Don't make such a face," Wren said when seeing his look. "You should be used to how I do things by now."

"Doesn't meant I have to like it," Ace grumbled as they rounded another corner. "I just worry about you, you know. You always do too much on your own. You can trust others to help you out. And if taking down Crocodile is that important to you, I can help you out."

Wren gave a small sigh as she turned her gaze away from Ace who was being sincere with his offer. She knew he was. He's just that kind of person, which is what annoys her the most. He's too kind. He worries about her too much. He's one of those stubborn people she just can't shake no matter what she does.

"That won't be necessary." Wren said. "I can handle him on my own."

Ace rolled his eyes at her stubbornness, but before he could insist, Wren decided to change the subject.

"And what brings you here to Alabasta?" Wren said. "It couldn't just be because Luffy is here. You have other business here, don't you?"

Ace wasn't surprised that Wren figured that out, and unlike her, he didn't mind to share. That and he knew she'd hear about it soon enough. It was better that he just tells her now.

"I'm chasing after a man who calls himself Blackbeard." Ace said. "But you might remember him as Teach."

Wren frowned. She did remember Teach. He was part of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates. She met him briefly when she had been on Whitebeard's ship a year or so ago when she and his crew crossed paths again.

"He calls himself Blackbeard now?" Wren asked. "As in the man who wreaked havoc on Drum Island not that long ago?"

Ace nodded his head as his hand tightened around the strap of his bag. Wren tilted her head as she noticed Ace's jaw seemed to tense.

"Yeah, he jumped ship not all that long ago," Ace said. "But not before…not before he killed Thatch."

Wren froze mid-step with her visible eye widening. Ace stopped alongside her while giving her a concerned look as she was looking down with her bangs hiding her expression.

"Thatch is dead?" She asked with her voice sounding a bit shaky.

"Teach killed him to get a devil fruit that Thatch had found." Ace specified.

Wren bit her lip as she felt a small swell of emotion build up in her chest. She tells herself not to care about people because doing so would leave her weak and vulnerable…but sometimes her emotions rebel and remind her that she's still human even if only half. Knowing that a kind man like Thatch was gone…it brought up a sadness she hadn't felt in some time.

—FLASHBACK—

"Come on, Wren-chan, give us a smile," Thatch said as he pushed back the corners of Wren's mouth.

Despite the fact that doing so made her indeed 'smile', the rest of her expression was very much annoyed. She batted Thatch's hands away from her face.

"I don't know what you are trying to accomplish exactly, but it seems rather pointless," Wren said. "Can you not just let me read in peace?"

She was regretting taking up Whitebeard's offer to join his crew for lunch. Though at least she doesn't have to deal with the flame-brain at the moment. Apparently, he was off with his division doing whatever freckled-faced-fools do whenever unsupervised. Though Thatch was proving himself to be just as much as a nuisance.

"Don't be that way, Wren-chan," Thatch said as he crouched down next to where she was seated. "I just want to see you smile. You're too pretty to be frowning all the time."

"Yes, well, not all of us can be sunshine and rainbows like you, Fourth Division Commander Thatch." Wren replied.

Thatch winced holding his chest as if she had physically caused him some kind of harm.

"There you go again being so formal." Thatch said. "Aren't we friends by now?"

"Acquaintances at best." Wren deadpanned without missing a beat.

As Thatch looked at her like a kicked puppy, some of the other Whitebeard Pirates were laughing in the background.

"Wren-chan~" Thatch whined.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

No matter how much she pushed, he didn't give an inch—just like Ace. He always saw the good in people. It was something Wren envied about him at times. Even if she did see it as foolish.

"I see," Wren said as she tried to keep her voice even. "I think I might actually miss the fool."

Though others might see her as being dismissive about Thatch's death, Ace looked at her softly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. They shared a moment of silence before Havel's sudden alertness brought both pirates back to the present.

"What is it, Havel?" Wren questioned the feline as she tried to push away her emotions once more.

"I smell Luffy nearby." Havel said.

Wren frowned since Luffy nor the others should still be this far in town. They should be back to the ship by now.

"Did they not get away in the time we gave them?" Wren wondered.

"The others aren't with Luffy." Havel told her as he continued to sniff the air. "I guess he got separated."

Wren sighed though wasn't surprised to hear this. Even with her short time with the Straw Hats, she's learned Luffy…is nothing by trouble.

"That sounds like my brother alright," Ace said with a laugh as he too tried to forget the brief moment of sadness. "Wren, if you want, I can collect Luffy and we'll meet you back on his ship. I still have this, so I'll be able to find you."

He pulled out a small square piece of paper from his pocket that had Wren's name written on it in sloppy cursive. The piece of her vivre card that she had given Ace. Or rather what he took when they had crossed paths in Wano a little while back. She had been giving it to someone else, but he had literally snatched it up and ran before she could blink. He called over his shoulder that he needed it in case anything happened to her, so he could come and save her-those words had seriously pissed her off-before he disappeared out of sight.

"Oh, yes, I almost forgot you stole that," Wren said bluntly as she narrowed her eyes.

Ace only grinned in reply as he pocketed the paper away before she could take it back. Deciding not to insist on him returning it, Wren held out Havel towards Ace who blinked.

"Havel will be able to lead you to Luffy." Wren said. "The less time we waste here the better, so be quick in retrieving him. I will have the others prepare the Merry to leave."

"You got it," Ace said as he let Havel climb onto his shoulders. "See you soon."

Wren only nodded before she and Ace parted ways. Wren in the direction they left the ship and Ace in whatever direction Havel told him to take.


"So, they moved the ship, did they?" Wren said to herself as she arrived to where the Going Merry had been knocked.

Nami most likely had the crew set sail, so to avoid any marines that could have gotten by Wren and Ace. It was a smart move. Though now Wren had to track them now. However, Wren was very confident that she'd be able to find them. Nami probably wouldn't take them too far from the shore, so to keep an eye out for her and Luffy. So, if Wren goes in the direction of Yuba while keeping along the shoreline, she should catch up shortly. Though there was an easier way.

"It's been a while since I've tried such a spell," Wren said. "However, it shouldn't be too difficult."

Transportation was another form of mage travel. However, this travel was limited as the mage could only travel to and from places they have been to before. Also, moving objects—like ships—could make it difficult to arrive in the place they wish to land. Hopefully, the Merry wasn't moving to quickly, so her jump wouldn't be too far off. Collecting her magic within her chest, Wren raised her hand with thumb and middle finger pressed together.

She then gave a sharp snap, which was followed by a strong tugging sensation as she was sent leaping forward. In the blink of an eye, she was landing on Merry's deck thus startling the others who jumped. Wren stumbled a bit on her landing, but otherwise it was quite successful.

"Perhaps I am not as rusty as I thought." She said to herself as she adjusted her sleeves.

"Wren-chwan, you're back~" Sanji called thus gaining her attention.

She turned towards the blonde as he twirled over to her with a big happy smile on his face.

"Welcome back, my sweet," He greeted her. "I missed you while you were away~"

Wren sweat-dropped at his enthusiastic welcoming before looking to Nami as she walked over.

"Wren, have you seen Luffy?" Nami asked. "We were separated from him earlier when we were escaping the marines. Oh, and where's Havel?"

"And Luffy's brother?" Chopper added as he trotted over.

"All three will be along shortly," Wren assured them. "Havel managed to pick up Luffy's scent and is leading Ace to him. They will then rendezvous with us here on the Going Merry."

Nami guessed that was one less thing they had to worry about then. Though something was bothering her.

"How are they going to find us?" Nami asked. "I doubt Luffy even remembers where we docked the ship in the first place, but I did have us move pretty far away too."

"It will be fine," Wren told Nami. "Ace has a way to find me wherever I go, so as long as I remain on the ship, they will find us."

Sanji frowned at the mention of Ace as he once again had to wonder what Wren and Ace's connection was.

"How do you even know someone like him, Wren?" Zoro asked. "He's a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, right?"

Wren looked to Zoro who had a suspicious expression on his face. Wren almost smiled in amusement at the sight of it. This is why she quite liked the green-haired man. Unlike his crewmates, he actually knew better than to just trust people right off the bat. She respected that.

"I met Ace a little over two years ago." Wren replied while deciding to share a bit of her past with these rookies. "When I was still part of the Doflamingo Pirates in the New World."

The way she spoke made it sound as if she hadn't been with the crew for some time. Even if in reality it's only been a very few short weeks since her expulsion. But they didn't need to know that.

"Oh, so that's how—Wait, you were a pirate?!" Usopp gasped.

The others looked at Wren with wide eyes as the woman nodded her head in reply.

"I was taken in by the crew when I was very young." Wren told them. "I was a pirate for over a decade. Hence why I called you all rookies when you all first arrived on Magus."

Zoro remembers that. In fact, Wren called them rookies several times while they were on that island. And she had even spoke to Wapol and gave him advise only a veteran sailor on these seas would know when the man had mocked the size of their crew.

"Why aren't you with your crew now?" Nami asked.

"It's rather simple really," Wren lied as she wasn't going to go into the details. "I was replaced by someone else."

"Replaced?" Sanji repeated.

Wren nodded her head. She wasn't going to tell them the real reason behind her leaving her old crew. The only reason why she mentioned them at all is because there was a chance Ace would bring them up if these rookies asked about her and his connection. They would also most likely take the chance to try and get to know more about her through Ace since she shares so little with them. So, it was only the smart choice to tell them now and act as if the information means little and has no real value. If she's willing to share it with them herself, the less likely they'd question it or try to dig up more about it.

"How could anyone just replace a crewmate?" Usopp asked with a frown.

"Not all pirate crews are held together by bonds of friendship," Wren pointed out to the young sniper. "Power and riches are also strong motivators to band together. I was a hindrance to attaining those things for my former crew thus they got rid of me."

And that wasn't a complete lie. She was a hindrance since she's been trying for years now to destroy what Doflamingo has been trying to build up. She put herself in the middle of his operations and even if she isn't physically there any longer, her allies are. She was sure Doflamingo was beyond angry as he's trying to unravel all the work she's done. He has no idea just had deep she's planted her roots in his ever-growing empire. The thought nearly brought a smile to her face, but she refrained from doing so.

"But that is all in the past," Wren said with a nonchalant shrug. "I am no longer associated with them, so I suppose that makes me a retired pirate. I really have no interest in keeping up the profession."

Before any of them could push on the matter, Wren sensed something coming their way fast.

"Ah, Luffy has returned," She said.

The others blinked in confusion before turning their heads when they heard some shouting. Their eyes widened when seeing Luffy flying right towards them. Wren managed to get out of the way in time as did many of the others. However, Sanji and Chopper weren't so lucky. They took the hit head on with them and Luffy smashing into the deck.

"Ah, Sanji, Tony, are you okay?" Vivi asked in concern.

Wren leaned over the three sprawled down on the deck with her brow quirking.

"They appear to be breathing at least," Wren commented casually.

She then looked towards the shore to see Ace fighting some men. If she had to take a guess, she'd say they were with Baroque Works. And they weren't that strong it seemed as Ace easily was dealing with them. Havel, who Luffy apparently left behind, was even helping out as he batted away the agents while in his bigger form. Wren took her eyes off the fight to look to Luffy who was laughing.

"Looks like Luffy really did come back," Usopp commented.

"Yeah, the hard way," Zoro grumbled.

As Luffy continued to laugh, he pushed himself off of Sanji and Chopper who still looked a little dazed.

"Sorry about that, you guys," Luffy apologized. "My bad."

Sanji growled while sitting up quickly to start throttling Luffy as Chopper fell into the blonde's lap.

"Yeah, you're sorry alright!" Sanji snapped. "The sorriest excuse for a captain who's ever sailed the sea, you moron!"

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you've put us in?" Nami asked. "Can you at least act like a captain sometime?"

"I'm sorry," Luffy said. "Oh, that's right! Where's Ace? And Havel?"

Luffy got up to look for his brother as he leaned against the railing. Wren glanced back at the shore to see Ace, who apparently finished dealing with those agents, was nowhere to be seen…and neither was Havel.

'They'll probably be here shortly,' She thought.

As Nami berated Luffy for leaving Havel behind for the second time today, Sanji got off the floor. He turned to Wren.

"Wren-chan, I almost forgot." He said as he reached inside his robes to pull out a wrapped bundle. "Your clothes, my dear. I picked some out for you when I did the shopping earlier."

Wren took the package before glancing at her fellow female companions on the ship who were dressed as dancer girls. Wren frowned. She had a feeling she was not going to like whatever Sanji picked out for her.

"Thank you, Sanji," Wren said to the blonde anyway as Luffy was telling everyone else not to worry about Ace or Havel.

"Ace is really strong," Luffy said.

"So, how strong is he?" Chopper asked.

Luffy grinned at Chopper's question as Wren could sense two voices heading their way. One a human and the other an animal. Well, kind of an animal, which means Ace and Havel were getting close.

"Well, let me put it like this," Luffy said. "When we were younger, I was never able to beat him in a fight. And this was way back in the days before he ate the Mera-Mera no Mi. That's how strong my big brother is."

Said big brother who was finally arriving at the Merry. Wren looked over to the side seeing Ace on a small boat. She didn't see Havel, but she could sense him, so she didn't question where he was. Ace grinned up at her while tossing her a rope, which she tied onto the ship. All while she was doing this, the crew didn't even seem to notice as they continued their conversation.

"You mean, there was a flesh and blood person that you couldn't beat?" Nami asked surprised.

"A big brother of a monster is an even bigger monster." Usopp deadpanned.

Wren almost snorted. These rookies had no idea what kind of real monsters sailed these seas. Or the even scarier ones that called the New World their territory.

"I guess so because Ace used to beat me up all the time," Luffy said. "But I bet now I can kick his big butt."

Luffy threw back his head to laugh as Wren shook her head at the boy. Ace, who heard Luffy's claim, smirked as he finally jumped out of his small boat, so to board Luffy's ship.

"So, exactly whose butt is getting kicked?" Ace asked causing Luffy to stiffen and fall forward as the older man landed on the railing of the ship.

Ace grinned down in amusement at his little brother before lifting his head to give Luffy's crew a friendly smile.

"Oh, hey, Ace, this is my crew I was telling you about," Luffy, who wasn't even fazed by his fall, said with a grin.

"Nice to meet you," Ace said as he bowed his head to the them. "And thanks for taking care of my kid brother. I know he's a handful."

"Oh, no, not at all." The others replied as they bowed.

Ace's grin widened at their politeness as Wren almost chuckled. They were just complaining that Luffy was nothing but trouble a few seconds ago and now they were acting as if his troublesome ways were no problem.

"Oh, come on, be honest," Ace said. "This is Luffy we're talking about. Isn't he a bit much for you to handle sometimes?"

"Not at all," The said once more.

"You're good people," Ace said with another bow of his head. "Especially if you can put up with this one."

He pointed towards Wren who gave him a look of annoyance in return as she placed her hands on her hips.

"She's a bit stubborn and acts prickly, but please be patient with her," Ace asked of them. "And if it's not too much to ask, look out for her. She likes to push herself harder than she should."

"Of course, it's no problem." The crew assured Ace.

Ace thanked them as Wren gave a slight roll of her eyes. She didn't need anyone looking after her. She a grown and capable young woman.

"You can quit it now with the nice act," Wren told Ace as she pointed her finger in his face. "You are just as much as a handful and trouble as this one."

She picked Luffy up by the back of his shirt with the younger boy still grinning away.

"Hey, hey, I'm nice." Ace defended himself. "Not saying I'm not trouble, but I'm still nice."

"Hmph," Wren scoffed. "Whatever you say, Fire Fist. Now, where is my familiar?"

Just as soon as the words left her mouth, a familiar tail fell from underneath Ace's hat. The man lifted said hat to show Havel who had been curled up underneath it.

"He didn't like my boat." Ace said. "He said there wasn't enough room for him to sit comfortably away from the water, so I stashed him up here."

Havel jumped down from Ace's head onto the deck while glad to be on a boat with more room.

"Well, as long as he's alright," Wren said as she turned away. "Now, deal with those billions, will you? I need to change."

The others looked confused for a moment before turning to look forward the see several Baroque Works ships heading their way.

"Oh, I can handle them," Ace said as he chuckled. "I'd hate for you to break a nail by helping out, Princess."

"If you need my help with such trash, Whitebeard-san needs to get himself a new Second Division commander." Wren retorted bluntly.

She then disappeared inside with Havel padding behind her, so she could change into the clothes Sanji bought. They wouldn't be able to keep things quiet now. Crocodile would hear about them sure enough and the marines would be looking for them. Though it couldn't be helped. Wren's plans would continue either way.