I really am sorry how infrequently I was able to update. Life really beat me up this summer. From now on though I should be able to update regularly again. In return this chapter is on the longer side. I have been waiting to write this since they first left for Usopps grandmother's house! The ASL will finally be reunited thanks to Law. Yay! Also in other news I have finally started to write the ASL story I have been threatening to for years. In which the straw hats go back in time and accidently enlist the help of ASL kids. It will only be five chapters but each chapter should be super long. So far it's pretty adorable to write. I am almost done with chapter two! I'll start posting it when I'm done with Dolls. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for patiently sticking with me for the summer
XXX
So this could definitely have gone better. Maybe they should have taken Usopp's idea and just stayed in the village for the rest of their lives. Eating Spiderman toast for all eternity.
In an interesting turn of events it wasn't actually Usopps fault this time. More of a group effort type deal. Marco glanced around the room seeing way too many vampires for comfort. Their weapons had been taken away hours ago leaving them pretty defenseless. To be fair these vampires were pretty determined and that thought would comfort him while they sucked him dry and dropped his cold body somewhere.
Ace's advice had not been taken lightly to say the least. Still it had not been enough to avoid the swarm and get taken hostage. The bright side was thanks to the vampire's speed they were much closer to home. The bad news was that there was a huge chance they were all going to die here. Despite the skill of the group the sheer number of vampires ensured that they stood no chance. So here they all awkwardly stood, in the foyer of one of the largest rooms Marco had ever seen. The ceiling was over fifty feet high and intimidating stone statues were seemingly holding the roof up. Was this really where vampires lived? He wasn't expecting them to live in a nice little sunny cottage or anything. But this was…overkill.
He looked up as the vampires stiffened, signifying something was about to happen. Sure enough a few moments later the doors flew open revealing a flamboyantly dressed blonde man. He fixed the teens with a dark glare like they had personally wronged him in the past.
"So glad you could join us," His voice held a certain low quality that screamed danger.
None of the teenagers said anything letting an awkward silence fill the vast room.
The man clicked his tongue in disapproval. "How rude of me I forgot to introduce myself. I am Doflaming one of the few purebloods."
Marco bit his lip to remain silent. None of that meant anything to him but judging from everyone else it was important.
"So, the real question we need to ask is… who is going to die first?"
Once gain the teens remained in tense silence, unable to find an answer that would get them out of this alive.
"Let's see, eenie minie you." He pointed over at Usopp who was quivering in his spot about ready to cry.
The teens jumped to his aid only to be held back by the swarm of vampires in the room.
"Don't do it," Zoro screamed trying to steal his swords back from the vampire.
"GAh!" Was all Usopp could say in his defense as Doflamingo came closer grabbing his shoulders in a vice grip. He opened his mouth revealing his snow white fangs.
Despite the groups frantic screaming it looked like there was nothing they could do but watch as the fangs drifted closer to his neck.
When Doflamingo was about a centimeter away something amazing happened. A wooden arrow came flying through the room whizzing between Usopps neck and Doflamingo's open mouth. It lodged itself in the wall behind them with a satisfying thud.
The teenagers turned to see two familiar figures standing in the entry way. Luffy was the closest, his cross bow pointed at the vampire with an expert gaze. His face and clothes were covered with blood although it was doubtful it was his own. Ace stood beside him lightly growling at the vampires in the room. His eyes were glinting a dangerous yellow.
Doflmingo's surprise quickly turned to amusement as his mouth twisted into a smile. The vampire guards jumped to attack but he held them back. Instead he walked over to the wall pulling out Luffy's arrow.
He inspected it carefully nodding to himself. "As to be expected from the boy who's scared of nothing…except the dark that is."
"Shut up," Luffy said with unusual venom.
"So," Doflamino said thoughtfully tapping his chin. "I was wondering when you two would show up to save them."
"Yea? Well I was wondering when you would stop being suck a prick!" Ace said annoyed. "But it doesn't look like any time soon."
The man growled at that taking an ominous step towards them. Ace refused to waver under the man's wrath but he did pull his brother against his chest. The silent tension was thick enough to break glass in the room. Even the fellow vampire guards seemed uncomfortable.
Doflamigo paused, to address the younger boy. "Have you come back for more? Did you know that there is an old lore that a hunter's blood tastes the best?"
He turned back to Ace. "A mixed breed's blood however just tastes like rotten mud."
"Sorry to disappoint you." Ace snapped back angrily.
Luffy simply stuck his tongue out at the man, showing his blatant dislike.
That seemed to do the trick for the remaining shreds of the man's temper as he lashed out at the teen. Surging forwards at inhuman speeds.
Ace, seemingly the only one who could keep up with the rapid movement had grabbed his brother at the last second dodging the attack to another corner of the room. He kept his arms firmly wrapped around the younger one's shoulders in case the man had more in mind."
Doflamingo just sent them a look, anger embedded within it. "Ah youth, so rash and full of energy."
Ace seemed to realize something in his glare had changed as he cussed shutting his own eyes and covering his brothers with his hands.
"You really think that's going to save you?" Doflamingo questioned. "Pathetic."
"It doesn't have to!" Ace said suddenly opening his eyes as he caught a familiar scent.
Doflamingo seemed to realize it at the same time as he turned to face the new comer. His tense snakelike smile grew wider at the guest as he extended his arms in a type of welcoming pose. "Ah, so nice of you to join us."
"Sabo!" Luffy yelled happily as he wiggled out of Ace's reluctant hold to sprint across the room to his other brother.
"Hey Lu," Sabo said locking his arms around his little brother even as he refused to break eye contact with the blonde psycho.
"Who's that?" Sanji whispered.
"Sabo," Marco whispered back. "It's their other brother.
"Good or bad?"
Marco shrugged, "I don't know he seems nice enough but…he doesn't really seem to like us." But either way he would undoubtably help them. Maybe just maybe they would survive this afterall.
"Decided to come home yet?" Doflamingo asked with an infuriating smirk.
"Absolutely not!" Sabo said angrily as he whispered something in his younger brother's ear. Luffy shook his head only to be cut off by a firm nod from Sabo.
"What are you plotting now?" Doflamingo asked amused.
"We don't plot that's your job," Sabo reminded him as he gently pushed Luffy away from him.
The vampire followed each movement with a meticulous gaze. Turning back to focus on Sabo. "So tell me what do I owe the pleasure of having not only a renounced vampire noble but the head hunter to be and the prince of the wolves in my courtroom?"
Marco's jaw dropped open at that as he stared in shock. He wasn't alone in the reaction either. Besides him Thatch made a stuplified nose. He couldn't see the others from his vantage point but he guessed they were equally shocked. How the hell were these three kids so important? An even better question is how and why they were all living together. With those job titles you would think there would be a little more hatred between them. But no all he had seen between the three of them was love and trust.
Sabo ignored the man although it was clear the comment had clearly gotten under his skin. Instead he turned to Luffy.
"Go!"
Luffy nodded as he motioned to the others to follow him. Needing no further motivation they sprang into action sprinting after him.
Doflamingo gave an angry roar as he sprang forward ready to give chase. However before he could get far he was met by and a ferocious Sabo. He blocked his attack easily with his staff.
The vampires in the room on the other hand were surprised. The same could be said about the teens as this was seemingly counterproductive. The exit was the other way so why were they running for a small servant's doorway? This would undoubtedly take them further inside. Still they didn't have a whole lot of options at the moment. There were far too many vampires guarding the door. Taking advantage of the confusion the teens stole their weapons back.
As the vampire guards surged forwards only to be blocked by Ace throwing them viciously away.
Luffy threw open the door as they all piled inside the narrow hallway. He slammed it shut again sending them all into darkness as sounds of the ensuing fighting flowed over to them. Thatch and Marco made quick work of their weapons to jam the door with. Although it was doubtful it would hold for long.
"What now?" The exit was the other way after all.
"Sabo said we go this way." Luffy said as he began running down the hallway feeling his way along the walls.
"Wait!" Usopp yelled as he tripped over his own two feet. "How does he know this is the right way?"
"He used to live here," Luffy said with unusual tenseness in his voice as he helped Usopp up.
The teens fell silent for a moment as their minds flashed back to what Doflamingo had said about the three of them. Could it really be true? Doubtful he was lying but at the same time it was kind of unbelievable. Not like they had time to talk about it now. Besides the three boy's didn't seem willing to discuss it.
"Will they be okay?"
Luffy nodded even though they couldn't see it. "Their strong," He said after a pause.
They continued to walk in silence for a few moments until they literally walked into the end of the hallway. Another inconspicuous door. They opened it spilling into a large dim room. Thirty foot tall shelves lined the walls all filled with dusty books. It looked like no one had been in here for years.
"The library?" Sanji guessed as he dusted himself off. "How is this going to help us?"
"Well it's not filled with a bunch of monsters idiot," Zoro said ready to start yet another fight.
"Oh that's rich coming from you the king of the idiots." Sanji said with a wry grin.
"So you're saying I'm your king?"
"Shut up!" Sanji muttered lighting a cigarette.
"What now?" Marco asked as he glanced around the huge room.
Luffy shrugged as he helped Thatch barricade the door. It was clear he wasn't really paying attention. He appeared to be worried, no doubt about the two who stayed behind. It was slightly unnerving to see him so silent and thoughtful.
"So… Sabo's a vampire?" Sanji broached casually.
Luffy nodded only half listening.
"Noble?" Usopp added in terrified once again. Probably thinking of all the horrible things the blond could do to him if angered. He was probably having a rough time considering he still wasn't over Ace being a wolf yet.
"So… why did he leave then?" Marco probed.
Luffy glanced around the room. "Would you want to live here?"
Marco looked around realizing that was a good point. The answer was no… he would hate to live here. The people were literal monsters. But to be fair he wasn't a vampire.
The room's occupants froze as there was a loud knock on the door. No one dared as the so much a breath until it was followed up by.
"It's us,"
Luffy moved away from the door pulling Thatch with him as the wolf and vampire spilled in slamming the door behind them.
"I think we need something to barricade it with," Sabo grunted as something slammed into the door loudly.
"What about the other entrance?" Marco questioned as he ran over to pull a desk against it.
"There is none." Sabo said as the door once again shuttered, beginning to splinter from the sheer force. "This is a forgotten room. The entrance was long since sealed." He explained. "The only way to get in it the servants hall."
"So how do we get out?" Ace questioned.
The two of them moved aside in order to barricade the doorway.
Sabo pointed to the roof, "That way."
He ignored the befuddled stares and instead pointed to the bookcase at the center of the room. "By climbing this."
"S-seriously?" Usopp paled at the thought. "I think I might die if I try to climb that."
Zoro stared up at the tall ceiling making sure his swords are securely tied to his belt. He put his boot on the first shelf only to be used as stairs for Sanji.
"Like hell I would let you go first," He said as he began climbing.
"Bastard!" Zoro yelled dragging him down by his pant leg.
Marco just frowned as he stepped over them and began climbing quickly followed by Thatch.
"I think I'll die if I climb up there." Usopp said with a gulp as he stared up daunted.
"Would you rather be thrashed by a sworn of hungry vampires." Marco questioned dryly.
"Death by falling it is then," Usopp wheezed as he once again looked up at ceiling. When he still didn't move Luffy grabbed his wrist pulling him over to the bookcase.
"You'll be fine," He promised as he climbed up to the first shelf.
"Ace?" Sabo questioned. Turning their attention to the wolf who had not moved the entire time. Instead his attention was fixed on the door.
"I'll draw the scent away kay?" He said turning back to give them a reassuring smile. This was met with protest from Luffy and Sabo.
Stop coming up with creative ways to kill yourself!" Sabo said with exasperation.
"I'll be fine," Ace insisted giving them a confident smile. "Besides it's the only way you guys can get away. No offense but humans are really slow."
Said humans booed in offense. Although too be fair when compared to these monsters anything was considered slow.
"Fine," Sabo caved realizing he was right. "But you better be careful."
"Yea yea I know the drill." He said with a slight smile. "Now go!"
Luffy had paused in his climbing to stare at Ace frowning. Still he had stayed silent through the exchange most likely realizing there was nothing he could say to change his brother's mind. Sabo grabbed his hand pulling him up the final shelves to the top of the shelf where the rest of the teens congregated. Usopp was on his stomach peering over the ledge and making moaning sounds.
About fifteen feet above them was a broken skylight. The sight was not a welcome one considering this was clearly their escape option. Why was this room so damn tall honestly? Sure it did give the library a grand and majestic appearance but at what cost. Who was the idiot who designed this place? There weren't even any books up here just sadness… and cobwebs.
"You've got to be kidding me," Thatch moaned.
Marco was about to suggest an embarrassing cheerleader pyramid type deal when he felt a shoe on his shoulder. Using him as a foot hold Luffy vaulted himself into the air managing to catch the twisted metal of the skylight with his fingertips.
For what felt like the hundredth time that day Marco felt his jaw drop. They watched in awed silence as the kid pulled himself up to sit on the thin metal support rod. He brought the heel of his boot into the surrounding glass shattering it. They were forced to turn away as the tinted shards rained around them.
Oblivious to this he hooked his legs around the metal tumbling back through the hole. Suspended in the air fifty feet above the ground. Hanging only by his legs. Luffy however seemed indifferent to the danger as he dropped his arms over his head extending them towards the group.
"Grab on!"
"Nope!" Usopp insisted turning back to the edge of the shelf. "I'll just stay here for the rest of my … HEY!" He protested as Sanji and Zoro boosted him up letting Luffy grab the collar of his shirt. He made dramatic strangling sounds as the black haired boy swung him onto the remaining glass letting him slide down onto the roof. Not willing to let Sanji and Zoro begin arguing again Thatch and Marco silently agreed to send Sanji flying through the air into Luffy's outstretched arms. He sputtered defiantly cussing them as Luffy swung him onto the roof as well.
Before he could even think of getting Zoro he felt himself being lifted by the idiot swordsman and his traitorous best friend. He gratefully grabbed onto Luffy's arms only to nearly let go a second later.
Luffy's shirt had slipped down over his stomach from the gravity of his position. There on his stomach were a network of scars. They were faded from age and impossible to see unless you were close. He would have assumed they were done by miscellaneous monsters if not for the obvious cigarette burns near his ribs.
He barley felt it as the teen swung him onto the undamaged glass. As he slid down to the roof he glanced at the other two. Silently questioning if they had seen it as well. Their oblivious faces told him they hadn't. So he opted to instead wait in silence until the others joined him.
When everyone was littered across the roof Luffy once again flipped right-side up, sitting on the metal rod impatiently waiting for Sabo to join them.
"Do you have an idea to get us down as well?" Zoro questioned as he stared over the ledge.
"It was never really a problem before now?" Sabo pointed out pulling himself up.
"Do you think we will be able to reach the tree limb?" Thatch pointed out
"There!" Sanji dropped his cigarette grinding it into the roof top as he made his way across the ledge. "A lake!"
"It's where they throw the bodies of their victims," Sabo told them.
"That's horrible!"
"Those poor people!"
"I AM NOT GOING IN THERE! It's probably haunted.
"Don't give me that look! It's not like it was my idea." He protested as they glared darkly at him.
Sanji peered over the edge smoothing back his hair. "Well like it or not it's our only sho…SHIT." He screamed as Zoro shoved him over the ledge mid-sentence. They could hear him cursing the green haired teen all the way until he hit the water.
"Well he's alive," Zoro said dryly staring over the ledge. "I guess it's safe."
The heard the resounding, "Screw you!" From below.
"For real this time! I am not going in there," Usopp began only to be picked up by the rest of them. He too was tossed into the lake kicking and screaming. Only this time they all winced sympathetically as he hit the water in a solid belly flop.
"He forgot to stay tight." Thatch said sadly shaking his head. "This is how you do it!"
Marco couldn't help but roll his eyes at his friend as he cannon balled into the lake bringing up grizzly white bones with the momentum. He quickly followed sticking to the typical military fall.
Sabo watched them go with mild confusion. Humans continued to surprise him. They were defensive of the bones floating in the lake blow. Despite being complete strangers in life they cared about them after death. Why would a corpse care where it ended up? Maybe this was just the horrible blood sucking monster inside him talking but he didn't get it. Would they care as much about floating wolves' corpses? He doubted it. So was being of the same species the deciding feature? He shook his head giving up on the problem.
"Hold on tight okay?" Sabo told his brother as he pulled him into a hug. Luffy nodded wrapping his arms as tight as he could around the vampire.
Sabo tipped forwards pulling both of them off the roof into free fall through the air. He barley even registered hitting the water although he could tell Luffy did as his arms tightened at the coldness. Their world plunged into darkness as the momentum dragged them to the bottom. He could feel smooth bone brush his skin. He closed his eyes not willing to see the destruction his race caused.
Kicking off from the bottom both he and Luffy breathed air in as they broke the surface.
"Worst plan yet!"
"Well it's not like anyone had a better one!" Sanji said defensively as he began swimming towards the shore. "And I will kill you Zoro!"
Ussop yelled and began desperately swimming after Sanji screaming about something brushing his leg. Undoubtedly something was. Thankfully enough for him the vampire's hadn't had a fresh kill in a while. Otherwise this would be a whole other level of disgusting.
Sabo grimaced at the thought and continued swimming dragging him and his brother to shore. They had tried countless times to teach Luffy to swim but it just wouldn't stick.
The rest of the group stood their huddled around themselves searching for warmth. They were exhausted, soaked and tired but at least they were relatively alright. The water would serve to throw off their scent. That being said they still were more than half a day's journey away from town. At least by human standards. They were agonizingly slow after all.
Still the threat of fighting the vampires drove them onwards. Wet and miserable.
"This was about as much fun as I thought it would be!" Sanji remarked dryly after a few hours of silence.
"Thanks for gracing us with your presence," Zoro replied not missing a beat. If anything it appeared that this trip had worsened their relationship. If that were at all possible.
After another few hours of tireless walking it had begun raining, as if the universe decided they didn't look miserable and cold enough. The joke was on the weather however as they were already soaked and freezing without any help.
It was getting pretty dark as well and the tired teens kept crashing into trees and tripping over their surroundings. Although they hardly had to worry about getting mauled by a wolf with Sabo around. With tensions running as high as they were not many creatures were willing to steal a vampires 'food'. Not that he couldn't smell them near, waiting for the first chance he lowered his guard and let one of the humans out of his sight. They made the already tense walk a living hell for the exhausted human teenagers as they could still see the occasional yellow eyes though the darkness.
They were followed unnervingly close to the village. In fact the creatures only really gave up when the town came into view. Just the mere sight of it seemed to give the humans a second wind as their energy picked up. Still regardless of how tempting it must have been they didn't take off running towards their home.
"You guys!" Usopp said tears welling up in his eyes. "You're the best! You actually helped me save my grandma. I can't think of how I can possibly thank you."
"Stop running off into the woods in the middle of the night." Sanji suggested ruining the moment.
"Ah that's right," Luffy kneeled down digging through his backpack to pull out a crinkled piece of paper. "Ace wanted me to give this to you."
Marco took it inspecting it closely, "What is it?" He said finally giving up.
"It's a map," Sabo said looking over his shoulder. "To our house."
"Now you can come and get us if you need our help," Luffy said brightly bringing up a pretty good point. Both times had just been lucky breaks.
"It's a short map," Zoro commented.
"It's just from the main road to the first marker." Sabo explained to them. The forest was far too dense and unreliable for anything else. You either knew it like the back of your hand or you immediately got lost. When Luffy had first come to live with them they had put subtle trail markers in the trees all the way home so he wouldn't get lost.
"You guys willingly wander into the woods more often than anyone else I've met." Sabo said with concern in his voice.
The teens turned away trying not to think about how right he was. It was kind of ridiculous when you thought about it.
"Still though," Marco said with a grateful smile. "You guys have saved our lives twice now. Thank you."
Sabo just shrugged looking over at Luffy who smiled brightly at him." Don't worry about it." He really didn't understand humans.
XXX
Later that night found Sabo laying on the couch reading his book. Or at least attempting too. He was impatiently waiting for Ace to return. The events of the day kept running through his mind at high speeds. In the grand scheme of things this was not good. They would appear even more sympathetic to the humans now. This would be fine if a war wasn't about to break out. The hope of staying neutral was pretty slim and growing smaller with each action. Although hopefully this would deter the vampires from trying to get them involved. Still he doubted Doflamingo was going to forget this easily, that man sure could hold a grudge. To be fair Sabo didn't regret it. That man was just asking to be knocked down a peg. Serves him right. No way would Sabo forgive him for that stunt he had pulled a couple of weeks ago.
He turned back to the book only to glance questioningly at the door a second later. None of the three were the type to sit around when there were things to be done. Although considering he had no clue where Ace was he doubted looking for him would improve the situation. If he had learned anything over the years it was that Ace could take care of himself.
He sighed as he flopped backwards looking up at the familiar ceiling. He loved this place. It was so small and crowded. Nothing like the cold and desolate palace. A place so large they could simply forget about the library. Here he didn't have to pretend to be someone he wasn't. No more manners or stuffy rules, certainly no more having to tolerate people he detested. He was free to act however he wanted even if it 'wasn't proper.' Comparatively that place was hellish. He would have gladly live his life never returning. He had been lucky enough to avoid seeing his parents though. Small victories. If he was lucky then he was dead to them.
He looked up as Luffy walked in hair still wet from the shower and yawning widely. He had undoubtedly been up for a few days.
"Is Ace back yet?"
Sabo shook his head causing the younger boy to pout.
"What are you reading?"
"Moby Dick."
"Oh," Luffy considered for a second before crawling on top of Sabo. Wiggling between his arms like a dog demanding attention.
"What's it about?"
"A giant whale and a very vengeful man," Sabo told him surprised he was interested in a book at all. He made a mental note to ask Ace what happened on their trek. Luffy usually only got clingy when something was bothering him. Although Sabo knew better then to ask him about it. He was someone who lived in the moment to the point where he would ignore the past.
"Want me to read it?"
Luffy nodded resting his cheek on his brother's shoulder in order to look up at the pages.
Sabo began reading aloud, not even bothering to start at the beginning as he knew his brother wasn't really listening. At least now the house was finally noisy again. While the two of them were gone it was eerily silent. He was glad he wasn't alone here anymore. He continued to talk even after Luffy had fallen asleep.
His thoughts drifted over to Law before he could help it. If he hadn't met the two of them then would he have grown up to be just like that man? Probably. Either that or he would still live in that empty castle pretending to be someone he wasn't and adding bodies to that gruesome lake.
He felt the weight on his chest anchoring him to reality. For the first time in his life he had learned what it meant to be loved by someone. What was even more important was how it felt to love someone else. It gave your life a purpose much greater then yourself.
He looked up as the door opened. In walked a yawning Ace, bleeding slightly from the shoulder but aside from that relatively unharmed.
"Welcome back,"
"Thanks," Ace said with another yawn.
"You sure took your time."
"They wouldn't stop chasing me." He said rubbing his eye sleepily.
"Hold on, I'll go get the med kit." He began to shift Luffy off of him without waking him up. Before he could even get up Ace collapsed on top of him.
"What is with you guys tonight?"
Ace didn't answer as his narcolepsy had already kicked in. He was asleep instantly no doubt worn out from that day long chase.
As a general rule Wolves let their actions speak for them. They did and said exactly what they were thinking leaving little room for interpretation. They also couldn't be held up to the same standards as humans and vampires considering they were part wild. As such they didn't have the same socially acceptable social mores vampires and humans enjoyed. Their personal space was pretty non-existent and nothing was really off limits for them. Of course the same could not be said about humans. They had complicated social codes almost as bad as the vampires. This however seemed to mean nothing to Luffy as he had never been one to follow the status Que. He did whatever he wanted as well. This was a bit of a surprise to Sabo when they had started living together although he had quickly gotten used to it. Even growing to appreciate and reciprocate it. Only with these two of course.
"Yes yea," He rolled his eyes. "Missed you guys too."
.
Yay! Sorry again updates were so infrequent this summer. I promise the every other week schedule will begin again after this chapter. I finally wrapped up the Grandmother arc. Although there is still the loose ends to tie up. I have been waiting forever to write that last scene with the three of them sleeping on the couch after a long day. Next chapter should have chopper in it as well. Yay! I'm really sorry I didn't respond to last chapter's comments. I did not have enough internet or time to pull that off. I'm leaving for collage in three days so wish me luck Comment and tell me what you think.
SEllen23: I'm so glad you liked it! I was really worried about the quality of the writing. Chopper should be in the next chapter as well, being adorable like he is.
Poemado: I promise I will get there soon enough! Until then there will be cute stories about them learning to live together. Starting next chapter we will get a lot of hints and more backstory.
Headphone girl A15: Yes! Sorry it wasn't that soon but it is an update!
Arxhaelolgist: Thank you! Unfortunately it will be a little while before Usopp meets him. I should talk about what ASL did to get rid of the wolves but in case I forget they just spread a bunch of rumors to the other wolves warning anybody to go into those outskirts. From here onwards there should be some more insight into their backstories although it will still be a little while until I get to it. As Marco discovered Luffy has some pretty deep literal scars. Sorry I went back and looked for the 'those two' you were referring too but I couldn't find it. I am really glad you liked the story Hopefully you liked this chapter as well.
Lostdog200: Yes! Anytime.
Kuroyuki D. Neko: Sorry the update wasn't very fast. I'm glad you liked it though.
