Many of you have expressed eagerness to learn about the ASL past, especially Luffy's. Here is Luffy's past part 2. Like last time I couldn't fit all of them in a single chapter so chapter 23 and 24 will be all about Ace and Sabo and unlike Luffy their life isn't all cupcakes and rainbows.

**For the record I don't think Dragon is evil. He is very negligent and it's clear he never wanted kids. He also doesn't understand how they work. It doesn't help that Luffy doesn't seem to like him either. But deep down he loves his son…I think? But both of them would be lost without Makino.

XXX

Luffy was growing a little older. He was still small and scrawny for his age but no longer a babbling infant. Now at nearly four years old he had graduated to a babbling toddler. A cute one at that. He was doted on by both Makino's mother and Garp. He was also starting to develop opinions about many things. For instance he loved his mother dearly and took to following her around like a baby duck. He loved his grandmother as well and always looked forwards to her frequent visits. It helped that she always brought sweets for him. Although he was still on the fence about Garp. The big mans booming laugh startled him and he picked up Luffy like he was a sack of potatoes. Still the man meant well and he told Luffy many funny stories.

Who Luffy did not like was an unsmiling man named Dragon. His mom kept trying to get him to call this man 'daddy' but he stubbornly refused. It seemed neither Luffy nor Dragon wanted that. His mother told him when he was a baby he would always cry when Dragon held him. Whatever rift he had formed as an infant had carried over and Luffy still did not like the man. Maybe it was because he had a scary face or that he never smiled. For his part Dragon did not know how to act around children and preferred to ignore Luffy which was fine with him. This however did not sit well with Makino.

Thus he found himself sitting on the hood of the car as his mom finished putting her bag into the trunk.

"Can't your mother just ask a neighbor to look after her cat?" Dragon argued his arms crossed over is chest. His tone sounded almost whiney. "It's only two days for goodness sake."

"No dear I told you Mittens is getting up there in years and my mother would never forgive me if somehow happened to him. Besides you two need some quality male bonding." She gestured to both of them as Luffy and Dragon shared a look. Luffy didn't like this idea. He had never been away from his mom for a whole two days before. What if he got lonely at night?

"Why can't I come! He asked as his mom gave him a tight hug.

"I told you Red, you and your dad are going to have some fun without me." She kissed his forehead before picking him up.

"Isn't that right dear?" She handed Luffy over to Dragon who reluctantly held him.

Luffy whined as Makino kissed them both, before getting into the car.

"Have a good weekend boys." She told them and Luffy felt frustration bubble up inside of him as he watched her begin to drive away. He looked up at Dragon with the same disinterested look his supposed father looked down at him with. His grandfather had once gotten a little too drunk during his stories and told Luffy he had been a bit of an accident. One that Dragon had never been completely on board with.

"I guess… do you want dinner or."

At the mention of food Luffy nodded enthusiastically. Dragon put him down as he trotted after the man back into their little house.

"When's mom coming back?" Luffy asked as he clambered onto the counter. Watching Dragon fumble around to reheat the food Makino had left for them.

"Sunday."

"Oh," Luffy flopped onto his back as an awkward silence filled the kitchen.

"Can we go visit grandma?"

"She's out of town." Dragon reminded him gruffly.

"Can we go visit mom?"

"She literally just left!" Dragon slammed the oven door harder then he meant too. He was beginning to see why Makino had left the two of them alone. Maybe they did need some bonding time.

"Is Gramps coming by this weekend?"

Call it his imagination but it was getting hard to ignore the fact that Luffy was fond of literally everyone except him.

"It's just the two of us for now alright Luffy!"

Luffy made a face into his knees.

"Alright!" Dragon repeated.

The little boy nodded, "Okay."

They ate dinner in awkward silence. Dragon had no idea how to talk to kids and Luffy seemed content just to inhale the food without saying anything himself. When they finished Dragon went upstairs to his office leaving Luffy to his own devices.

XXX

While Dragon worked Luffy busied himself on the floor of the living room. He was laying on his stomach coloring. The living room was kind of creepy and he didn't like being here alone but he could hear Dragon typing upstairs so he knew he wasn't totally alone. He was starting to miss his mom. The first drawing was of her. The next one he did of his dad who had ended up feeding him even if he looked frumpy about it. Luffy was halfway done when the door swung open suddenly.

He sat up excitedly expecting his mom. But instead there was a scary looking man who seemed equally surprised to see him. Luffy stood up reluctantly as a large grin took over the man's face.

"Who might you be tyke?"

Luffy didn't respond but rather pressed himself against the couch. Usually he loved meeting new people. But something about this stranger made him afraid. His mom told him he had good instincts, whatever that meant.

"Is Dragon here?" The man asked taking a step closer. Luffy nodded hoping he would go away. He thought about running upstairs to Dragons office but he decided against it. Dragon wouldn't like that.

"I got some papers for your dad." The man explained as he took a step closer shutting the door softly behind him. "Can I see what your drawing?"

Luffy shook his head pushing his drawings away with his feet.

The man gave him a look. "Don't be a brat about it." He walked closer to Luffy as he reached down to pick him up.

Luffy let out a terrified squeak as he was lifted into the air. The man sat down on the couch putting Luffy on his lap. He tried to squirm away but the man's grip got tighter as he felt the huge hands squeeze his ribcage like one of the snakes he watched on TV last night. He smelled bad too, like the stuff Dragon occasionally drank, the same stuff Makino put on Luffy's scrapes when he hurt himself.

When Luffy stilled the man patted his hair, "That's it, be a good boy and don't fuss."

"I used to have a kid like you," The man told him still petting his hair. "But that whore took him with her.

Luffy let out another squeak when those hands tightened again in anger as the man continued to ramble. He sounded crazy. Luffy wanted his mom.

XXX

Dragon heard the soft thumps as Luffy sped up the stairs and strait into his office. Somewhere he had never been before.

Dragon opened his mouth to remind the kid not to run in the house but before he could ask Luffy ran across the floor and strait into Dragons lap. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck hiding his face in his shoulder. Dragon could feel the beat of Luffy's frantic heart as well as feel the little boy tremble.

"Luffy whats wrong?"

He heard a much louder thump on the stairs and instantly tensed. A few seconds later one of his subordinates came through the door, offering Dragon a polite smile.

"Sorry sir," The man said looking sympathetically at the little boy in dragons arms. "Garp sent me over with those forms. He said he needed them signed right away. I didn't mean to scare the little tyke."

"What happened?" Dragon asked as Luffy had yet to look up from his lap. He was however still shivering.

"Oh nothing, I just surprised the little guy when I came bursting in. Skiddish one that kid."

The man walked deeper into the office to put the papers on his desk. He knelt down by Luffy who refused to move.

"Cute kid." He mused as Dragon flipped through the papers. "He yours?"

"Yes," Dragon said distractedly.

"Never knew you had kids sir." He looked around casually. "I don't suppose that kind wife of yours is around today is she?"

Dragon looked up for a second before shaking his head. "No."

He saw no need to get personal with the other hunters. He was known for keeping his personal life, or lack of, out of the field. Besides Makino didn't like most of the hunters he worked with. She had called them brutish thugs. After Luffy was born she had forbid them from the house saying she didn't want them around their child. Dragon had thought that was a little harsh, after all they were heroes who fought for the town. Sure they were a little rough around the edges but anyone who killed things for a living was bound to be.

He couldn't look through these papers with this kid clinging to him. For goodness sake Luffy was almost four. He had to learn independence already. Dragon pulled Luffy away from his chest putting the shaking kid down on the floor.

He could see tears welling in the little kid's eyes as he looked at the hulking man in front of him. One tiny hand latched onto Dragons pant leg.

Looking at his face now Dragon could see a bright red patch on the boy's cheek and neck.

"What happened?" Dragon asked as Luffy tried to hide behind him. This was not setting a good example for his men. What would they think if their leader let his own son cower behind him? He grabbed Luffy's arm and yanked him forwards harder then he meant to.

"Little one must have run into a wall or something." The man said as he leaned forward to inspect the soon to be bruises. Luffy twisted like a cat to get away. Dragon had no idea why the usually friendly kid was acting like this.

"Luffy if you're going to cause trouble go somewhere while I work."

Needing no further encouragement Luffy took off out of the room the second he was released.

"Sorry about that Bluejam." He said tiredly as he finished signing the papers.

"Not at all boss, kids will be kids." He bid Dragon goodnight before he left. It wasn't until much later that night while Dragon was finishing up his papers that he realized that was the first time Luffy had ever run to him. That was also the first time he had ever hugged his father without Makino telling him too. Some nagging voice at the back of his mind also told him that it was probably the last.

Speaking of Luffy? Dragon got up suddenly very alert. Where was that kid? Did most toddlers put themselves to bed? He was starting to think they didn't. Still he checked their bedroom just to be safe. No Luffy. It was totally clean.

There were only two rooms in their tiny house. It was all they could afford at the time. Especially considering being such young parents. The plan was to turn Dragons office into Luffy's bedroom when he got a little older. But for now Luffy slept between them in their big queen bed in the bedroom.

"Luffy bedtime." Dragon called out as he made his way downstairs. He caught sight at the clock in the kitchen and winced. That wasn't good. He really wasn't cut out for this parent thing.

"Luffy!" He noticed the spread of paper and crayons Luffy had been playing with before Bluejam had come in. Dragon picked up the top sheet curiously. Luffy was terrible at art even by three year old standards. Still Makino would always kiss his forehead when he showed her and put it on the fridge which was now quite covered in the stuff. There were many pictures of her. Many more of his grandmother and even the occasional one of Garp or the neighbor's dogs. Up until this point there had been a sole picture with dragon in it. Makino had told him to let Luffy into his office while he worked and the little kid had drawn a picture of him hunched over his desk looking rather annoyed. Needless to say it was not flattering.

But here in his hands there was a second picture of Dragon. At least he thought it was supposed to be him. For one thing he was frowning even as he ate tonight's dinner. Still tiny stick figure Luffy had been smiling in the drawing. To date that was the kindest crayon depiction Dragon had gotten. Or at least it would have been if Luffy had finished it. He must have gotten interrupted part way through drawing it and gotten spooked off.

Dragon put the drawing down with a sigh as he continued looking for the frightened child. After about an hour or so he was growing concerned. He had almost called his wife but decided against it. So instead he kept looking for Luffy on his own. He checked the bedroom, the closet, behind every couch in the living room and searched each inch of the basement. He was in the process of checking the kitchen cabinets when he heard a tiny snore.

"Luffy?" He called out curiously.

He made his way to the kitchen table checking underneath the table cloth for what felt like the hundredth time. Still no kid. But there was a definite nose. Dragon pulled out the chairs feeling extreme relief when he recognized the little bundle on one of them.

Little Luffy had curled up on one of the seats and had fallen sleep, safely curtained by the table cloth.

"Swear to god kid." Dragon sighed as he bent down to scoop Luffy up carrying him to bed.

Whatever bond they managed to form had clearly shattered the next morning as Dragon got an emergency call from work and had to rush off to deal with it. He had returned a few hours later to find the toddler sitting at the door waiting for someone to come home. A very noticeable bruise had bloomed across his cheek and another on his neck and arm. In Dragons hast he had forgotten about Luffy who had struggled to find something to eat for breakfast. The kitchen was a mess. There weren't many things he could reach so he had been eating some dry oats and olives from the jar.

When Luffy saw that it was him rather than Makino he huffed in anger and made his way back upstairs. Needless to say Dragon considered this weekend terrible. If Luffy didn't dislike him before he certainly did now. He didn't talk to Dragon for the rest of the weekend.

When Makino had returned late on Sunday night Luffy had ran to her. When she picked him up he buried his face in her neck content to stay there.

"What happened? She mused feeling his bruises gingerly.

"Apparently he ran into a wall." Dragon said as he leaned forward to peck his wife on the cheek.

Makino patted Luffy's head comfortingly, "You must be more careful dear."

When Luffy didn't respond Makino looked at Dragon. "How was your weekend?"

The look he sent her told her enough.

"It couldn't have been that bad," She argued.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" He looked at Luffy and Makino nodded, understanding. She tried to put Luffy down but he tightened his grip and gave a whine.

"Sweetie Mommy has to talk to Daddy for a moment." She told him as she undid his arms from around her and set him down on the couch. He held his arms up to be picked up again as tears began to pool in his eyes.

Makino frowned as she leaned in to kiss his forehead. "Luffy's acting a little odd."

Dragon shrugged, he hadn't noticed. "He probably just missed you."

"Did he have his nap for today?"

"Uhh?" He didn't realize kids had naps.

Makino tssked at him as she once again picked up Luffy as tears began to fall down his cheeks. Dragon waited as she put him to bed before coming back downstairs so they could talk.

"He's soft." Dragon told her as she sat down beside him.

"He's three." She shot back not ready to argue this issue. "You sound like your father."

"He's almost four."

Makino sighed as she rested her hand on her husband's leg. "You are a very talented man honey. However you don't know much about children." He couldn't argue with her there.

"He hates me."

She moved her hand from his leg, reaching across to hold his own. "No he doesn't. He's just inherited your stubbornness. I'm sure you two will grow to appreciate each other when he gets older."

There was a long pause before Makino began again. "Dear could there have been any other way Luffy got those bruises?"

Dragon furrowed his brow. "Why?"

"Well it's just I don't think there from a wall. When I put him to bed I noticed one on his stomach and another on his back. Did anything happen or…"

"I was home all weekend." Or most of it but Makino didn't need to know that. "He was probably just being reckless again.

She nodded reluctantly still not looking convinced. If something serious had happened Luffy would have told them. Dragon was sure it was fine.

"Makino, I need to tell you something."

She nodded picking up on his serious tone.

"We might be in danger."

"From who?"

"Ace."

Makino gave him a strange look. "Ace? As in Rodgers child?"

He nodded. "Yesterday I there was an emergency at work. One of my hunters was in the woods and Ace attacked him, practically mauled him. He is in the hospital recovering right now."

Makino covered her mouth with her hand. "That's horrible." She whispered.

Dragon nodded. "It sounded like he was looking for me. I think he's out for revenge and…"

"Stop!" Makino said cutting him off. "Doesn't it bother you that a little boy is running around hurt and confused in the woods? And he blames you."

"He's not a child he is a monster."

"He is a CHILD!" She snapped, something that Dragon had only heard her do a couple of times. "I knew his mother and I know that woman wouldn't have raised a monster. And if a child wants revenge against you then we have done something wrong."

Dragon scowled at her. The night he killed Rodger marked the biggest fight they had ever had. Makino hadn't talked to him for a week. Rodger had been Dragons friend. He had trusted him and in the end it turned out he was a monster. Even worse he was the monsters leader.

Angry as she was Makino trusted her husband when he told her that he did what he had to do. Although she did not approve of his decision she had seen the scares her husband had gotten from that fight and known that it was him or Dragon. She knew that sometimes in life everyone had to make decisions they didn't like. She was comforted by the fact that Ace and Rouge were together. She had no doubt they would never forgive the town but Rouge was an amazing woman. Makino knew that on some level Rouge understood why Dragon had done what he had done. The same way that Makino understood why Rodger had betrayed them. But she hated to hear that Ace was out for revenge against them.

"Just listen," He told her. "I saw the wounds. Ace is dangerous. And he is looking for us. I know you don't want to believe it but it is true. What if he stumbled upon Luffy playing in the yard alone?"

Makino gasped, "He wouldn't."

"I know you like to see the best in people but this is our son. Do you really want to risk it?"

"What are you saying we do then?" Makino asked quietly.

"Find Ace."

"Absolutely not! You will not hurt that boy anymore then you already have."

"Then we train Luffy to defend himself."

"He's three!"

Dragon sighed. He hadn't expected his wife to go along with either plans.

"What do we do then?"

"We just have to be more careful. I will keep an eye on Luffy and my big strong husband can look after me just fine."

Dragon gave her a small smile. Lord knows he would try his hardest. He doubted there was another woman like Makino in all of the world.

They heard a creak on the stairs and Makino looked at him with a grin. "It looks like there is a little mouse."

"Come out Luffy," Dragon said as the tiny toddler slunk down from the stairs running across the floor and to his mother.

"You're supposed to be asleep Red." Makino told him as she leaned down to pick him up.

"He must have really missed his mom," Dragon mused rather taken aback. He often left for weeks at a time and half the time Luffy didn't even notice. Yet for the majority of the two days Luffy had sat in front of the door waiting for his mom to come back.

Makino hugged Luffy , kissing his temple as she leaned against Dragon. "What am I going to do with you two?" She mused to herself. When Luffy fell asleep a few minutes alter, no longer able to keep his eyes open Makino moved him to a surprised Dragons lap so she could go unpack.

As his wife left the room Dragon looked down at his sleeping son. He sighed as he saw the dark bruise blossoming across his cheek. He wasn't sure if he was cut out to be a father after all.

XXX

Thank you guys for sticking with me. I love that people are reading this story even after two years. If all goes according to plan this fic is halfway done and over 100K which is the longest story I've ever written by far. I hope you lovely readers still enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Like I said before the next two chapters will be Ace or Sabo's backstories, tell me if you care which one I write first.

The flashbacks are getting so much harder to write I know I came up with this and it might just be me being a dork but damn this stuff is making me tear up. Luffy seems like he's happy but he is on the verge of losing his mom and that's when everything goes to hell for him. Anyway tell me if you are sad for the little cuties, don't care either way, or wish I would stop trying to get you to talk to me by asking campy questions.

Next two chapters will be up soon. Best wishes as we go into this very dark era of final exams.

Rin27: Ah thank you for the review No ASL moments for a little while sadly. Alas, only the teenagers and Garp and Dragon know about Luffy. Shank's is still very angry at the loss of his anchor. I shall try to update again soon.

lostdog200: Sorry to introduce shanks and then make you wait three chapters for him to be in it again. Hopefully baby Luffy makes up for it. Also I am very glad you liked Garp and Dragons fight, high praise indeed. Thank you a million for all of your wonderful reviews.

CF8WRK4U: Aw, thank you!

Angelwings: I am sorry again for giving you a Shanks then putting him back in the corner for three chapters. After this he will be back to kick some ass. Thank you for the review.

SEllen23: I'm really glad everyone is so excited about shanks. When he reappears I will do my best to make him awesome. Untile then hopefully baby ASL is a good substitute.

FairyAlchemist400: Dragon will As you can see in this chapter he is already after him. And Makino is ready to slap Dragon because she is a precious cinnamon bun who can do no wrong. Slap away, he rather deserves it. Ace has a really rough time next chapter. Hopefully it will explain why he was so angry in this one. I'm glad you liked the nightmare sequence That was awesome to hear. Ace has a lot of problems and most of them are Dragons fault.

I think shanks might have to do the force feeding for both Garp and Dragon. And both sleep and a vacation is a great idea for Sabo. He likes to try and be responsible, the little dear.

Thank you for the review Hopefully this chapter was good was well!