XXX

Sabo had been acting a bit odd all day so Ace wasn't particularly surprised when he passed out. He had gone from quietly following the conversation to leaning against the wall, then down on the floor a few moments later.

Their 'guest,' was more alarmed then Ace as the boy fell over. However when he tried to check on the blonde Ace had growled warningly at him. Instantly ready to get back at it with the hunter if he tried to hurt his brother.

It had taken Luffy to separate them again before he was able to turn his attention back to Sabo.

"What's wrong with him?" Shanks asked from a safe distance, of Ace's choosing, on the other side of the room.

"The same thing that's wrong with your face," Ace answered cagily as he knelt beside the vampire. He tried to shake the others shoulder but he got no response.

Luffy, too worried about his brother to try and make Ace play nice, was also shaking Sabo's shoulders. Unlike Ace he didn't understand what was wrong and the panic showed clearly on his face.

"Hey," Ace said gentler to his little brother. "It's okay," He promised. Luffy's big dark eyes met his own and he saw the fear reflected there.

Only somewhat embarrassed that Shanks was watching them, Ace took Luffy's hands in his own to make him stop shaking Sabo.

"He's just tired." Ace said hoping Luffy would catch the drift. He didn't want to come out and say that the vampire was starving and had passed out from hunger in front of a hunter who could use that information to his advantage in a fight.

"Tired?" Luffy's eyebrows drew up. He still looked upset. Ace was going to have to spell it out for him.

"The other day when Sabo went into the woods to find you," Ace began. "He was supposed to eat something?"

"He said he did."

Ace sighed, "But did you actually see him do it?"

Luffy shook his head starting to catch on. "He told me to go ahead."

The older boy rubbed his forehead in frustration, "Dammit Sabo."

"So he is going to be fine!"

"Not after I kill him," Ace said. The last thing they needed was for him to start this up again. Between Ace's nightmares, everything that they have had to deal with these last few months, the return of Luffy's sleep walking, and he choose now to stop eating!

'Damn you!' Ace thought. Although there wasn't much fire behind that. He could hardly blame Sabo for failing to be better than the rest of them. Especially not after the whole losing-your-soul thing. Ace didn't need to experience it to know how messed up it must feel. He knew that Sabo still felt awful for what he had done. Even though he had been instantly forgiven by everyone except his harshest judge, his conscience.

There was an easy fix of course. But they couldn't exactly do it five feet away from a hunter.

Ace stood up to face the man. They needed to get him to leave so they could take care of Sabo, but before he could say anything the radio on Shank's hip buzzed.

"Boss, what's that status?" Came a voice heavy with static. "Should we move in or hold our positions?" Luffy recognized the voice as Bens, Shanks right hand man.

"Yea?" Ace asked crossing his arms. His tone was mocking but there was an underlying threat in them. "What are you going to do?" He was asking if Shanks had decided to trust them or not.

Shanks looked at Ace, the son of his old boss, the one he so closely resembled from the slight wave in his hair to the way his nose crinkled when he was angry. He moved his gaze to Luffy who was standing beside the wolf boy. Luffy looked so much like he had as a child. The same innocent dark eyes, the unassuming smile, bright toothy grin. But he was also growing up, there was no denying that. He was taller now, coming up to Shank's chin with lean muscles from growing up in the woods. The red hoodie was no longer ridiculously large. While still loose on his slight frame he was well on his way to growing into it.

Both were watching him intently now, waiting to fight if need be.

Shanks held the radio to his mouth, "Hold your positions." He told them. "The situation is neutralized."

Ace relaxed slightly.

Shanks put down his radio holding up his hands in a symbol of peace.

"Thank you." Ace said simply but the man knew he meant a lot more than just the radio. He was thanking him for trusting them.

"Thank you for saving Luffy's life," Shanks told him honestly.

Ace just shrugged. "It's not like we did it for you."

Shanks smiled in reply. There was so much of his father in those words. Even if Ace didn't realize it. They both had the same blunt way of refusing praise. But he could hardly tell a wolf child he barely knew that he reminded him of his dead friend so instead he nodded.

"You're alright kid."

Ace looked him up and down.

"I guess for a hunter you don't suck as much as the others do."

"Luffy's a hunter," Shanks pointed out.

Ace laughed at that much to Luffy's annoyance. "Yea a bad one."

"Hey!"

"He had a lot of natural talent," Shanks defended. After all there was a reason Dragon had worked him as hard as he did. The potential Luffy showed even at that age as staggering.

Ace just shook his head dismissively. "Maybe, but that doesn't mean anything if he cried every time he had to kill a wolf."

"I did not!" Luffy argued feeling his face start to heat up. He regretted telling Ace that ever since.

"Yea, I guess that's true." Shanks agreed. Luffy had always lacked the killer instinct that made the job necessary. Ace was right about that part, Luffy should never have been a hunter.

"What's wrong with your friend?" Shanks pointed down at the boy behind Ace. He looked pale, even by vampire standards. But neither of the two seemed all that worried any more despite the fact that he wasn't waking up.

Ace glanced down at him before stepping forward so he was directly in between the two of them.

"He's fine," He said without missing a beat.

"Sabo does this sometimes." Luffy said sounding much more solemn. "He will feel better later though."

Shanks wanted to ask more, but he figured that if they had wanted him to know what was up they would have said it already. And it seemed like Ace especially wasn't open to the idea of sharing information that could be used against him. Another Rodger-like move. Although it was also the move of a deeply distrustful boy who had been wronged too many times by others.

"Okay," Shanks agreed in surrender.

"Uh boss?" The radio on his hip flared again. "What's your ETA?"

"What's up?" He asked into the radio.

"Central command is trying to contact you. Sounds serious."

Shanks rolled his eyes, "They think everything is serious."

"Something about a vampire threat."

"That sounds cool!" Luffy cut in, drowning out what ever Shank's was going to say.

"Hey! Luffy!" The radio voice burst in excitement.

"Hi!"

"Focus," Shanks told his crew. "Tell them Eta 0400."

"They said two,"

"Yea well they aren't the ones trekking through the woods are they? 0400."

"Rodger that boss," the voice said before the radio once again flat lined.

"Oh no," Ace said with mock worry. "You don't have to go do you?" He shook his head mournfully. "That's a shame."

Shanks snorted in amusement. "I think I like him." He told Luffy as Ace scowled at that.

"Me too!" Luffy agreed happily.

"You're not supposed to like me," Ace shot back annoyed. "That's the point of being rude!"

"Do you really have to go so soon?" Luffy asked more sincere.

Shanks nodded. "Sounds like it kid. Can we talk?"

"Yea!" Luffy agreed easily.

Shanks risked a glance at Ace who stood a few feet behind then, his stare burning into Shanks neck.

"Alone?"

Luffy followed his gaze to Ace.

"We're going outside okay." He told his older brother who scowled at him.

Ace was protective of him. He had always been like that. Especially when it came to hunters. And Luffy had always appreciated that, he wasn't himself when they were around. But this wasn't a hunter it was Shanks! Ace's brain hadn't seemed to make the same distinction Luffy's did between the man and his profession.

"Call me if you need me Lu." Ace called after him as he finally relented to let the littlest have his way in order to focus his attention on Sabo. Something Luffy would be more than happy to help with when the hunters left.

Luffy waved back in response as the front door slammed behind them.

"So you really live here don't you?" Shanks asked looking around.

"I do," He agreed following his gaze over the tree line. It was silent here except for the sounds of the birds and forest creatures. Nothing like living in the human town. Humans were loud.

Luffy moved to sit down on the worn wooden steps watching as the older man hesitated to do the same.

"Is he listening?" He asked jutting a thumb at the closed door.

"Ace?" Luffy didn't have to think very hard before he answered. "Probably, we can go further."

"No it's fine." Shanks sat down beside him. "I'm just…"

"Worried about me!" Luffy finished for him with his usual brilliant smile."

The older man returned the look with a smile of his own. He had forgotten how infectious Luffy's grins could be.

Shanks reached over to put his hand on the kid's knee, squeezing it reassuringly.

"Yea," He admitted. "Listen Red, I know it might seem like I'm over reacting, or doubting your judgement or whatever but I am going to worry about you alright? I have been worrying since the day I met you. And even after all that I still couldn't help you."

Luffy opened his mouth to deny the words but Shanks covered it gently with his palm.

"And then you were gone and no matter how bad I wanted to I couldn't do anything for you anymore." He continued patiently. "And I had to live with the knowledge that I had failed you all this time."

Luffy was watching him, dark eyes unusually serious as Shanks spoke.

"You were this little thing, so desperate to grow even though you were surrounded by all that darkness. All you wanted was for someone to help you- to save you."

Luffy tried to reply but Shanks kept his hand over his mouth. But the understanding he felt was easily reflected in his eyes alone. He had no resentment for Shanks despite the man breaking his promise.

"All this time," He continued. "I couldn't do anything for you. But I can do something now." He looked around them. "And I need to know if you really are sure this is the best place for you?"

He moved his hands from Luffy's mouth so he could answer.

"Wouldn't you rather be around people your own species? Somewhere where your life won't constantly be in danger?"

"I can't go back to the town," Luffy told him his brow furrowing in confusion. "My dad…"

"I didn't mean the town," Shanks promised. "There are other human cities Red. I can find a really good place for you to live in any one of them. With good people, who would never dream of hurting you like the hunters did."

He patted Luffy's messy hair affectionately.

"You're still young Red. I know life hasn't been fair to you but don't give up on us alright. It's not too late for you to have a normal life."

"-Without my brothers?"

"It's how things are." Shanks told him gently. "Humans are many things, including cautious. They fear those that are different and through that fear they are taught to hate."

Luffy fell silent for a moment staring off into the trees before he spoke up again.

"See right there, on the third step."

"It's dented?"

Luffy nodded. "Yea when I was ten me and Ace were playing with brooms. We were supposed to be sweeping the leaves off the deck but we were pretending to sword fight and I tripped and snapped the rake on the step. I thought I was going to get in trouble but he just stared at me and then he started laughing because I was clumsy."

"And that tree," He pointed to the tallest pine tree in sight. "Last month we were fighting so I stole all their clothes and put them at the top of the tree."

"Were they mad?"

Luffy nodded. "Really mad. I forget what happened next. I think one of them put deer in the pantry? Or maybe it was when Sabo moved our mattress to the roof."

"You guys fight weird." Shanks told him amused by the story.

"Sometimes we fight like normal people." Luffy said. Normal-ish at least, Ace often bit him when things got out of hand.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"So you won't worry about me." Luffy told him.

"Have you ever met yourself?" Shanks said. "I'm always going to worry about you. But you're okay? You're happy."

"Promise," Luffy said holding out his pinky which Shanks crossed with his own as they shook on it.

"Okay," The older man's smile was softer now. "Then I believe you."

The two sat in companionable silence each wrapped up in their own thoughts. Occasionally Shank's radio would burst with static from an anxious crew but he seemed content to ignore it.

"Can I see everyone again sometime?" Luffy asked after listening to a particularly long bit of self-poetry from Lucky Roo. He seemed to have convinced the others that Shanks was now being digested by wolves and he was giving the eulogy. Although he was consistently interrupted by Shank's PSA announcements telling him to shut up.

"The ghost of or beloved leader." The static voice was saying.

Shanks sighed as he tried again, "I mean it man there's a reason art school kicked you out. Stop with the poetry already"

"Sometimes it's like I can still hear his voice," Yassop chimed in.

Shanks ran a hand over his face, equal parts embarrassed to be associated with them and amused by them.

"Luffy said he wants to see you guys again." Shanks told them.

That was met with a static overload as the crew all chimed in at once canceling each other out until they were little more than white noise.

Shanks waited for them to die down enough to add, "I told him he had better not. The lot of you are all idiots."

That caused another outcry of static, although neither could distinguish what anyone was saying.

"They missed you too," Shanks told him.

"Boss, tell Luffy hi for me!"

"Ooh me too!"

Shanks grabbed the radio again, "I turning you guys off now."

There was a gasp from the other end. "But boss what if there's ah ah m-m-monster? Or one of us gets a splinter?"

"Or we see a really cool rock and want to show –,"

There was a snap as he switched the radio off blocking out their chattering.

"So their still idiots," He told Luffy seriously.

"I thought they were awesome!"

"Yea you would."

"Hey!"

Shanks patted his head like a child.

Luffy fell silent again as Shanks looked back at the tree line. It was nice here. There was a certain sense of peace in the air he rather enjoyed. He briefly wondered what Luffy was thinking about but he didn't have to wait long before the kid spoke up.

"You said humans won't accept other races?" Shanks nodded.

"Why is it that the monsters accept me but the humans wouldn't let a monster, even a mostly human one, live with them?"

"It's a little different?"

"Why?" Luffy tilted his head innocently.

"Well I mean how many of the wolves actually know you're here?"

Luffy started counting on his fingers before quickly giving up.

"I think all of them." Shanks felt himself pale slightly.

"All of them!"

The boy nodded, "I mean most of them I think. The Vampires too."

"The vampires know as well," Shanks felt his worry return two fold at the thought.

Oblivious to this Luffy was still chattering on. "I mean they told everybody when I started living here at the new moon gathering."

"Gathering?" Shanks repeating still processing the information.

"Sabo says they still bring it up sometimes. Mostly when they don't want him to get his way…"

"Luffy slow down," Shanks put his hands on Luffy's shoulders. "The monsters have monthly meetings?"

"And the vampires," Luffy added helpfully, unaware of Shank's worry.

"The wolves and the vampires having meetings," He repeated stupidly. "To talk about what?"

Luffy shrugged. "I don't know I'm human so I am not allowed to go but Sabo and Ace say it's just boring stuff."

"The coordinated attack on town," Shanks said slowly his mind working frantically with the new information.

"That too," Luffy agreed.

"So they really are working together then?" For the first time since the King of Wolves. This was bad, this was very bad.

"Not everyone," Luffy argued seemingly coming to realize he had just shared privileged information.

"Listen Shanks, you know how you show mercy on the wolves? You told me once that you don't attack mama wolves or the sickly ones."

Shanks nodded. He may be a hunter but that didn't mean he was sadistic. He did not wish prolonged suffering on any creature.

"Well a lot of the wolves think the same thing. Sabo said at the last meeting they were really divided on invading the town. A lot of them thought it was just going to cause trouble for them and their packs."

As he was talking Shanks was beginning to realize the point, although not the one Luffy was trying to get across.

"You really understand this stuff don't you?"

"I grew up here," He reminded him again.

"So you understand the wolves?"

"I guess."

Shanks nodded. This could be good, really good. If Luffy and his brothers were willing to help them that was. For the first time they had inside information on both of the sides. Their entire culture was a mystery to the humans. Mainly because they believed that the monsters of the woods were too simplistic of creatures to have a culture.

"Luffy," Shanks began his thoughts rapidly forming into a plan. "Would you consider helping me with something?"

"What?"

"I think I have a plan to deal with this spiraling war. One you would approve of. With lots of talking."

The boy slumped to the side a bit at the thought of that. "I don't like talking." He argued. "Talking is boring."

"Better than having the wolves and humans fight."

"Talking is great! I love talking. It's not boring at all."

"You're as bad a liar as ever," Shanks laughed as he ruffled Luffy's hair again."

"No promises," He told him. "But I'll do my best okay."

Luffy beamed up at him.

A beat of silence passed as Shanks studied him. "You'll really be okay here?"

"I'm really okay here," Luffy promised.

Shanks leaned forward to pull him into a tight hug.

"I missed you Red."

"Me too," came the reply, muffled in Shanks jacket.

"I'm staying in town for a while." Shanks told him. "If you ever need any help come get me, even if it is just to talk. If I don't hear from you within a month I'll come check up on you alright?"

Luffy nodded as the man let him go. "I will," He promised cheekily. "But it won't be because I'm in trouble."

"Oh?"

He held up a fist with a smile. "I'm not a weak cry baby anymore. I am super strong now!"

"I bet," Shanks said with a smile of his own as he stood up. "Strong or not promise me you will at least think about what I said… about the human villages."

Luffy opened his mouth to protest but Shanks stopped him by leaning over and pulling the hood of his red jacket up.

"You don't have to answer." He promised. "Just think about it… See you around Red."

He gave Luffy a bright smile which was returned in full before heading out to go find his extremely impatient gang and fill them in on what happened.

Luffy watched him go. Thinking of memories he usually tried to avoid, but now, after today, they didn't seem to hurt so bad anymore.

As the last spot of red of Shank's hair disappeared into the thick brush of the tree line he turned to go back inside.

XXX

Hey friends, I am really sorry for how long it has been. I know it is summer and I promised to update now that school is out but I got caught up in writing another story that kind of ate up all my time. But the good news is when I wrote this chapter I also wrote the next two chapters as well to make up for the long break. So you guys can tell me when you want to read them, or if nobody has a preference I will probably post them next week some time.

I don't know if you guys will like these chapters or not, they are less action and more talking (poorly written dialogue cough cough). But I can say next chapter Ace and Luffy get into a huge fight and the next few chapters after 30 will be a lot about the Straw Hats and what they have been up to. And to those who are wondering if in deed this story is ever going to end I can say that chapters thirty onwards is, at long last, the beginning of the end.

I am also working on Defenders 22 and 23, and hopefully after that I will finally get around to finishing Dolls like I have been promising to do forever.

Any who I know I always say this but I really appreciate those of you who are, for whatever reason, still with me on this story. It has a very special place in my heart. So I hope you guys like the next three chapters. And if not I hope you will hang in there for what comes next

XXX

Guest 1: Thank you!

Fluffypuppies: Aww, I'm so glad you read it and liked it. I was going for action and drama. I'm glad someone other than just me was crying haha. They did have it rough, I promise I will finish writing more on that later. Thank you! For the nice review. That was really nice of you. Hopefully you will like the next few chapters as well.

Guest" Thank you!

SunsetDawn420: Thank you! I'm glad you like it and think I'm doing okay at it. Ooh that is creepy. Writing that scared me a little bit too. Hopefully these next few chapters will be okay as well. I am working on Defenders right after this. This one will always secretly be my favorite though. Happy birthday! Thank You for reviewing.

Guest 3: Aw, thanks. That's nice.

yukino76: That's true they are. They got over attached!

AnimeAngel2692: Thank you, as always for your nice reviews! Hopefully you will like the next few chapters as well.

Watching the rain fall: Aw thank you. I love writing them so thanks for sticking with them!