Warning for mentioned/ in progress child abuse and evil adults tormenting Luffy. Also, warnings for them threatening to kill him and nonconsensual drug use.

On that note, I was keeping their ages ambiguous so everyone could decide their own but at this point eh.

Luffy: 14

Ace +Sabo: 17

Zoro + Sanji: 16

Usopp: 14

Nami: 15

Chopper: 12

The collective Whitebeards: 18

*Luffy ran away when he was seven, so he spent half his life in the human village and the other half in the woods.

XXX

When Luffy woke again he was in the backseat of a truck. Somewhere outside rain fell steadily against the windows. He rolled over sleepily, trying to piece together what had happened. How did he get here? His head felt unbelievably heavy and trying to sit up was a chore. The sound of voices drifted over to him, gruffer than he was used to. Hunters.

Ace had screamed for him. Everyone was shouting something different.

Luffy had been captured by hunters. He had gotten Ace captured as well. It was hard to piece together his fuzzy memories. It felt like a dream- no- a nightmare. His absolute worst nightmare. He closed his eyes tightly, fighting back his panicked breathes.

He heard one of the seats shift in front of him and someone shook his shoulder. "Yo kid, you back with us?"

Luffy ignored them, focusing on keeping his breathing level. He wanted to scream- cry for someone to save him. But he had already done that, and he was going to get his whole family killed. NO! He wouldn't let that happen.

He didn't remember hearing his friends. So, he hoped they had gotten away. That was good. But he didn't want Zoro, or any of them to come after him.

Luffy tried to pull his arms apart but they were stuck behind his back- handcuffs. His legs were tied together with rope. He could work with that.

A long time ago Dragon had showed him how to escape from the back of a car. It was a lesson the hunters took joy in repeating. Even though he was a hunter Dragon always told Luffy his opponents wouldn't always be monsters. Some of them would be human.

In Luffy's life, all of them had been monsters- and they had almost all been human as well.

Luffy still had Nami's lock pick needle embedded in his sleeve. He retrieved it, moving slowly so the hunters sitting ahead of him wouldn't notice. He bent his legs, drawing his bound hands to the ropes. It was a really slow process, sawing through the thick cords with a tiny lock pick. But he was determined. Luffy wasn't going to let weakness kill his family- not when they were trying to protect him. He couldn't drag them down with him.

The ropes around his knees frayed, eventually followed by the ones on his ankles. He didn't risk snapping them until he felt the truck slow. A hand returned to his shoulder and he froze.

"Shit, do you really think he's dead?"

"Dunno, they hit him pretty hard with that stuff. I'm pretty sure he stopped breathing for a minute.

"Is he breathing now?"

"How should I know, go check."

"Did we kill a little kid?"

"Well, it wasn't us was it? Just do your jobs."

The hands returned to his shoulders, shaking him more insistently. "Hey kid, wake up."

Moving suddenly, like a snake lunging out, Luffy twisted his legs and the ropes snapped. The man cried out in surprise as Luffy kicked out, hitting his face. The second hunter grabbed for him only for the pointy end of Luffy's knee to smash into his nose. Ace always teased him that he was too bony for any wolf to want to eat and getting kneed in the stomach when they were sleeping should be considered lethal force. He hoped his brother was right as he heard the crunch of the man's face. The hunter howled attracting the attention of two more hunters.

One was the driver, and the other sitting in the shotgun. Both turned, looks of surprise on their faces. Shit! Moving clumsily with his bound arms Luffy dove over the seats, kicking one of the doors open. The hunters were too surprised to do more than stutter as he fell.

Luffy landed on his knees in the mud, the rain on his face chasing away his sluggishness.

"Well, looks like you learned a trick or two!" The gruffest voice said, and Luffy looked up, surprised. Before him stood a hunter with a bigger build than the others. Luffy recognized him once again- Bluejam.

"Hello there Red," the man snickered. "It seems like you had some fight in ya' after all." The way he talked, slow and deliberate, cruelty hidden in each word. Luffy remembered all to well what he was like- how he never hesitated to hurt him.

Luffy stood up on shaky legs, taking a step back. The furious hunters stumbled after him, with bloodied faces, but Bluejam waived them off.

"I can handle the kid. Ain't that right boy? Remember the fun we used to have."

Luffy growled.

The man just laughed. "Jesus, you have been spending too much time with wolves. Haven't you? We all thought you were dead, hell I bet you wish you were dead. So, what was it like?" He took a step and Luffy stumbled back, feeling strong arms grab his shoulders, holding him in place for the approaching hunter.

"They didn't eat little pieces of you then. Keep you around for emergency food?" his fingers prodded the two bite marks and Luffy tried to flinch back again, violently pushing against the hands holding him. His wrists were sore from fighting the handcuffs. When he couldn't free himself, he snapped towards the offending fingers and the hunter withdrew them quickly, spitting a cuss. "It seems like you still got your spirit. I was so sure we took care of that when you were a kid."

"What's going on?" A hunter Luffy didn't recognize got out of one of the trucks, slamming the door as he stalked forwards, face tense.

"We have a little runaway."

The man regarded him and Luffy growled once more.

"How did he escape."

"Kids persistent when he wants to be. Trust me, he's not worth the headache for you. We know how to manage him." The man's hand tightened as Luffy tried to lunge forward. "We'll handle him. I mean, he's under our jurisdiction. We can take the others off your hands too if you want. I haven't seen a vampire in ages. Pretty neat huh- Damn!" One of the men moved to help contain Luffy as he started to scream at his words.

"He sounds possessed."

Bluejam scoffed. "He's throwing a tantrum. Always such a brat huh Red?"

"I'm not sure about that. It's against protocol to not report this. Boss might want to know about the vampire. That was odd behavior for one – can vampires get rabies perhaps. Maybe it was diseased?"

"We'll report it- don't worry. I just figured you don't want the headache these three are going to bring. Especially this guy," he shook Luffy's shoulder with a laugh. "Bring him in if you must, they'll just give him back to us. We know how to deal with him. It'll save you a lot of time and paperwork if he just comes back with us."

"If the kid really is in some kind of trance, we have to do this right. Get him back to his parents."

"Oh, trust me. This kid is a real mama's boy." Bluejam smirked, showing his yellow teeth. "I'm Real close with his mom."

Without warning, Luffy bashed his head straight into the man's jaw. The hunter staggered back, hands gripping his chin as he swore. Additional hands grabbed Luffy's shoulders, pulling him away. When he didn't stop struggling someone grew tired of him and hit his head with the blunt end of their gun.

Luffy crumpled into the grabbing hands, and once more he felt them pick him up, carrying him back over to the truck, the hunters still arguing over what to do with him.

XXX

Garp caught Dragons eyes from across the room. His son pointedly turned his gaze back to the papers in front of him.

Things had been strained since Dragon learned Garp had hidden the truth about Luffy. Even more so when Garp learned Dragon had purposely sent Luffy out into the woods, telling his little grandson that Garp was in support of it.

The man looked down at his own papers in front of him. He was barely paying attention to the old summit advisors as they droned on about the usual topics covered in the bi-monthly town meeting.

What if Luffy had known that Garp would have protected him. Then again, he hadn't protected Luffy at all, had he? Not from anything since Makino died. His hands tightened on the stack, crinkling the corners.

There were so many questions:

Where had Luffy been? Who had he been with?

Who or what had attacked him? How had he survived that? Who saved him? Why would anyone do that?

Why had he stayed away all these years? Had it been his decision or someone else's?

-More than anything Garp wanted to know if it would have mattered. If Luffy knew Garp hadn't been involved, and if Luffy was allowed to come back to town. Then would his grandson have come to see him? Or send some sign to tell him he was alive.

There was a gentle knock on the door, cutting off the ancient record keeper from whatever he was talking about. All eyes turned to the forever nervous Coby as he came in.

"Uh, Sir- Garp- Sir Captain Garp," the terrified boy stuttered. "Someone wants to talk to you. They said it's urgent."

Usually, Garp would make them wait for the end of the meeting. However, he was grateful for a break from the tension. He pushed back his seat with marked enthusiasm.

"Carry on then," he said as he followed Coby out of the room. The boy looked incredibly red-faced the entire way. Coby was entirely dedicated to joining the town's military force, but he was also one of the most spineless people Garp had ever met so mostly he worked as a secretary of sorts.

"What is this about?" Garp asked as they made their way down the corridors of the town hall.

"Sorry to disturb you sir," Coby was rambling now. "There was just a really scary man- or kid I guess. Well, I think he is actually a junior or something- I see him at school sometimes. But I'm just a freshman so he's still pretty scary to me-"

"You pulled me out of a meeting because a high school student threatened you?"

"Ah no! He wanted to talk to you. I tried to tell him you were occupied and to leave a message, but he said it was an emergency. He said he was going to push me into my locker if I didn't come to get you… it sounded really urgent," Coby offered, his face sheepish. "He said you would understand if you heard him out."

Garp huffed, squaring up his shoulders. The last thing he needed was to be pranked by a school kid right now. He would deal with him quickly- give him a good punch or two and send him on his way.

Garp's resolution held up until he made it outside to see the angry face waiting for him.

It was indeed a high school boy, his face drawn tight with impatience and anger. He was partway through tossing another rock at the building's windows, and from the looks of it, he had thrown several at the building in the time it took Coby to retrieve him.

The moment their eyes connected the rock fell from the boy's fingers. Garp recognized him (hard not to with the green hair). This was Dragons' most promising successor. However, his future remained to be seen. Zoro was what they called him.

"Finally," the kid said. He slung the sword cases over his shoulder, approaching Garp with the same level of confidence and fearlessness that had singled him out as a strong candidate.

Garp raised his eyebrows, expecting an explanation he knew wasn't going to be adequate for this kind of behavior. But the kid didn't seem concerned with his clear annoyance, nor any of this.

"You're Luffy's grandfather right?"

Whatever Garp had been expecting it wasn't that.

"What?"

"You're Luffy's Grandfather, right? Marco said you would be here. We need to talk."

"Luffy-," Garp repeated. "My grandsons dead."

The kid- Zoro rolled his eyes. "We both know he's not and I really don't have time for this right now."

"Time for what?" Garp challenged feeling his temper grow. "How do you know about my grandson." He had thought that only three people, including himself, knew about Luffy. Now apparently it was common knowledge.

Zoro growled in frustration, tugging at his fringe. "Listen, old man, I told you I don't have time for twenty questions. Luffy is my friend, okay? And he is in trouble. So I need to know what side of this you are on."

Garp's age-riddled mind worked to keep up with him. Zoro was Luffy's friend? How was that possible if Luffy didn't even live here? Then again who knows where Luffy lived. Who allowed his grandson to have friends? Did he have that much freedom in his everyday life, he was allowed to befriend kids from his hometown.

"Where," Garp said after a moment. "Where did you meet him?"

The boy groaned again. "Did you not hear me! I don't have time! Luffy doesn't have time for you to figure this out. I don't even want to be here. The rest of them didn't think I should have come here. They said not to trust you, but Marco told me his father spoke highly of you so I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt- got that!"

Garp had no idea what the hell this kid was talking about other than apparently Whitebeard's son knew something about this. Was there anyone in this town who wasn't in on this- whatever this was?

"Tell me, where did you meet my grandson," Garp repeated, and his tone suggested there was no room for argument.

The kid huffed, clearly understanding they were at an impasse. Finally, he answered. "Luffy was the one, or one of the ones that saved us when we got lost in the woods all those months ago. We kept in touch ever since. Last night he showed up at my house. Apparently his- everyone else was busy and he wanted help taking down the traps."

"You have been taking down the traps!" Garp was incredulous. "Wait Luffy's been doing that? Wait!? He came to town?"

"Yeah, he comes to town like once a month. And yes! Sometimes he takes down the hunter traps. He says they just catch- like the little wolves and he knows what the hunters will do to them."

Garp was still struggling to keep up with all of the information this total stranger knew about his grandson. Friends? He had spent so many years sick about Luffy only to find out that not only was he alive- but he had friends? He was coming to town now?

"Was anyone with him?" Garp asked. "Like anyone- threatening him?"

Zoro huffed again. "Dude, what do you want from me? This is Luffy's business not mine. Ask him, okay? I didn't come here to tattle on him to you."

"His Business!" Garp repeated in disbelief. "I've spent years thinking my grandson was murdered, and you say he has been in town?"

"Look I don't know his situation. I think some really bad things happened here, but you would know more about that than me? If you find him, you can ask him."

"Find him," Garp repeated. "If I haven't found him in seven years what makes you think I can Find him now?"

"That's what I'm trying to tell you," The boy snapped. "I'm seriously not one to get caught in other people's business but in this case, I think it might save him. He's in serious trouble. Why else would I come here? They took him."

"The wolves?" Garp asked.

"What? No?" Zoro made a face. "The hunters- obviously."

"The hunters?" Garp repeated stupidly. This was getting less believable by the second. "How long ago?"

The boy shrugged. "I don't know, a couple of hours, half a day at most. I was sort of hoping to find him myself. Then I wouldn't need to come here. But I can't and I think they are going to kill him."

"Luffy isn't with the hunters," Garp said. "Trust me. If he was caught, they would have alerted Dragon and my son would have told me." Or rushed out of the meeting. Dragon was precise with the reports. His son wouldn't have missed a detail like that.

"They're probably not going to report it!" Zoro challenged. "You seriously don't know what's going on do you?"

"Why wouldn't they report it? It's standard procedure."

"They're not following the rules!" The teenager burst out. "Hell, I think they are going to kill Luffy. That's why his bro- his friends looked so worried when they found out. The hunters caught him, and they are going to do something horrible to him. I can't find him so my last hope- Luffy's last hope- is you. You have to save him. Otherwise-" the teen's grip tightened on the straps of his swords. "Luffy got caught for us. I can't just stand here and do nothing. So will you help him or not?"

"We have to check in with the hunters," Garp said, resolute.

The teenager cut him off. "I spent ten minutes in Luffy's old house and even I understand what was going on. But you still have no clue? I don't buy that?"

"What-?"

"Why do you think Luffy doesn't want to come back to town," Zoro snapped. "How are all of you this blind? Maybe you just don't care." He shook his head. "Forget it, I've made a mistake. I'll find him myself."

Garp moved, catching the teen's arm to stop him. "I'll find him," he promised. "If Luffy's in trouble I will protect him."

Zoro yanked his arm free in annoyance. "I'll tell you where to start, but you have to promise me three things."

"This isn't a negotiation boy!"

"I'm looking out for my friend?" He argued. "You will promise me three things or I'm walking out of here. And don't even think about lying or I'm coming for you next! I don't care that you are some kind of war hero. I'll kick your ancient ass!"

Annoying as he was, Garp had to admire his drive. He understood why they had picked this kid. Although right now it wasn't all that helpful.

"What are your terms?"

He held up three fingers. "First, you find Luffy- save him- and then you let him go. No kidnapping him, he's had enough of that for a lifetime. In fact, don't tell anyone about him. I don't care if his great-great-aunt is about to take her dying breath or something- ZIP IT!"

"Fine." Garp had no intention of telling anyone about Luffy anyway. He would get his little grandson in too much trouble that way.

"Two, no matter what you find out… or whoever is with Luffy, you leave them be. If you hurt someone, he cares about he will NEVER forgive you. Got that. Don't just come in guns blazing, especially since you have no idea what's really going on. Hear him out, and if he tells you to leave someone alone- LEAVE THEM THE HELL ALONE."

Garp didn't promise that one, but the teenager kept going.

"Third- Don't trust the hunters. They're not as noble as you think. Deal? DEAL?"

The old man sighed, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "That was four things." Don't hold Luffy against his will (the idea had crossed his mind), don't tell anyone (that was a given), Don't kill anyone (that was more of field decisions), and don't trust the hunters. Some of these were up for interpretation, but Zoro didn't seem to think so. He glared up at Garp in stony resolution until it became clear that they were at a stalemate.

"Fine!" Garp growled. "If you tell me who took him, I will get him back… and then let him go." Probably… maybe. And maybe without bloodshed. But only after Luffy gave him a really good explanation for everything.

"Fine," Zoro accepted. "And I have no idea who took him. But I can find out for you." He gestured to the building behind them. "If you let me see the records I- we can figure it out for you."

"We?" Garp repeated.

Zoro nodded. "Yeah, it's not just me who's friends with Luffy. Plus, Luffy sort of saved this lady and she says she will help too."

"Fine," Garp said again. This whole thing was quickly getting away from him. But this could be his only chance- to see Luffy again. And if this boy was right, his one chance to save him. "But if you want me to keep my word, then you better not let Dragon see you. My son is as sharp as ever and he knows his kid is still alive now. Take my word for it. He's not as willing to play by your rules as I am."

Garp honestly didn't know what would happen if Dragon got ahold of Luffy.

XXX

"Do you think this is one of the humanoid ones?"

"How the hell should I know? I've never met a real human one. Some sort of try but you can totally tell they're not civilized like us."

"I don't know… but it kind of looks like it understands us."

Ace's eyes were flickering from hunter to hunter as they talked, following their conversation.

The man scoffed. "Yeah right. It's deciding which one of us it wants to eat first. I tell ya' that's all these things think of."

Within the limits of the metal cage on his snout, Ace licked his lips. Both the hunters shivered.

They had to be somewhere in the outlands. Nearing the edge of the forest but, also near the human boundary. Hunters had a few headquarters here. This one looked like an old hunting cabin, decrepit with age.

He snarled at the hunters as they lifted his cage in unison. Roughly dropping it onto the ground.

"Where does boss Bluejam want them?"

"Put the wolf with the others. I'll check about the vampire. Honestly, that thing gives me the creeps. We have to be careful with it. We're not really zoned to hold his kind."

"And the kid?"

"Boss wants to play with him."

Ace growled again, but both of them ignored him.

"So that little kid honestly used to be part of this unit?"

"It's a long story. Trust me, you'll want to stay out of it. The less you know the less you'll get implicated if the big boss finds out."

"So why does Bluejam even care about this kid then? Less of a headache if we had just let the others deal with him."

"You don't understand," the hunter's voice dropped a bit lower. "The boss has a plan; he always had a plan."

XXX

"Red! Red, Yo. Wakeup dammit."

Luffy opened his eyes, feeling dizzy and not quite awake. His head was too fuzzy to really focus on anything. Like all the gravity had shifted around him. He continued to lay where they had dropped him until a hard kick to the ribs made him turn over.

"I told you!" someone complained. "You gave him too much! He's not going to be any fun now."

Someone grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. The second they let go he felt himself drop to the floor once more. Hands were on him again and he tried to growl, but it came out more like a whine.

Coarse fingers yanked his jaw up, so his eyes met an incredibly ugly set. For some reason, they looked familiar, and it sent shivers down his spine.

"So kid," the familiar ugly face asked. "Where the hell have you been?"

Luffy decided that he was dreaming. He had to be. Nothing felt real. Even the rough floor of the hunting cabin felt fake as he dug his fingers into it. This was just a dream. A nightmare. He had had it before. Where the hunters from his childhood kidnapped him and threaten to kill his family.

They looked mean and scary- just like now. Reaching out with a clumsy hand he poked the big ugly man's big ugly nose and laughed as the man cursed.

The hunter punched him, sending him back to the floor. Luffy laughed, even as he felt blood fall from his nose. It was just a dream. He was going to wake up soon. And he would be safe- away from here. He just had to wait.

"Dammit!" The man was swearing. "He's really insane, isn't he?"

"It's the tranqs boss. I told you that was way too much. They're not mixing well with his concussion."

Luffy kept laughing. Now his dream-villains were making up words.

One of them grabbed his jaw again, yanking him to his knees once more. Thick fingers snapped in front of his face. "Stay with me Red. I asked you a question. And if you don't answer- I break your finger. So here the hell have you been?"

Luffy didn't want his finger broken. Not even in a dream. So, between his laughter, he told them the truth.

"The woods."

"I thought a wolf killed you?"

"It tried to but a wolf saved me. A different one, and it took me to his wolf house to live with him. And a vampire." Luffy laughed. "I thought wolves lived in dens. But this one lived in a house. They like – we made a cake."

The man's sour face curdled like old milk. "He's delirious and useless."

"If you wait a bit the drugs should wear off."

The hunter scoffed. "The longer this kid is alive the greater the risks of someone finding out about him."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" One of the hunters questioned and the man seethed, leaving the other terrified hunter to squeak an apology.

"I was just wondering…"

"Yes, Idiot!" Bluejam snapped. He grabbed a fistful of Luffy's shirt, yanking it up for the room to see the scares underneath. "What does this look like to you?"

"And idiot," Luffy said.

Bluejam kicked him again, and he fell back. Still laughing.

"I thought this kid was dead. What do you think is going to happen if he is miraculously found? They are going to search him." The man ran a rough finger over Luffy's still healing vampire bite and he hissed back, doing his best imitation of one of the monsters.

"They will search him for stuff like this right here. And what will they find? Not a bunch of vampire bites, or even wolf bites. No! They will find burns. Human inflicted burns. Which will make them think a human did this. And all of a sudden everyone might start listening to little Red's cries of the mean men who mistreated him."

Luffy laughed again. That was a funny thought. But the dream hunter was stupid. Because they hadn't listened when he was a kid. Why would they listen to him now?

Ignoring the hysterical kid, the man continued. "What do you think Dragon is going to do to me if he connects those dots."

"He's going to kill you," Luffy giggled.

"Can someone shut him up?"

"So, we can't let anyone find out we have him then?" The hunter said unsurely. "So, what do we do with him."

Blue jam rose from his seat, coming to stand above Luffy.

"Do you know what we are going to do with you Red?"

"Bake me a cake!" Luffy was laughing again. Further irking the man. He really hated kids.

"I'm going to give you what you always wanted." He promised. "We're going to reunite you with your mom." He snapped at one of the hunters, who watched the scene, gawking in shock. "Get a shovel from the shed and make me a hole… not too close to the cabin alright." The man turned back to where Luffy was staring up at him, trying to hide his smirk.

"What the hell is funny about this kid! I'm going to finish what I started seven years ago? What part of that aren't you getting?"

"My mom's not in a hole," Luffy told him trying to contain his laughter. "She's up there. The only person who's going down there is you!" He was laughing again now. "I'm going to wake up, I always wake up."

"Someone shut this kid up."

"You'll see," Luffy told him- "Someone will wake me up if it gets too scary. -

Someone always woke him up.

XXX

I know this seems like it's getting pretty dark but give it a chapter. Pretty soon Garp will come save the day and then the real fun starts! (Like actual fun, not dark fun, just cute fluff).

If anyone had any head cannons that accompany a wolf/ vampire seeing the human world for the first time let me know and I will try to fit it in. I'm thinking pancakes and daytime TV. Any way. I can't wait for the next lil part so you won't have to wait very long.

I promise the more enthusiasm for this story, the faster I try to update. It's dorky but it reminds me that people still care about this fic even after a billion years. Which always makes my twisted lil heart happy- and the happier I am the more fic I seem to write. So if it's not too much trouble, tell me what you guys thought and I promise I'll try to post Garp's epic entrance as quickly as I can.

Extra information about their world for anyone who's curious:

(In response to the Guest that asked me where Ace and Sabo are getting their supplies/ food items in the middle of the woods-)

First off, you are the first person to ask this which surprised me. But I guess in a dumb fic about werewolves everyone suspended their disbelief about the apple juice. Secondly, I have second-hand embarrassment for myself right now because I have been dying for someone to ask me this.

So, I don't know if I talked about this yet or not, but the three are living in the hunting cabin they fixed up that actually used to belong to Roger. He took Ace there sometimes (I think I mentioned it in the flashback). So as king of wolves and partial resident of town Roger had access to a lot of human things. So, he kept the cellar stocked with nonperishables. So they already have some stuff. Other than this, the boys have three ways of getting stuff. 1) Luffy picks it up in town when he goes to get blood. 2) There are the human pits, where all the items collected from victims and trespassers are dumped (I talked about them in the Christmas flashback chapter). Sometimes they scavenge stuff. 3) The forest dwellers have more of a trading system than they get credit for. The woods are a massive area, and they have some (think super simple) hunter- gatherer/agriculture set up. Since both vampires and some more human wolves live here, they tend to do some human things like raise wild chickens, grow small patches of crops like wheat ect. The vampire group are even known to have craftsman like glassblowers and leather makers.

I haven't specifically put much thought into every food item shown in the story. But as for the apple juice Sabo gave Luffy, either he made it himself, from a crab apple tree, or some other forest dweller made some and gave them a batch of it. As for the cake, they don't do a lot of baking, so I just assumed Sabo was using the supply in the cellar (yes the stuff is expired). They can get more through trading for stuff like ground flour, or just buying it (At least Luffy can).

If I ever write them eating like a pineapple or an octopus, you can call me out because I have clearly left the realm of possibilities.

On that note: To answer (the/another ?) Guest's questions if anyone is curious:

Do they get winter? -Haha, no it isn't like florida. I mentioned earlier that fall was coming, so I think they are probably in winter right now. Maybe the really bad snowfall hasn't come yet. If it's anything like Colorado we can get terrible snowstorms and then shorts weather the next day. I mentioned in a flashback about Ace that it was freezing and snowy in the woods.

Can you do a flashback of Luffy's first winter with ace and sabo? – Maybe! If you remind me. That does sound super cute! I'll try to get to that section of the flashbacks soon and try to squeeze it in. Because aww.

Does the snow make ace cold since hes a werewolf does it affect sabo since hes a vampire? How do the creatures deal with it?

So Ace had normal wolf protection from the cold. He gets cold but he has fur. Same with Sabo. He's a vampire so he still gets cold but it isn't going to kill him. They are both tougher than humans. Wolves deal with the cold the same as real-world wolves do. And vampires bundle up haha.

When did ace start warming up to luffy instead of ignoring him. How did sabo learn to show luffy affection if he was freaking out over a hug?

I will go into it more in a flashback but Ace and Sabo gradually became more comfortable with him while living together. (You can kind of see that in the flashback where Luffy tried to brush Ace's fur.) they give in little by little. And Luffy sort of just hugged the fear out of Sabo until he learned to handle it.

When did ace , when sabo and luffy start calling each other brothers? - Can you do a flashback on it?- I will! Promise. But similar to the cannon. They just decided it was time and became little drunk kids together.

Does luffy kind of see Ace and sabo as both parent and sibling? I think he does. But it's a little bit like in the canon story. From what I understand, Luffy loves them like his brothers. But there are moments they are in this older/ protective/ teaching/ role model position with him. I think Luffy probably doesn't know what parents are like so the mentorship he gets from them might be the closest thing he had growing up.

But in this story that part of their relationship is a lot more exaggerated. Mostly because of everything he's gone through. So there are times when he really just needs them to comfort him and take care of him like a parent would. They can do this better here because not being human (Sabo especially) matures a little faster.

Did ace imprint on sabo to or was it just luffy? Can wolves imprint on vampires? No. I think I talked about it in that chapter but just Luffy. It's physically impossible for a wolf and vampire. Otherwise, it would have been on both of them. I think it's because Ace is part human-like Luffy, whereas vampires are something else entirely. So their genes won't allow it.

Why I decided that I have no clue. But me three years ago thought it was a good idea so I guess I have to stick with all my weird story decisions.

Sabo worked for dragon in the series will that hold any significance to this story? – No, I can't get him to in a way that fits. But After everything he'd done to Sabo's lil fam. He would never want to.

I love law but I dont like him in this story especially with how hes is with luffy , like law no he's a child don't flirt with him.

Laws character was one of those weird decisions I made when I was seventeen that now I hate but I sort of have to stick with. So I think I wrote that before I actually got the part where I met Law lol. I will go into his backstory/ his beef with Sabo later. But basically, he is Law without Cora's influence. And he's less about hassling Luffy and more about getting to Sabo through doing it because he knows how protective he is over his younger brother. Kind of a- 'I lost my younger sibling, you we're too busy with your new one' type of anger.

Anyways! Hope that helped. I mean it when I say I love it when people ask me world-building questions. It always makes me think which I love.

XXX

Evangjoanne: Aww, I always love hearing that. Thank you so much! And I owe everyone who reads mermaid story an apology. Don't worry. An update is coming on that one. I am so happy to hear you like them! So nice of you.

And yes, poor all three of them now. Don't worry. It will be short-lived. Sabo always has a plan (he's the smart one.)

That chapter with evil Sabo has a special place in my heart haha. I will go a little more into Luffys mom and why he was so sad in that moment. But thank you! That is so nice once again.

Summer Nickels: I will certainly try. It is my happy place. And thank you.

Guest: They will be okay! Sabo has a plan!

Random: Of course!

Guest: Aw, thanks. You are so nice!