Chapter 9: Garp returns

Shayla was a little embarrassed to face Luffy and Sabo after the whole spider and beetle incident. She hated that she was scared of insects, but there was no controlling this fear.

Shay wanted some time to get herself together before going back to her two friends and told Ace to go ahead without her. What were they going to say? They would probably make fun of her because of it. The girl sighed, she would have to get this over with sooner rather than later or it would just be awkward to go back. Well, more awkward.

She took a deep breath before going back and was soon she was jumped to the ground with someone on top of her, "I'm sorry Shay, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted you to see how cool it was" Luffy cried. Did he just? "I'm sorry too, Shay. We've never seen you scared of anything and I took advantage of this chance, but I went too far" Sabo said sincerely before offering a hand to help her stand. They both apologized and didn't laugh at her. They really didn't think she was a weak girl?

Shayla smiled, "I forgive you" hugged Luffy and signaled for Sabo to come here too. He blushed a little and went shyly over to them.

Ace laughed in the background, further increasing Sabo's blush. "Come and join us Ace" she called him too, "No," he said coolly. The young girl knew he wouldn't give in. So, Shay sighed, curled her hand into a fist, and bending the earth around his legs, before taking her hand up to her shoulder pulling him closer to them.

In a matter of seconds, he was right beside them and Shayla quickly hugged him before he could register what had happened, "Your powers can be really annoying" he commented and slowly embracing her back.

They got hungry and went out to hunt. They caught two crocodiles, one to eat and the other to sell in town. The three boys sat on top of each other's shoulders and pretended to be a man. Shayla walked next to 'him' and played his daughter while they pulled the dead reptile.

They got the skin for a good price and Ace suggested that they should eat ramen in a restaurant. As soon as they entered, they were about to be kicked out for being 'poor looking'. Sabo then showed them a golden seal and told his friends that claimed to have found it outside. That story felt weird to Shayla because she would have had noticed something like that was out on the street.

Shayla dismissed it for now but still intended to ask him later. They ordered ramen a bowl of ramen for them each and the woman who was serving them came in with 4 bowls. It was certainly delicious and they quickly finished only ordering more.

They soon got caught but not before eating 32 bowls of ramen in total. They jumped out of the window to escape. While running away the friends agreed on going back to the woods, "Sabo" a man suddenly called, "Oi Sabo his calling you" Ace said to him. Sabo looked back for a second before continuing, "He's got the wrong person" the blond defended.

The friends went over to a cliff and questioned him about the man, "I'm the son of a noble" finally answered. The two black-haired boys looked confused, "Son of a noble? Who is?" they asked, "I am" he screamed. Both of them just picked his nose, "So?" they asked. Shayla stood back and watch the scene curiously. If they reacted like that to Sabo's father, would they take it that well when she finally told them about hers? Hopefully.

Sabo told them that he ran away from home and that he was always a failure in their eyes. He was just a tool, and would only get their love if he married a royal girl. Even though he had parents he was all alone.

"Ace, Shayla, Luffy. We'll definitely set sail one day and leave this country. To be free. I wanna know about the world and write a book about my adventures. I don't mind having to study navigation. I'll be stronger and become a pirate" Sabo declared proudly, making them all smile.

"You don't have to tell me, you know. I'll be a pirate, I'll fight, fight, fight until I'm the most famous. That's the way I'll prove my existence. I don't care if the bastards in the world don't recognize me. I don't care how much they hate me. I'll become a pirate; I won't run from anyone nor lose to anyone. Everybody will know my name," Ace vowed with his pipe in the air.

"Oh, I see" the youngest of the 4 stepped over to the edge. "I'll become the Pirate King" Luffy yelled. Shocking the two older boys, "Huh?" they asked and he just laughed. "You're talking nonsense again," Ace said while ruffing his own hair.

Sabo on the other hand join the boy and laughed too, "You're so funny, Luffy. I can't wait to see what will happen with you in the future". Shayla walked over to them smiling, "I can see this one causing trouble for everyone" she patted him on the head, "What about you, Shay" Luffy giggled.

It was her turn to dramatically scream her dream over the sea, "I want to draw the world. I'll travel the world as a pirate and draw whatever looks the most amazing thing on the island. Then I'll draw it in a way that illustrates the beauty of this world," she smirked at them. All of them flashing her a bright smile too, supporting each other's goals.

"It's great that we all want to become pirates. But is it's okay we all want to become captains too" Sabo started, "I didn't think of that? Sabo, I planned for you to become my navigator" Ace decided. "You'll be on my ship" Luffy declared, "I refuse" both boys yelled, "No thanks, I'm going back to my crew" the girl smiled.

They all stir at her confused, "What do you mean your crew" the youngest asked. "I'm a pirate on board my father's ship that's how I know Shanks. Our two crews used to fight" she told them, but she didn't think it was time to tell them who her old man really was yet.

Shayla was afraid something in their relationship would change if she did. It wasn't like with Sabo's father, he was just a lowly noble from a faraway sea. The great pirate Edward Newgate aka. Whitebeard was known thought the whole world and sadly it always somehow affected her getting friends. She loved these idiots in front of her and didn't want to lose them, especially not when they all four got along so well.

"Oh alright. Then it's the three of us that going to be a captain" the blond remembering it now.

-x-

Ace left not long ago to grab something and the three of them just played around. "Luffy, controlling a devil's fruit power can be difficult and you have to learn how to use it in your own way. There is no right or wrong and everything depends on you" Shayla encouraged, "I learn this new trick," he told her, "Then show me" she smiled. "Alright, here I come. Gomu Gomu no pistole" he stretched his arm trying to hit her. But he ended up hitting the ground and then himself, "That something you have to work on sunshine" she giggled.

"Shay, Luffy come over here. Ace's back and wants us here" Sabo said. They walk over to a stump with 4 small red cups, "We'll find out who'll become a captain in the future. Maybe we'll all be on different ships" Ace told them. "Did you steal that liquor from Dadan?" the youngest asked.

"Did you guys know, when men drink together, they become brothers?" Ace said smiling, ignoring the previous question. 'His smile looks really cute' the girl thought "Brothers, really?" a big smile appeared on all their faces as he poured them some. "Maybe we won't be pirates on the same ship, but we'll be united by our bonds of brotherhood. No matter where we are or what we are doing, no one can break this bond." The boys took their cup and were ready to drink it, "What's wrong Shay aren't you going to drink?" the blond asked.

"This a bond between men and brotherhood, I'm neither," she told them, "But you're one of us" Ace responded, "I know. This is a men's vow, it's all for you guys. We can make another vow after you guys become brothers" she smiled and meant every word. "Alright but only if you're sure," Luffy waited for some kind of confirmation and she nodded, "Ace, continue" she was happy for them and that they found each other. Shayla didn't see the last 12 years as a total loss. She met these misfits after all.

"Alright, from now on we are brother's" the three of them clanked their cups together before drinking them.

"Now, let's make a vow for us all. I may not be a boy, but I am glad that I found you guys. I am 11 years and actually never made a friend my age. You guys are a blessing. Here's a toast to family," she said before drank it too. She almost spat it out again, "Is what daddy loves to drink so much?" she questioned.

"Like it or not we too are bonded" the guys cheered.

-x-

It's been a week since their vows, the 3 brothers and girl was facing some delinquents close to the big gates. The fight against them was pretty easy and when the guards came, they ran away. They lived free, with no one to tell them what to do and it was perfect.

The three boys she has grown to call her family had just bought or rather stolen a sketchbook. So now she could practice her dream before actually going to sea herself. It was their way of supporting her goal and she would do whatever to help them too.

They came home with a deer for the bandits to eat and gave it to Dadan. When dinner was ready at the house it was chaos as always. Dadan got mad at them and threw them all into the bathroom to take a shower. Shayla didn't take a bath with the boys. so; she made her own little place and got her own water to bath. She was growing up after all.

-x-

The next morning, Dogra woke her and Luffy up because someone was there to visited them. Luffy quickly ran out of the room to see who it was. Shayla turned around to sleep a little longer or that's what she hoped. Ace picked her up and took her outside, "You can't sleep all day" he took her out to the sun.

"No! Ace" and she curled up against him, "Shayla" he whispered and made her look, "Makino" Shay jumped down and hugged the woman. Makino had brought them clothes, for Luffy, it was a t-shirt with a star and for Shayla, it was a white dress with purple flowers. She didn't want to change in front of everybody, so she went inside.

When she came back out, she saw Sabo was given a purple shirt and Makino was trying the size on Ace, who was blushing, 'that's cute' she thought and smirked at his embarrassment. Shay walked over to the other guys, "Wow Shay you look like a girl" Luffy complimented, "She is a girl, stupid. But he's right, Shay, you do look great" Sabo said in a gentlemanly kind of way.

Shayla looked at Ace while on his way over to them still blushing, "What's wrong, Ace, are you sick," she asked concerned, and touched his forehead. "I-I'm fine," he said not looking at her at all, 'Does he like Makino' she smirked.

Makino made them all dinner and everybody enjoyed it very much, "When I become a pirate I'll have a chef that can make great food as this" Sabo vowed, "I'm going to be a pirate first so, that's impossible" Ace challenged, "That's not fair. I'm going to become a pirate before either of you two" Luffy declared and the mountain bandits spit their drinks out as a dark figure appeared.

The two black-haired boys look at them not understanding what's going on until they heard a throat being cleared and suddenly felt fear as they turned around. "You two still going on about that?" Garp asked. Ace and Luffy spit their drinks out too, "I'm telling you; you're going to be marines. Why is it so hard to understand?" he yelled, "Wait, Old man. How are you doing that, making them all shit like that?" Shayla asked while pointed at all of them.

He punched Ace and Luffy over the head, "Dadan" and punched her too and all three fell to the floor. "It depends are you going to be a pirate too" he looked at Shayla with a menacing glare, "I'm not going to be a pirate. I'm already one" Shay whispered the last part, obviously not stupid. "That's Garp. So, this old man is Ace and Luffy's grandfather" Sabo looked scared too.

"Boy, you were talking about going out to sea, too" Garp turned his gaze to Sabo. Luffy came and stood in front of the blond, "It's not 'boy'. It's Sabo. We shared a toast of brotherhood and promised to become pirates. Shay too" he snitched.

Garp turned to the girl, "You lied to save yourself? Smart. You wanted to know how I make them all piss their pants?" he took his fist up, "Nah, I'm good" she said, nervously eating her food. "Oh? So, in the words, there is now 4 idiot who wants me to give them a work out" cracking his hands and it made them all sweat out of fear. The three boys were ready to run, Luffy took Shay's hand, and ran outside with the others.

Their scream could be heard throughout the forest "I said wait" the old man went after Luffy first. Garp tried to punch him but he jumped to avoid it and hit the ground instead. Next, it was Ace. His grandpa punched after him but missed and hit the tree behind him. Sabo got caught and was spinning around, "This old man is a monster" she heard him say.

Shayla on the other hand was different. When Garp tried to punch her, she punched back with stone gloves she quickly made but it quickly got destroyed. Garp looked surprised for a second and punched her again. So, she used her wind to redirect his fist. It went on for a while until he grabbed her by her wrist and lifted her to his height, "I've heard rumors that a girl on a certain pirate ship had the powers to control the elements. So, that's you?".

Shay smirked proudly, "Yeah, I'm the true daughter of Whitebeard. Are you going to turn me in now?" she asked. At least her family would know where she was. Garp let her go, "No, I'm not. but according to the rumors you disappeared and are supposed to be a young adult by now" he was waiting for her answers, "Yeah, I was supposed to be" not elaborating any further.

He turned to the boys and they looked shocked to know who she was. Shayla was afraid that they'll judge her, but the old man stood in front of her shielding her from them, "Let's continue, brats" Garp looked at her for a second before going after them again. It was like he was covering for her. 'Nah, that could be it' she thought. That meant a marine would care about a pirate. Anyway, she was grateful for whatever it was and went back to the house. It gave her a chance to think of what to say to them.

Shayla was never known as a coward. She would face whatever problem she was having head-on, that's what her father taught her. Then why was she so afraid to talk to the guys? If they really were her friend they wouldn't care, right? It's like with Sabo's father they didn't care, but then again her father was the strongest pirate out there. But they want to be pirates too… so, they shouldn't care, right?

All these thoughts went through her head and when they came back beaten, she wasn't looking at them. Instead, facing the window, looking out into the dark sky. "Shay, is it true your father is the pirate king's rival" Luffy asked excited, "yeah, he is or was" smiling down at him, "Ne, Shay tell us about him" Sabo said with a big smile, "He's the captain of the Whitebeard pirates and would do anything for the people he loves" She smiled with them.

Now she was waiting for Ace to accept her too but he never came. Shayla turned to him, "Ace" her heart slowly breaking, "Ace?" Sabo asked, "Ace, come, Shay is about to tell a story about her father" Luffy smiled at him. "I'm going to bed. I'm tired" Ace said before he went over to sleep and Shay's worst nightmare care truth: for her very best friends to leave her. "Guys, I'll tell you about him another time. I'm tired too" without saying another word she lay down facing the wall tears silently going down her cheek.

-x-

The next morning, Luffy woke her up, "Shay, it's morning get up!" he shook her lightly and she could barely look at him. "Just go without me today. Don't feel so good" Shayla said, "But Shay it's more fun when we all are together" he protested. Sabo went over to them, "If it's about Ace he'll come to his senses. Don't worry". Shayla hummed, not sure if she believed it, "Let's go Luffy. Let her stay for today" they hesitated, but the two boys went out of the room.

Shayla didn't move for a few hours trying to figure out why her friend wouldn't accept her. About noon she went back to sleep. By 3 pm she woke up and decided she needed some fresh air because her head was killing her.

Outside she took some water and splashed it on her face. She took a comb to brush her hair and braiding them into two braids. Her hair was now waist length and she went into the forest.

It was weird eating alone. Shayla was used to loud boys and before loud pirates. God, she missed her crew. They would accept her without any problems. Maybe it was time to go back home now. She had been here for almost 7 months now.

Shay went back to the house to pack her things, not that she had that many things. The only important thing was her sketchbook that the brothers bought her. Maybe she should let them have it as a reminder about her. When she was done it was sunset and she decided to sleep so she could set sail early in the morning.

Right before leaving Shayla wrote the brothers a letter, 'Luffy, Sabo, and Ace. I've decided to set sail today and by the time you read this, I'll be long gone. I wanted to tell you, but I knew you'll stop me so, I didn't. This is not goodbye. This is until we meet again out on the wide sea as pirates.'

- Love Shayla

Shay went over to the cliff edge where they made their promises and had prepared a small boat to set sail in. She gathered food and water the day before so she wouldn't go hungry. Shay looked back one last time before she used her powers to sail forward. Going where ever the wind took her and hopefully back to her crew.

Suddenly she felt someone jumping onto the boat and she looked back to see an angry Ace. She couldn't tell why he looked like that, "You were just going to leave without saying anything", she blinked emotionless, "I did write a letter" why would he care, "I read it. Why would you leave us?" anger clear in his eyes. "I have to go back to my family" which only made him angrier, "We're your family, too, Shay. Stay" he almost begged, "No. I'm going to stay where I'm not accepted," she said.

"I do accept you, Shayla" he stepped in front of her and took taking her hand, "When you guys found out. I wanted you to accept the most. When you dismissed me it really hurt because you're my first friend my age". He stood there regretful, "I promise, I'll never hurt you ever again" Ace and Shayla stood there starring at each other and he offered her his other hand too.

She didn't know what to do. If she stayed, when would she go back to the pirate ship? Her thought was interrupted by Sabo and Luffy, "Shayla, don't leave us. We don't care who your father is. Ace is an idiot for not seeing that" Sabo almost cried, "Yeah Shay, don't leave" Luffy repeated.

"Oi" Ace complained, "But they are right Shayla. I'm sorry for acting like that" he continued. Shay could see the sincerity in his eyes and she knew he meant it. So she took his hand. The happiness was clear in his, Luffy, and Sabo. They really came to get her back and it made her smile. Shayla loved her father very much, but it always somehow affected her social life. Now, she had finally made friends on her own without any interference from her pirate life.

The four of them walked into the forest but they didn't go in the direction of the bandits' house, "Where are we going" she asked still holding Ace's hand, "Home" Sabo simply said. "But home is not this way," she said confused, "We build a new home in the forest and we wanted to surprise you," Luffy said with his usual cheerful self. Do they want to surprise her?

When did they have time to build this thing for the four of them, "I was going to apologize to you last night, but you were asleep and this morning I barely hear you leave. It was almost too late" Ace sounded sad. Shayla's heart skipped a beat at his little confession and she took Ace's arm instead and laid her head on this shoulders, "Hey, what are you doing" she could see his blush as he panicked, 'That's cute' she thought but didn't let go.

Sabo and Luffy teased them or rather him, "Are you embarrassed, Ace?" Sabo teased, "Yeah, Ace your face is all red" Luffy laughed. Ace's face was covered in complete red flush and yelling at them to shut up and for Shayla to let him go.

She didn't and enjoyed the little show because something like this would never embarrass her.

The treehouse wasn't the most beautiful, but it was enough. Sabo was about to climb up the ladder when Shayla used the earth as a jumper and threw them all up at the same time. "That was awesome, Shay," Luffy said impressed. Funny thing was that it wasn't that it was hard to do.

"We, three, will sleep here and we made you a room for you" he showed her around in the not very large treehouse, "Impressive. Not bad at all" she smirked at them. "Something is missing" Ace started, "Since it's a secret base we need traps" for the boys t all made sense. They started to gather things, "What if we forget it's there and accidentally stopple upon them?" Shay said. She usually was the brain of them all but they looked at her like she was the stupid one, "What?" she questioned, "What kind of idiot would do that" all three said in unison.

'Huh, they really do share a brain cell' she thought.

The morning went by and they had their daily fights. Since there are four people, Shay could fight each of them 33 times. The last one was decided individually. Shay won all her fight against the brothers, Ace won 18 times against Sabo, and all his fights against Luffy. Sabo won 16times against Ace and all his fight again Luffy. Sadly, Luffy lost all of his fight against them. "Just you wait till I turn 11, I'll beat you all" he complained, "By then, we be 14 or 15 years. You can't defeat us" Ace shot back.

-x-

Winter was near and the brothers had to wear jackets. It got a lot colder, but it still didn't affect Shay that much. She only needed a hoody and long pants and was good to go. Anything more and she would be sweating and anything less she was chilly.

The four went hunting and Luffy finally had his first prey. He was so happy and his smile affected them all. That was until a giant tiger came to claim it. Luffy didn't care and was ready to fight it for the meat but Sabo and Ace carried him away. Shayla didn't give up like the brothers and charged the tiger and kicked it in the head. She took the prey and ran after the boys, "Here Luffy" she threw it in front of him and he hugged her, "Thank you" his smile was shining.

They ate it and went up to the treehouse to sleep when Luffy started giggling, "Having brothers and a sister sure is nice," he said under the blanket but Shay heard, "What are you happy about" Sabo didn't understand, "Ne, you should join my crew Ace, Sabo, and Shay please" Shayla looked tired, "No". The three continued to argue about how they should join each other's crew.

That was until Luffy had an idea, "The one who defeats lord tiger becomes the captain" he suggested, "Then you have less of a chance" Sabo discouraged, "That's not true. None of us can defeat it yet" and got his two brother's attention, "Interesting," they said. Luffy looked surprised like he didn't expect the two to agree, "Then, it's settled" Luffy smiled, "Alright, I got it."

Like she said they shared a brain.

Shayla watched from the sideline as her friends were going on a suicide mission. They caught fish to get the tiger out, but it didn't show up, instead, it was a bear. The brothers decided to practice on the bear in the meantime. She could see they were trying their hardest, but it wasn't enough. When they all were losing and in danger, she stood up and was about to help them when a giant hammer slammed into the beast.

She could feel a force that she hadn't felt for some time and an old man came out. He defeated it and the brothers decided to offer him some fish as thanks. His name was Nogari and he was once a pirate, but he gave up when he was defeated by Gold Roger. 'Wait, his name is Gol D Roger?' she thought. While he told his story, Shayla saw how Ace reacted and he walked away but she didn't follow him. When Nogari was done Luffy asked if he would train him as his pirate teacher which he accepted.

After a while, they finally noticed that Ace left and Sabo told them the reason why "What? The Pirate King is Ace's dad" Luffy yelled. Sabo told them that it was a secret and not to talk to Ace about it or he'll get mad.

Shayla was angry she doesn't care if he gets mad. She ran over to the treehouse to confront him, "My father's rival is your father" she walked over to him and punched him over the head, "You have some nerve for getting mad at me for having a famous pirate father when you have one yourself."

She stared at him waiting for an answer. "Who told you that," he asked, "It doesn't matter who told me. So, it's true?" still not conforming to it. Her anger kept rising as he refused to respond and he was just looking out the window.

"Hey Ace, so you went home before us" Sabo tried to act like nothing, "Hey Ace is it true your dad is Roger," Luffy said not sensing the danger. "Damnit Luffy. I told you not to tell anyone" Sabo panicked at shook Luffy a little. Ace was dangerously calm, "Luffy, who told you that" trying to get information from the youngest instead, "Sabo told me. Ne Ace what kind of person is Roger" Sabo was actually blue as he tried to stop his brother.

They argued until Ace punched them both, "Don't ever mention that name again" he warned. Shayla took this chance to make him even angrier, "Roger was a fun-loving strong pirate. He wanted to go to the end of Grand Line and in search of a mysterious island" the three stared at her in confusion, "How do you know that" Sabo asked and she smirked devilishly, "I met him" their eyes widen, "What! you met the Pirate King?" Luffy asked.

"He's my father's biggest rival. So, whenever they met up, they fought" she saw Ace's reaction. "So how come you acted like that with me when your father is just as famous if not more famous" but she was met with silence once again, "Whatever" she went to bed.

The next day she didn't speak to Ace or the days following.