Boo-yah, new chapter's finally out!

I had a blast writing this, even though I rewrote it like five times, and started next chapter right away. Oh boy, I'm getting into this so much. Well anyway, let's end my rambling.

Enjoy, review and critisize! Everything is appreciated!

Chapter 3: i am here for you

*SLAM

"Luffy~!"

"You-gara are back!"

"ARGH!"

Two merry balls of fur lunged onto poor man and flattened him out to a pitiful rubbery pancake.

"UUUFF" Luffy wheezed under their weight, mentally cursing his impatience.

Well, maybe if he wasn't such an airheaded smiley dumbass, he would've used his observation haki before bursting into the room like that. But nooo, he carelessly dropped his guard down, and now he feels like his guts are about to crawl out of his nostrils.

"Ti-m- ooo-uf!..uff… T-time out!..." squashed Luffy rasped out while heavy paws were crushing his windpipe.

He could've avoided the whole assault. He just needed to fucking think.

The person that enters first becomes their victim. That's a undeniable well-known fact which he should already know about from the last five ywar's experience, but he just looked so forward seeing Issho-ossan again that his meat-filled mind shut down and only excitement remained.

The possibility of lurking lethal affection was offhandedly dissmised by the unconcerned brain of his.

But that's the thing.

He doesn't think about thinking and just goes for it. Most of the time, it works out somehow.

But this time...ugh, he was damned.

Although the thinking didn't hurt his head anymore, he still didn't feel like doing it too often. Too much thinking brought up too many painful memories... But hey! At least he managed to beat Traffy at chess once! Even though that surgeon of death was wasted as fuc-

"Gar-"

Luffy's train of thoughts abruptly ditched its mental rails and crashed straight into dark void of sudden pain. The worst part has begun. The biting.

"-chuuu!"

"ITEEEEEEEEEE!"

Nekomamushi and Carrot nuzzled their cheeks on Luffy's, biting and stretching his skin in every direction possible. Even though as happy as he was to reunite with his fuzzy friends, he couldn't say he was enjoying their sharp teeth pricking his tanned skin.

"I... think I see th-the light...Only the savory fatty chunk of meat can save me...*cough cough" Luffy wailed.

"That's a shame...Oh well, say hello to Sabo for me I guess"

Luffy gasped dramatically.

"I can't believe you! I-I though that we were friends! Is this how betrayal feels like?"

"Ugh, zip it! You are not a kid Luffy." Koala snapped. "You can get out of this just as easy ,and you certainly don't need the meat for that!"

"Wow, I didn't know that Koala was so dumb. You're stating the obvious. Of course I don't need the meat for escaping. I just want that meat, duh."

There was now strong pressure on his right thigh, dangerously near his crotch.

Furious Koala was burying her foot deep into his tender flesh with her new thin high-heels.

"So you want a meat, huh?" she repeated in cold threatening tone.

Luffy gulped nervously. This doesn't look good.

She slid her foot gently onto his crotch, and Luffy's innocent chocolate eyes widened in horror.

"Oh look, there's a nice lump of meat right here. I can rip it off for you if you are so hungry."

His heart dropped at the last sentence and started to panic.

The still cuddling minks didn't help the situation either.

"K-Koala c'mon. Y-you know th-that I didn' mea-"

"Huuuuh? What did you saaay?" she increased the pressure and glowered at the writhing man beneath her.

"Owww, I'm sorrrrryyyyy!" Luffy bawled. Koala is fucking terrifying right now. He wants his navigator back, not a ball-ripping although angel-faced ex-revolutionary.

No wonder Sabo feared her wrath. She was definitely not the one to toy with.

Maybe Koala's right, he should just grow up already. He's only making it worse for himself by doing stuff without thinking...like making fun of Koala for example.

"Well said, Luff~."

Koala smirked and retreated her foot.

"I hate you." Luffy sniffled, but Koala only stuck out her tongue in a mocking manner at him.

Luffy glared at the offensive limb like it murdered his dog.

"Someone needs a second coffee today" Rayleigh chuckled and sat down on navy blue sofa in the right corner.

"One coffee won't fix Luffy's childishness, Ray-san." Koala pouted, looking away from laughing man.

Despite the insult Luffy smiled too.

He likes the ginger-haired girl. Actually, really really likes her.

He loves her encouraging smiles, her protectivness, comforting hugs and occasional sparks of mischief in her eyes. They look out fo each other. She makes him feel loved and cared for, and he protects her and cheers her up whenever her mind wanders too far into dangerous places.

Most of the time the memories of destruction of fishman island and Sabo's execution are what sets her off. She goes into a horrible rampage and mindlessly destroys everything around her. After sating her anger, with bitter tears streaming down her cheeks, she wants to throw herself into the depths of the ocean, but Luffy is always there to stop her. He's the only one that can calm her down, but no one knows why. He draws soothing circles on her back and whisperes something in her ear. After a while, she returns to normal and is at Luffy's side for the rest of the day, craving his reassuring touch. She's like an older sister to him at this point and he would give up his life for her, same goes for other people in the room...But honestly, she scares the shit out of him sometimes.

Luffy finally managed to free his hand and move the big-ass cat off of him. Nekomamushi yelped as he tumbled to his right side, but only for a few seconds, then he went back to cuddling the straw-hatted boy.

Agh, seriously. Now he feels like his position of cuddly monster is threatened. So they're asking for a fight? He won't be outdone! Neverrrrr!

"Nekomamushi, Carrot! I missed you guys!" Luffy rejoiced as he hugged his friends.

"Shhh, Issho-san is sleeping!"

"Then maybe you should shut up too, dummy." Perona remarked, tappng her umbrella lightly on the former princess's head

"Oh, right! Sorry!"

Ghost-girl gave her a look as if saying 'Are you for real?'.

"My bad." Vivi finally whispered and silently observed as Carrot was trying to rip Luffy's left ear off.

"I'm so, SO glad that you're okay!"

"Of course Carrot. It takes much more to kill me! Shishishi"

"Hey! Don't shishishi me! I was really worried y'know!" snow-white bunny sniffled and looked him straight into his sparkly brown eyes.

"But look! We totally aceeed the mission, and here we are -… We're back home, happy and alive, aren't we Marco?" Lufy rubbed his nose with Carrot's small one and looked up to the grinning male.

"Sure we are, giggles." Marco said, came up to them and affectionately ruffled Luffy's raven hair.

As a confirmation to the nickname, Luffy giggled.

He loved the feeling of fingers running through his wild hair.

"But aced the mission? Where the hell did you get that bullshit, huh? We almost got captured thanks to your random library raid-yoi. What even are you going to do with all those books?"

"Well I-" Luffy tried to explain his actions, but was swiftly interrupted by confused almost spooked off Law.

"Wu-Wait! I must've heard you wrong Marco-ya. Did you just say that HE," he pointed at the jolly man sitting on the floor "almost screwed up the whole mission because of some books and not food?" Law blurted out, totally perplexed. That fire chicken has to be pulling jokes on him or something. There's no way Luffy would voluntarily sit and read a goddamn book. Well, at least as long as there was something else to do.

He shivered.

Oh no, the flashbacks.

The meat baits, bites everywhere, blood mixed with drool, limb knots and mother-fricking Luffy with his all too flexible neck.

Or nightmare material so to say. Absolutely perfect for his insomnia.

He needs his rum. Quick.

And while he doesn't like drinking often, has low toleration for alcohol and prefers coffee...it seems that simple coffee wouldn't let him forget the memories of him stuffing all kinds of knowledge down Luffy's throat which are better left untouched.

"Yeah Traffy! You told me you don't have anything to read and you're bored, sooo I thought I fetch some books for ya!" Luffy chuckled and gave Law his bright smile

Now was surgeon shocked even more.

'He was actually listening to me?'

'Did he gave up the meat for the books for me?'

'Someone must've punched the idiot's head way too hard'

'What do I say?! I'm not gonna thank him just because he-'

'Or did someone hit me in the head ? With a bulldozer presumably?'

'So, should I thank him?'

Law's thoughts chaotically swirled in his mind and heat rised up in his face.

"You' re redder than his cardigan, loverboy" Koala teased.

"Yeah, you're blushing like crazy-yoi" Marco joined bullying his fellow doctor.

Everyone inside started cackling.

"Horohoro well ain't that sweet of him."

"Greow-nyan nyan nyan. You-gara are sure shy."

Law sighed and calmed down. These feelings of 'affection' are uncomfortable even after living with them for five years.

"Oh. Thanks Lu-Luffy" Law ignored their comments and hid his flushed face under the white hat. He tried to play indolent, but his hot cheeks and stammering betrayed him.

Tch, those two are always picking on him. He wants to slice them to bits. No,… he's gonna deal with them later. There are too many witnesses nearby. He's going to dismember them and arrange them somehow on the old kitchen clock, so everyone can admire his art early in the morning. Yeah, that sounds fun. Law wasn't blushing anymore. In a place of pink tinted cheeks and embarrassed grimace was now a sinister grin.

Luffy only softly snickered, patted Law on the shoulder and gave him the backpack with the books.

Koala hasn't given up the chance to tease Law yet.

"My my Traffy, where all those ya went today? Did you give them vacation or somethin'?" Koala purred and leaned back on the wall beside him.

That's it. That does it. He's gonna fillet her. Right here, right now.

"Shut it you eucalyptus-eating witch" he hissed, scowling again.

"You shut it you Germa-nerd. There isn't a day, that I don't hear your whining. Just deal with it already! The com- "

That was a mistake. A HUGE ONE.

A hostile, cold aura enveloped Law.

"Do not dare to finish that sentence." he threatened.

"The comic Sor-"

"No, shut up."

"-ra Warrior of the Sea ended!"

"So you have chosen death." Law growled and unsheathed Kikoku.

Koala readied herself for a fight.

"So much for 'I am the responsible one. You should grow up Luffy.' and 'You always do stupid things, Strawhat-ya'" Luffy laughed as he imitated their voices.

He was soon met wih two glares and loud "SHUT UP!" from the grumpy coffee-obsessed duo.

But before the brawl could break out, a hoarse, almost brittle voice echoed through the room.

"Luffy-kun… Marco… welcome back" Issho said with a small smile gracing his face.

"Can you go get a glass of water, giggles?"

"Sure, Marco."

Luffy stood up and ran to the kitchen.

"And no emptying the fridge! Wait for the dinner!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Luffy called out, already downstairs.

"We should go Perona-chan. I don't believe him not touching the fridge" Vivi sighed.

Perona nodded " Yeah, we should start cooking if we don't want to be eaten by the rubber beast. Horohorohoro. Now Rayleigh,…Go fetch those two sea kings so we can start"

"At it ladies. I will visit you after dinner, Issho!"

"Su-re Rayleigh, we c..can roll some dices ha..haha"

The trio disappeared, and Marco with Law were already in their doctor mode.

"So how are you feeling Issho, still feverish?"

"It's be..-tter tha -n yesterday I suppose. I didn't coo..oughed f-for a two days now"

"You-gara are terrible liar-nyan. I clearly saw you cough up that bloody chunk this morning"

"Your sight must've decei..ved you. I-wheeze- slept like a log till br-br-eakfast."

Law's eyes narrowed in displeasure.

"Marco-ya." Law said with tense low voice.

"Hm?"

"Turn the pillow around."

Marco's eyes widened.

He sprinted to the pillow and tugged, but Fujitora held it tightly to his chest.

"Marco…it's..ju-" blind man started to argue but he couldn't muster enough strengh in his weak hands and in one swift move, Marco snatched it away.

Phoenix turned the white cushion over and stared in horror on the crimson stains.

Koala gasped and covered her mouth, tears pricking at her eyes.

"I knew it" Law stated, frowning. "Tch, I should've be more attentive."

"Then I guess pillo -wheeze- pillow isn't eno -ugh to m-muffle the sound of my coughing. ..Please e…excuse me, I didn't want to wake you up, Neko..mamushi." ex-admiral apologized ,breathing heavily.

"Issho!"

"Issho-san…no way.."

"This isn't a game Issho-ya! It's not poker or dices. Your money aren't at risk. This is your life you are slowly gambling away!"

The door clattered open with Luffy in it.

"I have the water heeree" he announced cheerily.

Then his gaze fell on blood-stained fabric that Marco clutched in his hands.

His gaze hardened.

He looked at pale old man in bed and then back on the pillow.

He put two and two together.

The room became quiet.

Luffy carefully placed the glass of cool water on the table beside the sofa and walked over to the bed, where he sat down on the edge and watched Issho for a moment. After a bit of contemplating , Luffy smiled.

"Hey, Issho-ossan. Do you want to hear about the mission?"

"Strawhat-ya! This isn't time for-" Law started scolding the younger man , but Marco stopped him.

"Good idea, giggles. Call me after you're done, I still wanna check him over-yoi"

"Okie dokie Marco"

"That is good idea, I was also interested in your mission-nyanya"

"Cool! If its like the other missions, then it's gonna be action-packed, exciting helluva story! Tell us, tell us!" Carrot demanded with huge grin plastered on her face.

"Yeah Luffy…Tell us how reckless you were this time." Koala smiled softly, blinking tears away.

Marco grabbed Law's arm and started to drag him away.

"B-but Marco-ya.."

Marco shushed him and closed the door behind them.

"So!" Luffy clapped his hands together excitedly " You won't believe me who we met on the way…"

"That was... AMAZING!" Carrot said with stars in her eyes "Boo, I wanted to go too"

"Haha maybe next time" Luffy smiled and scratched her behind ear.

"Well that was some story-nyan."

"Luffy-kun, you sh-ould be ...more careful. You know how marines are the..these -*cough - days"

"I know, I know Issho-ossan. I just wanted to make Law smile...he...he was being gloomy for a while now."

"Ah, yes. I think it's the anniversary soon, right? Of the ...battle of wits that ensued into outright massacre of leftover Heart pirates." Koala mused quietly.

Carrot shifted nervously and quickly changed the topic.

"Hey Luffy! You want to go spar?! It's been a while"

"Uh-huh, let's go. Nekomamushi! Can you tell Marco?"

"Sure. You-gara can go. Enjoy pummeling yourselves nyan-haha-yan nyan"

"Sweet." Luffy grinned ferociously and cracked his knuckles.

"Hey can I join in? I feel like beating you up after that story. I pound that your recklessness out of you." Koala smiled devilishly and Luffy started sweating bullets.

"W-wwhy not ehehe."

"Have fun-nyan!"

Carrot stretched her legs and hopped a few times in a place

"Sooo, how's your electro? I bet it still isn't on my level, but let's see it" Carrot challenged Luffy and gave him her sweetest smile that spelled danger.

"Yeah I'm also curious Luffy, so show us."Koala trilled in excitement.

Luffy smirked mysteriously and channeled the electricity to the centre of his roughed up palm.

"Ooh, not bad" Koala whistles, impressed by Luffy's progress. After all, he got his second devil fruit half year ago and they discovered that it's zoan type only two months ago. The artificial zoan type devil fruits are presently created with help of mink's DNA. It's entirely diffrent than Smile devil fruits. It is a public knowledge that these artificial zoan devil fruits give the eater some of mink's attributes, like the ability to channel electricity, increased physical strengh, agility and reflexes and someone even gains amplified five senses. The catch is, that some devil fruits created like that have some side effects when using them and Luffy experiences plenty everytime. He ate hito hito no mi: model celestial being. Cool devil fruit, but as it comes with advantages, it comes with disadvantages. (human-human fruit)

"And that's not everything." Luffy beamed at them and coated his right hand in haki.

He channels the electricity to his palm again and the little lightnings changes color from pale blue to vibrant violet.

"...Wow..just wow" Koala breathed in amazement.

"Whaaaa- LUFFY THAT'S SO COOL! I tried to combine these two things for three years now, but I couldn't get myself to concentrate on both at the same time! Teach meee!" star-eyeCarrot cried out in pure elation and jumped up and down.

"Gladly." Luffy said happily and got into the action.

Carrot cheered and blocked his blow it her armament-covered forearms.

*BOOM

*ELECTRICITY CRACKLING

A giant shockwave traveled through near vicinity from the centre of the impact.

"Wow, not bad Luffy, but you still got nothin' on me with your pathetic little lightnings" Carrot smirked.

Then she crouched down and powerfully pushed off the ground into the air and kicked up a leg directed onto Luffy's man dodged without much effort and countered the kick with his right hand "Maybe not with the eletro yet, but haki is a thing I excel at."

"Well yeah, I am only able to use armament haki and observation on low level…But that still doesn't mean anything!" she closed the distance between them and aimed for a slash with her claws to Luffys face.

"Otototo, that was a close one." Luffy mocked Carrot and gestured her to come at him. She tried to hit him for a two whole minutes now, but didn't land a single one.

"Awww, for some reason observation haki isn't as easy as armament. Even though Ray-san is giving me tips, there's no progress. " she conffesed and her ears wilted down.

"Don't worry, that's totally normal! Everyone has aptitude for only one type of haki and others take much more time to master."

"Really?" bunny perked up and jumped to hug him "Thanks Luffy, Garchuuu" and bit down on his cheek.

He wondered how annoying it will become as she discoveres more about the observation haki and he won't be able to avoid all the painful garchuus.

See you next time, prepare for some more angst and the REAL start of the story.

Kalon Thorn~