Enjoy!

/ &—33—& /

Time Is Ticking

"Your execution is in 33 hours miss." Red picked up her head from the voice and glared at the cell across from her. She snorted, "I'm aware Crocodile, I can read a clock." Her reply made some snickers buzz around the floor.

"I'm warning you. You never stop with that sharp tongue of yours." His voice showed amusement, while hers showed annoyance. "Think of it as a gift, now if you'd leave me alone, that'd be great."

"I will, if you answer this question, who turned you in?"

The room went quiet, the only sound that remained was the clicking of the cuffs on Red's arm. Her glare intensified, and her eyes glowed. "My brother." She spat. The questions didn't stop after that, but this one was from Jinbe.

"Kid turned you in? Nako is too young to. Was it Ace? But that can't be." The name of Ace and Kid reverberated through the room. Kid was quite famous for being one of the rookies known as the worst generation. And Ace, well, everyone knows the second commander of the Whitebeard pirates. "Your related to Eustass Kid? And Fire Fist Ace?" Red scoffed at the man's amusement.

"Kid is my twin brother, and Ace is like a brother to me. And no, it wasn't them." Red's head tilted downward. She missed her brothers, but this is for the best.

"Sabo? But I thought he died? Was it Trafalgar?" Once again, another name echoed in the room. Trafalgar is also a famous rookie. "It wasn't Trafalgar, and Sabo isn't dead."

"How many brothers do you have?" Crocodile asked.

"None of your damn business!" She shouted. Her loud voice silenced the mummers and whispers going around the room. I don't want to think about them right now! Anything but them! Red lowered her head further, this pain is almost as bad as the one on her back. More guilt is adding to her body, the guilt of leaving her family behind. These next 33 hours are going to be hell.

)6—6(

Dagger took a seat in the metal chair. Only one light shines in the dim room. There were no windows and the air was stale. The first commander and captain took a seat across from me. "What did you do with Red?" The blonde asked in a low cold tone. Dagger tapped his finger against his restraints, "didn't Kiddo tell you I'm immune to sea prism? Or are you hardheaded?" His voice lacked irritation or curiosity. He sounded like a bored child. Marco's gaze increased it's glow, "such a thing isn't possible, yoi." he spat.

A light chuckle came from the redhead, "I make the impossible possible, what can I say." Another growl came from Marco, but Dagger continued. "Each devil fruit works in different ways. For example, Kiddo's develops into his skin, letting him pull and repel metal." Marco lessened his growl to hear the man speak. No one knows much when it comes to devil fruits, but he is Dr. Vegapunk after all. "Another would be the way Zoan types work, they develop in your skin and the internal parts of your body. This lets you transform into a phoenix. But." Dagger paused. He snapped his fingers and watched as his handcuffs slipped off with ease. Marco and Whitebeard raised a brow, their mouths parted when they saw Dagger become a free man.

The redhead threw his arms into the air to stretch. He leaned in his seat to find a more comfortable position. "Mine is different. You see, I ate the Ket-Ket fruit, also known as the blood blood fruit. So that means mine develops in my blood." Since his blood doesn't touch the cuffs, they don't affect him. That also explains how he took off the restraints. He drained his blood from his hand. Dagger gave a small smile to Marco's sharp eyes, I see why Red chose him. "Red is in Impel Down, level six. Her execution is in 28 hours, I would like to help her save her." Whitebeard slammed his hand against the table. Making it crumble underneath his huge fist. His glare was fiercer than Marco's, his murderous intent was leaking out. "You brought my child into the gates of hell, and you put those hellish marks on her back. Why the hell would I trust you?!" His shout shook the room, along with the boat. Dagger's eyes narrowed into the old man, "my plan backfired. You will not win this war if you don't have me."

"What the hell do you mean backfired! You gave Red to the world government! She is your damn sister!" Marco snapped.

Dagger gritted his teeth, "my plan was to keep her in the prison, Sengoku broke the deal of keeping her alive. Now I need to rescu-"

"The hell you fucking do! I should kill you right now!"

"If you kill me, she'll never forgive you."

"Really? I think she would love to have her biggest fear destroyed at my fingertips! You are lower than scum! You turned your back on your brother, father, mother, and your sister! You don't deserve to have Red in your life! Y-"

"Shut the fuck up! You don't know shit!" Dagger pushed his chair back and stood up. His hands balled into fist and his green eyes pierced Marco's. A vein was pulsing out of his head from the thought of turning his back on his family. But even so, Marco wouldn't back down, not when the love of his life is in danger. He just got her back, he was finally happy again. Then he took it away. "THOSE SCARS ON HER BACK TELL A DIFFERENT STORY! YOU MADE HER HARM HERSELF! YOU TOOK HER SMILE AWAY!"

"IT WASN'T MY DECISION TO OK?! I DIDN'T WANT TO IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Dagger's voice trembled. His eyes went wide at his confession and started to tear up.

A long silence filled the room, neither side knew what to say. Then, the door opened. The door revealed Kid, gripping tight to his own skin. You could tell he heard everything from his body language. "It was Blue… wasn't it." It wasn't a question, more of a statement. He walked up to Dagger at a slow pace, he didn't want to face the truth. "She told you to do it, didn't she." His voice was louder this time. Kid kept his gaze on his older brother, while Dagger tilted his head down.

"I don't care what it takes, I will never let Red go through that pain again."

Dagger's body began to shake. Red isn't the only one who holds guilt since that day.

"Give her the devil fruit and the blood, as long as she lives."

His stomach twisted and buzzed. The vibration lit a blazing pain in his chest. He felt his whole body begin to crack as more memories filled his head.

"Do it for her Dagger, do it so she can wear that smile again."

A cry left the eldest brother. His hand dug into his red hair, he tried to pull the locks out. Anything to distract him.

"Even if the sky does fall

Even if they take it all

There's no pain that I won't go through

Even if I have to die for you"

Those words, they're his words… "Get yourself together Dagger!" Kid shouted. The older brother squeezed his eyes shut, I-I need to save Red. I c-can't freak out right now. The Whitebeard pirates watched the two brothers. Marco's eyes softened at the brother's pain, it reminded him of the dream he had. The feeling of guilt consuming you, the nightmares that lurk In the shadows watching you.

It took a few moments before Dagger could collect himself. When he did, he told them everything. "When Red was on the verge of death, I had to do the experiments, if I didn't, she would've died. Even so, I hesitated… I knew she would hate me afterwards. I knew I would place a burden on her… but… her life is more important. Back then, I couldn't make that decision, Blue made it for me. The devil fruit Red ate is the De-De fruit. The Demonic Devil fruit. It's not a Zoan or any other type. it's a Ketsueki type, meaning its blood based like mine. The power became hard to control, she ended up killing Blue in the process."

"Why did you send her to the dragons? Why Impel Down? If that is true, it contradicts your actions even more." Kid questioned.

"To create chaos." He replied. "Creating chaos will reshape the society, a new era is coming. Whitebeard won't stay on top for long. To fit the new Era, chaos must rain. And when the pandemonium strikes, Red will be in the center of it all."

)!?:—:?!(

Voices, cheers, and whistles echoed through the prison. Red's heavy eyes lifted from all the ruckus. The chains shifted against her skin. she let out a groan from the familiar and uncomfortable feeling. Still, the noises bounced off the walls and grew. She turned to Jinbe, who was also trying to sleep through all the commotion. "Are you expecting visitors? Maybe a girlfriend?" The fact that Red could still taunt him when they are facing hell itself, made him relax. "No, maybe it's one of your hundreds of boyfriends. We all know how huge your fan club is." He responded. His tone was as deep and serious as usual, as if he is throwing out a real possibility. "Well, my heart only belongs to my sexy Phoenix." She laughed with a small scoff.

Jinbe tilted his head to the side to see through the bars. "Tell me a story after your done with your visitor." Red turned her head, she wasn't surprised to see Boa.

The redhead was silent, she only listened to the message Boa came here to give. The Warden and Miss Domino's hearing became drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. When Red heard the message, a message saying Luffy was here, her body started to shake. T-hat Moron, h-he's going to get himself killed!

Minutes passed and Red's jaw still hung low. He could die… and it will all be my fault. Luffy, please don't try to rescue me, damnit please. I can't deal with someone else close to me dying.

"Red, how about a story?" The warlord was trying to calm the redhead down. He knows how she could be when she freaks out. Red snapped out of her thoughts and gave a slow nod. I can't think about that right now.

"Sure. This happened when I became official member of the Whitebeard pirates for a week and a half…"

::~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~—-~~~~~~~~~~~~~::

"Pops! Tell Izo to stop it!" Red whined. She was using all her strength to tear away from the man's grasp. Izo clung tighter to her arm from her struggles. "If I let go, you'll take it off!" He shouted back. Red pressed her foot harder to the ground and tried to leap out of Izo's grip. Her efforts were pointless, the man kept his monstrous clutch. "You look great Red." Pops chuckled. Ever since Red joined the crew, things have become livelier. She has also made a deeper connection with the commanders. One blond in particular. Red gestured to the red and black camo cargo pants she was wearing, and the red tank top. The tank top was skintight, and the camo pants were weirdly tight, yet baggy. Either way, it felt uncomfortable.

She whined again, "Izo! Let go!" Red's breast moved with every shift she made. They were free because the tank top provided little padding, so she didn't have to wear a bra.

"I'll let go, if you promise to keep it on." Red snorted and agreed. She rubbed the hand marks Izo made on her with a groan. Ace came strolling into the top deck, happy as can be. His happiness made Red pout. The second commander has been teasing her about Marco for over a week. The action is so frequent, red should be her natural skin color by now. "Wow, Red? Why aren't you wearing a bra?" Ace flicked the squishy breast and watched it bounce up and down. "This stupid outfit doesn't need one- HEY STOP THAT!" Red crossed her arms over her chest and let out a huff.

Ace turned to Whitebeard to give him a report, and that's when Red realized what today was. "Wait? It's the ninth? As in the ninth day of the month?" Marco walked onto the top deck. "Yes, yoi." He answered. He also has a report for Pops about the first division. Red's eyes shimmered, "yes!" She stuck her hand into her cleavage and pulled out her Den Den. Everyone wonders why the woman is eager, bet realized when the person who she called answered.

"If it isn't my favorite daughter! I've missed you Dem Dem! You never call your daddy anymore." Shanks pouted.

Red rolled her eyes with a smile, "yes, yes, I'm sorry. What place did I come in?" Red took a seat on the ground, surrounded by the commanders and Whitebeard. They all take interest in her family; they are interesting people. Marco sat the closest to the woman, she was bouncing up and down with excitement. Something about her smile calms him.

Shanks huffed, "do you only call me for the placement? I'm offended, Dem Dem!"

Red frowned, "I'm sorry, happy birthday dad. I love you."

"Thank you, Dem Dem, I love you too. You were second, your mother beat you, again."

"I'm starting to think she has a superpower." Red mumbled to herself.

"Is Nako out again?" The daughter asked.

"Yep, I haven't heard from him."

Muffled noises came from the Den Den, then a booming voice. "It's Dem Dem!" Red recognized the voice as Yasopp. Drunk Yasopp.

"Hey uncle Yasopp!" Red responded with the same enthusiasm.

A hiccup came from sharpshooter. Whitebeard has to admit. Seeing the Red-Haired Pirates interact with their family is endearing. "Red, did you say happy birthday to your old man?" The sniper laughed.

"I'm not old Yasopp! Stop saying that! I don't look like Benn yet!" Shanks hissed.

"Oi! I only look old because I have to babysit a certain redhead." Benn commented.

"Hi uncle Benn!" Red said with a smile.

"Hello Red, I hope you're not causing any trouble for Whitebeard. I would hate for him to go through the same crap I do." Benn's eyes moved to the side, away from the pouting captain.

Marco scoffed, "she only causes trouble for me, yoi." He didn't mean for the pirates to hear his comment, but when they did, they laughed. "Hey! I'm not that bad! Stupid pineapple head!" Red pouted, resembling her father.

"Pineapple head? Don't tell me you gave a pet name to the first commander?!" Benn chuckled.

"I knew Red would date one of them, pay up Shanks!" Yasopp grinned.

Blush sprouted on Red's cheeks, "Oi-i! It's n-not like that!" She stammered. Marco watched Red grow embarrassed from the teasing. She looks kind of cute when she's all flustered. He concluded.

Ace tapped on the first commander's shoulder to wake him up. "You keep staring at her chest Marco. Control yourself will you." His taunting voice made Marco scoff. "I can control myself, looking at her chest or not, yoi." Everything went quiet. Marco realized what he said, and that he said it at a high volume.

He looked around the deck. Ace, Thatch, Izo's eyes were wide open, so were other commanders listening to the conversation. Whitebeard had his lips twitching into a smile, and Red…

Red had her eyes open, mouth parted, and her face cluttered with blush. She dug her teeth into her lip when she met Marco's eyes. Her head turned away and her hand covered her cheeks and nose.

The first one to speak was Shanks. "Whitebeard." He said in a cold tone. Red knew what was coming, but she was too focused on the hot feeling in her chest. Once again, Marco's scent was harassing her nose. She hates how good he smells, and how good it feels. "I'm going to kill your first commander." He muttered. Marco felt a cold chill run down his spine from the threat.

Benn sighed, "she's going to date eventually, Marco isn't bad." Whitebeard's smile grew from the statement.

"MY LITTLE GIRL ISNT ALOUD TO DATE! EVER!" Shanks shouted. Everyone winced at the angry emperor's tone.

"Sorry Red looks like he's about to rampage. We will call you later ok? We love you!" The call ended. The top deck was completely silent. Red took this time to get up and leave. She can't stand his scent anymore; she has to get away.

The redhead stayed in her room for an hour, by that time, Thatch came over to play some games with her. Izo joined as well. For some reason, Red didn't want to move from her spot. Laying in her bed with a blanket engulfing her body. She changed out of the camo pants and tank top. Now she is wearing red shorts with black stripes on the side, with a tank top. (Izo's idea.)

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Red reached for her card while Izo got up to open the door. When the door opened, it displayed a handsome blonde and brunette. Red stiffened when she saw Marco. It's not like she hates the blonde, it's just she doesn't want to make a fool of herself in front of him. "Can we join?" Ace asked, already walking into the room. "Sure, lets restart the game."

Marco and Ace took a seat on the sides of Red and began to play. It didn't take long for Izo and Thatch to start bickering over the activity. Ace leaned over and whispered into the woman's ear, "why did you run off?" Red's body shifted to whisper back to Ace. In doing so, she got Marco's attention. The man frowned when he saw Red and Ace close. He doesn't know why he's frowning but for some reason, the sight gave him a bad feeling.

"Marco's scent, it was getting bad." Ace nodded and Red shifted back into her normal position. Red turned her head and saw Marco looking like his puppy died. Her hand tapped against his thigh, and she leaned in to whisper into his ear. "What's wrong?" She asked with concerned eyes. "I'll tell you later, yoi."

The game ended with Ace throwing the board across the room after he claimed Izo and Thatch were tag teaming. Marco was the richest and thus won the unfinished game. Thatch and Izo were tag teaming, they never admitted it. Red went bankrupt after three rounds because she didn't think through her actions. Ace stormed off somewhere to pout, Izo and Thatch followed him to apologize.

That left Red and Marco to clean up the mess. "Red, yoi?" Marco stood up and faced the woman. She turned around, "yes? What's up?" Marco tucked the pieces in his hand into a bag and began.

"Do you like Ace, yoi?" His serious tone and question made Red laugh. "Hahaha! No! He's like a brother to me! He pouts too much anyways!" Marco's shoulders relaxed from her answer.

He took a step closer to her, but when he did, he slipped on the game board. A large crash echoed in the room from his fall. Luckily, his face didn't slam against the hard ground. It landed on something soft, squishy even. His hand was also in the same state. His calloused fingers surrounded the object and gave it a squeeze. A soft noise came from the action. He felt his stomach vibrate from the noise. He gripped the object harder, this time the noise was louder. It sounded like a whimper…

Marco pov

"M-m-ar-co!"

Wh-y did Red moan my name? What the hell is going on?! Did I pass out? Am I having that dream again? God that dream last night was embarrassing. I can't believe I imagined Red like, like, like that! Aren't I her superior? But still… when she did that- ugh! Please tell me I don't have some sort of complex! But I only thought of Red like that, does that mean I like her? No. No. No. She's childish and lazy, plus she calls me that stupid nickname. God, I do have a complex… a Red complex. I can feel my pants tighten from the thought of it!

"M-M-arco ca-n y-ou let go of my breast p-please!" The way she moaned please made me think of my dream. Wait, what!

I picked up my head from her cleavage. My hand was still on her breast, but that's because I had become distracted. Red was panting, sweating even, her face flushed, and her head tilted back. She looked up to meet my eyes. I could feel my face warm up from the glint in her crimson orbs. I took my hand off, my eyes followed the breast as it moved. I tried to get up, but when I did, Red gripped onto my arm. "Stay…" she muttered. A lump formed in my throat as I nodded. She slid out from underneath me, then leaned against me in a comfortable position. Once she relaxed on my chest, she sent a punch to my rib cage. I winced and let out a curse, but I knew I deserved it. "I'm sorry Red-"

"You're staying here till I sleep, stupid pineapple head." She interrupted.

I nodded and stayed. During that time, I wondered why Red affects me so much. It didn't take long for me to realize he has feelings for the childish hothead.

/-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-/

A little flashback to help you get over the fact Red is going to be killed soon... I swear her and Dagger are awesome to write!

Anyways, Like, Comment, or Whatever!