"Does Vice Admiral Spider Psycho really expect us to continue sailing in a circle this whole time? Or are we gonna get any other orders on what to do next?" Domino asked sarcastically while stretching her arms out and blinking away the sleep still in her eyes. Her bare and burned feet walking lightly up the stairs above the deck while her blue and feathered shirt lay open revealing a scared midsection and a black sports bra with a silver zipper down the middle.

The morning sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon and the warmth spread through her body as she yawned one last time then turned towards her shorter companion who as normally, wore a classic marine uniform but the vest busting outward and revealing her significant amount of cleavage. The poor vest never even had a chance.

Adaline's shoulder length ruby red hair swayed in the light wind as she nodded looking at the clipboard in her hand and then back at Dominos frizzled hair from yet another restless night.

"You didn't sleep again girl." She stated looking back down towards her daily duties in hand. "And his name is Onigumuo." She mumbled checking off her checklist for the day.

She was used to Domino appearing on deck in such a manor, hair matted, shoulders lowered and of course a bottle in her scarred hands.

Of course Ada couldn't blame the Rear Admiral for her lack of sleep. After all the wars they had been through, it was hard not to see the faces of the men they slayed. Yet once again it was for their job, so she didn't weep. Not like Domino, who wouldn't weep but drown their memories in alcohol.

Domino held out her hand in a 'so,so' motion and placed a small round bottle to her lips before pulling away. "I got ah..bout, 3 hours, on top of the other 4 I got yesterday I should be good." She mumbled eyeing the bottle and frowning at how she had just opened it and it was almost nearly empty.

She hummed swirling it around and drinking it again. Before her eyebrows furrowed at a chore boy who was working hard at moping a single spot.

She was hearing a low grumbling sound from somewhere. What was it? It wasn't her own stomach, she had just eaten yesterday? Or maybe the day before that. Oh well, bottom line it wasn't her making that noise.

Adaline gave a side glance towards Dominos tilted head, before shaking off the absent stare she had. "Girl, how many times do I need to tell you? You Need to take care of yourself, you're not as young as you used to be and with the way you're going some day, Soon, you are going to end up old and frumpy." She smiled with a playful tone to her authoritative voice.

Domino scoffed before waving her hand now approaching the chore boy who eyed her approach cautiously. "Please! I'll die before that!" She called with a smile before she turned away from Adaline (who let out a "hmph") and held out her burned covered hand for the broom that a young chore boy held on to.

His stomach grumbling his guilt of hunger. A guilt the proud marine knew well.

"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Domino asked kneeling down to the young mans height of maybe five feet. The brown-haired boy looked down his tummy gurgling once more as he did so.

Adaline tilted her head and dropped her arms to the side in surprise. She didn't even notice the little boy being the only other one up here. But now that she saw him she recognized him as one of the newer batches of rotations.

It was part of a process that newer recruits always went through. As an effort to acquaint them with the real world.

And while Adaline was more than aware of Dominos tendencies these boys were not, so every time she even made eye contact with them they would be terrified of the woman's wicked smile. No matter how much the crew coaxed them not to be.

It was something that couldn't be helped. With the majority of the current marines knowing of the Rear Admiral who smiles while going against orders and challenging Akainu with every bone in her body. It was hard to convince the newer kids she actually wasn't crazy. Hell it was becoming harder to convince even the seasoned veterans that she wasn't crazy.

The boy shook his head as Domino tilted hers and smiled at him. Her sharp canines revealing themselves as she attempted to be happy, her round cheeks pulling up in an unusual fashion causing the corner of her eyes to wrinkle. "Then don't do the chores till after you eat. Idiot." Her cold voice teased.

The boy looked away unable to take the fear of her smile. Or the sound of her voice. Was she trying to threaten him? "But I slept in sir, I don't deserve food." He mumbled quietly fiddling with his hands. Anything but having to look at this woman.

Domino giggled and tried to cover her face as she did so figuring this kid was scared like the others. Why? Why was everyone scared of her now? Was it because she was covered in burns from her and Magma dogs most recent fight? If so they shouldn't be scared.

It wasn't like they had threatened the safety of her brothers. It wasn't like they held an ax over her head. It wasn't like they were the claustrophobic walls of the World Government closing in on her brothers. They were just kids, yet...they were scared of... her?

That's why she needed to seem happy. She rolled her eyes. "Dude, I sleep in all the time, go get your food, then come see me after for more orders kay?." She asked. Her voice cold but with a light smile.

The boy gave her a confused look before Domino sighed once more, "That's an order." She stated standing taller to look down on the kid as the boy nodded and rushed off.

Adaline and Domino both turned to watch the young kid rush down the stairs towards the deck as Domino moved to lean over the railing inspecting the scene before her with a light smile.

"He's a chore boy who doesn't deserve food? Who told em that?" She asked moving her hands as she talked. Adaline shrugged.

"Have you had breakfast yet? I'm sure he was doing himself a favor." She scoffed as Domino picked up her head in surprise.

"Oh holy hell was that a joke Ada?" Domino asked lightly. Ada gave her a slight glance and a smile. Before pointing to the checklist. "Now girl, we need to go over the newest requisition form you submitted. Why do we need yet, another alcohol cabinet?" She asked seeing Dominos wide smile as she moved to stand up and look behind Adaline.

"Right, I don't know why I asked. Now about…" Adaline looked up irritated that Domino wasn't paying attention anymore her head tilted back for a long drink of burning liquid.

The red head sighed and rubbed her temples "I swear girl…" She mumbled before clapping her hands together, pulling Dominos eyes towards her.

"Hmm?" Dominos brown eyes blinked.

Adaline sighed and pointed to the board. "Alcohol! Why do we need more?" She asked the absent Vice Admiral.

Domino tilted her head with a smile. "Well I drank it all. Duh." She stated matter of fact.

Adaline nodded while rubbing her temples. "Okay, but," She stopped then held out her hands in an explanatory fashion, "then you don't need a new cabinet you need more? That is like, a whole different form. We have gone over this! So many times?" Her voice defeated. She shook her head distraught at how calm her best friend was.

Domino dropped her head in front of Adaline's clipboard laying lightly on it while the red head swatted at the frizzy haired mess sprawled along her papers. "It sounds like you need some too~." Domino's cold voice hummed looking up at Adaline's light blues with a playful smile.

Adaline rolled her eyes. "No, I just need you to use the proper forms! It's not that hard girl!" Her authoritative voice yelped while Domino pulled her head free of the red heads swatting hands.

"Right, right. I will, promise." She nodded lying with a smile.

Adaline took in a deep breath and shook her head "If you say so." She mumbled. Domino began to roll her eyes and retort when she looked over the blue-eyed model to blink in surprise and smile madly.

The red head furrowed her eyebrows in confusion at Dom's wide smile looking down then back up. "I do, I do say so…Are you staring at me to get me to stop?" She asked cautiously. She wouldn't put it past Dom to do such things. She was always making up some way to both annoy and entertaining Adaline.

Domino looked sideways and then narrowed her eyes past the ships that continued in a straight and narrow line besides hers.

Her superiors had decided that a marine blockade would be beneficial in stopping the approach of pirates.

To where? the marines were trying to stop the pirates from going. She had no idea. In fact, she really didn't care.

As it was, her small battleship had sailed in circles for almost two days. In which time they had only deterred maybe five(?) pirate crews from continuing their journey and it was becoming boring. And she was beginning to run low of her bottled smiles. (Alcohol)

But now, she narrowed her eyes on the large ship in the distance the wide whale shaped figurehead appearing with the rising sun. She let her smile grow wider as she moved to place down her clear bottle against the deck.

Adaline seeing the smile grow on Domino's face turned lightly to look over her shoulder then took in a deep breath and looked back towards Domino. The taller auburn haired woman began to lean over the rails, over looking the main deck, watching her lax marines meandering around the polished wood finding places to sit knowing full well their superior was doing the same.

"Dom, No…We can't engage. I repeat. We can not engage. If we go down we'd bring the whole battalion down with us." Adaline called with an outstretched hand as Domino looked back sadly before nodding. "That's fine." She smiled. "It anit like these lazy goons don't need it." Her cold voice warming with a genuine smile.

Adaline shook her head. "No Dom-" She turned to stop Dominos fast movements before taking in a deep breath. Watching as the tall woman threw her arm up to get her crews attention.

"Helmsman! Turn the ship, tighten this blockade, signal the others to do the same!" She shouted. Her cold voice filled with warning snapping her men to look at her in awe before she threw herself over the top railing and landed with a hard thump on the main deck in front of the captains quarters. "Battle stations!" She laughed.

She threw her hand through her hair and pulled it back tightly as they froze staring at the sight before her. Her face shifted from pure glee towards a cold smile.

"Well? Don't just stand there y'all, get going!" She called with a wave of her head while Adaline came bounding down the stairs one hand holding the clip board the other on her breasts as she gasped at the sudden pace of Dominos orders.

"Domino! You're not sober! Think about this." She started as Domino rolled her eyes and placed a hand on her hips leaning in with a crazy smile.

"Jokes on you! I'm never sober!" She called holding out her hand for a green vine to rise and circle the bottle before dropping it in her hands and vanishing with a thin gust of wind.

"Dom, think about this. Okay!? Please, don't do anything…" She started before looking surprised at the tall woman's wide smile.

Domino quickly handed Adaline the bottle, the contents sloshing as the petite sniper wrapped her perfectly red tipped nails along the bottle in surprise.

"The winds changing Ada." Domino murmured before jumping lightly in place letting out a giddy school giggle.

"The winds changing!"

The red head blinked before her face shifted towards anger as she slammed her heeled foot down. "That mean's nothing!" Adaline snapped as the crew around them now sprung to life calling out the name of the ship.

Like that was needed. We knew who it was. If not then I set this up all kinds of wrong?

"Pops! Looks like a marine blockade!" A loud voice called from above the crow's nest.

Whitebeard looked up at the man in the crow's nest before looking out towards the fast-approaching marine ships now picking up speed as if to deter him. Like that would ever stop him.

"Seems like a lot of ships this time!" He stated with an amused tone. It had been sometime since anyone dared approach his ship and he had begun to grow board.

He gave a side glance at the now bustling noise of the deck as his other sons now emerging from below deck all in surprise at the yelling of their crew mates.

"Marines?!"

"They lookin for a fight?" A young man with raven black hair asked as he looked on towards the marine barricade. His arms crossed with an eager smile plastered on his freckled covered cheeks.

Whitebeard smiled to himself "If they are, they just might get one." He started before he leaned over his knee looking down at Marco who already was standing with a relaxed hand on his waist. His unbreakable calmness holding true to his nature. If it wasn't Whitebeard looking at him. That man knew his sons true wants. In fact the boy was even leaning towards the ships without known.

"What yeah thinking Marco?" He asked his smirking son who seemed to be lost in thought before the blonde shook his head and turned to look back at his father.

"We could always run away-yoi." Marco smiled before watching his father raise a knowing eyebrow.

"Oh?" He asked. Before tilting his head. "And give up a chance to fight Weeds?" He asked to Marco's shrug and wave of a hand in the air absently.

"She can wait, besides It's your call pop's-yoi." He smiled not hiding the fact that he was itching to fly over there and lay waste to the countless ships till he reached hers. Still he had to think of his fellow crew before his own selfish wants.

No matter how much it tore him to finally be so close to her he knew that his family would always come first. And approaching her so openly could lead to senseless fatalities. So he would hold himself back for now. Besides he knew he would have his chance at her later. All he would have to do is wait. However agonizing it may be.

Whitebeard looked down at his son being pulled towards this woman and then gazed back up to the now approaching marine blockade. Which had tightened formation and now a smaller Marine battleship was beginning to make headway as if leading the marines to their foolish demise.

Whitebeard let out his deep roaring laughter before standing up stretching himself out completely. His daunting stance at the ready. "Men! Full speed ahead! We're running this blockade!" Whitebeard hollered as the men below cheered weapons now at the ready.

Thatch suddenly erupted from below deck wiping flour off of his hands and leaning on Marco looking around while the blonde pulled away and patted the flour hand prints off his shoulders.

"I heard Marines where…oh.." He trailed off seeing the large blockade that now held cannons at the ready. His smile fading as he saw the sheer amount of ships in two lines, at least 30 lined up with no sign of a gap. And all...All facing them.

"Those aren't the right marines!" He shouted angerly upset that he was even pulled away from his second love Thinking he would be graced by his third love. The first was of course freedom.

Yet as he looked at the standard colors of blue and whites of the Marine fleet that approached. He had failed to spot the Rose Marie. The most heavenly of the marine battleships. It had glorious yellow and blue coloring with splash's of red along the helm as if someone had taken a paint brush to (an already spotty patch job) and flung it around.

It was an unique ship, for an unique crew to say the least.

Marco tilted his head kneeling down and getting ready to take flight as his eyes spotted the very ship Thatch had missed. And on it, that same proud and tall marine he wanted so desperately to go against. "Yes they are-yoi." His playful voice evident as he stuck his tongue out lightly anticipating a chance to be against her once more. Maybe what he said earlier about being selfish would be damned.

After all, she was wearing one of his old shirts. As if mocking the very marines she now lead. It was almost to good to resist. But wait...maybe that's what she wanted? If so, what to do, what to do?

Thatch looked down at the blonde who was clearly ready for a battle before he felt his senses tugging him to move. He calmly stepped sideways watching patiently as a bullet whizzed past his face before a loud and audible 'Pop' was heard from the tiny ship in the distance.

He threw both his arms up in happiness looking towards the ship smiling. "The Angel!" He cheered as a younger chuckle was heard from behind him.

"So! One of these ships belongs to your Angel Thatch?" The owner of the chuckle asked looking on at the poor unfortunate marine ships before him.

Marco quickly sprung upwards wings outstretched as another loud 'Pop' was heard. "Oh boy. That was close-yoi." He murmured looking down at the small line of blue flames that flicked around the small scratch on his long leg. Feeling the warmth of his own flames igniting a new sense of eagerness to fight.

Thatch nodded with a wide smile on his face. "Damn straight! You better not burn her Ace!" He called with an authoritative finger point added for good measure.

While the teen known as Ace gave a slight glance back before scoffing placing his orange hat on his head and cracking his knuckles.

"Sorry, Thatch, but how else am I gonna show everyone who's name I took?" Ace asked looking down at the firewood before him. Readying himself for the show case of a lifetime.

He had waited all these months to be able to claim his fathers name. To show the world just who exactly he was.

He was a son of Whitebeard. The son of the man who would go on to hold the One Piece.

Marco continued to hover over the deck eyeing the main flag ship to see none other then the proud and tall Marine standing on the bow of her ship her eyes fixated on his form.

"I wouldn't if I were you Ace-yoi." Marco called with a playful smile as the younger man looked up his freckles stretched out in lopsided smile.

"What don't think Domino can handle me, Marco?" He asked wanting to show off his power and knowing damn well his old man's apprentice was just who to use it on.

Marco looked towards his father who only held his hands up in defense before the Phoenix shook his head and landed back on the deck his hand outstretched "Go ahead, try it-yoi." He called with a light danger in his voice. He had to admit he had almost given in to his own selfish wants and rushed towards her.

And that was because he saw how openly she mocked the marines she stood for by wearing his old shirt.

Ace nodded and fixed his hat with a single ignited finger before running forward his fist being pulled back and at the ready.

He dodged two out of four bullets that 'popped' through the air. The last two going straight through both his arms before they quickly closed up in orange flames. Causing him to take a very brief pause before his cry filled the air.

"Flame Commandment."

Domino blinked in surprise at the large ball of flames that came hurdling her way before shaking her head standing tall and firm staring those flames down.

"Get that gun powder hidden Now!" She called now Running towards the oncoming flames, thrusting both arms upwards as large and thickening vines began to form weaving themselves in to a sturdy wall of green that was soon engulfed in red and orange bursts of color. Her vines didn't last long and with their decay left nothing but the growing heat from the extinguished flames.

Adaline took in a sharp breath at the realization of who just was powerful enough to cause that. And very upset that Thatch had not told her that they literally got an Ace up their sleeve.

She means, come on? How does someone not mention they got a powerful rookie on their ship, in their most recent letter? Especially when that letter was just received yesterday?

Domino didn't have a second to look back at the ashes of her vines before a view of orange and red flames once again came hurdling her way. She snapped her hands around the railing turning her head in anticipation "Drop Anchor starboard side!" Her cold voice shouted above the roaring crackling of fast approaching flames.

Suddenly the ship lurched to the side in a narrow attempt to dodge another wall of flames. She watched as the Whitebeard crew looked on in awe while she shook her head looking back to watch the flames that still hungerly licked the ocean below.

The maneuver she did saved her ship from Ace's onslaught but only caused a large Whitebeard shaped opening. And they were taking it. However, she didn't have time to take into account her position when she snapped her head back to the ships behind her following her lead. Seeing as they were now in the direct path of Fire Fist Ace.

She cursed before jumping on her railing twisting her wrists while she ran commanding her vines to twist together in to a thin but long ledge as she ran carefully balancing herself on the minimal amount needed.

With a deep breath and a curse she forced yet another wall of majestic green to appear. Just in time to absorb the Flame Commandment that came their way.

"Ada! What the Hell!" She called stepping back as yet another wave of flames appeared. Once again she pulled her vines up as they began to wilt against the heat.

The only sounds audible to Domino were the flames and her heart pounding.

The sounds of cannon fire had yet to ring out. It seemed like both sides were waiting for the other to begin. In realty the marine ships had yielded their onslaught at the sight of Ace's power. They unlike Domino had not had the courage to truly try and resist Whitebeards ship and knew that the freighting Rear Admiral would not fault them for their lack of strength like the others would. So they stopped now only praying that the Rear Admiral could protect them.

However, protection was now becoming the last thing on her mind. Domino grimaced as she pulled at more vines to block the marine ships. She was trapped.

If she pulled away her vines from protecting marine ships then she could pierce the Moby Dick and actually cause damage. Of course it wouldn't be enough to stop the pirates, but it would be enough to show she would still attack them.

But if she did pull her vines away many marines would be charred in an instant leaving her with the haunting guilt of more dead men.

Not only that but she could feel the familiar tug of fatigue from using her devil fruit. She could feels the very vines she stood on beginning to weak and thin with decay reviling the viscous sea below.

She knew what she was to do. However a small part of her was hesitant. She didn't want to fight anymore. Don't get it wrong, she loved fighting Marco with every being in her body but that was different then this. Her battels with him were something different that she couldn't place at the moment.

Frankly, She was torn, and it was showing in her hesitation as she just barely pulled herself to her senses quickly erecting another wall of vines just a second before the flames cooked her men.

"What do you mean me what the hell girl! You what the hell! Ahhh!" Adaline's voice pierced through Dominos sense before being jostled by the flames heat forcing her away from her perch.

Quickly however she caught her balance once more and moved take position again laying flat on her chest and looking through her scope to see the deck of the Moby Dick very clearly.

Her eye's focused on Marco who stood watching the scene with an unreadable expression. Then she flicked her sights on to the great 'king' Whitebeard who seemed to be already staring in her direction, (she took in a deep breath in fear) then turned towards her lover.

Thatch, well… He was.. not as calm as the other two in-fact he was waving his arms frantically in the air demanding Ace to stop. She then went back to the young pirate who's small smile was enough to let her know he was nowhere near done.

"You, should of known they got Ace! That's important stuff to kn.." Domino stopped talking to quickly raise a wall of vines once more before she growled.

"Flippin Fuck it all!" She shouted jumping backwards landing roughly on the deck while watching as her vines decayed before her very eyes. She quickly gained her barefooting and forced her arms forward with a smile as thick green vines embedded themselves deep into the side of the large figure head of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Her twisting green vines creeping through the wood forcing boards lose and spreading further. The dreaded sound of the wood creaking and groaning its complaints at the weeds the only audible sound the ships heard.

Domino grimaced at the sight of the White whale being tainted by her powers and quickly began to decay them. Looking on in horror at what her moment of annoyance caused. She never meant to do that.

However, two black boots and a flash of an orange hat stopped her from destroying the vines completely.

Domino took a step back smiling at the sight of her mentor's grandson gliding down her vines as if he was surfing. He was like the ship. She had no intention of hurting him.

She took a step back allowing him to land before she broke the vines away completely and felt as she now wrapped new ones around her own hands and tucking in her fingers to form her perfect black thorned gauntlet.

"So you joined Whitebeard huh?" She asked him with a light smile eyeing the crowd that grew above the deck to watch.

Ace only situated his hat back on his head his small smile all she needed.

"I'm not surprised he'd beat you." She continued her sadistic smirk growing. "I mean, it's not a bad thing. But.." She shrugged with a happy come at me smile. She used Ace's silence to send a quick glance towards the marine ships behind her now recollecting themselves after the epic fire show displayed.

Ace's freckles stretched out as he smiled holding out his fist. "So You're the one Marco talks about? I thought you were dead?" He asked her as the flame began to creep up his arm as if he was eager for the battle himself.

Domino shurgged with a smile. "Sorry to disappoint, but what did you expect I'm a not as weak as you, you know?" She asked him with a smile goading him towards a fight.

If Ace was Marco he would have hesitated at Domino's teasing tones. He would have known that Domino was only proud of the teen before her for finding the crew that would protect him from Akainus wraith. He would know that even now when she saw him she saw her younger brothers innocent and kind and nothing else.

Yet this little boy was not Marco.

Thus, he let out a yell of anger before throwing his fist towards her, a long line of fire appearing beside her as she leaned away. She smiled as the force of the first punch just barely singed the tips of her pulled back hair as it swished with her movements.

"We'll see who's weak." Ace stated with a dark growl with his voice. He needed even her to see just who's name he took. And what that meant.

Domino giggled to herself the feeling of a fight becoming more intoxicating then the alcohol that burned her system.

"Pretty sure still you little man." She teased as she dodged yet another punch by kneeling down before springing up, her fists hardened as she forced her gauntlets against his hard abs sending a harsh shock running through his body knocking the wind from his very lungs as she then quickly pulled back and took advantage of his stunned state to try and kick him out of the way.

Her bare foot came to a sudden halt by the freckled teens quick block as he sent another spear of flames towards her shoulder.

She took in a deep breath and forced her haki covered foot free with a hard grunt, before tossing herself up in the air and moving to land just a few inches away from where she had previously been.

Ace stepped back as they both watched him pull away and inspect his hand at the shallow cuts that marked and stung his body.

"You're types always get cocky? Huh?" She asked him with a smile as he snapped his wild onyx eyes back towards her.

He had forgotten that her Haki was on par with even Marco's. That didn't matter he would just be stronger. Even she wouldn't stop Pops.

She noticed the change in how he held his shoulders proud and tall as he nodded to himself. His body seemed to sharpen as if deciding the battle was now going to change. And in his favor.

"You were the one person I couldn't beat." He stated with a gruff tone while Domino let out a cold smile lost in the memory.

"Of course you couldn't beat me. If I'd let a little bratty kid like you, beat me then how'm I supposed to protect my brothers?" She smiled before she dropped her smile and a frown now formed. "But, that was then. I'm pretty sure you could've beat me now." She whispered before looking up at his wide and shaking eyes.

Suddenly his approach was quick and he seemed unhinged a furry of blows coming towards her. She took in a deep breath while Her body pulled itself out of the way on autopilot.

"Don't sound like that!" He shouted angrily. The tall unscarred woman of his memory now stood before him looking just as proud but eyes broken. She was the woman who taught him he needed to be the better bigger brother. Her cold voice couldn't sound like it was torn.

He leaned in to give a final blow she wouldn't be able to block. When suddenly her face broke in to a sadistic smirk "Gotcha."

Despertly, He tried to stop his approaching attack holding up his arms to protect his face watching her oncoming attack before it had happened.

Time had stopped as he watched her expertly move closer towards him, he had no more time to process what would happen before she landed her own quick and motionless punch.

He let out a gasp as once again the sharp gauntlet made contact with his stomach causing his body to double over her fist as the moment stayed silent. The pain working itself through his body as he began to adjust to the situation.

She leaned in lightly Ace still locked in a soundless moment. If he had been Marco, he would have known she was goading him towards a fight. But would even Marco know that anxiety was coursing through her body, causing her to burn with every movement. Burn with what? Regret? Pride?

"I'm not looking to fight you little man…" Her cold voice whispered as she pulled her arm away leaving Ace to stagger backwards taking deep gasps before his eyes turned once more to her.

He was surprised but, that didn't mean he was beaten. He wouldn't run away. He wouldn't give up a fight against her. He knew he could beat her and he knew he would.

"Get off my ship!" She shouted rushing towards him her arm out and intending to make contact. Yet his quick fists caught hers. This time she leaned her head in surprise as he quickly returned a hard punch.

Domino smirked as the feeling of his fist making contact with her face and let the sting of the pain bring her towards a sobriety she had not felt since she last met Marco.

She staggered backwards feeling the alcohol leave her body as she twisted her wrists in anticipation.

The new sobriety bringing about a new lust for battle. Which was clear from her cold and scary smile that creeped across her face.

"Ace! Let's go!" Someone called as Domino took a second to fight her growing smile and gain her senses.

She had, focused on the kid solely.

She had, up until now drowned out the calls for water as the ships behind her where drenched in an orange glow as Ace's fire hate hungerly away at the ships.

She had, focused on the fact that the little stern face kid with messy black hair was now grown before her eyes.

She had, focused on the fact that she couldn't bring herself to land another blow on him.

She had, only seen him the one time, but Garps stories of his grandsons filled her mind and forced her to hold back. She covered her smile with her hands as she looked up at Ace jumping away from her railing to land on his own.

Legs crouched and back bare. Giving every marine on that ship a good look at who's mark he now carried. She shook her head and looked away his childish voice filling her ears as she moved to lean against her railing.

Her hand pulling back at the small trickle of blood from underneath her eye and the burning pain of well, a burn. It was a pain she had come to accept as a norm, however this one was no where near the same as Magma Dog, this one was. Ironically a comfort to her.

"Move out of my way!" Ace's loud and forceful voice shouted at the younger Domino.

She furrowed her eyebrows, before licking her lips. "Do you wanna make me?" She asked him, jumping lightly in place. She would have no qualms with the death of yet another child. Why should she? No wait, she should. Yes...

The little shaggy haired boy with freckles crossed his arms and nodded. "I said move didn't I?" His voice holding every ounce of determination he stood with.

Domino tilted her head and nodded her wrists twisting as a wide scary smile stretched across her face. "You did, you did but do you mean it? I mean, Are you prepared to make me move? Will you try?" She asked with a cold tone while leaning down towards the kid.

The tiny Ace pulled back at this woman with jet black hair and a menacing smile, "You're weird lady. Now move." He stated again before trying to go around her tall stature as she purposefully stepped in his way.

The kid 'tcked' before looking up at her anger in his onyx eyes.

"Hey kid do I know you? I mean you look very familiar. And you're not too weak either, for a little man that is." She giggled pulling away and shaking her head. "Oh shit, actually, um do you know where the cookie monster is? I kinda got lost in the forest." The woman hummed while looking around the large overgrown foliage her twisting wrist going to her hair.

Ace pulled back and tightened his grip around his long pipe. "Who the hell id that? Now, I said move lady!" He shouted moving to throw himself at her. His aerial attack however was quickly dispelled by the woman moving her hand and forcing him away. Her eyes still focused on the trees around them.

"That would of hurt little man? Are you supposed have weapons?." She stated still looking away. Ace Skidded backwards before tightening his grip "Damn." he spat before launching at her once more.

The woman went wide-eyed before a twist of the wrist had the young kid wrapped and pulled towards the forest floor as he now grumbled and cursed to be let go.

The woman only shrugged before looking around with a frown. "You know, if I wasn't in such a hurry to leave this place I'd explore a lot more. I'm sure there's some good flowers here I could use?" She called as the vines around Ace began to decay and free the squirming boy.

Ace began to lunge forward before a sickening sound was heard from behind him.

"Ha, I found you you brat!" Garp's loud voice practically freezing both Domino and Ace in place.

"How about a fist of love?" Garp asked before he stopped staring at his wide-eyed and backing up apprentice. Her arms up in defense thinking the fist was ment for her. He looked at her motions an narrowed his eyes,

"You weren't convincing him to be a pirate where you?"

Ace used this time to run away.

Garp 'tcked' to himself before looking back at Dominos outstretched arms. "I've done nothing, promise. Please don't." Domino giggled before Garp shook his head.

"I don't trust you." He mumbled looking around.

"Where'd that brat go now?" He asked.

"I dunno, but Sir? If he wants to be a pirate let'em. I mean, Isn't that what freedom is?" The woman asked the old man. She wouldn't truly know the answer to the question. Not even now. What was freedom.

"Dom?" Adaline's authoritative voice pierced through the veil of memoires. Pulling the taller marine back towards her present. What was she needed in the past for? The past meant nothing to her now. Well, that was a lie. All she loved was in the past, the memoires of her brothers smiling as they stood free.

The memoires of the first time she had met Marco, swirling in her mind now as well. The sudden thought of seeing his blues and yellows bringing a small smile to her face as she pulled her eyes from the vanishing ship.

The memories of her burning island now absorbing Marco's blues to engulf them in a frightened shock.

"Orders? Do we chase?" Adaline asked again while Domino rubbed her fingers together in a light motion. The blood from her eye smearing at her cold touch and feeling them with a numbing warmth.

She scoffed; she was now sober. How else would she remember her island so vividly.

"Nah, we focus on the ships and the men on them." She mumbled pulling herself from the daze to see a few (Seven) ships had been completely taken out and men now desperately clawed at anything for shelter from the sea.

Adaline nodded moving to throw up the signals while Domino twisted her vines from the side of the hull acting as lifelines for whoever wished to come aboard her ship.

"Make for port as soon as possible." She stated. Her authoritative voice commanding each man to move as they sent glances towards the now dark and brooding Domino.

Domino looked from the sea to the smaller red head who was uninjured. That was something that had never changed. Domino had made sure Adaline had not received a single blow since those years ago on Kato's ship.

"Hey, Ada, get HQ on the line I need…I need to make a call." She sighed pushing away her very insistent one eyed doctor.

"Domino, I need to patch up your eye." Avery's gruff voice stated pulling Domino's heavy eyes towards his own. She let out a light sigh pushing him away as she did so. "No thanks, take care of the others first." Her voice heavy and cold as she disappeared from the view of the concerned officers.

Avery looked down at Adaline who tapped her heel against the deck's wood and moved to bite down on a blue tipped fingernail.

"That's the first time I've seen her sober in a while." He remarked in surprise before looking back at the disappearing pirate ship.

Adaline sighed then shook her head. "Nothing we can do about it. Just do as she says." The petite woman smiled before turning on her heels and carrying out the orders.

"Ow, ow ow, Marco Ow!" Ace pulled away swatting at the older blonde who was not gentle with patching up Ace's cuts along his abdomen.

"Quit moving-yoi!" He growled as Ace pushed away once more catching Marco's face and pushing it further away from his cuts.

"That burns! Stop. I'll be fine." Ace stated trying to pull away only for a hard force to the back of his head abruptly stop his attempts as he now laid down against the deck staring at the big blue sky in awe at the pain that reverberated in his hand.

"Damn!" He groaned now rubbing his head as Marco sent him a playful smile. "Does the alcohol hurt now-yoi" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ace made a face of displeasure "No.." He mumbled as Thatch snickered in the background.

"Ah come on Marco, you didn't have to hit him that hard did you?" He asked while Ace stayed silent.

Marco rolled his eyes while inspecting the multiple scratches that had yet to heal. Nothing that wouldn't heal on it's own. Domino really held herself back. But why?

She's never done so before.

"It worked didn't it-yoi?" He asked with a teasing smile as he continued to dab alcohol-soaked cotton swabs along Ace's scratched up midsection.

To the younger males' winces.

"Don't worry Ace, Marco isn't always like this." Izo stated with a light sigh. Ace looked over at the blonde who turned away to throw away the red blood-soaked cotton balls and return with new ones.

"Oh good, I thought the Pineapple had gone rotten." Ace called to Izo before a harsh sting was felt throughout his body.

"Ow, ow, ow," He called kicking his legs. Marco sent him a shocked look. "Oh my bad-yoi." He smirked before pulling away and sitting back from his kneeling position and crossed his legs.

"No, I'm sure he's just mad because you punched his Marine." Thatch smiled now drinking through a mug before realizing that his mug had no drink in it. Mainly because the bullet holes that littered the remnants of wood on it.

He inspected it with wide eyes admittedly tapping himself to make sure he was not full of bullet holes.

"She's not my marine-yoi." Marco mumbled not seeing the group that now went wide eyed at the mug Thatch swung around to show off.

"You'll be fine Ace-yoi." Marco sighed wiping his hands on a rag before shaking his head.

"Thank you!" Ace sat up with a smile on his face while Marco waved it off and moved to sit down himself.

"Look at that? The Angel completely took out my mug?" Thatch asked with a light murmur before pouting and sitting down with a defeated "Hmph." He looked up "You think she's mad or something?" He asked Izo who raised an eyebrow at the mug.

"Maybe she found out about the nurses?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Thatch rolled his eyes and shrugged pulling out another freshly poured drink. "Oh well, I have a back up!" He smiled.

Jozu leaned forward curiously watching the circle of men now forming as they passed out mugs. "Where…Where did you get that?" He asked at Thatch who happily drank from his new 'back up' mug.

Thatch shrugged.

"I am sorry I attacked your marine Marco, but no one told me ole Scary-Face was the marine you're so worked up over?" Ace asked with a smile leaning forward towards the blonde.

Marco tore his eyes from Thatch to look at Ace's childish freckles spread in a smile.

"Scary Face-yoi?" He asked as Thatch now hollered in laughter. "Oh please tell me that's a new nickname?! I'm keeping it!" He hollered while Izo slapped the back of his head.

"Like you can talk about changing nicknames." He shouted at Thatch's insistence at calling the marine sniper Angel. Even though she was far from that.

Marco went wide eyed and leaned in waving at his brothers who murmured "Her face is scary."

"Her face isn't scary-yoi!" He defended with an uncharacteristic shout before blinking and taking a breath sitting back as Ace laughed and moved to lean on his knee.

"Well i'm sorry, But that's what Luffy and I called her! We met her back when she was still following Garp around." He smiled as the crew looked at him in shock.

"What really?" Thatch asked dumbfounded by how small the world really was. What were the odds that she would have met this hot headed youngster. And did he just think of the word youngster?

Was he now speaking like an old man? Is this what Pop's felt like? He looked down at his mug in distaste. Was he getting old?

"Yeah, but she wasn't as covered in scars then and she wasn't as drunk either." Ace smiled then he laughed. "I attacked her as a kid and she beat the shit out of me, then yelled at Gramps for hitting us." He rubbed the back of his head and looked up at Marco.

"She really laid into the old man too. I felt kind of bad afterwards." He let out a breath of air.

Thatch rolled his eyes, "All this time you've droned on about luffy and you never once mention this?" He asked.

Ace shrugged. "I guess it never clicked when you guys talked about her till now. She looks so different!" He laughed as Marco smiled at the fondness that came across the kids face.

To think how quickly Ace went from being the closed off teen to the young man sitting before him happily reminiscing.

"I could never beat her as a kid." He sighed before shrugging. "I'll beat her now though." He smiled as Marco scoffed.

However, the blonde quickly caught himself at Ace's sudden change. "What was that for Pineapple! You saw me, I hit her!" He called leaning in as Marco rolled his eyes.

"I saw-yoi." He warned with a playful smile before shaking his head at the thought of returning the favor towards this kid. "But she let you-yoi." He teased.

Ace stood up at the challenge. "I can still beat her!" He stated arms to his side and hat free from his head.

Marco shook his head and mouthed 'ok' before taking a sip of his drink that Thatch had handed him.

Marco furrowed his eyebrows at the lack of drink hitting his lips before tilting it back further. Yet still nothing came out, he paused and looked at the empty mug full of holes and sent a glare to Thatch. Who, snickered to himself like a little school girl.

"Karma for hitting Ace!" He chirped with a smile. Marco let his shoulders sag and looked through the holey mug before seeing Ace move in to view of one of the holes, his arms crossed as he stood above the blonde looking down as if challenging him.

Marco pulled the mug back and looked up at the kid with a lazy raised eyebrow.

"Just because you can't beat her doesn't mean I can't." He called as Marco sent him a wide smile and held out his hands.

"I can beat her! I just, chose not to-yoi." He shrugged, trying to take a sip before remembering his mug was now holy.

Thatch continued to giggle like a little girl at the face of disappointment Marco made.

Ace crossed his arms. First he was called out, now ignored. But still he loved it.

"So you can't beat her ethier?" He asked again with a mischievous smile and a raised eyebrow.

Marco only blinked and shook his head smiling, "No I can, I just don't see the fun in it-yoi." His voice matter of fact but playful.

Ace now frowned clearly confused by what Marco meant. "I don't understand," he mumbled before Whitebeard let out a hearty laughter.

"Maybe when you're older you'll understand what he means!" He started before growing very serious and leaning over Marco who casually looked up at the towering shadow. "However, Your weeds damaged my ship Marco! You better not let this go!"

"oh. I won't pops-yoi."