Chapter 7 - Progress

A/N: Guys. You got no idea how many times I've rewritten and edited this chapter. It's been killing me. Also I'm sorry if the training seems funny or whatnot but I wrote it as it is so… that's that.

Also mild sprains take about 2-3 days to heal so Ace's wrist is all good and there's another authors note at the end that I must urge you to read

Read and Relax~

Nine Days Later...

Ace could feel his muscles burn and protest every time he moved. While his mentor looked as calm and cool as ever.

"All good?" Shanks asked. Ace nodded despite the pain. He didn't want to show any weakness.

After three days of rest and some stories of Roger later, Shanks and his nurse declared him fit for training. And from early morning to the dead of night Shanks had him spar against him on the island.

And it was brutal along with being really intense. Shanks was such a skilled fighter with just one arm that Ace was sure he was worse when he had two arms. And it was unnerving to fight against Shanks.

The man moved so swiftly and striked fast. He knew Shanks would never hurt him on purpose but still… it was a bit intimidating.

Ace quickly blocked an incoming punch but Shanks managed to trip him and land him flat on his back. Instead of giving up Ace grabbed Shanks by the arm and planted his feet into the man's stomach and threw him over his head.

He quickly scrambled up and turned around, bracing himself for the next attack. Shanks was already up but what surprised him was that he was sporting a grin.

"You've improved in just a few days," Shanks said, not even bothering to hide the pride in his voice. Ace was already a skilled fighter but could be so much more skilled.

And the kid was doing exactly that. He was a fast learner and quick to adapt. He still had more to learn but the logia user could easily win in most matches against anyone else.

"Bah," Ace muttered and ducked his head. But a snapping sound alerted him and he snapped his head up to see Shanks coming at him with a punch.

He barely had time to dodge and actually felt Shanks brush against him as he barreled rolled to the side. He jumped up and skidded to a halt. He stared at the Yonko wide eyed.

"You tricked me!" he shouted, not in anger but in mild surprise. The elder pirate simply smiled and shrugged. "Never let your guard down," he said as he circled Ace.

"You of all people should know that, am I right?" Shanks noticed Ace shift at that. While he did want to train Ace, he also wanted to get to know the kid.

But that was almost near impossible with how guarded and secretive the kid was. He understood that being the late Pirate King's son made one guarded but still. Ace was overboard, like he couldn't fully relax, not even for a second.

His thoughts were interrupted with Ace swiping at his legs. He decided to go with it but swiftly flipped backwards on his hand.

He launched himself back at the boy and intended to pull him from behind the neck and bring him into a choke hold.

Ace felt his senses tingle and just knew somehow what his teacher was going to do. So he took a deep breath and waited for the right moment to strike. As soon as Shanks shot his hand out Ace blocked the incoming limb and knocked it to the left.

He suddenly felt power flow into his hand that was about to hit the man and something beginning to cover said hand. But he quickly slammed his palm into the Yonko's chest which sent him reeling and tumbling backwards.

But the pain Shanks felt was momentarily forgotten as both he and Ace stared at the hand that struck him, for it was covered in a black substance.

"Ace… what you're staring at is Armament Haki," he said breathlessly in awe. The young pirate threw him a wide eyed look before staring back at his hand. Slowly the black retreated and was no more.

Ace blinked but shook himself and ran over to Shanks. "Are you all right? I didn't… hurt you did I?" he asked tentatively while stretching a hand out. The elder grasped his hand and let the kid help him up to make him feel better.

Once he was up he faced Ace with a smile. "Not gonna lie, that did hurt but don't worry about it," he reassured.

Shanks ruffled the kid's hair and smiled fondly at the scowl that greeted him that held no real heat. "How about we head back to the ship now, hm?" he suggested.

Ace tilted his head in confusion. "Why? We could just spar." Shanks shook his head. "Armament Haki takes up energy, your stamina," he responded.

At the kid's worried expression he hastened to explain further. "But once you rest up and restore your stamina you're all good," he assured. Ace relaxed at that and felt a bit better.

"Alright. And sure, we can head back. I know you must be tired after a long spar, old man," he teased playfully.

Shanks raised an eyebrow, feeling amused. "Old man, huh? Well I think this old man needs someone to carry him," he said.

Ace paled. "Uh uh. I ain't carrying you. No way."

Shanks grinned. "Why not? Shouldn't the youth help their elders?" he questioned. Ace shook his head vigorously.

"No way! Back off!" he protested while stepping away. Shanks laughed and followed after him. "Respect your elders Ace, especially your mentor!" he cackled.

Ace then dashed off with Shanks close at his heels.

Later That Day…

When were they going to leave the Red Hairs?

That stopped Ace right in his tracks. He frowned and stopped walking, looking down at the wood beneath him. He didn't think they would stay with the Red Hairs for this long but since they were training with them they kinda had no choice.

But what about after that? Were they going to say goodbye and part ways, only meeting each other by coincidence?

A sharp tug pulled inside Ace's chest. That sounded horrible. He didn't want to leave like that, to just practically ditch them. In fact, if he had to be honest, he didn't want to leave.

Wait...what?

Ace felt something press against his chest and looked down to see it was his palm. The thought of leaving Shanks and the Red Hairs made his chest feel so tight and heavy.

They had so many laughs, talks and memories that Ace didn't want to stop their travels. He wanted to continue the adventure alongside them.

"Ace?"

Said teen startled and looked up to see only Deuce who was frowning at him. Ace straightened himself and gave a polite smile.

"Hey Deuce, need something?" he asked as he moved to lean against the railing of his ship.

"You look troubled." Was all Deuce said as he followed him. Together they watched the waves crash against the side of their ship. Distantly they could hear some of the Spades laughing, causing both of them to chuckle even just for a second.

But then it grew quiet again. Ace didn't say anything as he felt his First Mate watch him.

"Want to talk about it?" Deuce asked eventually. Ace flicked a glance at his friend and back towards the sea.

"Are you happy?" Deuce frowned at the question, not expecting that from his Captain. Ace shook his head. "Like happy that we're sailing with the Red Hairs?" he elaborated.

Oh. "Well it has been eventful. Only downside is getting nearly impaled but other than that, I've enjoyed our travels with them." Deuce looked at him questioningly. "Are you happy?" he asked in return.

Ace sighed. "I haven't been happier. I mean, I was happy with it just us Spades, but with the Red Hairs it's different. Like we're being shown and taught so much, going on crazy explorations and it's all just been so… fun."

Deuce nodded. "Yeah, I feel the same… but you're wondering when is it all going to end?" He knew he hit the nail on the head at Ace's expression souring.

"Pretty much. And-…" Ace trailed off and shut his mouth. Maybe it was best not to talk about...

"And?" Deuce prompted, looking at him almost as if he could see into his soul. Ace shifted and crossed his arms almost casually but looked like he was protecting himself. Also his face looked conflicted and… guilty?

"And I'm finding out more about Roger," he confessed quietly.

Deuce inhaled sharply. He knew how touchy Ace was about the subject of his father. This was going to be rough.

Ace continued on as if it was nothing, which it really wasn't. "Shanks told me stories about him," his voice near raspy, "Everything I thought I knew about Roger was wrong. He wasn't some monster that was insane and destroyed everything in his path."

Ace stopped, feeling shame and guilt weigh heavy on him. Deuce kept his face carefully blank. He decided to break this down slowly. "Why did you hate him?"

Ace's face turned pained. "I only hated him because everyone else did, and I let my judgement be clouded…" Deuce stepped closer and asked, "From what Shanks has told you, what do you think of him?"

Ace dropped his gaze to the ground. "I.. I think he was incredible. A man who just wanted to sail the seas and go on adventures, someone honorable and caring. A man who wanted to live a life with no regrets…" His voice turned soft at the end.

He never thought he would have something in common with his father. Living a life with no regrets was something he held close to himself, and knowing that he wanted that as much as his father did was just…

"Do you hate him still?" Deuce asked, interrupting his thoughts. Ace shot his eyes up and locked them with the masked man before him.

He could feel his heart begin to beat rapidly. This was it. This was time to get his emotions clear and he knew what he was feeling.

He had days to think and mull over what Shanks had told him. When he laid down at night he couldn't help but think about Roger, the man whom he hated for years.

"...No. I don't hate him anymore."

As soon as he said that it was like something heavy was lifted off him. So much hate that he once felt was just… gone. And it felt freeing like he could breathe. Was that ok?

Everyone hated the Pirate King, besides Shanks, and if he didn't hate him, was that alright?

As if reading his thoughts Deuce said, "Y'know, that's ok. You don't need to hate him like everyone else. Doesn't matter what they think."

Ace slowly nodded, agreeing. He didn't need all that hate and anger. All it would get him was nowhere and make him beyond miserable.

In fact, just because of those suffocating emotions he was going to go after Whitebeard. Because he was so miserable and angry, wanting to prove something against his father, who is dead, he was wanting to risk everything to try and take Whitebeard's head.

Ace sighed, feeling once again ashamed of himself. He really was an idiot.

He blinked back into reality as he felt Deuce poking his shoulder. "So, do you accept him then?" the First Mate asked. It took Ace a second to understand what he was asking but when he realized he looked down.

"I may not hate Roger anymore, but I don't feel ready to accept him as my father. Maybe later in life, one day, but not now." He figured most people would start accepting but for him he just couldn't.

It felt too soon. He just needed time and he knew that life was short but he didn't want to rush things. He'd rather grow and accept Roger later in life, than rush it and make it feel forced.

Ace looked up and smiled brightly. He felt renewed. Like he was seeing everything now. No more hate and spite clung to him. It was like being freed from chains that weighed him down.

"Let's see what the others are up too. I wanna go have some fun." Ace's grin turned mischievous and his eyes lit up with a spark.

Deuce returned the grin and chuckled. "After you, Captain."

Benn chuckled lowly at the sight of Ace sparring - more like roughhousing - with the Red Hairs. He knew they were wanting to see how tough the kid was but not wanting to make anything too serious about it.

So they suggested a 'light spar' and Ace agreed good naturally. The Red Hairs went easy but soon realized that Ace was much stronger and gradually went harder on him.

Benn stopped walking as he approached his Captain who was watching everyone with an amused smile. "He's sure a handful," he commented lightly.

Shanks snorted. "You can say that again. He's more like a fireball of energy and mischief." They watched Ace duck under Rockstar's arm and hop onto Yasopp's back. The man laughed loudly and spun around trying to shake the fire-user off but to no avail.

The kid could stick like glue if he wanted to. Yasopp stood no chance.

"How's his training going?" Benn asked. He knew it must've been good as Shanks smiled proudly. "He's unlocked Armament Haki," he announced happily.

The gunslinger widened his eyes in small shock but cooled his expression back into an easy grin. "Doesn't surprise me. He is incredibly strong for his age."

Shanks nodded. "He is. I can only imagine how much stronger he'll become after he finishes his training."

Benn hummed at that. He couldn't deny he was curious, and a little anxious, to see how far Ace would get once he completed training with the Yonko. It would be a while most likely. There was a lot he had to learn and do. Might take the kid two years practically.

Maybe Ace would even become as strong as Shanks. Said man chuckled at the thought. Now that would be something. Maybe Ace would even become…

Shanks shook his head. Nevermind the future. He had the present to focus on.

A bright sunny sound of laughter ran out among the deck, causing many to smile automatically. The kid had them all wrapped around their finger.

Ace could hear footsteps approaching behind him and turned around to only see Shanks greeting him with a smile.

"Hey kiddo, what're you doing up here? And up so late," he questioned as he sat next to Ace on his crow's nest. He knew the devil fruit user liked sitting on the crow's nest on the Red Force but didn't expect to see him this late.

Ace shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. So I thought I'd watch the waves and sit up here," he answered. Shanks hummed in response and stared out to the sea.

"Probably should tell you that we're going to head out tomorrow afternoon. There's an island that I want to restock on, about a week's travel that's all," he said out of the blue, remembering that he had planned to tell Ace but forgot.

The raven-haired pirate nodded. He was too wrapped up in his thoughts to really talk. He couldn't stop thinking about his talk with Deuce earlier.

After getting rid of all the hate and anger he couldn't help but see how naive and foolish he had been.

He was going risk his life to try and take the world's strongest man's head. For what? To prove he was stronger than his father? He knew he wanted to show he wasn't weak, and that he didn't need to be the Pirate King's son to be strong.

But it felt silly now. He wanted to be strong but also to have fun. To explore the world and see new sights. He couldn't have fully enjoyed anything if he was so stuck on killing someone and hate a dead man.

Suddenly an intense sick feeling grew inside Ace. He had wanted to kill Whitebeard.

A man who values family and claims his crew as his children, making him a father to thousands. A Captain to thousands.

He was going to take a father away from his children, a Captain away from his crew. Leaving them without someone to care for them and guide them.

The sick feeling grew stronger. He wanted to kill someone. He had honestly wanted to take someone's head and just kill them. He curled in on himself.

He felt like vomiting, unaware of Shanks watching him in concern. He was so focused on killing Whitebeard that he didn't let anything stop him or get in his way. Even if it meant fighting thousands.

Ace realized with horror that he was acting like the man he accused his father to be.

A monster. Bent on bloodlust. Didn't let anything get in his way. Let nothing and no one tell stop him.

He squeezed his eyes shut. His chest felt so tight and his throat closed up. The guilt and shame were overwhelming. How could he be so hypocritical?

"Ace. Ace are you with me?" A voice asked. He remembered Shanks was with him. It must be Shanks talking.

He couldn't answer. Everything felt too murky and dark. Like he was trapped.

He flinched as a hand touched him and guided his head down between his knees. "Ace you need to breathe. Calm down, release your breath. Steady yourself," a soft voice commanded.

Ace slowly obeyed. He released his breath and went back to taking deep breaths and exhaling. He needed to steady himself before he got worse.

After what felt like forever, Ace could feel himself calm down albeit slow. He coughed and sat up carefully. His chest hurt and his head, just everywhere hurt.

Shanks looked at him with such warmth and kindness that he couldn't suppress a shiver. He didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve this man's kindness.

"What's wrong, Ace? Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently. For a moment he wanted to say no and go run off to his room. But he didn't.

He couldn't wait til Deuce woke up and besides, he already bugged the blue haired man enough today. He didn't want to burden his friend. And he didn't want to burdened Shanks for the man already did so much for him.

But his eyes held such patience and care that it felt like it was ok to talk. So the flood bursted and Ace told him everything.

How he felt so disgusted with himself. How he felt horrified at how he was the man he accused his father to be. He told him everything.

"Shanks, I don't… I don't deserve this. I don't deserve… I-I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything. Sorry," he stammered. He shot up but swayed on his feet at how fast he stood.

Shanks quickly stood and steadied him, his hand warm and gentle on his shoulder. His eyes looked so kind and compassionate. "Don't be sorry Ace. You don't have to be sorry for talking to me or how you feel," he said fiercely.

Ace could feel his eyes water and lip tremble. What's wrong with you! Stop being a baby!

"Ace, I'm glad you talked to me. And it's good you realized your mistakes instead of staying in pride, ignoring everything. And you do deserve... whatever you think you don't deserve! You deserve all the kindness in the world because you are so kind, you understand me?" Shanks said, his eyes blazing with emotion.

Ace couldn't stop the tears from blurring his vision. "But didn't you listen? I was so horrible! How can you be so nice to someone like me?!" he cried, feeling himself snap.

He sucked in a sharp breath as Shanks pulled him into a hug. He tensed briefly but couldn't help but find this so comforting. It just felt so nice.

"Because you show the world so much kindness when it's treated you so horribly. You're a good man Ace, a great man. You deserve so much yet receive so little."

That was it. That was what broke the dam.

Ace couldn't stop the tears from spilling. Couldn't stop himself from hiding his emotions like usual. He just couldn't take it anymore.

Shanks held him close, wishing he had his other arm to embrace the kid tighter. "Let it go Ace, just let it go," he murmured. To which the kid did. He finally let himself cry in what felt like forever.

The pained sobs and cries cut deep into Shanks's heart. He could just feel the pain and suffering radiating off of Ace.

He knew this wasn't going to be the end of Ace's issues and problems. But this was the start.

So he slowly sat down, bringing the kid with him, and hugged him as tight as he could. He wasn't going to let him go.

A/N: Hey guys! It feels like forever! Phew!

Now some of you may be upset with this. Probably wanting Ace to 'suffer' a bit longer. But I wanted to show the beginning of Ace's healing.

He needs a starting point in repairing himself and this isn't going to solve all his problems immediately but this is the start. This is the slow progress of his healing.

I also realized that I pressure myself too much with my writing. Like is this good enough is it really good. Will it make my readers go, "Wow that was incredible! Amazing job!"

I know not everyone will be like that but doesn't everyone kinda want that? Like you want to make your readers go through loops and loops and amaze them?

I feel pressured that you won't be happy with what I make. Like if I rushed something or didn't write it properly. And I try, boy do I try to make things as good as it can be.

But it's too much pressure. And I don't feel as happy. And I want to write what makes me happy.

I know I should've probably prolonged this moment with Ace and Shanks, and Ace and Deuce, but I didn't want to because I wanted Ace to grow. Being with the Red Hairs, mostly Shanks, made him more mature to me and I wanted that to show.

Some of you probably aren't happy that Ace doesn't hate Roger anymore, maybe wanting more drama. I even wanted to write it out longer but didn't.

Cause 3 days did pass full of Shanks telling stories of Roger and maybe I should have written that but I didn't want to. Because I wanted to write this which makes me happy.

I want to satisfy you guys but it's basically impossible to satisfy anyone. And I wasn't happy so I thought, "Well if this makes me happy I'll do it."

Because what's the point of writing something that doesn't make me happy? I don't want that and I'm sure you guys don't want to read something that had no joy behind it. I don't want you to feel bad that I'm forcing myself to write something that I'm not enjoying.

I don't want to write five more chapters of how Ace can't trust anyone and yada yada yad. Doesn't mean I won't write him still guarded but it gets tedious and boring with five more chapters of the same "I can't trust them just yet"

This chapter is the starting point of the healing. Not the full healing but the start. There's still plenty more issues and problems to go through but I need the beginning in order to continue to the end.

I'm trying my best and that's all I can do. I hope you guys understand.