Some drama in this chapter! Two more after this one and then it's the end! Enjoy~

Luffy had asked Brulee not to tell Katakuri about him using some of his powers because he wanted Koori to be surprised. He just wanted to get control over it a little before the sweet commander came back. During the two days of Luffy non-stop practicing control, he was kept home and didn't end up going to any of his aunts' or uncles' houses. He didn't want to break anything or annoy anyone. Plus, he was a bit embarrassed about his difficulty with simply walking from point A to point B.

He was happy to be allowed to just rest in his bed for a long time, doing his best to not make a mess after eating in his bed. Brulee came in to check on him many times, but he didn't come out of the room, and eventually fell asleep without being tucked in or changing clothes. He found that using his lightning power made him a bit sleepy right afterwards.

He'd practice once again tomorrow, and he'd do it right! He wanted to show his improvement to Katakuri, and get a hug or pat on the head for his practice paying off. He wondered what kind of training they'd do next. He hoped he could do it well and quickly. Luffy really wanted to go on the ship with Koori next time. He both missed the man, and missed being on the fun ship. He was sure he'd be fine if he was with Koori. He could go on other islands! He'd not been on many islands, and many of them were a mystery to him since he was never allowed to be outside the home his former masters lived in.

Very early the next morning, a surprise came. Luffy was still asleep when the door to his bedroom creaked open. He opened his eyes slowly. It was still dark out, and he wondered why Brulee had come in so early. But then he heard a girl's dark chuckle and turned around. Somehow, Flampe had gotten into the house. And Brulee was nice and asleep in the living room, a dart in her neck.

Luffy sat up quickly. "You is the mean girl! Go away!" Luffy shouted angrily. "Out of my room!" Flampe just scowled at him.

"I really don't see what the point is of keeping you alive. You've turned brother against Mama. It's all your fault that things have gotten stressful!" she shouted, pulling out her pipe. Luffy frowned.

"Koori is happy with me, so go away!" Luffy replied. He didn't feel guilty about making Koori and Big Mom not close anymore. Big Mom is mean and scary and she doesn't deserve Katakuri!

"His name isn't Koori, you baby! It's Katakuri!" she said irritably.

"If is not Koori, then is daddy!" Luffy snapped back. He didn't like the mean girl putting down his and Koori's relationship. And they were both happy, so her opinion shouldn't matter. As she headed towards him, going to slap him or something harsher, it was as if time stopped. Luffy ran to one side of the room and then everything was back to normal. Only he was across the room in the blink of an eye. He looked surprised he was able to control it.

Flampe looked very confused. Luffy huffed behind her, wanting her to get out of his special place. He would snap if she touched his bed. He would not allow that, the size and age difference between them aside. She was taller than he was, since she was ten years older. But she didn't act older. She was mean, and older kids are supposed to be nice to younger ones.

"Go away! Go back home, wherever you live!" Then he unwisely told her to not touch his bed. She smirked at him and she reached her hand towards his bed. "No!" he shouted running up to her and releasing light flickering lightning all over his body. "GO AWAY!" and the window behind his bed shattered.

Flampe looked at him in horror. She knew she couldn't fight against him because he was a logia Devil Fruit user. And sharp things go right through their bodies. Also, he was angry and very clearly couldn't control his powers. This kid would be a monster. She would tell Katakuri and then he'd be on her side!

She cautiously moved back towards the door, humiliated that she couldn't bring herself to fight a five year old! When she didn't leave fast enough for Luffy's taste, he moved towards her angrily, causing her to bolt out of his room and outside, going back to wherever she came from.

Luffy looked at his window and bed and all the glass and started crying. He was scared about what happened. And how the mean girl had gotten into his house and room easily. And where was Brulee? How could she sleep through that?!

And he was ashamed that he'd broken the window. But… well, he'll just fix it himself and no one will notice. Luffy didn't want Koori to be mad at him. So Luffy left the room and went to the study, and pulled out a thick roll of packing tape. He was glad Brulee was asleep so he could fix the problem without her noticing. He'd do a good job. He would fix it.

Three hours later, most of the window was taped back together, and the shards that were not we covered with the clear plastic. Now he couldn't see out of his window, but at least he wouldn't get cold while he hopefully slept the remainder of the night.

But, before he tried to go back to sleep with one hour left before sunrise, he moved his mostly empty bookshelf in front of his bedroom door. It was hard for him, but he was determined to not let anyone else in.

He did eventually fall back asleep, but it wasn't as peaceful as it had been before Flampe intruded. When he woke up, the first thing he did when he remembered what had happened was pull his curtains closed to hide the shattered glass messily taped together. Then he left the room, moving his bookshelf back to the side and closing the door behind him.

Brulee was sitting on the couch, confused as to what had happened to make her so exhausted last night. She didn't even make it to her bed and she could have sworn someone was jiggling the doorknob. Before she could contemplate whether she locked the door, she was out like a light. She didn't hear anything that happened in Luffy's bedroom.

Luffy walked into the room, looking at his feet as he did so. He was still very upset about last night. His sanctuary had been invaded, and it made him feel violated. Someone mean came into his special space without his permission! He hated that girl. He never wanted to see her face or stupid outfit ever again.

Brulee could see clearly that something was bothering Luffy. And Katakuri had told her from experience that Luffy couldn't lie to save his life. "What's wrong, Luffy?" she asked at the kitchen table as he poked at his pancakes. He shook his head.

"Are you sure?" she asked, having a feeling he'd speak even if he said he didn't want to. And he did after a few minutes of silence.

"Was the front door locked last night?" he mumbled, now rubbing his finger around the rim of his plastic cup of juice. Brulee froze. And she asked why he would ask that. He told the truth and said, "A meanie broke in and came into my room. You were asleep."

"What else happened?" but she was not prepared for Luffy to start crying. Loudly.

"I- I did a bad thing!" he cried, rubbing his eyes with his fists harshly. "I made a mess and Koori will be mad at me!" Brulee stood up and walked to him to pat his head and she very patiently asked what had happened.

Instead of telling her, he got up and sadly walked to his room, telling her that he'd show her. When they entered the room, Brulee noticed his book shelf was in a different place than before. But everything else looked normal until he drew his curtains back and light came in. She gasped. "What happened?"

"She came in to hurt me I think, and I got mad and when she went to touch my bed, I broke the window by accident. I… I don't know what happened. But… I'm better at the running, so there's that!" he said with a shaky smile and voice, trying to divert the attention away from his messily put back together window.

Brulee walked over and closed the curtains for him, showing him that she wasn't angry. And she connected the dots that she was so deeply asleep because Flampe was the "meanie" who broke in last night.

"Was she going to hurt you?" she asked. Luffy shrugged. It didn't get far enough for him to know what she wanted to do by coming into his special space. His special space.

"I don't know, but I was really mad and then the window broke and she run away. She was scared after the window broke with this bright light. She said mean things to me, and put down me and Koori. She said that is my fault that things are bad between Koori and his mama. Then she got madder when I said Koori was daddy." Luffy paused. "Will he be mad at me?" he questioned very softly.

"No, I'm sure he won't be angry or upset with you. I think he'll be more upset with Flampe and what she's done. Don't worry, Luffy. Katakuri would never be mad at you for something you can't control like this. He might even be impressed your powers are coming along. That's exciting, right?" Luffy nodded slowly.

He was scared. He was scared he'd hurt someone or break more things by not being able to control his awakened and uncontrollable abilities. Luffy wanted Koori there instead of Brulee because he knew his lightning wouldn't hurt Koori like it could Brulee.

Katakuri called Brulee's transponder snail when his ship was a few hours away from the start of Toto Land. He was looking forward to seeing Luffy again. When Brulee told Luffy Katakuri was calling, Luffy immediately closed himself off and looked away and at the wall behind him. Brulee sighed. She'd talk to Katakuri about it and have him tell Luffy he wasn't upset. She knew he wouldn't be. Besides, a broken window was replaceable and inexpensive.

"Hi Katakuri," Brulee answered.

"Hey. I'm almost back to the island. Is Luffy there?" he asked, wanting to talk to the boy. No one answered for a moment. "Brulee?" Luffy had walked back into his room and shut the door quietly.

"An incident happened last night, and Luffy's afraid you'll be mad at him about it. So he doesn't want to talk at the moment."

"What happened?" Katakuri asked very seriously. Luffy didn't cause trouble and definitely not on purpose. What could have happened that was bad enough to silence Luffy? The boy almost never misbehaved. He really wondered what Luffy had done. Or what he thought he'd done wrong.

"Flampe seems to have broken in last night. She went into Luffy's room and threatened him. Apparently he then shattered the bedroom window by losing control. He tried taping it back together. He thinks you're going to be very mad at him." Katakuri said nothing over the phone. He was steaming in rage. Anyone around him would have felt crushed under the haki he was emitting. Damn Flampe! What did she think would happen by provoking Luffy?!

Wait… what did he lose control of that would shatter a window? So he asked.

"Luffy's powers seemed to have awakened. He wanted it to be a surprise, but I know he'd want to know you're not mad more than have his progress be a surprise," Brulee replied. "Are you mad?" she asked.

"Of course not. Not at Luffy. Can you get him? I'd like to speak with him about this."

Brulee carried the device to Luffy's room and opened the door slowly. Luffy was curled up in his bed under the blankets. "Luffy, Katakuri would like to speak with you." Luffy gulped and slowly uncurled himself and sat up. His face was red like he was going to cry. Brulee gently handed Luffy the snail.

"...Hi Koori…" Luffy said quietly.

"Hey Luffy. I heard about what happened. What did she say or do to you?" Katakuri asked. "I'm not mad. Even if you broke the window, I'm not mad."

"She was mean to me and said that it was my fault that Big Mom and you are in a fight. She called me a baby again! She was going to hurt me with her straw and then I ran around an she almost touched my bed! So then a light went off and my window broke and she left. I hate her!" Luffy said angrily.

"Did anyone get hurt?" Katakuri asked calmly. He was beyond irritated with Flampe and what she was saying to Luffy. He would make it clear that she would be best off not being around Luffy ever again. Katakuri wasn't going to just let her get away with it because she was a sibling and also young. But, she upset Luffy, and that was unacceptable. Breaking into their home and going into Luffy's room was inexcusable.

"No," Luffy replied.

"I am not upset. But I heard about your Devil Fruit working. Show me when I get back, okay? I'm almost home."

"Okay!" Luffy said, his somber mood lifted by Katakuri saying he wasn't mad and that he was almost home! "I'll meetcha at the docks!" Luffy then run off into the back yard to practice as best as he could at electrocuting a rock.

Brulee smiled and told him she looked forward to seeing the reunion. Katakuri was excited as well. The last couple of weeks he was away proved how boring his old life used to be. With Luffy, there never seemed to be a dull moment except when he was napping. Even if the times where Luffy wouldn't - or couldn't- calm down and just zoomed around the house, at least it wasn't boring and was actually entertaining as long as he didn't hurt himself or break anything else. He had missed the boy, and was excited to see how his powers had awoken. And Katakuri would teach him how to control them.

Then there was Flampe to think about. How would he get through her big, cocky head that she would dearly regret ever approaching Luffy again. He couldn't exactly kill her. She was part of the family and therefore it would be highly looked down upon if he killed his sister.

An annoying sister who was obsessed with him. Even though he was over 30 years older than her and clearly didn't like her. Of course Katakuri could always watch out for her and then, if she did come, he'd do his best to let out his anger through terrible haki at her. But he didn't want Luffy to be around when he released his haki. He didn't want to scare the boy. Though, Katakuri was unsure of whether he'd be scared, or think it was cool.

It was five hours later that Katakuri's ship docked and Luffy went zipping up the plank and jumped Katakuri. He grabbed Luffy under the armpits and thrust him into the air, causing Luffy to erupt into giggles.

"I missed you!" he shouted, thoroughly glad to have Koori back home. "Did'ja see me run?" he asked eagerly. Katakuri did know he was coming through his observation and future haki, but to any normal eye, Luffy disappeared. He sure didn't wait to show his favorite person his new ability.

"I couldn't. You were too fast," Katakuri said encouragingly. "I missed you, too. Things were boring on the ship without you," the man said as he stuck Luffy in his shirt pocket so he could carry his stuff in one arm back to their house. He was truly glad to be home and with his boy again.

A single mission had never felt so long.

On their walk home, since Brulee brought Luffy to the docks but then left early so Luffy could spend some time with her brother, Luffy babbled about everything that had happened while he Katakuri was away.

He talked about his training, and going to his aunts and uncles to play. He left Flampe out of the happy conversation. Katakuri couldn't help but burst into booming laughter that was rarely heard when Luffy told him how he'd only been able to run fast because he didn't want his food to spill. But Katakuri wasn't much surprised with that knowledge.

"And how's it been going without food motivation?" he asked as they entered their big home. Katakuri walked to his room and set down his things and then went to the living room and sat on the couch. Luffy crawled into his hand and out of the jacket pocket and was sat in the big man's lap.

"It's hard! I keep tripping and hitting stuff and make messes outside. I was okay when the meanie came," (his face grew angry but then relaxed), "and I was able to run around her. Then, when the window broke, she ran away. I think she was scared of me!" Luffy said, sounding somewhat satisfied.

"Let me see the window. I doubt she'll break into your room again after you showed her your powers." Luffy's face fell as Katakuri walked with him to the boy's bedroom. The man opened the curtain and saw the shattered glass held together by strong tape. He did his best not to scowl at how this had happened. Damn Flampe.

"I'm not mad, Luffy. It was an accident, right?" he asked patiently after closing the red curtains to hide the glass. Luffy nodded sadly. "It's easy to replace. Don't worry."

"Kay…"

"Do you want to go outside and show me your powers?" Katakuri asked, easily bringing back Luffy's bouncy mood. He cheered out a "yah!" and ran off to the back yard, his guardian following behind him, glad to be home.

The mission he'd just gotten back from really just felt like an inconvenience. He'd much rather just stay at home with Luffy than go around killing or hurting people he really had no problem with. But this was how it was, and he wasn't one to mope or dwell on bad feelings or thoughts.

As he made a chair on mochi to sit on, he watched Luffy zip around the yard clumsily. When Luffy tripped over his own super fast feet, he was skidded across the lawn and get green skids on his clothes, Katakuri had trouble not laughing. It wasn't at Luffy's expense in a mean way, it was just somewhat entertaining with his reactions to it.

By the end, Luffy was tired, and took a nap curled up in Katakuri's scarf bunched in his lap. It was nice being able to have it off again. Of course he needed to keep it on around his crew and those he met on the journey. He hoped he wouldn't have another mission soon. He didn't like being away from Luffy too long, and he wasn't strong enough to come with him yet, if Katakuri ever let him.

Many of his jobs involved violence, and though Katakuri had told Big Mom Luffy would be an asset to the family, that was then. Then, he had liked Luffy, but not like he did now. Now, he didn't want Luffy getting involved in the dealings with the Big Mom pirates. Maybe Katakuri could take him on easier and more simple jobs.

Maybe next time it's time to collect the special sugar once it's harvested on another island for Big Mom Luffy could go with him. Sure, everyone might think it strange that the sweet commander would go on a job to collect candy. But Luffy might enjoy it. Katakuri wasn't taking Luffy off this island without him being able to defend himself at least a little. So a trip away from his island probably wouldn't happen for a while. But Katakuri would make sure to stay with him as long as possible. Not just to train, but also to just stay with him and raise him how he saw fit and fun.

Summer turned into fall quickly, and Luffy was constantly tired. Not only was the weather affecting him, but he trained almost every day. During much of the time, Luffy was unable to leave the house. Not just because he was tired or just didn't feel like it, but he was still having problems controlling his speed.

One too many times of running into someone or something down in the town made Luffy not want to go much. He just wanted to get better at his powers!

Flampe hadnt shown her face since her attempt at whatever she wanted to do to Luffy. Part of that could be because of how Katakuri gave her a chilling glare during a second tea party since Luffy had arrived.

But for this one, Luffy was not present. The day before, he was having very bad feelings about bringing Luffy back to Whole Cake Chateau. Something was telling him not to take Luffy off their property. So the man trusted his instincts, though Luffy was bummed about not attending. He wouldn't get to eat the super yummy food!

Other than that, Luffy didn't much care about the other aspects of the party. He didn't want to see the meanie or Big Mom. He just really wanted to eat he yummy candy and get more toys like last time. Though he had an almost complete collection of the Charlotte figurines for the more prominent members, more types of toys were always welcomed.

So Luffy sat this one out while Koori went with Brulee. Luffy was left with one of Katakuri's crew members. They had missed Luffy, and looked forward to taking the boy with them on one of their next expeditions.

Katakuri had been fortunate to only get a few missions away from home, and they were hurried, though not too rushed. So Big Mom had nothing to complain about regarding Luffy, though she didn't like how distracted one of her "favorite" sons was.

Everyone were surprised when Katakuri arrived to the second tea party alone. He had many questioning looks by many of his siblings, but no one asked about it. Without the distraction of Luffy, Katakuri headed straight for the Yonko's table and sat down at it, ready to feel like the day would be wasted. But he had always been good at hiding any emotion from his expression, so he gave the look that he didn't really care about anything but sitting there at the table and sitting next to his mother as she stuffed her face with screaming pastries.

"So, Katakuri. How have the missions been going?" Big Mom asked after she took a long swig of chocolate milk.

"Fine," Katakuri said gruffly. "Been getting the jobs done quicker lately," he said honestly. And in a way that didn't mention why it was quicker. That it just was. Big Mom stared at him though, and he didn't make eye contact as he took a swig of rum. But not too much. Since the months ago he'd obtained Luffy, he'd stopped drinking at all.

"Is that so? Well, I'm glad everything is going well with them!" then she laughed and stuffed another cupcake into her face. Katakuri couldn't help but think of how damn clean of an eater Luffy was compared to his mother. Well, Luffy had been extensively been taught how to eat with manners, and the Yonko had not. No one would risk it and no one could say anything about it without being killed or their lifespans sucked away.

Then the real question that everyone was wondering came up. "So where is the brat?" Big Mom asked. She couldn't see Katakuri's eyebrow twitch. He sat up and took a small sip of his beer.

"He didn't feel too well today," Katakuri lied. But Big Mom was satisfied that it seemed her son chose her over who he considered his own kid.

"Will he be alright?" Pudding couldn't help but ask from the other table closely behind the main table. She pursed her lips immediately afterwards and looked back at her plate, not wanting to see her mother's angry expression.

"He'll be fine. Luffy's strong," Katakuri said simply. He noticed a few, tiny relieved smiles around him. Mostly the women, while some men grinned before chugging their own booze. Luffy sure had charmed everyone.

"That's good. Bring him next time and let's see how strong he is. Ma, mama!" Big Mom laughed. Katakuri couldn't help but throw an angry glance at the giant. He did his best to keep his haki normal. He knew no matter how strong Luffy became with his Devil Fruit, he could be beaten by Big Mom easily, even if she couldn't take his soul. She could always just squash him with a hand covered in haki. And Luffy's progress was slow, no matter how clear it was that he was trying his best.

But Luffy was only five. He had lots of time to learn. Hell, it had taken Katakuri decades to completely master his own Devil Fruit.

"I'll bring him next time if he's feeling up to it," the man replied in a stony voice with a just as stony face.

The tea party over all was the most stressful one he'd ever been to. Even more than the one Luffy had attended. He'd been worried about the boy's safety then, and hoping he wouldn't anger the Yonko, but he wasn't so attached to him at the time. Plus, he hated leaving Luffy on his own without Brulee or any other close sibling to make sure he's safe and stays out of trouble.

After Big Mom had finished all of her food and dismissed everyone, Katakuri headed straight to Brulee and they both made a beeline to the nearest mirror Katakuri could fit through. The second they were in the Mirroworld, he let out a big sigh. Brulee looked at him in sympathy.

"Let's go get you back to Luffy."

When the siblings reached the mirror connected to the sweet commander's and Luffy's home, Katakuri swiftly walked through it and into the family room, where Luffy was napping on the couch, covered in a thick blanket.

"Hey, captain," Luffy's babysitter said quietly, not wanting to wake the child up. "He behaved very well. He did try to raid the upper cupboards since he missed out on the sweets at the tea party, but that was it. Then he played with his toys," the man explained. Katakuri thanked him and dismissed him.

Katakuri picked Luffy up and wrapped him in the blanket before placing him in the tight pocket that the boy slept in often when the two were out someplace or just chilling at home. Luffy didn't wake up.

Katakuri wordlessly entered the kitchen and began to make a good hot chocolate for Luffy to make up for his lost sweets. Unsurprisingly, Luffy woke up when it was ready to be drunk, his food-senses firing off about edible content nearby.

"Hot chocolate!" Luffy cheered from the pocket. Katakuri set the mug sized for Luffy onto the table and sat the little boy at his seat. The man put some whip cream, chocolate drizzle and chocolate flakes on top. Luffy had stars in his eyes as he drunk the sweet drink.

"How the party go?" Luffy questioned between long sips. Katakuri took a drink of his own water and some bread to get the taste of all the sweets he was practically forced to eat to not make Big Mom mad off his tongue.

"Others were worried about you not coming. But it was a good thing you didn't come. And I'm sure Pudding will be happy to bake you some sweets on her own time. I don't think you seeing Mama would have been good right now. I don't know why, but I just had a bad feeling, so that's why I kept you here.

"I scared Flampe," Katakuri told Luffy with a small smile as the boy beamed. "Looked at her in a scary way and I'm sure she won't come after you again. Especially now that you can control your powers a bit more."

"Haha! The meanie is scared. I don't like her at all! I never wanna see her again," Luffy grumbled, but was easily distracted and back to his cheery self with Katakuri reminded him he still had some of his drink left.

"Now, it's getting late. Are you still sleepy or do you want to go to bed a bit later tonight since you had a nap?" Katakuri asked as he cleaned both of their mugs. At the mention of sleep, Luffy yawned widely.

"I go to sleep. Will you read to me before?" Luffy asked hopefully, as he went to his room to change into his jammies while the man followed.

"Sure. What would you like me to read?" he asked, sitting next to Luffy's bed so he didn't crush it under his weight and size.

"This one!" Luffy said as he picked out a worn picture book from his small collection of them on the bottom shelf of his bookshelf.

Just thinking of Katakuri reading Luffy a bedtime story is so cute!