Authors' Note:Hey guys, guess what? This is the last chapter, not counting the epilogue. It's quite exciting! Thanks for reading our story, we appreciate all of the support!

Review Responses:

Aelyanne: Hello again! Yes, Dodo is dead. We are not sorry. Though we don't actually hate him, he kind of went nuts. Kuri is adorably powerful and we love him very much. How else would Garp enter a building but through the wall? Thanks for reviewing again! :)

yukino76: Kuri would never let Doffy get away with provoking him and hurting Lu... and Law's got this. Thanks for the review!

hina: Thank you for reviewing, we really appreciate it! :)

WARNINGS:

- FLUFF... so much FLUFF

- Mild panic attack

- A carcass

- Slapping

- Hiding from problems in Lu's hair

LUFFY'S POV

Luffy wasn't quite sure how he felt at the moment. Everything felt weird. It was like his body didn't quite know where it was. Finally forcing his eyes open, Luffy stared at the unfamiliar ceiling… confused.

"What… happened…?" He thought, "Where's Mingo? Kuri?"

He tried to turn his head to orient himself only to freeze at the sudden sharp pain radiating from his neck. Luffy's eyes widened as the memories came flooding back.

"Did Mingo…!?"

"Easy, Luffy…" A familiar voice soothed, "You're in the hospital, it's okay. Try not to move." Suddenly, Kuri's relieved face loomed over him, making Luffy relax just a little. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Kuri's massive hand.

"No, don't try to talk. You're still healing." Kuri insisted, chuckling when Luffy proceeded to pout at him. "Don't even go there, brat. You know that doesn't work on me."

Luffy huffed and gave Kuri a small smile before reaching a shaky hand up to remove the larger man's hand from his mouth and intertwined his fingers to pull it down to the bed. Kuri squeezed his hand gently even as his expression turned serious.

"Luffy, the doctors say you're lucky to be alive. They assure us your voice will return in time, though we aren't sure to what extent." Kuri informed him, "They've been fawning over your surgeon friend. Apparently, he's got talent though his… appearance can be a bit off putting."

Luffy's smile widened at that, thinking how much Torao must hate the attention. He also tried not to think about how many lectures his former roommate would give him for being kidnapped in the first place. Kuri then took his hand in both of his and leaned in like he was going to say something important.

"L-Luffy… I-I-" He started, but didn't get to finish as the door crashed opened and three bodies rushed in. Luffy eyed Kuri as he skillfully removed his hands and sat back like nothing had happened.

"LLUUUUFFFFFYYYYY!" Ace sobbed, "YOU'RE ALIVE!" Sabo didn't yell, but was definitely crying. Luffy smiled up at them, though it vanished when he saw the massive figure behind them. It had been years since the last time he'd seen Gramps, and for once in his life, Luffy was happy to see him.

"How's my favorite grandson?" Garp asked, pushing Ace and Sabo out of the way so he was right next to Kuri, who looked less than pleased. Seeing his family all gathered to support him, all of Luffy's pent up emotions were released at once in a flood of silent tears. He reached up for his Gramps, wanting to be held.

Garp looked taken aback at this for a second, but then pulled him gently into his arms. Though Luffy was sore and aching, there was no place he'd rather be. Of course, until Garp wiped his nose on his hospital gown.

"WAHHHHHH! YOU'RE SO PRECIOUS!" Garp cried, clutching him closer, "NOTHING LIKE THAT DEADBEAT DAD OF YOURS!" Thankfully, Kuri saved him from being crushed and helped him back into bed, adjusting it so he was more upright.

Now more awake, Luffy gestured to his throat, wanting to know more about his… injury. Though, no one seemed to understand what he was trying to say as they all gave each other confused looks.

"What is it, Lu?" Sabo asked, now more composed, "Are you thirsty?" Luffy shook his head and gestured again.

"Uh... you're hungry?" Ace guessed, earning a glare from Luffy. Turning to Kuri, he hoped he would understand, but the man simply started fussing over him and asking if he was in pain. Luckily, Torao chose that moment to enter the room.

"What are you idiots doing to my patient?" He snapped, impressively shoving Garp out of the way. "Let me through!" Luffy gestured to his throat again, hoping the doctor would understand.

"I think he wants meat." Ace stated with a confident smirk, prompting Torao to roll his eyes.

"No, he does NOT want meat…. Surprisingly. I believe he wants more information about what happened and what his diagnosis is."

Luffy nodded and gave Torao a thankful glance before rolling his eyes at Ace.

"Speaking of, did you learn anything new?" Kuri asked, gaining the doctor's attention.

"I'll get to that." Torao replied, "Before that, Luffy-ya should be informed of what occurred while he was unconscious."

Luffy was shocked to learn that Mingo was dead and finally out of his life. He also felt a little sick to the stomach at the thought of people cutting his neck open for all to see. Ace apparently felt the same as he turned green and ran to the bathroom. Torao said that he had been able to staunch the bleeding and stabilize him before Garp arrived. Luffy was surprised his Gramps hadn't picked him up and sprinted to the hospital, but he was taken in an ambulance instead.

"Your surgery went well, and we are hoping for a relatively full recovery." Torao said with a rare smile. That made Luffy feel a little bit better.

"Wait… 'relatively'? What does that mean?" Garp bellowed, startling some nurses in the hallway.

"Well… due to some scarring that we simply cannot fix completely, we believe Luffy-ya's voice may be affected."

"Affected how?" Sabo added.

"While he will be able to speak again, his voice may sound different and he may not be able to speak over a certain volume." Torao admitted, giving Luffy a sorrowful look, "I am sorry, Luffy-ya. My uncle was insane and did horrible things to you… I feel somewhat responsible."

Luffy shook his head carefully and motioned for him to come closer. When Torao came within range, he slapped him across the face, shocking everyone. But, considering he couldn't talk, this was the best way he could think of to tell Torao he was an idiot. He then pulled his stunned friend in for a hug, hoping Torao understood.

Torao pulled back and Luffy gave him "the look", making him chuckle.

"Thanks, Luffy-ya, but don't ever do that again."

His friends and family stayed for as long as they could until the nurses came to kick them out. Except for Kuri, who refused to leave even when threatened with a scalpel by a particular brave nurse.

Now alone, Luffy decided he wanted a hug from Kuri. He reached up and wiggled his hands, smiling expectantly. Kuri returned his smile and engulfed him in a warm embrace.

"Luffy, I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get there." Kuri whispered, "I-If only I'd been there-"

Having none of that, Luffy pulled back and slapped Kuri as well, albeit lighter than he had Torao, before lunging back into the hug.

They remained there for a while, until Luffy started to yawn. Kuri pushed him back into bed and handed him Sunny who was part of a large pile of stuffed animals brought for him.

"Tomorrow, I'll have Cracker bring a dry-erase board for you. No more slapping." He reprimanded lightly, making Luffy salute in amusement.

The next few days were full of visitors, starting with Smokey and Hawkey. Smokey pretended like he didn't care, but Luffy knew he loved him. Zoro and Sanji the puppy came as well, armed with fluffy blankets and some soup (apparently made by Zoro who was directed by the puppy). Robin and Franky came by and made him laugh with bad jokes and a skull of some creature she'd liberated from the museum.

Surprising everyone, Crocodile showed up along with that appliance guy who Luffy couldn't remember his name. Kuri wasn't very happy about that, but he gave him chocolate, so Luffy didn't care. He did wonder if Crocodile was upset about Mingo being dead… they seemed close.

Kuri's family came by almost every day, bringing him gifts and food (along with the promised dry-erase board that came in handy). The different gangs took turns guarding his room, so the second day, Ace's Pops stopped by, which was fun as everyone was terrified. Pineapple and his friend "Fluff Head" or "the Food Guy" accompanied Ace and talked with him for hours. Kuri was always there in his permanent seat next to his bed, refusing to leave no matter what.

Shanks arrived on day three, along with his entire gang, which apparently caused some tension or something between him and Kuri. But it was nice to see him and Benn and listen to their many stories.

Luffy was pretty sure the leopard guy visited, though he never actually saw him. He did however find a cute stuffed leopard key-chain lying on his nightstand with a "Get Well Soon" note attached. He also received a strange card that simply said, "Feel better, Dad" though he had no idea who that was.

After an exhausted week of closely monitored recovery, Luffy was finally able to go home, by which he meant Kuri's house. Ace and Sabo, along with a bunch of others, attempted to take him home with them, but Kuri said… NO.

And so, Luffy was currently enjoying breakfast in bed, made by Brulee, in Kuri's room. It was nice to return to some sense of normalcy though his nightmares and terrors returned with a vengeance. He was thankful for the bandages that covered his new scar, though it was difficult to see when they had to change them.

"So, how's the waffles?" Kuri asked, pulling up a chair, "Brulee hasn't stopped cooking since you got home. She's determined to put some meat on your bones." Luffy chuckled at that and spooned another bite into his mouth.

"How do you feel today?" Kuri followed up, "Trafalgar says you can start talking quietly if you wish."

Luffy put down his fork and stared at his waffles, very still. Kuri then took away his tray and asked,

"What's wrong?"

Luffy grabbed his dry-erase board and quickly wrote, I don't like the way I sound.

"Why?" Kuri asked as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

It's ugly.

"I doubt that. Come on, say a little something… for me." So, Luffy spoke, very quietly.

"O-Okay… Kuri," He murmured, his voice sounding scratchy and weak, "J-Just don't tell a-anyone else." Luffy had been practicing with Torao, but was appalled to hear what his voice sounded like. It was so… pathetic. He just knew Sabo and Ace were going to give him a hard time about it, and who would take him seriously!?

"I don't see the issue." Kuri said, "It's quiet, but still you."

"W-What? No that's not-" Kuri stopped him with a swift flick to one of his fluffy ears.

"None of that. It's… fine. It may sound weak now, but with time, it'll grow stronger." Luffy nodded, but wasn't convinced.

That evening, Luffy was attempting to change his bandages, but had somehow tied his hands together. He did not want Kuri's help, or he would see the awful injury. Though, when he tripped over himself and collapsed into the bathtub, taking the shower curtain with him, Kuri came running.

"Luffy? Do you need some help?"

"N-No! Everything f-fine!" Luffy hurriedly assured him, "Don't come in!" At that, Kuri burst in.

"You obviously need help." Kuri said with a snicker, pulling Luffy to his feet, "Now, let me see."

Luffy then covered his neck with his arm, shaking his head vigorously. To which, Kuri grabbed his face to stop him.

"No, you'll hurt yourself doing that."

Unfortunately, Kuri was much stronger than him and sat him on the counter, moving his arm to reveal the wound. Luffy shut his eyes, ashamed and unwilling to see Kuri's reaction to proof of his own weakness.

"Luffy… open your eyes." Kuri prompted, "It's okay, you should know I won't judge." When he opened his eyes, he saw that Kuri had taken off his scarf, revealing his jagged mouth.

"K-Kuri…"

"You didn't judge me for mine, so I won't judge you for yours. Now hand over the bandages."

"Uh…" Luffy mumbled, holding up his still tied up hands, "Here." Kuri sighed and easily untangled them.

"What am I going to do with you?"

Luffy laughed and leaned forward to plop his head against the larger man's shoulder in relief. Kuri really was great.

A few minutes later, they moved to the bed where Luffy curled up in Kuri's lap so they could watch a movie. Just as Kuri was about to press start on the remote, the bedroom door was hurled off its hinges and a familiar wolf strutted in.

"Greetings, humans. I have arri- Oh." Torkai exclaimed, before stopping himself, "Am I interrupting? So sorry." Luffy laughed at Kuri's expression which showed incredible annoyance.

"Why are you in my house? How did you even get in!?"

"I forced the human guard at the entrance into submission." Torkai explained, "It was quite simple really. He was very stupid."

"Guard? Isn't that Cracker's job tonight…" Kuri mumbled. Torkai goes on,

"Anyway… Alpha Kuri, I'm here to inform you that I have decided to move in. Your pack is missing a wolf of my experience, and therefore, I have decided to assist."

Luffy stifled a second laugh as Kuri groaned and buried his face in Luffy's hair, his fluffy ears tickling the man's face. Taking them by surprise, a second wolf lept on the bed and immediately started licking Luffy's face.

"Oh, this is my daughter, Prisha. I brought her along to see the great Alpha I will be serving now."

Wow! What a cute little human-thing! What are you exactly?

"This is the small omega I was telling you about."

Adorable! I wish to keep it. It shall be mine.

At that statement, all Luffy could see and hear was Mingo, the man's laugh reverberating through his head. Kuri noticed immediately and brushed the silver wolf off the bed and attempted to calm him down.

Sorry! Sorry, did not mean to scare you. Prisha soothed, putting her snout up on the bed, My name is Prisha, what's yours?

"L-Luffy." He managed to get out, his breathing now starting to calm down. Torkai then moved to bat his daughter on the head with a paw.

"I apologize, Alpha Kuri, for my daughter's actions. She is young and does not possess my tact and social graces."

Kuri snorted at that but refrained from commenting.

May I be your friend, small omega? I can protect. I am strong warrior!

"Uh...Kuri? S-She wants to stay. Is that okay?" Luffy asked, turning around in Kuri's lap.

"How do you know that?" He asked, a confused look on his face.

"I can hear her. Maybe because I'm part cat?"

Kuri seemed… conflicted. Torkai seemed to take his silence as confirmation.

"I'll just move my stuff into the main den."

"You have stuff!?" Kuri exclaimed.

"Ah, nothing much. Just the bones of my first kill, some pelts for winter, and a deer I brought as a peace offering." Luffy laughed at Kuri's expression of pure horror. Maybe having wolves move in would be fun!

"N-No wait-"

But it was too late and the wolves were gone.

"Why… why me…" Kuri moaned, once again using Luffy's hair as a barrier to the outside world.

"Let's watch a movie, Kuri." Luffy said with a chuckle, "Let Branch deal with the deer."

BRULEE'S POV

Brulee hummed happily as she pulled up in the driveway, very pleased with herself. Not only had she managed to force Luffy to gain, like, two pounds, but she had cleaned the entire house and her kitchen was spotless.

She figured Luffy and Katakuri would be in his bedroom so she went to the kitchen to make some snacks for them (with lots of calories). What she didn't expect was the pile of bones, pelts, and a bloody deer carcass. Said carcass was held in the jaws of a massive wolf.

"Greetings, female." The wolf exclaimed, "I bring a gift to commemorate my induction into Alpha Kuri's pack. Please, feel free to dig in."

Brulee wasn't sure how to respond to that, only glancing at the smaller wolf whose tail was wagging happily.

"BROTHER!" She called, "THERE ARE WOLVES IN MY KITCHEN!"

"Deal with it, Brulee!" Katakuri responded from the other room, "I'm busy!"

"B-But… my kitchen.. It was so clean…"

"Is this not satisfactory?" The big wolf barked, "I apologize, I will go find something larger."

"NO! This-this is fine. It's fine. No more." Brulee quickly exclaimed.

"Wonderful! I will leave this with you then as I go prepare my den."

"Den? Where-" Brulee stopped short as the wolves padded away into Luffy's old room. Deciding not to question it, she turned to the carcass and sighed.

"Why me?"