Little notice over here! The beginning might be confusing but it will get better later on, hopefully 0_0.

~Pops's POV~

It seems that Rinoa had caught up with my silent question, but she didn't seem to happy about it. Not like Ace was before but he got over it, and he actually made the decision to get adopted after their fight all those years ago. I smiled at the sight that was in front of me at the moment, Luffy was given a piggy-back ride by Marco, who didn't looked that pleased. Rinoa who was right beside me before decided to move next to her friends even Daniel who she had just fought a couple of minutes ago. Seriously the girl forgives way too easily, but seeing how she seems to trust the boy there's nothing to worry about. What i do know is that it will take more than just a few nice words to win the girl, for her to stay here. Honestly having Ace was experience already but for now i have to learn more about the girl. The blood that runs in her veins can counter with Roger's bloodline after all, however her heritage was a complete mystery. Why would the eldest child will be the only one to receive the tattoo on the back that can sense danger? Questions were running in my head like a train, but for now i will focus on my family for now, that is the role of a father after all! Laughing at my own joke, I walked towards the dining room where i can already smell the salty scent of the fried fish. It was unusual for Thatch to cook fish, but when i saw the tall boy that wore glasses i had a feeling that he was the one asking for the fish. Rinoa has some interesting friends as far as i can see. I heard Thatch mutter something which only made the younger but tall boy snicker. Thatch may be a chef, but when it comes to fishes he struggles on how slimy they were, i remembered he told me.

"Thatch stop complaining and just cook the fish-yoi!" Marco yelled appearing out of nowhere behind me. I wanted to laugh right there, but it seems that Marco is a bit frustrated at the moment. It wasn't Thatch's fault that he can't stand how slimy fishes can be. Rinoa on the other hand was trying to contain her laughter, but it seems that, that Xenia girl had other plans and decided to tickle her sides. A loud yelped could be heard, that caught the attention of everyone else in the room.

"Xenia! What did i say about tickling me?!" Rinoa growled while shielding her stomach.

Xenia snickered "you said to never do that again, but who will ever listen when it's this funny?" she teased the enraged Rino, as they call her. For revenge Rinoa tickled Xenia by the neck. Making the said girl yelp and run far away from where she was. The black-haired girl smiled in triumphant, clearly looking like she just won a marathon. I did noticed that the baby Gian was grabbing onto the short black-haired girl that's wears the glasses, what was her name again? I do know that it ends with rat...I'll just stick to calling her brat then. Once again im stuck on the idea whether to ask the girl to be adopted, but i am sure she will say yes no matter the outcome. Well as long as she stays as the trios sibling everything will be fine. My confidence holds no bounds unless i know that i have no chance.

~No one's POV~

"Nusrat! give me back my brother dangit!" Rinoa yelled at the top of her lungs annoyed that her brother was taken away from her. Sure she can protective, but she just gets really worried when her brother is not in her arms. Nusrat can be reliable but she still had a tinge of worry that the small black haired girl would accidentally drop her brother. Nusrat whined but dismissed the plead. That got Rinoa irritated, really irritated. However when she noticed her brother laughing, the older sister considered to leave her brother with her best friend. Nusrat was playing with Gian, with her eyes closed, then she accidentally tripped on a foot that shouldn't be there. As fast as the wind Rinoa caught her brother that had been separated from Nusrat's hold. Gian just laughed oblivious or he knew that his sister would catch him.

"never in my life did I expect you to drop my brother, Nusrat" Rinoa hissed at her best friend, trying to send a silent threat. Instead Nusrat got up and started to pinch the angry older sister.

"awww, Rinnie-chan! You look so cute when you're angry!" Jennifer just smiled watching her friends bicker at each other. While she was actually watching out for Nusrat's safety. Daniel stood up from the floor and quietly tiptoed away from his friends. He was lying around and when he felt Nusrat trip on him, he knew he was dead when he gets found. Fortunately for him, he was able to escape to the kitchen where Gerard was, still annoying Thatch. Daniel opened the refrigerator looking around the cold box.

"oi, do you have Hot-dogs?" he asked casually thinking that he was at home. Back home he usually asks Jennifer for hot-dogs, nothing unusual there. Well he did have a choice either eat hot-dogs or go hunt for his own. Option number 2 wasn't something he was very fond of. Rinoa does that not them. Back to the present, Thatch's face was turning pink.

"FINE COOK YOUR OWN FOOD!" he fumed leaving the two boys in the kitchen and leaving the fish, which was still cooking. Marco looked at Thatch who passed by him, stomping towards the stairs. Oyagi just shook his head, watching his son have a tantrum was very sad. Daniel and Gerard just looked at each other before both grabbed certain ingredients, using the kitchen for their own use. Marco sighed, he had already given up; his little brother's sister's friends were all nuts. Xenia came into the dining room and smelled the familiar smell of the homemade pizza that Daniel and Gerard usually make back home.

"hey Gerard Daniel! I want 2 slices so make sure we have enough!" she was answered by 2 groans because she's putting too much responsibility to them. Considering the amount that Rinoa eats along with Psalm and Gian it was already too much to begin with, however with her other siblings and the siblings of her other siblings along with the dad, yea they would need to make about 6 pans of pizza or even more. Psalm came charging in yelling at them to make salmon for them since she doesn't like pizza...PIZZA! This made Daniel annoyed.

"Psalm make it yourself then! Gerard and I are already making more than we could" he scolded her and pointed out the fact that they do have a lot to do. Psalm froze and looked at him like he grew 8 heads. Xenia snickered knowing what Psalm will say already.

"you do know i can't cook for right?" she had this twinkle in her eyes that says 'it's the truth'. Everyone that had lived in the tree-house knew that, that was also a reason why she could never cook without supervision of Daniel, Gerard or her older sister Rinoa. One time almost burned the tree-house down before when she was left alone to cook the deer that her sister caught for supper. Never in Daniel's life at the moment did her ever saw such a bad cook. Well he was a bad cook too but that was before now that he is seeing someone at the age that doesn't seem right to be horrible at cooking, it's just a sad sight.

"we know that but come on. I think it's time for you to start learning how to cook. It can save us a massive amount of time to not paying attention to you" Gerard muttered the last bit, since he didn't want Psalm to feel bad. Psalm just pouted and commented on how cooking is not needed even when she grows up since she can go to shops. The comment offended Thatch greatly since he is the cook in the household.

Thatch told Psalm all the basics despite the girl barely paying attention...Until Thatch began to explain how the cakes and pastries are made, that was when she started to pat attention more. Psalm liked to bake cakes more thank actual cooking...no matter how many times she failed baking a normal vanilla cake. Thatch made it his mission to make sure that Psalm learns EVERY BASIC SKILL. Rinoa just looked at them and stared, before face-palming. She started muttering about how it will be hopeless, and will be going to be time consuming.

Psalm looked at her sister dejected "come on sis! I can't be that bad! Remember the last time I baked a cake and you said it was good?" her eyes twinkled proudly recalling the time she baked her first cake by herself. Rinoa flinched slightly, while trying to hide her expression. Marco being curious tapped her shoulder to figure out why.

"I may have lied to her" Rinoa whispered to him. His eyes widened, no wonder she just tried to hide her look. Lying might have been the only thing that she could've done to make her sister feel good to herself. Rinoa looked at her sister "well yea, but it's best to watch and LEARN first before trying on your again" emphasizing the word learn. Psalm pouted but did as told and continued to watch Thatch. It took them another 30 minutes before Psalm was able to understand the importance of using oil. Thatch got another pan out and gave it to Psalm "your turn" the girl grabbed the pan and instantly lit the vacant part of the stove on fire to start. Daniel looked at them in worry and fear.

"why?! Remember last time?!"

"they'll be fine"

"since when?!" this time it was the residents of the tree-house that yelled out. Nusrat ran towards the stairs, Jennifer not far behind her. Xenia was retreating towards the couch to use it as a defense mechanism. Gerard and Daniel couldn't leave their posts since they still have to continue making the pizza, instead they used the chairs as shields as best as they could. Marco sighed for the 100th time for the day and continued to watch the girl, just in case she gets hurt or any of their property gets damaged. Psalm poured the cooking oil carefully, and once it was boiling she took out a slice of salmon from the fridge and placed the meat in the pan. She wasn't sure if she was doing it correctly, but food is food. Thatch looked like he was ready to cry. You do NOT stick the meat in the pan like that, most of all Salmon meat! The pompadour man gave up in teaching Psalm which resulted in a few heavy but relieved sighs.

Gerard leaned towards Daniel a bit to whisper something "you think she's even gonna be learning?". Daniel snorted immediately "maybe in 30 years but I do not guarantee that Psalm will be able to learn how to cook as of this moment". Gerard hummed in agreement before continuing cooking. After finishing cooking, Gerard and Daniel had set the food down on the dining table.

"well? Dig in" everyone sat down but most went to the living room to eat and watch some television. Whitebeard kept his distance to the now hostile big sister, for some reason. Marco may have kept his distance but that did not prevent him from getting curious on why she was angry.

~4 hours later~

After the food they started to play by the backyard only to start climbing the trees like a bunch of gorillas. It was Luffy who initiated the climbing session. However the ones that didn't join the session was Marco and Rinoa. Marco wasn't surprise when Thatch joined in with the other kids, he was surprised when the raven haired girl did not join. Sensing the tense atmosphere he decided to talk.

"so who is your favorite friend there-yoi?" it was just a random question but it did start the conversation. Rinoa looked at him with the eyes, those familiar eyes. Marco knew that the sister was pretty against getting adopted but he say the familiar spark he saw Ace gave when he was about to give in. But Rinoa's stubborn brain was still not giving in. She exhaled and inhaled deeply shrugging her shoulders "well if you want me to be honest, it would be none of them. I just don't feel the same connection I made when I was with Sabo, Ace and Luffy." she paused for a second glancing towards the laughing bunch by the distance.

A ghastly smile appeared on her face "but I do want to protect them no matter the cost" Marco was satisfied with just that. To him as long as she can protect them, that's all that mattered to him. His family will be protecting Ace Sabo and Luffy, while she protects her own group.

'hopefully she can find people that she can trust' he thought to himself. His father had gave them advice to find people that they will come to trust, but after one fatal mistake it was hard to trust again after all. With the maniac on the loose anything can happen. Rinoa noticing that Marco was thinking grew bored.

"where are you going-yoi?" she glanced back to Marco who was now going towards her. She shrugged her shoulders.

"just roaming, I wanna see everything before we go" smiling the blonde boy offered a hand.

"come I'll show some of my secret areas I found-yoi" he grabbed her left hand and started to drag her towards the west. Being the person that has no clue on where they were going Rinoa had allowed Marco to drag her, but she wasn't gonna make his job easier on bringing her to wherever.

The day had ended with Marco becoming Rinoa's friend, or so he proclaims that is. The orphanage had called and asked for the group to be given back immediately, Ms Makino had been told that if they weren't given back fast the officials might do something about it. Luffy didn't want his big sister to leave but one glance from Rinoa he halted his cries. Rinoa kneeled down in front of Luffy.

"Luffy...I'll try to visit but you know that won't happen again soon" Luffy nodded understanding it completely, but still reluctant to let her go. Rinoa sighed and ruffled Luffy's hair.

"See you again Luffy, Ace, Sabo" she stood up after and went out the door towards the car where everyone else was waiting. Nusrat looked towards her with a large grin. Waving both arms in the air she allowed a sense of relief wash over her.

The others were already inside and was waiting for the last person to be late. Rinoa turned around once more, watching as Luffy waved his hand in the air. She allowed a smile to spread on her face. Making the peace sign she entered the car to start their travel back to the orphanage.

~2hrs 45 mins later~

The travel back was loud and irritating, as far as Rinoa was concerned. Nusrat and Xenai wouldn't stop singing, Gerard and Daniel was discussing about a game they had seen a few days ago, while Jennifer was looking out the window, Psalm and Gian were busy playing open shut them. They decided it was best to leave Kasai and Gurio back with Whitebeard since if the officials found out about the Kasai he will be take away since he is a tiger, while Gurio might have been brought back to the pound. Whitebeard glanced at the teen who looked utterly pissed. He couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. This brought all of the attention to him, and then to Rinoa when they noticed ten gaze he was giving was to her.

"Rinnie! Come on we weren't that bad!" Nusrat said as she patted Rinoa's shoulder.

Sadly the girl had just hissed at her "I need some sleep! It's gonna be a handful once we get back and I definitely want some energy" the proclamation was hard and heavy, that meant that she meant what she had said. Taking care of a whole group took a toll on her, and the fact that she has a baby brother to take care of is another reason why she is always tired by the end of the day...then comes her hyper sister, though she prefers to be by the computer most of the time. Nusrat looked by the window and noticed the orphanage coming into view, she pressed the button to make the window of the car go down when she noticed a certain lady was outside the building.

"Makino! Were back!" her scream gained the attention of the townsfolk that were by the area, they had waved their hands while some flinched realizing that the troublemakers were back. The green haired lady looked towards where the noise came from, only to smile excitedly when she realized it was the children that suddenly ran off.

"Nusrat! Are you guys alright?" she yelled back, going to the side when the car got closer. Rather than answering her Nusrat had the idea of opening the door of the car and jumping onto Makino. Makino's eyes widened before she wrapped her arms around Nusrat and made sure that one foot was behind her to balance her form and Nusrats. Yelling could be heard from the car that stopped at once.

"Yep!" and then groans could be heard coming from the car. Chuckling the green haired woman let go of Nusrat to greet the others and help them with the luggage. She chatted with Whitebeard for a bit before she noticed the trio come out of the car with the eldest yelling about carrying the youngest in a safer way. Smiling fondly she gained their attention by clapping their hands together.

"welcome back, Rinoa, Psalm Gian!" Psalm greeted back with a higher tone of voice while Gian continued to stare at her like he didn't know he at all. Rinoa on the other hand looked flustered. Everyone looked at her anxious to know what she could be thinking. Noticing the stares she had no choice but to say something.

Sheepishly looking away once again "ah, yea...I'm back..." Jennifer could see how her friend's ear went red. The group looked at each other before putting up a thumbs up towards Rinoa. The raven haired girl didn't know what was wrong and before she could even ask.

"Nice!" then realized, it was what she always say when someone gets flustered at saying something nice to someone who greeted them. A tickmark appeared on her face recalling that it is her motto. By then they got their luggage again and went towards the woods to play everything back, Makino couldn't even stop them since she had an announcement that she forgot to tell. Whitebeard chuckled once more before taking his leave. Makino bowed to show her gratitude, and waved goodbye to the retreating car.

Now all she had to do was tell them about what she forgot to tell them tomorrow...and hopefully they will take it lightly.

~TBC~

Thank you for reading this very very very late chapter, and I made it very short considering that I mostly ran out of ideas for the end and just went with that. THIS IS NOT THE END END FOR ANYONE THAT IS CONFUSED. Reviews are very much appreciated, favorite and follow the story are options but it will be helpful for me to continue! (I'll finish this no matter what!) A little heads up, all of the chapters such as this one will be around 3k words to 5k words from now on since I will be leaving during vacation and I don't have the time to make it longer. If the chapter was a LOT shorter than what you wanted, I deeply apologize. Thank you again for reading, and even if you're shy please try to leave a review it will help me get better!