~Rinoa's POV~

Oh my gosh, I was woken up harshly by my phone that kept vibrating and ringing telling me that someone was calling me. I sat up groggily not happy at the fact I was woken up from my dream. Speaking of dreams, it has been a long time since I dreamt that well, usually I had nightmares. I took my iPhone 5S (yes I need to get a new one fast but I like this one) and answered my call.

"Hello?" I didn't care if I sounded like a dumbass considering my tone was not exactly a tone that most people would like to hear. The chuckling at the other end sounded very very familiar, scratch that I know this man by heart.

"I see that I have awoken the beast! Gurarara, how are you doing over there Rinoa?" Damn old man waking me up just to ask how I'm doing. I was so so tempted to just hang up on him and continue sleeping, but I do want for him to have a good impression of me still since he is technically Luffy's dad as of speak.

I scratch the back of my head yawning slightly "I'm fine, but I will feel great if you let me sleep some more old man" I didn't bother hiding my displeasure, this made Whitebeard laugh more. I'm afraid that the laugh was so loud that my baby brother may have woken up, speaking of which the little booger still kept sleeping next to me! I didn't even notice that I wasn't by the wall anymore until now...

"Before you sleep again, Rinoa...I have something to ask you" oh god here comes the requests again. It usually involves Luffy more than Ace and Sabo. I wanna see them again...I shook my head to get the negative thoughts out of mind.

"Yea what is it?" I know that the old man is grinning knowing that he has my full attention. I heard shuffling and a trunk of a car being open (?) and then the sounds of bags dropping. No, oh heavens no, he isn't thinking of-

"Rinoa I bet you get what I mean just from those sounds and yes I want the boys to stay there for a certain amount of time. Oh! Also-" he was interrupted when I heard shouting coming from outside. By the bellowing I am hearing from the phone I instantly knew it just had to come from him whatever was outside. I put the call on hold and went out only to get a ridiculous sight in all of my life.

Behold my eyes was the sight of a pompadour man dangling upside down on one the contraptions that Nusrat did to try and keep the 'pests' out and unluckily for this man he just experienced one of the worse traps. Nusrat was the first one down already helping the man down who I recognized as...Thatch? Can't really recall if it is him but the hairstyle is indeed his. Nusrat was laughing her guts outs saying that he must be stupid for not seeing something so obvious, and Thatch(?)'s face lit up bright red from blushing. I may like having extra company but having a surprise visit usually gets on my nerves. Pompadour-man looked up and saw me.

"Ah! Rinoa?! Is that you?! Look at how sexy and hot you got! Marco, I told you she will be knocked up once she grows up! You owe me 200 beli!" can I kill this bastard? I know I may have changed over the years but blurting out something like that is indeed annoying. Sighing I went back in to continue my call with Whitebeard,

"Ok old man I have 2 more mouths to feed so talk to you later" after he said his goodbyes and informing me that I have roughly 6 hours to prepare for the trio's arrival he hanged up. That left me completely unprepared and panicking. My attention was averted to the outside once again when I heard leaves loudly ruffling and a slight sound of a wood breaking. What in hell's sake did they break now?! I ran out to see Thatch once again hanging upside down but now covered in goo, I think that is hardened honey...hopefully.

I silently closed the door behind me and carefully went down the ladders. Taking the stairs is far too troublesome. I was minding and taking my time going down until someone's comment shook my anger to a certain level already.

"Rinoa, I must say your choice of colors is great, the view from down here is the best!" Thatch never did learn to shut up. I groaned in annoyance and I sped up too quickly get down. But I do have to admit hearing someone smack him on the head and him yelping in pain made me smile, crap I might get sadistic if I don't watch it. I turned around to see Marco helping his brother down but the scolding coming from the pineapple head was funny.

"Thatch refrain from commenting those lewd thoughts-yoi, she may be considered adult now but she is still below your age by a good amount of years it's only gonna make you look like a pedophile." I think my stomach just burst out, I know Nusrat's gut blew up from that joke. I didn't even care anymore if I woke everyone else up. I stopped laughing and looked at the two grown men in front of me. I'm sure in Thatch's body was still a kid while Marco is clearly showing the signs that he is acting like an adult and not like a hormonal teenager.

I walked towards them only to realize that Marco's shirt was open. 'ah crap' here goes my girly side- yes I still have something called the girly side. I scanned him from top to bottom not missing the amused look he gave me and Thatch's look his eyebrows were wiggling. My turn to be impressed, he has some nice abs not like I'm gonna say that out loud anyway. Shaking my head, I forced out my serious attitude.

"the hell are you guys doing here?" I raised my voice a tad bit to tell them that I am serious, even though Thatch has the look that promised mischief. He promises mischief I promise punishments no matter how bigger, stronger or older he is. Thatch was about to speak but Marco held up a hand telling the brunette that he will be the one speaking.

"Pops sent us here to make sure that the trio won't run away from you guys knowing that Pops will not be informing them about the visit, but knowing Luffy he will pick up on it-yoi" probably the longest sentence he had ever said before ending it with the word yoi but he could care less. I nodded my head in acknowledgment before remembering the I do have something to do! I sighed before gesturing for them to follow me. Nusrat noticed my hint as well since she climbed up the ladders as fast as she could running to a certain person's room. Only did I know who the person was when I heard her yelp. Then the bickering started, shit this is way too early for it.

To make sure that Thatch won't do anything I told him to go first. Trusting Marco enough not to do anything I climbed up after Thatch. I felt eyes behind me though but I felt it go as though he knew I was watching. Ok, I have to admit, at least he didn't comment so that is nice. We finally got up the ladder which Thatch had clearly left Marco and I for ourselves to look around the place. I always forget that it's their first time here so I can't blame him. Why didn't Marco follow him, though? I glanced at the blonde- and woah from my angle I would say he looks quite fine. No hidden meaning there.

"why didn't you follow him?" ok sure he does have the choice to follow or not but I'm afraid that Thatch might do something out of this world or in my way of saying, something for me to question my sanity.

He combed his hair with his fingers making him look, in hia's words, exquisite. "Didn't feel like it-yoi and I have a feeling you have friends that can beat him up for me" he's right...holy shit I forgot Psalm and Gian have school! I pushed Marco aside and rushed to my room knowing that my bro is there. I rushed to the bed before shaking my brother.

"Gian get up your late!" the words made his eyes lids snap open and he looked around as if looking for something. He did found it, the calendar and clock. Then he looked at me with that fiery glare he usually has when he is mad.

"Sis! It's still too early and remembers we got you to convince our teachers that big sister psalm and I needed rest! You got as one week for rest!" oh yea...well I did forget about that, but it can't be helped! The fact that I was stressed the past we days and even now surely that proved to them that I would have forgotten about something! I scratched the back of my head clearly dumbfounded that I have forgotten about that since I was the one that demanded them for me to meet their teachers.

Gian opened his mouth to say something else when he noticed Marco behind the door. It might have been years since the last time they saw each other face to face but I was able to get hold of Marco through google hangouts...Er, yea blames Nusrat on that. My own brother didn't bother giving me a smile and ran towards pineapple. Yes, because I'm a jealous big sister means I can call Marco, Pineapple. I can just hear their laughs and Gian asking how Marco was and what he freaking did the past few days they couldn't talk and blah blah blah!

Not wanting to interrupt I was able to sneak past them congratulating myself. I walked towards a good friends door, also known as Vincent. I'm surprised that he didn't come running in my room fucking tickling me as my wake up call or even taking my blankets like he usually would. That does, to me that is, pose a very disturbing thought. But I did hear from Hia that he came back pretty late along with Gerard since they went to the tavern for some god damn reason. I told them multiple times that they couldn't go without a good reason! Alright, I am overreacting, but it's for their safety! When I finally got to his room after a few climbs here and there, I noticed a few hushed yells. Ah god, I forgot that this was Daniel's old room after all.

"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY GOOD FRIEND DANIEL?!" the shout was so loud when I opened the door slightly that I heard a surprised yelped next door, no doubt Gerard. I have to admit that, that was one info I had forgotten to mention. I abruptly opened the door in fear that my friend was already harming one of the "youngest" of the group. The sight beholds to me was quite...weird.

There was Vincent still on the bed but he was laying down on his back and Thatch was somewhat wrestling him. If you can guess what my first words were considering the situation you are proven wrong. For sometimes a woman's actions speaks for herself, well not just for a woman but for everyone. I tend to get very protective and this was just crossing the line. I jumped onto Thatch's back before grabbing his shirt, then before I can literally crash onto him I put most of my weight on my feet and legs so I can easily get him off of Vincent. The surprised intake of breath from him never really did worry me until I saw his face when I got him to the ground, then I quickly let go fearing that I may kill him.

Thatch immediately inhaled a huge amount of air. He then staggered backward, awwaaayyyy from me as much as he could. Bet he didn't see that one coming from a mile away, huh? I crossed my arms and stood protectively in front of Vincent.

"well? why did you start harassing my friend over here?" I questioned with a hint of venom that lingered with every word I had spoken. The pompadour-man just shivered slightly in fear and he knew that I was serious. I didn't even notice that I was cracking my knuckles until Vincent held my hand.

"Rin, it's ok he clearly doesn't know what happened" as if stating the obvious wasn't enough he even gestured at how the room looked a lot different. Back when the whole gang along with Daniel visited their place Daniel kept showing Thatch how his room looked like from the pictures he took with his phone. I explained as brief as I could about what happened to Daniel. Thatch's face turned solemn as he turned around saying that what I said to my previous friend was rude and it was making me a jerk. My eye twitched in annoyance but I did not dare harm him.

"Well get ready, we now have less than 6 hours for the trio to get here and I intend to have the place in tip top shape. DO YOU HEAR ME NUSRAT? THAT MEANS ABSOLUTELY NO TRAPS!" I yelled out of the room hopefully she heard me, and the sound of whining does tell me that she did. She better not set up another trap.

Getting out of the room and into the kitchen I already noticed Gerard heating up some water. Not wanting to look stupid I went over to help him got some pans out and got the stove ready. Honestly, when we built this treehouse I did not expect it to be durable, thank god for the townfolks helping us. I heard a long whistle by the doorway so I looked. There was Thatch and Marco, and Vincent I bet it was Thatch that whistled. Not expecting a good looking kitchen aye? The kitchen is big enough to hold a few more guests but I was still cautious that's why most of the time we eat in out perspective rooms unless it was a fun night. During the fun night, we usually gathered around the dining table and share what happened to us throughout the week. Hia's is the funniest, though her somewhat double meaning sentences are annoying me. Nusrat usually talks about what we should do the next week in case we were all free most of the time we aren't. Xenia loves to dye her hair that's for sure, and occasionally it's mostly Nusrat she talks to but she still talks to all of us most of all when we make fun of each other. Jennifer tends to be by the sideline nothing significant. Then there was Gerard and Vincent the taller wants to be in peace but no one would let him while the smaller sometimes joins in the craziness. You can guess who they are.

"Rinoa can you hand me the spatula? I'm gonna make pancakes" Gerard said and I hope the pancakes he will be making will be alright. The last time he made pancakes each side was burned to the point we didn't know if it was even a pancake. Wait...that was Psalm never mind. Gerard squinted his eyes at me and there I knew that he was trying to figure out what I was thinking about. I merely smiled before immediately handing what he asked and went next to Vincent who was sitting on the island now. Marco sat at the dining table while Thatch was looking around every nook and crook of the fucking kitchen. Ok, he may be a professional chef but he has no right to look around the treehouses' kitchen like that!

I was about to give him a piece of my mind when Psalm barged in the room. "Hello, you dumbasses!" great here come the greeting battles...Gerard grumbled a bit but I knew he would be joining in-

"well hello to you too, you squirrel" right on point. That's new, squirrel aye? Psalm seemed taken aback by what she was called making Gerard grin.

"My oh my, are you cooking? That is very manly for a big softie like you!" Psalm please no. Gerard looked over at her and glared.

"at least I have passing grades in all of my subjects!"

"wah! The pain!"

"can you two idiots shut the fuck up?!" I had no patience for this so I cut their 30-minute long argument short. Both parties had looked at me like I was in my period. I scorned at them making Gerard look back at his food. Psalm on the other hand just looked past me and to Thatch and Marco.

"well well well, at least someone had grown hot~!" Stop being so straight forward god dammit! Thatch merely smiled high-fiving her when she got close. Thatch indulged himself in a conversation with her for a bit before she turned her attention to Marco. Those two don't even feel embarrassed at what she said. Sighing I went out to wake up the others most of all Hia, that damn girl sleeps like she's in hibernation.

When I got to her door it was closed like always. This time, however, I heard a song playing inside. I recognized that demonic song. Baby by Justin Bieber. That damn singer is not my type but some of his songs are actually catchy. Hia was dancing like a maniac swinging her hips in almost every angle that all dancers would deem impossible. Putting on a bored look on my face I turned the mp3 off, which she whined about, before smacking her head lightly. But being an airhead that she is, she landed on the bed just realizing that I smacked her.

"Time to eat, and keep it down we wouldn't want others to get interested in what's happening here only to see you breaking your hips" Her face turned pinkish and it wasn't that noticeable. Ok, it IS noticeable but only by the tip of her ears. She rushed me out of her room before changing loudly saying how she needed to be more careful in the future. I snickered before running back to the kitchen to tell everyone that she's ready.

We began to plan out what we can do while the trio stays here for the week. Honestly, I have no clue on what to do considering how much time had passed since then. Thatch suggested to go to the nearby lake but I remembered that the be damned alligator was still there so no. When Hia came bursting through the door she suggested to have our own family mini quiz, but I did not experience anything they did after we got separated so no. Xenia and Nusrat suggested for mountain climbing since the mountain is right behind us but NO Gian cannot climb that much yet! Gerard suggested a cooking competition but Marco intervened saying that it will be too easy since Thatch is here to judge and he will make sure that Sabo wins since they are best friends. This made Thatch whine saying he will not do that. Finally, Vincent suggested that we can all play sports together like soccer or whatever we can do since that's one of the only things we might be able to do. Jennifer nodded first and being tempted to play volleyball I said yes as well, Nusrat was the first saying that she calls for team captain when playing volleyball.

We decided to do boys versus girls but it will be a little tougher since there are fewer girls for now. Marco helped me plan out which games were gonna do first if it weren't for Vincent constants please of making baseball first I would've finished it already!

"Vincent may you please close your mouth?!"

"Then make baseball first!"

"why do you even want it first?!"

"I'm going YOU a FAVOR for making it FIRST or did you already forget how bad you are in baseball?" he whispered the last part to me directly. I felt my face growing hot and my body tingly because of embarrassment. I agreed with him with a nod and wrote down baseball in number 1. Marco looked at us curiously and then to Vincent who was making a victory pose his style. It was decided that after baseball was football, tennis, handball, soccer and then volleyball. We couldn't play basketball since we don't have a court for it. Nusrat whined to why Volleyball was made last and demanded to make it second. I ignored her skillfully and in my mind I said to myself 'I saved the best for last after all'. Psalm whined saying how she wanted to draw.

Then Gerard and Thatch will do the cooking while everyone else will be tidying up the place. Jennifer and Hia are cleaning the top area, Xenia and Nusrat are doing the middle section Psalm and Gian are doing the lower levels of the tree house and Marco and I are tidying up the base. How I was paired up with pineapple will forever be a mystery. I made sure that we had enough space up in the front to play soccer but then I remembered that rock that big ass rock that no one seemed to bother taking out. Sighing I took out a pickaxe and went towards the rock. I noticed Marco looked at me but I just shrugged before hitting the rock with the pickaxe. It's been a while since I used it. It was harder than expected so I started using a bit more force even though my hands were already hurting.

"Don't do that you'll hurt yourself-yoi" Marco had crept up behind me and held the pickaxe mid-swing. I was already heaving but I wanted to endure to become stronger, that's what I always tell myself I looked up at him and saw how he just casually looked down at me with that bored look on his face.

My face scrunched up in annoyance "if that is all your gonna do then please let me finish this" however I wasn't able to continue anything when he took the pickaxe from my grasps. I was going to complain but he placed a finger on my lips silently telling me to shut up.

"let me do this for you-yoi. Relax for a bit" commanding me he dragged me to the side to make sure I won't get in the way. I grunted in displeasure but obliged to sit down when I just realized just how heavy my arms felt like. Guess all that fatigue had gotten to me.

I watched as Marco raised the pickaxe and slammed it down onto the rock with such force that it broke in half already. I envy his strength, I wish I had that kind of strength! I unconsciously pouted but I knew he wouldn't care anyway. That was until I saw his sandals within my range of site. I looked up and I was met with a site that Hia may have fallen for as well. Marco's t-shirt was still open but this time glistening with sweat, his 6-pack abs showing and boy I know that has a lot of his story! I didn't notice that I was staring until he smirked at me.

"Rinoa you have better things to do than admire me-yoi" that comment made my whole body stutter and I can just feel my face heating up. I stood up and walked away from him clearly flustered. His laughs irritated me but it did make my face hotter and if I'm not careful he mi-

"You do realize I can see your blush at this point, right-yoi?" He was beside me in just a few strides. My whole body froze and I didn't have any words. Marco bent down up to my ear and I can feel his hot breath hitting my ear.

"What? Cat got your tongue-yoi?" that's what triggered me. I turned my head around so fast that I stumbled towards him. He tried to catch me but when I hit his body, he fell down as well making the both of us fall down on the ground. I didn't notice it but I felt something soft touch my lips.

We didn't move actually. I was too afraid to open my eyes. But me being as brave as I can be I opened them only to meet blue eyes. Marco and my lips are...fucking touching... I was about to move away when his hand held my head making me stay at my position. My hands stuck between his chest and mine, my legs on either side of him while my whole body was rested on top of him. I wanted to get away but I couldn't his fucking hand is holding my head down and his other hand had already hugged my waist pressing me onto him more. But I guess he needed to take a breath as well since he released his grip on my head and he released my mouth. I inhaled as much air as I could. Looking at him, my head was dazed and my vision was a little blurry from the lack of air.

"that..." I couldn't even say what I wanted to say when he placed his lips back onto mine. This time, however, it felt as though he was a bit more forceful... I don't know where this is going...

~Marco's POV~

The moment I touched those soft lips of hers I knew I was intoxicated. This was not how I expected the day might go. I couldn't get enough and when I knew she wanted to get away I just had to hold her down. But eventually, I needed to let go as well since I can't let her die on me now. I knew that Ace has a crush on her and if he ever finds out about this the trust that I worked so hard to work on between Ace and I might just break in that moment. I don't know what made me kiss her again but the look she gave me. Her eyes glazed and her breathing haggard. Her cheeks were still flushed making her look more adorable or to be honest sexy.

I needed to get to taste those lips again so when I got air back in my lungs I kissed her again not caring if she got any air for herself. This time, I made sure to put more force into it. She doesn't seem to realize that she let out a breathy moan but I appreciated it. That meant she's enjoying it.

'What am I doing? This is the girl that Ace is crazy for! But this feels so...right' my thoughts were always conquered by desire when I'm in this state. I bit her lip to see any reaction. She gasped opened her mouth enough for me to slide my tongue in her. I bet she's enjoying this she wasn't complaining. I made sure to explore every crevice of her mouth, and god did she tasted divine. There was a mix of chocolate and a hint of cinnamon. However, we had to cut our forbidden intimate doings when I heard a very familiar wolf whistle.

"Keep the show on boy~!" damn Thatch! I retracted my tongue from her mouth and she shuffled away from me. Probably broken from our trance anyway. I was able to keep most of my blushing hidden while Rinoa had a neutral face on. That made all of my embarrassment go away and replaced my face with a frown.

"I'm gonna continue what we were doing...talk to you later Marco" I knew it. She didn't like the kiss. Rinoa walked away from me and towards the split rock carrying the pieces that she knows she can carry to a chest. I sighed and glared up at Thatch who was looking beneath.

He jumped halfway down to prevent getting hurt "aww~ why did you two stop? The show was reaching its climax!" I knew he joking but this wasn't the perfect time to joke. I glared at him before picking up the pickaxe that was forgotten and took a few of the bits and pieces of the rocks as well.

Thatch started asking me if I felt any different about her now that I experienced something intimate with her. My answer will be yes, not like I will tell him anyway. When I first met her I had thought she was one of those temperamental kids that needed to be taught how to trust others but not all the time. She was partially like that but she does have the logical sense more that Ace and Luffy at least. It may be on par with Sabo actually. She attracted me sure but I thought that was it. No puppy love not even an obsession to see her again. But now...I want to do more with her than just kiss. She was so inexperienced for a girl her age I would've thought she'd been dating at least a few guys by now. But by the way, she seemed lost when I kissed her I knew she never dated.

I ignored Thatch the rest of the time and before we knew it Rinoa came down along with Gian and Psalm. She told us that they arrived already and that we needed to get everything else down while they help them. Rinoa could look me in the eye but I knew she was trying to figure out what had happened between us. I gave her a sign that we will talk about it, later on, she nodded her head understanding what I meant. She went out with her phone and all we had to do was wait for them. Now...all I have to do is act like nothing happened easy right?.Right?

~3rd POV~

Once Rinoa had left the tree-house she knew that she would need to act like nothing happened between her and Marco so that nothing will look wrong between them or to anyone. However here she was in front of Ace, Sabo, and Luffy. Luffy looked just like he always did but he lost some of his baby fat, Sabo had matured quite a bit while Ace...Ace was a whole nother story. His body became leaner and the lack of shirt had made Psalm ogle his body for a bit.

Sabo wasn't able to believe what he was seeing, he knows that he has a sister. Yes, he does know that however, the sister that is in front of him right now is definitely not the sister he knew since he was a child. Slightly taller, her assets definitely the right amount though her chest was slightly bigger, also her hair turned slightly wavy and the fact that she had dyed it darkish brown with a few pieces of hair red. Sabo did not like the joke that Luffy had made for Ace however it would be a good way to pass the time.

For now Ace shall be in deep torture however he does not know if he will survive the day- if he can't then he doesn't even understand how he may be able to survive the whole week! As far as Luffy knows he will be he wants to know if Gerard could still cook- OH and also if he can play with any of them!

Whitebeard watched as his children chatted with his indirect children in some way. He laughed knowing that they will be fine. If it weren't for the fact that Marco and Thatch volunteered to watch over them he wouldn't have said yes not fully trusting the area. For now, he said his goodbyes to them laughing all the while when Ace's face had turned scarlet when Psalm had hugged him from behind. The height difference was quite great considering Psalm is short just barely passing 5ft. Rinoa's height was able to rival Sabo's only shorter by around 2 inches.

Rinoa had helped Sabo get his stuff while Psalm took Ace's. Gian had also tried helping by getting Luffy's stuff however he only stumbled making Luffy laughed and only offered to give Gian a piggy back ride. Each had talked about what they were doing in school and Rinoa glared at Luffy when she heard about his grades from Sabo. His math grades were below 70 and were already being threatened by his teacher because he kept sleeping in class. Luffy pouted saying how his math class was boring.

Ace smiled fondly seeing how all of the siblings were interacting. For now, he will act as comfortable as he could...he didn't want Sabo to worry about him after all. Arriving at the treehouse he never expected to see laughing Thatch or even Marco. Oh boy, he needs some time off already...

~tbc

sorry if the ending was rushed. I didn't want to prolong this any longer. Thank you for reading! Also, leave a review/favorite/follow! Updates will be cut short for I am nearly done with the last few chapters of Vortex. Also the new story I am planning to be released will be updated RANDOMLY. Thank you for the time reading this and see you next time!