Chapter 27 (Alternate)

A/N: Sorry. After I posted the other Chapter 27, I couldn't decide which ending I liked better. I'm going to let you decide. T_T

Just because the past
didn't turn out like you
wanted to, doesn't mean
your future can't be better
than youve ever imagined.

-unknown

And now, he was on an island, walking with Ace, Sabo, and Law, where the two Division Two Commanders had to dispose of a nuisance on the other side of the island. They were waiting for the rest of their division to finish preparation before joining them. Once the call came, they led Luffy to a pub where he was to wait for them. Luffy had wanted to join them, but he was under strict order to let his brothers do their missions themselves. Law was only going with them to give them medical back up to give him experience of working alone without Division Sixteen's help.

"Will you be all right by yourself, Lu?" Ace asked worriedly as Luffy took a seat at the bar and ordered a glass of juice.

"I'll be fine," Luffy laughed at his brothers' worries. "It's a little weird to not know where everyone is, but I'm fine."

That was what worried the three of them about leaving Luffy alone on the island. They wanted him to stay on the ship with Pops, but the dress wearing teen was already sick and tired of being confined on the ship and wanted to be on land, however brief. During their walk through town, Luffy had ran into people, not knowing they were there, which had never happened before. Usually he would just maneuver himself out of the way without even looking where he was going.

"We'll be quick, I promise," Sabo said, looking anxious.

"The sooner we leave, the sooner we come back," Law informed them.

"Maybe we should call Marco to keep you company," Ace suggested.

"I'm fine," Luffy giggled. "Nothing's going to happen. I'm just sitting here and waiting for you. I promise not to cause any problems."

After they were a good distance away, Ace brought out his den den mushi. "I'm calling Marco," he said to Law and Sabo.

In the bar just five minutes after the trio left Luffy to himself, he was approached by a group of three girls from behind. He was too busy enjoying his nice cool glass of juice, kicking his legs back and forth from the bar stool that he didn't notice them.

"Hey, you," he turned himself to the girls with his glass of juice in both hands, looking confused at their scowls. He doesn't recognize them, so he wasn't sure what he did to them to cause those looks sent his way. "Who do you think you are?"

"Hmm?" he tilted his head.

The girls crossed their arms at his innocent owlish blink. "Well?"

They were in plain, casual dresses, and anyone could see they were beautiful, but he still doesn't recall ever meeting them before. He shrugged and turned himself back to the bar, wanting to ignore them in hopes they just leave him alone. His brothers would get mad at him if trouble starts.

"Don't ignore us!" one of the girls shoved his shoulder, causing him to spill his drink a little onto the counter.

The bartender who saw the whole thing, turned to them, while wiping a glass dry, to caution them, "I wouldn't mess with her if I were you."

They didn't heed his warning and continued to get Luffy's attention. After giving his spilt drink a forlorn look, he finally turned back around to give the girls his attention. It really sucked that today had to be the day that his Observation Haki decided to disappear on him.

It would have helped right now if he had some sort of indication as to why they were bothering him. It would also help to know how hard he could hit them without accidently killing them. No wait. He promised he wouldn't get himself into any trouble. Oh, and Sabo would get mad at him if he hits them. Sabo says it's not nice to hit girls.

The girls huffed after getting a better look at him. "I can't believe you think you're good enough to hang around the Whitebeards. You're just a cute face with a pretty dress. I bet that's how you lured Commander Ace and Sabo to hang around you."

"She's so scrawny, I bet she can't even fight. Playing the defenseless girl card just to get them to protect her," another huffed.

Luffy tilted his head, not really sure what was going on. He continued to watch them say things to him, not really listening, only turning around once to ask for another glass of juice. It was when he turned around the second time to ask for an apple that one of the girl had enough of him not responding to anything they were saying to him.

"Are you even listening to us?" She knocked his glass out of his hand, and he watched as it made a mess on the floor.

"Opps," he said before turning to the bartender. "Hey, mister, can I borrow your broom and mop?"

The man simply nodded and walked to the back room to retrieve the cleaning supplies. He couldn't say he didn't warn the girls. If anything happens to them, it's their own fault.

A few of the remaining nervous guests that hasn't left yet hurried to finish their meal. The few that came in after Luffy didn't know who he/she was and continued to watch on. Everyone there knew who those other three girls were. They were fairly well known on the island as the most beautiful. Many men could only dream of marrying them.

This was a normal occurrence when someone they think threaten their popularity came to town. They would always send their 'competition' away crying and never showing their face again.

"Heya, chibi," someone walked up from behind Luffy, who was crouched down to pick up the larger pieces of glass. The voice startled the teen, causing him to fall forward and land his hands on the shards of glass. "That's the first anyone has ever surprised you from behind, but then again, I guess this is the first time you've ever had to walk around not knowing who's around you, huh?"

Luffy turned his head to see West grinning at him. "West!" he cheered with his hands in the air. The teen then tilted his had in confusion when West grabbed his hand.

"Crap, Lu," he said worriedly as the bartender walked around the bar with the broom and mop. "Hey, old man, could you bandage him please? I'll clean this up. Geez, Lu, what did you do? Throw your drink on the ground?"

The three girls looked at each other and shrugged. There was nothing this guy could do to them anyway. He'd just be taken in by their charms like everyone else.

"It fell."

"I can see that, you shrimp," West scowled at him. Once he finished and returned the cleaning supplies back to the older man, West took a seat on the stool next to Luffy. The kid had been eerily quiet the whole time. "Ace called Marco, you know. He said you'd be lonely and wanted someone to stay with you."

Luffy gave him a small smile as he took a sip from a new glass of juice. "Ace and Sabo knows everything."

West laughed and ruffled the teen's hair. "Of course they do, just like any good parent would. So, why are you lonely? You have these beautiful young ladies here to keep you company." He gave the girls a wink.

"I don't know where they are. I don't know where anyone is and if they're okay or not," Luffy frowned. "I don't like it. I don't know how you guys do it. They," he waved at the girls behind him without even looking at them, "were talking to me, but it got boring."

"And you stopped listening," West grinned at the boy's habit of tuning things out that weren't of interested.

"They kept saying stuff and talking about Trao, Ace, and Sabo, but I didn't understand any of it," Luffy pouted and brightened up at the apple the bartender handed him.

"Lu, that's not nice. They were kind enough to keep you company while you waited. You should apologize," the older pirate grinned. He had an inkling of what happened. It wouldn't be the first time the older boys had a following of girls. They were very good looking and were at the age where they should be interested in the opposite sex. It's too bad that all four of them weren't interested.

Luffy sent him a scowl before turning around on his stool, this time leaving his drink on the counter top and lowered his head slightly, "Forgive my earlier conduct. I had not intend for my behavior to disrespect you in anyway. Please accept my deeply sincere apology."

West nearly laughed but managed to keep a straight face. Everyone on Moby thought it was hilarious that Sabo was teaching Luffy manners that would rival that of royalty, while he only taught Ace the basics.

This had the girls gaping. This was completely different than how the girl before them was speaking earlier. She was now speaking on a level that goes beyond the simple frilled dress. It was like she should be wearing something much more luxurious.

Luffy was now looking at them with bored curiosity as to why they were looking at him like that and why they weren't saying anything back. Maybe he said something wrong. He'll have to ask Sabo later.

They girls knew they had to say something back in return, but before any one of them could, the door banged opened to reveal a man with a large pompadour with his hands propped on each side of the door, panting.

"Princess!" Thatch cried out and ran over to the other two pirates once he saw them.

West couldn't keep in the laugh now that Thatch had placed the misunderstanding into the girls' minds.

"I heard you were lonely," Thatch said as he slung an arm over Luffy's shoulder, "but don't you fear, Thatchy is here. Oh and Marco said he's coming after he finishes whatever it is he's doing. Though you could have just stayed on the ship with the rest of us if you were going to get lonely."

Luffy looked down on his hands on his lap and chewed his lips. "I wanted to be brave. I didn't know it'd be this scary."

"Princess, dear," West laughed even harder, causing Thatch to raise his eyebrow at the First Division member, "you are the bravest person I know. Kinda makes me wonder how you managed Dressrosa for half a year. I mean, you were so far away from everyone. Unless you could feel us from that far?"

"No," the teen shook his head, "but I knew that Ace and Sabo were safe. I didn't know where they were, but I could feel that they were safe."

"Don't worry," Thatch placed the straw hat that had been decorated with flowers on the boy's head, "you'll be back to normal in no time. Just trust those morons. They can take care of themselves. There is a reason why Pops asked to them to be commanders, you know. Now, who are these lovely ladies?"

"Don't know."

"They've been keeping the princess company in hopes of meeting her knights in flaming armor," West said as he gasped for air.

"Oh?" Thatch leered at the girls. "So what are you interested in? The muscles? The gentlemanly look? Or is it the handsomely mysterious one?"

Once again the gaping girls didn't get a chance to answer when the door opened once more to reveal Marco and a few other crew members. "Sorry, Luffy. It'll be a little longer before those idiots and their group returns," he heaved a long suffering sigh. "It seems there was a mishap."

Luffy tensed and was about ready to jump off his stool to go save his brothers when Marco pushed him back down on his seat.

"Don't worry, it's nothing bad. The flaming idiots accidentally set the whole town on fire and have to stay to clean up their mess. While the other sucker has to stay and tend the bystanders."

"I bet they were in a hurry to get back to you, kid," Thatch said. "Say, are you hungry? I can whip up something for you while we wait. No offence, old man," he said to the bartender, "the little one is on a strict diet for health reason."

"None taken. You have free reign of my kitchen. Right this way," the older man smiled at the head cook. "I'd be more than happy to offer you my help for the little lady and the rest of her friends."

"Bekky!" Luffy cheered when the man walked.

"Hiya, squirt," Bekky said as he placed the boy on Marco's lap so he could sit between his commander and his best friend. "We all heard you were lonely so we came to keep your company."

Soon after the three girls found themselves dragged over to a table by a female pirate of the first division. "You shouldn't just stand there. Join us. If any of the guys here try anything funny, just tell me, and I'll put them in their place for you." She gave them a wink.

"So what are you girls doing in here? Were you with someone? Seems everyone just upped and left as soon as Commander Marco walked in," one of the men at the table laughed.

"We – we – is she really a princess?!" one of the girl hissed quietly, pointing to Luffy.

"Oh, you're interested in our Luffykins?" the female pirate asked before leering at the three girls. "Or maybe its her knights you're interested in. If so, give it up. Those three aren't interested in anyone but their precious Luffy." She waved the idea off.

"Princess? Well, in a way she is," another man said. "I mean, she does have the connections to bring enough manpower to take down a whole kingdom."

"Just wait until she sits on the throne," another laughed. "Imagine how much power she'd have." Then everyone at the table went silent as they thought on it.

Then the female pirate laughed. "Little Lu already has that, plus some. Those four took down a Shichibukai on their own."

"Four? Don't you mean three?" one of the girls asked.

"No. It was defiantly four."

"Don't let the kid fool you. May look like a shrimp, but Luffy was the one who turned the whole stone castle into rubbles with one punch."

"That princess?" The girls turned to see Luffy sitting on Marco's lap, stuffing his face with food that looks good enough to feed royalty.

"Princess?" Thatch said as he came over to their table with plates of food for them. "Oh, Princess Luffy." He grinned. "You interested in her story?"

"I am," answered the female pirate. "You guys never told me how you ended up with four kids on the ship."

"Well, it started of once upon a time," Thatch started theatrically, "in a far off kingdom. The King had a child, a beautiful princess, whom the whole kingdom adored. One day the princess was kidnapped by an evil, evil man and was never to be seen again. The king searched and searched, he poured all his resources into finding his beautiful princess. He even went against the World Government's order to stop his search and to go back to his kingdom. Unbeknownst to the evil man, his plan was thwarted by two adorable little knights who vowed to protect the princess, who they didn't know was a princess at the time. They whisked her away and the three of them was soon picked up by Pops. The king rejoiced after finding out his daughter was under the care of the strongest man in the sea and asked for us to keep her there until she is strong enough to protect herself. And there, they lived happily ever after. The end."

There was silence at the table as the pirates glared at Thatch's story.

"You forgot Law," someone pointed out.

"Uh," Thatch scratched his head at that. "Truthfully, I have no idea how he joined. There was this party, and Luffy destroyed the kitchen, and the next thing I know, he was there helping with the repairs. I don't know. He just randomly showed up. I heard Luffy picked up him. Kinda like you," he pointed to the only female pirate at their table.

She laughed at him. "I don't think it's the same, Commander. I mean, really. I can't see Law trying to pickpocket Sabo in broad daylight." She turned to tell the girls, "Luffy caught me red-handed and dragged me to Whitebeard. Scared the living daylights out of me. Thought this huge scary captain was going to feed me to the sea kings. You know what Luffy said to Whitebeard? He said, 'She's coming with us,' and just left me there with Pops, who was laughing his head off. I just ended up staying because I had nowhere else to go. I had no money, no food, no house, and now I'm happy."

A man sitting next her slung an arm around her shoulder and brought her into a lopsided hug. "And we're happy to have you."

"You know, it's not just the Idiot Trio that Lu's worried about. He's worried about everyone out there. You maybe our newest member, but he considers you family too," Thatch said. "The kid knows if you're good or not. He knew you were a good person, even though you tried to steal Sabo's money. That's why he thought you'd fit right in with the rest of us. You're not the first stray he picked up. Law was just the first of many. You've probably heard the rumors, but they're true, you know. He can read the hearts of people, well, when his haki is working anyway. Right now, he needs us to make as much happy noise as we can make until Division Two returns in good health."

"Luffy?" Everyone in the bar turned to Marco's panic voice. Luffy was in Marco's arm, not looking well. "Luffy! Someone call Kobato and Izo. I want both of them here right now!"

Thatch rushed right over to them. "What happened? Was it something I made?"

"No. I think he ate this," Bekky pointed with a shaking finger to a half finished plate of meat that was sitting near one of Luffy's many plates. "I don't think we even started on it yet." He turned a questioning look to his best friend, who shook his head.

"He probably thought it was one of his," West said worriedly.

"What do we do?" Marco looked to Thatch.

"Kobato has something back at the ship, but I think she's out buying supplies," Thatch rubbed the back of his neck in worry. "Maybe we should put him on the ground. Less mess if he hurls."

The movement caused Luffy's stomach to roll. "Tummy don't feel good," he moaned. He then puked the moment Marco sat on the floor with him still on his lap, the mess landing down the front of his dress.

"Thatch?" Marco looked down on Luffy in worry. "Is having that much blood come out normal?"

"No, of course not! Oh my god! What do we do?" Thatch asked looking around at everyone in panic, his hands now in his hair.

"Izo's on the way with his meds. Kobato is on her way. She should be here soon." As soon as the words left the pirate's mouth, the door slammed open with the female doctor looking like something had chased her.

"Move out of the way," she pushed Thatch off to the side and crouched down to check on Luffy.

Marco explained what happened, while everyone else quietly watched on in concern. His and Thatch's eyes widen at the familiar heavy feeling. "How much longer until Izo gets here?" Marco demanded. "His haki is returning, and I don't think he'll be able to control it while in this much pain."

"Keep your pants on," a voice panting from a den den mushi Kobato placed on the floor next to her said. "I'm on my way and going as fast as I can."

"I'll do what I can to help him until Commander Izo gets here. For now, this dress has to go," Kobato said.

Instead of turning Luffy around to get at the zipper and risk having the movement upset his stomach anymore, Thatch cut the dress open down the front with his sword. Kobato carefully took off the dress, as Marco held the boy as steady as he could, leaving him only in his long shorts.

Luffy curled up into himself and started panting as if in excruciating pain.

"I think he's trying to suppress his haki," Thatch observed in awe. "Poor kid is still thinking of everyone."

"Luffy," Kobato said sternly, "you're just hurting yourself more. Everyone's already on the ground and ready," the pirates took that as a cue and placed themselves on the ground to avoid getting hurt from falling. The three girls looked on in confusion. "Just let go. Izo will be here soon. Please don't hurt yourself anymore. What's Ace and Sabo going to think if they see you hurting yourself like that?"

Luffy squinted his eyes open to look at her and whimpered but did as she said. Marco could feel when the muscles of the boy in his lap relaxed, and a warm pressure passed over him. Thatch caught Kobato before she could land on her patient.

"How is he doing?" Izo asked over the den den mushi.

"Looks better now that he's released the pent up haki," Thatch answered, picking up the den den mushi to inspect. "How is this thing still awake?"

"Sabo made it with the help from Law," Marco said, looking down on his lap to see Luffy's breathing had calmed, though the boy was still pale and slightly shaking. "Ace noticed how all the den den mushi fell asleep when Luffy's haki was unstable. He mentioned how inconvenient it would be if he need to call for backup and someone let out Conqueror's Haki. So Sabo used Law's medical and haki know-how, and this is their prototype. They gave it to Kobato since she'd be dealing with Luffy the most. They're already working on a few of the real thing."

Thatch whistled, "Smart."

"Izo," Luffy whined softly, "come back."

"Shit. I just ran passed the place." A second later Izo ran in, out of breath and looking disheveled.

"Whoa, what happened to you?" Thatch teased with a lopsided grin.

"Shut up," Izo said as he walked in, swiping one of his many stray hairs out of his face, and set his things off to the side of Luffy. "Clean water, clean towels, a bucket, mop, and if possible, something he can lay on comfortably," he ordered.

Marco looked baffled as a half dozen men near the walls got up to gather the requested items. He turned his head to the giggling female pirate.

"I've never seen Commander Marco this out of sort. You always look so poise and all-knowing. Not once have I ever seen him panic," she said as she got off the floor to take her seat.

Thatch laughed. "You should have seen him when the kids were younger, when we first found them. He was way worst back then. What you see now is tame after Law joined to help Ace and Sabo keep Luffy out of trouble."

"You knew they were awake?" Marco scowled at Thatch.

"You would too, if you'd just pay attention. The kid didn't let out that much, nor was it strong. I mean, look," he pointed to the three girls, "they're still standing. If my hunch is right, the rest should be up in a few minutes."

"They're going to kill us," Bekky moaned from his seat once Luffy was settled and everyone had woken up.

"We're going to be decapitated and be forced to watch our bodies burn," West said with his head in his arms on the bar.

"But it's not your fault," Luffy said weakly, with his head on Marco's shoulder.

"It doesn't matter," Bekky gave him a lopsided grin. "All your family are pretty unreasonable when it comes you."

"But those three are the worst!" West wailed. "They've been that way since the first day I joined. They tried to kill me for wanting to play with you."

"It's okay," Luffy smiled at them. "Those three pretty ladies will distract them."

The two pirates looked over to the three girls, who were staring at the boy. "Lu," Bekky sighed dejectedly. "There's no way pretty girls are going to distract Law, Ace, or Sabo from killing us."

"It's okay. I'll tell them good things about them. I'll protect you," Luffy giggled. "They're almost here."

"Everything's back in working order, then?" Marco asked.

"Yup. All better. I like it this way," Luffy smiled as he snuggled into Marco's chest.

"E-excuse us," Marco turned on his stool for him and the boy on his lap to see the three nervous looking girls.

"Yes?" Marco said.

"Is-is-uh, the little prince feeling better?" one of them stuttered as they all looked to the floor in embarrassment.

"Prince?" Marco narrowed his eyes at them. "Who told you that?"

"They," a girl pointed to the table they were sitting at, "told us he was a princess at first, then explained that the prince had to dress as a girl to hide from the government."

"And he," another girl pointed to Thatch, who was grinning from behind the counter, helping the bartender wash the dishes, "told us how he ended with you guys."

"Whatever story Thatch told you guys is mostly likely a lie," Ace grinned as he and the rest of his division came into the bar, covered in soot.

"We're back, Luffy!" Sabo sang as he, Ace, and Law went directly to their youngest brother, while everyone took a seat at the tables to eat what's left.

"Oh?" the female pirate asked. "So how did you boys join Pops then?"

"Easy," Ace grinned.

"We kidnapped Marco," Sabo also grinned.

"Then we were kidnapped by this very big a scary looking pirate," Luffy held his arms wide open to show how big and scary Whitebeard was.

"And then the shitty old geezer came,"

"And punched us,"

"And told us to stay,"

"On a pirate ship with over a thousand scary pirates,"

"We were only ten," Ace and Sabo alternated in telling their story.

"Grandpa's funny," Luffy laughed.

"That's nice all, but what happened?" Law saw how Luffy was leaning into Marco.

"Before either one of you get mad at us," Bekky said hastily, gaining their attention, "It was an accident."

"What was an accident?" Sabo gave him a smile, while his eyes were telling them they better be careful what they say.

"One of their plates was too close to Luffy's spread, and he ate some of it because the idiot wasn't paying attention," Marco explained tiredly.

"I see," Law said as the three of them took a menacing step towards Bekky and West.

"Hey, hey," Luffy called out to Law, Ace, and Sabo, "These pretty ladies been waiting to meet you guys."

The three girls smiled beautifully for them, thinking this was their chance.

"Yeah? And?" Ace only gave them a glance before looking back to the two pirates that needs punishing. "We'll deal with them after we roast these guys."

"After they're decapitated," Law added as he unsheathed his sword.

"But, Trao," Luffy whined.

"Not now, Lu," Law said.

"But they broke my cup of juice," he whined and held out his bandaged hand and looked towards the bartender, who nodded in confirmation.

All three turned to face the girls who flinched at the scowls. "Intentionally?" Ace and Sabo both asked.

"Uh-huh, because I wasn't listening. I didn't hurt them though because Sabo said not to hit girls," Luffy sniffled a little. "It hurted."

"Aww, Luffy," Sabo said softly as he patted his baby brother's hair. "I meant you shouldn't hurt girls who didn't do anything to you. Of course if they hurt you, you should hurt them back, ten times more than they hurt you."

"Bu-but they - "

"No excuse," Law said and pointed his sword at them.

Thinking they've overstayed their welcome, the girls turned to run out of the bar, only to be blocked by a fiery Ace and Sabo.

"Any plans on what you want to do?" Marco asked. "Luffy likes this place."

Said boy nodded as he watched his brothers in interest.

"Che!" Ace and Sabo folded their arms and dispelled their flames.

Law looked thoughtful for a few moments. "I'd like to test something with my fruit power. A test subject or three would be welcomed. And Izo's input."

"Sure, but we're not taking them with us," Izo said as he got up from his seat to walk over to them. "Come on. Let's get this done and over with, so we can go home."

"It's already dark out," Law pointed out.

"Oh. In the morning then."

-*/-*/-*/

It took only another month before his haki was back to the way it was and life on Moby Dick was back to normal.

A year later, Ace, Sabo, and Law found Luffy sitting on the figure head, wearing one of Sabo's old clothes, looking at the sea in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" Sabo asked.

"It better not be something stupid again," Ace sighed as he scratched the back of his head, readying himself for something stupid.

Luffy stayed silent for a few moment before turning around to face his brothers. "I think it's time."

"Time for what, Lu," Law asked.

"To set off on my own and gather my own crew to find One Piece," the boy laughed at the shocked faces of Ace and Sabo. Law merely nodded in agreement.

"I'm doing the same then. That way we can start at the same time."

"It's too soon!" the two fire brothers exclaimed.

"I already talked to Pops about it. He said it was okay," Luffy gave him a huge smile. "I'm ready. I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"

-*/-*/-*/-*/-*/

A/N: So which Chapter 27 did you like better? And if the alternate is better, do you think I should leave Luffy with his tummy problem in the sequel? Let me know~