Kitsune here. Damn have things been crazy! I don't even know where to start. Uh, got a kitten. His name is Gambit. Been working overtime at work, and covering other branches too... Went on Vacation which was amazing and awesome and omg I hung out with werunyonder during it. Had a tooth extracted which sucked big time. It "was a difficult extraction" and the tooth had 5 roots. Finally healed mostly this week. Chipped a tooth get it fixed. chipped another. Um. My boyfriend is moving away. That sucks. Ended up with a bad rash on vacation. Got a tattoo last week. And... I think that's it? So yeah. Busy.
For the record I do love all you reviewers. And I read them all. No I have not forgotten any Strawhats, I know Brook had a short section. You'll all understand later. I'm sorry there are just too many of you lovelies to answer individually now! I wish I could but... Currently working on the new Immortality chapter Skid marks... And is that a sequel to Diving into the Sea...? Just to let you know I am always writing.
Question of the chapter: "Ever feel isolated even when with a group?" All the time. Especially at work. Is it me who does it or the other people though?
THATCH
Thatch grinned widely, knocking on the door even as he pushed it open. He just knew that the double D's on the other side of the door would be excited about the idea of an island- both had been cooped up on the ship too long. His smile twitched, thinking of another kind of double D's he might happen to like to run into on said island. With his luck Ace would say something like Luffy was too young for something like that though. He could try… "Goood Morning~"
"—idiot like you!" Ace shouted over his greeting, a scowl on his face as he stood facing Luffy.
"I'm strong enough! Stop treating me like a kid, Ace!" the younger pirate shouted back, arms crossed as he glared at his brother.
Thatch could only look on in shock as Stephan took that moment to squeeze his large bulk past the Fourth Division Commander, fleeing the fight that had obviously been going on for a while. He hadn't thought it was possible for the two of them to fight like this with each other. "Uh, guys?"
"You're not! You just rush off into things without thinking and one of these days it's going to get you killed and I'm not going to be there to bail your ass out!"
"NO ONE ASKED YOU TO!" Luffy roared back, "You go running off all the time!"
"That was before and SABO DID!"
"STOP TREATING ME LIKE A BABY!"
"THEN STOP ACTING LIKE ONE!"
"I'M A PIRATE, TOO YOU KNOW!"
By now Thatch wasn't the only one standing there watching the fight, but he sure was the only one standing in the doorway. Part of him realized that this wasn't the best place to be standing. Not only was Ace's temper explosive at best, but he knew from past experience no one liked witnesses to such a fight. Luckily – or unluckily- neither of them noticed their audience as they continued to shout at each other from a meager foot apart.
Luffy threw up his hands, his hat falling back onto the string to hang around his neck. "I JUST WANT TO HELP!"
"WE DON'T NEED HELP FROM A WEAK CRYBABY LIKE YOU!" There was a near silent gasp from those listening as Ace's eyes widened slightly even as he said those words.
It was too late though to take them back. With a growl Luffy hauled back and slammed his fist into Ace's jaw, his anger triggering his haki and landing a very solid hit that sent the elder brother stumbling. Luffy didn't even bother waiting to see if his brother would get to his feet, instead, shoving his hat on his head he pushed past Thatch. Those lingering the hall quickly made way for the young man – who Thatch had to admit was actually a little frightening when angry- as he made for the deck. The pompadoured man however stayed where he was, watching his friend climb to his feet rubbing his jaw and let out a whistle. "What was that about?"
The other's face clouded over in anger again. "He wants to go after Teach."
That explained it. "Ah. I take it you said no?"
"Of course! That bastard is Commander level strong! Luffy's not up to that!" Ace threw up his hands, "I don't care if he defeated two Shichibukai or not, there's no way in hell my brother is tangling with that guy!"
Thatch agreed wholeheartedly on that one. Some of the stories that came out of that kid's mouth gave him nightmares, and he'd been with the Whitebeards for ten years! The kid was a magnet for trouble, that was for sure. Letting him go after Teach was like bearding a Seaking. You just didn't do it. On the other hand, Luffy'd obviously survived quite a bit and wasn't some weak little rookie that needed coddling. He was a weirdo, sure… but he had a lot of potential to go far. He just needed some seasoning. "You know, you could let him spar with some of the others to get stronger, though…"
"I don't trust them." Ace grumbled. To Thatch's incredulous look the younger sighed, flopping on his bed. "Lots of the crew still think he's an annoying little brat –and he is- but…"
"But if they go in thinking that they're either gonna underestimate him like Haruta did or go in too heavy?" Thatch guessed. A groan answered him, telling him he'd hit his mark.
"…he's so mad at me right now." Ace groaned again. "Why are you even here, Thatch?"
"Hm? Oh! Island. Oyaji actually had us dock at one late last night. Wanted to know if you two knuckleheads were up for some fun."
The Second Division Commander sat up so fast he practically levitated. "Island? SHIT!"
"What-"
"Is there a reason Luffy just rocketed onto the island without you, yoi?" Marco asked casually poking his head in as he made his way to his own room. No doubt to get money for his own shore leave.
Thatch blinked, mouth falling open as Ace pushed past him shouting for his brother as it dawned on him they now had a very pissed rookie pirate loose on a whole island. "Why did you two have to fight today?!"
"I didn't know we were docked at an island!" Ace shouted back as he reached the stairs.
"…Marco, do you wanna tell Oyaji we sort of lost Strawhat or should I?"
Marco snorted as he came out of his room. "Ace should. But we'll be the nice brothers we are and help him find the brat."
Three hours later Thatch was cursing Marco for volunteering them. Oh sure, there had been sightings of Strawhat. ALL OVER THE BLOODY ISLAND! How the hell did the little shit manage that? He'd be impressed but, well, he had really wanted to go to the brothel. So Thatch wasn't exactly in the best of moods when he quite literally bumped into a small squadron of Marines. Marines who sure as hell should NOT have been on this island. The Fourth Division Commander actually growled as he pulled out his swords. "You lot have picked a really bad day to be on one of Oyaji's islands."
"This island doesn't belong to Pirate scum!" It looked like these Marines were either brave or stupid. When the group of ten charged him Thatch decided stupid.
He'd barely managed to get one swing in when the cry "Gum-Gum Pistol!" echoed out and the one furthest away from him dropped like a rock. The others, naturally, turned to face this new threat. "Thatch!" Luffy grinned widely at him, dodging a blow.
"It's Strawhat Luffy!" One of the Marines exclaimed.
"Why is he here? He's helping a Whitebeard!"
"Get him!"
Well, there went keeping Luffy's presence a secret. Not that Thatch was too bothered by it; word was bound to get out sooner or later. Still, he didn't like the bloodthirsty glint in those eyes as the Marines charged his youngest (unofficial) brother. Luffy handled himself rather well, though. His fists flying harder and faster than he'd seen them go during the spars on deck, grin a little bit more wicked looking. This was the young pirate they were coming to fear; not the goofy dork he'd gotten to know. This Luffy didn't pull his punches until the very end when his enemies were on the ground, beaten, broken and bloody. Rolling his eyes at the younger Pirate's soft nature Thatch raised his sword to finish the ones still living only to be stopped by a hand on his arm. He raised an eyebrow, question going unsaid.
"They're not worth your time." Luffy simply said before taking his eyes off the fallen marines and turning his back on them, even though many were still conscious.
The teen might not have seen it, but Thatch did. The way the jaws tensed, the look of agony at being dismissed so easily. He let out a laugh, drawing the eyes to himself as he wiped his blades clean and resheathed them. "He's right. We have more important things to do."
"Pirate Scum!" They shouted behind him as he followed the younger man back towards the ship.
Thatch watched Luffy carefully. He seemed carefree once more, but obviously there was a lot more to the brat than he'd suspected. On the surface what he had just done would seem weak, but… it was cruel. They'd crushed those men left them with that feeling. That they were beneath a Pirate's notice. For a Marine, that had to burn. He wondered how many who'd faced Strawhat and his crew quit the Marines afterwards. No wonder they hated him so. Still, the fight seemed to have put the brat in a better mood… Maybe Luffy'd go to the brothel with him? "Wanna go to the brothel?"
"Ok!" Well, that was easy. "…What's a brothel? Can I eat it?" ….Or not.
SANJI
Over a month without a word from that shitty Captain and then some guy claiming to be from the Whitebeard Pirates shows up and has the audacity to claim Luffy is staying with Whitebeard. On their ship! Like Sanji was going to believe that pile of shit. Not with the way the guy had been laughing at his dress. So what he'd caved in and worn a dress? It was only a matter of time before Luffy showed up with the others anyway so he might as well have some fun goofing off. It wasn't like Nami-swan and Robin-Chwan knew. Then that guy had to show up with his lies!
Luffy'd never willingly stay on another Captain's ship. If it was true, they must have done something to him. Something beyond bribing him with meat. Lucky for him he'd befriended a few of the Okama and understood his worry enough to take him to the Whitebeard ship right away. He rolled the fluffed sleeves of the dress further up as he lit his cigarette. It was the third in an hour, stress leading him to smoking almost a pack a day. But they'd be at that damn Moby Dick in a few more hours. That's what Rodney had said. Once there he was going to roast those bastards alive for trying to steal his shitty Captain.
"Ooo Sanji-boy, you look so tense." Lachi cooed at him. "Do you have a thing for your Captain?"
"Hell no!" He spat, "He's a guy for one, and he's a stupid black hole." He put out his cigarette, "But he's our stupid black hole."
"Ahh, so Romantic!"
"Shut up!" He snapped back, looking forward. It wasn't romantic. Not at all. No, it was selfish and greedy and Sanji knew that. Hell, the whole Strawhat Crew knew it. They all joked that Luffy was the selfish one, always dragging them along with him and 'forcing' them to join his crew but they were all fine with that. In every other way he was the most selfless guy Sanji'd ever met and damn it all he was theirs. Luffy'd made them join him, sure, but now that they were a crew they weren't giving up their Captain without a fight! Even if we did fail him, a small voice whispered in the back of his head. He quickly buried it. It was the Captain's job to go where the crew couldn't always follow. Luffy knew that. Just like he was sure the shitty Captain knew it wouldn't ever happen again.
Before he knew it they were bumped up against the truly massive larger vessel, jarring the cook out of his thoughts. Sanji supposed it was a good thing that the Whitebeard Pirates had apparently been restocking at an island not long ago and thus were easy to find. Still, he almost wished they were meeting on land. It didn't stop him from scrambling up the rope ladder that was dropped down, cursing the stupid pink dress. Reaching the deck and seeing all those men stare at him it occurred to him maybe he should have taken time to change first. Too late now. "WHAT?!"
"Something we can help you with, Princess?" A large man with impressive sideburns asked, smirking.
That was gonna be the first guy he kicked to death. "What the hell did you bastards do with my Captain?" he growled out.
"I don't remember beating up any fairies recently, sorry."
"That's it-! Jinbu-!"
"SANJI!" A voice cheered, giving the cook just enough time to brace himself for the inevitable rocket hug. Which never came. Blinking in surprise he found his Captain being restrained by a familiar looking guy with an exasperated look. "But Acceeee…."
He couldn't say he wasn't grateful for the reprieve even as he glowered at Firefist Ace. He knew that if Ace had asked, Luffy would stay. "Portgas."
"Blackleg. Nice dress." The other smirked.
"Screw you." There was no heat in it. "Let go of my Captain, will ya?" Soon enough Sanji found his arms full of a happy laughing Luffy.
"It'd be easier to do if I could trust you to keep him out of trouble." The Logia user said, eyes challenging.
"So you Stole him?!"
"More like borrowed." Ace looked away, "I'm not letting you morons get him killed facing someone you can't hope to fight. Again. Just because Luffy's a reckless idiot doesn't mean you should be."
Sanji sputtered, "You can't do that! He's our Captain!"
"And my brother! Besides, my Captain is the strongest man in the world; who's gonna stop me?"
"We are!" Sanji bit back.
"Then quit playing dress up and get stronger and take your Captain back."
"Ace—"
"No, Luffy! I don't care what I said before. There's no way in hell I'm letting you go off with your crew to get killed in the New World." Ace turned his attention back to Sanji, "Luffy's agreed to stay here, with us, for two years to get stronger. That's how long the rest of you have to prove to me you can keep my little brother safe. If not—"
The cook easily understood the worry behind those grey eyes. Something told him Ace had heard of a few of their more risky adventures. He understood on some level how important Luffy was to the man since the idiot was such an important part of his life too. Luffy saved the people he cared about from themselves. He'd do anything for them and that was a dangerous trait sometimes. But what Ace needed to understand if he didn't yet was it went both ways with the Strawhat crew. He met the Second Division Commander's eyes with fire in his own, the dress somehow making him look fiercer. "If you try to keep him from us in two years, we will tear your crew apart. Luffy is the Captain of the Strawhat Pirates, and hell if you're gonna keep him from us."
"You think you can?" Ace smirked.
"You think we can't? Then you haven't heard what we've done." He challenged back. "In two years we could wipe the floor with you."
Despite many of the Whitebeard pirates bristling or scoffing at his claim Sanji never took his eyes off Ace. After what seemed like an eternity the man seemed to find what he was looking for, a relaxed grin stretching across his face as he offered a hand, "I look forward to it."
It was Luffy who broke the tension that was still in the air. "Shihihihi, Sanji! You look funny! Can you still cook like that?"
"Of course I can you shitty Captain!"
"Then I want meat!"
"What, they not feeding you here?"
"They are, but Sanji's food is the best!" He couldn't hide the smug look on his face at those words.
