Chapter 3
…
"We're nakama!"
- Monkey D. Luffy
…
"How is the idiot?" Ace asked the moment he walked in.
Blinking away the haziness in her eyes, Ann looked up at her brother and took in his ragged appearance. He must have gone hunting in the morning.
In the distance, the sound of the light drizzling was no longer audible. The first rays of sunlight could be seen warming up the forest as its beasts roused in preparation for a new day. The thunderstorm has stopped.
Slowly, Ann swept her hand over Sabo's forehead and frowned at the still mild heat she felt.
Only once in the two days had Sabo woken up. In a fit of sweat and emotional tears, the blond child had clung onto her with all his might, grateful for just the presence of another human being, as he sobbed endlessly until sleep consumed him. Ann could only wonder what the poor kid had went through as she nursed him as carefully as she could.
Not for the first time, Ann found herself hating this world once more. It was this world which forced children like Ace to think about suicide and for Sabo to run away from home. Sometimes, she would wonder if she can ever change it.
The derailing thoughts in her mind were brushed off when Ace rested a palm gently on her shoulder. With constantly lidded brown eyes, he stared down at her in concern, pursuing his lips in thought. Then, in the same gesture she did to him days ago, he pushed her lightly to the ground.
"Sleep." He murmured. "I'll take care of him for you."
The irony of his actions was not lost on her. She was the one with the experience of burning midnight oil for her studies.
Be that as it is, the offer was tempting. For two nights, she had not slept a wink. Unsurprisingly, it turned out to be hard for her new body. There were a lot of arguments she could have made: Ace's narcolepsy, the lack of food, Sabo…But without protest, she gave in to sleep and closed her eyes.
The last thing she remembered was worrying for Ace.
…
Watching his sister just lie there so vulnerably, Ace found his eyes slowly travelling towards the unknown boy they have found.
His face was still red, his mouth partially opened in his sleep. Unconsciously or consciously, perhaps, the boy had been curled into Ann's warmth all the while, shifting towards her even while his eyes were closed. A nagging sense of protectiveness rose up in Ace before it was squashed by his promise to Ann.
With a sigh, Ace dropped the towel into the water and replaced the one on the boy's head.
"Stupid idiot. Going into the forest willingly all alone." Ace muttered in annoyance. He rested his cheek in his hand. "At least Ann and I aren't that dumb, you doofus."
Said doofus panted and turned on his back.
Ace wondered what caused the boy to run from home anyways. Based on the backpack he had, it was hard to believe he had not done so willingly – even if his words did say otherwise. Parental problems, perhaps? Or was it the mere petty childishness of a little brat? Whichever the case, Ace doubts the boy has it any worse than them.
If he was to close his eyes or stare straight into Ann's eyes and be entirely honest with himself, Ace knew he was being jealous.
The boy was a normal child – with probably normal parents and a normal background – the very opposite of Ann and himself. Yet, the boy had ran away from all that, abandoned all the things which Ace can only ever wish for and still never get.
Ace huffs, prodding the boy's cheek with a tiny branch he picked up.
"Weakling. You have a home and you left it without hesitation. If only you can understand the loneliness that the homeless have to go through…The lack of food, water, and warmth…You would have never done it. Stupid, blessed fool." He spat, looking to the roof with a scowl.
Why was he speaking to a sleeping boy anyways? The exhaustion of surviving in the wild must finally be getting to him. Nevertheless, the words just cannot seem to stop spilling from his lips.
"In the end, I suppose that blindness of yours is what separates us. You normal children…and us, the children of Roger." He whispers the last part with hatred. "Even if you wake up…you'll never be able to understand us truly. In the end, you'll just be like the rest of them – always saying that we should die…and that we should never have existed – In the end, you'll just become another enemy, just like the world."
His brown eyes narrowed, hurt at his own words, and he turned to look out of the cave, watching as another animal come passing by, nearing the cave. He shot one last glare at the boy's now drooling face as he grabbed his weapon.
"If you hurt Ann, I won't ever forgive you."
And he was off, lunging at the poor beast that had dared to pass by their hideout.
…
Another day passed.
This time, the boy opened his eyes for just a second to stare at them before closing again. In silence, he drifted off, probably aware of his two observers but too sick to care about them.
Ace scowled deeply as he looked away, whereas Ann only quietly patted the boy's head.
As the trio sat still in their cave, the predators outside remained still, lying in wait for their prey.
…
"His fever's not dropping." Ace stated, leaning against a wall.
Ann found her heart aching at how many scraps and scratches he had. As expected, many animals must have come to attack this cave for food after the long storm. Ace only scratched his nose gruffly, gazing down at her with a thoughtful eye.
"And the animals are increasing in numbers." He added. "What should we do?"
Ann furrowed her brows and changed the towel on the boy's head for the nth time.
Their food rations were running low. They were becoming weak, and the predators were only increasing in number. Not to mention…it seems like her first aid skills just wasn't enough, no matter how much she wanted to believe it was.
In the end, it still boils down to the two options in the beginning:
Down or up?
Ann stole a glance at Ace and was not shocked to find his brown eyes beginning to waver despite the steadiness in his voice.
It only figures. In the end, Ace was still only just five years old, hardly mature enough to handle the weight of three lives. She knew that he still kept the notion of abandoning Sabo as an option in his mind, and if it boils down to it, she had no doubt Ace would do it – and regret it later on in his life. She could feel his emotional turmoil now just by looking at him.
If things go on, she feared that the future would change for the worse.
A flash of Ace's death at the war made her breath hitch.
Ann looked down at her clenched fists and frowned.
She was the oldest one here mentally. For heavens' sake, no matter how much younger she may be physically, she was still older in her mind. She has to be stronger, if only for their sakes.
Ann breathed deeply and exhaled, washing her emotions away. Professionalism and emotionless, reliable numbers was the way to go.
Sketching a vague map of the mountain on the sandy ground, Ann dotted their current location and tugged Ace's sleeve to attract his attention. With her finger, she trailed a route down to the base of the mountain – where she knew a village should be located near the ocean.
"Down? Are you sure about that?" Ace stared at her warily but hopefully.
Ann nodded firmly.
It was the one sure way to get doctors, not to mention there must be some security of some sorts there to help them.
Ace stared at her for no short amount of time. Without hesitation, Ann met his gaze and two pairs of brown orbs clashed, debating silently as always. It took a while before the corners of Ace's lips rose into a lopsided smirk, not unlike his older self.
"…Then, we'll need to make preparations for it, don't we?"
Ann nodded once more.
"Then, I'll go get some water-" GUUUUU~
The duo froze, their eyes travelling down to Ace's tummy.
An awkward silence descended upon them.
"It- It wasn't me." Ace looked away, flushing lightly.
Ann allowed a small smile to cross her face.
"Don't smile! Really! It wasn't me!" Ace shouted, his entire face beet red.
She shrugged and nodded.
Behind them, as the flames of the fire flickered gently, Sabo gave a soft snore and turned on his side.
…
Never would Ann have expected the trip down to be more difficult than when they went up.
Pursuing her lips for the nth time, Ann dropped a kick down on one of the giant snakes. The serpant hissed as it threw its head to the skies. Warily, Ann dug a hand into her pocket and plucked out one of the stones she had collected – and tossed it straight into the snake's eye. She may not be a sniper like Usopp, but she did not practice archery for nothing in her past life.
Behind her, she could still see Ace with Sabo on his back, hiding behind a tree.
Lifting a hand in their specially made sign language, she waved the boys forward.
It was then that another snake came launching out from the ground.
Taken aback by its sudden presence, Ann had just jumped back in time to not get wrapped by a long tongue. With a frown, Ann stabbed her branch through the snake's tongue and into a tree, pinning it there. With another wave, she brushed off Ace's hesitance and pulled them along once more.
"Geez-! If only this boy ain't so heavy!" Ace cursed as he hopped after her.
Ann only gave him a look and continued at a faster pace.
"I got it-! I won't talk anymore, so slow down, Ann!" Ace yelled.
One of the things which made things all the more tedious was the fact that the predators they defeated previously seem to yearn for revenge.
The same species of that wolf they defeated on their first day came down on them in packs.
With a loud grunt that was borderline a yell, Ace had barely managed to duck one of them when they came sailing at them. Behind him, Ann only tugged lightly at a vine to ensure its stability before tying it lightly around herself. With her body parallel to the ground, she began her long run up a tree.
"Hurry it up! The idiot's not going to be able to stand it anymore!" Ace shouted from below.
Sabo's upperbody flailed wildly around as Ace dodged and ducked. Ann thought she even saw swirls in his eyes from the distance.
She let down a vine, watching as Ace grab onto it and pulled the two of them up together.
Ace narrowly missed his ass getting bitten off.
"Damn it…" Ace cursed, throwing Sabo onto the branch.
Ann panted lightly. That had really been a close call there.
The nights were spent on the tree as usual, away from the danger below.
This time, there was just the presence of an additional sick boy which did not change much of their routine.
The adrenaline from the long tedious day continued to stay in her veins, even as she pulled her brother up.
Watching Ace toss Sabo roughly onto the thick branch, Ann found that she could hardly care about the blond boy in her exhaustion. Panting lightly, she only tossed the boy's waterbottle at Ace, saving up the rest of her energy by lying limping against the bark.
"…Tired?" Ace scowled, tucking the bottle into Sabo's bag. "Try carrying this heavy bastard around and you'd understand my pain."
Ann only lifted a fist slowly and patted it lightly against Ace's shoulder. He did not even flinch. Her hand dropped right back down.
"Heh. More importantly…" Ace flopped onto his back and laughed, choking on the way. "…We managed to survive today!"
She smiled as well, looking up to the skies wearily.
They did not manage to travel the distance she had hoped they would, but they did manage to avoid or destroy all dangers they met. And it was all by herself and a little help from Ace. Albeit, her body does hurt all over, but…She wondered if this was a sign that she was growing stronger, if only by a little.
"Ann, Ann…" Ace called her name repeatedly. "Sing that song from that day!"
It was a rare show of childishness that Ann would usually not deny, but exhaustion takes priority today.
She gave a throaty cough and dropped her head, shaking it lightly.
"Cannot? Whatever…" Ace smirked and lifted a fist weakly. "Good job out there today!"
Ann took a moment to process the gesture and slowly, she gave him a fist bump.
"Well, let's sleep!"
Within a second, Ace's narcolepsy took over and he was already asleep with that same bubble escaping from his nose.
Ann smiled and shook her head, arranging Sabo in a more comfortable position before falling asleep herself.
…
Days passed.
Ann lost count of them.
When they finally arrived at a village, Ann could hardly describe her relief just before all three of them collapsed as one. The exhaustion made rest irresistible. Just seconds after Ace had blown that snot bubble of his, Ann heard the alarmed cries of the villagers and felt large hands pick her up gently.
"What happened, girl?!"
"Kyaa! Those children…"
"How did they get so injured?!"
"Someone! Get the medic to come here please!"
"Oi! This one has a serious fever!"
Her vision faded.
She wondered if she has narcolepsy like Ace. Afterall, she has been falling asleep or unconscious quickly a lot lately. Or perhaps, every bit of their wild adventure was just one big dream this time round and she was just oblivious to it…Whatever…
She…didn't care…
Her eyes closed blissfully. She sighed.
…
When Ann woke up, she found Garp before her.
The pain in her body made it hard to move, but even then, she could feel the warmth causing her to sweat. Beside her, Ace was already awake, buried under the same thick sheet of comforter as she was. Each of Garp's large hands was wrapped around each of theirs, and it seems like Garp and Ace had been talking before she woke up.
"…Ann?" Ace called softly.
She blinked and nodded, as obviously as she could. There were twin sighs of relief before Garp and Ace were glaring at one another like usual.
"What are you doing copying me?!" Garp shouted.
"That's my words!" Ace followed.
As the usual bickering broke out, Ann only laid back and watched silently with a tiny smile on her face.
"What is it?!" When they turned to look at her at the same time, she only shook her head and hid her face under the sheets.
Like it or not, Garp and Ace seem more like twins that she does with Ace.
Ann waited it out for a while before leaning into Ace, tugging his sleeve weakly between her fingers.
"O-Oh?" Lidded eyes met hers, seeing the concern in her eyes at once. With a firm nod of understanding, Ace turned to look at Garp with the most solemn expression he had since returning from the forest, the question ready on his lips. "How is the boy we found?"
Garp blinked and grinned teasingly.
"Bwahaha! Little Ace and Ann think they are finally old enough to care about others?" Ace twitched at the taunt whereas Ann only gave him a blank stare. Garp leaned in, smiling gruffly. "The boy had quite a serious little fever, but he's already alright now! In fact, he's been brought back to his home already to be nursed back to health! You two did well in protecting him!"
Surprise flickered through Ace's face and Ann's eyes when two large hands engulfed their heads in light, fond pats for the first time ever.
Exchanging wide-eyed stares, Ace tried his best to give a scowl despite the pink on his cheeks while Ann allowed a faint smile to cross her lips.
Despite all his tough exterior, in the end, Garp was still a protector. He worries about them just as much as any other guardian does and he feels the same pride all parents feel when their children do a laudable deed.
Garp, however, being as thickheaded as he is, killed the atmosphere with his next words.
"You'll make strong marines in the future!"
Ace's vein twitched whereas Ann only slumped into the bed.
"As if! I will be a pirate, you crappy old man!"
" 'Crappy'?!"
Can't she ever hope for one peaceful discussion between them?
A flash of sick little Sabo appeared before her eyes and she paused, sinking back into her thoughts once more.
Hopefully, this would not be the last they see of him.
…
Following that event, they returned back to their peaceful lifestyles.
"KORA! ACE!"
…Or as peaceful as the life of any D can be.
Ann sighed lightly as a strong arm wrapped itself around her, dragging her once more away from her chores. Well, at least she has managed to finish making breakfast this time round, right? Ace's smug smirk was all she managed to see of him before he turned back to the path, yelling over his shoulder.
"I'm kidnapping Ann today too, Dadan!"
"HIIII~! YOU DAMN BRAT!"
For a long distance, the twins merely ran. Passed the river, passed the trees, passed small mountain huts…Ann sighed at the gentle breeze blowing against her face and closed her eyes – just as one shrill cry yelled out.
"HELP!"
The silence which has wrapped itself around them in a protective bubble shattered.
The voice was familiar, high yet gruff in a manner that reminded her of that young boy they had saved weeks before. The only difference from that rainy storm was that the voice was no longer muffled by rain.
With wide eyes, Ann and Ace turned to each other.
Ace scowled and folded his arms.
"No." He spat. "No more, I promised you that."
Despite his words, his brown eyes held just a hint of worry in them.
How obstinate.
Ann sighed and went on ahead of him, jumping onto numerous rocks and swinging back and forth on a vine to get to the owner of that voice. She was unsurprised to hear Ace following her reluctantly, a glare on the ready when she glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes.
"Go on." He encouraged with an unhappy frown.
Ann only nodded indulgently and continued running.
As they neared the area, they heard the sound of a might roar – the very same which has been chasing after them in the past weeks seeking for revenge – and the yelp of the very same boy they had saved then.
"I'M SO SO SORRY FOR PEEING MY PANTS LAST WEEK! I HONESTLY DIDN'T MEAN TO!"
Peeing his pants? Really?
Ace snorted in amusement while Ann smiled faintly, shaking her head lightly.
"AND I'M SO SORRY FOR NOT EATING MY VEGGIES! OR NOT WIPING MY ASS IN THE TOILET! OR EATING A GRAIN OF RICE OFF THE GROUND! OR SHITTING MY PANTS – oh, I already said that. AAHHHHH! I'M SORRY FOR STEPPING ON YOUR TAIL!"
Ace choked, facepalming himself in laughter.
Ann only shot him a look filled with mirth and Ace scowled at the reminder; He had done that very same thing weeks before.
In the distance, a yellow and blue figure rapidly approached them, followed by a dark purple wolf.
"Split." Ace ordered. The twins separated, hiding behind two trees side by side each other.
"SOMEBODY, HELP!"
Another shrill cry.
Ace winced. Without waiting, he tugged on one of the vines from his tree, tossing the other end to Ann. It took one glance for Ann to understand. It was their usual plan.
With a nod, she prepared her branch for the moment the wolf would pass by.
Ace stood and broke cover for but a second, shouting aloud to the boy.
"Oi, stupid boy there! You see me?" He yelled.
The blond boy paused momentarily in his run and smiled upon seeing Ace. A sharp bite somewhere near his ass then reminded him of the threat. Sabo jumped, yelping as he continued the chase in circles.
"Come running towards me and continue running pass even after you reach this tree, okay?!" He exclaimed.
"W-What?!" Sabo jumped and narrowly avoided losing a hand. "But it would be dangerous for you!"
From where she crouched, Ann wondered if Sabo remembers them. Why else would he care about their safety in such a pinch? It was either he remembers, or Sabo was always more self-sacrificial than she thought he was.
"Just come already, you big idiot! We'll be fine!" Ace dodged behind his tree once more.
"O-Okay!" There was a pause. "I'm coming then!"
Ann exchanged a glance with Ace and pursued her lips, narrowing her eyes for that split moment.
Half a second later, a pair of feet ran passed, a long yell flying over her head. And then, the familiar limbs of those damned wolves passed.
"Now!" They tugged at the vine simultaneously.
When the wolf stumbled over their trap, Ace flung his tiny body onto the predator's back. He was the heavier of them, so it only made sense. With a large rock he had picked up somewhere along the way, he stoned the wolf repeatedly.
Ann breathed and aimed her branch at the wolf's throat, her D strength allowing her to penetrate its side easily.
Blood splurted out.
With a whimper, the animal fell to the ground, heaving large gulps of air. When its jaws opened in ready for a long howl, Ann charged forward, closing its jaws forcefully with bare hands. Ace caught her desperate look and understood.
The wolf was trying to call its pack here.
"Die already!" He stoned the wolf in its head for a final time.
The animal fell still, life draining away from its eyes.
With twin sighs, they fell back onto the ground.
Exchanging stares, Ann ignored the nagging guilt at the back of her mind and bumped her fist with Ace's. Even if it was a life, it did not change the fact that killing is the key to survival in the wilds.
"Good job." Ace smirked ferally. "I guess we have our dinner tonight."
Ann gave a tiny smile.
"Man, but you two sure did a number on this wolf." They blinked at their forgotten third party. Sabo grinned weakly as he poked the wolf with a finger. "I mean, there's so much blood all over…"
Ann looked over and cringed at the blank stare Ace was directing at the boy. She had seen that stare sometimes directed at Garp or Dadan. This was not going to end well…
"YOU BIG IDIOT!" The yell was so loud it frightened the birds away. "What the fuck are you doing in this forest?! Again?!"
Sabo fell back on his bum, eyes wide with terror as he gazed at Ace.
"Is the first time not enough for you?! Just because we saved you once, don't think we're going to rescue for a second or third time each time you return! Are you looking for death?!"
"B-But…You already saved me a second time." Sabo stuttered out.
Ace snapped, his eyes dark as killing intent dwarfed the area. Grabbing Sabo by his cravat, he growled illegibly and shook him multiple times with his demon strength. Sabo sweatdropped and whimpered. Onyx eyes travelled subtly to her, a silent plea for help.
Ann stared contemplatively at him for but a second before looking away.
It was his fault for returning, no matter how much she did wish for it as well. Besides, Ace's words were true. What if they had not passed by when he was attacked?
"C-Come on…It's not like I returned without a reason. I wanted to see how my saviours look, and…and…" His beady eyes travelled to the side, narrowing as if remembering something dark.
He did not continue. Ace only growled, flames erupting around him as he growled.
"WHAT?!"
Sabo squeaked.
Ann sighed, tugging lightly on Ace's sleeve.
If they do not leave soon, the other wolves might come.
Nodding in understanding, Ace dropped Sabo and followed after her, dragging the carcass of the wolf along with them.
"W-Wait! Can I come along with you?" Sabo shouted after them.
Ace gave him a silent glare over his shoulder.
"What do you think?" He asked lowly.
"Y-Yes?" Sabo suggested hopefully.
Ann only shook her head and continued, ignoring the bickering duo behind her.
…
Ann decides that she would never understand Sabo.
Despite all the danger, he had came running back into the heart of all the danger. No matter how bad a family is, it cannot possibly be terrible enough to warrant such an action, can it? And then, despite all the trouble Ace has given him by shouting at him continuously, he continued to follow them for the entire day. In that sense, he reminded Ann of Luffy…
However, loneliness can't be his only drive, can it?
Watching for the nth time as Sabo tried to climb up one vine to follow them up the tree, she shook her head.
It was good that he was following them since Ace always end up helping him in a show of his increasing patience and sympathy, but what gains can he get?
Behind her, Ace was already snoring loudly.
As the howl of yet another wolf echoed for the third time, Sabo jumped and looked around, wide-eyed. He tried to climb up the vine more desperately this time, with no increased amount of success from his previous attempts.
Ann sweatdropped.
She was in no mood to withstand another bicker between these two, but she was not heartless either. Ace was sleeping, so maybe she should…
She tugged lightly on one vine which she could reach. Sabo noticed the shifting vine and looked up at her, his eyes wide with puzzlement. Silently, Ann only stared at him until he took hold of the vine and begun to pull him up.
"Thank you- so much-!" He heaved with exertion as he climbed onto their branch.
She passed him some of the veggies they had left. If there was one thing Ace is glad about getting rid of, it was the greens.
With saliva pouring out of his lips, Sabo took hold of the edible leaves and finished them at once, almost choking once or twice in the midst of his meal.
Ann only sat back and leaned against Ace for warmth.
"Thank you, really." Sabo said to her in a more gentlemanly tone when he was done.
With a burp that she guessed must be unsightly for a noble child, Sabo sat back, rubbing his tummy in satisfaction.
"That was the best meal I have ever eaten. I guess things always taste more delicious when you're hungry, huh." He laughed to himself. "Come to think of it, I haven't asked yet. What are your names?"
Ann raised a brow at him, unamused.
A moment of silence later, Sabo sweatdropped and laughed sheepishly.
"I failed to make you speak, didn't I?" Under her stare, he shrunk a bit more. "Gomen. Do you want me to be quiet?"
She shook her head in mild amusement. It was almost funny how a little bit of intimidation from Ace could get Sabo to fear her as well. She wondered how it could be like in the future, when Ace is a little more muscular, stronger, and more monster-like than now.
"Then, I'll talk, okay?" Sabo beamed. "Once upon a time, in a far far away land, there was a prince…"
Bedtime stories? Well, whatever.
Ann felt a smile spread across her lips. She leaned into Ace, listening in fascination as Sabo spun tales of princesses and princes which were more suited for a girl rather than a boy. Was Sabo a romanticist?
She buried a laugh as Sabo looked over at her questioningly.
"Has anyone ever told you that you look pretty smiling?" Sabo smiled at the end of his tale.
Ann blinked, recalling Ace's words, and she nodded with a soft smile.
"When you're not smiling though, you look non…non…nonchalant." Ah, he got the word correct. "Like a robot of some sorts. Even your frowns look blank!" He laughed.
That explains why her intimidation techniques never work on Ace.
"Between you and him though, I like you equally. You're kind and warm and fuzzy while he's like stern but loving mother." His eyes were dully shining in the moonlight, as if thinking of his own parents. He smiled sadly. "I like you two more than anyone else in the world."
Ann frowned.
For a child to like the strangers he meet more than his own parents…If she ever meets his parents, they will need to be wary.
She felt her inner mother hen take over as she shifted closer into Ace, motioning for Sabo to take her other side.
"E-Eh? Really?" Sabo looks happy for just a moment before his reservations as a noble took over. He looked down shyly. "A lady should never sleep with a man who is not her family before marriage, though."
Ann dropped her offered hand.
If he doesn't want it, then she supposes she cannot change his mind.
Sometime in the cold of the night, she woke up to find another boy by her other side, snuggling into her just like she did with Ace.
With a smile, she closed her eyes and soaked herself in the simple pleasures of the moment.
…
Morning came.
She was woken up by the one sided bickering between Ace and Sabo once again.
With a sigh, she resigned herself to another few more days of this routine.
…
For several days, Ace and Ann had stayed in the forest in fear of having the boy follow them back to the mountain hut – and meet up with a bad end by the hands of their own band of bandits.
However, as it is, even in the absence of Garp, it was essential for them to return sometime soon.
"We're leaving tomorrow, dumbass." Ace stated.
"Eh?" Sabo's eyes were wide.
"We're leaving." Ace repeated.
"No…way."
"It's the truth. Get over it and stay out of trouble from now on." Ace scowled.
Ann stared at her brother's back knowingly.
Despite all his gruff words and taunting hurtful insults, Sabo had grown on him. Ace had become used to caring for their stalker, so much that he almost started babying Ann in that same way.
That morning, Ace had even asked her to plan a route that consists of the more crucial areas. Rivers, fruit trees, safe regions with weaker animals…He had wanted to remind Sabo of them so he would not die in their absence.
"Are you leaving…forever?" The wide eyes which turned to her were wavering.
She, too, has grown used to his presence.
Clenching her teeth, she watched as Ace nodded to his question.
It was a lie just to see if Sabo would return to his home in their absence, but it was a lie with the best intentions in mind. If Sabo do not return, then it would help Ace the most. It would mean that there is someone who is willing to brave through the dangers they carry with them, for them.
With teary eyes, Sabo continued staring for a long while, not speaking for the first night since they have met up here.
Ann only hugged him into his side, hoping to provide him with a little bit of the courage he needed to brave through the lie they created.
…
"Do you think he will still be there when we return?" Ace questioned, turning his back to her as she entered the tub.
His ears were red once more when he turned back to her.
Any other times, Ann would have smiled in amusement.
Initially, she had been embarrassed to share a bath with a male, but in the end, Ace was still just a child and her brother, so there was no need to be concerned about it. It helps save the water Dadan is so obsessive over anyways.
However, she could hardly bring her lips up this time round.
She slinked her nose under the water, humming slightly.
"That idiot should just leave and never come back, like the weakling he is." Ace murmured once more.
Ann peered up at him sadly.
If only Ace can be more honest with himself and care less about Roger…
Dinner was tasteless as they bit through the meat.
Glancing at her, Ace took a larger bite and engulfed everything, trying to seem hungry.
"This meat is…delicious!" He growled.
Ann sighed when another few more men ran towards her, throwing themselves at her feet.
"Please never leave us again, Cook Ann!" They cried.
She sweatdropped.
"Stop it, you idiots!" Dadan kicked them all on the heads.
If Sabo eats her cooking, what would he say?
"This is delicious?" Or would he just be silent and wolf through it. He is a noble afterall, so her cooking may not be satisfactory to him, however much he forces it.
…
Three days later, they raced back to the tree they had left Sabo at.
There was nobody there.
"H-Hah! I knew this would happen." Ace bit his lower lip to hide the pain on his face. "I knew he would abandon us…just like all the others did."
Ann wrapped a comforting arm around his waist, closing her eyes.
As much as she wanted to deny it, even she felt hurt at his departure.
She did not know how long they merely stood there, looking around at everything that moved in hopes of seeing him. She just knew that it must be sometime after noon that Ace shifted.
"Let's gather treasure for my pirate ship." He stated emptily.
Without protest, she followed him in silence.
In Grey Terminal, they found themselves walking around in their old routine, waiting for some poor sop to cross by them with a bag full of their soon-to-be treasures. However, it did not feel quite right not going around the forest with an annoying danger-prone boy following after them.
As they rounded pass another corner, one question stopped Ace right in his tracks.
"What if Gold Roger had a child?"
The voice which spoke that question was familiar, high but gruff and polite in tone.
Ann froze while Ace dragged her back behind the wall, a trembling hand covering her mouth.
Without looking, she knew her brother's brown eyes were wide with horror, fear and trepidation all mixed into one.
How did Sabo found out? And when?
"Heh. I'd say that the child should die." A man answered. "If it's a boy, we should use him as a factory machine to produce more war machines for the marines. If it's a girl, then…heh."
The chuckle sent shivers up her spine.
The mere thought of it made her feel sick.
"…Wrong answer." Sabo's voice called out.
And then, there was the sound of something hitting the man. Shouts rang out in alarm as more thuds were heard.
Without hesitation, Ace raced out of their hiding spot, Ann behind him. Grabbing the pipes which they had grabbed upon their entry into Grey Terminal, they started knocking down the men. Ann gritted her teeth as she knocked down one of them who had tried to hit Sabo. The blood on her pipe was unforgettable.
"Dumbass!" Ace cursed lightly under his breath as he pulled Sabo after him.
Ann swiftly followed after them, backing them up by hitting those who had came close to attacking her brother.
"L-Let me go! Those bastards…How dare they say that about yo-?!" Sabo's mouth was covered by Ace before he got the complete the word.
"Do you wanna die?! Don't go letting them know about us!" Ace hissed.
They ran, just as they always do.
Trees meant security since the men always feared Mt Corvo. The moment they were hidden by trees, the trio released identical sighs of relief.
"When did you find out about us? Why did you go and do that? Why hadn't you left?" Ace slammed Sabo into the tree trunk, his eyes blazing with fiery. "Answer me!"
"W-Wait-!" Sabo winced.
"Why did you fight for us, you IDIOT?!" Ace roared.
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MY NAKAMA!" Sabo shouted suddenly. He was panting as he continued in a lower voice, glaring slightly at Ace. "Because you're special to me, that's why."
Both boys were panting from the run and shouting. Shaken by Sabo's words, Ace stepped back with wide eyes, his shaky hands allowing Sabo to slide to the ground slowly.
Hesitantly, Ann stepped forward and grabbed Ace's hand, staring down at Sabo in understanding.
"When I was in that forest all alone, I cried all day and night out of loneliness. I wanted someone to be there with me, no matter who it was. But nobody came." Ann recalled when he woke up, still sick and lonely. "And then, in the cold and darkness, you two came. You helped me, gave me warmth which I have never felt, and you never abandoned me despite all the hardship you have to face. I remember it…all of it." He looked up at Ace. "And that day when you told me about your past, I was awake, too."
"…It was then-!" Ace gritted his teeth.
"It's true. Back then, I didn't understand your pain and I don't think I can ever do so. But even so, I knew loneliness. I now know the feeling of being abandoned by the world. And most of all, I know that you two are special enough to me not to care about your parents." Sabo gazed at them with sincere eyes. "I feel sorry for throwing away all those things I have been blessed with…But when weighed against you guys, I still think you're more precious to me. So…"
He trailed off, as if thinking about what to say.
"…Please let me stay with you." He ended decisively.
Silence seems to echo forever.
In the distance, the sounds of a river were audible. A bird took flight with a chirp, leaving a feather behind.
Ace lifted a hand up to wipe his eyes, sweeping aside the tears which have collected there and continued to hide his eyes for a long time.
"You stupid dumbass…" He gritted out.
There were no more words.
Ann smiled as she walked forward, bending before Sabo to pat his head lightly.
Slowly, Sabo grinned in understanding.
He laughed as he leapt up at Ace, throwing him down to the ground in a hug.
"Thank you!"
"Wai-! I haven't say a single thing yet-!"
Ann only smiled.
…
"Two brothers and One sister. It's like a family."
- Gol D. Ann
…
A/N: That's the end of this chapter! I hope all of you enjoyed this and please don't forget to review!
…
"Eh? His birthday? No…I don't really know." Ace muttered.
Ann continued to stare at him, frowning slightly.
"Tch. Haven't we agreed not to interfere with his past already? Why are you stubborn about this?" Ace scratched his head in annoyance.
Ann pinched her lips together, in an almost thoughtful-looking stare.
"…Yeah. Come to think of it, we are actually older than him, aren't we?"
The stare changed again.
"Okay, okay…I take care of it, so you can stop pestering me about it already." Ace sighed.
From where he was lying on the tree branch, Sabo could only watch the two of them communicate with a dumbfounded look. How Ace could ever read Ann's blank expression was something that was beyond him. How does he guess his sister's thoughts just by looking at that stiff face?
The next day, Sabo found himself led around the forest by a silent Ann.
Sweatdropping, he only started on one of his random rants once again, feeling slightly happy whenever Ann nods indulgently at him. His mother has always told him to shut his mouth if the topic was not relevant, but Ann never does that.
Although…when he ran out of topics, it does feel slightly uncomfortable, but Ann always makes it better by humming one of her cheerful songs.
That night, when Ace came back, he had something with him.
"It's been one year since we met, so here."
Sabo blinked at the object thrusted into his face. It was a goggles with a cyan and black colour combination.
"We destroyed those goggles of yours back then when we were trying to rescue you, so we thought we might give you another one." Ace's eyes shifted from place to place.
Staring at the goggles, Sabo felt himself tearing up.
Even though this goggles was definitely less expensive than all those material goods his family always give him on his birthday, just the thought behind it warmed his heart. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the best present ever.
"Thanks, guys!"
Ace yelped as he and his sister were glomped by surprisingly strong arms.
"We need to stop training him to be strong." Ace whispered inaudibly to Ann.
Ann only nodded.