Jumping into the future. Ace is 15 and Luffy is 12. A big ship with a red dragon on the front docks in Foosha Village. It's obviously a pirate ship because of the black flag, but Ace and Luffy can't make out what the Jolly Roger is because they are standing on the dock.

They walk towards the boat, looking for any sign of who might be on board. Then Ace spots 2 words that make his heart sink. Along the back of the ship the words "Red Force" are inscribed. There is only one "baka" Ace knew who loved red so much as to put it in the name of their ship. Then a thought popped into Ace's head, 'Wait, Shank's ship was different there was a possibility someone else just loved the color red". He lost all hope though when he heard a voice yelling from the ship.

Ben and Shanks were on board, docked in the harbour, and in Shanks' captain quarters. Shanks was currently wresting Ben to get out of the room.

Ben was trying to explain to him why he can't just run into the quite village, being the famous pirate that he is, and kidnap 2 kids and not explain anything. Most of all he was trying to calm him down. When Shanks got excited like this even the most peaceful village became chaotic.

Shanks finally slipping past Ben rushed out of his cabin door, and made it all the way to the deck before Ben caught up with him and tackled him to the floor. Shanks, screaming louder than Ben ever thought possible, "Ben, get your graying butt off of me. I know MY boys are waiting for me on the dock just let me go see them. I bet "Anchor" can't even contain his excitement seeing our huge ship."

Ace's face went red with anger and frustration. 'His boy', 'His boy'. Just who did that man think he is. Ace sat down on a box on the dock extremely aggravated, mumbling under his break says, "Just who does that man think he is, some emperor? Luffy is mine! No one else can have him, especially not that asshole who decided to act all fatherly to us, even carry us up the mountain when we fell asleep in Makino's bar, then goes off and disappears just as I was starting to like him. No that baka is not coming into our lives again. He made Luffy cry when he disappeared and for that I will never forgive him!" Ace was now grit his teeth he was so angry.

In his anger missing the fact that Shanks had said "Boys" not "Boy". In truth Ace was felt neglected, unwanted. Luffy was the only person Ace ever truly open his heart too. He was about to let Shanks in too, but he had disappeared before that could happen. Not even saying goodbye. Now he is docked here again, and 'all' he is interested in is Luffy. Of course he cann't blame Luffy for that, he loved Luffy more than anyone, possibly breaking the barriers of how much a family member was allowed to love another.

Shanks finally getting permission from Ben raced off the boat noticing Luffy. Luffy had the widest smile on his face reminding the red haired man of his late captain. Shanks hugged Luffy who was now all but attached to his chest happy to see his hero who disappeared. Just then Shanks noticed something was wrong, he hadn't expected Ace to hug him, but he had expected him to be there, and possibly even smile. He put Luffy down and looked him in the eyes, in a serious tone he says, "Hey Luffy, good to see you, but where is Ace?"

Luffy looks around for a moment and suddenly realizes Ace is missing, but he was just there a second ago. He got distracted when he heard Shanks' voice and that silly nickname that fit all too well since eating his devil fruit. He then looked Shanks in they eyes, as though he was about to say something serious, and comments, "I dunno".

Shanks sweat dropped searching out with his haki, he found the boys thoughts coming from behind a stack of boxes on the dock. He looked at everyone, and said, "If you don't mind I need a few moments too collect myself, it's just making me so happy to see you all again". He looked down at Luffy. Luffy could tell he was lying, the dumb seeming boy was oddly perceptive that way. He got down on one knee and whispered in Luffy's ear, "I need to talk to Ace, can you make sure no one disturbs us for a few minutes".

Luffy smiled, happy that Shanks was going to talk to Ace, he knew his brother needed the affection of someone other than himself. He responded to Shanks with a salute that only Garp would have disciplined such a young boy to do properly, and whole heated, "Yosh".

Shanks was glad the boy was so smart when it comes to matters of emotional importance, in Shanks opinion the most important matters. He walked over to the boxes and found Ace curled up in the fettle position back resting against the boxes and crying into his knees. It broke Shanks' heart to see the boy like this and he wondered what could have caused HIS strong boy to break down. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder trying to comfort him.

Ace in all his despair didn't notice Shanks walk over to him. He shook in shock as he placed his hand on his shoulder. His sadness turned to rage. He gave Shanks an accusing look, and stood up and backed away from him. His eyes then left shanks and he looked down at his feet. He mumbled, "What do you want?"

Shanks was hurt by the comment, but decided to use his haki to figure out what was making the boy so angry. He hadn't done anything bad to Luffy. He turned around seeing the boy watching them smiling giving him a hand signal to move closer to Ace. Shanks reached out with his Haki, and discovered the real problem. He had to stop himself from screaming 'Oh My God', when he figured it out too. How could Ace think such things, not of Shanks, Shanks didn't care what anyone thought about him, but how could Ace think such things of himself. When Shanks searched Ace's mind he found feelings sorrow, neglect and worst of all unloved. Shanks eyes quickly flipped back to Luffy again. His smile was gone, as though he figured out what was wrong as well. Wait he was walking over now.

Luffy knew when he saw that look in Shanks eye. He instantly knew what he had to do he started walking over. Not in his usual happy, playful method, the very rare emotion of seriousness that Luffy portrayed showed a very deep understanding of another that very few can achieve in a lifetime, not to mention a 12 year old. Luffy walked past Shanks and over to Ace he grabbed Ace's hand.

Ace not still stuck in his depression didn't notice Luffy walk over so when someone grabbed his hand he assumed it was Shanks, he pulled his hand away hard, but the others hand wouldn't let go, rather it was attempting to pull him Ace looked up and noticed Luffy there holding his hand a serious look on his face. He gave in and followed him. Luffy sat down on one of the boxes.

Ace wondered what odd thing Luffy was going to do next. Suddenly he pulled him over so he was resting over Luffy's knee, ass facing out. Then there was a large smack on his butt, it actually hurt. Wait Luffy was spanking him, what on earth was going on. Luffy then pushed Ace up and brought him in to a tight hug. He whispered, not so softly as Shanks was able to hear it, "Don't you dare think that, ever again, even if the whole world hated you I love alone love you more than anyone else in the world ever could. Okay?"

Ace was shocked by these words. Its like Luffy always knew exactly what to do, exactly what to say. Ace instantly grabbed Luffy into the tightest embrace, silently thanking god, he had been given Luffy. He then began to wonder if maybe he felt something more for Luffy than just brotherly affection. He then realized 'Wait Shanks is still watching isn't he',

Shanks was smiling at the cute sight. Only Luffy could get away with spanking an older brother. Shanks walked over and grabbed both boys up in his arm. He then cleared his throat, and began to speak, "Ace I'm sorry if I made you feel a bit rejected I promise, I care for you both equally. As a matter of fact that's why I'm here. I wanted to to ask you BOTH if you would become my sons"... He thought to himself mid-sentence how much he sounded like Edward Newgate with that sentence."and join my crew?"

Both Ace's and Luffy's eyes went wide, Shanks could only assume it was joy. Almost simultaneously both boys jumped at Shanks arms hanging around his neck, as he fell backwards on to the dock. All 3 laughing and giggling.