Blame by Faith&Fantasy
OVER 1,000 VIEWS ARE YOU GUYS FOR REAL?! THANK YOU SO MUCH. Never could I have dreamed that this story would attract so much interest. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I love you all. 3
I'm sorry. I won't bother putting any excuse. I know this is very late compared to the other updates. I hope you can forgive me.
For some reason I had trouble with this chapter. It just felt sluggish. I hope the outcome isn't too terrible. It definitely is not my favorite, but I hope it's still worthy!
This an AU. The characters and their backstories up to a point are the same. Of course, this does not occur in the manga/anime.
OOC
no pairings
rated T for violence (will change to M if requested)
warnings: abuse and violence, mild swearing
Summary:
Sabo's death hit Ace and Luffy hard. Confused and suffering, Ace looks for someone to take his grief and frustration out on. Someone to take the blame.
Disclaimer: I own only the storyline. All characters, references to characters, settings, etc. belong to Oda.
Onwards!
Chapter 4: Denial
"Delay is the deadliest form of denial" ~ C. Northcote Parkinson
Fire.
Bright red, orange, and yellow flames danced around him, biting him, burning him.
No! Not this again! Please. Anything but this!
The sound of wood splitting echoed in his ears. Luffy felt the ropes around his waist slacken. Adrenaline pumping through his veins, the boy slipped from the remaining ropes and dashed out of the way of the cracking timber.
"Ace! Ace, we have to hurry before-"
Luffy spun around, panic setting in when he saw that his brother was no where to be found. Embers flew into the air, biting the boys skin as the wooden post gave a shuddering moan before collapsing into splinters. Feeling his heartbeat quicken, Luffy's eyes darted around, searching for any hint of the older boy.
"A-ACE!" the young boy's voice cracked in the smoke, followed by sputtering coughs. "ACE!" His mouth was on fire, and his throat felt as though it was closing. Luffy felt his eyes start to sting and fill with tears. Fear coursing through his body, the boy ran, ignoring the flames licking at his arms and legs as he stumbled blindly through the blaze.
Luffy continued to run, only stopping when he noticed that the heat had subsided. Opening his watery eyes wide, the boy saw that the flames had disappeared, the burning trash instead replaced by shadowy trees and bushes.
What the...is this the forest? How'd I get here?
The boy blinked the water out of his eyes, looking around curiously. He had no idea where in the forest he was; none of the trees looked familiar.
I have to find Ace.
Fingering his hat for reassurance, Luffy spun around to go back and find his brother. He didn't go far before he saw the shadowed form of something - or someone - crouching in the clearing ahead. Hope singing his his chest, the young boy sprinted ahead as fast as his small legs could take him.
"Ace! Ace, it's me!"
The figure didn't move, and Luffy started to get worried. Was his brother hurt? As he got closer, Luffy noticed that the figured was huddled over something. Cautiously, a bit afraid of what he would find, Luffy called out.
"Ace? It's me, Luffy. Are you okay?"
When the figure didn't reply, Luffy started to panic.
"Ace! Say something!"
Slowly, the shadowed figure turned to face him, and Luffy felt relief flood his body as he saw that it was indeed Ace and the older boy appeared to be unharmed. Luffy began to run to the boy, but stopped short when he saw the older clutching something in his hands. The object was rather large and appeared to be black in color, although in the dusky light of the forrest it was hard to tell. A sudden break of moonlight through the branches cast a beam of light towards the object, allowing Luffy a brief glance at its true identity.
A top hat.
Luffy knows that hat. He knows the owner of that hat even better.
Sabo.
But why did Ace have Sabo's hat? Sabo was safe. Sabo was with that ugly old guy in that noble house, right?
"Ace?" Luffy called out, approaching his kneeling brother. "Ace, what's going on?" I'm scared.
Ace started mumbling something in reply, but Luffy couldn't make it out. "Ace, please. I don't understand. Where are we? Wh-where's Sabo? We have to save him!"
Suddenly, Ace turned to look at Luffy, his eyes glowing in the moonlight. Luffy took a step back at the grief and anguish reflected in the obsidian orbs.
"Sabo is dead." Ace's voice dropped like the resounding hit of bell. The words betrayed no emotion; the tone final.
Stunned, Luffy felt his mouth go dry. No no no no no no. It can't be. Not again. Please. "You're wrong. Ace, that can't be right. Sabo is at his home safe. But he won't be for long! We need to save him! If we hurry, we can-"
"Sabo is DEAD!" Ace screeched, cutting off the younger. The older raven jumped to his feet, the top hat tumbling to the forest floor and landing with a thud.
"He's never coming back! And it's ALL YOUR FAULT!" Ace flew at Luffy, the boy's arms reaching out to the smaller boy like the claws of some wild beast.
In shock, Luffy found himself unable to dodge from his brother's advances. With a surprised yelp, the small boy felt a hand grasp around his wrist, the grip painful.
"You will pay for taking him away from me. You killed my brother. You're a murderer." Ace's voice spat venom, each word sending daggers into the younger's heart.
Luffy wanted to deny it. He wanted to scream and cry and plead. But his mouth wouldn't work. The shadows around him began closing in, smothering and choking him. Luffy felt a warm wetness pool under the grip on his wrist. Terrified, Luffy could only watch as ruby-colored drops of liquid dribbled down his hand and onto the ground in soft pats.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Each drop resonated in his ears. Luffy tried to struggle, yet his body remained motionless. Darkness swathed around him, slowly swallowing the two boys. Just as Ace completely disappeared into the shadows, Luffy heard the boy speak to him again. The voice was so distorted by hate that he could barely even recognize it as his brother's.
"You will pay".
Drip. Drip. Drip.
With a breathless gasp, Luffy jolted to a sitting position, tossing the blanket ensnared around his legs. Distorted, the boy looked around, gathering his surroundings.
Wha... A dream? No, a nightmare.
Shaken, Luffy rubbed his eyes, dispelling the tendrils of his fitful sleep.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Freezing, Luffy listened to the sound of liquid hitting something hard. Flashes of the nightmare rushed through his mind as his heart pounded and his throat closed up in fear. Opening diluted eyes, Luffy anxiously looked around.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Swiveling his head to the right, Luffy noticed water leaking in through the windowsill. Remnants of last night's storm gathered in the cracks in the wood, running together to form fat drops that fell to the wood bellow with loud splats.
Feeling his heart slow down and his breathing return to normal, Luffy started to assess the situation. He was in the fort, wrapped in a woolen blanket. Alone.
Luffy tried to remember last night. He remembered talking to Dadan and Dogra. He remembered their faces looking... weird. Not right. He remembered getting a drink of water from the river.
Groaning, Luffy held his head. All this thinking was giving him a headache. Come to think of it, his head throbbed something awful. Carding his fingers through his raven locks, Luffy felt his scalp sting and his fingers touch something crusty. Face contorting in disgust, Luffy quickly removed his hand and wiped the mystery residue on his pants, not even wanted to know what kind of crap he must've clumsily fallen into.
Discarding the rest of the blanket that was still half-draped over his body, Luffy rose to his feet to stretch. The young boy stumbled a bit, holding his head as the room around him spun and his vision danced. When he felt balanced, Luffy looked around. Whatever he had eaten last night had not sat with him well. First weird dreams and now dizziness? Luffy made a mental note to be more careful with what he ate, a message that was quickly forgotten as a new thought entered his mind. He was very thirsty.
Luffy licked his dry lips and swallowed, only to break into a coughing fit as his throat spasmed. What's going on? Not allowing himself time to think, Luffy rushed to the basin near the door that they used for washing. Noting that the water was clean and unused - Ace must've filled it this morning - Luffy cupped his hands and drank the room-temperature water. Throat stinging, Luffy drank until he felt his throat loosen.
Satisfied, the young boy sat back on his heels. This had never happened to him before. Was he getting sick? It had rained last night. Maybe he had gotten his feet wet and hadn't realized. The more Luffy though about it, the less he could remember what had actually happened last night. Bits of his nightmare blurred with reality until he could no longer think straight.
I have to find Ace.
That single thought wiped all other fragments of memories from his exhausted brain. He needed to see his brother. He was hungry.
A moment later, rustling was heard outside. Tensing slightly, Luffy waited, only to relax as he watched his brother move into the hut, dragging what appeared to be a large rabbit. Noticing the small boy by the wash basin, Ace momentarily turned a questioning gaze to Luffy, only to brush it off.
"You're awake." he grunted, pulling the rabbit to the corner of the room. Ace began tying rope hog-style around it's limbs to string the carcass up on a peg in the wall. Luffy staggered to his feet to assist, but the bigger boy just waved him off as he expertly tied the knots.
"Is that breakfast?" Luffy asked, feeling drool collect in his mouth.
"Mhm" Ace noised affirmatively with a piece of rope clutched between his teeth. With a final heave, the boy lifted the large beast into the air, lassoing the rope around the peg and checking it's strength. Satisfied, the boy walked to the basin, rinsing his hands.
"Yosh!" Luffy fist pumped into the air and darted over the the rabbit, only to be stopped by a hand clutching the back of his shirt. Surprised, Luffy turned around to see Ace, the older's face holding no emotion.
"Not yet." Ace drawled, releasing the younger's shirt, causing the small boy to stumble. "We are long over-due for training."
"Training?" Luffy questioned. He hurt all over. Truthfully, Luffy felt as thought someone hit him with a boulder and his throat felt like he had eaten a pail full of nails. Whining, Luff voiced the most important thought on his mind. "But I'm hungry."
"You can eat once you've deserved it." Ace stated, his tone leaving no room for arguing. He moved towards the door and out of the hut. "Let's go."
Bewildered, Luffy was left with no other choice but to follow.
"I'll go first, Ace!" Luffy called out to his brother who stood at the opposite side of the clearing, his arms crossed and face unreadable. The boys hadn't sparred since Sabo's death, and truthfully the sandy training grounds felt a bit empty and ominous. Shaken the feeling off, Luffy set his feet and readied his fist. Pulling his arm back and winding up, he called out, sure he would make a hit this time.
"Gomu gomu no-"
But before the smaller raven could launch his attack, Ace was there, the older boy appearing seemingly out of no where. Stunned, Luffy hesitated, and that was all it took. Ace lashed out, landing a well-aimed kick to the smaller's stomach and sending him flying back into the tree behind him. Luffy hit the bark with a painful thud as all his air rushed out of him. Slumping to the ground, Luffy crouched on hands and knees, gasping for breath.
But Ace was too quick. Before he could even look up, Luffy felt a strong punch connect wit his left cheek, throwing his light body to the ground once more. His mind stunned blank, the younger looked up as his brother's face moved into his line of vision.
"You're too slow. You spend too much time on the preparation. The enemy could've easily killed you by now." Ace said in monotone, emphasizing his words with a sharp kick to the smaller boy's side.
Luffy let out a pained cry, curling up on instinct.
"Oh come on, you crybaby." Ace sneered down at the younger, raining more kick and punches on the younger's frail body. "You're weak! Get up!"
Luffy was confused. Why was this hurting? He was made out of rubber! He knew Ace was strong, but his brother would never really hurt him. It must just be because he's sick. That's it. Whatever sickness he had must be making Ace's hits hurt that much more.
"Come on! I said get up!" Another harsh kick to the side. At this point, Luffy was afraid something would break.
Please, stop. It hurts. Luffy felt tears gather in the corner of his eyes, but he pushed them back. He wasn't a crybaby!
But this is too much.
"Ace, please stop! I'm done."
But he didn't. The older kept hitting him, each punch blurring into the next. It was as though he couldn't even hear the smaller. Growing desperate, Luffy tried again.
"Ace! STOP. You win! Please, it hurts!" Luffy screeched, his voice growing raw.
Stunned, Ace paused mid-swing, lowering his fist to his side. As though awakening from a trance, the older blinked owlishly, before shaking his head violently and breathing heavily.
"Tch. Pathetic. You haven't gotten stronger at all."
The words hurt more than the kicks.
Luffy stayed curled on the ground where he was, his eyes following his brother as the older walked to the chalkboard, adding another tally next to the slot labeled 'Ace'.
"Get up." The older said, turning back to his brother.
Luffy quietly obeyed, unsteadily rising to his feet. Ace eyed him up and down, his gaze narrowing into a judgmental glare.
"Can you walk?"
Luffy nodded, albeit hesitantly and while clutching his side tenderly. The smaller boy slowing limped over to his brother, keeping a wary distance from the older.
"Can... can we eat now... please? I'm hungry." Luffy mumbled quietly, hopefully.
Ace scrutinized the younger. "I'm not sure that you deserved it."
Luffy felt cold fear drop into his stomach. He was starving.
"Go to Dadan's and clean yourself up. If you're fast enough I might save you something."
Luffy looked up hopefully, searching his brother's gaze.
But the older's eyes betrayed nothing, his stare blank.
"Go, quickly. Or you won't get anything."
Not daring to take any chances, Luffy turned away, hobbling quickly in the direction of the bandit's hut. His mind was occupied by only once thought: food.
His back turned, the younger boy missed the satisfied gleam in the older's eyes and the way his hand twitched.
A tiny droplet of blood fell from Ace's hand.
Drip.
DONE. Ugh, why was this one hard? Anyway, I hoped you guys still liked it. I really do love writing for you guys, and I love writing this story. This chapter was just harder compared to the others :P
Footnotes:
- Now you know where the cover photo is from! I know it's bad that I had that picture finished way before this chapter was posted. But now you know! (cue Bill Nye the Science Guy music) :D
- I had said this in the first chapter's footnote, but I think it's important to put again. Ace is unknowingly using haki. This is why his kicks, punches, etc. is causing Luffy harm. He doesn't know that. Luffy doesn't know that (that's why he's so confused), but we know that MWAHAHAHA. I think it's just important to keep in mind. Without that bit, Ace wouldn't be able to harm Luffy. Which would be good for Luffy, but bad for the plot of the story.
To the Reviewers!
Guest - It seems I have trapped another innocent reader mwahahaha! Thank you SO much for reading. I am the same way with stories. I get so excited reading one and so upset when an author gives up on them. I DO NOT WANT TO BE THAT AUTHOR. I am continuing this story until it's completion. That is my duty as it's author. And even if I don't have time, I will still write it. If it takes longer for updates (like this one was), I will apologize and try to do better. But it is for people like you that I write for! So i will not let you down! Thank you for reading! :)
FuuYuki34 - Ahhh nooo not the puppy eyes! D: I'm sorry for the continuing cliff hangers. But how else would I get y'all to come back? *evil smirk* I hope you'll keep reading and reviewing. You've reviewed for each one and that makes me so unbelievably happy! THANK YOU!
Torao - I look forward to the next update too! Because then I can not be drowning in guilt for not updating! Haha, thank you for reading and for your review! :3
Miki - Yay! I have sucessfully broken someone's heart! Am I supposed to be happy about this? I'm so glad you liked the different POV. It was fun. Sorry that this chapter wasn't (in my opinion) as interesting. I'm really excited about the next one though. No spoliers~~ hehe. Thank you for your review and for reading!
noname - awwwww, thank you! I'm glad you liked my crappy picture! Well, now you have the story behind the crappy picture! Woo! Thank you for reading. I'm glad you liked Ace's POV. It was a lot more fun than it should've been haha. Thanks for the review! :)
Llaelien - Thank you! I'm sorry this update wasn't very quick. I'm guilty. But I hope you will keep reading! I'll keep writing! Thank you for your review!
LovelyMinx17 - Mndrifmrf, okay. So your absolutely brilliant story Silent is a fic I was reading before I got the guts to join FF. And I love that story. So when you reviewed I got so excited and I was able to re-find your story to give you a review and fav and whatnot. So yeah, mini fangirl moment but you know, no biggie *dies*. Anywho, thank you very much for your interest. Poor Luffy isn't faring too well. But I guess we will just have to wait and see! Thanks for your review! I hope you'll keep reading! :D
Satan-chan - Mwhehehehe (I suppose that's like a mini-evil giggle?) you will just have to read to find out! I know I'm so mean to Luffy. But I can't help it. I hope you aren't too depressed! It's all planned out, so don't worry! I hope you'll keep reading! Thank you for your review!
Resha Tsubaki - Good question! I answered it above in the footnotes incase anyone else had the same question. Ace is using small amounts of haki to harm Luffy. Since Garp hurt Luffy that way, I figured it could be the same for Ace. That's how Luffy hurt his ankle and how Luffy got hurt in this chapter as well. Thank you for helping to to clear that up! Let me know if anything else doesn't make sense. I really appreciate it! :)
Illumanati-4 - FINALLY SOMEONE ASKS ABOUT THE LETTER! You get a gold star! Haha I was wondering if anyone would notice that! That's so awesome! All very good questions, but I'm afraid I can't say anything without spoiling too much! I'm sorry. But you are on the right track asking about Dadan and Garp! Also, I'm so pleased that you noticed how hurting Luffy numbed Ace. You see it again in this chapter I think. Yup, looks like he found something to take his mid of Sabo. Unfortunately, at poor Luffy's expense. And if Sabo knew what was going on... let's just say I would NOT want to be anywhere near there. Thank you so much for your review. I'm glad you think this is intense. I think so too. I apologize if this chapter was icky (I just think it was, so I feel the need to apologize), but hopefully the next ones will be much better! Thank you for reading and I hope you will continue to do so! :3
In other news, I am in the process of getting my second story ready to be posted. It is another One Piece fic (I thought I would stay in this fandom for now) and it's a Fantasy, Modern AU. This is a fic that I had tumbling around even before Blame actually, but I wanted to hold off on it. I think some of you might really enjoy it. It's different from this fic, but similar at the same time. DON'T WORRY. Blame will still be my priority. I honestly don't know when I will get around to posting the other. Probably not until I have a few more chapters of Blame completed and a nice stock of the new story's chapters as well. I just thought I would let you guys know if you were interested. I'll just say one word.
Dragons.
Okay, that's all. I hope you enjoyed this update. Reviews are very much appreciated. Let me know if you would rather a PM reply then one in the actual chapter itself. See you soon!
Respectively yours,
Faith&Fantasy