Me: I've been thinking of how to go along the story as it is. And then Garp came to me in a dream… it was scary 0_0 Helpful, but scary.

Enjoy please!

P.s. I do know that Garp isn't Ace's Grandpa, but in a sense, their relationship came that way… No matter how much Ace denies it. ^^


5. A Pirate's Birthday

"Your grandpa Garp is here!"

Ace, with a carefully emotionless face, stared at the old man in front of his door and outside the house.

"Well? Aren't you going to give me a-"

Ace then slammed the door close and casually walks away from the entrance.

"Ace? Is that Jiji?" Luffy innocently asked as he popped his head out from the kitchen, the big-sized straw hat on his tiny head tilting over one of his eyes. It was Shanks' hat, and it had represents a promise between the two: that Luffy would give it back to Shanks when he becomes a great pirate.

Ace snorted at the thought. Yeah, as if he'll let that crazy-as* pirate see his brother again.

"No, just some cracked up old man who claims to be our grandfather."

"…Jiji is not going to be held up by a door."

"That is why I asked a favor from the blacksmith to reinforce it with steel."

"…Jiji is not going to be held up by a door."

As to prove Luffy's point, Ace heard a loud "bang!" towards the entrance, twitching as he turn to see a good imprint of Garp's face welded from sheer force on the door. It was obvious that the door wouldn't last in a few minutes.

"Yeah, your right."

Ace turned to his little brother, who looked at the door with slight fear and amazement. Their grandfather is a force to be reckoned with.

"Luffy go to the bedroom and if necessary, find a place to hide."

"But what about-"

"I'll be fine, go go." Ace ushered as he grabbed his brother out of the kitchen and gently push him towards the bedroom. Luffy whined all the way, wondering why he couldn't protect his brother from Garp; Ace couldn't help but smile slightly at the caring thought.

But he's more worried about Luffy than himself since he knows how to defend himself against their grandfather's "fist of love".

After he was able to convince Luffy to stay in their bed room, bribing him with some roast beef if he does, and walked back to the living room, only to see that his door by then was already annihilated with a puffy red Vice Admiral.

Ace founds himself sighing.

"What is it that you want Jiji?"

"IS THAT HOW YOU TREAT YOUR GRANDFATHER AFTER HE HAD A HARD DAY IN WORK AND EVEN THEN HAVE A BIG HEART TO COME VISIT YOU?"

"YOU STUPID OLD GEEZER, DON'T COME HERE ALL THE SUDDEN AND EXPECT A WELCOME! YOU SHOULD'VE SENT A LETTER AHEAD!"

"BUT I WANT TO MAKE MY VISIT A SURPRISE FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!"

"I DON'T WANT YOU TO VISIT FOR MY- Wait what? My birthday?"

Ace looked utterly confuse.

"Wait a minute… what's today...?"

The teen refrained himself from socking his grandfather, only hoping to at least give the Vice Admiral a black eye, as he saw that smug expression on Garp's face.

"Whaaaa? ~ Why do you want to know the date? I'm pretty sure it does have something to do with your birt-"

"Shut up and give me today's date you stupid geezer or do I just have to go and find a calendar-"

"HOW DARE YOU ADDRESS YOUR LOVING GRANDFATHER LIKE THAT!"

"YOU ARE NEITHER LOVING NOR MY GRANDFATHE-"

Ace flinched as he saw the kicked puppy look from Garp, a trait that Luffy no doubtfully picked from the old man. Of course, the effect is much less since this is coming from the old man, so it didn't have the same heart-breaking results like it always had when Luffy does it.

"I mean… you're… fine…" Ace spat it out as if saying it burns his tongue. "And… I guess I see you as a… grandfather…kinda…"

Ace didn't expect the crushing hug he got from Garp –though he had a feeling that he should expect something familiar to that –and also… the fist of love after that.

"OUCH! WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR OLD MAN?"

"THAT IS FOR INSULT YOUR defenseless GRANDFATHER!"

"YOU'RE ANYTHING BUT DEFENSELESS!"

"IS THAT WHAT YOU SAY TO ME AFTER I CAME HERE TO GIVE YOU A PRESENT?"

"I DON'T NEED YOUR PRESENT! …Wait, what present?"

Any present from Garp is surely disastrous; and he had the scars to prove it. His presents usually have something to do with the so-called "fist of love" or a training plan to become part of gramps little marine group, their grandfather's dream for them.

Garp grinned widely and innocently. So innocently, that Ace might believe that it could have be an actually good present from Garp. A normal one at the very least. He doesn't care if it is a pack of doughnuts, just something that doesn't have to do with his whole body sore in the end of the day. Or at least with his sanity intact.

"I came here to take Luffy on the wonderful and life fulfilling journey of becoming a marine back to headquarters!"

So much for that bullsh-.

Ace wasn't above kicking his grandfather out of the house. Literally.

"WHAT KIND OF PRESENT IS THAT?" Ace loudly questioned while Garp rubbed his hurting bum. "OUT OF ALL THE PRESENT, THIS TAKES THE CAKE!"

"Oh yes! We definitely need cake for your birthday!"

Ace grabbed the doorknob- wait, he forgotten. Garp just ripped the door off the hinges just a few minutes ago. Since so, he just ends up throwing his hands up in the air out of exasperation and turn to get away from the old man.

"Oh come on, this is for both of you! I mean, you don't plan on taking Luffy to go to sea with you, now do you?"

At that sentence, Ace stopped, looking back at his grandfather with shock. What is that old geezer talking about?

"You know; you're promise with-"

"I don't want to talk about it old man!" Ace snapped.

The subject about Sabo is still sensitive. Yeah, it has been three years now but any discussion about Sabo is still pretty delicate. Ace still couldn't get himself to put away the dark times out of his mind when the subject is mentioned. Even Luffy had still remembered parts of it and was obviously squeamish whenever Sabo was mentioned. He is doing a lot better than Ace, able to talk about it when asked, but he is still saddened that his sworn brother that he loves is gone.

"But you understood what I mean, don't you?"

Ace continued to say nothing, refusing to answer Garp's question while the old seadog just shook his head. Ace is still so childish. He's concerned about how this one would be able to survive the sea unless, well, you're like Garp, who is a hero of many-

"Old… geezer…" Ace hesitantly called out as he slightly twitched, seeing the man in his own world; starry eyes and flowery background included. He could practically see what the old man is thinking. Somehow, he really wished he didn't know what the old man is thinking.

But this is a great chance to sneak away-

"HOW DARE YOU ADRESS YOUR GRANDFATHER THAT WAY!"

Or not. Same old song and dance.

"JUST SAY WHAT YOU WANT OLD MAN AND GET OUT OF MY PROPERTY!"

"FINE! YOU WANT ME TO SAY IT!"

"JUST SAY IT!"

Garp took a second to clear his throat, looking actually serious.

"Luffy can't come with you to sea." He bluntly stated, with a straight face and hard eyes; it surprised the teen to know how stern Garp is right now. He instantly knew that he couldn't take this conversation lightly.

"I know about the promise you made to Sabo. To leave at 17. Don't be stupid and take Luffy with you."


'Don't be stupid'. You of all people telling me that! Ace is currently thinking of ways to somehow decapitate his grand- Garp. To decapitate Garp. Trust me, when the man said 'Don't be stupid', it's a full-force insult coming from the man who cared more about mini doughnuts than his job altogether.

Garp had already left… Well, Ace practically forced him to leave his property with the man promising, while running away from the appliances that are accurately aimed for his head, that he'll come pick Luffy up prior to five days.

Ace then dared himself to look at the calendar afterwards. His birthday is tomorrow.

In other words, just 30 minutes away.

It does make Ace wondered; how could he forget his own birthday? Well, back then, he never really consider the day of his birth 'happy', but still… why would he just forget it like that? Maybe he had been working too hard and didn't bother to keep track of the days? Yeah, that sounds reasonable…

Despite so, Ace couldn't go to sleep, though he had work tomorrow. In the end, after many repeating reminders of going to sleep, he sat up on the futon and continued to stare out of the window in front of him though he shows nothing but the trees near the house. The freckled teen then looks at the newly brought alarm clock, seeing that it was 11:30 at night.

One could imagine what had happened to their last ones. In truth, Ace was never a morning person sometimes. Nor is his brother on some mornings despite he spends the rest of the day energetic and ready for adventure.

After staring at the clock for a few minutes, he turned his eyes at his sleeping brother's face, peaceful and cutely innocent.

He quickly looked away, troubled, and couldn't help but feel a bit jealous about how oblivious his brother is of the situation that is currently racking his brain for answers that he wasn't sure that existed.

He exactly knows what Garp is saying. He doesn't want to admit it, but the old man is currently making a lot of sense here. Sheesh, he thought it would be the end of the world if so.

His promise with Sabo that he made back then; about going out to sea becoming pirates at the age of 17, is promise he set out to do. Of course, Sabo went out to sea a little earlier than planned, but he had different circumstances and Ace recognized that. But that doesn't mean Ace wouldn't carry out what he had promised to Sabo. He still set his mind to go out to sea at the age of 17.

But what about Luffy?

Ace dared himself to look at his brother again, his eyes softening.

What should he do?

Leaving Luffy to Garp; the boy wouldn't survive… Maybe that was a bit overdramatic but he wasn't going to leave his kid brother in the mercy of the monster named 'Garp'.

But if Luffy comes with him…

Silently groaning to himself, he turned away once again and put his head into his hands, exhausted with a headache. He feared what could've happen if he took Luffy out to sea with him. He doesn't care that if Luffy comes with him; they'll run out of food and starved in the middle of the ocean. He doesn't care whether the boy would annoy him at every waking minute.

He feared Luffy would get hurt. He feared letting him see things that a child shouldn't see.

He feared that he might lose him. And he feared that Luffy would change because of it.

Being a pirate is fun and all but, it's dangerous. Every marine you'll faced, every pirate you'll face, every enemy you make; could cost you your life. It's a dangerous game that was played and underestimated. Any mistake could be your last. And when they make it to the Grand Line… He doesn't even want to think about it.

He remembered, in Sabo's letter; that he hoped that Ace would bring Luffy out to sea with him so he could see how much the child had grown. He questioned to rather if Sabo knows what he's writing; for how could he bring Luffy with him to a life where they would be hunted constantly? It was strange since Sabo was always protective of their little brother. Why permit to let Luffy out to sea with him? Of all people…

"Ace…? Aren't you gonna sleep?"

The said teen quickly snapped out of his thoughts, looking at his awakening cute little brother who had a drowsy expression, rubbing his eyes as if he's trying to rub the sleep off. The child looks at the clock near their bed to see that it's currently 11:45.

"I will Luffy, go back to sleep." He reassured softly, trying to cover up his troubles with a smile as he gently push his younger brother back down the futon. Luffy was unconvinced as he pouted towards his older brother and just stubbornly sat up again.

"What's wrong Ace?"

The said teen couldn't help but slightly flinch, proving to the little boy that something is definitely wrong here.

Luffy is just too observant for his own good. He just can instantly understands what is going around him… well, not exactly understand. He can feel what others are feeling but he isn't one to understand why they are feeling that way. And for that, Ace is pretty glad about that fact for the moment. He wasn't sure what to do when his brother figured out what was on his mind.

"Luffy… Do you like it here… in Fuusha village?"

The question obviously puzzled the little tike –catching the boy slightly off-guard since is seemed rather an off subject matter –as he made a confuse expression, tilting his head ever cutely.

"Yeah, I do. Makino is really nice and so is everyone else here."

Ace couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

"Is that so…?"

Feeling that his big brother felt even more troubled, Luffy crawled up next to him and grabbed his arm, sleepily snuggling against it. Ace instantly felt his heart warmed up at the actions his little brother took just to reassure him and instantly hug him into his arms. Luffy just simply patted him on the back several times as if he's the child, making him slightly chuckle silently.

"Everything will be fine Ace!"

Even though Ace knows that Luffy had no clue to what is going on right now, he couldn't help but smile as his little brother attempted to make him feel better. It kind of did, but it didn't stop the frustration he felt. And he still doesn't know what to do about the circumstances and the choices that are suddenly thrust upon him.

Abruptly, Luffy tried to struggle out of his brother's arms when he saw the clock.

Not knowing why all the sudden that Luffy decided to want to get away from him, Ace let's go and watched as his brother quickly jumps off the futon and out into the hall.

Now Ace is really confused. Did he do something wrong? Or does his brother have the sudden urge to go to the bathroom just right now?

But Ace do knows that he doesn't know what Luffy could have be thinking when he's standing in front of the bedroom door with that huge, mischievous grin, something behind his back. Should he be defensive or should he expect something predictable? Then again, Luffy is never predictable.

Maybe a prank to cheer him up? As much as he is touched by the fact that his brother wanted to cheer him up, he doubt he wanted to be part of whatever Luffy had in mind. His pranks always come out messy and not easy to clean up.

An orange hat shoved in front of his face; definitely not expecting that.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACE!" Luffy exclaimed happily with one of his biggest grins.

Ace didn't know how to react. At first, he didn't know what to say. He just sat there blinking stupidly at the hat. And then he looked at the clock, seeing that it's now 12:01. His birthday just officially started.

Ace carefully took the hat from his little brother, who is still grinning as if he earned a lifetime supply of meat. Looking upon the head wearing device, Ace wondered where in the world his little brother has found it. It wasn't brightly orange. More like an orange flame kind of color. It was kind of shaped close to a cowboy's hat. There were two symbols in the front. One is a happy face, despite that it looked quite devious and mischievous to be one; the other one is a sad face, the frown quite deep. The red beads that is what attaching the two symbols match rather well with the beads he had already possess around his neck from his last birthday gift from Luffy.

It was a strange gift but Ace can feel it swell with love.

"Makino helped me finding a present even though I found it first myself!" Luffy stated proudly with his chest out. He hoped that his brother would like the present. It was a pretty random in truth, finding it in a pawn shop and settled with it finally due to the fact that he had very little money. How he got the money is another story itself.

But he knows that Ace is quite happy with the present as his brother scooped him up into a bear hug, almost as if he's trying to squeeze the life out of him. Luffy giggled with happiness as he cuddles into his big brother's embrace.

"Thank you for the wonderful gift Luffy…" Ace words were muffled from Luffy's small shoulder, since he decided to bury his face in it.

Luffy simply patted his back as if to give him reassurance, though it was the fact that the little one couldn't wrap his arms around his brother to give him his own bear hug and so just settled patting him on the back.

Ace then remembered something, to as why he doesn't remember his own birthday. As sad as it was to not remember one's birthday; he didn't need to. Luffy always –always- is the one who reminds him of his own birthday through loud declarations. He is always the one to say the first happy birthday to him. He is always the one to make him feel like that the day of his birth, should be a happy day. And he could always count on Luffy for the best birthday of his life.

"You wanted to make a crew with me… right Luffy?"

Luffy looked up at his brother with those big, wide eyes that he adores, grinning at the question while nodding vigorously.

"Yep! I'll go everywhere with you Ace!"

"Even if it meant leaving everyone here?"

"Yeah! You're my brother Ace; I want to go with you!" There was no hesitantion in the answer, and there was a glint in Luffy's eyes that means that he had set his mind to it already. "I want to have adventures together!"

Ace himself grinned happily at the declaration, wanting no more than to smother his brother with love. He felt as if he had the best little brother in the world that couldn't be compared to any other.

"Ha! I doubt you can survive an attack!" He couldn't help but teased at the moment.

"Yes I can!" The fierceness of the immediate answer startled Ace, though it was only meant as a joke. Luffy was really stern with his answer, glaring at his brother like he usually do when the two of them would fight over who gets the last meat. "I can protect you Ace!"

Ace couldn't help but snorted at this, making his younger brother pouting. Despite so, the freckled teen couldn't help but feel warm, loved and happy.

"I'm strong!"

"Sure you are." Despite that he said it out of sarcasm; he realized how true the words are. Luffy's strong. That's probably why on Sabo's letter; he seemed pretty sure that Luffy would be out to sea with him. Because he somehow knew that Luffy would be strong enough to go out to sea and he have every confidence that it would come for the better.

Despite being rubber, Luffy found that his ribs hurt from the literally crushing hug he had to endure.


It was an interesting day.

Interesting if you mean barely escaping with their lives attached simply because Garp had came back to get Luffy earlier on the day they decided to go out to sea and threw and giant cannon ball at them that could no doubtfully kill them once it would reach and slam down at them, crushing their bodies.

Apparently, the local Sea King decided to appear and Luffy had the bright idea of using the poor sea creature to help him sling shot out of the giant cannon ball's reach, seemingly in one piece.

The Sea King had not been so lucky that day though.

And now, Garp is sulking at the Party Bar drinking whatever Makino had offered him.

"That was nice of you, Garp-san." Makino said with her ever warm smile, cleaning a glass from her last customer.

Garp grumbled a few words, saying something that he still doesn't approve about the life that they choose but knew from the fact that they wouldn't listen to him; being hard headed as him.

"Those brats better be grateful; their old generous grandfather letting them follows the path they had chosen."

"And I'm sure they had chosen the path carefully, Garp-san."

Garp grumbled once again, chugging on… whatever Makino had gave him; though it seemed to soothe him in some way.

"I still think they would be better off being marines."

"There are two things that one could give to their children –or grandchildren in your case: One is roots. The other is wings."

"But Luffy is only six years old!" Garp protested immediately, slamming his now emptied mug on the counter.

Makino just giggled while putting up the glass and then filling Garp's glass with milk.


Omake: The Real Reason

Sabo pondered to what he should put on his letter for Ace and Luffy –mostly to Ace since he doubted that Luffy would even bother to read despite if the letter is important.

He wrote about how he's going out to sea early to become a pirate himself and how he wanted Ace to take care of Luffy while he's away, sadden at the fact that he probably couldn't see his little brother in a while.

He stopped writing for a while a pondered what else he should write to his sworn brothers.

He smirks a bit as he wrote about how Ace should take Luffy out to sea with him when he went out to sea being a pirate.

He has no doubts that Ace would.

Mostly because he knew that Ace wouldn't dare be separated from his cute little brother; though if so, there was no need to write it. But it was just an encouragement for the stubborn freckled teen.

Plus, he also doubted it would be a good idea to leave Luffy alone on the island of where he had grown up in. He didn't really look excited to see it disappear, somehow sunk in the ocean when he came back. Though he could live without all those snobby nobles.

Who knows what kind of chaos that child could create if one of them wasn't watching him? He's Pandora's box waiting to be opened! But so is Ace… maybe he should mention about the diaper incident…


Me: Sorry it took so long! I had a vacation and several writer blocks to go with this *pouts*

Zoro: *snorts*

Me: *kick Zoro out of my room* Until next time! Sorry for the errors of so! Not the most dedicated grammar checker. Sorry if this one wasn't so cute. I made an omake to make up for that .