Chapter 01- That circus in the woods

Oh my god oh my god oh my god! I am so sorry for not replying to every review I received! They made me really happy! I'll do my best to answer them all this time!

This chapter...well, my beta hasn't read it because this is her birthday's present and I'm so sorry that I'm late little one, I hope you like it and I'm really happy you were born and that we have met!

I'm really embarassed to publish a chapter that has only my approval (given at 00:44) and I'm sorry if it's too short for you and and and I hope you'll like it nevertheless! *bows and runs to hide*

The sky was clear that day, leaving the brilliant sun shine and warm the deck, but Marco couldn't appreciate any of its heat like most of his siblings were doing. Instead, he was penned inside his room, submerged by paperwork. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was really tiring, checking that the ship had always enough supplies, weapons, material for little reparations, medical equipment, medicines, new furniture if the old one was damaged...and everything his brothers and sisters needed. And with a large family like Whitebeard's, there was a lot to check. Not to mention the financial side of it all. Marco was tempted to throw all the paperwork out of the window, but he couldn't. He was ready to continue with his work when someone threw open the door without even knocking.

"Hey there birdie!"

Marco's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"What is it Tatch?"

"Aww, come on, that's the way to talk to your favorite brother?"

Marco gave him a skeptical look and Tatch pouted childishly.

"I came to drag you to the city. There's a festival, you know!"

Marco calmly stared at him, unfazed.

"And you want me to help you pick up women."

"Yes- I mean – No!"

The blond quirked an eyebrow.

"No?"

Tatch smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Well, we could go, but you just really should go out of your room. You know, it's been a while since you came out and enjoyed the fresh air."

"I don't have time to play with you Tatch."

Marco returned to the papers he had in his hands, starting to write down all the supplies they needed until the next island. The other whined.

"Come on Marco, it'll be fun, these boring paper could wait a night or two".

"No they couldn't"

"But-" The next complain was stopped by the sound of someone storming down the hallway laughing.

"MarcoMarcoMarcoMarcoMarcoooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Haruta dashed past his door only to collide painfully against the wall. Both men flinched at the sound but just after few seconds Haruta's head popped inside the room. A large grin was on his mouth and his eyes shone with excitement. His nose was a little red, the only sign that indicated that he slammed against a hard surface.

"What's up squirt?"

Asked Tatch with a grin, making the younger commander glare.

"I'm not a squirt."

Tatch laughed.

"Of curse not." He smiled. "...squirt."

The kick that hit his shin was only to be expected then. But Tatch just kept on laughing. Deciding that was better to stop Haruta from killing his chef brother, even if he himself sometimes wanted to kill the man, was a good idea, he cleared his throat, bringing the attention back on him.

"What can I do for you Haruta?"

The kid's eyes sparkled with glee and he started bouncing in excitement.

"Marco, I've heard there's a circus in the woods beside the city! Can we go see it? Pretty please?"

"Well, you can go, but I have to-"

"Come on Marco, it will be fun! The others will come too!"

"I can't, really."

Haruta's eyes become blank.

"Pops said that if you won't come out of your room he would throw you in town."

Marco flinched. He knew what Pops meant by "throwing". He meant taking the person in his hands and literally throw them in the direction he wanted, using his Devil Fruit powers. The blond sighed.

"Ok, I'll come."

Haruta and Tatch cheered happily.

"We're going to have so much fun!"

Tatch grinned, grabbing him by his wrist and dragging him out his room. Marco let him do as he pleased. Not that he had a choice anyway. Such bothersome family, giving him so much to do and than complaining he barely had any fun at all.

However he had to admit that being on land for once was nice. The city was rather big, between the blue sea and the green of woods. It was full of lights and stands that sold food and souvenirs. Everyone seemed to have a good time. It really was expected, since that island was famous for its festivals.

He slowly followed his brothers, whom were darting from one place to the other, until he saw the other commanders chat on the edges of the woods.

"Finally! What took you so long?" Izo seemed really annoyed.

"Thatch wanted to know how some dishes were made here" Haruta accused joyfully, not really minding his brother's irritation.

"Hey! You stopped too! I saw you-"

"Enough! If the show already started I'm going to have you on potato duty for a month!"

"Eh?! That's cruel!" Haruta whined, as Thatch laughed.

"You can't make me do that, I already have to peel hundreds of potatoes daily." He said with an amused grin.

"Then you'll clean the toilets." Tatch's smile fell.

"You can't do that! You aren't the one who decides the shifts! Marco does!"

The feminine man smiled. "Obviously not." He then turned to face Marco. "Is it alright with you?"

He shrugged. "I don't see why I should complain." Both Haruta and Tatch were looking at him with wide eyes. "You can't be serious!" They shouted.

"We are really going to miss the show if you won't stop arguing." Fossa said, effectively shutting them all up.

"Right!" Haruta sprinted towards the woods, while the others followed with a slower pace. Marco was the last one, not letting a single one of his siblings to escape his careful eyes. He knew they were able to protect themselves, but he couldn't help it: he was the eldest brother and he always made sure that his brothers were safe. They all were relaxed, chatting cheerfully with one another and he smiled, happy.

"Oh! There it is!" He heard Haruta shout, pointing at the Circus like an exited child. Marco paused in front of the tent, eyeing it suspiciously. It wasn't really fond of circus, they were cruels. Lost in thought he barely noticed his siblings entering the red and white stripped tent. He was about to go in when a flicker of orange caught his attention. He frowned, turning his head to the side and he furring his eyebrows. A young man was running. He was far away, but not enough to not to notice his black hair and a pair of long, beautiful, orange wings. He was fast, almost a blur of black, orange and the soft pink of his skin. Marco looked at him until he could no longer be seen in the green. There was something wrong with that man, but he couldn't, for the life of his, say what.

"Marco, what are you doing?" He heard Vista calling and he turned to him, entering the tent.

"Sorry, a bird caught my eyes."

Inside, the tent was big and full, really full. All kinds of people came to see the show, from the children to the old ones. It wasn't easy to find a seat, but they managed. They were in a good position too, since they could see the sand ring perfectly.

The lights went off and an exited buzz started.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen."

The spotlight was suddenly lit on the center of the stage. He was a tall an thin man, with black hair and black eyes that shone with a mischievous light. He was wearing a worn but still beautiful tuxedo and had a top hat on his head.

"My name is Phil. Let me thank you for coming to see the Sunflower Circus." He bowed, smiling like a Cheshire cat. The audience cheered and his next words were almost a purr.

"We are delighted to have such an audience. Please, just relax and enjoy the show." There was a soft popping sound and the host disappeared inside a cloud of mist. The spotlight went off and another one was lit, this time to illuminate a frail looking trapeze artist. She moved gracefully, like her body had no weight. Marco watched her dance trough the air with mid interest. She was good, but he could already fly so he had no interest in watching someone faking it for him. Next, the acrobats came. Then the clowns and then the jugglers. He had to admit, it was fun. Well, he could have used a better entertainment but he wasn't complaining.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please let me introduce you to the pride and joy of this circus. Beware of his looking, because he is a beast in human body! Prepare yourselves for our unique..." He gestured towards the curtains where two build men came from, dragging heavy looking chains.

"FIRE BIRD!" An oversized bird cage came to view and the audience gasped. A young man was standing there. He had lack hair and dark eyes. He was wearing large black pants that covered all his leg until his ankle and a black scarf was rapped around his torso in a way that left nothing to the imagination but that covered him enough not to be bare. In all this black, the orange of his wings was stunning and confusing. Marco scanned with wide eyes the stunning wings and his breath stuck in his troth. His plumage was beautiful and seemed so soft, but was ruffled and dirty. His primary flight feathers were missing. He couldn't believe it. They clipped his wings.

A special thanks to Rehassa for the beautiful idea of clipped wings. I hope you liked it...