What is this? A super early new release chapter? NOPE. It's the first bonus chapter of For Less! Yay.

Who said that bonus chapters must be released in the same due date as the actual chapters? no one. So, as an example of what a bonus chapter would be like, i wrote this. It's something cute or funny that is only about 1000 to 2000 words.

I'm sorry if some of you don't feel comfortable with the OC. (cry) And like a Guest has reviewed (i appreciate you true feelings, Guest, my friend) I will try my utmost best to not make Merry the main character of this story. I never planned for Merry to become the main character anyways. Lufffy will always be the main character because i love Luffy, despite him being a girl or a boy.

PS: Merry is not Going Merry, just so you know, you probably already knew anyways. The story of going Merry is a story for Chapter 10 or Chapter 11. it's either one of them, ten or eleven. so look forward to it!

Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I love One Piece, i cherish it but i don't own it, sadly.

DAWN OF ROMANCE

Ace climbed onto his little fishing raft, his leg was in mid-way when he felt an arm wrapped around his shoulders. He turned to the girl and like usual, she was wearing that cheeky grin on her face as she rested her chin on his broad shoulders. After all these years, Ace still couldn't help the heat flowing to his cheeks.

'Bye, Ace. Gonna miss you.' She said with an adorable pout. Ace didn't want to admit (like how much he didn't want to admit he was actually tsundere) but the girl had become pretty. Her black silky hair was trimmed short and neat – work of Merry, of course – secured from going wild by a bright yellow headband. Her big doe eyes glimmer like crystal and always had that pureness to it. She had become, no matter how much she denies it, a lady. Her body had become beautifully curved and her features were beginning to turn feminine.

'Oh, come on, Lu, aren't you gonna hug me too? You're making Ace blush because of special treatment.' Sabo, who was stationed in a similar boat which was facing another direction, teased. He was still dressed in his similar blue tailcoat and pants, the new white tie now in place of the old, tattered one.

Luffy tottered over to Sabo, the little pout still on her face. She did the same to him, a hug then the words of 'will be missing'. Merry came out from the woods, leapt off the cliff and landed on the golden sandy beach with a light thud. He came over; each had holding a small travelling bag. Throwing the orange one to Ace and stuffing the other one into Sabo's hands, he spoke in an imposing voice, 'You're my brothers and I trained you so you'll be big, alright? Or no, when I go out to sea with Luffy, I'll hunt you guys down.'

That was totally terrifying. The look of Merry's face make him look like he was about to murder someone. Ace and Sabo swallowed the lump of fear in their throats and nodded in unison. The image of Merry hunting them down was even worse than a tag game with Garp. Being chased by Merry must be even worse than being chase by the worst pirate hunter. And this statement was proven real by the experience Sabo and Ace had training with Merry each day over the course of the years.

Seeing the terrified face of his two brothers, Merry knew that his message had gotten through to them. He stepped closer and fixed their clothes, gently like a mother fixing her son's clothes before he left for college. 'I prepared your toothpastes, spare clothing, canned food – just in case you guys get hungry – and a photobook for memories in those bags. Try not to lose them.' He smiled and took a step back, a proud look on his face. 'So, how're the new clothes I made for you?'

'They're great. They fit perfectly. As expected of Merry.' Sabo complimented, looking over his suit one last time. Ace snorted, receiving a glare from Merry. He was annoyed, no matter how much he tried to say he doesn't need to wear a shirt, Merry still had to force it on him. The raven haired boy was clothed with an unbuttoned black t-shirt, dark denim shorts and boots. Placed on his head was an orange that seemed to fit the boy perfectly.

'If you don't like, I won't mind taking the clothes back, all of them, including that beloved hat I gave to you on your sixteenth birthday. Then you can sail to the seas naked. That way, your name will be known throughout the world much faster.' Merry said with a smirk, his palm holding out teasingly. Ace grumbled like an annoyed child and turned his back.

Sabo chuckled. He reached out his hand and ruffled his little sister's hair, 'We'll be leaving now. I'll miss you guys too.' He said with a mellow smile, a sad glint in his eyes. Merry turned to him, an assuring look on his face. Sabo nodded to Ace before kicking off, heading south. The coal haired boy smile a kind smile that rarely ever decorated his face and followed Sabo's example, heading north. They turned around in unison. 'Towards romance, we head. And if we meet again, I'll be a member of the Revolutionary Army, fending against the cursed blood of this world. I will record my adventures and become a man famous for his words of poetry!' Sabo announced. The eloquent man bowed lowed after taking off his hat, allowing his curly, dirty blond hair to flow in the salty wind. 'Here, we temporary bid farewell.'

'And I, I will become a name that will be known in every one's mind. I will engrave my era on every book in this world and will prove to everyone that Portgas D. Ace has existed!' Ace shouted, looking up towards the blue sky.

Merry couldn't help but let a small smile of pride sneak onto his lips. Luffy grinned at her brothers as they turn into the tiny dots in the horizon, a silent tear of sadness and pride ran down her cheek. It was a great day for all of them but one day, somewhen after tomorrow, when their dreams are all accomplished, this day will be a beautiful memory that will be much more precious than any treasure or jewel.

Three years later

'Come on! The villagers are waiting for us!' The black haired girl dragged her brother downhill. She was slightly shorter than girls her age but it was no doubt she was uniquely pretty. She wore a bright unbuttoned bright red vest that lay atop of the sun yellow cropped tank top and a pair of blue, loose jeans that reached half her thighs, a pair of sandals worn on her feet. Her iconic straw hat safely strapped to the leather belt around her hips.

She was speeding on the muddy track when she lost her balance and slipped. She rolled down the slope, pulling the silver haired boy along with her. 'Oomph!' Luffy landed on the lap of her brother, Merry, and uttered with a cheeky grin. 'That was fun.'

'It was not. I'm not amused, Luffy.' Merry said, trying to sit up. He wiped away the blotches of mud that had managed to dirty his beloved lavender bowler hat. He grabbed Luffy and placed her to a side, then stood up and wiped away the stray murky brown dirt that was sticking to his white pants and light purple trench coat.

'Hey, let's do that again!' Luffy jumped to her feet and said excitedly. She didn't even bother to clean her clothes. Before allowing her brother to reply, she grabbed onto his gloved hands and decided to climb up the hill, again.

'Oi, Luffy. We can't do that again. We have to leave now, they even prepared to boat for us.' Merry said as he yanked his hand out of her grip. Luffy turned to the awaiting villagers and scratched the back of her neck with a shy grin. 'Come on, let's go!' Luffy grabbed his hand again and pulled him across the village. Merry watched as the multiple windmills whizzed through his view, he had already felt a sense nostalgia.

The villagers waved at them from afar, whistles, cheers, cries echoed through the warm air. They opened up a pathway as the two siblings whizzed past them and land on the boat, splashing gallons of water on the people as the fishing raft churned wildly. It was an important day for all of them; it was the day that Luffy left for her journey. Merry unsheathed his rapier, letting the black blade gleam in the light, then sliced down, cutting the rope that held the boat from floating away from the coast. 'Goodbye everyone!'

'When we meet again, I will become the Pirate Queen!' Luffy bounced up and down on the boat, waving to her friends and family.

Just so you know, with two people, the raft was extremely cramped. There was also the barrel of fruits that Makino had given to the two out of care and the supplies they prepared. Seeing Luffy jump around, making the small boat nearly flip, Merry just want to kick her off. If he had remembered correctly, in the last life, they had done this once before. Luffy was supposed to jump into the water to test out the sea resistant ability that Merry had given her but in the end; Merry was the one who was in the water.

Merry secured his hat with his hand, careful to not let it slip off. He used the other hand to hold the bouncy girl down, 'Stop jumping, you're going to flip the boat.' He ordered in a stern voice. Luffy stuck out her tongue as if saying 'oops' then sat down next to her brother. They rowed the boat across sea, breaking its calm surface and disappearing into the horizon.

'I'm surely going to miss those two.' Makino said her hands on her hips. She had been taking care of Luffy since the girl was two. She still remembered that day when Garp barged into her newly made bar, carrying a little ball of sunshine in his arms. It made her smile.

'Missing and all, the next time we see their face, it's going to be on a bounty poster. They're going to ruin this town's reputation!' Mayor Woop Slap spat out, he tottered forward to stand next to Makino. Despite all his grumbling, everyone in town knew how much he cared for the children. That day three years ago when Ace and Sabo left without saying a word, he threw a tantrum for not informing him.

Luffy sat her back against Merry. While the boy controlled the water towards the nearest ship so they could hitch a ride - since the boat was too weak to support them - , Luffy would continuously pick a fruit out from the barrel and finish it with one bite. 'Stop eating, if you continue, we'll run out of food before we reach the ship.'

'But I'm bored.' Luffy whined, chomping down on another pear. Merry shook his head but continued either way. Suddenly, feeling a presence underneath, Merry stopped the water stream, making the boat shake. The blue surface broke open, revealing a gigantic eel –like sea king in a shade of green.

Luffy looked up from her meal and waved at the Lord of the Coast, 'Hey, thanks again.'

The beast bowed its head low and spoke in its hardly understandable raspy tone, 'It is my honour to serve you, the Escort. And this must be your Guide; I've seen that water power before.' He indicated to Merry.

The silver-haired boy bowed in return. 'I thank you for guiding me here eight years ago. Your service had been a great help.'

'As I am here for one last bid of farewell before you leave for your journey, I must hope you best on your road to success.' The Sea King spoke its prayers and ducked back into the water, creating a wave to push the raft forward. Merry smiled and took his hat off as a greeting and Luffy waved with a grin. Today, is a great day, a day that will be remembered in history as the day the Pirate Queen begins her journey once again. But this time, she left in hope of losing less than what she had sacrificed before, for this time, she will be stronger.

Today is a new beginning, a new start. Today is the new ROMANCE DAWN!

Next chapter: Chapter 7: Sailing Winds of Change

Look forward to it. Sorry for the mistakes, like always. Give a fav/follow/ review.

And just so you know, you guys have been very supportive lately and i seriously would want you guys to be more expressive like 'Guest' (i'm sorry, i don't know your name) :( i wouldn't really mind if you say things like you don't like this and stuff. Just so you know, Merry is a main character - like Zoro, Sanji, Nami and ect. - but he is not the Main Character - Luffy.

See you next time,

Knox :P