Yo!

Im back people..

Defintely faster than last time..

I guess that fanrt that I drew for Ace and Sei were the trigger for my plot bunnies to wake up.

The image was just bugging my head for the whole week and I ended up finsing myself in front of my beloved sketchbook—drawing while listening to one song. Butterfly Kiss.

Here it is folks!

Kindly read and review! :D

Hira: …. Hmmmm.. im planning to cosplay as you Ace.. *pokes Ace*

Ace: *raises eyebrows* hm? You're going to remove your top?

Hira: *bonks Ace's head* I told you I have my ways! But I guess I'll fix it better. :D

Ace: Luffy will once more latch himself to you..

Hira: No doubt.. XDD I do hope he won't be shouting like last time.. haha.

Ace: Please go on with the story. This brat here doesn't own One Piece.

Hira: *Snatches Ace's hat* Someday I will! *runs away*

Ace: Get back here you brat!

Hira: :P

(~pagebreak~)

"CHOPPER!" Ace yelled for the ship's doctor, not really wanting to leave the girl's bedside to fetch the reindeer himself.

It was a nice morning where the Strawhats doctor were rummaging through his books looking for any new information that may help his fellow comrade from her condition. It had been a hard work for both him and Law to mend her up. The reindeer knew that If hadn't been for the Surgeon of death's unique abilities they would've lost their comrade. It took them long painful hours for them to patch her up. They have done everything in their abilities to help her as they could. The rest is her will to live.

After leaving Sei inside the infirmary with Ace Chopper let himself slid down the wall of Law's submarine. He remembered everything that happened inside the operating room.

Everything.

He couldn't help but let his tears fall when he recalled those wounds. She was clearly stabbed repeatedly by different weapons. It had been a miracle itself that they still found the blacksmith breathing. Any normal person in her place would have died, not even lasting for an hour under such torture.

She could have been a corpse if they came any minute later than they actually did.

(~pagebreak~)

A loud crash was heard followed by scrambled footsteps and then the door opened with a slam revealing a disoriented-looking Chopper. Upon hearing the Fire Fist's yell through his clinic, the reindeer instantly disregarded the medicines he had been carefully mixing to rush out of the room. Ace, would never shout for his name unless something had happened to their patient.

Chopper had prepared himself or the worst case scenario on that might greet him over the door but instead Ace's wide grin greeted him. "SHE'S AWAKE!"

Huh?

What?

Still disoriented, the reindeer doctor plastered a look of confusion on his face which was laughed by the pyro. The impossible grin almost splitting his face, his eyes twinkling ever so happily making him more alive than he was all over the week.

"SEI IS AWAKE!" The pyro happily announced, his voice sounded very pleased at the same time.

"And… a..bout to go deaf… you're h-hurting my ears…Ace-san.." Came a weak protest from the bed. Ace scratched his head while muttering his apology. Nevertheless the protest didn't manage ruin Ace's mood.

Sei stared at the pyro grinning all too happily at her. She didn't really expect this kind of reaction from Ace. Actually she thought that they would be more mad at her about hiding the real situation from them. Judging from the pyro's reaction, it wasn't really the case, but what could be so special about her, waking up? Surely she did receive injuries but it can't be that bad, because she had lived. All throughout she thought she'd be meeting Roger already.

"SEI!" Chopper instantly got at the girl's bedside, checking her vitals and the tubes attached to her body. After ensuring that there were no complications so far, the reindeer proceeded to his standard check ups. It seemed that the blacksmith is still recovering from her wounds and still weak, but nonetheless nothing too big to worry about. Chopper sighed with relief.

"Chopp..er-san… w-wha—"

The door opened with a loud bank startling both the doctor and his patient.

A voice from the door interrupted her question which was followed by another set of voices. "You shitty brat! It's about damn time!" Sanji yelled through the door. Grinning from ear to ear, on his left hand is a tray of food.

It seemed like it wasn't only Chopper who was startled by Ace's voice, but as well as the other StrawHats who proceeded to follow their frantic doctor.

"Sei-chan!" Nami squealed in delight as Robin smiled softly beside her.

"Ojou!" Frankly practically cried his eyes together with Brook who were flooded by relief in their system. Usopp joining them.

The blacksmith gave them a confused look. Huh? Isn't that overreacting?

"How are you feeling, Sei?" Chopper asked.

The blacksmith groaned at the question. Really? How does she look like right now? She was actually feeling sorry for those people around her right now, but her temper seemed to have spiked since the noise rang in her ears repeatedly, causing some headaches.

"Like shit."

Zoro laughed at this. "With that kind of attitude, you are definitely feeling better."

Sei tries to hit Zoro but seems like failing to do so. She settled with a glare instead.

Like hell I am. "How…long I was..out?"

"Three weeks." Came Luffy's voice. The captain's face was grim as he stepped inside the room. His stance clearly spelled out the authority he is holding. Oh boy, he sure looked grumpy.

Sei gulped.

Yeah. She haven't told them everything about her. About her past, and her family. Staring at those determined eyes of her captain, she felt nothing but shame. It was unfair for them to get involved in her problems without even knowing it. It just seemed so selfish of her.

"Luffy-san… I…"

"Why didn't tell me that there's someone after you?"

Ah yes. The guilt stabbed her instantly and multiplied a hundredfold. But not after hearing her captain's full reaction.

"I could've kicked their ass earlier!" Luffy stated. No—more like whined. When Sei glanced at the rubber captain, she was actually surprised to see childish annoyance written on his face. He looked like a kid that was denied his favorite toy. Such an honest reaction.

She bowed her head, not being able to look at honest eyes.

"I'm sorry." It was almost a whisper.

Luffy nodded at the blacksmith, crossing his arms on his chest in satisfaction. Good.

"I know Sanji and Zoro are hogging all the fun, but you can't go like that and kick ass on your own! Let us join the game too!" Luffy scolded. All of the Strawhats facepalmed at their captains antics but at the same time they couldn't be more proud of the man. Luffy never saw Sei's action as a betrayal. But he knew all along it was an act of total selflessness.

A sacrifice.

Sacrifice—that Luffy will never allow happen with his crew. Not when he can help it. Not on his watch.

"Now.. Now Luffy, Leave her to rest will you? She just woke up you know." Ace noticed the plight of the patient and decided to help her out. He couldn't take those guilty look painting on her face. She's too honest for her own good. Ace thought.

Sei raised her hand much to Ace's surprise.

"I…." Her ace scrunched up in bitterness, but her eyes gleamed with resolve. She needs to do this.

Sanji sighed and went near the table, putting down the tray of food he brought with him. "It's not a big deal. We'll wait—"

"NO!"

Everyone in the room stilled. Waiting. Once more Sei sighed and tried to relax herself on the bed. "I'll tell you everything." Before anyone could stop her, she closed her eyes and started recalling everything she could remember.

"I came from a clan of blacksmiths… That much I know. That's what the marines told me. A clan of cursed blacksmiths."

Cursed?

"It seemed like every weapon we made were cursed. The weapons kill its users." She raised her head and stared at Zoro. "One example of those are Zoro-sans katanas. My blood…" she stared at her hands which were obviously trembling. "Our blood is the secret to our weapons. We shed our blood on every weapon we make. We put our life in it. We give them life. But seems like our passion was too much." She laughed dryly.

She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate, trying her very best to recall her memories. Deep inside her, her memories lies. Just waiting to be recalled. She wanted to tell them all that she is. But just like every time she does it, at the point she reach the door of her memories, her hands trembled at the knob. No matter how much courage she mustered, it wasn't enough convince her hand to open the door. She is still a coward.

Sei opened her eyes to see those calm looks on the pirates surrounding her

"The next thing I knew, I was chased every time someone sees me. Marines wanted to capture me. The only reason why I don't have my bounty poster is that… They were afraid that they might stir a ruckus around the Grandline if other pirates were to know that a Ravensdale still exist."

Robin nodded to herself. She had been wondering why she hadn't heard about Sei when marines are making a ruckus about her existence.

She stared at Luffy. "My hair, my eyes. These are distinct features which only Ravensdale possess. That's why…"

"They are saying that no such color exists.." Sanji finished the sentence.

The blacksmith laughed but her eyes shone no difference. "I knew I'd be chased everywhere if they see this… But no matter how I tried I cannot throw away the only thing that tells me about my identity. I cannot turn my back to myself even if it cost me my life. These are the only things that tell me I exist… I just can't…"

"Isn't it okay that way?" Luffy spoke staring blankly at her. "No one here is telling you to change. Have you forgotten? We are pirates!"

"We are always free.." Ace added with a smile.

Freedom…

The feeling of warmth spread through her whole being like water. She felt relieved, happy… contented.

"WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Came Sei's large wail.

Everybody in the room looked surprised with the sudden outburst. Not once they have seen the girl looked so lost before. Yes, she smiles, plays pranks and joins them, but there's still seemed to be something stopping her from showing her true self. But all strings holding her up just cut lose, letting her true feelings arise. All her frustrations, regret, sadness, happiness, contentment.

Everything.

She couldn't help but cry.

Hard.

And loud.

Zoro playfully winced on her voice which was getting louder and louder by each passing second, the others seemed not to mind it though. Everyone smiled at her warmly… well everyone.. except Luffy who laughed out loud and pointed a finger on her face.

"Hahahahahahaha! What's with that face Sei?"

"WWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

True enough the blacksmith's face looked none like the usual façade she has before. Her nose is red and running, her eyes were also red and puffy, tears were like waterfall falling from her eyes, her body is full of scratches, her hair is messy.

Yeah. Not really your perfect picture right now.

But trust Luffy to rub it on her face.

"Very un-lady like Ojou." Franky grinned at her.

"SHRTPH!" *Shut up* Sei barked back but her clogged nose didn't help her to make her words coherent enough to understand. "WWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She only wailed louder much to her friend's delight.

Yeah. Maybe trusting someone isn't that bad at all.

Maybe, being the pirate king's blacksmith was never a bad idea after all.

Not at all.

Ace decided to let the blacksmith off the hook and rubbed his brother's head. "Ok, time to stop Luffy. Not really a way to treat a lady like that." Ace winked at Sei.

"Hooooo…." OF course the comment earned teasing smirks and cat whistles among the visitors inside the room but the blacksmith was not able to notice.

Ace slumped.

Eh?

His shoulders were down and he is not surprised to receive so many taps on him. Definitely from pity and sympathy.

Tap.

"…" Zoro followed dragged his still laughing captain along.

Tap.

"Good luck with that." And then Sanji left the room.

Tap.

"Like a man Nii-san!" Franky grinned and headed out.

Tap.

"I could give you an advice if you like Ace-san." Brook went for the door.

Tap.

"I can lend my inventions if you feel like using them." Usopp went outside.

Tap.

"Don't lose hope, Hiken-san." Robin left.

Tap. And a thumbs up.

"Fight-O!" Nami marched towards the door.

One last thumbs up and wink from Nami before she closed the door. Leaving the three of them inside. Him, Sei and Chopper—who had been clueless on the hand sign which his fellow crewmates were giving Ace all the time.

Ace on the other hand, started thinking on what kind of hard work is waiting for him. She stared at the girl sitting on the bed, wailing to her heart's content. Her voice not even toning a bit even though she started to sound hoarse.

"Maa.. maa… calm down Sei… you might pull your stitches.

"B-B-BHHHHTTTHHHHH…." *But…*

Ace stared at her.

Really, there was nothing special on her—putting aside of course that she came from a strange clan. But really. Ace had met girls more beautiful than her, more mature ones, curvy, but somehow he couldn't settle down. Yes, he dated them. But somehow he couldn't imagine himself staying longer. It was like they don't have something he was looking for.

What makes this blacksmith so special?

Ace couldn't help but laugh at Sei. The girl had been trying to dry her tears off but is failing miserably, her eyes were red and puffy as well as her nose. She looked like the very meaning of the word miserable.

"DRNGHLHGHATME!" *Don't laugh at me!* Sei glared at the pyro trying to be intimidating but Ace only laughed harder at her. Just as Ace is recovering from his laughing fit, the door opened once again, making Ace frown upon seeing the visitor.

None other than the Surgeon of Death.

Trafalgar Law himself.

The surgeon looked quite amused at the scene he visited. He can clearly see that the blacksmith had been crying, and the commander laughing his ass off as the raccoon doctor of the Strawhats is trying to pacify Sei.

"Finally awake, I see." Law plastered his usual smirk as he gazed at the girl on the bed who is still busy balling her eyes out, not even minding his presence one a bit. Of course he didn't miss that sudden icy glare Ace directed towards him.

Jealousy perhaps?

"Wahtryyhghdhingere?" *What are you doing here?*

Law raised his brows.

"Is that the way to talk to your savior, Raven?"

The blacksmith looked incredulous. "Wah—?" *What—*

"Law helped on fixing you. If not for his devil fruit powers, we might have not made it." Chopper explained with a happy smile on his face.

The earned a small growl from Ace.

Sei internally grumbled. Now what? She is indebted to the Surgeon of Death? Hell, the more reason he will trot into her life! Aside from the annoying feeling that she partially owes her life to Law, she can't help but mentally smile at the thought. Yeah, she had met Law only a few times in the past and none of them proved to be good memories but she knew he was a good man. Minus the killing spree and his creepy habits of keeping organs.

Yeah, pretty harmless if you manage to stay on his good side.

He never really hurt people on purpose unless they were marines or annoyed him.

Yes, he was cunning but—

Sigh.

Why the hell is she explaining to herself, arguing about the fact that Law saved him from death?

He saved her, she owes him.

Period.

But still it doesn't settle in her. Not really a good thought if you owe something form the surgeon of death.

She just had her second life, she doesn't want to be a guinea pig for crying out loud!

"Whrdoyouwab?" *what do you want?* The doctor still managed to understand the incoherent words.

"I'm just checking on my patient you see." The surgeon smirked as he approached the bed. His gray eyes discreetly eyeing the pyro beside the bed. Annoyance is clearly written on Ace's face and he looked like he is going to tear Law to shreds in an instant if he make any wrong move. Laughable.

Really interesting.

Law sat on the bed, purposely ignoring the pyro's temper and breaching the blacksmith's personal space. Out of nowhere Law, brought out his stethoscope and began with his routine. "How do you feel?"

Sei stared at the doctor like he had grown another head. "I feel like shit and I more than sure that I look like one."

Law nodded. "Sharp tongue is intact."

"Great observation Doctor Trafalgar." Sei sarcastically replied which was followed by wheezing coughs. Her body wasn't able to take the sudden force that she crouched in pain, Ace was on her side in an instant glaring at the doctor.

"Hn…" Law hummed, making his presence being hated more by the fire fist. Really, he couldn't help but rile the man up. Knowing full well that the man would not start a fight, not inside the room at least. Humans are really fascinating creatures, especially the Ds. Who would thought that there would be someone who are willing to get romantically involved with one of the most hunted clan in the grand line. Strawhat and Fire Fist both don't seem to mind any warning labels written on people's names. For example, Nico Robin and Ravensdale Sei.

Or both have seem the knack for danger. Law mentally smirks at the thought.

"What?" Sei look quite suspicious on that smirk plastered on the doctors face. He seemed to be planning…. Something.

Something that is definitely not good for my health.

"Law…"

"What?"

"Your face looks creepy."

Instead of getting offended the doctor only flicked her forehead. "Shut up Raven or ill cut you into pieces." Law paused, thinking something before smirking so evilly. "Or maybe… I'll just ask something from you."

Sei shivered. Ask? Why the hell would he ask something from her.

As if reading her mind. Law answered rather cheekily. "After all, I remember operating on you for more than 8 hours. Which is rather tiring don't you think so?"

With this, the blacksmith paled. Of course she owes her life to the surgeon of death now. And that 'help' is not something Law would be giving for free.

Ace, not liking the flow of the conversation glared hardly at the man. "If you are trying to—."

"A 'Date' would suffice." Law cuts off which made the room fell silent.

"…"

"A WHAT?!" All of them chorused quite loudly at the same time the door suddenly opened revealing both the Strawhats and heart pirates, obviously eavesdropping.

(~pagebreak~)

Yay!

Finally done with the chapter! XDD

Sorry for not being able to update earlier but it seemed like my plot bunnies took some long vacation that they began returning last week.. while I was on my way to the office.

I don't know how long but ive been staring to space as my bunnies shows me flashes od scenes for me to write.. XDD

I knew I grinned like a loon because some were looking at me.. haha

Cant help it y know..

Please read and review!