Chapter 7

"Yes luffy, it is me…shhh… its okay, I'm here now"

Silence reigned between the two as the last remnant of tears was wiped by ace with the back of his index finger.

"But I though you were dead, there was the news― and and you fell of the cliff!" Disbelief was mixed in his voice as he stammered.

"I know, I know, someone told me your dead too, and you don't how I'm sorry for leaving you like that , I,-I didn't know what to do back then, they took you away from me, please forgive me…"

"O-oi! Unhand mugi-chan now!" Namiko who just had entered the bar yelled as she saw that her brother was held by a stranger.

"Wh-wha?" Ace was surprised to see an angry geisha marching up to him and next thing he knows was being whacked in the face with a blunt object, it was a folded fan.

"Yeo-" he tried running but the woman proved to be a runner as well.

"Shut up! Pervert!"

"N-no… you don't understand… ow!"

"Namiko nee-san stop! He's ace! the brother I told you about when we were younger! He's alive!" Luffy blocked the third strike that was supposed to hit his long lost brother's head. This prompted the fuming geisha to stop and looked at the two, she was surprised that the older man does resemble his younger brother in some way. The female relaxed a bit and hid her fan back at the sleeves of her kimono.

"Nee-san, this is my brother… Ace!, ace, this is my sworn sister namiko!" The two glared at each other, having the same thoughts. Ace, being he gentleman he dropped his pride first and did the most formal bow before the geisha.

"I'm grateful that you looked out for my brother while i was away…" he said. Namiko dismissed it and her lips curved a little. " It's okay! I didn't do anything at all, but you must thank our nee-chan if you are truly grateful, oh! And sorry about that" she said sheepishly as she pointed at the small bump forming on ace's forehead. He waves the apology and said it was 'all good'

Law was actually dumbfounded from the realization that ace and mugi-chan which was actually luffy who died 12 years ago are brothers, kidd was wearing the same expression as well. By now, everyone seems to have certain degree of understanding for the subject, they didn't pry any further, it was enough that ace was happy.

The people from the okiya introduced themselves to the foreigners as soon as the small drama was done, it actually went well except for some awkward instances, point and case, law, kidd and luffy as well as usopp and kaya. It is safe to say that they pretended that it was their first time meeting each other, like how most geishas act when they run in with some acquaintances while at work. Usopp and kaya were a special case since no one knew about their late night meetings but the coachman was okay with it, he was very happy seeing that the pretty lady was wearing his gift. Everyone got to know each other and they shared a few laughs as the two skilled geisha took control of the conversation, enchanting everyone with stories,jokes and discreetly covered innuendos.

After being intoduced the two brothers were now catching up and at the same time taking about their past happily like kids while makino served them with plates filled to the brim with food, for a moment the spectators saw a brief glimpse of them 12 years ago, wearing rags for clothes and their hairs were disheveled. It might have been just an illusion, a trick of the eye but they felt the hardships of the two as they talk about what happened in their lives.

When it was time that the two geishas plus usopp return to their duties of handing out personal invitations. Ace was a little disappointed but he didn't show it to anyone else. There was really no need for it as there were promotional posters plastered around town but they believe that personally visiting a client is a much more better medium.

"Tora-o san～ kiddy-san～ I'll see you later ne～" he chirped merrily as the two stiffened at the sound of their nicknames luffy forgot about the thing called discretion. "Ace-nii san mo!" He added as ace consolation since he was lamenting that his younger brother was leaving again but brightened when he heard his name being mentioned by luffy.

"Okay! Ja ne～" the older raven waved half heartedly.

As the trio went on their way the freckled raven turned around to look at kidd and law. There was something different with ace…

"Lawsy～ kiddy～ how the hell do you know my brother and not tell it to me?" The sweetness of the voice didn't do much in hiding the venom in it.

Cold despair befall the gentlemen that ace has adressed.

"We-we didn't know ace-ya!"

"Y-yeah! He uses a different name ya know!"

This seems to appease the older brother's anger but to their surprise ace looked at them like he figured out something.

"Wait, you two were at the okiya a few days ago, it was already late that time, what were you doing there?"

Like deers caught in a headlight the two snapped their heads to his direction as he was stalking near them.

"We were just… talking!" The young doctor looked at kidd for some help.

"Yeah, like culture and and medicine and… and… culture…" the baker added.

"So what did you learn about their culture, kidd?" Ace asked sarcastically.

"Uhm…" kidd was lost, fuck, he didn't actually learn a damn thing from talking with the geishas. He recounted all the conversation that he had with the maiko but to his dismay it was the kid who asks him about america.

"Perhaps about a thing called Mizu-age? Hmm?" Ace grinned wolfishly as he lured kidd into his trap.

"Yeah! That one!" Law face palmed, seems like the baker was panicking inside that he got lost in his thoughts.

Everyone was laughing right now, it is rare that any of these three men along with marco, vista and sabo lose composure due to pressure.

Ace who was already in front of the two slammed his hands on the table. His gray eyes were lighting like a storm.

"And who's mizuage were you talking about,?"

Gulp

"Ugh…their neighbor ?"

"Fuck you! Don't you even dare lie to me! Tell me!" Ace roared.

With a defeated sigh law looked into those similar gray eyes and said 'your brother's…"

The scene that rolled between the three made everyone doubled in laughing as ace clotheslined the two with his open arms. As soon as they were hit they managed to wiggle free from the muscular guns that the freckled man has and escaped from the establishment faster than you can say 'old macdonald had a farm'

… …

"It feels so unreal! Your brother… he's real! He's alive…" namiko said quietly as they were heading back into the city after handing out the last of their invitations.

" yes I know! I'm so excited～ he'll visit us later! I have a LOT of things to tell him!" The raven giggled as her sister did to.

"By kami! We had a lot of surprises this month! It feels like one more surprise and I'm gonna faint this time!"

They continued to chatter until they saw two figures walking at the long expanse of the unpaved road to the city, by the looks if it they look tired and just came out from a brawl.

"Nami! Luffy! I see law and kidd!" Usopp shouted from the front.

The trio were shocked, did they walk from the town to the city?

"Gentlemen why are you walking? Weren't you with mugi-chan's brother?"

"Yes we are! but someone here is stupid enough to tell ace that one if us will be claiming his brother's mizuage!" Kidd glared at his rival before smiling back to the geisha's direction.

"Ho! Weren't you the one who stammered a while ago?" Law retorted, oh this is so on!

"Come we'll give you lift!" Luffy chirped as he mystically popped his head out of the window, albeit his sister's head was in fact also at the window, hiw he did that was left their imaginations.

The two snapped their heads towards opposite direction, their prides as men was being tested by the boy, they believe that it should be the other way around.

"Come on! What ate you waiting for?" The raven barked when he saw that he two were not moving.

With bashful expressions the two boarded the carriage without any more drama but was very careful not to soil the geisha's kimono with their sweaty, sticky and dirty skin. The ride was silent as the two were so embarassed that their object of affection was with them and they smell bad from staying under the sun's ray for too long.

The two geishas didn't seem to mind that their visitors were in such a state but nevertheless they tried conversing with them, and even offering beverages. But the poor gentlemen's prides were already trampled shown by their limited reactions, as they arrived the area of the ship, the foreigners thanked them profusely and ran out of the carriage and into their place of residence retreating with such speed that it puts a cheetah into shame.

… …

Evening came without being eventful aside from ace who scolded them for running away. After they xplained their sides they decided to head out together to see luffy.

"But you can't blame us for not worrying about our lives! " kidd reasoned out as he was descending down the plank with law and ace at his back.

"Hahaha I know, I know, but you have to undrestand I was shocked at that time, you know that it has been a long time since I saw my brother, he was a kid back then, and my entire mission was to defend him. You just can't blame me if I'm a tad over protective of that twerp." He raised his two hand in defeat.

"But portgas-ya? Is it really okay with you that one of us will be your brother's danna?" Law said with still a little bit skeptical.

"It is his choice after all… I think i have to trust him on this one!" The older smiled to them as they boarded the waiting carriage.

… … …

"You see, we need to expand our business! I have met with a lot of potential buyers! It is time that japan should also share their products to the world!" Said by a man whom the three geishas have not seen before in their entire life.

"I'm not really sure about that, but as a businessman I'll think it over and i will send you an answer in a few weeks time." Crocodile answered the man who nodded and bought the glass of whiskey to his lips.

Knockknock

"Sumimasen for interrupting ,but mugi-san's guests has arrived." The cook as professional as always said from the door.

"Ooh! Ooh! They're here! Corcy～ I would like introduce you to my future dannas and… brother!" The young maiko clapped his hands excitedly as crocodile gave up with a sigh.

"From the looks of it you seems like the boy's father" the man shook his head and added " grouchy father to be exact! Fufufufufu!" The female geisha joined in laughing as crocodile glared at them.

"Boy! Why don't you fetch your guests and let them join here!" The man commented.

"Is it really okay with you tori-san?" Mugi-chan tilted his head in reassurance which the guest chuckled to, the boy is really something.

"Of course! Are they japanese businessmen?" He asked.

"Iie, they're foreigners!" Luffy answered, prompting the man to nod in understanding. The boy dashed off to to fetch his guest as the two women continued serving them with whiskey.

"Crocy-san! Tori-san! This are my guests! Kiddy～ and Traffy～ oh I almost forgot! And this is my nii-san Ace～ " as he pointed to each one of them, crocodule dropped the cigar from his mouth as he was drenched with whiskey that sputted out from the guest.

"Lawsy～～～" he shouted before running to the doctor.

"Da-da-dad!?" To the doctor's horror he saw the man who annoyed him through his 20 something years of existence, he is the so called adoptive father who took him in when his parents and sister died from the war, donning a pink feathered coat with matching pointy sunglasses the surgeon was glomped to the ground mercilessly by none other than donquixote doflamingo aka doffy-ya.

"Dad? " Was what came out of their mouths as they saw the scene unfold before them. Everyone contained their shock and decided to be seated, ace and kidd has seen the man before when they were still students, even back then their friend never aknowledged the blonde.

Wiggling his body free he pushed aside the 7ft. Something giant aside and stood up quickly.

"Do-doffy-ya! What are you doing here in japan? You were suppose to be in egypt right?" Law said with disbelief and just a little hint of desperation in his voice. He does respect his adoptive father but he does not feel comfortable with him around, law defines him as an apathetic, megalomanic, flamboyant psychopath with a terrible fashion sense and heart as cold as ice. Not that he is different to him but the point is he is downright scared by his own reflection.

"I do, but I came back as soon as the transaction was over, I can't stand the hot humid weather" doflamingo said with a grin. Looking at the young geisha his grin turned impossibly wider making him look like a goblin and said " so, that is your soon to be spouse eh?, corazon was right! he does look uhm… lovely～"

"Corazon?" Suprise was written in law's face, the nam corazon was a moniker for the younger brother, the more beloved, benelovent brother though he had never expected that the said person would contact doflamingo even if they were brothers, after all, he is currently confined in a mental institution, being treated for his shell shock that the younger donquixote had acquired from the war.

"Yes,he told me about the letter that youvsent him, he is somewhat getting better but, the doctors are still not convinced that he has fully recovered from trauma…" the older donquixote turned his back to law not wanting the doctor to see the sadness that he keeps behind his tinted glasses, the though he was betrayed by his voice that grew softer.

"Do not worry, it's only a matter of time before he completely recovers! I believe no donquixote is weak." Though rarely spoken, law offered some words of comfort to the blonde man as they share the same level of affection towards the ill rocinante. It is at times like this that he feels like they were family, like they were atleast connected at some point, it is some time where law wants to give his father a second chance of atleast being aknowledged. Everyone in the room was a little touched by this sudden softness that law exhibited towards a different person who is not mugi-chan.

"I'll be off then, I wish you good luck with the auction, the boy is gold!" Doflamingo said as he walked tiwards the door, he soon turned towards law and lowered his glasses a littke bit before winking. " Don't hurt him too much with that jumbo schlong of yours. Okay?" He laughed as law cursed him in fast paced spanish, the tall raven takes it all back what he had though of the fucking connection, he thought that for once he and his father would have a time where they would share a normal conversation. With a very effeminate flick of the hand the tall blonde left the premises of the okiya with law slumping down on his seat.

Crocodile bought his lited cigar to his lips and took a long drag before sending a glare to law and kidd. He didn't bother looking at ace who is luffy's older brother as there wasn't any drastic difference in his facial features since he last saw him.

"So… you are mugi-chan's…"

"Luffy's..." ace corrected the older man.

"Luffy's … possible dannas?"

The raven and brunette nodded their heads, they were quite intimidated by crocodile's menacing appearance. Though they were in high alert as he may be also a possible bidder, or a paedophile…

"I'm trafalgar law and this one is eustass kidd… and you are?" Law quirked an eyebrow, obviously curious as to why a shichibukai like his father was connected with the boy.

The oldest ravenette jauntily waves his cigar in the air, its hazy smoke swirling in circles as he does so."Crocodile one the seven warlords, hanako's danna, and business partner"

The two stiffened, though the geishas and crocodile were not related by blood, they understood what he means, he is after all the true head of the house, the acting 'father'.

Kidd can see from the sidelines that ace's hands were balled in a tight fist.

"This is not a joke." All this time everyone was silent anticipating what he is going to say.

"… are… jok…" kidd muttered.

"What was that? Young man, if you have anything to say please speak louder…"

"… not joking… " kidd said a little louder.

Crocodile squinted his eyes and cupped his uninjured hand's palm besides here ear.

"I said. I. AM. NOT. JOKING." The brunette gritted his teeth as these words escaped his lips.

"Amen" law commented with a smirk.

"Good! Then, can you possibly provide everything, anything that the boy right here, needs all throughout his career?" He said so smoothly thatvone can misunderstand what he means if they it was played in a different scenario. Luffy flinched when he heard his name being mentioned but remained still. God! If they weren't geishas and crocodile was his real father this might look like kidd and law were asking his hand for marriage.

"Are you willing to spend millions and millions of yen on his clothes, his shows, build him a house , provide him with a very comfortable life suitable for royalty?"

"Pardon for me for my insolence but you do know who my father is right? I can reassure you that money is out of the question here." Law interjeted.

"I agree! I- We didn't come from a household with a meager income… sir" kidd seconded.

"Very well… if that is the case, Ace! Are you okay with all of this?"

Ace snapped out from his thoughts, his anger with the shichibukai who separated them when they were younger, the man that he had been plotting revenge on since knowing who his involvement in their past. Was this same man asking his thoughts about his brother's future? Was he regarding him with respect? Though many questions were floating inside the freckled man's head he simply said.

"The decisions are in my brother's hand…" was all he could say, he lied when he said he trusts his brother's decision, but, the truth is, he felt uneeded anymore, he feels that he is no longer part of his brother's life. Being separated from him for 12 long fucking years, he felt that he has no right on his brother's decision anymore.

Crocodile looked at him thoughtfully. "I am very very sorry about what happened back then, the past me was greedy and cruel. I have never imagined in my life that I, Suna Crocodile would feel protective over my… " the words were stuck in him like rough sand being stuffed inside his throat. In the past he might have called them property or constituents but there was something in him that changed, "… family" he finished. "I take responsibility for all my mistakes…"

The geishas were all stunned at his words. He is joking right? But it was sincere almost, kind…

"Though, I do not feel guilty nor remorse in meeting such a kid…"he chuckled. The silence was disturbing that it sounds like he was having a monologue with statues around him.

"And… I think that you as his real brother has a say about this matter."

Ace felt like all the hatred in him was dissolving, all this time he was angry with whoever took his brother away from him, was crocodile tricking him, knowing that now he is richer, more powerful, more influential than the shichibukai,that with a snap of his finger he can crumble his status into dust, this did not went according to his plans on vengeance. But somewhere in his heart he felt like he needs to forgive the man, after all what he had said. "As much as it pains me to do so, he is of rightful age and thinking, I let the matter rest in his hands and… and I forgive you! Though I know you didn't do anything to make my brother's life easier you atleast gave him a home when I was not around" tears were rapidly faling from ace's eyes, he felt free, he felt like all the burdens were lifted, it felt good to forgive. It is hard to do so but it is a step on his personal recovery. Luffy was crying as well, he anticipated that ace would exact his revenge but it turned out well than what he had imagined.

"Foreigners, the bidding will start at 200,000 yen, I don't want my boy to recieve any less!" He exclaimed.

Hanako eyes his danna with a pleased look. Crocodile then replied her with a thin smile that graced his lips, it was a real authentic smile, he nodded his head and looked at the three geishas.

"Robin…'

The female raven bowed her head in aknowledgment.

"I know I am not the ideal image of a husband, I'm always busy, I'm irritable and most of all I'm not a person who openly shows affection. And I am very sorry for that" he spologized as he leaned the back of his head on the wall. He slicked his gel laden hair back.

The mistress' hand shot up through her mouth, can it be? No, she still neds to exact her own revenge to his danna, why does he keep on thwarting everyone's plot of vengeance to him. Does he know?

"But, I didn't bid for your mizuage just because I want you as a proof of my high status, but there was something in your eyes the moment that I saw you that made me want to protect you … that I, need you…" he confessed, his voice as smooth and calm as ever and there was no coldness in it. It seems like the cold winter that had once hardened the warlord's heart has transitioned into the warm and bountiful spring. It was really awkward that the shichibukai confessed with people around, but he didn't seem to mind. He can always blame it on the alcohol if it goes awry.

He sighed as he drank from his glass of whiskey and shot an expectant look to his geisha, robin seems to be taking her time in considering her answer.

" I hate you, so much!" She closed her eyes, her voice was pained she felt two comforting hands lay on her shoulder and the other in her hands. " But, I… love you just the same…" she whispers as she ooens her eyes slowly, showing her slightly moist sapphire orbs.

The two adults chuckled, like kids. Their chuckles synchronously turned into hearty laughs that horrified the young adults in the room.

"If your asking for my hand in marriage…then i must first warn you that… I can no longer bear any children" she looked sadly towards her two protegees, "so… what I ask of you is to adopt luffy-san and nami-san into the suna household…" she finished.

It was the shichibukai who turned silent for a moment, anticioation was thickening the atmosphere, neither made a sound even ace who seems to agree, he believes that his brother had already found his family in the form of these people. Robin was almost losing her composure, she was anxious to hear the 'yes' from him but it seems like she's mista… "Yes, I accept your proposal…" or not.

True to her words nami fainted on the spot landing on her sister's lap. Her 'sister' or soon to be mother shot a surprised look at nami. Law immediately got up from his seat and checked the woman's vitals. Luffy who was equally shocked as well remembered what her sister said earlier today. He let out a childish 'shishishi' giggle before dismissing everyone's weird looks.

"Is she gonna be okay doctor-san?" Robin asked calmly, her usual cold tone was replaced by a slightly pitchy one.

"She just fainted, maybe from shock, she is gonna be okay so don't worry." He reassured the female raven as he went back to sit in his place. Robin decided that it would be best for nami to lay and rest prompting luffy to call sanji and usopp to bring her to her own room. It was getting late at that time so, the shichibukai took his leave with robin accompanying him towards the front door, as they heard the footsteps getting farther away from their room ace decided to speak up first.

"So, this debut… when is it?"

"Next, next week portgas-ya…" law commented as everyone shuffled and seated near one another.

"And what about that mizuage stuff?'

"I believe it is after the debut party on the same day!" Kidd answered a little too excited which unnerved ace. He felt a knot in his pits from imagining someone taking his brother's virginity. Where's marco when he needs him right now!?

… … …

"I can't believe I got all of that out of my chest…" the shichibukai said as robin helped his danna put on his oversized coat.

"I can't believe it myself…" she replied quietly, her eyes smiling towards her object of affection. She felt him cup her cheeks with an uninjured hand and pulled her into a deep passionate kiss. It has been a long time since she has tasted his mouth, nicotine with the smoky flavor of whiskey, it was bitter yet sweet.

The tall raven walked out into the darkness but soon came back with a small red box handing it to the geisha . She raised a stern eyebrow while placibg her arms into her groaned and rolled his eyes but kneeled anyways.

"Nico robin, would you do the honors of accompanying a bitter old man like me for the rest of our lives?" He said with a bored tone.

"I'm surprised! Why so sudden?" She said with good natured sarcasm, faking surprise. Crocodile chuckled and took the ring out of the box, it was a white gold band with a huge chunk of diamond at the center. He tooke her hand and inserted the ring on her finger before standing and pulling her into another kiss. They stood there for a few minutes before the warlord left.

Robin in all her happiness felt a few tears of joy moistened her cheeks.

"I don't know how I fell in love with a man who is stubborn than I am…" she mused internally, standing by where he kissed ger letting the cool night wind hit her face.

… …

Ace, with an irritated sigh stood from his seat. Kidd and law has been very unbearable since the moment they were left alone by hanako. Their conversation although in good intentions , were all about their plans if they should win his mizuage. He can see that his brother wasn't fond of the conversation itself as his eyes were like a light bulb flickering , a childhood trait that he has carried over into his adult life.

"Stop…" he motioned his hands in front of kidd and law, to which it immediately stopped them from talking.

"Do you think my brother would love you more if you keep on promising material things?" He continued, the looked that they recieved was with disgust, the two fell silent and glanced at the geisha who smiled at his brother.

"Uhm… sorry about that" kidd said apologetically ,rubbing his neck.

"My apologies mug- luffy-ya…" law bowed his head a little for effect.

"It's okay, but you see I don't really care about that fancy mansion and that trip to hawaii or wherever it is, I…" he blushed furiously as he hesitated to continue. 'Just want a simple life with a husband that will love me… "

… …

To be continued …

Okay readers! thanks for the reviews, favorites and follows!

I guess this story is still far from over since nothing special has happened with kidd law or luffy. I thought that since luffy can't choose who will win I'll let the fluff start to when kidd or law wins his v.

As soon as I finish this story i would be starting a new one with only law and luffy as pairing. I PROMISE MORE FLUFF NEXT TIME! Thanks!

Please comment for suggestions, criticisms and opinions…