~ Late post, this was suppose to have been up yesterday, but it turned out longer and I couldn't bring myself to fix it

I'm thinking about expanding on this and Mask later when I have the time ~

"No women live in this household." The young man told Marco sternly. He stood in the doorway before Marco or the other inspectors.

Marco sighed. His defiance was making him suspicious. The other villagers had gladly allowed him in so he could look for signs of witchcraft. "Who does live here then?"

"Me and my two brothers. They're visiting our grandfather in the city."

Beside him Thatch nodded before leaning close. "The neighbors did mention this."

Marco turned back to the man still blocking the way. "May I have a look around your home? It's just a precaution."

With heavy sigh, he stepped back. "Only you."

Marco gave a slight smile. "Thank you. Thatch, go meet up with Izo and see if he's found anything." The brunette nodded and left. He stepped into the humble little house following Ace down the hall to the kitchen. "I didn't catch your name."

"Ace."

'No family name...' Marco walked around the table and looked out the window into the garden beside the house. "And your brothers?"

"Luffy and Sabo."

Marco continued his way around and out of the kitchen. "Your parents?"

"Orphans."

The short, simple answers were sending warning flags up in Marco's head. Sure, plenty of people didn't take well to Inquisitors poking around but most eventually opened up. Unless there was something to hide.

He went farther down the hall to the bedroom. There were two beds and a hammock in the corner as well as a desk pushed up against the wall covered in papers and books. He gave the titles of the books a glance over for anything that might stick out. The subjects seem to vary from plants and animals to history in faraway countries. There were too many papers for him to look through, and they were all covered in small hand written script. He didn't linger on it too long in case Ace grew even more unwelcoming than he already was.

"What do you for a living?" He asked as they went back down the hall.

"Odd jobs around the village in exchange for things we might need. We fix fences and help plant, or run errands. Except for Sabo. He spends a month or two in the city every now and then working before coming back home."

The blonde held in his surprise by how much Ace had just said. It was unfair to judge him, but at the same, time that was his job.

"Well, everything seems ok. You have a good evening Ace." Marco left without incident and met with his fellow Inquisitors and the village elder. They passed along the standard warning before heading back to the city. Marco thought he would never come back to the peaceful little village.

A month later however, the signs of Witchcraft increased and he and his brothers were sent out once more to pass along warnings to the far reaches of the region. They arrived in Foosha as the sun was beginning to set. They met with the lord of the land this time and reassured him that they were only passing along warnings.

"I'm afraid there's not a lot of room at our inn." The elder said after the lord had passed them on. "At least one of you will have to stay elsewhere."

"Why is the inn so crowded?" Izo asked.

"Our village holds a festival every year for the spirits of the forest. It attracts a lot of travelers. It's a very prosperous time for us." He waved over to a young woman outside the inn. "Makino, my dear, can you please help these young men?" He spoke to her for a moment before waving to Izo and Marco.

Makino approached them with a gentle smile. "Please forgive our lack of accommodations."

"It's fine. Marco can sleep in the hay if he has to." Izo said easily. Marco shot him a glare.

"Oh goodness, no. Please just wait a moment." She looked around before spotting a young teen. "Luffy!" Marco looked up at the name. He remembered it from his last visit, one of Ace's brothers. "Luffy, can you let Sir Marco stay at your place? Ace won't mind, right?"

Marco had to bite back from interrupting. Ace would mind a whole lot. But instead he stayed quiet as the teen looked up them with bright eyes and huge grin.

"Sure, he can sleep in my bed since I'm going to visit Usopp."

Marco nodded his thanks silently. He watched Luffy run off back home and bade Izo goodnight before gathering his belongings and following Luffy. He arrived at the small home to see Luffy and Ace outside. He slowed down and watched, catching bits and pieces of their conversation.

"I can stay… Usopp won't mind…"

"I'll be fine."

"…I know they make you uneasy… sorry, I wasn't thinking."

After a moment Ace pushed Luffy off down the road with a wave. The younger brother waved back before taking off in a run. Ace turned back just in time to see Marco approaching. "Inquisitor." He nodded stiffly.

"Hello again. My apologies for intruding on your evening." Marco greeted back politely. Ace didn't say much else as he led him inside. Marco was directed toward the bedroom while Ace finished his chores around the house. He fell asleep before Ace was finished.

In the middle of the night a noise startled Marco awake. He laid in bed with eyes open, listening for it again. A hushed cry came from the other side of the room followed by whimpering. Ace was having a nightmare. Marco contemplated waking him up. He didn't think Ace would take too kindly to it but still…

He rolled out of bed, fumbling for a match and the candle he had seen on the table beside him. After he finally lit the candle, he made his way over to Ace. He shook his shoulder gently at first. "Ace!" The man rolled toward Marco, eyes blinking wearily.

Marco watched as he slowly came to his senses. His gaze wandered to the arm Ace was clutching so desperately. Under his sleeve was a bandaged that had begun to unravel. The skin was red and irritated where Ace had been scratching in his sleep. Marco took his arm gently and brushed aside the bandage.

Ace jerked back but Marco didn't release him. A shot of orange flashed in his eyes as pushed Marco away. Shocked by his strength, Marco dropped the candle as he tried to stay on his feet. The candle blew out before it hit the floor leaving them in darkness.

They both stopped, breathing shallow, and eyes flicking between each other and Ace's arm. Because even in the dark, the veins beneath the skin of his wrists shone brightly, full of fire, full of magic. Marco sat beside him cautiously, never letting go of his arm.

"Witch child?"

Ace shrugged. "I guess… I have it under control." His voice was soft, defeated.

"Your brothers?"

"We're not blood related!" He said hastily. "We're not… They're normal." He sighed as he leaned down to pick up the candle. He pulled his hand away and held it near the wick. A small flame arose from his fingers. He lit the candle and placed it on the window sill.

Marco ran his hand over the bright veins. "This kind of thing isn't so uncommon." He smiled softly when Ace looked up at him. He pressed his fingertips firmly to Ace's wrist. A blue spark filled with warmth radiated deep through his arm. Ace watched as the angry red on his skin disappeared and the hot itch underneath healed. The glow in his blood dimmed until it was no more.

He looked at Marco in amazement. "How did you…"

Marco shrugged. "I just told you. It's not such an uncommon thing."