And...i finally updated.

Heads up, this chapter wasn't beta'd because my dear beta has been MIA for like, two months now. So the chapter might not be as good quality-wise..I did my best though.

Anyways, this chapter was sort of a birthday challenge for me. I probably wouldn't have updated as fast if I wasn't turning 18 today (I swore to myself I'd update on my birthday) XD so yeah, enjoy.
Drop a review if you can.

Thank you.

Disclaimer: One Piece is not mine.

Damn it. Marco cursed as he checked the time for the fourth time that night.

It was freaking 3 in the morning and he was still wide awake.

Flopping back onto his bed, he wondered if his earlier nap was the cause, but waved it away immediately. He'd taken naps before, and had never failed to sleep at night, so why was he tossing and turning in bed now?

A brief image of Rainha flashed through his mind, and Marco turned onto his stomach and groaned into the pillow. Stop thinking about her Marco stop thinking stop thinking stop thinking…he chanted in his mind, trying the push out all thoughts of the black-haired woman. However, due to the anti-effect principle, the more he tried to push her out, the more she was determined to stay rooted in his head. Giving up, he turned to stare at the ceiling. The hole that had been there earlier had been temporarily covered up with a tarp, making it stand out from the rest of the ceiling.

Ever since he met Rainha, he found his thoughts turning to her often. He wasn't attracted to her per se-although he couldn't deny that the Black Queen was quite beautiful-but she was interesting. For an instance, the Phoenix wondered what she would look like if she really smiled. The happy-from-the-bottom-of-your-heart genuine kind of smile, not the faint, shallow ones she'd displayed so far.

She'd look like an angel. A traitorous voice sounded in the depths of his mind.

Shut up, brain. The blonde retorted. He definitely did not think that.

With nothing to do and unable to sleep, Marco played back his conversations with Rainha in his mind. When he recalled the conversation before she asked to see their captain, he noticed something that had missed earlier. She had said she was there when Ace said that his father was Oyaji, right? Marco didn't recall anything of the kind, so it must've happened before they arrived. Which would mean the assassin, and most likely Sabo too, had been at Marineford the entire time since the execution started. Groaning, he draped his arm across his eyes. Looks like there's something else to add to his list of questions.

And he still couldn't sleep.

Distracted, he didn't notice the two presences that swoop by the porthole in his room.

Come morning, Marco found himself staggering out of bed, barely able to keep his eyes open as he made his way to the galley. He had fallen asleep-finally-around 4. And now he was up at approximately 6 in the morning.

Coffee would be good now…he thought sleepily. Despite having washed his face with ice cold water earlier, he still felt like falling back into bed, but at the thought of all the work that still needed to be done, he decided that he could sleep after he'd finished.

Didn't mean he didn't feel like ditching it though.

He was simply responsible.

Of course, it was partly his own fault, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

Stifling a yawn, he entered the large galley, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast chasing away the sleepiness somewhat. There weren't a lot of people around now so it was quiet. Then he saw someone he didn't usually see now. Seated at a table near the kitchens was Ace and his brother and sister, eating breakfast and conversing quietly.

Something was very wrong with this picture.

Then he realized what.

Ace-overprotective, doting, stubborn nii-chan Ace-was in the galley, with his two other siblings, eating breakfast.

What happened to not leaving his little brother at the mercy of the ship doctor?

And shouldn't he be still sleeping?

Marco knew for a fact that the second commander never woke up earlier than nine, at most eight but right now it was only half past six.

Way too early.

And he was talking quietly and eating slowly.

"Yo Marco! Late night?" One of the cooks, Michal called out, balancing two large stacks of waffles as he headed to one of the long tables at the end of the room.

"Kind of." He replied, grabbing a tray from a nearby shelf and joined the cook at the table. He looked over the buffet that they had laid out for breakfast, taking a little of everything. "What's up with Ace over there? He's not this quiet normally." Tipping his head in their direction, he asked as he poured maple syrup over a stack of waffles.

"Don't know. He's been like that since his sis dragged him in here about ten minutes ago." Michal shrugged and raised an eyebrow at the abnormally small amount of food on his plate.

"Is that all you're eating? You usually eat more."

Marco grabbed a cup from the stack and filled it with coffee. "I'm not really hungry. Besides, I think I need coffee more than breakfast now."

The cook looked over the commander with a critical eye and nodded. "You definitely need it. And possibly ten more."

The first commander simply rolled his eyes at the chef's observations.

"Oi Michal, quit dawdling out there! We're working our asses off in 'ere!" Someone yelled from the kitchen.

"That's my cue. See ya later, Commander!"

Stifling another yawn, Marco made his way across the room, tray in hand, and slid in beside Ace.

"Morning."

"Good morning, Commander." Rainha greeted simply without raising her head, but Sabo looked up from his plate, half a waffle dangling from his mouth. "Morning, Marco-san." He said after gulping down the waffle.

Ace on the other hand, waved a hand in greeting, too busy stuffing his face to speak.

Digging into his breakfast, Marco listened to his ship-brother and his siblings as they talked about various things. Mind still clouded with sleep, it took him several moments before he realized Rainha's attire had changed to a more casual one. Instead of the form-fitting black coat, she wore a dark-blue top that had mid length sleeves. Her long hair was slung in a loose braid over her shoulders, tied together at the end with a rubber band. A pair of silver stud earrings and a pendant adorned her ears and neck. She looked like any normal woman, though she was anything but normal.

Not normal including her choice of breakfast.

Both Sabo and Ace had huge mugs of coffee next to them. Rainha's, while equally large, was anything but coffee. What else could that smooth-looking, milky brown, sweet-smelling drink be except hot chocolate? Compared to her drink, her actual breakfast was relatively normal, consisting of pancakes and scrambled eggs, although it was a normal serving, unlike her brothers.

Marco blinked wearily. "Why are you drinking hot chocolate?" He asked, his brain not quite connected with his mouth yet.

The assassin blinked back. Just when he thought she wouldn't answer…

"I don't like coffee."

The blonde commander blinked again. Okay…?

A loud plop sounded next to him, distracting him from his thoughts about coffee and how the hell is she even awake without coffee, and he sighed. Without looking, he reached out and grabbed a fistful of Ace's black locks, lifting his face from the cereal bowl. Seconds later, Ace returned to consciousness and Rainha handed him a napkin to towel off the milk and cereal.

Somehow, Ace falling asleep in his breakfast-as usual-feels like the only normal thing today.

Breakfast went by uneventfully, and soon the crew started to wake up, slowly trickling into the gallery for breakfast.

Rainha finished hers quickly, only hanging around to wait for the two black holes she called brothers to finish theirs.

Marco, on the other hand, was on his fourth cup of coffee. Even drinking it black, he still felt bone-tired and wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. But, of course, someone up there hates him, so minutes after he started on his fifth cup, one of the night watch came in and headed straight for him.

"Commander Marco." The man addressed. Marco recognised him as one of the crew he had assigned to keep watch on Whitebeard, lest he tried to sneak out of bed-again-to look for the alcohol the medical team had hidden with complete approval from all the commanders-for his health's sake-before the doctors cleared him. The old man was surprisingly stealthy for someone of his stature.

He hummed a reply, indicating the man to go on.

"Oyaji has called a commanders meeting. He wants you all to meet immediately after breakfast."

Ten minutes after breakfast, Marco, along with Ace, arrived at the Moby Dick's meeting room, or as the crew loved to dub it, the 'war room'. Rainha and Sabo had followed them out of the galley, but had headed to the infirmary instead to sit with their youngest brother.

When they entered, Whitebeard and the other commanders were already seated and were only waiting for them. Greeting their captain, both took a seat on Whitebeard's right, Marco first, then Ace, and then the other commanders in numerical order which ended with Izo directly opposite Marco.

Ace, seeing the large number of bandages that adorned Whitebeard, automatically lowered his head, unable to face his father. The old captain noticed immediately and set his mug that he had been drinking from down.

"Ace, we've talked about this yesterday." Whitebeard reminded. He hated seeing his children look so dejected at his expense. They shouldn't have to feel guilty about things that weren't in their control.

His other sons noticed too, and voiced their agreement.

In the blink of an eye, Ace found himself surrounded by his ship-brothers whose overprotectiveness had spiked where it concerned their youngest.

Behind the commotion, Whitebeard shot a look at his eldest. You already know what this is about, don't you?

Marco nodded, to which the captain responded to with a nod of his own and indication towards the other pirates in the room.

He understood perfectly, and then proceeded to loudly clear his throat, effectively plugging the noise for a short moment.

"As much as I'd like to join you guys in scolding Ace for being an idiot, we're here for a meeting, remember?"

With several 'yes sir's, the other commanders returned to their respective seats.

"So," The first commander started, his tone serious. "You guys have all met Rainha, right?"

The commanders nodded.

"What do you guys think of working with her?" He asked, not bothering to beat around the bush. His question seemed to have caught everyone else except him and Oyaji off guard, if the surprise on their faces were any indication.

"Say what now?" Vista asked, his hand twisted halfway in his curled moustache. "What do you mean 'working with her'?"

The blonde commander looked up at Whitebeard with a look that clearly conveyed 'your turn'.

"Rainha made us a proposal on behalf of Noite yesterday." Whitebeard started, coughing a little at the end of his sentence. Izo, who was seated closest to him besides Marco, quickly pushed a mug of water towards him, which was quickly downed by the large man.

Haruta, the unofficial intelligence of the crew, perked up in interest. "What kind of proposal?"

The elderly captain looked around the room, meeting the eyes of his children. "A trade. Noite wants Teach, in return, they will provide us with information on his movements…"

"Whitebeard-san. I have a proposal for you." The Black Queen said, cutting straight to the point.

"Oh?" Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What does a young lass like you want, eh?"

"Actually, I'm simply acting on orders of our leader."

Contrary to others who usually cowered in his presence, the assassin was as cool as a cucumber, her voice and posture unwavering as she explained the details of the proposal to the Yonko.

Being an organization whose activities required unthinkable amounts of information, Noite's information network was one of the largest around, having metaphorical hands in the underworld, the marines and even the government itself.

It was on this basis that Noite had made its proposal.

As Marshall D. Teach, otherwise known as Blackbeard was a traitor of the Whitebeard crew, there was no doubt that the revered crew would hunt him down, especially since he had handed in one of theirs to the government which resulted in the recent war. After fleeing the war, he would undoubtedly lie low for a while to recover, and so would those who had sustained damage in the war. It was unlikely they would cross paths anytime soon, so the assassin's guild-who apparently have a bone to pick with the man-would provide his former crew with information concerning his whereabout and activities. In return, all they wanted was custody of Blackbeard and his crew after the Whitebeards have defeated him.

When she finished, Whitebeard reached up to caress his moustache as he pondered over the offer made to him.

"That does sound like him." The Yonko commented, remembering the many times he and the now assassin king had crossed paths. The proposal Rainha had just offered him sounded a lot like something his old friend would do.

"I will have to discuss this with my sons first." He told the assassin.

"Understood. I'll be awaiting your reply then. However, do be quick as I have other engagements to tend to."

"We will."

"Well then." Rainha gave a slight bow. "Since our business has been concluded, I shall take my leave. Do rest well, Whitebeard-san."

Without another word, she turned to leave, reaching the door before the old veteran called out to her.

"Thanks for the save back there."

She halted in her steps, glancing back at the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, bathed in the golden light of sunset that spilled through the portholes.

"I only did it for Ace."

Then she was gone.

Whitebeard chuckled as he finished. "She's an interesting one, that girl." The sentiment was apparently shared by his sons.

"So basically," Marco summarized. "Ace's sister offered us information on Blackbeard for literally nothing except custody of him and his crew after we beat them."

Whitebeard nodded, downing another glass of water. "I'd like to hear what you all think."

"To be honest, I don't see why we'd need their help." The fourteenth commander, Jiru spoke up. "Our information network is as widespread as theirs, we could easily gather the information ourselves."

"True." Haruta agreed. "But Noite's network extends to even the underworld, where, for your information, we don't have access to. At least, not as much as I would like to have."

Whitebeard nodded in agreement. "Haruta's right. Not to mention Linlin might take advantage of this opportunity while we are recovering to attack us."

"She has had her sights set on Fishman Island for a while now." Blenheim mused.

"Huh."

"Why would they want Teach and his crew though?" Vista wondered, stroking his moustache.

"Information maybe?" Haruta replied, a knuckle under his chin. "I mean, they might have information that Noite wants."

"Likely." Blenheim said.

"Can we really trust her?" Marco asked. Despite his interest in her, she was still an unknown factor and he didn't trust her completely even though Rainha was Ace's sister.

Ace apparently took offence at the question, his brow creasing into a frown, but he didn't say anything. He knew the first commander was just being responsible. If he wasn't Rainha's brother, he would've done the same.

Kingdew leaned back in his chair, arms crossed in front of him. "She hasn't proved herself otherwise yet."

"Who cares why they want him?" Rakuyo snorted. "We get to beat 'em up and that's the important part, isn't it?"

Everyone suddenly shut up, and the seventh commander panicked at the silence. "What?!"

Slowly, vicious grins started to form on every face in the vicinity, some more so than others, but surprisingly Whitebeard's was the most vicious of all, even if he didn't look it.

"What he said." Namur smirked, baring his extremely sharp teeth. Everyone else nodded.

Marco looked around, and concluded. "So, we take it?" He asked, though it wasn't really a question because he knew what their answer would be.

It was just rhetoric.

Agreement sounded out around the table.

Looking up at their captain, Marco inquired. "So, should we send someone to get her?"

"No." The old captain grinned. "I'll meet her later. For now," He instinctively took a swig from his mug, only grimacing when he was reminded that it held plain water instead of alcohol.

"Fill me in on what you brats-including our allies-have been up to since you forced me on bedrest and let the medical team confiscate all the alcohol."

"Captain, Commander Marco is calling." Standing outside the captain's quarters, the first mate of the Maelstrom Spider PIrates knocked on the door, hoping to receive an answer from his captain.

"Captain, would you please answer?" When he received no answer, his first mate called again, a slight hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. This was the fifth time the first commander had called them today, and adding the seven calls they had received yesterday, it was the twelfth time. Honestly, the Maelstrom Spider captain's avoidance of the Whitebeards was getting sort of ridiculous, but the man knew he couldn't blame his captain.

Since they had successfully escaped Marineford, Squard had left his deputy in charge of their crew and shut himself away in his quarters, not even bothering to eat or drink. At first, his crew had wisely given their captain the space they knew he needed after what had transpired during the war to sort himself out, but the day after, when Marco called, asking to talk to Squard, the pink-haired captain had all but faked being asleep to avoid having to talk to the person on the other end of the line. The first mate had told the Whitebeard on the phone that their captain was sleeping, though he knew Squard was anything but.

He knew his captain too well to know that the man would still be plagued by guilt for what he had done. To Whitebeard, Ace and all their friends and allies.

Although he wasn't sure if Marco believed his excuse. Probably not...his title wasn't for show, after all.

But even so…

"Captain!" The first mate called out insistently. "Avoiding Marco isn't going to change anything, I'm sure you're aware of that."

"..."

"Marco says that Oyaji's fine, he's been temporarily confined to bedrest but otherwise okay. Ace is too. Everyone else is as well as can be. But he wants to know how are you?"

"..."

"I can answer for the crew and myself, but I can't answer for you. Not when you've locked yourself up like this."

"..."

"Captain, you'll have to face this whether you like it or not. I'll leave the transponder here, Marco is still on the line."

Without another word, the first mate left.

Moments later, the door creaked open and a pale hand extended from within, grabbing the snail lying on the floor before retracting and closing the door again.

Inside the room, Squard sat against the bed, staring at the transponder in his hand. The person on the other end had apparently heard him moving, because a familiar voice soon sounded from the snail.

"Squard?"

"Marco."

The Phoenix chuckled good-naturedly when he heard the allied captain's voice. "Finally came out of your shell, Squard?"

"Aedris* wouldn't leave me alone…"

"So I heard." The snail's smirking face morphed into a serious expression. "Squard, how are you?"

Squard stiffened at the question. The blatant concern in Marco's question was felt like an arrow through his chest, and the guilt that had been sitting on his mind intensified. He didn't deserve the care that Whitebeards were showing. Not after he had betrayed them at Marineford…

"Oyaji believes in second chances, Squard." Marco replied when he revealed his thoughts. "We all understand why you did it, even if we don't appreciate your stabbing Oyaji in the chest. Oyaji already forgave you, remember? Don't blame yourself too much."

"And Ace?" Squard asked, a little nervous. "How is he?"

"He's as good as can be." The Phoenix laughed. "I almost forgot. Ace wanted me to tell you that you'll always be a brother to him, if that's what you're worried about."

The Maelstrom Spider captain unconsciously let out a breath when he heard that Ace had forgiven him. The fire brat was decades younger than him, but the raven had an aura about him that rivalled his captain's. Though it rarely showed, the few occasions it did were ones that most of those present preferred to forget. The way those grey eyes, normally full of life and fire suddenly still and turn to cold ash sent a bone-chilling fear down the spines of whoever met them.

"Come by sometime, I'm sure everyone will be happy to see you."

"...I will."

Both men hung up simultaneously after exchanging coordinates.

On the Moby Dick, Marco broke into a grin as he placed the receiver down.

Squard's in for a big surprise.

Since the war ended, Aokiji had shut himself away in his office, only leaving once for an impromptu meeting Sengoku had called, and even then, his hadn't been focused on whatever the Fleet Admiral had said, his mind too preoccupied with what he had been told yesterday.

"What are you doing here, Rainha?" Aokiji asked as he shifted into a standing position, wary of the blade that was pressing ever so slightly. The blade didn't look like much, but being in direct contact with it, he knew the blade was more than it seemed. It sapped him of his powers, weakening him, but not enough to incapacitate him.

It was a sea stone weapon.

His eyes were strictly trained on the space in front of him, but he still felt the change in the atmosphere. The background noise decreased drastically, as if everyone knew that Rainha was about to speak, and had instinctively gone silent.

"I'm surprised you're asking." She spoke after a moment, her voice loud amidst the silence. "You should know, Admiral."

"Indeed, I do." The ice user replied. His expression gave away nothing, but inside, he was starting to feel a little nervous. He knew very well what the assassin had meant by her question, though how she knew about what had transpired on that lost island twenty years ago was a mystery to him.

"Then don't ask meaningless questions." She countered. "But I must know, if things come down to what I think it may, where will you stand?"

"And why are you asking?"

"Reasons. Now answer."

Aokiji shrugged.

"Wherever justice is, I suppose."

"Is that so?" He heard her ponder for a moment, then suddenly, he felt the pressure disappear. He was surprised by his sudden return of freedom that he didn't even register himself turning around to look at her.

"You're letting me go?" The admiral asked, not quite understanding the assassin's actions.

"You're a good man, Admiral." She answered. "Besides, you won't be here for long."

The Black Queen had said he knew what she was doing at Marine Ford, and he did.

Ohara.

Nico Robin.

Portgas D. Ace.

Despite their differences, the circumstances surrounding both were similar.

Too similar, in fact.

One, hunted since childhood simply because she bore the title of 'Archaeologist'.

One, hated for existing since birth due to the identity of his father.

Both were innocent beneath the crimes pushed onto them by the world before they accepted their fates and lived life as they pleased.

Twenty years ago, he had spared Robin's life, allowing her to go free.

Yesterday, the assassin had saved Ace from Akainu, allowing him to return to his family.

Both Aokiji and Rainha had given someone whose existence was a sin to the world a chance to escape the government.

Deep down, the admiral knew that the government was rotten to the core, and the marines along with it.

Ha, upholders of Justice, we call ourselves. He scoffed. It'd only be true if the government was as just as they like people to think.

A knock on the door drew him from his thoughts.

"Fleet Admiral?" Opening the door, he was greeted by Sengoku who looked tired as hell.

"Hello, Kuzan." The older man inclined his head in greeting, calmly stepping past the door held open by the admiral into the dimly lit office.

It didn't escape Sengoku that several throw pillows were tossed onto the floor in front of the couch set in the middle of the room. "Was I interrupting something?"

"No, I was just thinking." Aokiji shook his head. "Is there something you need, Sir?"

"Yes, there's something I need to discuss with you."

…

…...

"In light of that, I've decided to recommend you for the position." Sengoku calmly disclosed as he sipped on a cup of tea.

Opposite him, Aokiji stared at him unblinkingly. "What?"

"I intend to recommend you for the position of Fleet Admiral."

"..."

The Blue Pheasant accepted.

He had said it after all.

"Wherever justice is, I suppose."

He didn't want the position, but if taking it meant Sakazuki and his twisted notion of Absolute Justice wouldn't drag the marines deeper into inky depths, he would gladly do so.

He was after all, a marine.

Sabo sat alone in the infirmary of the Moby Dick-Rainha had left a while ago, saying she had work to attend to-absently watching the rise and fall of his little brother's chest as the boy slept.

He's grown up. That was all that came to mind.

The Revolutionary had played out his reunion with his brothers many times over the years, but never had he thought they would be reunited under circumstances like this.

Ace and Luffy were free spirits, always energetic and full of life.

They should never be in chains.

Never.

But they had been.

The previous day, after Rainha had left with the first commander, Sabo had told those remaining a censored version of how he had regained his memories, but when he and Ace finally got their privacy, the past ten years had spilled automatically. He left out certain topics and sensitive details, of course. Brother or not, the younger blonde still took his responsibilities as the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff seriously. He wouldn't disclose anything that could possibly endanger the organization to others.

Ace had made this weird face when he mentioned Dragon being Luffy's dad, but he had expected that. It was surprising to hear that the Dragon was the father of this kid who was pretty much the biggest idiot ever.

Apparently this idiot also held the crown for craziest rookie ever. Or so he'd heard.

But that was besides the point.

After he had finished his story, Ace had told him all that happened on their side after he 'died', leaving nothing out.

To hear how much they had suffered after losing him, it felt like someone had had a hand around his heart and was squeezing down hard.

"I'm sorry. "He'd told Ace, but deep down, he knew that would never be enough to atone for the pain he caused them.

His brother had told him it was alright since he was here now and subsequently led him to Luffy's room, where Sabo had gotten to see their little brother carefully for the first time. The brief contact during the war wasn't enough for him to really look at Luffy.

He was deathly pale, lying asleep on the stark white sheets.

He shouldn't be lying here. Sabo thought. Luffy was always a hyperactive ball of sunshine that couldn't sit still for over 5 minutes, even though he had matured and grown stronger since the blonde last saw him, that fact had never changed. Perhaps it was just his mindset as an older brother acting up, in which their little brother would always remain that young child who needed them to protect him.

"Jinbe said he overexerted himself. He would have tired out a long time ago if it wasn't

for that okama." Ace said quietly. "Cent* said that he's probably gonna be like this for a week or so."

He went silent as the words sunk in.

"Ace…?" Sabo spoke. "How did you get captured?"

…

"I underestimated the bastard."

"I figured as much." The younger of the two muttered. "You never change."

The raven humphed, averting his eyes to the side. "Like you would know when you were MIA for 10 years." There was a hint of bitterness and blame in his voice, but his brother didn't back down despite the twinge of guilt in his chest.

"Your actions at Marineford proved as much." Sabo shot back, his tone taking an icy dip. "How many times have me and Nee-chan told you to hold your temper in front of an enemy?"

Ace's bit down on his lower lips, unable to retort.

Sabo didn't push him. He knew they were both stressed from recent events so kept quiet instead.

He, however, didn't anticipate the sudden punch that was thrown his way, allowing Ace to land a solid blow on his face.

The blonde stumbled a little, but balanced himself out immediately and sent a questioning glare towards his brother.

"That's for leaving us for so long."

…...

Sabo fingered the bruise he received recently, a smile creeping onto his face.

"I guess this is proof, right?" He mumbled. Proof that he was here with them. His family.

The only other occupant in the room didn't reply.

"Wake up soon, lil' bro."

Ace..?

"Me, Ace and Nee-chan are all waiting for you."

Wait…this voice?...

...Sabo?

At the same time, in different places in the world, news of the war finally reached the people there.

As they finished the paper, all eight simultaneously looked to the sky, one single thought running through their minds.

Luffy, are you safe?

*Aedris: Maelstrom Spider PIrate first mate

*Cent: One of the WB's male doctors