Hi again!
Yeah, I'm keeping my promise here :)
Lines in bold in the story are either sms or fb.
Disclaimer: not mine... Eichiro Oda and Rihito Takarai

Marco sat down behind his desk and took out his books. Next period was English, so he better look through his textbook, just in case. Marco opened the book on the page he needed and stared at it, not seeing anything written there. After five minutes of blank staring, he sighed and took out his phone. He logged in on facebook and opened the search engine. Slightly unsure, Marco typed Portgas. This wasn't fair towards the guy, but Marco had to at least know, who he will be dating.

He raised his eyebrows at the fact that Portgas D. Ace in his friend list. On the other hand, he had no idea who else he had as a friend on facebook. The entire school for sure. Marco only accepted friend requests if he and the person asking had at least a couple mutual friends. Marco looked up Ace's profile, to be greeted by a group photo. There was Ace, in the middle of a group, where everybody had arms around the shoulders of the person next to them. To Ace's right was the red-head, number three in the list, to his left was his little brother. The red head was hugging a boy, who looked as if he slept at least a month ago and that boy had his arm around a small boy with messy brown hair and big brown eyes. Ace's brother hugged Zoro, who had Sanji close to him.

That surprised Marco, he didn't expect Ace to know Zoro and Sanji, much less to be on hugging terms with the good looking red head. Marco turned his attention to the profile picture. Ace's profile picture was an unexpected one, to say the least. He was sitting in a flower field, having a wreath of flowers on his head and a bunch of them in his arms. The flowers were probably from the very field Ace was sitting in, since they were the same colour. Ace had an orange t-shirt on him and a bright orange hat, hanging on his back. He smiled brightly at the camera, the smile being warm and happy.

Marco pressed on the photo, to see the comments. There was a text, written by Ace, when he uploaded the photo: 'Thanks Luffy and Sabo for the flowers! We should go hiking more often.' Marco looked at the first comment, made by, apparently the very same Sabo, who was mentioned. 'Don't you look like a princess XD yeah, sure, I'll give you a call when I can… Mariejois is killing me…' The next comment was from Luffy 'I liked the wolves best :D' to which Ace responded by 'You idiot, we almost became a dinner!'

The comments turned into an all-out argument between the three boys with some comments from other people here and there, all calling Ace either a princess, a pretty boy or, the weirdest part, the sleeping beauty. Just in case, Marco looked at the picture, but Ace was awake there. Given that the number of people who called Ace a sleeping beauty was large, Marco assumed it to be an inside joke. He went back to the profile page, only to see that while he was looking at the comments, there was a status update from Ace: 'When the hell will I need to use the limit of a sequence in real life?!' Marco raised an eyebrow at that – he had no idea that Ace was in an advanced math class. On the other hand, he didn't even know the boy's name half an hour ago.

The status update already had a comment, made by that Sabo, who, apparently, was Ace's close friend. 'Just don't. Otherwise I'll start bitching about my school and u don't want that XD'. To that, Ace replied 'U had a choice, so stop bitching about it XD So not my fault u chose Mariejois over Enies Lobby :D'. Marco's eyebrows rose, as he stared at that comment. Mariejois High was practically the best one in the country, those who graduated from Mariejois could get into whatever university they wanted. Enies Lobby High was also a good one, ranked in top ten, but if Marco could choose, he'd go to Mariejois. To be able to do that, you needed A LOT of money or to be a genius. The only reason Marco could get into the Enies Lobby was his scholarship, which he got from judo.

Meanwhile, that Sabo guy answered to Ace's comment. His answer made Marco blink a couple of times, because his mind could not comprehend the message: 'It's your fault I'm all alone here, 'cause u didn't want to wake up an hour earlier to get to Mariejois!' That was certainly the factor which Marco could not grasp – did Ace have a possibility to go to Mariejois, but chose Enies Lobby only because he liked to sleep? Did the same apply to his brother? Just who were his parents?

Marco got an answer to that pretty fast – Ace wrote 'Shut it, gramps almost sent me to the hospital because of that…' 'Right, u live with Garp… Poor u :'D'. There was only one Garp that Marco knew of – Monkey D. Garp, one very high ranked politician, ex-marine too. If Ace lived with that man, there was no surprise in the fact that he could go to Mariejois. However, the surnames didn't match, because Marco was certain that Ace's brother's surname was Monkey D., just like Garp's. Was he adopted? Marco knew he could relate to that – he had fourteen siblings, all of them adopted and he was the oldest one.

Of course, given that there were a lot of mouths to feed, they weren't very rich and Marco, being the eldest, had to set an example for his younger siblings. He knew that Pops was proud of him – to score a scholarship to Enies Lobby was a big thing, he was the only one so far. His brother Thatch got into the Water 7 High, which was also a good one, but not as good as Enies Lobby. Suddenly Marco felt a wave of anger rise and he logged out of facebook, not wanting to see anything else. He had to work very hard to get to this high school, but Ace turned Mariejois down to get an extra hour of sleep in the morning? The whole thing reeked of 'spoiled brat', the very thing Marco hated the most. Now, he really hated himself for agreeing to date that brat. This week was going to suck, for sure.

(^_^)

Ace was angry, angry to the point of burning his math book, to the point of assaulting his math teacher, to the point of setting the whole school on fire. He was reasonably good at maths, but if it was up to him, he'd go to the normal math class, but Garp decided that Ace would go to the advanced one. The worst part was that he couldn't change classes by himself, he needed approve of the guardian, which he wasn't likely to get, because that guardian wanted Ace in the advanced class. Luffy, on the other hand, went to the easy math class, even Garp knew that he could only expect so much, when it came to math and Luffy. If there was an all-you-can-eat subject at school, Luffy would have been the model student, but there wasn't one, so Luffy barely managed to pass his other subjects.

"Can you fucking explain it in a way somebody in this class could understand?!" Ace's patience burst, as he yelled at the stupid teacher, standing up and hitting his desk with his fist.

"Mr Portgas, don't raise your voice in class! And, above all, don't use such vulgar language at school!" the teacher glared at Ace, but said it in somewhat calm voice. "Sit down, please."

"No fucking way!" Ace growled, what could he say – he had a problem with authority. "Not until you explain in normal language."

"Mr Portgas, if you won't sit down, I'll have to ask you to leave the classroom," the teacher said, glaring.

"Fine by me!" Ace left his books on his desk, as he went to the door. He slammed it loudly behind him, as he went to the corridor. Still feeling angry, he hit the door with his fist, making it rattle loudly. Ace growled, as he walked away from the classroom – hopefully, this will get Garp into school and Ace out of the advanced math class. Ace went to the stairs, to get out of the school and to the school yard. He needed to go somewhere quiet, where he could calm down and, maybe, sleep.

(^_^)

Marco could not believe his eyes – was that brat skipping classes too? Why else would he be going through the school yard during lessons? The brat walked quickly, it was either because he didn't want to be seen or because he was angry. Marco thought that version number two was a better one – if he didn't want to be seen, he should not have walked across the yard so that everybody could see him. 'Just how much of an ungrateful brat is he,' Marco thought angrily. He had every possibility in the world yet he was throwing them away. Marco glared at the boy, who turned around the building and disappeared from sight.

He turned his full attention to the teacher, who was explaining English grammar on the whiteboard. Marco copied everything to his copybook, nodding to himself, as he understood how it worked. It made sense, everything had a logical explanation. The teacher ordered them to do exercises from the textbook and started walking around the classroom. As Marco stared at the first exercise, his thoughts went back to that spoiled brat. What the hell was his problem? Was it really that hard to appreciate the opportunities he had?

Marco shook his head violently – he had to focus on the exercise, because he worked very hard to get where he was now. He could not do anything to compromise his position, he didn't have a marine admiral behind him to ensure his place at this school. Marco scribbled angrily in his copybook, a plan forming in his head. He'll beat the living daylight out of that spoiled brat on every fucking training until he started to appreciate everything he had.

The lesson ended uneventfully, so Marco decided to go down to cafeteria to get some coffee. He had a late night, with all the homework he had to do. Robin went with him, following Marco silently. When they neared the cafeteria, she finally spoke:

"You are angry," this wasn't a question.

"I am," Marco replied; he stopped thinking about it long time ago, how come she knew everything.

"Why?"

"I thought you knew," Marco chuckled.

"I'm not all-knowing, I thought you knew that," Robin smiled.

"Hm, could have fooled me, I thought you knew everything," Marco got in line at the cafeteria; there was a fair number of people there.

"Since you are avoiding the subject, I think it has something to do with the person you'll be dating this week," Robin said in calm voice. Marco sighed – and here he got his hopes up that she didn't know everything. The line moved slowly and Marco was as quiet as a spy, who was in interrogation. Meanwhile, the interrogator kept talking: "Judging from your body-language, I am correct. So, I will conclude that you found out something you didn't like about them and now you are unsure what to do about that. I also think that this is someone I know personally."

Why was Marco friends with Robin again? He bought his coffee and was about to go out of the cafeteria, when he noticed a straw hat not far from him. Marco stopped for a second, but moved on, only to be almost run over by Ace for the second time this day. Ace didn't even notice him, as he went strictly for his brother.

"Luffy! Run!" Ace yelled. "Old man is here!"

The boy with the straw hat turned around, his eyes round and scared, and then both of them disappeared form the cafeteria, running as if their lives depended on it. Marco rose his eyebrows, thankful to lady luck that he didn't spill his coffee all over himself.

"YOU STUPID UNGRATEFUL BRATS!" yelled somebody and Marco miraculously saved his uniform from being stained with coffee, as he was almost run over for the third time. This time it was an elderly man, already grey-haired, but, judging by his speed and physique, was still kicking, quite literally too. Maybe, just maybe, Ace's and Luffy's life did depend on how fast they could run, Marco thought, as he watched Garp kick some boys out of his way.

"Ah, right, Luffy broke a window this morning…" Marco heard Robin say calmly. "And with Ace lashing out at math teacher, they better run."

"How did you know that?" Marco stared at Robin, she never ceased to surprise him.

"I have my ways," Robin smiled mysteriously. "I can't blame Ace, their teacher is really bad at explaining things."

Marco sipped his coffee, thinking. So that was the reason Ace skipped the lesson. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't too much of a spoiled brat. Judging by how Garp stormed through cafeteria and how fast the brothers ran, they had a strict guardian. Was the statement about hospital serious? Garp did seem like a person to do it.

Marco and Robin went out to the school yard – it was lunch, but Marco already ate, after the dentist, and Robin always skipped lunch, for whatever reason. They were right on time to see Ace being thrown to the side, as he tried to get Garp to release Luffy, who was held by Garp by his collar, half a meter of the ground. Luffy was struggling too, thrashing around and occasionally, kicking his grandfather in the stomach. Garp totally ignored Luffy, dead set on catching Ace too.

Marco was sure that Garp got Ace, but Ace evaded it by ducking. Or what Marco though was ducking. Ace fell flat on the ground, as if somebody hit him hard on the head from behind. He was lifted by the scruff of his neck by Garp; Ace was absolutely motionless, hanging like a marionette.

"Good timing," Garp chuckled. "Luffy, stand still."

Garp put pouting Luffy down and threw Ace over his shoulder, the latter still being out cold. Luffy was standing close, not making any attempts to get away. Marco looked around – why wasn't anyone worried about Ace? He was sure that fainting like that should cause some commotion, but not one of the people, who gathered to watch the show, was bothered by it. Confused, Marco turned to Robin for answers; Garp was leaving, with Luffy leading the way and Ace over his shoulder.

"No need to worry, this happens pretty often," Robin smiled.

"He faints a lot? Isn't it bad, shouldn't he get checked out?" Marco frowned.

"Ace has narcolepsy," Robin said calmly, not concerned at all. "You're about the only one in the school who doesn't know it. It means he falls asleep suddenly."

"Oh…" Marco finally understood what 'sleeping beauty' meant. He chuckled, sleeping beauty indeed.

"Hm…" Robin looked at Marco intently and he was sure that she figured everything out. "You know, there is so much more to it than what you saw on facebook."

Marco sighed – sometimes Robin was scary, and he meant scary outside the dojo. There she was downright terrifying. She smiled at Marco, who was sure that she could read minds too.

"Well, there is a reason I'm called a Devil's Child," Robin chuckled.

"Who calls you that?" Marco stared, that was mean.

"Those who don't like me," Robin smiled. "There are few, who can stand me as I am."

"Hm," Marco finished his coffee and looked around for a trash can. "I couldn't tell, judging by you being number four," he found the trash can and walked there, with Robin following him.

"Appearances can be deceiving," Robin smiled.

"You would know everything about it," Marco chuckled.

"I do and I say that you don't know the whole story."

"Really now?"

"Marco, you should not judge the book by its cover."

"You are rephrasing things."

"Good, you noticed."

"Then what's the whole story?" Marco snapped. "If you intend to not to tell me, then stop saying it."

"I just want you to be open-minded and ask him yourself. It is not my place to spill the beans, so to speak."

"I am open-minded!"

"No, right now your mind is clouded by anger."

Marco huffed, angry with himself. He, Phoenix Marco, didn't lose his temper. And, more importantly, he stood by his word and he shouldn't need Robin, to remind him of it.

(^_^)

Ace slowly woke up from his slumber. The last thing he remembered was that old man got hold of Luffy. After that, his mind blacked out. One damn unfortunate timing that was. Ace groaned, as he sat up on the couch he was placed on. His head hurt, like always, when he fell face first to the ground. Luckily, his nose didn't seem broken and he felt more or less fine.

Ace opened his eyes and looked around. He was at the principal's office, no Garp or Luffy anywhere in the vicinity. The principal, Garp's former co-worker, Aokiji, was napping behind his desk. Ace cleared his throat, as he put his legs down. The principal stirred, opening one eye at him.

"Ah, awake, at last," Aokiji said, stretching lazily.

"I take it the meeting is over?" Ace asked, rubbing his face with his hands.

"Yeah, it is. Rejoice, you are out of the advanced math," Aokiji yawned. "I convinced Garp that it was for the best."

"Thanks a lot!" Ace's face lit up.

"Now, get out of here, your club activity starts in fifteen minutes."

"Thank you very much!" Ace stood up and bowed properly to the principal.

"Just get out."

Ace walked out of the principal's office, his heart singing in his chest – finally, finally he would stop going to the advanced math. He ran to his homeroom, to get his things. The school was mostly empty, since the students went to their club activities already. The classroom was empty, his things already packed. He would have to thank Nami for this, she always took care of his things whenever his narcolepsy decided it was time to say hi.

Ace grabbed his school bag, his sports bag and his blazer and ran out of the classroom. If he got lucky, he would be on time. He dashed through the school, out of the school and to the dojo. He'd be killed, if he was late, Marco-sempai was very strict when it came to training. Ace crashed through the doors of the dojo, slipped and almost fell down, as he ran for the changing room.

Ace must have been in lady luck's good graces, for when he tumbled into the changing room, there were a couple of people, changing. He threw his bags on the closest bench and started stripping, ignoring comments about him being a sleeping beauty. He changed quickly and walked through the doors, which separated the changing room from dojo. Ace quickly went to the line and sat down; he tried to ignore the glare Marco was giving him for almost being late. He just hoped he'll live past today's training.

The training started as usual, they bowed and were sent to do fifteen laps around school. Ace, who already did what could count as one lap, decided to save his power for later and was jogging in average pace. It didn't bother him one bit that he was passed by every member of the judo club. Ace knew that after six to eight laps he'll pass most of them. Given that the school premises weren't small, the laps were large and it took some time to pass. Ace only wished he had some music to go with laps.

His calculations were correct – after what Ace counted as seventh lap, he passed more than a half of the club with his steady pace. After the second lap Ace started humming whatever songs came to his mind. For whatever reason, he was stuck on the banana song, so he was jogging and muttering to himself 'ba-ba-ba ba-ba na-na, ba-ba-ba ba-ba na-na, banana-a-a potato na-a-a, banana-a-a'. When he was muttering 'potato-o-o', he heard a question:

"Food again?"

"Marco-sempai?" Ace blushed a little, as he lost his pace for a moment, but caught up in a second.

"Yo!" sempai raised his hand a little in a greeting manner, jogging beside Ace. "So, you'll do anything for food, huh?"

"Not anything…" Ace blushed, as he thought about what kind of impression of himself he gave to Marco – a food-crazed idiot.

"Almost anything, then."

"Not really…"

"But it's still high on the priority list?"

Ace nodded, blushing – denying was hopeless. He was an idiot, a huge one too. Marco chuckled at his nod and ran faster; Ace kept his pace. He jogged, thinking that this Monday was either the best Monday he had ever had (because of the math) or the worst (because of Marco).

After the jog, everybody gathered in front of dojo, stretching. Ace went straight for the drinking fountain. There was a line, but a small one – they had to be done stretching the moment Marco went inside. Ace got a mouthful of water and quickly moved out of the way. He saw Robin, who was with the karate group, and waved his hand. She waved back, blowing her cheeks up, until she looked like a hamster, and pointed at him. Ace swallowed the water and smiled at her. She hit her forehead lightly with her knuckles and pointed to Ace's left. Ace turned his head to see Marco walk into the dojo.

"Oh, shit…" Ace quickly followed, starting a domino chain.

Marco was already standing in the centre of the dojo, glaring at his club members. Ace tried to stand somewhere as far away from the scary sempai as possible, but he was out of luck. Marco headed towards Ace and Ace paled – he knew all too well, what that meant.

"You'll be sparring with me today," Marco said to Ace, who could hear the whole group exhale in relief.

Their coach came in and said to divide themselves into pairs. Ace was mentally writing his will, knowing that he won't have time for that later.

"Relax," he heard Marco say. "I'm not going to butcher you."

At that, Ace dared to look at his sempai, who was smiling. He exhaled silently and looked at his opponent – if he didn't give his very best, he'd get his ass handed to him on silver platter.

"I have been thinking about what you said this morning, about the finishing line and the food," said Marco, looking Ace in the eye. "How about it, I'll treat you to an all-you-can-eat buffet if you can beat me."

"Sempai, did you hit your head?" Ace asked, frowning – nobody ever took that seriously.

"No, I'm being serious."

"Are you sure?" Ace was very doubtful.

"Very. Give it your best shot." Marco challenged Ace.

"I hope you know what you're doing." Ace bowed and rose his hands to his shoulder level. He breathed slowly, calming himself. He was an experienced fighter and he still took a detour to the Grey Terminal after school twice a week. In front of him was just another thug from the Terminal and when did he lose to one of them?

Ace watched calmly, as Marco bowed and raised his hands. He was watched intently, he didn't have to see to know that. Another breath and Ace launched for his opponent. He didn't see his surroundings, not even his opponent's face. He was calm, his breathing even. The opponent was good, his speed and strength was better than Ace's, but Ace was just testing his opponent. When he felt that he was done testing, he grabbed the opponent's arm. 'Break it!' sounded in Ace's mind, but he wasn't fast enough – the opponent got his arm back and grabbed Ace's collar. Perfect. Moving much faster than before, Ace grabbed the hand grabbing his collar, turned and threw his opponent over his back. Ace added a finishing blow with his elbow to the opponent's solar plexus. After that, he quickly got to his feet, ready for another attack – thugs from the Grey Terminal seldom came alone.

The second attack came from behind, just as expected. Ace turned, landing two hits in the thug's stomach and a roundhouse kick on the shoulder and returning to his starting position – relaxed posture, arms raised to the shoulder level, palms out, slightly slouched and head bowed, eyes half-closed. He waited for the next opponent.

Just want to say, that the whole story is going to be somewhat different from manga. The timeline will be the same, but, basically, I'm doing whatever I want here.

Next update will be somethime next week (hopefully, because I have one BIG exam then).

Thanks a lot for all the wonderful reviews, favourites and follows.

Rhe.

PS: still looking for a beta. Anyone?