I do not own One Piece.

~Rituals and Plans~

Sabo stared out over the sea, as the other three acted calmly around him. He looked up as they passed through the gates leading to Marineford, and sighed. He couldn't believe they were doing this, they would be caught for sure. Rayleigh had assured that the admirals were away as well as other strong marines so this was their best and only chance.

"Let's go over the plan again." Rayleigh called to the three with him.

Sabo turned his attention to the pirate, watching as Luffy turned his attention fully to the man. Jinbei also gave the man his attention, though his eyes kept flicking to Luffy to make sure the boy was okay. Sabo let his gaze stray to his little brother as well, he had been doing better, his biggest injury was the burn on his chest, Akainu's attack had gotten through Jinbei's arm to the younger pirate, leaving him with a scar. Still there was no worse damage to the youngest, just a mind being constantly overrun by memories of the war.

Sabo sighed as he turned his attention back to Rayleigh, fighting the tiredness his body felt. It had been a while since they were released from the Heart Pirates, and still the nights were long. Luffy and himself would awaken constantly from nightmares of the war, and dreams of failing to save their brother. Luffy had gone silent after the first dream where Ace was dead, and he had broken down. Jinbei and Rayleigh had helped the blonde brother to bring his brother back from despair over the dream.

"When we draw closer Jinbei will get in the water and protect us from below," Rayleigh began as he looked at the fish-man.

Jinbei nodded. "Then you'll circle the island correct?"

Rayleigh nodded. "Just once to signify a funeral at sea."

"After that we enter the plaza?" Sabo questioned.

Rayleigh nodded. "We'll distract the marines as Luffy makes his way to the bell."

Luffy nodded as Rayleigh turned his gaze to him. "I then ring it sixteen times to signify the end of an era and the beginning of a new one."

"That is correct."

Sabo looked at Luffy. "Do you have those flowers?"

Luffy nodded. "Yeah, I'll stop near the fissure Whitebeard made and throw them in before stopping for a moment of silence."

Sabo nodded. "Be careful."

"We'll be there to watch his back," Rayleigh assured.

"We're approaching." Jinbei moved towards the railing of the boat.

Sabo turned to see Marineford coming close as Luffy ran to the front of the boat, intent on standing proudly at the front. Sabo sighed before taking a position nearby, not quite sure what was expected of him to do till they reached land. Rayleigh remained seated, a box of rounds next to him as he smirked, completely relaxed.

It didn't take long for the marines to notice something was up or to spot Luffy standing proudly at the front of the ship. As they opened fired their attacks were stopped by Jinbei and Rayleigh. Sabo could only watch in surprise as Rayleigh caused the cannonballs to explode by just hurling the gun rounds at them.

As the ship finished circling around the island once they moved into the bay, Luffy joining them and Jinbei as they prepared for departure from the ship. Sabo quickly raced to the railing as the other two latched onto Luffy who pulled them from the fiery ship as Sabo flew after them in his raven form.

The marines were all shocked and began the counterattack, Rayleigh and Jinbei taking most of the attackers on as Sabo ran after Luffy who ignored most of the marines. As more reinforcements came to stop them Sabo moved ahead planning to block their advance as Luffy continued towards the bell, reporters following him.

Sabo punched and smacked his opponents away, moving between them as some tried to move past him. He smirked, happy to be fighting again, even if his injuries still cause him problems. It was frustrating not being able to do anything with all his pent up energy. The marines paused as the sound of the bell ringing filled the plaza.

Sabo moved back as he looked to the bell, watching Luffy swinging the rope in even paces as the bell continued to ring out. Everyone quieted as they watched the pirate ring the bell, no one moving as the bell was rang eighteen times in total. As soon as the last hit landed, Luffy moved respectfully from the bell.

Sabo watched as the reporters followed him towards the crater where he took out the flowers he had picked. Sabo moved closer keeping an eye on the marines nearest his brother. Luffy then took his head off in respect and held it over his chest, eyes closed in a moment of silence. The reporters were frozen before one ran across the bridge to take a picture of Luffy from the front, the rest following.

Sabo smirked as the flashes of the cameras went off and the marines began to approach Luffy, planning to attack him. The blonde moved quickly forward knocking several away from his brother as Luffy continued to stand there. After a bit Luffy grinned and called for Sabo to run for it, the two brothers escaping back to Jinbei and Rayleigh. The fish-man called for a whale shark to aid in their escape as they jumped back for the sea.

Sabo smiled as they made their way back to safety within the pirate empresses region of the sea, where no one was any the wiser that they stayed right under the marine's noses. Sabo glanced back to Luffy who was talking with Rayleigh about their plans for the next few years. Rayleigh smiled, seeming to look forward to the next few years as Sabo turned back to look over the sea, wondering what would happen to him now.

~The Red Force~

Koala sat in her room on the Red Force, awaiting any news from Sabo, it had been a while since the funeral and still no word had come in. Ivankov was making plans to return home to his island, since it wasn't quite time for him to make a reappearance with the army just yet. Ace had been very quiet since the funeral, and the Whitebeard pirates were trying to regroup, but anyone could see that they were lost without their father. Though Marco was doing his best to hold everybody together and get the crew going again, knowing his father wouldn't want them to wallow in grief for long.

Koala was pulled from her thoughts by a knock at the door. She turned to it, wondering who was there as she stood. No one really disturbed her so she wondered if there was any news from Sabo. She opened the door to see Benn standing there and he simply smiled and waved for her to follow.

She moved quickly after him, noticing they were heading to the deck. As they walked out onto the deck she noted that Ace and Marco had both boarded the ship both watching the red-haired captain in confusion. Koala turned her attention to Shanks as Ivankov joined the small group gathering, noticing the captain was speaking on a den den mushi.

"Thanks Rayleigh, I'll pass the message on." The captain smiled as he hung up the phone and turned to the others.

Everybody watched him, wondering what was going on and who he had been talking with. Ace looked apprehensive, as if hoping there had been news of Sabo and Luffy. Koala looked over Shanks' facial expression and saw he was smiling.

"Sabo and Luffy are alright."

Ace's face lit up as he moved forward. "Really?"

Shanks nodded. "That was Rayleigh, he told me he was with the two boys now and planning to get Sabo back home."

"Rayleigh?" Koala questioned, wondering if it was the same Rayleigh from Roger's crew.

"Roger's first mate?" Marco questioned, watching Shanks.

Shanks nodded. "Apparently he agreed to train Luffy for two years or something. He and Jinbei are setting up a way for Sabo to meet up with Koala."

"What's the plan?" Koala asked.

"We're to escort you to fish-man island and from there Jinbei will meet you before bringing you back to Sabaody. Then you'll meet Sabo at Rayleigh and Shakky's bar." Shanks looked over at Ivankov. "No way for you and your crew to get home I'm afraid."

"Ve vill find a vay home after ve arrive on Sabaody," Ivankov assured.

Shanks nodded. "Sorry my friend that I can't help more. It'd just be too risky to go to paradise now."

"I understand well enough." Ivankov accepted, moving to let his little group know the plan.

Koala looked at Shanks with a smile. "Thank you for helping bring me home."

Shanks smiled. "It's not a problem."

Ace walked forward. "Did Luffy or Sabo say anything?"

Shanks looked at the young pirate. "Luffy said he's fine, and that he'll see you in two years in the new world. As for Sabo he asks you not to do anything reckless, he says Luffy is the one that's supposed to need saving, not you."

Ace laughed. "Right, thanks. Two years, why that long?"

Shanks shrugged. "Rayleigh said he was going to train Luffy. That's all I know."

Ace nodded. "Thanks, Shanks."

Shanks smiled. "Anything for you."

Ace and Marco left the ship as Shanks called orders to ready the ship to sail, needing to reach fish-man island and fast. Koala looked out over the sea, glad to finally be going home and leaving this place of mourning behind for now.

~End ch. 19~

So sorry this update is so last, I literally just finished finals the other day. I've had projects and tests and just school stuff taking up most of my time. Also this weekend when I would have worked on it, I was busy switching rooms with my little brother so I could have a larger room since I have to hold onto so many of my teaching projects now. So today is my first relaxing day in the past two weeks!

Next chapter will be several people's reactions to what Luffy did at Marineford, the part with Koala and Shanks takes place the same day Luffy goes to Marineford for the rituals.

Reviewer's corner:

Guest: Thanks for the review.

an: Thanks for the review.

Till next time!