Thanks as always to all who comment. Lots of thanks also to my beta reader, Kenau.


Dark Truth

Chapter 16: Party


Ace watched on in a mixture of disbelief and amusement as half of the Strawhat crew paraded themselves around the deck in improvisational dance as they performed their hard worked song for Luffy. The lyrics were lacking, the dancing was godawful and the tune was just about passable thanks to Brook's magical touch. Not even that could cover up the off-tune bellowing (which sounded more like a sea kings mating call in Ace's opinion) from Usopp, Chopper and Franky. It was worth every ear-splitting second to see his little brother smile as he was.

Luffy had a front row seat to the show, and no doubt had things been normal, he would have participated eagerly with the overenthusiastic performers. Though he was finally on the mend, he remained somewhat subdued from what they were used to. More importantly however, he was finally starting to act like Luffy again and the effect rippled throughout the crew.

The Sunny-Go echoed with song and laughter once more, the deck aglow with encased lanterns to ward away the darkness as dusk fell on them. Heavy footfalls pounded against the sturdy deck in dance and excitement. For the first time in weeks rum and sake were passed around the crew; small platters of snacks and nibbles lay scattered about as they celebrated in the throes of 'The Rubbery Song'. Ace noticed too that Nami seemed more settled as she shared a barrel of rum with Zoro.

Sanji flitted between his two lovely ladies with special sweet delights like an enamoured butterfly. Each time he visited Nami, she would insist on pouring Sanji a cup of sake, and though he saw the chef offer up gentle protest time and again, he always left with a bit more in his belly. Ace didn't fail to notice how Sanji also spared a stop at Luffy with an easier-on-the-tummy pureed dessert. The chef had even fashioned a swirly straw for him to drink it with. Ace couldn't hear what was said over the blaring song as Luffy accepted the frosted glass, but he did see the way Sanji's face illuminated at whatever comment Luffy offered him.

Ace could close his eyes and imagine that everything was perfectly normal with his brother's crew. They were definitely on the path to recovery, but they still had a long way to go. The one thing missing from the party after all was the rambunctious laughter only Luffy could bring to a celebration. He looked content enough now, but as much as the crew played ignorant, that didn't hide the fact that Luffy still tensed at their approach and didn't really engage with them unless they spoke with him first.

There was no magic fix for the kind of trauma Luffy had faced. His kid brother could take a hell of a beating and come back swinging but he knew more than anyone how things came back to haunt you. Literally in Luffy's case. It left Ace wondering just what Luffy planned to do.

Luffy had made it clear he intended to go on with his journey but how was another matter. They would have to cross those waters again and it was more likely than not that the same kind of attack would happen again. This time around Luffy was in no shape to fight his crew even if he did plan on beating them unconscious as Ace's own captain had done to him. They could hang around as they were now, but Ace could feel the restlessness among the crew and he had no doubt Luffy could too.

The closest island was little more than an outcropping of rock in the ocean littered with outlaws, bandits and whatever scum ended up making their living by destroying other peoples. It wasn't safe but then neither were any of their other options. There was no guarantee the ghosts would rear their vengeful heads again but if they did it would spell out Luffy's end for sure. The thought made Ace's heart ache. To top it all off, there wasn't a single thing he could do to help. To stay with Luffy would put him in more danger – Ace had already proven susceptible to the spirits influence with his own captain. He didn't even want to think about the damage he could deal his little brother in such a situation. To go felt like he was abandoning Luffy to his fate.

Ace made a noise of frustration and ruffled his own hair in agitation to will away the ugly thoughts spiralling in his head. The music smothered the noise for the most part, yet when Ace opened his eyes he found Luffy looking back at him, curiously. Ace froze, and smiled sheepishly at his little brother. Luffy didn't have a chance to question his strange behaviour though as Chopper called for him at the songs finale and his attention was stolen away once more. Ace breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't ready to broach the subject of his leaving with his brother just yet.

The rubbery song finally ended and Brook transitioned seamlessly into a cheerful lilting melody. Franky whipped out his guitar to join in and Usopp fashioned a drum set from whatever pots, pans and buckets he could find lying around. The crew assembled into a clumsy conga line and marched around the deck. Nami, still sat with Zoro, finally relented to join the party as Robin beckoned her to join the line. She dusted herself off as she stood and glanced back to say something to Zoro before she made her way to join her dancing crewmates.

"Nami-swaaan!" Sanji cried enthusiastically as he made space for her in the conga in front of him. Nami grabbed his wrists and placed his hands firmly on her waist.

"If I feel them move an inch up or down, I will charge you fifty-thousand beli each time." Nami warned, with a pleasant smile.

"Haaaaiiiiiii~!" Sanji cried in delight, as they all resumed their conga.

Ace watched as Zoro downed the last of his rum before the swordsman stood and made his way over to Luffy. The young captain startled as Zoro crouched beside him, but quickly calmed again. Luffy seemed very lost in thought over the last day – it was a strange sight to behold for Ace who had grown up with him. Luffy was not one to overthink things – he was impulsive, rash and headstrong. The quiet, distant expression he'd worn since Ace arrived was foreign and out of place. He wondered what Luffy was so captured by in his mind that he hadn't even noticed Zoro's approach.

Zoro said something Ace couldn't hear over the bustle of music and trampling feet but the question was obvious when he saw Zoro jerk a thumb towards the party. To Ace's disappointment Luffy declined the offer with a soft shake of his head and what Ace could only assume a verbal reason. The two exchanged a few more words before Luffy glanced Ace's way and Zoro's gaze followed. Ace couldn't deny he was curious about what they were saying but he didn't have to wait long to find out as Zoro jerked his head towards him and Luffy nodded and began to push himself to his feet. Zoro reached out as though to help him, yet his hand stopped short and hovered at Luffy's elbow as his captain pushed his aching body upright, a silent support in waiting, but not suffocating in its presence. Ace smiled to see it; Luffy had gathered good people around him. Zoro escorted Luffy wordlessly to his brother and they moved to sit either side of Ace.

"Yo." Zoro greeted.

"Yo," Ace answered back as he glanced to Luffy, then back to Zoro again. "Shouldn't you two be partying with your crew?"

"Already asked the Captain," Zoro said with a shrug. "He doesn't want to."

Ace's brow furrowed in worry and he turned back to Luffy and asked, "Are you hurting?"

"Mm-mm." Luffy answered with a smile. "I wanted to sit with Ace before he goes."

Ace blinked, a little dumbfounded. Tentatively he asked, "Before I go?"

Luffy nodded, stretched, and then leaned back on his elbows to gaze up at the stars. "Ace is worried about staying, ne?"

Ace had to wonder when Luffy got so damn smart. He wasn't the brightest bulb when it came to academics or wit, but his raw instinct was something remarkable to behold.

"Who says I'm leaving?"

"Me." Luffy replied, a finality in his tone.

"You're kicking me out?" Ace asked as an incredulous smirk tugged at his lips.

"Mm." Luffy noised and dragged his eyes from the stars to Ace. "You have somebody to catch."

"That can wait."

"I'm not little anymore. I'm strong."

"I didn't say you weren't. I know you are." Ace said. Part of him wondered why he was fighting Luffy on this. His brother was making a decision Ace had struggled with for him. "But that doesn't mean you can face everything on your own."

"I'm not alone," Luffy replied, softly. "I have my nakama."

Until they turn on you again. Ace thought bitterly, though he kept that to himself and instead asked, "What will you do if it happens again?"

Luffy opened his mouth, paused, and then closed it again as his brow furrowed thoughtfully. His dark eyes once again turned to his brother in silent scrutiny for what seemed like an age before he answered. "Ace doesn't have to worry about that."

"Eh?! You're my brother! Of course I do!"

"It's my adventure… my ship, my crew. You have your own crew, your own goals." Luffy explained, though his eyes suddenly brightened with mirth. "Unless you want to join my crew?"

"A kind offer but I think I'll pass." Ace answered without hesitation, an amused smile on his face. "So that's how it is, huh?"

"Mm." Luffy noised and nodded before he turned his gaze back to the stars.

Ace wanted to ask him what he would do, if this was okay. He wanted to grab him in a hug and make Luffy part of his own division where he could make sure he was safe. He knew that could never happen; his brother was a free spirit – a captain that didn't answer to others. He doubted Luffy had any answers for him either, yet Ace found the turmoil inside of him had quietened with Luffy's blessing to go.

"Alright then." Ace relented.

Luffy smiled his way and then turned his attention back to his crew's party. He, Zoro and Ace sat in companionable silence amongst the chaotic song and dance aboard the ship content in the decision that had been made.

Sanji looked around at that moment and saw Luffy watching them dance. He waved his hand in a 'come over here' motion. Luffy shook his head with an apologetic smile. That response obvious wasn't what the chef wanted to see however as he abandoned his dance partners and made his way over to the small group. Luffy didn't fail to notice the slight unsteadiness in the cook's usual saunter and the pink tint to his cheeks.

"Sanji's drunk." He stated softly, a bubble of laughter spilling from his lips.

"Looks like it." Ace agreed, and smiled in amusement.

"Captain~!" Sanji greeted enthusiastically, a lilt to his voice. He crouched in front of Luffy with a slight sway and offered his hands, upturned, to his young captain. "Come dance with us."

Luffy considered Sanji's request for a moment before he reached to take the cook's outstretched hands. With a soft, pained grunt he pulled Sanji to the side and sent his already fragile sense of balance packing. Sanji toppled to the deck in a clumsy heap as Zoro and Ace laughed heartily at his expense.

"Sanji's had lots of sake, ne?" Luffy asked, by way of explanation, though there was a hint of mischief shining in his eyes. Luffy patted the spot beside him on the deck in invitation.

"I'm being stupid, huh?" Sanji asked softly, a laziness to his voice brought on by the drink. He pushed himself up to sit to the side of Luffy and regarded his captain in an almost affectionate manner, his usual macho façade fractured by inebriation.

"Nothing new there." Zoro quipped as he tipped back his flask of rum and downed the lot. "Damn lightweight curly-brow."

"Ehh?" Sanji noised, and shot the swordsman and annoyed look. "You wanna say that again Moss-baby?!"

The two men looked ready to pounce at once another, mouths open for the pre-emptive verbal battle, when they both found themselves pushed back by a strong hand to the face. Ace, sat between them with Luffy, gave a good shove and sent both men sprawling onto their backs. Luffy laughed heartily as both men scrambled to their feet. Sanji may have stumbled and moved a touch slower and clumsier than Zoro – but that didn't mean he was a lightweight or drunk!

The two crewmates stood opposite one another in a silent face off, when all of a sudden their showdown was interrupted as the rowdy music drew to a close and all attention turned to their musician. Brook excused himself with a brisk 'I have to pee' and proclaimed Franky his successor. The skeletal Strawhat bowed to an enthusiastic round of applause and slipped away from the party to the bathroom. Franky wasted no time in picking up a song and once again the festivities were in full swing.

"Isn't he just bones?" Ace asked, a bewildered expression on his face.

"Mm." Luffy noised with a nod and a smile.

"Then how…? I mean… can he pee?"

"Mm!" Luffy noised again, more enthusiastic this time. "He can poop too. I asked."

"Ehh!?" Ace yelled, "But how!?"

"He's a mystery skeleton." Luffy explained, confidently.

"Of course he is." Ace replied as he shook his head, an exasperated smile plastered on his face. He reached up and ruffled Luffy's hair. "A wealth of information, as always little brother."

Luffy chuckled and the tension was gone. Zoro lowered himself to sit on the other side of Ace once more, though Sanji remained standing. The chef gazed thoughtfully at Brook as the skeleton re-emerged on deck and settled against the railing a little ways from the main party.

"Ah," Sanji grunted distractedly, "I'm going for a smoke."

Zoro watched him with sharp eyes as Sanji walked away from their small group to go and stand with Brook.

"Oi," Zoro called as Sanji passed him by. The chef paused and regarded Zoro with a mild annoyance and though nothing was said verbally between the two, a silent communication was made as Sanji waved his hand dismissively.

"Yeah, yeah. I know." He replied to Zoro's wordless warning and continued on his way.

"Did I miss something?" Ace asked, curiously.

"It's nothing." Zoro muttered as he pushed himself to his feet. "I'm gonna get another drink." He explained and let the two brothers to their own company.

Ace glanced curiously to Luffy, who smiled back at him in a knowing way.

"It's a mystery." Luffy offered, though Ace had a feeling his younger brother knew exactly what the exchange was about.

"If you say so." he replied and turned his attention back to the dancers. Zoro was heading back to join them holding three large mugs of rum. Ace reached across and draped an arm across Luffy's shoulders; he would enjoy whatever time they had left together.

Brook greeted Sanji with a silent nod as the cook leaned against the railing next to him.

"Yo." Sanji greeted with a raise of his hand in a half-hearted wave. He reached into his pocket for his cigarettes and shook one free before he brought it to his mouth and pinned it between his lips to light it. He breathed in deep as the cigarette burned to life and sucked on it in an almost greedy manner before he pinched it between his thumb and finger and released it from his lips in a sigh of smoke.

"It's good to see Luffy-san smiling again." Brook said, his vacant gaze directed toward the trio sat at the side of the party.

"Yeah, he's trying hard." Sanji agreed as he lifted the cigarette to his lips again and gazed thoughtfully up at the night sky. "You getting on alright?"

"Hm? Of course!" Brook answered, jovially. "I have my crew and my music, yohoho…!"

"It can't have been easy." Sanji continued. "You've been through it once before. You know what I mean? Different circumstances, sure." Sanji waves a hand dismissively. "Same scenario."

"Sanji-san…" Brook uttered, softly. He turned his hollow eyes the chef's way. "You amaze me with your ability to speak to affluently whilst under the influence of alcohol!"

Sanji spluttered mid-drag and choked on a lung-full of smoke. He half-coughed-half-laughed as he pounded as his own chest and dropped the cigarette on the deck.

"You asshole!" he choked out as Brook laughed beside him, "I'm not that drunk! You want me to kick you apart and put you back together as an antique for Robin-chwan!?"

"Ah, that would be wonderful, Sanji-san." Brook sighed out, he clasped his fingers together to his chest and raised his gaze to the stars above. "I cannot tell you how many times I have dreamed to be a fly on the wall of that glorious cabin! To see the panties…!"

Sanji gaped for a moment before he snorted and lightly kicked at Brook's shin. "If anybody were to get that privilege it would be me, so you can get those ideas out of your head."

"Such dreams are not easy to erase, my friend." Brook answered as his demeanour sobered and he once again turned his attention to his young captain. "Luffy-san is proof of that."

Sanji followed his gaze and the two shared a peaceful moment basking in the normalcy of the chaos of the party. Ironically amongst the wild dance moves and overbearing singing there was a sense of tranquillity that came hand in hand.

"I need a drink." Sanji muttered. He lifted his hands to his face and rubbed at his eyes with the heel of his palm, cigarette long since soggy and forgotten on the damp deck.

"You're still worried about him." Brook stated.

"You're not?" Sanji questioned back, "He's getting stronger every day, but he's still a mess."

"I've not known Luffy-san as long as you have, but I swear my loyalty and devotion to him matches anybody on this ship. I'm ashamed to have let such harm befall my captain. It's true I failed my crew once before."

"O-Oi, that's not-" Sanji started, but Brook continued, regardless.

"It's true, these bones are proof of my failure." Brooke stated as he looked down at his skeletal hands. "My first crew are dead and I was powerless to stop it. Now I look at you, my new nakama, and I see you hurting. Sanji-san, I don't know how to fix it. Once again, I'm powerless."

"Brook…" Sanji breathed out, awed by his crewmates candid confession. He didn't know what to say.

"I have offered up what's left of this body to Luffy's service. I trust him to overcome the obstacles he faces and to lead us to our dreams on the way to his own. Perhaps that's selfish of me? Ah, excuse me. I farted."

Sanji blinked, slack-jawed at the skeleton stood beside him. His goal had been to try and find out if Brook was alright and now he wondered if Zoro's silent warning had been justified. Maybe he was a bit too drunk for this?

In all the stress and tension of the past weeks he and Zoro, acting in Luffy's stead, had realised their newest crewmates may have been inadvertently cast aside from their family-like infrastructure. Now listening to Brook, he knew that wasn't the case. This man had already experienced the loss of crew and captain once before. He's gone through that pain alone for so long and in that pain Sanji could see something else had grown; a quiet strength Brook offered subtly to each of them, even if only for a few moments. Brook, he realised, had been purposefully keeping his distance, unsure how to comfort his new crew, but ready to defend them should the need arise as they slowly picked up the pieces and put themselves back together. He had come here to see if Brook was alright, yet it seemed the skeletal Strawhat had been keeping that vigil for all of them since this started, a quiet pillar of strength in stormy seas.

"I have faith Luffy-san will come through this." Brook continued, interrupting Sanji from his musings. "Though I'm not entirely unafraid. I pray you never have to share my experiences of loss. I pray I never have to experience them again."

"Yeah," Sanji agreed, overwhelmed by the entire conversation. "Me either."

"I would like to continue our journey for many more years to come!" Brook announced, enthusiastically. "Let's get another drink, Sanji-san! We'll make a toast!"

"A toast?" Sanji asked, as he let his crewmate lead him back towards the party. He filled up a cup of sake and raised it to Brook "To Luffy?"

"To Luffy-san… and to panties!" Brook bellowed.

Sanji grinned and tipped his head back as he swallowed the drink before they moved to re-join the party.

Zoro watched the pair make their way across the deck. He didn't miss the subtle look Sanji sent his way, nor the slight nod of the blonde's head. Good; he was determined to make sure their crew's bond was restored, strength unified before they traversed those waters again. One down, one to go.