Well, it only took me forever but, I've finally got another chapter out. I've had to put my other story on an extended holiday but, I'm making a comeback from my bout of depression. It's by no means my best chapter ever written but, it's not my worst either.

To Nala1220: Thank you for you review. Luffy has his rubber devil fruit powers. That will be more apparent in future chapters and in any flashbacks I might do. You're other question has been answered in this chapter, thanks for bringing it up.

To Cyres: Thanks for the helpful review. It's much appreciated.

No special warnings. I don't own One Piece. Just my OC's and ideas.

On a secluded beach on the other side of Dawn Island, a group of people stood next to a small sailboat. The group was focused on three boys being hugged by a slim woman.

Makino hugged the three boys- her boys as tightly as she dared with their injuries. "I packed extra food, and there's more blankets in the basket I put all your medicine and bandages in." Makino released her hold on the boys, with reluctance and tried to smile. It was that or start to cry. She handed a small package to Sabo "I didn't have much time but, I managed to sew a few new shirts for you."

Sabo attempted a smile of his own for Makino's sake. He knew how hard this was on her, Makino was such a kind hearted soul. It had taken some convincing on their part to get Makino to understand the necessity of sending three kids out to sail on their own. At least, until she began to hear the way some of the villagers began to talk, not even the Mayor or herself was able to sway the talk and plans that began to formulate over what they should do with Ace. After that, Makino no longer argued with them over their leaving.

Sabo took the shirts from Makino, his smile becoming real when he noticed she had made the shirts for them in their favorite colors. "Thank you Makino. That was very thoughtful of you."

Luffy looked up at Makino, his usual grin in place. "Food! Is there any meat?"

A laugh bubbled it's way up from Makino at that particular question. It was one she's heard many times before and would miss hearing terribly. "Yes Luffy. There's plenty of dried meat, even for your appetite." Makino's glanced at Ace and her worry took another hit. Neither Sabo or Ace were healed enough for this trip but, Ace looked the worst. It had only been five days since the fire...

Dadan cleared her throat, earning the attention of everyone present. "You got the maps I gave you, Sabo? Remember to head for that small island I told you about. It's uninhabited and will give you guys a chance to re-stock before heading off." And to heal up some more before heading to a populated island. Dadan added to herself. Sabo was the voice of reason among the brothers, she knew he would get them to rest there for a while.

Sabo grinned at the question that Dadan had asked yet again, everyday now since handing him the map and going over some of the islands with him. "Yes, I've still got them. Don't worry so much. We'll navigate our way to the island just fine."

"Worried, who said I was worried!?" Dadan nearly shouted, waving her hands wildly. Everyone present knew what a big lie that was, it was just not in the mountain bandit's way to openly show that she cared.

Sabo raised an eyebrow but, remained quite. Beside him he could hear Ace let out a snort and Luffy let out a quite snicker at Dadan's open denial.

Dadan huffed and glared at them. "One last thing before you go. Here, for you Ace." Dadan said, handing Ace something wrapped in cloth.

Ace took the proffered gift and twitched aside a piece of the cloth to see what it was. She had given him two blood-bags. It felt like the air was seized from his lungs while a lump formed in his throat. He looked up at Dadan.

"Not a word brat." Dadan growled at him. "I knew you wouldn't ask for it, even though you needed it. You haven't feed properly since the fire, you'll make yourself sick at that rate." That had been worrying Dadan. Ace was a hybrid, a very unusual hybrid but, he couldn't continue to deny his vampire side for much longer without consequences.

Dadan knew that he wouldn't accept any offers his brothers might make while injured and he was to prideful and ashamed to ask anyone else so, that left one option. Two bags wasn't much but without anyway to store it any more would just go to waste.

Ace nodded his thanks, a burden suddenly lifting from him. It had been hard ignoring that part of himself but, Ace had refused to hurt his brothers and he'd been unable to go out and do his usual hunting. Ace would usually get the blood he needed from animals and he would occasionally take some blood from a drunk or otherwise unsuspecting human. Never before Bluejam had he actually killed anyone...

"You brats better get going before someone spots us." Dadan told them gruffly. That was in fact unlikely, it was why they chose this spot to see the boys off. Daden could see that Makino wouldn't be able to keep herself together much longer.

The smile that Luffy had been wearing dissipated. "I'm going to miss you all!" He cried.

Maniko gave her boys one last hug. "You three look out for each other."

Ace locked eyes with her "Always." He told her.

Ace went to pick Luffy up since he couldn't wade out to their sailboat on his own but Sabo waved him off. "Let me get him. You can help pull him up on the boat."

More cries of farewell met the boys ears as they waded out and boarded their boat. It was a good craft for handling the most of the oceans but, they would need to get another ship if they wanted to enter the Grand Line. Though, they knew that were some time away from needing that. The mountain bandits, Makino and even the Mayer had pitched in some bellies along side the boys considerable amount of money to help see them off ok.

"Take care! Don't get into too much trouble!"

"Keep safe!"

Snuffles and other suspicious noises could be heard coming from the bandits as the boys lifted their anchor and began their adventure. They had decided against sailing under their pirate flag just yet. It would have brought more attention to themselves than they needed.

"Write when you can!"

The three brothers waived and called out "We promise to write!"

The onlookers watched for a long time, until the three figures on the deck of the sailboat could no longer be distinguished. The sob that had been threatening to leave Makino finally broke.

Those boys hadn't done anything to deserve this but, the world was an uncaring place at times. And fate did not divide the world up fairly between the deserving and the un-dersiving and saw to it that the appropriate things happened to the right people.