Disclaimer: Chapter one of my new One Piece fanfic Skip is out! Check it out if you have a little free time and tell me what you think!

Ace awoke in a room unfamiliar to him. He sat up in bed and allowed his eyes to wander around the wooden walls of his newest enclosure. His gaze fell to a myriad of posters on the wall and suddenly the events from the previous night rushed through his head.

"Luffy…" He looked next to the bed to see an empty space where the man had slept. His head tilted at this and he thought for a moment. "Luffy?" Receiving no response, he slid off the bed and wandered out of the room. There was a long hallway with doors on either side. He suspected that those were the rooms of the other people on board. He walked past them and headed for a light at the end of the hall. He peeked inside.

"You're impossible!" shouted an irritated doctor. He held his head in his hands and let out an exhausted breath. Ace recognized him as the one who tried to stab him the day previous. He was not to be trusted, though he did make his pain go away before. Luffy let out a "shishishi" as he reached for a loaf of bread. He was used to being scolded by Chopper, seeing how often he defied his orders. The reindeer sighed and gave in to his Captain's goofy smile. "Well, I suppose there's no harm done. Next time you do something like this, tell me. He's still my patient."

"Mm." Luffy continued devouring plate after plate of food while the boy stood at the door and tried to hide himself from the people in the room. Still, he wanted to see what Luffy was doing. He hadn't seen him talk to many other people. Did he act the same around them?

"So where we headed next, Straw Hat bro?" asked an unfamiliar voice. Ace looked to see a very large man. He was…abnormal. With blue hair and a metal nose, the boy wasn't sure what to make of him. He had colourful, boxy arms that made him look less human. It was a strange sight.

"East Blue," mumbled the Captain between bites. The whole of his crew sat dumbfounded for a while as they processed his words.

"We're turning around?" Nami questioned, more than just a little confusion in her voice.

"Yep," Luffy answered simply.

"Why?" she shouted back. They were almost at the end of the New World and their original destination was North Blue. East Blue was a long way back. Their provisions wouldn't last the trip and so they would have to make multiple stops. He just laughed at her reaction, unreasonable as always. "We're only a week away from North Blue. Why go back now?"

"How long has it been since we were last there?" Nami and the others paused at this. Really, they couldn't recall. Had they ever returned? Her memory was fuzzy. After all they had been through it was hard to remember everything. She knew they had to have gone back.

A wave of nostalgia washed over the original four Straw Hat pirates. As they thought about it more, they wanted to return. It had been a long time since they last saw all of their friends. They had reunited Brook with Laboon, but that was many years ago. Luffy grinned the way only he could. Something had clicked.

"See?"

"Let's do it!" Usopp shouted. He was trembling with anticipation. The thought of going back brought with it waves of happiness. "I want to see Kaya! I want to tell her about our adventures and show her that I'm a true warrior of the sea now!"

Zoro couldn't help but smile at that as he remembered when Usopp had first joined their crew. He was a mess back then and still was, but now he was a more capable mess. It was about time he went back home to show off. They had left behind so many people on their journey that he couldn't count them all. It would be nice to see them again. Also, he would always follow Captain's orders. It didn't matter how much of a hassle it was.

"Alright," he said simply.

"East Blue, how exciting! Yohoho!" Brook thought aloud. It didn't matter where Luffy wanted to go so long as they could continue their adventures. In an effort to contain his excitement he decided to play a fitting song. This was a new one he had just finished composing. Violin in hand, he recited the memorized notes. At this, the rest of the Straw Hats relaxed and accepted it. They were going to East Blue.

"It's settled then! Shishishishi!" Luffy and his crew laughed at this, knowing he always got his way. Then he turned to the hall's entrance and smiled. They had all noticed the boy earlier but kept quiet about it. The entire crew had been informed of the boy's fear of people and knew better than to test it. Ace noticed their focus had turned to him and he ducked a little further behind the doorframe. "Wanna see East Blue, Ace?"

He hadn't a clue of what East Blue was, but it sounded like a place. He didn't answer, though. He was too busy analyzing the others in the room. Along with Chopper, Brook scared him the most. He'd never seen something so strange. Then his attention was brought back to Luffy as he motioned him over. At first he didn't move, but the pirate was insistent. So he walked nearer, but slowly. He stiffened in an effort to prepare himself should they do anything. Ace stayed close to Luffy but didn't take his eyes away from the other people. He knew Luffy was safe.

"We're going to leave soon." Those words caught his attention and his focus turned back to the Pirate King. What did he mean? "You need to decide what you're going to do."

His crew was shocked at that last bit. When he found the boy he stated firmly that they would take him with them. As they thought more, they realized that their Captain had never forced anyone to join. All of them were given a choice and he wouldn't take that away from that kid, even if it meant that he might die.

"Decide?" the boy repeated, unsure of the word's context.

"Whether you're going to come with us or not."

Before Ace had time to process this, a loud cheering was heard through the walls of the ship. He jumped at this and looked around in confusion, but the others only grinned and laughed. Luffy seemed to be the most trilled of them all. He could barely contain himself as he raised his hands and shouted.

"They're here!" At this everyone charged out of the room and onto the deck. Luffy had grabbed onto Ace's wrist and pulled him along as he did the same.

Ace ran to the edge of the ship and pulled himself onto the railing. Before him stood well over a hundred men, all bruised and battered. Seeing so many at once made him anxious, but he felt safe being so far away. Many of the crew were also leaning on the rail, each with varying degrees of happiness showing on their faces. A man with blue skin stood in front of the crowd. He was the only one uninjured. Some of the men behind him were carrying the people who were unconscious or badly hurt. This made the large man even more intimidating.

"You're back early old man." Sanji shouted into the crowd.

"Heh," was the blue man's only reply.

"Jinbei!" Luffy shouted as he walked over to the rail. As he came into view the crowd let out an ear-splitting cheer. Ace covered his ears as he watched the men excitedly call out to the ship. Luffy waved at them with more enthusiasm than Ace had seen before. They all really seemed to like the man. He liked them, too. The people below began to call out to him.

"Captain!" they shouted, all smiling and waving. Ace was confused. It seemed that Luffy was their leader, but the man in question didn't seem that great. How could that strange man he'd known control such a big group? As Ace's attention was pulled back to the situation, he noticed that the crowd was asking for Luffy to say something.

Luffy hopped onto the rail next to Ace and stood tall. He took in a deep breath.

"Freedom!"

With that, the crowd cheered louder than before. It seemed they had been waiting for that. They wanted him to say it. That's what they had fought for and that was their ultimate goal. Something changed in the crowd's feel. They were relieved and overwhelmed with happiness. Just what was Luffy to them? Why did they react that way to the word?

"Sanji, bring out the sake! We're going to celebrate!" Though the pirates below thought that this celebration would be for their return, Luffy was just glad that he could leave. He missed the open water and was eager to return to East Blue.

"How the hell do you expect me to serve that many people?"

The crew laughed.

Night had fallen but the celebration continued. Many of the men had already passed out at that point, but that didn't stop the rest. Brook had played his music and sang for hours yet didn't seem the least bit tired. Sanji frantically prepared more food for the pirates – mostly Luffy – who continued to stuff themselves. Zoro, Nami and seven other pirates held a drinking contest. The winner would take home 10 thousand beli and the money-loving navigator was certain she'd win. In another area of the shore, Usopp and Franky told the new members of their grand adventures, never tiring. Robin had simply sat and watched contently.

Ace had found the whole day to be stressful. He stayed by Luffy for safety, but even then he was filled with unease. There were too many strange people. He had been alone for so long that being around even one person could make him feel anxious. He had to distract himself somehow. There was no way out of this, so he would just have to tolerate.

"Luffy…" His voice was shaky and his palms were clammy.

"Hm?" The man looked his way but didn't stop eating.

"What are you?"

"Pirate."

Ace flinched at the word. He suspected that, but didn't want to believe it. He didn't like pirates. As far back as he could remember they would come to the island. He had no good memories of those times, though, aside from learning his first few words from them. He would hide in the bushes and the trees and watched them when they docked. He would pick up on repeated words and learn their meanings. "Pirate" was one of them. So were "wounded" and "die" and "shirt". Much of what he learned was focused on food and death. They also mentioned clothing and provisions. However, Ace never got close enough to learn much. They were cruel. When he would approach them, they would laugh and use him as their amusement. They hurt him. That's why he had to fight them. That's why they couldn't be trusted.

"What's wrong, Ace?" The boy snapped out of his thoughts, greeted by the pirate's large, wondering eyes. He backed away. Luffy was a pirate. Pirates couldn't be trusted. But Luffy…

"I hate pirates."

Some of the other pirates sitting around stopped to look at the boy. He was serious. His glare was sharp and it was directed at Captain. Luffy had put down his food, but he didn't seem affected by what his small companion had said. He smiled.

"Oh?" That was all that left his mouth. He watched Ace closely, almost to test him. His eyes were hard to look at – it was like he could see through him. He had to look away; if he hadn't, Luffy would have known. All of it. Everything.

"Good." At this, Ace's eyes widened. That man confused him more so with every word. He was abnormal. Luffy's thoughts were his alone and no one could understand them. That was a perfect example. He continued to watch the ground in silence when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Pirates aren't meant to be liked. We don't listen to the world. Right and wrong don't matter to us."

"Why?" He hesitated. Did he want an answer? Why listen to a pirate? Was it because it was him?

"We're free."

Ace relaxed his shoulders. He recalled all of the times Luffy had said that word. Free. Freedom. He'd mentioned it repeatedly the past few weeks. He was a pirate, but not like the others. Luffy saved him. His crew made sure he stayed alive even though he rejected them.

"I see." Without another word, he picked himself up and stumbled into the trees. Luffy did nothing to stop him and simply smiled as he watched the boy disappear into the darkness. He didn't return.

It was time to set sail. Luffy took his place on Sunny's figurehead and watched as his crew raised anchor and prepared to disembark. He could hardly contain his excitement. Finally he could leave. Finally he could go back and show the people he left behind that he had reached his dream. The sky was clear – perfect for their return. Everything was going well.

"Where's Ace?" Nami asked as she exited the infirmary. She looked to the Captain for answers and, when she received none, her heart sank. "Luffy…"

They were out in the open water now. Jinbei had wanted to ask about the boy himself but never had the chance before. Then, hearing his comrade say that name only made him worried. He hadn't taken a close look at the child, but even from afar he resembled the fallen pirate. It made him uneasy. Ace was dead. He died 10 years ago. This boy, though, was more than just similar. He had watched him the previous night. Though he was more stoic and reserved than the Ace he knew, the resemblance was ridiculous.

"Monkey D. Ace." Jinbei snapped to attention and away from his thoughts. Luffy knew. Even without mention of it or looking at his face, he knew. Instead of speaking up, he allowed the Pirate King to continue. "Found him on the island when we arrived."

"His appearance…" Jinbei began, as if wanting more.

"I don't know. I don't care."

Jinbei walked closer to his Captain and watched the open sea in front of them. Behind them the island was still in view but was disappearing quickly. He didn't need to ask any more.

Ace arrived at the shore covered in dirt. Rusted knives in hand, he searched for the ship. It had left and was already on the horizon. He clenched his fists tightly as he watched it sail away. He was too late. He missed his chance because he hesitated. Walking to the water's edge, he watched it leave. That was what "regret" felt like.

"Luffy!" He screamed as loud as he could until his voice went raw. He held back his tears and watched the ship he'd come to know so well. After wiping his eyes he saw something: an outstretched hand. Ace watched as it expanded and neared him until it was right before him.

"I was waiting for that!" echoed the Captain's voice from off in the distance. Ace took the hand and within seconds he was flying through the air and falling on deck. He made it. He picked himself up off the ship's floor and saw the smiling faces of the rest of the crew. "Crying?" With a jolt he wiped his eyes and blushed from embarrassment.

"Stupid!"

A/N: And now the adventures finally begin! Yeah...all of this was basically just the opening of the story hehehe...please don't hurt me. I'm not that much of a troll...

To my lovelies~

angelrider13: I'm glad you liked it and thank you so much for pointing out that the breaks weren't showing up! Tell me if you see anything else!

JellyBeanPanda: Thank you ;_; I'm glad you like it! And sorry for making you tear up.

wanicrocodile: Your words are too kind ;A;

Stelra Etnae: Then maybe I won't do a sad ending XD

darkfalkon: Yeah, I'm trying to make him a little different from the original Ace since his circumstances are different. And about the speech thing, him learning grammar so fast will be explained. There's a reason for it. As far as Sanji goes, he does tend to be a pretty blunt character. He's said quite a few insensitive things throughout the anime and manga so I found he was the perfect one to bring it up. Sorry if it seems off to you, that's just how I picture him.

Neko-VongolaPrimo: You predicted two things that are going to happen later on :D But not for a while.

XxSaorixX: Glad you like it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter too!

AkaNeko-san: Thank you and here's your update!

Son Goshen: Don't be miserable D: Though I'm still contemplating a sad ending, it's not going to end for a while! You can still change my mind! And sorry for confusing you, it'll all make sense with time (I hope).

bbhelen3162: I'm so happy my story can cause the feels ;_; I didn't think it was that good.

Lolext90: I'm sorry for making you cry! But I'm glad you liked it :)

Again, this note is way too long but thank you my lovelies and please check out Skip if you have the time!