Next chapter is here. I reach a point where I don't care if there's any reviews or not. I will continue this story till the end and the length of the chapters will be over 1.000 words and under 2.000 words. I like to keep it short. Means more chapters ;)

So followers and others, please enjoy.

The first thing that went through his mind as he woke up was the last thing he had seen. Ace lying on the ice, bleeding, his eyes closed and with a smile on his lips. Luffy wasn't sure if he had been dead or not. He wasn't sure, so he tried to ignore the feeling telling him that Ace was dead. He opened his eyes, only to gaze into the eyes of a red-haired woman. He blinked a few times and tried to focus. She smiled at him and walked outside his view. He followed her with his eyes.

"I'm glad you are awake, Mugiwara. My name is Lucinda," she said.

"Ace…"

"Don't use your strength. Just try to get well," she said.

"Is he dead?"

Lucinda didn't say anything. Instead she looked at his wounds, before giving him some water. He didn't know who she was or where he was.

"You are onboard the Red Force, the ship of Akagami no Shanks. You won't see him or his crew. As I could understand you made a promise and it is too soon for you to meet. The promise will be in vain if you meet now," she said.

"Shanks…"

"Now, now Mugiwara. Sleep and get better. I'll let him know how you are," she smiled.

His eyes were heavy. The last thing he saw was her long red hair.

Lucinda walked out and directly to Shanks.

"He is tired, but he'll be fine. He asked about Ace. I told him where he was. I guess he understood why you couldn't meet," said Lucinda.

"I'm glad he is awake. I'll tell Ace. It's his decision whenever Luffy should know that he did survive," said Shanks.

"It would be better I'm there when he wakes up once more," said Rayleigh.

Lucinda nodded as the men walked away. She kept thinking about the empty eyes of Luffy. He had been so vulnerable. Begging her to tell what had happened. That he hadn't just lost his brother. That it all had been a dream. To see him like this was so hard. She walked back to the infirmary.

She sat down on the couch. Rayleigh next to her and he pulled her closer and had his arm around her. She smiled and leaned against him. They waited for Luffy to wake up once more. After half an hour Ace and Marco walked in. Lucinda smiled to them, but saw Marco get a bit hurt. She knew it was because she was so close to Rayleigh. She had seen how he looked at her and she knew he had fallen for her, but she couldn't let him get closer to her right now. She had stuff to do. Important stuff. Beside she wouldn't change her relationship with Rayleigh, Shanks or Mihawk because of Marco. Marco and Ace sat down on a bed, next to Luffy's.

"He asked about me?" Ace looked at her.

"He did. It was the first thing he said," she answered.

Ace smiled and looked at Luffy. It was clear that he loved his brother so much. Lucinda smiled and stretches her body, before she stood up and walked to the bed of Luffy. Short after he opened his eyes once more, looking at her smiling face.

"Feeling better now, Mugiwara?" she asked.

Luffy nodded slightly.

"I'm glad to hear that. You have visitors. Are you ready for that?"

Once more Luffy nodded. Lucinda looked at Rayleigh and gave him a nod. He stood up and stood beside the bed of Luffy, standing in his view with a smile.

"Luffy."

"Rayleigh?" Luffy looked questionable.

"I was worried, so therefor I came," he said.

"Ace?"

Rayleigh smiled and step beside. Ace jumped down from the bed and stood beside Rayleigh in an instant. Lucinda noticed this and smiled slightly. Now she knew what to do after she had visited Dragon.

"I'm here brother," said Ace and took the hand of Luffy.

Tears were floating down the cheeks of Luffy.

"I can't … I'm too weak …" sobbed Luffy.

"Too weak?" Ace couldn't believe what he heard.

"I couldn't protect my nakama or you …" Luffy cried even more now.

"Baka. What did you expect? It was a war with the strongest marines. All three admirals, Fleet-admiral, Gramps… They are stronger than you, you know," said Ace between being annoyed and relief.

"But my nakama…" Luffy trailed off.

"They properly feel that they failed you too. If they are real good nakama," said Lucinda.

Luffy looked at her. "But I'm the captain … I have to protect them," he said.

"And that's why I'm here too. Luffy I'm here with a suggestion. After the war, the marines will keep on look-out for you and your crew. It would be too dangerous for you to just go back and continue your voyage. Therefor I suggest you hide for two years and train. I will train you myself," said Rayleigh.

Luffy looked at Rayleigh. "And my nakama?"

"We will have to give them a message. I was thinking about going back to Marineford with you, for all to see that you are still alive. There is a rumor that you and your brother died in the war. There will be reporters to cover the rebuilding of Marineford and if you show up, they will write an article of you and even give you the front page. You will be able to give your nakama a free and hiding message," said Rayleigh.

Luffy closed his eyes. It was risky, but if he wanted to save his nakama, who would try to get back to Sabaody Archipelago, he had to do something now. And he had to get stronger. His nakama would also get a chance to get stronger. He will never be in that kind of situation once more, unable to save his nakama or family.

"I'll train," he said after a few minutes.

Ace smiled and so did Lucinda. Rayleigh nodded.

"I'm glad you decided that Luffy. I will hate to see you get crushed in the New World, even though you seem to have a great deal of luck," said Ace.

"I will become the King of Pirates. I have my nakama and I have you," he said.

"Baka. I won't let you have that title so easy. And since you're still too weak, you will never accomplish that dream. So train hard brother," said Ace with a smile.

Thought I would let Luffy meet Lucinda and know that Ace didn't die. I really argued with myself whether to let Luffy that Ace lives or not.