A/N #1: Hi everybody and sorry for this late chapter. I'm really not fond of it and I think I'm gonna have to put my stories on hold because of school. I will be updating- it'll just be random to the max. BUT I will try my best to update though! No promises though.

"Is there anywhere you want to go, Luce?" Ace asked. He was trudging down the forest to leave the island while carrying a half asleep Lucy on his shoulder. "Idunno." She slurred, nuzzling her nose in his neck. He smiled softly at her response and shook his head. "You wanna go see Makino?" He asked her before she did fall asleep.

She nodded her head and poked him in his cheek. "Put me dowwwn~" Lucy whined making him stop. He placed her on the ground making her plop on the ground. She steched her back out and let out a yawn, making him chuckle. "W-what?" She pouted walking up to him. Ace shook his head and sighed.

Lucy held his hand as they walked to the village. They saw a few of the townspeople and said good evening to them. After having a small conversation, they waved good-bye and walked to Makino's bar.

The Party's bar was an old bar with the sign on the top part of the walkway and on top of the door. "Hey Maki!" Lucy announced, smiling as she ran up to the lady and hugging her legs. "Oh! Hi Lu-Lu, Ace." She greeted them looking a bit surprised. She waddled behind the counter and placed Lucy on it.

"What can I get for you two?" She asked smiling. "A cola for two," Ace said showing two fingers. "Really?" Lucy asked looking at him. He nodded and she clapped her hands, swinging her legs back and forwards.

Makino giggled at her happy mood and walked to pour some ice and cola in two mugs. She placed one of the drinks beside Lucy and the other in front of Ace.

Lucy sat there for a moment her eyes gleaming in awe at the drink, before putting the mug to her mouth. She hesitated for a moment, looking at both Ace and Makino, but opened her mouth to let the fizzy drink in her mouth. At first she tasted a little bit of caramel but when she started to chug it she felt the bubbles and fizz on her tounge. She felt the cold liquid and the pops of the fizz go down her throat.

Lucy put down her empty mug, sighing in delight from the cold drink. Makino laughed softly at her reaction, causing Lucy's ears to appear. "Oh!" She yelled jumping down, startling the lady beside her. "I'm going to look at my old room." She announced running upstairs. Ace looked up from his drink, where the soft pitter patter of her footsteps were ending.

He took a long sip of his drink. The only noise in the room was the sound of ice cubes clinking together in his cup. "Is the drink okay?" Makino asked softly, picking up Lucy's mug. "… Yeah," he sighed out. Makino started to clean the cup as he looked at his reflection through the drink. "What are we suppose to do?" He muttered.

"Go to the Grand Line."

"I never said that we were leaving."

"But you see; you and Sabo would never let Lucy have any of my cola, so I figured you three were leaving." she reasoned, putting down the glass mug and rag. Makino leaned on the counter and looking at Ace. "You have to protect her, though. That's what big brothers are supposed to do. And she's going to need it." she smiled.

"W-we're... we're leaving?" Lucy said from the doorway. Makino and Ace looked up, wide-eyed, to she her walk away from it, her bushy tail and ears showing as she slowly walked to Ace. "Y-you're lying... You're lying! We can't l-leave! What about JiJi, and Dadan, and the rest!?" She yelled at him. Ace scooped her up before she could run away. Lucy struggled in his arms until she sighed and gave up.

"It was her, wasn't it," she muttered loud enough for them to hear. Nobody said anything but the room atmosphere dropped a few. "The funny thing is I don't remember a thing. Like, Dogura said something about Sabo and then, I guess you could say, "I fell asleep". I "woke up" and saw Sabo and we left that place, but I was covered in blood." The room was quiet after that confession, no one knew what to say. Makino walked to Ace and picked the seven-year-old from his arms.

"Why does this always happen to me though? First Mama, then my scar, and now we have to leave everyone here, all because of me. I bet everyone hates me and just want me to die." She wailed into her shoulder.

"Shh, shh. Listen, Lucy. All that isn't your fault. And nobody hates you, we all love you actually. Who could hate a cutie like you?" She said nuzzling her, making the girl let out a small giggle. "Everyone here would be sad if you died so don't, please." Lucy looked up at her, showing a sad smile. "Let's make a deal, okay?" She said and Lucy nodded.

"When you've become the Pirate King, come and visit with your whole crew. Ace and Sabo included. Deal?" She said holding out her pinkey. "Mm! Deal!" She chirped sealing the pinkey promise. "Thank you for cheering me up Maki!"

Makino smiled. "Anything for Lu-Lu! And don't worry about paying, it's on the house." She said to Ace. "Thank you Makino." Ace said to her. "We probably need to go soon, Sabo's a worrywart. C'mon Lucy what do you say?" Ace said nudging her. "Thank you for everything!" She bowed.

Makino kneeled down to Lucy's height. "Take care of Sabo and Ace for me please? Those two can get in much trouble, and they're going to need a girl to take care of them." She whispered to her. "Of course! That's what sisters do!" She giggled and hugged Makino once more. "I'll miss you," Makino muttered, rubbing her back. "Me to. But I'll come back and tell you about all my adventures." She said.

Makino let go of Lucy and smiled softly at the two who were leaving the shop. "Good luck and tell Sabo I said hello!" She called to the two walking away. Lucy turned around and waved to her while walking backwards. Makino sighed and walked into her store.

She went behind the counter and slid down and started to cry. "Why? Why Lucy of all people?"

I just dropped a bomb!

Edit 11/23/14