Three lonely kids found each other.

They were brothers. And they drank sake, making a bond and a promise: at 17 years old they were going to leave the island and become pirates. Captains.

Unfortunately, life isn't fair. It took Sabo from Ace and Luffy too soon, leaving two out of three. Leaving behind a hole in each of their hearts that could never be fully healed.

Ace promised he wouldn't die and Luffy promised she was going to be much stronger.

Ace couldn't help himself. He was 17 years old and, even though he promised Sabo, he was very much eager to ditch that promise and stay with Luffy. He tried his best (with Makino's help, of course) to teach Luffy how to behave and live in society. Well… At least just a little. But the girl was still wild and had nothing in her brains, apparently… Which was very dangerous for a girl to be, especially at sea.

He just finished packing. It was easy, since they never had much. Even though they could get money and buy clothes in the city (or just steal it), everything they had was the ones Makino brought to them. A light smile crossed his face and he released a breath.

– What's wrong Ace? – His 14 year old sister was glued to his back like a backpack. She said she didn't care if he thought she was weak for doing this. She was going to keep him close until she had to let him leave.

– Luffy, I know you don't want to talk about it again…

– Then don't! Just shut up! – She said and smacked her face in her brother's back.

– Luffy… You have to promise me you're gonna hide yourself, at least until you're sure-

– Oh my god, Ace! I don't want to hear this again! – Her voice came out muffled, since she didn't take her face out of her brother's back.

– Please, Luffy! Just at least you're sure you have a crew you can fully trust. Like, just until you enter the Red Line. That 's easy! Can't you do that? For your big brother? Please?

Luffy growled in his back. He didn't want to be a jerk. But he was not the jerk. The world was sick, the pirates worst, and she was a wild child that - he was certain - wouldn't change much at 17. He didn't even want to leave her behind. He was about to reconsider everything again, when Luffy just screamed, making him flench:

- I PROMISE, OK?! BUT DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT BACKING DOWN ON OUR PROMISE AGAIN!

She hit him in the head, like she just readed his mind. Her punch kind of hurt, but he wouldn't let her know that.

– All these years and your punches are still this weak? You're never gonna surpass me like that! – He held her wrist, past his other arm in his back, separating Luffy from the embrace, holding her ankle on the other side. He pushed her over his head and threw her on the ground.

– Damn it! – She said. – You took me by surprise, asshole! – She had an angry face. Her brother put his hands on his hips looking down at her with a smug face.

– You're not helping your case by saying that. You sure I shouldn't stay? – She got red from anger.

– I already told you Ace! That ain't funny! Sabo-

Luffy cut herself. She closed her eyes strongly.

– Hey. – Ace's voice was closer. She opened her eyes to see her brother crouched next to her. He was smiling at her. – I know people usually say "I'm not going anywhere" to comfort people, but since you are anything but ordinary: I'm definitely going, don't worry about that. I would never back down on our promise. – He smiled even bigger.

Luffy wanted to cry, but she held her on. Ace taught her that strong people don't cry. Well… Actually he said "strong man", but that the phrase still applied to her. So, she smiled. That big bright one that only she could do.

– It's time, isn't it? – She said. Luffy sat down and pushed the straw hat (that was hanging on her back) to her head.

– Yeah. – Ace got up, held his own hat with one hand and extended the other to his sister. – Let's go.

Luffy holds her brother's hand and he pulls her off the ground. Now she is up, looking at her brother.

– Time to see you become a pirate! – She said with her signature laugh shihihihihi.

Everyone was waving their goodbyes. Soon Ace's figure vanished on the horizon and everyone left. She was alone. Luffy's smile melted as she remembered her promise.

"Ace... You idiot. I can't believe you made me promise I would hide myself until the Red Line."

Luffy put her hat over her face to hide her red face.

"Now I will have to train hiding my chest instead of just fighting. Damn you."

One more thing to worry about when she hits 17.