Hello everyone, here is the next chapter

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Marco gave a sigh inside himself, not seeing Ace in the galley during dinner. The kid hadn't been seen since the morning and when Pops and Marco had seen him in the infirmary hours ago.

Ace should eat, even though he- no she, might not want to see them right now, her secret being revealed. It was a shock to see Ace was a female, the kid looking like a male, at least with the binds on. One could clearly see she was a she when the binds were off, and the breasts weren't small, not that it mattered, but the fact she binded them so tight was a big concern; she couldn't manage to take a breath after falling in the ocean. If they didn't know, it could have taken a complete different turn.

They didn't mind she was a female, but they wished she had told. Just for checkup reasons, which she hadn't done yet, Bay not able to since she was as stubborn and would take it later, and for shower reasons and such. Marco would try to bring that up with Ace, them having a room the kid could use that was closer to a private shower, or another closer to the infirmary. There weren't many females on the ship, most being nurses, and the few who weren't had more private rooms close to the shower, like Haruta, who had the most inner room in the commander quarter she was in, them being divided into 3, and had a somewhat personal shower. Every female on the ship had that or shared with other females, to make it easier for them.

Marco shared a look with Pops, before he grabbed a plate with food, going to find the kid. Marco had an idea on where Ace would hide, having seen her usual hiding places, although she had many where no one knew was; not even Haruta or Thatch knew, and that's saying something. Sometimes she just disappeared. Marco hoped she didn't do that now. After checking the first 3 usual places, Marco soon found Ace sitting behind a few barrels at the back of the ship, where very few were and it was easy to hide. One could barely even see Ace hiding behind the barrels, being so close to the railing and no one being at that side where one could see Ace. It did look to be a bit comfy, or at least hidden from view with some space.

Marco walked over, placing the food in front of her legs, Ace sitting with her legs drawn up to her chest, arms around them and face down in her arms and hat on her head.

When Marco had placed the food there, he walked to crouch down by Ace's side, back half-leaning on the railing. He noticed Ace sending him a small look, to see who it was. "Go away," Mumbled the kid. Marco gave a small hum. "You need to eat, yoi." Marco saw Ace tightening her arms around her legs. "Why are you so nice? I've done nothing to deserve that," Mumbled the kid, sounding a bit strained. Marco gave a sigh. "Why wouldn't we be nice, yoi? You're not a prisoner here, you can leave when we dock next time. Now, eat. Food is important." Ace didn't answer at that, and Marco kept a sigh inside himself again, and decided to tell and ask what he was here for.

"Would you like another room, yoi? Closer to a few things and not shared with as many." Marco was sure Ace would like that- everyone wanted that, but the females had first priority since there were more males than females. There just wasn't as many females that choose to be pirates, much less on their crew. And, Ace was strong, so she fits perfectly.

After Marco had spoken, Ace didn't say anything at first, just tightening her hands around her legs, before she moved to look at him, looking hurt and angry, Marco not sure why. "Why? Because I'm a female? Should that change anything? What if I don't want to? I never wanted this!" Ace then stood up, looking mad and hurt still, before she stalked off, leaving Marco to sit alone with the untouched plate.

What had he done wrong?

-x-

Ace walked to her room, banging the door shut behind her, angry and a bit hurt. Ace had almost maybe started to somewhat like it here. No, Ace would never admit she did, still not trusting anyone, especially now that they knew that he was a she, but had a small hope nothing would change.

Why was she so stupid?

Of course everyone would change, ask him to change rooms, probably not wanting to have a female this close to others or sharing a bathroom or such with others. 'Females don't do any good', Ace felt her losing himself, going over to the far wall, grabbing her blanket and dragging it around himself. 'Females? They can't do anything, only fucking things up. They're useless. Only useful in bed.' Ace kept a sob inside. Why did she have to be an useless female? 'Psh. Females? Are you retarded? No one would accept a female, they are nothing.' Ace placed her arms over her legs, blanket over her body, trying to keep the sobs inside as she remembered what everyone told her when Ace asked about females as pirates, or what they thought of her.

'If Roger had a daughter? She should just kill herself. The man would roll over. Females are absolutely nothing, and his child would be lower, not deserving to live.'

Ace hated herself for being a useless female as everyone said.

It was true. That was why she needed to be a he, to be someone, to not be useless. And it was all ruined now.

-x-

Bay gave a sigh, waiting for Ace to arrive, the doctor just having sent Curiel, who was the commander in charge of the infirmary, to get the woman. Ace had avoided this long enough, and now was the end to Bay's patience. Ace was going to have a health check, and she was going to have it now, no matter what the woman said. Everyone had a check-up when getting on the boat, and Ace wasn't special.

A few minutes later, Curiel came with a complaining and struggling Ace, a somewhat weak seastone bracelet on her arm.

Bay kept a sigh inside. She had told Curiel he could use the seastone bracelet if needed, and he apparently did. Ace was fighting the entire way, telling she didn't want to do this and to let her go, but Curiel just dragged her along and to a bed, fastening the chain to the bracelet to the bed. It was a bracelet with a chain, and not a handcuff, to make it not as bad, and it was much weaker. When Ace was fastened to the bed, she tried to drag it off, but not able to, the seastone weakening her a lot, but not as much as it would have if it was stronger. But, she still had much more strength than Bay would have thought. She was strong.

Bay gave a motion to Curiel to leave, and the man did as Bay dragged a curtain around the bed. Ace might not want to, but Bay would try to not have anyone else here. That would make it more uncomfortable for Ace, but Bay wasn't scared to get one commander if she needed one, and Marco was the general choice, him being strong, stern, stoic, a bit comforting, and usually someone everyone had some level of respect to. Curiel was also high on the list, but he could be a bit too rough at times.

When the curtain was drawn, Bay looked at Ace, who was still trying to get away. "No, Portgas. You will have the check-up now. No getting away." Ace looked at her. "No! I don't want to!" The woman said as she tried to fight more against the bracelet. Bay gave a sigh. "Fine. We can do this the hard way, or the easy way." Ace looked at her again, anger in her eyes, but also something she didn't recognize. "Fuck you!" Bay gave a sigh. "It will only be the regular check-up to see for any injuries, blood pressure, temperature, and such. If you would cooperate, it would be the best." Most usually calmed down when hearing it wouldn't be any needles or stuff like that. But Ace, she seemed to try and fight more. "I said no!" She half-yelled out, fighting more, and Bay knew she wouldn't be able to do anything when she was like this.

"If you don't want to cooperate, I will go and get Commander Marco or Curiel to help me hold you down." Bay was prepared to go get one or both, not needing to completely undress the woman, but enough to see most of her skin, and she had a feeling Ace wouldn't calm down.

But, to Bay's surprise, Ace instantly calmed down at that, sitting down in the bed, face hard.

Bay needed a second, seeing how good that worked. It never worked this good. Bay didn't want it to go to waste, moving to take the blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and such first, before checking eyes, seeing Ace's eyes hard, breathing a bit hard too. When she had done that, Bay looked at Ace. "Undress. To your underwear." Ace didn't move, only tensing up, breathing a bit harder. Bay was behind Ace, going to check her lungs, and gave a sigh. If Ace wanted to be difficult, then fine. The threat from before was still up, and Bay moved to undress her, taking her first shirt off. "Arms up." Ace didn't move at first, breathing harder, before she silently did, Bay noticing her body being tense. It had been tense since she told she would get the commanders to help, but was more tense now, probably just wanting to be difficult, but knew she would go through with it.

When the shirt was off, Bay started to unwrap the binds, seeing a shirt underneath it, looking to maybe have a sports bra or something on, which was good. She at least had something on underneath her shirt. When Bay was about to start taking the last shirt off, she noticed Ace tensing up more, and trying to keep the shirt on with her hands, not wanting to take it off. Bay gave an angry sigh. "I swear, Portgas. I will get Commander Marco or Curiel." As before, that seemed to do the trick, Ace at least moving her hands away from the shirt, still tense and breathing harder. Bay shook her head a bit. Ace had no reason to work herself up like this. Bay moved to take the shirt off, needing to tell her to lift her hands again, the kid doing it slowly and stiffly. But, when the shirt was off and Bay was on her way to grab her stethoscope, she froze.

Ace's back was badly, and she meant badly, scarred.

Ace's back had many long slashes, almost going across her entire back, most being in the middle, a few burn marks even. A few of the slashes went further down and to the side, but not many. Ace had light skin, making the red scars stand out much more. It looked horrible. As Bay looked up at Ace, going to ask her about this, the doctor tightened her jaw.

Ace was biting her teeth together, body tense and almost shaking, breathing hard and shakily, tears going down her cheeks. Bay now recognized the underlying look she had had before, that being overpowering now.

Ace was scared; she was terrified.

That was why she suddenly complied when Bay used the threat. Someone, or more than one, had hurt her, badly, and she was scared for it to happen again, that Bay would take the two commanders in and hold her down, doing this against her will. Ace didn't act like she did to be difficult, she did it since she was terrified.

Bay decided to not ask about it, seeing Ace wouldn't tell anything, jaw being tight, most likely trying to keep from making sounds or breathing harder, crying out of fear, not even wiping them away, seeming scared to move her hands. Bay felt guilty, she should have realised something was up. But, it was too late now. But, did Ace really think Bay would get the two commanders to hold her down and do any harm to her? It looked that way, and Bay now really regretting using the threat as she had done. She had said she would get the two to hold her down, but she would never do any harm, or anything for that matter if she knew about this.

Bay then started to check Ace's lungs, bringing a hand to her back with the stethoscope, which had Ace flinch, breath hitching. Bay kept her hand still, not moving it away, and Ace didn't relax, but didn't panic more. Bay managed to hear Ace breathing really hard, even hearing her heart beating, which was almost alarmingly fast. But, Ace was terrified, close to panicking, so she decided to let that go for now. The pulse and blood pressure had been a bit high earlier, but she wrote it off since she had just been fighting against the chain. She felt stupid for not realising, seeing the signs clearly now. Bay didn't find anything wrong with the lungs, and moved to listen to the heart closer, to be sure it was good, trying to ignore the panicking heartbeat.

When Bay had moved to be in front of Ace, needing that to place her stethoscope on her chest, Ace moved his head away from her, not able to look at her, either from fear or embarrassment, or maybe both, tears still silently going down her face, giving a flinch when Bay touched her again. When Bay was satisfied, not hearing anything wrong, she put the stethoscope away, and helped Ace put the shirt on again, Ace still being terrified as she had the same look, body tense, breathing hard, and crying.

Bay would have liked to do a complete health-check, but that would mean for Ace to undress her lower half, and Bay really didn't want to put her through that now. She had accidentally scared the woman so bad she was almost frozen in fear, close to panicking. She did have a bit of scarring at her front torso, but not too much, which was something. When Ace had the shirt on, Bay looked at her. "Can you put on the binds by yourself?" Bay did want to do it herself, but didn't want to frighten her more, having done too much damage already. Ace gave a stiff nod, and Bay placed the binds and the shirt on the bed, before she started writing things down, Ace dressing herself. Bay could see her shaking as she did, really being terrified, and still was.

When Ace had dressed, still being seated in the bed, looking to be scared to move, Bay looked at her. "Weight and height?" Ace swallowed, before she spoke, Bay clearly hearing the strain from fear and emotions on her voice. "F-five foot e-eleven, a-and 156 lbs." Bay gave a nod, writing that down- that was okay for her size. Bay looked back at Ace, who still sat frozen and terrified on the bed. Bay moved and brought a key out, releasing her from the bracelet. "You're good, Portgas. So you can leave."

Ace gave a look to her, before she basically ran away, not seeming to get away fast enough.

When she was out, Bay gave a sigh. Bay should have realized something was up with Ace, that she wasn't just being difficult. Bay had literally terrified her so bad she was scared to move, scared to do anything but comply, afraid what Bay might do if she got the commanders.

Bay wrote a few quick words down on a paper, before she went and found Marco, telling him to leave Ace be for the day, to not bother her with meals or anything. Marco frowned at that, asking why, but Bay wouldn't tell why. This would be kept between Bay and Pops, and only those Ace was okay with knowing. Bay would also need to do a thorough check-up later on Ace, but not now, and she would have a completely different approach then, maybe have someone other nurse here with her, or someone Ace trusted, also going to tell Pops about it.

How she managed to ignore all the signs was a mystery to herself and she felt really guilty about it. Ace would not trust her right away, or maybe never again.

Bay gave a sigh as she walked back to the infirmary and working on a quick file for Ace, also writing down what she had discovered and seen, and how not to treat her next time, before she went to tell Pops, telling she needed to speak to him now in private, the man looking a bit worried, the two walking to Pops' room. When Pops sat down, Bay gave a sigh before she began.

"I tried to do the full check-up on Portgas, but it did not go as planned." Pops gave a frown. "Why? I have a feeling it is more than her being stubborn." Bay gave a nod, before she continued. "She really fought against it at the start, needing to use the seastone bracelet- which was a mistake- and I said I would get a commander or two if she didn't start cooperating, and when I did, she just stilled, and sat still through almost the entire check-up, half-fighting when she needed to undress a bit." Pops' frow deepened, most likely understanding something was up since Bay brought it up. "Did something happen?" Bay gave a sigh.

"Portgas' torso, back mostly, is awfully scarred, a lot of slashes and burn marks." Pops looked shocked at that, before looking worried and thoughtful. "Only her back?" Bay half-shook her head. "There was a bit on her front, but not nearly as bad or noticeable. I didn't check her legs, waist or lower. The bracelet and my words terrified her, me not recognizing the signs until it was too late. She was close to panicking." Pops gave a slow nod, having a frown. "Is it from torture?" Bay gave a small sigh. "Might be. Either that, or abuse. She was at least scared- terrified. This might also be why she hides her gender." This could be why Ace hid her gender, having been either abused or tortured. She did at least not like her female side, and Bay knew that often came from abuse, either from physical and mental, often both.

Pops gave a nod. "What do you think we should do?" Bay nodded. "For now, let's leave her alone to gather herself- she was really terrified. And, we need to see how bad this is, this might explain a lot, and we need to be careful. I will also like to have a full exam because of this, but I will need to see how to approach her about that, maybe having someone she trusts with her." Pops gave a nod. "She has a tough spirit, and doesn't let other in or trust others, and this might also explain why she doesn't like her female body. And, about the exam, which I approve of, let Deuce join? She seems to trust him."

Bay nodded. That was a good idea, to have Deuce join, Ace did seem to trust him, and Bay would speak to the man first. She did know Pops would most likely approve of the exam, needing to bring it up with him since it could lay a lot of trauma there. "I will speak to Deuce first; maybe he has some ideas too. I will make sure to update you." Pops nodded. "Do you know where she is now?" Bay shook her head. "Either in her room, or hiding somewhere. I've already told Commander Marco to not bother her with meals. I think it would be best to leave her for today, maybe bring some food to her room, but not make her speak or anything." Pops gave a nod, agreeing. Bay shared a few more words with Pops, before she left, heading back to the infirmary and writing the folder on Ace, being sure to mention none other than Bay was allowed to do check-ups and making it a private one.

Bay should have managed to catch the signs that something was up, and she felt like an awful doctor to not having caught on.

-x-

Ace tried to calm herself, sitting underneath her blankets against the wall again, for some reason feeling more safe in the offside of the room, between the bed and desk, needing to try and gather herself, not feeling safe in a big space right now.

She had been scared when the cuff- no matter if it was called a bracelet- it was a seastone handcuff, and she tried to keep the fear at bay, it only growing when she was locked to a bed. She was trapped, not able to get the cuff off, needing to try and get away. She didn't want Bay to see, she didn't want anyone to see. She was going to try and fight the doctor off, sure she would be able to do that. She might be kept in seastone, but she had been in this situation often enough to at least manage to have some strength.

But, when she had mentioned she would get Marco or Curiel to hold her down, she became terrified.

They might have been nice to her, at least not mean in a physical way- there had been a comment now and then, nothing too bad- but that could change easy, Ace had experienced that before, and she didn't want it again. Curiel had dragged her here in in a seastone cuff- he hadn't hurt her, but still. Ace had tried to keep herself gathered, and had managed somewhat, at least until Bay told her to undress. That was the last thing she wanted, to be vulnerable, more than she already was, and for her to see her body, which was disgusting; everyone told her that. She had tried to keep her shirt on, trying to mutter a plea, but unable to, feeling more fear when the doctor said she would get the two commanders, making Ace fully succumb to her fear, trying not to panic more.

When the shirt was off, only the sports bra being on her upper body, she couldn't keep the tears in, terrified of what would happen, especially if she acted out or moved, and Bay got the commanders, trying to not make any sounds and keep her body still, trying to stop the shaking, but unable too. Ace hated herself for being as weak, for not being stronger than this, but she knew she had no chance against the commanders, especially if she was undressed and was chained with seastone. Ace had tensed and flinched every time the doctor touched her, scared to feel pain. Ace never did, but was still sure it would come. Ace couldn't look the doctor in the face, ashamed and scared. When Bay had put her undershirt on again, it was a small relief, but she was still terrified, terrified something would happen.

When she told her to dress, that was a small relief, but she still couldn't get the panic and fear away. What if it all was just a false sense of relief? That that was what Bay planned? She had tried her best to speak without stuttering when she told her weight and height, but wasn't able to, which made her feel weaker. Bay, thankfully, didn't say anything on it. When Bay took the cuff off and told she could leave, Ace couldn't get away fast enough, needing a safe place, and decided to go to her room, not wanting to be out in the open. She hoped no one would come look for her, not wanting to handle anyone, being way too scared and still panicking.

Why did she have to be a weak and useless girl? It was as everyone had told her, that she could do no good as a female. Why couldn't she be strong? Why did she have to be so weak?

Ace put the covers more over herself when she felt herself shaking more, thinking back to everything people have told her and done, not wanting to remember it, feeling more tears falling from her eyes. Ace hated it.

Ace didn't know how long she sat at the floor under the covers, but when she did open her eyes, she realised she had fallen asleep, and was now in her bed. How had she gotten here? Ace used a hand to massage her eyes a bit, feeling them puffy, before she noticed a plate of food at her desk. Who had brought that? Why were these people being nice? Ace didn't understand it.

Ace was confused, and it made her more unsure.

-x-

Whitebeard gave a small sigh during supper, not seeing Ace in the galley. He knew the woman most likely wouldn't show up, not after what Bay told and he had gotten the file from her. It was no wonder Ace had been scared, the doctor making a mistake; they all most likely had. The captain needed to speak to the commanders and tell them a bit about this, so they didn't do the same. They had just thought Ace was stubborn and tried to be difficult, but there was much more there, and she had every reason to not trust them. She was stubborn and tough, but not only that, she was scared too, someone making her dislike her female self, and that was bad.

When supper was coming to an end, the captain moved to grab a plate of food, being sure to fill it, having noticed Ace ate a lot, and moved to her room.

Ace should at least have food close, even if she wasn't in her room, the captain would put it there for when she got back. If the woman was in her room, he would just give her the food and leave, not needing to speak. When he got to Ace's room, he gave a small knock, and opened the door when he heard nothing. When Whitebeard got inside the room, it looked empty and dark, the captain placing the food on the desk for Ace to find later. But, when he was about to leave, he noticed something in the corner of his eye and turned to see a shape between the desk and bed, lying against the wall.

When the captain looked closer, he saw it was Ace, who was asleep, tear tracks going down her cheeks. She looked exhausted and had just fallen asleep on the floor.

The woman looked really small where she laid, curled up under her blankets. Why did she even lay on the floor? Why not the bed? Whitebeard thought it might be because she was just tired and wanted to maybe hide a bit away, but didn't know, and carefully lifted the kid to her bed, moving her to have her head on the pillow and covers still over her, Ace not even reacting, seeming exhausted.

Before the captain left, he gave a small brush to Ace's head, going to do his best to make her comfortable here, to make sure she wasn't afraid, to like herself as she should.

They would try their best, everyone would.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

Know this wasn't much from Ace's pov, but more on her through the others' eyes and more information about her. The next chapter will have more from Ace's pov

Ace is also not transgender or any of that. She has just been told females are weak and believe their words, not comfortable with her female body, but not a transgender, just so you don't get disappointed if you want that

If you have the time, greatly appreciate feedback