Hello everyone, here is a short chapter

I know it still says hiatus and it's still on hiatus, I just had most of this done and decided to just put it up

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Marco gave a frown as there was a knock at the door, knowing they had been told not to be bothered if it could be avoided, seeing as they needed to be finished with this meeting before they got to close to Sabaody Archipelago, needing to arrange a few things before they got there with the family. They couldn't stay there for long, and needed to figure out who would be allowed off the boat for the half-day they would be there, not wanting everyone off since they were so many and needed to be on their way in a somewhat quick fashion because of what they had gotten from Ace's younger brothers small crew at where they were, close to an island called Little Garden and they had arranged a meeting on an island a bit away and would barely make it before the News Years if they hurry.

When Pops gave the come in, Claus stood there with a Den Den. "I'm sorry to bother you in a meeting, Pops. But they said you might want to take this call together to plan something." Marco saw Pops giving a nod, asking who it was, him shocked when it was Sabo, and now wondered what the blond kid might want and what they might plan. When the Den Den was on the table and Claus left to wait outside, Pops looked at it. "Sabo, what is it you want to tell us?" The Den Den started with a hum. "I heard from sources you are close to Sabaody Archipelago, and want you to stop by a person called Roland and make sure he regrets being born."

Marco frowned. Was the blond revolutionary asking them to do a kill for him or the revolutionaries? "Why can't you do it, yoi?" He started, "If it someone the revolutionaries want dead." "Oh no no," Started Sabo, "This is not someone we want dead, but I want dead. You won't kill him though. I want that pleasure myself." Marco did not expect that. "And I am sure you would like to too." Added the Den Den. "Why would we want that?" Started Pops, "We have never heard about him."

"Easy," Started Sabo, "He is one of the people I know made Ace not like herself when they met years ago. Was quite mean and degrading, really got to her, made her hide her hair."

A sigh came from the Den Den. "I would love to do it myself when I found out he was there, but I am a bit preoccupied with other things and not sure if I can make it before the thing leaves." Marco now got why the other wanted them to stop by that man and make him regret being born, seeing he was one of the reasons Ace didn't like herself as she should, not even wanting to think what the man mighty have done, but would make sure he regretted it. He could see the protective look in Pops' eyes, knowing he didn't like this man.

"What was the name again, and what does he look like?" The Den Den gave a chuckle. "Knew I could count on you. Roland is the name, and should have short black hair, scruffy looking face, and have a R tattooed on his cheek. You will know who it is. Be sure to give my regards to the man, maybe Ace's too, so he knows why he fucked up. He should remember her since she left a nice scar on his cheek from her nails when he tried to pull her by the hair." Marco really felt he didn't like this man and had an idea why the man tried to pull her hair,

When Pops asked what he had done, why he had pulled Ace by her hair, they found out this was years ago, before Ace set out, Ace and Luffy having told him about it. The man had apparently thought Ace looked 'disgusting' to have her hair loose, wanting to have it in pigtails- disgusting Marco thought- and tried to make that happen against her will. But a nice barmaid had helped her before it got bad. He didn't want to think what could have happened. He had an idea, but didn't want to think about it. Ace was a child back then- she was still, but more then- and that was just sick to do, especially to children.

When they gave the goodbye to the blond revolutionary, they tried to plan who should go and meet this person and give the 'regards' everyone wanting to go. All of them was protective of their family, especially the young ones. After almost half 15 minutes, it was decided Haruta, Thatch, Izou, Curiel, and Rakuyo would drop by while they were out doing other things too, just to really get the message to the man.

They would make sure to make the man regret ever thinking of touching Ace, or anyone like that.

-x-

Marco looked through the newspaper as they were eating breakfast, having left Sabaody Archipelago two days ago now, wanting to check something Haruta had pointed out, Ace eating her breakfast not too far away from him. When he got about half-way through the newspaper, he gave a loud hum, being sure to grab Ace's attention a small bit before he started speaking. "Someone got publicly humiliated at Sabaody Archipelago two days ago, yoi." Thatch looked over to see what he was speaking about. "What? Who?" He gave a small hum as he looked it over more. "Someone called Roland, yoi. Thrown in the square with tied arms and legs, a sign saying 'rapist, don't help'."

He saw Ace blink, looking over at him. "What?" She asked with a tilted head. He folded the paper, showing the image and text to her, knowing she would recognize the man based on what Sabo had said, and wanted to show it. When Ace had looked at it, he could see some small content in her eyes, giving a content sound, trying to make it sound like a 'hmph'. "Probably deserved it." Yes, that man really did deserve it. "You're probably right. I would gladly do that to someone who even tried to do anything to my family." He saw Ace looking at him for a second, before giving a small nod and smile, looking happy.

He would never let anyone hurt his family and let them go unharmed. They were a family for a reason and he would be sure to show Ace that.

-x-

Ace gave a breath, looking at her closet, not idea what to do. She had nothing she felt she could wear, something she would feel comfortable with and would also be something to make Luffy happy. She didn't have long to find something.

Marco had told her a few hours ago they were closing in on an island- she forgot the name- and they would celebrate News Years there, which was tonight, and Luffy was apparently there, the man telling so she was prepared for it. The captain had apparently arranged it with some help from Deuce and Sabo. She was thankful the man told, but wished she had more time. She didn't have anything that nice to go in that she felt okay in. Yes, she did have the dresses Shanks bough, but they made her feel so… vulnerable and naked. She didn't want that. She gave a sigh as she felt she might need to do what Marco had said. She wanted to make Luffy happy, and wearing the binds and such didn't, he didn't like that, and she wanted to make him happy. She was the older sibling and should do that, she should protect and be sure Luffy was happy.

With a small sigh, she walked out of her room to a room a bit away from hers, giving a knock after taking a breath. It didn't take long for the door to open and Izou looking a bit shocked to see her there.

"Ace, do you need anything?" She gave a small nod. "Maybe. Marco mentioned you might have some… clothes I could borrow for New Years. I don't really have anything." She hoped Marco was right and that the other male had some clothes she could borrow, that looked nice. Izou did have a lot of pretty clothes, using mostly the open pink kimono of sorts he used. It did fit the other. Izou clapped his hands. "Of course I do! Come in come in!" He said as he waved her in, him walking inside his room. "Close the door behind you." She did as she walked in, looking around in the room, which had a lot of things here and there, but still looking tidy in a way. A lot of fabric, drawings, papers, and such here and there.

"Now," Started the crossdresser, making her look at him. "What would you like? I don't have a lot, but I can see what I can do." Ace tried to think. What did she want? "Something comfortable and that looks good." She really wasn't sure what to say. "Do you want something covering or not? Thick or thin? Tight or loose?" Asked Izou as he was looking in a closet. "Loose? Maybe covering?" She really didn't know what to say. She knew what she wanted, but knew everyone said she should use those form fitting things. Shanks was thankful enough to mind it a bit, but still tried to make her push her limits- which she hated, but understood. He did mean well.

"I have an idea." Started Izou, taking something out of the closet. "I am a bit taller than you, so it might drag a bit on the ground, but hopefully not." She saw him take something red and white out, looking like a lot of fabric, not sure what it was. "Here," Izou started as he handed the white part to him, placing the rest on a chair. "Take this on while I find the rest." Ace looked down at the item while Izou went back to searching. Did he expect her to change here? "Oh. And you can keep the binds on, it doesn't matter, do what you feel comfortable with." That was a bit reassuring, sure she wouldn't be allowed to have her binds on, wanting it, but not wanting to say it. Most usually don't like her having them on.

After a few minutes, Izou helping her after finding more things, she was surprised when she now had a kimono on, a red with black at the bottom, flowers on it, a golden obi with the Whitebeard mark. It was nice.

"It looks good." She said, looking at it. It was a bit weird to have something feeling like a dress on, never liking the feeling of not having pants on and such. "It looks amazing on you. Red really is your color." She gave a nod. "Sabo and Shanks say the same. Luffy will like this." She muttered the last part to herself, sure Luffy would like this. "I agree with them, and I am sure he will love it." Oh, Ace didn't know the other heard the last part, and only nodded. "Want me to do your hair too?" Asked the sixteenth commander carefully.

Ace thought it over for a few seconds. Luffy really loved her hair, so she should have it out. She would do it for Luffy.

She gave a nod. "If you could." Izou smiled. "Of course I can. I have one in mind which will look amazing I think." Izou grabbed a chair. "Here." She sat down, taking a breath as she took her hat and pin out, hair falling down, Izou waiting for him to do take it out it seemed like, not rushing. She knew it was a short time until they docked, so she should do this now. "Tell me if I drag it too much." She gave a nod and tried to sit still as Izou worked on her hair, trying to stay calm, nervous to go out like this, with these clothes and hair out. It made her feel vulnerable still, but not as much as it would have if it was a normal dress.

An hour later Izou grabbed a mirror for her to check the braid out. When she moved to the big mirror too, to look at it closely, she was glad when the hair didn't move in her face, never liking that. When she saw the braid, she was a bit amazed.

The braid was made with hair from the sides and the ones close to her scalp, going around and holding her hair that was loose to not move, the braid being in 5 parts and 5 small oval circles. It looked really nice.

"I like it." Izou nodded. "I hoped so. It won't fall in your face now, but still not all being braided. It's long and beautiful, I've never tried it on that long hair, only mine." She looked at the other. "How long is yours? It doesn't look that long." The other gave a small chuckle, showing it went a bit past his shoulder blades, telling he didn't like it in his face, like her, and someone thought him this braid. She needed to send a picture of this to Sabo, maybe even one with her and Luffy.

After Izou checked the braid and clothes over, sure it was all fine, she went back to her room to wait for them to dock, not wanting to be out too much like this, still not being too comfortable with this, feeling vulnerable. Izou said it wasn't long before they docked, an hour or two left.

She could do this for Luffy.

When they did dock, someone yelling it to them from the deck, she took a breath and prepared herself to go out, hoping Luffy would like it and things would be nice. It wasn't long until midnight either, only a couple hours, and Marco had said they couldn't be here long, but so she could say hi to his brother. He really appreciated it.

When she got out on deck, she noticed many looking at her, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable, but it was with kind looks, which helped. She wasn't used to that. A few did tell her she looked beautiful, which she gave "thanks" too, still a bit uncomfortable.

When she was moving towards the plank made to board the island, she didn't even take a step on it before she had arms around her shape. "Ace!" She felt herself laugh, hugging the kid back. "Luffy!" She had really missed this, hearing that happy voice.

She let go and looked at Luffy, the smile the other had made her forget everything for now, happy to see him. "You've grown!" The kid was at least a couple inches taller than last time. Luffy laughed. "I am older! I will be taller than you!" She gave a snort, petting Luffy on the head. "You won't be taller than me, Lu. Never. Since I'm older." The kid did give a pout at that, which had her chuckle. "Come on, let's go find somewhere to watch the firework." She said as he started to walk off the boat, Luffy giving a laugh and following, wanting that. She did give a look to Whitebeard, who found this amusing, which she took as an okay to leave.

They walked a bit around, not sure where to go, before Luffy saw a hill and started to head there, saying he wanted to be high up, and she had to agree. After a bit of a walk they were on top of the small hill, going to a cliffside that looked over the city, a perfect place. She could see some of the crew walking here and there, seeing most having dressed up, some more than others. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves too, liking the party. Ace liked it more in quiet, especially up here with Luffy, wanting to be in a quiet moment with the other.

"Sabo told you joined those," Ace looked over to Luffy as the other spoke, having sat down. "Why?" She gave a hum. "They are nice to me, including." Luffy gave a chuckle. "Sabo said they were nice, good people." She gave a chuckle. "They are, Lu." She was glad Sabo liked them, it did mean they were nice, even to him. She didn't expect them to be nice to his family too, but the small thing meant a lot.

"How are you doing, Lu?" She asked as she sat down, doing her best to find a dry spot to not dirty the clothes. "Shishishi. I'm good, got a crew too! They're at a bar mostly though." She gave a breath. "I can meet them later. If you're happy, I'm happy." Luffy chuckled. "I'm happy. I need a few more crew members, but I'm happy." Luffy then moved closer to him, before sitting down beside him. "What about you? You look nice in that too. Did Shanks buy it?" She shook her head. "A person in my new crew let me borrow it. Since I didn't have much to wear. He also made my hair." She moved to show it to Luffy. "He's really good. That looks amazing. You should have your hair down more often like that." She gave a small nod. "Maybe. I'll try, okay." Luffy gave her a big smile. "Yeah! I know you don't like it, but it's sooo pretty!" "Thank you." She said as she relaxed on her hands. Luffy always managed to make her smile, he always had the smile to brighten her day.

She didn't know how much she would miss the other before she set out, same with Sabo. But, moments like this meant so much more. And she was starting to really enjoy it on the boat too. They were nice.

When she saw a single firework being sent up, being early, she gave a chuckle. "Remember when you were scared of fireworks?" Luffy gave a pout. "I wasn't scared." She laughed. "You so were! You were scared since it was loud and wanted it to stop. At least until we showed you how it looked." She felt Luffy give a shrug. "I didn't know firework was pretty, it was just loud." It was a logical explanation, and was glad Luffy enjoyed the fireworks now.

They spoke about small things until the real mass of fireworks started, being midnight, hearing everyone counting down, the sky being full of colors when they reached zero.

"Hey, Ace." Started Luffy, which had her give a hum. "Happy birthday." She gave a chuckle, hugging Luffy with an arm. "Thank you. Happy new year." Luffy- and Sabo- always said happy birthday, never happy new year to her. They cared more about her than the new year, which few did. She hadn't told the pirates when her birthday was yet, not sure how to tell or if she wanted to tell. It was just a birthday.

But, as long as she could be with Luffy, things were perfect. She would most likely get closer to the Whitebeard pirates, it would just take time. She was still scared they would change and turn on her, but hoped she could enjoy this all a little longer.

She was glad they had both Luffy and Sabo visit so she could say hi to them, she had really missed them.

She sat with Luffy and the two spoke about how they were, Ace really enjoying herself, glad to be with Luffy.

-x-

Marco gave a chuckle at seeing almost everyone being really drunk, many already passed out. It was barely past 1 in the night, so it was amazing how fast they fell. Many was even already starting to come back from the city, knowing they needed to leave at 3, needing to go to an island because of a call they got. But they would take time for everyone to relax and Ace to feel comfortable, the woman at the island with her brother, who did look like Ace in a way. He was glad she was happy to see her brother and they had managed this.

The woman also looks beautiful, Izou really knew what color fit someone, and he had a feeling the kimono was a good choice since it covered, and the obi could work like the binds. The kid, Luffy, even seem to like it, and he knew that meant the most to Ace. She really cared for Luffy, and the kid seemed to care for Ace too. The braid she had was also amazing, clearly one of Izou's better work.

"Come on, Marco. Have fun!" He gave a small sigh at Thatch, who decided to stay behind for some reason. "I am, yoi." An arm came around his shoulders. "You're not! Get drunk!" The first commander shook his head. "I'm good. Someone needs to be an adult." Thatch gave a pout and whine at it, but went on with his drinking. The chef would regret it tomorrow.

After half an hour, he noticed Ace and Luffy coming back to the boat, both looking happy.

Ace looked really pretty with a smile, which made him unable to smile, too. It was something about it that was perfect. When they came on the boat, he saw Luffy ask Ace about something, which she answered, and then Luffy was suddenly gone and in front of Izou. "Pretty Man! That braid is amazing! Please make more for Ace!" Even Izou seemed shocked, but did nod to it, and the kid was almost immediately gone again, moving across the deck to Ace again, giving a laugh and Ace giving a small chuckle, telling Luffy to not bother the others, which the kid pouted to.

Ace then gave a chuckle and looked at Luffy. "You should go sleep now, Lu. Your crew is probably worried. I will see you later, I promise." The kid gave a smile. "We will! And they are fine, I am sure. But, we need to leave soon too. Nami said so." Ace gave a chuckle at it, and it was clear the two really cared for the other and make each other happy. He hoped Ace would be like that with them at one point. Right now, she barely trusted them. Ace gave a hug to Luffy, before she left, muttering something about a shower.

And as soon as she was gone, the look on Luffy's face turned to a really serious one, looking at Pops. "You're the captain, right?" Marco had to blink. The kid had not sounded that serious earlier, sounding like a kid. But now, it was spoken dead serious.

Pops gave a frown, obviously noticing the same as him. "I am." The look on the kid's face darkened. "If you hurt Ace, you will be sorry." He never believed the kid would look that serious or even believable, but he didn't doubt that one moment. "Why would I hurt one of my children, Brat?" Luffy's look didn't change. "I don't know. But if you do, you will regret it." Pops gave a chuckle. Marco almost gave a sigh. He felt Pops took this way to lightly, most likely since he was drunk. "I will remember it, Brat."

And, in a split of a second, the serious look was gone and Luffy smiled the goofy smile again. "Good! Now, bye!" Then the kid was gone, heading back to his crew.

Marco had to frown. Did the kid really change emotions that quickly? Was that normal for him? No matter what, it was good the kid cared. "Did you see that?" Marco gave a nod to Izou. "I did, yoi. Seems like the kid cares for Ace too, like he should." Izou lifted an eyebrow. "You're just not going to mention the mood change?" He gave a small chuckle. "Why would I do that?" Izou looked stunned. "Because one doesn't change that quickly!" He gave a shrug. "Brothers, yoi." Izou didn't have an answer for that, and even Pops laughed at it, overhearing. "Marco's right, Izou! Brothers are like that!" The man said as he took a chug of his sake.

Everyone gave a laugh at that, and when it died down, he went and took the alcohol away from his father, telling he had had enough. He shouldn't even drink. He didn't care about the man complaining about it. He had had enough, and he told the man to go to bed, being backed up by the nurses. Pops should relax, he needed the rest, no matter what he said or how many times people called him overbearing at times. Someone needed to act like an adult.

A bit after the man had turned in, Ace came back out, having showered, hair back in the fake bob and hat, binds and her regular clothes, handing the kimono back to Izou with a "Thank you," the crossdresser waving it off. When she had done that, she turned to him.

"Hey Marco," She started, making him give a hum. "Thank you, really, for letting me meet both my brothers." He gave a chuckle. "It's nothing, yoi. We want you to be happy." Ace gave a small smile to it as she nodded. "Still. Thank you. Both to you and Whitebeard, I really enjoyed seeing them again." He still waited for her to say Pops, but it would take time. "You can thank Pops tomorrow yourself, yoi." Ace gave a nod to it. "I will. Goodnight." She then started to head to her room for the night. "Goodnight, yoi. And happy New Year." Ace gave a nod as she slowed a bit. "Yeah. Happy New Year." Then she went to her room. Why did she slow down? Probably nothing.

He hoped and was sure things would be better and she would open up. It would just take time.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

I had most of this finished already and just did the ending now, since I felt bad for keeping an almost finished chapter sitting still and doing nothing. I'm not too sure about this chapter as I feel it lacking a bit and hope it was okay. I don't feel I have the inspiration to do much with this now and will wait and see how that goes. So I decided to just put it up and hope you enjoyed it. I thank you everyone for the support on this, but the hiatus is still on as I'm not sure what to do with this right now

If you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback

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The Hiatus: As I said in the last chapter, I thought of putting it on hiatus since it seemed like the interest had fallen greatly. And while many did say they read and liked it, and didn't want me to out it on a hiatus, I decided to do it, and it is not to be mean. But I feel like it is still not to people interest anymore, and that is why I made this decision. I do have a lot I want to do, and the hiatus, hopefully, won't be long. I love all the support and I am glad many still like it. But I feel a bit lost at what to do with it right now, since I feel I'm not doing what I should do because of the lack of feedback on the chapters. I hope I will continue this and write the scenes I already have down and planned to write. I love everyone for your amazing support.