"Look kid just come down." Teach said without an ounce of worry in his voice. Not now that he had finally found Luffy.
'Good god', he thought to himself. Someone must have dropped this boy on his head as a baby. How was he possibly this stupid? By some fluke, he had been able to escape. He may not be smart but he sure was fast. By some different fluke, the kid had been able to dodge capture for an entire day, pretty much ensuring him enough time to get away. But does he even try it? No. The second Teach turns around the kid is right back here halfway up the mast during a thunderstorm and talking like a crazy person.
Was it the fever? Teach mused as he studied the boy. These last few weeks of captivity had taken a toll on him. Maybe his brain had fried in his skull leaving him dumber than he was before. It mattered little to the pirate. As long as Luffy's heart was still beating then he still owned Ace. Something told him that his old commander would continue to fight for Luffy even if by the end of this he was little more coherent than a vegetable. It was all sentimental crap to him.
"How about this," Teach said quickly losing patience with Luffy's ranting. "If you come down right now like a good boy I won't cut off all your fingers and toes and shove them down your throat."
Luffy made a face at that. It wasn't fear that painted his features so much as distaste. No doubt as he imaged how that would work.
"No!" Luffy said firmly. "You are going to listen to me."
The pirate captain snorted at that and beside him, his crew laughed.
"You must be sick indeed to think that we would take orders from a captive."
Ignoring their taunts Luffy continued. "If you don't listen to me I am going to jump into the ocean. I'm not bluffing."
Luffy was defiantly bluffing. He had enough problems as it was without dying. He had no intention of throwing himself into the sea. Although that being said if they tested him he really would jump. Hopefully, they would be able to save him.
He watched as the fat man's eyes gleamed in a warning. He was not to be messed with.
"What makes you think we give a shit what happens to you?" The Doc said from beside Teach.
"You're using me to get to my brother," Luffy told them adjusting his grip on the wood. The rain was making it slippery. He had almost slipped off a dozen times by now.
"You can't use me if I'm dead."
Teach stared up at him thoughtfully, like he was seeing Luffy in a new light. No doubt thinking that maybe Luffy wasn't as stupid as he gave him credit for. If he only knew.
As it turns out he was just copying the move from his brother. When they were younger Sabo and Luffy had gotten kidnapped by some bandits running amuck in the Grey Terminal. They were trying to get Ace to surrender so they could kill the three of them and finally be rid of the nuisances. However, they needed Sabo and Luffy as bargaining chips to get Ace to turn himself over. Luffy had been scared. Sabo had been pissed. He had held a knife to Luffy's throat in front of them telling them that if they didn't give him some food he would slit Luffy's throat. According to the lies Sabo fed them Luffy and Ace were brothers. That was apparently obvious because of the hair. Ace would turn himself in for his brother but not for his friend so they needed Luffy alive. Or something like that. It was much more elegant when Sabo said it. Either way, the men had reluctantly agreed when Sabo was able to convince them he was disposable to Ace but Luffy wasn't. So they gave in to his demands. While they were gone Sabo lashed out at the two remaining men, taking them out before they could so much as call for help. He had wisely decided to keep his plan to himself so Luffy wouldn't spoil it with his poor reactions and big mouth. What Sabo hadn't been counted on was how much his little foster brother had grown to trust him. Even when the blond trapped Luffy against his chest and held a knife to his throat his reaction had been completely unsatisfactory and nowhere near the panic of someone minutes away from death. But Sabo was nothing if not smart. While the surrounding men began to question why the apparent hostage was complaining that he was tired and hungry while there was a knife at his throat Sabo had pinched him hard. He had started yelling then and trying to wiggle free of the pain. That had been enough to convince the men that Sabo would really go through with it. Unaware of the deception they sent three of their men away to go find some spare scraps and chains to keep the two boys separated.
They had fled back into the forest, where they had the upper hand and could easily lose the men. When they finally managed to make it back home Ace was there waiting for them. There was a huge smile on his face that widened at the sight of them.
"Finally! There you guys are. I was starting to think you couldn't even handle a few grunts."
Sabo snorted at the thought of needing to be saved. "Please, don't flatter yourself. We had it handled right Lu?"
Luffy was younger then and not nearly as tough as he was now. He didn't remember everything as clearly anymore but he remembered the feeling of awe at how cool the older boys were. Now it was his turn. Long gone were the days were he could rely on his brothers to keep him safe. Even if he really wanted to.
"Like you would actually do that? Cute try kid but you don't fool me.
Trying his best to imitate the cold indifference on Sabo's face Luffy addressed the pirates.
"Try me," He responded loosening his grip on the rigging.
"Even if you do jump we will just pull you out. Not like you could go very far."
Luffy looked down into the stormy waters. The waves pushed against the side of the boat like they were trying to shove the ship aside. They looked strong. Although not nearly as strong as they would have been outside of the harbor. He was pretty much banking on the fact that they would be able to pull him out.
He wracked his brain trying to remember what Sabo did. They had doubted him as well. Telling him that they would stop him before he could do more than injure Luffy. Sabo had shrugged like this didn't bother him.
"Maybe," He had said. "But if you do manage to stop me then I will try again. And again until I get my way." He had smiled up at them. The same smile he used on everyone who wasn't Ace and Luffy. It was a rather cold smile and it seemed to do the trick when threats wouldn't work.
"It would be easier for everyone, and trust me when I say less work for both of us if you would just do what I ask."
Or something like that at least. Luffy's hands were slipping and this was hard to do in the rain. Not to mention he had to practically shout for them to hear them. It was freezing out here and he was naked from the waist up. His torn shorts were thoroughly soaked through. And despite the goosebumps on his skin Luffy felt like his insides were made of molten lava. He was so hot and cold at the same time and his head swam when he breathed too deeply.
"Or you will do less work!" He called fighting off a dizzy spell.
Teach looked at the doc confused. "What?"
"I mean if you do pull me out I have to work hard."
"Jesus kid what did we do to you?" The Doc muttered.
Luffy tried one last time, pushing through the lightheadedness. "Even if you do pull me out I won't stop. I'll bite off my tongue, I'll bash my head against a wall until it explodes, and I'll drown myself in an inch of water. I won't stop until you help Thatch. If he dies then I die and you have no captives.
"Ah," the Doc Q said to himself. "I knew there was something I was forgetting to do."
Blackbeard ignored him as he continued to stare at Luffy caught off guard.
"You really are just crazy aren't you?" Despite having known him for a little while, and saying it often, he hadn't fully believed it until now. Luffy was completely unhinged. No wonder Ace was so protective of him. Not to mention why he had never talked about Luffy before. Probably ashamed to have a batshit family member. Needless to say, he was rapidly losing faith that Luffy wasn't going to go through with it.
"Fine," He waved his hand dismissively. "Come down and we will treat the damn Whitebeard lackey."
Luffy shook his head. "Do it now then I will come down."
Teach narrowed his eye warningly. "Don't push it, kid. You're lucky we are even negotiating with you." He held wanted to let Thatch die just so Luffy wouldn't get his way. Although to be fair they had never intended to get rid of the man before he proved at least a bit useful. The fact that he had deteriorated so far was no doubt negligence on the drunken doctor's part. He would need to have a word with the man afterward. A strong and possibly painful word.
"Go," he told the drunkard beside him. Sensing the anger boiling under Teach's skin Doc Q nodded frantically as he took off.
Luffy watched them carefully as Teach turned his attention back to him. "Now, little boy, why don't you come down from there."
Luffy thought he should stay up here. He trusted these men very little and his instincts told him that he could not believe any of their words. Besides he knew when he came down they would hurt him- bad. And there wasn't much more he could take. He wanted to stay up here and savor his freedom. Each moment was like a breath of fresh non-soggy air. But his fingers were beginning to slip and the dark spots in his vision were getting worse. Very soon he would fall down to the deck.
With shaking hands Luffy began to climb down. Inch by inch. It was all he could do to keep from slipping all the way down and landing on his butt in front of Teach.
When he was about halfway Luffy felt a wave of sudden nausea hit and he had to swallow back the food the nice stranger had given him. He reached up to cover his mouth with one hand trying his hardest to resist the second wave of sick that threatened to come up his throat.
Trembling with the effort Luffy dropped himself from his precarious place on the side of the mast and onto yard, for the lower mast sail, or as Luffy called it the piece of wood that you tied the bottom of the sail to when it was unfurled.
By this point, Teach had grown impatient waiting for Luffy to get down on his own and decided to take matters into his own hands. Cursing loudly he had begun to climb the handholds of the main mast intent to push Luffy to the deck himself.
Luffy watched with half-lidded eyes as the man made his way up to him. Not that anyone cared but Luffy really wasn't feeling good. As he was now a fall, even from this minimal height, would make him lose his stomach contents.
As Teach made his way shakily onto the beam that Luffy occupied he scooted backward. Teach cursed him louder and inched forwards, clearly not as at home up here as Luffy was.
"If I fall…" He began to threaten.
"Your fat ass will protect you," Luffy muttered as he crawled backward on his hands and knees. He failed to notice how far he had gone. It was no longer the wooden deck beneath him but rather the dark waters.
Teach was saying something, enraged at his last comment. But Luffy was no longer listening. The movement had pushed him over the edge and he lost the battle with his stomach. He let go of the beam instead of using both hands to cover his mouth as he threw up. On reflex, his legs hooked around the wood leaving him suspended upside down swaying with the wind like a bizarre punching bag. One that had been beaten too many times to keep its stuffing on the inside.
"That was close," Teach muttered to himself.
Luffy had to agree as he tried to still his head but his vision was spinning far too fast. He raised his hands letting the sick fall into the ocean below him. But there was more. On his hands, dribbling down his chin and now dissolving into the water below was dark crimson blood.
Teach let out a scream of rage as Luffy's eyes rolled back in his head and his legs slipped from their hold. He hardly felt it as his body hit the water below him.
XXX
Sabo stared down at the knife in his hands, his thoughts a million miles away. There was something about a knife and Luffy. He flipped the blade in his hands thoughtfully. Ace wasn't lying there was something here between him and the two boys he had just met. Something strong and unlike anything he had ever felt before. But like all his other early memories whatever it was seemed trapped, locked behind the thick floodgates in his mind.
He continued to coat the blade with learned precision. The door opened and Sabo looked up to see Ace enter, a very large bundle in his arms.
"Did you get it?" Ace nodded.
"Will it do?"
Ace shrugged, "It will have to do. It was the closest I could find."
"I don't want to even ask where you got it," Sabo said although he wasn't as bothered as one should be.
When Ace didn't answer Sabo sighed putting down the knife he had been working on to face the young man.
"Are you still mad at me?"
Once the initial shock of seeing Sabo had worn off Ace started to ask some pretty practical questions. Like what the hell Sabo was doing stalking him in the middle of nowhere. So Sabo had been forced to tell him about his encounter with Luffy and how he let their little brother slip away.
While he didn't get outright hostel Ace had gotten very quiet after that. Even more, quit when Sabo told him what kind of shape Luffy was in. But both boys knew there was little time for personal issues when the clock was ticking on this whole murdering Marco thing.
"I should have never left him alone," Sabo admitted feeling his own bitterness at himself seep out through his words. He had left a note asking the boy to stay there. He had come right back only a few hours later. But it had been too late then. There was a chance Luffy had gotten away but neither boy thought it was very likely.
"It's not your fault," Ace said quietly. "How were you supposed to know?"
Sabo had known this boy for only a few hours but somehow the whole stoic quiet thing didn't seem to suit him.
"It is exactly my fault. We wouldn't be in this mess if I had just listened to my instincts and stayed with him."
"I was the one who got him involved in this. This is all happening because of me, not you."
Sabo thought about that for a moment. He was perfectly willing to accept his half of the blame in this. But not if it made Ace even more worried.
"Your right," He said suddenly. "This is all your fault. Luffy, Blackbeard, the Whitebeards, the bruise I now have on my cheek, World hunger that one is on you as well. Not to mention war, disease… I can go on."
"Are you telling me in your own special way to stop moping?"
Sabo shook his head as he once again looked down at the blade. His own blue eyes were reflected back at him.
"We were little," He began hypnotized by the glint of the metal. "I held a knife to his throat." For what purpose he didn't know. Sabo ran his finger gingerly over the knife edge. "I think it was one of my schemes. I think I wanted him to look scared." Sabo trailed off struggling to focus on the memory.
"He wasn't was he?" Ace asked softly and Sabo shook his head.
Luffy hadn't struggled or screamed. Instead, he had looked up at Sabo even as he said all these awful things. Scary things no kid should hear. Instead of fear the look Luffy gave Sabo was the same one Ace had when he told him his deepest darkest secret.
"You guys both trust me so much." He admitted finally putting the knife down to look at Ace. "I wish I understood more. I wish I could remember this person you two thought so highly of. I'm not telling you to stop moping I'm telling you that I'm moping alongside you."
Ace made a face, "Uhh god now I have to cheer you up too." He said with a hint of sarcasm. He continued on softer. "You are the person we trust Sabo. You don't have to do anything or be anyone else. It's just you. You don't even have to remember, although I would appreciate it if you did. Now stop being sorry. If one of us is moping it's cool but if we both do it we are just depressing to be around."
"What- so you get like three hours of self-pity and I try it for half a second and it's all 'come off it Sabo."
Ace nodded, "That about sums it up."
"So you feeling better now?"
Ace shrugged, "You know same old. Little brothers in trouble and suffering, it's all our fault. Who cares anyway? We can just get another one. There are like a million out there. What's so special about Luffy anyways? Personally, I always thought years of childhood memories were overrated. Maybe the next one will actually listen to us."
Ace was babbling now, working out his nerves. Sabo watched with a mix of amusement and interest. What a liar. He wasn't feeling better in the least. Judging by the pale look on his face he was probably feeling worse the more he talked. Repression. Sabo decided. That's how Ace got through any bad emotion he didn't want to deal with. The chosen tactic of pretty much any pirate still in their teens. Sabo should know after all. And there was no harm in it. Not like shoving particularly nasty thoughts away had any lasting consequences…..
Like an invisible string had been cut Ace's legs gave and he crashed to the floor like dead weight.
Sabo's eyes widened an impossible amount as he looked around trying to work out what happened. Were they under attack? Was Ace dead?
"What the actual FUCK!"
XXX
Luffy opened his eyes watching blurry shapes move above him. They were being loud. Far too loud.
"What do you mean!"
"Exactly what it sounds like, internal bleeding. It was dangerous to leave it untreated this long."
Luffy tried to open his eyes further only to find the brightness of the room too much for him.
"Well how in blazes did he get that?"
There was a long pause, "You're…kidding, right? It happened because you were beating him."
One of Luffy's eyes was pried open and a light was shined on it as he let out a loud moan.
"He seems like he's still alive."
"For now at least, we will see if he continues to deteriorate. If I can't get the damage under control we are going to lose him."
Loose who? His sluggish mind struggled to keep up with the conversation. He didn't know where he was. How did he get here? Who was talking? He remembered the feeling of falling, then being cold and wet and unable to breathe. The next thing he knew he was being carried and then nothing.
There was a hand on his forehead and he turned to it. "Titchh?" He slurred quietly.
"We are not going to lose him. Not after I just climbed up the damned mast after the brat. Fix him or you're going to regret it."
"Aye aye, captain." The voice responded sarcastically.
"And the other one?"
"It looks like this brat has been busy. He gave him antibiotics. We have to wait and see how he reacts to it. I gave him a fever suppressant."
Luffy moaned again in protest as one of his deeper injuries was prodded at. He wanted them to stop. Just to leave him alone. He still was sick and every prod was felt by his shriveled stomach.
"Why does it feel like all our prisoners are knocking on death's door."
"Maybe because of you captain."
"What was that!"
"Nothing sir! I'll see to it."
"Yes, you will." There was a loud slam and then silence.
"Oy, can you hear me?" The Doc asked after a moment.
Luffy groaned in response.
"Boss wouldn't hurt you so bad if you would just do as we say. You know you brought this on yourself don't you?"
Luffy opened his eyes a hair more to look at the doctor. "I know." He said his voice hoarse and wispy even to his own ears.
The Doc was hardly the first person to point this out to him. All his life he always made things harder on himself. Everyone who had ever raised a hand against him, he knew it was at least in small part his fault. Be it; bad guy lackeys, bullies, pirates, bandits, crooks, criminals, his own grandfather, and even on occasion Ace. If Luffy was smarter he would eventually concede a little bit. Give in if only for the sake of self-preservation. But no, Luffy wasn't smart. He didn't have the same survival instincts others seemed to be naturally gifted with. All he had was raw unaltered stubborn pigheadedness and a sense of how things should be. And when things weren't right he couldn't stand by and do nothing. If he did give in even a little bit on something he knew was wrong then he thought it would be like a tiny piece of him would die.
He met the man's eyes evenly with his own. "If you fix me," He promised. "I am going to kick your ass into next week."
The man looked startled and then he laughed. He grabbed Luffy's wrist injecting something under the skin that made his head swim.
"You know it's a shame we are going to kill you when we're done. Because I am interested in the kind of man you would have become."
As Luffy began to pass out he felt the man take something from around his neck that he hadn't been aware of before. The Doc inspected it with subdued interest.
"Where on earth did you get this?"
As the drugs took over and Luffy felt himself slipping under once again he caught sight of something blue being thrown into the trash.
XXX
Good Lord Chapter 13 got quite a few reviews. I love it Thanks guys. Please bear with me as I try to reply to all your awesome sauce comments.
This lucky duck was backpacking around Europe for most of the summer so far. But now I'm back and have to deal with normal people problems again. I really hate my normal people problems. Anywho hopefully a lot of writing shall get done this summer. I want to put a serious dent in this story before school starts again. Thank you guys for being amazingly patient.
I really treasure your reviews. If it was biologically possible to subsist off of them I would. But it's not so instead I went through all three pages and responded, which took nearly as long as it did to write the actual chapter. But I love it so much that the more the merrier I really hope you guys liked the chapter. Next time Luffy and Thatch reunite and Ace and Sabo try to kill Marco. I'm doing my best to show what a badass Luffy is and if all goes well I will be able to show that Sabo and Ace are just as brave and heartbreakingly loyal as their little bro who learned it from them.
Happy Canada day or 4th of July or sparkler in the garage while your mom isn't looking day, however you identify during this month of fireworks!
.
XXX
OrangeCowboyHat: Thx
Wordlet: Yes! He does. What a little fluff. Although he is kind of a scary fluff. Sabo is working on it with his smart person brain that Ace and Luffy don't have. Teach is very untrustable I agree but I don't think he wants his prisoners dying on him YET. Thank you for the compliment
Astoria Lilika: Luffy is a sweet heart. Hopefully there will be more chances to show Ace and Sabo are ones as well. But in a different way I think. At this point there is no way they aren't going to try to get revenge for Luffy.
abuseanimefreak502: I shall!
xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: More Ace ad Sabo being cute together. Thank you
Nelliplier48: Thank you! I think so too. That's why I dedicated my life to writing fanfics about how cute they are
GreenDrkness: Yes Sabo is definitely going to take it slowly. I still have no idea how he is going to get them back so any suggestions are welcome Luffy is still trying his best. Even if he is goin to be down for the count for a bit. I shall keep on the writes.
DemonKittyAngel: Yes they are no good. But Sabo had moderate intelligence Ace and Luffy don't so he will use his powers of common sense for good. Sabo will get his memories back eventually, how yet I don't know. Sabo mentioned it a few minutes later and it did not make Ace very happy knowing how close this nightmare was to being over. Close on Luffy's end, but he targeted the closest available doctor. I'm glad you liked their reunion. I was worried a bit if I did it right or not. I always thought their friendship was the cutest thing since they are so alike. Luffy really does take after them way too much.
Thank you for the wonderful review
CelinaB: I'm glad XD
Jui-Imouto-Chan: Luffy is not so much into saving himself as everyone else as shown with his little monologue at the end. I think everyone got a little too real this chapter whoops. I think you should be my marketer. Like they have at the end of the episode except for fanfic. Thanks for the review
Jordansdevil: No he's tragically going to miss them by a bit Otherwise they would save poor Thatch and Luffy and there would be no awesome final battle of slow motion ASL reunion or frolicking in a meadow. And everyone knows that you can't have a One Piece story without the characters frolicking in a meadow XD
Mel72000: True that. Ace is violent with his emotions. Luffy is just a fluff through and through
ASL is alive: Sorry not yet. I was thinking about it but that's more work for my lazy self Although It means more people. I'm really glad you like the story. I'm not sure yet how Sabo's memories are you to play out. Still pondering that one. Any suggestions are welcome!
Guest #1: Thanx
xxLanaxx: And continue I shall
Rosalix Archangel: YAY! I'm glad you like it. Hopefully you liked the new chapter as well. Me too. I want Ace and Sabo to give Luffy a really big hug. But first some shenanigans. If it was easy for them it wouldn't be a story. Same, screw Teach he is dumb and ugly and mean. Thank you for your nice review I really appreciate it.
Mochelo: Your Awesome
Casy13: More Thatch and Luffy coming up. I'm glad you like it. You might have to wait a bit for the Luffy WB reunion and ASL. But hopefully it will all be worth it. I'm aiming for some epic shannanagargles in between. Thank you for the nice words. Have a great week as well
leafpool5: Thatch really likes Luffy He is the only one to actually see Luffy for his age and treat him like a kid while still respecting him. More of them together next chater as Thatch tries to take care of Luffy. Ace and Sabo still don't know the half of it yet. They will be beyond furious when they see Luffy for themselves. Not so much on the Sabo meeting Marco thing. They only have a bit of time before they have to take him out. I guess technically they do meet each other though. But not really in the friendly capacity. Thanks for the review!
BEATRIZ: Surprise! You guessed it !At least Doc Q is better than Teach
MelodiofHope: Ace and Sabo together!
Blackthorn Ashe: More SABO! And more Luffy and Thatch next chapter
Peppymint: He is working on it XD
AndurilofTolkien:
weep for the empty: What! No way. Trust me when I say no one has ever accused me of being naturally talented at like ANYTHING! So it really means a lot when someone tells me they like my writing or my stories. I think you should keep doing whatever makes you happy! At least from this losers point of view writing is about being able to share the weird stuff in your head with other people so it can't be good or bad !
Lunapok: Here you go a new chapter! With more Ace and Sabo because they are so darn cute together.
Randomly Talented: Luffy continues to be brave! Sweet little floof. Sabo is slowly remembering. And same, screw Teach. What a piece of work. Same to you firework time
Buterflypuss: XD
Nelliplier48: And I love your review Thank you for the support. I actually still don't know how Teach found out. I'm starting to think Shanks might have something to do with it (but shhh tis a secret). More on this later. I hope you liked this chapter as well!
Castiel'sHunter10: Aww thank you I'm glad you like it.
yuzukikuran476: They are certainly working on it. And don't worry about it. I am mentally scared enough from canon Ace dying. I'm not going to make it worse and kill him again.
yuzukikuran476: We must be patient. Then we will kill them very slowly and painfully. I shall do my best to try and update way sooner than I have been. Sabo and Ace won't let anything happen to Luffy. He is too precious.
Guest #1: I'm glad you like it
RedHeadsRock1010: THANK YOU! GLAD YOU LIKE IT!
Nanahou: OP stories are the best! I love ASL to death. Thank you for the review, high praise indeed! Don't worry I have no intention of abandoning this story. I know that is famous last words for FF writers. But at this point I am so obsessed with ASL that if I quite writing fanfic it will be because of an intervention rather than a personal life decision. Alas my life does get in the way so you might have to wait sometimes between chapters. But if I don't get to put the awesome ending I have in mind into action I shall be disappointed indeed. I wish you a wonderful day as well XD
SakuraKoi:
dkop21: Here you go!
Guest #3: Tell me about it.
emma3883: And continue I shall!
Crystal Tempest: So true! Thank you I'm glad you like it.
dragonfighter11: Yes, but you see if the characters got what they wanted immediately it wouldn't be much of a story. In the opinion of little ol' me a story is all about the struggle and the journey the characters go through. Even if it can drag at times.