Hello everyone, here is the next chapter

We'll have a bit of everything in this as things are still explained and such

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace was about to head to the galley for dinner, when there was a knock at his door, which had Ace tilt his head, not knowing who it would be. ¨Yes?¨ The door opened to reveal Whiskey, who gave him a look. ¨Bay wants to see you, Ace.¨ Ace gave a nod, a bit nervous since he still hadn't spoken to Bay after stealing her blood bags. Maybe she was mad? Ace could understand that. Ace had tried all his best to avoid the infirmary since he got on the ship.

Ace followed Whiskey to the infirmary, Ace feeling more and more nervous as they walked, thinking the doctor would be mad. She was a stern woman, who didn't like when people hid anything or acted in a way she didn't like. When they got to the infirmary, Whiskey left, leaving Ace alone in the open door. ¨Portgas.¨ Ace looked to his left to see the doctor close to a cabinet. ¨Please take a seat in the bed to your right.¨ Ace gave a nod and did, sitting down in the bed and waiting for what would happen next.

After a few seconds, Bay was in front of him, sitting in a rolling chair, holding a folder. ¨Now, Portgas, I noticed we do not have a folder on you, seeing as you have avoided the infirmary when I have asked for you, but never remembered it as other things have happened.¨ Ace gave a nod, giving a sheepish look. Ace had been asked for, but he had always ignored it or tried to hide, knowing Bay would find out. But, Bay knew now, someone must have told her. ¨I'm sorry for avoiding you, or the infirmary. I didn't… mean to..?¨ Bay gave an unimpressed look, before shaking her head and reaching for his hand, holding around his wrist.

Ace gave an unsure sound, knowing what she was doing. ¨Ummm. I don't have… a pulse...¨ Bay gave a nod, looking no different than normal. ¨I noticed. How about temperature?¨ Ace made a small fidget, before slowly moving his hand to show his hand. ¨Umm. With the ring, around 86 fahrenheit? Without, more around 50 normally, or colder when it's cold. I usually lay a bit under the room temperature, around 15 or so under.¨ Bay gave a nod. ¨Commander Marco have told me about your ring, how it keeps you from burning in the sun.¨ Ace gave a nod, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Bay gave a small frown, before she looked at him, seeming to have thought of something. ¨When you walked in, I could see you in the mirror of the cabinet. How?¨ Ace gave a small nod. ¨Umm. If it was silver in the mirror, I wouldn't have reflection. But, my ring also helps… with my reflection.¨ Bay gave a nod, writing it down, before looking at him. ¨Does any kind of blood work on you? In case of an accident.¨ Ace gave a nod, making Bay write it down. ¨Lungs?¨ Ace gave a small nod. ¨Umm. I can chose to not use them; I have no need for them. But, if I'm hungry or exhausted, they will sound strained. I'm not really sure how it works.¨ Bay nodded and wrote it down.

¨Anything else? As in, things you can't be close too? Onions, silver, crosses, or anything?¨ Ace shook his head. ¨I, We, have a heightened senses, so we don't like strong smells, like onions, but it's not bad as I can manage it. And, silver won't bother me too much, since I'm… a hybrid. And crosses are just a myth.¨ Bay gave a nod, writing it down. ¨You said hybrid. Is that how you also have a devil fruit?¨ Ace gave a nod. Bay wrote it down, before she looked at him. ¨Anything else that comes with being a hybrid?¨ Ace made a fidget. ¨I… I don't know..? There's not many, so we don't know.¨ Bay gave a nod, writing it down.

Bay asked a few more normal questions, before Ace was allowed to leave, Ace glad to be let out, and headed to the galley to eat.

As Ace ate, he decided he would ask Thatch about some flesh if he had some, since Ace felt hungry for that. When Ace did, doing it in the kitchen so as few as possibly overheard, Ace was pointed to a bag, which Ace soon found to be smelling really good, and took a piece of a kidney, before leaving to eat that in his room, giving a thanks to the uncomfortable-looking chef.

Ace didn't mean to make the man uncomfortable, and would try to lay off as much as possible.

-x-

Ace sat in a bar, Marco, Thatch, Izou, Pops, and a few others not far away. They had docked at an island earlier and they were enjoying themselves and relaxed. As they were just enjoying themselves, Ace suddenly felt something, as well as feeling uncomfortable, and looked around. When Ace looked to a booth behind him, Ace instantly turned to look at the drink he held.

It was a witch. And, the witch was staring intently at him, making him more uncomfortable, Ace now smelling the rosemary from the man sitting there, eyes glued at his back, Ace feeling how unhappy the witch was with him.

Ace gave a look to Marco, who sat beside him. ¨Umm, Marco?¨ Started Ace, making the first commander giving a hum as he looked at him, making Ace do a small fidget as he continued. ¨Can… can we leave? I don't want to be here.¨ Marco blinked at him, before giving a small frown. ¨Why, yoi? Is anything wrong?¨ Ace made a small fidget, not sure how to say there was a witch here and Ace didn't like that, especially since said witch was really staring at him. As Ace didn't answer, looking uncomfortable, Pops also looked at him. ¨Son?¨ Ace decided it would be best to just say it.

¨There's a witch.¨ Said Ace, making Marco give a frown and looking around, before getting a deeper frown and looking at him. ¨The man behind you, yoi? The one who's staring?¨ Ace gave a nod, feeling the witch trying to make him react, and Ace didn't want to give him the pleasure of that, but still found it hard. The witch was really staring at him intently, Ace could feel it.

Marco gave him a look. ¨You want to leave? We can make him leave, yoi.¨ Ace quickly shook his head. Based on how well he felt the eyes staring at him, now also smelling a bit of sage in the rosemary, Ace knew it wasn't just a regular weak witch. He was a tough one, a strong one. ¨N-no.¨ Ace looked at Marco and Pops who sat beside Marco again. ¨I really want to leave.¨ Ace didn't want to risk anything, scared the others the witch was with were also witches, knowing there were 3 others there. Marco gave a nod. ¨Want me to follow you out?¨ Ace gave a nod, really wanting that. Marco gave a nod, and gave a look to Pops, before going down from his chair, Ace doing the same and walking with Marco out of the bar.

When Ace was out, he gave a relieved breath, feeling much better as the stare and smell from the witch was gone. Seeing as it smelled as strong, he was sure the witch wanted him, or other vampires, or werewolves, to know he was there. When they were out, Marco looked at him. ¨You okay, yoi?¨ Ace gave a nod, deciding to tell a small bit. ¨Yeah, He was just… really trying to make me react.¨ Marco gave a frown as he nodded, before looking at Ace. ¨The smell, the sort of warm one?¨ Ace gave a nod, wondering how Marco knew. ¨Y-yeah. It- it was sage, strong one.¨

Marco gave a nod. ¨I just thought the bar smelled like that, yoi. Haven't smelled too much of it.¨ Ace gave a nod, giving a cautious look to Marco. ¨It was… a strong one. The.. witch. They don't usually use sage… he wanted me to smell it...¨ Marco gave a nod, having a frown as he looked back at the bar. Ace shook his head. ¨Pops and the others are good. They, witches, just don't like… me.¨ Marco shook his head, moving a hand around his shoulders. ¨Don't let him get to you; you are not someone to dislike. They are just being mean, yoi.¨ Ace gave a nod, giving a smile to Marco. ¨I know.¨ It was still hard to not let it get to him at times, but he tried.

Marco gave a small chuckle. ¨Want to head somewhere else, yoi?¨ Ace shook his head. ¨I think I'll head to the Moby.¨ Marco gave him a look. ¨You sure? We can go to a different bar. Or somewhere else, yoi.¨ Ace nodded. ¨I'm sure. You should go back; I'll be fine. Thank you for following me out.¨ Marco gave a nod. ¨Sure you will be fine?¨ Ace nodded, giving a smile. He was and and wouldn't still be fine if Marco left. Marco nodded, moving to give him a pat on the shoulder. ¨Okay, yoi. But, don't be afraid to get us if anything happens.¨ Ace nodded. ¨I won't.¨

Marco gave a nod, before he left, heading back into the bar, Ace heading to the boat again, to relax there. Ace felt safe there. And, he didn't want to cause any trouble with any people, especially witches.

-x-

Whitebeard stood out on deck, the clock near 2 at night. He couldn't sleep and decided on some fresh air, many of his children still out on the island they were docked at.

The captain had been worried earlier when Ace had said he wanted to leave and looked uncomfortable, mentioning a witch. He had seen the witch, a man that was staring at Ace, sitting in a booth. When Ace had left, the witch had looked satisfied and pleased with himself, seeming to have tried to make Ace leave. The captain didn't like that, but when Marco came back, he had said Ace was fine. But, it didn't stop him from sending a glare at the witch, which he only grinned to, not seeming at all scared. Whitebeard didn't want to cause any stir, so he had let it go for then, knowing Ace was fine, just didn't want to be around him.

As he was thinking of possibly heading back inside to try and sleep, he noticed a shape moving to his left, and looked over to see Ace there. ¨Ace? What are you doing, son?¨ Ace looked to be heading off the ship. Why would he do it so late?

Ace stopped and looked at him, not seeming to like he was noticed. Whitebeard had barely done it, the main reason he did was because of his haki telling him someone was there. Ace could really hide well. Ace gave a small fidget. ¨I was just going to go and… do something.¨ Whitebeard gave a small nod. ¨At the island at night?¨ Ace nodded to that. Whitebeard wondered what that might be, a bit concerned since he knew there were a witch here and that man also might be out. ¨Maybe we should take a trip together? I have nothing else I need to do.¨ Ace shook his head at that. ¨No. I'm going to be doing… some.. stuff...¨ Said Ace reluctantly.

Whitebeard blinked, before a thought hit him. Was Ace going to do something connected to his vampire? And what? ¨What is it, son? You can tell me, even if it is something connected to you being a vampire.¨ Ace gave a small nod and fidget, before giving a sigh.

¨I want something warm.¨

Whitebeard frowned at that, not understanding what that meant at the start, before he knew what Ace was trying to tell. Ace wanted warm blood. Before the captain could speak, Ace continued, shaking his head. ¨It will just be an animal. I don't bite… people.¨ Whitebeard gave a nod, seeing how uncomfortable Ace looked, but also tried to look sincere. ¨I know you don't. Do you need warm blood?¨ Ace looked even more uncomfortable at that, and Whitebeard thought Ace wouldn't answer, before Ace gave a very small nod. Whitebeard gave a nod. Maybe he should offer?

As the thought hit his mind to offer some to Ace, Ace shook his head. ¨I- I don't like to take from… humans… I have one I usually take from… but he's… yeah.¨ Whitebeard gave a nod, understanding that was something Ace didn't like, and the person he usually took from wasn't here and that might have some other circumstances too. ¨It's okay, son. I understand.¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨I'll see you later, Pops.¨ Then Ace was gone, jumping over the railing and heading into the woods.

Whitebeard would try and figure out more of this, maybe even ask Shanks a bit. He didn't know how vampires fed, in the sense if it was more than just biting. Shanks must know since he had Aoba, and had had the vampire on his ship for many years. Maybe even Aoba could help tell a bit. For now, he would let Ace do what he was used too, seeing as he didn't know how this all worked.

After an hour and half, he noticed Ace carefully going back up on the ship, heading to his room. Whitebeard gave a breath at that, glad to know it had gone fine, still worried about everything that could have happened. Especially since there was a witch here.

But, he guessed Ace knew how to act and take care of himself, he seemed to have been a vampire long.

-x-

Marco gave a small frown, looking at a box. It smelled funny, as in the half-decomposing funny way, smelling like a human had been dead for a day or so.

It looked like a regular box, Marco looking a bit more on it and seeing it was for Ace, Marco's first thought being it was something for his vampire to eat. But, what was it? It couldn't be only blood. Marco knew it might be a bit wrong, he wasn't supposed to look at others mail without a reason, and he did kinda figure Ace got some blood through the mail, but this was still something he wanted to check out, wanting to know what it was.

Marco carefully opened the lid and looked inside, not seeing anything weird.

There was some normal meat and pastry, but the smell did get worse. Marco carefully lifted a few things, seeing a red bag, most likely blood, which he found normal. But, when he moved some of the pastry, he had to blink at what he saw, before he could only stare and feel a bit nauseous.

It was a severed human tongue, Marco seeing looking awfully familiar to a liver underneath small bag to the left.

Did Ace eat this? And, where did he even get this from? It wasn't form Shanks, he knew as much. Just as Marco was about to look more, the door opened and Ace was there, looking at him and the box he opened. ¨Um. I can... explain…?¨ Marco blinked, before shaking his head. ¨No, yoi. I get it it's for you to eat. I just didn't expect it to be organs.¨ Ace gave a sheepish look. ¨I… It helps me make feel… fuller longer with blood.¨ Marco gave a nod. He knew Ace ate human meat, but didn't know he actually ate raw organs. ¨Where do you even get this, yoi? Who sends it?¨ Ace gave a nervous look. ¨Um. I have this guy, which I've known for years. I've… fed off of him, and he sends this… to… yeah.¨

Marco gave a nod. He guessed that was a good enough explanation for now. The guy probably was making sure Ace was safe and fed, not able to be here and feed him himself. Marco did hope the guy didn't kill random people, that it actually were people who deserved it. But, Ace might not know that either, just happy he got it.

Marco gave a smile to Ace. ¨It's fine, yoi. I'm sorry for opening it; it smelled a bit weird so I checked.¨ Ace gave a small nod. ¨How did you smell it? It's really weak when boxed.¨ Marco gave a small chuckle, closing the box and handing it to Ace. ¨I'm a phoenix, yoi. I have better senses than most. But, clearly not better than yours. You smelled this from your room?¨ Ace gave a sheepish look as he nodded. ¨I have really good senses.¨ Marco gave a chuckle. ¨That's good though. You do need it too, yoi.¨

Ace gave a nod, looking more glad, taking the box. Ace looked more glad when they weren't bothered by the fact Ace was a vampire, and Marco didn't find it weird. It was Ace, who was his brother, who happened to be a vampire. He was a bit unnerved by the human organs, but would get used to with time. Ace gave a last smile, before he left, looking happy to have gotten this box, which Marco understood.

The thing now, was to figure out how to tell Pops Ace got a monthly shipment of human organs.

-x-

Whitebeard sat out on deck, enjoying a calm day. It was still early, Whitebeard just having gotten a comment from Marco about Ace getting a shipment of human organs each month, which had him truly shocked. He hadn't been able to ask about it, someone coming in and making the captain not want to ask then. He was sure that would be unsettling for many to hear. He did guess it to be normal, Ace did eat human flesh, but didn't know it was organs, and that he got it in shipments. Where did he get that? He would need to speak to Ace about it.

As they were relaxing, Haruta came and said there was a boat approaching; a marine boat.

Whitebeard looked to the side, and saw she was right. There was a boat coming their way. Maybe they would have a fight with the marines today then. They hadn't had them bother them in a small while. Thatch gave a frown to the ship ¨Is that… a captain ship, or something else?¨ That was a good question, so they knew how hard of a battle it would be. They couldn't see it form this far, not even those who had the scope could see who it were, or what rank. They were still too far away.

As Whitebeard was on his way to tell his children to get ready, getting the commanders out on deck, when Ace moved his head up a bit, seeming to smell? the air, before giving a smile.

¨It's Garp!¨

Whitebeard blinked. How did Ace know? ¨How do you know. son?¨ Ace gave a look to him, a small fidget there. ¨I can smell it.¨ Whitebeard gave a nod, forgetting Ace had really good senses and probably could smell who it was.

It took half an hour, seeing as both were heading towards each other as Garp came from the way they were heading, and the man soon came on board.

When the man came on board, he gave a nod to him. ¨Newgate.¨ Whitebeard gave a nod back. ¨Garp. What brings you here?¨ Garp gave a small nod to himself. ¨Was close by and decided to drop by.¨ The man then moved to grab something from his pocket, looking to be a bag or something, to Ace, who took it with a smile. ¨Here, this should be to your liking. It's from a guy who died yesterday.¨ Ace gave a smile and nod. ¨Thank you!¨ Whitebeard gave a frown. Was the man handing Ace something to eat? He did say it was from a guy that had died yesterday. Was that even safe? Ace was a pirate, a vampire at that. The captain knew the marines didn't like either one, especially the latter.

¨Garp, what are you handing my son?¨ Garp gave a look to him. ¨That, has nothing to do with you, Newgate.¨ Whitebeard was just about to say it did, because if that man tried to harm his son with something dangerous, he would be mad. But, before he could speak, Ace did, waving his hand. ¨It's fine. They know.¨ Ace looked at him. ¨It's safe. He gives me this now and then.¨ Garp gave a cautious look. ¨What do they think about that?¨ Ace gave a small shrug. ¨They're sort of okay with it. I guess?¨ Garp looked at Ace. ¨You guess?!¨ Ace shrugged. ¨It's new.¨ Garp turned to look at him.

¨Are you being nice to my grandson?! Because if not, you'll be sorry!¨

Whitebeard blinked. Ace was Garp's grandson? Thatch reacted first. ¨What!? You're Ace's GRANDFATHER?! How?!¨ Garp gave a look to Thatch. ¨Never learned how children are made?¨ Thatch sputtered. ¨W-what? Of course I know that! I just don't get how you can be Ace's grandfather! You're crazy!¨ Garp looked at Thatch, looking ready to bite something out, but Ace spoke first, giving a shrug. ¨One usually goes crazy when they go senile.¨ Garp turned to Ace. ¨What did you say?¨ Ace shrugged. ¨I said you're a senile old man, because you are.¨

Garp's eye twitched. ¨And you're a shitty grandson!¨ Garp lifted his fist and hit Ace over the head, making Ace give a small yelp as he cradled it with a hand. ¨Hey!¨ Yelled Ace. ¨Don't hit!¨ Garp gave a glare. ¨Then don't call me a senile old man!¨ Ace gave a look. ¨But you are!¨ Garp moved to raise his fist again, and Ace ran and hid behind Whitebeard's leg, moving to put his tongue out at Garp. Garp gave a sigh. ¨This is why you're a shitty grandson.¨ Ace gave a small whine behind his leg, moving to sit down beside it.

Whitebeard looked at Garp, finding all this amusing. ¨You're his grandfather? You don't look alike.¨ Garp gave a snort. ¨I'm not his grandfather by blood. I took him in since he was friends with my blood grandson.¨ Whitebeard blinked, before he remembered Ace had said he had a brother called Luffy. That had to be Garp's grandson then. That made a bit more sense, seeing as that if Garp had been Ace's grandfather, he had either been the father to a vampire, or the late pirate king. He would ask Ace about this later.

They spoke about some normal things they usually did for a while, Ace sitting beside his leg still, looking happy. After a few minutes, the captain noticed Ace carefully opening the bag he got, and his eyes widened before the bag was even opened.

And, before the captain could even think about why, Ace had moved and hugged Garp. ¨Thank you!¨ Ace said, hugging the man and looking really happy.

Garp rolled his eyes a bit, trying to look normal, but Whitebeard could see happiness in his eyes. ¨Knew it was your favorite, so I got it to be nice.¨ Ace gave a nod. ¨Thank you so much!¨ Garp gave a small pat on Ace's back. ¨It's nothing.¨ Ace gave a smile as he went and sat down next to Whitebeard's leg again, looking happy and holding the bag close. Whitebeard wanted to know what it was, but knew Ace didn't like to say things like this out loud. He would ask later. This was obviously Ace's favorite of some kind, which had him curious on what it was so they could get it for Ace too.

Garp stayed for a couple of hours, before he left, giving a goodbye to them and Ace, Ace waving at him and giving a thanks again. Garp looked happy as he left, even though he tried to hide it. Garp really cared for Ace and was glad he was happy here.

When the vice-admiral was gone, Ace went to his room, most likely to eat what he got. Whitebeard wondered if Ace would be comfortable with eating around them at some point. Whitebeard didn't want Ace to hide it.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

So, things are still settling and things are still being explained

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask

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