Hello everyone, here is the next chapter

I know this is so so late, but I have been moving and had vacation, but here it finally is!

This is also short, but the next one will be longer! I promise! I also hope it won't be many months before it gets posted. But I don't know for sure

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace sat through another dialysis round, and after it, still nothing, but he somehow felt a bit better. He didn't know why, but he did. When he mentioned this to Lance, he said they might have gotten everything, but still, no fruit. He couldn't do anything. But, Lance had said that he might get it back after a bit, as it had taken a bit of time between when Jozu had touched the mercury before he could use his fruit again. He hoped that was the case, but he could only wait and see.

But the next day, during breakfast, he suddenly sneezed, and when he did, fire came from his mouth, which had him move a hand to it and blink, before he looked at Marco. "Did you see that! Was that fire?!" Marco nodded and had a smile. "It was, yoi." Ace blinked, and moved his hand up and it turned to flames. It had him give an excited sound as he brought his other hand up and it also turned to flames. "Yes! I am fire again! Yes!" Ace was so happy right now, he was fire again. He could see Lance a bit to his left also having a smile, everyone did. He was finally fire again. He was so happy now!

He spent the day just using his fire, as it felt so good again. But when a few hours had passed, Pops spoke, which had him look at the man, and when he did, he had to blink. He could still see the veins of blood and heart beating through his body. Why could he do that? He couldn't do that before, this had come after his fruit left, so why was it still here? He looked at the others, and yes, he could see the beating hearts of everyone. He had hoped this would disappear as well. He quickly hid the shock, and celebrated with everyone.

When he was with Lance later that evening, he looked at the witch. "I can still see their beating hearts." Lance nodded. "And that is new?" Ace nodded. "Yes, I couldn't before. I could smell blood, but not see it. I can now, I thought that would disappear." Lance sighed. "I might have an idea, and I am not sure you will like it." Ace gave a slow nod. "Okay? What?" Lance sighed. "I think they did this to sort of 'awaken' you. Why, I don't know. But now that you're better, I am scared they might come back, so if you feel anything, tell me." Ace nodded. He would. He hated this, hated that he could see the blood and beating hearts. He did his best to just be normal, and after 3 days, Shanks stopped by, and he was so excited to be with Aoba again, and even better, someone who didn't have a beating heart.

The two went to Ace's room, and when the door closed, Aoba looked at him. "You still smell different." Ace nodded. "I know, and…" Aoba frowned. "And what?" Ace sighed. "I can see people's hearts now, and their blood pulsing through their veins." He had told Aoba before he couldn't see that, as Aoba had brought it up. Aoba frowned. "What? You can? How?" Ace sighed. "Lance has an idea. This potent mercury might have… 'awakened' me. He doesn't know why they would want that, but it has. I don't know why and have no idea. I find it… hard." Aoba nodded. "I remember my first year, it was tough. Just to see all that… delicious blood pulsating. At the beginning, it made my mouth water." Ace nodded. "My mouth doesn't water, but it feels as if… I have a heart beating with them. Like, my body pulsates." Aoba nodded. "Oh yeah, that never goes away, at least not yet for me. It is gone for like 2 hours after eating, but then it goes back to feeling it. You get used to it." Ace nodded slowly. "I will?" Aoba nodded. "I did. It did take time, but I got used to it, and I am sure you will too." Ace hoped so. Aoba then blinked. "And oh, next time you see Hidan, he will look even better. He will smell better and pulsate better." Ace blinked. "Really?" Aoba nodded. "That is how we know what our taste is like, since they are different." That was new information, but it made sense.

He spoke a bit more with Aoba, before they went out, and when they did, things were normal. Shanks was drinking with Pops, both making Marco and Benn annoyed, which was normal. He spent the time they were there with Aoba, as he still didn't have a beating heart, and he really hoped he would get used to this fast, he hated this. It was so awful. It made him so hungry in a way. Not as in hungry hungry, but like, he wanted more. He felt ahlf hungry all the time. When they did leave, Ace felt a bit sad, but it was okay. It would happen as they couldn't be here for too long. Ace really liked Aoba, he was so awesome and kind. And, he was also a vampire. As they were gone, Ace sighed. It was at least nice to have Aoba a bit here, and he hoped it wasn't as long until next time.

-x-

Whitebeard looked at his children, who were enjoying themselves as it was getting late. Supper was soon too. He did keep a bit of an eye on Ace, as this was probably a bit new for Ace. Marco had told him the conversation he had had with Ace, when Ace told about Riley. He really hoped Ace didn't think of doing the same, and Ace had said he wouldn't, and he would believe those words until he saw something signalizing something else. He was really glad Ace had gotten his fruit back, and could use it. Ace also looked so happy when it came back, which made him laugh a bit, glad on Ace's behalf. Things might be better now.

A week later, during breakfast, not that many awake as most were nursing hangovers, he heard something shatter and looked to his left to see Ace had dropped a cup, and before he could speak, Ace swallowed and looked at Lance. "They're coming." It made him frown, not sure who they were, but then he got it.

The Dread Doctors were coming for Ace again.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed it!

I know it was short, but it is only until the next one is done, which will hopefully be normal length

If you have any scenes you would like to see, don't be afraid to leave a comment, or send a PM

And I love feedback too; it is what keeps me going!

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