Chapter 27: Separation

The day after the events of the battles in Alabasta, Ace was keeping a close eye on the defeated Crocodile when Sabo came into the room. "I've got to go back to headquarters and talk with Dragon." Ace raised an eye brow at him. "What?"

Crocodile raised his head from his chest at the mention of the revolutionary leaders name. "I'm surprised you're still working with the guy." Ace stated. A year ago he had discovered the truth of Luffy's beginnings when one of pop's men, the twelfth division commander Haruta, got caught by Garp and the old man was talking about Luffy to an even older guy. It had been by chance that he had been the one pops had sent to get Haruta free.

"The man abandoned his own flesh and blood!" Ace growled at his brother.

Sabo frowned at him. "I know!" He yelled before repeating it lowly. "I know." He looked at his brother. "But if he hadn't Luffy never would have found us or become a pirate." He shrugged his shoulder. "Call it fate or whatever, but we wouldn't be his brothers had Dragon never made that decision."

"What did you say?" Crocodile asked looking as if they had just turned his whole world upside down.

"Aren't you supposed to be unconscious?" Ace asked, not sounding surprised that he wasn't but with those sea stone chains on him, the man should've been somewhat exhausted or something.

"Are you saying that Strawhat is Dragon's son!?" Crocodile asked in a demanding voice.

The brothers eyed each other. "Blood son yes." Ace answered.

"He abandoned him when he was a toddler though." Sabo stated matter-o-factly. "He's never had contact with him and not until six months ago did Luffy know about it."

Crocodile looked heartbroken. Absolutely devastated, which confused the hell out of the brothers. "Why do you want to know?" Ace inquired wondering what the warlord was cooking up. The man shook his head at him, not answering.

He lived. Crocodile thought. I thought- He suddenly gnashed his teeth together. Dragon will pay.

During the three days after the rebel incited war, Luffy finally woke up. Cracking his eyes open he instantly regretted it. The sun shone brightly through the sheen curtains that were blowing from the wind. His whole body ached worse than when he trained with Sabo. Turning his head, Luffy saw Nami napping with her head on his bed and Ace's hat on her head.

"She's refused to leave your side this whole time." Zoro's voice sounded nearby. Looking towards the top of the bed Luffy saw his best friend leaning against the wall with his arms over his chest.

"Shishishi." Luffy laughed quietly. "Good to know." He said quietly. "The others? How did they fair?"

Zoro look contemplative for a second. "Chopper bandaged everyone up. The idiot cook survived. Usopp was hurt the worse." Zoro pondered for a moment more. "Your brothers are amazing by the way. Only Sabo took a hit, but he's no worse for ware." He shrugged. "Other than that Vivi is taking control of the situation by helping her father help rebuild."

"Nico Robin?" Luffy questioned.

"Vanished." Zoro answered with a shrug not really caring.

Luffy wasn't too surprised. "I'm sure we'll see her again soon." He gave his friend one of those knowing looks.

"I doubt it." He stated giving his captain a doubtful look.

Nami suddenly sat up, Ace's hat falling to the bedside as the bandage on her forehead rumpled from her sleep when her eyes met her captain's. "Luffy!" She cried out as she launched herself at him, hugging the young captain tightly before her teeth became like that of a sharks. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!? GOING OFF LIKE THAT! WORRYING US!" Her hands went around his neck as she screamed at him.

Suddenly Vivi came rushing into the room upon hearing Nami's screams. "Luffy!" She yelled happily.

Luffy stretched his neck to look over Nami's head at her. "Hi Vivi!" He waved at her.

"DON'T YOU DARE ACT SO NONCHALANTLY AT ME AFTER BEING ASLEEP FOR THREE DAYS AND WORRYING US!" She screamed at him, joining Nami in chastising the young captain.

Usopp walked into the room with Sanji. The two looked better than they had three days ago, though sniper was still covered in bandages. "Oh! Luffy's awake!" Usopp was stopped from approaching as Zoro stopped him. The three men watched as the girls continued to yell at the younger man.

Just then a large woman with curly blonde hair walked into the room with a wheeled cart that had food on it. All the strawhats that were in the room looked at her with confusion as she looked like someone they knew. "Isn't that Igaram?" Usopp asked the other two.

"I think that's a woman." Zoro stated, sounding uncertain.

"That's Igaram in drag." Sanji told them, very confident in that.

The woman smiled friendly at them. "Actually my name is Terracotta." She told them gaining slack jawed responses from the three. "Igaram is my husband."

"They say couples tend to begin looking alike after many years together." Zoro stated after recovering from the shock of the situation.

"Food?" Luffy asked as the girls were done fusing over him.

"You all looked hungry so I thought I would bring a few carts of fresh fruit and meat for you." She stated as the servants brought in two more carts, one of which had meat and was closest to Luffy.

Luffy stretched his arm quickly and shoveled the whole cart of meat into his mouth in one swoop. "Thanks that was a tasty treat."

"HE ATE IT ALL!" Usopp and Zoro cried out in shock. They hadn't even gotten a chance to sample the cart.

"Well, Luffy is an empty pit." Vivi stated nervously. Hoping the feast she planned would have plenty of food for everyone.

"YOU IDIOT! STOP EATING EVERYTHING WITHOUT A THOUGHT FOR US!" Sanji yelled at his stupid captain.

"I didn't touch the other carts." Luffy said with a grin. "Besides, I've missed fifteen meals since I've slept for three days."

"How is that fifteen meals!?" Sanji asked confused.

"Luffy logic." Came a voice from the balcony window next to Luffy.

"ACE!" Luffy yelled excitedly when he saw something under Ace's arm. "Chopper?"

"Hehehe." Chopper laughed as he wiggled out of Ace's grip. "Your brother offered to help me get up here quickly."

Ace noticed Luffy wince as he moved to lay back down as Chopper jumped onto the floor and began to walk over to the young man. He handed Luffy a liquid in a vile. "This should help with stiffness and any pain you're feeling from the fight." Luffy took the blue liquid and slurped it down. He shivered at the taste, giving his doctor a disgusted look. "Sorry. I didn't have time to give it a better flavor. I've been so busy reading all of the medical books they have here."

"If you'd like I can have some medical journals compiled for you to take." Terracotta offered.

Stars were seen in Choppers eyes. "Really!?" The reindeer suddenly looked shy. "Even if you do that it doesn't mean I like you or anything! You jerk, I'm not happy or anything!" His excitement getting the best of him as he danced happily.

Yes you are. Everyone thought.

"Oh! A snack." Ace stated as he just noticed the fruit on the carts and went to take some.

"DON'T YOU DARE!" Nami screamed at him. "YOUR BROTHER ALREADY ATE ONE CART! WE AREN'T LETTING YOU OR SABO SNAG THE OTHER TWO!"

Ace backed away from the young woman with his hand raised in surrender. "Okay, okay." He looked at Luffy. "What did you do?" He asked him. Luffy shrugged at him.

"I ate a snack." Luffy answered.

"He ate the entire cart of meat!" Usopp complained his stomach rumbled.

"I'll bring another cart." Terracotta chuckled as the group thanked her.

Shaking his head, Ace turned towards Luffy. "I'm going to be leaving." He stated as he ruffled his brother's messy oily hair. "Try not to cause too much trouble."

"Shishishi." Luffy laughed happily. "Where's the fun in that?"

Ace then bowed towards the group. "Again, thanks for taking care of my kid brother I know he's a handful."

"No, not at all." The group said in unison.

"Come on, we all know how he is." He teased them. "After all, it's a big brother's job to worry about their younger ones." He looked pointedly at Luffy and punched his shoulder lightly. "See ya later, little bro."

Luffy bumped his fist against Ace's outstretched fist. "Later!"

Vivi stepped out of the group. "Are you sure you don't want to stay for the banquet?" She asked. "Papa was adamant in thanking everyone for their help."

"As tasty as food sounds, I'll pass." He then grinned, "But I'll take a kiss on the cheek if you're willing to give one to a dirty ole pirate like me."

Vivi giggled before walking up to him, standing on her tip toes she gave him a peck on the cheek. "Is that all?" She asked sweetly.

Ace's cheeks were red, he hadn't actually expected her to do that, being a Princess and all. Luffy's changed her. He thought as he grabbed his hat from Luffy's bed. "Yep." He grinned as he turned and jumped out of the balcony window to the ground before leaving. Wonder what the guy's have been doing all week. He hadn't been in communication with either his division or with Marco. Hope bird brain ain't too pissed at me. He groused as he ran to find a caravan heading towards the coast. Oh well. He thought as a smile graced his lips.

M-Angel: Ace is totally in trouble with Marco and quite possibly Deuce. lol!