Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

This is basically interlude, just a bit calm and such

I will also up the pace a small bit, to get to the interesting parts, hope this is okay

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Marco saw Yuki come out on deck, it being the next day and no one had seen her yet, and when she came outside, Ace smiled at her. "Slept well?" Yuki nodded. "Yeah, slept amazing. No weird sounds, the boat lulled me to sleep with the waves, just perfect." Ace nodded. "That's good. It will be about a few weeks travel to get to Jinn." Yuki nodded a bit slowly, before she looked at Ace. "Could I be rude and ask to be taken there by you?" Ace smiled. "Would not be rude at all, of course I can take you, Yuki. No issues." Yuki smiled. "Thank you. When can you?" Ace hummed. "Now? Or you want to wait after lunch? Breakfast has passed." Yuki hummed. "Now maybe?" Ace nodded. "That works."

Marco hummed. "Could I join? I would like to say a proper goodbye to you, Yuki. Be sure you are okay, yoi." Yuki smiled. "I would like that." That had Marco smile, glad about that. Ace hummed. "It will take about a day for us, as Devil Fruits doesn't work there. I am sure your powers won't go away, Yuki." Yuki nodded. "They won't. Seastone doesn't work on me, they did some experiments…" Ace moved a hand to Yuki's shoulder. "Hey, you're free now. Try and think of that." Yuki smiled. "I will." Ace was so good with Yuki, and she seemed to trust him, which was good.

Then they got ready to leave, and Ace said he would get a boat close by as he knew someone there, so they did that. They got a medium size boat and set sail between the high stone walls, and soon they got to Jormungandr, who helped them to the right place faster, which was nice of him. Then they got to Jinn, and Ace moved the lamp and made Jinn come out, looking softly at Yuki. "Nice to see you again, Yuki." Yuki smiled. "Yeah. You probably already know why we are here." Jinn nodded. "I do, and I would be happy to have you here." Yuki smiled. "Thank you." Jinn shook her head. "No issue. Now, does any of you have a question? I always need to ask." They all shook their heads. "No, we don't." Said Ace. "But I remember something, Yuki, I will grab something from the boat for you." Then Ace left to do that.

As Ace was gone, Jinn looked at him. "I also hope you get why I didn't tell about Yuki fully." Marco nodded. "You weren't asked that question, yoi." Jinn nodded. "Exactly. Now. When you get back to the Moby Dick, you should head South, to an island called Pungdo. Free knowledge." Marco blinked. "Why, yoi?" Jinn hummed. "Just do, or don't. It is fine by me. You should be there in a month." Marco nodded and would bring this past Pops, and see what he said. He felt Jinn said this for a reason. Ace then came back and gave a bag to Yuki. "Here. Some things for you, to hopefully make you more comfortable here." Yuki smiled and bowed a bit. "Thank you, Ace. And thank you too, Marco." Ace smiled. "No issue. Now, live your life as you want to." Yuki smiled. "I will." Then she hugged Ace, then him, before they left, and Ace did say he would check on her now and then, just to make sure she was okay, which sounded good.

Then they left for the boat again, and when the next evening came, rhem being back on the boat, Marco spoke with Pops about what Jinn had said, and Pops said they could head there, it was no issue, but it wouldn't take a month, it would take about 2 weeks. So they decided to head slowly, stop a bit on the way, to not alert Ace. Which sounded good, so they went ahead and sailed. Trevor did say they should stop on an island they were close to, and they would, as they had the time. And Trevor said it had an amusement park there that Ace liked, and that sounded nice. So there they went.

When they docked a few days later, Ace seemed excited, and they docked early, so they went to the amusement park when it opened, Ace almost running inside. As they were in the park, Ace moved towards a ride that was close to the entrance. "I always start here, who wants to join?!" Trevor and Mika instantly cheered, and joined, and they went to the ride, Marco deciding to stay a bit behind, as he wasn't that fond of amusement park rides. He would see if he felt like taking one later. The ride was about to head for its first ride, and in the first cart, Ace got in, same with Izou, and Mika and Trevor behind there, and behind that was two others. And then the cart moved a bit forward as it was full, before a set of bars moved down, going over their shoulders and over their knees, and it made Izou blink. "Isn't this a bit too much?" It did seem so.

Ace looked at Izou with a frown, before he blinked. "Oh no, is this your first time here?" Izou blinked and nodded. "Yeah. Isn't this just a small ride?" Ace chuckled and lifted his arms up. "Okay, do like me. Hold your hands up." Izou blinked, but did. "Why do I need to do this?" While this was happening, Thatch and a few others got into the cart behind the one the others were in. Ace then chuckled. "And, don't close your eyes." Izou frowned. "What do you mean?" Ace chuckled. "You are in for the ride of your life, Izou." Izou blinked. "What do you me-" Izou didn't get to finish as the ride started to shake, shocking Izou as he looked around at the ride. And just as Izou was about to speak, the ride took off like lightning. Just shooting away. The only thing he heard was Izou screaming.

And the ride went downwards at once, so he couldn't see the path of the ride. Then just a minute later, maybe even just half a minute, the ride came in behind the cart Thatch and some others were in. And Ace and the other assassins were laughing and having smiles, before the bar securing them got lifted and Ace and the other assassins got out of the ride. Izou however, still sat in the seat, his bar not going up as his hands were gripping it so tight that his knuckles were white. His hair was a mess, and his makeup was smudged. He looked to be in shock.

Ace then chuckled and moved over to Izou and moved the bar up and removing Izou's hands, and then helped him off the ride and onto solid ground. And as Izou was on solid ground, his hands shook as he moved down to the ground and sat down, looking to be horror stricken. Ace chuckled. "You okay?" Izou made no sound, but he tried to speak as his mouth moved, but nothing came out. "Iz?" Asked Thatch, who sat in the cart which now moved forward a bit. And again, Izou made no sound and just looked like he had seen a ghost. Ace smiled and gave a wave to Thatch. "Have fun!" Thatch looked forward, before he swallowed. "Can I get off? I don't thi-" And then the ride started to shake, before it went off while the cart behind, which Ace and those had been in, was getting new riders. Well, Thatch would have fun.

-x-

Whitebeard watched as Thatch shot off and he was sure Thatch would be in the same state as Izou soon, who had a few trying to get him back to Earth as he looked like he was far away and in shock. Ace chuckled, saying it would pass soon, before he went off and got on new rides, in both fast ones, high ones, and slow ones, seeming to have fun. They had parted into groups as well, some being here and there. After they had been there for an hour, the weather was very good. They were by a water ride, when Ace blinked, before he looked at Haruta. "Come! I need to show you something!" Haruta blinked, and moved after Ace as he walked towards a railing overlooking some water, and Ace pointed at it. "If you look there, and you need to really concentrate, you can see the red thing, right?" Haruta moved to look and leaned a bit forward as she tried to see what Ace was speaking off. But as Haruta was concentrating, Ace quietly moved away from the railing. And when he was back with them, Trevor spoke. "You're mean." Ace chuckled. "Called having fun." Whitebeard didn't know what was happening, when Haruta shook her head. "I don't see-" She started as she turned to look left, where Ace had been, but he had moved, and looked around for him, before she found him next to them.

Ace then chuckled as he gave a wave. "Have fun~" He said as he waved, and then they all heard a sound, and Haruta turned to see what the noise was, and from a sort of tunnel, came a ride at full speed up, before it hit the water after a small ramp, and as the ride hit the water, it created a huge splash, which came directly towards Haruta, who stood in shock and not able to move as the splash hit her, even making her stumble a bit. And as the ride went on the splash was over, Haruta still stood still for a couple seconds, before she gave a small scream.

Trevor chuckled. "Ace does this to everyone after Azu did it to him." Ace nodded. "Yup." Then Ace went up to Haruta. "You'll dry quickly in the sun." Haruta moved her hands a bit as she tried to get some water off. "That was mean!" Ace nodded. "Oh, I know. But it is also fun! You will laugh later, I promise." Haruta nodded and did her best to shake her arms and then tried to squeeze some of the clothes to get water out of the fabric. But she still had a sort of smile. He knew Haruta liked to be included as well. Ace was probably right, she would laugh later.

As they were back with them, Marco hummed as he walked forward and grabbed Ace's arm. "Come, yoi." Ace blinked. "What?" And then Marco walked them to where Haruta had stood, and Ace blinked. "I don't want to get wet." Marco chuckled. "Too bad. I don't think Haruta did either, yoi." Ace blinked. "Nope, not getting wet." Then Ace started to walk away, but Marco moved a hand out and grabbed Ace's hand, and dragged Ace to himself, moving to have Ace close to himself, the hand he held was a bit up as he intertwined their fingers, before his other hand moved to Ace's back. Ace lifted an eyebrow. "Playing dirty, are we?" Marco hummed. "You started it, yoi." Ace hummed as well. "I'm starting to enjoy this." Said Ace as he moved and kissed Marco, who kissed back. And just then, another ride came and splashed the two while they were kissing.

Even though it probably didn't seem like it, it looked like a really romantic moment. And as usual when affection was shown in front of them, especially a kiss, they gave a cheer. When it was over and both Marco and Ace were soaking wet, both of them chuckled, before they walked to them again, and Ace looked at Haruta. "There, now we are splash buddies." Haruta blinked, before she nodded as she smiled. "Yeah, I guess." Ace then hummed as the others who had gotten into their own group came towards them, and Ace spoke as he pointed at them, an arm around Haruta's shoulder. "Find your target, and get them all wet too." Haruta blinked. "Should I?" Ace nodded. "Yep. Pass on the legacy! Imma run to another ride." Then Ace started to run and grabbed Trevor and Mika, who joined him. Ace seemed to really have fun here. Which was good. Ace deserved a break.

It was a few hours later that they met up again and Ace looked a bit… off. As they were all together and he was about to ask, Trevor looked at Ace. "You good, Bunny?" Ace nodded, before he shook his head. "You know what, no." Ace then looked at Marco. "Sit down." Marco blinked. "What, yoi?" Ace moved to point at the ground. "Sit. Down." Marco blinked, but did, sitting down and leaning against the fence. As Marco was sitting, he looked at Ace. "Why do I need to sit, yoi?" Ace gave a soft breath, before Ace moved down next to Marco and leaned down so he laid with his head in Marco's lap. Marco blinked, but moved a hand to Ace's head and threaded through his hair. Trevor blinked. "Are you going to sleep, Bunny?" Ace gave a small hum. "I just need a minute." Trevor nodded. "Okay." Ace then gave a breath and seemed to relax, Marco stroking his head. Trevor chuckled. "Cute. Such a child today. He even needs a nap." Ace gave a breath. "Not a nap! A break!" Trevor chuckled. "Okay, a break." Ace gave a breath, and made himself a bit more comfortable.

They then regrouped, and tried to figure out what to do now, and it seemed like they were starting to get hungry, and at first, they thought to maybe eat here, when Trevor hummed. "Why not head back to the boat and eat? Bunny is basically asleep. And I am sure many of you are feeling a bit tired as well. Why not just head back?" Whitebeard hummed, before he nodded. "You're right, we should head back to The Moby." Trevor nodded. "Yeah. And Marco can just carry Bunny." Sounded like a good idea.

Izou then spoke. "I don't think that plan will work." They all looked at Izou. "Why not?" Asked Whitebeard, and Izou motioned towards Ace and Marco. "I think Marco also fell asleep." They all looked at the two on the ground, and yes, Marco had leaned his head back to rest against the fence, eyes closed and seeming to be asleep as well. Trevor gave an 'aww'. "That is so precious!" It was very cute to see. Trevor then chuckled. "But Marco will probably wake with a shake, so no issue. Been a hectic time for everyone." That was true, Trevor then hummed. "But let us give him a minute." Sounded good.

So they walked a bit, before Trevor walked over to Marco and woke him with a shake, which had Marco was up with a breath as he looked around, before he massaged his face. "God, I am beat, yoi." Trevor nodded. "Yeah. Noticed that. Wanna carry Bunny back to the boat? He is beat as well." Marco looked down and saw Ace and smiled, before Marco got up and lifted Ace with him, Ace not waking up, really being out cold.

Then they walked back to the boat, and Marco went to his room with Ace, and the others stayed out, and after a while, Ace and Marco came back out, and Trevor looked at Ace. "The nap good?" Ace gave Trevor a look. "I will hurt you." Trevor chuckled. "Please don't." Ace hummed. "Will try, but make no promises." Trevor nodded. "All I can hope for. Wanna stay another day?" Ace hummed and stretched a bit. "I got my fill. But if someone else wanna stay, go for it." Whitebeard hummed. "I will ask everyone what they feel." Ace nodded. "Sounds good."

It was after dinner that they decided to set sail after supper, which everyone seemed to agree on, which was good. So then they set sail, before they sailed peacefully for a few days, before they docked at an island and stayed there for a day, everyone having some fun on the island, going around and looking at shops, eating out, and restocking. Then they sailed on.

-x-

The next night, Marco woke up and saw no Ace in bed, and went to try and find him, wondering if he had a nightmare or not. He wasn't in his room, so he went out on deck, where he did find Pops, who said he hadn't seen Ace, which he found odd. Then Marco flew a bit around, but still, no Ace on the mast or in the crows nest. He did also see Trevor, who said Ace had a bit of time off now, so this was odd. But not to panic just yet, might be an emergency. So Marco went back to his room, and after a while, Ace did come back, seeming to try and sneak inside, and when he saw Marco, he seemed shocked, before he smiled. "Hey, you're up?" Marco nodded. "Yeah, couldn't sleep. Where have you been, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Just needed to check something with Moira about an assignment Soul has." Marco nodded, that made sense. "Do you want to sleep again, yoi?" Ace hummed. "We could try, wouldn't mind an hour more." He said with a smile, so they went to the bed and laid down.

The next day, he said to Trevor that Ace had just been with Moira and about what, which had Trevor frown. "What?" Marco blinked. "What's wrong with that?" Trevor frowned more. "Soul is hurt, he is off duty for a while. He broke his leg. He…" Trevor moved a hand to his face. "But we haven't told Ace about it yet, so he doesn't know I think. Don't want to stress Ace right now." Marco blinked. "Wait, so you think…" Trevor nodded. "Yes, Ace lied. Just, I don't know why. Let me speak to him." Marco nodded and hoped this wasn't anything serious.

But during the next week, it happened every night. Ace sneaking off, and when Marco asked, Ace always had an excuse. Some which Trevor said was not doable, Ace was clearly lying. And Trevor said he didn't get anything out of Ace. This didn't add up. And one evening, when Ace came back, they had spent the night in Ace's room, and Ace said he just needed a shower, he had worked out. But Marco, who had a heightened sense of smell, could smell the cologne on Ace, one he never had before, so that was obviously a lie. Marco was about to mention it, when he bit his tongue. He had lied to Ace, he had hurt Ace by not telling about Yuki, was… was Ace cheating on him? Was Ace that mad? Marco didn't want to know right now. Ace did also seem like he was hiding something, as he was still bad at lying and keeping up appearances when lying. Marco didn't know what to do.

The next day, Shanks and his boat came, and went to update Pops about some things and see how things were, having heard they did something. Pops did explain it, and while they were speaking, Marco looked at Benn with a look, which he seemed to get and gave a nod, and Marco hoped he got it. When evening came, Ace was gone again, so Marco went outside and found Benn, who asked if he wanted a chat, which Marco did, so they went to the Red Force's galley, and Benn asked what was up, which had Marco sigh, before he looked at Benn and explained how the last week had been. Ace seemed to act off a bit and like he was hiding something, and Marco had a feeling Ace was heading to meet someone, and Trevor did the same after keeping an eye out. Benn took it all in, before he said he would speak with Ace, which would be good.

-x-

Benn hummed as he sat down, having invited Ace to the galley to have a chat. He had a hard time believing Ace was cheating, but something did sound off. So, when they both were seated, Benn spoke. "So, who are you sneaking off to meet during the night?" Ace gave a breath, seeming to think to try and lie, before he shook his head a bit and spoke. "Ambrose." Benn blinked. Ace was actually cheating on Marco? Or was there something else here? "Who is Ambrose?" He asked, and Ace gave a breath, before he spoke, telling how he had met him on an island a week ago and how and why he was still meeting up with him. When done, Benn nodded. "I see. But you need to come clean, not only to him, you're using him, but to Marco as well. He is worried for you." Ace nodded. "Okay, I will." Benn nodded and moved a hand to Ace's. "This will go fine." Ace sighed. "Yeah. I hope so."

-x-

Marco went to his room as evening was now and he hadn't seen Ace for an hour and he was sure Ace was away again, when the door opened a bit later and Ace stood there, giving him a smile, which Marco returned as he said. "Hey, you want to head to bed, yoi?" Ace shook his head. "No, not yet. But could you join me for a small outing?" Marco blinked, but nodded. Ace then held his hand out, and they disappeared with his powers, before they appeared on an island, which he recognized as the one they had been on a week ago. Marco looked at Ace as he sat down at a chair by a table, being in an empty cafe it looked like, probably closed for the evening.

Marco looked at Ace. "Why are we here, yoi?" Ace gave a breath. "To meet Ambrose. The one I've been sneaking off to meet." Marco blinked, and nodded. "Who will you choose, yoi?" Ace smiled at him. "You, always you. But I need to come clean to him as well." Marco blinked. Ambrose didn't know Ace was married? He was about to speak, when he saw something change in Ace's eyes, like they brightened a bit, before it went away as he stood up, looking behind him as Ace stood up. "Ambrose." So, he was here. Marco turned around, and when he saw Ambrose, he blinked. He didn't know what he would look like, but Marco now got why Ace was sneaking off to meet him. While Marco had only seen Azuruko in pictures and once as a ghost maybe, this man looked almost identical. He didn't have the half ponytail, but had his hair down, which was pink, and about the same length as Azuruko. He had pale skin, maybe a slight shade darker than Azuruko, and brown eyes instead of red. Ace wasn't having an affair, he was chasing after someone who was almost the splitting image of Azuruko.

Ambrose then said hi to Ace, and Ace made a motion to Marco. "This is Marco." Ambrose moved to shake his hand, and Marco did as Ambrose spoke. "Marco, I've heard good things about you." Marco nodded. "That's nice to hear, yoi." They then sat down, and Ace spoke first. "Ambrose. I'm sorry, but… I've been leading you on. I am not after a friendship with you, but…" Ace sighed, before he moved and took a picture out of his pocket, handing it to Ambrose. Marco saw it was a picture of Ace with Azuruko. When Ambrose looked at it, he blinked. "This man, he looks… like he could be my twin." Ace nodded. "I know. That's my late mentor. When I saw you, you looked so close to him. And there are things I need to say to him, hear from him, and I used you. And for that, I am sorry." Ambrose nodded. "I see. Is it long ago he passed? How did he go?" Ace gave a shaky breath, eyes blank. "The wasting sickness, he hid it from me. I just… I saw you, and I saw an opportunity. I am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, or use you. Or… I kinda did."

Ambrose smiled. "It is okay. Sorrow can do that. I am not mad about it." Ambrose then moved a hand to Ace's shoulder. "I would still like to meet you now and then, you are a very nice and capable young man, there is a reason I have liked these meetings." Ace smiled. "Yeah, I would like that." Ambrose smiled. "Now, let me go grab something for you, I will be right back." Ace nodded. "Okay, we will be here." Ambrose nodded and left, and when he was gone, Marco looked at Ace. "Why didn't you tell me, yoi?" Ace sighed. "Because I knew it was wrong. I didn't want you to… I don't know, judge me." Marco gave a small breath, before he moved a hand to Ace's cheek. "I would never. I will always be by your side, yoi." Ace smiled, before he kissed him. Marco was glad all was good.

They then chatted a bit, before the door opened again and Ambrose came inside, but this time, he had his hair in the same ponytail Azuruko used to have and had a white shirt on. it made him blink, same with Ace, who spoke. "Ambrose, what are you doing?" Ambrose looked confused. "Who's Ambrose?" Marco blinked again. What? Ace gave a breath. "Ambrose, you don't need to do this." Ambrose smiled. "No, you do. Say what you need to say." Ace sighed. "I don't want to do this to you." Ambrose hummed. "Do what? I mean, you must have something to say? After all, I am your mentor." Ace shook his head. "You're not. You're Ambrose, not Azuruko." Ambrose hummed. "But Ace, I am Azu-" Ace cut him off as he moved his hand a bit. "No you're not! He left me! He lied to me!" Ambrose gave a comforting look. "I never meant to hurt you, Ace." Ace spoke and sounded very upset. "But you did! You- you lied to me! You didn't tell me you were sick! Everyone knew! Everyone but me! Do you know how much that hurt!"

Ace started to cry. "You were everything for me! You helped train me! Raise me! Comforted me! And then you lie to me for so long!" Marco was about to move as he felt this was getting out of hand, when Ambrose spoke. "And for that, I am very sorry, Ace. I never meant to hurt you. I know it was wrong, but I wanted to shield you." Ace tried to dry his tears but it didn't work as new ones just came, before Ace spoke upset. "But you didn't! I barely got to say goodbye! You- you left me behind! You promised you wouldn't! You said you would never leave!" Ambrose gave a kind and compassionate look. "Sometimes, the world works against us, but know that I am always watching over you." Ace gave a sob, before he moved and hugged Ambrose, who hugged back, Ambrose saying "I'm sorry I left, but you're doing great, and I am always with you. And you have an amazing family. I know you will be just fine. But I am sorry for hurting you." Ace sobbed in his chest, Ambrose softly stroking Ace's back, and Marco felt Ace needed this, to get this out. It was nice of Ambrose to do this. Marco was glad he wasn't feeling betrayed that Ace had used him.

Then they stayed a bit, Ace sobbing for most of it, before they left back to the boat, and Ace said he would head and sleep a bit, needing to relax and just absorb this, which made sense, so Marco went and found Benn again, as they were still here and they went to their galley, and Benn asked. "Did he really look like Azuruko?" Marco nodded. "While I have never seen Azuruko in real life, only in pictures, this guy looked almost exactly the same as I have seen in pictures, yoi." Benn nodded. "I see. Ace must be sad that he had to come clean." Marco sighed, before he told what had happened, which had Benn nod. "I see. This Ambrose seems like a good man, who wants the best for Ace, for others. Like Azuruko did." Marco nodded. "While I've never met Azuruko, this man was very kind and nice, yoi." Benn nodded. "Seems so. Also, why are you heading this way? I was sure you wouldn't."

Marco thought for a second, before he told what Jinn had said, as he was sure Benn knew who Jinn was. When done, Benn nodded. "I see. Wonder why she wanted that. But she probably had her reasons." Marco nodded. "Yeah, We will dock in a week and half, maybe a bit over if the weather is bad and I will ask if there is anything special on the island with the inhabitants, as I feel there is a reason as well, yoi." Benn nodded. "Do that. Also, where is Ace?" Marco hummed. "Had to lay down for a bit, yoi. Digest what happened." Benn nodded. "Makes sense. We will set sail tomorrow, and I hope to speak with Ace before then, make sure he is okay." Marco smiled. "Sound good, yoi." It did, and he knew Benn wanted Ace's best. And he was very curious about why Jinn wanted them to head to this island, but he would see once they got there.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed!

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