In Their Place

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Summary: -they had each other. That was Portgas D. Rouge's only solace as she took her last breath. OC.

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Chapter 4: A Solution

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"Maybe nothing in this world happens by accident. As everything happens for a reason, our destiny slowly takes form."

- Silvers Rayleigh

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He didn't dream, only constant darkness plagued his mind, yet he could still feel the world around him. He can feel how his body seemed to float in mid-air one time, only to crash on the hammock that he slept in; how the boat almost turned sideways, but all he did was go along with it, hovering mindlessly. Before those things happened there was only calmness, and while Rayleigh was somewhat delighted, he couldn't help but frown in his sleep. Something was off on those times, he just knew it.

But out of all the things that happened to him, he wondered about one thing.

When did he lay down on a hammock?

In his mind he tried to dream what happened before he fell asleep- or lost consciousness- Rayleigh didn't mind those particular details, he only came up with graying hair, a gummy smile, and brown eyes.

He wondered if he lost his mind, or he had too much alcohol- that would be a first, Rayleigh noted in his mind- but what was the cause?

It wasn't Roger's death-

-then it all suddenly came back to him.

A groan erupted from his lips when he sat, his mouth dry and rough, Rayleigh felt his stomach grumble and the sound surprised him- it was like a roar of a wave so big that it could reach the clouds. He hoped he didn't disturb the twins, Rayleigh knew he'd feel horrible if that were to happen.

'Not that I hadn't done that already,' the blond pirate grumbled in his mind.

"Your current state's so horrible that it isn't funny," a voice said at his left, but Rayleigh didn't know how far the speaker was. Right then he knew then that he needed to train himself, Rayleigh hadn't been this out of shape ever since he was a teen!

He was about to respond, a comment like 'things happened' or 'don't remind me', but as he tried to utter some words, all that came was hacking coughs. Rayleigh thought that he'd cough up his lungs at any point.

His only reprieve- if it can be even called that- only came with a backward tip of his head and water entering his mouth, Rayleigh half-choked and drank at this point. He hadn't even stopped coughing when the marine did that!

By the time he already expelled the water that went down his lungs, instead of his stomach, he was already glaring half-heartedly at the man that stood beside him, holding a cup that was half-full, face completely blank- but Rayleigh could see the wisps of amusement in the man's eyes.

His own narrowed in return, but before Rayleigh could raise an eyebrow or scowl darkly at the man, the cup of water was forced to him, some water escaping from the force.

"Drink that," Garp ordered, and Rayleigh didn't really sit well with commands, except for one person's of course, but he knew that doing what the marine said would help. Rayleigh would just remember to talk to the marine about orders and commands, but when Garp glanced at his eyes, he gave a heavy sigh and reworded his earlier statement.

"Have a drink," the aging man suggested, and Rayleigh drank with no hesitation.

Rayleigh could be happier, but he was satisfied for now.

He finished the drink in a few seconds, and Garp went to fill it again, but the last thing that Rayleigh expected that the man would bring was a bowl of soup. He couldn't help but look at it in surprise.

Garp must have noticed it. "Powdered stuff," he shrugged. "Don't want to upset you stomach."

Rayleigh couldn't even believe that the man thought of that.

Garp forced the bowl to him again, and Rayleigh prepared it to be hot, but it was warm instead. He should've known it wouldn't be burning hot if Garp withstood it, but, Rayleigh didn't know what classified as normal when the marine was in the equation.

He stopped himself from asking for a spoon, which was hard if Rayleigh honestly admitted it, but he'd live through worse so he just drank it straight from the bowl. It slid off his throat towards his hungry stomach, not even quenching his hunger a little, and Rayleigh knew that it was powdered mushroom soup.

There were some parts that hardened already, and it made his throat feel a little bit uncomfortable, but Rayleigh thought it was the best meal he had for a year, and maybe that thought wasn't too far off.

Rayleigh was too busy having his fill of liquids, then solids that he didn't know how much time has passed, he only knew that he was wolfing down everything that Garp gave him. The plates licked clean off and cups devoid of any liquid, and it just kept coming.

The majority of it was fried food with vegetables as side dishes, but Rayleigh just ignored it, too grateful for what Garp was doing for him that he didn't dare protest- and dutifully drank his cup full of green gunk that tasted horrible. It tasted like one of those herbal drinks that was good for your body, coupled with other things that were healthy- but those things didn't exactly taste well together.

Rayleigh figure he needed to be in shape, so he'd take whatever he can get.

The blond pirate felt that he had a hundred meals so far, and felt the need to ask where Garp kept getting food because Rayleigh was sure he should've ran out some time ago. He just figured that it was probably a Garp thing, and the sea around them just had a surplus of sea creatures that the marine could catch and fry. Rayleigh figured that he wasn't that off with his conclusion when an upgraded fishing rod was on the deck, thread as thick as his finger and the pole glinting in the sun which was probably as thick as his arm.

Rayleigh barely stopped himself from wondering how heavy the thing was, then the best distraction came in a series of giggles that pulled his lips into a smile.

He could just walk to the direction the sound came from, but first, he had to ask Garp what in the Four Blues was he thinking leaving the twins out on deck, with no one for company.

The marine quickly explained though, when he saw the look of utter displeasure and glares being sent to him.

"I've been checking on them," Garp quickly said, "-as often as I can."

Rayleigh thought that it didn't really matter, Ace and Noir were babies, babies, they wouldn't know how to fend for themselves. He decided to voice just that.

"You fool," Rayleigh said in the most biting tone he could manage, he ignored the stormy look that settled on the man's face, intent on getting his point across. "They are babies. Small, and defenseless, don't treat them like- like teenagers that need to be checked upon. At this point of time, I'd expect that they need attention and care, company."

Rayleigh couldn't stress the last word enough.

The pirate didn't know what he said in his tirade that changed Garp's stormy look to one of horrible realization, eyes wide, mouth agape, and a shameful mien. Rayleigh was distinctly uncomfortable, eyes taking in the defeated posture the marine held. He was slouched and looked at his hands like they have done a terrible misdeed that he couldn't undo, when Garp's eyes became watery, Rayleigh took that as his cue to leave.

The pirate knew that Garp was a friend, one that both he and Roger treasured, but he also knew that the man was stubborn and prideful that it wasn't even funny.

The two of them knew what the marine has done to himself when he let them go, by a reasonable source. He punishes himself, pushing his body to its limits, beating himself up over it, and Rayleigh believed he'd do the same in this case. Garp was a stubborn marine, and while his own sense of justice usually prevails in his mind, Rayleigh believed he wanted to act like one. So, while Garp knew that he was friends with Roger and Rayleigh, deep, deep, deep, down the marine's heart, he knew they were pirates.

Pirates that the Marines hated.

Garp at least upheld that rule, since if he didn't, well, Rayleigh believed it would've felt like betrayal for him.

The pirate left him, much like the marine did when he cried in front of him. Rayleigh just hoped he appreciated it somewhat.

He left the marine, shoulders heavy.

Rayleigh hoped that watching the twins would distract him, and when giggles floated in his ears, he knew they'd do a good job.

...

The first thing that came to his mind when he saw the twins, was to go back to Garp and give him a word about endangering their safety. It took a few seconds, maybe a minute, to remember he'd already done just that.

Didn't mean he had to be happy about it though, but Rayleigh would admit in his mind, and only his mind, that he was a little guilty.

He wasn't guilty that he reprimanded Garp, he was guilty because he somehow made the man cry.

Banishing his thoughts about it, Rayleigh knew it wouldn't help, he focused on the twins that looked just a little bigger, their tuft of hair larger. The moment their eyes turned to him, he immediately melted.

They were big and wide, innocence in their eyes that only young children and babies can possess, and he was greeted with smiles. Rayleigh thought that Ace squealed when he saw him, and that warmed him all the more, Noir silent but smiling nonetheless, even if it was small.

They were both restless, fidgeting in place that made Rayleigh's lips tug itself to form a smile, remembering how his captain was the same. The sound of waves seemed to calm them somewhat, and Rayleigh was thankful, he wasn't certain that he'd be able to carry the two of them properly. Rayleigh didn't dare risk it, and while the thought of carrying one while the other lay on the crib crossed his mind, he couldn't.

Rayleigh somehow knew that they'd cry, and he didn't want to see tears erupting from the both of them.

So he watched them, leaning against the railings like what their crib was doing, and listened to the waves of the sea.

Even this young Rayleigh could already see how different Ace and Noir were, not in appearance either. He could imagine how Ace would be expressive and friendly, bright in a way, how Noir would be quiet and shy, glowing faintly to others.

Then Rayleigh, in all the songs that he have heard, remembered one faintly, one that fit the children in front of his eyes- and sung.

"Skirting along the waves of the sea,

Two lights that shed upon the Blues.

Burning brightly, faintly glowing,

Never leading astray.

Ruling the sky side to side,

Giving us hope in bleak times.

Always together- never apart,

Two lights upon the Blues!"

It took a second for Rayleigh to realize that it was the first time, in a long while, that he sung for an audience. Even if said audience were babies that would not understand what he sung, it didn't stop the embarrassment coursing through his veins.

The things that Ace and Noir made him do.

Eyes covered in shame, he peeked through his fingers to see the children looking at him, their mouths little O's in shape. They were staring at him and Rayleigh felt unnerved, uncomfortable even, and when giggles reached his ears, he relaxed.

Though it took a while for him to realize that Noir was the one giggling, it was almost the same as Ace's, almost, but hers was softer- and Rayleigh saw that the boy still looked bewildered.

She was clapping her hands, and it was utterly amazing that Noir was reacting so much, because even in the short time that Rayleigh interacted with the twins, Ace was the more expressive one.

Still, Rayleigh couldn't help but be proud to draw such a reaction from the girl, and after a few moments, Ace joined his sister's giggles, it was a moment to remember- if he said so himself.

He was so engrossed with the twins, that Rayleigh didn't bother to look at the sea, to know where they were.

That was a decision he'd regret.

In Rayleigh's own thoughts, he decided that the twins had enough of being outside, and waited for Ace and Noir to slumber. It didn't take long, and once they did, he brought the crib inside the cabin, right where the hammock he slept in was.

The pirate had a hard time remembering if that was there before, but he just shrugged it off, intent on not disturbing the twins sleep in the crib.

Then he slept, Rayleigh would've worried about Garp since he hasn't seen him since he spoke to him, but he only needed to listen to know that the old marine was sleeping- snoring so loudly that he was surprised that the twins could sleep through it.

It didn't cross Rayleigh's mind to check if the boat was anchored, it didn't seem to move earlier so he decided not to check, and the sea was so calm with no ships in sight that he couldn't help but drop his guard.

Rayleigh knew nothing could happen to them in the South Blue, so he slept peacefully.

The problem was, they weren't in South Blue.

Not that the pirate realized it.

...

The first thing that made Rayleigh realize something was off, was the cold temperature.

He would've froze to death if the layers of blanket wasn't upon him, and that, that was what unnerved him. Rayleigh looked in the corner of his eyes, and saw how the twins were more covered than he was. They were wearing beanies, gloves, and if what he was seeing was right, they had long-sleeves on.

Rayleigh thought that the way the twins looked owlishly at their own glove-covered hand was adorable, not that he'd ever voice that particular thought.

Now, where exactly are they?

The South Pole?

Rayleigh banished that very thought, why would they be there? Unless, the marine had family, or even lived in that particular area, no other reason came to mind.

The boat took a terrible lurch that made him crash to the wall, and his eyes immediately went to the crib that should've been thrown to the other side of the room, should've. Rayleigh had to smother his surprise when the crib didn't move, its occupants not noticing the particular dive they took.

Tucking that particular information in his mind, the fact that the crib didn't move, and somehow the blankets that covered the twins didn't fly off, he focused his mind elsewhere. He was glad Ace and Noir was safe, and Rayleigh had a feeling that nothing particular bad would happen if the twins stayed in the crib. So, he decided to investigate what was happening, and hoped that Garp's navigational skills wasn't that bad that they unintentionally went to the South Pole.

He hadn't prepared himself when he opened the door to the deck, Rayleigh was sure that nothing would surprise anymore mainly because of, well, Roger. It was understandable that he didn't bat an eyelid that the deck somehow looked like a winter wonderland, and merely raised an eyebrow at the figure steering the wheel wearing a winter coat.

"Awake already?" Garp said in a muffled tone. "Close the door Rayleigh, no need to make the room even more colder."

Rayleigh didn't even question how the marine knew he was awake. The pirate just obeyed that order for the twins own good, and stood beside Garp, leaving footprints in the snow as he walked.

"Mind telling where we are?" Rayleigh asked, and he could see his own breath, he had to stop himself from shivering when he realized that he only had his cloak to battle the cold, not counting his shirt, pants, and undergarment.

"Near a winter island is my bet," Garp replied absent-mindedly, not noticing his companion's state of clothing, or his slowly growing horror.

"'Winter island'?" The pirate echoed in horror, "Wha- what do you mean 'winter island'?"

Garp paused, as if he didn't realize who he was talking to, and glanced at Rayleigh, whose face was slowly darkening in response.

The marine looked forward resolutely, guiding them where they should be going- in his mind. "Short cut,"

Rayleigh had to make sure that he heard the man right, and he barely stopped himself from grinding his teeth in anger. "And how," he said slowly, "-is the path we're taking a short cut?"

Garp went silent, and while Rayleigh waited for a response, he saw a fallen sea king a few feet from them. The pirate had to wonder if it was alive or dead, and even how the body remained afloat.

"We're going to East Blue," Garp said softly, his whole body tense and not knowing how the man beside him would react. He had to make a decision the moment daylight was falling, and when Rayleigh didn't look like he'll rouse from his sleep anytime soon, Garp decided that they should sail towards East Blue.

The marine was stubbornly ignoring the fact that his companion might have left behind his own boat, or any important belongings. Though, Garp would admit that was quite a selfish move on his part, he 'might' apologize to Rayleigh at one point, but when the pirate awoke after a few days and ate his fill, he didn't find the right moment to say those words.

Garp took a deep breathe when he remembered the pirate pointing out his less than stellar performance with the twins safety, and with growing horror he realized what he has done wrong all those years with Dragon. It was a hard pill to swallow, and he was glad Rayleigh left him with his thoughts, going to the direction where he heard the twins.

He realized with growing horror that what he planned for the twins, before Rayleigh's words, was a sure way for them to have a horrible childhood. Curly Dadan wasn't that bad a person, but Garp was certain that the woman wouldn't be pleased taking care of children that were not even her own.

Ace and Noir might worm their way into the hearts of the mountain bandits, but that was too big of a risk, and Garp was already thinking of another person to take the job.

The person he had in mind wouldn't be pleased, but he owed him a favor, and Garp knew that he raised some village kids that were orphaned, so it was only natural for him to know how to take care of babies.

Garp had to admit, it sounded like a better plan than his former one. The mountains were teeming with wild creatures, but the marine realized that he'd really not want to risk it. His home village should be safe enough.

Even marines were lacking there, deeming the island peaceful enough, and outright ignoring the inhumane acts going around Goa Kingdom.

"Where the Pirate King was born?" Rayleigh sharp tone cut through his thoughts. His eyes glanced at the pirate, taking note of his eyes burning with rage, maybe, and posture tense. Garp understood what the pirate was trying to say, but it didn't stop his temper from rising for a moment.

"Same sea, different island." Garp replied, holding the steering wheel tightly, and both men was worried that it might break.

Rayleigh felt his curiosity rise at the marine's answer, and briefly wondered if the island they were traveling to was Garp's birthplace, he didn't want to pry though. He had to admit that it was a smart move though, East Blue wasn't that outstanding of a sea, even the marines found it not needing attention, only having a few marine bases in the area.

Nobody would ever think that it would be a place for the Pirate King's Children, especially since they thought that said children were born in South Blue, where they committed such atrocious acts that even Rayleigh felt queasy.

They murdered babies, innocent babies that had no crime to speak of, it was horrible. Families and couples weren't even given a reprieve.

East Blue, a befitting place, and utterly ironic. Rayleigh often thought that the sea was a place of beginnings, it was the sea where he met Roger afterall, and had their first encounter with Garp.

"Good idea," he muttered, and the pirate didn't particularly care if the man beside him didn't hear his reply, and Rayleigh suddenly remembered something.

"My boat?" Rayleigh questioned resignedly, knowing that the marine didn't have an idea which boat was his in the docks, and not willing to spend time searching for it. The pirate was glad that it didn't have anything important, or else he might state his displeasure with Garp once again.

The marine looked downwards for a moment, shifting in place, and hands restless. "Sorry," Garp said rigidly, not used to saying the word.

Rayleigh was to surprised by the sudden apology to notice the marine's reluctance in saying it, and nodded his head.

"Nothing important there anyway," he admitted wryly, "I've been robbed blind."

Rayleigh saw Garp raise an eyebrow at his direction. "Ho?" The marine exclaimed, "Who had the guts to rob you, and how did that happen exactly?"

Every word was laced with a thin veil of disbelief that had Rayleigh smirking self-depracatingly, his tone light as he answered the question.

"I did," he answered simply, "Robbed myself blind by spending all the money I had in drinks."

"Now I know why you smell," Garp muttered, and Rayleigh had to stop himself from sniffing his clothes, not sure if he wanted to confirm what Garp has said. He decided to leave that particular topic be.

Now that Rayleigh thought of his state of clothing, he was certain that he was frozen, somehow ignoring the cold around them when they were talking. Garp looked curiously at his direction, a tad too late realizing that he had nothing to battle the temperature.

Rayleigh watched as Garp's eyes slowly widened- or was that just his mind playing tricks on him?- the pirate had half a mind to just bury himself and his embarrassment in the snow, as his eyelids fluttered to close. Not a second too late did a punch collided with his cheek.

The pirate blearily thought how the aging man threw a punch that was both swift and powerful, thankfully not launching him towards the sea. Rayleigh's last thought was how Garp knew how to control his power, until he settled in being half-conscious.

His last thoughts that made sense was along the lines of telling Garp that punching somebody so that they would stay conscious was a big no-no.

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After the two accidents- Rayleigh despised using the word 'fainting'- he decided that he needed to get into shape as early as possible. He could barely look at the marine straight in the eye, since he was the one who carried him to the hammock. Actually, Rayleigh wouldn't be surprised if Garp just dragged and tossed him, he certainly felt that that was what happened.

Enjoying the sway of the hammock along the waves, Rayleigh now realized what happened when he had his first accident. The strange calmness of the sea meant that they went through the Calm Belt, and the pirate approved of the move. Going through the Reverse Mountain with the boat they have and its occupants, well, it wouldn't exactly end well.

They could have met Crocus if they went through the mountain though, another time perhaps.

Now, Rayleigh wondered if Garp rowed through the Calm Belt, or beat up a sea king to pull the boat.

"A few more days," the marine said, and Rayleigh snapped his eyes towards the figure that was beside the twins crib. "-and we'll be in Dawn Island."

Rayleigh felt his eyebrow raise in its own, "A few days? Try a week or more."

Garp shrugged his shoulders, "I don't have the time." The marine faced him and crossed his arms, "Sengoku would start wondering where I am,"

"Of course," Rayleigh replied in a grumble, "They can't give their hero any rest."

The marine tensed, and a scowl appeared on his face. "I didn't call myself that," Garp's whole face suddenly looked weary, "Garp the Hero, a big load of lies."

The pirate went silent, "Not entirely," Rayleigh commented, "-you are a hero Garp."

He had to muster all the sincerity he can to assure the man in front of him that he deserved the title, Rayleigh knew he did, in more instances than he could count.

A snort was his only reply.

"Is that you birthplace?" Rayleigh asked the man curiously, "Dawn Island?"

Garp nodded sharply.

"And who exactly are you going to make Ace and Noir live with?"

It wasn't asked in a sharp tone, or any of the like, it was uttered nonchalantly like they were talking about the weather, Garp appreciated it.

"A friend, a very good friend." The marine said at last, and the person he was talking about was just exactly that.

"One that you'd trust with the twins lives?" Rayleigh questioned softly, a fragile note in his voice.

Garp didn't have to think about it, "Yes," the marine paused. "You can even check yourself."

"I would gladly take that offer," Rayleigh agreed. "-but I can't visit them as often as I like, can I?"

The marine knew what Rayleigh was saying, he still had a bounty poster afterall, and was still too well-known. He'd be endangering the kids if he visited often, and the Marines would be rightly suspicious of the Pirate King's First Mate visiting a quaint island in the East Blue.

"You can't, you just have to savor every visit."

Rayleigh thought about it, two times a year perhaps, and maybe more than a week can be spent. A small smile gradually took over the pirates features.

"I'd like that," and Rayleigh knew he meant that whole-heartedly.

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I do not own One Piece.

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Preview of the next chapter

"Ray-ray!" A tiny voice squealed, and the pirate had to ready himself at the missile that launched towards him.

"Oof," Rayleigh grunted, a small smile on his face. "I think somebody got heavier."

The boy that launched himself towards him just huffed, his cheeks full of air. "Did not!"

"Did too," the pirate shot back, and he had no doubt that they'd be having a rally of did not's and did too's if nobody interfered.

"We did get heavier Ace," Noir commented, and Rayleigh looked at the girl that was just in front of him, a book in her arms. "Taller, too."

Ace could only pout in response.

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Eh, could have done better in this chapter. Hope that the preview served you well my readers.

Idol-Sequence, kotono3, and xxwhitemagexx. Thank you for the favorites!

Idol-Sequence, kotono3, xxwhitemagexx, hailos, Brave Raven 25, and AngeliqueHywell. Thank you for the follows!

Shout out for Danillyria, thank you for thinking that In Their Place is awesome, many thanks!

Shout out for rose7anne101, some of your questions are answered here! I am happy to now that you like the story, many thanks! How much I'd follow canon, it depends really, I have no set idea anyway. Just how a sibling for Ace would affect him and everything else.

Oh, and since I haven't said anything for Dutchess-Of-Dirt for the review, I will continue this story as far as I can. Thank you for the review!

RI, out!