Chapter 1

When Sabo left them it was by far the most painful thing that Ace ever had to deal with. From the moment the bastard noble stole his brother away from them, the phantom pains caused from the absence of his presence, (of Sabo), had left his heart bleeding with an open wound that became unmendable the moment Dogra announced him dead, (gone). Ace did his best to keep Sabo in their lives though, through their memories of him and by honoring Sabo's wishes and to live on for him. Almost seven years later, with Sabo's Pirate flag proudly tattooed on his arm, Ace set sail after celebrating Sabo's seventeenth birthday with Luffy only for it to be the seas that they all loved to answer his deepest desired wish in the form of a shipwreck and treasured fruit of the sea.

Ace stared into his flames of his Hotarubi, the small fireballs all pulling towards one direction and as Shanks explained probably towards his soulmate. He wasn't sure what to think about that, Sabo had explained that his soulmate would be like his other half, a piece of himself, but he had already met his other half. To him Sabo was his other half and together with Luffy the three of them were already connected by the strongest bonds of all so why are you pointing west. It would be better for them to be pointing east towards Luffy cause then it would make some sense, Luffy had dreams for all his soulmates before he meets them, he already knew what Ace and Sabo looked like before he met them and it wasn't until Sabo explained the concept of soulmates that they realized why Luffy dreamed of people that he couldn't possibly think up himself. Which definitely helped to explain how Luffy knew a word like archaeologist even if he still messed up on the pronunciation from time to time, and it was comforting to know that Luffy's crew would all be his soulmates if Sabo was right, Sabo's always right. His hotarubi shifted in brightness reacting to something, someone else, so he tried saying hello back, because he could feel that that's what it was, a curious "Hello? Are you there?" and not the first time either, and just like every other time that he's answered them a familiar warmth fills him along with the happy reply of giggling joy and desire to meet. He feels so much like him, Ace gently runs his hand over Sabo's mark and whispers to himself "Could it really be possible that it is?"

Could Dogra have been wrong? Could he have survived by some miracle? Ever since he ate the Mera Mera no Mi, he's been feeling this tug towards a warmth so familiar and comforting that he's almost afraid to believe in it, because if he does and if he does follow the pull and it's not him. He couldn't bear to live on through a second heartbreak like that, he couldn't go through that again.

"Could what be possible yoi?" The first commander of the pirates that have been his kidnappers for the last two days, four if you count the days he'd been unconscious, approach him and leaned next to him on the railings that he's been sitting on.

"That's none of your business." Ace coldly replied, in contrast his gaze softened as he turned his attention back to his excited hotarubi lights, he didn't know what just happened on his soulmate's side of things but he was obviously overjoyed about something.

"Well whatever it is, it definitely seems important to you so don't go giving up just yet brat."

"Oi!" Ace growled back about to resort back with his own string of curses and insults but Marco cut him off.

"The seas are a wonderfully strange and mysterious place, even more so on the Grand Line. I've seen plenty of amazing things that people wouldn't normally consider possible, and I've met some extraordinary characters free from any logic that may try to tie them down and created miracles out of what seemed to be unbeatable odds. So whatever it is that you can't seem to believe in, I suggest giving it a chance at the very least." And with that Marco walked off with a see you later, and a good night "kid," which had Ace puffing up in agitation but sighing in defeat when the Whitebeard pirate was out of sight. He turned back towards the lights of his hotarubi dancing joyfully and excited underneath the moon like they were playing with the stars and twirling on the ocean's surface. If he could I bet Sabo would play on the water the same way he would when we played on ice. The way his hotarubi moved reminded him of the first winter he and Sabo spent together, where Sabo discovered that one of the lakes had frozen over was thick enough to carry a tiger's weight, which is what had chased him there in the first place. Once the tiger was gone he dragged Ace over to ice skate with him like he had read about. He remembers being mad that Sabo's plan hadn't been to fish like he originally thought when Sabo said lake, but Sabo had managed to convince him to take a break and just play with him for a little while before they absolutely had to go hunt for meat, and later on they took Luffy there to teach him how to skate. He remembers being mesmerized by a lot of the things Sabo had taught him how to do, and he doubts that he would have ever played games like that as a kid if it hadn't been for Sabo, hell he probably would have killed Luffy if it hadn't been for Sabo teaching him how to feel.

'Ya'know what Ace, one day Luffy and I are going to get you to realize that your heart has always been this kind and big! One day I'll get to see that and then you'll have to believe in yourself, because Luffy and I love you and I bet we'll meet all kinds of people on the Grand Line that will love you too and they won't care who you're related to because they'll love you because you're you! I know that one day we'll find the perfect namaka to be on our crews and yours will have namaka that tell you that everyday and will fight with you always!' Sabo's voice from that night and the night they first played together echoed in his head. 'Come on Ace! At least give it a chance!' As Sabo's outstretched hands and grinning face faded away into the twinkling twirling lights reflecting in the ocean Ace repeated to himself, "'A chance' huh…" A chance for Sabo to be alive, and waiting somewhere across the seas to meet again like he promised in his letter. Okay, Ace decided that he didn't want to regret not taking a chance and sent out the feeling across his flames I wanna see you, I want to be able to talk to you face to face, I need to know who you are. The instant reply he got was unexpected but he couldn't help the sudden burst of hope that filled him.

"Soon, I'll see you soon. I'll be there soon…" The excitement that came with it was contagious and Ace found that he couldn't stop his smile from spreading nor the chuckle that interrupted the calm of the night.

—

Sabo wasn't sure what to think when he suddenly burst into flames one day without warning and was more surprised that he hadn't had a bigger reaction to it past oh, it's warm, not that panicking like Koala and Hack did would have been better but it definitely would have made more sense.

Instead he enjoyed the warmth that filled him and giggled at the sudden thrill of excitement that made him want to go West and continue on with the meetings like he wasn't still on fire and craving Ramen. Later on he had talked with Dragon, and he found out that it was a devil fruit power and that he was fire now but was told not to use it until they could figure out what happened because both Koala and Hack agreed with him that there was absolutely no way that he had recently. So the issue was put on hold until a few weeks later a sighting of a devil fruit user who had eaten the Mera Mera no Mi was spotted by one of their agents in Paradise that Dragon was able to tell Sabo that he had a real answer: Sabo had a soulmate.

Sabo already knew about soulmates because he was Koala's but she wasn't his, it was a one sided thing and Dragon had explained to them that Sabo most likely already met his soulmate or had more than one, and that it was possible that his amnesia could be cured through meeting them again. Sabo rejected the idea of going back because his gut told him that it would only lead them all into danger. He didn't know what was so life threatening back on Dawn island but he knew that it was safe so long as he wasn't there. So he accepted that the only thing to do for them was to get stronger and to wait for them out on the seas, though he didn't know what exactly he was waiting for, only that they were worth everything.

Koala had been upset to learn that even if Sabo were cured his amnesia, it was more likely that her Soulmark would be one sided because it appeared when she met him and not before. Sabo apologized for making her sad but he made sure that she knew he wouldn't pretend to return her feelings because whatever she feels is different than what he feels. She agreed that she wouldn't force any unwanted relationships and over time they became friends.

Now though, Sabo sat on the balcony railings by his father figure looking out towards the East while watching the little floating lights that, according to reports, his soulmate calls hotarubi. He had been worried that for the last few days because one of their agents had confirmed that Fire Fist been captured by the Whitebeard Pirates. He and his soulmate "spoke" through their connection through their flames, it was really just sending their feelings and they usually used it to send things like "Adventure! Fun! Yay! Fight! Play!" or "Food!" or "Confused? Why?" Sometimes if one of them were hurt the other would feel it, like Fire Fist's most recent fight, he was tired and in a lot of pain, Sabo instantly called out to him once he won his fight, asking him "Are you safe? What happened? Not okay!?" Sabo had probably bombarded him with too many feelings of worry and fear but he had gotten hurt badly before and his soulmate had sent him just as much concern but he hadn't been as exhausted as his soulmate was.

He was scared during the five days his soulmate was up against Jimbi, and had sent for the closest Revolutionary to keep an eye on him but to not interfere on the first night. He was terrified for him when he suddenly felt Fire Fist brief panic at what was probably Whitebeard's arrival, and then his desperation suddenly turned to unbridled rage before he passed out. Sabo was glad that he was alone in the base's soundproofed office because the pained scream he let out when A- his soulmate had suddenly gone silent would have had even Dragon on edge. Knowing Dragon he would have refused to leave his side until he was sure Sabo would be properly attended to. Sabo wasn't sure how long it look for him to get his breathing under control but he hadn't been able to focus on work ever since and it seems like the entire base has taken notice of his strange behavior. Both Koala and Hack and been helping him more with his paperwork and Dragon has been taking him to watch the seas with him every night, just like he used to when Sabo was still recovering.

He hadn't been expecting an answer from A- his soulmate when he called out to him, but he was pleasantly surprised to hear it. It was the same greeting he's always given him and his heart burns with longing and warmth because he knows that he knows them and he wants to see them again and he doesn't want to wait anymore.

"Sabo." Dragon calls out to him gently, and turns to see Dragon watching both him and the hotarubi that floats calmly around him nudging him East. "I want you to take a mission in Paradise."

"Huh?"

"I need you to go to Paradise for me," he repeats while gently wiping away some of Sabo's tears, when did I… "go infiltrate the Moby Dick, and investigate the rumor of a traitor aboard."

"Traitor?"

"Yes, thanks to your soulmate stalking-"

"O-oi!" Sabo interrupted, it wasn't stalking, just keeping himself updated on his soulmate's health! It's definitely normal!

"We have confirmed that someone has been leaking information to the Marines from the Moby Dick and it's important that Whitebeard is informed of it. You will stay to see it that the traitor is taken care of." Dragon continued on like Sabo hadn't interrupted him. "After that-"

"After?"

"Yes, after that." Dragon nodded then, his gaze softened and he continued, "You will be taking a break, however long you need, getting to know your soulmate and perhaps later going back to Dawn Island to see if anything sparks anything, if not well there's no rushing these things."

"B-but-"

"Sabo." Dragon hugged him to his chest and spoke firmly, "I know that there are many answers that you seek that I can not give you. I may not be able to return your memories but I can give you the chance to rediscover them. You don't have to go anywhere near the Goa kingdom if you don't want to, but maybe fate has given you way home. Fire Fist Ace comes from the East Blue, it's possible that he can tell you who you were."

Dragon isn't usually the type for physical affections like this, normally the most he does is ruffle Sabo's hair with a smile, but Sabo craves it. Something in him tells him that he used to be able to be much more open and Dragon noticed it, like he notices everything, and he wants to give him the chance to find out why. Sabo always felt so conflicted about his memories, about family about home. He knows he always has namaka here with the Revolutionary Army, but to find home always felt different. He wants to know why he knew so much about navigation, why he feels so at ease in a forest, or who taught him how to swing a pipe, he wants to be able to answer all the small talk questions that Koala, and Hack can with the other Revolutionaries, and he wants to know if his name really is Sabo, why is his hat and goggles so special to him. Is there anything about myself that I actually know true!? He wants to know desperately, and he's so happy that Dragon, the man he respects as his only father figure, accepts that he needs this. So Sabo hug him back tightly and lets himself cry silently into Dragon's chest and mumbles out a string of thank you that he knows is heard by the deep rumble of Dragon's chuckle. So when Ac- his soulmate suddenly asks to see him, he wants to meet me, Sabo sends back a happy and overexcited reply of "Soon, I'll see you soon. I'll be there soon…"

I'm so glad that I get to see you soon.