General Warnings: Language, some violence, time travel, Spoilers (I guess?)

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece, it belongs to Oda-sensei (I can't handle the pressure of making 18-20 pages of manga every week!). I only own some of the plot and any (or non) of my own original character/s.

No romantic non-canon pairings

Author's notes:

Finally pulled this chapter through! Even though it's not May 5 in my time zone by the time I post this, it is still May 5 in the EST time, so not late! Through reading it you could see why I really wanted to post this on this date.

Beta readers: Black Night Wolf and PirateDragons121 helped with beta reading most of this chapter. I had only completed the last part of this chapter today, so I didn't want to bother them in beta reading it in such as short time. So don't blame them for any mistakes you might see for the last 1,000 words. Also I might get them to help beta read the last part, so I could replace it with a better version :D

Chapter Four: Understanding

It had already been a month since the two brothers first met. Over the course of the two weeks, the villagers had to get use to the presence of another Monkey in their small town. Some had doubts at first; a stranger popping up out of nowhere who claimed to be little Luffy's brother was pretty suspicious, but after seeing him with Luffy, one could clearly see the brotherly affection between the two.

The two Luffys had grown extremely close to each other in the relatively short amount of time. The younger was almost always seen stuck to the older one's side and the older grew to truly see the younger as his brother.

"Hey X?"

"Hm?"

"What are they doing?" Lu asked, pointing towards the field. A family of four sat at a picnic table filled with a variety of foods. A cake with six lit candles was in front of the youngest child. Luff watched as the child's face glowed with delight and how the family cheered before the child blew out all the candles in one go.

"Wow, that looks yummy!" Lu drooled. "Do you think I could have a cake as big as that?"

"Sure, when it's your birthday." X replied, his eyes glued to the road ahead as they strolled along the path through the village.

"Birthday?" Lu blinked. "What's a birthday, can I eat it?"

X started at Lu. "You don't know what's your birthday?"

When Lu shook his head, X asked again. "Don't you celebrate the day you were born?"

"Gramps always gives me extra training on the day. He said that one year older means one year closer to being a marine and I have to train more to become a strong marine."

"Oh" X said. His first time getting a birthday gift was when Ace and Sabo found out it was his birthday. His first time having a party and celebrating his birthday was with his crew. Only after he met them did he find out the fun and excitement of a birthday party. But Lu hadn't met any of them yet. All the memories of his birthdays so far was the cruel and harsh training he got from his grandpa. Sure, X suffered the same during his childhood, but now he knew what birthdays are supposed to be like and Lu didn't.

X keep quiet about his thoughts, while Lu kept glancing back at the delicious looking cake. Lu's stomach growled loudly even though he just ate a huge breakfast a while ago. His loud sound of hunger seemed to set X off as well, because X's stomach started grumbling alongside Lu's.

"How about we head to Makino's now? I'm sure she'll make lots of yummy food!"

Lu visibly brightened at the suggestion. "Okay, lets hurry!"

He held X's hand and took off down the path as fast as his short legs could carry him. X's brisk long strides easily matched up to him in speed.

Both of them skidded to a stop in front of the bar and Lu slammed open the door.

"Makino!" He shouted.

"Oh hi, Lu-kun and X-san." Makino peeked out from behind the kitchen doorway. She smiled knowingly at the two brothers. "Here for food, are we?"

They nodded frantically, their stomachs shamelessly grumbling at the mention of food. They rushed to sit down in their regular seats.

Makino laughed. "Well, guess I have to make lots then."

"Thanks!" X said grinning as he produced a small bag of beli out of nowhere. He tossed it to Makino, who caught the bag in surprise.

"X-san, you don't have to pay me every time!" She protested.

"But I always eat almost all of your food." X said honestly. It was true that he basically ate all of it, but he did try to hold back his hunger to not bankrupt the young woman.

"Fine, have it your way." She sighed, accepting the generous amount of money and placing it on the counter.

Lu stared at the bag on the counter in front of them, and glanced at his older self who noticed and smiled.

"I'll pay you too." He announced.

The green hair woman giggled. "Are you sure you have the money, Lu-kun?"

"Oh." Lu looked down. He didn't have any money.

"I'm paying for you too." X said, looking at his brother with an eyebrow raised.

"No! I will pay for myself because I'm a man."

"Oh really?" Makino asked.

"Yeah, I'll pay you back with my treasure tab! And I'll pay even more than X!" He shouted, puffing up his chest. He then turned to look at X. "A man has to do that, right X?"

"Yep!" X answered enthusiastically. "But only for those who deserve it."

"Okay!" Lu grinned. He was so glad he made his brother proud!

"Alright, alright, I'll be waiting for the money Lu-kun." Makino said before she stepped back into the kitchen to make food for her hungry guests.

Lu watched her disappear before turning to X.

"Say X, tell me what's a birthday?"

X glanced at him. "A birthday is the day you are born. You celebrate it with your friends and family, have a party, eat loads of food, and everyone will give you gifts."

"That sounds fun." Lu mumbled, looking down at his lap.

X stares at the side of his little brother's head with pursed lips and soft eyes. Before he could open his mouth to say something, Makino waltzed out of the kitchen balancing a large amount of plates on her hands and arms. The stacks wobbled wildly as she set them down in front of Lu and X, but none of the food spilled out. She had gotten used to carrying an absurd amount of plates after X had arrived.

Lu's head shoot up, mouth watering and eyes sparking. "Woah, it looks tasty!"

"Of course, I made it," Makino chuckled as she flexed her arm. "I've had a lot of practice."

X was also in a similar state to Lu. Makino's food, although not as professionally made like Sanji's, had a unique taste the reminded him of home and caring love.

The conversation aside, both of them dug into the food like mad men, trying to snatch food from each other. Although their meals were always eaten so messily, not a drop of soup was spilled or a single grain of rice wasted. All the food always disappeared into the black holes that were the brothers' mouths.

"Ah!~" Both of them let out a large belch and slumped forward onto the counter. "That was good!"

The lady giggled, used to their antics, before she turned to Lu.

"Now that you're here, go and have a bath Lu-kun."

"I don't wanna!" The child protested.

"But I brought you this new shirt that I wanted you to try out." She said, holding out an red shirt with the Japanese characters for 'brother' printed on it. She glanced at the calendar hanging from behind the counter. " It's your bath day anyways. It wouldn't be good if you got it dirty the first day, eh?"

"Alright, I'll take a bath." Lu jumped off the stool and quickly ran off upstairs to the bathroom.

"Lu-kun, wait! You forgot the shirt…" She trailed off when she heard Lu had slammed the door shut. She pressed her palm against her forehead, sighing. "Ah geez, Lu-kun is always so impatient. I guess I'll bring this up to him."

"Wait."

The barkeeper turned around. "What is it X-san?"

"What's the date?"

She looked at the calendar again. "It's the 21th of April, why do you ask?"

"I want to find out how many more days it is until Lu's birthday."

"Lu's birthday?" She blinked.

"Yeah." X quickly counted using his fingers. "It's exactly two weeks later, on May 5th. That will be just enough time to plan a super mega awesome party with lots of food! He doesn't even know what a birthday is and I want to show him."

Makino liked to consider herself as Lu's older sister, or maybe even his mother figure, but she never really give much thought about his birthday. Lu had never brought the topic up or even asked for a birthday gift, and now she knew the reason why.

"Oh dear." She muttered. "I didn't know Lu's birth date till now and I don't know how I'll make up for it. I wonder if he'll be mad at me."

"It's alright, Lu will forgive you." X said, grinning kindly at the panicking young woman. He knew his little brother wouldn't mind. (especially when he himself forgave her when she found out later when he was young.)

"Really?" She said, a shaky smile appearing on her face. X's smiles are infectious, much like his younger brother.

"Yep, he'll also be extra happy if you make him loads of yummy foods for his party!"

"Sure!" Makino giggled at his enthusiasm. She took a marker from her apron and drew a red circle on Lu's birthday. "There, now I will never forget it."

"Shishishi! But don't tell him, it's a secret!"

She nodded. "How about I go tell the villagers about Lu's birthday while you keep him distracted?"

"Hm…" X hummed. At first he just planned this to be a private party between Lu, Makino, and himself, but the more the merrier, right? "Okay, you go do that."

He then noticed something strange. "Hey Makino? What is that marking that's also on Lu's birthday?"

Makino turned around. "What marking?"

He pointed behind her at the calendar. The green haired woman paled. "That's the date that Garp-san will come back to Dawn island!"

Hearing this, X freaked out. If the old man were to come back just before or during the party, he would no doubt wreak everything and drag Lu back to training again. Sweat dripped down his neck. What should he do, what should he do, what should-

"Makino, I don't have any clothes to wear!" A childish shout drifted down from the top of the stairs.

The sound of his little brother snapped X out of his turmoil.

"I'm coming Lu-kun." Makino said back, sending a worried look at X before picking up a bundle of clothes which included the new shirt. Just as she was about to go up the stairs, a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

"Don't worry."

She faced the person attached to the hand. He sent her a determined grin and pressed the straw hat down so it covered his eyes.

"I'll deal with Gramps."

~XXX~

Despite what he boldly declared almost two weeks ago, X felt tormented. The plans of the party were being executed; the best fresh meats and foods delivered, the towns folk were all excited, and Makino was distracting Lu's attention away from his missing brother. So what was wrong?

X knew exactly what. His observation haki tingled as he felt the Marine ship sail towards his general direction, but it was not the Marines that sacred him. Oh no, he wasn't scared of any marine, he knew he could (and did) beat all of them. He was getting closer and closer towards the monster in disguise, more commonly known as Garp.

He watched as the mist parted (when did that appear?) and the massive ship towered over him with it's dog styled theme. He gulped and took a deep breath to steel his nerves. He can't back down now, not when Lu's birthday was tomorrow. Ready or not, here he goes.

~XXX~

"Vice Admiral Garp."

Garp continued to munch nosily on his rice crackers, ignoring the pleading voice of one of his subordinates.

"Vice Admiral Garp!"

*Chomp chomp chomp* The incessant noise of the crackers drowned out all the noises around Garp.

A vein popped up on the unknown random marine #1's forehead. "VICE ADMIRAL GARP!" He screamed.

"Hmm?" The Vice Admiral finally stopped on his nine hundred and ninety ninth cracker. He swivelled around from his position on the dog head figurehead to glare at the man. "People these days don't know anything about respect."

The marine #1 fell down comically. "It's you who is being disrespectful!" The marine then seemed to realise he had shouted at his superior, because he bowed lower than ninety degrees. "I'm sorry sir!"

"Bwahahahaha! What's bothering you?" Garp asked.

"Sir, there is an intruder on board!"

"What, you called me with that? Can't you deal with it yourself?" He said, waving his hand to dismiss the new recruit.

"But sir!" The marine looked oddly stricken.

"Fine fine, hand me a cannonball. I'll finish him off."

Now the marine looked panicked. "But sir, the last time you threw a cannonball at a target on our ship you destroyed the railings!"

Garp sighed. "Is 'But sir' the only thing you can say? Where's the pirate scum?"

"No need to search for me."

Both of the marines paused in their conversation, one pale and sweating, the other one blank and slightly curious.

"Who are you?" The calmer one asked bluntly.

"H-h-he's the intruder! He defeated all of our men without even touching them!"

"Is that so?" Garp examined the young intruder who was standing on the very tip of the figurehead. He wearing a red opened cardigan, a yellow sash, blue shorts with cuffs, and had a red and gold cloak draped over his shoulders. He was well muscled but the lanky man was nowhere near Garp's own broad-chest, imposing height build. He didn't look very strong, but looks don't always mean strength.

Garp could feel the power and confidence that the man easily carried around. The man had beat his whole crew, which probably also meant he beat Bogard, his right hand man who could cut guns into tiny pieces before an amateur can shoot them. Not to mention that he got near Garp and the marine recruit without either of them noticing, which meant he was pretty skillful in observation haki and/or was really quick.

"What do you want?" Despite the man's obvious strength, the man who was able to corner and capture Gol D. Roger was not afraid in any way.

"I am X," The intruder hesitated briefly before continuing. "Monkey D. X."

"What? Monkey D.?" Garp said in shock. He himself was a single child and that idiot Dragon was his only son. The only Monkeys in this world should be Dragon, his beloved little grandchild, and himself. So unless Dragon had another kid, which he doubts because the intruder looks like he was in his early twenties, the line of Monkey D.s should be only 3 people.

The old man's lips thinned. He didn't like outsiders using his surname so easily.

"Tell me the truth!" He thundered, swinging his fist at the man.

X easily jumped over Garp's head, landing on the marine #1's head before hopping back onto the ground. "That is the truth!"

The marine spun around and thrusted his fist forward to where he heard the voice. The blow landed on marine #1's face, who was in front of X. The poor man slumped down unconscious.

"Look what you did!"

"What the hell, that was your own fault Old Man!" X barked.

Well that does it, Garp thought angrily. Not only did the intruder use a surname that was not his, the man also beat up all of his crew. The old marine's Conqueror's haki shot forward like an cannonball towards the man.

His eye widened when the man showed no sign of being effected. His eyes widened even further when he felt the intruder's own haki lash out as well.

"You have Conquerors' too?"

The man smirked. "Yep, want another demonstration?"

Garp recovered from his shock and narrowed his eyes. Maybe the intruder was a Monkey D. after all, cheeky young brat. "Bwahahaha! You're on, brat!"

Both of the men's fist clenched as Armament haki covered their arms with a shiny black coating. They drew their arms back, aimed, and punched.

The attacks clashed against each other as the men forced their strength through to their hand, trying to overpower the opponent. Waves of haki bursted out, and black lighting spread out from where their fists met. The very sky seemed to split in half.

"Not bad, brat. It has been a while since I faced someone who could match up to me!" Garp shouted, not caring that sweat was dripping furiously down his face which had an ferocious grin spread across it.

"I'm not a brat, I'm almost 25!" X yelled back. He also had a wide maniacal smile that seemed to split his face in half. The veins in his arms budged as he pressed his fist forward.

"You're still a brat to me! Tell me your name, intruder!"

"I'm Monkey D. X!"

As the fist smashed across his face, this time Garp truly believed that it was the intruder's name. He flew backwards and crashed onto the main mast of his ship where a crater had formed with a sickening crunch. The old marine slid down onto the floor and with a slightly shaking hand, reached up to touch the edge of his lip. He looked down. His fingers were covered with blood and he coughed up more of the bright crimson liquid.

He heard his opponent walk towards him. When sandalled feet appeared in his view he looked up. Although there was blood that dyed his uniform, he still looked up with a grin.

"You still haven't told me what you want, Monkey D. X."

"You finally accepted my name!" X letted out a cheer, before he calmed down. His eyes that were just glinting in the sunlight hardened. "I want you to stay away from Lu and Dawn island."

Garp jumped up to his feet despite the wound on his chest and the internal damage. "Lu, you mean Luffy? No way I'm staying away, he is due for his training tomorrow!"

"Please?" The man looked up with wide eyes. Garp was having a hard time believing that the young man who was pouting up at him was the same man that slammed him into the mast. "It's only for a few days."

"Still no, Luffy needs his training to become a strong marine! Who are you to know Luffy anyways?" Garp snarled.

"I'm his brother." X dodged as a fist came his way and yelped. "Ask him on a day that is not tomorrow if you don't believe me Gramps!"

"Eh…" This man who claims to be Luffy's brother did look like an older Luffy and was similar to himself when he was younger. But still… "I'll ask him whenever I want! If you're really family get ready for the Fist of Love!"

He drew his arm back while X looked on with wide horrified eyes.

"Look, a giant sea king!" X said, pointing directly behind Garp.

He panicked when Garp paid no attention. Pirate King or not, he was still afraid of his grandpa's Fist of Love.

He quickly added more to the distraction. "Look, a giant sea king made of donuts and rice crackers!"

"Really?" Garp whirled around, forgetting about his attack. "Where?"

X took the chance to punch his grandpa so that he flew across the ship and landed with a splash in the distance.

When the old marine finally swam back to his ship, a pair of hands hauled him back onto the deck.

"Thanks." The Vice Admiral said, smiling at his right hand man. He knew that the man wouldn't go down so easily.

Bogard gave a brief bow before straightening. "It is my duty sir."

"Now where is Monkey D. X?" He asked. His subordinate gave him a confused look. "I mean the intruder."

"Ah." The man replied and pointed at the horizon to where a blurry shaped figure standing on top of something could be seen. "It seems to be he's getting away on that sea king over there."

"Well what are we waiting for, after him!" He ordered.

"I'm afraid we can't." Bogard shake his head solemnly. "In case you haven't noticed, our main mast is cracked."

Garp glanced to his side. Indeed the man was right, the crater had almost split the pole right in half and it looked like it was barely holding up. "So? It doesn't matter, chase after him by using our fore sail along with the other sails! We can always fix it at Dawn island. There is plenty of materials there, which will serve its purpose until we get back to Marineford after seeing my beloved grandchild."

"The goods we have to deliver to the Nobles were thrown to the bottom of the sea by the intruder-"

"His name is Monkey D. X"

"Yes. Monkey D. X was throwing our cargo into the sea while we tried to stop him. Lucky they're in waterproof crates. We have to recover them before we can capture the criminal. This at least would take a full day as only you and I can hold our breaths long enough to recover the cargo from the sea bed and swim back up. With our speed decreased with the missing sail, we would most likely arrive two days later at our destin-"

"To hell with the cargo and all the bullshit! I don't care about the nobles and the cargo that is most likely petty trinkets to hang around their necks. Since when have the marines been lowered to being delivery boys?" He ranted. "I won't be late for my grandson's birthday, he needs tougher training since he's a year older now!"

"Sir," the loyal man said calmly, used to his superior's boisterousness. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku says that if you don't complete the mission, not only will he call you back to head quarters, he will also cancel your orders of donuts and rice crackers for five months."

"No! Anything but that!" Garp gasped. "Fine, we'll pick up the cargo even if it means arriving a few days later. I'm sure nothing crazy will happen without me, Bwahaha!" The old man chuckled as he got prepared to dive into the ocean.

"Sir?" Bogart said in a slightly curious tone.

Garp turned around, already half way from taking off his jacket. "Hmm?"

"Who was Monkey D. X, what is your relationship with him? I've never heard you mention him before."

"He says he's my beloved grandson's brother, so that makes me his grandfather. No wonder he seems so protective! Not to mention he acts like Luffy when I was about to use the Fist of Love. He is definitely Luffy's brother, I taught my little grandson well!" He guffawed.

Bogard sweat dropped at his leader's carefree admittance of his not-so-gentle treatment of his grandkids, but the usually composed man refused to show a physical sign of it effecting him.

The clothes on Garp's upper body were off, and he jumped into the sea cannonball style. Before his body submerged into the water, he added a side note. "Oh also, I never mentioned him because today was is the first time I've seen or heard about him!"

This time, the right hand man allowed himself to fall onto the ground with a thud.

~XXX~

"Enjoying your birthday party so far Lu-kun?"

"You bet I am!" Lu replied, gulping down his apple juice as quickly as possible, trying to match the speed of his brother who was downing his drink.

"Another please!" X and Lu said together, slamming down their mugs on the counter at the same time. They grinned at each other, both of their faces flushed with the excitement of the party.

"I'm glad you liked it." Makino giggled, pouring out more juice for the younger and rum for the older.

The party was at full blast, the whole village gathered around the bar and pigging out on the delicious food that Makino made. Lucky the barkeeper made huge amounts because the two Monkey brothers ate a half of all the available food.

"This is the best surprise birthday party ever!"

The green hair lady and the older brother were kind enough to not remind Lu that it was only his first birthday party.

"Hey, do you want to eat the cake now?" X asked.

Lu's eyes lit up. "Cake! Cake! Cake!"

"So the cake it is." The older stretched his arm past several drunk men and latched onto the fridge door. He then took hold of the plate and lifted it above and over the partygoers' heads towards their table. The plate was settled gently in front of them.

Lu had an ecstatic expression on his face, and X looked on appreciably even though he'd seen the cake in the process of its making.

"It looks wonderful!" The birthday boy exclaimed. The cake was so big, one could question how it could even fit in the fridge.

"I helped! I suggested to make it meat flavoured!"

"Whoa, awesome!"

Makino smiled. "It's my first time trying to make a meat cake, I hope it'll taste okay."

"Of course it would be great, it's made by you!" Shouted Lu, X, and the people around them.

Makino ducked her head and blushed from the praise. "I guess I should cut it now and give everyone a piece."

"But I want to eat it all by myself." Lu whined while looked at her with wide, puppy dog eyes. When she looked at him strangely, he corrected himself. "I will even share it with X and you!"

"Fine, anything for the birthday boy." She sighed, but then grinned cheekily "Luckily I expected you to say that, so I made enough delicious chocolate cupcakes for everyone!"

"Ehh, no fair!"

"Shishishi, she got you there Lu!"

The party carried on for another three hours before the number of people slowly dawdled away back to their homes, the food was finished, and Lu was tired and yawning.

"It's time to go to bed Lu-kun."

"Don't wanna."

"No, it's past your bed time already." Makino said firmly.

"He has a bed time?" X pipped up.

"Quiet, X-san." She hushed him and he quickly covered his mouth with both hands.

"Alright then Lu," X tried to conceal his panic. Makino sometimes could be strict! "How about we go to our house now?"

Lu blinked up at his brother, hesitated for a bit, before he beamed. If his brother agreed to Makino, then he would too! "Okay!"

"Then lets get going!"

After both of them arrived at their house, the two brothers got settled into their separate beds. X fidgeted and rolled around on his bed. Somehow he couldn't fall asleep despite a slight wooziness he felt due to the mild influence of the alcohol.

"X~" A quiet, almost meek, voice traveled across the room.

"Yeah?" X propped himself up on his elbow, and faced his little brother. Well if he couldn't sleep, why not properly and clearly listen to what Lu had to say?

"Can't sleep."

X laughed. "Same. You want to go out? I can't sleep too."

"But how about Makino?"

The older shivered. "Just don't let her see us?" That sounded more like a question than a statement.

"Mmm, okay!" The younger saw no problem in the suggestion and quickly agreed to what seemed like escape from hours of lying on his bed in boredom. "How do we get out?"

"Here." X was quick to jump out of the window and he landed with a soft thump on the dirt floor. "Jump!"

Lu looked at X who was on the ground with his arms stretched wide. Without a second of doubt Lu jumped. X caught him safety with both his rubbery arms.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere in the forest."

"Ah okay."

They walked to the edge of the forest and stared at the dark, shadowy forest. Lu clutched onto X's shirt.

"X-"

"This will take forever to hike up there." X placed grasped his chin with his hand. "Ah, I know! Hold on tight Lu! Gumo Gumo no…"

"Wha-!"

"Rocket!" With both hands on two far away tree trunks, X rocked himself and Lu up and over the trees.

The cool wind whipped at their faces as they went at a tremendous speed. Lu giggled, his early wariness from entering the forest gone.

Seconds before they would hit the ground, X inflated himself to provide a soft landing for his brother. Lu jumped off the air filled stomach onto the grassy floor.

"Where are we?"

The clifftop covered in lush soft grass looked out at the sea. The darkness of the night made it so it was near impossible to see where the sea ended and the sky started. Stars twinkled and a curvy moon hung on the dark background. A gentle wind blew and rustled both of the males' already messy hair.

X pressed his hat down to stop it from blowing away with the wind. "Me and my brothers discovered this place when we were kids, we came here often."

"Ah." Lu had a feeling that the brother X was talking about was not himself, but he didn't dwell deeper despite curiosity had started wriggling into his brain.

X sat down facing the sea and patted the space besides him. "Want to sit?"

Lu quickly sat down next to his brother as the said brother asked him a question.

"What do you think of today?"

"It was so cool! When I first walked into the bar because I wanted to ask you where you went yesterday, the lights were all dark. Then suddenly the lights came on and streamers popped out of nowhere and the villagers were all yelling happy birthday! Then I found you and Makino sitting on the table with lots of food. You even waited for me to start eating before you ate! Shishishi!"

"Oi oi!" Luffy said good heartedly.

"So what do you think of birthdays now Lu?"

The kid turned to face X. "I think they are fun, and you can eat loads of food there and no one would tell you to eat less!"

"Shishishi, that's defiantly part of birthdays, but there are more." He paused briefly and Lu turned to him for his wise words.

"Birthdays symbolise the day we are born. Some hate their birthday, because to them, it's the start of a hateful life or one year closer to death." X's mind flashed to a kid version of his deceased brother. "Some also hate others birthday because it's the birth of an 'evil'." The image of the Marines at Marineford loomed. "But I feel that it's not like that. They are meant to celebrate the freedom of life, 'cause without being born, how could we set out to sea and find our nakama? You celebrate your birthday with your nakama, not with the people you hate."

Lu looked up at this brother in astounded awe. "Wow… Does that mean that Makino, Woodslap and all the villagers are my nakama as well?"

X nodded and for once, both of the brothers were quiet as they admired the stars scattered in the night sky.

The silence was broken by Lu yawning and then letting out a sneeze. X looked at his brother and took off his cloak to drape it over the shivering mass. Lu wrapped the cloak around himself and snuggled closer to X.

"We have the same birthday right?" Lu mumbled. His mind was already drifting off to sleep, the adrenaline of the party finally disappearing.

"I guess so, we are technically the same person."

"X, if we are the same person, will our future be the same? Will I get to meet as much nakama as you?"

Even though the intention of the question was innocent, X froze.

"Being alone hurts more than pain!"

"If you share a drink, you can become brothers!"

"Are you the son of the devil? Forget it… rather than to die here why don't I just accept your offer and become a pirate!"

"Help me!"

"I'm the captain!"

"All of us hold onto foolish dreams. I'm going to do this for my own dream, the All Blue. I'll go with you on the road to becoming the Pirate King."

"But I'm not human, I'm a monster! I can't be friends with humans!" "Shut up and come with us!"

"I want to live! Take me out to sea with you!"

"I'll take care of it. I will be the shipwright of your ship!"

"I hereby pledge my services and life to Captain Straw Hat Luffy!"

All his nakama dead, dead, DEAD. No, not dead, they are only dead if I forget them!

Although he wanted to scream, X kept his calm and answered Lu in a slightly more shakier than usual voice. "No, Lu is Lu and X is X, we are separate and everyone's journey is special. You will get to find lots of great nakama when you head out to sea."

"'Kay." Satisfied with the answer, Lu promptly fell asleep on his brother's lap.

Alone in his thoughts, X turned to the wide vast sea, unconsciously patting Lu's hair. On that day, he made himself a promise.

I don't regret what has happened, but I know I'll regret it if I don't do anything for Lu.

End of Chapter Four

A Luffy's birthday chapter, whoop! It's a big coincidence since I planned out a birthday chapter since almost half an year ago and my publishing date just happened to match up Luffy's birthday.

A lot of the chapter was about Garp as well… He crashed the story o_O So here we have X's 'first' meeting with Garp (at least in this timeline). I feel like Garp will carry out his revenge with the dreaded Fist of Love! I hope I did their meeting justice!

I felt like X was too OOC, but that could be because he's now older (I don't think that would change him much) and because he has a little brother to take care of! I also think that the transitioning between the parts are too sudden. I never did well in transitioning! I had to add that tiny part at the end with hints of angst (can it be called angst?) mostly because I want X to have a firm mindset for his future in Luffy's timeline.

Haha, hoped you enjoyed this despite the kinda rushed chapter.

So instead of just mentioning the names of the people who review, I felt like I should reply to them, because personally, I like to know that the author actually pays attention and appreciate my review/s.

Monkey D. Funky: Yes I agree with you! That was the main reason I wrote this fic, no point in trying to mimic someone else's time travel story. Haha, thanks, some times I wonder what would happen too!

Animegirl1279: Yes thanks for the heads up! You should see our favourite red haired captain soon, no telling when!…

Phonenix: Massive thanks, I hope I'll be able to keep it at at good quality and keep it updated too!

Lany-chan: Thanks for reviewing again! Here's your Garp chapter!~ Though this is not the last we will see of him yet.

Lightingblade49: Yep, it's sometimes difficult to predict as well, that's why I keep a note book containing any plot points I think up! Yep, rest assured, it will expand for that long (I don't know where's a good ending place!). Yes Luffy (X) is getting more mature as we read. Surprising isn't it? Ha, it's not Garp that arrives, it's X who got to him! And as for romance, there is only platonic love/nakamaship in this fic, sorry if you are disappointed!

Ashlielle: Yep Luffy would be a cute brother (both of them!). I'm sorry to hear you are sick. *Munches on cookies and burns tongue on hot chocolate*

Dark D Phoenix: Eheheh, uploaded, though it's more like 2 weeks instead of one!

OnePieceFan2: I can't wait too!

Black Night Wolf: No it is my pleasure for your help ;)! Though I don't think my cover art is as amazing as you say.

There done. Hope I didn't miss anyone, I only did the ones who reviewed on chapter 3 though. Do these types of things bother you? If so, please let me know by PM or review, always glad to listen to opinions! That said, I'm also opened to constructive criticism. Also thanks to all who favourited and followed!

This was my biggest chapter yet (around 5,500 without the bold writing). I have exams coming up next week, so next chapter might be uploaded about 3 weeks later.

B. Penge

P.S. does anyone actually read ALL of the bold writing up until here?