DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. I DO NOT TAKE ANY CREDIT! I WISH I COULD BUT I DONT!

Well tonnes of you got the riddle right and im sorry its been so long _ ive been terribly busy! Well done! The correct answer was Ace! Now here is the next chapter!

Shanks

It hurt like a bitch; so much more than the first time. In and out, in and out. The pain synced with the ins and disappeared with the outs. How had it come to this? Oh yeah, my stupidity. If only I hadn't gone to visit Ace. I could have left it till morning. Now I was lying on my front taking this torture. Ace's hands were cold on my back and the pain didn't want to subside.

'Done.' He said.

I sighed in relief and let him slip my shirt back on. I sat up and watched Ace tie up my empty sleeve.

'Has Luffy forgiven himself yet?' I asked. It had been a while since the incident.

Ace made the last tie and stood up. 'No, not yet.'

I sighed and rotated my full arm. I was lucky to have it.

'You know,' Ace said, 'I'm sure he will come around. Have a talk with him and see where it goes.'

I shook my head and stood up. I walked to the window and peered through the gaps of the blinds. The morning sun shone through and all the kids were on their way to school. Luffy was at college now. What happened? How could I not notice this difference?

'I've tried before. He just gets angrier. I don't want to keep bringing it up.'

Ace was silent so I turned around. He looked upset. I looked down at his clenched fists and noticed blood, a lot of it.

'Jesus! Where did that come from?' I said. I wasn't bleeding that much was I?

'What do you expect? They're bullet wounds not finger-pricks.'

'Yeah but the first time you stitched me-'

'-I used a needle.'

I looked at him, looked at his hands and then looked at the fish bone sitting on the bed-side table.

Ace

'Why the hell would you throw away the needle?' Shanks complained.

The pain from laughing was too much so I crouched to the floor. The tears streaming from my eyes soaked me but I didn't care. It was too funny.

I got up and chuckled the laugh away. I dried my eyes on my sleeve and stood up straight. 'When did you become such a baby?'

'Since I lost my arm.' Shanks replied, laughing.

'That's dark humour Shanks.' I said, walking to the desk to clear away the mess. I walked into the en suite bathroom to wash my hands of the blood and dried my hands. I looked into the mirror to have a look at my worn face. It wasn't a pretty sight and I couldn't remember ever looking so wrecked. I was raising my hand to my face, comparing the contrast in colour when I heard a groan from the bedroom.

I rushed back to find Shanks struggling to get up. The extra wounds to his legs weren't ready to be stretched. Healing was to be taken seriously.

'Sit back down you idiot. You'll tear your stitches again. I don't know if I have any more fish bones hanging around.' I said, putting my hands on his shoulders and gently pushing.

'Ace I'm not a senile old man; I need to walk around a bit. My muscles are aching!' Shanks said, resisting against my hands.

'No shit Sherlock. You're not meant to be alive after that car accident-'

'Which wasn't an accident.' Shanks interrupted, staring through me. I let go of his shoulders and quietly regarded him. 'I'm sorry. This is just a lot to handle at the moment. But to stop me from going insane, I need to walk. Even if it's just a bit around the room.'

I nodded and took his forearm, supporting it as he stood slowly. More groaning escaped his lips and I watched his focused gaze that yet, seemed to be lost beyond the objects around him. He took a step forward, gripping my arm tightly.

'I'm ok. I think just the getting up is difficult.' Shanks mumbled, walking forward and grimacing. I followed him silently, taking baby-steps. I couldn't help but feel hurt by his comment. Hurt in a guilty way. I had no intention of starting any of this. I had no intention of hurting my little brother and I definitely did not expect his father-figure to get involved.

'Hey.' Shanks said softly. Did I hear a hint of remorse in his voice? Or maybe he had more to say to make me feel bad. I must have taken my time replying because he repeated himself. 'Hey, you ok?'

'Yeah I'm fine. See if you can turn the corner.' I replied feebly, walking backwards in front of him. He turned the corner and stopped to study my face. We were now standing at the foot of the bed.

'Ace.' Shanks said sharply. He put his hand on my shoulder and I turned, backing into the footboard.

'Forget about it Shanks.' I replied, brushing the contact away. 'I know the damage I've caused. I don't need it rubbed in.'

'I didn't mean to say it like that. You know I'm glad someone's there for luffy.' Shanks said, moving to take a step closer. As he did so, his foot met my own and he lost his balance. I reached out to grab him but gravity took its toll and we landed in a heap on the bed. I groaned from the pressure on my knee caps but it was nothing compared to the sound coming from Shank. It was loud in my right ear.

'Are you ok?' I asked, placing my hands on his shoulders, trying to lift him. His chest was heavy on mine.

'Yeah gimme a sec.' He replied. It was only when he lifted and his face became extremely close to mine did I realise I was flustered and frozen. His eyes met mine for a single moment but disappeared as quickly as it had come about. I supported his chest as he lifted himself up and helped him sit beside me.

The silence was awkward – to say the least – and I sat with my hands on my lap, listening to Shank's breathing. He tried to muffle them by breathing through his nose but it wasn't working.

'We need to figure this all out.' Shanks said eventually. I froze, not sure if this conversation was really happening.

'Um, yeah; where do you want to start?' I replied, refusing to look his way. The floor because almost too interesting.

'The beginning?' the red-head said, turning to look at me. He leant forward to study my face, wanting to know if I was listening.

'Well I don't know when it started.' I replied, hesitant to speak. 'Where did… it start for you?'

'What?'

I turned to look at Shanks, his expression one of confusion. 'I-'

'Are we talking about the same thing here?'

I regarded him, heart pounding loudly.

'I wanted to know… I thought we were talking about everything. Life.' I replied, too happy to have come up with a justifiable story.

Shank's expression relaxed; clearly understanding my false intent.

'Yada, yada. What's wrong with you? Where's the boisterous boy I used to know?'

I chuckled. 'I guess you just threw me off guard.'

We sat in silence for another moment; less awkward but unnecessary none the less.

'So. The beginning?' Shanks re-asked his primary question.

'Ok. Well I don't know what you think has been going on with Dragon but we haven't heard from him in months. The last time I tried to contact that bastard he was drunk out of his mind; after that the line was always dead. As Luffy said, I had up to six jobs at one point trying to pay for everything. This isn't a cheap place to live and heck I know I may seem old and in charge but I don't know the first thing about moving. We were doing ok till I realised Luffy barely saw me. Yeah I had to look after the brat but I'm still his brother and only company. I gave up some jobs, worked out some shifts. Money became less and so I took out a loan as you know. So-'

'What it called?' Shanks interrupted.

I stared at him, unable to relate his question to what I had said.

'The place you took the loan from.'

'Oh, Eastfield Bank. It sounds ok. Everything looked formal and shit but I guess they take their loans seriously. The guy who's after us isn't holding back on the killing let's just say.'

Shanks observed me for a while, thinking to himself. 'How much did you take out?'

I looked at him, begging with my expression not to ask that question.

'Ace-'

'60000000 yen.' I whispered.

Another silence although this time I could feel the heat radiating off Shank's body.

'And how the fuck did you think you could pay that back?'

I stood, unable to keep my nerves to such a confined space. Getting away from the red-headed red-head was a good idea too. I stood by the window.

'Ace!'

'I don't know! Ok? I don't know but I know I fucked up. Stop having a go at me. I'm still a fucking kid Shanks!' I started to shout. I turned to him angry that I'm in the wrong for trying. 'Where were you? Last I heard you had a great job. Where was your help? Well it wasn't here. I'm by myself Shanks so don't fucking start!'

He watched me from his place on the bed. I couldn't make out his expression but from the way I was holding my body in a defiant stance, I knew I should calm down.

'I haven't seen you this angry in a while.' He said, looking at his lap. A smile crept on to his face.

I straightened up, determined to become a man again. 'I'm sorry I guess-'

I was cut off by the ring of my mobile. I took it out of my pocket and immediately answered when I saw the caller ID.

'Smoker?'

'Don't you know the fucking time? Your kids meant to be home, don't you know where the fuck he is?' Smoker said, sounding angry.

I quickly pulled the phone away to look at the time and swore.

'Shit I didn't realise.'

'Too right you didn't fucking realise. They have him you twat. You're not making my job easy.'

I froze.

'What is it? Who's Smoker?'

'They… have Luffy.'

'I'll be over in fifteen. For fuck sake, don't do anything stupid before I get there.'

Click- the phone went dead.

For the NEXT CHAPTER you need to answer this riddle right!

I like to throw things

At people I hate

I aim with my left hand

And throw with my right

I had an alliance

With a druggy fish-man

But I double-crossed him

To persue my dream

Ummm if you are up to date with anime you should get it :D

Cheska xxxxxx