Wincing slightly from your soar throat, you forced your eyelids open, in hopes that they would spare you from the. From staring at the ceiling alone you felt as though you were, to some degree, well acquainted with your surroundings and yet, despite the striking similarities you couldn't exactly identify your exact location.

Just then, you noticed the sound of shuffling by the bedside.

With some effort, you rose up to get a better view of where the noise was originating from. As you moved the sheets you were covered in slipped down alerting the unknown companion of your alertness.

"(Y/n)!!! You're awake!!!" Chopper squealed in delight.

He was currently in his reindeer form, his cute blue bag in mouth, but as soon as he saw you he dropped the bag, shrunk down and lept straight into your arms offering you one of the most diabetic-inducing hugs you'd ever received in your life.

"I missed you!" He looked up at you from his with his bright blue nose and sparkly eyes.

'This is why I'm still clinging to life' you concluded

"Chopper!" You beamed at him as you welcomed his embrace "It's so good to see you again! I missed you so much! Have you gotten taller?"

Chopper - sadly - hopped off your lap to do his usual shy dance.

"Idiot! Saying that won't make me happy!... Dummy!" He giggled

'You aren't fooling anybody' You chuckled.

"Wait... Chopper?" you paused "...CHOPPER!?! YOU'RE HERE!!!"

"Yup!" He hummed, still giddy from the compliment "Everyone else is here as well! They've been waiting for you to wake up! I'll go tell them!"

"Slow down Chopper... Who is everyone? Where is here?" Your head spun slightly as you carefully brought your legs to hang over the side, bracing yourself to stand.

Unfortunately, for you, Chopper was way too eager to tell everyone that he forgot to answer any of your current questions. As you stood up he swung the door open. Light streamed into the room making you blind for a few moments. Once your eyes had adjusted you took comfort in the fact that the sun hadn't set yet as a warm orange enveloped the deck of sunny. Chopper ran out onto the lawn as you took a few experimental steps behind him.

"EVERYONE!!! (Y/n)'s-!" Chopper called out.

"BREADSTICKS!!!" You squeaked as you felt your legs give out beneath you.

You patiently waited for your face to greet Sunny, only to be pleasantly surprised when a number of delicate hands sprout from the ground to catch you.

"Th-Thank you Robin!" you breathed as she propped you back up.

She smiled, sat comfortably in front of you with one leg crossed over the other, a drink in hand, and a devious chuckle on her lips.

"Try not to hurt yourself so quickly after recovery" She smiled.

"(Y/N)-SWAAAAANNNNNNN!!!" Sanji was the first to your side offering you a hand to prevent any further falls.

"Sanji! It's so good to see you again!" you beamed at him. "You're looking a lot taller than the last time!"

As expected, your welcomed attention sent him into his own little whirlwind of adoration, which also made him retract his - much needed - hand of support.

"SOMEONE GRAB LUFFY!" Nami bellowed as she hurriedly descended the stairs to your left.

"Don't worry, he's not moving" Sabo sighed

He was sitting on the lawn in front of you, Luffy clinging to his upper body. The sight was enough to restore your memories and offer your sympathies to Luffy's current victim, Sabo.

'Is Luffy...sleep-crying?' you guessed before concluding 'an understandable reaction'

"Good!" Nami shouted as she ran toward you and tackled you with a hug "(Y/N)!!! I'VE MISSED YOU!!!"

Even though you were more than happy to receive Nami's warm welcome and affection, again Robin's hands had to sprout out from behind you to help

support the additional weight on your not-so-steady legs. In return you gave Robin a very grateful glance.

"Nami! I missed you too!" You laughed "You look well!"

"Oi Nami! You're more of a hazard than Luffy right now!" Ussop sighed as he came over

"Yohoho! You're right!" Brooke laughed

It all happened so quickly but somehow, Usopp, Brook and Sanji had all been hit. And you didn't even know why Sanji was hit.

"Want to say that again?" Nami growled at the lifeless bodies laid before her. "Didn't think so..."

"GUYS!!!" Chopper screamed as he fussed around them "DON'T DIE GUYS!!!"

"Chopper I'm already dead" Brook reminded which only made Chopper scream and wail more.

"It's great to see you guys as well and a relief to know nothings changed" you commented

"What's going on? It's so noisy up here" Franky poked his head out from below deck "(Y/N)!!! It's SUPER to see you!!!"

He did his signature pose which made you smile. In return you made a mini gesture, similar to his but less extreme.

"Franky!" You grinned "It's super to see you too!"

A heavy hand rested on your head as you recovered from the greeting.

"How are you feeling?" Zoro's voice was slightly hoarse.

"Zoro! Did you just wake up?" you swivelled peeked up at him from beneath his hand, watching him fight back a groan.

"Something like that" He yawned "But that's not important. I wanted to check that you were ok after getting attacked by that dumbass we call captain"

'I still feel like you shouldn't be saying this out loud' you sweat dropped

"I'm fine now, thanks to Chopper... and Robin" you nodded giving the hand on your head a reassuring pat "How have you be-!?"

"GET YOUR FILTHY HAND OFF HER YOU STUPID MOSSHEAD!!!" Sanji roared

'I was the one that touched him though?' You thought as the fight commenced.

Of course, the rowdiness only made you feel more at ease. It felt as though nothing had changed since the last time you'd been together, everyone completely in their own element of chaos. Although concern did start to appear when Nami began to approach the two of them with Chopper still crying over Ussop and Brook. During all of the commotion, a warm hand snaked its way around and rested on your hip, pulling you close for their support.

"Soooo breadsticks huh?" Ace grinned

"Shut it" you covered your face in embarrassment "We don't need to talk about it"

"As you wish!" Ace chuckled into your hair, his face pressed against the side of your head "You feeling ok?"

"Yeah, I'm a lot better now that Sabo's the new target" you hummed before nodding towards Sabo and Luffy "Speaking of Sabo and Luffy, Did I miss anything important?"

"Meh" He shrugged "Just a few greetings and introductions"

"Is that aAHHHG!?" you yelped as you were scooped up and thrown over Ace's shoulder "ACE!"

"Ready to go Sabo!?" Ace called.

You had to arch your back to see Sabo who was also standing up, with Luffy now tucked under one arm, and making his way over to the side of the ship.

"Wha!? WAI-!? WHAT!?!" You panicked

"We'll stop by later (Y/n)!" Franky waved "

"Wait I don't understand!?" You rasped.

"Don't tell me you forgot" Sabo smiled that smile which wasn't a smile "Now that Luffy's arrived let's go and talk"

"Right now!?" you yelped

"Why delay?" Ace fixed his hat as he stood on Sunny's railing.

"...Ace? Why are you stood on the railing?" You asked "Y-You're not planning to-!"

You didn't even have the courage to finish the sentence when you looked up and saw that devilish grin he wore. The very same one he wore when he took you for a boat ride.

"There's literally a ladder" you sobbed in defeat.

Clinging onto his unbuttoned shirt -giving it some purpose- you looked desperately towards the other straw hats for assistance. Unfortunately, they were still trying to un alive/revive their crewmembers to notice you. Only Robin and Franky, who sat happily watching the scene unfold smiled and waved at you.

"Don't worry" Robin grinned "We'll explain to the others"

'You traitors!' you screeched internally

"Thanks, Robin!" Ace saluted before hopping off the side making you screech externally.

'Goodbye cruel world...' you wept

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

A sense of Deja vu washed over you as you -once again- sat on the hot seat. Forming a square around your coffee table, Luffy and Sabo were positioned either side of you and Ace sat directly across from you. Apparently, Sabo had explained this agreement prior to your awakening and so by the time Luffy had calmed down he was somewhat ready to hear your explanation. With your back facing the roaring fireplace, even the sweat forming on your neck felt like a searing burden.

'When I said I'd explain when Luffy arrives, I didn't think they'd take it so literally'

"So (Y/n)?" Sabo started

He carefully removed his hat and placed it on the side before reaching into his pocket and placing its contents on the table, his hand obscuring the object from everyone's sight.

"Where do you wanna start?" He removed his hand to reveal the significantly smaller piece of vivre card on the table, which inched towards you.

"...right..." you swallowed"...perhaps the best way to start is by confirming the doubts you're probably having... I'm going to die soon..."

If the atmosphere wasn't heavy before it, sure was now. Sabo didn't seem all that surprised, your vivre card had suggested as much. But for Luffy and Ace, hearing you say it, hearing you confirm the truth that they were trying so hard to deny. It was too much. Thankfully, Sabo was quick to keep this conversation from spiralling into pointless discussion.

"How do you know?" Sabo leaned forward his hands clasped together and his heavy sights on you.

It may have been unconscious but he was exuding such high levels of intimidation, it made you feel as though you were out in the open, vulnerable, and completely surrounded. There was no escaping.

"A few weeks ago I was offered a business deal between myself and Big Mom" you began "One that I refused via a messenger. As a result of my decision, the messenger was punished because of my actions and I couldn't accept that"

'I don't think it would be right to mention any names' you avoided eye-contact

"Name?" Ace quickly picked up on your omission

"Th-Their name is irrele-" you flinched

"Name (Y/n)" He persisted

Again you felt the heavy pressure, except this time it was coming from Whitebeard's second commander. You could feel the heat of his intense gaze, something you'd never thought you'd have to experience in such a situation.

"...Katakuri Charlotte," you conceded "Instead of taking me away from here by force he faced Big Mom on my behalf and lost a decade of his life"

Recognition flickered between Sabo and Ace as they heard the name but Luffy he seemed confused.

"Hmmm? He doesn't sound like a bad guy?" Luffy thought out loud

"He's not" you affirmed

'Even if he has threatened to kill you all if you get in his way' you argued

"But he is a dangerous guy..." Ace sighed, almost impressed at the thought of meeting him. You are

"When you said you couldn't accept that, what did you do?" Sabo crossed his arms.

"I went to discuss the situation with Big Mom herself" you announced

Now everyone was shocked.

"huh?...HUUUUUUUHHH!?!?!"

"YOU SPOKE WITH BIG MOM!?"

"ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS!?"

"Yes" you nodded

Being told so plainly, they were forced to take your words as truth. They all sat back down allowing you to continue.

"I spoke with her and it soon became very clear that we had a... difference in opinion" you chose your words carefully "However, she told me that if I play a game with her then she'd drop all the charges and give Katakuri his life back, and I agreed."

"...Oh sh*t... F*CK!" Sabo hissed slamming his hand against the coffee table before standing up and pacing behind his chair. "She made you play roulette!?"

You clasped your hands together which sufficed as an answer. Sabo was smart and he was the first to put together what had happened. He'd already seen reports of how some of his men had suffered the same fate as you, some of them hadn't made it back. At hearing the name of the game, Ace also felt his blood run cold. He too had heard of the methods that Big Mom would implement death of her captors.

But that's not what made them upset. What made them upset was the fact that they knew that the game was rigged and that the player would never come out unscathed.

"Roullete?" Luffy looked at Sabo "Is that bad?"

"How much?" Sabo's voice barely made it out

"...I didn't see the trap in time" you admitted

"How much did she take (Y/n)?" Sabo repeated.

"A-And when I did the plants had moved the board by the time I'd already let go of the dart" you continued.

"(Y/n)" Ace's eyes flickered dangerously and you flinched under his gaze

"... 100 years..." you whispered.

Ace felt his heart stop beating in his chest, as did Sabo. He'd just found you and you were already trying to disappear.

"It's a miracle that I'm still alive...Allegedly I was going to live a long life... rare, but not impossible" Your words just tumbled out. "The time I have left is uncertain but they said it's enough time to say goodbye and-!"

"Say goodbye?" Ace breathed

Cringing at your poor choice of words you immediately went to retract the statement but the words died in your mouth as you watched the air around Ace start to waver from the heat he was exuding.

"HAVE YOU ALREADY GIVEN UP!?" He slammed his fist into the coffee table, welcoming a tense hostility into the room.

'Stay calm' you told yourself 'don't add fuel'

"That's not what I was trying to say" You kept your tone as level as possible "But it was 100 years... you have to be aware of the possibility that I might-!"

"Our promise" Luffy looked you dead in the eyes

"I know Luffy..." you felt shame and embarrassment bombard you with each and every syllable that passed your lips "I know..."

"Why do you always do this?... WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS SO CARELESS WITH YOUR LIFE (Y/N)!?!" As Ace's voice rose so did the room temperature "YOU WON'T STAB YOURSELF IN THE CHEST BUT YOU'RE CARELESS ENOUGH TO STEP IN THE WAY OF SOMEONE ELSE WHO WILL!"

"Ace! Hold on!" Sabo tried to interject but Ace couldn't hear him over the sound of his own blood gushing past his ears

"WHAT?! IS IT BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU'RE A WASTE OF SPACE!? THAT YOU DON'T MATTER BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A FAMILY OR A LAST NAME!? IS THAT WHY YOU'VE GIVEN UP!?"

"ACE!" Sabo snapped

"YOU THINK YOU'RE ALLOWED TO BE RECKLESS JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T BELONG ANYWH-!?!"

"AC-!!!"

It all happened so quickly that you didn't even realise you'd slipped out an involuntary scream.

Everyone was silent as Ace burst into flames. Luffy's fist had rocketed straight through him colliding with your bookshelf. Ace didn't even flinch as the flames gathered again to form his face, except now he was staring straight at his younger brother, whose skin was now glowing bright red with whisps of steam trailing from his body. Between the two of them, neither could swallow as they felt the cold hard steel pressed against their Adam's apple. Sabo was between the two with his metal pole held at both their necks. And you? You were still trying to force down the bitter words that had just been spoken.

From all the anarchy, one thing was painfully clear:

This conversation was far from over.

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