An Eternal Bond

Without Ace

Shanks blade was held against Akainu's fist as it was protected by Haki. That was something Oyaji told me about, but I never entirely learned what it was.

"What.. are you doing here?"

Shanks was silent for a moment before glancing back at me. "Sorry I couldn't come sooner." I knew what he meant. It wasn't hard to see Oyaji's standing but lifeless figure, with Ace lying a few metres away.

I let my gaze travel to Garp, probably recognizing the very man that made Luffy want to be a pirate. But if Ace and Sabo wanted to be pirates, then Luffy would've wanted to as well.

I inhaled deeply, my eyes shut. I saw Luffy through Law's vision. He was in such an awful state. But at least he was in safe hands. Hands that I find safe, at least. Even if he wasn't in safe hands, Jinbei was with him.

"Y/N, was it?"

I looked at Shanks, my grip loosening on Coby as he quickly crab walked backwards.

"Could you give this to Luffy?" Shanks lifted Luffy's hat, which had fallen off in the midst of the chaos. I was about to grab it before I hesitated. "You don't want to give it to him yourself?" Shanks shook his head. "Not yet..."

I feel like I've heard those words before.

I took the straw hat and stepped back, making eye contact with the stunned Akainu, my glare telling him that I wasn't done with him.

I began slowly walking away towards the shoreline. Marines had tried to raise their swords against me, but they had fallen over when they got too close.

"Huh..." I heard Shanks say from behind me. He seemed intrigued.

My eyes shut again as I sighed, but I didn't look through anyone's eyes. At least, not anyone alive. I tried to reach Ace. I just need the comfort of his eyes, whether I'm looking through them or looking into them. I just want him to be here.

Finally, I pushed off the ground and hovered over the ocean waves towards the familiar submarine.

"Law." Law was about to go inside the submarine, but he was alerted by my voice. He looked at me with a perplexed expression. "Oh, Y/N-ya."

Instead of holding out his hand to take the straw hat, he put his arm around me and pulled me inside. I didn't bother resisting. I didn't have that kind of energy.

I sat down where Law guided me and saw what was held in my hands. "Does that belong to Mugiwara-ya?" I nodded silently and held out the straw hat, which he took and gently tossed it on a table.

Looking down at my folded hands, I wondered what would happen after this. And my crew didn't know I went with Law. They wouldn't get worried, would they?

With my eyes shut once again, I looked through Marco's eyes, seeing that they still lingered in Marineford. Shanks seemed to be saying something, but I couldn't really hear him. "God..." I sighed and leaned back.

My energy was drained. My strength was gone. I just wanted to collapse to the ground and have a moment. A moment to... I don't know what I wanted to do. Cry? Scream? ...Die?

"Y/N?" Ikkaku popped her head in the room. "It's been a while! ...Are you alright?"

I looked at her for a moment then looked down. "Yes." I stood up and adjusted my bag. "Tell Law that I'll see him around." I walked towards the door of the submarine and opened it. "Wai- Oh..." The water didn't flood in.

I turned my head towards Ikkaku, my hand outstretched at the surface of the water as I used the power of a fishman to control the water.

"Y/N..." Ikkaku whispered. "I'm sorry."