In Another Life [Ace X Reader ]

part five

A few weaks after that, my health began to decline. For months I had strange coughing fits, and many other undiagnosed symptoms.

"(Y/N)! Can you use your devil fruit?" Luffy was happier and I would hate to say no to him, but my health was just so bad.

"Luffy I-" he cut me off like normal.

"Just one time!" I huffed before letting out a cough.

"Gamble!" I announced. My eyes quickly turned blue and I looked at the two. "The same as the last time you made me look, luffy."

"But try doing something or saying something! I want to see what it does. I bet its got something to do with how long until I'm a pirate!" Luffy smiled wide.

"Well I bet it's something else." I coughed.

"Uhh, take!" I sighed while snapping my fingers.

I watched the number above luffys head decrease quickly. 5 years was off of the time, and I felt significantly better.

"I don't know!" He gave up.

"Luffy I'm... I'm sorry I panicked!" I cried pulling him into a hug.

It takes years off of people's lives for every time they lose.

"Uhh... (Y/N) I don't feel any different?" He patted himself down.

"Luffy, I think it gambles people's lives away in years... I think I took 5 years of your life for my own..."

He smiled like an idiot. "I forgive you,
(Y/N). At least you'll be alive longer!"

Who knew luffy was smart enough to figure out I was dying.

"We may not be blood, and we may not have drank sake together, but you'll always be my brother, Luffy." I hugged him tightly.

"You know I'm being taken away from here right? For my medical... issues."

He looked away not making eye contact. "Why can't I just share my years with you?!" He hated my leaving and I knew it. Ace wouldn't even come say goodbye to me.

I slowly climbed onto the ship sad ace had never said goodbye. That was until I heard a familiar voice calling out to me.

"(Y/N)! Wait! (Y/N)! hold on a second!" I turned around and ace almost tackled me in a hug.

"Be careful..." He held me as tight as he could. I held back my coughs as he squeezed me.

I tried to plant a quick kiss in his cheek, but he turned his head and our lips accidentally made contact.

His face flushed a bright red following behind mine. "I like you, Ace!" I admitted quickly.

"I like you too (Y/N)!" He announced for all of the world to hear.

"Promise me you'll come back for me?" He asked. A hint of worry was on his face.

"Buddy promise." Our pinkys linked and we touched out thumps together.

"Promise you'll keep Luffy safe?"

"I swear it!" He puffed out his chest, his cheeks still a burning red.

"Hurry up!" The captain of the ship called ready to leave.

"So... this is goodbye, Ace..." I felt tears prick at my eyes.

"Yeah, but don't cry like a girl!" He joked, trying to make me feel better.

"I am a girl, you Idiot!"

We both shared a quick laugh before I was fully on the ship.

As we pulled out of the bay, I watched as Ace ran down the side of the Island until the sea touched the land. Luffy wasn't far behind him.

"We're gonna miss you, (Y/N)!" I heard ace call.

"Next time you see me, I'll be King of the pirates!" I heard Luffy scream.

And then it was just them bickering. I looked back at the dock to see the old woman standing with a smile on her face.

If only those weren't the best memories I'd ever have with the people of my past.

This time, skip is no specific arc or anything, just for development.

It was now 9 years since I had seen those two. I wondered how they had been.

My sickness had gotten no better, and I was living on spare time. Not really spare, more like stolen.

"Miss, why don't you go ahead and fold. We both know poker is a man's game." I yawned through my black mask as I doubled the money on the board.

Using my devil fruit, I saw the man had a 2 and 5 pair, and there was also a king and two aces. He was trying to bluff.

"Check."

"Check"

He was looking worried. He had placed down 7 years of his life.

We both flipped our cards.

"Three Ace pair and a king pair." I called annoyed.

"That's not fair! Their are two decks of cards!" He tried to jump over the table.

"Take," I called with a snap. Seven years of his life became mine. Granted, it wouldn't last that long on me. Maybe a year or so if I was lucky.

He tried to punch me, but my body guards quickly threw him out.

"Miss..." I looked towards one of them.

"Their is a big fight going on down the street. Perhaps we should leave." I coughed at his words.

"I'm already dying, but if you'd like to leave, you may." He nodded but didn't move from his position.

"Could you grab me some water?" I asked, feeling a coughing fit coming on.

He nodded and went into the back to grab my water.

A gentle clanking of footsteps entered the room. They were followed by an oh so familiar voice.

Oh, how I longed to hear it again one day... even if he was much more grown.

"Woh! It's so dark in here!"

"Luffy, don't be rude!"

"Nami-swan~, you tell him!"

"I want rum. Can we go back to the ship yet?"

"Zoro, we still need more medical supplies."

"Chopper, it's spooky in here."

A big smile formed on my lips. Any sadness before was gone knowing he was alive and well.

"And what can I do for you today, straw hat pirates." I tried my best to hide my enthusiasm to see my little brother again.

"We hear talk isn't cheap around here." The one supposedly named zoro spoke.

"Ah, Zoro, it depends how nicely you ask and who you know." I shuffled the cards on my table. I had no intention of playing for stakes.

"I'll play if that's the bargain."

"Brave, aren't we? Haven't heard the rumors?" I smirked, shuffling the deck quickly before dealing out 4 sets of two cards. One of mine was face down.

"Let's play."

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Sleep well! Don't forget your medications! Make sure you've had a glass of water and eaten!