In Another Life [Ace X Reader ]

part six

Zoro and luffy sat infront of me. I'm sure he would have known who I was if my hair and  face wasn't covered.

I looked at luffy who had a 10 and a 3, zoro was pretty much playing for him. "Hit" zoro spoke.

I placed down the next card in the deck which was a 6. "Stand." He spoke sternly. Seems he had heard the rumors.

He had a 5 and a 2. He tapped his cards twice and I placed another card sideways. It was a 9. He cursed under his breath.

I flipped over my cards to reveal a 10 and a 9. Me and luffy bumped but zoro lost.

We continued to play and luffy bumped every time, but zoro last most of his money. I didn't mention I normally play with years off of the players life.

"And why exactly did you come here today?" I questioned with a glint in my eye.

"We need information."

I delt out another hand and lit a cigarette.  Just then my guard came back with the water and snatched the cigarette from my hand before I could take a drag.

"Thank you," I took the water and turned away to take a sip.

"And what kind of information are you looking for?" I questioned sounding bored.

"We are looking for a woman. The captain grew up with her. He wants her to join the crew, he says her gift is... special." Zoro was so serious.

I tried so hard not to laugh it made me start coughing.

"And the name?" I asked flipping a card.

"(Y/N)".

"Ah, I know her very well." I wasn't lying. "And if she refuses?" I asked shuffling again.

"Luffy seems to think she won't, and even if she does..." he gave me a look that said 'luffy thinks she isn't alive anymore.'

"And what if I told you she was dead?" I asked.

Luffy slammed his fist on the table almost cracking it. "She isn't dead!"

"I hate to break it to you, but she's no longer herself. I doubt you would want to see the person she's become, little brother." I panicked not realizing that last part slipped. It seemed only Zoro noticed.

"She clearly isn't going to tell us anything. Why don't you all head back to the ship."

"But-" luffy tried to protest.

"I'll get an answer. " zoro promised as the others left.

"Now, your gonna talk..." He drew his sword and examined it.

"Poor little Zoro, my my you aren't to bright." I pushed over the table and he fell back. I straddled him and held my knife to his throat.

"I'm not afraid of death!" I sung with a smile.

"Now your gonna go tell Luffy, his sisters dead. I don't want his last memory of me to be like this. Ill." His sword cut through the bandana on my head revealing my bright red hair.

"Who are you?" He asked shocked.

"I am nothing more than a bad dream." I cooed sweetly as I got off of him ready to leave.

"Oi, zoro!" I heard a voice call before entering the tent. Luffy stopped abruptly.

"(Y/N)?!" when did you get here??" Luffy hollared.

"Luffy i-" he engulfed me in a hug before I could get away.

"I missed you so much. We have so much to catch up on!" Tears welled in his eyes.

And that is how I ended up on the straw hats ship.

I felt my body slowly weakening. 5 years doesent seem to last as long as it used to.

"I'm sorry, Luffy. I really can't stay..." I felt guilty as his smile dropped. He never knew how sick I really was, so he didn't understand.

"But you just got here..." He huffed plopping down on the deck in disappointment.

I coughed for what felt like an hour before a little racoon dog jumped into my arms.

"At least let me take a look at you before you leave, I'm the crew Doctor!" He stated. "That cough sounds serious."

I was going to say no, until I saw the helplessness on Luffys face.

"Alright, but make it quick. " I gave in.

The doctor named Chopper examined me, and his eyes went wide. It made it easy to tell he had a diagnosis.

"You have lung cancer. I'll have to do further tests to know how bad-" I quickly cut him off.

"No thank you, I'd like to leave now." I ignored his plees to let him look, but I ignored them as I walked out of the room.

"I'm okay, Luffy. I just have a cold." I ruffled his exposed hair. "I should get going soon." I got ready to leave, but he wasn't having it.

"(Y/N), stay for dinner! Our cooks the best in the whole world!" He wasn't ready for me to leave yet.

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly agreed. We made small talk as the food was served. I ate a small portion. Luffy tried to convince me to eat more, but I wasn't having it. My appetite was close to non existent.

I said my goodbyes and went back ashore to my little building where I could steal the lives from people.

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