The Son of Ace.

Chapter 2. The Truth and a New Start.

Everyone had an enjoyable time at the party. Ki and Sanji cooked up an amazing feast. Kuina and Ashe sang along with Brook's music as others danced happily.

Rogue had noticed that Luffy was acting oddly, not going all out as he normally did, almost like he was saving his energy for something.

Then came the cake, making Rogue completely forget about his father's strange behavior. It was time for his 18th birthday wish.

"Make a wish, Rogue!" Ashe cheered. Rogue took a deep breath, already knowing what to wish for.

"I wish to know more about my mother." He thought his wish and blew out the candles. Everyone clapped and Rogue grinned, knowing that this year, his wish would come true. He could feel it in his heart.

"What did you wish? What did you wish?" Ashe asked like she always did. Rogue laughed at his little sister.

"If I told you, it won't come true." He said. After that, everyone gave gifts. Throwing knives from Sanji, Nami and Nari. A pistol from Franky and Ryan. Books on Gold Roger and Portgas D. Ace from Robin and Kaiyo. A knife sharpener from Kosen, Zoro and Ki. And a necklace with a straw hat charm from a blushing Kuina. Ashe added a charm that looked like fire and water binding together. It was rather pretty and Rogue caught Luffy smiling at it.

It was finally Luffy's turn to give Rogue a gift.

"Alright, my turn, Rogue. For this special birthday, any story you want me to tell, I'll tell it." Luffy said. Everyone sat before the pirate king, Rogue directly on the ground in front of him, Ashe as a wolf at his side, her head resting on his knee. Kuina sat on his other side and the others grouping around to where they could see.

Luffy knew this was a gift Rogue couldn't pass up. Rogue loved the stories Luffy told. Luffy told the stories of how he became Pirate King. Rogue loved them all, even if he was there for them. Such as the Kicking the ass of Doflamingo. Rogue was two years old at the time of that, but it was one of his favorite stories.

There were only a few stories Luffy never told. The story of Rogue's uncle Ace and anything having to do with Rogue's mother. Rogue always figured that with Uncle Ace, there was something Luffy was hiding and with his mother, it was still hard for Luffy to talk about.

"Ask about your mother. Please, ask about your mother." Luffy begged in his thoughts as Rogue tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Let's see... Any story I want? No questions asked?" Rogue asked. Luffy nodded.

"Then... Tell me the story of...." Rogue hesitated. Luffy froze. Was he going to ask for the story of Doflamingo again?

"Of you and Mom." Rogue said. Luffy stared.

"Of me and your mother?" Luffy asked.

"Yeah, from when you met her up to my birth." Rogue said. Luffy sighed and smirked.

"I was hoping you'd ask for that one." Luffy said. Rogue grinned and Ashe's ears perked. She was also curious about this story. She had remembered that her father had told her to give Rogue the charm for his necklace, promising to explain why at the party.

"I want all you kids to hear this, too." Luffy said. All kids paied attention to the Pirate King. Luffy looked to Robin, who nodded for him to continue.

"This story starts just over 18 years ago, on an island where a man and a woman met. She didn't know who he was, but even though she would never admit it, she fell for him the minute she laied eyes on him. Him, not being as smart as she was, only knew she was an attractive girl, not realizing he fell for her the second his ash colored eyes met her jade colored eyes.