The Son of Ace.

Chapter 9. Goodbyes and Hellos

Rogue and Ryan dug the grave for Aoi next to Ace's grave.

Not long after Aoi's spirit had passed, Marco appeared. He cried for the loss of his only sister and then went to prepare her gravestone.

Kuina and Kosen chopped down a tree for the casket. Lami and Sabo carved it out.

Ashe, Kaiyo and Nari found some white carnations for her grave. Sabo told them they chose wisely. White carnations were Aoi's favorite.

Marco set up the stone and Sabo lied Aoi's body in the casket. Kuina had cleaned the blood from her face and put her in a clean shirt. Ashe put flowers in her hands.

"Aoi was always so beautiful. And she was smarter than she was beautiful. It's what made me proud to call her my sister. My princess." Marco said.

"Uncle Marco. Thank you for helping Mom get me to Uncle Luffy." Rogue said. Marco wrapped an arm around Rogue's shoulders.

"You know, you look so much like your father that it's scary. If your hair was black, then I'd swear you were him. I'm glad he was my brother. Wear that hat and use that knife with pride." Marco said. Rogue hugged the hat to his chest.

"I will." He said.

Kosen and Sabo burried the casket with Aoi inside. Marco sighed as tears started down his cheeks.

"This is the second time I've burried a sibling on this cliff next to my father." He said. Rogue cried silently.

"Don't cry, Rogue. Look. After 18 years, your mom and dad are together again. Look! You can almost see them reuniting!" Ashe said. Rogue looked up.

The ten watched in amazement as they saw the spirit of a man appear. He was sitting on top of Ace's grave. He looked like Rogue with black hair and ash eyes. He only wore a pair of shorts with a belt that was undone and had the letter A on the buckle.

"Ace." Sabo and Marco said.

"Dad?" Rogue asked.

Then, a second spirit appeared. It was Aoi. She looked different. Her hair, while still long, was shorter and seemed more like a cloudless sky rather than the white highlights her hair on her body had.

"She looks 20 again." Marco said.

Ace stood and cupped Aoi's cheek. She grinned brightly at him and held his hand. He pulled her to him and they kissed.

"They haven't seen each other for 18 years..." Kuina said. Suddenly, the two were facing Rogue.

"You look good in my hat, Son. Take care of it. I love you." A deep voice came and Ace's lips moved with it. Rogue realized his father had spoke to him.

"I love you, too, Dad. And don't worry. I'll be the best pirate on the seas! Even if I'm not king. That title belongs to Luffy and Luffy alone!" Rogue said. Ace and Aoi grinned. The two waved and their spirits faded from sight.

"They've moved on to the next life." Sabo said. Rogue put on his father's hat. He reached out and grabbed Kuina's hand. She stared at him with a blush on her cheeks.

"Come on, guys. Let's get back to Uncle Luffy and your parents. They're probably worried." Rogue said. Kosen grabbed Lami's hand, making her blush as they headed for the ship. They said goodbye to Marco and he left to his own crew. The remainders of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Mom... Dad... Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'm going to be part of Uncle Luffy's fleet. I won't let anything stand against the king. And yes, I'll protect Ashe until she finds her knight. You don't need Aunty Ki to tell me. I already know. A knight is normally seen with a royal family member. So, as a knight pirate, it is their duty to protect those that are pirate royalty. Wether it be the King or the Princess. Yeah, mom. I'm a prince. But I'm also a knight. Just as you said. I'm taking my life in to my own hands. This is what I want to do. I hope you approve. Also. If I can get Zoro and Ki to approve... Then some day... I want to marry Kuina. And I hope that Kosen will be able to tell Uncle Law the same about Lami. Watch over us. I see a lot of adventures ahead of me." Rogue thought.

As Sabo navigated them back to Amazon Lilly, Kuina and Rogue stood side by side, watching the sea pass behind them.

"Are you okay, Rogue?" Kuina asked.

"To be honest? No. Not right now anyways. I mean, I just lost my mother after finding her after 18 years. But ya know, I'll be okay." Rogue said. He looks over at Kuina. Shining baby blue eyes gazed in to green and ash eyes.

"Will you stay by my side until then, Kuina?" Rogue asked. Kuina blinked, then nodded with a smile.

"Always." Rogue turned his body to her and cupped her cheeks. He leaned in and stole her first kiss. Her cheeks burned red.

"You can stop asking when I'll notice. I always knew. And I feel the same." He said. Kuina hugged Rogue and Rogue returned the hug.

"Now if only Kosen could be that honest with Lami." She giggled. Rogue laughed with her. He was going to be just fine. He had his knight, after all.

It took a week to get to Amazon Lilly. The kids and Sabo docked at the harbor.

"Inform Empress Hancock! Luffy's kids are back!" Voices rang out. Marigold came out and lead Sabo and the kids to the palace where Luffy, Law and the other Straw Hats and Hearts were.

"Luffy!" Sabo called.

"Sabo!" Luffy laughed. There were tears in Luffy's eyes.

"You'll never believe this! Look who we found here!" Luffy yelled, pointing to a woman by his side. Rogue stopped. He recognized her.

"Ashe... That's..." Rogue started.

Red hair. Golden eyes. No doubt.

"M... Mom?!" Ashe asked. Aisuru stood.

"Ashe... My baby!" Aisuru ran forward. Ashe ran to her mother.

"But.. How?" Rogue asked.

"We only told everyone that Aisuru died in child birth, but in truth? We thought she had died in the war at the World Summit. Turns out she was only injured and was brought here to rest." Ki said. Boa Hancock scowled, clearly upset by Aisuru's existence.

"While I don't like it. Luffy does love her and he did marry her. And Luffy's happiness is my treasure." Boa Hancock said. Luffy stood from his seat and approached the kids. Law at his side. The older man smiled when he saw his daughter, though immediately scowled when he saw her hand in Kosen's.

Luffy's dark eyes searched the faces of the nine. A frown settling on his lips.

"Where's Aoi?" He asked. The room froze. Rogue bowed his head.

"She died. Just like dad, she died protecting her family." Rogue said. He told everyone what happened.

"Well.. That explaines why you are wearing Ace's hat." Zoro said.

"We're sorry about the secrecy, Rogue. We just figured your mom should tell you." Chopper said.

"Mom." Kuina said. Ki looked at her daughter.

"Aoi said that I am a Knight like my mother before me. What does that mean?" Kuina asked. Ki smiled.

"Guess I'm busted? I was a pirate before the straw hats." Ki explained to everyone what Aoi had told Rogue and then confirmed Rogue's thought.

"So, Rogue. What do you do now?" Luffy asked. Rogue grabbed his hat from his head and looked at it.

"I am a prince, like my father before me. However, just like my mother, I am a knight. I thought about this for a long time and I've decided. I'm going to follow in my parents foot steps and I am going to help the king of the Pirates. Because, after all..." Rogue placed the hat back on his head.

"We're all children of the sea." He said. Luffy smiled at his nephew.

"Well said." He said.

{the end}

{epilogue next}