To Raise a Vampire

Dreams and Illusions

In this chapter, a lot happens. It's a VERY long one, too. Like, crazy long. The next chapter will be a flashback to the brothers' past and the birth of little Luffy. It's intense but not too graphic, really. 

Ace and Luffy walked down the tall hallways and to the deck. They were going to go look at the stars from the crowsnest, which was much higher than their own. Sabo was returning the silverware to the kitchen before joining his brothers. The two passed a few vampires on their way, Luffy greeting them very friendly.

Everyone's eyes seemed to light up when they came across Luffy. Ace understood why, even if Luffy didn't give off some mystery feeling. He was adorable and had the brightest smile on his face, even if Ace could tell it was a bit dimmed after his bad dream and sad/confusing conversation with Ace.

"Hang on tight, okay?" Ace asked as he crouched for Luffy hold onto his neck and wrap his legs around Ace's middle before he began to climb up the rope to the crowsnest. Marco was out, sitting on the yardarm across from the mast that the brothers were climbing.

Once the two were up, Luffy waved to the pirate with a smile. Ace thought the knowing look on Marco was uncomfortable. Ace turned his back on Marco so he didn't see him and that look. The first mate soon flew off, making Ace sigh in relief. Marco made him uncomfortable. Maybe it was the constant bored look he wore. Like he felt nothing about his surroundings until he wanted to make an impression on someone, like smiling at Luffy.

Sabo climbed up not long after the oldest and youngest brothers were settled. Luffy was situated laying across Ace's stomach as they laid flat and looked at the stars. Ace noticed Sabo was carrying a thick book, and asked what it was. Luffy looked to the side to see what Ace had asked about.

"It's a book full of fairy tales," Sabo said with a smile. "Thatch gave it to me. Told me which stories were kid friendly. Do you want me to read some to you, Lu?" Luffy nodded his head with a smile. He could hear people below them and walking around the deck, but once Sabo started to read about princesses, magic, and adventures, he was able to tune out everything.

Luffy enjoyed the stories very much. They continued the story between his meals, which were beef stew and baked potatoes. It was Sunday, so Luffy got his cup of "juice". The pirates were amazed that the vampire boy could live off a cup of blood a week. Honestly, some of the vampires were jealous he could go so long without it. He slurped it down like it was water, nothing special. Like it wasn't overwhelmingly tasty like it was for regular vampires.

The only thing that was similar to normal vampires was that his red eyes grew brighter while he drank, but that was it. After his dinner, more stew he requested, he went to bed with Ace and Sabo. After a few hours of sleep, Sabo would wake and go talk to the pirates and ask when they thought the next island would be seen and what kind of island it was.

Then, Luffy dreamt, and the whole ship was thrown into chaos.

-x-

Marco was on watch, like he often was, and was patrolling the deck when he blinked, and the entire environment changed. The sea was no longer there, and instead of it reaching the horizon, reflecting the night sky, it was a grassy plane, with unicorns grazing on the grass.

The deck under him changed from wood into cobble stone. He looked around in confused panic, seeing the Moby Dick shift into a large castle. The crowsnest changes into a tower with a tall spire. The vampire was shocked, and wondered if he had passed out or was hallucinating. Instead of walking and risking falling into the water, if this was an illusion, he flew.

He flew towards the entrance of the castle, which had been the door into the ship. Even the inside of the ship was different. The walls and floor were stone, but luckily, no windows to burn the vampires inside. He heard screaming and shouting in panic and confusion around him.