To Raise a Vampire

An Unfortunate Outcome

A mixture of fluff and drama in this chapter. Enjoy~

To the three brothers' amazement, most of the pirates were over their hangovers the next evening. They must be seasoned drinkers, because the poor Spades had horrific headaches. Saber had drunk the most and Aggie the least but they still had killer hangovers. The brothers quietly got into their day outfits while their crew moaned in bed, feeling sick.

When the three went to eat their breakfast, Thatch was glaring at them. "What?" Ace asked innocently.

"You raided my kitchen!" he accused. Luffy gave a blank look while Sabo looked indifferent.

"Your proof?" Ace asked cooly.

"The missing juice cake that only Luffy can eat," Thatch deadpanned. Ace tched and whispered, "Damn."

"Are we in trouble?" Luffy asked with wide eyes. "It was my idea, I'm sorry," he said sadly. He wasn't even trying to, but it made Thatch melt and his anger fade away.

"You're not in trouble, Luffy," Thatch said seriously. "I was being silly." Ace and Sabo smiled, but Thatch whispered, "You two are in trouble. You should know better than to mess with my kitchen." Luffy was happy enough with him not being in trouble, and ate his food happily while Thatch listed off their chores for making up.

"How about we don't get in trouble, and we don't tell Jojo about all the embarrassing things you did while intoxicated?" Ace asked darkly, with an evil smirk. "How you kept trying to kiss her but she kept swatting you away. Or how about when you almost fell over the side of the ship after throwing up. Or-"

"Okay, you win! No punishment," he grumbled. "You better not tell her any of that stuff," the chef warned. Ace just grinned cheekily. The commanders behind them at the table laughed, Whitebeard's loud and booming.

"We going on island tonight?" Luffy asked excitedly. Ace and Sabo looked to Marco, sitting at the commander's table behind them. None of the other Spades had arrived yet, so the brothers counted them out.

"We sure are. We already have to figured out. You, your brothers, me and a few of the second division are all going inland to scope the area. We have to find if other people live here," Thatch explained. Of course, the rest of the crew were going on the more difficult routes. Luffy's group would stick to the coast and explore as far as the boy could.

Luffy bounced on his seat. "I can't wait!" he cheered. He was very impatient through the meal, and kept chanting for his brother to eat faster, before they finally just scarfed the rest of the food down like animals to get Luffy to stop poking them and to hurry up.

Luffy was given a little canteen with blood in it, and a lunch box in a small backpack. Ace and Sabo smiled at how the Whitebeards were treating this like a very special occasion. It was to Ace, Sabo, and Luffy, since it was Luffy's first full outing onto any island. Izo had even made him an explorer's hat and vest to wear.

Haruta couldn't resist taking a photo of Explorer Luffy. He was so happy and excited. The group of second division members were the ones who had interacted with Luffy the most and were also strong for protection, but not too vital that they would be sorely missed. Teach, Perry and Lee would be accompanying the brothers and chef.

"Onward! The explorer troop descends!" Thatch declared as the seven of them left the ship. Cheers were shouted for Luffy to have a fun time. And it would be fun. For the most part.

-x-

The group stuck close to the coast, but not directly on the beach. Luffy trampled over plants with his short legs, slowing the progression much. But he didn't complain, so no one else did as well. He sucked on his juice canteen happily as he inspected everything. He didn't remember the last time he'd been around a forest. There were so many bugs! Multiple times he had to be brought back to the group after chasing a bug.