ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴜɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇꜱ // ᴏɴᴇ ᴘɪᴇᴄᴇ

Chapter 9

The forest still has the early effect, the plants having morning dew and the air smell freshed, tender feeling Reina hasn't felt for so long.

"Well, we didn't get to have a proper introduction now, did we?" Reina started, smiling down softly towards the kids who halted.

Ace turned to her and frown a little, "Why does it even matter? You already know our names, is it not enough?"

His voice resembles his childhood days, very cold and uncertain. The only change was when Sabo got into an accident, almost drowning into the sea and luckily, Dogra saved him in time since Ace and Luffy weren't there at times.

However, to Reina who was observant and sharp enough, clearly heard the confusion and curiosity in his voice.

She chuckled and patted Luffy's head, who was standing beside her since Ace and Sabo was walking ahead, which is confusing since Luffy was the one who knew about the Anaconda's hide-out.

"Ace, that doesn't sound nice." Sabo scolded, elbowing Ace a little harshly, but not enough to actually caused a bruise.

Ace yelp, "Ouch! I was just asking!" He almost instantly yelled, but to them, it sounded like a whine.

"Pfft...Ace, you look adorable." Reina cooed in excitement, but her face as calm as ever.

"I'm not!" Ace defended.

Reina smiled, "Yes."

"I'm not!"

"Yes"

"I'm not!"

Having enough, Reina grinned.

"I'm not?"

"Yes!" Ace paused, then realized what he said and quickly flushed in embarrassment. "Wa-Wait...." he shuttered.

Sabo blink before laughing, Luffy following afterwards.

"Hahaha! Ace! You just admitted you're adorable! Hahahaha!" Sabo said, pointedly laughing at Ace.

Luffy, too, laugh. "A-Ace hahaha. That was epic! Hahaha, you lost to Nee-chan!"

Ace turned more red before looking, more like glaring, at Reina with a pout.

"That's cheating!" He whined, causing Reina to laugh.

She smiled calmly, "I just tested it. Besides, there's no need to have this pointless punny argument when we should be getting our breakfast, right?"

Ace flinched and blink, speechless at Reina's calmness even with his yelling. The beauty didn't even laugh, just smiled at them so calmly.

Because of embarrassment, Ace choose this time to turn the attention to Luffy.

"Luffy, why are you even behind?! Aren't you supposed to be on lead?!" He asked, pointing in front.

Sabo pause, "Oh right, are we even walking on the right way?" He asked uncertain, since he was sure that the end of this way was towards the Gray Terminal.

"Oh! I forgot about that, sorry. Shishishi." Luffy said, laughing carefreely as he scratched his head. "It's actually on the other way." He said bluntly, causing Ace and Sabo to snapped at him in annoyance.

"YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD US THAT BEFORE, YOU IDIOT!" The two yelled, but Luffy just laugh at them and dragged Reina with him, but started running ahead.

"Nee-chan! Let's go!" He said before grinning at Ace and Sabo. "Ace, Sabo! Nee-chan cooked really well! Let's quickly get the eggs, I'm hungry!" He said, and Reina just shook her head with a smile.

"Wait! Luffy!" Sabo said, running after his brother in worry. They can never left him all alone by himself.

"You're always hungry!" Ace yelled before looking at Reina. "Right, Are you going to cook for us?" He asked, unsure since Dadan might not be able to cook a snake. After all, they've never tried to bring a Snake back so he's uncertain if whether Dadan could cook it or not.

"I don't cook often." She muttered, "But if you wanted me to, I'll gladly do so." She smile before winking at Ace, who she knew will be her close friend...and perhaps, brother.

Ace blushed before looking away, "Shut it! Let's go, they're getting far away from us." He said, avoiding eye contact.

To Reina's surprise, Ace grab her hand before dragging her with him as they sprint into a run, quickly catching up with the two.

Seeing how Ace was awkward and seemed to be in the phase of learning, she smiled.

Having them go with me back home...might not be a bad idea. Perhaps I could deal with the caretakers and Garp.

"Hey! Quit zoning out, you might tripped."

Snapping out of her thoughts, Reina look down a little, seeing Ace who looked at her in worry and curiosity; probably wondering what she was thinking.

Reina smiled, "You know, you'll be great to have as a brother, little or older." she said softly before walking past Ace, now walking bedside Luffy as he beamed and tell her story, causing the beauty to smile.

Ace was left in his thoughts, shocked. He had never heard something like that before, even Sabo and Luffy never told him "You're a good brother" straight in his face. They show it, and he could feel it. However, to say those words right in front of him, filled with such calmness and genuine feelings, for him, this was a first.

"Ace! Faster!" Luffy suddenly whined.

Ace blink and click his tongue, "Idiot." But despite that, he listened and walk faster, now standing just behind Luffy.

•••

"Is this really the place?" Ace asked in confusion. They have been here before, but it was far and nothing much was in here, do they rarely come towards this place.

"Yeah, it was right there!" Luffy said, pointing at a stone cave which isn't that much deep. They could see the end, and just like Luffy said, there really is eggs in there... really big.

Sabo blink and lean a little more forward to get a good looked at the eggs before he started counting, "One..Two...Three...Four...Five..Six?!Wow! There's six of them! We're in luck."

Sabo's words were said in a whisper, afraid to alert their prey. However, unknown to him, the moment they entered this place, the "prey" he was thinking of dealing with his brother had already spot them, and damned, this prey was smart.

Reina frowned a little, looking up. The place was dim due to the vines that connects the trees. Some vines and leaves blocked the sunlight, causing the place to be somewhat dark, but not dark enough for people to be unable to see. The place was filled with thin trees and the ground was something moist, a perfect place for the said "prey" to live in.

Reina, hearing the light rustle above. Now confirming her doubts, Reina quickly pulled the three near her and a look of seriousness replacing her calmness.

"Nee-chan? Is some wrong?" Luffy asked worriedly, feeling the sudden change in Reina's temperament.

Sabo look up at her in confusion and worry while Ace furrowed his eyebrow.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asked softly.

Reina look at them before looking up again, a smile graced her beautiful features as shr chuckled so suddenly. She placed her finger in her lips, causing the three to stay silent. "Listen." She softly whispered, loud enough for them to hear.

Then, the sound of something that's moving fast echoed through the silent forest. The three stiffen and Reina grinned.

"Our stalker finally lost it's patience and decided to give us a warm welcoming greeting."

The tree sweatdroped at her words as they became alert. Is she crazy?!