A muffled growling reached Luffy’s ears and he leaned in to hear a symphony of complaints coming from Usui’s stomach. He beamed goofily in understanding.

“You hungry?” the pirate asked.

Usui nodded groggily, the chains still leaching his energy away.

“Gomu gomu no….” Luffy’s arm stretched behind him and rounded a corner. After a pause and somebody screaming a string of curses, the devil user’s arm raveled back to his body. “Cook!”

Sanji flew face first into the floorboards next to Luffy. He jumped to his feet and scowled down at his Captain.

“Luffy!”

“Os!” Luffy said, raising a hand.

“One day, I’m going to grill you into a seasoned marinated side dish!” Sanji said, shaking his fist.

“Shishishishi,” Luffy laughed, pointing at Usui. “Fruit punch guy is hungry.”

“Oh?” Sanji lighted a cigarette to try and calm himself down. “Is that so? Any requests?”

“N-no… bread…” the words barely slipped passed his lips. “Never liked it…”

Sanji’s mouth stretched into a thin line and his face tensed a bit. “Alright, Usui. A dish without bread coming your way.”

After a couple of minutes, Sanji came out of the galley and sat down next to Luffy, in front of Usui. He placed the plate of food where the guy could see it and held out a spoon. Usui struggled to raise his hand and when he finally grabbed it, his arm thudded back onto his lap. Luffy frowned and turned to Sanji.

“Can’t we take the hand cuffs off of him?”

“You were the one that ordered Usopp to put them on,” Sanji said, smoke escaping from his mouth. “If we just don’t say his name, I guess it’ll be alright.”

Luffy brightened up and made a move to release Usui from his bonds. As soon as he touched the sea stone cuffs, he collapsed onto the deck. His tongue hanging out of his mouth.

“Out of energy…” he said unnecessarily.

“Think before you act,” Sanji said, pulling out the key that Usopp had given him a few hours ago. “Where did Usopp get these anyway?”

“Don’t know,” Luffy said as he sat up again, thinking back. “I found it when I was going through Usopp’s new weapons.”

Usui’s head popped up and he grinned like a little child let off of punishment. He reached for the bowl of fried rice. He shoveled it into his mouth hungrily and he only stopped to give Sanji a look of pure gratitude. Sanji smiled, watching him go back to the food.

“That was delicious, Oni-san!” Usui said animatedly, placing the bowl and spoon aside.

Sanji grinned. Usui’s face was suddenly in front of his, a hopeful expression coated on it. “Let’s play!”

“Eh?” Sanji looked flustered at his words. “Eeeeeeeh?!”

Luffy laughed in amusement.

_

Sanji found himself being dragged around the ship, one second in the observation deck, another in the galley. When they reached the sick bay, Chopper also got hauled along by his wrist by Usui.

“Huuuuh?!” Chopper howled, as he flew airborne. “Kyaaaaaah!”

Luffy caught him and Chopper saw the bright delight on his face.

“Fruit punch is a funny guy!” Luffy told him, laughing through his teeth.

“Eeeeeeeeeek!” they heard Usopp scream as he too got thrown onto the lawn of the ship. He rubbed the bump on his head and bit his lip. “Anybody want to tell me why I was just thrown out of the crow’s nest?”

“Aaaaaaaaaaah-! Gahk~!” Zoro landed face first next to Usopp. He pulled his face out of the grass and scowled. “I’m blaming you for this, Captain.”

“Shishishi~” Luffy said. “I have no problem with that.”

There were pattering footsteps and Usui ran toward them at top speed. His face the essence of pure happiness. Everybody except for Luffy cringed, expecting the boy to crash into them, but when they opened their eyes again, Usui had halted and beaming up at them, sparkling.

“Do you want to play a game?” he said, almost jumping up and down in excitement. “It’s called Pirates and Marines!”

“I’m going to be a pirate!” Luffy declared immediately.

“You don’t even know how to play it!” Sanji frowned.

“Okay, okay, okay!” Usui said quickly. He took in a deep breath before sprouting out rules and restrictions so quickly that it was clear that he wanted to get it over with as soon as he could. “Everyone understand?”

Luffy nodded solemnly. “So it’s a mystery game.”

“I’m not participating,” Zoro rumbled, getting to his feet.

Usui was brusquely standing directly in front of him and the look he was giving Zoro made him seize up, his one eye enlarging. The boy looked so heart broken and pleading that it made Zoro feel guilty and almost like he had crushed the boy’s dreams.

“Eeeeeh,” Usui pouted. “Naze?”

Sanji chortled behind his cigarette and Zoro threw him a look. When he turned to Usui to reject him again, he found that his voice wouldn’t form the words. He finally gave up after a few seconds of stuttering.

“Fine,” Zoro sighed. “I don’t care what I am.”

“Wise words, Marimo,” Sanji said, looking almost impressed.

“I mean for the game, idiot cook!”

Usui’s face split into ecstasy again and he assigned roles. Sanji, Luffy, and Chopper were the pirates and Zoro, Usui, and Usopp were the Marines. Usopp realized this was just a complicated game of hide and seek. Complicated because there were so many more rules and the fact that they had limited space. They would let the pirates hide for a few minutes before going after them. The pirates had to steal something of importance from the Marines and hold onto it for a set amount of time. To do that, they could blackmail, take hostages, or any method that was present in that situation.

The marines can likewise, set up traps, offer peace treaties, and any boring techniques they use. Luffy had a good laugh at the looks on Usopp and Zoro’s face when they realized they were placed at the short end of the rope.

The Marines had to take back what was stolen from them they also had to arrest the perpetrator. Usopp had to give up his googles and Zoro, grudgingly, handed Sanji his belly warmer, to which the cook smirked, amused that the swordsman was stuck in the boy’s pace. Usui handed Chopper a long necklace that had been tucked under his shirt. Chopper scrutinized it wonderingly. The pendant at the end of the chain was oval and flat. It was a locket from the hinges attached to the left side of the oval. It had delicate carvings and a shiny coat that protected it for the most part.

“And start!” Usui said, covering his eyes.

Zoro and Usopp calmly closed theirs and the three pirates scurried off. After a minute or so, Usui took off, leaving Usopp to deal with Zoro, who had fallen asleep.  

Usopp sighed as Zoro snored loudly. If it wasn’t the fact that Luffy had his googles, he would’ve just forgotten about the whole thing and went to the observation deck to relax. But the idea that Luffy might lose them or mess around with them was enough for Usopp to go and try to get his possession back. Besides, Usui had said that there weren’t any Devil fruit powers allowed, that fact boosted the sniper’s confidence.

_

Trafalgar was still idle in the boys’ dorm. He had freaked out when Usui stormed in, looking for some playmates. Law’s eyes had widened and he threw himself off the hammock and into the shadows with a painful thud. After watching Usui’s shadow search the dorm, he sighed in relief when the door closed behind him again.

He heard the bangs and the pattering of running feet as the Straw Hats played the game that Usui had practically forced upon them. But from the looks of it, they were beginning to enjoy themselves subconsciously.

Law tried to push the memories back, the bittersweet reminiscence of the days when life had been complicated but not as much as the here and now. When was the last time he had played that game with his little brother?

_ _ _ Flashback

Usui panted as he sprinted out of his hiding spot, clutching the northern style, leopard printed style hat to his chest. He was still a little kid and his features were softer and his limbs stouter. He was as skinny as he was in the present, ribs sticking out and barely enough fat to maintain body heat. His clothes were worn and ragged but clean. He had a bandage over his left eye and all over his lower torso for recently accumulated wounds but even in that state, he had an exhilarated smile on his face.

Before he could reach another pillar that held up the building, a sheen of light blue surrounded him. He looked around wildly and he found that something hard edged and thick had replaced the soft texture of his brother’s hat, a big medical textbook. He pouted when Law revealed himself from behind another pillar a little ways away.

Law had just entered the awkward state of every human life, being that he had only turned thirteen a few days ago. Usui stomped his foot and filled his cheeks with air, looking indignantly up at the smirking face.

“You promised no dome!” Usui said in betrayal.

“It’s called Room, Usui,” Law correcting the kid once again, though still sneering in triumph. He placed his hat on his head. “And I win.”

“No fair!” Usui jumped up and down, trying to reach Law’s head. “You promised!”

Law leaned down to his level. “When do Marines ever keep their promises? They use any trick in the book to capture pirates. Honorable or no.”

“This is a game, Law no Aniki!” Usui thought it best to point out. “And you’re supposed to play fair in games!”

“Like you could ever beat me,” Law said haughtily. “I was just saving time.”

“Hidoii na!” Usui yelled. “One day I’ll make you eat your words! Now, give me back that hat!”

“It’s my hat,” Law smirked as he was entertained by Usui jumping up and down to reach his head. “You have no claim over it.”

“Come on!” Usui said, gradually getting tired. “I want to play again!”

Law opened his mouth to tease him a little more but he was interrupted by a low growl of a voice.

“Vellane Sin,” Vergo stood next to the large doorway to the left of them. “It is time for your appointment.”

Law saw the smile slide off Usui’s face and his happy go lucky nature being replaced by dread. Law threw Vergo a dirty look before bending down on one knee and making Usui look him in the eye.

“I can go with you…”

Usui’s face broke into hysteria and he shook his head wildly, making his blue tresses whip around. “No! I’m fine alone!”

Law frowned at the kid. “If he’s hurting you in any way—“

Usui clamped his mouth shut and shook his head again. Law sighed mentally and straightened up again. He flipped Vergo off and you could almost feel the man’s glare behind those sunglasses. Usui tugged on his pants leg and Law gave him his attention. Usui forced a smile and raised a tiny fist.

“You’re coming back in a week right? You promise?” Usui asked.

Law smiled softly and met Usui’s fist with his, tapping their knuckles together lightly. “I promise.”

“Vellane Sin,” Vergo repeated more forcefully.

Usui’s face cleared of any emotion and after a slight reassuring glance, he went over to Vergo and the man led the tiny boy down the hall. They were out of sight but Law, feeling agitated and frustrated, clenched his fists.

“His name is Usui, dammit!” he yelled after Doflamingo’s man.

_ _ _ end

Zoro had cornered Sanji in the kitchen and searched his body for any sign of his belly warmer. Not seeing it, he glowered at the cook. He took a menacing step forward and Sanji glanced around for an escape. His eyes landed on a bottle of whiskey and he snatched it up. Zoro raised his eyebrows at the action and the cook opened it, popping the cork off with his teeth. He tilted the opening of the bottle so the contents were in danger of spilling.

“You wouldn’t…” Zoro muttered.

“This is the spirit that you’ve been patiently waiting for to mature right?” Sanji brightened at his chance. “The sweet aroma is almost haunting.”

“You conniving cook,” Zoro snarled.

Sanji tipped the bottle just slightly and Zoro stared in dramatic trepidation as the drop of wine splattered onto the floor.

“Put your hands up into the air, Marimo,” Sanji ordered in triumph.

Zoro grudgingly did as he was instructed, glowering at Sanji. Sanji slid his foot over to the right and the other foot followed, he slowly made his way around the swordsman until their positions swapped over. Taking a moment to prepare, Sanji threw the spirit into the air and bolted out of the kitchen.

Zoro had a moment of fright when the bottle almost slipped out of his fingers and he sighed a mushroom cloud of relief after he had a secure hold of the spirit. Only a little bit of the wine had escaped from the bottle because Sanji had deliberately thrown it so it wouldn’t spill as much.

“Shitty cook,” Zoro muttered under his breath as he stored the wind away out of reach. “I’m going to make him pay.”

_ _ _

Law was back from a mission that Doflamingo had assigned him and went to go visit Usui in his room. He entered the tiny room without knocking and saw Usui sitting on the edge of his bed. Law’s smile fell off his face when he saw the drained look in the younger boy’s. The little boy stared ahead without seeing, not blinking once. His form shaking.

“Usui…?” Law hesitated.

Usui came out of his reverie and looked up. His face broke out into complete ecstasy at the sight of Law. He hopped off his bed and ran to embrace the older boy’s midsection.

“You’re back!” Usui cheered, overjoyed to have his role model beside him again.

Law put on a half-hearted smile as he ruffled Usui’s hair. Swallowing all the questions he wanted to ask down his throat.

Usui released him and raised a tiny fist. Law met it with his and Usui sparkled.

“Heehee!” Usui giggled.

_ _ _