The phone rang 10 minutes after we went to the shopping center. "Jeez, is that Ace again?" Vivi said, grabbing my phone and angrily looking at the screen. "Or is it Luffy?" added Nami, while rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Wrong!" I shouted. I left a deep sigh:" But you're very close. He is a part of the Big D. trio." they quickly glanced at me and with a puzzled face silently questioned my sanity, as they both didn't have a clue what I was talking about.

"Guys, it's Sabo." I explained dryly.

"Wow, he is behaving like a really clingy mother." Vivi side glanced at me. "He called you like a bunch of times...Are you sure you guys aren't dating?"

I gasped. Nami teasingly winked at me:" Oooo, Y/n! ~ Sabo, huh?"
"Oh, buuu you! Of course not! He is like a younger brother to me." I stopped but then decided to continue, ignoring the catchy ring tone on my phone. I stayed silent until the caller hung up, leaving me to continue our little chit-chat.

"Even tho he is 3 years older than me, I consider his childish behavior as a permission for me to call him an immature kid." I smirked.
Nami nodded in agreement. "True. But..." she grabbed me by the arm and forcefully pulled me to her level and leaned closer to my ear, whispering her casual nonsense:" But you know what they say...love has no boundaries."
"Vivi!" I whined "Please tell her to stop!"
The blue-haired girl grinned " On the contrary my dear female friend..." she accusingly pointed at me with a finger " For 17 years...Ever since your appearance on this beautiful, fine world...you haven't even once gone on a date! Am I wrong?"
As I was trying to decline, she hushed me in an over-dramatical way, adding a heart-warming press to her delicate heart: "Let me be perfectly clear, young lady! I have had enough of your shyness! I really am surprised how you can even stand in that kimono or whatever white thingy, in the middle of a sweaty gym, screaming strange words at your opponents... opponents with testosterone...and making physical contact with them...oblivious to the fact that they are...guys!"

I couldn't help but to blush fiercely. I tried to find my composure and cut her off: "First of all, Vivi! It is called karate and secondly..." I blinked hard in disbelief and then shook my head "Didn't you guys tag along so you could help my find a proper gift for my dad?"
I gave her a stinky eye: "And not to talk about my seemingly pathetic love life?!"
I saw the way she grimaced, so I immediately knew I had won the war. "Jesus, ok, fine!"
Nami laughed:" C'mon guys! As funny as this is, we don't have time for messing around! Our little daddy girl here" she abruptly slapped my back and then giggled as she saw my shocking expression. My face almost met the floor but was pulled, thankfully, just in time, so gravity didn't have any effect on me. Some strands of my h/c got all tangled up.

"Whew! I said, lifting my hair of my neck and trying to fix the hot mess with my fingers.
"I see what you are trying to do to me. You are trying to commit a perfect murder?"
"You tell me." said Nami in a mischievous voice. I unfortunately could not help to lightly punch her in the ribs. She released a high-pitched scream which was later on followed by some very un-lady like words.
She gave me a steely-eyed look on which I responded with an innocent shrug. "Damn y/n... you and your sharp elbows!"  

"Hey, don't look at me like that! You know you earned it."

"Touché Y/n, touché," she murmured.

"But really, we should calm him. I mean, Sabo... And with we, I mean you.

"Meanie..." I quietly muttered.
"What was that?" asked the girl in a sultry voice.
"I meant to say...I love you!"
"Yeah you do!"
I just rolled my eyes and pulled them into the first shop I laid my eyes on.

Let the hunter games begin!

~

I was preoccupied with my thoughts, while searching through a pile of discounted shirts. I then realized how weak I was, cause god damn, I couldn't even lift those bloody trousers I thought my dad would like to have. When I woke up so early in the morning my energy level was on the top of its glory but now I fell like an emptied shell.

As I glanced up, swiftly putting a cute white sweater with a knitted heart on it on the right shelf, I saw Nami esthetically explaining something to the seller and from to time pointing at me. When she caught my confused face, she gave me two thumbs up as that could clear all the confusion that was going on inside my head.

An there was Vivi...her arms were fully stuffed with jackets all brands. I couldn't help to smile at them. I really liked the easy way they could turn everything ordinary into an event.

I was there, staring at least 5 minutes in midair when I realized what my perfect gift would be. I eagerly clapped my hands and rushed to the fashionistas.

This is going to be the best birthday ever!
2 hours have gone by, Nami and Vivi bade their farewells. As soon as they were gone, I dug into my second-hand jeans and swiftly called the blond.
"Hey!" I said "How is it going? Didn't have enough male friends, so you bugged me?" I joked.
A loud chuckle was heard on the other line.
"Well, I was wondering about something ..."
"Hey Y/n!" a childish voice appeared in the background.
My grin spread across my face "Hey Luffy!"
I could sense some tension from Sabo but I shrugged it off.
"Ace! Get your ass here! You lazy butt!"
Some groaning was detectable.
"Guys, I am just calling to say I will be busy for today so no pizzas or video games for us. Sorry to break it to you fellas" I looked at my watch that was almost aiming 2 o'clock "But my time is running out."
"Y/n..." pleaded Sabo but Ace hushed him: "Give her a break you blondie. She said she is busy...Jeez some people just don't know when to give up...am I right Y/n?" said the male, his voice changing into a more seductive one. "Ace..."
"Yes Y/n..." I cut that whiny voice in midsentence.
"Bye" I muttered and without hesitation ended the conversation.

Well, at least my cake had been made before I went out. A perfect chocolate slob with an uneven writing plastered on top of it. Now that I think about it, why didn't' I just buy it when I had the chance?

I opened my wallet and realization hit me faster than Luffy's 'unexpected' F in math. Oh yeah, I was totally broke!
I sighed in despair. I could ask dad for allowance, but he could still,probably, remember my fierce declination to any money giving menagerie.

And with that thought in my mind I crossed the road, strutting directly to the bus station.

I frowned a bit when the wind blew in my direction. I snapped back into the reality. My eyes wandered to the sky as dark clouds started to gather, making the weather change drastically.

Glancing over my shoulder I saw a woman pushing a stroll down a lean road, rushing to the safety of a boutique's rooftop.
I quickened my pace towards my rented apartment, using shortcuts. Thankfully it only took 10 min for me to slide the key into the knob, opening the small living area I was currently inhabiting. On the right there was a bathroom which was quite nice considering the amount of money I was paying to rent this place with my part time job at a bar.

I turned into a small living /private room and grabbed a pair of new jeans, without a significant brand and a white blouse with a lace on the bottom. I tied my hair in a pony-tail and put a bit of make-up. The last touch to it was adding a hand band to complete my look.

"I really overdid with my attire." I mumbled to myself. I did a double take before locking the front door.

Backing away from the apartment I facepalmed, as I remembered I had forgotten the cake and the present.

"14.30...Ok..." I silently started calculating in my mind, "If I go with a cab, I will make it in time." I looked through the window and nodded when there was no sign of rain.

I unlocked my phone, a picture of me, Nami, Robin and Vivi entering my view point as I made a quick arrangement with a transport company.

~

A yellow car appeared on the horizon and as it got closer, screech of tyres were heard.
It took only 5 minutes for my source of transportation to appear in front of my door. I elegantly slipped into the co-driver's seat and with an emphatical voice indicated to the driver where to go, while strongly clutching the cake and gift.

After 10 kilometers we left behind the industrial part of the city and drove into a more sophisticated one. The houses were decorated in all kinds of shapes, statues and beautifully kept gardens, smelling the faith fragrance of spring. The brand-new cars on the front gate indicated the high status of their owners. The windows were so large that they reminded of a store-front.
"What'cha doing in a such neighborhood? Visiting someone?" Asked the middle-aged man obviously fed up by the silence. I was busy marveling the sight, so I just ignored his question. He didn't seem to brush it off that easily because he then again repeated his question. And this time a bit forcefully.
"Oh yeah, I guess so." he seemed displeased by my short answer but had to stop trying, when he saw me shift more to the window.
When we arrived, we stopped at the largest house possible in this area. Well, it was more or less desolated. I carefully stepped out of the vehicle and payed the middle-aged man, meanwhile trying not to make any physical contact when handing him the money.

I glanced back at the, like L, built house. It was more like a big mansion surrounded by minor inhabited places...that were in the vicinity of 1 km.

My father especially built it to make me feel more comfortable when we moved, but here I was. Staring at it as if it were a predator and I the bystander. 

But what was inside, was more stunning. The inner interior was detailed to perfection. As you entered through the door you passed a grand hallway, priceless designs and paintings from all over decorating the walls.

It was quite sad how I declined living in such a luxury just so I could live by myself, to prove my independence and stop making  my over protectecting dad all anxious. The redhead man had been constantly spoiling me until one day I had enough and moved before I entered high school.

He was a very influential businessman, owning large companies and estates all over the world, which he build from scratch.

I snapped from my day dreaming and walked towards the gateway.

I was a bit startled when I saw the 10 meters high iron gate opened. Usually it was locked. The only way to come inside is to call the assistant and state your business, for me it was of course an exception. But otherwise it was shut so no intruders could freely walk in and wander around the park, as it was some kind of a tourist display.

I couldn't shake off the bad felling I was getting.
I was strutting through the driveway that was planted by numerous pines, exquisite flowers and glass made statues, when I noticed the big wooden marble door widely opened. The inside wasn't lit, only a few objects were illuminated by the faint light coming from the outside world. Where are the security guards?

Sweat drops formed around my temples.
I nervously clenched the wrapped gift and with small steps strutted inside.
For some reason I didn't have the guts to call someone, to let know I'm home.
For some reason ... I remained silent.

A loud crash came from the living room. I flinched, almost releasing a scream. I turned my head, fractionally, towards the source of the sound.

For a split second I froze, but continued tiptoeing as fast as I could towards the hall, holding my breath.

5 meters from the huge door of the living room, I noticed a slight crack. My heart was rapidly beating, the whole atmosphere was caught up in a tense fragrance.

"Shanks..." said a smooth male voice. There was no response.

"Still resisting, huh?"

Three meters.

Silence.

Two meters

A hard smack.

One meter

I crunched down.

And what I saw made my brain shut down. My eyes enlarged and the hair on the nape of my neck bristled. I tried to scream, but the inside of my mouth lacked moisture and a croak was everything that came out of me.

I could help scanning the bloody floor and my dad...all tied up. His eyes were swollen, and bloody spit drooled from his mouth. But he was bravely standing as if the scars didn't even matter.

"That's it, Doffy?" Shanks grinned. "you are not..." before he could end his sentence, the blond man punched him in the jaw, making him gawk backwards.

Four men in black suits flinched at the brute force Shanks had received. They were positioned one meter behind him, obliviously showing how they were frightened for their own lifes.

"~Fufufu...Shanks...how many times had we gone through this before?"

Shanks coughed some blood before weakly smiling at him, angering the blond: "I don't know Doffy..." said the redhead man, emphasizing on his nickname. 
The blonde's smile didn't fade nor widened. He turned around, now facing Shanks with his back. He was ony partially covered with the pink fur, but his chest was fully exposed, revealing his toned abs.

I shook uncontrollably. Even tho I couldn't see his eyes due to the sunglasses, I was certain that they were radiating arrogance, gore and blood.

I followed his every move. He slowly reached for his gun that was lazily hanging from his belt.

My face paled. I breathed in and out, but air wouldn't enter my lungs. Starved for air, my heart raced at tremendous speeds, and my lungs shallowly rose and fell in time.

Dad...please move ! My inner voice spoke.

Streaks of pure white crackled against a stormy blanket of grey, shrouding hot silver clouds. Jagged bolts with undying flashes of radiance made Doflamingo's features even more psychotic.

"Then, I'll just take something you cherish more than your life...Shanks "