Dragon's Farewell

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, it's universe, or any of its affiliated characters. I am making no money off of this. Please do not sue this poor student who is living off of ramen and bagels. Thank you.

This is only a one-shot. Dragon may seem like the typical errant father, but I'd like to think that there's more to his character than that.

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Dragon exhaled slowly, letting his fogged breath stream out to disappear in the chilly air. Ahead of him lay the forbidding coastline. He looked down briefly at the curled up lumps wrapped safely within thick raggedly blankets that lay under the sheltered prow of their humble boat. This was their drop-off, and possibly the last time he would ever see his sons again. He turned and kneeled to shake his eldest son awake.

"Ace. Get up. It's time."

His six-year-old son yawned widely, stretching his freckled cheeks and rubbing his eyes sleepily.

"Ohayo, tou-chan." he muttered.

"Get dressed." Dragon ordered abruptly as he picked up his youngest and began to dress the sleeping toddler.

They disembarked quietly, the fog muffling the scrape of the prow against the sandy shore. Ace leapt from the boat eagerly, feeling only excited at this new adventure. By now Luffy was awake and babbling cheerfully as Dragon dragged the boat ashore and carried him carefully down carefully from the prow. Dragon set him down next to Ace and stood before his sons, feeling oddly numb and light.

"Ace, take your brother and walk down that path to the village. You'll find the marine headquarters easily enough. Go there and ask for Monkey D. Garp. Tell him you're his grandsons." Dragon reached into his worn cloak and pulled out a scrap of paper, "Give him this. It should explain everything."

Ace took the letter curiously and nodded, but asked,

"Aren't you coming with us, Tou-chan?"

Dragon turned back to the boat and pulled his cloak to cover his head.

"No. You're both on your own, now. I can't take care of you anymore. You're staying with your grandfather now."

"Tou-chan isn't coming?" Luffy asked softly.

"Why, Tou-chan?" Ace burst out, "Did Ace and Luffy do something bad? Are you mad?"

Dragon didn't answer. His throat felt raw and squeezed as he bit back his tears. This was no time for weakness. He was now a wanted criminal. His sons were better off with their grandfather and out of danger. The path he now tread was to be filled with blood and death. He might be willing to walk that road, but he'd be damned before either of his sons would be hurt by his choices. They were better off with their grandfather who could, and hopefully would, protect them from the World Government and anyone who would use them to get at him. He was no longer Monkey D. Dragon, father and husband. He was now Dragon, revolutionary and wanted criminal who would bring down the World Government with his last breath.

With that grim thought in mind, he walked back to the boat and began sliding it back to the water. He heard his sons scream after him, heard Luffy crying and Ace yelling helplessly.

"Tou-chan, wait! Tou-chan!"

"TOU-CHAAAAN!"

He refused to look back as he climbed back in and let the current carry the vessel back out to sea. Only after he was well out of earshot did he allow himself to gaze back at the dwindling figures of his small sons. Ace held Luffy's hand tightly in his, partially to prevent his baby brother from running into the water after their father. Luffy was rubbing away at the tears that escaped from his eyes as he blubbered hysterically. The wind whipped Dragon's cloak about him and pulled him steadily away from the shore. He breathed in the salty air and gratefully let the salt-water sting his face. After all, revolutionaries and criminals did not cry.