You look at your hands, clenching them. "Can I break through this thing?" You look to gramps as he stood before you.

'I don't doubt it's possible. But it would take some reserved magic to break it yourself.' He states lightly.

"I can't stand this. I just lost fire and I have been powerless for three days. Another day is going to drive me mad." You grumble in annoyance, glancing around the forest.

'Then remove it.' He states. You close your eyes, hands moving over the band on your neck.

'Come on... Come on... I know you're there. I know you want free...' You think, focusing deep inside. 'I can feel you there. Swirling like a bottomless whirlpool.'

"Break it." You whisper, feeling a surge in response. "Come on. Break." You hiss, opening your eyes as a sound like glass breaking sounds. The ground around you bursts up forming a cocoon around you. You blink at the darkness and pause, reaching out and touching the earth, making it ease away from around you.

'Well done.' Gramps gives you a proud smirk, nodding in satisfaction.

"I've never witnessed anyone do that before. Yet I got to watch you do it twice." You freeze and look over your shoulder as Dogtooth drops down from his perch on a branch.

"Ah... How long have you been there?" You ask carefully.

"I was here first." He informs. You pale slightly and look away. "Who do you speak to when you're all alone? This isn't the first time I caught you... And I don't believe you're crazy since you're so secretive about it." His gaze pierces you curiously. You scratch your cheek before meeting his gaze.

"You seem to keep a secret too. Behind that scarf of yours." You respond lightly. He pauses touching it briefly before chuckling.

"Fair enough." He breathes. You shift, watching him for a bit.

"I... Was talking to my grandfather." You admit lightly, rubbing your neck. He blinks at that, watching you for a bit.

"So you can see the souls." He murmurs, coming closer. "Then you must be speaking to Zoro other times."

"Yeah... But usually he's wandering around getting lost." You smile a bit. "I still miss him though."

"You miss him hugging you." He guesses.

"Yeah... Sometimes a warm hug from certain people is really comforting. Even when you aren't aware that you need it." You shrug.

"Is that so?" He raises an eyebrow slightly.

"Yeah... Guess you wouldn't understand. You dont look like you get a lot of hugs- nor give them..." You trail off looking at him.

"You want to hug me now dont you?" He hums.

"Just one." You hold up your index. "Unless you beg for more." You wiggle an eyebrow at him. His eyes narrow briefly.

"Now you get zero." He states turning away.

"Kidding! I was kidding!" You gasp hurrying to his side. He chuckles lightly, turning to you.

"So was I. But don't do that again." He advises.

"Only to humor." You hum.

"Of course." He chuckles lightly, opening his arms to you. You dont hesitate to hug him at that. He wraps his arms around you. This was warm, and felt like the safest place to be right now. In fact, you felt like you could fall asleep at that moment. "... Are you okay?" He asks after a bit.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Im good.." You manage, stepping back. "Sorry. I like your hugs." You murmur awkwardly. He blinks at you a few times before chuckling again and looking away.

"I'll remember that." He says before pausing as a big silver wolf comes into the clearing.

"Smoker... Hey." You greet awkwardly as he changes forms.

"I suggest you wear something over your neck until noon tomorrow. It could anger a teacher that you somehow broke the seal." He folds his arms.

"Right..." You murmur. "You're not mad though?" You add carefully.

"Im more concerned about certain students around you preparing for something." He shrugs, watching you. You shift, unprepared to make up a witty lie.

"We're going to try and find the healing spring in the mountain dungeon... We're hoping ___'s fire problem will ne cured there. Everyone is preparing because we dont know how long it will take to find." Dogtooth informs simply. Smoker's eyes narrow at you slightly.

"Alright. Try not to miss too many classes." He states. "Also, ___. I want you to come along for a shopping errand tomorrow." He adds, pointing to you before turning away and shifting back into a wolf, disappearing into the trees. You let out a breath, leaning on Dogtooth.

"Im glad you were here first." You mutter. He nods, patting your shoulder.

"Yeah. You're not good at lying from what I just saw." He comments.

"Yep... Shopping errand? How long will that take?" You look at him.

"We should still be able to leave tomorrow night." He murmurs to you.

"Good... Wonder if I have anything.." You touch your neck. He pauses before removing one of the spiked bands from his arm and putting it around your throat.

"This'll do." He breathes, before pulling back. You touch one of the spikes.

"Okay thanks." You offer him a smile. "Lets go eat."

"Yes. Lets go." He nods as you both start out of the forest together. Had to admit, you felt better now that you told someone that your grandfather was still around.

"Hey... When can I know about your secret?" You look up at him.

"... You'll have to give me time on that." He admits, meeting your gaze.

"Thats okay Dogtooth. I'll wait." You smile lightly. He pauses before looking ahead again.

"Thanks..."

You reach the building as the sun starts to set, going in together and starting for the kitchen. Dogtooth leaves you to head to his room, giving a slight wave as he goes. You enter the kitchen area, finding Sabo with his brothers. He looks up as you approach.

"Hey ___... Where did you get that choker?" He greets, eyeing it carefully.

"Oh uh... Dogtooth is lending it to me." You touch it.

"I thought you went to do some strength training?" He lifts an eyebrow and you can sense he's unhappy with the choker.

"I did, he just sorta happened to be there." You scratch the back of your head. He nods and looks at his food before standing up.

"Well, I'm going to get ready. See you later." He says before going out.

"Is he feeling okay? He didn't touch his food..." Luffy comments after Sabo disappears. You frown at the doorway, feeling a pit in your stomach.

'It's my fault... But what do I do?'

"___... ___ wake up..." Your eyes ease open to Smoker leaning over you.

"Cute little wolf..." You murmur before closing your eyes and rolling over.

"... Will you wake up if I change into one?" He inquires. You peek an eye open at that. He glowers at you before changing form and releasing a low growl.

"Okay. You dont gotta growl teach..." You chuckle nervously as you sit up. "I'll get changed and meet you outside now."

"Good." He rumbles as he changes back and goes out. You peer at Sabo's bed, finding it empty and frown lightly. He's been a bit distant while he prepares for the journey. You felt worried he wasn't taking care of himself right now.

"I'll have to do something special for the ones that have helped me with my selfishness..." You mutter, tilting your head.

'Dont kiss any of them.' Zoro huffs, making you look over. You blink and chuckle.

"Really? That was the only way you think I could pay them back?" You chuckle.

'I'd take that payment.' He shrugs before pausing and giving an awkward cough. '... Nevermind...' He looks down. You frown briefly at that.

"I'll remember that." You breathe, offering a smile. He meets your gaze and smiles back.

'Go get ready to go out.' He tells you. With a nod you grab some clothes and go to take a shower. When you go back out you find Dogtooth sitting at the windowsill.

"Brought you a pastry." He holds one up.

"Thanks." You smile going over and taking it.

"I doubt he'll wait for you to eat." He murmurs.

"He's not mean. But faster this is over the quicker I can be ready." You hum taking a bite. "Thanks again." You smile at him before heading out. Smoker blinks at the pastry in confusion. "Um... Special delivery for me." You hum. "Lead the way."

"Right." He mutters leading you down stairs and out the building. You follow him to a transport circle and step onto it with him. He hands you a piece of paper and a satchel. "This is the list, show the shop your student i.d and they'll give it to you." He informs you.

"You're not going with me?" You ask.

"I have my own list. The shop names are also on there." He informs before focusing on the circle. "Transporto." He breathes, making it flash. You jump slightly, blinking your eyes to readjust. Now you found yourself in an alleyway with Smoker. "We'll meet back here once we're done." He says before heading off on his own. You watch him go and sigh, letting your shoulders drop.

"I hate crowds. And shopping alone..." You mutter heading the other way. Pulling out your list, you frown slightly, letting your mind wander a bit. 'Sabo's been acting different since Dogtooth started to hang around more... Maybe they hate eachother?'

"Hey. Student." You blink back and stop, peering around to find a man sitting on a bench with a cigar between his lips. Your eyes dont miss the golden claw that replaced one of his hands.

"You talkin' to me Mister?" You meet his amber gaze. Had to admit, he was pretty suave.

"Yeah. You're running a task for the academy right?" He guesses, tilting his head, glancing at the satchel.

"Yeah... You a former student?" You murmur curiously.

"Something like that. This time of year they have the dungeons right?" He nods.

"Yeah... They finished almost a week ago." You inform, looking down. He watches you for a moment.

"Those dungeons are always treacherous." He stands up, stepping closer. "You did well to survive them." You look up at him. "Come. I know the stores you'll need to visit, and afterwards I'll treat you to a congratulatory lunch." He decides.

"I don't even know your name Mister. Have to admit. It is strange, especially coming from someone that's..." You stop yourself.

"Older than you?" He raises an eyebrow. "However you're right. I should introduce myself first... I'm Crocodile." He offers his hand.

"Crocodile... Like... Royal Mage Crocodile? The one that buried the Barbarian tribe that threatened Alabasta?" You breathe, getting a bit excited as you straighten up.

"I am..." He tilts his head. "Not often do I meet someone who knows about that feat." He states.

"My father was stationed at Alabasta at the time. He watched from the city gates." You smile sheepishly. "It's one of my favorite story of his."

"That so?" He smiles a bit. "Does that make you more enthusiastic about my offer?"

"It would be an honor to shop with you sir." You grin. He chuckles and you both start off. He leads you to stores and you retrieve the items you need. As you walk together he asks about school and your studies. You tell him about almost everything, including your trip to the tower of Knowledge.

"That's quite a feat. Im surprised you weren't expelled. Or killed. How did you get away from the wraiths?" He inquires.

"A spirit showed up and turned into a great white dragon. It was awesome but we had to run so I didn't get to watch him fight." You deflate a bit. "Wish I could've witnessed it..."

"Me too. You've had quite the interesting experience for a first year. The teachers must be so baffled." He smirks slightly.

".... Yeah... I must be troublesome..." You murmur, looking down in guilt.

"Dont feel bad about utilizing the school to become a better mage." He tells you as you finish the list.

"Right..." You rub your cheek.

"___." He says your name rather firmly, making you look at him. "Even if you are trouble. They'll still be proud of your growth."

"They will?" You blink.

"Yes." He nods before he looks past you. Following his gaze you spot a stage and gathering crowd. Your eyes narrow at the banners that hung on the stage.

"Why is the Council here?" You murmur.

"Must be recruiting again for a war that doesnt exist." Crocodile comments.

"Is that really the reason?" You peer at him. He glances at you briefly.

"I have heard they use some recruits as test subjects for new magic." He adds quietly, making your stomach drop.

"What...?"

"... Nevermind that. Lets go eat." He murmurs.

After a quick meal with Crocodile you part ways and you soon find yourself in the crowd at the Council's stage.

"Join the Council." The man in a leather mask implores. "We have great benefits." He says.

"I haven't heard from my brother since he joined the Council." A man speaks up.

"Why should we join? There's no war." A woman behind you speaks up.

"Because the Council will hold you above everyone else. Including your family that refuses to join." He spreads his arms briefly before starting to pace. "Do you really want to keep your useless lives? Never to be anything more?" He questions. Your eyes narrow slightly and you flick a finger up, making a piece of the stage jut up and trip the speaker. With a smirk you carefully pull up your hood to hide your face.

"You don't seem like anyone useful." You say loudly.

"Bastards! Who did that? And who just spoke!?" He growls jumping to his feet and glaring at the crowd. Your smirk widens briefly but you pause as a dark shape starts toward you. The speaker smirks. "Did you catch them Lucci? Bring them here! We'll make an example out of them!"

Your eyes meet the approaching man's dark gaze. You frown, taking a step back before swiftly dodging his arm. You flick your hand up to hit him with a piece of earth as he moves to kick you. In the corner of your gaze, you see a ripple come off his leg and swiftly back flip away from him, the invisible wave hitting some pedestrians.

"The Council isn't showing any care for the civilians." You comment.

"Shut your mouth." A voice at your back breathes and you swiftly turn, catching the mages arm and stopping him from slashing you with his summoned blade.

'This is bad...' The thought enters your mind and you swiftly toss the long nosed attacker into the one you presumed to be Lucci. You swiftly write a spell circle in the air.

"Misuto." You whisper, making a mist dragon appear, wrapping the crowd in a dense mist. You step back, tensing when someone grabs your arm. You look over ready to attack but freeze when you meet Smoker's gaze. You swallow and let him swiftly take you away from the dispersing crowd and to the transport circle.

"You're too much trouble..." He growls.

"Sorry." You frown guilty. He pulls you into the circle.

"Transporto." He grumbles. You wince at the flash and rub your eyes with your free hand, pausing at the chill that comes over your skin. You look around, finding yourself in a snowy clearing. You look to Smoker carefully as he lights two cigars. "Causing trouble with the Council isn't something people do lightly." He comments, meeting your gaze. "I thought it was odd. Someone raised by recluse parents being so talented in the fighting magic arts... You've been determined since you came here." He exhales a plume of smoke as he watches you. You shift, there really was no way to talk yourself out of this one.

'Gramps... Where are you?'

"So tell me ___, why exactly are you here?"