Io let out a heavy sigh as she leaned against the rail of her ship, the Scat Cat. She and her crew just helped another country that needed it. It was odd to see a Pirate helping other people instead of plundering them for everything they had. Io wasn't like that. She wanted to help people, but she also wanted to be free. Free from chains that could hold her prisoner inside and out.

"I wonder what he's doing on today of all days?"

There's was no reason to be thinking of this person of all people, but because of current events in the world, she's been seeing more of him and his crew in the paper. Io knew what day it was, and in the past it would've been a day she wouldn't mind remembering but that was a long time ago during a different time.

"Kid, I wonder if you even realize what today is?"

Io jumped down to the lower part of the Scat Cat, startling her entire crew. Because of everything that was going on she was more irritated than usual.

"Captain, is everything alright." Nile asked his Captain a bit hesitant.

"Everything's fine. I'm heading out for a bit. Stay the course and I'll be back before we reach the next island."

Before anyone could object Io jumped off the side of the ship. Using her Devil Fruit ability of the Fura-Fura no Mi (flash-flash fruit) she started walking on water. Running as fast as she could Io headed towards the last place she knew where he was, Eustass Kid. She promised herself she would never seek him out again. After what happened all that time ago, she never wanted to see him again.

"I'm breaking the one promise I made to myself. From what I've seen, he hasn't changed. But after seeing him in the paper and today being the day, it is, for some reason I have to see him, just this once.

Somewhere out in the South Blue, Eustass Kid and the Kid Pirates were laughing after their latest triumph. The civilian casualties were at an all-time high, and Kid was proud of it. This was the reason why Io left. The reason she left Kid behind all those years ago.

Just like Io, Kid was started to think of the past. It was something he never did before, but he was starting to see a familiar face in the paper.

"The Humanitarian Pirate is what their calling her now. Pathetic, absolutely Pathetic."

Kid threw the papers he was reading on the ground. Digging his heel into the photo that took up most of the page.

"If you're going to hold the name of pirate you don't help people. She's as worse as Strawhat. You take what you want and give nothing back. You don't help the weak!"

Kid continued to dig his heel into the photograph when he suddenly stopped. The photo was ripped but he picked it up anyway. The woman in the photo, was someone he knew all too well. A face from his past he never thought he would see again. It angered him, but the same time, in this rare occasion, saddened him as well.

Esma Io, a girl he loved so long ago and it was the path of a Pirate that caused them to separate. Kid is fearless and has a penchant for violence but is sensitive to being mocked, insulted or glanced at. Io is intelligent and witty. She cares about others before herself and tends to scold those who hurt others to make themselves feel better. An odd pairing the two made back in their younger days.

Tired of the loudness of his crew he made his way to his quarters to get some peace with the photo still held tightly in his hand. Once in his room Kid collapsed on his bed. His mind still on Io and what once was. What he once had with her and that he was the one who drove her away.

"Io..."

Io had been running for some time when she caught sight of a ship. She recognized it right away. She had seen it many times in the paper. After all this time, she was finally going to see him. She was finally going to see Eustass Kid. Her heart was full of different emotions: happiness, anger, anxiety, fear. They were all building up inside.

"Kid, after all this time, and on this day, we're going to see each other. Though I told myself I never wanted to see you again after what happened, today just seemed like I had to."

When Io made it to the side of Kid's ship she jumped up onto the deck the greatest of ease and landed without a sound. All was quiet. By the time Io reached the ship of the Kid Pirates everyone had gone to sleep after a night of celebration. She looked around at the crew members, trying to find one she was looking for.

Kid wasn't amongst the crew members snoring on the deck of the ship, but Io did recognize one. An old friend from her past that she was saddened to have left behind, Killer. Quickly she made her way towards her old friend and when she did, Io quietly shook Killer awake.

"Killer. Hey Killer, wake up."

The wild blond hair man slowly started to wake up. Though she couldn't see his reaction due to Killer wearing his white and light-blue helmet, Io could tell that Killer was surprised to see her.

"Io?"

"Yes, it's me. It's been a long time." Io reached up and placed her hands on both sides of Killer's helmet. "May I Killer? I would like to see your face after all this time."

Io was one of the only people who's seen Killer without his helmet on and Killer wasn't hesitant to let Io see him.

"It's fine."

With a smile, Io removed Killer's helmet. His messy blond hair cascaded down in front of his eyes. For a split second Io brushed Killer's bangs out of the way of his eyes to see his entire face.

"There you are Killer. You should really think about showing your face off more often. You have a handsome face. But on a more serious note, I need to see Kid of all people. Where is he?"

"His room, I think. He didn't seem to be in a good mood when he went in there."

"Really?" Io paused for a moment. If Kid was in a bad mood when he went to his room then something must've been on his mind. "Thanks Killer, and you really should think about what I said. Show the world that face of yours."

Io gave Killer a smile then made her way towards Kid's room. As Killer watched Io, a blush covered his face and he placed his helmet back on. Io was special to Killer and Kid. They've known each other since they were kids and there were only a few that have seen his face.

"I don't need the world to see my face."

Io slowly opened the door to Kid's room. It was dark, but Io could clearly make out the figure laying on the bed. Flaming red hair broke through the darkness and Io's golden eyes did the same. Io moves quietly around the room until she came to the edge of the bed. Kid's hair was a bit messy and it seemed like he was gripping something in his hand. Io smiled because just for a moment he looked like he used to. She went to brush a piece of hair away when her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

"What can I do for the Humanitarian Pirate?" Kid opened his eyes, glaring at Io.

"Nice to see you too after all this time, Kid. I had a little talk with Killer before I came in here. How have you been?"

Kid continued to glare at Io, but eventually let go of her wrist.

"What do you want Io? Don't you have a twin to save or something?"

"You know, it's that attitude of yours is one of the reasons why I left. I just came here, today of all days, to tell you something."

"And what would that be?"

"Do you seriously not know what day it is?" Io, out of characterlike, suddenly straddled Kid. Cupping his face in her hands, she leaned in and gave him a kiss.

"Happy Birthday Kid."