Beginnings
Note: I do not own, or claim to own, One Piece, Luffy, or any of the other characters.

Through tear filled eyes the young boy named Luffy watched his hero sail away. He smiled bravely as he caught a glimpse of Shanks standing atop the railing at the stern of the ship. Luffy waved furiously and smiled broader as Shanks waved back.

Slowly the group of villagers dispersed, but Luffy stayed at the docks watching the great ship slowly sail away. A chill wind blew in from the mountains helping to push the boat. Luffy felt the cold, but was determined to stay until he couldn't see the boat.

Night slowly crept closer and the wind continued to bow. Luffy still stood, hours later, in the same spot he had been when the ship and Shanks had left. He was alone, one hand holding his new treasure to his head.

Luffy shivered as another gust of wind tried to pull the straw hat from his head. He held the hat tight as the wind blew, cold cutting through his body. He took one last long look out at the sea, but couldn't see any sign of Shanks's ship.

Taking a deep breath, Luffy tried to keep himself from starting to cry again. A sudden weight on his shoulders caused him to stiffen.

Luffy turned to see Makino standing behind him. Her face showed signs that she had been crying as well. Luffy looked at his shoulders and saw that Makino had placed a cloak on him. The cloak wasn't heavy, but it was enough to keep the cold wind out.

"Come on Luffy." Makino said sweetly. "Let's go get you something to eat. You're probably hungry, aren't you?"

Luffy smiled broadly and nodded before heading back into town and right toward the Party Bar. Makino was close on his heels.

Neither spoke much as Makino cooked up some food. Luffy ate the food slowly but eagerly, not removing his new straw hat even as it slid down over his eyes.

Later, Makino picked up the dishes around a sleeping Luffy. After eating his fill, Luffy had pretty much passed out, his head resting on the bar. The straw hat slipped off his head and rested on the bar beside him. Makino bent down to pick up the cloak that had fallen to the floor when she heard Luffy speak.

"Don't worry, Shanks," Luffy said groggily as he shifted on the bar stool his hand moving to touch the brim of the hat. "I'll take care of your hat until I give it back to you, when I'm a great pirate."

Makino smiled as she picked up the young pirate-to-be and took him to a bed she had set up in the back of the bar for when Luffy fell asleep at the bar.

"Luffy," Makino whispered as she pulled a sheet up over the sleeping boy. "I think this is the beginning of a great adventure for you."

Her eyes then glanced out the window, toward the sea. "Shanks, you better get ready for him because you will see him again."

-End-

Author Note: This is part of a challenge I am currently working on in my livejournal. Any reviews are greatly appreciated.