It started with a picture

Shanks P.O.V.

How did I end up agreeing to this? I sighed. Somehow Luffy convinced me to have a 'family' picture taken. I bet that he just wants to remember us after we leave in a few days. I don't want to leave, but I've been here for more than a year, and the marines are sure to attack if they find out I'm here. I can't put Luffy in danger like that, even though he is a pain in the ass sometimes.

The strange thing was that he didn't want a picture with just me and the crew. He wanted a picture of him, Makino, Ace, Yasopp, and me. Makino is basically his older sister, and Ace is his brother, so it's obvious that he would want a picture with them. What I don't get, is why Yasopp is wanted in the picture. I'm probably just there because he wants to remember the captain of the crew he met as a kid.

Anyways, I decided to look my best for the picture. By best, I mean not a total slob like usual. When I got to Party's bar, I saw that Makino and Yasopp just wore the same clothes, and just fixed their hair and stuff. Speaking of which, where are Ace and Luffy?

I sighed, just what are we going to do with those idiots. I heard the door squeak, wow speak of the devil and he will appear. "Yosh, Makino I'm ready, and so is Ace." Luffy exclaimed. Ace just said, "Luffy, why the hell did you wake me up for a picture?" Makino giggled and Luffy laughed, "Tititi, sorry Ace, but this picture is a memorial remember?

Wait memorial, is this a special day or something? I was about to voice my question when Makino beat me to it. "What memorial Luffy?" she asked. "My mom's birthday." Luffy replied quietly. Poor kid, his mom and dad left him before he was five, and he lived his life with his grandpa, who wants the opposite of what he wants. No wonder he wants this photo. He wants a permanent reminder that there are still people in the world who would never leave him. Well, we are leaving but he will still be able to keep track of us from the newspapers.

"I'm glad you remember your mom's birthday Luffy" Yasopp said. "Yeah me too. At least your mom stayed with you long enough for you to know stuff about her." I said, trying to see the bright side of things. Apparently it worked. "Yeah, thanks guys." Luffy said. Me and Yasopp just nodded to him.

"Well, now that that's settled, let's get this over with so I can go back to sleep." Ace grumbled.

We set the camera up, and put the timer on 30 seconds. I stood on the right side of Makino, and Yasopp stood next to me. Luffy stood in between me and Yasopp, while Ace stood next to Luffy, in front of me and Makino. We heard the camera beep meaning that we had five seconds left. We put on our cheerfullest smile, right as the shutter went of.

Then, something strange happened. We just stood there, still smiling, and enjoying each other's company. It was a heartwarming moment. Even Ace didn't look as grumpy as he usually does. I think that, despite everything that's said, Luffy is actually a really smart kid. He used this picture to bring us close together.