Title: Don't Look Back
Characters: Shanks, Benn, mentions of Luffy.
Pairings: Shanks/Benn friendship. Nothing romantic.
Warnings: Reflective Shanks.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.


Redhaired Shanks idly stared into the distance. Because of him, a small child would never know the joys of swimming in the ocean on a warm day. Hell, Luffy wouldn't even be able to fit in with normal humans anymore. The way his body stretched would make him a freak. The worst part was that Luffy wouldn't even realize it.

"Stop that." A large hand smacked Shanks on the back of the head.

"Oww! Benn!" Shanks whined. Only his first mate would be so bold as to give orders to his captain.

Benn Beckman took a drag on his cigarette and leaned against the railing next to the infamous redhead, exhaling slowly.

Shanks looked at his tall comrade and a smile spread over his face. He rested his chin on his right arm, his left reaching out to touch Benn's long ponytail.

"What would I do without you?" Shanks idly wondered. "You always know what I'm thinking and when to tell me to stop feeling guilty. What's done is done, and there's no going back on past actions, no matter how much we want to, eh?"

Benn raised an eyebrow at him.

"I know. I shouldn't keep wallowing in self-pity. It doesn't help anyone. That's why I'm so lucky to have Benn here to stop me." Shanks smiled at him.

Benn raised a hand and lightly smacked Shanks again.

"I meant, stop chewing on your hair." Benn told him matter-of-factly. "We can't be the Red Haired Pirates if you bite it all off."