Roots Of Dreams
Chapter 2
Ship
Standing in front of the large vessel in the full grasp of the late afternoon sun made the golden piece of the red dragon figurehead flash in pride. An epitome of a pirate's magnificence; it is the soul and spirit of the red hair pirates. Two of the sails, one on the foremast and the other on the main mast, had the jolly roger largely illustrated on them plus the black flag on top the crow's nest. A red stripe cut the ship in half separating the top and bottom gunports. In all, the ship had a color combination of red, white, and brown. Marveling at his ride, Shanks smiled with appreciation the long memories he has had thus far on her. If fate allows it, perhaps she will last twenty more years.
A heavy inhale entered the lips of young Luffy as his eyes grew to the size of plates.
"Whooooaaaaaa! It's awesome!" He yelled at the top of his small lungs (the other side of the village could hear him) at a thing that he could only dream about.
"Nice, huh?"
"Can I see the inside?" Quickly responded Luffy, unthinkingly and excitedly only to see the marvels that the vessel holds. Even if the red head said no he would spring onto the ship someway or another. When nobody was around of course.
It would still be months from now for Shanks to understand the next likely mischief that Luffy would commit within a span of the next few hours. The kid was just too unpredictable. However, for now they only barely know each other's name. The seven-year-old boy has already mispronounced Shank's name thrice on accident with the latter gently repeating the correct way to say it. The man has once stuttered half way before recollecting his thoughts and completing the name. In the Partys Bar he only referred to Luffy as 'kid'.
Shanks tilted his head vacuously, "I will allow it just don't hang from the railings or anything else, Luffy," he then opted to poke some fun at him, "and do not take anything or I will tan your hide you little kid." The man has picked up on the short temper of the child when his ego was nudged with being accused of the fact that he was small. It was hilarious. One of the first traits he would ever understand of what is Luffy.
A small explosion popped from Luffy. He threw a small fit with his fists in the air and telling him to shut up. The older man's starting laughter made Luffy more frustrated and simply said 'meanie' before running towards the port with Shanks trailing behind.
Luffy only got a brief tour of the Red Force since there was rooms and resources that Shanks did not desire for him to see. Basically, they only touched the deck of the ship because of this. Luffy was on an adrenaline rush the entire time and fully enjoying the all corners of the few rooms he got to go into. The Captain very easily adopted his joy and laughed, teased, and lightly scolded the boy at certain times. The man was amused by Luffy's simple interests in the small critters that he found: spiders hanging from their spider webs, bettles, a marching line of ants, seagulls that perched somewhere on the deck, at one point a pelican!
Shanks never knew how or when, but after three minutes of unusual silence, Luffy scampered to where he sat on a chair relaxed looking out to the art of the setting sun. The child sported a very happy expression that completely hid his incoming naught. The more Shanks saw that smile, the more he felt like a sun lighted inside him. 'What a distracting smile he has'. Then out of nowhere, there was a rat. In his grasp, Luffy held the rat by its tail and it dangled squeaking hysterically in an attempt to get free. The older man nearly jumped from his seat from the proximity of the rodent to his face. He was not scared of rats but that was way too close for his liking.
He frowned at the sight.
Luffy snickered and stated the obvious, "Look Shanks I found a rat!"
Shanks rolled his eyes at this,"Ugh let it go it's filthy and it smells," A better idea came to him, "...No, just throw it overboard."
Luffy ignored the request and demanded,"Shanks, show me the rest of your ship! I know you are holding back on me I'm not stupid!" he raised the rat higher for some wanted emphasis.
Shanks laughed heartily and waved his hand back and forth. "Ah you got me. Yes, I didn't show you the rest because it's getting late. Perhaps another day I'll show you Luffy", he concluded with a tone of finality before adding, "Anyways, what did you think of it?"
"I like it its awesome! Its huge! Its big enough for you to have a lot of meat in it!" Ended Luffy in a bizarre way that was supported with snickering. Shanks rolled his eyes again from the small nonsense as he smiled in acknowledgement of the compliment. "That's good. We should head back now." The boy did not protest and beamed at the thought of going back to food despite the waning of the day.
Back in the Partys Bar…
Cheerful atmospheric vibes laced with alcoholic stains was dominant in the tavern that night after the Captain and Luffy came back. Greetings that mainly consisted of 'Welcome back Cap'n' and just 'Captain' were offered as acknowledgement to his return. At least the guys who were not passed out with the influence. Stories about the pirate's voyages were being exchanged among few of the men. Laughs erupted from somebody's clumsiness as falling backwards from his seat. Drunken bliss.
By the time Luffy finally got his buttocks on the seat Makino had greeted him once again and a few crew members hollered for his attention.
"Oi kid! What did you think?"
"You were very excited to see the Force so what did you think?"
The boy in question turned with a puzzled expression. "The Force?"
A large round man wearing a far too small green and white striped shirt, a mauled chicken leg in hand, and a face-splitting smile came out of nowhere and explained, "Yeah! Didn't the boss tell you our ship's name is Red Force?"
Luffy sheepishly shook his head then his sensitive curiosity balance tipped suddenly (with anger), "No he didn't!" he popped turning his head towards the mentioned red head who was conversing with Makino, "But that's a cool name why is it named like that?"
The same man that teased Luffy earlier in the day with yellow dreadlocks, Yasopp his name, answered, "Our crew name is the red-haired pirates. An epithet given to us from the hair color of the Captain."
"Shanks has red hair?" Came the dim response of the boy that made the pirates sweatdrop with some facepalming harshly. How was he so idiotic to not notice the man's most noticeable trait?
"YES!"
"Shishishi! I didn't know that Shanks' hat is in the way. And red is my favorite color too!" innocently said Luffy rubbing the back of his head distractedly. His smile widening largely to backup his guileless.
A heavy sigh dragged out of everyone.
"You sure are slow, Luffy. Look." Commanded Shanks as he took off his straw hat to reveal his trademark crimson hair. Luffy simply stared and nodded his head.
"Well, it's getting late. Makino-san thanks much for your service. We will certainly come back." He pulled out a small bag tied with twine on the bar and stood. It was like a signal for the rest of the men to follow suit and the passed out were carried out by their crew members. The Captain headed for the doors but before that he called over his shoulder, "I hope we meet again, Luffy." The farewell was filled with merry expectation in it that held the weight of an indirect promise. It was late now and they all needed to rest from the hangovers that would bless their morning.
'What an interesting kid'.
A smiling Luffy was left staring at the swinging doors when Makino changed his attention to ask of his adventure on the pirate ship. The boy plunged in a mania of his day's events to her.
Somewhere in the Red Force…
"Ahg! Where is Mickey? How did the latch to the door get opened!?"
"Yo,Chass what happened?"
"...Mickey is missing from his cage."
"Isn't that your pet rat? How would I know where it ran off to? Don't worry maybe I'll catch you a mermaid. That would be one hell of an upgrade now wouldn't it?"
"Aww, shut up! He was a better bunk companion than you."
Somewhere in the countryside of the island was another free critter, or so it thought, until it dropped its guard and joined the food chain.