Chapter 2: Common Sacrifices
️Present
As they sang with their loudest voice, the waves of the ocean rocked against the ship. The sails were tight up, while a few candlers lighted up the deck. "Akari, sweetheart, come inside. You will catch a cold if you stay here any longer."
She kept staring at the sea, seeing the waves pass by while the captain's voice filled her ears. Catch a cold? I only get tired if I don't stand in the sun for more than two days... With his hand on her shoulder, they watched the darkness for quite some time.
I can see the waves jumping over each other, trying to get higher than their previous height. Can he also see it? Or does his eyes wander in the darkness? Akari looked at the captain from the corner of her eye, gazing at him while he was focused on the sky above the two pirates.
For all the times she saw Shanks on deck, she never had seen him so... natural? He was calm and relaxed, almost as he was thinking about the thing he loves the most. Does he have a wife? Waiting for him at home? Maybe some kids?
Like, he would be a great father. Even if he drinks a lot, something shines in that man's soul. It could be his protective side or a side he never shows to the crew every day...
Eventually some crew members started to notice that their captain was gone, causing them to scream more than sing. The one-armed pirate softly pulled her along, while teasing her that she has to be careful with drinking.
That could have started since Shanks had found her a few times, gulping down some booze. The cheeks on her face all red and her eyes expressing the state of drunkenness. Each time he dragged her back to her bedroom, tucking her in bed with care.
Even if it has been two weeks since I was found, things aren't as bad as it seems. Here, they know me by the name Akari. It's not a name I made up, it's my real name. To be honest this is one of the few times I introduce me with my real name.
Crocodile, though. He thinks I'm a dude... even though I was just camouflaged as one, I expected him to see through it! Glad he didn't. While I worked for him, I noticed he did in fact; changed.
Croco knows me, I mean my female being me, Akari, but that was more than ten years ago... It would be dangerous if he finds out I left village, things that would turn the tables. It's risky if people find out I'm two persons; the past will mix up with the present.
Before she knew it, she was joining a drinking competition. Some took big gulps, trying to get the rum away as fast as possible. Others slowly drank but also ended up behind, they were most of the time eyeing the woman; looking as she kept up her drinking rhythm at super speed.
One after another, until there were only six candidates left. The four top crew members of Shanks, the captain himself and of course the, pretty, drunk woman. She was second place, trying to beat Shanks. The one with a big piece of meat fell backwards, taking two of the others with him to the ground.
Three men down, while the last three pirates are still conscious and drinking. When I worked for Crocodile, I drank allot with the Baroque Works Agents. Sometimes, even with Sir Crocodile himself! I tried to keep that at its minimum, preventing to speak about something from the past.
"Sweetie? Are you giving up?" Giving up? She didn't notice she was so deep in thoughts, that she had stopped drinking. Her eyes were stuck on the table, her heartbeat was rising. With just a few drinks to go and she could win!
Only that feeling, that one feeling she haven't felt in a long time: joy. She didn't want to miss that feeling because of her drunkenness. "I missed this... a whole crew together... Singing songs, drinking with a smile."
A tear rolled over her cheek. While Shanks gives her a pat on her back, he took away her rum. Eventually he pulls her into a hug with his cloak covering one of her shoulders, causing her to fall asleep against the captain.
️Memory: 21 years ago
"Croco, please..." I looked at him with my sweetest look. Crocodile looked at the little girl, who was begging all day long. He had promised me to bring me with him to his crew: The Dancing Pirates. They were already here when I was twelve, so it seems they won't go away any time, though.
The Dancing Pirates weren't that strong, but at least they could protect themselves against the ones who are visiting our island. It isn't a big island but there are enough supplies to survive for a year, at least.
He sighed while he took his hands through his hair. He looks so badass. I want to be a pirate! After all the stories, which were told by Croco himself, sounded so awesome! Even the one about how he got his scar on his face, the crocodile smile, which happened not all too long ago.
He turned around to look at the sun, slowly seeing it disappear into the sea. "Little princess.." He began. He calls me that sometimes. "I know I have said that, but it's too dangero- Akari!" My name was called behind me, as I ran to the other side of the island; where the pirate ship is anchored. Croco doesn't know it, but I have been there many time, watching them sing from a distance.
The loud voices of the pirates reached until the nearest village, which wasn't that far away. With my short legs I ran as hard as I could, the owls started to make their sounds. A few years back I would run away from the sea... it took a lot from me. Except now because of someone... I just have to run to it to be with him. To be with Crocodile.
The trees had let the wind touch their leaves, as the moon already covered it with a shiny layer. Their voices became louder and louder... I love the song they are always singing. I was slowly approaching the crew, keeping my noise at its minimum. A few meters closer won't let them notice me any better, right?
"Fifteen men on a dead man's chest... Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!" Behind the village, somewhere in the darkness, there is a little campfire. "Drink and the devil had done for the rest..." The joy, happiness and drunkenness aura by the little place... "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum."
Shadows of dancing figures stretched until the sea. "The mate was fixed by the bosun's pike..." Even death comes along the way... "The bosun brained with a marlinspike" Well, that's a pirate life you are talking about.
"And cookey's throat was marked belike" I already smelt the meat, who's skin was burning above the fire. "It had been gripped by fingers ten;" Hiding behind the bushes, enjoying the view of the dancing pirates. "And there they lay, all good dead men..."
The voices became softer, like a few of the great singers stopped. "Like break o'day in a boozing ken." Suddenly a strong grip was around the back of my shirt, allowing me to be pulled up, eventually looking straight in the eyes of an angry man.
"Y-yo ho ho... a-and a bottle of r-rum...?" My voice was cracked as I tried to continue the song, which I had heard a million times, but everyone could hear it clearly. Some grins, chuckles and quiet laugher surrounded me, as I saw that two more men stood behind me.
Didn't I hear them stand behind me? "What's a doll like you doing out here in the middle of the night?" I got dragged to the campfire and being put on the ground. Well, Croco had promised me...
"It's my fault." A low voice announced, while guilt and sadness was present in the way of confessing. With a grin on my face I turned around, running straight into the arms of Crocodile, who just confessed it was his fault that I was here.
He pulled me up, making it easier for me to climb on his shoulders. With shame he looks on the ground, because of bringing a young girl of fourteen to a pirate crew. He must be really strong to belong to this crew!
"Ha-ha-ha, so this is the girl you where talking about?" Does he mean Crocodile talks about me? He wants me to join his pirate life? "I want to join your crew!" I didn't know who the captain was, but I meant it with whole my heart. I just had to say it, right on that exact moment.
Even if the sea took someone dear to me away, I can't run from it forever. Especially, when it's surrounding me. The world we all are living in, is about the sea! The power a single person can conquer with the help of its crew. The adventures you make with your nakama... I don't only want to listen to it, I also want to tell those tales myself!
There was a long silence, all crew members stiffed up and didn't move a muscle. Slowly a man showed a big smile, like it was the best thing he had heard in years. "My, my... what a spirit!"
Without noticing, Crocodile looked up with excitement but also fear, not being able to say anything. Did I say something wrong? I bowed before me, looking at Croco upside down. My long black hair was in a ponytail, so it didn't end in his face.
His eyes were on the whole crew, hoping they would allow it. He looked at me with his eyes, reflecting guilt. He was picking me up from his shoulders and had put me on his lap. As fast as I could I closed his coat as high as my chin, protecting myself from the cold air
I eventually ended up staring straight in the eyes of the captain. How did I know who that was? He had a hat with one big white feather on the left side. His face features show he is living one of his last years and... someone just called him captain... aaand maybe because he is the only one who talks from the crew to me and Crocodile.
I slowly looked up, into the eyes of Crocodile, who slowly nodded. "..." With in a second I stared back at the captain, reminding him of my request. "Please, sir?" Again some chuckles and grins were surrounding me. "Ha-ha-ha... Call me captain for now on!"
Two strong arms pressed me closer to the body behind me, consuming the warmth Croco was radiating. "Did you hear that? I'm a pirate now!" He gave me a soft smile as my eyes started to close. "Tired?" He asked very quiet, while he leaned forwards to move his face next to mine. "I'm not..." ...tired
️Memory: 19 years ago
"Akari...there are evil ones out there," As the captain pointed out to the ocean. "some are marines, others are pirates or maybe even people in your village." While I look at the quiet ocean, a News Coo flew away after he had giving us the newspaper and a few wanted posters.
Crocodile climbed up to the crow's nest signing me to climb up, but the captain talked further. So, I exchanged some signs with Croco to make clear I would climb up right away, when the captain is done talking.
"You can't define who are evil or good." So the marines aren't the evil ones? Nor good? "But you are the only one who can choose which way is the best for you at that moment." Isn't that selfish? "The pirates took your house? You want to join the marines or at least admire them... The marines wanted to take you and your familie because you were related to us pirates?..."
"My point is, that it doesn't matter in the end. As long as you can protect what holds you dear. Maybe you can also call it just survival, everyone wants to survive as long as possible." What holds me dear?
Who do I hold dear? It won't be someone of the village, I barely talk to them. Only if it's about food or what's going in the outside world. Is there even someone who holds me dear? Without noticing it, the captain was gone. Probably taking a nap.
Sometimes I think he can disappear any time. A high melodic whistle covered everyone ears, like a bird who flies with the wind. I searched on deck, seeing Crocodile signing me to climb up. With a smile I nodded to him and walked towards the ratlines to reach the Crocodile.
Two years ago, I was accepted in the crew. First I was only allowed to do... nothing stupid and clean the deck. Most of the time Crocodile helped me. After one year they finally agreed to letting me help, like being on the look out, most of the time helping with cooking.
Slowly but with careful actions, I was already halfway up. "Be careful!" He shouted. Be careful? Of course, you idiot. As a monkey I reached with my hands from one rope to another. I have climbed this many and countless times, most of the time sitting there with Croco.
Suddenly a strong wind pressed me against the ratlines, also another one coming from the other side; almost making me fall off. "Akari!" His voice sounded fragile, like he was scared I could die by any move I was going to make. My hands were grabbing the net as tight as possible, my feet dangled like a puppet.
Eventually I could climb further, looking in the desperate eyes of Crocodile. "Storm coming!" A storm? B-but it's as bright as a blue painted wall! While looking down, where the ground was a few meters below me, I saw everyone staring at something behind me. "Raise the sail!"
As fast as I could I looked behind me, still clinging on the net. Dark clouds, like darkness taking over in a blink of an eye. "Steady!" As a cracking sound travels through my ears, I see in the corner of my eye, the rope below the crow's nest stating to snap. Slowly the threads became thinner and thinner...
"C-croco!" With fear in my eyes, I saw him trying to reach my hands. It's out of reach! The gravity suddenly took action; my hands got ripped off the ropes and one of my feet got stuck in the ratlines. The sky was full of dark clouds, thunder started to mix in the battle.
As the sky moved all around me, I got a hit against my back. The water. Air got pushed out of my lungs, everything became dark. My eyes closed and my body got pulled down by the sea currents, accepting my visit.
Help... When I tried to swim to the surface, I realized my foot was still stuck. The ratlines was snapped at the top, under the crow's nest, now being dragged under the ship. My last breath escaped my mouth, the air bubbles drifted away.
I don't want to die! Is this how I'm going to die? In the water, died because of being stuck in a ratline! Out of nowhere, my body got lifted up, my eyes opening by the surprising feeling. A big shadow was thrown over me, moving to my feet.
Feeling the ropes being pulled to all possible ways, my leg eventually could move again. The strong current of the sea almost pulled me under the ship, but an arm was wrapped around my waist. Slowly seeing light in the darkness, feeling the pressure leave my body.
The shadow was beside me, trying to pull both of us to the surface. After a few seconds, what felt like hours, the air was present again. Grasping for air, holding on the person beside me. My head was spinning, not seeing clear where we were. The feeling of a steady ground was under my feet, but we fell on the hard deck.
The strong grip around me got released, causing me to roll over on my back. With my head pointed to the left, I saw Crocodile grasping for air beside me. He saved me? A blood pool was surrounding by his left hand... or should I say by his forearm, where there was no hand attached anymore.
"Y-your hand!" I shouted, as result to cough up more water. I crawled to him with my last bit of energy. "You... idiot..." Why? "N-now you lost your hand because of m-" He tackled me on the ground, hovering over me. "It's just my hand..." His eyes pierced through mine. He meant it.
"Why?" Tears started to roll over my cheeks. Why? Why?! "Because I can't lose... you." A little broken smile was formed by his lips. His body collapsed beside me, slowly losing his conscious. I know who I hold dear...
️Memory: 17 years ago
After being four years with the crew, things got a little bit messed up. Our beloved captain disappeared, leaving all of us confused. Didn't he like the crew anymore? Did he thought we could be on our own?
Was he kidnapped? Maybe his time had come to an end. Questions about him were still unanswered. Crocodile was furious, thinking he just left us as garbage. Of course, we tried to help him but he had to do it alone.
The captain was a father for him, he saved him from being an orphan, giving a meaning to his life, but when he was gone... Croco's life was put upside down. He pushed me away, closed himself like a shell, isolated himself in loneliness. He went out to sea once, but got back with more problems than when he had left.
Like a little stubborn child, not able to listen, seeing a lot of things like a threat or burden. I can't blame him, we all gave him time to heal, even if it had let us suffer more. We had let him go, even if the chance was big it could bring more trouble.
Eventually after a year he sought for human touch, someone to be with. With little steps he realized that this, all the feelings going through his body, is because of the word: life.
The harsh truth; it's mean, puzzling, unexpected, full of lies and impossible fantasies but life is also precious and not perfect at all. That's what it makes so special, you only get one chance to live but many chances to change the way you want to live.
I was lost in his eyes, unable to believe he spoke to me again. Tears started to build up as he cupped my face on one side, removing one of my tears with his thumb. "Thank you," His eyes became softer as he released those powerful words. "for waiting after all this time..." A little smile came across his face, pure expression of relieve.
With my left hand going to his lips, slightly touching his cold skin. Not wanting him to remove that smile, that wonderful smile. He can't leave, he may not leave. Not after everything we have been through, after I had waited for him.
No! I don't want to feel alone anymore! My feeling were going crazy, unable to control myself I launch on the male before me. Pulling him forwards and pressing my lips on his with my hands ending up in his hair.
He didn't respond, not even one flinch. Oh, no! What have I done?! Slowly and awkward I broke our kiss. Looking down, too scared to look him in the eyes. The cold touch of his fingers went to my neck, while his hook was pressing under my chin.
Causing me look in his eyes, where the lust reflected. A grin on his face, like he expected this from the beginning. "Greedy are we?" Greedy? My cheeks burned up and I slapped his hand away.
Silence filled the room, in the past you would hear the voices of singing pirates and the sound of their feet stamping on the main deck. Now, a beautiful silence was present. Our eyes were glaring at each other, trying to sense who will lose the seducing fight.
He told me he is leaving tomorrow; going to be the Pirate King. That was what he promised himself as he saw the king of pirates being executed in front of his eyes. When he left the island for awhile he ended up in Loguetown, where everything eventually ended up in experiencing more death.
"Be save..." I had let him leave with those two words, I wasn't allowed to come with him; too dangerous. Even if I truly meant it with my whole heart, I was eventually the one who did the reckless part.
After receiving a wanted poster of Crocodile, I knew I couldn't just stand there knowing he was being an idiot. I was going to find him, even if it meant to go the Grand Line! I was marking that promise as I took a bite of the Devil Fruit.
Word Count: 3627
Please watch this video on Youtube: Wattpad Story Skin Shedding Chapter 2
Time skips between:
Present
Age 35
Shanks: Age 37
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23/17 years ago
Age 12 to 18
Crocodile: Age 21 to 26
