Hello!
First off, I would like to thank you all for you kind reviews, I love to read them. Here's a few (actually only one) responses.
To Valintine:I'm happy to know that you read all my other stories. Yeah, I know I kind of put stories on and never update on it. Well, I have a account on Wattpad with the same username, and you could say this site is for stories I'm just 'testing' just for fun or see how it goes. I'm pretty sure I'm going to update on those stories sooner or later, but there is no exact date, so I'm warning you, you might have to wait for a while.
And for your other comment, don't worry about Reiki's weakness being something emotional or something serious. It's going to be a humorous weakness (like Zoro gets lost, Sanji and ladies, Nami and money, Luffy and food, etc.)
Anyway, I'm going to warn you now, if you don't like fluff or brotherly adorable child moments, you probably shouldn't be reading this (though I hope you still will) I'm not very good at using one personality, you could say I'm a little bipolar which also effects my writing. So Reiki, though I already mentioned this, is going to have multiple personalities combined into one.
I agree with you if you say 'that makes no fucking sense'.
Well, it doesn't need to make sense, just go with the flow, I named the main character 'Cheshire D. Reiki' for a reason, 'Cheshire' obviously for the Cheshire Cat who is known for mischievousness, total insanity which no one can understand, and a secret motive behind every blinding disappearing smile.
Also, another important note, if you guys read this story around the few days after it was published. Then you probably noticed the part where the summary specifically said that the Whitebeard Pirates arrived at Dawn Island after Sabo 'died.' That was the original plan.
But the thing is, I was reading the other ASL and Whitebeard Pirates fanfics, and I noticed that Sabo is kind of 'necessary' or else the brothers will just not feel complete. Do not worry about the plot of the story changing, I'm going to tell you now (even though its slightly a spoiler) that Sabo will eventually join the revolutionaries, and Luffy will set off (though that was obvious), and while it might come to be a surprise to you all, Cheshire D. Reiki shall not join the Whitebeard or any group of pirates (though he will hang out with various)
Anyway, on with the story.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"
"My ears!" A pale blond boy dropped to the ground holding his ear, and dropping his grocery bags.
Reiki got back up with a slight pout. "Animal powers suck in a way..."
And Reiki was not just complaining about the inhumanly sharp senses he possessed.
While Reiki possessed animal powers, his signature animal or to make it easier to understand, 'spirit animal' is a Cheshire Cat (It's probably not a coincidence that it's the same as his last name). When he's in that form he's unconsciously 30% more mysterious, insane, lazy, cat-like, riddlish, and worst of all.
He unconsciously makes cat-puns.
Well, it's not that bad if you thought about it. But it gets annoying if you say it often, so Reiki is trying to limit it to a few.
There are a few more forms which include side-effects in which he's trying to control better.
Like when he's in some type of bird form, he's easily attracted to shiny stuff and get like 20% more selfish.
And for some annoying reason, whenever he's in a child form of an animal, he cry's much easier.
Anyway, moving on.
Reiki staggered back up, his cat ears disappearing with a sparkle. Picking up his grocery bags, he continued on his path.
He tried using Observational Haki to locate where that loud shout of disbelief came from, though he had a damn good idea where.
His Observational Haki isn't mastered, but he was able to sense life forces in front of his home which he identified easily.
'Shanks..Luffy..and Makino.' Well at least it wasn't some kind of random stranger.
Reiki stopped for a moment, he was slowly processing the idea of meeting a Yonko, and one of his favourite characters (he hates it that Shanks doesn't show up often). He couldn't stop the small sharp Cheshire grin that slowly curved on his face.
'Saa...they say first impressions are always the most important ones. I think I'll go with acting the mature and responsible older brother the same act I use with Makino and the rest of the villagers. And maybe I might do something extra...though I don't want to traumatize him...'
'Hmm...I'm going to have to make a little bit extra if there here as well.'Reiki thought as he looked down at his grocery bags, planning on what to make.
Well, he didn't mind.
Besides being a proud clean freak, he's also an excellent cook who loves cooking.
Plastic bags filled with food collapsed on the ground.
The pale blond boy with violet eyes stared at the white home. With a broken down door.
"I just repainted that door..." Reiki whimpered sadly, not really the one to get angry easily. Probably because the door was most likely broken by the child monster.
Speaking of the said monster...
A wood clatter could be heard inside the house, probably a chair falling to the ground after being pushed aside by...
'3...2...1...'
At cue, Reiki was tackled to the ground.
"Reiki! Reiki! Reiki! Reiki! Reiki!" The small black-haired boy which Reiki had come to care for so much was hugging him/squeezing the air out of him. While Luffy wasn't much smaller then Reiki, Reiki still was able to keep his height thanks to his heeled boots.
Reiki stared into the innocent doe-eyed brown eyes. He really couldn't get angry could he?
Reiki smiled an innocent, happy smile which he didn't need to fake. "I missed you too Luffy. But what have I told you about hugging people like this? Next time it might be a random stranger, so make sure you know who you are actually attackin- I mean hugging."
Luffy grinned happily. "But Reiki isn't a random stranger! Reiki is Reiki. Reiki is my brother!"
...He's going to make someone nose-bleed to death out of his sheer adorableness. Someday.
But that victim is definitely not him since Reiki is slowly but surely starting to build a resistance to Luffy's adorable innocence.
Luffy eyes then sparkled. "Ne, ne, can you make meat! Reiki-nii's meat is the best!" Luffy exaggerated, spreading his arms wide and looking very hopeful.
...Or maybe Reiki wasn't building a resistance.
Reiki instantly agreed making Luffy cheer and skip around in a happy, weird celebration dance.
Reiki mentally face-palmed.
He can't wait until Ace and Sabo show up so they can share his pain.
Reiki unconscious widened his eyes as an incredibly strong aura and presence came out of his house. He mentally smirked with slight wariness, 'As expected from a Yonko. His haki presence is tremendous.'
The 'dangerous presence' grinned naturally, obviously disguising the hidden beast beneath the drunken and easy-going cover.
'...its kind of scary how well he hides it...'Reiki thought as on the outside he looks pretty harmless, but his Observational Haki is just screaming get away from that man.
Shanks on the other hand was having his own thoughts.
'This can't be Luffy's brother.' Was his first thought.
Now don't get him wrong, he loves Luffy. Adores Luffy. His little Anchor is the most adorable kid he's ever seen.
If this was Luffy's brother, then one thing they do have in common, is sheer adorableness that should have a huge bounty for.
While Luffy had his own kind of adorableness. This 'Reiki' kid has that appearance and aura adorableness. Shanks can bet his left arm that this kid is going to be a hit with the ladies in the future. Pale blond locks that were slightly long for a boy overlapping his perfect heart shaped face with slightly plump cheeks holding baby fat. Slightly taller then Luffy with an interesting yet unique fashion style, a white fedora with a black ribbon flowing behind him with his short ponytail. But what was most exhilarating was the boy's eyes.
Bright, yet dark, violet eyes that seemed to shine in the dark. The boy's eyes raked over to Shanks and examined him in a curious manner. Shanks froze though hid it well when the boy started observing him. It was if his eyes could see all his secrets easily. And who knows, maybe he can. Shanks was well aware that Luffy could see things differently from regular humans.
Shanks didn't miss the small narrowing and wary look in the boy's eyes before the boy smiled naturally a blinding smile that raged child innocence and gentle kind playfulness.
"Hello. My name is Reiki. Luffy's older brother. You seem close to Makino-san. Are you her husband by any chance?" The pale blond hair boy tipped his head to the side innocently with a curiosity vibe coming off him.
Yeah, innocent his ass.
"WHAT? NO!" Shanks and Makino turned red which amused the violet eyed boy. Sure Shanks might have a crush on Makino but nothing that serious! Besides Shanks was 99.99% sure that Makino saw him as a handsome friend, you know how adults just flirt unconsciously?
Reiki faked a confused and slightly disappointing look which for some reason reminded Shanks of a puppy with droopy ears. "Your not? I'm won't lie to say that I'm a little disappointed. But I apologize for falsely assessing you."
"..." Shanks was speechless. Then he turned to Luffy.
"Anchor, are you sure that this polite kid is your brother? He's too polite and well-mannered to be related to a hot-headed kid like you." The Red-Hair Yonko asked, completely serious.
"OI! I'M NOT HOT-HEADED!" Luffy shouted with a red face, still clinging onto Reiki like a koala.
"...Right..." Shanks trailed off, obviously not believing it.
Reiki smiled kindly at Makino and Shanks. "Well we can talk a bit more inside. I just bought some groceries, so I make us something to eat." Luffy cheered while Makino clapped her hands.
"I haven't had your cooking in ages! I look forward to it Reiki-kun! Luffy, can you help me put these groceries away?" Makino asked Luffy. Luffy looked troubled as he looked between Makino and Reiki.
Reiki smiled gently at his little brother. "Don't worry, I'm staying for good." Luffy smiled. "Mmn!" He then took Makino's hand and ran inside while carrying one grocery bag.
'I think Makino-chan was trying to get me alone with this kid...'Shanks thought. Reiki then locked eyes with Shanks.
"Sate, lets clear up any mishaps before we join Luffy and Makino-san. First, it was probably obvious, but I'm not Luffy's blood related brother, I was adopted. Second, I'm well aware of who you are, Yonko, Red-Hair Shanks. I was expecting you to arrive here, but it might have slipped my mind during training. And third, I know I'm probably creeping you out, but I really am only one year older then Luffy. I know I'm not like the other kids my age, but I also don't want to hide who I truly am. Is that something you can accept?" The pale-blond boy smiled gently with wise violet eyes.
Now Shanks here, was downright confused and well shocked. But he was Red-Hair Shanks for a reason, he wasn't like other people.
Shanks grinned good-naturally, "I don't care if you're different. Being different and hiding is what most people would do. But being different and acknowledging it...is something a true 'D' would do."
Shanks didn't miss the very slight widening of Reiki's eyes. The smile disappeared with a curious and slightly wary look. "...How did you know?"
"Can I use the guess excuse?" Shanks joked.
"Yes. I have a fair deduction of how." Reiki said, Shanks was startled that Reiki actually accepted the 'guess' excuse joke.
"Brat. Whether you're a D or not, your still a child. It's like you're on tiptoes, trying to become an adult, only looking at the sky." The pale-blond haired child widened his eyes, those words striking the core. Shanks continued.
"If you're really that wise then you should be able to tell, Luffy is someone who can change someone's heart, even as a child." Shanks smiled gently, "So maybe there's nothing wrong with staying as a child."
"..." Reiki's beautiful violet eyes were no longer widened, but Shanks could tell that perhaps his words struck a nerve that was needed to be struck in the child.
"AH! I'm all hungry now! All this deep talk is too tense! Makino-chan looked really excited with your cooking, I can't wait to try it!" Shanks walked past Reiki back inside the house.
"...Cheshire D. Reiki."
"Hm?" Shanks turned around. Reiki's back was facing him as his small fists were clenched before loosening.
The violet-eyed child spun around and grinned a true childish grin that held slight mischievousness, and a small hint of relief. As if whatever pressure was weighing down on the boy's shoulders lifted and disappeared.
"My name is Cheshire D. Reiki! I'm Luffy's big brother, and I'm 6 years-old, a child! " Shanks grinned. "Cheshire D. Reiki, kaa...? That's a good name, it suits you."
Reiki's grin faded into a confident yet gentle smile. "However, for Luffy, for anyone that I care about...I will become the adult that is necessary to protect those that are dear to me."
Shanks grinned lost some of its shine.'Just what happened to this child that he has eyes that no 6 year old should have...?'Shanks mentally smiled at the thought that both Luffy and Reiki had charmed him so easily. Perhaps they truly are brothers even though not by blood.
Like his little Anchor, Shanks wanted to protect this child as well. But this child can see the world differently then he can. That fact was obvious.
"...Then I hope you can let me share some of those responsibilities that burden you." With that, Shanks walked back inside the white house with deep thoughts.
Reiki's grin faded when Shanks was out of sight.
'Truly what I expect from a Yonko. He was able to pin point my true feelings easily. I wonder if this is what it would be like if I meet Whitebeard later on...'
Reiki stared up into the sky.
Then he realized something.
Reiki looked down to see that he was unconsciously standing on his tip-toes. He put his heel back on the ground as he gave a small pout and blush.
'On tiptoes, trying to become an adult...'
"Hmph. What a cheesy line." Reiki said out-loud as he turned back and walked towards the house.
A small smile crept its way to his face. 'Though it did knock some sense into me, cheesy or not.'
I personally think that this chapter was kind of too serious for my liking so hopefully the next chapter will be full of more humor or action. I'm going to cross my fingers just in case since I don't know exactly when I'll be updating next.