I'm so sorry for not uploading yesterday, but I had some trouble with my internet. But here's the next chapter, a day late. Please enjoy.
Lianne couldn't get Mihawk. He didn't talk much. Instead he observed her. She could feel it, but she didn't care. She had a dream and she had to work had to get there. Once more she trained, this time with Yasopp. He threw small stones after her that she had to dodge. It didn't really hurt when he hit her. She managed to dodge 9 out of 10 stones. Shanks observed this of course. She had yet to learn how to use a sword, but she had her sword on her while training. She wanted to get use to the weight.
After an hour with stone throwing she continued on her own. She climbed the trees and jumped around, no fear of falling down or heights. Yasopp, Benn, Roo, Shanks and Mihawk kept an eye on her.
"She knows her limits," said Benn.
"I wonder how much her mother taught her," said Shanks.
"Who was she?" asked Yasopp.
Shanks gazed at Lianne. The girl was lucky that she only had her mother's eyes. If someone found out who her mother really was … Well it would not be in best interest for the marines. Luckily that the marines back then only had found out that he was her father. He sighed, understanding why his crewmates want to know who her mother was.
"Let's just said she was a woman who I loved very much," said Shanks.
They understood that he didn't want to tell them, but not exactly why. Lianne never talked about her mother either, but they thought it might be because of the sorrow. Now they doubted it was the complete truth. Maybe Lianne didn't know more about her mother, than she was her mother. If that's the case it was Shanks that should tell them more. They got a feeling it was more than just sorrow that kept Shanks from telling who she was.
"Daddy…" Lianne's voice was distant.
Shanks gazed around, but couldn't see her. He sighed and stood up. He walked through the jungle, knowing exactly where she was. Benn and Mihawk followed him. They heard the laughter from Lianne. She screamed of joy and then a splash. Shanks sped up and walked into a clearing. There was a big lake with a small waterfall. At that moment they came out from the jungle, Lianne came to the surface in the middle of the lake. She hurried over to her father, smiling. Shanks smiled back.
"The water is a bit cold, but it's nice," she smiled.
"You just love to swim, don't you?" asked Shanks.
"Well, Luffy can't swim, so I have to be the one swimming," smiled Lianne.
"You're nuts. Like I would ever let you join Luffy," said Shanks teasing.
"I will be his nakama and I don't care if you are against it," she said and came up.
"Oh? A little rebel. If you are strong enough I might let you go, but how will you find him?" asked Shanks.
"If I know him he will be followed by the marines short after he sets sail," said Lianne.
Shanks shook his head with a grin. He knew she was right. Luffy was energetic and he would properly get into a lot of trouble, but he had a good heart. He couldn't keep his daughter on his ship. She had decided and he would gladly back her up. Luckily it was at least 10 years until then. And until then she would train hard and get stronger.
Sabaody Archipelago. Lianne looked around. So many different kinds of people, so many different kinds of shops. She held her father's hand as they walked around. He looked at her, seeing her big wondering eyes, but also the small smile. After a short thought and inward argument he decided to take her to the amusement park before going to Grove 13.
"Oi Benn. I think we'll start somewhere else," said Shanks.
Benn smirked, knowing exactly what Shanks thought of. Of course would he take her to the amusement park. After all she was a kid and his jewel. He wanted to be a good father and short they would be in the New World, a really hard place to live, yet he knew she could handle it. She had shown her strength and proved them so many times she could handle what lays ahead.
"Good idea. Lianne will love it," said Benn.
Lianne was curious, but neither Benn nor Shanks said what they meant. Her eyes grew big and wide as she saw the entrance to the amusement park. Her eyes started to sparkle. A big smile showed itself on her face and she looked happily at her father. He smiled back as they walked into the park.
After a couple of hours, Lianne was tired, but happy. They had lot of fun in the park and she had tried many kinds of rides. She had cotton candy and an ice cream. Benn told Shanks that he spoiled her, but it was clear he didn't mean it, because he smirked as he saw her happiness. Sometimes it was okay to spoil the kid. Now they were walking towards through the lower Groves. Lianne on a floating bubble. She looked around, not liking these lower levels. Shanks walked next to her, holding her hand, reassuring that everything was alright and she had nothing to fear. Benn walked in front of her, dragging her along.
"Daddy … I had a lot of fun today. Thanks," said Lianne.
"I knew you'd love it," he smiled.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To visit a friend of mine," he said.
In silence they walked. Or the men walked and Lianne got dragged on a bubble. She lied down and closed her eyes. Shanks let her sleep for a while and as they came to the stairs up to Shakky's Rip-off bar, he picked her up and carried her up the stairs. As the almost where at the top, she woke up and wanted to walked herself the last few steps.
They walked into the small bar. There was only and old man with long grey-white hair and a woman with short black hair. Lianne held her father's hand once more. The old man turned around and Lianne saw his scar, beard and glasses. A big smile was on his face and his eyes were friendly and warm. She smiled to him.
"Akagami. It's been a while. Is that you daughter?" asked the old man.
"It is," said Shanks and looked at her.
"Hello. My name is Lianne," she said polite.
The old man laughed. "She has manners. Unlike someone I know. Hello there Lianne. I'm Silvers Rayleigh," he introduces himself.
"And I'm Shakky. Do you want a juice?" asked the woman.
"Yes please," she said.
Rayleigh laughed even more. She walked over and sat at the counter and Shakky gave her a glass of juice. Lianne thanked her, which made Shakky chuckled.
"She is so cute," said Shakky.
While Shakky entertained Lianne, sat Rayleigh and Shanks by one of the tables, so they could talk alone. Benn sat next to Lianne.
"So is she her mother?" asked Rayleigh.
"She was. Were killed by marines in front of Lianne, because she didn't want to hand Lianne over. The marines had found out I'm her father. Luckily not who her mother was. I didn't get back in time to save her, but I manage to save Lianne," said Shanks.
"That's traumatic, however she seems fine," said Rayleigh.
"She didn't smile for 3 and half weeks. It wasn't until we docked at an Island in East Blue she got her smile back. We met a young boy there and guessed what. He sounded just like Roger. Saying things Roger did. He gave Lianne her smile back," said Shanks and looked at Lianne with so much love that Rayleigh knew the girl was more than safe.
"A boy that sounded like Roger? Then it's no wonder she got her smile back," said Rayleigh.
"His name is Monkey D. Luffy. She saved his live. You might not see it, but her left arm was almost ripped off by a sea monster. As we left he promised he would get stronger, set sail, find a strong crew and then he will find One Piece and become the King of Pirates. Lianne want to sail with him, but she got at least 9 year before I allow her that and before Luffy set sail," said Shanks.
"Monkey D., eh? Then I will await his arrival too. How old is she now?" asked Rayleigh.
"She's 7 years old. Strong and intelligent," said Shanks.
"You love her that much, eh? It's clear to see."
Shanks nodded. His eye were filled with warm and love. Rayleigh had seen this before and it was clear that Lianne was not an accident. Shanks wanted a child and now he got one and he would protect her.
So Lianne met Mihawk and Rayleigh. And all want to know who her mother is, but don't worry. I'll tell you later.