I honestly don't know how I feel about this chapter, oh well~

I have the next three chapters almost finished! I might post all three if I complete and like them.

Thank you for the reviews.

Slight! Merinthophobia –Fear of being bound or tied up


The orange and pink of the final rays of sun danced off the translucent blue depths. Soft wind caressed the long ruffled pale strands of hair and soft footsteps padded against the damp wood of the wharf. Stopping the end of the wharf Miki stared up at the pirate ship taking particular note of the Jolly Roger that fluttered in the wind. Waving her arm in the air she gained the attention of the blonde man that was probably on guard duty.

The pirate glanced down at the woman from his position in top of the railing. "You want something?" He asked gruffly.

"Yes, I was wondering if this is the ship of the Red Hair Pirates?"

He scrunched his eyebrows as he peered down at her. "Yes," he answered hesitantly.

"That's good, I thought I missed you guys," she smiled. "Will you tell me where your Captain is?"

"What do you want with the Boss?" He questioned, fingering the hilt of his sword.

"I'm an old acquaintance." Miki replied, watching his actions closely.

"I don't believe you." He muttered drawing his weapon from its sheath poised in a defensive position.

"Really," Miki smirked, arching an eyebrow delicately. "Will you please put down your weapon and tell me where your boss is?" She asked, allowing her voice to take on a melodious tone.

He twitched slightly before a small smile of his own crossed his face, following her request to the letter. "The boss is in the local bar in the town closest to this wharf. Do you want me to take you there?"

"No thank you. You have helped enough." She smiled leaving with a small wave.

X~

The young man sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him yelling at the first person he saw. "Beckman!" he yelled skidding to a stop in front of the older man currently leaning at against the pub wall smoking.

"What is it?" Beckman asked, calmly waiting for the exhausted boy to catch his breath. Benn tapped his cigarette with his forefinger to discard the accumulated ash.

"T-this woman o-on t-the docks, she did s-somet-thing t-!" Beckman raised a hand to silence the young man's breathless ramblings. Taking a few breathes before composing himself.

"Calm down and tell me the short version of events." He added, taking in another long drag.

"This woman came to the docks and she was questioning Riku about the Boss and he looked like he was about to fight her but something weird happened." Beckman raised an eyebrow as the young boy took another deep breath before continuing.

"She said something her voice took on a different tone and he told her where the boss was, he even bloody offered to take her there!" He exclaimed.

Beckman groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose mentally cursing their bad luck.

"Beckman?" Benn gave a small nod, thinking over his decision briefly.

"Don't worry the Boss will be fine."

X~

Miki ran her fingers through her tangled tresses. Sighing in annoyance and frustration 'Can I actually capture him?' was the main thought plaguing her mind. Miki shook her head trying to rid herself out of such thoughts. Gripping the hilt of the dagger strapped to her leg, nodding she trekked towards the bar entrance.

The doors rattled as she slipped in to the bar, stepping cautiously around drunken pirates muttering lewd comments in her direction. Walking towards the bar where the red head bounty was currently taking with the bar tender. Surveying eyes slipped across the quickly wary of the tall built man with dark hair that sat off in the corner that was watching her like a hawk.

Miki came to a Stop about a foot away from the pirate Captain. "Shanks, Captain of the Red Hair pirates?" She called mustering as much courage and confidence as possible into her voice.

The bar went quiet and Miki subconsciously moved into a stance ready to run or fight. The Pirate stopped his conversation with the elderly bar tender as he looked over his shoulder. Pushing his trademark straw hat out of his line of vision, ever present smile coated his lips that he hadn't lost over the past six years. Eyes widened in recognition as he took in her appearance.

"Miki!" He exclaimed, smile growing wider. "It's good to see you again it's been a while," Shanks inched his head towards the seat next to him.

Hesitantly she took a seat, leaving the bar to return to the low chatter of other conversations starting up again.

"You haven't changed much," she muttered as she appraised his current appearance, hand straying closer to her dagger.

"Neither have you," Shanks laughed, observing her defensive posture. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Fitting the final pieces of her plan into order she nodded deciding to play social for a little while longer.

"I wondered what happened to you after the Pirate King's execution. My uncle went on a training spike after the more pirates starting showing up." She sighed lightly at the last bit.

Shanks frowned at that particular memory; however a smirk overtook his face as he tried to stifle the chuckles at her misfortune.

"I went my own way in Loguetown, started gathering my own crew of friends." He smiled.

Shaking her head, a small smirk slipped across her face. "You're living your dream, eh?"

"Yeah, I take it you've started yours too?"

"That's part of the reason I'm here actually." She added, shifting in her seat.

"Is that so?" Shanks inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"You remember what we agreed on?" Miki stated.

"Ofcourse so you've finally come to take me in?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She asked rhetorically, drumming her fingers against the counter.

"I guess but I was enjoying our little catch up." Shanks replied eyes still held the same amusement from his childhood.

"Well how about you come with me to the Marine base willingly and we'll continue this nice little chat?" Miki asked allowing a dab of her 'persuasive' tone to lace her words. Shanks shook his head lightly, eyes glazed over.

"Hey! What the hell!" Miki yelled as she was pulled back into another person's figure. Benn's large hand covered her mouth leaving her to struggle against his tight hold. Strong hands pulled her hands behind her back. A cloth soon covered her mouth followed by her muffle grunts and protests.

Slight panic overtook her as she tried to struggle free. Breathing deeply to calm herself, she was after all surrounded by potential enemies she couldn't afford to let down her guard again.

"Boss?" A blonde man with curly hair questioned, moving to lay his hand against Shanks' shoulder.

Shaking his head again, Shanks started to laugh. Miki's eyes widened at his reaction 'He couldn't remember could he?! No that's impossible' she assured herself.

"Fine Yassop," Shanks frowned at the improved bindings. "Ah Benn you didn't have to tie her up."

"You do realize that she was trying to capture you and she might be a devil fruit user." Benn reasoned, with a slight chastising tone creeping into his words.

"Yeah but she's my friend." Shanks shrugged, taking another swing of sake.

X~

Breathing deeply Miki though briefly over the nights events and couldn't stop the frown that manifested across her face. Despite being practically held captive by the crew's first mate during the duration of their alcoholic happy time, Miki was enthralled to some degree at the stories that Shanks told. His stories ranged from the many people and situations that had occurred around him during the gathering of his crew.

Her brow scrunched as she huffed at being held captive, the only reason she had been released was because shanks had convinced his (more responsible and mature) first mate that it was okay to let her go.

Miki stared down at the pirate ship from her position on top of the grass hill; shifting her stance she pondered the final touches to her plan.

Smirking at her geniusness, she tapped her chin in thought. "Now how do I sneak aboard?~"


I don't know why but I can picture Shanks just shrugging off almost being captured.

Sadly geniusness isn't actually a word :(