So here's the next chapter.
Shanks gave Benn, Yasopp and Roo a nod, before he led Lianne to his cabin. She sat down on the couch, waiting for her father to start talking so she could get back to Ace. She wanted to spend as much time with him and she like Izo, Haruta and Thatch too. They were friendly and she knew that most of the Whitebeard pirates were. Though she had a bad feeling that there were some not really sincere. Benn, Yasopp and Roo walked in and sat down too.
"So what does he think of our little princess?" asked Benn.
"Oh he likes her alright. So much he offered me that she could stay with him for a while. Like a vacation," said Shanks, looking at Lianne.
"Say what?" they all yelled surprised.
"So our little princess could grow even stronger and more independent," continued Shanks.
"Daddy… And what did you say to that?" asked Lianne.
"If you want to you can go," said Shanks, which caused the other to look surprised.
Lianne smiled and hugged her father. "You only want what is best for me. Like when I fought Mihawk the first time. Now you want me to be independent and be able to be on my own without you and the others. I love you so much daddy," she said.
Shanks smiled, kissing her head. "You know that you are too smart for your own good right?" he said.
"Good genes I guess. But then it must've come from mother," said Lianne teasing.
"Properly. And the fact you and Benn spent most of the time talking," said Shanks.
Lianne and Benn smirked. It was true that they talked about many kind of stuff. What was going on in this world, how to solve puzzles, how to understand riddles and tactics. Benn was teaching her. So she wasn't just a woman good with swords. Knowing Luffy, he would need a nakama who could actually use the brain for more than fighting.
"Lianne. Do you want to take the offer?" asked Yasopp curiously.
Lianne looked down. She didn't know what to say. On one hand, she wanted to say yes and leave right away to her room, packing her stuff and plead her father for money. On the other hand, she wanted to jump into the arms of her father, not wanting to ever let go of him, crying that she would first leave when she met Luffy. But what good would she be for Luffy, when she couldn't bear the thought of leaving her father? And she wasn't alone on the Moby Dick. Ace was there.
"I…" she trailed off.
"It's not like we want you to get off the ship Lianne. You know us better than that," said Roo.
"I know. I want to stay and I want to leave," she said.
"Of course you want that. But you can't have both. So what do you chose?" asked Benn.
Lianne let out a sigh. "It's hard, but I guess I would have to say yes to the offer. I can learn so much more and I'm not alone. Ace is there and I'm sure Whitebeard will protect me as well," she finally said.
"He will," said Shanks and hugged his daughter.
"Daddy… I would need money to buy knew clothes at one point. I'm still growing," she said.
"Don't worry. You'll get enough allowance to buy a small ship," said Shanks.
Lianne smiled, though she felt a bit sad. It was not what she had planned, but she needed this. For her, her father and the others sake. Independence was hard to earn. What better to earn it on a ship filled with pirates, which were rivals to her father? However she had at least one friend there. Portgas D. Ace. She smiled by that thought.
The others left, so Shanks could be alone with his daughter before she left to pack her stuff. Lianne sat down next to her father and leaned against him. She had tears in her eyes, but she didn't want them to fall, even though not all tears were bad.
"Should I tell him daddy?" asked Shanks.
"It's up to you Lianne, but I would say you must have to trust him. As far as I know, the marines don't know. As soon they know, they would hunt you down when you are with Luffy. Whatever Luffy does, you would be the one they wants the most," said Shanks.
Lianne nodded. She had to be curtain before telling him who her mother was.
-xxxxxxxxxx-
She went packing her back. She didn't rush, but folded her clothes. Benn would bring her backpack to her later after they had dined with the Whitebeard pirates. She had to say goodbye before that and her heart felt so heavy, but that was what she had expected. Only she had thought it would be on the day she left to follow Luffy and not this.
"Ready Princess?" asked Shanks from the door.
"Yeah. I guess," she said and gazed around.
She didn't pack all she had. Some stuff was left behind, so her father knew that she one day would come back, if only for a visit. She found the old wanted poster of her father, from when he still was young. She smiled and packed it. Shanks handed her a small back. It was her allowance. It was heavy and she put it in the back, before looking at her father. He had tears in his eyes and so did she.
"I'm going to miss you daddy," she said.
"And I'm going to miss you. Your mother would be so proud of you. Even though you were raised by men, especially pirates, you're still a young and beautiful woman with some manners. Be strong and become stronger," he said and hugged her gently.
"Thanks daddy. I will be fine," she smiled.
"I'm so proud of you."
"Don't do anything foolish daddy. But be sure to throw a party for me when I come to visit. Because I will leave Whitebeard as soon as I get the opportunity to get onboard the ship of Luffy," she said.
Shanks laughed and together they went back on the Moby Dick. She said her goodbyes on the way, receiving words of encouragement and good will. They quickly found the commanders and Whitebeard waiting for them. Lianne had regained her smile and Shanks held so much love and pride in his eyes that they wondered just what the two of them had to talk about so suddenly that it couldn't wait until they left. Whitebeard however understood the smile and Shanks' eyes. He smiled and gestured Lianne to sit next to him, which she did. Ace sat on her left and Whitebeard on her right. On Whitebeard's right sat Marco and next to him Shanks.
"So you've decided Lianne," said Whitebeard.
"I have. Can't say no to an adventure, even if I have to leave home," she said.
"It is a hard decision to make if you have a lovely home as you have, but I see that you're mature for your age," said Whitebeard.
"Thanks. For the compliment and for the offer," she said.
The commanders looked puzzled. They didn't get what the two of them were talking about.
"So have you packed?" asked Whitebeard.
"Yes. Benn will come over with my stuff later," she said.
"I'm glad you decided to take my offer young one. You might be the daughter of my rival, but you are still a young woman learning to live in this world and you'll need to stand on your own feet," he said.
"And I think I might learn more here, before going with the captain I chose as a child," she smiled.
"Oyaji … What are you blabbering about?" asked Haruta.
"It seems we got a guest for a while -yoi," said Marco and gazed towards Lianne.
"Eh?" the commanders looked at her, while she chuckled.
"Lianne is going to be our guest as Marco said. So behave my sons. Or else she would rip you apart, before I or her father can do it," laughed Whitebeard.
Lianne giggled. Yep she could learn more and she could get stronger. She smiled to Whitebeard and then blinked at her father, who laughed. She shook her head lightly, knowing he properly imagined her beating up the commanders.
"And I will help her do it," said Ace with a grin.
By that Lianne finally broke out in laughter too. Even Marco smiled at that and the laughter was contagious and soon all the commanders laughed. The evening went smooth with laughter and the men drinking a lot. Lianne however didn't drink alcohol. Not that she didn't like it, Yasopp had sometimes given her some, but her father didn't like her drinking. Therefor she would be a good girl in his presence. Especially their last evening together.
Can she live on Moby Dick and befriend with them? Or will she have a hard time?
Well, you'll have to wait to next chapter ;)