Happy Update Sunday, my lovelies! I've been so eager to post this chapter because we get to see some Shanks again finally!

Thanks to all who've come to check it out. I always love to hear from my readers, but seeing you stopping by always puts a smile on my face too. But honestly, if you really love it, let me know! If you got questions, let me know! If there's something you really want to see, let me know, I can't make guarantees, but I can do my best! Anyway...

Enjoy!

Chapter 22

Ashina was below deck, hanging the last of her delicate laundry to dry on the rope she strung across the room. Shouts from the deck caught her attention and she stopped, navy blue silk hanging damp in her hands. Catching something about an incoming ship, she tossed the last nightgown haphazardly over the rope and turned to jerk the bedroom door open. She scaled the stairs quickly, smiling as she spotted the bow of the familiar ship.

Several of the crew stood around in cautious amazement as Whitebeard sat back in his chair, casually sipping sake. Some were on edge, despite Pops' order to not attack, as the other Yonko prepared to board the stop..

"Pops?" One of the men from Jozu's division asked, flicking his glance to the old man as the other man stepped onto the ship

Pops waved him off with a small flick of his fingers. "I was wondering when you'd show up. Figured it was time you checked in on her," Pops said, calling out to the other Yonko.

Murmurs ran through the crowd, but Ashina smile only grew.

"Papa!" She brushed past Marco and sprinted across the deck.

"Yoi, Papa?"

Ashina ignored the murmurs from everyone around her as she launched herself at her father. Shanks caught her with one arm and spun her around, hugging her tightly. "How's my little girl? Huh? All grown up with a bounty poster all her own! I knew she'd grow up to be just like her old man."

Behind them Benn chuckled. "Least she looks like her mother."

Whitebeard's laugh behind them caught her attention, and her father's, as he set her down on her feet and faced the rival Yonko.

"I'm not here to fight, just to see my daughter. Wanted to make sure you were taking good care of my only child."

Pops nodded, taking a swig from his cup of sake. "She's well taken care of, being a daughter of Whitebeard."

Shanks laughed then. "I've seen the papers. Whitebeard with a red-haired daughter? The Marines are stupid to have missed that connection."

"Yoi, they'd figure it out if they saw you side by side. Ashina, you little sneak. You didn't say your father was Red-Haired Shanks."

Ashina shrugged, laughing. "I said he was a pirate. I figured that was enough information for you, Commander Marco. Pops knew."

"I knew she was your kid," Whitebeard boomed, "from the moment she set foot on the deck. She never would admit it, but that damn red hair. Good to keep her a secret."

"With a bounty as big as she's got now, it won't be secret for long. Didn't want the Navy hunting her before she left the nest, though."

"You ain't got to worry 'bout her, she puts up a hell of a fight. Inherited that knack for Haki," Whitebeard said fondly. "Keeps my rowdy sons on their toes. Thatch! We have guests, let's treat them to some good food and drink!"

Ace appeared on deck then and waved. "Oi! Shanks!" He made his way over to them, clasping the man's hand in a firm handshake. "Good to see you again."

"Good to see you've kept my daughter out of trouble, despite her growing bounty poster."

Ace shrugged with a smile. "The bounty can't be helped. She chose to be a pirate."

Shanks laughed then. "Well, I did only ask that you keep her safe."

As the night passed, and food and drink were shared, the tension between the two rival crews lessened. They did not mingle much, but Whitebeard and Shanks sat beside each other as they shared large cups of Sake.

Ashina was thankful for the cooler temperatures that allowed her to cover the small bump between her hips with an oversized cardigan. So far, Shanks had not caught on to her little secret.

"I'm still your rival, but Ashina is part of your crew," Shanks said to Whitebeard.

Ashina, perched on Ace's lap, as they chatted with Izo and Deuce, shouted, "I'm still a Spade Pirate!"

"No you're not," Marco shouted back from the other side of the deck where he was playing cards with Jozu, Haruta, and Vista.

Shanks chuckled and raised his cup to Whitebeard. "We're practically family now."

"We will be family soon, my son and your daughter," Pops said with a knowing smile, lifting his cup to his mouth as Ashina shot him a deadly glare.

The secret would be out if he kept on with the innuendos like the one he just dropped. Thankfully her father didn't seem to pick up on it, but he did shoot a glare at her and Ace. It was clear he didn't like her close proximity to Ace, but she'd sat perched on his thigh like this hundreds of times now. During parties Ace always pulled her down onto his lap, giving them the chance to be close, but he was free to use his hands. Even though one usually rested on her hip or thigh.

Tonight, his fingers traced absentminded circles on her thigh as he listened to Deuce and Izo bicker about who caught the bigger fish that morning.

"Ashina!" Her father's shout caught her attention and she turned her head to gaze at him as he half-drunkenly walked over to her. "You need a drink."

She knew how it must look, most everyone around her had a mug of beer or cup of sake, others had bottles of liquor, but she held no glass between her hands. "No Papa, I'm fine."

"Nonsense, it's a party! Benn! Get my girl a drink."

Benn began to stand, but stopped as she protested, "No, Benn please don't. I'm fine, Papa really."

"Don't be silly! You're of age, you can drink with your old man!"

"I can't drink, Papa," she said with a sigh.

"Of course you can," he retorted.

"No. I can't. It's not good for the baby, Papa! I'm pregnant!"

The deck fell silent, and she felt Ace stiffened under her. With his sudden arrival, they had not prepared for how exactly, or even if, they would tell her father she was expecting.

Shanks studied her for a moment, finally noticing the slight bump between her hips, before his hard gaze met Ace's gray eyes. Shanks lunged, "Why you little bastard! That's my baby girl!"

Ashina laughed as she kept her place on Ace's lap, and put her arms up in front of her, hands planting on her father's strong chest. "Too late to be angry now, Papa, or should I say Grandpapa."

Shanks froze at the name, frowning before he yanked her off Ace's lap. He tucked her protectively under his one arm and then glared at Ace, pointing his finger at the wide-eyed young man. "Harm comes to my daughter or my grandkid, and I'm gonna beat the shit out of you and then drop you in the ocean and let you sink like a damn anchor, you got it Rookie?"

Ace nodded quickly.

Shanks hard stare turned loving as he turned his head to look at Ashina. He kissed Ashina's temple. "Congrats, little girl. Although I do wish you'd waited a few more years."

"Papa," she sighed, interrupting him. "You jinxed me back on the damn winter island."

Shanks laughed heartily then, before kissing her temple again. "I guess I did, didn't I? I'm happy for you." He pushed her back gently to Ace, giving him another hard stare.

Whitebeard laughed loudly. "She's in good hands with ol' Ace."

"That's debatable given the circumstances," Shanks shot back, making everyone laugh.

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Shanks watched from his place on the deck as Ashina danced around Marco and Thatch. Ace sat on a barrel, mug of beer in hand, chatting with friends and keeping an eye on his woman. The term sat like bitter alcohol on his tongue. Ashina would always be his daughter, but now she also belonged to another man. A man of her choosing.

She was happy here, he could tell that much from the sight of her huge smile and laughter, as Marco spun her around in a circle. Earlier in the evening she shed her overshirt, leaving only the thin strapped top that revealed her pregnancy to all. The swell of the life growing inside her was clear to anyone who knew what a pregnant woman looked like in the early months. He remembered Tsuna's pregnancy like it was yesterday.

His baby girl was going to be a mother. He wondered if Tsuna was watching over them. Hell, what would she think if she was here? Ashina spun and Shanks caught a glimpse of orange and black on her shoulder.

"Whatcha think o' that, boss?" Benn asked from beside him.

Shanks took a drink, keeping his eyes on his daughter. He knew Benn spotted the flaming black spade on her back just like he had. The tattoo that marked her as a former Spade pirate just as much as it marked her Ace's woman. Fire Fist couldn't keep his eyes off Ashina. Shanks wasn't fool enough to not know how beautiful she was, taking after her mother, except for his hair and that penchant for a good tan. He knew she would find a man one day, he'd hoped she'd have been a bit older before she did, and that maybe he wouldn't be a pirate. He should have known better.

"My baby has a baby on the way, Benn."

"With Roger's son, or so you think," Benn whispered back. "A Yonko's daughter and the Pirate King's son merging bloodlines, the World Government is gonna shit bricks when they find out. They might think you and Whitebeard are trying to team up."

Shanks shook his head. "I'll be civil for my daughter, but no." Shanks dropped the topic as he watched Ashina mouth something to Ace that made him laugh, before she danced around Marco, playfully dodging the first Commander's teasing swat.

"Look at how she smiles at the rookie, she used to only smile at me like that."

Benn chuckled at his Captain's whiney tone. "She never smiled at you like that, Captain."

Shanks sighed and then whispered, "She loves him."

"You don't got to worry about that part, Boss. Look at the way the boy looks at her. Fire Fist loves her, too."

Shanks took in his friend's words, but did not reply. He watched Ace rise and catch Ashina as Marco spun her around. She laughed, her hands falling to his shoulders as he spun her around again. They stopped moving, oblivious to anyone around them, and his hands slid to her hips. She reached up on her toes to press her lips quickly to his and then broke away from his hold to dance around him, laughing as she outmaneuvered his attempt to pull her back. He kept his gaze on her as she danced away.

"She's happy here. I can't say I wanted her to become a young mother, not in this pirate age, but I want her to be happy. The rookie makes her happy."

Benn chuckled. "Rookie made her a mother too, told you he wasn't a boy anymore."

Shanks shot him a deadly glare, but Benn just laughed harder, until Shanks finally cracked a grin. "She did say I jinxed her." He shrugged. "Oh well, least I'll have a little brat to call my grandchild."

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Ashina weaved her way around the scattered bodies on the deck. Some were starting to stir, moving about to begin the tasks of the morning. A few were wide awake, while others were still snoring in various positions on the deck. She reached her father's side and folded herself down to sit beside him.

"I assume you'll be leaving soon."

"It's too dangerous to stay. Two Yonko's meeting, if the Marines catch wind it will bring trouble."

"It was good to see you, Papa."

Shanks grinned and nudged her shoulder with his. He reached under his cloak and withdrew a folded piece of cloth. He grinned as he handed it to her.

"You didn't think I'd forget, did you?" he asked, as she gingerly lifted the black velvet from his hand. "Happy birthday, Ashina. I'm really late this year, but you're on the seas now."

Ashina felt the weight hidden in the fabric, and carefully peeled back the folds revealing an oval piece of amber attached to a thin gold chain. It was polished smooth, and the large stone encased little black flecks of plant life and was looked like a wing of a dragonfly.

"It's beautiful, Papa. Thank you." Ashina kiss his cheek as she let the scrap of velvet flutter to the deck. She unfastened the clasp and reached behind her neck to put it on.

"I see you wear Whitebeard's insignia too, better than a permanent mark, I guess."

"Is that a jab at my spade?" she asked with a grin.

Shanks chuckled. "Maybe. The pendant was your mothers…I took it off her, well, um… yeah," he trailed off as his scratched the back of his head. "I've kept it ever since. Thought it was about time you wore it."

"Thanks, Papa. You should see the kunai Ace gave me. They are so pretty."

"Do you love him?" Shanks blurted suddenly.

Ashina blinked before replying, "Yes."

"Does he love you?"

"Yes," she answered confidently.

Shanks gave her a soft smile. "Good. Can't say you won't make a pretty baby together."

Ashina giggled. "Gee thanks, Papa."

"You thought about what you're going to do when the little one comes?"

Ashina shook her head. "No, not really. I don't want to be stuck to an island forever."

"That may not be a possibility, Ashina."

She looked down at the wooden boards. "I know, but maybe not too. Maybe only for a little while for the birth. I just want to keep my child away from the Marine's eye."

"I understand that feeling. I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure you stay safe. You're my daughter and that's my future grandchild. I'll protect you as best I can on these dangerous seas."

"Thanks, Papa."

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While his crew were preparing to depart, Shanks took the chance to catch Ace before he boarded the Red Force.

"Ace, a word?" Shanks asked, coming up to the two men conversing together. Deuce nodded to Shanks, taking his leave.

"Yeah, what can I do for you?"

"The seas are dangerous. Sailing the Grand Line is risking your life for adventure. Ashina knows that, just as I'm sure you do. I knew having Ashina would tie her mother down to the West Blue after she was exiled from Wano. She would never sail, never adventure, never become the great Kunoichi she trained to be."

"I have no intentions of leaving Ashina behind, whether that means we sail together or remain grounded together, that is yet to be decided."

"And what does your Captain think?"

"Pops won't banish her from the Whitebeard Pirates. No matter what happens, Ashina will always be my woman and a part of this crew."

Shanks cracked a smile. "That's good to hear, Rookie. The father in me doesn't like it, but…" he trailed off, eyes flicking over to where Ashina was chatting with a few of the nurses. "She's an incredible girl, young woman, the years go by quickly. I missed a lot with my little girl, first steps, first words, a lot of firsts, a lot of memories lost, but plenty were made. I hope you get more time. I want you to have that with her, to share that. Tsuna, Ashina's mother, and I, we… there was attraction, but there was no long-term desire, no deep love or connection. Ashina shares that with you, that connection, my daughter loves you."

"I love her. I promised to protect her. I plan to keep that promise." Shanks didn't miss the seriousness in his voice and his eyes. His relationship with Ashina wasn't a game, and it was clear Ace was devoted to her.

"Good," he paused, looking at the young man. "I know you're Roger's son, my captain's kid." Ace's eyes widened, but Shanks did not stop talking. "I know what danger that poses to my daughter and my grandchild should the government figure it out. I don't care. I'm glad to have met my captain's son, but I do need to know one thing. Does Ashina know the truth?"

Ace nodded. "Yes. I told her long ago, long before she joined me and the Spades permanently."

"Good. As long as she knows." Shanks clapped Ace on the shoulder. "Continue to keep her safe. I'll be keeping an eye out from the distance."

"I will, always."

"Good. Take care of my little girl, and my grandkid. Until next time then, Ace."

Ace nodded and Shanks turned to bid Ashina goodbye once more.

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"Well," Ashina said, leaning into Ace's side as he automatically draped an arm over her shoulders. "Papa knows about the baby now."

"And I'm still breathing," Ace smarted back with a chuckle.

"Miracles do happen."

Ace pressed his lips to the top of her head as the Red Force faded into the distance horizon. The sun was beginning to rise higher in the sky, making the amber pendant around her neck glow where it laid just below the skull and crossbones of Pop's jolly roger. He gently fingered the oval stone.

"Birthday present from Papa," Ashina said softly.

"It's pretty."

"It was my mother's, Papa said so at least. If we have a daughter, it'd be nice to pass it on to her."

Ace hummed. "If it's a son?"

Ashina giggled and shrugged. "I could always have it made into a manly bracelet of some sort, I'm sure. Or maybe our boy would wear it as is." She reached up to finger the strand of beads Ace wore, the ones she'd given him after they departed Sabaody.

Grinning, Ace replied, "Maybe. Come on, let's get some breakfast. Pops said we should be at the next island in a day or two. We can shop around for baby stuff just for fun."

"Baby stuff?" But we don't even know if it's a boy or girl."

Ace's eyes lit up. "Can you even find that out before the baby's born?"

"Marco says we could steal the equipment, or try to use it without stealing, but that would be dangerous. And… I don't know if I want to know."

Ace gave her a puzzled look, so she added. "I like the idea of the surprise, not knowing if it will be a boy or girl."

He smiled then, nodding in agreement. "Then we'll let it be a surprise." His hand slid to rub across the small bump before coming to rest on her hip. "But we're going to look for baby stuff."

Ashina giggled at his excitement. "Okay, Flame Boy, we'll look at baby stuff."

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Ace was lounging on the deck with Thatch and Marco. The sunny day made the boards of the deck warm under foot, so of course Ashina was basking in the heat. Ace always enjoyed the sight of her stretched out on a blanket, relaxing as the black bikini she sported did little to hide her smooth skin. Now, it was different. The sight of her stirred something else in his chest, the feeling foreign as he gazed at her. She was carrying his child, with her torso bare, it was clear as day in the curve of her abdomen. Her petite curves were always a turn-on, but the swell of her stomach stirred something else in him. A feeling he was unfamiliar with, but it felt an awful lot like pride.

"Have her tits gotten bigger?" Thatch mused aloud, catching Ace's attention.

Before he could reply, Marco added, "Think so."

Ace felt his shoulders blaze. "Stop looking at Ashina's tits," he snapped.

"You were looking," Thatch retorted, waving a hand between Ace and Ashina.

"Because she caught my eye, and she's my woman."

"So, then you'll know best. Have they gotten bigger?" Thatch asked.

"Yoi!" Marco exclaimed, lifting his drink before it was knocked over, as Ace lunged playfully at Thatch.

The two men rolled around on the deck, wrestling like young boys. It wasn't until Ashina strolled by that the two stopped long enough to watch her walk to the door to go below deck.

Ace untangled himself from Thatch and hopped up quickly, brushing himself off. "Later."

Marco shook his head, shoulders shaking with silent laughter, as his younger brother followed after the red-haired woman.

Thatch sighed, plopping into the chair beside Marco and fixing his tousled hair. "Can't blame the boy. I'd go chasing down those tits, too, if she was my woman."

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Ace pinned Ashina against the door, making her drop the blanket in her hands. He kept one hand flat against the door while the other trailed down her side, brushing the swell of her abdomen. "You're so sexy."

Ashina chuckled softly, her hands caressing his chest as they came up to rest on his broad shoulders. "Did something you like catch your eye?"

Ace moved both his hands to her tits, cupping the underside of each globe. "They've gotten bigger," he whispered.

"It's part of pregnancy. They're sensitive."

Ace glanced up at her. "Can I still play with them?"

Ashina sniggered and nodded. "Yes. Just don't pinch them so hard."

He gave a quick nod of understanding and squeezed the globes. He loved her perky tits, but the size change was nice. Her breasts still weren't overwhelming large, and nowhere near some of the nurses, but they were bigger than they had been.

Ace was going to take full advantage of the change in her body. The nausea was finally gone and her appetite was back to normal, even increasing, which soothed Ace's fear that she was getting enough to eat.

Ace pressed his face into her cleavage, squishing her boobs together with his hands. The action made Ashina giggle and she ruffled his hair at the same time she shoved on his shoulder.

"Okay, goofball, learn that from Thatch?"

"He said big tits are perfect for burying your face into. Wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I think I prefer to watch them bounce as my cock slides into that hot pussy of yours."

Ashina felt a blush rise to her cheeks, heating her skin as she caught his lust-filled gaze. A dirty talking Ace was rare, but always welcome.

Ashina shoved his shoulder again to get him to take a step back and circled around him, a hand dragging across his bare hip as she passed. He followed her to the edge of the bed, but quickly caught her around the waist before she could sit.

Instead, he sat and pulled her onto his lap. "I'm going to get you a new swimsuit, one that's a bit… more."

"Why?" she asked on a giggle. It morphed into a soft moan as his hands wandered her body.

"So Thatch stops staring at your tits."

Ashina laughed loudly then, but cupped Ace face in her hands, lifting his gaze to meet hers. "Let him stare. You're the only one who gets to touch." With that she playfully shoved his face into her cleavage, holding him there.

Ace's hands settled on her waist, and he pulled on her, dragging her core across his hard length that pressed against his shorts. Once she released him, he lifted his head to capture her lips in a heated kiss.

He pulled away first, his lips ghosting across hers as he asked, "Up for a quick round?"

"Always, Flame Boy," she smirked, hands already trying to wedge between them to work at his belt.

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Ashina let out a grunt, then a huff. Ace watched from the desk chair, tilted back precariously on two legs, as she twirled around, bouncing on her toes before growling in frustration. The sight of her struggling to button her shorts made Ace chuckle.

She whirled around to stare at him and stomped her foot. "It's not funny, Ace! My shorts don't fit anymore."

Ace shifted, making the chair drop to all four legs, and reached out to grab her hand. He pulled on her and she shuffled forward to stand between his legs. Letting go of her hand, he kept one on her hip and trailed the other up to the bump of their growing baby. "You're pregnant, what did you expect? Wear one of those loose skirts. I like those."

"You like those because it's easy to sneak off and have sex. That's how I got pregnant in the first place," she smarted back with a playful smile.

Ace chuckled and kissed her belly before pulling her down to sit on his lap. He kissed her mouth and pulled back to give her a smile. "You're beautiful. We'll get you some new shorts, stretchy ones."

Ashina punched his shoulder and Ace let out a laugh.

"I'm only five months, Ace… we have four more to go."

Still snickering, he prepared himself for her next blow as he replied, "Yeah, I know, that's why I said we'd get stretchy ones."