A Firecracker and a Straw Hat

by Grace More

Shanks has always been alone. Even growing up on the pirate king's ship. While everyone else had writing of the first thing, their soulmate will say to them on their wrist he had none. Caption always said he or she had not been born yet, but he was now 25 with no writing still. Shanks has given up ever finding his other half. Until he did have writing on his wrist.

3. Of fear and meetings

The boarding plank comes just in time to see a little girl with wide chocolate eyes and fluffy brown, almost black hair skid to a stop 100m away from the ship. There are calls of "Luffy," and an old fisherman pulled her behind him. As to protect her from the crew.

I threw back my head and laughed and said to the merchants and fishermen at the dock, " You don't need to be afraid. We came to stock up on supplies and to eat and drink."

Murmurs of unease and confusion ripple through the crowd. They have never seen a pirate in this sleepy town, and from what they heard, they are nothing like this. They are violent criminals that rape and pillage. The crowd suddenly parts, and he hears a bang-bang of a cane. An old man came out of the crowd, and the girl from before runs to his side.

"We will let you get your supplies here if you swear on your honour that you will leave this village and its people in peace. I am the mayor, and this is my village, and I will protect it with my last dying breath. " Said the old man now know as the mayor. The little girl peeks her head out from behind the mayor and looks at the crew as if she was searching for someone. Her eyes land on me, and they shine.

I take a breath and focus again. I smile and say, " I swear on my honour that no harm will come to the village and its people while I am in this village." People still eyed us warily but let us pass. A merchant boy around that looks to be around 16 said in a shaky voice, " The only food place you don't cook yourself is Manko party bar."

"Why, thanks," I laugh back. I turn to my crew and say, " listen up, we are going to restock here and get some food at the party bar. let's move." They cheer, and I let out a laugh.

I look over to my side and see the girl again. The mayor looks to be scolding her for her to stick out her tongue at him. I chuckle to myself—what a little firecracker. I turn around again about to help Benn offload the empty creates we need to fill with supplies until I feel a little tug on my coat. I look down, a little bit startled, when I see the little girl again, eyes shining with wonder.

She opens her mouth and says, " I like your hat, Mister pirate. It looks like it has lots of stories to tell. "

My wrists start glowing a brilliant golden light, and I replied with a joy-filled laugh, "You are quite right, little firecracker. You look like you have some stories of your own." The glow coming from her tiny little wrists barely dampened from the cream leather straps around her wrists. I am barely aware of the complete stillness and elation from the crew and the complete disbelief from everyone In the harbour.

All I see or even can focus on is the little firecracker of a soulmate who is staring up at me through her long lashes. A feeling of intense protectiveness courses through me. I gently bend down slowly as if afraid she would turn to dust and take off the bands on her wrist, and I see the complete wonder in her eyes at the sight of her own writing in a beautiful silver script say the first words I said to her.

" Will you tell me your stories, " She asked in delight.

I let out a long laugh and hear my crew join me, and the villagers face palm saying "only Luffy"

" Only if you tell me yours, " I replied

" Deal," She says with a serious face I find adorable.