Call of the Wild

by PhoenixKaizen

One Piece Soulmate Bingo: Stranded. Buggy/Shanks. Requested by Skye. When Shanks gets separated from the Roger Pirates, Buggy is shocked to learn that Shanks is his soulmate.

Call of the Wild

Summary: One Piece Soulmate Bingo: Stranded. Buggy/Shanks. Requested by Skye. When Shanks gets separated from the Roger Pirates, Buggy is shocked to learn that Shanks is his soulmate.

Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Soulmate Bingo! Skye, this one is for you and I hope you enjoy it! This got a whole lot longer than I thought it would! I had a lot of fun writing this one, even in the moments where I kept getting stuck! Enjoy! On with the fic!

Warnings: Soulmate AU, Canon Divergence, Blood and Injury, Hurt and Comfort, Slight Angst, Fluff

Call of the Wild

It almost seemed bittersweet that one only discovered their soulmate the second they were separated from each other. Rather it was consensually or something else got in the way. Every person in the world was born with a spirit of an animal. One that only they could see that would usually float around them or walk by their feet, depending on what they were doing. Sometimes, they were even there but the person could not see them. They couldn't be touched. They couldn't really communicate except through small gestures.

The only time these animals would turn into a solid form that everyone could see was when soulmates met each other and separated from one another with usually a large distance between the two.

Buggy wasn't sure if he had a soulmate, his so-called spirit animal was practically nonexistent. He couldn't see it. It was believed that it depended on the person if they could see them. If they cared to know. It was a rare phenomenon that someone couldn't see their own spirit animal, but it did happen. Buggy was proof enough of that. Hell, he wasn't even sure if he had a spirit animal to begin with. There were some people out there that never got their spirit animals.

He would admit that he was curious to know what they were. Captain Roger had one. His was a lion. A large lion with a beautiful mane. Roger had been in tuned to his spirit animal that the lion could come and go between his ghost form and his solid form. He often let the animal move around the ship but when they got to land or engaged into a battle, he would have his animal turn back into a ghost. Roger had always explained it was because the spirit animals could be injured and even killed in their solid form. That they were just like them. If the spirit animal passed on, the soulmate link was gone. It was also possible that if a spirit animal died, that their human counterpart would also pass on. It was dangerous for a spirit animal to not be safeguarded. They could and did hold the lives of those they were connected to. They were a part of them.

Spirit animals were protectors of the person they were connected to. They were entuned with everything about them. Their life force. Their personalities. They were also connected to the soulmate. The one person in all the world that was meant to be a perfect match. Roger had told him and Shanks everything he knew about spirit animals. One of the most intriguing pieces of information about these animals was they were like compasses. During the separation of soulmates, they would appear to their person's side and could aid in finding the lost soulmate. They were able to detect the spirit animal of the soulmate. If the connection was strong enough, they could also detect the soulmate.

Buggy thought the concept was one of the stupidest things he had ever heard. He would be inclined to believe that soulmates didn't exist if it wasn't for the fact that Roger had his spirit animal. Rayleigh had one too. His was a tiger. Rayleigh's feline companion acted much like Roger's did. Would often even be found together. Usually curled up together in a pile that Buggy and Shanks would often find themselves right in the middle of. There were more times than he could count that the two of them had fallen asleep between the two spirit animals.

By the end of it, Buggy had figured that he didn't have a soulmate at all.

X

They had a successful plunder that day, which had in turn, led to a party that Roger insisted that they have. Of course, it hadn't taken long before many of them were drunk. Well, all of the adults were drunk. Shanks and Buggy were sharing a bottle that Roger hadn't seen Buggy grab. Buggy had been hoping for the absolutely quiet one. Roger could get mad at him later. He would pass out drunk before the end of the night before he realized it was gone. Buggy would dispose of the bottle long before anyone would notice. Perks of being able to detach his hand. He hadn't been seen doing it. To deal with Shanks' nonsense, he needed it. Shanks never turned down a drink. Though, part of him was starting to think it was a dumb idea to give it to him. The alcohol was hitting him even more than usual. Shanks could be either talking someone's ear off or absolutely quiet drunk.

Shanks was normally very quiet. Content with just being in the presence of someone else. He just happened to tick him off with said presence. Shanks was a torn in his side that he wished he could get rid of. They were sitting on the rail and Buggy had his feet detached and planted on the deck in the case if he accidentally got rocked over.

The ship was moving quickly through the waters, but the waters were rough that night. Buggy thought he could recall Gaban mentioning that a storm was brewing in the North and was heading in their direction. He couldn't be sure. It felt great out. The perfect temperature. The rocking of the ship.

Shanks was looking up to the night sky. It was dark. Really dark out that Buggy could barely actually see his features. He could see enough. There was no moon. No stars. It was hard to actually see anything without the lights from the deck. A part of him wondered what it was Shanks was looking at since there would be nothing of interest. Shanks was sitting with his back to the cabins, kicking his feet out as he leaned back slightly. Using mostly upper arm strength to keep him up right. Face flushed over and eyes glazed to show that he was in fact intoxicated. Buggy could feel his own buzz. Making him feel rather floaty with the lack of a better word for it.

They were sitting rather close so neither of them had to speak too loudly if they did want to speak to each other. Both had inclined for the quiet. Shanks was swaying, falling into his chest every so often before he would sit back up quickly. Shanks was close to passing out. That much was clear to him.

Buggy finally had enough and moved. Using his Devil Fruit to float himself into the air before he was moving in front of Shanks, reattaching his feet to his body. "Time for bed, bastard." He muttered, reaching out for Shanks' hands.

The red head moved, pulling his hands back to him as turned, looking over at Buggy in nothing short of betrayal. "The night isn't over."

"It is for you." Buggy stated. "You're falling asleep sitting up."

"So?" Shanks grumbled.

"Better to just sleep it off in bed." Buggy stated. He managed to grab one of Shanks' hands.

Shanks mumbled under his breath, moving to swing his leg back over the rail, "Can I sleep in your bed?" Buggy's face flared, which he was going to completely blame on the alcohol in his system. Not that fact that Shanks had asked the question or how innocent he made it sound. He always did this. Shanks had the top bunk, but he never failed when drinking to ask Buggy to just lay beside him on the bottom. He never did say why he would say this or even do it. Buggy never questioned it either. It just happened.

"You can sleep in your own." Buggy retorted.

"But yours is so much comfier." Shanks whined, pouting slightly as he turned enough to look at Buggy completely.

Buggy rolled his eyes. "We have the exact same bed. You don't sleep on the bed; you end up sleeping on top of me. There's a difference." He reached for Shanks' other hand, trying to help the red head pull himself back onto the deck.

It felt like it had happened all too quickly as a sudden wave had crashed into the side of the ship and the water seeped over the side. Hitting both Shanks and Buggy in water. Buggy froze as he felt the red head's wrists slip out of his hands. Shanks let out a shocked noise as he fell backwards, waving his arms as he reached back out for Buggy.

Buggy was in shock now, but it didn't take him but a moment to react. He kept his feet on the deck but allowed the rest of his body to go after Shanks. Shanks was staring back up at him, reaching out for his hand as Buggy extended his arm. Even with detaching his arm, Shanks hit the water before he could get to him. "No." Buggy muttered.

He had waited for the second for Shanks to break through the surface of the water, lift out his hand so Buggy could reach him. But he never came back up.

His heart was racing as he screamed out, "Shanks!"

He floated over the water, looking around in every direction in the case if Shanks poked his head out somewhere else, but still was unable to find him.

How?

Shanks was by far an incredibly strong swimmer. He should have been able to at least get his head above water.

Then it hit him.

Shanks had been so intoxicated to the point he was about to pass out. It made his heart race that much more thinking that Shanks wasn't able to get himself up. He kept moving above the water, hoping at any moment that Shanks would break through, and he would be able to pull him back onto the deck.

But he never came back up.

He looked up, noticing that the ship was still moving, further and further away from where he was. This was the worst possible situation that they could be in. Buggy couldn't go into the water. Shanks wasn't coming back up. The ship was moving away.

All he could do was scream. Shout and hope that someone heard him.

X

Roger had stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. The storm was brewing, but it was the smell that was comforting to him. He loved the smell of thunderstorms. Just before the rain fell. The waters were getting rough and they would need to keep an eye on the ship as it did so.

There was an odd feeling in his gut. One that was telling him to look for his boys and check on them. They had been outside last that he knew. They always preferred to be outside when they partied. He knew that Buggy had snagged a bottle of liquor from them, so he wouldn't be shocked to find them passed out somewhere on the deck. He would just make sure that they got into bed and that Crocus left something for them if they were hungover. When morning came, it would be an easy day for everyone. Just casual sailing while they continued to decipher the Poneglyphs and map out the course to Laugh Tale. They were so close.

After all these years, he was going to finally achieve his dream of conquering the Grand Line. Visiting every single island in the world. He was going to be the first to do it.

Rayleigh had stepped out, coming up beside him into the quiet. He wasn't saying a word either. His own spirit animal laying not far from them fast asleep. Well, at least Roger had thought the tiger had been until the feline suddenly poked his head up and started looking out at the ocean before he was trotting off.

He stood there, leaning back against the cabins for a moment as his spirit animal walked over to him. The lion's tongue moving across his hand for a second as he brought it up to pet the lion's mane. Shanks had named the lion. Shanks had only started to learn to talk when he gave the lion his name. They didn't use it often anymore, but it always held a special place for him. It made him chuckle every time he thought of it. Captain Kitty.

In the end, they had decided that his name would be Leo. Spirit animals often didn't have names, but with his often roaming the deck, they had decided to name him, and he would answer to it. Leo would even come to Shanks whenever he would mutter the childish name. Leo was quite fond of Shanks. Protecting him even as a baby.

Leo wouldn't stop his movements. Still nudging at his hand before he was pushing against Roger's side entirely. Almost knocking the Captain completely off of his feet. Roger blinked, "What is it, boy?" He questioned, looking at the lion to see that he had morphed from his solid form into his spiritual form before he was flying into the air and around the corner.

"They are acting off." Rayleigh stated, "Maybe it's the upcoming storm."

Roger frown. This didn't feel right. He started after his spiritual companion, rounding the corner before he heard it. The shouts of fear. They were slightly far off, but he had heard it clearly. It was Buggy. He rushed forward, catching that the lion was moving through the air above a place on the deck. Rayleigh was rushing after him before they stopped to see Buggy's detached feet on the deck. He looked up as Leo moved more before he was soaring into the night sky. It was so dark that he could barely see anything, but he could see the spirit's outline. Glowing against the harshness of the darkness about them. He narrowed his gaze, walking over to the rail before he realized what Buggy was screaming.

"Help! Shanks fell overboard!"

Roger's heart practically stopped as he suddenly muttered to Rayleigh. The ship was moving. Quickly at that. The waters were rough. This was not good. "Turn the ship!" Rayleigh shouted, already taking off back in the direction of the cabins to alert the others.

Roger rushed to the back of the ship. His heart starting to race now as the air caught in his throat. "Buggy!" He could hear his own voice echoing, but he couldn't see him. He could hear his voice. He had seen his feet. He knew that he was safe at least.

But it was what he had said.

Shanks fell overboard.

Shanks was an excellent swimmer, but the waters of the Grand Line were not easy to swim in. They were littered with Sea Kings and different beasts that would not hesitate to attack someone. With the already rough waters, the incoming storm was only adding to it. Making the waters that much harsher. If Buggy was that panicked, it could only mean something bad had seriously happened.

It was almost in a blink of an eye that his spirit animal was back by him, floating around his body as Buggy came into his line of sight. Looking panicked. Scared. Denial. There were so many emotions on his face. He was muttering so quickly that Roger couldn't understand what he was saying. "Buggy!" He hollered. His voice causing Buggy to freeze as the teenager reconnected himself to his feet. "I need you to tell me what happened."

Buggy was trying to speak through the heaves that he was giving, his chest moving rapidly before he was making eye contact with Roger, "Shanks was drunk, and I was trying to get him into bed. The ship rocked and he fell back into the water, but he never came back up. I'm so sorry, Captain… I couldn't… I—"

"It's okay, Buggy. We'll find him." Roger reassured despite the fact that his own heart was racing. The concern growing at the thought of Shanks going into the water and not resurfacing. Then old information about this part of the sea came to mind. There were underwater currents that ran just beneath the surface. If someone didn't know they were there, it would be easy to fall into them. He cursed under his breath, looking back out at the ocean. If Shanks never resurfaced, he hit one of those currents. They were strong and fast. They could be easy to break out of, but only if one noticed quick enough, but they would sweep someone away a good distance before they could be able too.

He could be anywhere.

X

He couldn't remember a thing. It was all a blur. He barely remembered speaking to Buggy, then it was just blank. Shanks' vision was blurry, but he could feel something wet and warm moving against his cheek and by his ear. A nudge against his cheek that was making him come back into full consciousness. He blinked away the fatigue in his eyes. The sky above him was starting to straighten out in his vision as he felt the shock come through him. He wasn't on the deck of the ship. He wasn't in his bed. He could tell that much. He could feel ocean water against his legs and feet and sand against his back and arms.

Still, the wetness to his face continued as he raised his hand to push at whatever it was before he stopped at feeling fur against his palm. He looked over, meeting soft blue almond shaped eyes. The creature was looking back at him, pawing at the ground as it laid down on its stomach, nudging at his cheek again.

Shanks' eyes widened as he pushed himself up quickly, looking down at the animal. "Hello, there." He whispered.

The animal from what he could immediately tell was a wolf pup. Its fur was mostly white with tips of black and the baby blues looking back at him. It was so small, not very big at all. He could probably pick it up and carry it with him right in his arms. He had also noticed that the wolf pup had wet fur that was starting to dry. He looked out to the ocean, trying to recall what happened but finding himself unable to think of it at the moment.

"Did you help me out of the water?" He questioned, looking back at the pup.

The pup yapped at him, lifting its paw, and hitting the ground with it.

What the hell happened and where the hell was he?

Shanks stood up and the pup followed each of his movements. Sticking close to his heel as he turned to look at the island. He had noticed quickly that he didn't have a weapon on him. His sword must still be on the ship. When they were on their own ship, they didn't have to carry their weapons with them. Only when they saw enemies did they immediately reach for them.

All he could remember was that they were partying. Having fun after a successful raid. Shanks sighed, looking down at the pup. It definitely wasn't going to leave him any time soon from what he could tell. "Alright, little one, we have a few things to go over." He kneeled down, scratching the pup behind the ear. The pup looked right at him. It shocked him that a wolf pup was so well adapted to a human. It didn't seem fitting that a wolf pup would just come up to him. This was no ordinary wolf pup. "Okay, are you a boy?" The pup didn't respond, just tilting their head at him. "A girl?" The pup pawed at the ground again, giving a slight howl but it wasn't actually a howl. Like its howl was still trying to form. "Alright, girl."

He looked back at the island, looking back out at the ocean. He couldn't see anything. Just open sea. This wasn't good at all. He had to try and find a way to signal to his nakama. They would come looking for him.

He knew they would.

X

Buggy didn't remember falling asleep, but when he woke up, he had frozen as his eyes met amber colored ones. He blinked as his vision fixed itself and sitting on his chest was a coyote. Sitting right on his chest and staring at him. Not moving. Not blinking.

Buggy's jaw dropped for a second before he screamed.

The coyote wasn't affected by the sound he made. Staring back at him almost in boredom as it lifted a paw up before he was hit directly in the forehead that made his screaming cease.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"

His question was only met with another hit to the head. He started swatting his hands, sitting up really quickly as the coyote moved, now moving to sit on the bed between his legs. The coyote was still looking at him expectantly.

"What do you want?!" Buggy snapped.

The coyote tilted its head, rushing out of the door. Buggy frowned but he felt impelled to follow after the small creature. It was so small. Like the coyote was just a pup. It confused him even more that there would be a coyote on their ship. How did it even get here?

Buggy kept his eyes on it, watching the small creature trot through the inner parts of the ship before stopping at the door that led to the deck. The apprentice frowned, reaching out and opening the door. The first thing he had seen was the rest of the crew standing around a table with a series of maps spread out over the table.

Roger was standing there, a frown settled on his face and a look in his eyes that Buggy couldn't place. For a second, Buggy felt guilty.

He had let go.

Shanks fell into the ocean, and there was nothing that he could do.

In the end, Shanks never resurfaced.

If he had been just a bit faster, if he hadn't let go, Shanks never should have hit the water.

Though at this point, he wasn't sure if he was more concerned about Shanks or the fact that there was now a random coyote on the ship that seemed to really like him. The coyote was being between his legs now before promptly sitting directly on top of his foot. Buggy felt the vein in his forehead pop out for a second as his eye twitched.

He was very close to kicking this coyote into the ocean.

At the same time, he wanted to bash his face into the cabins because of the guilt that was eating away at him. Why should he feel like this towards Shanks of all people? Shanks is the reason he couldn't swim anyway. The reason he missed out on treasure that would have set him for life. It was all his fault, and somehow, he was feeling guilty?! It didn't make sense to him. Shanks shouldn't have put himself into a position that would have allowed for this.

The others had noticed his presence and he had been expecting them to speak to him, but all eyes actually landed on the coyote on his foot. Roger's jaw had dropped as he looked at Rayleigh. "Do you see what I see?"

"I sure do." Rayleigh confirmed.

"I'll be damned." Gaban stated, smirking, and shaking his head.

"This does not surprise me." Crocus stated.

"Oh! One of those amazing creatures!" Oden exclaimed.

Buggy frowned again, looking down at the creature to see it looking back at him. What was so great about a coyote? The coyote gave a small yap before it was moving again and starting towards the rail of the ship.

"Wait!" Buggy exclaimed, "You somehow find your way onto this ship just to go overboard?! How stupid of a creature are you?!" He rushed forward, going to keep the coyote from making a stupid decision but froze as amber eyes locked to him. The coyote stopped, almost looking like it was glaring at him before it jumped from the rail, its claws hitting his cheeks and biting down on his nose. "Ouch! You little bastard! Quit!"

Roger bellowed out a laugh as he walked over, his hand landing on Buggy's shoulder as the apprentice managed to grab the coyote by its torso and pry it off of his face. Roger leaned in, humming as he reached out and scratched the small dog like creature on the cheek. "Hey there, little guy."

So, it was a male?

Buggy didn't even think or care enough to have looked.

"It hit me."

"He." Roger stated, "Buggy, do you understand why this little guy is here?"

Buggy tilted his head, casting Roger a look. "What the hell are you going on about?"

Roger chuckled for a moment, "Buggy, I think you need to take a moment and think about why there is suddenly a coyote on the ship."

Buggy stopped, eyeing his Captain for a second as he shook his head. "I don't freaking know!" He snapped, "Can you tell me there's a—" He stopped as the realization hit, and his eyes widened as he looked back at the small creature. "Oh…. Oh, hell no!"

Roger started cracking up again as he came back into Buggy's vision before the seriousness came to his face. "This little guy is trying to help you find him. Rather you want it or not, Buggy… Shanks is your soulmate."

Buggy was dumbfounded. He spent so long thinking that he didn't have a soulmate. Now, suddenly he does? He was only pulled out of his stupor by a paw smacking his cheek and he dropped the coyote out of shock.

The coyote moved back to the railing, before he was sitting and looking out into a direction. Roger hummed, walking over to the table, and grabbing off one of the maps before he was moving back over to where the coyote and Buggy were. He brought it in front of him and Buggy could see the various currents drawn on the map. "We're here." Roger stated as some of the others came up behind him and he pointed at a location on the map. "This current is the one that has been flowing under the ship and it heads west." He said, following the drawn current with his finger. "These currents are swift and rough. If something is inside of one, it doesn't take long before it gets washed up somewhere. My guess, Shanks fell directly into the current and was swept…" He moved his finger further, landing against one of the drawn-on islands, "Here. This island is called Ushinatta Island. Otherwise known as the Isle of the Lost. Many things that go to that island are never found again."

X

Shanks had gone over most the island. At least, he thought so. He had been traveling for hours from what it felt like. The small little wolf at his feet following him through the entirety of it. He did notice the way that she kept trying to get him to head back to the shore. He had decided that he wanted to continue to look around, find a food source and some water. He would need it for the time being. He could also maybe look for something that would help him get off the island or even something to help signal the Roger Pirates.

They would know he was missing by now. There was no way they haven't. It had taken a bit of time, but he had started remembering the night before. How much he had drank, falling off the ship before going into the water before being forced away by the swift running water. Though, he didn't remember actually landing on the island. That much he was uncertain about.

He had never seen an island like this one before. It hadn't taken him long to realize that wherever he walked, it seemed like the island itself was changing somehow. The wind had moved through the trees, the aromas of the forest filling his senses. He would look over his shoulder and he wouldn't see the way he had came. It was starting to concern him, but he still had to make sure he had supplies to be able to survive at least. He couldn't just find that on the shore.

So, it had been decided.

He was going to continue on.

He had a sinking feeling the entire time he kept treading forward. Like he was making a mistake. Though, he also felt like he had no choice. It was either stay on the shore and hope that the Roger Pirates showed up and risk dehydration and hunger without making a way to signal them. Or go through the forest and try to scavenge what he could. He could never recall a moment in his life where he was truly away from the Roger Pirates. They had always been there when he needed them. Buggy especially.

This felt so wrong to him.

At least, he had a small companion with him throughout this journey for the time being.

His sandals weren't doing much to protect his feet as he tracked through the wilderness. Small cuts were appearing on his skin from sticks and rocks. His feet were killing him, but he needed to continue on. His hands and arms were getting nicked on bushes and branches. He could feel how lightheaded he was getting. The way his vision had been blurring. The wolf pup kept pushing him on. Nudging against him and snapping him back to reality any time that he felt like he was going to pass out.

He didn't understand how the fatigue was already hitting him so quickly. Though, he would guess he had been here going on the daytime. He hadn't eaten since dinner the night before. The sun was beating down on his skin whenever he wasn't concealed within the trees. It was getting to his head. He needed to find some food and water quickly.

His vision would blur every so often as he climbed through the woods. Pulling himself over fallen trees, up the hills. He was starting to think that this might not have been the smartest plan that he had, but he needed to do it.

He got to a stopping point, sitting down with his back to a tree. He was huffing as he started to let his body relax. He really wished he knew where he was. Honestly, he wished that he never fell off of the ship. A part of him was happy that it had been him and not Buggy. Buggy never would have gotten out of the water. He would take being stranded on some island over Buggy drowning any day.

It was better this way.

He sighed as he leaned back against the tree, the exhaustion filling him. He knew that if he had some food that he wouldn't feel this tired, but he was running on fumes. The wolf pup crawled up into his lap. Twisting around before sitting down and looking out ahead of them. Almost like she was watching out for anything that might dare to jump out at them.

Shanks reached up, threading his fingers through her fur. On the bright side, he wasn't actually alone.

He wanted to get some sleep. Close his eyes and let his body relax. Even the wind around him felt like it was trying to lull him to sleep. It almost sounded like a melody playing that made him involuntarily start relaxing back into the bark of the tree. For a moment, it even felt like the tree itself was softening.

Before he knew it, his eyes had closed completely, and he had been lost into sleep.

X

The coyote hadn't stopped pacing around the rail of the ship, but he seemed to be pointing in the same direction. He gave off small whines as he tapped ahead of him, like he was trying to signal where to go.

Buggy was still completely in shock. He couldn't believe that he actually had a spirit animal. Let alone a soulmate. He knew that the spirit animals could be seen in a physical form after someone was separated from their soulmate, but he had never even seen the spirit form of his soul animal. Not until now. It had completely taken him by surprise.

It only made sense that this coyote was somehow connected to Shanks. He didn't show up until Shanks went overboard.

What Buggy did figure out?

This coyote was just as annoying as Shanks. He thought spirit animals were supposed to be representations of the person they were connected to, not their soulmate. It aggravated him. Part of him wished that his spirit animal had never showed up.

But there was a moment, a moment that he had actually missed Shanks being by his side. Even if they weren't together twenty-four seven, it didn't feel right knowing that Shanks wasn't there. That he wasn't somewhere on the ship. That he wasn't hiding away in some nook where Buggy would find him silently doing something. It just didn't feel right.

He still wished that he had managed to grab him.

He had been too slow.

He sighed as he watched his spirit animal moving around. A couple of times, the coyote would look at him, rub up against his arm before looking back out at the ocean. Starting up again with the pacing and whining before he would sit down.

"Would you calm down?" Buggy hissed, glaring at the coyote. It was the wrong thing to say as the coyote turned around and headbutted him in the nose. Buggy blinked, grabbing his nose as he cursed. "You—are you even a coyote?!"

Roger came up beside him chuckling, a hand landing on his back for a moment. Buggy scoffed as he looked back out at the ocean. Not saying a word to his Captain as the man stood there. "We'll find him."

"If he's not already dead." Buggy grumbled.

Roger started to chuckle for a second. "You know that's not the case." The Captain replied, "if that was, this little guy would not be acting this way."

Buggy gritted his teeth, shaking his head, "Why should I care what happened to him? I don't care if he's my soulmate or not! He's just the bastard who cost me everything!"

"I'm not so sure about that." Buggy froze completely because he could hear the smile on Roger's face just from his tone of voice. The apprentice peeked up at the man, seeing that Roger was looking right back down at him. "You know, Buggy, if you were so keen on not finding him… you wouldn't be looking out at the ocean right now."

Buggy scoffed again, tsking as he bit down on his lip.

Why should he care what happened to Shanks?

It's not like they were really friends anyway. Just apprentices who happened to be on the same ship. Shared a room. Did everything together. Talked for hours on end. Fought for each other.

Yeah, no, they weren't friends.

Shanks was just a pain in his ass.

Yet, there was some truth behind what Roger was saying. It wasn't something that he could fully explain. He was still so confused. He was beyond angry with the red head, yet he didn't actually want to see him get hurt. It felt like it would be different if it wasn't for the fact that he had watched Shanks fall into the ocean.

He looked over at the small coyote. The little guy was still looking out at the ocean. Doing that same movement as before. He had not once turned into a spirit form since Buggy had seen him. Why now of all times? Why not even show its spirit form to him? It didn't make any sense to him. "Hey… Captain?" Roger hummed as his response to him as Buggy leaned his chin onto his arm as he muttered, "Is there a reason behind spirit animals not showing their spirit form to you?"

Roger made a noise for a second, leaning forward against the rail with his arms crossed. "Well, Bug… it's said when someone is conflicted on their feelings… their spirit animal knows. A soulmate connection cannot be forced. You don't have to be with your soulmate, but fate seems to believe that other person if your perfect match, but the spirit animals are said to take your own feelings into consideration."

Buggy was still confused. He didn't start having feelings of hatred and anger towards Shanks until a few years prior. Not until the Devil Fruit incident. He could never remember in his life that his spirit animal was around. Sure, he didn't come onto the ship until he was about eight, but the point still stood. He would see other kids his age with their spirit animals in their spiritual forms, but he never had one. He had really thought he never had one.

That he had been destined not to have one.

Yet, somehow, the one person who pissed him off more than anyone was destined to be his perfect match.

How ironic.

Maybe, it wasn't the worst thing. Despite their constant fighting, Shanks was constantly by his side. Defending his back. Coming to his aid. Being someone to rely on.

It was so conflicting to the point he just wasn't sure anymore.

All he knew was, he wanted to find Shanks and bring him home.

This didn't feel right to him.

It wasn't time for them to part ways. It wasn't time for them to make their own crews and sail the world. They had completely different aspirations in life, but it wasn't time yet. That much he knew.

You better stay alive, Shanks.

He looked back at the coyote for a moment, reaching out and the coyote nodded his fingers with his little nose. The coyote was just a pup. Not very big at all. From what Shanks babbled on about spirit animals, they tended to age with their companion. Made sense that his was just a pup too.

Then it hit him.

If his spirit animal showed up, that must mean that Shanks' did too. He whispered to the coyote, "You know exactly where he is." He received a nip to the finger in response. It wasn't a hard one. Just gentle. A slight graze of teeth against his gloved finger. "Do you know if he's alright?"

The coyote yapped, pawing at the air. He didn't know exactly what it meant, but he wasn't acting as if something was deathly wrong. He could assume that Shanks was unhurt for the time being. That he was somewhere safe.

"Does he have his with him?"

Again, he received a yap.

He felt relieved for a moment. Shanks never spoke about his spirit animal. If he had one or not. He could only assume that if Shanks was truly his soulmate, that he also had his appear for him the second they were separated.

With a new determination, he reached for his knives, looking directly at the sea.

"Well, let's bring him home."

X

Shanks was jolted out of his sleep by hearing small growls. So low but high pitched at the same time. His eyes snapped open as he pushed himself off of the ground. It only took him seconds to realize that it was dark out. The sounds of different insects, the cold night wind that was making him shiver. The lack of light.

He reached out, his hand settling on the back of the wolf pup. She was growling from he could tell. The way that her body vibrated. She was the one making those sounds.

"What is it?" Shanks whispered. The hairs on the back of his neck started to stand as he peered around. Trying to find any signs of danger. Being in the wilderness at night on an unknown island didn't sound like a good idea.

Frankly, it wasn't.

He listened. Looking around still as he held his breath. He could hear the small crunches. Twigs snapping. Bushes rustling. His felt his breathing picking up. This wasn't good. He couldn't see a thing to know what might be coming his way.

The wolf pup hadn't stopped growling as he decided to push himself completely off of the ground and get to his feet. Then he started to hear it. The growls that definitely weren't coming from the pup. "That's… not good." He muttered.

Without a second thought, he scooped up the little pup and bolted. Taking off in a different direction that he heard the growls. He couldn't be sure if it was one creature or multiple It was hard to tell. He couldn't even see it to know what it was. There was no telling what was on this island. Despite the sleep he got, he couldn't trust his exhaustion. He could still feel the fatigue. He wasn't sure if his haki would do any good at the moment, but the excessive need to try was there.

He had no weapon to defend himself. Just his hands and whatever he could find in the forest.

He tried to keep his movements quiet as he rushed through the forest. It was so hard to see that he was bumping into trees, hitting sticks with his feet that were causing him to stumble. His heart was racing that he could practically hear it in his ears. All he knew was, he had to get out of there and get to a better point. He could attempt to climb into a tree, but he couldn't guarantee whatever was chasing him couldn't climb it. He also couldn't even see the trees good enough to be able to tell which ones he could climb easily.

He also wasn't going to abandon this wolf pup.

She had been with him from the second he had woken up here. He was going to protect her. Just like she had done for him.

She was still giving off small warning growls, her claws digging into his arms as he felt her head leaning against his bicep, probably looking around him. He would have to trust her to give him an indication of whatever creature that was following them. Where it could possibly. For the time being. He had to get away.

Shanks gasped as he felt his foot catch a large branch, tripping him over it and sending him rolling down a nearby hill. His head hit the ground hard that almost immediately disoriented him and making his vision going blurry. He continued to roll, but he curled his arms around the wolf pup to protect her as they went down.

Finally, they stopped as they hit a pool of water. Shanks fell onto his back, blinking as he tried to get his vision to stop spinning. He was heaving, his entire body screaming at him in pain. Still, he had to keep going. He had to get back up. The wolf pup was licking at his cheek again, nudging under it as Shanks pushed himself up.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

He gained back a whine from the pup as she hopped down, moving around the small stream that they were in. He could see a bit better now, moonlight flooding into the area that he could use to see. It was still pretty dark, but it wasn't as low visibility as it was before. This was better he could work with this.

He froze as he heard the small splashes behind him. The wolf pup moving to go behind him as she started to snarl. Shanks looked over his shoulders, eyes wide as he saw a jaguar. But it was much bigger than the ones he had seen before. He couldn't even be sure it was a jaguar, just that it looked like one. Its fur looked similar to one. Its fangs on the other hand were large, peeking out unlike normal jaguars. He had quickly noticed the blood around its mouth and on its arms.

Shanks moved his hands, pausing as he felt the large rock. He could use that. The jaguar was getting closer. Peering at him like he was its prey. He knew he was. It had been tracking him. It must have been eyeing him for a while now. A part of him didn't want to move, to cause a reason for the jaguar to attack. Another part wanted to arm himself immediately.

The wolf pup was growling as the jaguar was giving out a deep one. Leaning down like it was ready to pounce. Shanks choked down the lump in his throat, letting his hand wrap around the rock. It was just perfect size for his hand. As he blinked, the jaguar leaped, knocking him backwards into the stream. He lifted a hand, catching the jaguar by its jaw with one hand. Feeling the saliva moving against his arm and teeth against his finger. His breathing was picking up again as he put haki into his arm to give him a bit more strength. He still wasn't the greatest with his haki. He was still learning but it's what he had to do. The wolf pup was trying, biting at the jaguar's neck to try and get it off of him.

Shanks was struggling, kicking his legs, and trying to land a hit on the feline. He had to do anything that he could to try and just disorient it enough to get away. He had to keep fighting. His heart practically stopped as the jaguar pulled back a little, out of Shanks' reach before it was shaking its head, bring up a paw to swat at the wolf pup.

She yelped as she was hit, falling down into the small stream. "No!" Shanks exclaimed. For a moment, he felt the ping of pain go through him. It felt so foreign, he didn't understand why it was there, but he had to push it off for now. Shanks moved, pulling his other arm up and smashing the rock into the side of the jaguar's head, hitting it in the side of the face and directly on the eye before he was getting up. The jaguar howled out. Mewling loudly as it threw its head around in pain. Shanks took the second to scoop up the wolf pup and run.

X

It was late in the night when the coyote had suddenly started howling, yapping as it started bouncing on the rail of the ship. They had been following the pup's command the entire time. Using him as their compass. The coyote appeared to start getting excited.

Buggy hadn't slept yet, too intertwined with trying to find Shanks. His heart skipped a beat as he pulled himself up a bit to get a better look. He couldn't see anything. The others had moved to the side of the ship that the coyote had been standing watch on. The port side of the ship to be specific. Roger and Rayleigh were on either side of him, looking out in the direction that he was. He couldn't see anything that would show a sign of an island.

"Is he in the ocean?" Buggy questioned. For a moment, that fear went through him. What if Shanks was—no he couldn't think that. Shanks couldn't be. He refused to believe that the stubborn bastard would allow himself to die.

"No, I don't think so." Roger hummed. He was leaning forward, squinting for a second before he was bellowing out, "Hard to port!"

Buggy's head snapped up in his direction as the coyote yapped in agreement to Roger. He looked back out at the ocean, shaking his head. The moon was reflecting off of the ocean, but he couldn't see a thing that would indicate that Shanks was out there. "Cap—"

"There's an island over there!" Roger exclaimed as the others were racing to follow his order. "I almost missed it. It's hiding in what is called a false horizon mirage. It must be its natural defense against outsiders. Hides right within eyesight. If you are too far away, it's hard to notice the signs. As you gain more experience on the sea and with navigation, you'll learn to see these." He explained.

Buggy hummed, looking back out at the ocean. He still couldn't see it, but Roger seemed so certain that it was there. Roger had been a pirate for over thirty years. If he was certain about it, it had to be true. "It's there, Buggy. I promise you." Rayleigh added.

"He's on that island, Buggy." Roger stated a smile on his face. "Our Shanks is a fighter and is somewhere on that island. Now, we just have to find him."

Buggy nodded as the coyote jumped from the rail, landing on his shoulder, and perching himself there. He almost instinctively reached up a hand, using it to help the creature balance. "It's because of you little guy." Buggy whispered. "You still have work to do." The coyote nuzzled up against his ear, nipping against his cheek for a second before pulling away. "Lead me to him."

X

He knew he couldn't stop. No matter what he did, he couldn't stop moving. That abnormally large jaguar was still on his trail, even if he had half blinded the large feline with that shot to the face with the rock. His lungs were screaming at him. His legs were hurting. He was positive that he had ran out of his shoes judging by the fact that he could feel grass and leaves under his feet.

He had to survive.

That's all he had to do. He also had to find a way to trick the feline off of his path.

Shanks looked over his shoulder again. He didn't see the jaguar, but he could hear it. The dark was shielding it from him again. The wolf pup was whining in his arms. He could feel her pain. While he didn't understand it, he was going to fix her up the second that he could. She deserved it. She might just be a pup, but she had done so much for him.

Shanks made a mental note to ask Roger if he could keep her.

He turned his attention back ahead of him, gasping as he realized that a branch was right in front of his face. He had barely ducked in time to keep him from going face first into it. "It's okay. You'll be okay." He managed to say through huffs.

As he broke through the tree line again, he skidded to a stop as he realized that he had came to a cliff side. He looked down, breathing heavily for a second. The fall was huge. It was pitch black towards the bottom that he couldn't even see into it. It was a good thing that he came to a stop. If he fell in, he certainly would have died.

He looked around, turning to face the woods again. He had a pretty good distance between him and the jaguar, but it would find him. It would be able to track his scent. Looking back at the cliff, he could see that there was no way for him to cross it. He had no where to go.

Think, Shanks. You have to do this quickly. Then it came to him. He rushed over to some of the trees, tucking the wolf pup against the truck. He pulled out of his sash, moving quickly to wrap it around the injury that the pup had. He smiled as he gave the little wolf a pet on the head before he was standing back up and looking back at the tree line. He could tell the jaguar was closer now. Hearing the way that the snapping sounds were getting closer.

He placed himself by the cliff, holding his breath as he waited.

Sure enough, the jaguar came rushing towards him just a few moments later. Shanks stayed where he was, balling his fists as he waited for the final second. If he moved too soon, the jaguar would just follow him. "C'mere, kitty kitty." Shanks muttered.

He flooded the haki through his body, focusing more on his legs. His head was splitting in pain, which made him not want to use his Conqueror's Haki, and he had doubted it would do him much good if he couldn't focus on actually using it. He had to trust his Armament Haki for this. He jumped up, sending himself into the air just as the jaguar got to him. He screamed out as he felt the claw hit his leg, but he could hear the roar of the jaguar that started to quickly move away before he heard a loud thud. He went crashing into the ground, rolling across it before landing on his stomach with his face in the dirt.

He grimaced as he laid there for a moment before he finally found the strength to push himself up. He looked down at his leg. Noticing the gash on his thigh that had cut right through his pants. The blood that had started coming out of the wound. His leg was screaming in pain.

Shanks had a sense of relief going through him knowing that the jaguar wasn't going to be hunting him down anymore, but now he had his leg to deal with. He groaned as he rolled to his back, looking back down at his bloody leg. Thankfully, he could still bend his knee, but moving hurt. He used his elbows to drag himself backwards. Using his other leg to help maneuver his body to the place where he left the wolf pup. She was whining loudly now as he got back over to her. He rolled up onto his uninjured side, feeling the exhaustion continuing to go through him.

He was thirsty and his throat was dry between the running and the lack of water. He was hungry. His stomach twisting painfully from the lack of foot. His head was splitting in pain between the injury he got to it and probably from drinking the night before.

This day had really sucked.

He wanted to go home. See his Captain again. See his nakama. See Buggy. He didn't want to be out here.

He reached out, petting at the wolf's fur as he shushed her quietly. She was probably hungry and thirsty too. He still had to find some food and water source. He couldn't stop now. Staying in one spot had proved not to be a good idea. Hell, leaving the shore had been a bad idea. He laid there for a few more moments before he was pushing himself back up, reaching for his shirt and ripping the bottom off. Part of him was really happy he decided to wear one of his longer ones. Shanks let out a shaky breath as he sat up, peering down at his wound. It might scar but it would depend on if he got medical attention for it soon. Crocus would take care of it for him. He knew they would find him. He just had to make sure he stayed alive along enough for them to find him. He was stranded on some island that he didn't know or recognize and clearly had creatures that were out to kill him. He just hoped he didn't run into another one. He would never be able to outrun it now. He barely got away from the jaguar.

He bit down on his lip as he forced his leg up. Bringing the striped fabric, he had ripped off up to his leg. The wound was bleeding, pretty badly at that. He would only going to get weaker from here. If he could hopefully find just something to eat, he could raise that little bit of fatigue. He wrapped the fabric tightly around his leg, whimpering in pain for a second from the jolt that went through his leg from the tightening fabric. Once he was finished, he allowed himself to rest back on his forearms, releasing a sharp breath.

"This sucks." He whispered. He pushed himself up, using his good leg to balance on as he limped towards the pup, careful of her injuries as he brought her up into his arms. "There, there, girl, let's get you some food." She just whined in return, snuggling up against his chest before she was closing her eyes. With his decision made, he went back into the forest.

X

They were still far away from the island from what Buggy could tell. He still couldn't even see it or figure out how the others could see it. He supposed, his eyes just weren't trained for it. He kept his hand on the grip of his knife. Almost having a death grip on it. He was sure if his hands were actually visible, it would be clear that his knuckles were practically white.

He hadn't done much of anything. Staying in the same place as the anxiety spiked through him. The curiosity of what could be happening to Shanks going through him. The guilt that was starting to eat away at him again through the previous anger and hatred.

That was until suddenly the coyote started to whine. Loud whines that made Buggy's ear ring as he jumped from his shoulder and started pacing around, acting like it wanted to get off of the ship. That's when Buggy felt the panic set in.

"What's going on?" Buggy questioned. The entire time, this little creature hadn't acted like this. His eyes went wide as he heard Roger curse, shouting for the others to try and put more speed into the ship. "Captain! What is going on?!" Buggy screeched.

Roger sighed as he kneeled down in front of Buggy. His hands landing on Buggy's shoulders. "Your spirit animal is reacting to it's mental link to Shanks."

Buggy choked on the lump that had formed in his throat as he shook his head. "He's alive… right? He can't—"

"Don't think that." Roger stated. "If you will lose your mind thinking something like that. He's going to be okay. We are not that far from him now."

Buggy shook his head, "Why would that damn coyote act like that!? Something bad happened! Didn't it?!" Roger didn't look like he wanted to answer the question, but the look in his eye was all Buggy needed to know. Something happened to Shanks. Buggy didn't know near enough about soul animals to know all of their reactions. It wasn't like he could actively communicate with it and know what was going on in its mind. "Captain, please, tell me the truth!"

"Most likely either Shanks or his soul animal have been injured. Soul animals will have a sense of panic like this when your soulmate is injured." Roger explained, "If they… if they died, they would go into an almost catatonic state. Just hold onto the fact that Shanks is alive."

Buggy nodded, but the fear was now in the pit of his stomach. There was no way to be able to tell who got hurt. Shanks or his spirit animal.

But it made the urgency to find him that much more.

"I need too…" Buggy muttered, looking out to the sea. "I need to find him."

All he could do was wait.

X

Day broke and Shanks was practically dead on his feet. His feet were bleeding. His thigh was throbbing in more pain than he wished he was in. His body was weak by the time he had found the stream that he had encountered during the night. He had practically collapsed the second he had gotten there. His face hitting the grass as he fell, luckily, onto his uninjured side.

His breathing was labored. Coming out harsh as he clutched onto the wolf pup. She was just as exhausted as he was, but she seemed okay. Shanks so badly wanted to let his eyes close and get some rest, but he had to keep pushing himself. At least, he had a water source now. Instead, he left the wolf pup laying in the grass as he dragged himself over the embankment and to the water, cupping his hands and bringing some up to his mouth and drinking it greedily. He took a few more drinks before cupping some more in his hands and turning to the wolf pup.

She had poked her head up, her nose hitting his fingers. The water was slowly dripping through the cracks of his fingers but there was enough. She licked at the water, drinking up what he had brought into his hands. He continued the action, allowing her to get as much water as she wanted.

With his throat not as parched as before, he adjusted himself, bringing his injured leg closer to the water. He needed to clean out the wound. This water wasn't the best option, but it was what he had to work with. He had to do his best to avoid infection. The worst thing that could happen for him was to either bleed out or die because of an infection. He just had to last a bit longer.

He unwrapped the cloth from around his leg, grunting from the pain for just a second as he placed the cloth to the side. He reached to the water again, cupping his hands like he had before to gather water and poured it over his wound. Shanks gasped as it stuck slightly, releasing a shaky breath. The wolf pup had stumbled to her feet, shaking as she made her way over to him, her head settling against his hip. Like she was trying to comfort him.

He smiled as he looked down at her. "I'm glad I've had you here with me. You've been watching over me this entire…" His sentence trailed as he looked at the pup's eyes. He blinked as the sudden realization started to hit him. He could feel her pain. She was attached to him from the second he woke up on this island. It reminded him of a conversation he had with Roger.

His Captain's words were ringing in his ears now.

Your soul animal, even if you can't see them, they are always with you. They are like a best friend that was created from your own personality. To be there for you when you need it. They are a guide. A friend. A companion. They will help you get back to your loved ones while also protecting you with their own lives. You can feel each other's pain. There will be an urge to protect them just as much as they do for you. Treasure that, Shanks. That animal is your connection to someone in this world. They are their own being, but they connect you to the one person in the world who is supposed to be your other half.

"This entire time…" Shanks muttered as he reached down, pulling the wolf up into his lap. Her paws landed on his chest, her nose coming to rest against his collarbone. "You've been…" he felt the tears come to his eyes as he wrapped his arm around the pup. Not enough to aggravate her injury but bring her a bit closer. "I never thought I would have one."

She nudged her nose against his cheek again, wiping at the tears that had fallen from his eyes. He smiled as he pulled away, wiping at his eyes, and reaching over for the ripped cloth. The red head secured it back onto his leg, taking care to make sure that the injury was taken care of. He took a moment to survey the wolf's injury, cleaning it up. Thankfully, it wasn't bad. Mostly a graze, but it had been enough to break the skin. He redid the sash, bunching her up in one arm, and using the other to get back to his feet.

"Gotta keep going." He whispered.

He continued his trek through the woods, going back into the direction that he thought he had been from. His wolf companion was now trying to help guide him again. Giving him small little barks or whines for which direction she wanted him to go.

It felt like he had been walking for hours. His stomach was growling harsher now. Making the pain blister through his abdomen. This was not what he had thought was going to happen when they had started partying. He just knew the second he got home; he was curling up in his bed and going to sleep for a few days.

The sun was beating down on him again. Thankfully, he wasn't too concerned about sun exposure. It was the heat to cause dehydration and the fact that he was running on no food.

Though, there was a happiness that he felt.

He had a spirit animal.

That meant he had a soulmate.

His mind was fuzzy, but it brought him a spark of joy knowing that bit of information. The world had kept spinning around him, but he felt his eyes slipping shut but a smile was on his face. He was unconscious before he ever hit the ground.

X

They had gotten to the island and Buggy's heart was racing the entire time. Buggy hadn't thought twice before he was throwing himself over the rail, landing on his feet on the shore. The others were following after him, but his coyote was leading the charge. Bolting ahead of them before Roger could give an order.

Buggy didn't want for the order.

Shanks was here.

That small coyote was enough to tell him that any uncertainty that he felt wasn't true. He was going to find Shanks and bring him back. Bring him home.

"Buggy! Wait!" Roger shouted, but Buggy had ignored him. The coyote was leading him straight for a forest that wasn't far from the shoreline.

This place was called Ushinatta Island. The place where things got lost and never returned. That would not be the case this time. He would find Shanks. If there was any treasure worth finding, it was him. With each step, the less he cared about what happened a few years ago. The loss of monetary value from that stunt that Shanks pulled. Instead, the value of Shanks' life over anything else.

He had been denying it this entire time.

Shanks was his nakama. His friend. Hell, he was more than that. Buggy had been so angry with him for so long. Fate seemed to believe that they were always destined to be with each other. Maybe they were. Maybe they weren't. Buggy couldn't imagine this world without that annoying red head in it.

The coyote had continued to run at top speed. It was hard for Buggy to keep up, but he did notice the way he seemed to stop and look back at him. Making sure that he was still following before he would take off again. Buggy was heaving from the lack of air that he was able to intake. He refused to stop moving. This coyote was his link to Shanks. His compass to finding the treasure that was here.

He could hear the others moving behind him. Many of the spirit animals of the crew moving out throughout the forest. He could see Roger's specifically. Running by his side but at a distance to cover more ground.

C'mon, Shanks. You have to know we came for you. Buggy thought to himself.

"Buggy! You have to be careful!" Roger shouted, "If we lose track of you! We might not be able to find you!"

"He's here, Captain!" Buggy shouted back.

"I know but stay in my line of sight!" Roger ordered. "The rumors that surround this island… the rumors say that the island itself will change the second anything breathing enters the forest! Like a maze that you can never find the exit to!"

Buggy looked over his shoulder only momentarily before looking back ahead of him. He stopped as he noticed that the coyote had stopped running instead sniffing at something that was on the ground. He frowned, walking forward, and kneeling down.

It was a sandal.

The coyote sat down, picking it up with its teeth and looking back at Buggy. "It's his." Buggy muttered, grabbing the sandal. He felt his stomach drop as he noticed the blood that was on the shoe. He shook his head as Roger caught up to him with the others.

"Isn't that Red-taro's?" Oden questioned.

"Yeah." Buggy whispered. The coyote resumed, sniffing the ground, walking a few feet before picking up the match sandal. "Why would he not be wearing his shoes?" The apprentice questioned as he looked up at Roger. "He wouldn't be this stupid." Roger's face looked dark. One that had Buggy freezing. "What?"

Roger sighed as he looked straight ahead, grabbing the grip of his sword. "There's only one reason someone would keep moving and leave their shoes behind."

"What are you saying?" Buggy questioned, the denials falling from his lips.

"You only run out of your shoes and leave them behind if you're running for your life."

Buggy felt the blood drain from his face. Roger had assured him that Shanks would be okay. Not that Shanks had been running for his life. He couldn't stop himself from whispering, "We have to find him…"

It was almost as if it was a command that the coyote had taken off again, bolting in a forty-five-degree angle from their current standing point. Buggy let out a string of curses as he lost sight of his spirit animal for a moment before he had managed to catch up. He was hoping with everything in him that Shanks wasn't too far from their current location. That he was fine, and he just didn't have his shoes. Shanks was smart and resourceful. There was no way that some island would take him down. Not when he had his dreams to accomplish. Buggy refused to believe anything else. Unless Roger had lied to him but even the Captain looked determined to find Shanks.

All he knew was, Shanks was alive somewhere in these woods and he was going to be the one to find him. Nobody could stop him.

X

At this point, they had been running for hours, having to stop a few times to catch their breath and rest for a moment. It really was starting to feel like a maze. Buggy peered around. He wasn't the only one who's attention was grabbed. It was like a low whistle. Like the wind that was moving through the leaves of the trees were creating a low lullaby. The comforting scents that filled his nose that made his mind hazy. Like he was in a euphoria.

He looked back at the way they came, and sure enough, it looked like the path had been blocked. At least, he thought that was the way they came from. He couldn't tell anymore.

What the hell was going on?

"That's… it really is a wonder what happens on the Grand Line." Roger muttered.

"The trees themselves are the protection of this island." Rayleigh stated.

"It's like music." Oden added.

"No wonder people get lost here." Gaban went on, adding on to the statement of Oden.

"What am I missing here?" Buggy snapped, huffing as he stood back to his full height.

Roger chuckled for a second. "I understand the rumors behind the island now." He said with a smile on his face, "It's a natural protection. There must be something that grows on this island that spreads through the wind. Something that causes the mind to hallucinate. You only believe that you are getting trapped inside of it, but in reality, your mind is just playing tricks on you. The more you inhale during the wind patterns, the more likely you will lose sense of reality." He sighed for a second, wiping his hands on his pants, "That's enough of a break. We need to keep going."

Buggy nodded, looking at his spirit companion before the coyote was running off again.

How far into the forest did Shanks get?

X

Shanks felt nothing short of elation when his eyes opened again. He was too weak to move, but his wolf companion was laying beside him, head popped up and looking around. The aromas that were in his nose kept him relaxed. Almost giving him a false sense of security despite knowing the danger he was in. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to move.

The wind felt nice against his skin. He couldn't feel the pain in his body anymore. Probably at this point from adrenaline. Though, he would have thought that the adrenaline would have worn off by now and the endorphins would have left his body. Shanks was on his side. His cheek laying against the dirt and grass.

He turned his head, his vision going between blurry and clear. Through the trees, for a second he could see Buggy standing there. A smile came to his face as Buggy hovered over him. Buggy was looking down at him, his hands landing on his shoulders. "Buggy…" Shanks whispered. Buggy's imagine going blurry for a moment. "You… came."

Buggy smiled at him, whispering, "You can rest now." His voice was so distorted which caused Shanks to frown. What did Buggy mean by that?

"Bug—"

"Just close your eyes and the pain will end."

Buggy's hand moved to his cheek, caressing it for a second. The blissful state deepened. His mind growing hazier by the second. This didn't sound like something Buggy would say, but it was comforting. Through his blurry gaze, Buggy disappeared as he blinked, leaving a figure standing above him that he couldn't quite make out before it too was gone. But he listened. Shanks did exactly that.

He let his eyes close again.

X

Buggy hadn't stopped running. The coyote's pace had gotten quicker, more determined as he started to make close to barking sounds. They were getting close he could feel it. That's when he started to hear it. Howls. That weren't coming from any of the companions that were running with them. The coyote picked up on it, going straight for the direction they were coming from. They were getting louder by the second. They were getting closer now. Buggy was sure of it.

As they broke through the next set of trees. He felt the fear pierce through him. Shanks was laying on the ground, unmoving and his eyes were closed. "Shanks." He whispered before he was darting forward. He had barely noticed the small wolf pup that was looking straight at him. Wrapped up on its midsection by Shanks' sash that he had been wearing the night he had fallen off of the ship.

Shanks looked like hell. His feet were bare, further proving that the shoes they had found belonged to him. His feet were cut up. Broken skin and bleeding. Dirt covering almost all of the surface. His legs were cut up. Arms. His face had scratches on it. His hands were bruised up, knuckles broken open. His leg was bloody, but Buggy had noticed that part of his shirt had been wrapped around it. The fabric of his torn shirt was also bloody.

"What happened to you?" Buggy questioned. His coyote had walked over, nudging Shanks' face for a second before moving over to the wolf pup, sniffing at its ear for a moment before licking its face. He sighed, looking back at the others as they were approaching.

"Shanks!" Roger bellowed, rushing forward, and coming to Shanks' other side.

Crocus was the next over, coming next to Roger and pulling off his bag. He had flipped Shanks over onto his back, already moving in to check on his pulse. A sigh of relief came from him as he nodded, "His pulse is strong." Buggy felt the relief go through him as Crocus had moved onto the rest of his injuries. Starting at the one on his leg. Buggy cringed as Crocus removed the cloth, showing the state of the injury to them. "This was from an animal." Crocus added as he started to get to work. Disinfecting the wound as he went. He pulled out a small suture kit, sterilizing the skin prior to starting to close the wound.

"Captain… you might want to see this." Spencer stated.

Buggy looked up, turning his body to look at where Spencer was standing. Both Spencer and Gaban were looking out a little way from them. Buggy felt his stomach fall. Bones covered the entire area. "Are those…"

"Human remains." Roger muttered. He shook his head, placing his attention back onto Shanks. They had stayed there, letting Crocus do his work. Once he had finished closing the wound, he bandaged them up before nodding. "Can we move him?"

"Carefully." Crocus stated. "He's unconscious, but he'll probably wake up in a world of pain. Probably will want some food and water too. I doubt he found anything here if he had been hallucinating most of the time."

Buggy looked at Shanks' face, feeling the tears prickling his eyes as he leaned over, pressing his forehead into the red head's. "You asshole." He hissed. "Don't scare me like that."

He only pulled away when he heard Roger say, "You took good care of him, didn't you, girl?" He looked over his shoulder to see Roger picking up the wolf pup that had been accompanying Shanks. He blinked. This wolf pup was Shanks' companion. Just like his coyote.

That meant what Roger sat was true.

He turned his gaze back to Shanks again.

Shanks was in fact his soulmate.

He swallowed the lump in his throat as he moved, using one arm underneath Shanks' shoulders and the others under his legs, being careful of his injury. He grunted for a moment as he stood back up, adjusting the red head in his arms. His head settling on his collar bone. Roger had walked up beside him, Shanks' companion in his arms where she had promptly fallen asleep.

"Buggy?" Rayleigh questioned, "We can carry him."

Buggy shook his head, looking back down at Shanks for a second. "No, I'm taking him home."

"Alright." Roger said, "Let's go."

For a split second as they moved to head back in the direction they had came from, Buggy could have sworn he heard Shanks' voice whisper, "Buggy."

X

As they moved through the forest, Roger's spirit animal had led the way. Guiding them straight through the trees. Buggy's arms were tired, but he refused to put Shanks down. His companion had stayed at his feet. Sticking close to his ankle as they made their trek through the woods.

It was night fall before they had made it back out of the forest and onto the shoreline. Honestly, Buggy was surprised. He couldn't tell which way they were going. Let alone if they had gone back in the right direction.

That was until he noticed Rayleigh's companion sitting on the shoreline. Right by the ship. Roger's lion walked over, nudging his head against Rayleigh's companion. He blinked, looking up at Roger in surprise. "Wait…"

"That's right, Buggy." Roger confirmed. He didn't even have to actually say it. It had been right in front of their faces, but they had never known.

"No way." Buggy muttered. "Shanks is going to lose his mind once he finds out."

Buggy had walked straight for the ship, following Crocus to the infirmary. He had done it. He had brought Shanks home. He placed him down onto the bed, stepping back and letting Crocus finish what he had started in the woods.

When Crocus was finally finished, he sat down in the chair next to the bed, grabbing ahold of Shanks' hand. Crocus had excused himself from the room, saying he would return to check on Shanks soon. Roger had dropped off Shanks' companion, who was fast asleep curled up against Shanks' side. Crocus had checked her injuries over. Cleaning them more and wrapping them up with actual bandages.

Buggy's own companion had joined her. Curled up by her and half leaning on Shanks. He never would have thought that this would happen to him.

He reached for the bowl with a wet washcloth in it. Ringing it out with his free hand before bringing it over and wiping at the dirt that was covering Shanks' face. He sighed as he finished, getting as much as he could before he was placing the rag back into the bowl.

His other hand was still accompanied by Shanks'.

He refused to let go.

He would never let him go again.

Buggy leaned forward, pressing his lips into Shanks' forehead. He would never know.

X

Buggy hadn't realized that he had fallen asleep until he opened his eyes and they quickly adjusted back to the sight of the infirmary. His hand was cold now which had made his heart stop. He jolted up, freezing as he noticed that the bed was empty.

"Shanks?!" He exclaimed. He started to look around, freezing as he noticed that Shanks was at the door, leaning against Roger as he balanced on one leg. A cheeky smile on his face but he was clean now and in fresh clothes. Buggy let out a sharp breath as he felt the anger flare in him. "You bastard!"

Shanks smiled at him and for a moment, Buggy froze from seeing the tears in Shanks' eyes. "You're my soulmate…" Shanks muttered.

Buggy scoffed, looking away as he brought a hand to the back of his neck. "It doesn't change anything." He went stiff as arms wrapped around his shoulders, Shanks' cheek pressing into his.

"I thought for a moment… that I was going to die out there." Shanks whispered, "I knew you'd find me."

Buggy felt his face flush over, burning as the heat rose to it but he let his arms move and wrap around Shanks after a moment. His hands curling into the back of his shirt as he gritted his teeth. "Don't you ever do that to me again." Buggy growled.

"Even if it did, you'd find me again." Shanks replied. Shanks pulled away from him, smiling at him for a second before he was leaning in, pressing a kiss into his cheek.

It only took a second for Buggy's face to flare up again before he was screaming out. "Hey, don't just do shit like that!"

Shanks laughed softly, looking down for a second before he was picking up his wolf companion and smiling at him again. "I could say the same for you." He whispered, his cheek dusting red for a second.

Buggy choked.

Shanks was not supposed to know about that.

He grumbled, screeching as he felt pain erupt into his ankle. He looked down, growling as he noticed his coyote casting him a look. "Oh, no, you are not getting involved in this!" Shanks just laughed, moving back towards him, and leaning into his side. Leaning just right so he could old the wolf in his arm comfortable. "Bastard! Would you sit down and rest!"

He could practically hear the eye roll Shanks gave him as he heard, "Awe, you do care."

"Shut up!" Buggy snapped as he moved, guiding Shanks back to the bed. "Don't leave this bed!" He continued to grumble as Shanks just smiled at him. The coyote leapt off of the floor, getting back onto the bed and laying back Shanks' side. "You little traitor." Buggy hissed.

If coyotes could shrug, Buggy was pretty damn sure his just did so.

There was a second where a smile slipped onto Buggy's face.

It was back to normal.

All thanks to their spirit animals. They found each other again.

He grumbled as he sat back down, reaching out for Shanks' hand again.

This time, he was for sure, not letting go.