Shanks landed on the dock of the sleepy village with a heavy thud of his boots. He stretched his arms out and adjusted his balance for land rather than sea. He called out towards his men to restock and enjoy their time on the summer island. He knew he didn't have to warn them about being too crazy in such a quite place such as this. A harsh wave crashed into the dock and sea spray tickled his face as he turned towards the tiny village nestled at the base of a mountain.

"Cool!"

He paused and looked down at the child that was vibrating in excitement, his big eyes roving over his ship and then to him.

"Are you the captain? Are you guys pirates? Did you go on a lot of adventures!?"

The black haired boy spoke fast and some of his words were smushed together but Shanks laughed and nodded, crouching down and giving the kid a playful glare. He wasn't sure why this kid was here, and he was slightly disappointed that the townspeople would let him anywhere near a pirate ship. After all, not all were as nice as they were.

"Yeah kid, we are. It could be dangerous for you here, so why don't you go find your family. I'm sure they're worried sick about you." Shanks hoped his words would be enough to scare the kid off but was surprised when the runt just tilted his head in confusion, not at all intimidated.

"Mom's not worried though, she told me you were coming. Oh! I'm Luffy it's nice to meet you!" Luffy's voice was happy and excited and far too innocent to hold any ulterior motives, but Shanks couldn't let what he said go so easily. After all, they had worked hard to make sure they got here undetected.

He hardened his eyes as he stared down at the kid, and Luffy seemed to gain some understanding as he looked up at him with confusion.

"What do you mean 'mom told you' that we were coming?" Shanks heard his crew still as they watched the interaction from the ship, all seeming to hold their breath. He almost felt insulted when Luffy looked at him like he was the idiot and pointed to the sea.

"My mom," Luffy's voice was sure and something made the hair on the back of Shanks neck stand on end. "She tells me when people come and go, and who is okay to meet."

Luffy turned his head and kneeled down on the dock, splashing his little hand in the waters that seemed to reach up towards him. And surly that could be the only explanation because the waters would have been too low for him to reach otherwise. By now, the silence of his crew was tangible as they all watched with unbelieving eyes.

"Mom says you guys aren't all that bad. She says you have adventures to tell me about." Luffy took his hand away from the sea and Shanks blinked his eyes hard, trying to reason how the water seemed to cling to the young boy. He didn't know how to respond, was unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him so he looked towards his first mate who looked just as baffled as him.

A wave crashed harshly against the dock and sprayed water on his face, forcing himself away from his thoughts. He leaned down again and stared at Luffy, meeting his gaze and holding it to see the truth in the kid's words. What he didn't expect was how Luffy seemed to look into his soul, searching him and deeming his worth. He jerked back, surprised and was about to ask another question when a young woman with green hair grabbed his attention with a greeting.

"Hello there, my name is Makino." Her smile was kind and she laid a hand on Luffy's little shoulder, causing him to smile wide as he glanced up at her.

"I have a bar not too far from here if you boys would like to rest and chat there." Her voice was a soft melody and the green bangs that framed her kind face were swept in a breeze. She looked from him and down to Luffy with a knowing smile and Shanks paused before slowly nodding at her offer.

He turned his head to his crew who were all watching with rapt attention and some staring at Luffy like they'd seen a ghost. "Hurry up you bums! The faster we work the faster we can party!" He forced false cheer into his voice, but only those closest to him would be able to tell.

He glanced back at the woman, Makino, and tilted his hat in greeting. "The name is Shanks, it's a pleasure to meet someone as lovely as you." He paused and looked down at Luffy who was giving him a smile so wide it didn't seem to fit on his face. "Nice to meet you too, Luffy."

The grin stretched impossibly wider and the child once again began vibrating where he stood in his excitement.

"Luffy, let me help these men get settled. You can join us later." Makino knelt down and swept a hand through soft, black hair, smiling even as the boy pouted and complained. "I promise you'll have plenty of time to talk with them, for now why don't you go visit you mom, I'm sure she can tell you some funny stories about these men."

Shanks narrowed his eyes and he felt Benn stiffen next to him at the woman's words. Luffy however seemed to perk up and glanced up at Shanks with a mischievous smile.

"Oh Makino is so smart!" A carefree laugh escaped the boy and before Shanks could question the woman more, Luffy turned and jumped into the sea. He froze for a moment before he moved forward, knowing that Luffy was much too young to swim well against the currents this far out.

"Wait," Makino raised a hand in front of him as he prepared to leap in and she shook her head at him. "Luffy will be fine, his mother would never harm him."

It had to have been a joke, but the unwavering look she gave him told him otherwise. Makino pointedly looked at the sea and Shanks looked away from her to follow her gaze. Luffy wasn't even treading water, but it seemed he didn't have to. The waves moved in an unnatural pattern, keeping him afloat and cradling the laughing boy. Shanks didn't know he could still be surprised.

"I can explain, especially since the sea seems to like you. Follow me, we can talk at my bar." Makino turned her back on him and Shanks found his feet moving, even as his eyes stayed glued to Luffy for as long as they could. He swallowed and glanced to his left where Benn was walking next to him in stride, his brows furrowed and his gaze razer sharp on the path.

Before he knew it, Shanks was downing sake, letting the liquid sting his throat if only to know that he wasn't dreaming. The sound of a crackling hearth could be heard somewhere in the bar but he only had eyes for the gentle woman behind the bar, waiting for her to speak. Neither he nor Benn had spoken a word to one another, each too focused on trying to figure out the mystery this little town held.

"Luffy was given to me to raise when he was a baby," Makino's voice was gentle as she spoke, still setting up drinks for the other men that were soon to come. "He was always odd, even as a baby. But later when we realized he was a child of the sea, it all made sense." Makino laughed to herself as she wiped down the old, wooden counter with a damp rag. "Even as a toddler, he preferred the sea to sleep in than his own crib. Worried me sick."

Shanks took another large gulp of his drink because surly this woman couldn't be saying what he was hearing. Even the new world didn't have a story as ridiculous as this. Makino paused in her cleaning and looked between the two of them, watching them with furrowed brows and a small frown.

"I don't really share this, so I'd appreciate it if you kept it to yourselves. The village knows, hard not to, but outsiders have to find out on their own. And of course," her smile returned, and it was warm, but her next words rang in warning. "The sea protects what is hers."

Shanks raised his pitcher once more but frowned when he found it empty. Makino gestured for him to give it over and he spoke as he watched her refill it. "Then why tell us strangers? Shouldn't we find out on our own?" The tankard was placed in front of him, full and sloshing as he greedily took another drink.

"Usually I would agree. But Luffy warned me about you, said his mother trusted the next ship to dock here. I'm not sure why, but its not really my place to ask." Makino shrugged her delicate shoulders and moved from behind the bar to add another piece of wood to the hearth, stirring something in the pot above. "I'm not particularly worried, whether you're good or bad, Luffy will be safe."

It was said with a certainty that felt like a fact, as if the world itself agreed with her words. Before he could ask her more questions, he heard the pounding of feet and the cheering of his men followed by a high, excited voice. The doors burst open and his crew filtered in, sitting themselves at tables that already held drinks and cheered. Shanks let himself relax in the comfort his crew provided even as the mystery child crawled up onto the bar stool next to him. Shanks watched the kid with an amused smile as he kicked his legs and asked for lunch, eager to eat.

Large, dark eyes full of wonder turned to him and childish laugher left Luffy's parted lips. Something about Luffy made the knots in his chest loosen in relief and he found himself smiling back at the boy.

"Shanks, Shanks! Tell me about the time that a seagull stole your hat!" Luffy swung his legs harder in excitement and Shanks laughed even as Benn choked on his drink next to him. Only a few knew that story as it was from his early days, and he shouldn't be surprised that the sea was privy to that information.

xxx

In the few months that they had stayed on the island, Shanks had become accustomed to Luffy being so… well Luffy. There wasn't really another way to describe the child that seemed to beam like the sun or the way he sometimes looked at people, as if their life story was playing before his eyes. He stopped being worried about him (and really, when had he begun to worry?) and defaulted to looking at Makino whenever it seemed like Luffy was doing something reckless. She would usually shake her head and smile, but never worried when he did something unexpected. He still remembered when she was closing the bar some time after midnight and asked him if he wanted to see where Luffy slept. His mind had taken him back to his first day on the island and he nodded vigorously, remembering how the sea cradled her child. It had been dark out and the moon was a crest in the sky, but Makino seemed to know where she was going like she had traveled the path a thousand times.

The sand was white and pristine under his boots, the crashing waves filling his ears as they approached the edge of the water. Makino had looked at him with a secretive smile before turning to the water and pointing to something in the sea. He followed her finger, squinting his eyes and forcing them to focus in his drunken state. A little cove of water was still compared to the surrounding waves and Shanks had felt his eyes widen in shock at the sight.

Luffy was peacefully asleep, a gentle smile on his face as he let himself be cradled by the currents themselves. Moonlight reflected off his wet hair as he turned and somehow snuggled into the waves. But no matter how he moved, the water never went over his face. Makino had giggled quietly next to him at the look on his face and they both sat there all night, watching the sea child sleep in the embrace of his mother. Shanks had wanted to deny it for months, thinking that maybe, just maybe it was blown out of proportion, but really he couldn't deny it any longer. Luffy was the child of the sea, and it was something he had never expected to see.

His old captain had a way with the sea, a freedom in his laugh that now sounded painfully empty compared the one Luffy gave. Still, Shanks was sure Roger had been blessed by the sea, but not in the way the black-haired boy had been. It defied everything he knew about logic in the world, but who was he to care about logic when the impossible was placed in front of him?

From that night on, he woke up early every morning and sat on the beach, waiting for the morning rays of sun to waken the child on the sea. Makino had always waded in and lifted him gently from the currents, smiling and talking about breakfast to help the excitable ball of joy. However, Shanks waited by the shore, knowing the sea would give him the child when it was ready to release her charge. The currents would bring him the groggy Luffy, the water parting around his feet when Shanks reached down to lift the wet child into his arms.

Today was such a day, his side and shoulder damp from where Luffy clung to him like a little monkey and snuggled into the crook of his neck. Every day he told himself he had to set off, back into the sea. But then he would wait for Luffy to wake up, and he found his feet and heart firmly planted in the little village for another day.

"Anchor," he murmured, ruffling Luffy's hair with his free hand and wiped the salt away from his eyes. Luffy gave him a sleepy smile and snuggled further into him, melting his heart and starting the cycle anew. "Did you sleep well?"

Luffy nodded into his neck and he felt the child smile wide, the sun warming his back as he walked towards the village.

"Mhmm, mama told me more." His voice was sleepy and Shanks found himself listening with rapt attention. The sea told Luffy many things, some Shanks already knew, but some where unexpected surprises or warnings to heed. "She said you're what a dad is like."

Shanks felt his body freeze mid step, his eyes widening. His grip nearly grew slack, but he forced himself to clutch the child tighter instead. They were far enough away from the beach now, but Shanks swore he could still hear the waves. Luffy shifted in his arms and looked up at him with a smile so wide that his eyes closed. His giggles started soft before turning into full blown laughter.

"She said your face would be funny like that! Shihihihi!" Luffy nearly fell out of his arms in his mirth and Shanks took the distraction to shove the creeping thoughts to the back of his head.

"You're such a BRAT!" Shanks maneuvered the child until he was held securely under his arm and against his side, dangling Luffy as he continued to laugh. He made a show of stomping towards Makino's bar with loud steps and an annoyed tone, trying to ignore the fluttering of his heart and the sad pang in his chest.

Later that night, Shanks was sitting at the edge of the dock, boots off and pants rolled up. There was no moon in the sky, just the endless expanse of stars and a few drifting clouds. The sea was lapping calmly against the wooden poles that sunk deep into the water, the dark depths calm, almost as if the ocean was holding it's breath. His feet dangled and occasionally a wave would rise higher than others and lap at them, keeping him awake. He wasn't quite sure what he was doing here, didn't know if he would be heard, but it had to be said, no matter how badly he wanted to stay.

"You know I have to go," his voice fell flat as he spoke into the open air. Only the sea his witness. "I can't stay." And it was a painful truth he had to bare. Shanks was a captain, his heart already belonged to the sea.

xxx

Heavy footsteps were heard as his men ran around on the ship, his own drowned out in the noise. He looked through cabinets, chests and even under beds, but the small, unassuming chest was gone as if plucked out of reality.

"Captain!" Lucky Roux shouted from above deck and Shanks practically threw himself up the stairs. Lucky was near the figurehead of the ship, pointing to something laying on the wood. He moved closer, looking where he was pointing and felt the blood drain from his face. In the dragon figurehead's mouth was a chest, pried open and swollen with seawater.

"I didn't move it, just in case."

He nodded and climbed up and forwards, wrapping his legs around the wood and heaving himself up to take a better look. The lock of the chest looked rusted and old, as if they hadn't just bought it a few months ago. But more importantly, it was coated with dried salt and stained with water. Inside, the chest was full of seawater and a single sand dollar was inside. He cursed under his breath and flung the chest onto the deck, swinging off the figurehead and following it close behind as seawater sloshed everywhere.

His crew stared at him and the empty box, eyes wide and postures tense. By now they all knew their anchor was a sea child, but none thought he would do this. Shanks swallowed and barked out his order to wait as he turned on his heel and ran to where he knew Luffy would be. The foliage was a blur as he sprinted towards the beach, the waves were crashing especially hard that day and the wind seemed harsher than normal.

He spotted Luffy sitting on the beach, a small dot in the distance and hunched over something. The waters surrounded him in a circle, as if trying to hide him from view. Shanks ran faster, ignoring how his balance was off in the sand and the burning of his lungs. The waves crashed higher, and the sun was blocked off by clouds, he heard Luffy's distant voice full of disgust.

"Bleh! I don't want the rest though it's so gross!"

A wave engulfed Luffy and Shanks felt his breath catch. That was the first time he had actually seen Luffy pulled underwater. Urgency made him move faster, his heavy breathing stuttering in his fear. Luffy emerged in the next wave as Shank's feet hit the water and the young boy scowled as he turned towards the ocean.

"I didn't want it! You didn't have to shove it in my mouth!" Luffy stuck his tongue out and swiped at it, as if to get ride of the taste.

"Luffy!"

The child jolted at the sound of his voice and his eyes widened when he spotted Shanks wading in towards him, jumping up and trying to meet him halfway.

"Shanks? What is it?"

He wasn't sure what face he had on, but Luffy seemed concerned and for once in his life, listened to what he had to say. Shanks grabbed Luffy from the sea, unsure how the waters would react to him and shook the young boy.

"Luffy! What did you eat!"

Luffy was looking up at him with wide eyes, confusion on his face for a split second before he stuttered out his response. "A fruit thing. It was so gross though, but mom made me finish it." The child made a face and Shanks stilled his movements, suddenly unsure.

"What did it look like? How did you get it?" He spoke as he waded out the water, carefully holding Luffy away from the sea.

"Swirly and purple. Mom gave it to me, why?" His anchor's voice held genuine confusion and Shanks lost any anger he had managed to gather. There was no way Luffy had done this on purpose. He sat down with a heavy sigh and set Luffy on his lap, looking out towards the ocean and the calming waves.

"She gave it to you?" He repeated, glancing down into Luffy's large, honest eyes. At his nod, he pinched the bridge of his nose and let out another long sigh.

"What you ate, it's called a devil fruit. To normal people, it makes them unable to swim ever again, they become actual anchors in the water and lose all their strength." He bit his lip, stroking Luffy's wet hair and carefully didn't look at him as he continued.

"But you're different anchor, I just don't know how yet. I never would have thought that your mother would feed that to you." They both stayed quiet for a while, Shanks lost in thought and Luffy looking towards the waters with furrowed brows and slightly panicked eyes.

The red-haired pirate assessed the boy, noting how his eyes began to water as he stared at the crashing waves. Shanks hesitated for a moment before breaking the silence with a soft whisper. "Is she saying something?"

Luffy didn't move for a moment, but eventually he nodded his head and seemed to look like he had too much information given to him at once.

"Can you tell me what she said?" He adjusted Luffy to face him and cupped his tiny head with his hands, making the young boy look up at him. Luffy's face scrunched up, as if trying to get the words out in the right order hurt his head.

"She said they were stollen from her. She always wanted them back." Luffy frowned and tilted his head to the side, nuzzling into his large, calloused hands. Like anyone else, Shanks had always assumed that the sea hated the fruits, just like everyone else. Now though, he could see why it made sense, after all, devil fruit users were dragged down.

Luffy took in a shaky breath and continued, "and that she's okay with me having it, cause I am her." Luffy blinked open his eyes and grinned, unaware of how his words had made Shanks stiffen and freeze his thoughts. "Shihihihi, whatever that means!"

Shanks swallowed hard and let out a shaky breath, mind restarting and whirling with the possibilities. "Anchor, lets try this out. Let's head back in the water."

Luffy nodded excitedly and bounced up ready to flee, but Shanks grabbed his hand and held him back. Or so he thought. Instead, he watched with wide eyes as Luffy's arm stretched as he ran into the water, his eyes widening further as Luffy waded in with no ill effects. He let the hand go in his surprise and that caught the child's attention. Luffy turned his head back and his eyes wideed as he saw his elongated arm snapping back towards him.

"EHHH!?"

Shanks let out a roaring laugh as he watched Luffy's own hand smack him in the face and he fell fully into the water in his shock. Luffy sat up sputtering and staring at his hand before he tilted his head back and laughed. Shanks shook his head, clearing away his laughter as he observed Luffy enjoying himself in the sea. He was glad the child was okay to still be in the water, after all, what a tragedy it would have been for a sea child to be rejected by his own mother. Though, it did give him more things to think about.

xxx

It wasn't the first time Shanks had seen the wrath of the sea, but it was the first time he had seen it single someone out. He stood at the edge of the dock, his teeth bared, and fists clenched as he watched the pirate hold Luffy against his side with a sword to his throat. The little dingy they were on was swaying violently, the ocean churning in anger underneath them. The only reason Shanks hadn't thrown himself into the water was because Makino held him back, a knowing look in her eye that forced him to wait and see.

"Remember what I told you." She spoke even as the man continued to taunt them with Luffy's life.

He did remember, remembered how sure she was in her own words, but still, it was hard to just watch as someone he came to care for was in danger. Luffy didn't look scared though, when he had been thrown into the boat he had looked relieved. He tried to trust them, their faith, but as he saw the sea king risee up behind them, he moved forward, this time held back by his first mate.

"Benn!" He shouted, angry and worried all at the same time.

"Trust in their faith." Benn's grip on his shoulder was tight and Shanks could see the man was just as worried and stressed as he. He let out a curse and turned back to the sea, only to find the small boat shattered and nothing else in sight.

"Luffy!" He shouted and jerked forward again, hie eyes searching the sea desperately. Bubbles came up from near the dock and the sea king rose its massive head from the water, on top, Luffy was giggling like mad, his smile bright as he waved at them.

"Look! I made a new friend!"

Shanks sagged in relief as the sea king nudged Luffy towards the dock and he wasted no time in taking the boy from its head. The beast gave him a long, considering look before slinking back into the ocean, fading away into the dark depths.

Shanks smiled at the happy boy in his arms until the moment caught up with him and his brow ticked in anger. "You IDIOT!" He rubbed Luffy's head harshly with his knuckles and scolded the boy, telling him his big mouth would get him in more trouble some day. Luffy cried and clung to him even as his head was viciously rubbed.

"Ow ow! I'm sorry dad!"

At his shout, everyone on the dock froze before whipping their heads over to Shanks. He felt all their eyes on him but forced down his blush and gritted his teeth as he rubbed his fist into Luffy's head even harder.

"You BRAT!"

It was a weak distraction; Shanks knew everyone noticed that he didn't deny the claim.

xxx

Luffy was sound asleep on the bar, drool coming out of his mouth and arms askew. He was on the edge of the stool and his black hair shined under the waning hearth. Makino was beginning to close the bar and Shanks would wait for her to finish if he could stay with Luffy just a bit longer. His crew was already out on the ship, having stumbled their way over a few minutes ago as quiet as they could. The creaking of the door made him start and he glanced over his shoulder, wondering who would come in at such a late time. Makino seemed to recognize the old man coming in and gave him an exasperated sigh.

"You know, he's going to be grumpy when you wake him." Her tone was scolding as she dried another tankard, but didn't stop the stooping man covered in grey.

He gave her an apologetic smile, voice hoarse. "My apologies, but I have to leave early in the morning and my day was tied up. Figured I'd rather wake him now while I have a chance." The old man moved his gaze to him and gave a shy nod. Shanks didn't move when the old man went to wake Luffy, figuring it was fine since Makino continued to clean.

Luffy grumbled and squeezed his eyes tighter before slowly blinking them open, noticing the old man shaking him awake. "Hmm huh? Merchant man?" Luffy mumbled and rubbed his eyes, his head seeming to be too heavy for his body as he tried to stay awake.

"I'm sorry Luffy, but I leave very early in the morning. I was wondering, will it be safe?"

Shanks raised a brow at the question and briefly glanced out the window, noting the still air and cloudless sky.

Luffy sighed heavily and scrunched his face, mumbling under his breath and shook his head. "Mmm no. There's a storm tomorrow. But you bring my meat, I'll tell mama to wait." With another yawn Luffy snuggled his head back onto the wooden bar and promptly fell asleep.

The old man sighed and ruffled the black locks with a quiet 'thank you' before he turned, nodded to Makino and left.

Shanks glanced at Luffy and then to Makino, brows raised in question. She giggled behind her hand and moved to gather Luffy up, but he beat her to it. Shanks hoisted the tiny boy up in his arms, letting him settle comfortably to sleep on his shoulder. She raised her own brow at him and he completely ignored the look, murmuring out his own question.

"What was that?" His voice was a low timber, and the green haired woman gave him an amused smile.

"Some of the older folk think Luffy is something more. We never tell him that, that's the deal, but it's their way of asking for safe passage in the sea. Can't say I blame them, Luffy has a perfect track record so far." Makino turned off the lights and he walked out, lifting his head in the warm breeze. He glanced down at Luffy, watching as he snuggled deeper into the crook of his neck and felt something warm settle in his chest at the sight.

"He loves you, you know." Makino's voice was quiet as they began their walk to the beach, both stealing glances at the sleeping child. Shanks didn't respond, just tightened his grip and hated that he had to go.

xxx

The call of adventure had been too strong, too much for Shanks to resist. He desperately wanted to go as much as he wanted to stay, but even now his anchor is pulling along the sea floor. Luffy is staring up at him with sad, determined eyes, his fists clenched at his side.

If felt like the hundredth time he had said the same thing, but Shanks knew how stubborn Luffy could be. "I'm sorry anchor, but you can't come."

He saw the tears being held back and felt the guilt settle in his belly all over again as he watched the child try not to cry.

"Fine! I'll make my own crew!" Luffy glared up at him in determination, eyes piercing in a way that made Shanks freeze. "They'll be even better than yours, and I'm going to be the greatest pirate alive!" Luffy was panting, white knuckled and daring Shanks to challenge him. "And when I do, I'll become the KING OF THE PIRATES!"

Shanks let out a laugh, ruffling his hair and watching the morning sun ignite his eyes. Luffy shook him off and spread his arms wide, a too large smile stretching across his face as he tilted his head up towards him. Golden sunlight shone on Luffy and his black hair lit up in its rays, "I'm gonna be the freest man in the world!"

The air left his lungs like he had been punched, and for a moment, all Shanks could see was his captain. Smile wide, arms out, declaring his dream to be free. His eyes stung as he looked down at the smiling boy who now seemed larger than life. He swallowed the lump in his throat and smiled, taking off his straw hat and bending on a knee.

"Promise me then, Luffy, that when you become a great pirate, you'll give me back this hat. It's very precious to me." He was glad his voice was even, knowing Benn and Lucky were boring holes into the back of his head. Luffy blinked up at him and his smile grew even wider, nodding his head with enthusiasm.

It was then that Shanks realized that he never got Luffy's full name, not in the whole year that he had been around. It hadn't seemed important at the time, but now he had to know.

"Give me a verbal promise Luffy, one in front of the sea." Shanks held his breath even as he placed the straw hat on his anchor's tiny head. It shadowed his bright eyes, but the smile was there all the same.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, and I will be king of the pirates!"

The ocean roared in his ears and he let out a bark of laughter when he realized where fate had led him.

Another D.

"I can't wait, anchor!"