Next chapter up and yeah I know Luffy is totally OC but he just lost someone also he is young and has absolutely no idea how to mourn not to mention he blames himself.
~.~
Nine months since he was taken from Foosha Village, eight since the pirates sold him into slavery and he was separated from Kaze. Four since he managed to escape that hell-house and realized the man kept his promise. One since the man was killed and Luffy robbed him from death yet...he still felt frozen in that time. Nightmares weren't that uncommon even before it happened yet now he felt simply numb. Devastated and numb, he felt like he was a cold and soulless machine that had been broken and no one cared about. Not even himself. He had been going through the phases mechanically. Every morning he would wake up move around but somehow always end up at that place.
Luffy stared at where the bodies that the 'undead' burned to his command were. Claw and blood marks suspiciously betraying the tragedy that took place and the monster responsible for it. Unfortunately he lived with that monster. Everyday he woke up and looked that monster in the eyes. They seemed to glare at him from the other side of the mirror. He sighed as he began walking again. He settled down on the shore and tried to use his powers.
He managed to change into his hybrid form with only one tail on will now. In the past it would have made him smile along with the fact that he could dismiss the undead. Unfortunately he quickly realized that he could also call him back if he really needed to. He kept finding out new things about his powers, it should have made him happy only it didn't. There was no happiness nor sadness.
According to Kaze's book he eat the NekoNeko no mi type Bakeneko. Although his one tailed form resembled a Cheshire cat's abilities more. He pondered that slightly and sighed. Apparently his normal body when he didn't activate his devil fruit gained more flexibly and superhuman 'reflexes', if he concentrated enough he could summon the blue mist. Those abilities were even more heightened when he has one tail, his reflexes, flexibility and his control over the mist came almost naturally. The same about the weird thing he did with the words. His words seemed to carry some weird power too, just as Kaze explained. He could influence the people's mind to some degree. That's why the weird tattoo appeared and disappeared on his pinky when he made those promises.
Then let's not forget the flames. He could still summon them although he had no idea how, he did it but it was almost impossible to control them. With training and time Luffy knew he could get better. It probably had something to do with his second tail… well apparently Bakeneko are known for being necromancers… which he understood as he could bring back the death to life, by trapping their soul and manipulating what's called Ghost Light or Will-o'-the-Wisp. He could transform into his one tailed feline form but he had no idea how to change into his two tailed form. It still eluded him maybe because he was deep down scared scratch that terrified of what could happen.
His stomach reminded him that he was hungry. When did he eat last time? He couldn't remember was it a day ago or maybe two? Luffy sit up with a sigh as he let the blue mist around his hand disappear and wobbled back to the ship. He tried to make food but ended up burning it instead like he usually did. It tasted bad but he eat it anyway. He knew better than to waste what little of a food he had.
~.~
The small boy smiled bitterly as he put down the book he was reading. This ship reminded him of the doctor. Somehow he felt closer to Kaze when he was reading his books. But he truly had no idea what to do. What should he do? Should he set sail? His ship would sink in less than a week. But he couldn't stay here. Who knows who they could sent after him and if he get caught now it would be like a slap in the face for Kaze's sacrifice.
"I'm tired…" He said silently. But there was no one to answer.
It came almost too late.
"Luffy!" He recognized the voice.
"Jii-chan?" The boy asked silently as the marine stepped closer. Garp quickly walked over him and enveloped him in a hug. Or would have if only some weird blue mist wouldn't have stopped him. He swore for a moment it was hard almost like a wall before it disappeared.
"What are you doing here?" The boy asked coldly. Garp quickly realized that something was very different from the happy little rascal he let in Foosha village. The boy before him was Luffy no doubt about it. But something about him was fundamentally wrong.
The boy sitting awkwardly in the seat with his feet tucked under him looked up at marine quizzically, it reminded him of a small cat. He was dressed in black pants with blue fluffy socks that had colored cat paw prints, a long-sleeved white t-shirt that reached past the boy's fingers and wore double belts around his middle. But that wasn't the most surprising, the boy was very pale and his hair was long overdue a cut just like judging from the dark circles under the boy's eyes he was overdue a good night sleep too. Leaving aside the boy's cute fluffy cat ears and tail, he looked different. He couldn't care less of the feline features although he was sure that played quite some role in the changes. The boy was only a shadow of his past cheerful and happy self.
"Luffy…" he said in a gentle and pleading voice shocking the boy slightly. Garp was always the crazy grandfather, he never saw that look of despair on the man's face before. It made something in his chest ache. But after Kaze's death he couldn't allow himself to get close to someone else. It was too soon. "I was searching everywhere for you. Ever since I got that horrible call from Makino. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. No child should go through what you had been put through. Is all my fault!"
"Shut up" The boy interrupted him coldly. "… Something like that… I don't care anymore" he was past caring. "… Just take me home." It came the silent request which made Garp nod with tear filled eyes.
~.~
Garp sighed again as he poured himself another drink. "I'm so sorry Luffy… I should have been able to protect you some marine I am… can't protect my own family…"
"Garp-san you're too hard on yourself." In second in command greeted him, but it only made the marine hero smile bitterly.
"You didn't see him…"
The man clearly did not believe him. "Then maybe you should have brought him here."
"I asked him but he refused and I'm sure forcing him to come here would be one of the worst things I could possibly do right now…"
The man nodded "He's been missing for almost a year now… it was to be expected…" the marine said solemnly. They all have saw situations like this. Serving in the navy was such a job after all. Some victims were found some saved and although they all knew that the boy would never be like he was before it was more than some families got.
"Yes… I know but I kept hoping… You should have seen his smile" Garp said with a fond smile as he remembered it just like it was yesterday."it used to be so bright. He was childish, a bit stupid… okay a lot more stupid"Garp said when he got that look. "Now… he's cold, cynical… I caught him reading a book of all things. Can you believe that?"His second in command give him a look that screamed 'You said that like reading is a bad thing!' through Garp continued unfazed "and worst… his eyes are… dead like he isn't living, but only exists… "
"That bad huh" The man said in deep though. He seem the type, they were the type that become either a reclusive afraid of everything or total psycho. "… at least he isn't sick or injured."
"I don't know… he didn't let me check… kept blocking me with that stupid wall…" The man raised an eyebrow but didn't ask any further. The two enjoyed the cold drink until the sun disappeared on the horizon. "Tell the men we're setting sail tomorrow… " His second in command nodded as he watched Garp gather a big bag that contained enough food for at least 50 men or in this case a hungry Garp and his grandson.
The Admiral sighed again as he stepped on the small boat; Luffy was sleeping on the table, drooling slightly on a heavy book .Of course as soon as he got even close that freaking mist just had to appear. He sighed for what had seemed the hundredth time that day and decided to look around the small Caravan. It had one cabin and a small washroom under deck. A big and quite open kitchen/ living room area in which they currently checked out first the washroom. There was more than enough evidence that someone lived here with Luffy until not so long ago. Judging by the cloths in the dresser a male, judging by the type of cloths he already found out who to blame for Luffy's new style in clothing and not only, he turned around and eyed the books in front of him. Given the large amounts of book he was presented, the type of them and the equipment he found lying around probably a doctor.
"What… are you doing?" Luffy's voice was high-lined by one simple emotion anger. It cut through Garp who looked down to his grandchild with a guilty expression of a thief caught in the act.
"Just searching for clues."Garp said truthfully.
"Kaze, his name… was Kaze." Luffy said silently, the marine didn't miss the fact that the nekomimi boy said was and not is. "He… saved me… f-from… from slavery." The last word was so quietly told that Garp had to strain his ears to hear it. It was obvious the boy would not divulge anything else so he nodded apologetically.
"We will begin the journey tomorrow." Garp decided to break up the already frosty atmosphere. A small nod was the all the answer he got. "So you have a Devil Fruit." Another nod. He could hardly believe it was the same boy who couldn't shut up for three seconds. "… I…I could… help you learn how to use your powers." The man said with a wide grin which made the boy's eyebrow twitch slightly. "You might not believe me but grand pa is a pretty strong and awesome Marine!" The man said proudly.
"I know…" The boy said with a dark edge. "That's why I was kidnapped." If the boy felt a silver of sympathy for the man he didn't show it as the strong awesome marine felt to pieces before him. "Leave now. I want to rest." Luffy said his voice hollow of any emotion. The man nodded in misery as he left his grandson's boat although he didn't go too far. He camped out right before the boat. It was true he failed once and somehow he got a second chance so he couldn't, wouldn't fail now. He will protect them even if he had to die to do so.
The next morning Luffy left his boat he was surprised to see Garp up and ready. He stayed all night before his boat.
"Good morning Luffy." The boy nodded suspiciously. "Last night I had a lot to think of. I decided that is time you learn how to fight just like a marine. Instead of going back to Foosha directly you will come with me for the time being. I don't want to leave you alone." The truth was he didn't trust the villagers and neither Luffy at the moment to get along. Besides before he ever let the small rascal out of his sight again he had to make sure he was able to protect himself or with someone who could.
"I won't be a marine." The boy said with a deadpan expression. After half an hour of arguing to which Luffy only replied with a one to three word sentences Garp finally give up persuading him, for at least half an hour.
~.~
He became real good at dodging Luffy decided. When his 'shield' was broken first Garp laughed the entire week at the hilarious expression the kid made but happily he didn't touch him which he was grateful for even if he didn't show it. Still the boy decided, his grandpa was simply a monster in disguise. There was just no other logical explanation as how the man was soo freakishly strong, the man proved it every time they had a training session. Almost a month passed since and he learned a lot during his stay with the marines. He stayed on his ship while they were sailing not matter how much Garp protested against also Bogard , Garp's second in command visited him from time to time and brought new books for him to read.
"It's still weird…" Garp said to himself as Luffy glared at him hatefully from the ground, oh joy he was full of bruises, oh that wasn't completely right, even his bruises had bruises. They were docked in a forest-island similar to the one back in Foosha "you know your sand" Oh he was talking about the mist.
"Particles." The nekomimi boy corrected as he stood up.
"Particles?"
"Well sand is measured in grains… what I combine is not that big so …mist made of …particles." The man's eyebrow twitched as he was being shown up by his 6 year old grandson.
"well… whatever it is… is weird." The only response he got was deadpan expression. In annoyance he throw a fist into the ground that caused a small earthquake which resulted Luffy falling over and landing on his ass thanks to his sore and wobbly legs. The boy's wild instincts took over and hissed at Garp who rubbed his head in exasperation as his punch toward Luffy was blocked by a wall. "I was talking about this… it moves almost like a living organism to protect you…" The nekomimi raised an eyebrow in wonder as he looked around himself and extended his hand. True to be told he never thought about it like that before. He was sure it didn't act like it before. But looking at them harder he could certainly distinguish the small particles, blue ones just like his fire. Thinking back it was like this even since he transformed into his two tailed form. Maybe it meant that he gained a new ability with his new tail. He could remember what happened when he turned into his Bakeneko form too clearly for his liking. Although it still felt like he was looking at the memory from a different point of view. Like it wasn't even him who did all that…yet at the same time he couldn't deny that the rage and anger was all his. He sighed and decided to read all the books Kaze left. The man gathered every book he could on legends and myths regarding the mythical felines.
"Mah… I guess that's a good thing. I have to return to the Headquarters so we will head to Foosha first to drop you off until then we'll train on your defenses and I will show you a new move that I want you to learn until I can visit again. Rest until then." The man said as he walked away leaving the boy to himself.
Luffy extended his hands and tried to will the blue particles in his hand. While it wasn't hard, it needed concentration. Without him knowing his eyes were glowing golden. As he tried to grab them he was shocked when they collided and his fingers got ablaze. He tried to shake the flame of his hand but instead managed to set ablaze his whole hand. He was running around screaming like a frightened chicken before he realized it didn't hurt…
"What the…" his hands were still burning but it didn't hurt. "… so…Cool…" he whispered as he sat down and took on a thinking pose. He willed closer his blue particles and grinned as they come closer, through his concentration was disturbed by a yell and they all scrambled away making him pout and give his screaming jii-chan a death-glare.
"Luffy! Your hand?! It's in flames! Your hands!"
"Shut up!" The boy practically yelled before he put his now flameless hands in his pocket and walked away leaving a gaping Garp behind.
"What did you just say you little brat?" Delayed reaction much?
He gave a dark glare to the man before saying a simple. "…too loud…" The boy didn't get far he was tired and too bruised from training with Garp. Luffy turned into his neko form and practically moved in auto pilot as he jumped on a tree and climbed higher before he settled down on a sturdy branch after circling the spot a few times. The marine hero hissed and promised to give some Fists-of-Love to the boy next morning before he too settled down at the tree's base.
~.~
When they arrived back to Foosha Luffy practically hide himself in cloths. It was something Garp true to be told didn't object. Devil Fruit were but a legend here in East Blue he didn't want to make Luffy's life harder, so he agreed hiding the boy's features were for the best. But then the brat didn't even greet Woop Slap or Makino. Garp truly tried to scold him but the only thing he got was a dark glare that made the old marine hero sigh in defeat. The same could have been told by everyone who tried to approach him. Garp trained Luffy in everything he thought could be useful and help the boy protect himself and control his powers. Through he kind of give up on the later. The boy shifted into his hybrid form whenever he got scared, startled or angry. It seemed his powers heavily relied on his emotions.
Luffy felt his neko ears twitch. The people of Foosha reacted to his new changes in one way, pity. He hated it. Dragging the dark long-sleeved hoodie over his head harder he begun to move away from the docks even though he could still hear Garp's voice. He just wanted to get away.
"Makino-chan promised to take care of you. She has a Den Den Mushi Oi! you listening? Luffy?! If you don't I'll come and kick your ass to Thursday!"
"Luffy-chan?" Makino's voice quivered slightly as she tried to communicate with the boy. The boy stopped for a minute before he reassumed walking.
"That little punk!"Garp said between gritted teeth's.
"It's okay Garp-san I'm sure he's just a bit overwhelmed."
"No… he's just acting like a punk for no reason. Listen Makino-chan that boy he doesn't need pity or crying he needs care and understanding, to let someone close again." The man said with a pained voice. "I can't be that person… for him. I know it's unfair to ask you this but" He didn't have to finish the question.
"H-hai Garp-san. I'll do my best."
"It's funny how we always rely on women for this kind of things." Woop Slap said with a grin as Makino left making the old marine smile slightly.
~.~
"It's all your fault!" he whimpered as bloodied hands neared him.
"I'M SORRY! (Hic) I didn't meant too"
"Like you didn't meant to kill us?" Luccian asked as his disfigured body tried to stand up only for his guts to spill out. Luffy took a terrified step back as all the corpses begun to rattle and move. He screamed
"Luffy!"Makino's voice woke him up; he jumped slightly as a knock brought him to focus as the knob rattled in vain. The boy quickly jumped out of the bed and tried to put out the fire in his room.
"I'm fine." He said loud enough for the women to hear through the closed door as he throw a blanket over the fire, successfully putting it out.
"Luffy let me in, please. Luffy-chan… I want to help. I know your hurting… you don't have to go through this alone. Please(hic)…" The boy walked to the door hesitantly even though he could tell she was crying. "I can't even imagine what you've been (hic) through… I'm so sorry if I would have been just a bit stronger..." He reached for the knob. It wasn't her fault he needed to tell her that… because It's all your fault! He quickly brought his hand back like it had been burned and cradled it to his chest. His small frame shook slightly as he slumped to the floor and tears threatened to fall from his eyes. It's all your fault!
"… go away…" 'before I hurt you too' He shut his eyes as he listened to her cry harder and his own silent suffering as more tears trailed down his cheeks.
~.~
More than a month passed since that first night. Each day passed the same way, he would sneak out in the morning before breakfast and come back late in the night full of bruises. Makino of course tried to get closer and talk to him help him but all in vain. It was like he wasn't even there, all his replies were made of one to three words sentences and shrugs. The way the villagers looked at him got even worse apparently some thought he was now a psycho who burned things for fun. Someone probably saw the flames from his window or something he didn't really care. But word got around like in any small village, people were whispering behind his back too bad he could hear them all. They were saying that he should be in an asylum and not in a village full of people and not close to their kids. They tried to warn their kids that he was 'sick' but of course all the children understood was that he was an outcast. Some even thought that they could bully him, of course that didn't end up so well, for them at least. Now he was called even a monster, nice addition to the freak.
"Luffy! We need to talk." Makino said firmly. The boy only glanced her way once before continued his way to the room upstairs. "Luffy!" the girl said as she tried to grab his hand.
"Stop." The boy said as he slapped her hand away. She looked really hurt and deep inside he wanted to apologize and cry really but he couldn't. It's all your fault! He flinched, he could still their voice. All blaming him it was all his fault in the end. They were all dead because of him and it was still better that what he did to Kaze.
"I'm… a monster after all…" It was the best if she just let him be and don't try and get too close.
"Don't say that. I'm sure you didn't want to hurt him!" she was talking about that boy that throw stones his way.
"Nya… that's wrong." She sniffed as she tried to stay stern and deny but his cold expression frightened her a bit. He smiled; his eyes still frozen over as she saw her eyes as if saying 'You see I'm right.' He walked away.
"No Luffy listen!" Too late, he already left. "I'm not scared of you… I'm scared for you." She said defeated the now empty room seemed to echo it silently.
~.~
"Well say goodbye!" Luccian said as he took out on of his handguns and shot Kaze twice.
"No! Kaze! Bakaze get up! Yadda! Don't die!" He heard himself shout as blue mist turn darker and darker around him. The chains tying him up snapped as a second tail appeared.
"Don't die!" He shouted and ran to Kaze's side in a voice that seemed unfamiliar even to himself. The dark mist turned into flames that surrounded his body traveled to Kaze already lifeless body. Something blue almost like his original flames came out of Kaze's corpse. It took Kaze's appearance who looked at Luffy in horror.
"No Luffy don't!" He shouted but it was too late. The black flames encircled and trapped him before they seemingly absorbed Kaze's blue flames. The man was cursing and protesting but Luffy couldn't control his own dark flames. "No stop! Don't… don't do this again! Please stop!" He shouted desperately as the scenery changed, there were corpses all around him and his hands were full of blood he looked up.
The man smiled before blood run down his lips and even more wounds appeared all over his body. "W-why?" The man asked as he fell to his knees. "… Why Luffy why?" The voice said accusingly as bright brown eyes turned red and the white into black. "It's all your fault!"
"No! Please! Stop please!" Luffy begged but no avail.
"If only I wouldn't have meet you..." Another voice joined.
"I should have killed you the first day we meet!" Luccian's voice ringed clear in his ear. "I would still be alive!"
"I would be with my kid now!" A random pirates voice said as the noise just grow. "It's all your fault!"
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"
"Monster!" her voice shouted as she looked at him with fear in his eyes. "You freak! How many people will have to die because of you?!"
"M-Makino?" He tried to touch her only for her to scream as his hands full of blazing flames set her on fire.
"Aaaahhh!"He set up as tears spill over before he turned around and throw up. He looked at the forest and willed his flames under control shortly and leaned against a tree. "…I'm so sorry… Makino but I swear… I won't let you end like them." he said as he looked up to the starry sky. He glanced at the burned down part of the forest and shook his head. He thought he was getting better at controlling them, although it always happened when he was emotional and had really bad nightmares, which were almost every time he slept. It was better if he never slept in her house again and for her sake he needed to stay as far away from her as possible.
~.~
His new trend was making her acknowledge that he was alive so Garp would have no reason to come by; then sneak out when she fell asleep. It wasn't all that hard besides big cats were mostly nocturnal creatures that hunt at night and were sleeping at day. If he had to say Bakenekos were too included into this category. He always felt somehow energized when the moon came up, in opposition he was somehow predisposed to sleep in a warm sunny weather or inside a good warm hiding spot if it was raining or cold outside. It was just a cat thing like the fact that he was very good at hiding and his steps were really light. A year before he wouldn't have been able to walk in a room without shouting and making loud noises to give away his presence now people barely noticed his presence. It creeped out many marines while he was traveling with Garp.
"Pirates!" someone shouted in fear. Luffy who was reading peacefully in a tree until then raised a curios eyebrow. He watched as together with the rest of the town a black-haired young girl rushed to the docks. Putting the large book inside a backpack he jumped on a lower branch before he jumped again spinning once before he landed gracefully on the roof of the nearest building which happened to be a bar. He carefully adjusted his long black hoodie that almost felt down in the middle of his acrobatics. He walked in a seated peace jumping here and there as he neared the end of the row of buildings. Deciding that he didn't feel comfortable in the midst of that many people he just sit down on the roof and observed from there.
A red-haired man arranged his straw-hat before he stepped forward followed closely by a long black haired one. The young boy stared unimpressed at the pirates.
"Pirates, what do you want here?" Woop Slap the mayor of Foosha asked them courageously. He was a small to average male around his late 40, with thick oval glasses a small mustache and a beard. He like the rest of the town was wearing simple cloths and a hat.
"Indeed we're pirates, but... We didn't come here to pillage or destroy your peaceful village. We'd only like to stop for a bit to restock and wet our throats."The one with the red hair spoke, he looked like their leader.
"Please, we'll give you all our money and everything you want just don't hurt anyone." The mayor continued.
"Ah, no" Shanks sweat dropped. "Like I said we didn't come here for that. We'll pay for everything we consume-"
Woop Slap didn't seem to pay attention to his words. "Whatever just don't hurt"
"Dakara*" The man said getting annoyed while the black haired man behind him sighed.
"Just-" Woop Slap didn't have any time to protest as Makino courageously stepped in front. All of them could see the conflict in her eyes.
"I am the owner of the local bar. If a drink is what you want, you should follow me." The mayor nodded with a sigh. Garp choose the worst time to leave. But provoking them would do no good. She hoped Luffy won't hate her for this.
"Thank you, young lady."
"Makino, Makino will suffice, captain-san."
"Well boys you heard Makino-chan!" The crew let out a loud cheering noise. The small boy yawned once again. Eating his devil fruit made him a bit lazy. He turned around ready to leave when his eyes caught the red-haired captains who seemed to smirk at his direction. The boy sneered and jumped off the building.
Pirates the bane of his existence and his salvation too. He had mixed feeling about them being so near. He was greeted by an interesting sight when he came back that night. Most of the pirates were dead drunk on the floor. Another part of the crew was playing poker even though they could barely see straight. He remembered Kaze telling him how easily he beat idiots in poker. Kaze… depression hang over him like a cloud again. Luffy sighed as he jumped off the tree he was surveying them from. He touched his hoodie for reassurance and walked in almost nonchalantly. He could see most of them getting alert. Some reaching for their weapons before their eyes landed on him.
"Luffy you're back." Makino's voice was enough to make them drop their guard and reassume what they were doing. She seemed quite happy. "Are you hungry? I made beef and-"
"…" He moved past her and carefully maneuvered so he won't touch the pirates even by mistake. "…gonna sleep." Was the only response she got.
Her smile dropped. "Luffy…"
"Uaahh kind of rude. Is he your son?" Shanks was rewarded by a chop to the head ala Benn Beckman.
"Stop being insensitive." His first mate scolded him making the bartender sweat-drop slightly.
"Benn-Aho that really hurt!"
"Hoh?!What you want another one captain?" Makino couldn't help herself but chuckle slightly at the interaction of two making Shanks smile.
"Makino-chan is quite cute when she laughs like that." The red head mumbled making Benn let out a tired sigh and the said bartender blush prettily.
"A-arigato…"
"So who is the kid?" Yassop asked as Makino poured him another shot.
"Luffy he's… I'm supposed to look after him while his grandfather is …away." She said making most of those who listened raise their eyebrows. No matter how friendly they were still pirates. There was no way telling them that Luffy was the grandchild of Garp the Hero would end well. On the other hand the pirates were questioning the awkward silences in the sentence.
"That's nice of you." Yassop said in the end making Benn and Shanks nod in agreement. While she only give them a complicated smile."You know I have a son just about his age-" the rest of the pirates groaned as one hearing that.
~.~
Shanks stood up wobbling. He looked at his crew, all had goofy smiles on as they slept. He shook his head with a fond smile. Some of them were sporting now mustaches, beards and he blinked as Yassop nuzzled closer to a chair- apparently whole makeups. Color-full ones. He snickered slightly at the prank. Somehow his crew was full of childish man. Still Makino was really kind to let them sleep in the bar. She even covered them with blankets. He shook his head as he walked outside. Just to stop and blink as a figure climb out the first floor-window. It was Makino and Luffy's living quartered. Which made him a bit annoyed… what if the guy hurt the two? And wouldn't he and his crew be held responsible. More if the guy was a thief and
"Shank-san I can't believe you'd do something like this." Makino said with tears in her eyes.
"W-wait!"
"Iya- please don't ever talk to me!"
That annoyed him. Greatly. He couldn't see much in the dark but the thief seemed to be quite good he, jumped to the tree beside the bar effortlessly.
"Oi!"He must have spooked him because the figure lost his balance and fell down through he landed on his feet. Lucky guy. Shank approached the small figure… small? "Lu..ffy?" He asked dumbly as he looked at the… The boy hissed. Hissed at him. He blinked and then again then furiously rubbed his eyes. 'I… drunk too much.' Luffy meanwhile scrambled to his feet and run away leaving behind only a trail of dust.
"…. Ah!" He said hitting his open palm with a fist tap. "… I must be dreaming. " He said before finishing his pressing errand and eased his bowel, wobbled back and fell asleep right away, pushing everything that happened into the back of his mind.
~.~
Luffy stopped when he was sure no one was following him.
'He saw… he saw me... Shit!' "Gwaah!" The boy shouted running around in panic and hitting his head. "Baka!Baka! Ahhh!" 'What should I do?! He may have already told everyone… what if they try to capture me again? What should I do?!'
"Demon!""Freak!"He shook his head trying to get rid of the memory. He will never admit it but it hurt, being called that really hurt. He sniffled slightly as he sat down and hugged his knees closer.
'If Kaze was only here. He was so smart. I'm sure he would know what to do… Kaze…' (Sniff, sniff) "…I miss you..." The blue particles danced around him before they closed and lit up in flames that darkened. He looked up as the undead's body stepped out of the black flames. He knew that it was only a soulless body but he couldn't help but throw himself into its arms anyway. He remembered crying and just about that.
'I fell asleep.' His mind supplied unhelpful. 'And skipped out training.' It added again totally unhelpful. He sighed as he sit up leaving the undead's somehow warm embrace. He didn't know why but he actually felt rested. Which he didn't feel like in a long time.
"Still… what now?" He asked aloud but of course his only response was silence. The boy sighed. He shouldn't get his hopes up in the first place. One of Kaze's book said 'Hope for the best… and prepare for the worst?' Or something similar… His traitorous eyebrow twitched slightly. Moh! He should and will definitely write it down somewhere. That way he won't forget it. He nodded satisfied with the idea. Then his stomach decided to protest for the treatment he got… or more like didn't get yet.
"…Hungry…" 'Find and make breakfast first… after that… well… what did he want to do?…' a loud grumble resounded. "Food now…think, later." He nodded as he dashed through the forest the undead following him closely.
~.~
Shanks sulked as he sat in Party's Bar alone. The bartender laughed slightly as she saw the cloud of depression appear over his head.
"What is the problem Captain-san?" Makino asked from where she was washing the dishes.
"Sorry Makino-chan for disturbing you so early." It was late in the afternoon. The girl decided not to mention that.
"You're not disturbing me."
"You're such a good girl not like them~" the girl continued to listen carefully. Basically they ditched him. "I'm the captain you know! And he even said that I'd cause more trouble than help! That's mean and it's not true!" The man said upset. The girl placed another bottle that Shanks emptied in record time before he continued to complain about the injustice his crew did. "Why do they treat me like that!?" Makino laughed slightly which made Shanks blush slightly."Mah… sorry I… complain so much." She shook her head but didn't manage to answer.
"Hoh! So even though we let you alone with such a cute girl you still complain about us?" Benn asked as he sit down beside Shanks who laughed hearing that. The bar quickly get crowded as more and more pirates settled down. The lively atmosphere could be heard even outside.
As the hours ticked by Makino seemed to get a more and more worried. "What's the matter?" Benn finally asked as Shanks perked up.
"Sorry to damp the mood… is just, Luffy isn't home yet." As soon as she finished saying that realization lit up on their eyes.
"It is quite late…" Benn said understanding. Definitely too late for a kid to be out.
"I'm sure he's fine." Shanks tried cheering her up.
"You're right. He's probably just hunting or something." Her words shocked a bit the pirates. But what shocked them more was the state the boy was in who just entered the bar.
His long black hoodie that reached almost to his knees was torn up pretty good by what looked like claw and teeth marks just like the rest of his cloths. The only exception being the backpack he had. Since his hoodie was torn they could finally see the boy's face. He was quite cute if Shanks had to say so. He began to understand why the boy had the hoodie always on. He wasn't into kids but he saw uglier kids getting kidnapped to become someone's entertainment.
There were makeshift bandages all over his body but the most worrisome was a still bleeding wound over his right eyebrow and a wound on the boy's leg. He was seriously impressed the boy managed to walk on that leg. What's more he didn't even flinch when he stepped with it. Wao, the boy had a seriously good pokerface since there was no way in hell that didn't hurt.
"Luffy! Are you all right?! What happened? Does something hurt?! Stupid question! I'll get some medicine-" Makino voiced the questions running through their heads.
They were expecting tears but what they got instead was a dull-"… I'm fine." Seemingly ignoring the questions the kid simply started to walk away.
"Wait, let me at least look at your wounds!" Makino shouted worried as she blocked his way.
"… And what?" he asked looking at her with cold eyes. He was hurting but he didn't want to stay here and let the pirates see his weakness.
"I want to help..." She said gently. The boy looked amused by what she said as he walked by her.
"…Oi gaki*." Shanks said as he lifted him up by the back of his cloths like some would hold a cat by the scruff. Luffy blinked. He instinctively became lax. He really had to control himself to not let out his neko features which was really hard to do at the moment. "You shouldn't talk to Makino-chan like that, she was worried about you, you know!"
Ah he know. He heard the whole conversation. He was sitting in the tree outside just moments ago. Still it wasn't like he could just go brawling his eyes out to her, no matter how much the wounds hurt. That would be quite contra productive when he was trying to distance himself from her."…So?..."
"Ga-ki! I don't care who you are but you should never treat someone who cares for you like that!" Shank said with a dark glare.
"Shut up." Luffy said with a dark glare. 'Just how long does he plan on manhandling me?'
"Ahn?!" The man asked even more ticked off before he fell to the ground. Luffy kicked him in the crotch. The rest of men send the red-head pitying looks. By the time Shanks managed to stand up the boy already left. Not thanks to his dear crew that were laughing their ass off.
"Captain-san are you alright?" Makino bless her soul was the only one that even worried about his well-being.
"Yeah… somehow…"
"Hahahahaha! Captain defeated by a toddler!" His supportive crew laughed as one.
"Not you too Benn!" Shanks shouted annoyed at his first mate who although was shaking his head in denial, the way his shoulders were trembling with laughter betray him. "Ah whatever where is that brat!?" That made them all sober up.
"He left… " Lucky supplied oh so helpfully.
"No shit Sherlock!" The red-head shouted back even more annoyed.
"Who's Sherlock?"
"He's… well… you know…"
Benn decided to end the useless chat. "The boy's probably in his room."
The ships resident doctor decided it was time to make his appearance "By the way those bandages were done…"Shanks nodded understanding the worries of the doctor. Even he could tie bandages more meticulously. The brat probably treated himself. But wounds needed to be washed, disinfected and more that the kid had probably no way of knowing.
"Okay come with me, Makino-Chan lead the way. Let's settle this brat!" The man said with flames in his eyes. Ben decided to ignore the obvious and not to point out that he was getting in a fight with a the first floor at the end of the hall was a small door leading to Luffy's room.
"Luffy, open up please." Makino asked as she knocked on the door. No response. "I just want to make sure you're alright. I promise we'll leave you alone after that."
"You heard brat!" Shanks shouted getting more annoyed by the lack of response from the spoiled kid. "We ain't moving an inch."
"Luffy, please…" Makino pleaded and nothing for a good 5-7 second.
"Fine… demo only if Tomato-head" insert snickering from Doc. "… apologizes." Luffy said smugly from the other side of the door.
"What! Why would I-"
"Captain!" Doc and Makino said at the same time the latter with teary eyes.
"Yadda!"The man denied it childishly.
"Please!" she said with a face that he simply couldn't say no to. His shoulders dropped dramatically.
"Oh fine! I'm sorry fine now brat?"
"…che… boring…" Shanks had to stop himself from breaking down the door. Damn brat. The door opened slightly. "Only sensei-san… " He said fixing Makino with a cold look. She nodded a bit troubled. But the red-head snapped.
He had enough of the brat's attitude. "Brat! Who the hell-"
"Mah… first let me treat him, then you can shout all you want Senchou." Shanks looked disheartened but nodded. He knew better than to get in the way of his ship doctor.
"Fine!" Shanks said sulking as he and Makino walked away.
"Anno… arigatou, Senchou-san.*" The bartender said shyly.
"Eh? I didn't really do anything." 'beside getting annoyed and yelling at the gaki'
"You did plenty. You even managed to make him talk to you and even act childish."
"He doesn't talk much" It wasn't a question but an observation.
"He used to." She said with a bitter smile. "But I wasn't strong enough to protect him that time… and he got hurt because of that." He listened carefully not interrupting no matter how many questions he had. "That's why this time I want to protect him. No matter what… That's why I won't be sad or cry. I'll have to be strong and win back his smile."
Shanks covered his face with a hand hoping to mask his growing blush. He saw lots and lots of beautiful women but no one could be compared to her. She was in his eyes shining brilliantly in that moment.
~.~
"…You're a doctor…"Luffy said with what Doc assumed was childish glee? on his face as he looked him up and down. It was actually hard to say given the boy was mostly expressionless. Also he wasn't discrete at all in his scrutiny. They boy seemed to judge him for the lack of better word.
"Yes." This kid was weird. Most children are scared from doctors yet the boy seemed 'interested'? He shook his head slightly. Of course the kid was weird he dared to argue with and hit his captain who was quite an infamous pirate without even flinching.
"…I treated them…" That brought him back to present.
"There are more to treating wounds then bandaging them."
"I know." Luffy said seemingly irritated. 'Just because I'm young I'm not an idiot.' Letting the other voice in his mind that replied -'Is all because Kaze forced me to read books' slide for more reasons. He sighed before he held out his hand so the doctor could inspect it. The man wasn't going to leave his room without actually seeing that he was telling the truth.
He didn't give away his surprise. The kid was telling the truth. Leaving aside the lousy way the bandages were done the wounds were treated. Clearly by an amateur but he proceeded correctly.
"Why didn't you just tell us?" Doc asked as he started to re-bandage the wounds after applying some ointments.
"…wouldn't believe me… anyway" 'Beside getting Tomato riled up was fun.' Like hell he could say that out loud.
"Aha." The man said smiling slightly reading between the lines. The kid was a brat but it was a reassurance that he could still act childish. His eyes weren't totally frozen over yet. He quickly finished examining the wound and putting fresh bandages on. As the doctor started putting back everything he used in his bag he unfortunately knocked over a roll of bandages that stopped at Luffy's legs. His eyes widened as did the boys when he saw the black tattoo on the boy's feet. Luffy quickly covered them and practically showed him out the door. He heard the click as the boy locked the door.
That was a pirate tattoo. He'd recognize them everywhere. More over… it was practically burned into the boy's soles. No wonder the boy acted like he did. The boy's cold personality quickly begun to make sense. He shook his head in disgust. Just what kind of monster could do that to a child. He really needed a drink. Something really strong preferably.
"Oh finished with the brat already?" Shanks asked, the party reassumed probably as fast as it stopped.
"Ah…" the red-head raised an eyebrow at the bizarre way his nakama was acting.
"Doctor you already finished treating Luffy's wounds?" Makino asked as the man nodded solemnly.
"Yeah he actually treated them himself. Anyway what's the strongest drink you have here?"
"well-"
~.~
That morning came too fast. Makino was serving breakfast while the pirates were busy with errands. Shanks looked around and saw that Luffy had yet to show up.
"Where's the brat?" he asked between bites.
"Oh… he already left also he doesn't eat breakfast here… nor lunch… neither supper…" she said hopelessness becoming more accentuated with every word she said. He truly wanted to cheer her up but to his surprise Makino smiled at him. "I'll figure it out in time don't worry!" the man nodded before drinking the rest of his beer in one go.
"Ah! That hit the spot." He left some beri on the counter. "Got some business to take care of. See you later Makino-chan!" The girl nodded with a smile.
He was practically walking around the small village in hope to catch a glimpse of that insufferable brat. Without any success he might add. But he happened to overhear quite an interesting conversation. Apparently the villagers didn't really like the kid either. Eh with the boy's attitude he couldn't really blame them still that didn't warrant an excuse to call him monster or a freak. He was still a kid for god's sake. What was up with this village? He sighed. The red-head was lost for words for once. Remembering the bartender's words he headed toward the forest's hunting grounds.
Shanks found the boy easily enough. Luffy was curled around a large book and sleeping peacefully. He smiled although a bit annoyed as he approached the boy. It was time he realized that the kid wasn't sleeping all that peacefully after all. He sit down beside the boy and was just about to wake him when tears started running down the boy's face.
"…Kaze…s-sorry-" Luffy whispered as more tears run down his face. Shanks didn't know why but he could feel something clenching in his chest. He tried not to pay too much attention to it, because every normal human would feel protective of a small kid. More ever if they were hurt; no matter how big of a brat they were in reality. He sighed as he leaned back into the tree's shadow and run his hand through the boy's scalp gently calming the boy down. The pirate was tempted to just leave but then leaving the kid here unprotected was out of the question… but then again the kid probably come here pretty often. Ah but he was hurt right now. No way he could just leave besides he didn't even scold him yet, no way he would forget about that.
'Well might as well relax until then.' The man thought with a smile as he lean back in the shade of the tree.
Luffy yawned as he moved around and finally opened his eyes slowly. He stretched and froze as the information that he wasn't alone finally reached his brain. It took some time for his brain to even decipher those feels. He looked at his right suspiciously and jack-pot. He should know by now that his reflexes and animal instincts were always spot on.
"Tomato…" 'what's he doing here?' he looked at the man who slept peacefully oblivious to the questioning gaze of young boy. Luffy observed carefully the man lax posture, the man's legs were folded and he was leaning back against a tree, his arms were behind his neck acted as a makeshift pillow although Luffy had to admit felt a bit cheated since the straw-hat covered than man's face. He imagined the man had a satisfied –happy go lucky stupid grin etched on his face. It was the only expression that seemed to fit the man anyway. That carefree attitude somehow reminded him of… ah let's not got there. Besides there was no way the man was like him and even if he was… then he should stay as far away from him as possible. It would be better for all of them.
~.~
Shanks cursed as he walked into the ship. The stupid brat managed to get away. He totally blamed it on the sun. It was impossible to resist the temptation and fell asleep right away.
"Captain, good to see you finally around here and not chasing after Makino's skirt."Yasopp said making the red-head give him the stinky-eye.
"… we're about half way done resupply the ship. I'd say around two or three more days and we're ready to travel again." Ben said as he looked over the list of the still missing supplies.
"Oh…" Shanks was a bit shocked by that. "That's soon…"
"Yeah well we got about everything we need and can get in this village. The fresh food is going to be delivered tomorrow. Some of the guys need some repair parts which are harder to get by but the village's blacksmith promised that he will have them ready by the end of this week… like I said two to three more days, of course unless you want to stay more… maybe spend some time with Makino-chan." Ben asked with a small smirk. Seeing their captain blush and act frustrated was quite amusing.
"T-that's not it! Shut up Yassop don't think I don't hear you laughing! And Doc- don't bet on that!"The man shouted annoyed. "I j-just… w-well I can't leave until I settle my beef with that brat!" It was a half true Ben could tell from a mile but decided to let it slide, this time.
"He's 6 years old." Ben pointed out making the feared pirate captain's eyebrow twitch. Yeah that information did not help at all.
"It doesn't mean I'll let him get away with it!" The man said with a strange fire of determination in his eyes. Guess he was still pissed for being kicked in the nuts. The first mate let out a sigh as he shook his head while his captain basically declared prank war against a 6 years old.
~.~
Luffy let out loud sneeze giving away his location to his prey and making his lunch run away. He sighed as he saw the dust settle in its wake. It was too late to try and catch them now. He swore he will find the one who made him miss out meat and make them pay. Painfully and he hoped embarrassingly too.
~.~
Shanks made the first move. The boy always got home late that he already knew. As usually Luffy walked in without even acknowledging their presence or Makino's efforts and headed for his room. The nekomimi raised an eyebrow under his hood at the hushed voices of the pirates. They were acting very suspicious. They let him go just like that… that raised question. Oh well better for him. He opened the door to his room just for a bucket of pink paint to fell on him. His mind told him to move but he didn't have time to. Everything was totally still until around the corner of the hall someone started to laugh; Luffy spit out some paint that got in his mouth with an apathetic expression.
The boy glared at the red-headed man doing a banged up job at hiding, so he was behind this. He tried to move inside only for some string to snap. He quickly took his foot back but too late. Feathers were thrown on him from every direction. The boy sputtered seemingly frozen in place before the red-haired man smiled trying hard to suppress his laughter as a pop sound attracted the boy's attention and seemingly purple glitter rain down on him. The boy send a glare Shanks way that promised certain pain but the pirate didn't seemed affected in the least. Instead he just doubled over laughing out loud and banging the floor soon footsteps approached and made the boy hurry up and try to shut the door but too late.
"Oh my…!" Makino said before his whole crew begun to laugh with tears in their eyes.
"Eh he's too gloomy for a kid. I though some colors would do him good." Shanks said as he cached the worried look on Makino's face.
"Oh God he looks like a Unicorn just puked on him!" Yasopp supplied helpfully between laughs.
The boy couldn't get the cloths off him quick enough, he opened the door to his locker only to find- that fucker… he dared to mess with his cloths those were gifts from Kaze. This meant war. He looked around between the girly selections of cloths the man placed in his room how the hell did he even get them from? He grumbled as he closed the door to his wardrobe. Like hell he will wear these cloths. Happily for him the man didn't know that he could sneak away without raising suspicion whatsoever by simply doing this.
Blue mist surrounded him as he turned into a small feline. He nudged the window open with his head and headed toward the ship yard where Kaze's ship was docked. He went there most of the time he sought comfort or needed a shelter from the harsh weather. Right now he needed advice and a battle plan... after a bath, a really long and through one. He thought as he shook his paw that had some glitter stuck to him. So first bath than planning.
~.~
Shanks was being cautious for a reason. He was looking over his shoulder the whole morning yet nothing happened… maybe the brat wouldn't retaliate? No after that there was no way the kid wouldn't do anything. It was more suspicious that nothing happened yet. The red-haired captain sighed as he greeted Makino and eyed the chair carefully. He touched gingerly nothing weird he poked it a few times and then smiled. With a newfound confidence he took a seat. Just for a rupturing sound to catch his attention, the man instinctively looked up bad decision… white powder like substance rained down, the man coughed as he spit out some flour? ah bad taste… oh yeah the brat wanted revenge. Everyone around him was laughing and even he himself had to stifle a chuckle.
But that was just the start. He tried to sit up only to sit up with chair… he blinked as he tried in vain to detach himself the brat must have used some glue that acted only upon fabric. His crew had tears in their eyes by now but the prank didn't stop there. Small paddling sound made them all turn to the entrance… there were rodents from mouse, chipmunks to squirrels lining up there like they were military men. Shanks took a fearful step back, chair and all, as they eyed him like he was food. He recognized that look on anyone's face. But there was something else he couldn't explain that was weird about them well beside the fact that they acted human soldier-like and obviously weren't scared of the big humans. With a small battle cry they all rushed forward. Shanks in surprise tried to run away more like wobble, since walking let alone running was totally out of question, his crew was laughing way too hard if anyone were to ask him.
He fell back into his chair as he neared the stairs and the small animals attacked! Became food to small rodents what a way to go; he will be the laugh of the whole Grandline. Something in the back of his mind told him that he should have thought about that before he declared prank war on a six year old but he masterfully ignored the voice. He throw himself back and tried to break the chair he was sitting in but… it survived; it was too resistant to not have been messed with. He jumped slightly as he felt a small tickle. They were licking him… obviously there was something else mixed with the flour because they were at it like Lucky was on meat after Doc put him on a diet for almost a month. Shanks tried not to move too much but it was impossible, it tickled. He found himself laughing like crazy soon… his stomach hurt real bad by the time Makino bless her soul chased after the small animals that seemingly snapped out of whatever they were in and scrambled away.
"Captain-san are you alright?" She asked hesitantly as Ben helped him up with chair and all still snickering.
"Yeah… but I'd be better if I wasn't glued to a chair" The man said as he tried to detach himself with more force.
"You shouldn't do-" Ben's words died in his mouth as Shanks finally managed to rip himself out of the chair, the only problem was that his cloths were still glued to said chair. "That…" The only thing that was safe was the man's hat. He counted down in his head -3…2..1 . The whole bar erupted in laughter once again while Makino blushed deep red and covered her face before running away, Shanks himself tried to control his twitching eyebrow.
'Nicely played kid, but I'll get you for this!' The man swore before he tried and persuade his crew to let them borrow some cloths, he didn't want to walk naked to the village and get labeled as a pervert. Unfortunately his crew was his crew and made fun of him before giving him a speedo… He contemplated choking them with it for a few seconds before he gathered whatever dignity he still had and walked to their ship to get a change of clothes and put his revenge in motion.
"Kya!Hentai!" Some girl shouted before throwing things his way. He tried to dodge them and ignore the whispers thrown in his way of "Don't look" / "Pervert!" / "Tomato-head"/ "Gyah! A flasher!" / "Someone call the police!"and "So big!" that was from a guy by the way with a weird admiration undertone so he decided that for his safety and health both physical and mental,to hurry the hell up.
~.~
"Still not giving up?" Ben asked a bit of exasperation leaking through his voice. They spend almost a week over what they planned here thanks to their captain's prank war. He seriously doubted that he could take much more. No one asked but everyone wondered how the hell did they not run out of ideas yet. The brat's room looked like it was a war zone just like Shank's room back on their ship. No idea how the kid managed to sneak on their ship, repeatedly. The room looking like a murder scene was one thing, but how the hell did the kid manage to glue everything to the ceiling was still beyond him. Oh but his captain had some brilliant ideas too, itching power aside the kid still pink and purple glitter in his hair. Oh and the horse dressed as a unicorn in the kid's room was simply epic. Too bad for his captain that Luffy managed to turn things around somehow and made the horse chase Shanks. A small brat in all his pink girly cloths chasing Shanks on a unicorn dressed horse with rainbow colors in its hair, oh how he wished he would have brought a record dial with him that time.
The now yellow and pink haired Shanks snorted as he tried to get off the fake pink humongous nails that had butterflies design off his finger before running his hand through his hair in exasperation only to stop at the tiara in it that somehow seemed to be stuck to his head.
"Now now shouldn't you support your awesome captain's ambitions and help him instead of bitching like this."
"You do realize your opponent is an innocent six year old kid right, my oh so great captain?"
"Innocent my ass! I mean are we even talking about the same brat that ruined my image… how could we even call ourselves Red-hair pirates now?" The man ranted.
"You did that to him first"
"Then how about my room?"
"You made his room into a small girl's dream by princes styling it."
"But look at my nails!"
"Ballet cloths."
"Yeah well my cloths still smell like onions unleashed!" It truly brought tears to their eyes.
"Think of the water pranks." Apparently Shanks found out that the boy wasn't a fan of baths so he improvised; at least the small guy was clean, very, very clean.
"He changed everything up in my bathroom. I mean I almost washed myself with lubricant and put toothpaste on my hair. He poured all my shampoo in the toilet tank. You have any idea how much foam it makes!"
"Oh that's why you were so angry this morning."
"That's not the point. I'm not leaving before he admits I win and that he's wrong!"
"You ever thought that maybe that he has a reason to act as he does?" Doc asked interrupting the two's conversation.
Shanks raised an eyebrow before he shook his head. "I don't care." The man finally said. "…bad things happen to everyone, no reason to act like a jackass and hurt those who care for you."
"More like his an emo in making still you wouldn't be talking about Makino-chan just now, right? I can see that you like her you know." Ben asked with a knowing smile.
"Luffy stop right there!" Makino's voice made them all stop the chatter and look at the door as the brat walked in. Ben marveled the kid seemed to have someone that borrowed him cloths all the time he got pranked. A male by the looks of it quite a few years older than the boy judging by how long the sleeves were.
"Luffy you need to apologize."
"No way." Cool, composed and to the point as always. One of the things the first mate appreciated about the boy.
"That boy had second degree burns on his hand!" Makino retorted making everyone's eyes widen slightly. "I know that you're hurting but always fighting and now burning people, Luffy that isn't you. I know you're better than this." The women said approaching the boy.
The boy's eyes widened before his head slumped slightly. Better? Him?" How would you know that?!" He shouted enraged and slapping away her hands. Makino fell over and grasped her bleeding hand. There were three claw like marks on her arm. Luffy seemingly froze before he continued to speak "You're not my mom or my sister, you're no one!" He said forcibly, it made her tear up. He was aware that he hurt her than worse than those scratches but it was better this way. At least that was what he told himself, he was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize what happened as he was knocked off his feet by a punch.
"Listen up… You can pour drinks on me, you can throw food at me… You can even spit on me. I'll just laugh that stuff off. But… Good reason or not… Nobody hurts a friend of mine." Shanks said as he glared at the small boy sitting on the ground while nursing a bloody lip. He had just about enough. No he didn't care what happened to the boy, nothing gave him the right to abuse other people.
"Please c-capt-ain-san… please Stop. He's just a kid!" Makino said with tears in her eyes as Benn, Shanks first mate stepped in her way and held her back.
"He knows. He won't hurt him… too bad." The man said as the boy finally sit up clenching the bar for help. Shanks might have used too much force in that punch, he contemplated slightly as the boy looked like he fought with consciousness already.
"Ah… you're one of them…" The boy finally said as he straightened himself. "… You all… are very annoying… just like him…" This made Ben raise an eyebrow just who was the kid talking about?
"Apologize." Came the command. Making the others just a bit nervous, it never spelled good when their captain talked in that tone.
"Never." The boy said as he meet the man's gaze challenging.
He knew he couldn't win against the man well not in a straight fight anyway. But he has been training for a while now with his flames not to mention if he used that move that Garp showed him… he only needed one chance one opening. He ignored his already bruised body, yeah getting in a fight with pirates right after he kicked some trash's ass and getting a bit beat up was not a good idea. Besides those guys were totally cheating and pussies too. Why else would they involve their older almost adult brother in a fight?
The man seemed to run out of patience as he walked up to the young boy, Luffy managed to avoid the hand reaching for him and back away but somehow he was still grabbed by the back of his hoodie. Shanks was faster than he give the man credit for. In one shift move he slipped out of his hoodie and let the man scoff as he throw the hoodie Ben's way. The man sighed as he turned to the crew members that were watching everything that was happening with rapt attention.
"Makino-chan I think we better give them some space…" but before he could finish the sentence the boy fell to his knees. The whole crew just realized that the boy's blood was soaking the white long sleeved shirt he was wearing. Doc took a step toward him but the boy seemed to hiss.
"What happened?" Shanks asked baffled and panicking slightly. He didn't want to hurt the boy and worsen his injuries, open his eyes yes but he would have never hurt a kid so painfully.
"Not your business… blondy." The nickname made Shank's eyebrow twitch slightly.
"You brat! Quit being so rebellious! You're only a kid stop being so stubborn! You are allowed and should just cry like a small kid if you're hurt you know!"
"So annoying…" The boy said as his mind brought up the image of another annoying male saying something similar. God Kaze must be disappointed right now if he saw him act like this. No that wasn't right he would have been livid, really angry at him for hurting Makino and acting like this. But he truly didn't know how else he could protect her. He tried to stop but somehow a tear escapes his eyes and no matter how much the boy wanted not to, more followed. Protect her? What a joke he was hurting her and the one who was doing the protecting, wasn't it Shanks?
Makino's eyes widened as she saw the small boy's tears and rushed past the now gapping Shank. She crunched down to the young child's level. "Luffy…" She said with a strained voice as she hugged the boy close. "It's gonna be fine…" The boy didn't even know when he started to cry so hard or why he was wailing like a small kid, just because someone said he was allowed to. But he just couldn't stop it, it was just so liberating.
"You did good captain." Ben said as put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I understand now why you didn't want to leave."
"Ah… well I guess this is better result than what I was expecting." The man said with his usual "Dahahaha" laugh accompanying it.
The boy finally stopped crying a few minutes later. Luffy set up and wiped his eyes roughly in his long sleeve making the once red-head flinch slightly. The child begun to walk toward him with a cool expression on his, not like he had a total breakdown earlier. Shanks had to admit the boy had guts alright, in mind he was already thinking of what to say but he did not expect the boy to just grab his hoodie from Ben's hands, put it on and walk away.
"I'm still not apologizing" the 6 years old said as he stopped at the stairs "... but I didn't want to hurt you Makino…I-I was just… angry" He said the last part so quietly that they had to strain their ears to understand, before she could say anything the boy already disappeared upstairs. Makino giggled catching a glimpse of the boy's flushed and embarrassed face. Who would have thought that Luffy was a tsundere sooo cute. Makino laughed as she heard Shank's loud brat. There was one more thing she needed to do.
"Captain-san." That was enough to capture the man's attention. "Thank you." Shank's blush was hard to miss but she wasn't done. She placed an innocent kiss at the now scarlet colored cheeks that resembled the man's once bright red hair. Instant K.O.
~.~
Luffy was hiding in a tree that give him a good view to what was happening in the bar.
"So this is from where you spied on us." Shanks said with a grin from under the tree, the small boy fell out the tree in surprise. The red-haired captain hurriedly tried to catch the boy but to his surprise the boy managed to turn in mid-fall and land on his feet. Like a cat. Déjà vu?
"You…" the boy hissed annoyed at the man.
"Sorry didn't think you'd fell… Still Makino's freaked out by the large dead bear you let in the kitchen, what's that all about?"
"…" the boy blushed slightly. He couldn't help it, he was feeling so bad that he put her through all that he had… so when his feline instinct acted up and thought that a gift might help he naturally did just that and hunted down the biggest pray he could find. Now thinking of it like this it was silly of him.
"…" Shanks shook his head seeing the boy's flushed face. "Well she's making some food you can come in and join us anytime it is the last day we're staying." The boy nodded. It was to be expected, they were after all pirates. "Mah don't make that face now." The boy give him a glare making him smile even more amused. "We'll be back in a week or two." Now that made Luffy's eyes widen. "I decided to use this island as our base for our stay in East Blue. I'll still need to pay you back for that prank!"
"Yeah, Dream on, old man." Luffy said with a small grin.
"What was that you crybaby?!"Shanks asked with a twitching eyebrow.
"Who are you calling a crybaby, old-timer?"
"Who's so small I can't see without a magnifying glass?"
"Who are you calling a chibi senile-san?"
"They are at it again." Benn said with a sigh as he heard the arguing from outside.
AN: some translation-
Dakara= as I said
Gaki=brat
Arigatou, Senchou-san= thank you, captain