Hello readers. I first want to say I'm sorry this took so long. Unfortunately things happen and Karma has a weird way with things. I had major writer's block, loads of drama in my life(A,K.A College) and could not write for a very long time. On to clearing some things up(I am really bad at explaining things so bear with me).
1. About Sara's Age: In this Chapter Sara is 31.
2. Shanks knowing about Ace: As of Right now Shanks does not know about Ace or that he is Luffy's(and Sara's) brother. When I wrote the frist, second, and third chapters of this story; I had not read The One Piece Chapter 552 and Chapters 582-589 had not been published yet. I do plan to make sure the event(Shanks and Ace meeting for the first time) of chapter 552 do happen(possibly in ch.7).
I hope I explained it well enough, sorry if I didn't. If you have any more questions, just ask but be warned I may be planing to explain it in a later chapter.
Silently Sara prayed that Shanks would not see her. For a few moments, the pirates disappeared from her view and Sara sighed in relief. She slumped back down on the bench, relieved that no one of the Red Hair Pirates saw her. Her relief was short lived as a large shadow moved into her line if vision.
"Sara?" The question made Sara jump. "Sara, is that you?" Sara looked up at the person standing in front of her. Shanks had not changed a bit since she last saw him. Though it was nice seeing him, Sara could only smile. A huge grin spread across Shanks' face, as she nodded and said, "Hello, Captain."
Before Sara knew what was happening, she was being pulled off the bench and through the crowds. Sara tried to get her wrist away from Shanks but his grip was like iron.
"Shanks!" cried Sara over the crowd, "Where are you going?"
But Shanks did not answer her. Then again it did not really surprise Sara; with all the people and music, Shanks may not have heard her. Though the crowds Shanks pulled her and Sara was still really wishing she was still on that bench. Shanks pulled Sara to where his crew was waiting outside one of the few bars in the town.
"Boys! Look who I found!" Shanks had a goofy grin as he pulled Sara next to him. Many of the newer faces just looked from their captain to but, those Sara could recognize had huge grins on their faces. Even Ben Beckman was smiling.
"C'mon Men! Let's celebrate!" The pirates cheered and, even, Sara smiled. The pirates began to fill the bar and Shanks pulled Sara with him.
Sara sat between Beckman and Shanks at the small bar. Shanks was laughing at his partying crew and drinking. While Beckman lit a cigarette, Sara sipped her beer and laughed at the antics of Shanks and his crew.
"Sara," spoke Ben Beckman, turning to her, "What are you doing on this island?"
"Well," said Sara, "To make a long story short, I had to get away from my family."
Both Shanks and Beckman stared at Sara, probably thinking what had Luffy done. Sara sighed and shook her head at the two men.
"I promise Luffy was not the reason," said Sara, smiling a little, "When my grandfather 'paid' a visit to Fushia after you left, Luffy told Gramps that he was going to become a pirate after Gramps claimed Luffy would become a great Marine."
"Sara, who's your grandfather," asked Beckman.
"Vice-Admiral Monkey D. Garp," replied Sara bitterly.
Unfortunately Sara might have said that a little too loudly because everyone stopped and looked at her. The only person's whose jaw had not dropped to the floor was Beckman. True to form, Beckman merely smoked his cigarette. The silence was very unnerving. After what seemed like an eternity, Sara held up her hands in exasperation.
"Yes, Vice-Admiral Garp is my grandfather," said Sara, "and don't think I like being related to him."
"Sara, what's hard to believe is that you and Luffy are related to a man like that," commented Beckman.
"Well," replied Sara bitterly, "not even his only family is safe from his ideas. You can't pick the family you're born to."
"True enough," said Beckman, "Captain, do you really need to keep that ridiculous expression?"
It might have been the bitterness in Sara's voice or his first mate's 'joke', but Shanks snapped out of his dumbfounded trance. "What do you mean?"
"My grandfather wants my brothers to be in the Navy. Poor Luffy always got the worst of it," said Sara, "Gramps berated, beat, and belittles Luffy every chance he gets and that's not the worst of it. Before I managed to put a stop to it, Gramps had thrown Luffy into the forest at night, tied Luffy to balloons and let them go."
"HE DID WHAT!" yelled Shanks, another shocked look appeared on his face.
Shanks reaction caught Sara a little off guard. Though she had expected some reaction from Shanks but Sara had not expected this type of reaction. For some odd reason, Sara had been hoping Shanks would act seriously. What was she thinking! Sara stole a look at Shanks, he was wearing a button-down shirt, half opened, and pants that had palm trees on them. If she did not know who he was, Sara would not have taken Shanks seriously.
"Gramps used to do a lot of things to Luffy until I put somewhat of an end to it. Then when Gramps finally got on my nerves I left Fuushia." Sara looked down at the floor, "He just kept on about how I failed him because Luffy wanted to be a pirate. I had to get away from him, so I left and came here. I wish I hadn't though."
Sara looked up as a hand was placed on her shoulder. Shanks saw Sara was distressed over leaving her brother, but at that moment Shanks could not think of a way to comfort her.
"I'm sure Luffy is fine."
Then many of Shanks's crew began talking about their experiences with Luffy. Most of the pirates were laughing at the memories of Luffy's antics. Soon even Sara was sharing her stories and laughing with everyone. She started feeling a little better. Then someone in the crowd raised a glass and yelled: "CHEERS TO LUFFY!"
Everyone, especially the pirates who knew Luffy, cheered. The partying resumed, everyone was singing, laughing, or dancing. Everyone that is, except, Beckman, who just relaxed and watched the festivities and; Shanks, who just watched Sara as she danced with Lucky Roux.
"She really has grown up." Shanks looked at his first mate. "What do you think, Captain?"
Shanks thought about it for a minute. Though he had not noticed it before, Shanks could now see there was something different about Sara. Maybe it was the way Sara looked or was it her attitude, but something about her had changed.
"Ya think so?" replied Shanks with a smile.
Before Beckman could make another comment, Sara sat between the two. She was laughing so hard that she could barely catch her breath. Shanks and Beckman were staring at her but, it took her a few minutes before Sara could say anything.
"Well boys, it's been fun seeing you again but, I really need to get home."
With that Sara hopped off the bar stool and headed for the door. Thankfully many of the pirates were enjoying their partying so much that none, save Shanks and Beckman, saw her leave. Sara had only made it a few feet from the bar, when someone grabbed her arm. Sara stiffened. Since most of the townspeople had gone home, Sara did not know who it was.
"Don't leave," said a familiar voice.
"Shanks," Sara breathed.
"Come with me," Shanks continued, "Join my crew."
Sara slowly turned around to look at Shanks. "Shanks, I really don't know about this."
"Please, Sara! It will be fun! We'll see the world together!"
"Shanks, I'm sorry. I don't think I can."
Shanks dropped Sara's are and began to stare down at the street. Sara started to walk away, but she managed to get only five steps before she turned back to the pirate who had stolen her heart.
"Five years ago, I made a mistake that has haunted me." Sara looked into Shanks's eyes, "I now have that same opportunity in front of me and I am about to make the same mistake again."
"Sara," whispered Shanks.
"Captain Shanks, can I join your crew?"
Sara did not think Shanks's smile could not get any wider, but as he stood in front of her, it did.
"Monkey D. Sara, I gladly accept your offer to join my crew, but on one condition," said Shanks as he towered over Sara, "You must never use your Ferrin power to heal my left arm."
Before Sara could make a comment, Shanks kissed her! Sara closed her eyes for a few seconds but before anything else could happen, there were cheers and whistles. The two broke apart and Sara started to turn red. Shanks grabbed Sara's arm and dragged her towards the bar and his crew.
"Let's celebrate!" yelled someone as the crew reentered the bar, "To our new crew member!"
The partying lasted well into the night and many of the crew had hangovers the next morning, except of Sara and Beckman, who never drank as much as his crewmates or his captain. Sara left her jewelry shop to one of Mrs. Halia's daughters and set sail with the Red-Haired pirates. She did not know what the future held for her, but Sara was glad she had taken that opportunity.
Out At Sea
"It's beautiful, isn't?"
Sara jumped at the voice cutting though her thoughts. She had been watching the sun set over the ocean, and she did not hear Shanks walk up behind her.
"Yeah." and full of promise, but Sara could not the last part because Shanks dragged her back to the party.
