Chapter 6

After some time, Alexis managed to teach Roo and Yasopp the lyrics for the song "Secret Mission" from Galavant. The three stood on the large table of the mess deck, their arms over each other's shoulders and began to sing happily.

Oh!

We're off on a secret mission

We got us a secret plan

We're going to go and slay your bro

Alexis pointed her mug of ale towards Joshua.

As quietly as we can

We'll sneak up and surprise him

Before he has time to think

We're off on our way but first another drink

Da da da da da da

The trio continued to sing while the pirates cheered happily, with mugs risen in the air. They were having such a good time, even Mihawk was, for what it looked like, enjoying himself as well. He even began to hum the song and tap his leg at the beat. This small detail that Shanks and Benn noticed made them laugh happily. Alexis' happiness was so contagious: she was able to make Mihawk, THE Dracule Mihawk, hum a ridiculous song.

Even Joshua was enjoying the company of these cheerful pirates.

He felt at home.

He felt comfortable surrounded by this bunch of people.

His heart has found resolution: he was leaving the Plushie Pirates and will commit himself to get better and to protect Alexis.

-A toast! – Alexis cheered after the song, capturing everyone's attention. – To this man that I beat the crap out but turned out to be a nice guy. – She pointed at Joshua who, in response, blushed lightly in response.

-I let you win. – He answered back making the pirates laugh.

-Very well. – She smiled sweetly and raised her much in the air. – To Joshua!

-To Joshua! – The men cheered and drank the ale quickly. Even Mihawk joined the toast. He really was enjoying himself.

The celebration proceeded until nightfall. The moment when the operation would begin.

~Afterwards~

-Shanks… - Alexis mumbled as she was stumbling up the road towards the household where the Plushie Pirates were residing. The captain looked at her flushed face, smiling lightly.

-Yes Alexis?

-Was it a good idea to do this while drunk? – She was able to mumble out before stumbling on her feet. Shanks took hold of her arm, helping her gain balance.

-You were the one that drank more than you could afford. – He commented, although he was a little bit tipsy himself.

Benn, Yasopp, Roo and Joshua were following the couple a bit behind them. From the group, Joshua and Alexis were the ones that were more sensitive to alcohol and that amused the older pirates.

-It's not my fault that ale is so tempting! – She complained, raising her voice but Shanks quickly covered it with his hands. They were near the house. The sight was enough for adrenaline to rush through Alexis' body, sobering her up. She slowed her pace, standing next to Joshua. He looked at her in curiosity. – Once we're in, let the adrenaline flow. – She advised. – It will sober you up a bit. Since you use a rapier – she looked at the weapon resting on his haramaki – when attacking, place your body sideways. Since it's a lighter weapon you can use it in one hand and when you attack with your side faced to your opponent you have a wider view range and you become a smaller target. – Joshua took in all the information that his drunken state could bear.

Benn and Shanks smiled at the willingness from Alexis' to teach the rookie pirate some intelligent and helpful tips. It was these little things she did that made the crew like her by each passing day.

-Like we planned – Shanks captured all men attention – Kind of… Joshua you go first, Yasopp will follow you just in case. I noticed your crew mates spying on us when we went back to the Red Force. Benn and Roo, you'll guard the front part of the house in case they try to escape. Once you're in, Yasopp will send the signal and Alexis and I will enter through the back. The flare will catch the guards' attention. That's when Benn and Roo enter. You'll need to keep them at bay while Alexis and I sneak in. We plan on lasting less than 10 minutes. If we last longer than that, Benn you'll send the signal to the rest of the men. They are a few meters away from this location. Pretty simple. Our objective: release the islanders from the Plushie Pirates. – With that last determined statement, the pirates silently "aye'd". Joshua and Yasopp went ahead, while Shanks and Alexis silently walked by the bushed towards the back. As planned, Benn and Roo held their positions, keeping a close watch on the entrance. Shanks and Alexis moved swiftly through the night, moving silently from between the bushes. Some pirates were watching the exterior but seemed completely oblivious to their presence. Or so they thought. They suddenly came to a stop when they reached their designed location and awaited for the signal. Shanks looked at Alexis that was nervously fidgeting with her fingers. – Nervous?

-A bit… - She admitted shyly, earning an ensuring smile from her captain.

-It'll be okay.

-I really hope so. I never done anything like this…

-A virgin?

-Shanks!? – Her face suddenly blushed as she incredulously whispered his name, making him suffocate a laugh.

-From what it looks like, you are a virgin at infiltration missions.

-Please don't use that word. – She looked away from him, trying to cool her burning face.

-What? Virgin? – His smile grew wider when her face became redder. – Don't tell me you're a virgin in the room department?

-Shut up. – She elbowed him, making him laugh a bit but actually felt happy about it. She was pure and didn't give away her body to anyone. It was still fun to play with her a bit.

-So you are…

-Shush! – Her face gained a deep scarlet colour. He reached out his hand and cupped her cheek. His calloused skin brushed sweetly against her smooth skin.

-Don't worry. Maybe I can help with that later. – His voice sounded inviting and so tempting. She was about to squeak in a fangirl manner until she saw Shanks holding in another fit of laughter. She was so fun to tease. Maybe she should play along? She was so unsure of herself. She couldn't even remember the last time she flirted with a man. Very long ago… She wasn't the kind of woman to flirt around with everyone and get laid every night. She breathed in deeply before giving him a smirk.

-We'll have to see about that. – She purred softly. His smile slowly began to disappear as he felt his desire grow when he heard her sensual voice. Her lips looked so tempting at this moment. She reached out her hand and brushed his naked chest with her index finger. – Maybe after the mission, you can do something about it. – His mouth gently opened and it was now Alexis turn to contain her laughter. A blush crept onto his cheeks giving him an innocent and almost childish look.

-H-hey… - He stuttered, looking away from her.

-You teased me, I just played along. – She raised her shoulders in a carefree manner before regaining her poise and looking at the skin, waiting for Yasopp's night flare. Shanks couldn't contain a small chuckle that sent shivers up Alexis' spine. That slight shiver didn't go unnoticed by the red hair captain. This woman amused him so much. She brightened his day up so easily.

-Seems only fair. – He looked up at the night sky and with a smile added. – But I won't back down from what I told you. I never break a promise.

-What…? – Her head snapped quickly at him, her face tinted red, almost reaching the same colour as her hair. He closed his eyes, lowered his head and silently chuckled. She was amazing. Suddenly a blue flare lit up the night sky capturing the red haired pirates.

-C'mon. – Shanks suddenly began to move and Alexis followed suit. Her face was still steaming hot but moving made the cold night breeze freshen her face. Shanks opened the door with one swift motion and moved inside.

The room they were in was small and cold, with no decorations what so ever. It was weird for the flashy appearance the Plushie Pirates kept up. There was a staircase to their left so they decided to climb. Alexis went ahead, scythe in hand, while Shanks followed behind her, making sure no other pirate entered the door they had went through. They reached a large room on the upper level, highly decorated in pink and red silks and toys. A scarlet bed was in the middle of the room along with a pirate laid on it. He was looking at them from top to bottom, in an analytic stance. It was the Plushie Captain. He had bright pink hair that was adorned with golden highlights. The suit he was wearing was a full-body pink suit that resembled a bunny. Around his waist there was a small pistol. The pirate smirked at them in amusement.

Alexis only shivered.

-Creepy… - She mumbled.

-I've been expecting you. – The Plushie captain began, revealing a rather feminine voice. Alexis burst out in laughter along with Shanks. The pirate fumed, annoyed by their laughter so he summoned rock stakes that appeared from the floor. Shanks took hold of Alexis and pulled her towards him, barely dodging the stakes. – Not laughing anymore, I see. Well… I don't know what your business is here but you are a nuisance! I'm the one that rules here and you won't ruin my reign of perfection!

-You like to hear yourself talk, don't you? – Alexis was suddenly behind the Plushie Captain. She swung the scythe in a quick motion, hitting the pirate on the face with the holder but… the sound wasn't right. He shielded his face with rock. The only damage taken was presented by a small crack on the place she had hit him. The Plushie captain summoned another stake but Alexis quickly dodged it, pushing her body with her scythe and swinging on it with the help of its blade. Her eyes glanced at Shanks and he understood immediately her plan. Alexis lunged herself towards the enemy pirate and hit his face with the scythe once again, cracking the rock shield. Shanks followed not soon after, sabre in hand, landing a slash across the enemy's face, earning a small cut.

The stone regenerated rather quickly.

-I'm invincible! Quit already. – The Plushie captain said.

-Stop being so full of yourself! – With that, Alexis finally used the blade of her scythe and broke apart the stone shield once again, with Shanks repeating the previous process, cutting the pirate's chest. He only laughed cockily despite the bleeding wounds.

-You know that you won't go anywhere. – The Plushie captain spoke once again, earning an irritated sigh from Alexis. Shanks on the other hand was unmoved by any remark the man said although, deep inside, his blood was boiling by the cocky attitude he had. Alexis noticed Shanks firm poise and noticed that her captain wasn't using his full strength. If he did, that Plushie cunt would be a pile of meat already. Instead Alexis gave Shanks a sign for him to go first which he gladly obeyed, this time slashing the rocky chest armor of the pirate. Alexis took hold of her scythe and used her full weight against her weapon in order to pierce his chest but she was a tad too late: he had managed to summon another rocky stake from the floor, making her jump back.

-You're annoying, you know… - Alexis mumbled and looked at her captain. – Let's finish this already.

Shanks looked back at the Plushie Captain and began to run towards him, Alexis not far behind. The enemy summoned dozens of rock stakes that began to rise from the floor but both Alexis and Shanks managed to dodge them with ease. When Shanks was face to face with the captain he slashed away, for the millionth time, the rocky armor, breaking it apart. Jumping to the side, Alexis took her captain's place and, using one of her daggers, stabbed the enemy pirate in the chest, earning a suffocated gasp. Her eyes were closed with that last blow yet she was fully aware she had missed the heart. Alexis didn't have any intent of killing this silly excuse of a pirate.

-What did you… do? – The Plushie captain chocked out as his hand covered the wound on his chest.

-Spared your life. – She answered and began to walk out of the room.

Shanks knelt down next to the other captain and smiled.

-When you get better maybe we can have a drink or something. – He smiled and quickly followed Alexis that had exited the building through the front door. Yasopp and Joshua were fighting off the pirates at the entrance but suddenly stopped when they noticed the two familiar figures appearing at the door. Joshua's eyes lit up in happiness when he saw Alexis figure appearing from the door.

-Kid watch out! – Yasopp shouted at Joshua and shot a bullet at a Plushie Pirate that attempted to hit Joshua. Alexis rushed to the fight and began to punch and hit with the scythe holder on the enemies, leaving them unconscious.

The fight was soon over and the group walked casually back to their ship after taking any gold they found in the house. The Plushie Pirates were somewhat poor despite raising taxes and whatever on that island. Maybe they had spent everything on buying flashy things.

They finally reached the docks after a long walk filled with cheers and happy chatting.

Waiting for them was Mihawk on his boat. Shanks rushed to the swordsman with a sad smile on his face.

-Leaving already Hawkie? We need to have a party in honor of this island. – Shanks spoke out and the pirates behind him laughed and cheered once again at the promise of alcohol. Alexis on the other hand was still a bit drunk from the previous celebration.

-I must leave Shanks. But we'll probably meet again sometime soon. – Mihawk explained, keeping his serious expression constantly on him. The swordsman then looked behind the red haired captain, towards Alexis. – I will like to have a duel with you, scythe user!

-It's Alexis! – She answered at him with a large smile on her face. – One day Hawkie. One day. – She used his nickname earning a deadly glare from the swordsman. The intensive stare only made her laugh and Mihawk couldn't contain a half-smile that appeared on his lips. With that promise made, Mihawk left the docks, leaving behind the cheerful red hair pirates that were heading for yet another celebration.

Before heading to the Red Force, Shanks noticed Joshua shyly standing in the background, looking at the Red Hair Pirates. He walked up at the new kid and placed an insuring hand on his shoulder, making the former Plushie Pirate look at the red haired captain.

-Is there something bothering you? – Shanks questioned.

All of the sudden, Joshua fell on his knees and, placing his head on the ground, bowed at Shanks.

-Please let me join your crew! – He nearly cried out these words, which made Shanks' most trustworthy crew members to look at the young boy.

-You're free to do so. – Shanks gave Joshua his signature smile when the young boy looked at him, astonished. Suddenly tears began to develop in Joshua's eyes and he wept, silently, in happiness.

Suddenly his vision was blocked by a large mug filled with ale. Looking to his side, Joshua saw a cheerful Alexis looking at him. She was a very amazing woman. Someone that was capable to forgive him despite him being on the enemy side at the beginning. The same went for Shanks and his crew.

-No sobbing now, Joshua-boy. – Alexis stated and took his hand, helping him off of the ground. – It's time for you to cheer and shout at the top of your lungs.

-Welcome to the Red Hair Pirates. – Shanks said happily. With that statement, Joshua let out a loud shout of joy mixed with sobbing. Benn, Roo, Yasopp, Alexis and Shanks couldn't help but smile at the boy's reaction.

As they entered the ship in cheers, Alexis noticed her captain standing behind her, looking at her intensively. She looked over her shoulder, acknowledging his presence and noticed his onyx eyes showered by a hint of lust and desire as he looked at her. She smirked devilishly at him and winked before proceeding to walk to the mess deck, making sure to sway her hips a bit more, therefore teasing her captain.

She was indeed a wonderful woman and Shanks couldn't deny it for very much longer.

A/N:

Well, this was VERY LONG! XD longer than the previous one that's for sure. I had so much fun writting this chapter specially the teasing part x3 kawaii! I feel like I missed something on the fighting scene but hey! if I remember I'll edit this chapter and add what's missing.

I hoped you enjoy this chapter :3

The song was from the show "Galavant": Secret Mission

I do not own One Piece! Only own Alexis, the Plushie Pirates and Joshua :D

Have fun!