~Shanks~

I'm sure Reyleigh-san will be here any minute to break up our little sparing match, but until then I'd sate my opponent's desire for battle. She's definitely been practicing since the last time we met in battle. Her technique is a little more refined, and it's a little harder for me to keep up. However, I manage to keep her on her toes. She's not too hard to read.

"Red Hair!" She snaps, making one particularly vicious attack. I had to jump back to avoid it. "Why the hell are you here?! What's the Pirate King's business?" she demands. For a second I wonder if she plans to run us out of here all on her own.

"Hm..." I debate whether or not I should let her know. She is technically an enemy after all. However it's not like we're up to anything secret. It can't hurt, can it? "We're just stocking up on booze. No biggie." I answer casually. "So, what are you up to? It's kinda weird seeing you out of uniform."

"Why should I tell you?" She takes a step back, but I doubt it's so she can hear my answer. I'm guessing she's looking for an opening to attack.

"I'm just curious." I reply. "I'm gonna go ahead and say you're on vacation. Am I right?" I pause and think back to when she was arguing with her friend. "You don't seem to like it very much." She doesn't deny it, but she doesn't say anything either. "So, if taking time off doesn't make you happy, then what does?"

"Hunting pirates." Grace replies. Immediately after answering, she lunges at me, sword held high. I quickly bring my weapon up to parry her blow. I saw that answer coming.

"Well...You're hunting a pirate right now, aren't you? You don't look like you're enjoying yourself though." I muse aloud.

"That's because you're annoying!" She says through gritted teeth. She was leering at me as if she were trying to burn holes in my head.

"So you don't find other pirates annoying?" I ask.

"All pirates are annoying!" she states. "There aren't any exceptions!"

"If pirates always annoy you, then how does going after them make you happy?" I ask.

"What? I..." I can see Grace thinking about an actual answer, but doesn't say it. "Why do you have to ask so many questions?!" she snaps. I'm kind of surprised by the vehemence of her tone.

"I'm a nosy guy. What can I say?" I reply with a shrug of my shoulders.

"Damn it, Grace!" I look to my left and spot the brunette stalking toward us. She had a frown on her face. "Put the sword down before you hurt somebody, would you? It's time to cool it." She crosses her arms, and finally turns her attention to me. She looks at me from head to toe and tuts her tongue. "And you. Is there any particular reason you're encouraging her behavior?"

"Uh..." I'm not sure how to respond. It's not often that I'm scolded by a stranger.

"Go away, Val! This isn't any of your business."

"I think it is. You're stirring up trouble in my peaceful little town here." The brunette replies. "Now hand over the sword."

"No. Not until I get these pirates out of here!" Grace points her sword at me.

"Well, uh, we're just picking up some stuff, like I said." I pipe in. "We'll be leaving soon."

"Not soon enough in my opinion..." the marine growls.

I'm about to say something, but Rayleigh-san steps into the scene. "Oi, I turn my back for one minute and you manage to find an enemy." He pops me upside the head. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Just, uh, hangin' out." I reply. I rub my head with a sheepish smile. I'm definitely gonna get some kind of punishment, but hopefully he'll give me a break until after our errands are done with.

"Seriously, Grace? You're gonna try and take on this guy of all people?" I look over at the girls to see Grace gripping her weapon tightly, eying Rayleigh with a strange mixture of apprehension and excitement. Her friend was watching her with an eyebrow raised. "You're crazy. Drop the sword, and come with me, we're leaving." She grips the marine's shoulder firmly.

"What's that crazy bitch even doing here anyway?" Buggy peers out from behind Rayleigh. "She's the one that's been after us!"

Rayleigh regards the marine, who was now in the middle of a quiet argument with her friend. "She does seem to be a bit of a handful..." he admits. I'm sure he was able to 'see' most of my interaction with her thanks to his haki. "Anyway, just help get the sake to the ship. And hurry it up. We'll have to make a few trips."

I cast one last look at Grace, who finally relented. I'm really tempted to follow and get her to loosen up, but Rayleigh-san's stern hand of my shoulder makes me rethink think things. Work first, play later. So instead, I grin as she's walking away. "See you around, sweetheart!" I call. I watch just long enough to see her being held in check by the brunette, and then I turn way to get my chores done.

~Valeska~

It takes a minute, but I finally manage to force Grace to turn the other way. I glance at Shanks, wondering what's so special about this redheaded pirate. It's strange that he was actually acknowledged by woman who hates pirates most in the world. Normally she doesn't bother to remember their names, unless they've got huge bounties like the Pirate King and Silver Rayleigh. But that redhead is just some swabbie, isn't he? Yet I can here Grace muttering his name, followed by a long string of curses.

Now, cursing a pirate is completely normal for her. However after that she doesn't seem all that perturbed. In fact, she seems quite content, other than the scowl on her face. Mild annoyance. Not full blown hatred. Strange.

"So, Grace..." I wait for her to look my way. "Looks like you've got a little lover boy on your tail." I say.

"What?" My suggestion makes her stop in her tracks. She's looking at me with a frown. "You mean that redhead bastard? No way. He's just trying to get on my nerves."

"It doesn't seem that way to me." I reply. "His interest looked pretty genuine. And uh...'Sweetheart'? Sorry, but the pet name kinda sells it. Besides, does it even get on your nerves? I would think you'd still be at his throat right now after his last little comment."

"You were telling me not to fight him! And now you're saying should still be fighting?"

"Normally you'd take it to the point where I'd have to take you down myself. You gave up pretty easily this time. So what's different?" I ask. "Is this guy growing on you?"

"No way!" She says quickly. "You wanted me to stop, so I did. Why the interrogation?"

"I'm just curious." The two of us begin walking again. I move on to different questions. "When did you first meet this guy anyway?"

Grace sighs. "A few months ago..." she replies. I look over and see that her cheeks are tinged with pink.

With a quizzical look, I ask, "What happened?" She hesitates, and then mumbles her answer. "He...complimented you?" Is that why she's going easier on him? That redhead isn't bad looking, I'll give him that. I'm sure he can get on any girl's good side with a nice comment.

"The bastard..." she mutters. "He was lying...I know he was lying..."

I debate asking more about it, but I sense that she won't answer anymore questions. She's gone into her thoughtful mode. So, from what I can tell, this pirate has made more of an impact on her than I thought possible. What that will mean in the future, I'm not sure, but I know I'll find out. I know this isn't the last time that Shanks will pop up.