Feeling generous, so here's the next chapter.
She was standing at the helm and gazed in the distant. Benn by her side and Jozu also. Marco couldn't help but smile, seeing how uneasy Jozu was in her presence. He walked towards them and saw a sign of relief in the eyes of Jozu. Lucinda turned to Marco with a warm and comforting smile.
"Shanks was right. His men did tease yours," she said.
Marco looked at Benn, who just shrugged his shoulder, not really caring what she said.
"What did you mean by within a year –yoi?" asked Marco.
"That the lifeline of Ed told me he would die within a year if he continued to live like he does now. I can't say exactly when people die, because changes in lifestyle, even small changes, can have an effect. So if Ed changes something, he will be able to live longer or shorter than 4 years," said Lucinda.
"Will Oyaji die so soon?" Jozu looked confused.
"It is up to Ed himself. I just added 3 years more to his lifeline," said Lucinda.
"So what did you do to Akainu and Kizaru?" asked Benn.
"Gave them some poison. Your fourth commander was not only stabbed, but the knife had been poison as well. I took the liberty to suck the poison out and at the war I gave some to Akainu and Kizaru, before giving all back to Blackbeard. I do not know if he would survive and I don't care," she said casually.
Marco and Jozu looked stunned at her.
"I see. But the admirals will survive?" Benn smiled to her.
"Sure. I didn't gave them that much," said Lucinda.
"So did you enjoy the fighting Lu?" asked Yasopp and came towards them.
"Sure Yasopp. It was fun. Poor marines. I wonder what they will do now," she smiled.
"You know that right now you are scary? Taking a war like that as if it was a child's play," pointed Benn.
"I know. For me it was. Don't forget that I'm an old woman," she said.
"How old?" asked Yasopp.
"Old enough to witness many wars and to see the changes among pirates and the marines. When you have lived for many years, Yasopp, you'll find life boring and when you continue to get stronger, those who ones were a threat is now just insects. So the war was a child's play for me," she said casually.
"You're scary," comment Yasopp with a smile.
"You don't say," said Jozu, but Marco smiled.
"So you won't say how old you are? Well age doesn't matter and Shanks loves you," smiled Yasopp.
Lucinda smiled. "I know. And don't think I do not love him back, it's only … "
"Since you don't age like normal humans, you can't really get too attached to a man. It would only hurt too much. Better be free, have affairs and feel love for many –yoi," continued Marco for her.
"Exactly," she smiled.
"So you do care for our captain," blinked Benn.
"Of course I do. I care for all my friends and my lovers I care for even more," she said bluntly.
"And you're not shy –yoi," smiled Marco.
Lucinda smiled. She could see that Jozu was feeling better around her. Mostly because she didn't act like a vampire, but more like a woman and because Marco seemed to be alright around her. He even understood her in a way she never would have thought of, but then she remembered his Devil's Fruit power and wondered how old he must be.
"So Lucinda is there anything we need to know about you that are important –yoi?" asked Marco.
"Not really. I've already told you most of it. Don't judge me because of my Devil's Fruit power, Phoenix," she smiled.
"Call me Marco –yoi."
"You trust me? Well, Marco, then you may call me Lu, if you want." Lucinda smiled friendly.
Marco nodded. He did trust her. She had saved the life of Ace and Whitebeard, she had fought so they could escape and she had done nothing against them. She was a Devil's Fruit user like himself. Just because vampires had a bad reputation, didn't mean she was like them. In fact she was different. All about her was kind and friendly.
"So what is your plan now Lu?" asked Benn.
"I'll stay until Fire Fist has awakened. Then I will properly go to Dragon and relax a bit. I find his war interesting. Maybe he got some news. And I will keep an eye on Luffy. That kid is interesting," she said.
"He is the son of Dragon, you know," said Jozu.
"I know. Dragon was surprise to see his son becoming a pirate, after all the work Garp had put into making him to a marine. But a free soul can't be controlled," said Lucinda.
"You were there?" Yasopp raised his eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Have you been to Raftel?" asked Jozu, curious.
"I have," she said, gazing over the ocean. "I've sailed with many pirates, but Roger was the only one who made me follow him from Reverse Mountain to Raftel. 3 years. It was a good time. "
"So you met Shanks at that time –yoi," said Marco.
"I did. But I've never fought in their battles. And that's why you haven't met me when Ed and Roger fought each other," she said.
"How can you sail with pirates and never fight by their side?" asked Jozu.
"Because when she fights, it can be difficult to get out of the way. Her attacks are too powerful. Even Roger couldn't stand against it," said Shanks and smiled to her as he walked up to them.
"I saw it. And you are right, Akagami –yoi," said Marco.
"Sounds scary," said Yasopp, but smiled.
"It is. But don't worry. She can control herself and fight with ease if she wants to. The reason why she didn't fight by our side was because Captain didn't want her to. He never told why though," said Shanks.
"It would look bad if the captain is weaker than a crewmember –yoi," said Marco.
"You're right. Lu is strong. I would say she is the strongest in the world," said Shanks.
Lucinda shrugged her shoulders. It didn't really matter to her. She only trained because she liked it. Not because she had to. When she was young, she did it so she could change the world, but she had learnt the world was hard to change. Instead she did it little by little have influence on some people. Shanks, Whitebeard, Dragon and Mihawk were some of those she had an influence on. Not that she was the lover of all of them, but because she was their friend and she shared her thoughts, doubt, concern and view on this world with them.
"I think I'll see if Roo has something to eat. I'm starving," she said and left the men alone.
"She is … special," said Jozu.
"More than you think," said Shanks.
"So how is Oyaji and Ace?" asked Jozu.
"Fine. Both will survive and Luffy too –yoi," said Marco.
"Wouldn't it be a problem when Luffy wakes up, captain?" asked Yasopp.
"I don't know. We had no choice. Maybe Lu will help me out here," said Shanks.
"If you ask her nicely she might. She never really care for changes does she?" asked Benn.
"She does. She wants to change the world, but she also understands that you can't do it on your own or in an instant. It takes time. She might look carefree and sound like if it doesn't matter, but that is because she has lived for so long," said Shanks.
"Time has an influence on us all –yoi," comment Marco.