I'm feeling inspired. Almost done with this story, so you can enjoy the next chapter already. I've been working on this story for three months now (28 chapter done already). I was afraid I would get stuck, but most chapters had wrote themselves. And since I'm almost done, I thought I could upload two or three chapters at week. I'm sure I'll finish this before I've uploaded all chapters to you guys.
Due to examination paper I can't write that much on it now. I have to submit the paper next Friday (23. May 2014) and I still need to write at least 6 pages (if only it was as easy as writing this story).
Please enjoy this chapter and if you're lucky I might upload another later this week. ;)
Benn rushed toward the railing, ready to jump in, but frowned as he didn't hear a splash. He looked over the railing, only to see … Lucinda in the arm of another man, laughing like a crazy teen. Benn exhaled not really aware that he had held his breath. He had feared that he had to save her from drowning, even though he should know better. Lucinda wouldn't be that stupid. She would never jump into the water on purpose and not like she just had done.
The other man jumped onto the ship and let Lucinda down. Her laughter, which sounded happy and free, made other come around. Shanks tried to get through the crowd, as he heard his lover's happy laughter. As he stood beside Benn, his eyes widened first and then he smiled.
"So you are the reason why Lu is acting so crazy, Rayleigh-san," smiled Shanks.
"Isn't she always like this?" asked Rayleigh.
"Nope. Jeez Lu, you scared me there," said Benn.
"Oh. Sorry for that Benn. I'll try not to do so again," she said.
"Try? I would appreciate if you never would do so again," said Benn.
"But I can't promise you I won't. I'll try not to do so, but life is impossible to predict. I can't say I won't scare you again, because another situation could happen, when I might scare you," she said.
"You're so intelligent," said Benn and lightened up a cigarette.
Shanks gazed at Benn.
"She just jumped over the railing," said Benn.
"Lu… You sure are crazy. So what's the honor of your presence, Rayleigh-san?" asked Shanks.
"Not here," said Rayleigh.
Shanks nodded and gestured Rayleigh to follow him. Rayleigh smiled and gave Lucinda a short nod, to tell it was okay for her to come along. She happily followed. Benn shook his head. She was really something special. Free and easy to pleasure, but also dangerous and deadly. Her mood could change very fast. Most of the time she was like an open book, but at the same time mysterious and closed. Like most other woman, Benn guessed, yet not exactly.
"So how is Whitebeard doing?" asked Rayleigh, as he sat down on the couch in Shanks' cabin.
"He's doing fine. Lu added 3 more years to his life," said Shanks and smiled to Lucinda.
"You did?" Rayleigh shook his head.
"Yes. So Rayleigh why have you come?" asked Lucinda, smiling.
"Because of Luffy. Is he awake?"
"Not yet, but it is only the matter of time," said Shanks.
"I have a request to make. But first, let me ask what will you do when he awakes?" asked Rayleigh.
"I've asked Lu to talk with him and bring him wherever he wants to go. I can't see him now. It's not fair due to the promise," said Shanks with a sigh.
"That's kind of you Lu," said Rayleigh.
"I wouldn't mind. You know what happened to him and his crew before the war?" she asked.
"Yes. I was there. Luffy attacked a Celestial Dragon and was chased by Sentamoru and Kizaru. They had to fight against a PX first and then the two dropped by with another PX. However Kuma stopped by and sent them all flying. He helped them escape. Afterwards Kuma told me he was a revolutionary officer and towards where he had sent Luffy," said Rayleigh.
"So that's why he was alone," mumbled Shanks.
"What's on your min Lu?" Rayleigh had observed her.
"Nothing I can tell you my dear. So his crew will try to get back to Sabaody Archipelago to regroup, am I right?" she asked.
"Yes. All of them got a part of my vivre card and I left it with Shakky in case some shows up, but I have a request for Luffy. I can see what you meant back then Akagami. And I want him to succeed, however he is far from strong enough to do so," said Rayleigh.
"So you want to train him. Teach him to master Haki," said Lucinda.
"Yes," said Rayleigh.
"Smart plan. How will you let his crew know?" asked Shanks.
Rayleigh smirked. "By letting Luffy go back to Marineford and be seen. And he will have a hiding message for his crew that only they can understand."
"I see." Shanks nodded his head.
"I really love your idea Rayleigh. I do hope he'll succeed too," said Lucinda.
"Why?" asked Shanks.
"Because he can start some major and necessary changes. I think his father only awaits his son to advance in the New World, strong enough to cause even more uproar," said Lucinda.
"You think? Don't you know the plans of Dragon?" asked Shanks.
"No. I've never asked and I was never told," she asked.
"But you do have an influence on him," said Rayleigh.
"I guess," she said.
"I wonder what you are thinking. Or planning for that manner," said Shanks.
"Me? Nothing special. I'm just trying to kill time and have fun," she smiled.
"I don't believe you, but when it's none of my business, I guess I can't get an answer," he said.
"If I told you, you might ruin it. Don't worry Shanks. I will never try to change the heart of people. If they have a heart like mine, I might just push them in the direction I know they want to go," she said.
"So you did this to Roger? Me? Mihawk? Any else?" asked Shanks.
"Roger? No. He was a man I couldn't push anywhere. Like Luffy. Their souls are to free and strong. You? A little. You needed guidance after Roger's dead, but don't say you don't like this. Mihawk? Sure. He needed it too. Any else? Definitely. But I won't tell who," she said.
"I do like this. I always wanted this, but you're right. I needed the guidance to get here after Roger's death. Thanks Lu," said Shanks.
"You can really read people well," said Rayleigh.
"Years of training and my Devil's Fruit power helped," she said.
"I wonder why you won't tell us your age," said Shanks.
"Fire Fist is about to wake up," said Lucinda, changing the subject.
"Really? Who's with him?" asked Shanks.
"Beside Ed? Thatch and Marco," said Lucinda.
"Then let's go. Won't have him going berserk over his brother and captain," said Shanks.
Rayleigh on the Red Force. Surprise. Did you guess it? If not, it's fine.
Please leave a review.