This fanfiction was first published on Wattpad! Check it out too! Though nothing has been changed.
Please let me do remind you that this is my first time writing a fan fiction. I'm not good at writing so try and bare the mistakes I have made. Also, English isn't my first language so there will be some grammar mistakes. Some characters might be out of character. Please do remember that this is only an AU. :') Anyway, thanks for reading! Enjoy the story!
Hanahaki Disease is a fictional disease in which the victim coughs up flower petals when they suffer from one-sided love. It ends when the beloved returns their feelings, or when the victim dies. It can be cured through surgical removal, but when the infection is removed, the victim's romantic feelings for their love also disappear.
Shanks's POV:
*Cough Cough Cough*
There was blood, too much blood. I couldn't stop coughing up blood, it hurt like hell and I had no idea on what I should do.. I was alone in my cabinet, it was supposed to be a normal day.. Well, until I was left alone with my thoughts. It's never a good thing, and after seeing the news about him.. It made everything worser. I have been coughing up this blood for years.. not to mention it's not only blood.. I have heard about this, and I'm very sure of it.. That I have 'Hanahaki'. A disease that will end me. Can you even believe it? It's quite funny, being one of the Yonkos and having to die because of a disease not to mention that it's from one-sided love.. Hahaha! I couldn't help but think about how to end this.. I can die from the suffer, which is most likely to happen. The disease could end if he told me his feels, but.. that's impossible.. It's him we're talking about. And another way is to have a surgery which will end up with me forgetting my feelings.. I would hate that. I don't want to forget this feeling.. Yes, it's true that it hurts, so, so much, but in the end it's my love for him.. How can I forget about it and live happily?
. . .
Narrator's POV:
- "Captain!" Shouted Benn Beckmann, calling for his captain. "There's a small island up ahead. Would you like us to stop for getting suplies?"
-"Y-yeah *cough cough* Tell me when we stop." His captain, Shanks answered with a croaky voice, still coughing.
- "Are you okay? You don't sound good and I heard coughing.. Would you like our doctor to check you?" Benn asked with worry in his heart
- "No worries, Benny.. I'll be fine." He answered
- "Aye, captain! Tell us if you need anything." Benn said and left his captain for privacy, still worried for him.
Should I tell them? Well, yeah, I should but still.. I'll tell Benn first.. He's my very first mate. I do trust him with my everything. He must know about this.. Shanks thought to himself trying to get up on his heels and go on board. He finally got himself up and cleaned his bloody mess of a room. Then he went out, he looked like as if he didn't, and he really couldn't sleep last night. His throat was sore, but he felt better after a few cups of sake. He went to his first mate, Benn Beckman.
- "Benn," He said while drinking his sake. "I gotta talk to you." He finished his words.
- "What's it?" Benn asked, wondering what has happened to his captain.
Shanks looked around to see his crew doing their daily chores, some playing games, drinking, and sleeping around. He then turned his head to Benn, and started talking.
- "C'mon, to my room. It's.. Something that needs some privacy. I trust you with this one."
Benn was a little shocked at first, his very reckless of a captain, who has never talked about things that needed privacy, now wants privacy talking. He nodded in agreement, knowing something disturbing has happened. They went to captain's room. Shanks sat down on his bed and in front of him, Benn sat down on the chair.
- "Benny, do you know Hanahaki?" Shanks asked with a sad smile.
- "Hanahaki? I have heard a few stories, captain. Why you ask?" Benn tilted his head a little with confusion.
- "Heh, I think I got the Hanahaki.." He said, slowly chuckling.
- "C-captain.." Benn stuttered at his captain's words.. "S-so you.. love someone?" He didn't know what could be the best thing to say, or ask.. He didn't know why he asked that, guess he had to be sure of it..
- "Yes. I love someone dearly." His captain smiled, widely at that. "And you kinda know that person, actually.. Remember? I have talked about him."
Him? And he talked to me about that person.. Benn started thinking.
- "Buggy?" He asked hesitantly.
- "Bingo." His captain made everything clear now.
- "Captain, what will happen now? You know that you either have a happy ending or.." Benn didn't want to end his sentence. He didn't want to have the idea of that. He didn't like the feelings it gave him..
- "Don't worry, Benn. I told you this because I have understood my ending. Let me help you with that sentence.." He said, looking up to see a shocked and sad first mate. "I'll die." He smiled at him.
- "Please don't say that, captain.." Benn was hurt. Hurt by his captain's words, it pained him knowing his captain's only choice was to wait for his death. His death would be painful, he thought.. "Captain.. don't you wanna talk with Buggy?" He asked calmly, noticing his captain's widened eyes.
- "I.. don't know, Benn." He had a hard time thinking about this. "I don't think Buggy would-"
Before being able to complete his words, Shanks started coughing badly. Benn sat up and put his hand on Shanks's back, supporting him. He saw a few blood covered petals and some full flowers covered with a lot of bloos. He was shocked but kept supporting his captain. He could see the pain, but never would know how it felt. The coughing continued for minutes. Benn helped him settle down on his bed and started cleaning the bloody mess. After that, he went out and went to the kitchen to get some sake for his thoughts to clear up. He never saw Shanks like that. He never thought he would. He never wanted to see.. After drinkimg some sake, he got lost in his thoughts staring st the sea from a little window in kitchen.
What if we really do lose captain? What will happen to the crew? What will happen to the world? It's going to affect so many things.. I don't even want to see Luffy when he hears this.. The kid has a promise to our captain, and we dearly love him for real.. I honestly think that he sees Shanks as a father figure in his life.. I don't even want to have to tell everyone about this. Wait.. can I even tell someone? I mean he told me that he trusted me.. I'll keep this a secret for now..
...
Let's move on to after the War, shall we?
...
Shanks's POV:
I saw him after 20 years of loneliness. I felt happy at the sight of him deep inside. But then again, the timing was the worst timing ever. Who would want to reunite with their loved one in a war? Certainly not me.. But then again, I had people to protect. After the war ended, I let Buggy's crew go with me. Giving them a chance to escape, Buggy accepted this. Now we're in my room, trying to close the 20 years gap between us..
- "It's been forever, hasn't it?" I talked calmly, breaking the silence.
- "You could say that." Buggy was.. Buggy. He seemed to not change. He's still the Buggy that I love.. I smirked at my thought. What? I ain't insane yet.
- "Buggy.. you know that I trust you, right?" I asked out of nowhere, not even myself expected this question as I was confused too.
- "We haven't met for 20 years but we've been in the same crew. I guess you can trust me.." I could see Buggy wondering if something was wrong and not wanting to bother at the same time.. He really was Buggy.
- "Is it okay if I tell you something? Well.. it's actually a confession, but.. whatever." I asked hesitantly, looking away to avert his gaze. He was sitting on my bed and looking directly at me. I was on the chair, looking at the sake bottle in my hand.
- "Hmm.. Talk." He sounded uninterested but I was still going to tell him. I had to. I don't know when will be the next time I see him again after this. This is the perfect opportunity.
- "Buggy.. I-.. I'm in love." I looked at him slightly blushing, my voice was still croaky and my throat was sore from all the coughing. The petals have been increasing and mostly there would be full flowers when coughing. I knew my time was near end. I saw his widened eyes, looking at me shocked from the sudden confession. I look at his beautiful, long blue hair. His hair grew longer.. His lips looked so, so soft. I wanted to touch his lips, put my lips on his.. I look at his red nose.. He hated it, I loved it.. He is so cute, I can't help but blush at his sight.
- "W-who?" He asked kind of shyly but determined. I averted gaze once again, and then looked at him in the eye.
- "You." I said, my voice craked a bit, but I told him.. My heart felt like it was going to stop. My lungs ache, I felt like coughing but didn't. He was truly shocked now. He opened his mouth to say something..
- "Sh-shanks.. You love..me?" I nodded in response and averted his gaze. I didn't know what to do from now on.. I was scared. I didn't want to face this.. But I had to.
- "Shanks.. I'm sorry.. But you know I see you as my childhood friend, right?" He said with a sad smile. I smiled at him brokenly. He could see me broken through my smile. I could feel it..
- "No worries, I know. I just wanted to let you know of my feelings before.. something happens." I stopped mid sentence. He tilted his head a little but let me continue my words. "You're truly amazing, Buggy. I really appreciate you. You're confident,you believe in yourself. You might be a little short tempered, but you're not stupid. You're intelligent. And.." I looked at him from down to up, my gaze landed on his lips, then his eyes met mine. "You're beautiful." It seems my words has shocked him more than my confession earlier, but I can't blame him. He once told me he was hated for his cute red nose, his beautiful blue hair.. How can one hate those?
- "I-I'm really sorry for not being able to give your love back.. You're only a friend to me. But I appreciate your feelings.." He smiled. He was serious and careful to not hurt me.. I love this about him.
- "Like I said,no worries. Please don't let this change our friendship tho.I really appreciate you as a friend. And, also.. I-" Should I tell him?
- "Is something wrong?" He asked worriedly.
- "I don't think I have much time left.."
He stood there. Not saying a thing, with empty looks in his eyes. I guess he didn't really want to lose his childhood friend.. Even though I was a mess of a friend. Then I saw tears form in his eyes. I was shocked, confused, didn't know what to do but I got a hold of myself.
- "Shanks.. What do you mean?" He asked in shock of sudden come out.
- "I have.. Hanahaki." I said calming myself eyes widened in pure shock. I guess he knows the disease.
- "Shanks. Please do the surgery." He demanded, kind of.
- "I cant, Buggy. I will forget you if I do." I said calmly, wiping his tears with my thumb.
- "No, Shanks! You have to! For me, please!" He begged me as he hold my hand with his hands. "I won't lose you like our captain! Please don't die of this stupid manner.." He was angry with me. I mean, who wouldn't be angry? I felt my lungs hurt more and felt like coughing. My throat hurt, but I had to continue.
- "I- *cough cough cough*" Before I was even able to talk, I started coughing blood and full flowers. There were no more petals now, just flowers.
Narrator's POV:
Buggy stood there for a moment but reality hit him when Shanks fell of the chair. He was having trouble breathing. Buggy tried to help him. Shanks's Hanahaki was getting stronger and it was too late now.. He started coughing full flowers and a lot of blood. Buggy was screaming for help. The crew stormed in the room, to see their captain on the floor, passed out. Blood, flowers, flower petals all around the place. Benn immediately knew what was going on..
- "Captain!"
- "Captain, wake up!"
- "Shanks, please.."
Shanks could hear the voices around him, the voices were low, but high enough for him to hear. He couldn't open his eyes. He couldn't breath. He couldn't cough. He couldn't do anything..
A while later
- "Are you really sure about this?" Benn asked
- "Yes, please. It's the only way.." Said Buggy.
They were in what looked like a hospital. The lights around them were bright, kind of blinding in the darkness of the night. Buggy has made his mind, he was sure of it. He couldn't let his rival, his childhood friend die because of this.
- "Do the surgery, doctor. Let him survive. Let him forget the pain." Buggy told the doctors in a broken voice. Afraid of Shanks's reaction, he still wanted him to live. Knowing Shanks will forget him..
- "Yes, sir." The doctors nodded in response, and started the surgery immediately..
The surgery was long, it felt like eternity for Buggy and Shanks's pirate crew. The crew was waiting in their ship the whole time, talking with Den Den Mushi's to be informed about their captain. By captain's side, there was Buggy, Benn Beckmann, Lucky Roo and Yasopp. They were trying to calm down telling themselves everything will be fine.. And soon enough, the doctors came out of the surgery room. Four of them rushed over to the doctors, in search of a hope.
- "The surgery went fine." The doctor said smiling. A sigh of relieve was heard from the four friends of Shanks.
- "How's he?" Asked Lucky Roo.
- "He's going to be okay. He will wake up in a few days but seeing his tolerance, he might wake up tomorrow. The nurses will take him to a private room. You can stay by his side, but let him rest, please." The doctor said as the nurses came out of the room with Shanks on the hospital bed, connected to several IV's. They then soon went in the private room. Buggy and Benn stayed in the room with Shanks while other two went back to the ship to inform their crew. It was now another session of long waiting for Shanks to wake up. But this time they were more relaxed, as the surgery is over.
The next day
Shanks's POV:
I woke up as the sun shines made contact with my skin. I felt utterly different.. I had a feeling that I lost something.. I didn't understand one thing that was happening. All I knew was that this was a hospital room. I was in a hospital bed. And I couldn't move. I was so tired, my throat felt sore and my lungs hurt like hell. For some reason it felt like I could breath after years of not being able to breath normally. What kind of feeling is this? What was going on? I slowly turn to my right to see Benn sleeping on a sofa. He looked tired, so I didn't wake him up. To my left there was a rather big window. I looked out to the seas. I saw my ship on the shore. The next thing happened was that I heard the door crackling and turned over to see who it was. I saw a person, with long blue hair, tired eyes, red nose, soft lips. He had some water in his hands. Then his eyes met mine..I watched him as his eyes widened in shock and he dropped the water bottle. The sound woke Benn up and he looked confused at the man. He then looked at me. He seemed happy.. They both ran over to me. The man ran to my left side while Benn was on my right side.
- "Captain, you're awake! How are you feeling?" Benny asked with happy and broken voice.
- "I feel.. okay, I think.. I just have a feeling that I can't describe.. Nee, Benny. What happened? I don't remember anything.." I asked with confusion.
- "You had a surgery last night, captain. Your disease took over you. We had to do the surgery." I took the words in for a moment. I thought. What surgery? What disease? I don't even remember having a-..
- "Oh." I said. "I kind of remember now.." I was not calm. But it seemed like I was calm. Very calm. I couldn't let out my emotions because I didn't know how to.. What are these emotions?
- "Sh-shanks.. you're okay.." The man talked with rather sad voice, his voice was cracking.
- "Uhm..Who are.. you?" I looked as the man put his hand up to his mouth. He wanted to stop his screams.. His tears, I thought.
- "I-I'm Buggy, Shanks. Your childhood friend, Buggy. Remember? We were together on captain Roger's ship, Oro Jackson." He smiled at me softly.
- "I'm sorry, Buggy. I can't quite remember. It.. It's kinda complicated. I feel like I know you very well, but at the same time I don't.." I tried explaining my feelings. He nodded and smiled at me.
- "I'll explain everything, Shanks. Okay?" I hummed and he looked at Benn. Benn nodded and let us be alone for the moment. He went out and I just stared at the blue haired man.
- "My name is Buggy. We're friends since our childhood. We're on the same ship, under Pirate King Roger's arms. Well, until he was executed.. 20 years ago, that day, we went on our own paths. We haven't met for 20 years.. Until a few days before. After the war, when I was with you, you wanted to talk to me about something.." He stopped and wiped his tears. "You told me that you loved me dearly." He smiled as he told me that.. My eyes widened in shock. I loved him? But.. I can't remember! "Then you told me you had little time left.. And that.. You had Hanahaki." His smile dropped as his tears started flowing again. I understood everything now. It was clear. I got the surgery for Hanahaki disease. But one thing wasn't clear for me.. Why?
- "Buggy.. Thank you for telling me what has happened. But.. Why did I get the surgery? I'm sure that I didn't want the surgery. I know myself." He looked at me and smiled softly.
- "I wanted you to have the surgery. You were going to die.. I don't want to lose a friend, y'know? It's okay if you don't remember are always my friend, Shanks!" He smiled widely. I couldn't help but smile back at him and thank him.. I was happy. But I didn't quite like this ending.. Now I had forgotten feelings that I probably won't even remember for my whole life left to live. He had a scar deep down in his heart, that he will never forget for his whole life left to live..
Thanks for reading, everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading! Tell me what you think about it.. :)