Here is the 2nd version of this One-shot! With a happy ending!

Hanahaki, Ending 2 - Red and Blue

Enjoy reading~ ( ｡ ･ ω ･ ｡ ) ﾉ

A/N: I promise I'll post 3rd ending once it's done and not wait like.. forever.. I'M SORRY

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' POV}

- "So, you're telling me that you loved me from the start? From those times when we were just cabin boys under captain Roger's wings?" He asked, confusion, amaze and a little bit of horror in his voice. I smiled at him,

- "Yes," I replied, keeping my tone gentle, "I always loved you. You have always been my dream. And now.. my dream has come true." He smiled back, a cute tint of blush creeping on his cheeks. It suit him. And the blush was even compatible with his red nose. The red nose I loved very much.

- "You know," I started, brushing his cheeks with my hand. "That nose you hate. I love it so, so much." Watching as his eyes widened, I leaned in and kisses his nose. He yelped in surprise and covered his nose with his hands.

- "Oh come on, let me kiss that cutie." He pulled his hands away upon hearing the complain. Smirking, I kissed his nose again and then moved to his lips. Those sweet, oh so sweet lips. I kissed him, leaving my taste in his mouth. Feeling him smile mid kiss, I leaned back and smiled at him.

- "I'm happy you talked with me," He said. It's true. I'm happy I talked with him too. Or else, I would have probably died without even knowing that he actually loved me back.

How, you ask? Well.. The story starts from years ago, when we were just cabin boys. I have always been with captain Roger for as long as I can remember. Rayleigh says they found me as a baby and just looked after me. When I was six, I met him. Buggy. The mysterious boy from a nameless town in Grand Line. He was really a big mystery, always watching me from afar. His eyes were fierce. I could feel the fire in him, thrashing to be let out. But he only watched us, our pirate crew. So I decided to talk to him. Which.. didn't quite go well as he tried to bite me and growled at me. Uh.. Yeah.

But I was in luck because for some reason captain and Rayleigh agreed on staying in the island for a while more. It was enough time for me to bond with the blue haired boy. To be honest, when I could get a nice look at him, I was mesmerized by his beauty. Long, soft blue hair, a little round red nose, beautiful, strong eyes and a strong will to live.

Now, I don't believe in love at first sight but, well.. I think I fell in love with Buggy at that time. He is the definition of beauty.

I stalked him after that. I really did. And I befriended him. Then forced my captain into letting Buggy join the crew, which he thankfully agreed. So my crew had acquired a new member, while I acquired the love of my life.

Though it wasn't easy getting his trust, I never stopped. And I'm happy about that. But.. after a lot of years of getting his trust and watching him, adoring him, I learned the thing that made me take a few steps back. And then the thing that almost killed me.

One day, I asked him if he loved someone. And he answered back with,

- "Love? I don't believe in love and I don't need it! I'm better off without it! If someone was to confess their love to me, I'd immediately reject."

I understood then that my biggest enemy was Buggy himself. No, it was my love towards Buggy. It started killing me.

It started killing me.

I was dying inside.

A few months after that conversation.. I felt the change in me. It was almost like.. something alive was inside me. It scared me and I didn't know what to do, what it was.. So I did the first thing that came to my mind. I went to them.

Weather was fine, the Roger pirates were sailing through the New World seas. It was a matter of time until the weather did a complete U turn and a New-World-type thunderstorm burst out. But they were enjoying it while it lasted. Some were scattered throughout the rooms, some were doing their duties, some were enjoying the fine weather. For instance, captain Roger and his right hand Rayleigh were watching the crew from upper balcony of the ship. Until one of their members, one that grew up in their hands, approached them. He looked rather nervous about something.

- "Captain Roger, Rayleigh-san. Uhm.. I have a question about.. something?" The kid asked nervously. Rayleigh sent a look at Roger and told him to continue.

- "Ehm.. There's this feeling.. inside me. It's.. like, something is alive there? And it hurts. Like, a lot.." Both men instantly looked worried. Roger got on his knees and put his hand on Shanks' back.

- "What do you mean, Shanks? What kind of feeling?" He asked. Shanks fiddled with his fingers for a minute, and then answered.

- "It's like something is moving in me. It's.. faint, but sometimes it's not. I think it's weak." The red haired boy answered. Rayleigh nodded to himself and ruffled Shanks' hair.

- "Let's talk with Crocus, alright?" The blond man said, and after getting a nod from Shanks, the three started walking towards the Oro Jackson's, their ship's infirmary where doctor Crocus is staying most of the time. And sure enough, once they went inside, Crocus was there as expected. He was making some sort of medicine when they went in and asked for him.

- "Little Shanks here seems to have a problem. C'mon, tell him." Roger made Shanks go up to Crocus so he could tell his problem. Then Shanks started talking about his problem, more throughout this time to Crocus. The flower-looking man nodded as he listened to him. He then thought for a while, before asking a few specific questions.

- "I can think of a few diseases that match with what you described. But to determine what you have, I'll ask a few questions and you answer truthfully. Okay, let's see.. Have you eaten a small fruit that looks like strawberry but is orange in color?" Shanks thought for a moment, but shook his head. He hasn't eaten anything like that. Crocus hummed and nodded.

- "Hmm.. Then, has any bugs bitten you? Preferably one that looks like a mini wasp?" He asked again, but just like the other one, Shanks shook his head. He was careful to not let any weird looking bugs come to him. Crocus nodded again. He told them to wait a moment and went inside his little room in the infirmary. Soon, he came back with an old, big book. He put the book on the table and sat down, starting to search for something. After a few minutes, he found something.

- "Hmm.. for you to have this disease is impossible. For the past few months we have only been in New World. This one animal here is only in Paradise. Let's keep searching, there's one more thing.." As Crocus mumbled to himself, he searched the book again. Shanks, Rayleigh and Roger were just watching in silence, waiting.

- "Aha! Aah.. hm.." The three looked at Crocus with confused faces and waited for him to talk again. He then turned to Shanks and asked,

- "Shanks-kun.. Have you perhaps been rejected?" Roger and Rayleigh sent each other a look while Shanks just looked more confused.

- "Huh?" Was the all reply he could say. Crocus chuckled and asked again.

- "I meant that, did someone reject your feelings.. strong feelings for them?" Crocus asked again. This time Shanks looked down and nodded silently. Roger gasped and looked at Rayleigh for confirmation who just shrugged and shook his head, indicating he didn't know about this. Crocus nodded.

- "I think I know exactly what is wrong with you. But, it'll need some time for me to fully confirm this. You, little Shanks-kun, have the hanahaki disease. Do you know what that is?" As Crocus asked, Shanks thought but shook his head. He had no idea what that was. And wanted to know why it needed any further confirmation. Rayleigh, however, knew about this disease and stepped closer to them.

- "Crocus, what do you mean? I thought only adults could get that disease! Shanks is just a kid!" He demanded, feeling worried and sorry for Shanks. The kid had grown up in his hands, in their hands, and now.. Crocus is saying that he has this hell of a disease? What kind of sick joke is that?

- "Calm down, Rayleigh. And I still haven't confirmed it fully. I'm still not sure.. and, the adult part is a lie. Anyone that has a heart to love can get the disease. Even animals that lost their partner. Though, that case is quite rare. It only happened 3 times. On the other hand.. There are kids who get the disease. Shanks, come here. I'll explain it to you." Rayleigh looked down and bit his lips to not say anything more. Shanks went to Crocus so he could explain it to him. Roger patted his back and looked at Crocus for explanation for himself too.

- "Hanahaki disease, is a disease that devours the victim from inside. When one suffers from one-sided love, love that is so, so strong, they develop this disease. It starts flowering inside your lungs, in a real term. There will be flowers constantly growing inside you. And.. hm, it says in the book that according to the condition of the victim, it differs how long it'll take for the disease to fully grow. Well, Shanks, in your case, we still don't know if it really is Hanahaki. If you ever cough flower petals and/or blood, come to me right away."

After the discovery that Shanks might have the Hanahaki disease, Roger, Rayleigh and Crocus were all more attentive about it. They would watch Shanks and question him about the slightest pain he has. The pain didn't come back for a while after that day.

Until.. that day. The day that Shanks hated so, so much.

Captain Roger's execution day. And the day their crew dispersed. After that, he started feeling the faint pain in his chest. But he wouldn't give up. He didn't know where everyone went. But that doesn't stop him from making his history, from letting the world hear all about his name. So he did it.

He formed a new crew. The Akagami pirates. And he was Akagami Shanks, the captain of said pirate crew. He sailed the seas wild and free, made sure that the world knew of his name and feared him. So he became the feared Yonko, Akagami Shanks. But.. even then, he still suffered. So, so much. Hanahaki disease never really left him.

Shanks found out that he, for obvious reasons, had the disease. He had taken the book from Crocus at some point, and read through it to learn about his disease. If his calculations are right, he would die.. Maybe in two or three years. After spending so much time alone, away from his beloved blue haired idiot, he knew that for sure the flowers are now grown well.

Also, the full flowers he coughs from time to time do indicate that the flowers inside him has for sure grown.

And, the time comes up. So little time of his life is left, and he is kind of rushing himself to the war going on right now. He has to stop it. And Luffy is even there. He's sure that Luffy is there. He has to stop it.

And they reach, just in time, to stop the war from going furthermore. But.. there was one thing that he didn't think would be in the plan... Buggy.

WHAT THE FUCK WAS BUGGY DOING IN THERE?!

He later learned that Buggy was actually captured and he had met with Luffy in the Impel Down, joined him of some sorts, bla bla bla, and ended up in the middle of the war.

Though, he is kind of grateful for whatever the Gods are watching over them, thank you Oda, for making their paths meet again. Because it gave him a chance to at least tell about his love towards Buggy. At least he wouldn't die with this burden.

And.. shit, Luffy. He is injured. OH GOD. Ahh, he'll live, he'll be fine, that kid Trafalgar or whatever the fuck his name is, took him in, he'll be fine, yeah... Keep telling that to yourself and you'll really lose your sanity. IT'LL BE FINE.

He still has a very, VERY sassy Buggy to talk to right now. He can believe in Luffy to live. That kid has the will power of a God, he'll be okay.

Well.. now..

- "Ahh.. um, Buggy.. What.. what are you doing?" He asked as he watched the blue haired man go through his things. On his ship. In his room. On his bed. Buggy sent him a glare.

- "Shut it." Well, that's more like him.. he has been silent for a loong while. He is indeed angry right now. It might be because he just dragged Buggy in his room and locked him inside, but maybe there's more.

- "Ahem. We.. haven't seen each other for a while. You've grown.. You're even more beautiful now." Good, good, straightforward and sounding strong. Only, his heart is going 200 miles an hour right now but that didn't matter. Buggy stuttered for a second and looked at him, blushing.. cute..

- "What the heck? Fuck off, Shanks! I'm stronger than you!" He yelled, and continued searching for something. Shanks raised and eyebrow but ignored what he said, and went to sit next to Buggy.

- "Neh, Buggy..I have something really important to tell you. Listen to me.. please." The Yonko pirate said, taking Buggy's hands and making him look at him in the eye.

- "What do you want? Oi, let my hands go, y-you bastard!" Buggy yelled again, helplessly trying to make Shanks let his hands go. But Shanks was persistent.

- "No, you will listen. Either you like it or not." He demanded for Buggy to listen. Buggy stared for a moment, before sighing.

- "Fine! But you will tell me where all your treasure maps are!" Shanks chuckled and agreed. Buggy just gave up and listened.

- "Buggy.. do you remember how we met? How you used to look at our crew from afar and just stare, not make a move? Heh.. I'm glad I made the move at that time. Even if you tried to bite me." Buggy furrowed his brows, where was this idiot going with this talk?

- "Well.. After a while, I realized it.. Buggy, I.. I love you. So, so much." Shanks confessed. Buggy's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open, staring at Shanks in disbelief.

- "W-w-what?!"

- "It's true. I love you. I still do. You're my first love, and will be my last love. Buggy.. I know you won't accept my feelings. Just like you told me your thoughts on love.. I know it's still the same. I just wanted you to know.. because, soon enough, I'll die." Buggy's eyes widened at the statement, but he couldn't talk because of the shock. What did Shanks mean with that? He won't really die.. right? Right?

- "Sh-Shanks, no- you- ... You can't die!" 'Who will I fight with?!' "You can't just die like that!" 'Who will I look up to?!' "What would happen to the world then?!" 'What would happen to me then?!' "I-" ...'I love you too, idiot..'

- "I love you too, you idiot Shanks! How can you leave me?! Huh?! You can't leave yet?! I-idiot.." Buggy yelled, turning beet red and held on to Shanks, tears starting to gather in his eyes. He trembled with anger, horror and confusion. Shanks won't die. He can't die. On the other hand.. Shanks was having his own shock.

- "Buggy.. you.. you love me? For real? You're not joking right?" Shanks asked one after another, making Buggy more angered by this.

- "Idiot! Who would joke about that! I.. I've loved you for a while now.. And you're telling me that you'll die?!" The blue haired man started to cry in Shanks' hands, the latter hugging him and trying to clam him down..

- "Maybe.. Maybe I won't die, then.." Shanks mumbled to himself, but Buggy had heard him.

- "What?"

- "A-ah, well.. The reason of my death.. would have been Hanahaki disease, but you see, after you told me that.. that you love me too.. I think I can breath better.. Maybe it's gone.." Shanks was now trying to explain the situation, but to Buggy he was making no sense. Ah, wait a minute, he said Hanahaki disease? ...

- "YOU HAD HANAHAKI BECAUSE OF M-ME?!" Buggy yelled out. Shanks nervously chuckled and nodded in response. Buggy just stared, anx then demanded for Shanks to explain everything. So he did. From the first time he met with Buggy, he started explaining his feelings..

And with that, here we are..

- "I'm happy you talked with me," Buggy said. It's true. Shanks is happy that he talked with him too. Or else, he would have probably died without even knowing that Buggy actually loved him back.

- "I'm happy too, Buggy.." Shanks said, and leaned in to give him a kiss, which Buggy at first looked unsure to, but then melted into the kiss once they started. After parting their lips, Shanks stared at Buggy lovingly and smiled. Buggy smiled back.

- "Buggy.. Will you be mine, and mine only? Will you be with me together until the world ends, or until our life ends? Will you give me your hand, and let me hold it till I die? Buggy.. will you let me love you forever?" ...

- "Yes. I'll let you love me forever, and I'll love you forever, Shanks.. you idiot."

Buggy leaned up, Shanks leaned in, and their lips met. They kissed pationatelly, tasting the sweet taste of each other, hands feeling around their bodies, searching every inch and feeling. After a few minutes they parted their lips, panting for air and blushing madly. Shanks laughed and hugged (squeezed) Buggy. He then let him go and looked at him with a big grin. Buggy grinned too.

- "Rayleigh will be so happy when he hears this.. heh. He always tried to push me to talk to you. Captain Roger always gave us the same duties so ee could be together. Crocus.. He tried to do the surgery on me. But I didn't let him." When he heard the last part, Buggy's eyes widened and he questioned why, why wouldn't he get rid of the disease and live in peace. Shanks' answer was simple.

- "Because I love you that much. If I had the surgery, I would have forgotten about you. Everything about you, every memory, every good thing.. I don't want that. I hated the idea. Because I love you." Buggy blushed, averting gaze and instead looking down. He hid a smile and hugged Shanks, Shanks happily hugging him back. They spent the rest of the night catching up, telling each other what they did for the last years after their crew dispersed.

But it wasn't only one or two nights they spent together, for the rest of their lives they were always together even if they were away from each other. Every night they would talk via den den mushis, and every once in a while they would visit each other.

They were happy together and none hid it, or tried to hide it. The world found out on its own, and after some time it was revealed that they may be together. Which the two laughed at after reading the whole article.

~ Yonko Shanks and pirate captain Buggy ~

ARE THEY TOGETHER?

The answer might be yes, but the Marine HQ still isn't too sure about it! The two pirates are seen with each other for one too many times, but it was revealed that it's not a 'meeting' kind if togetherness, but instead, they might be lovers! Further researches are being made and this article will be updated.