Naia grinned as she felt the silky sand beneath her feet. It sent a chill through her body as it had long since cooled with the night air. Chilly as it may be the waves enticed her all the same. The lull of her home and where she belonged. How she yearned to be a part of it again. Naia slipped out of her clothes, leaving her in her undergarments and the bandages still wrapped around her torso. Naia grimaced as she picked at them, memories resurfaced on how she was unable to remove them. She was kind of shocked she had forgotten about them and they were most likely due for a change. Well, nothing a swim couldn't fix.

Naia slowly entered the water, letting the water curl around her feet as if to beacon her further. The water was cold but it filled her with such warmth that temperature made no difference. Waves curled around her as the current cradled her deeper into the water. The moon hung high in the sky and cast a soft glow onto the water below, making it glimmer like thousands of stars with each curl of the water. Naia wasted no time in diving under the water and watching the waves crash above her as she laid down on the seafloor. A few curious fish came swimming toward her slowly before letting their fins brush against her softly. Naia chuckled as a few small ones were extremely curious about her feet. Out of the corner of her eye, Naia saw the resident sea king beckon her to follow him. Naia wasted no time in pushing off and joining the sea king for his patrol.

-With Shanks (A few hours earlier)-

"Do you think she's alright?" Shanks asked. Benn rolled his eyes at his captain's insistence

"Yes, Captain. She was fine by the time we reached the cabin."

"But what if-"

"You boys are looking a little thirsty," Makino interrupted joyfully, setting two mugs full of beer in front of them. "Naia will be perfectly fine. She can take care of herself."

"Have you known her for long, Makino?" Shanks asked, letting Lucky Roux steal his cup. He did have a bet to win.

"Not for very long," Makino huffed, "Garp brought her around a few times when he dropped Luffy off here when he was 3. He was in my care for a majority of the time."

"So you don't know how long she's been sailing? What happened to her?" Makino glared at the pirate captain.

"She's been sailing since she was a child and that's all I know!" Makino spun on her heels and stalked back toward the storage room, presumably to get another case of alcohol but Shanks could care less. Sailing since she was a child? Not unusual but still a rare occurrence.

"You really are oblivious sometimes, Captain," Benn chuckled.

"What are you going on about?"

"Two lovely ladies vying for your attention. What else?" Shanks glared at the man as his chuckles escalated. "It is clear who you want that attention from."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Shanks shifted away from Benn, hoping his body language conveyed his displeasure at the direction the conversation had turned. "I'm merely worried about Luffy."

"No one is going to deny that, Captain, but you've been focused on her since she arrived," Benn smirked at him. "Not to mention how much time we've spent on this island."

"What is your point, Benn?" The two pirates held each other's gaze as they decided how to go about this new development.

"Hey, Captain! Where is little Anchor?" Yassop shouted, "And his pretty little caretaker!"

"Yeah, they haven't been around in a while!" Lucky Roux agreed. "Naia was going to tell us the story of Davy Jones!"

"Davy Jones?" Shanks tilted his head. "Why that one?"

"Said it was the one she knew best. Something about a story passed down generation to generation on her island."

"And Luffy said he wanted to hear more about my little boy!" Come to think of it, Shanks hadn't seen the two since they parted ways.

"I'm not sure actually," Shanks looked out the window, the moon's beams filtering in a soft light that was lost against the fireplace's light. "We haven't seen them since we left town."

"Should we go look for them?"

"I'll go," Shanks said standing up. "I could use a walk anyway."

"Captain," Benn interrupted, "Don't lose your head over this."

Shanks nodded in understanding before continuing on his way out. The air was cold as it brushed against his skin causing him to pull his black cloak tighter against his body. He checked the cabin first only to find it dark and empty. They sure were out late. He tried the shallow parts of the jungle that allowed enough light for him to see but still found nothing. The entrance that he had met Naia at was barren of anything living and the clearing it led to looked like it had been used recently but otherwise there was no one in sight.

"Where the hell are you?" Shanks muttered to himself. He had searched everywhere that came to mind. Shanks stomped his way toward the beach, his frustration radiating off him at his lack of success.

"Between the here, between the now. Between the North, between the South. Between the West, between the East. Between the time, between the place." A voice rang out. It echoed above the waves, caressing his ears as it came closer. It sang to its heart's content with such beauty that Shanks had to pause to make sure he hadn't imagined it.

"From the shell, the song of the sea. Neither quiet nor calm. Searching for love again. Mo ghrá (My love)." Shanks hastened his pace, trying to find where the voice was coming from. His sandals kicked up sand behind him, leaving deep divots in the ground below him. His breath hitched as he was greeted with the sight of a woman standing before him. The water licked at her waist as she continued to stare out into the open ocean. Shanks didn't need her to face him to know the longing that was settled on her face.

"Between the winds, between the waves. Between the sands, between the shores. From the shell, the song of the sea. Neither quiet nor calm. Searching for love again" His eyes trailed over her form, following the soft curves of her outline. The woman's long hair was plastered to her shoulders, falling in swirls and twists in front of her. Her torso was wrapped in bandages that were now crumpled and soaked with seawater. His eyes lingered on the white wrappings, wondering why such a beauty would be in need of them. Her voice carried, unlike anything he had ever heard. A true siren.

"Between the stones, between the storms. Between belief, between the seas. Tá mé i dtiúin (I am in tune)." Shanks felt himself walking closer but he was so fixated on the woman in front of him he didn't care about anything else. A sharp flash of cold shot through his feet as the waves lapped below him. A small yelp broke from his lips at the unexpected sensation, causing the woman to spin around.

"Shanks?" Shanks blinked as Naia's face came into focus, her arms crossed over her chest as she lowered herself into the water which provided some cover for her bare form.

"Naia! You can sing?"

"Yes," Naia said slowly, "What are you doing out here so late?"

"I should be asking you that." Shanks raised an eyebrow at her. "I should hope Luffy isn't out there with you."

"I'm not stupid, Red." Naia stuck her tongue out at the man. "He's out with two other boys. He's determined to make them his friends and who am I to say no?" Shanks didn't respond. His eyes were fixated on her chest. Her long hair covered a majority of her breasts as did the water but he could still make out the bandages that covered her. The thing that grabbed his attention the most was the condition of them. They looked like they hadn't been changed in a while, caked with grime and blood.

"Naia, when was the last time you changed those bandages?" Shanks couldn't stop a small smirk from gracing his lips as he watched Naia blush. Her cheeks turned a delicious shade of red that even he could see from so far away.

"They've been changed!" Naia huffed, "Maybe not recently but they've been changed."

"I'm sure." Shanks rolled his eyes as he waded out toward her. "Come on, let's get those taken care of."

"No, no, it's okay." Naia slowly backed away from him. "I'll take care of it."

"I'm sure you could but wrapping bandages around a torso is hard enough with two hands. I imagine it's even harder with just yourself." Shanks shivered as he moved further into the water. "Our ship's doctor can help."

"No one can help me. I'll die no matter what."

"What are you talking about?"

"You, Red. You will kill me." Naia continued to move back. "Brutally and full of love, but you will kill me." Shanks' eyes widened in disbelief. The water swirled around them as Naia drew away.

"Did I do that to you?" Naia didn't respond but continued to gaze with a heavy look at him. "Then let me fix it!"

"Why would you do that?"

"Why won't you let me help with something as simple as this? Do you fear me or is it something else?"

"I have my reasons!" Her cheeks deepened in color. Shanks licked his lips at the sight. She looked delectable. Her eyes glinted with defiance but her embarrassment stirred something in the back of his mind. It felt feral and foreign but also familiar. It pushed him forward.

"No need to be unreasonable," Shanks grinned at her, all teeth. "Let me help you."

"That look in your eye says you want to do anything but help me." Naia continued to swim away from him; although, she stopped going deeper. Instead, choosing to swim along the coastline away from the port.

"Only one way to find-" Shanks coughed as a large wave crashed over him. His eyes found Naia's wide ones. Her eyes twinkled with amusement as another wave crashed over him.

"I do believe this is when I take my leave," Naia giggled before she dived beneath the water. Shanks narrowed his eyes. If it was a chase she wanted. It was a chase she would get. Shanks took a deep breath before plunging below the waves. The current pushed against him, drawing him further away from the woman ahead of him. His eyes blinked as he gazed upon her. Well, at least now he understood her reluctance to get out of the water. No worries, it would make catching up to her all the more rewarding.

It took all his might to fight against the waves and he had no idea how Naia was making it look so easy. It was almost as if the water was curling around her and propelling her forward but that was impossible. The sea wasn't sentient; however, the way the water was working against him had him rethinking his opinion.

"Are you planning to follow me all night?" Shanks twisted his head to the side. Naia floated next to him with a mischievous look on her face. Seaweed twisted around her body while her hair crowned around her face. "Then perhaps I should make this a little bit more difficult for you, sailor." Naia grinned much like a shark and Shanks could feel his heart skip a beat. She held her hand out to him, looking so enthralling and inviting as the current brushed against their skin and making her hair reach out and caress his face. He could feel his chest begin to burn from the lack of oxygen but it meant nothing if he couldn't take her hand. Naia's eyes sparkled with something and Shanks couldn't think of anything else but wanting to do what she wanted. Anything to please her.

His eyes bulged as she pulled him further down. His lungs were screaming at him but Naia's grip was strong. Her laugh echoed around him. Shanks thrashed against Naia's hold. He needed air. The water was freezing and dark or was he losing his vision and body heat? Nevertheless, this underwater world seemed so devoid of life, and no matter how hard he kicked he went nowhere. Was this how devil fruit users felt? If so, he was immensely sorry for ever tossing them into the sea.

"Shanks?" His body tumbled as the current thrashed him about.

"Shanks!" His eyes snapped open, taking in Naia's worried face. "Are you alright?"

"Naia? What happened?" Shanks groaned, rubbing his eyes.

"You tell me." Naia looked at him confused. "I was washing my feet off when you were dragged in by the waves."

"I was chasing you."

"Me? Shanks, it's the middle of the night when the waves are at their strongest. Not even the strongest swimmers dare to venture out now."

"But I could've sworn." Shanks furrowed his brows, trying to remember. "We were arguing about changing your bandages and you kept swimming away from me."

"My bandages?" Naia cocked her head to the side. "Yes, I suppose they are due for a change." Shanks narrowed his eyes at her. This wasn't adding up. He hooked his foot behind one of her ankles. Twisting, he rounded her onto her back as he kneeled above her.

Song:

Song of the Sea by Ashley Serena

5