"No." Luffy stubbornly crossed his arms. Naia's eyes softened as she watched the three boys pout before the pirate captain.
"Come now, you knew this was coming. We've made this island our base for long enough."
"No!" Ace shouted, yanking on Shanks' arm.
"That's not very nice, boys. I thought we had an understanding," Shanks tried.
"We don't want you to go, Shanks," Sabo pouted. "We like having you here."
"The sea calls for adventure! I must heed its call." Shanks' eyes flickered to her, but Naia shrugged. This was all him.
"No! What about Naia?" Luffy demanded.
"We said our goodbyes." Shanks' tone dropped, and a sad look entered his eyes. Naia felt a pang in her chest once more. "I can't ask my crew to humor me anymore. We'll see each other again."
"When?" Ace asked harshly.
"When you set out at sea, of course!" Shanks grinned. "I expect all of you to come find me. Most of all you."
Luffy cocked his head as Shanks knelt in front of him. Naia smiled as Shanks placed the straw hat on the boy's head. Luffy's lips stretched into a wide grin as the pirate captain whispered to him.
"I will! I will become the Pirate King!" Naia chuckled along with the Red Hair Pirates, who were listening in.
"Dahahaha, I look forward to seeing it." Shanks snatched the three boys into a tight hug, pointing briefly over at Benn, Yasopp, and Lucky Roux before all three took off towards them. "I expect you to find me as well."
"Why do I have to find you? Why can't you find me?" Naia raised an eyebrow at him.
"Dahahaha, maybe I will." Shanks winked at her. Naia cupped his cheeks, pulling him down to meet her halfway. Their lips touched briefly before they parted. Naia smiled gently as she locked eyes with him, only to widen them in surprise when he crushed their lips together.
"I'll be waiting for you to join me," he whispered against her lips.
"You better keep all those promises of adventure when I get there!"
"You doubt me? I'm hurt!" Shanks pouted. Naia couldn't help herself as she launched herself into his arms, holding him tightly.
"I'm going to miss you, Red," Naia whispered into his chest. Shanks tightened his arms around her.
"Naia, the time I have spent here has truly been amazing. Words wouldn't do it justice." His hand caressed her cheek before rummaging in his cloak. "It feels kind of stupid now, but on our last voyage, I found this and it made me think of you"
Naia's eyes widened as gold glinted in the sunlight as he set a necklace in the palm of her hand. She trailed her fingertips lightly over the pendant, and her breath hitched as she took in the metalwork. A slim gold trident with a sea king wrapped around it. It was dainty, but something told Naia it would hold up to just about everything. Warmth spread up her hand as she gripped the necklace. It's familiar feel and weight settled in the palm of her hand like a caress from the past. Recognition gleaned in her eyes as she held it.
"Shanks, it's beautiful," Naia breathed, "Help me put it on?"
"Of course." Naia held her curls up, letting Shanks hook the necklace. A shiver rolled down her spine as he lightly kissed the back of her neck. Naia grinned as she held the pendant up. It truly was beautiful.
"10 years and I'm all yours." Naia spun around, locking their eyes. Shanks held her gaze, determination glittering in his own.
"I will give you your 10 years. No more, no less." Shanks grinned. "You will be beside me as my queen."
"Empress. I much prefer empress," Naia chuckled. Shanks raised an eyebrow at the title but a grin stretched across his face.
"You know the strangest things sometimes."
"The sea speaks of everything. Time means nothing," Naia hummed, caressing the pendant that hung from her neck. "It remembers everything that has happened, is happening and will happen."
"Then it will know that when you stand beside me, you will be as free as the waves themselves." Naia's eyes widened as Shanks pushed a strand of hair away from her face. The world seemed to fall away as their eyes locked. "I will ensure it."
"Shanks," Naia whispered. His eyes glittered with a promise. A promise that could change her whole life. She wanted to see it. She hoped she would get to, but most importantly she wanted to believe it. He said it with such conviction and assurance, it was hard not to. However, Naia knew. The sea never lied to her before and it didn't now as it's waves crashed against the boat with an ominous energy. It might not tell her everything but it could hardly keep a secret. A tug on her skirt tore her from their little world.
"Naia? Are you okay?" Luffy's voice rang in her ears. "You're crying."
Naia brought her hand to her cheek and jerked in surprise when she touched the wet skin. Shanks looked at her wide eyed as she tried to stop the flow.
"How silly of me to be crying on such an occasion." Naia wiped at her eyes. She gasped as she was tugged forward. Warm arms embraced her and the calming sound of a heart beat echoed in her head. The scent of the sea and gunpowder hit her nose along with a unique smell that was purely Shanks. Naia gripped his cloak, leaning entirely into him.
"Don't forget about me, Red," Naia whispered.
"The stars would go out before I forget about one such as you," Shanks murmured into her hair. "We will meet again and when we do, we shall not part from one another."
"You really are a hopeless romantic," Naia chuckled wetly. Their lips met once more. They savored the feel of one another as they slowly moved against each other. The taste of salt assaulted her taste buds and Naia swore at herself for crying again. Goodbye has never tasted so bitter.
"Only for you." Shanks grinned against her lips. His hand caressed her cheek as they lost themselves once more.
"You best not keep your crew mates waiting any longer." Naia stepped back with a small smile on her face. She fixed his cloak and made to fix his hat when a sharp giggle broke her of her movement. She had almost forgotten. Her hand drifted down to land on the straw hat of the small boy beside her. Shanks laid his hand over hers before stepping away, bringing her hand up.
"Don't keep me waiting, nymph!" Shanks called out, waving down at them. The rest of the village join in their goodbyes as they send the beloved pirate crew off. The three boys before her were waving just as frantically as the tears falling from their faces. Naia caressed the pendant lightly, letting the hum of power vibrate her hand. Her distraction was interrupted by the tugging on her skirt.
"Are you ready for it to begin, Naia?" Luffy asked. "Everything starts now."
"I am ready, my king." Naia smiled. "Are you? Training will only get harder from here on out."
"Harder?" Ace asked.
"You will be able to take on the sea by the time you set sail." The three boys gulped as Naia let the ambition gleam in her eyes. This was going to be fun.