Author's Notes: I do not appreciate being made into a hypocrite. XD Big shoutout to Pwencess for being this short story's supporter, though. Glad you liked everything so far. ;-D I won't post anymore full-length chapters until I get my three reviews, but I will give you a snippet of Shanks teasing Nesi because you need more Shanks in your life. XD And, this "stalker/romantic" version of him amuses me.

~ ... The Emperor's Demands ... ~

Nesi was enjoying a hot cup of tea while her beloved, rosy companion, Baragon, was eating a small bowl of fruits and vegetables. Mothra, the rose maple moth and new addition to Nesi's haki trainers, was dancing happily at the assortment of fruits and flowers in her new home. Letting a soft sigh and sinking into her chair, the privateer-in-training stretched her toes in her slippers and inhaled the sweet scent of passionflower tea.

"Hah, a moment's peace on this voyage to nowhe - "

BOOM!

"Eeek!" Nesi yelped, nearly dropping her cup.

She snapped her head to the intruder, only to see a flip flop attached to a tan-skinned leg fully extended in an impressive kick and form. Unfortunately, the ship's captain popped his head into the kitchen and mess hall with hunting eyes and a heaving chest. Nesi flinched at the intruder while Baragon merely watched and continued chewing his food. Intrigued, Mothra tilted her head at the mop of red hair attached to Shanks and his nostrils flaring out to catch Nesi's scent.

"Gumfree?" Mothra questioned.

"Squaw, squaw," Baragon replied in beast language.

The creatures gave Nesi's location away, making Shanks ever so slowly lock his eyes on his target. Shanks smirked then purred, "Llandala."

"S-s-sir?" Nesi stuttered, holding her teacup for support.

"We made a deal, remember?" Shanks reminded the privateer, gripping the doorframe with a vice grip that cracked the wood. "I save your ship and take you back to your training grounds on one condition."

Nesi nervously laughed, body stiffening from the tone the redheaded emperor was using. He had a pleasant voice any other time. Why did it have to vibrate in his throat like some puma when he's in these sorts of moods? Nesi gulped in response, nodded once, and said, "O-o-of course, sir. But I just made tea. Surely you can spare - "

Crack, crack, crack. Wood was caving in. Poor doorframe. It didn't sign up for any of this. Nesi sighed, pouted, drank her largely spilled tea, and walked fairly close to Shank's exposed chest. Satisfied with the response, the emperor waited for the rest of his... service and finally ordered, "Take your robe off."

Nesi dropped her head, opened her nightrobe, and let the man evaluate her night garments. It wasn't anything impressive. Just the usual linens. Regardless, she dropped the robe to the floor, raised her hands up in surrender, and let him seductively do his usual check for any weapons or outside help in his endeavors. That was part of the condition anyway. No escaping his "foreplay" and no complaining if he found a knife or two. Else, she gets the spanking later. Satisfied that he found no extra weapons on her person, Shanks rested his chin on Nesi's shoulder and hummed against her jaw.

"That's a good girl," Shanks purred. "Since you're so obedient to your captain, I'll let you pick our place this time. Either the kitchen table or out on the deck."

"In front of the men?" Nesi questioned, blushing and squirming away from Shanks' body. She forgot how warm he was. On a cold winter's night, he probably was an excellent companion. This, however, was not the time. "What if they wake up?"

"You are mine, remember?" Shanks reminded, slithering close to Nesi's face. She snapped her head to the side to avoid any accidental kissing and fused with the wall she managed to find to avoid any lingering gazes. The emperor may have been jovial, but he was not to be toyed with. "Now, what will it be?"

"What happens if we just go in your cabin? You've got plenty of space," Nesi questioned.

"Oh? You want to see what's yours again?" Shanks questioned with that purr again.

"I'll take the kitchen table! Kitchen table!" Nesi responded quickly, flinching at the suggestiveness of his words.

"Oh? You better get comfortable then," Shanks said, narrowing his eyes at the privateer. "We have some new positions to try."

... ... ...

"Connect Four," Nesi cheered, dropping a red bit in the grid.

"You're very good at that!" Shanks cheered, acknowledging his second loss.

Game Night was quite important to the emperor.