You aren't sure why your parents are nervous about going into town today. Nothing seems unusual. The market square is usually bustling with activity, the air filled with the scent of fresh bread and the sound of merchants hawking their wares. Today, however, an unusual quiet hangs over the stalls. Looking around, you notice the stall owners are nervous as well. The tavern, usually quiet, is loud for once.

"Y/N, come along." Your mother grabs your arm and gently leads you down the street. "We aren't staying long. We just need eggs."

"Okay, mama," you say. You walk quietly at her side, your hand in hers, as she peruses the stalls. "Why are people quiet today?" Usually, the market is loud. Not deafening, but there's usually a comforting chatter in the air. People exchanging coins or goods, comparing vegetables or fruits, talking about needing new clothes or repairing a home. It's never felt so oppressive before.

Mother glances at you. "Well… you can hear the tavern from here, right?"

You nod.

"We have, I guess you could call them guests," she explains. You don't miss the nervous look she casts behind her. "In fact, why don't you wait out by the Meadow Path for me? I won't be long."

You grin and immediately take off, your feet flying down the road. You usually like walking with her, but usually, she's asking about the birds you were sketching, or about your flute practice, or how school was. Today was boring. She asked about none of that, and when you had tried earlier to get her to talk, she quickly shushed you.

The bare soles of your feet flashed in the morning sun, little clouds of dirt following each step. Your light brown hair is tied back but comes loose as you make your way to the Meadow Path. In the distance, someone shouts, but you ignore it. It came from the docks, but you didn't want to make mother wait.

You trailed your hand through the giant rose bushes lining the path. The thorns catch your fingers, but not enough to make you bleed. You let out a laugh and speed up, lengthening your stride and turn around the corner without stopping.

"Ahh!"

You tumble forward as something—no, someone—collides with you. You both roll to a stop, and you stay still as you catch your breath. A high-pitched whine comes from under you, and you shoot to your feet quickly. "I'm sorry!" There's a boy laying there, smaller than you – you'd guess he's no older than six, maybe seven?

The boy sits up, rubbing his head. "That hurt!" His dark eyes glare at you from under a mop of bright red hair. His white shirt and tan pants are scuffed with dirt and a little small on him. His shoes are simple and worn.

"Kid!" A blonde man comes jogging down the road. He slows to a stop and sighs. "Ah, are you two okay?" He's taller than even your father, with a scar over his right eye. His hair is swept back, aside from a few strands he pushes back a moment later. His glasses flash in the bright sun.

The kid turns to him, frowning. "She knocked me down!" he whines.

You furrow your brow. "I said I was sorry!" you cry indignantly, your fists against your side. Your shirts a little dirty, but you ignore it for now.

The man smirks. "She did say she was sorry, Shanks. And it looks like she didn't know you were there." Amusement flickers in his eyes as he watches Shanks.

You glare down at the kid, Shanks, and stick your tongue out at him.

He glares at you and scrambles to his feet. "Meanie!"

The man picks up Shanks by his shirt. "Hey, knock it off. We're visitors here, remember? If we want to stay, we shouldn't be mean."

You look at the man, and something clicks in your head. "Are you guys guests here?" He's not dressed like any of the townsfolk; purple cloak opened at the chest, pale lavender sash around his waist that matches his pants, and heavy looking boots.

None of the townsfolk dress even close to that, not even the fisherfolk.

He looks at you, surprise flitting across his face briefly. "You could say that. We're a pirate crew that just landed here yesterday."

Shanks wiggles in his grasp, trying to get down. "Let me down, Rayleigh!" He scowls and flails his fists.

Rayleigh glares at him, holding him out of range easily. "If I do, will you run off again?"

You put a hand over your mouth to muffle your giggle.

Shanks wiggles harder. "No. I promise!"

"Y/N, what are you doing?" your mother's voice drifts from around the corner just before she appears. When she sees Rayleigh and Shanks, however, she stops. "Oh, I'm sorry. Is my daughter bothering you?"

Rayleigh smiles. "Not at all. I saw these two bump into each other and came to make sure they were okay."

"She knocked me down!" Shanks whines. "It hurt!"

Mother glances at you; she doesn't look mad, but she's not pleased. "Did you?" Her basket is full; you see she found a large carton of eggs today. She arches her eyebrow.

You nod. "Yes. I didn't see him in time." You shoot him a glare. "I said I was sorry, though, and he called me a meanie."

Mother's lips twitch like she does when father does something funny, but she tries not to laugh. She turns to Rayleigh. "I'm so sorry, Mr.…"

"Rayleigh," he says. "It's alright. I should've been keeping a better eye on Shanks here." He casts a look at you, then sets Shanks down. Carefully, he releases his grip.

Shanks immediately takes off, and Rayleigh sighs, muttering something under his breath.

Mother lets a small chuckle escape. "Kids that age never stop moving. Y/N, why don't you go get him?"

You look at her, then Rayleigh, who's watching Shanks, and take off after the boy.

He might be younger than you, and smaller, but this kid is fast! He's already a good distance away and pulling ahead. With a determined grunt, you stretch your legs and try to catch up.

The docks are ahead, but before he reaches them, he trips. He tumbles forward, but sits up as you get close.

You stumble to a stop as he sniffles and shake your head. "You should've watched where you're going."

He glares at you. "What do you want?" His nose is red and there's dirt all over his face now.

You sit down next to him and offer him a tissue from your pocket; you've learned to always keep some with you. "Mother said I should come get you and Mr Rayleigh didn't say no," you shrug. He takes the tissue but does nothing. "I really am sorry for knocking you down."

He sniffs but wipes his nose. "'S okay. I shouldn't have been there."

You blink in surprise. "Why not?"

"Roger says it's not safe for me off the ship yet," he grumbles. "Says I'm too little."

You giggle before you can help yourself. You wonder who Roger is, but don't ask.

"It's not funny!" he says, pouting. "I wanted to see the town, but Rayleigh caught me, so I had to run!"

You cock your head. "I can take you to town if Rayleigh and Mother say it's okay," you offer. You stand and offer your hand. You can remember when your parents wouldn't let you explore. It was no fun. Even now, at nine years old, they still won't let you go too far on your own.

Shanks takes your hand gingerly. "You gotta ask Roger. He's the captain."

You give him a questioning look, tilting your head and placing a hand on your hip.

He points at a large ship at the docks. "We're pirates. Roger is the captain, and Rayleigh is the first mate. Even Rayleigh has to ask Roger."

Footsteps sound behind you and Rayleigh speaks. "I think it'll be okay this time, Shanks."

You turn and look at Mother. "Really? Is that okay?" She and Rayleigh stand a few feet away. He watches Shanks with a smile, but you giggle as Shanks is almost bouncing in excitement.

She gives the ship, and Rayleigh, an apprehensive look. "As long as you stay to the main street, and stay out of the tavern, I can run the basket home and come back for you. Your father is at the bookshop if you need him, alright?"

You nod. "Sure." You look back at Shanks. "Come on." You take his hand and start racing down the road.

He doesn't protest at all; he seems excited now, and quickly, you two are almost running down the road. When you reach town, you slow and point out various things.

"The butcher's shop, the fabric shop, the cartographer's –" Shanks is really interested in that, but they're closed today. You both stop outside the school, but he seems confused by it.

"So kids go there to learn stuff?" He gazes up at the simple building, his eyes scanning the door and window.

"Mhm," you hum. "I go here sometimes, when I can, that is."

Shanks looks at you. "What do you learn there?"

You shrug and pull him to the side, sitting down against the white stone wall. "I learned to read, numbers, just basic stuff. I'm not even ten yet, so I don't get to learn about jobs and everything, so I don't always go anymore." You know there's more to learn, but there's so much to do in the spring and summer that school turns boring.

A few people pass by. Most ignore you, but you smile at the herbalist and your teacher as they wave.

The corner of Shanks' lip curls up. "Roger and his crew just teach me what I need to know."

"Is Roger your dad?" you finally ask, your curiosity getting the better of you.

Shanks just looks at you, then his eyes flick to something down the street. "I… guess so? I've been with the crew forever." He frowns. "I don't know if I have a dad really."

You look around, then pull him to his feet. "Come on, I'll show you something really neat." It's not in town, but it's not far enough to cause any issues. You hope. But even if you get in trouble, it'll be worth it.

Shanks lets you drag him along. You don't let go as you two run through a wide field on the edge of town. A few sheep call out from the distance, but you ignore them and stop in front of a large oak tree sitting by itself.

Shanks stares at it, his eyes wide. "What is this place?"

You hook your feet into the bark, letting go of him to haul yourself up a little on a protruding knot. "My favorite place in the whole town." You hold out your hand. "I can help you get up."

He eyes you suspiciously. "Is it safe?"

You giggle. "You live on a ship that goes out to sea. Is that safe?" You've only heard tales from your parents of how dangerous it is; storms that can make them go under, sea kings that can snap them in half, sickness and danger at every turn. It sounds dangerous, but exciting.

Shanks takes your hand, but you're surprised when he climbs past you.

You follow him closely, but he reaches the flat, wide branch at the top easily. "Wow, I didn't think you could climb so good."

He shrugs. "I live on a ship, remember?"

You sit next to him and point out towards the town. "Sometimes I sit here and watch the sun go down over the ocean." From here, you both have a perfect view of the docks. Beyond the pirate ship, the ocean stretches off beyond your sight.

Shanks grins. "This is so cool! I've been in the rigging before, but never been this high on land."

You curl your legs under you. "I can bring you here later to see the sun go down. It's really pretty. I know it might look different from on your ship, but it's still neat."

His grin widens. "Let's go ask Roger if I can come here later then!" Without missing a beat, he nimbly makes his way to the ground.

You follow and see he's already halfway to the town by the time you reach the ground. Racing after him, you laugh. "Wait up!"

Shanks is odd, you think, but in a good way. You keep laughing and chase after him. You've met a few younger kids before, but none of them were even half as interested in everything like he is. You wonder how much he's seen. He's younger than you, yes, but he certainly doesn't act like it.

You slow as you spot him with a tall, black-haired man outside the tavern. From a distance, you observe Shanks animatedly talking, his hands waving as he describes everything he saw. The man, who must be Roger, listens intently, a smile tugging at his lips.

Behind him, rough-looking men are smiling and laughing as they listen to Shanks.

You take a moment to catch your breath, watching them. Shanks is so full of life, so eager to share his excitement. It's contagious, making you smile too. You wonder how long they'll be staying.

As you finally walk over, you can hear snippets of Shanks' excited chatter. "...and the tree is so tall! You can see the whole town from up there!" He sees you walking up to them and his smile gets bigger. "Can Y/N take me there later to see it again?"

Roger looks up and smiles at you. "If one of us goes with ya both, I don't see the problem." He grins down at Shanks. "Go off and have some more adventures for now though with Y/N, Shanks."

Not needing any more prompting, Shanks races over to you. "What else is around here?" His eyes are shining.

"Come on!" You take his hand and race off into town. Behind you, you hear the pirates laughing and smile.