"Ann! Ann!" Smiling, Shanks calls out to the furrowed frown of Ann attempting to read her book but is soon stopped by the smiling Shanks. Sighing, she stops herself, leaping down from the railing and turning towards the whole crew crowding around her room much to her confusion.
"Why are you peering into…?" Ann begins her question, readying her fist it was a sworn rule not to appear in however she soon stops faltering from the sheer sight of the little girl in her room having supposedly snuck in her assumes as she stares shocked at the little girl sauntering about her room in clothes far too big for her, lipstick smeared all over face, holding said familiar lipstick stunning her. No words needing to be shed as the girl continues posing in the cabinet mirror before turning towards the door staring shocked dropping the lipstick when seeing the crowd before her.
"Uta…" Ann steps up ignoring the cooing crew practically gushing over her as she swiftly shoves them out, hands on her hips eyeing the ruined lipstick and now baggy clothes on the little girl guilty looking down despondent ready for another lesson to be taught Ann assumed as she simply sighs softly setting her hand down on the red- and white-haired girl befuddling her.
"Let's clean you up." Sighing, Ann picks up the little girl too tired to say anything else as she picks her up, taking her to get cleaned up.
"Marines incoming…!" Ann and the other red-haired pirates perk up at the lookout's words, Ann's hues narrowing looking towards Shanks sighing slowly standing from his seated state, his hand drawing to his blade.
"Oh you got to be…Uta stay in the back." Ann hollers calling out to the girl.
"But…" The girl pouts however…
"No buts!" Ann curtly cuts the girl off huffing as she goes into the back as per ordered
"You think it's your gramps again?" Yassop huffs.
"If it is the hell is he doing out here?" Ann grumbles glaring at the ship in the far distance not approaching them strangely enough almost waiting…but for what?
"Yeah isn't it out of marines jurisdiction?" Benn points out.
"Doesn't stop the marines from shoving their nose into shit and don't involve them." Tiredly, the annoyed Ann huffs hand on her hip.
"Someone's coming…on a bike?" Befuddled, Yassop peers over.
"…Bike!?" Alarmed, Ann reels back by the news.
"I think that's the most terrified I've seen someone about a bike." Bemused, Roux chuckles.
"Probably cause it's her boyfriend..." Bemused, Shanks snickers oblivious to the furrowed frown of Uta hiding in the back legs curled close to her chest attempting to return to the world of her imagination however…
"Bike boy's back gents!" Smirking, Shanks hollers as Ann glares at the ass seeing the crowd forming, a scoreboard of sorts showing itself to the group, getting out their wallets.
"What excuse do you think he'll come up with this time?" Smirking, Yassop points to the bored.
"I came across a black cat!" One of the crew raise their hands.
"I saw this and thought of you!" Another adds as Ann's hue twitches tense from the belli being betted, in particular the hickey board.
"WHAT WAS THAT!? TCH FORGET IT! SHOOT IT DOWN!" Ann's angry voice snaps Uta out of it.
"Shoot? It's a guy on a bike." Bluntly, Benn argues amused almost at her frantic flustered form.
"Just do it!" Incensed, she snaps scowling at the ass of her crewmates.
"Bit late for that." Tiredly, the familiar voice calls out as Ann feels her heart drop, her blood turning ice cold.
"…The hell are you doing here?" Horrified, Ann angrily demands from the calm cool composed male before her.
"…" Silently, he stares unfazed by the guns aimed at her.
"…" Silently, she glares her heated hues narrowing at his cold curt gaze.
"I was wandering around and came across your ship..." Simply, he scratches the side of his head looking to the side acting almost basful.
"...with your ship just magically following behind?" Brow furrowed, Ann points to said ship at a distance of the Red Force.
"...I also came across a black cat..." Cooly, he rubs the side of his head sitting down on the boat baffling her.
"...At sea!?" Scowling, she immediately shoots said excuse down as the group of boys behind her put that on the scoreboard at the common courtesy between both former marine and marine admiral, his excuses and her swiftly shooting them down.
"Ah...maybe I forgot the reason." Lazily, he considers.
"Maybe!? Urgh you're as carefree as ever! Get up!" Scowling, she storms up to him glaring down at the ass; leaning back, relaxing unaware of the coy crew members watching on, drawing bets. Shanks sneakily grabs some popcorn sharing it with the grinning Yassop as the two feuds or more precisely the one-sided argument of Ann angrily yelling at the laid-back admiral simply snoozing away as she screeches at him.
"Here." Her hues soon widen when he takes out from his back…
"…Eh?" Astonished, Ann blinks befuddled baffled by the bouquet before her.
"Well would you look at that, why don't we treat you to a drink?" Dubiously, Shanks smiles.
"I'd rather not." Coolly, he dismisses.
"Aw come now it'll be fun I want to know all about Ann during the marines!" Merrily, Shanks whines draping his arm over the taller male's shoulder but…
"…" Silently, he stares at the hand on his shoulder slowly sliding back from his cold curt glare.
"Why are you doing this?" Ann demands baffled by it, feeling her heartstrings ache almost at the familiar flower before her, how had he known to pick these up? Ann couldn't help but stare her fidgeting fingertips fiddling with the petite petals of the hibiscus flower, noting the ruby red hibiscus at that, tears threatening to fall from the sheer sight of the flower bringing a rushing wave of emotions…
"It's your birthday isn't it?" Aokiji asks as Ann's hues widen when hearing her words, a fair few eyes expanding at the mention.
"…Huh?" Ann blurts out, was it…? Now that she thought about it, she did feel as if she were forgetting something, she looks towards Shanks seeing his silent nod confirming it, knowing her preference.
"I know you don't like things to be flashy so here." Honestly, he sighs scratching the back of his neck.
"…This flower…" Frowning, Ann begins brow furrowed, that was all he had to ask, to say even…? Ann couldn't help the tightened constricting pain in her chest, her grip tightening around the feeble flowers almost strangling it.
"You said you liked them…" Aokiji simply shrugs unaware of the touched torn Ann.
"…you remembered?" Ann whispers weakly, brow furrowed at the little loose memory it was just a snippet nothing really…
"…" Silently, his hues meet her own, so much needing to be said but…not today.
"Well admiral? How about joining us?" Smiling, Shanks steps up beaming brightly at the tall towering figure that was Aokiji.
"I'm on duty." Aloofly, Aokiji dismisses.
"Ah come on one wrong drink wouldn't…" Shanks presses however before more could be said furious footsteps suddenly stride forward.
"NO!" Angrily, Uta roars rushing over to the tall towering giant and…kicking him.
"…huh?" Aokiji looks down at the glaring girl below puffing her cross cheeks at him.
"Uta?" Astonished, Ann and Shanks say shocked at the glaring girl.
"My mommy! My daddy!" Uta snaps scowling snatching both hands of the astonished Ann and stunned Shanks.
"O-Oi Uta!" Together, the two chorus cross at the glaring girl.
"…I should get going." Aokiji decides.
"Wait Aokiji…!" Ann calls out to him however she soon stops as he turns, her throat tensing tightening up, trying to force some sound to come out, some sentence she can spit out but…
"Happy birthday Ann." Aokiji tells her, her heart aching as she tries to speak, tries to say something but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
"I'm afraid there's been a bit of misunderstanding Uta is mine and Ann's kid." Smiling, Shanks steps in intervening attempting to help.
"Shanks…" Ann furrows her brow at him.
"…That so?" Aokiji arches a brow at the red head.
"Biologically she isn't ours but she is like a daughter to us that's all there is." Smiling, Shanks tries to explain, eyeing the two trying to help however…
"…It's none of my business." Bluntly, he states shrugging it off unaware of Ann's anguished grimace.
"Akoji's…" Alarmed, Ann calls out however…
"See ya." He waves her off heading back onto his bike…
"Well Admiral?" The soldiers soon rush over to the man coming back onto the ship.
"Nah nothing to do with them." Lazily, he waves the soldiers off.
"Right!" The soldiers salute.
"…Want to go after him?" Shanks asks Ann as they watch the ship head off.
"…No it's best this way…" Ann looks away ashamed anguished almost as she turns her back to the marine ship, heading into the back pained, tears threatening to fall, her grip tightening around the bouquet clutched close to her chest…
"Hmm…" Ann's eyes narrow at the latest island the pirates had found themselves surprisingly resting on, this wasn't part of the schedule, they were meant to pass by this island and yet here they were...she soon scowls seeing a familiar marine ship at the docks.
"Did you just follow them?" Tense, Ann demands scowling at the smiling Shanks as the crew lay on the coast enjoying the sun shining down upon them, many already pouring their glasses, clinking with others supposedly celebrating Ann's birthday as celebrations continue in the back.
"Nah, nah I just heard from some sources he would be stationed here." Haughty, Shanks smirks shoving his hands into his pockets.
"The hell is wrong with you?!" Horrified, Ann demands from the smirking Shanks soon sliding down against a rock tipping his hat to her.
"I could say the same, you want that misunderstanding to break you two up." Shanks sighs softly shielding himself from the soaring sun above as Ann's furious features flare feverishly.
"Break? There is nothing to break!" Blushing, Ann angrily glares glowers at the tired Shanks simply sighing at her alongside a fair few elites of the crew.
"Oh don't lie." Shanks scoffs.
"I ain't lying!" Angry, Ann glares, her heated hues narrowing at the laidback ass.
"You're clearly lying to yourself then." Benn throws in.
"Tch…! Don't get involved!" Incensed, she glares at Benn.
"He's right though." Yassop joins in horrifying Ann.
"Not you too!" Ann glares at the traitor.
"Look I know what you're doing with what happened you think pushing him away is best for you both." Briskly, Shanks sighs.
"…because it is." Ann crosses her arms anxiously over her chest conflicted.
"But that guy seems stubborn he clearly doesn't want to let things slide like that and Uta hasn't helped things either." Shanks states the fact firmly.
"So what?" Ann scoffs.
"So think of this detour as my birthday gift to you." Shanks smirks at Ann.
"Huh?" Ann blurts out taken aback at his words.
"I had planned to drag you around shopping but this'll suffice." Shanks decides.
"…Shanks." Ann begins brow furrowed not quite sure what else to say.
"The rest is up to you don't ruin a good thing just cause of other people." Shanks stretches out.
"He doesn't know me, he doesn't know the truth." Tense, Ann anxiously argues.
"Then maybe you should start telling him it…" Shanks sighs.
"And what then? Have him betray me? Have him be like the rest?" Ann sneers scowling.
"I didn't get the vibe he would do that…" Simply, Shanks shrugs stating the fact firmly flabbergasting Ann.
"Shanks…having hope will only get you hurt." Anxiously, Ann warns him brow furrowed curling in on herself, her head perched upon the top of her knees curled clutched to her chest, knowing that disappointment far too well.
"He seems like a good guy now stop bothering me and go see him." Smoothly, Shanks waves Ann off, lowering the rim of his hat.
"Shanks…thank you." Ann smiles softly at him heading into town…
"Where's mama going?" Innocently, Uta ponders perplexed.
"Just doing some shopping." Simply, Shanks answers for her holding Uta back.
"I should go help!" Uta steps forward but…
"Nah you should go prep for your number." Shanks softly sets her back.
"My number?" Uta quirks her head to the side.
"It's Ann's birthday remember?" Shanks smiles as Uta gasps catching on.
"You're right! I should go prep for the best song ever for her!" Happily, Uta beams brightly at the thought heading back into the ship to do just as that making Shanks sigh at Uta having no clue the rift she had helped cause as Shanks goes to get his crew ready for tonight's celebrations or at the least use the excuse of birthday to get wasted…
Quietly, Ann saunters into the bar, ignoring the fair few eyes on her wolf whistling while she sits down on the bar counter, one leg over the other, sitting on the barstool on the other side of the other occupied bar stool, the two sit between an empty array of bar seats, no words needing to be shed as the bar tender pours her a drink. Silently, she eyes the scarlet substance within before sighing softly.
"…We're not like that." Tiredly, she breaks the still silence between both of them not even looking in the direction of the man in white quietly enjoying his drink.
"…" Silently, he continues enjoying his drink.
"Me and Shanks." Sighing, she scowls at the ass's still silence, brow furrowing from his quietness. She hated when he was like this all quiet, broody…pouty.
"…You going to say anything?" Annoyed, she snaps scowling at the aloof ass ignoring her heavily hammering heart.
"It's not to do with me." Finally, he breaks the still silence sipping his drink as Ann's brow twitches tense from his words.
"Nothing to do with…!? Oh don't be like that!" Tense, Ann angrily snaps at the ass slamming said glass down glaring at the ass attempting to brush her off.
"Like what?" He queries making her huff.
"The pouting thing you did this back at base too." Tiredly, Ann sternly sips her drink remembering his pouting often leading to his head on top of her own or while working, she had to sit in his lap or at the least hug him in some capability to either get him to work or to deal with his small tid bits of envy. Still she appreciated it wasn't as bad as some positive people she heard could be…
"…Then why are you telling me this?" He asks her making her go quiet briefly by his words.
"…You know why." Anxiously, Ann's grip tightens on the glass grimacing glaring to the side hearing the crisp clink of the glass lowering.
"…Are you happy?" Surprised, her hues widen when hearing the question proposed to her.
"Huh?" Astonished, Ann blurts out turning to him.
"Are you finally free?" Gently, he asks Ann, her hues widening when hearing her words.
"I am." Softly, she whispers brushing the stray tear trying to let loose from that single question.
"…I see." Softly, Aokiji reaches for his drink, taking a soft sip no words needing to be shed between both of them simply silently enjoying their drink.
"Where's mama?" Yawing, the newly awake Uta mumbles, rubbing the sleepy dust out of her hue with the back of her hand, warmly welcoming the morning sun seeing a fair few of the red-haired pirates hungover, a heavy hue of ruby red dusting their crimson cheeks while being bare before the grumpy girl glaring at them, if Ann were here she'd yell at them into shape…well that would be if she wasn't one of their hungover lot.
"She'll be back." Surprised, Uta perks up at Shanks soft smile at the hand on her head ruffling her locks.
"But where's taking her so long?!" Annoyed, Uta puffs her cheeks out, she had practiced hard for her.
"She's doing things." Smiling, Shanks tells Uta.
"What could she be doing that takes so long?" Huffing, Uta argues as elsewhere…
Silently, the sun shyly peers into the room clothes lay scattered about the place as the soft snores soon echo throughout the room where Ann for the first time since having Uta had a full-on sleep, still sleeping even as her head laid on the bare chest of Aokiji, his hands coiled curled around her form, slowly stirring, grumbling glaring at the shy sun streak shining down rousing the admiral awake. He groans, reaching to pinch the bridge of his nose trying to adjust as he feels the weight on his chest, his hues softening slightly at the long-haired blondish pink haired woman still sleeping on his chest, he reaches out smiling softly at the stray stand of a perky pink curly around his fingertip, gently placing it to his lips, smiling at the serene smile upon the blonde below him. His hues couldn't help but watch her soundly sleep reaching out to gently place his lips upon her temple.
However, a certain snail by his side opens its mouth about to stop said moment if not for the sudden crisp coating of ice stopping said sail as groaning, he turns his back to said snail bringing the blonde closer to his side, no words needing to be said as he soon returns to the dark depths of his sleep, needing this moment just as much as she did…
"Welcome back admiral! How was your hotel room?" The smiling soldiers salute the man making his way back looking rather pleased with himself in his own way.
"…Fine." He sets up his lawn chair.
"We were worried with you suddenly deciding to sleep at a hotel however it's good that you got enough rest sir." The smiling soldier admits to Aokiji.
"Hmph." Huffing, Aokiji takes a seat on his lawn chair, many of the marine men deciding it best not to query over the red force being here alongside the many black bites littered over the battered beaten bruised neck of the navy admiral attempting to hide it with his tie, trying to return the dark depths of his slumber once more.
"Mama you're back!" Beaming, Uta rushes over to the limping form of Ann grumbling glaring at the searing sun above as Uta warmly welcomes her back.
"Hey Uty…" Ann pursues a small smile towards Uta despite her body aching.
"I can't believe you…" Mad, Uta huffs puffing her cross cheeks out at the astonished Ann.
"Huh?" Ann blurts out confusion clear in her tone towards the cross child.
"You missed it!" Incensed, Uta glares lightly at Ann.
"…Missed what?" Ann asks lost quirking her head to the side.
"The party I was going to perform, Roux made a huge cake and and and…oh my gosh are you okay!?" Uta soon reels back horrified concern clear in her tone towards her.
"…Eh?" Ann blurts out lost unaware of the small smirks from the coy crew including the smirking Shanks approaching the two.
"Your neck it's all black!" Uta points to her neck as a sudden scarlet rush crawls to her crimson cheeks.
"H-Huh?" Alarmed, Ann's hand dart to her throat tense.
"Aokiji…! Angrily, Ann internally curses at the ass.
"She's fine Uta." Smiling, Shanks assures Uta.
"But her neck…!" Uta frets frowning.
"She simply enjoyed her birthday present." Playfully, he smiles as Uta furrows her brow lost.
"What kind of present gives you that!?" Terrified, Uta squeaks slightly scared almost at the thought.
"Shanks you ass!" Angrily, Ann glares glowers at the smirking Shanks giving her nothing more than a simple wink while the crew cheer for their captain's left hand's so called victory making her erupt glaring flowering at the beat up hung over morons that were a part of her captain's crew…
"Uta...get down from there!" Ann calls out worriedly watching the girl sit on the canon, looking out at the washing waves of the sea sighing, her hues furrowing fretful for the girl.
"I'm fine Mama!" The girl assures Ann.
"Uta!" Shanks smiles approaching Ann's side showing said jewels to the girl from their latest plunder.
"Oh, that's cute!" Cheerily, she smiles shyly at the sight of said gleaming glistening gems.
"And down she goes…" Ann sighs softly, exhaustion etched into said single sigh.
"You worry too much…" Shanks smiles at the annoyed Ann.
"You try to parent for two." Tiredly, Ann huffs holding her head as Shanks simply smirks amused at the tired tone of Ann.
"Thank you, Shanks! How do I look Ann?" Amazed, Uta rushes over to Ann now wearing bangles and a snow-white dress to the two, posing to the two.
"You look great." Ann smiles softly down at her.
"Uta, sing a song for us." One of the red haired hollers.
"Let me present to you!" Another voice adds as soon enough…
"Uta! Uta! Uta!" The crew cheer for the little girl.
"She's the diva who enchants the world!" Another voice from the pirates adds.
"Uta!" The pirates cheer.
"This is a concert venue with famous artists from all over the world. And I'll be...the headliner! The audience is very excited." Uta proclaims proudly to the crew turning to the silent stoic crowd watching on.
"…" Silently, they stare.
"I said the audience is very excited!" Uta hints harshly huffing.
"Yeah!" The crowd catch on.
"Forget it. It's my bad. Shanks...? Ann?" Uta huffs brow furrowing only to then perk up at the two of her parent figures, looking over at a teeny tiny box.
"Shanks, Ann, what are you two doing? Is that for me, too?" Uta perks up at the fruit within the teeny tiny treasure chest.
"Afraid not." Ann smirks down at Uta.
"Eh?" Surprised, Uta blurts out.
"Even though you're our daughter, we can't give you this." Shanks smiles down at Uta.
"What a cheapskate!" Uta huffs.
"Ah come on Uta don't say that." Ann leans down placing her hand on her head.
"But it's not fair!" Frowning, she whines.
"Fair? Look at all these gems on you." Shanks smiles down at Uta.
"Hmph…" Huffing, Uta puffs her cheeks cross.
"Look. That's the Goa Kingdom. We'll be based there for a while." Shanks smiles at Uta gesturing to the island the ship heads towards.
"Why does grandpa's punch hurt like this? I swear his hits have gotten harder recently. I'm not gonna become a Navy soldier! I'm gonna get out of this village and do something big! Is that a pirate ship?" Grumbling, the young boy holds his head huffing in the tree rubbing his head from the newest first of live hitting him as he sits in the trees, perking up at the ship approaching the dock…
"What a lovely place." Shanks smiles at the island.
"It looks boring." Uta complains.
"It really isn't." Ann assures Uta as they begin docking.
"Have you been here Ann?" Uta asks curiosity clear in her tone towards the older woman.
"Maybe I have maybe I haven't…" Amused, Ann winks at Uta.
"Urgh answer clearly Ann!" Annoyed, Uta whines slapping her hands down upon the railing.
"And where would the fun be in that?" Teasingly, Ann asks quirking her head to the side smirking down at Uta.
"Urgh…cheapskate Ann hmph there's nothing here." Huffing, Uta pouts.
"Windmill Village isa remote area of the Goa Kingdom." Shanks tells Uta.
"Hey!" The trio perk up at the voice turning towards a familiar boy rushing over.
"Oh is that little boy again…" Ann's hues widen when seeing said black haired boy with the anchor shirt on.
"You know him?" Shanks raises a brow at Ann.
"I bumped into him before…" Briskly, Ann answers as she shrugs.
"Are you guys pirates?" The boy glares at the trio.
"Yes, we are. Do you have a problem with it? If so, you can tell me. I'm Captain Shanks' and Ann's daughter, Uta!" Uta smirks smugly down at the boy plopping herself down upon the railing.
"If you're pirates, go away!" Angrily, the boy orders them.
"Or what? Are you gonna fight us?" Uta smirks smugly down at him.
"Stop it, Uta. We're not here to fight." Firmly, Ann places her hand on her shoulder stopping her.
"But…" Uta begins but…
"I didn't know there was a tough sheriff in this village." Shanks smirks looking down at the boy below.
"Who are you?" The boy demands from them.
"I'm Shanks, the captain of this ship." Smiling, Shanks introduces himself.
"If you trouble us, I'll make you pay for it." The boy raises his firm fist to them.
"I'm sure you will." Amused, Ann chuckles as the group get off their ship, docking in.
"Ann!" Uta whines tugging at her coat watching as the red haired pirates head towards the bar but she however has other plans…
"What is it Uta?" Ann looks down at the girl below befuddled.
"Where are you going? The guys are heading to the bar." Befuddled, Ann points to the bar gesturing to the men entering the bar.
"I have to go see someone." Smiling, she kneels down.
"So you have been here!" Uta gasps.
"Looks like the cats outta the bag." Bemused, Ann gives her that.
"Who are you going to see?" Uta quirks her head to the side.
"Secret." Smirking, she places her forefinger to her lips.
"Stingy Ann stingy tell me something!" Uta orders.
"Alright, alright they're very important to me." Sighing, Ann raises her hands up attempting to calm the girl.
"…They are?" Uta quirks her head to the side.
"Yep." Smiling, she answers at the thought of Ace, of her baby brother.
"Then I should meet them!" Uta insists as Ann furrows her brow by th thought.
"I don't think you should." Sighing, she tries to hint, Ace could be rather…blunt….rough, a bit too rough for someone like Uta.
"Why?" Uta whines furrowing her brow at Ann.
"Well…he's a bit rough." Awkwardly, Ann attempts to explain.
"Rough…? Is he your boyfriend? Are you cheating on Shanks?" Stunned, Uta gasps hand on her mouth making Ann sigh.
"Uty sweetie there's no cheating and there is nothing going on with me and Shanks he's a brother to me." Miserably, Ann mutters she had told the child time and time again, the two weren't like that. He was like a brother to her it was weird.
"Hmmm…" Huffing, Uta pouts puffing her cheek.
"Now go and hang out with Shanks I'll be back soon." Smiling, she turns Uta towards the bar.
"Oookaaay." Uta whines drawing it out slumping her shoulders reluctantly.
"Good girl." Ann smiles patting her head watching her head into the bar before taking off, heading towards the forest up ahead…
"You going to keep avoiding me or are we actually going to talk?" Tiredly, Ann sighs hands on her hips eyeing the boy before her huffing, pipe in hand. Sighing, she watches the boy wander off, despite Dadan's protest as he had handed her tonight's dinner. Sighing, she couldn't help but eye the boy before her unable to not see a young Ann before her, from the stern scowl of a resting bitch face to his grumpy demeanour
"You going to keep talking and then bugger off for who knows how long?" Snippily, he sneers scowling, his grip tightening around the pipe in his hand.
"…I deserve that." Tiredly, Ann sighs softly giving him that.
"Where the hell did you go?" Angrily, Ace turns on his heel huffing glaring, glowering at the blonde behind him.
"A lot happened Ace." Ann sighs softly, exhaustion etched into said single sigh. She wished she could tell him but so much had happened…
"You going to tell me?" Ace arches a brow bored.
"It's complicated." Calmly, Ann sighs shaking her head at Ace, she didn't even know where to begin with her tale, it had been a few years that she had to admit and she supposed she could understand his hesitance towards her, especially with her dipping down like she had. Ann grimaces from the guilt gnawing away at her, trying to brush it off but…
"I don't even know if I can trust you, sure you said stuff about her but it could be all lies." Ace grumbles glaring to the side, scowling.
"And what I get from lying to you?" Ann arches a brow baffled by his reasoning.
"Tch…! Well…" Agitated, Ace begins but…
"Guessing your little friend gave you that idea." Sighing, she points upwards.
"I don't have any friend!" Fiercely, he snaps sharply scowling alarmed almost at her words.
"I'm sure." Snippily, she places her had on her hip before reaching her hand out to the bush nearby.
"Ah!" The blonde gasps as he is held by the collar of his shirt.
"Sabo!" Alarmed, Ace calls out to him. He has round eyes, a missing tooth, and short curly blond hair. He wears a large black top hat with a pair of blue goggles wrapped around it, a blue jacket with the sleeves rolled up, a cravat and a pair of light blue cyan shorts held up by a belt with an elaborate flower-design buckle.
"Hi." Causally, Ann greets the blonde boy before her holding him up.
"…Hi." Shyly, Sabo squeaks slightly, a faint feverish tint to his cheeks.
"Nice hat." Ann nods her head towards his top hat of sorts.
"…Thanks. " Sabo squeaks slightly, a heavy hue of ruby red dusting his crimson cheeks.
"So you don't believe me?" Ann asks the boy before her.
"You could be lying." Agitated, Ace steps forward fuming, fingertips fidgeting tigheing aorund the pipe in his hand.
"I don't know Ace…." Shyly, Sabo looks away.
"Sabo you just said…!" Scowling, Ace glares at the blushing traitor.
"Yeah but you never told me how much she looks like you." Sabo argues as he turns to face Ace while being held up by the unapologetic Ann.
"How does she look like me? I have black hair she has pink." Pointedly, Ace places a hand to his hip.
"She is right here." Ann reminds both boys.
"Yeah but look at those freckles." Sabo points to her furrowed features.
"People have freckles." Frowning, Ace disputes defensively.
"The nose and the smile too." Sabo adds.
"…Tch." Ace growls glaring to the side scowling.
"So your name's Sabo. Nice to meet you thanks for looking after Ace I know he can be a pain in the ass" Ann turns back to the blushing blonde boy as she smiles softly at Sabo.
"Oi! Who are you calling a pain in the ass?!" Angrily, Ace roars raising his voice, slamming his foot down on the ground glaring glowering at Ann.
"You." Ann deadpans unapologetic.
"I'll kill you!" Angry, Ace roars raising his voice, raising his pipe too.
"I'm sure." Smoothly, she easily catches said stick of iron.
"Still thanks for looking out for him and being his friend." Ann not eve batting an eye to Ace talks to Sabo smiling still.
"No…problem." Stunned, Sabo says shocked at how casual she is acting as she was being attacked.
"Well I best leave you to your treasure hunting and all that oh but a piece of advice I wouldn't hide it there if I were you." Smiling, she points to said bundle of leaf's alarming both boys.
"How d-" Alarmed, Ace begins but…
"Why not?" Sabo's hues narrow at Ann.
"Those leaf's won't do you any favour, they'll easily blow in the night and expose them." Truthfully, Ann admits as she points towards the leaf.
"That's just for the day until we di-" Sabo begins but…
"Sabo don't tell her!" Ace bonks Sabo's head huffing.
"Relax this is nothing to what we've got." Ann admits.
"What you've got?" Ace perks up at her words.
"I don't recommend digging it if I were you, you'd leave a mark that's only going to be dug up later." Ann adds.
"Then where would you suggest?" Sabo asks Ann.
"Sabo…!" Ace glares at the traitor.
"In a hollow tree." Ann knocks on a tree next to her.
"How are we to do that?" Sabo queries.
"I could show you if you'd like." Ann offers a glint gleaming in her hues.
"As if we need your help…" Ace scoffs glaring to the side.
"You want your loot safe or not?" Ann furrows her brow at both boys.
"Tch…" Ace scowls glaring to the side.
"We do." Sabo steps forward eagerly beaming brightly at the thought.
"Then follow me." Mischievously, Ann smirks swiftly drawing out a small knife from her pocket, perking both boys interest, seeing the glint gleaming in her hues, the two sharing a look before both boys follow after her, eager to learn her tricks of the trades…
"Shanks! I wanna become a pirate!" Perkily, a familiar boy wearing an anchor shirt says smiling, begging the red haired man by the bar, his crew cheering conversing in the back, having the time of their lives while Lucky Roux slams his fist into another one of his crew mates the crew cheering the two brawling on.
"Still at it again Luffy." Amused, Ann saunters in, smirking bemused by the boy before her.
"Ann!" Luffy perks up at the sight of her happy to see her however he soon falters furrowing his brow by a certain red haired and white haired girl rushing over to Ann, grabbing the girl's arm annoyingly glaring at the lost Luffy, poking her tongue out at him.
"Oi!" Luffy scowls glaring at the smug Uta.
"Oi Uta? What's wrong with you?" Ann furrows her brow befuddled by the glaring girl.
"With me? That brat's too annoying!" Agitated, Uta huffs hands on her hips.
"He has a dream not wrong with trying." Amused, Ann argues as she softly sets the pouting Uta down.
"There's a limit!" Huffing, Uta puffs her cheeks cross.
"Sounds to me like someone's jealous…" Ann says in a sing song tone.
"N-No! A-As if!" Blushing, Uta glares lightly at the amused Ann.
"Stop saying that to me every day. Being a pirate isn't so nice." Shanks sighs at Luffy.
"But I heard pirates are really strong, fun, and free!" Luffy argues.
"Whoa-whoa, who encouraged him?" Shanks sighs turning to his crew.
"I think that answered that." Teasingly, Ann smirks slightly one leg over the other as Uta side eyes her, doing the same, watching her almost attempting to copy the woman's posture.
"Let me try out again today." Luffy insists.
"Again?" Ann arches a brow bemused.
"Why don't you give up already?" Makino sighs at Luffy.
"I'll pass it this time!" Luffy dictates determined.
"Someone's confident." Coyly, Ann points out.
"Cause I'll pass it this time!" Luffy repeats resolved.
"All right. Where's the coin?" Shanks asks as Ann takes out a coin from her pocket.
"Here." Haughty, she flips said coin over as Shanks catches it, taking the three cups on the table, placing the coin beneath one of them and begins moving the three cups.
"I'll let you aboard if you guess it right." Shanks smirks smugly after switching said cups around, leaning back in his seat.
"Then, this one!" Luffy leans forward pointing to the middle.
"This?" Shanks smirks.
"What?" Luffy gasps as said cup falls revealing no coin.
"He failed again." The crew chuckle around him.
"He has no chance…" Another crew member remarks.
"Boss is terrible." Another adds.
"The answer is..." Shanks smiles poking his tongue out revealing the coin.
"That's not fair!" Frowning, Luffy glares at Shanks.
"That's mean Shanks." Smirking, Ann remarks.
"That's being a pirate Ann." Amused, Shanks smiles back bemused as just then Luffy lunges forward taking the coin and cups doing his own version.
"Guess where it is. " Luffy challenges, his voice muffled as both the smirking Shanks and Ann share a look.
"Hmmm…" Smirking, Shanks leans in staring at the struggling boy.
"…" Silently sweat slides down Luffy's tense temple.
"In your mouth!" Merrily, Shanks smiles.
"No!" Luffy refuses, his mouth swiftly slammed shut.
"Then, open it." Uta joins i smirking smugly at Luffy who swiftly swallows.
"Luffy!" Alarmed, Ann calls out to the boy beaming brightly.
"See?" Smiling, he exclaims at the two as the crew chuckle all except one…
"Hey, you. Don't get so close to Shanks and Ann." Angry, the fed up Uta leaps off from her seat by Ann's side storming over to Luffy scowling at him.
"Eh?" Lost, Luffy blurts out.
"I said don't get so close to Shanks and Ann in that tacky outfit." Uta frowns at Luffy.
"It's not tacky!" Luffy argues.
"Our diva is quite the fashionista." Shanks smirks.
"I'm a diva.!" Uta proclaims proudly.
"You sure are." Amused, Ann remarks softly sipping her sherry.
"And I'm the musician of the Red-Hair Pirates and Shanks' and Ann's daughter." Uta proclaims proudly.
"When did I agree to this?" Tiredly, Ann asks brow furrowed fatigued.
"The moment we found her in a chest." Cheerily, Shanks smiles at Ann.
"…Riiight." Ann drained, draws out.
"Pirates and singing are inseparable." Shanks tells Luffy.
"Oh... All right, I'm gonna sing one for you." Uta decides.
"Okay, okay, okay..." The crew begin moving the tables and chairs as Ann takes Luffy's hand guiding him over to the side softly setting the boy down on her lap while watching from the bar counter.
"…There!" Two crew mates pick Uta up with each of her arm as Yassop throws a piece of cloth just as Uta is put on the table, seated on the piece of snow-white fabric as Uta soon enough begins to sing…
Where did it come from?
Where could this wind be taking us?
I look up to sky hoping for answers
But there is no reply
Where will it end up,
This song that I've been a vessel for?
I look within knowing I'll find the answer
Even on my own Let's row out to the open sea,
Far as we can go
To the unknown
I've got to keep on dreamin'
No surrenderin'
Go on
Hoist the sail inside my open heart
And let me heed the call of the sea
I've got to keep on singin'
Until you feel it
Just hold on
Oh, the winds will change, I promise you
My voice will see us through
To the end
"How was it?" Uta asks once she finished said song.
"You sing well. I can sing, too!" Luffy smiles stepping up.
"Can you now?" Amused, Ann arches a brow bemused by Luffy's words.
"Yeah! Listen! The sky in the east is up early the weather is so fine there are only fools there the island in the east is... " Luffy attempts to sing however…
"Ann!" Anguished, Uta cries lurching lunging forward towards Ann, her purple hues shimmering shining, the tears freely falling as she rushes over to Ann's side.
"Aw Uta it's okay it's okay." Ann smiles softly down at the crying child seeking solace burying her face into Ann's side clinging to her, the tears freely falling from the terrible singing of Luffy.
"What's wrong?" Luffy furrows his brow by the crying child that is Uta, sobbing in Ann's arms as she awkwardly attempts to cheer up the crying child.
"That's bad. You suck! You're off pitch! That'll make the Red-Hair Pirates IQ drop!" Uta cries, the tears freely falling from her.
"Yeah?" Luffy raises a brow befuddled by her reaction.
"Yes!" Angry, Uta glares at Luffy.
"That's not true!" Luffy disputes, frowning at Uta.
"Shanks! Ann!" Anguished, Uta cries, whining at the two, the tears freely falling.
"You two are the same age. Be friends." Firmly, Shanks says to the two.
"I'm nine. Don't group me together with a seven-year-old kid!" Mad, Uta snaps scowling.
"Luffy! Show Uta around Windmill Village." Ann turns to smile at Luffy as next Luffy knew he was wandering around Fuchsia with the red haired pirates musician.
"Shanks is so strong." Smiling, Luffy gushes as both boy and girl walk up the stone steps of the hill of sorts.
"Huh? You've never seen him fight. Besides Ann's way stronger!" Smiling, Uta argues.
"She is?" Luffy raises a brow by her words.
"Yeah I know them like you don't. He may not look it, but he has a childish side. Ann always has to be the one to keep him in check with Benn." Huffing, Uta places her hands on her hips. The warm glow of the sunset shining behind them as the windmills stand, towering over them.
"Hmm... That's a flaw then!" Luffy points out.
"That's the cute part of him!" Uta argues.
"Cute doesn't sound like a pirate." Luffy furrows his brow.
"You haven't seen what Ann can do then." Teasingly, Uta smirks smugly.
"Eh?" Luffy blurts out.
"Ann can get any man to do whatever she wants with her cuteness, she once had a whole ship of marines be so lovestruck by her that the guys pillaged them easily!" Animated, Uta gushes giddily recalling the marine ships the ship would brush by, many lovestruck men falling for Ann as she and the other red haired pirates would deal with them.
"She did?" Luffy says shocked.
"Yeah, she also uses her cuteness to trick the boys it's so cool She can do whatever she wants! Ann's so cool!" Uta gushes giddily recalling Ann often dealing with fools during playing poker not that Uta was allowed to watch though that didn't stop her form watching now and again that wasn't even going into that marine on his bike that would often track them down, coming up with some flimsy excuse to see her, with flowers or sometimes offering to pay for a drink together.
"You really look up to her." Luffy points out.
"I want to be like her someday!" Smiling, Uta gushes giddily.
"That why you copy her?" Luffy asks.
"O-Of course not dumbass!" Blushing, Uta glares to the side.
"Well I wanna be like Shanks! I wanna get on board his ship." Smiling, Luffy tells Uta before continuing on ahead.
"What? We still have to walk?!" Uta whines but it falls to deaf ears as she sighs following him into a windmill.
"The Red-Hair Pirates are the best. Not only Shanks and Ann...but I love all of their crew! Sometimes they're too silly though." Uta continues on as she follows Luffy inside the windmill seeing the mechanical clogs within.
"I saw them drink too much and sleep naked!" Luffy giggles.
"They do that often! Often times Ann's the one to put blankets on them while she and I wander around town, those girl days are the best, I get any dress I want! Heheh!" Uta beams brightly at the merry memory.
You're not that boring after all." Luffy smiles at Uta.
"You, too." Uta smiles shyly back, no words needing to be shed as they enjoy the sunset…
"Give it a rest already!" Agitated, Ace roars raising his voice huffing as he reels his arm back from the attentive Ann brow furrowing as she tries to bandage his arm.
"Never." Ann snatches said arm back, returning her focus to tending to the boy below.
"Why not?" Huffing, he glares to the side scowling.
"Because being your big sibling is a 24 hour job." Ann asserts.
"Funny considering you're never here that long." Annoyed, Ace growls glaring to the side.
"For a valid reason. You know, you really shouldn't pick fights with people you don't even know." Ann sighs softly changing topic not wishing to focus on it. If she stayed the marines would come, he would be discovered and she couldn't risk that, she wouldn't…
"Why not?" Angry, Ace roars raising his voice to the bored Ann.
"Because one day you're going to pick a fight with the wrong person and get yourself seriously hurt if not killed." Ann sighs softly, brow furrowing from the eerie sense of familiarity from the situation she found herself in, feeling a sick sense of deva vu.
"Never gonna happen." Haughty, Ace asserts arrogantly as Ann couldn't help but sigh.
You sound just like me when I was a kid." Ann smirks slightly.
"Eh how so?" Ace arches a brow by her words.
"I used to get into fights with adults now and again when they talked about stuff I didn't agree with…" Ann admits bro furrowing from her mother's stern stare sending shivers down her spine as she would be dragged back home.
"…You mean him right?" Ace glares to the side.
"Well I mean sure but also the weather you know?" Anxiously, Ann glances to the side sheepishly.
"…The weather…? That's the best you got?" Agitated, Ace arches a brow bored.
"Today you may not understand, but one day you will know….now where's Sabo?" Sighing, she places her hand tousling his black roots beofre taking note of the lack of a blonde.
"Why do you care?" Curtly, he huffs curling in on himself.
"Because Sabo seems to be the straight man to the chaotic entity that you are." Ann deadpans.
"What's that meant to mean?!" Mad, Ace glares at the bored Ann.
"Allow me to dumb it down for you, he's the one keeping you alive." Ann sighs at Ace.
"Or you wanna fight?" Fuming, Ace growls.
"You wanna try?" Tiredly, Ann arches a brow.
"Tch…" Ace falters from her words glaring to the side silence speaking volumes…
"That's what I thought now come on let's go fishing bet I could get more than you." Ann arises from the ground.
"That a challenge?" Cross, his hues narrow.
"Sabo if you want to join feel free." Smirking, she calls out to the boy.
"How did you spot me?" Mystifed, Sabo says shocked poking his head out of a nearby tree.
"Training." Teasingly, she smirks.
"Teach us that!" Sabo insists.
"I could but…I won't." Wryly, she winks at the two teasingly.
"Why not?" Annoyed, Ace scowls up at Ann.
"Cause it's fun to mess with you." Ann admits smirking smugly at them.
"Stingy Ann!" Ace curses.
"Maybe if you beat me I'll teach you." Amused, Ann offers.
"That a challenge?" Ace growls glaring up at Ann.
"And if it is?" Ann smirks at the two.
"Then bring it!" Together the two chorus rushing at her, pipes in hand as she smirks smugly at the two eager for the one sided fight ahead…
"Heaving huffing, both Luffy and Uta lie flat on the ground below brow furrowed fatigued attempting to recover from their near death experience with their sea beast and race barely managing to escape…
"That was close…" Luffy exhales exhausted.
"What was that?" Tiredly, Uta demands drained.
"That's our local sea monster." Luffy tells Uta.
"You should've told me there's such a thing! Gee…Shanks and Ann would've kicked its butt like wham…" Mad, Uta huffs standing up slightly from the stray strands of grass below.
"Hm?" Humming, Luffy arches a brow by her words.
"You screamed and ran away! How pathetic! You ran when we bumped into mountain bandits the other day too!" Teasingly, Uta snickers smirking smugly at Luffy.
"I landed them one at that time! And you ran away too!" Luffy reminds Uta.
"Because I'm the musician of the red hair pirates. My job is too sing." Smiling, Uta proclaims proudly.
"If I can go abroad Shanks' ship and become a pirate, I won't get beaten by that thing!" Luffy dictates determined.
"Hmm…" Humming, Uta eyes Luffy.
"What?" Luffy spots said stare.
"You're always talking about becoming a pirate, but what do you wanna do when you become one? I have a dream! I will travel around the world with Shanks and Ann make so many songs and make the world happy with great performances and my singing! I'll build a new genesis!" Uta declares determined.
"Wow…Okay I'll build a new genesis too!" Luffy joins in.
"Don't say it like it's easy so what's your new genesis like?" Uta asks Luffy.
"I wanna explore all over the world! I wanna go to a variety of places, meet a variety of people and eat a wide variety of food! Just like Shanks!" Smiling, Luffy gushes giddily.
"That won't change the world!" Uta argues.
"Yeah? Heheh, I'll think of what to do soon." Smiling, Luffy dismisses.
"That's so you!" Uta giggles.
"Yeah I'm flabbergasted." Luffy smiles.
"I didn't mean it as a compliment!" Uta frowns as soon the two burst into laughter.
"Let's build a new genesis!" Luffy offers his hand in a fist palm to Uta.
"Yeah!" Uta agrees, slamming her fist into his, the two vowing it.
"Well kids that was fun while it lasted…" Amused, Ann smiles staring down at the children below, not even harmed as she stands over them, no bruises, no nothing on her as she stands over the heaving huffing children below.
"…You're going away again?" Ace grumbles glaring lightly at Ann as she looks over at the tired two.
"I have to as fun as it was staying here it's too risky me being here." Sighing, she crouches down placing her hand on his hair.
"Why though?" Annoyed, Ace waves her hand off.
"If I told you, you'd be killed too." Ann admits pained.
"E-Eh?! Really!?" Stunned, Sabo gasps.
"Yep so Ace when you see gramps don't tell him you see me okay?" Strictly, she tells him.
"…" Silently, Ace glares to the side.
"Ace?" Sabo scratches the back of his head.
"…Whatever." Ace turns to leave.
"Oi Ace!" Sabo calls out but…
"It's fine I'll talk to him." Ann assures smiling softly at Sabo before heading off.
"…Ace…" Ann finds the boy alone as he sits sadly down on his lonesome.
"You still here?" Ace sneers scowling, a brisk breeze brushing through his hair.
"…Afraid so." Sadly, Ann sits down by his side.
"…Why do you have to go?" Ace grumbles glaring down at the pipe in his hands.
"I told you why…" Softly, she sighs at him.
"No you didn't, you avoided it…it's because of him isn't it?" His hues narrow at Ann.
"Huh?" Ann blurts out.
"That man…" Ace growls glaring at the red force in the dock.
"I won't lie to you, a part of it is due to him." Honestly, Ann admits, she couldn't hide her father's factor. She will always be a target due to this blood tie.
"I knew it, it's all his-" Angrily, Ace seethes snarls, grip tightening on his pipe but…
"But it's also due to my own actions." Ann places her hand on his shoulder surprising him.
"…Huh?" Ace perks up at her words.
"Actions have consequences Ace, the path I'm done is one I've chosen for myself and I am prepared to face the consequences to come from that." Truthfully, Ann admits to her brother, yes her father would always play a factor in her being pursued by the marines but it was also her actions that had led to it as well.
"Then why can't I come with you!?" Annoyed, Ace demands.
"…Ace…" Ann sighs softly at him, if she took him, Garp would come after her, he could turn a blind eye only for so long…
"I'm strong I could deal with it!" Incensed, Ace argues.
"And what about your dream? You said you wanted to form your own pirate crew right? Have your own adventures? Have your own stories? Have your own strength? How ca you do that by following me? You willing to leave Sabo behind for that quick way?" Ann asks Ace his hues widening when hearing her words.
"…No. I just…" Ace bows his head pained but…
"I know Ace. I know…I promise you I won't leave you hanging like I did last time I'll be back soon I promise. I won't leave you hanging like last time." Ann assures Ace.
"…You promise?" Ace furrows his brow at her.
"You have my word." Ann vows hugging him, no words needing to be said for this silent promise between both brother and sister.
"Damn! Take me with you!" Luffy whines while Ann arrives on scene seeing Luffy being picked up by Shanks handing him over to Makino.
"I can't believe you snuck in…" Shanks sighs at Luffy.
"You got to give it to him he's persistent." Ann gives Luffy that.
"Uta-chan I heard you found him thank you." Makino smiles softly at Uta.
"You're welcome!" Uta beams brightly.
"I thought you were gonna support my dream!" Luffy glares at the traitor.
"When Shanks says no it's no." Uta smirks smugly.
"You…" Luffy growls glaring at the traitor.
"What do you take the most pride in?" Uta asks hands on her hips.
"My strength!" Smiling, Luffy answers.
"Then become stronger if you become much stronger than now I'll ask him with you." Uta promises.
"What?" Luffy says shocked.
"Did you think I'd say that? Nyah, nyah, bleah! Let's go Shanks!" Smiling, Uta giggles poking her tongue out at him.
"Take care of Luffy won't you Maki?" Ann smiles at Makino.
"Of course." Makino promises Ann.
"You have the address I gave…?" Ann turns to Makino.
"I'll be sure to give it Ace." Makino assures Ann.
"Thanks." Thankful, Ann smiles at Makino.
"Ace…?" Luffy furrows his brow by the name but before he could ask…
"Guys set sail!" Shank's voice calls out.
"Ann come on!" Uta calls out from the ship.
"I'm coming, I'm coming take care Luffy." Ann smiles softly ruffling the boy's hair before heading in board as the ship soon starts setting off…
"Shanks I'll defiantly get on board next time!" Luffy calls out to him.
"Yeah try it if you can!" Cockily, Uta adds.
"Uta! Nyah nyah bleah!" Luffy calls out poking his tongue at her which she happily returns.
"When I return I'll test you to see if you became any stronger Luffy!" Smiling, Uta calls out as Luffy beams brightly as the red force takes off, leaving Fuchsia village…
*Sooo...what did you think of this chapter? Shanks trying to wingman for Ann is hilarious also what did you think of Kuzan and Ann?! Heck her and Ace and Sabo?!*
