Set 7 - Shanks 20
And we are at one-shot number 20!!! Just ten more to go!
Title: Romance Dawn (Sequel to "Don't Want To Be Alone")
Theme: #3 dawn
Claim: Shanks
(Words:) 1580
Rating: K+
Warnings: None
Disclaimer(s): I don't own One Piece, sadly.
“For the last time, I'm not joining your crew. I'm not interested in becoming a pirate.”
“Aww, come on, we would make a great team, Benn.”
Benn sighed and strode forward, ignoring the red-haired teen beside him. It seemed as if no word would penetrate that thick skull. “I give up.”
“So you’ll join my crew?”
“No!”
Shanks pouted. He followed his dark-haired companion into the town that they had docked at. The pair had noticed the island when they finally managed to catch up to Shanks’ runaway boat and Benn had announced the need to restock supplies. On the pretense of wanting to do the same (he actually still had a good amount of provisions on his boat), Shanks decreed that he would do the same. He wasn't about to let his new reluctant nakama out of his sight. Not until he had convinced him properly.
Benn stopped at a fruit stall and considered purchasing some apples. They looked really good, bright red and fresh.
The stall owner, a kindly elderly lady, smiled toothily at him. “It’s fifty beris for ten apples, dear.”
“I’ll take-”
Suddenly, he felt Shanks tense at his side. He looked at the younger man in surprise, wondering what had caused such alarm. The blood had completely drained from his companion’s face, the pale skin and red hair forming a shocking contrast. Glancing down the street, he didn’t see anything that could elicit such a reaction. Except for a grey-haired man dressed in a floral-print shirt and shorts who was glaring at the boy.
“YOU!!!”
Shanks cringed and cursed under his breath.
“You’re that red-haired brat of Roger’s, aren't you!?” Garp raged. “This means that Roger is in this area! Tell me where he is, boy!”
“Captain isn't here!”
“So Roger isn't here…” Garp mused and for a moment Shanks almost thought that he was off the hook. “As if I would believe that!” Garp’s gaze shifted to Benn. “And you! You are in cohorts with him, aren't you!? A new member of Roger’s crew?”
Benn opened his mouth to deny it but Garp didn't give him the chance. “Stay right where you are, brats, and come quietly!”
“No can do!” Shanks replied, already running away. Taking a brief glance at the infuriated older man who was now rushing in their direction at full speed, Benn took off after Shanks.
“Who the hell is that?” he asked, catching up with the red head.
“Vice Admiral Garp of the Marines.”
“…A Vice Admiral!? Why is he after you? Aren’t you just a rookie pirate? I thought you don’t even have a crew.”
Shanks sighed. “Long story short, I used to be an apprentice on a rather notorious pirate crew. Garp is particularly obsessed with catching my captain.”
“Where is Roger, you brat!?” came the yell from behind them.
“I don’t know!” Shanks yelled back.
“Don’t lie!” the Marine roared.
“But it’s the truth!”
“I told you not to lie to me! Tell me where Roger is!”
Benn’s eyebrows shot up. “Roger? As in Gold Roger, the Pirate King?”
“It’s Gol D. Roger, actually. But yeah, he is - was my captain.”
Benn noted the deliberate change to past tense but didn't ask further, sensing that it was a sensitive topic with the youth.
A child stumbled across his path, chasing after a ball. Benn’s eyes widened and he threw himself to the side to avoid crashing into the little boy. The sudden change in direction messed with his balance and he almost ended up on the ground. Luckily he managed to right himself in time but the distraction gave the Vice Admiral sufficient time to catch up to him.
“I’ve got you now!” Garp cried out triumphantly, catching hold of Benn’s arm in a vice-like grip. The boy’s mother quickly snatched the crying child up and carried him indoors to safety.
Shanks, not noticing Benn’s almost-fall, had gotten quite a distance ahead but he skidded to a stop at the sound of Garp’s words. He turned and gasped, seeing what had befallen his companion.
“Wait, it’s me you want, Garp! He’s not a member of the Roger Pirates! Let him go!”
“Why should I do that?”
“He’s has nothing to do with this! I seriously just met him this morning! He has no connection to the captain! You won’t arrest an innocent man, would you?”
“Innocent, huh? I have no reason to believe your words, brat. How about this, you bring me to where Roger is, and I’ll let this person go.”
“But I really don’t know where the captain is!” he wailed, frustrated by the old man’s stubbornness.
“Too bad, the two of you will just have to come with me, then!”
With Benn in his grasp and Shanks unwilling to abandon him, they didn't stand a chance against Garp the Fist.
Soon, the pair was tied up and thrown into a room in what was probably Garp’s house, sporting throbbing bruises and bumps on their heads. The Marine pinned them with a stern stare and then left the room, presumably to make a call to Headquarters. The door was shut behind him and they heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.
Benn sighed and leaned against the wall, conscious of the uncomfortably tight ropes chafing against his skin. If someone had told him yesterday that he would caught by a Marine Admiral, he would have laughed in that person’s face. But then he found a red-haired boy in the middle of the sea and his life got turned upside down.
However, there was a question that nagged at him. “Why did you come back? You could have easily gotten away back then.”
“You’re nakama.” The reply was so simple and spoken with such conviction that Benn was taken aback. He momentarily forgot to protest that he still hadn’t agreed to join the red head’s crew.
“But now you've been caught and will be handed over to the Marines. You could be hanged!”
Shanks’ expression turned mischievous. “Not if we are no longer here when Garp comes back.
Benn stared on in surprise as Shanks deftly freed himself from his bonds.
Shanks grinned in triumph. “Ha, that’s what happens when you underestimate me, Garp! I may have just been an apprentice, but I learnt many things from the captain and Master Rayleigh!” He started untying Benn’s ropes. “There! Now let’s go!”
Shanks picked the lock and quietly pushed open the door. Seeing that the coast was clear, he beckoned to Benn to follow him.
They dashed out of the house, almost running over a young girl with dark green hair who looked a few years younger than Shanks. She squeaked in surprise, dropping the ball she was playing with. “Ah-”
Shanks’ arms flailed, caught off guard by the unexpected obstacle to their escape. “We’re not going to hurt you. Please don’t call Garp!”
Surprised, she tilted her head to one side and regarded him seriously. “Are you pirates?”
Shanks motioned for Benn to head towards the dock first, and the older man complied. The teen turned back to the girl. “Yeah.”
The girl’s brow wrinkled. “But Garp-san says that pirates are bad.”
“We’re not bad, I promise! We haven’t done anything bad to you, right?”
The girl looked thoughtful. “Hmm, I… Ah, Garp-san!”
Shanks gulped and turned around to see a fuming Garp standing a short distance away.
“Stay away from Makino, you red-haired brat!”
“Gah!” Shanks sprinted away. “I wasn't doing anything!”
“Be quiet, you!”
They neared the port. Shanks let out a breath in relief when he spotted the two boats bobbing on the water and Benn having already untied the moors for one of the boats.
However, he hadn't taken into consideration that the seaside would provide Garp with readily available ammunition. Things took a turn for the worst.
A large rock flew towards him, thrown by the insanely strong Vice Admiral. Gritting his teeth, Shanks held his sword in both hands and cut the rock in half. But what he hadn't counted on was a second rock closely following the first. His eyes widened. He couldn’t possibly raise his sword in time…
A gunshot sounded and the rock shattered. Shanks gaped as small pieces of rock bounced harmlessly off him.
“What are you waiting for, get on!” Benn’s yell snapped him out of his shock. He quickly turned to jump onto the boat that held his companion. Benn immediately opened the sails and they were off, leaving the enraged Vice Admiral behind on the shore. Soon, the island couldn’t be seen anymore.
With the danger thus passed, Shanks looked at the pistol in Benn’s hand in awe.
“Wow, you’re really strong! That was an amazing shot!”
“You’re not bad yourself. You have some pretty good skills with that sword.”
“I was taught by the best. Still have a long way to go, though.” The red head looked at him seriously. “Hey, Benn, be my nakama,” Shanks said for what seemed like the hundredth time.
This time, Benn didn’t reject immediately. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then smirked. “Why not?”
An enormous grin blossomed on Shanks’ face.
“Welcome to the crew, Benn! Now let’s go find more nakama!”
Benn shook his head in exasperation. He had a feeling that he wouldn't be getting any peace with this boy as captain. But then he grinned. “Aye, aye, captain.”
He won’t be getting bored any time soon, either.
Title: Romance Dawn (Sequel to "Don't Want To Be Alone")
Theme: #3 dawn
Claim: Shanks
(Words:) 1580
Rating: K+
Warnings: None
Disclaimer(s): I don't own One Piece, sadly.
“For the last time, I'm not joining your crew. I'm not interested in becoming a pirate.”
“Aww, come on, we would make a great team, Benn.”
Benn sighed and strode forward, ignoring the red-haired teen beside him. It seemed as if no word would penetrate that thick skull. “I give up.”
“So you’ll join my crew?”
“No!”
Shanks pouted. He followed his dark-haired companion into the town that they had docked at. The pair had noticed the island when they finally managed to catch up to Shanks’ runaway boat and Benn had announced the need to restock supplies. On the pretense of wanting to do the same (he actually still had a good amount of provisions on his boat), Shanks decreed that he would do the same. He wasn't about to let his new reluctant nakama out of his sight. Not until he had convinced him properly.
Benn stopped at a fruit stall and considered purchasing some apples. They looked really good, bright red and fresh.
The stall owner, a kindly elderly lady, smiled toothily at him. “It’s fifty beris for ten apples, dear.”
“I’ll take-”
Suddenly, he felt Shanks tense at his side. He looked at the younger man in surprise, wondering what had caused such alarm. The blood had completely drained from his companion’s face, the pale skin and red hair forming a shocking contrast. Glancing down the street, he didn’t see anything that could elicit such a reaction. Except for a grey-haired man dressed in a floral-print shirt and shorts who was glaring at the boy.
“YOU!!!”
Shanks cringed and cursed under his breath.
“You’re that red-haired brat of Roger’s, aren't you!?” Garp raged. “This means that Roger is in this area! Tell me where he is, boy!”
“Captain isn't here!”
“So Roger isn't here…” Garp mused and for a moment Shanks almost thought that he was off the hook. “As if I would believe that!” Garp’s gaze shifted to Benn. “And you! You are in cohorts with him, aren't you!? A new member of Roger’s crew?”
Benn opened his mouth to deny it but Garp didn't give him the chance. “Stay right where you are, brats, and come quietly!”
“No can do!” Shanks replied, already running away. Taking a brief glance at the infuriated older man who was now rushing in their direction at full speed, Benn took off after Shanks.
“Who the hell is that?” he asked, catching up with the red head.
“Vice Admiral Garp of the Marines.”
“…A Vice Admiral!? Why is he after you? Aren’t you just a rookie pirate? I thought you don’t even have a crew.”
Shanks sighed. “Long story short, I used to be an apprentice on a rather notorious pirate crew. Garp is particularly obsessed with catching my captain.”
“Where is Roger, you brat!?” came the yell from behind them.
“I don’t know!” Shanks yelled back.
“Don’t lie!” the Marine roared.
“But it’s the truth!”
“I told you not to lie to me! Tell me where Roger is!”
Benn’s eyebrows shot up. “Roger? As in Gold Roger, the Pirate King?”
“It’s Gol D. Roger, actually. But yeah, he is - was my captain.”
Benn noted the deliberate change to past tense but didn't ask further, sensing that it was a sensitive topic with the youth.
A child stumbled across his path, chasing after a ball. Benn’s eyes widened and he threw himself to the side to avoid crashing into the little boy. The sudden change in direction messed with his balance and he almost ended up on the ground. Luckily he managed to right himself in time but the distraction gave the Vice Admiral sufficient time to catch up to him.
“I’ve got you now!” Garp cried out triumphantly, catching hold of Benn’s arm in a vice-like grip. The boy’s mother quickly snatched the crying child up and carried him indoors to safety.
Shanks, not noticing Benn’s almost-fall, had gotten quite a distance ahead but he skidded to a stop at the sound of Garp’s words. He turned and gasped, seeing what had befallen his companion.
“Wait, it’s me you want, Garp! He’s not a member of the Roger Pirates! Let him go!”
“Why should I do that?”
“He’s has nothing to do with this! I seriously just met him this morning! He has no connection to the captain! You won’t arrest an innocent man, would you?”
“Innocent, huh? I have no reason to believe your words, brat. How about this, you bring me to where Roger is, and I’ll let this person go.”
“But I really don’t know where the captain is!” he wailed, frustrated by the old man’s stubbornness.
“Too bad, the two of you will just have to come with me, then!”
With Benn in his grasp and Shanks unwilling to abandon him, they didn't stand a chance against Garp the Fist.
Soon, the pair was tied up and thrown into a room in what was probably Garp’s house, sporting throbbing bruises and bumps on their heads. The Marine pinned them with a stern stare and then left the room, presumably to make a call to Headquarters. The door was shut behind him and they heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.
Benn sighed and leaned against the wall, conscious of the uncomfortably tight ropes chafing against his skin. If someone had told him yesterday that he would caught by a Marine Admiral, he would have laughed in that person’s face. But then he found a red-haired boy in the middle of the sea and his life got turned upside down.
However, there was a question that nagged at him. “Why did you come back? You could have easily gotten away back then.”
“You’re nakama.” The reply was so simple and spoken with such conviction that Benn was taken aback. He momentarily forgot to protest that he still hadn’t agreed to join the red head’s crew.
“But now you've been caught and will be handed over to the Marines. You could be hanged!”
Shanks’ expression turned mischievous. “Not if we are no longer here when Garp comes back.
Benn stared on in surprise as Shanks deftly freed himself from his bonds.
Shanks grinned in triumph. “Ha, that’s what happens when you underestimate me, Garp! I may have just been an apprentice, but I learnt many things from the captain and Master Rayleigh!” He started untying Benn’s ropes. “There! Now let’s go!”
Shanks picked the lock and quietly pushed open the door. Seeing that the coast was clear, he beckoned to Benn to follow him.
They dashed out of the house, almost running over a young girl with dark green hair who looked a few years younger than Shanks. She squeaked in surprise, dropping the ball she was playing with. “Ah-”
Shanks’ arms flailed, caught off guard by the unexpected obstacle to their escape. “We’re not going to hurt you. Please don’t call Garp!”
Surprised, she tilted her head to one side and regarded him seriously. “Are you pirates?”
Shanks motioned for Benn to head towards the dock first, and the older man complied. The teen turned back to the girl. “Yeah.”
The girl’s brow wrinkled. “But Garp-san says that pirates are bad.”
“We’re not bad, I promise! We haven’t done anything bad to you, right?”
The girl looked thoughtful. “Hmm, I… Ah, Garp-san!”
Shanks gulped and turned around to see a fuming Garp standing a short distance away.
“Stay away from Makino, you red-haired brat!”
“Gah!” Shanks sprinted away. “I wasn't doing anything!”
“Be quiet, you!”
They neared the port. Shanks let out a breath in relief when he spotted the two boats bobbing on the water and Benn having already untied the moors for one of the boats.
However, he hadn't taken into consideration that the seaside would provide Garp with readily available ammunition. Things took a turn for the worst.
A large rock flew towards him, thrown by the insanely strong Vice Admiral. Gritting his teeth, Shanks held his sword in both hands and cut the rock in half. But what he hadn't counted on was a second rock closely following the first. His eyes widened. He couldn’t possibly raise his sword in time…
A gunshot sounded and the rock shattered. Shanks gaped as small pieces of rock bounced harmlessly off him.
“What are you waiting for, get on!” Benn’s yell snapped him out of his shock. He quickly turned to jump onto the boat that held his companion. Benn immediately opened the sails and they were off, leaving the enraged Vice Admiral behind on the shore. Soon, the island couldn’t be seen anymore.
With the danger thus passed, Shanks looked at the pistol in Benn’s hand in awe.
“Wow, you’re really strong! That was an amazing shot!”
“You’re not bad yourself. You have some pretty good skills with that sword.”
“I was taught by the best. Still have a long way to go, though.” The red head looked at him seriously. “Hey, Benn, be my nakama,” Shanks said for what seemed like the hundredth time.
This time, Benn didn’t reject immediately. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then smirked. “Why not?”
An enormous grin blossomed on Shanks’ face.
“Welcome to the crew, Benn! Now let’s go find more nakama!”
Benn shook his head in exasperation. He had a feeling that he wouldn't be getting any peace with this boy as captain. But then he grinned. “Aye, aye, captain.”
He won’t be getting bored any time soon, either.