Set 7 - Shanks 10
Title: His Dream
Theme: #13 wedding
Claim: Shanks
(Words:) 758
Rating: K+
Warnings: None
Disclaimer(s): I do not own One Piece.
“Hey, Shanks.”
Shanks tilted the straw hat back to see more clearly from where he was sprawled lazily on the deck and caught the envelope that Benn had tossed at him.
“Hmm?” He held it up curiously. “What’s this?”
Benn shrugged. “It arrived with the newspaper through the post.”
Turning it over, he realized that a name was scrawled over the front of the envelope. The letter was addressed to ‘Red Haired Shanks’. Shanks grinned in remembrance of his recently acquired bounty and epithet. It explained somewhat how the letter had found him (not completely, of course, he wouldn’t presume to understand how the postal service worked) but there was still the question of what the letter was for.
Extremely curious now, Shanks ripped open the envelope to reveal the prettily decorated card within. His eyes scanned over the cover and contents before he erupted with a laugh.
“Dahahahaha!” He sat up and waved the card at his crew excitedly. “Change course for East Blue, men! An old friend’s getting married and we’re invited!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The wedding was a beautiful affair. Shanks was glad that they had arrived in time for the event. Between the time that it had taken for the invitation to reach the ship and the bad weather that they had encountered on the way, they had almost been late. Yet seeing the happy couple was well worth the trouble.
As the ceremony ended and the crowd surged forward to congratulate the newly-weds the Red Hair Pirates hung back. Benn glanced at Shanks with a serious expression. “You realize what this probably means, don’t you?”
Shanks sighed. “It’s regretful, but he has the right to make his own choices. We’re in no place to say otherwise.”
Benn smiled approvingly and watched as Shanks squeezed through the press of people towards the couple.
“Yasopp!” Shanks grinned widely and clasped the blond man’s hand with a firm grasp. He began to pump it up and down enthusiastically. “Congratulations!”
Yasopp’s eyes widened. “Shanks! You came!”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss this for the world! You invited me, after all. Introduce me to your wife, will you?”
Yasopp grinned widely and drew his bride to his side. She was a pretty dark-haired woman with a sweet smile. However, under that gentle demeanor, Shanks could see the strength of spirit that shone in her eyes. Yasopp had chosen well.
“This is my wife, Banchina.”
Shanks bowed politely in greeting. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I’m Shanks.”
Banchina’s eyes widened in recognition. Shanks wondered briefly if it bothered her that he was a pirate. Yet he saw that the emotions that passed through her face were not fear and disgust. Unexpected, determination lit up her dark eyes as she met Shanks’ gaze unflinchingly. The pirate was intrigued.
“Five years,” the lady said suddenly.
Shanks blinked in confusion, uncomprehending.
“Come back in five years and he’ll go with you.”
“Banchina!” Yasopp protested, rather panicked.
Banchina was firm. “It has been his dream since young to sail the seas. I don’t want to be the one who ties him to land. You offered him a place in your crew a few years ago, didn’t you? Does the offer still stand?”
“If he wishes it.”
“Give us five years together. After that, please take him with you.”
Shanks understood and respected her for her intentions. “Then I give you my word that I will return in five years, ma’am.”
Banchina smiled and took Shanks’ hands in both of hers. “Thank you. Please call me Banchina. You’re my husband’s friend and therefore mine as well. Feel free to join in the festivities with your crew. Today, you are our guests.”
Shanks squeezed her hands lightly and let go. “Thank you, Banchina.”
As he watched the couple move away to mingle with the guests, he grinned and started back towards his crew. “That’s an amazing woman you got there, Yasopp. You’re lucky to have her.” He tipped his straw hat lower over his eyes. “I’ll see you in five years, then.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Four year-old Usopp burst into the house, shouting in excitement. “Papa, Mama! Pirate ship! There’s a pirate ship!”
Yasopp and Banchina looked at each other wordlessly. Yasopp opened his mouth to speak but Banchina silenced him with a finger against his lips. He took her hand in his and kissed it tenderly. Tears shimmered in his eyes, mirrored in hers. Her free hand reached up to caress the side of his face.
“Go. Chase your dreams.”
The day after their fifth wedding anniversary, Yasopp set sail.
Theme: #13 wedding
Claim: Shanks
(Words:) 758
Rating: K+
Warnings: None
Disclaimer(s): I do not own One Piece.
“Hey, Shanks.”
Shanks tilted the straw hat back to see more clearly from where he was sprawled lazily on the deck and caught the envelope that Benn had tossed at him.
“Hmm?” He held it up curiously. “What’s this?”
Benn shrugged. “It arrived with the newspaper through the post.”
Turning it over, he realized that a name was scrawled over the front of the envelope. The letter was addressed to ‘Red Haired Shanks’. Shanks grinned in remembrance of his recently acquired bounty and epithet. It explained somewhat how the letter had found him (not completely, of course, he wouldn’t presume to understand how the postal service worked) but there was still the question of what the letter was for.
Extremely curious now, Shanks ripped open the envelope to reveal the prettily decorated card within. His eyes scanned over the cover and contents before he erupted with a laugh.
“Dahahahaha!” He sat up and waved the card at his crew excitedly. “Change course for East Blue, men! An old friend’s getting married and we’re invited!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The wedding was a beautiful affair. Shanks was glad that they had arrived in time for the event. Between the time that it had taken for the invitation to reach the ship and the bad weather that they had encountered on the way, they had almost been late. Yet seeing the happy couple was well worth the trouble.
As the ceremony ended and the crowd surged forward to congratulate the newly-weds the Red Hair Pirates hung back. Benn glanced at Shanks with a serious expression. “You realize what this probably means, don’t you?”
Shanks sighed. “It’s regretful, but he has the right to make his own choices. We’re in no place to say otherwise.”
Benn smiled approvingly and watched as Shanks squeezed through the press of people towards the couple.
“Yasopp!” Shanks grinned widely and clasped the blond man’s hand with a firm grasp. He began to pump it up and down enthusiastically. “Congratulations!”
Yasopp’s eyes widened. “Shanks! You came!”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss this for the world! You invited me, after all. Introduce me to your wife, will you?”
Yasopp grinned widely and drew his bride to his side. She was a pretty dark-haired woman with a sweet smile. However, under that gentle demeanor, Shanks could see the strength of spirit that shone in her eyes. Yasopp had chosen well.
“This is my wife, Banchina.”
Shanks bowed politely in greeting. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I’m Shanks.”
Banchina’s eyes widened in recognition. Shanks wondered briefly if it bothered her that he was a pirate. Yet he saw that the emotions that passed through her face were not fear and disgust. Unexpected, determination lit up her dark eyes as she met Shanks’ gaze unflinchingly. The pirate was intrigued.
“Five years,” the lady said suddenly.
Shanks blinked in confusion, uncomprehending.
“Come back in five years and he’ll go with you.”
“Banchina!” Yasopp protested, rather panicked.
Banchina was firm. “It has been his dream since young to sail the seas. I don’t want to be the one who ties him to land. You offered him a place in your crew a few years ago, didn’t you? Does the offer still stand?”
“If he wishes it.”
“Give us five years together. After that, please take him with you.”
Shanks understood and respected her for her intentions. “Then I give you my word that I will return in five years, ma’am.”
Banchina smiled and took Shanks’ hands in both of hers. “Thank you. Please call me Banchina. You’re my husband’s friend and therefore mine as well. Feel free to join in the festivities with your crew. Today, you are our guests.”
Shanks squeezed her hands lightly and let go. “Thank you, Banchina.”
As he watched the couple move away to mingle with the guests, he grinned and started back towards his crew. “That’s an amazing woman you got there, Yasopp. You’re lucky to have her.” He tipped his straw hat lower over his eyes. “I’ll see you in five years, then.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Four year-old Usopp burst into the house, shouting in excitement. “Papa, Mama! Pirate ship! There’s a pirate ship!”
Yasopp and Banchina looked at each other wordlessly. Yasopp opened his mouth to speak but Banchina silenced him with a finger against his lips. He took her hand in his and kissed it tenderly. Tears shimmered in his eyes, mirrored in hers. Her free hand reached up to caress the side of his face.
“Go. Chase your dreams.”
The day after their fifth wedding anniversary, Yasopp set sail.