Legend of D

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Betaed by: .1412 and Bileth they're the best!

Chapter 2: Shanks Part: 2

It's been two weeks since Shanks has been gone and Luffy was definitely lonely. He rarely visited Party Bar and opted to spend the time training to become stronger. He wants to become stronger so he can protect the people he cares about. All so he can make Shanks proud and maybe even join his crew.

Luffy sighed knowing Shanks won't let him join, at least not now. While everyone else talks about how fun and exciting it is being a pirate, Shanks always reminds him that it's too dangerous for him. 'Shanks became a pirate at 17...I will too.' Luffy grinned 'He'll be coming back soon. Maybe I should go wait for him at the docks. The merchants should be here today so no one would question it.' Luffy nodded deciding that that was what he was going to do and went down towards the town.

/

"Shanks, you're back." Makino greeted as Shanks jumped off his ship and onto the dock. "Yep. How've you been?"

"I've been doing well. Luffy has really missed you. I haven't seen him in much these last few weeks. He has his heart set on getting stronger like you," she giggled happily.

"Oh really." Shanks grinned, excited to see the little boy again.

"Uh huh, well I have to go restock," Makino smiled. "Bring him by with you later alright? I worry about what he's been eating lately."

"Will do." Shanks nodded as she walked off.

"You going to look for him?" Ben asked walking up beside his Captain.

"No need, he's on his way. I'll meet up with him on the way to the Party Bar." Ben grinned. "Did he sense you or something?"

"Come on, let's go."

/

Luffy's smile widened when he saw Shanks' ship at the dock. 'He's Back!' Luffy changed his direction from the docks to party bar knowing Shanks will probably be there. He was snapped out of his thoughts about Shanks when a soccer ball rolled up to him lightly hitting his leg. Luffy blinked at it and picked it up. Memories of kids older than him laughing and kicking the ball back and forth entered his mind. Luffy looked at the ball with a longing look in his eyes and sighed. He looked up when he heard footsteps.

"Oh no!" A boy a little older than Luffy groaned.

"It-it's that freak!" another boy stuttered eyeing Luffy in fear. Luffy clenched his jaw and fought back the stinging in his eyes. He forced a smile on his face and looked at the group of boys.

"Is this your ball?" he asked taking a step forward in an attempt to give it back. The boys stumbled backwards with fear and anger in their eyes.

"Stay back you monster!" one of them yelled. Luffy's smile wavered and his grip on the ball tightened.

"Y-you can have it back." Luffy tried again.

"I said stay back!"

"Yeah, you probably infected it already just by touching it," another boy added.

"Oi, Kaito, who is this guy?"

"He's a monster that came from a family of demons," Kaito spat out warily eyeing Luffy.

"Yeah I heard his Grandpa beats kids, and tosses them into dark forests and throws them of mountains."

"Yeah and my dad told me his dad is the devil and the marines are after him."

"This guy fell from the sky and he walked off with only a broken arm." The entire time Luffy was sniffling and trying to keep his emotions under control.

"How do you know?"

"He used to live here when we were kids and now he shows up occasionally."

"He probably realized he's a menace and a danger to the village and left."

"He should go die before he gets us killed."

"Yeah, no one wants him around anyway."

"That's because he shouldn't have been born."

"I..I..I.." Luffy started, his voice trembling as a few tears leaked from his eyes. He kept his head down and hugged the ball close.

"Don't cry you cry baby, we won't fall for a monster's t-" the boys froze when a shadow loomed over them. They slowly turned around to see the pirates that have been staying at the village. Their eyes widened in fear to see the rage in the pirate's eyes.

"AHHH RUN!" they yelled before taking off.

Luffy dropped the ball and looked up at the pirates with a tear-stained face.

"S-shanks," Luffy choked out, his eyes watery and his lower lip trembling.

/

"Come on guys, Luffy's waiting for us." Shanks ordered as they made their way through the town.

"Is this your ball?" A childish voice asked. Shanks blinked and turned in the direction of the voice.

"Luffy." Shanks grinned as he recognized the voice.

He smiled and was about to walk over when…

"Stay back, you monster!" His eyes widened in shock and anger rose in him as he saw Luffy's smile falter.

"What's going on?" Ben asked as he observed the scene.

"I don't know," Shanks admitted. 'Is this why Luffy was so shocked to find out that I wanted him as a friend?'

"Y-you can have it back," Luffy tried again.

"I said stay back!"

"They look afraid of him," Yasopp noted, disbelief in his tone. "Why? Luffy's a lot younger than they are."

"Yeah, you probably infected it already just by touching it," another boy added.

"Oi, Kaito, who is this guy?"

"He's a monster that came from a family of demons," Kaito spat out warily eyeing Luffy.

Shanks clenched his fist as he saw this. "Hey, now this is more than just bullying," Ben said.

"Yeah I heard his Grandpa beats kids, and tosses them into dark forests and throws them off mountains."

"Yeah and my dad told me his dad is the devil and the marines are after him."

"Shanks, who is Luffy's father?" Ben asked. "Captain?" He questioned again when he didn't get a response. He turned to face his Captain and saw rage on his face. "Oi Shanks, they're just kids." Ben reminded as Shanks jaw clenched.

"This guy fell from the sky and he walked off with only a broken arm." Shanks didn't care if they were just kids. All he saw was Luffy sniffling and trembling trying to keep his emotions under control as these kids tore him down brutally.

"How do you know?"

"He used to live here when we were kids and now he shows up occasionally."

"He probably realized he's a menace and a danger to the village and left."

Shanks started to walk towards them, followed by his crew.

"He should go die before he gets us killed."

"Yeah no one wants him around anyway."

"That's because he shouldn't have been born."

"I..I..I.." Luffy started his voice trembling as a few tears leaked from his eyes he kept his head down and hugged the ball close and it broke Shank's heart as he stopped right behind the group of boys.

"Don't cry you cry baby we won't fall for a monsters t-" the boys froze and turned around he didn't care that they ran off screaming all he cared about was Luffy.

"S-shanks." Luffy choked out his eyes watery and his lower lip trembling. Shanks heart broke at the way Luffy said his name. He believed that Luffy should always smile because that was what made him Luffy. He didn't like the fact that his little ball of sunshine and innocence was crying right now because of a bunch of stupid kids who didn't even try to get to know him.

Shanks gently picked Luffy up and hugged him close to his chest. "Luffy…" he whispered. "Don't listen to those boys alright? They don't know anything about you. You're a kind and amazing person. You're not a monster or a freak you're my friend and I'm glad you were born," Shanks whispered to Luffy as he made his way to Party Bar with Luffy in his arms. Luffy started to calm down and his crying simmered down to sniffles.

"Shanks…" Luffy mumbled clutching onto Shanks like a lifeline.

"One day Luffy, I promise you, you'll meet wonderful people who'll want to be your friend and you theirs. They'll love and cherish everything about you. They won't fear you and they'll want to protect you just as much as you want to protect them."

"You mean when I become a pirate?" Luffy asked as they entered the Party Bar.

"Yes. Remember what I said about a real pirate crew?" Shanks asked.

"Pirate crews are family."

"Exactly. You'll find them and go on lots of adventures so don't pay any attention to those boys."

"Okay Shanks. Thank you." Luffy beamed. Shanks smiled gently and wiped Luffy's face dry.

Shanks turned to see Makino smiling softly at them. She mouthed the words 'Thank You' to him and he nodded with a smile.

/

Two days later Shanks and the crew were hanging out in Makino's bar when Luffy burst in with a panicked look on his face.

"Luffy what's wrong?" Shanks asked concernedly. Luffy swallowed nervously his face as pale as a ghost.

"You have to get out of here!" He warned, eyes wide. "You need to leave!" Luffy said agitatedly.

"Huh? Why?" Shanks asked. "Grampa is coming." Luffy said gravely.

"Garp?" Shanks asked calmly.

"Why are you so calm! Grampa is Scary!" Luffy panicked. "You need to leave before he gets here!"

"He's right captain, we shouldn't risk a fight here in East Blue," Ben advised and Shanks sighed.

"Yeah you're right. Alright Luffy, how long will he be here?" Shanks asked and Luffy looked at him like he was crazy.

"Hell if I know what that crazy old man is thinking," Luffy responded causing the pirates to sweat drop at the unexpected answer.

"Luffy I know your Grandpa is a bit…eccentric but you shouldn't call him a crazy old man," Makino chided patiently.

"Captain," Makino called gaining Shanks attention. "Here, I'll let you know when Garp leaves," she said handing Shanks a Den Den Mushi.

"A white den den mushi?" Shanks questioned surprised. "These are extremely rare why do you have one?

"Just in case something happens and Garp needs to communicate with us without having to worry about someone intercepting and tracing the call." Makino answered her face not giving anything away.

'Something happens...' Shanks paused glancing at Luffy out of the corner of his eye. "Thank you Makino. Well come on, we should be on our way," Shanks ordered his men. "See yo…" Shanks sweat-dropped staring at a depressed Luffy. "L-luffy why do you look like you're about to be put to death?" Shanks asked.

"He's coming to kill me," Luffy stated a dark aura hovering around him. "I just know it.

He knows I was hanging out with pirates," Luffy muttered inaudibly.

"Luffy?" Shanks called kneeling next to Luffy. "You still haven't told me what you wanted to tell me right? So I'll be back as soon as he leaves, alright? I promise." Luffy looked up at his hero and gave a small smile.

"Right. I'll try my best to live. I'm not going to die so easily."

"Atta boy!" Shanks cheered. 'I would ask if he's exaggerating but it is Garp we're talking about. Well I'm sure he won't intentionally kill his grandson…hopefully.'

/

"Makino. How are you?" Garp boomed energetically.

"Oh Garp, it's good to have you back," Makino greeted. "How much leave did they give you?" she asked.

"A few days," Garp responded. "How has Luffy been?" Garp asked.

"He's been good. He's been training a lot and he completed his task." Makino informed.

"I see he finally realized he wants to be a strong marine," Garp laughed.

"Yes, he definitely wants to be stronger," Makino agreed with a half-truth.

"Good, then I'll be off," Garp said with a wave goodbye as he left.

'Good luck Luffy' Makino thought.

/

"Luffy!" Garp called. "G-grampa." Luffy stuttered.

"I hear you've been training hard."

"Yes. Here are the animal prints," Luffy said handing him the papers.

"Good, good, just as expected of my grandson. Now we shall be doing survival training," Garp said matter-of-factly.

"Eh?" Luffy responded.

"Come on, I have a surprise for you," Garp said and Luffy reluctantly followed fully knowing that whatever Garp had planned for him wouldn't be fun.

/

Luffy stared in awe at the colorful scene in front of him.

"What are they?" he asked as he slowly approached the colorful spheres all tied to a tree by thin strings.

"They're balloons." Garp answered an unsettling gleam in his eyes that Luffy failed to notice in his excitement.

"There are so many!" Luffy exclaimed. "What are they for? Are they for me?" Luffy asked innocently completely unaware of Garps dangerous intentions.

"Yep, all of them are for you. Now this is how you use them…" Garp trailed off as he grabbed Luffy and tied the balloons around his waist.

Luffy, suddenly apprehensive, as realization finally dawned on him, "um..." he stated hesitantly. "What are these balloons for?" Luffy asked.

"For your training of course. You are going to survive up in the air." Garp explained, cutting Luffy lose so he would start drifting off. The boy paled staring at Garp in horror as he went higher and higher.

"There's enough air to last you all day!" Garp yelled. "Have fun!" Luffy screamed in terror hoping someone would come save him, or that this was all a nightmare, or his Gramps was just playing a mean joke on him, but alas he knew better.

After realizing screaming in terror doesn't help anything, he decided to take a few deep breaths to calm down.

"Okay, this isn't a big deal." Luffy admitted, reassuring himself. "It's not like I'm scared of heights. I can fly after all." Luffy started. "Okay fine, I'm not that good at flying yet, but I'm getting there." he thought slightly frustrated that he couldn't do it as well as his Gramps. Luffy bit his lip in worry and fear flashed in his eyes. "But I can't risk anyone else seeing me. Oh well…" Luffy sighed. "I guess I'll wait till I get closer to the ground. Gramps always said 'What goes up must come down' so I'll get down eventually." Luffy scanned the island before looking longingly at the sea. His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped in shock when he noticed the Marine ship sailing off into the horizon. Quickly he scanned the dock and sure enough his Grampa's ship was missing. "He's leaving!" Luffy yelled. "Stupid Gramps. Well at least Shanks can come back."

/

Makino smiled as she waved goodbye to Garp. She asked him where Luffy was, but like always he just laughed his loud obnoxious laugh and left. She headed back to the Party Bar. Now that Shanks is gone the Tavern has been empty for most of the day with a few customers at night. She headed upstairs to her room grabbed the white den den mushi and sat at her window seat, staring at the sea's horizon as she made a call.

/

Bero Bero Bero

"Hello?" Shanks answered.

"Hello Captain." A cheerful voice answered.

"Makino! Hey is something wrong?" Shanks asked concerned at why she was calling so soon, it hasn't even been a day yet after all.

"Oh nothing is wrong Captain I'm just calling to tell you that Garp has left and said we shouldn't expect him back for a year."

"What?! But he just got there!" Shanks exclaimed.

"Yes well Garp is a very...erratic person and his schedule is even worse. I don't even think he was allowed to come here he probably just wanted to check on Luffy before going back to Marine HQ." Shanks sighed at Makino's response, 'well Garp is the kind of guy that goes at his own pace' he thought.

"How is Luffy?" He asked eventually.

"Um I don't really know I haven't seen him yet. Don't worry though, this is completely normal." Makino reassured.

"What do you mean?" Shanks asked.

"Well Garp usually takes him to do some training and Luffy is usually gone for a while. I have no idea where he is only that he's still on the island. I'm going to go look for him though because he's always so injured by the time he makes it back. Like when you first met him...he was gone for a week, lost in the forest before he made it back to the village."

"We'll be back soon Makino, and please don't go into the forest it's too dangerous. If you don't find him by the time we get back, I'll look for him." Shanks said, making Makino giggled at his concern.

"Alright ShaAHHH!" She screamed. "OH My God! LUFFY!" She screamed

"Makino! MAKINO WHAT'S WRONG!"

"Luffy, Luffy It's going to be okay alright, just hang on!" Makino yelled. "Shanks, you have to hurry, please. Luffy's been tied to a bunch of balloons and is drifting up in the sky!" Makino panicked.

"What?!" Shanks yelled. "What is Garp thinking?!" Shanks growled. "I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?"

"Um hurry I'm going to follow him" Makino said. "Bye."

"Damnit, hurry and turn the ship around!"

/

"MAKINO!" Luffy yelled.

"LUFFY! IT'S OKAY LUFFY! EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY! SHANKS WILL BE BACK SOON!" Makino reassured as she followed Luffy to through the grassy plains and away from the village.

"DID GRAMPS REALLY LEAVE ME UP HERE?!" Luffy yelled back.

Makino bit her lip, "SOME TROUBLE CAME UP AT HQ! I'M SORRY LUFFY! I'M SURE HE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU!"

"Yeah." Luffy sighed. "I know, but he could have at least got me down before he left." he said but Makino couldn't hear because of how far up he was. "If she left I could fly down now. The chances of someone seeing me are low. Well the bandits could see me, but they already know." Luffy sighed. "Well, Shanks is coming back, he can get me down." Luffy was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by a loud popping sound.

"NO! LUFFY!" Makino yelled desperately.

"Makino? WHAT'S WRONG?" Luffy asked confused he heard another popping noise. "What is that?" Luffy asked looking up but his view was obstructed by the balloons.

"LUFFY! THE BIRDS ARE POPPING THE BALLOONS!" Makino warned, tears coming to her eyes. "Oh God, please stop, please!" she begged as she watched more and more of the balloons getting popped and Luffy dropping altitude.

Luffy's eyes widened when he realized he was getting lower. "But isn't that a good thing? I'm getting closer to the ground." Luffy wondered but his stomach caught in his chest when he started falling rapidly from 70ft up in the air. It all happened so fast… It was all a blur he could see everything just blend together as the wind hit his face. He could barely hear someone screaming… darkness creeped up in his vision...he was so tired...he couldn't keep his eyes open...he couldn't feel anything he was just tired and with that he let the darkness consume him.

/

"Oh God." Makino whispered as she watched Luffy fall fast and hit the ground with an audible thump. "Oh God." she whimpered softly as she slowly approached the small boy. She shakily kneeled next to the boy. She swallowed thickly when her eyes found the red sticky liquid that pooled out of the boy's head. With a trembling hand she slowly went to check for the boy's pulse. Tears fell down her face when she felt a slow weak pulse.

"What do I do? What do I do?" Makino muttered. 'I don't know how bad the damage is, so if I move him it could make it worse. I can't leave him and get a doctor because it's too dangerous. It's been an hour since I last talked to Shanks he should be arriving at the docks any minute, if he's not here already. Hopefully he brings his doctor with him.' "Luffy please just hang on...please."she begged as she held his hand. "Shanks is on his way. Help is coming so just stay strong, okay? You're going to be alright." she reassured.

/

As the Red Force docked on the Island Shanks eyes widened in horror.

"No…" He gasped.

"Captain what's wrong?" Ben asked.

"It's Luffy…" He started his crew instantly going quiet. "His will is fading..." the reaction those words brought on were instantaneous. Everyone's eyes widened in horror, gasps could be heard escaping shocked lips. "Ben You're in charge, Doc you and me let's go." he ordered as he jumped off the ship running towards Luffy's flickering life the Doctor following closely behind. 'Please Luffy just hang on.' he silently pleaded. They ran through the town into the fields and just kept running. Soon Shanks could hear Makino's cries and pleads for Luffy to hold on, everything would be fine.

"Makino!" Shanks called when she came into view. Relieved tear stained eyes looked up at Shanks, and though it was not the time Shanks couldn't help but feel his ego get boosted that his mere presence can calm her.

"Shanks!" Makino cried. "God, Luffy he fell." She tried to explain looking up at the sky. Shanks gently pulled her away from Luffy so the Doctor could have room to work.

"It's okay Makino I have the best doctor in all of the five seas." Shanks reassured. "He'll be fine, I can feel it. Luffy's fighting right now. Dave what's going on?" Dave quickly cut off the balloon strings still tied to the unconscious boy. He then checked his pulse and pulled out some instruments checking his eyes and ears.

"He's bleeding from the ears, nose, and back of his head." He muttered feeling the boy's head. "His skull is cracked…Spin is fine surprisingly... no other broken bones just severe deep tissue bruising on his entire backside… his pupils are uneven…" He sighed and bit his lip look over Luffy sadly.

"Dave what is it?" Shanks asked softly. "He'll be okay, right?" Shanks asked as he watched Dave start to do emergency treatment on Luffy's head wound.

"He has severe brain trauma." Dave answered quietly. "With injuries to the brain it's hard to diagnose. We won't know how severe the damage done to the brain is until he wakes up just be prepared he might not act the same way, or he may have difficulties doing certain things, like speaking, he might have loss of hearing or eyesight or difficulties concentrating..." Dave explained.

Shanks swallowed thickly as he comforted Makino.

"When will he wake up?" Shanks asked.

"Following the Glasgow Coma Scale…" Dave started but was quickly interrupted.

"COMA!" Shanks and Makino exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, I would say he has a GCS under 8... Meaning he has a 25-30% chance of a good long-term outcome."

"What can you do for him?" Shanks asked face grim.

"I'll do everything I can. Let's not forget Luffy is very strong. I'm positive he'll pull through." Shanks nodded.

"Alright let's move him then." Shanks said rolling out the stretcher and carefully placing Luffy on it.

"Let's take him to the Party Bar he can stay with me." Makino said.

/

It's been two weeks since the balloon incident and Luffy has yet to awaken. Makino would sit with him during the nights falling asleep holding the small boy's hand, while the pirates would visit throughout the day telling him stories about past adventures. Shanks would usually stay the longest unless Ben dragged him away to eat and shower.

"Come on Luffy, how long are you planning on staying asleep…" Shanks muttered holding Luffy's hand. "I thought you'd rather live out your dreams then sleep on them."

Luffy laid prone his body not even giving Shanks a twitch to show he was listening. Shanks sighed wishing there was something more he could do. Anything to help Luffy wake up. He eyed the bandage on the small boys head. The doctor said it was healing nicely and the swelling in his brain was already going down so if Luffy were to wake up it would be any day now.

"How could your grandfather do this to you?" Shanks muttered angrily, imagining what he would do the next time he runs into Garp on the seas.

"Please don't be angry with Garp." A small voice pleaded from behind him.

"Makino…" Shanks called softly. "The bar not busy today."

Makino smiled softly, "No it's pretty quiet..." The conversation lulled for a bit as the both watched the rise and fall of Luffy's chest. "Garp may seem abusive and unreasonable, but he really does mean well. He loves Luffy, so much. So much so that he'd do anything to keep him safe. He gives him these challenging and dangerous tasks to make him stronger...to prepare him for anything the world throws at him."

Shanks narrowed his eyes in thought, "It's sounds like he's expecting some kind of war." he prodded.

"Something like, yes. Again, it is not my place to tell, but just know Garp is doing this for Luffy's own good."

"That's all well and good but he just a five-year-old boy, just a child, he should have a childhood where he feels safe and loved."

Makino nodded in agreement, "But Garp is a high-ranking Marine Vice Admiral at Headquarters. The Grandline needs Soldiers like him on the seas cause not all pirates are like you Shanks."

Shanks grunted in agreement.

"That's not to say Garp doesn't try, when Garp is given time off most of the time he is able to stay longer and he Luffy have a fun time camping and playing together. If you were to ask Luffy himself he would tell you he loves his Grampa very much, and he understands the need to train to get stronger. Even if he might complain."

Shanks sat lost in thought contemplating what Makino was saying.

"I'm assuming all this has to do with the secret he wants to tell me?" Shanks asked after a while. He glancing beside him only to find an empty space and blinked shocked. "I must be slipping if I didn't sense her entrance or her exit."

/

It wasn't until the next day that Luffy started to show signs of waking. As Shanks held his hand telling him about his time as a cabin boy on Gold Rogers ship his fingers started twitching in Shanks hand. Shanks immediately halted the story and waited with baited breath.

Shanks took a shuddering breath before calling out softly, "Luffy? Luffy, come on it's time to wake up now." He placed a shaky hand on the boys head gently using his thumb to stroke his forehead. "Come on Luffy, please, please wake up…" Shanks pleaded. Luffy's eyes squeezed shut face scrunching up with the movement. "That's it Luffy, Come on you're almost there."

Luffy squinted one eye open closing it instantly with a whimper when the bright lights hits his eyes. Shanks eyes widened as he yelled "Dave!"

Dave instantly understood the situations the second he stepped foot in the room Makino only a step behind him.

"Dim the lights!" He ordered as he tried to assess his patient.

"It's alright Luffy, It's alright, calm down…" Dave reassured gently. "Can you try to open your eyes. Luffy nodded and hesitantly opened his big brown eyes, eyeing the room warily.

"Do you remember what happened?" Dave asked.

Confusion clouded the boy's eyes, before he he answered unsure, "I got hurt?"

"Yes, do you remember how?"

"I…" he closed his eyes in thought. "Fell...Birds um popped the balloons."

"Okay good, so far memory seems to be fine, do you remember who they are?"

"Makino and Shanks…" Luffy answered. "Shanks! Your back!" Luffy grinned. Causing Shanks to give him a soft chuckle. "That's right anchor I'm back."

Luffy frowned.

"What's wrong?" Makino asked.

"I'm hungry." he responded making the occupants of the room laugh.

"Well you have been asleep for a little over 2 weeks." Shanks replied.

"2 Weeks! I've missed 84 meals!" he yelled causing the room to sweatdrop.

"Well it looks like he'd going to be okay." Shanks said breaking the silence.

/

"Luffy, how far are you intending on taking me?" Shanks asked as they walked into a clearing in the forest. Luffy stopped and looked around.

"This will do, just had to make sure there wouldn't be a chance of anyone over hearing or seeing us."

"Okay now I'm curious." Shanks said coming to a stop behind the boy.

"Hmmm how should I start." Luffy pondered. "Well have you heard about the D Clan before?"

"I've heard some of the Legends yes. They are known for causing great change to an era be it good or bad."

"Wow really?" Luffy asked causing Shanks to sweatdrop in exasperation.

"What were you going to tell me?"

"I was going to tell you that your captains real name was Gol D. Roger, I know this because My name it Monkey D. Luffy. Everyone apart of the D clan has a special connection. We can sense each other."

Shanks eyes widened in shock. You are part of the D clan."

"Yes.

"How did you know Roger was my Captain?"

"I can sense his essence in that hat, plus he blessed you. He must have seen great things in you not many of us are willing to do that."

"Blessed me?"

"Yeah he kissed you right?" Luffy asked.

Shanks blushed, "Yes but it wasn't like that. It was…" Shanks started flustered.

Luffy smiled, "I know. Anyway he probably gave you a feather as well right?"

"Yeah I don't know why or where he got it from but… it's beautiful. The darkest black I've ever seen. His wife Rouge even gave me one of hers were a pure white."

Luffy nodded, "She was a D as well. Portgas D Rouge. However she became integrated into the Gol clan when they married. They gave it to you for protection and Luck. One feather protects you, two feathers give you luck, and three feathers protects you and your loved ones till you die."

"Wow," Shanks gasped in awe. "And where do they come from?"

Luffy grinned and took a step back, "Don't freak out okay." Luffy giggled before beautiful golden brown wings protruded from his back.

"Wha..." Shanks started dumbfounded.

"Everyone in the D clan has the ability to fly. Grampa told me that our clan came about when a celestial being came down from the stars and fell in love with a human and from then on we've been born with wings, but Grampa said to be careful not to show anyone because the world government will demand our capture and kill us or something."

"Yeah or something…" Shanks whispered thinking of the world nobles and their slaves.

"Is something wrong?" Luffy asked nervously tucking his wings close to his body showing his discomfort.

"Huh oh no, I'm just taking it in. So wait you could have saved yourself from that fall!"

"Yeah but Makino was there, and who knows who else could have seen me."

Shanks sighed shaking his head, "So how fast can you fly?"

Luffy blushed, "I can't really yet, I'm still working on it. Grampa's never really around to teach me."

Shanks sighed, 'At least now the over the top training makes sense.' Shanks looked at Luffy's wings again. They were beautiful.

"May I touch them?" he asked transfixed.

Luffy nodded spreading out his wings again. Shanks gently caressed the soft downy feathers.

"Their so soft and beautiful Luffy." Shanks complimented making Luffy blush and his feathers fluffed up at the compliment making Shanks chuckle. "But wait, what do you mean by Blessed?"

"Oh right." Luffy backtracked. "When he kissed you he blessed you. It let's others who carry the name D that you can be trusted and that he claimed you and you should be protected."

"If you get 3 kisses from members of the same family then you become integrated into their clan, and you get your wings."

Shanks gasped in shock, "Really?"

"Yep." Luffy grinned. "Did, Rogue kiss you?"

"Yeah." Shanks responded still stunned.

"So you just need one more Gol I guess." Luffy laughed. "That is a huge honor. It's very rare that a D accepts people into their family. They must have really loved you."

Shanks smiled, "The Captain saved me. He gave me a home, food, clothes. He was like a father to me, taught me everything I know."

Luffy smiled, 'Yeah, I know the feeling.' Luffy though silently looking at Shanks with love and admiration.

/

"Good morning Captain." Makino greeted from where she was polishing a glass behind the bar.

"Good Morning Makino." Shanks returned softly. The two bonded a lot while Luffy was in the Coma.

"Is Luffy on his way?" Makino asked as he took a seat.

"Yeah, why?"

"Well I thought I'd inform you that Luffy's Birthday is coming up next week."

"What?! Why hasn't he mentioned it?" Shanks asked thoroughly shocked. Most kids would be already asking about party plans, or presents.

Makino sighed sadly, "Garp came to visit on the week of his fourth birthday. They were so busy training he missed his birthday and he doesn't remember much of what the Mayor and I did for his first three birthdays."

"What about his fifth?" Shanks asked a downcast look on his face.

"He didn't come to visit and he wasn't at his house." Makino answered. "By this point he doesn't even know what a birthday is or why it should be celebrated."

"He's never had a birthday party before." Shanks contemplated. "Garp is ruining that boys childhood. Yeah I know what the significance is for all this ridiculous training, but he's just a kid." Shanks argued annoyed. He looked up when his crew started filing in.

"Ben over here!" Shanks ordered.

Ben blinked in shock at his Captains serious tone.

"Luffy's Birthday is…" He paused glancing at Makino.

"On Tuesday."

"On Tuesday." He continued. "This is going to be his first birthday party ever, so it needs to be good. All his favorite food, his favorite music. He needs presents and a cake with six candles."

"Got it Boss, I'll take care of it." Ben nodded. "Just keep him away from the ship till then."

"Will do." Shanks nodded.

"Good Morning!" Luffy smiled as he barged into the tavern.

"Good Morning Luffy!" Came the resounding cheer from the Pirates.

"Good morning Luffy. Your breakfast is ready."

"Thank you Makino." Luffy grinned as he took a seat next to Shanks.

"So what do you boys have planned for today?" Makino asked amused.

"I was thinking I'd teach Luffy here how to fight." Shanks said.

"Really?!" Luffy responded vibrating with excitement.

"Yep." Shanks nodded. 'I will have to be heading back to the New World Soon. It's been nearly a year since we've arrived. I need to at least ensure he can defend himself from the bandits and wild animals.'

/

"Shanks…" Luffy asked hesitantly. "Why am I wearing a blindfold? You're surprise isn't something scary is it?"

"No, Luffy. Relax I won't let anything bad happen to you right?"

"I know, but grampa usually blindfolds me before he does something scary."

Shanks scowled as he carefully carried Luffy on his shoulders down to the Red Force.

"Don't worry Luffy, you're going to love your surprise."

Luffy nodded putting all of his trust in Shanks. He could smell the sea so he assumed they were heading towards the docks. He could hear the seagulls flying above them. The scent of salt and fish in the air. The breeze on his skin.

"Alright Luffy, watch your step...That's it there you go. Okay ready to take the blindfold off?" Shanks asked as Luffy nodded and the proceeded to pull the cloth off his head. His eye widened at the sight.

"SURPRISE LUFFY!"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

He was on the Red Force and it was covered in lights, streamers and balloons. It looked like a festival, and there was a large banquet spread out around the deck, and the biggest cake Luffy has ever seen in the middle.

"What is all this?" Luffy asked confused but excitement lit his eyes as he pondered what he would eat first.

"Makino told me it was your birthday, and that you've never really celebrated before. So I decided to throw you the best birthday party ever!"

"Party...for me? I...Thank you!" Luffy said smiling his famous D smile.

"No problem anchor, go on an eat, we'll to the cake in an hour?"

Luffy didn't understand what that meant he nodded and took off.

Luffy smiled and laughed. Shanks musicians started playing music and everyone was singing. Luffy had never had more fun. Everything was great. The pirates told him so many stories. They even showed him cool trinkets they've collected over the years. Like the Cam Clam Yasap was using to document the whole thing.

The sun was close to setting when Shanks gathered everyone around the cake. Luffy watched in confusion as Ben lit the candles.

"Why are there candles on the cake?" Luffy asked.

"They represent how old you're turning today. The birthday boy is supposed to blow out the candles and make a wish. If you blow out the candles in one breath by this time next year it should have come true."

"Wow really?!"

"Yep, just don't tell anyone your wish or it won't come true alright." Shanks warned.

"Okay. Do I do it now?" Luffy asked eyes lit with so much joy filling Shanks up with so much warmth.

"Not yet, Guys!"

~"Happy Birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Luffy

Happy Birthday to you"~

"Now Luffy." Shank said softly. Luffy took a big breath before blowing out all the candles in one go. 'I wish I had a family that was always there for me, and loves me.'

"Did you make a wish?" Shanks asked Luffy nodded. Shanks smiled and kissed his forehead. "Happy 6th birthday Luffy." Luffy beamed. He felt as if his heart was about to burst with how full it was.

"Alright birthday boy which piece do you want?" Lucky roo asked.

"Ben is it ready?" Shanks asked as Luffy dug into his cake.

"Just give the order Captain." Ben smiled.

"Do it."

"Come on Luffy, let's go eat these up in the watchtower."

"Okay."

/

"Wow you can see everything from up here!" Luffy exclaimed.

"Well that is kind of the point anchor." Shanks chuckled. "Keep a lookout in that direction okay?"

Luffy's eyes widened in amazement as sparks of light shot out into the sky and burst it beautiful colors falling down into the ocean. "Amazing." Luffy whispered. "What is it?

"Fireworks." Shanks answered not taking his eyes of the amazement and wonder on Luffy's face.

"Shanks…"

"Yes, Luffy."

"Thank you...for everything. I'll never forget...any of this."

/

"Welcome back Captain." Makino greeted as Shanks and his crew walked into Party Bar.

"Did you find anything interesting." Makino asked eyeing the wooden chest Lucky Roor carried and placed on the bar top.

"You can say that. I have decided what to do with it though. Has Luffy been by."

"No not since you left."

Shank brow wrinkled in concern. "I guess that's how it's going to be when I leave for good, right?"

"Yes, that's how it's always been." Makino smiled sadly. "I know it's for his safety but not knowing if he's okay…"

"Yeah it's hard." Shanks finished.

"Hey guys, welcome back!" Luffy cheered as he snuck it to the bar.

"Hi Luffy!"

"Hi Luffy."

"Welcome back Luffy, would you like something to eat?"

"Hi Shanks, Hi Makino and yes please."

"Guess what shanks I was able to hunt meat this time, and start a fire. I did everything you said."

"I'm proud of you Luffy." Shanks smiled ruffling Luffy's hair. "My little anchor is growing up." Luffy pouted at the teasing.

"Stop it Shanks, I'm not a baby."

"You're not?"

"No I'm a man."

"Really?" Shanks responded amused. "My bad. Here how about some milk."

"Thanks, Shanks." Luffy accepted innocently.

Shanks burst out laughing, "What kind of man drinks milk?" he teased earning another pout from Luffy.

"No fair."

"Now now Luffy, he's only teasing. Here's lunch."

"Thanks Makino." Luffy smiled digging in. Luffy glanced around while Makino and Shanks talked. His eyes lit up when he spotted the wooden chest. He took a quick glance at Shanks realizing he was properly distracted before opening the chest. 'A mystery fruit? Looks tasty." Luffy unable to resist ate the weird fruit is one bite.

He choked in disgust sticking out his tongue in a poor attempt to avoid the taste before downing the milk. 'Gross.'

The bar silences when the saloon doors of the bar get kicked in.

"Sorry for the interruption." Luffy gasps as he recognized the voice. His body tensing in fear drawing Shanks attention momentarily before he went back to his food quietly keeping tabs on the newcomers.

"So these are pirates huh?" Came a mocking voice from the entrance of the Bar. "Nothing special about them. Just a bunch of drunks."

"Hey, Women! I want ten barrels of Sake."

"Um I'm sorry but I'm out of Sake at the moment." Makino answered nervously.

"What? Am I just supposed to believe that these pirates are drinking water." The head Bandit said sardonically.

"Sorry about that man, but hey you can have this." Shanks apologized offering a bottle of rum. "It's unopened."

The bandit sneered distastefully at the gesture before grabbing the bottle and smashing it on the counter.

"Stupid pirate, Do you have any idea who I am. My name is Higama and I'm a wanted man of 8 million beli." He said pulling out his own wanted poster to offer as proof.

Shanks sighed looking at the remains of the room sadly. "Look at that the floors a mess. Sorry about that Makino do you have a mop."

"Oh no that's okay. I'll clean it up Shanks." Makino responded quickly coming around the counter as Shanks crouched down around the puddle of rum picking up broken pieces of glass. Irritated Higama drew his sword knocking down all the plates and glasses on the bartop down onto Shanks.

"Looks like you enjoy cleaning up, you'll like this more." Higama mocked before his eyes found Luffy. "Luffy?" The Pirates tensed when the Bandits attention turned towards the kids. "Haven't seen you in awhile." Luffy looked up fearfully. "You like hanging out with these pirates more than me?"

"No, I…" Luffy averted eye contact.

"No? Good cause I thought we had fun together. Maybe we can meet up later." Higama said before leaving.

Luffy flinched when all the eyes in the bar turned on him.

"Luffy, was that a threat? Was he threatening you?" Shanks demanded.

"What no. I uh I got to go." Luffy nervously responded jumping off his stool.

"Luffy...wait." Shanks said grabbing Luffy's arm and watching it stretch and stretch and…

"AHHHHH!" Luffy screamed. "My arm...What why!" Shanks panicked quickly glancing at the chest.

"Shit Luffy, did you eat the fruit in that chest."

"Um yeah, I thought it was desert."

"Luffy that was a Devil fruit. It gives you a special ability but it takes away your ability to swim. You become a hammer in the water."

"What!"

"You idiot!" Shanks yelled heart still in a panic.

"What fruit was it Shanks?" Makino asked worried.

"The Gum Gum Fruit. It turned his body rubber."

"Rubber?" Luffy repeated staring at his arms.

Shanks sighed and crouched in front of Luffy. "Luffy I need you to listen to me it's important. You can not under any circumstances eat another okay. You'll die a painful death you understand." Luffy nodded.

"Okay Shanks. I promise. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" Luffy said heading out the destroyed entrance.

/

"Good Morning Shanks!"

"Good Morning Makino, No Luffy?"

"No...I'm worried he wasn't here at all yesterday to. I don't think he'd miss that chance to hang out with you."

"Yeah, I'm worried to. I haven't seen him since that day tho….Shit!" Shanks exclaimed. "With all the excitement of Luffy's devil fruit I forgot to ask him about those bandits."

"Wait, you don't think he's with them do you?" Makino asked fear heavy in her voice. Shanks looked grim.

"I don't know, but they were really friendly with him and Luffy was clearly not comfortable with it. I'm going to go find him. Make sure he's okay. Ben, Roo, Yasopp."

"Yes Captain."

"We're heading out, let's go." Shanks ordered. Straw Hat shadowing his eyes.

/

"HAHAHAHAHA" Came the obnoxious laugh of Higama as Luffy was hit with a wooden bat from where was tied hanging from the ceiling of the shed. "I can't believe it just when I thought you couldn't be anymore of a freak, your body gets turned into rubber." Luffy cried miserably.

"Don't cry brat this is your punishment for avoiding me and playing with those pirates.

"I'm sorry." Luffy sobbed.

"You better be."

"Still there is so much more potential with you now that you're made out of rubber. Just think how much money I could make off you. First of all you're a kid so easily moldable. Second your strong so you could make a good worker slave. But the real seller is Exotic creature with gorgeous wings. You can chop them off and hang them as a decoration or make a beautiful coat."

Luffy gasped horrified at the thought.

"In addition to that you're an always virgin tight fuck hole."

Luffy was no less horrified by that. Even though he didn't really understand what it meant.

"Please don't sell me. Please. I'll do anything." Luffy cried.

"Anything?"

Luffy nodded terrified.

"Be mine." Higama growled.

"Yours?" Luffy questioned confused.

"My slave, mine to do with as I please." Higama leered.

Luffy gasped, "No!"

"Look you little brat at this point you don't have a choice either you my slave or some rich nobles."

"No!"

"And with a face like that, and abilities like yours I can tell you right now, you won't be a worker slave." Higama chuckled, grabbing Luffy's legs and spreading them impossible wide. " Super flexible. All the new positions he can create." Higama chuckled licking his lips

"No." Luffy repeated weekly. "Please…"

BANG

Higama fell dead to the ground, and Luffy turned shocked tear filled eyes to Shanks, Ben, Lucky Roo, and Yasopp.

"Shanks!" Luffy cried as all the Bandits turned weapons on the Red Haired Pirates.

/

"What the hell is with this crazy forest." Yasopp groaned in annoyance.

"Complete opposite of that sleepy windmill village." Lucky Roo agreed.

"Yeah." Shanks agreed.

"Captain?" Ben called. "You okay?"

"He's not alone." Shanks responded.

"How far?"

"We're almost there. I can hear them laughing already." As the pirates got closer they could hear the bandits with their Haki.

"Still there is so much more potential with you now that you're made out of rubber. Just think how much money I could make off you. First of all you're a kid so easily moldable. Second your strong so you could make a good worker slave. But the real seller is Exotic creature with gorgeous wings. You can chop them off and hang them as a decoration or make a beautiful coat." Shanks Eyes widened. 'How the hell do they know about that!'

"Wings?" Ben asked.

"In addition to that you're an always virgin tight fuck hole."

The pirates blood froze at the disgusting statement.

"Kill them all. No playing games." Shanks ordered.

"Please don't sell me. Please. I'll do anything." Luffy cried.

"Anything?"

"Be mine." Higama growled.

It was taking everything Shanks had to control his Conquers haki.

"Yours?" Luffy questioned confused.

"My slave, mine to do with as I please." Higama leered.

'This guy is scum. He deserves a long drawn out death but the faster I can get him away from Luffy the better.'

Luffy gasped, "No!"

"Look you little brat at this point you don't have a choice either you my slave or some rich nobles."

"No!"

The Pirates finally reached the shack.

"And with a face like that, and abilities like yours I can tell you right now, you won't be a worker slave." Higama chuckled, grabbing Luffy's legs and spreading them impossible wide. "Super flexible. All the new positions he can create." Higama chuckled licking his lips

"No." Luffy repeated weekly. "Please…"

And with those final words Lucky Roo fired his gun.

BANG

Higama fell dead to the ground, and Luffy turned shocked tear filled eyes to Shanks, Ben, Lucky Roo, and Yasopp.

"Shanks!" Luffy cried as all the Bandits turned weapons on the Red Haired Pirates.

"I got you Luffy. Everything will be alright now okay."

Luffy cried too overwhelmed with relief to do anything else.

"Luffy close your eyes okay."

"You guys deal with the Slavers. I'm getting Luffy away from here."

Shanks said as he freed Luffy cradling him close to his chest as he walked away from the shed.

"Hey woah wait we're not…"

BANG

And another one fell.

"Hey listen…"

BANG

"It was all Higa…"

BANG

/

"Shanks...why?" Luffy asked.

"Are you afraid of me now?" Shanks asked voice soft.

"No, but you didn't do anything to them in the party bar so why…"

"You can laugh at me, spill food on me, even spit on me and I'll laugh it off. But you lay a finger on my friends and I'll end you. And if you start harming, kidnapping, and selling children into a life of slavery I will kill you."

"Oh."

"Shocked?" Shanks asked.

"No. You're a pirate, but to me this just proves you're a good guy." Luffy grinned hugged Shanks. "I love you Shanks."

Shanks eyes widened in surprise. "I love you to Luffy."

/

Luffy watched sadly as the pirates prepared to disembark for good and head back to the Grandline.

"So I guess I won't see you for a while." Luffy mumbled as Shanks stood next to him watching his crew.

"Yeah, it was a nice extended vacation but it's time to head back."

"I'll miss you." Luffy said. Shanks looked down.

"I'll miss you too Luffy, but I know we'll meet again out on the seas."

Luffy gave a soft smile.

"Yeah, I'm going to become a pirate at 17 just like you did." Luffy started gaining confidence. "I'll be sure to gather the best crew, and they'll be strong enough to beat yours and then I'm going to find One Piece and Become the Pirate King."

"Hmm, you think you'll surpass us." Shanks smirked at Luffy's determined look. "In that case." He started reaching to pull off his hat pushing it on to Luffy's head.

Luffy gasped in shock, "I'll leave this hat to you. It means more to me than anything in the world. So, you better take good care of it." Shanks kneeled in front of Luffy wiping the stray tears as they fell down the boy's cheeks. "I want you to bring this hat back to me one day in good condition and only once you've become a great pirate. That's our Promise." Shanks finished. Luffy nodded as if coming to a decision. He gently cradled Shanks face in his hands as he leaned in to place an innocent chaste kiss on the man's lips causing gasps to echo around them, but the pair didn't care they knew what that kiss meant. Luffy held out his hand presenting Shanks with a golden downy feather. "Stay safe." Luffy said.

"Thank you." Shanks said accepting his third feather, and with that the Pirates were off. Shanks and Luffy smiling at each other until they were both out of sight.

"Luffy why would you kiss him, is that what you two did when you disappeared?!" The Mayor shouted in outrage. Luffy looked at him in confusion.

"Don't listen to him Luffy." Makino said rolling her eyes. "Shanks isn't like that Mayor, Luffy was just saying goodbye."

"I wasn't saying goodbye, I was saying see you later." Luffy corrected. "Because one day I'll meet him again."

/

Hmm that's not how I thought it would end. I thought for sure Shanks would still lose his arm but it didn't work out that way. Lol.

I also thought I'd give an explanation for why Luffy and the bandits knew each other but I doubt Shanks would really care after he killed them you know.

But if you're interested the bandits saw Luffy's wings when he was practicing flying. The test will come out in flashbacks in the grey terminal.

I like PTSD Luffy Ace and Sabo so I'm setting it up early on.