Maelstrom

Chapter 16

Shanks' POV

You knew that this day would come, but you weren't ready for it to come quite so soon.

Ruse was going her own way in less than a fortnight, and you begrudgingly admit to yourself that you would miss having her around. Her golden eyes filled with mischief, smug smile on her face as she created chaos and havoc. The white maned menace really had grown on you, and you sigh softly.

"Captain your sulking is way too obvious, lighten up a bit. It's not like you'll never see her again." Benn's voice jolts you out of your thought process.

"Oi, I don't sulk. And obviously, she couldn't stay away if she tried." You grin as you nudge your first mate, who just chuckles in response.

"So, you know that when you let her go into that big wide world all alone, she'll likely find herself some trouble right Cap?" You nod, a frown on your face as you had already imagined at least a hundred different scenarios that Ruse would somehow get herself into.

An unwanted thought niggled its way inside your brain, as you furrow your brow. Trouble was something that seemed to follow the white haired menace, but you hated to think about the kinds of trouble she could get herself into. Not to mention that she's an adult now, legally at least. Which meant that she would have suitors coming out of the woodwork, which you were very much not a fan of.

You were already aware of her growing beauty. Ruse was exotic, down to her unusual colored hair to those golden eyes that just drew people in. You were already aware of her beauty, but others were not, and you would have preferred to keep it that way, but you weren't cruel enough to take away her freedom, even if you had wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from the dangers of the world. Ruse was a free spirit, she wouldn't be caged by anyone.

She had those exotic features, but she also had bountiful curves, ample breasts, and a womanly figure. A figure that was ever-so slowly maturing and blossoming into something ethereal, something enticing. She didn't have the same build as townswomen. No, she wasn't soft and pliable but rather she was sturdy and strong. She had taunt muscles, a figure that wasn't a regular woman's but a woman of the sea.

Strong and unyielding.

She held herself in a way that just drew in everyone's gaze.

You knew that underneath those slender looking arms were a taunt layer of sinewy muscle. Ruse could easily maneuver someone's body under her own. She could pin someone underneath her with ease, leaving them completely at her mercy.

Hell, she had already proven that fact earlier this morning, you grimace at the thought remembering the way she had pinned you underneath her with practiced ease. Ruse had you under her thumb, quite literally. The way she had look at you had set off a roaring fire that built steadily under your skin, strumming through your veins.

You shifted nervously, recalling the encounter. She had very nearly snapped your ever-so-careful restraint and you shivered to think about the other ways this morning's encounter could have turned out.

Ruse with her scarred lips that were always crooked up in a grin. Plush and a soft pink, just waiting to be bitten. Ah, the kid really had grown up. She wasn't a kid anymore, and you knew that, but you just didn't want to admit it.

She had matured into a fine young woman. Sure, she was by far not a full grown adult, she had a lot to learn still. To experience. To live. But it didn't change the fact that she was still one of the most interesting and beautiful women you've met.

Another small frown appeared on your face, your brows furrowed when you sank deeper in thought.

You growl lowly. Ah, you really hadn't wanted to start mapping out all of those different scenarios.

"Oi, Captain, we've got incoming! Looks like it might be one of your friends!" Lucky Roo's voice shouts out to you from the crows nest.

You look up, puzzled.

Friend?

Out in the middle of nowhere?

You had a sneaking suspicion on who it might be.

"Let me guess, small boat, shaped like a coffin?" You yell back up at him, making your way over to the deck, seeing Ruse sprawled out, catnapping without a care in the world.

You snicker as you step over her being careful not to wake her. Although with your shouting to Roo you were surprised she hadn't even flinched in her slumber yet.

"Actually, yeah! How'd ya know Cap?" You heard him question in reply but you were too busy making your way to the right side of the Red Force.

You had just spotted a small ship coming towards you and there was a single lone figure sitting atop it. Ominous green lights flickering as the strange raft and figure approached.

Ah, it was exactly who you thought it was.

Mihawk Dracule.

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