Princess Tears - A One Piece Fanfiction featuring Akagami no Shankusu

Seppun

"Akagami no Shankusu," said the big man who was still pulling at my hair. Finally, he tossed me again on the ground. The smell of blood alarmed me and I started to feel like passing out, but I tried to look around, looking for him. 

I put all my weight on my arm and sat down, and there he was, red-haired Shanks standing in the middle of our port, his body exuding that red, vibrant aura, and I cried with joy. The pearls rolled away from me, but I didn't mind.

"Akagami no Shankusu," he said again, walking towards him so they were a few feet away from each other, creating some sort of a battlefield. Each crew member stood behind their respective captains, and no one was breaking eye contact. My eyes hurt and I could barely see, but I was with utter joy as I looked at him. This time he was rescuing me, like a prince to his damsel in distress. "I sent you to deliver the princess to me and not return her to the Government, I must say, I am very disappointed."

"I am also disappointed having been lied to about just getting back a lost daughter," Shanks replied, his tone was very formal. "Turns out the daughter is the Queen of Pearls, and my future wife."

I shuddered, feeling the warmth of exhilaration Shanks was sending to me by saying the words bride and wife. After a few days, he still wanted me, and here he was, saving me. My body felt heavy and extremely painful, but I wanted to make sure that Shanks could see me, and that I could see him.

He finally looked at me. From far away, I couldn't tell the look in his eyes, but I longed for those to look at me with desire again.

He drew his sword with one hand, and the man from South Blue also drew a weapon and held it forward to him. As the battle was about to break, another ship docked abruptly, announcing the arrival of a different crew: Big Mom's. 

I knew them and I felt happy at the sight of their ship. They were my father's friends, and they saved us countless times in the past against other pirates who wanted to take over our island. Charlotte Smoothie, one of their officers, stood up from their ship and jumped to the port. She landed beautifully, walking past Shanks, then to me.

The man from the South Blue angrily gave a big stomp of his foot to the ground next to me, and Charlotte was quick to carry me away from the sudden explosion. Bits of rocks and other debris flew towards us, and Charlotte covered me with her cape, and we swiftly landed near Shanks. Our eyes met, but he pinned attention to Mr. South Blue, who was now recovering from his first attack.

"Biggu Mamu Kaizokudan!" He shouted from where he was standing. His roar was extremely deafening. It must be a part of his skills. "Biggu Mamu Kaizokudan! How dare you enter this territory? I have an unfinished transaction with Shanks here, you see."

Charlotte set me down carefully, her lips glistening pink under the moonlight. "I thought we were invited to a banquet, but here you are, attacking the Princess." She looked at Shanks, "And what are you doing here?"

Charlotte, being super tall coming from the Longleg Tribe, quickly reached the center of the now turned battlefield. Her long and wavy white hair that covers her right eye stretched down her back. She appeared too pretty to battle. "So are we leaving or what? You almost killed my mother's friend's daughter, you know." She was referring to me. She never did call me by my name ever.

Everyone from each other's crew now had each other's attention. If anyone started to move, then the battle would quickly break out. I feared for the casualties, my people. If another explosion would happen, I could not be sure that no one would be hurt.

"I have hundreds of our fleet with me today," Charlotte continued, stating the obvious to Mr. South Blue. Her fleet was at the dock, ready to pounce. "Leave or die, you choose."

The big man looked around and I could see in his face that he knew they were outnumbered. Also, he kept looking at Shanks, who stood there with an empty expression. He must be feeling that power radiating from him. Then he looked at me, and my skin crawled. No, I said to myself, look away. Back away. I was not worthy of anyone dying. People could just hunt for pearls in the sea!

To my relief, he announced their defeat and departure, and they started to scramble back to their ship. When they started to leave the dock, I felt limp, and I dropped to the floor. Fatigue swept over me and I could taste blood in my mouth. Everyone started to check on the people on the floor, if they were conscious or not.

"Princess!" Charlotte yelled, alarmed. "The bastard tossed you like a toy!" She scooped me up with her disproportionately large hands.

Shanks rushed to my side and without any words, he just looked at Charlotte and she handed me over to him. He wrapped my trembling body in his black cape. Charlotte signaled for her crewmate shouting something about medicines. 

I felt like my ears were bleeding due to the explosion earlier. Moments later they were carrying me to the palace and I heard our lead commander sending in some healers to attend to me. Nothing was hurting anymore, but my head felt extremely heavy. Charlotte and Shanks quietly conversed by my side while the healers worked their magic.

I could tell they were exhausted, I must've been badly hurt. When they left, my wounds were dressed and my gown was changed. I was still conscious, I didn't want to sleep because Shanks may be gone when I wake up.

"Looks like you're getting married," Charlotte teased, grinning from ear to ear. "Am I invited?"

I smiled at her. "Thank you, you saved me."

"My mom will be thrilled to know that we attended your banquet but you're dead," she said, chuckling. "How do you feel?"

"Bad," I replied, touching my neck. I could still feel that strong hand around my neck. What a jerk.

She gave me a light pat on my forehead. "Gotta go, Princess. We're going to have a quick trip around the island, and we'll report the details to all our alliances. We'll make sure no one will bother you and your island again, right, Shanks?"

Shanks walked nearer to the makeshift bed in the castle. From what I could see, we were in the library. It was the nearest from the hall, and they wanted to get me healed as soon as possible. He gave her a quick nod, and they shook each other's hands briefly. If I was right, that meant that these crews were agreeing on a pact of some sort. At this time, they were agreeing on protecting Calm Realm. Charlotte left quietly and closed the door.

Finally, alone with him.

He transferred his chair to the other side of my awful sick bed, and our faces were just inches away from each other. I could picture how he looked when the Marines took me, but it didn't matter anymore. He was here.

"Sorry, I was late," he said, breaking the silence.

I managed to smile. "You're here." My throat ached, and it was bitter when I swallowed.

"I was wrong about my plans of going after him, he had teleported his crew to your island already," he explained, touching the hair on my shoulder. "Good thing I had good friends who delivered the news along the journey."

I nodded slowly. I didn't feel like saying anything. He was here, and that was all that matters. Besides, I couldn't even move properly. He continued to play with the hair on my shoulder, but I could not feel much of his hand. I was still numb from the attack.

"I noticed that you don't attack first," I was able to say, "I know you're a good man, but you're also very strong. You can kill anyone just by looking at them. You're such a badass."

He grinned at me. "If we can resolve things without a fight, the better."

"When are you leaving?" I asked, expecting the worst.

He brought his face closer. "When am I leaving? More like, when are we leaving?"

I looked at him, confused.

"I don't want to leave you again, you know," he said, staring deeply into my eyes. "I want to take you with me. I will never let anyone hurt you like that again. I know, you're out of my league, Princess."

With all my might, I brought my arms around his neck. "Kiss me?"

He leaned in and his mouth met mine. It was a magical moment.