The Puppet Master [One Piece]

Unguarded

~Echo’s POV~

                It was the first night since we’d been docked on this small island paradise that I’d actually stayed in camp with the rest of the crew. After ‘fighting’ with Shanks, I felt a strange sense of lightness. A huge weight seemed to have been lifted off my shoulders. I hadn’t laughed in years; I laughed so hard I cried. Deep down I felt that Shanks had somehow planned the whole thing; he was too cunning for his own good.

                I woke to the smell of ham being cooked over an open flame and the hushed voices of the early risers. It was still early, early enough that the air was still cool and moist from the prior night’s dew. A blanket slipped away from me as I slowly sat up and I stared down at it curiously, I didn’t fall asleep with a blanket. I was next to the fire all night; I didn’t think I’d need one.

                “Good morning, Echo-chan.” A few of the early risers attempted to whisper, but these men were nothing but party animals it was almost impossible for them to be quiet.

                I smiled softly, “Good morning,” and rose from the small nest I’d made myself to bed down for the night, “Where did this come from?” I asked curiously as I held up the surprisingly warm blanket only to stare in awe. It wasn’t a blanket. It was a cloak, a familiar black cloak.

                “The captain didn’t want you to catch a chill when the fire went out in the middle of the night.”

                Speaking of the captain, where was he? I didn’t see him passed out anywhere. “Where did he go?”

                The early risers thought for a moment, their minds still hazy from their hangovers, “I think he went to the waterfall.”

                After securing the cloak around myself to fend against the morning chill, I slipped into the forest as more of the crew began to stir from their alcohol induced slumber to ensuing hangovers. The cool damp forest floor chilled me to the bone through my bare feet causing me to pick up the pace. I darted swiftly through the dense forest, being careful of upturned roots and thick underbrush that threatened to trip me.

                The dense forest soon opened up into a clearing of light as I reached the shore of the inland pool. Incandescent arcs of colorful prisms shot from the cascading water as the rising sun hit the waterfall at just the right angle. It was like a small slice of paradise and it simply took my breath away. The sound of the tumbling falls intermingled with the morning activity of the native animals was soothing. I took a few cautious steps out of the dense forest and inched toward the crystal clear pool.

                Cool water splashed across my bare feet as I reached the water’s edge and I resisted the urge to squeal and run away. Instead, I boldly dipped my toes into the frigid water until I couldn’t take it anymore and fell back to the sandy beach with a small laugh at my ridiculousness.

                A twig snapped from the edge of the falls startling me from my childish antics and I turned to the source of the noise with my wires at the ready only to have my face explode with heat as my cheeks flushed crimson at the sight before me. Shanks stood at the edge of the falls staring at me in awe. He was dripping wet and wearing nothing more than his knee length light brown trousers. I quickly averted my gaze as he chuckled and made his way toward me.

                “What are you doing out here, Echo?” He smiled lazily as he reached me in a few long strides.

                “I wanted to bring back your cloak.” I mumbled quietly as I stared determinedly down at the sand I’d buried my toes in to keep from staring at his well toned torso, which was really hard when it was glistening.

                Shanks chuckled, “Did I see you playing in the water a moment ago?” He teased.

                “Absolutely not.” I said stubbornly while continuing to look anywhere but at him.

                “Would you like to learn how to swim?” He asked curiously.

                “Huh?” I looked over at him questioningly forcing myself to meet his dark gaze.

                “I can teach you.” He chuckled.

                “Really?” I asked in awe.

                “If you like.” He shrugged but his dark eyes were brimming with light. “Though, you probably shouldn’t wear so much clothing, it’ll weigh you down.”

                While I generally wore a bikini top under my clothing anyway, I wasn’t comfortable enough wearing only my bikini top and shorts in front of anyone. My hands moved on their own to cover the scars as the mere thought of revealing them made them ache.

                “Is something wrong, Echo?” Shanks asked concerned and I began to wonder just what expression had been revealed on my face in my moment of weakness. I dropped my guard around him too easily and too often.

                “It’s nothing. Can you teach me some other time? They’re cooking something at camp and if we don’t hurry there won’t be anything left.” I lied smoothly.

                Shanks watched me carefully for a moment but conceded with a sigh, “Alright, Echo-chan.” He smiled and I looked away as he went to retrieve his shirt and sandals from a nearby rock. “Are you not wearing shoes?” He asked curiously.

                “It slipped my mind.” I shrugged and attempted to hand him back his cloak.

                Shanks chuckled, “You keep it for now, it’s still chilly and I’m beginning to think you’re determined to catch yourself a cold.”

                I sighed and resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him before refastening the cloak around my shoulders and turning back toward camp. Why was he so concerned about my health? As I was about to step off the sandy beach a strong arm snaked around me and before I knew what was happening I was being thrown over Shanks’ shoulder like a sack of grain.

                “What are you doing?!” I panicked as I attempted to squirm out of his grasp.

                “You shouldn’t run around bare foot, you’ll get sick.” He laughed as he easily made his way through the forest not seeming the least bit hindered by my weight.