𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽| 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 17

Aisha jumped into her mother's arms. Nuzzling her face in her chest as happiness filled her heart. She gripped her mother's sarashi, creating ruffles with it. Her form slightly shook as tears blurred her vision.

"Mommy, scary," the child uttered. Her mother froze at her child's words. "It was scary." Rue felt a burn in her eyes, she embraced her daughter as sadness washed over her like a wave crashing on shore.

Her child was scared, she child feared what she did. Rue held her closely to her chest, "I'm sorry, Shai." She soothed Aisha's back in a circular motion with her hands, "Mommy is sorry."

The crew froze, did this kid just called this woman mommy? As in this was her mother?!

As the silver-haired woman comforted her child, they all took the chance to observe her; Beautiful wasn't the right word to describe her. Her silver hair tied into a low-puff of curls in contrast to her dark skin gave her an ethereal appeal. Long silver lashes complimented by her face along with her plump lips glossed.

Aisha removed herself from her mother's grasp. Her little feet approaching Shanks with a worried gaze while tugging on his coat. "You ok Mr. Banks!"

With a grin, Shanks ruffled the child's hair earning a giggle. "Yup!" He replied, popping the last letter.

The crew members slightly flushed at the mysterious woman's attire. Her sarashi slightly exposed her cleavage, the top of her dress teared at the front. Curiosity in their eyes wondering what could have happened. They noticed her lack of shoes on her feet, she walked around barefoot.

Rue lifted her gaze and met Yue's hazel eyes. Yue's view fogged with tears, many slipping down her cheeks. Warmness filled them as they gave each other a silent greeting, their first greeting in almost seven long years of separation. Then, Rue's gaze landed on Hanabi, giving her a sweet smile. The raven haired women both gave each other a hopeful then gazed back at Rue.

They knew they had a lot to catch up on.

Despite Aisha's reluctance, she was pulled back to her mother's side. "I'm really sorry," Rue uttered as she curtsied as she bowed her head shamefully. She looked up to Hongo, guilt riddled in her gaze. "Let me heal you-"

"It's fine," Hongo grinned, waving his hand dismissively. "It's good to see you're full of energy." Rue felt her face grow hot at the comment, while she looked away bashfully.

Rue felt a sudden burn on her hand, her brows furrowed slightly. However, as soon as it came, the pain went away like it hadn't happened. Shanks didn't miss a moment of this, his gaze lingering on her.

"That's an interesting ability you got there." Shanks commented, a thoughtful look in his eyes on Rue never wavered.

The silver-haired woman gazed elsewhere for a moment before looking back at him. A polite smile on her lips, "I suppose so."

Shanks hummed, rubbing his chin. A thought came to mind. He gazed at her with a curious gleam. Her response didn't seem like she wanted to talk about it. Although in general she hasn't spoken much about herself, he had a feeling that it wouldn't be an easy task.

Yasopp made his presence known. Stuttering towards her, "I know your friends mentioned how beautiful you were." He took one of her hands in his, giving it a gentle kiss, Hanabi furrowed her brows at his action. "Heaven must be missing one of its angels. The name's Yasopp."