The Puppet Master [One Piece]

The Meeting Pt. 1

~Echo’s POV~

                I sat on the edge of the bed fidgeting uncomfortably as my face felt like it was going to explode. Shanks was on the opposite side of a simple sectioned screen changing his clothes. The air in the room suddenly felt sweltering and I tried to keep my gaze glued to the floor and ignore the sounds of rustling clothing.

                “Did you see anything while you were unconscious?” Shanks asked softly jarring me from my determined staring and drawing my gaze to the screen.

                A blush claimed my cheeks as I saw his silhouette in the screen and once again forced my gaze to the floor. “I saw Ace again. He was being transported on a navy ship.” I said softly, “But I think he could see me.”

                I heard a slight pause from behind the screen, “What do you mean he could see you?”

                “He said my name.”

                “Have you two met?” Shanks asked though he knew we hadn’t I didn’t know his name until he told me.

                “No.” I breathed, “What does it mean?”

                “Perhaps you’ll meet him before this vision happens.” Shanks replied but there was something distant in his voice.

                “What’s wrong?” I asked as I sensed a feeling of worry and doom emanating from where the captain was standing.

                “You’ve only seen him in captivity in your visions.” Shanks noted.

                “So?” My eyes widened as the thought sunk in, “Oh. You think I’ll get capture-?”

                “No.” His voice was suddenly dark, “I won’t let that happen Echo.”

                I smiled softly at this as he stepped out from behind the screen wearing a pair of fresh calf length trousers and a crisp clean white loose fitted shirt with a deep v-neck. His dark eyes were smoldering from his declaration and my heart skipped a beat as those burning orbs fell on me.

                “I won’t let anything happen to y-.”

                I cut him off by pressing a finger to his lips. “Don’t make promises about the future. Time is ever changing and so are the paths we take. It’s okay if you can’t protect me, Shanks. I don’t have any regrets anymore, and it’s because of you. So it’s okay if y-.”

                He stole the words from my mouth as his lips suddenly came crashing down on mine. Hot burning passion wormed its way to my core as our lips met in a titillating kiss. My body suddenly felt as if it were on fire as his arm snaked around my waist igniting under his tantalizing touch. Somehow I managed to tear my lips from his as we tumbled back onto the bed.

                “What are you…?” I gasped breathlessly unable to finish my sentence.

                “Don’t talk like that, Echo.” He threw me a sexy glare, “Don’t talk like I’m going to lose you.” His hand slid up my waist and torso before resting beneath my chin, “I won’t lose you.” Once again those soft yet rough lips were on mine stealing the protest from my mouth. My heart pounded in my chest so loud I was sure the entire ship could hear. It was beating so hard and so fast that it actually began to hurt.

                A knock at the door startled me and I attempted to squirm away from him, but he held me back with absolutely no effort.

                “Boss?” The door flew open and I buried my face with a squeak hoping to hide myself from the embarrassing situation lying beneath the captain with shame and guilt written all over my face. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready to meet with the Old Man?” Yassop chuckled from the doorway.

                “I am.” Shanks smiled lazily.

                Yassop rolled his eyes, “It’s time to go.”

                Shanks released me a little reluctantly and offered me a hand to help me up. I trailed along behind him like a little duckling as my nerves got the best of me. This wasn’t going to go as well as he hoped. We reached the main deck and I spotted a wooden walkway connecting our ship to the colossal ship of the Whitebeard Pirates. The opposite ship was littered with men, none of which looked particularly happy to see us.

                One of the members of the other crew spotted me and said something to a fellow crewmate the words ‘deck ornament’ stood out and they both chuckled. Rage sparked within me at this due to my unease.

                “Who are you calling a deck ornament?!” I snapped and lunged forward.

                “Oy! Brat this is supposed to be a peaceful meeting!” Yassop scolded me as he caught me in his arms before I could attack the other crew.

                Shanks chuckled softly amused by my outburst as he donned his trademark black cloak and attached his sword to his side. He ruffled my hair gently in hopes of trying to calm me down and settle my nerves before picking up a heaping gourd of sake and heading for the other ship.