Bloodlines

Chapter 8

She was taught that everyone had something to hide in life and they worked desperately hard to keep it a secret. She had experienced this first hand many of times and she too had a closet filled with skeletons.

When she was younger, in her darker past, it was her duty to exploit these secrets from each target she had before destroying everything precious to them. There wasn't one person who didn't hide something, until now.

'Redhead' Shanks.

He shattered her theory with little effort and showed her that there was someone in this world who didn't hide anything. If he did, he didn't fear his secrets, at all. The thought caught Liza off guard but at the same time it intrigued her.

Liza smirked at the redhead and stood up from her sitting position. "Very well then. This is a draw, Straw Hat," Liza stated and Richard stared at her in disbelief. That was it? She wasn't going to argue? She wasn't going to insist to continue this contest?

"It's for the better anyway. If you died, then I wouldn't be able to challenge you again. Be proud. You're the first to ever survive a drinking contest with me," Liza proudly stated and Shanks let out a loud laugh.

"Likewise, Liza-chan. You're one amazing woman! Right, men?!" Shanks yelled back at his men and they all cheered while lifting up their mugs. Liza stared at them before she burst out laughing, and shook her head.

"And you're the biggest, innocent, naive idiot that I've ever met," she said and the crew burst out laughing while Shanks pouted childishly. "But, you're intriguing, I'll give you that," she added with a small smirk and Shanks grinned at her.

"Say, Liza, why don't you sing us a song?" Benn asked before he inhaled his cigarette again and Liza glanced at him. She wasn't in the best position now to sing. She just competed in a drinking contest. Drinking and singing didn't go very well together.

"Not this time. Maybe be next time I'll give you a performance but not tonight," Liza said and all the men whined in disapproval. Richard merely snorted and went to the back to put away the barrel of wine.

"Aww, come on, Liza-chan!! Just one song!"

Liza shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "No, means no, Straw Hat. Like I said, maybe next time. That pleading face of yours will not persuade me," Liza added and Shanks pouted childishly.

"I just wanted to hear one more song before we leave tomorrow," Shanks moaned and let his head fall onto the bar counter. Liza's brows furrowed at the pirate's statement and a small frown came onto her lips. He was leaving already?

"Stop whining like a child, you're a grown man," Mihawk disapprovingly snapped at Shanks and finished up with his glass of wine. "We were to leave eventually. We can always come back again," he finished and noticed the sad gleam that passed through Liza's eyes.

"I see. You're leaving soon. Just be sure to drink enough before you set out on your journey. Keep an eye out for the marines. They have a way to do regular patrolling. The best way to escape unseen is using the pathway behind my bar," Liza explained and Shanks's eyes widened.

"You'll let us use your bar as an escape route, Liza?" Mihawk asked with a eyebrow raised in curiosity. She, a pirate herself, would not only warn them but also offer her bar as an escape route. What kind of pirate would do that?

"Yes, see it as a tip from one pirate to another," Liza said and gave them a grin. "Besides, I found a liking in you crazy bunch. Feel free to come visit anytime you want to. Though, next time you're definitely paying," Liza pointed out with a playful serious expression.

"Hey, Liza-chan..." Shanks murmured softly and Liza glanced at the male's blank facial expression. It was only brief before he gave her a wide grin. "How about you join my crew and become my musician?" He asked and everyone stared at him in disbelief.