Bloodlines

Chapter 21

Liza let out a breath as she wiped the small trail of sweat that slowly formed on her forehead. She put a heavy box onto of another one and nodded in satisfaction at her work. Shanks out another box next to her and dusted off his hands.

"There, that should be all of the antiques here upstairs. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. You're not too bad, Red Hair," Liza said and gave Shanks a playful hit on his shoulder before she received a large grin.

"See? Time flies when you're having fun! All we have left to do is the basement, right?" Shanks asked and Liza nodded. She flexed her hands slightly and she could feel that they stung a little from the heavy lifting.

Shanks's eyes immediately shifted towards her hands that Liza massaged a bit. He suddenly took her hands in his and her eyes widened. He softly touched the bandages' skin and his brows furrowed slightly.

"What are you-""Good, they're not bleeding. You need to be careful, Liza. I'll carry the boxes from now on. I don't want your wounds to open again," he said and Liza noticed the earnest emotion of concern dance in his eyes.

Liza's blue eyes traveled towards the small bandage on his forehead where his scars stuck out from underneath and her brows knitted together. Liza huffed, crossed her arms over her body and walked forward, not looking where she was going.

"My hands are fine. I can lift these boxes without any effort. Don't underestimate me, pirate," Liza said as she glanced back at Shanks. "I may not be able to use them in combat, but they're fine to carry things."

Shanks let out a heavy sigh and shook his head in disapproval. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" His words seemed to please Liza since she smirked back at him. She returned her attention in front of her but accidently missed a step.

"Oh shi-Ah!" Liza fell down in a dark hole beneath the floor that she didn't see. She mentally cursed herself for not looking where she was going and felt the wood of stairs hit her body. She grunted as she rolled onto a hard and cold floor, groaning as a result.

"Liza! Hey, Liza! Are you alright?! Where are you?!" Shanks called as he ran towards the opening and looked down only to see darkness. He heard her moan and narrowed his eyes to try and see something within the darkness.

"I'm fine! I just didn't look where I was going!" Liza said and let out a sigh at her slightly aching muscles. She couldn't see a thing in the basement but knew there had to be a lamp she could switch on somewhere.

"Hold on, I'm coming down-""No, wait!"

It was too late. She heard Shanks yelp after he took a step miss and he tumbled down the stairs much like she did. Liza let out a silent cry when he landed on top of her and Shanks grunted on the impact.

It was much softer than he expected.

"Ugh... You idiot, didn't I tell you to wait? Do you ever listen?!" Liza snapped at the male in the darkness and felt him move slightly. Her face heated up when she felt something grab hold of her breast.

"WHERE ARE YOU TOUCHING, PERVERTED PIRATE!" Liza kicked Shanks away in the darkness and quickly covered her chest. Her face was on fire and her breathing was heavy. Shanks hit something hard and groaned.

"W-what did you do that for, Liza? Ow, that was my head I hit," he grumbled out the last part while holding the bump that was slowly starting to form. He heard scurrying in the darkness and it wasn't long until a lamp was lit.

It took him a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the suddenly bright room, his eyes resting on Liza. She gave him a glare which lethalness was hidden beneath her flushed face and embarrassed expression.