This isn't something you can help me with.

Her words rang through Shanks's mind as he watched her sprint away. Hanabi's eyes furrowed in worry, pursing her lips. Astonishment washed over everyone's faces as they all stared at the passage Rue went on. Aisha prepared to chase after was held back by Yue. The child squirmed in Yue's grip, trying to escape to reach her mother.

Drowning out everything, the Red-Haired captain clenched his fist, the feeling of the silver-haired woman's warmth still lingering.

A deep frown settled upon his face. His mind played Rue's distress, her frantic nature, just an overall panic. Since their meeting, she had attempted to refuse any kind of help. It didn't matter how much assurance he tried to give her, she created distance between them. During their game, he figured that this woman wanted to gain something or else she wouldn't have gone through the trouble to wager her secrets.

He had seen many sides of her, she was a quiet one. A woman shrouded in mystery, a radiant beauty, but with so many secrets.

And so many sorrows.

It became an obvious fact that sharing things about herself was off-limits. Even though she kept her promise of no deception, she still seemed reluctant to reveal anything.

Especially when Jinovia was mentioned.

The captain's gaze landed on Aisha who cried out for her mother in Yue's arms. Aisha's shoulders shook as small whimpers escaped her lips; Yue rubbed her back offering her words of comfort. As he approached them, he gently laid his hand on her head ruffling her locks.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Aisha lifted her head to Shanks. "Why can't I see Mommy?" she uttered in a whisper, her breath shaky. She rubbed her eyes roughly,"Mommy, ok?"

Though Shank's smile was filled with assurance, his thoughts wondered the same thing.

Shanks's thoughts stopped as a roar ripped through the air. It froze their blood, chilling their bones. Everyone on the scene didn't make a move, the air thickening at every second. Aisha's hand gripped tightly on Yue's coller, pupils shaking at the curling sound.

Without another thought, the redhead sprung into action and immediately went in search of the silver-haired woman. In a blink, he was gone, leaving his crew with confusion, yet no followed suit.

Seeing Hanabi ready to follow, Yue grabbed her friend's hand. However, Hanabi yanked herself out of her friend's grip; Yue flinched from her friend's fiery glare. Though Hanabi's voice was low, it had an edge to it as she spoke for only her friend to hear, "You're hiding something."

The knight was certain her friend knew. They've served their mistress for years, knew her habits, favourite meals, hobbies; they knew everything that was necessary for a woman of the palace.

Yet that also met that Rue kept secrets from them.

Hanabi couldn't shake away the sentiment, a feeling that crawled at her back. She waited and waited as her gaze slowly became slightly distraught yet a tinge a hope within them.

However, all her hopes crashed as Yue's silence confirmed what she had already guessed. Her friend's gaze lowered as she looked anywhere else beside Hanabi's blazing brown eyes.

"I'm sorry," Yue began her eyes shut tightly, "I can't say."

Yue watched as Hanabi gritted her teeth while huffing in frustration. A tinge of pity reflected in her gaze, Yue distracted herself by running a soothing hand on the weeping child.

Soon Yue shifted her gaze in the distance with a frown. Though the lanterns above them enabled light into their view, nothing simmered anyone's worries at the moment. It was not like she wasn't allowed to tell her friend. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't reveal the truth.

It wasn't her place to do so anyway.

However, Yue trusted Rue and knew she would never do anything to harm them. As she turned back to frowning knight, Yue approached her and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

Though as she lifted her eyes, Yue detected sadness within her friend's brown eyes yet a tinge of anger still lingered within them. Yue's face formed a sad smile, "You know her ,she wouldn't do what she does without reason."

Her next words brought the knight into silence, Yue's tone gentle like the wind,"Just trust her."

Hanabi pursed her lips, she knew better than anyone she was the first to trust her mistress over anything after she saved her. Without question, she would follow Rue anywhere. However, her mind pledged her with many things about her mistress. Before she left Jinovia, no, before she left the imperial palace, she knew her mistress likes and dislikes, her hobbies, her favourite things. She has seen her many joys, her laughters, as well as her heartbreaks and sorrows.

Yet, still, there were things her mistress refused to reveal, refused to utter to her.

Now, a question began to throb in her mind, a question she would have never imagined. The thought of it alone made her tempted to slap herself for such disloyalty.

How could she trust someone who refused to do the same?

Hanabi flinched as she was pulled from her thoughts by a hand squeezing her shoulders. Lifting her gaze, she met Benn's brown eyes. The first mate turned to the rest of the crew.

"The captain can handle himself. Let's retire for the night." Despite the slight reluctance on a few faces, the air hung a tension, yet it a tinge of hope within it at the circumstances.

Though Hanabi wanted to protest, she quickly decided against it, awareness at the fact it wouldn't do any good. As everyone else began to leave to head back to the docks, Hanabi took one last glance at the road. Lit by the lanterns, yet still dark like a shadow. As she strolled back along with Yue, she couldn't fade the worry within her gaze for her mistress.

The sky still bloomed with stars, it's light leading the way. However, the beauty of night light couldn't simmer unsettling feelings im the whisper of the night.

On the other side of the island, Rue stared blankly at the endless sea's horizon. Silver curls loose and spread through the sand, her breathing steady and slowly released a harsh breath. Slowly, her eyes travelled to her hand.

Her hand, larger than the average size, was armoured with crystalline. Her sharp claws with glowing hues of blue at the nails.

Her heart sank at the sight. Immediately, she shut her eyes, turning away from her it. A shaky, but heavy sigh left her as her thoughts became ravelled by her reality. Rue didn't need to know what she looked like nor did she wanted to.

Though this wasn't her first time transforming, her beast form brought feelings of contempt, her features frowned as her brows furrowed with her lips tight.

Her mind travelled back to the past, unpleasant memories of Jinovia surfacing.

Faces filled with happiness. In these festivities, they danced, celebrated their many years of safety, their many years of prosperity. The little beastly child gaze up at them in wonder, her eyes never left their joyful smiles. They sang songs and ate merrily near a huge statue. Houses, buildings and shops all decorated in a blues, whites and tinges of black.

From her little view, Rue stared at the rocky figure which seemed to be a human, held in its hand a little figurine similar to her form, though she couldn't make out a face. The human had dark, aqua and creamy coloured flower crowns on its head

She gazed down out herself, taking a mesh of her hair in her hand. It looked similar to the coloured crown on the human statue. Then she looked down at her dark crystal one claws, it had the same colour too. And her eyes were just a blue as well. Not thinking much of it, a big grin appeared at the thought of them potentially celebrating someone like her, her face brightened with a red hue at the thought of the attention.

Her stomach growled like a famished lion as she nosed whiffed an aroma of a plate of a passerby. Her slit pupils dilated, her mouth watering. Her days without a meal were over.

Without a second thought, teeth sharper than a knife, Rue chomped on the passerby's plate in one shot. Her mouth consuming the fish, a salted and spices satisfied her taste buds; in her world, everything else was shut out, unable to hear the gasped around her.

As Rue set her gaze upon them, she tilted her head to the side while furrowing her brows in confusion. She lifted her eyes to the statue and froze, the human figure stood majestically in the middle of town. However, the figure similar to herself, held by its horn.

Rue's heart hammered in her chest as her pupils shook at its appearance. Something in her stomach twisting, a sickening feeling in her stomach.

The beast head was decapitated.

She watched the town's people's faces slowly turn into terror stricken expressions. Rue's features matched theirs.

"Monster!" A female voice yelled out, a slight tremble in it. She pointed a finger in disgust.

"Kill it!" Another shouted, a fearful base within their tone. "Kill it before it curses us all!"

The sand shifted beneath her as Rue curled into a ball. Her foetal position made her wrap, her black crystalline tail around her. The tip of her claws poking the blue hue tip of her tail. She attempted to shut herself from the world.

From a world that only saw beast.

Unfortunately for her, not everything would go her way. Her pupils dilated as her stomach growled like a famished lion. Her senses became alerted, nose whiffing the air, clouded by numerous flavours. Though she was distance away from the village the scent was familiar to anyone who knew their way around the ocean. Unconsciously, she slowly stood up as a particular scent slapped her like a wave, her head swirled to the ocean. The scent got stronger as she approached the sea, she licked her lips as her eyes glowed a blue hue. As the water covered her, its cooling temperature didn't bother her one bit as her focus zoned on her prey.

She watched as many fishes swirled around her, different sizes and tastes; the thought of it only made her tastes buds unable to resist the temptation. She knew had been long, days months or maybe even years since she ever ate properly in her human form. Though she hated her beast form, this was the only time were she could indulge in her nature.

She dived going after her prey.

Elsewhere, with sweat on his temple as his worries increased every minute, Shanks sped around the village in search of the silver haired woman. He went through shops, venues just wherever he thought he would find her. However, no matter who he asked, no matter where he went there was no sign of her anywhere.

His frowned deepened as a bubble of anxiety began to rise within him. He knew she wanted to be alone, he knew she refused  his help, but for some reason he couldn't let her be.

No matter how hard he attempted to resist , the beauty had a hold on him like a chain.

Though it wasn't like he made any efforts to resist the chain that held him back the neck. The way she spoke, her demeanour, everything about her made intriguing.

Some may darn right say he became bewitched by a siren, or even a witch. He was under a spell that he couldn't break free from. Though that may be far from the truth, his actions say otherwise.

Though Rue acted as if she was fine, her kind smile may fool anyone, but his perceptive gaze wasn't tricked. Behind her smile, behind her polite mannerisms, beneath it all was a woman deeply hurt. Whether she wanted the help or not, she would reject the thought of it. However, no matter what he couldn't give up on her  when she needed it most.

Not after he heard her scream along with a powerful roar.

His steps travelled further and further away from town to end up on the other side of the island. However, he didn't find only an empty endless. As his gaze searched for her, they widened at the discovery.

His form was shadowed by a mountain of corpse. Remains of many fishes consumed by its prey; not an ounce of flesh left upon them.

The anxiety that weight on his shoulders increased at the thought of the worst possibility.

He continued in his search, his gaze skimming the area. It was quiet, the sea still and unmoving.

Who would have thought the night would whisk away into the daylight? The stars simmered into the pale hue of the skies. The sun rays beaming unto the island. However not many enjoyed the light in the horizon.

Rue groaned, taking a handful of her silver curls in frustration. Not even the cool breeze sent a shiver on her bare skin at the fiery anger towards herself; not even the fresh oceans that cling to her could simmer it. The water only reached her waist.

There she was at the beach, completely nude in the ocean, hair drenched and sticking to her like glue. Slowly, her eyes began to burn, tears spilling. A salty taste mixed with it as it drenched down her cheeks. She felt foolish, how could she have forgotten to bring a change of clothes, or at least taken off the ones she had on before she transformed.

She washed her tears away with sea water. Staring into the water, her reflection displayed her usual silver curls, cleaving to her skin as drops of water slipped from it. Her dark skin, eyes matching the colour of the seas. A tinge of relief washed over her; at least she was back in her human form.

That still didn't change the fact that she was naked. Hopefully, things couldn't get any worst then this.

"Rue!" Her eyes widened, immediately sinking herself further in the water to hide herself as she hugged her form. Instantly, she recognized the red-haired captain's voice.

Now, she wished the ocean had swallowed her.

Back turned to him, her gaze remained towards the horizon. The whips of the sea filled her ears, the thump of her heart began to overpower her all of her senses, her breath intensifying.

"Rue," she flinched as she felt the ripples of water, an obvious indication that Shanks had entered the water. His voice somehow was soothing, his tone filled with what seemed to her relief.

However, they were alone. No one else on the vacant beach. Not a soul to witness anything. Anyone who saw them would assume the worst. In all honesty, Rue and Shanks were close enough to call each other friends, in fact, she knew nothing of him besides the fact of his status as one of the four Emperors of the Sea. His status alone would bring a tremble to anyone. To achieve such feats in the pirate age was commendable, yet also displayed his power amongst other rival pirates.

Rue began to shake like a leaf, which means she couldn't act recklessly. He might have seen kind, but anyone could put on an act. They would smile in your face while hiding a knife behind their back. She pursed her lips at the thought of it; her mind clouding with doubt.

He was a pirate, no, a man. She was in a vulnerable spot, she bit her lower lip while gripping her crystal.

However, all her thoughts vanished as a warm coat was placed on her shoulders, delicately wrapped around her. Her head sprung, meeting the red-head's bright grin.

"There ya go, you seem cold for a second there," his tone cheery as usual, not an ounce of deception in it.

Slowly turning around, gripping the coat on her, her breath hitched at his gentle gaze.  He didn't look anywhere else, just gazed into her eyes. He extended his hand towards her, "Let's go back."

Placing her hand in his, she felt the difference in the temperature. Though she didn't feel any cold, the warmth from his hands brought heat to her cheeks. As they made their way out of the water. He had his back turn to her, she kept her gaze on him, guilt began to eat her up at the thoughts she previously had.

Many or any sick minded person would have taken the chance, the opportunity to take advantage of the situation. Though it wasn't something she couldn't handle, it was still exhausting.

Yet Shanks didn't, instead he thought of her well being.

Now at this very moment she could conclude one thing.

Shanks was a good man after all.

Unbeknownst to Rue, Shanks noticed something she desperately wanted to keep hidden. A secret that would unravel her Pandora's box. Though he tried not to show it, the clenching of his jaw said otherwise.

His mind imagined the worst scenario on Rue's suffering. Whomever had had injured her would experience his wrath for laying a hand on her.

Through her wet silver curls, he had witnessed a significant amount of scarring on her back.

Finally making it back to shore, Rue bit her lips at the sight of the amount of bones of fishes on the beach. She swallowed as a tinge of guilt consumed her; she had eaten too many. This would always happen in her beast form, she had a hard time eating in her human form. Somehow, in her beast, it would make up the amount she hasn't eaten.

She clutched her crystal, an unpleasant memory surfacing, her throat burned as a nauseating sensation began to rise.

A memory resurfacing all the way back to her days in the palace in Jinovia. The memory crashed on her like a wave back to that specific moment. It was so vivid, she could never forget it even if she wanted to.

Back in her palace quarters in Jinovia, during that year, the year she was sixteen. Nothing felt different, not much changed. The flowers bloomed, the servants did their daily chores, the woman of the harem searching for entertainment somewhere.

Except this year, she was with child.

Rue felt a bile rise up within her. She covered her mouth, a nauseating sensation; she tasted a mixture of flavours almost oatmeal like. Quickly, she ran to the bathroom to throw it all up. As she arrived, she immediately hunched over the toilet and emptied her stomach. She choked for a moment, trying to catch her breath; she threw up once more. Servants arrived, she knew Yue was the one soothing her back while she lifted up her braid. Hanabi was at her side with a cup of water for her to clean her mouth.

With a grateful gleam in her eyes, Rue took out a handkerchief, wiping the remaining bits of the foul smell. However, her friend's warmth left as soon as his presence was announced.

"His Majesty The Emperor!" His attendant proclaimed. Rue didn't have to turn around to know he shooed her servants out of the room to give them some privacy. Though Hanabi and Yue stayed in the room, they had moved a few paces away from them, heads bowed in greeting the ruler of their country.

"Greetings to the Sun of the Empire." They both uttered, Yue curtsied as she lifted both ends of her dress while the knight, Hanabi, placed a hand on her heart and bowed on one knee. However, like always, he didn't acknowledge them.

She struggled to rise and greet him like as a consort should. "I-I greet his Majesty,"however, the Emperor grabbed her arm and lifted her for her to stand.

His soft fingers brushed her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his golden eyes. His lips lifted into a smile, Rue's shoulders sagged in relief, seeing that her husband was in a good mood.

He frowned for a moment, placing a hand on her shoulder, "It's Caspian when it's just the two of us."

He brought her out of her private bathroom, bringing her into her small living room for her them to sit, Hanabi and Yue following suit.

Instead of allowing her to sit on the soft cushion, Rue gasped as his strong arms grabbed her by the waist to sit on his lap. She began to feel heat rise in her body, while her heart thumped in her chest. "Y-Caspian!"

"Are you eating well?" Though his voice etched worry within it for her, Rue knew that even if she lied there would be consequences to her actions. It was a warning to her next move.

Looking down for a moment, before he once again lifted her chin for him to stare into her eyes.

Before she could utter a word, Hanabi responded, head bowed. "Replying to his majesty, Mistress appetite hasn't been the same. Her eating habits have changed causing her to feel unwell."

Rue bit her lower lip, the minty flavour of her gloss lingering. Due to her beast form she ate more than the average person, however, her husband had the kitchen make more than she could intake.

Though she knew the reason, but still it was a bit much to give her double what she usually ate. She either wouldn't finish the food and give to the servants to eat or vomit. However, since she was pregnant she thought it was normal to be sick often.

Rue flinched as Caspian's hand travelled around her stomach, softly brushing his fingers on the fabric of her dress. His eyes gazed into hers in disappointment, "You're not just eating for yourself you know."

Rue's eyes travelled to the large bump on her stomach, she could never get used to the sight of it. Gazing at her it and soothing it lovingly, who would have thought that after all past events that they ended up here. Her conceiving a future member of the royal family, a possible prince or princess.

"I know it's hard on you since you're..." Caspian trailed, slight glancing at her servants. "Due to your circumstances, I know it's not easy, but at least make an effort for the child."

His soft hand caressed her cheeks, "You're right," Rue told him as Caspian placed a kiss on her palm that was on his cheek. "I'll eat more for child's sake."

Through the corner of her eye, she spotted Yue's who face displayed a solemn expression while Hanabi attempted to hide the anger that emitted from her.

Rue could only respond with a small smile though she knew that wouldn't reassure them. She understood their well mostly Hanabi's ill feelings towards the Emperor they served. After, many ways he has treated her, she doesn't blame them for their ugly sentiments towards him.

To be brief, he hasn't exactly treated her well a year ago. Since she has gotten pregnant at the end of last year, things have gotten better; she was promoted from Imperial Concubine to a Consort. Though many other women in the harem thought she wasn't deserving of it, but what they say didnt really matter to her.

Her eating habits had changed. Though it wasn't necessarily the quality, but the quantity. She had attempted to decrease her usual intake to not raise any suspicion or seem like a glutton. As well as remain attractive to her husband who was the Emperor of his country. However, ever since she became pregnant, Caspian had made sure to visit her as many times as he could to ensure that she ate more.

Day in and day out, she woke up next to Caspian, ate breakfast with him, spend his free time with him. Even if he spend another minute with an another woman in the harem, he would always come back to her.

And she was grateful for that.

Rue's body jolted as Caspian continued to leave from kisses on her palm, travelling up to her wrist. She felt his hand on her cheek, his eyes filled with affection, making her respond with a shy smile.

Both in their own world has if nothing else mattered, but each other.

"You know I love you right?" Caspian whispered, his thumb caressing her lips softly.

His soft tone brought a tremble to in her form, a sweet smile spread across her lips. His eyes had a glimmer to it; as if she was lulled into another place. She gaze down to her bump, for some odd reason she felt no movement, not a thing from her bundle of joy.

Though as she looked back up, there was a shine within her husband's eyes. Like magic, all thoughts disappeared. Her smile only became wider,"Yes, I do too." She hoped things would remain this way, for them to remain happy.

She would eat more though it was exhausting and her stomach felt full. However, for the sake of the child, her efforts wouldn't go be in vain.

If it made him happy then she was happy.

Who would have thought that this happy even would come to an end.

Who would have thought at the child's birth would end in a miscarriage?

Who would have thought her trust friend would betray her?

Who would have guessed that she would be blamed and left to rot in the cold palace?

And no one would have thought that she would drink the poison out of despair.

Rue jolted out of her thoughts as Shanks calloused hand, shook her shoulder. Her eyes looked up to his worried gaze, "Are you sure you're alright?"

Noticing her blank out the moment and stare at the pile of bones made him almost shudder. Her eyes, the gleam within them were gone, almost dead. Her beautiful specks of blue became dirty like a shadow of darkness washed over them.

For some reason, he hated how lifeless they looked.

Searching within his eyes, Rue still saw the sincerity in them. He was worried for a well being like he was before. Her gaze softened as a gentle smile spread, "Thanks to you, I think I will be ok."

For a moment, the captain's breath hitched, he paused in awe at her smile. He coughed to simmer the heat that began spreading on his cheeks. Soon, a grin spread on his face, "That's good to hear."

Their smiles remained unwavering as they gazed at each other. Shanks's gaze softened, "I won't ask what happened back there."

Rue's eyes widened for a moment. He continued, "But if you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask." He gave her a wink. Every single assumption of him thrown out the window, now replaced with a new found vigour.

Rue looked down, a sudden shame overcoming her. She gripped his jacket like it was her sole comfort, "I'm sorry."

"Hm?" Shanks hummed, gazing at her curiously.

"I misjudged you, you've treated me well and I..." Rue bit her lip as she began clutching her crystal. She felt his hand placed on her shoulder, giving her a squeeze. Lifting up her eyes, his brown eyes displayed kindness like it always did.

"Let's get back to others shall we?"

Shanks picked up a yellow outfit, the dress at Rue had worn previously. He chuckled sheepishly, "It's kinda ripped up, but good enough for you to walk around town in it." He held it up for her to see, "You might want to still wear the jacket."

Rue looked at the dress, though the top was in one piece, the bottom was a bit shorter then usual, a few wholes here and there. However , the dress looked more like a top than it does a whole outfit. If she were to show up around town with just her jacket...

Now, this was problem.

Ok, 10k is one thing...but 12k already!?

Thanks a bunch! By the way, we are coming to a close with our time with Shanks 😭! I thought with his type of personality he would have Rue open up a bit.

I do want to mention one little thing about Jinovia though. I am drawing influence from the Renaissance as well as Qing Dynasty China.

Once we do get deeper into it, I will expand on it a bit more as we go. I don't want to overwhelm any of you nor myself cuz the road ahead is long!

Also, all these events (Rue meeting different characters of One Piece) is set a year before canon. I will give you guys hints that we are getting closer to the canon events of One Piece.

Anywho until next time!