😉

"I don't know about this Liv it seems like a bit much for me..." you started messing around with a strand of hair.

The festival has begun, there were bright red and yellow lanterns lining the streets. The colours symbolised blood shed and freedom to remind everyone that freedom always has a price. Stalls with all different kinds of food from everyone's homeland sent captivating smells to unsuspecting visitors; kites and masks on sale for men and children to play with. Everyone was wearing different coloured kimonos to represent the trials they've faced in order to be where they are. Everybody was ecstatic, downing alcohol like it was the last day of their lives and throwing yellow and red flower petals into the air.

'It's only been thirty minutes...' you sweat dropped.

"Puh-lease! You look gorgeous! I only added a little makeup, you don't even need the stuff" Liv grumbled the last part.

As an Amazonian warrior she decided to wear a floor length, black kimono decorated with red and purple flowers. She'd explained that the black represented isolation from the world on the island and how she was always kept in the dark even in her cell. The purple was to symbolise her noble warrior blood and the red flowers was the exact number of people she'd killed for her freedom in the mutiny. There were a lot of red flowers. Her long silky hair was tied up into a low bun, decorated with more flowers. And to finish the look a red parasol decorated with Amazonian blossoms. She looked stunning.

'I stick out like a sore thumb...' you sighed.

You were wearing a floor length dark blue kimono adorned with famous flowers from the east blue and interlinking diamonds. Across your waist was a golden tie, with orange flowers which represented freedom from the flames. The idea was that you'd never gotten your hands dirty with blood so you couldn't really wear red, but despite that were still taken to sea. Diamonds symbolised that even when you were chained down, it produced a beautiful ending. The flowers were a symbol of the home you used to have, and how you've made it again now. Liv had given you a few strands of hair to play with but she'd braided the rest back and decorated it with blue and purple flowers plus one origami flower.

To finish of the look you held a deep blue parasol splashed with golden petals

It really was beautiful but because there was no red on you, it caused you to stand out just a little. Even though what you were wearing was very modest, you could feel the gazes of men and women on you, radiating their intentions solely via eye-contact.

'Oh joy... I haven't even preformed yet and the focus is already on me. Although now that I think about it... I'm pretty sure most of them are looking at Liv' you released a small sigh as you continued down the streets.

"(y/n) I'm gonna have to leave you here, I'm basically the star for the whole night. I mustn't let anyone else take my spotlight!" She clenched her fist as the murderous intent seeped out of her soul. Swivelling round she faced me "will you be ok on your own? I wanted to meet your friend but I'm sure we can do that later!"

you nodded your head and shooed her towards the stage. In less than ten seconds she had already disappeared into the crowd.

'Now... where could Ace and his friends be?' you wondered.

Quite frankly, the universe was feeling nice this afternoon and decided to offer you assistance in your quest. In the distance, you heard a resounding scream, that went along the lines of this...

"AAGGHH!!! HE'S DEAD!!!..... WAIT!!! HE'S JUST ASLEEP!?!"

"Found him... thank you universe" you giggled to yourself as you made your way over to a hysterical woman.

"OH (Y/n)! It was awful! Just awful!" the lady gripped your shoulders and shook you around. "This man just came and died! But he wasn't dead! He was asleep! And now he won't wake up!" she bawled into a handkerchief.

Ace was passed out on the floor snoring loudly. Upon closer inspection he was wearing a plain black and red kimono, one that hung loosely on him so that his upper half was still exposed. He had three meaty kebab sticks in one hand and a small velvet black box in his other.

'Geez Ace don't you know you should only take what you can handle? and where are your friends?' you looked around quizzically before your eyes landed on the hysterical woman.

"Mama Tia it's ok! Please calm down... He's a friend of mine, take this money and give me a minute to wake him up." you knelt down beside Ace and looked at him.

You then cupped your mouth and whispered into his ear "Is that Garp coming?"

Ace instantly bolted upright and hastily assessed his surroundings for the fearsome man only to lay his eyes on you giggling into your kimono.

"I see you still have a well founded fear for Grandpa!" you chuckled whilst he pouted.

"Not cool (y/n)... (Y/N)!!!" Ace jumped to his feet, as if only realising now that this was the first time he'd seen you all day.

"Hi Ace" you smiled "Your kimono looks really good on you" you said standing up and dusting the dirt of off Ace's back and shoulders.

"Thanks... but (Y/n)... you look gorgeous... like a queen..." Ace said half dazed by your beauty.

You laughed at his dazed state. Embarrassed, red crept unto Ace's face as he horribly attempted to avoid eye-contact. He tried to scratched the back of his neck only to realise he was holding three kebabs in his hand which caused him to prick himself and yelp.

"I don't remember you being this clumsy" you laughed.

"Ha Ha really funny" he grumbled

He swiftly ate them, threw the remains in the bin and shifted around to thank the people for the food. He then shoved one hand in his pocket and used the other to grab your hand.

"So where do you wanna go my queen?" he sarcastically bowed and smirked.

"Doesn't matter as long as it's with you fireball" you giggled at his mocking.

"Alrighty then!... lets try some games!" He beamed and guided you down the streets.

———————————————————————

You soon realised that all the game stalls ramped up the difficulty whenever Ace tried to win you a prize. Jealosy was definitely in the air, but it didn't even faze you and Ace. He'd occasionally pout but you'd rub his back and console him. Just being in each other's company was more than enough for you.

"(Y/n)? ...Did Marco do something to you?" Ace asked as you walked towards a drinks stall.

"Thatch seemed pretty upset this morning; to the point where he looked like he might've murdered someone in your house. But instead he dragged Marco by his shirt back to the ship. They said thanks for your hospitality by the way" he informed.

Your face flushed as the memories bombarded your ability to think straight.

"U-Uh n-no he didn't hurt me! We just talked for a while that's all!" you looked around for anything to keep you distracted. You went fidgety immediately. Ace watched you. You were an awful liar but he would never force you to do something you didn't want to.

Ace let out an awkward sigh "Alright... that's all I wanted to know..."

"OI! HAWKY DIDN'T I TELL YOU THE DRINKS HERE WOULD BE GREAT! BRIGGS IS A GENIUS!" Laughed a man with three scars on his face.

The man was wearing a white kimono with red stripes all over it. His face was well defined and had a very sexy rugged look to it. To match his rugged looks he had very vibrant messy red hair. on his immediate right was a man in a black kimono with green and gold on his sleeves and the bottom half. His pitch black hair was slicked back and his jawline demonstrated true precision along with his sideburns. His golden eyes had probably killed so many women, they were both intense and intimidating.

"Stop calling me that Shanks. You're being too loud" the dark haired man took a sip of his alcohol. "I'm pretty sure you said that you can't bring attention to yourself because someone here asked you not to..."

"I'M NOT BRINGING ATTENTION TO MYSELF! I HAVEN'T EVEN BROUGHT MY CREW WITH ME!" The drunk man retorted

"No you didn't, instead you dragged a warlord along with you and forced him into these unnecessary clothes..." he sighed taking another sip.

"ITS A FESTIVAL HAWKY! THIS IS HOW YOU DRESS, BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW! YOU NEVER LEAVE THAT DARK AND GLOOMY PLACE!" Shanks swivelled around on his chair so that he was facing the crowded streets. "I'M JUST DOING YOU A FAVOUR! BRIGGS HERE IS AN AWESOME BREWERY BUT WAIT TILL YOU MEET ..." In that moment red hair caught sight of you.

His grin grew as your face paled. He shot up and dogged it towards you. You were paralysed to the spot, bracing for impact. Ace had no idea what was going on so he instinctively pulled you into him, as red hair leapt towards you.

"(Y/N)!!! I MISSED YOU SO-HUWAGH!" The red haired man was yanked back with his collar.

"I'm very sorry about that miss. He's quite drunk as you can see." The man grumbled, clearly upset that he was babysitting this grown man.

"Hey kid... let go of my princess you dirty little-!" He growled at Ace.

Another strike to the head from dark and mysterious and red hair was now groaning quietly on the ground. The dark haired man sighed and was about to drag the him back but the sound of Shanks being smacked across the head woke you from your dazed state.

"Shanks! How many times have I told you not to jump at me! You're a fully grown man! You'll just take me out!" You scolded as you pulled away from Ace to kneel down beside him, much to Ace's dismay.

You started to rub the spot where he'd been hit to ease the pain whilst he pouted.

"I'm sorry (y/n) it's just been so long since I last saw you" he sulked like a child.

"You two actually know each other?!" The both men asked in surprise.

You giggled. Mihawk had released Shanks at this point but he just sulked about being hit because he wanted to hold you.

"Shanks came here about 3 years ago to stock up. I managed to convince people to sell to their crew and as thanks they hosted a party on their ship for me.... which ironically depleted their supplies again." You laughed at the memory which Shanks now perked up at.

He managed to work his way into a more comfortable position and clung onto you. Shanks held tightly and started rubbing his face against yours. The smell of booze alone was making you feel light headed as you felt his gravely chin against your cheek. It just made you laugh more and pet his head. You had found that drunk Shanks was very affectionate compared to sober Shanks... only by a bit.

"(Y/n) was so nice to us even though she knew we were pirates. And when I found out she was friends with Luffy we just had to throw a celebration for my princess" he beamed "She's the one I was telling you about Hawky" Shanks smiled to the dark male who was grimacing at his nickname.

"Princess ...?" Ace questioned the nickname.

"He calls me that because I remind him of one apparently" You giggled. "Shanks is just a big softie and a lot like a doting dad. He can get quite overprotective at times." you exahaled.

"Once he set his entire crew on one of my pursuers to my hand in marriage. He also tried to put his flag in my house four times" You recalled as you slowly pried Shanks off and stood.

"I only wanted to protect you from bad men princess!" He sulked again.

"But if you did put the flag up in my house then no visitor would feel at ease in my home except you and your crew" you crossed your arms.

"I don't see the problem here..." Shanks grumbled.

You sighed and made your way over to introduce yourself to the tall dark man.

"I'm (y/n) it's a pleasure to meet you" you stuck out your hand to shake his. "I hope you enjoy your time here. If you ever need a place to stay, my house is always open to visitors" you smiled warmly.

Mihawk was definitely surprised by your kindness towards him. Barely known him and offering him a place to stay. 'Maybe Shanks was right... she is peculiar' he smirked.

"Hawkeyes Mihawk." He took your hand and kissed the back of it. "I may take you up on the offer another time, but for now I'll just enjoy the festival and babysit this blabbering idiot" he sighed.

You flushed from the action and Shanks complained about how he wanted to stay over.

"Ace it's been a while!" Shanks had only now processed his presence.

"You seem to be doing well and I've heard that you've now joined be Whitebeard pirates! Luffy's got his own crew as well!" He smirked. "Well that's more reasons to celebrate! let's spend the rest of the evening together seen as how you're all here now!" Shanks bellowed in excitement.

He snatched your wrist from Mihawk, swooped you up off your feet bridal style and started too run off with you through the crowds of people. You yelped a little and clutched your parasol and Shank's kimono for support.

"H-Hey wait!" Ace growled, not at all happy about being interrupted.

"Shanks you're still drunk you damn fool!" Mihawk and Ace chased after you.

'This is going to be a long night' you giggled to yourself.

———————————————————————