Ryuji squinted his eyes at the red head, he seemed familiar to him. He thought about it for a moment then his eyes widened in realization as he glanced at Rue. With a simple smile and a hush with a finger on her lips, Ryuji gave her a deadpanned expression. He sighed as he folded his arms, Ryuji may not know why she did the things she did, but he wouldn't ask.

"Mistress, are you alright?" Rue almost cringed at the name, although it wasn't Hanabi's fault. It was just her way of being courteous.

Though they were no longer on that island hearing that title...Hearing it again after years have passed felt so...Foreign to her.

Rue clutched her daughter in her arms, not noticing her daughter trying to wiggle free. It all brought awful memories.

"Mommy, it hurts!" Rue gasped as her daughter jumped out of her arms. Looking up at her mother with a pout, the little girl crossed her arms. "You squeezed me too hard!"

Rue gave her an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Shai." Shanks watched the interaction at the side. He would have never guessed she was a mother, it would have never crossed his mind. He observed as she picked up her pouting child, giving her small apologizes with a promise of a meal with a sweet smile.

The red head's eyes fell back on the corpse, its eyes wide in surprise as if caught off guard. The bruising on the neck a deep purple in contrast to his skin; the man seemed bigger than she was. Lots of questions plagued his mind, how could a woman like her take down a man in such a size?

Shanks pursed his lips, well he has seen strange things at sea before so this shouldn't be anything new. But one thing was certain, there was no way she was okay after that. Instead, he continued to watch their interaction.

Rue turned to Hanabi with a smile, "You know you can call me by my name, right?"

Hanabi's cheeks flushed, she looked away as she muttered with a stutter. "H-how dare I..." She was a knight while her mistress was someone above her, calling her by her name would be a taboo. Her brown eyes met kindness in her mistress's eyes; Hanabi fidgeted, playing with her fingers shyly. "T-then I'll call you sister if that's ok." Her voice got smaller at every syllable.

Shanks gave her a look, since when did she have a shy side. Rue huffed a laugh at her friend. Soon, Hanabi's gaze landed on the child in her arms. The silver haired woman noticed Hanabi observing the child in her arms; Aisha looked up at the raven-haired woman with a curious gleam in her eyes.

"Sister, is she..." Hanabi began, her words trailing off. Rue took a glance to the red head who hadn't said another word and to Ryuji who kept an eye out in the streets.

"I'll explain later..." Hanabi froze as Rue plummeted the curious child in her arms. Shanks almost giggled like a school girl at Hanabi's petrified expression, holding the child who became excited at seeing the new stranger. "Hanabi, This is my daughter Aisha. Shai, this is mommy's friend, Hanabi."

"Hi, Bibi!" Aisha grinned at her while sweat began to built on Hanabi's temple at the excited child in her arms. She felt a growl from the child's stomach. Aisha rubbed her stomach, a slight frown on her, "Bibi, I'm hungry."

"U-um..." Hanabi slightly cringed at the mispronunciation of her name, although she had experience under her belt, that did not include children. She looked at Rue for help, but her mistress was busy discussing something with the other guy she hasn't noticed before until now.

"Need a hand? I'm pretty good with kids." Hanabi glared at a smirking Shanks. Aisha's brown eyes lit up looking at the mysterious man behind her. "I'm Shanks," he grinned as he ruffled the child's hair which she responded with one of her own.

"Hi Mister Banks!"

"It's Shanks."

The child pouted angrily "That's what I said!"

Hanabi's lips curved into a smirk, "Actually his full name is Stinky Shanks!" The red head gasped dramatically. "You can call him Smelly Shanks, Fishy Shanks and Oh! My personal favourite is Rancid Shanks."

Shanks crouched in a corner, mushrooms growing on him with a dark cloud floating on top of him. He muttered a, "so mean" with tears slipping from his eyes.

Hanabi's smirk widened while Aisha giggled at Shanks reaction, "You're funny Mister Banks!" Her stomach growled like a hungry lion, she frowned once again. She tapped Hanabi's chest to get her attention. "Bibi, hungry!"

Again, Hanabi looked to Rue who approached them with a smile. Still clutching the coat on her shoulders, she took her money pouch. Hanabi struggled a bit to clutch it in with a hand while holding the child in her arms. "You go on ahead with her and get her something to eat. It will give you the opportunity to get more acquainted with her."

"S-so much.." Hanabi wondered if all this money was necessary for one child. However, the nervous smile on Rue's face said it all. Glancing at the small child in her arms, the kid didn't seem gluttonous, the child looked well and taken care of. Dressed in simple shirt with shorts and sandals. How much can this kid eat?

"I'm trusting you with my treasure," Hanabi's gaze landed on Rue, a gentle smile on her lips. She poked her daughter's side, making the child giggle from the contact. "Protect her for me while I handle something here."

Hanabi's pupils shook, pride swelled within her. An unmeasurable amount of trust from her mistress rested upon her shoulders. She was entrusting her with her most precious treasure. With nod, Hanabi's gaze become focused, "Understood, I'll follow your orders."

Rue's smile widened, "Hanabi, we are...no longer at that place anymore." Habits were hard to kill and Rue knew this. Therefore, she couldn't fault Hanabi for being the way she was. "There's no need to be so formal."

The hesitation in her eyes made Rue sigh. Again, she couldn't fault Hanabi for this. It was what she was familiar with, their previous environment required a strict hierarchy. It affected who they spoke to, how they addressed them and the power that came with it.

"Nevermind then." Rue told her, "I'll catch up with you later." With a quick nod, Rue gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and send her goodbyes. The child waved enthusiastically at her mother as she left with Hanabi.

Rue didn't miss the gaze Ryuji's cornered look as Hanabi passed by. Hanabi and Ryuji didn't return a greeting, they simply took a glance at each other and went back to their business.

Yet the sensation from him made something in Hanabi's stomach twist.

As she left with the child in hand, Rue set her eyes on a sulking Shanks in the corner. She lifted a brow at his behaviour; she never would guessed a pirate would act like...This.

Especially an Emperor of the sea.

"Shanks." He stopped sulking and turned to her. She gave him a polite smile, her fingers brushing the coat on her shoulders. "If it's alright with you, I would like to thank the rest of your crew for looking after my friends."

A complete 180 in his mood, The red head gave Rue a big grin on his face. "It was nothing, I'm glad I was able to help."

While removing his coat, Shanks pushed her hands back with the possession in her arms. "Keep it for now until we uh..." He rubbed the back of his head. "Until we get you something better."

Taking a better look at him, Rue noticed him towering over her. He was way taller than expected, his hair was true to the rumours as  a beautiful crimson. Tan skinned and a strong built by the exposure of it by the low cut of his white long-sleeved shirt. A sword strapped on his red belt, his brown pants reaching half-way along with black sandals.

His most noticeable trait was his missing limb on his right along with three scars on his left eye.

Feeling her eyes on him, he bent down slightly to her height a hand on hilt of his sword. A small smirk on his face, "You're staring." He chuckled as she looked away bashfully, clutching his coat in her hands. "By the way, are you alright?"

Rue gazed up at him curiously. She hummed and Shanks continued. There was a dark gleam in his eyes. Although his voice was calm Rue could feel the slight hostility, " Those men...they didn't do anything to you, did they?"

Rue was taken aback for a moment, wondering where this anger steeped from. She gripped his jacket in her hands for support as she breathed to simmer her emotions. It was better not to think about it.

That was what she always did.

Think, and not feel.

Seconds ago, Shanks watched her eyes widened then go blank. Now, she gave him her polite smile, acting as if nothing was wrong.  "I'm fine."

After seeing that corpse, somehow, Shanks knew that wasn't the truth.

"I really hate to break up this sweet moment we're having over here." Both of them looked to Ryuji's dead expression. He pointed to the dead bodies around, "But unless you're helping  me move the trash, I suggest we leave this creepy alley."

"Right..." Rue muttered, she used played with the fabric of the coat.

"How about we get you something else to wear?" Shanks suggested, smoothly changing the subject. Rue gave him a slow nod as she was led away, she gave Ryuji one last look before leaving with Shanks.

Her thoughts drifted back to her earlier conversation she had with Ryuji. She glanced at Shanks before looking down.

While Hanabi was busy with Aisha. Rue strolled towards Ryuji. She jerked her head to the bodies of the assailants, "Take care of those for me."

Ryuji's lips curved into a playful smirk, "And here I thought you came to check up on my well-being." He fixed his gaze on the passerby's on the street. "Do you know who he is?" Rue kept her eyes on him, he continued, "That Shanks guy?"

"Who wouldn't be able to recognize one of the four Emperors of the sea?" Of course, Rue would know the man through the numerous poster on islands she had visited or from Marine files on pirates. Red- Haired Shanks would be impossible to miss.

They both got quiet for a moment, the street chatter in the air. Ryuji's tone lost all usual playfulness, "Don't get too close, we don't know what he is capable."

Rue glanced at him, "You know..." She began as she played with the sides of the coat. "Having an Emperor on our side would beneficial."

Ryuji responded with a fixed expression. Brows furrowed in uncertain, "or more unnecessary enemies."

"But a strong backing," Rue shot back matching his look.

"Or more complications."

"Didn't you say that the fields needed more seeds."

Now, they were in each other's faces. Neither of them backing off from the heat radiating from each other. Their gaze unwavering as the atmosphere got a bit heavy from the exchange. Rue was the first to break contact.

"Besides, it's not exactly for our little business."Ryuji raised his brow, and she continued, " I have something else in mind."

She turned to him fully, their eyes meeting once again. "If we are getting more allies, we will do it my way."

Rue clutched the fabric of the coat. She wasn't sure of what the future held, she wasn't certain that these allies could be trusted. However, preparing for the worst case scenario was of the essence. She had to be ready for any possible mishaps. One wrong move and the world would know her daughter's identity.

She couldn't allow that to happen. If getting allies would prevent the worst, then she would have no choice, but to gather the best ones out there.

Suddenly, a sharp pain went through her as her eyes flashed a blue hue. Before she got on her knees, Shanks caught her in time. The red head's eyes widened as he watched her eyes glow and jolt in pain. He watched sweat began to build on her forehead, and whimper in pain. With one arm he wrapped her up with his coat, picking her up bridal style and sprinted towards his ship. Her pain became greater as her whimpers became louder.

Soon, Rue's eyes slowly shut, her world going dark.

The sun that was high in the sky, lowered into the evening glow. The horizon painted into a bright orange the light hues of canary mixed into it.

The beauty of the skies couldn't simmer the worry in Shank's eyes. Although Rue slept soundly on the bed the furrowed brow of the doctor of the ship, Hongo, only made the pits of his stomach twist.

When he arrived on the ship, many whistles as he carried an attractive woman in his arms. Not giving them any thought to their comments, he called for Hongo assistances in the woman's condition which the doctor complied.

Ever since, they have entered Hongo's office. Rue has been sound asleep. Though she whimpered as few times, but nothing new on her condition. Shanks brushed a curl out of her face, covered in a white blanket, her chest heaving at every breath.

His actions didn't go unnoticed by Hongo.

"How is she?" Shanks whispered, his eyes didn't move from her form. Hongo placed his equipment to the side. Though it was a simple check up and nothing more. The red head made sure the check up didn't require any removal of clothing, just simply checking her condition. Before he could give him an answer. The door was slammed opened, revealing a frantic Hanabi. Her features etched with worry as she witnessed Rue on the bed. Yue and Aisha right behind her.

"Mommy!" Aisha shouted, immediately running to her mother's side, tears began to form in her big brown eyes. Yue and Hanabi followed suit.

Yue couldn't believe her eyes. The person they had been searching for was here, streams of tears flowed down her cheeks. When Hanabi had told her she seen Rue in town, she couldn't believe it. However, the child in Hanabi's arms told her another story.

Now, here Rue was in the flesh. Sound asleep without a care in the world. Yue clenched Rue's hand on her own. Hoping that she would wake up soon.

"Mommy!" Aisha tried stirring her mother awake, but her efforts were fruitless. She climbed on top the bed, soft whimpers leaving her lips as she kept tying to wake her mother up.

Hongo'eyes widened as they gazed at the sleeping beauty. Who would have thought that a woman such as herself would be a mother. He shook his head at his thought and patted the child on the shoulder. "She's ok, your mom is just sleeping."

His words sent a cool air of relief in the atmosphere. Although that didn't do much for the weeping child who laid her head on her mother's chest; she gripped the fabric of the white sheets.

Shanks gestured  with a jerk of his head to the door. Hongo nodded, giving the women and child some privacy. The red head glanced at Rue one last time before leaving. After shutting the door behind them, Shanks and Hongo were met with Benn leaning  at the side.

Hongo's gaze landed on his captain. His captain searched his eyes for answers. "There aren't any serious injuries. Right now, she needs some rest." Shanks' shoulders sagged in relief. "But I'll need to monitor her to confirm something."

Shanks raised a brow, Hongo continued while crossing his arms. "She's healthy, yet her body is showing signs of starvation. As if she hasn't eaten in days, I'll have to ask her some questions once she wakes up."

Benn looked at his captain's expression. Seeing the worry his captain's eyes etched with worry as he gazed at the door. The first mate wasn't able to get a glimpse at the woman, but it seems to him that Shanks had a small attachment. Shifting his eyes back to Hongo, he noticed the doctor's perplexed expression. "There's something else is there."

To everyone involved, it was more of a confirmation than a question. Shanks silently looked to Hongo for answers. The doctor's next words making the captain to clench his blade."Her system is displaying signs of poisoning."

Shanks narrowed his eyes. Was that why she was in so much pain earlier? "How bad is it?"

Hongo looked at the door momentarily then met his captain's eyes. "I'm not familiar with the type of poison, but it doesn't seem deadly since she's only in pain."

Shanks processed the information. The silver haired woman never showed any signs of poison although she was in pain for a while.
"Keep me updated on her condition." Hongo nodded, strolling back to the medical cabin. Leaving Benn and Shanks with their thoughts on the ordeal.

Back in the cabin, Rue's entourage stayed by her side until she woke up. Rue slept soundly. Her breath rising slowly. However, her brows began to knit in a furrowed manner, as her nightmares submerged.

Rue stared deeply into the abyss. Nothingness surrounded her, a world with no light. She stood erect like a statue, her eyes searching for anything, anyone just something.

But nothing came.

She blinked, nothing came.

Again, she blinked. There emerged many figures and faces, many she hadn't seen in years. Her heart hammered in her chest as she recognized the ones she missed deeply.

And her heart soured at the ones she never wanted to see again.

However, one particular face took her breath away. Her heart stopped and slowly began to beat against her rib cage, ready to jump out. Her hands shook as the figure gave her a gentle smile, a smile that would melt any women's heart.

But that smile of his hid a much darker side to him that Rue wished she had never encountered.

"Ruyi," His deep voice brought shivers down her spine. A voice that brought so much comfort, a deep affection within it that would make any women jealous of her.

Yet Rue felt the lingering threat behind it.

The atmosphere became clearer a light behind them. It was so bright, Rue had to shield her eyes from the gleam.

The room illuminated all round. A chandelier in the middle the room, many people inside payed attention to the unfolding scene. Music played gently in the background, an elegant flair to it. Outfits decorated in the highest quality money can buy. By attire alone, the ranks were distinguished easily, people of high nobility attended this ball.

Rue glanced down to herself. Her usual attired replaced by an expansive dress. Her bosom pushed upwards, her dress hugging her upper body while the dress flowed freely. Littered in a dark blue and black and embroidered with gold cheery blossoms at the front. She lifted her hands, her long sleeves crumpled at the action. Her fingernails painted white, a slight swirl of gold; metal guards on her pinky finger and ring finger. It matched the gold embroidered into her dress, a few precious gems on them.

Her hands shook as another shiver went up her spine. Her pupils dilated as the brightness in her blue eyes dimmed.

Did he...He find her?

He knew she was alive still alive?

"Ruyi," She slowly lifted her gaze, his honey coloured eyes stared right back at her, looking deep within her soul. She couldn't look anywhere else if she wanted to even if she did, the air was as toxic as poison. The seething of the women's jealously was felt. Of course, they would be vexed, but should blame them for this unsettling feeling.

Of course any woman would be jealous of His Majesty's favourite concubine.

Rue froze when he lifted his hand, gesturing for her to come closer. Although a smile was evident on his features, kindness beaming on it, Rue knew his true form, his true face.

His face was beaming, but his golden that stared into her soul spread a coldness that no winter could rival and no fire could melt.

What he displayed to the world was a facade, but she knew him better than anyone.

She knew her husband better than anyone.

The warmth of the atmosphere became as icy as the storm in winter. The coldness spread to her form as the smile left his face the moment it came.

Eyes of honey she used to love to gaze into, now, filled her with nothing but fear.

"I did everything for you," Rue stood rigid as he approached her. She couldn't look away as dark gleam lingered in his gold eyes. She shook as he grabbed her chin roughly, "and this is how you repay me."

Her eyes became foggy from tears like a field of snow. A few brushed down her cheeks at his next words.

"After I loved a monster like you."

Once again, she was consumed by darkness.

The silver-haired woman jolted awake with gasped. Her eyes filled with panic as she felt her heart clawing to rip out of her chest. Haze covered her vision like a fog, the unfamiliarity of the room only made her condition worst. The aroma of toxins made her stomach turn. The only sound was the racing of her heart in her rib cage. Whiteness definitely covered the room, so bright that her eyes couldn't make up any features of it. A cream from the door caught her attention, she grabbed the nearest weapon, a scalpel, keep the weapon in front of her as protection.

Her eyes began to glow and her crystal illuminated in a bright blue. Sensing them approaching, she sprinted to the exit. She felt a grip on her wrist; immediately, she kicked their chest, they skidded on the floorboards crashing into the medics cabin.

Another figure attempted to retrain her. In a flick, she flipped the individual without effort. A loud thump rang as the person's body collided with the wooden floors.

She flinched as a calloused hand brushed against hers, resulting plunging the weapon deeply into his hands. Adrenaline high and her eyes glaring, glowing a bright blue hue  into the blurry figures ready to fight her way out.

Voices shouted, yet she couldn't make out who or what they were saying. She blocked out everything, only one thing coming to mind and was the most important.

Only instincts took over her. She had to make sure her daughter was protected no matter the cost.

In a swift motion, Rue pulled out of the crew member's blade, prepared to attack the oncoming assaulted. However, the individual didn't fight back, but allowed themselves to be taken down; Rue on top of them placing the blade to their neck.

The silver-woman's breath heaved as the light in her eyes never leaving the victim. She pinned them under, raising the blade ready to penetrate.

"Mommy!"

Rue's action came to a stop right above the victim's eye.

Soon, little feet pattered on the wooden floors. She felt her sides embraced by a little form. Although the figure was hazy, she was able to mask out certain features; the child's big brown eyes and ebony coloured hair.

Slowly, the glow in her eyes and crystal simmered. Rue blinked her vision returning to normal. Aisha hugged her side tightly, trying to wake her mother up. Her eyes streaked a lot of tears, her brown eyes gazing into her's solemnly.

"Don't hurt mister Banks." She whimpered, a fresh set of tears brushing down her face. Rue frowned at her daughter's words.

Hurting...Mister Banks? She thought. Her eyes skimmed her surroundings, she noticed Hanabi being helped up from the floor by Yue. Hanabi rubbed the back of her head with a hiss. Many other people she didn't recognize at first, gazed at her in alert, many eyes curious while others in suspicion. Hongo emerged from the medics cabin, rubbing his bruised stomach. Then she looked down, her eyes widened in horror. Her thighs caging him, a scalpel embedded deep into his hand. Slowly, bringing the hand raised above her head, she shakily dropped the weapon in her hands, falling with a clang.

What was most off putting was Shanks big grin on his features. "I'm see you've recovered." Benn huffed, not a bit surprised by his captains antics.

The crew was caught off guard. One by the woman's looks, but unexpectedly getting attacked as well. Though their captain didn't allow anyone to step in, he stood by in case he needed to step in.

Immediately, Rue scurried off of him, away from their compromising position, separating herself from her daughter. "I-I..." Her words were caught in her throat, her hand covering her mouth in distraught. Had she done all this?

Shanks stood, scalpel still plunged into his palm. He waved his hand around dismissively, "It's fine. It was an accident." His grin got wider, "See? It doesn't even hurt."

Rue opened her mouth once again, but nothing came out. Guilt in the air as her eyes brimmed with tears, she bowed her head in a formal apology. Her voice in a whisper, "I'm so sorry."

Everything was drowned out. The hammering of her heart rang in her ears. She got on her knees covering her ears in agony as the noise became louder. Too many things were going on her mind, what happened when she was knocked?

She gulped an unsettling thought, what did they see?

She flinched as a calloused hand, brushed against her's. Her eyes met a brown filled with kindness, not a judgment in sight in them. "It's alright," slowly he brought her hands down to her lap. "No one's going to hurt you."

"Sister, it's fine," Hanabi told her, allowing Yue to help her walk. Noticing Rue bowed her head shamefully, Hanabi distance herself from Yue, attempting to stand despite a the slight sting. "See? Everything's fine."

Rue looked up, Shanks gave her a smile, their fingers brush. His blood tickled down her fingers. In a quick motion, she took out the scalpel from his palm, earning a grunt from the captain. Eyes closed , she squeezed her crystal in her hands, it began to glow. Placing her hand in his, a light emitted from it.

Everyone watched in awe at the scene. Shanks glanced at her, watching her brows furrowed in focus. Soon, the pain disappeared, his hand as good as new as if no injury had occurred. He gazed at her with astonishment.

Rue already knew by everyone's curious glances that this would be a long night.

Things are unravelling!! Slowly, but surely you have seen small pieces of Rue's past! All I have to say is, she's been through a lot!

Anywho what do you guys think of Rue so far?

And last but not least!! We are passed 7k YEEESSS!!!

Until next time!