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On Dawn Island, the people of Foosha Village are walking about, doing business or enjoying the nice weather. Others are enjoying themselves at the bar like the Red-Haired Pirates lead by Shanks. The pirates laugh, telling stories of their adventures while Luffy listens closely. His eyes shine in amazement as he leans closer to Shanks. Makino giggles as she cleans the tabletop.
After Shanks finished the story, Luffy grins "wow that sounds awesome. Maybe next time you can take me there."
"Fat chance, anchor." Shanks stick his tongue out. As he teases Luffy, Benn shook his head, smiling at the scene. Though he couldn't help but look around the bar like he's searching for something or someone. Raising an eyebrow, Benn took one last search before speaking.
"Say Luffy?" Said boy hums "where's Clarity? Isn't she always with you?"
"Yeah." Lucky Roux said, taking a bite of his meat, "usually you two are at the hips."
"He's right." Luffy turns to Yasopp "no matter where you go, she's right behind you. So where is the little lady?" Luffy hums before frowning.
"I don't know. Last time I saw her, she was walking towards outside the village." His frown deepens a bit "she looks pretty upset." The moment those words left his mouth, everyone in the bar became quiet. Now everyone knows Clarity as the happy-go lucky type of gal, always smiling or laughing and being a mischievous person. So, when someone sees her upset and leaving that can only mean one thing.
Hongo sighs "okay who pissed off the kitty?"
"Don't look at me. I didn't do it."
"I didn't do it either."
"Why would I piss her off." As the crew try to figure out who upset their friend, Makino sighs before smiling.
'You really seem to charm the boys, Clarity.' She smiles even more 'though I wonder where you are.' As if she was being summoned, Clarity pushes the door, announcing her appearance. The moment she walks in, everyone turns their head at her direction.
"Hello- "
"Clarity!" Said cat blink her eyes.
"Hello… did I miss something?" Shanks laughs.
"No, we were wondering, who upset the little lady." Clarity tilts her head, knowing who's 'little lady' is.
"Me?" Everyone nods. "Why?"
"Because you look upset, and you were leaving the village." Luffy answers "they were worried about you." Clarity slowly blinks her eyes before smirking.
"You boys love me." She laughs along with Luffy and Makino as the pirates looks away "anyway I'm not upset." She said, walking to the bar.
Yasopp raise an eyebrow "you're not?"
Clarity jumps on the tabletop and grins "Nope." Before anyone can ask her another question, she turns to Shanks "Shanks I have something to tell you." Everyone quiet down as their chief stares at her "I want to thank you for being the most awesome pirate of all time. You're wonderful, funny, care-free and a bit silly but also smart." She chuckles "I'm so glad I met you." Her grin grew when Shanks laugh sheepishly "also happy birthday."
"Huh?" Before he could say anything, Clarity took a deep breath then let it out towards the ceiling. Hot pink flames came out of her mouth, taking the shape of a phoenix before flying around, red mini stars trailing behind it. Everyone watches in awe at the display as the phoenix took one last lap before going upward. The moment it did, it burst into the shape of a jolly roger of the Red-Haired Pirates. Once it was over, the entire crew applause while Shanks grinned.
"You like it?" Turning to Clarity, he laughs before grabbing her.
"You little rascal. How you know it's my birthday?"
"I know my ways." He laughs again. He then hugs her before smiling.
"Well thanks little lady."
Clarity smiles "you're welcome."
"Yo, mister tomato head." Shanks sigh fondly before looking behind him.
"Hello little lady. Let me guess, no animal form today?" Clarity, in her human form, shook her shoulders.
"Don't feel like it." She grins "why you don't like this form?"
"Oh, I love this form. Way better than your animal forms."
"Ass." Shanks laughs while his crew shook their head "I did not come here to get harassed by you."
Shanks smirk "aw don't be mad, Clarity. I still love your animal forms." He then grins deviously "it just I don't get to brush off your fur of my clothes." Clarity stares at him before turning around.
"Okay bye."
"Wait, don't go. I'm sorry." He laughs as Clarity stops.
"Then stop messing with me so I can give you a gift." She spoke. Shanks raises an eyebrow, amused by her words.
"A gift? For me?" She nods "what's the occasion?" He asks, already knowing the answer. As if reading his mind, she grins.
"You know why." Crossing her arms, she leans forward "so do you want it or not?" At his nodding response, she leans back before opening her arms then closes her eyes. As she counts down from 5, she slowly starts to spin around like a ballerina. Everyone watches as she starts to go faster and faster until suddenly, clouds of star dust swirl around her, covering her from head to toe. After one more spin, she stops and disperses the cloud, covering the ship and crew in it before it went up in the air. Taking the shape of a tiger, it roars in the sky before turning into stars; one of them fell into the palm of her hand. Crushing the star, she walks up to Shanks then open her hand to reveal a small diamond dagger, and with a grin on her face, she spoke "happy birthday, Shanks."
Taking the dagger, Shanks chuckles before grabbing Clarity, hugging her "you still amaze me, little lady. Thanks for the show." Clarity laughs.
"You're welcome."
"Hi Shanks."
"Hi Clarity." Shanks offer his right shoulder, smiling when he felt pressure on it. He turns his head to see Clarity in her sugar glider form. He cooed before petting her "aren't you adorable." She giggles.
"Yes, I'm adorable. Thank you for noticing." After he was done petting her, he smiled.
"So let me guess. You're here to give me special gift?"
"On your special day, Shanks." She said, confirming his theory. He laughs fondly before speaking.
"Okay little lady. Surprise me." Nodding her head, she jumps off his shoulder, turning into a meerkat before she starts digging. He watches her continue to dig, curiosity in his eyes. Once she was done, she stood up then turned around to face him, raising her paws, filled with dirt. Feeling curious, he crouches down to her level and watches as she rubs her paws then blows into it before opening them. Inside her paws is a small diamond four-point star. He whistles as he gently took his gift.
"You like it?" He chuckles.
"I do." He looks down and smirk "not bad little lady, not bad at all."
Clarity chuckles "happy birthday, Shanks."
Somewhere in the New World, Shanks stare out into the ocean. A look of concern graces his face as he thinks back on that day. God, he hopes those two are okay after what happen. He knows that out of everyone, it's hitting them the most. To Luffy, Ace was his brother who he cares about, the one who made him stronger. To Clarity, Ace was her little one, the one she fondly calls her fire star but most of all, he was her son. To lose someone that you're so close to will devastate anyone, and that is what's happening to those two right now.
Shanks sighs "it's been a year. Hope you two are okay, little lady." Suddenly, a meow was heard causing him to turn his head to see an ocelot, staring at him. His eyes widen a bit before smiling "hey Clarity." Beckoning her over, he crouches down as she walks to him "how are you, little lady." As he pets her, she purrs, enjoying his affection before dropping something on his lap. Humming in curiosity, he picks it up to reveal a necklace that has a miniature version of his sword. He chuckles before looking down at her "thank you, Clarity. Tell Luffy I said hi."
Nodding her head, she smiles before disappearing into thin air. Shanks smiles, standing up to his full height before looking at his gift. Yeah, she's going to be just fine.
"I am going to throw you aboard."
"You can't do that, little lady. You love me too much." A snort was heard.
"Wanna bet?"
"Don't test her, Captain." Benn smirks "she might actually do it, and if she does, I'll laugh." Shanks gasps in offense.
"Benn, I thought we were friends." Benn grins.
"Are we?" Shanks pouts as his crewmates laugh. Shaking his head, he turns back to Clarity, who is frowning at him.
"So, Clarity… you got a gift for me?" She narrowed her eyes behind her mask.
"I do… but you don't deserve it."
"Please, I'll be nice."
"Would you, Shanks? Would you?" Shanks gave her the puppy eyes, making her sigh "fine only because it's your birthday." She smiles when she sees him grinning. Closing her eyes, she raises her arms towards the sky, stretching them outward as her hands start to glow. As everyone watches, her hand glows brighter and bright till suddenly thousands of fireflies appear before flying around the ship. Everyone oohs and aah at the display as each fireflies change color. Shanks grins before looking at Clarity as she came over to him.
"You're never stop surprising me, Clarity." He smiles "thank you."
"You're welcome, Shanks and happy birth- "Before she can finish her sentence, Shanks kisses her on the lips before pulling back. He laughs when he sees a flustered look on her face.
"I finally got my birthday kiss." Before he could celebrate even more, he was suddenly thrown into the air before falling into the water. As he surfaces, he looks up at his crew who are laughing their butts off.
"Told you not to test her." Benn yells. Shanks roll his eyes before looking at Clarity. Ignoring her glare, he smirks deviously which causes her to frown even more.
"At least I got a kiss from little lady." Her response was teleporting back to Luffy but not without giving him the middle finger.