溶ける雪

(Tokeru yuki)

CHAPTER I- YAKUME (役目)

"For There is no one Else Out There…"

Sharp wind was blowing furiously and silence was becoming heavier than the snow beneath their feet. It was extremely cold and moonlight was the only actual light they could rely on. No other artificial lighting was allowed.

"Are you sure we're suppose to be here, captain?"

"No."

"I really am not sure about this boss, this place looks eerie...And damn cold...I mean only Bepo looks comfortable and..."

"Shut up."

"Yes, Boss..."

Trafalgar Law knew he shouldn't be here. If his research was right this was an off limit zone to them. And everyone else that wasn't part of the said family for that matter. Even if this place was deserted.

"Captain, he's here".

Law looked up to where his crewmate signaled the appearance of the man they had been waiting for keeping a firm gaze on him. He knew this man shouldn't be trusted.

" Trafalgar Law. Hisashiburi,"

"Aa."

"How does it feel to be one of the Shichibukai?"

"I presume you didn't come to meet me here to ask about that. Trafalgar Law knew very well what this man was capable of and it bothered him that he wasn't in complete control. Law was a man of caution nevertheless and putting his crew's safety on the line was never an option. And yet...becoming one of the shichibukai had more disadvantages than he foresaw.

"Indeed." Law narrowed his eyes at the man approaching him. "I didn't. Did you find it?"

"We did. Bepo."

"Aye captain." Bepo handed Law what appeared to be a large squared shape object covered in thick leather. A book?

"Keep it. I don't need it now, the man said and turned his back, a gesture Law instinctively hated. That's a very important asset to...the protection of let's just put it, all good men and women. I appreciate your help, I know finding it was very troublesome. I believe you just completed your first mission as a royal shichibukai, he said turning to face him while rearranging his glasses on his nose, a large smile on his thin face.

Law knew better. He approached the shorter man and looked him in the eye. "Never turn your back on me while I am talking to you, or it might be the last thing you ever do." The smile dissipated as quickly as it appeared. Fear was evident behind the transparent surface of the glasses.

"I don't like him, the man with the glasses spoke, watching the silhouette of Trafalgar Law leave. A snort followed laughter, making the skinny man even more annoyed. "Don't worry, he doesn't like you either. Let's head back."

"Captain. There were two of them, Bepo said looking back over his shoulder."

"I know."

"It's gone."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Danzou's face became grave. He should have been more careful. The book needed constant protection. The council determined it should be moved every 3 weeks to a new location. The only way whoever got its hands on it, knew that they would be moving it last night. Thousand curses went through his mind.

"God damn World Government. If the book falls into the wrong hands...all his work and all of our work would have been for nothing. Not to mention the safety of our people. Is her majesty in her chamber?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. I believe she knows about this by now. Come with me."

"Ha!"

"Enter."

"Your majesty. Danzou entered kneeling at the door. We have to get the book back."

Old hands were brushing silver locks back to they're places. "Of course we do." It used to be as dark as dark can get, but time spares nobody. Tachibana Otome was now 75. "Do you have a lead?"

"Not yet your majesty, but whoever took it knew we were moving the book last night. And-"

"And? Otome placed her brush down and leaned for her wooden comb, her black orbs gazing at the falling snow.

" It is believed that whoever took it might be a devil fruit user."

"So...a pirate."

"Most likely. Most devil fruits users are pirates."

"Or not. She turned her eyes to the men kneeling before her, smiling softly. Did Ran give you this information? About the culprit being a devil fruit user?"

"Ha, your majesty."

"I see. Well, then it is settled."

"Your majesty?"

"Make a search party. The book must return to the protection of the Tachibana's. I gave him my word. Also, Ran will be leading it."

"But your majesty..."

"That is my final decision."

"I...understand."

"Don't worry Danzou, my granddaughter...is well trained, don't you agree? For all it matters she found a very important lead, thanks to her fascination with devil fruit powers. She smiled broadly. It's a good chance for her."

"It's too dangerous...Hime isn't ready for this, if I may add your majesty, although she is the best female fighter she still lacks experience. Tactics come with time and…"

"You love her too much Danzou, that's all, Otome started laughing making the man in front of her blush. Besides, this is a good time to practice her...skill. Have more faith in her, ne?

"Yes your majesty..."

Danzou's heart felt heavy. Was he that obvious? His kouhai looked at him feeling sorry for his superior. Danzou left abruptly not wanting to bear his gaze any longer.

He was the best fighter in the Tachibana clan and at his age he managed to become the leader of their troops. 26 was still young in his opinion but he proved that age had nothing to do with skill. He was strong, disciplined and loyal, ready to risk his life for his clan. In his own respect the Tachibana's (who were indeed the oldest of the four noble families) was the most powerful of the samurai-ninja clans, and not necessarily through influence, but through strong work and love for their own. He only had one weakness. And that was the heiress to the clan, Otome Tachibana's granddaughter and finest female and fighter in the clan in his opinion, Tachibana Seiran. Or Ran, as her people call her.

He fell in love with her when he came back from his mandatory 14 year old training (that included missions all over the four seas) and was 18 years of age. She was only 14, but at that age she managed to make a name for herself. Her beauty was unmatched and the tale of her birth had become legendary and was still a secret to be kept. Her skill was also her curse...and the death of her parents was a tragedy never allowed for discussion. Still, in Danzou's opinion, she was a flame that consumed him every time he was near her.

He was sure she knew of his feelings towards her and it pained him that as brave as he was in battle he was a coward in love, still stalling to tell her...and his dreams of her with him wanting to become reality was pure torture. Sweet and bitter. He remembered when she had turned 18, 4 years ago and tasted her first sake. She almost instantly got drunk. It was amusing to see her like that, out of balance and laughing until she woke up the entire village. Danzou could hold his liquor exceptionally well and felt responsible that after two cups of sake she got that drunk. He cursed his own cowardice for not doing what his impulses wanted him to do, and that's kiss Ran so fierce fully she woke up instantly.

"You're such a fucking coward." He told himself as he saw Ran enter her grandmother's chambers. He felt hot. "I need a cold shower."

"Really?..." Her purple eyes that reflected the light as if it were water drops embedded in her irises, widened. Dark full lashes framed her big eyes and only added to the surprised look. Her eyes were special. And everyone knew why, even her. Everyone in her clan that is.

"Yes."

"Me? Not Danzou? She asked again making sure she heard her grandma right the first time.

"Yes, you, not Danzou, Ran." She eyed her grandmother intensely, a look Otome knew meant she was testing her. "She's such a child still, Otome laughed in her mind."

Ran finally smiled and turned on her heels. "Arigatou obaa sama, she turned her head, eyes determined. I won't let you down." And with that she left.

"Be careful" was all Otome could reply. She was a flame indeed. She was proud of her granddaughter and Danzou had made the right choice in choosing her. Only...

"Danzou nii." He turned around to see her face, happy and determined. Her frame, slim and fit approaching him with a natural grace fit for royalty but with a hint of playfulness ,was always something he desired to hold. He sighed deeply.

"Congrats, Ran chan. When are you leaving?" he asked while arranging his clothes to dry.

"Tomorrow morning" she answered leaning into the wall next to him, her ankles crossed. The moonlight hitting her face made her eyes sparkle even more than their natural self. Her dark long locks with reflexions of purple shined healthily and her straight cut bangs danced playfully over her proud look. He wanted her so much. Not because she was endlessly beautiful, but because of how he made him feel. He had had women in his life, but with her he was willing to wait as much as it was necessary, because she always took him one step further and always made him progress, because for her he wanted to be better and better and better. Because in her, he always found a reason for something else, everyday.

"Don't be so cocky he answered seeing her smug face to which she only sticked her tongue out and made him laugh out loud. Just...be careful, all right?

She looked him deep in the eyes, a look that had him feeling dizzy. He quickly averted his gaze, blinking a few times.

"I'm sorry, she answered in a soft voice, taking his face in her hands, a gesture that made him want to kiss her instantly and God knows he tried hard enough not to, I sometimes still...well..."

"It's ok, don't worry. He smiled. Just make sure you used it on who you need it. They both laughed.

Morning was a few hours away and Trafalgar Law eyed the book on his desk intently. He still didn't open it, because a gut feeling only a skilled pirate and captain for that matter told him that what he got involved into might have been too big for him to swallow at this moment. Shichibukai or not, this was a big deal. He knew something was going to happen. But Trafalgar Law was also a very, very determined man. Curiosity was also a trait, especially since the type of curiosity that he was attracted to was also more or less, well, dangerous.

In the morning the submarine would submerge. He still had to figure out just where to go next.

Ran was skillfully tracing the marks they had left. "Really now...everyone, but everyone knows Tachibana Yukimori is off limits and if we find someone here we can kill them without asking and yet...they still dare come. Bold. And stupid." Ran was a bit pissed for not seeing this earlier. Whoever they were they knew they shouldn't be here and what this place meant and somehow they managed to conceal their steps so well...

"Hime sama, bear foot prints."

"I know, seen them. And a bear that walks only on the back feet... Follow the traces." As her small squad went in front to follow the traces, Seiran followed her instinct and went over the snow dune to where the man with the glasses and his companion had stood hours before.

"There were two people here...one taller and heavier and the other one...Her thoughts were interrupted when a loud and powerful explosion was heard. "No. Mines? No way, they should have been deactivated for 2 years now." She got there in no time only to see half of her squad in flames. If this had been her first mission she probably would have panicked. She pulled the bodies to the ground so the snow could extinguish the flames without much trouble knowing they had special heat resistant suits for mines and bombing, thanks to the Tachibana technology, knowing that her crewmates would only suffer minor burns, but when the smoke was cleared she noticed her friends didn't stand up.

"Minna, get up, what the hell, you've been through worse burns..." The silence disturbed her and the yell of the only 5 of them remaining alarmed her and ran to her friend.

"Hime...hime...the girl said, tears and horror on her face...they're dead! It's…it's...

Ran pushed her away and turned to look at her subordinates. What she saw made her stomach crawl and her anger build. The whole suit and body had been melted into each other until you couldn't see clearly if what she had in front of her used to be a person or not. It was a sight she didn't expect. What in God's name could do this? Was this a weapon? Or...

"Hime samaaaa! She rapidly turned around to see a pale thin man dressed in only a cloak. "I'm sorry...did I kill all your friends? I see now I didn't. Tsk tsk, how imprudent of me."

"Who are you?" She said anger deep in her voice. "I won't ask again."

"Hahahahahaha, sasuga hime sama, you speak like true royalty. He eyed her, desire evident in his eyes. My name is of no importance to you hime. What you are looking for…"

"Where's the book?"

"Now, now, I can't give you that, but I can make a deal with you. If you come with me, I will spare your friends. Well? What do you say?"

Seiran knew better than that. She was a Tachibana woman. She knew about the fame of the Tachibana women being unique in the world, and her own particular beauty, and her eyes, that weren't black as they should have been. But she feared that her subordinates would lose their life if she didn't control herself. She smiled at him and he knew immediately he was dead.

Seiran had pushed her knife deep in his heart not killing him instantly on purpose, she needed a few more moments.

"Dammit...how come...you're...so...fast..." he spat out blood.

"Tell me, who do you work for? she hissed in his ear".

He only laughed which aggravated her more.

"Still, at your level you're no match for a shichibukai."

"What?" but her question was left unanswered for the man had a last trump card and before Ran could foresee it his body had exploded killing her remaining crewmates instantly and injuring her very badly.

Her body was weak and her vision blurry, scanning for her remaining crewmates only to realize none were alive. Sorrow and pain enveloped her mind and her whole body ached from the powerful shock and hours of sitting unconscious in the snow. She tried to stand up only to fall again to her knees from the immense pain she felt in her left ribs. Almost her entire suit had been burned leaving only a patch cover her chest, arms and upper legs. Her left lower ribs were almost melted or so it looked like, she couldn't see clearly. She crawled to the remains of the man and found a piece of paper in the hilt of his now trashed dagger. The names of the Royal Shichibukai. She strapped a piece of cloth over her ribs and one of her thighs to hold the dagger, holding the paper tight in her palm. Her long, black hair now loose from its tied up position antagonized the snow almost perfectly. She heard voices and she hurried to get out of sight.

"Captain?"

"Hm? Law put his book down to look at Bepo. What is it Bepo?"

"We are about to sink, Penguin and Shachi went outside for a while to gather some wood before leaving."

"I see. Anything else?"

"Well..."

"Yes?"

"I thought you maybe wanted to look at the Yukimori before we leave, now that it's daytime it's really, really pretty.

Law stood up.

It was indeed pretty. Clean. White. Peaceful. Strong. A place Law liked. Before he wanted to go back inside he saw something black in the corner of his eyes.

"Captain, I smell blood."

"I know Bepo."

Ran had seen the submarine and was eying it for 10 minutes now. The two people that had gone probably for firewood were now returning. It was now or never. Wait...A polar bear?...

It couldn't be... She remembered the footprints. She had to know.

Only once she was down and close to the water did she realize there was another man there. Tall, dark and lean, with a long coat and a white funny looking cap. His hands were gloved with some sort of mark on them and she noticed he was holding a nodachi on his left shoulder. When he raised his head to see her clearly she noticed his eyes. Dark, gunmetal gray eyes that weighted on her. His goatee and his piercings were the last she took in.

"Captain?" Bepo asked. Law was keeping his gaze firmly on the woman he had in front of her.

Shachi and Penguin returned just then, happy that they found what they were looking for and that they could finally leave.

"Captain Law! We're all set, ready to leave!"

"Law...Ran whispered slowly, feeling her body caving down any moment, only he heard it, narrowing his gaze. Her rapidly moving mind had the pieces of information swaying in her brain and before anyone could see it she lashed at Law with her knife.

Only he foresaw it and caught her hand effortlessly, making her drop her knife.

"Too slow he whispered in her ear and turned to look at her. Her eyes were angry, at herself he guessed, but before he could think anything else she came at him with her other fist and leg, which he blocked only to encounter her left arm again. She stopped suddenly in the middle of the air, blood rushing through her mouth and a look of pain on her face. She held onto her left side, holding her dagger in her hand again, approaching him, but before she could do anything else her vision blurred, her body shut down and her mind welcomed the dark approach of nothingness. She fell onto his left shoulder, dropping her dagger.

Law looked down at the girl that had fainted onto him.

"Captain...we...we can't leave her..."

"Get the fire started Bepo. And the surgery room."

"Aye, aye captain."