I was very, very happy. That evening, Shachi and another man named Penguin, which was so conveniently written on his hat, brought me all the old news papers they had found around the sub. I thought that they might have had two or three papers that escaped the garbage, and maybe a really old one that someone forgot to throw away would surface. I did not expect two stacks that came up to my knees.
I was unable to contain my excitement. I hugged both of the men to say thank you when they set the stacks down by my bed. They turned bright red and stuttered that I was welcome. Shachi said dinner would be done in an hour. I nodded, smiled at them, and began sorting the papers based on date.
When Shachi came back an hour later with dinner, I was almost buried in paper. He grinned at the sight. "Having fun Lia-chan?" he asked. I nodded. "Its time for a break now," he set the food down on a tray and rolled it over to me. He went back and got Law's rolling chair and set it by my bed. He looked at all of the papers again and laughed softly.
There is a sorting system, I promise.
"What ever you say," I pouted and started to eat. "Captain wants me to show you around the sub tomorrow,"
Really?
"He said you need to walk around now that your wounds have healed enough. He'll take the stitches out tomorrow morning too. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt that much." He paused as I gave him a thumbs up to show I wasn't worried about having the stitches taken out. He looked a bit uneasy when he spoke again. "Some of the crew may act a bit odd, Lia-chan. There are rumors going around."
Rumors?
"Well, its more of what Captain said,"
About my occupation?
Shachi nodded.
That can not be helped, but if any one is curious I would be glad to verify or correct any rumors.
Shachi smiled and his good mood returned. He began to tell me a story if when the sub ran into a nest of sea kings because Bepo had been asleep.
Law entered the infirmary just as Shachi was leaving with my empty dishes. This was not a doctor visit. He had come as a pirate.
"I assume you are pleased with the papers," he grinned. He took the seat Shachi had left. I verified his assumption with a nod. I grabbed the notebook and pen I had been communicating with. Law was probably here to ask about my powers.
"Next week we will dock at an island," he began. I had not expected this. "By then you will be healed enough to travel on your own. What do you plan to do when you've healed Miss Lia?" I did not know the answer to that question. The time that had passed made me nearly helpless. You couldn't be a salesman with out anything to sell. I had no mode of transportation to move from island to island or return to the Grand Line. I had no informants working for me in the North Blue. I was also physically weak from malnutrition and lack of movement. If the marines found me again I would be caught instantly. Not being able to talk was also a big hindrance when traveling alone.
I looked at Law, who was staring at me with a blank face while I pondered his query.
Shachi says you are a good captain.
"And?"
I know you are smart too. I also assume, like all pirates that want to make a name for themselves, you are heading to the Grand Line.
"I am," the corner of his mouth twitched but his face remained blank.
If I left at the next island, I would have many problems. Those problems would undo all of the hard work you have done. That would be frustrating.
"Your point, Miss Lia?" I bit my cheek while I wrote the next sentence.
Joining the Heart Pirates would solve all of my problems.
Law grinned. "I thought I would be spending the whole week trying to convince you to join."
I need a few things guaranteed though.
I wrote quickly. I did not want him thinking I had given him an all access pass.
"Naturally you will have your own room with a lock. Any rules you usually give to your clients will be followed as well," he assured me.
When we get to the Grand Line I want to find my informants and start my business again. I will give you 40% of all profits and keep you informed of what information goes where. I do not want to wear the boiler suit.
"Forty-five percent. I also want access to your informants. We don't have a boiler suit small enough for you."
45% then. All access to informants goes through me. I want their safety guaranteed as if they were your own crew. Also, I do not agree with meaningless murder or rape. Both piss me off and I refuse to aid in either. I will actively stop rape, but not murder, unless it is a child.
"I assume you have a reason for this," Law said grimly.
Not all of the memories I have seen are pleasant. If I let them, they can scar me the way they scar their owner.
"Very well," Law looked slightly relieved. "Your informants will be given protection and I will respect your morals. Welcome to the Heart Pirates Miss Rahzellia." Law grinned and held out a hand. I took it. "Do remember that my orders are absolute and you are never to order me around." I smiled and nodded. He released my hand. "You will meet the crew in the morning after I take out your stitches. They shouldn't do anything worse than flirt with you,"
Could you tell them that I would be happy to verify or correct any rumors they have heard about me? I've asked Shachi too, but I think it would help if you were to reinforce what he is telling them.
Law grinned. "There is a very scary rumor going around saying you killed a king, his wife, and all of his men, leaving only the princess alive." I thought for a moment. Princess, princess, living princess.
Dob Kingdom. I was sick when the king asked me for the information. He left me fake gold. The idiot. I was going to scare him for that and clean out his treasury, but one of my informants from the castle said he was preparing an army to slaughter the rebels. Over half of the country was rebelling. I was already in the castle anyway. Left the princess a good speech to calm the people and some governing tips.
Law laughed at the story. He ripped the paragraph out of the notebook. "I'm going to let this circulate around the crew," he said, pocketing the scrap of paper. "Good night Miss Lia,"
Good night.
...
Law found Lia covered in papers the next morning. There were four stacks on the floor by her bed. Apparently she had sorted them some how and had moved on to reading them. After she read them she then sorted them into one of the many piles that now dominated her bed.
"Did you sleep last night Miss Lia?" Law inquired. She looked up. she was wearing rectangular reading glasses she had gotten from her bag. Lia nodded. "How much sleep did you get?" Law pressed. Lia put the paper she was holding down and held up seven fingers. Law chuckled. The girl looked like an over grown child.
While Law collected supplies to remove her stitches, Lia took off her glasses and straightened her piles of newspaper before relocating to the operation table where Law was setting up.
She had regained some weight over the past couple of weeks. She no longer looked hollow, but she did lack the muscle mass of a fighter. While he took out her stitches, Law reminded her that she was not fully healed. She could walk around now, but she was not allowed any vigorous activity for another week. She was not to move faster than a jog, or jump, or lift heavy objects. If they ran into a marine or other enemy ship, she was to stay in the infirmary and lock the door.
She was a crew member now, and Law took care of his crew.
By the time Law finished, lunch had begun. He decided she would have lunch in the galley so everyone would know that their new crew mate was human, and not some legendary devil. Rumors spread faster than wild fire when he gave Penguin the paper he had taken from the notebook. By breakfast that morning, his crew saw Lia as something between a goddess and a devil. He wondered who would approach her first as he cleaned his equipment.
Lia was dressed by the time Law finished cleaning up. She wore the large yellow t-shirt she had first worn when she arrived. It fell to nearly mid thigh. She covered her legs with a pair of leggings she had found in her bag that still fit. She had also found a pair of black flats and some hair ties. She had tied most of her hair back into a high pony tail. She held the notebook and pen at her side.
Law decided that any of the men that hit on her would have to have pedophilloic tendencies.
"Let's go, Miss Lia," Law led her out of the infirmary and down the hall to the galley. The noise quieted some when the men saw the captain, but fell completely silent when they saw Lia peeking out from behind him. Even Cook came out from the kitchen. Law stepped away from her so the crew could see all of her. Lia gave a small bow as a greeting.
"Its a kid," Bepo blurted, breaking the silence. Lia hung her head in mock defeat.
"You made her sad," someone called.
"You can't do that to a girl,"
"Sorry,"
"Come on, she's gotta be twelve at the oldest,"
"Just because she looks like a brat doesn't mean you can announce it,"
"Don't call Lia-chan a brat cause your hopes were shattered!"
"She'll be a babe in a few years,"
"Yeah, she's a cute brat,"
"Why does she have to grow up here?"
"Why can't she?"
"You want to deal with a girl going through puberty?"
"I thought the captain would deal with that,"
Lia abruptly ended all discussion by clapping her hands once loudly. When she had everyone's attention she held up her notebook. She had written her age on the paper large enough for those in the back of the room to see.
The room abruptly erupted in laughter.
Lia looked to her captain with an expression that clearly said she was not amused. Law was smiling at the entertainment.
Shachi and Penguin entered the galley then.
"Lia-chan!" they greeted her. "Glad to finally have the stitches out?" Penguin asked as Shachi placed a hand on her shoulder and led her to the table Bepo was sitting at. Lia smiled and nodded at the question. She exchanged greetings with Bepo before she sat down.
"Has the crew been nice to you?" Shachi asked when he returned with food.
They think I'm twelve and find my actual age hilarious.
Shachi and Penguin laughed. "You just look even smaller in those clothes. When you get clothes that fit on the next island they will regret calling you a kid," Shachi comforted her.
"Don't complain. You're safe if they think you're a kid, not that anyone would lay a hand on you in the first place."
"Yeah," Bepo chimed in, agreeing with Penguin. "Captain was really clear about that when he told us he wanted you to join,"
"He said that if anyone tried anything like that with you he wouldn't stop you from killing him," Shachi continued.
"And after you verified that scary story Cook told us, you became off limits no matter what you looked like," Penguin finished.
When the four finished lunch, they started to show Lia around the sub. They started with the kitchen, seeing as it was right there.
Cook was uneasy about having Lia in his kitchen. He believed she was an adult. Like the captain, he saw the knowledge in her eyes.
Lia looked at Cook while she bowed. He was tall and muscular. He had shoulder length silver hair that was tied back at his neck, pale skin, brown eyes, and a pink tinge across his nose and cheeks from alcohol consumption.
She wrote something quickly in the notebook and held it for Cook to read.
The food you cook is very delicious. Would you mind if I sat in the kitchen once in a while?
"If you don't get in the way," he grumbled reluctantly. Lia smiled brightly and bowed again.
Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo were fun tour guides. From the kitchen, they took her to the deck so they could start from the top. They let her take her time outside in the fresh air and laughed at her surprised face when she looked over the rail and saw that the sub was the same shade of yellow as her shirt.
Why haven't you been eaten by sea kings yet?
"Captain," they all replied.
They showed her various store rooms, the crew's quarters and bathrooms, so she wouldn't accidentally end up in them. They also showed her where the captain slept and where his office was. After that they showed her the engine room and rooms they used for training when they were submerged. They spent a good part of the afternoon walking around the sub so Lia could memorize the lay out. A game was created when the two men pretended to forget how to get some where and turned to Lia for help.
They were heading to the galley for dinner when they saw Law standing in front of a store room. It was directly across from his quarters and office.
"That the room we're gonna clear out?" Penguin asked Law.
"It was a bedroom to begin with. There is also a bathroom connected if memory serves. What did we put in here?"
"It isn't specified for anything. Surplus stuff should have been stuffed in there," Penguin replied.
"I'll have Sam-ya and Leif-ya sort it out in the morning then." Law turned to Lia. "This will be your room after its cleaned and has a new lock on the door," he told her. Lia nodded, memorizing the location.
...
The next week passed by quickly. I fell into a kind of routine. I would wake up and go to the galley for breakfast, return to the infirmary to have my bandages changed, read the newspapers until lunch, watch Cook in the kitchen after lunch and help by fetching small things out of the pantry for and hour or two, then go back to reading until dinner.
After dinner, Law would call me into his office to discuss my powers and how they could help him. I told him how I usually got my information, introducing myself or bumping into someone accidentally. The usual methods relied on charming the stranger so they wouldn't feel uncomfortable if I touched them multiple times for multiple memories to answer my questions.
We worked out solutions to multiple problems we might run into while gathering information. One was immediate communication. Writing was okay on the ship but if Law needed to know something immediately writing would not work. The notebook was also a record of our conversations and would be troublesome if it was lost.
I use this technique with my Informants if we can't speak out loud to each other.
I brought out the same memory from the last demonstration. It fluttered over to Law and landed on his hand. He froze for a second at the contact. I knew he was seeing the memory. He looked at the butterfly one his hand.
You can send me a memory back. A memory could be anything. A picture, or a thought. Just picture it in the butterfly.
Law hesitated for a moment before focusing on the small creature. It fluttered back to my hand.
He sent an image back. It was of my hair ornament and two daggers and a question mark. He wanted to know how the blades were hidden. I sent the butterfly back to him.
When he saw the memory of how I unsheathed my daggers, he sent one back of my daggers and a town. I nodded and smiled.
You caught on quickly.
I smiled.
You stiffen slightly when you receive a memory, but it will wear off when you get used to it.
"Does the butterfly have to land on my hand?"
No, just bare skin.
"You have to summon the butterfly. What if I have to tell you something?"
Law had dozens of questions like that, and he wasn't usually finished until late at night. He would give me hypothetical situations and drill into my head all of the information he wanted to know when arriving at a new island. Sometimes we would just spend an hour or two communicating through memories. By the end of the week Law was as skilled as any of my informants.
...
The bar was well lit. It was not dark and damp like the bars Law usually frequented with his crew. Lia had chosen it because she felt friendlier looking places had friendly people. Information gathering relied greatly on Law's people skills until Lia could talk again.
"Good afternoon!" the bartender greeted the two loudly. "What can I do for you?"
"A shot of whiskey, and a ginger ale for the girl," Law ordered.
"You two travelers?" The bartender asked when he came back with their drinks.
"Pirates," Law corrected. "Trafalgar Law,"he introduced himself and held out a hand. The bartender took it and shook. "This is Miss Lia," Law motioned to the girl. She held out her hand and the bartender took it, but instead of shaking it he raised it and gave her a bow. She smiled back.
"What's a famous pirate like you doing on this small island?"
"Just restocking. Marine ships don't carry as much as they used to," Law smirked. He had just been sent the image of his Jolly Rodger from Lia. It was a signal telling him that she had gotten all of the information he wanted.
The bartender was soon busy with the lunch crowd. The two finished their drinks and left. Bepo was waiting outside with Law's nodachi. He followed a few feet behind them as they walked further into town.
This island was part of a cluster of islands that surrounded a large island about four hours away. A marine base was stationed there. The smaller islands welcomed pirates with smiling faces and called the marine base on sight. Luckily, there was a blizzard on the big island yesterday and the marines were snowed in. They wouldn't be able to mobilize until early tomorrow morning.
There was also another pirate crew docked at the island. They were staying at the inn but they didn't seem like trouble because their bounty was a fraction of Law's. However, it did seem like they had come into money recently. They had burst in during the middle of the night and demanded the best rooms, food, and sake.
Law had a feeling that they would be restocking more than just supplies here. He was extremely pleased with all the information she provided and how easy it was to get. He had meant to buy her new clothes as a reward but she had produced a large sum of money from her bag. It was hidden in the lining, almost completely unnoticeable.
He left her with Bepo, reminding her that she still hadn't gained back all of her weight and that she would need clothes for a wide range of temperatures, and that she was to remember she was living on a sub full of men.
Law figured that even if she did not like shopping, completely rebuilding a wardrobe would take two jours at the very least. During that time he would have to find her a different reward. The battle was not over just because she joined his crew. He wanted to keep her happy until he had a mutual bond of trust between them. Law knew this wouldn't come free.
Law browsed booths where jewelry and other little baubles were set up. Lia seemed practical. Her bag was clearly necessity only. The only vain thing she did was care for her hair and she had an accessory for that, and even it held a purpose. The pretty pin had a deadly purpose. She had been thrilled when he gave it to her that morning before breakfast. She had immediately changed her hair style to suit it, snuggling the pin deep in an intricate bun she crafted in a matter of minutes.
What would she deem necessary? A stationary shop caught his eye and he remembered she had carried a journal in her bag. She would need a new one. Law smirked as the idea formed in his mind. After all, they were going to have many adventures together.
...
Law found Bepo and Lia sitting at the fountain in the middle of the town. Bepo was munching on a grilled fish and Lia was finishing an ice cream.
"Did you enjoy shopping?" Law asked her.
I enjoyed walking around the town more. I got what I needed. You?
Law held out the bag he was carrying. "A reward for the work you've done today," She took the bag.
Thank you, but for future reference, I don't need to be rewarded for doing my job.
"Consider it a welcome present then,"
Lia summoned a butterfly and sent it to Law as she opened the bag to view her present. The butterfly was filled of information about the other pirate crew and their movements. She had found the location of their ship as well.
"Can you get a layout of their ship?" Law asked but she did not hear him. She was busy smiling down at her new journal and matching pen. It was yellow with the Heart Pirate Jolly Rodger painted on the front and a simple butterfly outline on the back. It was very good quality, almost like map paper.
"The one in your bag was nearly filled. I thought you might want another one." She smiled up at Law. He repeated his earlier question.
I would have to get close to the crew. Find one and bump them in town or go to the inn they are staying at.
Law didn't like that. He did not really mind fighting the pirate crew to steal what ever gold they had, but he did not want Lia in the cross fire. He did not want her hurt again when she had just barely healed.
I can go in myself if you don't want to start a fight. I'll just go in at the climax of the party, order a bottle of rum for Cook, he's running low, and get out. No one will yell at a kid for squeezing past some drunks.
"Or we could break into the ship while they are all drunk," Bepo offered.
I don't know if the money is on the ship or in their rooms at the inn.
Lia made a good point. there was no use knowing the lay out of the ship if they did not know where the treasure was.
"In and out. Thats it. Find where the money is and if they have anything valuable on the ship. If you run into trouble, run. If you take more than fifteen minutes, I'm sending someone in."
Got it.
She smiled reassuringly at Law.
...
The whole plan went smoother than Law would have expected. Lia came out of the bar in seven minutes with a bottle of rum and a shitload of information.
The marines had managed to set sail an hour ago and were on their way. There was a bag of gold under the captain's bed at the inn which was on the second floor, third window to the left by the flower shop. The rest was on the ship hidden in five different safes to which she had the locations and combinations. She gave them the guards' locations on the ship and that there were some very useful marine grade maps in the navigation room, third drawer from the bottom, desk in the corner, key to it was hidden behind the large map of the west blue on the wall. She also listed the supplies they had purchased while in town and where those items were held.
"Why are there so many hiding places?" Shachi asked.
Captain was a former banker. He was obsessed he would get screwed over and robbed, but after he built all the safes he got too confident.
Law started giving orders. Shachi was to steal the gold at the inn, Penguin would lead a team to break the safes, another team, led by a guy named Sam who had short brown hair and hazel eyes, would move the sub along side the ship and stay submerged until Law appeared on the ship's deck. He would also make sure they were prepared for a quick get away. Law and Bepo would raid the navigation room.
...
I went to the kitchen to give Cook his rum. He was humming and washing dishes. He nodded when he saw me come in. I put the rum in the liquor cabinet.
"You get your job done Butterfly?" he asked.
Yes. It was fun.
I leaned on the counter next to the sink so I could show him what I wrote.
"It'll only get more dangerous from here," he warned me. "The Grand Line is unpredictable no matter how much you know,"
That is why we have nakama.
Cook looked at the words a long time before he laughed loudly. I pouted, thinking he was making fun of my statement.
"Dont go an get mad at me now," he said when the laughing died down. "My opinion of ya is changin. I havent just heard stories of you, I've seen what you've done."
What did you see?
"Back when I was workin for the marines, we got a distress call from captain Bronco. Remember that one?" I thought for a moment.
Was he upside down when you found him?
"Hung by his ankles and cut down the middle like a pig in a slaughter house. Rest of the crew had their throats slit ear to ear."
You're good at telling scary stories.
I smiled.
Idiot of a captain tried to beat information out of one of my informants. When I confronted him about it he called my informant and unimportant underling and invited me to dinner. So I hung him up like the pig he was while my informant took care of the crew. He was venting that day.
"How many of these informants you got?"
I dont know. Word spreads. Just like the bad rumors, good ones are spread by the people who benefit from my business. I have five official informants that I employ. Three of them travel and scout other islands and two would stay with me.
"Captain know bout em?"
Of course.
"Good," Cook said shortly. He was getting used to me. I was fine if normal people did not like me. Actually I was okay if some of the crew did not like me. I needed them to trust me though.
Heavy foot steps sounded throughout the sub. Lights began flashing on the walls. I held on to the counter as the sub jerked down and began moving away from the island.
Noise erupted in the galley as everyone burst in.
"Cook! Cook! We're gonna have a party!"
"All that money!"
"Wish we could see their faces,"
"Party!"
"Wonder what Captain is gonna do with that guard,"
"Dont wonder about the guard."
"I wouldn't go into the infirmary now if you paid me,"
"Poor guy. never knew what hit him,"
"All that information was right! Safes opened like a charm!"
"Hey! Cook! Did you hear-"
"I heard ya!" Cook bellowed.
I decided to go to the galley before Cook decided I was going to be in the way. He had already pulled out food to start cooking.
I cringed at the deafening noise that hit my ears when I walked in. I realized I had walked in at the same time as Law and the men were cheering for their captain for leading them on a successful mission. Someone lifted me off the ground. It was Bepo. He placed me on his shoulder while the men cheered. I realized they were cheering for me as well. I felt my cheeks become hot and I hid my face in Bepo's fur. This made some ofthe crew laugh. I was happy. I was safe. I was content for the first time in years.
...
Hi! First, thank you so much for reading! I've been reading many Law Fanfics and I decided to do one of my own. If there are any grammar mistakes or if a sentence is hard to read or understand, please let me know so I can change it. Also let me know if the italics are hard to see when Lia has written something. I will make it bold if that is the case.
Please R&R. I have another chapter that starts with the romance but I don't want to put it up until I have a few reviews. Again, thank you for reading and please tell me what you think!