Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the views/follows/alerts it means so much to me! It seriously brought a huge smile to my face when I read the reviews so thank you Apple Bloom, PurpleJosei, and ChinaDang for the nice words! Updates will come maybe every other day or something I'm not sure, it'll be frequent though! Like always I don't own anything One Piece and I hope you like it!
hiraeth(n.) a homesickness for a place you can never return to , a place which maybe never was; the nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past
The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind.
Dessa became a fully indoctrinated Donquixote pirate within a few days after receiving the gloves and was out and about on missions the next week. However missions were dealt sparingly, Doflamingo preferred her not to go unless necessary and utilized her time for training and education. It became evident early on to the other officers their captains' partiality towards the young girl since he would always be with her. It was already known he secretly liked children however it was unusual for him to grow such an attachment with one.
All the while Corazon bid his time and surveyed from the periphery always sure to keep her in his sight. As time passed he was surprised to find she was a naturally cheery and mischievous child, no longer did her laughter come as a surprise to him when he heard it. He figured most of it came from her time spent with the other children. He did notice she would steal away and sit among the heaps of metal in solitude watching the sunset every other day. She would spend an hour or so outside before walking back to the compound banging away with a stick.
He knew despite her outward appearance inside there was still a well of suppressed emotions broiling beneath and it pained him knowing he was helpless to help her.
For Dessa she figured out early on her crewmates were a group of extremely dangerous people. The man she had come to know as Doflamingo was in fact the most dangerous of them all. She had yet to learn the extent of his capabilities until she witnessed it in person when someone refused to pay shipment costs. The scene of sheer brutality imprinted heavily in her mind and added a new and terrifying layer to her sworn captain.
She found it was strange being suddenly thrust into such a position where she had crewmates but she took in stride and with time she found herself willing and ready to put their wellbeing over hers. In the beginning relations were strained and often bitter however once she was allowed on missions the bonds between everyone solidified and she fit seamlessly among them.
After so long she had finally found what she had yearned for so long; a family. Albeit dysfunctional she was convinced she wouldn't trade a thousand lives for a single day without them by her side. A few months passed by with little disturbance until the arrival of the boy from Flevance uprooted everything she believed true.
Dessa rushed up the steps towards the sounds of excitement coming from the balcony. She tossed her books aside and breathed in the musky air as she leaned over the railing confused at the scene below. Trebol and Diamante picking on a kid wasn't as unusual but the materials strapped to his chest garnered her immediate attention. She promptly left seeing as they humiliated the poor boy and skipped out on dinner to spy on him. Dessa stuffed a few apples into her pockets and made her way to where he was brooding over the metal scraps.
From a distance Law heard the crunching of metal and gripped his sword tightly until the steps grew closer. He jumped into fighting stance and whipped around ready to strike when he was met face to face with the girl that would haunt his thoughts for the rest of his life. An apple was secured in her mouth as she held out the bundle she brought him, he grimaced and resumed his brooding. She plopped down next to him and munched on her apple, "Sure you don't want one?" she held out the fruit in his direction and was ignored thoroughly.
"What are you doing here? Get out of here before they kill you, idiot." His voice was crisp and terribly bitter as he shot her a piercing glare, suddenly his stomach grumbled loudly and he turned away embarrassed. "So you wanna join those pirates? Why?" Dessa thought it would be wiser to keep her allegiance a secret for now, he said nothing for a bit before balling his fists.
"Because I want to destroy everything." Dessa kept quiet and lowered her half-eaten apple, by now she had killed a handful of people out of necessity but she would never say it was enjoyable. The glean lost from their eyes and the inevitable frost that settled within never sat right with her. She saw in his pale complexion flames of rage flicker brilliantly kindled by a deep sense of persecution. "What's the point." Her frank response drew his attention as he side-glanced in her direction.
"We all die anyway." She shrugged and took another mouthful, he held his gaze on her deciphering what exactly she was getting at. It was improbable she lived on the streets seeing as she was dressed and fed well, then suddenly it occurred to him. She offered him the few apples once again, "Take them no one is looking." He got to his feet and gave her a stern look, "You're with them aren't you?" his voice grated deathly against her ears as she sighed in defeat.
She pinched the tip of her glove with her teeth and swiftly removed it seeing as he raised his sword ready to strike. His blade connected with her exposed palm and combusted into rust, Law's face fell in horror and the rust settled around his feet. "You're a monster," he murmured in disbelief as he turned over his empty handle. Dessa slipped her glove on and gave him a hopeful smile, "You think so?"
She left with one last look and he watched her retreating figure enter the complex much to his chagrin. He took the apples and one by one chucked them into the roaring sea, as held the last one he faltered. He stared at it for a while before plopping down and taking large mouthfuls wondering if he would ever see that girl again.
Now inside the compound Dessa entered Doflamingo's room and saw him sitting by the window wine bottle in hand. "Young master," she called and saw as he turned to her in mild interest, "Come my child." She settled into his lap and joined him in reading for a bit before she began hesitantly, "I think you should let that boy join." He set his book down and regarded her inquisitively, "Why?" he began. She shrugged and went back to reading, Doflamingo stroked her hair a few times before gazing out the window in thought.
The next few days followed accordingly until it was announced Law would officially join the Donquixote Family. She had yet to see him since that day she met him by the sea but thought they would formally meet each other on better circumstances. As Doflamingo conversed with the new recruit and showed him to his quarters Dessa was occupied in Corazon's room. "Hold still!" He winced as he reached for another cigarette while she cleaned the wound carefully with a swab, a familiar scent wafted up her nose as she scowled. She hated cigarettes, she hated everything about them; the smell, the mere mention of it drove her insane. "Almost done." She murmured as she wrapped his torso taking care not to apply pressure to the wound, after she secured the bandage she took a step back and surveyed her work with a satisfied nod.
He held up a note thanking her, "I did learn from the best," she grinned as he rested his hand on her head. "Corazon-san," she faltered under her gaze but stood firm, "Please be nice to the boy." He watched her eyes flicker in determination and patted her shoulder signaling her leave. She gave him one last hopeful look and left as he settled gingerly into his seat minding his wound.
Now in his room Law felt he could finally breathe for a moment. He took off his hat and fell onto the bed closing his eyes at the softness, just as he began to ebb away a faint knocking was heard at his door. It was so light he wondered if he had imagined it. He padded his way towards the door and cracked it open by a hair, seeing as no one was there he opened it fully. Placed squarely in front of him was a shiny apple, he looked up and down the corridor and hesitantly took it back inside with him.
Taking a tentative bite his thoughts drifted back to the girl. It had been a few days since he had last seen her and thought he would have run into her by now. She was nothing like the other children which relieved him a bit, reaching the core he realized her didn't even know her name.
Dessa walked by his door and smirked when the apple was no longer there. When she reached Doflamingo's door she stopped and leaned her ear against the wood seeing as the door was locked, heat crept into her face as she heard the long winding moans of a woman and ran full speed in the other direction. It didn't really come as a surprise, the young master would always bring beautiful copious women to the hideout but she found it odd she never saw the same woman twice.
Not looking ahead she bumped into Trebol who was followed by Diamante and Machvise. The force knocked her off her feet as the trio chuckled at her clumsiness, "Watch where you're going nehh?" Dessa turned away as the fluid from his nose dangled in her face freely. "This place is turning into a fucking daycare." Diamante grimaced and begrudgingly helped her up. "Where's the young master?" The large swordsman regarded her in bemusement as her face burned brightly.
"He's um, uh," She scratched her head and averted her gaze from the trio, "Come on we don't have all day!" Diamante was beginning to grow impatient with her, "He's um, busy." The swordsman began to growl in annoyance when Machvise stopped him and whispered something in his ear. "Ohhh." He crouched down and inspected her rosy face and nodded sympathetically. "Did she have nice tits?" Her eyes widened into orbs as they all guffawed and left without another word.
"Tits?"
It was already late into the night when Dessa finished the book young master had lent her. Hoping he was still awake to give her another one she went to his room and found him at his desk. "You should be in bed." His voice was heavy and he handed her another book wordlessly, "Young master, that woman you were with earlier?" Doflamingo stopped writing midsentence and turned to her expectantly, "Yes?" he pressed as he took the bottle of wine by the neck. "Did she have nice tits?" The bottle exploded in his hand as crimson ran down his arm, she started in shock and realized 'tits' was a very, very bad word.
"Where did you hear that?" His question came out in a hiss as she looked between his glass embedded hand and rippling veins. "I um, thought, I-" She winced as he inched closer baring his teeth, he stopped when he realized who it was. It couldn't be more obvious. He sighed and flicked the pieces of glass off himself as he sent her to bed wearily. She bowed with an apology and swiftly left, running a hand over his face he turned to his bedroom and thought to call it a day.
Dessa was woken early the next morning by a frantic Baby 5. "Dessa! Dessa! Wake up hurry!" Said girl groaned and rubbed at her eyes furiously. She sat up and Baby 5 giggled at her horrid bed hair, she dragged the half-asleep girl to the kitchen and left in a dash. Dessa yawned and looked about and found a drowsy Law yawning loudly, "The fuck?" Diamante passed by them and saw the shattered plates. "You little shits," Dessa followed his menacing gaze to the pile of broken dishes when suddenly it dawned on her.
"Diamante wait-!" He grabbed them by the scuffs of their necks and threw them outside, "Get more fucking plates you brats!" Dessa rubbed her sore bottom and grumbled under her breath. She got to her feet and saw Law's gaze was on her, she sighed and signaled him to follow. "When I see Baby 5 again," she grumbled once again as she circled behind the complex and lifted a few scraps of metal.
"Which one?" She held up a scabbard and pistol to the boy, wordlessly he took the blade and inspected the sharpness. "Come on lets go," Starting to picking her way across the metal heaps Law spoke up for the first time, "Where are we going?"
"To get those dumb plates." She turned back at him and shrugged seeing as there was nothing to do about the situation. Seeing as it was still early in the morning the air nipped at their bare skin as the heaps of metal were misted with a light fog. Once they entered the small ravaged town they were approached by a gaggle of burly men, "You're with Doflamingo aren't you girlie?" One of the men sneered at the pair and revealed his many missing teeth. "And?" Dessa didn't like where the situation was heading but glared defiantly at them, "You see that's no good, I'm afraid you and your little friend will have to take a walk with us."
The grip on her pistol tightened as they all sniggered, "Our boss doesn't appreciate men sleeping with his daughter too much you see." Unflinchingly Dessa pointed the gun squarely at his throat and pulled the trigger, he choked out a strangled howl as blood gushed out endlessly until he keeled over. The rest of the men sprang into action as Dessa took calculated shots at their organs while Law held his own and buried his sheath into the enemies in a fervor. Down to her last bullet Dessa grabbed Law by the hand and took off, it was too risky to take her gloves off seeing as there was still so many of them.
"Hurry!" The bullets whizzed about their heads and one grazed her shoulder. They took off into the woods in hopes of shaking them off and hid among the thickets until the gang passed by, they settled by the base of a large tree and took a minute to catch their breath. Dessa turned her arm over and winced when she realized the wound was deeper than she initially thought. The bullet had seared a clear path across her shoulder and blood trickled freely down her arm, she looked to the boy and was relieved to find he was unscathed save for a few scratches. "Here," he knelt in front of her and tore off a piece of cloth from his shirt and expertly tied her wound so that the bleeding ceased. She hissed at the pain but gave a grin, "Thanks," He gave her a level stare and a curt nod, "What are we going to do now?"
She sighed leaning against the trunk heavily, "We can't go back home, they'll be waiting for us." She glanced about their surroundings and pricked up realizing it was too quiet, she held a finger to her lips as she focused her hearing. Suddenly a gun cocked and she pounced on top of Law as the bullet traveled cleanly through her leg, she bit her lip furiously restraining any cries as the men descended upon them.
They both promptly blacked out when they were dealt with a weighty head blow.
Law was the first one to come to.
A gag was tied around his mouth while his hands were bound tightly with coarse rope, to the right of him the girl laid with her wound bleeding profusely. A dark chuckling attracted his attention as he was faced with a threatening expression, a large man was flanked by the men that ambushed them earlier. He wore an expensive looking suit and golden jewelry adorned his neck, the men next to him joined in his laughter.
Suddenly the girl that saved him stirred and sat up slowly her face screwing up in pain. "My, my you kids certainly have gotten on my nerves," The boss circled around them like they were his prey, "I think your pretty heads on a stake would send Doflamingo the right message, what d'ya say kiddos?" All the while Dessa struggle against her restraints and tugged at her glove. "What do you think men?" he turned back to his crew waving a long barreled pistol around, as he turned around Law gave Dessa a look and she nodded.
He turned back to the pair and pointed the pistol back and forth between the two indecisively before settling on Dessa, he pressed the tip against her forehead, "Ladies first!" he exclaimed in glee. With his finger pulling back on the trigger Dessa's hand shot up and gripped the barrel. The gun disintegrated into gunpowder and rust as she punched him squarely in the stomach with her bare hand, he fell to the floor and Dessa tossed Law a gun she retrieved from his back pocket. His gaping men were caught unawares as they finished them off swiftly. After they killed the last of them Dessa fell to her knees and failed to get up, Law rushed over and tentatively turned her leg over as her teeth grinded in pain.
He was relieved to find the bullet had left a clean exit, he tore another piece off his shirt and made another makeshift bandage for now. He turned his back to her as he crouched down, "Get on," Law secured his grip around her legs and lifted her with ease, they maneuvered through the hideout until they passed by the kitchen.
"Wait," Dessa began.
By now the sun was beginning to set on Spider Mills as Law carried Dessa over the heaps of metal. From her hands Dessa held a set of porcelain dishes. The hideout was within sight and Dessa let out a relieved sigh.
"It's Law by the way. Trafalgar Law."
She said nothing for a moment before her sweaty face broke in a brilliant smile, "Dessa, just Dessa."
Soon after that the Donquixote Family took to the sea in a scourge.
It was all so exciting for the Shi-Shi user, she had never been out to sea and found each day interesting to say the least. True they left a messy trail of fraud and vice wherever they went but it meant everything to her now that she felt a close bond with everyone including Law. However for Law he would always distance himself a bit whenever he felt they got too close, the constant reminder of his expiration date stopped him from growing too attached. It was something Dessa never truly accepted, she'd never say it aloud but he was her best friend.
Reaching the end of his three year grace period Law was given night watch duty when he was paid a visit. Looking out from a pair of binoculars he started suddenly when a set of large teeth obscured his vision, Dessa sat cross legged on the lookout as stretched out her lips and waggled her tongue at him, at his glare she gave an apologetic grin and tossed him an apple. "You should be in bed." He began wrapping a shawl tighter around his body as his breaths came out in small wispy puffs.
"You look like you could use some company." She ducked into the lookout as he sighed and reluctantly held out the shawl, they sat bundled together in silence save for the crunch of apples. "What do you think that one looks like?" Instead of following her finger he took a moment to glance at her, in the moonlight her champagne locks seemed to radiate softly. In her eyes he saw the reflection of a thousand stars each one paling in comparison to her smile. He pursed his lip slightly in thought, "It looks like one of Jora's pieces of 'art'." She nodded thoughtfully and said nothing for a bit.
They shared a moment of silence gazing at the stars until her head rested on his shoulder, "Dessa," he began edging away until she gave him a fierce look. "Don't," Tears threatened to spill over, "Don't, just let me," he watched her struggle to find the words as she sobbed into her gloves.
"You can't, you can't leave me."
That would be the last time she would see him in a very long time.
The departure of Law and Corazon was earthshattering. With every passing day Dessa felt her insides chip away until nothing remained, she was numb and went through the motions until Doflamingo informed her of their return on Minion Island. Believing the lie Dessa blindly obeyed every order in desperation to see them once more. However once the crew went to 'retrieve' Corazon she could only watch in horror as they all beat him senseless, she rushed to his side and fought to defend him but failed miserably as Diamante grabbed her by the hair and flung her into the fresh snow. A loud crack sounded from within and she bit back a scream, she struggled to get up but was relieved once the young master arrived, she was sure he would set things right.
As he raised his pistol at Diamante she cried out and fought desperately to reach him, "Be still child." He snarled in her direction and she lost the ability to speak. She struggled against the invisible restraints Doflamingo cast as she listened in astonishment at Corazon's story, it hardly changed anything in her opinion. If anything it solidified her underlying fear of Doflamingo's actions, frozen in time Corazon locked eyes with her and gave a broad smile.
Tears streamed freely as she shook her head frantically begging for this to be all a dream. Snow fell at a constant rate replacing the crimson blossoms surrounding her with fresh powder, this isn't what was supposed to happen none of this could be real. With a few parting words multiple shots rang out as Corazon slumped over, Dessa stared in disbelief. The air turned to ice and burned her insides as a searing pain overcame her. Coupled with the shock of a shattered leg and Corazon's limp body she passed out.
It was that day something inside her broke. Something so precious shattered beyond repair, beyond recognition, beyond salvation. She never spoke of Law or Corazon again and found little solace in the silence. Everyone went about their lives as she suffered in calm like purgatory wondering if this would always be her fate, leading a trapped existence spiraling deeper and deeper into the depths of nothingness.
Her relationship with Doflamingo changed as well. She now saw him for what he truly was; a monster. However she was incapable of doing anything seeing as he kept a constricting eye over her. Faced with no other options she lived a lifestyle that she desperately opposed.
Years faded from her conscious in scales of monochrome until the night they overtook Dressrossa. Stealing away from the castle in the chaos she descended upon the kingdom like an angel of death, walking amongst the carnage she gravitated towards the fatally wounded and ended their suffering. She returned the next morning having shaved off decades with her arms drenched in the blood of the innocent.
After Doflamingo successfully toppled the monarchy the family began to move into their new gratuitous home. Being placed in a small room by the balcony with a view overlooking Flower Hill, Dessa listlessly stacked her piles of books until she stopped cold and held up an aged thick volume with a smeared title. She turned the novel over and realized she had never seen this book before, she thumbed through the yellowed pages when a folded note fell out. Dessa unfolded the crisp paper carefully and read through the vaguely familiar penmanship.
'When you find this Law and I will probably be gone. I'm sorry I never said goodbye, I wish had.
I'm not sure if we'll see each other again I'm afraid.
I'm sorry I couldn't save you from him, you must be suffering and for that I can never forgive myself. Law will live but it will be a long time before you can see him again.
i cherished the time we had together but it wasn't enough. Continue to live as you once did and know that I loved you. I still do.
Goodbye my sweet Dessa.'
Tears dribbled down her chin and fell onto the paper as she began tremble in uncontrollable sobs. After all this time of repression the countless memories she spent with Corazon and Law overwhelmed her. Finally she had something concrete that tied her back to them and validated her sorrow. Law was alive. The thought that this very moment he was somewhere in the world brought her unmeasurable happiness. As she wiped her tears a scrawl on the bottom corner attracted her attention.
'Turn to page 63.'
Flipping through the pages she arrived at a chapter that read; 'The Shi-Shi.'
So that is my very brief and I mean very brief recap of Corazon's death so I'm sorry if I glossed over it a bit. Thank you again for reading and if you liked it let me know!
