She blinked a few times, those pale green eyes slowly focusing in the dimly lit room. She laid there for a moment and remembered what had happened before she passed out. Her hand touched her wounded arm, the pain was still there but now it had been bandaged.

Slowly other sensations came to her, the smell of salt water and the sound of wood creaking softly under a gentle sway. She sat up a little, eyeing the large bed she was in and only just now realizing that she was naked. She was so used to wearing clothes made of thin material that it wasn't a far leap to being nude, still… she pulled the fur trimmed cover up to hide her exposed breast, it was then she realized the blanket was actually a long coat that was laid on top of the comforter. She brought the fabric to her nose, the heavy scent of cigar smoke still lingered on it… a brief vision of the tall man flashed in her mind…

"Your clothes were covered in blood, I had them thrown away."

The deep voice came from across the room, a voice that she recognized even if she only had heard it a few times. She looked over and watched him for a moment, sitting at a desk with newspaper in hand. His eyes did not so much as flicker in her direction as he took occasional sips from a steaming mug. "Why did you bring me here?" She asked as she held the coat a little closer to her, the heavy scent of his musk was relaxing.

"Your ability interests me." He stuck a fresh cigar in his mouth and lit it, breathing in deeply and letting the smoke fill his lungs before exhaling it in rolling tendrils across the paper in his hand. "If I find they aren't useful to me then I can still kill you if you prefer."

She sat quietly, still unsure of what to think, say or feel. This man rescued her… no that term is much too heroic, he took her like any other treasure one would take in a raid and yet he did not claim her body. She knew that her maidenhood was still intact… he did not force the bond like she thought one might but then again he had no idea what possessing a Daival really meant. "You have never come this far into the new world, have you?"

Het set down the paper now, eyeing her carefully as she covered herself with his coat. Her voice was still relaxed and spoke softly, as if that was the only tone and volume she was capable of. "How astute of you." He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hook as he considered her… she had claimed to be something called a 'Daival' but it seems that term is only known out here in the new world and even then only in wealthy and prestigious circles it seems. "It's true, I have never sailed these waters before and you are the first encounter with these 'Daival' people."

"I see… and now you want to learn more about my people…" She touched her arm again, once more she found herself in the position where she could lie to him and say anything she pleased but he saved her from a life of being that noble's slave… she still did not know if this trade of ownership was for the better but this man… when he looked at her he did not have leer at her with base animalistic lust, his eyes were cold but calm… would it be so terrible to be bonded to such a composed man and one who was so strong? "I will tell you anything you want to know."

"Your cooperation is appreciated." He said blandly as he took another sip of coffee. "I understand that if you touch a person, you can take their wounds like what you did for me but what is this 'bond' you spoke of? The one where you can die in place of me."

His wording did not go unnoticed, so he did hold self-preservation high on his list of priorities. "A permanent bond can be forged by my claiming after my coming of age day…" She looked away, turning her eyes downward as she hid her slightly warmed cheeks in his coat. "Once a permanent bond is made then I will take on your wounds no matter how far apart we are or the severity of them."

"Interesting." He mused. "Your 'claiming' would be taking your virginity, yes?" He stood up, straightening his shirt and vest from sitting for so long. It only took a few steps from his long legs to bring him beside the bed where she lay. She intrigued him, even now sitting naked with her slightly blushing cheeks she held an air of dignity about her.

"Yes." She answered as he towered above her once more, she was not surprised that he would come to her now but a thought occurred. "How long was I sleeping?"

He exhaled and the cloud of smoke swirled against her. "For three days, your wound gave you a fever." He lifted her chin to watch her expression, during those three days he took his time learning her face so there was not a thing he would not notice if even a twinge of emotion was exposed. "Your immune system is rather weak for someone who is supposed to take my wounds."

"I will get better." She said with a hint of determination in her voice, she felt she owed this man. Not for his gentleness but for his honesty. His intentions were clear and she had no misconceptions about their roles. "My coming of age day was yesterday." She said as she loosened her grip on the coat, she would not fight him… "I'm ready to form the bond." She lowered her eyes, he still held her chin but she did not have the will to meet his gaze.

He smirked a little at her attempt to be strong but he could tell she was forcing it a bit, she knew what she was to him and tried to not express how much it bothered her. "Are you afraid of me?"

The question shocked her a little but she thought about it… he was so cold and the things he had done in the mansion were still fresh in her mind… "Yes." She answered truthfully, he scared her because she did not fully know what he was capable of.

He smiled faintly at her honesty, he let go of her chin and traced her jaw line to her neck. His fingers wrapped around the smooth skin again… how easily it would be to kill such a frail thing. "What is your name?"

Her heart started beating a little heavier as he held her throat but he didn't not apply pressure just like before. "Lily." She answered simply.

"Lily…" He repeated the name, it was not displeasing to say at least. "Will you give me your life?" He asked as the tip of his hook slid between his coat and her skin. "Will you bond with me?"

Eyes grew wide in shock at his question. "Are… you asking my permission?" The mere thought made her heart race.

He frowned a little at her reaction. "I'm not going to rape you if that's what you're implying."

"No, no… that's not…" She took a deep breath to calm herself, he was allowing her to make this decision. Granted, if she said no then there was no doubt he'd kill her but… she felt like… "Yes." Her body relaxed as she touched the arm to the hand still holding her neck. "I will make the bond with you." She smiled a little as she let the coat fall some more. "My life is yours."

"Good." His thumb rubbed her lips as he used the hook to pull his coat off of her, his eyes lingered on her body for a moment before he turned away from her and hung the coat on his shoulders. He had other things to attend to now.

She sat there in a bit of shock, staring blankly at his back as he walked away from her. "You… you're not going to form the bond with me?" Her arms moved to cover herself, suddenly embarrassed by the rejection.

He turned back slightly, eyeing her with a sideways glance. "Heal first." He said as he adjusted his ascot. "In that time you will tell me about your people and this bond in further detail, then I will make my decision."

Her heart pounded in her chest, this man… was not like the ones she had been forced to endure before. If she could give her life to anyone than it would be him… she did choose him. "Please, can I know your name?" She thought she had heard it before from the dark skinned man back at the mansion but she had to be sure, she… really wanted to know this man's name.

"Crocodile." He said plainly. "There is a shirt at the edge of the bed for you to wear, I will find something more appropriate on the next island. Until then, do not leave this room for any reason."

"I understand." She nodded her head as she found the article of clothing in question as hugged it to her chest, even this was soaked in his scent.

He turned away, speaking with his back to her. "I have duties to attend to, entertain yourself with whatever is in this room." With that he exited the room, shutting the door and locking it. He did not trust this crew entirely nor did he trust her, best to keep them both separate for the time being.

Once she heard the tumbler of the lock she slid to the edge of the bed and eased herself from it, her body was stiff but it was to be expected after being bedridden for three days. She slipped into the shirt, it was a large button down that fit almost like a dress on her. She explored the room, this whole experience was beginning to fascinate her. Books filled the shelves and a stack of newspapers sat unattended in the corner and looked as if they had been building up for months. As she inspected the room more she felt that he was detached from the rest of the crew, there was a private bath in this room and a personal coffee maker. He must have spent a lot of time in this room and away from the rest of the crew. She wouldn't be surprised if he ate alone in here as well.

She rummaged through the stack of newspapers until she found the oldest one, she wanted to read the books on the shelves but thought it prudent to know what has happened in the world. She was never told anything or allowed to read, her former master believed keeping her ignorant would make her more compliant… but this new man. Crocodile… she felt as if he would not appreciate ignorance nearly as much…

She sat down next to the stack of newspapers, it would take her a while to catch up but she didn't mind… now the first paper… who is this 'Luffy' person? She eyed the picture of a boy in morning, straw hat held to his chest and started reading the article.

To Be Continued…