Chapter Six
To Rationalize Reason

Sunlight filtered through the window, landing on Mila's sleeping form. Turning away from the glare and stretching languidly in bed, Mila blinked and frowned at being woken up from the bright light. While Amazon Lily's weather was certainly nice, she preferred the overcast skies and gray mornings of Baltigo. Sitting up, she adjusted her shirt and grabbed her watch to check the time. Only ten o'clock. She still could bathe before she went to deliver food to Law and his crew.

For the past two weeks, Mila settled into the routine of waking up late in the morning, delivering the Heart Pirates their lunch, and returning to the palace to report to Hancock and spend time with the three sisters. While her relationship with Law began shakily, they had developed a mutual…acceptance of the other. While it certainly was not friendship, Mila enjoyed their rapport and the constant verbal spars they had. Naturally, Sandersonia and Marigold thought she must love Law for speaking so freely with him. She and Hancock were quick to gently correct their misinformed opinion—gentle in that Mila did not hit them as hard as she could have and Hancock did not shout as loudly as she could have.

All was well on Amazon Lily.

After soaking in the tub and pulling on some shorts and a tee, she wandered to the edge of the town where Sweet Pea, Kikyo, and Aphelandra were already gathered with the ingredients for the pirates' lunch.

"Ladies," she greeted pleasantly, earning lighthearted smiles from Sweet Pea and Aphelandra and a grim nod from the older woman. Mila grabbed her designated basket and began the slow trek down to the gulf. Walking slowly behind the warriors, she appreciated the pleasant breeze blowing in from the water. She would miss this when she finally left.

"Ah! They're here!" Mila heard someone shout in the distance and shook her head amusedly. While the men could certainly be…enthusiastic with their affections, they were pretty normal, nice guys once the Kuja left the scene. After her work with Law was finished, she often exchanged stories with them over a game of cards or while watching a sparring session. Despite Mila's humor, Kikyo growled menacingly at the proclamation, eyes narrowing in disgust. Aphelandra and Sweet Pea continued on the path, blissfully unaware of their superior's anger.

"Mila! Hey!" the men shouted upon seeing the Revolutionary bring up the front. Knowing her to be a bit kinder than the Kuja, the men tended to gravitate toward her when she was not busy talking to their captain. They currently seemed to be in the middle of a complicated competition to see how many pieces of fruit they each could fit in their mouths. From the way the men were shouting, it looked like Bepo was winning. Mila waved back with a laugh after setting her basket down and allowed the three warriors to set up the lunch tables. Spotting Law in his familiar seat by the tree, she grabbed a piece of fruit from a barrel and wandered over to the trunk.

This had also become a daily ritual; after Mila dropped the food off, she would converse with Law as the men doted over the Kuja, give Luffy a quick once-over, and then exit the submarine to share a few words with the Heart Pirates. At some point during her visits, Mila had become comfortable with Law; enough to tease and be teased by him, anyway. They kept each other on their toes, but at a strictly professional level. After she displayed the extent of her abilities in medicine, Mila thought Law had a newfound respect for her and now treated her as a peer—or he thought she was not a threat in any way and did not care what happened between them because who cares about her, right?

She was over-thinking it again.

She found that while with Law, no matter how tempting it was, it would not be conducive to analyze his every move, as she was apt to do. He was extremely hard to read, often masking his thoughts with a dismissive hand or a tilted hat. Mila was learning to just let go around the captain, yet while still being very cautious around him. It was exhausting.

"Why hello there," Mila sang happily as she made a grab for the sake bottle situated next to the captain. Leaning with his hands folded over his knees, Law peered at her from the corner of his eye.

"You know," he drawled, "I think you may have a little bit of a dependence on that." Frowning at him, Mila clutched the drink closer to her chest.

"Just for that comment I'm keeping the rest for myself," she huffed. Law smirked, throwing his head back slightly.

"It is my sake, you know," Law muttered, attempting to reach for it. Mila moved it from his reach, bringing it to her lips instead.

"I'm taking a page from your piracy book, captain," Mila laughed as she waved the bottle in the air. "I'm commandeering it." Law smirked widely at her declaration and Mila gave a small laugh in return.

"And do you think you have what it takes to be a pirate, Revolutionary?" he quipped, eyeing her interestedly.

"I think I'd like it," Mila replied honestly, shrugging slightly. "Seeing the world, meeting new people, indirectly bringing down the government. Sounds like something I would enjoy."

Law did not respond, but peered thoughtfully at the cloudless sky. Being a Revolutionary, he supposed, was very different from being a pirate, but there were some obvious similarities. With her attitude, abilities, and connections, Mila could probably transition into piracy quite easily. Spotting his crew jumping on top of Bepo in their game, he noticed Mila laughing quietly to herself at their antics. With his crew, it probably would not even be a big transition for her at all. After a comfortable silence, Mila turned to Law suddenly and asked, "Can I see your nodachi?" Thoughts interrupted, he placed a defensive hand upon the sheath.

"That depends," he said slowly, pushing his spotted hat more firmly onto his head, "can I have my sake back?" Mila rolled her eyes, but pushed the bottle into his chest. Reaching around him to grab his sword, Mila placed it across both her and Law's laps and touched the hilt delicately.

"It's a beautiful piece," Mila said quietly, tracing the scabbard lightly.

"It's not from Wano," he said at length, and Mila's hands stilled over the weapon.

"I know. I can tell—the binding and the size are too different. It's still a nice sword, though," Mila replied, resting both her hands upon the nodachi. Eyeing it critically, she touched the red tassels and stilled. "Is it cursed?"

"Good eye," Law remarked, thumb tracing the markings along the sword. "Its name is Kikoku."

"Demon's Cry," Mila breathed understandingly. "I've heard of it." She spared a glance at Law fleetingly before further examining the sword. It was impressive to carry a cursed blade and wield it well—especially a large one like a nodachi. She nodded her head slightly in approval, the pirate earning more respect in her eyes.

"Do you know how to use it?" Law asked, staring skeptically at her relatively short height and eyeing the length of the weapon.

"No," Mila returned, shaking her head. "I never was good with nodachi. I'm too short for it. I'm better trained with katana." He nodded and moved the blade off their laps to rest between them.

"What's Wano like?" he asked calmly, noting Mila's tensed frame.

Mila hesitated as she thought of a response. Shifting uncomfortably against the tree, she weighed her options. They had not breached any personal subjects since that second day, and she was wary to do so again. She did not like speaking so intimately with him—he always kept his face impassive, making it seem like he understood clearly all of the words she meant to keep between the lines. His silver eyes would trail off like he was disinterested, but Mila knew he could see through almost any lie, especially when he was looking for it.

Then again, what did it matter anyway? They were on the same side for now—unless he had plans to ally himself directly with the World Government, she did not see the harm in telling him about a place she could hardly remember. He probably did not even care anyway; he was just humoring her for the sake of having a conversation.

"I don't know," she admitted eventually after Law cleared his throat pointedly. "I haven't been there since I was a kid. From what I remember, it was a nice place."

"Shame," Law murmured. "I heard they don't let foreigners inside. How did you manage to leave?" Just then, Kikyo slammed the blade of her knife into the table, causing the pirates to yelp and retreat closer to the submarine. Using it as a distraction, Mila feigned interest in the yellow vessel.

"Do you think Luffy will wake up soon?" she asked, changing the subject.

"It's hard to say," Law said evenly. "It all depends on his will to live." Mila hummed in response and closed her eyes, leaning her head against the trunk of the tree. Life was too tragic and complicated for people so young. Mila had not seen her homeland in years, and Luffy was relegated to catatonia after witnessing his brother's death. Sighing, Mila threw her arm over her eyes to block out the sun and concentrated on Law's steady breathing punctuated by the occasional sips from his drink. He was content to sit there as well, watching his men and quietly observing the strange girl that sat with him every day. After a while, Mila heard the women pack up their supplies and leave the camp, as well as the men's accompanying groans of disappointment.

"Do you want something to eat?" Mila asked as she stood up slowly, cracking her back. Law shrugged in response, swallowing another mouthful of sake. Mila scoffed as she nudged his leg lightly with her toe. "Now who has the alcohol dependence? Oh forget it, I'll be right back." Just as she expected, Bepo waved happily to her when she approached, handing her the two proffered bowls of soup.

"Hey," she greeted, standing next to the bear and facing the rest of the crew. "What are you guys up to?" They all raised their hands in greeting, but returned quickly to their game.

"Playing some poker," Penguin announced happily from her left. She smiled and kneeled down to examine his cards. Whistling lowly, she nudged his shoulder.

"Good luck with that hand," she laughed and Penguin feigned a scowl in her direction, only to smile broadly when Mila pat his shoulder.

"You want to join?" Shachi asked while peering at his cards intently.

"Nah, I can't. I have to head back early today." Laughing at the cries of protest, she continued, "Chill out, I'll play with you guys tomorrow and steal all of your money. Then we'll see how many of you want to be my friend." Throwing a hand up in goodbye and ignoring their playful retaliations, Mila turned back to the tree, only for her eyebrows to rise in surprise at seeing Law staring intently at her. Shaking off the weird look, Mila reclaimed her spot next to his. "Here, your majesty," she bowed regally, placing the meal at his side, "your coveted bowl of soup." She laughed at his slight frown, digging into her own serving.

Law examined the brunette at his side, contentedly eating her meal and watching the crew from afar. Not many people took a friendly interest in his men, yet here she was, joking with and befriending them and, surprisingly, somewhat befriending the typically stoic captain as well. Law could not help but return to his thoughts from earlier. Maybe, Law considered as he watched the woman closely, a Revolutionary wouldn't be so bad as a pirate.

"Hey, captain," Shachi and Bepo said as they gazed longingly at the forest, "can we just go have a tiny peek? We'll be quick about it, we promise."

"No," Law returned bluntly, leaning against Bepo on the deck of the submarine. Law snorted at their combined groans and placed both his hands behind his neck.

"Please!" they begged pitifully. "We've been here for weeks, and there's an entire island of woman just waiting to be explored!"

"It's almost lunch time," Law responded, glancing at the looming noonday sun. "Don't you have to get ready for your ladies?" At this, both men brightened and stood up abruptly, jumping hurriedly onto shore. Law shook his head and smirked at his men's antics. While they sometimes seemed hopeless, his crew held some of the most capable and dependable individuals he had ever met.

A few days had passed since his first thought of Mila potentially joining his crew, and Luffy still displayed no signs of improvement. Yet Mila would still return each day to check on the Straw Hat and report to Hancock on the lack of progress. It could very well be a hopeless cause, but both he and the woman did their best every day.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Mila and the Kuja appeared from the tree line, carrying their typical food and supplies. Pushing off Bepo, Law slung his nodachi over his shoulder and made his way onto shore.

"Nice of you to join us," Mila smirked up at him as he approached the table full of fruits and vegetables. "Can I help you with something?" Law did not reply as he suddenly grabbed her arm and dragged her to their tree, ignoring her cries of protest. "What the hell was that for?" Mila raged, yanking her arm from his grip. "I thought we moved past this grabbing stuff."

"It was nothing," he shrugged, leaning his shoulder against the trunk. "Just wanted to talk."

"Oh, that's right," Mila said slowly, lightly smacking her palm against her forehead, "I forgot! You have zero manners and the social maturity of an infant." Law smirked at her dramatic display and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"You know," he remarked, leaning his head closer to hers, "most people would be dead for talking to me like that. They're typically too afraid to even look at me."

"Do I look like most people?" Mila deadpanned with an eyebrow raised pointedly. She gestured to her black shorts and white tee emblazoned with a bold red "REBEL." "I'm not exactly the poster child for normalcy and conformity."

"No, I suppose not," Law replied, "but that still doesn't explain why you're so unafraid of me. I know you've seen what I'm capable of." Mila gulped at his words, but kept her face impassive. During her last check up with Luffy, she witnessed Law use his Room to create a glowing sphere around the trio, only to cut off a portion of Straw Hat's leg to check on a fragmented bone. While he was not using the maneuver offensively, Mila still saw the deadly potential in his Devil Fruit ability. Truth be told, she was slightly grossed out by the display.

"Oh, I don't know," Mila sighed, turning away from him and resting her back fully against the tree. "I guess I'm stupid enough to think that you actually tolerate me or something and won't murder me." Law snorted, and Mila smiled as well.

"Where are you going after you're done here?" he asked, fixing his gaze on the Revolutionary. She frowned slightly and shrugged.

"It depends on what I'm assigned next. I haven't gotten any new updates, so I guess I'm staying here for the time being. I'm getting a call later today, so maybe they have something for me to do."

Law hummed quietly, looking thoughtfully at his submarine. Doing a quick count in his head, Law frowned slightly. Logistically, it was entirely possible. There's only eighteen of us, and the barracks fit over twenty-five men. Gazing back at his companion, Law gave her a once-over. She certainly was a capable fighter, able to nullify a threat like Boa Marigold with ease and affect the body in subtle ways; she knew her way around an infirmary, which was always useful; her contacts could certainly prove invaluable, especially since they were going to be sailing in the New World soon. Connections to people like Ivankov, Jinbei, and Dragon could mean the difference of dying an anonymous death and claiming One Piece. She had nerve enough to make it on her own, as she was able to taunt him and still remain unscathed. And, as an added bonus, the crew certainly liked her—they barely stopped singing her praises of how nice and beautiful she was after leaving the camp each afternoon. Besides, her only wanted her for part of the journey; after they made their mark in the New World and used her to transition, she could go right back to Baltigo and leave his crew as it was. Law made up his mind: it was plausible, it was strategic, and it was going to happen.

"They probably forgot about you," Law murmured in a mock contemplative tone, breaking his thoughts and sending her a pitying glance. Mila glared at him from the corner of her eye.

"Oh, shut up," she grumbled, crossing her arms. "I'll slap that smug look right off your face."

"No," Law said, adjusting himself to face her fully. "That would be a waste."

"What? Why? You think I wouldn't do it?" Mila pressed, turning to face him as well. She glared at the amused glint in his silver eyes and cracked her knuckles agitatedly.

"No," he smirked, "it'd be a waste because then I would have to kill you, and it would be a shame to murder a prospective crew mate." Mila's eyes narrowed suspiciously before comprehension dawned in them. Her jaw dropped in surprise, voice stuck in her throat. Arms falling to her sides, Mila took a step back, replaying Law's words. Prospective crew mate? Where the hell did that come from? Is he saying that I'm part of his crew? When did I agree to that? That's not in writing, he can't hold me accountable for anything and—wait, since when am I part of his crew?!

"What—" Mila began, only to be interrupted by a loud crash. Immediately looking toward the submarine, both she and Law saw a blur explode from the yellow hull and land a few paces away from them. "Oh no," Mila whispered, horrified, bringing her hands up to her mouth. Law's eyes narrowed dangerously, watching the figure claw at the ground. Around them, Law's men sprung into action and quickly circled the shape, hoping to calm it down. Law extended his arm that held his nodachi to partially block Mila from advancing.

"Where…" it bit out, fingers digging into the earth, "where…is Ace?!" The voice boomed throughout the gulf, causing Mila to cringe and inch closer to Law.

Luffy was awake.

AN: I know I haven't updated in a while, and I'm really sorry! My classes have really been eating up most of my time recently. The next chapter is in the works and it will hopefully be out soon. Again, let me know how I'm doing in the reviews since I welcome all comments and critiques!