Took me long enough to write this one eh? I am busy, sadly. But here is an update :) As always thanks for the reviews, especially to people who said they like this story despite being ZoTash shippers :D

One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda.


Chapter VII – The Prince with the heart of stone.

x

x

The next day passed in a blur. Tashigi was so consumed, mentally preparing for their kiss, which was supposed to happen in front of his family and for what? When the fated moment arrived, he kissed her on the forehead.

Not that she minds. It's just that... He didn't respect their plan yet again. She had every right to be angry, right?

And his attitude changed. Law was more distant than usual and didn't even tease her. Not that she's complaining... But she had a feeling that he was avoiding her. Why would he do that now? Tashigi was aware that she was his pawn, so what exactly was his problem?

If he's going to act like that, so be it. She won't sit in a room like an idiot.

Tashigi came down the stairs, witnessing the front door closing. She proceeded to the living room, finding Lami and Celia arranging a pile of pictures. A pile was an understatement. There were pictures everywhere.

"Um... Hello," Tashigi smiled.

"Oh, Tashigi, honey, come join us!" Celia invited her energetically.

"That's okay, I don't want to bother you," she stood awkwardly, cursing herself for probably ruining mother-daughter bonding or something.

"Nonsense," Lami stood up, walking towards her. "Men and kids are out; we have the house to ourselves!" She pulled Tashigi, guiding her to the sofa.

"Besides, now I get to tell you embarrassing stories about my brother that he most likely, didn't share with you. He tries so hard to be cool."

"Lami..." Celia gave her a glare. „'We' are going to." She corrected her, grinning. "Let's start with baby pictures."

Tashigi and Lami let out a loud chuckle.

x

x

Evening came, and Law was still out on one of his "walks." The man loved to roam around, as they told her.

Tashigi truly had a lot of fun with them. Celia brought out strawberry basil lemonade and cinnamon roll muffins which certainly helped her relax and have a good time.

She let out a big, long sigh, lying down on "their" bed, photos of him swirling in her mind.

Law was an adorable baby and a cute child. She did not find him creepy in the slightest. Exact Lami's words were, "creepy kid chasing and dissecting frogs."

In fact, her favorite was a three-year-old, sulky Law, in fluffy polar bear PJ's, with cutesy ears. He loved bears, his mom explained. She may have asked a copy of it in the heat of the moment, just to have some kind of leverage against him. And because... He was just so adorable and clueless.

One thing Tashigi had noticed, is the lack of pictures from the time he was a teenager. But that probably had to do with the fact that he hated being photographed or maybe he was going through some weird teenage phase.

What came as a complete shock to her were the stories they told her.

Law was, apparently, very devoted to his parents and Lami; hardworking from an early age, learning medical science and helping around. While other kids his age had fun, he spent his free time helping a nun, Sister Agatha, who took care of the orphans.

Were his cynicism and sarcasm the walls he built around himself? She would like to meet the real Law. The one she heard about in his mother's and sister's stories. It made her want to try hard and breach through his shell.

Startled by that desire, she stood up from the bed. "This is not real," she spoke. "There's no need to do that." She was invading his privacy.

Tashigi was pacing the room, absorbed in her thoughts.

Then why does it hurt? A voice of her conscience asked. You are incapable of separating your feelings from this matter. "Shut up," she muttered to herself. That little voice... She hated it because it spoke the truth.

The door of the bedroom open and his dark silhouette enters.

"Oh... Hi." He mumbles, not expecting her to be so close to the door. Law averts his gaze and passes by her, carefully, trying not to touch her accidentally.

What the heck...

"How was your day?" He mutters, with his professional/patient exclusively/you bother me, voice.

"Fine... And yours?" She raises her brow in suspicion. When was the last time he asked her about her day? How about… Never.

"Fine." He took off his jacket and tossed it on the chair. Then he opened the drawer, taking some of his stuff and a towel. "I'm going to take a shower," he grumbled, walking into the bathroom.

Something was very, very wrong here. She knew it the minute he didn't start undressing in front of her. After all, it was his favorite game in "Make Tashigi uncomfortable."

Why? What could have possibly happened? Is he sick or something? Changed his mind about the whole plan? Changed his mind about her?

There was something puzzling in his behavior, enough to send her mind into turmoil. Cause he was the strong one. The one who carried this whole sham. The one who kept reassuring her everything is going to be fine. And if he lost it... They will both crash and burn.

Well, he's wrong if he thinks I will let him do what he wants!

Not after he dragged her into this mess! Not after all the nerves, he cost her! After all rudeness and grouchiness, teasing she had to endure... No. Not in a million years. Trafalgar Law will not chicken out on her!

With a new-found resolve, she marched into the bathroom,

"Why are you acting so weird, Trafalgar? Explain yourself!

I want the truth! If you want to stop-" Completely oblivious to the fact the man was showering.

"What the fuck?!" His shout interrupted her.

Tashigi tightly closed her eyes, all of her strength vanishing. But she had to speak her mind.

Later.

Definitely not now.

Not so fun when somebody does this to you, ha? She thought of saying it before she runs away, but the words died out in her throat as she hears the shower stop. She didn't dare to open her eyes.

With wobbly knees, she went through the door.

Almost.

He grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her in. Tashigi nearly screamed.

"What are you doing here? Are you mad?!" He sounded rather angry for someone who walked into the bathroom to ask her if she wanted duck or a lamb for dinner or somebody who not so long ago paraded naked around her.

"I f-forgot..."

"Open your eyes you dolt," She hears him sigh.

Tashigi peeks through her eyelashes. He appeared covered.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she sucked the air in. Holy cricket. Her lips parted at the sight of him.

His ruffled hair was now slicked down, drops of water slid down his face, his neck, and tattooed chest and abs...

Oh, no, no. Not safe.

She closes her eyes again. What was she about to do-?

"What is wrong with you," He grabbed both of her shoulders, giving her a slight shake.

That's right.

"I will talk to you when you finish," surprised by her high pitched voice.

"Stop screwing around, you barged in," He did not release her. "You are like a walking skit, woman."

The anger that was brewing inside her, bursts out.

"You know what!?" She yells, still keeping her eyes closed, "I'm tired of your mood swings!"

It was absolutely fine with her if he needed to keep secrets. No matter how much it irritated her, she was aware that he would never confide in her.

His laughter echoed the bathroom. She opens her eyes in confusion, disturbed by it.

"You are tired...Of...My..." Law snorted.

It made her even angrier.

"Why are you laug- Nevermind! Explain yourself!"

He stops smiling, looking her with his foxlike eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"About your strange behavior! What else?"

"You're imagining it." He released her. "Now, leave me alone."

This man... She pouted.

Law always tends to shut down and go into his own wicked world, as soon as things get stressful.

Well, not today.

"That's it!" She snapped, approaching his face. "Stop it." Tashigi's eyes narrowed. She was so close, their noses almost touching.

He stared at her as if she had two heads.

"You're acting really weird, don't try to deny it anymore! Call me stupid all you want, but I know it." He looked unimpressed, fueling her anger.

"I don't give a damn about your secrets, so you can keep them to yourself, but if you think about ending this "cooperation" between us I want to hear it. Stop treating me like a simple pawn."

A sneer formed on his face as he looked her straight into the eyes.

She was so close to giving up, but her bottled up anger gave her the strength to continue.

"I'm here because I want to help you, so I demand respect. And from now on, if you don't stick to the plan, I'm leaving. I don't care anymore." Tashigi storms out of the bathroom breathing heavily.

The man kept his smirk.

x

x

What in the world am I doing?

Was she on the edge? Lost her patience? No... She was caught in a wildfire... Patience no longer existed.

Tashigi felt like something inside her broke, and she felt the need to cry her eyes out. The unbelievable wave of disappointment crushed her insides. She was ashamed of letting her emotions control her.

Her stomach was full of lead.

Felt trapped and needed to walk away.

He brings out the worst in me, she thought, leaving the room. She speeds up, unsure where she was going, but she had to.

"Aunt Tashigi?"

Tashigi fixes to the spot when she hears Caden's voice. Carefully, she turns around to face the little boy.

"What are you doing up, Caden?" She forces herself to smile.

"I was searching for you," he looked at her with uncertainty.

"Me?"

"Yes, so you could finish the story," he walks closer to her.

No, I must leave.

"Um, not now, it's too late," she pats his head. "I'll finish it tomorrow."

"That's a lie, Aunt." The boy's word stunned her. "You're leaving, aren't you?"

"N-No, of course not." She smiled forcibly, again.

"I know my uncle is scary, but please don't give up on him," the boy pleaded.

Don't look at me like that... Her urge of leaving was growing weaker by the minute, as he stared at her with his sincere and innocent eyes.

"Please, Aunt."

Well, darn it.

"I'm not going anywhere," she takes him by the hand. "Now let's finish that story, shall we?" Her lips curved into a genuine smile.

x

x

Tashigi sat in the armchair beside Caden's bed, but the boy was awfully energetic for somebody who should already be asleep. He would constantly jump out of his bed to show her his toys, and talk how he spend the entire day playing with his father.

He was so happy. His beautiful eyes lit up every time he described the games they played.

Tashigi felt the unusual warmth again.

Caden finally settled down into her lap, relaxing into her arms.

"Okay, where was I?"

"Um, when the Princess and Nene went on a journey!"

"That's right. A long and difficult journey awaited our Princess, for she hated traveling, hated being without the comfort of her palace, resented being without her beautiful dresses, loved being pampered and in the center of attention. But her desire for the Prince was greater. Nene gave the Princess advice to disguise herself as a man, so she wouldn't draw attention; they had also decided to travel alone. In one of their many travels, they stopped to rest in a small kingdom. When asked what the rarest thing there was, people would say fairies; particularly the tear from a fairy; if one had such thing, his greatest wish would come true."

"But fairies don't show themselves to adults," Caden interrupted her.

"True, but the Princess didn't know that."

"Oh... So what did she do?"

"The Princess was determined to get it; the people told her to go into the Black Forest and spend the night there alone; if the fairies found her worthy, one would show herself to her. The forest was so intimidating, especially during the night. It was past midnight, and still, nothing happened. Darkness surrounded terribly scared princess, and she began to cry."

"I would not cry, Aunt," the boy claimed.

"I know, you're very brave," she patted his head.

"And I'm going to become a ninja!"

Tashigi chuckled, "I believe you."

"And what did the Princess do?"

"She heard a voice, 'Why are you crying?'

Princess screamed. She wanted to run away, but she did not. She talked about why she was there.

A tiny voice spoke again, saying that she was deceived; no fairies lived in such a dark place. Devastated, the Princess started to cry harder; only then the owner of the voice showed itself. It was a-"

"Monster! No, Dragon! No..." Caden paused. "A fairy!"

"Good guesses, but no. It was a small silver bird."

"Are you sure that it wasn't a dragon, Aunt? Or something scary? You can tell me, okay, I'm big." The boy reassured her.

Tashigi chuckled. "I know you are, I swear it was a bird."

"Okay." The boy relaxed again.

"Princess stopped crying. A terrible thought crossed her mind; what if she was to capture this beautiful talking bird and take it to the prince? He surely didn't see such thing in his life!

"You can't catch me," the bird said. Princess was too stubborn to listen so she tried countless of times, each time falling and hurting herself. But she did not want to give up."

"Why, Aunt?"

"Because she loved the Prince."

"But she got hurt, I would find something else."

"When you're a bit older you will understand that you really have to try hard to earn somebody's love."

"So did Princess catch it?"

"No. The silver bird took pity on the poor girl and asked why she was trying so hard, the princess told her the reason.

'The Prince will not settle for anything,' it said, 'No matter how extraordinary it is, he will lose interest, he has a heart of stone. You should find his heart. I will help you, but I must know if your love for him is true.'

Princess agreed, listening to it.

'Not far from here you will find a hut. In it lives the witch. A beautiful and lovely she may appear, but do not believe her. You must stay with her until I deem you worthy. Till I come to you again, child, obey the witch and learn everything you can. She will give you many tasks and in each one there will be a temptation; she will test your devotion. Only if you complete them you will get the gift which can return the Prince's heart."

"Stay with a witch? But she is evil!" The boy turned around looking at her. "Are you sure, Aunt?"

"Mhm." She nodded.

"Your story is weird."

"If you don't like it, then I could read you the one you like," Tashigi smiled.

"No, I want to hear it."

"Okay. The Princess bid farewell to the bird, begging it to carry the message to Nene that she will not return for some time, that she should not worry and get back to their kingdom.

And so, her ordeal began. The Witch accepted her, not knowing that she was a girl, let alone Princess. She faced many difficulties, solving hard tasks, and many exciting adventures. She was now courageous and knowledgeable, a capable woman. A woman who knew how to fight wisely, and most importantly be patient and kind. A Princess of many virtues. Something she was not in the beginning.

And still, her heart desired Prince, no matter how much time had passed.

The Witch was not pleased with it. She never expected for somebody to endure so much, so one day she asked the Princess who she believed was a man, 'What does your heart desire?'

The Princess replied, 'You already gave me everything, Mother.'

Princess knew the witch laid a trap for her.

Enraged, the Witch was constantly trying to persuade her into saying something, but the princess did not yield.

Lastly, she asked if her powerful mother knew a way to return somebody's heart of stone into normal.

Witch loved to be flattered, so she revealed her a secret. She could cast the spell, but she could not break it. In fact, long ago she had made a deal with a Prince who accepted his heart to be turned into a stone because he did not want to feel the pain of loss anymore. His mother and father died. Everyone he ever loved died. He could not bear the pain any longer. But he needed to be strong for his kingdom and stand up to his uncle.

'What Prince did not know, was that he would lose interest in it,' the Witch laughed. 'When his heart was turned into stone, he did not care about his people and kingdom anymore,' she laughed harder. 'Now his uncle the tyrant rules the kingdom.'

Princess was furious, but she knew she must not show it.

"That's the Prince!" Caden yelled.

"Well, the Princess was not sure about it, but she wanted to help the young man who fell into the Witch's trap."

"I would do that too," Caden declared. "Then what?"

"In the end, Witch told her that the only way to return his heart to normal was to defeat the Dragon and ask him to break the curse. But no warrior could accomplish such task because Dragon was a creature no man could ever beat."

"Yes! Dragons!" The boy was ecstatic.

"Only one, Caden."

"Hm, but the story would be better if there were lots of Dragons."

"I don't think anyone could defeat so many," Tashigi smiled.

"I could! And the Princess? Could she do it?"

"Let me see... Princess left the Witch's hut when she fell asleep and went to the Dragon's cave.

After a long time, she met an old friend, the silver bird. It said, 'Do not fight the Dragon, for you will lose your head. When he asks you wisdom or power, you say wisdom. He will ask you a riddle which you must solve if you want to live.'

"No fighting the Dragon?" The boy pouted. "This story sucks."

"Okay, let's stop right there. You have passed your bedtime."

"No! Please tell me more Aunt, I will be good."

She sighs deeply. The boy was still as lively as when she started the story.

"The Princess obeyed the little bird. She found herself face to face with a Dragon as big as the mountain, with teeth as sharp as icicles that could pierce through armor.

He spoke, 'Wisdom or Power, choose human.'

Princess chose wisdom. He said, 'Are you willing to sacrifice anything to get the treasure out of my cave human?'

The princess was silent. She did not know what to say because the silver bird never told her that part.

"Answer human or I'll eat you!" The Dragon roared.

Princess had said yes.

The Dragon spoke again, 'If you break me, I do not stop working; if you touch me, I may be snared; if you lose me nothing will matter. You shall give me that, human.'

The Princess knew the answer right away. She felt sadness for not being able to see her beloved one last time, but she had accepted her faith. One shiny tear fell from her eye and she said to the Dragon, 'Yes, oh mighty Dragon, I shall give you my heart. But in return, you shall grant me the wish to return all the hearts turned to stone back to normal.'

'No such task can be done, I can only return one,' he had said.

Princess did not know what to do, and since she was here because of the unfortunate Prince, who wanted to protect his kingdom she had decided to put her wishes aside and aid the poor man. She had told the Dragon to return his heart to normal.

'It shall be done. Now, give me your heart.'

Princess closed her eyes and walked towards the dragon-"

"No!" Caden got up from her lap, protesting. "She can't!"

Tashigi, now fully used to boy's interruptions, patted his head in reassurance. "Don't worry."

The boy returned to her lap.

"She could feel his breath scorching her skin, but she did not stop.

The Princess closed her eyes, but nothing happened. Suddenly the whole cave was shaking. She rolled over to the side, seeking shelter, while another beast fought Dragon."

"Really!? What beast?"

"A tremendous silver bird. It won, but it was wounded.

In front of Princess's eyes, the beast who was her savior turned into a small silver bird, her friend. She carried it out of the collapsing cave, crying over it.

The bird had said, 'Don't cry for me, for you had proven your love. I am prince's heart and when you return to him, give him this.' The bird turned into a black rose."

"Wow!" The boy gasped in awe.

"Saddened but happy, the Princess kissed the rose and returned to the Witch's hut. The Witch still slept. When the morning came, the Princess did the same she did every morning; cook for the witch and make her a tea. She then asked a witch about the Prince she deceived and when the witch confirmed it was her beloved, she wanted to make sure the Witch never did harm to anyone ever again."

"What did she do aunt?"

"She broke her talisman which was the source of her power, without it she was helpless.

Then, the princess returned to the kingdom of her beloved which was devastated by the rule of the despotic king."

"As a princess?"

"No, still disguised as a man, a traveler."

The little boy frowned. "But why?"

"You shall see," she winked at him. "The servant went to the Prince's chambers. 'A traveler is here to see you, your majesty. He says he brings something rare for you.'

'Let him in,' the Prince commanded.

'Your majesty,' the Princess bowed, her face hidden behind a shawl. 'I bring you the rarest thing in the world.' The traveler presented the Prince a black rose.

Prince took the rose and looked at it, frowning, 'This is but a simple rose. I have thousands of roses like this one.'

'Oh, but this one is no ordinary rose my prince. It is, in fact, a princess. She died out of sadness, not being able to find the rarest thing in the world that she promised to the prince she loved deeply. Fairies took pity on the poor woman and turned her into something her beloved would find interesting and unusual.'

The prince was silent and looked indifferent. 'I knew once, such princess. Has she really died?'

'I do not know my prince, I am but a simple traveler.' Princess bowed again. 'Oh! I have heard that the princess of the Eastern Kingdom died on her journey. Sad news.'

'Hmm...'

'Oh, pardon me, my prince, you certainly don't care about that. Excuse me.'

'Silly woman...' Prince jerked as the thorn pierced his skin. 'Dying for somebody who has no heart.' A tear fell from his eye.

The Princess smiled, 'Well, now you have it.' She said, revealing her face and long raven hair.

'You are alive?! What is the meaning of this?'

'I had found your heart. You may use it to return your throne and to help your people. You should not be a coward who wished to be free from feelings just so he could be spared of pain. Pain is what makes us stronger.'

'Hold your tongue, woman! You do not know how it feels like, what hardships I went through! You too would wish to be revealed of that burden!'

'But was it worth, my prince? You do not feel pain, but you do not feel anything anymore. Your kingdom is torn to pieces, your people suffer. Everything your parents build lies in shambles. Do you truly wish that?'

He looked at her with rage. Princess smiled faintly. The emotions returned slowly.

'I will not take you as my wife, no matter what.'

'You do not have to.'

Prince was confused."

Tashigi stopped, a little too embarrassed about her voice acting of the Prince and Princess.

She glanced at the boy to check if he was asleep, and he was.

However, as soon as she tried to move..."And then what, Aunt?"

Darn it, she wasn't careful enough. She cleared her throat, continuing her story.

"Princess had learned valuable lessons during her travels, one of them was that just because you love someone with your whole heart, doesn't mean that he has to love you back. It is selfish to want that. She had said, 'If you do not want to take me as your wife, then, let me be your knight. I will help you fight your uncle, and return your kingdom. I will lay my life for you.' She bowed.

The Prince was shocked by her kindness when he showed her nothing but cruelty. He asked, 'Why?'

'Because I love you.' Princess answered.

The prince had accepted, and together they managed to overthrow the tyrannical uncle, casting him into a prison. The kingdom had returned to normal, as well as the prince's heart. Prince, now a King, was happy. The time came for his knight, but not his princess, to bid him farewell."

"What?! No happy ending!" The boy was outraged and completely woken up.

Great. Remind me never to tell my own tales anymore. She cursed at herself.

"Um... Wait just a bit, Caden."

"Your stories are not good at all, Aunt."

"Fine, let's get you to bed, okay?"

"NO!" He got up from her lap, jumping up and down on his bed.

Tashigi groaned. Things took a turn for the worse.

"Well, then, would you like me to finish my story, no matter how bad it is?"

"Okay!" The boy was pleased that he got what he wanted, settling into her lap again.

"The King had asked, 'Is there anything you desire my knight?'

'No, my king. What I wish, nobody can give me.'

'Please, there must be something?'

'Yes. A kiss from you.'

The king granted her wish."

"A kiss, yuck..." The boy scowled. "And then?"

"When the time came for her to leave, he did not want to part with her. For his heart felt this strange emotion he did not know."

"Was he sick because of the kiss?"

Tashigi chuckled. "No, Caden, he was in love."

"What is that like?"

"Hmmm... It is like... Do you like fireworks?"

"Yes!"

"The happiness you feel when you look at them and excitement... Love feels like that."

"It's great, then. Why didn't he tell the Princess?"

"Sometimes people hide their feelings because they do not understand them."

"It's not so hard, Aunt. Adults are weird."

"Yes, we are." She grinned.

"So, is that the end?"

"No. The Princess returned to her kingdom where Nene and her father, awaited her return. Happily reunited with his daughter, the King had given her the throne, cause she had proven to be a great leader.

Several years later, her father died, and she had decided to get married. Suitors from all around the world went to seek her hand in marriage, but still, her heart did not want anyone but her beloved.

'What is he doing,' she had often thought. 'Is he happy? Did he marry?'

When she had forced herself to banish those thoughts and pick a husband, he appeared. Her beloved. Once Prince, now a King.

"My dearest Queen, I seek your hand in marriage," He kneeled in front of her.

Her heart wanted to burst out of joy, but she did not want to run to him immediately, for she wanted to joke a little.

'Oh noble King, please tell me who you are,' She had asked, containing her laughter.

The King frowned deeply. 'You claimed to love me so dearly and were even willing to sacrifice your life for me, yet you do not remember my face?'

'A lot of time had passed, I do not feel the same anymore.'

'Then put me out of my misery right now. For if you do not love me, I do not want to live any longer.'

The Queen laughed. 'Oh my beloved, I should be happy you did not ask for your heart to be turned into stone again. My love never disappeared. I love you like the first day, even more, if that's possible.'

The Prince had confessed that he fell in love with her the instant they shared a kiss.

They got married and lived long and happy life."

The little boy yawned. "Okay, Aunt, it's not that bad," his eyelids were refusing to stay open. "The kiss part ruined it... And no fights with the Dragon..." the boy muttered as Tashigi carefully got up from the chair holding him in his arms.

And suddenly all of her problems were so distant. All the bad feelings were washed away as soon as she felt his little hand hugging her.

"Kiss is the most powerful magic, Caden," she whispered, glancing at the clock. It was fifteen minutes to midnight.

"I know..." He yawned again. "You should kiss... Uncle... Aunt," the boy was drifting into sleep. "Ma...ybe... You break the spell... he...under."

"Mhm, good night Caden." She kissed his forehead.

A kiss? Maybe I should try with exorcism first. She snickered, tucking him in, and turning off the lights.

"Oh, no... Tashigi!" Lami appeared, when she was closing the door of Caden's room.

She brought her index finger to her lips, "Shhh, he just fell asleep."

"Oh, my god," Lami whispered loudly. "I'm so sorry, did he bother you?" A flash of worry crosses her face, "He didn't come into your room, right? Oh, please tell me that Law didn't-"

"Calm down, everything is fine." She squeezed the woman's hand. I bumped into him and decided to finish this one story I started. It's not a problem really. I like Caden."

The woman relaxed, "You're a lifesaver. It's very hard to get him to sleep. He always wakes up around this time."

"Don't mention it, good night," she bids farewell to her, walking towards their room.

I over-reacted again, and he will definitely rub it into my face, Tashigi thought, while clasping the doorknob. Hopefully, he's asleep and she doesn't have to deal with it.

The door opened forcefully from the other end, making her stumble, bumping into something soft yet firm. She lifts her face up.

"Law?" She said in disbelief. Embarrassment overtook her as she realized she bumped into him. He was fully dressed, with a bag in his hand.

Confusion clouded her mind, and she didn't know what to say. He looked at her with such intensity sending shivers down her spine. His free arm locks around her waist and he pulls her into the room, closing the door.

Her breathing was heavy.

He dropped his bag on the floor.

"I'm-I'm sorry...About earlier." She speaks, her mind hazy, trying to free herself from his hand.

"Where did you-" She was cut off.

He slammed his lips over hers, knocking the air out of her lungs.

Tashigi's eyes widen, completely unprepared.

His fingers gently ran up and down her spine, as the kiss deepened.

But, how?

It took her three seconds to realize what they were doing, and ten seconds more to understand that she was kissing him back. Her eyes shut, letting the pleasant warmth spread throughout her entire body.

They pull apart, panting heavily.

"I thought… You left," he replies, his voice low and husky.

"Caden... Story... I-I... thou...ght about... it. But we're..." She made shallow, rapid breaths.

"If you say… 'We're in this together,' I'm gonna…hurl." He smirked.

She paused. "And you..."

"I thought of..." Law took off his jacket tossing it on the chair as usual. "Searching for you. You didn't take anything with you... Idiot."

His words brought comfort. She really was a fool. Going outside without anything... On the coldness... She didn't even bring her phone.

"You win," he says, undressing. "From now on, we are true partners."

"Great, but I still don't like when you undress in front-" His sweater hits her, covering her face.

"Stop the nagging. I had enough of your shit today."

"Yeah, and I had enough of yours." She pulled off his sweater from her face.

He was putting on the top of his pajamas. "You love it, so stop pretending."

"I give up." Tashigi marched towards the bathroom, closing the door. She touched her burning lips, leaning onto the bathroom door. What has just happened? Her knees betray her, and she slides down to the floor.


Note: Sorry for the long fairy tale, but I felt like it was needed.

Another thing, the bag he was carrying had Tashigi's stuff in it (coat, sweater and who knows what he grabbed)

He really has a caring side, doesn't he? Or maybe everything is a part of his plan? (evil laughter)