Who is Left Chapter 7: … Tell no Tales
"Repel!"
"Displacement!"
Weapons from every direction gravitated towards Kid, as a strange stillness in the air occurred. Suddenly, the ground split in a vertical line down Tora's line of sight. Maddori deftly moved away from the sharp spike of air being distorted. However, as Maddori did this, he was promptly met with a metallic 'hand' to the face, hitting him with enough impact to cross the room. Maddori's mask chipped, and broke in the bottom left.
"Smash…!" Maddori ground out, and suddenly, glass that was hidden high above the rafters cracked and began raining hot, molten rock.
Kid used his new metal arm to shield himself, while Tora pulled a face, deftly avoiding the raining death.
"Where on Earth did the bastard find this?!" Tora shouted, in disbelief. Damnit! Probably some volcano... or worse.
A single rock hit Tōkuoto on the shoulder, burning through her shirt and skin. She let out a small groan of pain before flicking it off with her ability.
Kid barely gave the Dark Lady a second glance before resuming his barrage of attacks on Maddori. The man was persistent, taking the attacks either full on, or dodging the blades and hammers flying towards him. Kid grit his teeth and sent the man flying towards the water below.
However Maddori was fast, and before he could hit the water, he kicked the air beneath him with enough force to propel himself upwards. He took out three glass marbles, which he had stowed safely in a container, and threw them at the two pirates.
On contact with the metal surface, the marbles cracked, and exploded. Using the flooring as a conductor, the heat quickly coursed through the metal rafter, causing the soles of Tora boots to burn. The woman twitched an eyebrow, summoning her strength.
"These are top-of-the-line model, you asshole!" Tora yelled, "Project!"
The surrounding area warped, and Maddori once again began falling senselessly towards the watery death. At the corner of the man's eye, he saw something shine in the light, heading towards him. A spear head jammed itself straight through the Mask Man's stomach.
"Damn it... This wasn't the plan..." Maddori said finally as he hit the water, leaving a wet cough.
"So, Eustass-san-" Tora began, casually watching the dying man writhe pathetically in the water.
"I'm killing you now."
Tora went deadpan as a heap of weapons went flying towards her head. She calmly deflected the weapons away from herself, raising her hands passively.
"No, I'm not fighting you." Tora stated sternly.
Kid felt his eye twitch, as he stalked towards the woman, looking down on her.
"Why is that?" he replied irritably.
Tora pulled an annoyed face, "You've now 'saved' me twice. My moral code dictates that I owe you my life."
Kid tilted his head with a blank expression, "Then you wouldn't mind me taking it?"
The Dark Lady flexed her jaw, closing her eyes, "In that case, you would break my obligation, and I would murder you in the most brutal fashion possible."
The pair stared at each other, unflinching. Kid opening his mouth to say something, when suddenly they both heard footsteps thundering towards them. Tora whipped her head to the gaping hole in the wall as Killer and Thornton ran in.
"Captain!" Thorn called out, letting a relieved grin spread across his face, "You didn't kill Tiger-woman yet!"
Kid glanced at the stumbling gunslinger, before turning to Killer abruptly.
"Kill, this isn't the right time..." Kid trailed off, before noticing Heat and Wire slowly entering as well. The redhead narrowed his eyes at the taller man clutching his side, and pursed his lips.
"What happened?" the Captain barked, attention solely focused on the injured crew mate.
Killer's head slowly tilted to look at the dead man sinking in the shallow water, "A man like that attacked us. He's not a problem anymore, but," the Massacre Soldier shifted, "He got a lucky hit. We're not sure how bad it is-"
The blonde was interrupted by the doctor in the room, "I'll need to have a look at it. That's why you came, right? You need me."
Tora smirked, giving Kid a smug look, "So, all that's left to see... Do you want me?"
Tora took off her bloodied gloves and threw them to the side, plonking down beside Kid.
"He just needs rest for now. He'll be fine." Tora informed, with a matter-of-fact tone, "So, have we reached a decision?"
Kid remained silent and stoic, refusing eye contact with the woman. Honestly, the first thought that the Captain had had, was to say 'Sure', and kick the infuriating woman in the ocean first thing. He didn't trust her, and he sure didn't want her anywhere near his crew. But the more he thought about it, the more advantages he could see. Obviously, if they were going to try and take on the New World, they would need a doctor, for one. Secondly, she knew far more than she was letting on. Kid may not have any evidence of this, but he could tell by the sneaky smirks that she sent to him, that Tōkuoto Tora was definitely not the fool that she tried pretending to be.
Kid, along with Killer, Heat, and Thornton, had been sitting outside the old, empty storage room, which Tora had officially claimed as her own, for the last 3 hours. Of course, there had been other members present - Rust, along with the small group assigned to him, had returned after raiding the village, and Strike, Olly, and several more had been guarding the ship to begin with - however, the temperamental Captain had gruffly ordered them to give the injured crew mate some space.
As Kid wallowed in his own predicament, Killer had already made a decision. The Massacre Man, who was also the self-proclaimed 'Sane One', figured that letting the doctor tag along wouldn't be such a bad idea. It could prove helpful to have a native of the New World on the crew, even if she did seem quite… Eccentric. Of course, taking into consideration that the Kid Pirates had, on numerous occasions, threatened to and made attempts on the doctor's life, it was obvious – really – that they would have to keep an eye on the woman in case of treachery. However, despite this, Killer truly believed that Tōkuoto Tora could be a valuable ally, and that his Captain would be a fool to pass on such a perfect opportunity.
Thornton did not really know what to think of the woman, in all honesty. After Strike's minor freak at the discovery of her previous alias, he had tried to refrain from angering the woman. Whilst she normally showed such a calm, and carefree demeanour, the gunslinger always had felt a little on edge around her. Tiger Woman. The perfect description for her – such a majestic being, yet on a level Thornton definitely knew that if he were to become too comfortable around her, he would surely die… Or at least lose his heart to such a beautiful woman! Thornton let a slightly goofy smile spread across his face. Ah, the woman was certainly something. Nice size, hair that was as dark as the night sky that shimmered…! Thornton could stare at her eyes forever, and then even longer! He knew that for a pirate in one of the world's most heinous crews to be thinking such dorky things was silly, but at heart, he was always in it for the romanticism… Not that he'd ever tell Kid, of course…
In comparison to Thornton's own perverted thoughts, Heat felt no particular emotions towards the Dark Lady. Sure, she was strong, attractive, an excellent coffee brewer… But the pyro felt as though he still knew nothing about the woman. She had a younger sister that died only around a week ago, she was once a pirate (presumably), and that she had been hiding from the marines for about fifteen years. There was just too many questions that came with the woman: Just who was she really? Did she have any ulterior motives? Heat didn't usually care to ask about such trivial things – it came with being a pirate. But he was curious. Although he wouldn't ever tell by simply looking at it, it was true. He wanted to figure out the puzzle known as 'Tōkuoto Tora'.
The woman of subject began to grow impatient. She had just spent three and a half hours treating Wire-san, and Kid still didn't seem to trust her. Tora hated it when she pledged herself to sheep, but she hated even more to pledge herself to people with mind… Come to think of it, she hated the subject of 'pledging herself' to another altogether. She felt bitter about her damn obligation to the insufferable man, but it just couldn't be helped. Kid had saved her now not once, but twice, and her honour wouldn't let her simply forget this debt. Right. She was doing this for her own preservation of self. Not any real lingering feelings.
That would be preposterous!
Finally, with an annoyed tone, Tora loudly exasperated, "Well?"
"Prove it." Kid said, giving her a half-hearted glance,
The Dark Lady blinked, not expecting the answer, "What do you mean?"
Kid rolled his eyes and flexed his neck tiredly, looking at the woman.
"What do you take me for? An idiot?" the Captain growled, narrowing his eyes, "I'm not letting a woman that could, for all I know, turn on me at any given moment into my crew. What, you want me to take your word for it? We're pirates. We kill and lie for a living. That's stupid."
Tora let a shocked expression cross her face, completely caught off guard. She had no idea that Kid had actually been thinking – why, she didn't even know he knew how to think! She crinkled her nose, and furrowed her brow in thought. Now how on Earth was she to do that?
A Few, Petty Hours Later…
"Where the hell is Tōkuoto?" Kid growled, stomping up to Killer.
Killer's eye, behind his mask, was twitching like crazy, as he pointed outwards towards Mystoria Island. Kid gave a confused look, before turning to face the village. Within the span of a few seconds, his expression turned from annoyed to shock and disbelief. He gaped at the town, raising a finger, shakily.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THE WOMAN DOING!?" Kid shouted, still pointing his finger at the town, which was now flashing like a strobe light, and producing happy cries.
Tora smiled as she resumed cracking open the glass objects, bringing forth the trapped villagers, who looked ecstatic to be free. They all cried words of thanks, and how they were 'forever in debt'. But this only made the woman's smile widen. Oh yes, Eustass-san was definitely going to enjoy his little present.
"Tōkuoto! What the hell are you doing!?" Kid raged storming towards the woman who was currently sitting above the gathered masses, looking like the Queen of Chumps.
Tora let out a huge grin, waving her arms around like a dork. For a split second, Kid considered just pretending that he didn't know her, and walk off instead, but his curiosity got the best of him.
"Tora," Kid began, in a tone of disbelief, "what the hell is this?"
Tora laughed, crossing her legs on her makeshift throne. She raised a finger to her mouth, suddenly feigning 'deep thought'.
"I'm 'saving' the village! It's all for you, Eustass-san~" Tora hummed.
Kid pulled a disgusted face, "I ain't a hero or nothing, woman. If you think something like that is going to convince me of anything, you're dead wrong."
Tora gasped in mock horror, "My goodness! Eustass-san, you think so little of me! Not only am I giving you a whole village to brutally murder right in front of the World Government, but a chance to raise your bounty as well…" she finished, voice lowering.
The cheering of the townsfolk suddenly halted, and fear instead began oozing out of them, like a strong scent on the wind. The village once again became dead silent, until bass tone of laughter began.
"Haa, you really put some thought into this, didn't you, Tōkuoto?" Kid laughed, purple sparks flying, "I'm touched."
Tora gave the red head a sadistic smile, "What can I say? I just live to please…"
The last thing that the joyous inhabitants of Mystoria Island saw, was crimson red.
A/N: Isn't Tora so thoughtful? What a lovely present, for a 'lovely' guy… Does anyone sense my sarcasm? I gots a new cover image - please ignore the derpiness of Killer. Hope you liked the chapter, please Review!
