"...spectrum..."
Seven beautiful, brightly coloured strings of light whisked in the general direction of the clear, blue sky above them. They were respectively red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, making probably the very first separated rainbow in the world. They were also harmless, and unexpected.
Law looked with his eyes widened slightly at the silhouette before him. His Yukionna stood tall, seemingly relaxed, still having her back to him, and her front to a very confused Shichibukai. There was also one more thing in front of her – gigantic, floating prism that was probably responsible for splitting the laser. Also, the prism didn't just stick where it was – it started to melt into two pools of transparent liquid that made their way to Yuki's hands, transforming and solidifying into the form of two katanas. The girl giggled lightly, and Law frowned. Something was off here...
"Hihihi... that's more like it..."
The rest of the people present either finished grasping just what has happened at the moment or already let it be. Kidd was the first one to talk, as he turned his face in Law's direction.
"Trafalgar, you're in my way!"
"I think I already told you not to order me around, Eustass-ya." the doctor was calm, and his smirk came back on his features. He can worry later. Right now, it was fun going on! Plus, he was just a little, tiny bit euphoric of escaping death the moment before.
"Tch, bastard." the redhead was certainly not glad they'd eventually have to fight together, again. "But, I have to say your girl's not quite bad... How about that? Oi, woman!" he called, and the raven-haired, emerald-eyed and currently madly grinning girl looked at him from the corner of her eye. "Join my crew!"
She didn't respond. Or, more likely, she didn't have time to. Even Kidd himself was surprised by the speed of a certain Nodachi that right now was pointing directly at his throat.
"...you wanna die, Eustass-ya?" came a low whisper of the Surgeon of the Death. Kidd was completely unfazed by it. He didn't ask again out of pure laziness. Of course.
All the talking aside, the Shichibukai present wasn't going to let them chat for too long. Another laser was fired, and this time, both crews managed to dodge it without girl's help. Not that she was going to help them anyway.
She was long on the move, not waiting for Law's orders; running in the direction of enormous man, her two transparent katanas loosely held on her sides. The Shichibukai clearly didn't expect such a move; or he was too busy firing lasers everywhere to notice. She managed to jump high enough to hit his head, producing a little slash on man's cheek and smashing her weapons into pieces in process. Even so, she seemed unfazed by the fact, almost as if she was expecting it. Soon, two brand new katanas formed in her hands again, as she backed off, still grinning that unhealthy grin. Law picked one of the previous katanas' shards and examined it quickly.
"...glass?"
Devil Fruit user, most likely a Paramecia...Law remembered what the wanted poster said. Such a thing... He almost giggled. Come on... Glass?
But, he couldn't deny the fact that it already proved itself useful. Everything made sense – it was so logical to create a prism big enough to split the laser into harmless spectrum... And with the ability to create more and more weapons, it's not like Yuki had to care about damaging her swords.
She jumped again, this time along with the masked man, Killer, from another crew. While he attacked (or tried to) legs, she went once more for a face; both of their attacks were equally in vain. The Shichibukai was just like a robot – he didn't budge, nor show pain despite their greatest efforts. The girl landed gracefully on the grass beside him, and giggled again, already creating new swords.
"That's nice to finally know your ability, right, Yuki-ya?" he said, unsheathing his Nodachi, deciding to join the fight. But the girl didn't answer, which was weird. Law looked at her face, and stilled in shock. What in heavens had happened to his Yukionna?
Her face was... different. Up close, Law noticed she wore unhealthy, toothy grin, and her eyes were opened widely, indicating madness. Her whole frame was ticking nervously, swaying a little, and she looked at him as if not recognizing. It couldn't be...
Law turned back in the direction of their enemy. His face was emotionless, maybe a little thoughtful. He'll think about that later; now, he certainly had bigger problems to attend to.
…
Yuki opened her eyes. She looked around herself and regretted it the moment later.
"Mr. Trafalgar Law."
An innocently looking surgeon hurried from around the infirmary's corner to her side, drying his hands of the blood. "Oops... You weren't supposed to wake up so soon... Yuki-ya?"
"..." the girl sighed, trying to keep her calm. Like hell. "Mister, you ought to give me a really good reason why am I currently seeing my another half laying on that operating table beside, and you really ought to give it to me quickly."
"Um..." the doctor had at least that much decency to look a little guilty. "Curiosity's not good enough?"
"No."
"Health reasons?"
"You came up with it just now."
"Oh, come on, it's not like I'm given a chance to examine a Glass-Glass Fruit user every day..."
"You were looking for traces of the Devil Fruit inside of my body? What kind of a Captain are you? And, can you finally put me back together?!"
Few minutes later, when Yuki was put back into one piece and failed to chase Law down to give him a piece of her mind about dissecting his sleeping subordinates, she found herself sitting on the chair across from the doctor and listening to shortened version of what has happened.
"Then, when the freakin' robot went down, we decided to make a run for it, but you wouldn't follow. It kinda looked as if you're not sure either to attack us or not... When we managed to pull you with us, you somehow fainted. Bepo carried you to the submarine, and now here we are."
"So it wasn't a weird dream after all..."
"Seems like it. What do you think, Yuki-ya?"
"Hm..." Yuki pondered for a while. "It's not like I need to think something about that, really. It's all kinda blurry, but I'd consider it fainting's fault. Oh, and I need to thank Bepo for carrying me."
"I actually thought about your new – or, should I say, old – ability. And, what's curious, why it resurfaced then of all times."
Yuki frowned at him. "Isn't that obvious? You were in danger; I was just repaying my debt."
Law chuckled. "Is that so..." he stood up, heading for the infirmary door. "Thanks, although I'm pretty sure I would manage that on my own, you know."
It was Yuki's time to snort. "Yeah. Sure. Don't worry, Captain; for awhile I'm gonna be there to save your ass even when it's not really needed."
"I certainly hope so, Yuki-ya..."
…
"Why didn't you let me?!"
Yuki was dreaming. She knew she was. Which doesn't explain the fact why was she currently standing on strange, white sand and staring at a person in front of her. It was a woman, but with her nails shaped like claws and her eyes reminding these of an animal.
"What?"
"You are so mean... Emy wanted to have fun, but you, you needed to keep me locked away for so long... And then, you thrust me back... So stingy... I don't like this..."
The person before her started to sway, pouting childishly.
"So you're real... Well, like hell I was letting you go wild on my friends! Why you wanted to hurt them, anyway? I managed to hold you back in the last moment, too..."
The silhouette snorted. "Yeah, right, friends. And where were those friends of yours when you needed them? Where were they when you were weak, miserable and in need? I didn't know you'd become so forgetful..."
"It's... I didn't even know them back then, and I can't remember my past life, so it's alright! Who are you, by the way?"
"So that's the case... You just don't remember Emy..."
"Emy? It's your name?"
"They say demons are not given a name, but you invented one for me... It's Emerald Killer, right? You must know at least that much of your loyal Emy..."
Yuki backed off, and stumbled, falling painfully, scratching her hands. "You're... Go away! I don't need you anymore! I don't want to be a murderer!"
Emy suddenly jumped, halting few mere inches before Yukionna's face; her long, pale nails scratching her cheek as Emy cupped Yuki's face in hands. "Such naivete .. I can teach you, you know? I can tell you all about your past life... Our past life... And you will soon find out that me, I am the only one you could and would ever call a 'friend'..."
…
Yuki woke up with her own hand stifling a quiet scream. The ceiling was white, cold and unforgiving as always. It was early, too early for even Penguin to be awake, yet Yuki stood up almost immediately, not wanting to sleep anymore. She needed comfort, fresh air and a shower. Not necessarily in that order.
Shower came first, cold and nicely vanishing all the thoughts other than "Holy fuck why it's so freezing?" from her mind. When submarine was docked, as they right now were in the cave created beneath the grove 22, and engines were shut off, the water couldn't be heated. Usually that wouldn't be a problem, since the crew would just book an inn to sleep and clean themselves, but since right now they were hiding...
Having completed the shower task, Yuki tiptoed to her Captain's cabin, opening the door gently and slipping inside. She knew she was acting childish and probably a bit creepy, but there was something so soothing in watching her Captain sleep – his peaceful, vulnerable sleeping face, so much in contrast of the feeling of safety his very presence always gave her was enough to put Yuki at ease. She evened her breathing, leaning against the door, not daring to come completely in. I wonder if I should tell him, she thought. Captain said to trust him, and, despite Law sometimes being a jerk, she knew she could, but... Somehow, just one strange dream, despite her certainty about how true it was, seemed not important enough to trouble her Captain.
She closed the door just as quietly, not wanting to wake the very tired doctor up, and went to the main deck, jumping into the little bay the cave offered and out to the Sabaody Archipelago's lawless zone. It was quiet; after yesterday's Marines' ride, nobody really felt like going for a walk, apart from, of course, a certain insomniac Yukionna.
She paced quickly, trying to warm up and let the fresh air consume all of her worries and uncertainties Think positively; she told herself. It wasn't like that... Emy was going to take control over her or anything. Yuki got enough of bloodshed and pain; she don't need her. She can start training on her own, and would manage to become strong enough to be able to protect those dear to her without her inner demon's services. Deep in thought, Yuki didn't look where was she going; suddenly, she halted, eyes wide in alarm. The girl tired to turn back, move any limb, but it was not working; she couldn't even budge. What...?
"Fufufu... Look, who's here..." she stilled, hearing the voice that so often haunted her nightmares. The voice of the one, she knew, who was behind all her misery. Who? Why? How? Too many questions filled her mind, and suddenly, she had a feeling she didn't experience in quite a while.
Yuki felt enslaved.
"Hm... You still can't use that, do you... And I thought you'd be angry enough to finally find out how, since I had that little village of yours butchered..."
Two tears came to Yuki's eyes, and with them a river of memories. Happy, smiling faces of her sisters. Worried look in her mother's eyes. Then screams and fire and blood.
Yet she couldn't even whimper; the fear was overwhelming. The girl was hanging pitifully on the invisible threads that connected her, and always will, to her owner. An inner part of Yuki's mind, though, was swirling happily, fighting to resurface. Master~ He's back~ The voice singsong, making a mental dance.
"I've got some business to attend to now anyway... Fufufu... But don't worry... I'll be back for you, my little killer..."
As the threads vanished, and so did the voice, pale Yukionna fell on the ground, still not daring to move. She couldn't; the fear she had so happily forgotten came back with full force, immobilizing her, causing her to feel nauseous.
A dry, choked sob came out of her throat, and then – nothing. All Yuki was capable of doing was breathing heavily and praying to wake up in her own bed, happy to end such a nightmare.
But the life was never so kind, was it now...
…
"...oi."
Poke, poke.
"Oi. Woman. You alive?"
Poke, poke, poke.
Yuki didn't know how much time has passed; not very long, judging by the way she was still shaking violently. The streets were still empty, and she could feel the early morning chill starting to bite her skin, creating a string of goosebumps. Somebody was here, though; and somebody that sounded strangely familiar on top of that. She raised her head a little, quite shocked for her muscles to actually move, and was greeted by a loud curse.
"Holy fuck, what happened to ya? You look like a Grim Reaper having a bad day, dammit!"
Two strong, not very gentle arms hoisted her up and helped her shivering body to keep standing. Two men were beside her – one hoisting her up, another standing in front of them, his hands crossed. He wore a helmet she knew from somewhere, but right now couldn't even comprehend the thought. She closed her eyes and decided not to think for a while. But her senses couldn't be so easily turned off.
Metal... Spices and alcohol... Fire? Does it even make sense for someone to smell like metal or fire? Oh, and a really strong scent of blood...
Unaware of their smells being analysed by shocked Yukionna, two man continued their talk. "Why are you even helping her, Kidd? It's not like you... And I thought Trafalgar already told you what he thinks of trying to steal his crewmates..."
"Because fuck you, that's why, Killer. And what's that supposed to mean? You consider me a coward that would get scared of some raccoon-faced doc?"
Yuki's mind wanted to tell her something, and the rest of her sobered up quite a bit. Now, what was it again?
Kidd.
Killer.
Ho~ Ly~ Fuck~
"Oh, look, she's awake..." Kidd sounded quite relieved by the fact. He stopped being so, though, when he found out there was a beautiful and certainly deadly, glass necklace placed around his throat.
"I have no idea why the hell were you... I guess helping me just now, but more importantly..." the Yukionna's face suddenly became darker. "What were you saying about my Captain?"
If not for the helmet, Killer would've already facepalmed quite a few times. He was not going to help his idiot of a captain. It was all his idea to begin with. Besides, the glass blades vanished a moment later, when Kidd let the girl go. He rubbed his neck, seemingly annoyed.
"What's with this crew? You can't ask the girl to join, you can't say a bad word about the captain... Is it some fucking mutual adoration group or what?" (A/N: I feel kinda sorry for Kidd... Somehow, he's the most fun to torture ^^)
Yuki backed off, her eyes still wide, her body still shaking slightly. She closed her eyes and breathed few times, trying to calm down. She needed to go back already.
"...thanks for help, Mr. Eustass. I guess I owe you a favor. That would not require a betrayal of my crew, of course."
Kidd just chuckled darkly and waved his hand. "Don't worry 'bout it. I just felt like being nice today. You tell your Captain I'm so gonna smash him in the New World, though."
Yuki bitten her lip. Somehow, it didn't feel right. "Ok..." with uncertain steps, she came closer to Kidd and quickly kissed him on the cheek, murmuring a quiet 'thank you' again and strolling off in the direction on her dock grove. She surely was not aware of certain irritated, silvery-gray eyes following her figure, and then vanishing almost as quickly and quietly as their came.
As she left, Kidd was left with his face painted in nice, ruby shade, perfectly matching his hair, and a very amused first mate, laughing his head off on his side. Damn that crew, he thought, being sure the girl was well aware that the great captain of Kidd Pirates is going to be made fun of for the rest of the day.
Ok, I made you wait, didn't I... Well, I hope you forgive me for this:) I wanted to thank all you amazing guys... I'll let you see my reaction when I went on the page to do a quick story checkup:
Me opening the computer, going to our great page and clicking "Manage stories".
Me clicking "Tainted".
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...you're kidding me, right?
Heh... I later needed to explain my mother just why am I dancing around the house, screaming "57, 57, oh God, 57 reviews!" :) Consider it being my overflowing happiness :)
But, I've got a real serious reason just why I made you guys wait! You see, this Saturday I've got really hard History exams, and, well... I'm kinda spending all of my time studying for them. This chapter doesn't count, after the checkup it practically written itself.
Ok, It's been awhile since I written it (I usualy wait few days with rereading) and I started to wonder... Why the hell is there a KiddxYuki scene? Like... O_o Seriously, Kidd? What are you doing here? I didn't plan this, believe me. I swear it wasn't here the last time I checked. Eustass-ya, you sneaky bastard...
Oh my God, and Law saw it all...
...am I starting to get emotionally frustrated by my own story? Guess I am. Blame it on the History overdose. Did you know almost all of the ancient Rome Caesars were either bi or completely gay? Alright, shut up, myself. Back to studying~
Enjoy:) And OP's not mine.
PS: Just in case you guys don't saw it before, there's a super belated Christmas present for you all, in form of Christmas Special: The Case of Catchy Mistletoe, containing high doses of fluff and sugar. Just so you know.