A/N: Sorry for the late update. To make up for it, I'll be posting both today's and last week's update.

Also, let me know what you think of the story and characters thus far. Are they too mary sue-ish... are they OOC? Let me know...

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Chapter 11

"Father, who was that woman?"

The drunkards by the tavern weren't the only people that Cheshire had caught the attention of. Amongst the villagers, at the highest peak of a hill that divided the town, a magnificent mansion stood almost obscured from eyeview. It wouldn't take a genius to guess what kind of people lived there. As of the last few years, royals had ventured to the island to build vacation homes. They had also come from faraway lands for the sweet delicacies. It was just a shame that a powerful deity had already conquered the island, less the entire population would have already been enslaved. However, scandalous acts occurred on the sly. Women were sometimes forced to pleasure the owner of the mansion and his son, and sometimes men that crossed them would magically go missing. It was never enough to gather too much attention, but those that caught onto it were smart enough to keep their mouths shut. Besides, their lord knows all and the people that this happened too much have angered him in some way for this calamity to have befallen onto them.

The spectacular thing about these royals however, was thaT they were not royal at all. They had used the name of the deity to bring fear into the villagers' hearts. They claimed to be of royal descent, and therefore the only ones that would be able to communicate with the deity. However, knowing that this god was in fact very real, they would not go too overboard with their schemes in fear of it somehow reaching the ear of the god in the mountaintops.

"I don't know son," his father licked his greasy lips hungrily, "Must be a visitor to the island."

His son nodded his head in agreement, "The festival indeed brings the most beautiful women to the island."

He paused, mind flashing back to when this mysterious woman had walked pass his carriage. He breathed in heavily, as if he could somehow still smell her delicate fragrance. His body began to head up, and a certain itch crawled up his spine at the thought of her. He could image himself wrapping his arms around her slender waist and tasting those delicate lips of hers. He could imagine that they would be sweet like honey. He could image how she would feel under him as he was pressing down onto her. It started a flame in his loins that only she could put out.

"I want her, Father. Get her for me as a gift." he begged, "Your son would be very pleased with this. You may even be able to use her and a few of my other women if you choose if you do this for me."

"I had already decided to make this woman mine, Jethro."

Seeing the pained look on his son's face, he continued, "However, you may be able to use her once I've had my fill. A young woman like her had years to go before she becomes useless and her body begins to sag. Besides, she is still young and her body has yet to fully develop. Who knows, she may bare us children."

Catching onto what his father was saying, jethro grinned evilly, "Indeed Father. If she bares a son we can expand our riches by selling them off. The same with the daughters, but of course the best of the best and most beautiful would have to stay and train to become our tools in bed. Heck, her sons would also be beautiful. They can also be used as pleasure tools."

Jhaven, his father nodded. It was rare to see such a beautiful woman that had not fully developed yet. She was at the right age to learn how to please a man. Besides, who would dare deny them. If she did, they would simply have to throw out their lord's name and any woman would become weak in the knees and have to bow down to them. They couldn't wait.

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The group of thugs approached Cheshire just as she had gotten settled. At first she just ignored the group as they were silently leering down at her, mentally debating who should initiate conversation first.

"May I help you." she finally drawled, a bit annoyed and put off by the group of men.

Cheshire could already tell that they were up to no good. Why else would they approach an unknown girl, especially in such a large group. Her brothers had taught her to always be aware of her surroundings and the body language of those around her. The men before her leered over her, lust and greed in their eyes... but there was also something else. Pride and excitement. Those at the back bounced off of the balls of their feet in nervous enthusiasm, those at the front jovially nudged one another as an over-confident soul made his way closer to Cheshire.

He sat down at the table, without warning or invitation. His face was handsome, yet unproportionate as if he were a modern-day Frankenstein with the features of many sewn onto his body. His nose was slightly crooked, as were his grin and teeth. His eyebrows were thick, bushy and angular. His jawline was sharp, like a chiseled statue. Yet his eyes, his eyes were the most beautiful ones, reminded Cheshire of a warm summer sunset after a hard day. They glistened gold and other warm colors. He was the definition of an unconventional beauty.

"Darlin'..." he drawled, "Me and my brothers couldn't help but notice your beauty from a mile away."

Cheshire arched her eyes, instantly intrigued.

"Flattery will get you nowhere with me."

The man's expression instantly changed before brightening again as Cheshire added, "But you've piqued my curiosity. Continue."

From the other side of the room his brothers grinned in victory, already believing that they had won this battle.

Pietro, their brother, was known for his disfunction charm, especially as the owner of the Majo Majo fruit (bewitch). He had the ability to steal or swap features with anyone he deemed worthy. The person would then be left with whatever feature he had originally possessed, sometimes at a cost. When he replaces a body part, it slowly corrodes. His powers are enough to keep them from decaying, but when he switches them, that person is usually unable to stop the decaying process. Other times, those with strong Haki abilities are able to preserve the part, but unable to use them. A stolen hand would become paralysed, as would an ear become deaf. He also has the ability to put others, especially females and those attracted to him, under a spell that would make them do as he commands.

He leaned forward to grab Cheshire's hands, his charming powers activating.

"My dear..." he began, eyes glowing a bit as he stroked the back of Cheshire's palm.

*CRASH*

A flaming fist launched Pietro into the air, and onto his brothers.