: : 11
Law awoke to the sound of far off noises. Blearily he opened his eyes, registering that his entire body was sore from that small adventure earlier. He turned his head just in time to see Sanji push forward a strip of cloth towards his face. Law made to react, moving back but his entire body locked up. Once Sanji wrapped the strip of cloth around his eyes with a firm tightening of a knot, Law realized that his hands, legs and ankles were bound tightly together.
"What the fuck," he exclaimed, jerking his head about. The cloth smelled like Sanji's cigarettes and body odor. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I can't do this any longer," Sanji said with resolve, looking at his work. He'd used his restraints from his suit belt to make sure Law was bound firmly, as well as his kerchief to tie around the older man's eyes. He was quite positive this human being couldn't break the restraints meant for a superhuman, but he checked them just in case as Law thrashed about. "I need my own mind back. We are going to leave this place – "
"Wait a minute, moron!" Law snapped at him. "I just spoke - !"
His words were muffled as Sanji applied something that tasted like cloth against his mouth. In horror, Law shouted but it was nothing more than a sound. He thrashed about wildly, but Sanji only had to pin him down with a push of his hand. Law began to sweat nervously, finding it entirely uncomfortable to breathe as his mind raced with frightened horror and anxiety.
"This didn't have to happen," Sanji told him, sitting up on his knees, "but you forced the issue. I realized I was being sucked in too far into your fantasy world. I started believing in your words. The loss of my security was too much to bear. I needed my mind back. I need to think clearly. I couldn't do that with you yapping into both of my ears."
Law tried working the cloth out of his mouth, but whatever it was was strapped tightly up against the corners of his lips and growing uncomfortably wet with his saliva. He felt like choking – weak gag reflex. He uttered a long growl, kicking his feet once more then growing tired from the effort.
Sanji gave a reluctant sigh, climbing off the bed. "Now…"
Law heard him transform back into Stealth Black. He wheezed with effort as he struggled to adjust his position to where it was more comfortable.
"You're going to need these," he heard Stealth Black mutter, mainly to himself. Law was startled to feel his boots being shoved onto his feet and adjusted to fit. Then, he felt himself being picked up and tossed over one bony shoulder. It made him grunt as he involuntarily folded in half. He made to kick and struggle before Stealth Black slapped him on the ass, mortification causing him to release an undignified squeal.
"Behave," Stealth Black admonished. "We're going on a small trip. I'm going to find Teach, and together, we'll work our way back to our world. I'll allow him to take us prisoner – on the promise that he can absorb your powers instead."
I don't have any powers! Law shouted, but it was only garbled noise. Movement forced him to cease, focused on breathing comfortably as he was maneuvered carefully through the doorway, head scraping against the walls.
"Sorry," Stealth Black apologized. "But it's not my fault you're the size of a small oak tree."
The front door was opened and both of them maneuvered out. Then Stealth Black stilled very suddenly, Law's heart pounding as he wondered why the pause. His head was filling with blood, making him feel woozy.
"What…what'cha got there, kid?" Dadan asked curiously as Law squealed with mortification.
"None of your business, miss," Stealth Black replied haughtily. "Think of it as a game we play."
Law shook his head furiously, the heaviness of that suggestion filling him with mortified rage.
He heard Dadan clear her throat with discomfort. "Oh. Okay. Well…keep it down, eh? None of us wanna hear that crap. Trafalgar. This is surprising. It's always the quiet ones…"
Law gave an unwelcome noise, kicking his feet uselessly.
Stealth Black gripped him tightly. "I'm taking this elsewhere."
"Hey, kid," Dadan spoke up as they began moving away. "That…that costume, is that…something you can buy from a nearby shop."
Noooooooo Law cried internally, unwelcome visions hitting his overactive imagination.
"No!" Stealth Black snapped at her. "This was custom made for me."
"Well. Have…have a good night."
Law could feel her judging stare following after them, and he could only shake his head, garbled noises leaving him as Stealth Black strode off with confidence. Law only hoped someone could stop them as Stealth Black took the elevator down to the first floor. He kicked and flopped in an effort to escape, but the Germa Prince's arms were secure around him.
"It didn't have to come to this," Stealth Black said low as the elevator rumbled slowly. "There could have been easier ways but I can risk no more chances with you. I only am grateful that you allowed me this much – it has been interesting, but it's time for me to return home."
Law tried to inform him about Sora, but the garbled noises were something that Stealth Black could not understand. He patted the taller man's thighs with reassurance, then strode through the lobby of the building. People lingering about near their mail boxes or making small conversation with each other barely looked up. Once outside, Stealth Black strode towards the direction of the building Teach had taken Law the first time. People glanced at him, then performed double takes but because he was "in costume" and this was a city whose people basically ignored each other, he wasn't stopped.
Law thought that it couldn't get any worse than this. Morosely, he relaxed, trying to think of some way to escape this humiliation. He took back all the positive thoughts he had about Sanji.
"Hey!" someone called out, causing him to tense. The voice was familiar, so Law's head perked up. Stealth Black paused in mid step. "What the hell are you doing?"
"You shall not stop me," Stealth Black said with determination, arms tightening around Law. "I have a plan to return home."
From the short panting and the approach of multiple feet, Law realized that it was Penguin. The smell of food wafted up to him, stomach gurgling noisily.
"Law," he heard Bepo say with concern, bag rattled, "is this okay? Are you okay? You don't look okay…"
Law snapped at him.
"This is sorta kinky," Shachi commented, mouth full. He gave a sputter of a laugh. "It's kinda sad how nobody is paying attention to this, freak."
"Any attempts to stop me will end in your death!"
"Yeah, yeah, calm down."
"We brought over dinner," Penguin said. "Pizza."
"What is that?" Stealth Black asked curiously, Law finding it unbelievable that these people would not help him. There was an opening of a cardboard box, and Stealth Black's tone changed. "Oh, that looks interesting! What does it taste like?"
"Here, have a bite."
Are you feeding him? Law asked incredulously, attempting to rise up to look in the direction of Penguin's voice.
"Hmf. Amazing," he heard Stealth Black said, mouth full. "That is an unusual combination of tastes!"
"Yeah, hey, try the chicken wings. Oh, here, I'll get a napkin…"
Law thrashed wildly.
"Oh, wait, so…Law? You didn't consent?" Shachi asked sarcastically, still chewing on something. "This isn't something that you two normally do? I'm starting to get confused on what's the real deal, here."
"Here, let me help you," Bepo offered, warm fingers at the gag around Law's mouth but suddenly Stealth Black was moving. From the feel of gravity, Law realized with horror that Stealth Black had taken to the sky. He heard the surprised shouts from his friends.
"How the hell did you do that?" Shachi cried.
"Whoooo! So you can fly!" Penguin yelled merrily.
"Sanji! Be careful!" Bepo called with concern. Someone honked on the street, and the sounds became distant as Stealth Black began moving through the open air. There was a tremendous crash of sound and a hard landing, Law grunting as his legs and upper half crashed together against Stealth Black's form. He felt like puking but before he could, he was hauled down onto a sturdy surface. Set aside carefully as the sound of Stealth Black's boots squeaked from one direction to the other.
Utterly helpless, Law sat there with an uncomfortably wet chin. He gave a morose sound, hanging his head as he strained his ears to hear what it was Stealth Black was doing.
"His home is here," he heard him say a distance away. "For here is his things. But it looks like a battle had erupted. It is thrashed. And there are many lights in the distance."
Sora had found Teach, Law realized. The thunder of excitement in that caused his breath to catch, but he shook his head. He had to remain calm. That person wasn't Sora. Not without absolute proof!
Stealth Black walked over to him, examining his restraints with testing action. After some consideration, he removed the kerchief from Law's eyes. Blinking, Law realized that this was the same floor Teach had taken him that night, and it was thrashed. A mighty battle had happened, and he gaped with awe. The walls had punch holes in them, ravaged by blackened stains. All the windows were broken or missing. Teach's things were strewn all about. Stealth Black pulled on his kerchief, adjusting his goggles right after.
"Perhaps I should investigate for myself. You'll be safe here," he told Law sternly. "You'll remain here if you know what's best for you."
Law stared at him bitterly, uttering a growl. Stealth Black wagged a finger at him.
"Now, now, peasant. You'll be grateful for how well I've treated you. I could have been worse."
Part of the wall shattered nearby, and Stealth Black reacted by shielding Law with his own body as debris rained over them. It still made Law feel odd that this man would make such an effort despite himself. Once the noise ceased, Teach lay there on his back in t-pose, wearing the efforts of a hard fight. Sora straightened up from the window, looking over at the pair of them. He visibly brightened as he strode over, swiping glass and dust from his shoulders.
Stealth Black reacted with a gasp, straightening away from Law. "YOU! You are responsible for this mess! Sora!"
Sora looked quite intimidating at that moment – only because he was in the same condition as Teach. His uniform smoked faintly as he adjusted his face.
No…mask. He adjusted his mask.
"Stealth Black." Sora addressed Sanji from a few feet away, hands on his hips while Stealth Black settled into a defensive pose. Sora then noticed that Law was sitting there, bound and gagged. "What are you doing with him?"
"He is my captive," Stealth Black said shortly. "Father will be pleased to see this alien. He could study him, take from him any interesting use of him. His powers are limitless."
"Yes," Sora murmured thoughtfully, giving Law an indecisive look as Law struggled to tell them that he did not have any powers. "Well, I cannot allow you to do that."
"You'll send us back the same way you forced me here," Stealth Black told him. "I need to return home. If not for the sake of returning home, but to prevent father from finding me here. This world is weak and stupid – easy to fall. Germa 66 will conquer it. Fortunately, that can be prevented if I am returned."
Law furrowed his brow. That wasn't what Stealth Black had told him earlier. But he wondered if he was just threatening Sora with the possibility.
Sora just looked at Stealth Black with indifference. Law found it funny that Sora stood before Stealth Black like some judging parent. Then he shook his head. No. This wasn't Sora. He uttered some noises, causing the man to look at him with concern.
"You've made your captor quite uncomfortable," he stated.
"If I remove that gag, he will surely unleash the worst," Stealth Black said with worry. "He is my prisoner. I will take him with me."
"Oh?"
"No one will miss him. He's just a peasant."
"Stealth Black," Sora returned patiently, "human beings are human beings. Put yourself into his place."
"LOOK AT ME NOW, BASTARD!" Stealth Black yelled at him.
Sora looked sheepish, hands fretting. Law just looked at him with puzzled action, because how could his hero be so…timid? But the way Stealth Black addressed him, the way they spoke so easily to each other…it caused his heart to drop.
He'd just threatened and intimidated his childhood hero.
Law's eyes widened with such bold intensity that it hurt. He couldn't breathe. His heart stopped in midbeat. He'd just added to this madness by the things he'd said to Sora.
To Sora. His hero. He had all his figurines, drew him in action poses, admired and worshipped him. And Law had talked to him like he was just another weirdo on the streets.
Law was going to die. He was sure of it. He felt like he was frothing at the mouth in distress, but he just wasn't sure. He had to fix this. Had to tell Sora he was so sorry. He began moving, struggling to find energy and strength to stand. Stealth Black's boot settled against the back of his head and forced him back to the floor in a bowing position.
"Stop moving, scum," Stealth Black threatened him.
"Stealth Black," Sora interrupted. "Perhaps releasing him would make him more comfortable. I have come to take you both back with me. This was a mistake on my part. I hadn't calculated on Teach's arrival. I only wanted you here."
"Why?" Stealth Black demanded of him, keeping Law's head to the floor. "What was the point of that stupid mistake? How could you do this?"
"I did it because…I thought it could save you," Sora confessed. "You surely know of the spoilers that were released this week, yes?"
Law realized he hadn't even had time to check on them. But he heard Stealth Black's slow exhale of admittance.
"I did," he mumbled. "But that details the future, and…our time isn't – according to the runes, it is but years away. Surely things will change before that."
"I'm afraid not," Sora said gently. "These things that are written as our future, well, they're based on the truth. Every nuance of it. From what you've been shown in the issues from their past, it tells you that much…? All your thoughts, all your intentions, have been drawn and printed and you can admit that it is the truth."
Law heard Stealth Black give a grumble.
"Even if you should return," Sora continued, "and tell Garuda of this…he won't believe it. He'll think you're mad. When we return, you may do your best to present your…prisoner as whatever you will. I have faith in that Garuda will not consider it a high and mighty opportunity. He is very skeptic."
"I could just tell my father of what you've done," Stealth Black replied haughtily.
Sora smiled gently. "You may. But do you really think he'd stretch that far as to forget our agreement?"
Stealth Black frowned heavily, considering the possibilities. Law watched them both. He was detecting all the truths to crazy fan theories in just this one encounter. The way Sora looked upon Stealth Black was affectionate – the way Stealth Black addressed him was definitely telling that he kept this secret to high confidentiality. It was confirmed. Sora was the Vinsmoke kids' father. Law nearly had a heart attack with this revelation.
He had so many questions.
"After all, I think it may benefit you, in the end, that you're able to come back here."
Stealth Black looked at him sharply, Law doing the same. Sora wore such a desperate expression, full of compassion and empathy. At that moment, Law would give anything to see the spoilers.
Sora drew in a deep breath. "This will work out, Stealth Black. Consider my offer. I will give you two days' time to show your guest around the area. On the condition…"
Sora was addressing Law, now, looking at him sternly. "That he behaves himself as well."
Without even considering the possibilities, the immensity of this situation, Law only nodded frantically in agreement. Stealth Black gave him a bitter look.
"But…won't this interfere with some continuity here?"
"It won't," Sora assured him. "Because Teach here is an indication of that. He exists from our world but has not been introduced to theirs within their books. Trafalgar can visit our world, and no one will believe his tale once he returns. After all, he's just a fanboy."
Law felt his cheeks warm with some sheepish embarrassment. No one took him seriously when he began talking about his fandom – for Sora to take advantage of this, to say it out loud…well…it knocked some holes in his walls.
Teach uttered a low groan from behind them, drawing their attention towards him. Stalking towards him, Sora snapped out a hand, revealing an oblong device hidden underneath his sleeve. It glowed a neon violet color, flashing.
"Come along, Stealth Black, if you want to return home," Sora then boomed in an authoritive tone, softness gone. After some moments, Stealth Black looked down at Law. Teach began to argue weakly, Sora tossing him about easily like a toy as he settled restraints over his wrists.
There was so much missing from the conversation. Law wanted to ask questions, but Stealth Black picked him up and tossed him over his shoulder once more, causing Law to grunt.
"Whatever comes," Stealth Black warned Law as he strode over to meet Sora, "you'll just have to bear it. You're a fan, eh? Well then – prepare yourself. I must warn you, your powers might not be as powerful there as they are here. We're not all easily manipulated. Not to say that I am, but…you are strong. Listen to every word I say, peasant, and I might allow you to live with me."
Unable to see what was happening, Stealth Black's cape fluttering in his face, Law could only make a sound of agreement.
With Teach grasped in one hand, Sora looked over the pair with indecision. But he shook his head, and flexed his wrist. A whining sound, like a fan slowly whirling into working order, began to rise up from his wrist. Before they knew it, the world was bright and smelled of the sea. The indication of freefall made Law's guts twist and his heart to try to escape from his throat. All he saw were flashes of a bright, shining sky glittering with faint clouds. It hurt his eyes. When Stealth Black's cape fluttered away from his face, he saw an endless sea stretched out in front of him. It was a different color than he expected, but he felt like throwing up because of how high they were.
The cape twisted around his head and he struggled as Stealth Black caught them both, securing Law over his shoulder once more. Then he was moving in one direction with a sound of relief.
"I am home!" he announced grandly. There was a commotion of sound ahead of them, and Law tried to untwist from his damn cape in an effort to see. He did hear relieved shouts of "Stealth Black!", "Stealth Black has returned!", "Stealth Black has been sighted!".
Law's heart raced, thundering noisily against his chest. With the combination of the cape twisted around his head, the fright of being so far up and registering that he was in another world, he couldn't think. He was hyperventilating, and he felt like passing out. He closed his eyes in an attempt to soothe himself, but he could still feel panic thundering inside of him like a rushing train. It was easy to pass out after that.
: :
When he awoke, he could smell food. His stomach gurgled noisily. Then he registered that he was bobbing along with each step Stealth Black took, and that ultimately made Law feel nauseous. It was a welling feeling that threatened to erupt, and he groaned miserably. He opened his eyes, looking down at the bright red carpet. Stealth Black was accompanied by very familiar clone-soldiers, all of whom walked alongside and behind him without change of expression. A heavy door was opened, and conversation ceased instantly.
"Father!" Stealth Black announced. He posed grandly within the doorway, Law on his shoulder."I have returned home."
"Where the heck have you been, loser?"
"Father, did we even notice he was gone?"
"Welcome back, Sanji."
"What are you carrying?"
Heart thundering, Law realized that these were the actual voices of the Germa 66 crew. They were nothing how they were depicted in the cartoon, so he couldn't tell who was speaking. The only female, Reiju, sounded lazy and uninspired, unlike her depicted personality.
He was uprighted and placed down into a chair that immediately accommodated him – much like some memory foam. Facing everyone, his eyes widened with awe. Sitting around a massive, oblong table was the Vinsmoke family. Garuda looked exactly as he did on the cartoon and comics, but he had yet to speak. The big man was looking at Law with disgust before eyeing his third son with irritation. Ichiji was at Garuda's right, chewing on the tines of his fork. Niji was leaning over the table to look at Law with an interested expression, eyes hidden behind his goggles. Yonji was still chewing on his food, brow furrowed with concern. Reiju was looking at Law with amusement, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed over her somewhat flat chest. When she noticed that Law was looking at her, her expression shifted into a sultry smirk. It made his cheeks hot.
They're real, Law thought with amazement. Every single one of them! Real! Breathing, living, staring at me! I am going to die…again…
"What is that?" Ichiji asked, his voice very unlike his appearance. It caused Law a puzzled blink because Ichiji had been depicted as stern and very intimidating, but his voice caused Law to think of Michael Cera. "It's ugly…"
"Sanji, you dummy, you brought home a guy," Niji commented, his voice obnoxiously loud and high pitched. He happened to spit as he spoke. "Why did you bring home a guy?"
"Ugh, what is wrong with his face?" Yonji asked with bewilderment. Unlike his intimidating appearance, his voice was high and flighty, almost timidly quiet. He wiped his nose with one arm before resuming eating.
"Brother," Reiju commented, vocal fry causing Law's eye to twitch, "what is this?"
Stealth Black stood proudly. "This is my captive," he stressed. "He is a man with frightening abilities. He is an alien. And I captured him. I found him from the planet I was sent to, and this is my proof."
The Vinsmoke family stared at him in silence, then looked at each other.
"What a moron!" Niji cried, braying like a donkey as he laughed.
"A real alien? But he looks like us," Ichiji commented with disgust. Definitely Michael Cera, Law thought. He would bet his right ball that if Ichiji removed his ever present glasses that the resemblance between them would be unmistakable. "Throw him away before he infects us with something..."
Yonji looked at Law with disappointment, shoveling in more food. When he spoke, his voice was soft and gentle, completely unlike his brutish appearance. "Being all tied up, I bet he has wings, or something!"
"An actual human being of an alien?" Reiju asked skeptically, her voice still emitting that fry that had Law's eye twitching violently. "Gross. I had imagined so much grander when it came to the subject."
Is this the dubbed edition of the Vinsmokes? Law thought with utter misery, feeling somewhat heartbroken by the unexpected reality of some of the worst villains he'd somewhat admired.
Stealth Black huffed. He switched out from his suit, and his siblings gaped at him.
"What are you wearing?" Ichiji asked, unexpectedly interested as he straightened up in his chair, setting aside his fork.
"That design is pretty sharp," Niji had to admit enviously, Law looking at Sanji once more to see if they were talking seriously about the man's getup. Sure enough, Sanji was still wearing that prom jacket and striped trousers that made Law wince.
"I don't know, stripes make me look fat," Yonji said with a dejected sigh. "But I do like the fit of that jacket. Pretty swell."
"I want an outfit like his!" Niji then shouted out at the clones nearby, some of whom hastily darted forward to take measurements and pictures of Sanji's outfit. Sanji allowed them to do so, wearing a smug expression while Niji sat back in his seat and stared at Sanji with some bitterness. Ichiji waved a single finger, the clones acknowledging this with haste.
Reiju's upper lip curled with feminine disgust, hiding her mouth moments later with a hand.
"These clothes are from another planet," Sanji told them, dropping into the chair next to Law. His expression was proud. "From something they call a 'thrift store'."
"Dad, what's a 'thrift store'?" Ichiji asked Garuda hastily.
"He wouldn't know, it's from another planet," Sanji stressed to his older brother.
"Dad knows everything."
"Dad doesn't know everything from another planet!"
"Dad!" Niji cried. "Is that an actual alien? Why does he look like us?"
Yonji slammed a fist upon the table. "Why can't I be sent to another planet? I want an alien, too!"
"But how did Sanji survive on another planet?" Ichiji wondered aloud, picking at his throat. "It seems real suspicious that you could have survived and came back with an actual alien…"
"He's my personal man servant," Sanji continued, looking rather pleased with himself as Law found it difficult to react to the sights and sounds around him. Garuda continued to look at his son with disdain, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin and making a signal to a woman that mysteriously appeared and disappeared with his dish. Another slid a plate full of brightly colored desserts in front of him and smoothly slipped out of view. "I brought him back with me because he is also an alien of superior mind abilities that he uses when he speaks."
"Is that why he's gagged?"
"Take it off, show us!"
"Did you mark on him? What are those black marks on his chest?"
"Oh, Sanji, it's not fair! Why you and not me?"
"That's a nice outfit you're wearing," Reiju told Law, not looking at his outfit but directly into his face. "Hugs your body rather nicely…"
Garuda cleared his throat noisily, all voices ceasing almost immediately. Plates were set in front of Sanji, and Sanji ate cheerfully, shoveling food into his mouth and chewing with grateful action. Law couldn't help but look at him enviously.
"Sanji," Garuda said, his voice grating and nearly as high pitched as Niji's. Law glanced at him with disappointment. "You've been gone for a few days. I had sent out a search party. I thought we'd be finding your pieces. Why did you not notify me that you were…on another planet?"
"I obviously couldn't," Sanji answered with a mouthful of food. "Father, I did everything I could to come back. And I lived to tell the tale, Niji. Reiju, Yonji, Ichiji – you guys. Guess what? We are reveled on other planets! We are known as mighty conquerors and respected fighters! They even made figurines of you!"
All the siblings glittered with amazement, Reiju sitting up in her chair with her eyebrows raised halfway up her forehead.
"What about you?" Ichiji asked with a scoffing tone. "What about your figurine?"
Sanji shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure I looked just as mighty."
Niji tilted his head back and barked out an obnoxious laugh. "HAH! About as mighty as my big toe!"
"I just didn't see it, okay? Shut up!"
"You shut up!"
"No, you shut up!"
"Both of you shut up," Ichiji commanded, but Law just could not stop envisioning Michael Cera as sitting in Ichiji's place. His soft, whiny voice caused ripples across Law's sensitive mind. He looked down at the table with disappointment. He'd never look at Ichiji the same after this. "Let Sanji tell us the tale."
"So, during the battle with Sora – " Sanji began before Yonji interrupted him with, "Which we totally won, by the way, no thanks to you."
"God, Yonji, let him speak," Reiju ordered, Law's eye twitching at the drawn out emphasis in her words.
"Yeah, Sanji!" Niji yelled over the table, like they couldn't hear him. "Loser!"
"Father, make them let me speak!" Sanji complained.
"'Make them let me speak'," Ichiji mocked.
Garuda sighed. "Let him speak."
"Let him speak!" Yonji repeated. "I wanna hear about the alien!"
"Dad! I want an alien, too! A better one! A woman one!" Niji yelled.
"If you can make this happen, father, I want one too," Ichiji chimed in.
"God, can all of you just shut up and let Sanji talk?" Reiju complained, crossing her arms once more. "I want to hear where he's been."
"You guys can't copy me," Sanji said incredulously, rising from his chair and placing his hands on law's shoulders. "This one is special. I present to you…Trafalgar Law. A working citizen. An artist. But with a voice as deadly as a spell. He will have you down on your knees in moments, rethinking your entire existence."
"What a stupid power," Ichiji scoffed.
"That's not even a power," Niji pointed out.
"No wings?" Yonji asked with disappointment.
Reiju rested her chin upon her bridged hands. "Mmm, tell me more…!"
Sanji considered his decisions, then untied the knot of Law's gag. He whipped it away while Law opened and closed his mouth with discomfort, wiping at his chin and goatee. Sanji clamped his hands over his ears while the Vinsmoke siblings looked expectant, Yonji's full fork caught in mid-air. Even the clones started to look nervous. Reiju's eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Speaking in front of a room full of people was always one of Law's weakest points. He immediately broke into a sweat, guts churning nervously. His throat went dry. He felt insecurity of having nothing to say at all when all he wanted to say was how disappointed he was in meeting the real Germa 66.
"Your alien's busted," Niji pointed out with disappointment. "Sanji. Your alien is broken. Make him speak."
"Maybe he's rethinking the value of his life," Ichiji murmured, spinning his fork about on his plate. "What a smart, stupid alien."
Sanji lowered his hands and looked at Law. He gestured at his family. "C'mon. You've admired and praised them. You had their figurines in your house. Talk to them. Tell them what you think."
Law struggled to find something to say, but he felt such pressure once he looked up to see the faces of the Vinsmoke family turned his way. He winced and looked down at the table instead.
Reiju clicked her tongue, leaning onto the table with both arms. "Aw, he's scared. Poor thing. Sanji, give him some water."
"Then a kick in the head!" Niji yelled. "That'll make him speak!"
"Wait, show me his wings!"
"He doesn't have wings, Yonji!"
"Sanji said he did!"
"No, he didn't!"
"I didn't say anything about wings," Sanji said, mystified.
"Shut up, all of you," Ichiji commanded.
Law had a headache, but he was pretty sure it was because he felt severely disappointed. There was now no wonder Sanji was the he presented himself. This entire family was…disappointing. He'd expected them all to be as exactly as they were depicted in the comics – severe, intimidating, intelligent. Instead, he was faced with Michael Cera, Kourtney Kardashian, Adam Sandler, and John Goodman. It had never occurred to him that Sanji's voice was any different from his voice actor's.
Garuda exhaled heavy. "Sanji. How did you get to another planet?"
"I don't know the details, father. Sora sent me there. He was testing something. He retrieved me because I was dangerous on this planet," Sanji said seriously. "I was the only superhuman there. These humans – they don't really have any powers. And…that world was almost like ours, but with completely different technology."
Garuda looked thoughtful. Ichiji began chewing on the cleaned bone of some type of meat while Niji rocked restlessly in his chair. Reiji had made eye contact with Law and was slowly licking her lips – causing him extreme embarrassment. Yonji was leaning back in his chair, searching for the wings that he knew was there.
"For Sora to have that sort of technology," Garuda muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Unforgiveable. And he tested it upon you? Why only you?"
"I was the only one at sea at the time, father. Remember?"
"Yes, well…unfortunately, things happen that way. Boys. Reiju. Finish your food, stop gawking. He's obviously nothing special, we don't want him to feel that way. Sanji, get rid of your pet."
"But father - !"
"Unless you can prove he's an alien of useable qualities, than you may keep him. Submit him to the laboratory so that we may learn more about him. But if he's only a mere human, an…artist…" Garuda said the word like it was a contagious disease, "then dispose of him. Or else I'll have your brothers do so."
"Do you have a cock?" Reiju asked Law curiously, hand cradling her jaw. Law stared at her, unsure of what she meant.
"Reiju loves roosters for some reason," Sanji whispered to him. "I don't know why. She must think they're cute."
"I love cocks," Reiju whispered, her face clearly saying differently of what Sanji thought she meant. Law bloomed with color upon reading that face correctly. "Can I see yours?"
"Reiju, he doesn't have any chickens," Sanji told her impatiently. Then he looked at his father while Law awkwardly looked in the other direction as Reiju's brightly painted nails drew attention to her lips. "Father. I will prove to you that he is useful. Don't dispose of him just yet. He's a shy creature. It takes awhile for him to open up, but once he does, he's not shy. Just fierce. I suspect he will come in handy for future advances."
"Hah," Ichiji drawled, giving his younger brother an exasperated look while scratched at the whirl on his eyebrow. "Father, don't listen to him. He's always coming up with dumb ideas to make himself look better."
"Sanji, why do you try so hard?" Niji asked mockingly.
"Quiet down, guys," Yonji hissed. "Don't make the alien unleash his mighty mind powers on us. We're not quite ready."
"Do you have an alien girlfriend?" Reiju asked Law. "If not, I can be yours…"
"Ew, hand holding is gross!" Niji laughed, voice unnecessarily loud ringing out over the grand dining hall.
"Reiju, stop talking that way to an alien, you don't know where he's been," Ichiji admonished.
"Not at the dinner table, Reiju," Yonji scolded her while Sanji stabbed at his steak with a spoon. "We're trying to eat."
Garuda sighed heavily, looking as if he'd given up on saying anything else. For a man of might, he sure looked exhausted. Law could understand why after spending this much time with Sanji. Perhaps Garuda wore that mask to hide this exhaustion. His children – Sora's children – were terrible.
"You can tell by his eyes when he's using his abilities," Sanji then said, abandoning the effort. A woman dressed in white quickly cut up his steak while he was distracted, Law watching her work while he wore a look of horror. "They change color!"
"They're beautiful," Reiju whispered.
"Gah! I can't look!" Ichiji exclaimed, hand shielding his glasses.
"They look like they can see into your soul," Niji decided after a long, pressing stare. Yonji chewed his food faster, looking over from the corner of his eyes. Garuda sighed again, closing his eyes for just a few moments.
Law thought he was going to throw up. His stomach did give a retched heave, so he turned his head to look in the other direction.
Sanji reached over and wrapped one arm around Law's shoulder with a praising hug. "See? They like you! I knew they would!"
Law was absolutely very positive that wasn't the word needed to describe the situation.
He rose unsteadily from his chair, movement from around the table ceasing immediately. He felt the incredible tension of being watched by eager, dangerous persons ready to wrought ruin onto him if he made another move. As he lifted his eyes, three men and one woman watched him with the hunger of eager predators; tense and ready to pounce.
"Sanji," he said quietly, "release me. I am going to throw up. My vomit is too precious to waste being spilled in front of these…miscreants."
"He speaks the same language!" Ichiji gasped. "We know when he's insulting us."
"How can we understand him if he's an alien? Is he projecting his abilities into our minds?" Yonji cried, dropping his fork.
Niji looked frozen, eyebrows lifted high as he pushed back against the table. Reiju's eyelashes fluttered, hand pressed against her chest.
"Oh my, I definitely feel a tingle," she murmured, her voice laced with sultry action.
"Go pee, then," Ichiji told her impatiently. "Don't just sit there and dance in your seat."
"You can run around here unaccompanied," Sanji decided, standing up to remove the restraints from around Law's wrists and ankles. He dropped them onto the table, where a man in white quickly retrieved them and disappeared. "Just don't go where you're not supposed to, watch out for the stray dogs in the area, they'll rip you to pieces. I've seen how you are with animals. Also, if you want to come back, have one of those guys bring you to me. You'll be fine."
"Let's kill him," Ichiji suggested, rising from his seat. "Get it over with now."
Sanji stood in front of Law, spoon in hand. "Over my dead body! He's my alien, you dim-witted scoundrels! Did you see? He struck you all stupid with just a few words, and they weren't even threatening!"
"Now I really want one," Yonji wheezed, face purple with some sort of excitement. He rocked in his seat. "Dad, I really want one!"
"Silence!" Garuda boomed, all of them jumping. "Sanji. Take that thing out of here. I won't stand his presence for another minute. The rest of you – don't bother. You don't know where that thing has been, or what sort of diseases it carries. It looks like an annoying human, but I suspect there's more to it than we can see."
"Right." Sanji made to grab Law, but Law shoved his hands away.
"I can walk," he insisted fiercely. Before anything else could be said, he turned to face the others. He refused to investigate any further as to why one of Reiju's hands was missing from the table, her face pink as she stared up at him.
"All of you disappoint me," Law said low, voice laced with his emotion. "I had expected something different once you were in front of me. But now I see that you're all just…whiny children. Despicable. You've ruined everything I've thought of you within the span of minutes. You. Your voice makes you a weak man. Never speak again, I can't take you seriously. You. You want attention so badly, you're willing to destroy your vocal cords just to get it. Pathetic. You. You…teletubbie of a man, you're soft. Go chase the sun. And you…"
Law couldn't directly address Reiju, whose shoulder was shaking. He covered his eyes and turned away, Sanji gesturing at his back with insistence as the others looked shocked at being insulted so openly. Garuda looked concerned.
As they walked away, Yonji looked to Garuda with horror. Ichiji was touching his throat with unease while Niji wore an expression of confusion. "What's a teletubbie?"
Garuda cleared his throat noisily, looking lost. "Never mind that…thing. I don't know what to think of it. But give Sanji a few hours before you all can dispose of it yourselves. I don't care how. Just get rid of it."
A/N: Well…like the rest of his hopes and dreams…RIP Law's expectations…Ive written the Vinsmoke siblings as mighty and intelligent and as frightening as they can be in many stories but this...this version of them disturbs me the most XD
Naghi-Tan: He adapts and overcomes with surprising strength XD
Guest: I hope it stays interesting…lol! Now that Law is here, he's definitely having second thoughts. The development between them works slowly, but it's building up. I couldn't possibly end the story without it actually being there :D Thank you for your compliments : )