I can't decide if I am telling this part of the story too early, but I can't hold it in anymore! It's got to come out of my head and onto the page and out to you guys. It simply won't stay out so you will have to just live with it! And I know it's all very emotional right now but Kiko is in a bit of an inner turmoil so it's got a purpose.
SO, this chapter sort of created itself and it seemed only fair to post it right away.
A small form peeked out form behind the tree, brown eyes surveying the distance between her and her attacker. Eyes narrowing she made to move. If she could just- "You need to be faster that that, miss Kiko." Too late she took off running, trying to escape behind a large boulder, but it was no use. She had been spotted! She closed her eyes as a smooth voice spoke "Room." and she knew she was doomed. Eyes opening she suddenly sprang up trying to escape him by using the leaf work to her advantage, skipping off of tree trunks while running her ass off. But as she was about to pass through some ferns she found herself running smack into Law's chest instead, making her topple backwards. But she realized quick what had happened and used the momentum to roll across her back and run in the opposite direction. Law's voice echoed throughout the dome he had created. " Kiiikooo... where are you? Hm?" It was as if he had snuck up on her and was whispering in her ear, like he would do whenever she was reading or even helping Sam with the dishes. 'His creepiness knows no bounds.'
She could see the edge of the dome. So close! She was just about to pass through when she found herself swapped with a stone, landing her in the middle of the dome at Law's feet. Said man attempted to catch her, grab her, hit her. This was their training. Or well, her training and his game. They had been doing this for almost two days now, Kiko running about in the same small forest, trying to keep out of Law's way. A whole day and night! 2 bloody days! What does he know about training? 'Well, he Is one of the Supernovas, remember?' She sighed, covered by some big roots of an even more gigantic tree. Leaning back against the warm roots she took a few deep breaths. Before she screamed bloody murder when two languid arms snaked swiftly around her waist and chest, one hand finding purchase at her hip bone, the other at her shoulder, holding her flush against what proved to be a warm Chest. The smell of metal, disinfectant and something that was purely male closed around her, both calming and alarming her. She felt his breath fanning her neck and right ear as he leaned in. " Sshhhh. Be quiet. No sound. " Her hands had automatically grabbed his forearms, fingers testing the sinewy muscles there. Once she stopped screaming the forest became quiet again." Are you calm? " She nodded. " Good. Now, talk to me. " Immediately she started thrashing, desperate to escape, and for real this time. She knew what he wanted her to tell him and she couldn't allow it! He would simply turn her away like everyone else did!
The arms closed further around her. " Kiko! Calm down! Oi!" He turned her around, pulling her against his chest in more of a hug than a secure hold, one hand finding the back of her head, making it rest against his collar bone. She twitched a few times before realizing he wouldn't let go.
She could hear his heart from here. It was such a strong sound. Du-dum. Du-dum. Du-dum. Steady. Kiko focused on it, trying to imagine her own beating just as calmly. She felt him sit down and lean back pulling her with him until her legs were thrown sideways over his thighs so her side was leaning against his chest, his arms around her waist, unyielding. In her mind she knew how rare this was for him. She had never seen him let anyone this close, not even the bar flies that tried every opportunity they got. He didn't say anything more, he was waiting.
Finally, she started talking.
" My father was corrupt. A bureaucrat, a politician. Always making deals with anyone who would give him what he wanted. His company was very successful. I can't remember exactly what he worked with, he would never let me near his work.
He wanted a boy. An "heir". A Prize bull I think he said once, or something of the like. A strong healthy son whom he would teach to be the most powerful man in the world. And he got me. A girl. To him, I was as unintelligent as a mule. And equally useless for breeding. " Her voice hitched at the word breathing. She didn't see Law's eyes widen in confusion and worry. He struggled to keep his heart rate down, trying not to alarm her. He knew she would stop if he moved even an inch, probably interpreting it as rejection. Kiko continued.
" He was all about genes, my father. If you were related to him, you were your genes. And apparently, mine didn't please him. He always said I looked too much like my mother. I don't know what he meant with that, I never met her, nor do I know what happened to her. She is just...missing. " Confusion was evident in her voice. " Anyway, he decided he didn't have a daughter. And conveniently enough he owed a gang some money. A small enough sum that they would accept a little girl instead. And so, my father never had a daughter. No one came looking for me. No one missed me.
But the gang wasn't planning on killing me, raping me or anything nasty like that, at least not after I punched their leader straight in the mug. Broke his nose too. He laughed at me, blood gushing down his unshaved chin. From that moment on I had "spunk". It was they who taught me how to fight. But a gang isn't a suitable place for a little girl. Remember how I didn't really have any friends in my last town?" She felt Law nod. " Well, that is my own fault. I would never let anyone close. The gang didn't prepare me for the part of life called "social skills." It didn't help with the trust either when...when..." Kiko became lost in thought, trailing off to places unknown until Law's arms squeezed her closer. " When they uh... sold me. You see Mr. Law, everything in the world outside of your piracy consists of money. " her voice had become oddly stiff and cold. "Money is everything, especially in the underworld of organized crime. In the end, I was still considered the weakest link, so when they were forced to pin a job gone wrong on something, they picked me. Boss said it was nothing personal, but to me it was. He looked like my father that day, walking away with his back turned. And, since I wasn't exactly a flashy pirate with a big bounty I was sent to "work" for the World Nobles. I don't want to talk about that though. Not now, not yet. Possibly not ever... "
And there they sat, the two of them, the cold hearted pirate with a broken girl in his lap. Law sat stiff as a board, muscles tense as he struggled to control himself.
But Kiko was suddenly moving off of him, backing away with her head bent towards the ground, shoulders hunched as if protecting herself, legs now wobbly after all the running done the hours before. Law stared at her.
" Kiko? What are you doing?" He couldn't see her eyes.
" I'm sparing you the trouble. " Law stood up, utterly confused. And confusion was not one of Law's favourite emotions.
" What trouble? " Kiko swallowed, eyes downcast, silent. Waiting for the meaning to sink in. Law's eyes hardened. " You think I will abandon you, just like everyone before me has always done. You think me to be like them, hm? " She was backing away now, even as he stood stock still, frozen. " You think so badly of me Kiko? Do you really think so lowly of me? " His head was turned down too, eyes shadowed by the brim of his hat, and yet they seemed to be burning her. Law sighed, turning and walking away. Kiko was about to fall to the ground when he turned and called to her. " Are you coming?" She could only stand there and look at him. The fuzzy hat, his black hair and slight but excellently trimmed goatee, his black and yellow trademark shirt, those spotted pants and slightly heeled shoes. She offered him a small smile and jogged to catch up to him so they walked side by side.
When they reached the ship it was very quiet. It was still very early but it seemed almost too quiet when they stepped on board. Law opened the door to her, smiling a strangely secretive smile, gesturing for her to go in. " Ladies first." Kiko merely nodded at him, leaving the damp morning air for the warm cozy atmosphere inside. She was met by darkness, the heavy metal door closing behind her before the lightly suddenly turned on abruptly, followed by the cheers of her crew mates. She was showered with hugs and a large plate of delicious looking food, all kinds of drink and dessert waiting on the kitchen table. Bepo shoved through the crown in an uncharacteristic attempt at gaining her attention. He stooped before her, his beady eyes blinking at her exhausted form. He gently took the plate from her, placed it temporarliy in the hands of Penguin and then enveloped her in a huge hug, lifting her off the floor. " Thank god you're okay! Captain's methods are sometimes dangerous but I knew you would be alright! " He spun her around like a little girl who's finally gotten a puppy for her birthday. Kiko hesitated at first before hugging him back just as fiercely, tears streaming down her face, soaking into Bepo's white fur. Peeking over his shoulder she looked at all the laughing and smiling faces around her. She could hear Sam shouting that she must eat or she would probably die, 'Sweet overprotective Sam,' Penguin and Shachi whom were still cheering about her survival of Law's crazy training. Burying her face further in Bepo's fur Kiko cried, and for the first time, it was out of pure untainted happiness.
Law smiled at the scene, his crew had truly taken to her. But Law always needed to be one step ahead, and if that meant eating some cake, then take a quick shower and then start tracking down the man who never called himself Kiko's Father, then that's what he would do. He was the Surgeon of Death after all, a cool, collected and calculative man who protected the people he was resposible for. One of them had been hurt, and he'd rather be trapped in Impel Down for all eternity than to let such an act go unpunished.