Trouble
Eira licked the fur on her wrist before swiping that area over her head. A soft purr rolled out of her throat as she thought about what happened between her, Law, and Neo last week. None of it made any sense. She had their memories. She was drawing those strange crystals and that boy, Kailen, in her sketchbook. No one appeared to know why. One thing she did know, somehow, was killing her two targets wouldn't end the pain. But she had no idea what would. Since that incident she had been avoiding Neo and Law. The only time she came close to them was when they ate. Any other time she would stay inside of her quarters or out on the deck. Then if Neo or Law came outside she'd head inside and hide in her quarters again. Occasionally, she would be able to sneak up on them and listen in on their conversations. They didn't do her any good. They were just as confused as she was. Then a thought crossed her mind. Maybe all of the answers to this were back on her home island. She shook it from her mind. There was nothing on this planet that would get her to go back there.
"I just don't understand it," Ikkaku said.
Eira's ears twitched when the pirates started talking.
"I think we're all wasting our time in trying to figure it out," Conner replied.
"But there has to be a reason why Eira is so much like the captain," Ikkaku said.
"I agree with Conner," Uni said. "We're wasting our time in trying to figure this out. The only one who could possibly have answers to this won't speak about it at all."
"You'd think Eira would tell the captain and Neo what she knows," Clione said. "Surely she wants answers herself."
"She's too stubborn for that," Conner said. "I say leave her alone. Better yet, kick her off the ship."
"You know Neo won't do that," Ikkaku said. "And now that the images in the sketchbook have been revealed the captain won't release her until he knows how exactly she knew about Luminous."
"So we're stuck with that brat," Conner grumbled.
"Do you think she can hear us?" Uni asked.
"Why would she?" Clione asked.
"Well, she's a snow leopard, a feline, and they have good hearing," Uni said.
"It's possible," Ikkaku said.
Eira continued to lick her fur, acting like she wasn't listening to them at all, when they turned their eyes to her to see what she was doing.
"She doesn't appear to be listening to us," Uni said. "She seems more involved in cleaning herself. Has she taken an actual shower since she's be here?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Ikkaku said. "I've seen her licking herself like that before."
"Just because it looks like she's not listening doesn't mean a thing," Clione said. "She could be pretending."
"Who cares is she's listening or not?" Conner asked. "It's not like what we're talking about is a secret. So can we please just change the subject already? She and her mysteries is all the crew seems to be talking about lately."
Fine," Uni said. "When are we going to land on the next island?"
"Should be any day now," Uni said.
"Why? Your little mini you craving some sexual attention?" Ikkaku asked.
Eira rolled her eyes and tuned out their conversation. She found they talked about sex way too much. She's heard enough of that as it was. Though she was a bit curious herself to when they were going to land. She would like to stretch her legs on a good long run. And maybe Bepo would join her again in doing that. She hoped whatever island they landed on next had a lot of nature for a good run and trees she could climb. She'd take open space or a thick forest. Finished with grooming herself, Eira stood up and crossed her arms over the railing. She started out, watching for an island to come into view. An hour and a half later the smells of several people, food, and freshly cut wood entered her nose. Shortly after the island itself appeared in her sight. Large, in the process of being constructed, ships appeared on their side of the island. "Shipwrights, huh?"
"Whoa! Look at that huge ship!" Uni said. "I wonder who commissioned that!"
"Oh man! I hope that doesn't mean there are Celestial Dragons on this island!" Ikkaku said.
"I doubt it," Conner said. "Building ships can take weeks. They wouldn't wait around on an island of commoners for it."
"I guess that's true," Ikkaku said. "Still, they could come themselves to check on the process."
"Even if they are there we can easily avoid them," Bepo said as he walked out on the deck. "There shouldn't be any slave houses or auction houses on this island. We'll be fine." He looked at Eira. "You okay?"
"Of course." Eira turned around and leaned back against the railing. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been kind of quiet these past few days," Bepo said walking closer to her.
"Yeah, well, not much to do," Eira said. She swiped at the belled collar. It jingled before settling in place. "Besides my source of entertainment has been cut off. And it's not like there's anything else to do on this ship."
"I'm sorry about that," Bepo said. "But you were causing a lot of trouble with the crew."
"I didn't see it as trouble," Eira said. "It's normal for me to hunt and practice hunting."
"Maybe, but we're not your prey," Bepo said.
"Actually," Eira started. She paused when Neo and Law stepped out onto the deck.
"They're not your prey anymore though," Bepo said. "You don't want to hurt them."
Eira chewed on his words. She hated admitting it, even to herself, but her desire to kill these two pirates was almost gone. If only she knew what that meant and why it happened so quickly. "Despite that, how have you been this week?"
"I'm okay," Bepo said. "Glad that we haven't had to dive under the water."
"You really hate going under, don't you?" Eira asked.
"Yeah." Bepo nodded. "But Neo's really good in keeping me cool."
"So sweet of her." Eira rolled her eyes. "Sometimes its like she's your mother rather than a friend, crewmate, or even a sister."
"I think the entire crew will agree with you on that." Bepo smiled and nodded. "She is motherly to us at lot of the times."
"I'm surprised she doesn't cut up your food for you," Eira said. "Or tuck you in at night while giving you a glass of water."
"She's not that bad," Bepo said.
"I bet she would be if you guys were her actual kids," Eira said. "She's such a mother hen even without them."
"Neo as a mother?" Bepo blinked. "I would love to see that. But the captain and Neo will never have kids."
"Why?" Eira asked.
"They both agreed that it's far too dangerous for them to have a child and live the life of pirates," Bepo said. "The Navy hunts down and kills those born to pirates."
"That's just stupid," Eira said. "It's not the kid's fault who their parents are. They didn't ask to be born. Plus what does being born to pirates have to do with anything?"
Bepo laughed.
"What's so funny?" Eira asked.
"Neo pretty much as the same exact thing," Bepo said. "I know you hate it, but you really are just like her and the captain."
"Oh, just hush about that," Eira said. "It's stupid."
"Anyway, I'm not really sure of that myself," Bepo said. "Just because someone is born to pirates doesn't mean they'll be pirates too. And they have no control over what their parents have done."
"The Navy is just apparently very stupid," Eira said. She eyed the shoreline as the sub sailed smoothly into the docks.
"I guess your right," Bepo said.
"All right!" Uni shouted out. "We've landed! Welcome to Brazen Island, everyone!"
"We're going to be staying here a few days," Law said. "So you all are free to do as you please."
"But do check in once in a while," Neo said. "I want to know that you're all alive and well."
"We will!" they all said.
"Whatever you say, Mother," Eira said. "Do I have to have permission to go off on my own?"
Law frowned at the feline. "You're sticking with Bepo. And if I hear of you running off from him I'll lock you up in the brig."
"Whatever, Daddy." Eira jumped up on the railing and swished her tail. "Can we just go?" She jumped down to the dock before anyone could answer her.
"That girl is working on my last nerve," Law said.
"Poor baby," Neo said squeezing his hand.
"Don't you start on me, too." Law poked Neo in the ribs, making her squeal.
"Hey! You can't do that! We're not lovers here!" Neo said.
"We're not off the sub yet," Law said. "And you're holding my hand."
"Oh." Neo puffed out her cheeks at him and dropped his hand.
Law just chuckled in response.
"Let's just go." Neo summoned her wind crystals and lifted them off the sub.
…
Eira started out at the bustling city before her. There were so many faces, sounds, and scents it was starting to give her a headache. It almost made her want to just stay on the sub instead. Perhaps she should. She didn't really feel like being around a lot of people. As she stood there her fur stood on its ends. Someone was watching her. She scanned her eyes over everything she could. The docks were full of people loading and unloading their ships. Seagulls flew above them or perched on the ships, some looking for an easy meal to swipe from some unsuspecting person or fish that may venture too close to the surface. None of them looked at all threatening.
She reached for her dagger, forgetting that it had been taken away from her. She growled, letting her hand drop back to her side. Her eyes still scanned over the island in an attempt to locate them. But no one appeared to be their size. Her hairs laid back down. Maybe she was just being overly cautious. It's been a few weeks since she's allowed her snow leopard form to be seen in the newspapers. And they hadn't shown up yet. So maybe they wouldn't. She forced herself to relax and turned her attention back to the crew.
Most of the crew had already dispersed on their own since they were spending a few days here. She had no clue what she wanted to do. All she knew was she was going to be with Bepo. So she'd end up doing whatever he wanted most likely. Her eyes drifted to Neo. The blue haired pirate was talking to Law, Bepo, and Penguin. For a second she about tuned her ears into their conversation but she stopped herself. She really didn't want to know what they were talking about. Soon Law headed off somewhere by himself and the remaining three walked over to her.
"Hey, Eira," Neo said.
"What?" Eira asked.
"If you wanted, you could come with us," Neo said. "We're going to do a little window shopping then check out the bookstore."
Eira stared at the pirate. She waited for her aggression to appear but it never showed up. Unknowing as to what that meant, she agreed. "Since I have to follow Bepo around I don't have much choice."
"I'm sorry," Neo said. "But it's for your own good."
"Whatever," Eira huffed.
"You're still angry at us for looking at your sketchbook," Neo said.
"No, you think?" Eira rolled her eyes.
"Eira, I'm sorry, but you have to understand the position we're in," Neo said. "No one is supposed to know about that island."
"Yeah, yeah," Eira said. "I get it. Secret island and all."
"I don't think you really get it," Neo said.
"And I don't really care," Eira said.
"Fine," Neo said.
"What a brat," Penguin said.
"It's fine," Neo said. "I did, after all, say that no one was going to look at her sketchbook."
"That wasn't your fault," Penguin said. "It fell open. Anyone in your position would continue to look through it."
"I know." Neo nodded.
"At least tell me we're going to have some fun on this island," Eira said. "I need to work out some tension."
"We can go for a run later if you want," Bepo said.
"Sure." Eira shrugged. "Let's just get this shopping thing over with."
"Don't like it?" Penguin asked.
"Not really," Eira replied. She looked at Neo. "I never would have pegged you for someone who likes shopping."
"It's not my favorite thing in the world," Neo admitted, "but I do love shopping for books. I'm hoping to pick up a couple today."
"Don't you have enough books? They're wall to wall in the rec. room and you have crates of them in the storage rooms," Eira said. "I'm surprised you haven't actually figured out a way to store them on the ceiling in the rec. room."
"Neo could never have enough books," Bepo said. "If the sub was big enough she would have brought the entire library in her castle."
"Castle?" Eira asked.
"Bepo!" Penguin scolded. "You weren't suppose to mention that to anyone!"
"I'm sorry." Bepo bowed his head.
"It's all right, Penguin," Neo said. "Remember she drew that in her sketchbook as well."
"Right." Penguin, frowning, crossed his arms over his chest. "Still, we're out in the open. He should be more careful. Someone else could have heard him."
"Can we just get this over with?" Eira asked while fluffing out her cloak and pulling her hood over her head. "I'm getting bored just standing here."
"Let's go then." Neo slipped her arm around Penguin's. And once Bepo was on her other side, they headed off into the bustling town.
Eira followed on Bepo's other side. Her boredom only increased as they made their way through the people and their shouts for food or bartering for an item. Only then did she notice they all were wearing shorts or skirts and short sleeve shirts. The sun was hot. It beat down on her making her wonder if she should have left the cloak back on the sub and went out in her normal clothes. She ran her hand over her skintight shorts and released a thin layer of ice. Shaking the thought off, she decided it was best just to cool herself off. She didn't really want to bring attention to herself in her snow leopard form nor did she want to use her human form.
"There it is!" Neo suddenly said.
Eira jumped at her unexpected voice then noticed what Neo had seen. A small, white building had a sign hanging over the door reading 'Bookstore'. "Geez. Must you get so excited about a bookstore?"
"Yes, I must." Neo tugged on Penguin's arm, pulling him closer to the building.
"Okay, okay," Penguin said with a laugh. "Calm down, Neo. It's not going to go anywhere."
"I don't care," Neo said. "I just want to get in there."
"We're going, we're going," Penguin said.
"Sheesh," Eira said as she watched Neo pull Penguin into the bookstore. "She's like a child in more ways than one."
"But she's cute," Bepo said.
"If you say so," Eira said.
"Let's catch up to them," Bepo said stepping forward.
"Okay." Eira sighed. She stepped inside the store and took a sniff of the books and scents. One of the scents she found was to be one of the crew, Basil, but she didn't see them anywhere. So he must have already left. Ignoring the scent, she walked down an isle and located Neo and Penguin down another one. Not wanting to bother the enjoyment Neo was having, she kept on walking. Looking over her shoulder she saw Bepo had stopped and picked up a book. She continued on walking. Her eyes trailed over the books and magazines. Before she knew it, two hours had passed by. She sniffed the air and located Neo's scent; she was with Bepo and Penguin. She followed it back to them to see what was going on.
"You about done yet?" Penguin asked.
"Yeah." Neo nodded. "I got two I really wanted."
"It took you two hours just to pick out two books?" Eira asked.
"I like to take my time and really absorb what the books are about so I know which ones I want to read," Neo said.
"Whatever," Eira replied.
"Let me pay for these then we'll go outside for a while," Neo said. She walked away with Penguin by her side.
"Looks like we're going to get to run soon," Bepo said.
Eira didn't respond. She just waited until Neo had paid for her purchase and the two returned to her and Bepo. They exited the building out word. Outside Neo summoned a wind crystal and lifted them into the air. Flying over the town, she didn't set them down until they landed in a small open field surrounded by the forest.
"This should be a good place," Neo said.
"It's great, Neo," Bepo said. "Thanks a lot." He looked at Eira. "Shall we go for a run now?"
"Sure." Eira shrugged. She took off towards the woods, Bepo hot on her tail.
"You ever going to get relaxed with her around?" Neo asked.
"Probably not," Penguin said. "At least not until she proves that she's not trying to kill you or the captain anymore. And just because she hasn't attempted it again doesn't mean anything."
"I understand," Neo said.
"Well, since were out here, I think I'll take a nap," Penguin said as he dropped down to the ground.
"You're not going to go have a drink with the boys?" Neo asked sitting down beside him.
"Naw," Penguin said. "I'd rather stay here with you."
"Even though I'm going to read?" Neo smiled.
"Even though you're going to read." Penguin put his hands behind his head and exhaled. "Wake me if something interesting happens."
"Sure thing." Neo giggled. Summoning an earth crystal, she created a giant flower to lean against then pulled out one of her books and opened it. Settling into her flower, she ran her eyes over the first page of her book. She devoured each and every word that passed in front of her. Four chapters in she kneaded her eyebrows in confusion when the wind blew passed her without actually blowing. She glanced up. "What the heck was that?"
A huge gust of wind rushed pasted her. It startled Penguin awake when his hat tipped up over his head. "What the heck is going on?!"
"Um, Penguin." Neo tapped him on the arm.
"What is it?" He sat up and found her looking at something else with a concerned expression. Following her gaze he found what held her attention so much. Ten yards from them were six head to toe cloaked figures about four feet tall each. One of them was holding a small chest with something inside glowing an icy blue. He jumped up. "Who are you people?"
"Is this really her?" one of the figures asked.
"It must be," the one holding the chest replied. "It led us right to her."
"Then let's take her and go," the first one said.
"Hold on there." Penguin stepped in front of Neo. "I have no idea who you people are but you have the wrong person."
"Step aside," the first one said. "We have no business with you."
"If you try and take my sister away from me you're going to have a lot of business with me," Penguin said taking a defensive stance. "Just who the heck are you? What do you want with her?"
"Listen, human!" the first one snapped. "This is none of your concern! That girl is a danger to everyone! Get out of our way!"
"Human?" Penguin asked. "Neo, do you sense anything from these guys?"
"Yes, magic," Neo said.
"They're magical?" Penguin took a quick glance at her.
"No, they're not magical," Neo said eyeing the cloaks. "But they're carrying things that are. They're fairly small but very powerful."
"What do you mean?" Penguin asked.
"Possible talismans," Neo said. "I think. Several of my fantasy books mention them."
"Talismans?" Penguin asked.
"I know it sounds weird, but I do sense magic on them but not in them," Neo said again. "What else could it be?"
"You have five seconds to come with us," the one holding the chest said. "Or we'll have to take you by force."
"That's not going to happen," Penguin said.
"Will you all just calm down?" Neo asked. "I think there's been a mistake."
"Time's up. Get her." Five charged forward on the chest wielder's command. A strong gust of wind appeared out of now where as they ran around the two pirates. Loose pieces of grass, dirt, and fallen leaved picked up around them.
"Penguin!" Neo reached out for him and summoned her wind crystals.
"What the heck is going on here?!" Penguin grabbed her arm.
"Hold on!" Neo used her crystals and took control of the wind they were creating. She shoved them backwards, clearly shocking them with her abilities.
"How could she did that?!"
"It's not possible!"
"She must have learned new tricks somehow!"
"It matter's not," the chest wielder said closing the chest. "We still must take her back. You know what will happen if we don't. Do what you must to stop her."
"Yes, sir!" they said.
"Will someone just tell us what the heck is going on here?!" Penguin demanded.
"Looks like they're not going to answer us," Neo said as all of them reached into the cloaks for something. 'Law, we have a problem over here.'
'What is it?'
'Someone's trying to kidnap me.' Neo instantly sensed Law warping closer to her.
'What?!'
'Yeah. I'm not sure who or who they are. They're not being very forthcoming with their motives. I think they've mistaking me for someone else.'
'I'm on my way!'
"Law's coming," Neo said.
"Good," Penguin said. He eyed the objects the cloaked figures pulled out. They were about six inches long, white, and curled at the end. "I hope we can hold them off until he gets here. I have a bad feeling about this."
…
Eira leaped from branch to branch, enjoying the freedom she had in the moment until a very familiar feeling sank into her chest. Her fur perked up. She paused on a branch and looked back in the direction she and Bepo had left Neo and Penguin. Ice-cold fear gripped her body and soul. It couldn't be them. They couldn't have found her so soon. She looked down to find Bepo had stopped running as well. He too was looking back in the direction they had come. "Um, Bepo? Come on. Let's keep going."
"We have to go back," Bepo said sniffing the air.
"What for? We just started," Eira said despite knowing the bear sensed the trouble. "What could have happened in just a few minutes?"
"I don't know. I just know that something's not right. I can smell six others with Neo and Penguin," Bepo said. "I'm going back to check on them."
"Wait!" Eira called but the bear was already heading back. She shifted on her feet and wiped her sweaty palms on her shorts. Despite knowing she should run as fast as she could in the other direction, she found herself heading back towards Neo and Penguin. She was able to keep Bepo in her sight despite his head start. But when she got to the edge of the forest, she paused on a branch as he raced forward. Her body turned ice cold. Her heart hammered against her chest at the sight of the cloaked figures surrounding Neo and Penguin. It was them. They had found her.
Confusion clouded her brain when she understood what was really going on in the small field. For some reason, they were targeting Neo and Penguin. It didn't make sense to her at all. They should be after her not Neo. Neo, other than Eira having her memories, had nothing to do with this. The crew had nothing to do with it. They shouldn't be attacking the Heart Pirates at all. She tucked herself closer to the trunk of the tree and watched as they put their hands into their cloaks and pulled all too familiar talismans out.
…
"Neo! Penguin!" Bepo shouted out.
Before they could reply, one of the cloaked figures flicked its talisman at the Bepo. A red flash of light shot out and hit Bepo. The bear froze in midstride.
"Bepo!" Neo cried. Her winds raged, whipping any loose piece of item. She turned back to the chest-wielding figure. "You! You seem to be in charge! I demand you tell me what-Uh!" Her voice and crystals were cut off when the same red flash slammed into her. She dropped to her knees. A strange tingle ran through her entire body. Her limps stopped responding to her. "L-Law…"
'Neo?! Neo, what's happening?! What hit you?!'
'I don't…know. But I can't…move.'
'I'm almost there!'
"Neo? Neo what happened?" Penguin knelt down beside her.
Neo flinched inwardly at the panic in his voice. She wanted to speak to him, to tell him to run, but her body wouldn't allow her. Another flash of red appeared at the corner of her eye. When Penguin didn't say anymore she knew he had been hit with whatever this was. She glared at the cloaked figures. Relief and more fear washed over her when Law warped in front of her. 'Law! No! Get out of here! They can paralyze us somehow!'
Before Law could make a move, the figures flicked their wands at him. His sword fell from his hand before his body dropped to the ground. Several colorful curses ran through his mind, that he unintentionally shared with Neo.
'Law! What do we do?!'
'I don't know. Just try and remain calm.'
'Eira! Eira's still free! She was running around with Bepo! She should be close by!'
'Maybe. But don't count on her.'
The chest-wielding figure walked over to Neo. Looking down at her, he said, "You might be able to disguise yourself physically, but you can never disguise your magic from your birthright." He reached into his cloak and pulled out an identical wand to the others. The tip started glowing a soft green instead of read. "Now sleep. We'll be back soon enough. Lullaby Slumber."
Neo glared at him. Thoughts of Law ripping this person's throat out filled her mind before it was replaced with sleepiness when the green glow washed over her. 'Law…they're forcing me to go to sleep. I'm scared.'
'Neo, just hold on. I'll think of something. I won't let them get away with this.' Law's heart pounded in his chest. He could feel Neo's mind slipping away from him as she drift off to sleep. 'I promise, Neo. They will pay for this.'
Neo's mind went blank.
"We have her. Now let's go," the chest wielder said.
Law gritted his teeth. Despite them both behind him, he could clearly see them touching his love. He could see them picking her up and taking her away from him. Then she was gone with a rush of wind. Tears pressed against the back of his eyes. Every single curse he could think of, and some he invented for the occasion, passed over his mind. Once he was able to move again, and once he tracked them down, he was going to kill every single one of them.
…
Eira's heart pounded in her head as she started out at the fight that was going on. Well, fight wasn't the correct word. She knew they wouldn't stand a chase against these people. The pirates knew nothing of what they could do. They had the advantage. If the pirates had a chance of escape it lied with her and only her. But she couldn't get herself to move towards them. She didn't want them to notice her. She had to get away from here. She should go help them. No, she had to run. No, she had to stay.
She ran her hands through her hair. Her mind spun with confusion. She had no idea what she should do. She wasn't even sure what she wanted. The past week ran through her mind. Her desire to kill Neo and Law was still gone, but if that was true the why didn't she run out there and help them? She had to help. She shook her head. "No! No! No! I don't care about them! I won't go back! I won't! No matter what I'm never going back to that place! Besides, I own them nothing! They invaded my privacy!"
Eira's eyes went back to them. Her heart stopped when she saw them pick Neo up and run away from the scene. That was it. It was over. Law, Bepo, and Penguin were left where they were. There was nothing she could do now. They had already taken Neo and would be several hundred miles away from this island by now. Her eyes drifted away from the three left in the field before she turned and disappeared deep into the woods. There was no way she could face them now.
…
Time passed painfully slow for Law after he could no longer feel Neo anywhere near him, each second he felt her getting farther and farther away. And a piece of his soul went with her. His fingers twitched but no real movement was coming back to him yet. He tried to figure out what type of magic they used on them. But, outside of Neo's, what did he know about magic anyway? Nothing. Even if he did his brain wouldn't corporate. It only wanted to lock onto Neo and how scared she would be when she woke up without him or the crew there. He had to remind himself over and over that Neo would be fine. She would figure out how to get free of them and take care of herself. Or she would get a message to him and he would come save her. He just had to wait. He had to be patient.
"Captain," Bepo said. "Are you all right?"
Law would have rolled his eyes if he could.
"I'm sorry. That was a stupid question," Bepo said kneeling down to his captain. "Just hold on a little bit longer. You should be able to move soon."
Law heard Penguin growl in frustration.
"Looks like Penguin is starting to move again," Bepo reported. "I'm not sure what that was they hit us with but it appears that it only paralyzed us for a while. I guess it's an escape technique."
Law's fingers twitched a bit more. Finally he could feel more movement coming back into his body. It still took far too long before he was able to finally sit up.
"I'm glad you're okay, Captain," Bepo said. "You too, Penguin."
Neither of them spoke. They just sat on the ground with dangerous auras surrounding them.
"So what do we do now?" Bepo asked.
Law glanced up at Bepo, his eyes filled with anger. "Where's Eira?"
"I'm not sure," Bepo said looking back to the forest. "She was following me when I can running to help Penguin and Neo. Maybe she went after Neo?"
"No," Law said. "She didn't."
"Can you sense her, Captain?" Penguin asked.
Law concentrated but the girl never appeared to him. "No. I can't sense her for some reason."
"So we're just going to have to look for her the old fashion way," Penguin said.
"Bepo will go looking for her," Law said. "We're going to head back into the town and gather the crew."
"Aye, Captain," Bepo and Penguin said.
"Let's go." Law grabbed his sword and pushed himself to his feet. He created his Room and warped himself and Penguin back into the town while Bepo ran off into the woods to track down the missing girl. Appearing in the middle of the street, he said, "Gather as many as you can and meet back at the docks."
"Aye, Captain," Penguin said before he turned and dashed off.
Law turned the opposite way and headed towards a bar where he had saw some of his crew enter into before Neo had called for him. A small amount of relief filled him when he saw they were still there. Uni and Ikkaku were still there, Uni with a busty woman on his lap. Clione was the only one was missing. He walked right over to them. "Neo's been taken."
"What?!" they shouted and stood up.
"Hey!" the woman protested when she slid from the pirate's lap. She smoothed out her short skirt and walked away with a frown.
But the pirates didn't pay her any more attention. They just rushed around the table while Ikkaku said Clione was upstairs with a woman from the bar. She ran off to get him while Law said, "Fine the rest of the crew. Penguin is already looking for them and Bepo is looking for Eira."
"Eira?" Uni asked.
"Just go!" Law hissed.
"Aye!" Uni bolted out the door.
"Hey! You could have at least let me get my clothes on!" Clione's voice shouted out just before he and Ikkaku appeared at the top of the stairs.
"You're half dressed!" Ikkaku said pulling him along by the ear. "No one's going to see your erected manhood. So that's good enough!"
"You don't have to shout that out!" Clione protested.
"Suck it up! We have more important things to worry about than your pride!" Ikkaku said.
"We're ready to go, Captain," Ikkaku said.
"Then gather the crew at the dock," Law said. "Penguin and Uni are already out looking for them."
"Where's Eira and Bepo?" Ikkaku asked as they headed for the door.
"Bepo's looking for her," Law said. Outside they split up. "I'm going to the sub."
"Aye!"
Law formed his Room and warped himself to the docks. He then warped himself into the sub and into every single room on it. Eira was nowhere on the thing. He warped himself back outside to wait for his crew. His eyes scanned the ships at the dock. He should have paid more attention to how many were there when they landed. Eira could have already snuck on one and took off. He gripped his sword, the sheath dug into his skin. Part of him hoped that girl wasn't on the island. He wasn't sure if he could keep from killing her the second he laid eyes on her. He knew she was the one those people were looking for. He knew they had taken Neo by mistake. But why? Neo and Eira might have similarities in their looks but they were still very different from each other. Neo was a couple inches shorter with blue hair and eyes. Eira had black hair and steel colored eyes. So why would they take someone who was obviously not Eira?
Time still passed all too slow for Law. But eventually he spotted his crewmembers running towards him, all of them filled with worry and anger. Spreading out his Room, he warped them to the docks to get them there quicker.
"We're here!" Topaz said. "What now? Who took Neo?!"
"What's going on?!" Basil added.
"We don't know," Law said. "But I believe they were after Eira."
"Where is she anyway?" Jean Bart asked.
"Bepo's looking for her," Law said.
"What do you mean?" Basil asked. "Isn't she with Bepo?"
"She was, but we have no idea where she is right now. And for some reason I can't sense her presence," Law said.
"Did she leave the island already?" Basil asked.
"I don't think so," Law said.
"I'll head off to the forest to help Bepo," Topaz said. "I'll ask the animals to help us search."
"I'm coming with you! You six!" Law growled as he pointed to six of his crewmembers. "Keep an eye on the deck in case she tries to escape on a ship!"
"Aye, Captain!" Five of the six spread out around the docks so they could keep a better eye on all of the ships.
"I'll stay with the sub incase she tries to sneak onboard," Jean Bart said.
"All right! The rest of you spread out! I want that girl found! And I want her found now!" Law said. "I want to know where they took Neo!"
"Aye, Captain!" The crew turned and ran off to cover as much as the island that they could.
"Let's go!" Law said just before warping himself and Topaz back to where he was before. "Where's Bepo?"
"I can sense him about two miles northeast of here," Topaz said.
Law warped them. Again and again he warped them until they popped in front of Bepo.
The bear screamed and wailed his arms. "Ah! Where did you come from?!"
"Captain, I understand that you're worried about Neo, but you can't keep popping around like that," Topaz said. "You're going to run out of energy before the real battle begins."
"Fine her," Law said with sharp sternness.
Topaz sighed. Turning the forests she sensed out as many animals as she could find. Within minutes tons of birds, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, and even a couple bears gathered around the Elemental. "My friends, we really need your help. We're trying to find a girl. She looks like a snow leopard wearing a cloak. A snow leopard is a feline, a cat. We need to find her as soon as possible. Now go, my friends."
The animals took off.
"Have you found any trace of her?" Law asked.
"Her scent is all over this place. And I mean that literally," Bepo said. "Her scent is so scattered I can't figure out which way she went."
"She might be using that warping technic she has to evade and confuse us," Topaz said.
"It's not going to be easy to bring her in," Bepo said.
"I will," Law hissed. He clenched his fists; his sheath breaking his skin filled the air with iron. "And she's going to tell me everything she knows. Even if I have to beat the truth out of here." He closed his eyes for a moment to calm himself. "Let's find her!"
"Aye, Captain!" The three took off. They looked up into every tree that they could, in every bush, and around every rock for the missing feline.
…
Basil turned his eyes to Penguin. He had somehow managed to group up with him and Shachi. Both the two men were angry, but Penguin was something more. He had no idea how to describe the furry he clearly saw on Penguin's expression. Running through the woods, he moved closer to Shachi. He said, "Is he going to be okay? I mean I know he's really close to Neo and all…"
"He'll be fine when he have Neo back," Shachi said. "Until then just keep your distance a bit from him and the captain. When Neo's in trouble they both tend to fly off the handle and don't think straight. They probably won't eat much either."
"Thanks for the warning," Basil said. He turned his eyes to the thick forest around them. "Finding her in this place is going to be a serious pain."
"I don't care!" Penguin snapped, revealing he was listening to them. "We will find her!"
"Of course we will, Pen," Shachi said. "It won't take long at all with Topaz asking the forest creatures for their help."
"With how much trouble she gave us when we first chased after her, I think you're being a bit too optimistic," Basil said.
"Shut up! I have to be optimistic!" Shachi snapped. "Neo can't stand being away from us, especially the captain!"
"I guess I still don't fully understand her relationship with you all," Basil said.
Shachi sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just when Neo's in danger we all get a little snappy and very worried because of her past. The last time she was taken from us the Dark Elementals tried to kill her. This might cause a relapse even thought she's gotten stronger since then."
"I see," Basil said. "I hope that doesn't happen."
"Yeah." Shachi nodded. "Me too."
…
Panting hard, Eira paused in a tall tree. She looked down. Branches and leaves hide her well enough, but since Law had the ability to sense her, not to mention Bepo smelling her scent, she knew she couldn't stay here for very long. Still she had been running and warping herself nonstop for the past two hours. Her heart and head were pounding to the point she was going to be sick if she didn't take a break. Sliding down against the tree she wrapped her arms around herself. She needed to get off that island. But how? She knew by now Law would have his crew, or some of them, watching the docks for her. She should have headed there from the start. But she couldn't risk it. They were known for staying in the shadows, but they could still spot her once she headed out to sea. Or maybe they wouldn't since they thought they already had her.
A sharp pain stabbed in her head when the image of Neo being taken away flashed through her mind repetitively. She grabbed her head and screamed. "It's not my fault! I didn't tell them to take her!"
More images invaded her brain. All of them showing how nice and kind Neo was to her despite how aggressive she had been back and how she tried to kill her. "I'm not guilty! I did nothing wrong! I couldn't stop them anyway! If I had shown myself they would have just taken us both!"
The pain subsided enough for her to release her head. She wrapped her arms back around her. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. "What have I done? What do I do? Polaris…"
…
Author's Notes: Coming chapters might be delayed. I'm having issues with them.
Booksarelife9: I pmed you. Feel free to pm me back if you want or just leave another comment if you prefer. Thanks for your thoughts on this story.