Day Four: The Deity

Luffy was taking a nap on the cave floor. Law was just relaxing in it. Looking down the way into the cave, he got an idea. Rising from the ground, Law dusted his pants and shirt off before walking toward the back of the cave.

As he walked, he noticed hat it was deeper than it looked. "How big is this place?" he asked aloud. Continuing on, Law came across a set of stairs that were leading down. Choosing to follow them, he was a little creeped out at the sound of his steps on the stone stairs.

After what felt like ten minutes or so, the stairs ended. Looking forward, Law couldn't see anything. It was complete darkness going forward. Law chose to look back up the stairs. There was a little bit of light that shone over the top of them. There was at least forty or fifty steps.

Law continued to walk on to see if he could find what was at the end of the cave. He was curious as to what could keep this cave safe from the entity. Why would the entity be afraid of this cave? Is thee something inside it that makes him...scared?

After what felt like hours of nothing but walking in the pitch blackness of the cave. Law saw a sliver of light up ahead. Not hurrying in the slightest, Law leisurely strolled toward the light. A thought hit him. Why would there be light at the end? Does it lead to outside? It made him even more curious as to what could be there.

About forty minutes later, Law had to shield his eyes at the bright light that almost blinded him when he came into the area. When his eyes had adjusted to the light, he was able to see what was before him. Law stood in awe at the display. It shocked him and interested him at the same time.

Light shone in the area from cracks in the ceiling. It was a dead end. There was amaryllis', begonias, bleeding hearts, maidenhair ferns, and moss growing almost everywhere in the room. Streams of water slipped through the cracks in the ceiling.

In the very back, against the wall was a shrine. Being careful, Law made his way over to it. He made sure not to crush or damage any of the plants as he walked to the shrine. It was a shrine to Benzaiten. He cocked his head to the side.

"How long has this been here?" he asked himself aloud. Reaching out a hand, he placed his fingers on the statue of the goddess. Law was interested and fascinated with the shrine. The statue was still in pristine condition and looked well-kept as did the shrine itself. It was amazing since the island was inhabited.

Suddenly, there was the feeling of a soft, kind hand on his face. Like a woman had reached out and cupped his cheek from behind. That was when he noticed that he was touching the statue on the side of her face.

Turning his head, Law wanted to see if there was actually someone behind him. To his surprise and disappointment, there was no one behind him. But the hand was still touching his cheek. It confused him but he felt safe at the same time.

"Are you the one protecting this cave?" Law asked. The hand moved back to run through his hair. "I take that as a yes." He thought about what to ask next. "Do you dislike the entity on this island?"

This time, there was a verbal answer. Her voice was sweet, soft, and calm as she spoke. "He is a problem for travelers. I do not necessarily dislike him. But I do dislike his actions." Law nodded. He was thankful for the answer.

"Do the birds help you protect the people that decide to visit?"

She gave him another verbal answer. "Yes. The birds that live on this island protect those who I choose to protect. That would be most people that come here." The hand moved back to his cheek. "You and your friend are very kind."

"Do you know what the entity was talking about before? About Straw Hat-ya's feelings?" Her thumb ran across his cheek. It was almost like a mother trying to comfort her child.

"I do. But it is not my place to tell you about them. He must be the one to tell you because they are his feelings." Suddenly, the hand was removed, and arms encircled his chest. It made him curious as to if she was hugging him or something else.

"Is there a specific reason you are protecting us?"

The goddess chuckled. He was a little confused. Is there something funny about my question? He didn't ask the question. "Yes. His feelings and yours are the reason I am protecting the both of you. As long as you stay in the vicinity of the cave or have the birds on or near you, the two of you will be protected by me."

"I understand. Thank you for your kindness." He kept his eyes on the shrine. "Should I offer you anything?" Law knew how shrines worked. It made him feel guilty for not giving her anything for her kindness.

"You do not have to. As long as you and your friend get along and do not fight, I will be fine. That is enough of an offering to me."

"Yes, ma'am." Hesitantly, he removed his fingers from the shrine. As soon as his fingers left the statue, the feeling of the arms disappeared. Law raised his head to look at it. "That was...different." He had never experienced something like that before.

Turning back around, Law was careful of the plants again before heading back to check on Luffy. He was still confused, though. She said our feelings are why she is protecting us. There is something more to that. I know there is. He couldn't help but think about Luffy's feelings toward him.

He's always called me a friend. I like him as a friend as well. He knew that they were a little more than friends. Sort of like brothers. Law smiled. I don't know. That's how I sort of see it. His smile turned to a small, troubled frown. Hm. Not really brothers. Something more. Like...family?

Before he could think about anything else, Law heard Luffy scream. "Torao?! Where are you?!" He sounded frightened and extremely upset.

As quick as he could, Law made his way back to the other. He almost slipped and fell back down the stairs at some point from his rushing. Getting to the top of the stairs, he bent over to regain his breath for a second.

When that was over, he made his way to see if something was bothering Luffy. As soon as he entered the small campsite that he made with the other's help, Luffy tackled him to the ground. Law grunted at the pain that exploded in his back and his head.

"Torao! Don't do that to me! Ever again!" Luffy hollered at him. He could tell that he was sitting on his chest after they landed because of the weight there.

Law looked up at Luffy when his vision cleared and wasn't swimming before him. The look on the other's face made him feel really bad. The teen had been crying. His eyes were red and puffy, tears were still coming down his face, his face was all red, and he looked so relieved and angry at the same time.

"Sorry. I was just checking out the cave," he confessed. "I haven't left it."

He watched Luffy lay his head down on his chest. Wetness seeped through his shirt after a minute. "I thought that guy did something to you," he cried into his chest.

Slowly, Law moved his arms to be around Luffy's back. He began to rub up and down on his back and held his head to his chest with his other hand. For a while, Luffy did nothing but cried into his chest. Law continued to comfort him while he did so. The teen fisted his shirt and pushed his face further into his chest. Almost like he was trying to merge with him.

After what felt like hours, Luffy stopped crying. "Straw Hat-ya? Are you okay?" Law asked in a soft, low voice. For a bit, the other didn't move. His hands were still fisted in his shirt.

It took a few minutes to get any answer or reaction out of the other. Luffy released his shirt but didn't move his head. Law was startled when his arms reached up and wrapped around his neck. He wasn't expected him to do that.

Luffy moved up a little and laid his head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said in a hoarse, tired voice. It made him feel dejected about Luffy's emotional state.

"What are you sorry for?" Law didn't think he need to apologize for anything. It worried him to a great extent.

"I shouldn't have freaked out when you weren't here," Luffy started. "I know you can take care of yourself." Law was shocked at what he was hearing. It made him think that it wasn't even Luffy that was speaking to him. "So, I'm sorry for freaking out earlier."

Saying that Law was shocked would be an understatement. He was completely flabbergasted at the younger man's words. "You...You don't have to apologize," he replied. "I know you were worried about me. I don't...I'm not...I don't mind that you were worried about me. Isn't that what friends do? They worry about each other?"

There was silence for a few moments. Law wondered if he had said something wrong. Then, Luffy answered him. "Yeah. That's what people who care about each other do." Now, Law was curious. Luffy didn't call them friends this time. He called them 'people who care about each other'.

That was when the goddess's words came to mind. She said that she was protecting them because of their 'feelings'. That made him wonder if what Luffy said had something to do with that.

"Straw Hat-ya, do you view me as more than a friend? Or just a friend and ally?" Luffy's grip around his neck tightened and pressed his face harder into his shoulder. He didn't answer him for what felt like ages.

"I don't know." Law nodded. He understood. He didn't know either. It was good to know that the other didn't know either. It made him feel much better about his thoughts.

"Okay. Do you want me to make lunch?" He knew it must've been either noon, close to it, or after it.

Quickly, Luffy sat up. His eyes were still puffy and red from crying but he looked excited at the same time. "Yeah! I'm starving!" Law smiled as the teen got off him so he could go fix them something to eat.

Lunch was grilled fish was fruit. Luffy didn't mind it nor did Law. It was all they had as it was. Most of the time, Law didn't like to leave the cave too much because of what happened the day before in the stream. Luffy understood and told him that he didn't have to leave if he didn't want to. He was thankful for that.

I hope we will be okay. I know that the goddess is protecting us. But is that enough? Will she be able to protect us until the other's get here?

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been trying to juggle work and school at the same time. Again, I'm really, really sorry. Hope you all are enjoying the story. Let me know if you are. Have an amazing day and I love you all very much. Tatty-bye!