6. The Heart is Aching from Lying

My self conscious is hurting.. But...

Many days passed after the crew back to the sea. And today is one of the free days.

No fights, no being chased by the marines, no encountering any isolated island with promising adventure lies ahead, no screams and shouts among the crew, and most importantly, no chores or specific works to do. The sub has surfaced hours ago and engines switched off to give them much break, letting the soft gentle waves to rock the metal sub.

The Hearts decided to make the day as a laundry day, not that they have a choice on this since the person incharged for this has again, not do it. And since almost every one of the crew running out of clean cloth to wear, they have no choice but to do their own 11 days worth of laundry causing the bathrooms to be fully occupied.

Mirra didn't pass this chance to wash her clothes as well. But since she always wash her clothes every two days she didn't have much for today.

"Why you guys didn't ask Tra-san to buy washing machine? Buy the one that have dryer as well, so you won't have to dry them under the sun." She, along with Clione, Ray and Anko occupied one of the empty bathrooms.

"We did. In fact, captain already changed it three times and he has enough of it since some of us didn't know how take care of it," Clione replied. His light brown hair jutting out from the dark blue hood that he wore to cover his head, gently swaying everytime his body rocked to the front and back while brushing his clothes. Mirra looked at the said hair, then the hood that he wore, mind temporary blanked as she shook her thoughts off after finding the hood to be quite...unique with a tip jutting out at the top.

"What do you mean?" She rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand when it suddenly itched.

Clione wrung his clothes to remove the water. "Apparently some of us think that the machine can handle a massive amount of clothes, including the suits together, and dumped them all in one washing, leading to the poor thing to breakdown."

Mirra gave a side glare to Anko - a blue haired guy with a red tattoo under his right eye - who crouching next to her right side. He sense the glare and immediately turned.

"Hey, don't look at me. I know exactly how to handle that machine."

Anko is the person incharged - or more like forced to be incharged - of the laundry. Law never really put him to the work, but after several begs by the crew to make him do their laundry simply because he lost the bets Law brushed them all off with 'whatever you guys want' and disappeared to his office. So technically, Anko is incharged for all of the laundry, but with his attitude, the crew is suffering from 'one-week-you-have-clean-clothes-the-next-two-weeks-you-won't'.

"That wouldn't happen if you do your duty everyday."

"Like I don't have other things to do."

"Yeah like answering those stupid crosswords on the newspaper?" Clione retorted.

"You take that -"

"Guys, please... we are washing clothes here. Hold the fist till you guys done", Mirra cut in. She's in between the two at the moment so if they decided to brawl she will be pulled in. Ray on the other hand, at Clione's other side chuckled while chucking his clean clothes to a new basket.

"You're not talking, Ray?" Mirra questioned.

"If you ask me something then I will..." he smiled.

Ray has white-blue hair colour with pitch black eyes and pale complexion. He fought with daggers kept in knife sheaths strapped around his thighs. He also carried boot knife in one of his boots and throwing knifes equipped at the belt that overlay on his uniform. He is one of the few that have made minor changes to the uniform to accommodate their fighting styles and weapons. It is permissible if it is helping them in fight.

"May I ask the reason you joined the crew?"

"He got kidnapped by Shachi," Clione interrupted. That raised a question in Mirra's head.

"Not by force though. I willingly let myself get kidnapped".

"How did that happen?"

"I once worked at Fix the Lumber Company at Selic Island and Polar Tang was one of the customers that I fixed. Shachi saw my interest on the sub and persuaded captain to recruit me. I was hesitated that time for sure, because I don't feel like leaving Rain on the island alone. And it never came to me to live on sea as a pirate. So, I declined - "

"Hold on. What is Polar Tang? And Rain also came from the same island like you?"

"Polar Tang is this submarine... That you've been hitching for six weeks."

"Eh? Really? Does the name come from its birth location? At the North?"

"Not it, Mirra. We called the sub as she. If you want to know why Polar Tang why don't you ask Shachi or Penguin?"

"Them? Why do I need to ask them? Can't you just tell me?"

"Oh it's more fun that way," Ray grinned. Mirralooked questioningly. And she noticed Clione is holding his smile too, and Anko coughed to hide his small laugh. She felt something is off.

"So... why the sub is not a he?"

"Shachi and Penguin insisted she. So we just follow," Ray shrugged.

"Hmm.. So you and Rain from the same island? Did he worked as mechanic too?"

Ray shook his head. "He was a farmer. We're siblings, actually, different by two years. Rain was antisocial."

Antisocial? He didn't look like on-

"I know what you think but he changed after joining the crew."

Mirra cleared her throat after being caught.

Ray gazed lightly with another chuckle. "He didn't like to interact with the people, because they didn't like him much (that came as a low murmur that Mirra barely heard) so he always isolated himself and focus on his plants."

"So...what happened next?"

"The thing about our town is there's a group of criminals living underground. They forced us to pay them with services or we'll be killed. They wasn't the nice guys and Rain is not the type to tolerate attitudes. They got into a fight and he was locked in the house while they burned it. Words reached me quite late and by the time I got there nothing was left. I knew who did that so I ran to their base. Heh, not really a good thing to do when I'm ganging up alone against a group of underground criminals". In Ray's head he could replay the moment of that night, every single details including the pain he felt. But the only thing Mirra could see from his black hues are excitement from relieving the memories.

"My life barely hung at the loose rope, till Shachi and Penguin burst in. They said they were coincidentally at the area when the fire licked our house and he had saved Rain, bringing him to the hospital. Rain knew I would run for revenge so he begged them to stop me. And that night, was the most beautiful thing I ever saw."

"Eh? What is it?"

"You have never seen Penguin and Shachi fought before so you don't know. They synced perfectly well, from their steps, stances, breathing... Perfect duo." Ray brought his fingers to his lips, chef kissed.

"True though. They could pull a performance," Anko chirped.

Clione nodded.

Ray continued.

"The two easily fought and defeated the criminals with their skill. No injuries spotted, and no blood other than the criminals' tainted their suit."

"Those two... Are very strong?" Mirra's brain wandered back at the moment the two asked her help to fight the witches with Law.

"Yes.. I think none of us other than captain and Bepo could outmatched them."

"Hmm... So you feel at debt and decided to join them?"

"Heh, not quite. Rain was the one eager to join them after being saved while I was not. I wanted to stay, but I lost a dual with him and immediately being kidnapped right in front of my ex-boss". He ended the story.

"I see... You went through a lot of detour" - she twirled her finger in a circle - "to tell me that you joined because Rain brought you along to the crew."

Ray chuckled. "It's more interesting that way, isn't it? In fact, I didn't feel the time passed while getting my laundry done", he raised his last cloth and rinsed it.

"Ahhh not fair! You distracted me from getting mine done!" Mirra immediately grabbed her undergarments and started scrubbing violently. Ray and Clione diverted their eyes, but Anko did not.He stared.

"Ray, you don't wanna tell them how you lost the dual with your brother? It doesn't look nice to tell a lady a younger brother was stronger than the older..." Anko wiggled his eyebrow suggestively. Mirra immediately turned to Ray, giving a questioning look before the said male sighed.

"Well, I guess I could wait you guys for a while. Rain accidentally slammed my balls when he slipped and fell on me. Then he took the chance to lock me down to the ground for 10 seconds, because that was the rule to win, and Shachi and Penguin declared him as the winner".

"Wha - isn't that cheating?" Mirra laughed heartily at that.

"It doesn't matter what I told them. They wanted to recruit me at the first place anyway and any objections are denied."

"Then, how about you Clione? Why you joined -" the door suddenly opened, loud bang! jolted everyone as it hit the wall. Hiro trudged in. And his face soured upon meeting eyes with the red-haired.

"Hey, how long more you four plan to hog the bathroom?" Hiro has dark brown hair, with light brown orbs. His hair slightly wavy and is combed backward, with a strand hanging down on his face, revealing a pair of menacing eyes. He has butt chin. He's a bit tan and well build, which Mirra was tempted to throw oil on him and take pictures and sell them to modelling magazine, magazine that featured naked muscled man in nothing but speedo.

"Others want to use them as well." He pointed his thumb to his back, breaking Mirra from spacing out. They took a glance, but they doubted they will see anyone standing behind him as if they are queueing waiting for turn.

"Why pick this bathroom if you want to wash them alone? There are more empty bathrooms at next. No need to chase us out," Anko said. He noticed the scowl that was directed to Mirra, but even he couldn't understand why.

"Which bathroom I choose is none of your concern. And I want my privacy. Like hell I will wash while having the girl's eyes lingering on my underwear," Hiro spat out.

"What, do you wear some sort of flashy underwear or something?" She raised her eyebrow in question.

"Maybe he scared you can tell his member size from his underwear. Not so big while his body is," Ray snickered.

"You know it's not true at all and I have a big -"

"Okay, I don't want to know any of your guys' sizes so drop it off. I've done anyway so you can have it to yourselves," she immediately squeezed out the remaining water from her clothes before standing up to leave. Clione gasped and Anko stood up as well while smirking at him. He whined for being leave behind.

"Not my fault you're a slowpoke," Anko snickered, watching Mirra gingerly wiped off the soap residue from his nose.

"Says the one who can't get his job done on time", Clione muttered back.

- - -

There's something majestic about fourteen-man pirate crew's entire laundry fluttering over the deck.

It is a hypnotizing clean linen that produced minty rosewood scent, an army of cotton bundles existed in many color. And aside from an array of ivory boiler suits that occupied most of the spaces there lies spotted jeans and striking yellow-and-black hoodie with the jolly roger taking the spot of being the most distinct clothes on the line, that no doubt belong to the captain. The laundry lines crisscrossing from the masts to the deck railings, and the tacky patterned boxers - heart pattern, Hawaiian pattern, random geometry and - oh my God, is that a hole? Nevermind I didn't see anything -and unmatched socks flapped proudly in the breeze. Luckily, the lines only occupied the back side of the deck, leaving the front and the top deck empty for the crew to sprawl around, tired after bathing in laundry soap.

"Aren't you wary of me?" the red-haired female clipped her last cloth at the empty space, the one reserved only for her, a little bit at the end of the line and far from any scavenging eyes, who may decide it is fun to go hunt some female's underwear.

"On what reason?" Ray, who had just done hanging his clothes leaned against the mast, waiting for her.

"I could've been planning to slaughter each one of you. So, it's understandable if you guys be more warry of me, like Hiro. But you guys seem like... fine with it. Fine without putting any surveillance to watch me around."

They both walked from the back deck to the front, joining the rest of the crew.

"We gave you lots of stare since the day you first stepped onto this sub. We thought it's fine to give you a bit of privacy now."

"So, you're fine with the fact that I could be planning to slaughter you all?"

"Will you?"

"I don't know... Won't I?" Mirra quirked her eyebrows, playfully teasing the silver haired.

Ray stared down at her face. He took a pause, giving a second thought, "you could, but I don't think it will happen", and dismissed it off. "You have plenty chances. In fact, you're incharge with our food and it took a second to drop something poisonous inside. What stop you till now?"

"The fact that your captain watched every time I cooked..."

"And how about the case when we got kidnapped? What make you helped him to save us?"

"Well I can't leave the island because I don't know how to steer the sub."

"You don't have to. You can just get a ship from the people and set sail on your own."

Mirra stopped walking and watched his back silently. Her brain brought her back to that day. It was still fresh like it just happened yesterday. Falling down to the basement as she watched Bepo tried to catch her, pressed against Law's chest as they bursted out from that sacred room, Penguin and Shachi bowing down with their quivered voice...

"The town's people can't leave either. You do remember that, right? The witches don't let anybody out leave and anybody in run."

"But you don't know about it. Logically thinking, you could've deny to help, refuse Shachi's plea but you dare yourself to take the chance and combine strength with captain to win. That was something you wish to do and Shachi only become the stepping stone for you to say yes."

Ray turned, watching the teen went silent as her gaze fixed on him.

"It doesn't matter whether you'd planned it before or not, your actions speak louder than the words. By now, I believe you won't do us any harm." Ray stretched out his hand reaching to her head. He gently pat,soon grin found its way as he tousled her hair and leave it in mess.

"Hey!" Mirra pushed his hand away and Ray's loud laugh broke the peaceful silence.

"But incase I was wrong, then you just have to prove it. Till the day comes when you bare your blades against us we'll just have to wait. And we'll do anything it takes", Ray slightly bent down to be on the same height with her, "to take you down and throw you overboard, that if captain didn't find you to fit as a subject to experiment on."

Mirra momentarily stunned. That brilliant shining black hues that stared at her own eye hues, that smooth threats that slipped from his lips, that playful grin of his that - oh he has a dimple! - made her slightly tensed...

He is sure a handsome one. A pleasant to the eyes and could swoon any girls with his charming smile. Polite and soft-spoken, and intellectual brain made him looked more mature then his age is. Being not a pervert added to bonus as Mirra is more comfortable to be around him, as he always shooed the crew away when they started to act pervert.

Mirra felt a slight pang in her heart knowing that she had successfully - if not fully - deceived them with her kindness. She knew the time will come when she will show her true intentions, and like Ray just said it just a matter of time for her to prove him wrong. But secretly, she's started to enjoy sailing with this rambunctious, loud and obnoxious crew. Their laughs, jokes and helps made her feel welcomed, a feeling that she longed for.

Betrayals, tasted bitter by her lips.

"You okay, Mirra?" Ray's hand on her shoulder brought her back from spacing out.

"Yeah I was just thinking," she replied, emotionlessly.

"Hey, they you are!"

Shachi's voice brought them to turn their attention to him. The red-haired quickened his steps and greeted them with large grin.

"We are playing games. Wanna join?"

- - -

Sat in a malformed circle the crew plus the hitchhiker stressed over the cards in hands. Few rounds had passed and each player had at least win once - except Bepo, he's down bad at it - until Clione threw the cards in the air whining, and tired because everyone was caught cheating and they have to restart every time it happens, and getting stuck between shouts and bickers from everyone.

The mood changed and the cards were set aside as they changed to 'Truth or Dare'. Bepo sat out from this game, and decided to sleep and seeing how peaceful his face is Mirra regretted for not joining him instead.

"Penguin, I thought it's captain's privilege to use Bepo's stomach as pillow?" Clione quipped as he stared in jealousy, maybe?

"Nah... it's a privilege to me, Shachi and captain. We have known each other for so long and even started this crew you think we will bare fangs and be sulky to lean against one another? Of course you guys can try too but Bepo might not be happy about it." Penguin snickered as he leaned even more against Bepo. Others grunted in jealousy.

"My turn! Mirra-chan, truth or dare?" Shachi cut in.

"Dare. Give me your worst. But no perverted stuff involve." Mirra resolved to the painful fate.

"Don't worry I wasn't thinking of any. Here is your dare. You are to eat these chillies within a minute," Shachi handed over a bowl of red and green chilies. Mirra stared at the bowl, then at Shachi - he won't stop smiling does his face knows no cramp? - then back to the bowl before gulping down her saliva, regretting the twisted mocking fate called her decision.

"Don't you think it's too much, Shachi? You gonna kill her," Penguin asked worriedly.

Shachi took a long look at the bowl and glanced up to an innocent begging look of her. He sighed and took out a handful of them.

"There, should be fine now." He earned a silent stare from everyone.

"That doesn't make any different dumbass!"

"It does! Look I took out a handful of these it should be fine now!" Shachi shoved the chillies to Penguin's face.

"You should ask her to eat the ones in your hands instead!"

"What? No!! That's too easy!"

"And what if she hurt herself?!"

"Captain is downstairs so I don't see a problem." Shachi proudly said. "Besides we have water, milk, honey and some sugar here if she couldn't take it," he gave Penguin a cheeky grin, and the latter sighed and gave up.

The breeze blew Shachi's hair lightly radiating a cheerful yet childish feature on him.

"Well this is no problem, I just swallow them as whole - "

"No can't do. You must at least chew them. If you lose, you need to give 200 belli to me."

If Mirra thought he looked cute early with his never ending smile now she's pretty sure he is a satan himself.

"Fine! Don't underestimate me you jerk, I'm gonna do this," Mirra shouted, raising her hands up to the sky.

"Ready? One minute begins from...NOW!"

She started right away with a big grab. The third, or maybe the forth, her grab faltered and her mouth stilled as the spice started to burn her tongue. Immediately one hand reached to the jug at her side and she started to chug. When the first jug empty, she took the second. And what was once shouts of worries turned to a chant "chug! chug! chug!" without an ounce of sympathy to the struggling female.

Mirra tried to force another handful of chillies to her mouth, but it seemed her hand has its own mind as it resisted itself from getting nearer to her already burning lips. Her other hand tightly clenching the jug's handle that Penguin believed she already cracked it with her strength.

In her struggle one minute passed and she lose the challenge. She then hastily uncapped a two-litter bottle of milk and poured all the liquid down her throat. It was burning, fucking hell, and her ears rang and stung from the spiciness. She ignored the liquid that trailed down her neck to her chest, despite could tell the crew won't pass the chance to look at her cleavage that was exposed to the air because she left the three top buttons unbuttoned.

"Well... it's look likes I went overboard with the amount. You okay there Mirra-chan?" Shachi started to feel guilty.

"You think?" Mirra slammed the now half empty bottle of milk on the deck, panting heavily with her eyes twitching involuntarily. She could feel her lips swollen, face burning hot, stinging ear and messy hair with saliva slightly drooled off her mouth, probably giving a so not lady-like look that she couldn't care.

Shachi took a second look at her face before he started laughing hysterically.

"Ppffttt I'm sorry Mirra-chan, but you look so funny. Ahahahaha, your lips...they are funnily swollen!!"

"Shit, Shachi. I don't think it's a funny matter", Penguin scooted closer with his fingers lightly holding Mirra's chin inspecting the lips. Upon the contact, Mirra tensed and backed away. Penguin sensed the hostility in the air and he apologized immediately.

Shachi's non-stop laugh was cut short when Ray bonk his head, creating a lump and the rest snickered.

"Sorry", Shachi silently muttered.

After a while the game continued and with no one wanted to take the truth the dares gradually becoming more creative and unplayable, resulting with everyone surrendered and pay for the lose instead.

One time, Penguin put a dare on Rain to invite Law for the game, and minutes after, they heard his scream followed by a long plea asking for forgiveness before it went silent.

Rain never come back.

"What happened?" Mirra asked. The others looked at Penguin expectantly, as they were wondering the same thing. Penguin's smirk never leave his face.

"Captain told me he'll be busy in his office. And here's an advice, Mirra-chan, do not disturb our captain for something trivial. Or you'll be punished."

"And here I'm the devil for feeding Mirra-chan chillies," Shachi mumbled.

"Why? What kinda punishment he received?"

"Either captain cut out one of his body parts and hide it away for the rest of the day or cut him in multiple pieces before placing them around the sub." Shachi shuddered, "you don't want that to happen to you."

It was a short silence as everyone's faces, except Mirra's turned gloomy as they reminiscing some nightmares that they'd face before.

"Well, since Rain is out... Penguin, truth or dare?" Mirra broke the silence as she brought back the game to their attention.

"Truth."

"Hmmm... oh here's one. How does your hair looks like?"

There's a static silent. "They're short".

"Dude, is that even an answer?" Ray sweatdropped.

"Yeah, how your real face looks like without that hat? Come on, take it off," Mirra inquired more. Her hand still busy scooping some sugar and let it melt in her mouth to sooth her burning tongue.

"We agreed one question at a time. Also I'm taking a question not a challenge," he shrugged. This raised unsatisfied look among the others, because no one, except Shachi, Bepo and Law has seen his real look without the hat.

"Wait, none of you knows how his hair looks like? Not even the color?"

"No since he didn't share his room with us and his stupid hat always there on his head. I bet it's glued to his thick skull and unremovable anynways", they mumbled.

"Really? Shachi, won't you tell me - "

"I'm sorry Mirra-chan. I can't say a thing if Penguin doesn't want too."

"Come on dude, how long more you gonna hide it from us? Aren't we friends?" one of them asked.

"Whether showing my hair to you guys or not doesn't have anything to do with our friendship. I prefer to keep it this way," Penguin snickered, adding more fuel to his friends who already fumed in anger.

"Just take off that damn hat already," one of them lunged forward and grabbed his collar.

"Hey, no fighti- " Shachi was cut abruptly as he suddenly being pushed from behind to lay flat on his stomach with his hand twisted to behind.

"Quick, grab his hat!" The pirate hollered.

But Penguin swiftly kicked the guy who's holding his collar, squared on his chest with his boot sending him flying away from their close distance.

Everyone - saved for Shachi, Ray, Bepo and baffled Mirra - immediately stood up, lunging themselves toward Penguin. They hugged his torso and lock his hands, trying to snatched his hat away.

Penguin forcefully freed his arms as he twirled and twisted using his martial art skills to throw them all.

Shachi meanwhile, rolled over his body, grabbed the pirate by the wrist and pinned him down under him. His smirk widened watching his shocked face.

"You are 100 years too early to hold me captive."

Mirra watched from the side, giggled at the guy's misfortune whom asked for her help.

Feeling like to participate in the plan of 'snatching Penguin's hat' Mirra got up and quickly slipped behind Penguin. One hand caught his wrist and twisted it to the back and jerked it upward while another wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer to her chest forcing him to bent backwards painfully due to their great difference in height.

"A good martial artist like you shouldn't be taken lightly when locking your movement," she smiled gently, putting more force as she pulled the hand at the back, earning low hisses from the male. Slowly, Mirra slide one leg in between Penguin's legs, readied to hook him and make him fall flat on his chest, until something stopped her. A thought came running into her mind.

What if...there's a reason he doesn't want to show his hair? Something that he wished to not let anybody knows...

Her grip loosened and Penguin immediately freed his locked arm and dug down from the arm around his neck. Putting a great force on his legs, he then back flipped over Mirra's head, landing smoothly with a loud thud behind her.

To say that Mirra was surprised is understatement. She was baffled! Left speechless! And awed in amazement! She went wide eyed. It is impossible flip backward when she, or anyone, is closed behind him. But he pulled it off swiftly. That speaks a lot about his skills! Skills that she shouldn't underestimate..

"Mirra, why you let him go?"

"We could've gotten look at how his hair is," they screamed.

Mirra watched Penguin calculatingly. From his stance alone she knew it won't be easy to tackle him again now that he's aware of her. But she's no longer interested to catch him. She didn't care.

Mirra plopped down back on her previous sit, spooning a spoonful of honey to her mouth while the rest looked puzzled.

"What are you doing?!"

"Let's catch him together, Mirra!"

"I'm not interested to see his hair anymore," Mirra shrugged off and scooped another spoon of honey before humming in delight over the taste.

"Wait, what? Why suddenly - "

"Forget about her. We can handle Penguin alone. Someone holds Shachi. I bet he's going to help Penguin to escape."

"I don't think Penguin will ever need my help from you lots," Shachi laughed gleefully knowing very well the strength of his friends.

Hence, the chaos began, killing the tranquillity of the day. Lots of 'thud' and 'ouch' can be heard, but so far no one is pinning down Penguin. Shachi is still holding down the previous guy to the deck, and he's been complaining at how unfriendly Shachi's hold is against his wrists.

Mirra playfully offered him the honey as she laughed at his misery.

Eventually the noise has invited the captain of the crew to go to the deck. Knowing how stupid they can be sometimes, Law believed one or two of them will end up in his infirmary room. And he needed to prevent that from happening because medicine is getting expensive and he's not too delighted to spend more than what he already did for the female and also their previous injuries.

Hiro tagged along with an intention to scold anyone that's making the noise.

The door to the deck opened and Law stepped out of it, followed by Hiro closely who started to shout, "what's going on -" but was sent flying to the inside when a body collided with him. Law was lucky to not get caught because he was fast enough to dodge the flying human missile. But Hiro wasn't.

Penguin stared in shock, jaw dropped and sweating bullets in his throwing pose. His life almost slipped away from his eyes. Luckily the captain avoided it, or he will suffer the repercussions.

Law took a quick glance. Few Hearts lying unconsciously on the deck with lump on their heads.

Two Hearts are still standing, staggering to be precise.

Shachi is comfortably sitting on a poor guy whom already lost all his energy to fight.

Bepo is sleeping nearby.

Ray is sitting next to him.

Mirra is sitting next to him, with a jar of honey and spoon in hands.

"What's going on here?" his voice brought those that still conscious an attention, but they stayed silent, trying their best to form words.

"We were playing games," Mirra said with cheerful voice.

"And the game requires you guys to throw punches and sending each other flying?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"At the beginning, no. But they decided to spice up the game and here we are." She hummed lightly at the lovely taste of the honey.

"Shachi, explain." Law demanded.

"Yes captain!" Shachi immediately rose from his sit. "We were playing Truth or Dare, before Mirra-chan asked how Penguin's hair looks like. Penguin refused to tell us, so the others got enraged and decided to snatch Penguin's hat to look at his hair. Penguin was defending himself and things got head wired and they were throwing out each other," Shachi pointed his finger to Penguin and the rest, clearly not wanting himself to be part of the commotion contributor.

Law took note of the half-full bowl of chillies, few empty jugs, one and a half empty bottle of milk, ketchup, soy sauce, chilli and tomato sauce, some half-eaten fruits like apples and cherries along with bread and toothpaste lying around Mirra's side assuming those were what involved in that stupid game. Whatever the hell they had challenged each other, Law didn't want to know.

He heard faint voice of hers asking Ray whether her lips still swollen from eating all those chillies and Ray shook his head as a reply, causing him to sweatdrop and stop himself from imagining whatever pain her lips and tongue has suffered from their, again, stupid game.

The captain sighed.

"Clean up all the mess and bring those passed out inside. We are having a short meeting in the mess hall and everyone must present," he jerked his thumb backwards and readied himself to descend back to the submarine before, out of sudden, Hiro burst out of the door with a howling shout.

"Who the fuck throw Clione at me?!!"

"Me, you got a problem with that?" Penguin said, clearly not feeling guilty at all.

"You, motherf- hold on, what's going on here!! What's this mess!!!" He looked around, eyes bulging out and ready to squish someone in between his biceps.

Hiro eyes caught on the female that is still busy licking the honey-coated-spoon without a care to the world. Immediately, all of his accusation fell on her and he rushed forward towering over the small female.

"YOU!!! What did you do?!!" he shouted to her face.

Mirra's eyes shifted to left and right, before "nothing..." him.

"Don't 'nothing' me. And why are you eating the honey from the jar! This is for everyone and no one wants your saliva-coated-spoon to dig in and out of the jar!" He snatched away the jar, looked at it, and found it empty.

"Hmmm... you want the spoon instead? There's a little bit more left here. Sorry since there's no more honey in the jar for you..." she offered, but Hiro slapped her hand away, sending the spoon miles to the deck. Mirra frowned at it.

Seriously, what's his problem?

"You finished the honey? Then did you finish those things as well?" he pointed his finger to the remaining chillies, milk, sauces and whatever there.

"No, I couldn't finish the chillies because its too spicy but I drank up all the water and the milk. As well as feeding on the sugar and the honey because my tongue and lips were numbing."

Mirra knew he'll anger him more, but she stood by the policy of being honest even if it's nonsense. Or suicidal. Whichever comes first.

"Don't just eating our food like it belongs to you!"

"It was part of the game, if you gonna blame someone, blame the one who asked me to eat chillies", she jerked her thumb to Shachi, whom idly putting his hands in his pockets and telling Hiro to chill down.

"You even started this commotion and look now everyone passed out!"

"Hey, they are the one who wanted to look at Penguin's hair. I was just asking him the question and drop it afterwards since he doesn't want to talk about that," she knocked his finger away.

Maybe doing that is not a good idea, since the male started to have gas out of his ears. But Mirra won't sit still if his accusing finger getting nearer to her eye as if wanting to poke it.

"You should be grateful I didn't participate in this childish fight or I might have freeze everyone in ice cubes," she snorted, completely annoyed with Hiro trying to blame her on everything.

"No need to get so work up, Hiro. Why you have to be so hostile towards her? She is our guest," Ray stood up in defence.

"Yeah because she is a guest, she needs to know her place very well. Who gives her the damn right choice to eat all the food?"

"She compensated them back by cooking our meal, its not like she is freeloading." Shachi grumbled. He totally didn't like with the idea of making Mirra feels bad while being on the submarine. He liked to have her as a company here. Having a female on board at least make them more energetic and cheerful, because who in the world would love to spend 24 hours bumping into male's face all the time? Their captain, maybe. But not them.

"Look, if this ever make you feel better, I actually did spend some of my money to buy your groceries."

"You did?" Law walked casually to her.

"Yeah, ever check what your men brought back from the market? Carbohydrates wise, they are a lot, enough for me to feed everyone. But fibre and vitamins are less. You're a doctor, you know eating too much of carbs and fats are not good. You have to watch your crew before they turn to a bunch of useless-fatty-Hearts". Mirra side glared Hiro, ticking him before turning back to face Law.

"Though I must apologize since I used your name when asking them to buy the stuff."

"Captain, she even used your name to get whatever she wants!"

Hiro must be really mad since he started to spout saliva while talking.

"I said I'm sorry."

"I'm not happy with you using my name to order my crew, Mirra-ya, but I let it go this time. If you have anything in your mind to voice out, like our healthy diet or anything that you need tell me so I can take a proper measure."

Mirra looked away from meeting his eyes. They are looking serious. Law wasn't happy. And she didn't like the glare he directed to her.

Law took a step forward, and she slightly flinched before looking up again, eventually nodding her head, complying to his demand.

Law turned on his heels looking back at his crew. "Everyone get inside the sub, we are going to have a meeting now."

"Captain, you can't - "

"I see no reason to scold them for playing games and Mirra-ya did mentioned she paid for some of the food. She might be hitchhiking but she did her job just like what we've agreed. And everyone should respect Penguin's privacy. It's their fault to force Penguin to remove his hat and he knocked them unconscious."

Hiro bite his lip, scoffing but never direct his anger to Law. He respected him. But he isn't satisfied with Law's final say.

"Don't waste any more time. Let's start the meeting."

- - -

Mirra plopped down on her bed, groaning when her muscles cried for finally hitting thekinda but not so soft mattress. She's a little bit tired than usual, thanks to some of the Hearts irritating attitude. She rolled on her back, a palm slapped on her forehead as she stared hole to the ceiling above.

- Flashback.. -

It has been an hour since the meeting carried on, and Mirra has isolated herself at the back deck, where linen is drying under the shy sun. She felt more at ease with the scent from the clothes invading her nose while reading the book that she randomly picked from their library. The tales of the kraken with a princess?? Sure, she snorted.

She flipped the page, getting caught in the part of his body started to melt, and he screams in agony as his pale skin slowly turning to burn pink. Dark irregular spots formed and scattered on his skins and eight long tentacles extruded from his - sea gulls squawked loudly interrupted her reading. She looked up, noticing few of them are hanging on the lines.

Mirra didn't like where's this thing going. She felt like someone - or something - is going to be murdered, and as she squinted her eyes to shoo away the birds through intense glare and telepathic mind a poop suddenly dropped to one of the strings, too close to one of the Heart's boxers.

Immediately ice shot up and caught the birds within the perimeter. Those that didn't get caught hastily flapped away, screaming loudly sending messages to the others to leave immediately. They saluted their fallen friends - in ice chunk, eyes widened - and disappeared behind the horizon.

Mirra closed her book with a satisfied smile. She rubbed her neck lightly and stretched her body before decided to collect all the clothes and fold it in rec room. It took her solid 30 minutes to fold everything, separated and organized them accordingly based on the names written at the inside of the boiler suits, and piling everything else like the underwear and socks together because she has no idea which belongs to whom. The amount of clothes took every single space of the room; the couch, the tables, some random chairs scattering around that definitely didn't suit the interior style but who is she to judge?

She took a full round look again and was actually quite surprise with her findings. There's no boxers with their jolly roger on it! And socks! No socks have their pride sewn on it! With Law's sense of fashion Mirra believed it bounds to reach every single little cloth he owns. But guess she wasn't lucky to spot one today.

Eventually she left the room and headed to the mess hall. Dinner will be in two hours she got to start prepping.

Hesitated at first, she held back her fist from knocking as to not interrupt but decided to roll with it and proceed with her duty anyways. Immediately everyone's eyes locked on her the moment she opened the door.

"Tra-san, I didn't mean to interrupt your discussion, but it's about time I cook for dinner. Unless you want me to cook later than usual."

"Don't worry about that. We're finishing anyways. You can proceed with your job." Law spoke.

"Okay. Just so you know, I already collect and fold your crew's clothes from the deck and put them in the rec room. It looks like it's going to rain soon. The lines are all coiled together and in the rec room too. Also, I caught few seagulls just now, they probably dead frozen in the ice chunk. Can some of you remove the ice and pull their feathers? We can have the meat as our food tomorrow."

"Why did you catch the birds?"

"They were pooping."

The crew sighed and grumbled. Anko deflated on the table murmured 'all his effort went to waste' but Mirra immediately assured him that none of the clothes has been hit by the shit.

They sighed in relief.

- - -

Her hands might be busy stirring and frying the prepped teriyaki chicken on pan, but it didn't stop her ears from listening to their conversation. Law was asking his men about things that they are lacking off.

Number of them requested for a proper cook since they'll be eating pile of *cough* garbages again once Mirra left. And even if Mirra wanted to stay longer, their own cook can lead the session and reduced her workload so she won't be too tired from feeding fourteen mouths thrice a day.

At first Mirra felt touched with their attention, and she felt shame for her own intention is to bring harm on them. But Hiro's word next came out and it hurt her badly. But why would she? She's not part of them she should care less. Or was it because, she started to look for acceptance through their kindness, of accepting her as a guest here? Was she started to depend on them?

Hiro's claim that they won't need to keep Mirra onboard and cater her needs anymore after having own cook triggered arguments from Shachi. Penguin grunted all the way but he didn't pushed the fact that Mirra should consider leaving before it's too late. And Loki and James actually supported Hiro while Xan stayed silent and the rest...conflicted between decisions.

When the arguments heated Law slammed his palm on the table quieted them down. He promised to recruit a capable cook that willing to join the crew on the next island but for the time being they have to deal with what they have and the fact that no sane cook will willingly want to join a pirate ship if they already have a better life of not being chased by marines.

Once Law closed the subject and the cricket making noise Anko raised his hand, up high in the air begging for someone else to take over his role as a laundry maker. Law countered back asking if he has the ability to cook that he can switch to but he denied so he gave his signature glare that caused him to succumb in defeat. Anko tried to reason back that he's not the official laundry maker, he was simply asked to do because he lost that one time bet, which is a totally bad move because soon after Law pointed him as one officially. The rest cheered and he slumped his face in a total defeat.

The last request came from the navigator of the crew, Bepo. He needed someone to chart maps for all islands they have visited and keep the records neatly and nicely. Which immediately caused everyone to turn and shout "its your job to chart the map!" to his face. Bepo tearing, apologized badly and hided his face in his paws admitting he couldn't draw and his draw is terribly bad it gave him confusion just by looking at them.

Law calmed him down by telling him his drawings...are not really that bad - lies... He couldn't even look for more than 10 seconds at Bepo's charted map - and promised that if along their journey someone new wanted to join and has drawing skills he will assign them to help him.

Law ended the meeting when there's no more important things to discuss. He took note some of them already went to a lala land while another furiously tapping his foot on the floor because he needs to use toilet. As soon as he dismissed them everyone left, heading to their own respective place and to relieve their aching back. Law remained seated, because it is his duty to watch after her whenever she cook.

Dinner time approached and everyone swarmed back in. It was supposed to be a peaceful dinner, - if everyone put aside the loud and noisy chatter away - but someone just have the guts to complain about the food, truly testing Mirra's patience beyond the bar.

"This chicken is too sweet. How did you cook it?" Loki grumbled, spit his chicken back onto his plate.

"It was called teriyaki chicken for a reason.." Mirra ignored the fact he just spitted and calmly spoke.

"But it's too sweet..."

"It's not. you're the only one complaining here, I think you have some problem with your tongue. Need me to recommend you a doctor? Here!" She pointed her finger to Law who's by Bepo's side, who's by Hiro's side, who's sitting opposite to her. "Tra-san is a doctor. Make an appointment with him."

"I can't eat this! I don't want to eat it! Make me something else!"

Mirra's chopstick snapped into two, and Rain immediately interjected. "It's not nice to put off someone's effort and ask them to do other things Loki," he frowned.

"Well she is willing to cook more pancakes when captain refused to eat sandwiches and cook new dishes when he rejected the umeboshi in his rice ball. Why can't she cook new meal for me?"

"It's because he is the captain and he was the one treated me last time. And in the agreement we reached, he never mention I need to follow the stomach of the crew. So shut up and eat!" She slapped the broken chopsticks onto the table.

"Why are you being a sour-puss. Just cook me a new one!" Loki slammed his fist discontent.

"You have no right to order me, brick face! If you don't want to eat, then you can skip the meal and pray that tomorrow's meal will be not sweet at all!"

"Enough! We are eating whatever she cook as long as it is harmless. And if any of you doesn't like the food you may cook your own dinner". Law snapped. And everyone stayed silent.

But in the midst of silent dissatisfaction and anger Mirra heard a murmur and she got up, taking her food to her room, to eat by herself.

"The crew has been bickering ever since she came", yes, she heard them loud and clear. And she knew it is the breaking point for everything. She's not supposed to do whatever she's doing at the moment. She has a mission, and she has been delaying Law's death for weeks. She has to get back on track.

- Back to the present.. -

Mirra was half asleep when the knocks on her door disturbed her rest. She stirred, half-awake and called "come in" to the person on the other side.

"Mirra-chan, are you okay?" Shachi's head popped in, next is Penguin's. She opened her eyes slightly before rubbing them gently with her knuckles.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Can we come in?" Penguin asked. He had a pink hue on his cheek.

"Sure, anything you want to tell me?" she watched the men getting comfortable at the edge of the bed.

"Are you okay? I know Hiro and Loki were being harsh and we are sorry for that." Shachi scratched his back head, not sure how to say it.

"You don't have to come and apologise for them. I don't accept apologize on behalf of others if they don't feel bad themselves."

Shachi's face disheartened and Mirra sighed.

"I get why they don't like me being here. I'm just a guest. You guys are a full time pirates. You are not supposed to carry me everywhere for fun."

"But you cook. You pay back. Not that you're freeloading."

"I know.. But this is their family, you are all his family. And I'm not. Of course he will be uncomfortable." Mirra smiled lightly.

Shachi and Penguin looked at each other, and looked at her again. "We want you to know that even though Hiro and Loki didn't like you here, we do. And most of us are."

"Yeah.. Captain has been leaving his office frequently too. I take that as an improvement." Penguin casually leaned against Shachi, bumping shoulders with him and they both laughed at only things they knew.

Mirra cheekily laughed, threading fingers between her hair. "Does he really spend most of his time in there?"

"All the time." Shachi quickly answered.

"And he barely sleep, waking up at ungodly hour. Coffee is part of his blood though." Penguin quipped.

"That's impossible." Mirra creased her eyebrows.

"Logically yes. But nothing actually impossible in this grand line."

She laughed along with the two, quietly satisfied at the peace she got from them.

Then something suddenly hit Penguin's brain, like a light bulb switched on on his head.

"Why don't you join our crew, Mirra-chan?" His voice boomed loudly in her room, startling her a bit as he leaned forward near to her face. She swore she saw flowers blooming around his face.

"I'm sorry I can't." It's like watching thunder strike him. The blooming flowers withered and blanket of depression appeared behind them.

"But why Mirra-chan? Why?" Shachi overreacted with fake tears while Penguin mumbled incoherent words, finger drew circles on the mattress. Mirra sighed again for the night.

"It's a secret. A secret that makes a woman, a woman," she winked with her index finger in front of her lips, making a 'keep quite' gesture. Invisible arrows of heart shot them immediately, making them stunned comically and head-banged each other.

"Ar-are you two okay?"

Man, flirting with them might not be a good thing. I shouldn't do that again... Maybe.

They grumbled in their breath, dismissing her worry as she watched them in doubt. Who wouldn't? Shachi was covering his nose and she did saw blood trickled down from it.

Grasping their hands Mirra thanked them for their kindness and welcoming invitation. She truly meant it when she said they make her days more interesting and meaningful despite being a stranger. She enjoyed making friends with them all, and laughing and watching them being idiot and being punished by the captain... And because of that she couldn't bring to her lips that she is actually on a mission that she couldn't withdraw. Her smile faltered but it went unnoticed by them.

Mirra excused herself as she felt sleepy and wanted to rest for the night. Shachi and Penguin nodded his head and picked up the plate of her dinner from the floor, wishing her a goodnight as they left the room. After the two left Mirra rubbed her face with her palm.

Two more nights.. Then I'll do it. It's time, no more hesitation...

She closed her eyes, playing few scenarios at the back of her mind of how the event will turn, and how she expect them to react and how she will get the job done. Releasing a heavy breath she gave a final rub and stripped off her shirt, leaving herself in her red strips sports bra and pants from the day before falling asleep again.

To be continued

Thanx for reading

- redheaded997 -