A/N:

Trigger warning: rape, sexual assault, abuse, slavery

Dear readers, I'm mentioning this because just as a precaution in case any of you have been in this situation before and easily get triggered or uncomfortable when talking about this. I tried to make it as light and as vague as possible but I'm not truly sure about the risk it implied. So read at your own risk.

However, I think I can do another version of this chapter, that barely or doesn't talk about any of those triggers at all. What do you think? Should I do that? So that at least those that can get triggered easily won't be left out from this chapter.

Help me by telling your thoughts about this, kay?

10. Hearts are on their way

The plan is... To never have a plan...

Strong breeze blew fiercely as a woman in red hair skidded out from the clouded hail.

Her cheeks still puffed as some of the cold breeze sipping out of the gap, and she blew harder to create more cold breeze that successfully immobilized the crew. She took the opportunity to cut them with her blade. But her ears perked up at the ringing gun shots in the air, and instinctively she diverted her steps to avoid the coming bullet.

Let it be the lead-antimony alloy or sea stone bullets, both are troublesome.

Looking up at the sky as she sensed danger approaching, barely back to her stance from when she was avoiding the bullet, she saw a giant eagle rained down with its beak aimed to her torso. She pulled her blade and it clashed with the beak, all while slightly tripping before pushing it away.

Mirra fell on one knee at the same time her hand swiped horizontally shooting icicle flocks. The creature flapped its large wings and interrupted the flow of those flocks sending them aimlessly to everywhere. It cocked its head in proud, while she scoffed and spat saliva mixed with her blood onto the floor.

Sweats continued dripping down her chin despite how cold the air around her. She exhaled tiny bits of cold mist while her brain raked thousand ways of holding up while waiting for the Hearts to come to her rescue. She noticed three executives slowly circling her, but she didn't let them interrupted her thought.

Mirra is not really an optimist, and she definitely didn't think trusting a pirate is a good idea.

Like she'd said previously, Trafalgar Law will benefit nothing from helping her, and betrayal is common in alliance. He could have been a stow away from her right now, continuing his journey and dismissing his promise.

But she knew he wouldn't.

Not because Law is a man of word, neither he is a man who acts upon kindness (she couldn't tell whether he is one of the kind guy or not, and not that she cared about that), but simply because in her possession she has his most valuable prize as a 'hostage', making the captain will definitely fulfilling his promise regardless what.

Had she told him that she had sent that 'hostage' to one of the towns in North Blue, Law with no doubt will once again cross the Mountain Reverse, get to the town, save the 'hostage' and get back to Grand Line just to kick her ass.

And that said hostage is his favorite scalpel that she stole just an hour before her departure.

- - -

- Two days before... -

"What do you mean the submarine can't move for a while?" the female half-screamed, half-whispered. Her laboured breathing didn't do justice as she sucked up big air to calm her racing heart.

"As I said, the air conditioning plants has catastrophically failed. It is used to cool sensitive equipment on board, which now, has begin to shut down. So we can't set sail at the moment," Law mentally assessing her condition, wary of her own body to suddenly knock out due to tiredness. However Mirra didn't show the sign of it to happen, and if anything she only scoffing away disappointed at the news that she just heard.

Law wiped away the sweats that trailed down his chin with the back of his hand, feeling the heat that still creeping to the deck of where everyone currently is. His pants had spots of wetness due to his own sweats, and his shirt has long gone as he removed it to cool down his searing skin. More sweats trailed down in between his abs and muscular body.

Mirra sighed, eyebrows knitted close while fingers threaded in her hair as she bite her lips, looking left and right to find a solution to her current problem. Law just watched her silently.

Just 20 minutes ago, the crew received an alarming state from the monitor in the control room, indicating something went wrong to the air conditioner. Immediate action was taken as the submarine surfaced with the hatch and the door to the deck immediately opened, along with windows at the upper level to let the steam escaped. The crew meanwhile had rushed to the deck for clearing air, and thanks to their boiling suit none of them suffered from any burn.

Law however, had ignored the steam. He instead rushed to the problem area, and attempted to enter the room. Mirra knows nothing about the submarine but when she heard Shachi screamed "STOP CAPTAIN!!!" and Penguin's "YOU GONNA GET BURN THE STEAM IS TOO HOT INSIDE!" and was pushed by Hiro who said nothing but just scowling (like usual) she knew she had to follow him and make herself useful. Because Hiro knew she can encased both of herself and Law with cold breeze, preventing two or worst, third degree burn from happening to his beloved captain. And if she didn't caught that message through his facial expression earlier she bet her ass will be thrown into the sea for being too slow to catch.

Like predicted by the two mechanics they were blasted with searing heat upon entering, and they immediately backed away because no one can reach there. The equipment was too hot and need to be cooled on its own before they can do anything.

Then after sometimes they came out with a plan to have Mirra continuously blowing cool blizzard inside to speed up the cooling process. But even so it took her no less than 3 hours to get the equipment at a mild heat, leaving her exhausted at the end but still not safe enough for the crew to come down and make a fix. They still had to wait and ensure every of the equipment - deep and lied within each other - were cool enough to human's touch.

"This will take whole night, even with your power, Mirra-chan." Penguin approached them with a grimace.

Mirra 'tsk', and looked away as Law pinched the bridge of his nose. With two more days left from reaching the island both of them were in tight situation. If Mirra's late to the meet up the mark on her back will be activated. If they forced the submarine to keep sailing then more damage could happen.

Mirra had no choice but to make her own way to the island.

- - -

Putting her life in a risky action she finally reached Wooley Island, after half day flying in the sky, reaching there by a very late night. It was a new technique that she'd developed, by growing a pair of iced wings from her back. While the wings helped by flipping them so she will thrust forward, it was mainly the breeze that she constantly controlled around her body that keep her floated. She has her wings as large as it could, covering up to 70% of her body if she ever pulls a defense with it, and iced tail at her tailbone replicating a dragon feature.

But using the technique consumed large portion of her energy, because she needs to constantly let her power flow. Flying across the sea with the technique is not advisable because if she runs out of energy in the middle of flying then she will drop down and drown. But because she got no other choice she has to do it, and so she prayed that her luck will be with her that night.

Thankfully, her wish came true (though probably she'd used a year worth of lucks) and reached the island safely, though exhausted.

So the first thing she did once touching the sandy beach of the island was to plop down, lay flat on her stomach and stay still for hours because she immediately fell asleep. When she woke up it was the next day, a young girl with a boy had woke her up and asked if she was okay.

Mirra waved their worries, at the same time getting up and popped some muscles to release any strained one. She then head to the city, of where she looked for a temporary hotel room to get herself clean and put on her disguise before getting breakfast.

10.30 a.m., fully dressed in a black shirt under her navy blue cloak and hat on her head, hair tucked under it she stepped out of the hotel, ready to meet her captain and enact the plan. On her way to where her captain and crew is she eavesdropped on the chit chats of the villagers, whom are content with their current happy and peaceful life. Children, cats and dogs are also playing around, running passed her way without any fear or worry.

Mirra smiled. She can sensed the peace the city behold. There's no sign of danger or depression looming over them, so she felt contended.

It must be good to live in peace...

Finally, she reached her destination. The huge brown ship of Cardinal pirates presented in her eyes, towering over her body as she looked up. She huffed out a huge amount of air, then straightened up the collar of her cloak before zipping it all the way up, covering almost her whole face; from under her nose to the knees. Her eyes slightly saddened, at the fact that she's back to her crew.

She tapped her toes gently against the ground, bending her knees slightly before jumped, high enough to reach the railing. Her silent arrival went unnoticed by everyone, so she peeked from under the brim of her cap to look around. And the view that was laid into her eyes was not pleasant at all.

Furry immediately took over and her expression changed to a cold demeanour one. She hoped down from the railing and headed straight to a group of three of where the sobbing sound could be heard. The closer she get the louder the whimper and the begs are. A woman, unfortunately being groped and forced to serve the two men were pleading to be released, but being pushed instead to get sandwiched by the two jerks.

Their evil laughs, savouring the fun of pressuring the weak boiled Mirra's blood, up to a degree of where she would have just run her hand through their chests and grabbed their hearts, squeezing it to burst. But instead, she grabbed the back's collar of one of the men and turned him around so he fell overboard, while another one is kicked right at the stomach, sending him crouching. The commotion immediately gained everyone's attention, as they got tensed before brains slowly registered that someone has intruded their ship.

Mirra glared at the broken look of the woman, of whom legs has gave off and slumped down, tears streaking down from her face. As her body visibly shaken Mirra found another anger unlocked, deep seethed in her heart. She immediately removed the cloak she's wearing, wrapping it around the woman to cover he ripped clothes that failed to cover much of her skin.

"Oi oi. Who are you to suddenly barge in our ship?" Weapons pulled and aimed to her.

Mirra side glared them, at the same time noticed few more women are facing the same treatment; forced to treat and serve those assholes. She wasted not time but to lift up five fingers to them.

"Get away from those women in 5 seconds."

"Ha??! Who do you think you are to - " he got a direct hit to his heart, where Mirra's blade perfectly stabbed through.

With blood dripping down from his mouth and he slowly losing his life Mirra formed her fingers, open it wider before motion it upwards and created multiple attacks to many of them. Most of them got direct hit, spontaneously greeting them to death while few manage to avoid and ran away.

"5 seconds is up," she never dismissed her glare.

"Sh-shit. Its Mirra, the assassin. Get away from the women if you don't want to die!" someone shouted. The pirates scampered away, desperately wanted to save own lives while the women stilled at their place. Some expressed slight relief while some are scared. It hurt Mirra so much to see new faces, sympathizing on what'd happened to them.

Her menacing glare dropped and replaced with a tender one.

"Get back to your room," she gently said, directing the order to the women there while at the same time scooped up the one that wrapped with her cloak. She made sure all of the women walked in front of her, while she protect them from behind.

When she and the women disappeared into the lower deck Cardinal Pirates released a long breath that they had been holding up all this time.

"What the fuck was that? Who is she?" New member questioned.

"She is the most shiniest treasure in this ship. But the most shiniest is the hardest to touch." One said.

"And if anyone anger her, their blood is the price to her calm." Another one continued.

The new Cardinal pirates stared confusedly at each other not quite catching the meaning.

- - -

Somewhere in a yellow submarine, heading to Willow Island...

"Captain, we found this note in Mirra's room," the Surgeon of Death raised his eyebrow as he heard Bepo's boots heavy tread heading his way.

A piece of paper brought to his face, and he calmly received it and unfolded it. His eyes scanned the content, and immediately went wide eyed before rushing out the door to his office. The loud 'BAM' that he produced when he slammed the control room's door surprised everyone inside, as they exchanged a worried and questioning look.

Bepo collected the fallen paper, and Penguin peered over from his side to look at it. Clearly written in a black ink in cursive font:

Promises can easily be broken when there is nothing can be gained or lose. As such, I have your favourite scalpel in my possession.

Save me and the women, Trafalgar Law and you won't miss the day of living with it again.

Your temporary cook,

Mirra, (the genius).

An additional cherry pink lips mark marred on her signature, leaving the two crewmates astounded at such bravery that she just displayed.

Penguin won't question if Law is currently plotting hundred ways to cut and dissect her. One of the unspoken rule known by every Hearts is to never touch - and dare enough to make it into a hostage - of Law's scalpel. The consequences are a hell to pay. He don't think Mirra can run from it. Even if she's a woman.

Shachi flicked his fingers repeatedly in their faces, pulling back their trance back to the reality. He asked what's going on, and Penguin grinned while Bepo passed the paper.

- - -

In a small room that cramped a total of 23 kidnapped woman Mirra took out an emergency kit from the cabinet, of only those woman and herself knows where. A little heart broken after looking at the content, as not much are left, she silently restocked them. She then carry the kit to the nearest injured woman and pulled out some cotton ball and a bottle of antiseptic, dipping the white fibre into the solution before carefully dabbing them on her wound.

Mirra worked silently. At each dab her eyes will trail from one spot to another to check on any other injuries and scars that marked her body. And the silent granted by the women in the room gave her space to think and pondered over their situation. She has see this many times, and it still stung her till this day. Her eyes felt hot from holding back the tears.

"How's the situation?" Mirra cocked her head passed her shoulder, looking at Maria behind her. She saw the gingerhead had her hand around her wrist, and purplish-blue skin around it from the way she covered it. Maria was hurt too. She took into her mind to check her later after she's done with everyone seeing her intention of hiding the injury away.

Maria sadly stared at the floor below. Her feelings break away and a tear dropped.

"Two of us... died from the last time you leave. They are mentally and physically abused, and aren't allow much treatment. Their bodies can't hold it any longer."

It pained Mirra so much to hear her strained voice. Even though she tried her best to hold back her choke, still trying to keep her emotion away, Mirra knew at the end Maria suffered the most, being kidnapped for the longest and had seen so many things.

"T-the pirates had kidnapped another five woman. Three of them are chained downstairs at the moment, as a punishment for trying to run away." Maria continued, choking at her own breathe at the last sentence.

"So far what the scums did?"

"Other than being their sex slave, they enjoy beating and ordering us around. Some of us were also forced to trick the villagers and steal something from them."

"And they will beat us if we are ever make noise, like crying. We are scared to cry." One of them finally let out a burst, while hiding her face behind her palm.

Mirra turned to tend another injured woman. She slipped off the cloth that she wore, checking the distinguishable marked skin on her back before she rubbed an ointment. The smell of the herbs from the ointment is faint, just like their voices and tears, wrenching Mirra's heart hardly.

"How intense they be?"

The cool paste on her fingers reminded her of Law, since the ointment and the medicines she carried was made by him himself.

"N-not much", Maria hiccupped. "They are being busy with new orders from their captain, so they r-rarely have time to touch us."

"And they're scared to rape one woman in a big group. None of us..." Another sobbed, "none of us so far has been gang rape. So it is better than before. But we don't know about those three prisoned down there," she continued.

Mirra nodded in understand as she continued her work in silent. Her movement are steady but deep inside she is burning with anger. She tended each one of them. And at last when it came to Maria she wrapped cloth strips over her bruised wrist very slowly, eyes never leaving the purplish skin as she felt very trouble and disgusted. Disgusted because she can't do anything and had left them suffer up till now.

Maria like could read her. So she took her hands in hers and lightly rubbed them to console her. Mirra spaced out for few seconds, blinking away the threatening tears away and quickly finished the dressing.

After that then she rummaged through her bags, pulling out few clothes that she brought along, some breads and drinks. She gave them to them, letting them filled their stomach with something and get change into something better that not ripped or filled with holes, before stood up. She took her blade along with her, heading to the door and disappeared behind it before anyone could say anything.

The woman exchanged glances with each other but they were told to calm down and continue eating, as Mirra will be back again later. Maria knew her well. And while she's away it is her duty to make sure the women stayed inside the room.

Ten minutes later the door opened and everyone went tensed. But it disappeared, though not fully, when Mirra walked in carrying another woman in her arms. She laid her down on a bed, and leaved again for another two more times to return with the other two women. She then treated their skinny and bruised bodies, keeping her touch as gentle as possible just in case they have any broken bones.

Mirra could see the doubting and nervous look in her eyes. So she patted her head gently, reassuring her from getting scared with her. When she's done treating them, she turned and took a sit on the nearest table, facing everyone.

Her finger tapped against the edge of the wooden table before she sighed, looking up and meeting them all again.

"To the new one that being kidnapped, my name is Mirra. If you ever heard about the executives from this crew you will know that there's another one that's always on the missions. And that's me. I'm one of the executives of Cardinal Pirates, being forced to, and known as the assassin. As long as I'm here I promise you none of you will be hurt by those scumbags."

Mirra watched their eyes shone in relief, as their brain slowly absorbed the information. But it still hurt her, knowing that there isn't much of hope she can give them.

"I'm sorry but this is the much that I can do to protect you guys. Being their assassin I always receive missions from the captain so when I'm away, I can't do anything to stop the crew from doing anything to you guys. And I'm not strong enough to take out all of them, so I can't free you guys."

The last piece of their hope shattered after her confession, and Mirra guiltily bite her lips watching them giving up and withered. She shut her eyes tight as she forced herself to hold the tears from building and falling. She felt bad for not being able to protect them all the time. She couldn't shake off the guilt for letting the crew do whatever to them when she was away. She just couldn't bear their saddened look and broken mental from those experiences.

Mirra still remembered, on the first day she was forced to join the crew she saw with her own eyes the women being sandwiched with more than one man, with zero ounce of sympathy and empathy. Their tears and begs went deaf ear and it was so sickening that she snapped right away.

She threw tantrum, killing them all in a single spree. None were sparred, except the women.

But her tantrum resulted in the women soaked with the pirates' blood, and it unlocked new fear to them as they started to shiver and look at her as a demon instead.

It took her a while to build trust with them.

On the lucky side, Mirra's action caused the captain to be interested with her speed and accuracy. So he appointed her as an executive, an assassin of the crew.

Being within one of the highest position allowed her to kill any of the crewmates and get away with it. She truly never understand the system. How the hell those assholes willing to keep up with the captain and be his underlings despite knowing their lives literally in the hands of the eight executives?

Well whatever... it is not her problem.

The gentle touch from Maria brought her back to reality as she blinked twice. It reminded her back that she isn't alone in this. She, and the rest of the women are fighting this together.

"We still have a chance to escape this together", Mirra captured Maria's grip gently as she murmured.

She looked up, and everyone looked at her back as they heard her clear.

Mirra stood and looked around the room to search for any supervision denden mushi, and even opened the door to ensure no one is eavesdropping. As she's confident with the current situation she closed and locked the door, going back to the women but this time hurdled them to get closer. She pulled out a sleeping denden mushi from her cloth, showing it to every one of them that stared in confusion.

"I failed my last mission, and you guys know what's gonna happen next, right? I'll be out of reach for sometimes later so I want all of you to stay close to each other, and never leaves this room. Make sure you guys know the whereabouts of each other."

She pushed forward the denden mushi, shaking it lightly though never disturbed its profuse sleeping. A strip of grey headband decorated on its head, with the Hearts jolly roger painted on its shell.

Continued, "I asked help from the crew that I supposed to kill, and they will come later to save me. But before doing that, they will get you all out of here first, so that the executives won't have the chances to make you guys their hostages or something. So I'll leave it here", Mirra went to one of the drawers, lightly taped the denden mushi to the ceiling of the top drawer and showed it to the women.

"When they are about to save you guys they will give a call. Pick it up and answer their questions, and follow through their instructions. Don't worry, they are on our side, and they will free us, once and for all," Mirra finally has the strength to smile, as the promise she gave them she believed will be fulfilled.

Happy tears made it on their faces, as they are finally able to be free from this evil grip. They saw how certain Mirra is with the plan, so it successfully convinced them that it will work. That's more than enough. It's the news that they have been waiting for so long, especially to those that have been suffered for far longer than ever since Mirra joined this crew and protected them.

It's good to know there's still hope for them.

"However," Mirra warned them and they stopped from their overflowing happiness, looking back at her, tensed with new anticipation. Of course, there's must be a risk to this plan. They haven't hear her out yet.

"None of you should talk about this plan, and just act like your normal days. We don't want them to find it out," she continued.

The painful 5 seconds silence resulted in another smile to break, as they find it easy to do for the sake of their freedom.

To be continued

Thanx for reading

- redheaded997 -