Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own One Piece or its characters; that right belongs to Eiichiro Oda.
From the same spot, she had stood the night before Kagome watch the submarine's deck. She was carefully noting how the crew went about their daily duties — occasionally seeing Bepo appear upon the deck, only to vanish back below deck. Boredom began to eat away at her, causing impatience to grow inside her making her start to fidget.
"You are will it's your choice, you know. Either now or later will make no difference, and you know it." A deep rumbling voice invaded her mind.
Your payment of rolling her eyes as she glanced down at Sehomaru. Space letting a small smile curved her lips As she spoke. "I know, it's just that a part of me wants to wait until midnight while the other part wants to get this task over with now."
Her words were met with a slightly annoyed sigh. Just before her companion suddenly head-butted her hard enough to send her small body stumbling out of the alley, exposing her to the crew as she straightened up glaring daggers back of the alley, as said companion came trotting out as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
Any chuckle echoed in her head at her reaction. Finally, Kagome gave a small exasperated sigh, as she spun to face the crew members at the dock. There gazes a mix of weariness, confusion, mild surprise, and amusement. He was causing heat to flood her cheeks as she looked at them before hanging her head.
After a few seconds, Kagome started forward only to stop when she reached the plank that led to this the submarine's deck. "Sehomaru, I'll get you for this later." She mentally whispered to her companion.
Placing a smile on her lips as she gazed at the nearest crew member from under her cloak's hood, Kagome spoke. "Sir, I know this seems like an odd request, but I'd like to speak to your captain."
An eerie silence seemed to settle over the dock, is not only the crewman she'd spoken to, went still and quiet, but so did every other crew member within hearing range. Kagome kept the smile on her lips as she felt her eyes looking at her as if she was some sort of specimen under a microscope.
It took a minute or two before the man replied, his voice full of suspicion. "Oh! And just what business would a little girl like yourself have with our captain. Heck, Girly, do you even know who our captain is?"
Feeling a twinge of annoyance, Kagome tensed up, ready to give a sharp retort. But was cut off by a low growl by her side. Which promptly drew the man's attention downwards as he subconsciously stepped back. Reaching down, Kagome placed her hand on Sehomaru's head, threading her fingers through the thick soft for calming herself.
She knew the growl was more forewarning her than the man doing his job. Sighing, Kagome tilted her head up so the man would be able to see her full face and started speaking "Sorry, he means no harm. But he thought you might harm me. As for your question, yes, I doubt you know who your captain is. I do believe he is expecting me."
Her words made the man narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh, really now. So who should we say is calling upon him, little Missy!" he asked, voice laced heavily with sarcasm.
Not the least perturbed, Kagome gave a soft chuckle as she looked directly into his eyes, speaking in a cheery voice. "Kagome, my good sir."
Rapid blinking of his eyes at her response had Kagome smiling with amusement as she watched the man glanced to the side and gave a quick nod of his head. Before the sound of feet shuffling reached her ears.
Silence briefly filled the dock before the crew began to go back to their tasks. Giving Kagome time to look around and familiarize herself with more of the layout of the dock and the deck of the sub. Noting just how deftly the crew was moving — informing her that no one was new to the crew.
As the minutes passed, Kagome subconsciously lets her hands continue shifting through Sehomaru soft fur. Occasionally rubbing his ears, getting a please low rumble from him, that left a small smile of momentary contentment on her face. All the while, she is letting her gaze roam before she'd meet the eyes of the sailor before her.
The smell of salt tenting the air with the soft yet sharp cries of the goals flying above gave a sense of peace until I cough, followed by the sailor speaking again. "So little Missy, why do you have the ideal in that tiny head of yours that our captain is expecting you."
Letting a small giggle escaped her lips Kagome enjoyed the fact the man couldn't handle the silence that had been created or deny his curiosity. Opening her mouth to speak, she let out a small gas is surprises of the fill familiar feeling of her stomach bottoming out before the scenery shifted around her so that she was now staring at a familiar desk in the flat steel gray room.
The quiet of his off cabin, a nice welcome after the visitor this morning was almost delightful. At least, until this sound of knocking on the cabin door drew from the papers on his desk. Lifting his head enough to flick his gaze from the entrance to Bepo and back again, was more than enough to indicate that Bepo should open the door. Only to reveal one of his crew looking slightly perplexed.
Law just raised his eyebrows as the man spoke. "Sir, someone is claiming that they are here to see you. Gave the name Kagome and said you were expecting them."
Nearing his eyes at the words as Law fell, all his irritation and anger come rushing back. He felt his lips twitch slowly into a cold smile. He was causing the man to shiver visibly. Without hesitation, Law held his hand out, speaking room softly. Filling the surge of power well up and flow out of him. Once the room was in place, Law rolled his wrist, while again speaking softly 'shambles' as he imagined the woman standing where the man was at his cabin door.
When she appeared, she didn't look the least bit perturbed. In fact, as her blue gaze flickered around the room, landing on Law, she gave a soft peeling laugh and winked. As if what just happened was normal, leaving him to wonder at how far gone she was.
As the laughter died away, she spoke, "Wow, that was fun. I could do that a few more times."
Her tone of voice was light and happy, that changed to an admonishing tone as she spoke again, "But that was a bad move. Because my companion will become agitated since I am no longer where he can protect me. You see, he takes great pride in guarding my person."
Her words left him with thoughts that she was no more than a child. But as if to punctuate her words, muffled screams filled the air. Making her shake her head and sigh, as worry flitted across her face. He was frowning as he shot Bepo a look, before jerking his head to the doorway where the woman was standing — getting a quick nod, before Bepo started moving to leave — only pausing long enough for the girl to enter the cabin, thus moving out of his way.
Neither bothering to start a conversation as they both waited for Bepo to return with the overly large dog. Law chose to purposely ignore the annoyance in his personal space and went back to his paperwork. He was feeling more agitated as the silence grew becoming pregnant. Causing his ability to focus on the documents to diminish before looking up through his lashes to see she was watching the door — her facial expressions changing quickly, showing her thoughts like an open book.
With a small shake of his headlong looked back at his paperwork. Letting the minutes take on by before the sound of familiar footfalls reached his ears, accompanied by the click of what he presumed to be the nails of the dog on the metal flooring of the submarine. Telling him people had returned with his guests companion in tow. Law raised his head to see them as they made the last few feet to the door.
"Bepo." Was all he said knowing he'd get the report.
"Yes, Captain! No real harm to the crew except for claw marks where he knocked down the seamen who deliver the message. Otherwise, everyone is okay and back to duty." He replied while giving a side glance to the now United duo.
Follow his gaze only to do a double-take at what he saw. The girl, Kagome, who had her hands on her hips eyes narrowed as she glared down at the dog. Who sat there, ears laid flat against his head, amber eyes glaring back her fiercely. It was apparent there was some form of communication going on as well as the dominance struggle taking place. Eventually, the dog caved, his lips baring his fangs before looking away and laying down at the girl's feet.
"I am sorry for him even doing minor harm to your crewmates, but as I said, it was your mistake. He said he was reacting on instinct when I vanished, and the man appeared. I didn't joke when I said he took his duty to protect me seriously." She said, Her voice again admonishing while being genuinely sorry.
Law kept his eyes narrowed as he looked at her, wondering how the hell she thought she could talk that way to him when Laws' brain registered that she what she said. Not having seen the animal talk, but her claiming he said something threw him for a loop.
"Are you implying he is intelligent and can speak to you? Does he have a double fruit power? If so, then let him speak to me." Law stated calmly, as he leaned back in his chair
At his words, Kagome's eyes went wide, before smile curved corners of her mouth. "No I'm not implying he is intelligent enough to speak to me, I am flat-out telling you that Sehomaru is. No, he hasn't consumed a devil fruit. For him, there is no deep need to eat one as they are beneath him. As for him speaking to you, Sehomaru, are you willing?"
Feeling a bit intriguing Law sat there watching and waiting. When all the large dog did was a snort and turn his head away, he couldn't help the small if somewhat triumphant smile that curbed his lips. At least, until he noticed an Amber eye was glaring up at him in obvious contempt.
Not liking the look the animal was giving him, Law rolled his lip into a snarl like a response. Eyes narrowing as he turned back to Kagome, just as she placed her hands on her hips again. He is giving a small huff of exasperation while showing off her profile of the petite frame and short stature, only reinforcing the thought of her being a child.
Deciding to see if the thought had some merit, Law leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk, stapling his fingers in front of his face as he spoke. "Now that I have my answer to your companion's intellect. Let's get to the business you mentioned this morning. But first things first, I like to see who I'm talking to, even if they're a child."
The moment the last words left his mouth, Law felt the immediate change in the very area of his cabin as Kagome stood straight and stiff as if she had been slapped. While the dog at her feet visibly scooted away from her, as she turned to face him fully. Blue eyes were glowing from inside the hooded cloak with a pink tint to them.
Unable to help it, Law felt his eyes open wide as the feeling of sheer rage rolled off of her, only to vanish in the next instant, though, as if it had never been there in the first place while making a quick note to be careful of calling her a child in the future, as the air the cabin stay changed and felt heavy clinging to his skin.
Feeling remarkable, wary Law kept his eyes on the person before him as a smile curved her lips. When seconds passed before she raised small dainty hands undoing a hidden clasp before letting the cloak slide away. It was revealing to his gaze a short petite raven-haired woman, dressed in an odd get-up of flared red pants and a white shirt, that showed off a small bit of cleavage that didn't belong on a child.
Time seemed to be moving in slow motion as he continued to watch as Kagome fold the cloak neatly, setting it on the large dogs back, before turning her attention back to him. A small placid smile was gracing her full lips while her dark cerulean eyes stared him down. She was leaving him more on edge.
"Shall we get down to business, Law-Kun!" She more states than asked.
TBC!