~I blame myself for not posting sooner. This chapter was supposed to have been uploaded over a month ago. That's all I'm gonna say on the matter. Anyway! It's my best friend's birthday and I wanna wish her a happy birthday! And so I leave ya'll to this chapter. Please leave a review, guys! I need 'em to survive! I also wanted to thank Sarge1130 for reviewing every chapter so far. I love reading your thoughts on each one and I look forward to reading more from you! Thanks again!
Long Term Hearts
Chapter 4: Caught
**********^.^**********
"You did what?!" Yukimi shouted in shock, causing a flock of birds to fly away from the immediate area.
It was the next day when Law decided to reveal what happened back in the scrapyard. The evening before, the kitsune had asked where the boy had gone to after he left her under a bush. He had an odd expression when she asked, but he didn't say anything as they got ready to sleep. Now it made sense.
"I stabbed Corazón, but he didn't reveal it was me at the meeting. Now I'm apart of the crew," Law casually answered with a shrug.
Yukimi ran her hands through her white hair, making it messy as she tried to breathe calmly. "You have got to be joking! This is so messed up!" the kitsune muttered as she fixed her hair back to the way it was before her hands went on a marathon in it. 'But not reporting on Law attacking him? That doesn't make any sense!'
"I have to go Yukimi-ya, we're having another meeting in a few minutes about some people who owe the Donquixote Pirates some money," Law mentioned as he turned away.
Yukimi frowned as she watched him leave. This new situation made her anxious all over again. Now they were definitely staying with the Donquixote Pirates, much to her grief.
*^.^*
Yukimi rubbed her sensitive ears as the cannons finally stopped after what seemed like hours to her when the Donquixote Pirates ran across some marine ships. She'll have to get used to cannon fire if she wants to remain with Law on these misadventures. At the moment, Yukimi was hiding under Law's bed in the room he shared with Buffalo. They had agreed that she remained hidden from the crew in this room while there was a fight going on outside, much to the fox's irritation. But he had a valid point. It wouldn't be good for either of them, especially her, if she came out trying to protect him while a battle was on. The kitsune would get caught for sure.
Yukimi sighed as she rested her furry chin on her crossed paws, trying to relax. 'Law said he would be back here soon with dinner,' the fox thought feeling grateful that the boy had been able to sneak some food for her when no one was looking. Yukimi smiled in amusement, now he was providing food for her like she did before he joined the pirate crew. Another thing she was grateful for was that the other boy, Buffalo, almost never came into the room even though he slept in a bed of his own across from Law's. Apparently, he liked being around the Family, unlike antisocial Law.
The fox groaned feeling cramped. She crawled out from under the furniture before hopping onto Law's pillow at the head of his bed. Yukimi yawned, 'So far we've been successful at doing this for a few months.' The fox wrapped her tails tighter around her body so that now only her black tipped ears and tails were visible on the boy's white pillow. After a few minutes, Yukimi dozed off from the comfortable pillow underneath her and the familiar scent of Law around her. It was around an hour later when there was a slight commotion outside the door, awaking Yukimi a little before trying to go back to sleep. But not a minute later, Buffalo and Baby 5 opened the door chatting away.
"Did you see how Corazón tripped? It was so funny!" Baby 5 laughed in mirth.
Buffalo was about to respond when he glanced over at Law's side of the room. He gasped at the sight of two wide red eyes staring back at them.
"Huh?" Baby 5 looked over to where the other large boy was staring at, now seeing a white fox on Law's pillow.
There was a moment of silence where Yukimi was openly staring in surprise at the two kids. Here she was, unintentionally dropping her guard while on Law's bed, totally exposed to anyone coming through the door. Then the feeling of panic was dropped into her mindset like a bomb. Flight mode was practically set on fire when Baby 5 started running over to her with a big smile.
"So cuuute!"
The fox immediately scrambled off the bed and raced out of the room from between Buffalo's legs. Yukimi could hear the two behind her already as she practically flew down the hallway. The albino looked over her shoulder seeing the two chasing after her, Baby 5 with a gleeful look, while Buffalo had a bewildered expression. 'How could I let down my guard?! And out here on the open ocean of all places!' Yukimi skidded around a corner only to nearly run into Giolla. The woman yelped in surprise as she jumped out of the way just as Yukimi ran by where her feet used to be. 'I've gotta find a place to hide, and soon!' Running as fast as she could, the fox escaped from the sudden collision of people behind her.
After several minutes of constant running, Yukimi found an open door, by that point she could hear the whole ship in an uproar and bolted inside without a second thought. The fox panted as she looked around for a hiding spot. The room she was in had to be someone's bedroom since it had a king sized bed, a desk with a chair in a corner, and a leather couch with a clear coffee table in front of it, opposite the bed and other homey things. But Yukimi wasn't looking at how the room looked, she didn't care who's bedroom it was at that moment, only to find a hole to crawl into, so to speak, and wait out the search. 'Hopefully, I can find Law before I get caught by who knows who,' the fox thought as she spotted a slightly opened closet near her. Fox ears twitched at the sound of footsteps coming closer to the still open door she came through. Yukimi's breath hitched at the sound. The fox darted into the closet and quietly pulled it closed. The albino waited with bated breath as someone entered the room. She backed away from the door to hide in the shadows of a large box next to her. Yukimi then felt one of her tails bump into something, making some noise. The fox froze, practically turning into a little fox statue.
Suddenly light filled the closet as the door was yanked open. Yukimi let out a startled canine yelp as she was apprehended. The hand on her scruff was very large on her small body, making her grow stiff as a board. But that alone didn't terrify her to death as she got a good look at the person holding her. 'D-Donquixote...Doflamingo!'
"Look what I found hiding in my closet," Doflamingo chuckled darkly with a wide grin.
Yukimi's mind halted after hearing those words. She couldn't believe how bad her luck was, in fact, the fox ran out of luck to be in Donquixote Doflamingo's bedroom!
Doflamingo's grin widened at the fox as her ears flattened against her head and her tails tucked between her hind legs in fear. "Now how did you get on my ship, little stowaway? You're an awfully long way from land," he chuckled as the fox started trembling in his grasp. "How about we go meet with the rest of the Family, shall we?"
*^.^*
Yukimi looked around at the large room which she was carried into. It had a long polished oak table and chairs meant for meetings. Along the walls were some maps of many islands, kingdoms, and a large map showing the Grand Line or what seemed to be the Grand Line. Before Yukimi could look at anything else, Doflamingo sat in his throne like chair at the head of the table with her in his lap, out of view from any who should be sitting. The fox swallowed dryly as his hand never left her body, keeping a firm hold on her scruff.
No sooner after Doflamingo sat down, did the rest of the Family file in and took their seats, Law coming in last. As soon as he heard Baby 5 and Buffalo had found Yukimi, he became worried for her safety. Sure, she was a skilled ninja, but the problem lied in her phobia. Yukimi wouldn't be able to fight very well if she was up against Doflamingo. That and Yukimi has stated in the past that the man was stronger than her, given the reports from the marines in the papers and his bounty worth.
Doflamingo observed everyone's expressions ranging from exasperation, to boredom, to disappointment, the latter mainly coming from Baby 5 and Buffalo. Law, on the other hand, looked nervous. The blonde smirked at that. "I called everyone here to discuss about a little stowaway that has been found on the ship," he began with pulling up a petrified Yukimi onto the long table in front of everybody to see.
"That's the fox we saw!" Buffalo shouted pointing at the albino.
"I wanna keep it! Can I please, can I?" Baby 5 pleaded with hopeful eyes.
"What kind of fox is that anyway? I didn't get a good look at it when these two idiots ran into me earlier," Giolla stated as she glared at Baby 5 and Buffalo.
Law swallowed as he watched Yukimi's red, disc like eyes, darted nervously between the people speaking. He could clearly see her shaking in anxiety. The boy couldn't stand seeing Yukimi in this situation.
Gladius rested his chin in his hand, elbow on the table as he gazed at the strange looking white fox, taking note of the extra tail. "Could this be a ki-"
"She's mine!"
Everyone stopped speaking as they all turned their attention towards the newest member of the Family. Law had stood up with his hands on the table, looking determined yet worried at the fox in question.
Corazón flicked his gaze between the boy and the fox calmly.
"What do you mean, she's your's?" Giolla asked with narrowed eyes.
"U-uh well…"
"I thought I saw this fox before," Doflamingo murmured as he lightly rubbed Yukimi's head.
Yukimi was short on breath as long fingers made small spidery patterns in her fur. She was clammy and ready to break out into a cold sweat. The fox looked desperately at Law for help as her teeth started to chatter lightly as a cold feeling raced through her spine.
Law gritted his teeth at Yukimi's reactions to the blonde's words and actions. "Yes, Yukimi-ya is mine. She came with me from my home. She's my...pet." Law hoped said fox was too distracted to hear that last part. "Yukimi-ya is all I have left," he quickly finished.
"Hm, is that so?" Doflamingo asked, immediately receiving a nod. "Next time you withhold important information from me, you won't get off easy," he warned before releasing Yukimi. "Do I make myself clear, Law?"
Yukimi bolted over to Law, jumping into his arms whimpering and whining. The boy rubbed the fox's back, trying to calm her down. He looked back up to Doflamingo at the head of the table from under the brim of his hat, "Yes sir."
*^.^*
Yukimi sat next to Law on his bed that night, thinking about how the rest of the day went after the Family's meeting. It goes without saying that the fox was glued to Law's side the entire day. Definitely not trusting to be left in a room alone with some other member of the Family. Especially with how Baby 5 kept trying to hold and pet her, resulting in the girl almost getting her hand bitten off more than once. Though that message didn't quite go through her thick skull as she had hoped. Yukimi hadn't felt this level of high anxiety in a long time.
Law, on the other hand, was beyond irritated, borderline angry, with all the looks he was getting. From Baby 5 and Buffalo trying to hold and pet Yukimi, to Giolla's annoyed glares at her, to Gladius' inquisitive glances at the fox, to finally Doflamingo's looks. He didn't know what the blonde was thinking, but it couldn't have been anything good. Law would just have to keep an eye open for anything suspicious when it came to anything regarding Yukimi.
It was late so everybody was asleep but he and the fox next to him. Law glanced across the room towards Buffalo's sleeping form in his bed then back to Yukimi. "Are you okay, Yukimi-ya?" he asked quietly, not wanting to wake up the other boy in the room.
Said albino shook her head. "How can I be, Law? Apparently, Doflamingo has known about me all along back on land," Yukimi groaned, ears lowered discouraged.
"Surely he doesn't know what you actually-"
"Don't be naïve, Law!" Yukimi growled feeling frustrated. "Who are we kidding? That guy is not an idiot. If he's seen me more than once, and always near you, he'll make some kind of connection one way or another."
Law frowned at her response. He lied down on his side, tugging the fox along with him before pulling the covers over them. "You are not going anywhere, Yukimi-ya. You're stuck with me, remember?"
Yukimi felt a small smile overtake her lips. She suddenly felt more relaxed in his grasp, somehow feeling safe, or reassured, even if Law was just a child. "Heh, you remembered that promise I made, eh?"
"You could say that," Law murmured back as a tail wrapped around his waist, keeping him warm there. The boy relaxed feeling the soft fur on him. "Yukimi-ya?" Said fox didn't reply, already fast asleep due to her stress induced exhaustion from that day. A soft smile crossed his features. Law gently pulled the sleeping fox closer to his chest to the point where there wasn't any space between them. He heard a soft sigh escape from Yukimi as she nudged further into his chest, now feeling soft warm breaths drift through his pajama top. A slight blush made itself known on Law's cheeks. He swallowed a little before resting his forehead against Yukimi's, "Goodnight."
*^.^*
As weeks turned into months, Yukimi watched how Law grew with his skills and strengths. As he grew up, Yukimi got to enjoy some fun moments with him. One time, the fox even cracked up laughing when she saw how Giolla had bandaged him after a battle with practically pink ribbons. The icing on the cake was the bow the woman had made on top of his head. Though, of course, Yukimi chose to laugh at the poor irritated boy when they were alone. Law got his revenge by tying a big pink bow on her while she was snoozing one afternoon on his bed. Yeah, the fox tried clawing at his face for that and failed spectacularly when she tripped over the bow's ribbon ends, tumbling headfirst into a wall.
And so, by this time we have reached the two year mark, along with many new white patches on a certain someone. Thinking of this, Yukimi curled her tails around Law's neck as she settled on his right shoulder. She, Law, along with Baby 5 and Buffalo were all relaxing near a beach at a port town, sitting on a stone sidewalk.
"Come on! We told you our real names!" Baby 5 complained at a bored Law.
Yukimi peeked around the boy's spotted hat at the whining girl, now becoming annoyed herself.
"So? I'm not interested," Law replied in a flat tone.
'Well he's bored to hell,' the albino thought in amusement.
"You're so uncool! You're no fun!" Baby 5 declared.
Yukimi snickered quietly so that only the 'uncool' boy could hear her. The fox turned her face the other way, pretending to look innocent when Law sent a glare her way.
He faced the two other kids again on his left, "Even if I have fun, I'll die anyway."
Baby 5 leaned closer to Law, looking at his skin. "You have quite a lot of white parts now," she murmured.
Yukimi looked at a rather large white patch on the cheek next to her. Frowning at it, she rubbed her soft furry cheek to his to comfort him.
"I don't know if I can live another year…" Law leaned the slightest towards Yukimi's rubbing, enjoying the comfort while he kept his usual scowl in front of the other two, not wanting them to see him any different than usual. "I may die sooner than I calculated," Law muttered as he stared at his hand.
"That aside, if you have a real name, tell us!" Buffalo frowned. "Or I'll tell the young master you stabbed Corazón two years ago!"
"Yeah, we will!" Baby 5 added.
Yukimi stood up on Law's shoulder, turned, and faced the two kids. The fox growled low and deep as she revealed sharp fangs while her ears pushed forward in intimidation. Baby 5 leaned away, unnerved by something so cute could be so threatening. Yukimi stopped growling when she felt Law rub her ear, making her practically melt against him. Lucky for him, over the past couple of years, he's found a few ways to calm an agitated Yukimi pretty quickly, which came in handy plenty of times. Law sighed thinking about his name and in turn his family, "Trafalgar D. Water Law."
Baby 5 tilted her head, not understanding. "Huh?"
Yukimi stiffened upon hearing his full name for the first time before turning toward him, 'Law is a "D"?'
"I shouldn't tell that name to anybody, actually. I don't go by a code name like you two so it's just a little longer. 'D' is a secret name, 'Water' is a true name. For generations, my family-"
"How boring! This is not fun at all!" Baby 5 began complaining.
"Yeah!" Buffalo added his complaint too. The two kids not understanding what was just revealed to them, nor what it meant for their young master.
"You asked me repeatedly!" Law practically growled at them, making Baby 5 tear up from his creepy mean death glare.
Yukimi suddenly sniffed the air around them, picking up the scent of smoke behind them. Only immediately afterward did she find herself flipped forward and landed on her back on the stone sidewalk.
"H-Hey! Let go of me!" The fox scrambled back onto her paws to see Law dangling from Corazón's grasp. "What the...Corazón! What do you want?! Hey!"
"Oh, he's gonna get beaten up again," Baby 5 muttered as she and Buffalo watched the tall blonde carry a struggling Law off.
'Not if I can help it!' Yukimi took off after them. When she caught up to them, Law was already standing back up from being thrown.
"What are you doing?! Bring it on!" Law shouted as he fisted his hands ready to fight.
There was a quiet pause as Yukimi ran up next to the boy. She had her ears pinned back, ready to defend Law at the first sign of danger from this man.
"What you said before, was it true?"
Yukimi and Law were caught off guard. "Huh? What? Who is it?!" Law, startled, began looking around for the person speaking. But Yukimi, with her sensitive ears, already knew it was Corazón who spoke.
"The secret name 'D'..."
Law gasped as he turned back around facing the man, now understanding it was him that was talking.
"If it's true, you need to get out of here. Get away from Doffy!" The man turned around to face them, "Law, you shouldn't be around him!"
Law stood there frozen, not understanding what was going on. Why was Corazón warning him of danger? And the fact that the normally silent man was talking, was throwing him off completely.
The blonde then faced Yukimi, "And for someone like you, Yukimi, a kitsune, should be far away from my brother!"
Yukimi couldn't take it anymore. There was a sudden cloud of smoke where the small fox was standing previously. Law jumped in surprise when Yukimi lunged out of the cover of smoke with a kunai in each hand.
Corazón was caught off guard from Yukimi's surprise attack. He clumsily tripped backward and ended up falling down on his rear as he was pushed back against one of the buildings making up the alley. When he got his bearings back, the blonde quickly realized Yukimi's wrists were crossed at his throat, bearing kunai just centimeters from stabbing his throat on either side.
"I've had enough of you hurting Law," Yukimi started as she poked his neck with one of her kunai in a clear warning. "I have been on edge for the past two years ever since we came across you, damn pirates. Don't make any sudden movements and don't tempt me Corazón," the kitsune hissed in a low tone. "You better have a damn good reason on why I should let you go. So I repeat myself, don't tempt me."
Corazón swallowed as he glanced at Law who was watching warily. The boy looked angry and confused but was also worried. That look was aimed at the albino kitsune who was standing over the trapped blonde. Corazón looked back at two sharp blood rubies again, seeing his reflection in them. The man briefly thought back during the past two years. How this kitsune, always in her fox form, stayed as far away as possible from his older brother but always stayed by Law's side, if not in his room, away from the rest of the crew. 'She's definitely wary of Doffy. Yukimi was obviously scared that day when she was exposed to the whole crew, to him. But Yukimi seems to not care about herself when it comes to Law…'
Yukimi poked both of her kunai into the man's throat, getting impatient, "You better give me an answer before I-"
"I'm trying to get the both of you out of here!"
Yukimi carefully watched the man as an unreadable emotion crossed his eyes. The albino closed her own for a moment to steady her agitated heart rate. When the kitsune reopened them, she slowly backed off, putting away her weapons. "...Talk."
As the kitsune stepped beside Law, Corazón brought out a cigarette and lit it without catching on fire. Now where to start?
Yukimi gave Law's shoulder a gentle squeeze as he stared at the man sitting before them. "...Talk?! Since when can you talk?!"
Corazón calmly blew out a puff of smoke, "Since always."
Law gritted his teeth, balling his fists. "So you've been...fooling Doflamingo all this time?!"
"I never told him I became mute. He just thinks so," he answered.
"That's...the same as fooling him! What are you thinking-"
"Woah, woah, woah," Corazón interrupted making Law stop. "Silence." With the snap of his fingers, an invisible ring grew around them, making everything near the three silent as the grave.
Law's eyes grew as wide as saucers, "What?!" He couldn't hear the town's people outside the alleyway. The boy was so shocked he didn't notice Yukimi's hand leaving his shoulder.
Yukimi placed her hands next to her furry ears with a shocked expression upon her features. Her jaw hung open as her ears twitched and moved in every direction the muscles in her ears could possibly move, straining to hear anything at all, while the kitsune's hands cupped at the sides of soft white ears trying to amplify any sound. Yukimi has never heard such silence before in her life. To say the least, it disturbed her greatly. Out of the corner of her eye, the kitsune saw a black cat chasing after a rat from a dumpster nearby, but no sound as a can clattered to the ground in silence. Yukimi felt so imbalanced, it was distorting. As a result, she collapsed onto her knees. "The sound...where's the sound?!" Yukimi hissed quietly.
"Yukimi-ya! Are you okay?!" Law shook her shoulders a little, only able to get her to look at him. Law looked back at Corazón, "Why is there no sound? I see people talking but I can't hear them. I can only hear Yukimi-ya, why?!"
Corazón glanced at the kitsune, watching how she slowly started to relax from being able to hear Law's voice next to her. "You were so loud, I had to put up a wall, a soundproof wall," Corazón explained lowering his cigarette, eyes back on the boy. "You can't hear the sound from there, huh? They can't hear us either." The blonde internally sighed as Law tried looking around for the 'wall' surrounding them. "That wall is invisible. I ate the Calm Calm Fruit and became a silent human."
Law swallowed with newfound wariness, "A Devil Fruit user?!"
"...Of course."
Law turned back to the kitsune next to him, "Yukimi-ya?"
Yukimi blinked before going on, "How else have I not been able to detect you, but only by sight and smell?"
Corazón smirked at that.
Law gritted his teeth as Yukimi slowly got back up to stand next to him. "What...what's wrong with you?! You lied about everything! Don't tell me that...making a blunder like an idiot is also…"
"Yeah, of course," the blonde replied easily as his black, feathery coat caught on fire. "It's all acting."
"Don't lie! Your shoulder is on fire!" Law yelled ticked off.
Yukimi just stood there in confusion as Corazón quickly put out the fire before he relaxed back against the wall. The blonde breathed out smoke from a new cigarette, "I've done those dumb things since I was a kid. I can't change that. I'm dumb."
"Being clumsy has nothing to do with being dumb," Yukimi said putting her hands in her hoodie pockets, getting a shrug from the man.
"How is the most ridiculous part of you, the only thing that's not a lie?!" Law shouted in growing anger, causing Yukimi to sweatdrop. "Why do you hide things from your friends?!"
"I don't consider them my friends," he countered surprising the two. "What I'm trying to do is stop my brother, Doffy, from going out of control. I don't know how that beast was born from our warm hearted mother and father. He has no...humanity," Corazón grimly paused, narrowing his eyes. "He was born to be evil natured and he's never afraid of anything. The only people who know about his true brutality are the four Executives including me and the previous Corazón, Vergo."
"Vergo?"
"He's a strong man who's currently separated from the Family on a secret mission," the blonde answered. "The details of the mission have been kept secret even from the Family members. You have no business with him."
Yukimi crossed her arms, "Good, one less Donquixote Pirate to deal with."
"Anyway, don't become a beast like my brother! You gotta get out of here, Law!" The blonde turned his gaze to Yukimi, "And you need to get out of here before Doffy changes his mind and either use or sell you!"
Yukimi blanched as she suddenly felt very ill at his words.
Law grabbed hold of her wrist, looking defiant at the blonde, "I won't let Yukimi-ya be taken away!" he growled, making the albino's color return. "And besides, I want to be like that!"
Yukimi's ears flattened annoyed before yanking her wrist free and cuffed Law, making his fur hat cover his eyes. "Idiot! Do you think your family would want that?" she berated him while shaking her head.
It was then, the small group was unaware of the two eavesdroppers by the names of Baby 5 and Buffalo, peeking around the entrance of the alleyway. They could see Corazón and Law seemingly talking but couldn't hear a thing. Then the two noticed a strange fox like lady standing next to Law, with the same colored ears and tails as the two tailed fox Law always had with him.
"The secret name 'D', it's no mistake. You are part of that fated family, the Family of D. Back in my home, children are disciplined like this. 'A badly behaving child will be eaten up by D.' There have often been people who have the name 'D' who gained public notoriety and old people would frown and mutter, "'D' will surely bring us another storm." Corazón went on.
Law narrowed his eyes, "What are you saying?! Am I some kind of monster?"
"Maybe."
"Of course he's not!" Yukimi intervened. She turned Law to face her, "Law, I've been alive for quite some time now, and I have met some nasty people that many have called monsters. Trust me when I say, you are not a monster." That calmed the boy down a little.
"Nobody knows the truth, but that name has been ceaselessly and secretly inherited throughout history all over the world. And in some places, there are people who call the Family of D…'Sworn enemy of the Gods'," Corazón paused when the kitsune tilted her head in thought.
"I've heard of this somewhere before. It sounds like hell would break loose for sure if something was triggered, starting a chain reaction," Yukimi muttered looking skyward for a minute then back to the blonde.
Corazón nodded at her comment. "Say the 'god' meaning the Celestial Dragons, the purpose of your people might be 'destruction of this world'. But it's completely different in meaning from what Doffy is going for! D's must have an idea that's opposed to the gods'," the man finished.
There was a long pause as Law stared at the blonde before erupting, "I don't know what you are talking about! I joined the Family to kill every single person as violently as possible!"
Furry ears lowered as Yukimi turned away a little, trying not to listen to what the boy was saying. She always hated it when Law got like that.
"I'm not your subordinate! I am Doflamingo's subordinate! I'm gonna die in a year! What should I do if I get out of here?!"
"Get out of here and look for a cure!" Corazón answered.
"There is none!" Law then turned and ran towards the alleyway's exit. "I'm gonna tell Doflamingo that you can talk, and about your ability, and everything!"
Corazón quickly ran after the boy, "Don't do it!"
"Law!" Yukimi sprinted after the two, not wanting Law alone with the man.
Law looked over his shoulder grinning, "You can't get away with it just by getting kicked out!"
"Damn brat!" Corazon tried to kick Law but the boy dodged at the last second. Then he pushed up on the blonde's outstretched leg, causing him to fall into a dumpster.
"I became stronger in the last two years! That serves you right!"
Yukimi ran past the dumpster as Corazón somehow caught on fire from his cigarette, "Wait up, Law!"
Just as said boy ran out of the alleyway, Buffalo called out to him, "Hey Law, you broke the Blood Law again!"
"And who was that fox lady with you and Corazón? Is she Yukimi?" Baby 5 asked just when said kitsune stepped out into the opening.
Yukimi froze when the two kids looked at her. It was like deja vu for her. "Shit!" Yukimi accidentally poofed back into her fox form, confirming what Baby 5 asked.
"I was right!" Baby 5 grinned.
Yukimi quickly jumped onto Law's shoulder, seeing a grin on his face. 'That doesn't look good. And after what just happened between Corazón and now these idiots…?'
"I'll buy you ice cream if you keep quiet on what you saw," Law offered as he walked away, quickly followed by the other two.
"I want the king size that costs 500 beris!" Buffalo cheered.
"Baby 5, lend me some money," Law practically demanded the girl next to him.
"Eh? O-okay!"
*^.^*
Yukimi sat leaning against Law's leg trying to relax as they waited for Corazón to return to the flamingo themed ship. She approved of Law keeping silent, but for personal reasons, the fox was just thankful she wouldn't have to face Doflamingo for the moment. Every time Yukimi was in the same room as the captain of the Donquixote Pirates, she couldn't shake the feeling he was watching her. Sure, Yukimi knew to be careful around the man, but every now and then she'd feel her skin crawl and a shudder run through her when his eyes were on her. The fox wasn't sure but hoped Doflamingo hadn't seen her in her human form. If it ever came down to revealing herself to fight, she'd preferred to catch him off guard. Her ears twitched hearing Law chuckle as he stood up, making her stand as well. Yukimi hadn't paid attention, she realized, as they walked out from hiding that Corazón was back and that Doflamingo had just finished speaking with him.
"I decided not to tell him," Law said resting his hands on his hips. "I thought twice and remembered I owe you for keeping quiet about me stabbing you two years ago. We're even now." Law chuckled again as he walked up the gangplank.
Yukimi stayed behind after making sure a certain ever grinning pirate wasn't close by. She then faced Corazón, "Your welcome on convincing him not to talk."
He looked down at the fox, still on edge, "...Thank you."
Yukimi shook her head, "I'm only keeping Law off of Doflamingo's radar as much as possible." The fox then scampered after Law.
*^.^*
Everything happened so fast it left Yukimi dazed. All she knew was that at one moment she and Law were onboard the Donquixote Pirates ship ready to disembark when she smelled smoke behind them. Then they were suddenly tossed in a bag and the next thing Yukimi knew, they were tossed onto a small sailing boat, tied up while Corazón untied the rope from the dock. Basically…
"This is kidnapping!" Law screamed. "Untie us! Hey!"
Yukimi laid next to the screaming boy, practically hogtied. Talk about humiliating. "Where are you taking us, Corazón?!" Yukimi growled, ears pinned back.
"Corazón you jerk! I'll make you pay for this! Say something! Hey!"
Pudududu, pudududu, pudududu…
"Hey pick up the transponder snail! Isn't it Doflamingo?! I'll talk! Pick it up!" Law tried getting out of his binding rope to get to the ringing snail but couldn't.
Pudududu, pudududu, pudududu…
"I said pick it up! Pick it up!"
Pudududu, pudududu, pudududu…
"Doflamingo help! What are you gonna do to us! Hey!" Law shouted agitated.
After hours of sailing, Yukimi was grateful that Law had eventually calmed down and had even fallen asleep due to the gentle ocean waves around them. She eyed warily yet curiously as Corazón leafed through books about hospitals. Letting a small sigh escape through her nose, the fox wiggled closer to Law as the blonde started to dial someone on the transponder snail. Just as she got comfortable, Law woke up.
"Are you calling Doflamingo?! Hey, help me!"
From Law's sudden yelling, Yukimi heard more than the transponder snail ringing. "Would you shut it Law! My ears are ringing 'cuz of you! How would you like it if someone suddenly yelled into your sensitive ears, huh?!" The fox glared at Law, gritting her teeth as she felt her eardrums ring.
Law was taken aback as Yukimi glared at him angrily, "S-sorry Yukimi-ya."
Click
"Rice crackers!"
"Rice cracker pellets. It's me," Corazón answered to whoever was on the other side.
"Oh, it's Rosinante, isn't it?"
"I'm taking a break from my mission for a while."
"Are you in trouble?" The voice on the other end sounded a little concerned.
"No, it's personal."
"Okay, got it. How are the kids and that kitsune? Are they still there even though you're giving them a hard time?"
"I don't think they will leave anytime soon…"
"The Family's become quite ill-famed now. Be careful," the voice warned heavily.
"Okay."
"I entrust this case to you so do whatever you like. Keep me updated."
"Roger that. I'll send you the details in writing," Corazón replied before hanging up.
"Who were you talking to just now?! You said 'mission'! Are you a Navy soldier or something?!" Law growled in unease.
"You don't like Navy soldiers?" Corazón asked as he smoked.
"People tying into the Government make me sick! I hate them!" Law shouted in disgust.
Yukimi sighed as she sat up the best she could while being hogtied. "Corazón, if you lived through what Law has experienced at his age, then you would feel the same way," the fox said calmly. But within Yukimi wondered if she should worry about someone else knowing about her or not. Though it would seem whoever that was on the other side of the transponder snail wasn't apart of the crew.
"I'm not a Navy soldier," the blonde stated as he blew out some smoke.
"Really?!" Law retorted in sarcasm.
*^.^*
"Hey! Let go of me, Corazón! I don't wanna go to a hospital!" Law shouted as he struggled to get out of the blonde's grip on his shirt collar. After a few days at sea, the three came to a large town where the first of the many hospitals on Corazón's list was located. Here we can see them walking down a sidewalk, looking for the hospital.
"Stop acting so predictably like a normal child," Corazón grumbled as he glanced at a handful of papers he was carrying.
Yukimi walked on the other side of Law, hands in her hoodie pockets. "Corazón, I can assure you this hospital won't help Law," she warned in a low tone as her ears lowered.
"Of course this hospital will help! That's what hospitals are for," he replied looking down at the still struggling boy. "I'm gonna cure your disease! I'm gonna take you to every single hospital!" Within minutes after that statement, they turned a corner to find the large hospital they were looking for. "Look, it's a big hospital! They'll cure you!"
Yukimi sighed as she pulled her hood up and poked her ears through two holes. She and Law knew this was going to end in a disaster.
Soon they were led into a doctor's room where the doctor and his assistant came in a few minutes after them. "So what seems to be the problem?" the doctor asked.
Yukimi glanced at the two already knowing how they will react once they realize why they were there. 'That assistant is butt ugly,' the kitsune mentally commented as she leaned against the wall next to the door, her glare towards the pale faced woman hidden by her hood.
"He needs the cure for the Amber Lead Disease," Corazón answered calmly.
The assistant dropped her clipboard in shock. "A-Amber Lead Disease?!" the doctor backed away slowly.
"It's been a while now. Don't you have good medicine for it, Doc?" Corazón asked.
"E-e-excuse me but where are you from…?" the man asked Law nervously.
"...Flevance," Law answered looking away.
"The White Town!" the doctor cried out in fear as he and his assistant held onto each other.
"Yikes! No! I'm gonna get infected!" the ugly woman shrieked as her already pale face blanched more.
"H-hey! Bring me antiseptic, and gloves, and a gas mask now! And call security and the Government! Hurry up!" the doctor demanded his assistant in a very non-discrete manner.
Corazón looked on in shock as he took off his dark sunglasses at the doctor and assistant.
Yukimi growled before she lunged at the ugly assistant, quickly giving her a knuckle sandwich, and managed to knock out a couple of teeth. "As far as I'm concerned, you've always had it, to begin with, you white faced bitch!" the kitsune snarled as she stood over the cowering woman on the floor with a bloody nose, and mouth. But Yukimi already knew she wasn't making things better only worse, she just couldn't help it though.
"Forget it!"
"Law!"
Law stopped at Corazón's voice, his teeth clenched as tears began pouring, "See?! I'm not even a human anymore!"
Yukimi turned back to where Law was sitting only to find him running out of the room. "Law!" Corazón stood by in shock at what was happening while the kitsune chased after the poor boy as the doctor started yelling at him. Yukimi ran past panicking staff and patients as she saw Law run out of the building. "Law wait up!" Yukimi threw open the doors as she ran after the fleeing boy. When the kitsune caught up to him, she grabbed him from around his waist and leaped into a large tree close by. Law wrapped his arms around her neck as he cried into her shoulder, his tears soaking into her hoodie. Yukimi bit her lip at the sight of Law crying like that. Then an idea popped into her head. She pulled out her white ocarina from under her shirt collar, "Hey, how 'bout I play my music, okay Law? Will that help?" She felt him nod slightly. The kitsune then started playing her lake guardian's song, letting the familiar soothing melody waft through the air around them. As Yukimi played, she heard an explosion from the hospital. 'That must've been Corazón,' she thought, now hearing footsteps coming closer to their tree.
"Law! Yukimi!"
Yukimi continued to play her ocarina as Corazón quickly found them on a high branch in the tree, out of his reach. The kitsune gave him a look that clearly said to shut up or else, making the blonde snap his mouth shut and not say a word. Then she moved her two bushy tails to her front to cover up the teary eyed boy, shielding him from the blonde's view. After another minute, Yukimi finished her song, letting her instrument hang from her neck by its brass chain. It was then she felt a tear of her own slip down her cheek. Yukimi raised her hand to wipe it away when Law shifted in her lap, looking up at her with red eyes. He reached up and wiped away her tear as he sniffed, making her smile softly at him. The kitsune hugged Law in return, "I'm not gonna leave you. I gotta protect and watch out for ya, after all," she whispered, seeing the boy's red rimmed eyes flicker with something. Bushy tails uncovered the two as Yukimi tightened her grip securely around Law, then dropped out of the tree to land a few feet from Corazón.
"That was the worst hospital ever!" Corazón remarked angrily as they walked away from the emblazed hospital. "I'm sorry. Did it bring back old memories?" the blonde asked looking at the two as Yukimi put Law back on the ground so he could walk himself.
Law quickly snatched the kitsune's wrist, almost cutting off circulation. He usually wasn't clingy, but with how the events from the hospital made old terrible memories resurface, the boy felt like he couldn't let Yukimi go, needing the mental support from someone who understood him. "This is why I told you! I don't wanna go to any hospitals!"
Yukimi grimaced slightly from Law's tight grip but made sure that look was wiped from her face for Law's sake. "I warned you Corazón. There is no cure!" she said through clenched teeth, glaring at the path ahead of them. 'If only there was some way…'
"Nonsense! That one was terrible! But I'm sure there'll be a good doctor in the next one!" Corazón tried reassuring them.
"I don't wanna go!"
And so, the trio went from hospital to hospital, from town to town, looking for a cure that didn't exist. Even though Corazón was trying his best to help Law, it always ended in disaster, and Yukimi was left to try and pick up the pieces after each failure.
Six months later in the shadow of a hospital, is where we can find the trio on a rocky shore in the evening. Law was asleep curled up next to Yukimi in her fox form, keeping him warm from the chilly night air, while Corazón sat further away from the close pair, drinking in despair.
Yukimi awoke to a bottle shattering on the stone. She heard Corazón muttering to himself about how he felt sorry for Law before slowly walking towards them. She kept her eyes closed, pretending to still be asleep.
"...I'm sure you don't want...this idiot who keeps hurting you...to say something like this but..."
Yukimi felt the blanket Law had kicked off at some point being pulled back over them.
"You're still a rude little boy..." Law turned a little in his sleep, tugging her closer. "...and hearing you say 'I'll die soon' is...heartbreaking... You...stabbed me...that day but...it didn't hurt at all!"
Yukimi frowned as she realized that Corazón was crying.
"I know you were the one in pain! You poor thing, Law! And you Yukimi...you went through everything with him! Yet...you continue to...let this idiot try but fail to help him!"
She then heard Corazón walk away as he continued to cry. She bit her lip as tears began to drip and cascade down from her eyes. Yukimi then felt Law's hand tighten on her back, making her open her glossy red eyes at him, only to find him crying too.
The next morning Yukimi stirred the morning's breakfast. She fiddled with her hanging ocarina as she watched their morning meal cook.
"Cora... Hey, Cora!"
Yukimi looked over her shoulder to find Law waking Corazón up. The man looked up sleepily.
"Breakfast is ready," Law said in his usual scowl.
Corazón quickly sat up with a shocked expression, slowly pointing to himself.
"What is that face?!" Law shouted irritated.
"You just called me Cora..." Corazón said in awe.
"Shut up and eat breakfast!" Law quickly fired back.
Yukimi grinned giggling, making the man look over to her, "C'mon Cora!"
A grin slowly grew on Corazón's face.
*^.^*