Just after Marco left Domino's side

Russell looked on as Domino bore daggers at her brothers back as they walked across the party towards the hotel lobby for the elevators.

She must have sweet memories of that mark as well. After all she was the one supposed to be wearing it. She's the one that started this whole damn thing anyway. It was only fitting he would be the one to end it?

He chuckled to himself with pure giddy happiness then felt his frown deepen as his lover's presence filled the room. His laughter stopped.

"What are you doing Arum?" He asked harshly. For once no longer using her pet name. Why should he? He no longer cared for her as a pet. Why? Well because gods had no needs for pets who can't do their jobs.

"I came to update you on tonight's schedule. It seems that most of the pirates have chosen to stay on their ship." She sternly explained, moving to stand next to him but only watching as he moved away from her. His eyes focused on the view below him. He was starting to notice gaps in his party.

Why were people leaving the party? That wasn't the plan.

But more importantly why would he have to once again change his plans? Why did these creatures refuse to follow his rule? The pirates were supposed to be entranced with the island life and stay.

He even had made sure his person on their crew convinced them to go. Well what would he expect of someone who unknowingly gave over the flower of death. No wonder his 'savior' of a sister cast him aside. Even if he was one of their own.

Russel rolled his eyes and clenched his fist shaking his head. "That's what I get for relying on useless men." He sighed and put his hand to his forehead and began to tap it.

"That's fine I suppose. I believe little Sylvia's got her own plans. Why don't you just increase the production in the bath house steam machines, or whatever they're called, everything you must. After all, after tonight it wont matter." He waved his hand absently.

Arum pursed her lips together and began to move forward her arms outstretched to provide a comforting hand to the man she worshipped. However he pulled away with a raised eyebrow and frown on his face as he began to chuckle at her movements.

"What do you think you're doing huh?" He asked before seeing her down cast eyes. "I..forgive me." She whispered.

He shrugged and turned away from her "Of course my love, what else am I but forgiving?" He asked himself as he reached to grab her chin and lift her eyes up to

look towards him.

She gave a warm smile at his touch when he scoffed and hardened his touch squeezing her jaw bone and causing her to wince.

"But please, no more changing plans. Have the bath house running at full and if all else fails just blow it up." He stated sternly pushing her chin away and causing her body to fall back on it.

She gasped as her legs tumbled back. She caught herself on the table and looked up at him concern and uncertainty in her eyes.

He rolled his eyes and leaned in his frown slowly creeping up to a smile. "Don't look so hurt my love. I still need you." He stated softly looking down at her frightened eyes and watched as they changed to a look of resolve.

He leaned down to grace her with a kiss on the forehead and watched as she began to lift her head in anticipation but stopped when a large man stood in from of the doorway. His frowned returned and he pulled away pushing on her to look.

That wasn't his brother so he had no care. Instead he turned his eyes back to the glass window as she looked towards the door way. "What is it?" She growled.

"Ah, my lady, my lord. We can't find Daisy or Clematis, we lost their trail in the tunnels." He stated. Both Arum and Russel shrugged. Russell threw his hand in the air and waved it off.

"They either get out in time or they don't I'm discarding that plan. Arum deal with it." He stated nonchalantly.

Arum watched his turned back and let her leathery face fall in to a concerning frown. She crossed her arms and leaned on her left leg collecting her thoughts. When she first met Russel they were young, he had freed her from her chains and had always had a plan. But now he was more sporadic then normal.

Not only that but as much as she hated those brats they kind of grew on her and the idea of them running through those unkept tunnels or stumbling along in the dark alone terrified her.

"Don't just stand there." Russel's voice stated pulling the woman from her thoughts. She nodded towards the doorway were the man still stood waiting for her response. "I'll take care of it. Enjoy your meal my love." She stated with her normal tone to which he laughed and shrugged.

"I'm afraid we won't even make it to appetizers." He scoffed and turned to her, his topaz eyes holding a fire in his eyes. "Now leave." He stated harshly.

She took a step back and eventually gave a light nod rushing out of the room without a second thought. If she had looked back then maybe she would have seen Domino's mad smile and Raphael's warning aura behind her.

Or maybe if she had hesitated a moment longer she would have heard Russel say something he had never meant before. But what it was? She'll never know.

Domino stared up at the distant moon while her brother wrapped her in what should be a warm embrace. Instead she only felt colder. Wouldn't you knowing what you had to do by the end of the night.

He squeezed her tighter as she lightly placed her hand on his back to tap him to pull away.

Which he did his once chubby cheeks now sharper and once light red eyes a darker color. But a skull splitting smile on his face nonetheless.

Domino couldn't help but smile at that same childlike smile she remembered. It was a pleasant reminder that not everything can be tainted by time.

Rappy leaned over his tired looking sister and tilted his head unafraid to ask her the giddy questions he had been waiting to ask. But first most importantly. "Wh..what." He gave her a concerned look when she only smiled up in return waiting for him to continue.

He found a new reassurance and found himself wrapping his arm with hers and smiling while she moved for the exit. "Flowers.. .can y..yu..you Mm. ?" He asked her happily glaring at anyone who dare stepped in their way.

Domino took careful steps to match his long strides pulling her arm free and holding out the palm of her hand to his frowning face. (He wasn't happy his sissy pulled away). She twisted her wrists at her side while she hummed her response. "Um."

Honestly she was taken back by his question. There was so much to ask and so much to say. What was she even expecting him to say in the first place. Hey got any plans to capture us? You do oh well that sounds like fun.

"I can make tons, like more then you could ever imagine." She smiled focusing on her powers ability to make all kinds of joyish plants. Before the terrifying memory of that dreaded black and white flower filled her mind. But still she continued in a chirper voice.

Raphael looked down as his sister used her arms to talk and the smile that was on her face unwavering. He couldn't help but feel as if this was the right path. They would cleanse everyone together.

"I got this book right?" She asked him looking up with wide honey eyes. Rappy smiled "A ?" He asked her.

She gave a light nod "Yeah, so basically it's this book with a good majority of the worlds known flora?" She explained with a smile. As they began to walk up the stairs that lead away from the courtyard.

As they did so Raphael had found himself in the lead and Domino found herself staring up at his tattooed back with complete disgust. But still she continued "Well it was handy and I found this one flower that I knew you'd love." She started off hollow as she spoke but her voice slowly became happy and light once more as she now shook the idea of that mark out of her head and enjoyed the fact that she was finally beside little Rappy.

Even if it wasn't for long she could pretend this was normal. And in a way as they passed through the large double doors she found herself giggling at how his face lit up with pure joy.

"Really?Ma...May..I.. it?" He asked looking down at his thoughtful sister. After all these years all of the time that's passed and she still thought of him.

Domino nodded inspecting the emptying shell of a lobby. All of these people felt so familiar to her. "Hmm?" She asked him, tearing herself away from the same washed over faces of her past.

Rappy raised an eyebrow then cocked his head to the side looking on at all the useless unclean filth around him. The fact that their eyes were adverted from him meant the very thing he could feel inside him. These people were so worthless they couldn't stand to look at him.

But his sister, his sister was never worthless. In fact she was going to make him a flower that she found for him.

"The fl..fl..fl.." He stopped himself clenching his fist at how upsetting this was. He was so excited to see the flower she was going to make for him that he can't concentrate.

Domino gave a light smile and placed her hand lightly over his clenched fist. "Rappy, It's okay, calm down take your time." She reassured him. It was honestly gut wrenching knowing that she wasn't there to help him get over it but she had to leave.

He nodded while they made their way up the ivory set of stairs leading to the second floor of the lobby and staring down at the golden elevators. "Can you m. the .flower for me?" He asked her lightly his eyes wide and smile staring at her tired face in the reflective surface of the elevator doors.

She nodded. "Yeah, as soon as I get some dirt that'll be the first thing I do." She stated honestly. He didn't see her hide her right hand behind her leg. She couldn't show him just yet.

Raphael nodded looking around the elevator buttons and finally pushing the button he needed.

He looked back at his sissy and smiled as the button lit up. " is. cool." He stuttered. Domino giggled to herself before quickly covering her frantic laughter beginning to rumble in her throat.

"Hehe, yeah I like that too. This place is pretty spiffy, definitely better than the marine bases i'm used to." She agreed looking around the pristine hotel that surrounded her. It was more then spiffy it was pretensions. What did Add-Russel think? That having a great place like this made up for where he came from?

Raphael shrugged. "I've be..better castles." He stated straightening up and puffing out his chest in pride. He has conquered and cleansed better castles.

Domino let out a low chuff. "Yeah, me too." She then tossed her head back in a scoff. "Hell, I've brought down bigger castles then this." She stated honestly crossing her arms and standing proud watching her reflection beam back her fond memories of the buildings crumbling around her.

She then noticed her brothers shocked face as he slumped over to hear her better. He wasn't used to being taller than her. It was weird.

"H. did you take out castles?" He asked her pure amazement and admiration in his deep tone. He took them down with multiple swings. But she wasn't a swords men? No she was a punchie person.

Domino watched her reflection stretch in to a sadistic smile as she held out her left hand. Her right now hidden underneath her arm. "It's remarkable how easily a vine can crush a stone with enough force." She explained her smiled growing as she closed her fist.

The images of her feats of a marine flashed before her eyes. All the buildings they left in crumbles after the wars they settled. Or the islands they overthrew. Even the ships she crushed after the men had been evacuated.

She released her fist scoffing at her reflection in amazement. Out of all the times she's performed a feat such as that, only a few times since Akainu had learned about Calla have there been people involved.

Rappy nodded his understanding then watched as his sister unraveled her stance as her reflection disappeared with the opening doors. They both walked cautiously into the elevator. "M.. that's why had the flowers removed." He asked himself pressing the button towards his brothers floor.

Domino leaned against the railing not liking being in the confined space. "So he did that? Should I be flattered, or insulted that he would think?" She stopped herself and sighed then moved to click three extra buttons. She couldn't say 'he would think i'd really destroy this place' cause that's exactly what she planned to do.

" .." Rappy yelled, moving to unclick the glowing lights she clicked. But that only added more lights. He looked back at her franticly as she shook her head. "Rappy, why would Addl-er Russel remove all the dirt from his island?" She asked him crossing her arms leaning further against the railing of the reflective elevator doors.

Seeing that their floor was at the very top and the others below were all lit up he sighed and shrugged refusing to look at his sister. Instead focused on her reflection.

She looked so stern and so set. But her eyes also looked tired and her smile was growing as if she already knew what he was going to say. But There was no way she knew their plans. However, he could never lie to her.

"He was scared that..Y... destroy the island l..like..home." He mumbled looking down and scratching his fading scars along his arm. Suddenly it was burning. She twisted her wrist and nodded to herself unraveling her hands grasping the rails and sighing. Letting her head fall back so her eyes focused on the reflection of her smile looking back down at her.

"I figured, but you gotta know. I.." Should she tell him? No. "I don't think I could ever do that again." She tapped the railing scoffing to herself. "I don't think i'd even be powerful enough to do it again. Rappy you have to understand..." She trailed off seeing tears growing in her brothers crimson eyes.

"Rappy.." She asked herself, moving to rest her hand on his shoulder and looking down. "Please, I.." She left the word hanging in the air with her unreleased breath. She couldn't tell him she never meant for that to happen.

But she did. She meant everything that island got. Deep down she did. She knew they'd never get to be free with out that islands destruction.

She pulled back her hand and rested herself against the railing once more as the elevator doors opened. Then closed. "Some party y'all got going on huh?" She asked him lightly. To which he shrugged, wiping his eyes and straightening up.

"I..I..I think, it's.. To much. Russel wanted it. I just wanted to .see you again." He stated honestly his eyes falling on her smile as she shook her head.

"I know, I know. It's so unreal. There hasn't been a day that's gone by were I don't think about you guys." She choked back tears and smiled thoughtfully. "I mean, both of you guys have grown up so much, Making names for yourselves do you know how proud I am of the both of y-"

Raphael straightened up, silencing Domino and turning towards her. "Who.. that.. Man?" He asked. Thinking of that blonde person that caused his sister to hesitate. The one that she would grow a flower for but not him. Her own brother. Yeah he saw her gift that man a flower. But Sissy had her reasons, just she couldn't say it. Thats why, of course it was his sister was always so proud.

Domino sighed and began to run a hand through her hair before stopping and smiling to cover up her slip. "He's the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard pirates. Maybe you've heard of em?" She asked hopefully.

Raphael noticed a light in her eyes that faded when the elevator doors opened again then closed. He shook his head and looked back to her reflection.

"Oh..well, um..His names Marco. He's a great friend." She smiled fondly remembering his outstretched hand to her.

"F. ?" Rappy scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yes, a friend." Domino smiled at her obvious lie. A short paused landed on them while she thought about the insult to call Marco a friend.

"Well..no." She stated looking down and smiling at the floor. Raphael turned to look at her head held down. His eyes going wide at this silver band in her hair before he shook his head. His sissy had her reasons.

He didn't need to ask what it was. He didn't need to right?

"I..I.. 't like him." Raphael stated sternly crossing his arms and leaning beside her. Domino picked up her head and gasped the tense moment falling between them. Yeah this is what it felt like to have a brother again. She was excited to talk to him like normal. And even more so to tell him about Marco.

"Well it's a good thing you don't gotta see him now do you?" She asked jokingly.

Raphael shrugged. "He's a pirate." He stated honestly then lifted up his chin. "My Sissy desserves...N. a pirate." He agreed with his new tone. Feeling giddy at how comfortable he was feeling. After so long he didn't have to worry about his insolent disgusting stutter.

Domino covered her hand as she laughed. "Ah yeah, I s'ppose you'd have me be an old maid then?" She asked him with a light smile. Raphael nodded then stopped and shook his head as his sisters low laugh continued to make him smile.

"No, You can only be with someone I can beat up." He smiled relaxing as Domino nodded. "Ahh I see, this is about manly competition then?" She asked leaving the taller brother who nodded vigorously.

"Of course! Only someone who crosses my blade .can marry you!" He cheered, placing his hand on his hilt for good measure.

Domino held out her hands laughing harder, trying to cover up her crazy vicious laughter seeping through. "Henhen, you don't mean marriage like marriage marriage?" She asked. She then looked up at his serious face as he turned to face her completely.

Red eyes wide and truthful.

"Of course I do! You..L. h..him. Therefor you must be with ." He stated with a cheesy smile. Then his face pulled back to its sharp features. "B.. I still don't like him." He added.

Domino rolled her eyes and shook her head successfully covering up her maniacal laughter. "Ah Rappy, As much as I love Marco, I don't think i'll ever marry him." She sighed, starting to grow serious as the truth hit her.

She couldn't truly be happy with him could she? Well after tonight it didn't matter if she could or not. So now that tonight was her last what about Marco that kept her coming back.

Rappy tightened his jaw and shook his head looking forward growing serious as the last door opened before their destination. "W. do you sound so..s. . Is it because he's a pirate?" He asked trying to smile at the last part.

His sister rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Nah, Honestly, I couldn't care less bout all that titles stuff. You know? We're all just people trying to hold our beliefs while not losing ourselves." She stated to herself.

Rappy shrugged. "I..I..I don't believe that."

"In what holding on to our beliefs or the marine thing?" She asked him. Her once again relaxing at having a normal conversation for 3 seconds before her memories swarmed back through her sober mind.

"The beliefs?" He asked himself looking down at his hands and shaking his head. His neck suddenly needing his tie to tighten around it. Anything to feel normal again.

Domino let out a deep breath as her face twitched before she 'tcked' to herself. "You gotta believe in something, If it anit people then at least yourself. That's how I see it." She stated while moving to look at herself in the reflection as the elevators mechanical parts suddenly reverberated in her ears. Mixing with the screams of her past.

She flinched as Rappy shook his head. "Pe.. ? How can you believe in people?" His deep voice not holding back any disgust.

She closed her eyes. "I don't." She stated before sighing "I believe that people can be good. I believe that there is always an option for good. I just never..we...people just don't do it." She explained with hand motions as well.

Rappy furrowed his eyebrows and glanced back over his shoulder as the large reflective doors opened to their last stop. This was it. He took a step forward. "I. your pirate good?" Raphael asked with more anger in his voice then he meant.

How could his Sissy say such a thing? People aren't good, people can't be good. They were bugs. Insects. Yes thats what they were. Or was that what he was forced to know? Think Rappy, after all of these years, all of these men you sent after her how many did she really kill? Was that her being good?

Domino took a second at the question that caught her off guard. She stared at the doors as they began to close around her.

Is Marco good? ""Or you can have some real fun and join us." She shook the thought of his smile and pushed herself through the image of his outstretched hand to catch up the the burned back of her brother.

She did admit she looked back at the closing gold doors behind her to see if he was still standing there waiting for her, then shook her head and turned away from her love.

"He's not." She started rushing to catch her brother and quickly pulling at his arm. "Rappy wait." Her light crazy voice begged him.

He stopped stiff in the hallway looking on at a larger man down the hall sticking his head in Russel's room.

"W. ? Were .most there." He pointed ahead of him. Domino glanced that way and nodded. "Marco's not good. He's a liar, a cheat, a dirty no good pirate." She explained with a new proud tone in her voice as she moved to stand before her towering brother.

"The list I have for him could go on. I can call him every name under the book but you know what? He wouldn't care." She scoffed looking down and shaking her head a sad smile growing on her face. "He wouldn't care cause he's free?" She whispered.

"He's really free. He's not bound by chains, or rules. He, he's freedom." She finished with a whisper not knowing until she spoke those words how much she was burdened. "He's a reminder of what I wanted most all my life. To be free. You know?" She asked herself. Looking up at her brother's concerned eyes.

She felt her face twitching as a smile grew across her face. "I've always wanted to be free like you and Addler." She froze and shook her head. "I mean Russel, But I.." She rolled her eyes "Who am I kidding, of course i've been free to make my own decisions this whole time. Never-mind that." She waved her watery eyes off and laughed at herself as she pulled away her hands wet with tears.

Raphael looked down at his sister. She really was the coolest big sister ever. Even after everything she had been forced to do she still took responsibility for it? She took the sole blame so he would never feel guilty.

When in reality he was just a disgusting creature who was just as much to blame as she was.

He smiled then he wrapped his sister in a warm hug. She scoffed at him and shook her head as she hugged him tighter.

"Please forgive me for leaving you Rappy." She began to blink away the burning tears. Rappy nodded squeezing her tighter before pulling away and looking at his sister and the trail of tears across her cheeks.

"I promise we'll free you." He stated sternly and clearly making up his mind. He needed to be good. He could be good. She needed him to free her. And that's what he was going to do tonight.

He was finally going to be with his best sissy ever.

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JESUS sorry for the remixing of the chapters. I got a few things, I may or may not actually have covid so you guys can expect more updates cause well writing gets stuff off my mind. So far my family's fine and I hope everyone is fine to. I don't seem to be in to bad of a shape I just have soreness and chills.

But anyway I just wanted to let you guys know it may be a tid bit jumpy, but i'll try and keep it smooth. But thank you guys for your votes and comments. Just stay till the end of all of it.

Oh yeah, please please everyone stay safe.