Chapter two: Small hope
The Celestial Dragon was horrible. He had kicked Luffy 'til he was satisfied, even then he was dragged by his collar harshly as he fell behind his 'master'. He was lead to a large ship and pulled into a small room. Now Luffy stares at the scary man, with fear.
"You, make sure he doesn't move. This needs to be perfect." Saint Charles commands one of his men, who swiftly yanks Luffy's collar.
Luffy yells as the guard pin him down over a bench. There was an unsettling silence and Luffy struggles against the man's hold. 'What are they doing?' He panics. Without warning a raw scream ripped through Luffy's throat, accompanied by a small hissing. His back burned and begged for it to stop. But the 'Master' continued to press the hot iron rod into his skin. The last thing he sees is the smile of a Cheshire cat, followed by dark laughter.
Two figures stare at the small figure that the guard had just thrown in with them. They weren't shocked to see a child here; after all, they had been brought here about the same age. They whispered low so not draw the guard's attention but as soon as the man left, the green haired girl's chest tightens, at the small trembling form and the helpless cries.
"Sonia, what are you doing?" The redhead exclaimed, staring at her sister with worried eyes as the other had begun to move to the new figure.
"He's just a child, Mari." The older sister starts to hover over the tiny figure. Her eyes sadden, seeing all the cuts and bruises. She grits her teeth, finding the all too familiar symbol of the "The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon", a pang of anger pass through her as it always did seeing the brand. It was still fresh and needed treatment.
Another gasp escapes the boy and Sonia sympathized with him, knowing the agony the other was feeling. Reaching out she warily picks the child up, brings them back to her sister in the corner.
"Mari, pass the water and rags." The other was hesitant but did as instructed. Retrieving the bucket of water and cloth, though she eyed her sister with a troubled look before looking down to the boy. It wasn't that she didn't want to help him, she had other concerns.
Mari placed the bucket beside the other before Sonia gave a couple more instructions. She then split the rag in two, passing over one piece before stripping the other into smaller bits.
Sonia gently washed the boy's bare torso gently with her rag that had been soaked with water. Heart clenching cries continue as the cloth caressed over each wound. Satisfied once he was clean, Sonia takes the strips of rags from Mari and wraps them over the brand so the child wouldn't agitate it when he woke.
"Why did you help him?"
"He reminds me of us." Sonia holds him close to her, observing as his breath evened out and began to slumber with a peaceful expression. Mari notices how her sister was acting and speaks out.
"You know, she'll be furious when she returns and finds him. You'll have to let him go." Sonia responds with a curt nod. Mari wasn't completely reassured but left it.
Sonia lowers the boy so that he was laying comfortably in her large lap. The two sisters smile when they watch as he snuggled closer to her body. However, moments later both become concerned for the boy, knowing as the day slowly passed what was to come.
AN: Don't worry Luffy you're not alone anymore! I know it's been a long time for this story to update. Honestly, I was planning to do it regularly but that failed. Sorry about that. Anyway, hope you like this small chapter.
Oh, and I guess I should warn you but this will slightly get darker as we go.