Guess you wait so long for this update.
lidianalestari : Heee :3 I thank you for your kind messages. So I decided to write it longer than I plan to.
Trafalgarnami : Happy belated belated birthday! I suppose :3.
apple21 : Thanks for giving a chance to read this story.
Also not to forget;
queen, sarah, son of whitebeard, Lee-lover, Chachi, Alex, yokoyoko, xFallenDemonx, BatmanSwim2016, TheDreamingWriter, Keirra, Mrs. ToraLaw, Hanasho
Well, maybe it's too late to respond to your reviews and not sure whether you read this or not. But anyway, thanks a mil!
So, enough with the goodie goodie stuff...
A throbbing headache was developing beneath his temples causing him to groan. His eyes shot open, blinking a few times. The dim light of the lantern spread a pale of stream light in the room. As his eyes grew accustomed, he scanned around the surroundings. Seconds dragged by as he concentrated on piecing his mind together. He remembered he saw Nami and they exchanged kisses. She dragged him into an empty room and coaxed him into another kiss. Things heated up as they got undressed and he laid her down on the futon. After that, some pleasant activities went on.
He sat up, looking to his side just to see an unfamiliar figure. A stranger he didn't even remember anything about her. He heaved heavily. To drink till he was drunk wasn't a good idea at all. The alcohol in his system just messed up his brain. The woman that she thought was Nami was none other than a prostitute that worked in that house. He snorted in disgust as he slid out of the futon. Thinking back, there was no way Nami could be there, could she?
After putting on a yukata, he grabbed his sword that propped against the wall near the door and slid out of the room. He stepped down the stairs and into the kitchen, and saw Jora was preparing breakfast. Leaning against the door frame, he watched her work diligently.
"Can you make something to make this hangover go away?" His voice was croaky.
"Sure Law." Jora replied and return to her task, "Just wait there."
Law sat on the step and leaned his head against the pillar. His thumb rubbed his throbbing temple.
"Hangover is an ugly bitch."
Law slightly craned his neck and peered at the owner of the voice. Eustass Kid. He looked disheveled. The collar of his yukata hung loosely over his shoulder. Probably he was just like him.
"Oh it's just you!" Law sighed and closed his eyes again. "What an eyesore." He mumbled lowly.
"I heard you!" Kid retorted as he sat on the step far across from Law. "Make one for me too ma'am." He ordered Jora and leaned his head against the pillar.
"Sure! Sure! Kid-sama." Jora chuckling, "If it's young master you are looking for, he's in the guest room."
She didn't hear an answer right away but later heard the two make affirmative noises. She just shook her head and continued on making drinks for the two.
"Both of you smell of sex. Were you banging together last night?"
Both males grumbled under their breath as they lifted their heads.
Smirking knowingly, Doflamingo spoke again, "After you have done getting rid of that foul smell, I want both of you to check up on the jetty."
Both males nodded at the same time. Looking at Law and then Kid for confirmation, he turned on his heel and left the two.
Done checking up on the marked jetty, both Kid and Law strolled along the street on their way to the inn. Law noticed girls dressed in their spring kimono walking around the area. He stopped walking as he looked around him. Stalls and street vendors were lining along the street, selling food and stuff. It was pretty lively and busy, like, there was some sort of festival.
"It's a festival." Kid spoke up, answering his inner question.
Law looked at him as an acknowledgement and then continued to walk. He took a glance at the stalls as he passed by, suddenly stopped walking and turned back to the previous stall.
Kid turned around as he saw him heading towards one of the stalls. He then joined him to look at the stuff that caught his partner's attention.
Law's eyes lingered around the stuff displayed on the table before picking up something that caught his attention in the first place. A hair-stick. He picked it up and studied it for long. It was decorated with a beautiful tiny pearly-white flowers with a pair of moss agate beads dangling at the end of the stick.
"hair-stick?" Kid stated as he examined the hair-stick in Law's hand.
"A gift for your wife, young man?" The shopkeeper added as he smile. "I am sure she will be happy."
Kid tittered behind him. Law huffed in annoyance and ignored him. Too lazy to start an unnecessary argument with him. As he kept examining the hairstick, her image flashed through the forefront of his mind. Imagining the hair-stick pinned on her head. Without a second thought, he decided to buy it.
"I take this." Law said as he paid the price to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper nodded and taking the coins from Law. "Thank you, young man. Please come again later." He said as he bowed few times.
Kid glanced at Law as he slid it inside his sleeve. "Buying a hair-stick for a slut you have a night stand with. How very manly eh, Trafalgar!." He said sarcastically.
"Better than sticking your dick in every hole you pick up on road." Law retorted back.
"Heh, looks who's talking." Kid shot back. "You ain't no different either."
Law stopped and turned to face Kid, scanning him from head to toe, and then he shrugged, "I can see a lot of difference. Literally…" then he walked off. Kid snarled and then coming up with another retort.
Walking past underneath the big tree, the two stopped walking and arguing.
"Oi!" Kid called out.
"Yeah." Law replied in understanding. Thumb on the guard of his sword. Eyes lingered around spotting the shadows moving in the daylight.
"Six… no seven." Kid glanced from the corner of his eyes, catching glimpse of shadows as they moved swiftly. His hand grabbing the hilt of his sword.
"Seven!" Law affirmed.
Moment later, few black cloaked guys showed up, encircling the two men with swords in their hand. They moved simultaneously in circle. Their move was almost so fast for the eyes to track.
"You better watch your own back. I have no time taking care of your sorry ass." Kid jeered as he drew both of his sword.
"Don't tell me what to do." Law reminded as he pushed the guard of his sword, grabbing the hilt with his other free hand.
One man came forward attacking Kid but he blocked his attack easily with one sword and swung his other hand from the side, hitting the enemy in the ribs and smashing through his chest, slicing his lungs. Kid pushed him off and he toppled backward and fell on the ground. He saw another two coming towards him.
Law moved past his enemy, spinning in a full circle, aiming his swing at the enemy's neck. The strike causing the enemy to jerk and fall forward. Spotting the opening, he thrust his sword at the enemy's nape, twisting it and using his own leg to kick the enemy off of his sword. He then swung his sword to the other side to block another incoming attack.
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Standing up on one of the branch, Diamante watched over one girl who was strolling around her tangerine orchard. He leaned against the tree as his arms crossed in front of him. For the who-knew-what-time, he yawned again.
"Shall I just tell Doffy that her daily routine is no different than a wife's." He mumbled to himself and then yawned again.
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Law examined the dead body, spotting an unfamiliar tattoo on the left shoulder of the dead body.
"What sins have you committed this time they are targeting you?" Kid asked as he sat on the protruding root of the tree, watching as Law did his small investigation.
Law wasn't sure if those people were targeting him or Kid. He scrunched up thoughtfully, then examined the other body, seeing the same mark but on a different place of the body.
Kid stood up as he noticed the changes in Law's expression. He came up behind, looking over Law's shoulder at the dead body. "Bragging about wiping out Moria's faction… you've done half-assed job, huh, Trafalgar?" He snickered. "And now, I had to do the grunt work personally."
"Really?" Law replied in a boring tone, "I can actually do this alone without you intervening." He pushed himself up and looked at Kid, irritated, "You are so annoying. I never asked you to take part in this. You are just dragging your ass here, showing off your immature skills for some untrained assassins. For all I care, you can just sit there jerking off."
"What?" Kid snapped. "You wanna go at it?" Hands already on the hilts.
"Bring it on!" Law encourage, grabbing the hilt of his sword.
"Gladly!" Kid replied. Pulling out his swords, he advanced and swung his sword downward diagonally. Law unsheathed his sword and parried the blow. He used the scabbard and aimed it near Kid's neck but the latter bounded out of the way, completely dodging the blow.
"They are not Moria's. They are BW assassins." A voice stopped the two from launching at each other.
"BW?" Law and Kid chorused as they pulled back.
"By the way, how long have you been there?" Law frowned.
"I have been following you from the last jetty." Gladius pushed himself off the tree.
Law stood straight, re-sheathed his sword as he saw Gladius made his way to his direction. Kid drew his legs together, glanced at him then putting his swords back in place.
"Seriously, if I don't stop you, you guys are going to kill each other." He added, scanning the dead bodies.
"Why are they attacking us?" Kid asked pointing at the bodies.
Kicking one of the bodies with his feet, Gladius replied, "These are just lowly assassins. If they were targeting you, they would've sent more people or probably the stronger ones. I wonder what's on Sir Crocodile's mind."
"Young Master, we are reporting in." Gladius informed and slid open the door. He stopped and apologized as soon as he saw another person sitting across Doflamingo.
"Come on in! All of you." Doflamingo ordered.
Law, Kid and Gladius stepped in, sitting at the centre of the room and bowed a bit.
"So, what do you think? He is well and alive." Doflamingo smirked.
The person turned his head and scanned the males, "Not bad!" his deep voice broke in, "If he can't handle those assassins, he isn't worth to be your right-hand man."
Law lifted his head up and looked at the owner of the voice. A scar running horizontally above his nose that stretched his face. He remembered that face, he saw him once, long time ago. "Crocodile." He took a mental note as he stared at the older male intently.
"He was the young boy you took with you." Crocodile acknowledged. "He's all grown up."
"Yeah!" Doflamingo replied.
"To think that he wanted to kill you so bad last time," Crocodile recalled , "You sure know how to tame such beast."
"I take that as a compliment." Doflamingo boasted. "He's my most reliable man."
"I can see that." Crocodile then pushed himself up, "So, I'll be taking everything for now."
Doflamingo stood alongside Crocodile and escorted him to the door, "All right! I leave everything to you and Kid. Will be leaving tomorrow before the morning sun."
"I'd be taking over your pleasure house." Crocodile reminded.
"Sure!" Doflamingo agreed, "They are yours once you took over."
"Good." Crocodile affirmed. He stepped down the stairs and Doflamingo watched until he disappeared from his sight.
"Right! I have no use of those houses anyway." He mumbled to himself.
"Young master!" Gladius called out.
"Hm?" Doflamingo turned around and looked at Gladius, "Ah, yes! No need. Crocodile filled me up the details." He went to his seat. "He will deal with everything here. Later."
"Is that so?"
Doflamingo nodded. "It's settle then. I have him managed everything here. We can go back tomorrow and settle our business over there."
Law and Gladius nodded.
"And Kid…" Doflamingo called. Kid lifted his head to look at Doflamingo.
"You probably want to keep a girl or two because once Crocodile owned the houses, you can no longer get the girl for free."
Kid chuckled, "Aren't you being so rude?"
"Am I?" Doflamingo smirked, "Don't get me wrong. I am being nice here."
"No, thank you." Kid objected. "It's not like I need them."
"If you say so." Doflamingo shrugged.
Law sat cross-legged and stared at the hair-stick he placed on the table. Small part of him regretted and wanted to just throw it away but big part of him said otherwise. He kept staring at the hair-stick until a knock on his door had him shifting his attention.
Sliding open the door, Gladius appeared with a pack in his hand. Tossing it to Law as he stepped into the room.
Accepting the pack, he looked at Gladius again.
"Dried plum." Gladius answered. He came, took a glance at the hair-stick on the table before comfortably sitting on the floor.
Law snorted, "I dislike this."
"Yeah I know. But your woman probably knows how to make use of it." Gladius replied. "Jora persuaded young master to take it home for others too."
Law sighed and placed it next to the table.
"Are you leaving early tomorrow?" Gladius asked, lifted his chin a bit as he pointed to the pack near the chest.
Law nodded.
"Finally..." Gladius sighed as he stretched and lay flat on the floor. He stared at the ceiling. After a while, he turned his head to Law, "Got yourself one classy chick last night huh?"
Law shifted his gaze at Gladius, "So, what about that?"
"It's just rare for you to pick up one. Is she special or what?"
"No! That doesn't make her any different in the slightness." Law replied. After a brief paused, "She's still a whore."
"That's harsh, Law." Gladius pushed himself up and sat again, "But, you had fun with her anyway."
"It's not like I want to." Law mumbled, felt irritated for some reason. It wasn't fun at all after knowing he was just sleeping with one random whore. Not in the slightest he thought about the girl. Not even he remembered her face or her name. And he didn't feel like remembering at all.
"Why? You would rather think she was someone else?" Gladius asked noticing the slight contort in Law's face. "Like… Nami?" He smirked, "Well, it's understandable. Safe nest huh?
"Safe nest?" Though it was funny coming out from Gladius, Law smiled half-heartedly. It wasn't like that at all. What safe nest? His bird never perched on her even though they slept together. But thinking back, it could mean the other way around.
Law glanced down at his companion and nodded, "Yeah! Safe nest." he repeated but meant it differently. The corner of his lips turned upright slightly. Somehow feeling a glimmer of satisfaction at Gladius' ignorance.
"Law already left before dawn, young master." Jora reported as she served breakfast.
"Ah… wait, what?" Doflamingo shocked. "He didn't wait for me then? That brat!" He cursed as he tied his obi.
"He said, since there is nothing to do, there is no reason for him to stay." Lao G interrupted, pouring hot tea into his own cup. Moment later, Gladius joined in. He sat comfortable at the empty spot served for him.
"I thought he would leave with us." Doflamingo said and directed his gaze to Gladius. "Anything new?... Ah.. Aside from that sex part, of course."
"Not so much except…" He looked at Doflamingo, "He bought a hair-stick. Probably for her."
"How sweet!" Jora exclaimed.
Doflamingo raised his brows and then chuckled. "Oh! How very thoughtful of him. Maybe I should buy one for Monet too."
"This isn't good right, young master?" Lao G asked. "Better do something before it's too late."
"No… no! It's all right." Doflamingo smirked, "Let them be."
"Let them be? So?" Gladius asked. "What are you planning to do?"
"I want to see where is this going." Doflamingo chuckled. "Must be interesting to see how far can they go until everything is revealed."
"Huh?" Jora stopped pouring tea, "Revealing what?"
Doflamingo's grin widened. "Just wait and see."
Gladius looked at Doflamingo thoughtfully. He even wondered what was the interesting thing the young master kept talking about, the same thing that kept him from separating the two. He wanted to know. It had been almost three seasons. The young master had kept things to himself without giving a clue about Law and Nami. He wanted to know, so bad.
"We'll be leaving after breakfast."
Doflamingo's words pulled him off from his train of thought. He nodded absent-mindedly as he picked a potato with chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth.
Standing on the branch of the tree, Diamante threw his gaze to the horizon. Watching as the sun bathed the sky in shades of orange and purple. While leaning against the tree, he turned to look at the girl who strolled to the well with bucket in her hands.
He yawned and then his eyes shifted to one figure, quickly recognize him as the figure climbing the hills. "So things had settled over there." He mumbled to himself. He stood there, watching from above the tree. He was sure he kept an eye on the figure but somehow, in a blink of an eye, he disappeared from his sight.
When he realized, a sword pressed against his neck. He froze and turned gaze to the side.
"You'll lose your life if you keep daydreaming like that." Law stated nonchalantly.
"Are you threatening me, brat?" He felt the pressure of the sword lightened as Law lifted his sword off him.
Law removed his sandogasa and watched his home from above the tree. He saw her drew water from the well and poured into the bucket.
"So, everything is settle over there?" Diamante looked down at Law.
"Crocodile takes over." He replied, not taking his eyes from her until she disappeared behind the door.
"Crocodile?"Diamante grunted, "That has to be some great deal Crocodile agreed to take over."
"And why are you here?" Law asked as he stood.
"You climbed up here just to ask me that?" Diamante chuckled, "Hasn't your master told you anything?"
"Doflamingo?" Law pondered and looked down again to see her heading towards the well back.
"Well, she's safe under my watch." Diamante explained. "That girl has no awareness of her surroundings. That's one dangerous chick you have picked up Law."
Law grumbled but that wasn't important. What matter was, why Doflamingo wanted to watch over her while he was away. It wasn't Doflamingo's nature to protect her. After all, she meant nothing to Doflamingo, then why did he ask Diamante to watch over her. There must be a reason behind it. Probably he would ask him. Later.
"Now since you are here, I shall go." Diamante patted Law's shoulder. "Watching her for the past days… really turned me on."
"Well, shit!" Law snorted as he cursed mentally. Before Diamante jumped off, Law told him to wait and nudged a pack wrapped in furoshiki to him. Diamante looked at the nicely wrapped box in his hand and took it.
"What's this?"
"Souvenir." Law replied shortly.
Diamante stared back at the young male and smirked, "How very thoughtful of you." he took it from Law's hand and jumped off the tree.
Law stayed for a long minute, staring down the house. The light seemed to glow in the soft light from the window. As he stared, his mind played part. Now he wondered, did Doflamingo actually keeping an eye on her all the time? Or maybe both of them?
He slid his hand and pulled out a folded cloth, staring at it for a moment. Then, there was no reason for him to give her the hair-stick if Doflamingo was watching over the two of them. Sighing, he slipped the folded cloth inside the collar of his chest.
As the day turned dark, lights beamed from the lone house through the windows. He jumped off and headed towards the house. He saw a light shone through the slightly opened door as if guiding him the way. Standing in front of the door, he reached out to slide open the door but suddenly stopped half way and froze in his spot.
Through the narrow opening of the door, he saw her bare back. Her skin seemed to glow in the dim light of the lantern. He took in the sight of her delicate frame. Her curves were beautiful and functional, much to his delight. His eyes shamelessly traveled down to her waist but was prevented from seeing further by her koshimaki.
He lost his thought at the sight and brought him back to his drunken night. The sensual sensations still lingered with him as his eyes feasting on her. His fingers itched to touch her skin, exploring every inch of hers. His body was craving for her, wanting to taste her. But his sane mind still held him in place. Just what the hell is he doing?
He swallowed inaudibly and slowly heaved out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Trying to fight off the sensation of his imagination, he curled his fingers into his palm, squeezing hard enough he could feel his nails threatening his skin. He shut his eyes and forced himself to turn around. The temptation was so great it felt so hard to do so but he did eventually.
He looked up the dark sky. Millions of stars blazed in the darkness made him forget about everything in that instant. His eyes enjoying the beautiful view of the night.
The screech sound of the door had him spun around. He saw her standing by the door with a bucket in her hand and he could tell she was surprised seeing him there when he heard her soft gasp. For a long moment, they stood in silent before she broke it off.
"When did you arrive?"
"Just… now." He lied. His mind slowly flew back a few minutes before but another scraping sound pulled him back to reality. She pushed the door wider causing the light to shine upon him so that she could see him clearly.
She slipped out of the house to make a way for Law. Before she left, she called him out, causing him to turn his head to where she was, barely ever seeing her figure in the dark, but manage to catch her silhouette.
"Welcome back!"
He hummed his reply and slipped into the house while she turned on her heel and disappeared into the dark.
He changed into a new set of yukata and sat comfortably next to the irori. He pulled out his sword and began to inspect the blade.
"Has you blade become dull… or your killing intention has weakened."
He really didn't like how it sounded. What was Doflamingo thinking when he asked that question. What answer was he expecting from him.
Not later, he heard the sound of the door being open. His attention shifted to the door and saw her step into the house, closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door as she looked at him for a brief second before she headed to the kitchen area. Though he didn't quite understand what was the look for. He returned his attention to his sword, cleaning the edge of the sword.
When he finished, he enclosed his sword and tidied up his belonging. He looked up and saw her stand up and untie the hemp rope around her shoulder. The table was set and he saw few meals already served. She came up with few bowls in her hand.
"You've done?" She asked as she set the bowls on the small table. "Let's eat."
He cast his sword aside and joined her by the table.
"I'm sorry. There aren't much to serve." She explained as she handed him a rice of bowl.
"Never mind." He replied and stared at the decent meal in front of him. Left-over Rice with hot green tea poured over it and vegetable soup. Too frugal. He thought. Now he wondered, did she ever get proper meal while he was away?
He was sure he left her more than enough money for her expenses and he knew she wasn't a person to buy unnecessary stuff. But why did they end up eating such simple meal? He wondered how long had she been eating the same meal over and over again. Did she not use the money he had given her?
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He stir the coal as she spread out the futon. From the corner of his eyes, he could see her move about to neaten the sheet. Unable to contain the curiosity, he asked her.
"I left you money."
His words caused her to stop working and looked at him.
"I know."
"You didn't use it?"
"…"
He slightly craned his neck and looked at her, "You didn't use it?"
"I had… but…" she bit the inside of her lips. Should she tell him or should she not?
After her long pause, he returned his attention to the coal. "You don't want to talk about it?"
She stared blankly at his hand while playing with her own fingers, not even bother to answer him. Not that she didn't want to tell him. It was just some unpleasant story to share.
He saw her anxiety and sighed softly. "Are you done?"
"Huh?" She jolted. Still looked at him in confusion, "Done what?" Realization hit her and she nodded nervously, "Ah! Yes," edging back as she set herself on her own futon. She watched as he shifted to the futon and lay down without saying anything. She pursed her lips, not sure whether she should just tell him or not. In the end, she chose the latter.
For long his mind raced with various thoughts until his attention was stolen by the soft thud behind him which immediately brought her visage to the forefront of his mind. It made him recall back the image of her half-naked body. He closed his eyes in an attempt to shake her image away but instead, he saw her. Clearly. The curve of her frame, her skin glowed in the dim light and her delicate moves as she slid off her yukata. He growled at the memory and forced open his eyes. Maybe he should just have to admit to himself that, he wanted to see more that what he had accidentally seen.
He realized his fist was clutching onto the sheet tightly. He gave a ragged sigh as he released his hand. Maybe he shouldn't have let his mind stray further. Else, his wild imagination would play part. He cursed inside his mind and tried to distort his mind by thinking of something else; about Doflamingo, about the house, about everything except her until all of it faded into his subconscious mind.
I did some checking but probably there still be mistakes. Sorry!
Note :
furoshiki - wrapping cloth to wrap items
koshimaki - cloth wrapped around the bottom - kinda underskirt