I don't like you! by BloodyMarryMe
I'm baaack! Well not that I was gone for that long anyway…I think. O.o Sorry that you had to wait guys, I had some technical problems with my internet (it sucks, that's the main problem) and I didn't have much time on my hands either.
But here it is! Chapter 18! Thanks for your patience. :)
Also, Amazon, I agree with you; this story needs more action! But (ah, why is there always a 'but'?) right now this part is still about to reach its peek (and that's when I have some action planned), so bear with me a little longer. However I do intend to put more fighting and action in it from now on and on their new adventures.
So with all that said, let's get this started! I mean, you start reading! XP
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its characters, but I do own the OC Suzune Miyako.
CHAPTER 18
As they got closer to the mansion, Miyako felt more and more nervous. She was fiddling with the slightly too long sleeves of her shirt.
"What are you so nervous about?" Josh appeared next to her. Usually she could feel his presence with haki even before he came but she was so deep in her own thoughts, he actually managed to startle her.
"Didn't you hear? Miyako will be a princess!" Cody said with a wide smiled and Miyako flinched in response.
"Hahahaa. Are you serious? Like this Ugly could ever be a princess! Hahaha!" Josh was holding his sides, laughing hard and loud.
Miyako's eye twitched in annoyance and she tripped him so he fell face first into the dirt. He spat some grass angrily and glared at her. "Why you-"
"Now, now, Josh, be nice to Miya-chan. She's practically royalty!" Shachi said with a smile.
"I am no such thing!" Miyako protested but they wouldn't pay attention.
"But the resemblance is unbelievable." Penguin added. "I was totally surprised when I saw the picture."
Her friends nodded in agreement but Miyako just sighed in a defeated manner. She didn't want to be a pirate, lady, royalty or anything else! She just wanted to be herself! She hated the proper-mannered wify material they trained all women to be in Wano and this was no different in her opinion.
The mansion was huge and renascence looking. It looked old but not in a rundown kind of way. There was ivy encircling the columns in the yard and climbing on the walls. The butler walked to the gates leading to the yard and opened them for the crew, then proceeded towards large metal gates which were decorated by various faces and forms. He gripped a piece of metal that was on the door and tapped on the metal surface of the doors with it loudly. It took some time, but the doors finally opened and there was a small servant girl on the other side. She bowed at the head butler politely.
"Ah, Amelia-chan. We've arrived. Did the Master get my latter?"
"Yes, Sir Charles. We were expecting you." The girl said in a soft voice.
As they stepped inside, the crew gasped in awe. Even if the mansion was looking old on the outside, it was completely different on the inside. It was bright and colorful, and full of decorations. The lobby was big and Miyako noticed two doors on either side. In the middle was a wide staircase, covered in a red rug. On either side of the staircase, servants stood bowing slightly.
"Wow, look at the maid girls. There are some cute ones." One of the pirates exclaimed but was nudged in the ribs to keep quiet by another.
However both Miyako and Law noticed the servants didn't really have pleased expressions even though they tried to hide it. But that was to be expected since they will be housing 15 pirates. And also because the said pirates dirtied their newly polished floors with their big work boots. Law just smirked, not really caring if they liked them or not, as long as they kept their end of the bargain.
The crew was brought out of their awe as two forms appeared at the top of the staircase. One was a tall and rather beautiful woman. She had long red slightly wavy hair though it was obvious it wasn't her natural color and it fell to her mid-back and gentle golden eyes. Her pale face was a contrast to the red lipstick she was wearing. She had a long black dress with bare shoulders that were barely covered with a dark blue scarf.
The other person was a slightly older man, probably in his early forties, with short dark hair that had a few grey strands in it. His piercing dark grey eyes were staring right at Law with a stern and serious look. The man was wearing a simple, black suit though it looked quite expensive.
Both figures held their heads high in a proud stance, not showing any fear even though they had a lobby full of pirates. They started walking down the steps in a slow and elegant motion, never taking their eyes off of the pirate group. As they walked, the staff on the stairs bowed low in silence.
The pirates looked at the couple in some confusion not sure if they should bow or show respect too, but since their captain didn't move, neither did they. Law was standing in silence, a slight boredom written on his face, and he stared at the couple not impressed by their high-class appearance or sharp looks they were giving him. Obviously they didn't like the lack of respect he was showing, but on the other hand, he couldn't care less.
Charles cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention. "Mister and Misses Ariyaki!" He announced the couple as they came down the stairs and walked up to the crew. Their eyes scanned the group and then their gaze stopped as it fell on Miyako. The Mistresses' eyes widened as she slowly walked towards the uncomfortable girl. "So this is the girl you have told us about, Charles. I understand now...the resemblance is amazing. This plan might actually work!" The lady said, taking Miyako's head in her hands and examining her from every angle. Miyako didn't like the closeness and the freedom the lady let herself have with her, so she pulled away and narrowed her eyes a little.
"Please, do not treat me like an object you are about to purchase."
The woman rose her eyebrow and looked at the girl funny, as if she was surprised at the girl's reaction. Then after a while of silence, the woman sighed with a smile. "I apologize Miss Suzune, I was just amazed at how much you look like our sweet daughter." The woman's eyes saddened a little. "You may call me Shaya, Miyako." The woman smiled, addressing Miyako by her first name. The girl found it a bit too personal for someone she just met. *But considering in what situation I'm right now, I suppose it's not that strange. I guess she feels close to me since I remind her of her daughter.*
Meanwhile, the master of the house turned to Law, recognizing him as the captain of the crew. "Mister Law, I won't lie to you, we don't particularly like pirates but right now we are so desperate we would do anything. I will pay and reward you as much as you want, if you lend us a hand and find our daughter. She is more precious to us than any money."
Miyako smiled a little at the couple. At first when she saw them, she thought they were typical rich snobs, but now she understood they were just worried and desperate parents.
Law liked the idea of what the man said as well. But not because of the same reason as Miyako. No, his was much more practical. Hearing the man was willing to give anything if they succeeded lured a big grin onto Law's face.
"Alright Mister Ariyaki. We will investigate the case and lend you our strength. As I already told Mister Charles, log pose sets in three days so that's how long Miss Miyako will play along, for the right sum of course. Meanwhile, we will help you find Lady Shiori, and if we succeed we will get an additional reward. I have already told the amount to your butler."
"It doesn't matter how much! I will pay as much as you ask if you keep your end of the bargain." Mister Ariyaki said, cutting Law off which the pirate didn't particularly like but the man's answer pleased him instead. Law nodded and shook the man's hand, sealing the deal.
Somehow it made Miyako feel uncomfortable, as if she was being sold. And she had enough of that on Saobody. She felt the hand on her shoulder and her Kenbunshoku Haki told her it was Cody, he's presence was completely clear to her. She turned around to see him give her an encouraging smile and she nodded, smiling as well.
Suddenly, lady Shaya clapped her hands, which got everyone's attention. "Now then, since this is done, let us go to the dining room. The dinner should be ready. After that the staff will show you to your rooms. I'm afraid, some of you will have to share them though since we don't have so much guest bedrooms." She noted, eyeing the pirates. There were 14 of them and one bear, much larger of a group then the people at the mansion expected.
~….~
Miyako plopped down to her pillow closing her eyes for a second. The dinner was extravagant and fancy, like everything else at this mansion but Miyako spent most of it in uncomfortable silence. The rest of the crew obviously didn't notice the tension in the air as they laughed, talked and drank (a lot) in awe at everything around them. However, Miyako, Law, the staff and the two hosts ate in complete silence, everyone in their own thoughts. Well Law actually looked the same as always, an unworried expression as he ate, satisfied with the deal he made earlier. Sometimes Miyako thought there is nothing in this world that could make that man uncomfortable or surprised, as if there wasn't a step on his path that he didn't carefully plan out.
Miyako narrowed her eyes at the thought. People like that were interesting to her she had to admit, but they were also dangerous. Dangerous to her own carefully thought out plans. A part of her wanted to mess up his plans just to see his reaction but knew that reaction would be something she wouldn't like. Behind that constant amused smirk and calm facade, she knew there was something more dangerous, something she didn't want to see, yet did. Her curious part yearned to bring out Law's true self, but her reasonable part told her that wouldn't be a wise idea.
So here she was, in the bedroom of that girl, Shiori. The one who looked like her twin, but was a complete stranger. Miyako felt like an imposter, an intruder in this life that wasn't hers, in this room and on this bed. For some reason she didn't like staying here.
She was brought out of her thoughts by a light knock on the door. Miyako sat up on the bed. "Come in!" The doors opened slowly and she could see the grey butler's head peaking in the room.
"Miss Suzune," Charles greeted and walked inside, handing her a nightgown. She totally forgot she didn't bring any clothes with her to the mansion except the attire she was currently wearing.
"Thank you, Charles." Miyako nodded taking the clothes from his hands.
"You should get some rest, Miss Suzune. Tomorrow is a big day. Your training as a lady starts first thing in the morning," Charles scolded her like a parent would.
She smiled at him, but then scowled as she remembered "the training". She didn't understand the point of it and truthfully she could never imagine herself acting like a lady. It was harder than being a pirate. "I still don't understand why I need to go through this training? Aren't I here just for appearances?" She asked.
Charles looked at her confused. "Of course not. Did you forget about the Gala Night. The grand Ball?"
Now it was Miyako's turn to look confused. "The what now?"
"The Ball in the mansion. It is a big social event and Lady Shiori never misses it. That's why we were in quite a predicament when she disappeared, but luckily we found you. You really saved us. I thought you knew though, the Masters discussed it with Trafalgar-sama. It's in 3 days. Hopefully they'll find Shiori-sama before that but…"
As the butler softly spoke, Miyako's expression turned darker and darker, somewhere between depression and rising anger. *That bastard! How could he not tell me about that! Law kept it from me on purpose because he knew I'd never approve of it! It's one thing to just walk around looking like Shiori but to actually pretend to be her, in front of everyone! Oh no, no, NO! I refuse!*
Miyako's desperate thoughts turned quickly into anger and she was practically fuming when she stood up suddenly, scaring the poor old man and marched out of the room and through the corridor, to her "dear" captain's bedroom. *First I practically get borrowed to this family and now he's doing this behind my back! How dares he! I don't care that the rest of his crew follows his commands without question and that he expects everyone to obey him without a word! This is too much!*
Miyako forgot all manners as she slammed the doors open, making them bang against the wall, and all but stomped into his room. She's going to give that egoistical, smug, sadistic, naked captain a piece of her mind!
Wait, what?
Naked?
Everything Miyako wanted to say simply evaporated from her mind as she could do nothing but stand there in utter shock with wide eyes and feel the embarrassment rising, brining hotness to her cheeks.
There stood Law, just out of the bathroom with only his unbuttoned trousers on. He held a towel, drying off his soft wet hair. The small droplets were falling from his hair onto his shoulders and chest, traveling down his body to his stomach and falling on the carpet floor. Miyako's eyes couldn't help but follow the droplets down his body taking in his half naked form, but when she realized it, she quickly averted her eyes to the floor. Her cheeks were red and hot like never before.
Law rose his eyebrow as he noticed her and couldn't help but be amused at her shocked expression and then be even more entertained as he caught her staring down his body for a second. He didn't even bother putting on a shirt, just put the towel on his shoulder and crossed his arms with a smirk.
"It is polite to knock, Miss Miyako."
Miyako blinked, at first not even hearing what he had said. It took some time for her to register it since she was too busy keeping herself calm as much as possible, still staring at the floor. But all her anger was already long gone, replaced by sheer embarrassment. Still, she tried her best to concentrate and say what she had come here to say.
She took a deep breath and tried to give him her best glare, alas she doubted it looked menacing at this moment. "I have come here to tell you I quit!"
Law's smirk disappeared and was replaced by a darker expression. "Quit?"
"Yes, this whole charade, I want out! Charles-san just informed me that I am to attend a Ball in three days and that was not part of the deal. You knew I wouldn't agree to it so you went behind my back and made a deal with the Ariyakis. I am not your property with which you can do as you please, and I will not pretend to be Shiori in front of everyone."
The anger that had subsided due to shock started to return again as she spoke. Her embarrassment was now nearly forgotten.
Law's eyes were narrowed and his lips were closed tightly in a thin line. Obviously he didn't like where this conversation was going and the lack of respect she was showing. She wasn't yelling at him but instead talked in a low cold voice she sometimes used when she was particularly angry. He didn't like her attitude right now and neither her decision that could ruin his plans. He already had some of the men from the crew on information duty, as they spoke and asked the mansion staff questions about the missing girl.
Miyako ignored the darkening look in his eyes as she finished her speech and gave him a dark glare of her own. It seems once again it was the battle of wills between them.
She was about to open her mouth to say something else, but Law cut her off, his voice cold and serious. "That's enough Miss Miyako."
She kept silent but held his gaze, standing firm. Law took a step forward and it was hard to tell what he was planning, but one thing was certain…there was a menacing aura around him. The girl's hand instinctively reached for her katana just to grab into nothingness. With a curse, Miyako remembered she left the sword in Shiori's room. The good news, however, was that Law's nodachi wasn't in sight nor in arm's reach either, but she doubted his devil fruit powers were completely useless without it. She was certain there was a lot he hadn't shown her in a fight yet. Miyako wasn't powerless without her sword either, but only knew basics of hand to hand combat. Luckily she wasn't in much of a physical disadvantage since Law wasn't a very large or brutishly strong man.
Law took another step closer and Miyako's eyes darted across the room for just a second, seeing what she could use or plan her next move if it comes to it. Her exterior was completely calm though. She stood there tall and silent, with that cold expression boring into Law. She watched his every move closely as he continued towards her.
When they were only inches away from each other, Law looked down at her, using his height as an advantage. The girl didn't look intimidated though, as she didn't even budge. She knew if she showed any signs of weakness or fright, he would win this battle of character. Besides, Miyako didn't actually feel scared or intimidated to begin with. However she did feel slightly uncomfortable at the closeness, since that's one thing she never particularly liked.
"It seems you have forgotten your place Miss Miyako," he simply stated, still towering over her.
"My place?" The samurai girl asked in a cold voice, almost cynically, as she waited for the pirate captain to enlighten her.
"Yes. If you remember you could have been nothing more than my slave, used as I pleased, but I showed mercy and took you in as my crew member, giving you the same freedom and privileges as everyone else. All I asked in return is for you to follow the rules like everyone else. And one of them is to show some respect towards your captain and follow his orders no matter what. Yet you don't seem to be doing either."
Law talked through gritted teeth, obviously trying to maintain his calm but losing his patience. Miyako considered for just a second if it was wise to continue this and risk him losing all control, knowing it could end up badly, but she was far too gone to care. He infuriated her more with each word.
"Mercy?" She almost spat the misused word as she repeated it. "If I remember correctly, captain Law, you almost blew my legs off as you practically left me no choice whether I join or not." She said his title in mocking manner, which made him narrow his eyes in a warning. "And if you want respect, you should show some as well. Perhaps to you I am just a pawn in your little game to get what you want or amuse yourself, but I am still a human being who should be treated as such. Not like some object with which you can do as you please! Then I am no different from the slave you so "mercifully" saved me from becoming." She said the last statement sarcastically.
It was obvious Law had enough of this insolence and he growled cautionary. It was the first time Miyako had heard him do this. Never in any of their fights or fights against opponents did he lose control. Yet here he was with narrowed eyes and a cold stare, making a low warning noise coming from somewhere deep in his throat.
"All of my crew members listen to my orders without a question and follow them, only you have to be difficult, you stubborn woman. If you think you are being treated as nothing more than a slave, then why don't I start treating you like one from now on?"
He grabbed her hand by the wrist and she lifted her hand, trying to break free. She gave him a glare and a warning dark aura started appearing around her. "If you don't let me go-"
But just as if right on time, a light knock on the doors cut her off and brought them out of their intense glaring contest.
"Come in," Law called, not taking his still narrowed eyes from Miyako.
Bepo opened the door and stiffened at the sight and the tension in the air which could be cut with a knife.
"What is it Bepo?" Law asked, still glaring at Miyako and holding her hand in a vice-like grip. She could feel the bone crushing pressure, as pain started to sneak on her, and she knew he was holding her tight enough to leave a bruise. Still she didn't flinch nor wince in pain, keeping her own cold calm.
The poor bear looked completely confused and uncomfortable with the situation as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "U-Um…about the questioning of the servants…Nobody really knows or had seen anything. But one girl said she saw Lady Shiori in the garden in the middle of the night one time. When she asked what she was doing, the Lady said she just needed fresh air, but the maid said Shiori looked as If she was waiting for someone. That's all we found out…We'll start searching in the city tomorrow."
Bepo gave his report and Law listened carefully even though it seemed as if his attention was still focused on Miyako. Then she could feel the grip lightened and Law sighed, closing his grey eyes for just a second. He was able to calm himself down and after a while he let go of her hand, which Miyako instantly pulled away.
"Bepo, please escort Miss Miyako back to her room. We're done here."
Miyako stayed put for one more second, staring at her captain, before she turned around and walked away. Bepo quickly nodded with a salute and waited for the girl.
Before Miyako closed the doors she heard Law add. "Miss Miyako, if this situation bothers you so much you'll just have to find Miss Shiori soon and end it. It's as simple as that."
"Tch," was all Miyako responded with as she closed the doors behind her. *He knows very well that that isn't the real problem here!* She didn't want to start another fight though, so she let it go and walked back to her room, Bepo watching her worriedly the whole time.
"Will you be ok?" He asked when they finally reached her room. Or rather Shiori's room. The thought of sleeping in that girl's bed only made her feel worse. However, she managed to smile slightly at the polite bear.
"Yes, thank you Bepo. Good Night."
He nodded and kept silent for a while, then out of the blue bowed his head. "I'm sorry."
Miyako just rolled her eyes with a small chuckle. At first she found his odd habit a bit annoying, but after a while she took a liking to it. She couldn't explain it, but somehow the bear could always make her smile with his weird outbursts.
~…..~
Miyako rolled in bed and sighed. No matter how hard she tried to relax or how long she kept her eyes closed, sleep just wouldn't come to her. Her thoughts kept returning to the fight scene she had with Law and that would just irritate her more. Especially when she remembered how he grabbed her wrist, not all that gently. *And I told him I don't like to be manhandled!*
But then her mind decided to show her a different picture and she remembered the awkward moment when she burst in the room and saw her captain in a rather embarrassing state. Or at least it was embarrassing for her when she saw him.
*But it's not like he looked bad…* The thought was there for just a split second, but enough for Miyako to sit up quickly and shook her head, ridding herself of the thought.
"What am I thinking! I must be losing my mind!" With one last frustrated sigh she got out of bed and looked across the big room. It was nicely decorated with everything a girl would want…or perhaps a lady would need. Miyako didn't know, since she had no use for a neatly arranged make-up stand or a large closet filled with colorful dresses.
The girl stood up and walked to the large and only window in the room. The shining moonlight broke through and lightened the room, making it easy to see in the dark. She stared outside to see a beautiful garden filled with now sleeping flowers. She noticed the dark red roses that were everywhere and there was even a small fountain in the middle. Miyako looked at the idyllic sight but no matter how amazing it all appeared, she could never see herself living in a world like this. To her it seemed boring and plain, a word nobody would usually use for a life of fancy parties and ballrooms, but to Miyako that kind of life didn't seem attractive at all. She would rather travel around the World, discovering new places, jumping into another adventure every day. That was the world Miyako dreamt off ever since she was a child.
She thought back to the old days, trying to remember when did that dream of hers' start. She remembered always sneaking off into her master's room where he had bookshelves filled with various books. There she would read about daring adventurers, strong samurai, new strange places…it was all fascinating to her. Yes, if she wasn't holding a sword, she had her nose stuck in a book. That was probably the downfall of all her chances to become like every other girl in Wano. The girls there would dream of bringing honor to their families by bearing sons and taking care of their children and husband. Their goal was to impress the matchmaker and find a good husband to marry. But ever since Miyako could remember, the thought of such a life would make her gag.
With another sigh, the samurai turned away from the window and glanced around the room. She went to the big oakwood desk on the other side of the room. There were some books and papers stacked there, obviously Shiori's studies. Miyako walked along the room examining every piece of furniture and item in it. Finally she stopped at the make-up stand the girl used for getting ready for her fancy ballroom parties and gatherings. Miyako opened the drawers but didn't find anything interesting. That is until she opened the last drawer that was seemingly empty. Miyako put her hand inside and touched something. With newfound interest she took the item and saw it was a wooden jewelry box. She opened it and pulled out some necklaces and rings that were inside with a frown. *Well what was I expecting I would find?*
But then her hand glided against the inside surface and Miyako noticed something strange. As if there was a dent. She knocked on the insides and it sounded hollow, like there was something underneath. *A fake bottom?* She tried to pry the wooden bottom from its place using her fingernails and after some fidgeting she managed to open it. *Ha! So there really is something beneath it!* Miyako felt like a little child that just found a secret map to a buried treasure.
*Papers?* Miyako's brows furrowed at the sight of neatly folded papers in the secret department. She took them out and her eyes widened a little. *Letters!* However it was too dark to read them so she ran around the room, trying to find any source of light. Finally she found a candle and some matches and quickly lit it, putting everything on the desk.
Miyako read the letters and it didn't take long for her to realize what they were. "Love letters," she mumbled, feeling a bit bad for reading them now. She was invading the girl's privacy on a whole new level. Like pretending to be her, sleeping in her room and wearing her clothes wasn't enough. *But there might be a clue to Lady Shiori's disappearance in here. Maybe she wasn't kidnapped at all, but eloped!* The samurai girl thought in wonder.
The letters were filled with poems, sweet words and promises that made Miyako frown. It's not like she thought romance was dead but she wasn't the whole 'dying for love' type of girl and to her, most of this man's letters seemed cheesy. She tried to find any names that would be helpful but the name was never revealed. However, each letter was signed at the end with blood red ink, Red Baron it said. Miyako pondered at the name but she had too little information to connect it with anything. *But this explains what that maid girl said; Shiori must have waited in the garden for this Red Baron fellow. Interesting…I need to show this to Law tomorrow so we can investigate.* She frowned at the thought of her captain and seeing him again tomorrow after their little fight but she had no choice. Unfortunately he was the captain she was stuck with and she had to at least try and make the best of it, which meant try and get along with him. She looked at the wrist he had gripped and frowned a little seeing there was indeed a bruise there. *Well not that I'm not used to bruises but still...He was completely out of line. * Miyako thought of all the times she would fight her master in duels and get beaten, leaving black and blue bruises from the shinai all over her body. She sighed at the almost painful memory; she could feel the sores just from remembering it.
~…..~
But Miyako wasn't aware she wasn't the only one thinking of what happened tonight.
Law lay in his bed, but sleep wouldn't come to him. His mind was at the moment troubled by a certain snarky samurai girl. He didn't feel in the wrong with what happened, no, he was the captain and she should respect and listen to his orders. But then why did he feel this way, why feel so troubled? He had no reason to, yet here he was, lying in the darkness at some god forsaken hour and staring at the ceiling.
*Perhaps I was too harsh...?*
But as soon as the thought entered his mind, Law shook his head harshly. *No! I am the captain on this ship and I'll be damned if I need to apologize to a crew member who has the nerve to challenge and disrespect me!*
With a groan, Law put his forearm over his eyes and then sighed. He couldn't believe he was getting so stressed and troubled over a fight they had. But he was still a bit angry just remembering how she talked back to him. He wanted to just forget it and go to sleep but it kept nagging at him and sleep couldn't be further away. The man sighed again, a bit more irritated this time. *That woman will be the death of me.*
Shinai - a bamboo sword used for sparing in kendo
Fhew, is it just me or this chapter seemed really long somehow. o.O Though I know this one was more talking, bla bla bla, not much interesting stuff, but I need an intro in all that's happening so there had to be one dull chapter. :P (I can't wait to get to the fun part when the culmination begins.)
Still I hope you enjoyed it (I had to put some Law goodness in it, even if it was a typical situation).
And see you soon! :) Maybe I'll upload another one today since you guys waited for me this long.
Thank you for all the wonderful comments and as you can see I'm gonna work on all the constructive criticism you leave me (so feel free to do so in the future as well). Hopefully my spelling mistakes decreased since I'm proofreading it with extra care now. :)