I don't like you!

by BloodyMarryMe

By pure chance and unluckiness Miyako finds herself at the Sabaody auction house as a slave. And of all the people, the one interested just had to be the most smug, egoistical and sadistic pirate she has ever met. So at least she can give him as much trouble as possible, right? LawXOC

44. Chapter 44

'I don't like you!' by BloodyMarryMe

The next part is finally out guys so I hope you enjoy! Also I finally got a Beta, so hopefully there will be a lot less mistakes now. :D

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its characters but I do own my OC Suzune Miyako. Story is rated T for blood and language.

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CHAPTER 44

"Who are you?" Miyako was looking at the teenage boy in question, while the said kid stared at her with what she deemed was a pretty peculiar expression.

The one who answered her, however, wasn't the teenager, but her captain instead."That is a Tenryuubito," Law said simply, but for once his voice sounded stiff and careful. His whole body seemed on edge, which was a big contrast from the usually laid-back pirate. Miyako also noticed the change in Trafalgar's demeanor, but didn't have a chance to ask about it, as the rest of the group voiced their surprise.

"Whaaaat?!" Everyone yelled out in shock, looking with baffled expressions between Law and the kid.

Miyako seemed like she was the only one out of the loop. She didn't understand why everyone was freaking out. "Tenryuubito? I heard that name somewhere before…" Being from Wano, a country that didn't have a connection with the World Government and the marines, Miyako didn't know much about the Tenryuubito. She vaguely remembered there were some very influential nobles residing near here. She remembered hearing the name while being in the auction house waiting to be purchased as a slave. At that time all the others there were shaking in fear at just a mention of the name and they were all praying not to end up in the hands of a Tenryuubito. Somebody said escaping those nobles was impossible. However, she didn't understand what the big deal is about some kid that kept staring at her strangely. "So? What's the big deal?"

But for some reason her question brought more surprise by her crewmates, now directed at her. "Y-you don't know about World Nobles?! How can you not know about them?! They are the most powerful people in the world!" Penguin was the first to speak, while the others still looked at her with wide-eyes and hanging jaws.

"Heeeh?" Miyako looked suspicious of Penguin's words as she directed her attention to the kid in front of her. She leaned towards him a little, her hands still on her hips as she kept her unconvinced gaze upon him. "He's the most powerful human in the world? Are you sure?"

But to her surprise, the boy spoke, his words just rushing out of him. What surprised her even more was the meaning of those words. "You are so cool!"

The outburst made Miyako flinch and move backwards a little, surprised by the sudden loud voice. "Huh?" She couldn't really ask anything else and the boy just kept talking, the words flowing out of him like a broken dam.

"You totally kicked that bad man's ass, in one move! I mean, whoa, he just flew away! That was so awesome! You're amazing!"

Miyako felt some embarrassment creep over her as she blushed a little and looked to the side. She scratched her head with one hand while smiling sheepishly. "N-now I don't really know about that…I mean, it was nothing special…" Still, it was obvious she enjoyed his praising words. After a while though, she managed to collect herself and cleared her throat, trying to return back to her serious self. "Anyway…what are you doing here? This is no place for kids."

The teenager made a pouting face. "Hmph, I am no child, I am already 14 years old! Besides, I can be anywhere I want to be, didn't your friend tell you? I am the most powerful man in the world. But these brazen ruffians had the nerve to attack and kidnap my high self while I was taking my stroll," his voice got higher and more self-confident by the second.

Miyako couldn't help but sweat-drop at the kid's words. *What's his problem all of a sudden, getting so high and mighty? Didn't he just admit he was kidnapped? So how can he be the most powerful in the world…surely even I would be able to make him fall on his bum in a second.* She didn't have time to voice any of her opinions as the boy continued.

"That ruffian named Koji kept me here and pestered me constantly, and yet you were able to knock him out in just one move. You really are amazing," his eyes became wide and sparkly again as if he was looking at his hero. Then suddenly he blushed and looked away a bit, as if embarrassed. "I-I…I knew I'd find you one day…."

Miyako and the rest of the Heart pirates tilted their heads at the sudden change in the boy's attitude.

"….my love," the boy finished, eyes wide and mouth formed into a smile, as he looked up at Miyako expectantly.

The Heart Pirates weren't able to even form their surprise in a coherent sentence this time. Not even a sound came out of their mouths. Instead, everyone just stared at the boy in shock as if there were horns growing out of his head. No, that that would probably be less of a surprise than this development.

Suddenly, the awkward silence was broken by none other than Josh who started laughing. His laugh rang throughout the room loudly. "Hahahaha, Miyako? Your love?! Who in their right mind would be interested in-" But then he suddenly shut his mouth when he remembered the answer to that question. The person in question was standing just next to Joshua, and the medic's body stiffened as he felt a dark aura beside him, coming from his silent captain. Josh knew Law was silently daring him to finish that sentence but the redhead only stiffened and gulped, swallowing down the rest of his words as well.

Miyako was the first to recover from it, though not completely. She put her hands up defensively as she gave the boy a nervous smile. "W-wait…wait, wait a minute. You must be mistaken, I-"

The boy didn't let her finish as he continued on in a self-important, high and mighty voice. "My name is Saint Piercy Q. Wingross, and I am never mistaken. After all, a Tenryuubito doesn't make mistakes. You are indeed my first love that I have been searching for. I knew that one day we will be fated to meet and that day has finally come." He put a hand on his heart while the other took one of Miyako's hands. She was in too much of a shock to resist. "And you will become my wife! I proclaim it to be so!"

"W-whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm 20 you know! 20 years old! I can't become your wife!" Miyako was completely beyond shocked now. *What is wrong with this kid? Did Koji hit him in the head when he kidnapped him or something?*

The boy didn't look bothered by her words or the age difference for that matter. "It's fine, I don't mind. After all, you are quite a beauty. Aren't you completely flattered that a World Noble like myself wants your hand? Why do you protest? Are you still shocked from happiness and excitement?" Piercy was still holding one of Miyako's hands with both of his own now.

Miyako was getting sick and tired of this. This Piercy brat wasn't listening to her at all and just kept saying all these self-important words. Why did he look so proud of himself anyway, just because he was some noble? Her free hand clenched into a fist as Miyako narrowed her eyes, annoyance written all over her face. Alas the teenager didn't notice any of her changes as he just kept spouting his nonsense. However, the one who did notice was Cody, a medic with a sharp eye indeed. He could see Miyako's clenching fist and knew what she was about to do. Miyako didn't know what could happen when you anger World Nobles and she had no qualms about hitting this brat right over the head. But if she did, all hell would break lose. "Miya-chan, wait!" He called out, stopping the woman in her plan. "You can't anger him." The words sounded bitter and weary at the same time.

Miyako looked back at Cody, blinking with confusion. Was this kid really that special? There were nobles in Wano as well and Miyako knew most of them were spoilt rich babies completely unaware about the rest of the world that is suffering. The nobles in Wano weren't to be angered either as that could cost you your head easily. That's why she always avoided it whenever someone of higher status appeared in a city she was in as a rounin and she stayed clear of them. Still, she never had direct contact with any of the nobles in Wano, so she wasn't completely sure what she could or couldn't do. Her master didn't like them either and only mingled with them if it was work related and completely necessary. Usually he would send her to the dojo or her room at those times and he was never happy when they insisted on meeting his young protégé. Miyako was still too young then to understand her master was trying to protect her from this group of people.

Piercy lifted his nose even higher now, praising himself once more. He was proud of something Miyako didn't really understand. "Of course you don't want to anger me. You don't want me to call an admiral do you…? After all, you are pirates are you not?"

Those words made Miyako stare at the kid in complete surprise. "Admiral?" This kid could call out the strongest men in the marine army?

"Unfortunately, it's all true," this time it was Law who spoke, after a long time. Miyako already found it strange how Trafalgar kept strangely quiet throughout this whole conversation. She thought he would be the first person to react. "The Tenryuubito have the right to call the admirals, the marines, everyone to their aid and the World Government will destroy their target in a blink of an eye. They can order complete eradication of our whole crew." Law seemed calm and collected as usual, but his body was stiff. He was bothered and it was obvious no matter how well he tried to hide it. Miyako saw Law bothered before, but not like this. Not to the point that he was actually worried for their survival. The rest of the Heart Pirates looked even more worried…no, they looked scared, Miyako realized.

"Hehehe. That's right. So you have to listen to me and become my wife. But no worries, after all, who wouldn't want that. If not I'll destroy your crew…no, maybe I'll just destroy this whole Sabaody Archipelago!" The 14-year old certainly didn't sound his age as he said such ominous words. And for the first time Miyako believed them and realized what they got themselves into. She also realized that for the first time Law was worried about how to get them out of this. He was worried about his crew's safety, and for the first time he didn't have a plan. Miyako kept silent as young Piercy kept praising himself. Her head was bowed down a little, the long bangs covering her eyes.

"Alright," she finally answered, nonchalantly. When she looked up again, her expression was aberrant than that from before. She looked at the young boy with a calm expression of indifference. There was no worry in her voice. "I'll go back with you." The boy smiled, pleased with her answer.

"What? No, Miyako, you can't! I don't care if he is a Tenryuubito, we won't just give you one of our nakama-!" Josh started, glaring at Piercy suddenly. It was strange that out of everyone here, the redhead was the first one to start complaining about this.

"Joshua….shut up," Miyako looked sideways at her crewmate, her expression cold. Josh was so taken aback by her sharp answer that he instantly closed his mouth but kept staring at her in wonder. It was because of the look she was giving him, as if he was some kind of annoyance. The girl suddenly smiled, but it wasn't her usual smile, or her gentle expression. Instead, she showed them clear malice, a cruel smile on her face and a mocking expression to top it all. She looked like a completely different person than the Miyako they all knew as she looked at the pirate group. "I thought about it for a while and concluded this was actually a great opportunity. I never intended to play pirates with you forever anyway…my plan was always to just use you until we came to the New World or close to Wano and then I would ditch you in a heartbeat. Right now, an opportunity to actually leave you and go to the nobles has arisen, and I'd be a fool if I didn't take it."

Everyone was looking at Miyako with shock and wide eyes. They were silent for a while, unsure of how to answer. Cody was trying to see if she was lying, or joking… Anything! A telltale sign that this was some part of her plan. But he saw nothing of the sort in her mocking expression and clear eyes. She was staring right at them and saying she was betraying them.

Penguin was the first one to speak as he smiled nervously, unsurely. "M-Miya-chan…You can't be serious right? This is….a joke, right?" He was desperately trying to find reason within her words.

But Miyako just laughed right in his face. A far cry than the one she usually gave. There was only coldness and mockery in it. "You're so naïve, Penguin. You're all just fools. I was playing you from the start. I never felt anything even remotely near to comradeship towards any of you. I'd rather go and become a powerful noble's wife than continue being a filthy pirate," her gaze pierced through all of them until it stopped at Law. Her smirk got wider. "I was always like this; just a calculating, cold woman."

"Hahah! Good choice! I can see you're a smart one!" Piercy was the one to break the tense atmosphere. "I'm about to call the palace to pick us up, so you pirates better get lost. You're obviously unwanted here," the boy smirked, a gleeful expression in his condescending face. Now, come with me…Miyako, is it?"

"Yes…It's Suzune Miyako." Miyako didn't try to pull her hand back, which was still in Piercy's grip. He still had that smile of adoration and a light blush on his check while he looked at her.

"What a beautiful name. It fits you well. And you will indeed fit me well as my bride."

"Miyako….you can't…." Bepo was the one to speak this time, but his voice was neither angry nor determined. It was soft, and the bear sounded hurt, though not by his external wounds this time. He seemed to be indecisive whether to let the girl go or try and stop her.

However, before Bepo or anyone could protest further in their disbelief, Law spoke up. He was unusually quiet all this time so it just made his words more shocking. "That's enough. We're leaving." At first the group thought he was talking to Miyako, but then they realized he was referring only to them.

Everyone was surprised by Law's willingness to let this happen and just leave it at that. "C-captain, we can't-" This time it was Cody who protested, but Law cut him off.

"I said we're leaving. We can't stay here when the Marines come to pick them up. It's obvious what we need to do." Law wouldn't let his crew question him. He rested his sheathed nodachi back on his shoulder and started to leave the rubbles of the building, leaving the grove behind. The group of pirates had no choice but to follow him.

Only Josh kept standing still, staring at Miyako's leaving back, almost glaring now. "We trusted you! We all thought of you as one of us, you bitch! As nakama! Did all that time mean nothing to you? You just used us and then sold yourself to get a pardon from the World Nobles?! You traitor!" He yelled at her slowly disappearing form as both Miyako and Piercy kept walking away. His shouting was stopped by a hand on his shoulder, belonging to Cody. The tall medic just muttered something to his shorter friend, shaking his head as if to tell Josh to just give up. The redhead seemed to lose his strength and anger with Cody's action and just followed the other medic, defeated.

It was lively on the submarine's deck as the crew ran around, bringing crates of supplies inside or working on enforcing the hull and rest of the submarine, getting ready for sailing. However, once Law and his group came onboard, everyone stopped working, instantly noticing that something was amiss. It wasn't hard considering the gloomy and intense atmosphere around the group.

"What happened?" Sai dared to ask, although awkwardly. The group didn't look like they wanted to talk about it. That's when the navigator noticed one member was missing. 6 members went to retrieve Bepo and 6 members returned. But it should have been 7. Sai's heart instantly skipped a beat as he feared the worst. "Where's Miyako?" The other crew members became alarmed by this question, as everyone noticed their only female member was missing.

"She's fine. Rest assured," Law answered, in hopes of quieting down his crew. Now everyone was coming closer with interest and puzzlement, huddling around Law. He didn't really like the lack of space and air as they closed in on him, but he could understand their worry. It seemed as if the crew all sighed in relief at his words. The captain turned to Jean Bart. "How long before everything is ready?"

Bart thought for a while. "Tomorrow at sunrise. If we hurry."

Law nodded at this, pleased that they would soon be away from the archipelago. "Then get everything ready as soon as possible. We sail out as soon as the submarine is ready."

A noise came behind him as Josh angrily threw his hat to the ground. He cursed loudly out of pure rage. "Shit!" This time Cody wasn't trying to calm him down. It was no use. The rest of the crew looked at Joshua with interest and confusion. They all knew how hot headed and temperamental the medic could be, but nobody understood what it was about this time. And how was it connected to the missing Miyako?

"So…Where be th' lassie?" Munk was the one who asked this time, his large hands crossed on his chest, as he stared at Law almost sternly. The old chef was quite fond of his little kitchen protégée as they got close working together in the galley all this time. He considered her a daughter he never had. If something had happened to her…

Law didn't answer him though. It was the first time Law ignored the old chef. Munk was known to be the only one to talk to Law bluntly and sometimes even sternly, usually advising him about his diet and meals that Law kept skipping. But this was the first time Law completely ignored Munk as he pushed passed him and walked casually into the submarine. The crew stood there, completely baffled by the whole situation. Sai was already getting annoyed by the fact that nobody was telling them anything. "Dammit, what's going on here?!" He called out, staring at Penguin, Shachi and the rest of the group who looked like they were barely containing themselves to…do what?

~…~

It was the dark of night already, the glistening silver stars shining on the clear night sky over Sabaody. The moon was brightening up the night, shining down its rays of pale moonlight into the windows of the Tenryuubito palace, situated in Mariejois. The moonlight rays were falling in a particular room through the large window, exposing the silhouette sitting on the bed with her arms hugging her knees.

Miyako was staring in the darkness outside the palace, as her window looked down on the vast garden surrounding the whole building. She was exhausted, mostly mentally and emotionally, but still unable to close her eyes and fall into soothing, deep slumber. Why? She only needed to remember the events of earlier today to know the reason. Today, Miyako had done something she never thought she would do; she hurt her friends. Deeply. She knew she would not be forgiven….not this time.

She realized what she needed to do while she was still standing in that ruined hideout of Men of Mayhem. Miyako might have not known who the Tenryuubito were but listening to her shocked crewmates, she quickly understood. No, it was enough to just look at their paled expressions to see how grave the consequences would be for all of them if they were to anger this kid.

Saint Piercy Q. Wingross…

Miyako's teeth gritted in anger from just remembering that name. If only that kid wasn't there, if only they didn't meet. She would already be somewhere on the way to Fishmen island with the Heart Pirates, sailing happily. Instead, she needed to do something that made her heart break into pieces. It literally pained her to show such a cold, cruel mask to her friends. To just deny everything they went through together and play a traitor. But it was necessary. Piercy wanted her and if any of them objected, if she refused, the teenager would call a Marine Admiral after them. However, she knew that even if Law would understand what needed to be done, the rest of the Heart Pirates wouldn't. They would never listen to reason and let Miyako go with the Tenryuubito, disregarding the danger of consequences, they would protect her until the end. But that would only lead to everyone's death. The Heart Pirates all worked hard to get to this point, trained, fought, all of them had dreams…Miyako couldn't be the one to risk all that. She wouldn't. Sacrificing everything for her sake was out of the question. And so there was only one option she could do; play the villain. She knew she had to hurt them enough for the Heart Pirates to give up on her, to leave her alone and leave for the New World, and the best way to do that was betraying their trust. She was thinking about ditching them in the New World for so long anyway, didn't she? Wasn't that her plan all along? *But when did that plan change..? It did, didn't it?* Miyako knew it wasn't how she felt anymore…it wasn't what she really wanted to do. The girl chuckled darkly as she thought about the irony. She was torn between her choices and this is what finally opened her eyes. Now that it was already too late, she realized what she really wanted. Even if most of what she said to the Heart Pirates was a lie in that building, the little truth about planning to ditch them, even if the fact was outdated, was enough to bring a little bit of sincerity in her words, making the whole thing seem much more believable. She saw Cody was trying to see into her eyes to see if she was lying, so she avoided his gaze and made sure to put on her best ruthless mask. And it worked. It worked all too well, as she remembered Joshua's hurt and angry face. A part of her was glad it worked, but the more selfish part was sad and disappointed at her crew members for not realizing she was lying. For not believing in her to the end. But they tried didn't they? They tried to think it was all lies, or even passing it as a joke. The fact that they didn't want to believe that scene was written all over their face. But she made them believe…until the end. Only Law kept quiet. Only Law agreed to let her stay behind without any kind of complaint, without a fight. Did he trust her that little? Or did he simply not care? *No….It makes perfect sense. He already made it clear that day in his quarters…I guess I was just a nuisance to him until the very end. I'm such a fool.* Miyako hugged her knees to her chest tighter as she lowered her forehead on top of her knees. She bit her lip to stop it from quivering.

How did things become like this? How did it become like this with Law? She didn't understand anything anymore. After all, weren't they already over the hate-hate relationship? Weren't they getting along just fine not so long ago? She remembered the journey they had so far. She remembered the beginning of her journey on the yellow submarine, when they were both at each other's throats. She, with the snarky remarks and he, with his poised coldness. He would pretend that her comments aimed at him didn't bother him, but then make her do chores all day or just give her some excruciating work. Unfortunately he had that right as her captain. But at that she didn't consider him her captain yet, nor did she accept the rest of the crew as her crewmates. Yet that slowly began to change. They fought together, laughed together, bickered, made up, celebrated their victories and mourned together in their defeats. She still remembered everything clearly as if these 16 months all happened only a few weeks ago.

Shachi and Penguin thought her how to play poker though they always beat her at it and made her play penalty games…usually that would just lead to everyone getting in trouble with Law later. She bickered with Josh but already considered him the sibling she never had. As much as they insulted and teased each other, she knew he was still there for her if need be. He had proven it to her countless of times while fighting side by side. Bepo always made her inner child feel happiness as she would hug the bear or play with his twitching ears. He had big self-confidence issues but he was always kind and thoughtful towards her. Cody was like an older brother to her, serious and understanding, always giving her good advice when need be. He would push and direct her in the right direction even without her knowing it, but still other than Law, he was a person she never wanted to see mad. He could be as scary as the Surgeon of Death himself when angered and much like Law you never even saw it coming as their expressions stayed collected even while seething in anger. Still, she enjoyed spending time with all of them. The Heart Pirates would often come hang out in her room together and she would sometimes act bothered as they gave her no privacy at all, but mostly she was glad and the times spent with them were happy. She never felt lonely on that submarine. And then there was Trafalgar Law…She didn't know what to think about this man anymore. At first her only day's peak was to irritate the hell out of him as she couldn't stand the pirate captain, then slowly she started to respect this stoic man as she got to know him better. And after a while that respect turned into something else…something more. The feeling of want. The feeling of wanting to own this man. She never felt like that for anyone, nor for any of the other crew members. But as much as she tried to fight it, she couldn't deny this feeling; it was too real. And after a while she decided not to fight it any longer. She decided it was alright to just go along with it and trust Trafalgar. Law confronting her that time in the infirmary made it clear that he wasn't letting her deny it anyway. But somehow she was at peace with it…she was finally fine with it. She mostly felt confusion and embarrassment around him, as he seemed to never stop teasing her, seeing that the girl was bothered by it, but Miyako had to admit she also felt happiness near the pirate captain. They fought sometimes, but they also had peaceful moments where Miyako really enjoyed spending time with Law.

She remembered the time at the festival in Kyonin Village where Law showed her how to scoop goldfish and even though she felt a bit uncomfortable and annoyed at being bested by him at first, later she was really glad he thought her how to do it. At that time, she showed him her work of skill proudly as a child showing their catch to their parents. The captain just smirked, not saying anything but he didn't discourage her either. That night she remembered they walked back to the submarine together, while Miyako still held on to her bag with goldfish inside. The voices rang in Miyako's mind as she remembered that time.

"I'm going to call this one Gin, and this one will be Kin," she exclaimed, looking at her goldfish with a wide smile. She still had this proud expression of being able to catch these fish...well Law did help with one though.

"You look excited…" Law didn't really know what the big deal was about a few goldfish but it was amusing to him how much Miyako looked happy about such a simple thing. "What do they mean?" He was referring to the name meaning of the two fishes.

"Kin means golden, while Gin means silver," Miyako explained. Law almost chuckled by the simplicity of the names as if a child was giving them.

He was able to control himself and instead asked. "And where do you plan on keeping them?" At that, he raised one eyebrow questioningly.

Miyako thought for a while. "In my room of course… Ah, that's right! I need to buy a fish tank for them, don't I?! I wonder if they have any to sell in the village…" She trailed off in thought, already in her little world. She really seemed excited about this for some reason.

It almost made Law feel bad for bursting her bubble. But he needed to point out a very important thing that she obviously forgot and might regret that later. "You know how often we need to use maneuvers and sail in high speed when sailing through the waters. The fish tank would just fall down and break, leaving the fishes dead." It was blunt and honest, but true enough.

Miyako frowned and seemed to question her decision after all. "You're right….I didn't think of that…" With her free hand she bit the nail of her thumb as she often did while in thought or troubled. Her golden eyes brightened up as she thought of something new. "Then I'll just nail it too the cabinet!"

Law sighed a bit tired with this conversation. "You can't do that, the glass aquarium would simply break."

"Then a metal one-"

"You can't keep fish in a metal tank." Even before Miyako could express her idea completely, Law cut her off already guessing what she was about to say.

Law stopped and turned around as he noticed Miyako had stopped walking. They were slowly strolling towards the submarine till' now and Law didn't really pay attention to the girl next to him as he talked to her while still just lazily walking ahead. But when he noticed Miyako had stopped, he turned around questioningly to see the girl standing there and silently staring at the bag filled with water and two fishes in her hand. She was looking at them sadly, disappointedly. "I guess it's really impossible then, huh?" She was obviously referring to her idea of keeping the fish in an aquarium in the submarine.

Law couldn't help but notice the half-lidded, disappointed look Miyako was showing him. She seemed like a child whose parents just declined her idea of having a pet even though she was so looking forward to it. The pirate captain sighed and turned around again. "Follow me." He didn't say anything more nor checked if Miyako was indeed following him as he continued to walk ahead. He walked on this path when coming from the submarine to the village so he was quite sure it was this way…

After a while of walking, Law led them to a small pond surrounded by some rocks and flowers. The water was clear and see-through, glistening on the moonlight of the night sky. There were already a few smaller fish inside it. The pond reminded Law of those Koi Fish Ponds made by human hands that he sometimes saw in the gardens of more wealthy houses. But this pond was bigger, letting the fish have more freedom while roaming around in the water.

He heard a slight gasp beside him as Miyako got closer. "It's beautiful. People make something similar in their gardens in Wano, but this is even more amazing… and it's natural." Law looked sideways at the girl's surprised face but kept quiet. He didn't have to say anything for Miyako to understand why he brought her here. Miyako once again looked at the small goldfish in her bag, a bit sadly, but then smiled even if the smile still seemed a bit lonely. "They'll be much happier here than in my aquarium, don't you think?"

Law didn't answer, since he deemed the answer pretty clear. Even without him answering, Miyako nodded determined and crouched down, moving her kimono out of the way so she didn't step on it. She opened the bag and let the contents pour out into the pond. The girl watched as the fish swam around, diving deeper near the pond's bottom and picking something from there as if eating. The girl looked back up at Law and smiled, this time giving him a more honest and content smile. "Yeah, I think they're happy here."

That was the second time that evening that Law got taken aback by this girl's smile as he watched her honest expression. Miyako didn't show him this kind of expression… ever. The smile looked shining, somehow too bright for him to look at it directly, even in this warm evening, and Law had to look away. But not before he carved Miyako's features of this moment deep into his memory. He opened his mouth to say something to her statement, but was cut off when a loud bang rang though the sky. Not long after, a bright colorful light followed it as beautiful fire flowers painted the night sky. Both Miyako and Law looked up in surprise before understanding hit them.

"Fireworks!" Miyako exclaimed in surprise and stood up, still staring at the sky. She watched the bright colors in awe as they kept exploding through the sky. "It's beautiful…" She said in a soft voice, still amazed at the performance before her. The whole thing reminded her so much of those late summer festivals in Wano that she loved and the nostalgia hit her head on, bringing out emotions of both happiness and melancholy inside of her.

Law, who was standing next to Miyako, let his gaze fall upon the girl when he heard a slightly uncharacteristic tone in her voice. Still, his grey eyes stayed glued to the sight as even he felt surprise appear in him. The young woman standing next to him looking in awe at the fireworks looked completely different than the usual bickering woman that often infuriated him. The girl had a gentle smile on her pale face that was now lit up with the brightness of the fireworks just like the rest of her standing form. She clasped her hands in front of her, her bright eyes gleaming in the darkness as they seem to reflect the colors in the sky; from golden to bright red and green. She was wearing her pink, flower-printed kimono neatly, just like the first time he saw her at Sabaody Archipelago, nine months ago. Her long hair was falling down freely for a change, as she only tied a few side strands with her ribbon, making a red bow on the back of her head. The whole figure appeared more of a lady from Wano, than a feisty warrior she usually showed him. Law didn't know what to think right now, or whether he liked the usual Miyako or this one better. But even so his mind kept asking one question; Was this really the same Miyako he knew? That made him think… There were more sides to this woman than what he saw, then what she let him see. In the end, the pirate captain decided he didn't hate this side of her either.

Miyako's golden eyes narrowed slightly in sadness as she thought of those better and happier times. She looked sideways, outside the large window, staring into the darkness bathed in moonlight. Her form was still curled up, sitting on the bed, as if that will protect her from feeling the heaviness of today's events. She still remembered how frustrating it was for her when she came in the palace here in Mariejois. First, all she could hear were relieved shouts of Piercy's family as they came back along with some family guards of the Tenryuubito. They all watched her suspiciously but Piercy kept repeating that there was nothing to happen to her as she was his future wife. That just made Miyako cringe with disgust and the men to only watch her even more suspiciously.

Finally, she met Piercy's mother as the red-haired woman stared at Miyako with a combination of disgust and surprise. That look turned into a condescending one soon enough as her only dear son told her about his plan to marry this girl.

"You want to marry… this girl? But Piercy dear, there are so many noble young girls just dying to merry you. Why… this thing… this peasant girl?" The woman didn't even try to disguise her disgust towards Miyako.

Miyako kept quiet, but needed to restrain herself from talking back to the woman. She satisfied herself with glaring at the floor while staring down, instead.

"No! I want Miyako! She even saved me from those horrible thugs! You should've seen her mother, she was amazing!" Piercy looked between his mother and Miyako excitedly, as his tone got higher.

"Keep your tone down young Piercy, you are still a nobleman and I expect you to act like one," the mother warned, making her son instantly quiet down. "Ah, that's right. What did you do with those gang members anyway? What horrible people they must be… daring to lay a hand on a Tenryuubito."

"They were all sent to execution, Madam Wingross." One of the guards answered quickly.

The woman smiled, pleased. "Good. Make sure they all lose their heads."

Miyako couldn't help but gulp as she imagined the Heart Pirates' fate could've been the same. Christiana Wingross might have been declaring the execution of Miyako's friends right now if things went differently. The samurai didn't even want to imagine it.

"But dear…she's a pirate," Christiana said, still suspicious and unsure about her boy's wants. However, Christiana already knew she would succumb to her son's wishes if he persisted, seeing as she could never say 'no' to her dear boy.

"Who cares! She'll be educated to know better from now on! Besides, she's also strong and daring…Aren't you my love? Why are you being so quiet?" Piercy looked up at Miyako, smiling questioningly.

"Well…I…." Miyako started not sure what to say but was cut off by another Tenryuubito.

The woman known as Saint Shalulia grabbed some of Miyako's long hair and inspected it with a frown. "She's so unrefined…just look at those split ends…"

"Father, I want a pirate wife as well! I want one now!" Saint Charloss added, almost throwing a tantrum at how could Saint Piercy get one before him.

"Don't worry, we'll go tomorrow morning after my meeting to Sabaody and find one for you. That place is full of pirates recently, anyway." Saint Roswald answered, quieting down his juvenile son.

Miyako was completely shocked and taken aback by how little disregard these people showed towards others and their lives. As if to those nobles, lives of everyone else were completely at their disposal and amusement. It made Miyako disgusted as it was everything she stood against but all she could do was stay frustrated while keeping quiet not to bring down the wrath of these people upon herself or the Heart Pirates. She already decided, however, to flee from this wretched place in a few days, as soon as she was sure that the Heart Pirates were long gone from Sabaody Archipelago. She would rather die trying to escape than live like this as some concubine to this spoiled brat of 14 years old. What completely baffled the young warrior was the fact that nobody seemed to even mind the large age difference between her and Piercy, as if that wasn't even posing a problem. A shiver went don't her spine as she realized that 16 months ago, someone like these people could've bought her at that auction house. Who knows what her life would look like then, if she would still have one.

Miyako shivered, but not because of her bare shoulders or the slightly cold dark room she was sitting in. She shivered at the memories those people gave her earlier today and because of the fact that tomorrow, once again, she would have to go through it all again. When they started talking about the plans and dates for the wedding, Miyako used the excuse that she was feeling tired and quickly left for her room that the maids showed her. Every maid she passed by looked tired, weary and scared as if they were constantly fearing for their life. Most of them were simple slaves bought at the auction house, wearing those horrible bomb collars around their necks. At least Piercy trusted her since she decided to go with him willingly, so he didn't make her wear one of those. Miyako remembered wearing one at the auction house and decided that was enough for a lifetime.

Once again, Miyako though how did things become like this as she sat on her white bed, in a white vast and dark room completely void of any charm or character. It didn't sooth her worried heart at all. Her metal room in the quarters of the submarine might have been much smaller and simpler but it was still full with her things and scent and felt more like home than this one ever will. Unable to calm down or sleep, Miyako abruptly stood up from the bed and went to the large window. A silky white nightgown she got as her sleeping attire fluttered around her, as the slightly longer part in the back kept dragging behind her on the floor while she walked. As soon as her bare feet touched the cold stone ground of the room, an uncomfortable shiver went through her body but Miyako ignored it. She stood near the window, looking at the large garden surrounding the palace and wished she could just open the window and escape, alas that would bring down doom both to her and her pirate friends. She had to be patient until she was sure Heart Pirates were off the Sabaody, even though she was worried what will happen to her in that time. What if Piercy and his family get some stupid, crazy idea to wed them tomorrow morning? Could she really go through with it? She didn't even want to think about that possibility. Miyako hugged her bare shoulder, trying to warm herself up.

~…..~

Law jumped over the railing of the submarine, clutching his nodachi in one hand. The wet grass beneath his feet rustled as he landed on the ground and the pirate captain stood up from his crouch, resting the large sword on one shoulder. It was the dead of the night already, with the moon high in the open sky. The submarine was all ready to go and everything was set for the Heart Pirates to leave first thing at dawn. Still, Law had one more important task to do before leaving Sabaody Archipelago. However, after only a few steps a voice stopped him from behind.

"Going for a midnight walk?" Law didn't even have to turn around to recognize Cody's voice.

"Why are you still awake?" Law turned to look at Cody but there was no expression of surprises or awkwardness at being caught on the act. Instead, the captain gave the medic his usual indifferent look almost as if he was expecting Cody to be there.

"I could ask you the same thing Captain." The medic smirked but somehow didn't really look amused, as if something was still bothering him. He looked more serious than the usual laid-back and levelheaded Cody everybody was used to seeing. He took out a cigarette from a pack always residing in one of his pockets and lit it.

Law didn't really find Cody's behavior strange, just like Cody didn't find it surprising in the least to catch his captain sneaking off the submarine in the middle of the night. The reason was simple; both men were currently thinking the same thing, with the same person running around their minds.

"Hn." Was all Law said as he turned around once more, walking away from the submarine and Cody. He didn't feel like he needed to give the medic an explanation and neither did he feel obligated to do so. Law didn't like being questioned and truthfully he would rather not stand here and discuss his future plans with Cody. He, himself, wasn't sure how to explain what he was about to do and he sure as hell didn't feel like explaining it to anyone else either.

Seeing his captain walking away and figuring he wasn't about to get any answers, Cody called out. "I'm going with you." He was already ready to jump over the metal railing before Law's slightly sharper voice stopped him.

"No," the reply was short and simple, expecting absolute obedience from Cody on this one.

The medic actually blinked in surprise as Law once again turned towards him and pierced him with a more serious, warning look. "You're going to go after Miyako, aren't you? You can't go into Mariejois by yourself, that's suicide. That's one of the most dangerous places a wanted criminal can be in! Especially one with a 440 million bounty on his name." Cody had a point, but Law wasn't about to compromise on this one.

"Not this time, Cody-ya. Stay here and be prepared for departure. The plan stays the same, I will be back by sunrise…" Law didn't quite finish the sentence but Cody did it for him, as he asked.

"With Miyako?"

However, the blue haired medic didn't get an answer as his captain stayed silent, without a comment. Cody knew why Law wasn't commenting on anything, because captain himself wasn't sure what will happen. It will be a miracle if even Law came back from Mariejois. That's why the captain decided to go on his own without notifying anyone. He knew the crew would follow him and then risk getting them all killed.

Cody sighed. "Didn't Miyako betray us…?" There was something about the tone in which he stated this, as if he didn't really believe it himself.

Law looked back towards the center of Sabaody, as if looking in the direction of something. "Do you think she did?"

Cody was silent as well, seemingly thinking about it. He shook his head but then decided to answer seeing that Law was still looking at the horizon away from him. "I don't know what to think but…I just can't accept it. I can't accept that Miyako we knew betrayed us."

Law didn't say anything at first, but then spoke up with one simple sentence. "I don't think she did." He sounded confident about it, completely sure, without a second thought or a doubt in his mind.

Cody couldn't help but blink in surprise at Law's straightforwardness. But he also felt a pang of frustration with it. "Then why didn't you say anything when we were in the hideout? Why didn't you stop her?" The young medic couldn't help the slightly accusing tone in his voice, even if he didn't want to blame Law. He just couldn't understand. If Miyako sacrificed herself for them, if she was suffering now…Cody knew he would never forgive himself. At the same time, he felt anger towards Miyako for putting everything on her shoulders once again, the same as she always did in the past. But weren't they passed that? Didn't she trust them now and decided to rely on her friends? The thought just made Cody more frustrated. But what hurt him the most was the fact he wasn't able to do anything in this situation. Also, the fact that he didn't believe in Miyako at that time. That even he doubted her, he who always thought he had the girl figured out.

Law didn't take offense at Cody's accusing words or the slightly higher tone the medic used on him. He knew the man couldn't help it because Law was having the similar frustrated feeling as Cody did…he was just better at hiding it. "If I did, wouldn't that overwrite everything Miss Miyako was trying to do? She went willingly with that World Noble for our sake…I don't want to waste her efforts," he looked back at Cody with a knowing eye. "And that's exactly why I don't want to risk your lives now. I'll be going alone."

Cody was silent, his head bowed down. The young man gripped the railing hard until his fingers went pale. He had to use his best self-control not to just disobey Law's orders and come with him to save Miyako anyway. But he also wanted to respect both Law's and Miyako's decision. His chest hurt at the thought of the girl and what she must have been feeling now. She must be thinking the Heart Pirates hate her now. She was all alone. Still, Cody managed to stay on board and instead nodded. "Captain…bring her back."

Law didn't answer anything, but Cody thought he saw a faint trace of a smirk appear on Law's face for a second. It was hard to tell in the darkness and soon Law turned away from the submarine once more and walked away. Cody wanted to ignore that heart-wrenching feeling in his gut that feared this was the last time he will see Trafalgar Law, as he watched his captain walk away.

~…..~

The girl sighed as she realized there was no way any sleep will come to her tonight. She just had too much worries on her mind. And there was one person that kept popping in her mind no matter how many times she chased the picture away. The last person she wanted to think about was him right now, yet his well-known smirking expression just refused to disappear from her thoughts. It was just like that time, before they had that nasty fight over Abney Cove and Law's plans…before everything between them went to hell.

Miyako had awoken with a start in Law's room and on his bed, remembering instantly what happened. She actually fell asleep next to him and now it was too late to try and hide that fact. Miyako's body stiffened with realization as she saw no sign of Law on the bed, which only meant that he was already awake and saw her there. He saw here sleeping on his bed! The heavy thought dawned on her like a ton of bricks that now weighted on her mind because of her folly.

*How could I fall asleep?! I'm dead...He'll never let this one go…How am I ever going to explain this to him!?* Miyako's mind raced just as she did through the halls. Not only was she found out sleeping in Law's room by the captain himself but she overslept and was now late for kitchen duty. Now even Munk would give her a good piece of his mind. Still, Miyako was glad Law didn't wake her up at that time. If he did, she would found herself right before him on the spot, probably unable to form a coherent sentence of explanation. At least now she had some time to think about what to say to him or at least think of an excuse.

However, her little peace was short-lasting as she was sent to Law's quarters by Munk to give Trafalgar his lunch as usual. Miyako cursed at everyone and everything silently as she walked down the halls, nearing Law's room and her unavoidable doom. Why didn't the captain eat at the galley like all the others? Then she wouldn't have to be here. Still, there was no time nor help in complaining as it didn't change the fact that she was already in front of his doors.

As she knocked, only hesitating for a while, before entering the quarters. The room didn't look any different than before; bare metal walls only decorated with numerous bookcases leaning against them, that were filled with thick, heavy books and a couple of eternal log poses. Right in front of Miyako was the large wooden desk that filled the space of most of the room, filled with papers and books, though mostly charts this time. Even though it was the navigator's job, Law still always wanted to know exactly what their course of direction was while sailing. Behind the desk was the captain himself, though instead of his usual pose of standing or sitting hunched over a book, he was leaning back in the leather chair with his eyes closed and resting. It was a rare sight seeing Law resting and actually taking a break from his work, so Miyako was surprised as she saw it twice already. Absentmindedly, she wondered if Trafalgar was more tired than usual.

She was already used to balancing the tray with one hand while closing the doors behind her and she set the food down on the mahogany desk. "You're food, captain. As always Munk says to keep your diet balanced and remember to eat regularly or he'll spice up your food next time." She muttered.

"Hn." It was all the captain answered as he continued to lean back in his chair, keeping his eyes closed. His feet were on the desk, but careful not to dirty any papers on it while his arms rested on his yellow hoodie with intertwined fingers. He wasn't sleeping, which was obvious, but still he didn't even look at the tray of food nor Miyako.

"Well his exact words were…" Miyako continued, trying to fill the awkward silence as she imitated Munk's deep, gruff voice. "He best be eatin' right o' I'll spice his grub 'nough t' send tears drippin' daw'n his face!"

She heard Law sigh before he answered in a slightly tired tone; though she was unsure was it because of his current state or was he just sick of listening to Munk's usual warnings. "Yes, that sounds quite like him."

After leaving the tray on the desk, Miyako thought this was a perfect opportunity to casually slip away without being asked any uncomfortable questions about this morning. She could see Law just wanted to rest for a while and she was hopeful seeing as how he didn't mention anything about the topic yet. Perhaps he had forgotten or simply didn't care. Miyako prayed that was the case as she already started turning around and leaving for the door. "Well… if that's all…" The girl started in a quiet voice trying to be invisible until she was safely out of the room.

She almost did a dance of joy in her heart as the captain didn't stop her or call out. He didn't say anything, as he only tipped his hat further down his head to cover his eyes from the unnatural light in the room. Miyako was almost out the door now… Just a bit further and the doorknob will be in her hands. Just…a bit…more.

"Miss Miyako…" The captain called out behind her just as she grabbed the doorknob almost desperately.

The girl jumped at the deep and calm voice behind her. She cursed every deity she could think of while trying to put the best innocent expression she could. With a nervous, twitching smile she turned half-way around towards Trafalgar. "Yes captain?"

"I was just wondering; is there something wrong with your quarters?" The tone was still casual, as he was asking a simple question.

"N-No…" By now Miyako couldn't even keep up her innocent act. She was getting more nervous by the second, pretty obviously so. A drop of sweat appeared on her forehead, further incriminating her.

"Hm… Is that so? I thought it might be the case since I found you in mine this morning," Law's face was still hidden from view with his furry hat so Miyako was unable to see the slight smirk creeping on his face. Still, she could clearly hear the amusement in his voice.

Miyako cringed and flinched at Law's words before her body stiffened. She was still unable to look at him directly in the face so she kept staring at some spot next to her. She couldn't even turn completely towards him. She didn't want to see that amused look staring back at her. The smug smirk she always wanted to wipe away from his face. Sometimes she could with a sarcastic or snarky comment back at her captain, but right now she knew she was busted and that she couldn't do anything to turn the situation in her favor. Well there was always one option; to lie. She tried to keep her voice from stuttering as her thoughts raced to find a good excuse. "W-well I was just…I wanted to wake you up but I was so tired myself that I just… fell sleep?" She cursed herself for being able to think only of that. Was that even an excuse?

"Oh? Is there something that you wanted?" Unlike hers, Law's voice was still perfectly calm and clearly showed his laid-back personality.

"What I wanted?" Miyako blinked a bit confused, at first not realizing what Law was asking. But then she remembered her words and understood. There should have been a reason why Miyako entered Law's quarters, shouldn't there? But the truth was, Miyako didn't have one. She didn't know why she came to his room yesterday and she still wasn't sure. "Uh… um… that's… Josh wanted something…?"

"Then why didn't he just come to me himself?" Law's voice persisted, making Miyako more nervous by the second. And was it just her imagination or did his voice sound closer now? It could be because she indeed felt like a rabbit caught in a lion's trap, which was getting closer by the second, just like Law was cornering her with his questions. She knew he was doing this on purpose, just to tease her, just for his own amusement as he continued to pester her. And her stupid brain was just making it worse, as she fell deeper and deeper into Law's trap with every illogical excuse she made. Miyako was still staring at the metal doors in front of her, clutching that doorknob. Behind those doors was her sweet freedom, lovely escape, but it didn't matter anymore because it was too late. She might have been miles away from them now and it wouldn't make a difference, because Law wasn't letting her get away that easily. He wouldn't let it slide and he probably won't ever let her forget it. For a second she thought of just opening those doors and escaping but that would be even worse. She was absolutely certain Law would never let her hear the end of it then and she wasn't going to flee from him anyway. She would feel even worse about it afterwards as that would crush any pride she had left in this situation. All these thoughts made Miyako frustrated. She clutched the doorknob with her hand that was still itching to just open these damned doors. But instead, she realized the only way out of this situation was to turn around with her head held high and face the man head on. If she was about to fall, she'll do it with pride and dignity. She quickly turned around, ready to face the man sitting back in his chair with his smugness and all.

Her eyes widened in surprise and she couldn't help the little gasp that escaped her mouth. Her vision was clouded by a yellow and black hoodie right in front of her. Law was already standing close behind her, now right in front of her, towering over her. She looked up like a mouse looking up in fear of the cat, staring into a mischievous smirk and a pair of very amused grey eyes. Her mind raced as she realized the man was much too close for her liking right now. *I didn't even feel him coming? Was I so distracted by the whole thing that I let him sneak up on me? How could've I been so foolish and unguarded?!*

Law put a hand on the doorknob, preventing her from opening them and he stepped closer, which only made Miyako step back. But unfortunately for her, she had nowhere else to run as she hit the metal doors with her back. "Well? Answer my question Miss Miyako," Law's smirk seemed to widen as he demanded, piercing her with his eyes. But there was no anger or annoyance in them. Instead, they seemed to be alive with a different kind of emotion as they reminded Miyako of a storm that will soon swallow her.

The girl opened her mouth to speak but no words came out as she realized she didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to get out of this situation anymore as her usually witty mind failed her. Her thoughts were blocked by Law's piercing eyes and Miyako simply kept staring up at them as if enchanted. What was his question again? His stormy eyes swallowed her completely and she was surprised how different they looked now. There was none of the usual sharp coldness she saw in them that reminded her of the steel of her Yawarakai-Te. Instead there was something else in them. Something that made them more alive and on fire, almost like when her golden eyes burned with excitement. Somehow it seemed those eyes were now coming closer and closer as the man leaned forward still propped by his arm on the door. His other hand was casually put away in the back pocket of his spotted trousers, which only made Law look more easygoing in the whole situation. On the other hand, Miyako's heart was beating louder and faster from both excitement and uncertainty about what was to come.

"Why did you come to my quarters, Miyako?" The usual formal addressing was dropped somewhere along the way as Law kept inching closer to the girl.

"I… don't… know…" The girl still seemed to be in a kind of trance, not sure how to answer something that even she did not know. Absentmindedly, she noticed their voices were turning softer.

When Law spoke again, it was barely above a whisper. "Could it be you wanted to see me?"

Even with her confused and slightly glazed mind, she couldn't admit such a thing. "T-There's… no way that would happen…" Her words didn't sound very believable as there was uncertainty in her whispered voice. She still couldn't turn away from Law's eyes, staring at her and piercing her with an all-knowing look. As if he knew something she didn't. But one this she did realize; there was no escaping him anymore. Whatever she said now, she was sure Law already knew the truth. That's what his now-serious gaze told her. When did he lose that smirk and replace it with a serious look anyway? She was so focused on his eyes, she didn't even notice. And neither did she notice exactly how close his lips were now.

"Liar." Was all Law said, a quick smirk appearing on his lips again before they closed over Miyako's.

"Argh!" Miyako flopped back on the white bed with her hands holding her head. "What am I thinking about at this time?! Stop it you stupid brain. Baka Miyako!" She rolled around the bed, letting the silky sheets fall off it in the process but she was too busy cursing herself to even notice. What did it matter anyway? Nothing in this room was hers nor did she feel that way. It was a foreign room in a foreign palace within a foreign land where foreign people lived. She didn't feel like she had any connection with any of it. Unless counting the suffocating feeling of staying here like a prisoner even if it was partly of her own free will. She stared up at the ceiling veiled in the darkness of the room, remembering her home country of Wano. Everything was easier then and there. Everything made sense. She knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life; she wanted to embark on a journey, leave the expectations and norms of her old life behind, find her own way of the warrior, find out what true strength is that her deceased master often mentioned. He said her training was over before he went to war but he also warned her she still lacked something. Yet she never had time to ask him more about it since he died in that war. She wanted to find that something on her journey and show everyone that she, a mare woman, could become a great warrior of Wano, despite the condescending teachings of the rest of Wanokuni that stood in her way. Instead, she found herself in Mariejois with a 14 year-old who wanted to marry her and a bounty of 100 million Beli as a wanted pirate. But even if she asked how things became like this, she already knew. It was him. Trafalgar Law. Whenever anything troubled her, it was always him who was somehow involved with those troubles. That's how it's been for the past 16 months. Miyako narrowed her eyes in irritation even though she had no one to direct it to.

Her thoughts were broken as the girl heard some loud voices and crashing sounds coming from outside her room. It was on the other side of the doors, in the hallway, and by the noises it seemed to be getting closer to her room. Miyako slowly got up and started walking towards the doors with an uncertain step. Her gaze turned to the katana leaning against a wall, the only item Miyako refused to turn over to the Tenryuubito guards and after much arguing Piercy finally told the guards to let her be. At least he was easy to manipulate seeing as he was a teenager who thought he found his one true love. A bad taste appeared in Miyako's mouth as soon as the thought crossed her mind. By now the voices were almost at her door and the girl stiffened preparing herself for anything.

Yet she still stared in bewilderment as a blue sphere suddenly appearing through the doors, getting closer and coming towards her. There was only half of the circle though, while the other half was probably on the other side of the doors. Before she could react at all, a tall figure appeared seemingly out of thin air in her room. She needed some time to see it clearly since there was still only darkness in the room, but even without seeing their face, Miyako knew who it was. Only one person could use power of teleportation and create that blue circle in the process.

"Why…?" Miyako just couldn't get over her shock as one person she was certain never to see again just appeared before her. They were crouched and panting hard as if they were running till' now, with their long nodachi out in one hand and holding the sheath in the other.

However, Law gave her no time to adjust to the situation nor did he offer an explanation. Instead, something completely different but much more urgent came out of his mouth. "Quick! Get ready to leave, now." He sheathed his nodachi and used his now free hand to point two fingers at a large, oak wardrobe in the room. "Tact" With the order, the wardrobe moved with speed and slammed against the doors that just started to open. There were more loud voices outside while the men tried to open the barricaded doors. Trafalgar looked back at the baffled Miyako, seeing her in the same position like before looking like a stone statue that refused to budge. "Why are you still standing there?! We need to leave, now!" The captain was obviously losing his patience as he raised his voice in urgency. He didn't look like his usual calm self, but instead had a rushed expression of someone who didn't want to be here any second longer.

But Miyako just couldn't move, for her legs were not listening to her at all. Instead, she just kept staring at the man in front of her with wide golden eyes. "Wh-….How? What are you…?" She had trouble just finishing the sentence as there were so many questions racing through her mind at the moment, but none came out clearly. She just didn't know where to start.

Law sighed, seeing the girl had no intention of moving or running at the moment. He needed to make some things clear obviously, before they could move on and get out of here. They didn't really have that much time, judging by the loud noises of the guards trying to break in through the door. He came closer to Miyako, looking her directly in the eyes. "Isn't it obvious? I'm getting you out of here. Any complains?" He pierced here with a direct challenging stare.

Miyako blinked at the sight as her verily confused mind tried to connect the dots and process the situation. Little by little she understood what he was saying but as understanding dawned on her so did horror. *No…Don't you understand!? If you take me away, the Tenryuubito will send all their forces after us! You should be able to see that Law, I counted on it. You of all people should know what would happen…Even better than me. I saw it clearly in your expression at that hideout, so why are you here now!? Why aren't you already halfway to the New World, you fool!?* The girl gritted her teeth and gave Law her best heartless look as she glared at him. "I already told you, I have no intention of sailing with you anymore! Didn't you understand that I betrayed you! I was just using you all this time!"

Trafalgar Law just kept looking at her with a completely serious but apathetic expression. He didn't get angry, he didn't turn away, he just stared at her right in the eyes. "Is that all?"

Miyako blinked and gave Law a completely dumbfounded look. "What?"

If they were in an any less dangerous situation, Law would chuckle at her expression right now but at the moment, he felt no amusement. He was still looking at her completely serious. "If that is true than it is my responsibility as your ex-captain to deal with a traitor on my ship. But if you are lying…Didn't I tell you not to do everything by yourself?"

Miyako was still staring at him with wide eyes before biting down on the inside of her cheek. *No…I can't be swayed now. This is what I decided to do…to protect everyone! This time I can't rely on them to help me.* Miyako glared at Law again, giving him a harsh look. "Just leave…" Her voice was soft at first but her expression soon became distorted by anger and she all but yelled at the captain. "Just leave already! I told you I don't need you! I don't want you here! I'm fine without-"

Law gritted his teeth in frustration this time, as the girl just refused to budge from her stubborn position. Meanwhile, those bangs on the doors became louder as more people came to help. First cracks started appearing on the large, sturdy doors. That's when Law decided he had enough. "Just shut up and let me protect you!" His voice boomed over hers, even over the loud pounding noises outside. He was staring at her with an angry and impatient look now, as his eyebrows furrowed underneath the rim of his hat.

The statement cut Miyako off and instantly made her quiet as the girl stared at the man in front of her with a shocked expression. Of everything Trafalgar Law would say to her, she wasn't expecting that. She was expecting that he would try and force her to leave with him or simply decided he had enough and leave without her. But not this.

The girl bowed down her head as bangs covered her eyes and most of her face. "Why…?" A whisper came out. She looked up but her expression was different this time…it wasn't angry or hateful. It just looked hurt and confused. "Why are you suddenly like this!? Didn't you say yourself that you would kill me if I betrayed you!? Didn't you say from the start that you won't let me stand in the way of your goal!? Even so…why….why do you always do this!?" She was yelling now, even louder than before. But this time Law could see she wasn't trying to fool him or make him leave. This time he could see true feelings written all over her face.

Law was a bit taken aback by the sudden outburst in front of him. Miyako wasn't even trying to keep her voice down anymore as she kept yelling. There were tears in the corners of her eyes, making her golden orbs glisten in the darkness.

"You made it clear you didn't care about what happens to me! You didn't even try to intervene when we were with the Tenryuubito so why are you here now!? You always do this…constantly playing with me! Is it fun to play with people's emotions like that?! Is it fun to keep me so confused?! You bastard! I had nothing but trouble ever since I met you! I don't know anything anymore because of you!" The tears that threatened to spill down from her eyes finally started flowing down her cheeks that were now red and hot. She was breathless and her voice kept breaking from the yelling, but she didn't care. She kept on anyway, not even caring what spilt from her mouth. Her hands were tightly clenched into fists by her sides, the fingernails breaking the skin on her palm but she could hardly feel the pain.

Law was still surprised by the intense emotions spilling out of Miyako, as if they came and crashed down out of nowhere. Was she always thinking like that? Did she think that he thought less of her than the rest of the Heart Pirates? Certainly, for him she wasn't the same as the rest no matter how many times he tried to persuade himself differently, but still he thought of her as one of his nakama. As a part of his crew. Not someone he could sacrifice just for his benefit. The fact that Miyako thought so of him, deemed him capable of something like that, made him both insulted and angry. He felt bits of frustration rising up inside him but then he saw the girl in front of him and that frustration disappeared instantly. What would he gain by getting angry at her now? He did enough of that lately and a part of him could understand why Miyako came to think the way she did because of it.

He reached a hand towards her but stopped midway, suddenly uncertain. He never saw Miyako like this before. He never saw her so emotional nor did she ever shed tears in front of him. For once Trafalgar Law wasn't sure what course of action was the best to take; should he try and comfort her or just leave her alone until she cools down? But by the sound of it they didn't have that much time; the doors were slowly cracking and will soon give along with the heavy wardrobe against them. The only reason they withstood this far was because everything in this damned place needed to be of best quality, including the oak doors. His tattooed hand was still in the air and realizing that, Trafalgar lowered it back down to his side. Instead, it balled into a fist. Law sighed. "Oy…I don't know how to deal with crying women…"

Miyako, whose head was still down, opened her eyes and the sound of Trafalgar's voice actually made her breath hitch. Or rather it was his words. Miyako actually cried in front of him, she let go of all her pride and showed her emotions openly for the first time, which was bad enough, but now she actually had to hear Law call her a nuisance for it. At this point she didn't know whether she should get angry or just laugh at the whole situation. She felt like she had really reached her limit this time. But before she could react, she felt two warm hands on each of her cheeks. The tattooed, tanned hands pulled her head up, making her look right into Law's eyes.

"….so don't blame me if this isn't what I'm supposed to do right now." He finished the statement as he pulled the girl upright, kissing her. He still held her head in between his hands, not letting go of her lips even when she kept struggling for breath. He didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but even when his lungs started to burn, he only deepened it. Once he felt that Miyako calmed down a little, he moved away, brushing his lips against her slightly parted ones. He was still holding her head, staring into her confused eyes that kept repeating one question 'Why?'

The man sighed. "I don't know why either…It's just the way it is," he let her go and stepped backwards, noticing her katana near the wall. Creating his sphere again, he reached for the sword and it appeared in his hand. Law looked back at the still slightly confused, but much calmer Miyako. "But putting aside the differences between us…" he offered her the sword in his hand. "…you were always one of us. Both the crew and I always thought of you as one of the Heart Pirates. There is no uncertainty about that, so don't ever doubt it," his gaze was serious as he watched the girl, offering the sword to her.

Even if Miyako's mind was mostly scattered with millions of questions right now, she understood what Law was asking of her with this. She stared at the sword in his hand and reached for it. She could feel new tears in her eyes but she willed them away and instead took Yawarakai-Te, feeling the familiar, soothing, smooth surface of its scabbard beneath her fingers, while wiping her eyes with the other hand. She nodded at Law, silently showing him she made her decision.

"I-" she started to say something but was unable to finish when they both heard a loud crack in the direction of the doors. The royal guards finally broke through and were now cutting down the doors and the large wardrobe in front of it, with swords and axes. Law quickly walked over the large window in the room and looked outside as he opened it wide. Miyako wasn't really sure what he had planned but followed after him and didn't protest as he took her by the waist.

"We'll continue this on the submarine, when we are well away from here," he muttered to her before jumping down. There was only one problem; they were on the third floor of the large palace, and were now falling down sure to break a leg or two if they fall on the ground beneath them.

"Law!?" Miyako gasped as they kept falling but suddenly she blinked and they were down on the ground, away from the window. "Huh?" She didn't have time to ask or get an explanation as once again they appeared on yet another place, even further from the palace. They kept jumping, though it was more like teleporting from one place to the other and Miyako soon noticed Law was just using his ope ope power to exchange them with various objects further in front. She could see logs, benches, all kinds of things behind them where the pair used to be moments before.

After a while, Law stopped a bit breathless and panting as he looked how far away they were from the palace.

Miyako looked at the breathless Law as she finally moved away from his grip on her hip. "I'm not that heavy," she said with a slightly pouting face.

The man gave her a quick sideways glance as he was still trying to catch his breath from using so much of his Ope Ope powers, before looking straight ahead again scanning the area. "I see you haven't lost any of your bad sense of humor through all of this."

Miyako didn't answer anything but gave him a slight mischievous smile. Instead, she tied her katana at the waist and took her red ribbon to tie her long hair into a usual ponytail. "Come on, we'll need to find a boat to get out of here."

Law was a bit surprised at her sudden decisive manner to leave this place, after all the unwillingness she showed before. But he wasn't about to complain about it, as he was glad that the girl changed her mind. "I came here by infiltrating the boat that was transporting new slaves to the palace. We won't be able to use that on our way back. And they will soon realize we are out of the palace and send guards after us."

Miyako and Law both felt a presence and turned towards it with sudden seriousness. Law created his Room in an instant and cut some trees where the person was hiding. A surprised scream pierced their ears as a woman fell out from the bushes. Both pirates looked at each other in wonder before looking back at the woman who was sitting on the floor.

"W-wait, I'm not an enemy!" The young woman put her arms up defensively, obviously terrified and shaking in fear.

"Who are you?" Law demanded with narrowed eyes but was nudged by Miyako who pointed at something.

"Law, look. On her neck," There was a bomb collar that slaves wore, uncomfortably wrapped around the woman's neck. However, this one didn't have a chain attached to it.

"I-I am a slave at the palace here in Mariejois. I know most of this place like the back of my hand," the woman was still on her knees, afraid to do any sudden movements. She gazed wearily from Law to Miyako. "Y-you are those pirates, right? I saw your bounties…you are strong right?"

The pirates didn't answer, but the woman continued anyway. "I-if you help me…if you help me get out of here, I-I can help you too. To get back to Sabaody."

Law's eyes narrowed as he gazed at her suspiciously. "And why should we trust you? You could just be leading us into a trap to favor your masters."

"No!" The woman fiercely objected, both to Miyako's and Law's surprise. "You don't understand…We are treated like trash here. They kill us on a whim. I never know when a day will be my last…please…I can't live like this anymore!" Tears began to form in her pleading eyes. She looked desperate.

Law still didn't look convinced as he didn't want to risk falling into a trap, yet on the other hand this could be their ticket out of here. Maybe the only one.

Miyako gave him a slightly troubled look but then shrugged as she was willing to try it. They didn't have much choice anyway. She looked back at the woman again. "How do you plan to get us out of here?"

The slave girl seemed to beam with hope at Miyako's words. "There is a peddler ship that brings fresh supplies every day to Mariejois. We just need to sneak on it. The peddler often stays here for the night and then sails off to Sabaody again before dawn. We can still make it," there was hope in her words now that the pirates were willing to listen. "And we can use the way servants use to move around. We have special routes so we wouldn't cross paths with the nobles…they don't like to look at us…Please…I just want to go home," her chocolate-colored eyes were full of tears now, still wide and frightened. But obviously she was more frightened of the Tenryuubito than the pirates before her. There was a great sense of irony in that fact, if one thought about it.

Law and Miyako looked at each other before the man stepped closer to the slave. The woman instinctively shrunk back in fear. She was wearing torn rags with bruises and beating marks all over her body. Who knows how long she was made to stay here, enduring constant abuse every day. "Room." Law made his usual sphere, but only a small one, enveloping him and the girl, since he was cautious not to be seen by the guards who were still frantically searching for them. They couldn't stay here for much longer. "Don't move." He ordered her while unsheathing his nodachi. The woman stared wide-eyed at the sharp sword in his hand. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't move from fear.

"P-please, don't kill me!" The woman screamed, sure Law was going to do just that when he moved his sword and swung with it as if aiming for her neck but strangely enough he was still too far away to reach her.

~…..~

"Is it here?" Miyako whispered.

"Yes, it's that one over there." The woman pointed at one of the ships docked at the port. There were an unusual amount of guards for this time of night, but it was not unexpected. After all everyone was still searching for the escaped Miyako and the Surgeon of Death who somehow managed to infiltrate the palace of Mariejois.

The three of them were currently hiding among some cargo, planning their safest route to and inside the merchant's ship without being noticed by the guards.

"C-can't you use those powers like before…?" The slave girl asked quite timidly the pirate captain. She unconsciously put a hand on her neck which was now free from the collar. She will remember that scene for the rest of her life. The man somehow severed her head from the rest of the body yet kept her alive. In the next instant she was free from her collar and with her body in one piece without even a scar to prove what just happened.

Law shook his head. "They would see my Room instantly. We'll need to do this the old-fashioned way.

"Like a distraction method?" Miyako asked with a smirk.

The girl thought about it for a while, before nodding. "I..I think I can help with that. Be ready to move," before Law or Miyako could ask what she was planning to do, the woman got up and ran out in the open in front of the guards. By her rag-looking attire and beaten body, the guards soon concluded she was one of the slaves at the palace. Before they could notice she wasn't wearing a collar, in which cunning darkness of the night helped a lot, the girl pointed somewhere behind the group of men. "Quick! I saw those pirates down at the Murky Road! They're trying to hide in the forest!" The group of men all followed her finger, even if unconsciously, averting their gazes away.

In that instant Miyako and Law used all their skills of speed and silence to cross the path and jump into the small merchant ship.

"Murky Road! I should've known. Crom, go inform Company C of this. You men, come with me! We'll catch those pirates before they can find a way off Mariejois. The rest of you stay here just in case!" The one who seemed to be the commander ordered his men as they devised the plan. Meanwhile, nobody paid attention to the sole slave girl who took that opportunity and subtly slipped away onto the ship.

Luckily, there wasn't anyone on it since it was still dark though dangerously nearing dawn. The three stowaways hid in the cargo department deep within the ship, with the crates. There weren't many of them left since the peddler sold most of them to the people in the palace but there were still enough to help them hide.

Miyako sighed in both tiredness and relief. She had a feeling she wasn't going to sleep this night but for a completely different reason than this. "It's rare that we didn't have to break our way through with fighting this time." She smiled, feeling her body getting heavy now that they were suddenly able to relax. She was still wearing that long nightgown though it was partly torn and dirty now and her feet weren't any better seeing as she was barefoot.

"Speak for yourself…how do you think I got to you. It took me a long time and a lot of guards and problems to find the right room." Law answered with closed eyes as he leaned against the wooden wall. There was a troubled tone in his voice but he didn't sound like he regretted it.

*That's right… Law went out of his way to get me back.* Miyako didn't have much time to think about everything that happened since they were constantly running, hiding and then running some more just for it to be followed by some hiding. This is the first time they relaxed ever since Law barged into that room right in front of her. She had so many questions for the young captain but knew this wasn't the place nor time to start asking them. She would just have to wait a little while longer. Instead, Miyako hugged her knees close to her chest feeling the slight draft that left goosebumps on her skin. "Thank you." She whispered, staring at the ground and her bare feet.

The soft voice made Law open one eye halfway and look sideways in Miyako's direction. He didn't say anything, just kept his eye on the girl for a moment, before looking back to the front and closing the eye again. He tipped his hat downwards, resting his chin on his chest, but knew there will be no actual rest for them until they are safely back on the submarine and on their way to Fishmen island. And even then they will be in constant danger from large sea monsters and unpredictable water currents.

~…..~

Law and Miyako walked through the now empty lawless district of Sabaody Archipelago. The Marines will be on the Archipelago soon…as soon as they realize that Miyako and Law were long gone from Mariejois land. It was already dawning, as the bright sunrise painted the world in orange and yellow colors. However, the pair had no time to stand and watch this new day coming as they hurried through the mangrove trees, towards the submarine.

And the closer they got, the more Miyako felt unsure about the whole situation. Yes, they got out of Mariejois alive though surely not without future consequences as they angered the Tenryuubito. However, what Miyako feared right now weren't those consequences; it was something much closer in time. Something unavoidable yet frightening to the girl. She needed to face the whole Heart Pirate crew. How will she explain her actions? And even if she managed, how can she expect them all to forgive her? She remembered the group's shocked face, Josh's anger and Bepo's hurt gaze still full of hope that she was just joking with them. They believed in her and she let them down. The girl gulped and unconsciously slowed down her step, making Law look behind at the uncertain girl.

Besides that, she wanted to say something to Law as well. Something she didn't have the chance to say then but felt it needed to be said. "Law…" She started, stopping for a moment.

The captain turned around to face her, giving her his usual stare void of emotions and she was unable to read anything from his expression. He didn't encourage her to continue but neither did he interrupt her. She understood he was patiently waiting for her to continue; at least as patient as a pirate on the run could be.

Miyako bit her lip and stared at her bare feet for a while, fiddling with the strap of her katana. But then she looked up, an expression on her face Law never saw before. He was seeing a lot of new sides of Miyako these days. This one, however, made her seem like she was desperately trying to convey something but couldn't. Finally she opened her mouth to speak. "I….I really want to continue sailing with all of you. I…I like being a Heart Pirate!" She looked at Law straight in the eye, showing she was completely serious and honest about it but she still held that desperate expression.

Law looked at her for a while. "Don't you want to return to Wano?"

Miyako was a bit surprised by the question, as she looked directly at Law with wide-eyes that soon looked away in a guilty expression. *So he knew…* Miyako thought for a while, but then closed her eyes and quickly shook her head. She looked back at the ground again. "I do want to come back to Wano one day but…but for now I really want to continue sailing with everyone. I really like this crew." She looked back at Law as if expecting to get his permission. The one she might have lost because of her foolish actions yesterday.

The pirate captain suddenly smirked. "You're talking as if you aren't a part of this crew yet, Miss Miyako. You never stopped being a Heart Pirate, did you?"

At that moment Miyako felt her heart ache but for a completely different reason than yesterday. She felt tears welling up in her eyes again but managed to keep them in as she didn't want to show that shameful side of her to Law again. Instead, she bit her quivering lip and nodded harshly. "Un."

Law turned his back to her again, readjusting the large nodachi on his shoulder. "Now come on. You'll have enough time to rethink and repent on your actions once we get back...I still need to think of an appropriate punishment for such brazen behavior you've shown us," the man smirked once more, showing his expression by a sideways glance towards her, before turning completely around and continuing to walk towards the grove where the rest of the Heart Pirates were waiting for them. There was a certain sadistically excited glint in his eyes.

Miyako's body stiffened and she gulped, but for a different reason this time. Suddenly, her meeting with the Heart Pirates didn't seem so frightening anymore.

~..…~

"Um…you think they'll be very mad?" Miyako started, unsure once again when they already reached Grove 23.

"Yes," was Law's simple, but direct answer without any sugar-coating.

"H-How mad do you think they'll be…?"

Law sighed. "Why don't you ask them?"

Miyako looked up seeing they had reached the submarine and there was quite a scene before her. The deck was filled with all of the Heart Pirates, waiting for them to arrive. Cody must've woken everyone and explained the situation, as they must've waited the whole night. Miyako stopped when they were near the metal plank leading from the ground up to the submarine. She gulped for the nth time that day and then gave a deep bow. "I am extremely sorry for all the trouble that I've caused you! I just selfishly wanted to protect everyone on my own. I was a fool not to trust you more!" Her apology was formal but sincere and she stayed bowed like that with tightly closed eyes, awaiting all the harsh words and retorts.

Yet she got none. The girl slowly opened her eyes and dared to look slightly upwards, puzzled at what the pirates were doing. They just stood there with completely serious faces and Miyako gulped. *I knew it…they hate me now. They'll never forgive me.* She saw Cody walking towards her with a serious look in his eyes and the girl bit her bottom lip in anticipation.

The tall medic stood right in front of the still bowing girl. He clenched his hand into a fist and raised his arm in the air, ready to strike. Miyako shut her eyes tightly but didn't try to protest or dodge, as she simply awaited a well-deserved hit. The hand flew down but stopped abruptly inches from her head. The medic tapped her lightly on the head and she hardly felt it. "Don't worry us like that ever again!" Miyako blinked at his serious and seemingly angry tone in confusion since it was completely in contrast with his light punishing hit. She looked up at him confused and that's when Cody gave her a gentle smile. "Welcome back, Miya-chan."

Miyako slowly stood upright again and looked at him with hopeful eyes, glistening and full of emotion. "I'm back," she almost leaped into the medic's arms as she hugged him tightly. Behind them, she could hear snickers and laughs from the rest of the crew as they all smirked and smiled.

"Don't do that shit ever again, Bakaonna!" Josh exclaimed with an angry yell but even he looked relieved.

"Hehe I knew it was all an act!" Penguin proclaimed proudly.

"You did not!" Shachi countered and the two started bickering over it.

Miyako just watched and laughed at the sight of the whole crew. She missed every one of these Heart Pirates. Her gaze trailed back to Law who was leaning against a mangrove tree and smirking to himself. Yep, every one of them.

~…..~

"Did you hear? They say the Tenryuubito are angry?"

"What? Why?"

"It seems someone broke in…I don't know exactly what happened but there is a possibility that an admiral will come down here to Sabaody again?"

"Oh crap! We better set sail soon then!"

"Yeah…didn't you notice, there are marines all over the place?"

"Who are they looking for?"

"I'm not sure….But they say it's a pirate…a big kahuna too."

"You mean someone with a big bounty? How big are we talking about…?"

"Who knows…Who cares! We better stay away from this one. If we get caught there goes our plan to go to the New World."

Talk like this was going on all around Sabaody Archipelago, especially through the lawless districts. The Marines were running around the Archipelago searching for someone specific and nobody really knew what was going on. But it was big. It was something that left the Tenryuubito fuming in anger. However, the targets were never found no matter how much Saint Piercy Q. Wingross protested and exclaimed that his honor and pride as a World Noble has been tarnished. Because the culprits were already in the deep seas, heading for Fishmen island.

~…..~

"Whoa...it's amazing." Miyako was practically glued to the hardened glass of the control room as the submarine sailed through the deep waters. It was descending even deeper down into the darkness, lighting its way with a pair of headlights. A stabile sound of the radar beeped throughout the dark corridors of the submarine as most of the unnecessary lights were shut to save power. Every now and then, the submarine would pass by a school of large fish and other sea creatures, just like it was doing now. Miyako watched with wide eyes of a child seeing the large world for the first time as she stared at the group of glowing sea-snakes, colorful but deadly poisonous, that were swimming and slithering along with the submarine.

The Samurai girl wasn't the only one staring through the window in amazement. Josh was glued right there beside her, pointing at the giant fish around them.

Meanwhile, Law was sitting in his captain's chair, pleased that they were finally heading for Fishmen island and the New World.

"I think it's more amazing that we are actually here and sailing for the Fishmen island," Shachi said with a smile. "Finally…Mermaid island, here we come!"

Penguin was right beside him with a same wide grin, nodding eagerly.

"I must say I was worried there for a second…when all that happened at Sabaody." Cody noted. The tall medic sighed as if remembering bad moments. "Captain, you're becoming as crazy and daring as Strawhat Luffy."

"Hm? Why would you say that, Cody-ya?" Law tilted his head to the side, looking questioningly at Cody and the medic couldn't help but notice how unaffected the Surgeon of Death looked by all this while Cody was out of his mind with worry. He was feeling irritated by that fact but knew that's just how his captain was.

Cody sighed again before explaining his thoughts. "I'm talking about your escape from Mariejois. They say that Luffy actually managed to break in and then escape from the most guarded prison, Impel Down. But you actually broke into Holy Land Mariejois, the capital of the World Government and right into the World Nobles' palace. You're as crazy as that straw hat wearing pirate, if not more." There was a bit of sternness in Cody's words as if reprimanding Law for his actions. But both men knew Cody wouldn't do anything different if it meant getting Miyako back.

"Well it might pose a problem for us afterwards; angering the Tenryuubito. But there's no point in thinking about that now." Law answered. He was in a good mood as for once everything was going according to plan for now. They will soon find the descending current that will lead them onto the path of a deep current and even further into the sea's abyss.

"H-hey wait a sec. But this is bad, we pissed off the Tenryuubito. They'll surly send an admiral after us." Penguin added to Cody's words and joined the conversation.

"4000 meters and still descending captain." Sai called from his navigators' seat before he, too, joined the conversation. "But are the admirals really going to bother with avenging some 14year-old because his future wife got away?" Sai rolled his eyes at the pure absurdity of that fact.

"I don't think they have a choice…the Tenryuubito words are absolute." Cody muttered bitterly.

"We've been attracting a lot of attention lately. First Abney Cove, now breaking into Mariejois…The Council of Kings won't stand for this much longer anyway. The World Government and Akainu surly have their eyes on us." This time it was Jean Bart who spoke from his position behind the helm, his deep voice resonating through the dark room.

"I'm sorry…" a new voice startled them a little as the group of Heart Pirates turned towards its source. There, Miyako was standing, looking down at the ground with a guilty expression. "This is all my fault…"

For a while, everything was silent as the pirates awkwardly looked at each other. The only thing heard was Bepo's slight snoring coming from the corner of the room where the bear was sleeping, leaned against the wall.

They didn't want to make Miyako feel like that, they didn't really blame her for anything. Cody cursed himself for opening his damned mouth about this delicate issue in front of her.

Josh opened his mouth to protest and set the girl straight but a different deep voice interrupted him. "Don't be ridiculous." It was Law, still sitting in his chair and staring at the dark sea in front. He didn't look bothered by this whole situation at all and somehow that relaxed attitude made Miyako and everyone else in the room feel better and less tense. "This was unavoidable, it would have happened sooner or later. Besides…giving my crewmember to someone just because they are a World Noble?" Law turned his head towards Miyako and gave her one of his wide smirks. "Did you forget I hate being ordered around? That doesn't exclude the Tenryuubito. And if I was afraid of the World Government I wouldn't have become a pirate in the first place."

Shachi and Penguin looked at each other and grinned. "That's right! We were prepared for all of this when we became the Heart Pirates!"

The others in the group smirked as well, nodding their heads in agreement.

"I'm really glad…" Miyako started and everyone looked at her questioningly. She gave them a wide bright smile, the one she reserved for special occasions and rarely showed anyone. "I'm really glad I became a Heart Pirate after all." The smile itself seemed to have brightened the dark control room.

The group of men was a bit taken aback by the sight of Miyako's pure smile, something they almost never saw.

"D-don't say such embarrassing things so easily, stupid Miyako…" Josh muttered, embarrassed from just hearing her words. Even though, he was secretly glad even while trying to hide it.

Miyako felt her checks get hotter and redder as Josh's retort made her realize what she just said.

The rest of the group just laughed and smiled, grinning happily.

Even Law gave the girl a smirk before looking back ahead, into the darkness and into the unknown. He stood up, resting his nodachi on one shoulder while his other hand found its way into the pocket of his trousers. The captain's smirk turned into a grin as he stared with excited eyes into the darkness of the sea. "Alright men. Let's be on our way to Fishmen Island!"

"Aye Captain!" Everyone shouted even more excited.

---

Special thanks to MsStripey10 for beta reading this chapter.

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Okie, done! This chapter was a bit more angsty I guess, so I'm not really sure what to think about it (if I'm pleased with it or not :/ I'm not that good with angst/comfort). I just hope Law wasn't out of characters(or at least too ooc) :/ The next chapter should be out soon too since I'm almost finished with it. I hope you guys also enjoyed your winter breaks and holidays. :)

I just read through chapter 699 of the manga where they show Law's and Luffy's bounty posters in the newspapers, when I noticed they have one similarity; Just like Luffy had Usopp's back in the background, Law has Bepo's. (Yep, I only just noticed that :P) It made me remember how Usopp was excited by 'being in a bounty poster' and made me wonder if Bepo had the same reaction like that. XD

*Note: If anyone didn't see yet, the Christmas special is up in 'My stories' inventory. Thank you for helping me make a great one-shot, I couldn't have done it without you guys! :D

As always; reviews, comments and critique is welcome so go right ahead!

xXLovelyAnimeLoverXx: Haha, thank you very much. ^^ Well I have a general idea what I want a new plot for the Arc to be and then just go with the flow where my writing takes me with that idea. :) I think I made it too clear that the culprit was Azuma…I have to work on my crime story ideas, it seems. ^^' Hm..I don't want to answer much about other stuff you mentioned because of fear of spoiling further chapters of the story, so I'll just finish with another thank you for your kind review (and good luck with your OC story, I would like to read it once you post). :)

Girl-luvs-manga: I think they are both very similar, yet different from each other (hence so many problems between them).

CallmeEevee: Yes *sigh* Word spellcheck sometimes works against me…or autocorrect to be more precise. So often I don't even notice when it corrects my word but into a wrong one, hence wary and weary. ^^' I did get a Beta though, so hopefully it'll be better now. Also, to answer your question; Miyako never had the chance to fight Abaddon (Each time she had a different foe to worry about...or was incapable due to being tortured ^^'). Congratulations on becoming a Beta! :)

Izzie: Haha Thank you XD And thank you for your kind offer but I went on a hunt for a beta on the fanfiction list (there are a lot of them there anyway) so you shouldn't bother with it. :)

Torch Phoenix: Sretni (zakašnjeli) blagdani I tebi! ;) Thank you for reviewing.

Shiningheart of ThunderClan: hahaha I couldn't stop laughing after reading your review, seriously. XD Are you rolling your eyes yet? :P I'm sorry, I wasn't really thrilled with such a cliché either, but I needed it for further story/relationship development. It was inevitable. ^^'

reddevil47: I'm also interested in how I will develop that… -.-' I wish we had a little more info on Law and his crew right now but then again, I still have some time before writing about Punk Hazard so it's not that bad. And I kinda already have an idea in mind just in case. :)

Wings-chan: Yes, I think they are both stubborn and full of pride, which are two main problems. ^^' Yep, poor Bepo…Somehow every time I have to write a scene where Bepo gets hurt, I feel really bad.

Zecrea: With Heart Pirates, there's always trouble. ;) I also really look forward to connecting my story with the cannon story, tough I'll have to wait for more things to actually happen there. ^^'

Kongo Isamu: Thank you, I hope you enjoy this part too then. ^^

Hitoshirezu Ryu: I think I'll give the romance some smooth sailing after this, there was enough drama and arguments for a while. ;) I know, I also thought of Straw Hats at that scene but I didn't want it to be too similar, yet I still wanted the Heart Pirates to kick some serious butt. XD

JustChan: I also wanted to include that into the story but I wanted it to start off with their sour relationship already to keep it a bit shorter, and then I thought; flashbacks! They came and saved the day. ;) I think it's because they're both so similar in certain ways yet worlds apart in others. Hehe No spoilers, so I'm just going to say that I remember~ ;) To be honest, I totally forgot about those fishes :O So I added that part for you. It was a good idea. :D