Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece

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Law stared down at the book in his hands with some disgust. He had known that the author had been somewhat insane and a crappy excuse for a human, but this? Fuck it made some of what he had seen that bastard Doflamingo do look humane. Even the sadist in him was balking at some of what this man did. The pages he had just read had forced him to see that there were worse humans out there than Doflamingo and that one of his crew members had been taken by that man. He sighed deeply and turned to the next page only to freeze upon reading the name of his crew member. It would seem he was about to find out what exactly had happened to her while in the authors clutches.

My nose twitched as I caught the scent of something particularly nasty. I paused in my steps towards the kitchen and turned my head to look at the crewmember that was cleaning up the galley for lunch, "What the hell is that smell?"

"Buck decided to make some of the popular dishes from his home island," The man answered with a slight grimace.

"Dear god," I groaned as I covered my nose, "Please tell me that I'll be able to eat something else,"

The man nodded to my relief and I continued to walk towards the kitchen. Buck beamed when I entered and gestured to the pot beside him, "Ariun-chan! Want to try some of my gumbo?"

"What's in it?" I asked with a small grimace.

"Quite a bit," He replied with his grin stretched across his face, "I've made it spicy too,"

"Sorry, but I won't be able to eat that," Buck's face fell, "I can't stomach spicy food very well,"

"Oh," He looked depressed.

I offered him a sad look, "I should have told you earlier. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," He sighed before gesturing to where some vegetables were laid out, "I need you to cut those up while I figure out what to cook for you,"

"Any type of fish would do," He chuckled at hearing that.

"So fish for you and Bepo," He shook his head, "What is it with cat's, bears, and fish?"

Law walked out onto the top deck and found Ariun star gazing. A smile came to his face despite what he had read. Ariun spoke before he could, "You didn't eat dinner with us," She turned her head towards him, "Why not?"

He was surprised to see concern in her eyes, but brushed it off as he sat down next to her laid out form. Ariun looked up at him curiously and he sighed as he answered her question, "I was reading that book."

"The book you stole from the marines?" She asked before frowning when he nodded, "What's wrong?"

"The scientist that wrote it shouldn't be called human," Law muttered.

Ariun snickered to his surprise. She saw his surprise and smiled up at him, "I think anyone that came into contact with him would think that as well. You aren't the first to say that and I honestly doubt you'll be the last."

Law shook his head in slight amusement before asking, "How are you feeling?"

Ariun hummed softly in reply, "Pretty good considering the fact I had a massive panic attack yesterday," She looked at him, "What about you?"

"Asking about me? Concerned?" He asked teasingly wanting to get the topic of conversation away from that deranged scientist.

Ariun rolled her eyes as she propped herself up on her elbows, "Believe it or not. I do care about you."

"Really?" He asked somewhat surprised.

"Really," She murmured looking at him with amusement, "You've become someone I am somewhat willing to trust," She smirked at his shocked expression, "You're a good Captain and someone that I've found I respect," She closed her eyes for a few moments, "It's honestly surprising that I'm coming to trust you in the two almost three weeks we've known each other," She opened her eyes and laid back against the worn wood of the top deck, "Because of that, I've come to care about you and see you as a friend," She turned her head and locked eyes with him, "Please do not make me regret giving you this trust,"

Law felt the breath in his chest still at the sincerity in her eyes. He realized with some shock that she had let down her guard just a bit. After what he had read in the book, he was shocked that she would be willing to trust anyone, yet here she was giving him some of that trust. It was mind boggling, but it caused something warm to stir in his chest. He smiled at her and nodded, "I won't."

Ariun smiled softly at him before looking at the sky, "Want to stargaze with me?"

He chuckled and settled down next to her.

Law stared down at the female in his arms as he carried her to bed. The book had detailed so many experiments with graphic detail of what was done. He had decided that her's was the worst of them all perhaps because he knew her. Either way, it surprised him that she managed to survive some of it. The amount of pain she went through had to have been intense, yet she survived where others had died. Perhaps it was because of her devil fruit? Or perhaps it was because she was so stubborn? Either way, she was alive and breathing. He sighed softly as he set her down and began to leave her room. He stopped to look back at her once he reached the door. Her face was relaxed and peaceful. It seemed odd that she looked like that in sleep now that he knew what she had gone through or at least a portion of it. He left her room and closed the door behind him before leaning on it. He pressed the heel of one of his hands to his forehead as he murmured, "How did you survive, Ariun-ya? How can you act like a regular person after all that?"

He wasn't expecting an answer, so he almost jumped when he heard, "Storm's unique like that."

He turned and found Maki looking at him, "Maki-ya? What are you still doing up?"

"I wanted to check on Storm to make sure she was sleeping," Maki answered with a slight smile, "She sometimes goes days without sleeping for some of the most stupid reasons,"

Law inclined his head as he stood up straight, "Ariun-ya is sleeping."

Maki nodded his head, "I guessed as much when you walked out," He looked at the door behind Law for a few seconds, "Storm's a special kind of person. In the years I've known her, she's always been an odd one. She tried to stay away from Kuro and I in the beginning."

"Really?" Law looked at him in surprise, "But you all are so..."

"Close?" Maki supplied and gained a nod, "Kuro and I continued to bug her. Eventually, she became the person she is to us,"

"And that is?" Law asked.

"I've told you that she's as close to a little sister to me as I can get," Maki smiled at him though it was edged with darkness, "It's the same for Kuro. She's our head strong, idiotic, chaotic, and so many other things little sister," Maki's golden eyes narrowed at Law, "She's starting to trust you. Do. Not. Make. Her. Regret. It,"

"I won't," Law's eyes narrowed in return, "I know how hard it is for her to trust me,"

Maki eyed him for a little before nodding with a small smile, "Good," He turned and began to walk away before pausing with head turning to look back at Law, "Listen Trafalgar," Law's eyes narrowed a bit more, "Ariun," Law's eyes widened upon hearing the silver haired male utter Ariun's name, "Is one of the best judges of character, but even she can get it wrong. If you willingly hurt her either physically or mentally for whatever reason, nothing will save you from Kuro and I," The silver haired male's eyes suddenly turned blood red, "We weren't known as demonic beasts for nothing after all," The man's eyes returned to normal and he began to walk away, "Good night Captain. Sweet dreams."

Law stared after the man long after his footsteps faded. He turned and began to head to the stairs without looking back. He was tempted to call it a dream, but he wonder about one thing; what was it with his newest crewmembers and their penchant for threatening him?

Law watched Ariun walk into the galley and get her food before walking over to the table. The spotted haired female offered him a smile before she yawned out, "Good morning."

Law offered her a smirk in return before holding out the newspaper to her, "Ariun-ya take a look at this."

Ariun offered him a raised eyebrow before taking the paper. He watched her eyes scan the paper before lighting up slightly. She gained a slightly smug air and murmured, "About time."

"I thought you weren't interested in gaining a bounty," Law looked at her in amusement.

She gave him a smirk and shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe so, but I have to say it's a rather good one for my first one," Her eyes became half-lidded and she leaned forward before purring, "Are you angry that my bounty is higher than yours dear Captain?"

"Look at mine," Law replied with a chuckle.

She scanned the page before shrugging, "Ah your bounty was raised to 88 million. Eh still can't beat the fact my first bounty is 12 million higher than yours."

"A 55 million beri bounty?" Kuro whistled as he looked at the paper, "Nice Storm,"

"Congratulations on the bounty increase Captain," Maki said as he sat down at the table, "And to you as well Storm. Your first bounty is rather nice,"

I looked at the other wanted posters and my eyes widened upon seeing a certain one. Maki and Kuro were staring at the same one. Both were tense, I couldn't get the sight out of my head. I handed the newspaper back to Law while elbowing both of my friends. They looked at me, but I ignored them as I smiled at Law, "So where are we going next?"

Law's eyes were narrow, but he gave me the answer, "I do not know the name of the island, but the Navigator's tell me that we'll reach it in two days."

Nodding my head, I ate my breakfast quickly before leaving. I went to my room and laid down on my bed. Kuro and Maki entered my room ten minutes later. They took a seat on the floor and all was silent save for the sound of the waves crashing against the hull. Kuro broke the silence first as per usual, "Well didn't expect that."

"Nope," I breathed out.

"What're we gonna do?" The brown haired man asked looking at me.

"What can we do?" Maki asked turning his eyes on the green eyed man.

"I dunno," Kuro groaned softly, "Fuck this is..."

"Interesting," Both males looked at me.

"Interesting?" They asked.

"Interesting," I nodded my head with a small smile as I sat up.

"Why is this interesting?" Maki asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Storm have you gone insane?" Kuro demanded with wide eyes.

"It's interesting," I smiled at the two, "He became a pirate and is no doubt heading for the Grandline. Perhaps he's already here,"

"So?" Kuro asked, "Why the hell is that interesting?"

"We'll most likely meet up with him at some point in time," I replied as my tail swished behind me, "I'll get to see what my caretakers saw in him," I smirked as my claws grew and I looked at them, "Perhaps I will see if he's a worthy opponent or perhaps a worthy ally,"

"What do you mean?" I knew both were slightly disturbed by my uncharacteristic words.

"You both know that we'll most likely encounter him at some point while in this sea," Both stiffened as their eyes widen, "As a result, we will need all the help we can get,"

"Should our new crew be more than enough?" Kuro asked with a raised eyebrow, "They're strong from what I've seen,"

"Maybe so, but it never hurts to have multiple allies," I closed my eyes with a soft sigh.

"Storm," Maki's voice was soft causing me to open my eyes and look at him, "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation.

"If we end up meeting him, will you be okay?" He looked at me in concern.

"I'm no longer a child Maki," My fingers clenched and I felt the small sting of my claws digging into the skin of my palms, "I'll be fine,"

Maki grimaced, "Will you tell Law?"

"Only when I have to," Maki's eyes narrowed, "Maki," He sighed, "Go to your jobs guys,"

They both stood up and left the room. I laid back against my bed and sighed softly. Maki was angry with me, but there was nothing I could do. Well, I could tell Law. I grimaced and laid my arm over my eyes. I'm just starting to trust the guy and I've only known him for a handful of weeks. I can't just push all my shitty problems on to the guy. It would probably scare him away. It wasn't as if he could have been through anything like me. Right?

End