One Piece
The Five Second Rule
Chapter Eight: The Runaway Bride
On the day of the wedding, all the villagers were gathered outside the castle. All anxiously waiting for the king and his queen-to-be. Everyone on the island has heard about it by then, even the Heart Pirates who were hiding out by the island's coast.
For the last few days, Celine had been trying on different wedding gowns that were all too small for her, and would only fit if she wore a bone-crushing corset. It'd been a pain getting in and out of all the different gowns, especially the layered ones with the larger skirts. The whole time this was happening, Jareth would wait in the next room, waiting to see each gown on Celine, judging if he liked it or not. After what had to be at least ten dresses later, they both agreed on a very form-fitting dress that she could barely walk in. At least it wasn't massive.
It wasn't as if she hated the process entirely. In her whole life, this would probably be the first time she felt so pampered and dolled up. She felt beautiful – even if it was for a wedding to someone she had no feelings for whatsoever. And there was the fact that the wedding won't go through as planned.
Jareth never said anymore about his parents or refer back to their talk from last time. He'd been avoiding any serious conversations with her the past days. This was something that really bothered Celine as she was still curious with his intentions and past. She'd spent one night in the late king's study going through records and notes, but nothing significant more about Jareth was discovered. But she did find out through some old diary pages that Jareth's family was indeed distantly related to the Celestial Dragons. Jareth's great grandfather was one apparently, but left Mariejois when he was old enough to think for himself.
Jareth's great grandfather stumbled onto this island, which was vacant then. He decided he'd turn the island into a kingdom, and named it 'Eleutheria' – named after the Latin word for freedom. Celine was surprised to learn that the island had an original name, she's always thought it was just Island of Red Snow.
Though she found large details of the island's founding and rich history, there was almost nothing on Jareth's parents and his generation. When she gave it more thought, Jareth probably had those records destroyed himself so no one can find out. Smart move, but Celine was looking to praise him.
Two nights before the wedding, Jonah had snuck into her bedroom and informed her of the plan. Jonah had somehow managed to knick a copy of the Kairoseki cage's key, and he will free Vic on the day and she'll help clear up a path back to the outer ring. Vic didn't say how she'd do it without being able to use her powers but she guaranteed that she'd get them out, risking her own life on the way.
The rest of the plan didn't sound too brilliant. In fact, it sounded plain stupid: Jonah had scouted the wedding hall beforehand and noticed a balcony over the aisle that would be guarded by two men on the day. But on the day, the guards will go 'missing' conveniently and Jonah would wait up there with the Kairoseki net that he made over the days.
All that sounded all right, but her part was to make sure the net works on Jareth. So she has to use her powers on him. Jonah suggested she kisses him and hold on longer than she had to. But Celine wasn't very up for that plan, at all.
He had told her to man up and take one for the team.
'Funny, saying that to the bride.'
Celine peeked out of her bedroom window and felt herself pale at the amount of people that were outside. Had there even been that many people on the island? She certainly doesn't remember seeing so many people before today.
Vic should be out by now. No doubt finding someway to open those large gates leading to the outer ring, and of course, there was the inner castle ring before she could even think about the other gate.
Any minute now, someone will come and get her and lead her to the wedding hall. To put it bluntly, she wasn't looking forward to it, at all. Sure, things have been planned and everything's prepared, but plans almost always go wrong. Especially when it was something to do with Celine.
Celine jumped a little when heavy knocks came from the door. She rushed over and opened the door, outside stood a maid and two guards. The maid she recognized as Jane, who she gotten rather familiar with over the last few days. She was kind and Celine learnt she had a daughter living in the middle ring.
"We're here to take you to the wedding hall, Celine-sama," she curtsied.
"Right," Celine eyed the guards behind her. "Are the guards really necessary?"
"We're just following orders, Celine-sama," one of them gave her a polite smile. "If you so much as trip, King Jareth will have our heads."
"… Okay," Celine put on a smile. "Let's go shall we?"
Jane walked half a step behind the young bride as the two guards followed them. It seemed almost ridiculous that Jareth still thought she needed guards to be escorted around. In the last few days, Celine had been on perfect behavior and played the part of the excited bride and queen-to-be. She did everything she was told exactly and said the right things to her fiancé whenever they spoke. By now, you'd think Jareth would have a little more faith in her.
"Excited?" Jane asked quietly so the guards don't hear.
"You have no idea," Celine nodded back slowly. "Was your wedding day like this?"
"More or less, yes," Jane's voice seemed distant. "But not as extravagant as your wedding, of coarse."
"Extravagant…" Celine repeated unsurely.
"And you look much more beautiful than any other bride I've seen before," she told her.
"Thank you," Celine smiled. "That's nice of you to say so."
The wedding hall wasn't far from her bedroom at all, but Celine had to take a longer route that went through the throne room, as it was tradition and good luck. There were various nobles and upper classed guests in the throne room, all waiting to see the bride. Of coarse, by nobles, they meant some little kid in a fancy suit and somehow inherited a large sum of money.
Celine had been talked through what she had to do over by the event coordinator. She was to go through the throne room, greet and smile at the 'nobles' and head to the wedding hall. No others would be in the hall apart from the minister and two guards on the balcony, but the whole ceremony would be broadcasted to the island via Den-Den Mushi. Even Dean has to watch from a screen somewhere outside the hall. Somewhat she was thankful for the broadcast, knowing that Law would know that they'll be coming, and will be prepared for them. But that'll also mean that everyone on the island will know that she revolted against their king.
Staying on the island, and meeting new people these few days have really given her a new perspective. The kids seem to love this place, but the adults all follow orders obediently without question. It's understandable knowing Jareth's power but it's strange how they all act as if they would die for their tyrant of a king. It didn't look as if they'd act against Jareth, until he was taken care of. His power was far too terrifying to these people. He could easily wipe out anyone or anything he wishes, it was far too much for a mere sixteen year old boy. It was no wonder he was driven mad with his power over the island.
The doors to the throne room came into view. The guards at the door pushed them opened giving Celine her passage through.
The room was brightly lit, and on both sides there were rows of spectators waiting for her arrival. They cheered as she walked in. Celine tried her best to smile and give smalls waves, remembering what she was asked to do. But it was all very overwhelming for her. She had never seen these kids before in her life and now here they were cheering and congratulating her.
Celine slowly made her way down the hall, taking her time while knowing full well that this would probably be the last moment she can relax before arriving at the wedding hall.
After leaving the throne room, Celine slowed her pace slightly. But no matter long she was trying to delay the wedding, they'd reach the large doors that led to the wedding hall eventually. From the outside she can hear the ceremony beginning on the inside. The minister spoke a few short words before announcing the arrival of the bride. Apparently Jareth hated waiting around during weddings and had learnt through his first two that he can ask the minister to do whatever he wanted. So from then on, he'd always skip straight to the vows, claiming it saved everyone's time.
On queue, the two guards rushed ahead to open the doors. Jane gave her a little pat on the back as Celine walked into the hall alone. The hall was decorated accordingly with an excessive amount of blooming flowers everywhere. Down the aisle Jareth stood waiting for her, a large grin present on his face. He must have been feeling rather pleased with himself because she'd never seen him smile like that before. Not even when she gave him a small kiss on the cheek two days ago.
Celine forced a quick smile as she joined Jareth in front of the minister.
"We are gathered here today, to witness the…"
The words have all been heard before. Celine stood through countless rehearsals so she knew exactly what was going to be said and how she was supposed to act. The minister's voice rang hollow in her head, his words all seemed distant and irregular to her.
"Do you, Celine, take this man as your husband?"
"I do."
Celine lifted a shaky hand towards Jareth and watched him slip on the shiny gold band around her ring finger. This was it. Jareth was still holding her bare hands, all she had to do was wait another few seconds.
"I now pronounce you man and wife."
'Four'
Jareth pulled her hands close to his chest and leaned into her. Celine felt a shiver run through her body as the boy's lips inched closer to hers.
'Three'
She snapped her eyes shut as she wished this would go away. It didn't seem her powers will make it in time, as she felt his breath on her quivering lips.
A gasp.
Instead of the kiss she was expecting, Jareth gasped.
Celine opened her eyes and watched in horror as Jareth's face paled and his veins popped.
'What?'
The time limit wasn't up yet. It's only been close to four seconds… Celine shook the thought away from her head. She couldn't afford to be skeptical at a time like this. If her powers have decided to take a turn for the better and let her use them earlier this time, then she'll grab that opportunity.
"Now, Jo!"
On queue, the net flew from the balcony above and landed on Jareth. Celine wrapped the net around the boy's body much to her dismay as the Kairoseki bothered her too. The whole time she was at work with the knots, Jareth glared at her, unable to speak and drastically weakened by both Celine's power and the net, all he could do was glare.
It was understandable too, first his bride betrays him and now he's being humiliated for the whole island to see.
Jonah hopped off the balcony and helped Celine finish up the knots as she took a couple of steps back, slowly recovering from the Kairoseki. She stabilized her breathing as she looked on, watching Jareth squirm under the net, keeping his eyes on her. Celine slowly pulled the ring off her finger and placed it on the ground across from him.
"Let's get outta here," Jonah walked towards her. "The Captain will be waiting for us."
"Yeah," Celine smiled softly.
XoXo
Outside the castle gates, the citizens were in an uproar. The king had just been taken down by his bride, and now they were no doubt going to come this way. The broadcasts had been cut off right after Jareth collapsed, so no one knew entirely what was going on, but they did know something big was going to happen. Amy stood her ground as everyone else fled.
The giant gates leading to the castle shook open slowly. To her surprise it wasn't Celine, but standing between the crack of the gates was one of the king's ex-wives. Amy couldn't remember her name well, but she definitely recognized her as the Devil Fruit user from six months ago She took a step out cautiously and took a breath, as if she was testing it out. Then she grinned and looked over her shoulder.
"Come on!" she called.
"Was it really necessary to bring down all those guards?" a very familiar voice asked.
Jonah and the runaway bride emerged behind Vic and the three made their way out the gate and down the road. The constricting dress made it difficult for Celine to move too much in, but she managed as they ran past a blonde girl that reminded her a lot of Raena.
"Who cares about those guards when I'm running around in such a dress without a coat?" Celine growled reaching for Jonah's sleeves. "Jo, give me your coat."
"How about no?" Jonah shook her off. "It's not going to take that long to get back, you can endure it."
"Uh… I'm not so sure about that," Vic said. "The first gate is cleared but any ideas about the second one?"
"I thought you said you were going to handle it," Jonah rolled his eyes.
"Well unlike some people, I have been locked in a cage for months!" Vic spat back. "I hardly remember a thing about this infernal island, and you're lucky I got us out that first gate without my powers."
"I guess that makes sense," Jonah sighed. "I suppose we can go the way I came in. It's not very nice but it's the only way."
"And what way is that?" Celine spoke up, feeling unsure about his plan. "Don't tell me it's the sewers."
"Bingo."
"No," Celine and Vic spoke in unison.
"Look kid, we may be pirates, but we're still ladies," Vic scoffed. "And look at Celine's sexy little dress, I'm sure your captain wouldn't want it drenched in shit – literally."
Jonah gave Vic a crude look then turned to Celine.
"Come on, Cel," Jonah said. "It's not like I want to either."
"Or we can just get through the gate," Celine suggested. "The gate has a pretty simple lock mechanism that I've seen how to open."
"Seriously, are the girls the only capable ones here?" Vic chuckled.
The girls exchanged grins and ran towards the last gate, leaving behind Jonah who was fuming. He'd done his part of the plan perfectly! Not only did he make the Kairoseki net perfectly but also his plan executed brilliantly! It's Vic that hasn't done her part!
Jonah ran after them and soon stood in front of the tall gate, one that was much taller than the one leading to the castle. The men guarding the gate have already been taken care of, by either Celine or Vic, he didn't know, neither did it make a difference. The outside gate was used to protect the citizens inside. It was preposterous to think that there were people living outside the gate, in the cold red snow.
Celine fiddled around with the chains and sliders, and eventually got the thing unlocked. The three all pushed the large gate until it budged. The red came into view through the crack in the gate. No matter how many times Celine has seen the red snow, it was all just too strange for her. Something like it just seemed too surreal, as if it was the work of god – then she remembers it was a little sixteen year old responsible and snapped out of the illusion.
Outside the gate stood a group of adults that have no doubt witnessed Celine's earlier act on the broadcast. No one screamed or attacked, but no one cheered either. It was awkward as they made their way through the crowd, all were avoiding Celine like she carried the plague.
Celine swallowed as she looked to the ground. She hated this feeling of everyone's eyes on her, and people moving away from her as if just being in her presence could kill them. It was a feeling that Celine had to live through while growing up, but she never expected it to happen again off the island where people hardly knew her.
"Outta the way, ya old hag."
Looking up slowly, she saw Vic standing over the old lady from before. Carmen, the one who pushed Jareth to such anger, the one that claimed she resembled the late queen. Celine had wanted to see her again after finding out the lady pretty much raised Jareth and Dean, but she just didn't expect so soon.
"Wait, Vic!"
Celine called as she ran forwards and stood in front of the lady.
"You're Celine, right?" she asked. "You're the one from Law's crew."
"I am," Celine nodded back quickly. "And you're Carmen?"
"Yes, that's right," she replied. "But you shouldn't loiter around here, your crew is waiting for you by the coast."
"But I have questions I have to ask you," Celine said. "About Jareth."
"That's not important right now," Carmen shook her head. "Right now, you need to get back to Law and plan your next move."
"But-."
"She's right, Celine," Vic placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go now."
"It won't take long, I just need to know why he-."
"Didn't you say you were cold earlier?" Jonah sneered.
"Oh, you're right," Celine clapped her hands together, and then ran ahead. "Talk later, Carmen!"
Vic and Jonah looked between the two then let out small chuckles as they raced after her. As they neared the coast, they recognized the large yellow submarine from a distance. To Celine, nothing has ever screamed 'home' as much as the giant metal tin.
"Took your sweet time!"
Penguin and Shachi waved from the deck.
"You could have helped!" Jonah shouted back.
Celine climbed onto the wooden deck first and greeted every member gathered which was all apart from the captain. Seeing the crew was great and all, but the only person who she's been dying to see the whole time wasn't here.
"Where's Law?"
"Down in the med-bay," Kane pointed down. "Said you guys were taking too long."
Celine huffed as she stomped towards the hatch and down the stairs. The nerve of him! After putting her through all those tears and pain, he won't even come up to greet her? Hadn't he seen the broadcast earlier? And how she was almost subjugated to kissing a sixteen year old?
"Law!" she cried.
The med-bay was the same as ever, brightly lit and beds aligned neatly. Celine stormed through the aisle, quietly thinking to herself just how much she hated aisles and she's probably have had enough aisles to last her a lifetime.
To her surprise Law wasn't at his work desk, which only meant he was in his bedroom.
"Law!" she yelled again.
Celine pulled the door open and walked straight into the man she was calling for. She gasped a little when she bumped into his chest, her small frame not even so much as moving him.
"Ow," he said flatly.
"Shut up," she slowly gripping his hoodie.
"Why the sudden intimacy, Miss Celine?" Law put an arm around her cold shoulders, pulling her close. "I thought you said you were never going to forgive me."
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder, does it not?" she breathed slowly.
"I suppose."
"Well it's just a bad case of that."
Law chuckled darkly as Celine pushed herself further into him, almost toppling him over.
"You know, we weren't actually away from each other that long," Law told her.
'Five days was long enough.'
"I'm just cold," she sniffled, feeling the exact opposite. "This dress doesn't do a very good job at keeping the wearer warm."
"I think it's charming," Law held her at arm distance. "I particularly like the way the fabric clings onto your body."
Celine whacked his arms away from her and turned away. There he goes, ruining their little reunion like that. But what more did she expect from him? For him to pull her into a tight embrace and whisper kind words to her? As if.
"I just wanted to hit you at least once after I get back," Celine said. "Now that that's done, I'll go get changed into something warmer."
"Wait."
Law walked right up behind her, her back was against him entirely. Celine didn't dare turn around and show him how red she's turned.
"H-Hm?"
"I missed you."
If her heart was thumping hard before, now it felt like it was going to fly straight out of her chest. Celine timed her breaths slowly, trying to keep a calm composure, but she found it difficult with the tight dress wrapped around her breasts and his hot breath above her head.
"Yeah… me too."
"Good."
She could practically hear him smiling as he pulled away from her. Celine felt the heat lifted off considerably when he backed away. She quickly rushed out of the med-bay, before anything else happens. Celine struggled up the stairs but soon made it to her bedroom.
At once, she tore the tight fabric off her body. Tossing the gown to a side as she searched through her drawers. Eventually she found a pair of long trousers and a top, but all her sweaters she took away with her to Jareth's castle and hadn't had a chance to get back. Looks like it's back to wearing sheets.
Celine found many of the crew sat around on the first level, everyone excluding Penguin, Kane and Shachi.
"What's with that get-up?" Ryuu laughed.
"All my sweaters have magically disappeared," she said.
"Don't you just mean you left them back at the castle?" Jonah smirked.
"Oi, since when did you get such a smart mouth?" Celine snapped, sitting down next to only free seat that was next to Law's. "Anyway, Law, this is Vic. She helped with the escape."
"Yes, we've met already," Law nodded.
"Where's everyone else?"
"Shachi, Penguin and Kane are upstairs on the look out for Jareth," Ryuu told her.
"That's an odd group up," Celine said. "Why is Kane up there?"
"So they might actually have a chance when the brat attacks," Ryuu laughed.
"Are we not leaving soon?" she asked, looking between the faces in the room. "I mean, before he gets here?"
"No," Law said. "I'll fight him."
"But why?" Celine turned to face him. "We can just leave now and forget this ever-."
"Miss Celine, no one kidnaps my crewmember and gets let off with nothing," Law didn't let her finish. "This is the captain's burden and pride."
"Ahaha…" Vic stood up with an short chortle. "I think I might just go now… I'll help with the look out."
"I second that," Jonah headed after her.
The two clamored up the staircase. Ryuu said nothing but headed after the two after looking between Celine and Law. It wasn't as if Celine meant to make it awkward for everyone else in the room, but Law had no business picking a fight with someone as powerful as Jareth. His powers won't work with Jareth, all he'll be cutting is snow.
"Don't do it please," she told him. "The boy is mad with power, and he controls the whole island. What are your chances against him?"
"I assure you that I have given this matter some thought," he said. "I am not running into a fight blindly – I've got tricks hidden up my sleeve."
"Oh yeah?" she barbed. "It better be one hell of a trick."
"You wouldn't know…"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll be staying down here," he said as he stood.
"What? Where are you going?" Celine called after him.
"He's coming," he murmured. "You stay here."
"But Law, you shouldn't have to go fight for someone like me," she held his arm. "We've still got time to-."
"Celine. Please, just me do this," he gave her a small smile. "Would it help if I said that I'm not doing this for you entirely? … These people on the island, I've seen how unfairly they're treated, if I don't stop it, then who will?"
Law doing something for more than personal gain? That idea seemed a little too far-stretched for Celine, perhaps the village people had bribed him, or there must be some kind of reward in it for him. All jokes aside, Celine remembered seeing the adults on the island. In the castle too, there were people her aged that acted as if she was almighty compared to them.
"You know what?" she acquiesced with a sigh. "Fine. Go for it then, but if you get your ass handed it to you, don't say I didn't warn you."
"Reassuring as always, Miss Celine," he grinned, heading up the stairs.
Celine watched him go dismally, hoping this won't be the last time she'll see him in one piece.
"Hey! Be careful!" she called out without realizing it.
"Will do."
Now all she could do was hope for the best for her captain and believe in him.
Minutes later, Vic came back down with Shachi and Penguin. They plopped themselves next to Celine. It was obvious they were told to not tell her anything, but by their expression Celine could tell that it didn't look good out there.
"Is he here yet?" she asked.
"No, not yet," Penguin shook his head.
"A large snowstorm's brewing though," Vic told her. "Let's hope your captain wasn't bluffing about beating up Jareth, or we'll all go down."
"Doubting us after coming all the way here?" Celine jibed.
"If worst comes to worst, we'll just trade Celine in for our lives," Shachi laughed.
"Ha, that's not funny," Celine kicked him.
A small wave shook the submarine. They looked between each other, all knowing that he must have arrived. The ceiling began to shake, indicating the fight has started. Celine hated that she had to sit down here and wait, but she also knew full well that she wouldn't do any good up there either.
Suddenly the hatch door slammed open and someone trudged down the stairs. Was it over already? Did Jareth win already?
Shachi and Penguin stood up defensively and stood in front of the stairwell. Jonah soon emerged from the staircase, with Kane on his back. The boy did his best carrying the older man's larger build, and tried to keep his feet from dangling off onto the ground.
"Oh god," Penguin helped shift Kane onto his shoulder. "Even Kane got beat up?"
"You idiot, who got beat?" Kane voiced. "My arms and legs are frozen that's all."
"Yeah, whatever you say, you still need medical attention," Shachi murmured, pulling Kane's other arm onto his shoulder. "Should we go help upstairs?"
"No," Kane shook his head. "Law and Ryuu's got it."
"Let's get you down to the med-bay. I'll go get some hot water running now," Jonah rushed ahead. "And don't let Celine go anywhere, Vic!"
The three left the room, leaving behind the girls. Celine stood up right after they were out of view and walked to the staircase leading to the deck, but Vic got in her way before she could take a step.
"Nuh-uh," Vic wagged her finger. "You heard mister good-looking just now. They don't need your help."
"Step aside," Celine hissed. "You're an outsider, you're not on this crew, you don't understand what these people mean to me."
"I do, really, trust me," Vic crossed her arms. "And plus, you remind me of my brothers. Don't want to see you get hurt."
"Brothers?" she frowned. "What parts of me remind you of your brothers?"
"Everything," she shrugged. "In any case, just sit your butt back down and wait."
Another thunderous boom rocked the submarine. Celine gave Vic a cold look and returned back to the seats. Vic didn't move and stood against the stairwell.
"So what's up with you and your captain?" Vic asked after a moment of listening to the fight rage on upstairs.
"What about us?"
"Well he's really handsome," Vic said.
"And?"
"You're a pretty little girl."
"And?"
"He seems to like you quite a bit."
"The only thing he likes is teasing me," Celine scoffed.
"So you're not interested in him?" her eyes gleamed under the light.
"I'm not."
"You're lying," Vic laughed.
"I am not!" Celine stood up furiously.
"Okay fine, then who do you fancy? The cutie up with him now?"
"No!" Celine gasped. "Just shut up, alright?"
Vic laughed again as she watched Celine slump back down. Celine really was just a naïve girl, completely in denial of her feelings. Though not entirely sure of the situation, Vic could feel the fight heading to a wrong turn.
"I'm gonna take a look real quick," Vic headed upstairs.
"Can I come?"
"You stay where you are."
She heard the younger girl grumble as she walked up the steps. The hatch door was shut tightly, and Vic had trouble pushing it open as the outside was almost completely frozen. She only managed a small crack and look between the gap.
Law and Ryuu were keeping up with Jareth, but unable to attack at all. Jareth's movements were far slowler than the two pirates, and his snow-based attacks were incomparable to Law and Ryuu's speed and skill. If Jareth weren't a Logia fruit user, then the flow of the fight would be completely on the pirate's.
Vic felt a soft bundle of warmth underneath her and looked down. Celine was huddled under her, peeking through the gap, with her blanket wrapped over her head.
"Get back inside now," Vic hissed.
"No," she simply said and carried on watching.
In a matter of minutes, Jareth called up a large blizzard. Snow and hail rained from above, nicking Law and Ryuu every passing second. The storm slowed down the two significantly, blocking both their vision and movements. Jareth soon vanished into the storm as well, but his laughs echoed through the air.
"Room."
Law created a large dome surrounding the deck, and pulled his sword out of its sheathe. As soon as Jareth materializes above them, Law would slash the air once, causing the boy's tangible body to deform again into the storm. They did that over and over, Jareth would try to attack but Law would slash him before he gets the chance. It seemed like an endless cycle.
Celine watched on, incredibly bothered by Jareth's ability. She looked up at Vic who looked equally annoyed. At that point she noticed Vic's bracelet – the Kairoseki, more specifically.
"Vic!" Celine called, pulling away from the door. "Your hand! We've got to cut it off!"
"What the hell," Vic held her wrist defensively. "Like hell I'm going to cut it off! You've gone crazy from the cold."
"No, really!" Celine gribbed Vic's wrist and pulled her back. "Once the door's open, run into Law's magic circle. Tell him your bracelet is Kairoseki, then we'll have a chance in beating him and you can get it off. Win-win."
"But-."
Celine knocked the door clean open with a swift kick. The ice broke apart with a loud chime, and Celine shoved Vic through the door. She closed the door back to a reasonable crack and watched.
Vic ran up to Law and began shouting hysterically, Law looked at her like she was mad until she pointed at the band around her wrist. Then Law's eyes lit up and he chopped his Nodachi through her wrist. Ryuu walked over and picked the bracelet off Vic's dismembered hand.
It still appalled Celine, how easily this crew can act around body parts and blood. It definitely wasn't normal how little they cared for others – at least, they fought for their nakama. Law and Ryuu exchanged a few quiet words as Vic rushed back through the door.
"Look at this!" Vic cried, waving her dismembered hand around. "He said he'd put it back on later! It shouldn't be that difficult to do it now!"
"Did he say what he was going to do with the bracelet?" Celine turned away from the hand, feeling slightly sick.
"No, but I did see him cutting the stone off the band," Vic frowned. "And he said to thank you."
Celine smiled a little as she continued watching. Those two were definitely up to something, and it didn't look like it'll be too good for Jareth either. Ryuu stepped back until he was completely out of view from Celine's perspective. Law then waved his hands, causing the storm to rage faster inside his dome. The hail and snow were striking him as well, but he seemed to pay no mind as the snow continued to swirl around him.
Finally after a long minute, Law dropped his hands, thus the dome disappeared. The snow immediately stopped and began to fall naturally. The piled up snow on the ground soon began to rise into Jareth's body. Law took the opportunity to rush ahead and then sent a large kick towards Jareth's manifesting head.
To everyone's surprise, the kick landed and the boy flew off to a side.
"Do it now, Ryuu."
Ryuu rushed back into view, and slammed his palm into Jareth's chest.
Celine hadn't known what they've done but Jareth's solid body was now quivering in pain. The two men stood over the boy, and Law patted Ryuu on the back. That's when Celine noticed a small pool of blood staining Jareth's white shirt, the blood coming from the exact spot Ryuu had hit. The stain wasn't big, in fact it was rather small but it seemed that hit was what stopped him – the piece of Kairoseki.
Jareth whined and huffed while trying to pull himself off the ground, but his efforts were to no avail as he stayed pinned down. The snow had stopped falling and the clouds were clearing away slowly. The sun crept through the cracks between the clouds. This immensely bothered Jareth as he shook and winced from the harsh light.
"Hurts a bit more when it's inside you, right?" Law spoke.
"You bastards," Jareth growled. "That's dirty."
"Hey, you're the one that went messing with pirates," Ryuu shrugged.
"Exactly."
A large grin grew onto Law's features as he lifted his Nodachi up high.
The large blade gleamed under the bright sunlight. Celine held her breath as she watched the scene unfold. He couldn't possibly plan on killing him right? Sure, he's caused a hell of a trouble for them and was a cruel tyrant, but he was just a boy. Just a spoilt child with a large adult complex…
"Law!"
Vic tried to stop her, but Celine pulled through and ran onto the deck.
"Oh, did you want the honors, Miss Celine?" Law held his sword back down.
"No," Celine said, walking to Jareth. "We can't kill him."
"And why not?"
"He can change his ways, I know it," Celine slowly bent down to cradle the boy's head.
"You don't know that," Law frowned.
"And neither do you!" Celine raised her voice. "We can't take away his life, we hardly know a thing about him."
"So what do you propose?" Law asked, his voice incredibly mocking and disapproving.
"…"
"We get Carmen," Ryuu spoke up. "She'll talk to him and make the decision for us."
"Ryuu, you and Celine go get Carmen here," Law picked the boy up by his collar, pulling his head off Celine's lap. "I'll get the little king tied up downstairs."
Law walked through the hatch and the body disappeared last into the darkness. It looked as if he had just killed someone and was dragging the evidence away. Celine hoped Law wouldn't actually snap at the boy and slash his throat then have to stash his body somewhere later.
"We should probably go get the old lady," Ryuu scratched the back of his head.
"You read my mind."
My god… that was such a pain to write :P
I had no idea what to do with the fight and I didn't want to make it too easy for them… I hope that was all right! I wrote most of it in one go, so forgive the typos and small mistakes.
And oh noesss, what's gonna happen to Jareth? Will Law actually kill him? :O – haven't even decided yet :P
As usual, thank you to all my readers, and the people who alerted and favorited this story! :D
Reviews:
Noitalapsi – Awesome! Not a problem at all, just glad I can clear things up :D No. nooooo. I 100% trust my reader's word [insert little thumbs up]
Aiko Yamazaki – YOU! YOU BETTER REPLY MY PM NOW. I fight back with Eyelashes the Camel! :D
ladeste – Thank you! Yeah… Jonah always gets bullied by the crew, maybe I'll cut him some slack :P
xxOMGgalxx – dudududddaaaahhh! Iceman Law! Vigilante fighter from the harsh seas of NORTH BLUE. Law is joined by his trusty sidekick, BEPO THE TALKING POLAR BEAR! Together they fight crime across the Grand Line against the forces of EVIL! (that last bit was so powerpuff girls, but meh)
the everchanging – Haha, well here it is (probably not as amazing as you thought it'd be :P). Yeah! Happy you liked it!
Demeter13909 – Ohhhh! Awesome! Maybe it should be this story's anthem or something xD
Shima Namida – IT IS TOTALLY OKAY! PLEASE THERE IS NO NEED TO FEEL APOLOGETIC! :D Yeah… I'm trying to get these chapters at least over 6K words and so I'm just stuffing in all my ideas :P I'm glad you liked it! :D I hope you liked this teensy reunion they had (I know it's a bit short), BUT FEAR NOT. I got something pretty big planned for them after this whole Jareth business so keep reading! :D
10th Squad 3rd Seat – Awesome! The last thing I'd want is to write OOC characters :P
khr216 – Hope I didn't make you wait too long :P
fritillary252 – OMg, Hina? Really? xD I suppose… Long lost sister, maybe? jks :P Man, I don't even remember if I added a character description on this story… but Celine's got blue eyes and dark (by dark I mean black) hair. Ohhh, I almost forgot about that dimmed lights thing (my bad…) – I think you'll find out next chapter :P That's what I was going for! My sister was punching me the whole time, saying 'WHY WOULD YOU WRITE THAT? YOU SUCK!' :P My god! Seriously? That means a hell lot to me! I realllllyy appreciate it! :D