My sincerest apologies for the previous try ! I was sure the paragraphs had separated too... In any case, here's the fourth chapter ! Enjy ;)
"Wait…is that why he kept that one book with him?"
I had opened the book where the first page mark was placed. But now, I am seriously staring at it. It was the first page of the drawings I made. Keeping the page mark there, I flip the pages to go to the second page mark. It was placed at the last drawing. There must be some kind of reason. I mean, I doubt he decided to keep the book just because he liked the drawings…or did he? I don't think I was able to hear enough about him to really be able to make myself an idea of how he really thinks. No, unless I passed days, even months, studying his way of acting, I don't think I could. Which means it will never happen. I lower my gaze and stop, my eyes widening.
"An inscription? That's not my handwriting, I'm sure of it"
I frown a little, as if that would let me see more properly. I don't recognise that handwriting, so it isn't from someone I know. Could this be…?
"So this is where you are"
I feel a chill going down my spine the moment I hear the voice. Crap, I had forgotten this was HIS room. I lift my gaze from the book, slowly turning towards the door. He was standing with his back against the doorframe, his arms crossed with a serious and cold gaze turned straight towards me. That explains the shivering. I keep standing tall, not wanting to show how frightened I was. Well, certainly it shows, I never had to hide fear before. I still don't want to act like a total coward. I can still feel my hands trembling a little. Pushing himself away from the doorframe, he takes a step forward. I quickly take a step back. Stupid move, the chair was behind. I trip on one of the legs and fall backward. I just fell on my buttock, so it didn't hurt, luckily. Had it hurt, I would have been unable to react quickly enough when he got closer once more. I stood up, almost jumping back on my feet. I didn't want him to get close to me. I know how stupid it is to think that way, he could easily use his devil fruit, but that's still how I thought. I kept the book against me, the pages still open. Why open? Well, to be honest, I didn't thought about closing it. A wide smirk appears on his lips.
"What are you trying to do? Wherever you'll go, you can't leave the submarine"
He holds out a hand.
"Now, give this book back to me"
Back to him? No way! It is my book, after all! I close my arms tighter, keeping the book closer. He must have noticed, for he seems even more amused.
"What, are you protecting it? It seems a little useless considering you are trapped"
He had a point of course, but…
"So what? I care a lot about my books and I don't want you to have it. I don't know why it is among your things and I don't think the reason really matters to me, but since I was able to get it back, I intend to keep it while I can"
It might sound stupid, but I really do care a lot about my books. They are my way of letting my mind escape and show some potential. They are…what represent me the most. I see Trafalgar frown a little, but his smirk was still on.
"You would risk your life for a book?"
Would I? Thinking back on how I see things…
"I'd risk my life for the things and persons I care about"
If there was someone, of course. Speaking of risk, where did his Nodachi…? Oh, in the hallway, he just took it out of the sheet. His smirk turned creepy once more. I feel sweat drop on the side of my face. Things are getting trickier.
"Let's see how determined you are, then"
…I don't want to sound like a coward, but maybe speaking my mind wasn't a good idea this time. Actually, ever since I left school for the last time, speaking my mind has only brought me trouble. Well, no time to think about that now. He lifts his Nodachi and swings it in my direction. I'm happy I have reflexes. I dunk just in time, the sword passing close to the top of my head. I hurry and take some distance from him, feeling my hands and legs trembling but everything else being completely stiff. This isn't good at all! I never got confronted t a sword before! Okay fine, not a real sword for I don't believe wooden swords count. Why am I thinking about this?! I don't have time, he's already striking again! I jump to my left as he slashes down, still keeping the book against my chest. A strange glow seems to appear in Trafalgar's gaze, making me step behind once more…should have known there would be such a problem. I have my back against the wall. How the hell did I not notice that before?! Trafalgar takes a step towards me, striking forward, the tip of his sword pointing straight at my book and heart. Oh no, he won't! Risking getting wounded or worst, I move the book a little towards my right, keeping it against me, and I let myself fall on my knees, bending my head on the right side. The sword passed right next to my cheek!…No wait, not next to it. I think it sliced a bit, but…I don't feel blood dripping. I lift a hand, putting it on my cheek in surprise. There was a cut, but no blood. A laugh resounds, frank, not creepy, making me look up. Trafalgar was laughing, a hand covering his face.
"Did you thought I would cut you for real? If I wanted you dead, I would have let that guy kill you back there"
He pulls on his Nodachi, his normal smirk back on his face as he looks down at me.
"True to your words, huh? Many people would have just handed over the book or used it to deflect the hit even if it meant destroying the book"
I grimace, my grip tightening on the book.
"Destroy it? No way! I worked too hard on it to just let it be sliced or shredded in pieces!"
He chuckles, his Nodachi holding on his shoulder.
"Is that so? That explains a lot"
I blink a little as I look at him. Explained a lot? I swear, if I ever get the ability to understand what is going on in his mind… I close my eyes, sighting a little.
"Aren't you going to stand up?"
I look at him again. His head slightly tilted on the side, he seemed curious as to what I would do. I see him hold out a hand, but I'm too much of a block head to take it. Keeping my left hand on the book, I pass my right leg in front and stand up on my own. Not looking at him as I remove some dust from my clothes. Okay, there isn't any, but it is a strange habit I have, so… I hear Trafalgar chuckle once more.
"You're exactly as Shachi described you"
…what?
"What are you talking about?"
Wait, does that mean the voice I had heard really was from the guy in my class?! Trafalgar doesn't really answer to the question for someone knocks on the doorframe right when I finish my sentence. How convenient for him.
"Captain?"
That voice again?! Trafalgar gets slightly more serious.
"What is it?" "It was just as you thought. They just left"
I see the death surgeon frown, thinking about something.
"Go deeper. I don't want to confront them just yet"
"Yes, Captain"
Footsteps resound, leaving the room, and Trafalgar stares straight at me, staying silent. Seems like he's thinking…again. But his gaze seems a little off. Guess he is lost in thoughts for real. I lift my book a little and flip the pages to stop on my doodle of Trafalgar. To think I only based myself on some pictures I saw in the newspaper. I didn't do a bad job at all. I wonder if it's the same for the others…Not that I'm sure I'll ever see them. Actually, I might never be able to see anyone but Trafalgar from now on, but…and now I'm the one spacing out. I shake my head a little, coming back to reality, and stop myself from screaming just in time. What was he doing so close?!
"Well, that explains why Shachi saw you freeze on the spot out of nowhere back there. You get lost in your thoughts easily, don't you?"
Is he studying me or what?!
"Yeah, maybe, but what does that change? W-why did you ask one of your men to study me?"
He takes some distance, to my relief, and gets his usual smirk once more.
"Wanna know?"
I don't think I would have asked if I didn't.
"Yes"
"Well, you won't get an answer just by asking. I don't talk about my plans to anyone but my crew"
He crosses his arms on his chest, looking amused as I get lost, but really lost.
"Judging by your expression, you don't get where I'm going with this. I'll let you figure it out by yourself, but with some questions I'll ask to make you think"
Great, I feel like a retard student the teacher is laughing at by questioning it.
"That book you're still holding…"
I swiftly close the book and I see his smirk widening slightly.
"What you have in there, you drew and gathered everything on your own, right?"
I suppose it means he already saw everything in my book.
"Y-yes, well mostly since some of those are just random ideas and suppositions I made with what's seen in the newspaper"
Why am I even telling him? Right, I'm too honest. I am seriously in need of lying skills.
"What's the best weapon against an enemy?"
Huh? Why is he asking that? The best weapon…well, you can't defeat someone without…oh…
"Knowledge, you defeat someone better of you have at least a little idea of who or what you are fighting against"
"So, since you gather information like that with ease, what does that make of you?"
"I suppose some kind of informant. Then again, I never left my hometown, so I can't be sure if I really am right"
"That's what you think"
"What?"
"What were your suppositions about me?"
Did he ignore the question or is he answering with another question?!
"You're a tactician who gathers a lot of information, but that doesn't…"
I stop, actually understanding something but also hoping I was wrong.
"Finally understood?"
"I hope it isn't what I just thought"
"Like it or not, you've already proven your worth. You're part of the crew now"
No…no, no, no, no, no!
"What do you mean I'm part of the crew?! I never said I wanted to be part of any kind of pirate crew! I can't! I can't be a pirate! I don't have anything that a pirate needs! I don't even know how to fight, even less hold any kind of weapon! The only thing I can manipulate is a kitchen knife! Okay, and a baseball bat, but that doesn't lead anywhere"
"That still makes a weapon, including a knife"
My eyes widen at his words, not believing he could have said something like that.
"Use a kitchen knife as a weapon? Out of question. Like the name says, it is meant to be in a kitchen. If it is used to fight, it's not a kitchen knife anymore. Depending on the size, it becomes a dagger, a throwing knife or other things, but not a kitchen knife. Never mix the different types of knives. It's like wanting to use a Nodachi to separate animal meat from the bones or to cut cloth for clothes. It just doesn't work"
He tilts his head on the side, raising a brow.
"So if you get attacked in a kitchen, you can't defend yourself?"
"We call that being prepared. You keep at least one weapon at hand for cases like these and no you don't use the cooking tools. Unless you are the type to keep a clean Wok on an open warm circle to smash the bottom in people's face. I can tell you it leaves quite a mark fr having seen it, a huge red circle mark"
I shiver at the memory, lost in my thoughts as I was explaining out loud.
"Poor guy…or not considering he was attacking the place. In any case, this Wok was only in the kitchen for this purpose. It was a kitchen, not a cooking tool…and I drifted off again. What I'm saying is that I don't know how to fight, so I don't serve to anything"
Looking up at him again, he's obviously laughing at my face for trying to explain why I couldn't be a pirate. What was so hard to understand?!
"I can't be a pirate and that's the end of it"
"I told you, you don't have the choice. Unless you want to return to that room"
Oh, he shouldn't have given me the option.
"Fine by me"
Not looking at him, I pick up my boots, still holding the book, and walk passed him.
"Where are you going?"
"Where else?"
I turn in the corridor, going straight for the end of it and pass the door I had tried to escape from a moment ago. I put the boots on the ground and closed the door. I had made my choice