Disclaimer: Ooh, a dragonfly...
Author's Note: Seriously, I should learn to stop editing things for the nth time. An irreversible mistake, I forgot what else I said during my previous AN. This chapter's replaced/edited. I'm such a fucking retard.
Ah, I remember now. This story's nearing its end. And I replied to two reviewers... I forgot what I said. Daaaaaamn~
Law shifted on his seat as he watched his closest friend, Bepo, tend to a drunk Kora lying on her bed. The woman had taken the two males along with her downtown for it was a special day according to her. Law was surprised that her pet Pawsie was nowhere to be seen, and she just told them that it was her "darlin' Pawsie's day off" and that the bear's gone to "date puhretty gurl bears". The woman brought them to a shabby tavern and proceeded to drink like there was no tomorrow. Law noticed how the barkeep shook his head and eyed Kora with a knowing and sympathetic look. Seeing that the woman has settled down and that she drifted in a world of her own, Bepo ushered the teen out of the establishment quietly after reminding Kora meekly that they will be back for her after dusk.
The two males then wandered around town, people looking Bepo over every now and then due to his height and slightly bearish built. He also had a natural, seemingly threatening air about him due to his size and his wide, dark eyes looking almost crazed and wild. But despite his intimidating appearance, Bepo was nothing more than a gentle fellow who wanted nothing in this world to harm his most precious friends and keep them far from peril.
And draw the map of the world and be the greatest navigator known, if Law might add.
The afternoon passed with Law asking his friend every now and then the reason why this particular day was so 'special' for Kora, but Bepo refused to answer and just kept on changing the subject. No matter how hard the teen tried, the older male just won't answer. When they returned to the tavern to fetch Kora, the two were greeted by the drunken woman who was singing bawdy songs with the bar's patrons. As she parted with the men and the seemingly endless supply of different types of liquor, she started to sing a particular song in a language Law could not understand as they walked (Bepo had to carry Kora on his back["Sorry!"the older male exclaimed when he almost dropped her for she was moving quite a lot]). Law chose to accompany Bepo on the latter's way to take Kora home, not minding if Vergo gets annoyed at him for coming back late. In the end, the teen decided not to go back at all and just stay the night with his friends to be able to help in any way he could. It did not matter anymore to Law if Vergo will punish him when he comes home in the morning. If truth be told, he was used to them by now anyways.
"Oh, mishty eye o' da mount'in b'low,"Kora's slurred voice brought Law back to the present, his gaze shooting to where his friends were. "Keep careful watch o' mah brotha's soul. An' shou'd da sky be fill'd wi' fire n' smoke, keep watching over… over…"
Law almost jumped out of his seat when Kora let out a derisive, humorless laugh. The teen watched with wide eyes as Bepo froze in his place and looked at her worriedly. The navigator then moved Kora to a more comfortable position before walking out of the room to fetch a basin of warm water and a towel.
As Bepo's footsteps died away, Law stood up and went to their drunken friend. She was muttering something under her breath and the teen only caught snippets of it. She muttered about what it felt like to lose someone very important and killing a person named Joker for revenge. The teen could do nothing but listen and try to make heads or tails of everything, try to find out whom that Joker and that important person she was mumbling about. He also heard strange words like 'Heart Seat' and 'underground broker'. Kora's words left Law confused and before he could even stand up to follow Bepo for questions, Kora's hand shot up and took hold of his wrist, her grip surprisingly strong and tight for one too much inebriated. Law looked at her with surprise and his eyes widened upon seeing her crimson orbs locked at his face, studying him intently just like what she had done during their first meeting. But there was also something else in those bright eyes, a fire burning with the desire to protect and icy hatred that promised nothing more than to maim and kill. It was unnerving to be the receiver of such a look that Law found himself stupefied and breathless under Kora's gaze. The teen tried hard not to fidget using his free hand as she remained staring at him, the silence starting to creep the raven-haired youth out.
"K-Kora-san…?"Law stuttered, wanting to be freed of his own growing anxiety as the silence dragged on. He gingerly sat on the edge of the bed and stared back at her apprehensively as if treading on an unknown land. The teen touched the hand holding his wrist tentatively, keeping close watch of how she would react. Kora just kept on staring at him, though; Law felt that it was enough and that he had to snap her out of whatever kind of stupor she was in.
With a shaky sigh, Law gently pried Kora's hand off his wrist and gave her a fretful look. He inched closer to her and gingerly prodded her on the shoulder. "K-Kora-san,"he muttered then cleared his throat in an attempt to cease his stuttering. "Kora-san, what is it? Do you want anything? I'll get it for you, just tell me." When she remained quiet, however, Law's panic grew even more visible. "You're not feeling well, aren't you? Do you... D-Do you feel any pain? Too dizzy? Are you-?"
"How important are you to him?"
The question was so sudden that Law nearly choked on his own words. His brows furrowed as her question sunk in, his curiosity piqued upon realizing that she just spoke without her usual accent. The teen heard her speak like this only once, when he angered the woman during their first meeting. Hearing her now speak with such seriousness and how clear her words were despite the alcohol in her system sent shivers of foreboding in Law's spine. He shifted on his seat once more, trying to ignore the tension he was feeling.
Kora repeated her question when he did not manage to supply an answer. "Tell me. How important are you to him? To…" Law was about to ask who but the woman continued and finally gave him a name, "Doflamingo."
It took all of the teen's effort to hide his ever growing confusion at the question. He knew the answer, but he was afraid of how Kora would react to it. But instead of letting his fear take root, Law decided that it was best if he answered truthfully all the same. "I think… I think I'm important to him. He… He sees me as a younger brother, you s-see…"
Kora was silent for a while, her face expressionless. But Law saw her eyes flash with an unknown emotion for a split second. The edges of her lips tugged upwards to form a cold smirk and she let out a mirthless chuckle, muttering "Really?" before she pulled herself up in a sitting position and leveled her gaze on him. Law had to hide the blush that was threatening to appear on his cheeks for their faces were so close that the tip of their noses almost touched.
"A brother? That's totally unheard of." Kora's breath smelled heavily of vodka and strawberries, and Law fought the urge to wince and shy away from her. She pulled herself away from him and swung her legs on the edge of the bed, her left hand gripping the edge of the bedside table for support as she hefted herself up in a standing position. The teen blinked and watched her as she made her way to where her nodachi was propped up against the wall. Law studied her almost warily as she traced the handle of her blade with her long, slender fingers, her face set in a nostalgic expression. The teen swallowed the invisible lump in his throat with the hope of sweeping away his unease but miserably failed in doing so. Kora, on the other hand, paid him no heed and continued speaking.
"Do you know his secrets, Trafalgar? Did he tell you anything about his plans? Did he share everything there is in his mind to you? Do you know his past? Our past?"
Law could've sworn his heart skipped a beat as his friend trailed on with her questions. He knew naught of them, but he was sure that Doflamingo was not hiding something from him. Or at least that was what the teen kept on believing. All his life he knew of Doflamingo being a pirate, and a cruel one when it came to his enemies. But Law knew nothing of his secrets. That fact alone hit him hard, and it brought a physical pain in his chest that made breathing a bit difficult for him as the heavy weight of reality came crashing down on him. Memories of his childhood rushed back to him, where most of his days were spent in trying to discover what the blond and his dark-haired first mate were trying to hide from the inquisitive child.
"If there is one thing you need to know about Doflamingo, it's the fact that he's the perfect liar there must be in this whole damn world."
Kora's cold words weaved through the raven-haired youth's thoughts, causing him to blink as she turned her head to look at him. She looked like she wanted to cut someone's head off, but Law noticed that she was suppressing the murderous intent. But the emptiness and loneliness were evident in her crimson eyes and Law realized that this time, the woman in front of him was the real Kora and not the obnoxiously loud woman he used to know. He slowly stood up from his seat and reluctantly took a step towards her.
"Kora-san… who are you, really?"
From outside the woman's room, they heard Bepo's footsteps faltered for a moment before it sounded again. This time, the noise grew faint, signalling that the fair-skinned male was leaving the two of them on their own. As Bepo's presence disappeared, Kora took it as an opportunity to unsheathe her nodachi and point it directly at Law's chest. The teen stifled a gasp and fought the urge to retreat; instead he stared at her with confusion in his storm cloud-like eyes.
"Who am I? Funny you should ask." She fixed him a dark glare that sent shivers down his spine, but if it weren't for the true emotions in her eyes, Law would have already used his Devil Fruit powers to overpower Kora in her drunken state. "I, Trafalgar Law, am the one who will kill Donquixote Doflamingo."
Law felt as if he was pushed in an ice-cold lake. The venom in her voice took the remaining warmth in his system and all the raven-haired teen could feel was the cold tearing through his muscles and seeping in his bones. Why? For what reason did she want to end Doflamingo's life? Law stared at Kora, eyes filled with hurt and confusion. He pushed the blade aimed at him aside and walked towards her, grabbing her by the shoulders and giving her an anguished look.
"Why? What did he do to you?"
"I don't need to tell you,"Kora snapped at him, trying to push him off her. She pried his hands away, looking disgruntled and hurt at the thought of his touch on her taking some kind of an effect. Law, however, maintained his grip. He could feel. He could feel that his touch and presence brought her comfort, the kind that would ease the pain she so desperately clung on to. "Let me go!"
Law stubbornly held on. He wanted to ease her pain. He did not want her to hurt his brother, and he did not want her to hurt herself in the process, even. But Kora desperately wanted to be freed from his clutches, from the comfort he was giving her. He kept on asking her why, but she never gave him an answer. So, Law shouted, "I won't let you kill my brother!"
A loud slap rang and filled the room, followed by a deafening silence. Law lifted a hand to touch his cheek, eyes wide and horrified at the stinging pain he felt. He tasted something coppery in his mouth and as he withdrew his hand to look at it after briefly touching the corner of his lips, something red and warm against his skin met his gaze.
Blood.
He looked at Kora, hurt and betrayal evident in his eyes. She had never harmed him like this, no. Law convinced himself that he must understand why she did this. He told himself that she was just drunk, foolishly and hopefully told himself that she did not know what she had just done. But as he locked his eyes at her crimson orbs, his hopes were dashed to a million pieces. The pain she inflicted him was meant well, made out of anger and betrayal, of sorrow and guilt. Her eyes told him that she wanted to do more, but the tears starting to well up told him otherwise. Law took a step away from her, looking lost as if in the middle of nowhere. He wanted to know what Doflamingo did to cause her so much pain and loneliness. He wanted to, so he could fix it himself for his brother. Law would reconcile them, and hopefully everyone would be happy again after. But as Kora's eyes darkened all the more and Law felt his broken hope further crushed, he realized in an instant that it was a fool's hope; a child's meaningless dream.
Whatever Doflamingo did to cause Kora pain was irreversible. Then and there Law knew that he could do nothing to fix it, not even if he put all of his effort in an attempt to help.
"Stop asking why, stop it! You wouldn't understand, not ever! Not everything in this world can be explained logically, not even the brightest of scholars could!"She snarled at him, wiping the tears from her eyes before they could even flow. Kora stomped towards him and grabbed him by the collar before she slammed him hard against the floor. Before Law could heave himself up and scramble away, the woman pinned him down, her hands on his wrists and her knees planted heavily on his thighs. The teen winced in pain and struggled feebly against her but she just tightened her grip on his wrists all the more. She sneered down at him, painted lips curled with contempt. "Oh, but you think you're so smart, do you? Maybe you can tell me what's it like to lose someone you love, then? Tell me, what would you feel when the person you love the most gets killed? How would you feel when he's killed in front of you? Tell me!"
Law fought the tears that were starting to form in his eyes. He ignored the physical pain she was causing him, determined to focus on the matter at hand. He looked straight in her eyes, trying not to choke on his emotions and taking in as much of her pain in him that he could muster. His mind swirled in a dark blur of emotions, his head starting to pound heavily and his eyes almost slipping out of focus, the empath in him taking over. The teen pushed his unease aside as he continued to stare at her, his heart finally comprehending what his mind cannot.
"So, that's what Doflamingo did to you,"he muttered quietly. Kora visibly froze on top of him, her lower lip trembling ever so slightly at his words. Law felt her grip on his wrists slackened and he took it as a chance to slowly pull them out of her grasp. She let him; rather, she seemed oblivious about it that she almost cringed when he wiped the tears from her eyes for her. "Kora-san…"
At the sound of her name, Kora sucked in a breath and tore herself off him, landing on her rear with a yelp and scrambling to get away from him. Law sat up and stared at her, feeling as if a hand squeezed his heart upon seeing how lost and hurt she looked. He fought the tears as the woman he secretly called his sister cannot even look at him seemingly because of shame. He watched her, hurting as she curled into a ball against the wall and pull on her hair frustratingly, hiding her face behind her knees and unsuccessfully suppressing an anguished scream; sobs wracking her entire frame.
"I slapped you…"she mumbled weakly, her sobs becoming more violent."I can't… I-I don't… I'm becoming more like them. Like him!"
Law's heart broke as he just sat where he was and watched as she pulled her hair with frustration, sobbing and shaking her head repeatedly. He wanted to comfort her, but he could just not find the right words to say. The teen told himself that this needed no words woven by a silver tongue, however, and opted to speak what his heart dictated him and not his mind. "No, you're not, Kora-san,"he told her softly, gently, as he moved towards her and took her by the shoulders. "I may have known you for only a short time, and compared to the times I've spent with Dofla- with him, I can say that you're better. You're… better than him." To Law's surprise, he did not actually say the words on a whim, nor because it was a spur of the moment, and certainly not the reason to comfort her. Truly, he did speak from the heart.
Slowly, Kora lifted her head up to look at him, her crimson eyes bright with tears. The raven-haired teen offered a small smile and he tucked some stray hair behind her ear. He knelt before her, braving the task of drying her tears as if she would bite him the moment his fingers touched her face. She let him, though; closing her eyes as he gently wiped the tears away and leaned against the warmth of his touch. Law took it as an opportunity and gently wrapped his arms around her, offering nothing more but his care and presence. Kora needed to know that no matter what happened between her and Doflamingo, Law would always be there for her. Even though he had no knowledge whatsoever about what the blond did to cause her grief, the teen would give her calm and the comfort she needed. Law lifted a hand and ran his fingers through her strawberry blonde hair and brought her head to rest on his shoulder, all the while muttering softly that he will not leave her and that he would stay for as long as she wanted him to. He wanted badly to ask her about her past so that he might fully understand the extent of her grief, but he held his tongue and chose to respect her silence about it.
Minutes passed and Kora's sobs lessened her body relaxing against his. Law gently wrapped her half-opened jacket further around her as she shivered when he realized that she was still trembling, not from her tears but because of the cold. The fire in the grate was slowly dying, and Law urged his friend to get up on her feet and guide her back towards her bed.
When the strawberry blonde woman was once again settled on her bed, Law grabbed more firewood from the corner and chucked them in the fireplace, encouraging the slowly dying flames back to life. He looked back at his drunk and broken friend and saw that she was curled up within her blanket and was staring at him quietly, tears forming anew in her eyes. Law smiled at her sadly, an act she never returned. With a defeated sigh, the teen strode back towards her and settled beside her on the bed, his back resting against the headboard. Kora sniffled and and did not look up at him but when her hand found his, Law blinked and felt her grip tightened for a second. The teen squeezed her hand back lightly, caressing her hair with his free hand as he absently hummed a tune.
"Stabat Mater Speciosa,"Kora mumbled sleepily, recognizing the tune he was humming, as she rested her head on his lap. Law blushed but paid no heed to the awkwardness on his part. "Can you sing that for me?"
The teen unconsciously straightened his back and cleared his throat multiple times. It has been a long time since he last sang, and he wondered if he could still do. His fingers brushed through her hair gingerly, grey orbs locked on his audience's face. His cheeks still burn with timidity but if that song can send her to a peaceful slumber, then he might as well give it a shot. Clearing his throat for the last time, the teen closed his eyes and heaved a deep breath, hoping that he still remembers the song.
"Stabat Mater speciosa
iuxta faenun gaudiosa,
dum iacebat parvulus.
Cuius animam gaudentem
laetabundam et ferventem
pertransivit iubilus.
O quam laeta et beata
fuit illa immaculata,
mater Unigeneti!"
As Law sang softly, glad that his skill wasn't all too rusty, the door opened quietly and in came Bepo who froze for a moment upon hearing the former's voice. The teen lifted his head up to look at the newcomer, cheeks glowing with embarrassment upon seeing that he had gained yet another audience. The bearish male looked mortified when he realized that he most likely ruined a beautiful scene and moved to walk out but Law shook his head, and motioned for him to come over. With a grateful smile, Bepo made his way quietly on the bedside and sat on the teen's abandoned chair. Kora mumbled the littlest of protests for the song to continue, and Law and Bepo exchanged small smiles.
"Go on, captain,"Bepo urged him using the title as an endearment, looking eager for Law to continue. The raven-haired teen blushed some more but went on anyway. For Kora-san's sake, he told himself determinedly.
"Quae gaudebat et ridebat,
exultabat, cum videbat
nati partum inclyti.
Quisquam est, qui non gauderet,
Christi matrem si videret
in tanto solatio?
Quis non posset collaetari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
ludentem cum Filio?
Pro peccatis suae gentis
Christum vidit cum iumentis
et algori subditum. . ."
The teen came to a stop, suddenly lost for the words that were supposed to make the lyrics flow until he finished the song. Law sighed dejectedly before giving the slumbering Kora an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I forgot the rest of the song,"he mumbled sheepishly and gave Bepo an apologetic look. The latter smiled and clapped the youngest lightly on the shoulder as if to say that he understood. Law's fingers found Kora's hair again, sifting through the silky soft locks and exchanging glances with Bepo every now and then.
"I'm sorry, too."
Law tore his gaze off of the sleeping woman whose head rests on his lap and gave the man beside them a questioning look. A guilty air hung about Bepo, his shoulders sagged almost comically. The teen blinked and quietly asked why, not wanting to disturb Kora.
Bepo wrung his hands for a moment, mumbling apologies before looking at Law sadly then to Kora. The older male took in a shaky, almost anguished breath before placing a gentle hand on the woman's cheek. "I don't want to talk about this day's occasion while in a crowd's presence because she told me not to. Also, if ever you should ask, she gave me the permission to tell you everything as long as she's too drunk and sleepy to pay attention."
"Bepo-"
"Today is his death anniversary."
"His?"
"Her younger brother."
Law gave a surprised gasp at the revelation. He tried his best not to squirm in his seat as Kora clung to his leg while muttering the word 'Aurum' and demanding for him not to "move too damn much!" while she slept. The teen looked at Bepo with confusion when the latter shook his head and patted the woman's cheek lightly in assurance.
"That's her brother. Aurum. They were so close; you'd mistake them for twins. Until just eight years ago, he was taken from her."
"Taken?" Law asked. He felt that he could only repeat words that were needed to be said again, afraid that he might say something inappropriate. Bepo seemed to understand his predicament and went on speaking for the teen's sake. Law kind of looked like he might have a coronary if Bepo stopped telling out of embarrassment.
"Ever since the Donquixote Pirates made themselves, ourselves, infamous, Kora-san was already a crew. She witnessed Doflamingo-sama's achievements to become one of the most fearsome pirates out there, and worked beside him until she made a spot for herself within his most trusted circle. It was then that Kora-san's sibling became involved.
"No one truly knew where Aurum-san came from, a trait he shared with Kora-san. He just joined the crew and, like his elder sister, made his way to the captain's trusted people, if not one of the most like Kora-san. He was still trusted nonetheless.
"For a long time they worked for Doflamingo-sama, until Kora-san discovered that Aurum-san's hiding something from them. She found out that her brother's working for the Revolutionary as an undercover. Kora-san got disappointed that he hid it from her, but she was never mad for it. Aurum-san admitted the truth bravely. Said it was for the innocent people being dragged forcefully to slavery. Kora-san approved, disliking the captain's trade on the first place but she can't just stand for it because she came to idolize Doflamingo-sama. But she can't let Aurum-san be found out and punished for it so she turned a blind eye to her brother's undercover duties. Let it be known, though, that none of the Donquixote Pirates ever found out that Kora-san and Aurum-san were siblings. They chose not to divulge it since day one for they wanted to protect each other-"
"Because their relation can be effectively used against them, "Law interjected. He can understand why; with an opponent as sadistic as Doflamingo, he could do many things to one of the two so as to torture and break the other. If he was in the same situation, he would've done the same thing Kora and Aurum did. The teen stared at Bepo who nodded his confirmation.
"Kora-san knew, though, that sooner or later Aurum-san would be found out,"Bepo continued, his tone growing more solemn. "And she was right. She, along with the other people trusted by Doflamingo were called to his study due to serious matters. She couldn't react properly upon seeing her little brother in the middle of the room: bound and bleeding while standing tall and proud for all he had done. Aurum-san remained indifferent while Kora-san sneered. Both of them were experts at hiding their true emotions. You can imagine how both of them must be screaming in their minds' each other's anguish at the situation they found themselves into."
"Apparently, one of D-Doflamingo-sama's most trusted discovered Aurum-san's secret" - here, Bepo's voice quivered - "and reported to him. The captain wasn't fazed; he knew that one of his crew was a traitor. It was only a matter of time that Aurum-san got discovered. When they did, they tortured him with the aim of finding out whom he worked for and who he worked with in the crew. Aurum-san spoke of no one. In fact, he told them nothing at all, so Doflamingo-sama took the initiative to interrogate Aurum-san himself. Doflamingo-sama suspected that Aurum-san might be working for someone who was directly from under his wing, so he summoned them up. Including Kora-san.
"Still, Aurum-san said nothing. He spat in the captain's face that he would face his downfall someday for all the evil he's done. Quite tired of the game and knowing that Aurum-san's antics wasn't entertaining anymore, Doflamingo-"
Law felt numb from the revelation as Bepo ducked his head. In a small voice, he continued. "Doflamingo killed Aurum-san in front of his most trusted men. In front of Kora-san.
"She laughed with the others as the traitor was finally disposed. Her brother wasn't given a proper burial, they just chucked his broken body in the sea. It was rumored that the person, whoever he was who told Doflamingo of Aurum's traitorous schemes, was ordered by Kora-san to reveal the traitor's works after Aurum-san's death. Because of that rumor, and because that unknown person had proof that Kora-san ordered them, Doflamingo appointed her as the owner of the Heart Seat as a reward for proving her loyalty to him. She could do nothing but bottle every emotion and bury it deep inside her. She couldn't even cry quietly in her room. But when she finally did, she swore. She swore to the heavens that she would wipe out each and every one of them. She swore that she would kill Doflamingo, even if it cost her her life. She was already dead, anyway. Aurum-san was her everything. She loved him more than the sun, the moon, the stars, and the sky. She loved her more than anything. She swore. She would kill Doflamingo no matter what."
Law's mind was reeling. Kora's cause for wanting to kill Doflamingo was more than enough. The blond was too high on his perch to understand what it was like to lose someone. The teen was also shocked upon discovering that the man he considered his brother was trampling on innocent people's lives. That was what he and Vergo were hiding from Law all along, and they were every bit successful until Bepo and Kora came to his life. He didn't imagine that his best friends would be the bearers of the truth behind his brother's lies.
"An' he kill'd 'is adoptive brother's da, din' he?"Kora blurted out all of a sudden, pulling herself off of Law and glaring drunkenly at nothing in particular. "Din' even shew mercy..."
Bepo stood up from his seat and tried to push her back to bed but the woman scowled slightly at him. At Bepo's mumbled apologies, Law decided to intervene and politely asked Kora to lie down and rest. He received a glare in doing so, but he did not exepect for him to be mistaken as someone else.
"Getcher sticky paws off, Aurum,"she snapped, annoyed. "I won' t'ave yeh laughin' at me fo' ge'in' drunk..."
Astonished, the two males exchanged looks and gazed back at their drunk friend who was looking every bit mutinous as she pulled the blanket up her chin. The teen then felt Bepo's eyes trained on him and when he glanced at the older male, the latter was giving him a baffled look. None of them dared to speak as the woman continued to grumble under her breath.
"…incredible liar,"Kora was saying, oblivious to their surprise at addressing Law as her deceased baby brother. "Didn't even tell the brat that his father's still alive… well, not anymore, eh? Poor bloke got himself 'all strung up' and got his throat slit for wanting to see his son… 'All strung up', hah! Wouldja believe that, Au? Dude got his child raised by pirates just because he spent a week with the captain's certain acquaintance... Wouldn't be surprised if Doflamingo killed her, too. 'Fraternising with weaklings'... I pity the brat for not knowing who his real parents were..."
Law felt his heart lodge itself in his throat. Come to think of it, he never knew who his mum and dad were. There wasn't even a picture. What he only got was Doflamingo's words.
Gathering his courage, the teen quietly cleared his throat and spoke. "W-Who did he kill, Kora-san?"he asked, voice slightly quivering as he dreaded to know what her answer might be. Kora gave him a funny look then frowned.
"You gotta clean your ears when you have spare time, baby brother. And would it kill you if you call me big sis here in the ship every once in a while? I remember this girl named Baby 5 did once..."she grumbled and rolled her eyes. "It's that local doctor from the last island we docked. You told me yourself about it, didn't you? No, wait, that must be Maes... oh, yeah, Maes told me, not you-"
A doctor... Doflamingo said his dad was one...
His heart rammed painfully in his chest and breathing became rather difficult. Law did not like the idea forming in his mind as he pieced the words together. Doflamingo was a very skilled liar. Surely, the tale about Law's parents could be considered one...?
"What's his name?"
He felt Bepo squirmed uneasily beside him, but that he ignored. His attention was focused solely on Kora. He needed an answer, and he needed it now. When Kora answered, however, Law felt his entire world collapse around him, bringing him down with it.
"Kora-san, y-you're not talking to Aurum,"Bepo blurted out nervously, wringing his hands once more. The woman blinked owlishly at him then looked intently at Law. Suddenly, realization hit her and she chuckled bitterly at them.
"Oh, dang. I'm really, really drunk tonight. I thought Aurum paid me a visit..."she slurred, eyes becoming unfocused as she turned on her side. Kora gave a huge yawn and grinned stupidly at them. "It's Trafalgar's brat, ne, Bepo-ya? Oi, brat, Do-fag-mingo slit yer da's throat. I think your da put up quite a fight just to get you, ya know? That's what I heard from Maes. Joker must've fed you excellent lies for you to stick with him wherever he paraded his ass. The bastard. Must've brainwashed you, too. Don't worry, though, you're not alone. Took my only family from me, see? We share the same boat. Seeing someone like you with him makes me see red. I... I'll bring him down. I'll bring him down, Trafalgar's brat - whatsyo name again? - for all the evil he's done. I'll kill him. For your da and my baby brother. I'll kill..."
Kora's tirade ended up in a loud snore. And Law...
Before he could even properly react at what he heard, Law found himself wrapped in Bepo's arms, his face against the man's chest. He could not understand why Bepo kept apologising. No, his mind refused to acknowledge everything he heard. But the teen himself knew that a drunken person never lies, and he could strongly feel that inebriated or not Kora would still say the same words she told him tonight. Bepo, too, would not lie at him for Law could clearly see it through. Bepo could and would not lie to him. And he could see no reason why Kora would. Perhaps to take Law away from Doflamingo?
The blond's words rang in Law's head as if to support the teen's claim that Kora would not and had no reason to lie.
If you wanna know the truth, get Vergo drunk. Like hell you can, though.
Drunkards are the most honest lot in the world, brat. They literally won't lie to you as long as they're drunk as fuck! Fufufufu!
And Law remembered questioning a drunken Doflamingo when he was still a child...
"I'll kill Doflamingo, Trafalgar-ya... Hell, I will!"
As Kora mumbled in her sleep while Bepo tried his damnedest to comfort a trembling Law in his arms, something that resembled a snail gave the littlest of twitches as it sat quietly inside an unused closet. Its eyes peered through the gaps between the wood, its entire form perfectly hidden by similar invertebrates. All remain asleep except for this particular one as the antennae on its shell (hidden behind a neglected coat) gave one last twitch.
It was a small surveillance Den Den Mushi, and it was Vergo, Donquixote Doflamingo's right hand man, who owned it.