Pointless Report:
Gyahahaha~! Hiya!!! Sorry for the delay, but I've been putting writing this chapter. Things are about to get more exciting, so I'll release chapters more quickly. XD
'You should eat. It'll make you feel better.'
Law stared indifferently at his breakfast. 'Hey are you even listening to me?' Mariko asked. Law grunted in the affirmative. 'If you don't answer me soon, I swear I'm going to slap you.' She warned taking a sip of her juice. 'I'm sorry. I'm just trying to figure out what to say to Hayato.' He said poking at his breakfast.
'He said he wanted to celebrate a good fight. It's a yes or no question.' She said in a matter-of-fact voice. 'I don't exactly feel like celebrating with someone who tried to kill us, oddly enough.' He replied sarcastically.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'I was wondering when you'd come.' Hayato said smirking. 'Although, I was expecting you to bring more of your crewmen with you, not to say she can't provide you with any assistance if needed.' Mariko smiled sweetly. The bruise on her cheek had faded. 'Must have been that cream she used.' Law had thought.
'Unfortunately, I was hoping that I could have a private chat with your captain. Quadisa will be here to keep you company.' Hayato continued quickly gesturing at the pink haired woman from the fight. Mariko was right, Quadisa did look worse than her.
At the mention of her name, Quadisa scowled. 'I'll be waiting outside if you need any help.' Mariko whispered. Law nodded gravely as he followed Hayato into another room.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'It would be a simple party, in honor of our crew's admiral fight.' Hayato said casually. They were sitting in the Sakki's galley. If there were crewmen watching, they were very well hidden. 'I can understand your hesitations, after all it could all be a plot to kill every last one of you.' He said taking a drink of his sake.
Law's expression remained emotionless. 'Just let him talk.' Mariko had advised. Law would let him do just that. 'But this is a show of respect for one's enemy. After all, after sailing the seas, a good party helps with a man's spirits, am I right?' He asked enthusiastically. Law still made no reply. 'So how about it, Trafalgar Law? If it doesn't appeal to you, then my crew and I'll leave.' He stated.
Law looked him in the eye. He seemed to be telling the truth. Finally, Law shrugged. 'Why not,'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'We'll begin planning imme-'
The two captains stood at the doorway. Heavy tension rang through the room. The two girls sat on opposite sides of the room. Mariko looked extremely pissed and was glaring daggers at Quadisa, while Quadisa scowled back.
Law tapped Mariko lightly on the shoulder. 'It's time to go, you coming?' he asked calmly. She slowly rose to her feet. 'You're lucky you're captain's here to protect you, otherwise I would have killed you the moment you stepped onboard.' Quadisa spat. Mariko rolled her eyes.
Only when they were safely on their own ship did Mariko let loose a long stream of unknown swears. 'You're lucky you're captain's here to protect you, otherwise I would have killed you the moment you stepped onboard.' She mimicked. 'She'd have been dead even before I set foot on that god damn ship.' She ranted under her breath. She looked up to see Law smiling. 'What're you so cheery about?' she snapped.
'I'm just glad we came in when we did. Otherwise you two would've been at each other's throats.' He said grinning. She sighed deeply. 'So what'd you decide?' she asked calming down slightly. 'I told him we're in… What's with that look?' He asked noticing her shocked expression.
She punched him in the back of his head. 'What's the problem? He promised he and his crew wouldn't try to kill us!' He protested. She glared. 'I have to go get ready, ok? I'll see you later.' He said running off.
'It's not killing I'm worried about.' She muttered darkly.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
The party was held on the deck of the Sakki's ship. Quite a few Heart pirates stayed behind. Some were too severely injured, while others just didn't trust the Sakki pirates. Mariko silently observed the Sakki's ship. She didn't trust them one bit, but she needed to keep an eye on Law…Just in case.
'What'll you have missy?' She looked up to see a man holding a tray full of drinks. She assumed he was some sort of bartender. 'Unless you have cola, I'm not interested thank you.' She told him politely. 'Aww~ come on missy, a few drinks never hurt anyone.' The man said holding out the tray.
She smirked. 'It's true that a "few drinks" would never hurt anyone, but seeing how you've spiked them, I'd say that a few drinks could hurt you.' She replied sweetly. The man's face paled. 'Besides, I don't drink alcohol. I've seen what people do when they're drunk and it doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.'
The man glared and stormed away. 'Tell Quadisa she'll have to do better than that~!' She shouted after him.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Quadisa gritted her teeth. She needed to make Mariko (the bitch), suffer. She paced. This may be the only time she'll get this chance, so she'd have to make the most out of it…But how…? She had to think about what Mariko prized the most, and turn it to her advantage.
She looked out at the Heart pirates carefully. A slow smile spread across her face. 'This'll teach her to mess with me…' she thought focusing on the pirate she'd chosen for her plan…
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Law took a sip of his drink as he listened politely to Hayato tell him about his adventures. He was getting really bored of listening to Hayato brag. He looked past Hayato to see Mariko sitting at the far end of the deck. 'She's being anti-social again.' He thought feeling slightly annoyed. Still it was an excuse to leave Hayato.
He excused himself and made his way over to her. 'Oh, Mister Trafalgar~!' a voice rang. Law turned to find himself face to face with Quadisa. 'Umm…Hello…? Can I…help you?' He asked awkwardly. 'I was just wondering if you would help me with something.' She said innocently. He blinked in obvious confusion. 'It'll only take a minute of your time.'
He looked over his shoulder to see Mariko staring at them with obvious distaste. 'Well I-'He said hesitantly. 'Great! I just need you to come over here for a moment!' She said grabbing his arm and dragged him below deck.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'So what do you need me to do?' Law asked. He hoped that whatever she wanted him to do wouldn't take very long. She gave him a strange smile. He was starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
'Oh, you don't have to do much. I just need you to stand still for a minute.' Quadisa whispered. Law looked around suspiciously. If it were a trap then she'd be the only one he'd have to fight (he could take her).
A loose floorboard moaned.
Before he could even wonder what happened, Quadisa lunged at him, kissing him.
He didn't understand anything that was happening. All he knew was that there had to be some mistake. He tore himself away from her and turned to leave, he froze in place. Someone was already standing in the doorway.
That someone stared at him with large dark purple eyes.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Mariko didn't know what she would find when she followed Law and Quadisa. Maybe an ambush or a sneak attack…not this. She didn't stick around, no way was she going to stay there after what'd she'd seen.
She bolted blindly back up the stairs, off the Sakki's ship, onto the Heart's ship and up the mast and into the crow's nest where she crouched down not wanting to be seen. She sat down quietly and stretched her legs out as far as they could go.
She didn't know why she'd chosen to come here of all places… At least it was quiet and she was alone. She wasn't sure if she could stand human contact right now. Her breath short and ragged even though she hadn't run very far.
She tried to calm down but her throat had closed up. Something wet rolled down her cheek. 'It must be raining…' She thought as another drop rolled down her other cheek. She could hear people shouting her name but felt no desire to answer their calls. She stared numbly at the sky. 'The stars look so pretty…' She croaked.
She listened to the pirates running and shouting below her. 'It's so peaceful up here, yet so chaotic down there…' She mused. She let her mind wander, to Yukio and to her homeland. Her eyes were stinging so she closed them.
She drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
They found her long after the Sakki's had set sail. They'd been searching the ship for hours. Yet there she was. Tear stained face, sleeping peacefully.
It'd been Law who carried her down and put her into her bed. His face expressed mixed feelings of shame, embarrassment, relief and a little bit of annoyance.
He sighed deeply, what was he going to do when she woke up?
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
When Law woke up it was late morning. He rubbed his eyes with his wrist, he felt like he'd been in a fight with a Sea King. He opened his eyes and was startled at seeing Mariko calmly reading a book in her corner of the room.
He suddenly remembered last night's (and early morning's) events.
'Umm…Good morning...' He said awkwardly. She nodded from behind the book. 'I…well…I just…what I mean is…' He gave a mental slap, this wasn't going very well.
'Look,' he said gathering together his thoughts, 'I'm sorry if I hurt you…'
She peered at him skeptically. 'Meh, alright I forgive you.' She said shrugging. Law blinked. 'That's it?' 'Yup.' She closed her book in a business-like matter.
'What were you expecting?' She asked sarcastically, 'Some teary heartwarming conversation?' She shook her head at his confused face. 'Honestly, that stuff only happens in books or movies. Besides,' she sighed, 'that was probably the best apology I was going to get out of you.'
Law laughed. 'I thought most girls liked that kind of stuff.' He teased. 'Well I don't.' she sneered. He grinned as they headed for the door.
'By the way, if you ever do that again, I'll kill you and the bitch in an instant.' She stated. Law's grin widened. He wouldn't have expect anything less from her.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'ALL HANDS ON DECK!'
The marine vessel shot another cannon ball, rocking the ship as if an earthquake had struck. Waves crashed onto the deck spraying the crew.
The crew scurried to load the cannons. It looked like all hell had broken loose. 'Mariko! Can you tell if there're anymore?' Law had to yell to be heard over the cannons. 'I can't tell!' She yelled back. 'There's too much smoke and gunpowder to tell!' 'Damn it!' He cursed.
Mariko winced as the cannons were shot. She'd never liked loud noises. She wasn't worried that they couldn't beat the marines. After all, it was only one ship. She chewed her lip.
There was something wrong, she could feel it. Why weren't the marines advancing? It was like they didn't think they needed to come any closer. 'They must be plotting something.' She though grimly.
She heard the metallic sliding of a blade behind her. 'It must be Law or one of the crewmen…but I thought they were in…front of me…' Her train of thought came to an immediate stop. Color drained from her face as she whipped her head around…but by then it was too late.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
A cruel mocking laugh rang out. 'Trafalgar Law~ you should keep a closer eye on your crew~!'
Law turned to see two sneering marines standing at the opposite side of the ship. One of them had a knife almost digging into Mariko's neck. Even from a distance, Law could see the slow trickle of blood ooze down her neck.
Her eyes were wide as fear and surprise whirled violently in her dark eyes. He could see her shaking slightly.
'Drop your weapons and cease your fire, or we'll give the girl a bloody smile.' The marine demanded arrogantly. Law growled. 'Now unless you want this girl kept alive, you'd better do exactly as we say.'
Mariko watched in horror as Law dropped his sword. 'No…' She thought. 'It's my fault. They're giving up because of me. They're giving up their dreams.' She felt a rush of shame.
The marine pointed his gun right at Law. No…She couldn't let them suffer because of her. She didn't want anyone she cared about die because of her. Not again.
'I'm sorry Yukio.' She thought before she screamed as the marine shot his pistol.
'Nahi!'
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
A quick flash of light emitted from Mariko as the crew heard the bullet fall to the floor.
'Erge!'Shescreamed. The two marines fell to the ground. Dead. She couldn't think and she didn't care. She rushed to the other side of the ship. 'Agni!' She screeched as fire spiraled out of her hand. The great cyclone of fire shot toward the marine vessel. The panicked screams of the marines echoed across the water. The ship was destroyed in a dynamic explosion.
Law walked over to her cautiously. 'Mariko…?' She whipped her head around. Law could have sworn her eyes were black before they flashed back to their original dark purple. Her face was dripping with sweat. She quivered as tears streamed down her cheeks. She swayed slightly before she collapsed.
Law yelled her name. That was the last thing she heard before she slipped into unconsciousness, deep into her memories.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
10 years earlier…
A young girl clutched her book to her chest as she walked down the hallway of her house. It was a bright summer's afternoon and she wanted to sit out in the garden while she read.
'Mariko~!' A voice called from behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see her sister running towards her, long chocolate brown hair flying behind her. 'I'm not going play with you today Keiko.' She snapped bitterly as her little sister bounced up to her. 'Come on~ just for a little bit? It's not like you were going to do anything interesting anyway.' Keiko pouted. Mariko glared.
'So whatcha got there?' Keiko asked snatching the book away from her sister. '"The Nightingale?" You're reading this again?' She whined. Mariko made a grab for the book but Keiko evaded her by skipping to the side. 'If you want it you gotta catch me~!' Keiko taunted as she dashed down the hall.
Mariko ran after her yelling threats. Keiko laughed. After all SHE was having fun. 'Mistress Keiko! Mistress Mariko! Please don't cause so much noise. Your father is in an important meeting right now.' A serving woman begged. The two girls stopped and looked at each other nervously.
'Come on Keiko, let's go outside.' Mariko said grabbing hold of her sister's arm. 'Ok~.' Keiko sang.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
'You know why everyone's acting so weird right?' Keiko asked feeding one of the ducks in the pond some bread. 'No, why?' Keiko looked at her older sister with a serious expression. 'Because a witch is coming.' She said sternly, trying to emphasize the seriousness of the matter.
Mariko rolled her eyes. 'Keiko, you know as well as I do, that any witches found are executed or shunned. Besides, most of them live in the Unknown.' She explained going back to her book. Keiko pouted.
The "Unknown" was the name for the range of mountains that were in the north-eastern area of Hōseki Island. Everyone knew that was where the mines for the island's gems were.
'Besides, why would Father want a witch in the castle?' Mariko asked. She hated feeling ignorant. 'It's not any witch…it's Aunt Yukio.' Keiko said her voice almost a whisper.
Both girls flinched at the name. The Daiyomondo family was the most powerful out of the 6 families that governed the island. They were prefect, absolute….At least they were supposed to be. Yukio was the one flaw.
King Tekeshi, their father, had banished her, his only sister, to the Unknown. All that the sisters had heard was that Yukio had gone against the laws. How, the girls didn't know. It was a secret. There were several rumors circulating about it, but only the Daiyomondo family and their inner circle knew for sure.
'Why would Father invite her here?' Mariko asked glancing around to see if anyone was listening. 'He banished her!'
'That's all I know. I overheard Father's guards talking about it. They said the whole island's in an outrage!' Keiko continued. 'Listen Keiko, if Father and Mother wanted us to know about this then they would have told us.' Mariko hissed. 'Don't say this to anyone else, ok?' Keiko nodded.
'Uh-Umm, excuse me?' The sisters turned to see a girl about Mariko's age nervously walking towards them. 'I-I've been sent t-to get you.' The girl stuttered, her face blushing a bright pink. Mariko looked calmly into the girl's mint green eyes.
The girl sank back. 'I-If you w-would p-please follow me.' She stuttered. The sisters exchanged a silent agreement. 'Alright, we were done here anyway.' Mariko said smiling closing her book. Keiko bounced over to the girl. 'So what's your name?' She asked energetically.
'Y-Yoko, I work in the kitchen's...' She replied awkwardly before suddenly bowing, causing her long hair to flop to the ground, 'Keiko-sama…Mariko-sama.' Keiko gave Yoko an odd look. 'You have such pretty blue hair, it's so dark. You'd look nicer with it cut short.' She stated. Yoko gave her a startled look.
Mariko laughed.
-This is a time/scene skip…this is the only way Fanfiction'll let me divide things…Ignore this-
Yukio strolled through the forest. It seemed just yesterday when she used to play there as a child. She could see the castle in the distance, her former home. She snorted. No, this was never her home, it was a prison…still, she had work to do.
She knew why her brother had called her, it was obvious. The girl needed to be taught and she was the only one who qualified. She smiled. If all went well, then she could leave this prison once and for all.
'I wonder how much you've grown since we last met…my little niece…' She muttered.
One week before the incident.
