Thanks so much for all the positive reviews I received! It makes me really happy that the people seem to enjoy this. I actually started this as an experiment to see if I could write a good historical fic and I'm glad it is liked. Now I'm getting into this story and it's going to be a dark romance that I hope you will enjoy.
For now I won't keep you from the next chapter.
"You feel strength in the experience of pain. Pain is a feeling. Feelings are a part of you. If you feel ashamed of them and hide them then you're letting society destroy your only reality." ~Jim Morrison
"Na, na, na Zoro! Wake up!" Luffy whined; shaking his friend's shoulder roughly and still the heavy sleeper refused to wake up. He was getting frustrated and when those deep green eyes finally opened Luffy smiled happily; his fingers had yet to let go of Zoro's black hiaori and dark green yukata. The glare that he was being sent barely fazed the younger of the two; even when a blue haired head peaked out from the futon where Zoro was laying. Luffy completely ignored the scene he had stumbled upon and hurriedly dragged his best friend from his morning lei in.
"Please Zoro! Can I go?" Luffy begged; chuckling when Zoro finally caved at the breakfast table. Nami had been right; all it had taken was a pout and deadly puppy dog eyes before Zoro had agreed. Inside he couldn't help but feel his heart fluttering in his chest; he was so happy he wouldn't be cooped up in the Geisha House another day and forced to serve drinks that night.
"Fine; just don't blame me if you don't like it." Luffy smiled happily; ignoring his friend's warning as he headed to his room to get changed for the day. It wouldn't help if he showed up looking like he did now; all dressed in sleep wear with his hair sticking up in every direction it could manage - that however could always be easily changed. Leaving his grumpy best friend to drink off his hangover with some strong tea Luffy disappeared into the room and slipped into a black furisode (1*) kimono that had water motives running along the hem and up to Luffy's left hip.
The long sleeves dragging on the ground lightly if he did not fold his arms across his chest; luckily his okobo geta (2*) would lift the beautiful hem away from the ground so that it did not dirty. After fumbling with the obi and finally managing to tie the bow at the front (3*) Luffy stepped away from his screen and ran the elaborate silver brush through dark locks. After struggling with a few knots Luffy managed to comb back half of his fringe before he placed the intricate kanzashi(4*) in his hair with several bobby pins and clips to keep it in place.
The tinkling of the soft silver stems making soft noises as he walked towards his small vanity and carefully and skilfully lined his dark eyes in kohl to darken his lashes and make his eyes stand out more. He knew Ace was going to kill him for going out being dressed like this but there was nothing else he wanted to wear. Oh well; he'd deal with Ace when that time came. Their father had after all left them to be raised in a Geisha House so it wasn't so unexpected for at least one of the sons to take a liking to the profession and the clothes. Stepping out into the hallways ready to leave; Luffy stilled when he felt a presence behind him. He did not think on it much and kept on walking towards the common room where he knew Zoro was situated.
"Bastard!" Luffy hissed the profanity under his breath when he felt a hand groping his ass; it seemed that one of the customers had had too much to drink again. Just as he was about to manhandle the man out of there despite being much shorter and smaller than him Luffy was dragged aside by Robin's sure touch. She crooned over his outfit and waved aside the incident with a gentle smile. Her fingers touched his in a show of affection as she pushed his own nodachi (5*) in his hands. Luffy took the katana with graceful hands and tied it across his shoulders with a black ribbon to keep it in place and easily within his reach. He was going to need his hands for the kasa (6*) he was planning on carrying.
"I'll deal with Hentai-san later Young Master Luffy. Be on your way before Nami-san knows you are gone." Luffy nodded and rushed the last steps into the common room. He liked Robin; she was like the mother he had never had and she always consented to his crazy ideas like indulging a son. When he entered the room with a bang Luffy grabbed Zoro by his arm and literally dragged him out into the open. At the entrance to the Geisha House Luffy stepped into a side room and slipped his delicate feet into his black okobo geta. Grabbing and opening a white and blue parasol in order to stave off the heat bearing down on him from all sides. The shadow made by the wide brimmed parasol made Luffy breathe in a sigh of relief; he could tell that it was going to be an extremely hot day. It was times like these that he really loved to get out; when he knew that the sun would be hot but the clouds already spelled the rain for later that day. It was like a switch between seasons.
"Be careful!" Luffy yelled over his shoulder and into the shop one last time before he hurried onwards; Zoro already stumbling and grumbling his way towards the mansion on the other side of the town. The walk was not quiet as Zoro continued to grumble about his headache and the pain he was in but Luffy paid him no mind. He knew how Zoro could get on days like these, especially with the hangover of his. Luffy was aware of the sounds that was drifted from the singing insects off into the distance of the summer heat. His okobo geta and Zoro's geta fell in tandem to one another as they hit the dirt road with methodical steps. It was a quite a while before either of them spoke; Zoro of course grumpy from his head ache and Luffy overly happy to be getting out for the day.
Their friendship was a strange one but it worked. Luffy had saved Zoro from being executed a few years ago when he had been captured and incarcerated as an innocent man. That day, Luffy had shown his own fighting skills - which Zoro had been reluctant to admit - were much stronger than his own. The town detective had taken Luffy's fighting style for a trained assassin and the legendary 'Hawk - Eye' Mihawk had arrested Luffy alongside Zoro who just happened to be nearby. To say that a single visit from Monkey D. Dragon was all it took for them to be exonerated and stopped from killing the entire police force side by side was nothing but the truth. If they had not been stopped then there would be no law in Edo's fifth precinct.
"You know Zoro; why did you never tell me you had a brother?" Luffy asked with a tinge of betrayal lingering in his voice.
"I never told you because Law never really stuck me as actually coming into town other than for the few errands. We don't know each other well, he's always cooped up at the hospitals and working. He overdoes it a bit much and when my father passed away he was given the title and the deed. I suppose it never occurred to me that you'd meet him one day." Zoro said cautiously. He didn't need to drag Luffy into the family feud that had been long standing in their household. It wasn't so much that the brother's hated each other rather than avoiding each other on purpose. When they were in the same room the tension always rose and Law's dark personality served to irate the younger brother with his stoicism and sorrowful teal eyes even more. Zoro could have sworn that eyes like that could only belong to someone who has seen a lot of death and mat have been the cause of those deaths in the first place.
If Zoro didn't know any better he wouldn't say that Law was a very private person that never let anyone close, not even his own brother. They had been living together for more than five years but never once did they truly have a heart to heart conversation and their friendship consisted more of besting each other in sword fighting and drinking away the sake until morning came. Nothing more but also nothing less.
"Oh. But I still like him; he seems nice." Luffy finished with a frown. He was a bit peeved that Zoro hadn't given him a better explanation for his question but it didn't matter anymore. He was going to see Law and that was all that occupied Luffy's mind at that moment in time. Would Law look as elegant and composed as the night before? Would he radiate that same alluring power that Luffy seemed to have gotten addicted to over night? The silence between best friends continued until the last vestiges of their walk towards the mansion was interrupted by the incessant barking coming from a ball of fluff running around their ankles.
"Adorable! I want one! Please can I have one Zoro?" Luffy whined when he picked up Bepo and the dog started attacking him with its tongue in happy licks. Zoro merely stared at the beast with wary eyes and a hand resting on the hilt of Wado. Luffy scowled at Zoro's look and shielded the small dog from the grumpy swordsman.
"Adorable my ass! That rat is a demon in disguise Luffy. A demon!" Zoro emphasized his words with wild waving arm movements. Luffy merely chuckled and sent Zoro off to bed before he actually hurt himself with his hang over. Luffy entered the kitchen to make some tea; in the despite the servants protests. Bepo seemed to have taken a liking to him and curled at his feet as he worked diligently and expertly.
Law would be returning from the hospital soon and Luffy would be happy to serve him tea. Something inside of him was rebelling against this submission he was showing but he desperately wanted to please the older man for some reason. Setting up the tea in the garden - Luffy left the snack making to the experts - as he shouldn't actually be allowed in a kitchen except for making tea. Out of all the Geisha in the Ao Azami(7*) House; he was the only one who could make tea that ensnared the drinkers and hypnotized them into coming back for more and not only for the company. Even Ace wouldn't turn down one of his own brews. Granted his brother was happy to eat anything that Luffy gave him; it was the only time that Luffy saw his brother so carefree without burdens weighing down on his shoulders.
His food making skills however was severely lacking. He had nearly blown Sanji's beloved kitchen to kingdom come when he tried to make a simple sandwich less than a year ago. It was decided that day that Luffy would never be allowed to make anything but tea. He hadn't forgotten the tongue lashing that Sanji had dealt him then; his ears were still stinging even weeks after the fact. In fact even thinking about it was making his ears burn in embarrassment.
"Woof!" Turning his attention back to Bepo clawing at the hem of his furisode Luffy chuckled and picked him up and settled him in his lap. The western wicker chairs that Law had placed on the garden patio was something new for Luffy and he loved it. Now his knees wouldn't hurt so much and standing up with a restrictive kimono wouldn't be so difficult. Petting the white ball of fluff with distracted thoughts; Luffy's returned to his brother. He hadn't heard from Ace in a very long time. Not even a letter or a passed on message. He was considering contacting his father but that would also send Monkey D. Dragon into a panic. Monkey D. Ace was supposed to be the strongest in the family. Running a trembling hand through the half of his fringe that wasn't pinned back, Luffy bit his bottom lip in contemplation. What was he going to do?
"When my servants informed me that I had a guest out in the gardens I wasn't expecting such a stunning sight." A deep voice drawled and Luffy immediately straightened in his chair from his leaning posture. Dark eyes locked with a set of teal. Trafalgar Law was casually leaning against the frame of the delicate shoji door. Gone was his traditional Japanese wear; replaced by neat black slacks a white oxford shirt and in his long fingers was a white towel stained in the blood of his operation he had just finished. He was drying his hands with the towel and Luffy hardly even registered the blood. He was captivated.
Luffy's heart rate spiked but when he got up to bow he found one of those elegant hands pushing him back down into the comfortably soft wicker chair.
"Sit Luffy-Ya! You're my guest. You're in my house now." Law reminded softly before he bent down to greet Bepo sitting in Luffy's lap. The white pekingese yipped and licked his fingers before it rested its head on its paws and closed those expressive doggy eyes in contentment. Taking the chair opposite Luffy; Law put the wet and dirty towel to the side and rested his chin on his propped up hands. A lazy smile broke across his features as his sharp eyes drank in every detail of Luffy.
"When I offered you an invite I never expected to see you here so soon." Law drawled lazily; his eyes not missing one detail as Luffy squirmed in his seat with a small blush spattered across smooth cheeks. Nervous fingers immediately twined with Bepo's hair as the sensual mouth parted a little bit in surprise. The inviting gesture had Law fighting with his inner self as to take advantage or not. He sat back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly.
"I-I'm sorry; I-I thought..."
"Hush Luffy-Ya. I'm not angry; just a bit surprised. If I had known you would be here then I would have dressed more appropriately and stained in less blood from my work." Law consoled the panic he saw welling in those expressive eyes until they relaxed to their previous glimmer of relaxed happiness. That was the expression Law had fallen in love with the night before.
"I think you look good in those clothes." Luffy almost added as an afterthought; not realising that he had spoken his thoughts out loud. His comment sparked a bout of musical laughter that rang as clear as a silver bell in the late morning air just as the slight pink staining smooth cheeks darkened to an attractive rouge through embarrassment.
"Maybe next time I'll wear my doctor's coat then (8*)." Law purred. A smirk breaking across his features again. This boy was such fun to rile up despite the innuendos that were being thrown around in a dangerous game of flirting. Law wasn't convinced that Luffy knew entirely what was going on but it was to be enjoyed all the same. He couldn't get enough of those adorably rouged cheeks.
"Arigatou (9*) Law-Kun." Luffy thanked softly. His fingers curling around the kiseru with practised ease. He didn't actually want to smoke but it was rude to decline the master of the house and in the beauty of the garden and the gentle laps of water from the pond Luffy found himself relaxing more and more in the man's presence. He wasn't surprised when they had abandoned the formal setting and settled on the soft grass next to one another, their fingers barely inches from twining together as they were presented with a picnic and Luffy was given a kiseru. The ashtray empty and the kizami smelling of fine quality and the barest of lavender.
"My pleasure." Law's voice was different than before that the husky whisper made a shiver run down Luffy's spine. He tries to ignore the heat he felt creeping up on his cheeks. He had just gotten rid of his blush damn it! Swearing internally as his fingers gripped a tiny bit of the sweet smelling tobacco, Luffy set through the motions of lighting his kiseru and smiled through the curl of smoke. Its taste was hazy and heady at the same time as it made his mind sharper to the details around them. Law was leaning back on the blanket spread beneath them; his chin propped against his palm whilst his other hand was barely an inch away from Luffy's reclining hand. Bepo was running in circles around them as the darkness of the clouds covered the elaborate garden in shadows too early to be present at that time in the lazy afternoon.
"What's it like?" Luffy suddenly asked. His infinite black eyes hooded behind kohl lined lids and long lashes. He was staring at Law through the curl of the lazy smoke just like the night before and found himself even more captivated. A single eyebrow rose delicately in question at Luffy's words. So he blew out the last bit of his smoke before opened his eyes more fully.
"Being a surgeon?" Luffy finished. Law surprised Luffy by sitting up; pulling his long legs under him in a crossed position as he turned his attention to the youngest D. in full. Teal eyes cutting through Luffy's nervousness and apprehension like a katana severing the soul from a body.
"It's like drowning and flying at the same time." Law began softly. Finding the words difficult in coming to him; he didn't know how to explain this without sounding like an idiot. "I don't know. It's my rush, my passion better than any fine sake. Better than opium. Its everything I could ever wish for even if I were to lose my wealth." Law finished with a grimace but found himself surprised when Luffy hummed, his head nodding in agreement. The silver kanzashi tinkling in the sun at the small movements. Luffy's eyes were closed with a look of bliss dancing across delicate looking features. Law only stared in surprise at the display. His mouth going dry in that moment but he still held himself back from attacking the innocent youth. He didn't want to scare Luffy away.
Black eyes snapped open and inside those swirling emotions was the understanding that Law's own mother had never shown him when he had taken up studying medicine. How could someone so young understand something so complex with such a simple approach?
"It's like the air you breathe everyday when you are starved for a breath of life." Luffy finished softly. Black eyes flickering once more in acceptance and understanding as Law was gifted with a beautiful genuine smile that Luffy hardly ever showed anyone. Only Ace had seen it once and that was only because Ace was his brother and Luffy trusted him more than anyone else in the world. Though, that was slowly changing. Whatever this was that was blossoming between him and Trafalgar Law was quickly overtaking his life.
"H-how?" Law asked lamely. He could have kicked himself for sounding stupid but the laughter that rang into the distance wasn't mocking but merely amused. A chuckle that the elder of the two wanted to bottle and keep it in his research lab and never let anyone else hear the sound. The crash of thunder in the distance and the flash of lightning did nothing to get them moving away from under the heavy rain clouds.
"It's what I feel when I dance with absolute freedom." Luffy said with a hidden smile. The next crash of thunder opened a torrent of rain. It was as if the heaven's themselves were crying in a show of immense sorrow. Laughter rang into the afternoon as Luffy laid back down on the blanket. Not bothered that he was getting wet and that his expensive kimono would probably take days to dry properly after this. His fringe was plastered to his forehead in no time at all and the rivulets of water running down his cheeks were tickling his skin. His kiseru hanging from lazy fingers as the smoke was extinguished and his smoke was ruined.
"Luffy-Ya let's..." Law never got to finish his sentence as he was harshly pulled back down on the blanket. Luffy's laughter and innocent childish joy was infectious as Law found his gloomy spirits being lifted by the gentle soul laying next to him in a torrent of rain. He wouldn't remember the last time he had truly laughed. He had always felt an unexplained sadness stain his heart in pain but in that moment the joyless feeling was invading his veins and set about mending the crack he felt in his heart. It was unstoppable...
"It's just water Law! Enjoy it for a bit. Nothing is going to happen to us." Luffy smiled towards his companion. Not caring that their hands were still entwined and that they had yet to let go.
"You are going to be the death of me, Luffy-Ya." Law said with a small smile as he dragged a soaking wet Luffy back into the large mansion. The rain was still pelting against the roof in harsh torrents and his neat shirt was ruined; the splatters of blood turning pink at the cold water's touch but he barely noticed. He pushed Luffy into his room and fished out some dry clothes for both him and Luffy. He offered his bathroom for Luffy to change in as he took the bedroom. He was just about to button up his dry, clean and crisp white oxford shirt when Luffy stepped out of the bathroom.
The westernized pants hanging low on his hips, his feet half covered by the length of the trouser's and the black shirt that Law had lent him was buttoned wrong and the cuffs were rolled to his elbows. He chuckled at the image but truth be told that single moment would fuel his fantasies for a very long time. The way that black hair curled around Luffy's cheeks was fascinating and those dark eyes still danced in their childish mirth and enjoyment. His hair was only half dried but instead of reaching for a towel; Luffy ruffled his own hair and rang out some of the stubbornly clinging water droplets. His kanzashi lazily resting in his left hand as Law directed him towards a brush.
He watched quietly as Luffy fumbled with the silver brush and pulled his wet hair away from his face; one stubborn curl escaping and resting against his forehead. Five minutes later the kanzashi was in place where it always rested and Law smiled. It wouldn't be Luffy if it wasn't there he thought to himself quietly.
"It feels weird." Luffy whined suddenly; startling Law out of his thoughts and immediately dragging his attention back to Luffy. An incredulous pout was drifting across pale pink lips. It was a dangerous expression the surgeon decided.
"What?" He asked suddenly confused. His brow furrowed as he tried to decipher what the youngest D. had said.
"The clothes!" Luffy articulated by pointing to the western clothes he now found himself in. His frown deepened when Law just chuckled and led him out of the room without saying a word. He said nothing about the hand resting against his lower back as he was guided towards library. The doors opened to cases upon cases of books, scrolls and documents. Some were titled of the older days that Luffy recognised but most were in character of a language he was unfamiliar with.
"Wow! This is amazing!" Luffy exclaimed. He was never much of a reader unless it was adventures that he found fascinating. Like naval adventures that Ace had read to him when he was still a child. Luffy immediately made a bee line for the soft leather couch and sunk into the cushions with a contented sigh. A comfortable silence settled between the newly discovered friends as Law walked over to the book shelves to look for something to keep him busy whilst they waited out the rain. Luffy was amusing himself with his cup of English tea which he had over sugared to his taste.
"Na, Law? Can you real all of these books?" Luffy asked suddenly. Law, who had been absorbed in one of his medical journals, peeked over the leather-bound cover and nodded to the question. He suddenly found himself with an excitable Luffy in his lap begging him to teach him to read English. He took a few minutes to contemplate. He really didn't have the time but any time he got to spend with the little ball of sunshine was enough for him so Law gave a nod in consent.
"We can start tomorrow afternoon Luffy-Ya!" Law said calmly. "I know you will be needed at the shop tonight and tomorrow morning and I will be doing my rounds at the hospital as well. So you can come then." Luffy was about to protest at the unfairness of only coming in the afternoon but he knew that Law was right. He could not leave the shop again. There were things he needed to do as well as people he needed to go see. Uncle Newgate would be returning tomorrow and he would expect Luffy to be there for their usual friendly banter and hopefully the older man would have heard something from Ace as well. So he nodded his consent and just when he was about to walk back to his couch he found himself being held in place with a strong arm resting across his waist. He smiled but did not try to move away again.
In the dark of night Luffy trekked home; despite Law's insistence that he stayed Luffy knew that he couldn't. He had to get home before Nami threw a fit and dragged everyone into finding him. His heart was still fluttering happily in his chest at the happy day he had spent with Law. He could not wait to return and not even Nami was going to keep him from coming. Ace wasn't there and Luffy was lonely; at least with Law he didn't feel like a hole was being ripped in his chest all the time. After borrowing some clothes from Law and grabbing his nodachi he had left with the clacking of his okobo geta and his amegasa (10*) opened to the soft drizzle that was still falling from the heavens.
After a final wave goodbye and a promise to stay safe, Luffy walked the dirt road and avoided the mud puddles as much as he could. He could hardly wait. Law was going to teach him to read English and to even write it. Ace had always said that English literature had so much more interisting stories about the ocean than their Japanese counterparts. Ever since he had met Shanks; a red haired man that had claimed to a free pirate. He had been fascinated with the concept of roaming the oceans completely independent and free from any sort of ties and inhibitions. He had tried it once but only ended up finding out that pirates could only be truly free on the vast oceans.
"Na Ace? I wonder what would have happened if we had not born to our father? Would we not have been tied to a Geisha House?"(11*) Luffy asked to the winds and raindrops. The whimsical afternoon's happiness soon fading into worry for his now missing brother. What he could do to find Ace Luffy didn't know but he knew that one week was already too much for not hearing from his beloved brother. Pushing his sorrow to the back of his mind, Luffy kept on walking. He didn't pay attention to the other men trying to call out to him nor did even hear him. He was too wrapped up in his whole word.
"Luffy! Damn it! Where were you?" The screeching began the moment Luffy pushed open the back door to his father's establishment. He found himself blushing at being caught but Robin's laughter interrupted his embarrassment as she shooed him off to his room to get ready. This time he was saved from an gruelling interrogation from his musician by his top Geisha. Sometimes the irony of his life did not escape him.
His mind still reeling with different emotions Luffy set about getting dressed. Tonight he was just acting as a waiter but he knew that Uncle Newgate was coming and that he was going to be requested for a private audience. Picking out a dark green susohiki with black cherry trees to go over the formal black women's kimono; Luffy set about getting ready. He was excited to see the man that had practically raised him and Ace in his father's absence. This night however Luffy put away his beloved kanzashi and reached into his drawer for another one. This one he had gotten from Uncle Newgate after he turned sixteen. The kanzashi was made with platinum as his uncle had called it and it was inlaid with real emeralds and diamonds. The silversmith had made it in England under his uncle's request and the flowers were so intricately made that it made his other kanzashi pale in comparison. But Luffy loved them both the same; the one from Uncle Newgate was always saved for special occasions and Shanks' one was the one he kept with him all the time in light of the bond they shared.
When the last bobby pin slipped into place to keep most of his fringe pinned away Luffy sighed in relief when the kanzashi stayed where it was supposed to. This one was a bit heavy and Luffy struggled to keep it in place with only half of his long fringe although this night he had tried something different. When Law had told him that his hair looked nice combed back he had taken a different approach to his dressing that night. A final curl fell from the pins before his hair settled and he left his room. It was time to open the doors of the establishment. Rouged lips pulled in a gentle smile as dark eyes flashed in nervousness.
Law sighed. He hated the fact that he had work to do; otherwise he would have gone to see Luffy again but he couldn't afford to go just yet. There was a journal that needed his attention and a possibly dying patient if he didn't figure out what was causing his ailment. But Law pushed that aside and focused on the fact that he would be seeing Luffy tomorrow afternoon. Even though it seemed so far away he could hardly contain his excitement. It was as if he was once again a kid in boarding school about to do something very stupid that would get him into trouble.
"It's just you and me tonight Bepo." Law said softly at his companion's whine. Law wasn't even so sure where Zoro was in fact he had hardly seen his brother at all that day even when he had gone to the dojo to practice his kata. With a shrug he flipped the page and kept a fountain pen and parchment close so that he could take notes.
It was going to be a lonely night but Law didn't mind that much because he was for once in his life looking forward to something other than surgeries.
1* - Furisode - A type of kimono that women usually wear before they are married. The sleeves can often reach over a metre long but I made Luffy's longer to give him a more elegant look.
2* - Okobo Geta - It is like the traditional geta but it is sculpted out on piece of wood and only Geisha wear them. It is a way to display their status.
3* - Tying the bow at the front of a kimono - that indicates that the wearer of the kimono is a prostitute. Luffy of course doesn't know that because no one bothered to tell him the symbolism and his innocence is endearing that way.
4* - Kanzashi - I've explained before, a hairpiece for geisha that they wear formally.
5* - Nodachi - Long sword that required the use of two hands. Luffy's one is dark green and gold. A gift from his father.
6* - Kasa - Umbrella or parasol
7* - Ao Azami - The Blue Thistle House
8* - The fact that Law has a doctor's coat is giving me the chills right now. I'm not sure about the historical value of that fact but I would certainly love to see Law in a long white doctor's coat. Oh fuck I'm giving myself a nosebleed here!
9* - Arigatou - Thank you
10* - Amegasa - Rain Parasol
11* - Luffy talks to Ace even though he is not there; he is not insane he just feels alone without his Aniki there.
Thanks for everyone that reviewed and I apologize that it's taken so damn long to update this story but I have finally found my inspiration again and I am overjoyed at that. Law/Luffy forever! I say!
Please leave a review if you really enjoyed the story it would make me extremely happy.
Ja Na
DF