Chapter 5
Law grunted at the pain flaring at the top of his shoulder. It was throbbing madly at the sharp pain as blood tinkled down over his fingers, which clutched at the wound tightly to hold back the blood.
Eustass-ya however looked strangely angry, once he had gathered himself from the shock of the gunshot fire. They had both turned once they recovered from their surprise, and while Law had half expected to see a group of bandits, laughing and sneering...
What he saw was far worse.
"Baby-5! Buffalo! What are you doing here?!" Law spat out, not liking this situation.
"You know these bastards?!" He heard Eustass-ya snap out but he ignored him.
Baby-5 had gotten his attention instead. "Law stay out of the way! The Young Master wants the South's assassin dead!"
Law aimed a glare at her, and as usual she was sent in tears to Buffalo who lectured her for it. He then spoke up though, glaring at Law this time.
"Law the Young Master has given us these orders and he doesn't want you to get in the way-"
Law snorted. "Oh? And how will he stop me exactly? I am taking Eustass-ya to the tournament." Law managed out with a smirk but he must have not sounded confident enough since Kid kept throwing him concerned glances, looking particularly at his shoulder.
Law also didn't enjoy the fact that he felt off-balanced and dazed. His body wasn't even responding well to him anyone, feeling heavy and sluggish as he tried to stand up.
Baby-5's voice caught his attention next, and what she said made him curse. "It's taking effect isn't it Law? The bullet?"
"You poisoned him?!" Kid snapped, and when he moved to stand further in front of Law, Law frowned.
It wasn't even poison. "No." He corrected, straining to as his body began to feel heavier. "They coaxed the bullet... With some kind of drug..." Law shook his head, trying to hold back the feeling as he aimed a glare at Baby-5 who flinched. "It's numbing my body down. The bullet was... Meant for me, wasn't it?"
"The Young Master knew you would try and get in the way. So he told us to just coax our weapons in a numbing tonic."
Law noticed the redheaded assassin's hand inching towards Law's sword, at least the one at his hip, not the one Bepo carries for him. Normally Law would move away and maybe break his arm for attempting it but he could barely keep himself from collapsing into the water and so didn't bother to as Eustass-ya kidnapped his sword.
"I don't care who this 'Young Master' bastard is. If he thinks he can send you two to kill me then he's going to be disappointed." Law saw Kid smirking in anticipation at the coming fight.
"Don't underestimate them Eustass-ya!" Law snapped, the assassin didn't know how well they worked together and he himself was finding it difficult to concentrate while Kid seemed too enthusiastic.
He wasn't even recovered from prison yet.
He was also completely unprotected, still as naked as the day he was born.
Truthfully Law realised he was probably going to only be able to watch. Eustass-ya wasn't going to get much help from him.
Damn that bird.
Kid was surprised how everything he learned was quickly coming back to him, not that it had ever left but he hadn't needed his particular talents for a while now, being in prison and all. The years of training that had been pounded into him was relit like an old match and eagerly he listened to it.
Trafalgar couldn't move, or at least properly. He was barely sitting up now, sinking further and further down into the water as his body began to give into the tonic seeping through his bloodstream. Kid was trying to keep his concerns on the two assassins fighting him but Law's state kept pounding back inside his head.
He cursed at himself for it. Caring. He cared about Trafalgar Law?! This guy who had him locked away in the mines! And Kid had even just tried to slit his throat the other night, so how the hell did he go from murder to caring for the quack doctor? If he had tried to even murder one guard he would have been severly tortured-
Wait a second though.
Now that Kid thought about it though Law hadn't been the one to lock him up and keep him there. He never tortured him. Humiliated him. That had all been the work of the Warden, both former Warden Vergo and the current one now.
And Law had barely even said a word about the attempted assassination. Kid found it strangely relieving that it was Trafalgar who had gotten him out of the mines, okay the quack doctor was insane but he was strangely... Good to be around...
Kid was quickly relieved though when the assassin bitch, 'Baby-something' clared his head of those thoughts when he spotted the gun aimed at his chest but instead something heavy smacked clean agaisnt his head, making him gasp as he slammed against the dirt.
"Buffalo, how should we kill him?"
"The Young Master wants his head. As long as we don't damage it we should be fine whatever way we kill him."
Baby-bitch's eyes narrowed, a dark gaze entering them. "The Young Master told me he needed us to hurt him. That he needed to learn that nobody goes after anyone in the family."
Kid was confused by 'the family', but right now his head was dizzy with the throbbing in his skull. He did make out Law's voice though, which had a bit of a slur to it now, much to his concern.
"How... Did you... Know?"
"That the assassin tried to kill you? The Young Master always keeps his eyes on us remember? We're his family."
"We... Were never... Family!"
Then the woman spoke up, Kid blinking blearily as he spotted the gun lowering down at him. "We should end this quickly Buffalo. The assassin's had too much influence over Law."
"...Leave...Him..."
Suddenly though a gunshot ran out making Kid tense as he slammed his eyelids shut, bracing himself for the pain. He paused though, he couldn't feel any alarming pain and had even heard Baby-bitch yelp.
When he reopened his eyes he spotted the bird guy, the serious one always fretting about Trafalgar's health, had a gun pointed at her, he felt dark. Kid couldn't see his expression but he felt a strange dangerous vibe around him.
"I may not be able to kill you both but I will hurt you. So leave."
He also felt strangely relieved when Law's men started to assemble from the trees, carrying their weapons and prepared to face off against the two assassin's. The pair both seemed hesitant and at first the woman had put up quite the argument but her partner dragged her away with a reluctant sneer.
They didn't kill him. Shachi had been a bit surprised that Monet had sent them to but was relieved. Now though the assassin was lying on the ground. Naked.
And still alive.
That meant the Captain was still in danger! He needed to help him before it was too late and the only way to do so was to get rid of the assassin and find the real champion for the King's fiancé.
One that wouldn't endanger his life.
So without a second though he approached the assassin and pulled out his gun, ignoring some of splutters of surprise as he caught some of his fellow guards' attention.
Shachi didn't understand or care that they were surprised. They were meant to be here to help protect their Captain, even if the decision made him angry and upset. His life was much more important and cherished by them, wasn't it?
By now the assassin had managed to sit up a bit but had paused and what irritated Shachi was the fact that he didn't seem at all alarmed or afraid of the gun aimed at him, instead he smirked, looking all to amused by the situation.
"Going to shoot a man while he's down? How very noble of you." The assassin chuckled at him, his voice oozing with mockery.
Shachi faintly heard Penguin shout at him, but chose to try ignore what he said, although it didn't completely work. "Shachi enough! Leave the assassin be!"
But this was the second time Law could have died and it would have been the assassin's fault. Again. Law had nearly been killed last night and now today he was attacked again. Shachi couldn't risk a third time, not when the Captain's life and future was at stake-"
"Shachi." He heard his Captain call to him. "I'm fine."
The Captain had attempted to sound strong and confident, but he just sounded so tired out instead, like everything had been laid on his shoulders.
"Captain he's going to get you killed!" He ignored the frown aimed at him and continued. "Please just let me take care of him and we'll find a new champion! I even volunteer!"
He seethed though when the assassin spoke again. "You can barely protect your Captain. You think you can survive the tournament?"
Before Shachi could snap though, feeling a strange rage cloud him Law spoke up, in a calm but slurred and sleepy tone.
"Shachi you know... Everyone in my company...excluding...Eustass-ya...isn't to be...on tournament..."
"Captain-" Penguin frowned, Shachi watching as he wound Law's arm around his shoulder, gently helping him up from the water.
"Can't... Let him get an advantage... Just can't." Law shook his heard wearily, trying futily to clear away the fogginess. "Put down... Gun Shachi..."
And reluctantly Shachi obeyed, lowering his gun to his side before putting it away on his belt. He glared darkly, seething down at the naked red headed assassin before risking a glance at Law who was thankfully clothed, though they were damp, clinging to him.
"Are you sure I can't just shoot him once?"
The Captain looked amused but rolled his eyes before mumbling something incoherently, thankfully though Penguin decided to speak it his stead, Shachi spotting his friend bracing their Captain a bit more firmly now.
"Captain says you will be the first to know if he ever feels like having Eustass shot at." Penguin offered calmly. "He also says for Eustass to put on some clothes before he gets a cold."
Penguin was then forced to hold Law up higher who had slumped against him, lying limply against his chest while Penguin frowned. "Get the assassin back to camp and tend to his wounds. I will tend to Law's shoulder and let him sleep off the tonic."
Shachi blinked. "Tonic? Why do you think it was that? Isn't he just tired?"
Penguin only offered him a frown again.
"Do you really think he would fall asleep like this? And Doflamingo wouldn't risk one of his assassin's killing one of his executives. Of course he would use a sleeping tonic."
And with that he left, Bepo, who had been remaining strangely quiet, picked up Law's discarded sword and took it with him as he followed Penguin back towards camp. Meanwhile Shachi levelled a glare at Kid who was standing now, smirking in delight.
"You're just pissed that I saved your Captain's life, aren't you?"
Shachi just frowned and turned away. "Let's just get back to camp."
Kid ignored the chaos around him, staying quiet and relaxed against the crates that he had been dumped against, though truthfully it had looked like the brat wanted to just smack his skull against them instead. His wounds had been treated instead and bandaged and he even had his clothes handed to him, though more like thrown straight into his face, nearly leading him and the brat to an argument.
The bird guy was scary as fuck however. Kid had backed down reluctantly once he felt the guy look at him, it felt heavy and dangerous and even the puppy shut his mouth, the pair just ignoring each other.
Currently bird guy was sitting across from him, gazing out to the centre of their camp, frowning thoughtfully while Trafalgar was sprawled out neatly under his blankets, sleeping contently. It was odd to see him so strangely peaceful and relaxed, usually he would be working away, either reading at medical books or planning the route with that giant guy Bepo, or even tormenting Kid. Now though he had been sleeping for a few hours and had only managed to come around a few times, slightly panicked and asking for the day but the bird guy was always quick to reassure him back to sleep. He seemed determined to stay nearby Law as he slept and though Kid was sure he wasn't watching him, the blasted helmet was as clamped to his face as always, he was sure he was alert.
Kid felt himself frown though when he caught a groan and glanced over to see Law, now turned on to his side and blinking sleepily at him, before Kid could even form any kind of sentence, let alone words, the bird guy was by the Captain's side.
"What day is it?!" Law managed to choke out, shaking his head as if he was still trying to clear away the dizziness.
Kid tsked in irritation. "Dammit Trafalgar stop freaking out already!" He ignored Law's bewildered look. "Despite what you think sleeping is considered to actually be a good thing. It's also just been a few hours."
What startled Kid though was the fact that he swore he saw an amused smile from the bird guy, but it seemed to instantly disappear as the bird guy's attention was back on Law.
"Eustass is correct Captain... You need to sleep."
Law struggled to sit up though, it seemed he was determined to ignore them both. "We aren't close enough to the castle yet..." His words however were starting to grow thick and hazy again, beginning to trail off. "Just a few more days... Then I'll rest..."
"Lie back down and say that again." Kid felt himself snort. "Cause I'm calling bullshit."
He nearly laughed when Law, who was about to snap out a reply, got caught off by the bird guy.
"As usual you're a terrible patient." He lectured, shoving his hand against Law's chest who grunted at he fell back against the bedroll. "Those assassin's managed to do us a favour by shooting you."
Kid made sure to speak next, grinning gleefully. "Besides, not like you can get up and ride a horse in this state."
Law gave a grumble at that. "You can carry me... Eustass-ya... On your horse... New exercise..."
"You wouldn't help give me any muscles Trafalgar. You're too skinny."
"I heard you used to handle... Countless enemies... Now can't even... handle two assassins..." Kid resisted the urge to hit Law for that comment.
Not because he was a Captain or exhausted or anything. No it was currently because of the dangerous vibe he was getting from the bird guy.
"Stop pissing off the assassin and go back to sleep." Bird guy frowned darkly. "Or I'll have to force the issue."
Kid blinked, startled while he spotted Law frowning, looking surprised as well, however the frown turned for the worse as the bird guy pulled out a small bottle from his pocket with what looked like a bunch of pills inside, shaking the contents lightly.
"Why do you... Have my pills?"
"Doflamingo instructed me to use them if you were becoming too difficult. We all know how you treat yourself Captain."
"So what you were gonna force them down his throat?!" Kid felt himself gap.
"No. I was going to tell Captain the situation first if his condition became serious enough to become a potential threat to himself and if he persisted in worsening his condition I would have put them in his food."
"Nice second-in-command Trafalgar." Kid commented sarcastically but when he looked over at him he saw Law glaring darkly at the bird brain.
"Since when... Have you done what... That bastard says?"
"When it regards your health? Every time."
The last proper time he had threatened to do something to a 'superior' he was beaten within an inch of his life. The former Warden Vergo never took any mercy on anyone no matter how much they begged or screamed, and the fact that Kid did neither didn't make his 'discipline' any easier.
Law didn't have that expression like Vergo did, the cold, angry look.
He didn't even seem that concerned about the bird guy's threat, only forming a glare before turning on his side, facing away from them both. Kid could see him now tensed up though, so at the very least he was uncomfortable at the newly formed threat, before Kid could even voice his confusion at the situation though the bird guy spoke up again.
"He's asleep." He stated calmly, and the assassin felt the man watching him. "The odd thing is, is that you seem to be more angry with me than he is."
"I do?"
"You're glaring at me, more so than usual." He stated, making Kid blink in surprise before grunting.
"He's too trusting-" But he was cut off by the asshole's snort. "Yeah, well fuck you too."
"Sorry, sorry." The guy tried to hold back his amusement as he apologised. "Just never really hear anyone say that about my Captain."
Kid felt himself frown at that as he turned away from the helmet-clad man. He felt his eyes drift back to Law often though, the quack doctor was a mystery to him at times, he was his jailer, holding the keys to his cuffs but he rarely acted like his other jailers did.
What Kid also found curious was the fact that Doflamingo sent assassins after him, but had them drug their weapons to keep Law subdued. How did he know Trafalgar would defend him? Was Trafalgar more loyal to Doflamingo's fiancé than to him?
And more importantly, why did Doflamingo even bother with all of this?
.:End of Chapter:.
