Chapter 10
Dressrosa was big. That's all Kid could think of as they took in the view from the sandy hillside. He nudged his horse on to follow Trafalgar's, that mutt and Pigeon had both lectured him to stay behind Law and to never ride beside or in front of him. Kid had asked why but got told just to do it, and Pigeon's threatning vibe made him quieten down about it.
Law muttered something about 'stupid status' but Pigeon seemed to glower in his direction which quietened him down too.
It was about late afternoon by the time they got through the gates and into the city, busy with dancers, singers, ladies shaking their bodies, their hips and chests swaying and boncing-
He hadn't realised he stopped his horse until Bepo told him, apologising afterwards. He caught Law shaking his head at him but he continued on as Kid grumbled and followed, he however didn't spot Pigeon eyeing him and the mutt's panicked looks to said Pigeon.
The real trouble was as they were passing the docks, a very familiar sound reaching Kid's ears. He tensed in alarm and anticipation, his muscles reacting as he prepared for that sharp whip to tear at his skin, he faintly heard a few voices but couldn't register them properly.
"Eustass-ya, the whips still startled you don't they?"
The assassin hadn't realised he had closed his eyes, his eyes once they obeyed him met Law's who was frowning deeply. He merely cocked his head to the side, indicating to the docks and that halted Kid's thoughts on why he only heard Law's voice and not anyone elses.
Slaves.
They were all lined up, chained together by a length of chains that were clamped heavily around their wrists and ankles. Those large, thick explosive collars around each of their necks.
And they said he was a bad person. Killing for money. The 'nobles' traded lives back and forth like cards and still pretended to be the 'good' people of this world. At least he could admit he was a bad person.
"Slaves and their slavers. Disgusting." Kid sneered, he didn't see Bepo's flinch, his eyes were locked on those damned whips as he turned his horse.
Before he could move though Law had steered his own horse in the way, an odd expression on his features.
"Leave them be Eustass-ya."
That cut through him as he gritted his teeth, tensing at the whips cracking. "Why should I?"
"Because even if you stop it this time round this group will later on get it worse. Trust me."
"I do but-"
"That child over there." Law nodded at a young boy, he looked defeated and dead already, his eyes completely devoided of any innocence. "He can endure three, maybe four lashes if I judge the scars correctly. Say you interfer now and save him from that whip for a few minutes, he might tonight say get double or triple that amount or even until his back is ripped open and infected-"
"Dammit I get it!" Kid cursed, he remembered seeing infections from the mines, although they were mostly always treated by their fellow inmates. "Just shut up and let's go..."
"Don't speak to Captain that way-" The mutt protested by Kid just ignored him and followed after Trafalgar.
Just damn it all.
"Ah! Law-chan!"
Law nearly shuddered at that voice as he handed the reigns of his horse to the stable boy, Ninjin Law faintly remembered Shachi talking to him, the boy who was trying to raise money to open up a bar when he was older, unfortunately that faint recollection didn't distract him from Eustass-ya's look of disgust as they glanced over at the balcony, Law gave a nod to Jora and Lao-G, the pair were sat as usual in the shade, playing cards.
"Jora, Lao-G." He greeted, noticing Jora distastfully eyeing Kid.
"Law-chan, is this the assassin? Young Master told you-"
"I don't remember 'Young Master' telling me anything." Law lied, ignoring Jora's protests as he walked by the balcony. "I'll visit later, come you four." He nodded at Penguin, Shachi, Bepo and Kid, relieved the four followed though quickly addressed everyone else. "Go get some rest and thanks for the hand."
He smiled at the cheerful racket from behind him.
"Whose those pair of old bags?" Kid grumbled while Law groaned, just knowing Jora heard that.
"What did he say?" Lao-G looked confused while Jora blushed, she obviously misheard Eustass-ya.
"D-Did you just all me 'Miss Universe'?"
"Course not you death bi-" Penguin thankfully dragged the redhead along as Shachi opened the side door, shaking his head as he let them in.
"Did you see Sugar leave?" Shachi asked making Law frown, he did recall seeing some end of a white fabric disappearing around the doorway.
"No but if that's the case she's reporting to Doflamingo." Law muttered, biting his lip.
"Our travel through town should have alerted His Majesty that we were here already." Penguin noted as he released Kid who was grumbling.
Law took a quick glance around the hallway but jumped when he saw a familiar face suddenly charging at him, colliding body first with his stomach.
Kid watched as Law stumbled, trying to stay upright as a brown haired girl snuggled into his chest, he felt a wave of jealousy consume him making him growl.
Is she why Trafalgar didn't want him kissing him again?! What did she have that he didn't? Kid was the one who damn well aroused him just this morning! Just as Kid was about to examine her features as she pulled away from Trafalgar's chest though something caught his eye making him tense.
He saw that familiar, though slightly different, collar.
This one was thinner and didn't have a bomb attached which was odd-
"Stop glowering Eustass-ya, I know you don't like meeting new people but still." Law lectured him making Kid grumble.
Meeting the girl wasn't the problem, he wondered why Law had to be such an oblivious idiot-
"This is Lami, my little sister." Law introduced with an actual smile he seemed the only show those close to him.
Oh...
He faintly heard the mutt choke on his own laughter though Law only raised an eyebrow at him, looking confused.
"Good evening Master Eustass, I heard you were arriving for the tournament as a competetor."
Kid barely registered the girl though, they were siblings, the youngest a slave while Law was an elite guard. Why was Law not a slave like her? Was he okay?
"My apologises Lami, Eustass-ya doesn't seem to be paying attention." Law grumbled, he was glaring at him while Lami looked amused by her brother's expression.
"He doesn't seem capable, not like Captain is." Pigeon sounded strange but Kid didn't really care about that at the moment.
Law couldn't be a slave.
No.
"Law why is your sister a slave and not you?"
Lami's eyes widened, looking stunned why Law seemed to pale, a pained look entering his eyes. He couldn't have just abandoned his sister. No he had a shitty attitude but over this past month he was-
Suddenly his jacket must have been grabbed because he was being dragged away from Trafalgar, making him struggle. He needed to know! Something was wrong with Trafalgar!
"Captain please don't listen to this idiot! I'll show him to his room so please, take your time and report to His Majesty!" Pigeon was laughing strangely though, suddenly his tone lowered as they entered a secluded hallway. "You idiot. Shut your mouth and don't ask that question in public ever again, anyone could have heard that."
"Are you bipolar or something?!"
"We all have a 'mask' in politics. You people don't seem to get it that this tournament is a game for everyone not just you Champions. I'm not becoming that noticeable for these noble's amusements. So if you mess everything up you won't need to worry about these 'games' because I will kill you if you so much as get me or the other's an interested glance."
Kid wanted to reply, to ask why it was bad to be noticed but Pigeon merely release him, frowning softly before turning and grinning at Shachi.
"I just saw the most prettiest bird, Shachi could you take our guest to his room while I pay my compliments?"
Kid noted a strange alarm in Shachi's eyes but earned a nod, he willingly followed the mutt, not in the mood to test Pigeon's threat.
"I can't see a bird." Bepo's voice protested. "Will you catch up to it?"
"I think she's already caught up to me. So get going you stupid bear."
Stupid bear?
"Oh? You spotted me."
Penguin turned towards the overhead balcony, frowning grimly as he met those golden eyes and that smirk.
"How could I ever fail to miss such a bloodthirsty harpy?"
She merely smiled, amused as ever. It was as fake as his goffy antics though. They were both too hateful and murderous to be anything less.
"And here I thought you were going to pay a compliment to a pretty bird?"
Penguin shrugged innocently. "I saw a robin outside. Black, long hair, purple dress and lovely curves."
"Pity." He raised an eyebrow at the gleam now in her eyes. "Would you really kill that assassin if he messes things up?"
Penguin couldn't help but smirk. There it was. What she wanted to know.
"I'm not as childdish as Shachi, Monet. Don't try and trick me, I know he contacted you to protect Law. I won't further your precious 'Young Master's' goals so go bother someone else about it." His eyes then narrowed further. "If you try manipulate Shachi again I will kill you, I won't let you corrupt him."
"A shame. I thought we had common goals." Monet frowned softly. "You know Law wasn't meant to be harmed though, right?"
"The weapons Lady Baby-5 and Lord Buffalo carried were coaxed in a drug for my Captain." Penguin pointed out. "And we don't have common goals. I'm here to protect Law Trafalgar, you're here for His Majestiy."
"Ah, your oath." Monet hummed before speaking again. "And he needed to be subdued if he ignored the orders, which Law did."
"Trust me, I'll deal with Eustass if he gets in the way. I'd appreciate it if your people backed off."
"We shall see what the Young Master thinks." She turned away to head off the balcony but glanced back down at him, with another smile. "Remember to book in Eustass."
"I will. Thank you Monet."
This wasn't going to be easy.
.:End of Chapter:.
Wow, this story has been up a full year now, yey! Seriously though time flies and I feel like each chapter I'm starting to improve my work, hope you feel the same.
Also sorry if this chapter seemed rush, I couldn't quite figure out how to pace it properly this time around. There was so much I wanted to make happen but to me it felt rushed at some parts.
