Chapter 12
Law blinked sleepily as a familiar young blonde girl slipped into his vision while a hand shook him awake. He glanced over his shoulder to see Penguin frowning softly at him as the blonde girl continued to set up her tray on his bedside table.
"Law, it's past lunch time. You need to eat something." Penguin murmured to him, his shaking was gentle though insistent, yet Law just buried his head back into his pillow, trying to swat away his friend's hand. "Everyone will be getting ready for tonight soon."
Law frowned more softly, trying to think what Penguin meant by 'tonight'. He remembered trying to talk to Eustass before Monet interrupted them and brought him to Doflamingo's meeting, which Law remembered really not wanting to go to and doing all those errands for the bastard. Then during the meeting he remembered starting to doze off, finding it too hard to concentrate before he was taken to bed.
With a curse he sat up, horrified as he tried to clamper out of bed, his shoulder throbbed in protest but he ignored it as he hurried to find his clothes. "Soran what time is it?!"
"Nearly 3'o'clock my lord." She answered, looking surprised.
"Why did no one wake me?! I needed to talk to Eustass-ya!"
Soran merely blinked at him, looking confused as she tilted her head. "Master told us not to wake you because you needed to rest. Master said you had been away for at least two months now so it would be nice to let you enjoy relaxing in bed."
Damn Doflamingo!
"Law you need to eat!" Penguin protested but Law ignored him as he slipped off his pyjama shirt and dumped it on the ground when he found his hoodie. "And you've been nearly wearing that all week!"
"I need to talk to Eustass-ya before the party tonight!"
Law nearly let out a startled yelp when he was suddenly yanked back on to his bed, Penguin moving to stand in front of him with an exasperated expression.
"Eustass is already at his appointment-"
"Which one?!" Law demanded earning a sigh.
"He's with the doctors." Before Law could move though Penguin's hands suddenly boxed him against his bed, his friend looked unamused. "Law, by the time he's finished his appointments it will be time to get ready for the party."
"I have enough time!"
"He's had his lunch. He won't be getting another break until half five so he can get ready. His and the other Champions next appointments are with Vergo to be 'educated' on the rules of living within the castle are."
Law cursed softly. "I'll never get a chance. Vergo will never let me near."
Law frowned as he noticed Penguin waving his hand dismissively at Soran who curtsied and left. Closing the bedroom door quietly behind her, though Penguin waited to speak until the suite's door had finally closed.
"It's better this way Law."
"...I don't think it is Penguin... I really don't think it is..." Eustass-ya would never forgive him for not telling him everything.
He felt Penguin lay his hand on his unharmed shoulder, squeezing gently. "Eat and shower Law. If any of his appointments end earlier than expected Bepo should be able to let us know alright?"
"Bepo is with him?"
"Who else could we send? Shachi and Eustass would strangle each other if they went unsupervised by us."
Law snorted, he could easily picture that, the other Champions watching as they both attempted to murder each other.
Kid gave another grumble as he tapped his foot impatiently. He had wanted to find Trafalgar before the party tonight, he had looked serious last night before that harpy had dragged him off on 'important business' and Kid wanted to make sure he was okay. The guy who was meant to be going over the 'rules' though still hadn't shown up yet much to his annoyance.
He had stuff to do.
Then the door finally opened and a strangely familiar voice spoke up. "Then this is where the meeting was?"
"Yes Vergo-san, the meeting is in here. I was surprised you waited in that room for nearly half-an-hour." Kid's scowl deepened when he spotted the harpy following that bloody familiar face.
Warden Vergo.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Kid couldn't help but hiss, this wasn't good.
"Vergo-san?" He heard Bepo speak up from behind him, sounding confused. "He's His Majesty's top Elite, his right-hand."
"He was the Warden of the mines!" Kid sneered, earning a flinch and a apology. "...At least he used to be..."
He wearily watched Vergo turn his attention to them as he tried to suppress a few old memories from making an escape. He sounded as arrogant as ever as he spoke up, arrogant and cold.
"Each of you have been selected to enter into the tournament held by His Majesty in his very kingdom. As you are aware you have all been examined today to see who is fit to be a participant in the tournament, those who are not worth the time have been left a rejection letter within their chambers while those who haven't will be attending tonight's festivities."
Kid was rather glad that Trafalgar had supervised his diet and training now.
"Those who are to stay during the tournament will follow our rules. As you are aware you are here to participate in the games and whoever wins will become His Majesty's Champion or will have fulfilled whatever deal their sponsors have given them. The rules are simple and they are here for your safety and our own, high ranking nobles are of course attending and any threat on their lives will not be tolerated."
The harpy stepped forward with a scroll, smiling coldly as she licked her lips. Vergo took the scroll and nodded as he briefly glanced through it, probably for the millionth time, Kid noted, the guy always wanted to be prepared. Kid mentally the most important rules.
He came to three.
3. Each Champion, unless specified, must be escorted by a number of guards at a time. If that rule is not complied to the Champion will be locked down in a prison cell and guarded every night until the tournament is over.
2. There is to be no violence outside of the tournament between the Champions, conflict is to stay within the games and will not be tolerated. If that rule is broken the Champion(s) will be publicly whipped and left outside chained to their posts for the remainder of the tournament. They will also be given a disciplinary.
1. If a Champion threatens the safety of the public, depending on who they will be severely punished. Mistreatment of the slaves will result in a disciplinary. Middle Class, including servants, will result in a whipping. If a member of the High Class feels threatened or a guard it will result in execution.
Kid noted also that if a Champion got three disciplinarians then they would be thrown out of the tournament. The worst rule to break would be 'threatening safety', if that happened he could actually get killed over it.
Though the games did pose a threat to his life also.
Then much to his relief they were dismissed so quickly he walked out, hoping to avoid catching Vergo's eye while Bepo followed him, he was thankful the giant moved in behind him, blocking him from view. The Champions were quickly escorted away by their guards, or as in Kid's case, guard, though he faintly spotted a blonde walking off by himself, meeting up with a grinning black haired man who was leaning against the wall, the pair walking off together afterwards.
He glanced over at Bepo and nodded towards the blonde. "Whose that guy?"
Bepo tilted his head, looking puzzled before giving up. "I can't remember, I'm sorry."
Kid nodded at that and continued to head back towards his suite, if the guy was a Champion then Kid would probably see him again. Kid knew he could have easily been a guard but there had been something about him...
He just didn't know what it was.
"Fufufu, my, my, there sure are a lot of Champions on that list, even after the evaluation." Doflamingo commented as he glanced over the sheets Monet had handed to him. "I had hoped the health evaluation would have deemed Eustass unfit but it seems Law was clever enough to put him on to a diet."
"I have taken a look at the medical files we ordered from the mines, Eustass was severely underweight before he came here. He has pretty much recovered from his time there."
Doflamingo stood up with a chuckle, dropping the files and sheet on to the table. "No Monet, he won't have just 'recovered' from that experience. Admittedly he might have physically but not mentally, we just have to ask Vergo what the correct buttons are to push, fufufufu."
Suddenly the door slammed open and closed, Monet and Doflamingo both startled to see Law looking panicked, his eyes darting wildly around the room, just as Doflamingo had been about to ask what was wrong he heard Jora's voice calling out for Law making the blonde chuckle as Law glared at him.
"Don't tell her I'm here!" Law hissed but Doflamingo could see the pleading look in his eyes as he hid himself behind the long curtains which had been closed.
Doflamingo took another sip at his drink as the door burst back open, Jora was panting, her eyes darting wildly around the room just like Law's had nearly making Doflamingo chuckle at the similarity, her eyes instantly landed on him so he raised an eyebrow innocently.
"Something the matter Jora?"
"Young Master did Law run in here?!" Jora demanded, she looked torn between throwing herself in to look through every hiding place or to go back out and search the halls.
"Fufufu, why would he be running?" Doflamingo asked, curious as to what Jora had tried to do to Law this time.
"He didn't do the knot on his tie properly! I'm trying to teach him about fashion and the boy never listens!" Jora huffed, her hands settling on to her hips. "Really I worry about him sometimes!"
Doflamingo knew the feeling though for another reason but he shook his head at her, remembering when she tried to 'inspire' him. "He never came in here. I did hear footsteps running past the door though so he may have headed to the library."
"Thank you Young Master!" Jora instantly took off, though thankfully closed the door, he waited patiently until her footsteps faded before chuckling again.
Law quietly stepped out from behind the curtains, eyeing the door carefully before sighing in relief. Doflamingo chuckled as he eyed the messy tie and approached, smirking when Law eyed him wearily in return but he simply laid his glass on the table and reached out, undoing Law's tie who grumbled.
"...It's not that bad..."
"After all these years you still can't tie your own tie." Doflamingo chuckled fondly, remembering Monet or Jora having to do it when Law was a child and even as a teenager, although he had been more stubborn about it then.
Law just glared at him making Doflamingo chuckle even more then ruffle Law's hair as he finished the knot before going back and picking up his glass, taking another sip of it.
"Did you managed to have something to eat Law? I heard you woke up rather late today." Doflamingo heard Monet comment, Law's eyes narrowing at the statement.
"I did." Doflamingo grinned when he felt Law's glare rest on him next. "I would have eaten at breakfast as well if somebody hadn't ordered everyone to leave me to sleep in."
"You have been travelling for two months Law, I thought you should have slept in and recovered." Doflamingo offered, eyeing his shoulder. "Especially with a wounded shoulder."
"I was shot, it's not like it broke." Law retorted, crossing his arms though Doflamingo noticed a hint of pain flash in his eyes before it faded.
"Fufufufu, alright." The blonde chuckled before glancing at the clock.
"Everyone should be heading towards the ballroom now." He glanced down at Monet through his shades, smiling as she spoke up. "I better head off and check on the staff."
"We'll join you soon. Law and I should have a little chat before we go." Doflamingo watched Law carefully as he spoke, seeing a hint of frustration in his eyes.
"Of course Young Master." He heard Monet reply, her footsteps heading towards the door before they closed behind her.
Doflamingo smiled as he sat down, relaxing against the couch as he beckoned Law over, watching as he sat down on the one across from him, frowning softly. They were going to have a nice quick chat about Law's behaviour before they left for the party.
For some reason Pigeon had shown up at his door instead of Trafalgar, wearing some fancy golden armour and a golden mask, he noted that silver hair was peaking out of it and a pair of dark eyes looked through the eye holes. Kid had more important things to worry about though than Pigeon's look so he reluctantly spoke up.
"Where's Trafalgar?" Kid was worried that he was still hurt, maybe even worse now.
He still hadn't seen him since last night.
"We'll see Captain soon!" Pigeon answered cheerily but Kid thought he heard a bit of regret in his voice before he shook his head. "Though I have a question! Where's your suit?"
"Not putting it on." Kid grunted, he refused to wear that thing.
Penguin only seemed more amused by that though. "The other Champions are nearly all the same, they nearly all refused."
"Then they aren't gonna mind one more refusal."
"Shouldn't Trafalgar be here by now?" Kid scowled, crossing his arms as he scanned the room once again.
Pigeon raised an eyebrow at him before speaking quietly. "You really are obsessed with Captain aren't you?"
"I'm not obsessed." Kid snorted, he wasn't, he just wanted to see if the idiot was alright.
"Of course not." The silver haired man grinned. "He is curvy though."
"You're freaking weird."
"With long legs."
"It's like you swapped personalities with the mutt."
Penguin merely continued grinning though. "It is an annoying personality, gets rid of any interest someone has in you."
"Oh yeah, that 'mask' thing." Kid grunted out. "You people seriously need to chill out."
Kid wouldn't admit he nearly jumped when the trumpets wailed in his ears, he gritted his teeth while Penguin merely frowned beside him, looking towards the staircase where the redhead directed his eyes to, guessing it was time that 'Royal Couple' was announced.
Still no sign of Trafalgar, though he was an elite so he could be with Doflamingo to guard him from any threats in the ballroom.
"Presenting His Majesty! King Donquixote Doflamingo!"
Kid watched as a huge man who towered over everyone approached the stairs, grinning , Kid gritted his teeth at that nasty pink coat on his back, he looked like some demented flamingo with that giant grin and that ridiculously coat, wearing a black suit beneath it and sunglasses on despite it being night-time.
He was a pratt.
That's all Kid could think of.
"Fufufufu, I'm glad you could all find the time to come tonight." Doflamingo greeted them, Kid could hear the superiority in his voice and instantly understood why Trafalgar wanted to strangle him. "This is the start of our grand games, tonight in this very hall all the Champions will be officially participants within Dressrosa's tournament!"
Kid scowled at the cheering but Doflamingo merely spoke back up, grinning even more. For some reason he felt like the blonde bastard was watching him but he couldn't prove it because of those glasses.
"Before I officially open up this lovely party I would like to introduce to you my beloved fiancé, most of you have met him but for those who haven't-" Doflamingo turned around with a grin, waving his hand towards the entrance way where a figure began to emerge.
Kid couldn't speak, he didn't know what to say when the figure finally emerged into the light.
"Lord Trafalgar Law." Doflamingo seemed to grin gleefully, beckoning Law over to his side.
Kid noticed that insincere smile on Law's features and his cold eyes and felt something snap within him, he didn't notice Doflamingo grinning further otherwise he might have tried to mask his reaction but since he hadn't he merely clawed at Pigeon's shoulders and yanked him to the side, shoving him into the wall.
He ignored a few odd looks his way as he hissed out. "What the fuck is going on?!"
Law managed to see a flash of red and silver out of the corner of his eye, noticing Eustass-ya dragging Penguin around a corner making him nearly frown, but Doflamingo grabbed his attention by raising his hand. Law nearly scowled at him but he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Monet was standing far too close to Lami at the side of the room so gently lowered his hand into Doflamingo's own and allowed Doflamingo to lead him down the stairs and on to the lower platform.
"There is also a surprise announcement I have to make, and it really does break my heart to do so." Law blinked at the blonde, startled, Doflamingo didn't sound regretful at all leaving him curious as to what the bird had planned.
"And what would that be?" Law gritted out behind a smile as the crowd murmured to themselves, all looking curious and confused.
"Fufufufu, just wait a second darling and I'll tell everyone, it's only fair." Doflamingo answered back quietly before returning his attention to the guests. "Due to the eager amount of contestants we have I'm afraid to say we will have to try cut more of that down tonight before tomorrow's event. Tomorrow will throw most of you off of the tournament but tonight may do so as well depending on how each contestant acts-"
Law noticed Kid and Penguin slip back into the crowd, the redhead looked pissed off much to Law's frustration, he wanted to tell him right now he didn't want to be up here, he didn't want to be given that judging look the assassin was throwing at him. Before he could get further distracted though Doflamingo squeezed his hand, bringing him back to reality.
He couldn't scream out that he didn't want to marry Doflamingo, that he didn't want to carry out the blonde's plans. Lami was in danger, he needed to get her to safety first.
He needed Eustass to win this contest, so he could win he deal against Doflamingo.
"-All the contestants will be watched tonight, your behaviour will effect you so I hope you all know your manners, fufufufu." The blonde laughed before grinning again. "And with that all out of the way, I declare the Dressrosa Tournament to have officially begun! Go and impress us, fufufufufu!"
Law tried to slip his hand free so he could escape down the stairs now that the crowd's attention was off them but Doflamingo's hand merely gently tugged him back, the blonde chuckling softly.
"I hope your assassin acts like the animal he is. That would give me the perfect excuse to throw him out of the tournament and back into the mines." Doflamingo murmured into his ear, Law couldn't help but shudder at the warm breath but kept smiling.
Law managed to give Penguin a hard look before his attention was drawn back. "Don't think I didn't see that redhead dragging your Head Guard away, he looked pissed when you were announced."
"If you had left me talk to him earlier-" Law hissed out but Doflamingo merely frowned as they descended the last of the stairs.
"I wasn't going to let you do something that foolish. He could have hurt you." Doflamingo sneered quietly but then squeezed Law's hand warningly. "Now relax, let's enjoy tonight shall we? It's been two months after all love."
Law wished it had been longer.
.:End of Chapter:.
Guest, yeah Doflamingo is terrible but I can't help but love him too xD Oh and Doflamingo and Kid's meeting will arrive, I've already written the first draft and I'm having way too much fun with it xD
Shiina Yuki, Yeah Doflamingo does find a way to ruin everything doesn't he? Lami and Law are both in for quite a bit during the story... (I am an evil person ._.) And yeah I always try to add a kidlaw moment if I can, I can't help it /
