A/N: Jeez, I should have posted this sooner but I kept having issues with the chapter. So that's why it's been over a month since the last update, because I wanted to get it to be decent/readable (and I guess I was distracted by nanowrimo). I was feeling slightly vindictive today, so that actually kind of helped me to finish editing the chapter (it kept getting longer and longer though, but as I never know when I'll update, I guess that works out).
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The mere suggestion that he would have nowhere to go if his crew were dead made Law do everything that was in his power to prevent that from happening. Even if he was at a terrible disadvantage right now. The dark haired pirate wasn't going to let Doflamingo's ominous words become at all true. If the older man himself weren't going to attack his crew, and was using Law to do it instead, then the Heart Pirate captain wanted to free himself from Doflamingo's Devil Fruit powers if at all possible. Law knew that if he allowed Doflamingo to retain control over his body with the string then there would be no way for Law to avoid not harming his crew.
Law struggled to regain control over one of his hands at the very least, but knew, from the curl to Doflamingo's lips, that the older man had expected some sort of resistance like this. The dark haired pirate ignored Doflamingo for the moment as he focused on his left hand, and stretched his fingers out shakily. "Room." Law was relieved that his own Devil Fruit powers worked no problem, but before he could swap places with something nearby, Doflamingo broke his concentration with an abrupt strike.
"Bullet String."
The dark haired Heart Pirate hissed in pain as the attack grazed his shoulder, and that graze drew out several angry cries from the gathered Heart Pirates. Law heard Doflamingo laugh, before he tired again, regardless of another attack that the other man would no doubt send his way. "Room." Again, as before, Doflamingo interrupted Law's attempts to get free of his Devil Fruit powers.
"Bullet String." Doflamingo said in a bored tone with a finger raised in Law's direction, and watched as the dark haired pirate stumbled backward from the hit. Ignoring the Heart Pirate crew's angry reactions, Doflamingo spoke condescendingly to Law, "Do you really think that I'm going to let you get away that easily? Don't bother with your powers. You're already worn out enough as it is. You don't have the energy to do anything useful at this point in time. It's useless to resist." The older pirate flicked a finger at Law again, and the string nicked the Heart Pirate's left hand. Doflamingo had spotted Law trying to call on his powers again. "Don't try my patience. I have little left for you as it is."
Law strained against Doflamingo's hold over him, but was unable to fight off the power, and felt dread when he reached over with his right hand to begin to draw his borrowed katana. "Stop." Law had told himself that he would never plead with Doflamingo, but for this? Law was willing to set aside his pride for a brief moment if it meant saving his crewmates from what the older pirate had in mind. Law had known, before he and Doflamingo had even stepped foot on this island, that something terrible was going to happen to his crewmates if they showed up. Law knew that if he couldn't control his body or even use his own Devil Fruit powers to get out of range briefly, that he would have to try something else. Even if it was likely a useless gesture. Even if it was only to try and distract Doflamingo for a moment, to give his crew time to make the right decision to get the hell away. Law would not put it past Doflamingo to prevent them from doing so. Law again tried to stop what was about to happen, and he hated the way his voice sounded as he felt himself draw the blade from its sheathe entirely, "Stop it."
When it was clear that Doflamingo had no intention of stopping what was no doubt great entertainment for him, the dark haired pirate gave up that particular avenue. Especially after Doflamingo merely laughed at his attempts to dissuade him. Law knew that he should have known better than to think that Doflamingo would really listen to him. No, the older pirate was likely getting some sort of a sick satisfaction out of this. Law turned his attention back to his crewmates, and decided to appeal to them. He knew that they would listen to whatever he had to say, as loathe as Law was to admit their loyalty. Not because he didn't appreciate it. It was mainly because Law hoped that that loyalty wasn't going to get them all killed, since they followed after him blindly without any thought given to the potential danger of doing so. Law really didn't want to lose anyone else, and there was a danger of that now, especially if Doflamingo went back on his word and attacked them as well. Law bit his lip as he felt himself take a step, and spoke through gritted teeth. "Stay back! I can't control my body!" Law took another step. "Run!"
It appeared that some of the Heart Pirate's had already figured that out, and some had even had even worked up enough of their courage to glare at Doflamingo for manipulating their captain in such a manner. But none of them took Law's advice to run away.
Law was honestly taken aback at their actions, and wondered inwardly what would happen if they didn't get the hell away from him already. Why were they still just standing there? Why weren't they running away? A crew was supposed to listen to their captain's decisions, so why were they not doing so now? It just figured that Doflamingo would pull a stunt like this, and Law hated that he hadn't foreseen such a thing happening. Especially with the careless way he had given away the vivre card's existence back on Doflamingo's ship. Law thought that his crew would heed his advice, but that hope drained away as he noted that, despite the mixed feeling of fear amongst his crew, there was also anger, and all of the Heart Pirates present stood their ground. Law wasn't sure what to make of the sea stone shackles that one of them held, or where they could have even gotten them in the first place. Law hadn't been aware that there had been any on the ship. He was inclined to laugh because it was either for himself or Doflamingo, and it probably didn't matter to the older pirate if Law happened to be shackled. Doflamingo would probably still try and control his body with that Devil Fruit of his, even if it meant wearing Law out even more from the draining effect of the sea stone.
Law felt his arm lift slightly as his hand got a better grip around the hilt of the blade he held. Then again, Law thought, as he redoubled his efforts to regain some semblance of control, being incapacitated by the shackles might make him slower and less likely to actually harm any of his crew.
Doflamingo was apparently less than amused by the sight of the shackles. Law could still see the older pirate from where he stood, and had seen the veins on Doflamingo's forehead crease, before he let out a snigger at the sight.
"I really do not want this to take all day. I have other plans than to play with a bunch of dead men today." At that, Doflamingo let fly a stream of string into the air with his free hand, and it came down to the ground to form a small cage around everyone present, blocking any hope of escape for Law's crewmates.
Law stared, before he frantically began to fight against the control Doflamingo had over him with more desperation that before. Doflamingo using that particular move seemed like overkill. Law doubted that any of his crewmates had actually been about to run as he had urged them to do. But then again, it showed Law that Doflamingo was serious about not allowing Penguin and the others to leave the island alive to pursue them.
Doflamingo made a motion with the same hand he'd just used to make the cage, and halted all of the Heart Pirates with some string to hold them in place. Satisfied when none of Law's crew could move from where they were, Doflamingo flicked a finger in Law's direction. "Get moving."
Law knew that it was useless to try and stop Doflamingo from what he was doing. The older pirate had already proved that by sending light attacks his way to break his concentration. And as much as Law hated to admit it, Doflamingo was right in the observation that even if he could get a room up, he would not be able to retain it for long with how exhausted he already was. Instead of trying to call on his own Devil Fruit powers again, Law focused his entire being into fighting back against Doflamingo's hold over him. He needed to try and resist harming his crewmates critically, even if Doflamingo was no doubt going to try and make sure that he did just that. Law doubted that Doflamingo would waste time going back to have him repeatedly strike someone, so if Law could make it look like they had suffered a grievous blow, then Doflamingo was likely to move things along faster.
The dark haired pirate did not want to think about what was happening, but he had to, in order to make sure that things didn't turn out as bad as he thought they might. By the time Law reached one of his crewmates, his entire body shook from the effort of the attempt to resist the insidious string that controlled his body's movement. Law knew that if he tried to call on his powers, Doflamingo would merely inflict some superficial harm to break his concentration, as he had before. In other words, when Law had tried to start a fight the previous day, Doflamingo had taken great delight in wearing him out until the point Law was too exhausted to try and use his power again. Doflamingo had proven a point yesterday, and had left Law alone to take care of the superficial wounds that had been inflicted.
Law knew he had enough stamina right now to use his Devil Fruit, but decided that it was a waste of time, based on Doflamingo's actions. The dark haired pirate had hated that Doflamingo had assumed he wouldn't try to run the night before, but at the time, Law had been too worn out to even think about it. Law certainly hadn't been able to sleep, despite that exhaustion, before Doflamingo came and had him go onto the island they were now on in the early morning. To wait and see if Law's crew showed up.
Doflamingo brought Law's attention back to the present when he felt the other man force his sword arm up. Law couldn't decide whether to squeeze his eyes shut to the sight or give the crewmate a desperate look of apology for what he was being forced to do. He couldn't stop it, and the powerlessness of it all made Law hate himself for letting it get to this point, and loathe Doflamingo more for not just leaving things alone.
-x
Doflamingo grinned lazily as he forced Law to cut down one of his crewmates, though the blond haired pirate was disappointed that it had been a non-fatal injury, from the look of it. Pity. Doflamingo had thought that it would have been enough to kill them. It certainly would have been a good shock for Law.
Perhaps the next one.
That would certainly get Law off his high horse, and see that it really was no use resisting the way things had turned out in the end. No matter the reasons for the interruption in their fight in Dressrosa, even Law had to know what the outcome would have been had the duel been carried through to a conclusion. Law was good, but he was no match for Doflamingo. And if Law had been a better captain, he would have been able to prevent his crewmates from coming after him at all. Doflamingo would never have made that mistake. If he didn't want someone to follow after him, he would have made sure that no one would.
Doflamingo sneered as he twitched his hand to make Law head toward another Heart Pirate crew mate that was immobilized. Really, if Law had explained things better, then they would have known to get rid of the vivre card that had linked them to their captain, and they would have been able to still follow. After all, the card Law had had was for one of his crewmates, and not himself. One of the pirates had to still have Law's vivre card. If Law hadn't given away the vivre card, Doflamingo might not have known that the dark haired pirate's crew was trailing them. So if the Heart Pirates had planned things better, maybe they would have been even able to attempt a rescue on some island that Doflamingo chose to stop on. But no, they had not done any of that. They had just blindly raced after their captain, regardless of any potential consequences.
Fools.
Doflamingo despised these low life pirates that thought they could outwit him and steal Law back just like that. Doflamingo had waited patiently to get Law back into his own crew, and if re-teaching the brat some things turned out to be useless...
Another cry of pain rang out from another felled Heart Pirate, and Doflamingo idly turned Law to go toward the next one before he continued his musings.
If Law turned out to be too difficult or didn't go back to the way he had been when he'd first requested to join his crew...it would be too bad. And though it would be a shame, Doflamingo figured that he would have to kill Law at that point, if things really didn't work out how he hoped they would.
Doflamingo supposed he'd see just have to see how much Corazon had affected Law all those years ago, once he got the dark haired pirate's crew out of the picture. The older pirate grinned to himself as his eyes fell on one of the Heart Pirates in particular, and began to walk toward him. Doflamingo had a point to make, and what better way than to use the one in Law's crew that was causing him the most grief?
Doflamingo was grimly amused that the pirate he was headed toward appeared to have figured out his intentions. The fact that Penguin had tensed up before he started to try and fight free of the string that held him in place was almost laughable to Doflamingo. So much so that he released the string that held Penguin. Doflamingo laughed darkly, "Fufufufu. Well, were you going to attack me?" Doflamingo halted Law where he stood, and, satisfied that the dark haired pirate wasn't going anywhere, turned his attention to Penguin.
The older pirate laughed once more as he tilted his head to the side to avoid a kick that Penguin had sent his way, and returned the favor with one long limb of his own, only to have the Heart Pirate narrowly duck beneath the wide sweep of his leg.
"The captain...will never listen to you." Penguin managed to rasp out, as he dodged another kick. The follow-up Bullet String narrowly missed the Heart Pirate's side.
"That remains to be seen." Doflamingo said lightly, before he decided that he needn't bother talking with a dead man. Doflamingo reached up a hand and caught Penguin's arm as the other man went by, and twisted it, causing the Heart Pirate to let out a strangled gasp. Doflamingo considered doing more damage, but decided that Penguin wasn't going to put up much of a fight. He wasn't in the best of shape to begin with. Doflamingo carelessly dropped Penguin and lightly rested a foot over his back to prevent him from rising. "I don't have time to waste playing around with you anymore." Doflamingo turned his attention back to Law, and resumed having the dark haired pirate attack his immobilized crew.
Doflamingo rested his foot a little heavier across Penguin's back when the other made as if to rise. When the Heart Pirate took the hint and went limp again, albeit reluctantly, Doflamingo focused his whole attention on Law.
He wasn't going to make this pleasant for the dark haired pirate. Doflamingo was going to draw it out for as long as he could, as he wanted the little bastard to suffer. He'd already had a lot of bad luck in the past and suffered through that, but it seemed like Law was going to need some more of it to put him in his place.
And there was nothing like a loss of control to emphasis that point.
-x
Law was in hell, and there appeared to be no way out of the situation he now found himself in.
There was was no correct emotion to describe how heart wrenching it was to be puppeted around by Doflamingo and to strike down each of his crewmates who were immobilized and unable to fight back. The only silver lining in this terrible predicament was that Law could tell that not all of his crew was present. In particular, Bepo. Law wasn't sure if he could even look had his furry crewmate been present and he'd had to strike him down as well. Law desperately hoped there would be enough able bodied people to help the wounded.
With each of his crewmates that he struck down, Law was becoming increasingly horrified, yet at the same time, an incredibly sad feeling washed over him as he realized that none of his crew appeared to be upset with him. And each time, Law somehow managed to prevent fatal wounds with his borrowed blade, but it was difficult, so difficult, due to the lack of control.
When Law reached Shachi, the dark haired pirate couldn't hold back anymore. His emotions finally got the better of him, as he choked back on what would have been some form of protest, and likely tears. He knew that Doflamingo had intended this to torment him and break him, but Law refused to actually cry, as he didn't want the other man to see how emotionally destroying this was to him. It was bad enough to see people dying around him, but to cause injury to people that trusted him...Law shook, fighting against his own grip that he had on the blade. Law wasn't going to give Doflamingo the satisfaction of seeing how badly this was affecting him. Law locked eyes with Shachi, and in a barely there murmur, breathed something along the lines of, "I'm sorry…" Law fought against the raising of the blade despite the uselessness of the gesture, even as his crewmate responded.
Shachi's jaw was set, but his voice was soft as he watched Law struggle, "This isn't your fault."
Law fought back a startled laugh. But it was his fault, because he had not made sure that his crew wouldn't follow after him. Law hadn't told them just how bad an idea it was to go after Doflamingo. Why it had been Law's intention for Kaido to take on Doflamingo, instead of what had ended up happening on Dressrosa.
The blade fell, and this time, Law couldn't look, and winced as he heard Shachi collapse to the ground with a shallow slash. At least, Law dearly hoped it was shallow.
"Over here." Doflamingo commented lightly, twitching his fingers to get Law to turn around and walk toward him. While Law had been attacking his crew, Doflamingo had gone over to Penguin, and had hoisted him off the ground with a hand wrapped around his throat. Doflamingo indicated Penguin with a jerk of his head. "This one is trouble. I assume that he is the one who encouraged the rest of your crew to come after you." Doflamingo bared his teeth is a terrible smile, "I can't overlook that, so I believe I'll have you end him now, before he becomes more of a nuisance in the future."
-x
Penguin's expression was clear, as he had lost his hat some time ago. But the Heart Pirate did not glare at Doflamingo, who had a hand wrapped painfully around his throat and neck. Instead, Penguin glanced out of the corner of his eye to see his captain shakily move closer and closer. Penguin's throat still hurt that he couldn't say much of anything, but he blinked calmly at Law, and offered at thin smile of reassurance, before he closed his eyes.
Penguin was not going to give Doflamingo the pleasure of seeing how conflicted he was. Penguin heard Law make a sound of protest, before the Heart Pirate crewmate felt a searing pain as he was slashed from the middle of his chest to his left hip, before the blade pierced his left shoulder. The agony of it all surged through his body, but Penguin refused to make a sound. Penguin shook as he felt the blade being removed, at the same time the pressure on his throat vanished. It took Penguin only a second to realize that Doflamingo had let go of him before another wave of pain crashed through the Heart Pirate as he collapsed to the ground. The agony was nothing, for now, as Penguin fell face down. His mind was on other things. Like what this had to be doing to Law. Before Penguin could do anything, not that he would have been able to move well in this state anyway, another burning slash of pain flared up across his back from shoulder to hip, indicating that Law had been forced to strike him again. Penguin knew, because he heard the choked sound of disbelief escape his captain, as if Law had not expected Doflamingo to make him attack him again.
Penguin lay still where he had fallen, gasping for air as he tried to steel himself from the agony that coursed throughout his entire body. Through half open eyes, Penguin saw Doflamingo flick a hand at Law to keep the dark haired pirate in place, before the older man approached him. Penguin felt Doflamingo grip him firmly by the hair, and tug him up to his knees. Penguin grimaced, but couldn't do much more than make a faint sound of discomfort, as there was literally nothing he could do to stop whatever Doflamingo chose to do to him. And through the pain, Penguin managed a glare of defiance, because he knew that Doflamingo was only doing what he was right now to torment Law some more, by forcing him to watch.
Doflamingo leaned in close to whisper a warning, "If you happen to survive, you would do well to stay clear of Law. I will hold my word that I won't kill you and your other crewmates, if that means that Law will be compliant." Doflamingo's voice grew dark, "If you chose to come after him again, however, I will kill whatever is left of your crew, no matter how much Law protests." Doflamingo carelessly let Penguin fall backward, before using the hand that released him to send out one last attack. "Bullet string."
Penguin let out a small cry of pain that time, as he hadn't expected more abuse while he was already down. Even though he should have expected it. Doflamingo certainly seemed sadistic enough to enjoy harming someone who was already past the point of putting up resistance of any kind. Penguin felt the ground beneath him as he collapsed back onto it, but through the agony that was flaring up, Penguin heard Law calling out to him desperately amidst Doflamingo's laugher. And then there was nothing as Penguin lost consciousness.
Though he perhaps would have preferred to remain awake, instead of being forced to remember more of his past in a feverish dream.
-x-
It had been a stupid idea. One that Penguin blamed on lack of preparation.
Ever since the people he had considered friends had died, Penguin had started to care less and less whether or not he survived in the hellhole he had been condemned to, along with his fellow workers. There was hardly ever any time to rest, and when they were able to rest, it seemed to be done far too soon as they were roused to get back to work.
Penguin knew that he had seen some never rise, despite the whips that fell across their backs to 'encourage' them to not stop.
Penguin lie on the ground, curled up, as those same whips fell on him. It didn't seem to end, as if his overseers were taking great delight in flogging him after the failed escape attempt.
The first time had been botched before it began.
The second had been a failure when a fellow worker had ratted him out.
The third was spoiled due to bad weather.
The fourth Penguin had twisted his ankle before he had been found and dragged back.
After that…after that, Penguin had lost track of how many times he'd tried to run. There only seemed to be one thing that was certain.
That escape was impossible no matter how hard he tried.
The flogging finally ended, and Penguin was forced to work, the obvious threat of the whip within his sight at all time as the guards kept a close eye on him.
Penguin's back hurt, but he stolidly forced himself into movement, refusing to let any of them see how much pain he was in. He could even feel the blood that had soaked through the tears in his clothing, and had fully expected it, from the harsh lashing. But it did not deter Penguin in the least from trying to find escape.
Three months later, and Penguin again despaired. It had been his last escape attempt, and the beating he'd received had been so harsh that he had blacked out from the pain.
Penguin's memory was a blur after that, as he wasn't sure exactly what had happened. What Penguin did know was that he had awoken in a blind panic, thinking that he was still being beaten, only to have his halfhearted lashing out with his arms be stopped by unfamiliar person.
It had been the first time that Penguin had met Law.
-x-
Penguin heard voices, and the voices did sound familiar, and one of them in particular was apologizing over and over but as Penguin was still deep in his memories, why the voices were there and what they were doing were unimportant at the moment.
-x-
Penguin had given the dark haired man a suspicious glare, even if he knew that he was in no shape to be resisting anything. Penguin found his voice after seeing a faint smirk cross the other man's face at his actions, "What's so funny?" Not what Penguin had meant to say, but he couldn't help it.
The other man laughed softly, "I was just surprised that you're even conscious with your wounds. You certainly gave those guards something to think about. They cleared off as soon as they realized they couldn't take you down."
Penguin blinked in confusion at the other man. He felt like shit, so he highly doubted he'd done anything of the sort. How could he have resisted those guards after the beating they had given him had driven him into unconsciousness?
The dark haired man appeared perplexed. "You don't remember?"
Penguin gave a little shake of his head. He would have thought that he would remember getting up off the ground. Right now, it was agony to even do a little bit of movement, so...
The man's face grew dark, "Then I won't tell you what else you did."
"What?" Penguin had demanded. And he continued to insist upon not being left in the dark, and the other man finally gave in and told Penguin, vaguely, what had happened.
"Let me put it this way. When my crew and I sailed by here, and decided to check things out, you are the only one alive. The guards that didn't run and the other slaves are dead."
Penguin stared at him, not comprehending.
"You killed them."
Penguin shook his head. He wouldn't have down that to the others. They had wanted to escape as much as he had.
"I assume you got them mixed up with the guards. I've never seen someone so consumed with that much anger that they couldn't differentiate people."
-x-
Penguin hadn't meant to harm anyone other than the guards that had beaten him. When he really thought about it, he could remember brief flashes of what had happened when he had momentarily blacked out.
They weren't pleasant memories, and Penguin didn't like to think of himself as a monster like that. Attacking anyone and everything.
Penguin heard some panicked voices this time around, though it wasn't the voice that had ben apologizing quietly over and over again like it was a mantra. Penguin dimly felt the sharp pinch of something, before he drifted back off.
-x-
Penguin couldn't accept the idea that he had harmed people that he had worked alongside in a moment of all consuming rage. Penguin had not protested against Law's suggestion that he get his wounds seen to at the time. Penguin was too hurt and confused to do much else than accept the help that was offered to him. He'd even allowed Law, after he'd introduced himself, to take him aboard his ship to do the treatment, even if Penguin was filled with guilt over something that he could only vaguely recall doing.
Penguin recalled burying the dead later, once he was feeling slightly better and his wounds were on the mend.
And after that…
He'd eventually accepted Law's invitation to join his crew, even if he didn't think he deserved to be there. There was a stretch of time that Penguin was terrified that he would lose his mind again and injure the people around him that had reached out to him.
The years went by, and Penguin found, to his surprise, that he was more relaxed than he ever had been, joining in on joke and smiling much more. He even joined some of the crew in ogling woman before someone else in the crew scolded them.
-x-
"Penguin."
He furrowed his brow. Who was that?
"Penguin. Wake up."
Penguin didn't like the distraught tone the other voice held, so he did just that.
He woke up.
But when the pain hit him, Penguin wished he hadn't.
-x-
It was the searing pain that hit Penguin first, followed by the restrictive tube that went down his throat. Next were the voices. Familiar voices. They were all worried, as well as angry. All of them seemed to be talking at once, though it appeared there was more than one conversation being held.
"Hurry. Get some more sutures. The stitches in his abdomen tore again."
"His breathing is too erratic."
"He needs more oxygen."
Penguin felt a cold hand rest over his forehead.
"Penguin? Are you awake?"
Shachi…
Penguin felt the hand that had rested on his forehead drop down to rest on his uninjured right shoulder.
"Penguin?"
The injured Heart Pirate twitched his hand. It seemed like too much of an effort to open his eyes.
Shachi's voice was relieved, yet at the same time concerned, as he spoke to another crewmate. "He is awake. How much painkiller do you have him on right now?"
Someone answered after a brief moment's consideration, "The highest dosage that won't cause any long term side effects when we begin to lower the dosage."
Another person spoke, "His heart rate is too fast."
Penguin felt as Shachi reached over and squeezed his hand gently, "We aren't finished treating your wounds. We're going to have to put you out."
Penguin twitched his hand again. He figured as much from the sound of things.
"We'll see you in a few hours then."
Penguin didn't like the unease in Shachi's voice. He didn't seem to be too badly injured, but then again, that could just be because of the painkillers he was on. But it wasn't like he wasn't going to wake up again.
There was a murmur of voices as sleepiness came over him, and the voices melted into nothing as Penguin dropped back off. Thankfully without the unpleasant dreams of past memories.
-x
Law had gone past the point of no return. The fury he felt as soon as Doflamingo had stopped using his Devil Fruit powers to control his body seemed to make everything clearer than it had been before. The dark haired pirate had waited until his wounded crew was out of sight, before he made the decision to make it hard for Doflamingo to get him to go along quietly. As they headed back in the direction of the older pirate's ship, Law began to fight every inch of the way there.
It started out small, as Law had enough left in him to realize that antagonizing Doflamingo too much might make him turn around and finish off the Heart Pirates as they made their retreat back to the submarine. Comments and insults only appeared to go over Doflamingo's head, as the taller of the two all but ignored Law's words.
So the dark haired pirate did something that Doflamingo would take notice to.
Law stopped walking altogether.
Doflamingo paused mid-step, though he did not bother to turn in the dark haired pirate's direction as he spoke. "We're not back to my ship yet, Law. What are you doing?"
Law wanted nothing more than to use his powers to take him close to Doflamingo to stab him, but the older pirate had had the forethought to take his borrowed blade and tuck it in the back of his belt, where it was covered by the feathery pink coat. Not that Law couldn't get the katana back, but the dark haired pirate knew that Doflamingo would more than likely use that as an excuse to go back and finish what he had made Law start. Law did not respond. Instead, he trailed over to the nearest tree and sat down. The look he received over the other man's shoulder nearly made him get back up, but Law fought the urge and waited, pointedly avoiding eye contact.
After a brief moment of sizing Law up, Doflamingo turned around. It looked as if he very much wanted to lash out at Law, as his hand twitched at his side. Instead, the blond haired pirate started the grin, though it wasn't at all friendly, "And what are you doing now? I told you earlier that I had things to do today."
Law returned the grin with a tired curl of his lips. "I can't go much further. I'm too exhausted."
Doflamingo stared at the dark haired pirate, before he laughed, "Fufufufu. Really, Law, what is the point of this? Even if you delay things, that doesn't matter. If your crew survives and manages to drag themselves back to their ship, wouldn't it be better to leave? I have half a mind to shoot cannons on this island..."
"And you said you wouldn't attack them, and using cannons would still be you and your crew's doing." Law commented in a deadpan tone. He saw a vein pop across Doflamingo's forehead, and supposed that he probably shouldn't say anything more than that.
Doflamingo's grin deepened, before he seemed to calm himself. He casually took the few steps that were separating himself and Law, and towered over the dark haired pirate. "If I have to make you go back, I think I will rescind on what I said about not harming your crew myself."
"You said you wouldn't harm them." Law said in return, even though he knew that Doflamingo was goading him. "That does not mean using me to injure them instead." Law was frustrated that Doflamingo appeared to have chosen to ignore him at that, as he merely stayed standing near him. At least until the other man's hand shot out and hoisted him by the back of his coat, and shoved him harshly along the grassy path. Law stumbled to regain his balance without toppling over onto the ground, and realized that with every shove Doflamingo gave to him to move him along, that they were now closer to the shore, and Doflamingo's ship.
Law had no interest in getting back on it. He hadn't even realized he'd come to a complete halt again until he felt Doflamingo's hand grip him by the back of his shirt once more and held fast, to prevent him from going back the way they had come. The dark haired pirate tried to pull free of the grasp. "Let go!" A harsh shake made Law abandon calling on his Devil Fruit powers in order to remain uprght. Law figured that if he ended up on the ground, he was only going to receive a beating, and he needed the time to regain his stamina.
As they neared the shore, Law saw Doflamingo make a sharp gesture at Diamante with his free hand, who was on the ship's deck watching their approach. Law was perplexed to see the other man retreat after making a gesture in return. Law had only a moment to think about what that meant, when he felt Doflamingo's grasp tighten, before there was the sudden sensation of being roughly hefted upward.
And then Law was sailing through the air, and had no time to use his powers as he came down to land painfully on the ship's deck, his breath driven from his body. Had Doflamingo just thrown him? He had to have, and with a lot more force than Law thought possible. The ship was fairly tall. Maybe Doflamingo was angrier than he thought. Before Law had the chance to get his breath back, he noticed Doflamingo out of the corner of his eyes. The older pirate had just jumped up onto the deck as well, and had landed lightly next to him. Law noted something else, when the other man looked down at him after a moment of gazing around at the rest of the deck.
Doflamingo wasn't smiling anymore. "You're close to making me lose my patience."
Law's hand had subconsciously wrapped around the hilt of the borrowed katana. He didn't remember using his powers to retrieve it, but he had to have. Maybe that was why Doflamingo looked rather cross. But then again, it didn't matter to Law how he'd gotten the weapon back, because it also appeared that right now, Doflamingo wished to beat him to within an inch of his life. Therefore, the dark haired pirate felt justified in what he was about to do.
The dark haired pirate's grip tightened around the hilt further. "I don't think I have done nearly enough for that to happen. Although, you don't have that much patience to begin with, so maybe it is." Law surged to his feet after he rolled over and stumbled back several paces from Doflamingo, and lifted his hand up. Law really shouldn't have smiled at the sight of the veins that popped across Doflamingo's forehead, because it let the dark haired pirate know that he had pissed off the other man even more than he already had been. If he was going to get his ass kicked, Law wasn't going to just let it happen. Even if he didn't last for long in a fight, Law was going to make damn sure that Doflamingo knew that he wasn't going to be anyone's pawn willingly.
"Room."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
A/N: Not much the Heart Pirates could do to get away. And I think that after one more chapter, Kidd will show up, and then be in the rest of the fic. I just needed some story to get to that point. And man, some of the future interactions between Law and Kidd that I have planned were making me crack up.
And ugh, had to change some things for this particular chapter because of some of the newest One Piece chapters. I was gonna have Doflamingo shoot Penguin, but considering he was already trigger happy in the newer chapters... Nope. I didn't want to go there right now. So I had him use his Devil Fruit power instead in this fanfic (even if he is basically shooting Penguin with his powers) and Doflamingo shooting people appears to be a trend.
I think I caught the typos for this chapter. I never know if ffn will change it on me or not, but I double checked this time (since I am editing it myself, I think I do tend to over look things).