Amazon Lily
Part One
Over the next few days the sub sailed along with the navy ship that Hancock had stolen. Neo, like always, didn't care for the new people being around but felt better when they didn't come into the sub. Only Hancock, Iva, and Jinbe stayed on the sub but remained out on the deck. And thanks to the navy ship being stocked full of food, Neo and Penguin didn't have to cook for the newbies. She did grow a bit curious about the men on the navy ship and the way they were dressed but no one knew exactly how to explain why men were dressed the way they were. As the days moved on she grew more and more curious about the fishman sitting out on the deck than anyone else. He never seemed to move much from the spot he sat at against the sub wall. Today was no different. Just about everyone was out on the deck, basking in the warm sunlight.
Neo was sitting down beside the fishman with her elbows on her knees and her chin resting in her palms as he told her about fishman village. "Oh, sounds really nice there."
"It's very nice," Jinbe said. "If you ever get a chance to stop by then you should."
"Maybe," Neo said. "But the captain makes those decisions."
"Of course," Jinbe said. He paused then asked, "If you don't mind me asking a question of you, there's something I'd like to know."
"Oh?" Neo asked.
"I wish not to be forward but I have noticed over these past few days of spending time with you that you are different from everyone else," Jinbe said. "I can't explain it but somehow I can feel the sea with in you. What are you?"
"I have noticed that as well," Hancock said. The snake with her hisses and laid her head on the empress's shoulder. "Salome is curious as well."
Neo looked down at the deck.
"I do not mean to pry," Jinbe said.
"It's all right." Neo glanced over at Law. He was only a few feet from her so she knew he was listening in on their conversations. She didn't know what to say and looked for guidance from the one she knew she could trust.
"We're not really sure who Neo actually is," Law said. "Let's just leave it at that."
"Very well," Jinbe said.
Neo looked out to the sea when two large snakes appeared in her senses.
"Hey, there's a ship coming!" someone from the navy ship yelled out.
"Who is it?" Penguin asked.
"It looks like it's the Kuja ship," the guy said.
"Good," Hancock said. "They have arrived."
Neo's eyes widened at the large snakes pulling the ship. "They're so big." She jumped and ran over to Law when the women, dressed in very little clothes, on the ship jumped over and shouted for their leader.
"She's so skittish," Iva said. "The poor dear. She must have really been through something if she's this scared of people."
Law glanced up at the large man before returning his eyes to Neo. He could feel her trembling behind him. There were far too many people gathered on the deck now for her comfort. So he slipped his arm around her and guided her over to the edge of the sub where he could place himself between everyone else and her. He felt the tension leave her body as she watched the women speak to each other from a comfortable distance. Both their eyes then lifted up to the navy ship when Iva jumped back over to it.
"Now then, this chapter of Straw Boy's co-staring yours truly has come to an end. Hee Haw! Jinbe, I hope you don't mind watching over our friend in my place!" Iva said.
"Of course not. My body is still too weak to swim. So the least I can do is watch over Luffy until he recovers. Though I fear there is precious little aid I can give him," Jinbe said.
"It was a curious twist of fate to meet you fishman," Iva said.
"Like wise. Also we were both prisoners in the lower levels of the prison we almost never met. Luffy carried us away like a tidal wave. Though I must admit I know not the direction these seas flow," Jinbe said.
"Tidal wave was right. His antics at Marineford were too turbulent even for us. I hate to say goodbye, my friend, but the candy girls of my kingdom can only wait on their master for so long. Take care of Straw Boy for me! I shall miss him!" Iva said before turning his eyes to Neo. "And the same goes to you, Little Blue."
"Huh?" Neo tilted her head.
"I do hope that we get to meet again one day," Iva said. "But until then enjoy the surprises that await you on your journey. Farewell, Little Blue!"
The men standing around Iva started yelling their goodbyes and well wishes for Straw Hat one more time before the ship started moving away from the sub. Neo looked up at Law. "He's so weird. What do you think he was talking about?"
"I don't have a clue," Law said.
"I hate to ruin the moment but we should really be off now," Hancock said.
"Right," Law said.
…
Neo clenched a hold of Law's sleeve as the sub passed through the unfamiliar gates of Amazon Lily. Glancing up at the mountains, that seem to be located in the very center of the island, she saw that it had several snake-like shapes coming out of it. She cautiously took in her surroundings of the women standing on the cliffs of the bay they were pulling into. Snakes were wrapped around the women, all taking note of the ship in front of them as she took note of them. "There are so many snakes here."
Law, leaning against the sub wall with his arms crossed, took her in. She was holding her anxiety at bay despite being surrounded by so many strangers. She had yet to grab onto him. He figured that was because they had already been around so many people who didn't show any sort of aggression in the time they were together. Then his men caught her attention as they sniffed the air and shouted comments about the island being full of women.
"This place is filled with women!"
"So it's true that only ladies live here on Amazon Lily!"
"Smells lovely!"
"I know! It's making me dizzy!"
"I think we might be in heaven!"
"The crew's acting funny again," Neo said.
"Hey, you guys. I'd hurry back into the submarine if I were you. Or else…"
Neo turned her eyes to Law just in time to see him tilt his head to his right. The thunk of an arrow embedding in the sub wall next to his head made her jump. Before she could do or say anything, Law wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. She tensed at his touch and when he looked into her eyes.
"I'm not hurt," Law said.
"I know. I was just startled. There's just so many." Neo turned her eyes back to the women on the cliff, ready to summon her crystals if necessary. "But why did they shoot at you?"
"Remember what I told you before," Law said. "Only women are allowed here."
"Oh," Neo said. "I forgot."
"Hold your fire, everyone!" Hancock then said. "These men are not our enemies! Luffy is on that ship. The wounds he suffered at Marineford have marred his body and spirit alike. And now he walks the line between life and death. It's terrible."
"Luffy's here?" a blonde woman on the cliff asked.
"Ladies, carry him to the castle as swiftly as possible. And never fear I shall nurse him back to healthy myself." Hancock pressed a hand to her face and blushed.
"Just a moment, Snake Princess," a raspy voice said.
"Granny." Hancock looked up to another cliff.
Neo followed the woman's glance and saw a shorter, white haired woman standing there. Her snake, instead of being wrapped around her body, was stretched out like a stick but curled up at the top. "Who's that?"
"Not sure," Law said.
"Allowing Luffy in is fine but we cannot allow the men on that other ship to set foot on Amazon Lily. We cannot make acceptation to our island's policies to strangers," the old woman said.
"There is a doctor on the ship. Only he needs permission. If he could-" Hancock started
"Listen! I don't care if he's a doctor or not. No man is allowed to cross into our boarders. Besides think of the great doctors we already have on the island," the old woman said.
"Well, while we're on that topic. Your equipment…do you have the same medical technology as my submarine does? If Straw Hat's wound opens up he will die. Hey, don't take my word for it. If its no big deal then take him," Law said.
"You're going to let him go?" Neo asked.
"What?! Luffy will die! But I will wither away without him!" Hancock grabbed her head. "I, no, we must do everything we can!"
"There's nothing to discuss. It's obvious that we can't save Luffy without the help of this man. If Captain Law is not allow on the island then we'll have to take him somewhere else," Jinbe said.
"That's ludicrous! We'd all be devoured by sea kings! And even if we managed to repel them the navy would soon find us! Luffy, how can I save you?!" Hancock said.
"Very well. I suppose we'll make another exception. You may stay in the bay on Amazon Lily. Never fear, the sea kings won't attack you there," the old woman said.
"In that case I will stay in the bay, too, so I can look after Luffy!" Hancock sang.
"No!"
"Curse you, Granny Nyon! You can't say no to everything!" Hancock snapped.
"You know our policies, Snake Princess," Nyon said. "The men are not allow, but if you wish to bring the girl into the village then that will be acceptable."
"Girl?" The native woman began to chatter again when they finally noticed Neo amongst the men on the deck of the sub.
"There is a girl."
"What's she doing with all those men?"
"Is she a prisoner among them?"
"Captain?" Neo squeaked, pinching his sleeve.
Law spoke softly. "They just didn't notice you were here until it was mentioned. They won't harm you. Would you like to go back inside now?"
"Yes." Neo looked up at him. "Are you coming with me?"
"I'll be there in a minute." Law smiled and stroked her cheek when he saw disappointment in her eyes that he wasn't going in with her. "Go on ahead."
"Okay." Neo nodded then reluctantly released him. When she turned around, Penguin was right there. He smiled and led her into the sub while Law remained on the deck to get directions to the bay they were going to anchor at and rules about staying in their camp.
A few minutes later, Law, and the rest of the crew came back inside the sub. "Archer, take us around to the bay."
"You got it, Captain." Archer saluted before heading downstairs.
"I'm going to check on Straw Hat," Law said. "You going to come with me?"
Neo nodded then followed Law up to the medical bay. She watched quietly as Law checked the machines Straw Hat was hooked up to. "Is he all right?"
"He's still unconscious but stable," Law said leading her back out of the room.
"So what are we going to do now?" Neo asked.
"We're going to just stick around here for a while," Law said. "At least until Straw Hat regains consciousness."
"And there's no way of knowing when that will happen?" Neo asked.
"I'm afraid not," Law said.
"Are those women going to be around a lot?" Neo asked.
"Most likely not," Law said. He paused to look out of the still opened door. The sub was pulling into the bay they had been directed to. "That old woman seems to be against the women coming close to us."
"So how is she going to keep them away?" Neo asked.
"They're going to put up a barrier to keep us from looking into their village," Law said.
"I don't understand," Neo said. "I can sense a lot of snakes gathered together. I assume that's where their village is. And surrounding it is a large rock formation and a forest. We won't be able to see inside of the village unless we climb to the top of the rocks."
"Just call it paranoia then," Law said. "They're trying to limit us on their island."
"Oh."
"Are you nervous?" Law asked.
"A little bit," Neo said. "I'm just not sure what to expect. We've already been in a fight and then we went to that war. And now this."
Law took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. The smoothness of her hand rubbed against his calluses. "We're safe here. No one's going to start a fight with us."
Neo raised her eyes to him at that point. "But they shot at you."
"They only did that because they thought we were here to hurt them." Law tucked her hair behind her ear then tapped her chin with his thumb. "Look at them as our allies, for now."
"Allies?"
"They're helping us because we're helping Straw Hat. We're not in any danger from them. You'll see that when they come into our camp," Law explained.
"I understand," she said then paused before speaking again. "That old woman said I was allowed in, just like you said I'd be."
Law nodded. "And it's still your choice whether you want to enter the village or not."
"I don't want to. At least not right now." Her hand lightly trembled in Law's.
He squeezed it again. "You don't have to. Just take your time and adjust to the different environment. If you want to go in later then you can. No one's going to force you to do anything you don't want to do, not with me around. I'll level this entire island if they upset you." Neo giggled at the mental image that provided her with. Law's heart skittered at the sound of her bell filled laughter. "Glad you're feeling good enough to laugh. I haven't heard that from you in a while."
Neo's cheeks tinted pink.
He smirked at her shyness then said, "You ready to go outside now? We can stay on the deck for a while before going on the island."
"Yeah." She nodded again. "I'd like that."
Law then led her out onto the deck.
Neo scanned her eyes over the crew. They seemed to have adjust to their own issues and were waiting for the sub to dock. Her eyes then landed on Jean Bart. She tightened her hold on Law's hand when she saw him but then relaxed. Her lips curled into a smile when the large man looked at her, though she was still avoiding solid eye contact with him.
Their eyes went up to the cliff when they heard voices coming from it. A few seconds later several women appeared holding poles and rolled up pieces of white cloth. Remaining on the sub, the pirates watched as the women put up the barriers, lining the area where they were allowed to stay. Soon one of the women tossed down a rope ladder. Shachi grabbed it when it got close enough and tied it securely to the sub railing.
Law watched the actions of his men as they drooled over the half naked women moving around on the island. His eyes dropped down to Neo. He was still holding her hand comfortably in his. He also found she was too busy adjusting to and looking over the parts of the island they could see and the strangers to even notice the drooling actions of her mate counter parts. He was grateful. She still wasn't quite ready for him to explain that to her yet, he wasn't ready to explain it to her either. That would mean he would have to confess his feelings to her. But still, while watching the girl beside him, he couldn't help but wonder when she would be ready for it.
"Hey! You get back here!" one of the women suddenly shouted out. The crew looked up to see a tall brown haired woman near the edge of the cliff. Her snake was looking down at the sub, at Neo. She picked up her snake and returned the creature to her shoulders. "Where do you think you're going?"
"The snake reacted to me," Neo said.
Law only nodded in response, wondering if Neo's presence here was going to cause issues with the snakes.
"Captain, we're ready to go onto the island," Bepo said.
"You ready to go?" Law asked.
"I guess so," Neo said. She walked with Law over to the rope ladder and closely watched as the crew crawled over it.
"Use your crystals if you need to," Law said.
Neo nodded.
…
"This is truly an outrage!"
Neo flinched, but held her ground when the tall, long black haired woman growled. It has been three days since they made camp on this island and she still wasn't completely sure of them or of their names. She only had mild anxiety when the women came to the camp to deliver food on the orders of their princess, mostly because of this black haired woman's hostilities towards the male pirates. So she wasn't really bothered much by the women coming around, but still preferred to stay near Law when they came.
However, she was also growing a bit curious about them and their village. While she wasn't completely aware of this, Law was. And he guessed that this was because the women had a certain air of naivety to them that other women didn't have. He assumed she could probably relate better to them than anyone else. And it helped they always had their snakes with them. Neo was even more at ease with the reptiles around.
Neo ran her eyes over the women that she was becoming more and more familiar with. The dark haired woman was always accompanied by one woman who was shorter than she was. She had blonde hair and appeared to be one of the nicer women here. The other two were taller. One of them was plumper than the rest with her brown hair in pigtails atop her head. The fourth one was the tallest of the small group with long wavy light brown hair and a constant friendly smile.
The black haired woman hissed, "How dare you men treat such a delicate flower like a boy!"
"We're not treating her like a boy." Law frowned. "We are very well aware of the fact that she's a girl. We all treat her like the girl she is."
"Silence man!" the woman snapped. She pointed her finger at Neo. "You have dressed her like a boy! As sick as it makes me that all you men have been allowed to dock and come onto our island, I am still grateful that this young woman will finally be able to know how a woman should dress and act! Come, girl! We have much to teach you!"
Neo looked down at her jeans and plan light green shirt when the women mentioned her clothes before letting her eyes shift back over to the only other four women in the area when the woman spoke about her clothes. She was dressed very differently than they were. She glanced up at Law. "Captain?"
"It's all right, Neo," Law assured her. "You don't have to go if you're not ready to."
"You do not have the right to make that choice for her!" the black haired woman hissed again. "It has been three days since you all have arrived here! It is time she learn how a woman should really be!"
"Kikyo, please." The calmer blonde haired woman held out her hand to the older black haired woman. "She is obviously unsure of new places and people. A softer tone is needed here if you really want her to enter our village with us."
The blonde then walked closer to Neo and Law.
Neo's hold on her captain tightened, but she didn't try to hide from the woman before her.
The woman smiled softly at her and held out her hand. "Hi there. My name is Margaret. That's Kikyo, Sweet Pea and Aphelandra." She gestured to the women when she said their names. They all, but Kikyo, waved happily when their names were spoken. The blonde turned back to Neo. "What's yours?"
"Neo," Neo replied softly.
"Well, Neo, it is very nice to finally meet you. We would really like it if you would join us. I promise that Kikyo is a lot nicer than she appears to be. We would love to show you around our home. We won't keep you away from your friends for long. They'll be right here when we get back. Won't you come with us?"
Neo stared at the young woman's outstretched hand. Margaret's snake slithered around her arm and came face to face with Neo. The snake stuck its tongue out and tickled her nose. She smiled and bit her bottom lip to keep herself from revealing the bells in her laughter.
Margaret smiled. "It seems all of our snake friends really like you."
Neo nodded in agreement.
Margaret said, "They are very friendly. And so is everyone in my village. I promise no harm will come to you."
Law and the crew silently watched to see what Neo's choice would be. When she turned her eyes back up to him he could easily see in her eyes that she wanted to go, but was still slightly unsure about leaving the familiarity of the crew. He leaned down to whisper to her. He said, "Remember the signal I told you to use during your tracking training? You can always send me that signal if you need me. I will come to you. Rules or no rules."
Neo nodded then looked back at the woman, still avoiding eye contact, and said, "I'll come with you. But…I'm not really comfortable with being touched by people I don't know."
"That's okay." Margaret pulled her hand back, still smiling. Her snake slithered out more and wrapped around Neo's shoulders. "We don't have to touch."
"Thank you," Neo replied back. She looked at the snake on her shoulder. The snake rubbed its scaly cheek on her. She smiled at the attention and patted his head.
"Shall we be off then?" Margaret asked.
Neo nodded then followed after the woman, letting her hold on Law's sleeve slip through her fingers. She looked back at Law when her hand slid into his. He gave her hand a squeeze and nodded. She nodded back then continued to follow the women.
Once they passed the barriers Neo cast a glance back at Law again. Penguin was now standing beside him. They were having a conversation while watching her being led away from them, but Law's eyes remained on her.
…
"Captain, are you sure about this?" Penguin questioned. "I understand that this will be beneficial for her, but they have such strong views about men. This might confuse her."
"She'll be fine," Law replied, his eyes locked onto Neo. What he didn't say was that he too was having the same concerning thoughts about their female companion. "If she does get confused, she'll ask us about it. She always does."
Penguin nodded. He mumbled in thought while walking away from Law. "Still, I'm concerned about her. I wish at least one of us could accompany her. Maybe Bepo should go with her. They don't seem to have an issue with him. He is a bear after all. Besides us, Neo's more comfortable with animals than people, too."
Law didn't say anything as his subordinate moved away from him. His eyes remained on Neo as she faded away from his view, from his side, from his protection. His mind suddenly became plagued with every possible dangerous scenarios of what might happen to her.
He grumbled and rubbed the back of his neck while trying to force the 'What ifs' from his mind. No one ever came to this island. She was safe. And Margaret had said they wouldn't keep her long. He forced himself to turn away from the forest when they were finally out of his sight, constantly repeating to himself that she was safe and that if she was in danger he would enter the village to help her whether men were allowed to or not. No one would keep him from her if she needed him. He walked away from his current spot and sat down against a nearby tree. He purposefully positioned himself so he could view the direction of the village just in case Neo sent him a signal.
…
Neo remained silent, as she was led through the forest by the women. Her eyes drifted up to the giant rock wall that separated the forest from the village. She started to wonder how they were going to climb it but was stopped when the women led her through a cave in the rock wall. Shielded by the coolness of the rocks, a cool breeze washed over her skin before they stepped out of the other side of the cave. The warm sun beat down on her arms and face. They then lead her down a well-worn dirt path and closer to the village. She looked around and found several buildings built into cliffs, all seeming decorated in a snake theme.
She started to tremble a bit when they stepped inside the noisy village of women yelling out another one thing or another and kids running around playing. Margaret's snake seemed to sense her anxiety and squeezed her shoulders before tickling her cheek with its tongue again. Neo gave her thanks to the reptile by scratching under its chin then stroked the snake's back below its head.
Aphelandra giggled. "So what shall we do first? How about the battlegrounds? Or the shops? Maybe the food? Think she's hungry?"
"Why not ask her?" Sweet Pea asked.
"First things first," Kikyo said with authority. "We must fit her with the proper fitting attire. Come, child."
"I'm getting new clothes? I didn't bring any money with me." Neo looked down at her clothes then at the women, her hand still stroking the snake's back. The repetitive motion was keeping her calm.
"Do not worry about that, young one," Sweet Pea said.
"Yeah." Aphelandra giggled. "Consider them a gift."
"A gift?" Neo asked.
"You have gotten gifts before haven't you?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Yes, I have. The crew has given me books before. And Penguin gave me a ribbon to hold back my hair when I train," Neo openly said.
"Then we shall not discuss this matter farther," Kikyo said. She gestured to a nearby shop. "Let us proceed."
The small group walked inside. And, within a few short minutes, Neo found herself dressed in one of the island clothing. It was a solid bluish green open bikini style top, matching bikini bottom with a light green, almost white, frill on the hips of the bikini bottom. Her cheeks were brightly flushed as the women stared at her. She stood with her hands collapsed in front of her, wishing she didn't put the outfit on. She forgotten about her scars, her suicide attempts which were now visible. She wondered if they were going to ask her about them, but hoped they would think they came from being with a pirate crew. She tugged at her top, trying to cover herself more.
Aphelandra clapped happily. "She's so cute. I really like this one on her."
"Much better." Kikyo nodded approvingly.
"I'm not so sure she likes it," Sweet Pea said, noting Neo's fidgeting.
"Nonsense," Kikyo spat. "She's a woman and a beautiful one at that. Even with all of those scars on her skin."
Neo bit her bottom lip. She braced herself to be asked about them, but it didn't happen.
"She maybe beautiful, Kikyo, but she's also nervous," Margaret said, stepping closer to Neo. "You've never worn clothes like this before, have you?"
"No," Neo replied. She tugged at the bikini top again, trying to get it to cover her chest more. It didn't work. "I always wear clothes I can train in. The captain really wouldn't like me being in this."
"Tsk! Men!" Kikyo scoffed then added, "You are a warrior. Have pride in your body."
"No, I'm not a warrior, not really." Neo shook her head. She tugged at the top again. "The captain and the crew are teaching me how to fight, but I really don't like to do it. I've only been in one battle."
"You really don't like wearing such clothes. That's not a problem, I can easily fit them so you'll be more comfortable in them," Margaret said.
Neo watched as she walked over to one of the other women in the shop. She asked the woman something and the woman nodded. The woman disappeared behind a curtain and returned with a small box in her hand. She handed it to Margaret then the blonde returned to the group.
"I'm going to have to get a little closer to you than I have been. Is that all right with you?" Margaret asked.
"I…I guess so." Neo flittered her eyes between Margaret and the floor. She rubbed her right hand on her left arm. "Just don't corner me, please. I have some issues with being cornered."
"Not a problem." Margaret smiled. She stepped closer to Neo. "I'm just going to alter your tops a bit so you'll be more comfortable wearing them."
A little while later, Neo was standing in the newly altered, chest covering bikini top. The women nodded in approval. Aphelandra giggled yet again, "You look so good in our clothing."
"I do?" Neo questioned. She looked down at herself.
"You sure do. Take a look." Sweet Pea gestured to a mirror.
Neo stepped in front of the mirror and looked at herself. She tiled her head as she stared at her revealing reflection. "I look…different somehow."
"It is a huge improvement from what you wore before." Kikyo held up the pants Neo was wearing like they were a dirty diaper. The woman wrinkled her nose at them. "Despicable what those men put you in. These must be disposed of immediately."
"Please don't do that," Neo begged. "I like those clothes. I want to keep them."
"Of course you can keep them," Margaret said. She took them from Kikyo, folded them and placed them in the bag with the other new outfits she just finished altering. Neo had acquired two more bikini tops, a corset top, and two off the shoulder long sleeve mealtime tops and a couple more bikini bottoms along with a couple mini skirts with matching leggings.
Shortly after that the small group left the store and continued to guide Neo around their village. Feeling better about her surroundings, Neo took time to look around at the strange buildings built into the walls of the mountain, the snake like decorations and at all the warrior women bustling about. She noted that they all were very strong as they easily carried around large fish or wood that would seem impossible for anyone to carry. They greeted the women she was with cheerfully and even greeted her with friendly 'Hellos' and waves. She stopped walking when her group paused. She followed their gaze. There were some other women doing target practice with their snake bows and arrows.
Kikyo turned to Neo. "Let's see what you can do."
"What?" Neo inquired.
"Let us gauge how much warrior skills you have," Kikyo said.
"Really, Kikyo?" Aphelandra asked. "She's a guest. Why should she have to do this?"
"It's not like I'm forcing her into a battle," Kikyo replied, crossing her arms. "I just want to see what she can do. You said you have gone through training, right?"
"Yes," Neo answered. "But not like this. My training was, uh, is a bit different."
"What do you mean?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Well, I, uh…" Neo paused. She raised her hand to her face and formed an earth crystal in her palm. She wasn't quite sure if she should show it to them. After a few seconds, the crystal faded. She chose not to reveal them. "I can't answer that."
"Why not?" Kikyo asked.
"It's not something I'm really comfortable talking about. At least right now." Neo lowered her eyes. The women's snakes slithered closer to her. She lightly scratched under each of their chins while talking. "My past really isn't the best."
"Oh," Kikyo said softly. "I see. But I still want to see what you can do here. Margaret will allow you to borrow her snake bow."
"Huh?" Neo looked up. Margaret smiled as her snake slither around Neo's neck again. Neo blinked at the snake. The snake snuggled against her cheek.
"It seems that our little friends have really taken a liking to you," Sweet Pea chuckled as the rest of their snakes drew closer to their guest again. "It's an odd thing for them to do so. You must be very special."
Neo didn't answer. The snake wrapped around her shoulders and looked as if it was smiling. She wondered how much the snakes here actually knew about her secrets. Margaret's voice then broke into her thoughts. "Just hold out your hand. My snake will do the rest."
Neo held out her hand like she was instructed. The snake took its place as a bow. She then took the arrow that Margaret was holding out for her. "Thank you."
Neo turned and faced the target. She pulled back, aimed carefully, and shot the arrow. She didn't hit the bullseye, but came close.
Kikyo nodded, obviously impressed. "Not bad at all, young one. With some more training you will make a fine warrior. I suppose all that time with those men wasn't wasted after all. That will do for now. We can proceed."
"Have you always been with those men?" Aphelandra question as they walked away from their current location.
"No, not always," Neo said. "I've only been with them for a while. Um, I believe it's coming upon a year soon."
"So why did you join them?" Sweet Pea asked. "If I may speak honestly, you don't seem like the type to willingly become a pirate."
"A pirate…" Neo stopped walking and looked down at the ground. Her hand automatically went to the cut she did on her stomach as her mind filled with the reason why she was with the Heart Pirates. "I was…it wasn't really my choice."
"Did those men force you to join their pirate crew?!" Kikyo demanded. "If they did, so help me, I will kill them all right now!"
"No!" Neo stepped in front of the black haired woman and held out her hands as if to stop the woman from running after the crew. Panic pounded her very soul as tears, that she couldn't stop, streaked her face. "They didn't force me to join them! I care about them! They saved me! Please don't hurt them!"
"They saved you?" Margaret asked carefully.
"Yes, they did!" Neo paused to take a few deep breaths. Law would be furious if she returned to him and it was obvious she had been crying. A few more deep breaths and her tears subsided. "P-please don't hurt them! I use to try and kill myself! The captain and the crew stopped me from doing that! They stopped me from hurting myself!"
The four women exchanged glances at Neo's words then dropped their eyes to the scars on her exposed skin. They were shocked at her confession. Kikyo reached out and placed her hand on Neo's shoulder. Neo jerked at her touch, but didn't pull away. Kikyo said, "I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you. I hadn't realized that you were this fond and bonded to those me-to your crew."
"It's okay," Neo replied. She rubbed her right eye with the heel of her right hand. The snakes once again slithered up to her. She gave them a soft smile. "I'm okay."
"Is that why you don't like to talk about your past?" Aphelandra asked.
Neo nodded.
"Then we won't ask you again about it," Kikyo said.
Neo raised her eyes to the woman.
"If you wish to reveal more of your past to us, then you will do it in your own time. We won't force you to do it," Kikyo said.
"Thank you," Neo replied with a grateful smile.
"How about we get you something to eat before we take you back?" Margaret offered. "I think you've been away from your crew long enough for today. We can bring you back tomorrow again, if you would like that."
"Thank you." Neo nodded. She looked around at her surroundings then looked back at the women she was with. "I think I would like to come back with you all tomorrow."
…
"Wh-what are you wearing?!" Penguin shrieked when Neo returned to them. Lucky for them all, only Margaret and Aphelandra accompanied her back to the Heart Pirates campsite.
"Uh." Neo fiddled with her fingers, unable to raise her eyes to the crew. "They wanted me to wear this."
"We got her more outfits in here." Aphelandra smiled, cluelessly, while holding up the bag that contained the rest of Neo's clothes. "She looks really cute in them all."
"What?!" Penguin shrieked again.
"What's the matter, Penguin?" Conner asked. "I think the look suits her."
"I agree," Archer added. "She's more cute this way."
"Don't you dare even think like that!" Penguin shouted. The crew shrunk back down from the ranting man. "Captain! Do! Something! About! This! She's too innocent at this point to wear such clothes!"
Neo finally raised her eyes. She looked right at their captain. He was staring at her with widened eyes and red cheeks. It made her suddenly feel self-conscious. Heart pound wildly as her chest tightened. She couldn't stop fiddling with her fingers.
Penguin appeared right by the silent, staring captain's side. "Captain! Order her out of that outfit! RIGHT! NOW!"
The crew gasped at Penguin's words to their captain. Penguin, still ranting about Neo's clothes, didn't even realize he was telling the captain what to do. The crew tried to calm him down. "Shh! Are you insane?!"
"Telling the captain what to do? Stop doing that!"
"Penguin! Stop! The captain won't kill you with Neo around, but that won't stop him from Shambling you into a million pieces!"
Neo slowly walked up to Law. Her heart pounded harder the closer she got to him. She swallowed while trying to find her voice. "I-if you want me to change, I-I will."
Law's eyes continued to go up and down her form freely. After a few, intense for the crew, confusing for Neo, seconds, the captain finally answered. His cheeks tinted even more. He forced himself to pull his eyes away from her and rubbed the back of his neck. "You don't have to change if you don't want to."
Penguin about fell over.
Shachi put his arm around his friend's shoulders and whispered. "Settle down, big brother. This is a good thing."
"How can you say that?!" Penguin snapped quietly. "She's just a child!"
"Obviously not," Shachi snickered, casting another glance at the now maturely dressed blue haired girl. Penguin growled at him. "Look, this is a good thing for her and the captain. Just look at him."
Penguin drew his hidden eyes over to their captain. Law's cheeks had darkened a few shades; if that was possible at this point, and it was obvious he was stealing glances at her from underneath his hat.
Shachi then said, "The captain has control over what Neo wears on the sub, but it's obvious he wants to see her dressing in more feminine clothes. He just too protective of her to willingly let her wear clothes like this at this point. This way he has no choice. It'll loosen him up. Maybe it'll get him to confess how he feels about her and explain the feelings she's having for him. At the very least, this will move their relationship along a bit faster."
Law grabbed Neo by her wrist and pulled her over to the tree the he sat before to keep an eye on the village for Neo's distress signal. He purposefully guided Neo to sit down on his right side before sitting down himself, so the crew was on his left away from her. The captain then crossed his sword over her lap.
It was obvious to the entire crew he was tightening up his guard over Neo, even from them.
Penguin sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine. But no one better think anything inappropriate about her."
"Sometimes I think it's a coin toss as to who worries about her more, you or the captain. But have no fear, Big Brother Penguin," Shachi said, the crew was behind him nodded wildly. "We're all love and respect Neo too much for that kinda thinking. Besides," He lowered his voice to a whisper, "we're totally petrified of what the captain will do to us if we ever think like that about her. She's our little sister. And that's how we will always think of her."
The rest of the crew nodded in fierce agreement.
"Uh." Margaret blinked in confusion at the actions of the crew before her.
"You men are funny!" Aphelandra giggled.
