Sorry for the late update, I was actually start some brand new content for this story. So hopefully, I can get it added in by Halloween(2023). At that point all the later chapters are going to come off as I need to do an rework of those as well, and I don't want to confuse anyone who stumbles across this story after so long.

The harsh light from outside radiated in while I tried to hide from the world. Turning away from the windows I found the darkness I was looking for. Moving closer to it I tried to will the world to go back to sleep just for another hour or so. The dark mass next to me tried moving, but I locked it in my grasp. It stilled and then tried again but more gently. Whining that the light that came from the figure moving, I brought a pillow to my face. I was not ready for whatever today was going to throw at me. Desperate for the dream world to come back to me, I didn't want it to end so quickly, but I could hear movement throughout the room and I couldn't bring myself to really care about it. The bed dipped and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Shrugging it off I could hear a noise from whatever was in my room.

"Ana-ya time to get up."

Rolling, so I could face the noise I started to open my eyes. The room was swimming for a moment then it straightened out. One knee on the bed leaning on over to me was Law. A smirk pulled his lips in one direction, stormy eyes taking in my own sky ones. I did not enjoy the smug look on his face. Certainly not something I wanted to see right now.

"Go away Law..." Shoving my face back in the pillow I was disappointed when it suddenly disappeared as did the covers. Leaving me exposed to the world, so I curled into a ball. Hoping to be able to fall asleep, I'd been able to do it on harder surfaces before. A hand was placed on my shoulder to rock me gently, and I groaned at it. I pushed it away and got more comfortable.

"The log post is showing our next island, and we need to go Ana." He dropped the -ya. Well, he probably meant business. Getting into a sitting position I could only imagine how I looked with my messed up pastel hair. It was let loose yesterday and I regretted it now. I could feel the knots never mind racking my fingers through them. Sighing I fell backwards and looked up at the ceiling blowing my bangs out of my face. Law's chuckle resonated in the quite room. Sitting up quickly I gave him a weird look taking in his good looks from my squinted view.

"What?" He was resting against a wall across from me near the door.

"Did you sleep here last night?" I eyed him wearily. Was my dream...real? Oh, my god. My eyes widened and my face turn 10 shades red. How was I supposed to face him after that? I had almost molested the man if he didn't convince me to go to bed. Oh, my god. This was it. Law would never let me live this down, I had to plan an escape for I would neve rlive this down.

"No, I slept in my room with Bepo. I helped you to your room and then you stumbled in demanding that you were fine. Why, did you miss me?" The same smirk from yesterday and his eyes lit up with mischief. I started to shake my head hard.

"Nope!" Getting up I rummaged my new bags and quickly stepped into the bathroom. Changing into a pair of black shorts and a flowy blue top I ran back in the room. My hands looking for a pair of white sandals I slipped them on and turned back to face Law. He was looking me up and down like he was critiquing my outfit.

"Something wrong?" My voice brought his gaze back to my face. A frown settled on it. Picking up some of the bags he started to turn out of the room.

"We're leaving now." He made his way out and I quickly grabbed the last four bags and started after him. We had to of been the last ones out because Bepo was waiting for us with Law's weapon in front of him, held by his paws. All three of us made our way back to the sub. Bepo asking how our nights went and he talked about how hung over the others were today. Keith banged his head on the table when he tried to get up. Marcus fell off of the table and landed on top of poor Keith.

xoxoxo

After we had gotten on the sub Law lead me to the room we were sharing only to stop in front of a door right across from it. He stared at the door for a bit then turned back to his door. Opening it he made his way straight to the closet setting down the bags. I turned around and eyed the door behind me. What was in this room? Looking back at Law, he was staring at me. Putting my hand on the door knob I looked at him questioningly. Now that he was avoiding the room and staring at me intensely I grew curious. Receiving his nod I opened the door.

Flicking on the light I saw an empty room. A full sized bed in the left-hand corner. A couple doors to my right and a bureau in between them. A desk was on my left with the bed. Placing the bags on the floor, I ran a hand over the desk. It was a deep plum color, with multiple drawers in it. A light was placed on the corner in case someone wanted to write in the dark. A large map of the five seas above it, with the Grand Line in bold letters. Smiling at it I also noticed some detailed drawings of fish and sea kings. The dark carpet under my feet made the pale blue walls around me stand out. Turning around I saw him watching me with a calculating gaze. Like he was waiting for my final reaction.

"Who's room was this?" I asked him quietly, not sure if it was a touchy subject. He remained silent for some time. Walking over to me in long strides, clearing the room quickly. Standing right in front of me so I had to look up at him.

"This was the room I had prepared for you." Long fingers reached out to brush some strands of hair back. Trailing down to my cheek cupping it. The hard look on his face and guarded eyes caught me off for a couple seconds. He normally didn't hide his emotions from me that much. Granted it was normally amusement and confusion at my antics, still it was unnerving.

"So why didn't you tell me that it was here?" My voice barely above a whisper. The hold on my cheek seemed to freeze. His eyes flickered between my own like he was searching for something. The span of silence grew as he continued to bore into my soul through the pale blue eyes I possessed.

"I suppose I grew accustomed to you sleeping with me." His voice wasn't shaky, but it was laced with some emotions I couldn't pin point. Neither of us moved for a couple moments as we tried to read each other. His schooled expression and hard eyes, my open confusion and imploring ones.

"Would you rather I stayed with you?" The question seemed to throw him for a loop. I, myself was confused as I asked him the question. I had my own room, I'd sleep here... right? His eyebrows furred together as he regarded me hesitantly. Not really giving me much to work with while we stared at each other. But if I hadn't been staring at him so intensely I would have missed the very slight nod of his head. Barely smiling at him, I nodded back.

"So, then I'll stay with you, just put my less needed clothing in here to not take up too much space." It was a compromise in a sense. Leaving clothes in here meant that I had a place to go to if need be. I was about to pick up my bags when Law's other hand caught the opposite side of my face. I was silent as his eyes ran over my face, ending on my lips, then quickly flashing back up to my eyes.

I pulled him down, and didn't regret it once I felt his lips over mine. The darkness made my heart pound as I felt him lower his body to mine. Hands finding purchase on my waist, and on the back of my neck. Tilting my head to the side to get more access. His tongue gliding across the seam of my lips, and I granted him access in. Tasting him while he was tasting me, the harsh taste of whiskey came to me.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I remembered the dream I had when I was waking up. The feeling of his lips on mine was so real, I had questioned myself if it was just a dream. The taste of whiskey was overpowering everything as it seemed to contribute to my inhiberated state. My thoughts shattered when I felt lips ghosting over my own. Snapping to the real world I felt Law's hands on my face slightly tighten as if I would lean away. Although I knew I was curious, the small voice in the back of my head said stay away, but I don't think it was going to win. My hands were balled in the fabric of his sweatshirt. Like I was trying to decide, push him away, or pull him in. If I pulled him in, would it be like my dream? Hot, and heavy trying to reach for something more? My answers were satisfied after a couple more still moments.

They were as soft as I recalled, both in real life and the dream world. I instantly responded once his started to move on mine. He gently placed his on mine, giving me time to back away and say it was nothing. I didn't want that though, and that voice in the back of my mind was starting to pester me again. I had just met this pirate only a week or two ago, and here I was getting involved with him. I inwardly scoffed at the voice, we weren't getting involved with each other. Just lightly making out in a room that was supposed to be mine, but wasn't because Law liked me in his bed. Maybe we were slowly...but that was a thought process for a different time. Being captain and subordinate, I knew this would never take off into anything unless Law was willing to risk losing me completely. If things ended badly, and didn't taper off like I was hoping it would, then I'd have no choice but to distance us.

A hand drifted to my waist and pulled me closer to him. My own hands finding purchase in his hair as I let the hat tumble to the floor. Forgotten as his tongue coaxed my own to play with his. There was no harsh taste of whiskey, just the peppermint toothpaste that we both shared. I felt his hand drawing patterns into the skin just by my hip from where my shirt was lifted. His other hand left my face to cup the back of my head, tilting it for better access to my mouth. Pulling on my hair slightly and I couldn't help the slight whimper that made it past my lips when he finally released them. The need for air was more than the want of our lips touching. The hair on the back of my neck was also raising. I knew where things could lead, and I knew that I didn't know how to act. It wasn't something I was comfortable with, and while it wasn't directly my fault it still made me tense up when I saw these situations happen around me, never mind to me.

Leaning in he rested his forehead on my own for a brief moment as he let his lips place feathery light kisses along my skin. From the center to my temple, past my cheek and down just below my jaw. I felt the need to squirm as I was given this type of attention, I knew it in a different sense but not this one. This was different from if/when Marco, or Ace were to do this to me when I was younger, it was familial. My hands moved down to his neck and shoulders as I tried to pull the rest of my body closer to him to stop my instinct of trying to get away from the thing causing me unease. The hand in my hair left and placed its self on my side, his thumb making slow sensual circles. His actions combined made me bite my lip hard so I wouldn't let another noise escape me. When my body went stiff as I tried to reel in the new emotions I was suddenly feeling, I felt him pull away slightly. His face hovering over my neck, taking in deep breaths.

Neither of us said a word for a while, and we didn't move from the embrace. It did give me time to think though. I had just met Trafalgar Law only about two weeks ago, not even, how was I in this position. I didn't know anything about this man, and he knew next to nothing about me. Sure, we slept in the same bed, in each other's arms, or shared a shower. Other than that, I couldn't think of how we possibly would end up in each other's arms like this. He had never given me any suggestion that he was interested and I knew that I didn't give him any. So, the why the hell did I just let him do that? Why had I given in so easily, responded so quickly? All the man ever did was fluster me, tease me, and make me infuriated so far. Except for yesterday when he was strangely quiet and brushed my hair for me.

"After you put your stuff away come down for lunch."

I suddenly felt cold as he detached himself from me and sauntered out of the room. In three seconds flat, he was gone and I couldn't even hear his footsteps down the hall. I suddenly had my reasoning back. I had just locked lips with my captain. That I've known for only about two weeks. Fuck, I think I just screwed up somehow.

Shaking the thoughts away, trying to anyways, I grabbed the bags and started to sort them. Although weather on the Grand Line was random it felt like a better idea to keep my colder clothing in here. Seeing as how I'd wear my warmers ones here on the sub. After going back and forth a couple times between the rooms I was tired. I sat down at Law's desk and saw that the time was already 3:01. The log post must have completely synced to the next island because I could feel the soft humming of the engines signaling we were under water. Finally having my clothes all settled I moved out into the hall.

Stepping into the galley I could see all the guys sitting around the table again. Penguin shoving a drink in Caleb's hand who was clearly trying not to get drunk in the middle of the day. Shachi, Marcus, Keith, Jackson and someone else were playing cards. Law had a cup of coffee, and was talking quietly to Bepo. The latter seemed to notice me and gave me a million-watt smile. Sitting between the dick head and the unknown person I turned to them.

"Hi, I don't think I've seen you before." I held out my hand for him to shake though I didn't give him my name. He grabbed on and gave two firm shakes.

"Name's Matt. I've heard lots of things about you." The world seemed to fuzz out for a few seconds. I returned when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Law's stormy eyes giving me a slightly concerned look. Shrugging the appendage off of me I got up and got some lunch.

For the whole meal I reacted to everything the man next to me said. Each time he laughed, or put a hand on my shoulder when I said a snide remark about one of the guys in front of us. It was making my whole-body hum with uneasiness, though no one really seemed to notice. You wouldn't really be able to unless you were watching me like some sick stalker. Oh wait, we have one on board, our captain. Currently sitting next to me with his eyes glued on every reaction I make. It was frustrating to say the least. He even placed a hand on my thing where no one could see. Getting up the hand fell, and I was leaving the galley. Waving to the guys I agreed to poker after dinner in the rec room.

Taking the time to stroll around the sub some more, I found a familiar hall. Smiling to myself I opened the door and wasn't disappointed in it. The soft glow of the lights from the outside were the only thing lighting the room again. Settling down on the couch once again with my arms dangling over the back of it I smiled. The room seemed to make my problems disappear for a moment. Leaning my head on my left arm I took in the scenery. It was slightly different from the last time I was in here, for this time the bottom of the ocean was sandy. With the sandy bottom made life for smaller fish. We must have been in a shallower part of the sea at the moment.

The brightly colored fish seemed to be intrigued by the lights on the sub. Many of them getting close enough but once touching they swam away. Giggling softly at them I saw some braver ones come close to the window to peer in. Shifting from my position I made my way around the couch and settled on the floor right in front of the window. I stared at a sapphire blue fish, the back scales were slightly lighter than the deep blue ones in the front. Placing my hand on the glass I scared it away. Giggling some more I waited for some brave souls to approach me. As they did I studied each one, fiery red, salmon pink, canary yellow, emerald green. Others had spots, stripes, different patterns from other animals. Keeping my hand on the thick glass I kept smiling at the little fish.

I felt someone sit on my right as I kept on looking at the undersea life. They didn't say anything and neither did I. I didn't even have to look to see who it was. My personal stalker would follow me all over the sub if he could. So why not here to this little place I am now calling my safe haven. We both basked in the silence, but it started to get a little strained on my side. Didn't he have captain-like things to do, other than keeping tabs on me. I wasn't going to try escaping while I was down here. Hm, maybe I should start practicing my escaping plans if anything to just keep him on his toes. The next island we stop at should be a good place to start. I smirked at the idea of running from the man next to me, no doubt he would be hot on my trail. I let the bubble of laughter fall over my lips as I smiled at a small school of yellow and blue fish.

"Do you have a problem with Matt-ya?" There was concern in his voice, but I could hear the underlining caution to.

Matt. The dark haired, hazel eyes man didn't do anything to me. So, no, I didn't have a problem with him. Shaking my head as my answer, I kept on looking at the fish. Then I saw one I didn't think I'd see again. It was white in the face area, a black spot over the eye, and the rest was faded into a deep orange. The slightly large fish swam behind the school it belonged to. Not really caring that much but keeping up enough. It made my smile falter a bit.

"You know, one day the kids will leave you behind." A slight smile graced my lips, ruffling dark hair on his head.

"Yeah well I don't care! I'm going to explore the sea floor one day, you and me Onee-chan!" His wide smile could split his face open. Scoffing at him slightly I rested my laced fingers behind my head. Challenging him to a race my 7 year old legs carried me forward towards a white house. The laughter heard on the back luring out a woman that caught them as they raced to her.

"That's a Don Angel fish*." Taking my hand off the glass I pointed to the fish off to the side. It was looking in the direction of the window. Speeding up so that its eye was lined up with my face. Getting a good look at me it swam away back to its school. They started to fade into the distance where we couldn't track them.

"How do you know?" Leaning backwards on my hands I ran my left hand threw my long locks quickly.

"My younger brother used to study different types of fish." My head tilted to the left as I kept looking out the window. "Wanted to be a marine biologist one day." The smile had all but disappeared from my face.

"Did he not end up doing it?" The question was harmless, but I knew I visibly flinched. I felt myself go numb at the thought of the answer though.

"You know, the first fight I had even gotten into with Ace was over fish." The memory came to mind. Both our faces getting red while we screamed at each other. The others on board laughing at us. "It was a native of my home island, Nueva Isla. The blue fins and orange body had slight yellow spots on it. We fought for a whole day over it. Everyone laughed at us, but we took it so seriously. I had to of been barely 14 at the time." My mind said stop, but my mouth kept going.

"Being fruit users, we couldn't go into the water, but James had pulled it up out of a net. It was small, maybe a juvenile, and Ace said he was going to cook it for me. After telling him that I refused he gave me a good whack on the head. Shouting that I should be grateful he would cook anything for me. We rolled around a bit, but I managed to get the fish back into the ocean. We fought over whether or not it was edible. Obliviously it was a fish so yes, but I told him no for the fact it was an island protected fish in the South Blue." I shook my head slightly at the face he made when I picked up that piece of info.

"Calling me out on bullshit, I made out cook Celia get a fish book for us. Setting it down on the deck I showed it. It was the fish of Nueva Isla, the exact same thing as the photo. He then whacked me upside the head again. He told me, I should have just told him it was important to me instead of throwing a tantrum. I just crossed me arms and looked in a different direction. I didn't know it then, but I guess he sat out on the deck all day roping in nets trying to find one. It had to of been close to midnight when he stormed into my room. Setting down the bowl and fish inside of it I didn't know what to say to him. I just started crying, and he scolded me saying crying isn't the proper way to say thanks for a gift."

It was the last night that I had spent in Ace's arms, claiming to be too big for it anymore. Though most days all that I wanted to do was crawl back into them and forget the rest of the world existed. I hadn't found a place much safer than where he was, but sometimes when I woke up in the middle of the night I felt it. The strange man next to me almost gave me the same feelings, and I wasn't too sure if I was liking it. Most of the time I couldn't stand it when he was touching me for any reason what so ever, but when he wasn't being smug I didn't mind it. The content feeling was something new to me right now, and I didn't want to explore it right now. Besides, if I decided I could always just pack up and move into my own room. I was close enough to quickly cross into Law's room if need be. Something I'd try not to do.

I looked out into the sea, trying to spot something similar to what I was talking about. Sadly, it seemed like the small bright fish swam away. There were still larger ones, but they weren't as pretty to look at. Sighing I sat up and crossed my legs, leaning my head on my hands as I laced them together. The small appendages were held up by my elbows sticking into my knees. What a bummer, I wasn't done looking at them. Maybe they'd be back in the middle of the night. They could be nocturnal, makes more sense in this sea.

"How did you meet Fire Fist-ya?" Looking at him from the corner of my eye I forgot he was there. He was so silent throughout my story.

"Ace, was stocking up supplies on the island. I literally ran into him while trying to find a ship I had been traveling on. After explaining that to him, he told me with my attitude he wouldn't be surprised if they let me behind. And, sure enough I had been left behind." I sighed and shrugged my shoulders.

"I had gotten lost in the port and ran into Celia, she took me aboard and gave me some food. He was throwing a fit when he saw me eating his food, crying to Celia about feeding homeless kids. Throwing some food at him, we began to get along. They were staying on the island for a little bit before returning to their adventures on the rest of the Grand Line. I was so amazed by the stories they were telling me in fact I was so engrossed in them I failed to notice the sun going down. Before we knew it was too late for me to find a place to stay, so I stayed with them". My grip on my laced fingers tightened tenfold. In the empty sea bed reflection, I could see Law watching me from my right. A hand came up, but quickly dropped and I sighed heavily.

The room was filled with that thick, awkward silence that I hated so much. Some more fish happened to fill the empty view and I was thankful for it. They were ruby red, and were on the smaller side for fish in the Grand Line. Other fish came forward to, and I just watched them float by as they were watching us. I didn't move from my spot and neither did he. Eye still glued to the right side of my face I wish that I had my hair down so it would create a curtain between the two of us. No doubt that he would remove it so he could see my face, the thought made me cringe. I didn't want to be touched right now, it was on the very bottom of the list of things I'd like to do.

More moments of silence passed as we both sat here and did nothing. He didn't ask any questions and I wasn't trying to fill the quiet around us. All I desperately wanted to do was run, but there wasn't anywhere to run to on this sub. Law wouldn't let me run anywhere any ways, he'd rather chain me to something and let me wait it out. Resting my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands I tried to will away any lingering memories that were burned into my mind. I visibly tensed when a large warm hand rested on my back. I arched it so it wasn't touching me but he just applied more pressure to make it flat on my being. Looking up at him I glared as he just looked toward the fish. After some more moments in silence I got up and walked out of the room, not even saying goodbye to Law. I needed a pick me up.

Poker with the boys did the trick. Or maybe it was the rum in my system. Either way I felt great. I wasn't jumpy around Matt for the time being, hell I was even wrestling with Shachi. Granted the others jumped in and dog piled me but it was all in good fun. Even Bepo had come along and played a couple hands with us before he swapped shifts with Andy, who I had just meet, who wouldn't play. Chef and Caleb were singing some kind of pirate drinking song, well were until the former fell bringing poor Caleb with him. Marcus sighed as he was in charge of the younger lad.

Currently it was only Matt, Jackson, Penguin, Shachi, Marcus and myself up. Keith had to take his turn of overnight watch on the engines so we drank in his honor. We were all discussing past tales, Penguin and Shachi were correcting each other so I didn't know what was real or not. Something about the captain being a vampire came up too, I snorted at that one. Law was too damn tan to be a vampire. Speaking of the weirdo, I hadn't seen him since my little run-down memory lane. I didn't know if it was good or bad. I mean he couldn't punish me, I had eaten dinner, not much but Shachi finished the plate for me.

Looking at the clock I saw that it read 3 am. Clapping my hands I motioned for the boys to get up clean and get to bed. Ignoring the way Jackson tried to give me puppy dog eyes, making the others do the same the only one almost making me crack was Matt. Shaking my head a little I put my foot down and demanded that they do it now. After some threatening and some slapping they were helping me clean the mess that we created. Well, mostly Penguin, and Shachi but we all joined in after a while and it needed.

Stumbling my way through the ship I felt myself starting to slow down. It was like something was infecting my lungs. It was thick and heavy, but it was so familiar. Coughing slightly, I leaned heavily against the wall next to me. I had to of been feet away from the room. Sliding down the wall I coughed harder into my arm. Bracing my back against the wall I watched the world swirl around me. I needed help. Ace, Ace would help. Opening my mouth I shut it, and started to laugh. Silly me, Ace wasn't here. My head lolled onto my shoulder.

"Law..." The word came out like a whisper.

"Law." Regular tone.

"Law!" A mild tone.

"Law!" This came out as a yell.

Still nothing.

My chest was bursting with the need to breath however, I could feel myself drawing in long gulps of air. Nothing seemed to stay in me however as I felt the burn telling em to breath properly. It was like drowning, but on land and it was terrifying.

"LAW!" My voice reached higher and I waited.

No one came.

The world was starting to go black and I swore I heard the familiar click of boots on the floor. It was to faint for me to hear them at a distance while I was gasping for air, but I knew as thy started to get closer to me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw white boots, and on the other side I saw black. There were two sets. I knew who they belonged to. Gritting my teeth I held the unshed tears back. They weren't here, they couldn't be. Looking up at the white boots I glared at the bright lights of the sub. Dark hair and amber eyes bore into me.

"Declan..." A sadistic smirk fell on his face as he bent down to be face level with me.

"Hello, Ana-chan. I've come for you next." My blood ran cold, as the black boots shook quietly as the owner seemed to be laughing at me. He wouldn't be helping me, my own father would watch as my brother kills me rather than save me. Our little own fucked up slice of heaven. Amber eyes wide with a crazed lust look as he took in my scared face, it wasn't the first time either. I knew it wouldn't be the last, but I was going to fight to the end. At least I thought I was until I felt something hit me in the gut.

Darkness for once being a balm for me as I surrendered to it and got out of this nightmare.

Here we are hopefully I'll have the next one out and be able to start new content soon !