Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Content Warning: graphic violence

Chapter 7

Sparkling Red

"It's here," Law called from the window.

Nami slipped the second comb into her hair and stepped back to do one last check in the mirror. Her hair was pulled up but one loose curl hung past her bangs to her shoulder. "I'm almost ready!"

The dark red gown hugged her curves in all the right ways. Nami thought a necklace would compliment the low sweetheart neckline very well, but she stuck to only wearing the specific items Ichiji gave to her. That included removing Bellemere's gold bangle she always kept on her. He was different from his brothers, but he was still a man. She would stroke his ego and lay on the sweetness until the right opportunity presented itself.

The thick, off-shoulder straps of the dress barely covered her tattoo. She had covered it with makeup earlier and a quick check in the mirror let her know it was still securely hidden. She slipped on a pair of sparkly gold heels and grabbed her purse, double checking the baby den den mushi was sleeping inside.

"I'll be close by. Call me if anything happens." His tone was uncharacteristically warm and caring.

Nami gave his hand a quick squeeze. "Don't worry. I got this." She winked as she exited the apartment, making her way down the steps and into the waiting car.

She was brought to the far side of the island at the edge of the business district. The car stopped in front of what appeared to be a theatre. The door opened and a gloved hand reached down to help her out of the car.

He wore fitted white pants, a black suit shirt, and a red jabot in place of a tie. His white cape was tied across his chest with two golden strands. As she took his hand, she noticed his gold cuff links bore the same ornate design as her newly gifted jewelry. Ichiji certainly had an eye for details.

Nami beamed up at him as he surveyed her appearance. She searched his eyes for any signs of approval. She found no emotion but did notice what she thought were dark brown eyes were actually closer to crimson. He let out a short puff of air before nodding to one of the several men within their security detail and leading her toward the building entrance.

"This place looks incredible. I'm surprised it isn't closer to the entertainment district," she noted. This was one of the areas of Germa she had yet to map out.

He glanced down at her before responding. "The acoustics in a theatre are best served away from the louder parts of a city. It's location is intentional."

"Interesting," she added honestly. "The city planning on this island is unusually impressive."

The edge of his lips twitched, the hint of a smile gone before it arrived. He didn't respond as they walked down a private hall to an elevator that required a key. Nami couldn't help but feel the security practices were a bit over the top, then again everything the royal family did was a bit over the top. The elevator took them to the top floor of the building, and after a short walk down another hallway, Ichiji pulled back a thick red curtain to reveal a private theatre box.

She jumped as she felt a hand on the small of her back push her forward gently. Besides helping her out of the car, this was the first time Ichiji had touched her since they met. His hand retreated as she walked forward, taking one of the two available seats.

"You are uncomfortable with me," he stated flatly as he took the seat next to her, staring down at her coldly.

"Not at all!" She lied.

"You flinched at my touch. You did not do that with my brothers."

Nami let out a small sigh and looked down. When she looked back up at him through long lashes, she had a shy blush across her cheeks. "Honestly," she bit her lip for good measure. "I'm nervous with you. I really want tonight to go well." She even surprised herself with how earnest she sounded. The best lies are the ones based on the truth after all.

She swore she saw a spark in his eye. "You shouldn't worry about that. I am fond of you, and I have taken great lengths to ensure tonight's success." He motioned towards the stage. "It took the better part of a week and a small fortune to ship the Roshwan Kingdom Orchestra here for you."

"You... you brought them here for me?"

"That was simple. The difficult part was keeping it and everything else I have planned for tonight a secret from my brothers."

Nami raised a brow and giggled, remembering how happy Ichiji and Niji were to interrupt her time with Yonji. She saw the edge of his mouth curl upwards, almost definitely part of a smile, when the lights around them dimmed, signaling the start of the show.

The music was incredible, and the design of the theatre was like nothing she'd ever seen. She wondered if the pattern of large suspended panels hanging from the ceiling were specifically designed to enhance the sweet sounds brought to her ears. She closed her eyes, letting the melody wash over her. The music was surprisingly emotional. She touched the man's arm next to her and was pleased at how easily she could pretend it was someone else's. Someone far kinder, although he pretended not to be. Someone whose touch had started a fire in her. She thought about the night before, about how those deep golden eyes made her head spin and his warm hands around her made her breath catch. She felt a warm breath on her ear and she shivered with delight. She froze. That wasn't a memory; it was real. Her eyes opened again and she realized she had pressed her side against the prince, interlocking her fingers with his.

She dared to glance at his face. There was no expression, but something was different. Even with only the dim light reflected from the stage, she saw sparks behind bright crimson eyes.

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind. Ichiji rented out an entire restaurant for just the two of them. The food was exquisite, like nothing she'd ever tasted. Even the route they drove back to the manor was specifically planned to show off only the most beautiful parts of the city. He brought her inside through a side entrance and a hidden staircase she would have to add to her maps later before ending up on the same flower covered balcony from her previous tour.

They shared an absurdly expensive wine as they gazed silently at the stars. Nami was starting to get used to Ichiji's quiet nature, so it caught her off guard when he was the one to break the silence.

"I have a gift for you."

Nami's eyes widened, and she turned to him expectantly, struggling to hide her excitement.

He handed her a black velvet box larger than the others she had received from him. With a nod of approval from the prince, she slowly opened the box to reveal a diamond and gold necklace. She stared at it in awe. With the way the Vinsmokes flaunted their wealth, she expected something over the top. The piece was clearly expensive, but the style was simpler, similar to something she would buy for herself.

"It's beautiful," she finally gasped.

He removed the necklace from the box and began securing it around her neck. "I know. It matches the esthetic of your bracelet."

She held up the ornate golden bracelet he gifted her. "Everything you've given me is so beautiful. I don't know how to thank you."

"Not that bracelet."

He moved back once the necklace was securely in place. She looked at him with a confused expression.

"The gold bracelet that you wear everyday. It seemed like you did not go anywhere without it. I was surprised you did not wear it tonight."

Nami didn't know how to feel about his statement. She instinctively reached into her handbag and pulled out her own golden bracelet.

"It's important to you," he stated.

"Yes."

"Tell me why."

When she couldn't think of a lie, she decided to tell him the truth. "It was a gift from my mother." She turned the metal over in her hands. "She's gone now. It's all I have left of her."

The silence now felt heavy, and Nami shifted uncomfortably waiting for him to respond.

He gently took the bracelet from her hand and slid it onto her wrist. "Come. I want to show you something."

Nami followed him wordlessly. He held her hand as they walked. She was confused. He was being nice. Where his brothers would have held her possessively or seductively, he only touched her hand. Despite his stony visage, she felt like he held it with kindness. Could he really be so different from them? Was there such a thing as a decent Vinsmoke?

He led her down a different stairwell to the first floor. The prince motioned something to one of his security detail who instantly nodded and started jogging in the opposite direction. They continued to walk to the back of the manor, to the only part of the building not on his previous tour. He entered a 6 digit code on a keypad that Nami didn't miss, opening a large metal door.

He led her into the waiting elevator, and they descended into the basement.

The lower levels felt nothing like the rest of the manor. Bright white lights illuminated everything in sight. The walls were plain, not a trace of the ornate molding used in the levels above ground. Her heels clicked loudly with every step along the sterile tile floors. Ichiji didn't bother to give her a tour, passing multiple closed doors before reaching his destination.

The room was at least two stories tall and sectioned off into two parts. The first was lined with tall machines, reaching all the way to the ceiling. Smaller machines and a combination of hardware tools and medical equipment were spread throughout the center. She shivered at the thought of what might take place in that room as he pulled her toward the back.

Separated by a metal partition, the back of the room looked more like an office space. He finally released her hand as he stood in front of a particularly large, gray desk. She watched him bend down and enter another code, opening the bottom drawer of the desk. He retrieved a large file binder from the drawer and closed it with his foot. He thumbed through a few before pulling out a specific file. He placed it carefully on the desk before opening it and pulling out the picture paperclipped to the first page inside. He paused for a moment before handing her the photo of a pale blonde woman with a small smile.

Nami looked back up at Ichiji, beyond confused at what was happening.

"That was my mother," Nami's eyes widened in understanding and she looked back to the photo as he spoke. "That photograph is all I have left of her."

Nami tried to keep her emotions in check. She was confused by Ichiji's actions, maybe even moved by them, but she was also very aware that he had led her into the exact location she had been searching for since arriving in Germa. She buried her excitement, staying in the moment with him. She had to be careful of what she did next.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, grabbing his hand and setting the photo down on the table.

"Don't be. It's her own fault. She may be dead, but she chose it. She chose to leave us."

Nami didn't know how to take that statement. His words were harsh and unforgiving. She was worried she might have upset him, but he continued to hold her hand without pulling away.

She motioned to the file binder left on the desk. "Is there a photo of you as well?" She asked sweetly.

Ichiji pulled out a much bulkier file and handed it to her. He really had no idea what she was really doing there. He might as well be handing it to her on a silver platter.

She opened the folder to find a current photo of the prince on the first page. As she pulled it from the paperclip, a few others fell out behind it. They were all of him at different ages, all in the same pose. She picked up the one of him as a toddler and smiled.

"You were cute," she mused. She glanced at him and had to do a double take when she saw his face. He was leaning casually against the desk, looking down on her with a visible grin. His eyes were deep pools of crimson, brighter than before. She smiled confidently, proud she was able to finally break her target.

Looking back at the folder, she noticed there were more pictures on the next page. She moved to turn the page but found her wrist stopped, firmly in his grasp. It was particularly shocking since she didn't even see him move. He closed the folder and pushed it away from her on the desk, eyeing her carefully.

It was getting easier to read him now, and she could tell something in him was suspicious. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. "Thank you for sharing that with me," she whispered, planting a chaste kiss on his cheek. She had the prize in her sights. With a little luck she could distract him enough to take it tonight. If not, she was confident she could devise a way to break back in later. Either way, tonight was a success.

She started to let go of him but his arms shot around her, gripping her hard and pulling her against his chest. He positioned his face over her hair and breathed in deeply. Nami was frozen. She literally could not move against his viselike grip. She felt his chest rise and fall at a quicker pace and his grasp tightened.

"Ichiji," she pleaded breathlessly. "Please let go."

His fingers dug into her back as he ripped the combs out of her hair. Her sunset locks cascading down her back. He breathed in her freshly released hair as if it was his only source of oxygen.

Shit.

"Can't... breathe..." she mumbled helplessly as he continued to smother her. She could feel his heart pounding through his chest. He gave no signs of letting go.

She managed to reach her hand around to the front of his throat and pushed as hard as she could on his windpipe. He gagged, releasing her immediately. Nami fell to the floor gasping for air.

He looked down at her for a moment in shock before closing his eyes. He slowed his breathing, and his twisted face slowly returned to the emotionless one she was used to. He opened his eyes again and looked down at her coldly.

She wanted to say something to reassure him or apologize to him, but she knew there was no hiding the fear in her eyes. She was terrified, knowing that trick wouldn't work twice if he decided to do that to her again.

Ichiji cleared his throat and held out a hand to her. "I lost control." He stated simply.

Nami looked at his hand but hesitated.

"I am in control now. I will not hurt you." He moved his hand closer. "Nami, take my hand."

It wasn't a request. She took his hand and allowed him to help her up. She watched him carefully as he released her, moving back to give plenty of space between them.

"You don't keep any of that fancy wine down here, do you?" She joked, trying to break some of the tension.

Ichiji calmly walked to an adjacent desk and opened one of the drawers. The second his back was turned she hurriedly scanned the room, looking for hidden exits or potential weapons. She found neither before her eyes stopped on a surveillance snail. There were several around the room, all of them sleeping with their eyes shut tight.

Ichiji returned with a bottle of scotch and a single glass, which Nami gladly accepted. She downed the glass easily, raising it again to signal for a second pour. Ichiji obliged.

"Thanks for this." She smiled, shaking her glass. "I would've hated to leave on a sour note after such an incredible night, and this scotch is damn delicious."

"Leave?"

Nami felt something forming in the pit of her stomach. "Well, it is past midnight." She motioned to the clock on the wall above them with an apologetic grin.

"No." He stated lowly. Nami saw the spark flicker in his eyes and she swallowed hard. He stepped toward her, letting out a long deep breath. "You're afraid again."

She shook her head to deny it, but her body backed away from him as he moved closer.

"You can't lie to me, Nami." He moved closer still until she was backed into the wall. "You aren't leaving me."

"I don't want to leave," she gasped desperately.

"STOP LYING TO ME!"

His shout echoed within the tall room. The warm crimson of his eyes fully replaced by a sparkling red. Whatever emotional dam he had in place before tonight was broken, no matter how much he fought to control it.

Fear threatened to overwhelmed her as she struggled to find the right words. The only times she was confident about deceiving him were when she was twisting the truth.

She closed her eyes and forced herself to think of Law, speaking to him instead of the man in front of her.

"I don't want to leave," she whimpered. "I don't want to go back." She felt tears building behind her eyes. When she didn't hear him protest, she continued. "I'm just so confused. You make me feel things I know I don't deserve to have." Her tears fell freely, and she opened her eyes just enough to look at the floor.

A gentle hand wiped dry her cheeks. "Nami."

She opened her eyes fully to see his face. Eyes crimson and face stoic, his voice was unwavering. "You don't want to leave me." His words seemed to relax him a bit, and she knew he believed them. "You will stay here."

Nami nodded shortly at the command.

"After tonight you will have nothing to fear from me," he stated before turning on his heels, walking into the larger room they came in through.

Nami glanced at the files still left on the desk. She followed him as far as the partition. He was fiddling with something in the middle of the room. She didn't know what he was planning, but she had no desire to stay long enough to find out. He wasn't going to let her leave on her own, and she doubted she would be able to sneak away from him. She needed help, and she prayed he wouldn't overreact to what she was about to do. She took a deep breath.

"I should call my brother to let him know I won't be back tonight."

He paused briefly before continuing his task. "That's not necessary."

"Really, he'll be worried sick if I don't at least let him know." Her hand was already around the mini den den mushi inside her purse.

"He knows exactly where you are and who you are with. He has no reason to worry for your safety," he reasoned logically.

"You don't know my brother," she smirked. She was already dialing the den den mushi. "It's no big deal. It'll just take a second."

"Nami?" Law's voice came through the snail almost immediately, hardly even having a chance to ring.

She began to speak but no sound came out. She felt the hand around her neck before she saw the face in front of her.

"Dammit Nami." His breath began to quicken again. He closed his eyes but didn't let her go. "I said it isn't necessary."

Nami dropped the snail. Ichiji caught it easily with his free hand and ended the call.

"He's already here."

Law crouched against a large tree on the grounds of the manor when the den den mushi rang. He told Nami he would be close by and he meant it literally, following the pair at a safe distance from the moment she left the apartment.

He stared down at the now sleeping den den mushi before pushing off the tree and heading for the main gates. She didn't need to give the code word for him to know she was in trouble. He dialed the Polar Tang as he ran.

"Captain."

"We don't have much time. Get everything to the docks now."

"Yes sir."

Law's heart was pounding as he approached the front doors of the manor. He steeled his nerves as he rang the bell.

A gray man in a stuffy suit sleepily opened the door. Law didn't wait for him to speak before forcing his way inside, knocking the man out before he knew what happened. Law had memorized the maps Nami made of the manor. He didn't know where she was, but he had an idea. He made his way quickly towards the surveillance room.

"And just what the fuck are you doing here?" Yonji stopped him before he could enter the room, almost amused at the fuming doctor who so boldly broke into their home.

"I'm here for Nami-ya."

Niji laughed, walking up to stand beside his brother. "Very chivalrous of you. The only problem is she isn't here."

"She is," Law stated firmly, moving the nodachi to rest casually on his shoulder.

Yonji rolled his eyes. "Trust me, doc. If your sweet little slice of a sister was here, I would know about it."

The two men moved forward, clearly ready to forcibly remove the annoyance in front of them.

"She came in through the west side entrance hidden behind hydrangeas." Both men stopped at his words. "She's with your brother."

The pair frowned at Law for a moment before turning to each other.

"They aren't on the third. I've been up there all night," Yonji stated.

"I've been on the first, between the billiards room and the kitchens," Niji added.

They paused listening for any sound on the second floor where they stood. Law ground his teeth, impatiently waiting for them to put the pieces together. If she was where he thought she was, Law would need their help getting inside quickly. After a few moments, Yonji slung open the door to the surveillance room. The guard sitting at the desk jumped in surprised.

"Why are these monitors turned off?" He demanded.

"Ma- Master Ichiji insisted-" The man stuttered before Niji's large hand gripped the top of his head painfully.

Niji leaned down to growl in the man's ear. "I don't give a shit what he insisted. Turn them back on before I pop your head like a grape."

The horrified man instantly turned everything on. The monitors lit back up, and it didn't take long to find them.

"Oh, fuck," Yonji exclaimed. "Not again."

Ichiji was inputting something into a machine with one hand while holding a disheveled Nami by the throat with the other.

Satisfied with his work, Ichiji stepped away from the machine and finally released her.

She stumbled back until she bumped into a machine, still grasping at where his hand had been on her throat.

"I needed you to stay still while I finished setting this up." He said matter-of-factly while grabbing something from a nearby table.

He came closer until he was directly in front of her. As he leaned in, she instinctively turned her face away, not wanting to know what shade of red his eyes might be at that moment. Her eyes widened suddenly as she saw a large pair staring back at her from above. The surveillance snails were back on. She looked pleadingly at whoever was watching.

"Nami." He turned her face to look at him. "We don't have much time. I need you to be calm."

He leaned down slightly, exposing her leg through the high slit in her dress. She whimpered, silently praying Law wouldn't leave her to whatever fate Ichiji had planned. She felt a sharp pain in her leg and looked down to see him empty a syringe into her thigh.

"What was that?!" She cried, trying to push him away from her. It was like trying to move a concrete wall.

"It won't be long now." He brushed a strand of hair from her face that was stuck to her tear stained cheek. He continued to caress her face, completely ignoring her fruitless struggling. She felt her racing heart start to slow. Arms reluctantly falling to her sides, she swayed on her feet. Ichiji steadied her with a hand on her waist. His other hand moved from her face to her collar bone, delicately grazing the red marks left on her neck before landing on the necklace he had given her. "Soon I won't be able to hurt you anymore. No one will be able to hurt you."

He pulled away suddenly, moving just fast enough to avoid the large sword striking upward in the exact location he previously stood. At least she thought he was fast enough. Ichiji was several feet away after making his quick escape, and he was looking down at his hand, which was now missing two fingers. Rage filled the once calm face as he slowly looked up at his attacker.

"Nami-ya, time to go." Law said coolly, shaking the blood from his sword in one swift movement.

Before he could attack, Ichiji was tackled by Niji and Yonji. Law made for the exit but stopped when he saw Nami stumble in the opposite direction into the back of the room.

Yonji's body flew past Law's face before slamming into one of the machines, utterly destroying it. Niji had his brother in a headlock and was pulling him backward. Ichiji's intact hand fumbled erratically until grasping something on the surface next to him. He thrust it sharply at the man behind him. Niji howled and released his captive, stumbling away. He sloppily pulled at the surgical tool that was now stuck deeply into his face, just below his visible eye. Blood poured from the wound as he fell to the floor. Ichiji's flaming red eyes burned into Law as he bared his teeth. A thick metal claw attached to a heavy chain shot out from behind Law to clamp down hard around Ichiji's neck, and Yonji emerged from the rubble to grapple his brother again.

Law spotted Nami peeking out from the other side of the partition. He instantly rushed to meet her, dodging the various mechanical items being thrown from the fight raging inside the lab. She was carrying something but was now struggling to stand. He lifted her into his arms without question, carrying her bridal style through the doors into the hallway.

Law entered the code Nami gave him for the elevator and heard a guttural scream as the doors closed. He ran full speed through the hallway until he burst through the front doors of the manor. He set Nami down gently in the backseat of one of the cars parked just outside. He pulled the driver out, ripped the keys from his hands, and threw him to the ground. He sped down the drive and through the city, only slowing down once they arrived at the pier.

Law pulled Nami from the backseat. She was fighting hard to stay conscious and clutching tightly to what he now realized was a large file binder. Incredible. He smiled to himself as he picked her up and rushed across the docks to the waiting submarine. They cast off the second Law's feet touched the deck, and he held her close as they moved away from the island.

Nami looked up at him through glassy eyes. "Ichiji..."

"It's ok, Nami-ya. He's-" Law stopped short when he looked back at the docks.

"...injected me..."

He looked back to Nami. "Shachi."

"Sir!" Shachi appeared before him instantly.

"Get Nami-ya to the infirmary. Take a blood sample, and make her comfortable. I'll be there shortly."

Shachi took the woman from his arms and disappeared below deck.

Law turned his attention back to the island. They had at least another minute or two before it was deep enough to safely submerge. He gripped his sword tightly, staring directly back at the man watching them from the edge of the dock. Ichiji's cape was torn to shreds. His other clothing looked burnt, and there was blood staining the side of his face and chest. He fell to one knee before letting out a painful, raging scream.

Law let out a breath and smirked. He entered the sub and latched the door behind him tightly. As much as he would have loved to watch Ichiji die, the sound of the emotionless man's fury was music to his ears, his own personal symphony.