Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Content Warning: Violence

Chapter 10

Family

Nami was proud of how well she was working the room at dinner. Not all the family members were there, but she felt she made a good enough impression with the ones that were, Vergo excluded of course. She knew that Law was watching her all night. It should have annoyed her, especially since she could tell Monet had picked up on it, but she felt better because of it. She felt a certain sense of safety under his gaze, even in a situation like this, and she wondered if that would prove to be a good thing as time went on.

As dinner came to an end, most of the family stayed at the table chatting or meandered near the bar. She wasn't sure how long she was supposed to stay since she wasn't actually in the family. She eyed the bar, considering grabbing a drink before sneaking away. She turned back to the table and thought Law might be able to signal to her how best to proceed, but she found a different pair of eyes staring back at her this time. They were hidden behind red tinted glasses, but there was no mistake they were glued to her.

She followed him into the adjoining room, and he gestured for her to take a seat. The room itself was oddly shaped, not exactly circular but with curvature to the walls. If she was honest, it felt like all the rooms in Doflamingo's castle were oddly shaped, and she cursed the original builders for making it so difficult to accurately map.

Doflamingo tilted the tip of a large globe to reveal a hidden bar inside. "What's your poison?" he asked as he began making something for himself.

The room was a much smaller space than the dining room, but it was still large enough to fit two leather couches, several bookshelves, a grand piano, and a harp. The space didn't seem as stuffy or needlessly opulent as what she saw in the Vinsmoke Manor, but it was still elegant in its own way.

"Anything but scotch," Nami said as she took a seat on one of the couches. She had lost the taste for it after recent events.

He took little time to finish making their drinks and handed her a glass before taking a seat on the couch across from her.

"I hope you like whiskey, but even if you don't, you'll enjoy this."

She glanced down at the orange slice garnish on the rim, then back up at the king sitting across from her.

This interaction was starkly different to the one she had with the same man earlier that day. In the throne room, everything about where he sat to how he towered above her was intimidating. That room was designed to make those approaching the king feel small, not that he needed help towering over anyone. The man might as well have been ten feet tall from Nami's point of view. This felt different.

They sat across from each other. The couches were identical. They had the same drink. His posture was casual, not regal or stately by any means. It was clear that in this interaction, whatever it was, he wanted to at least appear to approach her as an equal. There was nothing outright threatening or domineering about the person across from her, and she knew it could be all too easy to let her guard down if she wasn't careful.

"Oh, come on Nami. Give it a try," he teased when he noticed her eyeing him suspiciously. "I'll tell you what. If you don't like it, I'll give you the combination to Vergo's personal safe."

Nami snorted. "If you think I need help stealing from that man, you haven't been paying attention."

He chuckled lowly in return, and Nami relaxed a bit despite herself. She took a sip.

Damn.

"I hate to admit it," she began, taking a second sip and shook her head. "Most cocktails are too sweet for me, but that's not bad."

It might be the best thing she ever tasted, but that's as close to admitting it as she would get.

He smiled victoriously as he enjoyed his own drink.

"It's called a Ward 8. I can teach you to make it if you like."

"I'd rather you tell me why I'm here." She was relaxed, but it was clear that the smile on her face didn't reach her eyes.

His large smile didn't waiver.

"Just wanted a chat."

"A chat about what?"

"You did good in Germa."

She finally turned her gaze away from him, looking idly at the bookshelves around the room. She tried to appear aloof, but he seemed to pick on her annoyance at the statement.

"Oh come now, you did. Look, I apologize for what I said this morning. I just can't help pushing Law's buttons."

She shifted uncomfortably. "Thank you."

"I read Law's report."

Her eyes flit back to him. She wasn't aware Law had written a report about the events in Germa.

"I expected you to break in to steal this information. Truthfully, after how little Law uncovered before you arrived, I expected you to fail." He paused a moment to study her. "You saw an opportunity with one of the princes, and you didn't hesitate. You took it despite knowing it wasn't part of the plan."

"They say improvisation is the better part of planning," she mused before taking another sip.

"Fufufu, I know a certain doctor who would vehemently disagree." There was a flicker of something behind those glasses, but it was gone as quickly as it came. "It's interesting that you worked so well together."

He was moving the conversation toward something, but she didn't know what it was. She recognized his tactics. They were ones she had used before to gather information. Make them feel in control, flatter them. Get them to lower their guard until they are so comfortable that they don't realize what they've given up until it's too late.

"It's really not that interesting," she said dryly. "We had a common goal, and we were both determined to see it through."

"And do you approach all of your jobs with such... determination?"

She didn't like where this was going. He was being a little too obvious now. It felt like he was dangling Law in front of her to get her attention, like he was distracting her with the implication of their feelings, whether he knew them to be true or not. He was well versed in this game, but so was she. She wouldn't let him get under her skin so easily.

"Yes," she stated flatly.

He chuckled at her discomfort.

"Does this mean you have another job for me?"

His smile grew wider at her question, and he paused before speaking again.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"On how I feel after our little chat." His smile never faltered, but it was clear that both of you understood that this chat was not just a simple chat. It was an interrogation.

"As I said, I read Law's report," he started again. "but Law wasn't there for everything he wrote about, so I'd like you to confirm a few things for me."

"What would you like to know?" she asked as calmly as she could. They had discussed the things they would and wouldn't tell Doflamingo before arriving in Dressrosa. The only things they weren't to share with him were their intimacy and his crew's involvement in the mission. Although she had a good idea of what he put in the report, she would have felt much more prepared if she had read it.

"You were brought to the basement of Vinsmoke Manor?"

"Yes."

"Describe it."

"Well, I was only taken to the lab. There were other rooms with closed doors that I couldn't see inside."

"Describe the lab then."

She let out a short breath. "The first part of the room had machines and medical equipment. The back was separate and looked like an office. Desks and file cabinets. The ceilings were two stories tall, at least, and there were surveillance snails, but they weren't turned on until shortly before Law arrived."

"You were shown the files in the back of the room by Ichiji when he pulled them out of a locked drawer, yes?"

"Yes."

"Was there anything else in that locked drawer? Maybe other files that weren't inside the file binder he showed you?"

Nami frowned in thought. "Not that I saw. It sounded empty when he kicked it closed, but I can't be sure."

He hummed in approval. "You've read the files?"

She sighed, "I read what I could understand. Law explained most of it to me."

He hummed again. "Then he explained Ichiji's observation abilities?"

Her chest tightened at the question, but her face didn't betray her. "Yes."

"He could tell when you were lying, but you were still able to deceive him. How?"

"I..." she paused, wondering exactly how to answer. This wasn't something Law knew the specifics of, so they hadn't discussed what to tell Doflamingo if he asked. "I wouldn't lie outright. I would tell him something true even though I knew he would interpret it in a way that was untrue."

She couldn't help but shift uncomfortably at this point. Her body tensed as she waited for him to pry deeper to a line of questioning she wasn't comfortable with. She couldn't tell him more without outright lying or revealing that she she had some type of feelings for Law, even if she didn't quite understand them herself. She didn't feel great about either option under his intense gaze.

"What good instincts, Kitten. I really can say I'm impressed."

She looked back at him and was surprised that he seemed content with the extent of her answer. She managed a short nod at his compliment and relaxed slightly.

"I wonder... Does Arlong realize the extent of your talents?"

Her stomach dropped, and she realized they were arriving at the real reason for their conversation. She held his gaze but didn't answer.

"How does a cat come to serve under a fish?"

"Well, it's good money, and until very recently, I enjoyed the anonymity."

"I said how, not why."

Nami tensed her lips and looked away. There was no more pretense of a smile. Divulging her personal history was not part of the deal they brokered. She was available to do jobs for him, and that was it.

"Oh, stop pouting, Kitten. I won't make you tell me anything you don't want to." He dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. "I may be many things, but I'm no Arlong. I'm not a monster."

She was surprised by his words in more ways than she could count. She wanted to feel relieved, but she doubted she would until she was far away from this conversation.

"I'll only ask you one more question, and you don't have to answer it now."

She looked at him expectantly, and he only spoke after he was sure he had her undivided attention.

"Would you be willing to work for someone else?"

She was already technically working for him at Arlong's whim, but the implication was clear. He meant permanently. His words hung in the air for a few moments before Nami replied coldly, "No."

She expected him to laugh, but he didn't. His tone wasn't angry, but it was serious.

"You have no love for the fishmen, and it's clear you don't need them to leave your own mark on this world. Whatever they have on you is inconsequential. It can be dealt with, and you would be protected."

It was clear to her that the offer was genuine. It wasn't the first time someone had asked to have her join their crew or solve all her problems, but she had to admit that this was the first time she believed they could do it. Nami hadn't honestly considered an alternative to paying off the debt to Arlong, but she didn't like the idea of being in debt to someone else because of it. She didn't want to be freed from one crime lord only to be working for another. Even if he set Nojiko free and never bothered her again, Nami wouldn't be free. When people joined the Donquixote family, they joined for life. Her answer was always going to be no, but she couldn't help her curiosity.

"Why would you offer this to me? I've only done one job for you, this is probably the first real conversation we've had, and I haven't even met the entire family yet. Are you just testing my loyalty, or do you truly enjoy screwing over your business partners?"

He finally laughed again. "Oh, screwing over that overgrown trout is just one of many ways I would benefit from taking you in. We could use someone with your skillset. Besides being a good thief, you keep your head in stressful situations, you have good instincts, and I've seen your maps. It doesn't take a genius to see that you are unique, but it takes a trained eye to tell what you really are."

She sat there dumbfounded at his last words. What could that mean? She finally opened her mouth to speak, but Doflamingo raised his hand in protest.

"Don't answer now. Just... give it some thought."

Nami was so flustered by the abrupt end to the unsettling conversation that she didn't notice the two new faces who entered the parlor.

"Violet, be a dear and escort this one to her new accommodations." Doflamingo turned back to Nami. "I think we'd all feel better with her inside the safety of the castle walls in light of... recent events."

She could guess what he was implying, but after their 'chat', the only thing she was sure of was that she wanted out of that room. She needed to think. She hoped that feeling Law's eyes on her again would at least give her the courage she needed to get her head straight.

As Viola led her through the dining room, Nami's uncertainty only grew. She didn't feel his eyes on her. In fact, he didn't notice her at all as he was wrapped in a conversation with Monet. Even as Viola and Nami left the dining room, he didn't even seem to be aware of it.

She laid awake in her new strange room. She was confused. She was worried. She felt almost comically in over her head, but most of all, she felt alone.

What had she gotten herself into?

Cocoyashi Village

Her throat burned. Her eyes stung. The air was ripe with blood and ash. Her grip loosened on her weapon with every hit she endured.

Bellemere's rifle.

She would've been proud of how it performed. It found its target with every pull of the trigger. Each body that fell at her hands was a victory. She knew their chances at defeating them were slim. They all knew.

"Nojiko."

His voice hits like ice in her veins. She wanted one last kill. Hell, she'd even settle for scarring him. Anything to prove he was untouchable. Anything for one last fuck you before she was gone.

"Nojiko."

But it was too late for that. The battle was over long ago. It had been hours since the screaming stopped. She was the only one left. It was almost over. One way or another, she would be free. Even if it was only through death.

"Nojiko."

She was moving but not on her own. Fresh cuts dug into her legs as they dragged her up the hill. She didn't need to open her eyes to know where she was. She was in front of her home. He wanted to humiliate her when he killed her by bringing her here. It wouldn't work. She was proud to die where her mother did, fighting the same fight.

"Nojiko!"

No. This voice was different. It wasn't his. It was hers. But that's not possible. She wasn't supposed to be anywhere near this. They had made sure of it. If she was here, this was all for nothing.

"NOJIKO!"

It wasn't possible. A trick of her mind, but she had to open her eyes to be sure. The voice was getting closer. It was crying, pleading. At least one of her eyes was swollen shut. She had to open the other. She had to make sure she was wrong.

"Nojiko."

She opened her eyes, breathing heavily on sweat stained sheets. She stared at the dirty thatch ceiling under the first rays of sunlight. It took her hardly any time to come back to reality. And what a reality it was.

"What the fuck do you want?" She addressed the fishman standing at the door. It had to be Hatchi. Anyone else would've woken her up much more violently.

"Uh, well, Arlong wanted me to give you a message."

He must be alone. It was the only time he would dare show kindness, if that's what you'd even call it. It was clear that he was remorseful of her situation, but he also didn't do shit to get her out of it. Fucking coward. She almost preferred the distain of his scaly brothers after waking up like she did. She decided not to look at him and started boiling water for tea.

"Let me guess. He's had a complete change of heart, he's letting me go, and he's quitting his life of crime to join the circus?"

"Uh, no."

"Then, I don't really fucking care."

She rummaged through mostly bare cabinets as she spoke. She retrieved a metal tin and flipped it open. Damn, empty. Hot water for breakfast again. She could retrieve her hidden bow and hunt down some food as soon as he left.

"It's about Nami," he began hesitantly.

She pinched her brows, unfazed by his words but extremely impatient. She was hungry, and whatever news about Nami that came from him wasn't going to be pleasant. The only thing she wanted to hear about Nami was that she left Arlong and disappeared to live her life. She knew she never would though. And if by some grace she did, Arlong would make sure to deliver that news himself.

"Well, it seems she's wanted. She should be safe where she's at, but we're pulling some guys from Cocoyashi's rotation to stay on top of her. Arlong, he- Well, he wanted to make sure you knew that even though you may see less fishman around, you'll still be guarded. You'll, uh, well, you'll still be punished if you try to escape. You both will."

"Fantastic. Anything else?" she deadpanned as she sipped her poor excuse for a breakfast.

He sighed. She despised his pity, but he got her attention when she heard him ruffling some papers.

"Uh, yeah. I'm, uh, done with this so, well I thought you could use it as kindling. Don't let the others see it on the next rounds." He added the last sentence quickly before tossing the paper on the floor and leaving.

Nojiko waited until she could no longer hear his movements before gathering it from the floor. It was yesterday's newspaper, and there was a small amount of dried meats inside. Maybe it was good she wasn't harder on him. Truthfully she didn't have the energy. He could bring her little treats every day, but she was still a prisoner forced to live alone in purgatory. Cursed to live in the ruins of her previous life, barely surviving off the little food she could find. Forced to walk alone in the graveyard that used to be her home. Not even allowed to die for fear that Nami would suffer because of it. Yeah, fuck him. She frowned at the meat. Her pride battled with her stomach until she spied something familiar in the pages of the newspaper. It was two wanted posters. One she didn't recognize and one she recognized all too well.

"Nami, what have you gotten yourself into now?" She mumbled aloud.

She pulled back the rug and popped off three loose floorboards. She wrapped the dried meat in the newspaper before climbing down into the shelter beneath her tiny home. It wasn't tall enough to stand in, just large enough for a small wooden chest, her home made bow, and a few arrows. She stored the meat and grabbed her weapon. With Arlong's message delivered, they wouldn't waste time bothering with her again today, and she would be able to hunt in peace for at least a few hours.

She moved silently through the trees, making her way across the island. She caught a few squirrels, but broke a few arrows in the process. Luckily the arrowheads were in tact. After she ate, she would focus on crafting new shafts.

She continued traversing the island. Near the highest point, she could likely find elderberry shoots that would work nicely as replacement shafts, and if nothing else she could harvest a few berries for herself.

Upon reaching the top, something caught her eye on the horizon. Not many ships were known to take routes that brought them through these waters. The ones that did were merchant vessels she recognized as allied with Arlong. She squinted to get a better look. It wasn't even a type of ship she recognized. She would have been interested to know more if it wasn't sailing in the opposite direction. She found herself watching the ship until it completely disappeared from view. There was something in her gut pulling at her besides hunger, and it told her that this wouldn't be the last she saw of the mystery vessel.

Author's Note: A Ward 8 is a twist on a whiskey sour. It generally includes grenadine, lemon juice, orange juice, and rye whiskey.

Also, there is no magic in this AU, so when Doflamingo made his comment about knowing what Nami really is, he isn't talking about a hidden power.

Thanks for reading!