Chapter 5 – Training and Combat Drills

The next few days passed in a blur for Skyler. When she had first arrived at the Victoria Punk under mysterious circumstances, she hadn't expected to find herself in a world where pirates ran rampant and strange fruits granted abilities beyond comprehension. Appearing suddenly on the deck of an unfamiliar ship, she was met with suspicion from many – but, to her relief, there were a few who offered their help.

Quincy, in particular, had been a warm presence. The ginger-haired woman not only helped Skyler with clothing but also introduced her to the handful of other women aboard. She even went as far as to ask Killer if Skyler could take a bunk in their quarters, ensuring she had a proper place to sleep. Of course, once Kidd caught wind of this, he teased Skyler mercilessly, insisting she'd be sleeping outside or in the crow's nest. Not that it would be the worst option – at least then, she'd have some distance from the hot-headed captain. At the same time, she knew she had to find a way to convince him to let her stay. But helping a stranger didn't seem to be high on his list of priorities.

True to his word, Killer brought up the matter with Kidd, but the captain remained reluctant, unwilling to take in someone whose intentions were unknown. Even so, Skyler caught brief flickers of hesitation in his red eyes whenever the topic arose – especially when she pleaded her case directly, promising she wouldn't be a burden if he helped her find a way home. Killer had even suggested she stay to help train the newcomers in combat. Kidd initially rejected the idea but, over time, grudgingly allowed it, offering her some semblance of a routine aboard the ship.

During training drills, Killer focused on offense, while Skyler handled self-defence and disarming techniques. Before or after these sessions she would often ask Killer to spar with her, eager to get in some extra practice. But she only resumed training after receiving the green like from Heat, particularly regarding the wound on her thigh. It had mostly healed by now, leaving behind a scab and faint, rosy scar peeking through.

Heat remained an enigma. His appearance made him look like a zombie, and he was just as quiet. Conversations with him were limited to grunts and curt instructions about wound care – at least for now.

This morning was no different. She had woken early, eaten breakfast, and now stood on deck, waiting for the new recruits to arrive. But this time, she wasn't training with Killer.

She was training with Kidd himself.

That surprised her. From what she had seen and heard, Kidd preferred using his Devil Fruit abilities in combat rather than engaging in close-quarters fighting. But she wasn't about to complain. The recruits could be unruly, prone to slacking off, and an extra set of hands – especially from the captain – might just keep them in line.

"Killer isn't coming?" Skyler asked, stepping toward the captain and stopping just a few paces away.

"He's busy charting our path. Seems we veered off course a bit on the way to the next island." Kidd replied, his tone deliberately casual.

"So he's your navigator?" she asked, curiosity slipping into her voice. But the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Kidd's red eyes flickered with suspicion, and she quickly backpedalled. "I'm just asking because all I've really seen him do is train people in close combat… Sheesh, I was just curious."

She looked away, hoping to hide the small pout tugging at her lips, but Kidd caught it. A slow smirk stretched across his face.

That smirk didn't last long.

Something about her interest in his first mate unsettled him. He couldn't put his finger on why, but the fact that she seemed more eager to be around Killer than anyone else – including him – bothered him in a way he didn't care to admit.

"He won't be gone long. But for now, you're stuck with me."

Before she could react, he reached out and poked her forehead – not gently either. Then, with a shrug, he slipped off his coat, revealing the same black t-shirt he'd worn the first day she had helped with the ship repairs.

The shirt hinted well at the shape beneath, offering just enough mystery for the imagination to fill the rest. He had also swapped out of his usual yellow-printed pants for simple black ones – fitted but flexible, made for movement.

Skyler barely spared him a glance, muttering under her breath, "Hopefully, you know how to fight…"

"Ah!?" Kidd's indignant roar chased after her as she dashed to the middle of the deck, grinning.

Her laughter rang out – pure and unrestrained. It was the kind of sound that made people stop and listen. Kidd did just that, caught off guard by the warmth in her voice, by the way it tugged at his chest. But before he could linger on the thought, the day's recruits emerged onto the deck.

Skyler stood at the front, hands on her hips, exuding confidence as she began explaining the day's drills. Kidd remained where he was, arms crossed, watching her. His ears tuned in to the way she spoke – clear and assertive, yet with a natural hoarseness that gave her voice a sultry edge.

As the crew paired up and got to work, Skyler walked toward him, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"You're just going to stand there and watch?" She challenged.

"This is too basic. I'm not wasting my time on warm-ups." His tone was casual, teasing and deliberately provoking.

And it worked.

Her lips twisted into a scowl before curving into a dangerous grin.

But before he knew what was happening, she grabbed his wrist and yanked him forward, dragging him into the centre of the training session. A murmur of interest rippled through the pirates that were watching the scene unfold.

Well then, you won't mind showing them how it's done?" She said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Kidd arched a brow. "By myself?" He asked, playing it cool – though his pulse was ringing in his ears. Because, despite his best efforts, he was hyper-aware of her touch – the warmth of her fingers around his wrist.

"Of course not! This first part is self-defence and disarming, so… let's show them how it's done – just you and me."

Skyler's grin widened as she gestured for the others to give them more space.

"You asked for it." Kidd stated and wasted no time. He lunged at her without hesitation.

Instinct took over. With a swift turn, she slid her arm close to his, redirecting the attack. Her palm struck his chest, forceful enough to knock the breath from his lungs. She stepped back, re-establishing space between them while he stood there, momentarily stunned.

"If you want to be the attacker, so be it."

Before she could say more, Kidd lunged again, this time aiming for her midsection. But she was ready. A quick deflection sent his arm outward, her body twisting with the movement. Sliding to his side, she hooked her foot behind him, sweeping his legs from under him. He hit the deck with a solid thud.

She still had hold of his arm, keeping control as he lay on his back. "With self-defence, the goal is to incapacitate your opponent, creating an opening to either escape or counterattack." As she explained to the recruits, she failed to notice Kidd's next move – until it was too late.

A rough grip on her ankle yanked her off balance. With a startled gasp, she toppled backward. In an instant he was rolling over, bringing her to lay on him, locking his legs around her waist and pulling her flush against him. One strong arm wrapped around her neck in a firm chokehold.

"Don't push your luck." His voice was a low growl, breath warm against her scalp. His grip tightened, restricting her movement.

But Skyler wasn't done yet.

Her fingers found his foot, pushing it downward as she shifted her weight, forcing space between them. A fluid movement and she was slipping free from his grasp. Quickly she placed herself on top of him, straddling his abdomen, his arm trapped beneath her armpit.

"And that," she announced to the group, ignoring the way Kidd's eyes darkened with a mix of frustration and delight, "is how you escape a chokehold on the ground.

She was enjoying this, and it showed. The captain, however, was less amused.

A sharp glint in her peripheral vision caught her attention. A blade came hurtling toward her. She dodged, twisting to the side, only for the weapon to change trajectory mid-air. It came to a halt just behind her back, its tip pressing against her skin.

Skyler's gaze snapped down to the man beneath her. Kidd was grinning.

"This was supposed to be basic training – no Devil Fruit powers, Kidd." Her green eyes burned with annoyance.

"Tough luck. Out there, no one cares about the rules."

His grinned widened at the way her face contorted in frustration. Seizing the opportunity, he bucked his hips, flipping her over. A sharp gasp left her lips as she hit the deck, Kidd pinning her wrists beside her head.

"Yeah, but for now, we're going step by step!" She huffed, trying to catch her breath. "That means no powers, got it, magic boy?"

Kidd merely smirked down at her. He liked this side of her – the defiance she showed. It wasn't often that someone challenged him so openly, especially not someone who understood just how much power he held over whether she stayed aboard or got tossed overboard. And yet, Skyler didn't hesitate. She stood her ground, even now, pinned beneath him, staring up with fierce determination.

He had to admit – it was impressive.

But what unsettled him more than her defiance was the feeling creeping up in his chest.

She reminded him of someone he hadn't thought about in a long time.

Victoria.

Memories stirred at the edge of his mind, uninvited. There was something about Skyler – the way she carried herself, how she fought, even her mannerisms when she spoke – that kept dragging up pieces of the past he had long buried.

It irritated him but at the same time… He didn't entirely hate it.

"Go back to training, you lazy asses!" Kidd barked and quickly the pirates scrambled away, hastily pairing up again. Even so, few risked stealing glances at the two still on the ground.

Skyler barely noticed them. Kidd's red gaze burned into her, setting her nerves alight. Goosebumps prickled up her arm, and despite herself, she shivered.

"You shouldn't be afraid." He murmured, his breath brushing away strands of black hair that had slipped from her bun. "This is what you asked for, right? We're training – so try and get out."

Skyler lifted her chin in a challenge. "No devil fruit powers."

Kidd smirked. "We'll see."

She tested his grip, trying to wiggle her wrists free, but he only tightened his hold, shifting more of his weight onto her. He was enjoying this – being in control, watching her fight back. It sent a thrill through him.

"You asked for it, Kidd." She flashed a knowing smile before twisting her arm outward and bucking her hips up with force. His grip broke as he braced himself against the deck, stopping himself from face-planting. She wasted no time – grabbing around his massive torso, barely able to clasp her hands behind his back, she hooked her foot behind his knee and yanked.

Kidd lost his balance, and before he could recover, she flipped him onto his back. Now, she was the one pinning him down.

Skyler leaned in, gripping the collar of his shirt. "You told me I could train your men." Her voice was low. "I don't play around, especially when it's my neck on the line."

Kidd's grin never wavered. Instead, he sat up slightly, his hand landing on the small of her back, holding her in place. He wasn't letting her go just yet.

That when she realized exactly where she was sitting.

Heat shot up her spine as she became painfully aware of Kidd beneath her, the way his fingers pressed into her back, how his gaze was locked onto her, studying every twitch of her expression.

"Don't talk big and then shy away." His tone was teasing. His face inched closer and Skyler's breath hitched. Kidd felt his stomach flip, relishing the effect he had on her. Maybe he'd keep her around just for this – the fire, the fight, the way she sparked things inside him. "If it's a fair fight you want, then let's do this."

He let go of her back and the sudden chill of the morning air made her skin prickle. With a strained cough, she climbed off him, refusing to meet his gaze.

Kidd took his time standing, openly enjoying her flustered state. "Asshole…" she muttered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

He just smirked.

Skyler forced herself to push past whatever the hell that had been. One thing at a time. Right now, she needed to make one thing clear: Kidd wasn't going to toy with her.

From the lower deck, Killer watched. He had come to check on the newbies but had caught just enough of the interaction to be curious. Kidd wasn't one to give people second chances – let alone tease them. That had meant something.

Still, there was something else that seemed to tug at Killer's chest. He wanted to ignore it. Pirates didn't have room for emotions or sentimentality. His job was to keep the crew and his captain safe.

But as he let out a quiet chuckle, he admitted to himself – maybe, just maybe – he could allow himself to feel something every once in a while.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

A/N:

This was supposed to be published yesterday but the website was not allowing me to upload the text into the document manager for some reason. Also noticed that the fanfic cover and profile picture keep bugging out and not working properly...

Another chapter done and this is also different from the original story. From how it's going so far, I think I am actually going to write more chapters than what I had initially done with the original story that had been posted.

I do want to keep adding onto what was already done and correct some aspects of the story that feels awkward.

Hopefully you'll enjoy this addition and I will keep writing the following chapters.