«So you met Luffy!»
Koby's grin grew wider and his eyes glowed in admiration at the thought.
You sighed and brought a hand on your head, messing with your hair.
«Strawhat? Yeah, I escorted Aokiji-sensei to Long Ring Long Land... for some reason, he insists in letting pirates go unpunished.»
He frowned a little at your words, but just for an instant.
«I saw him too in Water 7!» he continued enthusiastically «I can't believe the things he did! He got super strong! It's incredible how powerful his crew is and–»
«Oi, Koby.»
The grip on his shoulder was a little too tight to be just friendly. He blinked at you in surprise.
«[Y/n]-san?»
«Don't forget they're pirates.» you stated coldly «they're trash who scampers through the seas terrifying innocent people, and we have to wipe them out.»
A little drop of sweat lined his cheek.
«Y-Yes, but...»
«No buts. This is our duty as marines, and they don't deserve anything but revulsion.» you let him go «See you in Marineford, Koby.»
You had lingered on the doorstep of the cabin long enough. The sun went down and the dim light of the evening spread across the open sea.
Tables of various sizes were set all over the deck, the majority of them loaded with so many bottles of alcohol you couldn't even recognize them all. Food consisted mainly in meat. The pirates were scattered around. The party had already started but some of them were still involved in the preparation of the banquet.
To your surprise, Killer was actually among the cooks. It was the smell of one of the plates he brought to finally lure you out of your lair.
You hadn't eaten properly in days now, your body craved actual food, and the scent was just too inviting. No one seemed to be paying attention to you anyway, so you risked a couple of steps out of the cabin. Still, no one turned to you.
You took a deep breath and finally marched on the deck to reach the closest table.
Drool gathered in your mouth at the sight of the big roasted chicken. Your hand jolted on it before you could think, snatching its leg and sinking your teeth in the juicy meat.
The taste melted in your mouth, sending you to heaven.
God, I needed it.
«Look who's here! The marine girl!»
The sudden utter almost startled you. You slowly turned to the Mohican and a few other pirates, mouth still in the food. Two of them laughed.
«Good, isn't it? Our second in command is also a hell of a cook!»
You roughly tore a bite off, trying to play it cool while you were actually unsure of what to do.
Okay, they weren't gonna touch you. But what were you supposed to do? Party hard with the Kid Pirates like they were your long lost friends? Or acting like a surly bitch the whole night like the prisoner you were?
«What happened, girl, a seaking ate your tongue?» another pirate thundered, amused.
You grimaced at his scarred features.
«My tongue and half of your face!»
So bitch it is.
The others laughed but he looked a bit insulted.
«She's back!» the Mohican exclaimed, patting his heavy hand on your shoulder and almost sending you flying against the table. The bite got stuck in your throat and you had to cough it out, spitting on the deck. They just laughed louder.
«You idiotic pirates...» you grumbled, harshly wiping your face and serving yourself another chicken wing.
The night heated up pretty soon. In no time, huge men were howling, laughing and messing around everywhere. Food and alcohol were flowing from the galley without breaks and water was nowhere to be seen. Someone had draped the masts with wires of small lights, so the ship was well illuminated.
At first you were sneaking from table to table, hungrily eating like you never had and hardly thinking. When your hunger was finally under control, you began to regain your senses, finding yourself in the middle of the deck.
Surprisingly, no one got in your way. The pirates around glanced briefly at you before getting back to what they were doing.
I guess they are unsure of how to behave with me too...
As the night unfolded, some drunken quarrels sparked here and there. The pirates would argue and fight, stirred up by their mates.
That's my occasion.
Moving quietly and swiftly, you could have reached the stairs and made it to the basement, where the lifeboats probably were. But first you had to spot the officers of the crew, to make sure not to run into them while slipping away.
You walked around the deck, moving alongside the taffrail and searching the crowd with your eyes. After a while you were finally able to spot Kid sitting at a big table, surrounded by men, steaks and bottles.
He looked majestic as always, bigger than anyone else, skin so pale it was almost glowing in the dark, abruptly interrupted by his huge red scar. His goggles reflected the flames of the various fires set on the deck, as he threw his blood-red head back to laugh at something.
You blinked, suddenly recovering from the few seconds you lost in contemplation.
What the fuck is wrong with me? Let's get out of here!
With a more careful look, you noticed Heat and Wire by his side.
Good, they didn't see me.
Taking advantage of the fact that most of the pirates were at least twice your size, you slid between people easily unnoticed, getting closer to the biggest door.
Okay, now I just need to spot–
«Marine girl.»
You froze at the voice muffled by the mask.
...Killer.
With a sour grimace on your face, you tilted your head back.
«Massacre Soldier. What a pleasure.»
Killer looked at you, slightly turned his head to the door, then to you again.
You faked your best grin.
«Everything okay?»
He seemed to ponder your question for a second.
«You do realize this is the first time I see you smiling and it's extremely suspicious, don't you?»
The smile immediately disappeared from your features.
Am I the dumbest person ever? Answer: yes.
The pirate scoffed lightly.
«It's amazing how transparent you are. Maybe that's why you get along with Kid so well, you two are alike.»
«Get along?!» your jaw dropped at his statement «Are you insane? I am captive here!»
«And this is why I was looking for you, to remind you.» he explained, not minding your scorn at all «Don't try anything stupid. I'll be watching you tonight, even if you can't see me. You'd be dead before reaching that door. Kid knows it.»
He explained it so casually he could have been explaining the recipe of the beef marinated in beer he made.
Yet, a sharp expression entered your features.
«Did you hear me, marine?»
«Yes sir.» you hissed.
«Good. Enjoy the party.»
The blond pirate walked away, disappearing in the crowd.
Realizing your body had tensed up during the exchange, you shot a last glance at the door before averting your eyes.
There was no threat in Killer's words, and that was the worst thing. He simply wanted to make you aware of the situation. In a twisted way, the pirate was actually trying to protect you. If he wanted you dead, like you thought, all he had to do was watching and waiting for you to reach the door, then slashing you in half.
Still, you felt the frustration clotting in your chest.
Fuck.
«Marine giiiiiiiiirl!»
A little group of pirates was waving their tankards in your directions, spilling the booze all around.
You crossed your arms on your chest in annoyance.
«What do you want?»
«Come here! Have a drink with us!»
They were all drunk enough to forget they didn't know how to deal with you. Some of them were wasted already. A few men had passed out on the table.
For some reason, it didn't feel unsafe. It was not smart to join a team of huge drunk pirates but you didn't read any threat on their harsh faces.
Well... why not I guess. Not that I have something better to do, anyway.
You left the railing and dived in the crowd, reaching the group that called for you. They seemed delighted, although the booze was probably a big part of their happiness.
You carefully sat at the table, still glancing around. One of the pirates grabbed a new tankard and filled it with a foamy brown liquid.
«Here!» he roared, pounding it in front of you so violently half of the liquid spurted onto the table.
«What are you doing, Compo?» another drunk pirate scolded him «Don't you see how small she is?! Do you want to kill her?»
A third man burst in laughter.
«Then the captain will kill you, that's for sure!»
«But I can see why he wants to keep her around! She's fucking cute!»
One of them reached out and ruffled your hair with his big hand.
«Hey!» you barked, hitting his arm away «Don't touch me or I'll kill you!»
There was a second of silence, then boasting laughter exploded all around you again.
«See? She's also super fun!»
You let out a deflated sigh, eyeing the tankard.
«It's not gonna drink itself, ya'know.»
«I know! Leave me alone!»
Apparently they were so drunk you could have said anything, you were just able to trigger their amusement.
The stinging scent of alcoholics filled your nostrils as someone opened something stronger than beer.
I really shouldn't drink.
I mean, when you're captive on a pirate ship, getting drunk is never a good idea.
But.
I feel like I need it.
I need it.
So.
Bad.
«Hey, are you okay marine girl? Did that tankard do something bad to you?»
Suddenly, you shoved the stein aside and grabbed the bottle of transparent liquid on the other side of the table. The pirates stopped laughing.
«Hey girl, watch out, that is some strong shit!»
Giving them your middle finger, you brought the bottle to your mouth and eagerly started to drink it like it was water.
Rum.
Good.
The men stared at you in silence as you took long sips of booze.
The bottle was half empty when you banged it back on the table, sighing loudly with pleasure.
«God, I needed it!»
They were looking at you as if your body was about to collapse.
«A-Are you okay, girl?»
You curled your nose at the pirate.
«Of course! I am a marine, not some puny pirate who can't even stand a tot of booze.»
«What?»
An angry look appeared on the face of the biggest one.
«No marine can handle this stuff like a pirate!»
«Clearly you know nothing about marines.» you shrugged.
«That's it!» he blurted, grabbing the bottle «You and me, girl! Let's see who's right here!»
«Hey, Booka! Are you insane? Look at her, she can't have a drinking contest with you! What if she dies?»
«Shut up, Thorin! Captain said we cannot fuck her, but he didn't mention anything else!» he exclaimed, cutting the protests short.
The other sat around, excited.
«This will be fun!»
The man sneered at you.
«So, what's your answer, marine girl?»
You flashed him a bold smile.
«Challenge accepted.»
Eustass Kid was eating and drinking heavily with his men. At the moment he was laughing at Heat's last romance story, which ended in tragedy, like all the stories before. Although everyone else seemed to find his love life very amusing, the pirate appeared depressed at his constant misfortune.
«There's nothing to laugh about...» he quietly observed.
«Hum, captain?»
A thin man from the lower ranks reluctantly approached the table.
Heat, Wire, and other core members glanced at him, making his voice grow even more unsteady.
«Huh, I'm sorry to interrupt, b-but...»
Kid finally turned his annoyed expression to him.
«What?»
The pirate gulped.
«We, hum, we have a problem with the marine girl.»
The captain's glare suddenly turned cold, making his heart skipping a beat. The atmosphere of the table changed immediately.
«Explain.»
«She, hum...»
The man lowered his sweaty face to the wooden beams, gritting his teeth.
«...she's kicking our asses in a drinking contest.»
Killer leaned against the railing, observing the devastation you made around you.
Half a dozen of pirates were scattered on and under the table, passed out or just vaguely conscious. Some of them were muttering nonsenses in their alcoholic waste.
«Marry me, marine girl...»
«Kill... me. Kill me now.»
«How could this happen to meee...?»
You burst in a cruel laugh, waving around your tankard and spilling the booze everywhere.
The alcoholic dust flushed your cheeks and a plastered grin formed on your face.
«Sooo? Is this the best you can do?»
Another delighted giggle left your throat and you took more sips from the stein. Some of the men still able to stand pulled back a little.
«How can she still be drinking?!»
«She must be some sort of demon or something!»
«But it's physically impossible! That amount of alcohol cannot fit in such a small body!»
«Well, who's next? No one?» you happily chimed, sneering at them «Looks like these Kid Pirates are not that big of a deal, after all. You're all little cuties, aren't ya?»
The pirates growled at your laughter, but no one stepped in to challenge you again.
Killer sighed, getting back to his feet.
Normally he never let himself involved in these kind of childish fights, but this time it was a little different. You were a prisoner, you were a marine and you were a woman. And you just insulted the name of the crew. He simply couldn't stay and watch.
The crowd that gathered cleared his path when they noticed him approaching. You followed their gazes, finally focusing your shaky vision on the tall blond man.
«Oh, Massacre Soldier.» you smiled seductively at him, leaning your chin on your own shoulder «Are you my next challenger?»
Seeing you like this, guard down from the alcohol, flushed cheeks, ruffled hair and crooked smile, Killer had to admit to himself that you looked quite attractive.
Was that the reason Kid hadn't brutalized you yet? Or was it about your sharp tongue and your boldness?
Before he could reach the table though, a metallic hand landed on his arm.
Killer stopped, turning to the side.
«Kid?»
The crew fell silent.
«Thanks for your concern, Killer. But when the pride of the crew is at stake, the captain must step in.»
Without a word, the blond man moved aside to allow Eustass Kid to pass.
Heat and Wire, along with the Mohican and basically everyone else, stepped beside him.
You watched him approaching and taking a seat in front of you, while all the other men surrounded the table.
«Looks like I can't leave this little birdie unwatched for a second.»
You blinked through your blurred vision, trying to focus on his features. Not that those fire-red hair could go unnoticed.
«Eustass "Captain" Kid. I'm honoured.» you smirked, leaning your chin on your wrist, still holding the half-filled tankard.
Your movement made most of the eyes drop on your exposed neck.
«Are you here to restore the name of your crew?»
The redhead sighed in amusement.
«The alcohol makes you even bolder. I like it.»
He gestured at one of his men.
«Bring here the good booze.»
The pirate frowned.
«The good one? But captain, last time we opened it, three men almost died...»
Kid expression faded in annoyance, and Wire pounded his spear on the floor.
«The captain gave you an order.»
The man jolted and rushed to the galley.
You lifted one eyebrow.
«The good one, uh? Sounds interesting.»
«You'll be smirking no more, I can assure you.»
«Is that so. Let's make things even better then.»
You leaned on the table towards him, as the crew held its breath.
«If I win, you let me go.»
Kid's expression was unreadable while he observed yours.
«I see. And what if I win?»
You pulled back, shrugging, iper-confident in your binge.
«Not gonna happen.»
It was Kid's turn to lean towards you now, his cruel smile shutting your mouth.
«If I win, I will take you. Tonight.» his sneer grew wider as your eyes broadened «How do you like it, birdie?»
You swallowed, suddenly feeling unsure. In a moment, you became aware of all the gazes fixed on you.
Kid extended his flesh hand toward you to seal the terms.
You quivered, eyes glued in his vicious amber orbs.
A last lucid thought flashed in your shaky mind.
This could be my only chance. And he could rape me anytime.
You shook your head and abruptly reached out for his hand, grabbing it.
«Deal.»
An excited howl exploded all around you.
The last thing you remembered was collapsing and banging your forehead on the table. Hard.
Alcohol was probably flowing in your veins in place of blood by that moment.
«THE MARINE GIRL IS DOWN! CAPTAIN WINS!»
Maybe the coarse laughter of Eustass Kid echoed in your ears immediately after. Or was it just your mind, playing with you?
You never knew how long the blackout lasted. Maybe seconds, maybe hours.
At some point, glimpses started to reach you again. They were shadows, voices, feelings. Everything was blurred and unsteady, as if you were living in a dream. But at least you felt light, and the pain was gone.
You were vaguely aware of the party still going on around you, the darkness of the night was wrapped on you like a protective blanket, and yet the numerous lights on the deck were illuminating the ship. Just the ship, so crowded and alive, a tiny spot on a black, silent sea.
You were still buried in pirates' howls and rough laughter, the alcohol was getting poured and they were having fun.
There was one laugh that rumbled louder than the others, maybe because it rumbled through a torso, a torso you were leaning on. Its warmth contrasted with the coldness of something metallic around your waist. Not that it mattered, since you were inside a fur.
You didn't mind the sound or the vibrations it sent through your cheek, it lulled you in and out your unconscious state.
A blurry smile hovered on your lips.
«Bring some more!» Kid shouted, shaking his glass.
«You really should stop.» Killer mumbled, hinting at your small figure on the redhead's lap «The girl almost got you drunk.»
«Shut up, Killer!» he huffed, emptying another tankard.
«That's a peaceful face for a prisoner.» Heat considered, eyeing your expression.
Wire looked at all the men still lying wasted on the deck.
«Such a big mess for such a small person.»
«Right?» Kid grinned «What an interesting birdie we have here.»
He pinched your cheek with his metallic fingers, tugging the skin. An annoyed expression curled your features as you unconsciously tried to bury your face deeper into his bare side. He let you go, welcoming you inside his fur with a sneer.
«I still think she's bad news.» Killer mumbled.
«Then why didn't you let her try to flee and kill her?» Wire asked.
Killer shrugged.
«Maybe I should have.»
They were all surprised by how fast you started to slip out from your unconscious state. Not that you could be defined sober or lucid, but at least you were able to grasp the contest now.
On the contrary, most of the pirates were now passed out all over the ship.
«Well, it's a pity you're starting to wake up now, birdie. Show's over.»
An indistinct whine left your mouth as Kid threw your inert body on his shoulder, standing up.
The last survivors of the night soon followed his example.
«Captain?»
The redhead turned to Heat before heading to his cabin. Heat's sad eyes went to your nape then back to Kid.
«Try not to break her.»
Kid frowned at his words.
«Since when are you such a softie, Heat?»
The pirate didn't reply and the captain turned away, making you bouncing lightly in the movement.
«This is not a matter of your concern.» he said before taking his leave.
Shit!
You felt your body flying in the air, then, after a few extremely long seconds, you landed on a mattress.
The lightness in your head began to swirl behind your eyes, along with the ceiling.
Yep. I'm wasted.
You tried to roll onto your stomach and stand, but it turned out to be somehow impossible and the sheets got in the way, so you just fell back a couple of times.
The clumsy action triggered more sniggers from Eustass Kid.
Finally, with a superhuman effort, you managed to sit on the bed, back leaning against the wall.
«I must say I'm impressed.» he commented approvingly «You took twice the alcohol my men took, and they're down.»
You grinned.
«Your men are pussies.»
He lifted an eyebrow he didn't have.
«You're going to get yourself in trouble.»
«I already did.»
The drunken smile rested on your relaxed face.
Kid started to undress for the night, throwing his fur on the armchair, followed by his vest.
This time, you didn't hide you face in a towel.
Your eyes shamelessly travelled across his muscles and his scars, not quivering even when he removed his pants.
«Like what you see?»
You didn't reply, raising your gaze on his amber one.
The devilish smirk was back on his face. He approached the bed, standing in all his huge size.
You focused really hard, forcing every cell of your body not to let you down, as you stood up on the mattress.
You risked to slip twice, but finally managed to get on your feet.
A few steps forward, and your gazes were almost at the same level. Almost.
The smile on your face was gone.
You took another step. You were close enough to feel the hot breath of the beast caressing your cheek now.
Locking your eyes with his, your fingers slowly reached the edge of your tank top and you started to lift it, revealing your naked belly, then your torso.
Suddenly, a strong metallic grip clenched around your wrist.
You blinked in surprise, searching his expression.
The redhead smile was gone too, he was completely serious now.
«There's no going back from the border you're about to cross.» he hissed.
You squinted at his blurred face.
A wave of anxiety spread in your chest, but it was not just that. Something else was there, something that messed up with your guts.
Excitement?
Kid waited a few more seconds to be sure his words made their way through your clouded mind, then his grip around your wrist loosened a little.
One long moment came and passed.
Eyes still glued to his, you lifted the fabric over your head, removing your top and throwing it aside.
Then you proceeded to unbutton your shorts, never adverting your gaze, but parting your lips to allow more air to reach your lungs.
The zip was undone, and you let the shorts slide down your legs.
You stood in your underwear in front of Eustass "Captain" Kid, shaking lightly, but your eyes were firm.
The devilish smirk bent the beast's lips.
He attacked you before you could realize it.
His metallic hand harshly tugged you against his hard body, the other dived in your hair. His mouth claimed your lips, burning and biting. His tongue forced his way inside without asking for permission.
Your mind was slowed down, so it took you maybe more time than necessary to understand what was happening, and you gave yourself some extra seconds to listen to your feelings.
But you didn't understand a thing, so you just decided to fight back.
Your tongue began to oppose resistance, and although he immediately made it clear he could crush your defence without effort, he soon began to toy with it.
Your fingers instinctively reached for his hair.
You didn't realize how much you were longing for it until your hands touched his messy locks.
«Don't forget they're pirates.» you stated coldly «they're trash who scampers through the seas terrifying innocent people, and we have to wipe them out.»
«No buts. This is our duty as marines, and they don't deserve anything but revulsion.»