Without You, The Beginning of Magic {Magical AU}

Chapter 5: Birthday (Part 1)

I ran out down the halls breathing heavily. "Iris!" I hid behind a pillar and looked around carefully and went to run, but I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I grabbed it and used mana to reinforce my body to lean down and kick their legs before getting into a handstand bringing my other leg to twist them to the side once off-balance.

I then stood on top of him and smirked. "Nice try Zoro..." He huffed and held his hand up before I got off and helped him up. I giggled, "Gotta try harder than that!" He rubbed the back of his head, "... You've gotten too much training..." I gently nudged his arm, "Come on... Everyone should be here soon... Aunt Makino will kill me if I don't get ready..." We walked towards my room as he sighed, "Finally twelve, huh?" I giggled, "Yup!~"

I looked down, "... Law didn't come last weekend... He didn't leave already did he?... He's supposed to be leaving next weekend..." I gripped my shirt, "... For... Six years..." Zoro patted my head, "He'll be here... I swear." I nodded softly and looked up, "You're right... He wouldn't miss my birthday..." I skipped to my room humming softly, but flinched at Aunt Makino's glare, "Iris! I told you to be bathed and ready twenty minutes ago! You'll be late to your own party!"

I puffed my cheek and waved to Zoro as we walked into the bathroom. "... I haven't sparred with Ace or Sabo... They're... Busy... Zoro's the only one left... Even Luffy has gotten busy..." I started washing myself down, "... I'm sorry..." She sighed softly and started helping me get ready for the day, "I understand your worries, but... You still have another year with them. Then it'll be halfway there to the academy!"

I nodded softly, "... I'll be alright. Just four years of being alone and my responsibilities and training..." I looked up and began drying off, "Aunt Makino... The year they leave... It's my actual high society debut, right?... Where I have to mingle with other people my age?" She nodded, "You could say twelve is a sneak peak then fifteen is when you actively hold and go to events hosted by others." I hummed softly as she helped me into a long pink dress with a white front and angel sleeves. Along the dress was yellow and white bows and lace. She did my hair in a french bun and I wore the diamond earrings and teardrop necklace along with the clip Law gave me for my birthday.

After applying mascara, I secured my crown on and looked down at my bunny and purple gemmed ring. I made my scarf, along with my sketchbook and art set, into the spatial ring before we made our way out. I looked to the side, "... Law's... Leaving next week... I don't know how to give him the present..." She looked down and smiled, "... Just give it to him as he leaves..." 

I looked down and nodded, but jerked and flung my head up as I heard Law, Ace, and Sabo talking. I ran around the corner and jumped, "Law! Sabo! Ace!" Law cought and twirled me before huffing, "... Iris-ya... You should stop jumping on people." I giggled, "I only do it to you, Law." He stroked my back as he held my waist to him, "... Happy birthday Iris-ya..." I smiled and hugged him, "Thanks Law!~"

I slipped away and gave Sabo a hug then Ace. I slipped my hands into Ace's and Sabo's hands. "So... Whatcha get me?" They chuckled, "Gotta wait and see!~" I huffed softly and puffed my cheek, "Fine..." I looked up as Sabo smiled, "I think you'll like my present! Easily the best!" I giggled, "That so?" Ace walked to the other side, "Nope! Mine will! Guarantee it!" I giggled, "I'm excited!~ Did you know that Nami's coming! So is Rayleigh and Shakky." I hummed and skipped softly, "I can't wait!" I froze and looked to the side, "... If Nami agrees I won't be alone in that high society bullshit alone... If she becomes my lady-in-waiting then she can come with me!"

I looked down as we walked, "However... She has Bell-mère and Nojiko... She can get paid, but... She has to live here..." I huffed softly, "... I'm not gonna ask her anymore... No reason to put her in an awkward position... I can always go to the city to hang out with h-" I looked up to see Nami waving along with a tall, relatively slim woman with long fuchsia hair tied in a ponytail and gray eyes. There were two girls my age, one was with orange hair and brown eyes, then one with blue hair and green eyes.

I slipped away and ran up, "Nami!" She ran to me and held my hands, "Hey Iris!" I giggled and looked up as the tall woman bent over, "Hello little highness." I puffed my cheek, but giggled, "I'm not little." She laughed and looked over as Garp walked out and Luffy ran out of the room with meat in his mouth. "I told you to wait outside!" He threw him out, so he rubbed his head, "Why?! It's only a little bit!"

I huffed softly, but looked over as the one with blue hair introduced herself with a clumsy curtsy, "I'm Nojiko. Pleasure." I giggled and curtsied, "Pleasure to meet you Nojiko, I'm Iris. Thank you for coming to my birthday party." I looked over as Nami pointed to the boys who were walking up, "Is that La-" I puffed my cheek, "Only I get to call him Law! Call him Tora-o!" Law's ears burned a bright red and looked away, so Sabo and Ace snickered at him.

I flushed a bright red as Nami teased, "So~ possessive.~" I jerked, "I-I'm his first friend... I-I get that privilege!" I looked back, "Right? Only your family, Uncle Shanks, and I can call you Law!" He cleared his throat and nodded. I looked back as she took my hand, "Come on! I want to show you my pr-" I blinked surprised as she got hit gently in the head, "Nami! Manners!"

I smiled softly, "... I quite like her lack of manners with me..." I giggled and grinned, "Makes us feel closer." She blinked surprised, but huffed, "... It seems that you made a wonderful friend Nami..." I smiled and nodded, "Nami's my first female friend! She's very important to me!" I looked at Nojiko and offered my hand, "Will you be my second?" She hesitantly took it, but yelped as I dragged them into the room. "Let's go see!" I looked back, "We'll be back, Bell-mère-san!" She waved as she joined the adults.