The Marionette

Chapter 27: Safe

"So basically we've been running from the marines the last few days, Penguin obsessively kept checking on you while you were out cold and we've decided to head for Sabaody Archipelago soon," Ikkaku summarized the events from the last week on each of her fingers before giving you a confident nod.

You brushed some of your hair back in thought, "how soon is soon?" You asked, deciding to avoid the Penguin comment for now as you still needed to resolve that issue. You knew Law wanted to get a kick start on some of his plans, but seeing it put into action was a whole different story. He was very thorough when it came to planning, so if he was starting to push off, you knew he must think it was time to get a move on.

Ikkaku sat cross legged on your bed as she rolled up the sleeves on her white jumpsuit, "if memory serves me correctly, the captain wants to increase our provisions, medical supplies and other supplies for the first few months. We also need to train harder during that time and then we're off!" There was an optimistic look on her face as she pumped a fist in the air with a grin.

"So basically next year?" You thought aloud as you recounted how long you'd been aboard Law's crew. Time seemed to fly by, you'd already been here for half of a year and you were sure you'd forgotten about your birthday too which meant you were now twenty. It also made you wonder if Law turned twenty three, that is, if Baby Five was correct about the age difference.

Ikkaku nodded in response, "scary isn't it?" She shuddered with a sigh, "one year from now seems so far away, but next thing you know, we're going to be sailing with the big leagues!" She shook her head aggressively while holding her shoulders and squeezing them.

You let out a soft chuckle, "I guess," you said while watching her shake in fear. "If that's all, I'd really like to get some sleep," you added while stretching your arms out with a yawn.

Ikkaku paused, but then grinned, "and then we can gossip when you come back to our room!" Her eyes were shining with glee as she hopped off your bed, "this is so exciting! I haven't been able to talk about boy stuff in so long!" She dramatically shouted while skipping towards the door, your brow twitching in annoyance as she did so.

"There's nothing to talk about!" You called out to her as she slammed the door open, ignoring you while waving you good bye before shutting it behind her. You threw yourself back while covering your face with your hands, there was no changing her mind at this point.

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Echo's of past memories whispered in your dream, it was of yourself back when you were in Dressrosa, standing in front of a mirror. You stared at your reflection, it was you, but at the same time it wasn't. It felt as if you weren't in control of your movements, as if someone was pulling the strings and maneuvering you around. You could see yourself walking down those dark, familiar hallways within Doflamingo's castle as the sound of his demented laughter bounced off the brick walls.

Your body glided down the halls until the strings halted you right outside of Doflamingo's office door, the dread of seeing him sunk into your stomach. You were always intimidated by him, but now that you let yourself break free, those emotions felt suffocating. The door swung open and just as you entered, you could hear his taunting voice, feel the presence of overwhelming haki, it felt so surreal.

You could feel a cold sweat begin as your heart began to race at the anticipation of seeing your cruel controller. The room was pitch black and as your legs moved on their own, the door slammed shut behind you, your eyes suddenly snapping wide open as you felt someone shaking your shoulders. You gasped loudly as your eyes began to adjust to the lighting in the room, Law's blurry face morphing more clearly while he stopped gripping onto your shoulders.