Of Warlords and Children (Trafalgar Law Book 2)

Chapter Five

"Here Hunter, carry this for me." Her smiles always made him feel loved.

The boy takes the outstretched pitcher from a woman with dark hair. He's wearing a happy expression on his face, like this was enough for him. This island, this town, this task. All of it was enough and he was happy. He had his mother and their meager way of living. 

Then it all had to change.

He could still remember coming home one day to find his mother collapsed on the floor. The way her breathing was shallow and there was a sour scent in the air. The fact that it took everything he had to not break down and just cry at the way the doctors spoke about her. No one wanted to help them, all because they were 'unwanted'. Not even the king of Dressrosa would help.

"Mama..." His voice is trembling, so weak.

She takes his trembling hand in her cold one, despite everything there's a smile on her face, "...I... love you."

Then she was gone.

Vein gasps as he sits up, adrenaline shooting through his body. Looking around for a few terrifying moments he finally realizes exactly where he is and calms down a bit. Cracking his back into place he then checks the watch on his wrist, as always it shows him two past five. He runs a thumb over the cracked, jagged surface lost in thought. 

"Of all times... why now?"

Rayne's Pov

I stand there at the stove helping Oz get everything ready for breakfast. At first he was going to fight me and say that I needed to go and sit down. However I put a stop to that type of thinking right away. I know I'm pregnant and all but I'm not about to be sat down like a doll until I look like I'm ready to pop. I'll fight that one tooth and nail. Besides, I'm bending to all of their other wishes anyways. 

"Here you are, grilled fish just like you like it." I set the plate down in front of Law with another mug of coffee.

He smirks, "You're doting on all of us... what do you want?"

"What, I can't be kind to you all without me suddenly wanting something?" I glare at him.

He picks up his mug and puts it to his lips, "No." 

I roll my eyes and stomp off toward the kitchen. In reality I really do need something but I'm not going to let Law know he's right about that until he hopefully forgets. Picking up a few other platters I go into the room only to have Shachi and Penguin take them from my hands and set them on the table. Shrugging it off I turn to go and get the rest when the twins shoot past me, grabbing them up and putting them all on the table. Darwin brings in the silverware and I feel ready to choke them all.

Never, ever have they been so helpful. I know exactly what they're doing and it's a bittersweet thing. I like that they're being nice and all but at the same time I'm dying with everyone trying to take over everything I do. Is it going to be like this forever?

"Good morning sunshines! How are we doing this morning?" Vein bursts into the room stretching and taking a seat to the right of Darwin and to the left of Law, AKA my seat. 

Picking up a wooden spoon I hurl it at his head. It bounces off with pinpoint accuracy, "That's my seat." I go over there and sit down in the now vacated seat. I have to say that even though it was at Vein's expense, that made me feel better. 

"That's not fair Rayne!"

Vein gets up to go and fight for his chair back but literally the entire crew had either their butter knives or their own weapons out and pointed at Vein's throat. Law then looks over at him and I can see the barely retstrained patience showing on his face. It's obvious that he's pretty pissed off with not being able to do anything about Vein in the way of taking away his powers.