I always work alone (Eustass Kid x OC)

Chapter 4 : Crane

The ship was now far away from Water Seven. Most of the men were now asleep after an almost sleepless night. Only Kid was perfectly awake and looked after the good operation of the ship. They were now safe. The Marines didn't chase them and they could reach the next town to buy food, water and all the other things they needed.

At that moment, he realized that he didn't see Lanniya from the night before. He walked all around the ship and found her in your little corner. She was awake. The sun was so bright that it shone trough the hood of her cape. She was now staring at the horizon, lost in her thoughts. She didn't know what to do. She, who wanted to stay independent, was now part of a crew she didn't choose.

Kid went in front of her, without saying a thing. She didn't look at him. After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth.

- Shadow, you should come on the deck with the others.

- If it's to meet people I didn't chose to work with, no thanks.

- It was the deal. You accepted it.

- I didn't have the choice. You forced me to lose my independence for some reasons I don't know.

- You are a great fighter... And a stealer is always useful.

- Some of your sailors are better than me. And you didn't need a stealer before.

Kid did not answer. The reasons why he wanted Lanniya in his crew was personal and he would probably never tell her. You hid your head once again in her cape.

- Come at least in my cabine. I would need to talk with you anyway.

She stood up without saying a thing and followed Kid in his cabine. If the crew looked at her, she didn't see it. Once in his cabine, Kid sat on a chair and Lanniya stood up in front of him. When she looked up, she noticed that Killer was also there. She took out her cape and let it fall on the floor.

- So, you are now a part of our crew, Shadow. You may not like it, but it's the deal.

- I know, a deal is a deal. I won't try to convince you to let me free, but don't expect me to be a smiling person.

- As you wish, but it would be sad, he sighed.

She ignored him

- Well, now that I am your captain, I'd like to know your real identity. I will keep it secret if you want so.

- My real name is Lanniya, she told him annoyed. But I don't want anyone to call me like this.

- So, how am I and the others supposed to call you ? he said standing up, a little bit annoyed. Shadow ? Flower Knight ?

- Neither. The Flower Knight is dead. And Shadow was the Flower Knight, so no one should call me with those names.

- Why is it so important for you to erase this identity ? he said, not understanding.

- Because they knew what was my name ! she screamed.

Immediately, she put her hand on her mouth. Nobody was supposed to know the reason why she stole all this money. She stepped back until she hit the wall of the cabine. Kid looked at her suspiciously.

- Who, knew ? he said coming to her.

- The... The people... No... The... My...

Kid looked even more suspicious. Lanniya took a deep breathe, closed her eyes and said straight away :

- I used to give all the money to some people I am close to. They knew my name and I can't let them know where and with who I am now.

Kid stepped back. He turned away.