Missing Piece

Chapter 7

It was a normal day for the young North Blue pirate crew as they lounged around Sabaody Archipelago while they waited for the Polar Tang to finish coating so they can pass through Fishman Island and make it to the other side of the Grand Line. Or it should have been had it not been for the Straw Hat Pirates.

The news had passed by quickly of Luffy's attack on the Celestial Dragons and everything went downhill after that. An admiral had been called in. Their Captain was somehow involved, and they had to get off the island with the coating job half done. They managed to round up their crew from all corners of the island, and escape with few injuries despite running into a Pacifista.

All was good again. The chaos was over and that was everything.

That should have been everything at least.

The Heart Pirates stared at the lone female standing on their main deck, arms crossed over her chest and a pair of heavy leather gloves tossed on the ground before her. She looked a bit worn out, dried blood coating the corner of her lips and small cuts coating one of her thin arms.

The technician glanced over at Shachi and leaned in. He curled a hand over his mouth. "Hey, you were with Capt'n on the island. Who's the girl?"

Shachi scratched the back of his head, wondering what the fastest way to inform the group was. "Ugh, I think her name was Charlotte or something?" He honestly didn't know much. "She been following Captain since this afternoon, but she hasn't really done anything."

Cole crossed his arms at the vague respond, hazel eyes flipping towards their calm Captain staring off with the woman. His nodachi was leaning casually against his shoulder despite the slight uneven breathing and the scuff marks from fighting against the Pacifista. "Capt'n, can you reject the woman already? We can't submerge with both of you standing on the deck." He sighed, picking at his ear with his pinky. Leave it to their Captain to get some island stalker in less than a week.

"I challenge you to a duel!"

Cole nodded. Arms crossed over his chest. Yes, yes, now get the confession over with.

"A duel? That's rather direct." Law responded with a slight tilt of amusement in his voice. Cole nodded. Yes. It may be direct, but direct was good. Direct would be faster, clear and then they can get—

A duel?! Hazel eyes snapped open, darting between the two standing. "... it ain't a confession?!" He muttered out loud. Wasn't she a crazy lady fallen for their Captain's charms?

"I would have expected that the element of surprise was a common tactic used by all bounty hunters." Law continued. She was a hunter after their captain's bounty! Cole shot Shachi a look. Way to leave out the important details!

Charlotte unfolded her arms and shrugged, "Figure there's no point in an ambushed when we've already fought alongside a battle together." She didn't miss the way Law's gaze immediately drew towards the pink paw prints in the middle of her hand. She eyed the elevated skin too. Guessed they did look grotesque. "Plus, at the rate where things were going, I wouldn't get a turn in where we would be alone." Killer had showed up the first time and that extended until Luffy showed up and now the whole crew's here.

Law turned so he was fully facing the woman. So that was why she hadn't attacked him in all those earlier situations. "You didn't strike me as the shy type." Law said.

"A woman deserves some privacy." Charlotte replied easily, without missing a beat before rephrasing strangely honestly. "I'm not a fan of attention." She couldn't afford any need for unnecessary attention or prying eyes.

Law eyed the swollen pink paws on her hands. "Mystery draws attention." He warned. He lifted his sword off his shoulder. "You should know by now you can't win against me." He lifted his other hand, a small ring whirling beneath his hand. "I just have to avoid those hands of yours and you can't use that ability if you can't get close." Their conversation was coming to an end.