Chapter Text
Finally! The Sabaody Archipelago! I had arrived here a couple of days ago with the Hawkins Pirates. I had joined that crew back in the North Blue almost six months ago… even though I'm not originally from there. West Blue native here!
I joined that creepy crew because they offered the best options for stealth in traversing the Grand Line… which, given the reality of what happened to my home island, is much needed if I want to finish my parents research… as well as get revenge on the Navy and World Government for the Oharan Buster Call. Nothing would satisfy me more than exposing all of those Government cronies for the frauds and cowards they really are!
The Captain, Basil Hawkins, didn't seem to mind or even care about my past…
I remember my ‘interview’ well…
~•*~☆~*•~
He shuffled his tarot deck with quick, practiced flourish… then cut it into three stacks. He drew three cards, the top from each stack… they represented the Past, the Present, and my Future…
“The Tower… Reversed… interesting…” Hawkins said smoothly as he set the first card down on the table between us in that fancy bar back in the North Blue. His ruby red eyes looked up at me then before he continued, “So much upheaval in your past… so much loss… and you can't let it go. It motivates you… drives you… maybe even blinds you.”
Flashes fill my mind… sneaking into the Great Library on Ohara with my first and only friend, Nico Robin… the dappled light through the branches of the giant tree as we sat in its shade reading as many books as she could get from inside with her Devil Fruit power… discussing our own hypotheses about the Void Century and the meaning of the Poniglyphs scattered all along the Grand Line… leaving with my parents, tears in my eyes as I waved goodbye to Robin… the tears in her own eyes as she waved farewell in return… my parents reading the newspaper and discussing the Fall of Ohara, the Island of traitors, our home… my dad leaving to go find Robin… reading about his subsequent capture and execution some months later in the newspaper… the Marines showing up some years later… my mother telling me to run even as she commanded the trees and vines to attack our pursuers with her Devil Fruit power… the rain of glowing embers all around me as Akainu used his own Devil Fruit power… watching the little periwinkle flower she’d given me wilt in my hand as I slipped away on the small canoe to a life of endless running, knowing in that moment that my mother was dead and gone, forever… knowing that I was ALONE in this world…
The World Government has taken EVERYTHING from me.
I want to return the gesture.
Hawkins drew another card and set it down before me, snapping me from my trip down shitty memory lane.
“The Fool… Upright… Well, you certainly are starting something new… and this journey is one you've been planning for quite some time. I'm curious how this will go for you now?” He then said and gave a single amused huff of a laugh before his usual bored stoicism fell over his handsome features once more.
“And finally… The Sun… Reversed.” Hawkins said and gave a low chuckle, a slight smile graced his lips at that… then those red eyes locked with mine once more… “You'll get close to achieving your goal… but it may not end the way you intend. Lots of shadows will obscure your path… careful not to lose the light whilst in darkness, or you'll lose your way.”
He then picked up one more card from the Future stack… he gave a curt chuckle before tossing it onto the table.
It was the Lovers card.
“Love will either get you what you want… or lead you astray.” Hawkins said to me. His face, its usual uninterested look. “So what do you have to offer me and my crew?” He then asked casually… like he was commenting on the weather as he wove his fingers together, elbows on the table, and leaned in to eye me closely.
“I have many skills, plus, I'm a helluva fighter… but I specialize in herbology… not just medicines, but poisons and their antidotes.” I told him. I NEVER mention my historical studies because that draws too much of the wrong kind of attention. Hawkins had given a hum at my words.
“We’ll see how you fair as we travel the Grand Line then.” Hawkins said and gave me a slight smile as he collected his tarot cards. “Welcome aboard.”
~•*~☆~*•~
We wound up getting into a pseudo-race with Trafalgar Law and his crew as soon as we got to Reverse Mountain. Correction… I got into a race with Trafalgar Law looking for Poniglyphs as soon as we got onto the Grand Line.
Gods, I am so glad I invested in, or rather stole, Sea Prism stone for my chakram and other weapons as well as my jewelry, that has saved my ass numerous times from Law’s amputation, teleportation, and telekinesis effects in his Room bubble.
That man, Trafalgar Law, is wicked smart and sexy as fuck… and getting the one-up on him all the way along the Grand Line… has been thrilling to say the least.
I haven’t seen him here on Sabaody yet… we had been leap-frogging with each other from island to island as to which crew gets to the next one first… but if we cross paths here, I'm gonna see what Law would say to a team up. He KNOWS about my knowledge and has guessed my home island… he even produced my old Wanted Poster to me at the last island.
Nine-Lives ____, 70,000,000 Berry… and there was the photo of me when I was eight.
The Navy hasn't gotten a new photo of me since then… not even when they killed my mother, I managed to evade them at every turn… it's how I earned my epithet, Nine-Lives.
I became a master of disguise after that.
Law has been the first person to ever figure out who I really am… and, if I'm being honest with myself, I've kinda developed a bit of a soft spot for the Surgeon of Death.
And I wouldn't mind getting to know him better…
----
Two days later…
FUCK!!! The goose got cooked yesterday!
At first, I heard the Straw Hats had arrived… and I was beyond ecstatic! I so wanted to reconnect with Robin. I heard about Enies Lobby and seen her newest Wanted Poster… Robin has certainly grown up! No longer that scrawny little girl I remember… but rather a vision to behold! Then by five in the afternoon, the Straw Hats had caused a ruckus on Grove 1, no surprise there… AND gotten disbanded after a run-in with Bartholomew Kuma. His Paw-Paw Devil Fruit power is no joke!
On top of that, Hawkins got his noble butt kicked by Kizaru… and the moment he recovered, he TOOK OFF!!! Leaving me BEHIND!!!
I've had to hide out here on Sabaody since then… dodging Marines and Bounty hunters alike as I moved from Grove to Grove. Ugh! I missed my opportunity to reconnect with Robin… or cross paths with Law… and now I'm without a crew! Did I mention I've got no money either?
If I'm gonna survive until either Hawkins or Law come back for the coating process, I need some cash… so I fall back on the oldest trick I learned… pickpocketing.
-----
Five days later…
Picking pockets was a start… but betting got me more than enough. I've been keeping an eye out and have bribed some Coaters and Dock workers to keep me informed if either the Polar Tang or Grudge Dolph show up at any port.
So far… neither have…
Waiting it is then…
-----
I'm in this dingy ass bar in the Lawless Zone, just adjacent to the Docks area… been here for two hours and no decent marks have come in. Oh, there's plenty of pirates here… just not enough with a lot of cash on them.
Until a tall, tough looking fella comes in, dressed in a black corset and baggy purple pants. He's got these thorny vine tattoos on his strong arms and neck… and lots of scars… plus, a fat sack of a coin purse on his hip.
I'm gonna relieve him of it…
“Hey, handsome… care for a drink?” I tell him as I lean forward against the counter, making sure my duster jacket is open in the front. I know what I look like… I'm hot and wearing just enough clothing to maintain decency in public… but my own corset and the low neck line of my green top are certainly showing off my endless cleavage. I notice his dark eyes drop to my chest then return to my eyes.
“Sure.” He says almost quietly. He may not be much to look at, but his shyness and the sad puppy-dog look in his eyes seems quite endearing… too bad I'm about to rob him blind…
“Barkeep! Two ales, please!” I order then take a seat on the stool next to him. “So did you just arrive with your crew… or did you get left behind in the skirmish?”
“Back with my crew… we pulled into port an hour ago.” This guy tells me then the barkeep slides the mugs across the counter to us, I give the correct cash, and we start drinking, “What about you?” He then asks me as he fully turns to face me.
“Got left behind… luckily, I’m used to being abandoned, so it's not my first rodeo.” I answer honestly with a sigh before taking a long pull from the mug. This guy gets a confused look in his dark eyes at that.
“Sounds like you have the shittiest captain. MY captain would've turned right back around and picked up a forgotten crew member as soon as he realized one was missing.” He tells me.
“That sounds… nice.” I say and can’t help the hesitation in my voice. Loyalty is such a foreign concept to me. It would actually be nice knowing that SOMEONE would risk EVERYTHING just to find me… and get me back…
“Well, he's anything but nice… but he is a man of his word… and if he tells ya something, promise or threat, he follows through with it.” This guy tells me in all seriousness. I can feel the tears threatening in my eyes… so I chuckle as I duck my head, making it seem like I'm being coy…
“Still… that’s great that you're captain cares for his crew. I've watched mine cut off dead weight at the first hint of inconvenience.” I tell this man… and it's true, I HAVE seen Hawkins leave behind crewmates who have become too bothersome… or out right kill those who willfully disobey him. I've seen first hand how his Straw-Straw Fruit operates… and for the umpteenth time, I'm exceedingly grateful that I got all my Sea Prism stone before joining his crew… or there might have been a little straw doll with my life force tethered to it hidden up his sleeve.
“Your captain sounds like a REAL asshole.” He tells me and gives a short huff of a chuckle. I see him smile before he takes a long pull of his own from his mug.
“Loyalty is a rare thing to find now a days.” I tell him as I fiddle with my nearly empty mug… then look right at this guy and ask, “Another?”
“I'm just gettin’ started, Babe. This one's on me.” He then says and orders two more ales. After the mugs and cash are exchanged, he looks to me with softer eyes and an upturn to his scarred lips. “What's yer name, by the way? Mine’s Heat.” He tells me… and his name sounds familiar. I've heard it before, I know it! I'm just not making the connection currently.
“You can call me Kat.” I tell him with a shy smile as I let a few strands of my lengthy bangs fall over my left eye when I look at him. Kat is an alias I've used since I've been on my own. It works for me… I'm small… I'm sneaky… even when I find myself in troublesome situations, I always manage to land on my feet… and it is a nod to my epithet.
“Pretty. It suits ya.” Heat then tells me. I make a bit of a show looking around the rest of the bar… then lean in close to the tall bluette…
“Fancy a game of pool with me, Heat?” I ask him as I look up through my long lashes at him. Heat makes a visible gulp as I watch his Adam’s apple bob briefly.
“I'm down… I've got some time to spare that is… before my crew shows up.” He says and there's a hint of nervousness to his tone. Is he not used to a pretty woman paying him any amount of attention? If so, poor guy. He certainly seems nice enough… given his fearsome appearance.
It almost makes me feel bad about this… but I NEED that money… and I AM going to get it from him… with his willing cooperation, of course.
“Follow me then, Handsome.” I tell him before leading the way over to the pool tables in the back, swaying my hips just right as I go. A quick glance over my left shoulder let's me know that he IS following me as well as checking out my ass.
Gods, this is going to be easy!
“How about we make things interesting…” I start off as I put my mug on a nearby table and grab two sticks, tossing him one. “We put down a betting pot as we call our shots… and if the shooter makes it, the other one puts ten thousand Berry into the pot. If the shooter misses they pay out ten thousand Berry into the pot. Winner takes all.”
“Now yer speakin’ my language.” Heat says as a wide smile twists his gaunt face up. Got him now!
“Excellent! We’ll start off with a hundred thousand Berry buy-in.” I tell him as I pull out a roll of Berry from my cleavage. His eyes bulge at the size of the roll AND the fact that it was HIDDEN in my ample cleavage. “No weapons, no getting violent, no Devil Fruit powers… which I DO NOT have by the way.” I say as I take my jacket off as well as my weapons and sit them on the regular table closest to us. My sheathed katana leaves my back, my whip leaves my right hip, and my chakram leaves my lower back.
“I ate a Devil Fruit… but it won't be of any use in this game so that's all fine by me… and damn, you are a walking arsenal!” Heat comments with wide eyes as he notices the myriad of small throwing knives lining the inside of my jacket in conjunction with all of my other weapons.
“I've got a pair of daggers in my boots as well… but they won't be in the way.” I say with a sheepish grin, a playful roll of my eyes, and give a casual shrug.
“Wire would be impressed.” Heat then says as his eyes travel down then up my body. I can't help the flush that paints my cheeks. Lust has been a useful tool for me since the loss of my mother… men are slaves to it, having two heads and only enough blood to use one at a time… that's why they are so easy to manipulate.
We put the buy-in money down on the table amid my weapons. Heat stands next to that table as I break the rack… the rainbow of solid and striped balls scatters across the green felt table. The noise and clatter of the bouncing balls is grounding for me, a needed focus as I ready to line up…
“Solids. Crimson Seven. Far Side Pocket.” I make the call as I bend over, tip of the stick sliding over my left thumb as I give a hard tap to the white cue ball. It hits and knocks the called ball right into the far side pocket.
“Guess I'm Stripes then.” Heat says with a smirk as he pulls a ten thousand Berry bill from his pants pocket and puts it in the money pile on the table. I step away as he approaches.
“Stripes. Blue Ten. This Corner Pocket.” Heat states as he taps the tip of his stick to the far left corner pocket. He lines up as he bends down and hits the cue ball which knocks the blue striped ten ball into the desired corner pocket. I put the required money into the betting pool and we continue. It goes on like this for a few turns. We each make our call, perform the shot, and the other puts money in the pool, even have a few more rounds of drinks… until soon enough, however, I start getting creative…
I give Heat little touches, slight ones at first… to his arms and shoulders… then his back and hair… as we pass each other. Quickly, his focus falters and he starts missing his shots, thus adding more money to the pot until his personal stash of cash is depleted… and he has to dip into that fat coin purse to make up the difference.
By the time I sink the Eight ball in the called pocket at the end, thus winning the pot, he is blushing and stammering.
“One more game! I gotta win that money back or the Boss is gonna be furious with me.” Heat declares, agitation clear in his voice.
“Alright… one more game. Now it's a hundred thousand each call… with a million Berry buy-in. Take it or leave it.” I state casually. He runs a hand through his long pale blue hair and huffs out a sigh.
“Fine… fine! I accept the terms. Let's do this!” He says as determination and confidence fill him.
I rack the balls… he breaks them… and he gives it a valiant go… but a few well placed touches, looks, and very suggestive postures from me… and I am, once more, sinking the Eight ball within the called pocket at the end… winning all of the money and leaving him with a very empty coin purse.
“I hate to cut and run now, Handsome… but I've got places to be and people to see. Thanks for the game… and the cash.” I tell him with a smile as I put my duster jacket on, set my weapons in place, and stand up on tip-toes to peck a kiss to his scarred lips. I then turn with a flourish… and run face first right into a wall of muscle. I notice sun-kissed skin and a dusting of golden hair between puffy pecs hidden behind a black shirt with white polka-dots that is barely buttoned up.
Surprised, I look up and my eyes meet a blue and white striped helmet instead of a face… I know THIS man for a certainty!
The Massacre Soldier… Killer!
Heat had mentioned something about waiting for his crewmates… turns out that meant he was waiting for the Kidd Pirates to show up.
“Seriously, Heat… you lost money to a Bar Fly… AGAIN.” Comes Killer’s deep baritone echoing out from behind that full-faced helmet. He tilts his head back and to the side giving the bluette an annoyed look… or as best of one as he can.
“Can't leave him alone for ANY length of time, it seems.” An even taller man wearing a lot of fish net clothing and a black cape with a spikey cowl says as he approaches Heat, giving the slightly shorter bluette an amused smirk as he claps a big hand to his shoulder. Heat’s face turns red from embarrassment as a chorus of laughter comes from all around us… it seems the entire Kidd Pirate crew has shown up to this bar!
Oh boy! I'm FUCKED!
“I'm NOT a Bar Fly!” I snap back to the tall blonde man before me. If I'm gonna die right here and now, then I'm not going to do so as a coward!
More laughter comes from around us as this colorful crew makes certain I am thoroughly surrounded… and that means there's no escape from what's coming.
“Well then… what are ya?” Comes a gruff tenor voice sounding very amused by this whole scenario… and Killer steps out of the way, revealing his taller redheaded captain… the infamous Eustass Kidd!
“Hmm… ya’ve got alotta metal on ya.” The redhead states casually as he eyes my body down then up. When his bright orange eyes meet mine, there's a wide grin upon his pale face, splitting his wine-colored lips with maniacal glee. “I asked ya a question.” I shake my head having stared too long at his approach… black coat with purple lining bellowing behind him and that popped collar framing his pale face topped with wild fiery hair, goggles glinting from the overhead lights…
His Wanted Poster does him no justice… he is both truly terrifying and strangely attractive…
“I'm just a Survivor… on my way to Laugh Tale in search of the One Piece.” I tell him and take a step closer… of course, I have to crane my neck up just to glare at him since he's a full foot taller than me. He cocks a non-existent brow at my words and his crew goes silent.
“Ya wanna be King of the Pirates?” He then asks me as his grin fades into a simple smile. His eyes betray his true feelings though as they narrow, trying to discern my true intent.
“No…” I tell him honestly. “I want to bring down the World Government and abolish the Navy. Fuck the Marines!” I add and turn my head to spit on the wooden floor.
Eustass Kidd throws his head back and laughs heartily at that. The others join in, save for Killer. The silence of that blonde murder machine has me more on edge than his boisterous captain as he just stares at me from behind his mask…
“So yer a Revolutionary!” Kidd then says, snapping my attention back to the big, beefy redhead before me.
“I work alone… mostly.” I say firmly. Laughter breaks out around us at that… but when Kidd raises a hand, silence falls.
“Yer feisty. I like that.” He says, his voice low and interested. “But… I can't let ANYONE walk away with MY money.” His voice gets lower, gruffer, as his smile drops into a frown. “And if ANYONE is gonna find the One Piece and be King of the Pirates… it's gonna be ME.” He growls out as he crowds me, forcing me back until my butt hits the pool table.
I am NOT amused.
“Look here, Big Red…” I say as I lift my right hand to tap a finger to the center of his very well-muscled chest. Kidd looks down, slight confusion upon his face. “I WON that money FAIR AND SQUARE! If you want it BACK… then YOU have to beat me at a game of pool! Got that?”
We just glare at each other for a long moment afterwards… then Eustass Kidd laughs loud and long.
“What's yer name, woman?” He then asks me, smile returning to his face.
“Kat.” I tell him… and he gives a hum as he looks me over once more.
“Okay… Kitten.” He starts in the most condescending tone with a sly grin. “Here's how this is gonna go down-” He continues but doesn't finish as he grabs my wrist… his bare hand touching the Sea Prism stones upon my cuff bracelet… and suddenly he’s helpless before me.
“What was that, Big Red?” I ask in mock curiosity as he falters and slumps over me. My other hand comes up, bracelet touching his throat as I casually rest it on his shoulder… and he drops to his knees before me.
“Alright, whatever yer doin’, ya need ta stop before things get messy.” Killer says calmly as his Punisher blades come out. Luckily, even with Kidd on his knees before me, the big redhead is still tall enough for me to use effectively as a human shield as long as I lean slightly forward.
“Agree to a game, Big Red, and I'll stop touching you.” I tell Eustass Kidd as I pat the side of his face, making sure to keep the cuff bracelet on that wrist against his alabaster skin. He gives me a calculating glare then nods lazily.
“Alright! One game!” Kidd agrees and I remove my forearm from his throat and my wrist from his hand. I wisely step away from his crouched form before he can recover. As he stands, I make a show of removing my weapons… even opening my duster jacket to show off all of my throwing knives. The last thing I do is take my chakram out, holding it up. Everyone tenses up at the sight of the foot wide circular blade in my right hand. If I wanted, I could take out half this bunch with one skilled throw… but then I’d have to deal with the other half… and Killer. That man alone would be the hardest to take down.
I put my chakram on the table.
Killer eases up, lowering his blades from his position on the other side of the pool table and stands up straighter.
“She’s got a dagger in each boot as well.” Heat speaks up as Kidd comes around to look at me and all of my weapons.
“Just full of surprises, Kitten! Yer quite the walkin’ arsenal. Killer! Give the lady here a pat down… make it thorough.” Kidd orders and in an instant, Killer is behind me… blades sheathed and his big hands are free of his gauntlets… and they are quick to grab, fondle, pat, and grope me from head to toe. The blonde man stands up straight with a dagger in each hand after a minute of his vigorous searching.
“Nice.” Comes that deep baritone echoing from behind the helmet as he feels the weight of my twin daggers… even giving them a spin with his index fingers through the ring at the cross guard. “She's clean now.” He says as he stops playing with them and sets them down next to my jacket on the table. What the Massacre Soldier doesn't know is that there is a small punch dagger hidden in my heart-shaped belt buckle…
“If you were any more thorough, Goldilocks… I'd owe you money… can't really say it was a good time, since I'm under duress.” I state sarcastically… Killer ignores the jab, yet his mask faces my way when I glare at the blonde. Kidd then moves in closer to get a better look at the tools of my trade.
“Ahhh… Sea Prism stones… in yer weapons AND yer jewelry.” He growls out then presses in close to my front, a thick blunt finger tracing up my cleavage… yet stopping short of my choker necklace. The warm digit then moves to my chin as he tilts my head one way then the other to look at my earrings. “Clever.” He whispers out and traces my full bottom lip with his thumb before he steps away. I can feel my heart pounding behind my ribcage, eager to break free.
Is this fear?
Or something else I dare not name?
“Lose the jewelry… every piece.” He demands. I hesitate for a moment as I glare at him. “I know what yer thinkin’… and yer in no position to negotiate now, Kitten. After all, I'm just makin’ things FAIR.” He adds with a devilish smile. I comply, removing my earrings, my choker, my brackets, the anklets around my boots… but I leave my belt on.
“Even the belt, Kitten. I know that's Sea Prism stone on the buckle.” He demands. I groan out a sigh and do as ordered, putting my belt on the growing pile… but I keep my coin purse in hand.
“How’s about we shake things up a bit.” He starts as he takes his coat off and tosses it to a big homely-looking fella with his long pink hair up in a ponytail wearing a fuzzy magenta jacket similar to his captain’s though not as long… then removes his bandolier and tosses that to a giant of a man with pale sea green hair and long arms before picking up two sticks.
He's topless now as he stands before me. I can't help but look at his bare muscled body. He has NO RIGHT to look THAT GOOD without a friggin’ shirt on!
I just frown as I lock eyes with him once more.
“We’re playin’ for the money… but also… what exactly am I gonna do with ya AFTER this game is finished… cause ya ain't walkin’ outta here unless I say ya can. Got that?” He rubs the blue chalk to the tips then gives me an unhinged look and the wildest crazed grin I've ever seen.
He MEANS it.
And given his reputation… there's a chance I might NOT walk out of here alive after this game. I can't help the swallow that follows such a realization.
“Any suggestions, Crew?” Kidd asks casually of the pirates surrounding us.
“String her up!”
“Cut her hands off!”
“Chop her to pieces while she's STILL ALIVE!!!”
“Kill her dead!”
“A cut for every Berry she took!”
“Ooo… that's a creative one.” Kidd remarks as he grins and eyes me. “A cut for EVERY Berry taken.”
“Let Killer do IT!”
“Let us ALL get a cut in!”
“We can take turns pouring salt in the wounds!” A chorus of ‘Aye’s comes after that. I DON'T flinch… I DON'T look away as his crew laugh and joke about how they each want to cut me and put salt in the wounds or squirt lemon juice on me. I just keep my eyes locked on their captain’s. A clear frown upon my face as I show NO FEAR.
“If you win… do your worst, Captain Kidd. I won't CARE. The World Government already took EVERYTHING from me… you and your crew will just get to have your fun with the shell they left behind.” I tell him, keeping my voice cold as ice as I take the stick he offers.
“Very well then… if I win… yer body is MINE… and I'll decide what ta do with ya.” Kidd declares and the snickers follow.
“And if I win… I walk out of this bar WITH every last Berry in THIS bag… unharmed and without being harassed by you or ANY member of your crew. Understood?” I tell him firmly as I shake the fist holding my own coin purse, which is bursting with how full it is, and set it down on top of my jacket, inside the circle of my chakram.
“Perfectly.” He responds as he racks the balls. “Ya hear that everyone?! If she wins, she leaves scot-free, no retaliation from any one of ya… IS THAT CLEAR?!” He then shouts at his gathered crew and gives them all a hard glare. The gathered men and women nod and vocally affirm their captain’s order. Even Killer nods his covered head once, slow and measured, so as not to be missed. That gesture alone reassures me more than those of the others.
“Now… ladies first.” Kidd tells me with a smile as he removes the racking frame and takes a step away from the table. I take a deep breath to settle my nerves before I step up to the pool table’s ‘kitchen’. I lean over and line up my shot…
“Ya got a NICE ass, Kitty-Kat!” Comes the jeering voice of a male Kidd Pirate from behind me… it is quickly followed by some more cat-calls and whistles.
“I’d tap dat ass!” Another guy comments as jeers and laughter follow. I ignore them and, instead, knock the cue ball hard to break the racked rainbow balls. They clatter and jostle over the table… the yellow striped Nine ball gets knocked into a corner pocket.
“Hmm… I'm Solid then.” Kidd says casually as I stand up straight. The giant redhead waltzes right past me… but he takes a moment to lean in and whisper to me, “I can see how Heat got distracted enough to lose to ya.” He then smacks his left hand to my ass. It's hard enough to sting, causing me to squeak and jump slightly.
“Ya sound more like a Mouse than a Kat.” Kidd comments loudly and they all have a laugh as my face flushes. I absently rub my left hand to my stinging butt cheek as I narrow my eyes at this grinning redhead.
“Green Six. This Corner Pocket.” He calls out, tapping the lower left corner pocket before leaning his massive, well-muscled body over the edge of the table… lining up his shot with his stick on his right thumb. I can't help but look at the definition and cut of each muscle in his torso as he draws the stick back with his left hand, eyes me with a side glance, grins wider when my eyes meet his, and makes his shot. The ball sinks into the called pocket. His crew cheer him on.
“Seems ya can be distracted as well, Kitten.” He says with a cocky grin as he stands before me, flexing his muscles enough to make his pecs dance.
I flush all the redder as I can't help but watch.
And he has a hearty laugh at my ogling.
“You are so full of yourself. Blue Ten. This Corner Pocket.” I huff out at him, frustrated… mostly at myself for getting into this situation in the first place. He just chuckles at my plight… then moves to stand directly behind me as I reposition around the table and lean forward to line up my next shot. Suddenly, his lips are by my left ear as he leans over me…
“You could be full of me too… soon enough that is.” He whispers out, hot breath hitting my ear and neck… sending shivers down my spine. His big hands grab my hips and pull me against his crotch… if he thinks he can use lust against me, he's got another thing coming… but I can't help rubbing my bubble butt against him as he presses in harder...
Fuck! He's half hard AND hangs to the left nearly down to his knee!
I hit the cue ball… it hits the called ball… which bounces right out of the called pocket.
Double FUCK!!!
Kidd just laughs as I pout. He repositions and calls his shot as I just glare at him. He’s better than I initially thought… but maybe I can turn this situation around to my benefit once more.
One thing I've learned about myself when it comes to getting intimate since I was a teen… I do enjoy it better when the man is well-endowed, because I am apparently ‘made’ to take such men.
I just have to distract him… and perhaps seduce the infamous Captain Kidd in the process.
“Are you sure about this shot?” I ask innocently enough as I lean forward over the table’s edge from the side opposite him. I give him the best view down my green top… which causes him to do a double take as he makes his shot… and misses.
“Told ya.” I say simply and bat my eyes at him as I move to reposition. He just scowls at me for a moment. “You see… it's all in how you handle the stick.” I tell him as I suggestively rub my right hand along the shaft and run my tongue across my upper lip slowly. I smile when I see Kidd lick his own lips at whatever carnal thoughts are flitting through his mind after that display. I make my call and ready my shot… by leaning my left butt cheek against the table’s edge and putting the stick behind my back. I line up the shot carefully… arching my back which juts my tits out… and I part my lips like I'm about to moan in ecstasy…
I hit the cue ball as I sigh and the called ball goes into the called pocket with practiced ease…
But before I can get out of that position, Eustass Kidd is in front of me. His big hands on the table’s edge on either side of me… closing me in and, effectively, trapping me. I can't help but smile at the thrill of this.
“Yer playin’ with fire, Kitten.” He says low and gruff as he eyes me with that burning gaze of his. It sends a thrill through me… straight down to my core.
“What? You can't stand the heat? Cause I can.” I say softly giving him a coy look from under my lashes and a sweet smile. A tense moment passes as he glares at me and I flutter my lashes at him some more.
“This is endin’ one way or another… careful, or you might not like it.” Eustass Kidd warns, his voice low as he leans in closer. I can smell the mint of his mouthwash and the scent of his body wash. ‘That means he's not a complete slob.’ I find myself thinking at his proximity.
“And what if I do?” I ask innocently enough as I rub my thigh slowly against the bulge in his baggy pants. A low growl escapes his painted lips… but he doesn't break eye contact.
“Oh, Kitten… you love livin’ dangerously.” Kidd says as though stating a fact, his voice low and full of lust. That maniacal grin of his makes a return as he chuckles, “I think I know just what I'm gonna do with ya.”
“Promises, promises. It’s your shot, Big Red.” I tell him as I tilt my face up more towards his… our lips close to touching.
“Aye, that it is.” Kidd says simply and adjusts himself before pulling away.
-----
“Ugh! The Captain is gonna fuck her!” Dive grumbles from her overlarge mouth as she stamps a small foot and frowns. The other women of the crew groan and grumble as they start to lose interest at the blatant flirting taking place before their eyes.
“Now hold on! This could get good!” Mosh says eagerly as he holds Kidd’s coat, grinning like a fool, and elbows a tall, skinny guy next to him with wild purple hair who’s chewing gum.
“Heh-heh! True, Cap doesn't mind showin’ off a lady.” Bubblegum says with a smile then blows a bubble.
“He doesn't mind sharin’ either.” Reck says with a wide grin as his hands rub the butts of his pistols at his hips. All the while his kohl lined eyes are roving this woman's curves.
“Let him cook.” Wire says in his deep baritone, a hint of a smile upon his own lips, then the men of the crew gather in closer as the female crewmembers disperse.
“I don't think blood is gonna start flyin’ anytime soon…” Killer says and gives a short huff of a chuckle as he crosses his arms and leans back against a pillar. His striped helmet is tilted down as he watches the exchange between Kidd and this rather attractive woman flirt hot and heavy with each other nearby. “But I wouldn't be surprised if her clothes come off before this ends.”
The men have a laugh at that. Some of them start talking about how they'd love to have a go with this pretty lady… Killer knows, for a fact, that if Kidd is going to share her with anyone… it'll be himself first.
But given how flirty this Kat woman is being with his captain… Kidd might not want to share anytime soon… at least not until he's had his fill of her first.
The dueling pair go back and forth round after round at that table as well as each other. Killer has to admit that Kidd is restraining himself rather well given that this woman is now touching the big, beefy redhead every time they get close.
Killer is also close enough to hear the female crewmembers grumbling at a large table nearby as they drink…
“I wanted to cut her tits off!” Dive yells out after draining her mug and aggressively slamming it down.
“Oh, you’re just jealous because she's so pretty.” Quincy tells the diminutive green-haired woman. The other women chuckle at that.
“Am NOT!” Dive shouts loudly as she hops up to stand on her seat. Big mouth opening wide to reveal rows of sharp teeth as she growls heatedly at the lovely redheaded lady.
“Are too.” Quincy chimes in with a knowing grin yet refuses to look the tiny woman in the eyes.
“And I bet you just wanna lick her snatch!” Dive retorts… this causes Quincy to stop checking her well-manicured nails, which are magenta French tips with a tiny pink jewel glued in the center of each one.
“Bet she'd let me between her thighs before you, Shrimpette.” Quincy quips as she gives a chilly glare to the other woman.
“That's IT!!!” Dive yells as she opens her maw wide…
“Goddamnit.” Killer huffs out as steps away from the pillar and turns to the women's table… but he stops as an audible click is heard… one of Quincy's wrist mounted guns has come out and is cocked as the short barrel touches Dive’s chin.
“Okay, ladies… stop antagonizing each other. If you wanna see blood… go start a fight somewhere else. The Captain is having his fun right now and you ALL know what will happen if his fun is disturbed.” Killer informs them as he steps in closer to their table. He tilts his masked head back slightly to let them know his agitation.
“Sorry, Kil.” They all grumble out lowly. Quincy removes her gun from Dive’s chin, and with a flick of her wrist, it slides back into place hidden once more up her sleeve. Dive hops down and takes off for the front of the bar to start a fight with any random asshole up there.
“Someone follow her… she's half Piranha Fishwoman… and we don't need the locals gettin’ wise ta that.” Killer orders in a low tone and a couple of other ladies peel off to follow suit and keep an eye out for their crewmate.
Killer then turns his attention back to the game behind him…
-----
What the FUCK!!!
I watch Eustass Kidd sink the Eight ball into the called pocket BEFORE me… and I did everything to distract him! I pulled out ALL the stops, so to speak, by leaning up behind him and grabbing his hard cock through his pants… and he STILL sank the ball… now I've lost!
“Would ya look at that? I won.” Eustass Kidd says casually, giving me a very satisfied smile as he steps in close. The men around us laugh as the tall cloaked guy in fish net takes my coin purse into his possession.
GREAT!!! I've lost ALL of my money and now this fearsome pirate has a claim to my body as well!
I frown and just glare at all of them, still as a statue as Eustass Kidd takes back his coat and puts it on.
“Like I said… do your worst. It doesn't matter.” I tell the redheaded pirate captain as he looms large before me.
“Why should I do my worst… when we can enjoy ourselves instead?” He tells me lowly, voice rough with barely restrained lust. I can see it in his bright eyes as his left hand picks up a lock of my hair to feel it's softness.
“I'll believe it when I see it.” I tell him simply and give a slight smile. He growls and moves so quickly, I barely have time to notice… then, suddenly, I'm hoisted over his left shoulder with ease to look down at the back of his black coat. My gods, it's like I weigh nothing to him! How much muscle does this man have?
“Kil! We're goin’ to the hotel! Grab her stuff! Don't forget anything! Heat! Yer comin’ as well! Wire! Yer in charge here! Make sure everyone has a good time and no one goes off alone! I don't wanna be disturbed until tomorrow!” Kidd commands and there's a flourish of activity. He smacks my ass when he utters the last sentence, causing me to squeak, and turns to head to the front of this establishment.
From my perch over his shoulder, I see a sad looking Heat put his hands into his pockets after he stands and follows close behind… our eyes meeting every so often. Meanwhile, the Massacre Soldier grabs my stuff, putting my jewelry into his pockets and using my duster jacket as a makeshift sack to carry the rest, save for my katana. He shoulders both the strap of my sword and my jacket over his left shoulder as we exit and head off towards wherever this hotel the crew is staying at.
I suppose things could be worse. He could've listened to his crew and tortured me back there… but I couldn't let that happen. I've got a dream of my own to fulfill… and I'll do whatever it takes to make it real.
I'm just glad Eustass Kidd can be seduced. I heard rumors that him and Killer are close… like really close… so flirting with the big, beefy redhead was something of a gamble.
Then again, maybe I bit off more than I can chew on this endeavor.
Because I've also heard that Eustass Kidd is something of a hedonist. If it's not violence, murder, or mayhem being discussed when people talk about him… it's his love of partying, drinking, and carousing that comes up. The wilder and raunchier, the better!
…And we are being accompanied by two other members of his crew…
What did I just get myself into?