Chapter 24: Lily of the Valley

*New timeline, 20 years after

Law almost snapped at Shachi and Penguin who dragged him along to see the night festivities. They had been settling at this island for two days now, waiting for their log pose to stabilize. And within those two days, Law never set foot on it. 

These days he finds himself trapped in constant deja vu. In the dreams that haunts him every now and then. After Luffy had became King of the Pirates, and had shared his bargain of a knowledge to him, all purpose for his piracy had dissipate. And his answerless dreams begun. A woman, he remembered, it was always a different scenario but the only constant thing between his dreams was that a certain woman was always present. And in his dreams, the woman always dies, always disappears, always vanishes into thin air.

And he would always wake up in his own pool of sweat and tears. Something he never understood really.

He let out a sigh as he groaned to his crew who has already gathered around one corner of the open area where chairs and tables had been set up. There was a long T-shaped stage on the middle and the lights were hanging overhead of them.

"This better be worth it"

He grumbled but the others only laughed at him as they placed the drinks and food on his side of the table.

The lights turned off as the beat of the drums roared through the night air, the rhythm vibrating throughout their bodies. Law felt his senses heightened as he keep them open for any possible attacks. Being in the dark made him and his crewmates too vulnerable but he couldn't reprimand them for being careless. Not when they seemed to be enjoying the festivities.

But when the cheers and yells erupted, each and everyone of them found themselves staring at the sole figure in the stage. The one being highlighted by a single circle of light.

Her black hair circled by a variety of purple, blue, and pink ribbons that flowed along with her long hair. 

Along with the rhyth, of the music, the lights one by one turned on revealing the full figure of the female on the stage. Her body clothed with a lavender colored dress, with butterflies trailing around her every movement. Their wings fluttering as they follow her every step. Her every move that matched the rhythm of the music mesmerized Law.

The cheers died down and the audience had settled themselves into clapping their hands. The music roared faster, much harsher but her movement remained so fluid that her very dress seemed like it was dancing along with her.

The lower half of her face was covered with a thin piece of lavender fabric. But Law could see her eyes. Her eyes that glimmered through the light as they spin along with her movements. Her eyes that squint, an indication of a smile, as she slowly scan the crowd seated all around her. 

The peak of the music reached through Law's ears as he blinked. She was graceful, too graceful and elegant, her movements made him too stunned to even move in his place.

But then she stopped. Her one arm seeming to reach to the sky as a butterfly dwell on her finger. She stopped and bowed gracefully and the crowd cheered her name. Her name.

"Lily! Lily! Lily!"

They roared and Law embraced himself as the woman took off the flimsy mask covering half of her face. Law caught his breath, his body too rigid to even move. The person he was staring at was the same person he had seen in most of his dreams these days.

It was the same person that he had been wanting to search for. He felt his heart beat loudly. Feel that loud thump against his skin and he had to fight every urge in him to stand up and meet her.

"They call her Lily of the Valley"

Law turned to Shachi who almost shouted amidst the cheers and loud music that had begun once again.

"Lily of the valley?"

Shachi nodded and smilingly pointed at the woman on the stage.

"The purest and most gentle heart that had lived in these lands. They said everyone adored and respected her. Stories told of how the lands brightened up when she arrived here. Like happiness had returned to the land. A strong, beautiful, kind yet elusive woman who wouldn't let any outsider harm the island. Thus, Lily of the Valley"

It fitted her, Law had thought. His gaze narrowing down on her again only to be met by another set of eyes. His gaze met hers and it did wonders on his mind when he saw a flicker of emotion there.

An emotion he would never dare name, as he had never met her before. Never knew her, only in his dreams and yet, he felt as if he already knew her.

The next day, Law had walked around with Bepo on the island. He had laid awake all night thinking about the beautiful Lily he saw. He needed to know if they had known each other before.

Shachi had told him enough for him to know that Lily had lived within the confinements of these island her whole life. On normal days, they said she was a doctor and an apothecary. On days where they are attacked by pirates, she was their protector. And on happy occasions like festivals and like last night, she was the flower blooming underneath the moonlight.

Law cleared his throat as he stood in front of the store that they had stopped. It had read Lily on the signage and it was where he was directed to when asked about where to get herb medicines. He opened the door, the bell rang indicating a customer and at the same time a young lad welcomed them.

"Hello, how can we help you?"

Must be her assistant.  He thought as he stared at the young blonde man behind the counter.

"We're looking for medicinal herbs"

It was Bepo who answered him, and Bepo who walked over to him at the counter as Law walked around the store. He saw different herbal medicines as well as medicines made with science. His hand reached out to the jar of red tablets with a smiley face on its cap.

"I'm afraid that isn't for sale"

A feminine voice startled him and Law almost let out a curse as he turned around and saw Lily beneath the stairs. Her gaze move from him to the jar he was holding.

"I believe you wouldn't have any much use for that, Trafalgar Law"

The way his name rippled across her lips sent him to a frenzy.

"You know who I am?"

He asked a little gently than he had intended. But she walked towards him and snatched the medicine from his hand. Her expressions icy cold and yet Law couldn't feel any hostile intentions when she said.

"You are a pirate, everyone knows who you are"

Then Law had realized that what he might have saw last night was merely a recognition for his growing popularity. Law cleared his throat as he stared at her. 

Gone were her make up and intricate hairstyle and dress. Replaced by a black v-necklined shirt, a pair of denim pants and a lab coat. Her hair tied back neatly into a ponytail revealing a part of her skin that Law stared at.

"Join my crew"

He blurted out rather unintelligently, making everyone in the store turn to face him.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm here to recruit you, join my crew"

Lily raised an eyebrow before letting out a non-humourous laugh. Her eyes gleaming so dangerously that it made Law be wary of her for the first time.

"I am no pirate Trafalgar Law, I am a doctor and I do not leave the thresholds of this island unless I want it to be left alone in its doom"

They did say she was their protector but Law never understood the severity of it.

"Pirates cannot run free and not face consequences when they harm the innocent people. That is widely known now"

Law saw how Lily pursed her lips and turned her back on him.

"Regardless, we would appreciate it if you leave the island as soon as you can"

Before Law could even let another word out, Lily was gone. Her form vanishing behind the doors of the inside rooms. It was only for a short time but Law could feel himself uncomfortable with a feeling he couldn't figure out. An emotion he couldn't put a finger on. 

On the backside of the shop, Yulie slumped down the floor as she felt her knees give way. It was all she could do to not tear up upon seeing Law again. Last night, when her gaze met his, she could feel her lungs being devoid of any air as if she had forgotten how to breathe.

20 years.

For 20 years, she had steeled herself to not meet any of her brothers, her family, her friends, and Law. For 20 years she had lived an entirely different persona, Lily.

For 20 years she listened, watched and mourned as the heartbreaks of before happen all over again.

For 20 years she had chosen to stay silent and not intervene with fate as she was told.

And it had paid off when Luffy had achieved his dreams. When the world became peaceful. When Law and the others had lived their lives and not die.

For 20 years, the world had become better, and it only costed her entire life. A measly sacrifice for a happier life for everyone around her.

When Ace had died, when his brothers had mourned, when his grandfather had put his life on the line and when everyone she ever loved was on the verge of death. She had steeled herself to prevent her from intervening again and it broke every piece of her. Slowly, her already crumpled heart turned into ashes caged underneath her skin. This was her eternal punishment.

And yet, fate seemed to want to play with her more. When she saw Law last night and today, she could feel herself starting to become whole again. Her heart beating so fast, she didn't know what to do.

She needed to remind herself that Law doesn't remember her anymore and being with him would only hurt her more than anything. She wouldn't be able to handle another heartbreak. No, her heart would crumble so much from it. She needs to be alone until the day she die. She silently cursed the Gods as she fixed herself. Law would set sail and never turn back, she thought to herself. He would leave and once again he would leave with a piece of her heart with him. And that would be enough for her.

But, Law didn't stop and give up.

And that made everything harder for Yulie. She closed the book she was reading and glanced at the figure standing beside her. She was sitting underneath the large wisteria tree near the tallest cliff of the village. It overlooked the sea and it was her most favorite place. Her sanctuary as she read her books and make her mind wander to her pasts selves. Surprisingly Law had followed her here and had since stood not too far from her as she read her book.

"Can you stop?"

"Stop what?"

Yulie let out a sigh as she placed her book beside her and stared at the vast expanse of sea stretched in front of her. Law had just stared at her. He had been staring at her for far too long. He found her beautiful, not ethereal beautiful but realistically beautiful. 

"I'm not going with you, no matter how hard you try"

Law could almost feel his breath being held in his lungs as she turn to meet his eyes. Those eyes, he thought, those beautiful familiar eyes that he couldn't get enough of. The eyes that haunt his dreams and his reality.

"I'll still keep trying"

His words came out a raspy sound, he had to clear his throat again as Yulie smiled sadly at him.

"Why are you so eager to recruit me anyway? You obviously don't need another doctor on your ship"

She stated the obvious and Law could only flinch on it. Right, it was the truth. He didn't need one more doctor in his ship. And as a pirate he didn't have any more goals other than to roam the world. And yet, he can't help but feel like he'll regret it if he left her on this island. 

"Call it fate"

He silently murmured to which Yulie turned her head at his direction.

"What?"

Law smiled at her and sat down right beside her, his eyes scanning the view in front of her.

"I dreamt of you. I always dream of you. And in those dreams you always, always leave."

Yulie could feel her breath hitch, become rather ragged as she stared at Law who continued saying.

"Lily, it… your name is beautiful and it might not be you but the person in my dreams, the one who always leave, I remember calling her a different name. And in my dreams, she was always sad, afraid or lonely and I just can't bear that pain any longer. I guess you can say that I want some reprieve from those disturbing thoughts. That's why I want to know you, to be by your side. Because you look like her and maybe then, maybe the dreams would stop "

She was too scared to ask, but she needed too. If her powers had a loophole, if what she had done for all those times found a way to unlatch. She needed to know.

"What name?"

Law finally turned his head towards her. His eyes widened when he saw just how much fear was on her eyes. There was fear, anxiety and there was little bit of hope in there. He opened his mouth rather slowly and with an agonizing minute passing by he finally told her.

"Her name is Yulie"

And it took everything to make Yulie not gasped out or cry as she hear her name come out of his lips. Her name which she thought she would never hear again. Her name that had been forgotten for 20 years. Or so she thought.