***AGE 10*** 

“She totally hates your guts!” 

“That isn't new information. I hate her too.” 

“Just climb up there and drag her down already.” 

I did my best to ignore the trio of heathens as I sat comfortably in my tree of choice, twining threads of creeper vines between my fingers. It was all I could do to get away from them, at least for a short time.

They were visiting again, and of course I had been tasked with keeping them company, much to my dismay. If their presence wasn't bad enough already, the news of Sanji's tragic passing made it a complete hell. I'd really liked the meek boy, and now I'd never see him again. 

“Get down here, Princess. That's not a request.” Ichiji didn't need to raise his voice for me to hear him loud and clear in the silence of the forest, but I didn't bother looking down at him. 

“I thought you hated me, so why would you care about where I am or what I'm doing?” I quipped back, resting my head back against the rough bark, feeling it scratch my scalp.

“Because you belong to me, so you have to do as I say. Get down here. Now.” 

He seriously did not just say that, did he?

Scowling, I finally peered over the edge, meeting his stoic, stony gaze. Just as cold as the first day I met him. 

“I belong to the earth, the trees and the winds, not a jerky little prince with no soul. Leave me alone.” There was no way I was going to get out of this argument unscathed, I knew that, but rolling over for someone who rude wasn't something I was willing to do.

"Okay, you asked for i-"
"Hey, look, I caught a rabbit!" Both Ichiji and I turned our attention to Yonji, who wandered out of the brush proudly holding the hind legs of a small mammal. Not a rabbit, but a young velvet hare.

"P..Put it down! You'll hurt it!" I immediately demanded, fretting over the way it squirmed and squeaked in a panic. Ichiji glanced between me and the animal for a moment before a wicked grin spread to his face, arms folding across his chest.

"Niji, fetch her for me."

The time between hearing, let alone processing, the end of the red-head's sentence and being grabbed by the scruff was slim. How Niji had managed to climb the tall tree so quickly I had no idea, but I was completely aware that I was screwed as he jumped back down, landing flawlessly and keeping an iron grip on the back of my dress.

How did he..?! Does he have a Devil Fruit?!

Crouching down directly in front of me, Ichiji continued to smirk, his head tilting a little to the side.
"You really want him to put it down, Princess?" He asked sweetly, sickeningly, and it was so off, like he had no idea how to convey that kind of emotion, fake or not.

"Please..." I breathed out, too scared to make another demand due to my current position.
"You heard her, Yonji. Put it down." Ichiji spoke to his brother as he reached out, seizing my chin in his hand and shifting to the side so I'd have a clear view. "Slowly."

Wait.

To my horror, just as instructed, Yonji began to really put it down. Flipping the frantic creature right-side-up, he wrapped his arms around its body and began to squeeze.

Squeaks turned to agonised squeals, violently kicking legs tearing into the air searching a purchase that just simply wasn't there. The moment my throat twitched to scream, Ichiji tightened his hold on my jaw, stopping it from forming.

Squeals became ragged, shallow chokes and gags as I heard the bones begin to snap out of place, foam bubbling from the hare's gaping mouth, tinged a bright red that was horribly reminiscent of the hair of my betrothed.

Kicks slowed to a stop, and everything became silent again, save for the amused laughter coming from the three pre-teen princes. Sick, twisted delight that shook me to my very core.

"Hah! Look at her, she's crying! What a baby!" Niji snorted as he allowed Ichiji to take me fully, a forceful hand twiting through my hair, right at the scalp so he could drag me right up to where Yonji dumped the lifeless corpse.

"Isn't this what you asked for? Wow, you really are high maintenance, Princess. Nothing good enough for you?" The eldest boy forced my face right up close, and I finally tried to struggle against his strength.
"Wh..What the hell is wrong with you?! Stop it! Let me go! You're all messed up!" I cried out, my last word muffling as he shoved my face, hard, into the hare's body.

I could feel every sharp, displaced bone in the poor thing's body against my face, but my screams were dulled by fur.
"Should've been more specific. You see, where we come from, putting it down means exactly this. It's not my fault you're an idiot who doesn't know how to choose her words."

After one final, spiteful push, Ichiji released me, and I scrambled to my feet, running for my life. Tears and snot streamed down my face, bristly hairs from the poor animal still stuck to my lips.

"MAMA!" I cried out for my mother as I burst into the palace, racing for her skirt the moment I skidded into the hearth room. If she hadn't steadied me with a hand on my head I likely would have tried to burrow myself beneath it for sanctuary.

"Sweetheart, what on earth-? You're absolutely filthy!" Cupping my cheeks with her soft hands as she inspected me, I cried harder.
"M..Mama, Yonji caught a hare, a..and he-"

"A hare? With his bare hands? Impressive, Judge! Those little blighters are fast!" My father cut me off, and I turned to cower further in the presence of the ruler of Germa.

There was a slight amusement behind the man's eyes, and this time I was sure I wasn't mistaken.
"Didn't I say they were the best of the best? I'm sorry if they were too rough for your liking, little one. They were probably just trying to show off."

He's just as bad.

I wanted nothing more than to continue and tell my parents exactly what the princes had done to me, but I was quickly guided into a walk, firm, familiar hands on my shoulders.
"Come now, Your Grace. Best clean you up." Saria wasted no time in getting me out of the room and up the stairs, a bath already prepared for me.

"I hate them..." I murmured quietly, standing stark as she tested the water, urging me to climb in.
"They're just silly little boys right now. With time, and age, I'm sure you'll warm up to each other." In I climbed, for once not squirming away from her when she began to wash my hair.

"Ichiji...shoved my face into its dead body...He made me watch it get killed..." I could see Saria's warped, rippled reflection in the water as I spoke, and her expression dropped.
"Oh. Well, I suppose that is concerning, yes..." She mumbled, chewing on her bottom lip. "Are you alright? Physically, at least?"

Toying with one of the many petals that scattered the waters surface, I shrugged my shoulders, eyes squeezing shut when she began to rinse my hair out.
"My jaw hurts, and where he pulled my hair...but otherwise I'm fine, I guess..."

Sure, physically I was okay, but there was no way I'd ever forget what I saw in the forest that day. My safe space was now spoiled with images of cruelty and death, however small.

"He may still grow out of it. Those boys are being trained to hunt, and to fight, so they very well could have been trying to impress you. Went the wrong way about it, though..."

There was no use trying to argue with her, or anybody. Something was deeply sinister about the Vinsmoke boys, but it seemed like I was the only one who could see it. It honestly made me wonder if the story about Sanji was just a cover for their vile ways.

Once I was thoroughly washed, dried off and dressed in brand new clothing, I stepped out of the bathroom only to freeze in the presence of my future husband.

He stepped forward from where he had been leaning against the bannister and dipped into a deep now, not at all unlike the one he had performed upon our first meeting.
"I would like to sincerely apologise for frightening you, Your Grace. I truly meant no harm, and I assure you, I have spoken words to my brothers to ensure it will not happen again."

Liar.

Saria gave me a look as she moved to my side, as if to say 'I told you, he wasn't intending to be cruel', but I was no idiot. This was just another act, likely set into motion by his father. If he wanted to play, then I'd play. I didn't really have any other choice.

"I accept your apology, My Prince. It is by no fault of your own that you are still learning how a decent man should act. You are still a child, after all. Water under the bridge." As much as he scared me, I met his eyes, and I saw a flash of spite, so sharp it could have cut me in two.

Swiftly taking my hand in his, he held it to his chest, squeezing it so tight that it would surely result in bruising.
"I'm lucky to be promised to such a sweet, forgiving young woman. I hope you can continue to be understanding towards me in the future. I would so greatly appreciate it."

Ichiji was careful to keep up his facade in front of my nursemaid, but his true intentions were being made crystal clear in the way he spoke. These were threats. Plain and simple. He was telling me to tread carefully.

Despite being painful, I closed my own hand around the material of his shirt, trying to dig my nails as deep as they could go. It didn't seem to do anything, though.
"So charming. I'm so curious to find out what kind of man you grow to be. You, and your brothers. I'll be watching you, Ichiji."

Watching to find out what the hell you are...be it monster, demon, of the devil himself...

He knew I wasn't fooled by this at all, yet it just made him all the more excited. Smirk cracking wider, he slowly released my hand and bowed again as he backed away to take his leave.

"Oh, so loyal. I like that. Please, do keep watching me, (Y/N). You'll find out in good time..."

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***RIP Thumper.

Next Time: Last Straw***