Kid stared at the man on top of him with widened eyes and gasping mouth, disbelieving that this guy was on his ship all along. Although, he wasn't very shocked that his theory was right, only regretted that he considered it very late, especially at the last minute.

Bruises were all over the intruder's body, along with scars, a few purple spots on his cheeks, probably from being punched. Kid noticed that Law's hand, which was gripping the sword, was trembling.

"What the fuck?! Why are you here?" Kid asked almost too loudly, but rightfully offended, he couldn't help it since his body was so sticky and wet and he only desired to take a shower.

"Ah, you see, I got into a bit of trouble with Joker along the way." A crooked smile spread across his face, wondering if the name rang a bell to Kid. Hopefully, it did. Kid had anger issues, not stupidity problems. "He launched a surprise attack upon my crew and I got separated," Law explained nonchalantly. "I was hoping that my best friend here would help and tend me for the time being."

"That's none of my business and I'm not your bloody fucking friend, so get off my ship!"

"Ugh, I'm hurt. Eustass-ya, how can you be so cruel. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy the time when we were chasing each other around a tiny bit?" Law skillfully forced out a sigh, his face turned from mocking to fake hurt while he slowly made himself relax on Kid. "What a waste of effort. I was doing all of that in order to create a bond with you."

"No, thank you. Feel free to give up your stupid bond anytime." The red-head shot a glare toward the raven haired man. The unhappiness and discomfort could not have been portrayed clearer on his face. His hips were spread wide open because Law's body crushed upon him, making him unable to kick the man where the sun didn't shine, but, luckily, his fists were free. Now if only Law wasn't pressing his blade against his neck...

Damn it! Kid tried to think of a plan to break free, but stopped when he caught Law shuddering ever so slightly. The position that Law put himself in was worse already, but now he was sweating and gasping uncontrollably, Law looked like an injured cat trying to act tough only to reveal its vulnerability.

This is the perfect opportunity of all! With his guard down, Kid could quickly grip the blade and knocked him down, turning the table over. Of course his hand would be injured but blood, instead of disgusting him, had always been something that riled Kid up.

However, Kid was somehow concerned about the older man. His figure, wet clothes, and hot body somehow made him look... sexually appealing more than he wanted it to be.

Kid's eyes unconsciously twitched at this sudden thought. It wasn't the first time he felt thrilled seeing an opponent bathed in blood, completely beaten up and reduced to nothing more than a mourning mess. It also wasn't the first time that he found it attractive, either. Even without anyone pointing out, Kid knew very well that he was most sadistic and cruel than anyone in the room, so it came as no surprising that he would have such a twisted fetish.

"Oi, you alright?" And yet, despite his curling rage or his bloodthirst to render Law into an immovable piece of flesh, Kid found himself questioning the other man's well-being.

Law, who noticed this, quickly adjusted his expression and masked his pain with a cool mockery. "Of course I am."

"Dude, you're sweating."

"I am?"

"I can even smell the sweat from here!"

Already, Kid felt regret for demonstrating the slightest bit of empathy to Law. Rather than worrying about him, perhaps he should do so with himself instead. In spite of his rage, Kid knew well he shouldn't perform his devil fruit ability at its fullest potential. Too often he'd let his anger get the better of him. Rather than putting holes into his enemies, Kid would often leave more damages to the ship than anything, so there was a thumb rule that his shipwright made where Kid should only use his devil fruit ability to powerful enemies. Not that Kid obeyed but he respected it.

Just as he prepared to overthrow the man, Law, all of a sudden, fell face-first toward Kid.

What the?! Surprise wasn't the only thing that painted on his face. Kid could hear the rhythm of Law's heavy breaths next to him, blows of hot air hit the nape of his neck. Kid's eyes slowly widened, his breaths also become rapid, and after a few seconds of silence he screamed, much like a little girl.

"UWAGHHHHHHHH!!!!"

A vein popped up on Law's forehead as he immediately gagged Kid's mouth with his hand, causing the man choking in another attack of surprise and anger.

"KID!!! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" The door suddenly slammed open and appeared a concerned maskman. He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed his enemy, Trafalgar Law, on top of his Captain and oh, what an inappropriate position they were in. Killer quickly wiped away the thought from his mind and hurriedly lifted Law's heavy body off Kid.

"What happened?" Killer questioned curiously.

As Kid pushed himself up, ears still noticeably red by the unexpected close contact, he yanked Law's hand from his mouth, quiet grunts escaped him as Law's sharp nails scraped against his inside flesh. Rubbing the back of his head tiredly and angrily, slowly recovering from the shock, he answered, "He hid in my closet all along, then jumped out when I opened it to get some clothes. Are you sure you checked every place in my room at all, Killer?"

Behind the mask, Killer cocked an eyebrow. "I did. Maybe because he teleported to a different room when I was inside your room?"

Kid furrowed his brows. "He must be. Anyway, never mind about it. We need to treat him."

It was Killer's turn to twitch his eyes. "What?"

"I said we need to treat him. Help me carry him up," Kid grumbled as he lifted one of Law's arms over his shoulder. Killer could only blink confusedly, questioning everything that was taking place, yet he decided to follow his Captain's order, anyway, lifting Law's other arm around his shoulder. Killer did not carry him very diligently, more like a sack of potatoes or unwanted debt.

As they walked outside, noises of footsteps can be heard from the cabin to the front of the ship.

"Captain Kid! What happened?!"

"Are you okay?!!"

"Ah! It's Trafalgar! Prepare for an attack!"

"GOD, SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Kid yells at his surprised and confused crew who immediately shut their mouths. "Right now, don't mind about the fact that Trafalgar is on the ship. In fact, forget about it! We need to treat him! Captain's orders!" Kid said as he opened the door of the infirmary. His crew reacted just like Killer did, raising their brows and looking at each other, only two people moved forward and ran to the infirmary. One had spiky red hair like blood with a headband tied around his forehead, and the other had straight silver hair with red-pinkish colored eyes.

In the infirmary, Kid laid Law down gently on the surgery table. He then touched Law's chest, all the whilst mumbling, "They should be here somewhere...."

Law suddenly gasped and a burst of screaming followed after that. His hand immediately grabbed Kid's arm tightly, digging his nails into the boy's skin. "Wait... Eustass-ya... Just let your men do this job... ! Ah! It hurts!"

"Quit your complaining! This is the fastest way to get the bullets out," Kid frowned as he moved his hand up Law's chest. After a moment of endurance, Law gasped for air while Kid turned to face Killer with five to six bullets in his hand. "I knew it. They don't completely put sea stone in here since it's so expensive and rare. Part of it is metal."

Killer wordlessly nodded, then noticed someone was coming and stood aside to let them in. "Boss, Ol and Shark are here."

"Aye aye, Cap'n," Shark, the boy with silver hair answered. His eyes trailed from Law coldly, before they'd rest on Kid's hand with a surprised gasp fluttering out of his lips. "I see that you have taken out the bullets! Thank you, Cap'n! We can bandage him up now."

"Right," Kid said, clearing his throat. "I'll leave the rest to you."

"Yes, Captain Kid!" They salute with much admiration and happiness. However, when they turned to Law, they were full of hatred and disgust.

"Should we tie him up after they finish?" Killer carefully inquired. Usually, prisoners would undoubtedly be tied no matter what; however, seeing his captain's questionable actions, he wondered if there was something else that played behind the scene here.

Kid stayed silent, thinking for a few seconds. It almost looked as though he was about to say "no", yet as Kid threw a contemplated look at the closed infirmary's door again, his partner could spot the changes growing in his eyes. "Perhaps. Not for now. He's injured, what harm can he do? So just take his sword. If he grows resisting when he wakes up, then do however you wish to him."

The blonde-haired pirate nodded. "But Kid, everyone out there is confused. You need to explain it to them. Why are we helping Trafalgar, anyway?"

Eustass Kid stopped in his tracks. The silence resumed for a moment again. Actually, in fact, he was puzzled, too. What'd he really get out of keeping Law alive anyway? In fact, if he observed this situation again, Law was completely separated from his crew, which made it easier to assassinate him if he wanted to. He had to repay him for missing with him before. However, to Killer's dismay, he'd let out an exasperated sigh. "Just do it. I already said it's Captain's orders. I will tell you when I feel less tired."

Killer couldn't argue at that point at all, especially the fact that Kid still respected him as a partner, even though he wasn't allowed to intervene in his secret for the time being. However, on second thought, Kid wouldn't let someone stay on the ship without no reason. Perhaps he had a plan for Trafalgar Law that he hasn't discussed with the crew and only Law could do it.

***

Trafalgar Law was never one to lay down his guard. He had tasted the bitter flavor of disenchantment and the sweet relish of heartache so many times that he became cautious, building a wall around his heart and incessantly rebuild it whenever someone'd discover a method to break it down, causing the others around him unable to see through his tough and burly shell, even his comrades.

It's just to protect you, he would always whisper speechlessly in his mind, hoping someone could hear it.

As the Kid's pirates left him alone in the room, he took the time to glue the thousand pieces of his heart back together as a feeling rose in his empty heart. Lonely. He was extremely lonely. The loneliness finally came back to him, hitting him in the face as hard as it could like someone had thrown the brick of reality at him.

It was quite strange somehow. Throughout his years of being a pirate, he had never felt lonely before. Perhaps it was because of the time he spent around Eustass Kid, messing, irritating, provoking the poor young adult into a fight and playing with him for a while, just to forget the pain, and instead, swim in a pool of fake bliss of neglect. But that couldn't be it. Even after he muddled the short-tempered boy, he was still all by himself for the rest of the day. Then, Trafalgar realized, it wasn't because of Eustass Kid or his jocular crew or because of his comrades; it was all because of her.

She was a copy of him -- dark, mysterious, broken, and bored, always seeking something to satisfy her thirst for entertainment. He didn't know what enchained him in the young woman. Conceivably, it could be for her appealing, prepossessing appearance. Even the air around her could captivate everyone's attention and make them swoon over her. Or maybe it was because of her speeches, her intelligence, and her quick understanding of others around her. She was absolutely a great observer, just a few chats and a glimpse around one's house and she could guess a few facts about the owner. And he cherished every last bit of her, both exterior and interior.

Law squinted his eyes opened a bit, wondering if he should wake up to the nightmare or return back to the blissful nothingness. Quietly, without anybody knowing, he wished for an eternity dream.

"Amethyst-san," he whispered, his eyebrows furrow against each other before closing his eyes. "Why did you lie to me?"

***

A/N: I've revised this chapter and corrected the grammar here and there. Amethyst will be an OC that I throw it for the sake of the plot, and to add little spices of mystery~ Who do you think she is? And what sort of relationship do you think she has with Law? Feel free to leave your comments below~ See you on the next chapter!