Title: Seafaring Heartless: Exit North Blue

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. It belongs to Eiichiro Oda. The following story is a work of fanfiction only.

Summery: Law had to admit that when one considered the state of the world and that he didn't have the temperament to sit on his heels as a civilian, piracy was by far a better option than joining the marines. Pirates may be considered evil by the majority, but Law had met quite a few of the world's navy who were corrupt to the core and putting up a very thick facade. He reasoned that if he was going to manipulate and scheme his way into that goal, at least he was going to be honest enough to admit it.

Genre: Adventure

Rating: T, If you can handle the original Manga and/or Anime (subs or Funimation dub) you've probably got nothing to worry about as I intend to write this at about the same level.

Pairings: I do not intend to write any pairings at this time.


Chapter Two

If it Walks Like a Man and Talks Like a Man, it Must Be a Bear

Bepo walked slowly along the lawn letting all four paws feel the crunch of the leaves and dying grass beneath them, breathing deeply to take in the smell of falling foliage, pine needles, and earth that floated along with the sharp smell of cold in the air. The breeze sent a chill through him as it rushed along the place on his right thigh beneath the thick shorts he wore where his fur had refused to grow back after he had received a particularly nasty burn. It was almost ironic that the burn should take the shape of one of his own paws, or so Bepo thought even though it had only three toes. The reason behind that particular mark still infuriated him along with the fact that the only reason he was currently allowed the shorts at the moment was due to the kindness of the lady of the house. After all he was supposed to be pretending to be her pet bear. Bepo had a few choice words saved up for Law when the man returned. Bepo may be a polar bear Minkman, but that did not mean he was going to behave completely like an animal for long!

The wind continued to gust, sometimes growing stronger ruffling the fur between his ears and sometimes blowing so softly he could barely tell it was there. Although it had the bite of winter to it, it hadn't snowed yet, but it soon would, most likely before nightfall. He was sure of it. Bepo had a sort of sixth sense when it came to the weather, he supposed most of his kind did, but he couldn't be quite sure of that. He hadn't actually ever thought to ask when he'd had the chance. Bepo let his head hang with a sigh as his paws padded through the dried grass letting his nose catch the scent of a rabbit that had recently rushed through the undergrowth. It was on days like this he missed his home the most, though he would never regret all the things he had learned after leaving.

The three years on the island had taught him things as well, though he wished he could have spent them as himself. He understood why Law wanted him to pretend to be a pet, but there were definitely days the fact annoyed him. He missed his freedom, missed the ocean, and missed his friends. There were only two beings on the island who even knew what he truly was, well three of them if the Law, who was always at sea, could be counted. One of the two only knew a little bit, the barest scratch on the surface, the other . . . well the other technically owned him. Not that he minded, the lady was truly the kindest human he had ever met. It was actually the concept of being able to be owned that bothered him, and she said he was free, but he could never really be free. Not as long as he had to walk on all four paws, and growl his answers to questions, not as long as he had to pretend to be a plain, boring, stupid bear. Maybe someday it would be different. He was still young by minkman standards after all.

Heaving another sigh Bepo lumbered over the brown grass towards the apple orchard that bordered the drive up to the stone wall outside the Elgar compound's main gate. The last harvest of the season shone bright red in the early morning light on the branches he could see peeking over the wall, and the sight was too tempting to resist. The guards at the gate let him pass. They knew he was too tame to wander too far and cause any harm to city below. The worst Bepo had ever done was scare some of the townsfolk who weren't expecting to see a bear, and perhaps growl a little bit when he was unhappy. Oh and he had once bitten the Law's hand, but at the time even Law had admitted he deserved it, and besides it had really been more of a nip and the whole incident had long since been forgiven.

Bepo made his way slowly down the road until he could no longer see the wall, the gate, and the guards, and then looking slowly around to make sure he couldn't be seen, he reared up and methodically plucked several apples from the branches of the closest trees. Strictly speaking he was supposed to leave the apples alone. Gathering them carefully so that anyone who might walk up the road wouldn't be able to tell exactly how talented he was with his paws, he curled up at the base of the closest tree and began to enjoy his forbidden treat.

A soft crunch on the gravel of the road alerted Bepo to the approach of a visitor. Though the sound came from some distance he dropped his apple immediately, rising to stand in the middle of the path. Bepo intended to be the first to great the guest for he had long ago promised to protect one particular resident of the Elgar compound behind him, and Bepo wished to have the chance to determine if the approaching person was dangerous. He stood waiting patiently on all fours like the pet he was supposed to be until the figure drew closer, becoming first near enough to see it was a being in a long charcoal gray coat and furry, spotted hat, and then to see that it was a male human, and finally to make out the brown rucksack swinging over one of the human's shoulders.

The man stopped as he drew near enough to notice the bear, and then continued again stopping only five feet away from where Bepo stood guard. "Hello, Bepo," a strong voice rang out, "it's been a while."

In response Bepo reared to his hind feet rising to his full nine-foot height, and approached the individual. Walking forwards he lifted his left paw easily above the man's head. Bepo had to acknowledge that he was impressed to find that Law neither backed away nor tried to duck as the paw swung forwards to land gently, if heavily, on the man's shoulder. Instead of falling over backwards as most did, usually out of surprise, this man shifted his weight and settled into the balls of his feet strengthening his stance. Even his scent was absent of fear. They knew each other well after all. Bepo snuffled and stuck his nose literally in the Law's face, knocking the hat off his head, and taking in a scent that was all too familiar if infrequently encountered of late.

Removing his paw he backed away a few steps staring at the male intently before voicing rather hesitantly and awkwardly, his bear's mouth was ill formed for human speech and he was out of practice, the thought that was crossing his mind. "I'm getting tired of waiting, Law."

"I'm sorry!" came a short reply, "But this plan is ten years in the making and we're only a few months shy of getting what we need here." And picking up his hat from the road the Law continued past Bepo towards the walled compound and main gate. Bepo walked beside him a few steps staring in curiosity, before suddenly remembering himself and dropping to all fours again.

"I'm sorry."

The man, Trafalgar Law, smiled in amusement now looking down to meet his eyes, "You're my best friend Bepo. I promise I won't leave you in this state much longer. We're nearly there, and then we can both get out of here."

"I'm sorry." Bepo apologized again and hung his head for a moment but soon after stole a look at his walking companion. "You, you were here eight months ago and stayed only three days, and didn't visit for six months before that when you stayed only two. A year before that you stayed five days, and ten months before that . . ."

"I dragged you into this mess and got you shot" Trafalgar Law finished for him. "I remember." Bepo remembered as well . . .

Three years earlier . . .

Bepo was furious with Law. This was not the way the plan was supposed to go. The minkman threw himself against the bars of the cage in which he was held, refusing to put on a submissive show. They had expected the cage, had expected the cramped quarters on the ship. They had not expected the whips and blows Bepo had been subjected to once Law had left. Nor had he expected them to change buyers last minute. He didn't know what that meant for the plan. All he knew was that in meant more pain. He wished he could beg them to stop, but he knew from watching the others that any animal who displayed any extraordinary trait was forced to perform for crowds of humans. Bepo couldn't stomach even trying to imagine what they might do to him if they learned he was actually a Minkman. But his predicament now was just as bad if not worse.

They had forced him out of the big enclosure where he was kept with two other bears, one large and brown, the other smaller and white like Bepo but with black splotches all over, and then they had taken him to another human who had on thick, heavy, leather gloves. The man had pressed a brand, glowing red with heat, into Bepo's right thigh. Up to that point Bepo had been fairly complacent. But the moment the brand touched his skin he went wild. The smell of burning fur and flesh was nauseating, but the pain was worse. His paws and muzzle were bound tightly with rope with several humans holding onto each one in an effort to keep him contained, but he pushed forwards at full force attempting to escape and managed to drag them across the floor like puppets in the process. Several humans ran to get in front of him, but by that point Bepo had managed to loose a paw. Claws extended he lashed out in several swipes, slashing across one man's chest and forcing the others to make way for him. Humans screamed and shouted, another group of men appeared though they were smart enough to stay out of his range. They started shooting him with tranquilizer darts and though Bepo's fur was thick, these darts struck through to his skin and stayed. At first he was angrier than ever, but then he felt sleepy, so sleepy that he couldn't stop himself from collapsing to the floor.

When he woke he was packed into a tiny cage on the deck of a ship. Alright, so perhaps the cage wasn't so small, but with a full grown bear-minkman crammed inside . . . there wasn't much for him to do except sit tight and think of a way out, and the earful he would give Law. Bepo was far from the stupid animal these humans seemed to think he was. Whoever the new buyer was, Bepo had the distinct impression that it would be worse than these humans and he had no desire to find out firsthand. Besides, he still had to figure out a way to complete the plan. That left one option, escape onto the indicated island and hope it could be worked out another way. If he managed it properly everything could still work. He was sure Law would find a way. Day after day they sailed north, always north Bepo's internal bear compass wouldn't let him forget something as simple as direction, and he had plenty of time to plan his way out as he healed.

As they traveled, Bepo, acting on the plan he had eventually settled on, began to pretend he was ill. He had overheard stories from his human captors of animals that had sickened and died on long sea voyages, costing them their profit. They seemed to fear that, the loss of their profit not the animal. To make money off him Bepo knew they would do whatever they could to keep him alive.

Bepo started with pacing relentlessly in the minuscule space of his cage. He forced himself to pant heavily. He refused to eat and hardly touched the water they gave him. Eventually he curled up into a ball and held as still as possible. The crew was worried. Bepo could tell from the whispered conversations. They talked about finding a vet and what to do if they lost him, and whether or not he had already been paid for. Someone asked if he specifically had been bought, or just any ice-bear. Bepo knew his plan was working. The ship transporting him pulled into port to re-supply at about the time Bepo had calculated they would reach the island he was supposed to be on, and a vet was called. It was an elderly man with hair as white as Bepo's fur and Bepo had to wonder if vet wasn't in more need of medical attention than they believed he was. They didn't bother to make him sleep or tie him up. They thought he was too ill to cause any harm, and so the moment the human male opened the cage and knelt down next to him Bepo sprang over his head and began to run knocking aside the guards before they even had a chance to draw the tranquilizer guns.

He bounded across the deck and down the plank, and then raced along the docks where men leapt into the water to get out of his way. Cries of "bear!" "Catch him!" and "Shoot it!" echoed in various voices as he raced along and for a moment Bepo felt a thread of scorn for those that couldn't even tell a minkman from an animal. Somewhere on the left he heard the shot of a gun and a sharp pain suddenly sprang up in his right rear leg originating just above his knee, causing him to stumble slightly, but he was large and heavy and the pain was nothing compared to what he had already endured.

Bepo could see the town in front of him, could see the people all over the place, the humans who saw him screamed and shouted, pushing each other out of his way. This was dangerous. There were too many tight spaces in this place, too many humans; it was too easy to get caught or accidentally harm someone else. The first chance he saw, Bepo veered into a side street and ran for the edges of the metropolis, eventually making his way into a field of grass and the fringe of a thin wood behind it. He didn't dare stop. He kept running, ignoring the pain that was building in his leg, ignoring the panic he had cause behind him, relieved only that now there were no humans in front who could potentially block his way. He would hide, tend his wounds, and then find Law to see if the plan could be salvaged.

The ground began to climb sharply and Bepo pushed ahead, even though he was beginning to tire. He hadn't eaten properly in days, his ruse required him to sacrifice the meals, and they had never fed him enough for him to store up any amount of reserve energy. On top of that the pain in his leg had reached an excruciating level. The injury must be worse than he originally thought.

Still, he pushed onward. The hill eventually leveled out onto flat land again and Bepo inwardly sighed with relief. This was easier than climbing. Up ahead of him he could see another group of humans. And his hope of escape began to die. He was exhausted, he was in pain, if he tried to go around and they saw him he would surely be caught. So he decided to barrel through. Hopefully they'd be so shocked it would buy him some extra time before they either gave chase, or called for help. He lowered his head and charged forward realizing too late that those in front of him were not adult humans but human young, commonly called teens, and the group included Law. Bepo could see the surprise on his friend's face.

Law shouted and the young people scattered, but in their rush to get away they knocked one of their number to the ground. Unfortunately she wasn't just knocked to the ground, she was knocked to the ground in Bepo's path. Her green eyes went wide in fright as she tried to scramble out of the way but her foot caught in the hem of her blue dress and she slipped again. He didn't want to trample her and so he tried to stop, the effort needed causing him to rear back onto his hindquarters, the sudden pain shooting through his left side bringing a cry from his lips. Of course he was a bear-minkman so it sounded a great deal like an angry roar. His front paws flailed wildly as he fought for balance, trying to backup to give the human room and get all four paws on the ground at the same time, but there was no chance. He was going to fall on her, there was no helping it. And the damage he might cause . . .

There was a sudden flash of blue light and suddenly instead of a golden haired girl in his path there was a large chunk of dead log. Bepo let himself crash back to the ground on top of it. The girl was safely sitting in a patch of grass some ten feet away, eyes wide in shock, the other humans seemed to be gone. Between the two of them was Law, spotted hat obscuring most of his face, with one hand extended and the other holding that absurdly long sword he was so fond of. Surrounding him and the girl seemed to be a dome of blue light, the girl and the now crushed log at opposite ends.

"Law, but how-"

"Really, Anne," the youth sighed, "I really wish you'd learn how to fight or something. It would greatly increase your reaction time." She frowned at not receiving a proper answer but Bepo was more concerned with his own fate. He backed up a step. Law was right, if he hadn't had to worry about falling on the girl he'd be in considerably less pain. The girl however misunderstood the situation entirely, Mistaking Bepo for a regular bear and Law's actions as intention to fight.

"Stop, Law, Stop!" she called out. The young man hesitated, glancing over his shoulder and she continued, now trying to make her voice soothing. "He's hurt, Law. Look at his leg, the bear is hurt! I don't think he wanted to hurt anybody. He's just trying to go someplace to hide. That's what they do when they get hurt. Am I right bear? You just want to go someplace quiet?" Law's expression was priceless. And Bepo didn't dare break character now. As much pain as he was in he knew what the plan was, if not how it had changed.

Bepo lowered his head and took another cautious step back debating making a break for it in another direction despite his fatigue. Law could find him later, they could work it all out then. She could have no idea he understood her, but perhaps if he was calm they'd let him pass. "You're right," Law took a deep breath and then reaching out a hand, stepped towards Bepo speaking calmly, "Here Bear-ya, let me take a look at your leg. Maybe if I can make it feel better you won't run around causing panic." Bepo suddenly understood the direction Law was going. He was going to complete the plan by "taming" Bepo. It was almost irritating. And being called Bear-ya, even temporarily, was almost insulting.

He took another step back intending to play along and the leg in question gave out. Bepo barely managed to save himself from crashing to the ground. Law continued to advance on him hand held out, still trying to speak soothing words. Bepo tried to play along and growled softly, all the while wishing Law would just hurry up and heal him already. Yet part of him was still blaming the man for the predicament he'd been in from the start, so as the hand reached slowly for his muzzle Bepo did the first thing that came to mind and bit him. Not hard, after all he didn't really want to cause any permanent harm and besides that he hated the taste of human blood, but firm enough to make a point. He simple grabbed the Law's palm in his teeth and held on tightly, careful not to puncture the skin.

Law let off a string of curses that cause the girl to warn him to watch his language, but in the ensuing alarm the sword was tossed aside as the youth let in go in attempt to use his free hand to pry Bepo's jaws apart, "Damn it! Bear-ya, let go. Anne, stay where you are!" the girl who had started to rush forwards to help her friend stopped in her tracks. Bepo could smell her uncertainty just as he could smell the youth's frustration. "Easy, easy," Law was trying to "sooth" him again despite the fact that his hand was still clasped in Bepo's teeth, "I'm not going to harm you, and I'm not going to let you go back to whoever did . . ."

"Why should I trust you," Bepo snapped, forgetting himself, giving vent to his frustration, and letting go of the hand all at the same time. Law looked as if he had been slapped. Both by Bepo's words and the Minkman's momentary lapse in judgment at speaking at all.

"Because I'm a doctor," Law replied stepping back and rubbing his hand, "wait a minute you spoke!" he added in catching himself before the girl could tell he knew Bepo. Bepo remained silent. "Now listen, Bear-ya,"Law continued thinking fast and running a hand through his hair knocking off his hat in the process, "if you can speak, you can reason. I am a doctor and as a doctor it is my job to help the injured. You are injured, so I would like to help you." Bepo barely managed not to retort with something he knew he'd regret. "just . . . just let me look at your leg." Law continued, "After that you can go wherever you like. I won't try to stop you." Bepo stared at him for another moment or two realising his best friend had just offered to let him out of the plan, and then deciding that he really didn't have any better options, lay down fully and turned on his side so his leg could be looked at.

Law gave out a low slow whistle, as he examined the injured leg. "Good grief! You have had it rough, Bear-ya," he muttered as he examined both the bullet wound and the branding burn not far above it. "No wonder you were running. I'd run too if I thought they were trying to catch me." He paused looking closer at the burn, "minor infection, easy enough to take care of, now for the other . . . yes, I can remove the bullet, but it's going to hurt." Bepo grunted but stayed still. Law seemed to take it for the permission it was. "Anne, if you'd be kind enough to bring me my medical case, I think it's over by the raspberry bush where Dasha-san tossed the picnic basket. Actually . . . Bring the basket too, Bear-ya's probably fairly hungry." Well at least if Law was going to feed him he understood how bad of a shape Bepo was actually in, the Minkman mused. And as the girl fetched the basket Bepo heard a low whisper of a very heartfelt apology.

"This was not supposed to happen this way, my friend. I'm sorry. I miscalculated." Bepo nodded in understanding. They were friends again, and he'd stick it out.

In a few minutes the girl had recovered a small brown messenger case marked with a red cross and a picnic basket that smelled strongly of chicken. Bepo attempted not to disgrace himself by drooling. He was hungry. The case was handed over to Law who pulled out several medical tools and then began doing something with his devil fruit power, Which Bepo had been warned nobody on the island knew about. Until now at least, the girl was watching fascination plain on her face. The picnic basket was brought to a spot near Bepo's head where the girl sat down, still watching Law, and began to pull out various items of food including an entire chicken. That chicken, Bepo reasoned, would feed eight or nine humans, he hoped she wouldn't be too disappointed if he ate the entire thing by himself. She didn't appear to mind, though she did seem to want the tear the chicken apart before she gave it to him. She talked a lot too. Telling him their names, and what island he was on, but he was so focused on the food that he barely registered a word she said (except to register that most of it Law had informed him of before the whole this crazy mess started) or what Law was doing with his leg. In fact the announcement that he was done rather surprised Bepo and he was about to swing his head around for a look when a whole new set of boot steps sounded on the hard packed earth that made up the road. Bepo knew the sounds of those steps, and he couldn't help but tense up and let out a low growl. Annette swung her head around and Law finished tying the bandage he'd wrapped on Bepo's leg in a matter of seconds.

"Now, now, ice-bear." The low voice belonging to the approaching figure started, "there's no need for that." He was a tall lean man with a long nose, bushy red hair half concealed by a navy blue ski cap, and a pristine navy blue suit. Even the man's boots had been polished. Bepo didn't know his name, he was simply to be referred to as the Master, even by his human companions. Behind him were several other men, all with guns leveled at the bear. The Master smiled, "though I must congratulate these remarkable children on keeping you calm. You are going to come with me now." Bepo felt a pulse of panic welling up in him, This was the man who had branded him, and he could ruin everything Law had planned on, but before Bepo could do anything Law was on his feet.

"No, I don't think so," Law murmured standing to face the men, walking forward to place himself between the two parties, and pulling off a pair of bloodstained white medical gloves," I'm a doctor and as far as I'm concerned this bear is my patient. I never allow my patients to go anywhere until I'm sure their condition will improve."

"The bear's condition?" the master repeated sounding startled, and Bepo was suddenly glad he's had the foresight to play sick. "What about his condition?"

"Infection of that rather curious brand aside, this bear suffers from fatigue and possible malnutrition, my best guess is his caretaker has forgotten to feed him the appropriate amount of meat, at the very least he hasn't eaten for several days," Law nodded to the chicken Bepo had demolished down to the bones, "and there is a bullet wound in his leg. Whoever fired on him was an excellent shot, hit the edge of the quadriceps tendon. That's a crippling blow for most humans. I'm surprised he made it this far in that sort of condition. Now, I have successfully removed the casing, but it will be several weeks before he can put any weight on that leg, and a good six months minimum after that before he'll walk without a limp. I'm sure you'll agree with me, Mister . . ."

"Drouillard, Drouillard Carson."

"Now I'm sure you'll agree with me Drouillard-ya that putting a bear in a cage and sailing across the ocean, especially into the Grand Line where that particular brand originates, does not bode well for a full recovery. I am quite sure your patron did not pay for damaged goods."

"Now see here, young man, as troublesome as transporting the bear is, and however much sense you make, I can not just leave my merchandise to sit on an island with some stranger without proper collateral."

"Without proper collateral?" Law's sudden smile was just as manipulating as the smirk The Master wore. "Now we understand each other."

"What if I bought him?" Annette suddenly spoke up handing Bepo a loaf of bread, which he devoured in three bites. Law and The Master both looked at her and The Master's cronies began whispering, "I'm serious, what if I bought him? Law, you don't have anything you could put up for collateral anyway, and I'd rather outright buy the bear then run the risk of somebody else's property disappearing." Law frowned his scent suddenly coming across as annoyed with something else beneath it, but The Master burst out in laughter.

"Well, you two are starting to grow on me. All right, better a guaranteed profit now then only a potential profit latter. Fortunately for you, girl, he hasn't been paid for yet."

"Hasn't been paid for?" Law questioned, the annoyance still sharp in his scent, "But the brand . . ."

"A bit of future advice, lad, when the people that brand represents make a request you take it as an order. In this case it's better for me to lose the bear altogether then to appear with it unbranded. But you need not worry about me. I always have a plan B It seems that I may make a double profit on this venture." He grinned and then named a price, which Annette dug out of the pouch hanging from her belt wincing at the very small amount she put back in, before he turned on his heels, motioning his men, and the whole party disappeared down the hill.

"I'd better run home and ask a couple men to bring a sled." Annette muttered. "You said he's not supposed to walk right."

Taking Law's nod for confirmation she turned on her heels and ran off the opposite way from where everyone else had approached. Law himself, sat down on a rock nearby and frowned again. "I can't believe she said that." He muttered and then was silent for a long time after, his scent fading in a breeze blowing the wrong direction for Bepo to pick up. Bepo was left to wonder in astonishment at how lucky they were things had worked out so well on blind luck.

"That was her, right?" he asked softly, "The girl whose father works for Doflamingo? That's the family you need me to spy on?" Law made no answer.

Bepo was just beginning to doze when he spoke again, "well Bepo, you mind telling me how you're feeling?"

"Better than I was," Bepo muttered not bothering to open his eyes.

"The bear talks!" a deep voice suddenly exclaimed and Bepo's eyes jerked open. The newcomer who stood downwind from him, the reason the new scent hadn't been caught, was a rather burly older man with a long ponytail, round sunglasses, and a narrow chin. If Annette hadn't been standing right next to him Bepo might have tried to flee, but he was hauling the promised sled, more a low wagon really, and seemed strangely comfortable around an ice-bear he had just learned could speak the human tongue.

"Who are you?" Bepo manage to ask though he was trying hard not to panic.

"Me? Call me Yamada Mumei"

Law suddenly burst out laughing, though Bepo could still catch a thread of sourness beneath the laughter, "that has to be both the most creative, and the most obvious, alias I've ever heard."

"But it is my alias all the same." The man smiled "I was hired to teach Lady Annette basic self-defense."

"It's about time someone listened to me!" Law exclaimed still laughing, "I've been suggesting that for a while now. Well I'm glad. But seriously your father hired a man who likes to be referred to as No Name? Well that was his prerogative I guess." The laughter trailed off and the frown returned. "We'd best get Bepo ready to travel then." The low cart was positioned next to the bear and there was another orb of blue light that abruptly surrounded the ten feet around the group. Bepo felt an abrupt shifting as he was somehow lifted with a crook of Law's finger, and then suddenly he was on top of the sled, as it switched places with some of the loose gravel Bepo had previously been lying on. The blue dome disappeared and the older man, Mumei, picked up the rope and quite easily began to pull Bepo down the road. Annette followed, but Law remained behind.

"Law?" the girl asked worry creasing her green eyes as she turned to look at him. "When did you eat a devil fruit? I won't tell. You know my father disapproves of those which is probably why you never shared, but when?"

"I need to go home and pack up my few belongings." He muttered looking at his shoes and refusing to answer, and then suddenly looked back up and met her eyes. A light breeze blew past and Bepo was finally able to pinpoint the sharp scent underlying Law's annoyance that had been present since before Bepo's previous owners had left. Hurt. "Anne," Law started softly but firmly, "in the future you are to leave my fortune, or lack thereof out of general conversation."

"What? You mean about you not having collateral? But you don't, I mean everything you earn goes to- well I'm not sure exactly but I know you don't have - Not enough to buy a bear - I don't understand!"

He sighed the hurt scent growing stronger though his face remain impassive, "never mind it's not important," and before she could say anything else he walked away.

Bepo had hoped to see Law again to thank him, his leg was already feeling better, but a detailed chart and instructions as to the care of Bepo's leg had been written out and delivered to the Elgar compound that night before dinner. It was then Bepo learned that Law had sailed out again with the morning tide. That, it seemed, was Law's habit. He'd come infrequently stay a day or so and disappear just as abruptly, but each of those visits were burned into Bepo's mind. He had his instructions and he would follow them until Law said otherwise, no matter how lonely it might get.

It was easy enough to see why Law had been upset about the money comment once Bepo actually got to see where Annette and Mumei lived. It was a large compound with three wings, multiple outbuildings and cottages, extensive gardens and (except for the orchard) the whole thing was surrounded by a wall. Mumei lived in a cottage on the grounds, but Annette lived in the main house. She brought Bepo around to the kitchen door, and with the help of several guards got him settled in front of the fire. Bepo quickly realized that there were very few, even among humans, who could afford to live in such luxury. Law must have felt she doubted his ability to earn a proper living. Or worse, did so unconsciously.

Bepo didn't have long to muse on the matter though. Soon enough Annette's father and the cook returned, the son of the island's governor working though the month's expenses with the woman in charge of keeping the entire household fed. The man stopped short at the appearance of a bear curled up in his kitchen with his daughter calmly feeding it apples. The woman fainted dead away.

By the time Law returned ten months later the household had adapted to the Bepo's presence, they'd made him into something of a cross between a beloved pet and a guard dog, and while Bepo was careful to appear as only a normal bear, as Mumei and Annette had agreed to early on, he looked forward to Law's visit and to finally being able to give a report.

Law seemed to be impressed with Bepo's progress, on both fronts, and amusement filled his scent when he learned that Mumei had been teaching Bepo to fight alongside Annette. "You said to make him exercise," the man grunted when Law had asked him why. And after a few more minutes of examination Law pronounced Bepo's leg completely healed.

"So you can take me home?" Bepo had asked, but Law shook his head. As with all cases of looking forward to a failed expectation Bepo's disappointment was severe.

"I'm sorry," Law muttered, "But there's more here to learn, Please wait a while longer. "

"I understand, I'm sorry." Sometimes Bepo thought Law was a little too driven by his promise to the dead.

"When" Bepo thought hard but decided what he was thinking was worth voicing, "when all this is over, you can come home with me to Zou. I'll still remember the way. From here it's almost exactly south, that way," and Bepo turned his head pointing his nose, barely noticing Law pulling a compass from his pocket and raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Alright," Law muttered putting the piece of navigational equipment back, "When everything is done I'll see your home. If it's still what you want. It could be years from now though."

"That's ok." He was patient, the bear-minkman could wait.

Law stayed on the island for five days that trip and while he seemed to spend most of it bouncing all over the place helping Tiberius with his duties as a physician, a good portion of his free time was spent with Annette and Bepo. One particular evening Annette had "borrowed" Mumei's map collection and the three of them pored over it with Annette pointing to various islands and Law sharing stories of the ones he had visited. The map collection's owner looked on the whole time as if preparing to rescue the precious articles from careless paws.

Bepo learned several things that visit. For one thing, It didn't matter what was going on, Law always called Annette "Anne". With other people she was Lady Elgar, or Lady Annette, or perhaps if they were close to the family simply Annette. With Law it was just Anne. Perhaps it was tolerated because Law visited so infrequently, but Bepo overheard Annette's father lecturing the young man the afternoon of his third day, that whatever happened he was to act with perfect manners the next afternoon during the ceremony and subsequent party. It was then Bepo realised it was Law's way of getting close to the family himself. It certainly made it easier to pass information when Law was allowed to visit on a whim.

That was the next thing Bepo learned, the exact nature of the island country's politics. It seemed that Annette's father had been chosen to succeed his father as governor of Krocylea. Bepo carefully asked Mumei what a governor was one day when he was sure no one could overhear him talking, thinking it must be similar to his home island's system of rule, and received a rather cynical answer in reply. "In its simplest form they are men other men put in charge of more men. It's their job to make sure the people of their island follow the rules, or at least appear to follow the rules, the king sets down. They are supposed to solve problems, and they are supposed to take care of the island"

"Like a king then?"

"Something like that, but infinitely more meddlesome."

From him Bepo learned that humans had a very screwed up idea of how the world was supposed to work. They made laws they didn't follow themselves, were unnecessarily cruel to those who broke them, expected preferential treatment, manipulated others into giving them what they wanted, forced people to work as slaves owning them in the same way they had wanted to own Bepo. He learned what his fate probably would have been had he not escaped the boat. He learned that Mumei had developed theories about Law turning pirate, which Mumei approved of but Bepo was under no conditions supposed to repeat, and he learned that the ceremony and party the household was planning were very important things and he was supposed to be on his very best behavior. No wonder Law wanted to attend.

The whole ordeal was, in Bepo's opinion, incredibly boring. Nothing more than a bunch of humans standing around talking to other humans, occasionally giving lengthy speeches which no one really listened to, and in general wearing their best clothes while attempting to appear far more important than they actually were. The only people who truly were important were Annette, her father, and the ambassador from Neritm, where the king ruled, who was in charge of bestowing the governorship. Even the ambassador wasn't that interesting, though there was lots of talk about "being of age" and "nearly ready." Bepo eventually curled up into corner intending to take a nap. It didn't matter if he missed anything. Law was there.

Bepo was soon after joined by Law, who had spent the majority of the event bowing and referring to everyone as lord and lady, running here and there on errands for Tiberius (who had been the primary person of the physician's practice invited), taking care of a woman who appeared not to be able to see, and generally playing the crowd until it seemed he had become something of a favorite among the people present. When Law eventually sat down next to him, he leaned his back against Bepo's broad shoulder. "I hate these games," He muttered. "It's these kinds of events that make me glad I'm a sailor." He closed his eyes relaxing against Bepo's fur, "everybody expects you to be less then you are and then the only impression you can make is of someone desperate to please." He grinned, "Makes one appreciate how simple life can be on the sea."

The next day was fairly lethargic. The ambassador, who had stayed the night at the compound, ate breakfast in the kitchen with Annette who was the first up. The two talked a great deal about her Great Uncle, the King, before Annette's father joined them. The ambassador finished his meal five minutes later, bid the family goodbye, and left. Annette and Bepo hung around the house while the staff cleaned everything up, and around noon Annette dragged Bepo outside and up the road intending to say goodbye to Law who was also scheduled to leave the island. They hadn't gone very far before they discovered he had been on his way to see them. Law had stopped along the rise where one could look out and see the entire city, and as they approached he sat down in the grass along the edge and motioned them over.

"Shouldn't we go down to the port?" Annette asked as she settled her crimson skirts around her.

"I can see the ships come in from here." He answered. "If I head down when mine arrives I'll have just enough time while they unload and resupply to get aboard before they leave port again."

"I see," she paused and bit her lower lip to stop herself from continuing.

Law looked over at her, his smile slipping into a puzzled look, "what is it?"

"I . . . I want to ask a question, but I'm afraid it'll make you mad at me."

"Go ahead." Laws eyebrows furrowed but with the wind coming from their back Bepo couldn't quite make out enough of his scent to figure out what he must be thinking.

"How . . . how long before you're done? How long before you can do whatever you want?"

"Before I'm done?"

"I'm not blind, Law. I grew up in a family of politicians. I can see you're up to something for someone, maybe that sea-captain you sail with, but frankly I don't care what it is. " Law frowned and she continued hurriedly, "I have made you mad. I . . . I was just thinking that if you could do whatever you wanted then . . . then maybe you could take me with you next time . . ."

Law's eyebrows rose high enough to be hidden by the brim of his hat and the confusion cleared from his face, "I'm not mad. You really want to leave?"

She nodded, "the only other place I've ever been was Neritm. When Mother died Pa moved us here and I've never been anywhere else. There are so many stories of all these wonderful places, and I'd like to see them. I thought that if you were going to be free to do your own thing soon then I could go with you before . . ." she suddenly blushed and looked at her hands, " . . . before they marry me off to some politician. I overheard Pa and the ambassador talking about it last night . . ."

"I see." He sighed, "Unfortunately, unless fortune smiles on me, it'll be a few years yet. I'm sorry Anne."

"It's alright," she gave a shaky smile, "It's alright. I'm fairly sure I have time. Besides, even if I could come with you I'd probably just be in the way as you study to become a great doctor."

"I thought you were a doctor?" Bepo jumped in suddenly wanting to preserve their cover and steer away from a conversation that could potentially expose them all. Beside, he could tell Law was growing uncomfortable.

Law laughed softly taking the out. "I still have a lot to learn. Bepo. There are illnesses out there nobody's figured out how to cure yet, and treatments I haven't mastered. I'm a proficient general surgeon for example, but when it comes to the human brain . . ." He smiled, "that's what I want someday, to be a great doctor, the kind whose name is known all over the word, to have mastered medicine to the point that I can cure even Leana-san's blindness, and perhaps to go even further then that . . . a doctor who can cure anything."

"What about you, Bepo, what dream to you have?" Annette asked softly, thoroughly distracted.

Bepo shifted so his head was resting on his front paws and he couldn't see either of their faces. "Someday," he began, "I'd like to just be able to be me. To not have to pretend to be an ordinary bear. To be able to walk on my hind feet and talk if I wanted too, and nobody would be surprised."

He suddenly felt Annette's arms wrap around his neck "I'm sorry, Bepo," she whispered, "I know it must be hard for you."

Off in the distance a black ship with a maroon streak down the side began to make its way towards the port. Law rose to his feet. "Well there's my ship I'd best get down there, Anne I'll bring you back some travel logs, Bepo anything you'd like?"

Bepo lifted his head curious; he had the feeling that bringing back travel logs was Law's way of apologizing to Annette for not being able to take her away. But something he could have? He didn't know so he offered up the first suggestion that crossed his mind "something about the stars?" and then thinking it was stupid, tried to take it back "I'm sorry that's too much"

"Nonsense," Law smiled. "I'll bring back an astronomy chart too." navigating by the stars, after all, was the key to getting back to Zou . . .

. . . Present

Bepo walked along to road to the Elgar compound with Law in silence for some time before it was broken by a single question from the man. As they approached the gate Law slowed his pace to remain out of earshot of the guards and muttered. "I assume Anne has followed her usual pattern and is awake?" Bepo was spared having to answer by the appearance of the women in question at the gate.

"Oh Bepo there you are!" she called voice full of relief and then recognizing his companion called out "Law, you're back!" she picked up her gray silk skirts and ran past the startled guards to stop, only slightly short of breath, right in front of them. Bepo could easily pick up the excitement in her scent mingled with the coffee and cinnamon that was usually her. "Law, I am glad you came! Have you been home yet? How long will you stay? It's freezing out here come in and get warm. Bepo your breakfast is ready."

Law chuckled softly and offered her his arm, which she took. "One thing at a time." He answered as all three of them walked back towards the compound, through the gate, and down the drive up to the front door. "I have not been home yet, everyone will still be asleep, and I plan to stay six months."

"Six months? Law, You'll be here for my birthday! Please say you'll come. You haven't been home for anyone's birthday for several years now. I noticed we've missed yours if only by a week. Twenty-four is a good number, I suppose you won't let us celebrate it?"

"I would prefer you didn't."

"Anytime someone tries to throw a party while you're here you duck out! Well I intend to celebrate mine even if you don't care about yours! It'll be close to when you need to leave again, but please come."

"Alright." Law muttered as he opened the door and held it for both her and Bepo. Law's voice was dry and somewhat evasive, but Bepo could tell by his scent the man was amused.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Annette's beaming smile could warm anyone, Bepo thought, as he lumbered into the front hall and turned waiting patiently for the humans, or at least Annette, to take off their coats. He wondered briefly what it must be like to have to wear a coat because he didn't have enough fur. Bepo shuddered at the thought and tried to pay attention to the conversation. Annette shrugged out of hers, revealing the creamy lace at her collar and sleeves, before hanging it on a hook and turning to Law who was frowning at the same lace.

"What?" she asked fingering it slightly, "I know it's expensive, but Pa insists. You know I'd put the money to much better use if I could." He nodded stuffing his hat into his coat pocket and she smiled in relief, "Law, your coat and gloves?" she reached for his hand as if to help.

The sudden spike of alarm in Law's scent was puzzling to Bepo, but the man only smiled. "No thank you," he muttered. Bepo could tell, if only by scent, that he was trying not to jerk his hand away "I'm afraid I've spent too much time south of here, the seasons are warmer the closer you get to the Grand Line, and this weather has me chilled," he gave a lighthearted chuckle.

Annette shrugged and turned to lead the way back through the house, "Come on, Let's go to the kitchen. Bepo, Cook'll have my hide if I make you any later for your breakfast then I already have. You know how she is about serving cold food. Law, maybe some tea or coffee will help?"

"Coffee sounds great."

Annette led the way followed by Law and then Bepo. They all knew where they were going, but Bepo was too big to walk beside anybody indoors without running the risk of knocking a painting off the wall, and he was quite sure that Law was just taking in the splendor that decorated the home. He always seemed to do that. Not because he was going to steal anything, Bepo was positive Law wouldn't steal anything, but because he liked to comment on what good the money could have done elsewhere though such comments were usually made only to Bepo and never where High-Lord Elgar could hear. Law had once told Bepo that is seemed the governor cared more for expensive things that anything else. Perhaps that was why Annette was always dressed up so fine. If she was dressed richly then her suitors were more likely to be rich and that was what her father wanted most for her. To continue to live the same style life she had grown up with. That and something to do with political alliances that Bepo didn't quite understand. Law did though. He remembered Law once referring to lady Annette as a prized flower to be sold off to the highest bidder. Bepo mentally shook his head. He would never understand human courting rituals. It was much better to choose a mate because you cared for them.

"I have a letter for your father." Law muttered as Annette pushed open the kitchen door.

"Pa's still in bed. You can leave it if you want."

"I'll wait, besides you promised me coffee." Law held the door as Bepo followed the two into the kitchen. It was a large room with gray, stone walls, windows overlooking the yard, a stove big enough to prepare several dishes at once, four different ovens, a fireplace containing burning embers opposite, and a huge scrubbed wood table in its center. In one corner, several feet from the door, was a large blue pillow that Bepo used for his bed. He had chosen that corner himself (no one had told him not too) the kitchen was, as Annette had said, the warmest room in the house, plus it always smelled of delicious things to eat.

Cook turned as they came in, greeted Law as warmly as she did every visitor, and then held a large, tin plate, more a platter really, of what seems to be a very fatty cut of beef and squash out for Bepo. Bepo carefully took the tray in his teeth before steadily carrying it over to his corner "I don't know what I'd do if he were a complete carnivore." Cook chattered as Bepo settled into his meal, delicately taking small bites (for a bear) and watching the others at the same time. There were days when no-one was looking that he'd eat at the table and use the silverware. "Fortunately he seems to like fruit and vegetables about as much as the rest of us . . ." Cook continued.

The conversation didn't stay focused on Bepo for long. Annette after a series of questions that might be interpreted by Law as prying, though Bepo knew she hadn't intended them that way, very quickly landed on the one subject in which Law would give her as much information as she wished. Travel. "I hear there are islands where it barely snows in the winter, and I hear there are islands where there is no winter at all, oh I'd give anything go see them!" she declared holding the coffee pot forgotten in one had as Law pushed his mug towards her. Cook frowned from her place by the stove where she had begun scrabbling some eggs. "Annette, are you going to pour the man his coffee or not?" Annette blushed and hurriedly filled his cup before filling her own. "Cinnamon?" she asked taking her place at the table and offering him a silver canister.

"No thank you I take mine black."

"More for me then," and she tipped it carefully and gave the side three little taps. It was always three taps. Bepo wondered absently if that was important.

Law smiled, sipped his coffee, and answered her question continuing the conversation. In asking after the places he had visited and what they were like she got not only what the island was like physically, plants, birds, mountain etc., but socially as well. Law was especially forthcoming if a particular island had any sort of unique medical techniques. Bepo tried to listen but his attention wavered. By this time his plate was empty and he was busying himself with licking the last of the beef's flavor from its surface.

He was just getting the last of it, causing the platter to scrape across the tile floor, when Annette's father walked in closely followed by Mumei-sensei. Mumei looked slightly surprised to see Law, and Bepo thought the older human male looked as though he was going to great the young man, but Mumei was stopped by a grunt from the Governor. "So, you're back."

Law rose from his chair, somehow managing to look as if it was what he had intended to do all along, and reaching inside his wool coat pulled out an envelope addressed to The High-Lord Elgar. "I was asked to carry this to you, sir. We met a rather, interesting, patron on our last voyage." The older man took it, ripping open the envelope, and pulling out the letter seemed to read it in a single glance. He frowned, but to Bepo his scent seemed pleased. A second later the envelope and letter both were thrown into the kitchen fire and a puzzled scent filled the room radiating from everyone present excepting only High-Lord Elgar and Law. Bepo knew something was going on, and that despite his expressionless face Law knew what it was, no doubt Law had taken a chance to see the letter himself before delivering it, but then considering humans' particular desire for keeping secrets Bepo figured it would be better not to ask. Not that he would when those who didn't know he could speak were around.

As the scent of burning paper disappeared with the last of the letter's ashes, High-Lord Elgar took a small silver case and lighter from his pocket. "Cigarette Law-kun?" he asked pulling a tightly rolled cylinder of paper from the case. Bepo wined in protect, he hated the smell of those things, but the Governor barely spared him a glance.

Law didn't even hesitate answering quite bluntly, "If you keep smoking those things you'll die."

"Everybody dies sometime," High-Lord Elgar roared with laughter, "but thank you for the concern for my health."

Law smiled and sketched a small bow, "If you'll excuse me, I should be returning home. I would like to see Master Tiberius and Leana-san before they hear I've arrived from some idle dockworker."

"Of course."

Law shook Mumei-sensei's hand, thanked Annette and Cook for the coffee, politely refused their offer of breakfast, picked up his rucksack, and then exited through the kitchen door into the garden. Bepo could see him through the window walking down the path around the corner. He resisted the desire to run outside after him just to get out of the crowded kitchen, but Annette's father was taking his cigarette back to his office along with a mug of coffee, Cook had picked up Bepo's plate and seemed to be cutting him another chuck of beef, and outside the weather had turned into a slow icy drizzle that Bepo was sure would change to snow.

Law turned up his collar against the wind, and pulled his hat down over his eyes to shield them from the rain that was now falling in considerably heavier sheets than its former drizzling state. Fortunately he was only a block from what he hesitated to call home. He had been at sea so long these past years that he was no longer sure he had a right to call it that, if home was based on residence, but it was where lived Leana-san and Tiberius-ya, and that he supposed made it home more than anywhere else.

He was relieved to find the door unlocked, even though the sign in the shop window read closed, and letting the it shut quietly behind him he left his now muddy boots on the mat in the corner and proceeded in his stocking feet. Turning from the shop into the kitchen he immediately noticed a rack of fresh baked scones cooling on the counter, and leaving his rucksack on the table with his nodachi, Kikoku, still sticking out of it, snatched one up and devoured it in three bites halfheartedly wishing it had been a basket of fruit instead, but being too hungry to complain about the bread. He really should have taken Anne's cook up on the offer of breakfast, he might have convinced the woman to make him a rice-omelet, but the entire time he had been at the compound he had felt as though he was dodging bullets. Mumei's knowing gaze, Lord Elgar's involvement in . . . well Law was too smart to even think it was what it appeared on the surface, Anne's over helpfulness leading her dangerously close to secrets she shouldn't even know existed. Law had to be grateful for the cold weather; it would be difficult to find an excuse to continually wear his gloves otherwise. He wondered how long he would be able to keep it up and hide the tattoos.

The voices in the next room distracted him from snatching another scone, and peeking his head through the doorway he immediately made out the figures of Leana-san and the housemaid, Rebecca. Leana-san was running her fingers over the braille covered pages of a book open in her lap, reading aloud what seemed to be poetry (Law had never been very good recognizing that sort of thing) while Rebecca worked on the mending as she rocked slowly in the rocking chair next to the window.

Law watched with a grin, as Rebecca's eye grew wide with shock, and hastily held his fingers up against his lips. Rebecca nodded and tried to pretend as if nothing had changed but the rhythm of the chair altered and Leana-san picked up on it immediately, that or she heard the sound Law's stocking feet made against the carpet as he slipped into the room, because she stopped reading.

"Tiberius is that you? It's about time you learned to leave your boots by the door . . ." she paused when he made no reply and looked puzzled for a moment, "Tiberius? Is something wrong?"

"No." Law grinned as at the utterance of that simple word she gasped and flew from her chair to embrace and run her hands over every part of him she could reach as if to assure herself that what she couldn't see was really there.

"Law!" she smiled almost looking past his face and running her fingers across his left cheek and onto his chin, "you're growing a beard?"

"A goatee," he corrected, "and it's good to be home, Leana-san . . ." but the trample of boots drowned out the next few words as Tiberius stalked through the kitchen and into the room.

"Tiberius, looks who's home." She turned towards the sound she obviously had no trouble recognizing.

At the same time Rebecca stood scolding from her chair, "Dr. Morris, If your apprentice can remember to leave his boots at the door after all these months away, I fail to see why you, who live here, can't! Now you've tracked mud all over the floor," she flung the mending into her basket revealing a slight rounding to her belly, "and it's getting rather hard for me to clean that sort of thing up!"

"You're expecting?" Law questioned stating the obvious as Tiberius had the grace to look slightly ashamed and offer to clean the mess up himself. "Last time I saw you you'd just been married. How far along are you?"

"That's what you get for staying away for months at a time, you miss things!" But Rebecca smiled at him, crossed the room to the kitchen, and began rummaging through a closet where the cleaning supplies were kept. "And I'm just past four months now." She called over her shoulder. Law looked over at the physician who was busy removing the offending mud soaked articles as Rebecca re-emerged from the closet holding a bucket and a mop. "As the pregnancy progresses my sister Clarissa will be coming here to help," she told him as she returned, swapping the doctor the cleaning supplies for the boots which she then took to the front door to sit next to Law's. "Are you familiar with prenatal care?" she asked returning the second time.

"Only in theory," Law answered when she returned.

"Then it's time we turned theory into practicality," Tiberius jumped in using his usual lecturing tone. "If you intend to practice on this island you must have a background of the basics and I'm afraid this really is part of the basics, along with pediatrics and basic illnesses. In a community this large you have no idea what might crop up . . ."

Law sighed, "I get it, I get it, I'll study whatever you give me."

"It's good to sea you can still take the role of student." This time Tiberius seemed to approve, which was rare, "Rebecca, you don't mind, do you?"

"If it means I know the man who delivers my baby? Of course not. You see, Law, as there is no hospital in this city, my attending physician will end up being whoever is available and there are several doctors around here who . . ."

"You're picky. All of my colleges are excellent practitioners." Tiberius boomed. Rebecca stuck out her tongue as soon as his back was turned.

"Well that's all very well," Leana-san jumped in before anyone could answer, seizing his elbow and pulling him over to the sofa, "But I want to know where this young man has been and how long he's staying. Will you manage to be home for the holidays this year?"