Problem and Touching the Ears

Suddenly, the door was flung open and the woman from earlier was there. A smile came to her lips as she recognized the two. "It's you again. I have what you need. Please, come inside." She moved back to let them in. Luffy followed close behind him. He was still pouting as she shut the door. "I have some bad news for you. Would you like to hear it?"

"I knew something would be wrong." Law sighed. "Yes. Please tell me how long these will stay."

"I'm sorry to inform you but you will have these ears and tail for two weeks." Law lowered his head in defeat. I was right in thinking something bad was going to happen today. I shouldn't have gotten out of bed today.

"So, Torao will be stuck with these for two weeks?" Luffy sounded interested in the conversation. He didn't sound angry anymore.

"Yes. But there are some other things that I need to inform you about." Law nodded and asked her to proceed. "Not only do you have the ears and tail of a cat, but you also have some characteristics of a cat."

"Please, explain." He wanted to know how much like a cat he was going to be. It can't possibly be that bad, right?

"You can purr like a cat when you are petted or when you are okay with something, your tail will show your emotion most of the time, you will have a craving for milk at times, you might go into heat," Law paled at that, "you will be agile and nimble like one, and you can see in the dark like they can." The woman shrugged. "It is just the matter of waiting. I'm really sorry about all this."

He gave off a defeated sigh. "It's okay. I will just have to...endure this for a while." Law bowed his head to her. "Thank you for your time. I hope to see you again." He was being honest. The town was great, aside form the fact that he was caught up in one of their traditions. "I just might come back to visit another time."

"You are always welcome. Even you, Straw Hat Luffy." The man narrowed his eyes at her. "You didn't think I didn't know the both of you, Trafalgar Law and Monkey D. Luffy?" Her smile never left her face. "We don't hate Pirates like most people in the world. We accept them because they are just trying to do what they want. It's more like we encourage them. I know the both of you because of what you did six month ago on Dressrosa."

"Oh." Luffy grinned. "That was fun."

"That wasn't fun for me," Law stated. It wasn't fun in the least for me. I almost died man times that day.

They said their goodbyes to the woman as Luffy and Law left to go back to the ship. It was dark out, but Law could see perfectly fine. "Torao, where are you? It's too dark to see you." A hand touched his tail from behind. "Found you."

"Just hold onto it until we get back. It seems that you need it more than I do," Law said as he started walking again. "Out of the two of us, I can see just fine." There was a difference, though. He could only see in black and white in the dark.

...

Back at the ship, Law had to blink twice at the light from the ship. It was bright and he had to adjust his eyes to it. "Torao-san, Luffy, you're back," Brook greeted as he walked up to Law. "You look upset, Torao-san. Is something the matter?"

"The ears won't come off for two weeks," Law answered. He felt a tug on his tail. "Straw Hat-ya." Luffy looked up to him. There was something about Luffy touching his tail that felt strange. "You can let go of it now."

Hesitantly, Luffy let it go and it wrapped around Law's leg. He was getting a hang of moving it by himself. "Torao-kun, welcome back." Law looked over to see Robin sitting on her usual chair. He didn't want to be teased by them again.

"Is food ready yet?" Luffy asked. He had been quiet since they got back.

"Sanji should be done in about ten minutes." The man nodded before walking off to the kitchen. Law stayed standing in front of Brook.

"Torao-san, if you don't mind, my I touch your ears?" He turned his attention back to the skeleton. Law shrugged and leaned his head down a little. His ears twitched before he felt the boney fingers touch them. "Nami-san was right. They are so soft. Like silk."

The feeling was nice even if the bones were a little rough. Slowly, Law's eyes started to close and the rumble from before started up again. The feeling was good. It felt so nice for someone to touch and rub them. "Torao-kun, are you purring, by chance?"

Opening his eyes, Law looked over to Robin. She was staring at him with wide eyes but with a smile. He shrugged. "I don't know. The sound just happens when someone does this. I'm not an expert on cats."

"Torao-san likes me touching his ears," Brook said. He laughed as he continued. "This is very interesting. I have never petted a cat before."

"I'm not a cat, Bone-ya. I'm still human," Law corrected him. His eyes closed again as the man kept on. He wasn't bothered by them touching his ears anymore. The little girl from earlier that day had helped him in that regard.

A few minutes later, Sanji came out of the cabin. "Dinner's ready! Come and eat!" Brook let go of his ears. It disappointed Law a little. Wait, what? Why am I disappointed? He was just touching my ears. What the hell?

In the kitchen, Law sat next to Luffy like always. He seemed to be brooding about something. Even the others realized what he was doing. The man still ate like normal, but he kept quiet and had an aggravated aura around him.

"Luffy, what's up with you?" Zoro asked. He looked upset that his Captain wasn't being his normal self.

"Nothing's wrong." Everyone knew that was a bold-face lie. Law eyed him as he took a bite of a rice ball. He chewed for a moment before he looked down at the item. A growl sounded in the room as he put the object back on the plate.

Looking up, Law saw that everyone was staring at him with wide eyes. "What? Is there something wrong?" He was confused with their expressions.

"D-Did you just gr-growl?" Usopp asked. The guy was visibly shaking as he looked at him. Law raised an eyebrow.

"I...I don't know. Did I?" Law hadn't noticed that he did anything. All he knew was that he didn't like what was in the rice ball he was given.

"Yeah. He growled," Luffy answered. He had gone back to eating like nothing had happened.

It made Law look toward him. Somethin was definitely bothering the teen. "Straw Hat-ya, are you still upset about earlier today with that little girl?" That gained him a glare from the man. Law wanted to smirk but knew that the crew was already confused as it was with his question.

"No. I said that I wasn't pouting, and I wasn't jealous. I'm still not pouting and I'm still not jealous. Stop asking." Luffy turned back to his food and continued to ear. Uh-huh. Like I can take you seriously when that was the main reason for your issue earlier.

The crew went back to eating and Law left the rice ball where it was. Luffy, eventually, took it after a bit and ate it. It didn't bother Law at all because it was filled with something that he didn't like. After dinner, Sanji came up to him. "Can you help me with the dishes?"

Law nodded. He knew the cook enough to know that he wanted to ask him some questions in private. Luffy was still sulking and all. It made Law think he did something to upset the other enough to where he didn't want to do anything with his friends.

In the kitchen, Law stood next to Sanji as he washed the dishes. Law's job was to rinse them and dry them off. "Law, what happened with a little girl today? Luffy doesn't ever do something like this."

Law sighed. "When I left the ship earlier, Straw Hat-ya followed after me. Before I went to see that woman, I walked through the town. A little girl grabbed my tail at some point." Law reached up and scratched the right ear before drying off a plate. "She asked me if she could touch my ears. I agreed to allow her to do so. After a minute or so, I guess that I started to purr." He glared at Sanji when he heard him try to stifle his chuckle. "Anyway, in the middle of it, Straw Hat-ya said that we had to go. I could tell that he was jealous from the tone of his voice. I still don't know what he was jealous about. On our way to the hut, he was pouting and angry about something."

Sanji laughed out loud this time. "I don't think I can help you there. That's something you need to talk to Luffy about. He's the one that's upset. Just talk to him and he'll tell you what's wrong. It's just how he is."

"Thanks, Black leg-ya." Law was being truthful, too. He was thankful for the help from the people that knew him so well. They finished their work and Law was still awake.

"Law. Can I touch them?" He turned to the cook with a straight face. Everyone seems to want to touch them. Is it something about me having ears that's interesting?

"Sure." Suddenly, he had a craving for milk. "But first, I want some milk." Sanji's eyes widened. "What's with that reaction?"

"It's the first time you wanted something. You never say you want anything." Law shrugged. "And why milk?"

"I don't know. I just would like some." Sanji nodded before going to the fridge. Law watched him get the milk out and pour him a tall glass of the liquid. He licked his lips at the sight of the beverage.

When Law was handed the cup, Sanji asked him to sit down. "I don't want to have to make you lean down just to touch them." He agreed and sat down at the table. Law started to lap at the top of the drink while Sanji reached up to touch the ears.

When he felt the man touching them, he stopped licking for a second. He didn't stop for long and continued to drink his milk. After a minute, he started to purr again. Law was enjoying his milk and the attention on his ears.

"Law, they are so soft. They almost feel like they aren't even real." Law felt some of the milk drip down his chin. He licked at it to get it off.

"Everyone says that," Law replied. For some reason, he wasn't bothered by anyone saying that his ears were soft. To him, they felt the same as his hair. He just let the cook continue on.

The purring continued. Suddenly, the door was flung open. "Sanji have you seen Tor..." Law looked around the cook to see Luffy standing there. He watched Luffy's eyes widened. "What the hell is going on here?!"

Sanji looked back to Luffy with Law. "What do you mean?" Law felt more milk running down his chin. He licked his bottom lip to get it off. Then, it hit him on what they must've looked like.

"This isn't want it looks like, Straw Hat-ya." He moved from around Sanji and started to drink his milk again. He stood up and walked away from Sanji. "Sorry, Black leg-ya. Maybe another time." The man nodded. He still seemed to be confused on what Law had been talking about.

Taking his leave, Law heard Luffy follow him out. He rolled his eyes as he continued to lap at his milk. It was getting difficult because the drink was depleting. Law just went to his room to go to bed after he finished his cup.

"Torao?" Law looked back to see what Luffy wanted. The man was still pouting but he didn't seem angry at him anymore.

"Yes, Straw Hat-ya?" He walked into his room with the other. He didn't mind since he would always wake up with Luffy in his bed. It was like it was routine by this time. At first, he had been pissed off and embarrassed by it but it stopped bothering him after a time.

"Why do you let people touch your ears?" That made Law look over to Luffy. He upturned the cup and down the rest of his milk. Afterwards, he put the cup on the nightstand.

"I don't know." It was true. He had no idea why he allowed them to touch his ears. It just seemed like an okay thing to do.

"Can I touch them?" Law sat on the bed and pulled off his boots. He placed them next to the bed. He sighed before turning back to the kid.

"Sure. Knock yourself out." He watched Luffy come to stand in front of him. Law closed his eyes as he felt Luffy touch his ears. It was like everyone else. Luffy's hands were slightly rough but were nice on his ears.

"Nami was right. They're really soft." The teen rubbed his ears as Law started to purr. It felt great. The feeling of the other rubbing his ears made him so happy for the attention. Normally, he wouldn't let them do this but now, he didn't mind it all that much.

Slowly, Law noticed that he was falling asleep. His body started to fall forward toward Luffy. After a minute, Law's head pressed into Luffy's stomach. It made the teen stop with his task. Law was still purring even after he stopped.

"Torao? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm...I'm just tired." He lifted himself off the other and laid down. Law was exhausted from the day. "Goodnight, Straw Hat-ya." He covered up. Luffy got in beside him. Law didn't say anything at the light was blown out and arms wrapped around him.

"Goodnight, Torao. See you in the morning." Law nodded as his consciousness left him. He hoped that his time with the ears and tail wouldn't bother him all that much.

...

Law stared down at the damaged and broken kid he chose to help. It had been about three or four days since the incident. He still couldn't come up with why he helped Straw Hat Luffy. It was sort of a feeling he had in the middle of the ocean. Something told him where to go and what to do.

The movement from Luffy made him come back to the present. The teen's face was contorting and scrunching up in anger, sadness, and pain. The sight was sad since he knew the kid's personality. Luffy was hooked up to machines that were keeping him alive at this point.

"He's fighting. But I can't tell if he's winning or losing," he whispered. Placing a hand on Luffy's forehead, he felt the teen lean into it. It reminded him of his sister. Suddenly, Law wasn't staring down at Straw Hat Luffy, a fellow Pirate on the hunt for the One Piece. He was staring down at his little sister.

Law shot off the bed, holding his chest as he tried to regain the breath that he lost at the sight. That was something he didn't want to see ever again. It made tears come to his eyes. 'You are at fault for her death,' said a voice in his head.

"No. It wasn't my fault," he whispered under his breath. He didn't know if Luffy could hear him or not. 'You left her instead of taking her with you.' He slammed his hand on the wall above the bed. Anger set in along with determination. "No. She was too weak to take with me. I couldn't carry her and check on Mom and Dad at the same time." He felt a tears slide down his cheek. 'This time will be the same. He will die and you can't do anything to save him.' "NO! I will not make the same mistake again!" Law shouted. "I...I won't let it happen again..."

He looked down at Luffy. I was no longer his dying little sister. It was the teen again. He was still having his own battle inside his head. It made Law so upset because he didn't know how to help. I can only help him physically at this point. Even if he never wakes, I will keep him alive. His crew might be able to wake him.

Going over to the wall on the other side of the room, Law picked up his nodachi and unsheathed it. He stabbed it into the floor beside the bed. Afterward, he stood next to Luffy. He placed a hand on his forehead again. "Don't give up, Straw Hat-ya. People need you and want you to survive this." Law removed his hand and left the sub. He knew that something was going to happen. For good or for worse, he didn't know.

...

The feeling of something touching his tail made Law wake up. He slowly blinked awake. Law sat up and yawned. He pushed his back upward to stretch. taking the time to look down, he wasn't surprised to see Luffy next to him or holding onto his tail like a toy.

Sighing, Law looked to the window and saw that the sun wasn't up yet. He was able to maneuver out of the grasp of the other and stood from the bed. Law scratched his head as he left the room. He didn't want to bother the others but he did know when they got up. I shouldn't bother then, anyway. They have been nice and hospitable.

Going to the kitchen, Law was able to avoid the traps that Sanji put out for Luffy. He got to the fridge and got out the jug of milk. Getting to a cabinet, he pulled out a bowl and placed it on the counter.

Law poured the milk into the ceramic bowl before putting the milk back into the fridge. He sat down at the table and was able to have peace and quiet. Law leaned down to the bowl and started to lap at the milk. He knew how he must've looked but he was acting how he wanted to. Nobody was up and he was free to do whatever.

Suddenly, the light was cut on and he stopped mid-lap at the movement. He looked up to see Robin standing in the doorway. She was staring at him with wide eyes as they stayed still for a bit.

"Torao-kun, what are you doing?" she finally asked before coming to sit across from him. He lifted his head a little and licked the milk off his chin before speaking to the woman.

"I'm drinking milk. Is there a problem?" Robin smiled at his attitude. Law felt offended about it.

"No. I was just surprised to see you up this early. Normally, you don't leave your room until after the sun is up." The woman smiled at him but kept her eyes on him. "Torao-kun, do you have the antics of a cat?"

Sitting up straight, Law brought the bowl to his lips and downed it contents. Putting the bowl back down, he decided to tell her the truth. "The woman said that I would have the characteristics and habits of a cat. So, yes. I have the antics of a cat."

"Fascinating. This is truly an interesting thing to behold," Robin said as she kept smiling.

Law shrugged as he stood up. He brought his bowl over to the sink and washed it before putting it away. "Straw Hat-ya might not be angry when he gets up. I might've helped him out." He didn't know if that was true or not. He had just let the teen do what the others were doing. Law let Luffy touch his ears.

"That's nice to know." Law was aware that the woman was still staring at him. "Torao-kun, may I?" He knew what she was asking him for. He sighed before turning back to her.

"Everyone seems keen on doing it, so I guess that it doesn't matter." He came to sit beside her instead of across from her. Law asked her to scoot down a bit. She did so and he laid his head in her lap. It was a bit awkward, but he was able to lay down.

Soon enough, Robin's soft, smooth fingers started to rub at his ears. He started to purr and closed his eyes. The feeling was always nice in his opinion. It was never a bad feeling. It was pleasant. He rubbed the back of his head into her stomach.

One of the hands moved from his ears to his chin. Robin started to scratch at the underside of his chin. He tilted his head further into her stomach to get her to scratch his chin more. "Just like a cat," he heard her whisper. It didn't mess with him all that much.

After a bit, someone else entered the room. "What the hell is happening in here?" It was Zoro's voice. He sounded half asleep when he spoke.

"Zoro, Torao-kun is just like a cat. If you scratch the underside of a cat's chin, the cat will tilt its head up to get you to do it more." Law cracked open one eye to look to Zoro. He was eyeing him with confusion.

"Are you saying that he's got the personality of a cat?" Zoro poured himself a cup of water before coming to sit across from them. "That's just weird."

Law sat up and that made Robin's hands release him. "Sorry to weird you out, Roronoa-ya." He narrowed his eyes a little at him.

"Not like you don't do it on a regular basis." Zoro took a large gulp of his water. "You're just one strange man, aside from Luffy." He grinned. "Now that's one anomaly that you can never understand at all." Law smirked.

"Yeah. Tell me about it." His tail wrapped around his left leg.

"You want to know how weird he is? I can give you an example," Zoro offered.

"Am I going to regret this if I say yes?" Robin smiled at him.

"Depends on which event Zoro is talking about," she answered.

"Robin, remember the time that we had used that octopus to fly?" Law watched Robin's eyes widen at the mention of the octopus.

"Oh. It's that moment." She looked ready to kill over laughing.

"Yeah. Okay, listen Law. We needed that octopus for the same thing again, but had a problem. We didn't have it anymore. Luffy had gone somewhere but came back to us a few minutes later." Law didn't know if he wanted to hear this. "Well, he told us that he had the octopus. We didn't believe him at first until he said he really did have it." Zoro looked ashamed for what he was about to say. "He pulled it out of his pants." Law raised an eyebrow. What does he mean? Like a pocket or something? "What I mean by that is that he pulled it out the front of the pants. We have no idea if it was in his underwear as well, but he pulled it out."

"Oh my God." Law lowered his head in shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing about Luffy.

"Sanji asked him if it left weird. Luffy asked if what felt weird." He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Your Captain has just moved up another level on my weird meter." Robin started to chuckle at his comment.

"You chose to be his friend. Doesn't that make you weird as well?" Robin just made him question his choices in his life. Law laid his head back on the table.

"I guess that it does," he answered. He didn't want to admit that the kid was really strange. Luffy insisted on sleeping with him and Law always woke up with him cuddled up to him. It was slightly uncomfortable from time to time.

Second chapter done. Nice to know you all are liking it. :) It makes me happy. Have a glorious day. Tatty-bye!