A Tiger by the Tail

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story...well...except for the fortune teller, anyway. We all know that if I did there would be some mark-able differences. ;p

Warning: This is obviously yaoi (don't really write anything else but this X3) so if that makes you squeamish than just press that little back button and all will be right with the world! If this is exactly up your alley (snicker) than proceed to read! XD

Oh yah! There is also rather repulsive language used in this fic...excessively I might add. I'm so going to hell...

Pairing: Eustass Kidd x Trafalgar Law


A Tiger by the tail – 1) You've taken up a position in which you thought would give you control, but in fact is going to be very difficult or dangerous to 'escape' from. 2) To have a hold on something that you can not let go of without getting hurt. Yet, the longer you hold on, the harder things become and the greater the danger of letting go gets. 3) To cope with a difficult obsession.


he-adder: It was indeed a quick update for chapter 8, but I'd kinda planned to have at least three new chapters up between Christmas and the new year. Glad you enjoyed it and here's hoping chapter 9 carries it on right to the end. X3

Ace's Shadow Girl: If Kidd gets to Law on time something tells me he's going to be in the doghouse for a while. Hehehehe! Bad Kidd! And yes, you figured out the Gypsies advice to Kidd, but here's hoping someone like Kidd can actually figure it out before Law's third transformation. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. :D

Vampire Revan: lol! I was waiting for someone to cheer for spilt blood! You shall have your spilt blood, my dear, but who knows who's blood it will be. Watch out for a Kidd on the warpath!

Heavensentskysky: Glad you loved the chapter! And now it's onto the next one! Yay!

PepperMist: I did my 'job' than! WOOT! But, yes, it was quite the turn for the story's plot and it was such a heinously short notice twist that I think I might have given myself writer's whiplash. Lol! Now watch that incredible spin go faster! hehehe

fbsc0: (sorry gotta abbreviate again since FF does not like periods being in pen-names) We're definitely all rooting for Kidd to fish Law's ass out of the proverbial fire and to find out if he does just keep on scrolling down. Go Kidd go! Glad you enjoyed the chapter!

theos22: I so friggin' LOVE your reviews!They always make me so happy when I'm done reading them. I'm glad I made your night, though! But, you say you're not good a writing reviews...I would have to think otherwise since I get such awesome feedback (and ideas) from you! And, yes, Kidd's going to go through such an extremely horrible guilt trip at some point in this chapter...as well as a healthy does of rage and blood shedding *insert evil snickering here*. I'm definitely grateful that you enjoy my writing style, because there are definitely times when I don't feel the flow of one of my stories so it's nice to know it's all appreciated and enjoyed. :3

Miss Di: Kidd, indeed, was an ass for leaving poor Law for a crappy screw with some bimbo, but that's Eustass Kidd for you. He'll eventually sweat over the fact that he might have very well sent Law to his death :P. But I'm glad it's got you excited about what's going to happen! Just scroll down and you'll find out what's going to happen. ;3

LuvLuvKakashi: Yup, Kidd's a right jackass for suddenly caving to boobs after abstaining for all that time and here's hoping he learns that a little 'dissension' between him and Law doesn't mean he can take his frustration out between the legs of some whore. I think I may have just earned Law a lot of love with this whole story as in a lot of other fics he's usually a huge asshole or raping Luffy...not that that stops the love...this story just gives it a big boost. Lol. Hope you enjoy the final climax of the story (god that sounds so dirty).

Blue Wolf Miko: Yup! So fast that I gave myself whiplash, lol! Hehehe, I do, indeed, offer a...unique style of writing. And Law outwardly hates that collar as it acts as yet another sign of his submission, but he's also been internally warring with some rather dangerous emotions as well as the tiger's need to please its mate. As for his current location...think of a puppy-mill only three times as bad. Pretty disgusting, eh. Oh, and Kidd will eventually remember...he's just a little...ummm...slow X3. Though, I'm glad you still enjoy the insanity that is my writing! YAY!

Shiary: Glad you're liking it all so far! And, truthfully, I hadn't really thought about whether or not this was before or after they'd met adorable, little Luffy, but I'd have to safely say it would be before they met him.

Slaawter: Yah, that was definitely bad innuendo, but we all know that nowadays nearly every word in the english language means something dirty hehehehe! And you are very welcome for the chapters. Glad you enjoyed them. :)

Cloverskeet: Sex drives a man to weak thoughts. Let's hope he hauls ass before it's too late for Law.

NDK: Yah, original plots are hard to come by these days, but we have fun with varied versions of things and It's definitely not easy to keep them in character so I don't really try all that hard to begin with...besides it's quite fun to write characters outside the standard norm of their designed behaviour patterns. I'm quite glad you're enjoying it as it should be completed very shortly. Don't really plan on going over any more than 10 chapters. Hope you like this chapter as well!

vicious-kitsune: I appreciate the review despite the crazy schedule :3. But, yes, it will be quite interesting to see how all this pans out. Oh, and good luck with the catch-up for all those other fics. Happy New Year!

Hiei-and-shino: I'm so happy you enjoyed it quite a bit. And you have my apologies on the delay for this chapter since getting ready to move has been something of a nightmare. I hope this chapter will be well worth nearly a months wait...well for most of my readers, anyway. :3

Maudit Maestro: Glad you love it so much. Makes me a happy little writer! My apologies if it appeared that I abandoned this fic. I most definitely have not, but have just been finishing a major move back to my home province. The bullshit's over so now I can finish this fic. :D

KittyWillCutYou: Care for a baseball bat and a number, cause it's time to join the line up for everyone who wants to smack the redhead around a bit. Lol!Hope you enjoy this chapter! We're almost done!

PLEASE: Okay I thought that was kinda cute and like I've mentioned above I have been in a 3 month long prep and moving process from BC to Saskatchewan and only made an exception in typing two chapters during that time, because it was Christmas. I'm finally settled and now I have a bit of time to get this mother...story done. ENJOY THE NEW CHAPPY! :3

KatsumiRose24: Yah...I stopped it at the worst possible moment, but now that my big move, half of Canada over, is done I can finally get this fic finished! WOOOO...and kinda a boo...since it will actually be over. Perhaps I'll write more when I've got this one wrapped up.

And an additional goes out to footballstar0 for sending me a pm that just helped cement the urge to get this thing finished. Don't worry, hun, I don't plan to let this one go so easily and with the big move done I'm finally free to finish!

HAPPY...way belated...NEW YEAR, MY LOVELIES!


A Tiger by the Tail

Law was getting very fucking close to hyperventilating as the table he was shackled to was pushed easily down some nondescript hallway, passing other animals on his way to the 'lounge'. It was more than obvious that those poor creatures were also apart of the auction and most likely would be bought to be made into some kind of fur accessory for yet another spoiled female. However, no matter how much Law wanted to be concerned for the other animals his own plight was a rather hard one to ignore, ''Relax, little one, your time is almost over. We'll be having a small meeting with the Princess so that she can choose what she wants done with you and then I'll be taking care of her...order.'' his abductor said, quite pleased with the outcome.

Law wanted so badly to bite the fucker, but there was barely any leeway on the chain securing his head to the table's surface...if only the bastard would just put his fingers near his mouth. Law could settle for a finger. They eventually left the dank, lengthy hallway behind as they entered into a fairly cavernous room lined with several couches. It was painfully apparent to the tiger that this room was what the auction master referred to as the lounge...if the Celestial Dragon she-bitch already waiting for them there was anything to go by.

''I do not like to wait.'' she said as she stood to her feet and sauntered haughtily over to Law and his abductor, ''My apologies, Princess Shalulia.'' the man returned elegantly, a very out of place tone on someone of his ilk. The woman ignored the man's honeyed tone and proceeded to poke, pull on and assess Law like the accessory she saw him as. It was a full twenty minutes of humming and hawing before Law's 'death ticket' finally stood back to her full height with an extremely pleased smile, ''The fur is absolutely exquisite, utterly perfect.'' she almost gushed, addressing Law as if he were already a corpse.

''I'm glad that you approve of the merchandise, Princess.'' Law's captor said, clearly pleased that she approved, ''Would you like me to separate the pelt from the flesh for you?'' he offered after a short pause, sealing Law's fate and making the cub's stomach clench painfully. The Celestial Dragon glanced at the man with a critical eye, ''I do hope you're a professional, because if there is so much as one unnecessary nick left on the pelt I will take my money and walk.'' she ordered and moved to take a seat in the lounge chair she had previously vacated.

''I assure you that I am more than professional when it comes to removing the pelt. Please return here in two weeks and I shall have everything ready for you to take to a seamstress.'' the man said, pride lacing his deep baritone. Law was beside himself at this point as he was hoping that she would just take him alive and have him killed and skinned by someone in her employ. At least that way he felt he would have had even the smallest of chances left to attempt an escape. Now there was nothing Law could do to prevent his own death.

''Very well.'' was all Shalulia had to say, promptly standing back up and turning on her heels, leaving the lounge and Law to his doom. With the Celestial Dragon now gone Law was left alone with his captor turned executioner, ''Well, little one, as much as it pains me it's time to prep you for the end of your final journey.'' the man said, clearly remorseless about taking the life of a small animal as his sunglasses glinted ominously under the light of the lounge. Law stared up at his abductor wide-eyed, hardly believing that there was no time left, ''I shall be back in a moment, little one.'' the man intoned suddenly, ''I need to speak with the lounge's coordinator so that a room can be set up for you.'' the man's smile sickened Law to the very core of his being as the bastard walked off across the room.

The human turned tiger watched his abductor approach a well dressed man, standing silently near the patron's entrance into the lounge, and speak brusquely with him about, what Law assumed was, the potential room that the tiger was to be skinned in. The conversation lasted all of two minutes before the cub's abductor returned to his side, ''Looks like we get room seven, little one.'' the man cooed, scratching at Law's ear and making the cursed male hiss audibly, ''So feisty. Such a shame that I have to kill you, little one.'' his abductor laughed. The man's hand stroked down the entire length of Law's spine and right over his angrily swishing tail, ''I'm just going to go fetch my equipment and by the time I get back they should have room seven ready. Be a good little cub.''

Law was only mildly relieved when his captor left him to his own devices...seeing as he was still shackled down to the table's surface after all. He let out a soft sigh through his nose and placed his head down on the table between his front paws, 'Fuck.' was all that came to Law's mind as he didn't even bother to struggle...there was really no point anymore.


Kidd had followed the bitch, that had bought Law, from the back of the amphitheatre styled auditorium and skulked after her through the narrow halls that only the rich patrons used. He had wanted so dearly to slit her fucking throat, but dared not since it was all thanks to the one fact that the bitch was a fucking Celestial Dragon! Well, at the very least, he wouldn't kill her just yet...he still had to rescue Law and didn't feel like slaughtering his way through a bunch of Marines...though that wasn't saying he couldn't handle killing those morons...just didn't feel like it and Law's safety came first.

It was his fault that the poor cub was in danger...NO! Law had been a little bitch about everything so it wasn't his fault...but it was. Kidd snarled, fisting a hand in the hair at his temple as guilt warred violently with his 'inner asshole'. He knew that by following that useless skank at the bar he had effectively ended Law's life...albeit unknowingly...but he wouldn't have done it if the tiger had just learned humility and stopped being a little fucking bitch about fighting Kidd on it every damn step of the way! This was how the redhead attempted to justify all that had happened...even if it was utterly pointless.

''Fuck!'' Kidd bit out snappishly, voice a harsh whisper as he pulled at his hair with both of his hands, his frustration...and fear...beginning to peak. He let out a huffy growl as his stomach twisted uncomfortably and slowly glanced around the next corner only to see that the hallway was devoid of any other inhabitants, ''Motherfucking shit! Damn cow disappeared.'' Kidd hissed angrily as worry clawed at his chest, restricting it painfully. Forgoing caution out of panic, that Kidd was unwilling to admit to, he made his way swiftly down the empty hall.

He got no further than a dozen steps before something half his bulk ran directly into his chest, forcing Kidd to take a step back as his 'roadblock' fell on it's ass. When the redhead's sharp gaze landed on the aforementioned 'roadblock' a slow, cruel smirk began to curl his lips, ''An auction house lackey, eh.'' Kidd purred, cracking his knuckles heavily. The man, dressed in the uniform specific to the auction house employees, locked his own gaze on the large pirate looming over him, ''U...uh...I'm s...s..sorry.'' the man mumbled nervously, making Kidd's smirk take complete control of his features as the unsuspecting lackey scrambled back to his feet.

''A...are you going to pick up a b...b...bid?'' the male asked a little hesitantly which made Kidd pause, ''Eh?'' was all that issued from the redhead's mouth. Here he had planned on gutting his little roadblock, but the shit just got lucky by opening his mouth and helping to insert an idea into Kidd's head, ''Yes, yes I am. However, I'm not sure I know where to go to collect my bid. I was told to go down this hall, but there's a few branching hallways...so I'm just not too sure.'' Kidd said despite how lame it sounded on his tongue. Though, it didn't appear to matter as the idiot seemed to buy Kidd's bullshit anyway.

''You'll be going to the lounge. This happens every now and again.'' the man said, smiling idiotically...in Kidd's opinion, ''Just follow me, sir.'' the employee added as he quickly turned and went back the way he had came. The redhead couldn't believe how easy that had been...especially since the little idiot hadn't even bothered to ask for an auction slip or paddle number, ''...Fucking place is full of idiots.'' Kidd chuckled under his breath and followed after his new guide. He was actually a bit thankful he ran into an auction house employee as it would be easier to move about if he was simply thought of as just another patron. He'd kill people later. Yup, gut them all like fish...later.

He followed silently after the smaller male, willing the auction employee to move faster. Law's life was on the line, after all, and Kidd's nerves were on an extreme edge as it was so the fact that the little flake was walking at a near snail's pace was slowly murdering Kidd's ability to think rationally. This was saying a lot since the redhead's ability at 'rationale' was sorely lacking to begin with and the spastic twitch of his left hand and right eye was more than enough of a sign that said it was all going to come to a screeching and rather suicidal halt at any second.

The brute was fighting the urge to just reach forward, wrap his hands around the idiot's scrawny neck and snap it like a dry twig! It would just be so fucking easy, but, alas, Kidd needed the ugly little shit to find his hot little slut. It was kind of depressing. The Devil Fruit user let out a loud sigh that did not go unnoticed by his guide, ''Is something the matter, Sir?'' the man asked, glancing back at Kidd from over his left shoulder, 'Yes.' Kidd thought irritably, but aloud he muttered, ''No. I'm fine. Just a bit tired so I'd like to collect my bid as soon as possible.''

Mercifully the idiot seemed to take the hint and picked up his pace a bit, ''Oh I'm sorry, Sir.'' the lackey replied, ''We're almost at the lounge...just a few more minutes, Sir.'' he added in a rather placating tone. However, the man's words had little to no affect on Kidd's ability to remain totally calm, 'That's a few minutes in which Law may already be dead, Dickhead.' the redhead thought venomously, allowing his glare to drill into the back of the employee's skull. He was pleased to note that the idiot's steps sped up just a bit more.

They rounded yet another corner and nearly ran into the bitch that had bought Law. It took every ounce of Kidd's concentration not to just load her body full of sharp metal objects. He had to remind himself repeatedly, in the one minute it took the little cow to pass by him, that she was still a Celestial Dragon and by slaughtering her brutally it would only bring down the wrath of the marines in the blink of an eye. He settled for a quiet snarl as he watched her appraise him, not unlike a prized bull, from the corner of his own eye, 'Nauseatingly fickle bitch.' Kidd thought in annoyance.

However, despite that particular thought the redhead was delighted to note that she did not have Law with her...though, that in no way meant that the tiger was out of danger. It was obvious that by not taking Law with her she was getting someone at the auction house to do the majority of the dirty work for her. Kidd grit his teeth to suppress his blood lust as the bitch moved by him and made her way down the hall in the direction he had just come from, ''Just around the corner, Sir.'' came the nasal voice of his unwitting guide, pulling the redhead from his silent rage.

''Eh?'' was all Kidd could utter dumbly, ''The lounge is just around the corner, Sir.'' the man replied easily, not the least bit annoyed with having to reiterate his words. As it was it took a little longer for those words to sink into Kidd's skull and once it did he realized it was time to 'cut his guide loose'. A slick grin curled the brute's handsome features as he closed the gap between them and placed a large hand on the lackey's shoulder, ''I'd like to thank you for showing me the way.'' Kidd cooed eerily into the man's right ear and before the man could even turn around, let alone yell, the brute's hands slid up to cup the underside of his victim's jaw while his thumbs braced behind the ears.

With a quick, hard jerk to the left and extending far beyond the range that one could turn their head Kidd successfully broke the man's spine at the base of his skull with a deafening snap. It sent a sort of pleasure rushing through Kidd that he hadn't felt in a while, 'Can't believe I forgot the sweet rush I get when I have control over some poor fuck's life.' the redhead thought gleefully, suddenly wishing he'd snuffed the bitch when he had the chance.

He could hardly stop himself from contemplating going after the little cow as he released his hold on the disjointed corpse, letting it drop limply to the floor before kicking it unceremoniously behind a set of crates nearby. He half turned in the direction the she-bitch had gone only to suffer a mental slap, remembering that he still had to get Law back before he could even think about going on a killing spree. Mind made up Kidd took the last several hundred steps into the lounge, ruby red gaze whipping about in an attempt to locate his 'pet' only to snarl when he was greeted with a room devoid of human life.

''Shit! Motherfucking sh...'' Kidd began to swear only to be cut short by the clearing of vocal cords off to his right, ''May I help you?'' came a smooth, polite male tone, forcing the redhead to turn towards the gentle sounding voice. He took in the features of a handsome, well dressed man standing near a side door marked 'staff only'. Kidd took in the rigid stance and disinterested look glinting from behind sleek spectacles before glancing a leather bound ledger held securely in the man's right hand, ''Actually...you can help me.'' Kidd started to say as he closed the distance between the two of them a little more.

The man merely raised an elegant brow at the approaching pirate, appearing to be unconcerned with the air of danger emanating off of Kidd, ''I'm looking for an adorable little white tiger that should have been brought back here. Ya know where he's been moved to?'' the redhead asked in a tone that was as friendly as he could muster at the moment. The man's arched brow moved further toward his hairline as he pinned Kidd with a very dry look, ''A tiger? Why would you need to know that kind of information when it's obvious that you're not a patron to the auction house? And what makes you even begin to think that we have something like that at this time?'' the bespectacled man said snidely.

His tone made Kidd's hackles rise, ''Don't even try to fuck with me, ass-wipe.'' the brute snarled warningly, though it appeared to have no effect on the guy's demeanour, ''I'm here to collect my white tiger cub from the dick who decided it would be a good idea to take what belongs to me without my consent.'' the redhead added, voice low with anger. The bespectacled man hardly batted an eye at the large male's razor sharp tone, ''I do not have any information on a white tiger. Please leave.'' the well dressed man said flatly.

Kidd grit his teeth in a visible snarl, baring sharp canines to the unconcerned man standing across from him and before the redhead even knew what he was doing he had made a move to snatch the ledger away from the bespectacled man. However, the prim male was out of his reach just as fast, leaving Kidd a bit astounded, ''So yer not just a pretty fixture used to kiss rich, snobby ass.'' the brute chuckled as the bespectacled male sneered softly at him.

''I'm the House Master. I assure you that it is not only my job to make our patrons happy and keep track of their acquisitions, but it is also my duty to deter wayward 'inconveniences' that attempt to derail our patrons' bids.'' the man said as he removed his glasses from his nose with a fluid flick of his wrist, placing them delicately into his breast pocket as he tucked the ledger against his side and entered an offensive guard, waiting patiently for Kidd to come at him. This move succeeded in surprising the redhead a little as, not only was, he expecting the man to not know a thing about fighting, but since he did than he figured that he would take a defensive stance instead of an offensive one. Kidd was a lot bigger than him, after all.

Though he was indeed surprised it also pleased the brute greatly since this was yet another victim that would help expend his rage...even if the downside was that he would be kept from Law for just a little longer, 'Guess I'll just have to make this quick.' Kidd thought. Without anymore preamble he launched himself at the well dressed man...only to get a roundhouse kick to the face, sending Kidd stumbling against a lounge chair a few feet away. The redhead clutched at the back of the chair, spitting blood from his split lip, ''Oh you're good...barely any energy used to move.'' Kidd purred, feeling the thrum of adrenaline.

His opponent didn't bother to reply as he fell back into his original stance. Kidd huffed at the man's haughty attitude and quickly closed the gap between them, ducking under the man's second kick to come up under his guard. This did not appear to phase the man as he merely blocked Kidd's punch with his right forearm, pulling the ledger out of Kidd's reach while, simultaneously, smashing it into the other side of the redhead's skull, rattling Kidd's brains. The brute stumbled away once more, a growl rumbling loudly in his chest as his opponent merely checked to see that his glasses were still in the breast pocket of his suit jacket.

Kidd was quickly growing annoyed as impatience chased his common sense like a bat out of hell, ''I haven't got time for this fucking shit. Just tell me where the tiger cub is and I'll be out of your hair.'' the redhead snarled through gritted teeth. The man merely continued to stare him down with a rather dry look, ''We do not have any information on a tiger.'' the man repeated blandly...much to Kidd's growing ire. The guy was so infuriatingly calm and, oh, how Eustass 'Captain' Kidd hated people who could act that way in situations where it should be utterly impossible.

'Hang on just a little longer, Law. I just gotta kick this guy's ass and then I'll save yours.' Kidd thought angrily only to be forced on the defensive when a roundhouse nearly took off his head. The redhead moved his upper body backwards as he dropped to his knees in order to avoid being potentially decapitated, ''Jesus fucking Christ! What happened to your manners!'' Kidd bit out as he scrambled back, out of the man's reach, ''Manners have nothing to do with disposing of 'trash'.'' the House Master said flatly.

''Fucking fine.'' Kidd growled, ''If you wanna play low ball than I'm game. Repel.'' various metal objects within the lounge's vicinity rose into the air and were sent flying at the well dressed male with a frighteningly deadly accuracy. The Supernova's opponent managed to dodge ever last one of the projectiles that were in his line of sight, but, luckily, Kidd managed to catch the man on his right hip from outside his opponent's immediate peripheral. The man staggered slightly and for the first time since their little skirmish started Kidd managed to glimpse the barest hint of an expression on the man's face; pain.

The grin that curled the redhead's painted lips was positively sinister, ''So Mister Emotionless does have emotions after all. Let's see if we can't make you break.'' Kidd cooed darkly as the man straightened his body and schooled his pained expression back into it's neutral mask, ignoring the warm blood that was now starting to stain his clothing. They stood still, sizing each other up, for several seconds before they were suddenly at each others' throats in a whirlwind of flying fists and feet, blood splattering the floor and walls with each hit.

Kidd hadn't felt more alive than he did in that moment...well short of the time when he's been able to tumble Law into bed that is, because who the hell wouldn't feel alive over the fact that they got to dominate Trafalgar fucking Law! Though, this...this right now was pretty on par with screwing Law. Same heady euphoria...just a different reason behind it and Kidd was perfectly fine with that since he was getting to take out his aggression in at least one of the ways he loved best.


If asked whether or not he regretted anything...anything at all...at this point in time he would have to say...yes. Trafalgar Law would say yes. With death finally staring the young male in the face Law could say nothing else but yes...he understood now. Or at the very least he grasped the basic concept of regret and what he should be regretting. Strapped down to a cold table, being forced to watch some stranger prep the tools for his 'execution' and knowing...just fucking knowing...that he was not going to be getting out of this was more than enough to 'wake' Law up.

He felt the sting of frustrated tears at the corner of eyes that were not exactly his own and couldn't stop himself from childishly wishing that...if he was to die he could do so in his own flesh and blood body. It's not that he didn't want to live, because he did, but he knew that life was not so much a fairytale where your knight in shining armour would bust down the door and sweep you to safety...it was that reality was that of a cruel and punishing sort. Happy endings were for good people and that he was not.

He was vain and more than just a bit of a bastard at times...not that he wasn't capable of kindness from time to time, because he was! However, even Law knew that the bad outweighed the good and, although, he pretty much ignored his more assholish tendencies in favour of his own 'comfort' he knew karma had him by the balls good and sound. Karma being that scary little old Gypsy woman. 'Well it looks like that old hag was right...my lack of humility is going to be the death of me...and...and now I'm going to die knowing that my skin will keep some snot-nosed she-bitch of a woman just a bit more cozy.' the young Captain thought dismally.

With a soft sigh through his nose Law let his eyes slip shut, silently sending his final goodbyes to those he cared for. Though, no sooner had the little tiger shut his watery eyes than the echoes of something large breaking could be heard resonating through the cracks in the door to room number seven. ''What the fuck was that?'' Law's captor hissed out, annoyance clear in his voice as the crescendo of noise continued unrelentingly. It only took a moment more before the man slapped down the nasty looking tool he had been cleaning, ''Can't fucking expect me to do my best work when there's so much goddamned noise!'' he barked as he turned sharply to face the door, nearly knocking the needle, meant to finish Law's life, to the floor.

''Shit, shit!'' the male swore as he fumbled slightly before catching the small object in his open palm. With a sigh of relief he placed the syringe gingerly back onto the counter, ''We're lucky that didn't break now, little one, or I would've had to put a halt on taking yer pelt. Only brought enough pentobarbitalto do this once.'' the asshole chuckled as Law turned his nose to the inside of his right paw, eyes clenched shut in despair. Those words had been a small window of hope...but the last minute 'save' of that needle had been the hand that slammed it shut in his face.

''I shall be back in just a moment, little one, than all yer waiting will be over.'' the man purred in a manner Law found more than just a little disturbing. With a pat to the poor creature's flank the man ducked out the door and into the hallway beyond, leaving Law to continue saying his silent goodbyes...that no one would ever hear.


Kidd was a horrible mess of blood, sporting a dislocated right arm and an increasingly pissed off expression. The House Master was proving Kidd to be a rather difficult opponent as the man, in question, sported minimal wounds and hardly seemed ruffled by their fight as a whole. The redhead had never felt so damned frustrated as he did in that moment, but it wasn't due to his vicious little scuffle, no, it was all because he was being detained from Law for far longer than Kidd desired.

The urge to destroy the prim male standing mere feet across from him was a hard one to ignore, but Kidd really did have more pressing matters to tend to, ''I'll admit that you've got quite a bit of fight in ya, but if you don't lie the fuck down already I'll make sure that you never get up again.'' Kidd snarled through his teeth, ready to charge only to be brought up short when the annoyed voice of a male newcomer cut through the air, ''What's with all the fucking noise! I need to concentrate!''

Both battlers turned their wary gazes on the newcomer, but when a particular set of ruby red eyes landed on that new male instant recognition tore through Kidd as rage built up in the span of mere seconds. His mind played back the horrified wails of a certain tiger cub as the poor creature had been carted off the auction house stage by a greasy looking loser in sunglasses. The newcomer was suddenly forced to a startled halt by the ominously loud snarl that rumbled in Eustass Kidd's blood covered chest, ''You.'' the redhead growled out, low and dangerous.

''Wha...what?'' was all the newcomer could utter as he stood rooted to the spot, fright and confusion warring on his slim face. Kidd turned his full attention on the little weasel, ''It was you.'' the brute bit out aggressively, voice still a dangerously low pitch, ''You were the one that took my tiger.'' it was a clearly accusatory tone and there was no doubt in the redhead's voice as he began to stalk, one slow step at a time, towards the male that offended him so greatly. Law's abductor took a hesitant step back, ''Excuse me?'' the greasy looking man questioned, though it only served to enrage Kidd further.

''Don't even try to fuck with me, shit stain! I was in the back of the auditorium when your greedy ass rolled my white tiger cub offstage at the closing bid! Only the handler of the bid is allowed on stage once the bid is completed! You were the dumb fuck that decided he had the balls to steal what belonged to a pirate!'' Kidd yelled suddenly, horribly startling the man who had taken Law. The aforementioned male quickly threw his hands up in a gesture of placation, ''E...easy, buddy! I stole nothing from no one! I...I always pick up my items legally!'' the guy choked out and to Kidd the stutter was more than enough of a confession.

''Bull-fucking-shit. You took that fucking cub from a bar not too far from here and from where he was secured to a stool, mind you.'' Kidd accused viciously only to have it all thrown back in his face, ''You left him there! That cub was fair game, asshole! If you really loved that pet you wouldn't have ran off with a bar-whore!'' Law's abductor shouted right back as Kidd came up short for a moment. Silence reigned over the rubble strewn lounge as the words that greasy loser yelled echoed inside the redhead's skull.

It was several long minutes before the House Master decided to make a move...though it was in vain. The second Kidd sensed movement was the second he chose to pull himself from his sudden self-pity to attack Law's abductor, ''A greasy little fuckwit like you has no goddamned right to tell me shit like that!'' the brute very nearly howled, throwing as much metal, as was in his range, at the greasy bastard. This action forced a horrified cry from the man as he turned tail and ran; which, in turn, forced Kidd to take off after him.

However, the redhead only made a handful of steps before the House Master appeared in his path, ''Move or I'll fucking make you move!'' Kidd yelled ominously even as the prim male refused to move from where he now stood, ''So be it.'' the redhead muttered under his breath, a wicked smile curling his painted lips up at the edges. The brute barrelled into the smaller male, using his superior size to come up under the House Master's guard and lift him effortlessly into the air. The look of surprise on the smaller man's face was more than enough to please Kidd as he sent his stunned opponent flying, ''Didn't fucking expect me to charge right at ya again, did ya.'' Kidd said snidely over his shoulder as he kept right on chasing Law's abductor down.

The redhead made no effort to even look back as he used his Devil Fruit powers to pin the House Master to the vaulted ceiling of the lounge. He heard the heavy thunk of a body and the grunts of pain from where the metal held his opponent in place and that was more than enough of a reassurance that the bespectacled male would not be coming after his ass anytime soon. Kidd let it be at that as he turned his full attention on the potential suffering of Law's kidnapper, 'Little shit stain sure does run fast.' was the idle thought that ran through Kidd's head only to be quickly replaced by, 'If Law's already dead that bastard's definitely going to wish that he was too, because when I get my hands on him I'm going to make him fucking suffer...nice and slow.'


Law startled slightly when the door to room seven suddenly burst open to admit the tiger's very frightened looking abductor. He watched the man bustle around the room, gathering up his horrendous tools before throwing them back into the satchel he had retrieved them from in the beginning, 'Almost like the bastard's seen a ghost.' Law thought as he continued to observe the man carefully only to tense when the man finally turned his attention on the shackled tiger.

''We'll be relocating, little one. Ran into a little snag here.'' his abductor muttered and Law could hear the nervousness just dripping from the man's voice as the pitch of it trembled horribly. The tiger let out a long winded grunt when his kidnapper pressed a sweaty hand down hard behind his shoulder-blades in order to restrain him as he popped the shackles free. Law's body jerked when it sunk in that he was no longer held down by metal and instantly began to thrash and yowl, trying to wriggle free of the hold on his back, ''Easy, little one.'' the man cooed nervously.

Law didn't take kindly to those words as he lashed out with his claws, issuing squeaky little roars of distaste before he was suddenly seized up by his scruff and shook none-to-gently. Dizzy from the shaking Law never noticed when he was slapped back down onto the table he had just been freed from as his paws were bound together with hard twine. A crude muzzle was next to be fashioned from the same material, that bound his paws together, and was quickly secured into place before Law found himself being shoved violently into a thick burlap sack.

''Be a good kitty.'' the man muttered, voice distorted through the thick burlap as he flung Law over his shoulder, grabbed up his satchel of tools and ran like mad out the door. Disoriented beyond belief Law had no fucking clue as to what was going on. His world was very much on it's axis, but beyond that a joyous euphoria was quickly tearing it's way through his little body as, out of all this bad, he could now see a bit of luck! He was still alive! There may be another chance to esca...his inner delight was cut short as a distorted noise suddenly caught his ears, making them twitch in the direction the sound was coming from...behind him?

'Sounds like...yelling?' Law found himself thinking as he strained his ears to better catch the sound only to have his breath catch in his throat, ''...ve me back my tiger, shit stainnnnn! LAAAAWWW!'' came a hollering voice that Law knew all too well as that paused breath stuttered back to life in his throat, making the muscle tighten. 'M...Mister Eustass...' the tiger choked out, though the noise was more of a garbled whine thanks to the binding that restricted his muzzle, 'Mister Eustass!' Law tried to so badly yell as all that issued forth were pitched squeals.

'I can't do this without you! Don't let me die! Please, help me! PLEASE!' Law screamed mentally, wholly unaware of himself, ''You finally got it. I'll release you now, Child.'' came the eerily familiar voice within Law's head, echoing alarmingly within his subconscious. There was a soft chuckle and the voice spoke again, ''Though I do hope you remember in the future that you can never do anything without others and that 'without you', in this particular instance, means 'I love you'. Take care, Child, and let us never cross paths again.''

Law knew that voice now, but with the raucous din thundering in his ears it was hard to discern all the words that the Gypsy woman spoke to him...not that it mattered once the pain started. The little tiger shrieked through the bindings around his muzzle when his body began to convulse violently; which, in turn, caused not only his captor to fall silent and stop running, but Kidd to halt as well. Law thrashed and kicked out from within his burlap prison as his bones and organs began to reshape themselves at a distressing speed. He was on fire and was positive that every nerve ending in his body would explode from the overload of sensation...it felt like he was dying, ''The process of 'final return' is somewhat more aggressive than the lunar cycle changes and the survival rate of the change is a bit touch and go, but bare with it and it shall end soon either way.'' the Gypsy's voice said almost too dryly for Law's distraught mind to comprehend.

Though, despite Law's excruciating pain and bloodcurdling shrieks, both Kidd and Law's abductor remained horribly confused, ''Why is it making that noise!'' the man hissed through his teeth as a particularly violent kick from his captive struck him point blank in the left kidney. Kidd, likewise, cringed back at the wretched sounds that spilled from the little tiger, feeling like every animalistic scream was tearing a hole in him. Law was in a severe amount of pain and Kidd had no fucking clue why, but he definitely knew who he could try to blame, ''Fucking, shit stain! What did you do to him!'' the redhead yelled angrily as he made to advance on the little weasel only to come up short when the sound of burlap ripping echoed through the narrow corridor.

Silence fell suddenly as everything and everyone went completely still. However, it lasted for mere seconds when the silence was suddenly shredded by the most agonized scream yet and just like that everything seemed to happen in an burst of sudden activity. The burlap sack all but exploded outwards as a smoky grey cloud expanded out from the carnage of the material to envelop the hallway and all that was in it, Law's abductor jerked forward in alarm as he was sent to his knees by the sudden change in pressure and Kidd was forced backwards, but managed to just keep his footing as the sound of something solid hitting the floor could be heard echoing down the hall.

Confusion reigned supreme as the smoke billowed and slowly began to fade, ''...The fucking hell?'' Kidd coughed, trying to force the smoke to dissipate more quickly. He could hear Law's abductor groan, but could not hear the little tiger anymore. This caused instant worry to claw at the redhead's gut as the worst scenarios ran through his head with blinding speed, ''Trafalgar?...Law? Make noise for me!'' Kidd yelled into the slowly clearing corridor. There was no reply, ''Law! Fucking answer!'' the pirate barked, throat tightening with worry.

He ceased yelling, though, once he caught sight of something, rather sizable, lying on the floor mere feet in front of him. Kidd squinted and when the smoke, at long last, lifted to a slight haze he was finally able to make out what exactly lay on the floor. Eustass Kidd felt his heart stop and his body go cold as he laid his ruby gaze on Trafalgar Law's still body.


A.N.: Yah, I'm a bastard. Not only did I make you all wait for this chapter for a month and a half (thanks to the big move and resettling), but I apparently have the nerve to leave the chapter at that and risk your guys' wrath. Yup, never said I was a sane one. Lol

Truthfully, though, this chapter when I first started writing it was going to end a much different way, but than I decided to go with the one you've currently read. It seemed much more climactic to me. I'll have the last chapter up in no less than two weeks. Later, Chickadees! Thanks for all the love...and threats! (yah like I got any of that hehehehe)