"No, although it is very much like the original - if you look here -"

"So it isn't the original." Zoro frowned. The salesman had insisted it was until Zoro pointed out features on the sword that suggested otherwise.

"Yes, but it is pretty much the exact same-"

"You clearly haven't used a sword before; it's not the same."

"Oh, but my son has tested this countless times -' the frail man began, but Zoro waved his hand in the air to stop him.

"Okay, okay, I'll come back later," Zoro lied, "I haven't got any money on me at the minute."

The old man hummed, nodding his head. "You make sure you come back, now!" he called, as Zoro made his exit.

The gentle ring of a bell sounded as Zoro opened the door and stepped into the hot rays of the sun. His eyes scanned up and down the pavement.

"Luffy?"

"Meow."

Zoro flinched as a ginger cat trotted towards him, rubbing itself onto his shins. He scooted it away with his foot, muttering for it to get lost.

"Meow!"

The cat was persistent, rushing back to him and walking between his legs when he looked like he was going to move. Zoro cussed, almost tripping over.

The feline finally hurried away, turning only when it reached the entrance of an alleyway. It watched him with wide green eyes.

Zoro stared at it back, feeling strangely intimidated by the creature. As he watched, the cat span in a circle, before meeting his stare again.

Zoro stared into it's narrow pupils and he thought of Luffy's eyes, the change they had gone through. He sighed. Now he felt like giving it attention.

When he made a move to stroke it, the cat remained still until he was closer. Only then did it sweep into the alley, turning when Zoro paused and spinning in a circle again.

Zoro scowled. Stupid cat. He raised from his crouched position, stepping away.

"Meow!"

Zoro flinched. Jeez, what kind of meow was that? Is it starving or something? He peeked over his shoulder.

"What?!" he finally said, frowning. He immediately felt silly, speaking to a cat as though it was actually seeking something other than attention.

But then the cat span, facing the other way this time, and watching him over it's shoulder. Zoro raised an eyebrow. Was he supposed to follow?

The cat jumped into the shadows when Zoro progressed towards it and Zoro couldn't help but feel even more ridiculous. Even so, he continued.

While his eyes adjusted to the dark, Zoro lost sight of the cat. He repetitively tutted, the only sound he knew cats responded too.

Instead of a meow in response, Zoro heard voices.

"...-Opportunity is endless... wonder how many-..."

Zoro strained his ears. He'd heard that voice before. Curiosity ate away at him, even though he knew it was not his place, nor his business. Even so, Zoro followed the voice and paused when the sound was at a considerable distance.

"Maybe... more time..."

Zoro leaned in a little more.

"-come with me, please Mugiwara-ya."

Zoro's eyes widened. Straw hat? That can only be Luffy.

"Gomu gomu no pistol!"

Zoro's body reacted instantly, sensing alarm and danger with Luffy's voice alone. Usually he never butts into Luffy's fights but this was different. Something was wrong. He ran deeper into the alley, hands already beside the swords leaning against his hip. He was vaguely aware of the cat, rushing past him and ahead. Instinctively, he followed but quickly lost sight as it retreated into a crack of a brick wall further ahead.

The hole or the fact he saw someone stepping out of the alley and into the sun, Zoro wasn't sure which made him lose the cat. At that point, he didn't care - following the figure into the open.

Nobody was on this side of the walls; no shoppers, no families out for a stroll. It was completely wasteland except for a few buildings that looked badly maintained and were probably abandoned. It was almost as if the process of crossing the alleyways was the process of flipping a switch and Zoro felt uneasy.

The light burned Zoro's eyes for a moment, but then he located the back of who he'd followed. A tall, dark haired man in a long coat. Zoro hardly noticed the details; he was more concerned as to why Luffy was swaying limply on his shoulder as he walked.

The man must have sensed Zoro the moment he'd left the darkness of the alleyway, as he stopped and turned to face him.

Zoro squeezed the sword's handle into his palm. Trafalgar Law.

"Oh?" Law said, "Why are you on this side of the town?"

"Don't act like you don't know why I'm here." Zoro hissed.

Law smiled, his eyes averting elsewhere. Luffy's body rose and fell as Law shrugged. "I can't fight you like this."

Straight to the point. Good. Zoro slowly drew one of his swords, the sharp sound piercing the gentle whistle of the wind.

"Then don't. At least then you'll die without a struggle."

Law giggled almost, pointing an inked finger at Zoro, "Ah, good one. That sounded very scary indeed. But you know what would genuinely be scary?"

Zoro glared at him as he continued.

"...If you could catch me."

Law spun on his heels, his long coat acting like a cape as he sprinted away with Luffy bouncing on his shoulder. Zoro was taken by surprise, hesitating.

"O-oi!"

Zoro quickly collected himself, chasing the figure as he saw him turn a tight corner and back into the alley. When Law left Zoro's line of sight for a split second, a pale blueness peeped out from where he'd entered, but quickly disappeared as Zoro skidded to a stop at the corner.

Zoro's eyes scanned the area frantically. There were no turns in between these buildings, no low walls to climb. It was a complete dead end. And yet; Law and Luffy were nowhere to be seen.

Gliding silently to the ground, only Luffy's signature straw hat remained.

"Shit!"


Luffy hung heavily from his restraints. His eyes were empty, staring at the floor beneath him; the floor drenched in Mei's blood. His limbs were completely drained of energy and he wasn't sure it was even the seastone's doing anymore.

When the door opened at the far corner of the room, Luffy did not lift his head to see who it was. He did not even move his gaze from the floor as Law uncuffed Mei, letting her lifeless body topple onto the floor. He vaguely heard Law mutter to himself; "Such a waste."

And then he was dragging her away and out of the door. Luffy was alone; but he had felt alone the moment Mei had began to cough. This was no different.

"Don't look so sad."

Luffy was surprised Law was back a few minutes later (or at least it felt like minutes), although his body didn't really react. Law walked in front of him and Luffy saw his shoes carefully dodging blood.

"How many people have you done this to...?" Luffy murmured.

Law didn't reply immediately. Luffy waited, watching his feet.

"A few." Law finally answered. Luffy closed his eyes as he said it, feeling sick in the stomach. This wasn't the Law he remembered, the Law he had formed an alliance with. Was he always like this, just away from prying eyes?

Luffy felt Law watching him, although he did not meet his eyes. Luffy's stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the silence that had settled over them.

"You're hungry."

Luffy did not answer, already knowing what Law would feed him with.

Law sighed above him. "Here."

Perhaps it was the smell; but Luffy's head shot up instantly. Meat. Law was holding a leg of meat on the bone.

Drool built up in Luffy's mouth - he couldn't help it. He was so hungry. He must have missed - how many meals now -? He leant forward, disregarding that it was Law giving it to him, and eyed it hungrily.

Law pulled it away as Luffy leant forward. "But you have to do something for me first." Law said, calmly.

Bribery. Luffy didn't care, though. He hardly heard what Law was saying. He was too hungry.

But then Luffy paused. Do something for Law? After what he's done to him? He owes Law nothing. Nothing. Taunting him with food to stop him thinking rationally...

Not that it wasn't working, or anything.

Even so, Luffy pried his eyes away, meeting Law's gaze. Those dark eyes; they remind him of his heartlessness, his doings to Mei, and all the people before her. Luffy thought of the blood and wondered if he even had the stomach for meat anymore.

Law lifted an eyebrow expectantly when Luffy looked up at him. He was surprised when Luffy slumped backwards again.

"You've put a devil fruit in it, haven't you?" Luffy mumbled, but it was phrased more as a statement than a question.

Law lowered the food away from Luffy.

"No." he answered, simply.

Luffy waited a moment before replying. "How do I know you're not lying?"

Law threw the meat leg a small height, catching it in the same hand. "Don't you trust me-"

"No."

Law laughed, already expecting Luffy's response. He tossed it in the air again, caught it, and then looked back at Luffy.

"Why would I lie?"

Luffy observed Law carefully. Why would he lie? When it benefits himself, most likely.

"Okay," Luffy mumbled, "how is this going to help you with your..." Luffy scowled, " 'research' ?"

Law averted his gaze to Luffy's bare neck, at where he had injected him with a tranquilizer to have even brought him here. Luffy is fairly strong and, without it, he probably would have been in an unnecessary struggle.

"You need your energy."

Luffy lifted his head back up a little. Why would he provide him that?

Law read the question on Luffy's face. "The formulae in you might not have worked completely. Faults, such as not getting all the benefits of the Neko Neko No Mi." Law reached toward Luffy with his free hand and stroked one of Luffy's ears. Luffy flinched away.

He continued, "You've obviously got the appearance of someone who consumed it, but have you gained much else?"

Luffy tried to ignore the fact that someone touching his ears felt heavenly, and scowled to hide it. "And how would you find out? Let me fight you?"

Law smirked. "Not me. I have a trick or two up my sleeve."

Luffy couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He leaned away from him - or at least - as much as his restraints allowed him too.

"And what if I say no?"

"You can't say no."

Luffy had expected this answer, too. But this bastard had had his fun. He'd done enough. So he decided to push his luck.

Luffy closed his eyes. "No."

Law watched him, silently. He inhaled a small breath.

"Technically you already belong to me. Me giving you this - " he gestured to the meat covered bone, "- is merely a treat. You should be grateful."

Luffy kept his eyes closed.

"Go fuck yourself."

Surprisingly, Law did not get angry - as Luffy had expected him too. In fact, he seemed fairly patient as he looked to the ceiling, exhaling quietly. Only then, did he look back down at Luffy.

Luffy nearly gasped in surprise when he felt Law's finger press against his bare chest, trailing slowly down his torso.

"Do I have to... demonstrate just how in my mercy you are?"

When Law's fingers stoked over his abdominal muscles, making them tighten on instinct, Luffy clenched his teeth when realizing what Law was implying.

He thought of Zoro - a strange time to think of him - but did even so. The only one he ever wants to touch him like this was Zoro. Only Zoro.

Luffy opened his eyes, meeting Law's.

"Please don't."

Law observed Luffy's rather pitiful expression. "Why not?"

Law's finger stroked across the waistline of Luffy's shorts, making his heart hammer. He pursed his lips together.

"B-because..." Luffy muttered, the words forming automatically when he met Law's threatening glare, "I'm saving... those kind of feelings... for someone."

The finger against Luffy's waist paused, and Law laughed weakly.

"You know, that's only encouraging me." he said. But he removed his finger, and Luffy let out a breath of relief; a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding.

And then he practically yelped in surprise when the cuffs that he had been hanging from suddenly released him, his body toppling to Law's feet. He tried to push himself into a seated position, his bones feeling weak from little use.

Law toke his elbow, tugging at it momentarily. Luffy looked up at him, confused, thinking maybe he was pulling him to stand. Then Law let go, and Luffy observed the tight bracelet-like metal fastened around his wrist.

"Don't take that off." Law said, bluntly, although it seemed unlikely he could since there was a small key dangling from his fingers.

And then the meat was tossed into Luffy's lap and he couldn't care less about the seastone bangle, or the painful ache in his muscles, or the stench of blood in the room that his nose still hadn't adjusted to. He ate; because he was hungry - he had been for God knows how long now.

It was gone before Luffy had even tasted it and Law pulled the bone away.

"H-have you got any more?" Luffy asked, desperately, like a drug addict already suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Law smirked. "You have to do something for me first."

Law lifted Luffy under the shoulder, forcing him to his feet. Luffy wobbled, his muscles still a little inactive. Law's hand lowered until it reached his elbow, where he gripped tightly, and began to move towards the door.

Luffy let himself be pulled to where Law wanted him. He knew that the little care Law put in restraining him was a test. A test of the length which Luffy would obey. As much as he wanted to pull free from his grasp, hit him with everything he had, and demand for the key to his weird bracelet, he withheld himself. Law would easily overpower Luffy while he's in this state. So he followed quietly, willingly.

But for a reason.

Little did Law know; he was also being tested. Leaving the room - in custody or not in custody - Luffy would be able to get his bearings, even if just a little. And as Law opened the door and Luffy had to shield his eyes from the brightness, Luffy became very aware - aware of the key that had been in his hand and that was now slipped into the right pocket of his trousers.

This probably won't be the first time he's going to... where ever Law is taking him. And next time, he'll be anticipating certain things.

Law had set out a test to see if Luffy was stupid enough to attack him. But Luffy had also been assessing his stupidity too.

Only when Luffy stepped out into the well lit corridor, did he realise how desperately he had wanted to leave that room. The air seemed so fresh compared to the musky, damp air in the other room and it felt refreshing to breathe something not holding the heavy stench of blood.

Luffy blinked. Focus! Where am I? He glanced around him, first looking to his left and trying to embed the image into his memory. The walls were white; or they used to be, but they looked worn into more of a dull grey. His eyes quickly scanned, this direction only seemed to break off into two different paths. He turned to hurriedly memorize the right path.

Law was standing in his view, blocking him. Luffy had to look up to meet his gaze, unable to hide his wide, guilty eyes.

Law must have knew what he was doing. That smug smile he wore showed that.

"We're going that way." Law said, easing Luffy by the shoulders to face the other direction. Luffy began to walk, his heart pounding. Law had probably known from the start that Luffy would try and memorize his surroundings. His legs shook, making his already terrible footwork even more faulty.

They reached the corner where the corridor split into two. Law guided him left, a firm grip still on his elbow, as if in a silent warning.

The same worn grey walls. It seemed the only way Luffy could keep track of where they were going was by the occasional wooden door they passed. But even then, they became muddled in his head, making him lose track completely.

Luffy tripped, almost falling. His muscles still seemed unused and the seastone only made it more difficult. Law pulled on his elbow, catching him before his knee hit the floor and muttering; "Careful."

Luffy's face was that of digust, but he hid it behind his hair that lowered around his face. "Thanks..." he murmured, but it sounded emotionless.

Luffy was ready to walk again, but Law had pulled him to a stop. He looked over his shoulder, questioningly.

"In here." Law said, opening one of the wooden doors and holding it open. Luffy peeked inside cautiously, but then gasped in surprise when Law pushed him into the room.

Luffy frowned in irritance at Law, who closed the door behind them. Law simply rolled his eyes. He pulled Luffy toward him and Luffy felt more than heard the unfastening of the seastone bracelet.

Energy instantly poured into Luffy's veins and he felt a buzz from the freedom after being restrained for so long. His eyes shot at up to meet Law's own and he was sure Law could read what he was thinking.

I'm free, Luffy thought. And I'm not letting you put that on again.

Luffy was shocked when Law smirked at Luffy, his shock quickly turning to rage, rage that burnt in his stomach.

And then - just like that - Law shoved Luffy. Such a simple, but quick action that caught Luffy off guard. His anger clouded his thoughts, and his thoughts were what would have made him reach out toward Law. He stumbled backward, falling and - when he thought he would hit the ground - he continued to fall.

Luffy's eyes widened, his heart fluttering. There was a drop. How deep was it? Was he falling to his death? So many questions filling his mind in such a short period of time. A short period of time that felt every second too long.

Luffy's eyes squeezed closed.

And then he hit the surface, knocking the wind out of him. He gasped, sitting up and clutching his chest.

When he looked up at Law, he was only 7 or 8 metres above him. Even then, his rubber body didn't really feel much of the fall. He couldn't avoid his heavy exhale of relief.

He had fallen into what looked like an empty swimming pool, with curved walls and fairly deep, too. Behind Luffy was what looked like a mechanical gate. So why enter through the top?

Law laughed. "What were you thinking about just now when I toke this off?" he asked, dangling the metal bangle between his fingers.

Luffy rose to his feet within a blink, sprinting towards the wall. The curve was easy enough to run up, but then the wall became vertical, and it was a struggle to stay up right. His feet began to skid downwards, making him desend. Determined, Luffy wall ran until his hands managed to reach the peek where he leaped just enough to hang from to pull himself up. This time he was sure to give Law what he deserved. For all he had put him through.

Luffy froze. A small sting travelled through his fingers, his fingers that were just below Law's feet - so, so close. The sting travelled down his arms, into his torso, all over his body - burning his energy and his rage and replacing it with weakness.

So weak that he couldn't hold his own body weight. Luffy's fingers slipped from the rim of the prison, falling all over again. He watched Law get smaller and smaller...

And then he was at the bottom again.

Law smiled down at him. He patted his shoe against the top of the wall. "Seastone."

Luffy winced, welcoming the feeling of energy beginning to reticulate around his body. It was true. The rim of all the walls around him had a dark ring of metal at the top. It was so obvious against the smooth grey concrete of what Luffy had fallen into. How had he not noticed it sooner?

"Well," Law sighed, clasping his hands together, "we'd better get started. Let's see what you can do."

Law turned and walked away, too far for Luffy to see him. Luffy felt nervous, completely unsure of what to expect. A click behind him made him jump in surprise.

There was a loud creaking as the large metal gate began to lift. Luffy stared, frightened. In the darkness beyond, there was movement. And then Luffy could have sworn he heard a snarl.

As Luffy stared, wide eyed, readying himself for anything, he realized that Law was right. He was completely in his mercy.


A/N: Pssst... Hey, are you noticing that the chapters are getting even longer? I'll try my best to keep it up.

To those of you who were displeased with the OC addition, I know, I know, I'm sorry. I'm not a big OC fan either. It's just I'd prefer to have a rare OC that's there simply to support the storyline rather than randomly killing off someone from the manga. I'd never forgive myself!

I hope you liked this chapter. The next one will be up soon. It kills me to keep you waiting too long.

Feverish