The ship coating at Kaguragi Island took the usual three days, but then they were through the Red Line. They almost got capsized by a school of spider sharks but Law and Penguin managed to fend them off. As they sped away from the sinking figures, though, they encountered a bit of a problem.
"So many legs…so many teeth—" Kid was traumatized by the entire ordeal.
"Nii-san, can you…?" Killer gestured towards where Kid was curled up in the corner, Cotton doing her best to soothe him but nothing was working.
Amused that the boy's arachnophobia persisted even after everything they'd faced, Law smiled and nodded, heading over. He sat beside him and pulled him into his arms, purring comfortingly as he nuzzled and licked his face. It took less than a minute for the shaking to stop and Kid began to breathe easier.
"Lawland-sama is so amazing!" Cotton exclaimed in awe, causing Law to blush slightly.
"Overgrown kitten." Kid muttered.
"Minkless ape." Law shot back as he nuzzled his cheek.
The boy chuckled. "Shut up."
They settled back down as Cotton giggled and Law decided it was time for a nap. It would take them some time to get to Fishman Island.
-f-f-f-f-
"Law-nii-san!"
"Why am I always seen first?" Law asked, baffled, as Don tackled him with a hug. But then he smiled and nuzzled the boy. "Hey Donnie. How've you been?"
The boy pulled back. "I've been great! Hi, Kid-nii-san! Killer-nii-san! Penguin-nii-san!" he looked around and waved. "Hi Cora-oji-san!"
The man waved back. "Hey there, Donnie!"
"Ah, watch out!" Penguin shouted, but was too late. The man tripped over a loose stone on the walk, landing in a heap. They hurried over, but he was already picking himself up with a chuckle, brushing off the dirt and a few loose pebbles.
"I'm okay." He assured them cheerfully.
Donnie giggled. "You guys haven't changed a bit."
"I like to think I'm a little taller." Law said with a grin, getting laughs from the group. Then he hummed and said, "Oh hey, let me introduce you to a new friend." He lifted his hat, revealing Cotton. "Cotton-ya, meet Donboshi. Donnie, this is Cotton-ya, she's from Dressrosa."
"Hi!" They greeted each other eagerly, looking delighted to be meeting someone new.
Then Donnie asked curiously, "Isn't it hot under there?"
"No. All the heat goes out Lawland-sama's ears." She replied.
"Does it really?" Killer asked in interest.
Law's ears pressed to his head. "So what's happened since we saw you?" He asked and they let the subject slide away. They headed further into town, helping Corazon shop as they caught up.
Then Law yelped as his tail was grabbed and he scrambled up Corazon to kneel on his shoulders, snarling at the laughing Fishmen as his tail swished angrily despite the pain.
"Did you just touch my daughter?" Corazon demanded, leaking killing intent that had them sobering.
"Just wanted to see if it was real." One of the Fishmen defended.
"That thing really yours?"
"Who you callin' a 'thing', shithead?!" Kid demanded in immediate fury. "C'mere, lemme pull your fuckin' whiskers, bitch! See if they're real!"
Killer and Penguin had to hold him back from tearing the Fishmen new assholes.
"Leggo of me!"
"Kid, don't pick fights! We don't wanna be banned from visiting again!"
"No one hurts Lawland-sama!"
They looked over to see that the two Fishmen had been beaten to a pulp by a furious Cotton.
"Amazing!" Donnie said in awe.
Corazon began smoothing down the fur of Law's tail, jolting in surprise when he bit him. "Are you okay, Law-chan?"
Licking his lips, he said, "Sorry. They freaking broke it, man." He drew it onto his lap and created a localized room, starting to heal the delicate bones.
"Seriously?" Donboshi asked in shock.
"Whatever, it's fine." He sighed.
"It's not fine! The broke your bones!" He denied furiously.
"And Cotton-ya broke theirs. It's fine, we're good." Law replied. "Come on, we're visiting Suki-chan, aren't we? Let's go." He leapt back down from Corazon's shoulders and caught Cotton when she leapt into his arms. Then he grabbed Kid's hand and dragged him away, the others reluctantly following.
-f-f-f-
"So is that 'sister' thing gonna stick?" Penguin asked as they rested after training.
"It'll be easier than dealing with awkward questions." He replied with a shrug. "I'll be correcting some of the changes so I'll be more guy than girl, but it has to wait until after puberty to avoid damaging anything."
"So, you'll stop bein' a twig, then?" Kid asked as he and Killer collapsed on either side of the duo.
Law shrugged. Who knew?
"Cuz you should put on some weight."
Law was exasperated. This wasn't the first time his weight had been brought up. "We've already been over this. I'm healthy—"
"You're totally underweight though. What are you, 120?" Kid cut him off.
"125 and either way I am at a perfectly normal range for someone my height."
"Maybe in Twig-Town Flevance, but in the real world—"
"Excuse me?" He cut him off in outrage. "Are you questioning my doctoring abilities?"
"Bitch, no! You're missing the point!" Kid said in frustration.
"You want me to gain weight." Law said mildly. "How much, exactly?"
"I don't know. Let's just feed you until you don't look like a good breeze'll knock you over." Kid huffed.
"When did you become the momma bear?" Law scoffed as he stood up. Before Kid could do more than splutter indignantly, he continued, "Fine, but you'll have to get creative with our menu. I won't eat more than my fill."
"Hmf. Challenge accepted. Let's go, birdie. You an' me." Kid told Penguin.
"Killer-san, can I fight Lawland-sama this time?" Cotton requested.
Killer flopped back down. "Feel free."
As they got into position, Law prepared himself to have his ass handed to him by the Dwarf and wasn't disappointed. The Tontatta tribe were very fierce warriors.
