***** Hello again! I know not many people are reading this yet bt I still wanna wish you a good day! I still have no reviews concerning my grammar or style of storytelling so I assume it is okay enough for you guys to read through :)

Enjoy your read!*****

Before the thug had time to see her, she jumped onto him, drew her blade too and countered his attack. The Heart Pirates were ready to fight back but a few sparring done and the man fell, a lethal hit to his chest. Bepo and the two men turned to this stranger that just avoided some nasty injuries.

_ Hi there, she simply stated.

_ Hello, replied the polar bear. What happened?

Bubble stood straight and pointed at the corpse with the tip of her knife before sheathing it.

_ I assume you don't mind staying alive, right?

He smiled and thanked her, both apparently unbothered by the unlikely normality of this event.

_That was a close call! exclaimed the man on his left, wearing a cap. Thank you girl! Oi Captain!

His captain was just done on his side and had left the thugs fleeing away in a…dispersed order. He walked back to his crew members.

_ Yes Shachi? Oh? What happened here, who are you? he asked, wondering if he should be on his guard.

_ This girl popped out of nowhere and killed this one, he answered. Apparently he was gonna try to kill Bepo, but we saw him too late.

_ Sorry Captain, we were distracted, added the bear.

Bubble stayed transfixed by their casualness. Knowing he could have ended up skinned as a carpet did not seem to terrify him so badly. Trafalgar Law seemed surprised by the fact he had let a man escape from his control but quickly showed gratitude in his grey eyes.

_It would seem like you saved one of ours, or at least avoided an unnecessary blood shell. I must thank you myself Miss.

The politeness dripping from his tone and phrasing perplexed. On top of it, whether it was coming from a layman or a multi million berry worth supernova, being reduced to her gender was frustrating.

_ I only hate back stabbers, don't take it for more than it's worth.

_How come you didn't see it coming Bepo? No actually I am asking all three of you.

The men looked ill at ease, knowing their lack of care induced this scolding, being pointed by the handle of the nodachi he was carrying.

_Well… began the one wearing a "Penguin" hat.

_ We were watching you take care of those guys and… kept going the second.

_ And we didn't see one of them had detached from the group…

Despite the attempt at a joke, the captain looked disappointed.

_ You got lucky that this girl was shadowing us from the bar or I would be sewing you back without anaesthetic by now.

Bubble, who was pending on leaving those four to their discussion or not, found herself stupid realizing she had been spotted from the beginning.

_ How did you…never mind I'll get going! she rushed, turning back on her heels, eager to escape any undesirable outcome.

_ Sorry Captain Law, they answered as one, not concerned about the woman leaving.

_ I told you a hundred times to stop calling me the same way as this brain-dead Eustass Kid! It ain't that hard.. Hey you! Where do you think you're going?

Bubble, who was well on her way, froze. Was she regretting following a supernova thinking she would be smarter than him? Definitely. Was she gonna run away in hopes to escape him? Probably, adding one more bad decision to today's list.

_ You followed us from the bar right? Why? And don't even think about running away.

"Damn it he is clever!" she cursed in silence as she turned around.

_ Yes, I was. Why do you care, must not be the first time for you …

She was still annoyed at her mistake.

_ An old lady in a shop told us there was a young pirate looking for a crew to join, wouldn't that be you by any chance?

Damn this lady was talkative, she must have remembered her and asked around.

_ It is I. Why? Are you interested?

_It is a big word for what I merely have interest in, but after saving Bepo's life, I feel like I am in debt, which I hate more than being followed. Since you spied on us from there it means you had no lead to begin with, so no other crew to join apart from us, am I right?

His reasoning was spot on and he did not sound like this was any hard to pop out of his mind either. Well, now that she was caught in the headlights, she might as well show her cards.

_ You are right on it all. My intention is to join the crew of this Eustass Kid, who is no stranger to either of you. Although I have been asked to gather a higher bounty before to be considered as a viable recruit, I do intend to show him I am worth more than what he judged me for then. Unfortunately, it is hard to do when all the pirates around are whiners.

_ Feisty, whispered Shachi to Penguin with a smile.

The captain of the Heart Pirates frowned at the name of his rival, but he had to admit her desire to prove an idiot wrong was amusing.

_ You really sound up for anything in order to prove him wrong. Sadly it is not by killing slugs such as this one that you will get the alertness from the government or his pretentious arse. At least you are aware of it which will save you time.

She nodded, approving his discourse so far. Maybe she misjudged his will to harm her.

_ No bounty will raise eyebrows below 80.000.000 Berry. I can already tell you are not worth them yet so you'll need experience.

She tilted at the hardly covered insult but the number announced was about the same as the one Eustass kid expected of her.

_ And you believe you can make me cross that level? she presumed with a smile betraying her amusement at his aggressive spirit.

_ You'll reach that goal very well by yourself, he retorted in a careless smirk.

_ That's what I thought, she grumbled both in her head and out loud.

Believing there was nothing more to get from that mocking bird, she sighted and tidied up her blade holder before looking where to go.

_ Already giving up?

She looked back at him, this time showing her clear lack of amusement.

_ I said you would reach that yourself, but you do not mind a helping hand, would you?

_ Really Captain? exclaimed the trio by his side, as surprised by the turn of events as the lady in front of them.

_ Yeah, really? echoed Bubble's voice.

_ Really, he repeated while raising his nodachi on his shoulder, even if your reasons to run after a pirate like that Kid are beyond me to be honest.

Was he about to insult her again?!

_ I don't specialize in mental health issues but if you wish to join the crew, I am sure we can figure things out. We always need a hand onboard.

_ Tss, I don't like where this is going, whispered Penguin to his mate.

Deprived of words, she was staring at his face in hope to discover if some bad humour was hidden in those traits but he seemed serious. She took a big bowl of air and stepped forward this man that was clearly from another breed than the pirates she had met before.

_ I guess that this is the best shot I'll ever find to get out of this island in style apart from jumping off a cliff…

The men chuckled at her sarcasm and followed in the steps of their captain heading back towards the busier streets of the city.

_ Welcome to the Heart Pirates crew Miss, he announced with a sheath bump on his shoulder.

_ Thank you… Captain...

Despite them showing their back, she smiled at them, following the Jolly Rogers walking back in front of her. What had she been putting herself into, she did not know, but it was surely a promising adventure to come.

The morning after her getting lost, she got woken up by loud bangs against the ship. Bubble got dressed in a hurry and ran into the hallways, heading for the outside deck. Thankfully she crossed the path of Bepo who guided her immediately. He must have been sleeping as well because his fur was all messy and his eyes still had a mist in them. Outside, everyone was on guard facing massive creatures rising up from the waves. They were like massive dogs, fur as dark as depths, red pupils and claws that were hanging on the deck so as not to slip. Their hunched head shivering as their fish tails were slamming in directions of the pirates already planning the defence of the ship. Similar bangs to those that had woken her up resonated.

_ What in the world is this? she yelled at her companions. What do they want?!

_ I don't know you should try asking them they'll surely answer back! Law yelled back. WHAT DO YOU THINK?!

_ Not much about, spit Bubble, nowhere impressed by her captain's sarcasm.

While those two verbal jousting, Bepo, Shachi and Penguin had already led an attack alongside others. One of the beast got thrown right in their direction and the two jumped aside to avoid it. Law smiled, warned them and everyone stepped away as they could.

_ Room, whispered Law.

The usual blue dome spread across the deck and Law drew his nodachi out of the sheath. In a few strikes, most of the creatures already on the deck were swirling around, screeching in hate. Bubble, on her side, was impaling the others on her long knife. It was simple in its appearance but was her first weapon ever and never got tired of it, manipulating it as smoothly as a toothpick. Bepo was kicking aggressively in high pitched yells that had always amused his friends. Shachi and Penguin, on their side, were impressively bringing complex combos on the table.

Every battle gave her hope to ever reach their level one day. Although she had already saved Bepo, she knew it was mostly due to some luck as she was certain if he had seen the enemy she would have been useless. Nonetheless, she still was an annoying enemy to be dealt with and was trying her best to not be a burden to the rest of the crew. Both to be a satisfactory element but mainly because she had no other choice than to improve in order to reach her goal.

Almost all sea monsters had been beaten and only one was remaining, targeted by Bubble. She rose her arm, loading the move and stroked. Surprisingly, her blade went entirely through the body, separating it in half, instead of simply staying stuck in it. She looked at the two pieces monster laying bleeding at her feet, trying to understand how she could have been evolving so quickly. She turned around to the rest of the crew looking for an explanation and she got it. Her superior was standing a few feet behind her, blade covered in blood.

_ Why did you do that?! angry he finished her target. I could have dealt with it myself?! NO need to play the damn hero on your high horses! Damn it!

_If I were you I'd lower my tone and open my eyes.

Before she could add anything more, he sheathed his cleaned blade and turned back around inside the ship without a care in the world for her tantrum, quickly followed by Shachi and Bepo. Penguin came by and pointed at the floor.

_ Look at your blade.

She then understood. After having been through so many chocks, the blade had separated itself from the guard and stayed inside the body of the monster. If Law had not intervened, she would have faced the next attack of the creature without any weapon. She immediately regretted her attitude, and felt ashamed to have whined like a kid in front of everyone. Penguin felt that and put a hand on her shoulder.

_You know the captain isn't always mocking you. He kinda feels concerned that you are not fully including yourself with the crew.

_ I don't really care for what he thinks. I am not supposed to stay here for long so he should not expect me to become his punching bag for the long run. He can be such a pain sometimes. Really, I am not here to make friends.

Penguin's face frowned and he wished he had gone back inside instead of trying to comfort her. She realized she worded herself carelessly.

_ Oh! Well, sorry about that. I didn't really mean that I hate you. Just that I don't wish to get too attached to the crew since I am planning to leave.

_ You mean it? Are we good? he asked with a sweeter smile on his lips, his hat falling in front of his eyes with the wind.

Bubble's heart could not resist the kindness emanating from his voice.

_ You are always ready to bear me and cook with me. I didn't know what gives you the energy to care for a transiting person such as myself. At least you don't spend your time answering "Ma'be yeah" "Ma'be Nay" every time you are asked a question.

Penguin laughed at her impersonation of his friend. It was nice to see her joking around a bit more. He reminded her of the time she tried to be funny pretending to be a Marine soldier during dinner, and Law implied she was indeed a beard away from being a man, to which she had angrily replied he was too considering the little amount of puberty hair on his chin. He then had separated her tongue from her mouth for two days as a punishment. She shook her head remembering her reaction of immediately licking his food as a revenge before running away from the dinner room. Penguin laughed again and reminded her she still was very compliant after that and way more polite. She looked at this young man's face with affection, enjoying his contagious happiness.

_ Don't fall in love with me Bubby, noticed Penguin. I know it is hard but my heart is already taken!

_ No risks, I am not into skinny penguins haha!

_ OOH, so THAT'S why you wanna join that Eustass kid huh?, he smirked. You're into THICK crazy dudes!

She froze in her smile and pinched his hat flap.

_ Say what again?! What the frick are you talking about?

_ You wanna join this dude cause you find him hot, which is weird seeing the fucked up face he has.

_ Are you out of your mind? she grunted. You really need to get your priorities straight if that's your opinion of me… I only go for the strongest one, Law isn't and that's my opinion it is all.

_Mhm…I don't appreciate you disrespecting my captain this way, especially when he is helping you out. But I get the point, everyone has their views on strength.

_ Good, then you won't mind that I don't like the Surgeon.

They nodded and headed back inside to prepare the immersion that would clean out the deck from all the blood and monster pieces. Penguin closed the door and added as a final point to the matter:

_ You may dislike him but I think he enjoys your company with us. You should think about joining, just in case…

She did not answer that, not gullible enough to believe his words.

At dinner this evening, Bubble had not much appetite. She was rewinding her mistakes and Penguin's words in her mind. Maybe had he said that to make her stay for real? She glanced in Law's direction. He was not the talkative type, but Bepo had his favour. She thought back about her three months onboard while eating in silence. The times she got lost, Law's constant sarcasm to which she had replied at her own risks, battles won and lost, busy dinners with more people she had never seen gathered around a table, the thin ray of light under her captain's door, how cold his fingertips were. She shook her head wondering why she needed to remind herself of this detail.

She told herself that, once she would be gone, she surely wouldn't miss that ambiance. Inside her, a rage needed to be freed and in her eyes, only a pitiless environment could help grown those feelings into power. She was tired of being the target of this captain sarcasm, even thought it had to be said she was the perfect one for it. She recalled of all the times she had heard about the troubles caused by this Eustass Kid and how other pirates were terrified to cross his path. She wanted that, she wanted to be feared and strong. Would she ever be enough? Maybe. But once she would have reached that crew, nothing could stop her. All things thought and done, she still had no idea how long it would take her to meet him again.

Bubble finished her meal and went straight to bed, her mind too busy to feel like talking around. Once sitting on her bed, she changed to a more comfortable shirt printed with a mochi on it, and decided to have a look at her broken baby on the bed. The handle was still holding onto a tiny piece of metal inside, but the rest of it was well independent from it. She had no weapons now and she hated that. Her heart hurt a little when she remembered all the hardships she had gone through with it. Tomorrow sh would ask one of the guys in C-deck if they had anything to replace this with, otherwise she'd be forced to borrow the sad kitchen knifes. Someone knocked at the door.

_ It is Bepo.

_ Come on in!

The bear pushed the door and came forward with a piece of cake on a plate. He apparently had memorized her habit of bringing anyone having left the table early a piece of dessert.

_Here. Are you feeling alright? You left early tonight.

_ I wasn't feeling very hungry, sorry. But it is kind of you to come check in on me.

She took a bite of the cake without much heart.

_ Captain's orders, he got concerned, replied Bepo.

Bubble coughed the wrong way her piece of cake. A buzzing appeared between her ears, signs of annoy.

_ Why? she grunted, displeased. Can't he check himself on that?!

Bepo shook his head from left to right.

_He warned me you'd say something like that, as he's aware you don't really like him. So he thought it'd be better to send me in to tell it to you.

_To tell me what? she asked softer while taking a new bite, not wishing to offend this polite giant ball of fur.

_ He wished to apologize to you.

This time Bubble heavily chocked on the cake and the assistance of Bepo's paw on her back was required for her to get back to a normal breathing.

_...kof…a..apologize ?...kof…kof…she stuttered with tears in her eyes. Why? would he…khoff..need to..hhmf..

Bepo shrugged.

_ No idea, sorry.

_ Ha, well it doesn't matter. It should be me apologizing anyway.

Staring at the piece of dessert, she thought to herself another talk with her captain was needed. What an annoying behaviour… Bepo stood up but before he left, Bubble asked him for a favour, opening an arm.

_Could you?

He agreed, not minding this rare request of hers, since they had cried in each other's arms after watching a sad movie. The good thing with Bepo was that he wasn't emotionally invested in peoples reasons to ask things. Mostly he cared making everyone, especially his captain, happy. He gave her a short snug and left waving his paw. The night was short but good for the young woman.

When she woke up, only Shachi and Law were already up. No smiles or comments on his side, which didn't bother her. The others arrived shortly after her and Law engaged the conversation with them without a thought but clearly ignored the lady in the room. What was happening? Not that she cared so much but nothing at all coming from him was unusual. She attempted to appear more joyful to engage in the discussions but at best she got a glance.

_ Well? Did you have a bad night Captain? She attempted kindly.

He looked at her, emotionless and replied:

_ Whose fault is it in your opinion?

Exactly what she could have said a while back.

Two hours later, Shachi announced on the speakers that the next island was soon to be reached and that everyone shall gather on the outside deck. There Law explained that the Marines presence was minor compared to their last port of call. Everyone remembered they had to avoid public places more often than usual and playing hide and seek was not a pleasing game. They finally set foot on land and decided to head for this week's grocery shopping. Enough time to charge the log pose by Shachi's sayings. Law was still not showing any change in his behaviour which seriously started to roll her nerves in a ball. She was so confused between his desire to make apologies and not talking to her at the dame time. Was he regretting and this was his way of punishing her for his mood swing? In top of that she still had no idea about why he wanted to apologize and none of the tiles they were together seemed appropriate to engage a private conversation with him.

Gone on her side, she was mumbling without finding a plan so she decided to walk around town instead. This one was composed of two squares gathered through a large avenue, crowded with people navigating from one side to another. Bubble was not so used to be so obnubilated by her thoughts, usually divided between exhaustion, abrupt anger, thirst and joy to win. This last one was actually linking them all together in some way. In order to change her mind, she was about to find a bar filled with lower ranked pirates to who she could measure up to before remembering her weapon in pieces. Well, shopping it was then.

Shachi and Penguin were babbling about all and nothing while enjoying looking at new faces around.

_ This Bubble is really annoying sometimes, how she talks back to the captain?! I don't know why he keeps letting her go most of the time, grumbled Shachi.

_ I have no idea, I guess it may be due to the fact that she is a girl and not staying long? I don't think he'd like his reputation to take a hit when she'll be gone elsewhere? But she ain't that bad you know, you should talk more with her.

_ Ma'be yeah…

On the other side of town, Bepo was walking beside his adored captain, in the more swanky neighbourhood.

_This little pest believes she allowed it all! complained Law while adjusting his hat.

_I like her though…

_ I know that Bepo, you like anyone feeding you as well so not much help here, sighed Law. But despite all that, something tells me I was right to invite her to join. She is not all that bad but damn does she need to learn respect. And her goal to join Eustass Kid, what a joke!

_ Did you wish to include her so he couldn't ask her back and piss him off?

_ Hm..that was the initial plan but-

He cut his sentence off as they walked past a poster on the wall. A Wanted he recognized quite easily.

****See you soon for the rest of it!*****