I'm just being a lazy-ass… yeay!

"There aren't many things to do in the winter." He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the door frame watching the snow.

"It can't be helped. It's too cold to go out." she looked at him from where she was sitting. "And the snow is getting thicker too." she added, pouring the tea into the cups.

He nodded in agreement. Not that he cared about that snow. He felt like, it was just too peaceful. And he felt like had been living just like normal person would. His body and sword had been sleeping and he just didn't like the feeling.

He let the door open as he walked and settled himself on the step. The cold air made him shudder slightly. She came to him, bringing along the cup of hot tea and a blanket.

"Tea," she offered as she kneeled and set the tray between them. He accepted the tea cup she held out to him, holding it in his hand, the warmth felt so good despite the cold weather. He turned his glare outside but his mind was wandering elsewhere. He had heard about their still current vulnerable status and so Doflamingo assigned them to do side tasks or none at all to avoid getting caught. That just meant, those he had killed last time were just small fishes and the real culprit was still hiding somewhere.

His musings were interrupted by a gentle touch on his arm. He looked over his shoulder just to see part of her blanket over his shoulder. He turned to look at her in surprise.

She smiled at him in return before turning her sight to the snow. "What's bothering you?"

"Just…" He stared at her for a moment before threw his gaze outside again, "...nothing."

He heard her soft chuckle but didn't say anything in return. He relaxed slightly as he began to feel the warmth embracing him bit by bit, combining with her warmth, it just felt so good. The mild wind from outside blew in scattering the white flakes over the earth-floor. But none of them moved from their spot, silently enjoying the warmth they shared under the blanket.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Sitting up on his futon, he watched as the coal burned. A month ago, Gladius told him Doflamingo put them off from missions until he had a chance to bide the time. After that, he hadn't sent anyone to inform him what was happening at their side. He only got several news from Baby 5, which she didn't know any better.

/"The trading went well too," Gladius told him as they sat on the stool. "But not sure how long it will last until the police finds out."

"Not in a good shape, huh?" Law asked almost like a statement.

"As of now, we stop doing our regular job until we get the green light from Vergo. Only Diamante and Senor Pink are doing the usual business… whatever, they know what to do. As of us, we just need to be very careful and not to draw attention."

"Then, it's not a good idea talking about that in the open." Law commented.

"You are right!"

An awkward silence passing by as Baby 5 came and served tea to the both. Law was a bit taken aback when he saw her but decided to say nothing since he expected Gladius would explain later.

"Young master asked Baby 5 to collect some information. Buffalo is sent to the fisherman town. We just wait for order."

Law nodded at the pieces of information.

"Anyway, wouldn't you like to join us to pick up some girls tonight? Heard there are some new girls. Why not having some fun while we are free?"

"No." He rejected flatly.

Gladius glanced at him from the corner of his eyes. " You… never changed huh?" he smirked.

"…"

Gladius chuckled and tapped Law on the shoulder, "Maybe this is our last meeting. Probably, will be seeing you next spring." He stood up, "Anything, just ask Baby 5." He signaled at Baby 5 before he left.

Law sat on the stool as his eyes followed the trail of Gladius' footprints in the snow.

"Next spring?" He mumbled./

He turned his head slightly to look at her. The dim light of the lantern illuminating her face and he could see she was sleeping peacefully. When she shifted to lie on her side, he quickly turned his face away.

How long was he going to use her? He even wondered to himself. With a soft sigh, he cast his sword above his pillow and put off the lamp. Slowly he laid on his back and pulled the blanket over his torso. The night sure was cold.

"The drugs were confiscated. They knew exactly the time and location where the shipment took place." Diamante explained.

Doflamingo tapped his fingers on the table. "This is the fourth time in this month," he commented, "That Smoker bastard!"

"There must be someone who feeds the information to the police," Trebol added. "The question is, who?

"Could it be Nami?" Diamante assumed.

Doflamingo closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. After a while, he pushed himself up.

"Where are you going Doffy?" Trebol asked as he watched him walking towards the door.

"A date." He replied with a smirk as he waved goodbye.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Maybe, it was just a trap." Doflamingo stated as he closed his eyes enjoying the light caress of the gentle hand on his head.

Monet stared at him as she continued caressing his hair, "Four times isn't a coincident. I believe someone from the inside is feeding the dogs."

He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Who's on your mind?"

"I have yet to figure it out." She replied with a soft sigh.

"That woman?"

"She has nothing to do with what is happening now... She hasn't done anything suspicious… at least to Vergo."

He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "Is it?"

"Why? You sound so disappointed danna." She kept stroking his hair gently. "Do you think she is involved?"

He adjusted his head as he laid on his back, "Not really! But things gotten worse after Law killed those rats." he stated.

She sighed, "Because Law killed all the spies, the higher up sent Smoker and his troops to assist Vergo," She explained. "He was in a very tight situation ever since Smoker transferred to his department. Vergo is just… being careful." she added.

"Had he reported anything about the ambush?" He looked at her.

"It's nothing of your concern, he said." she smiled. "Also…" She took out a scroll and passed it to Doflamingo. "This is the list."

Doflamingo pushed himself up and smirked, taking the scroll from her hand. "I know I can count on him." He opened the scrolls.

"But, please be careful!" She put her hand over Doflamingo's. "Some time ago, Smoker visited me."

He glanced at her. "What… did he want?"

"Interrogation. He asked if Joker is one of my clients." She replied, pulling away from him and poured another sake into his cup. There was a long silence before she continued again. "Looks like, he is aware about Joker, though he still can't relate you to Joker."

Doflamingo downed his drink and put the empty cup on the table, "So, what tale did you tell him?" he turned to look at her.

She gave him a meaningful smile, "I am nothing but a geisha. My red lips hold so many secrets." she gracefully caressed her red lips with her fingers.

He grinned as he stroke her face with the back of his fingers and brushing over her lips with his thumb, "Good! I'm counting on you too, Monet."

"Yes! Young master."

Nami tightened her obi before putting on her haori and scarf. The weather was nice enough to walk out instead of being confined in the house. She slid open the door and saw Law sat on the barrel. As soon as he saw her, he set his feet on the ground and the both walked towards the town.

Not so many stalls opened during the cold weather. Nami walked ahead of him, stopping at certain stall to buy her stuff. As Law walked past their meeting spot, he spared a brief glance at the door and saw the close sign. He scanned around the town searching for any familiar figure. In the end, he didn't find anyone.

As they walked back, Law bumped into someone. Sparing a glance, he saw him push up his sandogasa a little before he turned back and continued walking. Recognizing the man, he stopped on his track.

"Nami!" He called out.

She spun around and looked at him, noticing him walking towards her.

"Go ahead first," He told her handing her the pack in his hand. "I have something to do." He added then turned on his heel.

She only watched him left before she took the opposite direction to the house.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Law saw Diamante at the bridge, leaning against the rail. He walked in his direction, stopping next to him. Diamante nodded and smiled at him.

"Aahh… it's good to be you. Too carefree" Diamante mumbled. "Probably I should go and visit my mistress."

"What's going on over there?" Law asked ignoring the little chat Diamante started. "Why I don't see Baby 5 around the town?"

"Oh.. That!" Diamante replied as he smiled then there was a long silent.

"That?" Law asked annoyed.

"Recently, there are so many dog -watchers keeping their eyes on that restaurant." Diamante replied. "It is safe to not do anything as yet, " he added. "But, Doffy has something for you." He pulled a paper from his sleeve.

Law took the paper from his hand and frowned when he unfolded it, "Ochaya? What business he got there?"

Diamante chuckled, "You are not the only one who keeps a lady, Law," he cleared up Law's confusion. "But boy, you still can't beat Doffy when it comes to woman. You should learn from him-"

"Like I care!" Law cut him off sharply.

Diamante was speechless for a moment before he laughed. "I was just joking okay?" He glanced at Law, "Why so serious? This boy!"

"Anything else?" He asked coldly.

"Make sure no one see you. And… be careful! " Diamante reminded and walked off.

Law nodded understood as he stared at the paper before slid it inside his own sleeve.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"My… Law! You've grown up." Monet greeted when he saw Law and sat down next to him.

"Mo-Monet?" Law eyes widened as he looked at her surprisingly. He pulled back a little.

"Been a long time right?" She chuckled lowly and poured a tea to his cup.

"Where's Doflamingo?" Law asked.

"So impatient." She commented, "But, my danna went back already."

"Went back? He?" He frowned. "So, why he called me here?"

"You don't feel happy when a very beautiful woman entertains you?" she leaned closer to him, touching his arm dearly, "Am I not attractive?" she looked at him noticing the change in his expression, "Ah! Yes, I forgot, you rather like that... yūjo, right?."

"She is not!" Law gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"She is… not?" Monet raised her brows demanding for an answer.

"What exactly Doflamingo wanted me to do?" Law changed the subject.

"You are no fun." She pulled away from him and slid her hand into her sleeves, pulling out an envelop, "Tonight! At the harbor."

Law took it from her hand and opened it.

"Young master probably had unimportant guest gathered them around there, so…" she stopped when she saw Law rose to his feet.

"I know what to do." He cut her off. "Leave no one alive."

She let out a soft chuckle, "You are so reliable. That's why young master trusts you." She watched until he disappeared through the door.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Law swung his sword to shake off the remaining blood from the blade. Giving a last glance to the dead bodies, he turned to leave. The smell of the blood still lingered around his nose even though he was already reaching his house.

When he opened the door, he saw her sat by the irori, wrapping herself with the blanket. The futon were set neatly on the floor. His eyes met hers for a brief second before he drew his sight away to the kitchen. Somehow, getting used to the feeling of her watching him while he cleaned his hands.

He settled himself by the irori just to get some warmth and watched as her hand scribbled freely on the sand and ashes with the stick.

"Are you... waiting for me?" He asked noticing her lifting her gaze to look at him.

She smiled a little. "I guess, I've gotten used of you being around this hour…"

He nodded slowly and continued his empty glance to the irori.

"You still smell of blood." She stated as her eyes fell on the coals.

He went silent, as his eyes stared at the burning coals. "You never complained." he stated as a matter of factly.

"You are right." her lips curved into a smile, "Have you… have you ever thought about the people you have killed?" her voice low as she questioned him. Her eyes still set on the burning coals.

Slowly he turned his eyes to her, studying her calm expression for a brief second before letting out an inaudible sigh. "I … never think about that." he replied in a flat tone. "For years, I've been ordered to kill and only kill…" the memory came flooding as he spoke and then he closed his eyes to brush off the unpleasant images.

She lifted he gaze to him, didn't expect him to answer. She stared at his inscrutable expression and slowly reached out for his right hand. He was taken aback by her action. Turning his head to her, he wanted to retreat but soon forgotten as her hands holding his.

"Your hand... it's cold." she held his big calloused hand as she stared at them, stroking the inked letters on each of his finger before lacing her fingers with his, noticing how big and hard his hand was.

He looked at their joint hands, her gentle slender fingers wrapped his hand neatly. Strangely enough, he didn't feel like pulling away. Her hands were just so warm and felt good around his.

She expected him to pull away but when he tightening slightly, she was elated. His grip was strong but didn't hurt her at all.

"Wish your heart isn't."

Notes;

Ochaya - tea house

Yūjo - prostitute

Sandogasa - hat

Thank you so much for the nice reviews, fav and follow.