Is writer block an excuse?

When the snow finally melted, earth came alive again. Green grass grew everywhere and flowers bloomed all around shaking off the embrace of winter's month.

On the bridge, Law and Nami walked slowly as if absorbing the magnificent scene before them. She walked ahead of him, ambling along the bridge as she did. He walked behind her, taking in the steps she took as he watched her until finally they arrived at the town.

He stood outside the stall as he waited for her. Eyes traveling around watching the passersby. Soon, she appeared behind him with flowers in her hand. Sparing a brief glance at the flowers in her hand, he started walking slowly and she followed suit. Not so much of conversation so they strolled in silence until they reached the graveyard.

Letting her led the way, he followed behind her, taking stock around his surroundings. Everything looked gloomy. He noticed she was standing in front of one of the graves and he set off towards her, standing behind her.

Sadness grew as she stared at the single tomb. Not even a trace of dried flower decorating the grave. How long she hadn't visited there? She knelt down and brushed the stone where her mother laid before pouring water over the gravestone and paying her respect to her late mother. As soon as she finished, she pushed herself up, picking up the bucket in the process.

"Your mother…" Law broke the silence as he saw her getting up. She craned her neck to look at him and waiting for him to continue.

He paused when he caught her eyes. There was a glint of sadness reflected upon those eyes. All the questions he had stored for her stuck in his throat. Maybe he shouldn't have asked her… No, he shouldn't even have the desire to ask her. It wasn't even something he should know or care about in the first place. His lips parted a little only to let an inaudible sigh. And then, he turned his head away.

"Nothing..." He muttered.

She saw his slight contorted face before he looked away from her. Whether he wanted to know or regretting asking her, she had no idea. But whatever it was, she was just glad that he at least concerned about her. Even if it was just a little. That was more than enough.

Both of them stayed quiet for a while. Only the sound of rustling leaves and the soft whisper of the wind filled the silence. Her eyes watched as the pink petals gently scattered on the pave floor and eventually landed on the nameless tombstone. The image of her mother's pale face flashed before her eyes and she quickly closed her eyes to brush off the painful image.

When she opened her eyes again, he was standing in front of her and looking at her. Surprised, she asked, "What?" She saw his hand reaching towards her and she stepped back a little.

"Don't move!" Law ordered causing her to stop moving. He gently swiped the bug along with the few petals that fell on her shoulder before he looked at her again. "Shall we get going?" He asked as he turned his back towards her.

She blinked in confusion and nodded while looking at her shoulder for a brief second and followed after his retreating back.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Spring sure was a beautiful year as everything seemed to come to life. The town wasn't an exception. Children running around playing tag, geisha gracefully walking about and people doing their usual business causing the town to look busy and lively.

Even so, both of them walked quietly as they were stranger. She followed closely behind him until he stopped at one particular spot. She saw him looking into a direction and her eyes turned to look where he was looking at. Just across them was a small restaurant and she somehow recognized one man that sat on one of the stool looking directly at them. That was the man who came with Doflamingo on his first visit.

Staring right at Gladius, Law ordered her to go back first. She nodded in understanding before she turned to Gladius and bowed a little which Gladius replied with a little nod.

As she went straight to her house, Law made his way to Gladius. Taking his seat on the same stool Gladius sat on, he sat on the other side, turning his back to him.

"Long time no see Law." Gladius greeted as he sipped his drink. "Getting on with her already."

"Hmm… so that's the girl." A female voice had Law turned his head just to find Baby 5 standing next to him. Baby 5 looked down at Law and smiled, "Your order sir?"

"The usual." Law replied shortly.

"We are going to go to Trans Town." Gladius spoke. "By tomorrow."

Law's eyes lingered in front of him, looking at the townsfolk strolling along the street.

"How long this time?" He asked.

"A week or two… It depends though."

"That long?" Law snorted. Suddenly he felt something bothering him.

"…Normally you didn't complain." Gladius stated as a matter of fact.

Baby 5 came and set Law's order next to him before she excused herself again.

"If the negotiation went well, then it won't take that long." Gladius replied.

"Oh!" Law acknowledged.

Gladius pushed something under Law's palm. "Lao G and Jora are waiting there already."

Law pulled it and slid it inside his sleeve.

"Who else are coming?"

"You, me, and Young Master." Gladius replied. "Ah! By the way, Young Master wanted to see you. Probably he is still waiting at the usual place. If not, Trebol's there."

Law nodded in understanding. Both of them sipped their drink in silence as if they were strangers and the conversation never happened. Moment later, he felt Gladius nudge his back, signaling him he was going to leave.

"See you there tomorrow." Gladius said as he left.

Not long after, Law slid his hand into his sleeve and pulled out the folded paper, unfolding and reading the content before keeping it back inside. He reached inside his yukata and took out several coins, placing it on the seat next to the cup as he pushed himself up. He waved at Baby 5, pointed out to her the cash he just left.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

As he reached the entrance of the onsen, he saw Diamante was leaning against the arch.

"You came." Diamante muttered as he stood straight. "Doffy is inside." He tilted his head gesturing Law to follow him. Law followed suit and they headed to the onsen.

"Doffy, Law is here." Trebol said upon seeing Law and Diamante.

"It is so rare to see Law being escorted here like a guest." Monet said in amusement as the subject of their conversation came into a view.

Doflamingo craned his neck just enough to see the two. "How have you been Law?"

Monet who was sitting on the wooden floor flashed a smile to Law, "You look well and lively Law."

Law frowned in annoyance and shook his head in rejection.

"Ah… Law rejected my invitation danna!" She stated with a low chuckle.

"Of course he is. Someone is taking care of him." Doflamingo laughed in amusement as he turned around to face Law and Diamante who were standing by the door. He rested his arm on the floor as he leaned against his palm. "I'm sorry I have to call you now, but I sent Gladius to sort some things out over there already, so right now, I'm kinda short of hands." He stated as he exchanged a meaningful look with Trebol.

Trebol let out his distinct laugh causing Law to look at him. He pulled a brown envelop from the front of his kimono and handed it to Law.

"Vergo said, they have kept the record of the business somewhere in the house. If possible, take all of the evidence." Monet reminded.

Law took some time to read the lists before he nodded.

"Just destroy everything. I have no use of such information anyway." Doflamingo interrupted. "Also, don't leave a single trace."

"You heard him." Diamante said and saw Law nod in respond. "Let's go!"

Both Law and Diamate retreating from their standing spot leaving the three in the bath.

"Vergo might keep his eyes close over this matter, but Smoker isn't." Diamante said to Law as they stepped out of the bathing area.

"Smoker..." Law uttered the name.

"Yeah! Just be careful about this guy." Diamante warned. "He is like a hunter. Once he set you as a target, he won't stop until he takes you down."

"I'll keep that in mind." Law replied with a smirk.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Standing at the top of the hill, Diamante watched the smoke reached the dark sky. "Look at the masses of people… look at the smoke... Man! I can't believe we could do that." He stated proudly as he reached out inside his kimono and pulled out few papers and burned them, getting rid of the records. Law on the other hand, leaning against the tree, holding his bleeding arm as he rested.

"Mission completed. Bye bye Don Krieg."" Diamante smirked as the records turned into ashes within a few seconds. "By the way Law, how's your lady?"

Diamante was waiting but no reply. When he turned his head, Law was leaning his head against the tree, closing his eyes as his brows frowned in pain. "Em...? Not listening?" He headed towards him, "You aren't dead yet, aren't you?" He asked jabbing Law in the chest. "You look pale."

Law opened his eyes in annoyance as he slapped his fingers away. "I am fine. Just shut up." He pushed himself up to stand, holding on the tree to support himself.

"This boy... has no manner at all. Wonder how that girl can stand your bratty attitude."

"Wonder how your woman can keep up with your shitty attitude and filthy mouth." Law retorted back as he straightened himself.

"Well, I have my charm…" Diamante laughed, "Just saying." He added as he shrugged. "You are leaving tomorrow isn't it? Shouldn't you go back by now? The night still long for both of you to wrestle under the blanket."

Law snorted, turning on his heel and leaving. Diamante only watched the young man furthering away from him. "I'll watch over your girl." He shouted at him. When Law didn't respond back, he mumbled to himself, "Well, that's what Doffy asked me to... while you are away."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Law walked slowly, the cut on his arm still throbbing. He pressed his hand on the cut and hissed as the pain stung the affected muscle. Before his hand reached the door, she appeared in front of her.

"You are here?" She slid the door wider. Law slipped in and made his way to the step. He rested on the step, closing his eyes as he still felt the throbbing pain in his arm.

Noticing his uncomfortable state, she headed towards him, settling the wooden pail on the step as she sat next to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked noticing him holding his arm.

"What happened to your arm?" She asked, touching the hand that was holding the injured arm.

On reflect, he grabbed her hand and looked at her. For few seconds he glowered at her but then his eyes softened and slowly releasing her hand. "Just prepare hot water and clean bandage." He ordered.

She felt his hand wet and quickly understood when she smelled the blood. She quickly rushed to the kitchen, pouring the remaining water in the kettle into the wooden pail. When she returned to him, she saw him take off the upper part of his yukata revealing his bleeding arm. The garment hanging loose around his waist.

She gasped upon seeing his bleeding arm and quickly closed her mouth.

"It's just a small cut." He told her seeing her nervous face. To him. But to her, the cut was big and probably too deep since she could see blood still dripping from the cut. "Let me clean that for you." She said as she set the pail next to him. He nodded and let her clean his wound.

Dampening the towel, she gently patted it around the cut to clean the blood. She winced and apologized when he jerked and hissed in pain as she dabbed the towel. After cleaning the cut, she wrapped his arm with the bandage. While she did so, he wiped his torso with the damp cloth to clean himself up with his uninjured arm. Once she had done, he moved his arm around to examine his movement.

"I'll be out of town for a week… or two." He told her as he swung his arm.

Her eyes shot up to him and returned her gaze to his bandaged arm. "In your current condition?"

He nodded. Her heart felt heavy when he told her. She wanted to tell him not to go but knowing him for that long, the kind work he associated with, she changed her mind instead, "When are you going to leave?"

"Tomorrow. Before dawn." He answered as he stood.

Still kneeling behind him, her eyes wandered at his bareback, noticing the ink that painted on his back. She did see the tattoo every time he changed his cloth but for the first time she admired the inking. It was tempting. When he spun around, she lowered her gaze to the ground. The idea of checking him out had her face burning hot. She could feel the blood rushing through her ears and her face blushing. But luckily the light was behind her. He probably didn't notice her turning red. He climbed on the step and headed to the drawer, pulling out a new yukata for a change.

She stood up, taking the pail to the bathroom outside the house at the same time giving him some time to change. When she returned, she saw him staring at his cloth. She came up behind him, noticing he was staring at the torn fabric.

"Let me mend it for you." She offered as she held out her hand.

He looked at her for seconds. He had thought to just throw the garment away and buy a new one but seeing her so determine to help him, he nodded and handed her the garment without saying anything. As she examining the torn part, he was heading to the corner, taking out the futon and laid them out on the floor.

"Let's just sleep for now." He uttered gaining her attention as he slipped into the futon. She smiled and put his cloth into the rug before she headed to her futon.

No matter how many times she tried to sleep, she just couldn't. Knowing Law would be leaving before the morning sun, she felt uneasy. He certainly had to swing his sword again somewhere in that place. And that made her worry even more.

She craned her neck slightly, "Law… are you sleeping?"

"Not yet." He replied, staring at the lantern.

She smiled, "Do you want to talk?"

"About what?"

"Anything…"

She heard him sigh before he spoke, "I have nothing to say."

Disappointed, she turned her head, staring at the wall in front of her. She just wanted to have little conversation with him, but he didn't seem to be interested at all. There was long silence before she spoke again, "Law…"

Law opened his eyes when he heard her voice but didn't say anything.

"Be careful on your way." Was all she said, assuming he heard her.

"… Aaah..." He replied her after a while. He sure didn't miss the concern in her voice but quickly brushed it off before he shut his eyes again. She let out a sigh of relief at his reply. Slowly she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

As the chill of the dawn alarmed him, he opened his eyes. Slowly he got up, not to wake the woman sleeping next to him. After taking his bath and changing his bandage and new yukata, he packed his things and grabbed his nodachi, leaving a sum of money next to her. He exited the house. Sparing one last glance at her, he closed the door. As he set off, he turned his head up, seeing as the first glow of the dawn lightened up the sky.

I am very grateful for the fave, follow and comments. Thanks all :)