Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece!

Summary: She was a mage that ate a fruit when she was 10. She lost her faith in humanity when she was 6, but due to meeting Monkey D. Luffy it was restored and she was forever loyal to him. He saw her in a bar on some island. He had heard rumors of her while she worked with the group known simply as the Thirteen, so he thought it would be a good idea to get her to join his crew. Funnily enough he didn't expect her ties to her adoptive family and just who was protective of her.

Welcome to the next chapter! Let's see how you like it! Sorry I was gone for so long. I've been getting new ideas for other stories and I just graduated, so I've been looking at my future rather heavily. Going to school again is in the plans as well as getting a job, so for now I will be updating as frequently as possible, but come fall it will change

Chapter Twenty: Leaving Veral and information promised

"Hey Kai!" I look up to see Shachi running towards me.

"Yo Shachi," I greet the red head, "What's up?"

"Where were you last night?" He asked causing me to shrug.

"Mostly running around," I answer as Penguin ran up, "Hey Penguin,"

"Where did you sleep last night?" Shachi asked causing me to hum.

"My old room in the Hunt," I answer causing him to pause.

"You still have a room there?" He asked making me nod.

"Yup," I say with a slight grin, "Turns out all those with masteries have a permanent room in the place they gained that mastery in,"

"Oh...Does that make you a master?" Penguin asked while looking at me with a smile.

"Yup!" I grinned largely, "I am the sole master of lunar magic,"

"Cool!" Both exclaim causing me to laugh.

"Nah," I wave off their confused expressions, "It's not as cool as you think. It means I have more work to do than other mages, more restrictions on my magic, and all that shit," I rolled my eyes at some of the craziness of it all, "You two ready to go?"

"It's sad that we have to leave," Shachi groaned as we passed more than a few beautiful women, "So many beauties,"

"Ah, but the next island actually even more beautiful women," I said causing the duo to look at me in shock.

"Seriously?" Both looked rather excited at the prospect.

"Eyup," Yukina landed on my shoulder in her hawk form as Kiyo jumped onto my other, "So did you guys like the island?"

"Yeah," Penguin answered with a small smile, "It was awesome to see some of the tricks mages could do," He looked at me curiously, "Where did you learn to sing like that?"

"I've always been able to, but I just never found the time to really do it," I scratch at my cheek, "Plus, they say singing is a window to the emotions. One that cannot be closed,"

"Really?" Shachi asked causing me to nod.

"Yup," I reached up to scratch Kiyo behind the ear as Yukina jumped off my shoulder and returned to her normal self, "I know quite a few stories about the topic that I can tell you tonight if you wish,"

"Damn we have boiler duty," Penguin groaned causing me to hum softly.

"If you guys have sometime another night, I would be willing to tell you guys some stories," I offered as we got to the docks, "I'm usually not too busy, so if you guys want to hear some stories, just ask,"

"Sweet!" Shachi grinned as we came in sight of the sub, "The offers open to everyone right?"

"Yup," I nodded my head as we reached the sub.

"Shachi, Penguin," All three of us turned to see Karasu standing on the ship, "Help get the supplies loaded onto the ship,"

"Sure," The two waved at me before racing off.

"Kaileara," I nodded to the crow-zoan, "Captain wants you to put the food supplies away with Chris,"

"Kay," I agree before jumping onto the sub and heading inside.

I wonder why Law wasn't outside and issuing orders. Come to think of it, where the hell was Bepo?

Law P.O.V

"Minx let go of Bepo," I glared at my sister who was currently hugging my first mate/navigator, "We have to go,"

"I don't want to," Minx said stubbornly, "I want my Bepo time,"

"And this is why I like men rather than women," Alexander said causing me to want to face palm.

"Oi shut the hell up!" Minx growled as she finally let go of Bepo, "Girls are way better than guys,"

Deciding to use the fighting between the two as an escape route, I grabbed Bepo and we slipped away. Bepo looked back before asking, "Captain when will we see them again?"

"Whenever we see them again," I answered with a frown, "It won't necessarily be like this,"

"I know," Bepo sighed as we headed towards the sub, "Are you still angry at Kai?"

"I don't know Bepo," I replied while trying not to think about her, "We'll have to wait and see,"

Bepo nodded softly, "Aye captain."

Kaileara P.O.V

I hummed softly as I watched Veral island disappear in the distance before glancing at the side where Law stood, "So Law where to next?"

"Anubis island," He answered much to my pleasure, "Anything I should know about it?"

"I'll have a list of warnings ready by tomorrow night," Was my reply as I mentally debated asking my next question before just deciding to pull a Luffy and bulldoze through it, "Anything you need me to do?"

"Tell me what made you act like that outside the bar," He said causing me to stiffen and curse.

I tried to come up with ways to get out of answering that. Did he have to ask that? Yes because he's a prying bastard and hadn't changed in that respect since we were kids. Did I want to answer that question? No I did not and now I needed to get out of answering because frankly there are so many ways he could make me answer. Most of those way's would not be pleasant. The small amount of tension between us grew and I opened my mouth to speak only to close it as the door to the sub opened. To my relief, Karasu walked outside of the door and quickly got me out of having to answer Law, "Captain we're about to submerge."

We headed inside and I disappeared off to the kitchen. It was both to start making food for tonight and to get away from Law. Honestly if there was one thing about him that I both hated and liked, it was the fact he never stopped prying when something caught his interest. I liked it when it helped me get information, but I hated it when he did it to me. It was one fact about him that seemed to have gotten worse since we were separated. I had no doubts on him trying to get that information from me, but the question is what lengths would he go to? A melancholy smile graced my features as I moved about the kitchen. It wouldn't matter anyway. I wouldn't crack like I had as a child because there was no way he would take the news well. Even the bravest people would crack if they knew just what would happen if I slipped.

Hours later

I sat at my desk as I looked over the reports my informants had given me over the years on Joker. The information ranged from who he really was to his illegal activities in the underground. The newest reports were very detailed while the oldest were rather messy and hard to find good bits of information in. The five books containing all the information were a testament to how much time, money, and energy I've spent gathering this information on that psychopath. I sighed lightly and began to write down all the new information down as well as revisiting the old information to check for any repeated information. I nodded to myself when I finished and leaned back against my chair with a yawn. I heard a knock on my door and called out, "It's open."

I began to gather up the reports that my informants had given me as I heard Law ask, "What is all this?"

"The reports that my informants have given me over the years on Joker," I answer as I make quite a few piles and tried to relax, "The books containing the information are right here,"

I tap the stack of books lightly before continuing my work as I tried to ignore the black haired males presence. Law walked over and asked, "Which one should I look at first?"

"Bottom on," I answer as I took out the scroll labeled 'Joker' before sealing the reports save for the books away, "The books will have all the information you want and some that you don't want. It ranges from who the Joker really is to all the illegal activities in the underground," I turn to him, "It's all right here as you asked,"

"Thank you," He said as he picked them up, "I'll return them when I'm finished,"

I nodded and watched as he left. I sighed lightly as I leaned back against my chair before standing and walking towards on of the corners of my room. I sat down on the large pillow laid on the ground and settled down to mediate. I needed to get a hold of myself and quick which meant meditation was the best option because if I didn't, shit would hit the fan. If meditation didn't work, I would need to hold on long enough for us to reach Anubis island where hopefully my friends there would help. If they couldn't...No! I shook my head lightly and closed my eyes. I couldn't allow myself to go down that path. If I did, I would only be making it harder on myself. With that thought in mind, I slipped into a meditative state where I would stay until we were attacked or morning came.

Law P.O.V minutes before

I walked towards Kaileara's room after debating what to do about her. I needed to find out why she had acted like that on the island since it wasn't like her. I needed to know if she was a danger to the crew and if so, how much of a danger. As much as I liked having her around, the safety of my crew as a whole was more important. If she was too dangerous, I would have to make Anubis island our last stop together. I hated that I might be losing a link to my past and an old friend, but I had a crew to protect now. Had it just been Bepo, Kaileara, and I, I would have took the risk, but it wasn't like that. I couldn't fully trust Kaileara either because she had too many secrets and had yet to do anything that would truly make me trust her. I wanted to trust her, but I couldn't...Not until she trusted me. I sighed deeply, "I need to get this done with."

With that said, I reached Kaileara's door. I took a fortifying break and knocked on the door. Seconds later, I heard Kaileara call out, "It's open."

I walked inside and noticed a few changes. In the corner of the room, a large pillow was set against the wall. A new book case sat with the others already loaded with books. A photograph of a group of people sat in the corner of the room. I tore my gaze from my surrounding's to look at the person I was here to see. I immediately noticed the massive amount of papers on the desk that she was shuffling about. I dimly took notice of her jack laying on the back of her chair in a way that allowed me to see the fur that lined the inside. I also noticed that she was wearing a navy blue short sleeved t-shirt which allowed me to see the skin of her arms. They were mostly bare save for a pair of bracelet's that I hadn't noticed her wearing. I ignored her as I looked at the papers on the desk and noted that I couldn't read most of the papers I could see. From what I could read, curiosity rose as I spotted a jumble of letters that read 'Joker'. Seeing that made me ask, "What is all this?"

I noticed her tense as the words left my mouth and felt suspicion rise from my core. My suspicion crashed as I heard her say, "The reports that my informants have given me over the years on Joker," I mentally scolded myself for that suspicion, "The books containing the information are right here,"

She tapped a stack of five rather thick journals. My fingers twitched slightly as I realized just how close I was to getting the information that would help me make my plans against the man I hated. I moved forward and asked, "Which one should I read first?"

"Bottom on," She answered as she took out the scroll labeled 'Joker' before sealing the reports save for the books away, "The books will have all the information you want and some that you don't want. It ranges from who the Joker really is to all the illegal activities in the underground," She turn to me, "It's all right here as you asked,"

I felt confused for a moment before I realized that she had come through for me. It seemed that I could trust her a bit, but I would still be looking for my answers. I smiled faintly rather than smirked as I said, "Thank you," I picked up the books, "I'll return them when I'm finished."

She nodded as I turned and made my way towards the door. I closed the door behind me as I made my way towards my office. It seemed that I would have to put interrogating Kaileara off for now. My crew's safety could wait for the moment since I needed to look through this information. It was about damn time that I had an edge against that bastard. It made me smirk at the thought of it. I would of course give Kaileara the books back, but I would be writing down all the vital information since it would be stupid of me not to. It seems I'm in for a long night full of progress.

Kaileara P.O.V

The crew was as loud as usual during breakfast. Shachi and Penguin looked sleepy causing me to chuckle as I sat down at the table. Shachi merely snorted while Penguin didn't even look up from his breakfast. Boiler duty, it seemed, was an all night job, so both would probably take it easy today. I noticed immediately that Law wasn't there and asked, "Hey where's Law?"

"Hm?" Shachi looked up from his breakfast and noticed that Law wasn't there, "Odd,"

"Hmm," Penguin grunted softly.

"Maybe he's working," Christopher pipped up as he put ketchup on his bacon, "I mean doesn't he usually work a lot?"

"He hasn't done something like that since Kai became cook," Shachi retorted as he stole the ketchup, "And taught him to make that tea of hers,"

"Hey give that back!" Christopher growled as he glared at the tired ginger, "I wasn't finished using that!"

I noted that the acid green beanie wearing teen had covered his bacon in ketchup as Shachi said, "Hell no. You'll use it all."

"Maybe Captain's asleep," Bepo suggested from my side.

"Nah he wouldn't be asleep at this hour," Shachi denied causing Bepo to duck his head.

"Sorry," The bear apologized.

"So weak!" The crew cried causing my eyebrow to twitch.

I really didn't want to deal with this so early in the morning, so I growled, "Shut up!"

The crew clammed up immediately causing me to sigh lightly as Bepo said, "Sorry."

"It's not your fault Bepo," I assured the bear before saying, "I'll check if he's awake or not,"

I closed my eyes and extended my senses through the sub. I found Yukina sleeping in my room. Kiyo was curled in the navigation room which meant she was most likely meditating or watching our course. Hm...Ah there he is. I found him in his office which meant he had either stayed there all night looking at the books I gave him or got an early start. I frowned lightly and opened my eyes causing Shachi to ask, "Is he awake?"

"Yes though I wonder why he's in his study," I answered while uttering the last part under my breath.

Bepo picked up my comment as his ears twitched and looked at me, "Captain's probably busy looking at the crews finances or found something on Veral that interested him."

"I see," Perhaps it was the information I gave him? "Someone should give him his breakfast,"

Immediately I found myself being stared at by the bulk of the crew. Someone asked, "Are you suicidal? Captain is not someone you want to bother in the morning unless he calls for you," There was a small pause, "Or your Bepo."

I turned to the bear who shook his head, "I have to go navigate."

"Will no one go?" I ask only to receive shakes of the heads and snorts, "Fine I'll go,"

I heard a few gasps and shook my head as I continued to eat my breakfast. Once I was finished, I went into the kitchen to prepare Law's breakfast. I created a few clones to get the dishes and stuff done after I finished preparing his breakfast before heading back out into the galley. I ignored the looks I was being given as I walked out of the galley and up the stairs to Law's office. I knocked lightly on the door and was rewarded with a growled, "Come in."

I opened the door with a bit of magic and walked inside. Law had the books I gave him spread out across his desk and looked at me with a glare before noticing the food. He looked surprised causing me to chuckle softly and ask, "Time got away from ya?"

"Yes," He rubbed his eyes lightly as I moved forward, "What time is it?"

"9:00," I answer as I placed the food on the desk.

"Damn," He cursed lightly before he began to eat, "You have a lot of information,"

"I demand of my informants what I expect from myself," I answered with a small shrug though I was pleased to note that the tension was gone, "I make sure to get everything no matter how idiotic it may seem,"

"Know thy enemy," Law said with a small smirk, "It's a big help,"

"So why'd you want information from the bastard in pink?" I asked in a light tone.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Immediately the tension between us returned.

I let the subject drop as he looked at me with coldness in his grey eyes. I decided to go to a diffrent subject, "When do you want our sealing lesson's to pick back up?"

"After I finish with these," He waved a hand over the books causing me to nod, "You may go,"

I almost snort at the dismissal before nodding, "If ya need me, I'll be in my room meditating."

With that said, I left the room and headed to my own.

Law P.O.V

I watched her leave before returning to my meal. I was slightly surprised that she didn't stay just to talk. It seems that what happened on Veral had made her slightly withdrawn. I frowned deeply as I took a drink of coffee. Something was wrong with Kaileara and I wanted to find out what it was. I mentally groaned as I remembered what my brother had said and cursed softly, "Damn looks like Alex was right."

End of chapter. I hope it was a good one since I haven't written in a while.