Chapter Five: Damsel in Distress

"Why do they call you Penguin though?"

The young man nearly refused to answer that question for the fact Killer sounded like he was chuckling mockingly. But in consideration of alliance if; god forbid, the kid pirate's were the first to find them, he replied.

"Couple of reasons I guess, when I was a kid I was a decent swimmer, wasn't really bothered by the cold and have a weakness for seafood plus they say my e-" Penguin shuttered to a stop and Killer watched him collect himself and wondered briefly if maybe the little flightless bird was about to reveal something a little too private.

"So yeah, some people said I was just like one so eventually they started calling me it. This hat was made by...a friend...in North Blue" he felt the material with a short fond smile.

"...What about you?" Penguin tried, voice wary. Dare he ask?

"Not a difficult concept really, others call me massacre soldier if you want clues" the blonde commented harshly and Penguin reeled back with distaste. He was only returning the question.

"There is no point just sitting here, we need to start rowing" Killer announced, standing quickly making the boat rock and Penguin clutch the side.

"D-Do you mind doing the rowing...with my arm and all"

Killer didn't actually hear the young man and instinctively went over to do the labour. Penguin was grateful, aware of his whispering voice and the potential the blond would miss his request.

Looking back he took a deep breath of relief when he saw the White knife getting smaller and smaller in the distance. A moment of fear overtook him though when the sun began starting it's steady trail down the sky. It was noon at the most right there and then but it wouldn't be for long and neither had any idea where they were going.

"The ship took a vaguely North East direction...so if we head back in the direction we more or less came...we might be able to get back to that stop-off island which means we can communicate our respective ships and move on" Killer told the younger man who nodded eagerly, glad someone knew what was going on.

"Alright then, I'll keep a lookout I guess"

Killer huffed as though displeased with the little amount of labour Penguin was presenting but the heart pirate didn't really care. His arm was in so much pain it drowned out any guilt or irritation.

It was some time later when the two came across another ship, much smaller and didn't appear to be marine or pirate which was a relief in some ways. Penguin considered calling up to it but Killer wanted to get a closer look.

"Looks like food supplies...or clothing...probably both" Penguin pointed out, shakily standing up next to Killer who waited for a moment before grabbing Penguin and shoving him into his arms, bridal style.

"Pretend to be unconscious" he growled and the winded young man failed to respond.

"Wh-what?!"

"Do it!" Killer nearly yelled and Penguin uncomfortably let his body fall loose. Though he struggled because each movement from the shirtless, scarred and muscular man set him on edge.

"I really will knock you out if you don't act better"

That threat was enough to make Penguin practically a damsel in distress.

"H-Hey! Hey! Up there! Help, Please!" he cried, voice broken and desperate. Under his hat, Penguin raised an eyebrow, surprised and impressed with the kid pirate's acting skills.

There was no reply at first until some muttered yells from above alerted the two pirates.

"Hey, look down there! Are you alright?!"

"N-No, my friend...he's been badly injured, please help!" Killer called.

Friend? Penguin nearly laughed.

"Hold on! We are sending someone down!" was the response and sure enough a ladder was thrown down along with two fairly agile shipmates.

"Here, pass him to me"

"Be careful...please" Killer seemed to hesitate before handing over the heart pirate who was tied to the one guys back.

Now Penguin was irritated. Being thrown about like a bloody rag-doll. The guy he was attached to didn't smell too fresh either. At least now they might get some proper help. Reaching what must be the deck judging by the sudden stability of the man he was tied to. Penguin had to stifle a gasp when he was untied and nearly dropped until someone caught him last minute.

"Here, if you carry your friend we can take you to the infirmary" the man told them. He was a nice looking younger man with two scars over his mouth and honey coloured hair and ochre eyes.

"I'm Dodd, by the way" he told them, as Killer gathered the heart pirate in his arms and followed him through a main cabin. Aware of the others watching. He knew they seemed suspicious but it was a good thing no one seemed to say anything. Yet.

Kid had finally emerged from his room after long consideration of what the fuck he was doing on the creepy doctor's ship and whether their alliance was a good thing or not. It was moving toward the "no, it really wasn't a good idea" side of things but there was no turning back now. Peering round the front door, Kid made his way down the corridor, figuring he might as well get familiar with the place. He listened in to Wire and Heat's rooms and heard slight shuffling around, suggesting they had stayed in their rooms. Kid would have gone in to tell them where he was going but he wanted to travel alone for a bit.

Making his way up a small set of stairs, he found himself in a more furnished corridor which he scowled at. Must be Trafalgar's damn corridor, bastard keeping all the goods to himself. Even so, the kid captain knew he would do the same. Hell, Law would be sleeping on hay if it was him.

Deciding he wasn't about to go poking around in the rooms that had been closed off down that corridor he turned a different way and found himself in what must be a food area. Several of Law's crew turned to him with startled horror. Shuffling and muttering. Kid scowled and yelled.

"Oi, where's Law?"

"Over here Eustass-ya" a familiar voice spoke and Kid near jumped out of his skin when he turned to see the surgeon of death standing comfortably with a laid back smile behind him.

"Follow me, I don't want you scaring my shipmates" he told the redhead who turned with amusement as the boiler-suit-style clad members refused to make eye contact.

"Wouldn't want that now" he smirked and whipped his dark coat out to go after the heart captain.

"Where you taking me Trafalgar?"

"The control room, I need both of us working to find them as soon as possible"

Kid noticed the sincerity in the man's tone and nodded. Law slipped a code over a pad so quick the redhead couldn't comprehend the password but sure enough the silver door before them slid open and Law entered. Two unfamiliar crew members were in there and nodded to their captain before continuing with their navigation. Law smiled at them before moving into another room. Kid looked around at all the screens and controls with interest.

"So...where have we got so far? Any sign of a ship that fits the old man's description?"

"It was the young fisher girl who gave us that information but so far...no" Law smiled for a moment before sighing. They had entered a quieter room now, with a giant window that was a lookout into the ocean around them. Kid was momentarily startled by the fish and plants and rocks that went past and Law watched his wary cat-like reactions to the fish as he sat down next to the window.

"You got a drink or something, Law? I thought you were all about hospitality"

"What would you like?"

Kid hissed at the politeness of the yellow and black clad man and muttered something about 'something strong'.

Law left for a few moments before coming back with a few clear bottles of liquid that was evidentially 'strong' and some glasses.

"Take your pick" he simply said before going over to check out some of the navigation system. Kid immediately felt useless sitting there drinking whilst the creepy doctor did all the work, like hell he was going to be cast out of the credit when they finally found their shipmates. So he came up behind Law and grabbed the back of the chair, making it creak under his mass as he peered at the screens Law looked at.

"What are we looking for?"

"Something to come up on the compass, a white dot to make things simple"

The redhead was about to knock him over the head when he paused. Law had taken off his hat a few moments back to place on a pair of speakers and a microphone that he now intently listened into. So he seemed not to notice Kid subtly inhaling the scent of his hair and neck for a second.

It was completely a reaction and a matter of curiosity but something made Kid's eyes droop when he took in the white musk of the man, the cleanliness of his medical equipment and the scruffy spice of...him. For a minute his jaw widened as though to snap his teeth-

"Are you okay Eustass-ya?"

Fuck.

"The hell you ask, Trafalgar?"

"You haven't said anything for a while" Law hadn't turned around so the redhead stood up straight and composed himself.

"I'm fine...just...thinking"

"...Killer is from South Blue with you, isn't he?"

Kid was surprised at the comment and as he made his way back to the seats to pour himself a drink he nodded.

"Yeah...he is, known him since I was younger"

"I see"

"...What about..err...Piglet?"

"Penguin. And North Blue, like me"

"So you known each other long?"

"Not really...couple of years but we're good friends" Law seemed distant. Slipping off his earphone set and ruffling his hair. The ministrations of his long, tattooed fingers winding through the tufts of soft hair keeping Kid's gaze for a moment.

"I get it, we both want them back...what's your point?"

Law sighed with a grim smile.

"Just trying to make conversation Eustass-ya, don't get too pissy"

That's when Kid went for Law's throat and the two navigators had to come in to stop them spilling blood on the new seats.

Penguin was vaguely aware he was on a soft, clean mattress with a cover draped over him. His overalls had been removed and his long grey shorts underneath stayed on his body though it soon became apparent his black tank top had not.

"You can 'wake up' now" Killer told him and Penguin turned to the right with a start.

"Oh...alright then...where are we?"

"A supply ship, sending stuff to a nearby island so when we get there we should be able to communicate with Captain Kid"

"And my Captain" Penguin huffed, sliding further into his plush white pillow with a smile. God it felt so good.

"They said to give this to you" Killer gestured to a glass of water on the side.

"I know...I heard" the young man replied and went for the water. Killer simply watched him as he drank, then sat up with urgency when the heart pirate started to choke.

His face turned a pale pink from the pressure of his spluttering coughs and once he had settled he tried to turn away and spit out sea water into his half full glass.

"Err...I'm going to want to throw this away" he sheepishly muttered and Killer didn't respond. Just sat back down. Penguin didn't know whether to be shocked or pleased the blonde was concerned. Whenever he had seen him around the reckless Captain Kid, Killer had always seemed like the slightly more rational crew member and controlled the redhead like his mom.

"Why are you in here with me?" Penguin inquired and Killer hissed through his teeth, as though pissed by the fact.

"You're my 'friend', can't exactly leave you, plus people will get suspicious if they see me walking around with this mask.

At this comment Penguin looked over all of the blonde. Seems he had received yet another new top, this one didn't seem to fit him either. The material stretching over his muscular chest and arms. It was a three-quarter-length sleeved dark blue top, his familiar tassel jeans were gone and Penguin assumed they must be drying somewhere. In their place were a pair of black trousers tucked into short black boots.

"Take a picture" Killer claimed, deadpan and Penguin sunk into the pillow and yanked the cuddly white sheets up to his face as he hid his blush.

"Sorry" he whispered though he felt shameful for having to apologise, he wasn't even staring.

"I'm wearing more than you, that's for sure" there was the hint of a smile behind those words and Penguin blushed even harder, biting his lip.

Looking down at himself, pulling the covers off slightly. He frowned at his albeit freshly bandaged and treated wound. It felt secure and didn't sting so much but the ever loyal heart pirate would be glad to have his trusted doctor and captain have a professional look at it.

"Obviously it's not a professional ship...they only have so much knowledge when it comes to treatment, but it will do for now" Killer seemed to read his mind as he spoke about the young man's medical care.

"Yeah...it's fine" Penguin muttered.

He had intended to hide in the covers and pillows to hide the raging blush on his cheeks but now the hot flush was fading and the realisation of a clean injury and safe ship overcame him, Penguin yawned sleepily and before he knew it, his eyes had closed and he was drifting off.

Killer had been busy trying to brush through some of the tangles in his salty smelling hair with his fingers when he heard the soft snuffling of the hat-clad man. Fallen asleep, the audacity in their state to ignore it all with sleep.

Killer was envious.

Sighing, the blonde got up and went out where he encountered a young dark skinned woman with deep black and pink hair and warm eyes.

"Yeah...err..."

"Oh, my name's June, did you want something? Is your friend alright?"

"He is sleeping now, but seems to be fine...would it be alright if I were to wash?"

"Of course! Follow me" she took him down a short corridor where they came to a small, wooden furniture based room.

"Towels are over there and there is some soap, we are taking soap supplies with us so don't worry about wasting" she chuckled but the massacre soldier didn't return the light gesture. He would've used as much as he wanted regardless of the amount they stocked of the stuff.

"It's pretty simple, turn it on like this and adjust temperature and pressure like this" she showed him the rather advanced showering system and he nodded.

She left and he went over to lock the door before undressing. True he had really only just got into the clothes but he felt disgusting. Pirates weren't famous for self-hygiene but it was hardly a law never to wash.

Climbing into the basin he turned the water on and let it soothe his taut muscles and undo the knots in his ridiculously long, thick hair.

He would show Penguin the bathroom later, the young man no doubt wanted to remove his own grime. Killer paused his scrubbing over his shoulders. Why was he thinking about the heart pirate? The only reason he had even helped him at the ship was because he had involuntarily protected his identity and facial appearance by falling into that foul old man. It was just the flurry of madness that ensued afterwards that led to the pirate sailing back with the hat-clad man. Penguin wasn't such bad company. Different from the arrogance and brutality of his own crew. Sometimes his timid nature and expressive questions bothered him but he would never say he hated the heart pirate.

Hell he wouldn't say he even disliked him.

A/N: I've been pretty ill the past few days which sucks.

For Law...I may or may not have had to go to the bathroom and look through shower gels and creams to find a decent smell and then went to the internet -so it's going to be weird if anyone looks- I did a quiz on 'which cologne is best for you' and answered like Law would. But anyway, things are getting a little more, *french accent* how you say...intimate? Maybe they stay that way? What do you thiiiinnnkkk? (I would do a wink face here but when I do a wink face anywhere it feels like I am giving up my virginity)

-LAW09

Guest: NOO, do not give me your precious purity! What HAVE I DOne?! :O haahaa, thanks for the review!

xxXxx: It is so flattering you continue to review so thanks! hehe, intimacy indeed! bless your praise, thanks!

xHirayukixNazara: Haha, I am so glad you think so! Thank you for the review!

Childerika: Ahahahaha, I'm glad you like Penguin being a damsel, and of course, Kid may have to be victim to Law sometimes, thanks for the review!

fyreeze: That actually means so much ahaha, I can be a bit too personal and ramble a lot in the comments so I'm glad you actually like them! Ahaha, thanks for the review!

Thanks to all my favouriters and followers!