Wooo! Fast update! XD And one of the longest chapters I've ever written! (i realize it's not THAT long, but for me it's a break through X3) I'm working against a deadline, and that is on Tuesday! OoO Yeah...i'm busting my chops here! XD

As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who reviewed, favored, followed or read my fiction so far! This super fast piece of work is for all of you!~ X3

Hope you like! ENJOY! XD

18

Kid's feet dragged across the carpeted floor as he sluggishly made his way from bathroom to bedroom. He was finally clean again, all traces of that afternoon's events washed off his skin. Well, not all evidence. He still had numerous blooming patches of purple and blue and dozens of scrapes and cuts, but the blood was at least washed off.

He ran a hand through his wet strands, pulling them out of his face. He felt exhausted. Physically and mentally he was spent. Kid literally crashed on his bed, his whole frame falling heavily across the unbelievably soft surface. It soothed his aching muscles and he let out a content sight. With one tired hand he spread the covers over his naked body. He had been too tired to consider the few seconds it took to put something over himself.

It was only a miracle that prevented him from falling asleep in the shower. The warmth had been so inviting. So welcoming. The drumming rhythm of the falling water droplets was the most effective lullaby. He sighed again, his voice muffled by the pillow. His mind was drifting already. It slipped away from his conscious grasp like water trickling through cupped hands. He couldn't hold on to it even if he wished to.

His mental recorder played the scenes of the day and he sat back and watched over the happenings of those ridiculously active twenty four hours. He skipped right to the part where he decided that running out the house, mostly naked, covered in blood and without even the decency to sport any shoes was a fucking great idea. Oh yeah, he deserved an Oscar. For the world's most incompetent moron.

And the really fucked up part wasn't even that he had done it. It was his far too late realization that what he was doing was idiotic after an entire hour of hard, muscle pushing, breath stealing, heart racing gallop. Only then did the obvious hit him. He didn't know where Law lived.

Kid groaned in the pillow even as a lazy smile stretched over his lips. It was sort of funny. Even he could appreciate that, though he was the bud of the joke. But then again looking like a fool was nothing new to him. Not when Law was involved. His feelings for the brunette seemed to drive him further and further away from rational common sense. But who cared?! He was in love! And he had to let Law know. Though he would go about it in a more constructive way next time. His first attempt clearly failed miserably.

By the time he stopped running in god knew what direction, he was ready to collapse. The whole day was washing over him and all his adrenalin was gone. He gathered that he was on some street and that there were people staring at him. How could they not? He must have made the papers. And then what did he do? He started laughing, bending over in hysteria and positively terrifying the onlookers. If any had doubts that he was mad that sure must have done it.

Kid was, above all else, surprised he got that far whiteout being stopped by the police. Either they were a lot sloppier than he previously thought or people just hadn't bothered calling them. Suddenly the whole situation was clear to him and he was able to take a good look at what he was doing. It was so fucking ridiculous he couldn't stop laughing until he was gasping for oxygen and blinking the tears away. He didn't do crap like that when he was drunk and couldn't remember his own name, and yet Law intoxicated him to such an extent that he was just about ready to claim the title of clinically insane.

'Eustass Kid? What is going on?' The female voice was right beside him and when he looked up he easily recognised police patrol officer Tashigi. She was looking at him with more curiosity than anything else. They knew each other, mostly on account of him causing trouble on a somewhat regular basis and her dealing with his messes a number of those times. She was a weird woman, in Kid's opinion, but not a bad sort.

'You gonna answer punk?' The other much rougher, gruff voice belonged to the other officer present. Smoker. With his ever present two cigars sticking out of the side of his mouth. Kid really wondered how it was that he didn't die already from lung cancer.

'You gonna stop calling me punk?' Even Smoker couldn't get under his skin at that exact moment, though he should have been more careful. If the man wanted to he could have easily hauled Kid to the station and kept him overnight for a number of things. Like disturbing the public peace. He did that pretty effectively and he grinned wider quite pleased with himself.

'Not until you stop acting like one. What's so funny anyway?' Tashigi was moving her eyes from one man to the other, not sure of whether she should say anything or not.

'I just realized I don't know where I'm going.' Kid chuckled at the raised eyebrows coming from both officers. It was only normal for them to be confused.

'How 'bout that blood you're covered in from head to toe? Something we should know about?' Smoker eyed Kid with a nakedly distrustful eye. As a general rule the white–haired man had a very low tolerance for troublemakers. He tended to strike first and ask questions later, which was why Kid was taken aback by the question. Since when did Smoker have a heart? Another sign that that day was seriously fucked up.

'If it was wouldn't you know already?' He played it safe for once and gave an ambiguous answer. There was no way in hell he wouldn't be connected to the macabre scene in the playground. There had been witnesses seeing him beat the stuffing out of twenty men. His Super Hawk was still there. And it wasn't like he had been trying to hide his tracks or anything. A half blind fly could see his involvement and Smoker was as sharp as a sword when he wanted to be, though he sometimes gave a different impression.

'Humph.' Smoker didn't question it further. Seriously! What the bloody hell was wrong with that day?!

'Wait! That's it? Shouldn't we be asking further questions?' Tashigi managed to squeak in. She was Smoker's underling and partner. A real up and comer. Only twenty one and already paired to a legend like Smoker. A man who could have made the real high ranks if only he managed to keep his mouth shut and his methods in check.

Smoker eyed Kid again and he held the gaze. The smoke from the cigars rose above them and wound like sleepy snakes, coiling around each other almost playfully. It reminded Kid that it had been days since his last cigarette and suddenly he craved one. Something to look forwards to…in the morning. No way he would do anything other than shower and sleep when he got back home. If he got back home. It all depended on Smoker's decision.

'Nah. We'll let you off this time 'cos I can't be bothered to drag your sorry ass to the station. It's full anyway and there's no way I'm wasting my whole night with paperwork because of you.' Kid thought nothing could surprise him anymore that day. Clearly he spoke too soon. He nodded his thanks, well aware the older man's pride was a very fickle thing. If he actually thanked him Smoker would very likely have a change of heart and drag him along anyway.

'But-'

'It's fine Tashigi.' Kid didn't hold it against her. She was only doing her job after all and what sane cop wouldn't be alarmed by a bloody known delinquent. Just went to show Smoker was anything but sane. A lot of those going around in that small town.

'If you say so.' Clearly she didn't agree but she let it slide. She trusted his judgement like a child listening to a parent. 'Well, then we better take you home.'

Both men turned to her simultaneously. Smoker looked more surprised than Kid. The huh expression was comical. She rolled her eyes at Smoker, her own lips curving upwards a little. She could get her own jab here and there. Tashigi knew very well that Smoker hated being called kind even though she also knew he was softer than a plushie. For all his rough edges and his sharp barking, he was a nice guy. And he hated when others knew that.

'We can hardly let Mister Eustass walk back in this state. He's disturbing the public peace.' She smiled as she saw Smoker's defeated look. He had no way of arguing with that. What she said was true.

'Can't we just take him back to the station after all?'

'Nope.' Smoker would rather break his word than be faced with this so called humiliation. Tashigi turned towards the man in question. 'So let's get you back shall we. And in the future we'd very much appreciate it if you refrain from running half naked and covered in blood around the streets. Okay?'

'I'll keep that in mind.' Kid was still grinning. Wow, being brought home twice in the same day? Something was definitely amiss. But this time he wouldn't have denied the offer even if he could. The thought of irking Smoker was like the promise of candy to a child. It was fan-fucking-tastic.

And so he got back home, courtesy of patrol officer Tashigi's kindness and Officer Smoker's insane driving skills. Kid remembered supressing a shudder as the man turned a particularly sharp bend with the speed of a race car. He made the guys in Fast and Furious look tame.

'Thanks.' Kid couldn't resist adding this last pinch of salt to Smoker's already wounded pride. He knew he'd end up paying for it later but fuck it. The sight of the man's deep frown was worth it.

'Just get the fuck out of my sight.'

'Take care Mister Eustass. And stay out of trouble!...' Tashigi's voice was almost fully out of range even as she screamed the advice, that's how eager Smoker was to be gone. Kid shook his head to himself and wondered how was it even possible for such a man to make it as a police officer. And a bad ass one at that. Some mysteries would never be solved.

Eustass was very shocked to find no trace of police at his house. Surely they knew of his deed by now. It was a whole two hours later. Well whatever. He shrugged his shoulder and made his way to his door. Nami was gone and with a quick glance he was able to confirm his beloved baby Hawk was safely back in her place. He'd have to thank Sanji for that later. Kid retrieved the key from where Nami had left it for him, under one of the potted plants. An obvious place, but then again there were very few crazy enough to even think of robbing his house. His reputation wasn't limited to only the school premises.

Kid's smile held for a second, having come to the end of his tale, before he at long last took that last step into the domain of dreams.

Kid yawned loudly before throwing the covers off of him. He immediately shivered at the sudden change in temperature only then remembering that he was still stark naked. He threw a glance at the clock and raised an eyebrow. It was early. He had more than an hour before he had to be at his first class. He planned on going to school despite his face looking a mess. It wouldn't be the first time he showed to class looking like a blueberry anyway. People expected a certain commitment to his role as a delinquent and he hated to disappoint so very much. He chuckled at his own joke.

Frankly he just couldn't stand the thought of staying home and twiddling his thumbs all day long. Oh no. He had an aim and so god help him he was going to achieve it. If he had to knock on every door in that damn town he was not giving up until he saw Law by the end of the day. He was hoping Nami would know his address since she was such a treasure cove of information at times like those. He considered calling Killer but he was pretty sure the blonde was pissed off at his handling of the whole Todd situation and sitting through one of Killer's excruciatingly long sessions of giving out was really not his idea of a good morning. If he had no other option he would call him.

As if on cue his phone vibrated, indicating a new message. Kid flipped it open and was surprised to see it was from Killer. Speak of the devil. It was rare for Killer to be the one getting in contact with Eustass. It almost always was the other way around. He grunted when he read the message. One word but it confirmed his fear.

'IDIOT'

The usage of capital blocks left little as to the tone intended. Kid placed the mobile back on the nightstand and went to get dressed. When he saw his reflection in the mirror he had a pleasant surprise. The damage was really not that bad. He had one large bruise on his cheek and a reddish palm mark, still there from Nami's own addition. The bruise was a light colour and he knew it would turn a lot uglier but his nose was fine, he had no black eyes and all his teeth were still firmly held in place. With the exception of a cut lower lip and another cut running down his temple, dangerously close to his eye, his face was fine. And the rest of him would be covered so that wasn't such an issue.

Once he was dressed, the first thing he did was search for his best friend. Mister Marlboro. What would he do without his ever welcomed presence? Indulging himself and savouring the feel of the much missed feel of tobacco, Kid drew one of the sticks out and placed it between his parted lips. He drew in a full breath, letting the smoke fill his lungs like a drug. It was damn pleasant. Unable to hold it longer, he let it out through the open window. His aunt had a very, very, very strict no-smoking-in-the-house rule. If she saw him anywhere near the cigarettes she all but physically threw him out into the streets until he was done. Sunshine, snow or rain.

But she wasn't here so there. He walked through the house letting puffs of cloudy air raise above him until he reached the kitchen. A coffee would make everything that much brighter. While that was brewing he fixed himself some breakfast, realising he hadn't eaten anything at all the day before. Needless to say, it was the best toast he'd ever had. It was true what they said. Hunger was the best seasoning.

He finished the last of his coffee, containing enough sugar to make an elephant hyperactive, and cleared the dishes away. He needed every ounce of energy he could find because he had a nagging feeling that this was going to be another very long, very hard, very testing day.

But his aim was set.

'You don't know where he lives? Weren't you supposed to be the one with the infinite fucking stream of information?' If Kid sounded irritated it was because he was. Nami fixed him with a glare, while the other three present kept silent and enjoyed the exchange.

The day had gone shockingly well thus far. Kid turned plenty of heads but nobody questioned him. It seemed that the news hadn't spread as fast as he assumed it would. No police yet either. Honestly, Kid didn't know what to make of the situation. Was someone keeping a tight lid on the whole thing? How else could his freedom be explained? He tried not to give it much thought. He figured he'd cross that bridge when he got to it. Until then he decided to concentrate on the more pressing matter at hand.

'Yes Kid. I can read other people's minds and pull info out of my-'

'Does anyone else want a drink?' Sanji tactfully cut in just before Nami had a chance to finish her sarcastic vulgar suggestion. Sanji may have been gay but he would still take a bullet before letting Nami, or any other woman for that matter, be humiliated in any way. It was his code.

'I'll have one. I'll leave the choice up to you.' Nami didn't move her eyes from Kid's nor did she decrease her glare.

'Ok!' Sanji skipped away, as was his habit whenever a lady asked him for anything.

'If you give me some time, I can find out his address.'

'I already wasted too much time! I'm not waiting another day.' This wasn't going at all how Kid had hoped.

'Yeah, because the last time you went off on your own that turned out great. Tell me, how long before you realized you didn't know where you were heading?' Kid glared but he had to concede that victory and admit defeat. What she said was true and he knew it. It was stupid to go without using his head a second time.

'But.' Kid's eyes seemed to come alive almost like a child's before Christmas. He knew the nature of that tone of 'but'. She had another option that would be beneficial to him. 'I know someone who knows where Law lives.'

'Who?'

'It may come as a shock to you but Law had his own friends before he met you.' She rolled her eyes but her smile was back in place. 'You'll find them in the gym. I only know one of them.' She paused for a second while Kid's confusion turned to impatience. It was nice holding all the cards. 'Bepo.'

'…' Kid waited for Nami to say it was joke. Nope. 'The mascot?...Bepo?...' Wow. Law was friends with the All Blue mascot? Okay that was a bit funny.

'One and only. Well what are you sitting there like an idiot for? Don't you have somewhere to go?!'

'Right.' He shouted his thanks as he ran out the door. Nami's resourcefulness never chased to amaze him and he knew he owned her a debt of gratitude.

He was certain she would so use it against him. It was in her character.

Kid stepped in the enormous hollow space. His footsteps created a resonating echo that bounced all around the adjacent walls. All Blue's gym was bigger than his fucking house. Where did White Beard even get the money to make crap like this? Not important.

His sharp eyes quickly located what he was looking for. Mostly due to the fact that there were only three people in the whole space. There, on one of the arched benches fitted along the wall, was Bepo, the mascot of All Blue. The most bizarre mascot to ever exist. Their teams were named the Polar Bears. Therefore their mascot was a polar bear, a humanoid polar bear dressed in an orange overall. And he apparently was a master in martial arts. Razzsle Pazzazzel.

The weirdest thing though about Bepo was that he was a complete question mark. Nobody, not a one, knew who was inside the furry costume. But whoever it was they were committed to their role to a terrifying degree. Bepo attended classes like all other students, had homework, took exams. All the time dressed as a giant, martial arts master, polar bear in an orange suit. Yeah. All Blue had one hell of a reputation…..

Kid hadn't talked to Bepo before and he didn't really know what to expect. He was still surprised at the news that this was Law's best friend. But now it made a lot more sense why there was such a huge upturn in the female support of their team. If Law liked something then it stood to reason that every one of his fan club girls followed suit.

'Um…Bepo?' Kid wasn't even sure if the mascot was supposed to talk or if he even did. The beady eyes fixed on him.

'Yes?' Okay, well he spoke. And he had a very childish voice.

'Would you happen to know where Trafalgar Law lives?' Kid decided to just go for it. Just get in there and hope Bepo wouldn't think of him as some stalker or weirdo. If he did, Kid was not prepared with a backup plan. Sometimes he really hated his bad habit of doing things without thinking ahead. They always, but ALWAYS, backfired.

'Sure. He's at-'

'Don't tell him that!' Kid only then noticed the other two people were sitting beside Bepo. One was a tall man with a hat that said 'Penguin' on it, while the other was much younger looking guy with shaggy messy ginger strands barely held down under his own puffy hat. Kid was reminded for a second of the three stooges and resisted the urge to snicker. It was the ginger that had spoken.

'We don't even know who he is! Look man, we don't know who you are or what you want with Law so we can't just give you his address.'

'I get that, but I really have to see him.' Even to his own ears that sounded pathetic. If anything, his attempt to pacify the young looking man only made him frown deeper.

'Wait Sachi. I know him.' The penguin man addressed Kid and he looked him up and down.' You're Eustass Kid, right?'

'Yeah…' Immediately he saw Sachi's expression change. The frown was replaced by wide eyes. Kid didn't know what to make of that.

'Thought so. I'm Penguin.' Well hot damn. His name really was Penguin. 'That's Sachi.' Penguin pointed to the ginger who had a perfect o mouth and matching eyes. He reminded Kid of an emoticon or something. 'And I presume you already know Bepo.' The bear bowed his head slightly in sign of greeting. 'We were wondering when you'd come.' Okay this was getting stranger and stranger by the second.

'What do you mean?'

'Law told us you would come here eventually to ask for his address. He told us to give it to you.'

'When did he tell you this?...' Kid's voice was barely a whisper. It was just another show of how much Law had trusted him and it only served to remind him of his criminal betrayal.

'…' Penguin didn't answer immediately. 'Yesterday.'

Kid felt a rift open below him. His heart plunged down and he felt a cold grip clutching his insiders, twisting them painfully. The colour drained from his face. He didn't know what to think. What did this mean?! Kid couldn't begin to understand.

'But I don't think you deserve it.' Kid was brought back by the stern edge to Penguin's voice. The man's icy blue eyes were more piercing and chilly than glaciers. Kid knew he was the aim of those visual spears and he felt them sink into him like a physical thing.

'Did he tell you?...' Kid didn't have to elaborate. Penguin understood fully. His eyes seemed to turn even more vicious and stormy, though his voice remained calm. Kid understood whey he and Law were friends. They both did that calm-before-the-storm thing, and it was far more terrifying than his destructive tornadoes. The calm promised fear. Tornadoes were a mercy in comparison.

'No. He didn't have to say anything. I know him for long enough to tell when something is very wrong. What did you do to him?' Penguin's voice didn't raise but it sounded deafening. Kid couldn't do anything to defend against the accusations because they were true. Bepo and Sachi looked like they were totally left out of the loop and they just turned their heads from one to the other. But as soon as they heard Law and wrong their eyes turns instantly accusing. Even Bepo's seemed to glow though they were not real.

'Something bad, which is why I have to tell him I'm sorry. Please.' Kid was somebody who NEVER said the p word. He didn't even know it existed in his vocabulary, but his need to see Law was far greater than any pathetic pride he had. In that moment he knew he was ready to beg for the piece of information. Law had unconsciously torn and striped away every piece of his so called dignity. His desire to see, touch and hear the other was greater than anything and everything.

Something must have shown on his face because Penguin's gaze seemed to falter. He looked like he was struggling with the possibilities and weighing his options. Should he trust Kid or not? A simple yes or no answer that could have catastrophic results on his friend. Penguin knew Law was depressed and suffered severely on account of something which he refused to talk about. But he also knew that ever since this man, Eustass Kid entered his life he radiated life little by little. It was like watching a withered plant slowly rise back towards the sun and begin to bloom once more. Penguin hated to admit it, but if anyone could bring the Law of old back it was Kid.

'On one condition.'

'Anything.' And Kid knew he meant that. Anything.

'You have to swear never to hurt Law again. I don't know what you did but if I ever see him as broken as you left him I swear by all that's sacred in this world I'll make you pay.'

'I swear.' Even if Penguin wouldn't have asked him to do that Kid was sure as hell never going to break Law's trust ever again. That was something he promised himself the moment he understood his mistake. The ugly mistake he wished so desperately to go back in time and stop from ever happening. The mistake he was working so hard to rectify while fully knowing the chance of that ever happening was next to nothing. He wanted to believe it wasn't too late. He wanted to believe so bad that things could still be somehow fixed between himself and Law but he didn't want to hold on to false hope.

'Good then. He lives here.' Penguin drew a neatly piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Kid. Sachi and Bepo followed the note, still entirely lost as to what just happened.

'Thanks.' Kid murmured the word as his hands closed around the delicate item. This was what he waited for so long. His hand was nearly trembling but he stilled it through will power alone.

'Don't thank me. I'm doing this for Law.' Kid didn't miss the disdain in Penguin's voice. Well that was one guy who will probably never like him. He could live with that. Kid only needed one man to return his feelings.

He unfolded the blank page and recognised Law's delicate handwriting even though he'd only ever seen it once before. He had a definite aim now. Cupid's arrow couldn't have been more driven than him as he left the three stooges behind, staring at his back.

THANK YOU FOR THE READ! and i can safely promise that Law will certainly be in the next chapter! XD (sorry he was out for such a long time...though it was only two days...X3)

If you can please, leave a review because i'd appreciate it very very much! Constructive Criticism is also always welcomed! Till nest time! X3