Chapter 7

Law scowled at the television, noticing what was on and who was currently on show today as he laid his notes out on the table. Now he had to sit and listen to this crap too during his break.

"Mr. Donquixote there are plenty of questions the show would love to ask of you today, I'm so glad you actually had the time to come see us!" The talk show woman chirped, looking delighted as Doflamingo laughed on the television, completely amused.

"I'm glad I could be here. It's always lovely chatting with you."

"Your toy line your company has opened up must keep your busy. They are still selling out even though you opened that up nearly two years ago!"

"In part, fufufu, but actually we're making plans to open up a brand new hospital, made specifically for children from families with no money to help them." Doflamingo announced gleefully.

"We heard you were working on a building site but we had no idea you were planning to open up a hospital! That is amazing news! There have been many problems with children in crisis but are not able to receive any care because of their financial status."

"Yes our treatment will be completely free." Doflamingo offered. "We're hiring specialised staff members now to come and work once our project is finally complete."

"You said 'completely free', do you plan to pay for all the upkeep yourself Mr. Donquixote?"

"Yes, in fact we're also adding an additional care system into our future hospital, a place from homeless children or runaways to take shelter, ill or not, it will of course be a separate building in the same district, after all we don't want anyone to get sick."

What? An additional shelter for runaway children or the homeless ones? Law bit his lip, now nursing his nearly finished coffee in his hands. It sounded too much like the children they already took in from the streets to become apart of their family.

Was Doflamingo looking for more family members to join?

"We're planning to supply bedding and food for them, after all children are the future of our world, they must be cared for."

Law couldn't help but shudder at that, especially as Doflamingo's face turned to stare at the camera with that grin on his face, as if he knew he was watching at that exact moment.

"But we need good, qualified doctors to help them, or even young, promising surgeons?"

Law went rigid at that and nearly jumped when Monet, the secretary sat down on the couch beside him, looking amused as she stared at the television.

"Isn't it kind? How willing Mr. Donquixote seems to be helping people?" Monet asked him, though there was something in her eyes, an emotion he couldn't pick out.

"I guess so." Law offered, trying to relax as he glanced over his notes again, but his heart was racing.

Doflamingo had picked him out on that talk show and it had freaked him out. Law needed to calm down and relax, of course it was something his adoptive father would do. He was always like that.

"He's a good man. We could certainly use more people like him." Monet smiled, watching the talk show as the pair on the TV continued on chatting away. "He makes so many people happy."

Law snorted. "You sound like you have a crush."

"Are you jealous Law? Maybe we should go out on that date yes?" Monet tease him, a smirk on her face while Law rolled his eyes.

"No thank you Monet-ya. I'm married to my work life, I thought you knew that already?"

"Ah, beaten by your job again." Monet laughed. "Such a shame-"

They were cut off though as the fire alarm blared to life, startling them and everyone else who was sitting having their break in the tea room. Law got up and yelled for everyone to begin evacuating, everyone thankfully obeying and rushing out the room as he gathered up his notes and followed after them, Monet at his heels.

"I can't see any smoke." Monet shouted to him, looking confused.

"It could be upstairs!" Law shouted back as he scanned the crowd forming outside, patients, families and staff being ushered out of Drum Hospital and into the safety zone to be accounted for by the secretaries.

He couldn't see Chopper or Dr. Kureha which made him frown as he looked over the building, the top floor having thick, black smoke pouring out from the windows.

"Shit. Chopper-ya and Doctor-ya are still in there." Law hissed as he whirled back round, ignoring Monet's alarmed cry as he ran back inside.

Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones.

He opened up a Room and scanned the floors once his Room was large enough, feeling presences a few floors up, two very familiar as he teleported himself to their side. He appeared in the doorway, stunned at the sight of a group of men standing before Dr. Kureha and Chopper, they both looked sore and angry.

"Marshall D. Teach huh? So you've definitely betrayed Whitebeard then." Dr. Kureha seethed as Law approached her side, making her laugh. "Got worried about us brat?"

"I was curious." He lied as Teach eyed him.

"You feel like a pawn, as does that raccoon beside you."

"I'm a reindeer!" Chopper-ya protested.

Law opened a Room and tried to slice the man in half but his attack was blocked off by an incredibly pale man in a top hat, grinning widely at him with a sadistic look in his eyes. Law didn't care about any of that however, he cared more about the oppressing wave of corruption leaking out the bastard, trying to smother him.

"You're a fallen light being." Law hissed, pushing himself back as Kikoku shivered in delight in his hands.

"You're a light being. I wonder what kind." The man chimed, tapping his feet off the floor, sending a pleasant ringing through his ears.

"Zehahahaha! I know about you being a Vault Keeper Kureha!" Teach laughed, as Law stiffened at the knowledge, stunned while Chopper let out a snarl of rage.

"I won't let you have her!" He shouted, instantly in heavy point but the large man only laughed.

"Oh don't worry about that! I already have the perfect person lined up to led me to One Piece!"

Dr. Kureha bristled at that. "You're going after the child!"

Teach grinned, in full agreement. "Ace would make a lovely addition to my clan. Don't you think?"

Law brought up his Room again the exact same time Blackbeard brought out his gun and fired, Law didn't get to deflect the bullets though as a bullet from out of nowhere hit him dead on, his Room instantly flickering out. His entire body was lethargic and weak.

He saw a Shadow though, his sniper rifle aimed at him making Law tense, now knowing it was armed with seastone bullets while the doctor collapsed with a cry and Chopper yelled as a purple haired man in a mask slammed him up against the wall, nearly shoving him through it. Suddenly though all the Blackbeard's tensed, as if frozen in place as Dr. Kureha shakily climbed back to her feet, blood running down her chest. He looked over her quickly, horrified at the eight bullet holes in her chest.

"Sh-Shit, wh-what bl-blood po-power-" Teach hissed out, looking pissed.

"I freeze blood." Dr. Kureha sneered even as she grabbed him. "Chopper, out the window! Now!"

Law cursed as the crazy doctor threw himself and herself out the window, Chopper right behind them, now in his brain point. Law couldn't open up a Room to ease their landing so they hit the bins below, bouncing off them and on to the alley's concrete ground, hitting it roughly and dazing him when he slammed his head off the ground. Law shakily pushed himself to his hands and knees, making his way to Kureha as Chopper let out a cry.

"Dammit." Law cursed, hanging his head once he saw the state of her wounds.

He couldn't bring up his Room, not without removing the bullet and by the time he did that she was going to have bled out. Chopper had realised it too and was now weeping loudly while Kureha choked on her blood, hacking it up roughly as she smoothed back Chopper's fur. "Chopper... You l-little idiot... You were such an am-amazing boy... I love you so much you brat... I always have..."

"No! No don't leave me again! I don't want to lose you again Doctorine!" Chopper begged, crying into her shoulder.

Law shuddered when he felt an overwhelming wave of corruption sink into him, making his eyes widen at the sight of the pale man flying down with black wings, completely coaxed in darkness as those wild eyes stared at Kureha just as the purple haired one came crashing out the building, landing in front of them while the tall man landed, looking gleeful.

"Wiihahahaha! She's dying then huh? How weak for a supernatural creature! I was expecting a better fight!" The Ogre mocked, laughing loudly making Law grit his teeth, thankful when the pale man's wings disappeared, relieving him a bit more.

"You guys should let me finish them all off." A weird pink man approached with a giant nose.

Law suddenly had the overwhelming urge to dissect him and discover what the hell this guy actually was. Instead he got up though and stepped out in front of Chopper and Dr. Kureha, he wouldn't let the bastards touch them anymore, not as long as he could stand.

He couldn't die here. Not to any of these bastards. How pathetic would that be? That these cowards could take him out?!

"Our Lord wants the body as proof nya." The cat man, or at least he was a cat man? Said.

"If you try it I will take your lives in compensation." Law sneered.

Chopper's alarmed cry cut him off. "No Law! You can't do that! You'll hurt yourself-"

"Be quiet Chopper." Law growled as he allowed Kikoku to disappear from his hands, he needed them free if he was going through with it.

He hoped they didn't step forward. He really wanted them to back off so he didn't try this reckless shit but he was out of options now. Law wasn't lucky though, the blue haired cat man and the pink one approached, ready to take Kureha but Law was quicker, he reached out with his hands and managed to get a hold of both the bastards, startling the pair. Law didn't give them a chance to say or do anything though, he tore their souls straight out, a light blue one and a dull pink one resting in his hands. He smiled at the stunned looks he received in return just as he crushed both souls in his hands leaving both now empty bodies to collapse.

He saw the fallen light being freeze before grinning sadistically just as Blackbeard reached the man's side, looking stunned before laughing. "Laffitte? What the hell was that?! Can light beings do that kind of shit?!"

"A Spirit Healer can." Laffitte smirked, twirling his cane in his hand while Law kept his hands out of Chopper's sight, his fingers already turning darker. "But it corrupts them. You can feel it, can't you Spirit Healer?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Law hissed out as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, wincing at the icy pains shooting up through them.

"A Spirit Healer? Man that is such a rare thing. How about it then? Come and take a place in my family! I can easily forgive what you've done today!"

"Such as their fates for them to die by a Spirit Healer's hands." A sickly looking man groaned out from on a horse.

"Go die in a fire." Law said dryly, grimacing when the icy pains began to crawl up his arms nearly making him grit his teeth at the pain.

"Marshall D. Teach!" A vaguely familiar voice barked out but Law refused the look back, he couldn't take his eyes off these guys now.

"Oh! Captain Smoker! You're that dog who catches a scent and chases them forever! Zehahaha this isn't good news is it?" Teach laughed.

"You're under arrest for the murder of Dr. Kureha and the attack on Drum Hospital!" Smoker barked out as Tashigi drew her sword just as she reached Law's side.

"He's not under arrest! He's fucking dead!" Ace-ya was there at his side too, looking pissed just as Luffy arrived.

"I'm gonna beat the crap out of him first!" Luffy snapped.

"Oh Ace! It's great to see you so soon Commander!" Teach welcomed warmly, opening out his arms, as if to give Ace-ya a hug who seethed. "How about it? Join my family Ace?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Ace tried to storm forward but Smoker was quick to grab him. "You son of a bitch! You murdered Thatch didn't you?!"

Ace couldn't even change into fire, Smoker-ya had been clever enough to press the end of his jitte against Ace's leg as he struggled against his boyfriend while Teach laughed again, nodding in confirmation making Ace howl.

"Such a shame Commander but don't worry, my offer still stands!" Teach grinned. "We'll see each other again soon Ace, and you too Spirit Healer, if you won't join me then I guess I can't forgive you for what you did to my men."

Law could hardly see him anymore, his vision was blurring badly and the pain had nearly taken over his entire body, his whole body felt as if it was under ice cold water. If he had eaten during his break he would be sick but thankfully nothing was in his stomach, all he could do was struggle not to faint as the thick blurs began to walk away just as everything faded out.

.::.

"Traffy!" Luffy cried out, quick to catch his friend when he collapsed, eyes open but blank, just staring out, unfocused which made Luffy tense further.

Traffy felt as if he was made of ice, his whole body going cold making him whine, worried but Chopper managed to reassure him, his youngest clan member looking so distraught and upset yet still trying to help.

"He'll be alright. It's because of his abilities."

Smokey spoke up though, looking grim. "Trafalgar's a supernatural creature?"

"Uh... Nope?" Luffy tried to lie but he knew instantly that he failed at Smokey's glower while Ace jerked out his grasp, looking pissed.

"Smoker! Why did you stop me?! I could have killed the bastard here and now but you just had to let him go! Why would you even do that?!" Ace ranted, Smokey was patient though and waited for Ace to quieten down first before speaking.

"He's after you and he had his men all around him. I couldn't have you getting separated from us and then maybe getting kidnapped. It was obvious that Teach was after you."

"Oh my God, why is he even doing this? He's meant to be my friend yet he disappeared after he admitted to me about that bloody secret of mine! And who the heck were those people with him?!" Ace looked so distressed and confused, which made Luffy seethe.

He didn't like that look on his brother's face. Ace was meant to be happy. He deserved to be happy. He was going to beat the crap out of the stupid pie guy.

"Ace, calm down alright." Smokey urged, his hand on Ace's shoulder who hissed. "We'll figure this out. It sounds like he has created his own clan though and has definitely left the Whitebeard's behind, somehow, even though you said he's not a Lord."

Ace took a shaky breath and nodded. "I-I need to tell Pops... And he admitted to m-murdering Thatch... God this is a nightmare..."

"I'll need to report this to your grandfather, you know that right?"

"Yeah..."

"I'll take you back to the Whitebeard manor. I'm not leaving you alone when that guy could still be nearby." Smokey grunted before glancing at him. "Straw Hat, you better stay out of trouble."

"Always!" Luffy laughed.

"I don't believe that for a second." Smokey scowled but managed to herd Ace away back to the car. "Tashigi, help the doctors but let Straw Hat take Trafalgar, the other two need to stay with you."

"Yes sir!" Tashigi nodded.

Luffy managed to take Traffy back to their hideout but Eussy was pissed at the sight and demanded to know what happened, it was complicated though and Luffy wasn't sure how to explain it properly. Robin thankfully was there, she was smart and always knew how to explain stuff while he settled Law down on his bed, who didn't even respond to him.

"You remember how Traffy-san is a Spirit Healer yes?" Robin asked while Eussy frowned.

"Of course I do, but what does this have to do with him laying there like this? He's not moved or closed his eyes, he's just staring at the ceiling!" Kid snapped while Luffy sat on the edge of Law's bed, kicking his legs in boredom.

"Well Spirit Healers are light beings and thus are not meant to kill with their powers. Law always uses his Devil Fruit abilities or Kikoku, his demon sword, to kill, not himself. Today however, he used his abilities as a Spirit Healer to destroy someone's soul, two people's souls more like, and thus, he is being punished."

"His body is punishing him?!" Eussy gaped, horrified. "He was defending himself!"

"Unfortunately it doesn't matter. Law destroyed someone's soul completely and his own soul is unhappy with that." Robin explained. "His own body has now put him in suspended animation. He took two people's souls so he will remain like this for quite some time. The bright side though is that this has stopped Law-san from becoming corrupted."

"What do you mean?" Eussy frowned while Luffy watched as Robin gently took Traffy's hand, showing the black fingers.

"He feels ice cold because of the corruption, once he warms up again and the black covering his hands disappears he should awaken again. If this had reached his heart he would have been corrupted and would have become a fallen light being. Law-san would have completely changed if that had happened but thankfully his body and soul were both intelligent enough to put him out for now."

"So it's not a punishment?"

"Oh it still is. It's saving him and holding him at the same time. Law-san might be able to hear everything we are saying right now, but he cannot speak or move or even see." Robin sighed. "These will be a long few days for him."

"Traffy I'll go get some fish from Sanji ready for you for when you wake up!" Luffy said, giving Law's hand a squeeze to reassure him. "Eussy, you gonna stay with him for now?"

"It's Eustass. Now move." Eussy ordered, Luffy grinning as he jumped off the bed, watching as the Human Lord went and sat down, holding Law's hand and brushing his hair back.

Traffy was in good hands. He would be fine.

.::.

Ace paced in his room at the manor, Marco and Pop's were discussing things now while his phone rang, trying to connect, he desperately needed someone to talk to. Kureha was gone. She was gone, just like that, someone he could actually talk to about his parents and now she wasn't going to be around anymore.

"Ace? Shit I've been trying to get into contact with you! Are you okay? You and Luffy weren't hurt were you?" Sabo called out, sounding alarmed.

"Teach betrayed us! He killed Kureha and she's been around since I was a kid! She was like an Aunt to me, a crazy, knife wielding Aunt but still! She knew Mum and Dad and she used to tell me stories about them both and now she's just gone-"

"Fuck, Ace breathe. Calm down. You're rambling and crap I'm nowhere near you right now, you're at the manor right?"

"Y-Yeah, went and t-told Pops what happened..." Ace offered as he curled up against the wall, taking a shaky breath. "What do I do?"

"Nothing reckless. If you even try go after Blackbeard I'm coming to knock you out and tie you up-"

Ace sniffed but couldn't help but add in a cheeky comment. "Only Smokey gets to do kinky stuff to me Sabo."

"Oh shush." Sabo hushed him, sounding amused before his tone softened further. "But really Ace, please just stay close to everyone. Teach always seemed interested in you, a bit too much but we all thought it was harmless. He knows about you."

"I know he knows! He told me that to my face!" Ace complained, he hated how much they were babying him right now, he knew the dangers dammit.

"Teach is a weird guy, there's something wrong with him. I'm starting to think he might be a Lord considering he had those pawns with him or something different... Just please, stay safe okay?"

Ace sighed. "I'll try keep calm... I'll try..."

For Luffy's sake. Luffy needed him still. Seriously, Lu' would burn down the apartment without him there to supervise.

.::.

"Doffy what are we going to do? Dr. Kureha is dead." Lami frowned, watching her Father pace while she continued to braid Rebecca's hair, who sat on the carpet patiently. "My medication will only last for a few months at the most, after that... Well Law and I won't survive the Amber Lead disease without it. Dr. Kureha never told us how to make it, we relied on her for it."

"I'm sorry, I can't heal it." Rebecca apologised, looking upset which made Lami smiled.

"We could not either and Spirit Healer's healing abilities have always been stronger than the elven people." Lami soothed.

"Don't worry Lami, I'll sort this out." Doffy assured her but looked so serious as he turned to Baby-5 who was pouring out tea for herself and Rebecca. "Baby-5, I need you to do something for me."

"You need me Young Master?" Baby-5 instantly beamed, making Lami laugh softly, fond of the familiarity.

"Yes, go tell Gladius, Diamante and Corazon that I have a job for all of them to do." Doffy ordered, his face pondering. "It needs to be done quietly of course."

"What are the orders Young Master? Or shall I bring them here?"

"Fufufufu, that would be good, yes. There is much to discuss after all."

Once Baby-5 was away Lami couldn't help but ask about it. "What's going on Father? What did you do?"

Doffy laughed lightly. "I'm going to have them kidnap Kureha's little star pupil. Straw Hat's pawn should know exactly how to make the medication, for the days she couldn't do herself. If not he's a clever thing, he should be able to come up with it himself."

"That will really anger the Boggart Lord." Lami mused, as she twirled the braid into a bun, pinning it in place and smiling, pleased with her work. "Do you like it Rebecca?"

Rebecca picked up the mirror again and smiled. "It's lovely, thank you Lami."

"Fufufufu, to be fair. Blackbeard really was surprisingly handy for me even if I had no idea he was going to be there. I was planning to get rid of Drum Hospital after mine had been built after all,. It certainly was coincidence that Law's now pretty much lost his only job. Even funnier now that I've taken most of Drum's staff under my wing, considering the hospital was pretty much destroyed."

"Will you offer Law-san a job too?" Rebecca asked.

"My son is an amazing surgeon, he would be great working there. Right now if my information is correct Law is too exhausted to meet with me, maybe after a week he will-"

Lami interrupting him, frowning sternly. "What do you mean? Did he get hurt in the fire?"

Doffy sighed. "Unfortunately Law was pretty reckless when trying to protect Kureha. He took two of Blackbeard's pawn's souls and we both know what happened when Spirit Healers do that, now don't we?"

"Is Law being corrupted?!" Lami cried out, alarmed and all ready to stand up and run out the manor to go find her stupid brother but their father only laughed.

"He'll be fine. Don't worry. His body seems to have put him in suspended animation for now, a 'time out' if you will. He should be recovering now." Doffy smiled at her. "Monet managed to keep an eye on him until the Boggart Lord took him away."

"Jeez, you gave me a heart attack there Father." Lami huffed as she crossed her arms.

"Sorry darling." Doffy apologised with a grin.

.::.

Kid stirred from his place beside Law's bed, hearing Law finally shift in his suspended animation. A while ago Law's eyes finally closed, making him seem as if he was just asleep and his body had began to warm back up. The corruption was slowly disappearing from his skin, now back down to his knuckles instead of over most of his hand. He paused when Law stirred, his eyes beginning to open again, looking so much more alive than they had before making Kid grin.

"Hey you, how ya feeling?" Kid asked, keeping his voice low just in case Law was sensitive at the moment.

He had been stuck like that for days.

"...Scared..." Law croaked out, startling him. "Eustass-ya... Kureha made my medication... She's gone now..."

Shit. Oh fucking shit.

"You don't know how to make it? Do you?" Kid cursed, standing up immediately. "Oh shit, fuck, r-right we'll just have to find out how to get ya some right? Hopefully it'll be easy! That raccoon thing of Luffy's might know something-"

Law shook his head, looking worried. "H-Hopefully... I-I don't want to die... I don't want me or Lami to die..."

Kid clenched his teeth at that and squeezed Law's hand tighter. "Fuck, alright, don't be scared 'kay? I ain't gonna let ya die-"

"I'm not scared..." Kid made a confused noise at that, Law had just told him he was. "Not for me... Lami..."

"You aren't scared for yourself. It's Lami you're scared for." Kid realised, stunned at the thought before sneering. "Well I don't want you to die either so get terrified of death yeah? You ain't allowed to die."

Law smirked weakly at that and nodded. "Idiotstass, of course not... You'll burn down the apartment without me..."

"Damn right I will." Kid agreed, even if he really wanted to argue that point.

It had only been a couple of times.

.:End of Chapter:.