Chapter 8

A muffled cry made her glance back at her newest addition to her studies. Lami smiled sweetly at the man, tutting at the terror in his eyes.

"Don't give me such a look. It's rude." Lami tutted as she circled round the table her 'patient' was strapped to, twirling the scalpel playfully in her hand. "I'm not doing anything wrong. You see my brother and I shared a common goal once upon a time. It's been so many years though and while his perspective has changed mine has not."

She tapped the scalpel off of the metal table, making a curious noise as she continued her one sided conversation. "It's such a shame my brother turned his back on it but I am glad he's learning to be happy. Me? I'm happy of course but I still want the world to burn around me. If I am to die soon then I will take as many people with me as I can. All in spite. So my apologises, I know you are not very high ranked in the government but I still need you to die for me, after everything you people did to my family."

Lami cheerfully patted the man's cheek, savouring the cry from beneath the gag stuffed into his mouth. She would cut him for each life taken in those terrible days where her world burned around her.

She had only given him a precious few so far, her parents, her grandmother and grandfather. Her best friend who had the biggest, cheekiest smile on her face at all times, who had wanted to be a singer and travel the world and heal people with the lull of her voice.

She never even made it out of Flevance.

No, this man had thousands upon thousands of cuts awaiting him. Everyone did. Everyone would feel the horrible pain and suffering she had gone through at the world's hands.

.::.

It took Law a full on week to be able to climb out of bed and move around again. His hands still shook at times and sometimes his body would disobey and jerk against him, as if it was not yet completely in his control yet. He never would have thought that destroying two souls would have done him this much damage.

Currently he was being helped to the meeting with some of the board members of Drum hospital, Robin had accompanied him with Chopper, Penguin and Shachi. Law had managed to get to the office by himself, mostly, though Penguin had been forced to help him the last few steps of the way once his legs became unresponsive.

"So Law, any chance you'll be destroying souls ever again?" Penguin asked, looking as displeased as usual.

Penguin had not been happy to learn what he did.

"I would rather not try that again anytime soon." Law admitted as he sat down, thankful for the chair as Penguin kneeled down on the floor in front of him.

"I would be pleased if you never did that ever again." Penguin quipped.

Chopper-ya nodded at that. "It does put a large strain on your body Law and with your health being as it is..."

"Speaking of health, you don't look good at all Chopper." Shachi pointed out bluntly, only for Nico-ya to glare at him for it. "He doesn't!"

"I'll relax after this meeting is over. Mine is just after Law's." Chopper said as he curled up against his side, letting Law reach out and run a hand over his fur. "I hope they can fix the hospital."

"We should just get Cyborg-ya to rebuild it from scratch." Law suggested.

"He could put in a slide!" Shachi grinned. "And a girl's shower room with a window-"

Penguin sighed longingly at that. "That sounds perfect!"

"Aren't you with Killer-san?" Robin asked, arching an eyebrow.

Penguin flushed at that. "His body is even better..."

"Oh jeez! Did not need to hear that!" Shachi protested but gaped just as Law registered a familiar presence approaching them.

"Cora-san?" Law called out softly, startled as the giant blonde approached, surprisingly not tripping up and falling flat on his face.

"Hey Law." Cora-san greeted gently, only pausing when he saw Robin cross her arms, a warning look aimed at him while Shachi and Penguin both tensed and Chopper gripped his hat tightly, looking panicked. "I hope you aren't threatening me Nico Robin."

"I would rather you backed away Dragon Lord-san."

"I'm here to see my nephew before you drag him off again." Cora-san's voice was darkening, much to Law's alarm as he sat up from his slouched position against the wall. "Law, stay seated please. I don't want you to strain yourself."

"Hey Cora-san." Shachi greeted wearily as he eyed the room. "No big brother today?"

"He was here earlier." Cora-san offered. "Penguin, hold Nico Robin still would you?"

Penguin tensed before suddenly disappeared into shadow and reappearing at Robin's back, his arm clamped around her neck and the seastone dagger he always carried pointed at her chest, Penguin's face full of alarm.

"Shit! Not now!" Penguin cursed, his arm shaking as he tried to pull away, though unsuccessfully. "Robin-"

"It's alright Shadow-san. I know it's not your fault." Robin said grimly, eyes narrowed on Cora-san still.

"None of your Lords are here. That was reckless of all of you." His uncle growled while Shachi and Law traded glances.

Law nodded for him to move away and let his uncle pass without a fuss, Shachi immediately obeyed, not wanting Cora-san to try use his Lordship over him too. His uncle was in front of him in an instant, cupping his cheek as he looked him over, eyes now soft and full of concern.

"Doffy told me what happened. Law how could you be so reckless? You're usually the careful one." His uncle frowned.

"I'm okay. I'm just tired Uncle Cora." Law grumbled. "And Doflamingo knows too? I really need to stop underestimating his resources."

"You really should know better by now." Cora-san tutted before glancing down. "And your hands are shaking, is that because of the suspended animation or the lack of medication?"

"My medication is fine for now." Law reassured. "I have about a month left if I'm careful with it."

Cora-san eyed Chopper, frowning even further. "He can't make it? He was Dr. Kureha's apprentice."

Chopper sniffed at that and shook his head. "No, it was complicated and risky she said. Doctorine told me she would teach me it one day but... But now she's..."

Law stroked his fur again, trying to comfort the young doctor. Cora-san only sighed and pulled away though, glancing him over.

"I would kidnap you now but you've got a meeting to get to and we're in the middle of town. We are coming to get you back though Law, you aren't getting involved in this Game, not on the wrong side at the very least."

"You guys are too protective." Law scowled. "Tell my father to piss off."

Cora-san frowned at that, looking hurt. "Law, he loves you-"

"He grabbed you after he tracked us back down and did something to you. I don't know what though." Law seethed. "He made you into a willing pawn somehow and I don't want that happening to me too."

"I'm not a pawn." His uncle pointed out. "I'm a Dragon Lord."

"Yet Doflamingo has still somehow done it." Law snapped.

Cora-san sighed, shaking his head. "Just try to stay safe for now? Okay Law? We both love you very much and the whole family misses you. We want you to come home, along with Shachi, Bepo, Bart and Penguin. You're all free to return at anytime."

"Thank you but no thank you Uncle Cora." Law muttered, feeling a headache coming on just as the door opened and Monet walked into the hallway, giving them all a pleasant smile.

"Law, it's your turn to go in." She purred.

He could swear that he saw Cora-san tense at her voice but dismissed it as him being tired and paranoid. He stood up carefully but relaxed when his uncle ruffled his hair.

"Take it easy, okay Law?"

"You try not to set yourself on fire then." Law replied.

"I don't always set myself on fire." Cora-san protested but smiled warmly at him. "I'll see you later then?"

"See you later." Law nodded back, snorting when Cora-san turned around and tripped-

Instantly he was on fire, making Law nearly laugh while Shachi cackled, collapsing back against a wall to brace himself as Law entered the office.

The grim silence of the room instantly told him that this was going to be a long meeting.

.::.

Killer watched quietly as his Lord found his cut off arm and yanked it back on with no care at all. Kid was still pissed off that Law had stopped him from following him out to town by opening up a Room and cutting him to pieces before scattering him around their hideout. It had kept Kid busy for a few hours though and now the redhead was nearly finished.

"Right, where the fuck did the bastard put my leg?" Kid grumbled, he was still hoping around on one foot, which had been strangely amusing to watch.

Killer's eyes were drawn away though when he glanced past Kid, noticing Straw Hat holding a very familiar leg as he tried to creep by quietly. The muffled giggles were a dead give away though and Kid turned around, spotting his prey instantly.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT! GIVE ME MY LEG BACK!"

Straw Hat instantly laughed while his sniper, who had been hiding at Luffy's side, screamed hysterically and ran for it. Killer watched as Straw Hat catapult himself out the room, still laughing as Kid hopped after them, hurling profanities.

Killer shook his head and returned his attention to the news on the television going on how the new hospital, the Donquixote Hospital, because that was a creative name, just had it's grand opening and was absolutely amazing. The news reporter was gushing over Doflamingo and the Donquixote family and how kind and generous they were and how the hospital would save many lives after the tragic fall of Drum Hospital. The news reporter was about the continue when the lounge door slammed open, Chopper, the Straw Hat's doctor, looking beyond pissed.

"How dare they even ask that?!" Chopper snarled, much to his alarm as he switched off the television. "They actually thought I would even go along with it?! That any of us would?!"

"Chopper-ya, half of our workmates already did. They can't afford to lose their jobs." Law muttered out tiredly.

He looked shattered, the meeting obviously had taken it's toll on him, either that or just walking about for so long did. Killer knew that Law was nowhere near recovered yet, his hands shaking again just proved that. What mostly alarmed him now though was how angry the soft-hearted doctor was who was still ranting while Shachi dumped himself on the couch, curling up instantly. He frowned at that before looking over Penguin, his lover looked frazzled, much to his worry and was deliberately not looking towards Nico Robin.

"They should be trying to get the board to rebuild the hospital! Drum hospital was our home Law! We've all worked there for years except the new staff!" Chopper wailed just as Law collapsed on the couch with a wince.

"What's all the screaming about?" Kid asked as he wandered back in with his newly acquired leg while Straw Hat was in a headlock, whining and squirming to be free.

"The others have returned." Killer pointed out.

Kid instantly whirled on Law, growling. "Oi! Don't you do that again you little shit! I had Straw Hat hiding my limbs while I wasn't looking!"

"That you just found everything Eustass-ya? We should do this more often, give your brain some mental stimulation." Law insulted lazily.

"Fuck you."

"You'd love that."

"What's wrong with Chopper?" Usopp, the only human apart of the Straw Hat clan, asks quietly.

"The meeting did not go so well." Robin, the banshee, offered. "We ran into Corazon-"

"Ah! Mingo's brother!" Straw Hat yelped, immediately in Law's lap who grunted. "He didn't try kidnap you?!"

"He admitted it was too public of a place."

"He did order me to keep Robin from trying to fight him." Penguin said bitterly, his eyes on the floor as he clenched his fists. "Dammit, I couldn't even resist his commands."

"It's not your fault Shadow-san. It's difficult to resist another Lord's commands without your own there. It makes it even worse that he used to be your Lord too." Robin reassured.

Killer frowned at that, remembering that Penguin hated to be ordered around like that. He hated the feeling of a Lord controlling him and Killer hated seeing the dark cloudy look in his eyes whenever it happened.

"See Law? I should have been there." Kid sneered.

"You only would have caused from trouble Eustass-ya! Cora-san would have tried to murder you the moment he sensed you."

Usopp actually interrupted, much to his surprise. "Okay, okay I get that but did your Uncle do something to piss off Chopper?"

"It was the board that did." Law admitted. "They made a deal with Doflamingo and because of his reputation and money they went instantly with him. They aren't going to rebuild Drum Hospital and if the staff who Doflamingo wants accepts it, they will be transferred to his hospital to work there instead. The others just lose their jobs or those who say no. It won't just be a children's hospital anymore either, it's now one of the main ones in the area."

"Only Law and I said no. Kaya had to go because it's apart of her course work." Chopper said through gritted teeth.

"I would have said yes if it wasn't my overprotective father who ran it." Law scowled.

"How could you say that?" Chopper frowned. "Drum Hospital-"

"It's gone and we're doctors Chopper-ya, our duty is to save lives. It shouldn't matter what hospital we work at as long as we can do that." Law lectured. "I'm going to be looking for a job at another hospital, try get as close to here as I can but the travel fares are going to be expensive when I can't drive yet."

"Law also got a note from his father." Robin said.

Law scowled at that, shifting about in his pocket before pulling a piece of paper out. "He had the board members give it to me. He wants to meet up-"

"Like fuck that's gonna happen!" Kid snapped instantly.

"It is when he's mentioned Lami's health. I haven't heard anything about her in months and I want to make sure she's alright. Her medication could be running out, depending when she last got a batch from Dr. Kureha."

"So Mingo wants to meet up with you? To talk about Lami?" Straw Hat asked.

Usopp grimaced. "This has 'trap' written all over it. Maybe it will be safer if you didn't go Law?"

"I need to find out how Lami is doing." Law admitted. "Which is annoying, the bastard knows he has me cornered."

"Big brother complexes strikes again." Shachi sniggered. "First Ace and now Law has fallen victim."

"I'm not as bad as Ace-ya."

"Shishihihihi, Ace is great!" Luffy beamed. "And Traffy, where does Mingo want to meet you? Is it here? We can beat him up if it's here!"

Law shook his head. "A coffee shop I like to frequent when I'm in town. The creepy stalker found out that's where I go, somehow. I've only been there with a few people and I've always made sure no one has followed me."

"You usually only take me or Kaya, sometimes even Monet depending what shift we're all doing." Chopper frowned.

"Doesn't matter anymore I guess. I'll just have to find somewhere else to go or just put up with it once I have my strength back."

"Great, then I'm coming with you. When ya going?" Kid asked only to duck when a pillow flew past where his head had been. "Stop being a little shit Trafalgar!"

"You are not going anywhere near the coffee shop you moron. You two would get into an argument instantly and destroy the place!"

"I'd kill the pink bastard and get him out of the way for the rest of the game!"

"Like hell you would."

"You underestimating me Law?"

Killer ignored the lover's spat and beckoned Penguin over who finally managed to look up from his examination of the floor. His boyfriend went and sat down on the couch beside him, looking withdrawn which made Killer nearly sigh. He refrained from doing so though and stroked Penguin's back.

"Don't look so sullen. It doesn't suit you." He muttered to Penguin.

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry either. It wasn't your fault."

"I hate it."

"I know." Killer sighed. "I know you do."

He would do anything to prevent Penguin from feeling so helpless but unfortunately, he wasn't strong enough to defeat either of the Dragon brothers.

.::.

Law sat down in the booth, feeling already exhausted by the walk to the coffee shop. He needed to be here though, Doflamingo had left that bloody message for him about Lami's health and it nearly drove him crazy just thinking about it. Luffy-ya and Nami-ya had followed him though and made sure he got to the shop safely enough, the pair in another booth nearby, obviously here to keep an eye on him.

Or maybe Nami was taking advantage and finally getting a date in. Luffy-ya must be a tough one to go on a dinner date with, considering he would probably eat all the food in the restaurant.

Law paused his musing, registering that his hand was shaking and held it still with the other, cursing softly to himself. His body was still recovering which was going to make this meeting even worse. He wouldn't be able to defend himself if thing's turned ugly.

"Hello Law." A very familiar voice greeted him warmly which made him look up, frowning at the blonde haired giant before him, chuckling fondly. "No need to look so excited to see me."

"Hello Doffy." Law greeted softly, watching as his adopted father sat down across from him, a waitress approaching and giving them both their orders.

"You shouldn't be drinking coffee." Doflamingo scolded him, making him snort.

"I rarely listened to you when I was seven, why do you think I'll listen now?"

"Such an unruly child." Doflamingo chuckled fondly before frowning. "I think we both know why I asked you to meet me here Law."

"If it's a lecture I'd rather not hear it."

"It's a warning for a runaway child." His adoptive father said. "You should come home before anything bad happens to your friends. My men know better than to harm you but everyone else is fair game."

Law gritted his teeth at that as he sipped at his coffee, glaring at the blonde over the cup. Doflamingo only smirked at him though, looking completely smug.

"You're also such a sickly thing right now." Doflamingo crooned. "I'm more curious if it's due to the lack of medication or if it's because of you crushing those men's souls?"

Law frowned at that. "I really need to stop underestimating your informants."

"Fufufufu, the only thing I can't find out is where your little hideout is."

Law made sure to remain silent about it, not wanting to give the Dragon Lord anything on it. "How's Lami doing? You mentioned her in your letter."

"If I told you she was dying would you come running back?" Doflamingo drawled out, looking amused.

Law only glowered, earning a laugh in return. He ignored his 'father' and took another sip of his coffee, gritting his teeth when his hand shook, nearly making him spill it. He quickly set the cup down and rested his trembling hand on the table, unable to help but glare at it. He did pause though when Doflamingo's hand grabbed his own, examining it as his thumb stroked over the corruption.

"My poor baby. You really have been reckless since your Uncle kidnapped you." Doflamingo chided softly, frowning at his hand. "Don't do that again Law. I refuse to lose you."

"It's none of your business." Law huffed, embarrassed as he tugged his hand away.

He nearly shuddered at the dark look Doflamingo gave him. "You're my son."

"How's Lami doing?" He repeated the question, not wanting to discuss that particular topic right now.

"She's fine Law. She still has a few months worth left of medicine. I take it you don't know how to make it either though?"

"I don't." Law admitted before sighing at Doflamingo's silence after that. "How is your hospital coming along Doflamingo? I heard you'll be getting very busy."

"We got a rush of donations in after Drum Hospital's tragic breakdown. It was such a shame too but it is keeping us very busy now." Doflamingo smirked at him, now amused instead of serious. "How about it Law? Come work for me?"

Law chuckled. "And why would I do that? You'll drag me back so easily if I just joined you."

"How stubborn." Doflamingo huffed as he stood up, reaching out and ruffling Law's hair who blinked, startled at the affection. "It would be so much nicer if you just behaved but I can't say I didn't try to bring you back home with just words. I'll just have to see you later then, alright Law?"

"See you Doffy." Law nodded and watched as the blonde smiled before quietly leaving.

.::.

Smoker paused when he heard the knock on his front door and turned off the news about the Drum hospital and Donquixote Hospital collaboration to go answer it. He opened it up to see a familiar tired and grumpy looking face while his newest apparent bodyguards stood behind him, Izo offering a nod in greeting while Marco lazily waved.

"Hey Ace." He welcomed his lover who grumbled something charming before walking into the house. "Take it he's still angry about not being allowed to go after Blackbeard then?"

"And being followed everywhere to make sure he doesn't get kidnapped." Izo answered dryly. "He's not in the best of moods right now."

Ace had been stubborn and had kept trying to go find Blackbeard but thankfully they had all caught onto the brat's idea and dragged him back. Thus earning the current, grumpy brat now in his house, who, from the sounds of it, was digging through the kitchen cupboards. They had mentioned the situation to Straw Hat but the kid didn't seem alarmed by it while the other brother apparently had been and had threatened to murder them all if they let Ace go.

He had also noticed that every time Ace was over at his house now there was always new people lingering around the street for hours on end, people that weren't Whitebeard's men. He glanced around, spotting a orange haired girl wearing pink, sitting on the bench and reading a newspaper across the road and frowned. Smoker swore that he had seen her before too, and not just on this street.

He was interrupted from his thoughts when Izo handed him a bottle filled with pills, making him raise an eyebrow. Marco was eyeing Izo too before sighing to himself.

"He's rarely been sleeping and hasn't even managed to relax. I'm worried." Izo hissed at the blonde before scowling at Smoker. "Our doctor back home made them up for Ace, put it in his drink and let it dissolve and he'll become more lethargic. I've been using them and they're fine."

"You've been using them too?" Smoker raised an eyebrow.

Izo bristled. "Don't ask."

Marco shrugged. "They do help, plenty of our group takes them when they can't relax, the doctors did say not to give Ace too many though because of his narcolepsy."

"It stops him from trying to sneak out at night at the very least." Izo scowled.

"I've got work tomorrow afternoon. Are you picking him up or am I dropping him off?" Smoker asked, wanting to finish this conversation.

He hated having to deal with these criminals. They were at his bloody door all the time because of this new situation, he would have just picked up Ace all the time himself but Garp had told him to just put up with it and make sure Ace didn't run off. Not like he was planning to let Ace go chase after some backstabbing bastard in the first place but still, he didn't want to put up with the other criminals because of it.

"We'll pick him up." Marco drawled out after a shared glance with Izo.

"Right then. Goodnight." Smoker grumbled and closed the door, not even waiting for the two to leave as he locked it after him.

He headed for the kitchen, seeing his boyfriend munching on cereal much to his bemusement as he leaned against the door.

"Taking out your anger on my food brat?"

"I don't need to be babysat all the time."

Smoker sighed at that. "If you didn't act so recklessly there wouldn't be a need for you to get followed about. I even have random strangers on the street watching the house whenever you're about."

"Sabo's friends." Ace grumbled out. "He worries too."

"Everyone seems worried."

"Not Luffy! He has faith in me!"

"Your brother is even more reckless than you are." Smoker pointed out.

Ace sulked at that. "That's true. So I hear you'll be busy soon?"

"For awhile. I'm going to investigate the Donquixote Hospital that recently opened up after Drum's fall, there's been troubling rumours about sick experiments going on down in the lower depths."

"Rumours?"

"I don't know where they started and the force hasn't given the 'all clear' for a search yet but I won't wait. Not while there could be lives in danger." Smoker growled out, biting down on his cigar while Ace tilted his head.

"I haven't heard much about the hospital to be honest. My family's been more concerned about Teach's whereabouts. We haven't heard anything since Drum Hospital." Ace sighed. "There's too many people looking for him together, if it was just me..."

"I'm not going to let you kill someone." Smoker pointed out. "I could put you in jail right now just for saying stuff like this."

"I'm surprised you haven't tried."

"If you keep it up I might. It would certainly keep you out of trouble." Smoker warned him. "I'm going to have to let the Whitebeard's take you back when I start investigating by the way. It shouldn't be for long but..."

"I know. 'It's for my own good'." Ace said spitefully.

Smoker grunted at that before ruffling his lover's hair. "You eaten yet brat? It's getting late."

"Had dinner back home. Just needed a snack."

"Then let's watch a movie or something for tonight." Smoker tried to coax him into relaxing with him, which thankfully seemed to work.

"Can we watch a comedy? I really want something funny."

"Sure. You go pick out what you want and I'll get snacks." He chuckled, watching as Ace gulped down the rest of his bowl and washed it up before heading for the living room.

He took out the pills and eyed them distastefully. He did know that his boyfriend hadn't been sleeping properly, he would toss and turn at night whenever he managed to slip into a doze and only his narcolepsy would knock him out completely now. The lack of sleep was leaving Ace tired out and cranky, which was making his attitude even worse.

Smoker sighed and set up the tea, following the instructions on the bottle and adding two pills into one of the cups before filling it with the tea and stirring it, making sure they both dissolved. He grumbled at the sight of all the dishes he had piled up, not in the mood to carry them all and decided to let his fruit do the work, the smoke carrying them all through, earning a surprised noise from Ace in the living room as Smoker brought through the cups of tea.

"Feeling lazy babe?" Ace asked, grinning softly at him.

"Hush you." Smoker grumbled, watching as Ace slide the disk into the player and climbed back up on to the couch.

He let Ace get comfy against him before handing him his tea, making sure Ace would get the drugged cup who sipped at it. It was about twenty minutes into the movie when Ace finally slumped against him, groaning weakly while Smoker rubbed his back, trying to ease him out further.

"You drugged me..." Ace muttered, his body finally relaxing against him. "...Izo gave you the pills? ...Right?"

"He did." Smoker nodded, brushing Ace's hair back out of his face. "You alright?"

"Just sleepy." The brat yawned into his palm.

"Try and sleep. You've been stressing yourself out too much recently." Smoker chided, glancing down at his boyfriend to see his eyelids drooping.

"...You all suck..." Ace insulted them, much to his bemusement.

"Sleep brat. You'll feel better in the morning."

He switched off the movie once Ace was snoring lightly against him, all relaxed now and finally settled for the night. He managed to slip out from Ace's side and laid the brat down, cleaning up all the snacks before heading back into the living room and picking his lover up and carrying him upstairs to his room.

Once he managed to get Ace changed and in bed he sat down, watching his younger lover sleep, the drugs making him look more peaceful than he had been in a while. Smoker sighed at that, rubbing his hand over his face before leaning down and kissing Ace's forehead.

"Don't be an idiot Portgas. I want you to be safe and happy, so stop being so reckless with your life." Smoker grumbled to him before shaking his head and pulling away. "I better get that bloody paperwork done your grandfather keeps dumping on me. That bastard. I swear he's trying to piss me off just because we're going out."

Ace's family really were protective over him.

.:End of Chapter:.

P. D. Ave - Thanks, glad you're enjoying it :D