Without Law

Part Two

Neo linked her arms with Penguin's as they headed into the village. They strolled along as the world around them chattered with sales pitches, children laughing, adults talking, dogs barking. As they walked along they ended up accidentally bumping into someone. "Hey, watch it! What's wrong with you?! Don't you have eyes?!"

"Great," Penguin mumbled when he realized who they bumped into.

"Well, if it isn't one of the Heart Pirates," Eustass chuckled darkly. Killer was standing with him. He turned his masked face to Neo and inspected her closely. Neo felt like his eyes were on Law's ring. She removed her hand from Penguin's arm and tucked it behind her while glaring at the masked man. "Who's the chick?"

"No one," Penguin said as he stepped in front of Neo. "She's none of your concern."

"I heard rumors that Trafalgar obtained a female crew member," Eustass said as he scanned his eyes over Neo. "The child must have gotten weaker if he needs woman to fight for him."

Neo glared at him as she clenched her fists. Eustass began to laugh. "She doesn't look like she could fight a normal man let alone a pirate. She's so puny. And Trafalgar thinks she can be one of us?"

"Come on, Captain. Let's just get out of here," Killer suggested. "We didn't stop here for a fight. Besides it's obvious that Trafalgar isn't with them."

"Yeah, it would be too easy to take these babies out. But I have to know, hey, girly, what did Trafalgar see in you to take you in?

"How about I show you?" Neo asked through her clenched teeth. She summoned her crystals, but kept them well above eye level. The wind began to pick up as storm clouds rolled in.

"Neo," Penguin warned but it was too late. Neo brought down a lightning bolt right in front of Eustass. The red haired pirate stumbled back in shock while cursing under his breath. In all of the confusion Penguin grabbed her and took off. As he did her storm faded away leaving stunned villagers and pirates.

"What the heck was that?!" Eustass demanded. "Where did they go?! She is going to pay for that."

"Um, Captain," Killer said as he pointed to his captain's coat tail. "Your coat's on fire."

"Ah!" Eustass ripped off his coat, dropped it to the ground and stomped out the flames. "Curse that woman! What did she do?!"

"Let's just get out of here," Killer suggested again. "We don't have time to track them down."

"Fine," Eustass grumbled as he picked up his coat and they left.

…

Penguin carried her all the way back to the campsite. He placed her back on her feet then placed his hands on his hips, speaking to her like a parent. "Neo, are you insane? What were you thinking attacking him of all people? You know the captain wouldn't like you trying to fight Eustass like that."

"I'm sorry," Neo mumbled before dropped to her knees. She wrapped her arms around herself and cried. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Penguin sighed. He kneed down and pulled her into his arms. "It's okay. I understand he upset you. But you can't attack a guy like him out of anger. You know that."

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again," Neo said as she lifted off of him.

"That's a good girl," Penguin said soothingly as he wiped her tears from her cheeks. "On a plus side, I think you took him by surprise. And you've gotten very quick in your attacks. He didn't even noticed you'd set his coat on fire until after we were long gone."

There was a short pause before Neo spoke again.

"I think Killer might have figured out who I am to Law. He saw Law's ring," She touched his ring. "Think he'll tell?"

"I doubt it," Penguin replied. "Believe it or not, he's actually the sensible one in that crew. He has no reason to tell Eustass that he suspects you are romantically involved with the captain or that you're his wife."

Penguin looked back in the direction they just came from. Their camp was far enough away from the village that they could train in private, but still close enough to walk to and from it. "It's probably best if we don't return to the village until they have left."

"Okay," Neo nodded.

…

Neo walked alone through the dark woods. A small beam of moonlight fell down upon her. It moved with her like a spotlight as she walked on the leave covered path. A cold breeze swept through the world she was walking through. Leaves danced on the winds as they blew.

Her eyes wondered over the darkness. She could see glowing eyes watching her. Wolves and other beasts of the night seem to be watching her carefully. They weren't stalking her, just watching. She wasn't afraid of them either.

She paused when the woods in front of her disappeared then reappeared to her left. She turned to her left and started walking again. As she walked sounds of ocean waves hitting the beach began to fill her ears. The wooded path came to an end as she walked out onto a beach to find Law standing there. He smiled and held out his hand. "Hey, princess, I've been waiting for you."

"Law!" Neo ran to him. She reached to grabbed his hand, but her hand went right through his and he disappeared. "Law?"

Neo whipped around when laughter rang out. She didn't know who was laughing. She couldn't place the voice with anyone she knew. "Who are you?! What do you want?!"

"He's dead," The voice said. "He won't be coming back to you."

"Stop it!" Neo shouted. She whipped around to see Law again. He was standing up, but his chest had bullet holes. His eyes were white as blood ran down his body. She ran over to him, but once again he disappeared. "Law?!"

"He's dead. He's dead," The voice kept repeating. "He's dead. Dead. Dead. Dead!"

"No! Stop it!" Neo cried as she grabbed her head, trying to shut out the voice. "Stop it! He's not!"

"He's not! Stop it! Please, stop!"

"Neo. Neo, wake up," Penguin called as he held her shoulders and shook her.

"No!" Neo shouted before she finally broke free of her nightmare. She shot up and grabbed her head. "He's dead. He's dead. Law's dead."

"No, he's not," Penguin took her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. "Honey, calm down. It was just a nightmare. The captain's just fine."

"P-Penguin," Neo finally focused on him. She looked around at the concerned faces of the crew. Bepo had his ears pinned back with worry. She took a couple deep breathes before she was calm enough to speak to them. "It was just a nightmare. I'm sorry I woke you all. I'm fine now. You can go back to sleep."

The crew, all but for Penguin, Bepo and Shachi did as she said. Bepo's ears were still pinned back as he scooted closer to her. He was so concerned about her. "Neo?"

"Bepo…Come here," She patted the ground beside her. He did as she asked and moved to sit beside her. She scratched behind his ear to calm him down. Shachi moved closer as well. He lifted her legs so he could place them across his lap. With Bepo and Penguin at her sides and Shachi in front of her holding her legs, she felt she was in a protected cocoon and told them about her nightmare.

"There, there," Shachi said soothingly as he patted her leg. "It's over now. It was just a nightmare."

"I don't think it was," Neo replied softly. Her hand raised to her chest and she clenched ahold of his shirt she was wearing. "I felt him. I…I think he really did get…get…"

The three men exchanged looks. They scooted closer to her. Penguin placed his around her shoulders. They stayed like that for the rest of the night.

…

Law had one of his arms crossed over his knees. His other elbow was propped on his knee as he placed his chin in his hand. He had slipped out of Kyros's house. They all were resting up from their fight with Doflamingo. It was over. Soon he would be reunited with his crew and with his love.

He looked out of the corner of his eyes when he heard someone approaching. "Thinking about someone special?"

"What do you want?" Law asked as Sabo sat down beside him.

"So harsh," Sabo chuckled as he handed Law a plate of food and a cup of tea. "And here I thought I'd be nice and bring you something to eat before Luffy ate it all."

"I'm not hungry."

"You don't have to be so protective of her around me. Luffy already told me everything," Sabo said as he kicked his feet out in front of him and leaned back on his hands.

"He needs to learn to keep his mouth shut," Law mumbled as he glared out into the darkness.

"That's Luffy for ya," Sabo shrugged. "He means well."

The two slid into silence. Law continued to start out into the night as his mind counted up the days, hours, minutes and seconds before he'd finally be reunited with her.

…

Author's Notes: And a completely, random appearance by Eustass and Killer!

LilyAllycia: Yeah. And here yet another one. *tears* All well at least Law if finally coming home to her. Can't wait for that one.

Apple Bloom: No, no, she's not pregnant. She's just really upset to the point it made her physically ill. She's very close and attached to Law. And this was the first time since they've been together that they had to separate.

Audrey: Yeah, it's in english. And I can't get it until later this month. :'(

tentenbaby: Yes, yes they do. Very much.