Loyalty

Characters: Heart Pirates, Law, Penguin, Shachi, Bepo. Rating: K. Warnings: None

While it wasn't uncommon for the Heart Pirates to make their disagreement known in they didn't like their captain's decision, there was only one occasion that they seriously considered mutiny.

Punk Hazard.

The fact that their captain expected them to leave him, alone and without backup, on an island controlled by his nemesis was ludicrous, to put it mildly.

"No," was the blunt response from Penguin when Law revealed his intentions, in sight of the frozen shore.

"Hell no," Shachi added, arms crossed firmly.

Their captain looked down at them, unsurprised but unimpressed. No-one backed down, not even the often apologetic Bepo.

"That isn't your call to make," he reminded them. "Last I checked, I was the captain."

"And this crew won't let their captain go off on a stupid suicidal quest," Penguin retorted. "Infiltration, sure. We know that's a one person job. We also know you're the only one of us that stands a chance getting in, Shichibukai-san. But like hell are you sending the rest of us that far away!"

Law frowned, unrelenting in his decision.

"Be as that may, you will leave me and continue on to Zou," he stated, laying down the order flatly. Looking at Bepo, he added "Bepo's been waiting long enough."

"No, captain," Bepo corrected. "I don't want to go there without you. I want to be able to show you Zou!"

"Show it to me once you know your way around it," Law countered, his knuckles white where he gripped Kikoku. Bepo shook his head.

"I want to learn it with you!" he protested. "Please, captain. Don't make us leave you." The rest of the crew gave noises of agreement. Law's face tightened, looking slightly pained.

"You have to," he told them, a slight edge of desperation tinting his voice. That was enough to make them pause, looking at each other in concern. Their captain was never so open with his emotions when he gave them orders.

Predictably, it was Penguin and Shachi who stepped up, taking hold of their captain by his arms and leading him away. An uncomfortable silence stretched over the rest of the crew as they waited, unsure what was going on, and hoping Penguin and Shachi would get to the bottom of it one way or the other.

It was a long wait, at least a quarter of an hour, before the three emerged. All eyes focused on Law, but it was Penguin who spoke.

"We're heading to Zou," he told them, his reluctance clear in his voice. This time, no-one dared complain.

"I will stay in touch if I can," Law continued, looking more like his usual confident self. They all knew the risks of infiltration, knew Law couldn't promise anything, so they nodded numbly, wondering what on earth was going on that Penguin and Shachi had been convinced to let Law go through with his scheme. "Bepo, I'll take your vivre card with me so I can rejoin you once this is finished."

The mink gave a silent nod, handing over the slip of paper. Before Law could continue, he withdrew more paper, also pressing them into his hands.

"Maps," he explained as Law raised an eyebrow. "Even if we're not there, you're not going alone." For the first time since Law had announced his plan, he smiled.

"Thank you, Bepo," he said sincerely. The mink nodded, paused for a moment, then enveloped the captain in a tight hug.

"Be safe, captain!" he wailed, rubbing his cheek against Law's hat and dislodging it slightly. "Look after yourself!" Exchanging a glance, the crew surged forwards, each claiming their captain in turn for their own hugs once Bepo released him. Penguin and Shachi were last, simultaneously wrapping their arms around him.

"Don't go doing anything stupid," Shachi told him, squeezing tightly enough to draw a small oof from their captain.

"You'd better come back in one piece," Penguin added. "Otherwise we're never letting you out of our sight again. Got it?"

"You've made your point," Law sighed, patiently waiting for them to release him. They did so after another couple of seconds. "Wait for me on Zou," he repeated.

They all nodded, watching a Room expand to reach the icy shore of Punk Hazard. There were no more words; Law simply disappeared, leaving everyone staring at a chunk of ice and wondering what they'd just done.

"Let's get going to Zou," Shachi announced after a few moments. The crew sluggishly began to move, before Penguin spoke up.

"Our orders are to wait for him," he reiterated. The crew paused, waiting for him to continue. He held up a vivre card. "But like hell we're staying put if this lights up." Suddenly far more accepting of the situation, the crew cheered.

Their captain could say what he liked, but the Heart Pirates would never abandon him.

There's no way they let Law leave them without a fight. The question is, how did he convince them? Admittedly, I didn't really answer that here, although I may visit the conversation Penguin and Shachi had with him at a later date.

Thanks for reading!
Tsari