Amazon Lily

Part Three

"Sounds like he finally stopped screaming," Shachi said, his fishing line dangling lifelessly in the water below. The crew had gathered on the edge of the cliff shortly after Jinbe had disappeared into the forest with Luffy.

Law still had Neo sitting in front of him between his legs even though Straw Hat was no longer near them. He had the fingers of his right hand entwined with hers while holding the straw hat in his left hand. While keeping one hand constantly on his, she would occasionally use her other hand to brush her fingertips over the straw hat and give it a curious look. Law would always watch her carefully when she did this. He wondered if she was going to start glowing like she did in the sub.

"Yeah." Penguin nodded. He then looked over his shoulder. "I wonder where they went. Is it really a good idea for him to be traipsing through the forest with those injuries? They might be in more danger from going where they're not supposed to than from their wounds."

"I doubt that," a crewmate said. "The empress is very fond of Straw Hat remember? She wanted him at her castle when we first arrived."

"Lucky him," another crewmate said.

The rest sighed with a nod of agreement.

"Hey! I finally caught one!" Shachi cried out. Everyone looked at him while he held up the fish on the line.

"Uh?" Neo suddenly tightened her hold on Law's hand. A light salty breeze teased her hair as she looked out to the sea.

"What's wrong, Neo?" Law asked.

The crew turned their eyes to her.

"There's something happening in the ocean," Neo replied.

"What do you mean?" Shachi asked. He turned his eye out to the water.

"Hey! I see something!" Penguin pulled up his binoculars to his hidden eyes. "I think I just saw a fish."

A gush of water rose up when a large sea king leaped out of the sea with a deep roar. The crew gasped at the size of it. "Wow! That thing is so huge!"

Shachi asked, "What's happening? Is it fighting with something? Another fish maybe?"

"It is fighting something," Neo said with a light tremble. Law looked down at the girl in his hold. She tilted her eyes up to him. "But it's not another fish. I can sense something else. It's familiar. I don't like it."

"It's dead!" Penguin informed them. "What killed it?"

"There's someone in the water!" Bepo yelled.

"Huh?!" The crew gasped when a human hand emerged from the water. They watched as the hand came closer to the cliff. White hair then popped out of the water and a man became to climb up the side of the cliff towards them.

Neo's body tensed up at the memory of him in the auction house at the same time Law narrowed his eyebrows. The closer the man got to the top of the cliff the more Neo's anxiety rose. She pressed her back into Law's chest with a low whimper.

Law dropped his right arm from his knees to wrap around her waist. He leaned close to her ear to whisper to her. "Take a deep breath. He's not going to use his haki here. I won't let him knock you out like that again."

Neo obeyed his command. She took a deep breath. It helped her relax a little, but she still remained firmly pressed against Law's chest.

The old man grumbled while stepping upon to the cliff. "Good grief."

Neo's body flinched when the crew shouted, "It's Dark King Rayleigh!"

"Hm? Oh, it's you guys. We met back on the Sabaody Archipelago in the auction house." Rayleigh looked over the crew. His gaze paused when his eyes landed on Neo.

"B-but how did you get here? Where is your ship?" Penguin asked.

"Oh, it sank in a storm a little while ago. I had to swim here," Rayleigh said his eyes still on Neo.

"What?!" the crew shouted.

"But the calm belt doesn't have storms. That means you had to swim from somewhere farther away?!" Shachi shouted. "You can't be serious!"

"That's a legendary pirate for ya!" a crewmate shouted. "He killed a sea king too! Impressive!"

Law growled disapprovingly at the prolonged look Rayleigh was giving Neo. Sensing their captain's shift in mood, the crew looked at him then noticed Rayleigh's stare at their girl.

Rayleigh chuckled when the entire crew shifted into 'Protect Neo Mode' and gathered closer to her and Law. He said, "Sorry, that's the second time I've caused this reaction with you all where the girl is concerned. I really intent her no harm. And I would have handled my haki differently if I had known before hand that she was in the auction house. Anyway, I assume Straw Hat is here. If you can just tell me where he is, I'll just get out of your way."

"He's in t-" Shachi started.

"No!" Law hissed, cutting off Shachi. His gray eyes were locked onto the white haired man.

Neo tilted her eyes up to him when he tightened his hold on her again. But Law didn't look back down at her this time. He just kept his intense glare on Rayleigh.

"Captain?" Bepo asked.

"It's obvious you know something about her. I want to know what it is. Why did you single her out in the auction house? Why directly apologize only to her? How do you know her? Why would you even care about her?" Law demanded.

Neo pulled her eyes from the captain. She timidly glanced over at Rayleigh. The old man had his eyes wisely locked with Law's.

"Hmm." Rayleigh stroked his chin in thought. The old man then carefully studied each and every single one of the Heart Pirates. "Are you sure you all want to know? It might come as quite a shock, especially to her."

"She'll be fine as long as she's with us," Law said. "Now tell me what you know about her."

"Very well. I see no harm in it." Rayleigh shook out his shirt then sat down on a nearby rock. The crew leaned in closer in anticipation to what the man was going to say. "I know of her because I'm pretty good friends with her godfather."

"Godfather?" Penguin asked. "Who's her godfather?"

Rayleigh smiled, light reflected off his glasses. "Red Hair Shanks."

"What?!" the crew shrieked in disbelief. "Red Hair Shanks is Neo's godfather?!"

"Godfather?" Neo turned her eyes up to Law. "What's a godfather?"

"Well, a godfather is usually a person who presents a baby at a baptism and responds on the child's behalf, promising to take responsibility for the child's religious education. But more commonly, a godfather or godmother is someone who steps up to raise a child if the child's parents are unable to or if they die," Law explained.

"Raise a child?" Neo blinked in thought. She tilted her head like it would help her process his words.

"They're not that much different from birth parents," Law said.

"Oh, okay. I think I understand." Neo nodded lightly.

"Huh?" Rayleigh blinked in confusion at Neo's lack of knowledge of what a godfather was.

"Neo's not as informed as the rest of us are," Law said cautiously when he caught Rayleigh's confusion. "She was…" He paused. He lowered his eyes down to the girl in his arms and wondered if he should really tell Rayleigh about her past. He looked back up at the old man. Rayleigh was patiently waiting for his next move.

"Captain, you're not going to tell him about Neo's past are you?" Shachi asked when he and the rest of the crew realized why their captain became so quiet.

"First things first," Law said. "Tell us what all you know about her."

"Well, I know she can control the elements through her crystals and her people are called elementals," Rayleigh replied. "That's how Shanks said I would be able to sense who she really is."

"What are elementals?" Shachi asked.

"Creatures who can control the elements through the crystals they are born with, as I'm sure you've noticed Neo doing," Rayleigh replied. "I'm not exactly sure what they really are, but you can think of them like their fairies, minus the wings."

"What do you mean by being able to sense who she really is?" Penguin asked.

"Because she's not human. I'm sure you all sensed that too at some point while she's been with you," Rayleigh said.

"We have." The crew nodded.

"I noticed she smells differently from everyone else," Bepo said, pointing to himself. "She smells like nature. And she also smells sweet."

"How do you know of her?" Law asked again.

"I guess it's best to just start at the beginning," Rayleigh started. He stroked his chin while gathering his thoughts. "Shanks actually met Neo's people quite sometime ago. He was still fairly young himself. During a tough battle with another pirate crew, a wild storm had blown up and just about ripped his ship completely to shreds. Somehow he was able to make it onto the elementals home island of Luminous. The elementals were actually shocked to find a human had landed on their island. Apparently it's extremely difficult to find this island because it's protected by magic. Anyway, being the kind people they really are, they nursed Shanks back to health and helped repair his ship. And during that time on the island they all became very good friends. And he became especially close to her parents, who I believe were only dating at the time. Shanks would go visit them whenever he could and eventually he put them and their island under his protection despite it being an extremely hard island to fine and practically no one knows it exists. Then, one day after having an extremely bad feeling about them, Shanks took his crew and returned to the island to find a terrible battle going on. I'm not completely clear on all the details, but for some reason, some of the elementals were trying to kill Neo who was still inside of her mother's womb at the time."

The entire crew gasped.

"Captain, I don't like this." Neo's voice, and body, trembled as she sunk back into Law's arms for comfort from the intense shock Rayleigh's story was providing.

Law dropped the straw hat at that point. He placed his hat free hand on her head and stroked her hair to soothe her while keeping his right arm firmly around her. He knew this story was starting to upset and confuse her, but they had to know more about her. He whispered softly, and comfortingly, to her, "Shh. It's okay. I'm right here."

Rayleigh paused to take in Neo before continuing. "Shanks, his crew and some still friendly elementals helped her parents board Shanks' ship in an attempt to escape, but the attacking elementals followed after them. There's not much defense against creatures that have nature bending to their will. Well, during all the confusion, Neo ended up being born on Shanks' ship. Knowing they probably wouldn't survive, Neo's parents asked Shanks to be her godfather and take care of her and her brother if something did happen to them."

"Brother? Neo has a brother, outside of us?" Shachi interrupted. The entire crew looked at Neo. She looked at them with her eyebrows turned up. It was clear to them all that she didn't know what to make of this story that Rayleigh was telling them.

"Yes. I believe Shanks said his name was Kailen." Rayleigh nodded. "The elementals then attacked the ship. At which point, unfortunately, Neo's parents lost their lives. Completely out numbered, Shanks decided that Neo's brother should take Neo and run while they, and the elementals that were helping them, fought against the attacking elementals. The plan was to meet up with him and Neo on Sabaody once they shook off the elementals. But something didn't go right. Shanks never found Neo and her brother. He's been looking for them ever since, as well as just about everyone he trusts."

"But why were her people trying to kill her?" Penguin asked. He knelt down beside Law and Neo. He wanted her to feel his presence there. He wanted to help comfort her.

"That I can't tell ya. All I can say is what I've already told you. He only asked me to keep an eye out for her and her brother. He probably never imagined they would get separated from each other. Or that Neo would end up like this and with a pirate crew." Rayleigh rested his arms against his legs and leaned forward. "Tell me, how exactly did you come to have her in your care?"

"Hn." Law gritted his teeth. He heavily debated on whether or not he should actually tell the man about Neo's past. After a few minutes of debating, he decided to tell. He felt it was the right thing to do.

"I see." Rayleigh closed his eyes then crossed his arms and legs when Law finished telling Neo's story. "Such unfortunate turn of events for the little princess."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Archer asked. "You're not going to take her away from us are you?!"

"Well, I was supposed to take them both into my care until I could return them to Shanks if I ever found them." Rayleigh smirked at them.

"Uh! No!" Neo all but slammed her body into Law's at that point. Her heart pounded in her chest as her blood frosted over.

"No! We won't let you!" the crew started shouting.

"You'll be in for a fight if you try it! We don't care that you are the Dark King! We won't let you have her!" Bepo growled while baring his fangs.

"Captain!" Neo pulled her legs up to her chest and turned to her right side. Her breaths became short and raspy as she grabbed onto the front of Law's hoodie. Her intense fear was radiating from her small body. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

It made Law's chest tighten to the point he felt like he couldn't breath. He felt like he was feeling her fear himself.

"Please, don't let him take me! I don't want to go with him! I don't want to be taken away!" Neo said.

"Enough! All of you stop right now. You're upsetting her," Law ordered with a thick hiss. He lightly clenched Neo's hair in his left hand while rubbing soothing circles on her back with his other hand. He lowered his chin so his nose was touching her hair and filled with her scent. His voice lowered back down for her sake as she pressed her forehead to the base of his neck. He could feel her desire to get away from this old man and his story. His eyes took on sharp, possessive, raging storm filled look that would have sent wild beasts running away in fear. "Neo is staying right here. You will not be taking her away from m-from us."

"Hm…I see. She has come to mean a lot to you all." Rayleigh chuckled, unfazed by Law's fury and possessiveness over Neo. He then looked directly into the young surgeon's eyes. "You, in particular, obviously have very strong and deep feelings for her."

Law's expression lightly up a bit with how easily this old man could read him. His lips curled down into a frown. He didn't like how easily he could be read.

Rayleigh chuckled again. "Don't worry. I won't be taking her away from you. I don't believe that's necessary considering Shanks already knows she's with you all."

"What?! He already knows?!" the crew shrieked. "How is that possible?!"

"You all were at the battle of Marineford at the same time, right?" Rayleigh asked.

"But how would he know she was even there?" Penguin questioned. "The captain ordered her to stay in the sub! She never left it!"

"Because Neo bonded with Shanks when she was born. Plus, Shanks and his crew gained the ability to sense elementals from the time they've spent with them on their island," Rayleigh explained.

"Bonded?" Jean Bart asked. "What do you mean by that?"

"Beats me. She's a magical creature. And there are never complete answers to everything in this world. All I know about the bond is, Neo began to glow a bright white light and engulfed Shanks in it shortly after she was born," Rayleigh said.

"That must be why Neo started to glow when she looked at Red Hair's wanted poster," Bepo said. He looked at Law who was still possessively holding onto Neo. "Captain, is that the same glow you mentioned before? When Neo showed you what happened to her?"

Law could only nod. His mind was reeling with all this new information. The crew exchanged looks.

Conner then said, "That must have been why she was glowing back at Marineford too. She kept saying that someone was coming. It must have been Red Hair Shanks that she sensed then. Right, Penguin?"

"That must have been why." Penguin nodded. He then asked, "Does this mean Neo is bonded with the captain too? What does this bond do exactly?"

"As I've already said before, I don't know everything about her or her people. I believe those answers will reveal themselves to you all in time. But you are correct in your assumptions. She can sense Shanks just like he can sense her. That straw hat there use to belong to Shanks." Rayleigh pointed to the straw hat in Law's hand. Law's eyes widened slightly. "Judging from your expression, Trafalgar, I assume she has felt something familiar about that hat too. If she did engulf you in that glow then you are definitely bonded with her on a fairly deep level. It'll be up to you two to figure what exactly your bond entails. For now, just be aware that Shanks will now be keeping a very close eye on you all and your adventures. So be sure to take very good care of her. I'm sure you don't want a furious emperor breathing down your necks. And be aware that while they won't know why, others will be able to sense that she's different from us humans, especially if they are strong themselves or have haki."

"The mercenaries!" Archer then shouted. "Is it possible that Neo's people were the ones to hire them?!"

"Mercenaries?" Rayleigh blinked questioningly at them.

"Mercenaries attacked and took Neo from us a few months ago," Law explained. "They said they were hired by someone to go after her. We never figured out who hired them."

Rayleigh rubbed his chin in thought. "Well, then it is possible that it was her people. I doubt that they have any reason or proof to believe she's been dead all these years."

"This is just too insane," Shachi said. His knees gave out on him and he dropped to the ground.

When no one else said anything, Rayleigh spoke up. "Well, if there's nothing else left to discuss, I really should get to Luffy. There are some things I need to discuss with him. Is there anything I need to know about his current medical condition?"

"He just needs to rest for two more weeks," Law replied. "Then he can do whatever he wishes."

"Very well. I'll be sure he rests like he's supposed to," Rayleigh said. "What about you all? What are you going to do now?"

"We'll be leaving. We have no other reason to remain here on this island," Law said. He tossed his crew a glance. "Prepare to set sail."

"Aye aye, Captain!" the crew chirped. They all then moved away from their captain and Neo.

Penguin paused momentarily to look at Neo then over at Rayleigh. "How long ago was it when Neo was born on Red Hair's ship?"

The crew paused. All of them were curious to how old Neo was.

Law swallowed in anticipation before Rayleigh answered. His heart skittered uncontrollably in his chest. Her age was going to be a huge factor in how their relationship would move.

"I can't say for sure, but it's somewhere are eighteen to twenty years, maybe even less," Rayleigh said.

Law released a low sigh of relief at the same time Penguin started talking again. "Eighteen to twenty years or less? And she's been with us for almost a year now. So she was around nineteen, maybe even eighteen or so when you found her, Captain."

Law nodded. He glanced down at her. She was still firmly tucking herself into him. He was relieved they now had a close guess on how old she was. She wasn't no kid after all, in years anyway. Their relationship could grow into something romantic now.

"We're leaving?" Neo lifted her head up from Law's chest to look at him again. He looked down at her and nodded. "I won't be able to say goodbye to Margaret and the others."

"I'm sorry. You can write them a quick letter if you want. It'll take a little time to prepare everything before we set sail," Law said. His voice was back to his normal, everyday tone.

Rayleigh sat quietly while taking the young captain and young girl in.

"Okay," Neo said, but she didn't move away from Law.

"It's okay, Neo. He's not going to take you away," Law said encouragingly, but shot a quick pointed glare at Rayleigh before returning his eyes to hers. "I'll be right here. Go ahead and go write your letter."

"Okay," Neo said softly. Slowly, she started to move away from Law. She walked over to the rope ladder. She paused to look back at Law before finally climbing down it. Once below the cliff's edge, she summoned her wind crystals and flew over to the sub.

"She's such a delicate flower. I'm sorry that my story of where she's from upset her. But she seems to be growing up into a beautiful young woman despite her hardships. You have done well for her, Trafalgar. And she seems to have done you some good as well." Rayleigh sent Law a knowing smirk. Law shot him another glare. "Don't worry. You can trust me with her secrets. I have been keeping them all these years after all. And I won't tell anyone of your feelings for her. Although you know you're not going to be able to keep that a secret for long, but I suspect you have your reasons for keep a lid on that for now, most likely for her sake. Just be aware that, if she stays with you, she will be labeled a pirate at some point in time and a bounty will be placed on her head."

"I'm well aware of that." Law frowned. "And I already have a plan that will handle that situation when it arises."

"Oh?" Rayleigh raised an eyebrow at Law. "Well, I hope it's a good plan that will keep her protected. Shanks won't be pleased if you end up getting his goddaughter hurt or killed."

"That won't happen," Law hissed. His glare returned to his eyes.

"Relax, young man. I believe you. I also believe she is going to become a very powerful ally for you in the future once she understands everything about her heritage and becomes more comfortable in her abilities."

Law raised his eyebrow at a strange look Rayleigh suddenly got in his eyes. It was a look of secrecy. He frowned when a strong feeling Rayleigh hadn't told him everything he knows about Neo washed over him. "What haven't you told me?"

"Just keep doing what you have been doing for her. And remember that the past never stays buried. It will always come back to us when we least expect it. But I believe that everything will work out just fine for the both of you," Rayleigh said.

Law was about to question the man farther when a light breeze alerted the two men to Neo's return. He instantly calmed back down when she landed on the cliff with a folded up piece of paper in her hand.

Neo flinched when Rayleigh looked at her. After twisting her toes into the grass, she cautiously walked towards Rayleigh. The old man sat patiently for her to speak while Law eyed him for any slight sign of possible danger. Keeping her eyes low, Neo slowly held out the paper to Rayleigh. "W-would you, please, make sure this letter gets to a woman named Margaret? She's a friend of mine."

"Of course I will, young princess. I'll be glad to deliver your message," Rayleigh said as he reached out and took the paper from her hand.

Once the paper was out of her grasp, Neo quickly pulled away from the old man and rushed over to Law.

Law was already on his feet when she got to him. Clenching a hold of his shirt, she pressed into his chest while his right hand landed on her head and his left hand landed on her back.

"Captain! We're ready to go!" Bepo shouted from the entrance of the sub.

Law looked over at the sub before looking back at Rayleigh when the old man started to speak again. He said, "There's one more thing…when the navy and the world begins to take notice of her, it would be best if you all pretend that she has devil fruit powers."

"Why? She'll have to fake being weakened. That would put her in danger when someone uses sea prism stone on her," Law said.

Neo cautiously looked over her shoulder at Rayleigh.

"She and her people will be in a lot more danger if the world realizes their not human and connected to nature. You, being a doctor, should know full well how scientists would treat her if they ever find out about her abilities. Many people will be tempted to use her as a weapon," Rayleigh pointed out. "And you remember what they did to the mermaid at the auction house back on Sabaody, right?"

Law's heart slammed hard against his chest. He cursed under his breath and tightened his hold on her.

Neo looked up at him when she sensed his calm exterior change. "Captain?"

"I will do everything in my power to protect her. I won't let her be an experiment, a slave or a tool for anyone." After a few intense seconds of eye contact, Law pulled his eyes away from the old man. He sighed heavily while stroked Neo's hair before looking down at her. "I'm fine, Neo. Let's go now."

Neo nodded and the two headed over to the cliff. She summoned her wind crystals and lifted them down to the deck of the sub. Penguin was waiting for them when they got there. The three then entered into the sub. Law paused momentarily to look back at Rayleigh. The old man was on his feet and watching them aboard their ship. Law narrowed his eyebrow. I wonder what he's keeping from me.

Law then entered into the sub and closed the door behind him.

Rayleigh stood up from the rock he was sitting on. He walked over to the edge of the cliff. He looked down to watch the rookie crew enter into their sub. He smirked when Law turned back around and looked back in his direction. "Don't worry, young surgeon. I've told you everything you need to know right now. Something's are just best left to reveal themselves in their own time. But I do have to wonder, what exactly Shanks will think about all this. What will his move be concerning Neo? Will he let you keep her? Or will be come for her at some point?"

Rayleigh chuckled. "Whatever happens, things are really starting to get interesting from this point on. I can't wait to see how things develop."

Law guided Neo through the sub by her hand. His eyes glided over his crew as they went. They were peppered throughout the sub, carrying on whispered conversations with each other about what they had just learned about Neo. They paused to look at the passing couple before turning back to each other. He could tell by the expressions on their faces they wanted to talk with him and her about what all Rayleigh had told them, but they remained quietly respectful to the fact that Neo was going to need time to process everything they just learned about her. Law led Neo down into the control room. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. Clenching a hold of his shirt, she curled into him. "Captain, I don't know…"

"Shh," Law hushed her. "It's okay. We don't have to talk about this right now. It's a lot to take in even for me. You just relax right now. We can talk later about it."

"Okay." Neo nodded. She snuggled into his chest, causing a storm of butterflies to flitter around in his stomach.

He wrapped his arms around her and forced himself not to think about Rayleigh's words. Law relaxed and allowed himself to become content in their surroundings of each other. Their only other company was the beeping and flashing lights of the controls.

But the blissful peace was soon broke a short few minutes later when Penguin and Shachi poked their heads into the room. Penguin smiled when Neo looked at him. He said, "Hey, sweetie. How you feeling?"

"I'm okay," She replied. She sat up, her eyes automatically going to Law's. "Confused, but okay."

"Yeah." Shachi nodded. "That was pretty shocking to us too. I can only imagine how it's making you feel. Never would I have guessed you were connected to an emperor."

"Was there something you two wanted?" Law asked, disappointed his alone time with Neo got interrupted.

"Not really," Penguin said. He reached out and ruffled her hair, earning a bell-chiming giggle. "We just wanted to check on our favorite girl."

"I'm okay. Really." Neo smiled.

"So, what do you think the Dark King wants with Straw Hat?" Shachi asked, changing the subject.

"I've wondered that too," Law said. He placed his hands behind his head with a smirk. "Monkey D. Luffy. I wonder what kind of storm the D is going to blow up this time."

"Huh?" Neo looked at Law and blinked.

"I'm just bummed we didn't get to peak inside the village of women," Shachi sighed.

"Yeah." Penguin nodded in agreement. He then got a mischievous look in his hidden eyes. "But at least we get to see Neo in their native clothing."

Law flinched, and blushed, at his subordinates' words as his hat fell over his eyes. "Ahem. Speaking of which…Neo?"

"Yes?" She turned her eyes back to him when he beckoned her.

"You are only permitted to wear your Amazon outfits on the sub. When off the sub you must wear your regular clothes," Law ordered.

"Oh, um, okay, Captain." Neo nodded lightly. "Is there a reason why?"

Law flinched again. "Well, uh-"

"It's because you are just extremely cute in these particular outfits!" Shachi chirped, pointing to the fuchsia color bikini style outfit she was still wearing. He grabbed Neo's wrist and pulled her off the captain's lap, much to Law's disappointment and disapproval. Shachi hugged her and rubbed his cheek against hers. "We, especially the captain, just don't want anyone else taking an interest in our little cutie!"

"Oh, I think I get it. Is just like with my crystals back on Sabaody," Neo said with a giggle due to Shachi's actions. "You need to shave. You have stubble. It tickles."

"Something like that." Penguin nodded with a huge grin.

"Then I won't wear them off the sub." Neo gave Law an innocent grin that made his blush darken two shades. "I'm yours, no one else's."

Shachi and Penguin snort laughed at her words then quickly covered up their mouths at the harsh glare Law gave them. Law was about to order them out of the room when he noticed Bepo poking his head into the room with an 'I'm up to something' look on his fuzzy face. Neo sensed the bear. She turned to look at him and found he had already moved up behind her. He then swooped her up into his arms and dashed out of the room.

"Hey! Bring her back here!" Shachi and Penguin shouted.

"No way! I'm saving you two for Neo's sake!" Bepo called back.

"What does that even mean?!" Shachi and Penguin demanded.

"You two keep pushing things too far!" Bepo said. "Neither of them are ready yet!"

"Fine! We'll back off! Now give her back to us!" they yelled.

"Not gonna happen! She's mine for now!" Bepo replied.

Law sighed at the antics of his crew when he heard several crashes and bangs followed by more yelling from other crewmembers that had clearly joined the chase. He was about to order them all to give her back, but stopped when they passed by the door. Neo was laughing and enjoying herself. He didn't want to take that away from her, especially with what they had just learned about her. So he propped his feet up on the console and listened to the ruckus his crew was causing with Bepo's little game of 'Keep Neo Away From the Rest of the Crew'.

Law tilted his head back and looked at the ceiling. "Dark King Silvers Rayleigh and Red Hair Shanks, huh? I wonder what other surprises my little girl's origins has in store for us."

Meanwhile, somewhere in the New World, Shanks was standing out on a cliff that over looked his ship and the sea. The air was filled with the smells of salt, native flowers, palm trees, and booze. He had a smile on his lips and a wanted poster in his hand.

Benn walked over to his captain and addressed him. The man's cigar smoke mixed into the salty air. "Captain, what are you doing all the way out here? The party's back there with the crew."

"Just needed some air," Shanks replied, the wind lightly teasing his red tresses as it blew.

"Air? Since when does our captain need air over booze?" Benn joked. He then noticed a strange, almost tranquil, look on his captain's face that was highly out of place. "Okay…what's with that look? I haven't seen a look like that on your face sinc-Uh! Wait a second! Are you saying that…?"

"She's alive, Benn!" Shanks turned a wide, cheesy grin to his first mate. "She's alive!"

"What?! Where is she?!" Benn tossed his gaze around. "I don't sense her!"

"She's with him," Shanks said. He handed the wanted poster he was holding to Benn while turning back to the ocean.

"Huh?" Benn blinked as he looked at the wanted poster. "Isn't this one of the up and coming rookies that caused a mess on Sabaody then helped Luffy escape from Marineford?"

"Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death." Shanks' lips pulled into a smirk.

"But, how?" Benn asked. "How did you know she was with him?"

"Because I sensed her back at Marineford," Shanks said casually. "You all probably didn't sense her because you were too focused on the battle. But with my bond to her it was easy for me to tell she was there. She was on his submarine."

"What?! You knew she was there and you didn't go after her?!" Benn shouted in disbelief. "Why, Captain?!"

"Because I believe she's right where she needs to be," Shanks said.

"What do you mean by that?" Benn asked.

"If she was on their ship against her will then I would know it. And I would have immediately removed her from their grasp. But she wasn't. I believe she's just fine right where she is…at least for now." Shanks closed his eyes momentarily. A mischievous spark rose in the red haired man's eyes as he turned back to his first mate. "I want to know everything about him and his crew. And I want eyes on him at all times. I want to know what kind of man is housing my precious goddaughter."