Blue-green eyes hidden behind light brown hair scanned the crowd of people milling about the archipelago they were on, trying to find the best person to choose as their target. The brunette smirked when she found a rather fat man in expensive robes walking about the lawless district, his change purse jingling as he walked.

Standing up from her crouched position on top of one of the many buildings in Grove 23, she padded along the tiles on the roof before jumping down and landing lightly within the midst of people with only a soft thud as her feet touched the ground. She moved quickly, weaving in and out of the crowd while steadily moving in on her target. The man seemed to be perusing the open stalls and shops in the lower Groves. Some featuring exotic foods one could only find in the area, some selling clothes in colors and designs unlike most of the islands in the Grand Line. There were weapon shops and repair shops where you could hear the occasional clang of the blacksmith working. As someone called the fat man's attention in an attempt to urge him to buy from them she pulled a dagger from her belt, swiftly moved beside the man, cut the rope tying the change purse to his belt on his side, then disappeared within the shadows of an alleyway all before he'd even finished turning to face the person that had called his name.

The pickpocket clamped the small velvet pouch in her mouth, then scaled the walls of the alleyway. Hoisting herself up onto the roof, she eased herself into a seated position before dropping the beli pouch into the palm of her outstretched hand. Shaking it out, she counted the golden coins and gems that tumbled their way out from the motion.

'300,000 Beli.'

She counted it one more time just to make sure, before cupping her hand and tipping the stolen goods back into their bag. A better haul than yesterday, but still nowhere near the amount the brunette needed to pay for her freedom. Thinking of the people responsible, the brunette's eyes narrowed and she clenched her hand tightly around the bag of money she held.

'Traitorous bastards, the lot of them.'

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, closing her eyes as the wind picked up slightly blowing her hair about her face. The sun was slowly easing down towards the horizon, meaning she would only have a few more hours of daylight left before having to go back to that hellhole. The mere thought of having to return there made her skin crawl.

A sudden buzz in activity below drew the young woman's attention as the noise reached her ears. Apparently a fight between two pirates had broken out a few Groves away and the destruction was gaining attention of the surrounding ones.

'A fight between pirates isn't unheard of.'

The brunette thought dismissively as she got to her feet, tucking the stolen pouch away so as not to lose it in a similar way she had obtained it. Walking to the edge of the roof, the young woman took a few seconds to scan for a safe way down before leaping down. Hopping from roof to window ledge to crates, then finally down to the ground and landing with an almost silent thud of her feet as they hit the grass. Turning away from the growing crowd of concerned citizens, shop owners, and other mingling pirates the brunette headed towards Grove 19 knowing she had to be back before the sun had set. She'd only made it to Grove 21 when she found herself stopping. Here she had attempted to avoid the chaos the people on the prior Grove had been so concerned with, but apparently fate had other ideas. She watched as a masked blonde man with scythes attached to his forearms leaped into the air to avoid being smashed by a large pillar being swung around by a winged man wearing a toga.

'Yup, time to go home.'

The brunette thought to herself, slinking past the gathering crowd of people stopped to watch the fight. She had cleared the crowd and was walking towards the connecting bridge leading to the next Grove when her eyes caught on something bright. Stopping despite herself, blue-green eyes stared at the man wearing a yellow and black hoodie sitting relaxed on a crate watching the ongoing fight with a rather amused smile on his tan face.

Deciding she had wasted more than enough time sight-seeing, the brunette tore her gaze from the man before continuing on her way. She hadn't made it but perhaps halfway into Grove 20 when yet another strange sight caused her to pause. What was it with today? The brunette blinked a few times, just to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. Yet by the fourth time she blinked there was still a white polar bear wearing an orange jumpsuit standing in front of a set of signs, looking completely lost. Now, the brown-haired girl had seen a lot of things in her time as a pirate, but never had she seen a polar bear in a jumpsuit. She watched him from the shadows of a building for a few moments, noting how he would occasionally go up to someone only for them to get scared when a bear approached them and run away. Without thinking, she pushed off from the building and made her way towards him as yet another person had run from him. His head was down and she could have sworn she heard a muffled apology come from his direction.

'Is it actually a bear or is it someone wearin' a suit?'

She wondered as she approached.

"You lost hun?"

She asked softly, not wanting to spook it and possibly deal with being attacked. She saw it turn to look at her in shocked surprise before looking down, an embarrassed look on its furry face. As if it was embarrassed it had gotten lost.

"It's okay if you are, it happens to the best of us."

She told him with a reassuring smile as she walked a few steps closer.

"What's your name hun? You can speak right?"

She asked and the bear nodded, lifting its head to look at her.

"Bepo."

Was the answer that came from the polar bear, the voice was higher pitched than the brunette would have expected. Then again, who really expects a polar bear to be able to speak in the first place?

"Well Bepo, my name's Katrina. If you tell me what it is you're tryin' to find, I may be able to help you. I've lived here for almost three years now."

Katrina offered with what she hoped was a warm smile and noticed Bepo seemed to relax at her words.

"I'm trying to find my captain. I was following him but..."

Bepo answered before his sentence trailed off, embarrassment clear in his features once more.

"Got distracted by everythin' goin' on?"

Katrina finished and smiled again when she watched Bepo nod. It wasn't that hard to believe. The Sabaody Archipelago was over forty different Groves connected together via bridges. Between the sights, sounds, the people, and smells it was no wonder Bepo got separated from his crew. He was honestly lucky he hadn't gotten preyed on by Human Traffickers, especially being this close to the Human Auction House.

"That's alright hun, what's your captain look like?"

Bepo looked at her for a few seconds before looking down, then began to rummage inside the orange boiler suit he was wearing. Katrina noted the Jolly Roger over the breast pocket on the front when Bepo pulled whatever it was he had been looking for from inside the suit and held it up for her to take a look.

Katrina blinked at the wanted poster Bepo presented to her, taking in the appearance and name of the man it featured and bit the inside of her lip to keep the amused smile from spreading across her face as she recognized the man she'd seen earlier while attempting to avoid getting dragged into the chaos surrounding the fighting pirates. It proclaimed in large letters 'Trafalgar Law' and she guessed that he was the bear's captain. Taking in the man's spotted furry hat, striking yellow and black hoodie that seemed bright even on the wanted poster, and the large sword leisurely balanced on his shoulder she nodded to Bepo to show him she'd memorized the image plastered on the front.

"Wait here."

Katrina told him before she took a few steps towards one of the buildings closest. She grabbed the ledge of one of the lower windows before hoisting herself up onto its ledge. She leapt from there to the balcony of an adjacent shop. This continued, her landings and footholds changing until she'd reached the top of the tallest building on the Grove. Thankfully, they weren't far from the Grove she'd seen him and every so often there was a building tall enough to see across to even neighboring Groves. Katrina didn't have to search long before she spotted the canary-yellow of a certain captain's hoodie. She leaned over the side of the rooftop edge, careful not to get too close.

"Found him!"

She called down to Bepo who looked up at her with a hopeful expression. Making her way back down to the ground, Katrina rejoined Bepo and offered him another warm smile.

"Come on, we wouldn't want you to lose him again."

She said before walking off with the bear right on her heels.

Walking back across the connecting bridge she'd crossed before, Katrina led Bepo towards the location she'd spotted his captain. As they approached, Katrina noticed the fight seemed to have died down and now it was just people milling about attempting to fix the destruction and neither pirate responsible was present. She was rather surprised Law was still in the same spot he'd been in before but she shook it from her mind as it was really none of her business.

"There he is hun."

Katrina said, pausing on the edge of the buildings causing Bepo to stop as well. Looking back at her she saw the confused way he tilted his head in silent question.

"Wouldn't want to embarrass you by lettin' your crew think you can't get around on your own."

She answered his unspoken question, a small smile on her face. With that, Katrina turned and leapt onto a crate of fish, grabbed onto the rim of a low-hanging roof, then hoisted herself up before continuing on back to the place that was her prison for the foreseeable future.

"You're late!"

Katrina internally flinched at the booming alto that came from the blonde man leaned disapprovingly against his desk. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his shirt exposing the toned, pale skin beneath but Katrina was unaffected. The man may look appealing to most women, but the brunette wouldn't have cared if he looked like a God, he was nothing but a worm.

"Just what were you doing out so late, huh?"

When he received no answer he stalked across the room before backhanding her with enough force to knock her head to the side. Anger surged up, boiling beneath the surface of her skin making her body feel warm but she pushed it down. There was no point fighting back, not in the situation she was stuck in.

"Were you screwing your targets to get their money? I should put you to work for me instead of letting you run around on the streets!"

The blonde shouted angrily, grabbing fists full of Katrina's hair and yanking her towards him. She tried to pull away from him only to have him pull harder than before. She detested being under this man's thumb, but she had no choice. He thwarted every attempt she'd made to escape, and attempt she had from hiding on ships, in crates, and barrels to bribing a crewmember to allow her aboard.

"Or maybe I should teach you how to please your clients? I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you, you little shit?"

Katrina was pulled from her thoughts when she suddenly felt her back pushed up against the wall of the blonde's office with the blonde himself pressing against her, pinning her in place.

"I got caught up gettin' money to pay back my debt Jericho! Nothin' more, nothin' less."

Katrina grit out, biting back the roll of insults she wished to spew at him. If it weren't for the amount of trouble it would cause her if she killed him, the blonde would already be dead. Though if he didn't remove himself soon she was going to at least break something. Hopefully something important.

"Don't let it happen again."

Jericho snarled into her ear before releasing her hair and walked off. She watched, guarded, as he made his way around his desk and sat back down.

"Bastard."

Katrina muttered to herself, nursing her cheek. There'd probably be a bruise there come morning. She had managed to get back to the brothel just as the sun was setting and would have been on time depositing the money she'd collected if one of the working girls from downstairs hadn't barred her way to complain about how she thought Jericho treated her better and her and the other girls didn't approve.

"If there's nothin' else, I'll be goin'."

Katrina said, making her way towards the door and had her hand around the brass handles before the blonde spoke again making her frown.

"Don't let it happen again Kat, or you'll be working for me to repay that little debt of yours."

Rage surged through her and before she could stop herself her hand had gone to the hilt of her daggers. With a quick, fluid flick of her wrist the blade soared through the space between them before embedding itself in the back of the plush chair Jericho sat in. The man's green eyes widened in fear of the blade's sudden appearance before following it back to its owner. His face turned red and he opened his mouth, ready to explode in anger but she cut him off.

"Don't you dare call me that again Jericho, or I promise I'll aim for somethin' else next time."

She warned through clenched teeth, the remainder of that threat clear in the look of the brunette's blue-green eyes.

Katrina sighed as she closed the door to her room then crossed her small room before collapsing onto her bed. She did her best to ignore the way the springs poked through the worn material of the mattress to scratch at her back. She shifted in an attempt to find a more comfortable position before glaring hatefully up at the ceiling as the moans and screams of ecstasy around her came through the paper-thin walls of her room.

"I hate this place."

She muttered to no one, as she was alone in her room. Two years, almost three had passed since she'd first set foot here with her old crew. They'd stopped for a drink and were looking for a place to relax after so long at sea. They'd found Jericho's brothel, and despite being uncomfortable being around such ladies, Katrina had gone along with the rest of the crew. They had all slowly drunk the night away and slowly passed out, some upstairs with the whores some right where they were drinking. When Katrina had come to, she was lying on the floor with Jericho standing over her, angrily demanding an explanation as to where his money was and how she was going to pay. It hadn't taken her long to realize the situation she'd been left in. She had been left behind as payment, despite the two years she'd spent aboard the ship of the Swift Pirates.

Two years had passed and the 300,000,000 Beli debt she was forced to pay for was finally cut in half, leaving her to only have to scrounge up 150,000,000 more until she would have her freedom. She wasn't too sure what she'd do once she had it, but she knew for certain if she ever saw her old crew again, she was going to give them a piece of her mind. And probably her daggers while she was at it.

As he follows after his furry first mate, Law watches as the bipedal polar bear sniffs at the air in an attempt to locate someone. Bepo had gotten separated from him and the rest of the crew he'd brought inland with him when a fight had broken out between two of Law's fellow Supernovas. He had managed to meet back up with them and told Law a woman named Katrina had helped him. Bepo then asked Law if they could try to find her, as he wished to say thank you. Law, seeing no problems with his friend's request and being a little curious himself about the stranger who decided to help his first mate, agreed. Had they done so in an attempt to ingratiate themselves to him? Had they done so just out of good will?

"I think he picked up on her scent."

Penguin exclaims, pulling Law's attention to Bepo in time to see him walk towards a building almost hidden even in the lawless zone. Grove 19 was on the way to his destination, so he didn't mind the detour per se, however, the almost palpable sense of desire wafting from the few men he'd brought with him made Law regret the decision to make this particular detour. He groaned in almost silent exasperation before addressing his men.

"We are here for business, not pleasure."

He told them, the order clear in his tone even if not outright spoken. With that, Law lead the way inside the establishment and almost instantly rolled his eyes when he heard Penguin calling to Shachi.

"Look at the breasts on that one!"

His excited crewmate called in a horrible attempt of a whisper to his friend. Law found himself laughing to himself as he knew full well neither of his friends had much luck with the ladies and if any of the working women were to come over they'd both clam up and go beat red. Choosing to ignore his two friends as they struggled to deal with their raging hormones, Law took the time to scan the interior as they made their way a little further inside. They didn't have to walk far before someone approached them.

"Welcome ta Jericho's! First round is always on the house, anything else you have to pay for!"

A voluptuous blonde said to them with a wink as a way of introduction as she offered a serving tray to them that had six perfectly balanced mugs of beer sitting on it. Law ignored this and instead looked towards Bepo who was sniffing around the first floor, but quickly seemed to be heading towards the stairs.

"Don't mind if I do."

Shachi said, grabbing a mug first for himself then for Penguin. Law saw Penguin glance uncertainly in his direction, unsure if the offered drink was going against his captain's orders of not being here for pleasure. Choosing to allow his men the indulgence, Law simply followed Bepo towards the stairs. The building hadn't seemed like much from the outside, but the inside had a warm, inviting atmosphere to it that Law wouldn't have minded indulging in if they hadn't been here for another reason.

"Don't be like that honey. What can I get you if beer isn't what you're after?"

The blonde from before said, trying her best to gain Law's attention. She had even placed herself between him and the stairs. When he'd made a move to walk past her, she wrapped herself around the arm not carrying his nodachi. Law could feel her breasts pressed against him and internally sighed before turning his gaze to hers for the first time since she tried getting his attention. He took a moment to appreciate the image before him. Long blonde hair tied and braided neatly, pale skin that was exposed for all to see thanks to the corset-topped skirt she wore. Her breasts, even pressed against his arm, were all but spilling from the top of her light brown, long-sleeved blouse. The most striking feature was actually her eyes, they were a dark scarlet that held the promise of a good time. A good time he was going to have to decline.

Before Law could open his mouth to decline the blonde's offer, a voice called from the top of the stairs drawing the group of pirates' attention.

"Welcome gentlemen! Any preference to your women? If young Claudette isn't to your taste we have quite a few lovely ladies to choose from."

Law watched as a blonde man trapezed down the stairs with a wide, business-like smile on his pale face. The white lace up shirt the man wore was tucked neatly into his black and red striped pants that seemed a size too small for him. He'd left the laces undone, so the top exposed the semi-toned chest beneath and a red, feathered boa was casually slung over his shoulders. A tousled look to his hair made it appear as if he had just come from the bed of one of the ladies he employed and someone had gone to get him when Law and his men arrived.

"We aren't here for your provided…..entertainment."

Law told him, pulling his arm from Claudette's grasp, ignoring the disappointed sounds from his crew and the scarlet-eyed blonde. Turning to look at Bepo who had been waiting by the foot of the stairs, he saw his furry friend point a paw upstairs letting Law know the woman they were after was upstairs.

"Oh? Then why are you here?"

The man asked, his voice not as welcoming as before now that he knew they weren't customers.

"We've come to call on a specific lady."

Was the answer Law provided before moving to head up the stairs only to be blocked by the loud man from before.

"I'm sorry gents, but only paying customers are allowed upstairs."

He said as way of protest, arms crossed over his chest in defiance, and was promptly ignored by Law and his crew as they walked past him, following Bepo as he led the way.

By the time they reached the third floor and stopped at the room at the end of the hall, Law's opinion of the establishment had gone down and left him in a bit of a sour mood. The bar on the first floor would have been rated about middle class if he had to give it one, but once upstairs the floors and walls had holes and seemed to thin out. The lighting, understandably darker than below, flickered and threatened to cut off. Some were off, either broken or simply burned out. The wallpaper was peeling at the tops of the hallways, the floor squeaked and parts of it were missing. There were no pretty ladies vying for your attention as they were already busy with their chosen clients. That was made all too clear by the loud moans and cries of pleasure that came from the different rooms they passed on their journey. It was as if they had walked into a complete shamble of a place simply by going upstairs. The illusion created downstairs shattered. No wonder the first round was on the house.

Law looked from Bepo to the splintered wooden door at the end of the hall before knocking. Waiting with the rest of his crew, he heard muffled sounds come from inside the room. A few thumps and a few seconds later, the door was eased open to reveal a rather displeased looking woman with light brown hair hanging down past her shoulders glaring at them with blue-green eyes that reminded him of the ocean.

"Wha-helloo?"

The woman asked warily, her attitude and response changing mid-sentence as she seemed to realize they weren't whoever she had been expecting. Law took in the defensive way she held the door open, just enough so she could peer out but not enough so someone could come inside unless they forced their way in.

"Hello Miss Katrina."

Law greeted amiably and noticed the guarded glint to her blue-green eyes as they snapped to meet his own at him addressing her by name.

"Mind if we come in?"