#kairoseki

do you happen to have a game of thrones blog?

The Kairoseki Incident

Chapter 9- Trafalgar's Ailment

Law has coffee, but the coffee is not helping. He feels like his brain is trying to drool out of his skull. His fingers tremble so violently he has to set the ceramic mug on table. No sleep plus chaotic devil fruit abilities equal physical fatigue.

A half conscious Axis sitting beside him picks up his half slurped mug. Grey eyes glare down into the coffee and ask, "Does it help you wake up?"

"Not even tenuously." Responds Trafalgar pinching the bridge of his nose.

Idly, her fingers ward off the mug.

A viscous shriek of laughter makes Law cringe. The noise reverberates and magnifies in his head. He sighs, reminding himself that children's laughter is considered the most infectious. Too bad it only seems to be infecting his brain with anguish.

"This is all your fault." Grumbles Axis hands over her head as if she can barricade herself from the noise.

"Your brother's brooding is worse." He promises with a half a smile.

She peaks from under her arms to him, offers a glare, and hides under her bony limbs.

The Surgeon of Death considers the woman at his side. For all his encounters with the Siphonophore family, he has rarely seen the girl. While she is pleasantly hostile, he has never minded her. Her presence at the kitchen table, while expected, is comfortable. It is very unlike dealing with Ace, Marco, or her Uncles. She does not pry, or encourage a conversation. She merely states what she will and goes back to her silence.

A brief silence brings the laughter back ten fold with Marco and Ace yelling over it.

Law tilts his head back, listening to the squalling giggling merriment of the reunited parents and their children. The sounds of normality are so strange to Law. They are so far from most of his upbringing. Some how, normalcy almost seems to leave a bad taste in his mouth.

So he searches for a distraction. Mentally, Law recounts the last several days' events. His brain instantly buzzes with exhaustion and caffeine.

The injuries the Whitebeard commanders and children had obtained from skirmish had been relatively minor. Dr. Ciguatera was able to set them right. She had pulled Law aside and thanked him for isolating the problems.

'Having all the preparatory work done ahead of time really makes my staff's job so easy. 'She had complemented.

Kitten was an excellent ally to work with. He had been grateful for her particularly when his fruit abilities decided to go erratic. She had come immediately to rescue his nakama from him.

He could still feel the moment his abilities vanished and gripping cold settled over him. His eyes had looked up into the red eyes Gavroche Medici. He was so dizzy that he only caught glimpses of his ship with bloody spray and drizzle decorating the submarine interior. Medici assured him that it was mostly his, but that Penguin and Bepo had severe injuries.

He was a threat to himself and those he cared for. He could not risk interacting with anyone until he could get himself under control. Captain Ciguatera's crewmen has stepped up and cared for his crew while isolating him. Two white porous bracelets were fitted tightly to his wrists and suddenly he felt the chill slice through him; Kairoseki cuffs.

An injured body, an exhausted mind, and Law felt the first tendrils of depression slinking up his spin. He spoke rarely to the staff, frustrated each and every day that he could not force his body to obey.

'Law you may never recover from this.' Kitten had sat down next to him in the infirmary, 'You need space to let your abilities go crazy, but where you can't hurt anyone… Or yourself.' He had looked away, cheeks burning, eyes stinging with tears of frustration, 'Stay here long enough to get some rest and recovery. We'll look for a place you can work through your problems. Unfortunately… I can't keep you here.'

He knew Captain Ciguetera could not keep him, and some how her words stung.

Regrettably, he only had a little time to recover before he needed to pay a debt to Smoker. He had given up the bracelets and charged forward to complete his task. To be fair he had not intended to stay on the island. After delivering the medicine he was ready to jump ship and leave. Law had found Bepo, who had insisted on traveling with him till he found refuge, and decided to call Ciguatera for a pick up.

However, the stoic gardener had come out of nowhere and grabbed him by the back of his coat. Mori-san coolly informed him that she would need his services as Dr. Adam Siphonophore was elsewhere on the island. He had at first refused, but after being assured that Mori-san was not only an ally of Dr. Ciguatera, but that she would provide him with shelter till the Black Lotus came, he gave in. He had felt the tremors in his hands, the ache in his bones, and the pressure on his heart, and he knew he would not last long.

He had begun his work in the Siphonophore household. Forced his attention on the patients and went to work. Beaten bodies were cared for, breaks and flare-ups in the children's bodies were isolated, and he had help Axis's skeleton re-grow. It was exhausting once Portgas D. Ace became an anxious parent. Without Marco the Phoenix there to pull Ace away from the children in Law's care, Law would have lost his temper.

Finally, the house grew silent on the first day after the incident. While atmosphere was tense, the Siphononphore family did indeed provide shelter, food, and a bedroom for him to isolate himself in. He tried to rest, and angrily found himself unable.

He left his room, bristling with exhaustion and teetering on the edge of his tolerance. Law had strode down the hallway towards the front door planning on a walk through the massive gardens that surrounded the house. He was stopped by the old blind man, walking idly toward him.

Miguel flashed a white smile, "Ah, Dr. Trafalgar!" he said with obvious delight, "May I have a moment of your time?" He inquired a warm tone.

Confused at the man's instant recognition, he obliged and would never fail to remember what ensued.

"You're not doing well." Miguel had said easily pouring two glasses full of bourbon. They were in Miguel's office space. The piano with its ivory keys on one side, a drum set on the other, the desk where the glass liquor bottle and glasses sat on a silver tray, and a mess of papers that looked like they had sheet music were scattered about.

"Well enough." Countered Law stiffly, but he felt his fingers start trembling even as he made his proclamation. He cursed his sleepless nights.

"Lies do not become men like us." Miguel rejoined effortlessly turning and offering the glass to Law

He took it to be polite, "Thank you." He said. He was not offended by alcohol, but he was unsure. He could tell by the fumes that it was a luxurious brand and the slight vanilla aroma made him curious for a sip.

"Tell me, young man, what is troubling you so?" inquired Miguel.

Law shook his head, "Nothing that you need to be concerned about." He assured, "As soon as Captain Ciguatera comes ashore, she will complete the work I cannot and I will take my leave. I apologize to be such an unexpected guest in your home." He had given into curiosity and sipped the amber liquor. The flavor was bizarre and seemed to nip at his brain painfully.

"Nonsense." Miguel answered dismissively, "On the contrary. Adam is always busy, we were fortunate you were able to be of service." The composer on the other hand took a mighty gulp of the alcohol and said, "But you must answer my question, lad." Here a smile had curved his lips, "What is troubling you?

"Nothing more than the cares of a pirate." Law had tried to skirt the edge of the net, but quickly found he was caught.

"Then why does your heart beat so strangely?" Miguel asked in a calm voice. His head tilted only a little as if he were trying to hear what Law might say.

Law felt like he had been hit over the head with club. How could the blind man hear his heart? Trafalgar Law needed a stethoscope to hear one in a body of a patient. Was his abnormally loud? For a moment his mind flashed back to his time working for Doflamingo. All he could see was the wide Cheshire grin and heard Miguel's words repeated in Doflamingo's voice.

Miguel pressed on, "I hear a trembling as you hold your glass, and your steps have been making a double noise as if you are stepping on the outside of your foot and then on the inside. Surely these are not cares of a pirate… unless you are always like this?"

To show weakness was to be executed and Law's jaw tightened. He waited for his body to be taken over by invisible strings and to be punished for his faults. He felt absorbed by his past.

At that moment Mori-san entered from another door on the opposite side of room and took in the scene. When her bored eyes caught his expression and posture, she rounded on Miguel with the authority of a queen, "If you're bullying a guest I'm going to feed you to my flowers." She threatened in a sickly sweet tone.

Law's pulse had died down then. Her voice shattered the flashback, like breaking a blinking bulb.

"Why do you always assume-" Miguel began feigning hurt.

"Don't play stupid with me, goddamn it." Her voice became hard, unmovable and she whacked the composer over the head with the palm of her hand.

He squawked and gave a protruding lip, "Mori-san!" he said indignantly, "You shouldn't beat up an old man!"

Mori-san rolled her and eyes and groaned, "Sorry about this Dr. Trafalgar." She waved her hand, "Miguel likes to pretend he's evil."

He had blinked gaping at her blankly. If Miguel was pretending, he certainly did not want to entice him to be evil.

Miguel's pout became more pronounced, but his voice became professional, "The boy is very ill." He snatched the bottle of liquor off the table, "Although it's devil fruit related." Two fingers took the glass cork out and he sloshed some into his glass, "Your source is right on that account, Mori-san." Concedes Miguel re-corking the bottle and putting it on the table, "Because I don't hear normal irregularities in the body suggestion an microbial invader."

Law had searched Mori-san for some sort of explanation. How could anyone hear microbes?

She groaned, "I requested that Miguel see if he noticed what I noticed." Mori-san stole the bottle of bourbon glowering sideways at the music composer, and then returned her gaze to Law, "You don't seem alright."

For a moment he wondered if he looked as ghastly as he felt. Then the white of Miguel's hair made Trafalgar's his eyes darkened, "Did Bepo mention something to you?"

"He didn't have to." Mori-san shoved her hand into the top pocket of her overalls and produced a letter with a lotus wax stamp on the back.

"Ciguatera." Law shook his head. Of course she would want to intervene. Despite only being a dentist, she had a medical doctor's conscience.

Mori-san flipped the back of the letter to herself, "She is very worried about you."

After that he had more or less been harassed into staying at the main house up North. Not that Law would complain. He originated from the North and it would be pleasant to return. He was surprised that Kitten had singled out the Siphonophore family. They were renowned to be eccentric.

The back door opens, banging against the wall with a triumphant force. Atlas, Ace's cousin, tromps in with her boots squeaking. Oval goggles end up plastered to the top of her head as she happily moves them from around he neck up, "Hey kids." She greets, "Law, Bepo just called. We sent him back to your crew yesterday and he got there fine."

"Thank you, Atlas-ya." He says with a warm smile spreading over his face.

Atlas shrugs back and turns on her cousin, "Axis~!" she sing-songs.

"If you haven't brought a tranquilizer I don't want to talk to you." Grumbles Axis with her forehead on the table.

Law snorts at the comment. A tranquilizer would be nice right about now.

Atlas cackles loudly, "I don't have a tranq, but~ I can take you aboard. Kitty's got all our shit together."

A giggling screech from up stairs makes Law flinch, "If you wouldn't mind, I will happily escort you to the vessel."

Axis raises her hand, head still to the table, "I will only comply on the terms that sanity is not required and that you have chocolate to bribe me with."

Atlas smirks and fishes out something and lobs it at Axis, "As if I would come offering without a sufficient bribe!"

Axis sits up suddenly attempts to catch the thing and miscalculates. She jerks back slamming her head into the wall behind her.

Easily, Law extends his hand and captures a brightly colored foil oval. He turns the oval and realizes it's a chocolate egg, and he chuckles. Glancing sideways to Axis he has to stifle a laugh; Slightly cross-eyed with a messy Mohawk and an off frown.

"Ow…" she mutters covering her head.

Atlas roars with laughter, "Come on kiddies. Let's go. You've received your bribe."

Law is half urged to eat the candy to annoy Axis, but squashes the idea instantly. He is not Monkey D. Luffy and he spent too much time with the rubber idiot. Instead he holds the colorfully wrapped oval of sugar to her.

She closes one eye and manages to take it from him.

The doctor gets up and picks up his bag.

"Say 'ah'." Commands Axis getting up behind him.

Automatically he goes to ask why, when half of the chocolate egg is popped into his mouth. The chocolate is from some southern country. The texture is smooth, creamy, and undeniably tinted with a bit of spice. The burn of the spice is pleasant and instantly soothed by the sweetness of the candy. It is an excellent chocolate.

The kairoseki walks past him; stopping to pick up the large leather bound portfolio and duffle bag. She slings the duffle bag over her shoulder and catches his confused expression.

She too is eating part of the chocolate and visibly moves it to one side of her mouth and says, "Consider it your payment. But don't get used to it." She warns with a half smile, "I don't like to share my candy." She turns and begins rubbing her skull.

Atlas snatches the portfolio case and bag. Quickly she loops leash over her head and settles the strap of the portfolio on her shoulder, "Kitty said not to wear you out." She grins.

Axis shakes her head, but concedes to the treatment.

Choosing to accept candy as a gift, Law picks up his bag and takes his sword from leaning against the wall. He follows behind the women as they exit the house and start down the dirt path to the village. The main harbor is where Captain Ciguatera is anchored and going through the village will be the fastest route.

He is familiar with Atlas and her unholy strength. The double swordswoman is known formally as 'Switch Blade'. The four half blades she carries interconnect. Each blade had different properties and depending on how Atlas put them together, she could pretend to have elemental powers or make a double edge sword.

From his time sailing with Ciguatera, Atlas has also been his official ass-kicker. The first mate had an uncanny gift for seeing through his facade, and would challenge him to brutal battles. He often found himself bloody and bruised, but was always in good spirits at the end; Regardless of whether he won or lost.

However, he was not looking forward to sailing on the Black Lotus. He was a patient on a vessel he had once served as surgeon. It made his blood run cold as his limitations stared him in the face, laughing.

"Lacy!" calls Atlas over her shoulder.

He looks up with glower.

Atlas's cousin looks perplexed before turning and seeing his livid glare.

"Aw come on Lawsie!" she chirps changing pet names, "Don't look at me like that." She ushers their little group over as two-way traffic begins.

"What do you want?" glowers Trafalgar. He swerves, missing a group of people headed out of the village.

Atlas grabs him by the arm and tugs him closer as they enter into the town, "I was just telling Axi here about last time you sailed with us. Wasn't our battles epic?" she grins.

Axis rolls her eyes and dodges some kids playing kick ball, nearly tripping in her gaucherie attempt to move.

Law's hand lashes out catching her by the back of jacket, "Considering I won 42 out of 67 times, yes they were." He answers with a smooth grin.

"Thanks." Axis mutters shaking her head.

Law nods, "You're not exactly graceful."Up ahead he can see a throng of people, tightly packed on the main venue.

Axis glares at him, but does not have time to say anything.

Atlas roars happily and points at the ally way, directing her companions and continuing her conversation with Law, "You were counting? Now Dr. Law I thought we agreed to call it even?" she pouts.

Law turns with the women down the juncture, "Never." He feigns surprise, "I didn't sign a contract."

"Like you'd keep it." Snorts Atlas in a challenging tone, "I heard all about you going warlord and then skipping out." The group comes out in a residential street over from the main street without the crowd of people.

"That served a purpose." Law counters.

"Yeah? What was that?"

"I'm not in the frame of mind to elaborate such a complex plan to a child." He retorts.

She makes a very girlish grunt of indignation; "I will open a can of whoop ass on you and work you to death." Atlas abruptly turns left.

Their group follows, going down a steep hill to the open bay. Ahead, are the everyday fishing vessels and merchant ships. Behind them, taking up most of the shallow water is the floating Black Lotus. No sails are visible, only towering spikes that look like petals from far away.

"Kitten has policies about using deadly force on patients." Points out Axis despondently.

"Too true." Agrees Law with a hum.

Atlas motions for them to follow her, "Then, get ready to be sedated the entire ride." She snorts weaving through the modicum of people.

Law tails her effortlessly, "As your patient, I will simply be as unbearable as I can. If I'm going to be sedated I might as well make it worth the product." He sighs, "And good pain killers are so expensive."

"Heroin's pretty cheap." Axis grins behind him.

He chuckles, "To be used, with extreme caution, least you become addicted." He informs her from over his shoulder.

Atlas waves them over to a long dock extended out to the ship.

Law follows letting his boots click noisily across the planks.

"No kidding. In the South there is a belt of islands known as the Black Market. Each one produces a specific drug at what they call 'lab' quality." Axis agrees as thumps behind him.

"And how do you know about those? They're not on any map except for Naval." Atlas points out waiting by the ramp.

"I've hopped through it. I started on Coca and ended on Poppy Island. I've never seen flowers like that anywhere. They were everywhere. It was astounding." Axis offers a smile, but sounds a little breathy. Small beads of sweat roll down her neck and her limbs have a slight tremble from the exertion.

Atlas rolls her eyes and striding up the ramp and bangs on the side of the ship. It absorbs the blows like jelly sending ripples through the boat.

"Do they produce morphine?" inquires Law joining Atlas, "I haven't made it that far south yet."

There is a 'ding' from the ship and a door slides open, "Yeah, but you gotta buy in bulk. I'm surprised you haven't." comments Axis, "I woulda though a pit stop there would be your priority."

Leading the way through the door, Altas calls, "Yeah, well there was a big fire out break on Poppy."

"Fire?" asks Law trailing after her into the darkness of the ship.

There is a soft hum and overhead lights turn on like bioluminescent. "There is a hybrid species of some ancient dinosaur and dragon that lives below the surface of the island. There was some sort of break at the entire island went up in smoke. Naval and Black Market dealer alike died. It is still burning." Atlas shakes her head and motions them to follow.

"Pity. Pharmaceutical grade drugs are hard to acquire." Comments Law shrugging, "I assume you lot are still manufacturing yours."

"Naturally." Agrees Atlas turning to a wall where several rows of circles are, "Mori offers a lot with her island gardens. Being well versed mostly in deadly plants she offers mostly toxins. While this vessel is not in the market of murder, we do like to be one step ahead." She runs her fingers over them in a pattern.

"Welcome home Atlas. How was your journey?" asks a disembodied voice.

Atlas sighs, "Fine. I have two patients."

"Very good. Please proceed."

She begins walking backwards, "Okay kiddies listen up. Both of you have been patients before, so you know the basics, but this is the first time that you, Dr. Trafalgar, are sailing as a confidant and assistive surgeon. Like before if you do not feel that you can assist you are allowed to decline. If something changes with your condition, for worse or better, we need to know."

"Till death do we part?" Law asks in purr following.

Atlas glares at him, "I will sedate you." She threatens and then looks at Axis, "You care allowed to work on any medical illustration or shennagins you want. However, you must show up for counseling, go to physical therapy, and take prescribed medication. Oh! And Pollo threatens if you don't eat she will force feed you."

"Chef can kiss my bony ass." Grumbles Axis as she rubs as her neck and face.

Atlas stops, halting both of them with a hand, and a membrane comes up on all sides. They slide down in their membrane box to the lower level. The walls absorb back into the ground.

The first mate points in two opposite directions, "Welcome to your residence." She then reaches her left hand out and opens a door, "Dr. Trafalgar you room."

Law peers in and sees to his dismay the black scrubs sitting on his bright yellow comforter. Everything else in the room was just as he left it. Laundry basket of clean underwear, long sleeve shirts, and black scrubs perched on his bed and broken furniture all about.

"I was not sure if you wanted to repair your furniture or dispose of it." Says the disembodied voice again.

Law sighs, "You are welcome to eat it Jarvis-ya." He calls and watches as the splintered bits and chunks are absorbed into the floor leaving a mess of papers and books.

Atlas jabs him in the side with a finger. He jumps and looks at her, "As you should remember, uniforms are not optional. I am aware both of you prefer long sleeves so I'll only say this once. You can wear something under the shirt, not over." Here she gives a pointed look at Law.

Law glares at her, but says nothing.

Atlas slings off both straps from Axis's luggage and offers them to her cousin.

Axis's door is open and he does a double take, distracted, "That's a closet." He states.

Atlas rolls her eyes, "We know."

Unlike his roomy bedroom with a comfortable bed, bookshelf, dresser, and closet, there is barely enough space for the white drafting table with adjustable light, a stool, and a ladder.

Axis pulls out a drawer out the wall and places the offered portfolio case in it, "It has lots of storage." She shrugs shutting it with her knee.

He squints at her, " What about a bed?"

She points up, "I have a loft. There are drawers for my clothing and shelves for books, knickknacks and such."

He gives a disbelieving look.

"You gotta see it." Grins Atlas shaking her head, "It's like a squirrel burrow."

Axis slides out and motions for him to go.

He sets his bag and sword in his room and carefully slides into the room. Now that he is in he can see that all the way up the walls are drawers. Engraved labels identify things like, paper, charcoal, and bits of bone. He looks up curiously and sees an opening in the ceiling.

"Go on." Cheers Atlas warmly.

He glares at her for the comment, but takes hold of the ladder and climbs up. His pointed boots are more hassle then they are worth, he decides once he reaches the top and sits on the edge. The points kept threatening to slide him off the rails. As his eyes adjust to the low light he finds a touch light.

He prods it and slowly the room lights, "This is an ingenious conservation of space." He complements as he glances around.

The bed is a traditional futon, layered with too many blankets. Several rows of books decorate the short wall by the bed. On the opposite side connected by a small crawl path is what he assumes serves as a dresser. Two long shelves with three small drawers on top.

He looks down to find Axis looking up, "Its pretty cool." He admits with a smile.

She shrugs, "Small space for a small person." She offers a smile.

"Are trying to guilt trip me?" he asks with a light smile on his face.

She rolls her eyes, "You're a captain. There's nothing small about you."

He chuckles approvingly, "Alright, I'm done gawking."

She nods and moves out.

He jumps down with catlike prowess.

"Show off." Mutters Atlas not so discretely.

He smirks and rolls his shoulders as he straightens, "Only for you darlin." He grins. Not sleeping had made him edgy, but Atlas always managed to put him in a good mood.

"You gonna do a strip show for two?" she asks sarcastically as he exits.

"Why? You wanna see if I really do put my pants on the same way as everyone else?" he strides pompously out of the cubby and into his room.

"Sweetheart, I know you do." She challenges back, "I'm your doctor."

He turns on his heel and slouches in the doorframe settling into predatory grin, "Pff. As if." He retorts leaning forward, "I don't trust you to clip my nails."

Axis starts laughing, "Oh look, he knows you pretty well." She shakes her head heading into her closet.

Law chuckles.

Atlas shoots Axis a dirty look, but the door clicks shut in her face. She rolls her eyes and looks back at Law, "Alright Princess, strip." She reaches into her pocket and tosses two white hoops at him, "I'll meet you up on the deck."

He effortless captures the objects and feels his body freeze over. The smile falls as he stares at kairoseki bracelets. For an instant he sees Penguin's agonized expression as he lay in the infirmary. He shakes his nightmares from his eyes and closes the door.

Contrary to Atlas's jokes, Law did not strip sinuously. Everything was done meticulously. All his barely worn clothing are folded and replaced into the dresser. Stomping over the papers, Law shimmies on his yellow three quarter's shirt before pulling on the dark pants. The black scrub top is made of light fabric and all Law can think of is how cold the ship is. He tugs it on and the annoying bunch at his back has him digging out his hood from under a layer of fabric. He looks around and then has to get on his hands and knees to pull on rubber sole flats. Really, as fashionable as Captain Ciguetera is, one would think she could at least afford men's boots.

"Jarvis-ya?" he calls.

The disembodied voice answers, "Yes, Dr. Trafalgar?"

"Can you do a safe on my sword. I want to be able to have it you need to be defended. I'm not permitted to carry it as a patient."

Jarvis answers, "Yes, of course." Membrane walls come up around the blade against the wall and Law's nodachi is swallowed up by the ship, "Anything else?"

"No, thank you." He returns politely.

"Call if you need something." And then it is silent again.

Law nods in the silence, irked by rules he has imposed on him. He places on the bangles and opens the door. He is confused for a second as he finds Axis staring back at him from her doorway. The purple and black-striped long sleeve shirt must be older than death. It is faded, and frayed at the end of the sleeves with little strings coming off. His eyes look down and notice Axis is neglecting shoes in favor of bare feet.

"What?" she asks.

"You are being eaten alive in that." He comments letting his eyes come up to meet her's.

She raises a brow, "You too." She nods at the several sizes too large scrubs.

"Not nearly as much as you." He retorts, but his smile is coming back.

She gives him a pursed smile, but shuts her door. It locks and she stands in the center of the hallway.

He does like wise.

The membrane walls rise up and they are sucked up to the dock of the ship. Law imagines it is what being slurped up a straw feels like.

Seemingly osmosis-ed through the ship, Law looks around the deck as the membrane walls receded back into the dock. The helm men are busy fulfilling orders and answering up to the violet haired hermaphrodite, Law knows as Tempest.

Tempest, one of the few entirely human members of the Black Lotus, was also the only decent shipwright for a bio-ship. Bio-ships were never a rare phenomenon, but the ability to use one as a ship was. Tempest had explained to Law that bio-ships are traditionally tiny organisms that grow up in the trenches of the oceans. As they get bigger, they migrate up into warmer waters. Often they attach themselves, like barnacles, to a rock or steady object. The end result being that they looked like jellyfish sea flowers, but they had intelligence far exceeding both land and oceanic peoples. For this reason, they never willingly became a ship for anyone- Until Tempest began to study them.

Being neither from a well-learned family nor a wealthy family, most of Tempest knowledge came from talking to others. Despite the incredible temper he was known for having, Tempest also had a fair amount intellect. While he did not read, but he was far from stupid. The bio-shipwright had informed Law that while he was not a doctor, he could still kick Law's ass and look hot while doing it. Honestly, Law annoyed by Tempest's loud voice.

Tempest spots him instantly, and offers a grin, "Well lookit whose back." He grins striding over.

If Law was honest, the size difference and along with Tempest's muscle mass is always intimidating, "Temp." he nods politely.

Clearly Axis knew him as well. She looks side ways and exhales, "Hi."

"Don't look so happy, pumpkin!" laughs the shipwright. He reaches out a hand claps Axis on the shoulder.

Axis caves downward with the force, causing the shipwright to grab after her.

"Shit, darlin'! I wasn't tryin' to break ya." He offers a worried look, "Hell, you're fuckin skin a bones."

"Yup." She agrees, but does not struggle or argue.

Tempest set her right then looks at Law, "Boy, you gotta get you some sleep! You look like death warmed over."

Law knows he does and bites back a scathing remark, "I would love too. Please, tell me how to fall asleep. My body has forgotten."

Tempest chuckles, "Well ain't you two a sorry lot." He sighs, "But at least you're alive."

"Have you pulled more bodies?" Axis asks suddenly alert.

He nods gravely, "Divers pulled up four. Judging from the condition of the bones, they were recent victims. Bones that have been in the sea for a long time have more wear. Kitten wants you to get ID's on them right away."

Axis nods her head from side to side, "Wonderful."

"Tempy!" hollers a voice from behind.

The shipwright turns and then yells, "Just tie it off. Don't worry about it! Jarvis needs his shots today!"

"Jarvis is sick?" asks Law.

Tempest rounds on Law, "No. Vaccines. I had to ask a biologist in Canary Port to help. Lots of these lil' ships are gettin' sick. There are three different viruses that are running amuck. I was fuckin' pissed. I lost a garden."

Law raised a brow, "A garden?"

"Oh right! I didn't tell ya. They seem to grow in neat rows that look like gardens. So I decided to call them that." He smiles, "Ms. Izabell says that it must be something to do with their hive mind they maintain while they're growing."

"They have a hive mindset?" asks Axis surprised, "I though they were like little thought bubbles."

Tempest chuckles, "No. When they're tiny they work together. Their survival depends on it. I though it was neat how if one of them is going to die, it passes on what is killing it to try to save the others."

"It seems like your research into how these bio-ship work is going well." Law says approvingly.

Tempest nods, "Yup. Jarvis told me that other's, that are big like him, are all interested in potentially finding crews. I told him Kitten needs an armada to save the world, and he said he was game." There is a loud crash, and Tempest groans letting his shoulder sag and glaring up at the sky, "I gotta go. My crewmen are going to punch holes in Jarvis. See ya! Don't be a stranger." He waves turning and running towards three men who have pale expressions of terror.

Both Axis and Law watch as Tempest unleashes hurricane force winds on his men.

"I would die if I worked for him." Axis comments.

"Me too." Agrees Law.

Before either of them can move, an arm wraps around both of them, and Atlas holds them in a head lock, "Hey Kiddies!" she cheers.

While it is futile, both Law and Axis struggle to remove themselves from the switch swordsman.

She releases them with a good natured laugh, "And look! You both are wearing your uniforms right! I'm so proud of you."

Axis lets loose a mutter of curses.

"Hello again, Atlas-ya." Sighs Law, "How are you?"

"I'm excellent. Lets go get you two checked in. Mori-san said she's bring Whitebeard commanders and the kiddies." Atlas loops her arms around one of each patients' and hauls them towards the western lotus petals.

With all the charity of an ax murderer, she guides them into the west wing and up to the desk. A man and woman sit behind the counter and stand as the patients are wheeled into the counter. A soft hiss from both fractious patients as they bounce into the unforgiving stone.

"Hey! I've got Dr. Trafalgar Law and Gol D. Axis for check in!" she cheers.

Law lets out a wheeze as his diaphragm contracts painfully.

The man hurries around the desk the check Law, "Are you alright?" he asks placing a webbed hand on Law's back.

Law waves as he struggles to catch his breath.

"Lady Atlas, please refrain from injuring the patients further." Reprimands the woman behind the desk and she slithers around the barricade.

"They're fine." Snorts Altas clapping Law on the back.

"Medusa." Mutters Axis wincing and rubbing at her lower ribs.

Eight tentacle legs with underbellies of suction cups swirl back and forth as she draws closer, "Welcome back Axis." She nods.

"I must concur with Medusa, you could cause internal damage." The man says irritably, "Don't make our jobs harder just because Dr. Trafalgar beat you last time he was on board."

Law looks at the man. He recognizes him as Krokodil- the narcotic chemist. Unlike Crocodile who was a well-dressed man, missing a hand, with ashen colored skin, Krokodil was translucent Jellyfish like male, covered in retractable scales. He wears the black tank top covered by a white pair of coveralls with his ID badge clipped to the left pocket. The bright blue of the man's eyes were intense and made Law uncomfortable, although he knew Krokodil could not do anything about it.

"Hi, Dil." He manages clearing his voice.

"Hiya, Law." He shakes his head and turns his gaze on the first mate, "I'll kick your scrawny ass." He threatens.

"Really?"

"Yeah." He returns with a cool frown.

Atlas may have been the first mate of the ship, but Krokodil had the third eyelid blinking and frozen blue eye color going for him.

She turned away throwing up her hands, "Whatever! I'll behave."

He shook his head, "Come on, Trafalgar." He gently urging with one hand, "Lets get you checked in so you don't have deal with us."

Law obeys easily. While being given orders angers him, no one on the Black Lotus is demeaning. They are simply doing their job. He follows the chemist to a room and sits on the examination table.

Krokodil picks up a clipboard and with a pen fills out the paper clipped to it, "How was your vacation from here?"

"Is that what that was?" he chuckles.

Krokodil snorts and sets the clipboard down, "Alright you know the drill." And from under the coveralls he pulls his stethoscope.

Law nods quietly and exhales. He extends his hand, darkened with its black ink design.

Krocodil takes Law's pulse in silence. His frown never leaves his face. Then he takes the sphygmomanometer from its perch on the wall and shoves Law's sleeve up. Then he firmly cuffs the bicep.

"Did anything change while you were away?" he asks positioning the stethoscope in the nook of his elbow above the brachial artery.

Law meets his examiner's eyes for a second, and then looks away without answering.

Krokodil shakes his head and check the valve above the rubber bulb. Then he pumps the bulb watching Law's face. His eyes turn down and he stops listening. He shakes his head, annoyed and lets the pressure out still listening.

Law decides the chemist is not happy with what he hears because the cuff is practically ripped off his arm in his haste.

"Well, your blood pressure is dropping more." He groans scribbling onto his paper, "Goddamn it. You won't survive at this rate."

Considering Law has experienced more bouts of dizziness when he stands, he is not surprised; "With those encouraging words I commit myself, into your hands." He says mock lightly.

Krokodil snorts, "Yeah well we don't want to be the hands that burry you." He leans back against the counter, pen poised, "What's changed?"

"I find myself more exhausted than usual. I force myself to lay still for at least six hours of the night to insure that my muscles have time to relax, but my hands shake and my steps are not normal."

"I got that memo from Mr. Siphonophore." Agrees Krokodil, "He says its like your feet have an echo."

"I am… unsteady." Law admits, "It is as if my muscles have decided to revolt."

The chemist snorts again, " Law you're in a funny mood aren't you?"

Law shakes his head tiredly, "I am in a mood."

"Agreed. So what else?" asks fishman.

"I feel like my organs are rearranging themselves inside my body." He says quietly, "I feel them moving around inside of me."

"Does it hurt?" demands Krokodil.

"Sometimes." Admits the Surgeon of Death, "Sometimes not."

"We're gonna need an X-ray." Mutters the examiner, "Miguel also noted to us that you had a double heart beat. When I was listening I heard a triple heart beat."

Law says nothing, as his brain fumbles for a reason of why his body is acting out against him.

"Are you eating?" tries Krokodil watching Law stare blankly at his hands.

"Not as much as I need, but I can't eat a lot." He shakes his head, "I'll throw up all of it if I over do it."

"How much?"

"Maybe a cup of solid food. If liquid, maybe 24 ounces." He admits.

"Goddamn it." Curses Krokodil again and sits up, "Come on. We're going to x-ray lab."

Law is hurried three doors down to a room. He steps in and Jarvis' voice comes in, "Dr. Trafalgar, please stand in the center."

He complies and stands feeling somewhat foolish.

"Please close your eyes." Requests Jarvis, "The radiation is intense."

The moment his eyes shut he sees a blinding light through the skin of his eyes and feels a tremor start up his legs. Inside, his stomach literally flips and then flips again to its original position.

"Complete… Law?" calls Jarvis concerned.

"One moment." He says surprised at the hoarseness of his voice.

He feels that shiver of his power rippling through his body, violently bounding against the fibers of his being. Then he starts shuddering vehemently as the kairoseki around his wrists backfire the vibration into his very bones. He opens his eyes, feel his body settles, and opens his mouth to call out. Then his equilibrium shifts violently and he collapses onto the floor.

The door to the room opens and a worried Krokodil eases him up into a sitting position, "Breathe, come on Law you're holding your breath again."

Law forces his lungs to exhale, surprised when it aches to breathe.

"Good now you have to inhale." Instructs the chemist rubbing circles in Law's back.

Law manages a stuttering choked breath and his fingers spasm as whispers of recoil dance through his body.

"Very good." Applauds Krokodil, "Now exhale."

Law would be angry, but without another voice he would not be able to perform. He lets the breath out, feeling the painful thump against his ribcage.

"Alright you are going to partially inhale and then drink-" he holds a glass up with a translucent blue liquid, "This."

The breath hisses between his teeth too hot to be air and then the glass is cool against his lips. The arctic chill from the liquid sloshes into his mouth and down his esophagus. It hurts like little needles, but puts out the burn in his lungs. His body screams for more air as erratic twitches fade instantly and his brain feels like it untwists itself.

Then there is silence. His body breathes on its own, his heart hammers painfully, unpredictably against its bony cage. His eyes focus on the ceiling of the x-ray organ and everything slows down. He blinking once, then his eyes rapidly twitch from side to side stopping only as he stares ahead.

"Good." Krokodil sounds pleased as exhales loudly.

One of his translucent hands drifts before Law's view and his eyes attach to the transcendent shimmer of blue-purple veins just below the surface. Gracefully the hand draws his graze down, but Law recoils as twitches of pain lance up his neck.

"Its okay. That is the tremor of your devil fruit toxins. Focus on my hand only." Insists Krokodil's voice.

Law's eyes find the lure and, slower this time, he follows the hand's descent down. He feels the ache in his body, the pressure at the base of his skull, but no longer feels the energy bouncing around him.

"Very good." Applauds the chemist, and carefully eases Law into a standing position. Then with hands on Law's upper arms guides him out of the x-ray area back to the examination room.

Law knows the scales have extended to support their owner because in the next instant, Krokodil has him on the table. His eyes catch the receding protection as his examiner comes around to face him.

"Your eyes are racing back and forth. Is your vision disrupted?" questions the fishman, blue eyes too attentive.

Law shakes his head, not trusting his voice.

Krocodil looks disheartened, but motions, "Okay. Take it easy today. No more exercise than necessary." He sucks on his lower lip as he looks at the charts, then abruptly throws the clipboard, "Don't make me confine you to a wheelchair." His voice is worried, begging.

It is always strange, the amount of concern every doctor on Black Lotus has for a patient. Law never feels neglected and Krocodil is often his primary physician, he senses the concern of a comrade.

"I'll be careful." He assures quietly, "I do not want a repeat."

Lips pressed firm, fishman nods. He grabs four plastic straps from his desk and begins to lock them then securely around Law's thin wrist; A bright yellow bracelet warns "Fall Risk", a second white one announces "Trafalgar Law: patient", a third in an obnoxious pastel pink proclaims "Fruit User", and the fourth and final in blue says, "Unstable."

Law glares at the plastic bracelets, but does not say anything. He would have done the same thing to a patient who exhibited his behaviors.

"You can go. Call me if you need me." Prompts the Chemist stepping away.

Law slides down, and finds his symmetry upset. He stands with hands out stretched on either side, trying to balance the tilt of the world. After a moment, his inner ear agrees that he is standing solidly and he is able to nod to his physician and exit.

On the deck, the Whitebeard commanders are standing with excited children. Axis and Ace seem to be half glaring at one another, when Rodger looses his balance and thumps against his aunt.

She looses balance and flops on deck, the ship choosing to absorb her fall. She looks bewildered staring at her wide-eyed nephew.

"Look at that!" cheers Ace extending a hand to his sister and scooping his son up, "Rodger's already stronger than you."

Axis takes Ace's hand and Law is perversely pleased to note multiple bracelets on her wrist.

Ace tugs his sister to his feet and then waves at Law, "Hey!"

Law nods quietly walking forward.

Axis turns to him, "I see they've tagged you as well." She sighs holding her wrist up to indicate the bands around her own wrist.

"Yes." Agrees Law, "Although I doubt ours match."

Axis glances at his and then at her own. Both have the white band, but her first is light purple, and second is a black band with white writing.

Law reads: Kairoseki in bold characters. Inwardly he cringes. It is not bad enough that she is kairoseki, but she must be branded at every turn. In a way, just like him. His 'Fruit User' band is just as damning as hers.

"Who cares." She shrugs misery evident in her voice," These," she twists her wrists letting the plastic rattle, "Pretty much say 'confined to Black Lotus.'"

Law actually laughs at that, "There's optimism for you." He cheers.

"Honesty is best served cold." She responds warmly and then both turn to look at the Whitebeard commanders, "So ready to go home?"

"Yes and no." Marco answers gently swinging hands with his son, "This is going to be significantly different."

"Don't worry, you're kids have been around the Underground community plenty. They know what don't make a sound means." Assures Axis.

"I'm not sure whether to be relived or concerned." Admits Marco.

"Be relieved they understand the weight of their consequences and concerned they might turn into marines." Teases Law and looks sideways to Axis.

She smiles back at him.

Ace blanches, "I'm not sure that's comforting." He shakes his head, "Although I'm glad Rodger didn't get my narcolepsy. At least you won't worry about falling asleep randomly."

"You have narcolepsy?" questions Axis surprised.

"I did before I died." He admits, "But I haven't had an attack since coming back to life."

"It may take several months before you are completely back to par." Law offers, "Don't rule it out yet."

Ace shrugs, "It hasn't happened yet. I don't think its gonna happen."

"But," Marco interjects, "We'll be on guard just in case."

Ace rolls his eyes looks more like a young child than a parent, but says, "So you're going up North?"

Axis nods, "I'm going home. Have fun pillaging and whatever pirates do. I'm gonna nap for three months."

Ace snorts, "Having too much fun with me?"

"Hmn." She agrees darkly.

Ace looks to Law, "And you're going up as well?"

"Yes." He agrees, "I need some R&R." Law watches Fire Fist's eyes lock on the 'Fall Risk', grateful when the Whitebeard commander senses Law's desire to remain silent.

Jarvis' voice suddenly sings around the deck, "Good Morning. I am to inform you that I am setting sail for the Port of Indigo. We'll be there is a few hours."

"Who is that…?" Ace asks looking around.

"Jarvis." Answer both of his children.

The Kairoseki Incident

Chapter 8- The Silver Lining

Dr. Ciguetera captain of the Black Lotus swept over the island like a wave. The enormous ornate black flower shaped ship looked so innocent on the horizon, but within the hour proved that it concealed a horrifying multitude of specialized soldiers. Like a raider ant colony, meticulous groups descended on the island wiping out the Navy.

Ace did not know anything was going on until Mori came in. The gardener in her dirty overalls had met him in the kitchen and threaded her arm through his, "I wish to show you something." She prompted lightly.

He allowed himself to be led to the largest window facing the community below. His dark eyes had not noticed anything at first. Everything seemed unremarkable, but so had the last two days. They had been on high alert waiting for the Navy to retaliate. With Marco worried sick over the children, his sister out of commission, and recent events, he worried that the Siphonophore family would be taking the fall.

Mori as if sensing his misguided search said simply, "Those naval vessels have probably been converted to bio-contamination units."

He drew his gaze from the village to the sea and saw the three large vessels that had docked only a few hours before. Now, each vessel was enveloped in a strange greenish membrane. "What…happened?" he breathed.

"Captain Ciguatera probably put all the dead bodies of the soldiers in those ships and sealed them. Either that or she gave them bubonic plague." Mori shrugged.

Ace at looked slightly thunderstruck, but was not phased by the horror. He was a pirate. It was not as if killing Naval soldiers did not happen, but the method was strange. As if echoing the name dawned on him, "Captain Ciguatera?" he solicited.

"Yes. I sent a message for her to come straight away. As her crew have been your children's primary physicians for the last several years, I wanted to have the specialists to correct any unforeseen problems."

"The ones nobody will tell me about." Ace said in an undertone of bitter annoyance, "Would that the be the unforeseen problems?"

"Truly I understand your bitterness." She assured, champagne eyes down cast, "But, don't take it so personally." Mori looked up at him again, "You have not dealt with their current condition well."

He felt childish, his cheeks burning red with shame and anger.

The gardener's eyes remained steadily on him and she added, "At the time, I could not trust you with more."

As if mention of dinner, Ace's attention jumped back to the gardener, "You said could not."

"Yes." Agreed Mori, "I think you should know about some of the boney problems your children were born with."

Ace waited.

"But I want the medical facility to explain it. I am no doctor of human bodies and I would probably screw it up."

Ace sighed, but now that answers were coming, "I can wait a little longer." He conceded looking out the window.

Mori's smile was in her tone as she said, "And you shall have your answers, Mr. Portgas." She assured.

Except, he had not expected the incursion from the Black Lotus's Medical Facility. The petite captain plodded into the house without introduction or care for anyone's feelings. The door, he learned later, was always open for her.

With a flick of her delicate wrist her men went instantaneously to his sons' room. When her men met stout resistance from Ace and Marco: she said nothing. A glance sideways from Mori and the new parents were removed from their children.

She finally spoke on her way out the door. "You should have called me sooner, Mori-san!" she insisted delicate brow furrowed, "They need immediate care! Thank the heavens I sent Dr. Trafalgar!" from with in her black coat, she pulled pastel pink pad of paper and a black pen. She scribbled a note hastily and jabbed it into Mori's chest, "Give it to Atlas, yes?"

"Yes." Agreed Mori unperturbed.

"I'll be back for Axis." She assured, "Don't let her move and if she is a pain in the ass call for me immediately. I'll send a sedative."

Mori nodded again, her smile never left her face as the parents stood behind her in shocked horror.

Then she went to the door and yanked it open. With more force than necessary, she shut the door and the house was strangely silent.

Mori turned to Ace and her brows raised, "You look dead on your feet. Go rest." She urged still calm holding the pink piece of paper.

Ace ran from her. His first order of business was to go screaming to his sister. He barged in Dr. Siphonophore's empty office.

Axis, who had been a doze, was startled by his appearance, but allowed Ace to manhandle her from the couch in the quiet of the office to Ace's room.

Marco must have thought Ace was going to bed because he was standing nervously at the window. His face turned confused as Ace dumped her onto the couple's mattress and shut the door with a wild look in his eyes.

Ace knew it was wild because of her calculating expression and the way Marco stood just out of reach. However, she merely made a show of watching Ace without changing her expression.

For two hours he walked back and explaining in mixed gibberish his panicked. Most of it made little sense to Ace, this word vomit helped empty out his panic and anger. His mild whirled in its assault of the events, but as each word and sentence emptied out of him, he felt sharper… even if he could see the worry on Marco's face. Finally at the beginning of the third hour, Ace's brain seemed to have worked out what he was so overwhelmed by.

He looked in disbelief at his sister, "She's like-maybe five feet! Big as a rail, blond hair, and big doe brown eyes!" –here there were also humorous hand gestures to go along with ranting- "She was wearing a pink frilly dress under that black lab coat, and that tricorn hat had more pearls and glitter than a drag queen!"

Ace saw her lopsided smile appear and his brain halted, "Yes." She agreed curled in blanket on his bed.

The blonde haired commander finally gathered his thoughts, as half demanded half begged, "Are my kids safe?"

"Her staff have been their doctor since they came to our family. They are fine." Assured Axis for the sixth or seventh time.

Not moving made Ace jittery as another thought dawned on him. He reached out and grabbed his sister's face between his hot palms, "Are you fine?" he demanded. His body shook as a horrible thought occurred to him. 'Why isn't Axis being treated?!'

He could not pretend the vacant dark eyes and ghastly pallor of her skin were fake. Like a corpse in his hands she leeched the heat from his body icing him to his core. Grey eyes too empty, tone too calm and gentle he feared that the last battle had broken something.

Unable to escape the attention of Ace, Axis exhaled tiredily, "I will be, in time."

"Do I need to get Law?" demanded Ace fiercely, "You look horrible."

Her eyes closed and she exhaled slowly, "Ace." Her voice was too patient in tone, "They will come back for me. I only need a little work." Then her eyes lock on his black, "I am okay. I just need to sleep." She assured.

Fire Fist snorted as he read between the lines. In his mind it translated to: I'm fine you asshole. They didn't take me because I need the most work. His hands felt so cold and numb from where they were pressed against her skin that it very nearly echoed in his being.

Clearly Axis could not take anymore as she looked beyond Ace, "Marco, I beg you to save me from your boyfriend." Groaned Axis casting grey eyes up to the blonde haired man.

Marco placed warm hands on Ace's shoulders, "She really does need rest." He said quietly in Ace's ear.

"Yeah… yeah you do." nodded Ace shaking himself from his inner demons. He released her.

The fire inside filled him, ripping through his body, and warming the empty cavity where his heart is- More like where it should be. Ever since Dr. Ciguatera took Rodger from him, he had this empty spot in his chest that was heavy. He felt crushed under an immense pressure, "Sorry."

"Its okay." Comforted Axis, "You need some sleep too. Why don't you take me to my room so you can have your bed back."

"But-" began Ace.

The hands on Ace's shoulder's tightened, "Ace." Marco interjected gently, "She isn't going anywhere."

Ace turned and looked at his lover. He could see the dark circles under Marco's eyes, the unshaven beard, and the way his body slouched. Marco needed sleep, "Y-yeah." He agreed.

Axis's body was rigid, but unmoving. She was awkward to gather up, but easy to transport. He took her out his room and down the hall to the end. He used his foot and slide open the door easily.

The bedroom was more of an office. The long table furthest from the door had chairs with strung skeletons sitting upright. The tabletop was an intricately decorated wooden world map with symbols and characters. Some of the symbols were obvious, like the marines or infamous Red Hair pirates. Others were unknown, like the mini skeletons all posed around the world map. Then there were the other tables cluttered with paper, pencil, charcoal and such that line the walls beneath the built-in bookshelves; Bookshelves that have no books, but boxes and boxes of bones all the way to ceiling. There was a single pillar in the center of the room, that was a bookshelf all the way around. Beside the pillar was the easel and stool, well used and liked. Then there was the bed. A narrow cot piled high with blankets.

He maneuvered her under the mass of soft cloth, "Are you okay?" he asks as he finishes tucking her in.

"I will be, Ace." Promised Axis quietly, "Are you okay?"

"Not really. This situation is completely out of my control." He confessed.

"I know." Agreed Axis, "But it will be okay."

Ace nodded, "Guess I'll just have to trust you on that one." He ruffled her hair "See ya in a while."

"Right." She yawned.

Ace left, shutting the door behind. He had traveled down the hall to his bedroom and hesitated at the door.

He stands there reflecting. His finger tips press against the grain of the door, but he is unable to feel anything. So empty from his panic that he feels and sees nothing. His head begins to droop and he knows its time to go in. Carefully he opens the door.

Marco sits with his fingers laced together loosely. His eyes gaze down at the floor as he seeks answers in the grain. His feet rest on the blades of his feet, front two toes twitching aimlessly. His expression is grave making him appear older.

The dark haired fire user comes forward and places a hand on Marco's unshaven cheek.

Whitebeard's first commander, looks up with worried blue eyes, "Is this going to be okay?" his hand raises to clasp at Ace's.

"Dunno." Admits Ace, "Axis says yes, but I have no clue." He concedes.

Silence falls between them. Both stare at one another trying to form words to describe the panic and concern. The words do not come. Ace moves forward wrapping his arms tightly around his partner. Somehow he wants to give comfort he does not have, but feels as if he receives comfort from the smell and warmth of Marco's body.

Marco's arms tighten around Ace and drag him to the bed where they lie, holding one another.

In silence, the pair find their pillows and blanket. Sleep is the only thing either can think of to relieve the worry. They separate, each worrying they might squeeze the life out of the other in their quest for comfort. They find their side of the bed and start on the edges. However, in sleep, their bodies seek out one another until they are entangled. As if sharing their bodily warm with ease the dread and fear.

The world of dreams is empty and void of humor, fear, or confusion. Both men are only aware of the physical warmth and comfort. In this stillness the pair grasp the depth of their exhaustion and find a strange placate they have lacked since the day Gol D. Axis walked into their lives.

Then there is the moment between waking and sleeping where they could turn one-way or the other: Dive back in the dreamless feeling or rise to meet the world. If not for the door opening, they might have plunged back into that state of sleep, but the grate of wheels on the sliding tract jolts both in wakefulness. Instincts from life as a fugitive compel them both to sitting positions instantly; fight or flight making their hearts pound painfully.

In the door way is a small figure, maybe five feet tall and she is a little ball of sunshine without her imposing captain wears. A delicate pink frilly dress with white stockings gives an almost doll like look. Captain Ciguatera's wide brown eyes fringed with blonde lashes have a soft child- like gaze. Her little pink lips turn up into a smile at their alert and dazed expressions.

"Sorry. I didn't know that you had finally gone to bed." She apologizes in a sweet tone, "But Adam did say you were awful quiet today." She looks genuinely puzzled, "Mah, whatever." She smiles amiably, "Can we chat over tea?"

"Tea would be lovely." Marco exhales slowly, a habit he developed to try and calm down.

She giggles, "I have sleepy teas or comfort teas. Which makes you feel better right now?"

"Comfort." Ace answers automatically staring blankly at her. His mind refuses to process his waking life.

She giggles, "Great, green tea it is. Come down in a few, yes?"

"Yes." Nods Marco in a daze.

"Hurry cause I've got great news!" she chatters disappears from the door and they hear her 'tromp' down the stairs.

Ace looks at Marco who gives him the same sort of anxious hopefulness. They slide out of bed and hurry down.

The little blonde haired doll turns carrying cups and hot teapot, "Wow! You guys are like jackrabbits!" she giggles and clinks three small cups down, "Sit! Sit." She urges and plops down across from the anxious parents.

"Of course." Marco answers quietly. He automatically pulls Ace's chair out before his own and then drags his own chair back so he can slouch into it.

Ace sits without comment, but unable to ignore warm unspoken affection Marco directs towards him.

The little round teapot drizzles tea into the cups and she shoves two to the men. Ciguatera take a small sip and then says, "First off, you kids are going to be fine." She promises.

The pair exhales feeling the true weight of tension they did not know they were carrying. They had thought sleep had released tension! The true weight was so crushing that the relief makes them light headed. Both shakily take a sip of tea letting their suddenly winded minds relax.

For several minutes no one says anything. They take sips letting their minds inhale the relief while the dainty captain smiles drinking her own.

Ciguatera is completely content watching them as calm. Her words have her desired affect as their body relax and tension drains from their faces. As she fills her cup again she says, "I took Axis back a little bit ago, but she should be fine." Then she added in an annoyed tone, " After a long…long stay-cation home in the frozen woods. Where its dreadfully cold." She shivers at the thought.

Ace looks up at her and smiles, "Stay-cation?"

"Ya know," she giggles, "Stay-at-home-vacation? Duh."

Marco snickers, probably more out of relief.

"I was worried when she didn't call at Canary Port." Admits Ciguatera, "I'mean, she was supposed to go there, do a project, and call me to take her home. Guess what? She disappears and reappears in the newspaper escaping the gallows." She snorts, "Thank you life for being unpredictable and stupid. Oh well."

"Canary Port?" asks Marco surprised, "That's in the New World."

"Yup. It has a university there that only recruits the best of the best to do work. She doodles their pictures." She waves a hand, "Guess what? They called me just before I got the paper that she hadn't shown up. Of course its in the newspaper the next day and I have to threaten all of creation to try to track all of you down-" she exhales and continues, "But seriously. If Mori-san hadn't called, I wouldn't have found you." She looks thoughtful, "Though I could have lived without the whole 'kid's need surgery' stuff."

"Surgery?" Ace's eyebrows shoot up.

The tension in the man's frame makes her turn from playful to serious "Ah! Mori-san said she didn't explain." She gulps the last of her tea quickly and says, "So there are two looooonnnnng named bones diseases that are shit. Period." She waits.

The pair nods eagerly for more information.

She nods back, pleased, "FOP, Ace, is what your sister has." She rolls her eyes and head together, "and so does your kid. This means it comes from you male's predecessor. This is where the bones grow over soft tissue. This is painful and it freezes up the body. It is not reversible."

"Usually the bodies are more frozen then what I've seen in Rodger." Marco says slowly thinking.

"Exactly!" agrees Kitten "We have kairoseki tools!" she offers an apologetic smile to Ace, "Built out of the bones we pull out of your sister."

Ace is a little unnerved but nods again for her to continue.

"These tools allow my physicians to cut the body open without actually injuring flesh, tissue, muscle, or ligaments. So when Rodger-dear has flare ups or any pain, we open him up and cut the excess bone out. It heals practically overnight and there is not pain." She stops, "You okey-dokey so far?"

"Yes…?" blinks the parents together.

"Alright. So, my peeps in the osteology department are half mermaids or fish-people. Aquatic medicine is fantastic at rebuilding the body and helping it to make new tissues, muscles, ligaments-whatever. We re-grow anything that was calcified or we had to break to free the appendages for movement. We do the same to your sister, except I yell at her first."

Ace's cocks a brow at her, "Why?"

"She's supposed to tell me when shit goes down!" her little cheeks puff up and her face reddens, "I gotta report back to this psycho-family! Do you think her uncles will ever lend her to me for doodles if I don't keep her safe?" she puffs up her cheeks, "Honestly, when you're not a pirate your family keeps tabs on you."

"But you're a pirate…" Ace tries again.

"Ah-ah-ah!" She chides, "Black Market Medical Facility. I treat pirates, marines, everybody." Kitten corrects, "The government just doesn't like that I don't wanna work for them." Her nose goes up in the air defiantly.

Marco and Ace chuckle appreciatively.

Happy with their positive reactions, Kitten turns to Whitebeard's first commanding officer, "Now then. Mister Marco I believe you're next."

Marco straightens slightly, "I believe so." He agrees diplomatically.

"You've got Eddie. Ed's got the opposite end of spectrum from Rodger." She begins, "I'll give the long name because its shorter than the other: Osteogenesis Imperfecta or OI."

"Okay." Marco says slowly.

"This where the bones are fabulously fragile and break easily. What we do, is take bone marrow from certain kairoseki to enhance and fortify his bones since they just aren't strong enough on their own. I have swapped back and forth between Axis and her buddy Gavroche." She moves her hand to indicate her next words, "Axis is kinda like a band-aid on a break. Not super helpful in this regard. Gavy is more like a built in cast. His bones are better for OI so we generally use his."

"Remind me to thank him next time we see him." Says Marco looking sideways at Ace.

Ace nods thinking back to the behemoth he met.

"So…" she knits her fingers together, pursing her lips, "Feel better?"

"Yeah." Nods Ace and then, "and no…." but he waves to indicate it's not important.

"Now that all of the reaaaaallllly important stuffs outta the way." She sits up like a princess and smiles, "I am Captain Kitten Ciguatera. I'm the captain and dentist aboard the Black Lotus Medical and Research Facility." She beams.

"I figured." Grins Ace.

She smiles back.

"How on Earth do you know Mori-san? Or Axis for that matter?" asks Marco, "Or do you make it a priority to look after unknown factors in war?"

"My first mate is Atlas." She explains, then slouching forward with a grim smile, " Who is a little shit for running off, but I love her. Damn love. It means I can't kill her."

Ace bursts out laughing at her thoughtful expression and lets his brain feel a rush of endorphins.

It is okay.

The tears plop onto the ground, teeth grinding against one another, throat constricting against the cry of agony, and when the pressure becomes to great Axis sees nothing behind her eyelids, but tastes the copper tang. Her gasps come out in short agonizing bursts, chest animated as she dry heaves from the pain. The palms of her hands remain tense and pressed against the tiles.

A planking position was not what she preferred, but it was how her crop of bones broke. She held herself up on wobbly hands, unyielding to each crippling wave of anguish.

"One last break Axis." Says the ever-firm tone of the aquatic doctor.

Unclenching her jaw blood drools out from her mouth, her body quakes from exertion, but she glares up at the fishman, "Then do it." She hisses determinedly.

The doctor regards her coolly. There is admiration for her determination, but also aggravation at her tone. With a twist smirk, he turns from his patient and forces her spine to break off the excess in plates and splinters.

Choking on saliva thicker than molasses with air that is trying to shove its way down, Axis collapses as a shuddering pile of misery. Her fingers are stiff, sore and curl in like claws.

The cold of the floor cloaks the slice of the knife in her skin, but the squelching noise of her body being ripped open makes her wince. There is a clanking noise, most likely the bucket for the bones, and then she feels calcifications being pulled and scraped from her body.

Like cares, fears, and anger each weight removed lightens her load. They drop two or three at time into the basin with clatter. The large pieces sound hollow like a wooden xylophone and smaller slivers seem to chime. The acid resolve of her tissues eat away the tiniest calcifications preventing any accidental damage. The pieces disperse as they invade the surrounding mass, pulled back into the body for later use.

It is over.

The flesh of the back is sewn up like a rag doll. The nearly invisible threads of amino acids knit the torn flesh back together but hold fast in a death hold. In only a few minutes the body will hold the fresh cut close and the injury will be mostly consumed. Although, it will not be until tomorrow that the body will have healed.

The doctor and his assistances yell at Axis to proceed with caution. Their words go in one ear and out the other as she stares dully at the expanse of the floor. As if Axis honestly seeks out trouble! Why did the doctors always assume she was gun-ho for a fight?

When it becomes apparent Axis is not going to respond, they leave her to regain mobility.

The grout between the neat tiles is a valley for the swirls of her blood to drain into. Its strange how blood so naturally seeks out a path, as if being inside a human body makes it crave the guidance of walled veins. The red is quiet pretty on the pristine tile. It is like some sort of abstract art, an expression of the most extreme.

Lost in her musings, Axis does not find the strength to even move her eyes from the swirls. It is so hypnotizing. It is the proof that she has lived; A signature poured out in unbridled honesty. Just like all of her companions who did not make it. She has seen their signatures scribbled across dirt, rock, and pristine tile… just like this.

Eyeballs begin to itch and force her to blink. The magnet attraction in her eyes is gone and her gaze's shifts to the invading needle in her arm. Axis glowers at it. Her eyes follow up the tiny tube where the blood sack dribbles much needed fluid back into her wilted body. She did not feel the puncture of the needle or remember being hooked up to the drip. Strange how one pain dims another.

Nakedness strikes her as a shiver runs through her body. Sensation claws its way into her filling the emptiness with new awareness. Sore twinges in her spine and frigid ice kisses begin to turn into a delicious warming pain. Her organs seem to find footing and a sudden ravenous hunger makes her take the first steps of revival.

Palms place themselves on the ceramic and she forces herself up into a sitting position and she takes in the first withered look of her body. Stress and the bone removal and regrowth destroyed the muscle she had earned, taking defining female traits from her form. Not that she had a bosom worth noticing, now it not only lacked nipples, but it had no form.

'Great. A breast reduction.' She rolls her eyes at herself, but pushes herself up all the same. Her muscles scream indecent things as she slowly stretched herself upright.

Her knees are knobby, weak, and buckling inward. She glowers at her body with its inherent weakness and is shocked by a spray of warm water. Grateful for the heat and lack of pressure, but angry at an intrusion she has yet to notice. Another spray removes off the coat of grime, relieves aches, and makes her feet slip on the tiles. She falls on her nonexistent rear end stunned, having yet to feel the pain.

It hits worse than cold water, "God fucking damn it!" curses Axis in a hoarse voice wincing as she moves slightly to alleviated the pain in her tailbone.

"That does about describe what you look like, but eh. You'll be better soon enough."

Axis glowers up behind her at the ever-cool tone of Lady Ciguatera, Captain Ciguatera's older sister.

Wavy, heavy violet locks of love tumble over one shoulder as she stands in a terrycloth bathrobe to cover a large bust and barely hide a perky posterior, "Think you can manage one more spray down before a bathtub interrogation?"

Axis rolls her eyes. As if there was truly a choice.

Kitten Ciguatera retires to her ship in the bay shortly after eight in the evening. With the parents calm and at ease, she finds her spirits high. The night is humid and with patches of large clouds. The sea rocks the ship gently and the salty air ghosts are about.

She smiles as she steps onto the deck. The guards give slight bows and 'Evening, Capt'n,' as she passes. She inclines her head politely and walks to the recovery unit designated wing of the ship.

She stops only to speak with her older sister, the resident psychiatrist, "Well?"

Kitten's older sister Izabell offers a purple binder, "Darlin," She answers darkly, "Remember when I said it was only a matter or time?"

Kitten sags in agitation.

"Well we've hit it. She cannot be sent out of the Northern Woods until I clear her. I can forgive the accidental overdoses. Call it stress factors. It can be managed easily. But cutting is unacceptable and from what Miguel told me, it's little wonder she hasn't turned into her mother."

"How do we counter it?" questions the dentist.

"Isolation, pull her off a couple of meds, and put her on supplements. We've been trying, for so long, to compensate for her lack of stability…" she winces, "We've made her a time bomb. Grant it, no one could have foreseen the Navy's interception."

"Actually, Orakle did." Comments Kitten offhandedly.

"Our Navigator?" questions Izabell.

Kitten nods, sighs again and says, "Yeah. She had a vision of a hangman's noose and fire." Pausing for dramatic effect she adds, "Two days before Axis contacted us to say she had a job a Canary Port. Too bad I did not understand what she meant."

"Lucky bitch." Shakes Izabell, "I would love to see bits and pieces. It would help me when trying to deal with Axis's temperament. I changed her medicine just two weeks earlier because of the previous job for General Garp. Wish I hadn't. It made her worst."

"Unfortunately we call it practicing medicine for a reason." Acknowledged Kitten and she opened the binder. She leafs through it, "This is not reassuring."

"We'll have her for a few weeks while we ferry her back up North." Izabell sighs, "It's the best we can offer for the moment."

Kitten nods, shutting the binder. She places the binder back in her older sister's hands.

"You don't want to read it?" Izabell asks dejectedly.

"Not now. I'll talk to Axis and then we can discuss it over hot chocolate and cookies." She fills her cheeks up with air in a pouting face, "Then I need my spouse for some cuddling."

Izabell sighs and pats her younger sister consolingly on the shoulder "Go be a captain then. I'll put the water on."

They depart company. Kitten mentally curses her position and then takes on a new mentality. The brief skim through of her sister's report makes her poignant, but if she wants to cut off her patient's idiocy it has to be all laid out on the table.

In through the second door on the left and up two flights of stairs she comes to a locked door. It is unremarkable in appearance offers no clues to what is inside.

Kitten lifts her hand and places three fingers on the door. There is a 'click' and the door opens. She slips inside, careful to allow no more exposure to light then necessary. The moment the door shuts, the dark lights light up and expose the patient.

"You look like hell." Comments Kitten walking politely over to the figure curled up in a blanket.

Grey eyes, turned iridescent in the light, flick up, "One shitty thing after another has happened. It's like fucking suffocating."

Kitten chuckles, but says, "So my bone-men tell me your skeleton was 'over coated'." Her lips twitch, "Harder to break…"

"What can I say? The Navy is growing grade: A bones." Axis sounds low and adds in jerky twitch, "I'm ready to give up." She sits up pulling the blanket tight around her.

Kitten takes in how the t-shirt slides to one side over the knobby shoulder and how brittle her friend has become. "Told you, you're not allowed to." Kitten offers her hand. She shoves down worry and takes the responsible role she needs to, "Although I've gotten your psyche report and I'm not pleased."

"With what?" she takes the hand and with a little of Kitten's force, stands up wobbly.

The Captain Ciguatera voice returns as Kitten steadies Axis, "Three overdose-"

"Unintentional." Interrupts Axis tartly.

Annoyed with being intermittent, Kitten punctuates her first word, "Eight definable cutting ordeals, and severe weight loss-"

"I just want to go home, Kit!" Axis interrupts again, exasperation and tiredness coloring her tone. "I just… want to… go home." Nothing can break Kitten's resolve faster than that helpless tone.

Determined to carry on while there is still strength in her voice she continues, "What of your sibling? The kids? Your new allies?"

Axis speaks in little voice. "My brother will manage himself. Death dumped him on my door and sent me to give him to a reaper." She glares at her fingers curled in, "And Rodger and Ed are their kids-" here she refers to Marco as well, "And I don't have new allies."

"Whitebeard pirates?" return the Captain politely.

"Awaiting the return of their commanders, but with unexpected added bonuses." Axis rolls her eyes.

Unexpected added bonus, now that describes Kitten's next round of conversation. "Trafalgar Law?" she questions, seemingly innocent.

"Smoker's runner." Axis shrugs.

Pursing her lips the Captain, nudges, "If he was just a runner… wouldn't he have left?" Kitten urges Axis to think.

"I dunno. I have not sought him out. I've avoid everyone I can, pretending they have the plague." Axis rubs her face in what Kitten knows is a semi-soothing gesture.

Kitten chuckles at the comment, but decides to drop the bomb she has been carrying for several days, "He remains here because he needs a place to crash. I've already sent one of my runners to take Bepo back to the submarine rendezvous point."

An uncomprehending Axis looks slowly up at Kitten from her hands.

"I have offered my ship, but it seems his fruit abilities are haywire. We both agreed that would cause more trouble than help. Seems Smoker found that out the hard way." Kitten shrugs, "But patching up Commodore wasn't toooo bad."

Axis's expression crashes, "You didn't…" disbelief stains over her face.

"He is from the North as well so I suggested it. He wasn't keen on it, but both I and Miguel have insisted on having him stay with your family." Kitten taps her chin thoughtfully, "Besides there is little up there that he cause problems with and lots of room to train his abilities."

"Why did you get my Uncle involved?" there is a slight wail.

"I know you won't or rather can't fight Miguel." She flips wayward hair over her shoulder, "I figure some isolation in the Northern Woods will serve Trafalgar well. He needs to be stabilized before he returns to his crew. He could seriously hurt them."

The infuriated look Kitten receives in almost comical.

"Suck it up." Kitten offers a grin, "I can promise he won't be annoying and you two might even develop a friendship. He sailed with me for a little while."

Axis's brows knit in confusion, she blinks rapidly giving a little shake of her head, "You're younger than me, and I know he's older than me… how?"

"I have been established for a while. When I was up North he and his crew needed a bail out, and we were happy to provide it. I was able to provide teachers to give him the medical knowledge from the Deep and help shelter him while he finished studying. He's a real joy to work with. None of that squeamish shit I get from most humans and he's neat as a pin at his workstation. Not his bedroom. God help him." She frowns at the memory, "Though I was always impressed by his interest in human bodies. He could name every bone, muscle, joint, and nerve…"

"And he let you…detain him?"

"At first he didn't have choice. God, he was injured. Super mistrusting and what-have-you, but after two weeks of working with me he sorta gave me some leash. I think he realized I was for real when I caught one of the Navy's rats on my ship and let him watch my interrogation. After that, he we were friends." She taps her lips again, "To be honest he's sort fucked up, but in a… kicked puppy sorta way."

"Not helping." Glowers Axis.

"You're the same way." Retorts Kitten, and waves it aside, "But that's beside the point. I trust him, I trust you, and he did bring you meds from Smoker so I think he deserves a little of your care and attention."

Axis sighs relenting.

"I really do think you two may be able to form a friendship of sorts. Having allies is what will keep you from ending up as a blade." Kitten fists her hand, "Oh! That reminds me, where is Roach?"

Glaring sideway at Kitten, Axis answer, "It's not roach, its Leech- and probably on the Moby Dick. The attack happened so suddenly that I didn't get a chance to take him." She grimaces, "Probably pissed as all hell though."

"Like that name's much better." Cringes Kitten.

"I didn't name my blade." Reminds Axis shortly, "But its sturdy as a cockroach."

"I believe that. So if Leechy is not here, what were you cutting with?" her arms cross. "At least your blade is Kairoseki and the cuts would heal without marks."

"Straight razor." Grumbles Axis.

"If I find you doing stupid shit on our way home, I'm gonna fucking put you in straightjacket till you get home." Threatens Kitten overly sweetly.

"Kiss my ass. You wouldn't know I was cutting if I hadn't told Ms. Stick-Up-Her-Ass."

At the mention of her older sister, Kitten decides it is time to play dirty, "Hostile aren't you? I'm beginning to think you might need to do this voyage in a drug induced coma." Pressures Kitten with a huffing breath.

Axis glares and sighs: She knows she has lost.

Sensing the submission, Kitten allows Axis to disembark and gather her belongings from her Uncle's home. As punishment, or rather as incentive to be obedient, Kitten has Axis charter Edward up to see his father.

Axis looks angry, but says nothing. Blessedly, Mori arrives. Helpfully she offers to carry up Rodger and escort her companion up to the house.

"Fraternizing with my enemies does not win you any points." Scowls Axis gathering up a sleepy Edward. She is struck by how heavy he feels.

Mori smiles calmly, "One should not make enemies of Black Market doctors." At Axis's face she adds, "Shall I carry him as well? I don't want you hurting yourself."

"I'm fine. I just need you to watch me."

Mori's steadying hand reaches out regularly to keep her companion from falling over.

Axis's feet feel unsteady and her body screams from carrying a small sleeping child. She ignores the pain with the knowledge more is to come.

When they reach the front door, Axis has nothing left and slides to her knees in front of the door, body shaking from the simple walk.

"Fuck." She mutters angrily at her weakness.

Mori pats her on the head, "It's okay. Gimme sleepy." And she stoops down taking Rodger in her other arm. Easily she stands up and opens the door; "I'll be back for you in a minute." She shuts the door behind her.

Axis turns herself and sits exhaustedly on the front steps. Only days earlier that walk would have been nothing. Once carrying Edward was easy. Groaning at her loss she reminds herself she can learn and gain the strength to do it again.

"It's a little late to be out, don't you think?" says a cool voice to the left.

Axis looks to the sound and sees the Surgeon of Death, hands in his pockets, "I agree." She concedes, "What are you doing up?"

"Can't sleep." Chuckles Trafalgar Law drawing closer, "But Mori-san's garden is handsome. I'm enjoying a stroll."

"Cool." Axis nods.

One black eyebrow raises, "What are you doing out?"

"Just got back from Captain Kitten's interrogation." Groans Axis shaking her head, "I'm too wiped to go up stairs."

"Want help?" he offers.

She shakes her head, "I'm okay. Its nice out. Sides Mori-san is coming back for me."

He nods looking out to sea.

"Soo… you're coming back with me?" Axis asks with no discretion.

He stiffens, but answers, "Yes. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"I'm sorry too."

He looks back at her, "For what?"

"For you having to deal with my family. It's gonna make you wish you were at the bottom of the sea." She scratches her head, "Its crazy."

He chuckles at that, "I've already had that experience. I'm not worried."

"Oh yeah?" asks Axis curious.

"Yes." Agrees Law, "Mugiwara-ya's crew made me often regret my wishes to work with them."

"Who…?" blinks Axis.

"Ace-ya's little brother… although I suppose he would be your sibling too." Considers Trafalgar.

"Luffy…" Axis grimaces, "I guess Ace has understated his brother's eccentricities."

Law's smile returns and he takes a seat beside Axis, "He's headed to the New World. I doubt you'll meet him anytime soon."

"I hope not." Axis makes a face, "I've had too much family bonding." She looks at Law with a half smile.

His eyes return the smile, "Your family… frets over you." He ventures, "It's a nice wave of normality to have."

"And you." Axis points out, "My Uncle Miguel doesn't just stick his neck out for anyone."

Dr. Trafalgar seems uncomfortable as he looks to the side at nothing in particular, "I take it you understand how the arrangement came about."

Axis nods from side to side, "More or less. But significantly less of more than more of less." Agrees Axis.

He makes a comical frown blinking rapidly as her words hit him, "What?" he asks chuckling slightly.

She opens her mouth to say something, but the neat click of the door behind the pair opens. Axis turns and looks behind and up.

"Oh. Hello, Dr. Trafalgar." Smiles Mori and then she looks down at Axis with raised eyebrows.

It dawns on Axis that she has a half smile on her face, but is unable to wipe it off.

Law chuckles and nods politely to the gardener, "Mori-san."

Mori's eyes flick up to him with a smile, then back to her the frail looking woman on the doorstep, "Axis, let's go. You need sleep before you can pack. We're going to the Lotus at noon tomorrow and then we are headed over to meet Whitebeard to drop off you brother and his and the boys." Mori informs extending a hand.

"Okay." Axis agrees and takes the hand offered. She is jolted to her feet by Mori's inhuman strength," Whoa!" and in the next instant is slung over Mori's shoulder.

"Goodnight Doctor. Please be ready tomorrow." Mori urges looking over her shoulder with a matter-of-fact tone.

He gives a slight nod, "Of course. Good night."

Mori turns and Axis looks up from over the shoulder and waves, "Night?" she offers with perplexed smile.

The Kairoseki Incident

Chapter Seven: The surgeon and the Patient

The thrashing started at midnight and has been going on for close to four hours. The white furred polar bear stares longingly at the screen. He wants the bone mass to read the 75% he needs to pull out the frenzied creature in the tank. Bepo is getting worried. The strength exhibited by the pliable boned creature is striking and the tank glass is cracking under the pressure. The cracks are still inside the two-inch thick glass container, but they are slowly working through and spider-ing out.

Another bash against the container makes him wince. There is now more danger for the poor creature than for him. The dark bruises have started to form on the skin and there is a diluted red flare in the water from time to time as the skin breaks and blood comes out.

The bear makes another desperate call to his commander. His commander won't pick up and he's getting nervous. There is a sudden click and , "Hello?"

"Where is Captain Trafalgar?!" bellows the bear in desperation.

The voice on the other end gets panicked, "Is everything okay with Axis?"

The bear suddenly places the voice. His captain named him as Portgas D. Ace, the patient's brother. "Ace?" asks the bear.

"Yeah its me." He responds quickly.

"Where is Captain?" wails the bear.

There is a sudden static and the smooth calming voice of Captain Trafalgar comes on, "Bepo what is going on? Portgas-ya is upset again."

"The patient has been thrashing against the tank for the last several hours. Tranquilizers, on the medical report, had to be cleared with you! There is more blood and bruises! The tank is shattering from the inside out!" he ends on a slightly panicked weep.

The complete silence is stifling, but only last a few minutes, "Bepo…" says Captain Trafalgar calmly, "What does the bone mass indicator say?"

"It's been stuck for the last hour on 62%." Reports Bepo trying to will himself to be as calm as his captain.

"Start draining and prepare the wrap. I'll be down stairs in a minute." He promises.

"Yes Captain." Sniffs Bepo and hangs up. Bepo presses some buttons and begins draining the tank, worried that the body's internal organs are going to collapse. However, Captain Trafalgar is almost always right, so he ignores his worries and goes for the closet. He pulls out the white wrap.

A wrap is a cross between a straightjacket and swaddling. It's used primarily for beings that become a threat to themselves and do not know it or need added support in their limbs. The fabric is stiff, strong, and elastic in nature and is like a giant blanket with buckles and straps along the outside.

Bepo turns and notices a large crack has extended to the outside. The being inside has collapsed on the inside of the now drained containment unit. Its rubbery bones have bent in odd angles when it lost the water.

Slowly it struggles to pull itself in a more correct position and only manages to sit up and thrust its knees in its face.

The door opens and Dr. Trafalgar sweeps in. His eyes are locked on the tank from the moment he enters. The pitiful form in the tank is one of the most dangerous creatures he has ever met. Nearly suicidal with its technique of bone breaking, particularly because of what it does to itself. Although the flexibility Axis demonstrates when her bones are little more than gelatin is remarkable.

Yes the sad creature that is madden and injured, is Axis. Her skin sickly pale, her eyes dilated into tiny dots with their sleepless hallows wide and empty. The body has little support and ever so slowly crawls about supported by only the now taut muscles. The rubbery plastic skeleton in her body bends this way and that, but does not stretch past normal human measures. Her fingers claw their way forward in near curved talon form.

"The bone mass has only been at 62% for the last hour?" he asks removing his eyes from the person in the tank to Bepo with the wrap.

Bepo nods profusely, "We can't coax the body to heal anymore. Not with the onslaught of adrenalin. The body at some point realized it was not somewhere normal and panicked!"

Law nods "Pull open the containment unit." He instructs heading for the container.

Bepo flees to the monitor and presses a few buttons. The glass pulls itself deep in the ground. The spider web of a crack grows a little wider and there is a faint clatter. Finally it releases its captive within the glass to lie like a dead fish.

Law clicks up the incline to the elevated point where his patient is. The moment he reaches for the injured and wounded girl, she fails about like a fish. Her naked body is showing off the bizarre musculature that had formed due to need. No matter how unsure she is, she must know something is not right. She keeps trying to twist out of his grasp, gripping her arms and tearing at the healing flesh. She screams from deep with in. The sound is hollow, void, endless and tearing through the underground.

Law quickly manages to pin his patient. He sits on the scarred and marred chest. He suppresses the underbody's movement and sharply pins her arms and hands with his knees.

She twists and wiggles under him still shrieking with her eyes glazed over. She is trapped in a world of unspeakable horrors in her mind.

Deftly he places his hands again on her face. The sensation is cold in his body. However, he finds a whirring calm that settles through out his muscles and up and down his spine. The silence he craves in his head is given to him and world comes sharply into focus.

Axis stills. Her heartbeat is frantic, manic. Her wide eyes swirl desperately around.

Law places his thumbs over her bitten lips, "Axis." He says in a hushed tone, "You're safe. You need to stop struggling." He instructs in serious and deadly calm voice.

He feels the twisting under him and he only sees the flash of the pale skin. The palms of her hands attach to his wrists; her own thumbs feeling his pulse. Then the eyes begin fluttering around as another wave of exhaustion hits and she suddenly collapses under him.

She is dried off, bandaged, and then swaddled in the wrap. It is significantly easier now that she has lost consciousness and control of his waking world. Her body twists a little as the nerves twitch and wiggle. Her brain sending uncontrolled signals through her body that she can only react too.

The glazed expression returns as Bepo sets her in a hammock. He buckles her body into the bed, and then gently pushes. It rocks like a cradle or waves on an ocean. The sensation must be soothing because her body fails to regain rigidness and simply lulls in the movement. After five minutes her eyes close again her head falls to the side as sleep successfully overcomes all the panic.

Dr. Trafalgar nods stiffly, "Alright then. You can hook her up. You should be able to pull her arm out and put the IV in, but I want you to wait five minutes. I know she's worn out, but I want to make sure she's unconscious." He sighs.

Bepo nods, "Does she need blood?"

"Yes." Agrees his captain, "I'll admonish you to ahead of time. Don't use anything other than the blood Dr. Siphonophore provided. Nothing else will likely to be accepted into her body. Understand?"

"Yes Captain!" agrees the polar bear.

Dr. Trafalgar nodded and turned, "I need to go do damage control. Ace-ya is panicked." He grumbles.

Bepo gives him a quick nod.

Law leaves his temporary workroom and walks up the two flights of stairs to the ground level of the Siphonophore's summer home. He finds Ace, just as he left him: anxious, practically on the balls of his feet prepared for flight. Law keeps his expression neutral and deadpan.

"She's fine." He says. It's a half lie, but Ace would only panic and there's nothing more that can be done at this second.

Ace exhales harshly and rubs his face.

Trafalgar takes a seat on the floor leaning against the wall, "You should get some rest." He urges, "All your worry is going to make you sick."

Ace looks at the man. They never would have met and if Mori had not permitted him in the house. In fact Ace is pretty sure he would have picked a fight with the captain just so he could eradicate all his nervous energy.

"Can't." he responds.

Law blinks slowly, "I have something if you need some help getting to sleep. Melatonin and an herbal muscle relaxer." He informs Ace.

If Trafalgar Law had not just spent an uninterrupted two hours alone with his children, maybe he would be able to relax. No one was willing to tell him what was wrong with his kids.

When Rodger awoke abruptly in the middle of the night screaming and crying, Ace was certain it was a nightmare. However, he began complaining that his little shoulders hurt and when Ace gently took his small hands to help him up, he cried out in pain. Ace couldn't understand what had happened.

Adam, at Ace's request, checked on Rodger. Then he delegated the job to Trafalgar who had finished up with Axis. While Law was gentle when he found something unseen with his fingertips, he had to set up a workspace in a closet of a room and sent the nervous Ace out.

Then Edward woke up. Edward was wondering what was going on with all the noise. He made it to Ace's side before collapsing. Tears filled his small green eyes, but he refused to cry out. The water leaking from his eyes was all Ace needed before he gathered up Edward and checked him over.

Edward said his legs felt inflamed. And inflamed was word he used. His voice became riddled with sobs as Ace discovered something was wrong with the boy's shoulder. This troubled him and Adam, who popped in to check on them, made the point of knocking on the closed door where Dr. Trafalgar worked.

Law answered and Adam motioned toward Edward. Law took Edward and shut the door.

Two long hours later in which Ace woke Marco and the pair sat on the sofa, useless, Dr. Trafalgar came out. He carried both children easily and carefully placed the small bodies into their parents' arms. Clearly he could guess who belonged to who.

When they asked what was wrong.

Law told them to ask Mori. Mori has requested that he not give them more information tonight as they were already distraught.

Marco accepted this and went to go to bed, tugging Ace.

Ace got up, but only to transfer the sleeping Rodger into his boyfriend's arms.

Unable to consol or convince Ace, Marco went to their room with the kids. Ace sat nervous and unable to avoid staring at the calm composed figure of the Heart Pirate Captain; Trafalgar Law.

Ace snorts at the offer and looks at the ceiling.

Law's frown deepens, "You won't be able to help anyone if you are ill."

"Yeah well sorry. You just spent two hours with my kids and won't tell me what the fuck is going on." His voice came out as a snarl.

Trafalgar raises his thin eyebrow, "I'm sorry Portgas-ya." Apologizes the surgeon, "I was told to abide by Mori-san's rules." Despite Trafalgar's habit of adding –ya to the end of people's names, even he referred to Mori as Mori-san.

The calm and collected gardener held more of position among her peers than she let on. She had successfully brought Law into the house without fight, convinced the good doctor to treat Ace's sister, convinced Law to only give her medical information, and even without Mori around, he still referred to her as –san.

"Who the fuck are you working for?" his voice is laced with venom. Maybe it's the lack of sleep. He does not really want to piss Law off. The doctor holds power over his children and sister.

Law closes his eyes wondering how much the second commander of Whitebeard's crew knows. However he only says, "Smoker requested my help." He sighs and continues before Ace can say anything, "Suffice it to say that I agreed to help your sister."

Axis awoke and screeched. The giant white polar bear had startled her and she fell out of the hammock. She burst a vein while yanking out needles from her sink on the way to floor. Her rubbery bones absorbed the fall without transferring any residual damage with in the body.

She lays there, sprawled on the concert floor, staring up at the pipes and electric wiring of the lowest layer in her Uncle's housing. The dull throb in her head reminds her to be more prepared for the unexpected and she sits up and stares at the bear sitting on the floor staring wide eyed.

She examines herself. She was in some sort of loosened, but tight swaddling. She is nude, bandaged, and covered in rising and falling bruises. "What's going on…?" she asks the surrounding area.

"Are you awake?" blinks the white polar bear.

She looks at the creature. He looks soft and fluffy like a cloud trapped in a black jumpsuit. Maybe an angry rain cloud trying to constrict its mortal enemy? "I'm awake." She scratches the short hair at the nape of her neck still looking around, "Are we in the basement?"

"Yes." Agrees the bear getting and walking over. He helps Axis to her feet and unties what she now recognizes as a wrap. That's not a good sign, "Are you sure?" presses the creature with a worried look.

"Awake?" inquires Axis.

He nods, those black eyes gaining some curiosity.

"Yeah I'm awake." She feels the prickles of the cold climb up her skin, "Can I… can I have some clothes er something?"

The bear with another quizzical nods, looks around and grabs a large towel from the side. He drapes it over her shoulders to give her something to start, "Walk slowly." He instruct motioning for her to walk, "You might-"

Axis falls over as black spots danced across her vision.

"I said slowly!" yells the polar bear desperately grabbing Axis before she can hit the ground. He palms the top of her head in what is supposed be pat.

"Not slow enough apparently." She smarts as her vision swims around.

"No, not slow enough." Agrees the bear. He struggles to help her walk on jello legs to a chair. Her coordination is horrible and she sways slightly as her uneven steps dance about.

Axis sighs upon plopping herself onto the cold metal folding chair. She looks up at the creature curiously as he grabs a bathrobe of some sort for her, "My name's Axis." She says introducing herself as he offers her farbic, "Thank you."

"Bepo." Says the bear watching her fold her body into the folds of the fabric.

Once wrapped in something she looks up slightly hunched over, "Where did you come from?"

"Up north." He says warmly.

Unable to contain the lopsided smile, she gives it to him. There is a slight giggle as she asks, " Sorry. I guess I mean how are you here?"

The bear plops on the ground so he is not towering over her, "I came with Captain." He answers, "He's a doctor you know."

"As in… Dr. Trafalgar?" Axis asks suspiciously.

"Yes! You know him?" The bear beams at her with such enthusiasm that Axis fails to feel upset.

She scratches her head self consciously, "Kind of. He helped me in the market place a… a little while ago?" suddenly she looks around confused, "How long was I out?"

"No more than twelve hours." Promises Bepo, "Captain gave you his new serum."

"Oh?"

"I helps the body heal in under twenty-four hours. He originally developed it for the Captain of the Straw Hat pirates." He stops, "Oops." His face turns horrified, "I've said too much!"

She waves her hand, "I'll pretend I didn't hear anything." She promises.

Bepo looks surprised, but then cocks his head at her.

"What?" she asks feeling uncomfortable his gaze.

"I'm sorry." Apologizes the bear flustered.

"No. no. Sorry." Axis returns. Her tone must have sounded annoyed, "You're fine I was just trying to figure out what you were pondering."

Bepo looks thoughtfully at her. Then with a shy smile says, "You're weird human." He comments.

She laughs, "I've been told that before." Its impossible not to like this creature. The simple guileless in the way he interacts with her. She sighs, reaches out and feels weightless fur under her fingers as she strokes him on the head.

It was only supposed to be a pat, but the polar bear leans forward and puts his head in her lap.

She gives a girlish expression as she rubs her fingers over his head. 'Damn you cute bear.' She thinks. She has ten minutes of petting time before the door opens and in steps the Surgeon of Death.

His eyes are wide as he sees her, still petting Bepo. Confusion flits across his face and he marvels at her sanity.

"You're awake." He states walking down the steps.

Bepo jumps up, "C-captain!"

"I'm awake." She agrees and watches his saunter down the steps. He comes across the cold hard floor. Truly for a human, he is a magnificent specimen of beauty. His caramel brown skin, thin frame and darkly outlined eyes give him a very elegant look, while is clothing choice shows off his personality. The clean-cut symbol with no embellishment of his flag tells of his desire to be intricately simple. The color choices are what catch her attention the most in this moment.

Color psychology is debated long and hard among humans. What does a color mean and how it affects someone? Some people say is not possible to determine. However, in Axis's experience, color has a lot to say about someone. The color yellow is the color of the mind and the intellect. The bright hue, similar to a sunflower or the sun, definitely sets well with the good doctor. His mood while calm is just as suggested; optimistic and cheerful. The negative aspect, of which she can barely detect in the Doctor are impatience, criticism and certain cowardice. While Law seems anything but a coward, Axis deems him cautious.

There is a color she see proximately on him, that is reflected in her wardrobe; black. This is the color of the hidden, secretive, and unknown. In many cultures it is also the color of Death. This color on the Surgeon of Death is her only warning sign. He keeps things bottled up inside, hidden from the world just as she does.

Law calmly stops in front of her, "You look significantly better than you did several hours ago." He comments and extends a long fingered hand.

Reflexively she jumps back as he reaches out for her face.

He hesitates, "I'm not here to hurt you." He assures her touches her jaw lightly. With a little insistent pressure he turns her left, then right examining her face. For Law it is amazing how the madness is gone from her eyes, the skin, while pale, no longer looks sickly and ill, and her muscles are rigid. He knows the bones have limited ability to support. His mind is curious how the body understands the need for the muscles to pretend to be bone.

"Insomina?" asks Axis suddenly. She has been studying the grey eyes of the doctor. They are northern eyes. Like hers, they have no real color, but are not blue. His are much more deep set than her own. The weeks of almost no stress and recovery have given her the more invigorated look while his are hollow.

He focuses on his patient, thoughtful. "Yes." He answers, "I can see that you do as well." He comments.

"Its off and on." She corrects now distracted once again by something on his person. This time it is the cold earrings. They're real gold, yes, but the style is simple. Nothing intricate or frilly about what he wears. The aesthetic is obvious, but it evens out his very professional expressions and mannerisms.

Law lets go of her face; "The bone mass index says you're only at 65%. Meaning you're still a gelatin."

Axis shifts in her skin feeling her bones again the hard chair. Yes they're still a little soft, but there is only two hundred and six. She does not feel the extras that usually poke and prod her organs, "They're all right." She confirms.

He raises his eyebrows, "You're at risk of having you internal organs collapse." He warns, "I suspended you in water originally. When I arrived here earlier, you had no bones."

"Probably not." Agrees Axis thinking back. Her eyes wonder to the ceiling as she recalls the last events. Unsurprisingly she remembers being followed by Law, meeting up with Alas, her brother, Marco, the kids, and then there was a fight. Struck by the idea she asks, "How are Ace, Marco, Atlas, and mini humans?" her voice betrays no anxiety, which for Axis is some sort of miracle.

Law looks slightly confused as he collects his thoughts, "Atlas is fine. Nothing other than blood loss and bruises." Suddenly her name for the children dawns on him, "Did you call the children 'mini humans'?"

"Yes." She agrees, "What about Ace and Marco.. And the," she hesitates then rolls her eyes giving Law a similar word, "-kids."

Law's brow is creased as he tried to make sense of his patient. "Marco and Ace are tired and not seriously injured. No stitches or broken bones. The children are…" he stops. Mori did instruct him to not to say anything, but somehow he gets the feeling this did not include his patient, "hurting." He stops.

Axis groans and finally turns her gaze to him, "Lemme guess, Rodger has bone growth in his limbs and shoulder. That's where it always flares up after fights." She shakes her head, "What did Edward break?"

Law is positive Mori did not mean Axis. "Edward shatter the bone close to head of the femur on his left leg and cracked his right patella. There are tiny fractures all over the scapula and clavicle is broken in the center."

Axis groans, "Time to call Ciguatera." She rolls her eyes, "Tell her to bring her the osteologist."

"That's what Mori said she was going to do. I gave them painkillers and went inside their bodies. I've isolated the problems with my abilities and placed them inside their own… space."

"You're the guy who pops people's hearts out right?" she asks.

He nods, "I'm impressed."

"Do they have holes in their bodies?" she winces remembering what someone told her about Trafalgar's abilities.

"No." he shakes his head, "I've isolated inside of their bodies."

Axis nods frowning.

"You seemed very unconcerned about your bones." Law frowns voicing his concern.

Axis looks at him, "Should I be? They're normal at fifty percent." She raises an eyebrow at him, "But I think over the last several weeks it was more like eighty percent. I was so stiff."

Law continues to sit there staring at Axis, "That's not normal." He leans back away from her, "I know you're a kairoseki. Their bones are considered ridiculously light, but yours can barely support you."

"No they support me just fine." She seems confused, then her mouth opens, "Oh… wait. Sorry. You're asking why are they so light?"

He nods slowly. Maybe all the lights are not on upstairs.

"Sorry. Be more direct." She orders politely, "My guardian is the octopus."

Law's facial muscles visibly relax and he lets out the breath he was holding in, "Ah." He says.

Bodies are strange and especially for kairoseki. Since their physical being can be altered depending on whom they work with sometimes they do not have traits of their species. In this case, a human with unstable bones supports itself fine while it wonders around. Not something that generally works.

Octopi are known not to have bones and the guardian, while not officially known by the general public, is named Octavin. This octopus guardian of the deep more than likely alerted the body of his trainee while teaching this kairoseki to survive. The lack of bones in octopus meshed with the human skeleton to form a semi-solid calcium mass. While asleep, Law had performed an… 'x-ray' of sorts.

He combined his abilities and took apart his patient and discovered the extra calcification hidden in the body. The most disturbing attribute was the realization that this was actually a genetic malfunction called Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva or FOP. Due to the constant removal of bones from Axis's brutal bone breaking technique (the Navy referred to as "Bone Puppet") her FOP was largely ignored.

Instead of freezing her body in awkward positions and slowly encasing her into a bone coffin, the disease itself mutated again. This time, FOP started growing bones where the old ones had been. It replaced and built up new framework, but was continually adding to the foundation and now he knew that it was pliable because of the octpus guardian's training.

The constant adding, no doubt, is what protected Axis from overusing her abilities and destroying the skull. The cranial bones were the only bones never touched by her abilities, although the vertebrae had been fused several times. (Law knew this from the cuts and indents of the bones.) Apparently the protection of the brain was still seen as the most vital function.

Law had hypothesized all of this and if his prediction was true, this woman was actually one of the few kairoseki who were actually built durable enough to withstand torture. He had no doubt there were reasons for her survival and that made her an interesting subject to study, but he also knew what he had been informed while working as a member of the privateers; Gol D. Axis was an unstable war of morbid confetti and drugs. Which ever was the moment would depend on what someone would work with.

Axis leaned against the chair, watching him with a blank expression. It was very disconcerting.

"I'm glad you're feeling better." Law said finally, he straightens and looks a silent Bepo, "Bring her upstairs."

"What?" Axis asks stupidly.

"I don't want you to over do it. Sleep will help prevent any problems." He walks away and shuffles through a case sitting on the near by table, "I'll give you a sedative to prevent aggravation of your injuries."

Axis frowns as the Bear picks her up like a toy, "Now hang on! I'm fine!"

He walks over, "Sleep." He insists and his hand lashes out like a snake. The injection of the sedative is fast and the hypodermic needle is pulled out the moment she begins to react.

She rubs desperately at the pinprick spot, "What the hell?" she mutters and looks up at him in confusion.

The expression has been there the entire examination and with two blinks she is suddenly dopey.

He watches her go limp over Bepo's shoulder and Law caps the needle.

Axis is surprised to find her brother staring across from her when she wakes up. He lies on the pillow nearest on top of the blankets with a solemn stare.

She attempts to move, but finds her joints solid and unmovable. Then comes the memory of the fight in the town and an earlier encounter with Dr. Trafalgar Law.

"Do you need to sit up?" Ace asks quietly.

"No." she answers, "I just couldn't figure out why you were here."

Ace reaches out touches his sister's face. She can't draw away from him so he takes advantage of the moment. His abilities turn into ashes and his body feels cold, "I was scared." He says.

"Of what?" Axis rolls her eyes, "Marco had your back, Atlas had the kids-."

"I was scared you were killed." He confesses, "I've only just started to get to know you. There's so much I don't know. I was scared." Now his hands flops on the mattress and feels the light poke of odd bones in her shoulder, "And I didn't know about…all of this." He applies a little pressure to the bone.

"I'm hard to kill, thankfully." Axis groans, "And don't be dramatic Ace. Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva might kill anyone else, but I have ways of taking care of it." She shakes her head a little, "Beside you've gotta kid. That's your priority."

Ace purses his lips, "I may have a kid, but I also have sister who is a kairoseki." He sighs, "I don't really know what it means, but you should have told me. About all of this." He moves his hand to her neck and flinches. Where there should be soft flesh, there is a hard boney structure, "I'mean why do I have find all this out from your friends? Why can't you just be upfront? I'm not gonna just toss you to the sharks because I don't like what I hear."

When Axis's bones come back in, they come back with a vengeance everyone had to be afraid of. The soft muscle that had been left from the technique she used to destroy the Navy soldiers, had been overgrown as bone. Her Uncle Adam, Dr. Siphonophore, had shrugged and promised to break the muscles. Ace had been informed the hard tissue would realign with no extra aid.

"Having you worry is detestable." She answers matter-of-factly. Mentally she makes notes to kill off Mori and Gavroche. It was not as her companions had to tell the truth and the pair did not have to give answers. Nevertheless they did and it was out of that viler thing called concern.

Ace laughs, "Really? Really? What the hell."

"There's no reason to fret." Grumbles Axis looking away.

"Why?" he sighs again. It is a loosing battle. His concern is clouding his better judgment.

"Because I can't control it, at least not now, and you can't control it! Why worry?" Ace frowns at the mattress, "I'mean what do you want me to do?"

"Tell me everything! Tell me whatever you can think of!"

"No." she says shortly.

Ace crosses his arms and lays on them, "At least give me some clue of what I'm dealing with."

Axis inhales and turns her head into the blanket. She lets out a muffled groan. Everyone had a right to his or her own destiny. Everyone has a right to know what they're up against. She looks at him.

Ace knows he's won. That look that he saw on his Grandfather's resigned face on the day of his execution is mimicked in Axis's tired gaze.

"My name on paper is Gol D. Axis. Where I am from up North, the last name is interchanged with Siphonophore since it is my mother's family surname." She purses her lips and continues, "I'm twenty-three with high paranoia and insomnia. My anxiety is through the roof and I severely depressed to the point where my antisocial personality shines the brightest." She looks at Ace who has not interrupted, "And I take copious amount of medicine to control all of this. But every now and then I run out or forget and have withdrawal."

Ace nods to show he his listening.

"I am kairoseki or at least my bones are. I have been apart of the torture operation since I was nine. I am among the top ten percent that are valued for our strength. When I die my bones would make a good weapon." She sighs, "The Navy has caught me off and on, but I still escape." She sucks on her cheek, "I'm scared of spiders, falling in love, and having something that can be taken. I like anatomy because it's practically the same for everyone and while I am specialized as a medical illustrator I am used a lot to examine bones."

Ace shifts a little, but still says nothing.

"But my job when I am home up north…" she groans and then says, "I am an autopsy specialist. I take people apart so my cousins, the morticians, can make people ready for burial." Ace's eyes blinked rapidly, "I would like nothing better than to stay there, but I can't simply ignore the suffering of other kairoseki."

"You work in morgue?"

"Yeah. An older cousin is a pathologist, another is an embalmer, another still is a mortician, and I am a morgue assistant… more or less." She looks at him again, "I have plenty of subjects to use to draw medical illustrations…"

Ace laughs. What was he expecting? Certainly not this, but it makes him happy. None of her friends told him she worked in a morgue. She told him.

"What?"

He shakes his head, "Okay."

"Okay?" she responds.

"Okay I get it." He says gently, "I wouldn't tell anyone I worked in a morgue either. Most people don't wanna deal with death."

She shrugs.

Ace can see she appreciates his understanding, "And we're family." He wraps an arm around her pulling her close to him.

Axis looks sideways at the dark curls poking her eyelashes.

The Kairoseki Incident

Chapter Six: Truth and Lie

The clock reads 5. The bold green letters shining in room's dusky light as Axis sits with more work than she should be accomplish in one sitting. Her face was smudged with graphite and ink stains the slender fingers. Various items are scattered around the desk in hazardous chaotic mess.

Without her black coveralls, Axis's clothing is filthy. Her furious detail scrawls ink, graphite, and erasers shaving all over the grey jacket and jeans. Her head hurts, her eyes feel severe pressure from behind the soft squishy balls, and her heart is heavy. She finally lets her head drop onto the desk and sighs.

The Navy moved in two or three days ago. They must have been tracking Ace and her movements across the ocean. More than likely, the Navy was aware that she and Ace would meet up with the Whitebeard pirates and then had tracked Whitebeard. Only Whitebeard was on the neighboring Island. If the Navy had not figured out they were both on the Black Islands, they would soon.

Despite being angry her best male friend, Gavroche, left maps, information, and some exotic chocolates from his home in South Renaissance on her desk. He was not her lover, but they had grown up very close. He was married with a wife and kid. Not to mention his brother-in-law/ nanny to his daughter. Gavroche had even made Axis his daughter's Godmother. Not that it was good.

He was about as good a parent as Axis was, which is to say a bad one. However, he was sincere when he said things and demanded a certain level of respect from the the criminal enterprise. Those sickly souls they worked with. No one could say he horrible person. Life had not been kind to Gavroche and Axis knew most of his life's story from first hand experience, just as he knew hers. Mostly because of what they were, but according to the rules of survival it did not matter. What matter was a person's ability to survive the curve balls life saw fit to hurl to them. Good news; both Gavroche and Axis were professionals at survival.

She sits up and shoves herself away from the desk. The map is marked in with ink symbols some still glistening from the drying ink. The sketches of scapula as well as the surrounding structure lay complete in a messy stack to her left.

Did she mention she had a headache? Her brother was helping to add to that; Ace and all his niceness. Why couldn't he be an asshole who did not want anything to do with her? Why couldn't he leave her to rot in all her messy madness. That's what everyone did! They left her to fall apart, then they would pick up the pieces. But no. Ace was putting duct tape on every crack and she was starting to feel fragile like a house of cards. Soon not even his patchwork help would be able to keep her together. Axis throws all the thoughts out of her mind.

She wonders around in her room, searching out her soft pajama pants and t-shirt. Unfortunately the t-shirt did not work and she ended up with a sweater Gavroche had left her with last time they bumped into each other. He had a habit of leaving his jackets for her. Probably because he knew how cold she was all the time.

Once Axis finally made it to the bathroom, she shut the door, and left the light out. The blue emergency light plugged in at the sink is all the light she can tolerate. She dumps her clothes by the toilet and turns on the shower.

The clothing was stripped off in a hurry and even in the dim light; the large mirror reflected the abused body of the young adult female. The scars raged from old to new and all had a distinct story to tell. Only a glance was needs to send Axis into the shower to hide from her reflection.

Once the hot water hit her tension-ridden body, her mind goes blank. The sudden change in sensation dims her thought process and she is lost to the world for a long period of time. When she snaps too again she is crawling into the mound of blankets she claims to be her bed. She buries her face into the pillows and suddenly the world is black.

"Dad…Daddy…Dad? Dad? Dad? Dad? Dad?" chirps Rodger clambering on his father's back, "Dad? Daddy? Daaaaddd?"

Ace groans and buries his face in the pillow.

"Daaaaddd!" he whines.

"Come here, Squirt!" Marco groans grabbing the brunette off his boyfriend.

"Paaaapaaa." Whines Rodger, "Lemme go!"

"No. Go back to sleep." Urges Marco tiredly snuggling against the squirming little body.

Rodger struggles vainly, "But Papa!" he yells clawing at the blankets.

"Rawar!" barks Edward bouncing onto the two men.

"ACK!" squeaks Ace as he gets stomped. He rolls over and grabs the blonde haired child who squeals with delight, "What are you doing this early in the morning?"

"Daddy!" giggles Ed, "Leggo!" he twists turns and worms desperate to get out of his Dad's vice grip.

Over the last two weeks since they were introduced, Edward has more than warmed up to his parents. Because Marco took the hint and Edward awoke to his elder's sleeping form in the middle of a bad storm, he has given his trust. Marco's serene nature and Ace's playful attitude keep the children giggling and laughing as children. For them, they have achieved all they wanted and more.

"No." Ace wraps his arms around the little boy, "You're gonna be my new pillow." He snuggles against Edward's back pulling the little boy in like he would Luffy.

Ace really loves his kids. He does indeed call them both his kids. Marco's son, while guarded and serious is loving. He wants to be loved so badly, that when he caved under comfort of his Papa, Ace was an automatic. Ace knows it has something to do with his own giggling and shrieking child. The pair plays off of cues they give each other.

"I like that idea." Agrees Marco, "We can have little pillows." And he balls Rodger against his chest nuzzling the soft curly black hair.

"NOooo!" both children screech happily.

Ace casts a weary eye at the clock. Six in the morning. Of course. Their kids have too much energy, "Alright alright! I'm up. I'm up." He sits up letting his back 'pop'. He sets Edward free on the bed.

Together, the brothers attack Marco who is still under the illusion he can get away with sleeping in. The moment little hands catch a hold of him, he shrieks. The kids have found a particular ticklish spot on his neck and sides. Flailing, he gets tangled up in the sheets and the children laugh harder.

Ace snorts and rolls his eyes. He reaches out and grabs the two devils off his boyfriend, "You two are bad." He chides with a grin.

Marco sits up. He shivers, shaking his head as chills run up his spine. The last time someone tickled him was when Thatch was here. He pushes the thought out of his head not ready to admit the sadness that weights in his heart. He shoves the blankets off his legs and slouches to the side, "Morin'." he greets grabbing Ace by the hair and kisses him.

"Eeewww." Rodger moans.

"Gross." Groans Ed.

"Yeah, do that some other time." Encourages Rodger.

Ace smiles at them, and looks up at Marco. There is a mischievous glint in the first commander's eye. The little twats did come in and wake them up.

Marco always kisses him first thing the morning. It was one of the strange things they had agreed to. They wanted to be happy every morning they saw each other. The kiss was a reminder of that.

"Go get dressed." Ace says gently batting at the blond tuff on top of Edward's head. Then he ruffles Rodger's back curls.

"Noooo-wa." moan the boys. They frown bemoaning the fate of putting on clothes. Getting them dressed is a morning battle that requires reinforcements. Usually Atlas or Miguel pop in and help throw them into jeans and t-shirts before setting them free in the garden.

Marco's brows go up and he looks sideways at Ace, "Well I guess you two can sit there and watch us kiss each other." He smirks.

"Good bye!" and both children scramble off the bed and go running down the hall.

Both men laugh. Kids are so predictable.

Ace grins and leans forward, "I'll take another kiss."

"Even if it is gross?" chuckles Marco pecking him.

"Even if it's gross." Agrees Ace returning the favor. He slings his feet over the edge, "They have too much energy."

"If I could bottle it up and sell it, I'd be rich." Agrees Marco, "Phew. I don't know how much more I can take. I need a day of sleep." He yawns and climbs out of bed. He grabs his navy cargo pants and fishes for the purple long sleeved shirt.

"I hear ya." Ace gets out of bed and search for his jeans and red t-shirt. The weather is rainy and cold. Even with his devil fruit abilities, clothing is still needed to block out dampness that seems to infiltrate his bones.

After some hazardous stumbling, he starts down the hall and finds his children up to no good.

"Aunt Axis!" calls Rodger.

"Da fuck you want?" mutters Axis sleepily.

Ace peers into his sister's room and watch her emerge from under a mountain of blankets. The dark circles never seem to leave her eyes and despite having recover most of the way in the last week, she still seems overly fatigued.

"Get up! It's time to get up." Ed beams.

"I don't recall asking for an alarm." Growls Axis vanishing under the blankets.

Rodger throws up the blanket and sticks his face under the covers. His voice becomes muffled, "But Aunt Axis, today we're going grocery shopping with Aunt Atlas!"

Axis lets out a moaning groan.

"Axis!" chirps Rodger again.

Axis sticks her head out of the blankets and Rodger falls backward onto the floor, "Get the fuck outta my room. I'll be down in a minute."

"Yay!" and the two flee the room and dash past Ace for the stairs leading down.

"You don't have to get up." Ace says gently considering his sibling.

Axis more or less rolls out of bed into a pile on the floor. The hooded sweater she wore to bed makes her look like some form of bull dog with folds of heavy skin. Her pajama pants are low on her hips and one black sock is on and one is off. Her feet 'thud' onto the floor as the appendages finally find their way to the floor and she looks gloomily at her brother.

"You obvious underestimate the power of your children." She groans. Sluggishly she reorients herself to sit up and shoves down the sweatshirt. She squints at the clock on her desk and after determining she can't see it, gropes blindly under her pillows for the heavy framed glasses she pulls out. Her heavy lidded grey eyes glare at the clock then at Ace.

Ace raises his eyebrows, "Do I?" he didn't know she wore glasses. That seemed to be the case every day though. I didn't know… Always there is some new little fact or story he does not know about her. Oh sure his kids have lots to tell him, but so do Axis's family. They tell about some of her misgivings they know specifically about.

"Yes." She responds flatly and slides her hand under the frames rubbing her face.

Ace walks over and offers a hand, "Need help?" he asks.

"No." but she accepts his hand anyway as he pulls her to her feet. The glasses perch on her nose and she shoves them up so they don't fall off.

"I think you're a polar bear." Snorts Ace looking at her, then the mound of blankets.

She turns around and looks at the unmade bed. It has a cavern appearance at the moment. "They're warmer than I am." She answers back, "I wish I were a bear." She slouches against her brother, "Uaghhh. Yer kids were better behaved before you."

Ace laughs and loops an arm around his sister's frame, dragging her out the door, "Maybe you weren't around enough to know. They tell me you're gone most of the time."

"I have shit to do." She groans, "And they're not my kids."

"You really have no parental instincts." Marco teases warmly coming up behind the pair, "I take it you got a six o'clock alarm as well."

"FuckyouMarco." She slurs rubbing her fingers under she glass over her eyes, "It's too damn early."

"What time do you normally get up?" he laughs as they trot down the stairs, "Earlier this week you said that ten o'clock was too early."

"That' s because it is." She moans, "I'm nocturnal. I don't fuckin'…get up until what? Like… five or six at night?"

"Shit." Snorts Ace, "You're up reeeally early aren't ya?" he says guiding her to kitchen.

"Fuck yer face."she mutters grumpily.

"That's Marco's job." And Ace sprints away only too aware of what may come.

"ACE!" howls Marco beat red chasing him.

Axis blinks several times, snorts, and rolls her eyes. Its gonna be a fun day.

After several minutes of mindless arguing, milk juggling, and food orders the group sits at the table with breakfast in hand. Both little boys like milk, cheese, and bird-in-the-nest toast. Edward eats his plain and Rodger slathers on a healthy dose of butter over the bread and part of the egg. Macro joins his sons in their favorite dish, enjoying jam rather than butter with a cup of coffee. Ace has almost everything he can find with black tea.

Axis stuffs an eighth of a yellow apple in her mouth as she pulls out toast out of the toaster, "Where is the damn list?" she mutters to herself.

"What list is that?" asks Marco looking up, "Ed, don't chew with your mouth open."

Ed stuck his tongue out with the chewed food on it.

"Edward." Warns Axis grabbing the jar of peanut butter from the cabinet, "Don't be an ass."

"Axis, he's a kid." Laughs Ace. He would have done the same thing. But, Damn! Marco was cute in his Papa mode.

"And he can still be an ass." She retorts spreading peanut butter over the dried bread.

"Don't call them that." Marco requests rolling his eyes. His brother's sister is far too blunt. What part of Please don't curse around my kids doesn't she get? Probably the 'don't.'

She shrugs, "In answer to your question, in this house, they keep a grocery list and once a week we go grocery shopping." And add under her breath, "If you recall from past weeks."

Marco nods missing the last part, "Oh right, I forgot about that." He reaches over the table and begins cutting Rodger's toast, "Rodger your mouth isn't big enough to shove the whole toast in." he sighs. The sticky yellow dribbling egg is smeared all over his face. He groans and grabs the napkin on the table and begins wiping his face, "You are a mess."

The black haired child grins up at his Papa. His big brown eyes admire Marco's care silently.

Marco finishes with a sigh and balls the napkin up. He tosses it to the side while he settles himself back in his chair.

Rodger's attention has been stolen. He's staring curiously at the floor. "Aunt Axis?" he quips.

"What Reggie?" Axis answers Rodger taking a bite of toast and peanut butter. She dumps the rest of the apple slices onto the plate.

"What is…" he hesitates and pulls a paper from the floor, "Love Lube?"

Both of his fathers cough loudly and spit out their food.

Rodger blinks up innocently Axis holding a long piece of paper.

"Oh, there's the list." She takes two steps and takes the paper scrolling down, "Where do you see 'Love Lube'?" she asks reviewing the information.

"Its on the back." He answers.

She flips the paper, "Ah! Sure enough." She squints at it, "Ace is this your handwriting?" she inquires looking at her brother.

Ace is red in the face. He knew about the list. How could he forget? When he told Miguel he needed something for personal matter (and if such personal matter were okay in the house) Miguel laughed and said it was fine. Just put it on the list, he said. Fuck.

Of course, Ace does not have to look at Marco to see the annoyed fluster look on the first commander's face.

"Sooo what is it?" quips Rodger again.

"Stuff grown-ups use when they have sex." Axis answers blatantly still examining the list, "Fuck we're out of cream again. Butter too. We'll hafta stop by the dairy on the way home."

"AXIS!" gapes Marco.

She looks at him, "What?"

"Oooh… What's 'sex'?" Rodger blinks. Being this innocent has to be a crime.

This time his aunt looks at him and says, "It's the process by which people show intimate affection for one another and the way the species procreate in order to maintain and continue their species."

Marco practically throws his plate at her, "This is not for kids!" he protests.

"He asked." Axis points out, "The truth is what it is."

"You neglect to state that its something that adults do. And is not pertinent to children!" he gapes.

"You mean what the Navy guys did with the nurses at the medical office?" Rodger continues, obviously curious.

The room goes silent. Both men look at the little boy.

Axis nods, "Yes. But your Papa is also right. That is not something for children."

"That's what the nurses said." Edward returns.

Axis nods, "And they were right then."

"Why do we need 'Love Lube'?" questions Rodger knitting his brows together.

Axis rolls her eyes, "Because…" she gives Ace a quick look (Ace hopes he looks mortified), "Someone in the house would like to show affection to their partner."

"Oh." Rodger blinks and looks at his egg, then at his Dad, "Is it you?"

Ace buries his face in his hands. No parental instincts exist in Axis's brain. The basic concept of censoring ideas and facts do not even cross her mind. For all the brains she has (and she certainly has quiet a bit) apparently child proofing does not occur to her.

"Yes." Axis answers and returns to the list. She changes the subject, "Miguel wrote on here new boots for both of you. Did you kill the last pair we got you?"

"Out grew them." Ed answers.

"You two are growing like weeds." She comments.

"Mori-san doesn't like weeds." Frowns Rodger.

"Like weeds. I'm not saying you are a weed. You're just growing really fast." She explains continuing down the list.

Ace is staring at his children and then at his sister in utter disbelief. The conversation is continuing like his and Marco's interjections do not exist. Axis is still not editing the information she is giving them and children are simply receiving the information and continuing. He has a problem with this, but does not see a way to argue with her at the moment.

Axis chomps the last of the toast, "Alright then. I'm gonna go change and then we can go." She sets the list down and grabs a pen from the counter and pushes the list over to Marco, "Put boots for Marco and Ace. I saw the state of your shit. Let by gods be by gods and lemme buy you a decent pair of shoes." She grabs the apple slices and walks out of the kitchen back the to the stairs.

Marco stares at the list and writes the information down. Then he glares at his boyfriend, "I'm going to kill your sister." He warns.

"Pff. Only if you beat me to it." Ace retorts.

"But I like Aunt Axis." Edward chimes in.

"Ed, this is one of those Papa and Daddy are talking moments. We won't literally kill her. We're just angry." Marco frowns.

Rodger shovels the last of his egg and toast in his mouth, "Why?"

Both men look at one another in exasperation. Clearly the children did not pick up on the whole 'Shut up Axis' part of the conversation.

"Love Lube." Mutters Edward.

"Oh." Rodger nods.

"Edward!" barks Marco.

And that's how the conversation is left. Marco takes two steps outside and runs in to find the pair of jeans. Ace retrieves the bright orange hoodie Dr. Siphonophore gave him. He tosses it over the red t-shirt. The weather is damp in the way where you feel it in your bones. It's not necessarily cold in temperature, but the dampness (or humidity) of the morning seems to cling to everything. Neither man is inclining to wonder shirtless on this island. At least not while its cool.

Atlas comes in through the kitchen door. She's muddy and in rain boots that are cover in dark grime. Her good nature helps to lessen the tension, although she doesn't miss the atmosphere. She helps the kids crawl into their boots and hooded rain jackets while teaching Ace and Marco how to lace the boots.

"They pinch my toes." Grumbles Edward.

Atlas hooks the last lace and grins, "That's why we're getting you new ones. You just have to wear these until we get you new ones. Kay?"

"What about breaking them in?" asks Rodger, "Aunt Axis says you'll get blisters if you don't."

"Aunt Axis also says if you wear to pairs of thick socks you won't feel it." Reminds Atlas, "You can switch between the shoes, but you gotta wear them at least an hour a day until they break in."

"No wonder my feet hurt after I get new boots." Mutters Ace.

Atlas laughs, "Barefoot is the other option, but when you go up North that'll become murder."

Ace winces. Yeah he's seen snow. But the way Atlas and Axis talk about where they're from, he can only cry. Cold, damp, with tons of snow, black sandy beaches, and hot spring of water teaming with fish and tropical life. Snowy island with tropical water… this sounded horribly weird.

Marco finishes tying Rodger's little shoes, "All done."

"Yay! Thank you Papa!" and he bounces down off the bench and kisses Marco on the cheek. The action, although like the flit of a butterfly's wing, is as powerful as a punch.

Marco feels the innocent affection his new found child has for him and smiles, "You're welcome."

Edward bounces down too, "Thanks, Atlas." He grins.

Atlas ruffles his hair, "You're welcome."

"Hey!"

Atlas calls, "Hey Axi! Lets get out of here you got the list?"

"Yes." Both men say simultaneously in a tone that wards off any answers from Ace's sibling.

Atlas looks at one then the other, "What the hell did she do to you two?" she asks blankly.

"Love Lube." Chime in the children.

Atlas whips around and at the kids, "Hey!" she warns, "Not again or you get soap in your mouth." Its not a curse word, but their parents are clearly bothered. Particuarlly the way they both wince with the children's words.

The children cringe because Aunt Atlas will stick a bar of soap in their mouth and they will stand for an hour before she is satisfied.

Atlas looks at the men in their aggravation. She nods for a second, licks her teeth with her tongue, and says, "I'll talk to her."

"Please." Begs Marco tartly.

The group head out as soon as Axis comes down the stairs with the list. She like her brother and his boyfriend, has jeans, t-shirt, and jacket. The steel toe boots she wears are waterproof with scuffs from the many years of wear. They clunk heavily down the stairs and Axis in her usual near drunk weave, attempts to walk.

Marco and Ace walk ahead with Edward swinging off his father's arm. He talks excitedly about the bugs he found yesterday and about the centipede that Atlas killed with a spade. Rodger, riding on Ace's shoulders, says very little as he clings on his father's long hair. He and Ace laugh and giggle at Edward's excitement and relax in early morning sunlight. Behind them, a fair distance away, are Atlas and Axis.

"So the weather man is calling for a hurricane today." Says Atlas pleasantly admiring the loose sunlight that begins to filter between the bright green leaves.

Axis nods and fingers the crumpled list in her pocket, just to make sure she did not forget it.

Atlas continues, "Although, I noticed we have the beginnings of hurricane in the house." She hears Axis groan, "Wanna explain that one to me?" she looks sideways at her younger cousin with high raised eyebrows and a stern expression.

"The kids asked what 'Love Lube' is." Axis shrugs, "So I told them." She looks around, "Then Rodger asked what the word sex means, I'm assuming for clarification, and so I briefly explained what it is."

Atlas groans, "With their fathers sitting there?"

"Yes." Nods Axis.

Atlas sucks her cheeks in and bites on the inside, then says, "Did Ace write that down?"

"Yes." Agrees Axis again.

"Does the concept of censoring mean anything to you?" she inquires tartly, "I'mean for the love of fuck these kids are what? 4 and 6?"

"Yes." Agrees her cousin again.

"SO they don't need all their information. Despite it being available." Alas points out in a heated tone.

"I know."

That stops Atlas and she glares at her younger cousin, "Apparently not! You've officially pissed your brother and his boyfriend off."

"Am I supposed to alter the way I speak to these kids, just because I found out they're related to me?" Axis reasons coldly.

Atlas considers the idea. She frowns. Valid point to Axis. Children need people to be consistent. More so than adults. As people get older, people get used to seeing two faces or more on people. The business face, the parent, the lover, the child at heart are just to name a few labels, but most children only ever had one face. It is as plain as day.

"The one thing I can promise those kids is that I will be honest with them. They've been lied to plenty. If their parents wanna fuckin shelter them, that's cool. But don't leave them with me. I'm not changing just coz the kids are related to me. That's not how I do shit." The vulgarity is a sign that this is something she is not moving from.

While Axis may be able to be reasoned with and coaxed into a different opinion, there are some things better left to her. Quirks and opinions are what make different people, people. Atlas has become relatively accustom to picking part social behaviors Axis does not understand or know about to things she does not observe because they are part of her personality.

Glowering at Axis, Atlas tries again, "But this is what their parents want." Ah-ha! Score one for Atlas.

"Doesn't matter." Axis responds crushing her older cousin's argument with her insensitive response, "This is how I've always worked with them."

"Yes and we can see how well that worked." mutters Atlas darkly. However she knows it is pointless to continue this conversation. Axis was just too damn stubborn and this was quirk and not a misunderstood formality.

There is a warm hum, insect buzz among the trees and bird sing gloriously all around. The path wines smaller into cobblestones which give away to large well worn stones and turns into primitive, in appearance, town. Town is busy and bustling with activity. Shops and stalls advertizing everything from fishing hooks to native fruits and vegetables were splayed out for the public to see. The world of brightly colored booths fits in this tropical world. The cold morning air is lifting letting the heat roll off in great waves. As if the shops, decked out in there brilliant array were not vibrant enough, the sun kissed people of this island paradise are dressed in equally bright apparel.

Atlas in an attempt to cool the on coming war, herds Ace and Marco, plus kids, to the shoe store where a busty blonde haired woman explains options and fits them.

Axis wonders through the market place gathering groceries and supplies. The sellers are polite and offer no resistance as she places quick orders going from vendor to vendor.

She makes a stop into the art supply store having received a phone call from a client when she went up to change. This store is small and tightly packed with supplies ranging from expensive oil paints and gold leafing to the crayons and coloring books her nephews adore. The man behind the counter chuckles at the sight of her and waves casually.

She waves back and wonders through the shelves picking up graphite sticks, conte crayon, and ink.

When she wonders around the edge of shelves she sees a man carrying a long black coat with golden spots. A coat, which she observes, is obscuring what appears to be a long black lacquered blade scabbard. He is dressed in a simple yellow and black hooded sweatshirt that stops three quarters of the way down his arms and spotted blue jeans. The jeans are fitted so that his body shows off its fineness. The pants taper off over black leather boots. They're square toe, matte, and more than likely steel toe like her own. The pair he wears have a nice inch heel, sturdy, but very stylish.

The tattoos are tribal in style from the north with strange twist. It appears southern, but Axis can not be certain. The skin is the color of caramel and the hair is navy blue almost black peeking out from under a fur spotted newsboy cap.

He turns at her approach and those stormy blue eyes gaze curiously down at her. The scruffy goatee and long sideburns are not normally her style, but he pulls off the half street boy half professional look well.

She gives him a polite nod, which he returns and moves around him to wire racks laden with watercolor paper. She squats on the ground and runs her fingertips through the paper searching silently for the correct weight. A pad catches her attention and is pleased to note it not only the correct weight, but it won't kill her budget. She fidgets with the pad and groans. It has been tangled in wire from the back.

Axis glares at the wire from the next side over and reaches under. Her slender fingers quickly twist through the wire, freeing her paper from the confined space. However she looses her balance and has to throw a hand behind her to steady herself. Despite feeling better from the jellyfish stings, the left hand catching her is still badly tearing and splitting.

Unlike her brother and his boyfriend, she was up as soon as she was able. Unable to lay still or contain herself, she made the soft blisters pop and tear frequently. The scabs would frequently pull themselves off her skin and blood would ooze over everything. She had only recently managed to get the skin to heal and did it ever itch. Now it tore painfully at the weakest point, between the junction on the fingers, and she winces as dirt rubbed into those open crevasses.

"Allow me." Says a voice behind her.

She looks up and sees the man with stormy blue eyes.

His hands vanish under the coated rack and disentangle the paper from the rack. The navy haired man hand slides out, grasping the sheaf of paper, and Axis sees more tattoos.

The tattoos are the same style as the ones on his forearms, but the lettering on her fingers sends a shiver up her spine. D-E-A-T-H is splayed across the digits. Out of any information she manages to retain about potential enemies, that small detail she has noticed… is the bucket kicker.

She closes her eyes and lets her head lull back grimacing.

He loops an arm under her arm and pulls her to her feet.

"Thank you." She says politely. She looks quietly at him as she straightens.

"My pleasure, Axis." The paper slides in her hands and one of his hands slides up quickly to the side of her neck. He draws her ear close to his mouth. A brief surge of panic is replaced by his words, "The Navy is livid with you and your brother's flight. They are harbored around the island surveying for the pair of you. Go home." And lets go of her neck.

She draws away from the man she knows is a doctor and surgeon, "Excuse me?" she blinks.

He smiles smoothly, "I haven't seen many women wear a mohawk." He says louder, "Oddly enough, it suits you." His voice is pleasant.

Self-consciously she reaches up and runs her fingers through her hair, "Eh, hehe." She laughs nervously trying to discern his moves. She does not know him, and therefore can't make assumptions. It's frustrating.

The doctor seems to realize she's mentally stuck on his previous words, "Don't worry." He assures her in a low tone, "Getting out now, is not a problem."

"I don't really care how handsome or charming you are," assures Axis with narrowed eyes (might as well admit the truth if you're going to die), "I'm not going to just jump through fire because you tell me it's a good idea."

There is a glimmer of delight at the compliment, but his eyes narrow to match hers, "Go home." He repeats in the same even tone.

Axis purses her lips.

He turns on his heel and is stalks away with a fancy new pen in hand. She hears the clerk as he checks out and leaves.

Glowering Axis shakes her head and quickly checks out. The clerk is pleasant and offers a 'goodbye' as she leaves.

However, everywhere she looks, from there on out, he is there. His black coat is on his arm, the long lacquered case of a blade perched under and his quiet blue-grey eyes looking cold and troubled.

Finally after a half an hour of seeing him everywhere, she checks out from the Dairy and feels him right behind her and stops. What she realizes she picked up on was the sound of his fashionable shoes: The heeled boots that click-clack slightly on the ground. She turns and finds him directly behind her.

"I don't want help from you." She says politely, but inside she in rolling in inner turmoil. The paranoia that never stands down in her body has reared its ugly head. She can pass most of what she feels and sees as hallucinations from some of her medication, but not this.

He takes several of the bags from her arms and threads his arm around hers, "I'm afraid you have to accept." He breathes and urges her to walk with him.

Axis finds the man slowing his stride so she can walk comfortably with her, but feels insistent tug and pull as he guides her through the crowd. It's uncomfortable to be so close to him, this privateer, but she feels that way about anyone. However, she has learned that sometimes its best to see where people's intentions lie. So she allows him to coax her where he will.

He stops by the road leading back to Siphonophore house and lets her go, "Go home." He repeats.

She stares at him coldly, "I can't. I need to go get my brother." She sets the brown paper bags by a tree along with the white plastic bag containing her art supplies.

The man drops the bags he carried besides hers, "I will go." He insists in a low voice beside her.

"Forgive me if I don't trust you." She says continuing her respectful tone, "But I'll get him." There really is no point or reason for this man's care. They've never met.

He reaches out and grabs her arms, "Leave." He insists in a cold tone, "There is no need to further-"

"I have too." She cuts him short, "You cannot protect him." she straightens and shakes his arms off hers, "Thank you for your concern."

His hands latch onto her face.

Axis feels a strange panic in her system.

He opens his broad lips again and says, "This is vital for your survival at this time." He reasons, "At this moment, you must trust me."

She stares again.

"I will got get them." He promises, "And bring them here."

She opens her mouth to ask how he knows about them. Marco, Edward, and little Rodger were never mentioned during their conversation. But his thumbs press against her mouth.

His face is grave, intent, and those eyes are soul searching. Its as if he is trying to will her to see some truth. She realizes he knows the question she wants to ask, but they both know he cannot say it out loud. Finally he says, "Smoke in the wind."

The friends she has made over the years who are Devil Fruit users place their hands on her face as submissive and often in a desperate attempt to make her listen. The touch of bare skin turns off the abilities of the user and left them vulnerable to her often-brutal techniques. Smoker was actually the original person to decide this was effective. He did not do it often, but when he did it meant he was inconsolable.

His grip becomes firmer as he feels the tremor.

"Okay." Is all she says and his hands leave her face. Black and yellow coat disappears into the crowd.

There are signals people use. Discrete movements, speech patterns, and sounds that a variety of people she knows use to say when something is safe, wrong, or needed. Right now, just about everything the good doctor is doing are signals. The face thing is Smoker's: His undeniable technique to force her to listen to him. The steadiness in his voice may be there naturally, but its Mori's technique for soothing over Axis's constant panic. The lip thing, well… that was his own… perhaps 'signal' is better than 'thing'. It conveyed a lot by the pressure and gentleness of the movement.

She groans again. Someone talked and convinced the Surgeon of Death to keep Axis out of trouble.

Axis wonders over to the groceries and sits down staring up into the leaves. The panic that is welling up inside her body is forced down as a wave of sleepy dizziness which wails over her brain. She feels the strange contentment that only her medication brings as it suppresses her ability to feel.

She glances at the open brown bag he carried and sees a white box sitting on top of the garden supplies (rope, string, bamboo sticks, ect.). The pulls it out and notices the sloppy scrawl that Smoker passes off for handwriting. She opens one end and pulls out two new plastic pill bottles. One has long white pills with an indent in the middle and tiny numbers pressed into the back. On the opposite are violet translucent gel capsules with black number and letters. The bottles are tapped together with a single note.

When the tape comes off and she opens the paper, the note says in Smoker's messy scribble;

Be safe. Keep him safe. Tell the chitlens I say 'Hi'. Good Hearts never lie.

-E.S.

That the note really means is;

Last time I saw you, were about to get killed. Yah, I didn't like that. Cannot ya not make my life hard and stay alive? Fuck you. Tell Ace to quit being a pirate because now I feel guilty about hunting him. Rodger and Edward are in danger. The Navy identified your family to be the fucks that decided to shelter them from the Navy. I sent Trafalgar, Law. He's trustworthy.

She jiggles the medicine and note and stuffs them back into the white box and buries it among the gardening supplies. She looks up and sees Atlas laughing with Ace and Marco. Ace is strutting around in his new black boots and Marco is rolling his eyes. Rodger and Edward are carrying their shoeboxes listening to the adult chatter.

Atlas sees Axis and waves, "Hiya!" she beams, "Get everything?"

Axis wonders for a moment if Trafalgar found them, but then sees the swish of his black coat in the crowd, "Y-yeah." She nods catching herself. She finds his gaze and realizes he did not have too. Their group was already on their way back.

He nods silently and disappears as someone passes in front of him.

"What?" Axis blinks looking down at the giggles children.

Rodger grins from ear to ear, "I found boots just like my Daddy's!" he repeats.

"Oh." She looks at Ace's black boots, "They'll be more than comfortable." She nods. She looks at Edward, "Find something?"

He opens the box and shows the brown leather creations hidden inside.

Axis nods, "You can put more than one pair of socks on under those when you come up North…"

"You've been busy." Praises Ace looking at bags, "I suppose you need a hand or two?" he reaches down and grabs two of the largest containing slabs of giant green snapper and squid.

"Uh, sure." Smiles Axis standing up. The pair seemed to have forgiven her for earlier in the day, although they might as well not. She has no intention of changing.

"Ms. Gol?" enquires a stoic voice.

Axis slowly closes her eyes and let's loose a groaning sigh. According to the work she did all night the Navy would either show up today or tomorrow. Unfortunately it had been today. She bit the inside of her mouth and exhales. She spins on the ball of her foot and looks up wearily at the man.

He's in his late forties. The salt and pepper colored hair is cropped short and his blue eyes stand out brightly against his sun tanned leather skin. In one hand he charters a long silver bo and in the other he carries a yellow envelop. The black suit with blue tie has a white and gold cape resting on his shoulders.

"Hi." She grumbles taking in the man.

He nods slightly, "I am Officer Nyugen." He informs her tartly.

"Wayne?" asks Axis repeating what she thinks she has heard.

He nods, "Yes." He offers a letter to her, "This is your official letter of arrest for piracy, arson, murder, and –"

"Don't make me kill you." She interrupts, "Since when does the Navy offer official letters."

"The new requirement made by the Renaissance governments." He states, "As such, you are also required to submit and come with us." He pulls cuffs out from behind his back, "If you just place your arms in front-" and that's all the man gets before Axis's foot collides with the side of his jaw.

She hears the mandible crack under her pressure and is instantly aware of being surrounded by the Navy.

Everything from this moment on is a fast pace blur. The blood curls down the faces of the assailants as Marco and Ace are forced to go on the offensive. There are flashes of Axis's nephews are being thrown around and out of the way.

Atlas's motherly nature comes into full view as she shields and keeps the children from the barrage and onslaught of attacks.

Ace is startled to see his clothing is fire proof. This is his first clue the Siphonophore family knows more than they let on. His attacks are aimed at the waves of men (and some women) of attacking figures. Marco is at his back blocking and protecting him. Ace is a sword and Marco is a shield and together they feel a strange determination to remove any potential problems.

Axis is barely aware of her surroundings. The paranoia of having the Heart Captain follow her around the shops of the Black Islands transforms into her actual talent; knowing where people are and breaking bones. She fights bare handed taking on many and breaking bones in the wrists, knees, and ribs. Her heart is in her ears and each time she blinks there is a new face: Some new soldier who is only following orders. Hell bent creatures foaming at the mouth with annalist ambitions.

In another place, another time, maybe she would have been a friend with many of these people. Axis often thinks about the fact that she did not know these people. She assists in the endless senseless slaughter of people just to stay alive. Then all these lives seem to not satisfy her blood lust because she sleeps with knife just so that she can destroy more at any given moment. However, as another body crumbles under her skilled hands, she also knows that allowing these dedicated misled soldiers to kill her, would not solve anything.

The flash of gold in her vision is what jerks her out of her daze. She sees Edward's golden locks and wide green eyes as he barely manages to dodge the swipe of a solider. It's only then that she also becomes aware of the orders being barked.

"Get the children. General Ingli wants them returned unharmed!" barks an officer hidden under his white and blue naval cap.

"Edward!" barks Axis willing the child to hear her over the noise and roar around them in the open war at the edge of the market place.

Miracle of miracles occurs. Edward hears his aunt's shriek and those green eyes turn up briefly and he dodge around another swipe of a naval officer.

Axis's foot collides with another marine's patella. The crunch is lost as she makes a mad dash for the little boy scrambling awkwardly around the sea of enemies. If Ace and Marco had not been keeping the marines busy, Axis never would have been able to slip, slide and gather Edward tightly against her as she went under some officer's legs.

The little blonde child clutches desperately at Axis's jacket as Axis jumps up, stumbling at dodging around the butt of a gun. She trips and Edward is flung from her arms.

Dead bodies prove to be good for something, as Edward bounces off the flesh sack of bones and organs. He is uninjured if shaken.

In her view, Axis sees Dr. Nyugen advancing towards the child. Cursing her luck, she gets up and scrambles over to him. Axis clutches the fabric of Edward's jacket, pulls him from the ground into her arms. She spots a petrified Marco whose eyes beg for her to give him his son. She curls his body into ball, he grabbing his knees, and tosses him towards Marco. Marco's arms encircle the small boy and his mouth opens to yell something that never comes.

The wide pipe like bo crashes down and splits the soft flesh of Axis's head.

Axis feels the blood roll down. The pain goes numb in her body. The fragrance of red substance drooling down from the injury hangs in the air around her and grinding of bones rolls into her head as the Naval commander winds up for another swing.

Her eyes glaze over and from the tear ducts to the outer side of her eyes, blackness began to seep in. It spreads with a final blink turning the scleras of her eye black leaving grey rings hanging suspended in the inky color. The world turns silent and still. Her eyes roll to the side and see Officer Nyugen.

Then everything is on fast forward. Her body caves and ducks to avoid the next blow. Her head pulled down, body bows down, and suddenly her arm shoots up. Her long fingers catch around the ankle of the thick leather boot and she uses his momentum to pull the his body to her. Her legs swings up and catches the man in the crotch nailing him cleanly in the balls and no doubt injuring his manhood at the same time.

He howls in agony, but Axis is far from done. She pulls him closer and he looses his balance, falling back instead of forward. That's when she see's his foot caught on the large tip if the rock, buried under the dark earth. She feels the crack in the toes of the opposite foot she holds before she hears it. Then her foot moves down in a sharp arc and collides with the side of the knee. There is a sickening crack as her mind rings out her trainer's warning 'It only takes five pounds of pressure to break any bone in the body.' Says his words over and over inside her head.

The officer's body bows and he topples backward as Axis's releases his leg. Then those long slender fingers find his thick neck, locate the second vertebrae of his spinal cord, and then there are a deafening crack. His body goes limp and his head hits the dirt ground and blood spills out his throat.

Ace freezes. Those long delicate looking fingers are so deadly. With a careful and sure grip a person would perish indefinitely.

Axis turns ignoring the head injury. Those hollow near black eyes with their grey rings choose their next target before she can be struck again. She jumps in time to miss another attack and her hands camel clutch the next marine officer's head. Her legs wrap around him from the back and there is another deafening crack as his neck is broken. Her long legs release him and shove him forward and rebound out of the way of the next assault.

She takes a gun shot to the shoulder, which stops her momentum. At the pain in her arm, and Axis turn lifts her fingers and they go rigid. In fact, her whole body goes rigid as Ace witnesses what can only be described as the Marionette Bone technique. The surrounding officers loose their voice and freeze like statues in their place in odd positions.

Ace glances at his sister again and has to do a double take. She is gritting and grinding her teeth, her own skeletal frame strains against her skin giving her a deathly appearance. Those near black eyes are dilated with concentration and he is not sure he can handle the monster staring through his sister's eyes.

He opens his mouth to call to her, but suddenly there is a ripping cracking noise and the bodies around him twist in drastic bizarre shapes as their bones are smashed from the inside out. The larger bones strain and some protrude out through the skin as they shatter, break, bend, and demolish themselves. The soldiers' eyes roll into their head and their mouths fall open in silent screams. Then they collapse like puppets. Their strings cut from their final performance.

Axis's bones stop straining against their flesh bindings, but she does not move. She shakes as she struggles to remain standing, her eyes close and open still black. She is no longer grinding and gritting her teeth, but all the color she had is gone from her skin.

"There you lot, are." Says an oddly cheerful voice.

Ace's head whips around to see the gardener in her black overalls, "Dr. Siphonophore wondered where you lot got too." She chuckles.

"Mori?" quizzes Marco blinking at her.

The strange wise smile and calm demeanor is so out of place on this body riddled battleground, "Hello." She waves. Her eyes flick to Axis as she collapses. Those long champagne colored eyes lashes stare quietly at her friend, and then she says, "Why don't you go back? I'll finish grocery shopping and get the bags already collected."

Ace is drug out of his stupor by his sister collapsing. He walks over silently and stoops down. He gathers his hands under her body and instantly feels the change that has occurred in her body. Where rigid organs normally push and shove against him, he feels nothing. There is a strange stiff softness to the body.

"Ace." Calls Mori.

He looks at the woman with the heavy lidded eyes.

"Its easier if you treat her like a baby. Ya know? How they flop everywhere?" Assures Mori gathering up a stunned and worried Rodger from Atlas, "You need to support them a little more."

Ace nods stiffly and wraps an arm under her head and neck and curls her into his body as he supports her rear-end and lower back. It works well and he has her against his body when he notices water on her skin. It's only then that he realizes he's crying.

"Tell me the truth." Ace begs long after his children have gone to bed, "Please." He adds as Marco's grip on his hand tightens.

Across from him is the lovely, calm, and polite Mori. This gardener, whom he has rarely seen, has always struck him as odd. In the middle of madness she as still as stone and as sure as a blade. The deep browns of her eyes reflect none of her thoughts and words that drip from her lips are always soothing. This is why Ace finds her scary. Nothing gets under the gardener's skin. Not even as she bandaged him, Marco, Atlas, and Axis.

She helped clean their injuries; all of them minor, with a gentle smile speaking in soft tones. The children, still in state of shock, gradually awoke in the arms of their parents as Mori spoke whimsically.

Ace half expected them to break down at the realization of what they had been through today; to his surprise he found them relaxing under the mummers of the gardener. That was when doorbanged open and in came the most monstrous man Ace had ever seen.

He stood maybe seven feet. He was enormous in size. The bulging sculpted musculature did not thing but make a beast out of him. Although, his skin was soft golden color his cropped blonde hair was longer with sweeping tresses. It was probably the only soft thing on him. His eyes were an unnatural red, set deep into his skull. When he opened his mouth Ace saw the jagged pearly white canines that lined his entire gum line. No, Ace really did not want to fight him. Not now.

Despite his initial impression, the ripped short-sleeved army green shirt and dirt blue jeans were unassuming. The jeans were tucked into brown cowboy style boots were an eye catcher because of how simple he was.

He introduced himself as Medici Gavroche. Oh boy did Ace know that name. He was an architect, artisan, and pirate. He was expensive to commission, impossibility disagreeable, and well known for not being human. He was under a classification of people that simply called themselves Sea Devils.

Sea Devils are like humans, but have both gills and lungs. Their teeth are ground sharp, all their eyes are red, and they're all known for being powerful warriors and swimmers. Fishmen do not play with these counter parts because of their moody disposition and or their tendency to be… blood thirsty in battle and eat people.

In any case, Gavroche yelled back and forth with Adam, the doctor, before Siphonphore got the boot. The Sea Devil presented aquatic medicine to the gardener muttering about 'stupid human medics'.

Mori merely thanked him and continued to care for the group, minus Axis who was comatose upstairs.

Once again his children startled him by going and greeting Gavroche with hugs around his legs.

He had rolled his eyes, sighed and scooped up them up. "You'd better not be getttin into any trouble." He warned in dark tone.

They both shook their heads vigorously to show how serious they were.

He chuckled and ruffled their hair before setting them down and sitting beside Mori, where he had remained.

Now, the blond haired man with the cold red eyes studies him for a moment then says, "Alright, whadda wanna know, Fire Fist?"

Ace flinches at the revelation. Gavroche, knows all about Ace. "What is she?" he says before he can politely revise his words.

"Human." Assures Mori with a smile screwing on the lid to the medicine.

But Gavroche, with no intent on lightening the mood says, "Do you know what a Kairoseki is Mr. Portgas?"

"The thing the Navy uses against Fruit Users. It makes us weak." He frowns. What the hell did this have to do with his sister?

"That's what it becomes; A weapon against its opposite." Agrees Gavroche not denying the truth in Ace's words, "But do you know what it is?" presses the man coldly.

Marco answers up this time, "Kairoseki or sea stone, start off as people. They born under certain circumstances determined by the time of year, placement of the stars and moon. When they die, their bones become a malleable stone that has unusual properties."

Gavroche smiles sadly at Marco, "Yes." He inhales and his face becomes a mask "And the older a Kairoseki is, depending on the person, the stronger it gets. The bones' major determining factors are the obvious training, and the not so obvious, torture each person go through."

"Kairoseki… are people?" breathes Ace.

Mori nods, "Were people… Is more accurate." She sighs, "Unfortunately for them to be of use against Fruit Users they must be pulled from within the body. However these bones must be tempered. This process is brutal and time consuming."

"Tempering is a process that makes things stronger by, usually, subjecting them to harsh conditions then calmer ones." Clarifies Gavroche sounding more and more like a dictionary as he attempted to explain the complications in his world.

"They slaughter them…" translates Ace, "Like elephants. Wanted for nothing more than the bones in their bodies? And the bones have to be in the body to be tempered so they are strong enough to be used?"

The pair across nods.

"The Navy has an underground sector completely dedicated to it." Gavroche snorts, "Pisses me the fuck off. Your sister and I have both been subjected to long hours of torture and training. We are highly praised for Kairoseki."

"My sister… is a Kairoseki…?" he asks and translates.

"Yes." Mori agrees, "She puts everyone at risk she knows because of it. So does her Uncle Miguel." She motions to the man beside her, "As does Gavroche and his wife Anna. All these people are Kairoseki."

"Are you?" Marco asks weakly.

Mori gives him a smile again, "You flatter me." She assures him, "No. I am a monster of another sort. I don't have a name." she shrugs, "Couldn't tell you."

It seems the tension is too thick because Gavorche rolls his eyes, "Damn good thing you are. I know no little fuckin' girl who can toss five tons of rock as people like a baseball." The man groans looking off to the side.

Mori looks thoughtful, "Maybe Captain Ciguetera?"

"Tooth Fairy? Naw." He shakes his head," She's more about poking your organs through your body."

"My sister does that." Ace says distantly.

"Where do you think she learned it from?" snorts Gavroche irritably, "That's not h Axis's technique. No. She's all about bone breaking."

Ace looks at the floor.

"Ace?" Mori breathes.

He looks up at Mori with her brown eyes and champagne colored hair. There is a calm politeness with which she deals with people. He appreciates that formality, but also finds himself wishing he could understand and see everything she does. His mind so riddled with questions is forced to try to pick apart this conversation with devastating results.

"Being a Kairoseki is not like anything else in the world." Mori's eyes lower and she looks at her laced fingers, "The moment you are discovered… your rights and privileges as a human being are revoked and you are hunted; Like an animal. Those who survive up to older ages are queer in nature, distrustful, cold, and confused." Mori struggles to convey her knowledge to Ace, "There is so much that goes into this. So much pain and terror."

"Is that why I can't even coax her into loving me? As her brother?" his voice is rising with anger.

"That'd be part of it." Shrugs Gavroche coldly, "Only the mentally disturbed survive wars like this." From within his pocket, the red-eyed mammoth of a man pulls a pill bottle, "This is one of four medicine she has to take." He turns the bottle to Ace: Tranylcypromine.

Mori attempts to sooth the tension, "Besides… if you break… you're useless to the Navy as a future bone weapon in their arsenal. They have to keep you alive and use you in the Navy."

Ace snorts ruefully, "Rather have a dead body to store than a living one to take care of. Is that it?"

"You could say that." Agrees Gavroche tiredly.

Ace buries his face in his hand as he tries to digest the information. He inhales shaky breaths and finally looks at Mori, "Is that why Marco and I floated when we were in the water? Why my abilities shut off when I touch her?"

"Yes." Agrees Gavroche, "It's a defense mechanism. Kairoseki can turned off a Devil Fruit user's abilities and change their own if you were to train with one of us for a long period of time. You would always be able to float in water if one of us touched you. But we might no longer be able to shut your abilities off course, sometimes we loose our ability over a Devil Fruit user entirely."

Marco's brow scrunches, "I didn't know that. When?"

"The most common is: Lovers. Physical inmate relationships usually result in a change of control. The body chemistry of a Kairoseki is set up for change. Which is to say, if one of us let someone in that close we would be altered. No one deserves the control over another's life, especially when it comes down to a relationship. This is a sort of fail safe." He sighs, "And it differs from person to person."

"Fuck…" mutters Ace.

The group looks at the black haired male.

"That's why she's a virgin. She can't risk exposing herself to someone who might stab her in the back…" there is horror in his mind, "But she won't even risk a relationship for the fear of being changed."

Gavroche swallows thickly, "Most surviving Kairoseki are virgins for the that reason Ace," he looks into his hands, "And your right. I'm kinda surprised how fast you figured that part of your sister out." He sighs, "We've lost a lotta people because they became numb to people and lost sensitivity. Then the Navy used those people against our kind."

"That makes sense." Nods Marco and he tries to help steer the conversation away from the more intimate parts of life, "Any others?"

"Siblings." He points at Ace, "The two of you are blood related. Therefore how your abilities react to one another are going to be different. Long time allies or friends who fruit users are also at risk of altering a Kairoseki. Like I said before, when you train with someone for a long period of time, our bodies alter. Consider it our will. Our desire to protect our comrades often give the fruit users new ideas and control on their abilities."

Mori smiles, "Kairoseki are not worthless or less valuable because they were altered. In fact that is sometimes an unexpected side effect of the training. Sometimes that's why the Navy lets Kairoseki live."

"In order to make them a weapon?" growls Ace.

Mori nods.

Ace in angry, hurt, sad, and overwhelmed. He lets the anger deflate out of him and he sinks into the sofa staring blankly at the ceiling.

"I… just can't bring you any closer than you are." That's what she had said to him two weeks ago.

His heart burned and ached. Suddenly the coldness, which he interpreted from her, he saw as loneliness. When every move you make can destroy your survival, what do you do? His sister had figured it out. You kick ass, take names, and shut yourself off. And now… and now Ace wanted the Navy to pay.

He couldn't have a sister. No. Not right away. He couldn't risk her safety, his boyfriend's, or their children.