A Tiger by the Tail

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story...well...except for the fortune teller, anyway. We all know that if I did there would be some mark-able differences. ;p

Warning: This is obviously yaoi (don't really write anything else but this X3) so if that makes you squeamish than just press that little back button and all will be right with the world! If this is exactly up your alley (snicker) than proceed to read! XD

Pairing: Eustass Kidd x Trafalgar Law

A Tiger by the tail – 1) You've taken up a position in which you thought would give you control, but in fact is going to be very difficult or dangerous to 'escape' from. 2) To have a hold on something that you can not let go of without getting hurt. Yet, the longer you hold on, the harder things become and the greater the danger of letting go gets. 3) To cope with a difficult obsession.

A Tiger by the Tail

If asked how he had come to be in his current predicament one Trafalgar Law would have simply said, 'Like fuck if I'd know, but it sure as hell wasn't my damn fault!' and be done with it, but just what exactly was this predicament that had Law in so much adamant denial...well it stands as this...so let's rewind a bit.

It was rather early in the day that found Law, Captain of the Heart Pirates, deciding that he was in much need for some time to himself and, in the heat of that particularly lovely day, had promptly snuck off to enjoy himself. It had been ludicrously easy to ditch his doting crew with the excuse that he needed to restock a few medical supplies. The worst he got for his attempt at an escape was from his cuddly little...or not so little anymore...polar bear and first mate; Bepo, in the form of a 'Be careful, Captain.', which was far from a deterrent if Law had ever seen one.

This now saw him wandering the Lawless area of the Sabaody Archipelago, looking for some much wanted 'fun'...or at the very least a damn good drink, ''I'm starting to think this was not such a hot idea.'' Law huffed softly as he walked, hands buried deep in his pockets. He'd already been to a few dives only to be continually unimpressed with the occupants and the swill they seemed to want to call drinks. That meant no good entertainment for the tattooed male and a bored Law was a dangerous Law or to suit the purpose better...a very bored Law was a homicidal Law! As at this point it would take the slaughter of several miserable morons to lift the raven haired male's boredom for longer than a mere nano second.

It was like waiting for that Molotov Cocktail to drop between your legs...not a pretty picture in the least...a rather slow and agonizing death for the poor schmuck who manages to get caught in the crossfire, actually. It is this...this disturbingly sadistic streak that gave Trafalgar Law his well deserved nick-names of Dark Doctor and Surgeon of Death. Law continued his aimless wandering until he finally noticed that he had wandered himself into a district of the Lawless area consisting of nothing but tents...and rather colourful tents to boot. He hummed softly in very mild curiosity and kept right on walking. There was absolutely no need to remain in such a gaudy place as it was obviously clear that this particular area was housed by Gypsies and Nomads only out to hock their wears, sell rare items or offer their own bodies for a few measly beri. Though, it wasn't to say that he despised Gypsies or Nomads considering his own Scandinavian heritage...it just pissed him off to see these proud people reduced to demeaning themselves, because they were considered outsiders.

However, there were always exceptions to every rule and Law was about to run it over. The dark haired male never saw it coming as he suddenly found himself sprawled over the ground, laying over something that dug painfully into his soft, tan flesh in far too many places. He coughed to catch the air that had been forced from his lungs only to be thrown onto his back by the very thing he had knocked down. ''Impertinent child!'' Came the screech of nails on a chalkboard, for that couldn't actually be someone's voice! It was far too blood-curdling to be, but when Law managed to get his breath back under control he decided he needed to place the hideous noise to it's owner.

That was an instant regret. Law recoiled, ''Oh my god!'' he hissed as he gagged on the bile suddenly rising in his throat. The creature...he couldn't call it anything else but that, considering it looked like neither man nor woman...stood before him hunched over drastically, a wizened, bony old creature dressed in outrageously gaudy nomadic clothing. She...he...it stood no more than four foot six inches from the ground and rage was written over...it's...face as it promptly struck Law over the head with the gnarled staff it was carrying.

''How dare you treat a lady in such a manner!'' it...apparently a she...howled in rage as Law winced and recoiled from the strike, ''You're a lady!'' he questioned...the wrong thing to do. She struck him again and Law couldn't help but marvel, through the pain, at how fast this...uhm...woman was, considering her appearance. ''Of course I'm a damn lady! Can you not tell by my stunning good looks.'' she growled as Law gagged behind his hand again. This got him another roundhouse from the staff, ''Will you stop that, you nasty, old geezer!'' Law howled back. This also proved to be the wrong thing to do and he never saw it coming.

In the blink of an eye the bony old woman had him flat on his back, standing upon his chest and it was with great surprise that Law could neither get her off of him or move his limbs. ''What the fucking hell, Grandma! Get off me!'' he yelled, annoyance rising another notch...never a good thing with someone so young, ''I think you are due for an attitude check, Cub.'' the old lady sneered. Law scowled in distaste over the fact that this tiny, frail looking creature could show him one up so easily, ''You're not a horrible boy, but there are certain humilities you could stand to learn. I do hope your time in the skin of another creature helps you to understand that, Trafalgar Law.'' she said.

Law was about to bark another insult when she caught him off-guard, ''Wait...what! How did you know my name?'' he asked suspiciously as she leant her hunched and bony frame over his head, a twisted smile further warping her features, ''I know all, Trafalgar Law and perhaps...one day...you will too.'' she crooned, lifting the gnarled staff until the bottom of it hovered over his forehead. Law, for some reason, felt panic claw at his gut, ''Wait! Wai...!'' the raven haired youth tried to get the woman's attention, even if for just a moment.

She did not heed his plea as the staff came down on him. Law heard himself yell in alarm as his world suddenly went black, ''Learn the lesson of humility and your proper place in the world, Trafalgar Law, and perhaps, with time, the curse will break.'' the voice of the old hag drifted through the darkness to Law as he felt his body begin to heat, weighted down by lead. 'What's happening!' he questioned the blackness as the heat turned to fire and pain, ''One must see things from a new light in order to change themselves. Enjoy the experience and learn, Cub.'' the woman's voice answered only for his world to erupt. The screams that cut the dark could only be his as his bones felt like they were melting and reforming to the shape of something that was not him, ''I shall see you when to awaken.'' a dry laugh mixed with the screams.

However, as soon as the pain started it stopped and Law's eyes were opening or at least he thought they were his eyes...these were his thoughts after all, but the world was in tones of black, white and grey. He moaned softly as he rose up on all fours, feeling oddly shaky on his hands and knees only to notice that by doing so he didn't seem to be much further from the ground. It was almost like he had shrunk. 'The hell...' he thought groggily as he tried to stand on his feet only to stumble and fall, forcing a guttural sound from within his throat.

He tried again and received the same result. It was after a half a dozen attempts that told him trying to stand was, at the moment, proving futile. So, as a second option, Law decided to remain still until he got his limbs back under his control. In the meantime he took the opportunity to observe his surroundings only to receive a surprise...he was being held inside, what appeared to be, a cage like structure. This proved to alarm Law greatly, 'What's going on!' he thought, mind not wrapping around the situation as he forced himself to get up and stagger over to the 'cage' bars.

He opened his mouth to complain only to hear an odd squawking cry, 'Was that me!' Law thought, confusion etching his thoughts. He tried again and received the same sound for his efforts, 'It sounds like a baby animal's cry.' it was weird and a bit discomfiting. ''My, my, you've finally awoken, Cub. I was starting to think that the transformation would kill you.'' an eerily familiar wheeze could be heard from above Law and outside of the cage like structure. That odd sound was all that answered that nasally voice, 'The fuck!' Law hissed mentally, ''Oh don't get your whiskers in a bunch. You'll understand in a moment.'' the hag said as her weather beaten face appeared on the other side of the bars.

Law recoiled in terror only to stumble on his shaky legs and fall down, 'Why the fuck does she seem so much bigger than before!' he thought and tried to voice his building confusion again only to be greeted by that strange squawking noise once more, ''Calm down, calm down.'' the hag chided as her boney, arthritic fingers opened the cage door and reached inside for him. She snatched him up by the scruff of the neck and hauled him, squealing, from the cage, ''Shush.'' she hissed and shook him slightly as he went limp and quiet. Law was alarmed by his own reaction, but what scared him more was the fact that he hadn't imagined the old hag's sudden gain in height.

The four foot six old woman was now much bigger than he was as she held him easily by the neck and, if Law was correct, he was the one who was suppose to be taller, ''Still can't wrap your noodle around what happened to ya.'' the old woman crowed, laugh dry and grating, ''I told you that the only way you would learn humility was to walk in another creature's skin. Have a look at yourself, Trafalgar Law.'' she stopped in front of a cracked, old mirror. The reflection Law saw was not his own...hell it wasn't even human! He was dumbstruck, however, as he moved a limb the mirror image would do the same and as he blinked it too would do the same in the reflection.

Several long minutes of silence followed as, during that time, Law allowed what he was seeing to sink in. Once it did..., 'EEEYYAAAHHHH!' he screamed mentally as the sound that physically came out of the open mouth in the mirror's reflection followed the lines of a screeching animal. ''Shush, now! There is no need for screaming!'' the old woman ordered and shook him a bit more, instantly quieting the creature she held in her boney grasp. Law couldn't believe his eyes, but...if he was truthful with himself...it did help make sense of the sudden monochrome vision and wobbly legs...he had four of them now, after all! ''You wear the skin of a different creature, but I decided to be kind to you in the end.'' she offered after a moment, 'Seriously.' was what Law thought as a sarcastic sounding squeak issued in his throat.

''I made you a tiger for a reason, Trafalgar Law. I may desire to punish you for your impudence, but I am not a cruel woman. I gave you the ability to defend yourself, but in turn you are a mere infant, five week old, white Siberian Tiger.'' she explained...as if this would make everything better. Law felt like he was going to have a heart attack, 'This is a fucking dream! That's all this is, is a dream!' he made to say only to issue forth a few mewling type sounds of distress. The old hag decided to ignore the noises of the now baby tiger Law, ''This is only the first part of your punishment. I foresaw all of this and in just a short time your new master will waltz right on through that tent flap to take you away.'' the old hag laughed, ''You see I specialize in the pet business.'' here she indicated to many other cages filled with animals.

Law understood exactly what she meant. He knew that all the other caged creatures he now took in were also once human beings in some shape or form. Frankly, it disgusted him. There were easier ways to get back at someone for pissing you off, but it most certainly wasn't pulling some fucking, bullshit voodoo on them to screw up their lives! Law's fuzzy, white and black striped fur fluffed up in distaste at the hags sense of retribution as he let out a gurgled hiss. She only laughed at him, ''Go ahead and be upset, Cub, but you can't change any of it at this point.'' she said dryly and all but tossed his small animal body back into the cage, locking it once he was inside.

''I'll leave you to your thoughts while we wait for your new master to arrive.'' and with that thrown over her wizened shoulder the old woman left the tent and Law to his sordid thoughts. 'This is fucking ridiculous! I've done nothing to deserve this shit!' Law thought in outrage as his inner turmoil was voiced in several squawks and faint hisses.

It was at this point, that if asked, one Trafalgar Law would deny that he deserved the treatment that he got.

Eustass 'Captain' Kidd, notorious Supernova and Captain to the Kidd Pirates, was in the market for a new pet...seeing as how his last one mysteriously vanished while out at sea. Killer, his first mate, had said that the poor thing must have fallen overboard, but Kidd was more than certain he had left the door to his bedroom locked every time he left his personal space. Either way, his most recent beloved pet, a small black cat...he loved cats..., went missing after only two weeks aboard his ship and he was beginning to think his crew had something to do with it since none of his pets ever seemed to last all that long.

Of course, he had no physical proof, but that didn't stop his growing suspicions. So here the redhead was, in the market for a more sturdy feline pet and he had heard that the Gypsy tent commune was the place to be if you desired a more...sturdy pet. Kidd would be damned if he allowed his crew...assuming they really were to blame...to off another one of his pets. When you start to lose count of how many were 'lost at sea' it was high time for a pet with a bit more bite to it.

Kidd snickered darkly as he thought of how his crew would react to a more fight worthy pet, ''That will teach the assholes to mess with my cats!'' Kidd crowed, making passers-by stop and stare at the large male dressed in a black fur coat before hurrying away, giving him a wide birth. Kidd neither cared or noticed this as he eyed all the tents within view until his ruby red gaze landed on a hideously, colour-clashing tent off to his right. His dark painted lips turned up in a smirk as he saw the messily scrawled 'Exotic Pets for Sale' sign leaning against the hideous mesh of fabrics, ''Perfect.'' Kidd cooed as he sauntered over to his desired location, ''Better have what I want.'' he added under his breath since he didn't desire to stay in the Gypsy commune too much longer.

He entered the tent without so much as an 'excuse me' and as soon as he was standing inside the cage crowded interior his ears were assault with the loud squalling of a distressed animal. What made it strange was that only one animal was making the racket and he hadn't even heard it from outside, ''Weird.'' Kidd muttered, getting a chill. The animal continued to cry and by now it was clear to Kidd that the upset animal was still just a baby, not that it made a difference. Kidd moved further into the stuffy tent, glancing around for the keeper of these 'exotic' animals, ''Yoh! Is anyone here?'' the redhead called loudly, but no answer was returned.

Shrugging, Kidd decided to look around and if he felt so inclined he'd just steal the animal he liked best since the keeper wasn't around to say otherwise...he was a pirate after all! Kidd spent the better part of forty minutes glancing into every cage but the squalling baby animal's. That wretched crying was more than enough to make Kidd not even think about going near it, much less even look at it. 'Fucking thing just won't shut up!' he thought angrily.

However, he had already exhausted his amusement in the caged animals before him. None of them had been felines so, therefore, he was not interested, ''Waste of my damn time!'' he growled in annoyance as he made to exit the cramped space, ''You shouldn't leave before examining the contents of all the cages.'' came a nasally voice from behind Kidd, scaring the man and making him jump. ''There's no need to get scared, young man.'' a wizened old lady said as she slipped like grease from the shadows, causing Kidd's heart to palpitate uncomfortably behind his ribcage.

''You surprised me, nothing more.'' Kidd defended as he felt embarrassment cloy at his gut for being frightened by a four foot something old woman, 'Way to be a pirate, Eustass Kidd.' he chided himself mentally. He glanced at the old crow before him and huffed softly, '' I have looked in all of the cages. You have nothing I'm interested in.'' the redhead explained aloud. The old lady tutted at him and shook her finger, ''You have not looked in that cage yet.'' she offered, ''He cries like that, because he is upset. Nothing more.''

Kidd rolled his eyes, ''I'm not interested in a whiny animal, Lady.'' he responded dryly and she smiled at him in return, ''Let me show him to you.'' she persisted, as if she had not heard his remark at all. Kidd was about to refuse, but before he could even open his mouth a bundle of white and black fur was thrust into his face, forcing him to take the squirming bundle before it fell to the ground. Kidd marvelled in shock at how fast the wizened old woman was before his attention was drawn down to the creature in his arms when it decided to bite him.

''OW! You little...!'' Kidd hollered only to pause when he finally recognized what he was holding. In his arms rested a small white tiger cub, gnawing determinedly at his arm. He stared at the small, frisky feline before suddenly hoisting it up to eye level, forcing it to stop biting him as it's hind legs dangled towards the ground below, ''A tiger?'' Kidd said stupidly. The woman nodded, ''Yes, a tiger and his name is Loki.'' she said in return, to which the cub turned it's self the best it could and hissed at the old crone. The smile she gave the small animal back appeared rather sinister, if not slightly amused by the animal's antics. It yowled right back...as if it were holding an intelligent conversation with the old woman.

''He's a spirited little thing and a bit devious. So be mindful of him.'' she said directly to Kidd, though he noticed that her gaze never left the hissing tiger cub. ''How are you so sure that I'll take the tiger?'' Kidd questioned, eyeing the hag as she merely smiled knowingly up at him, ''Because you are.'' she replied simply enough. Kidd gaped at her audacity, but she merely shooed him out the tent flap, back into the slowly dying daylight, ''Now be off with you. Love that creature like you've loved no other and...have a good day!'' the woman said, weirding Kidd out a bit with how she spoke.

The old woman watched the redhead leave with the spitting mad tiger and smiled knowingly, ''Love and humility walk hand in hand, after all.''

Law couldn't believe his rotten fucking luck! After being forced against his will into the small body of a baby tiger he only received another slap in the face when one Eustass Kidd had the nerve to show up in that god be damned witch's tent! What was worse was that the old crone had handed him right over to the volatile redhead! There was no way...no god damned way that Eustass 'Captain' Kidd was his m...master! He needed to vomit.

Now here he was on Kidd's creepy ship, stuck inside the redhead's private bedroom! Shit had finally hit the fan...Law was doom! He wouldn't survive the night as Mister Eustass' pet! The man was a monster after all so what made the redhead think he could take care of an animal! 'Calm down, Law...just calm down and breathe.' he thought miserably when he realized that during his inner rant he had been yowling aloud like a being possessed. It was here that Law applied his intellect and ability to stay calm under pressure to help him figure out how his new...ugh...body functioned.

It took him some time, but when he calmed down enough he was able to get the hang of walking on four legs, though he did note that due to his age he was still a bit awkward with movement of any sort. He was okay with that, so long as he had mobility to begin with. Once he figured that out he was able to piece together the correlation between his thoughts and his 'speech'. It took him an hour or so, but eventually he was able to differentiate between thinking and...making pointless noises. In the end he figured it could be worse. The old lady was a fucking bitch, but at least she stuck him in the body of a powerful animal.

That didn't change the fact that he wanted to be human again, but he was coping with it a bit better than before, 'I'm bored now.' Law thought dryly, once he was finished with his personal assessment of his new feline body. He had no idea what he could do locked up inside Kidd's private chambers...short of nosing around in the redheads possessions. 'That's not a bad idea actually.' Law thought as he got up on his fee...paws and wobbled unstably about the Gothic looking room. It was a bit creepy, but no where near as daunting as the rest of the ship appeared to be, 'Creepy fucking Goth rocker.' Law found himself thinking as his pale fur stood on end.

He proceeded to take a few hours to nose through Kidd's drawers, under the overly large bed, inside the adjoining bathroom, on the desk and finally the bookshelves. All of this yielded one thing to Law...Eustass Kidd was way weird, but otherwise nothing truly screamed bloodsucking sadist. Kidd was merely eccentric in far too many ways and, frankly, Law was fine with that as he scrambled into an open dresser drawer, curling up among the, hopefully clean, underwear within the small space. He didn't question his sudden need to sleep in a small, enclosed space since that particular tendency was a feline attribute and the fact that it was underwear that he was currently curled up in was only mildly freaky. It smelt clean so he let it slide...it was warm so that's all that really mattered.

However, no sooner had he made himself comfortable in Kidd's underwear drawer did the man come practically busting into the room, nearly knocking the door off its hinges in his obvious excitement. Law peeked over the edge of the partially open drawer before ducking back down into the depth of the material he lay in, 'And here I thought I was going to be able to get in a quick nap.' the former human groused. He heard Kidd hum softly, ''Now where did that little tiger get too?'' he heard Kidd mutter, ''Here kitty, kitty. Come here, Loki.'' the redhead went on, calling Law by a name that he was quickly coming to despise.

Law listened carefully to the inflections in Kidd's smooth baritone voice and found only calm tones and concern, telling him that if Kidd had any intent to harm...or eat him...he was good at hiding it. Law wasn't exactly playing pessimist at this point, but he figured that he could trust base animal instincts when it came to telling if another being would harm him. Mind made up Law let loose a small squeaking noise, but since he was already comfortable he decided that moving was not necessary.

There was silence as it was obvious that Kidd heard him squawk, but could not seem to pinpoint his exact location. Law sighed mentally and proceeded to make more noise, shuffling amongst Kidd's underwear to make it appear that he was just waking up. In a matter of seconds Kidd was peering down at him as Law glanced right back up at the redhead. Silence filled the room as they stared at each other for a moment before Kidd's bottom lip trembled and he nearly busted a gut laughing, ''T...that's the cutest...d...damn thing I've ever fucking s...seen!'' the older Supernova howled.

Law felt his right eye twitch and he huffed slightly through his cold, wet nose, ruffling his whiskers as he squawked at Kidd indignantly. Still laughing softly Kidd moved and scooped the bristling tiger cub into his arms, ''What is it with cats and sleeping in small spaces.'' the redhead said teasingly as he sat down on the black comforter on his large bed. Law squirmed around in Kidd's lap, 'It's small enough that brutish people like you can't get at the cat...that's why.' Law voiced, though Kidd only heard it as a series of squeaky noises. Kidd laughed and lifted Law up until his cold, wet nose was pressed lightly against the redhead's, ''Are you trying to talk to me, Loki.'' he said through his chuckles.

Law's fur fluffed up when Kidd gave him an Eskimo kiss and he promptly squawked, tail twitching slightly as his small body jerked slightly from the force behind the noise he made. Law blinked as he continued to make pointless noise, apparently entertaining Kidd when he raised a paw to swat at the man's face, smearing what appeared to be his black lipstick...Law was colour blind now, after all. Kidd only laughed, not caring that his make-up was being smudged, ''Hey now!'' the redheaded Supernova chided, no bite behind his words, in the least.

Law stopped moving and making noise instantly, just hanging their in Kidd's grasp staring at the male before him like he had grown another head...a real hideous one. 'What the hell! Why isn't he torturing me...eating me! He's being...nice!' Law thought to himself, alarmed at what he was seeing since he figured that by now Kidd would have tired of his noise and thrown him into a burlap sack to drown him! 'Eustass Kidd is a cat lover!' Law shrieked internally as it finally clicked, 'He's a fucking cat lover!' the former human repeated to himself internally...like it would help him understand the situation better.

Kidd frowned slightly at the tiger in his hold, ''Why so quiet all of a sudden?'' he asked as if expecting an actual answer in return. The little tiger merely blinked at him and they remained in a stare down for several minutes before he shook his head and smiled again. He slowly set the wobbly legged cub down on his plush bed and watched it stagger around like it was drunk and not just trying to traverse the surface of the bed. ''Such a cute little thing.'' Kidd cooed as he knelt down at the edge of the bed to watch his new pet only to be shot what looked like a death glare when he made mention of the word cute, ''Eh?'' Kidd questioned as it was his turn to blink dumbly at the tiger. The redhead rubbed at his eyes like he was hallucinating and blinked again, ''Just seeing shit.'' Kidd muttered as he stood up slowly.

If Law could he would have been grinning like a deranged mental patient, 'That's right, Mister Eustass, your just seeing shit.' the former human snickered mentally as he watched the redhead make his way to the adjoining bathroom, muttering something about a 'refreshing bath'. Law wobbled over to the edge of the bed, staring down at the floor ominously, 'That seems a little further away than I'm willing to jump.' Law thought and promptly put his stupid squawking noises to use, forcing Kidd to stop in the doorway of his personal bathroom and promptly come back to lift Law up and place him back down on the floor without a single complaint.

Law marvelled at this, 'He's wrapped right around my...paw...already.' he thought with glee as he wobbled after Kidd who had gone back into the bathroom. However, when Law finally caught up he was greeted with the sight of a very naked Eustass Kidd and, thusly, an eyeful of..., 'He's fucking HUGE!' Law howled mentally as he stood frozen in the doorway. Once the redhead had the claw footed tub filling with water Kidd finally took notice of Law and, with a smile, he bent to scoop up the tiger cub. 'Too close!' Law screamed, which came out as a short series of squeaky yowls when his face moved not a handful of centimetres right by Kidd's rather impressively sized cock.

Law felt faint and oddly enough it wasn't from the feeling of disgust, but from...he hated to admit it...cock envy. It kind of irked him. Kidd, however, paid Law's noise no mind as he turned off the warm water and stepped into the deep interior of the bath, his new pet still held in his arms. Law paused in his noise making when he suddenly felt something warm and wet touching at his hind legs and tail, 'What the? Did he just take me in the bath with him!' the former human thought. He turned his dark, monochromatic eyes up at Kidd and found himself to be draped over the redhead's chest and part of his left shoulder.

Law jumped slightly in Kidd's one handed hold when warm water was suddenly spilled over the downy fur on his back and instantly started squawking again, shifting lazily about. ''There, there, Loki, you wanted to follow me in here so I'll just have to give you a bath.'' Kidd teased fondly as he continued to wet Law's soft, striped fur. Law's noise eventually calmed to small moans as he fidgeted within Kidd's one-handed hold...it was starting to feel rather nice and by this point the former human had forgotten that he was in a bath with a naked Eustass Kidd.

'Ooooh, that feels good.' Law thought drowsily, eyes slowly slipping shut as his fidgety movements slowed completely and he fell asleep. He nuzzled into the warm skin of Kidd's neck unconsciously and began a slow, rhythmic purring-like noise, ''Too cute.'' Kidd chuckled as he stroked the damp fur on the baby tiger's back with a calming sigh. The redheaded brute never felt more at peace than when he was in the presence of a feline.

''I have no idea why that old hag said this little guy was devious. That implies human-like tendencies, after all.'' Kidd wondered idly as, so far, the little tiger had exhibited nothing but sweet mannerisms., ''But...maybe she was referring to when he gets older?'' Kidd went on to question as he glanced down at the sleeping tiger on his chest. He let out a relaxed sigh and reclined back into the water filled bathtub to allow his muscles to unwind from the day's stress.

He was well on his way to nodding off when a firm knock on his bathroom door roused him from his warm daze, ''What?'' Kidd growled just loud enough for the 'intruder' to hear. The door creaked open slowly and an all too familiar head of shaggy blond, helmet covered, hair peaked around the door frame. Killer, Kidd's first mate, remained silent for a moment before he sighed in what was clearly exasperation and stepped into the steam clouded room, ''Captain.'' he said with warning in his voice, ''What did I tell you about bringing animals onto the ship.''

Kidd's eye twitched, ''There is nothing wrong with having a cat on board the ship, Killer. They kill mice after all.'' The redhead said defensively. Killer covered his forehead with his hand and shook his head before looking back at his Captain, ''That's not a cat, Captain.'' Killer said flatly as he pointed at the tiger cub still sleeping peacefully on Kidd's chest. ''I don't see the problem, Killer. He's still of the feline family so there for he's a cat...just a bigger type.'' the redhead replied in a matter of fact tone. It was clear that he was not going to listen to his first mate...again.

''You can't keep a tiger on the ship, Captain. Besides, it was bad enough when you had normal cats, but a tiger is really pushing it. That thing is a predator and eventually it's going to act on those instincts and start hunting the crew.'' Killer tried again only to receive a sharp look from Kidd, ''Bullshit. Killer, none of my previous pets ever went after the crew and neither will this little tiger.'' the redhead huffed. When Kidd had first started bring cats on board the ship his crew had tended to complain of attacks. Attacks that had apparently been masterminded by his cute little kitties. This line of complaint had persisted for at least seven of his pets until the complaints had stopped...Kidd never believed that his cute little pets could harm his crew.

Though, now that the Supernova thought about it it was after those seven particular cats that his pets had started mysteriously vanishing from the ship and the complaints of cat attacks had never been brought up again. 'Could the crew be...nah, they wouldn't do that to my babies.' Kidd thought to himself, but couldn't help eyeing Killer suspiciously as he reaffirmed his hold on the baby tiger dozing on his chest. ''The tiger stays, Killer, and that's the end of it.'' Kidd snarled and the redhead could have sworn that the blond rolled his eyes behind his mask.

''Of course, Captain.'' Killer conceded, but Kidd knew that his first mate was far from happy as he left the room, silent as a ghost. The Supernova watched the door to the bathroom for a moment before he was taken in a childish moment and stuck his tongue out at the spot Killer had vacated not a minute ago. ''Nonsensical idiot.'' Kidd muttered under his breath as he sunk down in the tub.

A.N.: I have no idea where I'm really going with this story, but it seemed like a fun idea and it will eventually be rated M. However, just so you guys know...updates will be done at a leisurely pace since I'm just not sure about the plot yet. :3