Kid was nowhere to be seen. Undoubtedly, he was aboard the ship, but within the past few hours, Kid seemed to reside anywhere but the main deck. It made Law wonder if the captain was always this way, casting himself away into the nooks and crannies of the wooden premises and dabbling with various metal equipment to his liking. Law, on the other hand, enjoyed the outdoors. Like a mild case of claustrophobia, he hated cramming himself into small enclosed areas. He rather enjoyed the freedom to do whatever he pleased.

Law rested cozily in the crow's nest above the sails, perusing one of Kid's few elementary novels. The changing seas were a reassurance in many ways as it confirmed Kid's word as much as it consoled him to witness his progress. A brief survey of the life on board was educational, for he had little to believe Kid would betray him but the man had a thin moral standing and so Law would continue to map his whereabouts.

Law inspected the grounds now, only to feel a wave of discomfort as he examined the ominous style of Kid's abode. Kid's ship flaunted several skulls and bones, some of which may have belonged to some of his more unfortunate opponents. And intimidating, indeed. Nothing more than a party of effigies to collect a sense of foreboding-and for Law, imminent death. Of course, Law knew that his chances of survival were minimal past setting foot on the island to which he approached and in that regard, perhaps Law's judgment was not as promising as he had believed. The object that he sought was hardly of much importance compared to the weight of his life, but he was bound to it as if portions of his very soul had been locked away inside. He had his reasons and no one else would likely be able to understand them.

Far ahead, Law could make out the likings of an island cloaked by fog and blue, a predecessor to the disasters ahead. He watched as its greenery gradually came into view and he could make out the distinctions between tree and grass, only to bear witness as the fogs and blues reclaimed its landmark and the ship slowly veered off rightward.

With a frown, Law pulled out his map and assessed his position. Where was the foolish captain going? Law began making his descent back down to the main deck, cautiously minding the several breaks in the net's footholds that could easily lead to his premature death. What was Kid thinking, as if Law wouldn't notice that the ship had turned several o'clocks? And surely, if the crew fancied a temporary change of course, shouldn't he have been told? Untrustworthy, this man.

Wire and Heat had a quite the knack for disturbance, so despite the rude winds of the higher altitudes, Law's afternoon was filled with the bickering and obnoxious bellows of the man's companions as they humored themselves to a rough game of pool. It was strange, really. Law had expected Kid to join them, as his personality seemed inclined to "manly competitions". So where was he now?

Law found Killer leaving the wheel, witnessing Law's approach and prepared for the upcoming interrogation.

"I know what it looks like, but let me assure you, everything is going as planned. We will be arriving to the island in a short matter of time."

His mask concealed his expression, making it difficult to discern truth from deceit.

"Are you certain of that? Islands obviously don't move by themselves, and yet the nearest island has been making its way westward. Where are we going, really?"

"I'm not authorized to be telling you the captain's objectives. You'll need to hear that from him. They're not my orders, after all."

"Fine," replied Law. "As for the captain, surely he would have more to do on deck than beneath it."

"A captain doesn't have to be walking around barking orders all the time, savvy? Trust me, he's generally a responsible guy when the time calls for it."

"Generally," Law repeated, his lips curled slightly.

Killer thought for a second, carefully choosing the information he wanted to give. "Try the last door on your left down there. Don't open it, just stand outside and call for him. I reckon you'll find him there."

"It sounds to me the captain has something to hide"

"So what if he is? I'm suspect you hide a hell lot more things than he does."

Law pressed his lips into a thin smile, "Well, that's a reasonable assumption."

To escape further inquisition, Law did as he was told. He passed the crimson hallway briskly, paying little mind to the chalky remains of deceased foes hanging from the walls and the flames that illuminated the walls with bright amber. It was a cold atmosphere. The walls and floor were made of stone and conserved heat to no degree. Law wore nothing under his yellow-black hoodie and the chilly airs penetrated his body with ease.

"Mr. Eustass," Law called coldly. "I was under the impression we had a clear agreement."

From the other side of the door, Law could hear the screeching strain of metal as something was bent and molded into shape. At the sound of Law's voice, it stopped and was replaced by footsteps, its heaviness flooding the room with rhythmic thuds.

The thick wooden door opened slightly. Kid attempted to squeeze his way out between the door and frame, but the sizable width of his body left little to the imagination. Inside, Law caught a glimpse of piles upon piles of artillery and defensive gear, most, if not all, consisting of metal.

"Kid...what on earth do you plan to do with all that?"

"Ship modification. Our encounter with that damn sea creature busted a few things," Kid declared, his eyes wary.

"With...weaponry…?" Law maintained. "That's an awfully large amount of combat-use equipment, Mr. Eustass. What battle do you plan to engage yourself in?"

This is really none of your business," Kid returned icily. "Don't worry about the shitty agreement. We'll get there just after this quick stop."

"What is it you plan to do on this island, anyways?"

"Business, actually."

"Business?" Law repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I know a guy there who sells good combat material."

"So...you're going there for...more weapons…," Law concluded suspiciously.

"Materials, to be exact," Kid corrected. "Out of all the weapons you've seen, only a few actually got the good shit. Lots of manufacturers trim production costs by using impure ones and the really shitty quacks use faulty alloys or combinations that make weapons brittle and useless. A good sword, for example, would kinda be a mix of a few different pure metals, like layers of steel coated with softer metals, like nickel. Plus, it's really hard to find Damascus steel for a reasonable or affordable price anywhere. For normal folk, they gotta spend hours upon hours heating, beating, and folding to achieve the final product. It's a bit easier to do with a magnetism fruit ability, if you ask me, even if I don't really have direct control over metals themselves. With that said, I tend to just do all the forging myself."

"Ah, well, It's good to see that you are knowledgeable in some things," Law remarked.

"Asshole. Not everyone can be a fancy shmancy doctor like you," grumbled Kid.

"Interesting. At least now, I can trust you aren't visiting this island to...prolong matters," Law pulled face.

Kid smirked, "As much as I love that body of yours, I really don't mean to draw out our little pact. Getting you off our ship as soon as possible is probably best for everyone, whether I like it or not."

Law rolled his own eyes, "That's endearing.

"In any case, you're coming with. I wouldn't want you wandering about."

"Because you don't trust me?"

"Ha, you're funny. With me gone, my ship would be the last place I'd think of leaving you."

Law smiled, "Aw, that's too bad."

"It's almost 7:00 so dinner's pretty soon. I bet you're hungry," Kid said. He took a whiff of the night air as he headed up the stairs, Law following behind him. "I hope you like Gumbo..."

Law gave a confused look, as he himself smelled nothing. 'That man has the nose of a beast," he thought to himself.

The Age of Pirates was a classless period, Law knew, but nothing could justify the lack of etiquette the Kid Pirates showed. It was the first dinner Law had where all members of the crew took part actively and it was by far the "merriest" supper he'd attended in his life. Law hadn't noticed it before, but the dinner table seemed highly unsanitary, not to mention damaged. His new company didn't seem to mind its condition as long as there was something present to hold their cuisine. Easily, Law could tell that the table had never been cleaned in its life and there were visible stains and crumbs from previous feasts. The plateau was marred with several scratches and scrapes from carelessness and little finesse. The bottoms of cups and bowls were permanently etched into wood and it appeared as though the table had been murdered on several accounts judging by the amount of stabbings it had taken from various daggers and swords. In fact, one of the legs looked as though it had been chewed through by some ferocity then reattached with a collection of angled nails and screws that had been shoved through its feeble wood. The feeding frenzy began as soon as the stock pot was set on the table. Law sat quietly as the others grabbed their bowls and scooped soup straight from its container, wasting no time in throwing it down their gullets to aim for seconds, thirds, and fourths.

"Settle down, you pigs!" Kid roared, shoving Wire and Heat's faces away from the pot so that their asses met their chairs. "Stop eating so damn fast!"

"Absolutely no manners," Law remarked, shaking his head and ducking as a spoon whizzed past his head.

"Shut up, doc. We're all pirates," Kid scoffed. "Come over here and eat."

Kid took Law's bowl and filled it with Heat's mysterious Gumbo. He dipped a spoon into the bowl and held its content to Law's lips.

Law turned away, flustered by the degrading idea of Kid feeding him, "I'm not a child."

"I'm not saying you are," Kid smirked. "But if you want your end of the deal, you'd do as I want you to, so bring that pretty little face of yours over here."

Hesitantly, Law approached Kid, his eyes narrowed, "Do not abuse our terms."

Kid stuck out his tongue. Lips curled, Law took the spoon into his mouth, bit down and yanked it from Kid's fingers after swallowing its contents. Kid grinned, "Good boy."

For such a disorderly cook, Heat was actually fairly decent at making Gumbo. It included a reasonable amount of cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper to pack a good kick without being too spicy. The vegetables were fairly fresh, and the sausages thinly sliced. The soup itself was a little runny but Law would not expect Heat to appreciate the necessity of proper measurements.

By the time Law finished his first bowl, the soup pot was emptied. Law used a napkin to wipe his hands from the soup spilled from the other's capricious bowls, annoyed.

"Heat, to be able to make something both edible and gratifying," Law commented, breaking the sequence of slurping noises. "I'm impressed."

"Are you now?" Heat smiled, raising an eyebrow. "It took a hell lot of trial and error to satisfy these tongues."

"Damn right," Killer growled. "This is our seventh Gumbo and the soup is still runny."

"Then go make your own, princess. Surely, you can make one superior to mine."

"Tsk. Maybe it's about time we replace you with someone better."

"Ha!" Heat laughed, flames darting from his lips. "Good luck with that, fucker."

"Actually…" Law interjected politely with a smile. "Maybe I could give it a try."
"Ooh! That's a tempting offer!" Killer exclaimed sarcastically. "Leave our food to the hands of an enemy. There's some rat poison somewhere on the top shelf if you need it."

"I wouldn't need it. The hygiene of your kitchen seems poison enough," Law shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised if the lot of you have been suffering constant food poisoning to this day."

"The kid has a point," Kid casually pitched in as Heat came around to collect the empty bowls.

"Better that than dead, if you ask me," Heat grumbled with a flustered expression. "He's a captain, for god's sake, not a bloody cook. What does he know about making grub?"

"Give the boy a shot," said Kid. "I'm curious. Of course he'll be the first to taste his own doing before any of us."

Law laughed, "I'm a doctor, I can assure you. I make medicine, not poison."

"How modest," Kid sneered. "We all know you're capable of killing someone with your concoctions and potions and shit."

"What am I, a wizard to you?" Law smirked. "But perhaps, you're right. I may know a thing or two about killing people with certain chemicals."

"This is starting to not sound like such a good idea," said Wire.

Kid ignored him and tucked a hand under Law's chin. "You, sweetie, will start tomorrow morning. Don't forget the apron."

Law made a face, glaring at Kid's smug expression. "I may actually poison your food for speaking such detestable words."

"Make it good," Kid replied with a wink.

Granted, Law was no professional, but he had learned a number of useful things from Shachi and Penguin, who had acquired the skill to attract women. With appropriate measurements and attention to detail, Law knew it wouldn't take much to impress the Kid Pirates. It wasn't like he was trying impress them to begin with. Perhaps if he passed down a few tips or two, he'd be able to withstand his little companionship without getting too sick in the process.

"Change of plans, tonight," Kid announced as soon as the other crew members fled the table. "You're sleeping with me."

Law pulled a face, "And why is that?"

"I've decided I can't trust ya to sleep quietly in any bed on this ship unsupervised."

Law smiled menacingly, "Fair enough. But really, I think you just want to touch me more."

Kid laughed, "For a stranger, you know me pretty well. So what if I wanna touch you? You can't do anything about it."

"For now," Law replied. "But who knows. If you provoke me enough, perhaps I'll make you pay for it. And you wouldn't want that."

"Ooh, scary," Kid grinned evilly. "I like challenges."

Before Law could react, Kid wrestled him to the floor. The thick muscles of Kid's shoulder were driven into Law's midsection, his foot just behind the other's heel to break his footing.

Law twisted onto his hands and knees but before he could strike back, Kid grabbed the hood of his jacket and effortlessly flung him onto the kitchen table with little ceremony. As soon as Law's back hit the wood, Kid heavily dropped down onto his stomach. Law grunted at the sudden weight but bore it with effort. It was a miracle that the table remained standing after withstanding both of their weights. With Kid's added heaviness, the one semi-repaired leg was close to giving out.

"God ,you're heavy," Law huffed.
"Good," Kid grinned, slipping a hand under Law's shirt, stroking his belly lightly, the lean muscles of his abdomen trembling against Kid's touch. Law squirmed with discomfort.

"Is this really the best of all places, when your table is threatening to become a stool?" Law snarled.

"Who cares. Fuck you're so hot like this," Kid murmured, pinning one of Law's wrists next to his head. He shifted his weight and wedged a knee between Law's legs. Law tried to violently twist out of Kid's grip, but Kid held him down by his throat.

"How close am I to provoking you?" Kid jeered.

Law coughed. His breath was becoming harsh and labored under Kid's hand, either from the tightening grip to his throat or the knee sensually rubbing against his loins. Law's furrowed brows relaxed, his slightly parted mouth curling into a toxic grin.

"Pretty fucking close."