Moonlight glittered on the ocean waves. Shadow and light danced off of every surface, continually chasing the other. That night, the silver moon hung large and round in the midnight sky. Silently, Ana and the Mugiwara pirates moved the last of Ana's possessions to the sunny. All day, they had been sneaking on a crate here and there, disguised as food or other such supplies. Although she was eager to be rid of her crew, Ana glided across the ship, taking in every last detail. Her father and his original crew had built the ship very well. On nights like this, when the moon was full and bright enough, the light colored wood seemed to glow.

Letting out a little forlorn sigh, she traced her hand over the hand-crafted molding on the rail. It was little details like that she loved so much. There was not a part on the ship that hadn't been crafted with love. She was going to miss it.

"Ana, what's wrong?" Nami whispered, tapping her on the shoulder. Turning around Ana looked a little surprised. Caught in her nostalgia, she didn't hear her coming. Of course, Nami was a master thief and was bound to have near-silent footsteps. Giving the orange-haired woman a sort of a sad smile, Ana shook her head slowly.

"Oh I'm just saying goodbye." she said, her eyes glistening full of memories in the silver light, "The Ethereal has been my home all my life. My father was the original captain of this ship and he chose to raise us here." Kissing the tips of her fingers, Ana then pressed them against the railing and trailed her hand along until she reached the gang plank. This was it.

Inhaling deeply, she took a step onto the plank connecting the Ethereal to the Sunny. Ocean waves churned beneath her, making her stomach churn in turn. Although she was confident someone would save her if she fell into the crushing, black waters, the thought of falling made her nervous. Nami was close behind her, urging her to move a little faster. The water wasn't too rough, but it was enough to make the gang plank wobble beneath their feet. Nearly losing her footing, Nami stumbled into Ana. Letting out a shriek, Ana haphazardly dashed onto the deck of the Sunny and grasped the mast.

"Oh sh--" she paused, catching herself, "shoot! Someone was bound to have heard that." Almost as if on cue, there was murmuring from below deck. As Nami reached the deck, Usopp and Franky hurriedly pulled the gang plank away. With a loud, wooden slap, the hatch was pushed open and a lantern light bobbed up closer and closer towards the deck as someone climbed the ladder from below.

"Oi, 'oo's up there? Wot's going on?" came the old grizzled voice of Ana's shipwright, Augustus. His bald head surfaced and he squinted towards the Thousand Sunny. Praying the old man's bad eyesight would be enough for them to still slip away, Ana inched slowly towards Luffy. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered between clenched teeth, "We need to get out of here. NOW."

"Oo's over there?" the old man yelled a little louder, "I'm warnin' ya. I'm armed!" Climbing up on deck, the old man rummaged around in the pocket on the front of his overalls. Pulling out small, crescent-moon shaped spectacles he held up the lantern again towards the Thousand Sunny. "Cap'n? wot chyou doin' over there?" Puzzlement was painted all over his face as Ana gave a painful look. Quickly grabbing Luffy's arm she wrapped it around her neck and screamed.

"August! I'm being kidnapped! Rally the crew!" Ana shrieked, before muttering to Luffy, "Quick, let's go while he wakes them up." August stammered and fumbled with the lantern before saluting and falling backwards into the bowels of the Ethereal with a crash. Snickering Luffy gave Ana a small squeeze before turning to Franky.

"Franky, we need a quick getaway." he said. Franky gave a grin before dashing below deck.

"SUUUUUUPER!"

Minutes later the ship rocketed into the sky and Ana squealed half out of terror and half out of delight. Luffy held tightly to her and to the railing with his other hand. Slowly her cry turned into laughter as the sailed across the night sky and landed back in the water a long way from the Ethereal.

* * *

A week with the Mugiwaras for Ana had passed and she was absolutely fascinated with what she had learned about them. Wanted posters had helped her learn their names and faces already, but interacting with them was a real treat. Mentally, she made notes of everyone's personality traits and what it was they exactly did on the ship. Oft times, she would fall asleep reading the detailed adventure log Nami had made. Then after Brooke's rousing wake-up call, she would stick her nose right back into the log. By now, she had their basic natures memorized.

Luffy was rambunctious and fun-loving, Zoro was serious and reserved (she didn't think he liked her much), Nami was sweet but conniving, Usopp was a compulsive liar but sweet, Chopper was smart but childlike, Robin was quiet and kind, Franky was shameless and inventive and Brooke was a bit clumsy and a bit of a lecher, but he always had good intentions. So many colorful personalities on such a colorful ship.

About halfway through the saga of their adventure on Thriller Bark, the pages seemed to have been neglected without the rest of their adventures written on them. Ana shut the log and placed it back up in Nami's study. She had read enough anyways. Stepping out onto the grassy deck, she stretched her arms over her head and breathed in the combined smells of the ship and the sea. Smiling and sighing contentedly, she crossed the deck and took a seat at the small table next to Robin. Looking up from her book, Robin smiled sweetly and set the book down.

"Hello Skye-san." she said, "Are you finished with the adventure log?" Stretching her legs out in front of her, Ana shook her head and closed her eyes.

"I got to the middle of what happened with Gecko Moria and his crew, but it stopped there." she said lazily. With the sun overhead, she speculated it was about noon. Exhaling contentedly, she soaked up the warmth from the rays of the sun. Loud clanking of dumbbells rattling then disturbed Ana from her short daydream. Wrinkling her nose, she opened her eyes and scanned the deck for the source of the sound. Zoro had a massive barbell balanced on his shoulders as he crouched down as low as possible before hopping a few feet forward.

Pulling on her silver, hoop earring, she watched him curiously. With each movement, his muscles rippled under his skin. His shirtless torso glistened with sweat. Blood quickly rushed to her cheeks as she couldn't help thinking of a stanza of her favorite poem.

I hunger for your sleek laugh,

your hands the color of a savage harvest,

hunger for the pale stones of you fingernails,

I want to eat your skin like a whole almond.

It was an embarrassing thing to think. She wouldn't deny that he was a very handsome man, but that was a little far. All the while she was scolding herself, Zoro caught sight of her red face and the look of self-disgust he frowned. Something about her bothered him. He couldn't quite put his finger on it though. Was it her bold statement about being stronger than any person? The fact everyone was so impressed with things she did he could easily do himself? The fishiness of her story of her mutinous crew? The incident with Captain Rackham and his claims of betrayal? Whatever it was, it kept nagging at the back of his mind.

"Oi, Blondie," he said gruffly, "You got a problem?" Snapping out of her argument with herself, she cocked a brow. I must've been staring, she thought somewhat angrily to herself. Shrugging, she thought of some excuse.

"Sorry, er the sun-- it's kind of bright." Ana said, wrinkling her nose again as she squinted to exaggerate how bright the sun was in her eyes. Zoro obviously wasn't buying it by the look on his face. Picking up the barbell off of his shoulders and setting it on the deck, he wiped some sweat from his brow with the towel that hung around his neck and crossed over to Ana and Robin.

"So--" he started, folding his arms tightly across his muscled chest, "Ana, I'm not really all that convinced you're as strong as you say you are." Mentally giving a sigh of relief, Ana grinned impishly and stood up, looking him in the eye. She really wasn't all that intimidating next to him; or anyone for that matter. Zoro stood at least a head taller than her.

"Oh? Is that so?" she said, in a little bit of an overconfident tone, "Shall we test out my ability against yours then?" By now they had collected the attention of Luffy, Ussop, Chopper and Brooke who were goofing off on the other side of the deck. Even Robin was interested to see what would happen next. Thick tension built up between Ana and Zoro as she stared him down.

"Alright Blondie, what'd you have in mind?" he said with a smirk.

"Arm-wrestling."

"Just that?"

"Just that."

"Fine with me."

"Fine." Ana said as she took Zoro's hand and shook it firmly. Laughing jovially, Luffy bounded over towards them and pumped his fist into the air.

"Alright! Ana and Zoro are gonna have a match!" he shouted as Ana placed a barrel between herself and her green-haired opponent. Sanji stalked out of the kitchen with Nami and gave Zoro the evil-eye.

"If you hurt her, I'll kill you." Sanji growled, "You brutish Marimo-head." Zoro didn't even bother to respond. His eyes and attention were locked on Ana's eyes.

"Alright Roronoa, which is your better hand?" she asked, still smirking wolfishly.

"What about you?" he asked, returning her look. Raising both hands, she wiggled her fingers.

"Either. I'm ambidextrous." Zoro's look intensified as he placed his elbow roughly on the barrel. Copying him, Ana grabbed his hand loosely and chuckled ominously. Now Franky had dropped whatever he was doing and the entire crew circled around them to watch. No one dared speak a word as the felt the intensity of the situation rise.

"Go!" Luffy shouted. In that very second, Zoro flexed his arm and pushed as hard as he could. No movement. Still as a statue, Ana sat there, still grinning almost maliciously. Giving a confused look, he glared and pushed harder.

"Use both hands if you need to." she yawned mockingly. Glowering at her he kept pushing. There was no way he was going to use two hands. Who did she think she was anyways? He couldn't believe how demeaning she was being. Roronoa Zoro would not stoop down so low as to hurt his pride by using a handicap in something as simple as an arm wrestle. The air was so still, people started breaking the silence, cheering for either Ana or Zoro.

"Had enough?" Ana asked boredly. Straining, Zoro grunted and shook his head. Veins bulged over his temples and his arm shook with effort. Still she wouldn't budge. There was a mischievous gleam in her eyes as her arm slammed down on his and she flipped Zoro onto the ground. "Oh Ana-swan! You're so magnificent!" Sanji sang as he danced around. The others cheered and clapped her on the back before helping Zoro up. Brushing himself off, he gave the victor a sour sideways glance.

"Are you convinced now?"

It had been a particularly calm day. Soft breezes and small waves pushed the 1000 Sunny along, slowly but surely. Scattered throughout her, the Mugiwara crew kept themselves busy with all sorts of odd jobs. Franky and Usopp toyed around in the workshop, thinking of new weapons and modifications to make. Sanji was making lunch in the kitchen and attacking Luffy's hand with a wooden mixing spoon every time it came near the mixing bowl.

In the study, Nami was reviewing her maps while Robin read her current novel aloud. Chopper and Brooke sat in revered awe as Zoro did his midday training. Nothing could break their concentration; that is—not until Ana brought up a large trunk and set it down on the far side of the deck. Perking up his little reindeer ears at the new sound, Chopper hopped up and dashed towards her to investigate.

"What do you have here Ana-san?" he asked, running his tiny hoof over the dark mahogany wood. The chest itself was interesting enough. Small, intricate carvings of flowers and birds decorated the front of the lid. Worn and cracked leather straps and dull brass buckles fastened it shut. Across the front a name was inscribed in calligraphic letters. "Skye Edwards" was clear and legible, but the first name was too scratched up and worn down to read.

"Oh, I'm just going through my old disguise chest." She said with a smile, patting the lid with a dull thunk.

"Disguise chest?" he wondered aloud, cocking his head to the side, like a little, lost puppy. Unfastening the straps and throwing open the lid, Ana overturned it and emptied out its contents of all sorts of strange treasures onto the grassy deck.

"Just some old disguises I used when it was necessary—or just for fun." She said with a wink. Picking up a short, black wig cut in a bob; she examined it and snapped some of the loose hairs from it. Chopper's eyes widened and his smile brightened just before he dove into the pile and rummaged around for something interesting. Brooke sauntered over and examined the small humanoid reindeer as he surfaced, wearing large, black rimmed glasses with lenses that magnified his eyes ten times their size.

"Yohohohoho!" he cackled buoyantly in delight, "What fun!" Ana whipped around donning a fake afro and a top hat like Brooke's and replicated his laugh almost perfectly.

"What fun indeed!" Brooke's voice said albeit from Ana's mouth. Taken aback, Chopper and Brooke shrieked and jumped away out of sheer shock.

"Yohohohoho!" she laughed again before sputtering and coughing and her laugh returned to its normal sound. "Haha! That never gets old." She said with a giggle.

"H-how did you do that!?" Chopper squeaked in amazement. Pulling off the large, curly wig, Ana caught her breath and shrugged.

"It's just a talent of mine I guess." She said, "Some voices are easy to replicate, but some aren't though. For example—"clearing her throat, she took a deep breath and scrunched her face with effort. "Deep voices like Zoro's don't last too long." Her voice sounded scarily similar to Zoro's at least until she said "voices" and her voice cracked and turned back to its normal octave.

On the opposite side of the deck, Zoro paused at the sound of his own voice and raised a brow. Ana still didn't sit well with him. She had strange ways of thinking, her behavior was shifty and the arm-wrestling episode yesterday didn't help her standing with him either. Images of Rackham's angry shouts at her and her confident smirk played through his mind. Of course, nobody else seemed to mind this at all. She helped keep things tidy, she was entertaining, knowledgeable, pretty, and new and Sanji was more than happy to have another woman on board.

"Dumb ero-cook." He muttered, setting his barbells down. Gluing his eyes on Ana, he glared in scrutiny while she dressed up Chopper in strange apparel. Smiling brightly, she let out a cute, little laugh as Brooke placed a large, curled black moustache on his face, right below where his nose should have been. Zoro snorted and shook his head before gulping down water from his water-bottle.

"Hey handsome, still pouting?" Ana asked, noticing his obviously, disapproving frown towards her. Gradually his frown turned into a full on scowl as she approached him, wearing an impish grin. Setting down his water-bottle, he shook his head again.

"No, I'm not pouting," he nearly snapped, "besides, losing an arm wrestle is nothing to cry over." Rolling her sea-green eyes, she shook her head as well, They were both obviously annoyed. Whenever they spoke to each other, or about each other; the atmosphere around them was always tense and full of sparks. Secretly, they were poised and ready to fight one another at any given moment.

"You're most correct sir, but that's not what I was talking about." She said, examining her cuticles nonchalantly, "Ever since I came aboard, you've looked pretty miffed about it." Looking up at the swordsman, she gave him a critical stare. Both of them knew that she had hit the nail right on the head. Really, it wasn't much of a surprise to her anyways. When she joined up with Luffy's crew, she expected controversy.

"Funny you noticed," he said through a sarcastic grin, "In all honesty, I wish Luffy wasn't as trusting as he is and that he had left you with your supposedly mutinous crew." Ana scowled and cocked her head to the side in an annoyed fashion, like a teenager with an attitude problem.

"Oh? Is that so Roronoa?" she asked icily, "Then why don't you ask him to drop me off at the next island we land on, hm? It'd be better than having to deal with a boorish and petty man such as you." Chopper's eyes darted back and forth between his two nakama nervously, unsure of what to do. Brooke slowly back away from the situation and bolted downstairs to the ship's hold to hide. Zoro began fuming and Ana's eyes were narrowed into a death-threatening glare.

"Well fine! Then I wouldn't have to be stuck with a snobby, overbearing, high-and-mighty skank like you!" he shouted. Ana gave him a startled look that quickly turned into a look of pure fury. Clenching her fists, she ground her teeth and growled.

"A skank? A SKANK?!" she shrieked like a banshee, "How dare you, you close-minded, obstinate, stubborn—" Her voice began to rise in pitch and volume and her face turned a tomato red. More and more wordy insults streamed endlessly from her mouth like an unstoppable tidal wave.

"ENOUGH!" Chopper cried, nearly tripling in size, transforming into his Heavy Point, "Can't we solve this peacefully?" He almost begged, returning to his normal, adorable size. Almost in complete synchronization, Zoro and Ana, whipped their heads in Chopper's direction. Breathing in deeply and regaining composure, Ana's mouth returned to its normal smile and she nodded hesitantly.

"Yes—yes Chopper, sorry. I wasn't quite thinking clearly." She said, chewing on her lip in embarrassment.

"Sorry Chopper? Sorry Chopper!?" Zoro exclaimed in disbelief, "I was the one who got the verbal lashing!" Ana gave the swordsman one last glare and stalked off. Chopper shook his head and look up at Zoro, not sure quite what to think.

"What?" Zoro asked, noting Chopper's expression. Simply sighing, Chopper turned around and headed after Ana. "What?! I—She—" Growling in frustration, Zoro threw his hands up in defeat. I'll get back at her somehow.