Warning: Zoro might be a bit ooc. I haven't written Bravery for so long, I had forgotten how to write him. Oops lol. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

I glance up to the crow's nest, and the rope ladder swaying in the wind. Climbing the ladder several rungs at a time with practiced ease I throw open the trap door to see Zoro slowly swinging weights around like swords. I can tell I had interrupted him when he was deep in thought.

"Hey Zoro."

He put aside his weights.

"What were you up to down there?"

I sit by the wall, feeling the sunlight pouring in through the window.

"Getting allies. We have Shanks, Boa Hancock, Ivankov, Dragon, Law, and Jinbe ready to fight with us in a few days. You would have known that if you stayed."

He sat beside me with a sigh.

"I needed time to think."

I lean up against him, happy for his comfort. I had truly missed these moments, which had seemed so common place when I had been a part of the crew, but were absent when I returned to my world. During the beginning, it was about a lack of strength, but when I gained strength it was more about enjoying the swordsman's company as I outgrew my fears and doubts.

Zoro still had remained my best friend on the crew, marginally beating out everyone else. He still told me whatever I needed to hear, even if I didn't want to hear it, and he had been an avid supporter of my dream. We had gotten close the time I spent on the crew, and I could most definitely tell if something was bothering him.

"What is it Zoro?"

He glances at me with his one eye.

"Nothing."

I raise my eyebrows.

"It's not nice to lie."

He sighed again, before settling back against the wall.

"I failed Luffy, as his first mate. I should have gone back and helped him, or refused his order and this wouldn't have happened."

I took his words and shook my head into his bicep.

"No, I think Luffy would be proud of you. You followed his order, in fact you kept the rest of the crew from getting captured too. You did great, and you only fail if he dies."

Zoro smirks at me.

"I miss having you around Rose. You always make everything seem so possible."

I shrug.

"Positive attitudes go a long way."

It was something I learned in my travels in this world and mine; it was so much easier to do things if you have a little faith in yourself and hope to get it done. Negative Nancys are never the winners. Zoro glanced at me.

"Another thing. I should have been able to do that pep talk downstairs and you literally walk in make everybody believe in a minute that we can rescue Luffy."

I chuckle.

"Come on Zoro, I know you're a man of action, not words."

He smirked at me again before he sobered. He didn't say anything, but I got his message, just like I did before. Are you ready? I cock my head, confused. Ready for what? He closed his eye for a second.

"Rose, this is not going to be like our past fights. This is going to be full out war. There will be killing and maiming."

Oh, that's what he is asking. I sigh, knowing my answer.

"I will have to do the same as Impel Down, just focus on Luffy and not worry about anybody else."

Zoro gave me a look. You sure you are ok with that? I return the look with a steely one of my own. Yes, I am. I give him a smile.

"I have to protect our captain."

He smirked and ruffled my hair.

"You've changed a lot Rose. I almost miss the old you though."

I raise my eyebrows.

"The one that was terrified at everything?"

Now he raised his eyebrows.

"You were? Fooled me."

I sighed.

"I didn't know you liked the weak me."

He smiled softly.

"It gave me something important to do."

I smiled at him.

"Yes, and now I can protect you too, it's not one sided."

He looked up at the ceiling, reminiscing.

"But I liked protecting you Rose."

I grinned.

"I know, but I need to pull my weight."

He smirked at me.

"So we are going to Marineford?"

I nod. He draws one of his swords.

"You said three months have passed in your world since you left."

I nod and I get what he is getting at. I have to be a bit rusty. Grinning I grab my custom weapon from its rack on the wall, where I had placed it before I left.

"Want to spar with me Roronoa Zoro?"

Zoro raised an eyebrow as I unlocked the chains from my own personal blade. I hold it carefully between two hands.

"I challenge you for the title of the best swordsman in the world."

Zoro struggled hard not to smirk dangerously as I fell into a stance, ready for him to attack. My competitive streak was rushing with my adrenaline through my veins. There wasn't any way that I would win, but I decided to give it a shot. The more training I would get in before we get to Marineford, the better. Zoro drew all three of his swords. He wasn't going to hold back on me at all, which made me honored that he would give me the time of the day.

"When do you leave Rose?"

I check back in the back of my mind. No, there was no internal clock, but I could tell I wasn't here forever.

"I stay until Luffy is executed or we rescue him."

Zoro took a deep breath and readied his swords.

"Ok, I can live with that."

"Hey Zoro, no moves to destroy the crow's nest. Franky would skin us alive and let Sanji cook us."

Zoro rolled his eye, like I was stupid for having so little faith in him. Suddenly, he was right in front of me, and I barely blocked the blow that was obviously meant for a stronger opponent.

"Hey, easy, I'm rusty remember."

Zoro's eye flashed dangerously as once again he was on the offensive.

"You should have thought of that before you challenged me to the best swordsman title."

Oh so that's what this is about. I grin, returning the slash with one of my own, my muscles remembering the training I thought I had forgotten. It was way easier now to fight without strategizing and more with instinct, but that didn't mean I was amazing at it. I could always get better.

We danced around the crow's nest, swords flashing dangerously. Within two minutes Zoro had sheathed shusuii and was only fighting me with two swords. Once again, he had proven he was way out of my league. Nevertheless, I didn't stop fighting him, not once.

My reflexes, muscles, bones, heart, instincts and soul moved in tune to the swords. I had forgotten how powerful I had been and I was just getting a taste. It was a little cramped for my taste, because I couldn't use too much of my speed to my advantage, but it was still enjoyable.

Halfway through the training I grabbed my quarterstaff and reattached my sword in the blink of an eye. I need to train my adapting skills as well.

Zoro allowed me two seconds to grab my weapon before attacking me once again. This was familiar and it reminded me of my training days when I had first joined the crew. Yes, very familiar. Instead of talking, we train as a way of bonding now. Because of Zoro being my regular sparring partner, I knew how he thought, how he fought, and how he moved. Having that knowledge however didn't help me to beat him; it may have helped a teeny bit, but not enough to beat him.

Because of this knowledge, I could tell when Zoro was having fun, by the way he was relaxed, and the daring grin on his face that mirrored my own. He has no idea how I missed this. I hadn't even realized I had until I had returned to the world I knew almost as well as my own.

About an hour of sparring and neither of us tiring, Zoro made a daring move, one I didn't think he would do.

He sheathed his swords and tackled me.

It took all my skill to sheath my sword and quarterstaff as he rolled me up in a ball and we somersaulted in the wall. I banged my head into the hard Adams wood and I protested softly, only to listen because sure enough.

Zoro was laughing his head off.

He had landed on top of me, but I rolled him off and he was still laughing. I rubbed my head and grinned, his mirth infectious.

"Jeez Zoro, what the heck?"

He pointed at me.

"You should have seen your face."

I crossed my arms.

"I almost killed you."

He smirked.

"Ah, I knew you wouldn't."

I pointedly glared at him.

"Well it was still uncalled for. I banged my head on the wall and it hurt."

His smirk faded a bit. In fact he looked a little embarrassed.

"Well, it's not my fault you have the endurance of a horse. I was getting tired."

My mouth dropped open.

"Wait, you mean to tell me you tackled me into a wall because you were afraid of losing the fight?"

Zoro looked indignant, not looking me in the eye.

"Well, it was the title of the best swordsman in the world. I couldn't just let you have it in a simple training exercise."

I face palmed, chuckling.

"Zoro, you are way out of my league. You don't need to fear me beating you."

Zoro cocked his head to one side.

"It's been awhile since you underestimated yourself Rose."

I shove him lightly.

"I'm not. You are the best swordsman in the world."

He blinked.

"You are the best women fighter in the world remember? We are both best in the world."

Oh yeah, I forgot about my own title. I laughed and laid my weapon on the ground.

"Yeah, I guess you are right."

He smiled, genuinely at me. Then leaned back.

"Well that was exhausting. I'm taking a nap."

I rolled my eyes.

"Of course you are."

My face became serious because this is something he needs to know.

"Zoro, I need you these next few days."

Because it's true. I need his strength power and fighting skills sure, but in reality I need his support even more. It has always been that. Rose has not existed in this world without support from Zoro, and I do not plan on starting now. In fact I need him now more than ever.

Zoro opened his one eye, and closed it again, repeating a phrase he had used.

"You call, I will be there, swords or no swords."

I smile, completely reassured. As usual.

Suddenly something rocks the ship. Caught off guard, I lose my balance, sprawling on top of Zoro. He catches me easily, placing me back on my feet.

"Sorry Zoro."

He shook his head.

"No it's fine. What's going on?"

I had no idea. What on earth had happened? Oh, I know. Laughing, I dance over to the trapdoor.

"Oh they are here."

Zoro followed, albeit slower than me, but followed.

"Who?"

I leap down to the deck and rush to the side to see seakings everywhere, and there were a few nudging the boat. I smile.

"Seakings, to take us to Marineford."