Funny how stuff happens. We were standing in silence. Then Dalton started asking questions as to why we were such a small crew without a doctor. Then a lady comes walking up to us (Usopp thought she was a hiking bear? Dunno what that is ) and she tells us that the doctor that Luffy had gone to see was not where she was meant to be found.

So after finding that out we, meaning Dalton, Vivi, Usopp and I, are currently heading to get Luffy or was it the witch doctor we were going to find?

So yeah we are seated in a sled being pulled along by deer's are they? Yeah I think so. But anyway, moving on!

"Forgive me. I had heard yesterday that the Doctor was coming down the mountain, but I expected her to take days to do so." Dalton spoke up as he held the reigns tightly.

I glanced briefly at him from my view of the snow covered trees that went flying past. Not flying past, but semi-fast, you know.

"That's alright, Dalton-san." I smiled as the snow was blown into my face and through my hair. It was nice and cool on my skin. Strange thing is I'm boiling hot, even though we're on a winter island! I just wanna throw off this stuffy coat but I told Nami mentally I would not get sick, even if the cold doesn't get to me.

"Yeah, it's not your fault." Usopp said reassuringly, standing up as he said so. I'd laugh if he fell off. Hehe what? I'm kidding! Kidding! Not even a giggle? Aw come on! Just a little teeny tiny widdle bit? No fair

"Mikari-san who and what are you talking about?" Vivi asked me during my thought wars to the invisible person supposedly next to me.

"I was talking to Bob about how I'd laugh if Usopp-kun fell off the sled- But Bobby! You're so mean! Not even a snicker? Anything!"

"GASP! Why can you laugh and I can't? Aww you're cruel! Why can't I call you Bobby?"

"Okay Bob, you win this time. But I still wanna know why I can't call you Bobby."

"Alright, I'll ask Tom later then."

"No? Okay I'll leave you be then "

Usopp and Vivi stared at me sweat dropping. Until I looked back at them innocently with a 'What's wrong?' look. They both sighed and decided to ignore me for the time being, going back to their conversation with Dalton.

"Now tell us who you are." Usopp said after a long chain of silence. "You sure don't act like one of the normal villagers. In fact, when you talk, I smell a soldier."

I looked over at Dalton when I heard 'soldier'. "I served the former King. I was Wapol's subordinate." Dalton answered, receiving shocked faces from the two beside me. I blinked, surprised. Why would he have served that horrible fatty?

"Since the reign of the previous King, I have served as this country's Captain of the Guard." Dalton explained, "But when the King passed away, his son Wapol succeeded the throne. And the country changed."

'Exile all the doctors in the land! Gather the 20 greatest doctors and make them my personal specialists. I'll call them the 'Isshi-20'. Anyone wanting to see a doctor must prostrate themselves before me!' Dalton had told us those were the exact words Wapol had said.

"So, whoever got sick would have to make a deal with Wapol in order to see the Isshi-20?" Usopp asked without stuttering.

"And the cost for receiving medical treatment was enormous." Dalton replied angrily.

"That's the same as governing by taking the townspeople hostage!" Vivi exclaimed in disgust, "That's not government! It's a crime."

I huffed in agreement. That Wapol is gonna get it. I have a feeling he'll show up soon enough. And when he does, he's going to hear from me, if not Luffy will.

After arriving at the town where the Doctor was last at. Yes, we were going after the Witch Doctor! She had already been and gone we were told by the townsfolk. The Doctor had gone to another town which was on the other side of Bighorn, wherever that was, meaning we had passed them during our trip.

We also had a run in by a badly injured man who said Wapol had returned. He mentioned that the whole watch team was wiped out thanks to them. This led to Dalton running off on his own to face Wapol and his troops.

In the end leaving us behind but of course we didn't stay for very long either. We were back on the same sled again. Deer's and all.

"Vivi, are you sure we're heading the right way to this 'Gyasta' village the witch is at?" Usopp asked Vivi as she looked at the map in her hands.

"Now that you ask, I'm not really sure " Was her reply as she scanned the map a 10th time.

"If you're not sure, we're in trouble!"

I sighed. I'm not the best with directions and maps, so I would be no help to them. The only places I know how to get around are the islands I stayed at for more than a week or two.

Usopp and Vivi continued to argue over the map, the witch and Luffy.

I looked ahead of us. Snow, snow and more snow. If you weren't me, you'd go insane living on an island that is only one colour all year round. But I'd rather live on an island where I can swim all the time because swimming comes before snow! In my books that is.

I peered over at the deer's. They turned out to not be deer's. My bad. They looked more like goats or rams; I'm not an animal expert

The ride seemed to be getting rougher until we stopped.

"Eh?" I stood up on my seat, looking around me. The snow was really deep I just wanted to dive in-

The ground started to tremble

"What's that rumbling?" Vivi looked up ahead her eyes widening. "Do you think this might be ?"

Usopp's eyes were bulging out and his mouth wide open. "A-An avalanche!"

I perked up, "Did you just say avalanche?" Usopp and Vivi nodded shakily as I took a few deep breaths before shouting, "AWESOME!~ I've always wanted to see an avalanche!"

They both fell anime style while I danced on the spot. The rumbling was ringing in my ears by now as I stopped my dance. I turned my head laughing only to find Usopp, Vivi and the rams running for dear life.

"Don't they like avalanches?" I tilted my head in confusion before turning back to watch the avalanche in the best front seat view ever!

"MIKARI! RUNNNN!"

Then it hit me. Literally.

The avalanche gobbled me up like an irresistible chocolate chip cookie (Hehe triple C), with sugar on top. Yum. I drooled at the thought as the snow swept me down the hill until everything went black.

The snow had stopped moving a few minutes ago as I lay there, enjoying the coldness. When I had said black, I didn't mean I 'blacked out', I meant that it was just dark because the snow covered me entirely. Comprende?

I wish I could just lie here forever but sadly I had to move eventually. I could hear people trudging through the snow above me. They were shouting one word. Were they calling for me?

Time to act! I readied myself, taking a deep breath, and then shooting up out of the snow yelling at the top of my lungs. "BOO YEAH!" Three figures around me jumped out of their skin at my sudden appearance, leaping backwards a few metres into the air.

I grinned widely giving a peace sign. "YEAH! WHO'S UP FOR ROUND TWO?"

I was answered with a few glares and a 'HELL NO'.

"Is it just me or is it really, like really hot around here?" I questioned, pulling off my hood and throwing snow into my face.

"ARE YOU INSANE!" The trio screamed at me. I looked up noticing who they were.

"Oh, Usopp-kun, Vivi-chan!" I turned to the third, "Ah hey Zoro-kun, how was your super intense training?"

"Don't change the subject!" Usopp shouted at me while Vivi fell over. Zoro walked up to me, shivering all over, hugging his body for warmth.

"Ah, it was alright. Until an avalanche interrupted me Damn it's cold." I eyed Zoro for a second. If he was cold and I was hot, then maybe

"Zoro-kun, you can take my coat." I said with a smile, undoing the buttons of my coat.

Zoro raised his brow as he processed what I said. "Aren't you going to freeze?" He stared at my face as I shook my head, no.

He shrugged before walking closer as I handed him the coat. "Alright."

Vivi and Usopp screamed at him in the background. "DON'T SAY YES!"

I smiled as Zoro took the coat from me and put it on. Once he did so he looked back at me and mumbled. "Thanks."

"No problem! Eh I'm still so hot " I fanned my face with my hands as Zoro looked closely at me.

"Oi, you do know your face is red, right?" He asked me as I grabbed some snow to cool my face down.

I shook my head, no. "You're panting as well and there's sweat dripping down your face "

I touched my forehead. Yes it was wet, but that may be from the melted snow wait melted?

I grabbed Zoro's wrist, said person stared at me in confusion until I placed his hand to my forehead. "Am I hot or cold?" I asked him.

His expression changed to that of I have no idea, as I heard the sound of something sizzling. Something that happened to be

"YOUCH! DAMN IT! YOU BURNT MY HAND!"

Zoro's hand. He shot his hand away from my head and out of my grasp and shoved it into the snow to cool the burning.

I blinked at his reaction. "So am I hot or cold?"

I got blank stares from the three of them. "You're hot, stupid."

I laughed loudly, "Ah, I see! But why am I hot then ?" I looked to the three as they stood there staring at me.

"No idea."

"Not a clue."

"Don't ask me."

I sighed. "And I thought it was because of the coat " I had been mistaken. If it wasn't the coat then what would be causing this?

I straightened up batting my hand. "Well forget about that. We need to look for that Doctor! Pronto!"

Vivi and Usopp nodded while Zoro gave us a questioned look. "Yeah, we better set off. But how will we find her now? She's probably moved to the next village " Vivi said as we all started walking to the edge of a cliff/mountain.

We looked down and saw a few groups of people. I couldn't see who they were as of yet. They were a bit out of my sight range to make out their attire.

"Oi, those buildings look familiar." Usopp pointed out. I skimmed over each building as I searched my memories from earlier today. Aha! Yes, they do look familiar.

"You're right! This is Bighorn!" Vivi stated as she remembered the buildings as well. "We ended up all the way back here!"

Zoro looked utterly confused. "Don't worry about it." I answered him before he could ask, my eyes not leaving the village below.

We made our way down to the groups of people to see what the problem was. Obviously something bad was happening seeing as the two groups were on either side of the snow covered village.

In fact the group furthest away looked like Wapol's soldiers maybe; just maybe they are indeed

"Dalton is dead!" Shouted one of the soldiers with a smug look on his face. We stopped at the back of the villagers group.

"Dalton-san is?" Vivi asked the villager next to her, not taking her eyes off the smug soldier.

"Yes. But because of them, we can't dig him out of the snow!" The man replied, dropping his head in sadness. I looked from the man to the soldier shouting yet again.

"Anyone with a problem, feel free to step up and show us what you've got!" The soldier laughed loudly.

He's lucky I don't have anger issues anymore but maybe I could just go up there and, you know, give him a lecture. I could also ask him nicely to dig up poor Dalton and use my best manners in order to do so.

"Oi, I've seen those uniforms before. Those are the guys we met at sea." Zoro stated as he stared up at the group.

I nodded, "Yeah, their Wapol's underlings. Such a waste of their lives serving him I mean." I spat the first part out and shook my head in the last.

"So they're our enemies." Zoro said more to himself, earning a questioned look from Usopp and Vivi. "What are they then? Allies?"

"They're enemies what about it?" Usopp asked as he stared at Zoro confused.

Then Zoro did the unknown well not the unknown but but whatever. He attacked them. The soldiers that is. Seeing as he didn't have his katana's on him, he used his head and head butted the smug laughing soldier.

.And then stole his coat? But he's already wearing mine ? That's when I spotted it hanging on his arm. He just can't make up his mind about coats

I walked up to him, ignoring the shouts from the villagers and the soldiers. "Zoro-kun, why did you steal his coat for when you had mine?"

Zoro turned to me and threw my coat over, in which I caught with ease. "Cause I just did."

"Didn't you like my coat? Or wasn't it fluffy enough?"

"No it was nice. Just-"

"SO, you did like my coat! Haha, gotcha!"

"Damn it! Just put that stupid coat on!"

"It's too hot to put it on! And I hate the heat! Why should I anyway? Do you care for my wellbeing now?"

"Tch! No, it's just that witch will have me for it if you get sick!"

"Oh, I understand. Don't worry; you won't get into any trouble. You can count on me!"

"You better damn well be right "

During our small discussion everyone around us were twitching on the ground, before they jumped up with annoyed and dumbstruck faces. Go figure. I for one didn't know why they were acting like that.

Keeping my word, I slid my coat back on but I didn't button it up so I didn't heat up as much. As I did that the soldiers had started to attack us. Being me, I didn't take note and was kicking around in the snow, moving every time a sword came my way. Yeah, oblivious and dodging. Skill.

Much to the soldiers delight, Zoro stole three swords and beat the crap outta all of them. I only just took notice of what happened when I looked over to the standing Zoro with bodies sprawled around him.

I blinked. "Why are they all napping at a time like this? Oi, Zoro-kun! That coat really suits you!" I laughed as he raised his brow at my sudden compliment, sticking the three swords into the snow next to him.

I peered behind me at the villagers. They all had their jaws hanging open. "What's up with them?" I asked before shrugging off their strange behaviour.

The villagers snapped out of their daze and went to search for Dalton in the snow. Zoro looked annoyed when a villager thanked him as he ran past.

I went over to the villagers, grabbing a shovel and joining in the search. I started shovelling away and after 2 seconds I had dug a hole at least 10 feet deep, maybe deeper. "Eh? Well he ain't here."

The trio sweat dropped, while the villagers looked down the hole in shock. I looked up at them innocently. "Am I doing something wrong?"

They all fell over at my question. Zoro face palmed. Usopp and Vivi's jaws were open to the ground. I hopped out of the hole and over the villagers and dug another 10 foot deep hole.

"STOP DIGGING HOLES!" They yelled at me who was utterly confused by their shouting.

"But how will I find Dalton-san?"

"ONLY SHOVEL THE TOP LAYER OF SNOW!"

"OH! Okay then!"

I jumped out of that hole and zoomed around, shovelling snow everywhere, covering a few people including my three nakama who twitched, sighed and shook their heads.

The only problem was I was shovelling in the wrong area. But no one pointed that out to me. But I was too busy shovelling away to even notice my failure. Plus I was occupied so I wouldn't 'get in the way'.

It wasn't long until someone shouted out they had found Dalton, causing me to end my over-shovelling madness.

"They found him?" I ran past Zoro who still hadn't moved from his spot and caught him say, 'But who is he?'

I shook my head with a smile as I arrived at the group surrounding Dalton. My smile faltered when I took in Dalton's state. He had 3 arrows pierced into his chest. I covered my mouth in shock. That Wapol how could he do that to such a nice person

Vivi kneeled down beside him trying to shake him awake. "Wake up! Please, Dalton-san!"

"Dalton is alive."

We all turned at the sound of a new voice. The voice came from one of the Isshi-20 who were now standing nearby, pink outfits and all. Why pink? I haven't got any idea.

"His body is merely in a frozen state."

"Will you entrust him to us?"

I looked at them suspiciously. They serve the fatty King, so why should we trust them? Unless they were held against their own will

"Oi, there are doctors here." Zoro said folding his arms across his chest. I sweat dropped.

"They're the Isshi-20, Wapol's private doctors. Meaning their evil doctors!" Usopp explained to the swordsman.

"Yeah, we can't trust them!" One villager shouted in agreement, causing a few others to shout their thoughts with him.

"If you want him to live, listen to us!" A doctor yelled stopping the villagers whispering. "All of us here are doctors. We only bowed down to Wapol's strength because it meant furthering our medical research."

All the doctors then took off their sunglasses and masks. "But it was always for the sick and wounded of this country!"

Another doctor spoke up, "A certain doctor taught us to never give up. We will not lose any more of these foolish men!"

That left everyone speechless, but the villagers in the end did let the doctors take Dalton into their care.

After Vivi getting a lecture from Usopp, who indeed was covering up his fear of climbing up the mountain to see if Luffy, Sanji and Nami had made it safely to the top, we were standing around waiting for news about Dalton. That is until he came out not so gracefully

He was leaning on a cane of some sort; I think it's a sheathed weapon, using all his strength to walk. He may not have the arrows in his chest anymore, but he still would be in pain even if he's been bandaged up.

"Dalton-san!" Usopp and Vivi chorused as they turned to face him with relieved smiles. Zoro still had no clue who the former captain was, due to his reaction of seeing Dalton.

"Will somebody just tell me who this guy is?"

I watched as Dalton collapsed to his knees, a few villagers came out to help him, telling him he can't go out. But Dalton simply refused saying he had to get Wapol away from the castle.

Vivi and Usopp tried to get through to him but that was out of the question. "If I allow Wapol to regain power, this country will be ruined for all eternity!"

"But you can't fight in your condition! And he's not an opponent we can fight by ourselves " A villager stated next to Dalton.

Dalton stood to his full height, "No matter what filthy means may be necessary, I'm going to end this right now!"

As Dalton made his way along what was left of a path, Usopp stood right in his way. He then turned his back to him and kneeled down to give Dalton a piggy back ride? He'll be squashed not that Dalton is fat! But Usopp is puny compared to him!

I tried not to laugh at how ridiculous it looked, instead I sighed with a shake of my head. "Usopp-kun you're gonna break your back if you keep this up " I pointed out as Zoro face palmed at his stupidity.

Zoro stepped forward to take poor Dalton off of Usopp, but I beat him to it yelling, "SHOT GUN!" I picked the large man up with one small stroke and placed him on my shoulder.

Everyone's eyes bulged out of their faces. Zoro ran a hand through his hair. "I'm still not used to that "

I smiled brightly from underneath Dalton as Usopp sat on the snowy ground gaping like a fish. "So we're going UP the mountain, yeah?"

"Y-Yeah I forgot you could do that " Usopp stuttered, "You're so small compared to him too " Then he had a small spaz attack.

"JERK! USOPP PUNCH! (Tap) USOPP KICK! (Tap) KICK! (Tap ) Grumble, grumble "

I gave him a pat on the back making him face plant into the snow. "Hehe sorry, sorry!" I laughed sheepishly as I lifted him back onto his feet so he could continue walking.

"I was just about to unleash my full power "

"Yeah. Sure you were." Zoro mumbled from behind earning Usopp to chuck a spaz at the swordsman also.

"FULL POWER!"

"Yeah, yeah "

I chuckled at the two as Vivi made her way up behind us.

We stopped though when a villager called out to us, gaining our attention. "There's a ropeway that leads to the castle."

"Impossible. I thought all of the ropeways to the castle had been dismantled!" Another villager spoke up in disbelief.

"There is one. Someone put up a white rope from a giant tree outside Gyasta, right to the castle!" The first villager continued.

"Gyasta?" Usopp and I chorused. Me more to myself.

"That's the name of the village Dr Kureha last visited!" Vivi exclaimed as she looked to me and Usopp.

Usopp nodded while I shrugged. Well at least we didn't have to climb up the side of the mountain which I was looking forward to! Oh well, there's always a next time.

One small time skip later and the group of us were slowly making our way up the mountain via cable car with a few extra passengers.

The view was great, besides Usopp's complaining and Dalton's poor health. He still wanted to come, no matter how bad his condition was and there was no stopping him either. He would throw up blood every now and again, but every time he would say 'I'm fine'.

Vivi felt helpless. She wished she could do something to help the poor man. All she could do is kneel next to him calling his name over and over again, hoping he'll stay with us.

As much as I'd hate to say it, I just couldn't watch. I forced myself to be occupied by the snowy grounds below us, trying to block out his sounds of pain. It was horrible seeing him like this. I should've taken action and took his place in defeating Wapol. But I shouldn't really get involved for it truthfully isn't any of my business.

Though I'm positive Luffy has already made it personal, meaning it would be my business if so. If that's true then Luffy better not have hogged all the action. Even if I don't like fighting, it doesn't mean I won't defend my nakama!

"Look! There's someone on top of the castle!"

"Eh?" I looked up to the castle as we closed in. On one of the two highest tower rooms there was indeed someone standing on it. Somehow he looked familiar

Said person used his Bazooka move, sending another person soaring into the sky and out of sight. Wait, Bazooka? That means I did miss out on some butt kicking yet again that Luffy I tell you always stealing all the fights.

The cable car finally made it to its destination, stopping at the very top of the mountain. Thus letting us out and back onto the snow covered ground.

Usopp was the first to get out. "Okay, I'm going to check things out! So everyone just follow after me-AHH!" And of course I raced past him and Zoro calming walked around and up the stairs also.

We took the lift up. Yes I said a lift. I know right, a lift. That's funny in a way Ye-no it isn't. Well it was a lift that made the stairs go upwards to the ground above because we were 'underground' or something.

Zoro was the first one to step foot out, seeing as I was stuck behind him. If I wanted to get out I could've thrown him out of the way, or pushed him, or pulled him. You get the idea. But I'm not that cruel so I let him go for it.

Usopp was hanging onto Zoro's pants for dear life, being dragged out with him. I slowly hopped up each step until I met the snow. Did I tell you I love the snow? Cause I just love it.

When I reached the top though, someone was yelling a battle cry and there was a sudden explosion of snow right where Zoro had just been standing.

I stood there speechless and covered head to toe in snow as I blinked at the twitching figures buried in the well snow. I shook the snow off like a dog shakes it's wet fur and laughed along with Luffy who just pulled his head out of the snow pile.

Zoro shot up as we laughed, "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR!"

"Oh it's you guys! I remembered seeing Zoro's clothes before so I thought you were more of that guy's nakama." Luffy laughed some more. "So you guys climbed the mountain too, huh?"

Usopp popped out of the snow not so gracefully and Vivi had just come up the stairs looking rather speechless. Usopp started one of his 'Captain Usopp' lines or speech. I had stopped laughing by now, but kept a big smile plastered on my face.

"We came up via the ropeway Luffy-san." Vivi answered as Usopp deflated. The sniper had been talking about how there was no mountain that he couldn't climb or whatever.

A thought popped in my head. "Oh! Luffy-kun, how's Nami-chan and where's Sanji-kun?" I poked my cheek as he answered.

"Nami and Sanji are in the castle! They're both doing great!" He replied with that grin of his.

"Ooh~ Castle! I wanna explore!~" I sung doing a little dance. Luffy laughed at my excitement. Usopp was going on again about 'Captain Usopp', Vivi was happy that everyone was okay and Zoro stood on the spot frowning. Talk about serious

"What were you doing on top of the castle?" Zoro asked Luffy, folding his arms.

"I was beating up a King." Wow, easily said my dear Luffy. Easily said.

Dalton appeared at the top of the stairs, his expression of shock/surprise/happiness? One of the three or all of the above.

"So that person that flew off into the distance a minute ago really was Wapol?" The former captain asked. That skinny looking figure was Wapol? Eh? How did he get so small?

"Yeah, why?" Luffy replied cheerful as always. Dalton stared at him for a few seconds before asking another question.

"And his two Ministers?"

"That reindeer beat them up."

"Beaten by a reindeer?"

Did he just say reindeer? He did say reindeer, right? Seriously?

Luffy turned to Usopp, "Oh yeah, Usopp! I found us a new nakama!" Usopp stopped his rant and looked at Luffy in confusion.

Reindeer and now new nakama? Is the reindeer going to be our nakama? Or the reindeers owner? Or someone completely different?

Dalton started mumbling something to himself, his face that of shock, before kneeling on the ground in a bow and he was crying? I looked at him in question as he sat there. Reindeer, new nakama and now Dalton crying? I'm so lost right now.

The villagers that came up with us ran out from the stairway, weapons ready, before looking over to the trees near the castle.

"W-What's that? That weird creature!"

"A reindeer? N-No "

"I-It's a m-m-monste-!"

"Oi, that's enough!"

I twisted round to the trees, looking for this so called reindeer. Is it the same one Luffy mentioned? I spotted a little reindeer standing on its hind legs like a human, wearing a pink hat. But then Usopp screamed 'A MONSTER' and the poor thing high tailed it out of here.

Luffy then hit Usopp on the head yelling at him. "DON'T CALL HIM A MONSTER! He's the new nakama I found!"

Did he just say what I thought he said?

My eyes turned into stars "So So cool!~" Luffy then started chasing the poor reindeer, scaring him even more.

"Wait, reindeer! Oi, stop! You're my nakama now! Wait!"

"I AM NOT STOPPING!"

I gasped, throwing my hands in the air. Did the reindeer just speak? More stars surrounded my head, "AWESOME!~"

I suddenly felt like I was on fire, so I fell backwards into the snow, throwing sand onto myself. Zoro looked at me and raised his brow.

"What the hell are you doing?"

" It's sooooo hot ."

"HOW CAN YOU BE HOT IN THIS DAMN WEATHER!"

" Hooooooooot !"

I rolled onto my stomach and stuffed my head into the snow. Zoro face palmed. "Why do I even ask "

I popped my head back out when I heard the villagers panicked voices. Standing not too far ahead of us was a lady who looked young in figure but her face told you she was older then all of us. I'm not saying she looked old but she looked good. Besides some wrinkles I better not say that aloud.

Zoro was lying in an awkward position on the floor with a lump on his head. What in the world happened to him?

"There's no time to be lounging about. Unless you wanna end up like this guy here." The lady said with a grin of her own. So she's the culprit but what did Zoro do? Must've done something to tick her off I suppose. Why else would he be KO'd?

I jumped to my feet and trudged over to the lady, looking at her innocently. "Excuse me Miss do you happen to live in this castle?"

Her grin widened as she lifted her sunnies off her nose. "That would be correct, brat." I beamed at her before she continued. "I had been expecting you. Looks like you got yourself a fever, so you better come inside. Now."

I nodded and gave a salute as I followed her into the castle doors with a 'Yes Miss'. All the injured villagers followed suit. We happened to run into Sanji and Nami on the way up and let's just say Miss here didn't like that one bit.

"Get back to the infirmary RIGHT NOW!" She kicked in the wall they were hiding behind, creating a hole. The look on the two's faces, scared senseless. I laughed at the way she attacked them like that. I like this lady, she's funny!

If she said she lives in this castle that must mean she's the witch doctor. What was her name again ? Dr Kura Dr Kooha AHA! Dr Kureha. That's the name!

It didn't take long to get to the infirmary. Sanji got some loving treatment, which I must say was shockingly good. Haha, get it? He was electrocuted, so shockingly-oh never mind

I sat on an empty bed away from everyone else as I waited for Doctorine to fix me up. Yes, Dr Kureha told me to call her Doctorine like everyone else should. She finally made her way over to me with an 'antidote', as she had called it.

She sat next to me, shoving the tube into my hand telling me to drink it as she gulped down liquor from the bottle in her grasp. I downed the liquid as told, it didn't taste too bad. I looked at her in confusion.

"What did you mean by 'I had been expecting you'? And how did you know I had a fever?"

Doctorine leaned back on her hand, dropping the bottle into her lap. "I was visited by an old friend who told me of your arrival here. I can't tell you who it was. But I will say this: you will meet him soon enough."

I frowned in thought. What does she mean old friend? She can't tell me who it is, but I'll meet him soon enough? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

I was broken from my chain of thought when Doctorine gave a chuckle as she continued, "As for your reason of being extremely hot, you had caught the same disease as your little friend over there. For some reason though, you weren't being affected the same way "

I Oh'd before explaining. "It must be my devil fruit. Since I don't remember ever getting sick at all, my strength ability must've upped my inside forces as well as outside. My defences both inside and out wow, I never really took note of that. You know what I mean?"

"Devil fruit you say? That explains it. So you have the power of super human strength? Who would've thought you'd go the same path as her even a mirrored appearance and similar personality " Doctorine smiled as she mumbled to herself. I tilted my head wondering what she was talking about. Mirrored appearance? Similar personality?

She looked back at me as she spoke more loudly, "I understand. Your body is able to take on diseases that would kill any regular human with little effort. But you still heated up like any other person with a fever. I may have to look into your devil fruit to completely understand this "

I shook my head, knowing where this was going. "I would love to tell you all about my ability, but you see I haven't exactly fully figured it out yet since I don't know its real name and all " It's true. I'm positive I've only discovered the smallest bit there is to my power but I don't know it's just so damn annoying and confusing. Why was it randomly put in my house anyway? How did it even get there? ARGH! So confusing..!

Doctorine grinned at me knowingly I think. "I see. You should be better in no time thanks to your devil fruit. But you should rest until I say you're good to go. But right now, I have some errands to run. So you better stay in this room, got it?"

She looked at me darkly in the last part. I smiled brightly never the less for I'm not scared of anything dark thanks to my sister being the awesome person that she is. Though most people scratch that ALL people are completely terrified of her. I just realised we are complete opposites.

"Yes Doctorine-san! I'll stay put, no matter what!" I saluted her with a somewhat serious face as she walked off chuckling in a witch like matter. That explains why people call her a witch doctor I think that's the reason why.

I heard her briefly say to herself, "I know that girl won't last 10 minutes sitting still she's too much like her to do so "

After scolding a few more patients, Doctorine was up and out the door, going to do whatever business she needed to take care of. She also said something about grabbing a coat, taking Sanji and getting out of here but maybe I heard wrong?

But I mustn't have for Nami and Vivi had jumped up, grabbing Sanji, shoving his coat on and then calling me to come with them. So I did. All the while forgetting Doctorine's orders to stay put.

I didn't think to help the two girls as they dragged Sanji along the ground by his feet as we walked out the castle entrance. The rest of the crew were still outside, thankfully. What am I thinking? Of course they wouldn't run off. But getting lost that's possible.

I stopped suddenly remembering something. "I never got to explore the castle! Rats " Vivi and Nami looked back at me with an expression that clearly said 'What are you going on about?'

I blinked at them innocently as they turned back around and kept walking, but they stopped after a few more steps and stared at something further to their left.

"Tony-kun " I heard Nami mumble as I jogged up next to them. Who's Tony? I am utterly confuzzled. I looked to where they were standing and there was the little reindeer from before. Is his name Tony? He's so so CUTE!~ But somehow I think I'd freak him out if I ran up and hugged the life out of him. Maybe I could snatch him when no one's looking yeah. Stealthy like a ninja.

Luffy started shouting over at him with that grin of his planted on his face.

"OI!~ Let's be pirates together! Huh?"

The reindeer, Tony as Nami had said, looked down before saying, "I can't."

"No it's not! It's fun!"

Usopp shouted at his response. "You haven't even heard why yet!"

Tony then continued, "I mean I mean I'm a reindeer! With antlers, and hooves, and a blue nose!"

I frowned at what he was yelling. Yes that is what you are. But what's wrong with it?

"I want to be a pirate, but I can't be the nakama of a human, y'know! I'm a monster! Someone like me CAN'T be your nakama!"

The reindeer turned down his volume, "So, I'm here I'm here to say thanks. Thank you for the invitation." No! Don't refuse! PLEASE!~ "I'll stay here, but if you ever feel like it, come back someday and-"

Luffy cut him off throwing his fists into the air. "SHUT UP! LET'S GO!"

I smiled. Of course Luffy wouldn't let him get away, for it's Luffy. What's not to love about this rubber boy?

Tony's eyes filled with tears and then he cried out loudly. "OKAY!" He then ran off inside the castle to pack his things and tell Doctorine. I wonder how she'll take it.

As we all waited for his return, I copied Usopp by trying to make a snowman. But instead of easily creating one, I easily destroyed everyone I tried to make. I am just that skilled.

At first I kept crushing the body. Then when I finally succeeded, I would crush the middle. And THEN when I finally completed the first two steps, the head kept crumbling in my hands. THEN when I FINALLY finished the whole body, I would accidently knock it over when I went to put arms or make a face on it.

All the while I would blink in confusion and then start over from the beginning. Zoro was highly amused at my failure to build a snowman without it falling to pieces when I touched it.

I was too focused on getting my snowman together to listen in on the conversation going on with the crew. I saw Luffy and Usopp walk away somewhere from the corner of my eye.

I had almost completed my 24th snowman, but I was interrupted by the sound of someone yelling. I twisted around to look at my nakama. They all had freaked out expressions and were staring through the castle entrance.

Being me, I was oblivious to what was going on. I still didn't entirely get it when I was thrown onto a moving sleigh by someone, with my nakama leaping in also and went zooming down the rope that lead down the mountain.

I blinked once, twice, a third and then a fourth time. "Where am I? And where are we going?" I asked as I was seated on an unknown sleigh.

Everyone fell over anime style, somehow managing not to fall out of the sleigh that was now zooming across the snowy ground.

"HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED!"

"I didn't even get to finish Snow Dude 24th "

"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING!"

" Hm? You say something?"

I occupied myself by poking the still unconscious love cook. Poke. Poke, poke. Poooooke. The cook's hand suddenly shot out grabbing my wrist. I stared at him not moving a muscle as he opened his eyes.

"Where the hell am I?"

"Ah, Sanji-kun! IT LIVES!"

"Ooh~ Mikari-chwan!~"

BONK! "Stop dancing around!"

"Yes, Nami-san!~"

The rest of the trip back to the Merry was quiet. Until we stopped at the sound of cannons being fired. Sadly we weren't being fired at but the sky was! It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The snow falling down was a bright pink. Like leaves off a Sakura tree!

It was a once in a lifetime front seat view. Absolutely stunning. The mountain where the castle was built was now a Sakura tree. I hope I'm not crying. But I do know someone who is. That certain someone would be Chopper. I overheard his name during the ride down. Wait, was he pulling the sleigh along? Wow, I didn't even notice Okay back to staring at pink snow. Awesome.

The pink snow was still falling, even when we got back to the Going Merry and sailed off. The Sakura was a clear view still. We were edging away from the former Drum Island, it slowly closing off in the distance. I still can't believe they made pink snow fall from the sky! I guess the impossible can be made possible for some people.

Chopper was seated up the back of Merry, watching his home grow smaller the further we sailed. I don't know what it feels like to leave an island that you spent your whole life growing up on.

My sister loved to travel, even at a very young age and I would get dragged around with her to each island. Most of the time that is. But that's another story for another time. Even though we both got split up, I still kept travelling, even without her company. It was fun I guess.

The rest of the crew were all standing and sitting around the middle deck. I was leaning on the mast, a smile firm on my face, until Nami came up to me

"How come Dr Kureha treated you well? She never attacked you or yelled at you. Not even once!"

I frowned in thought. That's a damn good question Nami dear. "In truth, I haven't got the faintest idea. I've never even met her before, let alone known of her." It's true. I've never been to the Grand Line in my entire life! The only thing I know about it is a few islands and famous people with bounties, but I've never met any of them. Well there may have been a couple

Nami blinked in surprise. "Really? That's interesting. Have you ever thought that maybe she knows about you?"

I fiddled with my platted hair. "I doubt that she would. I don't have a bounty or anything "

Nami hmm'd before questioning, "It wouldn't be friends. What about family?" I stiffened but covered it with a laugh.

"No, no. None of my family lives in the Grand Line. Only in East Blue." I lied smoothly, almost choking when I said family. I hid my sadness well with a bright smile, hoping they wouldn't see through my mask.

Nami thought for a second as she glanced around the deck before letting her eyes settle on me once again. "Alright then she must've mixed you up with somebody else then."

Nami shrugged and walked off, probably to the kitchen. I wasn't sure because I had turned my head over to where the guys were. They were being so loud. But not with someone wringing someone's neck or someone chasing someone. No, it was laughter. They were all cracking up about something.

I walked over to the group and looked up at Luffy. He had 2 sticks sticking in each nostril and the other ends were sitting in his mouth, making his mouth stretch wide open.

I couldn't help it. I laughed along with them, so hard that it somehow hurt. As I was laughing Chopper had been attacked by the boys, each of them trying to get him to join in. Chopper didn't know what to do. Have a drink, try the nose-chopsticks (What Luffy was doing), or run for dear life.

I watched him sneak away from the guys unnoticed but Nami appeared behind him, stopping him in his tracks. I skipped over to the two after they had finished talking and knelt down in front of Chopper.

He stared back at me and gulped. I smiled. "Chopper Chops~ Can I hug you?"

He hesitated, taking a step back. Please don't run! Please don't run! "Errr O-Okay?" Naw so cute~

I slowly picked him up, he gave a little squeak. "It'll be over before you know it!" I beamed at him as I cuddled him to my chest. He tensed at first, but slowly relaxed realising there's no harm in a hug.

"Who's brave now?" I laughed as I put him back down onto his own two legs. "There, wasn't so bad now, was it?"

He nodded and gave a small smile, "I guess not umm "

"You can call me Mikari. Okay, Chopper-kun?"

"Mikari yeah, okay."

Nami laughed from behind me, gaining our attention. I smiled back at her and then looked back at Chopper. "Why don't you go mess with the boys? You'll love them, I know."

"Yeah, we're your nakama now. So you're gonna have to get used to it." Nami smiled down at Chopper also, arms folded.

Chopper smiled back. Yeah everything is going just as it should be. Not one thing to worry about right now. Nothing at all. Just enjoy the fresh cold night air.

"Carue! Why were you frozen in the water!"

"Squawk S-Squawk " ("He must've slipped and fell in!")

"He said some Zoro guy went out and never came back, so he went to go after him and got frozen in the water."

"Tony-kun, you can understand Carue?" ("So it was you!" BONK!)

"Yeah, I was originally an animal."

Yup, can't get any better than this. Wait, Chopper can talk to animals? SWEET!

"Wow Chopper-kun, that's amazing!"

"Yeah, you've got medical abilities and you can talk to animals. That's wonderful!"

"IDIOT! Complimenting me like that doesn't make me happy! Asshole!" Chopper starting doing what looked to be a happy dance and he was smiling. Yep not happy at all he loves it. ADMIT YOU LOVE IT!~

"Nami, what do you mean 'medical abilities'?" Zoro asked. Did he say medical abilities? Chopper's a doctor too? Is he? Really?

"Chopper's a doctor. He had every bit of Dr Kureha's medical knowledge pounded into him. He's a first-class doctor!" Nami replied, patting Chopper on the shoulder who faintly blushed.

All the guys stared at him. "WHAT!"

"Chopper, you're a doctor?"

"Wow!"

"You're kidding!"

My eyes were stars. He's a reindeer who can talk to animals and he's cute, AND a first-class doctor! "SO COOL!~"

Nami frowned at the boys, hands on her hips. "Geez! Just what exactly did you invite Chopper to be?"

Luffy folded his arms and had a straight face. "Seven-level transformation. Cool reindeer."

Sanji looked over at Nami. "Emergency food supply."

Chopper freaked at that but said something else entirely. "OH NO! I was in such a hurry to leave that I forgot my medical supplies!"

Nami then pulled a bag out from behind her. "Really? Then what's in this thing?"

I snorted. "My backpack!"

"It was on the sleigh."

"Why?"

"What are you saying? You mean you didn't prepare these supplies for the journey?"

I blinked. So somebody packed it for him? It had to have been Dr Kureha, no doubt. I smiled as I walked over to the railing, peering out along the ocean. Lucky kid he is.

In the background Usopp was making a speech to introduce Chopper, but was being ignored since Zoro and Sanji were fighting, and Luffy was yelling to Sanji to cook him meat. One word to describe it: Loud. Or maybe crazy? Or bonkers? Or just completely out of control. But that's what I love about this crew. Lively.

"To our new nakama, Chopper! KANPAI!"

"AYE!"

Yeah, there's no way in I'd ever think of leaving these guys any day now. But one thing for sure, who is this person I'll be meeting in the future that Dr Kureha had mentioned? Who was she talking about that I was a mirrored image of and similar personality? Well I guess those questions will be added to the rest of the unanswered ones and thought about another time.

But right now, let's enjoy the party for our new nakama, Tony Tony Chopper.

"ALRIGHT! THROW ME SOME CHOPSTICKS AND A DRINK! LET'S PARTAY!~"

"YEEAAHHH!"