A/N: One Piece does not belong to me and never shall. Sadly.

"LAND HO!" the voice screeched across the deck and they all covered their ears quickly, wincing. Usopp had been on the lookout for the supposed island they would be nearing soon.

"USOPPP!" Nami screamed up. His face appeared at the window. "STOP YELLING OVER THE LOUD SPEAKER!" the man winced, nodded meekly. Nami gave an exasperated sigh, leaning back heavily. "Jeez. I've told him a thousand times and he still does it… And it's still so early." She shifted her gaze over to the door leading to the female quarters.

Sola still hadn't come out.

When Henri finally made it to where the Straw Hats had been, the ship was gone. He and the small group of his crew he had taken with him physically deflated. And here they had been hoping to apologize to her…

One of his group, a young man by the name of Ichiro, spotted the note. A simple sheet of paper nailed to a tree. It was addressed to 'Those who I wronged'. Henri and his group figured it was them. It was a girl's handwriting.

'I am sincerely sorry… I did not mean to harm your friends. I don't even remember the event, but that doesn't fix it. I've tried to the best of my abilities, but I know the harm and grief I caused can never be revoked, regardless if they were brought back to our time.

Going through that is never easy, and I am truly sorry to put you through that at such epic proportions. I don't ask for your forgiveness, but I do hope you accept my apology. I really did mean no harm to you or your friends.

Oh. And… Jon? Your mother says hi.'

Jon flat out fainted on the sand, Eric quickly fanning his face and trying to revive him.

Sola stood at the rail, looking out at the approaching island. A sense of déjà vu washed over her.

Also that of isolation.

She would leave her brother behind at this island. It was obvious he didn't want her here. Who wanted their younger sister with them anyway? They would continue on their adventure, and she would return to hers… whatever that was. She still had yet to figure out exactly what she wanted to do.

She would maybe work there, a waitress or a cashier, earn some money and get a ride to the next island. She could go from there, working a little, saving, going from island to island, figuring out her dream and then-

…

Who was she kidding. Her brother was right. She wasn't cut out for this sort of thing. The whole reason she came out here in the first place was to be like her brother, hoping that maybe she could become strong and brave like him. Regardless if she told Kuina she would be strong, she couldn't keep that promise. She would continue to be a swordswoman, but she wasn't strong like Kuina wanted her to be. She could never have that inner strength that she had held before she passed away. Nor could she have the strength that her brother had.

A sheltered child, Zoro had always treated her younger than she was, babying her if you will. He didn't want to lose her too, like Kuina. She just couldn't break from her fears now. Too long had she been sheltered and protected.

She wasn't independent like Kuina had wanted her to be. That's what hit her most. Kuina had had such high expectations for her… she couldn't fulfill any of them.

She gazed out again at the water. No one was on the deck, they were all off doing other things. She knew she couldn't swim; she would drown if she went over. She knew if she took that way, Kuina would never be proud of her, nor would her brother. But she knew she would only being a burden to her brother, her new friends she made. They didn't know her long enough to be sad though.

She would be running away… but she had been running her entire life. The odds were stacked against her, expectations piled up too high. Her own brother… Her best friend… They had all left her in the end.

She lifted one leg onto the rail.

Zoro was training. It was quiet and he could focus. Not that it took a lot, but still. Inner calm was essential for his training. A breath in and a breath out. Simple.

Something felt wrong, but he ignored it. It was probably Luffy being stupid again.

He paused.

If it was Luffy being stupid again, that meant the Captain was bound to go overboard, then Chopper would dive in after him, only to start to sink too. Lord knows that Brook would join in trying to help, only to cause more trouble. Then he and Sanji would dive in after their idiotic crewmates, hauling them back up on board, only to have Nami yell at all of them. After his lovely day yesterday, he didn't want the navigator to get on his case again. He's had enough of her for quite some time.

And so, the marimo decided to stop the idiotic rubber boy before he started trouble.

In the galley, Sanji had the same idea, feeling the same amiss sensation. He too figured it was the idiotic Captain and his followers, the Doctor and the Liar. So, he wiped his hands off on a towel and opened the door, ready to yell at the three.

Zoro was just coming down the ladder from the look-out tower, waiting for the idiots to come from one of the many rooms the ship had to offer.

Imagine both their surprise when they saw the swordsman's sister walk straight off into the water.

"SOLA!" Sanji was closer, taking three strides and diving in after her, pushing against the water in large strokes. Zoro stood above, not wanting to let the Ero-cook go after his own sister, but he knew she would have to get back up. The cook couldn't do that on his own. "OI, CHOPPER. GET OUT HERE!" a crash and shriek and the little doctor stumbled out, breathing heavily, his chest heaving from fright.

"Y-y-y-y-y-yes?" he was able to squeak. Zoro was not in a good mood.

"Sola went overboard, get ready or something for when blondie comes back up!" The doctor scrambled to retrieve his things while Zoro turned to look down at the dark churning waters that was the vast and great ocean.

She didn't fight it. She saw no need. There was no point. The breath was slowly being stolen from her lungs, her body sinking. There was no need to fight anymore. Everything would turn out for the better. Zoro wouldn't have to worry about her anymore, about if she was safe. She wouldn't hurt people like she did on that island. Wouldn't have to worry about what was in store for her next.

My child… Why do you throw your life away? You've only just begun to live. Only just begun to see the world. Do not give up hope so easily. Life is full of obstacles and lies, but there is also happiness. Search for that joy. Search for it for all the days of your life.

She saw no point. Hope? What hope? There was no hope. Every one left her. She was alone in the world.

My child. If you are so alone in this world, why is your brother up there, hoping that you'll be saved in time? Why are all your new friends wishing they could do something more to help? Why is that young man diving in after you? My dear, if you were so alone in the world, would you have braved the dangers that was the Grand Line to find your best friend and brother? No. You would have stayed home and continued on with your monotonous life, never experiencing the joy that is travelling with friends, even if for a short period of time.

She saw no point… Of-course her brother would worry for her. He had been charged with her well-being since he was little, her even younger. Living till the end of her days… for all she knew, she would die tomorrow, due to a ruthless pirate. Maybe food poisoning or illness. Maybe drowning. At-least this way she knew.

Her eyes traveled up to where the light filtered down through the waters. She saw him, the cook. Sanji. Her brother's friend. He was in-fact coming after her, but then again… Sola knew her brother. The cook must've been closer. Zoro would have asked him to go after her, to bring her back up, while he waited up top to make sure they were able to get back on the ship. Such a nice older brother she had…

He was reaching for her, he was close enough to grab her hand. Some of her last few air bubbles escaped her lips. He grabbed her hand and the rest disappeared. Her lungs burned and she felt the need for air, but she restrained herself. She had always been a burden. If she could relieve her brother of at-least one thing to worry about, she would be happy. He had worked so hard. He deserved a break.

The light was getting somewhat closer, but, her vision was fading now, the light reduced to a pale area in the black surrounding her.

Light shone through the window. A small little room with cheery yellow curtains, a small table with a single chair, and a bed. She was in the bed, asleep, skin pale. Chopper had done what he could, but now she needed to rest. It had been decided she would get a room to herself in the town, Nami bunked in the room across the hall. To make sure that if she woke up she wouldn't be going anywhere.

Everyone else stayed back at the ship.

Sanji spent most of his time with Nami and Sola, taking care of the idiot who jumped ship. Someone had to cook for her after-all. Not that she was awake to eat his food.

Nami kept him company and chattered on and on about useless things. Sanji barely spoke, which was odd for him. She felt concern, once again, but said nothing, continuing to try and distract him. They would go for walks around the little town they were staying in, but they didn't want to stay out too long. They were afraid she might wake up and try something else.

It was another day. The third day in-fact. She had woken up briefly the day before, looked at the empty room she was in, saw the door open and Nami appear, but then went back to sleep. They had gotten excited and when the little doctor made it over, she was still asleep. Chopper said it was a good sign. She would most definitely be awake tomorrow.

And awake she did. Sanji sat in the chair next to her, reading the newspaper, a still slightly steaming bowl of soup on the little table beside him. She laid still, watching as he turned the page. "You should try eating something." He said as he scanned the articles of ink. "It'll help you get better." Of-course. He was worried because Zoro probably threatened him. He was a nice older brother, but if he wasn't nicer to his friends, they wouldn't stick around. Sanji peered at her from over the paper. "Come on, Sola-chan. It'll make you feel good. I bet you're hungry." She sat up slowly and he set the paper down.

They talked for quite a long time that day. Nami had been out shopping for most of it, as it had been a beautiful day. She came and found the two laughing hysterically, the girl then thrown into a fit of coughing, the cook panicking immediately.

All in all, it was a normal day.

A week later and Sola was travelling with them. Luffy thought she was fun and Nami liked the extra female travelling company. Zoro had been cautious around her, until she sat him down and had a very long talk with him.

Who would've thought his baby sister felt the way she did? She hid it so well.

The swordsman noticed she and the blonde had long discussions and anytime he was looking for her, he always found her in the galley with the blonde, learning something or another or just simply watching and keeping him company as he cooked.

The marimo, being a protective brother, confronted his rival/'friend'.

Sanji was outside, smoking. Sola was going over some maps with Nami, as she had visited some of the islands before. Nami had been ecstatic to learn that Sola knew some of them had reefs around them, so she was getting her to point them out.

The cook hadn't paid much mind to him as he approached. He was used to the glares that were a bit more intense than usual. He already figured he was here to 'talk' as Sola's closest thing to a 'father figure'. "Ero-cook."

"Marimo." Ah, just the normal pleasant greetings that the two exchanged on a daily basis. Sanji shifted a bit so he leaned against the rail, looking over at Zoro calmly. "Something on your mind?" Zoro's gaze narrowed.

"Are you flirting with my sister?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?" The remark was said so calmly and with no outburst or outrage that the swordsman was taken a back at first. Yes… Whatever did give him that idea? Sola had always been a people person… And he had been a bit distant lately. It would only be natural for her to talk with him, being on the same ship and all… The cook gave a smirk, moving back towards the galley where the ladies were going over the maps. "Marimo, I'm not flirting with Sola." Well. That was a relief. He didn't like the blonde to begin with, but think if Sola actually liked him. Then he would actually have to be nice to him. Ah. The horror. The galley door opened and Zoro looked to see Sanji smile pleasantly at him. "I'm dating her."

And the door closed, cutting off Zoro's string of curses and profanities directed at the cook. The girls looked up, Sola tilting her head lightly to the side. "Was that Zoro?"

"Stubbed his toe." She pushed her chair back, starting to get up.

"Oh, I hope it's not bad. I'll-" Sanji rested a hand on her shoulder.

"He'll be fine. He's strong, remember?" She supposed he was right. "Well. Shall I get you ladies anything?"

Mmmmm. Well. That was interesting. I needed to somehow get Sanji in there cuz it says Zoro and Sanji, but I didn't quite know how to do it… my original idea was the two get together after meeting on some random beach, but that hadn't happened, and I don't think I could've continued this anymore, so, this was created.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. I enjoyed writing it. It was fun, if not a little low on detail in some places, and short in others. I think I did a pretty good job with this.

Anyway, thank you to all those who have read this story since the beginning. I appreciate it. This is the end of the line, it's run it's course.

Adieu lecteurs.