Dun dun dun! Oh snap. Wish Rose luck, she's going to need it.

My entire body became the temperature of ice. Sweat trickled down my back as I tensed. Tomorrow? They couldn't. I couldn't form a plan with that short of time. And even worse, it was my fault. They were doing this for me. Holy crap, this is worse case scenario. Calm down Rose. Keep a level head.

This was all happening inside me. On the outside, I smiled eagerly at Ain.

"Oh no, you don't have to do that for me. I can live with him for a few weeks, if he's locked up."

Ain placed a hand on my shoulder and I fought the urge to shudder.

"But you are right. He is a monster and he needs to be killed as soon as possible. You made us see that."

"But you need the money."

I tried desperately. Ain shrugged.

"Don't worry, we will bag another pirate with a big bounty. They are common in the New World."

I felt sick with guilt. This was my entire fault. I gave up trying to convince her.

"Ok, if you are sure. When is the execution?"

Execution. The word left a bad taste in my mouth.

"Tomorrow morning, at nine."

I gulped. That gave me no time at all.

"Thank you."

I say with fake excitement. Ain walks off, leaving me to my mixed up emotions.

I need some air. Instead of going to Luffy's cell, I went up to the deck. I rushed to the side, gazing out onto the ocean. The sea breeze flitted through my hair and the sun shone on my cheeks. I don't know why this calmed me down. I closed my eyes and slowly the tension left my body. It was just so soothing.

I'm the goody two shoes at school and am quite the frowner on evil. And there is nothing I hate more then killing. I think it is the worst crime someone can make. I know that makes me naïve, but I don't care. Talking about the murder of Luffy, a friend of mine, makes me want to vomit.

Now, before I go on, I have to be clear about something. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely terrified of this situation, but at the same time I am bouncing off the walls excited. This change of pace is exactly what I look for in life. I know that's bad that I get a rush of Luffy's execution, but when I come from a place that doesn't have any excitement at all, this makes me very happy. Besides, I'm helping the Straw-hats, which is awesome.

I turned, looking toward the back of the ship. There, in the distance, was the Thousand Sunny. I needed to tell them of these new developments. I hope they will be able to adapt like I have to. I sigh; this had been a nice break, but I had work to do.

I made my way back down below, to the dining hall. It was suppertime and I needed to eat. I would think better on a full stomach.

The dining hall was very marine like. I walked in and instantly Z called me up to the high table with his senior officers. Feeling slightly honored I bowed to him, even though I wanted to tear his head off.

"Yes Master."

Ugh, I died a little inside. Z smiled at me.

"Ah, hello Rose. Come sit beside me."

Cautiously, I sit down next to the monster of a man. His arm makes me very nervous. A plate finds it's way in front of me and I start to eat. I have lost all appetite, but I have to keep up my strength. I force myself to eat.

Movement near the door catches my eye. The two guards from Luffy's cell walk in, talking and laughing. Trying to remain casual, I watched them sparingly. They walked up to two more men. I couldn't hear their conversation, but I could tell they were the next guards. The four of them sat down at the table and start eating. So Luffy was unguarded? Just like that? I made a mental note of their time of arrival and turn back to my food.

"Hey Z, when are the guards shifts?"

Z raised an eyebrow.

"At dawn and dusk. Why do you ask?"

I cross my arms.

"Just making sure he doesn't escape before his execution. That would be disappointing."

He swirled some wine around in his glass.

"That is true. His sins are great. I can put more guards on him if you wish."

I try hard to keep my eyes from widening. I do not need that extra complication.

"No, it's ok. I'm just making sure. I trust your judgment."

Z looked over his men.

"You never gave me your answer."

My eyebrows creased together in confusion.

"About what?"

Z sipped his wine and turned his face toward me.

"Do you want to join us or not?"

Underneath the table, I clenched my fist. No way was I going to join these Luffy killers. On the outside I kept calm.

"Oh Master Z, this is quite a big decision. I was hoping you would give me a little more time to think about it."

"How long?"

A smirk came to my lips.

"Tomorrow morning."

Yes, that would be the perfect time, when I rescue Luffy. Then he will know where my real loyalties lie. Z nodded his consent and turned to Binz for a conversation.

The meal passed without another incident. After fifteen minutes, the guards left, probably to go guard Luffy. So they change at dawn and have a fifteen-minute window where Luffy is unguarded. I could work with that. Yes, this can work.

I was already coming up with a plan in my mind. I thought about it and refined it. I stood up and made my way to the door. I needed to get to my room before Robin came; that would be awkward to explain if someone saw me with a random eye on my hand.

"Hey Rose."

I turn to see Ain walking toward me.

"Where are you going?"

I yawned, feigning tiredness.

"It's been a long day Ain. I am going to bed. Besides," I manage grin that felt so fake, "I need to get up early tomorrow right?"

Ain nodded understandingly and turned, walking away. Feeling relieved, I slipped out.

I made it to my bedroom and lay down on the cot, thinking. It was only a few minutes later that the blue eye returned to my hand and the ear to the wall. I quickly sit up, urgently.

"Robin, there has been a change of plans. They want to execute him tomorrow morning at nine."

The blue eye widened and a few seconds later a note written in hasty scrawl was shoved into my hands.

'Are you sure about this? Can we break him out before then?'

I nodded.

"They change the guards at dawn and for fifteen minutes, Luffy is unguarded. I can sneak in and get him out."

I frown.

"Ask Nami if she has any lock picks. If she does, I need them and instructions of how to use them. I can't get the key."

There were a few minutes of not communicating, and then a hand appeared, holding metal picks and a note, explaining how to use them. I smile.

"Good. I will get Luffy out at dawn. Can I trust you all to be there? I can get him to the deck but after that, I cannot fight all the Neo Marines and Luffy will be busy with Z."

Another note.

'Franky says we are running low on cola. We cannot do Coup de Burst.'

I bite my lip. That might complicate things. But if Luffy is with me, then surely we can make it. He can take care of me.

"Ok, me and Luffy will try to stall, but you better get here fast."

A hand gave me thumbs up. It was then when it happened.

A sense of the gravity of the situation fell on me. So many things could happen badly tomorrow. What if I fail them? I felt a feeling of loneliness wash over me. I felt so alone, amid my enemies and not having any friends. I was just a weak girl. What could I do?

I hug my knees to my chest as terror fills me. This is the same terror I felt yesterday in saving Luffy and Chopper, the same terror I felt this morning when that creep was going to kill Nami. Doubt floods my mind. What if I fail them?

"Guys, I'm so scared."

I say into my knees. I forgot that Robin's ear was still there, listening to me. I just sat there, wallowing in my own misery and worries that threatened to overwhelm me.

Suddenly, a hand tapped me on the shoulder. I look up to see two arms, one poking me, the other holding a note. I took the note and unfolded it.

'Don't worry, you can do this~Nami.

You are braver then I will ever be~Usopp

Don't worry, I will protect you Rose-swan~Sanji

You aren't alone~Chopper

You have a family here~Robin

We will stand behind you~Brook

You are super Rose-sis~Franky

Be brave. You are stronger then you think you are~Zoro.'

I reread the paper several time, each time it becoming more and more becoming more meaningful. They believed in me. Even though I had gotten them into this mess and have no fighting skills or strength, they believe in me. I clutch the paper to my chest, trying to keep the smile of gratitude off my face.

"Thank you, all of you."

Their encouragement makes me a little braver. I take a deep breath.

"I promise I will get Luffy back."

The eye on my palm seemed to be smiling encouragingly at me. I have never been so relieved in my life. My confidence began growing. No. I couldn't fail them. I will get Luffy back. I intend to keep my promise.

Promises in this world hold weight, more then our world. Most of the Straw-hat crew's dreams are based off of promises. I cannot let them down now with a promise.

"All right. I need to sleep. Big day tomorrow."

The ear disappeared, the hand patted me on the shoulder, and the eye dissipated, leaving me alone.

But I wasn't alone. I clutched the paper in my hand, the proof I had that I wasn't alone. I had friends that would help me.

I fell asleep that night with a peaceful smile on my face at that knowledge.