When Nami finally calmed down enough to really realize I was still there she asked as I handed her a handkerchief, "Why aren't you with the guys?"

I grinned at her, "Cuz I know they'll be fine." I couldn't help thinking to myself, "Even though Luffy will be momentarily trapped under water and the guys will be pummeled."

Smiling encouragingly I asked, "Feel better?"

She stood and smacked her cheeks. She grabbed her staff and said, "Time to go."

Hopping to my feet I said, "I'm right with ya."

She glanced at me and I smiled at her, saying truthfully, "We're friends Nami. Friends help each other out."

She gave a watery smile and then strode forward with determination, and I was one step behind her.

0o0

Nami and I had finally arrived at Arlong Park and I snarled when Arlong gave Nami the choice. Choose between her nakama and the village. I was proud of Nami when she said, "I'm sorry everyone! Lets die together!"

Grinning at her as the crowd cheered she smiled back at me. I faced Arlong then, about to help Zoro and Sanji when I heard a noise beside us. I spun and put myself between Nami and the new fishman in front of us. Nami gasped, "Cudo."

The fishman in front of us had gray skin and his jaw long and narrow with huge scissor like teeth that gleamed. The barracuda fishman smirked, cold eyes narrowed, "Nami, I'm going to kill you."

I snorted, fire running up my arms, "Not while I'm around. You'll have to get through me."

Cudo grinned wider, "An elemental? Cheaters and cowards who hide behind their powers. So you have no real power."

Narrowing my eyes he raised a fist, "You can never beat me and my karate. Elemental scum. You just hide behind your pathetic skills, with no real skill."

I murmured, almost surprised, "I think I'm insulted."

Grinning slowly, my fire went out and I said, "Fine, I won't use my powers. And pound you into dust all the same."

He smirked, and lunged, "Die bitch!"

And suddenly I wasn't there. Digging my fist into his gut I heard the crunch of some ribs and he shot back. Skidding to a stop from my lunge I raised a mocking eyebrow, "You were saying? And my teacher taught me manners."

Cudo didn't fall to his knees after skidding to a stop and raised his head. His eyes turned into slits and Arlong chuckled, "Your dead now girl."

Frowning I didn't even see Cudo move before his fist hit my jaw and I heard him yell, "Your teacher must have been as weak as you!" Flying back I hit the stone wall and shattered it, still flying a good 15 feet back. Hitting the ground I barely gasped before Cudo was on top of me. Gritting my teeth I shoved my arms above my shoulders, shoved and flipped back in time to dodge a punch that would have ended me.

Spinning on my hands I thrust up to stand on my feet and threw a punch at his head only to instantly regret it. He opened his wide jaws and bit down all the way to my elbow, hand inside his mouth!

Screaming as his sharp teeth sank into my arm I threw my other fist like a bullet and hit him right between the eyes. It caused his jaws to open and jerked his head back. With a roar I double punched him in the gut and made him skid back. We were behind the crowd now and I raised my hands, spreading my legs to get balanced and flipped a finger at Cudo, "Come on Fish for Brains. It's not over until the fat lady sings. We are going to win this game."

Blood dripped from my wound but I ignored it. Cudo rubbed his forehead and growled, "Why? Why are you fighting? For that witch?"

I could see Nami watching, eyes holding the same question. Glaring at Cudo I said firmly and without hesitation, "Not only am I fighting to protect Nami because she is my nakama and friend. Not to mention you half-baked bastards made her cry. I am fighting for my own honor."

I snarled, cracked my neck, "I am going to prove to you I don't hide behind my elemental abilities! I'll take you down right here and now without them!"

He snorted and had to throw up a block to stop my hit. Spinning I slammed my elbow into his already shattered ribs, while blocking his jab with my other arm. Spinning out of reach I didn't see him move again and threw up my arm to block. Seeing a gleam I changed my block, throwing my arm out ram rod straight and lowering it. Teeth snapped shut just above my arm and I slammed it into his throat, cloths lining the bastard!

The fight went on like that, both of us hitting, dodging and blocking. Cudo finally got me good by kicking my ankle. Feeling a crunch I screamed as pain like a red hot poker exploded in my ankle. I threw up my arms to block but Cudo slammed his fist into it and sent me flying once more. And like before I slammed through the stone wall and landed inside the park.

Coughing I slowly got up at Cudo walked toward me. Struggling to my feet I spat blood from my cut lip, "Bastard. That was a lucky shot."

He growled, "No it was skill you pathetic girl. Now die you evil witch!"

But it wasn't me that he attacked. He spun, lunging for Nami. Nami's eyes widened, fear entering them and showing clearly on her face. It mirrored my own.

I snapped, feeling my anger flood my system and one thought, "NAMI!"

Cudo's fist stopped short of Nami's face, stopped by a hand. I hadn't made a sound. No one saw me move as I stopped in front of Nami and easily caught Cudo's punch. Cudo froze, disbelief clear on his ugly mug. My glare could peel paint and I said coolly, squeezing his fist, "Didn't I tell you you'd have to get through me?"

He gasped in pain as his hand started to break in my hold. With a hard yank he pulled free and I said as coldly as a glacier, "This is for Nami."

My punch was too fast to see and you could hear the crunch of bone as I slammed it into his nose, crushing it and folding it back. Cudo stumbled and yelled, tears streaming, "How!?"

I whispered in his ear, "I quit holding back."

With speed that made me faster then the naked eye could follow I slammed my fists into him over and over, feeling the crunch of bone as I demolished the barracuda fishman. Stopping finally I watched Cudo fall slowly and I yelled as I hit him once more, sending him flying to the other side of Arlong Park, through the wall and finally into the rice patty. Where he lay there unmoving.

Coughing I wiped blood from my lips, body shaking from the energy of the fight and it being unused to the extreme speed it went through. It was shutting down to recharge and stop the progressing damage from the strain. Panting I tried to keep my weight from my shattered ankle, ribs a dull pain now as I saw that Sanji had dove in to save Luffy.

I heard the shout of warning dully in my ears, brain going fuzzy from fatigue. I couldn't dodge or even put up a defense as Arlong slammed his saw like nose into my chest. Blood spurted from the wound as I stared in disbelief into Arlongs eyes. Pain erupted in my chest but as I looked down I thanked my lucky stars for my training.

On instinct my body had thrown up my arms to defend and tried to dodge. I held Arlong off by sheer stubborn will, pushing against his shoulders to keep his blasted nose from piercing me all the way through and my body had moved sideways by about two inches but it was enough to save my life. If I hadn't, his nose would have pierced my heart.

Arlong smirked that damn smirk I was beginning to hate and my temper flared, along with fire to cover my whole body. I was pleased to see that smirk disappear and couldn't help crying out when he yanked his nose free and leaped back from the flames.

Pressing my hand firmly to try and stop the bleeding I heard a clashing sound and quickly looked to see Arlong jumping back once more to dodge Zoro. I yelled, worried for his wounds instead of mine, "Careful Zoro!"

He merely grunted and I stumbled, feeling my body nearly run out of energy. Gritting my teeth I gasped when I saw Arlong grabbed Zoro by the throat and hold him up. Coughing I nearly fell as I yelled, "Let him go!"

Arlong ignored me and asked "So that's it huh? What's with these bandages?"

Zoro groaned when Arlong grabbed the bandages on his chest, "Did you have a good fall?"

Zoro cried out as Arlong ripped them off to show the horrible wound Hawkeye had given him. I heard the gasps from the others at the sight and growled deep in my throat. Temper getting the better of me, I thrust myself forward I snarled, "Stinking bastard!"

I could barely condense fire into my hand as I thrust it into Arlongs side and it didn't even faze him. Arlong slammed his other hand into my throat and lifted me off my feet. Zoro growled at me, "Fool."

I snapped, trying to breath around the fingers crushing my windpipe, "Shaddup."

Struggling to free myself I stopped when I heard Zoro chuckle. Looking at him to see if he finally lost it, I heard him say, "If a person stayed put, their wounds wouldn't open up."

Staring at him, I thought, "Yep, gone looney this one."

Arlong said almost amused, "Is that right? Do you find your situation amusing?"

Zoro grinned, "I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about the octo-man."

Arlong snarled, "What!?" and I snickered, realizing what Zoro was talking about. I gasped out, "We told you, we are going to win this game."

Arlongs grip tightened but it couldn't erase the grin on my face, which only got wider when I heard a crushing sound from the water behind me, followed by yelling. Then suddenly Luffy was flying up into the air and yelling, "I'M BACK!"

Zoro murmured, "Your a bit late."

I snorted, "Damn Captain."

Then Luffy yelled, "Zoro! Ariana!" and I felt his hand grip the back of my shirt. I paled, "No, wait..."

Hearing Zoro say, "Hold on..." I figured Luffy had grabbed him too.

Then suddenly Zoro and I shot out of Arlongs grip and into the sky as Luffy yelled, "Switch ya places!"

Unable to help myself, giddy with relief at Luffy being back I busted up laughing. Zoro screamed next to me and I summoned what was left of my elements and grabbed his arm before surrounding us in air as we came over the ocean. Slowing us down we landed outside the wall of Arlong Park.

Setting Zoro down gently I collapsed onto my back next to him, gasping, "Good...Luffy's back."

I heard Zoro growl, "I'll kill him." and chuckled. Closing my eyes I opened them when I heard Arlong talking about being superior and then Luffy declaring how he wouldn't lose because he was going to be King of the Pirates. Grinning I heard some more noises and was too tired to get up and look. Finally I heard something like the shattering of steel and Luffy yelled, "Your right! I don't have a clue how to use a sword you bastard!"

Blinking I raised an eyebrow as he continued, "I'm a terrible sailor! I definatly can't cook and I can't control the elements! I can't even lie!" Smiling I closed my eyes as he yelled, "And without my friends to help me I would have been dead a long time ago!"

I chuckled softly, "So Luffy," before carefully moving and ripping the bottom of my shirt till it was strips. Sitting up slowly I tied my make shift bandages over my bleeding chest and heard Arlong say, "So you admit your worthless. What can you possibly do?"

Lying back down I heard Luffy say proudly, "I can kick your ass!" Zoro growled next to me, "If he dies I'm going to kill him!" I laughed weakly, "Like wise." before passing out completely.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Zoro glanced over, not surprised that Ariana was fast asleep. Having watched her fight with the ugly fishman with big teeth, her fighting ability had surprised him. And made him glad she was on their side. Tying his bandana to his arm he settled on his back next to her and closed his eyes.

0o0

The huge explosion and the rock falling on Zoro woke me up and I sat up with a groan. Looking up I asked, "Luffy?"

Gripping the wall I forced myself up and using one leg I hopped up to be able to see over the wall. Zoro asked, "What's up?"

Seeing Arlong Park destroyed I grinned, "Arlong Park is destroyed."

Then I saw Luffy pop out of the rubble and watched curiously. Suddenly he yelled, "NAMI! YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY FRIEND!"

Smiling softly I got down off the wall and said to Zoro, "Shall we join the others?"

Using the wall like a crutch, I carefully hopped on one foot, as I followed Zoro. I looked as I heard strange voices and saw the marines. Shaking my head I held back as Zoro grabbed what seemed the leader who looked like a mouse, "Stop raining on these people's parade. Now that's just plain rude." then the others helped him pummel the marines. The leader murmured something about not crossing him and I swayed a bit as I watched Nami say softly to the marine mouse, "This is for hurting Nojiko and mercilessly ruining Bellemere's tangerine grove."

Then with a mighty whack of her staff she sent the guy flying into the water. Laughing I grinned as she ordered the dumb mouse marine to help rebuild the town of Goza and return her money. The marines swam away and I heard the mouse leader yelled, "Big things will happen! I'll get my revenge!"

Luffy asked, "How does that guy know I'm going to be King of the Pirates?"

Laughing as the guys argued with him I hopped through the cheering crowd till I came up behind Nami. Falling forward I grabbed her and she said happily, "Ariana!"

I grinned, letting her go to sit down, "Told ya so. Your our friend Nami."

Tears ran down her cheeks as she nodded. Smiling I looked up when Zoro looked at me, "We should get you to a doctor."

I laughed and pointed at his bleeding chest, "You first! Your worst off."

He grunted and I held out my hand to Sanji and he helped me to my feet, "Would you like me to carry you?"

I smiled in relief and nodded. Sanji stooped and I hopped onto his back, lying my head on his shoulder, "Night." and fell asleep. Sanji looked at me in surprise, smiled softly and followed the others to the town.

I woke up when I was set on a bed and scowled as the doctor in sun glasses said, hands over my ankle, "This is going to hurt."

Gritting my teeth I murmured, "Most likely, go ahead."

Smothering a scream with my fist the doc popped my bones back into place. Sweating as he wrapped it in bandages and then in a splint. Panting when he was done, sweat soaked I murmured, "ow."

Then the doc stitched up my arm, wrapped it and then my ribs. Lastly he stitched the wound on my chest and then wrapped it. i figured i looked like a mummy. Sighing in relief I looked over at Zoro, who stared in worry, "And don't give me that look, I'll be fine."

Closing my eyes when I heard his familiar grunt I fell asleep once more with a grin on my face.

0o0

Woken up when I heard Zoro's screams as the doc stitched him up I sat up with a groan, "Doc, got a shower?"

My sweaty clothes were stinky and itchy. He pointed to a door in the back of the room, "Nami came by and left you some clothes."

Saluting thanks I hopped over to it and was relieved and happy to find jeans and a t-shirt. Smiling I was careful not to get my ankle splint wet as I washed up. Going back out I sat patiently as the doc re bandaged my arm and then he returned to stitching up Zoro. I winced at the sight and saw Luffy pop at the window when the doc growled, "Don't you have a doctor on board?"

Luffy said thoughtfully, "We should get one. But after we get a musician."

Zoro asked, "Why after a musician?"

Luffy frowned, "Pirates sing right?"

Chuckling I saw the crutch and grabbed it, "True Luffy."

I heard him ask where Nami was and I hobbled out and saw Sanji and Usopp next to a tree. Joining them I grinned as I heard the start of a party.