Last official chapter everyone, not counting bonus. Thank you all for reading, and hopefully enjoying my stories. All your love is greatly appreciated.

I climbed the ladder carefully, trying not to make a noise. I wanted to kind of sneak up on the swordsman. I pushed gently against the trapdoor and frowned. That jerk blocked it, locking me out. Well Mr. Smartie pants, there is more then one way to skin a cat.

I decended the ladder until I was even with the boon. I crawl across like a cat, grabbing my ropes. After several storms and shipwide games of tag, I had mastered the system of ropes in the mast and sails. I climbed up one rope that would lead me to a certain window, one I knew was beside the usual napping place of the swordsman.

I crawled up until I hauled myself up to the windowsill. I peeked into the room, slowly easing the window open. Zoro is sitting by the wall, arms crossed and eye closed. He looked relaxed except for the rigidness of his posture. Smiling, I landed lightly on the ground. I tensed when Zoro sighed.

"You know you can't sneak up on me right?"

I sat down next to him, crossing my legs.

"I wouldn't have to if you let me in the normal way. Come on Zoro, you know I wouldn't give up just because you locked me out."

Zoro sighed again.

"I had hoped."

I chuckled, before getting serious. My nakama was distracting me from my original objective.

"Zoro, come on. I leave in like an hour. It would be totally the worst thing ever if I leave and we are on bad standings."

Zoro's shoulders relaxed and he opened his eye to look at me. There was a hint of sadness in his eye.

"That's why you were so angry at me."

I cock my head. What the heck is he talking about? Zoro stared at the floor.

"In Impel Down, when you asked why I jumped to get you. If I hadn't jumped, you wouldn't have had to make that decision."

I sighed, leaning my head back against the wall.

"No, not nessecarily. Luffy would have come to rescue me anyway, and he could have gotten captured again for nothing because I wasn't there. It was a good thing you did."

Zoro didn't look too convinced. I laughed lightly, elbowing him.

"Come on Zoro, lighten up. It was bound to happen eventually."

"But it is my fault."

I shake my head, smiling.

"Nope. I had to stop coming here eventually. I'm just glad it wasn't for a petty reason. I've had just about enough adventures to last a lifetime. I belong in my world, not here-"

"Liar, you belong here with us."

I sigh, smiling fondly.

"Again, it's time for me to stay one or the other. I fulfilled both of my dreams. I don't need to come here anymore."

Zoro grabbed my wrist.

"Stop Rose. I know you are sad about leaving too. You don't need to hide it from me."

I froze. I thought I was doing a pretty good job myself. I shrug.

"I'm always sad when I leave though. I would love to stay, but I got to go. It isn't your fault, it is mine and my decision alone. I just want you to know that."

I hugged my knees.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you too."

Zoro snorted.

"No, I deserved it. I shouldn't have been so angry."

Zoro bowed his head, eye closed.

"I don't want you to leave though. You might not think we need you, but we do."

I laughed.

"No, you would probably stay alive longer. You won't have to jump in front of any bullets anyway."

Zoro opened his eye, and for once, the swordsman's eye is soft.

"You not being here is way worse."

I grin, sidling in front of him. Calmly, I place my palm over his one operational eye.

"Just because you can't see me, doesn't mean I'm not here."

Zoro relaxed slightly. I leaned forward, placing my forehead against his.

"I will always be watching over you. No matter what."

Zoro slowly reached up, looping his arms around my back and pulling me forward into an embrace.

I tensed slightly, because Zoro maybe many things, embracer he is not. I relax though, smiling into his shoulder.

"You know it's true though. You all are strong. I believe in you all to conquer anything the World Government throws at you."

I felt something drip onto my back, and I almost tense. What? Is Zoro...I smile fondly.

"You big softie."

Zoro shook his head into the crook of my neck.

"Who's fault is that?"

I laughed.

"It better not be mine. I didn't want this to be all sappy and stuff."

I just stayed where I was, not moving or trying to get out of the swordsman's grip. I didn't say anything either. Don't confront, just be there to listen.

"I don't want you to leave."

"Sorry."

I'm not used to this. I'm not used to my foundation crumbling. I don't like it. Operation cheer Zoro up is now a go.

Zoro slowly loosened his hold on me and I leaned back. Despite everything, his eyes were dry and nothing looked out of the ordinary. Now, what to do about this. Oh I know.

I can't help the wide mischievous grin crossing my face as I plan ahead. Zoro narrowed his eyes.

"I don't like that look."

I just giggle.

"Hee hee, why would you say that?"

Zoro gulped, a small look of curiousity and fear crossing his face.

"And I definitely don't like that laugh. What are you up to?"

I leaned forward, getting within an inch of his face. I stick my tongue out playfully as I say as fake innocently as possible.

"Nothing."

He leaned back, folding his arms.

"Yeah right."

I leaned back also, falling into a crouch and making sure my hand brushed his knee. I yelled joyously.

"Tag, you are it!"

Then I was gone, leaping out the still open window to grab my rope system and shimmy down to the deck below. I was about halfway down when I heard Zoro bellow.

"Rose!"

I chuckled, falling the last couple of feet to land softly on the grass. I knew it would take at least ten seconds to unlock the crow's nest, and that gave me plenty of time to get out of there.

Everyone was still eating but they were looking at me strangely. Luffy asked, his mouth full of food.

"What's going on?"

I kept an eye on the crow's nest as my eyes alighted with battle fire. Time to start the old war up again. What an amazing way to spend my last hour.

"Zoro is it for tag."

It was like I said it was the apocolypse. Everyone took one second to glance at each other before they all leapt up, running around screaming in absolute chaos, well Usopp, Luffy, Chopper, and Brook anyway. Nami sighed, dragging one hand down her face.

"Seriously Rose? Why him first?"

I shrugged.

"Felt right."

Usopp ran across the deck waving his arms in the air.

"Zoro's it!"

Sanji swept all the dishes from the lawn into the kitchen in two seconds flat. Everyone was quite accustomed to my random starts of shipwide tag. Robin chuckled.

"Same rules Rose?"

My eyes glinted dangerously. If I'm leaving, I'm doing it in style.

"Nope. Go all out. You can use your devil fruit, but only if you ar running from the person it."

Chopper suddenly ran up, looking angry.

"Rose, you can't run remember? I told you I would have to restrain you."

I pat the little doctor on the head.

"Come on Chopper. I leave in like an hour. Please, just one more game."

Chopper sighed, looking conflicted.

"Ok, just tell me if you are feeling lightheaded."

"Rose!"

Zoro landed on the deck, his one eye looking dangerous. I fell into a comfortable wide stance, ready to sprint to either side. I grinned.

"You sure you want to challenge me Zoro?"

Zoro paused. He was well aware of my mastery of this game. I don't give him a chance to come and get me, instead I bolt for the other end of the ship.

I heard Zoro right behind me as I took the craziest path I could, diving under railings, leaping steps and juking the swordsman's seacrching fingers, until I ran around the mast and dodged Usopp, who was hiding from us. Zoro wasn't so lucky.

I laughed as I turned to see both men lying in a heap.

"That's what you get."

Zoro groaned.

"All right, you win."

Usopp leapt up, crying.

"I'm going to win!"

Robin called.

"Usopp is it."

Franky laughed, slamming his stars together.

"Yo, super!"

Brook sprinted across the lawn.

"Yohohohohoho."

Usopp ran toward Nami, who ran away screaming. I hopped back and forth on my toes, ready to switch speeds in the spanse of a second. Luffy landed next to me from swinging in the riggings. He pouted.

"Hey, you should be handicapped Rose."

I flicked my ponytail back, grinning wildly.

"Oh most definitely not. I'm injured and there is less blood in my body. I am plenty handicapped."

I glance from him back to the playing field to see Nami tag Chopper, who turned into his human point. Uh oh, he looks like he's after me. With a crazy grin, I take off sprinting.

We spend the next hour playing tag. It proved a great distraction from my sadness of leaving. It was the most fun I had had in a long time, injuries excluded. I once again proved my expertise of the game, never getting caught because of my willingness to go places and do things to escape.

We really did go out for this game. Half of the ship was destroyed in twenty minutes. Franky took short breaks to fix up the ship a little to keep it together. So we continued, and everyone seemed so happy, enjoying themselves. I don't know if they were doing it for my sake, or if they were actually having fun.

Sanji had just tagged Zoro and he was chasing after me when I hit the five minute mark. I abruptly stopped running, and Zoro cannoned into me, grabbing me to keep me on my feet.

"Tag? What's wrong?"

I sigh.

"Five minutes left."

Everyone gathered around me, forming a circle. I offered a small smile. I can't believe my adventures with these wonderful friends is over. No, not friends. Family. A family that fought together, bled together, shed tears of sadness and joy together. We were no longer friends. I was essentially saying goodbye to my second family.

Oh right, I suppose I should make it official. Hiding my sadness behind a strained smile, I salute.

"Yo, captain, permission to leave the crew?"

Those words have the exact opposite effect of the words of Luffy those years ago of me to join the crew. I think I might have died a little inside. Luffy crossed his arms.

"Nope."

I stiffened.

"What? But I won't come back here anymore."

Luffy shook his head.

"Nope, no matter where you are, you will always be a Strawhat pirate. You will always be my nakama, remember?"

I blink in surprise, before my smile grows.

"Thank you."

He allowed me to keep my name. Thank you many times Luffy.

"I'm sorry I can't protect you anymore captain. I will miss doing that."

Nami is scrubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I will miss you Rose."

Even Robin has some tears in her eyes.

"Yeah, you were like another sister to us."

Usopp and Chopper were hugging each other sobbing.

"Don't go Rose. Play more tag with us."

"Yeah, and help me with my medicine."

Sanji spun around, tears flying dramatically.

"Oh Rose-swan, you can't leave this world. I would die."

I shake my head. Zoro murmured.

"Who will I train with?"

Brook played a chord on his violin.

"And sing beautifully with me Rose-san."

Franky is weeping uncontrollably.

"Rose-sis, please don't go."

Luffy sniffled, big crocodile tears sliding down his cheeks and I can tell he is about to start sobbing.

"Rose, you..."

I swallow the burning in my eyes barely as I smile kindly.

"I believe in you all. You just have to have adventures without me. You will be fine, I promise. I will always be watching you all succeed. Please don't cry."

Don't because then I won't be able to help crying myself. Three minutes. I have a little time left. I lean down, patting the deck.

"Thank you Sunny. Take care of them."

I stand, drawing my weapon. Something that had been at my side since I joined. I held it once more, memorizing its feel and weight, before tossing it to Zoro.

"Here, a keepsake. Keep it in the crows nest again."

Zoro nods, keeping his head bowed, but I see the subtle trembling in his shoulders. Luffy scrubbed at his eyes.

"You won't forget us, right Rose?"

I laughed.

"Forget you? Are you joking? I would never."

I need to fix this. I don't want them to be crippled because of my departure. I didn't want to cause such a mess. I take a deep breath. Yes, that would be perfect.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho."

Everyone freezes, staring at me. I glance at Brook, smiling while singing, hoping he gets the message. He does, raising his violin and started playing the actual music. With a reference, my previous wobbly pitch focused on the correct key and tones.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Umikaze kimakase namimakase
Shio no mukou de, yuuhi mo sawagu
Sora nya wa wo kaku, tori no uta.

Sayonara minato, Tsumugi no sato yo
DON to icchou utao, funade no uta
Kinpa-ginpa mo shibuki ni kaete
Oretacha yuku zo, umi no kagiri."

No one joins in, but I feel someone grab me from behind in a sweeping hug, followed quickly by everyone. Everyone is still crying, I felt their tears drench me, but I kept singing, hoping to give them some sort of solace before I leave. I sing as beautiful as I could, more beautiful then I have ever sang before.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Warera kaizoku, umi watteku
Nami wo makura ni, negura wa fune yo
Ho ni hata ni ketateru wa dokuro

Arashi ga kita zo, senri no sora ni
Nami ga odoru yo, DORAMU narase
Okubyoukaze ni fukarerya saigo
Asu no asahi ga nai ja nashi"

Oh man, this is much harder then I thought. Franky is grabbing everyone, Luffy is hugging me from the front, Zoro by my back. Brook has stopped playing violin, one hand resting on the top of my head. Robin and Nami take my arms, while Chopper is hugging my leg. Usopp is grabbing my hands with Sanji, who is calmly but tearfully smoking a cigarette. Just like the second time I left, they surround me with love and affection. I bite back a sob. No, you are supposed to be cheering them up.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,

Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Kyou ka asu ka to yoi no yume
Te wo furu kage ni, mou aenai yo
Nani wo kuyokuyo, asu mo tsukuyo

Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
DON to icchou utao, unaba no uta
Douse dare demo itsuka wa hone yo
Hatenashi, atenashi, waraibanashi"

Oh man, I can't keep it together. I just can't. I am literally getting my feels punched, trampled, and killed right now. I finally allow tears leak out of my eyes as I bow my head into Luffy's shoulder, whispering.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho."

I finish and it is absolutely silent on the ship, in grief and parting. I felt the grips on me grab me tighter, holding on. Thirty seconds. Say what I have to say before I leave. One more.

"Thank you."

I felt many around me stiffen.

"Thank you for allowing me to join your crew, to train with you, fight with you, protect you, laugh with you, cry with you. Thank you for allowing me to travel at your sides in your adventures and quests to accomplishing your dreams."

Because in the end, that's what it is. I am an alien in this world, and have been given four chances that other One Piece fans could only write about. I was thanking the crew, but also the force for bringing me here.

I look up, focusing on the different touches.

Sunny, who has done nothing but carry us my entire journey. How I used her for training, tag, and lived on her, my home away from home.

Brook. I will miss his skull jokes and puns, and his playing to get me to sleep on hard to sleep nights. I will miss composing and singing with him.

Franky, I will miss bothering him working and taking cola breaks with him. I will miss his bombastic ways and weapons.

Robin. I will miss her big sisterly ways, and her history lessons. I will miss her being a teacher, a guide, and mentor.

Chopper. I will miss the loving little doctor, helping him bandage and make medicine, and laughing while dismissing his orders.

As I think, I quickly feel the tears shed of their own accord. Oh gosh no, please hold it together. Twenty seconds. keep it together until then.

Sanji. I will miss his overly romantic ways, and his protection of my food against Luffy's wondering hands. I will miss him giving me the best food, allowing me to help cook in his kitchen.

Usopp. I will miss the shooting games, the games of tag he helped play with me, the seakings we caught together. Definitely miss that.

Nami. I will miss her tangerines, her niceness despite her prickly demenor, and how we connected and had deep girly talks. She was my Bff on the crew, girlwise anyway. I will miss our nightmares, our comfort, our fun.

No, I can't. Ten seconds.

Zoro. I will miss our training sessions, our naps together. I will miss his silent encouragement, his help when I need it, his few but much needed words. I will miss his completion to me in fights as he is my rock, his undying devotion to protecting me at any lengths. I will miss the swordsman deeply my heart aches.

Luffy. I will miss my rambunctious captain. I will miss our deal of him eating meat and me vegetables. I will miss our talks of the small times he was insecure. I will miss him swinging from the masts, playing tag, being simply Luffy. I will miss his fights, his haki, his rubber, everything about him. I will miss protecting him.

I feel myself dissolve and sink into the embrace of my friends.

"Thank you."

That did it. Luffy started sobbing.

"Baka, we are supposed to be thanking you."

I shake my head, wiping my tears. The last face they see of me will not be of pain and sadness, but of joy. That's how I want to be remembered. So I smile as wide as I can.

"Take care, my dear nakama."

I focused on all of them for a split second, before they dissappeared and I was back in the comforts of my own bedroom, at eleven o'clock.

I promptly turned over, my mind trying to pull back the One Piece world, but it was too late. It was gone forever.

I curled into a miserable ball, and didn't move for hours. I shed tears, I reminisced, I laughed. I remembered my nakama. I will always remember them.

Now time to stop moping. I am a Strawhat after all. I stand, walking over and draggin my hand over the framed note, the one I kept from a little over a year now, of when I first went to that world.

I clenched my fist. Luffy didn't kick me out of the crew. I am still a Strawhat, by name and therefore by practice. I have to carry all the qualities and lessons I learned there and bring it into my world.

I have to be brave here too.