Rated M for Violence, Language, Smoking, The Destruction Of Government Property, and Some Very Detailed Lemons!

I don't own One Piece! This world belongs to Eiichiro Oda and these amazing characters are his. My OC'S and this story, however, are my own! This is a work of fiction from me, any relevance to the real world or other works is purely coincidental.

Thank you for reading!

Alba

Sensation came back slowly as if Alba were being ripped free from death itself. First, she could feel warmth. It spread through her body and beckoned her forth. Then pain accompanied it, burning through her shoulder and tearing at her back. She tried to block out that sensation for a moment, but changed her mind, welcoming it instead. If there was pain, then perhaps she was alive?

Her eyes opened cautiously to find a soft bed under her chest and hands, cradling her broken body in the warmth she had felt. Alba was laying on her stomach, with her head propped to the side so she could breathe. She looked around the best she could in an attempt to place her surroundings. An unfamiliar desk and chair sat on the far side of the room covered in paperwork and various medicinal plants. Plain-looking walls surrounded her, wooden planks forming the patchwork of the room. It was such a contrast to the raw forest and boar skin panels of her hut that Alba instantly knew she wasn't home. To her relief, it wasn't another cage either. Her eyes continued to scan the room, soon landing on a large figure sitting down beside the bed with his back propped up against the wall. He slept soundly, his chest moving up and down in a slow rhythmic way. Three swords lay clutched in his hands and a mop of green hair topped his head. Alba shivered slightly, he radiated danger, she could sense it. Fear tickled the back of her mind; her gut told her that this wasn't someone to trifle with. And yet, something was alluring about him as well.

"You going to stare all day or can you talk?" The man's eyes opened, locking onto hers and making her heart race uncontrollably.

"H-hi," it was all she could push past her sore throat. Where was she? Who was this man? And where was…?

Alba quickly shoved herself upright, her body screaming in protest as she jumped up, barely finding her feet. "Oh no, Kira!" she screamed the name as memories flashed through her mind. Kira's face, covered in tears as a massive hand closed in around her throat. Her startled cry of alarm as she was yanked backward, away from Alba's grasp. The laugh echoing around Alba, dark and broken, sinister.

Alba stumbled forward, her balance off, and the swordsman quickly jumped to his feet gripping her shoulders.

"Slow down," he growled, his voice still gravelly from sleep, "you've been hurt."

"I don't care," Alba snapped, tears burning in her eyes, "I need to save her! Kira!"

"Stop!" The man shouted back and Alba froze. Though the tears kept flowing, a silent trickle meandering down her cheeks.

"I have to…" Alba took a shaky breath, "save her…"

Alba slumped back to sit on the bed, the man let her, his large hands leaving her tiny shoulders. She angrily wiped away the tears, frustrated at her weakness. Crying in front of this stranger. The man turned and twisted the bottoms of two lamps, giving the space an even brighter warm golden glow. Kira soaked in her surroundings, trying desperately to get her bearings. Blurry images came to mind, cold water and green hair.

"You're the one who grabbed me, aren't you?" Alba questioned, her hand reaching up to grip her throbbing head.

The man shrugged, his large shoulders rising and falling quickly.

Alba leaned down, executing the lowest bow she could without hurting herself.

"Thank you."

She dared to glance up and the man huffed, "don't mention it, I'm not a hero so don't treat me like one."

Alba raised her head, she didn't understand why he seemed so uncomfortable being thanked, "I'm Alba," she offered, "you?"

"You don't recognize me?" He questioned, not in mockery or pride but honest inquiry.

Alba shook her head.

"Roronoa Zoro," He said, sliding his three blades into position at his side.

"Listen Zoro," Alba started, before taking a slow deep breath, "do you think I could catch a ride to Compass Island?" She clenched her fist, feeling her fingernails dig into her palm, "there's something I need to do."

"That's not my call to make," He resounded, shaking his head.

Alba opened her mouth to protest when her stomach growled. She instantly felt heat hit her face and reached down placing her hand on her middle. When was the last time she'd eaten, honestly, she wasn't quite sure?

"Stay put, I'll wake the stupid cook," Zoro grinned before he disappeared through the only door. Alba glimpsed a darkened area beyond the barrier before the door shut behind him. What the hell was happening here? The sway of the room around her assured Alba that she was on a ship, but anything beyond that fact was a mystery. She gritted her teeth and scanned the room, if they refused to take her to Compass Island, she might have to take over the ship. Not that she wanted to hurt anyone, or face off against Zoro, she just had to save Kira. It didn't matter what the cost was.

Alba pulled herself up to her feet. She was still shaky and everything hurt, but she managed a few small steps up to a nearby desk. There she found several papers filled with medical notes, mostly detailed descriptions of medications and injuries.

A small black bag set beside the desk looked promising and Alba searched it, finding a tiny scalpel inside. It wasn't much but if she timed things right, it'd be enough. She lifted the large thin t-shirt that encompassed her body and stashed it in the bandages wound around her chest, facing the blade to her side so she wouldn't hurt herself accidentally.

"What's going on in here?" A new man's voice snapped as he kicked the door open. Blond hair and a swirly eyebrow entered Alba's startled gaze. The man's eyes widened as they landed on Alba. "So… you're up," he said, pausing to light a cigarette. Alba felt her own body tighten with fear, did he see her stash the scalpel? Was this the caption, would he help her?

Suddenly the man flung himself forward, his hands waving in the air as he danced around her, "what would you like for breakfast, my dear? Though nothing I cook could compare to your radiance."

Alba froze. If it weren't for the fact that she was relying on the desk to hold her upright, she'd have taken a wary step back.

"Wh- what?"

"Finally, I hear your voice, it sounds like a thousand angels singing from heaven," he continued.

Alba's stomach growled again and another wave of embarrassment hit her. The man stopped spinning, his one visible eye becoming slightly serious.

"How long has it been since you had something to eat?" he questioned, as Alba's hand made its way down to rest on her stomach. She didn't have an answer. "I'll make something light," he continued, "a nice balanced meal."

"Food is food," Zoro's voice sounded from the doorway, "just get to it curly brow."

"I don't take orders from you, broccoli head!" the chef snapped back, crossing his arms and glaring in Zoro's direction. He then stormed out of the room, muttering insults as he went.

"Do you need help walking?" Zoro asked.

"No," Alba huffed as she forced herself to her feet, even though she could feel them shaking. She attempted a firm step forward and stumbled.

"I asked for a reason idiot," Zoro hissed, gripping her arm and wrapping it around his shoulder, "we can feed you in here, get back in bed."

Alba sighed, "No, I want to sit and eat, I have a favor to ask your captain."

Zoro shook his head but he helped her walk out the door and into a lounge space, complete with a massive fish tank. A little further and they reached a large dining area with a wooden table and several chairs.

The chef stood in the nearby kitchen, his back to the table. Alba caught the scent of food and nearly whimpered in anticipation. Someone tall sat in the far chair, a newspaper in front of their face. And a woman with jet black hair was seated in another, a book in her hand. She glanced up, a small smile on her lips.

"Good morning," she offered, "how are you feeling?"

Zoro helped Alba slip into a chair and she glanced at the woman doing her best to keep a smile on her face despite a jolt of pain in her back, "I'm fit as a violin, thank you for all your help."

"You should thank the doctor not me," the woman smiled, "I'm Robin by the way."

"Alba."

"Excuse me miss," a deeper voice echoed, and Alba turned to find a skull to her right, "would you mind showing me your panties?"

"Ahhh," Alba shouted, nearly falling backward in her chair. Zoro gripped the seat just before it would have sent her slamming into the ground. Alba's body jarred with the impact and she winced in pain. Her eyes remained fixated on the skeletal face as fear shot through her for a moment. She'd heard stories of different people and beings beyond her island from her grandfather, but a living skeleton, that was new.

"Brook!" A new woman's voice shouted and the skeleton was sent flying into a nearby wall by someone's fist. His limbs remained bound to each other as he sprawled out on the floor, moaning in pain. Could skeletons even feel pain?

"Sorry about that," alady with short orange hair who had punched the skeleton turned and smiled before shaking Alba's hand.

"It's… umm," Alba started stammering, watching as the skeleton pulled himself back to standing, "alive?"

"I'm Nami," the woman continued, seeming unphased, "tell me, is there an award anywhere for your safe return?"

"Um?"

Suddenly a small form entered Alba's prefrail and she turned to find an unusual furry creature walking up to her. "What are you doing out of bed?" he asked before setting down the same doctor's bag that had been in the room she'd awoken in. Alba quickly assumed he'd gone there first, looking for her.

"Speak of the doctor," Robin offered, the smile still on her face.

"You're the doctor who treated me?" Alba questioned, as the tiny creature reached into the bag and pulled out a few medical devices, he then took her blood pressure before putting a stethoscope to her chest "but… you're so cute."

"Don't call me cute, it's not like I like it or anything," the tiny doctor grinned after checking her vitals, his cheeks turning a bright red as he danced back and forth.

"Bon appetite," the chef grinned nearby as he walked over before placing a bowl of soup in front of her. Alba could feel her mouth salivating as she leaned forward. It smelled amazing. "Eat slow," he warned, "it'll hurt if you don't."

Alba nodded, doing her best not to gobble down the soup in a single sip. Instead, she grabbed the spoon and filled it before bringing the broth to her lips, swallowing slowly. It was smooth, the flavor, unlike anything she'd ever eaten. It tasted like the sea itself as if all the treasures The Great Turtle had to offer were placed in a single bowl. Alba hummed in happiness; a grin plastered on her face.

"It's amazing, thank you."

"Bringing a smile to your face is all the thanks I need," he knelt down, offering Alba a single red rose, "I'm Sanji at your service."

"Hey, I'm hungry too," Zoro muttered, taking a seat beside Alba.

"You get what you get when you get it," Sanji snapped, jumping to his feet.

Alba sighed and took another sip of her soup. Her back still throbbed with every movement she made, but she didn't care. Alba just kept eating her food, grateful to have something in her stomach again. She wasn't sure who these people were, or why they'd saved her, but she wasn't about to complain. Regardless of how crazy these guys seemed, and the insanity of a living skeleton, they were welcoming and warm. Their antics faded into the background shouts and tussles between crewmates. It was then that Alba's thoughts wandered back to Compass Island, and to everyone she'd left there. To Kira. An image came to mind, one of her own family and friends. It morphed into one of her parent's faces covered in blood. Screams caressed her memories and Alba winced in fear for a moment. She had to get back, and soon. A cold finger caressed Alba's cheek and she glanced up, surprised to find Sanji standing there, a single tear balanced on the tip of his finger.

"It hurts me to see a woman cry," he sighed "tell me, what has your heart in so much pain?"

Alba opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. How could she possibly express her need to get back? To save Kira. Alba had to do this, she refused to watch anyone else die because of her.

"Guys," A large man stepped into the dining hall, his massive metal shoulders filling the doorway, "we have trouble."

"What's up Franky?" Nami spoke, already getting to her feet.

"You'll have to see this to believe it," he said, shaking his head.

"Stay here," Zoro offered Alba before standing.

Everyone else quickly followed suit, abandoning their bowls and racing to follow the metal man. Alba ignored Zoro's suggestion, finding her feet, they still shook and she had to half-stumble and hold onto the wall as she made her way from the dining room upward to what she hoped would be the deck. Thankfully she was correct. Gripping the doorway, she peered through the first rays of sunlight. Several people and the doctor stood by the railing, looking down at the ocean waves. Alba's gaze found the nearby sea where remnants of destruction were floating nearby. Large chunks of ships bobbing in the water around them.

"Any sign of survivors?" Nami asked, her eyes scanning the water.

"None," Franky replied, his voice sullen.

"What could have caused all this?" A new person in oversized overalls asked. His knees shook as he walked from one end of the deck to the other, his eyes scanning the destruction. Alba also stared, her heart slamming into her throat. What the hell was happening here? The odd destruction stretched out far from where they were, massive pieces of splintered wood floating in a straight line, off the starboard bow.

"Let's follow it," a cheerful voice sounded from the front of the ship where someone with a straw hat jumped off a massive wooden lion head and started for the group.

"Luffy, I'm pretty sure I'm coming down with a case of, 'don't follow the trail of death' disease," the man countered "this is far too dangerous," he continued, his knees shaking even more violently.

"I agree with Usopp," the small doctor concurred, his tiny body jumping up and gripping the railing so he could see the devastation better "we have a patient on board and everything."

"Do you think she's connected to this shipwreck?" the overall-wearing guy questioned.

"Shipwrecks," Robin corrected, "these are the remains of several ships. I wonder what dark unthinkable things happened to their crews."

Alba sighed, apparently, they hadn't realized that she was right there and they could just ask her themselves. She looked up at the crystal-clear sky, the cold was gone, the ice broken just as easily as everything else. Then Alba suddenly caught sight of a flag and realized that this unusual crew was flying the skull and crossbones. Just her luck, Alba thought, chuckling to herself at the irony, she was on a pirate ship.