"He looks like he's having fun," Robin mentioned as the three girls looked on. Luffy sat on a barrel, enjoying the ride as it slid back and forth across the deck of the Merry with each listing of the ship among the giant waves. Kia smiled in return.

"Luffy can find the fun in almost anything, can't he?" she asked. "He'd probably keep laughing even if the ship were to capsize."

"Tell me about it," Nami griped as she looked down at her wrist. "It's a good thing we weren't on that island for too long. At least it seems that the log pose is still pointing in the same direction as before."

"Well, I doubt Luffy will care either way, as long as we find adventure while we go," Kia replied.

"True enough," Robin agreed.

"Whoa, scary!" Luffy called, laughing as his barrel tipped precariously. "That's what I call a tidal wave! You guys should try this!"

"Forget it," Zoro replied, as he and Usopp held onto each side of the mast, concerned at its swaying. "We need to worry about the mast snapping before anything else."

"It can really break?!" Chopper squealed as he danced around frantically. "Then what's going to happen to US?!"

"Don't get so worked up," Sanji answered as he climbed up from below deck. "Even if the mast does end up breaking, it doesn't mean the ship will sink. And we've got a navigator, don't we? She's smart and cute enough to get us out of any storm."

Nami huffed at his words, but Kia could tell she was secretly pleased to know that her crew trusted her skills. Kia looked down over the landing, seeing Chopper looking up to Nami with a relieved smile.

"Well, looks like it's all up to you now, Nami," she said quietly.

"I've got this," Nami answered confidently, holding a pair of binoculars up to her eyes. "In fact…. yep!" she smiled as she lowered the binoculars and handed them to Kia. "Take a look for yourself. We're on our way out of this storm."

Kia looked in the same direction, seeing a break in the dark clouds in the distance. "How long until we get there?" she asked.

"It's not far, but it will still take an hour or so to get through these waves," Nami replied. She called down to the boys. "You guys hear that? We're almost through the storm, but we can't relax yet! At least another hour!"

"Aye aye!" they called back.

"What should we do, Miss Navigator?" Robin asked.

"Not much to do, just make sure they keep us on course," Nami answered. She glanced over toward Robin. "You could go in and dry off if you wanted."

"No, I think I'll stay here with the two of you," Robin replied nonchalantly, and Nami glanced at Kia in surprise. In turn, Kia gave Robin a grin. "I'd hate to feel like I wasn't doing my part," Robin added.

"No really, it's fine," Nami argued. "In fact, Kia, you go too. That way the shower will be free for me when we're out of this."

Kia smiled, but rolled her eyes at Nami. She knew Nami wasn't just being nice, she wanted some alone time with her thoughts. They had been bombarded with crazy weather since leaving Omatsuri island, and Nami was certainly wanting some space. "Okay, we're going," she said amicably. "Come on Robin," she said, giving the older girl a serious look.

"All right," Robin agreed, though she looked from Kia to Nami and back in concern. "We'll take your place once we're out of the rain," she told Nami.

"Sounds perfect," Nami replied, though she didn't turn.

Robin waited until they were walking into their room to ask. "What was that all about?" she wondered aloud.

Kia heaved a sigh as she began peeling off her wet layers of clothing. "Nami's been feeling a bit of cabin fever I guess," she answered. "I know you understand the need to be alone with yourself," she added.

Robin nodded immediately. "That is something I completely understand," she agreed. "You should let her know that she can just tell us when she wants some space, that it won't hurt our feelings."

Kia stopped and looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. "Me?" she asked. "Since it was your idea, you should tell her."

Robin frowned, as she moved to the closet to find dry clothes. "Our navigator trusts you Kiana," she said. "Much more than me."

"And that won't change if you keep yourself at a distance," Kia muttered. She looked up to see Robin frowning at her now. "You could start by using her name," she pointed out.

"Regardless," Robin continued, ignoring her words. "She'd probably take it better from you."

Kia sighed as she grabbed a towel to wrap around herself. "I don't mind speaking to her Robin," she said, not wanting to push too hard. "But friendships are double sided. You won't get trust without giving some."

"I know…"Robin murmured, looking melancholy.

"Hey, I know I'm pushing, but don't move faster than you're comfortable with," Kia said, wanting to be sure Robin understood where she was coming from. "As your friend, I'm just helping you to not move backwards." She gave Robin an easy smile, portraying her sincerity.

"Thank you," Robin said softly. She wasn't offended, she truly wanted to grow, and be more trusting. It was just so difficult to go against almost twenty years of experience that taught her differently. That experience told her that no matter how kind people were… there was always a point where it became too much trouble to keep her around. Always… she thought. No matter how many times I thought that this time would be different.

But, she couldn't help the small twinkle of hope that was blossoming in her heart whenever Kiana called her a friend. Several times she had almost responded in kind, but the words could never seem to move past her lips.

"Perhaps we should make some warm drinks for when the others come in from the rain," she said instead. Kiana turned to her again, giving a grin, and Robin thought that she may actually be the closest she had ever come to an actual friend, besides Saul. Kiana always seemed to be able to tell when she pushed herself out of her comfort zone, even when it may seem to be something trivial to others.

"Sanji will probably be sad if we actually make something, but we can boil some water for coffee and milk for cocoa," Kiana replied. "If we take too long in the shower, it may be all we have time for."

"Well, let's hurry then," Robin replied, moving out of the room, her towel wrapped around her, and her wet clothes in her hand. Kia followed suit. After so long with the crew, she was no longer shy about sharing the shower, especially since both of them kept it short. Most of the boys would rather not shower than have to pump more water, and Kiana wanted them to bathe more than she cared about her privacy.

She had gotten used to taking quick showers since Nami regularly hogged the hot water. And on the odd chance she had time to take a bath, Chopper would usually join her. She and Robin had come up with a routine, switching places under the water and out of it, taking turns washing and rinsing. And she did enjoy having someone scrub her back.

The pair hurried through a shower, then stoked the fire in the grate under the water tank, hoping to provide enough hot water for the rest of the crew, since their water had been barely lukewarm. Then they each spent a few minutes on the water pumps, replenishing the water supply and helping to warm themselves up with some light exercise.

Finally feeling warm and dry, they met in the kitchen and placed the collected drinking water from the storage barrel and some milk on the stove top to heat. The water had barely started boiling when Sanji came through the door in dry clothes, and damp hair.

"Ladies?" he asked, his eyes widening and then relaxing into a smile as he lit a cigarette. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you're thinking of the rest of us, Kia," he said as he put his hands in his pockets and moved to the stove to check on the water's temperature.

"Actually, it was Robin's idea," Kia said, forgiving him for getting the wrong idea. She had stood to check on the water herself a moment before, and Robin was still sitting at the table.

"Oh?" Sanji asked, turning with his heart in his eyes. "Why thank you Robin my dear!" he exclaimed with his hands clasped in front of him as he did a little wiggle. Kia covered her mouth with her hand as she snickered, her eyes meeting Robin's around Sanji's dancing form. Robin kept her cool, but Kia could see the corners of her mouth turn upwards.

"Well, it was easy to assume that everyone else would want something to warm them up after being out in that storm," Robin murmured, her chin in her hand as she watched the cook's antics.

"I'd be happy to take over for you!" Sanji stressed as he turned back to the stove. He looked at the other pot, seeing the larger amount of milk that was heating. "Good thinking on the cocoa as well," he praised the two of them.

"Thank you Mr. Cook," Robin said, as she went back to her book.

"I don't mind helping," Kia told Sanji, but he just shooed her away.

"You keep Robin company," he told her. "I could handle this blindfolded and with my hands tied behind my back."

"I'd like to see that sometime," Kia replied dryly, as Robin giggled. "So are we out of the storm then?" she asked.

"We were moments away from the sunshine when I came in," Sanji replied, stirring each pot with one hand, and testing the temperature with a drop on the back of his hand, deciding the milk needed just another minute to be perfect. He ladled some water into the coffee maker and set it under the heat, then getting out the teabags that Zoro, Usopp and Nami each preferred, as well as the chunk of chocolate to add for the cocoa.

"I had the same thought, to hurry and get my shower before the others, and start on making something to warm my ladies up," he added.

"Next time we'll take the shift on the deck," Kia declared, feeling guilty. "It isn't right that I didn't help."

"Now Kia, you know our Captain needs to work off his excess energy, otherwise we'd come inside to a huge mess," he told her almost in a scolding manner.

"Okay, but what about Zoro?" she pointed out.

"He has to keep Luffy from going overboard," he countered easily.

"And Usopp?" she asked skeptically.

"It helps him build character and get over his fears," Sanji replied, giving her a smile over his shoulder as he placed the boiling water into the cups with the tea bags. "And Chopper needs the experience," he said before she could ask.

"And you don't think we need those things?" she asked, pointing between herself and Robin.

"Of course not," Sanji beamed back at them. "You're perfect just as you are!"

"Pfft."

They all turned at the sound, watching as a sopping Usopp came in, followed by an equally drenched Zoro, Luffy and Chopper. "Perfect, my butt," Usopp muttered.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Sanji growled as he glared over at the offender.

"I said, I'm going to change!" Usopp changed his tune, moving much more quickly.

"Is that cocoa I smell?" Chopper asked hopefully.

"Cocoa?" Luffy exclaimed happily as he moved towards the stove. Sanji glowered, even as his foot came up to Luffy's chest, stopping him in his tracks.

"Yes, but it's only for people who shower and are dry," Sanji answered.

"Aw…" Luffy pouted in disappointment.

"Come on Luffy, it'll be over before you know it," Zoro said as he pulled his captain along.

"But I already got a shower from the ocean, so that should count!" Luffy argued as he was pulled through the door.

"Wait until you're in the bathroom to shake out your fur, Chopper," Kia called after them, hearing Chopper reply that he knew that already.

She turned back to the door, just as Nami came in. "Sunshine, just as I promised," she declared as she took off her rain coat, and hung it up on a peg. She gave Sanji a smile as he handed her a cup of tea, and she wrapped both hands around it before bringing it up to her face and giving it a sniff.

"Thanks Sanji," she replied as she breathed in the scent. "This will help me keep warm as I wait for the shower."

"I can go out and keep watch," Kia offered as she stood.

"Thanks Kia, that'd be great," Nami said as she handed the log pose over to her. "We're on course, and should be fine, but just in case."

"Here you go Kia," Sanji said as he handed her a mug of cocoa. "Robin my dear, your coffee is almost ready," he said as he went back to the stove.

"I'll join you soon then, Kiana," Robin said, and Kia nodded, then moved out the door.

Everything was still a little slick, but the sun was out , and the slight breeze was warm. Kia moved over to the side, leaning on the railing and tilting her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth.

She hadn't realized how long she stood like that, until she heard Robin behind her. "You'll make Mr. Cook sad if you don't drink that, you know."

Kia opened her eyes, and looked at her friend as she came up to lean on the railing next to her. "I was just lost in the sunshine," Kia said as she sipped her cocoa.

"Easy to do, especially after a storm," Robin replied.

"I'm still not quite used to it," Kia said as they continued to sip at their drinks. "Going from a spring climate, to a freezing storm, and now into what feels like spring again, but warmer- like it's becoming summer. It's so strange."

"The Grand Line is a strange place," Robin agreed. "We just deal with whatever we sail into."

"That's true," Kia agreed. "But I like the summer parts the best."

Robin smiled momentarily, then looked around quickly before moving closer to Kia.

"Will you tell me about what happened while we were at that last island?" she asked quietly.

"What do you mean?" Kia asked guarded.

Robin's eyebrow rose, but she decided to humor her. "Kiana, I know there are a lot of things that you don't share, and that's fine. I'm the last one to be complaining about being secretive. But, I know that you and that girl on the island were talking alone for quite awhile. I'm fairly certain she told you what they all witnessed that none of us could remember."

Kia stared out at the water, her mouth moving into a frown at the memory of Rosa telling her everything that had happened after they went to the resort- how a massive plant had eaten her and Chopper. She had decided not to tell anyone, especially since Luffy seemed to have either forgotten what had happened, or chosen to push it out of his mind. He had told everyone that it was over, and so it didn't matter.

Kia sighed, but she couldn't deny that if anyone could handle it, it was Robin. And she didn't need to worry about Robin sharing it with the others.

"I don't know all the details," Kia murmured, moving closer to Robin, not wanting to be overheard. They were shoulder to shoulder, leaning in towards each other. It almost made Kia feel better, knowing that she wasn't alone in the knowledge. "Basically, that little flower that the Baron had was actually a huge plant that was all over the island. It was able to recreate plant versions of the Baron's friends that had died, as long as he fed it the lives of others."

Robin seemed intrigued, as she took in the information, but more on a scientific level than anything. Kia continued. "Rosa said that the Baron caught each of us one by one and fed us to the plant. However, it wasn't an immediate thing, like being eaten by an animal, but more of being absorbed- slowly. Rosa's little sister could hear us all calling to Luffy, and told him so."

"He thought we were all dead, and it was pretty traumatic for him, which may be why he doesn't remember it- or he doesn't want to- but on hearing that we were still alive, he did everything he could to save us. In the end, he couldn't- and it was actually because of the help of those other two pirates on the island that the plant was destroyed. And without the Lily Carnation, the baron had no will left to fight."

"I had thought as much," Robin replied with a small smile. "Though the idea was a strange one, I couldn't think of how else there was so much vegetation on the island that seemed to be in the process of wilting. On top of that, I have been having flashes of plant people, and things that almost seemed like memories… but that I couldn't quite recall." She gave Kiana a sheepish smile. "It has been… disconcerting."

"To say the least," Kia agreed. "Hearing about it was bad enough, I don't think I'd like to remember it."

Robin looked out to the water again. "Thank you for telling me," she said. "I'm sure our next adventure won't be nearly as traumatic."

Kiana didn't smile and Robin wondered what she had said wrong, since getting a smile had been her intention. Instead Kia glared out at the water, and unbeknownst to her friend, she was thinking of all the horrific adventures that the straw hat crew had in their future.

"I hope you're right," Kia finally answered. "I don't think Luffy could take losing any of us again."

"Is that what I think it is?" Kia asked, as Zoro and Sanji hefted a large chest up onto the deck.

"If you think it is a treasure chest, then yes!" Nami squealed happily. "I can't believe we got so lucky!"

"I can't believe you think we need more treasure when the store room is practically bursting with the stuff from Skypeia," Kia replied.

"A half dozen bags in the corner does not make the room bursting," Nami rounded on her. "Besides, that's for fixing up the Merry, remember?"

"And what's this for then?" Kia grinned, knowing what the answer would be.

"The same, we need to make sure the Merry is one hundred percent," Nami declared. "And I'll keep whatever is left, of course."

"Naturally," Kia said dryly. They each turned to see that Usopp was fiddling with the lock on the chest, and Nami crouched down behind him. "I still can't believe that was just sitting in that wreck."

"Those pirates were probably caught in the same storm that we were," Robin deduced.

"Undoubtedly, though they most likely were hit by a cyclone to cause that damage to their ship." Nami turned to Usopp. "Do you need me to do that?" she asked sincerely.

"No, I've just about… got it!" he cried as the tumblers came free. "Are you guys ready to see what's inside?" he asked excitedly.

Kia looked around at each of the crew members as their excitement caused her own to grow. She turned back with expectant eyes as Usopp slowly- painfully slowly- lifted the lid.

Excitement changed to disappointment at not seeing anything shiny.

"What… is this?" Usopp asked as he reached for what looked like a bundle of cloth. He reared back with a scream as the bundle moved, and a face popped up from the trunk.

"H-Hello!" the tiny, old woman said with a large grin.

Usopp wasted no time, and spoke no words as he pushed the tiny lady back into the trunk, closing the lid. He tied a rope around it several times, and gestured to Luffy. The captain picked up the chest and walked to the railing, intent on throwing it back in the water.

"WAIT!" the muffled scream came from the chest.

The chest was placed back down, and Usopp reopened it, the woman's face popping back up in relief. "Oh thank you!" she murmured with a bow, before looking back up and seeing the flag waving in the breeze. "AH! MORE PIRATES!" she yelped.

The crew looked at her, not trusting the seeming innocence. Kiana stared, from her kimono, to her painted face, and finally her large beehive-esque hairstyle, she thought the woman very strange.

"Who are you?" she asked the smaller woman. She was perplexed, seeing a woman that was probably three times her age, yet as small as a child.

"I was on a journey," the woman said, the large smile never leaving her face. "And I was caught by pirates. I hid in the box, while the ship went through a storm."

"What happened to the treasure in the box?" Nami asked with a stony look.

"Oh that?" the woman said with a shrug. "I saw it disappear in the waves when I threw it out."

Kiana's eyes went wide as she looked at Nami, seeing that a few of the crew stepped closer in order to pull her back if necessary. Nami however, didn't attack- she merely turned and walked a few paces away, gesturing for the others to follow.

They all crouched down, getting to Chopper's level and spoke quietly. "Well? What should we do?" Nami asked.

"What CAN we do?" Sanji murmured.

"Maybe drop her off at the next island we come to?" Kia said.

"That would be the nice thing to do, but we're pirates, remember?" Usopp countered.

"What a pain," Zoro grumbled. "Just put her back in the chest, she was doing just fine before we picked her up."

"I made it a long way inside a barrel once," Luffy added happily.

"She does seem pretty tough," Robin mused.

"I thought she was an alien…" Chopper said, wanting to add to the conversation.

"HAVE MERCY!"

Chopper shook in fright, grabbing onto Zoro next to him.

"Don't kill me and throw me in the ocean!" the woman yelled as she jumped up and down just outside their circle.

"Huh?!" Chopper gasped. "What makes you say that?!"

"Oh, the games fate plays with me!" she moaned loudly. "I thought I was saved. Only to be slaughtered by another crew of pirates!"

"AH! No of course not!" Chopper yelled.

"It's no use," Nami told him, and he stopped and turned back to her in question. "She's in a place where she can't hear us."

"Probably from too much fear," Robin added with a giggle.

"Because of Zoro's face?" Usopp asked, studying the swordsman.

"Eh?!" Zoro turned, looking angry. "Why me?"

"OH! The treasure!" the old woman stopped and shouted.

"Yes?" Nami shouted, jumping up immediately, while everyone else just goggled at her extremely fast reaction.

"Let's make a deal, okay?" the woman asked. "If you spare my life, I'll let you have the treasure in return. That's a very good deal, so don't kill me… okay?"

She looked less and less confidant as Nami strode forward and looked down on her. "Tell me more," Nami demanded.

"Huh?" the woman asked, looking scared once more.

"This treasure that you… suddenly remembered. It sounds fishy to me." She put her hands on her hips and glared. "In fact, it sounds as if you just made it up."

"Could be," Sanji murmured, and Luffy nodded with a frown.

"Nami is being awfully calm about treasure," Chopper noted to Kia.

"Because she doesn't think there is one," Kia told him quietly.

"Oh…" he said in realization.

"Sanji…" Luffy spoke up. "Did you feed Nami something funny to make her act so strange?" he asked. Within seconds, Nami's foot was plowed into his face, and Luffy was rolling around the deck screaming.

Nami moved back over to the small woman and glowered again. "Just as you said, we ARE pirates. So you know what will happen if you try to trick us."

"What will happen?" Chopper whispered to Kia.

"Nami will tell Zoro to beat her up, but he won't do it," she whispered back.

"Oh… I guess that's not so bad," he giggled. Both of them went silent as Nami turned to glower at them.

"I don't think this is a trade anymore," Usopp stated, as the tiny woman looked up at Nami fearfully.

"See?" Zoro told him. "It wasn't ME she was afraid of."

"L-Look! I'm not lying!" the woman stuttered, jumping backwards away from Nami. "There is a treasure, the legendary treasure of my island. The Golden Crown!"

"Golden crown?" Nami asked, still skeptical.

"Yes! The legend says that it can only be worn by the king of the seas! I have never seen it myself, but it is a priceless treasure!"

The entire crew was standing now, looking at the woman with wide eyes. In the next moment, they all looked away, and muttered about how sketchy it sounded, even to them. All except for two.

"A crown that can only be worn by the king of the seas?" Chopper asked excitedly. "Amazing!"

"I like the sound of that!" Luffy smiled down at the reindeer. "Almost like the pirate king!"

"Yeah!" Chopper replied.

"It would be cool to see, don't you think?" Luffy asked.

"Luffy…." Nami warned.

"That would be cool!" Chopper replied.

"Okay then!" Luffy said, punching a hand up in the air. "You have a deal old lady!" he told the small woman. "We'll head to your island right away!"

"But Luffy," Sanji spoke up. "Nami isn't sure that there really is a treasure."

"Don't worry," Luffy grinned to him. "I'm certain there is!"

"But you don't have any proof," Sanji argued, angry that Luffy would just dismiss Nami's concerns.

"Captain's orders!" Luffy shouted, moving back to the main deck, so he could take his place on his special seat. "Now let's get going!"

"It's hard to believe that we're following this little turtle, instead of an eternal pose," Kia said to Nami as she held the strange little compass.

"At least Luffy and Chopper finally stopped trying to play with it," Nami replied, and Robin snickered.

"I've never seen anything like it," Robin said, as she continued to study the tiny animal inside the water-filled compass. "It must have some sort of tie to the island that makes it instinctively want to return."

"That makes some sort of sense at least," Nami agreed. "I can't believe Granny has this thing, and doesn't know anything about it." She looked down at the teensy turtle, and gave a reluctant smile. "It is really cute though."

The kitchen door opened behind them, and Sanji came out with a tray that held three drinks. "I'm sorry Nami, my dear, but did you just say you love me?" he asked.

"Nothing like that!" Nami yelled to him, though he seemed to be in his own world, not listening as he handed Robin her cup of coffee, and Kia just laughed.

"Here you go Kia my dear," Sanji handed her a cup of juice, and then moved over to give Nami her own. "Can I get you ladies anything else?" he asked with a bow.

"No thanks," Kia answered, taking a drink. "It's delicious, as usual though."

"Yes, wonderful as always, Mr. Cook," Robin replied with a smile.

"Anything for you, Robin my love!" Sanji cheered as he headed back into the kitchen. His ladies may not have wanted anything, but his captain would be hollering for food very soon.

Kia shared smiles with her friends, as Nami shook her head in exasperation at Sanji. "He'll never learn, will he?" she muttered.

"I think it's sweet," Robin replied, as she leaned forward on the railing with the other two.

"Yeah, but I can't help but feel it's going to get him into trouble someday," Nami said seriously.

"I wouldn't worry too much. I think he just likes to flirt," Kia murmured. "Besides, isn't he like this with pretty much every woman he meets?" she smirked.

"I guess so," Nami replied, looking to her friend with a smile. "Like I said… trouble."

Kia looked down, seeing Zoro sitting below them, cleaning and polishing his swords. "Looks like I don't have much time before my workout," she told them, finishing her juice and giving a stretch. "I'm going to go get changed."

Giving a goodbye, and taking her cup back into the kitchen, Kia then headed down to their room to change her clothes. Nami's words were echoing in her mind, and she began to wonder if there was something she could do about it.

After all…. Sanji helps everyone else… wouldn't it be a good thing if he were a little less girl crazy? she thought. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

She stopped suddenly, having a mental picture of a pretty three-eyed girl in a wedding dress pulling out a gun and shooting Sanji at point blank range. Kia's hand went to her chest, trying to calm her suddenly speeding heart. Who knew if that was actually going to happen? she thought wildly. It's not like anything is actually following the story now anyway…

But she couldn't get rid of the thoughts that now plagued her. Should she try to help? Or would that just take away from their natural ability to create friendships?

She opened the door to the storage room, and smiled, seeing Chopper mixing something for the old woman.

"Chopper, you didn't tell me we were making some medicine," Kia complained with a smile.

"It's nothing Kia," he replied, not looking up from his concoction. "You already know how to make this antibiotic, and I wanted to do it."

He looked up now, giving her a smile. "Plus, I figured Zoro would be wanting to work out soon."

"Well, I believe you are right about that," she answered, giving the top of his hat a rub as she walked by, peering down at what Usopp was working on next to him.

"What's this?" she asked, seeing he was tinkering with some metal tubes.

"I'm working," he replied, his goggles on as he fiddled with something. Kia crouched nearby, careful not to get in his way.

"Hmm," she thought as she peered at his set up. "I see," she said as she saw a small box next to him, that held his stash of dials. "You're upgrading Nami's climatact, aren't you?" she asked with a grin.

Usopp stopped, and turned toward her with his mouth slightly ajar. His hand came up to lift his right goggle up, and she could see his eyebrow was also up in question. "I'm surprised," he said as she preened.

"Well, the dials gave it away," she said as she stood.

"Oh, Kia," he called, stopping her. "I was thinking your escrima sticks could have dials too, if you wanted," he offered.

"What do you mean?" she asked, head tilting to the side. "What, like I can shoot flames out of the ends?"

"I guess technically, yeah," he said, scratching his neck in thought. "Or like an impact dial that can store the hits, and then make yours super powerful!"

"Wow! It can do that?!" Chopper squealed. He finished mixing and handed the medicine to the granny, who swallowed it all, and gave a grin.

"I thought you only had one impact dial," Kia said as she frowned at him.

"I do," he replied. "I wanted to get as many different ones as I could."

Kia thought of all the times Usopp used the impact dial already, and made an immediate decision. "I really appreciate it," she said, shaking her head. "But I'd rather not, I want to keep the sticks slim. Besides, you're getting really good at using the dials in a fight."

"Huh," Usopp replied, surprised by Kia yet again. "Well, if you change your mind, let me know," he said, getting back to work. "I wonder if I could put a dial in my slingshot to shoot farther…" he mused.

"C'mon Kia, put some muscle into it!" Zoro called.

"I'm trying!" Kia yelled back, giving it everything she had, trying to lift her body. Zoro had her hanging backwards over the railing, with her knees holding her from falling, and continuously lifting her upper body in what she had long before decided were sadistic crunches.

The first time, she hadn't been able to do a single one. Now, she was up to nine, and it seemed Zoro was determined for her to make it to ten.

"Trying isn't good enough!" Zoro called from below her. She tilted her head back all the way to look at him upside down, and gave him an angry expression. "Trying… can get you hurt, or even killed," he told her seriously, as he stepped closer. Her head was a few inches above his own as he stood with his arms crossed. "Stop thinking about trying and do it."

"Oh?" she answered hotly. "Like that's all there is to it." She just didn't have it in her to do another crunch, and was covering her failure by blaming him.

Zoro could see through her easily, so he did what he had to. He reached over and with slow and deliberate movements, he unsheathed his Kitetsu, and pointed it at Kia as her eyes went wide.

"W-what are you doing?!" she asked, trying to move away from the cursed blade.

"If it was life or death Kia, could you do it?" he asked, his voice soft and somewhat scary, and her eyes went wide. "If getting over that railing meant safety, and not being able to meant being cut… could- you- do- it."

Kia had no doubt that Zoro was serious- he never bluffed with her- but he wouldn't actually hurt her- he would try to simply give her a scratch. The real problem, was that sword of his. It wanted blood- it always wanted blood- and it wouldn't be satisfied with a scratch. Zoro could control it, yes… but what would happen to her in the struggle?

Kia hung there, and realizing not only the graveness of Zoro's voice, but the experience that gave the words their gravity, she looked back up to where her legs were hanging. She shut her eyes for a moment, then opening them again, she exhaled, preparing herself.

"Not trying…" she murmured. "HAVE to. Life or death." She chanted the words under her breath as she focused on her core muscles. Then she inhaled deeply, and pushed it out, tightening her muscles and moving upward.

She trembled, Zoro could see it. But… she was going. He gave a small smirk as his pride flared inside his chest. And he decided he could help her dig even deeper and find the reserves that he knew she had. "Should I call someone over to come save you?" he sneered, knowing that would sting her own pride. "That's usually what happens, right Kia?"

His grin blossomed on his face as she grit her teeth, breathing in and out evenly. She didn't bother to answer him, just continued to bring herself up. As she reached the top of the crunch, she whipped out her arm to catch the railing before she could fall, rolling herself over the top of it and crashing onto the upper deck.

"Huh?!" Luffy woke at the sudden noise, looking around sleepily.

Zoro ignored him, battling back the desire of his sword in order to sheath it once again. He strode quickly up the stairs and over to Kia, seeing her holding her stomach as she panted.

"Stretch it out Kia, you don't want a cramp," he admonished, chuckling at the evil stare she gave him.

"I hate you," she muttered.

"I knew you would," he said, letting his pride come through as he held her feet so she could stretch her arms overhead. She eyed him once again, having noted that he said he knew she would, not he knew she could.

"Yeah, once you said that part about being rescued, I knew I would too," she said, reaching out with her hands in a gesture of forgiveness. He smirked as he stood, grabbing her hands and pulling her to her feet. He kept a hand on her shoulder to keep her steady while the blood came back down from her head.

"You took too long though," he said, and she groaned. "But-" he gave her a nod- "you used all you had. Practice using that every time, so you don't have to focus so hard… it will come naturally."

She gave him a determined look. "You're damn right I will," she replied.

"Good."

He gave her a sadistic smile, and she knew she was back to hating him. "Grab your sticks."

"Captain!"

Robin crossed her arms, and caused several extra arms to blossom around Luffy, lifting him up into a sitting position. She had been on watch, but she spent most of the time ensuring that the captain didn't fall off the figurehead into the water.

She gave a smile as he smacked his lips a few times and looked around blearily.

"What is it?" he slurred.

She hadn't heard him, but could guess what he was saying. Unsure if he would hear her either, she used one of the spare hands to grab his face and point it in the right direction. Once he focused he would be able to see the-

"ISLAND! WOO-HOO!" Luffy shouted in delight, interrupting her thoughts.

Robin let go of him, now that he was fully awake and shouting to the rest of the crew to come and see. She looked down from the crows nest, seeing Kiana give him a nod, but refusing to stop her training swings until she finished.

The others slowly but surely gathered on the deck, and she could see the smiles and excitement that they all shared. It wasn't just the captain that enjoyed their adventures, she was certain now. She closed the book that she hadn't truly been reading, and made her way down the mast's ladder.

Luffy's excitement was contagious, and as they neared the small but green island, everyone's mood turned happy. Even the small old woman looked thrilled as Nami handed her back her special compass.

"I take it we found the right place?" Nami asked her.

"Yes," the woman replied. "That's my home! Thank you so much!"