Coco: And this is the last chapter of this update for today, my friends. I hope you have liked them all so far and that you're ready for more!


Wren grit her teeth as she felt herself being swallowed up by the snow. This wasn't good. At this rate she was going to be buried underneath it.

"Wren, hold onto me!" Sanji said as he wrapped his arms around her.

Wren gripped Sanji in return while not believing her luck. She should have never agreed to sail with these pirates. Not that it mattered now. All she could worry about was trying to survive. She flinched as she felt her wounds protest underneath the crushing weight of the snow.

"Sanji, Wren!" The halfling heard Luffy shout.

Suddenly she felt herself and Sanji being jerked out of the snow and pulled up into the air. Her eyes widened in surprise as she and Sanji were pulled onto a tree by Luffy.

"Thanks for that, Luffy." Sanji said as they went skidding down the mountain thanks to the avalanche.

"Yeah, sure," Luffy replied. "But what now? Even if we don't sink in the snow, we're just going to keep flying down this mountain if we don't do something about it!"

Wren frowned at that because she didn't feel like trekking back up the mountain. Besides, even if Nami was in the hands of a doctor, they needed to be there for her.

"No way," Sanji said. "I'm not going to let that happen. Not after everything we've done to get Nami to that witch! Luffy, you've got to come up with a way to stop all this right now! It's all because of those damn bunnies! Next time I see them I'm going to turn them into a big bowl of stew."

"Well, I believe you're about to get your chance." Wren said.

She pointed to the side where one of those Lapahns had their own log and was skating down the mountain beside them. It wasn't the only one though as Wren sensed its friends getting closer as well.

"Oh, rabbit stew? That sounds good." Luffy said.

Wren frowned because now wasn't the time to be thinking of eating. Besides, while they have caused a lot of trouble, Wren would never want to eat one of these Lapahns. Said Lapahns began attacking the three, and Luffy shouted as he tried to dodge while also maintain control over their log.

"What do we do?!" Luffy asked.

"The only thing we can do at the moment!" Sanji said. "Slide faster!"

Wren just wanted this all to be over. She couldn't believe her rotten luck at all. She was a former member of Doflamingo's commanders, and now look at her…running for her life because of some snow and extra-large rabbits.

"What is their problem?!" Sanji shouted as they barely managed to escape the Lapahns' claws once more. "Seriously?!"

Sanji then gasped when seeing the small cliff in front of them that had some broken, jagged stumps on it. Wren saw it too and knew things were about to get a lot worse for them.

"Luffy, look out!" Sanji warned.

"Ahhh, a rock!" Luffy exclaimed. "We're gonna crash!"

Wren bit her lip. If she didn't think of something and fast, they were going to die for sure. Well, these pirates were. While she definitely wouldn't be walking away unscathed, her body was stronger than the average human, so she knew she'd live at least. However, her companions…Wren sighed. She couldn't believe she was even thinking about it, but she needed to try and save them.

'These humans have been nothing but trouble.' Wren thought to herself. 'Hardly worth the headache, but…I cannot just let them die.'

Letting a breath out through her nose, Wren grabbed the two boys and tossed them up into the air. Both men gasped with their eyes widening as they looked down at Wren.

"Wren!" They both shouted.

Wren gave them what she hoped was a reassuring look as the log she was riding got closer to the rock.

"My body is stronger than yours," Wren called out to them. "Which is why I had to do it…to save you weak humans."

"No, Wren!" Luffy shouted.

He watched in horror as the log crashed into the rock, which sent Wren crashing into the snow. Sanji shouted for the woman as he and Luffy watched her be taken away by the snow. Luffy managed to grab a hold of one of the logs on the cliff to save himself, and just as he was about to reach for Sanji the blonde dived into the snow after Wren.

"Sanji, not you too!" Luffy cried out. "You and Wren can't just do stuff like that!"

Of course, he received no reply as he had to watch his friends be swept away. Wren gasped as Sanji managed to grab her and pull her into his arms.

"Wha—What are you doing?!" She demanded as she was starting to feel herself lose consciousness.

She then gasped as she felt her reopened wounds ache terribly. Sanji tightened his arms around her.

"I wanted to save you, Wren-chan." Sanji said. "Sorry…I guess I couldn't manage it."

Wren looked at him with wide eyes not understanding at all why he would risk himself for her. She wasn't human. He didn't owe her anything. Wren stared up at Sanji trying to understand, but she couldn't dwell on it long as she felt herself fall into darkness.


Wren blinked as she sat next to Doflamingo on the railing outside their base. Down below was a boy, who had grenades wrapped around his body, and he was currently fighting against Diamante with Trebol supervising. Apparently, he wished to join the crew.

"Don't kill him, Diamante." Doflamingo told the man. "This is just a trial before we take him into our family as an apprentice."

The boy cursed at Diamante as he once again failed to get the upper hand on the older man. Wren tilted her head wondering why the boy wanted to join them so badly.

"I know, Doffy." Diamante assured their captain.

He then easily parried against the boy's next attack, but the boy didn't pause for a moment as he went back in to attack.

"If I beat him, will you make me a commander?" The boy asked.

It was silent for a moment, but soon Diamante and Trebol were laughing at the ridiculousness of the boy's question. Baby 5 and Buffalo, who were also watching, were cackling away along with them. Doflamingo was even chuckling as well, which seemed to anger the boy. Wren only shook her head wondering how the boy even thought he could beat Diamante in the first place.

"Are you serious?" Diamante asked the boy.

"Stop laughing!" The boy snapped as he went in for another attack. "I'm serious!"

Diamante swat him back once more, which only increased his and Trebol's amusement. Wren had to wonder when they'd stop playing with the boy. He obviously wasn't going to win, so she didn't understand why they continued.

"You can't kill a person with spirit alone." Diamante mocked the boy.

The boy only frowned as he picked himself up off the ground once more to hold his sword out in front of him.

"I told you, I have explosives!" The boy retorted. "I'm going to die soon anyway, so I'm not afraid of anything!"

His words seemed to annoy Diamante who lost his grin all together. A clear sign he was done playing with the boy. He swiftly ended the match with the boy falling right into the scrap heap behind him. As Baby 5 and Buffalo laughed at his defeat, Wren sighed.

"Who is he, Doffy-sama?" Wren asked as Doflamingo stood up from the railing.

Doflamingo turned to the little girl who was the youngest in the crew at the moment at the tender age of five.

"I believe he said his name was Law." Doflamingo said as he helped the girl down from the railing. "Does he interest you, Wren?"

Wren blinked looking back at the boy—Law—as he was picking himself off of the ground.

"I…don't know…" She said.

She then followed after Doflamingo as the tall blonde was heading back inside their base. Law being long forgotten. He probably wouldn't be joining them anyway, so she saw no reason to spend too much time thinking about him.

Wren gasped with her eyes snapping open. She sat there a moment to calm her rapidly beating heart. After she finally calmed down a bit, she sat up slowly seeing she was in an unfamiliar room.

'Where am I?' Wren wondered. 'The castle?'

She didn't see Luffy or the others, but when she closed her eyes and focused, she could sense them…along with two others. Most likely the doctor and her furry companion. Wren then looked down at herself seeing she was wrapped in bandages. Ones that seemed to be freshly put on. Her wounds must have all opened, which was a pain. It meant she would have to take longer to heal. Not something she wanted when she was heading to face someone like Crocodile. But she was alive, so she supposed she should be grateful.

She then pushed the covers off of her completely as she turned to the side of the bed. She set her bare feet onto the cold stone floor, which had her shivering. She found her boots set to the side, so she grabbed them to put on her bare feet. She got up out of the bed though wobbled for a moment when a small wave of dizziness hit her.

It passed quickly though. She let out a sigh then saw that a simple black, long-sleeved shirt was laid out for her. She grabbed it to quickly put on since she was freezing. As she was putting on the shirt, she heard a lot of racket happening outside her door.

"Why is someone screaming?" Wren wondered.

She went over to the door, and when she opened it, the furry creature from before went rushing by with Luffy and Sanji running after him. Though both boys came to a screeching halt when seeing Wren.

"Wren!" They both exclaimed as they hurried back to her.

Sanji grabbed her hands to hold with his own as he and Luffy both gave her big smiles.

"You're up." Sanji said. "Thank goodness."

"Wren, why didn't you tell us you were hurt before?" Luffy asked actually looking stern. "The scary doctor lady said you seemed like you went through a fight a couple of days ago and all your injuries were reopened because of the avalanche!"

Wren sighed supposing she hadn't mentioned her injuries to the others. Honestly, she hadn't thought it important. Still doesn't either.

"They aren't that bad." Wren said with a shrug. "Besides, that fight is in the past. Nothing to worry about."

Luffy frowned crossing his arms over his chest. Though he seemed to forget all about the conversation when he spotted the reindeer trying to sneak by.

"Come here, meat!" Luffy shouted causing the little guy to scream.

Luffy took off after the reindeer who continued to scream his little heart out. Wren frowned wondering why Luffy had to chase the poor little guy. She then looked back to Sanji who squeezed her hands.

"Are you sure you're okay, my darling?" He asked looking concerned.

"Yes, of course," Wren said nodding. "I'm not human. Not completely anyway. Meaning my body is more durable. That is something you should keep in mind for the future, Sanji. There's no need to put yourself at risk for me."

Sanji shook his head as he stared down into Wren's face. Said woman blinked curiously as she saw the guilt in his gaze.

"I would never forgive myself if I allowed anything to happen to someone as lovely as you," Sanji said. "I told you, Wren-chan, I would be your knight in shining armor."

Wren frowned as she removed her hands from Sanji's grasp. She didn't understand this human at all. She wasn't used to humans putting themselves at risk for someone like her. Besides, her father, Law, Corazon, and a certain annoying flame-brain, no human has ever showed her such kindness. Those these pirates—especially the one in front of her—seemed to be exceptions.

"I will keep that in mind." Wren said. "However, I would prefer you not bother yourself."

Sanji frowned as he wondered why Wren kept him and the others at arm's length. Whenever they seemed to get too close or try to help her, she seemed to push them back. Sanji opened his mouth to speak, but when Luffy ran by with that reindeer still ahead of him thus causing a distraction, Wren slipped away. She didn't stop walking even when Kureha, who was oddly wielding many weapons, ran by and shouted for Luffy and Sanji to leave Chopper alone. Chopper must be the little reindeer.

"They're too loud." Wren said with a sigh as she heard Sanji and Luffy screaming now.

They were probably running from Kureha now. Maybe they would learn their lesson not to attack poor, defenseless animals. As Wren walked around, she soon found the room that Nami was in.

"Nami, you're awake." Wren said as she stepped into the room.

She shut the door, which had been left open behind her. Nami smiled at the older girl as Wren walked over to sit at the end of Nami's bed.

"Yeah." Nami said. "Thanks so much for getting me here and looking after me."

"It was nothing," Wren said as she crossed one leg over the other.

Nami smiled even wider in reply with a comfortable silence falling between the two women. It was nice compared to the loudness happening outside the room. Though soon the silence was broken when the door opened and Chopper walked in. He looked at the two women cautiously as he shut the door behind him.

"Hello," Wren greeted with a small smile. "Chopper, isn't it?"

Chopper eyed Wren distrustfully though gave a nod of confirmation to her question.

"…How are you feeling?" Chopper asked both women as he stepped slightly closer.

"I feel a bit of soreness," Wren replied. "But besides that, I feel alright."

Chopper nodded his head before looking to Nami who was still wrapped up in her blankets.

"Perfectly okay," Nami said. "I don't even think I have a fever anymore."

"Docterine's medicine works quickly to reduce the fever." Chopper said. "But the bacteria from the kestia will still remain inside your body for a little while longer, so just take your antibiotic shot and stay in bed."

He said this all sternly, and based on how he spoke, Wren had a feeling Chopper might know a thing or two about medicine himself.

"Thank you," Nami said getting Chopper to look at her curiously. "You're the one who's been taking care of us, aren't you?"

Nami gave Chopper a friendly smile, which seemed to surprise the little reindeer. However, he soon frowned.

"You just shut up! I don't need thanks from you or any lowlife human!" Chopper snapped.

Wren shifted at his words as she stared at him. So, it would seem as if he had a bit of a problem with humans as well.

"Hahehe~" His tune suddenly changed as he laughed. "Don't mock me! Oh, never mind that! I'm just being silly. No, seriously, I'm being such a fool."

Wren and Nami exchanged a glance as Chopper, who seemed happy with the gratitude, did a little dance.

"He's not so good at hiding his emotions." Nami whispered to Wren.

"Clearly," Wren said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Chopper soon got over his little moment as he slowly started creeping towards Nami and Wren. He seemed curious about them even if unsure about being near them.

"Is it true that you guys are pirates?" Chopper asked as he raised his hoof over Nami's hand looking as if he might poke her.

"Yes," Nami replied.

Chopper hummed in reply as he poked Nami's hands a couple of times as if she was some kind of rare creature.

"Really real pirates?" Chopper pressed.

"Real pirates," Nami confirmed.

"So, you guys have a flag with a skull on it?" Chopper inquired.

"Yeah, it's on our ship." Nami said. "So, you're really interested in pirates, huh?"

Chopper gave a scream at her question that had Wren and Nami blinking in confusion.

"No!" Chopper denied as he rapidly backed up.

He hit the bookcase behind him, which caused several of the books to fall out and land on him.

"Not at all, you idiot!" Chopper shouted despite being pegged by books. "Shut up!"

Nami gave an unsure chuckle as she pushed her covers back, so to sit crisscross on her bed.

"Alright, alright, I get it." Nami said. "Now, calm down. But…one more thing, do you want to come with us?"

Her question caused Chopper to gasp in shock as he looked at her in disbelief. Wren blinked as she hadn't been expecting that.

"You could come sail with us out on the ocean." Nami continued. "If you did that would really help me out a lot. If we had a doctor on the ship, I wouldn't have to stay here three more days, right?"

Wren hummed as she started to understand the gist of the situation. Dr. Kureha must have prescribed bedrest for Nami, but considering they didn't have the time, Nami was trying to find a way to get out of here faster.

"I think you would have a really good time if you came," Nami finished.

"No!" Chopper snapped. "That's crazy! You realize I'm a reindeer?! I don't belong on a ship with a bunch of humans!"

Nami's eyes widened in shock at Chopper's words. Wren, however, could understand. It would seem she might have some things in common with this reindeer. He obviously didn't trust humans much either.

"I mean…just look at me," Chopper continued. "I'm a reindeer, but I walk on two legs and talk and everything. Animals aren't supposed to be able to do that stuff."

"That only means you are special, Chopper." Wren said.

Besides, it wasn't like he was the only animal who walked on two legs and could talk like a human. He would actually fit in very well with the Mink Tribe.

"She's right," Nami said. "And if you're trying to scare us off, it's not working."

Chopper didn't seem fully convinced as he remained leaned up against the bookcase.

"But I have a blue nose…" Chopper said.

Wren looked at Chopper sympathetically. He's obviously had it rough going up due to being different. Something she could understand completely.

"There you are, meat!" Luffy exclaimed as he and Sanji skidded into the room.

"Come here, deer!" Both of them shouted causing Chopper to scream and take off running. "Come back!"

Soon all three of them were gone, and they even left the door wide open…again. Wren sighed giving a wave of her hand. Nami watched in awe as a small gust of wind shut the door with a thud.

"Really you would think they were raised in a barn." Wren said shaking her head.

"They probably were." Nami said with a chuckle.

The two girls then turned towards Dr. Kureha as the woman gave a sigh and took a seat at the small table in the room.

"Those brats sure can run, can't they?" She commented. "I don't like much what you were doing there, Red. Trying to tempt my reindeer away from me without my permission."

Nami, who covered herself back up, chuckled at Kureha's words as a smile pulled across her face.

"What?" Nami asked. "I need your permission to make a move on a man all of a sudden?"

As Kureha cackled at Nami's question, Wren felt her lips turn up into a small amused smile.

"No, I suppose you don't." Kureha said. "If you want to take him away from here, go ahead. But I must warn you that it won't be as easy as you think. Chopper has a scar on his heart. A deep one my medicine can't cure. From the moment he was born, everyone—including his parents—turned their backs on him."

Nami stiffened at that information as Wren just sighed. She could understand that. At least a little bit. At least she had her parents when she was young and a few others, but still she understood how it felt to have most of the world shun you or ridicule you.

"All because he was born with a blue nose…he was forced to walk at the back of the group; separated from the rest of the reindeer even though he was a helpless newborn." Kureha explained. "Then one day he ate a devil fruit, and he became even more of an outcast than he had been before. The other reindeer pressured him to leave the herd. His blue nose already made him different, but now he wasn't like the ordinary reindeer at all. Still, he was lonely and wanted friends, so he went down to a village walking on two legs as humans do."

Wren, who could guess where this story was going, frowned as she moved back farther onto Nami's bed to get comfortable.

"But even walking on two legs, he didn't look anything like the humans." Kureha continued. "And for some reason his nose was still blue as well."

"Let me guess," Wren cut in. "Chopper wasn't welcomed with open arms. In fact, I would say guns were involved."

Nami's eyes widened not wanting to think that was true, but then Kureha nodded her head in confirmation to Wren's presumption.

"He didn't know what was wrong." Kureha said. "He couldn't understand why they reacted to his appearance with so much fear and anger. He had gone to the village seeking friends, but they called him a monster and drove him away. He was no longer a reindeer, but he wasn't a human either. He was something in between, and so he lived alone after that. Caught between two worlds that wouldn't accept him. Now that you've heard his story, do you think you can heal the scar on his heart?"

Nami looked down at her lap while feeling sympathy for Chopper. No wonder he seemed wary of her and her crewmates. She probably wouldn't trust humans either if she was him.

"Humans tend to fear what they don't understand," Wren said as she looked up at the ceiling. "And when they fear things, they typically react violently. It's just how they are. Then those who don't react in such a way…most of the time they find a way to exploit it. It's just how it's always been."

—FLASHBACK—

Wren whimpered curled closely to her mother as the two were huddled together in a cell with several other fae. Like her and her mother, many of them were wounded and malnourished. Wren couldn't even remember how long they've been locked away on this ship.

"Momma, I hungry," Wren whimpered as she looked up at her mom.

Aibell looked sadly down at her daughter as she pulled the small child closer to her side.

"I know, song bird." Aibell said. "Just please try to hold on a bit longer."

Wren nodded her head despite her growling stomach as she tried to make herself comfortable in her mother's embrace. However, she soon flinched as the door to the room they were in was slammed open. She looked up in fear as one of the men who abducted them came into the room. He had his whip in hand and he didn't seem to be in a good mood at all.

"You freaks behaving in here?!" He asked as he snapped his whip against the bars causing Wren cry.

Aibell tried to shush the frightened child, but Wren was too scared to quiet her noises.

"Hey, you, shut up!" The man said as he came into the cage. "You hear me?! A little half-banshee like you needs to remain silent!"

Wren tried to cover her mouth to muffle her sobs, but it wasn't enough as she soon felt the sting of the whip across her back. She cried out, which only received her another crack of the whip.

"Please, leave her alone!" Aibell begged. "Punish me instead! Please, don't hurt my daughter!"

Aibell then bit back a whimper when the whip soon hit her next. Both her and Wren received the whip several more times with the man laughing at their pain. As it continued for what felt like forever, Wren soon couldn't even muster a whimper.

'Why…why do the humans hate us?' She thought in despair as she curled up into a ball on the ground. 'What…did we do…?'

—END OF FLASHBACK—

Wren didn't understand back then what she or the other fae could have done to deserve that treatment. It wasn't until later that she understood she didn't do anything. Not really…her sin was just existing.


Coco: And there you go! That's a wrap for now~ I hope you had fun reading these chapters just as much I had writing them. Well, until next time, everyone~