SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 38 out, this is Chapter 39 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors, myself included, sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Ace/Sasha, familial Luffy/Sasha, patriotic Law/Sasha (Might end up as a Law/Sasha pairing later if I end up killing Ace at Marineford and if reviewers don't mind the age gap)

Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda Eiichirō-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC.

Chapter 39: Arc 4: Off to the Desert Kingdom!

"We're almost there." Nami informed Vivi who was looking out to sea as they neared the shore. "Don't go getting all excited. Though, I guess you can't help it."

"But are you really sure you have enough forces to stop the rebellion?" Sasha asked.

"We have what we have." Vivi replied. "But there's no guarantee that would bring about peace."

"So, that's what an Alabasta city looks like." Usopp noted, once they anchored by the shore.

"Listen, everyone." Nami instructed. "I'm going to say this once. I expect you all to be on your best behavior at all times."

"The guy you have to worry about the most already took off." Zoro pointed out.

"FOOD!" Luffy had already jumped off the ship and running towards town.

"Hey, hold it!" Nami hollered.

"Aniki, what do I do with you?" Sasha shook her head.

"Don't worry." Sanji assured, jumping off the ship. "Just go to the nosiest place you can find. That's where he'll be."

"He's right, you know." Usopp concurred.

"I wish he'd remember that he's got a bounty on his head." Nami muttered. "Especially in a country this big."

"Just let him be." Zoro climbed down the ship. "Let's just go eat. We'll think about stuff later."

"Every single on of them!" Nami fumed, Chopper following Zoro and jumped off the ship.

"Carue and I can't accompany you." Vivi stated.

"I see." Sasha nodded. "Too many people here will recognize you."

"She's right." Zoro agreed.

"Don't worry." Sanji beamed. "I'll pick up some food for you, Vivi-chan."

"What's the matter?" Vivi heard Carue's panicked squeak. "Mr. 3's ship!" she gasped, seeing where Carue's wing was pointed at.

"So, he's here." Sanji noted.

"That'll be trouble." Zoro remarked. "We'll be recognized."

"Don't worry." Usopp assured. "I've got a plan."

"Everyone, the coast is clear!" Usopp declared, removing the long cloak from his shoulders, the group having covered themselves with the large cloth as they made their way to hide behind a demolished wall in the city.

"We already took it off." Zoro retorted.

"Vivi-chan, you'll be safe from prying eyes here for the time being." Sanji told Vivi.

"Vivi?" Sasha blinked at the non-responsive princess." What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry." Vivi sighed. "I was just thinking... at least while I was looking at the city, everything still seemed to be fine. And though I cant truly be at ease, I think it can be saved."

"You're right." Nami agreed. "It seemed to be a peaceful city."

"Hey, Vivi." Zoro voiced. "You said you had forces to surpass the rebellion, right? What's the next step? What do we have to do? If we can still save them, we have to take action soon."

"Yes, that's true." Vivi replied. "But you only promised to take me as far as Alabasta and..."

"Enough!" Nami knocked her knuckle on Vivi's head. "I can't believe you're still thinking like that. We've sailed together all the way here; you think we're just gonna abandon you now?"

"Northwest of this city lies the Yuba Oasis." Vivi explained. "That is the rebels' base. I want to go there first and stop the rebellion. But to get to Yuba, we have to cross the desert. We have to arrange the necessary food and water here, but if Mr. 3 is in this city..."

"If that's all, it'll be fine." Sanji assured. "He's never seen my face."

"And there's someone else too." Zoro looked at Chopper.

"There'll be a lot to carry." Sanji informed Chopper. "I'm counting on you."

"Okay, got it." Chopper nodded.

"Oi, are you going to be okay?" Usopp asked.

"I'll be alright." Chopper replied. "I want to do what I can. If I'm in this form, I won't have any problems, right?" he inquired, swapping into his Walk Point form.

"What we need most are supplies." Vivi instructed. "And I'd like you to get some clothes as well. Clothes like the citizens wear, so we won't stand out."

"And some perfume." Nami cut in.

"I'm more worried about Chopper." Sasha mused.

"Why's that?" Usopp asked.

"He's a reindeer," Sasha replied. "And they don't do very well in this climate." she pointed to the cloudless sky.

"This is gorgeous." Nami gushed, the girls having changed into the dancer clothes Sanji bought. "I love stuff like this."

"About the errands we asked you to do, Sanji-san," Vivi stated. "Isn't this... a dance girl's?"

"Isn't it lovely?" Sanji went into love-stuck mode. "It looks great on you!"

"But I asked you for clothes like the citizens wear." Vivi reminded.

"Dancing girls are citizens too." Sanji beamed.

"But for walking in the desert..." Vivi pointed out. "It's no use talking to him." she sighed.

"I thought you'll already figured that out by now." Sasha remarked.

"Anyway, that means we've got all the stuff we need to get on with our original goal, right?" Usopp voiced.

"You said our next destination is Yuba, right?" Sasha asked.

"But to get there, we need to cross the desert." Vivi replied. "It may prove a more formidable journey than any of you can imagine. You can never be sure what will happen. One wrong step and nothing can guarantee your life out on that land of scorching heat. I still have worries about taking everyone through such a place, but I want to restore peace to this land. So I would like to make another request. Everyone, please lend me your strength."

"You finally said it." Nami stated.

"All of us have been waiting for that sentence." Sasha winked.

"Aren't we missing someone?" Usopp thought to ask.

"That stupid brother!" Sasha exclaimed.

SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.