Taking another look in the closet where she kept her belongings, Kia wondered again what Judith had in store for the day, and if she was forgetting anything. Going through her short list in her mind, she checked them off as she got ready to leave.

Dress warm, check. Canteen of water and food for lunch, check. Pelt blanket we made last month, check.

Kia wondered why she was bringing the ugly blanket. It was her first attempt at making one, and Judith had been extremely patient, but it still was not made well. She had definitely worked hard, and learned what not to do when making pelts into a warm winter blanket, and knew she would do much better on her next one.

Hearing a knock on the door, Kia stepped over to let Judith in.

"Now will you tell me what this is all about? she asked her friend with a smile. "The suspense is killing me!"

Judith smiled back. "I'm surprised you haven't figured it out by now," she said.

"Well I have been sick," Kia complained.

"That was weeks ago!" Judith said, while shaking her head. "I'll give you a hint," she conceded. "It's how I make my living, remember? I told you about -"

"Oh!" Kia interrupted her, realization dawning. "We're going somewhere to sell the clothes and blankets you've made."

"Yes," she nodded. "and purchase more pelts in order to make more."

"Sounds fun!" Kia grinned. I had been saying for a while now that I wanted to see more of the island, and now I can! "Where are we going?"

"A small town called Symdal. It's up into the mountains, and surrounded by woods which makes the hunting easier. There and back will take most of the day." She looked around and frowned, seeing nothing of Kia in the room. "Still not making yourself at home I see."

"I don't understand why I can't simply come live with you," Kia retorted. "It feels strange living in someone's home whom I hardly know," she explained again.

"He would want you to," Judith said. "Besides, I like my privacy!"

Kia smiled, though she let the subject drop, as it was a constant argument between the two of them. After hearing in town that Zachary was in prison, Judith had insisted that Kia stay and help to keep his home clean and ready for his return. She still felt like an intruder, and refused to use the bedroom, instead sleeping on the couch and using a small closet for her few possessions.

After Judith checked Kia's pack, they got onto her sled, and started off. Kia had seen her using this sled several times, and was excited to get to ride it. It reminded her of dog sleds back home, though the animals pulling hers were more like mountain goats.

Several hours later, Kia was happy to hear they had arrived at Symdal. It was a small, but very busy community. There were groups of sheep and goats, thick and woolly, being led in or out of the town. There were stalls in the center of town, which looked as if they were temporary, or could be broken down quickly. It was a new experience, and she kept looking everywhere trying to see everything at once.

The houses looked smaller, but cozy and there were streetlight lanterns down the main street. Everyone she saw was smiling and happy, and it was so contagious that she found herself smiling and greeting people as she followed Judith to a specific stall.

"Good day Erik," Judith called to a big and burly man in front of us.

"Miss Judith!" he boomed back. "Wondered when I would be seeing you!"

"Got a later start, due to bringing young Kiana here with me," she said with a nod at Kia, causing Kia to roll her eyes. She's in her 30s, yet she acts like she's ancient, Kia thought with a laugh.

"Good day," Kia said politely to Erik.

"Good day to you as well, Miss Kiana," Erik gave a nod of his head. "How are you enjoying our small piece of the island?"

"It's great!" she said as she gave him a big smile. "Everyone is so happy!"

"We try miss," a new voice said from beside her, and Kia turned, seeing a younger version of Erik coming up next to her.

"My son, Lucas," Erik introduced. "Luc, this is Miss Kiana. She's here with Miss Judith."

"A pleasure, Miss Kiana." Lucas gave a small bow, and Kia noticed the axe he had strapped to his back, which gave her a mental image of a lumberjack. He definitely has the beard for it, she thought.

"Nice to meet you," Kia replied. She turned to Erik, "there's no way you can have a son his age," she teased.

He laughed, "Thank you Miss Kiana, but I assure you I do." His cheeks pinked slightly in pleasure.

Lucas smiled at me, and turned to Erik as well. "I'm going out to cut more firewood for Widow Steegan, Father," he said. "I'll return shortly." Erik gave a nod, and Lucas turned to the ladies and said farewell, before walking off with several other men.

"Feel free to explore Kia," Judith said. "Bartering with Erik always takes some time because he is so stubborn!"

Kia laughed with both of them, and Erik came back with, "Me? You are the stubborn one!" So, smiling at the pair, she took her leave, and spent time walking all around the town meeting others, petting sheep, and just generally exploring.

Lucas' talk of firewood had Kia wishing they had such an abundance of trees nearby their own homes back in Robelli. Gathering firewood with Judith usually took half a day by the time they found a sufficiently wooded area, and carting the wood back. Realizing that with selling her wares Judith would have an empty sled on the way back, so smiling, Kia started gathering branches to take back with them. Here the trees were so close and plentiful, that she would be able to scavenge some off the forest floor without trouble.

It had finally stopped snowing, and she found the views so beautiful that she ended up walking further than she meant to, taking in the beauty of the scenery. There was no worry about getting lost, as she could follow her own footprints back to town, however when she couldn't carry a single branch more, she turned to head back. That was when she heard it.

It sounded like heavy breathing, and Kia's first thought was that she was being watched. She turned around in a slow circle, looking all around and getting more and more nervous as she couldn't find the source of the sound. As she focused harder on the noise, it sounded less human to her, and more like an animal, with a slight growl on the exhale.

Her heart began to pound, and she looked around again, focusing in on the direction of the sound. Still unable to see anyone, she began to worry that they were hiding from her, which couldn't mean anything good. Turning back, she stopped as she noticed a strange looking tree.

Unwillingly, her body moved toward it, her mind trying to decipher what was so different about the tree from the others around it. Her mind was screaming for her to leave it alone, yet her feet kept taking her closer, wanting to uncover the mystery.

She stopped suddenly, frozen. That was not a tree. Trees… they do not have… fur. That was fur. Which meant…

Slowly looking up, she saw a huge face, its mouth slack, breathing heavily as it stared back at her. Her own mouth open in shock, she stared at it for a few moments until her brain shook off the stupor. And she let loose the biggest scream she had ever screamed, and started running for her very life.

The branches forgotten in her haste, she followed her footprints haphazardly, panting in both fear and the exertion of running. The giant thing behind her let out a screeching roar that scared her so badly that she fell forward into the snow. Fear helped push her back to her feet, knowing that any second could be her last.

As Symdal came into view, and she could see several people looking at her as she came out of the woods, she yelled "RUN!" at the top of her lungs. Waving frantically, she tried to get the message across as tears ran down her cheeks and she gulped in air.

Someone came forward in concern, trying to stop her and get information, but Kia just pushed and twisted to get free and keep moving. Didn't they understand?! It was coming! her mind screamed. She could hear others gasping and then screams started from those nearest her moving in a wave of sound throughout the street.

The people all around were scattering and running. Kia helped someone to their feet, and they ran away in another direction before she could blink. Kia turned back in fear, knowing she couldn't outrun it again, and finally realizing what she had come across.

There, on top of its head… a pink hat with a white x. It couldn't be… could it?

"Chopper?" she whispered, understanding that she had led him here to the town The monster form of the reindeer/human doctor roared again, and continued towards her, ignoring the others running from them. Kia heard her name yelled out behind her, but only stood there as the huge hand came at her. Finally moving too late, she felt herself suddenly flying towards a house, then… nothing.

"Chopper? Can you hear me?" Chopper open his eyes slowly, unsure of what had happened, but he felt terrible. He could feel the cold pack on his forehead, and the bandages all over his body. He looked at Dr. Kureha in confusion.

"Doctorine?" he questioned.

"What can you remember?" she asked.

"I was experimenting with my rumble ball," he answered. "I recorded all the side effects of the second ball, and took a third, then… I can't remember anything. I must have fallen unconscious." He became unsure as he saw the look on her face. "What happened Doctorine?"

"The only way I can describe it," she said quietly "is to say that your devil fruit went wild." She looked at him, letting this news sink in before she had to tell him the rest.

"What… what did I do?" he asked, afraid of the answer.

"The kingdom is in an uproar Chopper. I'm not sure what to tell them." She paused. "Symdal was almost completely wiped off the map, homes destroyed, people injured." She took in his horrified expression. "Mostly minimal injuries," she said.

Dr. Kureha sat on the side of the bed Chopper was laying in, sighing before continuing. "It's a lesson we doctors all must learn Chopper," she said. "We take lives in our hands every day, and we gamble as we learn new procedures and medicines. This however, went to a different level. Something that turns you against foes or friends, or even against your own self. It's… monstrous." She knew she was taking a gamble herself, using that word, but she needed him to realize how dangerous it was. Not just to others, but to himself.

He looked up at her, tears freely falling down his face. "I'm so sorry Doctorine!" he cried. "I'll never do it again!"

The corner of her mouth quirked up before she said, "you just hurry and get better. There's plenty of chores that need to get done around here." She stood, and left the room, leaving Chopper to his thoughts.

A week later, Chopper finally finished every chore he could think of. He wanted to somehow make up for what had happened, and since Doctorine told him not to go anywhere near Symdal, he couldn't think of anything else.

"Chopper!" he heard her yell out, and he went quickly. "We are going out. I hear someone in Robelli town needs a doctor," she said when he came near.

"I'll get the sleigh," he responded and ran to do it.

They traveled a few hours and made it to Robelli town around mid day. Chopper followed Doctorine as she made her way through the town. He hadn't been able to figure out how she was able to not only find out when people were in need of her skills, but also to know where they were. It continued to amaze him. He hoped she would teach him that as well someday.

Doctorine walked up to a woman, asking if anyone needed to be treated. The woman looked relieved as she agreed and began walking them towards a house on the outskirts of the town. Once he saw their destination, Chopper went back to the sleigh and pulled it around the town to the little home. Still in his reindeer form, he decided to stay outside for now, but went to the door to hear what he could.

"I can see what ails her, but how did it happen?" he heard Doctorine ask.

"An animal, a… beast," the other woman said, sounding angry.

"These are not injuries from an animal," Kureha argued. "She has a severely broken leg, two broken ribs, cuts and bruises all over, and looks to be suffering from exhaustion. What. Happened."

"We were in Symdal last week," the younger woman explained. "She was caught in the attack that nearly destroyed the town. We did what we could for her, but the tea does nothing to help her pain, and she only sleeps like this once she passes out from exhaustion." Chopper could hear the emotion in her voice as she explained. He felt sick. This girl, was hurt because… of him.

He heard a gasp and a yelp, and realized the girl had been woken up due to pain. He could hear her panting, and felt so badly for her, and so glad that they were there to help her get better. He heard Doctorine ask her about her experience, wanting to know exactly how her injuries were sustained. He cringed as he heard the other woman explain what he had done to her.

"No!" the hurt girl yelled suddenly, "it wasn't like that Judith!"

"How can you say that, Kia?" the woman named Judith asked.

"Yes, I was scared. And, yes, I was hurt. But that doesn't make him a monster," he could hear how difficult it was for her to speak, and his eyes went wide as he comprehended her words.

"Of course it does!" Judith retorted.

"No, I could see… he didn't know what he was doing, so it wasn't his fault."

"I'm going to help," he heard Doctorine say. "but it will hurt. Your leg has started healing in the wrong position, and will need to be re-broken and re-set." She continued to explain to Kia how to take the medicine that she would leave once they were done, and gave her a painkiller.

"I don't know what I can pay you," Kia said quietly, straining to speak though she had no energy. "That closet there, has all my belongings. Take any or all of it."

The door opened, and Doctorine was ushering Judith out. "Go ahead, go home. She will sleep for quite awhile, and you can check on her later." Judith look relived, as if a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders.

"Thank you doctor, thank you so much," she said. "But what will you accept as payment?" she asked.

"I'll work that out with her," she replied, and shooed her on her way. Then looking down at Chopper she asked, "did you hear it?" He hung his head and nodded. "Then," she said, "it's only right that you help to heal her." He looked at her, surprised and yet happy to be able to do something to make up for his mistake.

He followed her into the house, staying back as she gripped the girl's leg hard, making her scream and pass out. He took a moment to look at the girl on the couch, and felt his resolve strengthen, seeing her like this because of him.

They worked together with hardly any talk between them, breaking and setting her leg properly. He realized helping meant breaking her leg, and about made himself sick with the sound and feel of it, but he knew that was the only way to make her better. He cleaned up, and changed back to his reindeer form as Doctorine walked to a small closet, opened the door and pulled out an ugly, misshapen blanket. She shut the closet, and walked over to the front door.

"Let's go Chopper, we have our payment."

"How…" he paused, unsure, then continued, as they walked to the sleigh. "How did she know Doctorine? That I had lost control?"

She thought a moment before answering. "I'm not sure Chopper. Though, I hope this has taught you why experimenting without considering the consequences is foolish. Next time, you could do more than hurt someone."

"There won't be a next time, Doctorine."

Kia swung the crutches up out of the snow, and tapped them on the door frame to remove the excess snow before continuing on into the house. True, they were probably not built to be used outside but in the month since her doctor's visit, Judith had kept her bedridden, and Kia took any opportunity to get fresh air.

Not only that, but the medicine she was given had worked wonders as her body healed and she felt great. Dr. Kureha had not said anything about not getting her "cast"-If that is actually what it was called- wet, and since the amazing Mr. Thomas from town had gifted her with crutches, she decided she was going to put them to use.

Today had been one lap around the house, and she determined that she would add another each day until she could get around without any problems. Dr. Kureha also hadn't given instructions as to how long this would be on her leg, and Kia figured the doctor would simply show up one day to get it off. She looked down at the cast again, running her hand over it. It looked simply like bandages, but had some sort of coating on it to make it hard as rock.

The next few days passed slowly for Kia. Judith had left last week for Symdal, saying she would be staying for several days to help with the rebuilding efforts. The king had not sent aid of any kind, so the people all banded together to help their neighbors. Since she had been stuck in bed, Kia had spent most of her time helping to make blankets, or anything that she could to send with her for the people. Now she had plenty of time, but not much to fill it.

The next afternoon as Kia was completing her laps around the house, she decided to take a trip over to Judith's as well, to give herself some new scenery. It was tough going through the freshly fallen snow, but as she neared her neighbor's house she could see the sled parked near the door, and she perked up.

It had been so lonely while she was gone, and Kia was excited to see her again. She also wanted to hear how things were going in Symdal, and of course tease Judith about Erik. Kia was certain Judith had budding feelings for the older widower.

Kia giggled as she remembered the look on Judith's face the first time she had mentioned it. Judith had practically fallen over in shock. Kia's giggles turned into laughter at the mental reenactment, and she stopped on the doorstep before knocking to get her breath back.

"Care to share the joke girlie?" a deep voice asked, and Kia whirled around as best she could on crutches. "I could use a good laugh! Zee'ah ha ha!" Her face paled, as she looked at him and those with him in horror. It was the Blackbeard Pirates. What were they…?

And then she remembered. King Wapol fled the island when pirates attacked it. When the Blackbeard Pirates attacked the island.

She was scared, but she didn't want to show it. "Sorry, but it's a private joke" she said, crossing her arms and looking at them disdainfully. "Friends only," she added.

"Oh," Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard sounded disappointed, though he was still grinning. "That mean we ain't going to be friends? Not a very nice welcome."

"Kia? Is that you…?" Judith said as she opened the door, her words trailing off as she saw the group of men behind her friend.

Kia turned her head slightly and said, "Judith, get back inside."

Before she could respond, Blackbeard said "Not a good plan," and laughed as another pirate went towards her home with a torch. "You see we're having a bonfire! You don't want to get too close, or you might get burned!" He laughed as if it was the funniest thing he had ever heard.

Judith and Kia were escorted away from the house, and they watched in horror as the pirates set her house on fire, and laughed. Perhaps it was the shock that kept the pair from moving at first, but after a moment they were both surging forward, trying to stop the blaze. Kia started scooping snow and throwing it on the flames, but it was futile. It quickly became an inferno, and the heat was so intense that Judith pulled her back.

"My crutches," Kia yelled to Judith, and once Judith released her, she surged forward towards the doorstep where they were dropped. The heat was too intense however, and she had to retreat again without them.

Looking back, and not seeing Judith, Kia turned, looking for her, hoping she didn't go near the house. Hearing the crack of a gunshot pierce the air, she whirled finding Judith clutching Blackbeard's shirt. Blood blossomed across the back of her shirt, and Blackbeard pushed her away. Judith fell over, and Kia screamed, rushing over to her.

Blackbeard and his men turned and walked away toward the main town as Kia reached Judith's collapsed form on the snow covered ground.

People were talking, but Kia couldn't hear them. All she could do was look at Judith… at Judith's body. It had taken this to learn that she was so woefully unprepared for any sort of emergency. Everything that she could have possibly used to help her friend had been in her house, which now was gone.

Kia didn't know how she had gotten Judith back to her own house, she had been too focused on keeping her awake. She used anything she could to stop the bleeding, applying pressure until her own limbs went numb, but Judith just slipped away.

Kia refused to let go, and eventually someone came and pried her away. That's when she finally broke down, shaking and crying inconsolably until she was spent, and then she could only sit and stare at nothing. There was talk about the king, the castle, pirates, and doctors but nothing that made sense to her mind.

She suddenly refocused as someone was snapping their fingers in front of her face. She looked up, seeing Dr. Kureha.

"There she is. See? Simply in shock," she said to someone else that Kia didn't recognize.

"Thank you doctor," he said before turning to a familiar looking man on his other side. "Dalton? This is the young woman I told you about." Kia stared as Dalton came closer, and crouched down to be on her level since she was sitting on the floor, though she didn't know how she got there.

"Hello there," he said quietly. "My name is Dalton. I'm so sorry, this should not have happened." He indeed looked sorry, as if he were somehow responsible.

"It's my fault," Kia said morosely.

"What?" the first man was suddenly outraged, though Dalton held out a hand to keep him quiet.

"How so?" Dalton asked her.

Kia swallowed, wanting to cry again but having no more tears to shed. "I was walking with my crutches, trying to increase my stamina," she explained. "The pirates saw me, and followed me to Judith's house." She hung her head in shame. "They were headed for town, but this happened because of me," she cried out, burying her face in her hands, body shaking with her dry sobs.

"This is all your fault!" the first man snapped, getting more upset, as he paced the room. "I never should have pulled you out of the snow!" At his words Kia, looked up and understood. This was Zachary, Judith's neighbor and the owner of this house. No wonder he was angry, because of me he had spent the last several months in prison and now his friend was dead.

Kia looked at him, devastated. "I'm so sorry!" she cried, and he gave her a look of such contempt that she had to look away as she broke down again.

Dalton looked at Kureha with gratitude as she poured him a cup of tea. It was just what he needed to warm up after the incredibly long day, trying to get the chaos of the kingdom calmed.

"I thought it best to let you know I'll be moving into the castle," Kureha said.

He was surprised, but not shocked. Kureha always liked to be away from people. "How will you get all your things up there?" he asked. "The ropeways were all damaged in the attack."

She cackled. "I have my ways, don't you worry," she said. "I'll still visit every now and then. I won't leave them without medical care."

He smiled to himself. She was a good person, though she wouldn't appreciate it if he said it out loud. So he changed the subject. "The woman in Robelli, she approached me about plans to protect the island," he said, and her eyebrow went up.

"Really?" she said. "Protection from…?"

"According to her, from the return of king Wapol," he stated, and smiled as she cackled again.

"I thought she was a smart one," she said. "It's nice to know not everyone is thinking we are safe."

"Indeed," he said. "However, it's very strange. She has no idea how she got here, no training either in defense or weapons. I'm not sure how she has even survived this long." He leaned in, "though, when asked she simply says that it is her dream to be able to help save others, that what happened to her friend will never happen again." He looked at her, perplexed. "I'm not sure how to help her achieve that" he admitted, rubbing at the back of his neck. "I'm surprised that I want to," he added.

"It sounds like you answered it already," she replied thoughtfully. "Train her in defense and weapons." She stated when he questioned her. He thought awhile, as was his way, before nodding.

"I'll do just that," he stated.