Kia walked down the stairs, quickly but not rushing. She hoped there wasn't anyone near the car, but was a realist, and knew her luck was never that good.

As she neared the car, she looped the chain through the rope of the harness, and pulled it through so she had an even amount on both sides. Then, she took a deep breath and headed for the car.

Luffy and Usopp were both at the front of the car, which left the back- the part facing the open sky- clear. She went straight for it, acknowledging Usopp with a nod as he spoke, but not paying attention to his words.

She stepped up on the side of the car and threw the chain over the rope. Catching the chain ends, she rotated her wrists so that the chain wrapped over her jacket sleeves around her wrists, to give herself help in holding on. She looked back at the boys, and with a smirk, pushed off from the car.

"ME TOO!" was all she heard as she felt something grab on to her. The weight she was holding suddenly doubled, as Luffy had stretched his arms out, wrapping himself around her in a hug- like hold. He was yelling in her ear, as she struggled to hold on. His excitement was catching however, because soon Kia was hollering along with him.

The end was coming much sooner than anticipated, which she thought was good because her hold was slipping. She screamed out, "CAN'T HOLD ON!" giving all she could before the chain slipped from her hands.

As they fell, she noted that Luffy's yell was pretty much the same excited yell, where as hers became a scream of panic.

"GUM GUM…"

She didn't hear the rest, but landed softly enough, and then Luffy let go, and she was flung back up and landed again over to the right in the snow. The snow wasn't exactly soft, but it wasn't much of a fall at that point anyway. The chain that had somehow come with her landed on her face, and that was the worst part of the entire experience.

"THAT WAS AWESOME!"

Kia sat up, holding a gloved hand to her face, and then looking at it to make sure she wasn't bleeding. She grinned as she saw there was no blood, and looking over at Luffy, she felt like her face would crack, her smile was so wide.

"Let's do that again!" She yelled back to him, and he whooped and punched upwards with a fist.

They turned at a sound, and saw the sleigh coming down the rope behind them. It landed in the snow far ahead of them, and had turned to come back to get them when they heard the booming of cannons.

Everyone stopped as lights spotlit the sky, and watched as the snow became like cherry blossoms falling from their trees. It was beautiful, and Chopper started crying, then wailing in joy. Kia looked around, seeing the awe in everyone's eyes at the pink cloud surrounding the top of the mountain, making it look like a gigantic cherry tree.

Nobody said anything as Chopper cried, though they began to pack up the things from the sleigh. After a few minutes, Chopper was calm enough that they started to head to their ship.

Kia watched them go, not wanting to gain their attention, as she turned to head the other direction.

"NO!"

She turned back, and like everyone else, stared at Chopper. He was glaring at her, which kind of hurt her feelings. What had I done to get that look from him?

"I'm sorry Luffy," Chopper said while he stared at her. "I can't leave Kiana here, all alone."

The crew looked at her in astonishment, and she flushed. "I'll be fine Chopper, you go ahead."

"No," he said again, crossing his arms. "You helped me, and now I'm going to help you, even if it means waiting to go out to sea."

"What?!" she gasped. "No way, you can't do that!"

"Yeah, Chopper," Luffy agreed. "You already agreed to join the crew."

Kia looked behind them to see the rest of the crew talking and arguing with each other.

"Besides," Luffy continued. "Kia is already part of the crew too!"

She could see Sanji cheering, smug grins, and a couple of face palms behind Luffy before his words sunk in.

"WHAT?!"

"What?" he asked, confused.

"How exactly am I part of your crew?"

"I asked you, and you yelled out wahoo! and that means yes."

"Wahoo?" she asked, then face palmed herself. "I yelled wahoo! because we were sliding down a rope from the top of a mountain. I didn't hear you say anything."

"Oh well," Luffy shrugged. "Let's go!"

"You're coming, right Kiana?" Chopper asked. Future reference… reindeer can also do the pleading puppy eyes thing. Need to watch yourself, she thought.

She stood there, conflicted. Did I want to join? Hell yes, more than anything! Should I join… that was harder to answer.

"I can't be a pirate, I have to find my sisters," she said finally.

"So we'll help you," Nami said over her shoulder. She and Vivi were already walking towards the ship.

"But…"

"Just give it up Kia," Zoro said, then he also turned and started walking. Well, if Zoro says so…

"I need to stop in Big Horn and get my things. It may take a bit, what with the avalanche and all."

Kia was surprised, she had never thought before that moment that she would ever see such a smug grin on Luffy's face, but when she did, she knew she was going to get him back for it. Just exactly how smart is he?

"Okay, but when we get to the ship, I need to treat that wound on your face," Chopper said as we started walking.

Sanji joined them on her other side and asked, "Are you alright Kia my dear? How did that happen?"

She turned and looked back at Luffy, with a smug grin of her own. "Oh it's nothing. I mean it was a really heavy chain, and Luffy tried to catch it, so it's not his fault…"

She watched and laughed as Sanji chased Luffy around, trying to kick him for failing to protect her. Chopper looked back and forth between Kia and the boys, observing, before finally giggling with her.

"I'm glad you're coming Kiana."

"Kia, Chopper," she corrected him gently. "My friends, call me Kia."

The crew all stood at the railing, looking over at the massive pink cloud surrounding the mountaintop that held the castle. It was lit brightly against the night sky, looking like a giant cherry tree that was raining down blossoms. It was absolutely gorgeous, and Kia could see how such a sight could make someone want to change his life.

"He did it, even though it took years to make it happen," she said under her breath.

"Who?"

"Hmm?" she turned her head, seeing Vivi standing next to her. "Oh, Doctor Hiriluk, the one who created the cherry blossoms."

"You knew him?" Chopper asked excitedly from her other side.

"Not personally, no. But Dalton really respected him." She looked down to Chopper, and continued. "Doctor Hiriluk's words before he died was the reason Dalton decided to speak against the king. Wapol had him beaten and thrown in prison. It wasn't until the pirate attack that he was freed."

"But… but that was years later!" Chopper cried.

"Yes," she nodded. "And Dalton still felt it was not enough for what he had allowed Wapol to do to the country. Now though, with the election, Dalton will be able to do a lot of good, and hopefully get rid of that sense of guilt."

"Election?" Vivi asked.

"Yes!" Chopper replied, still gazing out at the sky. "Doctorine told me about it. That all the people would cast a vote for who they wanted as a leader. She thought it was a good idea."

"I wonder who came up with such a plan," Vivi replied, then noticing Kia's expression, stood shocked. "Kia? It was you?"

"Oh, um… yes. That is how we decide our leaders back home."

"Where is home?" Nami asked, as she came to join them.

"Far away," she answered vaguely, turning back to the cherry blossoms.

"So how did you end up on Drum Island?" Nami questioned.

"I flew."

Kia could tell without even looking that Nami was giving her a sceptical look, though perhaps it was merely an exasperated one. But what else could I say? It had been the truth after all.

"Karoo! What happened?" They all turned to look as Vivi ran over to her giant duck, who looked like he had icicles all over. He started quacking, and gesturing wildly at Zoro. Chopper translated, letting them know that Karoo had jumped into the river trying to save Zoro. After Zoro received a punch from Nami, everyone marveled at Chopper's ability to speak to animals.

"That's amazing Chopper!" Nami said to him. "It seems being a doctor is not your only skill!"

"What's that about a doctor?" Luffy asked.

"Chopper is a doctor, he has been training under Dr. Kureha for the past six years." Kia explained. The boys heaped praise on Chopper, since they were ignorant of this fact until now. Chopper blushed and did a little dance while shouting about not being happy.

"Honestly Luffy," Nami said. "If you didn't know he was a doctor, what did you think he was?"

"A transforming reindeer monster." Luffy said as if it was obvious.

"Um, Captain?"

"Yeah?" Luffy looked at Kia questioningly.

"I was wondering why you invited me?"

"You needed somewhere to go."

She was taken aback. So I was invited to join the most awesome pirate crew in the whole of anywhere, because they pitied me? No way. She put her hands on her hips and glared at Luffy, though he was just grinning back at her. "I don't need anyone feeling sorry for me," she stated harshly.

Several people tried to speak at once, but Luffy just shouted louder, "No!" which made them look at him again.

"That's not the only reason, why does there need to be only one?" he asked Kia. "You gave us meat, you helped us when we didn't even ask, you acted as though you were already part of the crew, and you swung down a rope from the top of the mountain! Plus, you remind me of someone." He put his hands on his hips, mocking her stance and asked, "Do I need a reason to invite someone to join my crew?"

"I guess not," Kia replied sheepishly. "But, I can't stay forever! I've got something I have to do," she added stubbornly.

She was met by smirks all around. "We all do, Kia my dear," Sanji explained. "But together, we can help each other, can't we? When we left for the Grand Line, we all stated for each other, and the world, what we were searching for. Why don't you and Chopper join us?"

"Yeah! Good idea Sanji!" Luffy shouted.

"But we need drinks!" Usopp added.

"Good thinking, I was out," Zoro stated, and Kia rolled her eyes at him.

Usopp and Nami handed Chopper, Vivi and Kia drinks.

"I'm going to be a great warrior of the sea!" Usopp declared.

"I'm going to be, King of the pirates!" Luffy stated. Wow, that's a lot more powerful in person, Kia thought, getting goose bumps.

"I'm going to draw a map of the entire world."

"To find the All Blue."

"I'm going to save my kingdom!" They all smiled at Vivi's passionate declaration.

"To be the world's greatest swordsman."

"I'm going to be the cure all- to cure any disease! And, to see the world, and to have adventures!" Chopper grinned, and Luffy returned it, then they turned to Kia.

Normally, she would think that saying something out loud would jinx it, but these people seemed to make the impossible possible. If they were anything like the stories she had read, amazing things would happen, perhaps simply because they declared it so.

"I'm going to find my sisters, and get back home!"

"To our new crew mates! Cheers!"

"This is the girl's room. We can hang a hammock, or get a cot, whatever you prefer. We'll have to buy some more beds once we finish the business in Alabasta."

"After helping to save the country, I'm sure they'll just be throwing things our way, beds included."

Nami laughed, "Not a bad idea, they'll probably be willing to give one or two up at least, though the boys seem fine sleeping on the floor or a hammock, which I can't understand."

"I've been stranded on a winter island," Kia commented with a grin. "Just find me sunshine, and I'll sleep anywhere!"

After seeing the options, she ended up with a cot mattress on the floor. It wasn't the greatest, but with several pillows, she slept like a baby.

Kia was really glad that she had spent so much time back home on boats, as she felt like she could probably contribute to the crew. Dalton had taught her several things for self defense, but she was no fighter. She decided she would need to volunteer to stay with the ship for awhile, which would work well, because then she also couldn't interfere with the story.

Chopper had asked if she wanted to help him as his assistant, which she readily agreed to. They spent most of the first day talking, so he could see how much she already knew. She was hesitant at first, but felt that if anything came up that seemed odd, he most likely wouldn't share it with the others. So she rattled on about first aid and the CPR classes that she had taken years ago.

When Luffy called them to come and play, they were both ready for a break, so they ran over. Kia wouldn't call herself competitive, but everyone likes to win, even non-competitive people. When Usopp suggested tag, she knew she would be at a huge disadvantage, so she suggested hide and seek instead, and they agreed.

"It says what?" she asked.

"What?" Luffy responded.

"Oh, that means, you're it."

"Good one, Kia!" Usopp said as he laughed. "I'll use that in the future."

"No fair!" Luffy complained.

"Get to counting Luffy!"

"Fine. 1… 2… 3… 4..."

The other three scattered, and Kia realized they hadn't set any rules. But what was I thinking, this was Luffy after all. Any rules, he's probably going to forget anyway.

She walked quickly through the kitchen, and heard Sanji call out. She didn't answer as she had a thought brewing. Once when I was younger, when playing hide and seek, that Ash had hidden so well that we all gave up on finding her. She eventually came out, but refused to tell us where she had been. I eventually got it out of her, and it was so brilliant. And now, I was going to win my first game with the Straw Hats. She headed straight for the boys closet.

The trick to this, was to use the items of someone bigger than you, that way, you are completely hidden. Sanji's coat paired with Zoro's boots would work well enough. Kia stepped into the boots, making sure they were facing the same direction as the others on the floor. Then she buttoned Sanji's coat around herself, leaving the hanger in and still hanging up. The jacket was long enough that her hands weren't hanging out, and was bulky, so it didn't appear to have someone inside it.

She giggled to herself, and settled in for a long wait. The only issue would be the heat, but she figured it wouldn't take too long for them to give up on finding her.

It went even better than she had thought. The closet doors were thrown open and closed at least four times, and she could hear someone say, "where is she?". I knew I was going to win this! Soon, she had gotten tired of standing straight, and had strategically leaned against the back wall without showing herself. It was getting rather warm in the jacket, and she could feel her eyes getting sleepy.

She blinked several times, to keep from dozing off. Then, feeling something hard hit her, she lifted her head, looking around at the dark. She was disoriented, but eventually figured out that she had fallen over. She untangled herself from the coat and boots, and walked out of the closet. Then spun around and hung the coat back up, hearing her mom's voice in her head telling her to clean up after herself.

It was oddly quiet. I thought that by now, they would all be yelling for me to just come out already, she thought, but didn't hear anything. Then, her stomach growled, and she realized they must have run to the kitchen when Sanji called dinner, and forgotten all about her. She stalked up the stairs, and pushed open the kitchen door. Everyone was seated around the table, but there was only a single plate. She wondered what was going on when everyone looked up at her in surprise and yelled, "KIA!"

Then she was swarmed by several people at once, giving her hugs, asking if she was alright, asking what had happened. Had she been kidnapped? How did she escape? Was she hungry?

"Whoa, whoa. What is going on?"

"Kia, you've been missing!" Chopper shouted, though he refused to let go of her, so she just picked him up, so that she could walk over to the table.

"Missing? Chopper, I was hiding. Luffy was supposed to look and find me."

They all looked shocked at her words, and Usopp asked, "You were hiding all this time?"

Kia bit her bottom lip. That didn't sound good. "Um, yes?"

"Kia, that was like five hours ago!"

"What? No way!" She could feel her cheeks get hotter than they already were. "Uh… I think I fell asleep."

Luffy burst out laughing, and soon everyone joined in, though she thought for some it was in relief.

Sanji brought over a cup of water. "Drink that, you look overheated. I'll reheat your dinner," he said as he took the plate of food from the table. She gulped down the water, realizing that she was still very hot.

"We looked all over the ship, yelling your name!" Usopp said dramatically. "Did you move around and change hiding spots?" he accused.

"No, that's cheating."

"Then where were you?"

"In the boys closet." Most everyone paused and looked at her again. Luffy with a grin, Usopp looked skeptical, and Zoro had one eyebrow up in question.

"I looked in there! Twice!"

Kia took pity on Usopp and explained. "I had my feet in Zoro's snow boots, and I was hiding inside Sanji's long winter coat," she said. "Unless you looked carefully, you'd never notice."

Luffy just laughed again. "No wonder you're all red and sweaty!" he said cheerfully. "You spent hours in a big coat?"

"I guess I did, though it didn't seem that long. I could feel my eyes getting sleepy, and when I opened them, I was on the ground. I had no idea I had been asleep."

"That's not hiding, that camouflaging!" Usopp said.

"I guess that means I won, huh Captain?" Kia asked Luffy.

"Yep!" He said without contest. She grinned at all of them.

"Sorry for the worry, I'll just come out next time after ten minutes if I'm not found."

"We know your secrets now, so you won't win again!" Usopp declared.

She smiled in reply. "Don't bet on it."

Sanji placed her dinner in front of her, and she thanked him. Starting to eat, she noticed that Luffy and Zoro were looking at her speculatively.

"What?" she asked Zoro in exasperation.

"It's strange, but you really remind me of a girl I met awhile back. She had dimples just like you, and her smile was like yours too." He turned to Luffy. "What do you think Luffy? Doesn't she remind you of Reese?"

Kia's mouth dropped open and she grabbed Zoro's hand, her dinner forgotten. "YOU KNOW REESE?" she screeched.

Zoro tugged on his hand, but she wasn't letting go. "Yeah, do you?"

She just stared at him, unable to speak, for if she tried, she knew she would cry. Then the tears wanted to escape anyway, so she tried to talk. It came out as a whisper. "She's my sister."

"I can't believe it! My baby sister is with Garp? And your friend Coby? That's amazing! She said she was going to be a marine, and she's really doing it."

Luffy chuckled. "See, you already found one of your sisters."

"Probably could have been sooner if I had just said that we all have the same dimples," Kia grinned at her captain, sitting by her at the table. She didn't even care that he was sneakily stealing her food. "So if you meet anyone with dimples like mine, she is probably my sister."

Sanji leaned against the counter, and lit his cigarette. "How many sisters do you have Kia?" She knew his eye didn't actually become a heart, but she could almost see it.

"Three," she replied. "Dru is the oldest, then me, then Ash, then Reese."

"That's it!" Luffy shouted, slapping the table, then pointing to Sanji. "The girl at the restaurant! That's who you remind me of!"

Kia looked from Luffy to Sanji, who also wore a confused expression. "There was a girl at the restaurant?"

Sanji's face cleared into understanding, and a wistful expression, that she swore had hearts circling his head. "Oh, you mean Miss Ashley."

"Wait. Wait. You mean you've met Ash too? Seriously?" She grabbed Luffy by the shoulders, desperate that this not be a joke.

"Yep!" he said, and Sanji clarified for her. "She came with Hawk Eye, and he left her there to observe the fight. We left before she did, but she said he was coming back for her."

She didn't let go of Luffy, but turned incredulous, to Sanji. "She was with Hawk Eye? As in Dracule Mihawk? The warlord and world's greatest swordsman?"

They nodded at her, and Luffy chuckled again. "That's two out of three! Only one more to find!"

Luffy had met three of them already. It was incredible, amazing and totally improbable. Kia moved her arms around his neck and just hugged him. She could feel him pat her back, not squeezing tighter as Sanji would, or trying to get away like Zoro might. Just letting her hug him as she needed to.

"Thank you Captain. Thank you so much," she said quietly.