So sorry, I know it's been awhile, I was just crazy busy with work! That's the holidays for you! But I am back on track now!

"I'll stay here too," Kia said, much to Luffy's disappointment and everyone's surprise. "Zoro said he'd help me with my escrima sticks."

"I wanna try too!" Luffy said for the twelfth time that day.

"After I learn, just like I promised," she replied for the twelfth time.

"Okay," Luffy replied, then turned to the others. "Let's go! I'm starving!"

"Don't forget to bring us back food!" Usopp called out as the rest of them headed away from the docks.

"This seems like a nice, relaxing island," Usopp commented to Zoro and Kia, after the others were out of sight.

"Yep," she replied, looking eagerly at Zoro.

"All right," he replied. "Usopp? You got her escrima sticks ready?" he asked.

"Yep," he said handing them over to Zoro. "Though these are just practice ones. We need harder wood for a better pair."

"They'll do for training," Zoro said, testing the sticks in a spin. "Thanks."

"Yeah! Thanks Usopp!"

"No problem," he replied. "I'm going to get started on some repairs."

"All right Kia, hold still," Zoro said as he held up the sticks, measuring their length against the width of her shoulders. "Perfect," he said, handing them to her. "We'll start with some basic swings for you to do reps."

Kia nodded, suddenly serious, but excitement still coming off her in waves. She focused as Zoro demonstrated what he wanted her to do.

The swings weren't difficult, but after a hundred her arms were limp as noodles, and the escrima sticks felt as heavy as one of Zoro's weights.

He hadn't said much, and looking over, Kia noticed that he was asleep, which had her shaking her head with a smile. He never said anything, but she knew he didn't sleep much at night, even when it wasn't his watch. Not to mention the fact that he kept himself aware, even during sleep so that he hardly ever achieved any deep sleep. So, he would need more sleep in order to function properly.

"Hey, Zoro!" She heard Usopp call from downstairs. "Hand me some of those planks, would ya?"

Kia moved over to the stack, careful to avoid waking Zoro. Several things hit her at once, as she noticed the snoring had stopped, and she found herself pulled backward, then heard a loud THWAK as she fell into Zoro's lap.

Looking up, she could see a large dagger embedded in the mast next to his face, thinking that if he hadn't moved her, it would have hit her.

"Th… thanks, Zoro," she said, suddenly out of breath. He looked down at her, and pulled the knife free as he stood. He looked in the direction that it had come from, and grabbed his swords as he walked off.

"Stay here," he murmured to her, moving quickly to the railing and jumping over the side.

"Hey, what…" Kia started, but he was already gone. Looking back to the stairs, she knew she only had a split second to decide, and she set off after Zoro. After all, Usopp won't be alone long, she thought. The others will be back soon.

Kia followed him up a small path through the trees, wondering when he would say something. She knew he had to be aware she was following him, even as she tried to be stealthy, because he was always aware of what went on around him. But he made no move to speak or acknowledge her in any way, which she found odd.

Seeing him disappear around a corner, she thought that he would use this as a way to lose her, but he never did the expected, so she kept her pace the same, and tried not to make any noise. Coming closer, she could hear someone speak, but it most definitely wasn't Zoro.

"Thank you for coming. This way please."

She stopped as they came into view, and kept cover behind a tree. Zoro didn't respond, but as they turned around and started walking, he began to follow them and she wondered what she should do. He didn't turn at all, and Kia began to wonder again if he knew she was there.

Shrugging to herself, she decided to continue. Crew members weren't suppose to go out alone on a new island, after all, she told herself. She began to follow, once again.

Before too long, they arrived at what looked like ancient ruins… with a large steel gate. Staying in the trees, Kia looked around, seeing men posted in front of the gates wearing white and blue uniforms, as well as several posted in higher positions around the perimeter.

The odd thing, was the building behind the gate looked much newer, as if someone had built a temple of some sort, in an ancient site. She heard the sound of the gate being shut, and saw the symbol of the marines on its face.

What is going on? she asked herself. Why would Zoro willingly go into a marine base… out in the middle of nowhere?

Kia started to feel uneasy, wondering what she had changed in order to have the crew going on these adventures that she didn't know. Thinking that perhaps she should have stayed on the ship after all, she decided to wait and see what would happen. If Zoro didn't come back out, she would eventually try to follow him in.

Kia guessed it was an hour or so when she heard the commotion. The marines were well organized, but even they couldn't send out a large group of men without making noise, not that they were trying to be quiet. They marched out of the steel doors with confidence, and Kia wondered what whoever they were going to see did, to deserve the visit.

Leading the group were two men, one taller and thin, the other quite rotund. The taller man was wearing some armor and some sort of helmet, though it didn't have a top, so that his very long, red hair could spike up from his head and continued in a ponytail down his back.

The shorter man, though still taller than all the others, had blond hair that he wore in a type of pompadour, with large mutton chop side burns that he had braided at the ends. They were an extremely strange duo, but it was obvious they were in charge. Following after them, stoic as always, was Zoro.

Kia had no idea what he was doing, but it was obvious that he was not a prisoner, since he still had his swords. She waited as the group passed by before moving to follow them.

"Hello, who are you?"

Kia spun around, seeing a much smaller and younger looking boy standing in front of the gate. She wanted to face palm at her carelessness in being seen. Of course the ones leaving weren't the only people in the base! she groaned inwardly.

The boy looked to be about sixteen, but she knew looks could be deceptive. Seeing the sword at his side, she wasn't sure how to take him. He could most definitely be a threat, but with his freckles, shaggy hair, oversized shirt, and his marine cap turned sideways, he seemed more like a kid.

"I'm Kia," she replied, standing up fully, watching as the other men disappeared, and hoping she made the right decision. "I'm looking for my friend, Zoro."

"Oh, so does that mean you are part of the Straw hat crew?" he asked, showing no emotion.

"What?" she asked. "Be kind of silly to come to a marine base if I were," she said, trying to get a feel for him.

He finally smiled, though she still couldn't decipher it. "My name is Tohma," he said with a slight bow. "Please, come with me, Kia."

She glanced over at the gate to see several more marines. Knowing that she wouldn't win in a fight, and running may or may not be successful, she decided to see what they wanted. She didn't have a bounty, so she doubted they were going to kill her.

"All right," she said slowly, walking out of the bushes she had originally been hiding in. "Is Zoro coming back?" she asked as she stopped in front of him, though not close enough for him to grab her.

"He is," he replied, and Kia nodded, and stepped forward. Tohma turned and led her past the gate and into a compound that looked like a large scale dojo.

Once they reached the large center building, Kia could hear the calls of the men that were training. As they climbed the short staircase, she could see the marines running drills, all of them with katana type swords in their hands. She glanced around the large room, seeing what looked like a large stone altar on a raised dais. There was a tall, slender man standing there, who was obviously the leader.

"Master Saga," Tohma said in greeting with a bow. "This is Kia, of the Straw hat crew, a friend of Zoro's."

Kia glanced over at Tohma, but didn't correct his assumptions, since they were true.

Saga glanced down at Kia, and she felt defensive at his look of disbelief. "What?" she demanded.

"Zoro values strength," Saga said with a smirk. "If you are truly friends, what value does he give you?"

She smirked back, knowing that outwardly, it would seem he spoke the truth, but she had gotten to know Zoro as they traveled. "The strength of my ambition," she replied. "And my determination. I may still be learning," she said as she crossed her arms, "but those who train know it takes time to learn."

She nodded at the man as he seemed to be intrigued by her answer. "Zoro is training you?" he asked smugly.

"More like he is sharing what he knows," she replied. "It is up to me then to do something with the knowledge."

He nodded slightly, and spoke again. "And I will do the same. Zoro will not be returning to your crew. You can join him here and continue to train, or you may return to your friends to let them know to leave with out him."

"He decided this?" she asked. "Or did you?" She shook her head. "Not that it matters, our captain won't accept it."

"It is fact."

"I'd have to hear it from him, but even then, I wouldn't bet on it," she retorted, noticing the sneer coming across his face.

"Hey! Zoro!" came a yell from outside, and Kia smiled as she recognized her captain's voice.

"Speak of the devil…" she drawled, stepping back as the two men turned to the entrance.

She watched as Luffy and Usopp came in, Luffy's mouth opening in surprise and Usopp cowering with a squeal as they took in the large group of marines still running their drills. Luffy immediately started asking the men if they had seen Zoro, and Usopp spotted two familiar wanted posters, quickly tearing them down and hiding the evidence.

Luffy was getting agitated that no one would answer his questions, and Kia wasn't surprised as Tohma stepped over to where the two Straw hat members stood, his eyes wide.

"You're Straw Hat Luffy," he said, causing Luffy to turn and see him, and walk over.

"Yep," he answered. "Do you know a guy named Zoro? Or a girl named Kia?" he asked.

"Mr. Zoro?" Tohma replied. "He should be back soon. Miss Kia is over there," he answered.

Luffy and Usopp both turned, seeing Kia standing next to a tall man, and she waved at them like it was no big deal that they were all standing in a marine corps base.

"Then we'll just wait here for him!" Luffy declared. "Kia, we've looked forever for you two!" he yelled to her across the room.

"But what are they doing at a marine base?" Usopp asked in trepidation.

"Who cares?" Luffy said. "Kia's here, and Zoro is coming back, so everything is fine."

Tohma gave him a smile and waved his hand, causing the marines to stop their drill and back away, forming lines on either side of the room and standing at attention. Now there was nothing blocking them from Kia and the man she stood next to.

"It's hard to believe that you are worth 100 million beri," Saga said to Luffy.

"Oh yeah," Luffy replied. "but I am. You look like a swordsman," he said.

"Not look like, Mr. Luffy," Tohma explained. "He is the master of this dojo."

"Whoa! That sword you have is huge! So cool!" Luffy exclaimed, seeing the large sword strapped to Saga's back.

"You're strange, Mr. Luffy," Tohma said with a smile.

"Why?" Luffy asked in return.

Tohma turned back to Saga, asking, "Master, can I see if this truly is the man that defeated the warlord, Crocodile?"

"Very well," Saga answered. "I'll allow it."

Tohma bent forward in a bow, and came back up quickly with a swing of his sword. Luffy barely managed to dodge the three attacks, and looked at him in confusion.

"Hey!" he said. "If you want a fight, just say so!"

Tohma smiled again, and put his sword away. "Not many manage to dodge my attacks," he said with a grin.

"Hey!" Kia yelled as Saga pushed her forward, causing the others to turn and look.

"Playtime is over," Saga said. "You won't be seeing Zoro."

"What?" Kia demanded, trying to slow herself, but her shoes just slid over the stone floor.

"He won't be returning to you loser pirates, since he has already cut ties with you."

Luffy's face became hard. "What makes you say that?" he asked in challenge.

"Tohma," Saga called, "Stand back."

"Yes sir," Tohma replied, stepping forward to pull Kia out of the way with him.

The two leaders glared at each other, and Kia felt something sizzle in the air.

"You wanna fight?" Luffy asked, and Saga's expression didn't change.

"Here we go then," Luffy said, rearing back. "Gum gum pistol!" he called, shooting forth punch after punch, which Saga merely tilted slightly to avoid. "Gum gum whip!" His leg shot out, missing Saga, but bringing the marines in the right side of the room off their feet. They all stood back up with their swords out.

"I'm sorry!" Luffy called. "I meant to get only HIM."

"Are you ready?" Saga asked, and Luffy became serious once more.

"Come on then!" he replied.

Saga drew his sword, and Kia could see that his right arm was hanging limply at his side. I wonder what happened? she thought. She could see that he still had his arm, so there must be another reason he couldn't use it.

The sword had an eerie, green glow, and Kia shuddered, swearing that Saga's eyes looked demonic.

"Ew, what's that?" Luffy asked. "Spooky! What a weird sword!" He readied himself for the fight, saying, "You know what? I don't like you."

"You have no idea what this sword can do," Saga said in a low voice. "Can't you hear it? It's thirsting for your blood!" Kia practically fell over, as she could hear mean and terrible things in her mind, causing her to grip the sides of her head, covering her ears in an attempt to make it stop.

"Kia?" Luffy asked in concern, before backing up quickly in order to avoid being struck.

"Luffy!" Usopp called.

"Miss Kia?" Tohma asked, helping her stay up, and following the fighting duo into the courtyard to watch.

Kia followed as best she could, feeling the sword still, but sensing that its focus was not on her. Luffy and Saga avoided each others' blows, and Tohma couldn't contain his awe.

"You are just like every other pirate," Saga said in disdain to Luffy.

"I'm the future Pirate King!" Luffy declared with a smirk.

"Pirate king?" Tohma asked, and Kia nodded, no longer hearing the sword as Saga had it hanging down as he spoke.

"The man who conquers the Grand Line," Kia explained. "King of the Seas."

"You fool," Saga said, though he looked as if he didn't care. "You may as well throw your life away as follow that stupid dream."

"Say what you want," Luffy replied. "It was something I decided long ago."

"A dream…" Tohma muttered, and Kia wondered what was going on with him.

"You're pathetic," Saga said. "But if you are the sacrifice, you may still be useful. If not, you die here and now!"

Luffy attacked, and they were back at it, Luffy doing all he could to avoid the sword that Saga carried. Finally he cried, "Demon Fire!" and sent a shock wave at Luffy that immobilized him, and carried him over a cliff.

"Luffy!" Usopp and Kia called out, running to the edge.

"I thought he'd do better," Tohma said, causing Usopp to shake with worry at the idea of fighting for his life.

"I would do anything for my friend and captain!" Usopp called. "Come on Kia!" he yelled, jumping off after Luffy. Kia went to follow, but was stopped by a hand grabbing hers. She turned, seeing Saga smirking at her as he held her from leaving.

Kia walked along with Tohma, keeping quiet as she observed. Zoro walked in front of them with Saga, and she was fuming at him. He had barely glanced at her, and was acting like she didn't even exist! Not to mention, that she still heard that creepy sword, though not as loud now for some reason. She didn't like any of this.

They came to a small clearing, where a pool of water was. Saga pointed to a round structure, the opening above the surface of the water. Zoro moved forward towards it, and pulled out three spheres from his belt.

"Here?" he asked, glancing back at Saga, who nodded. Then Zoro released the spheres to fall down the structure. Kia guessed it was some kind of well.

"Thank you Zoro," Saga said with a smile.

"Any one could have gotten them for you," he said.

"No," Saga replied. "It had to be you." As soon as he had spoken, he hunched over as if in pain.

"Master!" Tohma called out.

"Saga?!" Zoro cried, coming closer. "I thought you said it was caused by the balls?" he asked. "I thought you would get better once they were gone?!"

"That's right!" Saga replied, a bit overexcited. "There is no pain! I am shaking with happiness!"

The man was obviously lying, but Kia didn't call him out on it. She was too busy trying to catch Zoro's eye, and hopefully figure out a plan of escape. Zoro didn't look at her however.

"Roronoa Zoro, you are one of us now," the large round man muttered.

"I saw the infamous three sword style," the thin man spoke up. "I hope to practice with you sometime."

"That'd be great!" Tohma added. "I wanna practice with Mr. Zoro too!" He began walking away, leading Kia to follow after Saga. "Oh, and by the way," he said, turning back. "Master knocked off Mr. Luffy earlier," he said. "but you don't count yourself with them any more, right?"

Neither he nor Kia saw the look that Zoro was glaring at their retreating figures.

After returning to the dojo, Kia remained outside, feeling strange. She had been having weird thoughts, about fighting and blood, and … death, that she couldn't seem to get rid of. Hoping to clear her head, she moved into the open, thinking she would do more of the thrusts that Zoro had shown her earlier on the Going Merry.

Before she could begin, she noticed Zoro come back outside, looking around, and seeing her, come over. She smiled in relief, glad that they were finally going to talk.

"Kia, you should leave," he announced, before he even made it close to her.

"What?" she asked. "I'm not going to just leave you here alone."

"I'm not alone," he replied. "Saga is an old friend, and we made a promise years ago. I'll rejoin the crew once I finish."

Kia's eyes narrowed, as Zoro didn't even give her a chance to speak, he just turned around and started walking back to the dojo. "I'm worried," she said, and he stopped, though he didn't turn. "I'm having strange thoughts, wanting to fight all the time." She shook her head, thinking that he probably thought she was acting strange. "I'm not going to the others like that. Besides, friends help each other, not leave them to fight their own battles."

"I don't need your help to fight," he retorted, and walked away. She was a little angry at his words, but in truth he was right. He didn't need her in a fight, she would only be a liability.

Regardless, she thought, friends don't leave each other alone.

"Kia?"

She turned, seeing Tohma coming to her. "Hello again Tohma," she replied.

"Come on, Saga is speaking to all of us. We'll have time for practice afterwards," he said, gesturing for her to go with him.

"All right," she said, putting away her sticks. They walked to the dojo, and Tohma led her to the side of the building, as all the other marines formed lines in front of the stage. Saga sat there, on a massive stone chair, that made Kia think of a throne, with Zoro standing near him off to the opposite side of where she stood.

Saga began speaking not long afterward, about true justice, and fighting the evil around them. She could feel herself wanting to agree, but she fought the feeling, though it was harder the more Saga spoke. By the end, when he spoke of power being the true justice- power to save people from their enemies, she was nodding along.

Power- to save my family, she thought. He can help me!

Zoro felt like rolling his eyes. Saga was never one for fancy speeches, but he was their leader now, and he supposed that he knew what his men needed.

However, as the speech continued, Zoro grew suspicious. Since when had Saga decided that true justice meant power? And divinity? What a joke, he thought.

That was when all the men started hollering in agreement, and as he looked around and saw their blank stares, he began to feel even more wary. Kia's words from earlier rang in his head, and he looked over, just as she shouted out. He watched as she looked confused, shaking her head, then holding it, as though it pained her.

I'm having strange thoughts, she had said, he remembered, and he looked over at Saga again, and the strange light that seemed to emanate from his sword. Something isn't right.

In order to get to the bottom of it all, he questioned Saga about where he had gotten the sword. Saga gave vague answers about being chosen, and Zoro was even more convinced that something was wrong with that sword.

He finally got his chance to investigate, as Saga met with some of his men, leaving the sword on the throne. Zoro walked forward, intent on picking it up to look at it. The moment he touched it, he felt the power, and the curse. It wasn't like his own Kitetsu… this was much different, and evil.

He pulled his hand back, staring to make sure it was all right. Glaring at the sword still resting there, he turned to walk outside. He needed to think, and come up with a new plan… to get Saga away from that sword.

Walking outside, he could see Tohma working with Kia. He was going slow, giving her the opportunity to feel what hitting with her sticks felt like, so she could get used to the feeling. He felt bad for a moment, knowing he could be helping her much more, but shook the feeling off. He had decided from the beginning that she would set the pace of her training, that way, it would be in her hands how strong she got.

He stood there for some time, contemplating the situation he was in, trying to find a way to help his friend. He wasn't one for complicated plans, he just did what needed to be done. And in this case, all he could come up with, was to break the cursed sword.

"Mr. Zoro?"

He glanced to his left, seeing Tohma had taken a seat nearby on the stairs. He looked out at the yard, seeing Kia doing her acrobatics, or whatever she called it. "Yes?" Zoro replied.

"Do you want to know Master Saga's dream?" Tohma asked.

"I'll ask him myself," Zoro replied.

"Don't underestimate the power of the Seven Star Sword," Tohma warned. "Tonight it will awaken from a long sleep, and it will take a strong man as its first prey. In other words, a sacrifice."

"That would be me," Zoro answered, unamused at Saga's lack of subtlety.

"Yes," Tohma said with a small smile. "You did what we could not, what needed to be done."

"And now I'll be sacrificed," Zoro said wryly.

Tohma gave a shrug. "I thought Mr. Luffy would do, but he disappointed me."

"Don't underestimate him," Zoro quipped back. "He's the type of guy that will exceed any expectations." Zoro started down the stairs towards Kia, noticing that she had stopped and was holding her head. "You'll need to read people better if you want to be a true swordsman." He stopped at the ground, as Kia stood straight again. Perhaps she had merely overdid it.

"So, what are you going to do Mr. Zoro?" Tohma asked.

"That's up to Saga," Zoro replied, still facing Kia, his back to Tohma. "I put my life in his hands."

"I see," Tohma answered. "What kind of person is he really, our master?"

Zoro felt a pang for Saga, his men would never ask that if he had been the man he was before. Before the cursed sword… "He is the man you believe in… A swordsman," Zoro answered. I'll make sure of it, he added to himself.

He started towards Kia again, and Tohma called "Wait!" He stopped, but not because of Tohma calling him, but because Kia had started walking towards them.

"Unlike the others, I haven't lost my will completely. But soon… even that will be gone. It's what I wanted, but I am still kind of sad. Before that happens, Mr. Zoro… will you do me a favor?"

Zoro watched as Kia passed by him, worried, but she just looked tired. "Any time Tohma," Zoro replied with a smirk.

Tohma smiled, and attacked, and Zoro moved back to defend, their fight starting before Kia had even sat on the steps.

"Even if I die fighting you, I won't regret it!" Tohma said as he swung again and again. "I became Master's apprentice and I did become stronger! But this? This isn't my own strength! I'm not fighting for justice as I dreamed! If I keep going like this… I'll die as plain murderer! And I don't… want… that!" He punctuated his last words with a strike with all his might.

Zoro blocked the swing, and pushed forward, breaking the hold. "Don't talk while you're fighting! Just think about winning!"

He could hear Kia yell at them to stop their pointless fight, but they kept at it, measuring each others' ability. "Not bad Tohma!" he called with a smile.

"We're only getting started!" Tohma called back, as their swords clashed again. They grinned at each other, and in that one moment of quiet, they could both hear Kia gasp.

Looking over, and seeing Saga walking her forward towards them, had Zoro's eyes narrowing.

"Having fun Tohma?" Saga asked. "Did you ask Zoro to play with you?"

"Master?" Tohmas asked, confused at the look on Kia's face, as well as his master's. He grimaced as Saga moved the Seven Star Sword from Kia toward him.

"Playtime is over," Saga said, and Zoro watched as Tohma's face went from struggling, to look exactly like Kia's… void of anything.

"Saga!" Zoro called. "Kia? Tohma?" he yelled, wanting them to look at him, to see anything in their eyes.

"Interfere… and they die," Saga warned, and Zoro glared daggers at him, but doesn't move. Saga smirked in triumph. "Tohma, Kia, get to your positions."

"Yes," they respond, and Zoro's eyes go wide, as Saga lowers the sword, and they both start walking away.

"Sword of justice," Tohma mumbles.

"Save them all," Kia mutters.

"Justice is power!" Tohma says as he brandishes his sword.

"Power to save them!" Kia yells, pulling out her sticks, and they run off, away from the dojo and out the gate.

"No! Kia!" Zoro yells after her, but Saga's sword blocks him from moving. He glares back at his friend. "Saga…" he accuses. "You son of - she's not a fighter, she'll get hurt!"

"I've given her power, just as she wanted," he replied unconcerned.

"You don't even realize what you're doing, do you?" Zoro demanded. "What about Tohma? You're making him do something more painful than death itself!"

"They're weak," Saga said disdainfully. "In body and mind. That's why they need my power."

"Weak?! You're wrong!" Zoro yelled. "They have strong minds and pure dreams- just as you used to be. Even that cursed sword couldn't completely take them!"

Saga smirked. "Oh no? Awfully quick of your friend to join us…"

Zoro sneered. "And how long before you accepted the sword?! You're not the Saga I used to know. A girl barely trained lasted longer than you!"

Saga's fists clenched, but he remained calm. "No, I am not the old me. And I am about to be reborn." He looked up at the sky, where the huge red moon was reaching its peak. "That's why you're here, right? To help me achieve my new dream!

"Can't you go back to your old self?" Zoro asked, even as he readied his swords. "Saga!" he pleaded.

Saga merely smiled, and began a relentless attack. Zoro evaded, defending when needed, but he didn't attack, not until he was certain his friend could not be reasoned with.

"Saga, you fool! Wake up! Don't let that cursed sword control you!" His teeth gritted against his sword handle, as Saga laughed. "Fine, then I'll break that sword in two!" He pulled both swords in his arms over his shoulder, racing forward. "Tiger Hunt!"

Zoro attacked, again and again, looking for an opening, but Saga continued to evade out of his reach. Finally, he was faster than Saga, releasing an Oni Giri attack with satisfaction. The dust cleared, and the green lit sword just stared back at him. What?! That should have worked! he told himself.

"Now do you see?" Saga asked. "You don't have what it takes to defeat my Seven Star Sword, Zoro. It wants your blood. Mystic snake fang attack!" he yelled, as a wicked looking mist came towards Zoro from the sword.

Attack after attack, Zoro repelled the sword away, but eventually, the sword struck his shoulder. He kept up his defense, though another snuck past his guard, and got him on his side. He pushed through the pain, as the assault continued. Small stabs over and over, until his limbs were useless and he fell over.

He looked up, as Saga kicked his sword away from his reach, and stood above him. "I was foolish once, and lost the use of my right arm, and my future as a swordsman." Zoro remembered the accident, he had thought that Saga had died… saving him. "But now, I have the Seven Star Sword, and when we become one, I will gain all its powers! The world I seek will soon follow, a world of true darkness!" Zoro knew now that his friend was overtaken by the sword, he knew he needed to destroy it.

"Saga…" Zoro said uneasily, as he stood on shaky feet. "Our dream… and the promise we made, was nothing like that!" he yelled, striking with his last sword.

"You fool!" Saga shouted, blocking easily and striking Zoro again, causing him to fall. "You cannot kill me! Now get up! I want your blood!"

Saga stopped, and stared at the sky. Zoro looked up, seeing a bright light covering the island.

"What?!" Saga yells. "What is this?" He weakens, falling forward to one knee. "The moon will soon reach its peak, I am so close!" He face tightens in anger. "It must be Maya!" He roars in anger, and Zoro watches as the green fire of the sword consumes him, and suddenly he is gone.

Struggling, he pushes himself up. He needed to get moving, to wherever Saga went. He needed to stop him.

"What's going on?" Nami asked, as the light from the sphere went out. Looking across the valley, she could see the lights from the other towers were gone as well.

With a sudden yell, a man jumped out of the bushes, a sword in his hand, and she barely jumped back in time, brandishing her climatact to avoid his strike, as she yelped.

"Nami?!" Chopper asks, as he ran after them, throwing a rumble ball into his mouth.

She pushed against the strength of the swordsman, though he seemed so young, he was quite strong. She could hear someone running towards them, and she did everything she could to hold out until then, hoping that it was Chopper.

"Hey! Leave her alone!" Chopper yelled as he caught up. Tohma pushed Nami away, turning towards the new threat, with his sword ready.

"Hiya!"

Nami pulled her climatact out just barely keeping the attack from hitting her. She glared across the weapons, and did a double take.

"Kia!?" she yelled. "What are you doing?!"

Her friend didn't answer, just attacked again and again, and Nami could see that what little training she has done has helped tremendously, and she worried a little about not hurting Kia. She wasn't acting like herself, and was so quiet… attacking her friends… just like Zoro earlier.

Before she could do anything, Nami was surprised as Tohma attacked her again, and Kia turned to run for the tower.

"Chopper! She's not herself!" she yelled, worried that Chopper hadn't seen her blank eyes. She feinted left, distracting Tohma, and Chopper came behind him, hitting with his powerful hoof attack. Nami panted, getting her breath back.

"Kia!" she panted. "Ran for the tower!" Chopper looked to make sure she was okay, and changed to his jumping point, scaling the tower quickly to catch up with Kia. He barely caught up to her, right in front of the gem she was trying to get close enough to attack, though it looked like it was paining her. He tackled her, pinning her down as she struggled against him.

"Kia? What's happening?" he asked her, changing to his heavy point in order to keep her down. Nami joined them at the top of the tower, just as the sphere cracked into pieces.

Kia thrashed a moment more in his arms, and then went still. Nami glanced from Chopper to Kia, then to the sphere with a look of bewilderment. She could tell Chopper was just as worried as she was.

"Let's get back to the others," he said quietly, and Nami nodded. He picked Kia up, holding her gently, as they began running back to the village.

Kia woke up with the mother of all headaches. Looking around, she could see Chopper crying as he ran to hug her. Everyone looked relieved that she seemed okay, and Nami gazed into her eyes… just to be sure.

Zoro looked injured, but he was playing it off, as usual.

"Kia? You all right?" Usopp asked her.

"No, not really…" she muttered. "I mean, I feel okay, but being taken control of by a sword is pretty… weird."

"You remember what happened?" Nami asked.

Kia winced. "Yeah… uh, sorry about that."

Nami smirked. "No problem, but I should have told you that attacking me has a pretty steep fine…"

Kia chuckled, knowing that Nami wasn't really joking, and she'd be in debt to her friend forever now. But it was also Nami's way of ensuring that her friends stayed by her.

Without further ado, Luffy declared it time to set sail, so Kia moved to say goodbye to Tohma. He had been decent to her after all, and had even given her a few training pointers. Both Tohma and Saga tried to apologize, but she simply waved it off.

"It wasn't your fault," she told Saga. "I'm just glad that its over, and Zoro has his friend back."

Saga smiled at her, giving her a nod. "Keep training Kia," he replied. "You have potential."

"Thank you, master Saga," she said with a smile and a wave, heading with the others to the Going Merry. The farewells were short but heartfelt, and she waved from the railing with Nami and Sanji as the ship departed.

"That was fun!" Luffy called, even as his stomach made a loud rumble. "Sanji!" he bellowed. "I'm hungry!"

"The villagers gave us plenty of food," Sanji said, pointing to a large pile of food surrounding the mast. Luffy, Usopp and Chopper cheered about feasting, and pounced on the goodies.

"Kia, come eat!" Luffy called in between mouthfuls. "You need food to feel better!"

Kia smiled, but stayed where she was, enjoying the sea breeze on her face.

"Zoro!" Luffy called again. "Come eat!"

Zoro didn't move either, and Kia wondered if he would want to talk about it at some point. Her instincts wanted her to chew him out, but as she thought about it… it was simply who he was- helping his friends with no other thought.

She turned to go towards him, when the ship rocked wildly, sending her toppling over. "Kia my sweet, are you all right?" Sanji asked, having caught her before she face planted on the deck.

"Yeah, thanks Sanji," she replied. "What was that?" They all made their way to the railing to see a creature trying to cuddle up to the Merry.

"It's a huge hippo!" Usopp yelped.

"No, it's a hippo rhino!" Chopper corrected loudly. "He says that the Merry saved his life, and now he's in love with her!"

"Whaaat?" everyone asked him.

"Wait, when did we save his life?" Usopp questioned.

"And why attack us then?!" Nami yelled.

The hippo rhino trumpeted, and Robin calmly said, "That sounded like a mating call."

Kia looked perplexed. "So… it's doing some sort of mating ritual? Like a proposal?" she asked. Zoro scoffed at her, even as the hippo rhino cuddled the ship again, causing it to rock mercilessly.

He looked at her in consideration, and Kia stuck her tongue out at him. "What were you guys doing while I was gone?" he complained to the others, and Luffy started laughing.

"Onward!" Luffy ordered. "Full speed to our next adventure!"

The crew did what they could to move forward, though the hippo rhino made it difficult.

"This is worse than the marines chasing us!" Usopp exclaimed.