"Dru, I think that's all I can teach you about armament haki," Sabo said, smiling back to her when she grinned at him.

"So now that I can control it, how do I make it stronger?" she asked.

"Time and practice," he replied, and she nodded.

"I'll spend time everyday, add it in to my workouts," she said resolutely.

"That's a good idea, but you also need more work on your observation," Sabo cautioned, and Dru wrinkled her nose.

"I feel like I'll never get the hang of that one," she complained.

"All the more reason to work on it," Sabo replied, causing Dru to roll her eyes.

"Yes sir," she said sarcastically, and Sabo shook his head with a smile.

"Hey Dru!"

They both turned to see Koala coming into the room, waving papers in her hands.

"What's going on Koala?" Dru asked.

"I finally got copies of those wanted posters that you asked for," Koala answered, as she handed them over.

Sabo leaned over to look at the poster. "Monkey D. Luffy?" he asked curiously. "The Straw Hat pirate?"

"The same," Dru answered, and switched the papers to look at another. "And Roronoa Zoro," she continued. "Both of their pictures give them the same feel as Princess Vivi's descriptions of them." What she didn't say was how familiar they both looked. She was certain she had seen these faces before- in artwork and in figurines at Kia's place.

"What I don't understand," Koala said, "is how a kid like Luffy convinced a pirate hunter to decide to become a pirate! Doesn't that seem strange?"

"Hmm, I never thought of that," Dru replied. "That IS odd, now that you mention it."

"That's not all," Koala said and showed the others another wanted poster of a child with a huge bounty. "It was reported that Nico Robin is also part of their crew now, though she was a part of Crocodile's organization during the mess in Alabasta."

"I wonder when that happened…" Sabo mused.

"Must have been not too long ago," Dru surmised. "The princess didn't mention her in conjunction with the crew at all."

"That's true, but if that was the case, how did they meet up?" Sabo asked.

"Strange." Dru looked back to Koala. "How old is she now? I can't imagine Crocodile having children in his crew."

Koala smiled, "late twenties if I have my timing right," she answered. "This picture was taken when she was given the bounty, right after the Ohara incident."

"Ohara incident?" Dru asked.

"Don't worry, I didn't know either," Koala said, her smile fading as she became serious. "I had to ask around about why she would get such a bounty at such a young age, and Leader filled me in. Incidentally, he said he always hoped to recruit Nico Robin."

"Really?" Sabo asked, as curious as Dru now. "Why?"

"Apparently she is an archeologist, and has the ability to decipher the poneglyphs," Koala answered.

"Whoa," Sabo breathed, his eyes going wide. "That's amazing!"

"Wait…" Dru interrupted, "it's all fitting now." She turned to Sabo. "Didn't the King of Alabasta say something about Crocodile having a woman who could read their poneglyph? That's why he started the rebellion in the first place?"

"Hey, you're right…" Sabo said as the memory hit him. "So that woman was Nico Robin?" he said, sounding impressed. "Sounds like she has had a lot of practice in survival, since she's had such a large bounty for twenty years."

"Leader said that the world government destroyed the entire island of Ohara, because the scholars there were trying to read the poneglyphs. Of course that wasn't what the actual charges were, and the rest of the world was told a different story about how evil they all were, but there are those that know the truth… like Leader apparently."

"He has people everywhere he can, perhaps he knew some of those from Ohara?" Sabo suggested.

"If so, it would be a very difficult thing to speak of," Dru said, feeling sad. "I wouldn't ask too many questions," she suggested, and Sabo finally nodded his agreement.

"I'll wait for the right time," he replied.

"Well Kia wouldn't stay with any old pirate crew," Dru explained. "So they must have something to offer Nico Robin to have her stay as well."

"Protection?" Koala suggested.

"I'm not sure, at least not yet," Dru answered. "Eventually when I see Kia again, I can always ask her."

"Which sister was this again?" Koala asked.

Dru grunted. "The artist," she replied. "I wish I could draw like she could, then I could show you what they look like."

"A description is fine," Koala consoled her. "It can just be hard to keep them all straight, but I want to be able to call them by name when I meet them," she said with a grin.

"They'll love that," Dru replied. "Kia has the dark hair with red in it, and the bright blue eyes. She'll also be the one that will greet you with a smile."

"Your other sisters won't?" Sabo asked with a smirk.

"Well, I guess it depends on the situation," Dru replied with a wink. "Ash tends to try to assert herself, and Reese tends to observe first, get a measure of the other. Whereas Kia will just walk up and greet you."

"A real people person huh?"

"Not really," Dru answered. "It's kinda like a front that she puts on, because while she's very friendly, she doesn't let people in very easily. She's been hurt before, and kind of nervous to be hurt again by those she thought of as friends."

"No wonder you were asking the princess so many questions about her crew," Sabo said in understanding.

"Exactly," Dru replied. "For her to bond so quickly, I figured they must be something special."

"Your sisters sound so different from each other, it must be fun when you are all together," Sabo commented.

"It can be, sure," Dru agreed with a chuckle. "It can also be the most exasperating. What about your family?" she asked the two of them.

They each looked away, it made Dru feel like she asked something wrong. "Oh, uh, sorry. Just forget I asked."

"No, that's okay Dru… in fact it's probably time I told you," Koala said apologetically.

"If it's personal, don't worry about it," Dru said.

"It is of course, but you're my friend, and I want you to know," Koala replied.

"It's not a secret or anything," Sabo added. "It's just… I guess we don't really talk about it, and it's not something that usually comes up."

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable…" Dru said, wondering what they could possibly have to tell her.

"I can't… remember my family," Sabo said. "In fact, I had a bad accident, and Dragon saved me. I couldn't remember anything of my life before that time."

"Oh, that's…. awful!" Dru said, feeling horrible that she was making him relive it. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's all right," he replied, giving her a gentle smile. "Dragon was willing to go back, look for my family, but the feeling I had was that I wanted to get away from my home island, so I went with him. I tend to think that meant my childhood wasn't that great."

"It must have been quite a traumatic accident to make you forget everything," Dru said. "Did Dragon give you your name then?" she asked.

He smiled widely at her then. "No, Sabo was written on the few things I had escaped with, so we knew that much at least."

"I've heard that your mind will let you remember when you are ready to deal with it," Dru said. "Though that could just be what doctors that had no idea would say."

"Either way, I'm happy with my life," he replied. "I'm making the world a better place, and I'll always believe that meeting Dragon and getting away meant that I could be in a better place."

"Then it was a good thing."

"That's how I see it."

"Good then," Dru said with a smile, turning to Koala, who still looked upset. "what is it?" she asked.

"It's not a feel good story Dru, you may want to sit down," Koala said quietly.

Sabo sat quietly throughout Koala's explanation of her time as a slave, and meeting some wonderful fishmen, and being returned home, only to then have Fisher Tiger killed. She wasn't sure what exactly happened, but felt that the marines were responsible.

He continued to sit with his thoughts as Dru cried with her friend. He was sure she felt that she understood them and their motivations to be a part of the revolutionary army better now. Once they had quieted down, and there was still some tension in the air, he decided to speak, and get them to smile again.

"So Dru… I think you should tell me more about these sisters," he said, giving her a smirk. "Will any of them be fun to flirt with, or will they all fall hopelessly in love with me?" he asked. "I don't want to break hearts if I can help it."

Dru was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Oh, I think you'll find yourself way out of your league with those three," she countered. "I'd say try your best, but don't blame me if you fall in love with one of them, and they give you the cold shoulder."

"Hah!" he answered. "Since there is only one of me, it's my duty to share myself with as many pretty women as possible."

"Ugh," Koala said, though she also began to smile, and Sabo thought his mission complete. "Too bad you don't have brothers Dru," she said.

"I'm sure I can find a few if you need me to," Dru replied.

"I'll let you know if it comes to that," she answered. "Though if I'm going to join your family, I'd rather just be your sister, rather than through some guy."

"Deal," Dru said happily. "I can always use another sister, especially to help keep those other ones in line, though it sounds like Kia is the only one joining a pirate crew."

"We aren't much better, according to the world government," Koala said with a chuckle. "My guess is I'd get along great with her."

"I guess we'll find out at some point," Dru said, grinning. "Of course, if I claim you as family, looks like Sabo just got five sisters."

Sabo's eyes went wide as he thought of it. "Five sisters?You realize what kind of pressure that puts on me?!" he exclaimed, and the girls giggled.

"I think you're up to it," Koala said. "You already know how to handle unruly subordinates, and you have no problem giving orders."

"Sounds like a big brother to me," Dru added, and they laughed.

"Very funny," Sabo said grumpily, even as his heart soared as he thought about it. He had always wanted siblings. "Honorary sisters then," he muttered. "They'll still all fall for me."

The girls laughed harder, and Sabo stood, telling them to get moving because he was hungry, and herded them to the mess hall.

Dru put her journal and pen away, as she heard a knock on her door, and rose to answer it. A messenger delivered a notice that she was being summoned to Dragon's office, so she moved quickly to follow him.

She wondered if she should detour to Koala's or Sabo's room, but determined that they were most likely already called in. She began thinking of reasons why Dragon would call for her, and hoped that she would be heading out for another mission. She was terribly lonely whenever Sabo and Koala were called away.

She could admit that what she really wanted was to go on a mission with either of her friends. The ones she went on weren't always the most important missions, but she felt it was likely that theirs were. Sabo was second in command after all. If he was given a mission, that meant it was important.

Coming up to the office, Dru knocked briskly, and heard the command to enter, so she turned the handle and pushed open the door. Giving a nod and a smile to Dragon, she made a little salute with her hand and asked, "you wanted to see me?"

"Miss Dru, please come in," Dragon replied, and Dru did so, closing the door behind her. "I am having difficulty with a decision, and I'd like your opinion."

"Mine?" she asked, surprised. He nodded, his expression not giving anything away, so she continued. "I'd be happy to help," she said.

"Excellent," he said, gesturing to the chair for her to sit. "There is an operative that we should have heard from by now, and we have not," he explained. "I want to send someone to assess the situation on the island where he last was, however it is a dangerous place."

"All due respect Sir," Dru spoke up. "I know most people would eagerly say that they can handle dangerous places, but I have to ask… what makes it so dangerous?"

She was a little taken aback, seeing Dragon smirking at her. "And that Miss Dru, is exactly why you are here, instead of someone else."

"It is?" she asked, confused.

"Indeed," he replied. "I want to send someone, yes, but it would have to be someone cautious… someone that would not be recognized… someone that would not run headfirst into a bad situation."

"And you think that someone is… me?" she squeaked.

"I do," he said as he nodded. "But this is not an order, it is a request that you are free to decline."

"Can I hear the dangerous part before deciding?" she asked, somewhat timidly, and he chuckled.

"I can't give you too many specifics before hearing your answer, but… the island puts on a pretty face while horrible things take place right under the surface. It is a place where both pirates and marines feel at home… and Celestial Dragons are often there."

Dru's eyebrows rose as her eyes went wide. "I… I thought I was supposed to avoid Celestial Dragons?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Unfortunately there are times we cannot, and this place could be one of those times."

"Why are they there?" she asked. "I thought they mostly stayed in the holy land?"

He nodded again. "You remember your lessons well," he praised her. "Yes, but this particular island is home to many slave auctions. The Dragons go there to procure new slaves." He took in her uncertainty, and added, "we have taught you how to behave so as not to attract attention."

Dru was quiet as she thought, wondering why she was the choice for this. Something he had said came back to her, and so she asked. "You said someone that wouldn't be recognized," she said. "Am I the only one able to do this?"

He slowly shook his head. "But you were my first choice," he said, "and I would send Hamlet with you, if you agree."

She thought of the older, soft spoken man that had joined just before she had. She didn't know much about him, but had always been impressed with his ability to complete anything asked of him.

Dru was quiet again, her uncertainty warring with her desire to do something to help these wonderful people that had so helped her. Finally, she nodded. "All right," she agreed. "I'll do it."

Dragon looked pleased, and he nodded to her. "I'll send for Hamlet, and we will brief you both on the conditions of Sabaody," he said, moving to the door to do just that.

Sabaody… Dru thought. Didn't sound too scary…

Kia looked around, noting that she was finally alone. It was her turn to stay up for watch, and lately someone had always decided to stay up with her, whether it was Nami wanting to talk, Chopper deciding to use the time to teach her something, or Zoro or Robin simply staying up even though they didn't keep her company.

She felt strange that she was keeping this such a secret, but she wanted to start on learning haki. Who knew how long it would take her, and she wasn't ready to talk to the others about it, because she wasn't exactly sure she had the answers to their inevitable questions… added to the fact that she wasn't sure if she could help them learn haki at all.

So, she was going to try it on her own. If she had any success, she'd share, maybe, but she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.

Climbing up to the crow's nest, she tied off her rope and threw it over. Climbing back down, she grabbed the end, and tied several knots at the base, so that the end of the rope hung a couple of feet from the deck. Then sitting cross-legged, she grabbed the rope and closed her eyes, then sent it swinging.

She concentrated, listening, trying to picture where the rope was. She didn't move, waiting for a clear thought as to where the rope would hit her. Since she didn't have one, she stayed still, even when the knot struck her arm.

Opening her eyes, she grabbed the rope, letting it settle. Then, she closed her eyes, and started again.

Across the deck, Zoro watched in confusion, before shrugging. It wasn't an exercise he had given her, but he wasn't the only one giving her training, so he forgot about it as he looked out at the ocean.

The kitchen door opened, and Robin walked out, carrying her coffee and mug to her room. She too paused at seeing Kiana, and she watched for a few moments, trying to understand what she was doing. Perhaps Zoro is trying to toughen her up? she thought. Or getting her used to focusing even when there were outside distractions?

Shrugging, Robin continued on to her room, excited to get back to her book.

Kia continued long into the night, concentrating and focusing. She tried again and again, failure after failure, until she finally laid back to rest, falling into sleep before she had a chance to stop herself.

Sanji's internal alarm had him opening his eyes. It was still dark, but he knew it was time for him to start his day. He got up quietly, changing his clothes with ease in the darkness, and heading out of the boy's room toward the kitchen. He started thinking of what he wanted to make for meals and snacks that day, making lists of ingredients and timing schedules needed to accomplish it.

Hearing a whimper brought him out of his thoughts, and he stopped to look around the deck, wondering where the sound had come from. The moon and stars provided enough light to see by, but he still had to move in order to find out where the noise had come from.

Hearing what sounded like whimpers and cries, he moved more quickly, and finally found what he sought. He looked down at Kia, who was tossing and turning on the deck. He wondered momentarily why she was there without a blanket or pillow, but hearing her give another whimper had him kneeling down next to her and giving her shoulder a gentle shake.

"Kia?" he asked quietly. "Kia my darling, wake up," he pressed, leaning down so that she could hear him without having to raise his voice. He knew the swordsman was a light sleeper, and he'd rather not have the irritable man interrupt his morning solitude.

Shaking her a little harder, had Kia gasping as she popped up into a sitting position, and grabbing him around the neck in a tight hug. Sanji could feel his heart beat faster, wondering what had gotten into her… wondering if this was something she had always wanted, but had been too shy to do… wondering then, if it was some sort of signal, and if he should reciprocate.

Of course, that had him wondering where she would want him to put his hands. Oddly enough, the idea of touching her intimately had him shying back, and he began to wonder what was wrong with him. That was when he noticed that she was trembling- and not because of anything he was doing.

"Uh… Kia?" he asked gently. "Are you all right, darling?"

"I'm sorry," she replied, pulling back, and scrubbing her hands over her face.

He could see that she hadn't quite caught her breath back, and he knew that that had nothing to do with him either. He gave her a compassionate smile and asked, "a nightmare?"

Kia nodded, taking a few deep breaths. "Nothing new, but apparently it still affects me," she replied, pulling her legs in and crossing them as she sat taller. "I'm sorry to have bothered you," she said.

"Hardly a bother," Sanji said, giving her shoulder a push, letting her know that what she had said was ridiculous. "I'm just headed into the kitchen to get started," he said, as he gracefully stood up, and offered her his hands. "Want to keep me company?" he asked.

"That sounds… really great," she decided, moving to take his hands, and he helped her to her feet. "Do I get to help?" she asked.

"I need someone to taste everything, to make sure the captain will approve," he said with a wink. He offered his arm to escort her, and she took it.

"I'm a great tester," she said with a grin, and he felt the first step of making her feel better was successful. Now he would get her a hot drink, and perhaps make scones. Get her talking of something else, and she would back to her happy self in no time.

He opened the kitchen door for her, gesturing for her to go first, and she did. He lit the lanterns as she took a seat at the table.

"Are you sure I can't help?" she asked, looking around.

"Actually, I'd love to hear a story," he said as he began to heat some chocolate to make her a mug of cocoa.

She noticed what he was doing, and knowing that it was for her, she smiled at his back. "A real story, or a made up one?" she asked, causing him to glance back to her.

"Hmm… I think I'd like to hear more about your family, if that's all right," he replied. "We're going to meet these sisters when we finally find them, so we should know them a little bit better, don't you think?"

Kia propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. "I suppose that's true," she agreed. "Let me think of one," she said, thinking.

"A good one," he added. "A happy one."

"All right…" she replied. After another few moments of silence, she began. "Every year on the last weekend before school started, we would all spend the day on the water. Mom and Dad loved sailing, and had taught us all to love boats, love being on the water."

"And you would all go for a sail together?" he asked with a wistful smile.

"Yes," she answered, deep in memory. "Once school started again, we all were so busy. This was a chance for one last day of fun before the madness of real life began again." She knew that wouldn't make as much sense to Sanji, but she could see it all so clearly. "Reese was so excited that she was almost eighteen, and she just kept dancing around the deck, singing random songs."

"She sings?" he asked with a smile.

"Very well actually, though she hardly will do so in front of anyone but family," she responded. "Dru had decided what her dream was, and was writing in her journal about how she would achieve it, though Dad was teasing her about how he still wanted to simply sail all the way around the world instead.

"Ash was practicing her high kicks-"

"Miss Ashley?" Sanji asked in surprise. "Kicking?"

Kia took in the dopey grin on his face. "Yeah, kicking. She has taken multiple classes on different fighting techniques. She likes to learn different disciplines, and put them together to make her own style."

Sanji set the mug of cocoa in front of her, and Kia leaned over to sniff it in appreciation. "This smells fantastic Sanji," she said.

"Enjoy," he said, moving back to gather ingredients for his morning baking.

"So…" Kia drawled. "Should I simply talk about… Miss Ashley instead?" she asked, teasing. Seeing Sanji's face flush slightly had her smiling.

"No, no," he said calmly. "I enjoy hearing about all your family," he added smoothly. "Of course, any time you want to tell me about Miss Ashley, I would be more than happy to listen…"

"Of course," she replied with a chuckle. "As I was saying, Ash was kicking, and she was getting much too close for comfort for Reese. They started bickering… much like you and Zoro always do," she noted with a smile at Sanji's sneer.

"I was simply enjoying it all," she continued. "Reclining on a chair, and trying to get a tan. Dru and Reese could get tan without trying, and I was always jealous," she recalled. "I would try every chance I could to get some color."

"You're beautiful as you are Kia my sweet," Sanji said automatically, and Kia gave him a look that he ignored.

"Anyway," she went on, "I looked over to my parents, wondering if one of them would tell the two brats to knock it off, or if we were simply to ignore them. I saw Dad's arm around Mom, his fingers were playing with the ends of her hair. His other hand was holding hers, and it looked as if they were laughing at a private joke. He lifted her hand to his face, and gave it a kiss."

Sanji was quiet, as he could hear the wistfulness in her voice. He enjoyed the picture she was painting with her words, and could practically feel the happiness she had had in that moment.

"They were like that…" she said. "Little touches between them, always. I always knew how much they loved each other, and us." She took another drink of her cocoa, licking her lips afterward to get the cream that had stayed on her upper lip. "Not long after, Reese and Ash went at each other, and Ash's flying tackle took both of them over the side and into the water." She chuckled at the memory.

"Oh, their faces were priceless, and Reese was so steamed to be in the water, since she was still fully clothed. Mom and Dad just laughed, and helped them come back aboard. By that time, they were laughing too, their fight completely forgotten. We all laughed together for quite awhile, we couldn't seem to stop."

Sanji put the bread aside to rise, and moved to start prepping vegetables for the day. He was smiling, looking over to Kia with a grin.

His smile fled as he saw a tear fall down her cheek.

"Kia? Darling, are you all right?" he asked, leaving his cutting board and moving around to her.

"Yeah," she said with a sniff, wiping her face. "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be sorry," he replied, crouching down to look her in the eyes. "I thought it was a happy memory?" he asked.

"It is," she replied. "That's what makes it so special." She took a deep breath, calming herself. "It was the last day we saw our parents alive," she explained. "That's why it's so wonderful, and yet still so sad."

She looked up at him, tears swimming in her eyes. "I could really use a hug," she offered, and without a thought, Sanji enveloped her gently in an embrace.

"I'm sorry my sweet," he murmured, thinking of his last talk with Ashley, and how she had said she wished she had been able to say goodbye to her parents. But at least they had this, he thought. And each other. "But I'm so glad you had this memory of them, and their love for each other, and for you."

Kia's thoughts turned to the man who held her, remembering that while he had had Zeff, he also had memories of his own family, though most were painful. "Thank you Sanji," she mumbled into his chest. "You're a wonderful brother."

She felt him stiffen for a moment, but then relaxed as he understood that she was meaning that he was a brother to her. She hadn't been meaning only that, but he couldn't know, though she hoped he took it to heart. His siblings may not know, or truly ever understand how wonderful he was, but she hoped he would.

"You know, when I was first leaving the restaurant to go with Luffy, your sister stopped me," he said, causing Kia to push back and look up at him.

"She did?" she asked. "You didn't say anything about this before."

He put his arms down, pulling out the bench and straddling it in order to face her. She marveled that he looked somewhat embarrassed. "No I didn't, because it really didn't paint myself in a good light."

"What happened?" she asked curiously.

"Well, the cooks were basically trying to push me out, knowing that I really wanted to go..." he explained the situation. "And Miss- " he broke off, trying to use her name only, for reasons he didn't understand. "Uh, Ashley, asked if I wasn't going to give Chef Zeff a farewell."

"You weren't?" Kia asked, a twinkle in her eyes as she smiled.

"No," he replied. "I was pretty steamed. But then, this pretty girl that I hardly knew, scolded me- very nicely, but still. She said that she would give anything in the world to have been able to say goodbye to her parents." He stopped for a moment, hearing Kia's small inhale. "A part of me has always wondered why she wasn't able to, but then she told me that I didn't want to live a life with regrets."

He moved his hand under her chin to raise her face up to look at his. "That has stayed with me ever since, Kia," he said solemnly. "I never want to live with regrets, and thanks to your sister… to your shared experiences, I'll do my best not to." He let go of her, looking down. "That probably doesn't mean much, but I hope that you know, it's changed my life."

Kia copied his own movements, pushing his chin up until he looked at her. "We lost Mom and Dad in an accident," she said as an explanation. "But we always feel them with us. I can guarantee they would be pleased to know that something good came from it."

"As far as I can tell, four amazing somethings came from them," he told her with a smirk. "I wish I could have met them, but I'll be content knowing them through you."

She couldn't help it, she just HAD to tease him. "And Ashley…" she replied in a sing song voice, seeing his own daydreaming, grinning expression.