I'm updating! I'm updating! And I'm waaayyy to excited about it. Well...anyway...this chapte is mainly one big flash back. Vivi...well, you'll see.

Chapter 19

Vivi sat beside the bed. The curtains were tightly drawn and only a single ray of sunshine fell on Vivi's face. She had been in the same spot for three days now, eating little and refusing to leave. Her normally composed face was showing signs of little sleep and general neglect.

There was a soft knock, barely audible, on the large oak doors.

"Come in." Vivi said softly.

The door creaked open on it's ancient hinges and Vivi looked up to see who her visitor was. When she saw a flash of orange hair, a thin smile creeped onto her lips. "Hey Nami." she said quietly as she greated the other woman.

Nami took a seat in a small chair near Vivi's. One look at Vivi's face and her smile faded. "Vivi, you really need to rest. He'll be fine. Look, I'll watch him for you if that would make you feel better. I could come and get you if-" Nami urged but Vivi cut her off.

"No." she insisted. "I'm fine. I just can't bring myself to leave him. After all I've done, I just can't stand to see him die. I won't leave until I know he's okay."

Nami shrugged, helpless. She, along with half the palace, had been trying for two days to get Vivi to leave but had gotten the same result each time. This last attempt had been a weak one and Nami knew it. Now, she had nothing to say to covince Vivi to leave. She and everyone else had exausted all possible routes. Vivi had her mind set to stay and she wasn't budging. "Well, I guess I'll get back to the others. Robin probably needs some help with all the men down there." Nami said with a slight chickle, a weak jab at humor. Vivi didn't even flinch. All her attention was focused on the still form laying in the bed. With a sigh, Nami made her way to the door. She paused when it was half open, her hand resting on it. "We'll be in our room if you need us." she said and then she was gone. The door shut with another creak and the room fell silent.

Vivi rested her head on one of her hands and let out a long sigh. "Please be alright." she whispered. "Don't die now. Not after all you've done. Don't leave me."

3 Days Ago

"I have to find help." Vivi thought. She was running up the set of stairs that had led her into the chamber only about an hour ago. She tripped and went sprawling. She stood up, blood dripping out of a fresh cut on her knee, bit her lip, and kept running. Nothing was going to stop her.

When she reached the entrance of the passage way, she didn't even pause. She ran by the unconscious guards (thanks to Zoro) and then in the general direction of her bedroom. At that moment, she didn't care who she found. All she wanted was another person. Anyone to help her.

Not paying attention to where she was going, she rounded the corner and ran smack into someone. "I'm sorry." she muttered. She looked up and relief washed over her. "Father!" she cried.

"Vivi?!" he asked in surprise, not daring to believe it was actually her. Then he noticed the bruises and cuts that covered her body. "What happened?! We need to find you help!" He helped her up and began leading her somewhere.

"No! Stop!" she cried. "Listen, I'm fine. It's my friends that need help! Find a doctor or someone and bring them to the chamber immediately."

He looked at her and then silently let go of her hand. "I'll see what I can do. The Royal Guard is on their way back. There should be some doctors with them. How bad is it?" he asked.

"T-T-The Royal Guard?!" Vivi said, her voice shaking, not quite believing what she had heard. Then, remembering that her friends needed her, she quickly answered, "It's pretty bad. Two have been poisoned. One was impaled. The others are not much better."

Cobra nodded gravely. "Find some of the guards who are left around here and take them with you to the chamber. Swear them to secrecy first."

"Don't worry about secrecy father." she interrupted. "The stone is destroyed. I will though. My friends need to be protected."

"Oh. Well...anyway..." he stammered. "Take them down there and have them bring anyone who needs medical attention to the guest bedroom. I'll find someone to send that way."

"Thank you so much. I'm glad you're safe." she said as she hugged him tightly.

Cobra wrapped his arms around her, holding her in a warm embrace as only a father can. "I'm glad you're safe too."

They let go and Vivi smiled at him. Then, she turned away and went to find some guards to assist her. "I'm coming guys! You'll get help!!!" She ran down one corridor after the other, hoping to find someone, anyone. Maybe she would have a more difficult time finding help then she thought.

"Princess Vivi!!!" a voice called from behind her.

Vivi whirled around to see who had called to her. She was relieved to see two guards running toward her. "I need your help with something." she said when they got closer.

"Y-Y-You sh-sh-shouldn't be out of your r-room princess. Crocodile may harm you." one of the guards stuttered. It was painfully obvious that if Vivi had refused, the guard wouldn't use force.

Vivi smiled warmly. "You don't have to worry about him anymore. Crocodile has been defeated. His reign is over." she said.

The guard's jaws dropped. They stared at Vivi incredulously. "I-Is that really true?" one of them asked, almost afraid to know the answer.

Vivi nodded and suddenly, the two burst out cheering. Vivi let them celebrate for a moment before bringing them back to reality. "Guys!" she cried to get their attention. They stopped, embarassed, stood up straight, and then faced her. When she was sure she had their attention, she continued. "Like I said, I need your help with something."

"What is it princess?" the guard asked.

"I...well...follow me!" she finally said.

The guards looked at each other and shrugged. Then, without a word they nodded and so the group took off. Vivi led them silently along, not bothering to explain anything. She would when they got there.

She led them to the entrance of the chamber and didn't even pause. The guards followed uncertainly. When they reached the small room before the chamber, Vivi turned to face them and they came to a hault.

"Now, what you are getting ready to see, no one else has." Vivi said. "The secrets this chamber once held have now been destroyed. That does not mean that you can tell anyone though. This will be our secret. The events that have taken place in here should be locked away. Forever. And that is what I intend to do once our job is complete. Promise me you will not reveal to anyone what you are about to see. There are people in there that need to be protected."

"We promise." they said in unison. They were suddenly very excited about their upcoming job, whatever it was. As simple palace guards, they had never seen any action. The past week, althought terrifying, was probably the highlight of their career. Now they were with the princess of Alabasta, about to embark on a top secret mission.

Vivi turned and entered the chamber. The guards quickly followed.

As they entered, the guards gazed around in awe. There were giant pieces of stone and sapphire all over the ground and even though the place was in shambles, it was no less magnificent.

"Over here." Vivi said, motioning for them to follow. They shuffled behind her until they came up on the body of a young woman with orange hair framing her still features.

One of the guards jumped back. "I-Is she dead?" he asked nervously.

"No. Not yet anyway." Vivi replied.

The guard nodded but couldn't help staring at the deep gash in the woman's stomach.

"Trust me." Vivi said sternly as she caught the guards' sideways glances.

"Yes Vivi-sama." the guards replied.

"Now, I need a way to move her and the rest of them out of here. That's what I need your help with. Be gentle with them though. Some of them are in critical condition." Vivi explained.

At the mention of more people, the guards began glancing around nervously. Just how many people were in this chamber? And how many were no longer alive?!

"Ummm...Vivi-sama...are you sure about this? I mean...who are these people?" one guard asked.

Vivi turned around. Her long lasting patience was wearing thin. "They are my nakama. I can't let them die and you shouldn't want them to anyway. They are the ones who saved our country." she said through gritted teeth. The guards stared at her in shock. Unable to stand it anymore, Vivi cried out, "Just do it okay!!!!!"

"Yes princess!" they cried and seperated to try and find everyone.

"Hey!" one of the guards suddenly cried. "I-I-Isn't this guy Strawhat Luffy?" he asked nervously.

Vivi looked up from where she had been attending to Chopper. She saw the guard standing a short distance from Luffy, who's hat had been laying beside him and had ultimately tipped off the guard to his identity.

She stood up and made her way over to the guard. "I'll take care of him." she said calmly.

"But princess, he's a criminal! And now that I think about it, aren't all these people criminals? Your father wouldn't approve of this. They're pirates!!!" the guard protested.

Finally, at the end of her patience, Vivi shouted, "They're my friends and they saved Alabasta!!! Show them some respect!!!!!"

The guard took a step back, shocked at Vivi's strange behavior. She was protective of these guys. Unfortunately, as he was stepping back, he happened to find the one dead body in the room. He stumbled backwards over the body and fell to the floor. When he saw what he had tripped over, that was it. He lost it. His screams echoed in the chamber and Vivi was sure he would wake the dead.

As she pushed her hands over her ears, she cried, "BE QUIET!!!"

He stopped though he still trembled in fear and disgust. "W-W-W-Whhhaaaatttt...happened to...him?" he asked nervously.

"It's a long story. One you don't need to know right now. Just help me and we can get out of here!" Vivi said. She knew she was running out of time. The poison in Luffy's and Zoro's system could either kill them or do permanent damage. Luffy's dose would most likely kill him. She shuddered at the thought.

After the little incident, the rest of the job passed smoothly. Vivi and the two guards managed to stabalize everyone enough to move them to a more comfortable place. Vivi decided that they needed to get Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Chopper, and Luffy immediate attention. They were by far the worst. She ordered the first guard to gently carry Zoro and Sanji. The second she told to carry Nami and Chopper. Finally, she picked up Luffy with some effort. She had gotten stronger since his last visit, though, and was able to manage it.

"You've helped me more than you will ever know. Let me return the favor. It's finally my turn to carry you." she thought as she looked down at his face. She put his hat around her neck, hanging it there by it's string. Then, she followed the two guards toward the passage way.

Just as she was about to exit, she heard someone call out to her. "Wait princess. I can help." a female voice said.

Vivi turned around and saw Robin following her. Despite beeing tired, she smiled.

"Do you trust me now?" Robin questioned.

Vivi thought and then slowly nodded. "Yes. After all you have done, you have my trust. Besides, if Luffy-san trusts you, then so do I." Vivi said.

Roin nodded. "I'll be right back." she said and dissappeared. "Dos Fleur." she heard Robin say. "Slap."

Suddenly she heard a cry of, "I'm up! I'm up!!!" she heard a man cry. Vivi stayed where she was, even though she was very curious.

"Come on cyborg-san. We have work to do." she heard Robin say. This was followed by some grumbling and then a second later, Robin appeared followed by Franky.

"We'll take care of long nose-kun and the other swords..." Robin stopped mid sentence. She had suddenly remembered what had happened to Kelvin. "I'm sorry." Robin appologized.

"It's okay." Vivi replied quietly. "Just get Usopp and we'll be on our way."

Robin nodded. "Cyborg-san, would you?" she asked.

Franky sighed but reluctantly agreed. He dissappeared and returned with Usopp moments later. "Let's go." he said.

They followed the guards up the stairs in silence. There was nothing to say.

When they reached the top, Vivi instructed everyone to follow her. She led them to the guest bedroom. It seemed unreal that they had been there only hours before, planning the fight with Crocodile. How much had changed?

Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and Usopp were given beds. Robin and Franky simply sat at a small table in the corner. Vivi still held Luffy.

"I'll take him to another room. The others should be okay here. My father will send medical attention soon." Vivi said. "I'll leave the guads to-"

Robin cut her off. "I'll keep an eye on them. Could we have some tea?" she asked.

"Yes mam." one of the guards said and quickly ran off to fetch some tea. The other soon followed, having nothing else to do.

"I'll check on you guys once he wakes up." Vivi said and then left, taking Luffy to a room where she could watch him in peace.

Present

All that had been three days ago. Since then, the Royal Guard had returned. Everyone else was awake and for the most part okay. Mr.1 had been arrested and Vivi's bedroom was newly refurnished. Still, Luffy had not woken up. Vivi had stayed with him the whole time, never leaving once and hardly sleeping. She knew evryone was worried about her, but she just couldn't leave.

"Why won't you wake up?" she thought. "Everyone else is fine now. Chopper has even come to help you. He's done all he can. Now it's up to you. I know you will live. You always have before! You won't leave me, I know it."

The weight of the past week was finally catching up to Vivi. Her eyes began to droop, and before she was even aware of it, she had drifted into a heavy sleep.

Luffy's eyes open. The truth was, he had been awake for awhile. He just hadn't wanted to get up until he was sure Vivi was asleep. He stood up and put his hat on and walked over to the window and opened it.

"I'm sorry Vivi. I just can't face them. Not after all I've done. I know they know the truth. You would have told them by now. I need some time to think." Luffy thought. He looked down at himself. Then, he quietly removed most of the bandages, except for the ones covering his chest and stomach. He then tiptoed quietly back across the room and picked up a brand new red vest that was laying on the table beside the bed and put it on. He had no clue where his shoes were so he went back to the window, and with on last glance at Vivi, slipped outside.

That chapter was...interesting to write. It was sort of boring after the last few but it was necessary. It's just one of those things.