Whew, let's just take a moment to relax. That last chapter almost gave me a heart attack, and I knew what was going to happen. I probably didn't help all the Zo/ro shippers; I accidently made it more romantic then it should have, but oh well. All right, all is well, let's go back to the war.

I pat Nami and Sanji on the back.

"Come on, let's go back to Luffy."

Nami looped an arm around my shoulder, worry present in her voice.

"How is he?"

I wiped my remaining tears with the heel of my palm and sighed exhaustedly. That much adrenaline at once is tiring, not to mention my body now has a pint less of blood in it. Oh well, I'm just glad it helped.

"Yeah, he's fine now."

Both relax drastically. Sanji gritted his teeth.

"I will stomp him into oblivion for making you cry Rose-swan."

I chuckle.

"Not if I get there first."

I give them a reassuring smile and turn back to the battlefield, taking up my original place, without a swordsman to gaurd my back.

I automatically feel sudden anger. Someone had the audacity, the nerve, to injure and almost kill one of my crewmates, and not just any crewmate, Zoro of all people. They will pay for that. I draw my weapon, letting my raging emotions lend me strength.

I start with the marine that did the deed. He tried to shoot me, so he had to try again right? I glance around and my eyes meet with a marine, one who was holding a rifle in his hand. Oh boy, you have no idea who you have messed with.

I didn't bother to run toward him. I walked slowly, letting my pure fury show in my eyes and the way my grip tightened on my weapon. I switched it effortlessly to a sword. He almost killed a swordsman, so it is only fair that I defeat him with a sword.

I see the will to fight completely disapate from his eyes as he trembled in fear. This weakling is the one who almost killed Zoro? The irony only aggravates my fury.

"Don't come any closer. I will shoot."

Oh I know you will, but I refuse to be afraid of you. You are nothing, a gradual incline compared to the mountain of fear I had felt moments ago, that you caused. I dodged the bullet he shot at me, and raise my sword.

"You will pay."

He screams as I bring my sword mercilessly down, leaving a slice right down his chest. He falls down, blood welling up in the wound. I would love to spend more time, but now I have to protect Luffy, and my rage would keep my mind more focused on the fight anyway.

I whip around, my mind concentrating on a group of marines that were coming at me. Fools, they do not want to mess with me at the moment.

I sheath my sword, only to draw my chains instead. It depends on the mood I am that I choose my weapons. For anger, I use chains. For protection, I use swords. For taking out a lot of enemies, I use my slingshot, and quarterstaff is my go to. I'm feeling particularly chainy right now, so that's what I will use.

The marines didn't know what them hit them as I put just a little extra effort into my swings, my chains blurs. I kept them swinging fast, not even slowing them down when they crashed into some guy's face.

It took awhile, and by awhile I mean like fifty marines later, but I calmed down. My moves were no longer based on strength but flowed back into a rhythm of speed, which was more of my style anyway. My moves became less jerky and blocky, and became smooth again.

My breaths were contant, an easy deep breathing pattern. Breathe in, take out a guy, breathe out. Simple as that. I was never facing the same direction for more then a second, always turn so they can't take you out from behind. My mind was once again in tune for the fight, no longer worried about Zoro, my injuries, or Luffy. Just the simpleness of combat made me relax.

"Rose!"

I jerk around and see a Kuja pirate supporting another, and I recognize them. Margaret, has her eyes pleading as she drags along Marigold.

"Are you Rose?"

I nod, and I notice the wound on her arm. Right, I am taking Chopper's place, and I am sure the Kuja warriors wouldn't want to be treated by the other doctors, who are men. I gesture her over.

"Come on, let me help you."

Marigold sits down in front of me, gingerly holding out her arm. I tear open Chopper's bag, grabbing a few bandages. I start to wrap it up.

"So you have traveled with Luffy-sama?"

I nod, not bringing my eyes off the task.

"Yes, Marigold-sama."

She shook her head.

"You do not need ot call me that."

I glance up at her face.

"You are the empress's sister, of course I am going to respect you."

Margaret knelt by Marigold, her bow and arrow at the ready to defend us. I finish tying off the bandage and nod my approval.

"All right, that should do it."

Both Kuja warriors rose, gave me smiles, and charged back into the fray. I sighed, standing. I will have to shirk my fighting duties a little and keep an eye out for more injuries to treat. I had forgotten I had taken Chopper's place, and I need to take that responsibility.

Suddenly, I hear something not usually found on a battlefield setting.

Bedip bedip bedip. Bedip bedip bedip.

It took me a few seconds to realize it's me that is ringing. That's right, if there were any new developments the other leaders were supposed to contact me. I grab the den den mushi, cadjaing it off it's reciever.

"Hello?"

"Rose girl?"

Ivankov, and he sounded disturbed about something.

"What is it?"

"More marine reinforcements are coming! I see their ships in the distance."

I pause. Didn't Jinbe and Sabo take care of those? No, they must have had battleships at Impel Down that they decided to call. Crap. We would be overwhelmed at this rate. We were already spread thin, and we are exhausted. I grit my teeth.

"Who all is listening to this conversation?"

"I am Rose-ya."

"I'm listening Rose."

"I'm here Rose, thank you for helping my sister."

"Sorry Rose-chan, I thought we got all of the reinforcements."

Law, Shanks, Hancock, and Jinbe. I take a deep breath.

"Look, I honestly appreciate you all helping us, but I would understand if you bailed. I would understand if you didn't want to risk your crews lives just for us. We could hold them off until Luffy finishes his fight with Akainu. I give you permission to leave."

I didn't want any person to feel trapped here, not to mention they are honor bound to stay. I am giving them the option because I know if I didn't they would stay when they didn't want to, and I didn't want to force anyone.

We had to stay. We would wait for Luffy to finish his fight, much like at Enies Lobby. We are his crew, and have a duty to them though. We have no back door not like we want one anyway. These guys are bound loyally by friendship, while ours is a desire to follow our captain.

I waited for the five seconds of silence before Shanks commented.

"Not a chance Rose. We are here to save anchor, and we aren't leaving until he is off the battlefield."

Hancock was quick to second.

"I need to make sure my future husband is safe."

"I will stay Rose-ya."

"My candies will protect you to the end."

"The fishmen will stay too. We have come this far, it would be stupid to leave now."

I hear rousing shouts from different directions, different crews. They agreed with thier captains. I smile. Thank you so much, all of you.

"Then do as you wish. Jinbe, think you can take care of the ships before they get here?"

Jinbe sounded doubtful.

"Maybe, it would take some time."

My quality over quantity strategy was quickly falling through my fingers. We couldn't fight as tired as we are. We would overwhelmed. I turn away from my group of marines and shout at the battling trio.

"Luffy!"

Luffy had just ducked out of the fight to let Sabo have an attack. His eyes meet mine. I draw my finger across my throat.

"Wrap it up. We need to go."

Luffy grinned and nodded, and I suddenly felt almost, almost sorry for Akainu. I turn back to my fight, but I hear Luffy shout.

"Gomu gomu no, elephant gatling gun."

I heard the thuds and felt the ground shake. As much as I want to turn around, I can't because another marine is charging me. Then I feel intense heat.

"Fire fist dragon claw!"

I peek back to see Luffy drilling Akainu into the ground, only pausing for the slightest of instances for his brother to duck in shoving a burning haki coated dragon claw into the fleet admiral's chest. I saw Akainu cough blood, and jerk.

Luffy and Sabo are both breathing hard, but both are still standing.

They won. They avenged thier brother.

I grin and shout my approval to the skies.

"Yes!"

Luffy staggered and Sabo grabbed him, holding him upright.

"Jeez Luffy, stand up."

Luffy pouted.

"I'm tired."

I walk up with the rest of the crew.

"Shipwide nap time, remember?"

Luffy smiled at me.

"That's right."

I pat his arm.

"We just got to get back then."

Luffy nodded, and then looked around.

"Where is Zoro? And Chopper?"

I tense. Robin interfered calmly.

"We will explain later Luffy."

Brook raised his sword and his violin.

"Yohohohohohoho, let's get out of here. I want to see the amazon women's panties."

Sanji almost flew with the maount of blood shooting out of his nose.

"Ah, mellorines!"

Nami smacked him on the back of the head.

"Careful Sanji, Rose will leave you with Ivankov."

Complete despair fell over his face, and I just laughed. Suddenly, the den den mushi rang again.

Cadja.

"Yes?"

"Rose, I have some good news."

Oh, good news? I could always take good news.

"What is it?"

Another unfamiliar voice picked up the den den mushi.

"Sorry we are late, but we wanted to lend our services to help Ace's little brother."

I freeze, a grin slowly curling on my face. The voice, once unfamiliar clicked into place in my mind.

"Am I speaking to Marco?"

The den den mushi grinned.

"The Whitebeard pirates are here to give a hand."