So there was a seven hour road trip today, and another one tomorrow. That's a lot of writing time lol :) I might finish up.

I swing my weapon, incredibly happy to have it back in my grasp. How dare that torturess contaminate it with her evil hands? OK, I have a weapon, now to get Zoro's.

"Yo, do you know where your swords are?"

Zoro rubbed the back of his head, sighing regretfully.

"I left them on Sunny. I didn't have time to grab them."

I narrow my eyes at him. Oh yeah, I had forgotten to discuss something with him when we were in that cell.

"Why did you jump again?"

Zoro reponded defensively.

"Is now really the time to be-"

"I'm not moving Zoro."

It would have saved a lot of trouble. I would have gone back without any worries and not had to make that stupid deal. Zoro crosse his arms, eyes closed and he muttered.

"I didn't want you alone in this hellhole by yourself. I needed to protect you."

I sighed. I was honored Zoro had chosen me as his protectant, but it did have disadvantages. Yesterday was a perfect example.

Ok, back to the task at hand. On one hand it was great that we don't have to search for his weapons, on the other hand it sucked he didn't have a weapon. I could supply that though.

I unhooked my sword, flicking in Zoro's general direction.

"That will have to do for right now."

Zoro swished it and I could tell that it would work, but he was reluctant.

"I know, it's lighter then your swords, but it is a sword."

Zoro shrugged and I see the ghost of his demon smirk, and I can tell he wants to wreck this place up. I roll my eyes and shake my head.

"Nope, we are going stealthy, and you follow me."

Zoro sighed.

"Fine fine."

I got up in his face.

"No Zoro, you don't take your eyes off of me. You step where I step. Got it?"

I had no time to search throughout the infamous prison for him. Zoro nodded, a dangerous gleam coming into his eyes. I take a deep breath and flicked together my quarterstaff. That seems best for the situation right now.

I take off, following the same route to that cell that Sadi-chan had tortured me in. I kept on my toes, keeping an eye out for gaurds and an ear behind me to keep Zoro in line.

I was forcing myself to stay calm and not rush blindly, but right now, no matter the injury, I wanted to sprint as fast as I could to the exit. I was so excited to fight and to escape. My adventure part of me was rushing to the surface and I couldn't keep from grinning wildly. Oh this is going to be so much fun.

I was about to round a corner when Zoro grabbed my wrist.

"Wait."

He hissed, pulling me back against one of the cages. A group of gaurds ran past, completely missing us. I fought the urge to take them out. I wait until they are gone before peering from behind the corner, looking for an exit. It's too hard to search for the exit on the ground. I need a higher vantage point.

I wordlessly pointed up and Zoro got the message. Grabbing me under his arm, he leapt up to the top of one of the cages. I stepped out of his grasp, glancing around. There has to be the stairs or the lift.

Ah, theres the lift, and if I remember, yeah the stairs are over to our left. Should we stay on the tops of the cages, or gop back down on the ground? My answer presented itself as I hear a yell.

"Hey, escaped prisoners!"

I winced. RIght, we were kind of easier to see up here. Zoro glanced down at the group of gathering soldiers.

"Are we still taking the stealthy approach?"

I rub my chin, pretending to think.

"Well since they know we escaped and all, that option is kind of out the window."

Zoro's eyes gleam, and I probably know why, due to the guards wearing swords. I grinned.

"What do you say, shall we show them who we are?"

Zoro didn't answer with words, but with action as he leapt down, brandishing my sword at the enemy. It was about a heartbeat later that I joined him.

It's not like I want to fight; priorities suggest we take a running course of action, but my blood ached for a fight right now, and it wouldn't hurt to just take care of this group. Besides, they wouldn't let us go anyway. Take care of them and go.

My back easily found Zoro's, the only familiar thing in this place. Advice circles through my mind, always find a rock to place at your back, and to be honest, once again, I couldn't have picked a better one.

Zoro and I plowed through the guards many at a time. I would always keep inching forward toward the exit, and almost as soon as my back left Zoro's, he stepped back to fill the gap between us.

We were unstoppable.

After about a minute, Zoro tossed me my sword back.

"Here."

I glance at him to see three fresh stolen swords in his hands and teeth. Right, add that to my ensemble. Speaking of adding, I swipe a trident out of a terrified gaurd's hands and sheath my own weapon. Might as well try something new for a change.

I had forgotten how to wield a trident, but my fingers remembered the skill after a couple of swings. Yep, I could use this for awhile.

I dealt with one gaurd when another came up and cracked his trident butt against my face.

My broken nose cracked and I felt blood run down my face as the force snapped my head back. My body went limp for a scary second and I fell backwards, my mind flashing black and the sound sucked out of the world.

The next thing I know, I feel something solid and strong against my back, and one word reverberates across my mind.

"Rose."

My eyes snap open as the solid something shoves me back to my feet. I turn slightly to see Zoro half crouched, standing straight again. I had barely been out and he had reacted, catching me.

I growl. I wasn't supposed to be a burden anymore. I was supposed to be stronger and protect my crewmates, not the other way around. Gosh darn it.

I hit back against the marines hard, saying.

"Thanks Zoro."

Then a flash of inspiration, the staircase. It's maybe twenty, thirty feet away. I push back slightly against Zoro whispering.

"One last attack, and then run. Make it a good one."

"My pleasure."

Came the eager reply.

"Dragon twister."

I gripped the swordsman's wrist, one to drag him along and the other not to get caught up in the attack that left the gaurds screaming and flying in the air. I pulled and Zoro pushed and suddenly we were running up the stairs.

Zoro panted behind me.

"Isn't the next floor the floor with the snow?"

Oh yeah, and we are both wearing summer clothes. Oh great. I grit my teeth.

"Yep. Just keep sprinting until we reach the exit."

Zoro snorted.

"Not one of your better plans."

I whirl around.

"You have any better ideas?"

Turns out, we didn't need any other ideas. I heard something that made my heart grow three sizes that day.

"Gomu Gomu no, Rocket!"

I turn around and almost get tackled by my rubbery captain. Laughing, I hug Luffy.

"Luffy!"

Luffy looked really confused.

"Rose, Zoro? We were just coming to rescue you. What are you doing out of your cage?"

I knew it, I knew he would come. I grin mischieviously.

"We got tired of waiting for you. I'm glad you came though."

Then his words replayed.

"We?"

I hear someone else walking down the stairs.

"Mugiwara-ya, could you refrain from jumping ahead blindly? You could get captured."

I grin as Law rounds the stairs and freezes. His grey eyes roam over Zoro and me.

"Ah, I see you found Zoro-ya and Rose-ya."

Law came? I didn't think he cared enough to. I nod.

"Yep, I'm glad you're here."

Law shook his head, extending his hand.

"Room."

A sphere encased the two captains, Zoro, and I. I take a deep breath and wait. Law apologizes.

"Sorry, my room is limited. We can only go a floor at a time."

In two seconds we were standing in the snow. I grit my teeth and hug myself, shivering. Ok, one floor at a time. That's not bad. I can handle that. Next is-

The cold turned into intense heat in the spanse of a second. It was like jumping from a cold pool to a hot tub to the tenth power. I released a breath as my body felt suddenly nauseous as my hypothalmus went into overdrive.

"Room."

My feet sunk down into the sand of floor three, and I realize we are surrounded by blogori, the demon gaurds, and gaurds. I grip my trident, but don't need to. We were gone before both parties could react.

This is convenient and all, but it almost takes the fun out of escaping. I would have run all the way to the top if I needed to, but this way is easier. I didn't have a problem, but it was slightly regrettable.

However, that idea was gone as Law materialized us right in front of the basalisk.

My instincts reacted faster then even Luffy or Zoro could as I smacked the monster right upside the head. It staggered and fell, its eyes spinning around. I winced, smirking sheepishly.

"Oops, my bad."

Law was about to room again, when I remembered. The next floor is the spike floor. I grab the Surgeon of Death's wrist.

"Where are you aiming for?"

He looked really confused.

"The floor above us, why Rose-ya?"

I sigh.

"The next floor has spikes for carpet. I think you might need to aim a little higher then just the floor."

Law nodded.

"Room."

I blinked and suddenly, we were up in the air, standing on nothing. I see nothing but red below me. The first floor.

As soon as we materialize, we start to fall. I tighten my grip on my quarterstaff. Come on Law, I know your reaction time.

"Room."

I release the breath I had previously been holding. Ok, we will be all right. We will get out of here. Luffy grins, pointing in a general direction.

"That way! To the exit."

I follow him as he rushes forward. Yeah, we can make it. We are almost-

Well maybe not. Magellan, Saldeath, and Sadi-chan, looking worse for wear, were standing in front of the exit. I grab my quarterstaff and rush forward at Saldeath, while Luffy took Magellan and Zoro took Sadi-chan. Magellan yelled.

"I will not let you pass Straw-hat."

I smirk and whisper.

"Try to stop him you big brute."

He was the pirate king. I would refuse to believe he would lose to Magellen again.

Sure enough, with a well placed Elephant gun, Magellen fell. A well shot star took out Saldeath, and I shudder at what Zoro did to Sadi-chan. There, I see the doors open, and at the end of the dock, the Thousand Sunny gleams in the sunlight. I see everyone standing by the railing shouting something. I couldn't hear, but I could guess they were cheering us on.

Ok Rose, last stretch of the race. Almost done. You have worked way too hard for you not to succeed at this point. I take a deep breath, fall once again into a starting position. Ready, set go!

I sprint to the exit, trusting Zoro, Luffy, and Law to follow. Sure enough, I hear them on my heels, but they are breathing way harder then I am. I don't doubt their abilities, and right now, unless something happens, my number one job is to get myself to that ship.

I slide out the doors. Two hundred meters, a mere thirty to forty seconds away.

"Rose-chan!"

I hear Said-chan's desperate yell and feel the whip wrap around my ankle. Oh I swear. I trip, falling flat. Angrily, my eyes burning, I leap up shooting a gunpowder star at the torturess.

"You will not impede my progress."

It hits her and she flies back, into Magellan, who was chasing us. I don't dare see anything else as I leap forward.

Law, Zoro, and Luffy are ahead of me, but I refuse to lose this race. I sprint past them, leaping up toward the railing. It was a leap that probably would have qualified for the Olympics here, but there it was completely normal. I was about to fall when I felt several hands grab mine. Nami, Sanji, and Usopp all hauled me over the railing and onto the deck.

I feel three other sets of feet hit the deck too. We made it. We escaped.

I hear the hustle and bustle around me, my crewmates yelling in happiness and worry. I felt Chopper start to bandage me, yelling in panic. I hear Nami and Franky get ready to Coup de Burst. Me, I just lay on the grassy deck, with the calmest smile on my face.

We made it. My body no longer was pushed to escape or keep me and Zoro safe. It was no longer trying to keep back injuries or beat back the traumatizing images of the mental torture. So all of the damage my body that had been accumulating over the past few days finally let loose, and I didn't mind at all. I was among friends.

So, I laid on that grassy deck, ignoring everything, and promptly fell asleep.