When I got back to the others they were starting to leave. They said that Usopp had run by in a panic, and were about to head to the coast to find Luffy. Needless to say, when we found Luffy and woke him up he explained the situation. I didn't want to believe it, kept denying that it was possible and telling myself it had to be a joke. I knew it wasn't though. The look in Luffy's eyes was proof enough of that. I felt sick to my stomach as we walked back toward the town, not really paying attention to the conversation the others were having. Kuro. The bastard's real name was Kuro. Well, that explained the feeling I had gotten that made me instantly dislike him. And now, he planned to kill Kaya so he could have 'peace.'

That night we prepared. With our help Usopp was able to coat the slope in oil to keep them from getting up it easily. Once it was finished I couldn't help but ask, "What about where we came ashore?"

The other four turned to face me, blinking, before everyone's gaze turned to Usopp. "AHH! I forgot all about that slope!"

"What the hell?" Nami yelled, "So we did all this for nothing!"

Usopp looked at her and shouted back, "But this is where they were meeting!"

"As if that matters!" Nami replied.

Zoro spoke up then, "That's enough. What's done is done. Look, this slope has been completely coated in oil, if they come here, it's going to take them a while to get up it. We should head to the other slope, if sunrise comes and no one shows up, we can run back here and take them out."

"I agree with Zoro," I said, "This island isn't that big, so we can cover the distance with time to spare if we have to."

"Yosh! Let's go!" Luffy said as Usopp quickly started running ahead of us to lead us there.

I'd taken about five steps before coming to a halt and looking to the left. "Zoro, where are you going?"

Zoro turned to me in confusion, "What are you talking about, I'm going to the coast."

I couldn't find the words to reply, so I just pointed my finger toward where the others were already nearly out of sight. Zoro grumbled something that sounded like, "I knew that, just got turned around." I didn't buy it.

We made it to the slope to see their pirate ship at the shore, just as the sun was rising. It actually looked rather ridiculous with the cat head on it, but the ship itself was big. Luffy and Zoro seemed excited at the prospect of a fight. Usopp seemed more scared than anything, because he couldn't stop his legs from shaking. Nami was ranting about what kind of treasure they might have... I don't think she was even aware that she might have to fight to get to it. As for me... I was nervous. Was I really about to do this? Was I going to fight against a bunch of pirates? I'd never been in an actual fight... hell the two times I'd ever hit someone, they were both sucker punches. I wasn't sure if I could do it. I didn't want to do it... I wanted to go home.

I don't know why I voiced it, but I spoke up about my doubts, "We could actually die here."

I was looking straight ahead but I could feel their eyes on me. "Yeah, so?" Zoro asked.

I looked at him, "Aren't you afraid of getting hurt? Of dying?"

"If we die, then we die," Luffy said, drawing my focus.

"But-"

"If you want to back out, now's the time to do it," Nami said with her pole resting on her shoulder.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and shook my head. I wasn't going to leave. I wasn't going to let them think I was a coward. It was like they weren't afraid to die. I thought I'd be able to understand that, but I couldn't. I knew what it was like to not care if I lived or died, but to set aside all fear of it? I closed my eyes and tried to remember something I'd heard a motivational speaker say.

"It's easy to overcome the fear of death. Everyone can do it, especially once you realize that sooner or later, no matter what you do, or who you are, you will die. It's an inescapable fact of life. It is a part of what living is! Everyone can overcome the fear of death. We have other words for it; bravery, courage... Overcoming that fear gives us strength! It does!

But strength alone isn't enough. Strength alone won't get you through the battles of your life, whatever they may be. Strength helps us to endure, nothing more. Strength has limits. If you want to do more than endure in life, if you want to thrive, to live!... There is another fear you must overcome. It is a fear that not everyone can overcome. You need strength to do it, but it takes a bit more as well. It takes drive, discipline, determination! It takes heart! And once you overcome it, there is nothing, nothing, that you can not do. If you can overcome that fear... that fear to live life as fully as you can, to set aside your restraints, drop your self imposed shackles, and truly live for yourself... for your dreams, your ambitions...then you and only then will you be truly powerful. Then and only then, will you know exactly who you are."

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I couldn't do all that at once. I knew I couldn't, it was impossible. But maybe, just maybe, I could approach it like I did other things? Step by step? I exhaled and looked toward the ship as many voices began to reach my ears.

"This is it," Usopp said.

Zoro smirked and rested his hand on a katana, "Heh, should be fun."

"Yeah!" Luffy agreed, holding up his fist.

"Just so long as I get their treasure!" Nami chimed.

I took another deep breath and let it out, trying to calm my racing heart. This was it.

Step One: Set aside the fear of death, if only for a single moment.

Yeah... I could do that.