Yay I'm back! I missed you all! Don't worry, the road trip allowed me plenty of time to catch up on my writing. All right, level five then.

We walked down the stairs toward the infamous level five. I am now fully recovered from our battle on level four and have cooled down.

"Hey, keep a lookout for some guards or some sort of closet."

Usopp gaped at me.

"Guards? Aren't we trying to avoid those guys?"

I laugh, giving a playful smile.

"They have coats. Do you want to go in frozen hell with shorts and no shirt on?"

Usopp contemplated it for a second before pouting.

"No."

Franky had taken Chopper out of his fridge and was carrying him in his huge hands. Chopper had recovered slightly, but we could still feel the heat from level four, so he couldn't recover all the way. Nami looped her arm around my shoulder, scaring me half to death.

"Rose, are you sure you are ok? You took a lot of hard knocks for us."

I nod reassuringly.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Any injuries I get only makes me stronger so I don't mind."

Robin smiled from nearby.

"You sound like Zoro."

I grin, giving the swordsman in question a glance.

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

He turns slightly, raising his eyebrow at me. I chuckle.

"It's a good thing Zoro don't worry."

He rolled his eye and turned back to the front. Sanji came spinning out of nowhere, hearts pulsating in his eyes.

"Oh Nami-swan, I'm strong too. I will protect you too, lay your arm around me too."

Zoro flicked his katana hilt out of its sheath with his thumb.

"Will you shut up bull's eye? You are more likely to scare women instead of attracting them that way."

Sanji stopped spinning and straightened indignantly.

"What was that Cyclops? At least I have naturally good looks."

Zoro raised an eyebrow boredly.

"Really? I don't see it."

Sanji burst into flame.

"I swear marimo I will burn you."

I stepped forward before the two men could murder each other. I couldn't stop Zoro, but I could definitely stop Sanji. I batted my eyelashes and allowed a slight flush to come to my cheeks.

"Sanji-kun, please don't hurt Zoro."

Sanji fell over, cooing.

"Anything for you Rose-swan!"

I chuckled under my breath at the look on Zoro's face, but thankfully he didn't say a word. Brook twirled his cane.

"Yohohohoho, Sanji-san surely likes women. I just like to see their panties."

Nami raised her hand as a warning.

"Don't make me Brook."

Brook backed up, hands held up in submission.

"Of course Nami-san, please don't hit me."

I chuckled and found myself relaxing enjoyably. Look at me, laughing and joking in the most infamous prison in this world with none other then the Straw-hat crew. They relaxed me more then anything else, and I don't really understand it except that it is contagious. It's good; the more relaxed I am the better I will fight.

Luffy glanced at me.

"Hey Rose, you know level five better then I do."

I raise my eyebrows.

"Ok, I will lead the way, but let's beat the guards first."

Luffy grinned at me and cracked his knuckles in response, ready. We suddenly reach a huge vault–like door. I stop Franky from opening it.

"Hey, wait."

Franky glanced at me.

"What is it sis?"

To the left and right are hallways. I see a door down the hall a little. I walk to it, easing it open slowly in case a guard tries to jump out. The crew follows me into the closet full of thick warm coats. I grin.

"Here we are, coats to keep us nice and warm on the winter level."

Everyone grabbed a coat, trying it on. Zoro patted his sleeves with a contented exclamation.

"It's so warm."

I pull on my own, a green coat. I pull it on and clench my fists. We are going into cold.

I detest cold. I come from a place where in the winter, snow is a rarity so the only joy of winter is gone. The way that cold just eats through every stitch of clothing you have on is something that I hate. I would much rather fight on level four again then in the freezing temperatures of level five. Its simple science: warmth loosens muscles and cold contracts them. Cold restricts movement, and I don't want to fight where my movement is restricted. I'm already in trouble with fighting; I don't need another complication.

I don't say a word however to my companions. No weakness and there is nothing I can do about it. I will just have to fight with the conditions and stop being a baby.

We travel back a little to the door that stands in our way to level five. I clench my fists, prepare myself for the freezing cold, and give the door a shove.

It creaks open, and a cold wind whips through, smacking me in the face. I wince and shiver, but I push through to level five.

As soon as I step through, I remember something I forgot about: my bare feet. I hiss as my toes sink into the soft white snow and my circulation in my feet started to cut off. I was soon distracted though by the hordes of wolves standing in front of the door.

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Brook all leaped forward, attacking the wolves like a whirlwind. I grit my teeth and rush after them. The sooner we finish the fight, the sooner I can get warm.

The wind and snow were so cold they burned into my skin. My teeth were no longer gritted but they chattered insanely as I charged forward at a wolf. It raised its paw and batted me away easily.

The paw hit me like a baseball bat to my ribcage. I gasped as I flew through the air, hitting the soft white powder and skidding until I hit a tree.

Now I was covered in snow, which soon soaked through the coat and made me as cold as my feet. My lungs were still recovering from the giant hit. I pushed myself to my hands and knees, focusing on breathing and ignoring the cries of concern from my friends.

What the heck is wrong with me? I know its cold, but you need to suck up and get over it. I wasn't going to bow to weakness like this. I wasn't cold and weak and afraid now; I was angry. Angry at the cold, angry at the stupid prison, and angry with myself for being like this.

I stood, facing down one of the wolves with a keen eye. I raised my shivering hands and muttered.

"Come on you jerk. Come on."

The wolf stalked forward, licking its chops. I ignored the cold, ignored the pain, and ignored my shivering. I muttered.

"Relax, relax, relax, relax Rose."

My muscles slowly loosened as I told them too. The wolf suddenly leapt forward, snarling. I watched as it opened its mouth to chomp on me. I raised my hand and brought my fist down on the wolf's nose, stomping him into the snow. He fell back, cowering and whining. I snarled back at him, jumping a little to show him I meant business. He ran off, yelping.

I took a deep breath. One down, a pack to go. The only good thing is that there are no guards and other unpleasant things down here.

I sprint back to where the rest of the Straw-hat crew is fighting. I face down another wolf carefully. My arms and legs were moving so much slower then normal, and I had to work twice as hard to fight well, but I was going to do it. Suddenly a voice yells.

"Stop!"

I turn to see a completely revitalized Chopper holding up his hooves a determined look on his face. Surprisingly, I see the wolves all stop from attacking us, staring at the doctor in surprise. Chopper steps up and so does a wolf that looks older, wiser, and more scarred then the other wolves. The leader I presume. I keep slow and controlled as I make my way back over to the main group, who bands together, facing the wolves. Chopper and the wolf exchange a few words, snarls, and noises I don't understand. I meet eyes with Luffy and ask quietly.

"Chopper helping us out?"

He nods minutely. Chopper steps back and addresses us with a smile.

"He says he will let us go. He wants us to save our friend too."

The wolf snarled and Chopper added.

"At a price."

I glance at Luffy again. Luffy asks, clenching his fists.

"What is it?"

Chopper listened to another string of unintelligible talk. He smiled in relief.

"We have to give him and his pack some meat."

I ran and hugged my furry little doctor friend.

"Oh Chopper I missed you."

Chopper snuggled into my cheek, laughing.

"I missed you too."

Robin frowned.

"Where are we going to get food to feed an entire pack of wolves?"

Luffy cocked his head to one side, and I saw a flush come to his cheeks. I pat his shin.

"Luffy, don't hurt yourself."

A light bulb cut through my mind, an aha moment so to speak. I grin.

"Hey Luffy, I know where we can get food and rest up for level six."

Luffy looked confused and then smiled.

"Ah, that place."

Franky glanced from me to Luffy.

"Where?"

I shrug as I stand.

"I don't know Luffy, maybe he will be there."

Luffy cocked his head to one side.

"He?"

I winked.

"Yeah, the guy that helped you out last time? He wasn't on level three, so he must be there. At least I'm assuming. It wasn't confirmed that Magellan killed him."

Luffy's eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Wait, he's alive?"

Nami stomped her foot.

"Who is it Luffy?"

Luffy grinned and took off toward the woods that I assumed was where the entrance to five point five was. I started after him, walking through the snow with ease now. My feet were completely numb and my body had followed suit. I didn't even care anymore. The wolves followed us as we followed Luffy, keeping their distance. Franky walked beside me and I see the slight shaking in his large frame.

"Where are we going now Rose-sis?"

I heard Brook's bones clacking together as he stomped through the snow.

"Rose-san? Why is Luffy-san looking so happy?"

I glance at Zoro and smirk.

"Its what Zoro said earlier, Sanji's worst nightmare."

Sanji paled.

"Oh no."

Zoro chuckled, an evil glint in his eye.

"Oh yes."

Snaji fell to his knees, banging his fist against the ground and raising puffs of snow.

"No, it's not fair. There can't be. Rose-swan, please say you are joking."

I chuckle.

"Sorry Sanji, but its true. 5.5 is a safe haven for prisoners, and most of them are okama. Where do you think Ivankov came from?"

Sanji started sobbing, banging his fist harder into the ground. I just laughed and helped him stand up.

"Oh come on Sanji, for me?"

He perked up immediately dancing off.

"Anything for you Rose-swan!"

I chuckled as Zoro murmured.

"You can still wrap him around your finger."

I wink at him.

"Of course. It comes in handy, no?"

Zoro just shook his head and moved forward. Suddenly Chopper shrieked.

"Rose!"

I whirl around, alarmed and looking for any potential threat. Seeing none, I relaxed.

"What? What is it?"

He bent over my feet.

"Why are you walking around without shoes in the snow?"

Everyone turned to look at me. I sighed. Looks like they forgot too, until Chopper brought it up. Great. I look down at my feet. They are now a purplish blue color that isn't exactly healthy. I flex my toes and wince at the prickle of sensation, like my feet had fallen asleep. I shrug.

"Nah, it's fine. Once we get there I can warm up."

Chopper tries to grab my feet.

"You have the beginning of frostbite. We need to get them warm now."

I smile, glancing to where Luffy and the wolves were running through the trees.

"Well, we better hurry then."

I take off running after Luffy, my feet barely able to operate properly. Running is second nature to me, so I can run without feeling my legs and feet beneath me. It is an unconscious effort.

Suddenly I feel something scoop me up.

"Hey, what the—"

I look up and Zoro is carrying me again. He looks down at me, and throws me over his shoulder. I flip myself around so that it's piggyback style. I mutter darkly.

"I can walk."

He runs forward.

"I know, but I need my weight training for the day."

I roll my eyes at his pitiful excuse.

"Come on Zoro, put me down."

Sanji growled.

"Yeah Marimo. I deserve to carry Rose-swan."

I sigh.

"Guys it's not a big deal."

"Over here guys."

Luffy calls, waving by an entrance to a cave. The wolves followed us into the cave and I smiled as I recognized the tunnels.

"Welcome guys, to 5.5, Newkama land."