So I've been doing a chapter a level, and 5.5 is a level in its own right and deserves its own chapter. Besides, the Straw-hat crew needs some kind of break between all the fights, gore, and other horrors they come across. So enjoy, and don't forget to review.

We walk carefully through the stone halls, ready for anything. The air isn't freezing, but it isn't warm either, a good fifty degrees. I try to flex my toes again but they won't respond now at all. Perfect. Being a doctor's kid, I know how dangerous and not dangerous different inflictions can be, and this is pretty serious.

I wriggle slightly in Zoro's grasp.

"Zoro put me down."

If I walked, maybe that would inspire the blood to unfreeze. Zoro shook his head stubbornly. I sigh. I had about as much of a chance of convincing him then convincing birds to stop laying eggs. Usopp asks.

"Hey Rose, who do you think is down here? Someone we know?"

I smile at him with blue lips.

"Oh yes, most of you know him. I don't think Franky and Brook know him though."

Nami opened her mouth to ask again who it was, but a familiar high-pitched voice flew out of the darkness.

"Mugi-chan!"

I chuckle as Luffy grins, his eyes sparkling.

"Bon-chan."

He leapt forward, while everyone else glanced at each other. I grin.

"This is who Luffy was looking for. Bon Kurei."

Bon Kurei leaps like a dancer out of the darkness, almost tackling Luffy in a bone-crushing hug. The seven that had been apart of the Alabasta arc had their mouths open in shock. Bon Kurei looked exactly the same as 2 years ago, except more makeup on his thin face. lUffy was laughing and crying at the same time.

"I thought you were dead. I thought he killed you."

Bon Kurei laughed loudly, twirling on his toes.

"Un Deux Trois, of course not Mugi-chan. The okama spirit inside me is strong enough to overcome death."

He glanced at the crew.

"Well Mugi-chan, you have gained more interesting crewmembers. Who are you two?"

He asked Franky and Brook. Franky grinned.

"Franky, the shipwright."

Brook bowed elegantly.

"Brook, the musician."

Bon Kurei spun, cackling.

"Hello hello, I am Bon Kurei, un deux trois."

Chopper leapt up to him excitedly, his eyes sparkling.

"We didn't know you were here Bon Kurei."

He hugged Bon Kurei's leg fondly. Bon Kurei landed his twirl and patted him with a smile.

"It's good to see you again Chopper-chan."

Usopp clasped his hand.

"Good to see you again old nakama. We haven't forgotten how you saved us in Alabasta."

My feet have started to regain feeling and it is excruciatingly painful. I wince and hop off Zoro's back, surprising him enough so that he doesn't try to stop me. My legs almost crumple under me, but I stand tall. My movement catches the okama's eye. He looks surprised.

"Well hello, I'm sorry I missed you mademoiselle. What is your name?"

I smile holding out my hand.

"Rose, just Rose. I'm not part of the crew, just helping out my friends."

He took my hand and kissed my knuckle tenderly.

"Wonderful Rose-chan."

Sanji growled.

"Careful Ballerina, I will kick your ass like in Alabasta if you touch the ladies."

Bon Kurei retracted and laughed.

"Of course Sanji-chan."

Robin nodded calmly at him.

"Mr. Two."

Bon Kurei looked surprised.

"Miss All Sunday. You joined the Straw-hat crew?"

Robin smiled gently.

"I did. It was a surprise for me too."

Bon Kurei gestured.

"Well, come in, come into my domain."

Nami cocked her head.

"Domain?"

I explained.

"Bon Kurei must be the queen of Newkama Land."

Bon Kurei gave me a strange look.

"How did you know that Rose-chan?"

I just smiled.

"I have my sources, Bon-Chan."

Suddenly a snarl distracted us. We turned to see the white wolves sitting patiently. Usopp exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, we need to give them meat for not eating us."

Bon Kurei looked at us strangely before he shook his head, spinning absentmindedly.

"You all negotiated with the wolves? I wouldn't expect anything less from the Straw-hat crew. They can stay here and I can send some people with food for them."

Chopper talked to the wolf leader who snarled a quiet reply. Chopper nodded.

"That is fine. We will wait here. Is what he said."

Bon Kurei led us through the tunnels with ease, giving leaps and twirls whenever he felt like it.

"So Mugi-chan, what are you doing back down here?"

Luffy sombered slightly as he remembered his mission.

"Jinbe is going to be executed in a few days. We are here to save him."

Bon Kurei sighed as he spun on one foot slowly.

"I heard Jinbe had gotten caught, I didn't know he would be executed this soon. Would you like help?"

Luffy hesitated but Bon Kurei kept talking.

"We can talk later. We have been watching you all on the monitors. You have been doing decently well. We have all the food and comforts you could possibly want so just enjoy yourselves for the time being."

We reached the main room. Several men and women dressed up as either gender were drinking and partying. I see Sanji recoil in revulsion and I smile. I'm not against gay people at all; in fact I'm friends with a few of them. Cross dressers freak me out only when I first meet them because I don't expect it, and then I am perfectly fine with them. This doesn't bother me.

Bon Kurei stood on top of the stage and yelled.

"Okamas!"

The crowd chanted back as we stood to one side.

"Bon Kurei-sama, Bon Kurei-sama."

He held up his hands and they instantly quieted. He gestured to us.

"This is the Straw-hat crew."

They all cheered loudly and clapped. I hid slightly behind Robin, giving a shy smile. Bon Kurei continued.

"Give them food, drink, anything they want. Make them feel welcome here."

The okamas cheered again in response. Several individual yells could be distinguished from the crowd.

"Of course Bon Kurei-sama!"

"Come Straw-hats, drink some sake. We have rum too, and beer."

"Food is plentiful here."

The straw-hat crew surges forward, and I do the same. My stomach is growling with hunger, and I am parched. Caught up in all the excitement, I had forgotten about food and hunger until it was offered to me. A hoof stopped me on my knee from joining the party.

I look down to see a very stern Chopper.

"No Rose, I need to treat your frostbite."

Right, I had almost frozen to death due to my stupidity. So either I eat, or get warm. These decisions define my life. I sigh.

"Come on Chopper, I'm starving."

He frowned. Looks like there is no decision to be made. He drags me toward Bon Kurei, who is talking to several okamas about feeding the wolves. Chopper taps his leg.

"Hey Bon Kurei, do you have any showers?"

Bon Kurei nodded, pointing toward a hallway.

"Go straight down there and turn at the first left. It will be the fourth door on the right."

Chopper nodded and tugged on my leg.

"Come on Rose."

I sigh, following the doctor. The cold had seeped through my tissues and organs and now I desperately wanted a hot shower more then anything else, even food. I keep forgetting these important things until they are mentioned, like Luffy and the cold. I followed Chopper down the hallway without any resistance.

The showers weren't hard to find. I stepped inside and Chopper shut the door.

"Chopper, what are you—"

"Take your clothes off Rose."

I stepped backwards, holding up my hands in a mild panic.

"Chopper, there is no need, I can do it."

Chopper pulled at my coat.

"Come on Rose, I'm a doctor."

I bite my lip. I am perfectly able to do this by myself. Before Chopper can do anything else, Nami walks in. She notices my dilemma and smiles at me. I glance at Chopper then back at her with pleading eyes. Help me.

Nami picks Chopper up, despite his protests.

"Nami, I need to take care of Rose."

"Hey Chopper, one of the okamas wanted to learn more about medicine and I thought the best doctor in the world could teach him a few things."

He sagged in her arms, making that cute little face.

"That doesn't make me happy at all."

Nami winked at me and whispered as he continued to say how the flattery didn't work on him.

"I will bring you some clothes."

I nod my thanks and she left, firmly shutting the door behind her. I turn and strip, stepping under the faucet. I twist the knob and warm water sprayed me. I winced and bit back a cry of pain as the muscles that had been frozen loosened and the sensation was brought back. I stood there for several minutes, rubbing and trying to coax my nerves to return to normal.

Eventually, I could move everything naturally without the prickly feeling. It felt wonderful to feel warm again, and comfortable. I did a quick scrub of my hair and body, before I grudgingly turned off the water. I step out and grab a spare towel, drying myself off before wrapping it around my hair in a turban. I hear a knock at the door and I freeze, grabbing my towel in case I need to use it.

"Who is it?"

The door opened a crack and a feminine hand appeared, holding some clothes.

"Here Rose."

I grabbed the clothes, smiling.

"Thank you Nami."

The hand disappeared, as did the crack in the door. I pulled the clothes on, made sure my turban was secure before walking out to the main room.

A full-blown party was underway, and I didn't hesitate to sit next to Bon Kurei, grab some food and shove it in my mouth.

"Slow down Rose-chan, it isn't going anywhere."

I glance at him, and then to Luffy, who is a few tables away, eating in his normal manner.

"I beg to differ."

I started eating again Luffy style, grabbing and eating everything in sight. Sanji must be helping them because I taste his certain style in the food.

I had no idea how hungry I was until I started eating because I ate three plates piled high with food. I hadn't eaten since I got to this world, and fighting kills energy like no other. Bon Kurei laughed.

"You eat like Mugi-chan."

I paused in my eating, taking a deep breath to inspire a belch that had been growing uncomfortably in my stomach. I grinned.

"I learned from the master."

I turned to face him, chewing slowly now on a bread slice.

"So Bon Kurei, are you going to help us?"

Bon Kurei cocked his head to one side, sipping some of his drink.

"I don't know. It depends what Mugi-chan wants."

I bite my lip, thinking. Bon Kurei swirled his drink.

"They told me all about you."

I laughed, still nibbling my bread that tasted like honey and cinnamon.

"They did huh? What all about me?"

Bon Kurei laughed.

"How you helped them out in the past, and how you are more of a thinker then just a go-getter."

I laughed.

"That sounds like me. I'm trying to work on the less strategy more action part, but if I think things out it helps me prepare for things better."

Bon Kurei nodded seriously.

"Yes, but I would like your advice. What do you think I should do to help Mugi-chan?"

I cock my head to one side. He wants my help? I close my eyes, eliminating distractions and thought aloud so he could follow my thought process.

"If you went with us down to fight on the sixth level, that would increase our fighting force, but if we all get trapped down there, you couldn't get us out. If you want to limit their forces, we need to split them up, cause confusion. Go to the different floors like last time. Divide their forces and make them make rash and hasty decisions. Draw their jailors away from us to go deal with you. Unleash prisoners like last time to help with the guards, and cause more chaos. The more chaos, the more desperate they will get. Chopper can probably get the wolves to help you too, maybe. That would probably be our best bet."

I open my eyes to see Bon Kurei looking at me with almost admiration.

"I can see why they call you the strategizer. Yes, I can do that."

I smile sheepishly.

"I'm not that good. I just do what I can."

Bon Kurei sipped his drink again.

"Whatever Rose-chan."

I sipped my drink casually, asking.

"So, are you going to actually get out, or are you staying here like last time?"

Bon Kurei stiffened, then sighed.

"You know about that?"

I scoot toward him.

"Careful, Luffy won't let you pull that again. I'm just warning you. So you better get out this time."

Bon Kurei nodded.

"I will, and head straight to the Okama kingdom with Ivankov."

I nod, satisfied. He shouldn't have to stay here again. I understand his reasoning. I understand what it means to sacrifice yourself willingly for your friends. I want that chance to prove my loyalty to the Straw-hats, not in that manner, but I want to show them that I am willing to take the risks to keep them safe.

Luffy interrupted our conversation by rocketing over from another table.

"Hey Bon-chan, thanks for the food, but we should be going now."

Bon Kurei laughed, putting a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"No Mugi-chan, you need to rest. Stay here for the night, and then go in the morning. You need all your strength for the fight ahead."

Luffy looked disappointed.

"I want to go now."

I sigh and pat his back.

"Don't worry Luffy, we will still get Jinbe back, but if we rush in without fuel, we won't go very fast. We need to pace ourselves to perform at our best."

Luffy still looked a little pouty, but he shrugged.

"Fine."

He laid his head down on the table and started to snore. Bon Kurei and I shared a look and giggled quietly.

"He doesn't change."

I nod. I loop his arm around my shoulder, and pull him to his feet, still snoring. I stagger a little under his weight, but I stay upright.

"I will take him to his room."

I whisper. Bon Kurei pointed down another hallway.

"There, on the right."

I walk toward it, supporting Luffy, who is completely out of it. He seems lighter for some reason. Maybe he has lost some weight, or maybe I have gotten stronger.

I found the room, and set him down on the makeshift bed. He immediately sprawled out, snoring with a contented smile on his face. I shake my head fondly and leave him alone.

The rest of the Straw-hats are retiring to beds shown to them by the okama. One took my hand, pulling me gently toward a bedroom.

"Here Miss Rose, is your room."

I smile kindly.

"Thank you."

I step inside and close the door, unleashing the sigh that had been pent up. What a day. We are so close. I smile to myself as I bang my fist against the door lightly. I will rest and then I will fight alongside my dear nakama to save Jinbe. I need rest now, if I want to fight well tomorrow.

Silently I sent my well wishes to the rest of the crew and my prayers that they do well tomorrow as well. I lay down on the bed. Like the hunger, I had forgotten how tired I was because as soon as my head touched the pillow I was asleep.