Guess who got a crap ton of homework :( yay. So I might might not update in awhile. Just letting you know.

I made my way onto the deck, my brown hair wrapped up in my towel turban. Seeing Franky, I ask the large cyborg.

"Oi, what's going on?"

Franky slammed his forearms together, showing off his star proudly.

"Super! Luffy found an island."

Sure enough, there was an island in the distance, bathed in moonlight and a town sparkled on the coast like a gem. I grin. Looks like my adventure isn't over for the day.

Bon Kurei spun wildly.

"Un deux trois, looks like our stop is here candies."

I glance at him.

"Are we dropping you off here Bon-chan?"

Bon Kurei stopped spinning, only to leap like a ballerina over to stand by my side.

"Yes Rose-chan. Ivankov-sama gave me an eternal pose to Momoiro Island. It is too far out of the way for Mugi-chan to take us, so we were going to steal a ship and sail like the criminals we are."

I smile at him and bow my head.

"Well good luck to you Bon-chan. I'm sure Ivankov will be happy to see you."

I glance over at Jinbe.

"You too Jinbe? Are you leaving?"

Jinbe shook his head.

"No, you all will go through Fishmen Island to get back to the New World. I will stay with you until then."

I grin. Good, I get to stay with the respectable knight of the sea for a little longer. Luffy sat on top of the figurehead, looking eagerly to the island ahead. I call up.

"Luffy, are we stopping here?"

He nods. Figures. Usopp rained on our excitement as he exclaimed.

"Woah Luffy, there are three marine battleships docked at this island. We can't stop."

Sanji lit a cigarette.

"We are in need of supplies for the long trip to the Island of Beasts. We don't know when we will stop at the next island."

Chopper nodded.

"We need medical supplies too. I used up a lot in Impel Down."

Franky interjected.

"Cola too."

Nami shivered.

"We will get caught if we just go ashore."

Zoro shrugs.

"Who cares? We can fight them off."

I sigh. As usual, they forget one important factor.

"Hello guys? They all know your faces, but they don't know me."

They all stared at me. I laughed.

"What? I'm serious."

Brook said seriously.

"Can you carry all those supplies by yourself Rose-san?"

One of the okama steps up.

"We will help her, don't worry."

I shake my head.

"No, you need to hurry and steal a ship. You just broke out of prison; they would be looking for you."

Sanji danced around me.

"I will help you Rose-swan!"

I shake my head.

"Nope, I can get it all."

Sanji and Chopper handed me a list, and I scanned it briefly. Ok, so maybe not. I can't carry ten animals worth of meat, a garden full of vegetables, fifteen barrels of cola, and all of the herbs Chopper wants me to by myself. I smile as I come up with an ingenious plan.

"Yeah, I'm sure I can. You guys stay here."

Robin asked quietly.

"Are you sure Rose? That's a lot."

I flicked my hair back, bating my eyelashes, and putting myself into the part.

"Just you watch; I'm going to get all of it."

We dock down the coast from the town. I leap off of the ship with the okamas and Bon Kurei. The rest of the crew jumps off but they stay near the ship. Well, almost everyone as Luffy takes off into the foliage like his pants are on fire. I just hope he stays away from the town if my plan is going to work.

We are on the outskirts when I say goodbye to my little group of friends. I clasp hands with Bon Kurei.

"Good luck to you. I hope you find Momoiro Island."

Bon Kurei nodded and tiptoed off with his band of cross dressers, disappearing into the dark. I'm glad to meet the okama, and I'm glad he actually made it out this time. I take a deep breath; make sure my persona is in place, before I step into the lighted suburbs of the town.

The people are out in the streets, looking for parties, laughing, and drinking. Marines are crawling everywhere, guns and swords not being used, but in plain sight as a warning. A typical Friday night in other words, except for the marines of course.

I skate in between the people, trying to look completely casual. I examine trinkets in the market. I turn a little and find Usopp, Luffy, Brook, and Chopper all following me sneakily. They are hiding behind a booth. I shake my head at their antics. I see a group of marines. Time to put my plan into action.

I catch Luffy's attention and he tries to hide. I stifle a giggle and wait until he is watching again. I wink, and walk carefully up to the marines.

They are discussing catching pirates when I walk up to them, standing off to the side, not wanting to interrupt, but wanting to be noticed. After about a minute, one of the marines noticed me standing shyly to one side.

"Can we help you miss?"

I smile sweetly.

"Yes, I am new to the town, so I was wondering if you could help me find a place that has this."

I hand my entire list to him, hoping he sees the enormous order. I feel him tense; so he did notice.

"Do you not have somebody to help you with this little lady?"

I scuffed my toe against the ground. It is easy to act like a helpless little girl with my manipulation of Sanji. This will be a piece of cake.

"No not really. All of my crew is either sick or taking care of the sick. I was the only one available to get the supplies. I was hoping I would run into some big strong men like you to help me."

I batted my eyelashes, looking as innocent as I could. The man smiled at me.

"Yeah, sure we can help you out."

I allow an elated look to cross my face, while still keeping shy.

"Oh thank you. I don't know how to repay you."

The man shook his head.

"You don't have to little lady, your thanks is enough."

I take a discreet look at the Straw-hats following me. All of them had their jaws dropped in shock and their eyes bugged out, well except Brook, because he has no eyes. Skull joke! I almost lost my composure to laughter at their expressions but I covered it with a cough.

I led the marines around the market, the group of around twelve. They were worse then Sanji, answering to my every whim. I had money from Nami, but I pretended I didn't have enough because of the sickness. The marines gladly paid for everything, swallowing the poor damsel in distress routine hook, line, and sinker.

They asked about the cola, and I responded with.

"One of the crew is trying to stop drinking alcohol. He drinks cola instead now to take the edge off."

They had understood, and didn't question me further.

I feel a little bad manipulating them like this. I mean I'm not doing anything wrong. I am using my assets to help my real friends, and it is only sweeter that I am bending the enemy to my whim. It should be ok if they don't get hurt.

After getting everything I lead them to the edge of town. I sit down the small parcel that I had insisted on carrying.

"Ok, thank you for your assistance."

The marine, who happened to be the captain, said.

"We can take them to your ship if you want."

I give a disarming smile.

"Oh, no. It's fine. I will be ok."

The marine captain ordered his men to drop all of the supplies.

"All right then little lady, we need to go back to our work."

I bow politely.

"Thank you again for your help."

I turn to go, but the captain called.

"Hey, watch out for pirates little lady. I would hate for you to be kidnapped or killed by them."

I smile; how ironic.

"I will. Thank you."

They disappeared back into the city. I grin. Mission success.

Luffy, Usopp, Brook, and Chopper all appeared out of the foliage, still looking stunned. I laughed openly at their faces now.

"What is it guys? Like my stunt?"

Luffy leapt at me, eyeing all the meat happily.

"Wow Rose, how did you do that?"

Usopp looked at me in shock.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself. You are a master liar though."

We grabbed the rest of the supplies together and made it down the coast to the ship. Brook shook his head in admiration.

"Rose-san is a true trickster, better then you Usopp-san."

Usopp doesn't look offended in the slightest.

"I couldn't have pulled that off."

Chopper had stars in his eyes.

"Rose, you are amazing!"

I chuckle as I leap aboard the ship, setting down my load.

"I have no idea what you all are talking about."

Nami looked up, and saw all of the supplies I got.

"What happened?"

Usopp explained hurriedly.

"She went up to marines and let them help her with the shopping."

Zoro had been napping on the deck, leaning against the railing. He heard Usopp's explanation and he bolted upright, banging his head on the railing. I stifle a giggle.

"Well yeah. You guys couldn't go into town, so I asked for their help. They were much like Sanji."

Robin chuckled. Zoro even smirked, falling back into his napping position. Nami frowned.

"That was reckless of you. You could have gotten caught."

I pulled out her hand and stuff the unused beris into her palm.

"I didn't spend a single beri. The marines paid for all of it."

Nami gave me a spine-crushing hug.

"Thank you Rose! I love you I love you I love you!"

I chuckle and wriggle my way out of her grasp.

"I'm glad Nami."

Sanji and Franky started moving the supplies to their designated areas. I stifle a yawn. It is time for me to go to bed.

Nami and Robin follow me up to the bedroom. I collapse onto my bed that Franky built for me last time I was here and cuddle up in my blankets. This day has been surprisingly exhausting.

The lights turn off, and I hear Robin and Nami get into bed too. I close my eyes, fully prepared to fall asleep.

I can't though. Every time I try, visions of my torture early this morning plague my mind. I had been distracted today by talking with Robin and the party, but now I have nothing to occupy my thoughts, so I was forced to relive my terror and desperation.

I don't know why I reacted so strongly. I understand that it was terrifying, and it went against my nature to just sit still and let her do what she wanted, but that was no excuse to act the way I did. My brain completely shut down. That's only happened once, when the World Nobles discovered who I was.

I sigh to myself, rolling onto my back and putting my hands behind my head. Might as well think it all out now.

Yes, the World Nobles. I had frozen, and because of that the Straw-hats had been beaten. I had almost killed them. This time, some primeval instinct had awakened. I had wanted out of there, bad. I guess I did a pretty good job though, considering I have all my fingers.

The way I acted when Zoro had rescued me was embarrassing and shameful. He rescued me didn't he? Then I acted like a stereotypical girl and had broken down. I had been weak and scared, not strong and brave. I hate the way stereotypical girls act, how they cry every five minutes and shy away from danger. I had prided myself in the fact that I didn't do those things, and then I went and became a hypocrite, becoming one in less then a five-minute span.

I sigh. God, what if my mind freezes like that again, like a crucial moment for the Straw-hats? What if it gets them seriously injured or killed? I wouldn't be able to live with myself. That has become a fear now.

I hear rustling and I glance over at the other two beds. Robin is breathing evenly, but Nami is tossing and turning. I narrow my eyes. Something is wrong.

I get up slowly and creep over to her bed. I can barely see her face, but I can see that it is a grimace. She is having a nightmare.

I immediately shake her shoulder, trying to wake her up. She shakes me off but she starts muttering something I can't really hear, but I can guess. I shake her shoulder again, hissing quietly.

"Nami, Nami wake up."

She suddenly bolts upright, gasping. She grips my arm tightly, and I can tell by her glazed-over eyes she isn't completely awake. I whisper in her ear.

"Nami, it's Rose. You are safe on the Straw-hat ship. It's all right."

Nami's eyes clear and she looks horrified, letting go of my arm. I don't mind; I'm more worried about her.

She is still spooked about the dream. I smile inwardly as I remember being in the same position as a little kid, being absolutely terrified. My mom would always comfort me. Nami had no mom, so I had to be one for her.

I pulled her out of bed gently, leading her down to the kitchen. I hear the snores from the men's quarters, but I sit her down in a chair, and walk over to the fridge.

Whenever I had nightmares as a kid, my mom would wake me up and fix me a glass of warm milk to make me feel better. There are no microwaves here, but I could heat some on the stove. I quickly pour a small amount into a kettle and started to heat it. While I was doing that I tried talking to Nami, trying to distract her.

"I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but I'm here if you do. I can take an educated guess. I know all about your past and all. I can only think of one person to make you act like this. It's ok though. You are safe. It's over."

I glance at her to see how she was doing. She was trembling, and looked a little shell-shocked. I continued talking.

"My mom used to do this when I had nightmares."

A thought occurred to me. I made sure the milk hadn't overheated, before I ran outside. I plucked a tangerine off of one of Nami's trees. I know nothing that would make her feel better. I walked back inside and placed it in Nami's hands.

"Here you go, see if this helps."

Nami shook her head and she seemed to bring herself back. She started to peel it almost mindlessly, like it was instinct. I poured the now warm milk into two glasses, and give her one, while I keep the other. I need some extra help getting to sleep too with my hectic day still in my mind. No, focus on Nami.

We sat there, one of us sipping milk, and the other peeling a tangerine. I don't dare say anything. I knew if Nami wanted to talk, she would, and that would signal her recovery. I've never seen someone react this strongly to a dream, but considering her past, I don't blame her.

Nami eats half of the tangerine before she takes a deep breath and relaxes.

"What else?"

I sip my milk. It is nostalgic and leaves a warm feeling in my stomach.

"What else what?"

Nami sipped her milk too, and asked seriously.

"What else did your mother do when you had nightmares?"

I smile, thinking back.

"She would say to me 'think happy thoughts and it will make the bad ones go away'. Then we would count all of our happy thoughts. So what makes you happy Nami?"

Nami thought for a few seconds before saying quietly.

"Money."

I laugh. Nami is back in the business.

"Tangerines."

She smiles back.

"Shopping."

I think of something else.

"Luffy took Arlong and Shiki and pounded them into the dust for you. They will not hurt you again."

Nami nodded, still smiling.

"Nojiko and Gen."

I nod back.

"Yes, they will be waiting for you to return. You will complete your dream of mapping the world. You will have adventures with the Straw-hats. You have a crew that will love, fight for, and protect you. You have Sanji to wait on you hand and foot, and can increase Zoro's debt as much as you like. They will follow your orders willingly to escape a storm, and will listen to your input. They will laugh, cry, dance, and sing with you. You have a family, and are sailing for more adventures."

Nami looked more like herself as she finished the tangerine and her milk.

"Thank you Rose. You are a great friend."

I smile back and give her a warm hug.

"Thank you Nami. I try to be. Now, let's go back to bed."

I tuck her in, much like my mom used to do, before going back over to my bed, lying back down again. Back to my insecurities and criticizing myself.

Should I talk to Zoro about this tomorrow? Maybe he can help me. He has in the past, so why not now. Well, one thing. I value Zoro's opinion, very highly, more then anyone else. He is the projection of strength, and well weakness like mine today isn't his style. Besides, Straw-hats hide their insecurities, and fight twice as hard for them not to happen. I need to be like that, not talk about them like a girl at a slumber party.

After about an hour of endless worrying, tossing and turning, and thinking I decided I had had enough. It was blistering under my sheets and in the cabin itself. I need a breath of fresh air.

I left the cabin and went out on deck. There is a cooling draft and the stars twinkle merrily in the black sky. I settle down on the grass, breathing easily. I focus on absolutely nothing, just the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. I need emptiness to my mind, and if I focus on the waves, I can't focus on insecurities.

I was halfway between awake and dozing when something slowly eased itself into the air around me. I twitched before I discerned what it was. A violin.

I turn over to see Brook sitting by the mast, playing softly a lullaby. I smile at him and he nods.

"Good night Rose-san."

Nothing puts me to sleep better then classical music. Not that it is boring, but it is just beautiful it just quiets my mind. So in other words, Brook is doing the exact thing I need.

I focus on the music, letting myself relax. This is why I love music so much; it can be used in any situation to make me feel better. Five minutes later, I fell asleep on the grassy deck, Brook's violin playing with harmony to the sound of the waves.