All right sorry to finish this up quick, but they take up laptops at school tomorrow, and I have to finish before then, unless you want me to not update all summer. Sorry, and besides, time flies when you were having fun, so the past chapter took longer then I allusioned it to be.

So this is the last chapter. Thank you all, who have read the bravery series, and have made it this far with me. You have been great readers. One more thing.

Many people have been asking me to ship Zoro and Rose together, which is understandable. I purposefully write it so that it could be taken as a really good friendship, or a romance; it's up to the reader to take it either way. If it isn't enough however, please by all means, I have a challenge for you. Anyone who wants to ship Zoro and Rose together can write a fanfiction about it. I allow you to use Rose, can't say about Zoro cause he isn't mine, but please do and let me know so I can read it. :D

All right enough talk. Let's wrap this up.

Sanji and Zoro hopped over onto our ship, already arguing about the number of marines they had taken down. I drop my chains to the deck, no longer seeing them as a weapon. Franky could get these annoying manacles off, but why do that when I have a perfectly good swordsman right here?

"Hey Zoro, can you help me?"

He glances at me with his eye and raises his eyebrows as I extend my wrists. He rolled his eye.

"Sure Rose."

Sanji growled.

"If you cut her I will take away your booze for a year."

Zoro gave me a glance and I fought hard not to giggle.

"I trust you."

I watch him as he brought the sword up and seemingly flipped his wrist and the manacles slipped off. I grinned as he did the same to my feet.

"Thank you Zoro."

I bit my lip. I didn't expect the afternoon to go by so quickly. I sigh. Oh well, nothing can be done about it now.

"All right, let's go back to the Sunny before this one sinks."

No sooner had I finished speaking the hull cracked in half, much like the Merry, only a geyser of seawater sprayed from the crack. I closed my eyes and hissed in pain as it drenched me like someone throwing a bucket of icy cold water on you. The salt did nothing for my wounds, I assure you.

I hear somebody hit the deck and glanced over to see Luffy looking rather pale kneeling on the wood. He has gotten stronger to resist the seawater affects, but it still makes him weak. Screw my injuries; if Luffy needs me, I will help him.

I looped his hand around my neck and drag him to his feet. The ship is now sinking steadily. I half drag half led Luffy over to the railing.

"Luffy, you have to stretch out your arm. Grab the Sunny."

Luffy tried, he really did, but his arm only stretched about ten feet.

"Rose."

I look down to see Jinbe treading water. The ship is half sunk by now and I am soaking wet. This is absolutely perfect.

I hurdle the railing and Jinbe catches both of us carefully, setting us on his back. Zoro leapt after us, barely stirring the fishman. Sanji started to skywalk back to the ship. Jinbe made sure we were secure before speeding toward the ship.

We had left a ship graveyard in our wake.

Luffy sat up, shaking the water out of his dark hair like a dog. I patted him.

"You ok Luffy?"

The Straw-hat captain nodded. I stood up on Jinbe's back again, less enthusiastic now only because my adrenaline had been spent in the fight and I had almost no excitement left. I was exhausted but I could worry about that later.

We boarded the ship without any problems and to rousing cheers and excitement from Usopp and Franky about the new cannon, and Chopper's worry at new injuries. I was surprisingly injury free, I mean from this time of fighting. Only the strong don't get wounded in battle. Good, I must be improving.

"Sanji, I'm starving. When is dinner?"

Luffy whined. Sanji sighed.

"Give me a few minutes to prepare it Luffy."

I stepped up.

"I'm helping too right?"

Sanji floated down to fall and roll around on the grass like he had ants in his pants or something.

"Of course beautiful Rose-swan."

I roll my eyes.

"I will only do it with you if you stop acting like I am a delicate flower. Treat me like you treat Luffy or Zoro or Usopp, or anybody else on the crew that isn't female."

Sanji looked absolutely wretched.

"But Rose-swan—"

"No buts, that's my condition."

Sanji coughed uncomfortably and stood up.

"All right Rose-swa—I mean Rose."

I smiled at him.

"Thank you Sanji."

I can only take so much crazy romance and Sanji is pushing that limit. Being locked up with him for a little while doesn't help either. I could tell he was fighting a nosebleed so I shoved him toward the galley.

We went into the kitchen. I stood back a little as Sanji took out the ingredients.

"Order me around Oh Master Chef."

I saluted teasingly, my smile gentle at him. He tossed a knife in the air.

"Can you cut potatoes?"

I nod.

"Will you peel them?"

So many people had failed in that department on this ship, and I don't want to be added to the list. Sanji nodded in compliance and took one knife and I took another.

He peeled at an alarming rate, shoving potatoes at me faster then I could chop them up. I'm going to have to learn to be faster, and good thing I now know a little about sharp pointy objects thanks to Zoro. Perception, they are an extension of my body.

I was careful, slicing downwards away from my fingers to not cut them. My movements became more rhythmic as I discovered a pattern, literally shredding the potatoes into the pot. I became faster and faster, soon almost, not quite, but almost as fast as Sanji.

"Are we having stew?"

I ask. He shook his head.

"Curry."

Oh, I have always wanted to try curry. I hear it is absolutely delicious.

Sanji mixes the ingredients while I continue chopping vegetables and meat up that he tells me to. I can't spare Sanji any glance because I need to focus on my own work. This is amazing. I am actually working with Sanji on something culinary. I can't let him down and ruin everything. I need to do this perfectly. Even if I don't, this is good practice for if I ever get to steal a knife as a weapon.

I finish with the vegetables and meat and ask.

"Anything else Sanji?"

The cook was just tossing a cigarette into an ashtray as he spun ingredients around in a bowl, a pan, and was monitoring the oven.

"No Rose-swan. I think that's everything. I just need it to bake a little and we will be done."

I grin. What a wonderful project.

"All right Sanji, I will go then."

I left the cook to add last minute preparation to the meal and went out on deck to the railing.

Some alone time it seems, for a few minutes at least. I breathe in the sea air and sighed. This time had been just as eventful as the other times, and I can only hope it keeps it up. None of my visits are guaranteed. I'm only lucky that this has happened as frequently it has, but I might not ever come back. I should prepare for that instead of hoping I will come back; I will only get disappointed.

"Rose."

I glance behind me to see Luffy skipping up. I smile.

"Hey Luffy."

He sat on the railing cross-legged, gazing out to sea like I am.

"Are you thinking about leaving?"

I almost, almost, wince at the bluntness of the statement. Did he have to say it like that?

"No, I'm thinking about the beautiful scenery."

I give him a smile. He mustn't know I am worried, because that worries the crew. They mustn't know I will miss them because I know that makes it harder for them to say goodbye.

Suddenly Luffy leaned in front of me, staring into my eyes with the most serious expression on his face I thought his brain would overheat. He sighed.

"Zoro is right, you do put on a fake smile when you talk about leaving."

Of course Zoro figured me out. Darn perception. I sigh.

"I don't want you all to worry about me."

Luffy grinned.

"We know not to worry about you Rose. You are strong."

I smile at him. I'm glad someone believes in me. Sanji poked his head out of the galley and yells.

"Dinner is ready."

Luffy was off like a rocket. I took one last look at the beautiful scene in front of me before turning away.

Jinbe was already eating his dinner out on the lawn for some reason.

"Hey Jinbe, want to eat with us?"

Jinbe smiled kindly at me.

"No Rose, it's such a nice evening I thought I would sit out here and think for a while."

I pat his arm. What a twist of fate. Now he won't see me disappear.

I walk into the kitchen to see most of the crew already gathered at the table. Great. I sit down and rub my hands together enthusiastically.

"Wow, this looks great Sanji."

Sanji served Robin, Nami, and me first, naturally. Luffy is eyeing my plate hungrily and I quickly wrap my arms around my meal.

"No Luffy."

He gives me the puppy dog eyes and I groan quietly.

"Jeez, can you not just wait for your own food."

Sensing weakness Luffy grinned sharkily and threw his hand forward. His aim for some reason was off and smacked Usopp right in the face. The sniper protested angrily.

"What the heck Luffy?"

I see the wince and immediately Chopper is there.

"Luffy, I told you to watch that arm. You got a huge scratch on your arm that needs to heal."

Luffy nodded, but as soon as Chopper's back was turned he was stretching for another plate, which just happened to be mine again.

A black shoe slammed down on the Straw-hat captain's fingers, pinning them to the table.

"Shitty Captain!"

Sanji yelled. Name sighed, digging in to her own curry.

"Why does mealtime have to always be like this?"

Robin smiled softly as she flipped a page in the book she was reading.

"Boys will be boys."

Brook turned toward the archeologist.

"Robin-san, will you let me see your panties."

The black foot came down on Brook's head this time, his afro shielding him somewhat from the blow.

"Oi, that's a lady you are talking to perverted skeleton."

Zoro chugged some of his beer.

"You're one to talk, nosebleed."

Sanji whirled around.

"What was that Cyclops?"

Franky showed off his star.

"Super dinner Sanji."

I smile. This was normal, and I had to ruin it with my departure. They look so happy. Maybe I should just go off by myself to lea—.

Something flashed through my mind, too fast for me to catch it, but it caught my attention. It was like standing in a dark room, and somebody shined a spotlight on you for a split second, just enough for you to notice. I freeze, blinking rapidly in confusion. What…what the heck was that?

"Rose, are you ok?"

I glance up at Chopper, who looks rather worried. I crinkle my eyebrows together, trying to once again to find the flash. It had to be something.

"Um, yes?"

I think so anyway. I don't know if that was life threatening or what. Usopp snorted.

"Well, that sounded certain."

Sanji raised his knife.

"Is it taking you away already?"

Luffy raised his fists.

"We will fight it."

I shook my head.

"No, it wasn't that. I don't know what—"

it happened again, only longer this time. Startled, I leapt backwards, knocking over my chair. What was going on?

"Rose sis?"

"Rose-san are you ok?"

Nami stood.

"What is it Rose?"

Too loud. I can't concentrate. There are too many distractions.

"Guys, just give me one minute. Sixty seconds please, just to try to figure this out."

Everyone fell silent. I close my eyes and realize I am breathing hard, and I can feel my heartbeat. Something was off, but I didn't know what. Was I going back early? Why?

It was if it was waiting for me. As soon as I closed my eyes, something started to spark in my mind, like a movie starting up. Pages of a book it seemed flipped by quickly, in and out of my mind before I could read it. No, not a book. Newspaper clippings.

I couldn't read it with my eyes, but my mind read faster, and got the general gist of it.

Rose…a teenager…assaulted in her home…while asleep…baseball bat…head trauma…in coma.

I break out, as if I had been imprisoned, gasping for air. It was clear as day now. Holy crap, this is…I don't even know how to describe it.

"Rose?"

I looked up at the voice and saw Usopp looking quite concerned. I opened my mouth, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't say what I had seen. I took a deep breath.

"I come to you guys in my sleep, as if it is a dream."

Luffy opened his mouth but I continued.

"While I was sleeping this time, someone broke into my home and hit me over the head. I now have head trauma and in a coma."

That explained the pain on the marine ship. I really had been hit over the back of the head, but it was my actual physical body, not my piece that is in here. Nami patted my arm.

"I'm sorry Rose."

No, I think I will be ok, that's not the problem. It's getting back what's—

Then the realization hit me. A faint smile crept onto my face that turned into a full out grin. I started laughing joyously. Robin looked confused.

"Rose?"

I grin.

"Guys, I get to stay. I don't have to leave."

A coma is technically asleep, and it's continuous and who knows how long. I could spend years in here if I wanted and only a small time could pass in my world. The force finally granted my wish.

I will miss my family, no doubt about it, and I am so guilty about putting this burden on them, but I will go back. I just get a feeling that I will. It will only seem like a long time, when it really isn't.

Zoro is the first to move, launching over the table and embracing me in a stout hug. I laugh into his chest. Yes, I finally get to stay. No more cramming, more training, more fun. This will be my family now, and I would gladly let them accept me.

"Rose!"

Usopp and Chopper nearly tackle me, and if it weren't for Zoro's strong grip I would have fallen. Chopper latches onto my arm while Usopp settled for just a hug. Robin and Nami join the pile. All four of them are laughing and crying at the same time. Brook strikes up a happy ditty on his violin and Franky envelops all of us into his arms. Sanji spins around like a crazy maniac, yelling about how I am awesome for staying.

"Rose!"

I hear the yell that dulls everything. Everybody let's go of me and steps back, exposing Luffy. I grin at him.

"Yes Luffy?"

There is a triumphant smirk on his face.

"Will you join my nakama?"

I was expecting it, but it still was the most amazing feeling. Now, with all obstacles out of the way, I can finally achieve my dream. It is no longer a temptation, but a reality. I grin so widely it hurt, but it was well worth it as I reply without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes yes yes yes, a thousand times yes. I will join your nakama Luffy."

Luffy grinned.

"Yay, Rose."

He turned to Sanji and Franky.

"Bust out the drinks. This is cause for celebration."

I can't stop smiling. Adrenaline, not battle adrenaline but excitement adrenaline instead is pumping through me and is making me want to swim around the world twice.

Drinks are poured and I get a mug. Suddenly, Jinbe pokes his head in.

"What on earth is going on here?"

Luffy waves his mug.

"Rose just joined the crew."

Those words hit me right in the heart, in the good way. I took them and secretly locked them up to treasure forever. Jinbe grinned as well, taking a mug as well.

"Congratulations Rose."

"Wait Rose, what is your dream?"

I cock my head at Nami's question. That was a great question.

"To join your crew, and to help you all achieve your dreams of course."

Chopper shook his head.

"No, it doesn't work that way."

Franky nodded.

"Yeah Rose sis, everybody on the crew has those dreams. You need one for yourself."

A dream? For myself? What do I want most in the entire world? I glanced around at the other crewmembers for inspiration. My eyes fell on Zoro and I smiled. Ah, of course.

"I want to become the strongest girl fighter in the world without a devil fruit."

Luffy nodded in approval with a grin.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from the crew of the future pirate king."

Brook patted my arm.

"Welcome to the crew Rose-san."

I grinned, swirling my drink. Luffy raised his mug.

"To Rose, our newest nakama."

We slam our glasses together, spilling all of the booze everywhere, but it signaled a new chapter in my life, a new adventure. I yelled out with them, just like a Straw-hat.

"Kampai!"

Rose woke up in our world approximately two months after she went into the One Piece world, but with a boatload of adventures intact.

In the following days of her new reinstatement as a Straw-hat pirate, she trained with everyone she could, trying to get stronger. Zoro was a major help to her, training her in the sword and actual combat. Usopp helped her with her sharpshooting as well. Sanji refused to hit her, but Franky, Brook, and Luffy all were willing to spar with her for training purposes.

Rose followed them to Fishmen Island, then to defeat Kaido. Law was surprised to see her, but was happy to see her again. There, she earned her first bounty of twenty two million. The bounty grew twice on their entire journey until she was one hundred twenty million, one of the stronger people on the crew.

Franky and Usopp built her an incredible weapon. It was a metal pipe that was hollow, with a sword on one end like a spear, and the other, was a slingshot. Usopp always supplied her with ammo. Not only that, but both end were attached to the pole by chains, so the sword could be used to swing around to take out enemies, as well as the chains themselves as weapons.

She always kept her weapon close by, but she would always try to steal the opponent's weapon. She retained her fun loving ways and bright smile as she continued on her journey with her favorite pirates. She still went around to every person of the crew, and always, always won at tag. She never lost her strategizing tactics, as well as her fierce protectiveness of the crew she loved. Her lack of self-confidence soon disappeared as she fulfilled her dream and became one of the most world-renowned female fighters, as well as her other dream.

She was there when Brook reunited with Laboon, dancing with the whale as Brook played Bink's Sake.

Rose was there when Franky achieved his dream, where every man, woman, and child knew of the ship The Thousand Sunny across all the seas.

Rose was one of the people with Robin as she discovered the poneglyphs and was one of the first to relearn the lost history.

Rose always went to her favorite doctor, Chopper, and he gained patients by the thousands, as he became the best doctor in the world.

She was there when Sanji discovered the All Blue, and always abused him to get a free meal at his new restaurant.

Rose traveled with the crew to Elbaf and met the giants there along with Usopp, who by then was a brave warrior of the seas.

Rose was there to view Nami's world map as she finished drawing it, and hug the navigator for achieving her dream.

Rose was the first person to embrace Zoro's injured, but not dead body to her and help bandage him up after the fight that gained him the title of greatest swordsman in the world.

Of course, Rose was also present for one last event, the one that they had all been waiting, and dreaming for.

Rose was there to cheer as Luffy found Raftel and became the Pirate King.