~R~

I tried my best to go to sleep, but I was wide awake. As soon as I said goodnight and headed to my room, I was suddenly hit with a nagging sensation. It was similar to when I sensed danger nearby, but it felt a little different. I knew there wasn't danger nearby right now. I mean, I was safe among all my friends on the ship. So what is this sense of foreboding? Why do I feel so anxious?

I thought about it as I stared up at the ceiling. Thinking back, I remembered some of the things that my mother told me. I didn't tell Ace about it, since I know he probably doesn't want anything to do with the woman.

She did scold me for joining up pirates, but that wasn't what she wanted to tell me about. Somehow she knew about the weird instinctive warnings I get and she wanted to tell me about them. It was sort of like a type of haki that allows the user to sense another person's presence. Observation Haki, I think it's called. However this ability in my family sensed danger instead of people. I still don't really understand it. "Sometimes you're senses won't necessarily be a warning for your own safety..." That was something Grace told me. Does that mean someone else could be in trouble? But who?

I got up and started pacing. I was confused, and I tried to calm my mind so I wouldn't be thinking a million things at once. I decided to try and figure it out step by step. This feeling I had was different then usual, but how? I thought about it, and soon I realized it was because usually my instinct gives me a direction, like left, or right, or up or behind me. Right now it didn't feel like there was anything lurking around any corners. So it means someone else is in trouble. How do i figure out who? The only think I could think to do was think of everyone I knew. So that's what I did.

I ran through a list of everyone I knew, leaving out Whitebeard's commanders for the time being. I thought of everyone, including the woman who raised me and the friends I had back home and friends I'd met on different islands. Jeez, I knew a lot of people. None of them really jumped out at me though. I hesitantly started thinking of the commanders, afraid that there was an enemy strong enough to take them out. Jozu? No, the diamond man can't be harmed easily. Vista? No, nothing felt wrong. Izo? Haruta? No, no. Ace? Marco? No, they were both on night watch tonight, so they could take care of each other if they had to. I though of the others that were on the ship, but nothing pointed at them.

That left Thatch. As soon as I thought of him and that he was still off on a job, the sense of foreboding grew stronger. Part of me didn't want to believe he was in trouble. He's strong, he's a commander. But he did go alone. I'd hate for something to have happened to him. I mean, sure he's obnoxious sometimes, but in a friendly way, and he one of my best friends.

Now there was the question of whether or not I believed it. There was no solid proof that something was wrong, but the feeling was still there. My mind and my gut instinct were at war with each other. Would anyone else believe me if I told them about my worries?

I had to try. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened and I had the power to stop it.

I left the room, not really caring that I was still wearing what I sleep in. A tank top and sweat pants. Since I knew Marco and Ace were awake (well I knew for sure Marco was, anyway) I started looking for them. They should be on the deck somewhere.

~M~

I shook Ace' shoulder. "Oi, wake up! You're supposed be on watch!" I said. I sighed when I got no response. This guy can sleep a little too well. Then I noticed someone getting closer to us. "Rory? What are you doing up?" I asked when I saw her. She looked concerned about something.

"I think Thatch is in trouble." she replied. She definitely got to the point quick.

I could see was serious, but I was skeptical. "Based on what?" I asked. "Thatch can take care of himself."

"I know...It's just a feeling I have..." Rory admitted.

I know she wouldn't have told me this if she wasn't legitimately worried. I didn't quite buy it, but it couldn't hurt to humor her and play on the safe side. And if there really was something wrong, then that's all the more reason to go along with it. "Alright, if you can get Ace to wake up, then have him take you to where Thatch is." I said. I nudged the second division commander with my foot. He was sitting up against the railing of the ship, snoring. "I have to stay keep watch."

Rory knelt beside Ace and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ace?"

He responded immediately. "Wha? Rory? Why are you up? What's the matter?" he asked while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Of course its that easy..." I muttered. I shook my head. That guy has it bad."You're taking Rory to the island the old man sent Thatch to." I said.

"Huh? Why?"

"Rory'll explain. Just go." I replied.

"Alright." Ace replied. I watched them leave.

~A~

"Do you really think Thatch is in trouble?" I heard Rory ask. "I don't really want to believe it..." I know why she had her doubts.

"I hope not. But it won't hurt to be sure." I replied. I trusted her instinct, since sometimes instincts are right. We have to just check at the very least.

"Yeah..."

We rode the rest of the way in silence. When we neared the island, I tensed. It had definitely been attacked by a rival group of pirates. I could see a couple of fires, so obviously some damage had been done. Thatch could very well be in danger there. Is Rory psychic or something? I steered the Striker away from the docks. We would have to find a hidden spot to get on the island. I found a small cave and carefully maneuvered my Striker inside.

"What are we gonna do?" Rory asked.

"We'll figure something out." Personally I just wanted to go off on the pirates that trespassed on the old man's territory. But that might cause unnecessary problems. I don't want to put Rory at risk, and if Thatch was in their possession, he be in more danger too. As much I wanted to storm the place, I'd have to keep that habit in check. "We'll, let's go." I said. Rory nodded and followed me as I led the way toward the village.

"Let's see if we can find Thatch first." Rory whispered.

"Okay." I said.

And so we made our way through the village. We ducked into shadows and avoided areas lit up by fire. It took all I had to keep myself from trying to beat the smug grins of of these pirates faces. They just walked around like they owned the place. I scanned the area for any clues to Thatch's whereabouts.

"This way!" Rory hissed suddenly. I looked at her as she tugged my arm.

"How do you know?"

"Just a feeling."

That's it, she's psychic. She cautiously led me to the village square, where I could see various villagers being held captive. Among them I could see Thatch. He wasn't too badly beaten up. in fact, he was well enough to keep trying to fight against the bastards that tried to hold him in place. He certainly wasn't making their job easy.

I know I said I'd keep my habit of jumping in thoughtlessly in check, but I couldn't hold back the urge to help my friend out.

~R~

I squeaked and ducked behind a corner when Ace bolted out to help Thatch. Somehow I had gone unnoticed, so I let out a sigh of relief and then cursed Ace. I was hoping to at least think up a little plan first, but so much for that. I guess its time to improvise. I carefully peeked at the scene. It took me a moment to understand the chaos.

The pirates were surprised by Ace' sudden entrance, so they were distracted. I took the opportunity to look for a weapon.

And surprisingly I spied the perfect weapon. One I was taught to use flawlessly. I carefully sneaked out and picked up a bow and a quiver of arrows. The woman who raised me had made me practice archery. I didn't think I'd ever need it at the time.

I got behind some barrels and notched an arrow. As I pulled back the string, I was automatically lulled into a deep focus that came from years of practice. The noise seemed to die down around me. It was only me and the bow. I aimed at one of the men struggling to hold Thatch, and then let the arrow fly. I saw it bury itself in the man's chest and then he collapsed.

Bulls-eye. I was satisfied that I still remembered how to use this thing. Then it dawned on my that it was first time I've ever shot an actual person. And I did it without flinching. That kind of scared me.

Then again, I'm sure my mother had killed pirates without a second thought. I guess its in my blood.

I saw Thatch and and the other man holding him looking around wildly in surprise. I took the opportunity to loose another arrow. This one hit the enemy pirate in the neck, and he went down. That's when Thatch was able to spot me and he looked impressed. So did Ace, when I noticed him looking too. I was flattered, but their staring had alerted the other pirates to where I was hiding.

A couple headed towards me, but Ace wasn't having any of that. A wall of flames grew between the enemy and myself. I let loose more arrows while I was still safe, taking out as many of the pirates as I could before I ran out of ammo. I left the rest of them to Thatch and Ace.