Apologies in advance if I rush through the end here. Been on Drum too long! Let's get out of here!

Enjoy!

"Luffy, I think there's more to focus on right now instead of food." Nojiko said flatly as the Straw Hats came to see just how much destruction Wapol had caused in his own castle. Luffy just frowned.

"Well the destruction wasn't our fault," he said. "It was the King."

"Well you're right, but..."

"N-Nojiko is hurt, anyway!" Chopper said, pointing to her stomach. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's fractured ribs!"

"I'm fine," Nojiko excused as she wiped blood from her mouth. Luffy did see she looked somewhat pale. "Just give me a minute. Let's round up those damn Baroque Works agents and get them out of here."

"I was kind of hoping you'd let me handle that," a new voice said. Luffy looked past his crew mates to see two of the agents, Mr. Five and Ms. Golden Week, standing side by side.

"Crap!" Johnny shouted. "They're back up! Get your weapons, you guys!"

"Please don't," Mr. Five said as he held up his hands. "I'm not trying to fight you. I just want to take those two and leave."

"And why should we let you do that?" Sanji demanded. "You're not just gonna crawl back to your boss?"

"Now why would I do that?" Mr. Five demanded. "If we crawl back and you guys make it to Alabasta, we're dead meat. He'll kill us."

"Don't," Vivi said. "We can't let him go, he's the enemy."

"A fair point," Mr. Five said. "I guess all I can say is to trust me." The crew fell silent at this, no one knowing what they had to say. Did they let him take Ms. Valentine and Mr. Three away?

"I think we can trust him," Everyone turned as Nami's voice was heard. Luffy saw her standing next to the Doctor as they walked towards the group, Nami wrapped in a blanket to protect her from the cold wind as it blew in through the many cracks in the castle.

"Why do you say that?" Nojiko asked. Nami frowned.

"Call it faith," she replied. "After all, Ms. Golden Week helped us. Maybe he's being truthful."

"I swear on my life," Mr. Five said. "I'm going to take them both and sail as far away from Alabasta as we can get. You'll never see us again if we have anything to say about it." No one said anything again, and finally Zoro put a hand on Luffy's shoulder.

"It's up to you, Captain." He said with a wary glance. "Do we let them go or lock them up?" Great, of course this fell on him. Luffy knew he wasn't informed enough to make this decision, but now everyone was looking at him.

"Will we see you again?" Luffy asked Mr. Five. The man grimaced.

"I can swear to you, you won't see us in Alabasta. I promise we'll never go there again. On my life."

"You better not," Luffy replied. "Because if we cross paths again before we save Vivi's country, it will come to that. Third time we won't be as forgiving." Mr. Five swallowed hard at this, but nodded.

"Are you sure about this, Luffy?" Nojiko asked. "They're dangerous."

"I'm not going to take someone else's freedom from them," he said. "But I'll make sure he doesn't have a choice should we see him in Alabasta. Three strikes and you're out." Nojiko didn't seem to agree, but she nodded.

"I trust you," she said. "So I guess that's what we'll do." Appreciating the support of his Quartermaster, Luffy watched as Mr. Five picked up Ms. Valentine and Mr. Three, before turning back to leave. As he did he passed Ms. Golden Week, and paused.

"I don't know what you're looking for, Ms. Golden Week." He said flatly as the small girl looked down, making her woolly hat obscure her eyes. "But I hope you find it."

"You too," she said. "Be safe." Mr. Five laughed.

"Thought you said the agency wasn't a family?" He asked.

"Says the guy saving those two instead of saving his own hide." This just made Mr. Five laugh again, leaving the castle with both his allies in tow. This left Ms. Golden Week with them, along with the wind and snow blowing inside.

"Let's get back up to the infirmary," Kureha said. "It's frigid down here, and I can see one of my patients is shirtless again." Yosaku gulped at this.

"I didn't want paint on my clothes, ma'am!" He cried.

"Uh huh."

After everyone had returned upstairs and Kureha gave everyone a check up, all heads turned to his Ms. Golden Week. She'd been quiet while everyone's injuries got treated, just watching with keen interest.

"So," Luffy said as he turned to her. "I heard you betrayed your friends to come with us."

"You heard right," she replied, biting into a cracker Chopper had brought her. "I'm willing to work with you guys."

"You never said for what, though." Nami said from her bed. "Why do you want our help?"

"Is that relevant?" Ms. Golden Week asked. "I can help you take down Mr. Zero and save Alabasta. I think that's enough for now, no?"

"Not a chance." Zoro replied. "You were oh so eager to betray those three who just left. Who's to say this isn't a trap to kill us?" Ms. Golden Week pressed her lips together, looking irritated.

"If we can't take down Mr. Zero it doesn't matter what my motive is, because we'll all die in that god forsaken country." This made Vivi growl almost instinctively. "So I'll tell you once the time comes."

"Tell us now," Luffy replied sternly. "Or you can stay here." This seemed to surprise her, so Luffy continued, "Zoro's right that you could betray us at anytime, so give us a reason if you have one."

"I..." She started, perhaps trying to think of an excuse. "Ugh, fine. I'll tell you." The girl took a deep breath, looking Luffy right in the eyes. "I want to go home, back to my home island. I haven't been there since I was little. All I want is to go back."

"Where is this place?" Johnny asked as he rubbed his chin.

"It's called Water Seven," she replied. "One of the most gorgeous places on the Grand Line. I left when I was very little, and I want to go back."

"That's an easy excuse," Nojiko said quickly. "Is that it?"

"We shouldn't be so quick to judge, Nojiko-swan!" Sanji said. "Perhaps the little angel just wants to go home!"

"I'm not gonna buy it that easily." Nojiko said flatly. "And neither should you." This seemed to deflate Sanji a bit, but Luffy wasn't in the mood to laugh at him.

"Is that it?" He demanded to Ms. Golden Week. The girl made a face.

"Kinda," she said. "Is that so weird?"

"Not really, no." Luffy said. "I'm sure all of us feel homesick to a degree. Right guys?"

"Of course!" Usopp agreed. "I miss Kaya everyday!"

"I could never miss that old bastard," Sanji said, looking away for some reason.

"Fair enough," Nojiko said, casting a glance at Nami, who just looked down at her bed sheets with a sad smile.

"That's my reasoning." Ms. Golden Week said. "My home...It's what inspired me to be a painter. All my life I've wanted to draw the island as a whole. from it's round bottom all the way to it's fountain peak. But I've never gotten to see it in person since I was little."

Hearing this, Luffy was far more inclined to accept her. She had a dream. Maybe one that was a tad easy to make come true, but a dream nonetheless.

"Luffy," Luffy turned to see Nojiko walking up to him, pulling him aside and putting her head next to his. "We have no idea if we'll ever even cross Water Seven. We have no idea if any of our Logs will take us there."

"I'm sure we can find an Eternal Pose," Luffy replied.

"Even if we did, are you doing to sidetrack your own dream for her?" Luffy made a face and looked back at Ms. Golden Week. He knew Nojiko was right, but he also knew that they needed all the help they could get dealing with Crocodile. But could he really trust her? Sighing, Luffy came to a conclusion as everyone watched him.

"She can come," he said. "Johnny, Yosaku."

"Yes Big Bro?" They asked in tandem.

"Watch over her for me. Like guards. If she does anything suspicious, you report to Zoro, Nojiko or I. Okay?" Both men looked shocked for a moment, neither say a word. Finally, as tears came from their eyes, they both jumped up happily.

"Big Bro Luffy is giving us an important task!" Yosaku shouted. "We will complete it as best we can!"

"We won't fail you, Big Bro!" Johnny agreed as he wiped at his eyes. Luffy laughed at the men's tears, their excited tears lightening the mood.

"Guess that settles it," Sanji said. "Johnny, show me the kitchen. I'll cook us up something."

"Y-Yes sir, Big Bro Sanji!" Johnny said through his tears, leaving to show the cook the way.

"One more question," Luffy said as Ms. Golden Week watched the two leave. "What's your name?"

"Name?" She asked.

"Your real one," Luffy clarified. "You know, not your code name. I don't feel like saying Ms. Golden Week every time I call you." For a moment the girl paused, not answering. Finally, she smiled weakly.

"Marianne," she said. "My name's Marianne."

The Straw Hat Cook, Sanji as Chopper learned his name was, was very proficient in the kitchen. Even with the small amount of food he was able to cook up a small feast for everyone. Luffy ate like his life depends on it, everyone else just taking what they could hide from the ravenous Captain. Marianne mostly kept to herself, already under the watchful eye of the two swordsmen tasked with watching her.

"I'm just eating, you weirdo's." She said flatly.

"We were told you watch you!" Johnny said.

"And watch you we will!" Yosaku added. Chopper couldn't help but laugh at bit at there intensity. They really didn't need to be so wild.

"I can't thank you all enough for your help," Dalton said, saying this as the crew was stuffing their mouths. "To throw Wapol from this place, to save us...You didn't need to do that."

"I don't need to do anything," Luffy replied as he brandished a bone at Dalton. "I did it cause I wanted too. Now eat before I eat it all. Actually, I'll eat it all anyway!" Luffy made a grab for Dalton's food, who just watched him as he ate it. Chopper had no idea where the man kept all of that food, but if he had to guess, it probably had to do with Luffy's elasticity.

"Are you done?" Nami asked from the door. Despite Doctorine's orders, the redhead was up and already dressed. "We really need to get a move on, or else we may be too late."

"Don't you think we can rest a little, Nami?" Luffy asked with a mouth full of food.

"No, moron." She said. "Do you want to fail Vivi?" Luffy didn't even need to look over at the woman to shake his head angrily. "That's what I thought. Now, grab your stuff and let's go." Chopper watched as the pirates shuffled around the room, grabbing their belongings and making for the door. He made no move to join them, watching as they made for the door. He thought about Doctorine, and about Hiriluk. Did Chopper really need to stay here? Was he really doing what the Doctor would have wanted, like Nojiko had told him? Would staying here, and watching as his chance to see the world walked away?

"Are you coming or not?" Luffy's voice came. Chopper looked up to see the whole crew waiting halfway through the door, all looking at him.

"Huh?" He asked weakly. Luffy smiled as wide as the ocean as he gestured out the door.

"Are you gonna come with us?" He asked. "We know you want to, so come on!"

"We need a Doctor too," Nami said with a kind smile. "You'd be a great addition."

"You people don't have a Doctor?" Marianne demanded.

"Silence, you!" Yosaku said why too highly.

"I'm just talking!" Marianne shouted.

"He said silence!" Johnny repeated.

"Would you two shut up?!" Zoro demanded. The crew descended into chaos, all as Luffy and Chopper watched each other. Luffy seemed completely ignorant to the chaos, somehow, just watching Chopper. Was this a serious offer? No, it couldn't be. After all, they were human. He was...A monster. A reindeer. What did they have in common? Nothing. Going with them was foolish.

"I-I can't," he finally said, raising his hooves. "I have no reason to go. You guys are human, and I-I'm a monster. It's not something that would work out. I appreciate how nice you've been to me and everything, b-but-"

"Shut up and grab your stuff!" Luffy shouted, startling Chopper. "Nami said we're on the clock, remember?!"

"Let's go Little Bro!" Johnny shouted, Yosaku up in arms as well.

"You know you want too," Nojiko said.

"It'll be fun!" Usopp said. Chopper watched as the crew tried to convince him to come. Little did they know, as tears welled up in Chopper's eyes, that he'd already made his decision.

"A-Are you sure?" He asked hopefully. Luffy laughed, the rest of the crew smirking. "I-I'm not like you guys..."

"Why would we not be?" He asked. "Let's go already!"

"I thought I told you people to stay in bed," Kureha said as she saw the crew making for the exit. After the massive brawl tons of people had come up to make sure she was okay, much to her own chagrin. Of course, she'd set them right to work moving all of the rubble and fixing up the castle as best they could, so they were even now.

Oh, and that other thing she wanted to do. The crew paused at the front door, looking at her.

"I thought I told you people to stay in bed," she said, the wounded members on the crew flinching a bit. "Rebellious to the end, huh?" None of them said anything, Chopper appearing from in the middle of the pack.

"Doctorine," he said. "I came to tell you that I'm leaving with them."

A lot of different emotions whirled around Kureha's head as he said this. sadness, anger, and a ton others she couldn't really identify. But why did she feel that way? She'd encouraged the pirates to take him anyway. It was foolish to think that they wouldn't take her up on that after everything that had happened.

Finally, she chuckled.

"Did you think I'd have some kind of overblown reaction?" She asked, Chopper making a confused sound. "How many times have I told you? I only looked after you because I felt like Hiriluk would have smacked me had I not. You're free to go if you want. I'm not your Mom."

"Harsh," Yosaku said aloud, Johnny smacking the back of his head. Kureha looked back at Chopper.

"Honestly, you could have left any time you could," she said. "But I guess you never had a reason to to before, huh?"

"D-Doctorine..."

"I put your bag in the sleigh," she said, pointing behind herself to the door. "I figured you'd be leaving, so you can take them down in that. Is that all?"

Silence came over everyone, even the people who'd come up to work with her.

"Well, guess we should be going then!" Luffy said. "Thanks Doc! I promise we'll look after him!"

"Little Bro Chopper will be safe with us!" Johnny shouted. As the crew dragged him away, Kureha knew Chopper was watching her. After a moment or two, she heard him sniffle.

"I-I'll miss you!" He shouted, the crew stopping. Kureha didn't look. She refused to or else she'd cry. "T-Thank you for everything you've done for me!"

"Don't be foolish," Kureha replied. "I don't want your thanks. If you're gonna go, go." Amid the silence she could hear the crew shuffling away, presumably leaving the castle. She didn't look until she couldn't hear them anymore, and Dalton walked up to her as she did so.

"Are you sure that was okay?" He asked. "You were pretty cold just now."

"I'm not a fan of sad goodbyes," she replied flatly as more footsteps could be heard. "Besides, he's old enough now. It'll be okay if he's with those guys."

"U-Uh, Doctor Kureha?" Both of them turned as two people walked up to them, one holding a piece of paper on his hand. "W-We need to show you this."

"What is it?" Dalton asked. The paper was handed over to him, and Kureha looked over his shoulder to see.

Monkey D. Luffy

30 Million Berries.

"Huh," Dalton said as they both examined the bounty. "That's him alright."

"Yeah," one of the men who brought it to them agreed. "It seems their some of the bad ones. What should we do?"

"Where did you get this?" Dalton asked. The other man frowned.

"W-Well, it actually happened a few days ago," he said. "This guy showed up here looking for the Blackbeard Pirates. When we told him they weren't here anymore, he then asked if we'd seen that guy. He told us that if we saw him, that he wanted to meet up in Alabasta, where he'd be for ten days or so. Do we chase after him?"

"Don't bother," Kureha replied with a smirk. "Chopper's in good hands. Those people aren't the bad ones, I can tell."

"Can you now?" Dalton asked with a small smile. "And how do you know that exactly?"

"It's just a hunch," she replied. "Now get back to work. The last thing we need is for Chopper not to see this before he leaves." As everyone returned to work grabbing the cannons Wapol hadn't eaten, Kureha walked to the edge of the broken castle and looked outwards into the snow, smirking.

"D, huh?" She asked aloud. "I didn't realise anyone still openly wore that name. Chopper's gotten himself into quite the mess, now hasn't he?"

That night, as the Straw Hat Pirates made their way back to their ship, something different occurred. Something that had never happened in all of the time this nameless Kingdom on the Grand Line had existed.

As the snow fell all over the island, an explosion could be heard from the castle of their former King. If one were to look up, they would see a beautiful pink simmer in the sky. The snow that would fall next would be as pink as Cherry Blossom petals, something that was essentially impossible on the winter island. The glow added something of a warm glow to the usually frigid island, but no one really seemed to know what it meant.

Although it could be said that, if you were close enough to a certain shore of this island, that you could hear a voice crying happily in the night. Crying as their Father's dream was recognised. That he had not died in vain.

That, for the first time, this island could see the pink of Cherry Blossoms.

Finally off of Drum, huh? No time, places to be! I hope you enjoyed, leave a review!