Coco: Hello, hello, my fine friends. I hope you are all doing well this fine morning! Today I will be bringing you not only a chapter for A Heart in Chains but the first chapter for the A Heart in Chains side stories, which I'm calling Heart Gaiden. We'll be starting off with a one shot from Havel's POV. I was going to start off the side stories with a Christmas Special...but as you can see it is way past Christmas meaning I didn't get it done...well, maybe next year XD

Now without further ado, let's get this chapter started.

Wren hummed as gazed up as the rotting tree in front of her. In her hand, was an oddly shaped fruit, which she idly tossed up into the air and caught repeatedly.

"It seems there's still much work to do." Wren said. "Even using Oro's alchemistic formula, my magic poisoned the spell."

She glanced at the fruit she had in hand wondering if her magic would affect this regrown devil fruit as well. The other fruits on the tree were rotting and falling from the tree, but the devil fruit seemed well enough.

"I suppose we will just have to wait and find out." She said as she tossed the fruit up in the air one last time.

As it was coming down, it disappeared into thin air. She then turned away from the rotting tree and snapped her fingers. The tree caught fire and began to burn away, so that it wouldn't taint the earth. Once that task was done, she began to make her way back towards the castle on the mountain. She took a few steps before vanishing from view. She reappeared at the castle just in time to hear shouting coming from above. Her gaze shifted upwards catching sight of Luffy delving the finishing blow to Wapol that sent the man flying off into the sky out of view.

"Hmm…a flying hippopotamus." Wren commented casually. "You don't see one of those every day."

Her attention was brought elsewhere as the snow shifted to her right before a doorway of some kind popped out of the snow. She tilted her head as she watched Zoro and Usopp, who was hiding behind the swordsman, emerge.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Zoro asked Usopp in aggravation as the sniper clung to him.

"Uh, just watching your back." Usopp replied.

"Hiding behind me is more like it," Zoro growled as he tried to push Usopp away. "Why'd you even come if you're so scared?"

He then grunted when Havel hopped on top of his head to have a look around. Wren blinked mildly surprised to see Havel and Zoro with Usopp as she remembered them staying behind on the ship. Havel spotted her before the other two and quickly leapt from Zoro's head.

"Misce, there you are," Havel said as he padded over to her. "I hadn't sensed you earlier as we were coming up the mountain."

"I just returned," Wren told the feline. "There was someone who needed dealing with and I would have hated making a mess outside of Dr. Kureha's home."

Havel hummed in understanding as Zoro and Usopp finally noticed the woman. Before either one of them could greet her, a certain rubber boy, who slungshot himself from the castle, came barreling towards the boys. His shouting had both Usopp and Zoro looking up.

"Ah, Luffy!" Usopp shrieked.

"Luffy!" Zoro gasped.

When seeing that it was his friends and not more of Wapol's men attacking, Luffy's eyes widened. It was too late for him to stop, however, as he came crashing into Zoro and Usopp. Wren and Havel blandly stared at the three as they went rolling across the ground.

"These rookies are something else," Wren said though by the tone in her voice her words didn't come across as a compliment.

Havel hummed in agreement as he settled himself around Wren's shoulders. Wren turned her head when she heard more voices coming from the metal box that Zoro and Usopp had exited. Vivi appeared in the opening next. Her expression showed confusion as she looked down at the boys who were still sprawled across the ground.

"Why'd you do that, moron?!" Zoro snapped Luffy, who was laughing with a large grin stretched across his face, as he sat up quickly.

"I didn't recognize you at first," Luffy explained. "I thought you were more of Big Mouth's guards coming to fight. Wow, I'm really surprised you guys came all the way up here. Well, not you, Zoro, but you, Usopp! Aren't you normally scared of doing stuff like climbing mountains?"

Usopp, who picked himself off the ground, laughed at Luffy's words before he started boasting about how he loved climbing mountains and about how amazing he was. He went ignored by the others as Vivi turned to Luffy.

"Are Nami and Sanji alright?" Vivi asked Luffy.

Speaking of Sanji, Wren looked around seeing the blonde was nowhere to be seen.

'Perhaps Dr. Kureha moved him inside.' She thought absently.

"Yeah, both of them are just fine." Luffy assured her.

Vivi smiled in relief since she had been really worried for Nami's health, and when she hadn't seen Sanji at their arrival, her concern had only grown.

"So, what was it you were doing on top of the castle a few minutes ago?" Zoro asked as Usopp continued to rant in the background.

"Beating the crap out of the king." Luffy replied as Dalton emerged from the metal box.

Wren's brown quirked when seeing the state, the man was in as he looked as if he was barely holding on.

"Oh…okay," Zoro said sounding a bit confused.

Dalton, who had heard Luffy's words, looked at the teenage boy in utter surprise.

"Wait, you mean that person I saw flying through the air was Wapol?" Dalton asked. "You beat him?"

"Yep, I sure did," Luffy said with his grin still in place.

Dalton's eyes widened even more at the news. He couldn't believe that the carefree, small-framed lad in front of him had managed to defeat that man who once held this entire country under his tyrannical thumb. However, he didn't question it long as another concern came to the forefront of his mind.

"And what of his brother?" Dalton asked. "Did you take care of him as well?"

"No, Wren dealt with that guy." Luffy said with a shake of his head.

Dalton nearly sunk to his knees due to this new information as he looked at said woman who didn't even have a single mark on her. Not even a hair out of place.

"And Wapol's two henchmen…what happened to them?" Dalton asked.

"Oh, well, the reindeer beat them up." Luffy answered.

"What those two—a reindeer?" Dalton tried to understand.

Luffy, who was already bored with Dalton's questioning, didn't elaborate on the matter as he looked to Usopp.

"Hey, Usopp, I made a new friend." Luffy said. "You gotta meet him! Get this—he's a reindeer!"

"A reindeer?" Usopp repeated looking confused.

"Reindeer…" Dalton murmured.

The man then stiffened when the sound of snow crunching sounded behind the group. Everyone turned to see Chopper hiding the wrong way around a tree. Dalton stared amazed at the tiny, furred creature who stiffened once realizing he was being stared at.

"It is you," Dalton said. "Blue Nose, you never gave up, did you? You still kept fighting. Believing in what this country could become."

Dalton knelt onto his knees before bending over to bow deeply to Chopper. Said reindeer looked in shock at the display of respect from the large man.

"And now thanks to you, Drum Kingdom it can…finally be reborn." Dalton said as tears pooled in his eyes.

As he spoke, the owners of the voices that Wren had heard earlier, came up to the surface. Wren supposed some villagers had come along with Dalton in case Wapol was still around with his goons and older brother. Though they were soon distracted by the sight of Chopper with many of them gasping and sounding scared. Wren frowned at them as many began calling Chopper a monster.

'Typical humans,' She thought.

She shifted defensively when one of them held up a gun and had it pointed in Chopper's direction.

"No, don't shoot him!" Dalton called out to the men.

His words were ignored by Usopp as the young man gave a scream so shrill it sounded as if it belonged to a woman.

"Ahh, it's a yeti!" Usopp screamed. "Somebody, shoot it!"

Chopper screamed in fright before taking off before someone could even think to take the first shot. Said sniper grunted in pain when both Luffy and Wren hit him hard upside the head.

"You jerkface!" Luffy snapped at Usopp. "He's not a yeti, you idiot! He's my new friend!"

"That thing is your friend?!" Usopp asked.

He then whined when Wren grabbed his nose to give it a pinch and sharp tug.

"His name is Chopper." Wren said. "Not thing. Not creature. And he does not deserve to be threatened like that."

"Yeah!" Luffy added. "You guys scared him so bad that he ran away! I'll bring him back so you can meet him, you jerks!"

Luffy took off running after Chopper while shouting at him. Wren sighed as she was reminded of earlier today when Luffy had been doing the exact same. However, this time a small smile pulled across her lips.

'I suppose it isn't that terrible…that he's so stubborn,' Wren thought.

She turned away from the chase to look back at Dalton and the others. She walked over to the man who glanced up at her.

"You seem to have gone through quite a lot since we last saw each other," she commented casually.

Dalton chuckled tiredly as he sat down in the snow. As he shifted, Wren heard a squeak followed by something ruffling in Dalton's clothes. Wren blinked curiously then watched as the salamander that she had spotted in Dalton's home poking its head from the collar of Dalton's coat.

"Oh, it's you." Wren said. "Finally decide to make yourself known, did you?"

The salamander squeaked at her in reply before it ducked back under Dalton's coat to avoid the cold wind that blew by. Dalton patted where the creature rested under his clothes.

"It's remarkable." Dalton said. "To think this tiny creature was the one warming my home all this time."

"He did so because he saw goodness in you, Dalton," Wren said. "The neighbors tend to help those pure of heart without seeking anything else in return. So, perhaps, you can cut yourself some slack. Despite not knowing you long, I can sense you carry a heavy sense of guilt. Perhaps it is time you let that go."

Dalton's eyes widened wondering if it that was really the case. As he looked forward in contemplation, Havel inwardly beamed at Wren.

'So, she still can admit that there are some good humans in the world,' Havel thought. 'That's good. It means things aren't as dark as I previously feared.'

He kept such thoughts to himself, however, as Wren tilted her head, so to look at him.

"I meant to ask earlier, but what made you and Zoro leave the ship?" Wren questioned.

In that instant, Havel's mood completely turned around as he shot the swordsman a look.

"It's a long story best to be shared at another time," Havel told Wren.

Wren blinked wondering what could have put him in such a bad mood. However, before she could press for more information, Dr. Kureha spoke up.

"Hey, you over there." She called out.

Those who hadn't noticed the woman earlier jumped at the sound of her voice before turning to look in her direction. The villagers all stiffened at the sight of the old woman who wore a wicked grin on her face. Wren even looked away sweat-dropping as that grin of Dr. Kureha's sent a chill down her spine.

"Yeah, it's good to see you too." She said. "Now, be useful and take the injured guy to the medical ward."

"Hey, I recognize her!" Zoro gasped. "You're that damn old hag from before! AHH!"

He cried out in pain as Dr. Kureha's fist connected to the side of his head. Wren watched her green-haired acquaintance slump to the ground while sighing. She was beginning to wonder if any of the men on the crew knew how to properly speak to a woman.

'Really…who taught them their manners,' she wondered.

"Well, get moving." Dr. Kureha ordered the villagers.

"Yes, ma'am," the villagers replied shakily.

"I suggest you hurry unless you wanna be in the same kind of pain this man is." Dr. Kureha warned them.

She pointed to Zoro who was lying unconscious in the snow with a large welt on his head. The villagers immediately jumped to do as they were told. Four men helped to get Dalton on his feet before guiding him towards the castle. Dr. Kureha watched their progress before looking to Wren who frowned when seeing the older woman looking at her.

"You, Vladimir's brat," Dr. Kureha addressed her. "You might not be a doctor, but I'm sure you have some medical knowledge, yes?"

Wren didn't reply right away though it was true she possessed enough knowledge for first aid and perhaps a mid-level nurse. She learned some from her father and then more from Law who would sometimes show her his medical books when he was studying.

"Yes," Wren replied finally though she was wary as to why Dr. Kureha was asking.

"Good." Dr. Kureha said. "Seeing as your idiot friend with the straw hat is currently chasing around my assistant, you'll be helping me. Get moving!"

Wren inwardly cursed though went to follow the villagers and Dalton without arguing. After all, she would rather not join Zoro unconscious on the ground.

Havel winced listening to Sanji's cries of pain as Dr. Kureha was operating on his spine. After coming inside, Wren told him what he had missed on her end. How Sanji had been injured in an avalanche, and how she had been temporarily poisoned. He was beginning to think that he should have just come along with her to begin with.

'Well, things can't be changed now,' Havel thought. 'Besides, it all worked out in the end.'

He looked over at his young charge as she was disposing of the bloody rags that had been wrapped around Dalton. She worked quietly and efficiently as she began cleaning up the medical equipment, she used to rectify Dalton's reopened wounds.

'She might not have met Cain when he still was of sound mind, but the pair are quite alike.' Havel thought. 'They're quiet in their work and they seem to find solace in whatever tasks keep them busy.'

As he was thinking this, Wren looked up from where she was putting away the now sterilized equipment. Her attention was on Dr. Kureha who came out of the back room where Sanji's cries had finally ceased.

'I wonder if he's still alive,' Havel wondered offhandedly.

"Just as I expected," the female physician began as she grabbed a bottle of plum wine. "His injuries have gotten worse due to overexertion."

She then drank a few large gulps from her plum wine until she was satisfied.

"Ahh, much better," she sighed in content before turning to Dalton who was lying back in bed with the salamander sleeping peacefully on his chest. "Dalton, surely you would know where the key to the arsenal is, isn't that right?"

Dalton blinked in confusion at the older woman as Wren took a seat by Nami's bedside along with Vivi. Wren's brow quirked curiously and in the back of her mind she couldn't help but think the eccentric doctor had enough weapons at her disposal. Wren would say Luffy and Sanji, who had the opportunity to meet said weapons, would even agree.

"The arsenal?" Dalton questioned. "Why do you need to get in there?"

"That's really none of your business, now, is it?" Dr. Kureha countered.

From beside her, Wren noticed how Nami shifted in bed. The wine-haired girl looked at the navigator who was wearing a small smirk on her face. Wren narrowed her gaze suspiciously as she wondered what had the younger girl in such a good mood.

"Wapol always carried that key with him," Dalton told Dr. Kureha. "To keep it secure, he said, and in that case, the key was most likely blown into the sky with him."

"Oh, really?" Dr. Kureha said displeased. "Is that so? Well, that's a shame."

Dr. Kureha frowned while she spoke as Nami slowly pushed herself into a sitting position. Vivi watched the orangette with concerned confusion.

"Doctorine," Nami called getting the pale-haired woman's attention. "Think we can talk about your fee for treating our crew? Could you waive it? Oh, and could you go ahead and discharge me as well?"

As Dr. Kureha looked at Nami in disbelief, Wren became even curiouser about what Nami could possibly have up her sleeve.

"Is that a joke?" Dr. Kureha scoffed. "Because you should know better than that by now, girlie. For my medical fee, I will be taking all the cargo and beli you have on that ship of yours. And you will stay here and recover for two more days."

Vivi, who was watching the conversation unfold, turned to look at Nami with a stern frown.

"Nami, she's right, you know." Vivi pipped up. "You need to complete your treatment."

"I'm fine," Nami assured Vivi. "I don't even feel like I'm going to die anymore."

Wren chuckled at Nami's words, which earned her a look of reprimand from Vivi. Nami, on the other hand seemed to appreciate Wren's snicker, as she grinned at the older girl.

"That isn't exactly a convincing reason." Vivi retorted.

Instead of arguing with the princess, Nami silently held up a ring with a single key dangling from it. She even twirled it around her finger to ensure she had Dr. Kureha's full attention.

"The key to the arsenal," Nami said with a chuckle. "This is what you needed, yeah?"

Dalton gasped while sitting up in bed as he stared with wide eyes at the key dangling on Nami's finger. The salamander on his chest rolled into his lap and gave an irritable hiss before it rolled over to continue its nap.

"How'd you end up with that key?" Dalton questioned.

"If that's truly the real one, how'd you get a hold of it?" Dr. Kureha inquired.

"I stole it," Nami replied nonchalantly.

As Dr. Kureha frowned at the orangette, Wren was trying and failing to hold back a smirk. Now, she understood why Nami felt so bold to make such demands of Dr. Kureha.

"I believe I'm going to like you, Nami." Wren commented with a light chuckle.

Nami winked at her in return before turning her attention back on Dr. Kureha. The older woman marched her way over to Nami and leaned in close to give her a stern look.

"You've certainly got some guts trying to negotiate with me like this," Dr. Kureha said. "You really are an unbelievably frustrating little girl, you know."

Nami smiled proudly and laughed at Dr. Kureha's statement as said doctor leaned back with an aggravated sigh.

"Okay then," Dr. Kureha said as she snatched the key from Nami then proceeded to fetch her coat. "You don't have to pay my doctor's fee, but that's as much as I'll agree to. As a doctor, I can't agree to let you leave in good conscious, not for two more days."

Nami's smile quickly disappeared as she frowned at Dr. Kureha's retreating back.

"Wait a second, in that case, I'm afraid we don't have a deal!" Nami exclaimed. "Give it back!"

Dr. Kureha whirled around and pointed at Nami who stiffened at the brisk movement.

"Listen here, girl," Dr. Kureha began harshly. "I have to leave you alone now and go take care of a few things. If you look in the back room, you might find a dresser with one of my coats in it. And it's not exactly like I'm posting any guards on you. Also, the young man with the spinal fissure should be well enough to travel by now. But, girl, don't you even think about trying to escape."

She then told the villagers to come with her to help with whatever mysterious task she had planned. After she was gone, Wren and Nami exchanged a glance as Vivi, who had her head tilted in curiosity, watched Dr. Kureha and the villagers leave.

"Did she really just tell us to steal her coat, get Sanji, and sneak out?" Nami asked her two female companions.

"I think so." Vivi said. "That's what it sounded like to me."

"I know where she keeps her coats," Wren said helpfully.

Wren sweat-dropped watching as Vivi and Nami tried to drag Sanji off the operating table that Dr. Kureha had left him on.

"I know Dr. Kureha said he was ready for travel…but I believe it'd be counterproductive to his healing if he falls from that height to the floor." Havel commented.

Wren hummed in agreement. She then sighed as she stepped forward to take over before Sanji ended up on the floor with more injuries.

"Allow me," Wren said.

The two younger girls stepped aside and watched curiously. They wondered how Wren planned to carry Sanji when he was bigger and heavier than them. When Wren easily lifted the man on her back after some rearranging, their mouths fell open in shock.

"Are we ready to go?" Wren questioned.

The girls, who were at a loss for words, slowly nodded their heads then watched as Wren walked out of the room first with Havel padding alongside her.

"…Wren-san…is stronger than she looks," Vivi said.

"…Yeah…" Nami agreed.

As they went to follow, Wren was walking past Dalton who was absently petting the salamander in his lap.

"Wren," Dalton called out getting the young woman to pause. "Earlier when Sanji said you were magic…you never explained what he meant."

Wren said nothing at first as she studied the large man and how gently he handled the fae resting under his hand. She could sense it. Maybe not as well as she once had…but she could sense this man's heart. It was warm…welcoming…kind.

Fae could sense such things. People's sense of heart but only if they leave theirs open in return. Wren, who closed off her own and just expected evil from all, had lost that ability…or rather it had grown dull over the years. However, there are times…very rare times where if she tried, she could still sense kindheartedness from a select few unique people. It was because she sensed them from Dalton that she decided to answer.

"I am like him." Wren said nodding to the salamander. "At least in part. A being born of natural magic…it sounds more extravagant than it is."

She said this with a small shrug as Dalton looked between her and the salamander in awe.

"…you should give him a name." Wren said. "Our kind…typically aren't given names at birth, so to receive one is a gift. It is also proper etiquette in our community that when given a gift or favor if something is given in return. He has been warming you home for some time now, yes?"

"Yes," Dalton replied. "…a name, hmm?"

Wren nodded then bid the large man farewell before she continued her way out of the room. She adjusted Sanji's weight on her back when the unconscious blonde slipped down her back. Behind her Vivi and Nami's curious gazes burned into the back of her head.

"Yes?" Wren prompted when they remained silent.

"…why don't the fae receive names at birth?" Vivi questioned.

"I'm not sure," Wren replied honestly. "It has been that way long before my family was around, I'm sure. You'd have to ask the old man."

Said 'old man' huffed with his fur bristling in annoyance at Wren's rudeness.

"Old man?" Havel sniffed indignantly. "Old?"

Wren tilted her head downwards to look at the ruffled feline whose eyes were set in a glare.

"Havel, you have lived so long that you don't even remember your exact age." Wren reminded him. "Didn't you once tell me that you stopped keeping track after you hit the half a millennia mark?"

Havel grumbled not bothering to grace Wren's comment with a reply as he slowed his pace to walk between Nami and Vivi.

"She's far too much like that horn-brained, thorn mage," Havel hissed. "Rude."

While they couldn't see it, Wren's lips turned up ever so slightly at Havel's complaint.

"Havel-san, have you truly lived that long?" Vivi asked.

"…yes…" Havel replied reluctantly. "Fae don't feel the effects of time like other races do. And as for your first question, that is just how things are. We fae do not name ourselves and we are not all born in the traditional sense as others. Meaning we come into this world without parents to give us names."

Vivi frowned thinking it sounded lonely to be born without parents. She would feel so lost without her father and wouldn't be the person she was today without his guidance.

"The mages are an exception, of course, as are the halflings…and the changelings." Havel continued.

His tone changed when he spoke of the changelings, but if Vivi or Nami noticed, they said nothing.

"I didn't receive my name until Magier Gabriel gave me one." Havel told the two girls. "He was the first of Misce's ancestors that I looked after. It was also the day that the Magier Family was graced with the honor of being given the middle initial B."

"Given it?" Nami repeated. "Who gave it to them? And is it some kind of special honor or something?"

"It's ancient history," Wren cut in as they reached the entrance to the castle. "Nothing of importance."

Havel huffed at Wren's abrupt end to the conversation. He didn't understand the harm in giving some old family history. However, he also knew Wren liked her privacy, so he did not push the matter. As they made it outside, they paused when seeing Chopper standing a few yards away.

"Tony?" Nami murmured.

"Hey, you're going to come on our ship, and be a pirate with us!" Luffy said to the reindeer. "Okay?"

'Ah, so he's still trying to convince Chopper to join us,' Wren realized.

Though at this point, it didn't surprise her. She had a feeling Luffy wouldn't give up even if they tried dragging him away, which are more work than she cared to do.

"I can't," Chopper disagreed.

"Sure, you can, Reindeer!" Luffy insisted. "It's a whole lot of fun!"

"That's not a very good argument!" Usopp, who was building a snowman, pointed out.

Luffy ignored the sharpshooter as he looked at Chopper expectantly. Said reindeer looked down at the ground as his little body shook while tears collected around his eyes.

"But…I'm not a human. I'm a reindeer. I've got antlers and hooves." Chopper said. "Don't you see? I even have a blue nose!"

Chopper paused momentarily as he took a moment to collect himself and take a deep breath.

"Okay, maybe I do wanna be a pirate," Chopper confessed. "But I can't ever be one of you! I'm not human! I'm a monster! I can't be your friend, and I can't become a pirate on your ship, you see?! I'm…just here to say…thank you. I appreciate you asking me to join your ship. That was really nice so thank you. I'm going to stay here for now. But if you wanted to, stop by here again..."

Chopper looked as if he was going to say more, but was interrupted by a certain straw-hatted, rubber bodied boy who threw his arms up into the air.

"Shut-up!" Luffy shouted. "Let's go!"

As Wren and Havel gave Luffy a deadpanned look, Chopper's eyes widened and began to water. The others—minus Zoro—smiled at the young reindeer.

"Most people don't make friends by telling people to shut up." Zoro grumbled.

"Agreed," Wren said to him. "However, during my short time with you rookies, I've learned your captain isn't like most people."

Zoro snorted with a roll of his eyes because that was the understatement of the year. As they spoke, Chopper finally let loose his tears as he cried up into the frosty night sky.

Wren sat on her knees in the snow with Sanji's head resting on her lap as she and the others were waiting for Chopper to say his goodbyes to Dr. Kureha. Vivi sat beside her and was stroking Havel's fur as the feline laid curled up in her lap. It was quiet amongst the small group as Luffy and Usopp played in the snow and the others kept to their own thoughts.

Wren looked up watching the snow fall down from the thick, dark clouds that covered the night sky over this nameless island. She was ready to be away from this place. The longer she remained here…the more those old, painful memories tried to resurface. With the excitement from earlier, she had managed to push them away for a time…but now in the stillness of the night, they rattled loudly from the deepest subconsciousness of her mind where she tried to keep them locked away.

'Soon,' she reassured herself. 'We will be taking our leave soon.'

Repeating those words to herself, Wren looked away from the snowfall to focus on her hands, which were folded neatly on Sanji's chest. The blonde was still unconscious. His face set in a fitful expression as if he were having some kind of unpleasant dream. Wren absently raised one hand to stroke his hair as she tried to keep herself distracted as they waited for Chopper.

"Nami, how are you feeling?" Usopp broke the silence that had fallen over them. "Are you completely recovered from your illness already?"

"Sure am," Nami said with a smile and a thumbs up. "I feel great."

"That doesn't mean the infection has completely passed," Wren reminded the young girl. "Which means you need not overdo things for the next couple of days."

Nami pursed her lips at the wine-haired girl who didn't even bother to glance in her direction. Though while she might not look up at Nami, Wren could feel the heated gaze sent in her direction.

"Hey, why don't we go say goodbye to the old doctor lady and that Dalton guy from the village?" Luffy questioned as Usopp kept speaking.

Wren wasn't sure what the sniper was saying as she began tuning him out the moment, he started shouting at Zoro who threw an offhanded comment in his direction. And just like that, the peacefulness that had settled over the group was completely shattered.

"Don't be so thoughtless." Nami said to Luffy. "We need to leave Chopper alone with Doctorine for a while. He lived with her for six years. We should let them say goodbye in peace. I'm sure it's going to be very sad for them both. Doctorine acts all tough in front of us, but deep down, I really think she's a kind person."

Wren had to hold in a scoff as Luffy looked at their orange-haired navigator with uncertainty.

"Are you sure?" Luffy questioned.

"So, we're just going to leave without saying anything to her?" Usopp asked.

"We did technically smuggle Nami out." Wren said. "Best not to take our chances by going back in to say a few farewells."

Nami nodded in agreement because she didn't wish for Dr. Kureha to suddenly change her mind. Nor did the orangette want to be on the receiving end of a scalpel to the neck ever again.

"Yeah, that's right," Nami said. "Once Chopper comes back, we'll go straight down the mountain and set sail to Alabasta. Sounds good to you, right, Vivi?"

"Yes," Vivi said. "Now that we have a doctor coming with us."

It did put Wren's mind at ease knowing Chopper was coming. He's trained under Dr. Kureha for several years and even learned some techniques from her very own father. He might be young, but Chopper was obviously quite talented and well taught as a doctor, which was good news for this crew of rookies who seemed to run into the worst kind of luck.

"Doctor?" Luffy murmured in confusion as he rolled up a large snowball using his feet.

"Well, in that case, I'll go ahead and get the ropeway ready," Usopp said. "Hey, Luffy, give me a hand."

"I didn't even know there was a ropeway." Luffy said. "So cool."

Wren frowned wishing she had known about the ropeway as well. Though she supposed with the neighbors help, the trek up this vertical incline hadn't been so bad. Silence fell back over the group. Though it didn't last long as shouting could be heard from within the castle.

"What's going on?" Zoro questioned. "There's a lot of noise coming from the castle."

As Nami commented on how insensitive the villagers were being to Chopper and Dr. Kureha's farewells, Wren's brow quirked as a frowned pulled against her lips.

'Why is Dr. Kureha on a warpath now?' She wondered as Chopper, who was running on all fours, came barreling from the castle.

Chopper called for the group to hurry and climb into the sleigh, and when seeing Dr. Kureha running their way and throwing weapons, they were quick to do as they were told. With Vivi's help, she and Wren managed to place Sanji in the sled carefully without jostling his healing spine. Once he was secure in the sleigh, Wren placed herself beside the blonde with Vivi and Nami on his other side.

As everyone settled in the sleigh, Chopper took them off the mountain using the ropeway. Luffy was flying like a flag behind them and laughing his head off as Usopp held onto him tightly, so they wouldn't lose the young captain. Zoro was shaking his head at the two of them as he was leaning against the opposite side of the sleigh.

It didn't take long to reach the bottom, and Chopper didn't pause even for a moment as he kept going. They traveled across the snowy ground through the trees with the wintery winds whipping against their faces.

"That was fun!" Luffy said with a laugh. "Hey, Reindeer, can we do that again?"

"You idiot, we don't have time for that!" Nami snapped.

Luffy pouted at her because he really wanted to go down the mountain a second time.

"Woo, I thought I was going to die." Usopp said.

Wren shook her head at the sniper before looking to Sanji when the blonde finally stirred.

"Huh, where am I?" He asked. "What's going on?"

"Oh, Sanji, you're awake." Vivi said sounding relieved. "You okay?"

Sanji didn't reply as his eyes fell on Wren. He studied her a moment and saw nothing out of the ordinary. This had relief filling his chest as he had been worried when he blacked out as she was going to face that mushroom man who had poisoned her before.

"That look of concern is unnecessary." Wren informed him when she noticed his look. "As you can see, I am fine."

Sanji opened his mouth to say something. However, he was interrupted before he could even begin as the sound of cannon fire rung through the air. The entire crew looked back towards the Drum Rockies as Chopper brought the sleigh to a halt.

He shrunk into his human-deer hybrid form and walked around the sleigh to stare in the direction of the castle. As the cannon fire continued, Wren frowned in confusion. A few moments later the sky lit up and everyone stared in awe at the sight before them.

At the top of the tallest mountain of the Drum Rockies, the snow was turning into a lovely shade of pink. It looked as if the top of the mountain had sprouted limbs. Limbs that held beautiful cherry blossoms. And as the snow fell, it gave the illusion of falling, pink petals that fell across the island.

"Magnificent," Havel purred from the back of the sleigh.

The others could only agree as they remained in awe at the lovely sight before them. In front of them, Chopper cried up to the skies as if a pain he has held onto for so long…was finally set free.

Wren stood back and watched as the crew celebrated Chopper joining their ranks. They were all laughing, eating, and drinking as they welcomed Chopper onboard.

'So carefree,' she thought.

Though she supposed she couldn't judge them. Their sick friend was saved from death, and they gained a new member to their crew. She supposed that was reason enough for some sort of celebration. With the Donquixote Family, killing your own crew could be as easily overlooked as accidently bumping into someone depending on the situation. And new recruits were never met with such fanfare.

'I wonder if their hearts will change as they continue their journey on these waters,' Wren thought. 'A year from now will they still be so close…will they still welcome others so warmly…only time will tell, I suppose.'

Wren watched them a bit longer before she disappeared inside to head for the woman's quarters. Not even Havel noticed her disappearance as he happily stuffed his face alongside Luffy. Meaning she was completely alone and able to do her business without interruption or prying eyes.

Wren moved to the vanity in the women's quarters. She leaned closer to the mirror and let out a breath. A fog blew across the mirror causing condensation to form against the glass. She raised a finger and wrote symbols into the condensation. Once she was done, the symbols began to glow.

"Show me Oro." Wren ordered the mirror.

She sat back in the chair in front of the vanity as the condensation swirled along the mirror before dispersing and revealing a figure. The figure was a man who seemed to be in his late thirties to early forties. Though his exact age was hard to gauge as he wore a face covering from the tip of his nose to cover the bottom half of his face. His skin was a russet color, and his eyes were a pale, pupilless green. His long, dark hair was pulled back into a bun and he had the sides of his head shaved close to his skin. He had a tall, imposing frame and he wore what looked like a uniform of some kind.

"Oro," Wren greeted the man who had tired bags under his eyes.

"Monarca-sama," he returned the greeting in his gruff voice. "What could you possibly want at this hour?"

Wren smiled at the man despite his crotchety attitude. She was quite used to it by now.

"Now, now, I know I'm not in your good graces at the moment after losing us so many resources, but that's no way to greet an old friend," she said sweetly as her smile turned a bit impish.

He just grunted at her in reply as he sat heavily down in the chair by his mirror.

"Besides, I have something that might begin to make up for my folly." Wren continued.

His brow quirked at her to show she had quipped his interest at least. She waved her hand over the desk causing the Noko-Noko no Mi to appear on the wooden surface.

"A devil fruit," he said. "And just how did you obtain this?"

"I killed a man," Wren replied nonchalantly.

"Of course, you did," Oro said.

He then held out his hand. Wren picked up the fruit and placed it against the glass. It glowed for a moment before it slipped through the glass and into Oro's hand. The man raised the fruit closer to his eye level to give it an appraisal.

"Ah, the Noko-Noko no Mi," Oro hummed. "Are we investing or selling?"

"Selling," Wren replied. "This fruit is useful, but not something our ranks would be missing. There is no reason to invest it with one of our own. Especially since we need money."

Oro nodded his head before holding out the fruit to his left. A figure draped in shadow appeared at his side with a small chest in hand. Oro placed the fruit inside.

"Take it to the black market first." Oro told the figure who closed the chest. "Get as many lowlifes as you can interested and bidding for the fruit. Once the number is high, send out word to the government for a counteroffer."

The figure bowed its head before vanishing from sight. Once the figure was gone, Oro turned back to Wren.

"It helps but we are far from what we need to make up for the loss." He told her bluntly.

"I'm aware." Wren assured him. "We will have Crocodile's resources soon enough and I will continue to collect devil fruits as I travel. I will fix things."

Oro huffed as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm happy to hear it." He told her. "However, you should keep to the downlow for as long as you can…at least until you fully recover."

Wren didn't comment right away as she studied the grumpy man. She then chuckled.

"It warms my heart to know you care, Oro." Wren told him. "I assure you that I will look out for myself and not push things too far. I hope you will do the same. You do tend to over work yourself, and at your age that couldn't be healthy."

Oro scoffed as he fixed his stern, green eyes on the smiling woman in front of him.

"I didn't ask for your cheek, brat." Oro said. "Just don't die out there. It'd be a pain to try and finish this without you."

He then ended the call as he waved his hand. His image faded until Wren was looking back at her reflection once more. Wren chuckled as she leaned back in her chair with her hands folded in her lap. She then let out a small sigh.

"Not long now," she said. "Soon we'll arrive at Alabasta, and the real fun will begin."

Coco: And we have come to the end of yet another chapter and to the end of the Drum Island Arc! I do hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the Alabasta Arc, which I've already began working on.

Now, I know it's been a while since our last CLC. I should have one next chapter. But I was thinking, if you guys have any characters, you'd like to discuss more in depth or have any questions you'd like answered, send them to be and I'll start adding them to the CLC.

Well, that's it for now. Remember to keep being your beautiful, amazing selves and stay safe out there! See ya next time~