AN: I'm sorry for the late update. Strange how hard it is to produce just one sentence sometimes... Give me a virtual slap if you feel like it! Please tell me if there are any spelling mistakes, I greatly appreciate it.

With a sigh, Katarina walked out of the kitchen. Luffy's rather impulsive decision on making her a part of the crew had caused quite a stir, but for now they would just have to deal with it. Apparently the fact that she was able to create pink, inflatable, bouncy, round and lovable bubbles was not a strong enough reason to include her in their happy, though slightly dysfunctional family. Nami did not like her, she could feel it. We're going to be roommates. Oh joy! Sanji, however, had been a gentleman and was gracious enough to fix her lovely meal that was greatly needed. She didn't believe Zoro and Usopp would be a problem.

The long-nosed sniper would probably just avoid her from time to time to begin with. Zoro hadn't really talked to her since she boarded the ship. The swordsman only followed her with a sharp stare, as if he was waiting for suspicious behavior. He probably remembered her interaction with Tashigi, a lieutenant for the Marines. NOT that I mind, of course! Green haired samurai and his eyes…

The sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky a vivid mix of orange and red. She could not help but wonder what Eli and Miriam were doing at that moment. Katarina felt her throat tighten and tried to reassure herself with the thought that she would eventually find them. I suppose we'll be nearing the Red Line tomorrow then…

~.~.~

Somewhere, far from the Going Merry and the Straw Hats, there is an island covered with snow. This particular island had a name, Drum Island. The island featured a series of drum shaped mountains and was named after its peculiar geographical structure. On the highest mountain one could see the outlining of a grand building, a castle to be more precise. It was on this strange island and in this grand castle that a young woman named Eli now temporarily took residence.

In a small room filled with herbs and plants in various pots and boxes, Eli spent most her days in silence, tending her improvised garden. Lately she had found comfort in caring for things that grew and the feeling of fertile soil between her fingers. She could not help but to think of the day she came here. The lady of the house, who went by the name Kureha or Doctorine, was expecting a shipment of medicinal herbs that was impossible to grow on Drum Island because of its harsh climate. When she opened the barrel, however, she did not receive what she wanted.

There was a person in the barrel, a female, asleep. Considering that the girl was still alive and breathing, Dr. Kureha saw little use in her. She could not dissect her for medical research; neither could she simply harvest her organs. That would be considered… murder. After Eli was roughly awakened it took a while for her to explain herself to the Dr. who was growing more impatient and angry by the minute.

Grumbling, Eli grabbed the fertilizer from the shelf. I still think it was unnecessary of her to throw daggers at me! She sourly thought to herself.

Doctorine considered throwing her out at first, but when Eli responded by crying and suddenly growing a huge oak tree in the hallway, she looked at the girl with new interest. Dr. Kureha quickly deduced that Eli had eaten a Devil Fruit, one in which she could find great use. Ki ki no mi: the ability to grow anything from the 152 plant families. The only downside to it was that if Eli didn't have any knowledge of a certain plant she wouldn't be able to grow it. According to Dr. Kureha's theory she needed to copy the plant's genetic material through physical touch. Eli immediately liked her new found powers, and as repayment for food and shelter she offered to grow and replace the medicinal herbs she had dumped in the Kerberos harbor.

I need to stay put, at least until I sort things out. If I know Katarina as well as I think I do she's already out there looking for Miriam and I. Considering Chopper is still here must mean that the Straw Hats haven't gotten too far yet. Eli had already met the shy, small and very adorable reindeer. Sadly he was reluctant to speak with her, as he was with all strangers, but she was a patient person. She would just have to show him she meant no harm. Chopper seemed to approve of her ability to grow plants though. Hmm, good thing I can keep the herbs from withering in the cold. She smiled as she caressed the Basel leaves of the Yarrow herb. How strange it was, to now feel so close to such a thing.

~.~.~

On another island, very different from Eli's snow covered sanctuary, the hot, warm deserts dominated the land. A small group of men wandered the dunes towards their destination, the Alabasta Rebellion camp. "The sun is vicious today!" exclaimed a man, whose face was covered to protect him from the hot winds of the desert. "Accept it my brother, it's not going anywhere!" a man to the right laughed and patted his shoulder.

Their journey had been long, and the group greatly looked forward to a well-earned rest and fresh water.

"Nakir, do you see that?" said a man at the front of the caravan.

The man with the name of Nakir turned to the direction where his comrade pointed. His skin was dark copper, and his eyes black. He could vaguely make out a small shape, a human shape.

"What the… it's a person!" Swiftly the group neared the unconscious person. It was a girl with strange clothing for one who dared roam the desert. "Water, now!" Nakir shouted. He crouched beside her and carefully gave her a sip of water. She swallowed the liquid, but remained unconscious.

"How did she manage to stray this far from a city?" wondered Amaron out loud, the man whose face was fully covered.

"She might have been with one of the trading caravans; their route is not far from here and goes further east…. There's hay in her hair…" Nakir said, to himself mostly. "Bring me a camel! We need to take her with us!"

AN: So there it is, Eli is on Drum Island while Miriam ended up in the middle of the desert in the Kingdom of Alabasta. Miriam will get more "screentime" soon. I just need to work out some details.

My thanks to everyone who has subscribed to the story, added it to their favorites and/or commented!