You stayed in your room the rest of the day. Spending all the time thinking on what you wanted to do, what you might need to do, and how you were going to convince the rest of the world to let you do it. No matter what you decided your normal life was over.

There was no 9 to 5 job waiting at the end of this rainbow, even if Decken was removed from the picture. Either you were going to be a part of Kid's crew, Doflamingo's family, or Luffy's crew at this point, there was simply no way you were going back to what the Grandline Metro considered normal.

What was most interesting to you, was that the biggest reason you knew you weren't going to go back to your job was because you found you enjoyed fighting. You had no idea how good you were at moving and even just exercising, since your mom had kept you so sheltered for so long. Luffy probably knew, since he had the intuition of a beast, but it was news to you.

As you had considered your options, you had practiced the moves that Emma and Hip had taught you up to that point. It was all basic stuff, but it was more than you had known before now. Once you did the motions a few times you could repeat them while thinking about other things. It wasn't perfect practice, but you weren't trying to practice perfectly for hours on your own, you were trying to keep your body distracted while your mind mulled things over.

After a quick shower you settled in for the night, laying in the impossibly comfortable bed and trying to drift off. You were nervous about tomorrow. Stating your decision wasn't going to be easy, and the impending conversation was sticky in your mind.

Sticky enough that an hour later you still weren't completely asleep. You heard the door to your room open, soft light from hall spilling into the room briefly before the door closed and bare feet padded quietly over to the bed. Your back was to who came into the room, but there was only one person in the whole manor who would do something like this. You were grateful for the thick fluffy blankets over top of you and did your best to keep your breathing even.

"Mouse..." His voice was soft, quiet and more unsure than you think you had ever heard.

"Don't say it." You say as you pull the blankets up to you face more, not turning to look at him. You could practically feel him flinch, even though he didn't make any noise.

"... Are you seriously awake right now?"

"I couldn't fall asleep! How often do you come in here?" Your face was turning red up to your ears, though you were sure he couldn't see in the darkness of your room.

"This is-."

"Pervert Captain." You interrupt turning your head to look at him. Your eyes go wide, Kid was shirtless. Pant-less for all you knew, you couldn't see that far down with your back to him like this. "ohmygod you're naked!" You hiss the words and disappear under the covers just so you don't start ogling him.

You could hear him growl from the other side of the covers. "I'm not naked! This is the first time I've come in here! Hells woman I came here to -."

"Don't you dare!" You say popping out from under the covers on the other side of the bed.

"Eh?!"

"Don't you apologize Eustass Captain Kid, or I'll – whoa!" You had been pointing at him and lost your balance, falling out of the bed before you could finish your threat. "Ow."

"... Mouse?" Despite it all you could tell he was trying not to laugh.

"Aside from my pride, I'm fine." You assure him, getting to your knees and peaking over the bed at him. He was dangerously good looking as a general rule, but shirtless was just unfair, even in the dim light you could already feel your thoughts wandering.

"Don't apologize." You say again. "I get it. I mean, I got it. It took me some time to sit and think through things, but I understand. Besides, it's not like it was all bad."

You see Eustass sigh. "Sure Mouse, but you're going to have to-."

"I'm not getting in that limo."

Kid growls. "Fucking hells Mouse, let me talk!"

"No."

"... What?" His voice, and expression, are a mix of surprise and irritation.

You came around the bed to the side Kid was on, internally relieved to see he was wearing pants. Not that you felt it was going to be any kind of saving grace at this point.

"There's... nothing you can say that's going to change my mind. So, I don't want you to talk. You c-can stand there glaring at me all n-night if you want," you can't help wilting a bit at the pointed glare you were getting from him. He was really big, and alarmingly intimidating even if you were certain he wouldn't hurt you. "But, I've made up my mind."

"And?"

"I'm not getting in that limo." You repeat, doing your best to hold that golden gaze. "So, either I'm staying here, or I'm taking my chances out there."

"And if I put you in that limo?" There's an edge to his tone and you can see light flicker across his eyes.

"He said he would give me a choice, if I don't get in on my own, he won't accept it." You shoot back, not entirely sure if that was true, but you're hoping it is.

"You don't know that."

"I'm not getting in that limo!" You insist, your voice rising.

"You'll be safer in that limo!" Eustass barked.

"I don't care!"

"I do!"

"Then protect me!"

"I'M TRYING!" Eustass bellows, throwing his arms up in frustration.

"BULLSHIT!" You bark back at him. "You're giving up! You might not have felt guilty about me losing my hand when we first met, but you do now! You're struggling to find Decken and you're worried one slip-up is going to be the end of me, and -!"

"I'm not giving up!" Kid's voice booms in the room and you could almost feel the emotions rolling off of him. "That pink feathered bastard has more resources! Fuck, your father was a part of his family! They've been keeping you safe your whole gods-damned LIFE! You get that, Mouse?! You don't get in that limo and the Government's going to know about your abilities! I CAN'T STOP THAT!"

Your breath catches. The pain in Kid's eyes wasn't lost in the darkness. Your heart twisted hard, and you wanted to reach out to him, but you were afraid he'd knock your hand away. Whether he did or didn't, the idea of connecting with him right now felt like it would shatter your resolve.

After a moment you realized that if you did stay, and the government did become aware of you and your ability, then they would become aware of Kid and his crew as well. It wouldn't just be you caught in the crosshairs; you'd end up dragging everyone under.

"... I'll ruin your chances if I stay." You realize after a moment.

"What?" Kid's pained tone turns into confusion.

"You're the king of South Blue. You're going after the prize, and you have to keep-." You start, but Kid interrupts.

"How in the hell do you know about that?"

"Eh? You were grouchy about Luffy when we first met, and he's one so I mean, and you don't have a record 'cause you need to avoid the marines while you get established in the Metro... that's... that's how it works, right?"

"Did that rubber freak tell you everything?"

"I mean, he wanted me to join his crew, and he tried for a few weeks." You admit, feeling a little uncomfortable about it right now. "Though, Nami and Zoro told me most of what I," you shake your head mid-thought. "It doesn't matter."

You take a few steps back so you're not between Eustass and the door. "I'll... I'll go to my apartment after I get some sleep. He said I'll be safe, so it'll be easier to just..." You can feel the tears welling up inside you and can't finish the thought.

"Mouse... I..."

You shake your head. "Don't... say anything." You couldn't handle hearing an apology, or a confession, or anything. Not right now. It was everything you had in you to step aside at all.

Eustass' fists clench and he walks out of the room. You manage to hold your tears in for a few moments until you can make it to the bathroom where you're sure you can cry without being heard. It takes forever for your tears to dry up, and somehow you manage to not puke, even if you do cry into the toilet for a few minutes because it feels like you will.

What sleep you do get is useless, and barely more than a nap.

When you finally give up and get up for the day, the sun's still down and the sky's just barely beginning to lighten. You pull on some clothes and put your hair back in a ponytail before grabbing your wallet and apartment keys. You fill a backpack with a change or two of clothes, and leave the mouse plushie in the middle of the bed.

You slip quietly through an empty house, even though you're sure that at least one person is aware of your movements. You manage to not look back as you close the front door behind you, jogging down the driveway and heading for the nearest bus stop.

A/N - I feel like the last few chapters were a bit short, but they just all had such perfect endings. Next chapter should be longer ^^;