As Helmeppo and the two soldiers left the pain set in for Nicole. All she could do was watch as she felt the warm blood flow out of her open wound and drip down her left leg to leave a puddle on the ground. She was a fighter so of course it wasn't the first time she had been stabbed, but she had never been captured and injured before. Getting injured in a battle was different, Now she was helpless and had to bear through it.
"Damn my mouth always gets me into trouble" She thought outloud coughing up blood and wincing at the pain.
"Oi, Girl are you okay? That's a pretty bad stab wound you have there," Zoro said as he examined the girls wound.
"I'm fine sweetheart don't worry about it. Oh and by the way my names Nicole Le Roux not girl!" She said sarcastically smirking.
"Oh, It looks like we have a hypocrite here. My name's Zoro, Roronoa Zoro, Not sweetheart." He mocked.
"HAH! You don't even know me Zoro, but if we're are making snap judgements I could tell you that you're a-" She yelped out in pain as more blood flowed out of her mouth. It was embarrassing for Nicole to show pain and she would never admit it either. She hated being so vulnerable and weak. She always strived to be stronger. She worked hard to make sure she wasn't perceived as just some fragile little girl that needed to be helped or protected. She put herself through hell, yet now she was powerless and could do nothing but to wait for death.
"You're gonna kill yourself if you snap like that." He stared at her with a blank face. Nicole didn't know what to make of the man. It sounded like he cared, but his face seemed indifferent. It was confusing and it frustrated the annoyed girl.
"It was your fault! You shouldn't have called me a hypocrite, I'm anything but! Oh, and if you think I would die just because that bastard stabbed me in the stomach, you have another thing coming! It's not my first blow to the stomach you know." She spat giving the stunned man a dark glare. She soon let her body go limp and bowed her head as she concentrated on her breathing.
Zoro was shocked to say the least. The girl was critically wounded and still had the strength to argue with him! The normal girl would've busted out in tears or screamed from the pain, but she did neither. She let out a few gasps every now and then but said nothing and made no other sounds of suffering. She soon lifted her head to look at the sky as two seagulls squawked back and forth.
Zoro watched as her deep blue eyes followed the birds intently as they faded off into the distance. This was the first time he got a good look at her since he had arrived. There wasn't very many, but he noticed the small freckles that went across her cheek bones. As the wind settled her dark brown hair framed her face. It was layered and the longest it went was above the small of her back. She was wearing a dark blue crop top and dark black pants that both clung to her skin, As his gaze shifted further down he observed a long tattoo on the right side of her stomach. The design was of a Chinese dragon. The head started just above her belly button and extended under the hem of her tight black pants. It was shaded black and Zoro couldn't help but wonder how far it actually went. He immediately mind-slapped himself and brought his gaze back up to her face as soon as the thought went thought his mind.
'what is wrong with me? The girl is bleeding to death and that's what I start to think about!' He thanked god that she was still focused on the darkening sky. She was still bleeding, but it wasn't as bad as it was a few minutes ago. He was surprised that she hadn't passed out by now. Even though she maintained her composure and kept a straight face, Her gaze was marked with pain. It seemed that the girl was very good at keeping her emotions to herself, But without noticing she told it all in her eyes.
"You know, you keep saying that you are fine, But I'm not stupid."
"Well I meant what I said. Besides dying is too easy...I still have a lot of fight left in me." She smiled weakly and gave him a genuine look. Zoro then nodded and turned to face the ground.
"So, What did the marines get you for?" Nicole said curiously. She had been wondering why he was here since he had arrived. 'it must've been something bad to be sent here with me'
"What does it matter to you?"
"It doesn't, I'm just curious. It must've been a large offense to be sentenced here to die."
"I didn't commit a crime and I haven't been sentenced to death. I made a deal with that blonde-headed freak that I could last here for a month without food or water. "
"Why on earth would you do that?" She looked at him like he was crazy.
"Well If I didn't he would've killed some little girl and her mom." He answered with an irritated tone. She stared at him keenly until a wide smirk grew on her face.
"Well who would've guessed! Roronoa Zoro, The Pirate Hunter, is really a softie under all of that tough exterior!"
"Oi, I am not! Don't look to much into it woman. I just don't think marines should be able to do whatever they want." He scoffed sending Nicole a dirty look as she began to laugh.
"Deny it all you want! It doesn't change the fact that you're not as cold as you make yourself out to be." Her laugh turned into a cough and she let out a grunt. "Well, I guess laughing wasn't a good idea huh? I think I'm going to rest for a while so If you don't mind keep your mouth shut over there." She heard Zoro mumble something back before she drifted off to sleep.
"But Dad! I don't wanna stay here! Why can't I come with you? I Promise I'll be good!" The ten year old girl begged as she cried in her fathers white button up shirt.
"Now Nicole, You'll like it here I promise. The grand line isn't a place for a little girl to be. Miss Tayanaki is a very nice lady and will make sure you are taken care of." He pulled the small girl close as she cried even harder.
"But I've been with you all my life daddy! Being a pirate is all I know how to do! It's all I WANT to do! Please, don't leave!"
"Listen, I know it'll take a bit getting used to...But you are strong and I know you can do it." He held her away with her two shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile.
"W-will I ever see you again?" She wiped her face with the back of her hand and looked back at her father.
"Of course! You said you were going to be better than me one day right? I'll have to see how strong you are, and if you were serious about joining Luffy's crew two years ago we're bound to run into each other again right?"
"R-RIGHT! One day I will be the strongest! No fighter will be able to beat me! I'll be the strongest girl in the world! Then I can beat you, Roo, Yasopp, AND Ben!" She yelled throwing one of her fists in the air.
"In your dreams kiddo! Like I could be beaten up by a little squirt like you!" Ben came up and ruffled Nicole's hair as the rest of the crew laughed in the background.
"Shutup you! You won't be laughing when I'm older and as tall as you! You will be out as soon as my fist hits your face!" She yelled now shaking her fist in Ben's face.
"Oh, So young. You can't even hit me with a pistol let alone a fist. How do you plan at beating us at anything Nicole?" Yasopp poked her on the forehead and began to chuckle.
"Geez Boss, She definitely didn't get her personality from you. She's as cocky as her mother! I can't even feel it when you punch me Nicole, what makes you think you'll get better as you age?" Roo teased as Nicole's face began to heat up.
"Who asked you? It's just because you're fat! Maybe if you would stop eating you could actually feel my powerful punches!" She squeaked as the laughing got louder.
"Boss, I hate to interrupt but the boat is ready...We need to leave." One of the pirates on the ship called out as he nodded.
"B-be careful you g-guys" Nicole sniffled, beginning to cry again.
"Don't start that again Nicole! We'll be fine!" Ben squeezed her into a hug and walked away.
"We'll miss ya kid, Try not to tear up this town to much okay?" Roo patted Nicole on the head and followed Ben to the ship along with Yasopp.
"Hey Y-Yassop." She said rubbing her eyes as he stopped and turned back.
"Yeah?"
"I-is my aim really that b-bad?" Yasopp chuckled and knelt down in front of her.
"Yep, But don't take it to heart. Besides you're a fighter, not a sharp-shooter."
"I guess you're right...I'll miss you Yasopp" He wrapped her in a hug and gestured to his Red-Haired captain to leave.
"Be good for Miss Tayanaki, and don't go around beating up little boys understand?" He sat on one knee and lifted her head up with her chin.
"O-okay, T-take care of that a-arm daddy. That's t-the only one you have l-left." She clenched his shirt and gave him one last hug.
"Don't worry about a thing. You old man will do just fine! I Love you, Nicole"
"I Love you, Daddy"
She moaned as the sunlight hit her face causing her to close her eyes as soon as she opened them. When she tried again she remembered where she was and groaned as she drooped her head back down to its current position. 'Why do I always have to have that dream?' She shook her head trying to get rid of the memory.
She glanced over to the right to find her green-haired companion still fast asleep. It had been two weeks since Nicole and Zoro had met and since then they had fallen into a routine. No matter what, She would always wake up before him and figured out real fast that it wasn't a good idea to wake him up in the morning. Usually, She could could sleep all day if nobody woke her up, but being chained to a wooden post wasn't exactly the comfiest position to be in. On top of that Nicole's stab wound was getting worse. After the first couple days the gash finally closed and the bleeding stopped, But now it was becoming infected and the pain was more irritating everyday. She was beginning to lose hope and didn't know how much longer she could last. She knew she was supposed to die there, But somewhere in the back of her mind she was hoping for some one to save her. This thought sickened her, She never wanted to be saved.
As she was moving a rock around with her foot, Zoro began to snore. She was always amused by how the man slept. He always looked so calm and every once in a while he would drool. As Nicole started to giggle he began to fidget and finally picked up his head while letting out a yawn.
"You know it still amazes me how much you can sleep in an entire day" She smirked at the still drowsy Zoro.
"It still amazes me how much you can talk" He sneered as she sent him a glare.
"Nobody asked for a smart-ass, Man you're too grumpy in the morning." She pouted and turned away as he mumbled something and drooped his head back down. They stayed that way in silence as both of their minds drifted. The gash in her stomach was bothering her again and she couldn't help but thinking about it. She then turned her head back towards Zoro and began to speak.
"Zoro..."
"Hmm?" He lifted his face up as her eyes met his.
"How much longer... Do you think I'm going to last here?" Her face was calm and still as his turned from tired to irritated. He shook his head and began to sigh.
"If you're asking me when I think you're going to die you can stop right there because it's not gonna happen. I only have two more weeks and I can get you out of here." He scolded.
"Oh really? Then what are planning to do? The marines can be playing you for all you know and if you do get released in two weeks you'll be too weak to fight all these marines by yourself and escape alive with an injured woman on your back. You'll just end up dead." She began to raise her voice as she argued back
"Heh, Fed or not these marines can't take me on. I'd beat them in a heartbeat and if I did die that would just mean that I wasn't strong enough. Either way you will be fine so stop being an idiot and think about something else." He rolled his eyes and turned away from the fuming women as her face grew red.
"I'm the idiot? You are clearly blind! As you can see I'm not exactly in the best shape at the moment!" She spat as Zoro turned back and a wide smirked formed across his face.
"Quit your whining already. We'll get you to a doctor as soon as we get out of here so in the meantime try to keep the complaining to yourself." Zoro said amused by the reaction he was getting.
"Whining! Are you kidding me? Ugh! I have never met a more infuriating man in my entire life! Do you always antagonize the wounded or am I just the exception because I'm starting to think you enjoy pissing me off!"
"Don't get so upset, you're gonna hurt yourself again. Oh and if you saw your face right now you would enjoy it too!" Nicole's jaw dropped as Zoro burst out in laughter.
"You cocky bastard! You know I think a good beating would serve you well!" She scowled at the chuckling man.
"Oh, and who's going to do that you? I bet you couldn't even fend off that puny little blonde kid that comes in here all the time!" He said seeing how far he could push the girl.
Her face went from angry to emotionless in two seconds. Her gaze was now cold and stopped laughing and straightened his face as he saw the sudden change in her expression. He didn't know it, but Nicole didn't take too kindly to people underestimate her strength and she had taken Zoro's words as a challenge instead of a joke that he intended it to be.
"Roronoa Zoro, you are assuming that I am weak which is a big mistake on your part. So let me ask you, was what you just said a challenge?" She stared at him intently waiting for an answer. He watched as the girl watched his every move with her frigid eyes. He definitely knew she was serious and had no intention on letting this go. He had no idea how she fought her what she could do, but there was no way he was going to back down now. After all his pride along with his reputation was at stake.
"And if it was?"
"Then I would be inclined to accept"
"Fine, I'm looking forward to it!" He smirked while her face remained stiff. He was taken back about how she had reacted. Of course it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out she had a bad temper, But this was the first time she had gone rigid and that serious. This girl had incredible resolve and no matter how intimidating he tried to be she wouldn't falter. After a few minutes of them staring down each other a wide smirk grew on Nicole's face.
"Hey Zoro, You know what this means right?"
"Uh, No what?" He said now confused.
"Now you can't die! I won't allow you to until I have kicked your ass!" She said cheerfully.
"Well I guess I'm never going to die then, am I?" He sighed as her grin grew wider.
"Nope! I guess no- Wait a minute...Oh my god Zoro you are such an ass!" Her grin dropped into a frown as she realized what he meant.
"You make it too easy!" He smirked as she rolled her eyes.
"I am being serious Zoro, you better not die."
"Don't worry, Dying is not an option for me. Not until I have become the best anyways"
Tah-dah! the second chapter! I finally redone it and I think it's a lot better! Thank you for the reviews IamNasher and Suki-goddess-of-the-moon! They were greatly appreciated and hope to get more:)