A/N: Okay so here is my very long third chapter! Soo this really doesn't have anything to do with the story, but when I write I listen to music and guess what I was listening to during this chapter?
The first song was 'I'm sexy and I know it' from LMFAO,
The second one was 'Trouble' by PINK,
And the next one was 'Hell on Heels' by PISTOL ANNIES.
I know, who listens to those songs back to back? Well, ME! There were many others also, but I just thought that that line-up was amusing!
okay, fine I will shut-up so you can read my story... :)
"Man, Could the sun be any brighter?" Nicole whined as she let out a shaky sigh. It was the fourth week she had been roasting on that hunk of wood at the marine base and she had become restless. 'C'mon don't give up now. Just one more week stomach, one more week and I will patch you up and give you a nice meal.'
"Are you over there whining again?" Zoro smirked and spoke as Nicole sent him a glare that went unnoticed. Zoro would never admit it, but he was having a hard time coping with the lack of food as well. Most of the time all he thought about was food, but no way he would give in. So what if he hadn't eaten in three weeks. He was Roronoa Zoro, and how could he expect to be the worlds greatest swordsman if he couldn't even fend of his own stomach and hunger? Nope, He wasn't having it. He told himself it was no problem and if the injured girl beside him could do it for an entire month, then he could, no would, too.
They both stared at the ground in silence. Zoro was trying his best to take another nap while Nicole was losing her self deep in thought. This was a natural occurrence for the two. It was one of the reasons why Zoro didn't mind the hard-headed girl's company. She knew when it was a good time to talk and when it was a good time to stay quiet. Over the past few weeks. Zoro had noticed several things the girl did without her ever realizing it. When she didn't feel well, she would space out and stare off into space as if she was in an entirely different world and when she felt somewhat better she would watch the sky intently as birds flew by.
When he talked to her she didn't just spew some nonsense he didn't care about, it was actually always something quite interesting. She would tell him stories about the infamous pranks she would pull around the towns she would visit. She also spoke of her adventures sailing around the open sea with her father her. Another thing she would like to talk about was the enemies she faced and how she would beat them to a pulp easily as most underestimated her. She took pride in her strength that was unusual from her gender.
Nicole even mentioned her dream once or twice and how she would be the worlds greatest fighter someday. She didn't care if she was a woman or what other people would say. She always spoke as if she had no doubt in her mind that it would happen, and she didn't. Zoro saw a little bit of himself in her, for he too had no doubt in his mind that he would become the worlds greatest swordsman one day.
"Coby, look!" An excited voice called out at the other side of the wall.
"ugh, I'm telling you he's not-" This time a more high-pitched boyish voice, which can only be assumed to be named Coby, spoke along with letting out a gasp.
"If we just untie those ropes he can just walk away! and look, there's a girl beside him!" This caught Zoro's attention and he decided to listen further, keeping his head down and eyes closed to listen to the two. Nicole, being deep in thought and totally zoned out, hadn't even noticed the two intruders and carried on staring at the dirt covered ground beneath her.
"Don't be such a idiot Luffy, There's no telling what a bandit like him can do if you let him go he might just kill us both, and don't you think that that girl was put there for a reason? She is most likely as bad as he is!" Coby exclaimed to the boy poking his head over the wall. The kid looked 17 years old at most with messy black hair that hung out from under an old straw hat. Another thing that stood out about the boy was that he had a scar under his left eye and a wide grin plastered across his face, While the boy named Coby could only looked worried and scared out of his mind. Coby had natural bright pink hair and big, wide eyes that hid behind a pair of purple round glasses.
"Don't worry I'm strong, I can protect us!" The black haired kid said confidently.
By this time Zoro was getting weary of listening to the two talk back and forth, and he let out a growl, which snapped Nicole back into reality.
"Hey you two," The pink haired kid yelped just hearing Zoro speak, "Your an eyesore, Get lost."
Nicole turned to Zoro, then back at the two boys against the wall. 'what is going on?' She thought trying to analyze the situation. The pink haired kid screamed after what Zoro said and whispered something back to the straw hat. The only thing she could tell was that Zoro was annoyed and Coby was freaked out just by being near him. 'Well, I guess this is what I get for day dreaming'
"What in the world's going on?" Nicole said making Coby jump, then a look of realization appeared on his face as he began another one of his rants.
"Oh, no this is worse than I thought! We aren't only faced with Roronoa Zoro the demon pirate hunter, but Nicole the heartless siren herself! Haven't you heard of the horrible rumors going around about her? It is said that she once killed an entire crew single-handed all because they crossed her path! There is no way you can go in there with that inhuman woman, she might rip you to shreds!"
"Gee, you sure know how to flatter a girl. Why don't you and your friend just do what Zoro said and leave, you flamingo headed freak." Nicole scowled at the trembling Coby as the other boy began to laugh. 'I just insulted his friend and he's laughing? what a odd person. He kinda reminds me of someone though and... No, that can't be his hat. There's just no way.'
While the straw hat boy calmed down a tall, brown ladder appeared on the edge of the wall with a small girl in brown pig tails climbing to the top of it. The young girl dropped a rope down the side of the wall leading to the crucifixion yard and began running towards Nicole and Zoro.
"Oh noo! we gotta stop her before she gets killed by the marines or the demons themselves!" Coby panicked and yelled but it was no use. She had already stopped in front of Nicole and Zoro and began unwrapping a small pink cloth revealing three large morsels of food.
"What do you want?" Zoro said rudely as Nicole sent him a glare. Yes, It was true that Nicole was hot-tempered and was pretty harsh when she wanted to be, but she had one exception and that was, small children.
"I thought you might be getting hungry now, So I made you and this pretty lady a couple of rice balls!" She said smiling sweetly at her and Zoro.
"You know you will get in trouble for this little girl." Nicole said concerned.
The small girl then walked up in front of her and placed one of the rice balls close to her mouth. Nicole stared at the tasty looking rice ball hungrily as she restrained herself from drooling. The little girl moved it closer, allowing Nicole to take hold of it with her mouth and devour it, savoring the taste. It was really sweet which was unusual for a rice ball, but hey it was food and Nicole was starving.
"Thank you that was delicious! But a small child like you shouldn't be here you might get caught" Nicole said in a motherly tone.
"She's right, You gotta death wish kid? Just scram," Zoro scowled as the girl walked to the front of him with the two rice balls she had left.
"But you haven't eaten anything the whole time you've been tied up, here!" She held them up close to his face, "I've never really made them before, But i did my best so i think they're fine."
Zoro gasped then started to yell, "Listen kid im not hungry! Now stop irritating me and get out of here!"
"But-"
"Do not make me kick your ass little girl" He got louder.
"Zoro, What the hell!" Nicole shouted making Zoro look up at her while she gave him a 'if i could i would beat the shit out of you look' "She's just a little kid Zoro and she is trying to help! You shouldn't yell at someone offering you food, just take it so she can leave!"
"Now, now no one likes a bully," Helmeppos voice rang out along with the gate that slowly creaked open. That man made Nicole's skin crawl and she wanted to punch his face in every time she saw the sly look on his face. He walked inside the grounds along with two other marine men following along behind him. Everyone's attention turned to them as Helmeppo began to chuckle "Roronoa Zoro you seem to be handling this well, Don't you agree My lovely Nicole?"
"Shove off." She scoffed as Helmeppo stopped in front of the small girl, eying the food in her hands.
"Looky, some tasty rice balls," Helmeppo snatched one out of the girls hand and threw it in his mouth. After a few seconds a disgusted look grew along his face and he spat the chewed up rice ball out towards the ground. "Ahhhhh! Too sweet! It's packed with sugar! You're supposed to use salt you idiot, SALT!"
"But I- Ithought that they would taste better sweet," The girl said innocently.
"Give me that!" Helmeppo threw the other riceball out of the girls hands and crushed it into the ground with his foot, mixing the rice with dirt.
"No stop!" The little girl screamed repeatedly as she began to cry, whimpering pitifully."But I, I worked so hard on those"
"Aww too bad. You must've not read the notice posted." Helmeppo pulled out a piece of paper and commenced reading the text printed on the front, " Those who assist criminals in any way will be executed signed marine Captain Morgan," Nicole let out a gasp as Helmeppo started laughing, "It seems even little brats fear my daddy."
"I swear to god if I wasn't tied up I would beat the living crap out of this guy!' Nicole thought to herself as her head began to ache from hearing Helmeppo snicker. Coby and the straw hat were still on the other side of the wall talking to each other while they observed what was happening.'Geez why won't they go away?'
"You, toss this kid out right now," Helmeppo pointed at the Marine to his right. The marine just stood there dumbfounded as Helmeppo made his way towards him and grabbed his shirt, "I said, throw her over soldier! Now if you don't follow my orders, Ill tell my Father."
"Ye... yes sir! Ill do it," The marine said shakily as he walked up to the young girl.
"You have got to be kidding me! She is just a little kid, are you really gonna follow some shitty orders like that?" Nicole exclaimed in an aggravated tone as the marine adverted your eyes showing signs of shame.'man, and people think pirates are bad!'
"No!" the little girl cringed as the marine crouched down to grab her
"Sorry bout this, try curling up in a ball," He then picked up the frightened girl and sent her hurtling over the concrete wall.
"You bastard!" Nicole was furious that the marine would stoop so low as to hurt a child! He was twice the little girl's size and she had no means of defending herself.
"Damn you,"Zoro said in a low tone as he glared at the blonde headed creep.
Helmeppo laughed as he walked in front of him.
"You two are just dead set on staying alive aren't you" He stated more than asked.
"That's right, I'm gonna make it through the month without any problems," Zoro said confidently.
"And what about you Nicole my dear, you were put here to die after all. You don't have any hope of getting out of this so why don't you just do what I told you and give up? Just die!"
"Hah, Lets just say I'm the stubborn type. If I ever die it will be on my own terms and mine alone, blondie," She smirked.
"Right, good luck with that," He said laughing and snorting as he and the two other marines walked away.
"Only ten days left," Zoro called out.
"Oh, you still assume you'll make it that long" Helmeppo said laughing harder, closing the gate behind him.
"Man I hate that guy," Nicole bit your lip holding in curse.
"NO WAYYY! is that you Nicole?" The straw hat kid now stood in front of her with a wide grin overtaking his face.
"Uh-, Well my name is Nicole but...Who are you?" Nicole now stared at the boy confused as he began to chuckle.
"Wow, You look horrible Nic!" He began laughing harder as her eyes narrowed at the boy.
"Well excuse me! I don't exactly worry about my appearances when my stomachs cut open and I'm STARVING TO DEATH! Didn't your parents teach you any manners? And another thing... Did- did you just call me Nic?" Now she was even more confused. Nobody ever called her that name other than Shanks and his crew, along with... with "Wait... L-LUFFY?"
"Yep! Long time, No see!" Luffy grinned as Nicole's face froze in shock.
"W- what are you doing here?"
"OH! that reminds me, I came here to talk to Zoro!" Luffy now turned his focus on to the confused Zoro.'God, i forgot how simple minded this kid is' She thought to herself as she absently began to smile.
"So I heard you were a bad guy."
Zoro's confused look soon turned into an aggravated one, "Are you really still here?"
"You're stuck out here for all the world to see and nothing, are you really all that strong?" Nicole kept her gaze on the two men as they began to talk.
"Mind your own business" Zoro scoffed as Luffy sighed and walked closer.
"If i were you guys I'd probably starve to death in three days" Luffy scratched the back of his head.
"I have more spirit then you could ever have, Which is how I'm gonna survive this ordeal" Zoro spoke confidently."This I swear."
"Hah, Wow Nicole you sure make some weird friends!" He said as Nicole sweat dropped. "I guess I'll be back later to save you guys, but I need to go eat first! I can't just leave my second in command here to die, now can I?" Luffy smiled and went to turn away.
"Wait, Hold on" Zoro said unexpectedly, "Could you, pick that up for me?"
"You're gonna eat this? Because, its mostly a ball of mud..."
"Just shut up and give it to me, Now!" Zoro yelled as Luffy went to pick up the remnants of what used to be a rice ball.
"He hasn't eaten in weeks Luffy, Just give it to the poor guy and stop antagonizing him." Nicole said with a worried look on your face which Luffy noticed. He then scooped up the mixture of mud and rice in his hands and placed it inside Zoro's mouth. Zoro started instantly chewing and gulping down the food and coughed from the dryness afterwards.
"Should've listened to me." Luffy said in a sing song voice.
"It was good, thanks for the food" Zoro said in a relieved tone.
Soon after that Luffy explained that he needed to check on the little girl that they saw earlier and he was too hungry to think so he would be back later. He then walked towards the wall and soon jumped up fading away behind it.
"You know you didn't have to act so harshly towards that girl, She was just trying to help you" Nicole began her lecture.
"I was just trying to get her to leave, so back off." He argued back
"Well I understand that but I don't think you realize how vicious you can be sometimes, she was just trying to help you jack ass!" Nicole spat.
"Whatever, who cares." Zoro said nonchalantly as she rolled her eyes "Listen, I know you have faith in that Luffy kid but... Do you honestly think he can take on this entire marine base and save you?"
"You mean save US. and about Luffy...I know that he doesn't look like much but when he makes up his mind about something, he is determined to make it happen and right now he is set on me being in his crew. Besides, once I'm off of this big hunk of wood and untangled from these chains, I am going to be kicking some ass around here!" Nicole smirked confidently while Zoro shook his head.
"Nicole, You shouldn't move, much less fight in the condition you're in" He said concerningly and almost in a scolding tone.
"Well, like a green haired swordsman once told me, 'At least I will die trying!'" Nicole smiled slyly as Zoro opened his mouth, but then shut it again knowing he couldn't argue back. 'Nicole 1, Zoro 0!'
Several hours passed and silence had overtaken the crucifixion yard. The two captives were both lost in their own thoughts as the thought over the day. 'hurry up Luffy, I don't know how much longer I can wait' Nicole thought impatiently as Luffy hopped over the wall as if on cue.
"Luffy!" She said cheerfully as he walked closer to the duo. Luffy stopped before them and glanced at Nicole before setting his gaze on Zoro.
"Quit gawking at me, Don't you have something more important you need to take care of," He scoffed as Luffy began to speak.
"I'll untie you, but only if you promise to join my crew" Luffy crossed his arms as Nicole smirked. She may have only known Luffy for a year when they were kids, but he would never change.
"What?" Zoro questioned..
"I run a pirate crew and I am looking for people to join up," Luffy said walking closer to Zoro
"No way, I'd never stoop so low as to join a criminal, screw that business," Zoro stated as Nicole growled and gave him a death glare that went unseen. 'has he forgotten that I am a pirate too?'
"What's wrong with being a pirate," Luffy said placing his hands on his hips.
"They're despicable like I'd ever wanna join up with one."
"Eh- hem! I'm still here you know." Nicole scowled glowering at the green-haired swordsman.
"Yea, how could I forget with that mouth of yours, and would you quit staring at me like that? I feel like you're burning a whole through my damn skull." Zoro narrowed his eyes towards her.
"Why you-!" Nicole began before being interrupted by Luffy's laughter.
"You guys act like an old married couple! It's so funny! Now you have join my crew Zoro, it will be fun!"
"I already told you No!" Zoro said irritated.
"C'mon, give me a break. Everyone already thinks you're some vicious bounty hunter always out for blood, what would it matter if you were a pirate?"
"People can say whatever they want about me, but I've never done a single thing in my life that I regret. I will make it through this challenge, and after that I will accomplish what I want."
"Yea... that's great, but I've already decided you're going to be on my crew," Luffy said matter-of-factly as a large vein grew at the side of Zoro's forehead.
"WHAT? YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" Zoro yelled.
"I've heard you're one of the best swordsmen around." Luffy said as Nicole giggled seeing the face Zoro was making.
"Well I am, But that idiot captain's son took mine away"
"I guess I'll have to go get them back! Hey, I bet the key to Nicole's chains are in there somewhere too!"Luffy said grinning.
"What?" Zoro said looking at him like he was crazy.
"So I guess if you want your sword you'll just have to join my crew!"
"Now you're really starting to piss me off!" Zoro said as the vein that bulged out of his forehead grew even bigger. Luffy then began to run to the left."Wait, is he just gonna bust in there alone?"
"What did I tell you? He's stuck on having you in his crew and I hate to tell you but it's going to end up happening." Nicole began laughing as he shook his head.
"Hey genius, the base is in the other direction" Just as Zoro sighed a pair of arms stretch out in front of him and clung on to a concrete wall.
"Gum Gum... ROCKET!" Luffy exclaimed as his body shot in the bases direction.
"Wha-What the hell is this guy?" Zoro yelled in shock and turned to Nicole as she sighed.
"It's a long story, lets just say he's...different."
Moments later the pink haired boy came rushing across the courtyard and began trying to untie the ropes going around Zoro's biceps. "You have to get out of here Zoro"
"That maniac is going to kill you for what you're doing right now" Zoro said as him and Nicole both watched the short boy toy with the knots.
"I can't stand to watch the marines behave like this anymore. A true marine should be honorable."
"Look kid, I can't Leave! I got ten days left, and then they're-"
"Well not quite, they were going to execute you tomorrow, Along with the siren" Coby interrupted, making both of their eyes grow wide.
"They what?" Zoro said shocked.
"But they were going to let Zoro go! and will you stop calling me that! My name's Nicole!" She exclaimed, making Coby flinch.
"S- sorry, U-uh Nicole. Anyways, Helmeppo never intended to honor your agreement. He planned on killing you from the start, Which made Luffy really angry. So he just knocked him out." He explained, keeping his eyes on the ropes.
"He did?" Zoro stated more than asked.
"It sounds like something Luffy would do" She sighed as Coby continued.
"Now that the marines are mad they're dead set on catching Luffy... Don't worry I'm not going to ask you to become a pirate though. But I hope you'll help him. You have a lot of strength you can offer. Luffy is the only person who can actually save you guys from execution, and of course, you're the only ones who can save him from a very similar fate."
"I-I will help all that I am able to and I am sure Zoro will do the same. Even though I am injured I will fight all that I can so don't worry Coby, Everything will be fine." Nicole reassured, giving the young boy a warm smile "Luffy is strong, and I have complete faith in the kid." Coby nodded and continued working on the ropes.
"End of the line!" An unfamiliar voice called out, making the group of three turn to the sound. Nicole gasped as she saw the large group of marines gathered around them with guns aimed at their heads. The all stood in front of one man that had an ax for a hand, in other words, Captain "Axe-Hand" Morgan. "For the crime of treason against me, I sentence you three to die where you stand!"
"Oh, Shit!" Nicole let out as tears began to run down Coby's cheeks and he began to tremble.
"You've been pulling some interesting moves around here. What is this? Some kind of poorly executed coo, you three planned with the straw hat?"
"I've always fought alone, Like a real man does! Not like a coward, who hides behind a wall of his expendable crony's" Zoro scoffed back.
"Roronoa Zoro, Don't you dare underestimate me. You may be a strong fighter, but under my authority you are just a rat that's thrown out with the trash. Not even the Siren of the West Blue can help you now!" Captain Morgan said smirking as the guns clicked around them "Take aim!"
'No!' Zoro thought as the marines aimed their guns towards them. 'I can't afford to die here!'
"Fire!" They all pulled the trigger and just before the rounds could reach the three Luffy jumped in front of them, causing the bullets to hit him instead.
"What?"
"Luffy, No!"
"Straw hat!"
Luffy briefly chuckled before expanding his chest and causing the bullets to fly back towards the marines. "See Ya!" He called out and began to laugh as a bullet zoomed right past Morgan's face. "That won't work on me! Told you I was strong!"
"Wha- You wanna just tell me who the hell you are!" Zoro asked in awe as Luffy turned around and gave him a thumbs up.
"My name is Monkey D. Luffy, and I'm going to be king of the pirates!" Luffy said confidently as sweat dropped from everyone's foreheads and they all began to stare.
"You're going to be King of the Pirates? Right, You must be completely out of your rubbery headed mind. Do you have any idea what that means?" Zoro questioned.
"King of the Pirates means King of the Pirates! How could it mean anything other than that?" He asked as if Zoro was the one who was talking stupid.
"Yeah, when he first told me it was shocking but he's completely serious! That's how he is I suppose, because he actually has every intention of becoming King of the Pirates, and obtaining the worlds most ultimate treasure, The One Piece!" Coby said excitedly.
"It's his dream, Even when I met him as a kid that is what he wanted to do." Nicole grinned as Luffy began to laugh.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Coby! Here's the keys to Nicole's chains." He said throwing him the keys. Luffy then untied the white sash that went around his shoulder, revealing three swords in his hands and holding them to Zoro.
"And here's what I promised you. There is three, I couldn't tell which one was yours so I just took all of them."
"All of them belong to me. I use Santoryuu, the three-sword style" Zoro explained as Nicole looked in amusement.
"Whoa! Now that is cool! How come you never told me that?"
"You never asked, plus I did tell you that I was a swordsmen" He said coolly as she turned away and pouted.
"Yeah, but I didn't know you could use three! Geez, You really need to learn to open up to people!"
"Uh, Excuse me guys. But I don't think now is exactly the best time to talk about this" Coby said nervously behind her reminding them of the herd of confused marines still holding their guns towards them.
"Come on, take these things already! Just know that if you fight with me now you'll be a government defying villain, So it's either that or you're left out here and killed by the marines, execution style!" Luffy said as Zoro began to smirk.
"What are you, the son of the devil? It doesn't matter, because if I don't choose your side I'll just end up dead on these sticks. So lets do it!"
"HAHH! So you are finally going to join my crew!" Luffy yelled and began to cheer "This is the best thing ever!"
"Will you quit celebrating already and get these ropes off me!" Zoro said as Nicole heard a click behind her.
"Got it!" The chains then slid off from around her and she landed on the ground with a thump. She then wriggled her feet out of the links and began to stand, leaning on the now bare wooden post she was recently restrained too.
"Good job Coby!" Luffy exclaimed as he began tugging at the ropes around Zoro's left arm.
"Nicole, Are you okay?" Coby asked as Nicole's face turned a ghostly white. She then toppled over face first into the hard ground as her vision began to blur.
"Nicole!" Luffy called out as her body began to tremble.
"Nicole, are you okay? Don't die on us now!" Zoro said horrified at what he was seeing. 'She has held out strong for a month, She can't quit now! I promised I would get her out of this place alive!'
"I...won't die if you don't" She coughed out before her surroundings turned black.
Whewww, this was a really long chapter! (to me it was anyways) Thank you to IamNasher and Karasu-archer for Reviews!. I really appreciate them and they encourage me to get chapters out faster!