/ᐠ - ˕ -マ

She's Just a Pain in the Ass

He was sleeping on the second deck behind the orange trees, minding his own business while the rest of the pirates were getting the Merry ready for departure. This island had been rather boring and Zoro was glad to leave it behind. The people here were sketchy as shit. Whenever he would wander the streets on his own, he'd see people vanish into the alleyways or whisper behind his back. Something about him being a part of a small-time crew with the captain being the only one with a bounty. Or that he was the infamous Pirate Hunter. He's heard it all.

His nap was interrupted though. It always was on this ship. Luffy was yelling about a new friend something or rather he picked up from the island. Probably more like dragged. He sat up, stretching his arms above his head with a loud yawn. He sat there for a few seconds while his eyes adjusted from the blurriness of sleep. Luffy was just losing his shit and he could hear the faint talking from the others. He finally stood, placing his swords back by his side. He sauntered to the lower deck while scratching the back of his head. When he reached the top of the stairs, he stopped dead.

There on the deck of the Going Merry was a very familiar dove-haired, burgundy-eyed woman.

Zoro had to rub his eyes to make sure what he was seeing was real. That can't possibly be the same person. But he knew her voice, that mellifluous timbre. He just stared at her when his crew mates suddenly reacted negatively to something she said. That snapped him out of his weird trance and heard Luffy ask a question.

"How do you know Vivi?"

He really needed to be more cautious. Especially around complete strangers who could take his head.

"Because she's a bounty hunter."

Everyone but the woman in question and Luffy turned their gaze to him. He saw her react to him speaking but was slow to look at him. When she did, there was a faint smile on her face. Just his fucking luck.

"How did you know Zoro?" Luffy asked as the swordsman descended the stairs.

"Yes, how do you know?" That blasted woman retorted in a mocking tone. She was acting like she didn't know him. "I don't think we've ever met before."

Two can play at this game. "I've only heard her name while I was traveling the East Blue before Luffy showed up."

Luffy's eyes and smile went wide. "You're from the East Blue, Broccoli?!"

"I said to call me Auri. And no. I just spent some time there."

"That doesn't answer the question!" Nami shouted, still standing in front of the blue-haired princess. "How did you who Vivi was?"

The dove-haired woman held a hand up to her chin as her head dipped to the side. "I have connections to the Underworld. The guild I'm a part of is well aware of the runaway princess of Alabasta. And that there are a lot of people after her head."

"Are you one of them?" Vivi asked, her stance more stiff.

"Nope. My guild goes after dangerous criminals. Last I checked, you're the farthest thing away from being dangerous and a criminal. Despite what others might be saying."

The sound of relief was deafening. It was paled by the sound of Nami suddenly barking orders to weigh anchor and lower the sails. The crew scattered. That damn woman just stood there as she watched the pirates go to their stations.

While no one was looking, Zoro grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her to where he was originally sleeping. She didn't fight it. Once he reached the back of the ship behind the trees, he shoved her against the wall hard and his fingers dug into her upper arms. She initially flinched but quickly recovered as her lips pursed into a pout.

"You fucking better start talking."

"Nice to see you too. What was I supposed to say? Start blathering that you and I met before? Didn't think you'd want me to do that."

"Why...what the hell are you doing here? This can't be some bullshit coincidence," he hissed low, keeping a firm grip on her shoulders.

"You're right. It's not."

Her answer made him struggle to find words. Was she messing with him? He couldn't get a read on her as she faintly smiled with her brows raised. He finally let her go, only to trap her with his hands on either side of her head.

"Talk."

"A couple of weeks ago, a few of our guys that were planning on going after the hippo weirdo from Drum Kingdom, were unable to do so. They notified the big boss that he was already taken care of, according to some locals," she told him with her calm honey-like voice. "They said a crew of pirates with a straw hat wearing captain were responsible and gave details of the crew members."

"That doesn't answer my fucking question."

"I was getting there. Before the news, I was going to leave this island. But I had the bright idea one morning and chose to be a little shit and wait until your ship arrived to hitch a ride. It's common for people traveling through Drum Island to show up here. Especially if they are on their way to Alabasta."

"You had this planned for weeks?"

"Yup. Pretty much."

"Just so you can get a free ride because we know each other?"

"Yup. That sounds about right."

He stared into her dark red eyes, finally getting a read on her. She was telling the truth, as annoying as it was. He backed away from her. He noticed her expression changed slightly when his hand rested on the hilt of one of his swords. Her eyes had narrowed and her body tensed.

"You're really not here for Luffy's head or the princess?"

"I'm not. What reason do I have to go after them?"

Zoro let out a sigh, partially relieved at her answer. He still thinks she has some other ulterior motive other than being a freeloader. "Don't do anything stupid."

"That's your job."

He glared down at her and her dumbass-looking face. She was just as irritating as the damn cook. He clicked his tongue and huffed away, trying to ignore the gremlin giggling behind him. He was immediately snapped at by Nami for avoiding helping the others. He waved her off as he made his way to the mast to sit. Thankfully the navigator went to yell at Luffy for who knows what.

Zoro let out a heavy sigh and looked up to the darkening sky. The early night stars were starting to shine against the dark indigo blanket of the sky. Maybe this was some weird fucking dream and everything will be fine when he wakes up. Hearing the bounty hunter's laughter above his crew mates told him otherwise.

"Shit."

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Later at night...

Avoiding her was damn near impossible and Zoro knew she was being an ass on purpose. She'd always be just in his sight like a ghost hanging around. She had already made friends with the rest of the crew. Luffy and the damn cook especially. Chopper and Usopp were just being their scaredy-cat selves at first. Nami was still weary and protective over the princess and her duck.

He needed to keep an eye on her. While he really doesn't believe she'll pull something foolish, she was still a head hunter he won't lower his guard around. He could tell she had grown in the last couple of years. Her muscles had filled out more and she had a strong predatory aura. She looked more like the part of a bounty hunter. He sincerely hoped she was going to stay on the next island.

"What's up with you?"

Zoro didn't turn when he heard Nami's question. She joined him while he leaned over the upper deck railing. She seemed to get her answer when she noticed he was glaring down at the dove-haired woman. She was sitting on the deck with Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper as she excitedly showed them a journal. The three were greatly interested in what she was presenting. It reminded him of that one time they shared a meal and she was talking about the island she went to like she was a little kid. The light of the lantern in the middle illuminated her features, making her face look soft and innocent.

"Think she's going to do something?"

"She better not," he grumbled.

"Is she that bad of a person?"

The memory of her standing on the railing of the bandit ship, bloody and holding a head in a bag with a calm expression flashed into his mind. His brows furrowed. "More like you should keep your eye on her."

The sudden door of the lounge being kicked open followed by the ear grating shouting of the shitty cook made Zoro groan and quickly vacate the upper deck. He'd much rather deal with the dove-haired gremlin than Mr. Twirly Brows. He passed the four still sitting and talking like toddlers and right to the front of the ship to hopefully sleep. He sat down, resting his swords against the wood, and interlocked his fingers behind his head. There was a bit more shouting for the rest of the crew for dinner and finally, there was silence.

The quiet didn't last long. He heard footsteps coming closer to him. Soft steps. Then there was a familiar presence looming over him. He didn't move and neither did the intruder in his space.

"Hey."

Why was she here?

"The cook said if you don't wake up, you're going to starve."

"He can shove it."

"Guess I'll eat this plate too."

He opened his eyes, seeing her standing before him holding two plates of steaming food. There was a small lantern attached to her belt and he didn't see the holsters on her thighs. She was staring down at him like a curious dog. She held out a plate to him, gesturing for him to take it with a tip of her head. He didn't move and just stared at her. She inched the plate closer to him. He finally took the plate when she just about shoved it in his face.

"You're annoying," he muttered loud enough for her to hear.

"Tell me something I don't know. Want a drink?"

He looked at her confused. She reached into her hoodie pocket and pulled out a bottle. He couldn't tell what it was, but he'll take it if it's alcohol. She unclipped the lantern, setting it down between them along with the bottle before sitting on the planks cross-legged. He was going to voice his complaint but didn't see a point. She wouldn't listen to him anyway.

And there they ate in silence. She didn't talk his ear off, much to his surprise. She just shoveled food into her mouth. He took the bottle, popped the cork and the scent of rum hit his nose. He took a couple of swigs, noticing she was staring at him with her cheeks puffed out when he set the bottle down.

"What."

She just shrugged her shoulders and went back to eating. His brow twitched in annoyance. He let out a string of angry words, stuffing his face with the stupid cook's food. He'll never admit it, but the damn twirly-browed dumbass can at least make a good-tasting meal.

Another set of footsteps made him look up from his almost empty plate, seeing the orange hair of the navigator. He thought that the bounty hunter didn't notice as she chugged from the rum bottle, but he saw her free hand slowly go behind her back

"They you are," Nami said, directing her comment to the bounty hunter. "Let me show you the girls' room. You can sleep there for the time being."

She relaxed, looking up to meet the brown gaze of the woman behind her. "You sure?"

"What? You plan on stealing from me?"

The bounty hunter chuckled softly. "I wouldn't dream of it. Thanks for the hospitality."

"You don't seem like a bad person. Despite what someone said."

Nami shot Zoro a dark look but said nothing as she left. The damn woman saw it and gave him a stupid grin. She was going to be a pain in his ass during her stay.

"Still think I'm going to take the princess' or your captain's head?"

He just glared at her.

"Fair, fair. Technically, I am your enemy." She stood up, taking both the plates and the lantern but leaving the bottle. "Time for my beauty sleep."

She turned to leave, making it down the first few steps before Zoro called out to her. She paused and glanced over her shoulder with her brows raised. Zoro had stood as well, resting his arm over his swords back at his side. They stared at each other for a few moments before he spoke in a low, slightly threatening tone.

"You try anything stupid and I'll take your head."

The faint smile that appeared on her face made a shiver run down his spine. The combined light of the moon from above and the soft glow of the lantern at her side gave her an unearthly appearance.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Zoro."

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