{zoro x oc} stick 'em with the pointy end

7. neso's past ~ the island

~ AGE 16 ~

Buggy woke with a sweat, haunted by the screams of the young nymph as a faceless captain carved into her skin. The deck was bloody from the scales they had plucked from her skin. Her precious face, red and lined with tears.

It was a recurring dream he had of Neso since the day he met her. He shook his head and pushed the hair out of his face, getting dressed for the day.

Legend said that a sea nymph will bring good luck to the captain she serves. But this was more like serving her. They had been pursued by the Enzo Pirates for three years. They lived on the run, all to protect the silver haired sea nymph.

Buggy sat at his vanity and painted his makeup on. Flashy.

Did he regret buying the girl?

Buggy left this cabin, went upstairs and watched as Neso confidently connected her knives to their targets. Each one a bullseye. She was a natural with the throwing knives.

In her first few months aboard the Big Top, Buggy was constantly getting scared shitless by the tiny girl. She had silent footsteps. During their raids, she always came back with surprisingly great treasure. It wasn't luck, she was just damn talented at sneaking.

She had been caught once. It was the only time Buggy felt ashamed for putting her in danger. And, it was the danger that still followed them to this day. Captain Enzo Draven.

Buggy hadn't been present when the fiasco started. He hadn't been there when a few of his men and the girl went to a tavern and made a bet to see who could steal the most berries. The girl was in the lead, with no chance of the crew catching up to her. She made her way towards the dreaded Draven.

Buggy walked into the tavern to see his men beaten back by the Enzo pirates and Enzo Draven himself holding the girl up by her neck. It had been a year since she had joined the Buggy Pirates and Buggy was particularly protective over her. Plus, she was still only a child.

He threw knives at Enzo with no questions asked. Buggy would give no quarter to anyone who would treat his Neso this way.

"Drop the girl," Buggy demanded.

"Sure," Enzo gave one last squeeze to her throat before dropping her, letting her fall to her knees, gasping for air.

Enzo grabbed the knife, but Buggy's hand passed it further into his side, "This girl stole something of mine. I'd like it back."

"I believe it's called 'finders keepers,' is it not?"

"Who the hell are you?" Enzo spat blood to the side.

"Captain Buggy," he said, pulling the knife out of the man's side, causing him to yell out in pain.

"RUN!" Buggy made his way to Neso, helping her to her feet, carrying her out of the tavern.

When they came to the docks, Enzo stepped in front of Buggy, "Finders keepers, am I right?"

He grabbed Neso and pushed Buggy into the water. Neso kicked and screamed, she was unarmed and helpless against this man five times her size. He slammed her onto the ground, "I know what you are! You serve me now, Captain Enzo."

Gripping her wrist, Enzo dragged her away from the docks as she tried to latch onto anything. Buggy was drowning and she couldn't save him. She couldn't save herself.

Everything went dark and when she came to, she found herself back in her cabin on the Big Top.

"Pick a weapon," Buggy said, a full spread of different blades, guns, a bow, swords, and even a flail. What caught her eye were the pair of daggers.