Argh, Desu!

My name is Nancy. I am a crew member on the pirate ship, The Avarice. I’m twenty years old and I haven’t seen my twin brother Joshua since I was seven.  We both look like our father, with our platinum blonde hair, sparking azure eyes and porcelain skin.

Walking across the purple painted deck of The Vanity, I remembered how I came aboard this ship. The captain, Bloody Jack, had told me what had happened to my village, Moon Island. When I was seven-years-old, my village had been attacked by a gang of ninjas. They had held a grudge against Moon Island and its people, as they’d refused to give their land up.

My home had been set ablaze, everything had been destroyed. A Midshipman, Joe, had rescued me and ever since that day, I have lived aboard this ship.
The Captain, Bloody Jack, has six more galleons like this one. Each named after one of the seven deadly sins, all of them kept under watch by the six Deputy Captains. Our fleet is notorious and feared by all Land and Sea sailors.

Captain Bloody Jack is a very generous man and for the last eighteen years, he has become something of a father figure to me. He has agreed to help me search for Joshua, my twin brother. We hope he’ll join the crew. I have missed my brother dearly.

“Nancy! There you are!” Turning around, I watched as Elena ran towards me. Her brown hair whipped about behind her as she ran, her green eyes shimmering with joy. “Nancy! We will be pulling into GreenHill port soon.”  Stopping beside me, she straightened out her wind-ruffled hair and tied it up with a red ribbon.

Elena is beautiful. With her long brunette hair, tan skin and wide green eyes. She’s not only beautiful, but she is extremely talented at sword fighting, battle navigating and gunning. Elena became my first friend, when she came to live on board The Vanity. She is the Captains only daughter.

Shaking my head, I grinned at her. “You’re going to drag me around that town again, aren’t you?” She may be an amazing pirate, but she was still a girl and she loved to shop. “Please, don’t drag me into any girlie dress shops. Please!” I don’t have any interest in dresses; I only want to buy some new swords.

Sighing, Elena placed her hands on my shoulders, looking up into my eyes. She’s slightly shorter than I am. “Nancy, Nancy, Nancy. You need a few dresses, something colourful, something lively! You’re current clothing situation is pretty poor, I have to admit.” Raising my blonde eyebrows, I placed my hands on my hips, looking at my friend in incredulity.

“I’ll have you know, that I like my clothing. As for ‘bright and lively’, I don’t do any of those.” I like my black corsets, which had red skeletons patches on. I like my black, lacy skirts, white and black leggings and my black leather boots. They are my favourite items of clothing, hands down. “Also, no one in the right mind would take fashion advice from you, Elena.” I sauntered off, smirking as I heard her rattle on about how I was ‘making a mistake’ and I was in ‘dire need’ of her advice.

-x-

My name is Joshua; I am a ninja, raised by my sensei Katsu. He saved my life and I am eternally grateful. My ambition in life is to rid the world of the pirate scum that has polluted it. They took my sister away. I have no reason to believe she is still alive.

Melting into the shadows, I ascended up to the top of the giant oak tree. Blending into the green leaves, I slowed my breathing, observing the world below me with my sharp, blue eyes. Leaping to the next tree silently, I continued to make my way to Katsu sensei’s hideout.

My mission is to start today and I’ll be one step closer to achieving my goal in life. Slipping through the narrow window of the old abandoned mansion, I padded quietly into the meeting hall. Stepping out of the darkness, I kneeled in front of Katsu, looking directly into his auburn eyes.

“Stand up, boy. You have no need to be so formal with me,” I know I needn’t be, but I feel like I must show him respect. Nonetheless, I stood back up. Smiling warmly at me, Sensei laid a calloused hand on my blonde hair and ruffled it affectionately. “I am getting old Joshua, therefore I need you lead our ninja army.” I gasped, flabbergasted. He couldn’t be serious.

Stuttering, I stared up at my masters deadpan face. “W-w-what! You c-cant be s-serious!” I choked out. My usually stoic face showing exactly what I was feeling. Neither one of us spoke for a while. I watched as Katsu brushes his grey bangs behind his ears as he shook his head.

“I’m all too serious and I have faith in you, Joshua. Do not doubt yourself.”  The fierce tone in his voice and the fire in his auburn eyes put my mind out of its turmoil. He really did believe in me, he believed I could lead the ninja army to victory.

Smiling proudly, I nodded. I would make him proud; I won’t make him regret his decision. “As you wish, Katsu-sensei.” Bowing, I stalked towards the door, turning my head to look at my master. “Assemble the troops,” I smiled subtly, I left the room to prepare.
-x-
Hopping over the deck of the grand galleon, I raced down the crowded streets. Elena was hot on my trail. Getting used as a dress-up doll is not on my agenda. Vaulting over a street trader’s stall, I continued to sprint down the narrow streets.  Joe’s Shoppe of Fine Swords’ came into view.

Forcing the oak door open, I slammed it shut and dived behind a tall, well-built man. “Joe! Help me!” I whimpered, holding onto the back of his fishnet shirt.
“Elena is hot on my trail!” I said, yelping as the door swung open.

“Nancy!”My bestfriend roared and I squeaked childishly, “I know you’re behind Joe...” leaping behind the desk, I quickly picked up a rapier, pointing it in Elena’s direction. She laughed, pulling out her long-sword from its sheath and lunged forward.

Chuckling, I blocked her attack, our swords colliding. Golden sparks spat from colliding metal, as I pushed her long-sword back. Jumping over the counter, I evaded Elena’s swift assaults gracefully, before switching from defence to offence. Our blades clashed one again, grinding together as we both fought for the upper hand.

Before we could continue our swordfight, Joe intervened, removing the rapier from my hand. “That’s quite enough of that!” He said laughing, putting the sword back behind the counter. “Neither one of you have changed, it’s always the same.” Shaking his head, he gazed down at me, with his silvery-green eyes.

Quickly averting my eyes, I gazed outside of the tinted store window. “Anyways...I’m here to collect my twin katana blades I commissioned.” I muttered, feeling suddenly bashful. Brushing off the abrupt feeling, I looked back towards Joe. He had disappeared behind the heavy black velvet curtains, which lead to his work station.

“You like him” It was a statement, not a question and Elena looked serious; Spluttering, I waved off her comment and shook my head in rapidly.

“What? No! No, it’s not like that!” I said sharply, feeling a foreign tightening in my chest.  I didn’t understand why though. Sighing in exasperation, I cut Elena off before she could comment further. Thankfully, Joe returned carrying my katanas in their black scabbards.

Strapping them onto my back, I hurriedly dug around in my skirt pocket. Once I found what I was looking for, I shoved the bag of gold coins into his hand. “Thanks Joe!” Flashing a bright smile, I hugged him tightly and mentally gasped as I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist.

“It was nice to see you again, Nancy.” Joe said, his long ebony hair spilling over his shoulders as we parted.  I nodded dumbly, not really paying attention to what he was saying. I was too absorbed in observing how beautiful he is. He had gorgeous silky black hair, which was tied into two ponytails at the back of his head. His muscular chest was covered by a fishnet shirt and his legs were clothed in some faded brown leather trousers. His silvery-green eyes were like rare gems, glittering in the setting sun, and his gorgeous pale skin glowed.

“Nancy...!” Elena hissed at me. Jumping, I clutched a hand over my heart, which was now beating in overdrive.

“Huh?”Yep, that was definitely not my smartest response. “What is it, Elena?” I asked, after I finally snapped back to reality.

“It’s time to go, duh!” She said in her know-it-all tone.

Sticking my tongue out at her playfully, I tugged on her arm as I headed towards the door. Jerking the door open, I bowed down low, reaching a hand out towards Elena mockingly. “Your galleon awaits you, your Royal Highness!”

Growling, she strode passed me, flipping her chocolate-brown hair over her shoulders. Giggling, I took one last glance at Joe, before trotting out of the Shoppe to catch up with my fellow pirate. Linking my arm with hers, we walked back to the galleon, laughing and joking the whole way.