Buggy brought his knee up hard into Rudy's groin and while he was doubled over in pain he pulled out his knives and held them to his throat, "who do you think you're calling "b!tch" you little sh*thead?! You need to learn who you're messing with, because I'll stand here and laugh as I slit your throat, trust me. And if that's your girl....why the f**k would you beat on her?! Sh*tface!!"

"She needs to learn who owns her! She needs to learn better!" He growled.

Ruby then grabbed Buggy and pulled him back. She got him inside and shut the cabin and locked it.

"You forget, I can get the key~~," Rudy taunted.

Buggy smirked and took the key from Ruby and turned it sideways in the lock, "he won't get in now, not without a locksmith. Just a little hint I picked up back in Orange town."

Ruby blushed when he took the key from her because of how close he was towards her. He then walked her over to the couch and cleaned up the blood from her lip. "You....You didn't have to do that..."

"Which part?" he asked as he pulled off his white gloves. They were getting in the way of what he was trying to do, "....threatening your boyfriend or fixing you up?" He held her chin in one hand and gently wiped the blood away with a wet rag.

"...saving me from him...," she dropped her eyes down.

"Uh, yes I did....," he lifted her chin so she'd meet his eyes, ".....what kind of man would I be if I stood by and let him beat you? That's not something I'm okay with. Hitting ladies. It's where I draw the line."

"...," she then teared up. "He's the reason why I am like this...his mother knew I would leave so she cursed me...."

Buggy was now confused.

"Cursed you? You mean she used dark magic to put some type of gypsy curse on you? What's the curse? You turn into a werewolf every full moon?"

"...kinda....at night...I...I turn into a horrible...monster...so no one could love me...only he owns me..." she teared up more.

"....what kind of horrible monster? Because I've seen all types of monsters, especially sea monsters, so I don't scare easily."

"...I-I can't tell you...," she looked down crying.

"Alright, you don't have to tell me...," he felt awkward and didn't know what to do, so he gave her a hug, "....its alright. I'm sure whatever the curse is it can be broken."

Ruby hugged him back, gripping on him tightly, "the only thing I found out, is true love...but no one will love me..."

".....true love, again? That's clearly her answer to every problem. There's gotta be another way. I mean, there's no saying you won't meet your Prince Charming, but until then, we can look for another way. Maybe we can help figure out each other's problem."

Ruby looked up at him, "maybe..." she then rested her head on his shoulder still hanging onto him. She liked the comfort. She didn't have any friends besides Tony the Tiger and Peety the penguin. Buggy was like the only human friend she had now.

"It's not a maybe. We'll figure it out. Look, I know I can be bossy, it's because I'm use to having my own crew and being the captain, ringmaster, everything... so I'm sorry. You're helping me by letting me stay, so I kinda owe you. I'll help you break this curse."

"...you will?" She looked up at him still with sad, yet hopeful eyes.

He smiled down at her and wiped her tears away, then gently booped her nose with his finger, "of course I will. You have my word."

She blushed and then kissed his nose. Which made him froze up. He didn't know if he should be made or happy or what.

Without realizing he reached up and touched his nose where she'd kissed him. He felt completely mixed feelings by that.

"Uh.....you know, you've had a rough night so... you should take the bed. It is yours after all. I'll sleep on the couch."

"...no...it's best you...," she then stopped herself, "thank you." She then grabbed him a pillow and blanket to set up a bed for him. Once he laid down, she turned to him. "You know...you were very bossy in the show, so I get it why you are here, but...there's something's I guess didn't know about you...you're very nice...you just have a hard time showing it...and...I get that too...and...thank you...for protecting me from Rudy..."

Again Buggy was caught off guard not expecting this. He felt touched and defensive at the same time. He didn't like people knowing he had weakneses, and he felt she had him figured out. Maybe from this "show" she kept talking about.

"....when you've been alone as a kid in the grand line, then taken by pirates, you have to be tough. That's how life is out there. Being nice makes you vulnerable....," he then felt too awkward so he made a joke of the conversation, "you know what else a lot of people don't know about me? What an amazing kisser I am," he chuckled.

"...oh?" Suddenly her ears popped out looking like pine green fins so she covered them. "G-Goodnight." She ran into her room and shut the door. She then snuck out the window hoping he wouldn't hear her and dived into the lake nearby.

Buggy only heard the splash. He wondered if they were anywhere near the ocean. That made him feel better, a little less homesick. He took off his coat and pirate hat and lay back down on the couch, making himself comfortable.

Wow. He'd really freaked her out with that kissing comment. Maybe she didn't realize he was only kidding around. He then yawned and closed his eyes, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The whole night was quiet which made it a lot easier to sleep. Just before the sun was rising he woke up and decided to check on Ruby, but she wasn't in her room, but her window was opened. He began to panic and rushed out and looked for her around the cabin. Suddenly that's when he heard a beautiful voice by the lake singing.