If you were to ask Mihawk what he thought of Death, he would gladly inform you that Death was a dick and he shouldn't be trusted. His fingers tightened around the splintered piece of wood he was clinging to with irritation and determination. It had been two days and he was beginning to develop a migraine from being out in the sun so long with no food or water. Had he been any weaker or not as determined he would have called out for Death, but he didn't want to give the smug man any fuel to the fire.

A shadow fell over him and he looked up wearily at the ship slicing through the water before him. He didn't know whether to think it was a mirage or not when a Man with the oddest mustache and long black hair looked over the railing. "Do ya need help there boy?" He asked and Mihawk twitched at being called such a name.

His energy failed him suddenly though and his eyes widened as the board finally cracked and gave way, sending him into the sea.

"Shit! Shanks, go get him before he drowns." Mihawk barely heard the warbled voice, but he did register the fact someone had dived into the water after him.

To make it easier on the other, he tried his best to assist in swimming back to the surface. It was difficult because of the long and awkward sword on his back, but he wouldn't lose it to the sea. It was a gift… They broke the surface, spluttering and coughing for air and the Captain barked orders to get them back on deck.

They worked quick and soon were thrown to the wooden floorboards to dry out. "Nice work Shanks." Mihawk noticed that the red head seemed to perk up at the praise and wondered what kind of man their Captain was to get such a response…

He watched the red head pop to his feet and snag a straw hat from a blue haired boy with an… unfortunate looking nose… No ones nose should be that round… or red. "Thank you Captain. I thought we'd both drown though with that sword of his." He said and Mihawk felt all the eyes fall back onto him and Yoru.

A low sigh escaped him and he tensed when one man tried to grab his sword, barely restraining the urge to attack. "Calm down kid. If we wanted to hurt you, we'd have left ya to drown." The Captain pointed out though it did nothing to ease Mihawk's mood.

He nodded and slowly stood to his feet, offering his hand to the red head who was still sitting on the deck. The other teen grinned and accepted it, grabbing onto Mihawk's forearm and allowing himself to be hauled up on his feet. "You have my thanks. My name is Dracule Mihawk." His voice came out slow and bored. It really wasn't his fault though because he was tired… and hungry…

The Captain looked at him in amusement, "What did you do to be floating in the water?" He asked.

Mihawk's eye twitched and he took a deep breath, "My… friend… thought it funny to send me off unprepared. When I awoke, I was on the drift wood." He admitted and they laughed much to his chagrin and annoyance.

"Well you can sail with us until we hit the next island, how's that?" He asked and Mihawk nodded. It wasn't as if he had much choice in the matter after all. "Good. My name's Roger by the way. Shanks and Buggy will show you around." That was the last of the conversation apparently as Roger turned and headed back to the bow of the ship where Mihawk assumed he had been standing previously.

"Alright," Shanks clapped his hands together with a grin. "Let's start with the kitchen. I bet you're hungry after staying out there for who knows how long." He said and threw an arm over Mihawk's shoulders while Buggy scuttled away from the two.

He gave Shanks a look before grabbing his hand and removing the offending appendage. "Try and restrain from touching me." He said dryly and crossed his arms.

Shanks made a face, "You frown too much." He declared and began walking. "Don't worry though. I'll make you laugh soon enough." Shanks through back a grin and Mihawk reluctantly followed.

"I highly doubt that…" He said and watched Shanks cautiously.

"Well the Galley is in here and that Rayleigh. He's the first mate and can cook decently well." Shanks blabbered and continued about how cool Rayleigh was and so on.

"Shanks." Rayleigh managed to stop the word vomit coming out of the red head's mouth and motioned to Mihawk. "Your friend?" He asked.

"Oh, this is Hawk-eyes. We just fished him out the water and I figured he'd be hungry so…" He gave a hopeful grin and Rayleigh chuckled before tossing over an apple and bag of what smelled to be dry meats, but Mihawk wasn't sure. "Thanks."

"My name is Dracule Mihawk." He corrected and watched as Rayleigh just laughed and seemingly didn't care to know. It put Mihawk off a bit… to see how care free and yet careless they were. It was worse than his first year in the damned castle… He wouldn't be here long though and then he wouldn't see them ever again. It wasn't like he needed friends after all. All he needed was to be the best swordsman in all the world.

"Well you have the eyes of a Hawk so I can see why you would start getting called that." Rayleigh stood up and stretched after he said his words and gave the two one last smile before disappearing through another door.

The rest of the tour seemed to go by in a blur for Mihawk and while he barely paid attention, he still memorized the layout. They ended up back on deck and Mihawk leaned Yoru against the wooden wall of the navigational room on the top deck before resting against the railing.

Shanks grinned and gripped the railing next to him, looking out to the setting sun. "I'm going to head to sleep." He said and looked over to Mihawk with a softer expression. "Just head down to the men's quarters when you're ready and wake me up. I'll show you where you can sleep then." He said and before Mihawk could utter a single word, the red head had already turned and headed off across the deck.

Mihawk sighed and watched as the last of the sun vanished along the horizon before sitting down against the wall next to his sword. Buru Buru Buru. He jolted a bit at the odd noise. It continued until he found the source in his pocket. It was a small… snail… Ca-lik "Hello?" He muttered in confusion.

The snail's expression changed from neutral to a wide smile. "Hello my little Hawk." Mihawk's eye twitched at the familiar and cheerful voice.

"Why did you put me on the drift wood?" He snapped out in irritation. A low growl in the back of his mind agreeing to his protest.

"Eh?" Death seemed unconcerned. "I wanted you to call for me… you didn't though."

"Because a Pirate crew picked me up out the ocean. A man named Roger. He said they'd take me to the nearest island."

"Aw~ I wanted to see you again!"

"You can see me when I'm dead… like a normal person."

"Oh… well then… have fun my little Hawk. We'll talk again soon."

Ca-lik The line went dead and the snail fell back asleep in the palm of his hand. Mihawk continued to stare for a moment and a fond smile pulled at his lips. Putting the snail back in his pocket, he leaned back against the wall and let his eyes slide shut. It was time to rest.

Shanks wandered back on deck with a loud yawn, stretching his arms to the sky as he went. His eyes scanned the deck and he waved to Roger with a grin before going back to his search. "Shanks go wake up Hawky tell 'im we'll be at the island in two hours." His Captain ordered and he responded with a crisp confirmation to the order.

He looked across the deck before going back up to the upper parts of the deck where they had been last. A devious smile worked it's way onto his lips when he saw the haw-like boy sleeping though and he pulled out a bottle of ink. He did a little dance before going over quietly.

A grin formed as he dipped his finger into the green ink and was an inch from Mihawk's face when the other's eyes snapped open. Both froze, a hair's breath away from each other and a flush fell across Shanks' cheeks. Mihawk on the other hand was unamused and grabbed Shanks wrist to pull away the offending finger.

"Next time, know your target before attempting." He warned dryly and watched as Shanks laughed unevenly.

"Well I thought you were sleeping…" He muttered and put away the ink before wiping his finger off on his pants.

"Is there any reason you came to wake me?" Mihawk asked in annoyance as he stood, brushing himself clean.

Shanks nodded, "Yeah, Captain says we'll be docking in about two hours." He said and Mihawk nodded, grabbing up Yoru to return the behemoth weapon to his back.

"Very well." Mihawk crossed his arms and stared out to the horizon.

It was quiet for all of two seconds before Shanks decided the silence needed to be broken. "Hey, why didn't you come get me last night so I could show you where you could sleep?" He asked, shifting from foot to foot.

There was a pause and Mihawk turned to him, "Why is that any of your concern?" He asked.

A pout formed on Shanks' lips, "I'm just trying to be your friend, what's so wrong with that?" He asked and Mihawk saw the spark of determination… it didn't bode well for him…

Mihawk levelled him with a piercing stare and spoke slowly, "I do not need friends so you should forget of ever trying to become mine." He said and then regretted it when he saw the spark turn into more of a fire.

Shanks smiled widely punching his fist into an open hand. "Then that makes it a challenge!" A long sigh escaped Mihawk and he walked away from the red head, but Shanks only followed him… for the rest of the day…

"Alright Hawky, this is where we part ways." Roger said with a grin on his face. It seemed like it never left the man's face actually.

He nodded, "Indeed. May Davy Jones be kind on your voyage." Mihawk said and watched as Roger left. "Goodbye Shanks." He added and turned to go. His first step was met with resistance though when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist and kept him in place. A sigh escaped him and he settled, "Shanks, let me go." He warned.

"No," Shanks tightened his hold, "Not until you say we'll at least meet again. I haven't had long enough to make you my friend yet!" He said defiantly.

"You really want to be my friend so badly? You won't turn your back on me or betray me?" Mihawk asked and felt Shanks let go so they could be face to face.

"No, I always protect my friends." His voice was firm and determined.

A small smile worked it's way on Mihawk's lips and he brushed past Shanks. "Then become someone who can fight equally against me with a blade." He said and continued on.