Chapter II

Mihawk's POV

Finally home sweet home.

That fight was quite interesting. I would never admit aloud. Ace is not dead, along with white beard. This was a great disturbance in the balance of good and bad in the world. Things should be getting interesting once again.

I stopped once I stepped inside my castle of a house; I sensed two presences of intruders. For some reason, both of these presences were weak, making it apparent that they have just left. There was still warmth lingering on my guest bed. There is still a little trace of blood on the bed. That would explain why the presences were weak.

Injuries.

My mind stopped analyzing the presences once I saw a huge hole on my wall. I stepped through the huge hole, and that lead to a series of holes to the entrance of the forest. Normally I would have just ignored this and went to my chambers. This excitement of the battle was more than enough adventure for me for a day.

However, something about the injured spirit bothered me. For some reasons it seemed oddly familiar.

I decided to follow this path, not really expecting to run into anyone exciting.

As I was walking towards the forest. I heard the scream of a young girl. The humandrills were probably attacking the pair of intruders. I quickened my pace and found the source of the scream.

Surely, the humandrills were attacking the pair and my eyes widened as a saw a glimpse of green hair falling towards the ground.

I unintentionally frowned.

Before the human drill sensed me, I drew my sword, ending all of the humandrills' lives. How darn they attack my not so respectful guests.

I took a closer look at the green haired youngster. He was panting hard, covered in blood and bloody bandages. Old wounds that have tore open and new wounds dripping with blood. Even in this barely conscious state, he was still not lacking that beast like desire for battle. There were two human drills that I did not kill, and they were killed by the wild soul.

I smiled.

He has grown stronger. That impulsive kid with the pure urge to grow stronger and become the best of the best, I still remember that day clearly. A nameless young private challenged the world's best swordsman.

Not one bit of fear to be spotted in his eyes; just commitment and desire. He was impulsive, but not stupid. After the first couple of moves, he realized the differences in strength and accepted defeat.

"It's a swordsmans shame to carry a scar on his back."

That when when I proudly drew my black sword and marked him with a scar. The cut not deep enough to kill him. But unforgettable nonetheless. The humandrills were not very easily to get rid of. He killed two in this weak state. The excitement was flowing through me and that was when I noticed the pinked haired girl weeping behind the young swordsman.

There was fear in her eyes and I withdrew my smile.

I walked towards the girl and picked up the wounded youngster. His wounds were a little bit worrisome, but he will live. I knew he was able to sense me and my blades when I killed the humandrills.

Perona's POV

Mihawk picked up Zoro as gently as a child. The amount of tenderness and gentleness was surprising. It was hard to tell whether or not the two knew each other. Before Zoro fell to the ground, I was sure he saw the War Lord.

But he frowned.

Yet the War Lord was so nice towards to the pirate!

It was surprising that the War Lord knew the not so famous private. Although, when he saw Zoro at first, he did not look very happy.

I thought he was going to kill him.

But then, after killing all the baboon, he stared at Zoro and smiled. It was a nice smile. What was terrifying was what came afterwards; there was this hungry look in his eyes. The desire or lust for something, it was unsettling.

Alright, down right terrifying! How they hell did they meet each other? I really wanted to know. I looked towards the stoic War Lord. Fine, never mind, I will just wait for Zoro to wake up and ask him. If he was still alive; he had to be still be alive. The stupid muscle head saved my life. Ah, I had to save the stupid head. I followed the hawk man into the castle. I wonder why Mihawk was here anyway. My thoughts were interrupted by a command.

"Tend his wounds." The hawk man stated, if it was anyone I would have not obeyed. He laid Zoro on bed and left the room.

I sighed. The stupid muscle head needed to be re-bandaged. I sat next to Zoro and Mihawk came in with medicine and fresh bandages. There were not a lot left. But before I could complain or ask for more, the hawk man left. I whined and moved to my task. I started tending the unconscious frowning man.

Three Days Later

Zoro's POV

The simple task of opening my eyes were more painful than lifting weights a million times.

Oh God, how weak did I seem in front of Mihawk?

My eyes finally opened, the light was blinding.

"Stupid! You are finally awake!" The high pitched girl voice floated above my head. "How are you feeling? Good? Bad? Want water? Can you move?Of course you cant move? But you are stupid, I wouldn't know. You are finally awake! You were like dead for like 4 days, but I was so awesome and amazing and patched you up. Did you see..."

I started zoning out, this was way too much noise to handle just after waking up. I wanted to fall about into my deep slumber, but the words felt out of my mouth before it even went through my brain.

"Luffy."

Seemingly having heard my words, the pink hot head finally stopped talking. I looked at her questionably. That was when Hawk eyes entered.

"Roronoa Zoro, you are finally awake."

"Dracule Mihawk." I acknowledge him and sit up. Not wanting him to chide me, or think as if I was weak.

"You were speaking of your captain, Luffy ." He glared at me, "I saw him at a battle before returning home. It was the White beard battle, Ace is dead, White Beard is dead... Your captain is..."

"Alive right? " I blurted out, my heart was pounding against my chest.

He smirked, "I attacked the boy." My eyes widened as I placed my hands on my sword, "But yes, he is still alive. " The sigh of relief past through my entire body.

Mihawk visibly tensed. But continued, "You must be wanting to get back to him."

Suddenly the pink hair girl ran back into the room (no one noticed she was gone) with newspaper. Luffy was on the front cover.

"Perona," I called her by her name, "Can I see that newspaper?"

She nodded, patronizingly quiet, and held the paper in front of my face.

Mihawks' POV

I wasn't sure why I was so annoyed. It was apparent that I did not have the full attention of Roronoa Zoro, but what did that have to do with me. I observed the younger man carefully. His youthful face yielding a worried expression, and then it gradually changed into shock.

He probably wants to go and find his dear captain, that though annoyed me even more. Maybe I need some sleep. "Roronoa, would you need a ship?"

There was a pause, "No. Luffy told me to stay where I am."

Message through that picture, he is not as dull as he seems.

"For two years."

I was back to my neutral state and merely nodded.

"You may do whatever you like."

"Dracule Mihawk, I want you to train me. "

It was spoken not as a plead, a question, but with a strong sense of authority. I smirked, the little tiger finally showing his fangs.

"Let's see how much you have improved." I drew my tiny blade.

Zoro sat up from bed, shakingly, but he would live, he needed to live.

"Stupid head! You can't battle him right now! You will die. " That pink haired ghost girl whined, I glared at her and she quickly left.

Zoro stood firmly and drew his swords and attacked.

They were more powerful, precise and swift. There was also a new blade, more of a problematic child, though well controlled. But it was not enough. I blocked his attacks easily, appearing as if I was bored.

"Kiki Kyutoryu: Asura." He whispered.

It was an amusing attack, with high speeds and enough power, it would seem that he appeared like the deity, Asura. He has certain grown more powerful, but it was not enough. It was time to end this scrimmage, I did not want to permanently damage the tiger.

I attacked and flicked all three of his swords far away from him and slightly smiled.

"Why do you want to become stronger?" I asked.

"To become the best and surpass you." He replied with no moment to spare.

"That is not that answer I am looking for. " I relaxed and withdrew my swords.

He knelt on the ground and bowed his head, "To protect everything I care for."

It was well said, seeing the proud Roronoa Zoro bow down was truly an impressive sight. My judgement was beginning to be fogged.

He asked an expected question, "Mihawk, why did you become the best?"

I before I realized what I was doing, I pinned Zoro against the ground. One hand holding both his wrists above his head, breathing in his unique, addicting scent, starring right into his dark eyes. I stayed like that for 5 seconds.

Dead silence.

What was I doing, did I want to rip out his youth, inexperienced wings and ruin him? I could not.

Frowning at my own actions, I quickly stood up and walked back to my chambers for a quick cold shower. Leaving a confused Zoro behind. Hopefully the bath would calm my head and cool my entire body. I was not mad at Zoro, not at all. I do not know why I suddenly had to urge to claim his lips and body.

Not willing to lose my collectiveness again, I turned the water to freezing.

To Be Continued.