A/N: I'm back! Finally, weekend! Time for chapter 4! Can't believe it!XD Sorry for slow updates, school stuffs got pretty complicated (exams and papers and deadlines whew!) Anyways, screw that! At least I manage to finish them all including this chapter!
Btw, thank you for reviewing, following and favoring the story! It was 'SUUUUUPER' appreciated! /o/ I have my replies below. Soooooo… for the mean time let's enjoy reading!
Chapter IV: Foolish Girl
Your reflection faded as your warm breathe brushed the circular transparent window of Heart Pirate's submarine. Your eyes were all fed up with the amazing phenomenon from the undersea. Dark. Cold. Yet very heart warming. You could even see bunch of unfamiliar sea monsters! This was the first time you will travel at the bottom of the sea. You never dreamt on it. It was like completely a new level of your adventure.
The ship dived even deeper. You shivered as the temperature went down. Out of inconvenience, you smudged the fog on the window, showing your own image. You suddenly focused on your reflection. You were reminded on the crazy things happened this morning. You couldn't help to recall how you ended up on the submarine and how you parted with your self-proclaimed brother, Mihawk.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Few hours earlier…
*puru puru puru*
*puru puru puru*
*puru puru puru*
The murmuring sound of the baby den den mushi was giving you an intense anticipation. You swallowed heavily as you watch the mini snail to be picked up from the other line. You're not used to it—using a transporter snail. The crimson orbs of your eyes wandered to the legendary swordsman, Dracule 'Taka no Me' Mihawk, who seemed to be relaxing himself—crossed arms and legs—while patiently waiting on a rock. Then suddenly…
*puru puru—*
*Kacha*
"Ah! They pick it up!" you said in your surprise. Mihawk revealed his golden eyes and then stared at your jolted expression. He remained silent, listening to the conversation.
"She actually came!" The baby den den mushi shrieked then rapidly switched into a nervous one.
"H-hi!"
You're not sure who's talking but they were probably Penguin and Shachi based on the reactions. You are astounded how this little snail can mimic and quickly adjust as the speaker changes. Then, it shifted again but this time its eyes became bored looking one and its voice turned into a serious but calm tone.
"Oi. You're too close."
That cold voice! No doubt it's his, Trafalgar Law!
"Where are you now?"
With those words, you suddenly felt tensed. A burst of burning glow rose on your cheeks.
"Eh? S-still at the shore…" you startled.
Mihawk saw your immediate reaction. He released a very low chuckle. You didn't notice it and so the snail.
"Stay there we're coming back."
His words… why the hell do you even feel awkward just listening to this snail? That masculine cold tone gives you a very strange chill down to your spines. Those weird sensations from the bar are coming back. You panicked. Mihawk, on the other hand, enjoyed watching you as you fluster.
"Ah! Wait! I… uhh… I'm not joining your crew!" you said.
Your bluntness made the great swordsman frowned. He suddenly appeared on your back and pulled your cheek as if he's mentally telling you not to ruin the chance.
"Aw! …yet…" you added.
He then tugged your other cheek. He mouthed you 'join them' but you said.
"No!"
His pinches and stretches continued and it freaking hurts!
"ah! urgh!" you reacted trying to endure it. He continued playing with your cheeks until you finally gave in.
"bwo-kei! Bfayn! A bwil…trai… [Okay! Fine! I will try…]", you mumbled glaring to the man torturing your tugged cheeks.
Mihawk raised a brow and released your cheeks which produced a low clapping sound. Your palm reached to your sored cheek, wanting to comfort it from the pain. You resumed looking at the mini snail and continued.
"…but… do you mind if I accompany you guys… umm… even for a moment?"
Suddenly, the bored-looking snail stretched its mouth forming a wide smile. This snail really is genuinely intelligent! Now, your mind couldn't help to think that Law was really in front of you.
"Sure", a low growl from him.
You panicked again turning the snail off. *Kacha*
Finally, you blew a sigh, relieved from that pandemonium conversation. You glanced to the man behind you who seemed to be disappointed. He lifted his hand and you flinched, crossing yours arms before your face. You were expecting more pinches but instead, he patted your head.
"You truly are foolish." smirked from the swordsman.
Hold on! He patted you then called you a fool? Ah! You totally fell for it! You almost forgot that this was one of his greatest hobbies, to insult you. Veins popped on your head creating an angry expression. He kept on saying 'foolish' on you for AGES as if you're the stupidest person that he ever met. True, there are times that you acted stupidly. But you two have just seen each other again and it's been years since you parted with him. You have grown already, mentally in a sense. Can't he just drop that rubbish nickname? You wanted to complain about it but…
"Have you met your red head supernova?" He spat out of the blue.
Red head supernova…? Does he mean Eustass Kid…? Oh yeah, after that incident at the Shabaody Archipelago months ago, those 11 pirates on the island that has above 100 million beli bounty on their heads were branded as supernovas… Hmm… why is he even asking? Probably out of boredom?
"Not ye—" Oh wait! He said YOUR red head supernova! 'Yours'!
Your statement was immediately halted as Mihawk's word echoed on your head. Upon absorbing those thoughts, a mild glow lingered your head and flowers started to bloom on the side of your face. You pressed a heavenly huge smile as you flustered in red.
"…yes… MY red head supernova…" you mumbled while drools deluging from your mouth.
Mihawk just dropped a sweat. You are still lusting to a man you never met, how incredible. He walked towards a rock and sat on it.
"Foolish girl, still having those fallacies…" he said folding his arms.
You sulked making the sweet flowers withered and the mild glow turned into heated shadows. "It's not a fallacy! It's true lo—"
"You can't be in loved with a person you never met." He interrupted. The swordsman couldn't help it. He's usually not the type of man that would lecture somebody about their feelings. But, you are an exception. He really cares for you and he wants you to wake back to the reality.
"Yes I can!" you defended puffing your cheeks. "And I did!"
Without losing his temper, he uttered. "That false emotion will only flop on you."
"It's not a false emotion!"
Mihawk closed his eyes then looked at the dusky sky probably asking his mind what the red-haired pirate even did to you to drive you this crazy. You never met the man. This means you have no idea what kind of a person he was. If the physical appearance was the basis of your obsession then you clearly are that stupid. He's not even that handsome to begin with. Your irrational way of thinking really irritates him. He always hated this part of you and this was one of the reasons why he hated you the first time he saw you. He asked you many times about your great addiction with the red head man and your answer was always the same, 'I don't know'. Are you really that foolish to fell in-love with a man you never met? Or was it really an act of 'true love'?
Mihawk, still not convinced on your so called 'love', exhaled, "You're totally blinded with that imprudent thought." He pierced his eyes on you, "Forget about him and try to focus on the people around you. I'm sure there are tons who adored you and you never noticed them. Don't waste your affections on something delusional. You'll just hurt yourself in the end."
You stomped your foot, making the soft sand scattered in the air. You glared to the black-haired swordsman, "NO! My heart only belongs to my Eustass Kidd! And don't worry, as promised I'll find him and prove you that you're wrong!"
Mihawk exhaled in defeat. He perfectly knew he'll never win against your stubbornness regarding your beloved Eustass Kid. You just won't listen no matter how many times he tried to confront you. And, you always find your ways to overthrow his sentiments. Years have passed and your absurd feelings to your imaginary lover never changed. What the hell did he even do to you to act like that? You really are possessed by that man.
"I'm going." He said.
Great! Now you pissed him! Mihawk can be as calm as a river but you are completely aware whenever he is mad. You know him too well. The two of you spent years to create such a bond. And it has been what? 2 years? Since the last time you've seen each other. You don't want your separation to be hanged with affliction. The conflict will just grow bigger if you don't settle things properly.
He turned his back to you. He was dead serious leaving. The gravel from the beach brushed in his boots. 'It can't end like this', your mind shouted. You gathered all your guts trying to strategize anything to fix the situation. He was about to take another step and guilt finally compelled you. Your sudden action made him to twitch. He glanced back at you, looking how you naively held his hand, his pinky.
You shied your eyes immediately to your shoulder after receiving his hawk-like stares. You pinched his finger softly. "S-sorry…" were the only words you could create. Then, it was followed with a massive blush due to embarrassment. You hated apologizing. It only makes you look like accepting your loss. But, lowering your pride was the least thing you could do for the sake of your bond. Besides, it was partly your fault to make him mad.
He didn't utter any word probably was surprised since this was the very first time you verbally apologized to him in a fight. The whip of the sea stroked the shore making the situation less deafening. He kept his lips closed as he stared on you. Apologizing maybe wasn't enough to fix the problem. You prepared yourself to swallow your own ego. You'll do anything to make the situation right. But suddenly, a burst of laughter was released from him.
You quickly turned to him with annoyance on your face—eyebrows met each other, orbs of your eyes shrunk and mouth were triangle-like shape. "W-why are you laughing?! I put my pride in line and you'll just laugh at that?!"
He held his hand covering his face from the sudden laughter. Slowly, he managed to calm himself. He looked to you, "My bad… I never knew you could actually mature like this." He patted you then pressed a smile as if proud of what you've become.
You were bit puzzled but didn't mind. As long as things between the two of you were fine then you won't mind. This made you fully relieved from all the tenses that happened. The dusky sky finally dispersed, revealing the clear blue sky and lightening your gigantic grin. Then, a gentle wind passed by. It flicked your hair softly, which reminds him.
"Your new hair suits you." his sarcastic mumbled. He knew you dyed it pink just to match with your red head lover. But he doesn't want to bring up that topic anymore. You always end up fighting whenever it concerns with Eustass Kid.
"Ah! You're starting it again!"
Mihawk just scoffed. He missed bullying you. "Your friends are here, you should go." He said switching his attention behind you.
You glanced back but only saw the waves of the sea. No one or perhaps nothing was there. Incidentally, a blue thin aura expanded to the shore. With a soft pon a tall man was teleported in front of you. It was Trafalgar Law.
"Surgeon of Death", uttered the great swordsman.
Law flicked his eyes to the figure behind you and surprised to see the world's greatest swordsman before him. "Taka no Me-ya, I never expected to see you here."
"So do I."
Law and Mihawk's eyes met. You tilted your head to both of them having a little bit of confusion. So they knew each other… Wait! Of course! They should know each other they're both Shichibukai after all. Later, those stares eventually became glares. Indeed, they were both Shichibukai but they were still pirates and pirates have always competition with one another. You couldn't help to notice but is it just you or the air became heavy and suffocating with the two of them?
Mihawk snickered. He pulled you closed to him earning enticing reactions from you and the young Shichibukai. He wrapped his arms around you squeezing you gently. You did the same as a response. You were clueless but take it as a farewell hug just like before. Law remained silent and calm but Mihawk can obviously see him pressing exasperation on his face probably to the dramatic scene he's watching.
"Here." Mihawk said throwing a piece of paper to Trafalgar Law.
Law snapped his hand in the air and caught it. He opened his hand, glanced to it and noticed an old ragged folded paper. You recognized that.
"Hey! That's my—"
"Kindly bring this girl to that man." Mihawk disrupted.
Your heart skipped a beat. Is he freaking serious?! Mihawk is helping you to see Eustass Kid even after completely opposing from your 'love' to the imaginary lover.
"Sorry but I don't deliver people." Law said calmly.
"I see. Then, do whatever you like to that paper just don't give that to her."
"Whaaaaaaat?! B-but… onii-samaaaaaaaaaa…." your comical reaction while your tears fell down like a waterfall.
Mihawk turned his back on you. "Stay lively, foolish girl."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Present…
You sighed then pressed a vague smile. You missed traveling, talking and even having arguments with Mihawk. But it can't be helped, he has his own journey and so you are.
Again, you stared at the dark sea beyond the window. Suddenly, you were reminded with your Eustass Kid's poster. You puffed a cloud like breathe knowing Law will never give it back no matter how many times you asked him. You were trying to think of some plans but eventually got distracted as you heard someone calling your name. You blinked and suddenly noticed Shachi behind you—your reflection. He called out your name several times. You turned to him then saw three of your Heart Pirate friends. Shachi smiled to you, Penguin beside him just waved his hand and Law was standing behind them leaning on the metallic wall while arms are crossed.
"I-is it true? You have such relationship with the Hawkeye? W-we were just wondering…" mumbled Shachi pointing his index fingers together hoping your reply isn't what he think it is. "B-but! If you don't want to answer it it's okay!" he added.
"Eh? Relationship? Yes, we do have", you blinked.
"I know I'm no place to say this but… isn't he a little bit… too old for you?" Penguin commented.
"SO THE TWO OF YOU WERE REALLY LOVERS?!" Shachi finally exclaimed while exaggeratedly flooding tears and nasal fluids.
"We're what?!" you choked. "Oh wait! You're taking it wrong! We only have a brother-sisterly love. Our relation is like a family!" you explained waving your hands. "I don't see him as a fatherly material so I tend to call him onii-sama."
Shachi and Penguin exchanged glances. They seemed to be doubtful about it. The two of you were too close to be just brothers. He is a man and you are a… girl. They couldn't help themselves to get curious on your affiliation with the great Dracule 'Taka no Me' Mihawk. You already told them this morning that you traveled with him for a long time, almost 5 years to be precise. But, they're really intrigued on your relationship with him. Probably they're minds were just really wild. Well, who would even imagine that Mihawk has a female traveler with him, not just an ordinary female traveler but an adorable little child-looking woman like you? It's hard to believe, even for you, that you have such a bond with the notorious swordsman.
"Uhh… it's kinda complicated… it's not like what you think…" you mumbled scratching your cheeks, "…our history is REALY quite a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG…" you said while spreading your hands horizontal to your shoulder before continuing, "and not so good story to start with…"
"Tell us!", eager plead of Shachi and Penguin.
You were hesitant to open your mouth. How the hell can you even tell them that you and your beloved brother happened to hate each other to the core that Mihawk tried to kill you and you wanted to kill him that badly like for more than a year. You don't want them to know. Never! It was really unnecessary. Or perhaps you thought.
A/N: Oops! That's it for now! Just a preparation for the big events!:D I just hoped you guys liked this chapter. Umm… I would like to apologize for having long chapters (around 2.5k++ up to 4k++ words per chapter). I know others can see it as something boring to read. I tried my best to make it short as possible but too unfortunate to succeed, I'm really sorry!
Anyhow… how was it? Please do review, comment or event rant! I truly appreciate them all! I want to know what my readers think about the story.
umm... reply time!
ShadouMage-san, weeeeeee~ so happy that I could somehow satisfy your fanfic hunger! And yeah, the past with Mihawk is now partly revealed! XD Heart Pirates adventures will come soon! Thank you for reviewing!
animeotaku0434-san, yay! A new reader and reviewer! Thanks for reviewing! It really is appreciated!:D I won't let you down!
AmaeYume-san, glad to know you liked it! I know Mihawk is so HOT despite his current age ohohoho~ anyways, thanks for the review!XD
AxleMarionette-san, thanks for thinking it that way!XD I promise next chapters will be even more exciting!
And… (sorry for placing you last, I have quite a message for you)
Ris-san, i'm VERY glad you keep on re-reading and reviewing this fic, i'm kinda curious though, you're reviewing as a guest... uhh... I want to personally message you about your question but i can't so i put it here! This explanation is somehow long but I made it as simple as possible so please bear with me XD. This might also help other readers to understand more on Japanese culture.
So, first thing first, as you can see i based my story on its original culture which is Japanese. I'm using some Japanese terms and names/nicknames because there are words that are BEST to be RETAINED (e.g. Nakama, Tora-o, Marimo). XD about Trafalgar Law's nickname, i find Japanese suffixes quite fascinating since you can know a person's relation to the other on the way you call them (-san for mister/miss; -sama for higher respect; and some are for closeness/adoration –tan, -chan, -kun, -chi, -shi and MORE). In the anime and manga (japanese), Luffy and some of his crew calls Law as "Tora-o" which in english is "Tra-guy" or others translated it as "Traffy". So let's explain first how come 'tra' became 'tora'. Japanese have their own language and own way reading it (Nihongo). They don't have English alphabet (a,b,c…x,y,z) but they have their 'hiragana' and 'katana' as their writing and romanji for translating japanese characters into English alphabets (…ra,ri,ru,re,ro… ta,chi,tsu,te,to… etc…) It's kinda complicated to explain haha… but to make it simple, they have few sounds that can't make. In short, they have no 'tr' sound but has 'to' and 'ra' which is relatively close to 'tra'. (Trafalgar Law's romanized name was 'To . ra . fa . ru . ga— Ro—')
About the "Tora-chii", the 'chii' here is same with the suffix '-chi' which also means 'chan'. If you're curious what 'chan' means, it's just a simple suffix with somewhat adoration to a person (maybe friends or crush haha). 'Chi' or 'chii' or 'chiiii' is a made up suffix typically used by female users since it has a cuter sound than chan, I guess…
So basically, calling Trafalgar Law as Tora-chii indicates that the two of you have 'something'. And yeah, you can call it a nickname but not just an ordinary nickname ahahaha… did I answer your question? Or I made it worse?
Again, thanks to everyone reading this fic! Don't forget to Review please!:D