Hello everyone,
Without much further words, because I'm in a little rush today, here is the next chapter.
Thank you all for reading, commenting and favoring/following (especially Anana16 )
Until next time
Sharry

Chapter 4 – Counterpart

-Mihawk-

He watch amused, as the slightly pale features of his guest turned into bright red, while the young child tried to escape, but failed in his attempt, because he was stuck in between the householders' legs, who was still braiding his hair.

"But Loreen, please do not move, I do not want to rip out any of your beautiful hair."

Just then his former Nanny finally looked up to him.

"Welcome home, milord. I hope you were successful at whatever task you were at. If you feel hungry, you may help yourself with the food from yesterday, in the fridge."

His eyes were still fixed at the young girl.

"Loreen?" He asked with a small grin. His favorite rival stared at him furiously.

"Of course, that is her name. Did you forget to ask her? Sometimes I am shocked about your rude behavior."

The girl at her feet tried to interrupt her, failing once again. His angered expression amused Mihawk even more. Smirking he tried to keep himself from laughing.

"Stop grinning like that, you idiot!" His guest barked at him making it even harder for him to control his facial muscles.

"But dear child!" Kanan hissed desperate. "A lady is not in need for such words!"

"I can use a whole lot of…"

"Kanan," the landlord interrupted both women. Although his voice was not loud, his dark sound silenced them. One thing he appreciated, next to that enraged look of this tomboy.

"I would like to talk to my guest."

"Of course!" She answered happily, sliding to the side and offering him a free spot on the couch.

"Or you would like to eat something meanwhile?"

He shook his head.

"Kanan, I would like to talk alone with…" He interrupted himself, searching for the right words. The other might had his reasons to hide the truths from Kanan, besides it was quite entertaining. "With this young lady here."
"Oh, I understand."

"Young Lady?!" The girl gasped, jumping up with a red colored head.

Surprised the housekeeper looked down to the bewitched pirate, who breathed heavily in his rage.

Mihawk on the other hand just raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

He tried to combine his picture of Roronoa Zoro with this girl. But except for those cold, hard eyes those two humans had nothing in common. His memories showed him a young warrior, his body steeled from strict training and a grim will. A young talent in the arts of swordfights, but hindering himself due to his own arrogance.

The young woman appeared to be the complete opposite. This fragile body of a lady, who never had to work in her life. The braided-up hair made that delicate face look more mature, more proud, but except for that he was facing an innocent child.

But then he looked in those eyes and knew that both people were one and the same.

"Kanan, if you would mind," he addressed the older lady, who got up.

"Of course," she murmured, looking down to the guest.

"Okay honey, now you look like a lady. I will be in the kitchen, just in case you need me."

She bowed down and whispered something to that girl, who just raised an eyebrow.

"Very well, I will prepare some food." The housekeeper smiled, passing the Shichibukai.

"Please try to behave, Sire. I do not want to scold you."

He folded his arms. "No fear, our guest is capable of defending."

"I'm not your guest"

"Cute, how you try to look threatening." He sneered evilly walking towards the pirate. The girl did not make one step backward. Roronoa clenched his fists angrily, ready for a fight. He looked down.

"So, young lady, what shall I do with you?"
For his entertainment the youngster just bit his lip without answering. However he gave the pirate credit for not losing any of his ground, but looking up forcefully.

"This dress fits you, Loreen." He commented plain, after they had just stared at each other for seconds with none of them giving in. The other one threw that comment away with his hand, not once taking his eyes away.

"Shut up! Your housekeeper isn't able to shut her mouth for one second."

A grin spread over the Shichibukai's lips.

"And yet you do not contradict her?"

The other one blushed ashamed.

"It's not like she would let me get a word in edgewise."

He laughed softly.

"Indeed. It is quite troublesome to overcome her voice."
Now the child crossed his arms.

"So what do you want?"
It was truly surprising how insulting this frail voice could sound. Yes, this woman was undoubtedly Roronoa Zoro. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

He sat calmly down in his grand armchair, facing the pirate and the couch behind him. He crossed his legs, not taking his eyes from the other one for even a second and caressing his bear with a grin.

"You are quite forward for a guest."
"And once again: I'm not your guest. I'm just here because you practically forced me to. If not I would have been long gone."

After a moment of silent the girl took a seat as well. However Mihawk could see the tensed muscle easily. His guest did not trust him at all.

"You should ease yourself, Roronoa. It is not like you need to expect a combat."
Those cold eyes pierced through him, he seemed really mad.

"And why are you so relaxed? You know exactly that I'm after your title."

A sarcastic laughter escaped his lips unwanted.

"Oh please. As if you had ever embodied a thread to me."

Well, that hit home.

He could watch, how his thoughtless words hit the other swordsman right at his pride, how his facial features got out of control for a second, before the other one could compose himself and lowered his head.

The Shichibukai was irritated by himself. Once again the other one made him say things, he did not want to share. And now that child was cowering at the sofa in a picture of misery. Well done, really well done.

With a sigh he put his hands on his knees, loosening his shoulders. He absolutely needed to pull himself together, if he was close to the other one.

"On the other side I have to admit, that I am impressed by you."

Slowly those green eyes looked up again, still holding a grudge in their view.

"Which man can claim to take down a complete marine base single-handedly? If the navy knew that you are still alive, you would have gained a tremendous foe."

The other one crossed his arms again, but some of his hostility seemed to disappear. Good. The tactician within him knew that it was easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar.

"The navy is already my enemy. Besides, I was just able to do what I did because of a lot of coincidences. Without all of that smuggler-stuff, my escape-plan would have been useless."

"That might be true." The older one agreed, leaning back, quite pleased with his skill of getting the younger one into this conversation with him. "But it is also true, that the whole life is just a combination of odd coincidences and unscheduled circumstances. Otherwise none of us two would be here tonight."

The other one wanted to reply but the black haired one kept going. "But it takes a good strategist to consider those unknown variables in an efficient plan. And only a good strategist can be a good a fighter. Especially in the swordsmanship."

To his surprise the girl only raised an eyebrow.

"Say, you wanna give me a lesson in theory? Then don't! I've not fallen that deep, to ask for your fighting tricks."

For a second the Shichibukai closed his eyes.

The other one was right. What was wrong with him? He had started chatting. He never chatted.

It was absolutely useless and unproductive. Why was he talking about stuff like that with the other one?

Besides, the last thing he wanted to do, was instruct the other one. This would be against his pride and honor. Luckily the youth seemed to agree on that.

"Back to the topic…" The almost bored voice of his guest called him back. "Did you gather some information?"

He opened his eyes and looked at this young woman in front of him.

"Oh right." He murmured, somehow losing all his energy and stood up. Somehow his good mood had disappeared within seconds and he was not certain why. With heavy feet he left the room.

"Stay seated." He told his guest. In the hallway the singing voice of the housekeeper was easy to hear.

-Zoro-

A little bit lost he was sitting in this huge dark room, while the Shichibukai disappeared into the corridor. He really was stuck within a strange situation. He wondered for another time if he could be asleep. Maybe due to the malnutrition and the infected injury he was caught in a real appearing delirium. In fact it was more likely for him to still be in that prison instead of actually succeeding in his escape and now being in that little girl's body, coincidentally found by his greatest rival. No, the longer he thought about it, the more certain he was. The question left was just about how to wake up.

His gaze was fixed at the doorframe, slowly raising his hand and pinched his arm. It hurt! But not more than this. He was still in this body, still at this place. Damn!

After all he would have preferred to be in his cell, to be honest. But at least this also meant, he really did safe his friends.

Seconds later the other swordsman showed up against, carrying a black bag in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

"There you are!" Hawk Eyes growled doting. Somehow his whole attitude did change within seconds. He did not appear as calm and superior as before, but annoyed and grumpy. Suddenly Zoro thought of him being way more likeable this way. The elderly dumped the bag head over heels; a dozen or so different books fell out. Confused the pirate looked up.

"What about this? You said you wanted to get information about my crew. I'm not sure there is already a book written about us."
Now it was the black haired one who raised an eyebrow, before throwing the newspaper on top of the pile of books.

"You truly are ungrateful." He said annoyed.

The girl grinned. "It was your idea, after all. Don't blame me for this."

Once again green met yellow and none of them were giving in.

"You really like to irritate me, don't you?"

"Well maybe it's not me, but you are the problem. I mean look at you, you're getting on a bit, must be tough in your age to deal with younger ones. How many years do you have under your belt by the way? 50?"

-Miahwk-

Before he was aware, of what he was actually doing, he jumped over the small table. Both knees were crashed into the couch, to the left and the right of that fragile body. With his left hand he packed the back of the sofa and with his right he hit hard.

The couch toppled over rumbling.

Not a hair was between his fist and this innocent looking face.

"And you're talking quite big for such a small character." He hissed through gritted teeth. Just in the last moment he had been able to stop himself from actually hitting the other one. Otherwise he would have killed his guest without any doubt.

"What happened to you?" The woman asked simply, still with folded arms, crossing the legs, one of it striking his thigh.

"What do you mean?" Mihawk growled deeply. Few strands of hair had escaped the braiding, going wild into all directions. But except for that his guest stayed calm. Unlike himself. His heart was beating fast and he was so enraged, he would love to choke the other one to death. Like a pendulum his necklace swayed over the chest of the other one. With this weapon he has defeated the other one back then, using less energy than he did in this moment. An evil grin darkened those childish features. This woman under him suddenly became more threatening than the bloodthirsty pirate he actually was.

"Apparently I do upset you."

"Pardon?!" He spit mad. But he could not deny what he just did.

"When we met at the East Blue, you were as cool as a cucumber. You scolded me and not matter what I did, it wasn't enough to really impress you. Not even Ruffy was interesting enough for you. You were downright bored. Every action of yours' had been mature and wise. Being a strategist you despise headless acting and use this to your advantage."

Surprise covered his anger. The other one had seen through him within minutes apparently.

"But now look at you. It's easy to irritate you and you're unable to control your emotions. One wrong word and you're acting before thinking. Where's this all so mighty swordsman? Where's the strategist? I might be the one stuck in the wrong body, but you're the one having no idea who you are."

His hand was still raised, as he starred at the other one for ages. Cool and clear those green eyes looked back. He was not afraid of him.

Not afraid of his power nor his gaze. All human avoided him. Even Kanan and Jirou gave in to his will, sometimes maybe just to protect him. But he was different.

And somehow this man had been able to overcome his wall. One word of him was enough to shake the world of the Shichibukai. Why did he feel entitled to do so?

"What is going on here?!" The panicking voice of the housekeeper swept through the room.

"What are you doing, milord?!"

She was already there. He let his arm down and stood up.

"It is all…"

He offered his hand do his rival, but the firm woman pushed him aside, energetic.

"My poor little one! Are you hurt?"

Heady she pulled the pirate into one of her heartedly hugs, who failed to struggle against it.

"No Kanan. I'm fine…"

"And you, Sire!" She did not even listen to her cub. "I told you to behave! What has gotten into you?"

He just stood there. The last time she yelled at him like this had to be at least three decades ago. Suddenly he was back being that young boy, who destroyed the fruit stand. Embarrassed he looked away and put the couch back on its feet.

"Now say something, Sire!" She demanded determined. "To treat a guest like this. Your mother would turn over in her grave if she would see how her only son treats a la…"

"Kanan."

An unexpected small voice came to his aid, silencing the loud voice of the housekeeper. Her name had been nothing more than a whisper, but she as well focused her gaze not anymore at the landlord but at the girl in front of her.

"Don't be so upset. It's alright."

"But, but…" The voice of the elderly woman trembled, like she was almost crying.

"This is not the way a nobleman should treat a lady!"

It was quiet for a heartbeat. The world had stopped for this time.

And suddenly a soft laughter filled the room. Frozen the Shichibukai watched the young woman, who was his best enemy. He laughed softly, a hand at his stomach. Strands of green hair blocking his view. The way he laughed he seemed really the happiest person in the world.

"Loreen, what are you laughing about? This is not funny." The black haired lady asked concerned.

"It's not funny," the girl answered still laughing, "It's just really a macabre situation. I don't know whether I'm coming or going and I would love a good fight."
The child laughed on, but Mihawk saw, how those eyes became blurry, the voice trembling.

"Kanan, please be so kind to prepare the dining room."

He was aware that she wanted to reply, but one look was enough to make her leave.

Slowly he walked over to the pirate, who was still laughing, the voice lighter and higher than before.

"I am not the only one who got lost, am I?" He asked calm.

The other one shook his head, hiding his eyes with his hands, while the laughter slowly turned over.

"It's just," Roronoa barely whispered, "I'm just missing them!"

Suddenly tears ran down those tender cheeks.

"And I know that even if I'm able to return to them." Miahwk looked down to the desperate swordsman, wiping away tears. "I cannot protect them anymore. Not like this."

Insecure he raised his hands. He was not good at feelings, neither with his own nor with other ones. He was just good at using them against his enemies.

"And I cannot stop myself from crying in this stupid woman's body. In front of the fucking you! I never bawl at all! All those emotions are exploding in my head. I cannot think straight anymore!"

Helpless he was standing there, staring at the other one. Compassion grew within him. Clumsily he put his hands on those trembling shoulders.

"Look at it this way, Roronoa. You wanted to proof me how much you could change until our next encounter. Well, I admit, I was not expecting such a drastic change."

A small fist hit his chest.

"Ain't funny. Asshole!"

Reflexive he held that hand and pulled the other towards him. Remembering his mother in his childhood, he embosomed this child, placing his chin on this trembling head.

"I know."
For round about ten seconds this girl in his arms was not moving at all and he already doubted his decision, when suddenly those shoulders started shaking. Small hands clawed into his shirt and the pirate sobbed.

He did not know how long he was holding his favorite rival. He was still crying, his small body trembling. What had he taken into this house?

If some days ago someone would have told him, he would hold the sobbing Roronoa Zoro, he would have shrugged it off before nicely decapitating that person. But now he was standing here without any idea what to do. This morning he had been happy about not knowing what would happen this day. Now he would love to have some guidance.

The last time he was holding someone crying had been years ago. But that time he was devastated himself. Since that day he had promised himself to be never caught of guards by his own feelings, which had worked quite well, until he read the newspaper yesterday…

After long minutes or maybe only short seconds, the green haired one freed himself. Bowing ashamed his blushed, tear stained head. His hair stuck out in all directions, thin arms holding his own chest. Obviously the pirate was trying to compose himself while despising his own actions.

He knew hat expression just too well. Softly smiling he put his hand on this green hair.

Appalled the pirate looked up. Remembering his mother he said those next words, just like she would do it.

"We will eat something for now, before going back to business."
His young guest was nodding silently, grateful that Mihawk was not talking about what had just happened. Slowly they left the living room.

"I am quite impressed; you were capable of interrupting Kanan." He tried to lighten up the mood. "Not many in history were able to do so."

The pirate did no answer, his breathing raspy from dried tears, his reddened eyes looking up to him.

"And just along the way, it is well known that women become moody when they are hungry. If you want to control your emotions better, you should make sure to eat something."
"Easy talking for you." The girl growled. "You're not the one embarrassing yourself right now."

He laughed softly. "That very well might be." He opened the door to the dining room.

"However I do believe that you stood your ground quite well, regarding those unusual circumstances."

He ignored those mad, dismissive eyes, offering a chair to his guest. Now those eyes grew big almost worried.

"Kanan will certainly strangle me to death if I do not treat you like the guest she believes you are. Therefore if you could be so kind, my dear!" He almost spit the last words.

The person just mentioned rushed inside, carrying a big plate with steaming vegetables. Sighing softly the girl sat down and allowed the Shichibukai to push the chair towards the table.

"This makes clear, who wears the breeches in this household." The pirate hissed silently, so only the landlord could hear him, while Kanan dispersed the food on the different plates.

"Might be" Mihawk said softly. "In any case it is not you!" He grinned evilly.

But before the youngster was able to answer, the housekeeper reached out for his hair.

"Oh no, my dear child. Look at your hair, let me fix it."

The boy in a girls' body tried to duck his head out of her hands.

"That's really not…"

"It is, Loreen. It does not suit a well mannered lady to not look appropriate. And here we go." She smiled happily. "And after dinner I show you how to braid it on your own. It really looks good on you. What do you think, Sire?"

The Shichibukai choke on his wine, he needed so desperately, looking up, gazing at the young woman.

"Yes, quite lovely." He murmured into his glass, sitting at the end of the table.

But his answer was good enough for the housekeeper, who sat down next to the landlord, being happiness itself.

"What a nice family lunch."