With tired eyes, Mihawk looked out to sea and watched the sun rise. He hadn't gotten much sleep with the knowledge that he was nearly there. The island was just in sight now. They'd caught a good wind over the night and were set to arrive sooner than expected. It worked well for him because it meant Shanks would still be sleeping when he finally left the ship.

As soon as they docked quietly, he jumped to the wooden boards below and locked Yoru onto his back. The town was still asleep and very few lingered about. Those who were out and about were only the stall vendors and restaurant owners. They didn't seem like the type that would be interested in assisting him, so he just continued to the forest.

That and if he stayed away from town then it would be less likely for Shanks to find him. They would only be here for the day to resupply after all. Roger had said he wanted to make it to the next island soon so they could continue their journey. As if he had extended it… Roger was the one who'd accepted the request…

Three hours later, Mihawk was at the end of his frayed patience. He had been trudging through the dense woods and hadn't found a single sign of another person. It seemed like the only people were going to be the ones who lived in the town and he didn't want that… it would mean seeing Shanks.

"That was mighty rude of you. To leave your friends like that…" A coy voice had Mihawk jumping in place.

He turned and eyed the shorter man with caution. "They weren't my friends." Mihawk snapped out although… Shanks could be classified as such. If he stopped pestering him so much that is.

A slow, smug smile crawled on the man's face before he motioned Mihawk to follow. With very little choice, he did. It wasn't as if he was having any luck otherwise and he was sorely missing Draco. The large cat would have no doubt been helpful at this point.

"You know… I've never met someone as strange as you." Mihawk's eyes twitched at the bland tone. He had to bite back a snarky comment that wouldn't have even gone well had it been said to Death himself. "When Death called me up from the pits… I was wonderin' what he was thinking. Now I know. He wanted me to train some snot nosed brat that has no respect for others."

Mihawk stopped and he glared, "My name is Dracule Mihawk," He growled out and straightened his back. "Adopted son of this realms Death and a Master swordsman."

Lupus turned with a dramatic bow and a smile full of sharp teeth and dark promise. The light that broke through the canopy seemed to make the man's eyes glow almost sickly green… "The name's Lupus, kid. You'll do well to remember it." A pleased growl left the man and he simply turned on his heel to continue on.

He startled when two black manacles hit his chest. Between Scath's quiet cackling and Lupus' dark grin… Mihawk doubted he would ever find peace again. Especially if the mocking sigh that his new teacher gave was any sign of it.

"Kid… you really need to pay attention to your surroundings." Lupus mocked as they walked.

"What are these?" He asked rather than start a fight. If Death wanted this man to teach him, then it was probably for a reason. Best not to start on such a bad foot until it was necessary.

Lupus ran a dirty hand through his brown hair and hopped over a fallen branch. "They're weights. I know what your going to say, 'I'm already strong.' Well, I hate to break it to you kid, but you aren't. Those increase every time you get comfortable with the weight. I have two more for your ankles back at the cabin. Curtesy of Death, of course."

A long sigh left Mihawk and he clipped one to each wrist as he followed behind. The difference was noticeable and he grimaced. This was going to be different, but he figure that it wouldn't be too bad. Not to mention that this would only bring him closer to his goal. Or dead. It could do that as well…

He shook his head and sped up to keep Lupus in sight. Though the longer they walked, the more annoyed he became. When it felt like they should have reached the other end of the island, they stopped. Lupus all but threw Mihawk into a side room in his cabin with a barked order to sleep. With a roll of his eyes, he listened and tried his best to sleep.

"Don't forget to shift your weight when you need to Harry." Death held his sword in front of him the point hovering an inch before the ground.

Harry felt annoyance creep up his spine as he panted and gasped for air. His body shook and ached, but there was a fire in him. Determination pushing him forward to succeed.

He nodded with jerking motions and lunged at Death. The being sidestepped at the last moment and hit him in the back with the flat part of the blade. "Don't just charge recklessly Harry! You have to think!" The deity growled out in a harsh voice.

Harry nodded once again as his level of agitation increased. He didn't rush this time as his eyes looked side to side and he hid a smile when he found and opportunity.

"Is that Fate?" Death whipped his head around and Harry used the chance to disarm him and knock him to the ground. He smiled widely only to feel it fade as he saw Death's expression. "What? You told me to think and I did!" Death sighed and Harry helped him back to his feet.

"If you want to be a swordsman you have to understand that you have to win by your own skill, not your skill in trickery." Harry frowned and looked down sadly, a slump in his shoulders. Death rolled his eyes and threw an arm around the young boy's shoulders. "Don't worry Harry dear we have all the time in the galaxy for you to get better! After all the longer you take means you get to stay with me longer!" He ruffled Harry's hair with a laugh and took off as Harry started running after him.

The younger male just started waving his sword around half hazardly. As he ran he noticed that Death got further and further until he couldn't see him. He took one more step and felt the floor vanish beneath him and he plunged into darkness and nearly screamed when he saw red eyes below him.

Mihawk woke with a gasp. Sweat clung to his body and he felt his hair plastered against his skin. A shudder ran through his entire body as he tried to calm himself. It wasn't until he rolled over that he noticed it was the damned snail that had woken him up.

"You didn't even say goodbye!" Mihawk cringed as Shanks' voice filtered over.

"I left when I wanted to. You were asleep." His voice was bland and he tried to push away the haze of the dream. It had felt… off…

"So!" Shanks snapped out pitifully. "You could have woken me up! Now who knows when I'll see you again?" An actual whine crossed the receiver and Mihawk raised a brow.

He sighed, "Eventually we will come across each other. I have to go though. Sensei is calling." Mihawk said and watched as the snail's face contorted to something… well, an expression only Shanks could make.

"Alright, but I'm calling you later!" The red head said and then he hung up before Mihawk could say another word.

He fell make against the floor and stared up at the dirty ceiling. "Lying to a friend isn't nice."

"Fuck!" Mihawk cursed and shot up, his body wired and tense. Lupus was there with a grin full of sharp teeth and his green eyes seemed to bleed red…

"Just for that, I'm adding to your laps. Fifteen instead of ten." He said and tossed two manacles to the hawk eyes man, a deep laugh leaving him.

Mihawk glared. He was beginning to think that he was going to come to hate Lupus.

Death: Rewrite- 9/13/18. Getting through one chapter at a time while battling with society to get a fucking job. And troublesome snakes.