A/N: This is really a short update but I decided to completely revise the second half of the chapter, sorry. I may have that up in the next two days or so. Also, I did some research but I cannot find any of the names of the five elders anywhere. I'm more or less interested in the youngest/younger one with the blonde hair and wears a suit. He reminds me so much of Sanji in an old, uptight, kind of way, so I'm going to use him but since I can't find his name anywhere, I have to provide one. If there is one, could you let me know so I can change it. THANX!

Disclaimer: Don't own it.

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Chapter Fourteen

It didn't take long for the warship to come upon them. Mihawk snapped his fingers to settle the crew down, who didn't care for the loud noise of the new engine. Most likely this was the new invention he had heard so much about. There would have been no way to outrun the other vessel and running would have been suspicious. Instead, he waited patiently as the World Government ship bore down. There was no clue to the reason for the visit or why they would seek him out. If his luck held then it was merely a greeting while passing. From the many soldiers on board the deck already, he doubted it.

His suspicions were confirmed when the larger vessel came up and the lines were thrown. They were boarding, he was going to have visitors. As long as Sanji stayed in the bedroom like he had asked, they wouldn't have any problems.

Then that didn't explain why one of the Gorosei was coming over. What was his name, Solomon or Salamander? He recognized the man immediately from a few of the meetings. What he did know was that he was a Gorosei for a reason and this did not bode well. Unless they were searching for someone and merely wished to ask him for information. As a former pirate, he was instantly on alert having one of the top five members on his deck.

The blonde man scratched his jaw before turning the sharp gaze in his direction. The black suit was covered up by a military coat but the shirt was left open and bare to expose the scarred chest. Dammit it all, that was also Kuma now showing himself on the other deck. The bear-like man was standing too close to be casual.

"Hawk-Eye Mihawk," Solomon kept his gaze from portraying the ire he felt at the warlord. It had taken him weeks to track the man down and now that he had, the former pirate would answer for his crimes. "You are hereby placed under arrest for disobeying a direct order."

"I am?" Why couldn't he stop the smirk from playing on his lips at the announcement. He had disobeyed many in his time as a warlord, the man would have to be more specific. "Which one?"

The large man crossed his arms, "Recently you claimed to be the one to dispose of a pirate that was ordered to be taken alive. You can be a mindless beast when it is 'Dead or Alive', but we gave precise orders that he was to be taken alive."

"Which would that be? I've killed several pirates this year alone." Mihawk had a feeling he already knew of which one they spoke of. Any former accusations would have already been discussed at the last meeting but he had only been reported to kill one since then and that pirate was currently downstairs waiting in the room for him. Or was supposed to be. Instead, the idiot wanted to be severely reprimanded for being nosey and watching.

"Did you or did you not bring down the one they called Blackleg Sanji?" Solomon waited for him to answer. Almost daring him to admit that he had. It would be all the reason he needed to get rid of him. To the world the Strawhat was just another pirate but to the Gorosei, he was worth a lot more alive. It was by mutual decision they had kept his bounty so low as not to have it questioned. Many would have become alerted to the fact if the boy's bounty was higher than that of his captain.

"And if I did?" Had the member really tracked him down to ask if he had? Or did the man suspect that he hadn't really killed Sanji? Sure, that might have his position put in jeopardy if he didn't finish him off but that was all. A simple 'I thought he was dead' would clear his name because it really wasn't that big of a deal. What he did for them should outweigh the life of a pirate whose bounty was lower than his own. They needed him and they knew it, so why question him about it? Why make a fuss because he supposedly killed a pirate that they had requested alive? The situation wasn't adding up, which alerted him to the fact that there was definitely something more going on than trying to confirm a death.

"If you did then you will be stripped of your title, your former bounty will be unfrozen and you will immediately be taken to prison to await your trial." Solomon informed him of the repercussions of his actions.

"Is that threat supposed to scare me?" Losing his position would cause problems for him. If he lost it before they were able to make it to the prison then he would not be able to retrieve the two missing Strawhats.

"No, I have no intentions of trying to frighten you. I am merely stating the outcome if you cannot deliver solid proof that you did NOT go against orders." The entire purpose behind the raid on the island had been to get their hands on the Strawhat. They hadn't informed the warlords or any lower ranking officers of the main purpose as to why they had gone after the pirates. The plan had been to somehow get their hands on the crew member during the raid. That way he would have been counted amongst those unlucky enough to be caught. Now, they had to hunt him down IF he was still alive. If not, the warlord would be executed and he would have to inform the other four that there would be a change of plans. They didn't need to know that he would be the one to kill the warlord or that he had tortured him.

"Why the interest in one pirate?" Mihawk demanded of the Gorosei. Why was one of the elders so interested on whether or not if he had killed Sanji? Was his killing one pirate really such a crime that they'd try to take him down? They had been sent to that island to exterminate any threats and Sanji was still a pirate. That meant the World Government had an ulterior motive when wanting him alive.

"That is a need to know basis and someone like you doesn't need to know." With a wave of his fingers, over a hundred guns were suddenly pointed at the dark ship. The cannons were also ready to fire, another wave and several of their latest creations were also ready to board and detain the warlord. "Now, will you be coming quietly or will it be by force?"

"Oh for fuck's sake, just hand me over already." Sanji cringed inwardly at the piss coming from the amber eyes. Yes, this would make his lover angry but what else could they do? Was Mihawk really going to stand there and wait for them to attack? If he lost his position then they would never be able get Chopper and Brook out. It was either he show himself or the man would lose everything besides having to fight to keep from being imprisoned or killed. What would be the point? The moment they started to fight and tear apart the ship, he would have to come out of hiding. He would rather let his presence be known ahead of time and to spare the man whatever trouble he could.

"Explain now." Solomon turned back to the dark male that had the gall to appear bored. Did he not know how this looked? What was the boy doing on his ship? It was good to know that he was still breathing but that didn't explain how he came to be with the warlord.

Why wasn't he answering? Sanji noticed the hand that would often touch him clench then start to raise upwards, going for the weapon. "Stupid, why the hell do you think I am with him? Do I look like I'm going on a cruise with my nakama? I'm his prisoner."

That got both men to look at him, it was Solomon that answered. "Then why the lie to confirm his death? Why keep him hidden for so long, Mihawk?"

"Because the bastard knew that if it was known that he had taken me alive, my nakama would hunt him down to find me. Too much of a coward to admit he doesn't want to confront my captain." Sanji knew that picking at the warlord's pride was not a great idea but if it was believed for one moment that he'd been kept for other reasons, he didn't want to risk it.

"Don't speak for me," Mihawk snapped and wondered what he was up to. They would just fight their way out of this, that was all there was to it. The only other option was to allow them to take Sanji, that wasn't going to happen.

"Whatever, not like you were keeping me alive for my personality. You or that man, like it really matters who takes me in. He looks more hospitable and you seem impatient to be elsewhere." Sanji wasn't going to allow him to fight for him. This wasn't a fight they could win, maybe. Mihawk could probably destroy their ship but that man was on their deck. He had a feeling that if they were to fight on board, they would be swimming as well. This was the better option and he was wanted alive for some reason. They probably wouldn't try to kill him any time soon.

"I see," so that explained the direction the ship had been traveling. The warlord had been about to deliver him to the prison to collect the bounty. It was standard procedure after all and he could see no other reason why the warlord would keep him alive and around, except to guarantee that he got the bounty. Solomon lowered his hand to indicate there would be no need to attack. Why hadn't the proud bastard just said so to begin with? Cocky, former pirate had a lot of nerve trying to challenge him. Still, they could continue to use the man and killing him wouldn't be prudent unless it was called for. "Do you come quietly or do I need to handcuff you?"

"I'll come quietly but may I be allowed to go retrieve my coat? You can search me for weapons if you want." Sanji saw the nod and made haste to the quarters. He snatched the drawer open and quickly scribbled a message inside the book the man had been reading, then placed it on the bed for him to notice that he had moved it. He grabbed his thick jacket for show and a pack of smokes.

Two escorts were waiting for him by the time he exited back onto the deck. If that idiot attacked, he would never forgive him. He was also curious as to why a high ranking member of the government was so interested in his person. Why would it have been a grave crime for warlord to slay him? Why were they so anxious to get him alive?

It took all the willpower he possessed not attack. Mihawk clenched his fists to keep from reaching out and preventing the cook from leaving. The fight would be dangerous and some would die but it was almost preferable to watching him be taken away. Never had he thought for a second they would actually care to seek him out. There was something going on and it had everything to do with his lover. Why had he turned himself in? Why did it hurt to see him step onto the other ship and be escorted away?

Whatever the government was doing, he'd find out. With his status still intact, he wouldn't be running completely blind. He didn't need to go below to know what Sanji wanted from him. Without his status, he wouldn't be able to assist in getting to his nakama. The selfless act had been so he would still be able to rescue the two. He would do so, for Sanji. Then he was going to discover what they wanted with him and then get him back.

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Next chapter: Plans, some answers, a fight, and a destined meeting. Please review for me, only got two I think for the last chapter. Let me know what you think, please. Oh, I got a pm asking about a possible three way, by adding Zoro eventually but I dunno. Let me know! And Happy Halloween, don't eat too much candy.