Chapter 20

The men around her shudder lightly, feeling the intensity of her haki over them. Alexis walked up to them and took hold of both swords, throwing them backwards.

-You must stop this instant with this nonsense! – Alexis' voice had reached a high intensity. The men that were on the ship seemed to shrink in size, quivering at her dangerous looking expression. – You need to put your heads back in place! – Her eyes darted to Shanks. – Mihawk rescued me!

-But… - His voice was a mere whisper but quickly shut up at the glare he received from Alexis.

-He saved me and Joshua from death! Sure I got some collateral damage but it was expected! – She quickly turned to Mihawk. – Don't go spiking up a fight just because your ego or your pride is on the line! It was Shanks you were about to attack and if you'd bring him any harm I would personally make sure that you'd feel every inch of the rotting pain I would inflict on you. – Her glare was deadly and Mihawk was sure that wasn't just an empty threat. The two men set their swords away and Alexis sighed. – There. Now kiss and make up! – Her smile quickly returned to her lips making the pirates smile and chuckle nervously, not sure if they were completely safe with her sudden personality change.

-How are you? – Mihawk asked still somewhat stirred by her sudden change.

-I'm feeling better I guess. – She placed a hand on her shoulder and twirled it around. – Doesn't hurt that much now. – She looked down at herself coming to the conclusion that she was in a now ruined and bloody aqua blue dress. – My, my. I look terrible. – She looked up at her captain. – I'll go change quickly and then we'll have a drink and a long conversation. – She turned around and waved at them. – Don't kill yourselves while I'm gone. – She rushed to her captain's bedroom where her clothes were now in and removed the aqua blue dress. She tossed it to a trash can that was next to the large captain's desk before searching for a set of clothes for her to wear. She decided to put on a tight pair of jeans and a long white blouse that belonged to Shanks. Alexis decided to go barefoot because she missed the touch of her feet against the floor. It was always comforting for her. She released her hair from the bun, letting it cascade down her head in a wavy and messy manner before heading towards the mess deck where the atmosphere, although still heavy, was somewhat more inviting than before. Her eyes fell upon Mihawk and Shanks that were quietly chatting while the rest of the pirates were cheering Alexis' recovery. She walked down the mess deck giving smiles to whomever told her something and headed towards Shanks and Mihawk. – Have you kissed and make-up?

-No. – Mihawk was serious again.

-We're men Alexis.

-So? – She pulled a chair and sat between the two men, looking at each innocently. Shanks only chuckled and patted her head.

-You're so childish sometimes. – He said, laughing louder when she pouted at him. Mihawk could only look at her, happiness filling him for seeing her alright but there was something else he felt.

Jealousy.

Jealousy for Shanks having such a wonderful woman.

Jealousy for Shanks being happy with her and Mihawk was left out from the opportunity of being happy like him.

He wanted Alexis but she was Shanks' woman now.

-Mihawk? – Alexis waved a hand in front of his face, snapping him out of his trance. His golden eyes captured her grey orbs. – You okay?

-Yes.

-Alexis. – Shanks called and she looked at him quickly. – Can you tell me everything that happened?

-Only if you promise not to do anything too reckless.

-I won't do anything. I just want to know what happened.

-Why can't I trust you on that?

-Why so?

-You're known for protecting those who are dear to you. – She quickly blurted out. He smiled kindly at her.

-You know me so well.

She chuckled lightly before beginning to tell every detail she could remember from the ball: the distraction that made the captain clap in a cheerful manner; the fight that caused the atmosphere between Shanks and Mihawk to become heavy; the moment Mihawk rescued Alexis and Joshua from the fight. The final details left her captain in a tense position before she handed him a mug of ale and asked him to calm down.

It only took her captain a few seconds until he relaxed and began to chat with Mihawk like the old times, laughing at drunken jokes Shanks would make and constantly calling the swordsman by the nickname he hated: Hawkie.

The party continued until nightfall.

Everyone was tired and exhausted and wasted from the tremendous amounts of alcohol they've ingested so they decided to call it a night. Even after the mini showdown between Shanks and Mihawk, the red haired captain offered the swordsman to stay in the ship to rest before he left.

Alexis and Shanks were sleeping together after a good time of intercourse when she felt her throat dry. She got up from the warm bed, her body quickly chilling once outside so she took hold of her underpants and Shanks' white blouse before heading to the mess deck.

-Where are you going? – It was Shanks that was calling out for her.

She turned around to see a smiling and naked Shanks covered by a thin white sheet.

-I'm thirsty. – She walked up to him and kissed his forehead lightly. – I'll be right back, don't worry.

-Be quick. – He caressed the back of her head before letting her go.

She reached the kitchen and searched for a cup or something, realizing they were out of her reach in a rather high cabinet. Luckily it was over the kitchen counter so she climbed up on it, her knees giving her support before reached out to the cabinet before hearing the mess deck's door opening.

Her head snapped towards the source of the sound spotting a serious looking Mihawk. His golden eyes were opened in surprise since the vision he was presented with was rather… interesting to him: her hair was messy and because she was reaching out to the cabinet, the blouse was pulled up, revealing a large amount of flesh of her thighs and a bit of her bottom. He fought against the blush that threatened to appear on his cheeks before walking up towards her. She sat down on the kitchen counter, filling up the glass she was holding on the sink next to her.

-You should be sleeping. – Mihawk stated.

-Same goes for you Hawkie.

-Please don't call me that. – His eyebrow twitched lightly.

-But it's too adorable.

-No it's not. – She only chuckled at his quick response. – What are you doing here at this time? – She raised her glass in the air as an answer.

-Besides… - She looked out a small window that was on the farther wall ahead of her. – It's a marvelous night and the stars are calling out for me.

-Calling out for you? – He questioned and, once again, she chuckled, this time gloomily.

-I have this… possibly strange habit for you…

-Which is?

-I like to tell stories about the stars and constellations. – She smiled and looked out the window once again. – I began doing this when I was little and it became a habit.

-It's not that weird.

-Oh really? – She looked at the golden eyed man, an eyebrow risen in disbelief.

-It's not. – He answered honestly. – It's just something that you find soothing and, in some way, shows me that you are truly pure and kind of heart.

-How so? – She was somewhat confused.

-You make up stories for the constellations. – He looked out the window she was looking at before. – You give them a life and adventure to live in.

-My, my. Someone's philosophical today. – She chuckled lightly but was entertained by his interpretation for her need to tell stories about the stars.

-Do you know why you do it? – He asked finally returning his gaze to her.

She silently jumped down the kitchen counter and headed towards the deck, Mihawk not too far behind following her. She sat down on the Red Force's rail and looked up at the sky.

-I guess it's because they are so high up in the sky, people forget about them. – She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. – You're right you know. – Her gray gaze fell upon the swordsman. – I do like to give them an adventure… A life they could've have… - She chuckled. – Fun thing is, even though some of my family told me they were just a ball of gases and fire I still couldn't stop myself from creating these alternative lives for them.

-You're a kind person, you know? – Mihawk stepped in front of her, getting into her line of sight.

-Thanks Mihawk. – She smiled at him and stepped down from the rail. She took in a deep breath before taking a step to the side. – I'm tired Hawkie, I'll be going to sleep. See if you rest as well.

Just when she was about to walk away, Mihawk took hold of her wrist, making her look back. His gaze was filled with need and kindness towards her.

-I'm not usually this emotional… - He mumbled looking down at her pale hand he was holding between his tanned fingers. He slightly shook his head and took in a deep breath. – How's your shoulder?

-It's alright. – She looked over the still wrapped shoulder. – I haven't even removed the ligature.

-May I? – He asked, reaching out to her shoulder and she just nodded. He kindly pulled down the collar of the blouse, leaving her covered shoulder uncovered by the fabric. Gently he began to unwrap it, revealing the completely healed skin. Only a wide and thin slash scar was left behind. He lowered his head and planted an ever so tender kiss on it. Alexis just blushed and took a step back.

-Mihawk…

-Shush. – He whispered before reaching his hand to the back of her head and pulling her close to him. Their lips brushed lightly against each other before he crashed them together just to quickly separate them straight afterwards. – I want you with me but I don't want that red haired stubborn man to be left depress or sad. – He took in a deep breath, taking a step back.

She was speechless. She was especially surprised that the usually emotionless swordsman showed some feelings towards her. She quickly turned on her heels, her mind swirling around in a mixture of thoughts and feelings she couldn't quite get her grasp on before clashing against a bare chest.

Her eyes darted up, facing a sad looking, red haired captain.

What had she done?

A/N:

Ooooh I smell drama up ahead! :O

I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS! I still don't know with which one she should end up with... God damn it!

Well... I'm sorry for the delay. Like I said before: School started and my pace will slow down a lot! since exams are coming up X_X Gomenasai!

Anyways! I do not own One Piece

I only own Alexis, Joshua, The Seppen Bandits and the Plushie Pirates.