This is about Mihawk, kinda. Rouge is classed as the World's Best Swordsman, and we all know a certain guy who likes that title. We've also got a scene with Ace and Zoro at the end, when they are in Alabasta.

(Pirate AU)

"I have a teenager stalking me."

Roger spat out his drink.

"What? Who?" Roger choked out, coughing harshly.

"A kid with golden eyes." Rouge frowned.

"He's trying to flirt with you? I thought I was your only stalker!" Roger gasped. "I don't usually fight teens, but I'll kick his little ass into next year-"

Rouge rolled her eyes and grabbed the collar of Roger's shirt when he threw himself off his bar seat, ready to go to war apparently.

"No. He's been challenging me to a sword fight."

"Oh." Roger blinked, sitting back down. "You of all people?"

Rouge smirked. "Apparently I'm the World's Greatest Swordsman."

"Ain't it woman?"

"Should be." Rouge huffed. "But yeah, he's trying to take my crown."

Roger laughed. "Dahahahaha! I pity the poor soul who tries to take what you own!"

"And ten seconds ago you wanted to kick his ass." Rouge snorted. "But I must admit, the boy has potential. He's already challenged me five times."

Roger startled. "What?"

Rouge grinned slyly. "I told him I'll finally acknowledge his name when he lands a cut on me instead of calling him 'boy'. He's driven, Roger. And I know one day he's going to take my title."

Roger frowned. "But it's your title."

"Yeah, but it's not what I'm after in this life." Rouge leaned back in her chair., closing her eyes. "No, not yet."

"Rouge?" A hand gently landed on her shoulder, and she glanced up at Roger.

He looked worried. Cute.

Rouge smiled warmly. "Dreams are a beautiful thing, Roger, and the world is oh so full of endless possibilities if you go for it and take that jump."

Roger had a deep look upon his face, his eyes growing distant. Rouge eyed him, wondering where his thoughts would take him, until a wild grin broke out across his face.

"We sail for freedom and dreams," he said."

"And let no fucker stand in our way," Rouge finished. She raised her tankard, grinning. "To the fucker who wants my title, may you fight for it as I have!"

"And may they scurry off as you kick their asses." Roger laughed.

.::.

"You have an amazing set of swords." Ace sat down next to Zoro, handed him a warm drink to help sooth away the cold.

Alabasta was freezing at night, or at least that's what the others said. Ace's fire kept him warm though, so thankfully he was unaffected by the sudden temperature drop.

"We have a swordsman division on our crew," Ace continued. "You could probably face off against most of them quite easily, but Vista would give you a proper challenge. That's for sure."

Zoro paused. "Has he faced off against Mihawk?"

"Not yet, but he wants to someday." Ace grinned. "I think that would be an epic fight. Although Vista did say he had a long way to go. He never could catch up to my mum-"

Zoro startled. "Your mum's a swordsman?"

"Was." Ace deflated. "A long time ago."

Until Ace got in the way. Ace grimaced, because no, that wasn't true. Pops said she wanted him more than anything. But she wouldn't have expected Ace to kill her, right?

Ace shifted, unsure.

His mum was still a bit conflict in his life. She should hate him, but apparently from the way Pops spoke of her, she would have wanted Ace.

"What was her name?" Zoro asked, distracting him from his thoughts.

"Portgas D. Rouge."

"I don't recognise that pirate name..." Zoro admitted.

Ace scowled. "Because the Marines tried to erase her from history. If I was told correctly she was supposed to be as strong as Pops."

Zoro choked on his drink.

Ace laughed. "Yeah, she was the World's Strongest Swordsman before Mihawk. Vista said he used to challenge her when he was a teen, or something like that?"

Zoro sat up, instantly alert. "What happened to her? Did Mihawk defeat her?"

Ace deflated, looking absolutely miserable as he stared at the ground. "No... She died giving birth to me..."

Zoro winced, then looked hesitant. "Well... I suppose you must have been the better treasure for her then? If she was willing to lay down her sword for you?"

"Swords," Ace correct absent-mindedly, but gave a small smile nonetheless. "Y'know, you said the exact same thing Pops told me... But I doubt she intended to lay down her swords forever."

"There's nobody you can ask?"

"Not really, no," Ace sighed.

"Well..." Zoro looked rather uncomfortable. "A swordsman of her calibre would have been prepared to lay down her swords if she decided to chose another path. We do not choose to lower our swords, even for a year, without a new purpose in mind."

Ace stared up at the skies and sighed. "Well, I hope I was worth it to her, because sometimes I wonder what she was thinking."

He saw Zoro touch the white sword that hung at his waist. "She was probably thinking of how much she loves you."

Ace softened. He hoped so. He really hoped so.

Sorry it's been so long! Things have been really busy with my upcoming fantasy book The Warden's of Strar releasing next month. The release date is the 28th of September, so I've been heavily focused on that and writing up the next set of books for that series. Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things for my story collections soon :)

If you want to know more about my fantasy book, simply look up The Wardens of Strar on facebook and it should take you there.