Hey,
this will be a very long chapter with a lot of things happening! So stay alert ;-P
Anana16: Not sure, if Zoro likes being called cute... but yeah you're right ^^
BlueBoltKatana: This is just the perfect description of their relationship (especially the "annoying brat"-part)
baronnis: Thank you, yes little Zoro is a little bit scared about it, I guess. But he has great help^^
Thank you guys for your comments and for favoring and following. It makes much more fun writing, knowing that there are people enjoying this story.
Have a great weekend
Sharry
Chapter 21 – Ability
-Mihawk-
"Do we need anything else?" He asked and gazed over the list in his hand.
"Don't think so." The soft voice behind him said. "We only need to pick up the order."
"What order?"
Roronoa showed up next to him and offered him a bag filled with vegetables, rolling his eyes.
"Did you forget? Those shoes for the ball."
"Oh, you do not have them yet? We only a few days left."
"Exactly." The other one replied somewhat irritated and walked past him towards the exit.
Roronoa had changed, he had to admit it. Since his tomboy had arrived here at Sasaki he had started to mature, to grow, but it was even more than that. It was more than how he had gotten used to walk on high heels, how his body posture had changed. From arrogance to pride, from aggressive to self-confident. But mostly his behavior had changed. And that within this short time, it seemed like less than a day to Mihawk.
Curious he watched Lady Loreen in a light-blue dress with fitting necklace and bracelet walking through the market, greeting strangers in a friendly tune and smiling politely while buying everything Kanan asked them to.
Outside, surrounded by people Roronoa was less Zoro and more Loreen. The nice girl, loved by folks and innocence itself. Fragile and graceful like a delicate rose.
Mihawk could barely wait for them to enter the training room again, because he preferred the annoying swordsman over the cute girl. The one who always defied him and loved to do so.
He only needed few steps to reach the other one's side again, who just received a small, white shoebox.
"Hawky, Loreen!"
Surprised they turned around.
Rear Admiral Cho, dressed in navy coat and cap, which was barely able to tame his blonde curls, rushed towards them, grinning widely.
"Gee, I just heard about it." He laughed loudly, breathing heavily and stopped in front of them.
"What are you talking about?" Mihawk asked wary, while Jirou shook Roronoa's hand like it was a matter of life and death.
"About you two being invited to the ball. I'm so happy about it. Lirin cannot wait to meet you, Loreen."
"Jirou. It looks like you are in the middle of work. So what are you doing here?" The Shichibukai lacked every interest in polite Smalltalk.
"Subtle as always my dear Hawky." The Rear Admiral smirked.
"So?" He tilted his head and looked serious at his childhood friend.
"I just wanted to tell you the news I got about the strawhats."
Both, Roronoa and he froze for a heartbeat, although for different reasons.
"What do you mean?" The young pirate asked and pushed the shoebox in Mihawk's already filled arms, without taking his eyes away from the blonde.
But the marine did not seem to notice the sudden tension.
"They're making good progress, even better than expected. I guess they will reach Sarue one or two days earlier than we thought."
"You came all the way here for this?"
Mihawk wanted to fold his arms, but he carried too much stuff to move freely.
Jirou nodded: "And because it will be published tomorrow."
"What?" The pirate asked curious.
But now the blonde only looked at the Shichibukai, even more serious than before.
"By now Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro's death is officially confirmed. Because he was neither seen on the pirate's ship nor at the Senichi-islands, even the scientists assume that actually his complete body was all burned. In tomorrow's newspaper his bounty will be repealed."
"Oh, seriously?" The usually silver-tongued Shichibukai was out of words, while the boy at his side was strangely quiet.
"So for once your colleagues were actually diligent. So out of habit for state workers. What was the reason for it? Usually something like this takes more than a month."
Now Jirou folded his arms.
"You might be right about it. I guess the navy wants to close the case before the great ball, so no one talks about the G6 anymore."
He sighed. "And they really believe that will work if Hakkai himself shows up?"
Mihawk noted the silent pirate at his side.
"It is as it is. Jirou I apologize, but Loreen and I have to leave now or Kanan will be worried."
"Sure, worried about a Shichibukai." Roronoa commented in his usual dry voice.
After they bid the Rear Admiral goodbye they went back to the mansion, more quiet than usual.
Suddenly the silent pirate stopped as they reached the end of the marketplace.
"Is something wrong?"
But his little tomboy did not react; he stared at some small booth only a few steps away. For a moment he observed the other one.
"Is there something you would like to buy?"
Like being caught red-handed the greenhead shook hastily his head.
"It's nothing."
"Come on, little frog. If you want something, tell me."
But Roronoa only shook his head again.
"Even if, I don't have any money to buy anything."
"Seriously?" he asked. "How much do you think the jewelry you are wearing right now is worth? Money has never been of any importance to my family."
"Are you listening to yourself when you're talking? That's disgusting! Besides I said I got no money, I don't care how much you have."
"Just stay silent and be grateful. I am trying to be nice right now. So please stop fighting a useless battle and pick what you want! Of course I pay for everything you wear, eat or want. Has Kanan failed to tell you the rules of our household?"
Enraged those green eyes stared at him. For a moment he expected Roronoa to explode in fire.
"Have I failed to tell you that you're the most arrogant asshole I've ever met?" He gnarled, already accepting his defeat and following the grinning Mihawk to the small booth.
"This one." The pirate mumbled after less than a second.
"Are you sure? There are so many and you want such a simple…"
"No, it's perfect."
He nodded and turned to the salesman.
"You heard my companion. Please wrap it up."
The young man nodded surprised but polite.
Only seconds later they went their way and the pirate carried a tiny bag.
"So?" He asked. "For what do you need a…"
"It's not for me." The younger one interrupted him dead serious. "It's nothing more than a dept I need to pay."
"I see." He needed no further question, he could put two and two together.
Slowly they walked through the forest, enjoying the first days of summer heat, actually the only good thing of the day.
Kanan had asked them to do her grocery shopping because she met her sister at the Sabaody Archipelago to buy all the things she needed for Zoro's dress.
After they had spent the early morning training as hard as ever the little break had been welcomed. Especially because the training had not been nearly as effective as he had hoped. Meeting the Rear Admiral had been the sad climax of a wasted afternoon.
But the new information got Mihawk thinking.
Of course he was glad that Jirou told him any important news without asking any questions, but he would have preferred to hear this without being accompanied by his guest.
He shook his head.
Nonsense! By tomorrow Roronoa would have read it in the newspaper, because he actually started reading it.
"So?" He tried again to begin a conversation but was not certain how to precede and fell silent.
"So what?" Roronoa asked without looking at him and striking away his long hair. He looked completely serious now and was the total opposite to the always friendly smiling and a little bit naïve Loreen. Roronoa seemed to be a little bit too serious always, a little bit too grown up. Strangers would doubt that he was capable of grinning, not even talking about laughing. This Roronoa was calm and thoughtful. This was a mature, experienced Roronoa. But sometimes in between, this younger, naïve, emotional Roronoa showed up, acting hasty, being loud, still a boy.
It was more than interesting to watch this child grow up.
"So what?" Just said child repeated ill-humored.
"How are you feeling about it?"
Now the childish eyes looked at him, but those were not the eyes of a young girl, but of an assassin, cold and unpredictable.
"I could ask you about what? But I know exactly that you won't stop until I tell you that I'm irritated but I cannot change it. As soon as I'm back with the others it's only a matter of time until I'll get a bounty again. And if I'm able to switch back to my old body I'm pretty sure they will raise it even higher and then they will regret that they ever repealed it."
He watched the other one talk, his reaction a perfect example of his development. At the beginning he had been objective, putting the facts together, but at the end his childish pride took the better of him, showing off too much arrogance and blind ambition.
"And now I'm waiting for you to tell me how ignorant my words are." The pirate sighed. "Seriously, if you want to scold me you should at least not miss your entry. Next time I'm not that considerate."
Obviously Roronoa's visit of Aunt Rosie was not over yet or the repeal of his bounty was harder on him than he would admit.
"Are you even aware what the repeal of you bounty and your official death could mean for you?"
The greenhead looked straight ahead. "Of course."
"And yet you still…"
"Not discussing that with you!" The younger one hissed with gritted teeth.
"I just want to make sure, you are aware…"
"I know what it means! Thank you very much!" The fragile voice became harsh and loud. They had almost reached the mansion. The other one marched on.
"We don't need to talk about that, Dracule. It's nothing I have to decide."
"Roronoa!"
Apparently seething with rage the girl turned towards him. He did not expect the other one to be so furious. He had hoped for a calm and matured conversation partner. But once again he had to realize that he was not able of assessing the other one, especially not his female side.
"Listen up!" The young woman gnarled. "Long ago I decided to become an outlaw. I know you think I did it because of some childish whim, but don't you worry. I actually do know what I'm doing."
Roronoa inhaled deeply.
"I know this could be my free ticket for legality and I know that regarding my current body it's not the worst thing to think about. Of course a legal life is much safer. But I'm not you!"
He did not expect that.
"I'm not taking the easy route! I think you chose that way because you would never do something irrational. So I see why you think I rushed on my decision. You think I'm stupid and this here is madness."
The child looked rather serious now than furious. "But for me it would be irrational to not return to Luffy and the others, to not become a pirate again."
This conversation included way too many emotions in his opinion.
"Luffy and the strawhats are the only way there is for me. Only with them I can truly be me. That's why I want to be a pirate. That's why I need to return. Not for you or anyone else, just for myself and to reach my dream."
The boy looked at him like his words had dried out, mouth still open, eyes wide. There was so much he had said and so much more Mihawk wanted to say.
He shook his head and looked up at the sky, a small smile on his lips.
"My, what a speech. Had not been expecting that." He finally admitted. "All I wanted to know was if you were aware that you could lead a legal life if you wanted to." Slowly he looked down, watching the other one blush. "I never thought you would justify your whole life. It is kind of cute that you are still seeking my appreciation."
Mad Roronoa bit his lip, but Mihawk could not hinder to laugh. Grinning he walked past the other one and opened the front door, using his left hand to strike through the grass green hair.
"This behavior is not necessary, Roronoa. I understand your motives and even if not, I am in no position to judge you."
The other one slapped his hand away and followed him inside.
"Besides you are right."
Daring eyes followed him.
"Who would be better to achieves one's dream, than a pirate, free from law and order?" He laughed for another time. "Stop staring at me like a lamb at his butcher, little frog. Come inside, today I really want to push your limits."
-Zorro-
The Shichibukai had not exaggerated.
Breathing heavily he was more kneeling than standing, trying to listen to the other one's explanations. But the blood in his veins was too loud and he had a hard time understanding the other man. But despite his burning limbs, despite the hurting muscles, despite all the pain he was grinning like a fool.
This was so much better than dancing!
Right now the older one criticized his saggy body posture grumpily, before continuing his debauched narration. Zoro had stopped following his monologue long ago.
Wearisome he went back into fighting position, but he had no idea what the other one was babbling about.
"Understood so far?" His teacher gnarled and looked down at him serious. Although he had no idea at all he nodded and continued the exercise.
"I don't get it." Confused he looked at Hawk Eyes, who was staring at him headshaking, after watching him silently for a few minutes.
"What's wrong this time?" Slowly he moved his sword down. If the older one was talking like that something was certainly wrong. Up until now Dracule usually only raised his voice to criticize him in a constructive way, never taking private disputes into training, but this seemed to change right now.
The Shichibukai sighed.
"I simply do not understand how you are able to execute my instructions without even listening to my words. And at the same time I have never seen such a failure when it comes to dancing."
"Are you serious right now?" He stared back at the other one.
"It's the first time we can actually train without Kanan barging in every second and now you're talking about dancing? I don't care if I can dance or not, this here is important. As long as I don't break any feet, which won't happen with this featherweight, it will be enough."
Angrily he lifted Josei up again and turned his back towards the Shichibukai.
The older one huffed snotty and dark steps hovered through the room.
"Tze, and this is the exact reason why you will never become a true swordsmaster."
Zoro froze, those words hit him deeply.
"What do you mean?" He asked without turning around. Hawk Eye sighed, Zoro could feel his body directly behind him.
"Once again, Roronoa. You will fail if you only stare at the path right in front of you without taking a glance to the left or the right."
"What the…?"
A long arm from behind took his sword and even though he did not like it, he let go.
"If you were a little bit more wary you would have noticed, that the art of the sword and your detested dancing have a lot in common."
Surprised he turned around, shocked how close the other one was. An unknown scent filled his nose. He tried to back off, but Mihawk's hand in his back was still holding Josei, blocking his way. Straining his neck he looked all the way up.
"Excuse me?! Has Kanan ordered you to say that?"
The Shichibukai laughed shortly and turned around to put the sword aside.
"No one orders me anything." He warned. "Besides I doubt that she would agree."
The Shichibukai turned back towards him, now with a little bit more distance between them, but not much.
"You missed every single word I said when I explained the greatest mistake of your fighting style, right?"
Zoro wanted to reply but he could not deny it. Actually he was already trying to remember what the Shichibukai had told him, but not one word got stuck. He could not even tell if the other one was making fun of him or if he did actually tell him about his biggest failure.
The black haired one backed off a little and destroyed his neat hairstyle with agitated fingers.
"I really need to come up with a new strategy." He murmured more to himself than to Zoro. Suddenly those yellow eyes stared him down and the other one came closer again.
"Listen to me, Roronoa!" This was no request. Mihawk put two fingers against his chin, like he was caught in deep thoughts. "Okay, how can I explain it so that even you can understand it?" His voice was too serious for Zoro to react about that little sidekick.
After another second the other one nodded lightly.
"Yes, this should work without getting you killed." He had no idea what the other one meant with that. "Fine, listen."
Zoro straightened up, ignoring his tired bones.
"No matter if dancing or fighting with swords, the whole moment is about two people being as close with each other as only intimates are. It is more than seeing the other one moving, more than listening to their breath, even more than feeling their touch. It is not about taught techniques or learned dancing steps. The only thing that matters is what happens between those people in less than a heartbeat. Do you understand?"
He had no time to answer.
"Come here."
Mihawk took Zoro's hand in his own, placing the other one at his hip - actually half a hand higher - and brought him into dancing position.
"What's going on, Hawk Eyes?" Confused he stared up at the other one.
This was no swords training anymore!
"I thought we agreed on Mihawk." The other one replied with a raised eyebrow.
Then he grabbed his hand stronger and pulled Zoro against his chest.
"Do you understand, Roronoa?" He continued calm. "This closeness, just like the one between two fighters, cannot be compared to anything else. And if you are waiting with your reaction until I move…" Suddenly Zoro lost his stand and was almost falling, but the older one held him tight. "…It will be too late."
Easily the Shichibukai brought him back on his own feet.
"One step back." The older one ordered him cold and Zoro went backwards, moving to the very first dance steps he had learned days and days ago.
Mihawk nodded. "However if you already know what I am going to do, it is easy for you to react even before I act."
In slow movements they followed the silent beat of the dance.
"So what do you wanna say?" Zoro murmured, not really happy about this unusual teaching method. "Shall I always ask my opponent to tell me in detail what they're about to do? Great idea." Hastily he brought the topic back to fighting and away from dancing.
The older one sighed silently.
"Another comparison is needed, I see."
"What?"
"Well, if you are fighting with the cook of your crew you are on a par, right? No one of you is in the position to launch a final blow."
This question surprised Zoro. Following the other one's step he thought about it.
"I think it's because our different strengths and weaknesses make us almost even."
He paid extra attention to the almost!
"But still the blonde is not able to land a kick on you, even so he is much faster than you are, why?"
"Oh, because I know his attacks. I know his fighting style."
Satisfied the other one nodded.
"Exactly, that is what this is all about."
Zoro did still not understand one word.
"Roronoa, every human learns by repeating. People, who know each other very well, can predict what the other one is thinking and have other possibilities to react to it than a stranger. During your previous fights you always took your time to understand your enemy's strategy and fighting style. But as Loreen you do not have that much time."
He actually could follow so far.
"So now imagine you would know exactly what the other one was about to do before even themselves are thinking about it, before they could even picture your fighting techniques." Mihawk grinned evil.
"The fight would be decided in less than a second." Zoro whispered in awe. Was the Shichibukai capable of doing this? Was something like this even possible? To know another person's thoughts, before they did? Did such an ability exist?
"But how?"
The other one smiled softer now.
"You are already doing it." And then he turned him out and pulled him back on his arms.
Confused he looked up.
"Sometimes, when you are not thinking, you happen to do it without realizing it. Just like now. I have never shown you those steps but you are still able to dance them, because you are not thinking about it. You are doing it instinctively."
Stunned Zoro stared at his own feet.
Right at that moment he stumbled and fell in the other one's arms.
"And here comes your problem." The other one sighed, meeting his eyes. "Talent and instinct only get you that far. If you want to go further you need to train so that you can use this ability con…"
"Oh, here you are. Already hardworking as I see."
Suddenly the intense silence was ripped apart by the housekeeper's loud voice, who rushed in.
"Perfect timing, so we can get down to business…" She laughed, apparently unaware about what she had just broken.
"Faster! Faster! Faster!"
He had difficulties to keep breathing.
"Again! Again! Ag…"
"STOP!"
He freed himself from his teacher and fell on his knees.
"But…"
"Stop it! I'm about to throw up!"
His stomach was growling dangerously and he felt really sick. The world around him was still spinning and he was very grateful for the cold floor under his sweaty fingers.
He had been so excited about another training session. Another merciless session with the Shichibukai asking for sweat and blood. But in the middle of it the Shichibukai had decided to teach him dancing, for whatever reason. And then Kanan had shown up and picked up the reigns. For the last two hours they were doing nothing else than dancing.
He could have accepted that, never losing hope for another training session, but during the last thirty minutes the housekeeper had told the Shichibukai to swing him around in circles, faster and faster, turning him in and out, turning with him, turning without him, all in all too much turning.
He could endure hell, but this was too much. Besides, he silently had to admit that his body was reaching its limits.
"Loreen, stop making a fuss." The older lady commented disappointment, hands at her hips.
He would have loved to jump at her face and telling her otherwise, but he could not trust his stomach so he only shook his head.
The Shichibukai at his side laughed softly, like usually when Zoro got scolded.
"But it was better than expected, our guest is slowly improving." He said surprisingly kind and a little bit snotty as well. But his strong glance was unreadable for Zoro as the other one looked at the housekeeper, who met his view, rolling her eyes before waving her hand dismissively. Zoro had the strange feeling like they were talking about him without even using words.
"Oh come on!" Her voice was more than derogative when she finally continued the acoustic conversation.
"Well, what else do you expect, Kanan? Our guest has learned almost every dance in such a short period o…"
"But this short period as you put it." Kanan quoted his words. "Was much longer than needed and only because someone knows some steps does not mean they can actually dance."
Desperate the older woman looked down at Zoro.
"Child, I know that you are not that fast on the uptake."
He could not believe what she was saying; Kanan would never insult him, would she? After all she was totally different from the annoying swordsmaster or the even more irritating navigator of his crew.
"I mean, I can see how much patience it takes the young Sire to train you."
He really hoped he was misunderstanding her, because actually he was the one who had to survive the other one's moods.
"Simple theory might be enough for some swords fighting."
Slowly he grew angry. It felt like she was simply throwing words to irritate him.
"But if you really want to dance, you need to feel it. You need to put all your heart and passion into it. It is so much more than some senseless fidgeting with a sword."
"Excuse me?" He stood up. It was one thing to insult him. It was a bad thing to insult his friends – except for the cook, that was usually reasonable – but it was unforgivable to claim that the art of the sword needed no passion.
"Now you know what I always have to work with." Mihawk commented, but it was not clear if he was talking to Zoro or to Kanan.
But the housekeeper was simply glancing at the greenhead, an unknown expressionless look on her face.
"Loreen, really. Is it that difficult for you to care for something else than men and clothing?"
He forgot to breathe for a moment, while the Shichibukai burst out in laughter, holding his stomach. What the hell was she talking about?
"You're not serious, are you?" He asked dangerously and made a step towards her. "I misunderstood you, right?" He gnarled.
But suddenly Kanan turned towards the other man.
"I have to apologize, Sire. You have been right. She is really not as smart as I had hoped. It takes her very long to understand situations and circumstances."
"Of course. Exactly what I told you the very first day. Quite a challenge for your patience, I can promise."
"Shut up! I'm still here!"
Angered he stood between them, once again having the weird feeling like he was excluded from some part of a silent conversation.
"Number one: I don't care for clothes! Not even talking about men. Second: How dare you to call the art of the sword senseless fidgeting! And third: Do you really believe I…"
"Oh, she really tries to copy you Sire."
"Indeed, but my, what a bad imitation." The Shichibukai laughed again.
"Enough!"
Slowly he was getting furious.
"Stop making fun of me! I'm some damn good swordfighter and I put all my heart into that. The reason I'm not good in dancing is because I don't fucking care, got it?!"
Mihawk's laughter faded, but his smirk never left its place. His eyes looked somewhat superior, like he had just won a game although they were still in the middle of playing chess. Zoro did not like that look.
Kanan on the other hand looked like he had just slapped her in the face.
With slow steps she walked towards him and he had to admit that, for whatever reason, he felt scared. She seemed more dangerous than the Shichibukai behind her.
Her dark eyes were serious and cold. With slow hands she opened her hair, which framed her face in wild curls. The motherly features switched to the ones of a hunter, licking her lips like she was staring at her next prey.
"I believe that I am a generous person." She whispered. But her voice was shivering with each step.
"I accept another person's opinion."
She paused in front of him. "I understand that people sometimes have to break the law in order to do something good." Her fists were shaking slightly. "I forgive mislead children if they do a mistake." She was almost crying in her anger. "But never ever I will allow a Dracule to use such inappropriate diction!"
"Uhm, I'm no Dracule."
"That's not the point!"
Out of nowhere she pulled a shortsword and launched for him.
"What the hell?!" Zoro gasped and could barely dodge her attack.
"I will teach you some manners, young lady!"
She chased after him.
"A young lady not being able to control her gab." Only by a hair she missed him. "A young lady preferring brutal fighting over high-class dancing." Madly she cornered him. "I swore myself to raise all children of this household to honorable, respectable adults. And if I can only reach you with my sword, so be it!"
"Wait a second!" Appeasing he raised his hands. "What's gotten into you? I don't want to fight you."
"Too late!"
With unexpected speed she threw her sword toward him, almost stabbing him, but he used her big movement to escape under her arm.
He was totally confused.
"I will scold you know for you unacceptable use of language, Loreen and after that I will awaken your passion for dancing!" The housekeeper barked at him, turning around.
"Are you listening to yourself? You're talking nonsense!"
Almost desperate he turned towards the Shichibukai.
"Say something. She's totally insane!"
But Mihawk only offered him his sword.
"Do you really think I would go against her? Now? Certainly not, she is all yours."
Then he nodded forward.
"You should pay more attention at your enemy."
The next moment the shadow of the former nanny was hovering over him and she brought down her sword.
But this time he could ward it off with his own sword, ripping it out of its sheath.
"Kanan!" He hissed and brought few meters between them. "Stop this madness!"
But she was not even listening.
"I don't want to fight you." For another time he dodged her slash. "And this will not make me better at dancing."
Suddenly he saw a weak spot in her defense.
"And just for the record, I'm no Dracule!"
Surprised he saw how she countered his blade with her sword's sheath, using her sword for another attack at the same moment.
"Shut up!" She yelled. "A true warrior doesn't chit-chat while fighting. A true warrior enjoys the bloodlust!"
For another time it took all his strength to parry her blow.
Behind him he could her Miahwk laugh silently, followed by dark words. "It seems to be more interesting than expected. Really not a bad idea, not at all."