Hello everybody,
we're back in the game with the final part of the ball.
Thank you all for your comments, favors and follows, they really keep me going :-)
BlueBoltKatana: OMG I'm crying. This is just beautiful. I'm deeply moved by this, feeling like a proud parent. But wait until you read this chapter ;-)
Animazing Narra: Well, we'll see today how he knows who Zoro really is ;-) Thank you very much
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and am thrilled to hear what you're thinking about it ;-)
Sharry
Chapter 28 – End
-Zoro-
He did not stop dancing for a second, moved to the beat of the music and looked at the marine, who had lost everything except his life due to Zoro's actions: Hakkai.
"How many did survive?" He asked emotionless.
"Aside from him? Three." The man he danced with answered just as cold.
Four in total, only four men out of several hundred had survived his escape plan to save his eight friends. What a monster he had become. He felt so surreal, in his pretty dress, beneath that mask, dancing to music.
The vice admiral continued talking. "As you can see my subordinates are everything but happy to see you alive."
Zoro turned with that man and followed his view towards one of those tables, where six most different soldiers were sitting in their typical navy uniform. All of them stared at him with threatening eyes, half hidden in the shadows. Every face showed pure hatred.
The pirate thought about his situation for a moment.
"So?" He asked after a while and met the view of his dance partner. "What are you going to do? How will you call me over the coals?"
He knew this fight was already lost, the vice admiral by himself was probably just as strong as Hakkai, who had easily beaten Luffy. Besides, Zoro was unarmed and this hall was filled with high ranked navy officers.
Right on cue the clumsy Admiral Aokiji showed up in his focus, falling over his own feet and bringing himself and his full bosomed dance partner down.
He had to avoid a conflict; otherwise it could become dangerous for his friends from Sasaki. At least that he could do. Maybe they would show him some mercy, let him bid farewell.
"This is my problem." Vice admiral Comil meant and looked down at him. "Loyalty to the Navy or trust in my family? What do I choose?"
Zoro paused. Not for one second he would have thought that they would even think about it, that something like this would make a difference, not after what he had done.
"The resurrects' family." He mumbled calm , only letting the marine hear him.
The man nodded.
"I take all of us who are part of the navy into my unit to guard them and to help them on their way. This special unit counts six members for the moment as you can see."
For another time he observed the cadets, who stared at him hostile, but this time he looked at their shadows, which became blurred and sharp again.
"Under other circumstances I would have offered you a place in my unit. Some of us were criminals in their former lives and found their home in our lines. Of course one or another went back to their former lives after they had learned how to switch bodies."
Now Zoro looked at the shadow of his dance partner. Looked at that ancient woman, who had placed her braid like a scarf around her neck and looked at him out of slitted eyes, her thin lips smiling friendly, just like her real counterpart Comil.
"I decided to get to know you first before I will decide what to do. You crimes are unforgivable and I understand that each of my colleagues wants to rip your intestines out of this fragile body." The vice admiral continued polite, like he was talking about the weather. "But you are part of this family and as you certainly already know from Banri, our solidarity in this world is essential. If we would put you on trial we would probably blow our own cover and reveal this well-kept secret and I would like to avoid that."
Zoro looked up at Banri's name. It really seemed like they all knew each other.
"How do you know that I know Banri?"
The vice admiral shrugged his shoulders. "How did I know that you know what we are? How did I know that you would not start screaming the moment you saw me? How did I know that you are already part of our family? I know all members of this family and this network keeps me updated."
They were still dancing, but Zoro ignored everything surrounding them.
"My other name is Gensui Jade, my little newbie, I am one of the oldest of our kind who is still alive and therefore I am sort of the family's mother. So if you want you can call me Jade."
It was strange for am man to call himself mother, but who was Zoro to judge?
His dance partner was a hint too nice, considering that Zoro's fate lay in his hands.
"Jade." He said calm. "You're kind to me. I have hard times imagine that your colleagues would appreciate that."
The secret woman smiled at him, which looked almost threatening with the full lips of the navy man.
"My young friend, I became a marine in my second life and committed it to justice, but I spent more time in this world than most living being and I have seen many human come and go. I am even more committed to my family so I will give you a chance just like fate did, if you want to."
"You know more than Banri, right?"
"Of course." She laughed lightly, which sounded weird coming from a man. "That odd fellow is nice for a first meeting but he doesn't even know half about what I know."
The song ended and both bowed swiftly but none of them left.
With the next sound Zoro took the marine's hands again.
"Although I have no right to, I ask for your help, Jade."
She met his view wordless.
"I already know what I need to learn in my life, but I'm still not able to change my appearance. What am I doing wrong? Do you know it?"
In slow steps he went back and forth, not one second avoiding the marine's eyes.
This dance could be his possibility to become Roronoa Zoro again but could lead to death penalty just as well. And this time he would probably die for sure!
"Words are useless." She answered plain. "We all know what's best for us. More training, eating healthy, an unstressed life, but that does not mean that we actually change our life."
Slowly they turned to the music, protected from eavesdropping.
"You will not be able to change your body until you behave according to your knowledge."
They eyes met.
"Afterwards, when you do what you have learned, you only need to collect enough force to change your appearance."
This was not really precise but it was enough to make him understand, to make him see.
Suddenly the kind face became cold.
"And now we will talk about what happened at the G-6!"
-Mihawk-
He put his fifth glass of wine on the table, ignoring the slave who took it away.
With harsh eyes he watched his tomboy, who was way too close with vice admiral Comil and he did not like that.
Why were Lady Loreen and the commandant of the G-2, superior of his old man, talking so familiar with each other?
This made him furious.
But he was aware that his interfering would be counterproductive. Roronoa would give him a sign if he were in danger.
He also noted those hostile looking six navy cadets at a not so far away table. It was quite unusual to have such low grass roots present. But this was not his matter.
Sighing deeply he got up.
Determined steps brought him to the only man in the room, who could hold any interesting information for him: Vice admiral Hakkai.
Surprised he realized how many marines were running around at this ball, certainly more than at his last time. On the other hand this ball was named after the Navy. But not a single soul dared to talk with their injured colleague, who watched the dancers all on his own.
The vice admiral looked at him slightly surprised as he joined him.
"Well, I assume you're the only one who is not scared of me." Hakkai greeted him calm, showing his well-known friendly smile which was still there, despite the horrible injuries.
"No worries, Hakkai, I am far ahead of you in the race for the most hated person in this room. You have to give it a little bit more effort if you want to defeat me."
The other man laughed slowly, his former light voice had become rough and dry. Mihawk remembered him from his own time back at the Navy. At that time the gentle man had been a calm, kind comrade, often underestimated because of his quiet mind.
His left eye had lost its fire, his body posture had lost its strength.
Whatever the Navy wanted to prove with having that man here, they were failing. If the Navy wanted to show off how great they had overcome this dark point of their history, Hakkai was the living prove that wounds took longer to heal than three weeks.
"I wanted to offer you my respect." He said cold. "Although it might be not much, coming from a pirate." He added with a small smile.
The other one met his view calm, nodding after a second and hobbled over to a close-by table. Just now Mihawk realized it. His right leg had to be an artificial. Without letting anything show he sat down next to the marine.
Right on cue two glasses of wine were placed in front of them, although none of them were looking for a waiter.
"It is quite unusual for one of the seven Shichibukai to be invited." Hakkai said in his polite tune. "Am I right to assume that it has something to do with that young lady over there?"
"You are well informed."
The vice admiral laughed halfheartedly. "Oh no, but your eyes tell enough to those who can read."
Indeed, he always had an eye on his tomboy; even now he could still watch him from the corner of his eye. At some point other warriors had to notice it.
"Forgive me for being straightforward, but I am surprised that you are not disrated by now."
He wanted answers and he would get answers.
The other one smiled sarcastically.
"You're not the only one. My failure should have been enough for me to be expelled."
"Maybe this attitude saved you."
His assumption was nothing more than polite chitchat, both of them knew it.
"Say, Hawk Eyes, what do you really want?"
His cold view met his own. The other man seemed so tired. He was not in for playing some hide and seek and Dracule respected him enough to not start the game.
He turned towards the other man, away from the dance floor.
"Tell me, why did you fail?"
-Zoro-
He bowed deeply in front of vice admiral Comil, a strange feeling filling his stomach. Now his fate would happen.
Coolly those eyes of the wide-shouldered man stared him down through his black mask, while the music was slowly fading.
"If possible I'd be really grateful if we could get this done without raising too much attention."
Zoro got up again.
"The people who helped me have no idea who I am and I don't want to cause them anymore trouble, because they want to help an arrested Lady Loreen."
His plea was clear. He would accept whatever the marine in front of him would decide, a fight was senseless. But he wanted to avoid a fight. Some people in this room would try to protect him – or rather Lady Loreen – if it came to a fight, and except for Homura he did not want them to suffer.
Even the Shichibukaj had to be excluded, if he wanted to make sure that nobody would get involved.
He would already get enough trouble as soon as the world knew who Lady Loreen was in reality. He doubted that they would execute him in a silent cubbyhole. The Navy could save its face with his death. After all this was not only about revenge.
The next song started, its happy, light rhythm totally out of place considering the threat in front of Zoro.
"What a shame." The vice admiral said. "I am so sorry."
Zoro gritted his teeth.
The other appearance of the vice admiral was an old woman, but that did not mean, she was kindhearted. If Jade had decided to expose him right here in front of all guests, he had to be quick to stop Jiroushin and Koumyou from helping him.
He kind of hoped that Mihawk was not stupid enough to interfere.
Within half a second he already had an idea about what to do. His friend from Sasaki had to hate him, so they would not help him.
Well, what a fitting role, being the villain once again. Somehow this was relaxing, to be the bad boy again. The world quieted down. It was alright. He did not blame the other resurrects, he could understand them. He simply hoped that they would end this without hurting people he liked more than necessary.
"This is a Française." The marine said plain and nodded towards the orchestra. "I love this dance. I used to dance it with my late husband."
Zoro knew that dance, it was one of the first he had learned. A dance with changing partners and different patterns. Kind of ridiculous in his eyes.
"But unfortunately our three dances are already over."
He swallowed harshly. Now it was all over.
"But you should not miss that one, Lady Loreen."
Surprised he stared at the other one.
"I really enjoyed dancing with you and I hope to see you again sometime."
The vice admiral saluted swiftly, turned around and went away.
Shocked Zoro watched the wide back of the marine walking to his colleagues, talking to them in calm words.
What did just…? Had he…? Did she…?
"My lady?"
A man with a red mask and blue tie offered his arm. Just at that moment three trumpets called for attention. The next dance began.
Still wondering what just had happened he nodded lightly and linked his arm with the stranger. After three steps forward he let the man go, clapped his hands like hundred other dancers, turned around, his back against the back of another woman and stood in front of another man.
And so they danced forward and backward, to the left and to the right.
Sometimes the rhythm altered or the tune changed, but the dance lasted for several minutes, giving Zoro no option to run away.
When it finally ended Zoro applauded politely like all the others.
Jade had not exposed him. He would not be arrested. She even had helped him, had told him how he could become him again.
But she had made clear that he would never again could only be Zoro. Loreen was as much a part of him now as his lungs were.
With a sigh he left the dance floor, but halfway he met the one responsible for his invitation.
Eizen!
His black suit with silver embroidery and his silver mask were the perfect counterpart of Zoro's own dress in silver-white.
The politician bowed deeply Zoro forced himself to curtsy as well. His feet started to hurt already and he did not know how much time had passed since he had been sitting at the table with the Shichibukai, but this thought lost of importance right now.
"Lady Loreen." The old man greeted him, smiling friendly.
For the first time Zoro could see his eyes because he was wearing no sunglasses. Simple brown eyes, no reason to hide them. All in all Eizen seemed even younger than at the previous day. Strange, really strange.
"Mister Eizen." He replied politely and took the offered hand.
He knew that this dance would come; he could not run from it, especially not in those heels.
The politician was the first one, whose shoulder he could reach effortless. Kind of sad how happy he was about that.
They followed the calm music, without looking at each other.
Zoro did not know what the other one was observing, but his eyes were placed upon the Shichibukai, who was sitting at another table than before for quite some time already. At the beginning he had been alone with the unfortunately familiar Hakkai, but by now several other soldiers had joined them, all looking unusual serious, considering that they were at a ball.
"So, my dear." The elderly began the most dangerous conversation. "How did you decide?"
Their eyes met.
Until few minutes ago he had been sure about what to answer, but things had changed, right?
"You still seem uncertain. I never would have thought about you being an unsteady person."
"Mister Eizen." He raised his voice. "The circumstances from yesterday have changed."
The other one was quiet for a second.
"How come, Lady Loreen?"
He shook his head. "I don't want to bore you with private discrepancies."
"Oh, and yet I had been certain that you would have informed your – how did we put it? – yes Acquaintance Mister Dracule about my proposal."
He shook his head again.
"Why should I bother him with something that is not his business?Your offer is meant for me, not him."
For a moment their conversation paused as he was turned out and pulled back in.
Then he continued talking.
"You know that I cannot accept your offer." Eizen's face did not falter for a second.
"Of course I know that I owe all my dubious fame to you and your colleagues from Mariejois. But I do not want to become the World Government's pet dog."
The politician showed an unreadable smile.
"And why do you decline? Is it a question of money? Or reputation? Or is it because of your Acquaintance?"
The conversation got even more threatening.
"Neither money nor prestige attract me, sir. If I may remind you, it was you who put me in this position. And – correct me, if I'm wrong – I don't have the slightest idea how the terms between the two of us could influence the contract between Mihawk and the Gorosei."
This man was nobody who would accept a No. He laughed slightly.
"Your charms are quite amusing. It seems you actually believe we are on a par, Lady Loreen."
No his polite mask cracked slightly.
"You are right. I am responsible for turning you into the woman everybody is seeing in you right now. I gifted you with influence and prestige. Only thanks to my words the world desires you."
"And I repeat myself, sir. I'm not interested. I do not care if the world loves or hates me."
They never stopped dancing.
"You still do not understand, Lady Loreen. Indeed, all guests here see you as the beautiful, pure noblewoman. The pretty girl in her white dress. None of them understand why you stay with scum like Dracule while even the world nobles would lower themselves to talk with you. All those people fall for your charms. They think you are part of the high society, almost like you put a spell on them. But it did not work on me. I know that this is nothing but a lie." His voice sounded dangerously soft.
"Our friend Homura thinks you are of royal blood. Everybody believe you are a long lost princess, a child of a gone kingdom. But both of us know that this is not true. You stay with Dracule, not because of his family's honor, but because you are as much scum as he is."
Zoro swallowed harshly.
"Congratulations." He said plain. "So you know my – oh - so great secret. I'm not of royalty, not even part of high society. Shocking. But what does it get you? Do you think I care about that? Do you think Mihawk cares about that? Do you know what suffers the most, if the world would now that I'm – how did you put it so nicely – oh yes, scum? Your strategy of turning me into your pet dog. You will only cut off your nose to spit your face."
He did not like that the other one kept smiling.
"My dear, we will lose nothing if you will not become our ally. But are you ready to lose your input?"
Zoro had no clue what input he had to risk. Nobody could know the connection to his crew and the Shichibukai was guarded by his family name and by his contract with the World Government.
"You really think you could threaten me that easily?" He asked instead and acted like he knew exactly what the other one was talking about. "You think you could control me?"
He made a step closer to the other one, their bodies touched each other. "Even if I would agree to work for you, you could never control me. I would never speak a word, given by you. And nothing what you could do, would change that."
The music faded and Zoro curtsied quickly.
This conversation was over.
But the older one did not let go of him.
The next, faster song started and the older one grabbed his free hand tightly. This dance was harsh and cold, forward and backward, without turns or twirls.
"My dear." The older one kept smiling. "You told me things had changed since yesterday. But already yesterday I had the feeling that you would deny my offer. You said you have personal reasons. I draw the conclusion that it has something to do with your acquaintance. Am I right?"
His foe paused dramatically and nodded towards the Shichibukai, who was still talking highly concentrated with Hakkai. An ugly high-pitched note of a violin screamed all the way down to Zoro's heart, which started beating wildly. Something was happening and he did not know what it was.
He had to stay calm!
"Interesting how long he keeps talking with the Vice Admiral, don't you agree? I actually wondered why someone as dishonorable as that man was not expelled from the Navy already. But it seems even Hakkai has his use. After all he has caught the complete attention of you acquaintance."
What was he saying?
"You surely know the rules of this night. The highlight of the dance is close. Afterwards the grand banquette will begin. But both of us know what will happen before."
The sign!
The wrong violin-note had been the sign!
And Hawk Eyes had not heard it!
The politician pulled him close, this time the feeling of their bodies touching was uncomfortable.
"Take a look around, my dear. Homura is already getting ready to run for you and we know that he will not be satisfied with a mere kiss."
Zoro could see him, close to the dance floor, only a few steps away from him, tapping his foot to the rhythm of the music.
Directly next to him was a tall, potbellied, elderly blond in a golden, flared suit. Under his fishbowl he was wearing a golden mask, the rest of his face was hidden by a big bushy beard. A red cape and a bony cane completed the picture.
"Saint Roswald." Eizen continued cold. "He is known for decorating his home with beautiful women, beautiful mounted women."
The politician's voice was filled with malice.
"Nobody would dare to step in front of a world noble in order to dance with you, only Homura can do so because he was your first dance partner. But luckily, I have exactly one dance left with you, my dear, enough to save you."
He looked down at Zoro. "I will not ask too much from you, my dear. All I want if one night and I promise you can keep on your clothes."
The music faded.
"So, my dear?"
His heart was pounding, but he did not look away.
"I thought I did already tell you, I'm no paw in your little game, my dear!"
-Mihawk-
He was very grateful that all of those annoying officers had left them alone by now, because now they were able to talk about those things he really was interested in.
Although it surprised him how easy it was to make the other one talk about his greatest failure in life.
His honesty impressed Mihawk, but Hakkai was known for this.
"Lieutenant Sanzo had informed me about the incorporative behavior of the pirate hunter as well, he also had assumed that the prisoner would not survive until the transfer. He completely agreed with everything Homura said, as you can see. I would have never thought that Roronoa Zoro would try to escape two days before the transfer. He was too well informed and I have no idea how he got all those information. My mistake and many had to pay with their lives." Hakkai concluded.
"The Lieutenant survived, right?"
The other one nodded. "He's still hospitalized, as well as Commodore Whang."
"And who was the fourth survivor?"
Hakkai as well as Mihawk looked at the orchestra when a violin missed a high tune and failed horribly, scratching the chords in a pitched cry. Well, this was surely the last show of that musician.
"A cadet. She survived by miracle not by skills." The vice admiral continued.
"How so?"
"The pirate hunter encountered her during his escape and although he outmatched her effortless he did not kill her. Don't ask me why, I have no idea, I cannot even guess."
"But how did she survive the explosion and the fire?"
"Like I said, it was a miracle. In one of our weapons stashes we stored a special heat-resistant metal, a mixture of wapometal, kitekkou and gold, but it was not ready to go into production yet. Roronoa Zoro hid her in-between; let her stew in her own grease. She got hurt, but she did survive."
Both of them were silent. The vice admiral probably brooding about his lost men and women. Mihawk on the other hand had gotten all information he wanted and was looking for an elegant way now to excuse himself without looking like he had simply been draining the other one for answers, which was totally true of course.
"Say Hawk Eyes." The other man looked at him. "You're here with that Lady Loreen, right?"
Confused about the sudden change of topic he turned to the marine.
"I'm just surprised you're not trying to reach her." The other man continued.
"I see no need for that, why should I?" He replied hesitant.
"You do know that the sign has been changed for this year?"
The music died out.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes, because it had been so difficult to detect one wrong word under thousands, they had agreed on changing the sign to an easily notable wrong tune."
Mihawk froze.
Suddenly a cold voice interrupted the calm ball room.
"Stay where you are!"
Mihawk jumped up and turned towards the dance floor.
There, not even far from him, stood Eizen, a hand reached out, blushing in anger. Behind were Nataku and some golden world noble.
Their eyes as well as all eyes of every other present guest followed the lady in white, who was walking straight towards him, head downcast.
In front of the few stairs, which lead up to him, the lady dropped down to a deep curtsy. Deep enough for the white gown to spread across the floor like a sea of light. The head stayed low, but one hand reached up to him, asking for the next dance.
Nobody said anything, nobody moved. The complete ball room was silent as a tomb.
Never before had a woman asked a man for the last dance, especially not if another man would like to dance with her, and certainly not if it was the officially last dance of the night.
Roronoa stayed in his position and right on cue everybody turned their eyes towards him, Mihawk.
How was it possible that his tomboy was changing the rules of this ball?
Every single step echoed through the ball room.
Finally he stood in front of the other one, bowed deeply and took that shivering hand.
Immediately the pirate rose, his green eyes widened in fear, only for him to see.
Nobody was moving. Everybody was waiting for something to happen.
With a sigh he starred at the conductor, knowing that one look would be enough.
Seconds later the mighty music started.
Many were still looking at them, but this ball was about politics and power and Loreen was only one of many ladies to dance with, to be able to reach something. Mihawk and his exceptional escort were actually nothing else than unimportant background actors and most of the other guests remembered that they were the main characters of their own lives.
Suddenly many of them rushed to their desired partners and asked them determined for a dance.
And then the famous last dance began. After this dance the man would ask his partner one question and if the woman accepted the man would receive her mask as a trophy.
Mihawk pulled the pirate closer, could hear his pounding heart, felt the heat of his skin, where his hand touched the other one's back, deep enough to show everybody that this one was his, but not too deep for his own education.
The small hand at his arm almost clung onto his jacket, slippery from sweat.
The youngster stared at his breast, at the wooden cross he always carried, the little weapon which he had used to defeat the other one so long ago.
And then he saw it, the little cross, like a ray of sun it reflected the light.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" The younger one gnarled through gritted teeth. "Haven't you seen who stood there?"
The other one was obviously mad, but his voice was quivering as well, beneath the tough mask hovered fear. Quite unusual for Roronoa Zoro. It seemed like Mihawk had missed some important matter of the evening.
"Were you to busy flirting with Hakkai to notice what was happening?"
"Just wait a…"
"Shut up!"
Suddenly the younger one stared up to him, tears filling his eyes. He was not mad, he was deeply disappointed. Roronoa was disappointed in him. Because he had let him down, left him alone. He had failed.
"Roronoa?" He whispered, almost too low for the other one to hear.
"Just let's get over with this, alright? My feet are hurting."
This was their first dance this night and probably the last in their lives as well. Mihawk did not expect much of this ball, his strategy had been about surviving without any major injuries, not about having fun or a good time. But somewhere in-between he had been looking forward to this dance. Had hoped that they would laugh just like Roronoa had laughed with Jirou, that he could have as much fun as they had. This dance should be the one, when they would laugh about other guests, when he wanted to tease the other one about what he would ask him. He should have guarded him, protected him.
But obviously he did fail. He had missed the first dance, because he had been caught off guard by Nataku's distracting words. The stroppy reaction of his tomboy had pushed him to lay low, to not reach out for him. Had pushed him back to his old behavior, to do what he was good at. Getting information and analyzing the situation.
Yes, he had received quite interesting knowledge from Hakkai, important things, well-kept secrets. But over those things he had forgotten the most important thing!
He had almost lost him!
Again!
"I am glad." He mumbled finally.
"How come?!" The other one hissed back, words filled with hatred and pain.
Slowly he pushed the other one against his body, as close as possible, ignoring the weak resistance.
"Today I have done a mistake." He admitted. "A mistake, grave enough to lose you." The other one replied nothing so he continued. "You know, all my life I was never allowed to make a mistake. A mistake would have meant failure and I was not allowed to fail, because then I would lose those dear to me. This is why I became the cold-blooded strategist, perfect tactician. I became able to calculate every possible mistake of other humans without ever doing one myself. This was the only way so I could protect those close to me. You are one of those few I do not want to lose. This is why I must not do a mistake."
Roronoa stayed silent.
"But today I did a mistake and still, still I did not lose you."
The other one continued this wordlessness, but after a while he sighed.
"You're an idiot." He murmured finally and looked up at him. "I told you that I can take care of myself." His voice sounded snottier than he probably wanted it to.
Then he looked away, not able to hide the slight blush on his pale cheeks, obviously ashamed of his previous behavior, or was there more to it?
"But next time I would prefer you to not give me the credit I deserve." He hesitated for a second. "Instead give me the credit for what I'm worth to you."
For a moment he did not know what to say, but then Mihawk only laughed softly as an answer.
In slow motions they turned to the music, each of them trying to understand those new emotions.
But then he remembered Einzen and Nataku, who were staring at him right now.
"Say." He raised his voice. "Did you get in trouble somehow?"
"Tze." The other one replied grinning. "Do you mean when I brushed of Eizen or when I broke the rules of this ball?"
"What? What did you do?"
Again!
For another time the youngster simply did what he wanted to do. Spontaneous, intuitive and completely ignorant about possible consequences. Once, long time ago Mihawk had been filled with this youthful levity as well, so long ago, too long ago.
"Roronoa!"
"Hmm?" The other one looked at him questioning.
"Let's get lost!"
His dancing partner tilted his head. "What are you talking about? We cannot simply run off!"
The music around them died out, they shared a glance and each of them made one step back.
They were surrounded by nervous male questions and diffident female answers.
He could see the other one swallow harshly, bracing himself.
"Honorable Lady." He raised his voice, asking the traditional demand. "Satisfy my wish."
Zoro nodded voiceless.
"A kiss!"
The other one's jaw dropped down.
"Are you freaking nuts?" He hissed angrily so nobody else could hear him. But Mihawk's words had been loud enough to be heard by everybody else.
So he ignored his tomboy's words and bowed deeply, before he reached the other one's hand and kissed it.
For another time he could hear whisper surrounding him, but all that mattered were those green eyes, looking at him confused.
The other one was probably not aware that there was nothing more respectful than a kiss on the hand, but everybody else knew it.
His lips still touching the hot skin, he winked at the other one before he rose again.
"Take off your mask." He ordered softly and to his surprise his disciple did as he was told.
With his free hand Roronoa grabbed the frame of his mask and pulled it including the veil down. Green, long, soft curls fell over his back.
The crowd muttered louder.
"Throw it down."
The muttering grew, but died off immediately when the mask hit the ground dully. One single stone got loose and clattered over the marble.
The pirate looked at him uncertain and confused but he simply made a step towards the youngster and bent down.
This time he kissed him on his forehead. And again the other one would not know how powerful this sign of protection and affection was, but that was alright.
The child in front of him did not move an inch as he touched the long hair and held the other one with one hand.
"Ready?" He whispered.
"Yes."
And off they ran!
The white mask burst apart in thousand pieces under the Shichibukai's feet.
Panicking eyes followed him.
In the far distance a world noble yelled that they should be stopped. How could they dare to leave the ball already? But who would dare to bar their way?
A sudden crack made him turn to the side and he saw Roronoa slow down. One of his heels was broken. The pirate cursed silently and tried to get his shoe off.
Several marines were following them by now.
Laughing widely he grabbed his tomboy and threw him over his shoulder.
"Let go of me!" The pirate yelled, but Mihawk could not stop laughing.
Out of nowhere the great winged doors in front of them opened up, giving sight to a beautiful night.
At the end of the stairs downwards were carriages already waiting for departing guests.
Mihawk jumped down the stairs and ran for the first one.
"Take off!" He ordered the man, who was smoking next to the coach box.
He was already pulling the little door open and threw his tomboy inside, following directly. Before he could even close the door the carriage already started moving.
Those marines, who had been following him, paused at the stairs, their cloaks moving in the wind, watching them leave helplessly.