They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I do hope that you are enjoying this fic! Thank you all for all the comments and kudos! I really do appreciate them all! You guys really have given me boosts of confidence when I needed them. At times, when I'm working on this, I don't really know what you guys are thinking or what you might like to see. It's like that anxious and nervous part of me talking myself. So, with that being said, I am so sorry about any confusion or even irritation I may have caused with the last chapter. I had wrote it out, and for a moment thought I was going overboard with what I was doing with Teach. Thanks for putting up with me guys! I appreciate it! On a different note: This whole thing gave me an idea for something I want to do here soon that could work out really well. If you've read my author's notes, you know all the way back at Marineford, I had NO idea where I was taking this.
But there was a random idea that hit because of a comment I got on the original chapter 41, which is now posted over on We Are (Family) – it's Chapter 49 there and called Dejavu – and it was talking about Shanks and Mihawk trying for another child. Mind went, KNOCK THEM ALL UP. Then I chuckled cause that would be funny. I was joking about that on Discord a while back when I was talking about Oyaji with some of my friends in there. When I say, I have temptations, I have temptations xD Thoughts? Anyway, enough of my rambles. ONTO THE GOOD PART.
I want to give special and huge shout outs to MiyaneYamato48, AveryKirigaya, TheAlien20, HisSecretLover18, and Midnight_180_Wolf, Sunafafa, and LT (anonymous on the original) and Goblin_frog (also on the original) for giving me a major boost of confidence, and honestly all around those who I see pop up in the inbox all the time. Thank you so much for supporting me and all your kind words!
On with the fic!
Chapter Forty-Two: Remedy (by Little Boots)
Chapter Summary: The alliance is heading back to Sabaody when Shanks tells them about what he experienced. Ace announces his surprising news. Luffy and Law have a heart to heart. Later, they realize this might not be over when Shanks starts to act odd.
Shanks could almost burst out into tears right then and there. Knowing he was back home. That his children were safe. It felt like all of this was finally coming to an end, but there was still this odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. One that he couldn't exactly place.
Though, there felt like there was one more thing that he did definitely need to address while he was still here. He pulled away from his mate – well former mate in all technicality – and his pups. He placed a kiss on the top of Ace and Luffy's heads before he was turning towards Buggy. Buggy had made the first moves of this. It felt like maybe for the first time in years, they could actually both have a civil conversation without Buggy screeching at him for the most part. Everything for them had fallen apart well over twenty years before. He never took into consideration to why Buggy always seemed so angry with him. He hated the idea of ending things the way they were going now.
He took a deep breath as he moved forward, standing directly before his former nakama. Buggy was looking right back at him, keeping his face as stoic as possible. He recalled everything Buggy had said to him back on that island. The way he tried to protect him like when they were kids. He didn't want to lose Buggy out of his life again. There was so much that he wished could have been different if Buggy had just allowed it. He could have known Ace and Luffy. Could have understood what he truly meant to Roger. Buggy was Roger's son rather he knew it or not. Roger had always told him so. It was time that Buggy understood.
"Buggy, why don't we go do something like old times." Shanks stated.
Buggy gave him an odd look, before he snapped with, "As if I would want to do anything with you, bastard!"
The Omega chuckled, shaking his head, "Go sit on the top of the cabins with me. I need to talk to you."
Buggy paused, looking like he was contemplating for a moment. "Uh, where exactly."
"Our old home." Shanks replied. "The Oro Jackson."
"How did you—" Buggy couldn't finish his sentence before Shanks was turning and heading across the deck in the direction that he already knew the Oro Jackson was in. He had seen the questioning looks being given to him. To them, he had no possible way of knowing that the Oro Jackson was just feet away from them.
The others had cleared a path as he heard the other set of footprints to signify that Buggy was indeed following him. He crossed over the gangplank, letting his eyes settle on the ship that he had called home for over a decade. He smiled as he stepped foot on the ship for the first time in all these years. Back in his physical body. Not just the illusion that was that purgatory. He basked in the feel of the wind in his hair. The smell of the sea. All things that people might take for granted.
It almost made him feel like a kid again as he spread his arms and twirled on his feet, a small laugh leaving him. He looked back at Buggy, a soft smile on his face, "I owe you my gratitude, Buggy."
"What for?" Buggy questioned.
"You saved them all." Shanks muttered, walking over until he got to the cabins. Getting up on the crates that were there and pulling himself completely up onto the top. Buggy followed him a second later, standing in the spot that he normally would be sitting in when they were kids.
"Why are we up here?"
Shanks grinned, turning to face Buggy as he sat down. "The last time we were able to just talk to each other was up here. After you ate the Bara Bara no Mi, it was never the same."
The Alpha sighed, sitting down across from him as he looked out to the ocean. "I'll try not to snap your head off. You just piss me off."
The Omega let the smile come to his face, "I'm aware." He exhaled softly as he leaned back on his arms, letting his legs dangle over the side of the cabins. "Buggy—"
"I'm sorry." Buggy interjected.
Shanks looked over at him in shock. He never expected to hear those words come from Buggy's mouth. Ever. "Buggy?"
"I never should have kissed you." Buggy went on. "I was drunk, and emotions were flaring because I had realized, I missed so much. I missed the fact that you found someone. That you had kids that I met and never even realized it. I realized something when we were going to get you back from that bastard. That… I never wanted to lose you." Shanks didn't even know what to say. He was fully expecting Buggy to be screaming at him like he normally did. Not actually giving him a heart to heart. "I realized that I had been in love with you. As a kid. A childhood crush that wasn't going anywhere. You were everything that I wasn't… but I saw that bastard attack you and it was like being on the Oro Jackson again. Fighting side by side even if we did nothing but argue."
Shanks let out a noise, looking down at the wood of the cabin. "You're actually being civil with me."
"I don't see the point in fighting with you right now." Buggy whispered. "Not after all of…" He waved his hand around, "This."
Shanks laughed, unsure of what to exactly do. He wanted to speak to Buggy about what happened at Sabaody, but apparently the Alpha already beat him to it. "If you ever try to kiss me again, I will hurt you." Shanks muttered.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
The Omega sighed, shaking his head as he rubbed his hands over his wet pants. His clothes were sticking to him uncomfortably. His stomach was doing flips and his head was splitting in pain, but he still felt relieved. Reunited with Mihawk and their children. Him and Buggy were somewhat getting along. He reached up, touching at his chest where there was a twinge of sharp pain. He pushed the feeling to the side, sighing as he looked out to the ocean.
Teach was dead.
He was okay.
Ace and Luffy were okay.
All the pirates were okay.
Why did he feel like he wasn't safe?
X
Luffy was smiling as he watched Shanks and Buggy walk away. Even if Buggy appeared to do so reluctantly. The Alpha turned, facing Law, "Thank you. For everything."
The Omega smiled, reaching up and placing a hand on the back of his neck. "Any time."
The Alpha chuckled, reaching forward, and wrapping his arms around Law's torso. The Omega had tensed for a moment before he was leaning into it. Luffy had never felt this way for someone before. He wanted to see where this would go. The way that Law had made him feel. It felt similar to what Shanks and Mihawk had said what happened when their relationship started.
Luffy wanted to have a relationship with Law. He had already done so much to help them when he didn't have to. At first, he thought it was just a feeling of gratitude. That was until he would feel the butterflies in his stomach. The way that his heart would race the second that he looked at the Omega. He knew. He knew the second he looked into Law's eyes back at Sabaody Archipelago. That feeling that Shanks would describe to him that he felt about Mihawk was exactly what he was feeling now. This Omega was going to be the person he mated with one day. Even if it took years to get there. They had to get to know each other better. They couldn't just jump into it. He knew that. Even if he wanted to. He loved seeing the way that Law would get flustered whenever he called him his Pirate Queen. Ace kept telling him that was insulting to Law, but Law didn't actually seem to mind. Wasn't trying to fix it.
What he did know about Omegas came down to personal preference. If they were okay with the use of what was known as more feminine words. It could be said about Alpha females as well. They often faced the same thing. He noticed it with Nami a lot.
He pulled away, exhaling as he said, "I'll do this right, Traffy. I'm going to be training for two years but… I want this. No matter how long it takes."
Law grinned, reaching up and wrapping his arms around the Alpha's shoulders. "I'll hold you to that, Straw Hat-ya."
X
Ace was nervous. Now that they were all back together. He had his news that he had to tell them all. This was a good thing. It felt like it would raise all their spirits again. Shanks and Buggy had finally came back over from the Oro Jackson, and shockingly, they were laughing and smiling as if they never fought a day in their lives as they made it over to them.
Shanks had fallen almost perfectly back into place in the middle of his crew, standing among them as if nothing happened. Ace exhaled, letting out the shaky breath that he had been holding as he took a couple of steps forward. "I have something I need to tell all of you."
Eyes turned to him, the silence that followed next. Ace hadn't even told Marco yet. This was also a surprise for him. He would rather just do it now and just get it out of the way. He smiled, turning towards Marco. "So, you know how I'm pregnant, right?"
Marco gave him a confused look, looking over Ace's shoulder for a second before he nodded. "Yeah, kind of hard to miss now."
Ace grinned, shuffling on his feet, "Well, it's kind of… two."
The Alpha's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly as the others immediately started in on him. "Wait, Ace, are you saying?" Haruta questioned, eyes lighting up as he looked up at Ace. "Twins?"
Ace smiled, laughing as he nodded. "I guess the other was hiding."
"Well, I'll be damned, Marco." Thatch snickered, coming up and clapping Marco on the shoulder. "You knock him up and apparently have to do it double."
"Double the trouble for sure." Izou hummed, a smile on his face.
The congratulations flew his way before he knew it as his nakama flooded around him. Marco suddenly laughed, reaching out and pulling Ace into his arms. A hand landing on the back of his head as he pulled the Omega off of his feet and twirled him around before he was placing his feet back down. "I can't believe it."
"I can't either." Ace muttered.
Whitebeard walked over, kneeling down so he could place himself at an easier height to look Ace in the eye. "Congratulations, son."
The Omega grinned, leaning into Whitebeard for a moment as his attention was grabbed by Mihawk walking over alongside Shanks. Shanks stopped at him, wrapping his arm around his shoulders, and pressing a kiss into the top of his head. "Always having to go above and beyond."
"Apparently." Ace replied.
Mihawk had stopped in front of Marco, holding his hand out. Ace watched in absolute shock. It was always strange with Mihawk about his relationship. He had known for a long time. Seeing his courting necklace and even giving a kind of blessing. Then threatening to slice Marco in two. He didn't even know what to think when Mihawk held his hand out to Marco. Marco eyed him for a second. Looking between Mihawk and Ace. "I'm in your debt, Marco." Mihawk finally said. "You'll be a great father."
Marco smiled, reaching up and taking Mihawk's hand, giving a firm handshake to the man. "I'll do my best." He replied.
Mihawk turned away from Marco, looking at Ace with a soft smile on his face as Shanks let him go. "It seems like it was only yesterday that you were this small little thing that was obsessed with swords and driving his mother crazy." The Alpha Swordsman reached up, placing his hands on either side of Ace's face. "You've grown so much. Even if you do make stupid decisions."
The Omega broke out into a laugh as he moved forward, wrapping his arms around his Alpha father. "Thank you."
As they all pulled away, they all looked at Shanks almost expectantly. Shanks blinked, looking around, "Last time I said let's have a party I got kidnapped. Can someone else say it this time?"
"Well, let's party!" Luffy shouted, his voice carrying over the ship.
Luffy rushed forward, straight into Ace's side as Sabo came over, clapping his sworn brother on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Ace. You've gone and multiplied yourself by two."
"I say, we have quite a bit to celebrate." Whitebeard added.
Rouge had made her way over, grinning as she reached around and wrapped her arms around Ace. Ace couldn't even tell who was actually touching him anymore at this point. He had been bombarded by them.
He did finally feel content. He could move on now. He felt like he had his confidence back in being in his position as a Commander among the Whitebeard Pirates.
Now, he had to take care of himself. Keep himself out of trouble and harm's way. The thought came to mind. Is this why Shanks had stayed off the sea both times? He would be fine with his nakama. It should remain calm, but it couldn't be a guarantee. It seemed like only time would tell for him now.
X
They couldn't necessarily call it a party. It was more of a lunch being served with alcohol. Everyone did seem in high spirits now as they sat around. Shanks had barely touched his drink or his food. Sitting on the deck content to be surrounded by the people that he loved and cared for. After what he had just gone through, he was ready for some time of solace. He was leaning back against Mihawk's legs and Ace and Luffy had taken up to leaning next to him. Law was on Luffy's other side while Sabo was on Ace's. Marco was sitting directly next to Mihawk and Rouge to his other side.
It was content. Quiet.
Shanks looked down at his hand. Seeing his wedding ring there. It was almost mocking him. The feeling of undeserving had gone through him. He didn't deserve this. He had given in so easily to Teach's delusions. Played right into it. Lost his bond to Mihawk. God knows what else happened since most of it was a blur to him now.
Whatever Marco had given him had definitely helped to elevate the symptoms. He no longer felt like he was in a heat anymore, but his stomach was still doing flips. Hell, his body still felt weak, but he had enough adrenaline pumping through his veins now that he could push away the feeling.
It felt like eyes were on him. He had been getting looks ever since he had woken back up. Not one person had really stopped touching him since. Like he would fade away if they stopped. He understood that. He wanted to stick close to Ace immediately following Marineford. The fear that he had felt at the thought of looking his eldest child.
His daughter's face flashed before his mind as he almost subconsciously placed a hand over his stomach. Maybe, this whole eternal sleep thing that happened to him was a good thing. He had always held so much guilt over what happened five years prior to the point he couldn't even tell a soul about it. Only a select few knew, but now Ace and Buggy both knew. He had been so angry at what Teach was saying. He didn't want Ace to go through that pain. The same pain that he had felt. No one should ever have to go through it.
He scratched at his chest again. That twinge of pain that was returning by the second. It felt almost as if someone was pressing something against his chest. He looked up, seeing Buggy eyeing him from where he was sitting and eating his food. Shanks cocked his eyebrow as Buggy placed his food to the side, "You never did tell me how you knew the Oro Jackson was here."
Shanks smiled. "I saw it."
Buggy looked stunned as he heard the dead silence that followed. "You… saw it?" Whitebeard questioned.
"Weren't you like… forcibly asleep?" Thatch added.
Benn made a noise as he leaned forward in his seat, "Shanks, I have to ask." Shanks turned his head enough to look at his First Mate. Seeing that look on his face. Aside from Mihawk and Buggy, Benn was the one person who could read Shanks the easiest. He knew all his tells. Knew something was wrong before anyone else. There was a reason that Benn was one of the people that Shanks trusted the most. "What happened on that island?"
Shanks sighed as he placed his plate to the side. So much for a celebration. He looked down at the deck, taking more interest in the wood than actually looking at anyone else. "I don't really remember." He muttered.
"Think, Shanks." Benn replied, "Close your eyes and think about that moment. There's something."
Shanks frowned. He wasn't so sure. It had just been an accident. It had to be from his exhaustion. "I don't really know how that will help anything."
Benn hummed. The Alpha pushed himself up, walking over and kneeling down directly in front of Shanks. "Well, there's something you know, isn't there? How else would you have known about the Oro Jackson when you never saw it?"
Shank sighed. Benn was right. He had fallen right into that one. He looked up to see all the questioning looks that he was getting. With all eyes on him, the strange feeling of wanting to shrink and just not be seen was there. "Well, I guess it happened when I got hit by that power." He started, pulling his legs up to his chest and placing his arms folded over them. "I woke up, well it wasn't really waking up I guess, but I was there… in this stream."
"Wasn't there water near us?" Sabo questioned, looking over to Law, Luffy, and Ace.
Law nodded. "I had barely noticed it, but there were streams everywhere on that island. It was hard to tell with the fire, but I had noticed them before that." The Omega doctor confirmed.
"When I got separated from the others, I had, I guess, tripped over my own feet or I slipped somehow. I opened my eyes and I climbed back up and they were all looking for me." He paused, exhaling sharply as he looked back up, "I only realized that something was wrong when they couldn't hear me talking to them and Ace walking… right through me."
Ace's jaw dropped as his eyes widened. "You—you could hear and see us?!"
Shanks nodded. "It got stranger from that point, because… she showed up." He paused. Could he really tell them all about her? That would mean reopening old wounds. For the time being, he passed over it, he would get back to it, "Then I was on a cliff, and I saw myself. The man who did this to me was there."
"You were basically like a… ghost?" Luffy questioned, "That's really cool!"
Ace reached over, smacking Luffy on the arm and shaking his head with a look of disbelief. "Luffy!"
"What?!" Luffy muttered before he was frowning. "How cool would it be to be a ghost?!"
Shanks sighed. Luffy always was able to see the good in everything. It was something about his son that he never wanted to change. "So, even though you were in this eternal sleep thing, you could see us?" Sabo questioned.
Shanks nodded before a smile came to his face. "I guess I was in this place between life and death itself." He explained, "I… met Grandma Shay and the Captain again." The shocked looks he gained came next as he sighed, eyeing Ace to see the questioning look on his face.
"Wait, you met my Mom?" Rouge questioned; eyes wide as she leaned over to look at Shanks. Shanks turned his head enough to look at her and nod.
"You mentioned her." Ace whispered, "Was it?"
Ace was even keeping his words to a minimum. Like he wasn't sure if Shanks actually wanted to talk about it. "Yeah, she was."
Ace nodded, leaning into Shanks' side, and laying his head against his bicep. He couldn't say anything back as Luffy frowned, leaning further over, "Hey, Dad? Don't you usually wear two of those necklace things?" Ace pulled back at Luffy's question, eyes settling on Shanks' chest.
Shanks gave him a puzzled look as he reached down, only feeling one pendant hanging around his neck. The air caught in his throat as he looked down, noticing the one that he was still wearing was his mother's. His was gone. "I…"
"Did that bastard take it?!" Ace exclaimed, sitting up quickly. "Did Teach seriously also steal that from you?!"
Shanks tried to think of anything that he could with concrete evidence remember. He didn't remember Teach taking it off of him. He shook his head, "I don't know." He moved, looking over his shoulder to see that Mihawk had a stoic look on his face. Not saying anything to him. "Mihawk, I'm so sorry."
Mihawk sighed, eyes closing for a second as he leaned back, "It's not your fault. It's just a piece of jewelry. It's not like I can't go get another one."
Shanks shook his head, "Mihawk, that one was the one you gave me before Ace was born. It—"
"It's alright, Shanks." Mihawk stated, "Don't panic over it. All I care about is the fact that you are alive."
It only further cemented into his mind that he didn't deserve this man. Shanks choked down the lump in his throat, "I have to go." He said, standing up. He had still yet to actually change out of his ruined clothes. He wanted to bathe. He just needed to get away.
"Wait! Mom!" Ace called out.
Shanks ignored them all as he went to the edge of the ship, pulling himself on the rail before he was using his haki to give him a boost over to the Red Force.
Why did the thought of Mihawk suddenly hurt? Make him so angry that he would rather not have been woken up? It didn't make sense to him.
He landed on his feet on his own ship, taking a deep breath as he started for the cabins. He had gotten to his private quarters quickly, stripping out of his clothes and grabbing fresh ones before letting himself into his personal bathroom. He started up the water, making sure it was at the temperature he preferred before he moved to go to grab a towel. He paused as he got to the mirror, seeing his own reflection. He frowned as he noticed the large black mark, almost like a scar, over his chest where his heart was located.
The air caught in his throat as he reached up for it. Seeing the small black veins that were poking out around it. "What the hell?" He muttered to himself. He looked back up to his reflection. His heart almost stopping as he saw his eye color change. He didn't see stormy colored eyes looking back at him rather blue. A bright blue. He reeled back, stumbling over his feet as his back hit the wall and his eyes changed back to normal. He shook his head, pushing the thought to the side as he slipped into the bath.
It would go away.
Everything was fine.
It had to be.
He sunk into the water, slipping his head under the water, and opening his eyes. Was this just a bluff? He had to be seeing things. He lifted himself back up, making quick work of cleaning himself up and scrubbing away all the grime that was on his skin. He hated the feel of dirt on his skin. He liked being clean. He also wanted to get the feel of Teach off of him.
When he deemed himself cleaned, he pulled himself out, grabbing his towel and drying off quickly. Rubbing it over his head as he looked back in the mirror. That black mark was still there but his eyes were completely normal. Maybe it was an after effect of that man's powers? He felt fine. He was awake and alert. He sighed as he slipped his clothes on, buttoning his shirt all the way up. He didn't want anyone to see it. He didn't want them to worry.
All he could smell on himself now was his evening out scent and pheromones. Lingering exactly the way they should be. What Marco had given him worked to stop the unexpected heat he had been in. He was already close to having his normal one. It felt like the next one was going to hit hard. He would have to make sure he was in a safe location. He remembered what it was like being unmated and going through a heat. It had been so long since then.
The Omega turned to grab his soiled clothes off of the floor, stopping as he touched the pocket of his pains. It squished. He kneeled down, picking them up and reaching into it. He froze as he pulled it out.
How the hell did that get into his pocket?! And he didn't notice until now?
He looked over his shoulder, despite knowing he was alone and shoved it back into his clothes, folding them up before he was hiding them underneath his skin in the cabinet that was there. No one could know.
He stood back up, straightening out his clothes before he was walking out of his bathroom. He sat down on the edge of his bed. Inhaling as he picked up the scents of Mihawk, Ace, Luffy, Sabo, and Rouge lingering in the room.
Sangria and forest.
Normally that scent was calming to him, but he felt a wave of hatred. He growled as he stood up. Feeling the overflooding anger starting to come. He didn't understand where it was suddenly coming from. Why he was feeling this way? Which only angered him more.
Kill. Kill. KILL.
He growled again as he reached up to cover his ears. Shaking his head. This wasn't right. This couldn't be right. He walked over, pressing his back into the wall. The thought of the night that bottle hit the wall. All the fights they ever had. The separation. Mihawk being away. His want for Mihawk to stay by his side but feeling like he was unable to ask him too.
He slammed his head back, growling as he felt his teeth starting to lengthen.
Something was wrong.
He was wrong.
He jerked at his hair, forcing himself to take a few deep breaths to calm down. He needed to get to the others. They needed to know something was wrong. He paused as the door started to open. That scent filling his nose. He wasn't safe. He wouldn't be as long as if he was here. He reached over to his desk, opening up the drawer to where he kept a knife hidden.
He could feel himself getting lost in his instincts. His mind clouding over as his body started to move against his own will. He couldn't get himself to stop. No matter what he did. Why can't I stop?! He thought to himself as he heard the soft growl leave him.
Just as the door opened, he felt his haki flare. His body move and he was leaping forward.
X
Mihawk sighed as he watched Shanks walk away. He could understand why Shanks seemed so upset over the fact that his courting necklace was gone, but that didn't matter. What mattered was Shanks was back with them. Alive.
He pushed himself up, looking down at Ace and Luffy for a moment, "Is he going to be okay?" Luffy questioned.
Mihawk nodded. "He just needs time." He replied, "He just went through something no one should ever experience. Seems like anything might send him over the edge."
Ace gritted his teeth, bringing his legs up to his chest. Mihawk could see the guilt coming over Ace's face again. He knew exactly what was going through the Omega's mind. Marineford. He reached down, placing his hand on the top of Ace's head, "Son, it's not your fault." He heard the air catch in Ace's throat as he looked up at him. "I have a feeling this might have happened even if Marineford never occurred. We've already seen the lengths that bastard was willing to go. It was only a matter of time before he came after Shanks."
Ace nodded. "Just… make sure he's okay."
Mihawk hummed. "I will. Why don't you get some rest and food yourself? You've also been through a lot." His gaze moved from Ace to Luffy this time. "You too."
Luffy stood up, giving him the same concerned look. "Does he seem different to you?"
Mihawk had noticed. There were a few things Shanks had been doing since he had woken up that just wasn't adding up. It was subtle but he was shying away from touch. He was quieter than usual. Shanks tended to be quiet most of the time when he wasn't drinking, but this was different. He was barely saying anything. Being careful with his words. He also wouldn't look at Mihawk. That was until that last moment. It was understandable. "Like I said. He just went through something traumatic. He'll be fine. Everyone needs some time to heal over the events of Marineford. This. Just give him a bit of time."
Luffy sighed, looking defeated for a second. "Was it what I said?"
Mihawk shook his head, "No, it wasn't." He muttered, reaching forward, and wrapping his arm around his youngest son's shoulders. "He would have noticed eventually."
"Why does a necklace mean so much?" Luffy questioned.
"It's because I gave it to him." Mihawk replied. "He's been wearing that since before he was pregnant with Ace. He's never taken it off, so to suddenly lose it, it's getting to him."
"Like my hat." Luffy replied, pulling away.
Mihawk nodded. "Like the straw hat." He pulled completely away from the younger Alpha before he was starting for the rail. "I'll check on him." He jumped, landing on the Red Force. He paused as he sighed. He should Shanks a few moments to himself. After everything. He deserved a bit of privacy.
He started for the cabins, going straight for the door that he knew was Shanks' before he stopped, leaning against the wall. He wasn't even sure how long he stood there for before he heard the movement in the room. The Alpha turned, grabbing the handle before he was letting himself in.
X
He smirked as he looked down at them all. Watched them from the moment that they had stopped. He leaned against the mast, eyeing them from his hiding place. He had watched as Marco the Phoenix had made his deduction. One that had brought a smirk to his lips.
"Those fools." He muttered.
It would work. At least to bring Shanks out of his forced slumber. They were dealing with a Devil Fruit they didn't know hardly anything about. That woman – Nico Robin and Dragon the Revolutionary were about the only ones who seemed to have a bit of reliable information. Only, they missed an important detail. They were correct in their deduction with the elements playing a part in his powers. They were all life sustaining, but they could also take a life. It was always a yin and yang with life and death. However, eternal sleep was a strange power. Only given to him when he had awakened his powers that day. The day he had met Shanks. They had made a mistake waking him up without knowing the outcome. He knew they were holding onto hope. Hope that he would wake up. Hope that he would survive. The repercussions were going to come back. Shanks had been in the middle of life and death. A place that he could go at will. Shanks never fully came back. They didn't see it. He was physically back in his body. Able to move around. Speak. Touch. Feel. Smell. Taste.
He had stayed exactly where he was. Watching as they celebrated the awakening of Red-Haired Shanks. Reuniting as a family. He had watched Shanks and Buggy reconcile for the first time in years. Ace reveal his news. Luffy and Trafalgar Law talking to one another.
His eyes had landed on Mihawk. The man that he wanted nothing more than to see perish. He hated Mihawk with every fiber of his being. The issues that he had brought into his life. Trying to take his life with no reason at all. Rouge was there. Happy to see her son alive. She didn't deserve her life either. She had abandoned her child in favor of a pirate crew. There were a few faces that he noticed that brought that feeling to a head. Others that he believed at the right to keep their life.
He would make sure that he didn't lay a hand on them.
Mihawk and Rouge, however, were on the top of his list.
He had initially came here to reawaken Shanks from his eternal sleep. Shanks had been kind to him when they had met in the past. He had been put through enough in his life. Ace fit into that category. His life being put on a pedestal as his nakama, and family had to race to save his life. He had also seen how willing Ace was to give his life for his brother and vice versa. Luffy and Ace were good people. Raised right. Valued lives over their own. However, it was dangerous. They didn't truly value their own lives. He would need to teach them that. Ace might be seeing it now. After going through Marineford and what happened back on the island with Teach.
He smirked as he heard Luffy question Shanks about his courting necklace. It was a fine made piece of jewelry. Beautifully crafted and well taken care of. He opened his balled fist in front of him, letting the chain dangle before him. He always thought of all the outcomes. He let his palm glow that beautiful white color. He could hear the remorse and panic in Shanks' voice. Carrying up to him.
It was time.
He felt his eyes sting as he felt the glow to them as he flipped the pendant back up into his palm, reaching down and slipping it into his pocket. He would hang onto this for now. He watched as Shanks departed, his smirk getting bigger when Mihawk followed. Shanks' face flashed before his mind. The remnants that were behind.
It would have been better off if they had just let him do what he needed to do. They had no idea what they were dealing with. They had fallen right into a trap in their desperation to bring Shanks back from the brink.
And now, Mihawk was going to be the one to pay for it.
After all this time, he would make good on that promise that he had made.
"Kill."
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Since so many people liked the original concept and this concept, I made a decision to combine the two of them. Thoughts? Hopefully, you guys like it! We will be focusing a bit more on Mihawk coming up! I hope you enjoyed and I will see you next time!