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! As weird as it sounds: I want to give everyone pretty much their like "bad" guys like with Shanks and Ace it's Teach. Mihawk, I didn't know who to use so I created Luca. Luffy will have his own. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment! While this fic never went exactly where I had imagined due to getting writer's block a while back. I hope you enjoyed anyway! Thanks for supporting me!
I am happy to announce that the LuLaw spin off is in the works! Within the next few chapters will mark the start up of the fic! I hope to have it posted soon!
Additional Notes: So, I did take down my announcement that I had sent out since I had gotten the situation handled. Thank you to everyone for notifying me that my fic was taken without my permission and posted to a site I do not use or want my fics on! Thank you so much!
Comment Shoutouts: Taylor1107, TheAlien20, Midnight_180_Wolf, Naturenut62289, robinpoem, rose (anonymous), hanihazeljade, and Polyamoory! All of you thank you so much for leaving comments on the last chapter! Thanks for all the support and leaving kind words in the comments! Seeing comments make my entire day when I get them so thank you so much for continuing to show support!
Chapter Forty-Five: Blink (by Revive)
Chapter Summary: It's brother versus brother as Teach takes on Luca to give the alliance a fighting chance. Luca starts to realize there are a few who could successfully kill him as he decides to target someone. Meanwhile, Mihawk figures out how to get Luca to stand down.
The shock had moved over the deck at not only Teach standing before them, but that he was in fact the brother of this man. Mihawk wasn't exactly sure what to do. If he went at Luca with his full strength, he would destroy all the ships. No matter if he was careful. It would happen.
Mihawk couldn't believe it. That monster had a brother?! Let alone was standing before them again alive. "This is… impossible." Ace whispered. "I failed."
Shanks stepped forward, that same smirk still on his face. The blood pouring down his hand and arm as he pulled the knife out to show the wound. "Do you really think you can face us all?" Shanks questioned. "There had been this weakness all along. You didn't think that keeping me under your hold would give me the chance to learn it."
Luca, despite the shock on his face, snorted and shook his head. A pleased smirk coming to his face. "Are you willing to keep harming yourself to try and stop me?" Mihawk watched his movements, watching as Luca reached behind him and pulled out a knife. It didn't look like any ordinary knife. It was finely detailed, markings over the blade. He frowned.
The air caught in Shanks' throat as he eyed it. "That knife—"
"Is how I put you under my curse." Luca finished. "It's specialized to allow my power to flow right through it. That black mark on your chest is where I stabbed you with this. It was easy enough to do since you were already knocked out cold. I don't think I would ever be able to lay a hand on either of you at full power."
Mihawk could see through the corner of his eye as Marco moved forward, his hand lit up in his blue flames and placing it over the back of Shanks' hand. Working on the wound that was there. "So, you're a coward." Mihawk grumbled. "Can't even take him head on."
Mihawk could have laughed from the instant vein that popped out in Luca's head.
The Alpha stepped forward, "Do you even know why this is happening?"
"I don't care." Mihawk retorted. "If I attacked you. I had a reason to do so."
Luca chuckled, lifting his hand, "Let me show you." He brought his glowing palm up to his head, placing two fingers against his forehead before Mihawk was looking around with a stoic face to hide the surprise. Around them was a fog before it was settling and showing outdoors to an island.
Mihawk's eyes immediately fell on the younger Luca, laying back in the grass with his arms crossed behind his head. "Wait a second." Shanks choked. "This is the island that I stayed on with my parents before my father turned himself in."
"This was the day I met Red-Haired Shanks for the first time in person." Luca stated.
"This power… is certainly something." Whitebeard muttered.
"As much as I want to punch that guy," Luffy went on, "THIS IS SO COOL!"
Luca's eyes were closed. The wind was blowing just enough that it was making his hair move slightly as he laid in the grass. A sudden exclamation caught his attention as he sat up, looking over to see someone slipping backwards. Luca shot up, reaching out for the person before they could fall over the ledge and take a ten-foot drop. "Careful now!" He had caught the person by their wrist, using his own weight to keep them from tipping over.
The person in front of him was quite small. Wearing a straw hat with red hair peeking out from underneath it. He had picked up his pheromones almost immediately. Omega. "I miscalculated my landing." The Omega stated. Luca blinked the second they looked up. He recognized him.
This was the same kid that Teach had a crush on. 'It's him.' He had a very sweet scent. Appealing and comforting. But there was pain laced in it. Like he was starting to grieve.
Luca took a step back, helping pull the Omega over. "Well, at least you didn't fall. That would have hurt."
The Omega laughed, looking back over as Luca let his wrist go. "Yeah, probably, but it wouldn't be the worst thing." Luca's eyebrow shot up as he looked at the Omega in disbelief.
'Does this kid have no concept of self-preservation?' Luca thought. 'Is this kid really that same one?'
The Omega grinned, placing a hand on his hat to adjust it as he reached his hand out. "I'm Shanks. Thanks for the help, mister."
Luca took his hand, giving it a firm shake. "Luca."
Shanks hummed as he looked back at the drop as Luca followed his gaze. "I should have been able to land that."
Luca's jaw dropped as he looked up from where he guessed Shanks jumped from. "Kid, that's a twenty-foot drop! You could have gotten seriously injured."
Shanks shrugged. "Well, being a pirate helps with that. That's nothing. Ray-san hits harder than that fall would have hurt." The red head laughed for a second before he was waving and rushing off, "Thank you!" He called back.
Luca could only watch him leave in disbelief.
It was almost within a blink of an eye that they were following Luca into a bar. Even though Mihawk tried to speak, not a word came out. Shanks was sitting at the bar when Luca walked in. 'That kid again.' Luca hummed, walking over, and taking a seat next to him. "Aren't you a bit young to be in a bar?"
Shanks gave him a look of amusement, laughing softly as he shook his head. "You could say that." Luca could tell almost immediately that Shanks was already tipsy. The flush on his face indicating as much.
"How old are you?" Luca questioned.
Shanks eyed him for a second, bringing his glass up. "And I should tell you, why?"
Luca shrugged. "You don't have too." He replied, "Just making chit chat." He added before he turned towards the bartender and ordered his own drink before turning back towards Shanks as his drink was placed in front of him. "Something's bugging you."
Shanks finished his drink, placing the glass back down. "I guess so." He muttered, "I was here having lunch with my parents before they left. I wanted to give them some alone time." Luca watched as he reached up to his neck, grabbing at a necklace that was there. The Alpha hadn't noticed it before. It was a courting necklace and seemed to be a comfort item of sorts to the Omega. He was so young yet was wearing something that could tie him to another person for life. Though many Omegas were promised to others at a young age, so it didn't surprise him. He decided not to ask about it, rather continuing on with the conversation.
They had fallen into an easy conversation. Sitting and talking with ease that had both of them laughing before he knew it. It seemed like they were both preparing to leave when a group of men, probably within their twenties walked up. One of them and slipped right back Shanks, his arm on the bar, practically trapping him in place.
'Oh great, here we go.' Luca thought.
Shanks sighed, muttering out as he placed his chin on his palm with a pout. "Why is it always me?" He groaned out before he was turning his head enough to look at the man trying to keep him trapped. "Can I help you with something?"
"You're not from around here." The man stated.
Luca had kept his eyes on them, narrowing his gaze as he placed his glass down. He was preparing for a fight, but his hopes were that they could get out of it without one. Another one of them leaned against the bar. It was clear they were also intoxicated. More so than both Shanks and Luca were. "You wanna come have some fun with us?" The other man questioned, tilting his head with a look that was almost asking Shanks to deny them.
"I have to go meet up with someone." Shanks replied. "So, I'll have to pass."
The man smirked. "Really now?"
Luca finally spoke up, moving to wrap his arm around Shanks' shoulder. "That's right. He's got somewhere to be." He had ushered Shanks out of his chair as he stood up, moving to keep Shanks closer to him, even pushing him slightly behind him. His mind flashing to protecting his brother countless times when they were younger. "Neither of us want trouble from you gentlemen, so please, just get going. Your presence is not wanted here. There is more than one bar. I'm sure there is someone who would be willing to take you up on your offer."
Luca dropped his arm, placing a boundary back between him and the Omega but making sure to keep his guard up. Alcohol and people normally never mixed properly. Not when it could flare emotions. The one who had originally been leaning over Shanks back made a fake pout. "But they aren't as beautiful as this one." An almost sadistic look came to his eye as he looked Shanks up and down. "Besides, he's what you call… fresh. Our woman would love a taste of him."
Luca felt appalled. 'Perverts.' He could see the shiver that went through Shanks as the Omega shook his head in disgust.
"Really, I don't want any trouble." Shanks went on, raising his hands up. "I'm flattered but really, I'm just going to be taking my leave now."
"Oh, no, you aren't." The third finally said as Shanks tried to pull himself out of the situation. He had reached out and grabbed Shanks' wrist. Luca moved before he had a chance to think, hand wrapping around the man's wrist and twisting it. Forcing him to drop Shanks' wrist as he forced himself between the two again.
The fight broke out immediately as the three narrowed in on Luca, but still he refused to let them get to Shanks. Luca kicked at the chest of the man who had grabbed Shanks originally, sending him over one of the tables. The second he had to block a few of the punches before he managed to get his own hit against his stomach. The third, though, had managed to knock Luca backwards, causing him to stumble. The alcohol already going through his own system was making fighting more difficult, let alone keeping himself balanced.
Through the corner of his eye, he could see the door opening but didn't catch who was coming in before he crashed into Shanks, sending both him and Omega crashing down. Shanks' head bounced off of one of the tables before it hit the floor with a thud. Shanks groaned, reaching for his head as Luca's face flared from realizing the way that they had fallen.
"Sorry." He muttered, going to push himself up. 'Well, that isn't how that was supposed to be.' He thought to himself. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing, alerting him of impending danger as he managed to push himself up enough to place distance between himself and Shanks.
Before he could get up, the pain erupted through his back as he felt the blood moving up his throat. The air catching in his chest as he looked down to see the sword sticking through his chest, the tip touching Shanks'. Just above where his heart was.
Shanks gasped, the horror coming across his face as he exclaimed, "Hawkeyes! What the hell are you doing?!" Luca looked over his shoulder to see Hawkeyes Mihawk standing there, staring down at him with pupil blown eyes that were glossed over with a shining red. His face was flushed, and he could pick up the smell of alcohol. He was drunk. He could hardly ignore the pain as Mihawk jerked his sword out of his back as Shanks scrambled and move to place his hands over the wound on Luca's chest. "Hawkeyes—oh God, what did you do?!" He was panicking as Luca slumped over, wheezing as he tried to breathe.
'He collapsed my lung with that attack.' Luca thought.
Mihawk had ignored him in favor of dealing with the three men still causing a ruckus before they had realized who was standing before them and took off. Luca could barely hear Shanks talking as the Omega moved to pull him off of the floor.
"My inn." Luca wheezed. He had everything he needed there. He could fix all this himself if he could just get there.
"Okay—yeah, let's…" He couldn't hear anything else before he had blacked out.
When he came too, he was back in his room. His wounds bandaged up. He also was able to breathe better. Which was odd. His lung had collapsed during the assault. There shouldn't be a way he could be breathing okay unless he had gotten to a doctor. He blinked as he pushed himself up, looking over to see that Shanks was fast asleep next to him in chair pulled up by the bed. The Omega was still covered in blood. Most of it was dry.
'I see now.' He thought. 'This is what my foolish little brother sees in him. He didn't even know me, and he helped me.' He laughed slightly as he shook his head, grimacing as he reached over to grab a blanket and throw it over the Omega in the chair.
He sighed as he pushed himself out of bed, going over to his bag and pulling out a new button up shirt before slipping it on. 'This Omega is going to be a change on these seas.' He thought before he was pausing, realizing that the Devil Fruit that had been in his bag was gone. The panic set in as he started to look around before he noticed that it was sitting on his bedside table, though there were a few bites taken out of it. 'Oh God, don't tell me he ate it.'
He didn't care about Devil Fruits though he knew their value. He had been debating with himself since he found it if he was going to eat it or if he was going to sell it. He froze as he touched his chest. He pulled at the bandages, realizing that all his wounds were gone. As if they were never there. His injuries. They were healed.
'No, I ate it.' He didn't remember eating it. He blinked as for a second that moments within the room came back to mind. Shanks' panic as Luca was walking him through how to fix his collapsed lung before finally, he gave up and told him to go to his bag and grab the fruit. 'Oh, I must have instructed him to do it.' The thought to why came to mind. He knew what the fruit was, but he wasn't sure if he was wanting to risk losing the ability to swim. Especially with traveling alone.
It was too late now.
He sighed as he instead buttoned up his shirt. The sounds of him moving around startled Shanks awake. The Omega blinking fatigue from his eyes his eyes fell on him before the excitement was there. "Oh, you're awake!" He paused, tilting his head as he adjusted his hat, "And… moving around."
Luca smiled. "Thanks for your help, Shanks." He replied, "It really must have been a sight for you."
Shanks shrugged as he stood up, pausing as the blanket fell down before he was picking it up and folding it again. "Honestly, it was nothing. I'm just glad you're okay." Shanks muttered, he paused as he scratched at his cheek. "I'm sorry… about Hawkeyes. He… I don't know honestly. I wasn't expecting him to do that. Let alone come to that bar. I knew he was out at another."
"Is he your fiancé?" Luca questioned.
Shanks shook his head. "No, he's a dueling partner. Rival? Whatever you want to call him honestly." Luca hummed. There was something else in those words.
'This kid actually loves that guy.' He thought. 'Who could possibly love someone who was willing to almost stab them?' There was flare of anger that he felt next. Anger that he hadn't felt before. It felt like his mind was trying to split into two as he gripped at his hair. "What happened?"
Shanks sighed, "Well, I got you back here and then you were mumbling and asking for your fruit. I tried to talk you out of it, but you ate it. I guess it worked out for the best because you're better now." Luca nodded. Still, that pain was ripping through his head as he heaved and leaned over the dresser that was there. Like everything in him was ripping apart as he felt the anger feeling him more. The desire to seek revenge against Hawkeyes for doing this to him. Shanks had rushed forward, his hands landing on either side of Luca to brace him. "Luca? Are you okay?"
Luca heaved again, squeezing his eyes shut. "If you know what's good for you, get away from that man." Luca hissed, a growl ripping from his throat. Hawkeyes did not care for life. He didn't care that he was about to take the life of the person who was defending the Omega. Hell, his sword was so close to cutting through Shanks' chest. He had been so lost in his instincts. In alcohol fueled anger.
Luca only felt hatred now as his palms started to glow. The overwhelming feeling of wishing death against the man that harmed him.
"What are you talking about?"
"He would have killed you." Luca hissed as he looked up, looking straight into a mirror that was over his dresser. His eyes were glowing a bright blue as sadism covered his face. "He doesn't care about life. I'll one day be his worst nightmare."
Shanks stepped away from Luca, looking at him for a second as continued to step back. "Are you okay? You… sound different."
Luca started to laugh, his shoulders shaking as he shook his head before he was looking at Shanks with a tilt of his head. "I've never felt better."
The memories around them faded as Mihawk turned to look at Shanks. Disbelief going through him. Shanks knew this guy. Had conversations with him. "You know him?"
Shanks looked just as surprised. "I don't… I don't remember this."
"Considering how much he drank; it could have been possible he blacked out." Law stated. "Though, this was over twenty years ago. Time along can cover events."
Mihawk looked back at Luca. This man was calling for a fight from him. He probably knew Mihawk couldn't use his full power without devastating all the ships around them. He wouldn't be able to use his haki in his blade unless he was up close. He had to rely on something else. This man's vendetta was clear. Mihawk didn't even remember this event, and he doubted that Luca had the power to not only use his power to show it but somehow make it up.
Shanks suddenly stopped, blinking as he brought a hand to his mouth. "No… I remember now." He whispered. "This did happen. It's foggy but yeah."
Mihawk hummed. It had been so long ago, and yet, Luca was holding onto it as if it was some lifeline. Whitebeard started to move forward, placing himself between Luca and them, standing behind Teach. "What are you doing here?" Whitebeard hissed.
Teach looked over his shoulder. "To help." The Alpha looked back at his brother, lifting his hand up, "You all should realize by now that Hawkeyes can't fight at the strength he needs too to win. Even Commander Ace knows that I'm your only chance."
Ace was growling slightly as he walked forward, only stopping as Mihawk reached out to stop him, pulling him away. "So, what if he ended up hurting you! You don't know what was going through his head!" Mihawk didn't want Ace to defend him like this. This was not Ace's fight. This was his. He was the person this man had an issue with.
"Stand down." Mihawk muttered, forcing Ace back behind him. "You don't always have to protect everyone, Ace."
"Papa…" Ace whispered.
Teach was looking back at Luca now, a new determination on his face. "I promised him that I would protect all of you. I will not back down now." That same sadistic smirk that Mihawk had seen Teach wear multiple times at Marineford was back. "I've been itching to fight you for a long time, Luca."
Behind him, he could hear Shanks ordering, "Get everyone over to the Red Force immediately! Take the ship away from here! Use the Oro Jackson for any others as well!"
"Listen to him, sons!" Whitebeard exclaimed, "This fight could destroy our home. We must be prepared!"
Ace's breathing was picking up as he was ripped away from Mihawk, already being ushered towards one of the other ships. "Please! Papa! Teach! Don't let our ship get destroyed! This is our home!" He shouted. "Teach if you even care about any of us at all! Do it!"
"I'm not leaving!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Go, Luffy!" Shanks snapped. "You're still recovering. You need to get away from here!"
Luffy tsked, growling as he stayed put. Though he couldn't argue as he was hauled up by Zoro and Sanji, who had started for the closest ship, which was the Oro Jackson for them.
Shanks sighed as Mihawk turned his head enough to look at him. "You need to get out of here too." Mihawk muttered.
The Omega shook his head, reaching out and grabbing Mihawk's hand. "I'm still under his power. He could activate it at any time." A determined look came to his face as he looked over to Luca. "Besides, he has something of mine, and I want it back."
X
Luca was watching as the others started to evacuate despite some fighting back against the order. Refusing to leave their home. It only left the Commanders, Teach, Mihawk, Shanks, Rouge, Dragon, Sabo, Whitebeard, the Red Hair officers, and Law standing ahead of him. Both Luffy and Ace had been forcibly taken from the ship against their own dismay. Ace was on the Red Force and Luffy on the Oro Jackson. They would also become an issue if he wasn't careful. It certainly was a line up. One that was dangerous. Despite his power, he could easily be overpowered. Though, he wondered if any of them would risk daring to touch him.
His biggest problems were going to be Teach, Whitebeard, Dragon, and Law. They wouldn't even be able to trust Shanks in this fight. Mihawk's focus would be divided between him and Shanks. His concern for Shanks was already showing. Plus, the injury to his hand. He already knew Mihawk couldn't risk using Yoru at full capacity without threatening to destroy the ship. Shanks had made the right call but getting those off of the Moby Dick and sending them over to the other ships for safety.
This could get messy.
To think logically, he had to take out the weakest link that was here. He was placing it between Sabo and Law. Both were strong in their own rights but couldn't withstand his power if they got in too close to him. Sabo was probably the weakest one in this case. He had no choice but to fight in close combat. Law had the Ope Ope no Mi on his side. That would be one of the biggest issues if he let Law touch him. He wouldn't exactly count Law as weak. He couldn't with Sabo either. They just lacked the more experience that the others held.
He could use Shanks to preoccupy most of them, but it would take his own focus away from his own fight. Leaving him at a handicap. He had to take out as many of them as he could. Though, he didn't want to kill any of them aside from Mihawk. Years of bubbling on the thought of revenge was finally in front of him. He had originally planned for Sabaody being the place he revealed himself, but he had already been noticed by not only Mihawk but Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. Those three were flawless in working together when the three of them worked. Even just two of them could work tremendously. They certainly were something else.
He could feel that sadistic part of him coming out. The need for death at his fingers as he kneeled down. He would have to take out someone and rather quickly. The pain split through his head for a moment as he smirked. "It's time to play my game."
X
Law had been calculating the entire time. Evaluating as Luca showed his memories to them. They couldn't speak or move during that time, but Luca had – probably unbeknownst to him – shown them something that Law had deemed important.
Luca appeared at a young age to want to talk people down. Only resorting to fighting the second someone had laid a hand on Shanks. They could even hear his thoughts. The surprise he was feeling. Everything. Also, the sudden influx of anger that he had felt that wasn't present when the initial attack from Mihawk occurred. It was only after he had regained consciousness did it happen.
It made him wonder.
What if his sudden need to kill Mihawk didn't stem from the fact that Mihawk had attacked him. It was clear that Mihawk just walked in at a bad moment. Seeing an Alpha looming over someone he didn't even realize he was in love with yet.
It was almost like they were watching two different personalities peeking out. Like hot and cold. Dark and light. Life and death. One who was a pacifist and preferred peace and harmony. Another who was sadistic and enjoyed bringing pain onto others.
He had also been noticing it with the glow of Luca's palm or the blue of his eyes would seem brighter. In those moments of sadism, those signs were there.
The Omega paused as he moved slightly and got next to the others and dropped his voice. "I think Luca might be a split personality."
"What?" Thatch questioned.
Benn hummed. "You noticed too."
"So, that wasn't just pain his experiencing." Marco whispered back.
Shanks looked over his shoulder at him as Mihawk had also turned slightly to look at him as Law nodded. "It's hard to notice, but one second, he's kind and willing to help and then the next, he wants death. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty certain that he is."
Shanks looked back at Luca for a second before he was looking at Teach. "He said… he said something about Luca being different after he ate his Devil Fruit."
"It could be possible that his fruit caused a fracture in his personality and eventually split them into two personalities that come out depending on the situation and what he's feeling." Law went on. "If I'm correct, it could either work in our favor or in his."
Law could only blink as a sudden shout caught his attention and he was seeing bright blue eyes in his field of vision and a hand was hitting his chest. The air caught in his throat as he fell down to the deck and Luca was now looming over him with that sadistic smirk. He felt the panic for a second as Luca's hand was settled on him.
Suddenly, Luca stopped, and the brightness of his eyes seemed to dull down. "Oh." He muttered before he was pushing himself up. A soft smile came to his face as he chuckled. "You, young man, shouldn't be in this fight."
"What?" Law muttered.
Nothing felt different about him.
Instead, the Alpha moved, grabbing him back his sweatshirt before he was being launched in the direction of the Oro Jackson. "Traffy!" Luffy exclaimed. Law felt like he couldn't breathe for a second before he felt an arm underneath his legs and one underneath his back before they were landing on the deck of the Oro Jackson. "Are you okay?!" The Omega was placed back to his feet as Luffy was checking him over.
Law couldn't even think.
What the hell was that?
He looked back over to the other ship, eyes locking with where Luca was still standing.
That should have been the end. He had dropped his guard and everything about that situation had been pointing in the favor of Luca's Devil Fruit.
He should have been dead.
X
Mihawk was stunned. None of them had seen Luca move during that time has he had practically launched Law off of the ship. Though, it was a good idea. Law's Devil Fruit would have made issues for the other Alpha if he had stayed. What he didn't get was why. Why didn't he just kill Law when he had the chance?
"Hawkeyes." Teach muttered. Mihawk turned his gaze only, eyeing Teach as the Alpha got up next to him. "When I move. You move."
Mihawk understood immediately, he reached for Yoru again. "We can't kill him. He has to release Shanks from his hold."
"I know, but to him, if we can knock him off of his feet, we will win." Teach went on. "It won't be easy, but we can do it."
This felt surreal. That he was actually working alongside Teach rather than fighting him. Everything that he put Shanks and Ace through. Luffy through. Mihawk. He should be lashing out at Teach, but there was a reason he was here, and he seemed determined to follow through on whatever promise he had made. For now, he would take it.
Teach held out his hand, the black smoke swirling around his palm before he was shouting, "Black vortex!"
Luca was off of his feet immediately as Mihawk moved. If he couldn't rely on his sword, he would rely on his physical strength. He leapt into the air, landing a kick on Luca's side that was sending him flying towards the figurehead of the ship. The other Alpha had landed on his feet. The bright blue of his eyes was there again, the glow on his palms. Just like Law had stated. Then there was the sadistic smile again.
"Teach, you're being made for a fool." Luca stated. "The same Omega that you're obsessed with is using that obsession."
Teach made a noise. "Wouldn't you know what we said to each other? You have control over the gate between life and death. Everything that happens there. You would also know exactly what I feel. Maybe it was love. Maybe it was obsession. I gave everything for power. Power that I didn't have as a child. That you didn't have." Mihawk could feel the anger going through Teach in that moment. Each rising word hitting with more emotion that he had ever actually seen off of the other. "This isn't about him! This is about you and me! This was never even about Hawkeyes!"
It was like for a second that Luca stopped before a snarl was on his face. "You've only had to face death because of your own cowardly actions." Luca hissed. "You're so blinded by a corrupted feeling that you can't see anything correctly anymore."
Teach let his Devil Fruit do the work, flashing out over the deck and towards the other Alpha. "No, Luca. I'm not the one who has been corrupted. Whatever happened to you?! You weren't supposed to turn out like me!"
Mihawk had to shield his eyes as the two connected in the middle. Power versus power. The Yami Yami no Mi working to nullify the power that Luca held. It was almost like a standstill with each attack. Each throwing everything into it. Mihawk couldn't even find a way in to make a move. Shanks was behind him whispering to himself. Something that he used to do when he was younger and talking himself through something. Mihawk listened. Listened to Shanks' recount of everything that Teach had apparently told him.
Mihawk knew this wasn't going to end well. He knew he couldn't promise Ace that this ship would be fully intact by the time they were done. Teach was taking most of the brunt of the attacks. Every time that Luca tried to pass him, he got in the way and shielded anyone and everyone.
I made a promise.
So, he had promised Shanks he would defend them all. Defend these ships with everything that he had. It was almost bittersweet. That Teach suddenly was wanting to side with them. Did he truly care for Shanks that much that he was willing to do all of this? He was doing enough to keep Luca distracted and away from Mihawk for the time being.
"HAWKEYES!" Teach snapped, "NOW!"
Without a second thought, Mihawk reached for Yoru. Despite the screaming in his hand. He jumped again, moving Yoru with him, and hitting the knife in Luca's hand as Teach moved out of the way. The area around them filled with bright lights. The same smoke that held the memories from before spreading out. Luca was running off of emotions. He could hear voices surrounding them. Pleas for a man to stop hurting them. Pleas for the violence to end. Then the angered voices. The ones full of hatred. Ones continuing to plead that it stopped. That life is what truly mattered.
For a split second, it was like he was staring at two Lucas. Standing back-to-back to each other. One who was smiling softly. Blue eyes that looked like the mixture of the sea and the sky. His palm had a soft, warm glow. The other had the harsher, deep glow of blue. The sadistic smirk. His palm was also glowing, but it was cold.
Life and death. The endless cycle of the world. When ones would be born into this world, and then the inevitable of leaving the world.
"The guardian of life. The keeper of souls. The guide of the lost. That is what this power truly is." The one who Mihawk guessed represented life said.
"Death is for those who do not value their lives. Value the lives of others." The other added.
It was like the two were quarreling together. When he blinked, a third Luca appeared behind them. Eyes cracked open with his hands on either side of his head. "I do not wish for this. I only wanted peace and harmony. A life of freedom from the pain."
Mihawk jumped back as the three disappeared, showing back up as Luca just standing there alone. What had he just seen? What was this?
The two of them clashed. Meeting in the middle as Mihawk decided to use Yoru but not put any haki into the blade. It felt like everything was becoming a blur. With almost every movement, Luca countered him.
"Is that all you got?" Luca taunted. "The infamous Hawkeyes Mihawk? You haven't landed a single hit on me yet."
If Mihawk could use his full power, he was sure that he would have. There was also the possibility of Luca touching him the second he got in close. He could just fight from a further distance, but that wasn't the case this time.
"It doesn't matter." Mihawk huffed. "I will defeat you."
For a moment, he saw Shanks' necklace back in Luca's palm, his palm glowing just as he heard a sudden surprised shout from Rouge. It had taken Teach's attention away from their fight. Teach's power giving Mihawk the advantage that he needed. Through the corner of his eye as him and Luca switched places, he had spotted Shanks. His veins were black again. His eyes glowing as he lashed out against the others.
The others were now circled around him, trying not to engage into a fight with him. Instead, they were trying to talk him down. Just like Mihawk had done before. It wasn't going to work. Mihawk knew as much.
All he could do was focus in back on his own fight. Luca was using Shanks was a distraction. Trying to throw the two of them off. And it had worked.
Teach was now focused on Shanks again. Giving Luca an opening, but Mihawk had to handle it. If he didn't win this. Shanks would be stuck like this. He couldn't allow for that to happen.
He could hear Ace and Luffy yelling out to him. Begging for him to win. He could feel the sting in his eyes. His canines starting to point. His nails sharpening. He turned back to Luca again as they engaged in another stalemate. It was like the memories were flooding back in from that day. He could barely recall them. A mixture of a rage and alcohol blocking his memory fully, but he could remember it.
He had walked into the bar that he knew Shanks had lunched with his parents before he had seen it. How angered he felt from the sight. He had only seen Luca go down on top of Shanks. Shanks' head hitting the floor before his hands were falling next to his head. That he wasn't moving. Picking up the distressed and injured pheromones. He had lost all connection with being calm in that moment. He has lashed out at the person who was touching Shanks. He didn't ask questions. He was so lost in his instincts from seeing Shanks in a compromised position that he had reacted. Now he knew the truth.
"You tried to protect him." Mihawk stated. "You were trying to protect him, and I didn't see it. I can't change what I did!"
"You were so close to taking his life!" Luca barked. "Take responsibility for almost killing him! No one knew of your children. Your mate? Were you ashamed of them?!"
"Never." Mihawk hissed. "They are my life. My world. I didn't know it at the time, but he was the person who made me want to have a mate. He gave me the gift of children. Giving me a family I didn't know I needed. Everything I've done was for them! My life is meaningless if I don't have them in it!" He huffed as Luca's hand blocked Yoru, throwing the blade to the side as Mihawk moved to balance himself out. "I would never forgive myself if something happened to any of them. Especially if it was by my own hand. I would rather die. I wanted to be the strongest for my own desires, then it was about them. Being strong enough to be the person deserving of the title of mate and father. I will stand by that!" Ace and Luffy flashed before his mind. Shanks. Seeing Shanks with black veins, pale skin, and barely breathing. The thought of losing them all. It was fueling him. Pushing him forward.
He managed to land a slash across Luca's torso. Just as that attack hit, a hand hit his chest and he stumbled. Luca had also stumbled over his feet, landing back on his back on the deck.
He could feel his power draining. His body slowing down, but he couldn't stop. He had to win. For Shanks' sake. He could hear Teach cursing as he rushed forward, getting between Luca and Mihawk in an attempt to stop his brother from reaching Mihawk.
Mihawk stumbled forward, his grip on Yoru getting tighter. With each step, he was getting weaker. He had knocked Luca off of his feet, but he had been hit. This was the end for him.
At least, he could take this man would with him. He used the last bit of his strength to place haki into Yoru as he stood over Luca, lifting it up right over where Luca's heart was. "What does life mean to you?" Mihawk questioned, a smirk on his face. That glow in Luca's eyes was gone. His palms showing no signs of power. Blood coating his lips. A slash over his chest. "Life is precious. It's not something to be toyed with."
"Mihawk." Shanks' voice cut through his own desire to completely end this fight just as he started to move the blade down. Mihawk turned his head, seeing that Shanks was in fact standing there. That it wasn't just some hallucination. "It's over."
It was like time itself had frozen as Mihawk's eyes widened. Shanks' hand was on Yoru, stopping him from attacking, but it wasn't the action that had stopped him. It was Shanks' eyes. They weren't that glowing blue showing that he was under Luca's influence. They weren't a striking purple as if he was in a frenzy. They weren't gold signifying family. They weren't even his normal beautiful thunderstorm grey color.
They were almost indescribable.
Red. Gold. Platinum. So many more. It was like a splash of colors within his eyes. His body relaxed as he looked into the Omega's eyes. How gravity felt like it was shifting. That nothing else in this world mattered in that moment.
It was like every moment that they ever had together came to mind. Flashing through the memories. His smile. His laugh. His tears. Everything.
He dropped Yoru as Shanks' hand moved to intertwine their hands. His eyes never leaving Mihawk's. Despite how weak he felt, he never felt stronger.
In that moment, it felt like the day that they had bonded. Like it had never been broken. Shanks was smiling softly as he leaned in, placing his forehead against Mihawk's, soft reassurances leaving his lips, but those multi-colored eyes locked with his.
He couldn't even explain the feeling as he leaned in, connecting his lips to the Omega's just as his eyes closed and he collapsed. The world going completely dark around him.