The next few years passed by slow for Harry. That wasn't to say he was bored, but more to say that time had no meaning in the place they stayed. There was day and night of course as well as changes in seasons, but there was no calendar. No months or weeks or years. It just was and Harry loved it.
He got to learn from different sorts of people that had chosen Death's offer to simply live in this created Kingdom. Got to see as people lived a life separate from the one they'd already had. One without fear of hunger and starvation and greed.
Harry learned everything from cooking to etiquette, horseback riding to farming, archery and swordsmanship. He learned magic in every form. Runes and wards and summoning. Soul magic that had been banned in Europe was something he excelled in alongside of his swordsmanship as Death taught him specifically.
That led him to now… as they stood together looking over the Kingdom atop one of the tallest towers. Harry drew a knee to his chest, resting his chin on it with a soft smile. His hair was shorter now, shaved on the sides to prevent the chaotic mess that was his gravity defying hair. It still amused Death to no ends that he couldn't control his own hair so he'd just simply cut it off and ended the issue there.
"Are you ready?" Death asked warmly from where they stood beside the young Master who had already grown so much in such a short time.
"Is anyone ever ready?" Harry asked and slowly pulled himself up to stand. "So this new world… my magic will take a while to stabilize and I have to find home, right? As well as fix any issues if Fate throws another hissy fit." He asked knowing that nothing would ever be easy and Death had already admitted that they wouldn't be able to control where he would land or where the Kingdom's island would appear. Just that it would. Not to mention Fate was a bitch that was still upset over the fact Death is stronger.
Death bowed their head slightly and snapped their thin fingers, a dark portal appearing before them. "Yes. I have already given you an identity for when you land as well. You are Dracule Mihawk, a swordsman simply looking to be the best in the world." They spoke softly and then hugged Harry tightly. "If you need me, ask and I will come to your side." They said and slowly, reluctantly, let go.
Harry smiled and he stepped back a bit, moving toward the portal. He took a deep breath and gave one last smile back to Death before stepping through the dark portal to the new adventure that awaited him. Though… he really should have expected the outcome… different name or not he still had the same Potter luck…
The dark gave way to suffocating cold and dark. Harry, Mihawk now, choked on the water that filled his lungs and began kicking his way back up to the surface. Where he could barely see the stars beyond the surface of what he hoped was a pond.
When he broke the water's edge, he spluttered and coughed as he greedily gasped for air to fill his lungs once more. He jerked his head this way and that before groaning. Just his luck he would be stuck out in the middle of the ocean… though he had a feeling that it was Fate being a whiney little snit once more…
Mihawk sighed and he simply floated on his back, staring up into the sky before letting his eyes close. If he was going to be stuck out here for a moment then it was best to reorient himself and his magic. Not to mention find the cord that attached him to his soul sword… wherever it was tossed. For now though he was weaponless and magicless. All he had was his knowledge in hand to hand combat and this worlds odd powers. Haki as Death had called it though it was only to be used when absolutely needed.
He hummed to himself and just decided to enjoy his time while he had it… no doubt someone would come by to ruin it.
"Man overboard!" The sudden yell startled Mihawk out of his thoughts and he sputtered as a body collided into his, sinking them both down into the water.
He saw a flash of red before he was being jerked back by long arms into someone's chest. When they both broke the surface again, Mihawk coughed roughly and turned to yell at the man who's bright idea was to tackle him under the water… well… that was the original intent. However he was stopped when he saw black eyes that were swimming in worry and a shock of red hair.
"Hey are you okay?" The other yelled in his ear as they were being hauled back up on the ship.
Mihawk felt his own eyes twitch and he covered the teen's mouth with his hand as he felt a headache coming on. He forgot how loud humans could be… and how irritating they could get. "Don't yell, I am barely a foot away from you." He said and grunted, arms wrapping around the other as they were suddenly yanked from the water and against the ship.
The red head laughed freely, strong arms around Mihawk's waist before multiple hands grabbed at them to pull them both over the railing. They both hit the deck hard and Mihawk groaned as he rolled over onto his back. He had only been in the water for maybe half a day. Could be a full day, but he wasn't entirely sure as he had been meditating for most of it.
"Hey kid, you good?" A rougher voice asked as the crew became quiet. No doubt it was their Captain speaking and so they would differ to him and his orders.
"Yes… I appreciate the help despite it being counterproductive." He spoke and then moved, swinging his legs up before he swung them back down to get back to his feet in a fluid motion. Golden-green eyes looked over the crew, taking them in with a critical eye.
The Captain laughed despite some of his crew shifting uneasily from the way he assessed them all. "That's good! Shanks can get a bit carried away. I am Captain Roger and this is my ship. You got a place to be?" Roger asked clearly wanting to add Mihawk to his crew.
Mihawk nodded, "I do. While I appreciate the assistance, it would be best for me to depart on the next island." He spoke simply, hands behind his back and stance relaxed though should they attack he would not be so outdone.
An arm across his shoulders startled him from his thoughts, "I'll keep an eye on him Captain!" Shanks said with a grin, eyes sparkling in the sunlight. It seemed like the red head wasn't going to let him be and the Captain seemed more amused then anything.
Captain Roger nodded, "See that you do, Shanks. We will hit an island in a week if the weather keeps. Then you can be on your way." He said before barking orders for the crew to get back to work. It ultimately left Mihawk alone with Shanks and a blue haired boy with a rather… bright nose.
Shanks pulled him along out of the way and the other teen followed along with a bit of a scowl on his lips. "We are apart of the Roger Pirates. How'd you get overboard? Where you in the water long? We just hit our third island in the grandline isn't that amazing!"
Mihawk covered Shanks' mouth and took a deep breath so he could process the rapid fire questions from the excited teen. "They didn't like my attitude so they through me over, I was only in the water for less than a day, and my name is Dracule Mihawk. Calm yourself please." He said and then slowly pulled away to lean against the railing, arms crossed.
"Oh! I'm Shanks and this is Buggy! We are cabin boys right now but soon we'll be great Pirates to!" Shanks said and he slung his arm across Buggy's shoulder's, tugging the other close with a laugh despite the protests being received.
"I see." Mihawk said with a raised brow to show the slight amusement. It had really been too long since he had interacted with teens and being forced back into a younger body… well he understood both sides of the situation. "Is there anything I should know for the week?" He asked and watched as they both blinked and stalled.
"Oh…uh… Well Rayleigh would know." Shanks said and then turned to start walking again, water pooling with each step as they both were still soaked from the oceans waters.
Mihawk followed with a quiet sigh, hand reaching up to grasp around Death's symbol for silent comfort. He was already missing home… but he wanted to explore and learn as well and knew that home would always be there as Death would always exist.
They ventured down into the ship and met with an older man who grinned and laugh, trapping Shanks into a lose choke hold. "Let's see you brats. Well, he can bunk with you two for the next few days and then just help along with your chores." Rayleigh said simply and he looked over Mihawk with curious eyes.
It made Mihawk stand a little straighter, eyes narrowing in challenge though he doubted that he was in a good enough state to properly fight at the moment. The stare off was broken however when Shanks began dragging him off once more, rattling on about the crew and chores that they would have to do and really… it wasn't much different from the faint memories of what he had once done as a child.
And so the next few days became somewhat of a pattern for the three boys. Mihawk would be the first to wake up, changing into the spare clothes that they had before waking up the snoring duo. They would rush to get ready and then grab breakfast before going up on deck to swab and check the rigging. That would be followed with a watch in the crow's nest that Mihawk greatly enjoyed and then they would assist the cook in making dinner. The cook was ecstatic to know that Mihawk knew how to cook and they shared their cooking knowledge with each other while Shanks and Buggy did the more laboring chores.
Just like that, a week passed by and the routine was over.
"Land Ho!" The call was clear and precise, causing Mihawk to pause for a moment where he was coiling some rope back up on the lines.
Mihawk looked up and he hummed at the distant Island knowing they'd be there within the day. He glanced to the side and stiffened when he saw Shanks staring at him with an unreadable look. It was wiped away though when their eyes met and replaced with a wide grin.
"Make sure to keep in touch, Hawky!" He said and got them both off balanced with the way he twisted around to hug the other.
"Careful," Mihawk griped and he wrapped an arm around Shanks' lower back to steady them both. He shook his head and sighed deeply before letting out an almost unwilling smile. Really… Shanks was a bright light. "I'll try, but I'm not sure if I will be able to. What with being on the grandline and all." He said and finished what he was doing, putting the rope back up in neat order.
"Sorry," Shanks said and rubbed the back of his neck with a lopsided smile. "You… are you sure you didn't want to stay?" He asked and bit his lip. It was the quietest that Mihawk had seen the other in the week they'd been together. Shanks had nearly glued himself to his side the entire time as he rattled off about this and that.
"I'm sure. We will meet again though and when we do, I expect you to know how to better wield a sword." Mihawk said with a teasing smile and watched the embarrassed flush crawl down Shanks' neck in amusement. Really… no one on the ship could beat him in a sword fight which amused Roger to no end. They'd asked where he learned and he just vaguely said that his family taught him and that was that.
Shanks groaned and he huffed out a sound of disappointment, "Fine… but I expect you to at least try and contact us. Oh! And look out for our bounty posters! I bet I'll get one soon." He said proudly as his eyes slipped away at the island that was steadily growing larger on the horizon.
Mihawk chuckled and he bumped shoulders with the red head before finishing up their tasks together. It wasn't long before the ship was sliding into the dock and the flurry of activity that followed. Really… no one was surprised when Mihawk slipped away under all the excitement and left. No one save for Shanks that is, but by then it was too late and Mihawk was already half way into the forest heading to the other side of the island where he could feel another village.
Mihawk leaned against one of the larger trees and he took a deep breath, small smile tugging at his lips. He felt long fingers brush through his hair before they vanished and knew that Death was watching him as always. One step beside.
He pushed off the tree and continued the long trek forward. He would need to find a place to stay and then a ship to keep heading forward. The way he felt it was that he wasn't even close to any of his things. Not to home or to Yoru, his soul sword that had more of an attitude then Draco had on a good day.
With a shake of his head, he slipped out of the woods and looked over the village. It was larger than the other and the people seemed more on edge as well. There were a few men and women here and there wearing white and blue that seemed to put the people in a cautious mood so Mihawk pegged them as the military force that Death spoke about, a mental not to avoid them as well.
The streets were wide enough that he walked on, unbothered. He slipped into one of the Inns and walked over to the counter. The loud laughter from a group of marines filling the tavern's area while the older woman behind the counter watched on with barely concealed annoyance.
"Excuse me, ma'am. I was wondering if you had a room available." Mihawk's asked calmly as he watched her focus turn to him. "For a few days at least. Until I find transport." He added on.
"It'll be fifty belli per night." She said simply in a challenging way that didn't really make sense to him.
Mihawk nodded and he pulled out the money from the pouch on his hip. One of the gifts Death had given him to ensure that he had access to his rightfully earned money. He watched as her eyes widened in response and she quickly swiped it away before giving him a key and a quick few words on the room number.
"Thank you." He said and turned to go up the stairs. Mihawk gave one last look to the group of Marines before continuing his way up. That would be something to deal with tomorrow… for tonight he would simply rest and then hopefully be on his way within the week.