They arrived with a quiet sound in the night. Just the crickets and wind to fill the heavy air that seemed to surround them both as they held onto one another. Both of them mourning the heavy loss in their hearts.
It was Mihawk that broke the silence first. He leaned back from their hug and looked at the mess of a woman that he would have called the Pirate Queen. She looked broken before it even began and if there were a few things he knew... It was the heavyweight of loneliness and betrayal.
"Rouge," Mihawk slowly let go and held her arms in his hands. "It's time to fight now. You have to remain strong for your kid." His voice was low as he watched her. It was hard to say how she was feeling with a curtain of soft pink hair covering her eyes.
When she looked up though, it was anything but sad. The fire in her eyes had Mihawk straightening and he waited for her to speak first. He always waited when the ones with their determination were like this. Filled with conviction and a will to accomplish anything they set their minds to.
"Teach me how to fight." Her lips pulled into a sad and determined grin. "I want to protect him."
Mihawk chuckled softly and he bowed his head before stepping fully away, leading her to the house he had built for them in the woods. It wasn't too far back that it became a trek to the village, but also not close enough for them to be spied upon either. After all, the people in the village were adverse to anything that seemed too dangerous or mysterious. Especially their Mayor.
"Of course, Rouge." He opened the door for her to enter first. "I will make you strong enough to hold your title."
She paused and looked back at him in confusion, "Title?"
"Queen." He teased her. "Ow!" Mihawk dramatically covered his arm from where she punched him, watching as her eyes slowly lightened from the heavy grief that lurked under her determination.
If nothing else this island was about to become a bit more... lively...
"So what's our cover story then?" Rouge asked as she sat down on the couch, making faces at the colorful fire that bounced back in all the colors of the rainbow.
"Depends on what you want it to be. I'll leave it to you." He replied and dropped himself into the seat next to her, letting himself relax for the first time in months.
The woman made an irritated sound and she rolled her eyes at him. "I should have known I would be dumped with the actual planning, brother dear." She teased him and pulled the blanket off the back to wrap around herself.
"We are siblings then. You brought me here to escape the insanity of the Grandline after... so that I could raise my child in peace."
He nodded and let his eyes slide closed, "And I am teaching you to defend yourself in case we ever have to go back home." He added on and threw his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. "And you will. We will shock the world one day and they will have to acknowledge that their sea still has a Queen."
A watery laugh left Rouge and she hit him lightly on the chest. "They'll be shocked." She said, relaxing into the familiar comfort.
"Oh I'm sure they will sister," He grinned knowing just how much Rouge was going to shake the world if it ever hurt her kid. He couldn't wait to see it.
"We need to go into town, Ro." Mihawk groaned, trying to pull the woman out of the doorway. Her hands had a white knuckled grip on the frame however.
"Go by yourself!" She hissed and attempted to escape back into the house.
"By the gods, Ro. You need to see the healer at least. I don't know anything about delivering a kid and you are getting fatter by the day." Mihawk snapped back.
"Fat!" She screeched, kicking him hard in the shin in response to the insult.
Mihawk swore and he dodged the next strike, "If I didn't know using magic on a pregnant woman was detrimental..." He snapped under his breath, eye twitching.
They'd spent the last few months in the house going over plans and pasts. Enough so that there would be no holes in the how's or why's on them being there. Safe enough that if any marine came knocking they'd be able to run circles around them with their words alone. That being said, Rouge was now getting rapidly close to her due date and Mihawk had very little knowledge on how to deliver a baby of all things.
He was the Master of Death not The Master of Childbirth.
Which led them to the current-ongoing-issue of bringing Rouge to see the healer who would be helping her. It was not going far and she was being absolutely stubborn about the entire ordeal.
"If I have to have anyone helping me then it is you, Ray, or Crocus!" She yelled and went to kick him again.
"I can't just pop in and kidnap the Doctor, Ro." He snapped back at her and rubbed at his temples in annoyance. Honestly... it wasn't as if he was asking her to sleep with the guy. Just talk to him so they could get a plan together.
"Yes you can!" Rouge yelled.
A frustrated sound left Mihawk and he threw his arms in the air, "Fine. If you won't go see him then I am bringing the healer here." He said and turned on his heel. "Women."
The door slammed shut behind him and he rolled his eyes at her. He hadn't had to deal with hormonal women in a long time though some of her arguments were justified. Trusting strangers was dangerous for them, but if they wanted this to work. If they wanted this story to pan out, then they would need to start integrating themselves within the village.
Another heavy sigh left him and he walked down the winding pathway he had made so they could get to and from. It wasn't that great, but it was good enough to get where he needed to go at least. The last thing he needed was for anyone to get lost of all things.
He broke through the treeline and paused for a minute, eyeing the port town. It was a quiet place. Somewhere he would have once wanted to retire to, but now... it was just too quiet. Too stagnant.
That and there were marine sails in the docks.
Wait.
He groaned and rubbed his eyes when he saw the large ship. The telltale signs of who it was so glaringly obvious. He'd told the man to not make it obvious on his visits so why in the world was he coming here in full marine regalia.
Mihawk debated turning around and going back to the house, but they really couldn't keep pushing this off. Rouge was due any day now and despite her fiery attitude they needed a healer to help deliver her kid. He could only do so much with his knowledge on healing and monitoring spells.
In the end, he kept walking down into the village. When he heard the boisterous laughing coming from the bar he wisely steered clear. He'd avoid Garp for as long as possible if he could.
"Ah, Mihawk is it." He stopped at the voice and turned, looking down at the mayor.
"Yes, it is." Mihawk nodded his head, straightening as he tried to think of why he was being stopped.
"Haven't seen you or your sister around much lately. Not getting up to any trouble are we?" The old man's eyes seemed to narrow. "And isn't she pregnant? She should be seeing Dr. Bailey's more regularly you know. It's the responsibility of the man in the house to make sure that the women are okay." Whoop Slap -and what kind of name was that- started listing off.
Mihawk nodded, "I was just coming to get the healer for her check up. She isn't up to walking such a distance right now and we rather keep our distance from anything too stressful. Though if you let her hear that you think she can't defend herself... I suggest you run." He warned knowing how his sister was in that regard. She was... well she had a temper that reminded him of the stories that he was told of his own mother.
If she was anything like Lily Potter then Ace had nothing to fear.
"Right, well. Do come down more often. It's only polite to get to know the town." The Mayor said, straightening his posture a bit.
"I will keep that in mind." Mihawk said and he turned, heading for the Healer with a quicker step.
"Ah! Mihawk!" He felt the last of his patience drain out.
"Monkey." This... was the last thing he wanted. Now he was going to have to bring the man to Rouge and that would be just a mess of emotions. He still wasn't sure if Rouge ever really forgave Garp and Roger...
Garp stomped over, an ensign at his heels looking oh so done with the world. "What are you doing, hiding around from me! I've been here two whole days and not seen hide nor tail of you and your sister!" He exclaimed and clapped Mihawk hard on the back.
Mihawk stumbled forward slightly and bit back a few choice words he wanted to say. "Yes, well... with everything going on we wanted to start fresh Uncle." He grunted out and rolled his eyes at the way the ensigns eyes seemed to widen.
"I still want to see my niece!" Garp grinned with a deep laugh. "Is she close yet?"
"Any day now. I was just fetching the healer to see if we could get a more accurate timeframe." Mihawk said and then turned to keep walking to his destination.
The loud Marine stomped after him and his patience grew thinner at that. Apparently the man didn't know what laying low meant. If it ended up being a threat, however, it was nothing that he couldn't deal with. He could just weave blood wards over the island to ensure that no one would know they were here. Complicated to do, but worth it if it became necessary.
"Dr. Bailey's?" Mihawk knocked on the door and then put his hand on Garp's arm. "Do not destroy their wall, you idiot." He snapped when he saw what Garp was about to do.
Garp frowned and stepped back with his arms crossed as Mihawk glared harder at him. They both knew if it came down to it Mihawk would win. Especially if he didn't limit himself like he always did.
"Oh, hello Mihawk. Is it that time for the poor dear?" Dr. Bailey said with a smile. She was one of the older women in town, but she had experience and was teaching three young hopefuls to take after her.
"I think it's getting close." He nodded and stepped aside for her.
"Let me get a few things and then I will be good to follow," She said and tottered back into her home, searching for this and that to bring.
Mihawk stepped back and moved to stand beside Garp, "What are you really doing here, Garp." He asked quietly, flicking his fingers and watching as the little Ensign's eyes glazed over and he wandered off.
Garp sighed, "Baterilla...it's gone." He said quietly. "They killed and razed the entire island."
"Shit."
"Yeah... that upstart Akainu did it." Garp grunted, eyes darkening at the words.
"We will have to tell her. If she finds out herself, she'll try and kill us." Mihawk said and pressed his palms hard against his eyes. If it wasn't one thing then it was another. He was always trying to keep up with this and that, but this world was ever changing. A constant motion just like the seas it was built around.
Garp nodded, "That's why I came in person." He said with his own tired sigh.
The past few months weren't likely to have been as kind to the marine as it was for them. They at least didn't have to deal with the influx of Pirates trying to entire the Grandline. Hopeful rookies that had no idea what they were getting into.
They stood silently together before Dr. Bailey walked out with a heavy basket that Mihawk's quickly took from her. "Oh, I'm not that old yet." She scolded with a smile that Mihawk calmly mimicked for her sake.
"On our way then?" Mihawk asked and then began leading the way to the house with a heavy gait. They would have to wait until the Dr. left or... something. Either way it wasn't about to go well.
When Mihawk opened the door he nearly dropped the basket, "Mihawk you son of a bitch!" Rouge screamed.
He shoved the basket in Garp's hands and jumped over the couch and straight into Rouge's room. "Oh shit..." His eyes widened when he saw Rouge laying back on the bed, hair slicked to her with sweat.
She was in labor... and she didn't.
"You stupid woman!" He hissed at her, going to her side immediately, letting her squeeze his hand tightly.
"Me?!" She snapped back, eyes unfocused as Dr. Bailey's and Garp rushed in after him.
Mihawk tugged open the bedside drawer and pulled out two potions, pressing them to her lips. "Drink." He said and watched her gag around the thick liquid.
"What was that, Mihawk?" Dr. Bailey's voice was cross as she swiftly set up what she needed.
"A home remedy for pain that our family made for women who were pregnant. It only works for our bloodline unfortunately." He said and watched as the tension eased just a bit in Rouge's shoulders.
"Well, it's happening now so you two will have to do. This baby won't wait forever." The woman said and the two men shared a look of mild fear at that...
"Oh Ace... my beautiful baby..." Rouge cooed, holding Ace close to her despite looking two sheets to the wind. "Portgas D. Ace." She said happily before tiredly handing baby Ace over to Mihawk.
He took the small bundle with careful hands, looking down at the baby with wide eyes. There were very few times that he had been able to see new life brought forth... he usually only saw it get snuffed out.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he held out his finger for the baby to take, tuning out the way Dr. Bailey yelled at Garp to get out. He hadn't been a very good assistant apparently...
Mihawk shifted Ace in his arms and he sent soothing magic through Rouge to calm the aching nerves she no doubt had. He shifted into the large bed next to her and sat up against the headboard as he kept Ace close to him.
It was... more magical than any spell he could have thought up or made. This was something that his sister brought into the world on her own. Something that was both a piece of her and Roger and he was beautiful.
Mihawk shifted a bit and he tucked Ace close before relaxing, watching over them both as they slept. He would defend his little family with his life and considering he couldn't really die... well cherish the poor soul who tried.
"Did you see the news?" Rouge asked as she read the New World News.
Mihawk had both of Ace's hands in his own, helping the boy manuever his own feet. "I haven't." He said and lifted Ace up on his hip, walking over to Rouge.
It'd been a year since she had Ace, well almost a year. Mihawk knew that he would have to go back to the Grandline soon so no one got too suspicious on why he'd slowed down so much.
"The World Government made a new classification for Pirates... Yonko. Big Mom, Kaido, Edward...and Shanks..." Her voice softened as she saw Mihawk stiffen.
"I see." He set Ace in his booster chair, a plate of sliced fruit in front of the kid. "I was meaning to head back out onto the seas again soon... I'll visit often, but I don't want them wondering."
"I understand." Rouge covered his hand with her own. "You should talk to him... to both of them. Especially since Buggy is here in the East."
A heavy sigh left Mihawk and he nodded his head slowly, "Eventually... They don't want to see me yet either or they would have..." He motioned up to where he had marked them both with calling cards for him. So that they always had an ally within reach.
Rouge gave a gentle smile, "Go ahead, Brother. I know you can't stay in one place too long. Just make sure to always come back for birthdays." She said and patted his hand softly.
"Of course." Mihawk smiled and he chuckled at the mess Ace made. The kid really was a good mix of his parents. The wild hair from Roger and the freckles from Rouge. "I'll go get packed. There are a few people I need to see in the New World."