Leaving the town hadn't exactly been the easiest for Mihawk. Nor was it easy for Ace to accept for all that he was just a baby. He'd gotten packed during the night and when he slung his bg over one shoulder and Yoru on the other it was as if it was the end of the world. Ace started wailing at the top of his lungs and nothing either adult did was calming him down.

"For fuck's sake..." Mihawk cursed and he ran his fingers over Ace's face, sending him to sleep with a pulse of warm magic.

"Dracule Mihawk. You did not just use your magic on my baby." Rogue yelled and smacked him upside the head.

"How else were we supposed to calm him down?" He asked adnd rubbed the back of his head, glaring up at his sister in all but blood... Though that would probably change soon all things considered. If the accepted it that is.

She glared at him as she took Ace in her arms, rocking the sleeping babe into a smoother sleep. "Mhmm, well out you get then. You have a lot to do dont you brother dear?" She asked and rolled her eyes though there was no heat behind any of it.

A hum left him and he dropped a kiss on her cheek, "I know... Call me if you need anything, Rouge." He said and then slipped out the door into the dark forest.

The night was still and silent around him. He took a deeper breath and glanced back to the door before walking forwards. Rouge was right. He had a lot to do over the next few years. He had to make sure that the government didn't find out about her and Ace after all. Not to mention the fact he would be sending Lupus her direction so she'd be trained to fight. Pirate she may not be, though that was debatable, she was more than ready and willing to learn.

Mihawk got to the little boat he used, magic making the inside much bigger than the outside portrayed. He settled his bags before setting off onto the dark waters having been grateful for avoiding the village on his way out. The last thing he needed was to be scolded by the short Mayor about his responsibilities as the so called man of the house. As if Rouge wasn't already wearing the pants in all her relationships.

Stubborn woman.

He took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair as the water and wind took him further into the sea. It was something he'd missed... Aside from the fact it was on water and he still wasn't fond of it. Though it did bring back a few good memories as well... With Shanks...

"Tsk..." He shook his head and sat up more. There was nothing he could do to change the past and he doubted he would ever be forgiven by the old King's crew despite how he was the unspoken secondary Captain. Especially by Shanks and Buggy...

Speaking of though... Buggy was still loitering around the east blue now. That was something to look into so he could check and see how the bluebell was doing. He hadn't taken Buggy for a Captain, but the teen did have a flair for the dramatics.

While he wasn't sure where exactly Buggy was, he had a pretty good idea. Not only that, but the marks worked both ways. Though for him he could track them without them ever knowing along with their health. It was one of the reasons why Roger's death had also hit him hard... He felt the exact moment that his brother's heart stopped and when he passed on. Mihawk still wasn't ready to know if Roger had chosen to stay around or not as he avoided his home island in worry.

Speaking of islands... He'd have to stop at one here and there. Maybe he'd stop at Orange Village... They had the best oranges he'd ever had, encouraging trade between their village and Dawn for the past year. The entire village was always in great spirits so they both got along hand in hand. Not to mention the fact that the village chose Rouge as their representative...

Mihawk chuckled a bit to himself before settling down to take a nap. He'd get to wherever eventually... He wasn't to concerned about the time after all.

"Hey Captain! There's a man in a tiny boat out there." One of the men shouted, waking their Captain from his snooze.

Buggy sat up with a grumble, adjusting his hat, "What?! Who's dumb enough to sail alone?" He yelled and stomped over to the railing.

The words died in his throat though and he grabbed the railing tightly. He knew that boat... Knew the man that was on it and he wasn't sure whether it was rage, sickness, or relief that was knotting in his stomach.

"Want us to sink it?" One of the newer members asked excitedly, jarring him from his thoughts.

"No!" The word came out almost in a snarl and he swung around to face the crew he had pulled together in the east blue. He'd gathered what he could after escaping the Grandline and while they were on the stronger side for this ocean... They were nowhere near his strength let alone Mihawk's...

"Captain?" He glance over at Cabaji and shook his head.

"Get closer, but don't bother him... I know that one." He said and turned back, knowing his orders would be obeyed.

Of all the places... He didn't think that Mihawk was hiding here. Although Captain was as much Mihawk's brother as he was a father figure to him and Shanks. It wasn't supposed to end how it did though. The aftermath having been... Tormenting to the fullest. Maybe Mihawk didn't even know what happened yet. All he'd done was protect him and Shanks after all even if he didn't want to admit it at the time.

His ship pulled closer and he grabbed the railing, hauling himself over with probably more grace than he'd ever shown his crew. He landed light on the decking and stood still, waiting for Mihawk to acknowledge him with sweaty palms. Nothing good came from startling the man after all and he remembered how it was supposed to be done even having been a year or more later...

Mihawk shifted and Buggy held his breath as gold eyes opened. He took his own hat off and looked at Mihawk in a shy worry that he hadn't felt in years. "Hawks..." He muttered.

There was a moment of silence before Buggy was being crushed into a hug. He sniffled a bit and hugged Mihawk back just as hard, feeling the tears burn his eyes and run down his skin. The muttered words of 'I'm sorry', and 'please.' It was a mess on both sides.

"Bugs..." Mihawk leaned back, looking him over with red rimmed eyes. "Look at you, Buggy. You've really grown into yourself." He said softly.

Buggy let a shaky grin tug at his lips, "That's because I've become the flashiest." He said, eyes creasing as he smiled more.

Mihawk nodded and he looked up to the ship. To Big Top. "Your's?" He asked.

"Yea! Big Top and my crew." Buggy said and his eyes lit up as he grabbed Mihawk's hand. "Come meet them!"

"Ah... Are you sure?" Mihawk asked and a slow frown tugged at Buggy's lips before he remembered how it was. How they'd last left each other.

Buggy steeled himself and nodded, "I understand now. What you did and why. It didn't make sense before, but..." He looked up at the not so subtle looks his crew was giving them with a fond expression. If he had to the same... He was sure he would. Even if they hadn't been his long, he still loved his crew. That's why he swore he'd stay here in the East where it was safe and easy to hide.

Mihawk tugged him into a side hug, "I've missed you, Buggs. Show me your crew? Tell me what I've missed?" He said softly and that was all Buggy needed to here before he was launching himself and Mihawk back to the deck of Big Top, mouth going a mile a minute as he introduced his crew and everything on board and of course Mihawk was introduced as his closest friend and confidant before he found his crew.

It was time to hold a party.

Mihawk snorted in his drink as he watched Buggy pull another prank on Mohji. He still found it a bit funny and nostalgic that Buggy had gotten himself a member that had a pet lion. Though to be honest... He was also surprised at the welcome he'd received. The last they saw each other had been... Well it hadn't been pleasant.

He chuckled as Buggy fell back against him, roaring with laughter. It was clear that Buggy had a good crew. Though he knew that it would be harder to see the loyalties if they ever left the safety of the East Blue.

"Have you seen Shanks?" Mihawk asked and then immediately regretted it as Buggy's expression turned sour.

"That sour head?" Buggy asked, "No. After... Everything happened and Ray left us alone in the grandline, we had an argument and split off." He said and Mihawk froze.

"Ray did what?" He asked slowly.

"He left us on some island in the second half." Buggy said carelessly as he drained another drink. "We stuck together for a bit, but after the third week of getting hunted down by bounty hunter we had a fight. I wanted to head to the East Blue and call you, but Shanks screamed at me about it. Haven't seen him since... Oh... Wait." He paused and his face paled.

"Buggy?" Mihawk wrapped his arms around the other.

"We uh... We saw each other a bit ago... Batarilla..." He said as his tone turned more green. "We... We helped them bury..." Buggy curled in on himself.

Mihawk took a deep breath to calm himself and he pulled Buggy closer, dropping a kiss on the others head. "I'm sorry luv..." He spoke softly. "You can always call me though. I will always come." Mihawk said and he shifted as Buggy simply crawled in his lap, hiding his face against Mihawk's neck.

The two simply stayed like that with Buggy whimpering apologies that Mihawk gave assurance to. Anyone that looked their way longer than necessary got a glare from the hawk eyed man and that was enough to keep their moment private. He didn't need magic to shield them after all. Not when the crew should be loyal and respect Buggy. It wasn't like with Roger...

Buggy ended up falling asleep on him and Mihawk simply stood and walked further into the ship with the tired Captain. He tucked him in with a huff of tired amusement before going back up to make sure nothing happened while he was asleep. Wasn't as if Mihawk was losing any sleep after all... He didn't really need to sleep either just... Preferred it.

He got back on deck and shook his head as half the crew was already dropped off from the time and amount of alcohol consumed. Mihawk made sure that his small ship was secured before making his way up to the wheel where he saw Cabaji standing firm.

"What's your heading so far?" Mihawk asked simply, looking over the crew.

The young man scoffed, "As if I'd tell you." He responded snappishly.

Mihawk laughed at that and he shook his head, watching as the young man bristled in anger. It seemed that he had a spark of fire in him as he drew his sword.

"I don't know who you are to Captain Buggy but no one on this ship is gonna let you hurt him. I swear it on my swordsmanship." The teen said and pointed the tip at Mihawk.

"Oh?" He asked in amusement before pulling off the little knife he kept around his neck. There was no need to go overboard after all. Not with the young man being from the East Blue and not having knowledge of the important things.

"So now youre going to mock me and Captain?!" Cabaji yelled and then he attacked.

It was easy to dodge. A slow and sloppy swipe from the right that Mihawk instantly parried. He was quick to disarm the other and point the blade back at it's wielder. "Don't let rage and anger blind your movements. It's easier to read you the angrier you get. As for Buggy. I've known him for years... You have nothing to fear from me." He said, flipping the sword over, offering the pommel back to Cabaji.

The teen watched him cautiously before taking the sword with a huff. "Orange..." He muttered. "We're going to Orange Village for some fruit..." He said and stomped back to the wheel.

Mihawk nodded and leaned on the railing, letting his eyes slide closed, "A good stop." He said with a smile and just focused on his breath.

It was good to see Buggy again and it made him feel better, but he knew it would be different with Shanks. He still couldn't get the look out of his mind. The way Shanks called him a monster. It was something he had never forgotten and he doubted he ever would. He'd probably be avoiding him until there was no other choice than to see him... Ray on the other hand. He was going to cuss out for leaving the two boys in the most dangerous part of the world with nothing.

"You gonna stay there all night?" His thoughts were interrupted by the budding swordsman who looked too young... "You're creeping me out."

A laugh left Mihawk and he shook his head before pushing off the railing. "I suppose not." He said and wandered back down the ship, cloaking himself in soothing magic as he began tracing small runes in the wood. He hid the marking among the gaudy and flaring decorations Buggy had on the ship and laughed to himself softly. It certainly did fit his over the top personality...

Got a poll going on now btw -

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