Hey everyone! So sorry for taking so long with this update! I was hoping to get it within 2-3 days from the last update, but then just as I was about to finish the story, my computer completely crashed and wouldn't come back alive. Well thanks to my uncle who is a dell tech, he helped me power it just long enough to get what I needed off of it onto USB's. So I had to wait a few more days for my new laptop to come in! It's brand new and better NOT crash on me. Now I just have to get used to this new computer that is touch screen. I keep exiting out of things and moving things and I don't even mean to! So every time I get to writing and I get halfway through or so, I somehow delete it. Sigh, well wish me luck!
This one shot is a RobinXMihawk requested by III. Thank you my dear for requesting! This one was specifically requested to not be a lemon. It's nice doing just pure romance once in a while so thank you for requesting this story III! I hope you like it and I did you justice!
The next story will be a NamiXKoala story for Nakko! I will hopefully *keep fingers crossed* have this one out soon with no problems! I swear things are working against me here! Anywho!~ Please prepare for the upcoming story!
Once again I am not taking requests anymore for this category!
Robin had always wondered about Zoro's teacher Mihawk. Was he a good guy? Bad? He was someone she couldn't figure out, and that didn't happen often. He was the best swordsman in the world, he was a pirate, and yet at the same time he helped the Marines. She was first introduced to his name and details about him when the Revolutionary army began spreading the word about Marine Ford and what had happened with Ace.
For some reason her interest was pulled towards him heavily. She wanted to know more about him then what they were just passing around. So using her skills, she researched him. She had to know the answer about whether he was good or bad. She couldn't let the revolutionary Army know about her research so she always did it at night or when she was away on trips, but now she didn't need to hide it. There was no need to keep her research hidden from her friends on the Thousand Sunny. If anything, she was getting the chance to learn first hand research from Zoro himself who was with Mihawk for two years.
"Why do you keep asking all these questions?" Zoro asked, slightly curious as to why she wanted to know so much about Mihawk. He was continuing his push ups, but his eyes were trailing up to her. "Why so interested in him?"
That was the first time the question really came up. She hadn't even thought to ask herself why she was so interested. She closed her mouth and pursed her lips as her eyes traveled up to the sky and she furrowed her brows, trying to think of an answer that even she would agree with…..but for once, she couldn't think of an answer.
"I….don't know." She said, before looking back at Zoro who had stopped his workout and was just plainly staring at her in utter disbelief.
"Well, you aren't the only one asking questions." Zoro said, standing up and wrapping a cold towel around his neck. "Mihawk asked questions about you too."
Robin didn't get a chance to question Zoro why his teacher was asking about her, or how he even knew her before he walked off towards his birdsnest to clean up. The only way he'd know her was from her posters right? But…..that still begged the question as to why he was so interested in her. All of this made her mind swirl in confusion with so many questions and so few answers.
"We've got a storm!" Nami shouted as she ran towards the railing that overlooked the main deck. She was looking straight out where a huge storm was flying towards them at an unusual pace. Lighting was flashing from the clouds and the water was picking up quickly, rocking their ship like it was a baby carraige.
Soon everyone was out onto the deck, grabbing the ropes to pull the masts up, and fastening things down so nothing was launched off the ship by the waves that were growing stronger and stronger. Robin tied a rope around the securing hook. A loud rumbling noise went off behind her as if something was scaping towards her. She turned around quickly and regretted she did. A large wooden box was barrelling towards her as it slid across the deck.
Robin ended up jumping backwards and slightly to the side to dodge the box from hitting her. But as the box hit the side of the ship, it was enough to help the waves rock the ship moreso than before. Suddenly she could feel herself going backwards with the ship tilting. Quickly she grabbed onto the railing of the ship, knowing she couldn't afford to go over board into that water. But with all the rain and ocean water spraying up everywhere, not to mention herself being soaked to the bone, her hands couldn't get a grip and as the ship righted itself, the force made her arch her back and she slipped over the side.
"Robin!" Nami shouted, spotting her friend splashing into the depths.
Zoro quickly reacted and dived off the ship, searching for the devil fruit user who was powerless in this salt water. But the ocean was dark and with the waves crashing around, it was making it impossible for him to spot her before he got pushed back under.
"Look out! Whirlpool!" Nami shouted to him, trying to get Zoro to realize the danger he was getting closer and closer to.
"Tch!" Zoro couldn't just leave Robin in the ocean, but he had to get his bearings back. He was getting farther and farther from the ship, and if he got caught in that whirlpool, it'd be the end of both him and Robin.
Robin could feel herself sinking into the waters, as if multiple hands were hanging onto her and pulling her down. But then she felt something jerk her to the side and up, when she broke for air, somehow being lifted, she didn't expected to see a whirlpool next to her, using it's swirling mass to pull her to it's top and start spinning her in it's circular path downwards. She desperately grasped upward, trying to stop the water from taking her back under again, and she could see Zoro searching around for her, but as she opened her mouth to call for help, water rushed in and silenced every noise. Her eyesight blacked out as she struggled for air and lost consciousness.
"Is she okay?"
"Who cares?"
"Can I keep her?!"
Robin groaned and took in a breath, suddenly her lungs burned and she coughed, dislodging the water and turning on her side to spit it out quickly. She coughed a few more times and then opened her eyes to look at the people who were talking over her. In front of her she spotted three small boys. Robin gasped and crawled backwards on her hands, looking at the three of them with fear.
In front of her stood DoFlamingo and Crocodile, looking at her with questions eyes and Doffy had a evil smile playing across his lips. But they weren't the two pirates they defeated, they were just boys! It was definitely them, but they were just children. What was going on? Finally she looked over at the third boy who was watching her with careful yellow eyes…Wait….she knew those eyes. It was Mihawk!
Now she was even more confused! Why were three bad people in front of her, and why were they children? Where was she? Who were these boys really? And where did her friends go? She felt her cheeks overheat from so much stress over everything that was happening
"Oi!" Mihawk shouted, reaching out for her as she was falling backwards again and she fainted.
Robin's head bobbed, waking her up to the sudden movements she realized was making her bounce. She opened her eyes and noticed that the sun was setting on the horizon and she was bobbing up and down gently. She looked at who was carrying her and saw shew as on Mihawks back as he trudged on a small pathway towards a very small place.
"What are you doing?" Robin whispered, pushing on his shoulders to sit up more.
"Hang on or you'll fall." He told her, bouncing her up on purpose to resettle his hands in a more comfortable way. He glanced back at Robin with his sharp eyes and sighed. "I couldn't just leave you there. A gentleman would never leave a damsel in distress."
Robin couldn't stop the small chuckle that came out of her. His ears turned slightly red, but he didn't make any move to let her go or yell at her for laughing. She leaned forward again, surprised at how much this younger Mihawk could lift. She wrapped her arms around him and gave a small hug, showing her gratitude without actually saying it so she didn't embarrass him more.
Mihawk ended up taking her to that small place she saw, and watched over her for the night, to make sure that her slight fever didn't rise and that she was ok. In return she helped him get a meal fixed up and fixed herself a place to sleep so it wasn't just a hard floor.
"Where did you come from?" Mihawk asked, looking at her as she patted her pillow.
"The sea," She said, a smile stretching on her face. "I've spent most of my life on the sea."
"It's nice?" He asked, seeing the shining light in her eyes that seemed to make her face beam in joy.
"It's adventurous. You become stronger out there. And you meet people who are good and bad, but it still is invigorating." She told him, trying to explain how she felt about the sea. "What about you? Did you grow up here?" This was her chance to ask some questions. Even if this wasn't real.
"Yeah. The two guys you met earlier were Doffy and Crocodile. At least that's what I call them." He said, taking his sword off and placing it next to his own bed that was on the other side of the room.
"Are they your friends?" Robin asked, wondering if Mihawk actually got along with the two villians that the world hated.
"Not really. More like acquantices. We don't get along at all and we mainly use each other as fighting partners." Mihawk explained, finally sitting on his bed and looking at Robin.
Her eyes darted over to his sword that wasn't like either of the ones he carried around with him while out at sea. She pointed at it to show him what she was talking about. "You like swordsmanship?"
His eyes seemed to flash in excitement though his face stayed stoic. "A sword is a truly powerful weapon. In the right hands it can be used to protect a lot of people." He said, being very vague on the description on why he does it.
"You want to protect people?" Robin pushed, tilting her head to see his bright eyes more. He nodded his head slightly and she smiled more, showing that was a good enough answer for her. "I'm sure you'll be a great swordsman in the future if you continue training for that reason." His eyes lite up brighter than she's seen anyones do before, and the yellow color of them made it all the more brighter. There wasn't a doubt in her mind now that Mihawk wasn't a bad guy in her original place. He may be working for the Marine's, but it was because he was fighting against those he thought were causing harm and to protect those weaker than him.
The next few days Robin spent trying to figure out how she got to this place. She couldn't tell if it was just a different time or dimension or some kind of illusion. But if it was an illusion, how did she find out this information from Mihawk? She glanced over at the boy who was polishing his sword studiously. Not once did he press her to leave or question who she was really aside from her name.
He showed her around the small town, and told her about places that you shouldn't go. He helped her get used to the way of living on this island. In return she helped him do whatever he needed to get done, she hung out with him and his fighting partners, and tried to gather information on Mihawk when she could. Though she knew her friends were worried, and that she was missing a lot in all of this; she had this feeling that she didn't want to leave. It was like the life she wanted. He may be only a boy, but his demeanour was that of a man with his maturity and he treated her as if she were a princess.
"Too bad I can't meet you," She whispered.
"What?" Mihawk asked, looking up at her.
Robin clamped her mouth shut, not realizing she said that out loud and not just in her head. Her cheeks reddened and she held her breath, thinking of some kind of excuse. "I was just saying, it wouldn't nice if I could stay here." She mentally smacked herself because once again she couldn't control letting out what she was thinking. She had just made the situation even worse.
"Why can't you?" Mihawk asked her as he looked back down at his sword. His ears were bright red again.
Robin didn't know quite what to say to that. But she felt her own cheeks redden even more at the thought of Mihawk even having some sort of inkling of feelings towards her. She finally knew why she was so interested in Mihawk in her time. Not because she wanted to know if he was good or bad, but because she was attracted to him and she hoped she could get to know him a little more.
"Oi! Mihawk, come on and fight me!" Doffy shouted as he spotted the boy sitting next to Robin on the dock.
"Not today," He grumbled, not wanting to fight with the over enthusiastic boy.
Doffy didn't like being denied his playing. He reached out and grabbed Mihawk on the shoulder, forcefully turning the boy around. "Oh come on. What are you? Chicken?"
It was a stupid and feeble insult, but Mihawk was fuming inside because he didn't want to seem like someone weak in front of Robin. Why was Doffy so insistent on this?. "I said, no." Mihawk said more sternly, smacking Doffy's hand away and giving a dangerous glare.
Doffy sighed, but then glanced at Robin who was watching intently. And it was plain to see the red ears on Mihawk that kept growing brighter as the small fight continued. "Why? Because you want to be with your crush?" He was going to push Mihawk into a fight with him. He wasn't going to let him back out now. "Just because you've fallen in love with her doesn't mean you can abandon your friends." There, two hits on Mihawk. His feelings for Robin and his goal for swordsmanship both insulted in one sentence.
Mihawk had had enough of Doffy's tormenting. Now he was being embarrassed by Doffy in front of Robin who he definitely had a crush on. He flipped his sword in his hand and held it out towards Doffy, pushing it against his chest where it put a slight puncture mark on his skin. Doffy smiled evilly as he realized his plan had worked. He had pushed Mihawk over the edge.
Doffy pulled out a sword of his own, jumping backwards, and holding it out towards Mihawk. "Ready to tango little bird?" He teased more just to watch Mihawk's temper rise.
Doffy lunged for Mihawk, making him turn slightly to evade the sharp end of the blade. Back and forth they slashed at one another, trying to get the other one caught off guard and to gain the upper hand. At first all Mihawk could do was stay on the defense, blocking the attacks Doffy threw at him. Surprisingly he was much better at sword fights than Robin thought. But Mihawk's eyes were watching every move Doffy made as if analyzing them…he was. He spotted an opening in Doffy's stance and twisted his body to where his foot smacked into Doffy's on the ground, knocking him off balance. Mihawk took the small chance to bring his sword around and make the handle knock into Doffy's side.
Doffy coughed in pain and held his side where the hilt hit. He looked up with an excited smile and laughed, seeing this all as a game that he was bound to win if he kept going. But he was nowhere near Mihawk in power and cunningness, and Robin knew who was really going to win. Both of them got hit hard with the swords, and each time Robin thought they were going to go down.
"That's enough!" Robin shouted towards them, standing up from her seat and putting a hand out towards them. She knew they were getting too into it and that soon one of them was going to get majorly hurt with how much they were increasing their power. "You're going to hurt each other!"
She couldn't get too close though. Everytime she could get close enough to stop one of them the attack switched people and she had to be careful not to get caught up in the middle of a fight with real swords.
"Careful now little birdie! You're love interest will get hurt herself if you can't win." Doffy laughed maniacally, pushing Mihawk into a stronger rage than he'd ever felt before.
"RAGH!" Mihawk shouted, lifting up his sword and slamming it down onto Doffy's who was holding it above his head.
Robin felt an incredible aura wafting off of Mihawk, and it scared her a bit by the intensity. If he was this strong as a child, it was no wonder he was the greatest swordsman in the sea when he was older. It made her shiver at the thought of Mihawk being on the wrong side in the future. She was pretty sure that if she let the fight continue on with Doffy egging on his actions, there was still a possibility of him turning to the wrong side.
"I said STOP IT!" She shouted, reaching out finally to grab Mihawks shoulder and jerk him away from Doffy and out of the fight.
It seemed to be enough to jar him out of his rage and see clearly what was happening between the two young kids who were normally so well together. Mihawk looked at Robin and saw the mix of fury and worry in her own eyes at him being hurt and fighting still.
"This is what love gives you!" Doffy shouted, jumping up and slamming the sword down towards Robin and Mihawk in a surprise attack.
Mihawk lifted his sword quickly, pushing Robin behind him to stay away from the attack. The sound of metal against metal echoed through the air and bone jarring force was brought down at Mihawk. His feet slid across the damp wood of the dock, making him push Robin closer and closer to the edge.
"Gotcha!" Doffy shouted, kicking at Mihawk and slamming his foot right into the yellow eyed boy.
The force jerked Mihawk backwards into Robin, knocking her back on the edge until she was teetering on the edge. Her feet slid and it was like déjà vu as she hit the icy waters and it swarmed around her. She could see Mihawk looking over the edge of the dock down at her; yet she regretted never telling him about her having a Devil Fruit ability.
Robin could hear the sound of splashing water, making her open her eyes slightly against the salty water and the bright sun that was streaking through. She could see Mihawk furiously swimming towards her, trying to get to her rapidly sinking body. He wouldn't be able to lift her to the top; not when she was like a cement block going towards the bottom of the sea. But suddenly her body was being jerked up and to the side. She remembered this feeling too.
"BAH!" She gasped, breaking the waters top and sucking in much needed air into her desperate lungs.
She turned her head behind her, feeling the water still pulling her into it's hold, much faster than Mihawk could swim. She was right. Right there behind her was a swirling vortex in the water; and she'd bet that it was the same whirlpool that took her from her friends before.
"Robin!"
Her attention tore back to the young boy trying his best to reach her before she got carried off into the whirlpool. She shook her head at him and held out her hand to tell him to stop. He stopped and looked at her in horror and confusion.
"Don't give up!" She shouted to him, but he took it the wrong way and began swimming towards her. She couldn't let him get dragged into this whirlpool as well. "No!" He stopped, more confusion on his face as to why her actions were so far from her words. "Don't give up on your goals! Become the greatest swordsman to protect the weak! Don't give up on that!" The water suddenly jerked her under and back, making her come towards the whirlpool even faster. She broke the water again and wiped her hair away, looking at Mihawk with eyes that showed regret. "Don't forget about me." She said, knowing she was probably to far away for him to hear her anymore.
Mihawk opened his mouth to yell something back at her, and she wanted to hear what he had to say. But the water was much faster at it's actions and dragged her to the whirlpool, spinning her into it's vortex faster and faster till she reached the peak and lost consciousness once more.
Robin opened her eyes, expecting to be in another place once more, but then her lungs started burning and she desperately reached out.
"Robin!" She could hear as she broke the water and started spinning again.
She was back in her own time! If only the whirlpool didn't drop her off at such a bad time! Her mind was being shaken as the whirlpool spun around and around, not letting her go from it's clutches, but also not really taking her anywhere but that one spot.
Suddenly a hand grabbed her and jerked her up from the water. Easily she was lifted from the trecherous hold of the whirlpool and left dizzy. Someone picked her up gently and held her in his arms with her head hitting against his shoulder. Her eyes began to clear up and she looked at the man who had ahold of her. She gasped loudly as she took one look at the man with the slicked back black hair and the piercing yellow eyes that seemed to flash at her gleefully. A smile was appearing on his face as he steered his boat away from the whirlpool. But the whirlpool was no longer there anymore. It had just disappeared.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, looking at him in utter awe at his sudden appearance and saving her.
He chuckled at her, making her heart skip a beat. "A gentleman can't just leave a damsel in distress." He quoted himself from the past, making her cheeks flare up red and her heart to nearly fly out of her mouth. So it wasn't just a dream or illusion!
"But why?" She asked. This had to be the determining factor in it all.
He looked her straight in the eyes. "You're the one who told me not to forget about you. I achieved my goal of becoming the best, and even helped your friend there become better. I just had to work on my other goal of finding you."
She could see so many questions were flying across his mind about how she still looked the same, or how she was apart of the StrawHat crew, but that could wait another time. For now….she just had to make sure she didn't have a heart attack.