Chapter 22
~Shanks POV~
The red haired captain couldn't bear looking at the woman he loved so he just turned around and walked towards his bedroom, locking the door behind him. He rested his back against the door and slowly slipped down to the floor. His head gently slammed against the wooden door and he took a deep breath.
That couldn't be right.
Alexis would never do that to him… Right?
He punched the floor, the wooden under him slightly cracking, splinters stabbing his calloused flesh of his knuckles.
Why was he doubting her?
Maybe because he saw her kiss Mihawk… But that couldn't be right.
Alexis looked too confused when he stepped away from her but still… Shanks could feel a tight squeeze in his chest and it hurt a lot. His hand took hold of his blouse and part of his flesh and squeezed it tightly, trying to push away the uncomfortable pain he felt. Suddenly a knock was heard on the door.
-Shanks! – It was Alexis' voice. As much as her voice sounded soothing before, Shanks could only feel the pain that was hammering his heart with all its might. – Shanks please open the door. – The knock ceased and he could only hear a loud sound above him. Probably she had rested her forehead against the door. – Shanks please… - Although begging for him, it didn't seem like she was crying or conflicted.
-Not now Alexis… - As much as he wanted his voice to come out right and hard it came out shaky.
-Please let me talk to you… - She asked once again, her voice lower that was almost impossible for him to hear.
-To tell me what? – He raised his eyes upwards, looking at the ceiling. – It's not what it looked like? – He let out an unamused laugh. – Really Alexis? I saw you… with Mihawk…
-Do you believe I could do that? – Her voice was precise and deadly. – You believe I could betray you?
-After this night I begin to have my doubts. - He heard her storm down the hallway, leaving him alone once again. He stood up from the floor and walked up to the desk, sitting down on the wooden chair. He took in a deep breath and felt the insisting pain in his chest taking over him once again. His head snapped when the bedroom door was slammed open. The swordsman was standing at the entrance, his golden eyes analyzing the red haired captain that was slowly looking like a sad and depressing mess. Shanks onyx gaze fell upon the swordsman golden eyes. – What is it Hawkie?
Even after that event, Shanks could still call the swordsman by the nickname he hated.
-You're going to stay like this? – Mihawk asked, making Shanks raise an eyebrow. – You know I was the one that forced a kiss to her. She is not to blame.
-Why would you do that? – Shanks lowered his head, his red hair cascading over his eyes, shadowing his expression.
-I have feelings towards that woman.
-Why… - Shanks quickly stood from his seat and stormed towards the swordsman, taking a strong hold on his cloak. – You know how I feel about her and you just go and take her away from me!
-I didn't take her away. – Mihawk's voice was incredibly calm. – She still loves you Shanks.
-God damn it… - His voice quickly became a whisper before tears began to flow down his cheeks. – Why would you do something like this to me… I love her so much… - Shanks' voice broke into a weep before he began to sob strongly, quickly turning into a desperate shout. Mihawk only took hold of his shoulder and led him to the chair, making him sit down. The swordsman leaned against the desk and waited for the red haired captain to calm down his sobbing. – I've became weak… - Shanks mumbled, slamming his fist against the desk.
-No… - Mihawk gave him a soft smile. – You're in love with a woman and that makes you stronger. It's only normal that you'd break down from time to time.
-Where is she? – Shanks quickly asked, cleaning his wet cheeks with his hand.
-She said she was leaving.
-And you didn't stop her!?
-That's your job.
~Alexis POV~
She stormed down the ship's hall towards the deck.
For some reason she was not sad but annoyed and irritated.
She exited to the deck, passing by Mihawk. He took hold of her wrist but quickly let it go when she snapped towards him and pushing him away.
-No! – She shouted. – You will not ruin this for me!
-Where are you going? – He asked.
-LEAVING! – She shouted before exiting the ship and heading towards the woods ahead. She finally reached a location where the woods opened a little, revealing a pond.
She only stormed to the nearest tree and launched a punch against it. A hole was formed on the tree, painted by scarlet blood that began to come out from her knuckles. She bit down her lip, looking down at the floor.
She was annoyed at everything that happened: the whole ball, the mess up that was afterwards, Shanks sudden aggressive state towards Mihawk, Mihawk's kiss, Shanks not wanting to talk to her. Everything was completely fucked around her and she wasn't very fond of her.
She should've pushed Mihawk away from her.
She shouldn't have went to the ball in the first place.
She wasn't supposed to be in this world…
She sat down on the floor and looked up at the sky.
There was a heavy pain in her chest but she wasn't able to weep or anything else by any matter. She just stared blankly at the blue sky.
-Finally found you. – Alexis head snapped, recognizing that voice.
-What the fuck are you doing here Midori? – She coldly asked, staring at the green haired woman. Alexis was in no mood to deal with her nagging.
-I'm here to get rid of you for good. – Midori reached to her pocket and took out a golden stone from it. Just the vision of it made Alexis feel weak. – You know, the Marines can help you a bit if you do the right things to survive. – She twirled the stone around her fingers. – They even gave me this strange rock. – She raised it in the air and looked at Alexis. – Do you recognize this stone?
-Why should I?
-Because it will be your death. – She chuckled and approached the red haired woman. Her approach made Alexis feel weak. It was because of that damned stone. – This is a Taiyo Stone and it has an interesting effect on people that are born with natural abilities. – Just a few inches away from Alexis, Midori reached out her hand, placing the rock on Alexis' forehead. The red haired woman could feel like her skin was melting away and it hurt like hell.
-Fuck you. – She slapped away the hand with the stone. The contact her hand made with the stone burned her a bit but the distance was relaxing to Alexis.
-No. – Midori spat and kicked Alexis' head, making her fall flat on the floor. – Fuck you. Now… I shall have some fun with you. – She smirked and picked up the Taiyo stone just to place it against Alexis' chest. The red haired woman let out a gasped shout in pain before panting heavily when Midori pulled the stone away. – You see… You hurt Karasu before so I need to pay him back since he isn't at 100%. – The greed haired woman took hold of the scarlet locks on Alexis' head, pulling her back. The stone Midori was holding was burning against Alexis' skull, making her pant and gasp in the unbelievably strong pain. – Now… I can have some fun torturing you before I kill you in his name.
Midori launched a wave of ice shards towards Alexis, some of the shards actually stabbing her back while other just pierced the floor.
Alexis just gasped just to follow up with a chuckle.
-I'd like to see you try. – Alexis mumbled, receiving a kick to the back of her head. She felt her mind float away into unconscious as her vision became blurry.
~Mihawk POV~
-God damn it Mihawk, where is she? – The red haired captain asked again. The two have been wandering the forest for quite some time now but there was no sign of Alexis.
-She said she was leaving. – Mihawk stated, looking behind, making sure no one was following them.
-Right. She just swam away? – Shanks turned his head back, looking at the swordsman from the corner of his eye.
-She could.
Shanks sighed and proceeded to walk forward, scoping around the forest and occasionally calling out for her. It wasn't the best of options because it would call attention to those two but they had nothing left.
No leads.
No sounds.
Nothing.
Mihawk's mind just wandered back to the kiss he had gave to Alexis. It felt so nice but Mihawk was fully aware he had done wrong.
Shanks became an emotional wreck since he found the red haired woman in the swordsman arms.
Mihawk inhaled deeply.
How would Mihawk find a way to make Shanks happy but himself as well? The swordsman wanted Alexis but she was the object of Shanks love.
God it all sounded so cheesy but it was a reality to the three.
And then there was Joshua… Despite Alexis clearly turning him down, the young boy still pursued after her, trying to get her but it was of no use.
Another heartbroken person.
Only one person would come out well in this equation.
Mihawk finally came to a conclusion: women can be troublesome but he was willing to go through that trouble.
The two men reached a part of the forest when the woods opened up, revealing a pond. Mihawk instantly spotted the blood on the tree and the ice shards of the floor. The swordsman's eyes instantly snapped towards Shanks who seemed to be suffering an enlightening.
-She wouldn't… - Shanks mumbled but Mihawk had no idea what the red haired pirate was talking about.
-What is it? – Mihawk asked, trying to capture Shanks' attention.
-We need to find Alexis. – Shanks rushed to the location the ice shards were stabbed in and picked one of them up. "No shit Shanks." Mihawk thought to himself. It had been a long time since he used a curse word and it felt good for the swordsman.
-Over there. – Mihawk spotted foot prints on the dirt floor. It belonged to only one person but next to it was a drag track.
-Let's go.
~Alexis POV~
Another heavy slash to her back.
The ice blade cooled down the burning sensation the Taiyo stone cuffs gave her.
She was weak, wounded, sleepy and feeling an emptiness within her.
-Having any matter to laugh now? – It was Midori's annoying voice once again. That voice had become a nuisance to Alexis' ears and she was tired of listening to it.
-You like to hear yourself talk, don't you? – Alexis spoke out weakly, letting a small chuckle out, earning a strong kick to her ribs and another wave of ice shards that stabbed her back.
-Quiet! – Midori sounded annoyed.
-Care to tell me where we are? – Alexis asked and received another kick to her back. The red haired woman coughed out and hissed at the jolt of pain. – If you're intention is to kill me, why not at least tell me the place I'll die so that I can turn it holy? – She chuckled once again. Midori took hold of her hair, pulling her head backwards.
-You're in an old smelly shack that is falling apart. – Midori spat out, her voice low and deadly. – And you deserve to die here and rot away. – The green haired woman stepped in Alexis' view. – Maybe that old man with the rifle will find you or that red haired man that you love so much.
-Does it matter? – Alexis mumbled.
-What? – Confusion shrouded Midori's voice.
-Does it matter who'll find me? – With little strength she had left, Alexis lift her head up in order to face Midori. – And if they do find me… it won't end up well for you or your friend. You are aware of that right? – Midori's eyes showed fright towards the Red Hair Pirates. – They will beat you to a bloody pulp just because you killed me.
-QUIET! – Midori punched Alexis' face.
The green haired woman created a long thin spear of ice and prepared herself to launch the blade towards Alexis head until, all of the sudden, the cabin's door was slammed open as the last dims of hope slipped away from Alexis' eyes.
A/N:
22ND CHAPTER OUT!
I'm sorry for the long wait my dears but I have been doing school projects... So many of them I can't deal with it! X_X
I'm already writing on the next chapter and it will be up tomorrow so... Hope you enjoy this chapter :3 yes I've kicked in this the POV thing. Wanted to try it out and probably will do it in the future once again.
I do not own One Piece
Only own Alexis, Joshua, the Seppen Bandits and the Plushie Pirates.