Chapter 6

Nana hummed as she happily knitted with the soft wool. The howls of the storm didn't disturb her and Pumpkin.

"When will he be back?" Pumpkin whined out in boredom as he stretched before the fire place.

Nana paused, glancing at Pumpkin before resuming her knitting. "He's a shichibukai so he has responsibilities. Why don't you call him?" She offered to the kitten.

Pumpkin leaped up quickly and ran over to the table and gently grabbed Mihawk's denden mushi between his mouth and made his way over to the bed and got comfortable. "I hope he picks up quickly." Pumpkin said and sulked when Nana ignored him. "Don't you want to talk to him?"

"Not really," Nana replied and placed the knitting needles down. "I'm going to wash up." She said and disappeared to the hot springs.

Pumpkin sulked but quickly rejoiced when the denden mushi connected. "Mihawk!" Pumpkin cried out. "When are you coming home?! I miss you!" He wailed.

The denden mushi wasn't phased by the outburst. "Soon." was all he said before asking the cub, "Where is Nana?"

Pumpkin sulked before replying, "She's taking a bath I asked her if she wanted to talk to you."

"And?" Mihawk said.

"She said: not really." Pumpkin muttered and saw the slight twitch in the denden mushi's eye. Pumpkin grinned widely and slyly uttered, "You thought it was Nana calling. You want to talk to her~"

"Pumpkin." Mihawk slowly said the cub's name. "I'm going back to sleep."

"W-wait!" Pumpkin quickly apologised for teasing the shichibukai. "I'll give it to Nana." He gently picked the snail up and trotted his way to Nana. "I'm sure she wants to talk to you too but is just stubborn." Pumpkin said slowly, not wanting to crush or drop the snail. "Oh, there she is." He said before Mihawk could say anything and rushed over to the fox lady. "Nana! Here!"

Nana watched as Pumpkin dropped the denden mushi at the edge of the pool before running off. "O-oi Pumpkin!" Nana called out and sighed when he ran back to the cottage. "Moshi moshi." Nana said as she went back to soaking her body.

"Nana." Mihawk eased out.

Nana froze and covered her body with her hands. Glaring at the snail and said, "Jeez that's creepy. It's like you're in the room with me." She glared harder when the snail offered a tiny curl of its lips.

"I've been gone almost a month and you haven't called me at all," Mihawk said what was on his mind. "Akagami even told me that you've called him. Why haven't you called me, Nana?"

Nana's face turned red. "I haven't wanted to okay!"

"Liar," Mihawk said through her words easily. "Perhaps you've missed me, Nana."

Nana stood up abruptly and pointed to the snail. "In your dreams you pervert! Why would I miss a pervert like you?!"

"Because you enjoy my company."

Nana froze and felt her body heat up. Looking slowly over her shoulder and saw an amused shichibukai holding a denden mushi in his hand and leaned casually against the wall. Nana squealed and couldn't hold back her partial transformation a seeing Mihawk in a long time. The redhead quickly used her transformation to cover her intimate parts and flattered her ears over her head as she hissed out. "What are you doing here?"

Mihawk placed his denden mushi away and walked over to the cautious kitsune. Squatting before her at the edge of the pool and said, "I was taking a nap on my way back home when a lonely animal called me. I see you're excited to see me, Nana." Mihawk glanced over her glorious tails and embarrassed facials before saying, "Tadaima."

"O-okaeri." Nana looked away from his intense gaze and held her tails more firmly to her body. Quietly mumbling her thanks as Mihawk handed her a towel. "Could you at least turn around?" She glared at the man and sighed in relief when he listened. As she dried herself off, Nana looked at his back curiously and asked, "What did you do?" Over her initial embarrassment and eager to hear about his adventures.

Mihawk took his hat off and ran his fingers through his hair. "I had to check the condition of my other home. Dealt with a few bugs along the way and enjoyed a nap in the sun." He said offhandedly. "I've brought back a few things for you. The cub is already enjoying his gifts." He heard Nana come out of the water and turned to see her wrapped up in her towel. Her hair was still dripping and her tails swayed around her body teasingly. Mihawk soundlessly took off his cloak and wrapped it around her frame. It was better this way.

Nana picked up the snail and looked to Mihawk's outstretched hand and didn't hesitate to grab it. "Any else? Something interesting?" she followed behind the man as they made their way through the narrow corridor.

Mihawk glanced down to Nana. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes at his presence. He wouldn't dare to tell her that he felt comfort when her ears and tails sprouted at the sight of him. It was nice to have someone, other than Shanks and an animal, excited to see him. "I stopped over at an island that's dedicated to partying. Twenty-four seven. It was loud and annoying though I suppose they have a fine collection of alcohol. Otherwise, nothing interesting."

They both appeared back in the cottage with Pumpkin happily playing with a rubber ball.

Nana's eyes widened as she saw a deep orange plant on her table. She let go of Mihawk's hand and wander over it and let its sweet scent fill her nose. "What are these?" She looked over to Mihawk excitedly as he was busy going through her draws finding her clothes.

Mihawk pulled out a underdress of hers and held it out to her. Turning around to let her change and placed his hat on the end of a chair. "Flowers. They're called marigold."

"What are they doing here?" She asked as she gently touched one of the petals in awe after she changed into her underdress. Leaving Mihawk's cloak over the chair and continued to study the flowers.

"They're for you." Mihawk mentioned and stood behind the stunned redhead. Feeling her tails curl around him as he peered over her shoulder. "I saw them in passing and they reminded me of your tails. The shop owner said they mean, promoting good relations in a relationship." He placed a large hand on her shoulder, ignoring the soft skin beneath his fingers. "They also mean, winning the affection of someone through hard work."

Nana's body relaxed and leaned into Mihawk. Looking up to him teasingly, "I thought you said you wouldn't seduce me."

"I did." Mihawk nodded, "With ill-intentions." He saw the sparkle in her eyes grow at his words and offered a small smile. "Though I believe you might just kill me before I fulfill my intentions."

Nana laughed and turned around. Engulfing Mihawk in a tight high with her arms and tails. "I've always wanted flowers. Thank you shichibukai-sama!" She grinned.

Mihawk rolled his eyes slightly at the name and patted her head. "You're welcome." Mihawk controlled himself from grabbing Nana when she pulled away from him. Instead watching her as she approached her knitting station and pulled out a thick black scarf. The blush on her nose made Mihawk walk over to her and caught her shy gaze.

"I made this for you." Nana coughed into her hand and handed out the newly knitted scarf. "I was thinking red but thought black suited you best. It brings out your eyes." She looked away from him.

Mihawk reached out for the scarf and wrapped it securely around his neck. "I like it." He nodded, feeling the warmth settle around his neck. He saw her tails sway nervously and flicked her forehead.

"Oi bastard!" Nana yelped and rubbed her stinging forehead while glaring at the swordsman. The small smile on her face made her uneasy. She had never seen him smile before. He smirked but that was only a small smirk but never a smile. "You look weird."

Mihawk chuckled, causing Nana to feel even more uneasy. "Never have I imagined receiving a handmade scarf from a woman. Especially from a violent woman." He ignored her hiss. "I'm touched."

Nana's tailed swayed faster as she grabbed one of them and stroked it nervously. "Y'know I'm actually more homely than a warrior." She confessed. "I know it's been bothering you. Trying to figure out which one is the real me but this is the real me. Only outsiders see the warrior."

Mihawk arched a brow, "You were quick to expose yourself to me."

"I was just a bit rusty, alright!" Nana poked his exposed chest. "And why the hell aren't you wearing a shirt again?! Here! Put this on!" Nana threw an old shirt his way and stomped over to the table. Sitting before the flowers and tried to memorise the beautiful bunch.

Mihawk silently put the shirt on before pouring himself a glass of wine and made hot tea for Nana. He handed her cup before sitting in his chair and picked up a book he brought over to read.

Nana regarded the flowers silently. She didn't enjoy the warmth Mihawk brought within her whenever he was near or when Pumpkin talked about him. The man was still dangerous in her mind but she thoroughly and genuinely enjoyed the warmth he brought her. He kept her demons at bay. "Mihawk?" She called out to him and heard him hum in response. "Will you take me with you next time? To Kuraigana island?"

Mihawk put down his book and looked over to Nana. "You'll enjoy it there."

"I think so too," Nana commented and left the flowers to tuck herself into her bed. Slowly drifting off to sleep under the thick comforters.

Once Mihawk heard her breathing slow down he shut his book and released a deep breath. Thankful that Pumpkin had fallen asleep before the dying fire. Mihawk stood and walked over to the bed and sat at its edge. Moving Nana's hair out of her face as she slept and engrained the peaceful look into his mind. He enjoyed her presence and found it didn't annoy him as the presence of other women would. "Perhaps I shall make you my companion instead." He nodded at his idea. He intended to become her protector but now he planned to be her companion in every way. Just as Mihawk was to join Nana in bed he felt the hum of his denden mushi ring and quickly moved himself to the hot springs before picking up the call. "Yes." He answered.

"Mihawk-dono! You are to return to Marineford and assist the marines in the execution of Portgas D Ace and war against the Whitebeard pirates. Failure in attendance will result in the cancellation of your shichibukai status and reinstatement of your former bounty."

"I see." Mihawk hung up the snail before slamming his fist into the wall. Losing control of his emotions and stormed back into the cottage. He found Nana and Pumpkin still sleeping and headed over to the bed. Climbing under the blankets and whispered, "Just this once." Seeing the woman stir and blink up at him tiredly.

Nana felt his anguish and wondered what happened. She nodded and wrapped her tails around the tall man and brought him close to her frame. "Just this once." She repeated and rested her head on his chest. Promptly falling back asleep.

Mihawk wrapped his arms around the woman and pulled her uncomfortably close. He would have to withhold his plan and hoped that Nana found it within her heart to forgive him. "Gomen'nasai." He whispered and placed a feathered kiss on her forehead before allowing himself to fall asleep in her warm embrace.