Chapter 2

Flashback: days earlier

Mihawk found himself setting sail back towards the Winter Island with his boat stocked, reading to take on the ocean for the second time. Mihawk jumped on his boat and faced the agent on the docks that were uncertain. "That island is to be under my jurisdiction from this point onwards."

"Mihawk-sama, are you certain there was nothing of importance found on that island?" The agent asked once more, a bit nervous to return back to base with the news. The sharp look the Shichibukai gave him made him stiffen and salute. "O-of course, Mihawk-sama. I'll let Headquarters know. Nothing but debris from the ship caught in the Island's storms."

"And?" Mihawk prodded as he unroped the boat from the dock and sat down on his chair.

"And the beast is the cattle found on the island and you wish to monopolise the hot springs discovered for your use only. I'll make sure to spread the word to the surrounding islands of the rumour and your claim." The agent repeated of the top of his head, still in salute position as the swordsman drifted away. "Safe travels to your new home, Mihawk-sama!"

The brunet sighed, folding his arms and prepared himself for his return to the flaming redhead. "She's going to be furious." He muttered to himself wondering why he was doing this. Yet with the flash of her red eyes in his mind that was filled with loneliness and hidden rage, it was an odd combination, it reminded him why he was fascinated in seeing it again.

Flashback end

"This island is now mine."

Nana's body froze and not from the cold. She wasn't expecting that from this man. She knew they immense sway with the World Government but to claim her home that she had known for most of her years as his was ridiculous. Nana released a forceful laugh, "You can't be serious!" snorting as her laughter got more hectic. The serious look in his eyes didn't help as her knees gave out with her breathing become unstable. Grabbing at her face and hair as she said, "No way. You can't be serious-"

Pumpkin didn't dare to approach the woman that was currently having a panic attack and stared at Mihawk with pleading eyes to do something.

The Shichibukai saw the tiger's look and stood up and off his boat. Making his way towards the downed woman. He felt that this was the wrong response from her and knelt before her frame, raising his hand slightly before making up his mind and firmly placing it on her trembling shoulders. "Nana-" He began before he was cut off and found himself on his back, looking up to the clouded skies and flowing red hair. "There it is. Rage." He thought as he felt the cold edge of her blade at his neck and now her frantic trembling turned into shakes of controlled anger. Mihawk directed his gaze to her and saw that her irises turned to slits as she seethed down at him. "Interesting."

"What have you done?!" Nana hissed down at the man pinned under her. Holding the blade tightly against his pale neck as her other hand gripped tightly to his clothing, her nails almost tearing through. "This is my home-"

"And it'll continue being your home till you find the courage to leave." Mihawk interrupted. "I don't know how far ahead your father planned to keep you hidden here without the World Government eventually coming here and finding you. Besides this island, I can only think of one other that no man would dare step foot upon and that is mine. I doubt he would send you to me." Mihawk could feel her heated breath touch against his cheek and ignored the pinching pain in his neck. "At least she's listening." "Till I die you will be unharmed on this island. You have my word."

"Why stick your neck out for me?" Nana asked, confused and still enraged. Though her anger was dissipating with every word he spoke. "Saying such manly things like that and acting cool, ha!" Nana scoffed as retracted her blade away from his neck. The corners of her eyes crinkling as she smiled bashfully. "It's been a long time since I've met an idiot like you." Laughing she got off the man and patted the snow from her clothing.

Mihawk was amused by her behaviour. "I should keep caution." Steadily picking himself up off the ground and onto his knees. He tensed up and within swift movements brought both his arms up to defend a kick to his head. "Hn," Mihawk grunted and quickly latched ahold of Nana's leg his both hands. Giving her a steady gaze. "What was that for?" Mihawk questioned at her darkened expression down at him. Her hair looking wild in the ocean wind.

"Understand this, Shichibukai. If you betray me I won't hesitate to wander to the other islands and kill every last man, woman, and child I find before returning back to my island. Courage or not." Nana let her threat loom in the air before she felt the wind at her feet. Nana brought her hands up and caught one of Mihawk's wrists that posed his own blade as her other hands slapped away his knee that would've left her winded. Though now she was the one pinned to the ground struggling with Mihawk to keep the blade from penetrating her eye.

Mihawk sighed. "I don't plan on betraying you, Little Red, and I'll kill you before I let you step foot off this island with evil intentions. You're safer than you were before without my jurisdiction over this island and we both know you won't tell your father about me." Mihawk saw her lip quirk at his words and moved back to just sitting on her. "You asked why I'm sticking my neck out for you and I'm doing so because frankly if the World Government got their hands on you it'd be a big problem for the rest of us. You're powerful and I don't intend to let them have that."

Nana looked at Mihawk's contrasting eyes. She could see the image of her father beside Mihawk and replied, "If-" Nana started, licking her lips in thought, "If they do manage to capture me..."

"I'll kill you," Mihawk said again with a slight twitch. Seeing in her eyes relief as his answer and didn't quip about her reaction as he understood the night she ran into the storm. Standing up, Mihawk reached down and pulled the young woman to her feet. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you, Little Red. In the meantime take care of me."

Nana glared at the older man and jabbed him in the gut. "You'll see nothing. Also, don't say that. It sounds off-putting." Nana walked a few steps along the shore before looking over her shoulder to ask, "When is the next full moon, Mihawk?"

"In 17 days." He replied immediately and followed the exhausted redhead. "What are you doing?"

"Scavenging. I do have to survive somehow between father's visits." Nana replied and felt Pumpkin walk between her legs. "Are you okay?" She asked gently and picked up the cub. "I hope we didn't scare you."

Pumpkin purred into the redhead's cheek. "A little." Leaping out off her arms and down the shore to begin finding bits of scrap for Nana to use.

Nana sighed and followed after with Mihawk making a turn and headed off to the cottage.

"I presume your father will be here by the next full moon," Mihawk called over his shoulder. "Shall I introduce myself?" He jibed.

"I'd rather you not," Nana shouted back and allowed to man to wander off. They both knew where each other would be on the island and Nana had no heart to get rid of him. Whatever his endgame was she didn't care at the moment. "I have to give you credit, Pumpkin," Nana said, looking down at the cub beside her. "He's not that bad." Nana returned her gaze ahead but felt the cub's smile burn into the side of her head. "There's nothing around this time. Why don't you head off home and keep our guest company? I'll be by the stones if you need me."

"Of course, I'll let you be." Pumpkin nodded and turned back around. The beaches held no treasures from the storm to help aid them. Pumpkin picked up his pace and leaped through the snow towards the strange swordsman. "I knew he'd come back."

Nana continued further along the seashore. Her clothing dragging on top of the cold sand and the icy winds cutting at her cheeks. Hearing the winds die out and the branches stop swaying as ahead she could see where the trees stopped growing and beyond its foliage was a deadland. A good chunk of land where nothing grew and snow didn't touch, mysteriously. Nana's eyes raked over the gravel and up towards where three large stones laid, cold and dark. Clasping her hands together, she walked on over to the three stones that pierced the ground in a row. Upon closer look, Nana's sharp eyes would see fine white grains on the stones lined with different patterns. Patterns she gently carved into the rocks years ago. So softly and gently she etched at these rocks for days. Craving each rock with different patterns to the best of her memory. If she were to carve another rock it wouldn't work as she had already forgotten the techniques.

Nana knelt before the middle stone and clasped her hands together in prayer. "Sometimes I wonder if I did it right. I was never the one for patience or art like the others." She muttered bitterly, eyes closed, "I barely remember the smells of burning incense and oils; and whenever I close my eyes I see nothing but the fire and my skin burns..." Nana's hands clenched at the memory as her brows furrowed. "Peaceful people we are, you'd always say," She scoffed and opened her eyes. Setting her gaze on the stonework. "Liar. Peaceful people don't-" Nana's eyes widened as a fist-sized crack ran through the base of the middle stone.

Panic rose inside Nana, looking to the other two and saw they had no signs of destruction, as she got to her feet and started running home as fast as she could. Fear bit the inside of her chest. An emotion she hadn't felt in over a decade and it urged her to run faster. Leaping over the tree roots and deep snow. "Pumpkin!" Nana screamed in her panic, "Pumpkin! Open the door!" Nana fast approached the cottage at insane speed and yelled even louder, "Pumpkin!" Nana planned to just ram the door as it didn't open as she was getting closer and braced her shoulder towards the opening and was unable to slow her speed as the door just opened. Nana closed her eyes as she slammed into the shocked looking Mihawk who opened the door with wide eyes.

Mihawk grunted as he took to the floor with the hard-hitting woman. "Nana," He muttered breathlessly and irritated. "Why are you screaming?" The swordsman took a firm grip on her shoulders as she tried to get up in a hurry. Holding her in place Mihawk said more firmly, "Why are you screaming?" Capturing her frightened eyes with his. Feeling her body tremble between his hands he released the woman and watched as she picked her up off the top of him in a haste and rush towards the dining chair.

Pumpkin watched quietly from the side of the bed. Seeing his friend scramble for the Den Den Mushi and the swordsman rubbing his reddening chest as he also followed Nana's steps. Pumpkin wondered what happened at the stones. The place gave of depressing vibes that he avoided it whenever she went there. It's also the one place he refused to follow her to.

Nana juggled the snail in her hand as she dialed the only number she knew. She wasn't supposed to ever call him but she just had to. Nana knew, somewhere in the world, that something terrible had just taken place.

Ring, ring, ring

Ring, ring, ring

Ring, ring - Kacha

"Nana?" Father's irritated and confused voice wafted over the snail. The snail took on hard and stern features.

"Father!" Nana yelled back as her hands trembled. She gulped and tried again to speak steadily, "Father-" The redhead stilled as she saw larger hands encompass her trembling ones and hold them tight. Hearing the soft words of Mihawk telling her to breathe deeply. Him not speaking too loud for father to hear.

"Nana, you know-"

"I know." Nana cut father off as she felt her panic subdue an inch. Though her legs were still shaking and sighed in defeat. "Father." her voice now coming out as a whisper, "Something terrible has happened." Nana saw the disbelief on the sail's face and carried on. "Please father. I wouldn't have called you unless it was a grave matter. The stones-"

"Stones?" Father in returned cut off the redhead before he grew furious at the implication. "Nana," The snail let out a slow breath. "Did you create ritual stones on the island without my knowledge?" The snail scoffed before Nana could reply. "Of course you did. Why am I not surprised, it's you after all."

Nana's fear flew away and turned to rage in an instant. "What is that supposed to mean?! I have done everything your way." Nana was prepared to chew the snail apart till she felt Mihawk's grip tighten briefly against her hands and for him to once again whisper for her to breathe and steadied herself. "But that's not the point right now. Something terrible has happened and I need for you to find out the what." Nana's lips twitched as she saw that he understood what she was saying.

"You'll stay put then, till then."

"Yes, Father. Till you give the word, I promise not to leave this island." Nana looked away in pain as the fear gnawed at the back of her head and she sighed out, "Please-"

"I get it." Father sighed as heavily, "Don't beg. It's not you to beg, Nana. Argue, yes, but don't do that to me and I'll see what I can find. Don't leave the island. There are more dangers lurking past those shores, Nana."

Nana felt her blood run cold and body shiver. "I see. Goodbye Father." Nana hung up the snail and let her knees buckle beneath her. Letting out a big breath. "I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead"

Mihawk had already let go of the woman before she fell to the floor. Moving around to the front of her and sat down. "You're a Zoan, from a dying clan and being hunted by the World Government." He voiced his thoughts as she gave him a weak smile.

"Am I that obvious?" Nana asked.

"The first part was. Second, not so much though you have certain," Mihawk gestured to outside in the direction she came from, "Talents and in my travels, I've never seen another like you before." Mihawk listed off as he took the sleeping Den Den Mushi off her. "And the World Government part was easy to nitpick apart." "And were relieved when I said I'd kill you if they captured you." He left that thought out.

"Why are you still here then?" Nana asked him tiredly. "You're still a stranger. Only an idiot would hang around a freak that's being hunted."

"You did call me an idiot before." He recalled irritated. "I've told you why also."

"You said you've never seen anyone like Nana before?" Pumpkin quipped in, interrupting the two adults.

Mihawk stood up and placed the snail back where he saw Nana grabbing it from, all while replying to the tiger, "Red hair and red eyes. It's an unknown combination and red hair is very rare in the World that I can only think of one man with such a colour. Also why I assume Nana's clan is of the dying kind." Mihawk tucked the chair back and faced Pumpkin. "Apologies if I've brought up bad memories."

Nana snorted and brought herself up. "Bullshit but I appreciate the gesture at least to apologise." The redhead faced the swordsman. "Thanks."

Mihawk nodded and watched her carefully picked herself back up and fix the cracks in her defense and gone was the panic-stricken woman. In her place was the woman that clothed, bathed, and fed him. Domesticated.

Pumpkin walked towards the door and left the two alone. He wasn't a human but he knew he interrupted something earlier; closing the door behind him.

"I'd appreciate if you forgot what you saw," Nana muttered as she walked over to the bookshelf and grabbed one of the many books she'd already memorized.

"What I saw was a young woman react to fear." Mihawk followed after her. "I saw a young woman hold herself together as she did the first thing she knew would help protect whatever fear had cropped up." He stood behind her and reached over her shoulder to the top of the shelf. Lifting this week's newspaper to her line of sight that he had brought back. Whispering in her ear, "I saw a young woman wisely seek help from a strange man because she knew what was best in the situation."

Nana's ears burned as she snatched the paper out of his hands and whirled around to face him. "Stop calling me young!" Nana went to jab him in the chest with her pointer when he grabbed it and pinned her hand behind her back. "Hey!"

Mihawk pulled the redhead closer to his frame and loomed over her. "And let's not forget that you ran into me and left this mark here."

Nana's face turned red as she saw the faint outline of her body on his chest. "You're too close." She muttered meekly and sighed in relief when he released her and stepped away. "You're an asshole, y'know that."

Mihawk smirked as he walked off to his chair. "So I've been told."

Nana huffed and decided to sit away from him and hopped on her bed. Hiding the embarrassment the proximity of their bodies caused and the excitement of reading what he brought back. "Current news. Maah not much about the Straw Hat Pirates but it'll do." Nana grinned to herself as she thought back to those peaceful days. "Ah Shichibukai-sama, how'd you get your position?" Nana looked up and over to the swordsman. It had been on her mind for a while how each of the seven warlords got their titles.

Mihawk didn't glance over as he replied. "How come you stay on this island, Little Red?"

"Hmm well, I went on a rampage and got figured out and moved to here before I was captured." Nana listed off. "I've never seen father so stressed and furious."

"She endangered the young boys she took care of. Perhaps little brothers." Mihawk faced the young redhead with an arched brow. "I'm the best at what I do."

"That's it?" Nana mirrored his look. "Maah how boring."

Mihawk's brow twitched and stood up. Making his way over to the redhead. "Tell me, Little Red, What zoan fruit did you eat?" He placed his hands on either side of her frame and leaned in close to her face. Seeing her ears turn red and said, "Better yet, what happened to that cute little warrior that burst through the door?"

"Don't call me cute." Nana bristled, the paper crumpling in her hands. "I can be whatever I want to be. A monster, a warrior-"

"Or a housewife," Mihawk smirked and leaned back away from her swinging fist. He stood up tall and said, "You'd make a cute housewife, Little Red, but the warrior side of you is best."

"Asshole," Nana muttered and got out of the bed. "When are you leaving?" She questioned.

"Don't worry, I'll leave before the next full moon. I have no other duties to attend to at the moment so I'll stay here for the time being." He replied.

Nana frowned at his answer, "And once those duties are done?"

"I'll be back and under your care."

"Why?" Nana whispered. "If I were in your position I'd never return to this island."

Mihawk looked to her, "I've grown an interest in you, Nana. I keep an ear out on my interests."

Nana swallowed thickly. She didn't like the way he said it. It didn't settle well in her gut. "Don't trust him. Hate him. Use him." She repeated the mantra in her head. The glint in his eyes made her realise how much of an idiot she was for allowing him in so far. He guaranteed her death if she was captured and saw through all her lies. "I've gotten rusty. Close it all away, Nana." Taking a steady breath, Nana headed towards the door and looked over her shoulder at the man. Her voice iced over and eyes dead. "I want you gone before father arrives. I have private matters to discuss with him that don't need foreign ears listening in." Nana walked out the door with grace and decided to go to the stones to think.

Mihawk watched as the redhead closed herself off from him and disappear out the door. The warrior had taken reign and Mihawk clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I haven't come close to which zoan fruit she has consumed. Could be of cat origin?" He muttered as he remembered her eyes and sharp nails digging into his clothing. Shaking his head he said, "It can't be that simple. A zoan that has forced its user into hiding must have devastating power."

Mihawk had combed the small cottage to the splinters and found nothing of a significant hint to give him the information that he needed on Nana. Where she came from and what fruit did she eat and now that she had closed herself off from him Mihawk was feeling annoyed. He rubbed his chin and muttered, "I'll either have to fight her or seduce her when it comes to it." Remembering back to her reactions whenever he got close to her for her liking. It could work though it'd hurt her, in the end, it'd work to get the answers he needed. Mihawk sighed and sat in the armchair with all intentions of taking a nap when he felt Nana's presence storm back towards the cottage and repressed a groan when she barged back through the door. He turned to face her and saw the sheepish look on her face and raised a brow, the domesticated housewife was back. "What is it?"

"Thanks," Nana mumbled out in embarrassment as she picked up the forgotten newspaper and held it close in her arms. "I didn't mean to react the way I did. It just...it's been a long time since I've been around a man." She hesitated and looked at the newspaper and the older man. Sighing, Nana said what was on her mind, "I believe I'll be heavily influenced by you, Mihawk-san, in a way I won't agree with."

"Had I been any other man it would've been the same." Mihawk finished her thoughts and nodded in understanding. It'd be easy to seduce her when he needed to get answers though it posed a problem that she knew her plight. "You're good company, Nana, I don't wish to ruin it for now."

Nana's eyes narrowed, "For now?" clenching the papers tighter. "I suppose you're still a man looking out only for yourself. I didn't expect for you to change for my sake. You're rather generous, Mihawk-san, but it doesn't change that you're dangerous."

"But?" He prodded.

"I just ask you be gentle when you use me. My control is not as sound as it used to be and the last thing I want is for Pumpkin to get hurt." She whispered and tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. "He helps keep me sane."

Mihawk filed away the image of her nose wrinkling as her lips pursed hard in thought. "There are more ways of keeping people sane, Nana. Having company keeps one sane. Humans weren't meant for isolation." Mihawk stood from the chair and approached the domesticated redhead. Lifting her chin till she looked up at him, looking deep into her blood red eyes and muttered, "Let me be your companion."

Nana's eyes widened in shock and slapped Mihawk's hand away. Stepping back shakily and covered her mouth with a hand. "Don't ever say that to me again." Nana felt her eyes burn and hissed out furiously, "Don't ever say that again. You don't know what you're talking about!" Holding the newspaper close to her chest and ran out the door. Leaving behind a confused shichibukai. Nana ran far into the forest until she found herself before the stones and collapsed before the crack. The papers scattered around her as she felt the tears fall and land on the face of a grinning pirate.

"Mama! Mama! I'm going to be a pirate! I'll be super strong that I can protect you!"

"Baka!" -smack- "I'll be the one to protect mama!"

Nana clutched her head tightly as the sweet voices filled her head. Groaning in anguish, Nana slammed her head on the uneven ground and felt the warm blood trickle down her face.

"I'm sorry, Nana, what you're asking for is too much. Ask me again in a few years."

The husky voice of her father filled her mind. The sound of anguish in his voice haunting around in her head and the image of him not being able to look her in the eyes.

Nana bit her lip to stifle her screams as her body burned. Feeling the rage gather within her and struggled to fight back the demons within her and the festering rage of the nearby islands. "You're a warrior." She whimpered out, slamming her fists against the iced ground. "You're a demon!" Nana lifted her head up and slammed it harshly against the ground. Feeling her head wound open up as more blood gushed down her face and into the snow. Nana lifted her head and looked at the crack in the stone. "You're strong. Don't hold yourself back!" She scolded herself and felt the rage settle within her and the voices of old memories sink away. Sighing in relief and touched her forehead. "Already healed." She muttered bitterly. The ringing pain slowly fading away though the sharp pain in her heart didn't heal. Nana clenched her hand before standing up. Stripping her heavy clothing off till she was just wearing a light underdress and began her training. "Control it. Control your emotions." Nana thought to herself as she started off running through the thick snow in barefooted. "Be better than yesterday."