Chapter 14

Nana wondered around the island with Pumpkin at her feet. "It sure is a mess around here." She commented at the destroyed buildings.

Pumpkin kept close to Nana as he looked around nervously. "Mihawk said not to come outside on our own. It's dangerous here, Nana." Squealing when he heard a rustle in the trees.

Nana heaved as she picked up part of a fallen building and placed it near the edge. "I'm not going to hole up in that damn castle. Even I need to distract myself, Pumpkin." Nana picked up more rubble and started moving them to one side of the area. Thoughts of Ace's body consumed her thoughts when Mihawk wasn't around to distract her and Nana didn't want to rely on him too much. The man had to train Zoro and she knew she was more than capable to heal on her own. She did it once and she'd do it again.

Perona flew overhead of Nana and saw the fox lady moving around the mess. "What are you up to, kitsune?" Gaining her red eyes as Nana looked up at her with a soft smile.

"Cleaning up." Nana hollered up at the ghost girl. "This island looks like it used to be beautiful. Come help me." Nana pointed over to the scattered and ruined weapons for Perona to move.

Perona hummed in thought before helping out. She had nothing to do and watching Mihawk train Zoro was boring. Perona gathered up as many of the weapons as she could and giggled at the tiger that helped her. Dumping them to the edge as Nana was busy carrying the rubble. "She's so strong."

"She is!" Pumpkin grinned up to Perona. "Nana used to uproot the pines trees when there was no wood to collect and chop it up with her hands."

"Horohoro she's such a dreamy woman." Perona sighed happily as she watched the other woman pick up a large boulder like it was nothing and bring it to the edge. Perona's eyes widened when she saw a large shadow appear over the woman and screamed, "Nana-chan!"

Nana raised her head up at the large shadow. Dropping the bolder down and saw the humandrill with its sword raised to attack her. Nana didn't blink as the sword came slicing down at her and ignored the screams of Perona and Pumpkin and held her hand up. "That's enough." She said calmly and grinned when the humandrill's blade stopped just above her palm. Nana held her hand out for the sword and threw it towards Perona's pile and handed the large monkey a broom. "Here, sweep the rubble to the side. We're gonna make this island look -" Nana paused and pushed the humandrill behind her as her tails came forth and covered them in haki as she defended the oncoming attack. "Cut it out!" Nana shouted.

"I told you to stay in the castle," Mihawk said as his sword connected with Nana's tails.

Nana leaped back and felt the humandrill catch her. She looked up into its worried gaze and grinned at it. "It's fine. Just a misunderstanding. Go and clean up and tell your friends to move the broken stuff to the end."

The humandrill nodded and placed Nana down before hooting for his fellow species to come out and help.

Nana dusted her hands on her knees before glaring at Mihawk. "What the hell, bastard number two?"

Mihawk placed Yoru on his back as he approached Nana. "What are you doing?"

"Cleaning up. You said I'd like this island but it needs a good clean up." Nana threw her fist up at Mihawk in annoyance. "No more fighting the humandrills. They need to learn that there's no more war going on on this damn island and I'll train them and beat some manners into them."

Mihawk pinched the bridge of his nose and looked around at the helping animals. Perona and Pumpkin were still in a state of shock as Zoro arrived and joined the duo. "What did you do?"

"I'm part animal too." Nana shrugged her shoulders and moved around Mihawk. Picking up and fallen wall and put it on her shoulder. "They must know who rules around here. Pumpkin! Perona! No slacking off!" She shouted at the two.

Mihawk moved aside as she walked past him. He sighed and looked over at Zoro, "Roronoa! Grab that shovel next to you and get to work." Mihawk rolled up his sleeves as he started to move the rubble.

"Zoro! Mihawk!" Nana called out as she tossed a rooftop towards one of the humandrills to get rid off. "Train on the other side of the island. I don't want the humandrills seeing any violence."

"This is my island." Mihawk frowned. "It's bothersome to move to the other side."

"Then go die," Nana muttered bitterly. Thanking Zoro as he handed her a broom and got to clearing away the clutter. "I've decided to retire."

"Retire?" Zoro asked as he picked up a fallen beam. "Luffy said that you used to beat him up."

"It's called training!" Nana swung her broom around before sighing. "I'm not going to fight anymore." She grinned at Zoro and held her hand out. Summoning a white flame and saw the awe in his eyes. "I used to be a priestess. I'm gonna return to practice and modernise it."

"What about the other demons?" Zoro asked her as she slapped his hand from touching the fire. "Aren't you curious about the other users?"

"Not really." Nana shook her head and put the fire out. Returning to sweeping. "By the time you meet back up with your crew members, I have no doubt you all will be strong enough to bring one down. I've taught Ace and Luffy how to overcome one if they ever happened to encounter a demon-user."

"Ehh?" Zoro gasped, "You taught kids to fight demons?! What are you? A monster mama? No wonder why Luffy is so reckless."

"I didn't!" Nana shouted at the swordsman. "I taught them the theory to it." Nana rubbed the back of her head and looked over at the working monkeys. "Besides, there are only 13 demon devil fruits in the world and 10 of them are defended by other clans like mine. They still exist around the world and they all know when another clan perishes to hunt down the fruit and guard it with their lives. When I die and the fruit manifests, they'll be prepared to take down the world to secure it."

"Where are the others?" Zoro asked as he bent down and collected the rubble Nana swept together. "You mentioned the Marines had the akuma fruit. Where are the other two?"

"Don't know." Nana laughed, "But they are the weakest of the 13 demons."

Zoro felt his brow twitch and pointed at Nana suspiciously. "Don't tell me you..."

"Yup!" Nana grinned as her tails waved around her. "I've eaten the strongest! It'd take at least three other demons to take me down!" Nana belted out in laughter before growing serious. "I only know this because that's what it took to take down the previous user of the kyuubi and why we guard the fruit instead of consuming them."

Zoro shook his head and muttered, "Honestly, even without the fruit you'd be a demon." Walking away when the redhead only laughed at his words.

Nana watched Perona argued with Zoro as Pumpkin jumped between them, trying to stop their fighting. She smiled happily at the sight. It had been so long since she last was surrounded by people in a peaceful time. Nana felt Mihawk stand beside her as he looked at the trio before them. "What do you think of them?" She asked him.

"They're loud and annoying," Mihawk commented. Having overheard Nana's conversation with Zoro. "Do you think that boy has no interest in woman?"

"I think he's more interested in getting stronger for his captain than to worry about the opposite sex." Nana chuckled as Pumpkin bit Zoro's legs. Stopping him from getting lost in the forest. The humandrills hollering in delight and egging for a fight with the young swordsman. "He's only going to get stronger. Stronger than you."

"Not yet." Mihawk nodded in agreement and wrapped his arm around her waist. "You're going to return to practice then."

"Yup. I've forgotten a lot and all the documents were destroyed so I'll have to reinvent it with what I know. I'm too old to be fighting."

"You're younger than me," Mihawk said as he buried his head in her soft red hair. Taking a deep breath of her soft pine scent.

"Only physically, old man." Nana squirmed in his hold and relaxed once she moved around into a comfortable position. "Physically almost half your age. I'm almost twice as old as you."

"You'll age soon?" He mumbled as he slid his nose down to her ear and pressed a gentle kiss.

"You only need to mark me." Nana hummed at the tingly feeling where he kissed. "During the highest peak you need to bite down, till you break the skin, on my shoulder."

"Highest peak." Mihawk repeated and pulled her closer to his body. "I enjoy where this is going."

Nana looked up at Mihawk when he pulled away, seeing his eyes darken and for her to realise what he was implying. "That's not what I meant! There are other ways! Like - Like happiness o-or fulfilment!"

"There is one way I can give you both happiness and fulfilment, Roseate." Mihawk felt himself harden when her tails wag excitedly at his words. It was a sight to see. "And more." He lowered his voice huskily.

Nana covered her nose as blood started to trickle and glared at the amused man. "You bastard~"

"Get a room!" Zoro shouted at them in annoyance. "I don't need to see my captain's kaa-chan making kissy face at the man I'm going to defeat."

Mihawk smirked and pulled away from Nana. Tossing her his handkerchief before making his way to Zoro and gripped his collar. "Let's go, Roronoa. I have much to teach you." Dragging the annoyed swordsman away.

Nana dabbed at her nose when Perona appeared before her. "What is it?"

"You're a virgin." She pointed out easily and giggled when Nana turned red and her tails tucked in around her. "Do you know how to flirt, Nana-chan?"

"Flirt?" Nana frowned and pocketed the handkerchief as the monkeys went back to work under Pumpkin's orders. "I wasn't trained to flirt. I know a little bit of seduction though. Shanks taught me a long time ago when he found out I've never kissed before." Nana tapped her lip as the memory surfaced. "It was a good kiss." She whispered to herself.

"EEHH?!" Perona covered Nana's mouth and leaned towards her seriously, "Don't let Mihawk find out."

Nana pushed her hands away in annoyance. "I know jeez." Rubbing the back of her neck. Nana stepped back when Perona had a glint in her eyes. "W-what?"

Perona leaned in close till they were touching cheeks and whispered, "So, who was the better kisser? Mihawk or Shanks?"

Nana felt giddy and wrapped an arm around the young girl. "I've missed girl talk and lemme tell ya it wasn't da man on dis island."

Both women covered up their giggles with Perona blushing as she asked Nana to go into detail. Nana was more than happy to oblige.

Mihawk sneezed and looked over to the direction Nana was in.

"Oi are you getting sick?" Zoro asked the swordsman as he went through his kata.

Mihawk narrowed his eyes. "That woman..."

____________________________________________________________________________

Nana and Perona entered the castle late at night. Both laughing and chatting excited to one another; not bothered at being covered in dirt as Pumpkin slumped in tiredly after them.

"Really? Garp used to ask you for love advice?" Perona giggled at the thought.

Nana nodded and waved her hands about dramatically. "No joke. That idiot came to me, the most inexperienced woman in the world. You should've seen his face when I told him I wanted nothing to do with him and his lovelife."

The women laughed happily with one another as they entered the main living area.

"Roseate." Mihawk sat on his chair and saw the two women freeze. "Ghost girl, leave us." He commented and waited for Perona to disappear with Pumpkin in her arms. "Do you know how late it is, Roseate?"

Nana slowly turned to see the man sitting menacingly in his chair. Arms resting comfortably on his crossed legs as he stared at her. "I'd rather you call me little red than my last name." She said, staying in her spot and folded her arms in annoyance. "You know where I've been. Why are you in a bad mood for?"

"Do you know that Akagami visits my island from time to time?" He asked her calmly and saw her shake her head, "He does and that means the humandrills have seen and imitate him. There's also one that has taken after you. Roronoa and I happened to come across one during training. Do you know what those humandrills was doing?"

Nana felt the room grow cold as she searched through her memory. "You can't be serious!" "Humandrill-Shanks was patting Humandrill-Nana's tails?" Nana backed up when Mihawk stood up.

"They were acting out a scene. One they insisted is true and made gestures that you and ghost-girl were talking about. Do you know what those humandrils were doing?" He asked the woman again and ignored the dread on her face.

Nana pointed a finger at him and she took another step back. "Don't get shitty at me for that! It was years ago and Shanks told me all about your escapades! D-don't come near me!" Nana yelled out as he got closer to her. "I'll t-transform and d-destroy this entire castle!" Nana squealed when her back hit the cold wall and trembled when Mihawk slammed his hands on either side of her head, trapping her in.

"He's kissed you before me. He's seen you naked before me. What else has he done before me?" Mihawk asked the redhead seriously.

"We didn't even know each other back then." Nana exasperated, "You don't see me terrorising you and demanding what you've done to those other women." Nana screamed when Mihawk's fingers dug into the wall and broke the stones. "What are you doing?! You're going to make the wall collapse!"

"I suppose you're right, Roseate." Mihawk muttered before placing his forehead on hers. Capturing her entire attention. "However, more than anything, they implied that Shanks is better than me at...kissing." He reluctantly expressed.

Nana moved her gaze to the side, "Well...the thing is..." She chuckled nervously, "It was an adult kiss."

Mihawk frowned, "Adult kiss?"

"With tongue," Nana cursed when Mihawk pressed himself tightly against her and glared up at him.

Mihawk threw his head back and laughed. "I see. I'll show you what a real adult kiss is then, Roseate." Mihawk looked back at her deviously and enjoyed when her eyes widened. He pulled his hands out of the wall and picked her up in her arms. "But first, you need to wash. I'll give you your punishment later."

Nana squealed and quickly threw her arms around his neck. "You're not going to kiss me?" She asked in confusion, feeling his previous anger disappear. He was always quick to steal a kiss from her. Even with the others around.

Mihawk glanced down at her and smirked, "Not yet." Mihawk kicked open his bedroom and placed Nana on his bed. Rustling through his draws and pulled out one of his shirts for her to sleep in. He had been making the redheaded woman sleep in his room. He refused to let her sleep elsewhere and when she did manage to sneak out and sleep in a spare room, Mihawk followed her and climbed into the bed with her.

Nana sighed and grabbed the shirt. "You're such a tease." Walking past the tall man and towards the bathroom. Nana froze when Mihawk pulled her back into his body. Her back pressed firmly against his chest and tilted her neck when he leaned down.

"You're not ready for that step, Little Red." Mihawk replied and kissed the spot on her neck he would soon mark. Releasing her and turned to get ready for bed.

Nana sighed heavily when she closed the bathroom door behind her. "Why won't he touch me?" She muttered to herself as she turned on the shower. It was at times like these that she wished her sisters were still alive to give her advice. Stepping under the hot water a thought struck her and clapped her hands excitedly, "Oh Garp can help me. That bastard owes me after listening to his problems." Nana nodded to herself and decided to contact him straight away. Nana quickly finished her shower and rushed out of the bathroom, past Mihawk and towards the library where she knew a denden mushi was. Nana quickly punched in Garp's personal number and hoped he was still awake.

Ring - ring - ring

Ring - ring - ring

Ring - ring - ring

Ring - ring - ring

Katcha

"Moshi moshi," Garp answered and yawned.

Nana's eyes lit up and replied happily, "Father! It's Nana!"

"Oh Nana! My dear, how are you?! I've been worried about you." Garp's voice excitedly replied before wistfully saying, "How are you feeling?"

Nana's gaze softened, "No better than you." She sighed and closed her eyes briefly, "Though Luffy is the one suffering the most. Have faith in his crew to help him along."

Garp sighed, "I thought so too. Dadan gave me a good beating when I turned up. I deserved it."

"You did what you could in your position. We both did what we could." Nana sat down and looked out the window. "You're in Foosha Village then."

"Aye." Garp replied, "Where are you? Still with Akagami."

"No, I'm with someone important to me though." She saw the snail grin widely and grinned back. "What's happened to the Navy?"

"Nothing of value. Sengoku has retired from his position and so have I." Garp revealed, "Though those old fools don't want us to leave entirely. They wish to use our names to recruit more members so now I just train some brats." Garp huffed and beamed when he heard Nana's giggle. "What's going to happen to you?"

"I'm going to stop fighting." Nana replied, "No more spilling blood for me and I've decided to return to practice...well try to with what I know." Nana saw Mihawk come into the library and gestured him over.

Garp hummed, "You were always the most talented in incantation and ritual dancing. Absolutely shitty at everything else." Garp laughed, "Thank you, Nana."

Nana's heart fluttered at the man's words. She knew he was thanking her for risking her exposure for taking care of his grandchildren. "I should be thanking you. Any longer on the island and I would've gone insane."

They both laughed at the heavy subject.

Nana decided to omit asking Garp for advice since Mihawk followed her. "Surprisingly, I've missed your voice, Garp."

"I was hoping you'd mention my charms." Garp grinned before saying sincerely, "Nana, everyone her has been asking about you. They're wondering when you're going to return."

"Garp?" Nana frowned and thought of the villagers. They were always so welcoming and helped her raise the boys when she got exhausted.

"Will you come home, Nana? Back to Foosha Village?"

Nana's eyes widened and watered at those words. "G-garp I...."