Maelstrom

Chapter 38

Mihawk's POV

Watching the young woman inhale your dinner wasn't exactly the way you had imagined the day going. Figures that of all people it would be Ruse D. Argenti to have the audacity to do that so openly in front of you. In fact, she had continued to shovel your meal into her mouth whilst making direct eye contact with you, how saucy. Wherever did she get the idea that the meal set out on the dining table was hers? Or was she aware that she had devoured your dinner, hoping to get a rise out of you? As you continued to watch her eat, quite disgracefully not to mention, you studied her before deciding that no, she did not do this to spite you. She was simply just that dense. Of course someone with a great amount of untapped potential would lack common sense, of course.

You sigh dejectedly. Even more salt to add to the wound was that you shared the same eyes as her, now you were seeing yourself in her place, shaking your head disappointedly. Ruse had proceeded to clean off your plate, then started to reach for your glass of orange juice, oho? Was she going that far, really? Truly?

"Ahaha, yeah that was a good meal, huh Shishō?" Ruse states proudly, smiling as she reaches further for the drink in front of her.

You grin darkly, an idea forming as you begin to slowly approach her, footsteps silent and stealthy. She picks up your glass, downing the drink in seconds, her eyes bright and appetite satisfied, giving you a beaming smile. You chuckle, in annoyance and a little bit of amusement, that woman may be vexing as hell, but she was quite entertaining to be fair. Ruse's face immediately pales, noticing you prowling, looking at the table, back at you, back at the table, back at you. She lets out a nervous laugh, scratching her cheek in a sheepish mannerism, her eyes downcast as she finally starts to connect the dots.

"Ah...gomen Shishō, was that your meal...by...any chance?" She mumbles out, her voice slowly losing its vigor after each word she says, a look of shame crossing her face. Ruse looked a bit like a kicked puppy, her face crestfallen, eyes downcast, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. All of which no, you did not find the least bit adorable, not even a little bit. Obviously.

You decided to tease her a bit, a dark smirk on your face as you enclose on her, your breath tickling her cheek, her pupils were dilated, golden-ombre gleaming back at your own amber-gold orbs. Hmm, she was quite amusing to study, her face bright red with shame and voice faltering with embarrassment. You decided the best course of action would be to give her a chance to react to the situation at hand, eager to know what she would decide to do.

"That it was Argenti. I shall give you five seconds." You reply, keeping your voice flat and icy, devoid of any warmth, narrowing your eyes at her as she looks up at you, confusion evident on her face.

"Five." You continue, not bothering to explain. Ruse tilts her head, trying to figure out what you mean.

"Four." You press forward, arching an eyebrow at her as she suddenly gasps, recognizing finally that you were giving her a countdown. What an amusing woman.

You laugh lightly as you watch her dart from the dining area, disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving behind an afterimage of a silver blur. Perhaps it was because of her hair or maybe it was how agile she was, but it was quite an interesting sight, not many had the swiftness to leave behind a phantom blur of themselves. Speed must be an enhanced quality of hers then, seeing how it came to her so naturally, perhaps she had an affinity for it. You suppose you could always teach her more about that sort of thing at a later date, but maybe it would be a good idea to teach her of it sooner rather than later. It could prove to be a useful skill for her when properly used. You shake those thoughts from your head, focusing instead on the current situation at hand.

"Three." You pause, giving a leeway for her to further herself from you a bit more.

"Two." Another pause.