Maelstrom

Chapter 53

Mihawk's POV

You weren't sure what had happened to your golden eyed companion, but you knew instinctively, surveying the room at the marine headquarters that Ruse had been visited by a certain feathered warlord.

Pink plumes from his trademark cloak were strewn across the floor, as you enter the room, eyes meeting Ruse's as she pales.

Her slender hands are clenching the leather sofa, a sheen of sweat glistening from her skin as she lets out a relieved sigh, her tense posture melting away from seeing you in the doorway.

Feathers.

He had been in the room with her, alone? You grit your teeth, jaw clenching as you run through the possibilities before you hear Ruse's voice interrupt your thoughts.

"M-Mihawk?" Her voice warbles a bit, her expression guilty and startled as she looks at you.

You surveyed the room once more, a quick lookover had told you everything you needed to know. That damn feathered bastard was alone in this very room, in close proximity to Ruse, traces of his presence were easily spotted, the evidence strewed across the floor.

You close your eyes, counting numerically to twenty before opening them again, you would ask Ruse about what happened when the two of you were back at home. Away from prying eyes and ears, and in the solace of the safety of your home.

"It is time for us to leave Rose, let us depart." You stride towards your companion, her expression still one of guilt and shame as she refuses to meet your eyes, growling lowly as you near her, she had done something hadn't she?

You knew Ruse well enough to know that her glancing away from you repeatedly was a sign of guilt, what on earth did this troublesome woman do this time? Surpassing a groan of frustration you hold out a hand to the golden eyed woman, her gaze finally meeting your own as she grins at you sheepishly, scratching her cheek as another tell-tale sign of a guilty conscious.

Dio es lassu Argenti, you'll be the death of me yet.

Ruse clears her throat, squeezing her eyes closed tightly as you watch amusedly as she opens them once again, her playful teasing demeanor back in place as quickly as it had disappeared. How saucy she was. Clever little vixen that woman. Rolling your eyes at her antics you gesture for her to stand, eager to leave the marine headquarters before more trouble arrives.

"Ah, let us leave then...Il Mio Amore, Mi Tesoro." She grins at you charmingly, her eyes filled with mirth as you shake your head, chuckling at her verbal quips.

Had the woman really versed herself with your native tongue? Typical Ruse. She had a knack for straining your nerves, always testing your limits, always seeking to get a rise out of you.

You crack a small grin at her as you guide her out of the room, eager to return home.

"Fufufu, looks like you're a step behind gator guy, I just spoke with her, and let me tell you...she's quite...delectable." A familiar voice sounds out from down the hall as you see Ruse tense, her posture rim rod straight, looking out the hallway in dread.

You turn, raising a brow at her expectantly, she had truly never ceased to surprise you that woman.

Shaking your head as you stare at her, you grin darkly at the woman you were leading, your grip now iron-clad as you felt her struggle slightly.

"Rose, we shall talk about this matter when we arrive safely back at home. For now though, it is in best interest to leave quickly." You reply to her, her golden eyes darting around the premise, likely seeking an escape route from your flurry of emotions that are building up rather alarmingly fast.

Ruse sighs loudly, already knowing you were far superior in observation haki than she was, as she nodded mutely, accepting her fate.

Of course Ruse would do something like this, you weren't sure why you were expecting something else, but you had to keep your emotions under control for now, at least, until you and Ruse had made it back to the island. Then you could deal with everything, you knew in the corner of your mind that the whole ordeal, whatever it may have been wasn't completely Ruse's fault, but you were still agitated that Donquixote had managed to sneak off and confront your companion, all without you knowing.

You weren't exactly sure if your pride had been wounded from failing to see Donquixote leave the shibaku meeting room and confront Ruse or if it was from you not having been in his place instead...but either way you were agitated.

Hopefully you could avoid a migraine in the process of sorting out this whole ordeal, though with the way your head was pounding now, you were almost positive that the last request was already denied.

With a sigh you guided along your companion to your raft, eager to leave.

Oh well, not much one can do when they travel with Ruse D. Argenti.

You hauled Ruse aboard, said your pleasantries to the marines and the other folk watching, then turned to Ruse, a knowing look on your face as she opened her mouth to speak and then abruptly closed it.

She graced you a sheepish smile, helping you set everything up for the trip home, keeping quiet the whole time, even Ruse knew that you weren't in the mood for your usual banter. You just wanted to leave this island as soon as possible, the faster the better.

Ruse lit the candles on the raft and then seated herself a few feet away from you as you sighed tiredly.

It was time for the two of you to set sail.

It was time to go home.

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