Magnetic

Ch 5

The Cross Guild ship sailed steadily away from the wreckage of Marineford, its crew feeling the weight of both their victory and the risks that lay ahead. In one of the cabins, Mihawk remained by Aria's side, his presence a silent vigil over her as she recovered.

Aria lay on a makeshift bed, her breathing even but shallow. The toll of unleashing such immense power had left her exhausted, her body demanding rest and recuperation. Mihawk, his usual stoic demeanor softened by concern, watched over her intently. His eyes traced the delicate lines of her face, noting the flickers of movement behind her closed eyelids, evidence of her dreams or perhaps the battles replaying in her mind.

Outside the cabin, Buggy and Crocodile spoke in hushed tones, their usual banter replaced by a rare seriousness.

"She really is something," Buggy muttered, still in awe. "I've never seen anything like that."

Crocodile nodded. "Her power is extraordinary, but it comes at a cost. We need to ensure she's protected, especially now."

Buggy glanced toward the cabin where Mihawk and Aria were. "He'll take care of her," he said, with a surprising note of confidence. "He's not the type to let anything happen to someone he cares about."

Crocodile's expression softened slightly. "No, he's not."

Mihawk's hand gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Aria's forehead. He could feel the warmth of her skin, the rise and fall of her chest, and it brought him a measure of relief. He was unaccustomed to this kind of worry, this deep-seated concern for another person. It was new, and yet, it felt right.

As the hours passed, Aria stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked, her vision clearing to find Mihawk's face hovering close to hers.

"Mihawk," she whispered, her voice hoarse from exhaustion. "What happened?"

He smiled gently, a rare and soft expression. "You unleashed your power and destroyed Marineford. It was incredible, Aria. But it took a lot out of you."

She nodded slowly, memories of the intense power surge coming back to her. "I just wanted to make sure they couldn't hurt us anymore."

"You did more than that," Mihawk replied, his voice filled with pride. "You made a statement. But you need to rest now. We're heading back to the Cross Guild headquarters. You'll be safe there."

Aria managed a weak smile, her hand reaching out to grasp his. "Thank you, Mihawk. For everything."

He squeezed her hand gently, his eyes locking onto hers. "I promised you that we would face everything together. I intend to keep that promise."

As the ship continued its journey, Mihawk remained by Aria's side, refusing to leave her for even a moment. The bond between them had deepened in ways neither had fully anticipated. They had faced countless battles together, but this was different. This was personal.

By the time the ship arrived at the Cross Guild headquarters, Aria had regained some of her strength. She leaned on Mihawk as they disembarked, her legs still shaky but her spirit unbroken. The headquarters, a sprawling fortress hidden away from prying eyes, stood as a safe haven for the guild and its members.

The crew welcomed them back with a mix of relief and celebration, their victory over Marineford already becoming the stuff of legend. Buggy and Crocodile made sure everything was in place for Aria's recovery, and the guild members looked on with admiration and respect.

In the days that followed, Aria and Mihawk spent countless hours together, training, strategizing, and simply enjoying each other's company. The connection they shared had grown into something unbreakable, a partnership forged in the fires of battle and tempered by mutual respect and affection.

One evening, as the sun set over the horizon, Mihawk and Aria stood on the balcony of the headquarters, looking out over the landscape. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding.