An Ocean of Stars ~ Enter the Swordsman

Moments before her dainty closed fist could collide with the commander’s stubbled chin, it was engulfed by his own larger hand as a confident smirk graced his sleepy visage. With a slight frustrated growl from the fay and several futile (and well rather pitiful) attempts to retrieve said fist from the mans grasp, the pineapple commander swiftly twirled her around in a dance he had quicly started to lead, pulling her back securely into his ches, before wrapping his strong arms around her and dropping his head over her shoulder to take a cheeky peak at the frustrated, struggling female caught in his grasp.
“Give it up (Name), its mine and you know it. You know what they say, the early bird catches the worm, yoi.” Marco taunted. Ending her struggle (Name)’s body became limp as she released a tired yawn, easily being held up in Marco’s grasp, she turned her head so that her (e/c) orbs would meet his ocean blue ones peering over her shoulder. Her smaller arms wrapping around the pair that held her so securely.
“Yeah but I’m not an early bird and you know it. Otherwise I swear I’d be able to kick your ass, ya damn buzzard.” (Name) grumbled quietly before yawning once more, a small pout ever so slightly dusting her rouge lips.
Marco and (Name) had both been put on the morning watch rota for the last couple of days whilst sailing with the Vikings, a motion that had unbeknownst to the pair had been the handy work of the other commanders and their two Viking friends trying to set the pair up.
By this point it was about 8:00 in the morning and the pair had been ‘awake’ since 4:30, it had become painfully obvious over the past couple days that (Name) wasn’t truly awake until at least 10:30 and several large mugs of tea, with her day littered with many ‘cat’ naps spread throughout and with her then being awake for the majority of the night. As a result when the rest of the Whitebeard pirates and their Viking friends woke for breakfast that morning, they were lovingly greeted with the amusing sight of a sleepy fay warrior failing miserably to fight the flaming pineapple commander for the last of the small cheese straws they’d been nibbling on throughout their shift. Another observation the pirates had made was how a sleepy (Name) was also a rather cuddly one at that … and her favourite person to cuddle … an extremely happy Marco the phoenix.
Releasing his grip on her ever so slightly, Marco grabbed the final cheese straw placing it between his lips only for half of it to go missing when the sleepy light (h/c) whipped her head forward and snapped her sharp teeth against the other half, smiling contently to herself about stealing away some of the snack as Marco silently chuckled.
“Don’t they look so cute together.” Izo stated to the group of commanders and pair of Vikings who were currently watching the pair as he began to sigh dreamily over his cup of coffee.
“They really do make for a beautiful pair.” Vista added in agreement before taking a sip of his own drink.
“Yeah but if this was a real fight my money would so be on that pretty little fay girl, hands down.” Gulbrand offered, a wide smirk stretchy his thin lips as several disapproving groans rumbled from the surrounding commanders.
“Oh hell no! Don’t get me wrong I love my baby sister and she’s a great fighter and all, but Marco’s not our first division commander for nothing. Thatch defended his friend even offering a sassy hand swish to punctuate his declaration. With a slight raise of his eyebrow the Vulpine Viking narrowed his gaze at the pair ever so slightly, analysing their movements. Anyway they’ve sparred loads of times and Marco’s never had to go all out to beat her, hell I think she’s only ever once twice.”
“Really Gulbrand, Thatch? Why must the two of you ruin this lovely moment and not just admire this soon to be couple?” Izo wined in frustration before batting their arms.
“No I really don’t think that’s the reason Thatch, I think it’s just cause its him.” Gulbrand muttered to himself in his mother tongue as he continued to assess the girl. His quiet words being ignored by the pirates and only just catching the attention of Bjarke who was stood with Vista between them.
“You think if we keep putting the two of them on the morning shift that Marco will finally grow the balls to tell her he loves her?” Haruta piped up after catapulting himself at Thatch’s back making the pompadour man to stumble forward and let out a long string of curses before he tried to buck the younger commander off. Meanwhile Bjarke was shuffling past to Vista to get to his fellow Viking.
“Lord I only hope so cause this is slowly killing me.” Namur groaned from his seat on the floor, dropping a heavy head into his awaiting hand.
“What’d you mean by ‘it’s just cause its him’ Gulbrand?” The bear like Bjarke questioned in his mother toungue, using ther the same quiet tone as his shorter friend easily going unnoticed by the surrounding pirates. Seeing the girls long pointed ears twitch slightly a toothy grin threatened to rip apart the face of the man in question.
“What I mean Bjarke, Gulbrand started as he watched the fay girls body go rigid confirming both his suspicions on to the fact she was listening to his specific words as well as why Marco seemed to hold so much sway with the female (just as how she could easily sway the pineapple commander herself. He’s her mate.” The moment the words left his grinning lips the soul markings littering the fays form where alight with the familiar light blue glow, and a howling laughter erupted from Gulbrand’s chest.

That was one way to wake her up.

“Hey you alright, yoi?”

And in another few seconds would come her second wake up call.

As a cold shiver rippled through the morning air Marco wrapped himself round the fay girl in a protective stance, whilst Vista shot forward unsheathing his dual swords just in time to stop the heavy sword strike that would have split the Whitebeard flag ship in two.

“You sure have some nerve Hawkeyes, trying to strike down my ship!” The Yonko’s voice thundered across the air to the warlord standing in his one man boat, coffin, chair, thingamajig, his black sword still held in his grip.
“Hawkeyes? the fay girl mumbled from her safe little spot tucked away within Marco’s arms. Wiggling ever so slightly out of the first division commanders grip, the (e/c) eyed girl glided over to the side of the ship, sleepily draped herself across the railings as she tiredly grinned down at the warlord, eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. Morning Hawky, is this about that duel we talked about last time I saw you or are you just being a dick?”
“Wait (Name), what the hell are you doing picking fights with warlords?!” Thatch hissed at his adopted sister who wasn’t even paying the fourth division commander any head.
“I’m glad to hear that you at least remember. But you’ve obviously spent far too much time with Shanks if that’s what you insist on calling me.” Mihawk called back, rolling his eyes slightly at her choice of name calling.
“Well if you’re not in a rush would you like to come up for a cup of tea, it’s so early. Anyway you seem to be at a slight disadvantage, seeing as all you have to stand on is that little boat of yours. ” (Name) pouted only for her to sigh at Mihawk’s response, as her finger wiggled slightly at the boat at his feet.
“I really need to be on my way to see red hair if you don’t mind, any way as long as you can fight it’ll be acceptable.”
“Alright just let me grab a sword.” With a shrug of her shoulders the fay girl peeled herself of the railings, shuffling past her adopted brother and towards the two Vikings on the ship.
“You’re not honestly going to duel with him are you? He’s the world’s greatest swordsman.” Thatch grumbled as he joined (Name) in her short walk to the Vikings.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine, any way under the order of Fire Lord Azulon I was trained by the ‘world’s greatest swordsman’ of my world. Trust me. (Name) sleepily grinned up at the pineapple commander before directing her gaze to taller of the two Vikings, interlacing her fingers behind her back and rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. Bjarke you mind if I borrow you sword, I promise I’ll take good care of it and you can have it back as soon as I’ve finished my duel with Mihawk. Her (e/c) orbs suddenly flicking to the hatchet tucked neatly in the Vulpine Vikings belt. And could I also borrow your Hatchet Gulbrand?” Sharing a brief look with one another, the two Vikings slowly passed the small woman the weapons she requested as she gave a small yawn and began to test the weight. With a small smile (Name) turned on her heel and began to make her way back to the side of the ship with a small hatchet in one hand and a heavy broad sword in the other, climbing up onto the railing of the ship and about to jump off the light (h/c) fay felt a warm hand grip her wrist and turned to see who it was.
“Promise me you’ll be alright (Name), yoi.”
Marco asked, leaning down slightly so they were the same height.
“I’ll be fine Marco I promise.” With a smile (Name) leant forward ever so slightly, the young fay woman brushed her rogue lips against his stubbled cheek before leaning back and dropping of the side of the ship, landing gracefully atop the ocean, a few drops of water flicking up to light up her various soul markings.
“You can walk on water.” Mihawk simply stated with a rise of one of his eyebrows raising.
“Yeah I can also walk on air but that’s beside the point. Do you want me to make a platform of ice for you to stand on or will you be fine?”
“I’ll be fine, I’ll give you at least that handicap. So shall we begin?” Mihawk stated as he unsheathed his sword once more.
“Cocky bastard. (Name) chuckled slightly under her breath, leaving her words to dance musically through the air as she shot forward, clashing their two swords together before raising the hatchet for a second slash in which was moments away from gutting the warlord if he had not caught the blade with a quick flick of his sword. I’m gonna make you regret giving me that handicap, Hawky.” The light (h/c) cooed as she shot back again catching several of his slashes and sending back several of her own.

“What an honour it is to see a natural warrior in their own element.” Bjarke roared, heavily slapping his arms over the Marco’s and Gulbrand’s shoulders, causing the latter to stumble ever so slightly and sigh in mock frustration .
“We left that girl alone with the red hair pirates for what a month? And this is what happens, she picks a fight with a Warlord, gararara.” Whitebeard rumbled a slight laugh under his breath, shaking his large head in disbelief as they continued to watch her dart across the open ocean, sparring with the ‘world’s greatest swordsman’ without a flicker of hesitation.
“I’m gonna beat the shit of that pompous bastard if he hurts her.” Thatch growled under his breath.
“What you don’t think she’ll beat him Thatch?” Vista questioned his brother as a heavy frown marring his brow.
“What … er no … I mean … err … Cannot you just let me be an overprotective big brother? God! Thatch exclaimed flapping his arms around himself as he struggled to find his words, before locking his gaze onto a certain blonde who was intently watching the sparing match through his lethargic gaze, and flung an accusing finger at said first division commander. And why the hell aren’t you panicking about this Marco? Aren’t you the one that’s in love with my dear baby sister!”
“Cause she promised she’d be alright, yoi, and I trust her. That’s why I’m not freaking out, yoi. Pausing slightly Marco let out a weary sigh as he peered over at his fellow commanders out of the corner of his blue eyes, before quickly returning his gaze to the fight in front of him. That being said, you won’t have to worry about fighting him if he hurts her Thatch, cause I’ll have already turned him to ash, yoi.” Marco calmly stated as a killing calm washed over him bringing a shiver to captain and crew mates a like.

“Achoo.” A heavy sneeze shook through the warlord as he went to send another slash at the frosty female, missing her by several feet as she shot forward, flipping over his head to get his back. A swift manoeuvre which the swordsman caught at the last second.
“You’re not catching a cold now are you Hawky.” (Name) cooed as Mihawk pushed her further back from him.
“More likely someone’s cursing me.” Mihawk responded flatly causing the (e/c) eyed girl to laugh heartily, whilst his hawk eyed gaze locked onto the group of pirates sat protectively behind the shorter female. Narrowing his gaze ever so slightly the warlord swung his mighty black sword with enough power to easily spilt apart ships. A wide grin pulled at (Name)’s rouge lips.
“Oh tut tut tut. I thought you should know by now, you’re fights with me and so you should leave them out of this.” (Name)’s words a light breezy song as the slash of his sword ripped past her towards the Moby Dick with her already sprinting back towards her opponent, flinging her hatchet at the man, piercing his fedora to his small mast whilst she darted forward swiping back the two items as her own and wearing the hat upon her own light (h/c) head with a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.

“Shit its coming straight for us!” Thatch hissed under his breath.
“Jozu, you mind.” Whitebeard bellowed to his third division commander who with a nod of his large head and a roll of his shoulders, leapt upon the railings taking on his diamond form and ready to defend their flag ship when a sudden torrent of water shot up in front of him, freezing instantly as the powerful attack collided head on only for it to be absorbed by the wall and drop back into the ocean with a heavy slam.
“What the fuck?” Jozu grumbled in confusion over what just happened.
“That’s why she ignored that attack, she’d already planned to keep us safe anyway.” Haruta grinned already dangling half off the railings to get a better look, before Marco caught him by the back of his shirt when he looked like he was about to fall, picking the young commander up to seat him securely next to him instead.
“She’s gonna win, no questions asked.” Gulbrand declared to his fellow Viking in their mother tongue.
“You sure? I mean as incredible of a warrior as she may be or how much of an upper hand she may have, he’s not the ‘world’s greatest swordsman’ for nothing.” Bjarke countered crossing his arms over his barrel chest as he continued to watch her dance around with the warlords hat atop her small head.
“You’re right, he defiantly earned the title but she’s just playing right now, and if she’s who I think she is … (Name)’ll win this hands down.” Gulbrand spoke quietly as his gaze watched the first division commander, bringing a fox like smirk to decorate his lips, before redirecting his gaze back at the fight.

“You know there’s something I don’t quite understand (Name).” Mihawk stated as they once again started to fight in close quarters, moving so fast that their audience could barely keep up.
“Shoot.”
“You’re strong, smart, caring, loyal and beautiful. So how much of an idiot must that guy have been to have broken your heart?” Mihawk calmly questioned her, though his sharp hawk eyes seemed blind to the slight flatter in her step and the slight darkening of her normally bright (e/c) orbs.
“… What did you say?” (Name) whispered refusing to look him in the eye as the continued to fight whilst her grip tightened to show the whites of her knuckles, the very action causing the warlord to frown slightly in confusion.
“Red hair said when he first met you, you were singing of some guy broke your heart. I was wondering how he could be such a fool to so carelessly brea…” Before Mihawk could finish the short fay girl leapt up, wrapping her shapely legs around his neck as she flipped the pair over, hurtling them through the deck of his one man boat and into the dark ocean around them.

“Holy shit, what did we miss!?” Izo roared tossing his arms in every direction, poking his beautifully decorative pipe up Vista’s nose in the process, making said man howl out in pain that no one, bar the red head nurse Jessie, seemed to take not of.
“Looks like he just said something to royally piss her off.” Namur commented as their eyes stayed glued on the warlords destroyed boat and the calm lapping of the dark ocean waves beneath. Moments later a warlord could be seen hurtling out from beneath the waves sword barley in his grasp as he greedily gulped in the abundant air about him, flying high above the Moby Dick (Name) shot up from the other side of the ship flinging the hatchet harshly at the man, burring deep into his shoulder and dragging him down onto the middle of the deck as the wind was forced out of his lungs, releasing his sword as he hit the deck. Pushing herself of the air she was stood upon, the light (b/c) woman landed gracefully onto the deck as she stalked over to the warlord, in the manner of a predator about to serve the final death blow to its weakened prey. Picking up his sword so she held one in each hand, (Name) continued to stalk forward until her foot collided with his broad chest forcing more air out of his lungs whilst she slammed the blades either side of his head and crossing them over so they met over his exposed neck, as she leant down to whisper in his ear.
“You’re my friend Dracule Mihawk, but if you ever bad mouth Jet again I’ll take your balls and hang them from the flag pole at Marine HQ. You understand?” (E/c) eyes locking with a golden pair as the warlord released a pained sigh.
“I was out of line, I would appreciate you not threatening my man hood … and helping take this damn hatchet out of my shoulder please, I cannot seem to hold my sword with it in.” Mihawk grumbled under a pained breath. Pulling out the two swords from deck and placing them on the deck beside them the fay girl took the hatchet in both hands, moving the foot on his chest so that now it was her knee resting upon it.
“Next time we spar Mihawk, let’s do it on land. I’ll at least give you that handicap.” (Name) teased making the warlord roll his eyes before quickly shouting out a string of curses in a foreign language as she yanked out hatchet. With a small swish of her fingers a ribbon of flowed towards her dancing fingers as (Name) pulled away the surrounding fabric of his shirt from the wound, slowly moving to kneel beside him and place him into her lap. With several more dance like movements of her fingers, the ribbon of water engulfed the warlords wound and glowed a pale blue as it began to stitch his flesh back together. Slowly Mihawk began to wiggle fingers and release a relieved sigh. The sound of running feet left ignored by the pair as the fay girl continued to her work.
“What the hell was that! We’ve seen you fight before, but you just broke a Warlord (Name)!” Haruta exclaimed as her flung himself at his back, making her jerk forward only slightly as she continued her work, a small smile spreading across her red lips.
“You sound so surprised. Anyway I wouldn’t off broken him if he hadn’t been such an arse.”
“Wait does this mean he’s no longer the ‘world’s greatest swordsman’ then?” Thatch added, making the warlord subtly stiffen in her lap.
“Looks like you’ll have to fight (Name) if you want to be the greatest the Vista.” Whitebeard stated with a cheeky grin starting to pull at his lips whilst his golden gaze stayed upon the female warrior on his ship.
“Sorry to say guys but I cheated. When he pissed me off I unconsciously used my magic against him so he’s still this world’s greatest, though I’m proud to say that even if I used my magic in a fight against the greatest swordsman of my world, he could easily hold his own.” A wide teasing smirk dancing across lips whilst a hint of mischief lit up her eyes. Haven regained control in his arm, Mihawk gently hit her with it whilst she laughed musically.
“So you did this on purpose, how did you …” The warlord began only to be quickly cut off.
“Know how to break you? With a slight nod of his head the girls smirk softened into a gentle smile. I’m a healer Mihawk, if I know how to put you back together then wouldn’t I also know how to rip you apart? (Name) paused looking around at all the stunned pirates, a tired sigh breezing over her lips. I don’t know why you guys are so surprised I won to be honest. I mean it’s not like I survived 5 years on the vanguard by luck, or cause my opponents were weak.”
“You were amazing (Name), I just cannot understand how you could beat a warlord and yet couldn’t even manage to beat me for that cheese straw this morning, yoi.” The light teasing tone of Marco’s voice easily showing the smirk that painted his lips, as he sauntered over to the female with his hands in his pockets before crouching down next to her and wrapping an arm around her narrow shoulders. A small jab in his side causing a rumbling sting of laughter to bubble through the air, as the light blue glow of the water dimmed and was guided away from the warlords flesh and back into the ocean.
“All done Hawky, want that cup of tea now?” (Name) smiled down at the Warlord in her lap as she leant further into the first division commander by her side.

{Lazy time skip to post cups of tea & returning of weapons}

“So how you getting to red hair then.” The half giant Yonko questioned lightly from his throne like chair making the (e/c) eyed fay frown slightly.
“What’d you mean? He’d just sail there right?” (Name) questioned with a confused frown.
“(Name) you destroyed his boat earlier.” Marco reminded her, looking down at her from the corner of his eye as she suddenly went into a mini panic and was pulled into his arms.
“Holy shit! I’m so sorry I completely forgot!” (Name) exclaimed running her fingers through her light (h/c) locks.
“It’s alright, I’ll find my way to them sooner or later.” Mihawk reassured, drinking the final dregs of his coffee.
“No I should have been more careful, I’ll take you to see Shanks. I haven’t seen that big baby in a while anyway.” (Name) pondered leaning further into the pineapple commanders embrace whilst Marco frowned at the idea of her leaving again so soon.
“Oh come on (Name) you cannot just go now, we only just got you back, yoi.”
“You’ll see me again soon though.” (Name) reassured as she tilted her head back to get a better look at him.
“You’re not gonna be able to stop her Marco. At the very least she may as well take a den-den mushi with her so we can at least talk with her.” Whitebeard sighed glancing at his son.
“How the hell did we not think of that before?” Izo howled in horror.
“Well I guess originally she was gonna look for the poneglyphs with us so we didn’t have to. Shit (Name) doesn’t even have a damn vivre card.” Vista calmly explained only to cause Haruta to explode in an uproar.
“Really? We even forgot to give her a bloody vivre card!”

An hour, one shoulder bag of money stolen from Akainu & her own small den-den mushi with a small book of important numbers and whitebeards vivre card slipped into the compass hanging from her neck later, (Name) had said her goodbyes once again to the whitebeards and was on her way to join the warlord at the side of the ship when she stopped at the pair of Vikings she quickly grew to call friend.
“I’m so glad I met you guys and I hope I get to see you guys soon.” (Name) sighed happily a she separated herself from Bjarke’s embrace and moved on to Gulbrand.
“I hope so too little warrior.” Bjarke’s rumbling reply left a smile teasing his lips. Pulling the small female into his embrace, Gulbrand began to whisper his goodbye in his mother tongue. The words of his mother tonuge breazing across her light (h/c) locks in warm puffs that left her frozen to the spot.
“We’ll miss you too (Name), just remember to stay safe alright. You always seem to be the one dying in that relationship of yours, and I’m not sure he’ll survive it if he has to lose you again.”
“What did you just say?” (Name)’s voice came out nothing more than a quiet whisper in the Viking tongue as she slowly pulled back.
“Stay safe (Name), we’ll miss you. That’s all I said princess. You alright, you look like you just saw a ghost.” Gulbrand asked with a raised brow.
“(Name) are you ready to go now?” The warlord called out catching the fay’s attention.
“Just one more minuet, I’ll be right there. (Name) called back, slapping her cheeks slightly before giving the vulpine viking a soft smile. No I must of imagined it. I’ll see you soon, cause it seems I really need to go.” With a small wave and a smile the (e/c) jogged over to the warlord, giving one last goodbye and tossing the pair of them off the Moby Dick and into a rapidly growing two man sail boat, gliding effortlessly towards the Red Hair pirates.
With a confident smirk decorating his lips, Gulbrand sauntered towards the side of the ship to lean against the railing, watching the point where the fay princess disappeared from sight.
“Why’d you look so happy.” Bjarke asked his friend who started to chuckle.
“After all these years we’ve found her. It’s her Bjarke.” Gulbrand grinned whilst his friend frowned in further confusion, not having the slightest clue of what he was talking about.
“What you thinking about, yoi?” Marco’s voice cutting through the pairs divided thoughts.
“I’m thinking about how you better not lose her Marco, she’s a special kind of girl. Gulrband teased making the first division commander roll his eyes and sigh, as he leant against the railing allowing his ocean orbs to wander to the point in the horizion she had disappeared from his line of sight. Have you honestly not been told about the story of our king and queen Marco?”
“No I don’t think I have, yoi. I was just as supprised as everyone else to learn you even had one.”
“Well he was but a boy when his father died and made him king. He was young and arragant and one day he heard of an island where no invador survided, as if under a divine protection. His curiosity lead him to sail and raid the land himself in search of whatever treassure they fought so hard to protect, and was when he found her. A fay woman, who’s beauty was unrivled, later to learn that he was infact her mate and she would follow him till the darkness came to all. So our king did what any of us would do in the sight of such precious tressure, he took her as his own and married her.”
“Your point being, yoi?” Marco asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Maybe you should follow our kings lead and just take her as your own already.” And with that Gulbrand left the blonde pirate be, sauntering of to his own ship with Bjarke in tow.