Hey guys! So I'm back from me vacai! Well, it was fun, if you don't count the rain everyday. Anyway. I am totally smitten by Mihawk X Zoro. I can't get enough of it and find it to be extremely cute. I really enjoy an innocent Zoro sometimes. I could do that with Sanji, but they are like equals in strength. So I wanted someone to be stronger. Thus, Mihawk. He's Zoro's rival and stuff. He's stronger and awesome. I hope I didn't make him too OOC or something.

Anyway. This chapter was actually two chapters. But because I decided to make it a real two years and going by the day for each chapter, chapter two had to be included. I will let the name of the chapter show. Next time I'll just make a whole day as one chapter. So I hope I can make it a real 365 chapters long. Anyway. I hope you enjoy and review and favorite and stuff. Bye~

~Rebecca

What Do You Seek Beyond The Edge Of Strength?
Chapter 1, Uninvited Guests.
January 1st.

Dracule Mihawk was surprised, to say the least. He had not expected Roronoa Zoro to be in his castle, along with an annoying pink haired ghost girl. Of course, he didn't let his surprise show as he walked in on them arguing. But he had a hard time hiding his smile from their stunned faces.

Roronoa immediately reached for his swords and pulled them out of the sheaths. Mihawk watched as he took a fighting stance, which amused the older male to no end. The ghost girl hid behind the green haired youth as he growled at the Shichibukai.

"What are you doing here?" Roronoa growled.

Mihawk didn't bother to answer and just walked past the teen. Roronoa whirled around, the ghost girl following his movements.

"Answer me!" he roared.

Mihawk paused in his step, swung his head on his shoulder and said, "This is my house."

Then he resumed his walking and turned a corner. A sigh escaped his lips as he moved away from the two youths. This would be trouble, he knew that for sure.

Not long after he left them, Roronoa started following the Shichibukai. Mihawk, of course, sensed him all the while. He sighed once more and decided to go to the living room. He made it there without any trouble and sat down on the couch, a glass of wine in his hand and a newspaper in the other. Roronoa and the girl came into the room, watching him sip his wine and read.

"You're not going to say anything?" Roronoa asked.

Mihawk did not look up as he answered, "If you wish to leave go ahead, I won't stop you."

Roronoa scowled and turned around, walking out of the room. The ghost girl stared at his retreating back before looking at Mihawk.

"Your Hawk-eye Mihawk, correct?" she asked.

"Yes, why do you ask, girl?" Mihawk fired back.

The ghost girl looked slightly annoyed and said, "My name is Perona, not girl. And I asked because I want to live here," she said.

Mihawk was slightly amused and glanced at her frail form. "Why is that?" he asked.

"I am stuck here and if so I want to be comfortable at least. So I will live here, alongside you. If that is okay with you..." Perona whispered the last part.

Mihawk almost wanted to laugh, almost. He complimented her on asking and took another sip of his wine. "If you are not as annoying as you look, you can stay," he finally said.

Perona slightly gasped at hearing she looked annoying, but then realized she could stay and she cheered softly. Mihawk shook his head and continued reading the newspaper. Perona then took off somewhere, Mihawk didn't really care to where. He sipped his wine once more and continued to an article about 'Fire Fist Ace'.

Zoro was angry. No, he was furious. His mortal enemy was living in this castle and didn't even have to say anything about him being there.

Yep, Zoro was furious. He was seething with anger.

Zoro stomped into a room, not really caring which and discovered a bed. It was unmade and dust was everywhere. Zoro shrugged and laid down on the dust covered bed. Exhaustion had taken its toll on him, he was still wounded. Zoro fell asleep before he could even remove his swords from his side.

"Wake up."

A harsh voice made Zoro jump up and grab one of his swords. He looked around, though his vision had gone black from the sudden movement, and saw Mihawk standing in front of him. He glared at the man and placed his blade back in its place.

"What do you want?" Zoro asked.

Mihawk raised his brow and did something unexpected. He grabbed Zoro by his arm and flung him off the bed. Zoro yelped and landed with a thud on the floor. There he rubbed his sore back and stood up.

"What was that for?" he accused.

"For sleeping in my bed, without permission. And your still here, go home," Mihawk said, sitting down on the bed.

Zoro was slightly stunned, but didn't say anything. He turned to the door and walked out, an angry glare on his face. He walked around the castle for a while, looking for the exit. When he finally found it he was tired. But he kept on going.

Stepping outside, he looked around and decided to find a route to sea. He had to get back to Luffy after all. Zoro took a route and found himself in the middle of a graveyard.

"What are you doing here?" Perona asked form atop a big wooden cross.

"Looking for a way of this hell hole," Zoro answered gruffly.

Perona smiled and left him alone, watching as he made his way towards her. Then suddenly Zoro froze, and Perona was slightly confused as to why. Then she saw something move very fast towards Zoro, and it clashed swords with him.

"What the heck?" Perona flew up and towards the swordsman.

To her great shock, Zoro was having a battle of strength with a monkey. Perona gasped and looked around to see a whole lot more monkey's. They were all wearing armor and holding weapons. Perona heard a gunshot and saw Zoro turn, getting sliced by the bullet on his cheek and letting it ricochet of his sword.

"What are these things, they act like humans," Zoro murmured, taking Wado Ichimonji and placing the sword in his mouth.

He charged at the first monkey and slashed it across the chest with his Onigiri move. The monkey screamed and stood frozen for a second. Then it drooled over its finger and smeared the saliva on its wound. Zoro turned to see this and blew a fuse.

"Who the heck taught you that folks remedy. Don't do that with you spit, idiot!" He yelled, a vein popping on his forehead.

Perona snickered and flew away from the fight a bit. She looked at the battlefield and worried her head over Zoro. With a final thought, she hastily flew back to the castle. Zoro wouldn't stand a chance against these monkeys in his condition, and Perona knew it. Only one person could help him right now.

Chapter 2, Not So Uncaring Enemy.

Mihawk looked up as Perona flew in through the wall and began shouting at him. He couldn't understand a single word and help up a hand for her to stop talking. Perona took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"What is it?" Mihawk asked.

"Zoro needs help, he's gonna die." Perona said as she opened her eyes.

Mihawk sighed and set down his glass of wine. He laid down the newspaper and stood up. Perona beamed at him and Mihawk groaned. This was going to be a bother. Or a time killer.

"Where is he?" Mihawk asked.

Perona pointed to the wooden cross that could just be seen through the thick forest. Mihawk sighed once more and walked out of the living room, Perona on his heels. He walked to his room and grabbed his coat and black blade, swinging it on his back. Perona watched him leave the castle and with a worried look, she went to prepare a first-aid kit.

The monkeys sensed Mihawk coming long before Zoro did. Zoro was not so aware of his surroundings to begin with. He stared at the monkey's, his vision blurry and swaying. He cursed at them as they fled, thinking they were chickening out on him. With a second long string of curses Zoro planted his sword in the ground and sank down. His vision was black and he couldn't see. Zoro began to panic.

"You're not doing so well, are you?" A voice said to Zoro.

Zoro's head snapped up and he stared ahead. He still couldn't see but now he did sense Mihawk was there.

"Mihawk..." He murmured.

He tried to glare at the man, but just that moment his arms gave out and he let go of his sword. His support fell away and he crashed down to the ground.

Mihawk rushed to the youth and caught him just before he face-planted into the cobble stone. He watched Wado Ichimonji fall to the floor, the sword Zoro loved, with a clattering thud. Mihawk sighed and glanced at the young swordsman's face. He looked pained and relieved at the same time. Mihawk wondered why. He groaned as he stood up, Zoro in his arms, bridal style. The boys head fell against his shoulder and Mihawk felt heat radiate of off him.

"You have a fever. You really are a weird one, Roronoa Zoro," Mihawk smirked.

He hoisted the boy up once more and grabbed Wado Ichimonji from the ground, holding Zoro like a kid in one arm, legs around his waist and arms drooped over both his shoulders. Then he began to make his way back to the castle. While doing so he picked up Sandai Kitetsu and Shushui, placing them safely by Wado Ichimonji. Mihawk knew Roronoa loved his swords, he also took great care of them. Mihawk had to say, he respected Zoro in that regard as a swordsman.

The older male returned to the castle, finding Perona waiting for him. He nodded at her and she opened the door for him. Then she lead him to the bathroom, where she had a first-aid kit set up for him. Mihawk lowered Zoro onto the floor and leant him against the wall.

"Perona, go fill the tub with water." Mihawk said as he pulled of Zoro's boots.

Perona nodded and flew to the tub, turning on the hot water and filling the tub. Meanwhile Mihawk took of Zoro's bandana and tossed it at Perona. Perona cursed as the bloody thing hit her face and she threw it at the floor. Mihawk snickered softly and pulled Zoro's shirt off, examining his wounds.

"He is hurt pretty bad, this wound is deep, very deep." Mihawk murmured to himself.

He grabbed a cloth and dapped away the blood that was flowing from the wound. Zoro moaned a bit and shuddered, but otherwise did nothing. Mihawk bit his bottom lip as he inspected the wound. It wasn't as deep as he had first thought, but it was still dangerous. The Shichibukai turned to Perona and said,

"You should leave, I'll take the rest form here."

Perona began to shake her head, but then she froze and blushed furiously, getting what Mihawk was saying. She nodded at him, face still flushed, and fled the bathroom. Mihawk chuckled and finally undressed Zoro completely. The young man shivered form the cold and groaned. Mihawk didn't pay attention as he scooped the teen up and walked over to the bathtub.

Mihawk lowered Zoro into the hot water slowly, letting the swordsman adjust to the temperature. Zoro's eyes shot open once he was totally in the water. He still couldn't see and he panicked once more. He flailed around and smacked something with his hand. It grunted and grabbed both Zoro's wrists.

"Calm down." Mihawk said.

Zoro stopped struggling that moment and stared ahead into the darkness. He whimpered when he felt his wounds sting and squeezed Mihawk's arms. Mihawk squeezed Zoro's wrists in return, reassuring him of support.

"What happened, why can't I see?" Zoro asked.

Mihawk answered him carefully, "I know not, perhaps the adrenaline. Or maybe something else, but I will find out for you."

Zoro didn't know why but he felt relieved. He trusted Mihawk on his word, for he knew the man was honest.

"Alright, thank you." He said softly.

Mihawk was slightly taken aback, but smiled nonetheless. "You should just sit back and let me take care of it, alright?" He said.

Zoro nodded his head and sank down into the tub. He sighed and let himself relax slightly. He could sense Mihawk move and followed him through the room. Mihawk grabbed a washcloth and dipped it in the water. Then he rubbed Zoro's face clean with it, wiping of all the blood and sweat. Mihawk glanced at the youth's body and saw the water begin to turn red around him. He softly cursed and handed Zoro another washcloth.

"Clean yourself." He said to the young swordsman.

Zoro didn't say anything but went about to clean himself with the cloth. He still couldn't see so well, but things as light and shapes were returning to him. He awkwardly washed every inch of himself, knowing Mihawk was watching him. It was uncomfortable at first and Zoro didn't actually know how to feel about this situation. His enemy was seeing him at his most vulnerable, which was naked, afraid, wounded and blindsided.

Zoro shivered as he thought about it. He didn't want to be so weak. He never wanted to be weak. Mihawk noticed Zoro was in thought as he stopped moving. The older male sighed and returned to the swordsman, reaching into the water and grabbing the washcloth from the green haired teen. Zoro yelped as Mihawk brushed against his leg, and he blushed furiously.

"What are you doing?" Zoro asked, his voice cracking a bit.

Mihawk chuckled and said, "Nothing, just calm down. I'll help you."

Zoro was totally confused. Mihawk was being awfully nice to him and he wondered why. Zoro complied with the request and calmed his racing heart a bit. He was curious as to why the older man was so nice to his enemy. Though, he couldn't think about it long. Mihawk grabbed Zoro's head and held him still, placing a hand over the swordsman's eyes.

"Don't move, or else." Mihawk whispered into Zoro's ear.

Zoro's eyes widened behind the man's hand and he froze. Mihawk chuckled once more and brushed the washcloth over the wound on Zoro's side. The youth hissed in pain but otherwise did nothing. He knew what Mihawk was capable of and he didn't want to experience any of it.

Mihawk dropped the washcloth on the tile floor after cleaning the wound. Then he grabbed a small bucket and filled it with water. He dumped it on Zoro's head, startling the teen. Zoro yelped once more and ripped himself out of Mihawk's grasp. The Shichibukai grumbled and smacked Zoro's head.

"I told you to sit still." He growled at him.

Zoro froze once more, turning to look at Mihawk. He could finally see the man once more, and the angry look on his face. Zoro lowered his eyes and rubbed his feet together.

"Sorry..." He stammered.

Mihawk shook his head and returned to the task at hand. He grabbed a bottle of soap and spread it through the swordsman's hair. Then he dumped another bucket of water on the his head. Zoro sputtered out the water he inhaled and coughed.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked, wheezing for air.

Mihawk was taken aback by the question and stopped. He looked at the teen in front of him. Then he realized that the kid was naked, vulnerable and at his complete mercy. A blush covered his cheeks and he turned in a flash.

"Who knows." Mihawk said.

Zoro turned to look at him but only got to look at his back. He frowned but shook it off.

"I'll do the rest myself ... Thanks ... For helping me." Zoro said softly.

Mihawk turned to look at him, really seeing him for the first time. Not like his enemy or a swordsman, just as a boy. A teen who was alone. No friends around, just his sworn enemy. Mihawk smiled softly and nodded his head. He was going to change it, their relation to each other.

They would no longer be each other's enemy, he vowed that one day they would be friends, or maybe more.

So this was it! I sincerely hope you enjoyed it and I will update again soon. See ya all later!

~Rebecca