A little ficlet to try and slice through writer's block
Title: Thoughts inspired by a new rival
Theme: Set #1 - Thief
Claim: Shanks
Words: 363
Rating: PG
Disclaimers: I don't own One Piece.
Juracule Mihawk hated Monkey D Luffy long before he ever set his eyes on him, or even learned his name. From the moment he laid eyes on Shanks' bare sleeve, he'd considered him nothing more than a thief, who had the temerity to steal an arm from Shanks - the arm of a swordsman. Who had the nerve to steal his greatest rival from him. Who had the sheer gall to steal the honour of duelling for the title of World's Greatest Swordsman and simply thrust it upon him by default.
He'd hated Shanks too. For offering up nothing more than a shrug of apology and that annoying easy smile. The smile that he always wore whenever they duelled, as if fighting him - him, Juracule Mihawk - was akin to a mere stroll in the park. The smile that said he cared more about the life of some brat from East Blue than his swordsmanship, which should have been his whole life, but never was and never would be.
The smile he's reminded of now, as that brat grins at the Roronoa boy and accepts his oath never to lose again until he's defeated Mihawk. A familiar tingle races up his spine, the tingle that tells him he's met a worthy rival.
It's as if the fates are winking at him, boasting of their cleverness in arranging that the brat who stole away his rival all those years ago should gift him another in exchange. The Roronoa boy may be brash and weak, but he has the spirit of a true swordsman, and brashness and weakness are nothing the Grand Line won't cure.
"You make a good team," he remarks. "We'll meet again." And you'd better take care of the Roronoa boy, brat, because if I ever find out you've stolen another rival from me, I'll slice you into two myself.
On that parting note, he sets off back to the Grand Line, to tell Shanks the news and to see that teasing smile once more. And maybe, to tell him that though he'll still never forgive him, he understands at last.
Theme: Set #1 - Thief
Claim: Shanks
Words: 363
Rating: PG
Disclaimers: I don't own One Piece.
Juracule Mihawk hated Monkey D Luffy long before he ever set his eyes on him, or even learned his name. From the moment he laid eyes on Shanks' bare sleeve, he'd considered him nothing more than a thief, who had the temerity to steal an arm from Shanks - the arm of a swordsman. Who had the nerve to steal his greatest rival from him. Who had the sheer gall to steal the honour of duelling for the title of World's Greatest Swordsman and simply thrust it upon him by default.
He'd hated Shanks too. For offering up nothing more than a shrug of apology and that annoying easy smile. The smile that he always wore whenever they duelled, as if fighting him - him, Juracule Mihawk - was akin to a mere stroll in the park. The smile that said he cared more about the life of some brat from East Blue than his swordsmanship, which should have been his whole life, but never was and never would be.
The smile he's reminded of now, as that brat grins at the Roronoa boy and accepts his oath never to lose again until he's defeated Mihawk. A familiar tingle races up his spine, the tingle that tells him he's met a worthy rival.
It's as if the fates are winking at him, boasting of their cleverness in arranging that the brat who stole away his rival all those years ago should gift him another in exchange. The Roronoa boy may be brash and weak, but he has the spirit of a true swordsman, and brashness and weakness are nothing the Grand Line won't cure.
"You make a good team," he remarks. "We'll meet again." And you'd better take care of the Roronoa boy, brat, because if I ever find out you've stolen another rival from me, I'll slice you into two myself.
On that parting note, he sets off back to the Grand Line, to tell Shanks the news and to see that teasing smile once more. And maybe, to tell him that though he'll still never forgive him, he understands at last.