#I missed hisako shut up and leave me alone

[emmyrosee]

There’s soft little grunts coming from the play table just a few feet away, and it doesn’t take long for your confused eyes to meet Atsumu’s.

It’s not too long before Hisako has to get taken for a bath and up to bed, and while the night had seemed to go smooth, smooth as any other night, the way she slowly rose from her seat and practically limped over to her crayons was more than… odd, to say the least.

“Should… we interviene?” Atsumu asks, golden eyes flicking to you.

You shrug, “I… don’t know? Has she been limping all day?”

“Not that I’ve seen. Have you seen her limping?”

“No; and I know Osamu would’ve said something if he saw her limping at breakfast.”

Instantly, a tiny head whips towards you both at the mention of Osamu, eyes wide and glimmering with excitement.

Atsumu snorts, “ya said the magic word.”

“Uncle ‘Samu?” She chirps, looking between you both.

“Later,” You chuckle. Then, you put your phone to the side and shift slightly to lean towards Hisako. “But are you okay, baby?”

Hisako beams up at you both, “‘m okay, mumma!”

Atsumu leans forwards on his knees to join the conversation, “well, baby, why are you walking like you’ve got a boo-boo?”

“Im you, daddy!”

Silence. Silence fills the miya household for longer than enough time. Slowly, trying to stifle back the laughter that desperately needs to pour from your lips, Atsumu tucks his own into his mouth to keep his amused annoyance at bay.

“You’re who?”

“I’m you!” She repeats happily. “Cause when you get up, you make funny noises n’ grab your back and leg!”

This, finally, has you releasing all the laughter you’d been trying to keep in, your arms clutching your sides as you cackle. Between your screwed shut eyes, you see Atsumu tuck his tongue in his cheek. Hisako, not knowing better, joins in with your laughter, leaving just Atsumu to wallow in betrayal.

Once you both quiet down, Atsumu takes a deep breath in his nose, then releases it slowly. “Honey,” he begins. “I don’t do those for pretend.”

“I know,” she says happily. “It ‘cause you’re old, dadda!”

Once again, your cackles fill the room.

“YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, OKAY?!”

“Yuh-huh!” She assures. “Uncle ‘Samu said you got grey hairs too, ‘cause you’re old!”

You wipe a tear from your eye and gently take one of Atsumu’s clenched fists in your hands, “hey; if you’re old, he is too, baby,” you promise him, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek.

Hisako shrugs, “uncle ‘yoomi says it’s cause you don’t listen to him.”

“Yeah, and I’m done listening to you,” he snarls only slightly serious. He pops on his feet, and you do your hardest to hide the snort that slips past your mouth when the sound of his cracking bones ring in the air. He glares, and you tuck your lips in to try and stifle the rest. “Come on you,” he grumbles, grabbing Hisako by the sides and lifting her up and over his shoulder while she giggles and fights his grip. “You need a bath. Wash your mouth out with soap.”

“Daddy!” She squeals; you offer her a small wave as she’s carried up the stairs with Atsumu, and you pull out your phone to text Osamu.

SENT you call your brother old in front of your niece?

Osamu 🍱 duh

we are old

he just ages like milk

im a fine wine

#I missed hisako shut up and leave me alone #atsumu miya #atsumu miya fluff #atsumu miya x reader #atsumu miya x f!reader #atsumu miya x reader fluff #atsumu miya imagine #atsumu miya haikyuu #miya atsumu #miya atsumu fluff #miya atsumu x reader #miya atsumu x f!reader #miya atsumu x reader fluff #miya atsumu imagine #miya atsumu haikyuu #haikyuu #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu imagine #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu x f!reader #haikyuu x female reader #haikyuu x y/n #haikyuu x you #haikyuu x yn #dad!atsumu #dad!atsumu miya #dad!haikyuu #dad!hq #dad!au

[justminawrites]

Eremophobia

AO3

Summary: The fear of being isolated, lonely, or alone. Five times Hayama Akira asked someone to stay, and the one time he didn’t need to.

“Don’t go.”

Hayama was 19 when Shiomi Jun looked up from the unzipped suitcase and gave him a half-hearted smile, even though he couldn’t see it. He knew it would happen eventually, he just hadn’t expected it to be so soon. He thought he’d have more time. I’ll only be gone two months, Akira-kun, she’d promised. Two months of sun and sand and Greece, and she’d be back before he even had time to miss her. He knew she was lying, he didn’t even need to open his eyes to notice her torn cuticles or the slightly white pallor of her skin; she didn’t intend on coming home for a long while. She wouldn’t tell him why.

Jun put down the shirt and walked over to hug him; he returned the embrace without getting up from his place on the bed. It’s okay, she whispered soothingly petting his hair as he let himself cry into her sweater until dawn. It’s going to be okay. 

By the time he’d woken, red-eyed and cotton-mouthed, tangled in her bedsheets, she was already gone.

“Don’t go.”

Hayama was 22 when Arato Hisako paused at the door to their shared apartment and sighed. 

They’d done this many times, this dance, their little back and forth and it had left scars on the both of them. The agreement was simple, they’d begun dating out of convenience; falling in love was never on the table. As long as you never ask me to put you above Erina-sama, she’d proposed, and I never assume I can take Shiomi Jun’s place– we should be alright. It had gone so well, until it hadn’t. He couldn’t remember who had started it, maybe it was her, maybe it was him, maybe it was someone else; but a wine-stained tablecloth and a smarting cheek later, when he’d seen genuine tears in her eyes, he knew he had gone too far. 

She’d always threatened to leave, packing a duffel bag as she sought refuge in the arms of a Nakiri princess, but he’d always chased after her, pulling and pulling, somehow losing a piece of her each time he did. After two years, he didn’t know how much of her he had left. 

They had always come at each other with claws and fangs bared, unguarded and itching for a fight, but they’d found out quickly that the line between honesty and cruelty was terribly, horribly thin. Hisako waited for him to run after her again, even turned back a few times, but all he had left were words. She shut the door with a final resounding click. 

They had never been good with words.

“Don’t go.”

Hayama was 26 when he breathed it into Sendawara Natsume’s ear, smirking as he watched her writhe beneath him, lips parted in pleasure. She loved it when he was rough with her, all sharp angles and jagged edges, voices husky, kisses that were more teeth than tongue– just enough honey to numb the poison.

The first time was at an award ceremony, even his greatest victories were reduced to paltry displays of arrogance when he didn’t have someone worth winning for; where she’d run a teasing finger across his chest and he’d reciprocated by pulling her into an empty broom closet and made her moan his name. 

It had happened many many times since then, he was quite partial to ambushing her before she had a stage appearance or anywhere with cameras; her feeble protests dying on her tongue the moment he pinned her wrist to the wall, but it was always so alarmingly empty. He grew more and more unfeeling as the time passed, his thirst unquenched, the hole in him getting wider every time she pouted her lips or batted her lashes. The awards on his shelf grew, the medals collected dust, the flowers withered away in their bouquets.

Still he drank, hoping her poison would put him to sleep so he wouldn’t have to wake up to the very very faint smell of cinnamon on his pillow. 

Natsume grazed his jaw with a long, manicured nail and he stiffened, waiting for the vacant promises to slip into his ears, but she only sighed I’m late, before pushing past him to get to the doorknob. 

He didn’t even bother to turn around. 

“Don’t go.”

Hayama was 30 when he said it in his head as he looked into Nakiri Alice’s doe-like eyes, under the harsh glare of the laboratory lights. 

She’d barged into his office as usual and demanded to use  his workspace at three a.m. to test out a new recipe that had come to her in her sleep. They’d spent all morning trying to turn the damn lobster blue, and he had never been more tired in his life, but still he watched her wrinkle her nose in frustration as she squinted at the cloudy liquid in the little test tube, and resisted the urge to lean in and kiss her till she forgot her own name. 

Ryō-kun would know what to do, she’d sighed finally and dumped it into the sink. He watched the purple liquid swirl around, once, twice and smiled sadly as it trickled down the drain. He should have known. She’d only ever had eyes for the brooding, dark-haired chef she’d met in a small port side town in Denmark, and from what he’d noticed during their school days, the feeling was almost certainly mutual. 

She huffed and puffed and lay her head on the cold counter top, and within seconds she was fast asleep. Hayama made sure to cover her slight frame with his coat, before reaching for the phone to dial a familiar number. 

Kurokiba Ryō arrived not even an hour later to take her back home and he stopped at the doorway to watch them leave, trying not to wonder what might have happened if Alice had met him first instead, all those years ago, before either of them had learnt the true taste of love. 

“Don’t go.”

Hayama was 32 when he saw her sitting on the rooftop of Polar Star Dormitory, drinking sake out of a shot glass as she gazed at the moon. The new dorm matron, Sakaki Ryōkō had blushed at his intrusion and quickly made to leave him alone, before the words had slipped through his lips and sunk into the night air like an open invitation. 

She’d raised an eyebrow discerningly, but obliged his whims, scooting over to give the newly admitted Tōtsuki professor space; he took it with as much grace as he had left. They’d sat in silence for a good part of the next hour, taking turns downing the alcohol as they quietly recalled their own days at this school; competing with their peers, sharpening themselves with their rivalries, the 92nd Generation’s diamonds in the rough now haunting the place where they’d been forged. 

Hayama swayed a little and she turned and grabbed him by the shoulder– he’d been leaning too far out the edge and would’ve fallen if she hadn’t steadied him. 

Unfortunately, he inclined towards her too quickly and his arm reached out and knocked the glass over. They watched mutely as it roll away, plink, plink, plinking down the roof tiles and shatter onto the balcony below them. Ryōkō did the strangest thing then, watching those same broken pieces glitter under the moonlight– she threw her back and she laughed. 

The sound was so infectious that Hayama couldn’t stop himself from snorting too and soon they found themselves in stitches, giggling like a pair of love-drunk high schoolers who’d stayed up too late. 

It could have been the alcohol, hell, it could have been the fact that he hadn’t laughed in so long, but the world seemed brighter all of a sudden. The tiles under his feet were rougher, the gravity more pronounced, like he was waking from a long, long nightmare. 

As Hayama felt a cool breeze nip his neck, he found himself noticing the new matron more, her distinctly sweet smell, like honey and ripe citrus, and how her dark eyes reflected the tiny stars in the sky. He hadn’t seen it before, gaze too clouded by memory, but she was quite beautiful with her magenta hair and easy smile. 

He would’ve liked to stay longer but his stomach churned and it was all he could do to turn away in time before he found himself bent over the roof, hurling the contents of his dinner across the edge.

_________

Hayama Akira woke to the sound of knocking in his skull. He didn’t realise it was the door until he’d downed the jug of water beside his bed and felt some semblance of normality return to his body.

“Hello? Professor?"

He croaked out a quick, Be right there, before shedding the stained lab coat he hadn’t bothered to take off when he’d stumbled back into his dorm room last night and passed out on the couch. Hayama never handled alcohol well but yesterday’s embarrassing display nearly took the top spot for worst moments of his life; if it hadn’t been for the new matron’s quick thinking he’d probably still be sitting on the roof of Polar Star Dormitory, covered in puke and dead to the world. He would find a way to apologise to her somehow, a half-hearted thanks didn’t seem nearly enough for what she’d done. 

Once he’d splashed his face with cold water and rinsed his tongue with mouthwash- the smell bothered him more than anyone- he propped open the door to find a familiar magenta-haired woman standing outside, a steel thermos in her hand. 

Sakaki Ryōkō smiled at him in greeting, skin dewy fresh, wearing a flowery bandanna, no visible sign of the copies amounts of sake she’d chugged last night anywhere as she held out the flask. 

Hayama took it in surprise.

“My special hangover cure,” she explained, watching his green eyes widen at its warmth, “I thought you might need some since your classes begin today.”

“A-Ah,” he replied, trying to muster up a reaction that wasn’t confusion, he must have said something to her about his lecture somewhere between retching over the side of the roof, and dragging his feet across the polished floors as she helped him get back to his room. 

“Thank you, Sakaki-san. I hope you didn’t trouble yourself.”

“Don’t mention it, Hayama-kun, I’ve been up for hours anyway.”

Ryōkō seemed more luminous in the daylight; she’d tied her hair up in a ponytail and was wearing a light pink apron over her sweats, a streak of dirt smudged across her cheek and the gloves peeking out of her pocket the only indications that she’d been working outside in the garden all morning.

Hayama had never seen someone so alive. Jun was a heavier sleeper than he was and Hisako had always looked like she would stab anything that moved within 10 metres of her radius until she’d had her morning coffee; this shine in the new matron’s eyes alarmed him a little.

“When do you have to leave?” She  asked cheerfully, cocking her head to one side.

He checked the clock behind him: 9:00 a.m. His lecture wouldn’t start for another two hours at least.

“Do you have time for breakfast? The kids left already but I’m sure I can scrounge up something with–“

“Thank you, Sakaki-san,” he repeated firmly, “But I don’t want to intrude.”

He said it normally enough, but his voice came out flat and ungrateful. Her face fell and he resisted the urge to immediately soften the statement. This was better for the both of them. 

Hayama had returned to Tōtsuki Culinary Academy solely to take over the Shiomi Seminar at the request of the new director; he couldn’t leave Jun’s life’s work in the hands of someone who couldn’t properly care for it. He’d come here knowing he’d be surrounded by her ghost at every waking moment, he’d resigned himself to it, looked forward to it even. It would be cruel to start something with someone new, that would no doubt end in tears. 

“I see,” she frowned, let out a breath and snatched the thermos back.

Hayama blinked– he hadn’t expected that. 

“I guess you don’t need this either.” She huffed and then made to leave.

He stared after her mutely. His head began to throb in warning, dull beats, steady as a drum, and he could almost feel the ache pulsing through him as he stood in front of the lecture hall, in a few hours. His stomach tightened unhelpfully, making him aware of its painful emptiness. Perhaps breakfast wouldn’t end in tears after all.

“That’s-“

“Hm?” Ryōkō looked back, one hand on her hip. His pride clamped his tongue shut.

Hayama had always kept his cool around people, women especially; he hadn’t been one of the most eligible bachelors on Top Chef for no reason, but there was something unpredictable about Sakaki Ryōkō that left him feeling strangely flustered. 

He thought he knew her type, the kindly mother-figure of the friend group, the go-to shoulder to cry on; a more self-assured version of his friend Tadokoro Megumi– but an undercurrent of pure defiance ran right through her homely persona. There was kindness, yes, but none of the naivety he’d associated with it so far; a savoury sweetness– caramel, but the sharp tang of salt was unmistakable.

“I can’t stand the smell of eggs,” he blurted out stupidly. 

The dorm matron nodded sagely, as though that was a perfectly normal thing to say in such a conversation.

“You’re in luck, Hayama-kun. We seem to be all out of eggs at the moment.”

He could’ve sworn she was trying not to smile.

“Then.. uh-“ he opened the door wider, taking a step out into the hallway, but his voice wouldn’t work all of a sudden. Don’t go, Wait, Stay, the words got lost in his throat, tangled in the memories of all the times they hadn’t worked. 

The ambience of the night had been his friend, hiding his loneliness with a blanket of polite indifference but saying it in the light of day was harder, more concrete. Irreversible.

She turned away, heading down the staircase now. 

Hayama stared after her; he’d missed his chance again.

A vision of Hisako’s back came to him suddenly; the way her hands had shook with barely concealed distress, the downward incline of her shoulders, her last words to him before she left; bitter and tired. I hope you’re happy. He should have let her go sooner. Sighing, he felt the weight of his mistakes chain him down and coerce him back into the room- back into his bed for the next hour, where they could run uninhibitedly in his dreams, and was about to take heed when–

“Hayama-kun?”

He looked up, bewildered; the dorm matron had paused on her way down the steps and gave him a little wave. 

Hayama lifted his hand almost involuntarily and waved back; What a strange woman. 

Ryōkō smiled brightly as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and the feeling from last night burst in chest.

He felt his thoughts recede almost instantly as the world flushed with colour, the line between past and present slicing through his hesitation like a well polished knife, daring him to make a choice. But she was already ahead of him there too. 

“I’ll see you downstairs in ten minutes.”

She was gone before he could open his mouth.

#Shokugeki no Soma #Food Wars: Shokugeki no Souma #食戟のソーマ | Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma #Hayama Akira/Sakaki Ryouko #Hayama Akira #shiomi jun #Arato Hisako #natsume sendawara #nakiri alice #Sakaki Ryouko #Kurokiba Ryou #5+1 things #fluff and angst #ao3 #ao3 writer #ao3fic #justminawrites #angst with a happy ending #strangers to lovers #one shot #Akisako (mentioned) #Hayajun (mentioned) #Minor Character Death #shokugeki ships #food wars: the second plate #food wars: the third plate #food wars: the fourth plate #food wars: the final plate #Ryōkō #Sakaki Ryōkō

[tk-productions]

Mystic Sisters -Ch.7 More & More

Hikari’s Pov

“Why can't you just tell me?” Yua yelled following me into my room.

“There’s nothing to tell you.” I shrugged sitting at my desk trying to ignore my sister.

“What do you mean? You were hanging out with Haru and probably talking about me.”

“I have better things to do besides talk about you. Haru walked home with me because he saw me walking alone. I wouldn't have been alone if you didn't have to stay after school. ” I said rolling my eyes at her.

“Don't sass me. Tell me what you were talking about. And I don't want you hanging out with him.” she warned.

“Yua I don't have to tell you anything. Haru and I are friends. You can't tell me who I can and can't hang out with.”

“I'm not leaving until you tell me.” she replied, stomping her feet on the floor. I pushed her out of my room and into the hallway even though she protested.

“Now if you're done yelling at me I have homework that I would like to get done before dinner.” I shut the door, slamming it and walked back to my desk. I could hear Yua slam her bedroom door.

Geez what's gotten into her? I thought, sliding into my chair and opening up a box of Pocky. For some reason Yua has been moody and has taken her anger out on me every chance she gets. Yesterday she got mad because I used the last of her shampoo. Before school she was mad because I was wearing her jacket. And now she's upset because Haru walked me home from school.

“Haru you didn't have to walk me all the way home.” I said standing on the front steps.

“It wasn't a problem, it gave us a chance to talk. Plus I dont live that far.” That was true Haru only lived a couple blocks from us. Before Yua walked to where we were standing I could feel her presence.

“Why is he here?” she growled.

“He was just leaving.” I said giving Haru a look. He picked up on my signal and hurried home.

“Yua why are you acting like this? You've been getting mad at me all week for no reason.” she rolled her eyes opening the front door.

I kept trying to talk to her all week but it just ended with her getting mad at me. I started to think that I did something wrong but if I did she would tell me. Right? A few hours later I knocked on Yua’s door.

“Go away.” she said muffled from behind the door.

“Just talk to me please.” I pleaded. She opened the door and gave me a blank stare.

“Did you finally come to tell me why you were with Haru?”

“I told you earlier we walked home together. We stopped at the convenience store for ice cream but that was it.Is Haru the only one you're worried about? What about me? You know you haven't been the nicest to me lately.” I fumed.

“Hikari I don't want to talk to you right now.”

“The same way you wont talk to Haru?” I shot back.

“Why are you always bringing him up? Don't you think it weird you're still friends with my ex?”

“You're the one that keeps talking about him! You're obviously still in love with him.” I yelled.

“Hik-”

“No. Don't talk to me until you figure things out.” I walked back to my room and threw myself on my bed. I loved Yua but I hate when she acts like this. Angrily I grabbed my manga off my desk and read until mom called us down for dinner.

We ate dinner in silence besides our parents asking us a few questions here and there. I guess they picked up on our weird behavior when my dad gave a mom a look.

“Girls, is there something going on? You've been quiet.” Dad asked us. I shook my head no without making eye contact with him.

“Everything is just fine.” Yua replied, glancing over at me while angrily stabbing her chopsticks into her bowl of chicken curry. I pushed my empty plate away from me and stood up annoyed with Yua.

“I'm going to bed.” I hurried to my room before my parents could protest.

I could hear Yua go to her room a few minutes later. Maybe I could try talking to her tomorrow if she wasn’t still mad at me.

I woke up the next morning to find out that Yua had left for school without me. I guess she was really mad. I grabbed my backpack and went downstairs to the kitchen.

“Hi honey.” my mom smiled pouring herself a cup of coffee which was probably her second cup of the day. I smiled back and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl.

“I'll drop your duffle bag at Hisako’s house on my way to work.” she pulled me in for a bone crushing hug as I tried to take a bite of my apple.

“Mom, I'm just spending the weekend at Hisako’s. You're acting like I'm moving out.” I say muffled. She let me go and laughed.

“Have a good day and text me when you get to Hisako’s. Okay?” I nodded and told her goodbye.

It was a lonely ride on the trade without Yua. When I got to school I peeked inside her classroom only to find she wasn't there either. I saw Hisako talking with a girl and when she saw me she gave me a warm smile. She stepped outside the classroom and ran over to me.

“Have you seen Yua?” She shook her head.

“No she hasn't come in yet. Is everything okay? Is she still mad at you?” I nodded and Hisako opened her arms for a hug. I hugged her back embracing her warmth.

“You didn't walk together?”

“No.” I sighed still in Hisako’s arms while she patted my head.

“Don't worry. She’ll talk when she’s ready. You know you guys always work it out.” I knew she was right. Hisako was comforting. She always knew how to make me feel better. I looked up at Hisako smiling at her.

“Aww you're so cute.” she cooed, pinching my cheeks.

“Why are you like this?” I winned trying to break free.

“Why are you so cute?” she laughed. A group of students walked past us and Hisako pushed me off as her cheeks turned red. I looked to see who the students were and turned back to her laughing.

“Did your crush just see you cuddling me and calling me cute?” I laughed again teasing her.

“Go to class.” she rolled her eyes, walking back into class.

I didn't see Yua all day. I tried texting her but I never got a reply. She was really ignoring me. I peeked over the students looking for Yua as I waited for Hisako by the front gate of school. “She probably went home. Is she really that upset with me?” I thought to myself.

“You still havent talked to her have you?” Hisako questioned. I shook my head and she gave me a reassuring smile.

“She’ll come around eventually. Cmon lets go get snacks for our sleepover.” she said grabbing my hand.

Yua’s Pov

When I got home the first thing I did was run a bath. “This calls for extra bubbles.” I yawned while grabbing the bubble bath from the cabinet. I stepped into the tub and relaxed under the warm water. I knew Hikari was hurt because I could feel it. Mom would say it's our twintuition. Maybe that was the reason we’re so close and why this isn't one of our normal fights. I know I hurt my sister. I sighed resting my head against the cold bathroom tile. Both of my parents were at work and Hikari was at a sleepover so it was just me and my thoughts. Those were the same thoughts that kept reminding me of how I've been taking my anger out on Hikari the past week. At first I didn't know why I was so upset. I finally realized it after our fight last night.

“Why are you always bringing him up? Don't you think it weird you're still friends with my ex?”

“You're the one that keeps talking about him! You're obviously still in love with him.”

When she said that to me I didn't want to believe it but the fight kept replaying in my head last night. That's when I realized she was right. I still love Haru and it hurts that he’s pushing me away. When I saw them together yesterday I was jealous. I was jealous that they were able to talk so easily like him and I used to. I got out of the tub and wrapped myself in my robe. After getting changed I sat on my bed with my phone in my hands. My fingers kept hovering over Hikari’s contact.

Should I text her? Maybe I should call? I don't want to ruin her night. Why do I do this to myself? I groaned lying on my bed, tossing my phone to the side. Hikari wasn't the only one I needed to call right now. It was Haru. Before I could call him I was interrupted by the front door opening.

“Yua come help me with the groceries!’ mom called from downstairs.

“Im coming!”

“Mom when is Hikari coming back?” I asked putting away the vegetables.

“Sunday. Why, whats up?”

“Nothing I was just wondering.”

“Is everything okay with you two? You've been acting weird the past few days.” she stopped and turned to face me.

“No everything is fine. She wanted me to help her with some homework but I guess Hisako can help her.” I lied. She nodded, probably not believing me and went back to putting up the groceries.

I guess I have to wait until sunday to fix this.

Hikari’s pov

Hisako sat in her bed as I laid in her lap watching a movie. “How many times are you gonna make me watch this?” I yawned, growing bored.

“You know it's our tradition to watch Mean Girls during our sleepovers.”

“Yeah but do we have to watch it 5 times in one night?” I laughed looking up at her. I got off her bed and dug through my duffle bag until I pulled out two sheet masks. I turned to show her and she smiled.

“Are those the ones with green tea?” She asked joining me on the floor. I nodded handing her a mask. It was quiet besides the sound of the tv playing or the occasional giggle from Hisako.

“I missed this. We should have our sleepovers more.” I said resting my head on her shoulder. She nodded in response.

The next morning I waved to Hisako and her mom as they dropped me back off at home.

“Mom, I'm home!” I yell entering the house. No answer. I placed my keys on the entryway table and called her again. I walked into the kitchen to see Yua placing freshly baked cookies onto a tray.

“Mom had a last minute work meeting.”

“Oh.”

“Cookie?” She asked, holding the tray towards me offering a small smile.

“No thanks.” I started to walk away when she called my name.

I turned back to face her. “What? Are you gonna yell at me because I didn't take one of your cookies?” She stepped closer to me and sighed.

“No, I made those as a peace offering. I wanted to talk to you...about everything.” I studied her face for a moment before replying. I grabbed a cookie off the tray and stuffed it into my mouth.

“Well it’s gonna take a lot more than chocolate chip cookies to win me over.” I mumbled. She laughed walking out the kitchen to the living room. I followed sitting on the opposite side.

“I know I’ve been a horrible sister and i'm sorry for that. No, not just that. I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. I never meant anything I said. I was mad at Haru and took it out on you. Also I was jealous. I was jealous because you were able to talk to him while I've been trying to do that for months. I don't expect you to forgive me right now but just know I'm really sorry and most importantly I love you.” Yua stared at me the whole time with glossy eyes. I knew she meant what she said. I scooted over sitting closer to her.

“You promised that you would never let a guy in the way of our relationship. You broke that promise and hurt me but I know how much Haru means to you. I'm willing to forgive you for now.” she smiled at me for the first time all week before engulfing me in a hug.

“You're my favorite sister and nothing can change that.”

“Yua I’m your only sister.” I pulled away from her. She was back to being herself.

“When we were fighting I realized you were right. I still love him. I left early for school. I wanted to talk to him and work everything out not because I was avoiding you.”

“Did you ever find him?”

“No.” I groaned leaning on the back of the couch. “I tried looking for him all day only to find out he didn't show up for school.”

“Talk to him tomorrow no matter what.”

“I will. You don't have to worry about us.” she smiled reaching for a cookie on the coffee table.

“Yua the day you saw us together we were talking about you. Haru doesn't know how to be around you anymore. He doesn't know how to talk to you. He knows when he left he hurt you and he doesn't want to do that again.” she stared back at me with a shocked expression on her face.

“I would never do anything to hurt you. You know Haru and I are friends. I was just comforting him.” Yua pulled me into another hug but this time it was tighter.

“Wow I really am a bad sister.”

“No, I understand why you were upset. Just have a little more faith in me next time. Okay?”

“This is why you can't date until you're 30.”

“Yuaaa.” I winned. She let me go and stood up from the couch.

“Fine you can date when you're 29.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“C'mon I’ll treat you to dinner. What do you want?”

“Shabu-Shabu!” I yelled excitedly.

“I should have known.”

#oc #anime #oc story #vampire #vampireromance #animestory #japan #lightnovel #ocmanga #manga #vampire light novel #original light novel #oc character #oclightnovel #fantasy #vampirelightnovel #vampiremanga #mangastory

[lo-55]

Shattering Chains of Fate Ch. 16

(Not) One of Us

School started far too soon for Ichigo’s tastes.

He sits in the back of the room, with the doors within view and the windows to his left. He has two ways out and access to all entry points, in case something horrible happens. Hopefully it won’t, but it’s an old paranoia that keeps him on his toes.

His friends, thankfully, seem to be readjusting to life as humans. Uryu had taken hard to losing his powers, something that even Orihime couldn’t fix, but Ichigo had spoken to Ryuken about it after they got back and the man had had the strangest look in his eyes. Ichigo wasn’t too worried about him. Uryu was more temperamental and vicious than the rest of them, for all he seemed to be elegance incarnate. He was also more resilient than he looked.

He shouldn’t have to be. But Ichigo couldn't change that.

He was barely listening to their teacher talk about some new student when an awareness shot through him.

He sat up straighter when a young man walked into the room. Straight blond hair, a curved smile, and long limbs. He was fit and strong. He didn’t have much puppy fat, but he could have passed for someone held back a couple of years if it weren’t for his eyes.

  The eyes always give it away.  

They were playful, mischievous, and far too old to belong to a human.

Ichigo slammed his head onto his desk and ignored the startled squacks and stares from his neighbors. What the fuck is happening now? Can’t his life ever be normal?

He manages to hide a rueful smile. No, it can’t be normal. If it was normal, Ichigo would be a paranoid wreck. As long as strange, dangerous things were happening he knew he could handle whatever came at him.

Like the new kid was coming at him.

  Void dust, mirrors, sand storms.  

Ichigo lifts his head up to watch the new boy sit next to him. Shinji Hirako. He’d written his name backwards at the front of the room. For some reason Ichigo thinks of inverted pyramids.

He can tell, just by looking, this guy is trouble.

  Aren’t I trouble too?  

“Looks like I’ll be sitting next to you, Kurosaki. Let’s treat each other well.”

His smile is easy and his stance is confident, even when sitting.

Ichigo gives him a very pointed once over.

“Sure. Nice to meet you, Hirako.”

Ichigo manages to get halfway through the day before a hollow shows up and ruins it for him. He pops out of his body and leaves Kon to play student while he goes to take care of the issue and comes back. Three come throughout the day, more than there had been before Ichigo had left for Seireitei. It’s starting to tick him off.

It happens again while he’s doing his homework, only then he’s not alone.

Some dude with an afro interrupts him after it's dead. He shows him the badge Ukitake gave him, but apparently someone was pulling his leg. Or worse.

Ichigo is about to tell the shinigami where to shove it when his instincts scream at him and yank his hand around. Zangetsu sings when it collides with what would have cut deeply into Ichigo’s shoulder. A katana.

Ichigo doesn’t even pretend to be surprised by its owner.

“Hirako.”

The man grins like a cat.

Ichigo shoves him back to give himself room to breath. “When you said ‘take care of each other’ I didn’t know you meant like this,” Ichigo waves his hand at the two of them, swords drawn.

“What can I say. I wanted to see what ya would do,” Hirako is lazy and catlike as he prowls to the side. Ichigo keeps step opposite of him and the pair circle one another. “You should really lock your reiatsu down. You’ll attract unwanted attention this way.”

Ichigo scowls at him. “I am! This is as far down as it goes.” Kyo had gotten him to contain himself somewhere in Ohio, so he didn’t want another lecture on this!

“...Wow. Your control must suck worse than I thought.”

“You know what mother fucker-”

“Language! And here I was goin outta my way to be polite to ya,” Hirako said mournfully. He tapped the flat edge of his katana over his shoulder. He looked utterly at ease. Ichigo repressed a growl. It was for the best. The worse off Hirako thought he was the more of an upper hand Ichigo had.

“Uh huh,” Ichigo says dryly.

‘Ichigo,’ comes Medusa’s voice in his head.

  ‘Stay where you are. I’m fine for now. If anything happens, Achille’s can get to me in a second. He’s a Saber, for sure. You’re still a Lancer, not a Rider. You’re at a disadvantage where as I’m on even ground. Hold place.’

‘Right,’ all three chorus.

“I am!”

“Why don’t you just tell me what you came here for and we go back to being friendly,” Ichigo suggested. “Or we can keep fight, but we have to take it out of town. I’m not really…. Subtle.”

“No shit?” Hirako grins wider at him. “Alright, if ya wanna know so badly.”

He reached up and grasps the air just above his hairline before he pulls down-

A hollow mask.

Ichigo has no idea what to make of this. Kyo had said something about breaking down barriers with his Hogyoku, and making hybrids.

Ichigo touches his own cheek. He’d never made the connection before, but when he’d been fighting Kyoraku he’d felt something cool and familiar on his cheek. And his injuries. They turned white, like a hollow with a healing factor.

Something clicks into place.

Nieve. Nieve was another facet of his power. A shinigami power and hollow power. But no quincy?

His head was starting to hurt.

“Huh,” was all he said.

“Do you get it now? I’m a vizard. A shinigami who’s crossed into the domain of the hollows. I’m just like you.”

Ichigo nearly laughs.

“So join us.”

He nearly chokes.

“...Yeah. No. I just met you, and you just attacked me out of the blue. So. No.”

Hirako’s face contorted like he’d tasted something sour. “Didn't ya hear a word I just said? You're a Visored too. I know ya are. You’ll need our help.”

Ichigo lay Zangetsu back on his back so he could cross his arms over his chest. He eyed Hirako hard. He didn’t seem malicious, even if he had just attacked him. Ichigo knew when he was being played with, and having people test his skills was unfortunately familiar territory by now.

“Give me some credit,” Ichigo said tersely. “I’m not a lost dog looking for a pack. What does it matter if we are similar? I don’t know who told you about me, or what they said, but I’m not interested in joining any weird underground organization, or whatever you are. I have other things to do with my life, you know.

Hirako regarded him with new eyes. His head cocked, sending straight strands of blond fluttering out of the perfectly straight cut.

“Will it help if I say Kisuke asked me to help out?”

“He’s even shadier than you are. So no.”          

“Man. Kisuke wasn’t kiddin when he said you were stubborn, Kurosaki.”

Ichigo didn’t respond directly. He did have questions. A lot of questions. About Visards, and Kisuke, and Hirako too, but he couldn’t give himself away that easily. Not now that he had other options. Powerhouses at his back, ready and willing to fight. Ichigo gave Hirako and sharp once over, drinking in his power.

He was strong, but there was something slippery about him that made Ichigo’s hair stand on end. A very dangerous man indeed. Not to mention that as soon as the mask had come out his energy had more than doubled.

“Yer gonna need our help,” Hisako said again. “You must have already felt it. The hollow trying to claw its way into power. In soul society, you fought some pretty tough people, right?”

He knows exactly when Hirako is talking about. His fight with Kyoraku. Still, it’s clear Hirako is operating under false assumptions. There hadn’t been a struggle for control. It had been a surge of power and the taste of void dust, white on his skin and the guiding hand of instinct. Vicious and pure, a fight to survive. A fight to win.

“It’ll keep fighting to take control until it consumes ya. We can teach you how to control it.”

Ichigo narrows his eyes.

“I’m still not interested. And we’ve got homework, you know. I’ll see you tomorrow, Hirako. Maybe we’ll talk more then.”

After he’d had time to figure a few things out.  

*

For the first time in what feels like a lifetime Ichigo feels long fingers twine through his hair.

Ichigo opens his eyes to pale blue skies and lavender eyes.

“I’m dreaming,” Ichigo smiles slowly. He sits up and drags Merlin into a hard embrace.

He gives a startled, “Ooof!” But doesn’t push Ichigo away. He chuckles against Ichigo’s orange hair. “I see you missed me.”

“Shut up and enjoy the moment,” Ichigo scolds.

“Oh, forgive me master. I should just take you attention when you deign to give it.”

“I’m gonna punch you,” Ichigo warns. He let’s Merlin go a minute later. It’s only then that he realizes he’s not alone.

“Well ain’t this touchin’?”

Ichigo looks over his shoulder to find Nieve and Zangetsu standing behind them. They both look out of place in the beautiful scenery. They are weapons, creatures of battle and war. Not flowers and eternity.

Ichigo can’t imagine he looks any more like he belongs here. He is a soldier. He is not a real mage. He doesn’t have a place on Avalon. But, he has a place at Merlin’s side, where he sits. He shoots the mage a curious look.

Merlin smiles back at him, looking innocent. “I thought you might want to speak with them somewhere where they can’t disappear at will.”

Nieve looks offended. “Hey!”

Zangetsu frowns minutely. “This is a trap?”

“Of a sort,” Merlin admits.

“Are you reading my thoughts or something?” Ichigo asks. Merlin shakes his head.

“No. Only watching over you. I know you well enough to know when you need what little help I can provide you with from here. So, Ichigo. You have until you wake.”

“Asshole!” Nieve reaches for his sword, but Ichigo catches his wrists without even rising.

“Cut it out and sit down,” he scolds, his brows furrowing. “Merlin’s not wrong.”

He ignores the delighted smile on Merlin’s face.

“We need to have a conversation. All of us.  Sit .”

The both of them obey, slowly. Zangetsu looks physically pained. Ichigo ignores it. He looks to Nieve.

“You’re the ‘hollow’ Hirako was talking about, right?” He waits for a nod. Nieve is still, his shoulders drawn up and his mouth curved in more a grimace than a smile. “I thought so. That thing during my fight with Kyoraku, when I got stronger but it felt like my grip on reality was slipping, right before I got knocked out. And before, in America when Cu Alter- What?”

Both of them grew tense at the mention of the Berserker. Anger radiated off of even the normally calm Zangetsu.

“Yeah, you’re right, it was me. It had to be me! If I hadn’t stepped in you woulda died! Don’t you know that, King? Died! There was a hole in you’re goddamn chest and you didn’t even have a fuckin’ sword, and ya know what?!”

Ichigo leaned back when Nieve nearly launched himself forwards, right into his space. His gold eyes were furious and narrowed. “Ya keep pickin’ fights with stronger and stronger people! Fights ya can’t win on your own! So I stepped in, ‘cause if you die we all die and I’m not-”

“I’m not mad.” That shuts Nieve up a minute. Ichigo knocks him on the head lightly with a fist. “Stop freaking out already. I’m not mad. I just wanted to know, okay? I need to know what you are.”

“What I am? I’m you! I’m Zangetsu! I’m everything you could be if you just let yourself be! I’m the killing drive, and the shame and the guilt that your try to say you don’t have. I’m the anger under your skin and hatred in your bones. I’m your desperation, your fear. I am... your instincts! And I am not letting you die!”

Ichigo lets Nieve talk. By the time he’s done his chest is heaving and Zangetsu, who looks less an old man and more a young adult after their Bankai training, is staring at him from slightly behind him.

All is silent, for a long time, before Ichigo breaks the silence.

“Thank you.”

“I- what?” Nieve blinks at him, confused.

Ichigo runs his fingers through his hair and lets it fall back to his shoulders. “You said it yourself. When I was gonna die, you took over. You beat the Berserker. When I was losing my bout with Kyoraku, you started to step in again.”

“That witch did something to ya,” Nieve says reluctantly, “She did somethin’ to your heart. Our heart. I don’t think I can completely control ya anymore. That’s what stopped me when- well.”

“Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. If we’re really strong enough to take him on and win then…” Ichigo whistles softly. “So she stuck the raw destruction away. I get it now. That’s probably why no one told me before.”

“She told them not to,” Nieve actually pouts. “So ya wouldn’t be tempted to let me out again. Ya always fight too much with your head.”

“Uh huh,” Ichigo shakes his head. “Still. You saved my life, and probably everyone else I was trying to protect to. So thanks for that.”

“That’s it?” Nieve frowns at him. “You’re not gonna do...anything?”

“Not really? Now that I know how to listen to you there’s no reason for you to try and take control. We can fight together now. You’re still me, even you’re all the parts that make me reckless and dangerous. What else could I do but work with you?”

“Besides,” Ichigo smiles at them. “I always trust my instincts.”

Nieve gapes at him like a fish.

That just leaves one more thing.

Ichigo turns to Zangetsu expectantly.

“So?”

Zangetsu tenses. “So what?”

“There’s some things not adding up. And don’t think I missed what happened last time I tried to talk to you two. You kept him from saying something. What was it?”

They’re both silent. They look caught.

“...Does it have something to do with Nieve calling himself Zangetsu?”

“He doesn’t know what he said,” Zangetsu tries to dismiss. Ichigo pins him with a look.

“Don't’ start that. Tell me the truth. All of it. We’re going to fight together. We live and die together. I need to know what you’re hiding. Or how can I trust you to have my back? I’m not dealing with this again and I’m not putting up with it anymore.”

He’d let Romani hide things from him for a long time. He’d gone along with Kisuke even when he should have known better. He was not letting himself lie to him.

The air went out of Zangetsu. He turned his gaze to the grass, like it was too much to look at Ichigo.

“The truth. You want the truth. Of course you do.”

“Of course I do.”

Zangetsu sat back. His arms were braced. His hands are tight. He looks ready for a fight.

“The truth that I hid from you. And, from him.” he inclines his head to Nieve, the hollow. From both of them? “When we first met, I had him under careful control. It was difficult after his initial outburst, in America. But I managed. I needed to get to you first. I needed to be the source of your power, not him.”

“Why?”

“Because. I didn’t want you to fight. I don’t want you to fight. Fighting puts you in danger, and all I have ever desired was to protect you. I couldn’t do that if he was your power. It needed to be me. But the truth is, he is your Zanpakto. He is the true Zangetsu.”

Ichigo swallows thickly. That’s-

He didn't know what he was expecting. It wasn’t that.

“Then what are you? And why didn’t he tell me?”

“He didn’t know, at first. I pushed him so far down it confused his memories. We have both always been with you. Since the very beginning. Since you were born.”

“I’ll ask again. What are you?”

“I am… I am your inheritance from your mother.”

Ichigo freezes entirely.

“My-”

“I am the power you inherited from her. I am the part of your soul that is a quincy, and he is the part that is a shinigami.”

“A quincy. When I said I wished I was a quincy like her, why didn’t you say anything?”

“It was already too late,” dark hair falls along his cheeks. Anger pulls his mouth down. “I had just told you I was Zangetsu. How was I supposed to tell you I had lied when our relationship was so new? When our bond was so fragile? How could you trust me again after that? “

“After this?”

“Why did you lie in the first place? Why didn’t you just tell me that I was quincy all along? I could have fought-”

“It wouldn’t have worked. Your shinigami powers are more suited to combat.”

Shame curls around the spirit. Ichigo tries to wrap his head around everything he’s been told.

He is a quincy. He’s a shinigami. And a visord.

“How did I even end up with the shinigami and the hollow powers to start with?!”

The two spirits exchange the first glance from the time they’d been drawn into the meadow.

Merlin hums softly and cards his fingers through Ichigo’s hair soothingly.

“I might be able to tell you that. Though I can only observe what’s happening right now outside my tower, I have done some investigating on your behalf since this all started. Did you know your father and Urahara Kisuke were once friends? They met together after you left on your journey.”

“My dad and Urahara… oh. Oh. Dad’s a shinigami,” he doesn’t even feel anything towards that. No anger. No remorse. “And the hollow aspects?” he asks Nieve.

Nieve quirks a half a grin.

“Aizen’s fault, actually.”

“... of course it is.”

**

Of all the people Ichigo doesn’t know what to make of, Dr. Jekyll may just take the cake.

He’s a nice man. And smart. Too smart, really, for his own good, but Ichigo knows the book. He’s only read a few quotes from it for a project ages ago, but everyone and their mother and knows the gist of it.

Jekyll transforms into Edward Hyde, a horrible monster of some sort.

Yet, Ichigo sees no sign of darkness in Jekyll at all. Is there really a chance that he’s just coincidentally named after a title character from a famous novel?

No, definitely not.

It’s not possible at all.

Ichigo keeps his eyes on him. Closely.

Jekyll adjusts his gloves every few minutes, or whenever he’s talking about the fog or people being hurt. It’s a nervous habit for sure.

Ichigo wishes he could see his hands. He could see if there were calluses on his fingers or along his palms or knuckles. Nothing about Jekyll said he was a fighter.

Still, he was a doctor. If he did have to fight, wouldn’t that be perfect? He would know exactly where and how to hit someone to put them down.

Somehow, Ichigo can’t imagine Henry Jekyll hurting a fly.

They endeavor together to save the city. To save humanity.

There may be plenty of rotten people in the world, but there’s still good ones. Jekyll is one of them.  

* * *

Karin and Yuzu are cornered by him a day later at breakfast.

They managed to get him alone in the kitchen while their dad is in the clinic and Ichigo’s servants are out exploring the city, save Medusa who is in the livingroom.

Cornered is not the right word. Ichigo sits at the kitchen table while Yuzu works at the stove and Karin plays at her handheld, but they’re both watching him.

They know, he’s sure. Kon wasn’t really a very good actor, and his sisters aren’t by any means stupid. They’ve had to grow up fast, all three of them. Isshin was a failure of a father, something that Ichigo would have denied three years ago. He can’t anymore.

Ichigo fiddles with his hoodie strings for a few minutes while he tries to figure out how to broach the sensitive topic in front of him. In the end he does what he usually does. He says fuck it and goes for it.

“I found out something about mom.”

Karin’s head snaps up so fast her hat falls off. Yuzu spins around in the kitchen to look at him, surprise written clearly across her small face. Ichigo motions them both towards him.

“I found out mom could see ghosts too,” he says quietly. So Isshin won’t overhear, if he’s close enough. He won’t let him ruin this. He won’t let him keep secrets from the girls. “She was a quincy. A human who can see and interact with spirits.”

“Like you and Karin?” Yuzu’s frown is a sad thing. Ichigo cringes. She’s the odd one out, again.

“Yeah. And like you too. You may only sense them, but you’re like us too. Quincy are… fighters, I guess. They protect people from bad spirits. Mom was one of them. I guess I kind of am too, and you guys must be as well.”

“Fighters,” Karin repeats. She keeps her eyes on Ichigo. “Can you teach us to fight like them?”

Ichigo scowls. He doesn’t want them fighting at all, but he can’t exactly forbid them from doing it.

“Me? No.”

“But you know someone who can.”

He looks at Yuzu, who’s staring at him too. He thinks sometimes that she’s the strongest out of all of them. She’s the sweetest, but she’s also a steel spined girl who controls the household herself, and has for years despite being so young.

It’s Ichigo’s fault, he should have taken more of the burden from her.

It’s Isshin’s fault, none of them should have to bear the burden of running a house at all.

“Maybe. Probably.”

“Great,” Yuzu smiles sweetly at him. “You can introduce us this weekend. Eat your rice.”

Ichigo mutely does as he’s told, hiding a smile.

Isshin was gonna kill him. It would totally be worth it.

* * * *

Edward Hyde is a terrible man.

He’s as hedonistic as Jekyll is sincere and good. He’s as violent as his counterpart is passive, as vulgar as the other is polite.

Ichigo is almost ashamed to say he doesn’t mind the Berserker at all.

He’s honest, at least, and more loyal than Ichigo would have thought he would be. He delights in combat and blood shed, and he harms everything he touches reflexively.

Except Ichigo, apparently.

Ichigo peers over his shoulder at the destroyed helter skelters they’d encountered on their way out for supplies, if they could find them. Mash had been forced down a seperate street, leaving Ichigo with Jekyll, who had had no other option but to risk changing shape into this creature that lived under his skin.

Ichigo kept his hand on Hyde’s shoulder even when the Berserker pressed a knife to his throat. No blood was spilled by it. Red eyes were bright and nearly feral with delight over the fight. Ichigo could feel a headache coming on. This was going to be an interesting one.

“I think they’re dead,” he says dryly, nodding to the scraps of metal scattered around the ground.

“THey were fucking weak. And I’m bored. Why shouldn’t I cut you up?” he tilts his head and a wide grin spreads across his face. Ichigo doesn’t even blink.

“Because I’m too pretty?” he says dryly.

Hyde’s smile slips with surprise before it comes back and he cackles. “For once that punk ass bitch found a friend with a spine.”

Ichigo arches a brow. “Have you met Mordred? She’ll kick the shit out of you. “  

Hyde laughs again, like a crazy person, and pulls the knife back. “Let’s go. I wanna destroy something else before Henry get’s in my way again!”

“Joy,” Ichigo rolls his eyes, but follows after. Hopefully Mash will catch up soon.

* * * * *

“So,” Ichigo drawls slowly at Hirako when he sits next to him. “You’re really not giving this whole ‘joining you’ thing up easily, are you?”

Hirako shot him a grin. “I’m not givin up after only two days. Ya need our help, whether ya like it or not, Ichigo.”

The way he said Ichigo’s name, sing song and cheerful, made Ichigo wanna punch him in the face.

“Are you gonna try to fight me this afternoon too?” He asks. “Because I have other things I need to do. You know I have a life, right?”

“If ya do, you really should concede and let me help already. As long as you’re a visord all yer friends, all yer family is gonna be in danger. Until ya learn to control it.”

“I’ve got it all handled, thanks. I don’t know what yours is like, or what your situation is, but I’ve handled mine just fine.”

Hirako side eyed him mistrustfully. Ichigo ignores him entirely in favor of staring at the clock as it ticks down the last few seconds before school is over.

As soon as the bell rings he’s out of his chair and on his way to the door, until a hand catches his wrist.

He turns back to see Hirako smiling innocently at him, but his grip is a steel trap.

“Just what are you doing?” Ichigo asks with a scowl.

“Ya say ya have everything handled? Fine. Prove it, and I’ll let ya go on your merry way.”

Ichigo narrows his eyes. He does not like this at all, but what else can he do?

“... fine. Let’s go somewhere more private.”

“Oh Ichigo,” Hirako’s grin grows. “Buy me dinner first!”

“How about a knuckle sandwich?” Ichigo pulls his hand back and turns to march away. Fuck, he’s gonna have to ask Urahara for a favor now.

This is not a good day. Not at all.

* * * * * *

#Ichigo Kurosaki #bleach fanfiction #BAMF!Ichigo Kurosaki #Ichigo Kurosaki is Ritsuka Fujimaru #gin ichimaru #hirako shinji #urahara kisuke #jeckyll and hyde #Merlin Fate/Grand Order

[writer-and-artist27]

Scars and Pledges

When you’re studying for finals, feeling particularly stressed (not helped by numbers on a weight scale), writing comes out. 

I hope Arturia comes to my Chaldea one day because I do not have a SINGLE Saberface and I want her to be the first. For now, I’ll just keep writing.

Healing Over Time Chapter 5 Preview. Takes place immediately after Chapter 4. So far inspired by the official Garden of Avalon drama CD. @withanina has been the only person who has seen this so far, so here you go. Something new to share since I’ve been quiet. 

(@chiefladylightyay, I’m looking at you.) 

This is for everyone else wondering wtf is going on with me. ANGST-FLUFF. Because finals prep can do that.

Trigger warning also applies for implied past violence and flashback mentioned. 

------------------------------------------

“Tomoko. My Lady.” Saber started the conversation at an empty kitchen table, having sunk to one knee while keeping eye contact. She wasn’t even sitting on a chair, leaving me to look down at her. “You know that we are in a contract as Master and Servant.”

“Mm,” was the little noise that left my throat. My stomach was churning in that not-so-happy way and my face must’ve reflected it because Saber’s green eyes seemed sad somehow when looking up at me. “I… I wish it wasn’t such a formal thing, though.” I wanted to reach out to Saber, to hug her, to hold her hand and comfort her because this looming talk didn’t seem to be one either of us wanted. It was a reminder of how, as much as I wanted to be equals with her, this entire position made it feel like it was not that. “Because, Saber…”

My throat closed up on the words. I love you and you deserve better. 

Saber’s eyes softened. Did she hear my thoughts? “I know, Milady,” she said dutifully, taking one of my hands in hers. “And I am forever grateful for that. Still, I must apologize for not addressing this sooner. Your kindness has been something that I have been taking for granted, and in hindsight, I should not have done so.” She squeezed my hand tightly while bowing her head. “I should have informed you of the nuances that come with our being Contracted so that this morning would not have happened.”

Oh. “The dreams?” I said softly.

“The dreams,” Saber confirmed, her thumb rubbing my knuckles. “From my knowledge of magecraft and of past Holy Grail Wars, dreams are something Master and Servant share. The contents can be faded, at times erratic, but it always pertains to moments we have experienced in the past. From my own recollections, my previous Masters could see my memories as King, but…” her grip on my hand loosened. “This is the first time I could see memories of my Master.”

A sharp pang of “ow” rang through my abdomen. This morning, she had a hand on my stomach. She had looked at me like she had seen me die before. It all confirmed it. She saw my fall. She knew about October Tenth now. All I could do was open my mouth, trying to hide my quivering lip. “I-I’m sorry.”

Saber raised her head to look at me incredulously, green eyes wide. “Milady, why — why are you apologizing?”

I ducked away and broke the eye contact, feeling far too ashamed to look at her in the eye. “I saw things that were really personal to you and unintentionally exposed you to things from my past that I’m still trying to grasp myself. I’m really sorry. For not knowing, for showing you all that.” My cheek wasn’t bleeding, but I could faintly taste the aftertaste of iron. Memories or phantom pain, I didn’t know anymore. I just messed up, and for once, it felt like there was no fixing this. Like there was no going back. Like I was going to lose Saber, and that was terrifying. “I-I’m sorry, Art-san.”

“Milady,” Saber said softly and a hand was tilting my chin up. My vision was blurring a little, but there was no mistaking the emotion in her emerald green eyes. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. I should be the one apologizing, simply because I did not tell you before it happened.” Her hand slowly traveled upwards to cup my cheek, her thumb wiping at the edges of my eyes. “There’s no need to cry.”

I bit my lip while trying to look into those emerald green eyes. I didn’t deserve her. I didn’t. “I still looked into something personal to you, Art-san. I violated your privacy.” 

I saw someone you haven’t talked to in what looks like a long time — I stepped into a memory that should’ve been yours alone. 

“But I did the same, Milady, and I did not warn you.” Her smile seemed mournful, regretful somehow as her shoulders slackened in her long-sleeved sweatshirt. “The fault is all mine.”

There is nothing to blame yourself for, echoed in my mind’s ear and a shiver traveled up my spine. Do not take this all on yourself, Master. 

How could I respond to all that? How could I?

“A-Are,” I shakily raised one of my hands to rest over hers still on my cheek, grasping it. “Are you okay then, Saber?”

Saber blinked slowly at me. “In a moment,” she acquiesced finally after a small pause, her thumb still pressing against the edges of my eyes. “When you have calmed down.”

This Knight. This selfless, ridiculous Knight. The first tear was already trailing down my cheek once I fell from my chair and into Saber’s arms. She gasped against the side of my head, her hand on my cheek having long gone away to support both of our weights against the carpet. The first sniffles had started leaving my nose and I did my best to hide in her shirt, inhaling as much oxygen as I could. “S-Saber… Saber, Saber, Saber…” 

I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I should be better, but it all hurts, my stomach hurts, just, just—  

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m scared of hurting you and I don’t know what to do.

“Oh,” she said breathily in realization, fingers already threading through my hair. I didn’t even realize I was broadcasting my thoughts until she tucked me into her arms, straightening her posture to properly accommodate for a hug. “Milady, Milady, it is alright. It is alright. You did not hurt me.” A soft kiss pressed against my head as the hug became tighter. Warmer. Safer. “It is alright. I am alright. You did not hurt me, Milady.”

I clung to her, the tears falling like rain against her shirt. If she minded, Saber didn’t seem to be up to voicing it, instead brushing through my long hair and humming gently. “Tomoko. It is alright. Calm your fears. You do not have to cry.”

B-But, but— 

“Y-You don’t mind?” I whimpered, feeling my tongue dry from the sobs beginning to echo in my throat. “I-I’m ruining your shirt, Art-san. I-I—” I’m being a burden. I should be better than this, I’m not being the best for you—

Two hands were gently pushing at my shoulders to break the hug and a sniff left my nose as soon as Art-san’s eyes were boring into mine. I shut my eyes almost immediately. She shouldn’t have been looking at me like that. She shouldn’t need to. “Tomoko.” Her forehead bumped mine. “It is alright. Please look at me.” 

“…”

Two firm hands were covering mine, preventing me from wiping at my face. “Please, Milady.”

I did my best to gulp down another sob before opening my eyes. My vision was still blurry, but there was no mistaking the pure relief in those emerald eyes as Saber smiled. “My lady,” she breathed in relief and I tried not to flinch once she leaned over to press a kiss to my forehead. “You are alright. And I am still here, unhurt and by your side. I am not leaving.”

Those were words I had heard time and time again. From Kei, from Obi, from Ricchan, Kashi, Papa, Mama — everyone. And yet again, darkness curled in my veins. It was such a sweet saying, why was I— 

“Are…” my voice became quiet, shy as I did my best to not look at her. “Are you sure?” I had no clue where I was going with this. But life was never fair. Bad things just happened and sometimes, there was no way to fix them. “I’m… I’m not as great of a Master as your previous ones may have been, Art-san. I’m not perfect.” 

I don’t know if I’m good enough for you. I don’t know if I ever will be. 

I had no clue if I was anywhere close to fixing myself, even after October Tenth was over. Even after Kei and the others came back from Kannabi alive. 

I was still scarred. I was still broken.

Even after Hisako had disappeared years ago, a part of me was still that scared little girl, missing her Nobody and wondering whether everyone would leave if she messed up again.

And no matter what I did, no matter how much Kei fought, there would always be someone who would light the fuse to war because they wanted something more from the world. 

How could I—

------------------------------------------

In all of her days as King and Heroic Spirit, Arturia Pendragon was familiar with the concept of tears. Slowly becoming human again during her time with Shirou and Rin in Fuyuki was proof of that, because seeing them flee after Caster had taken control pained her beyond anything else.

Saber thought that she was familiar with pain.

But the world was proving her wrong yet again with her new Master currently sobbing in-between her arms. Even after a tight hug and muttered reassurances into that rosemary-scented hair, Tomoko still looked so small when not meeting her gaze, the occasional jolt of her shoulders through her crumpled white nightgown the only proof Saber had that she was listening. Her cheeks were pink for the completely wrong reasons, not helped with the glistening tear trails on her face. 

Even with all her experiences, Saber had no idea of how to proceed. After all, she had failed in informing her lady of the concept of shared dreams and even if she was shocked at seeing Tomoko fall in the past, the simple fact that Tomoko knew she saw the event and was then reduced to this state — it all accounted for a situation that Saber wished she could have avoided sooner. 

A Servant should have known better.

A Knight should have fought harder so that these kinds of moments would not have occurred. 

Arturia once took up the Sword of Selection in the hopes of bringing Britain prosperity. She had done her best as King, in spite of the Battle at Camlann, but now, as a mere Servant and ally of this civilian girl, being unable to stop her tears, where did that leave her?

“A-Are…” Tomoko was finally speaking and Arturia leaned in desperately to hear. “Are you sure? I’m… I’m not as great of a Master as your previous ones may have been, Art-san. I’m not perfect.” 

Her heart could have broken from those words alone, but what made something truly snap was the single thought echoing in Arturia’s head.

I don’t know if I’m good enough for you. I don’t know if I ever will be. 

This girl. This selfless, foolish girl. There was no need for such worries. And yet she worried anyways.

Was this how the King of Conquerors felt when looking at Arturia years ago?

Tomoko could have resembled Shirou in how hopeless she sounded. 

Saber inhaled slowly before channeling her mana. The familiar feeling of her armor overtaking her clothes was comforting and the winds that came with it were enough to jolt her lady out of whatever dark stupor had taken her. Those blue eyes were wide in her direction, still filled with tears and red-rimmed, but they were focused on Saber and Saber alone, so she could not afford to lose this chance. 

“Master. No, Tomoko.” Saber gently pulled Tomoko to her feet before sinking to one knee in front of her. Tomoko was yelping in what sounded like surprised embarrassment, but quieted once Excalibur had shown itself in Saber’s right hand. Arturia merely rested her Gift from the Lady of the Lake in front of her Master too. 

Nothing could truly match the person in front of her. Nothing, and no one.

“A-Arturia-san?” 

It was a quiet voice, but it was still the voice of a lady that could have been greater than Guinevere. Kinder than Irisviel. 

How many people out there truly cared for others like Tomoko did? 

How many people in the world truly doubted themselves over simply “not being enough” for a Servant? 

How many people treated a Servant like they were human again?

Arturia simply kneeled. 

Tomoko was wrong in how she didn’t deserve Arturia. 

Arturia felt that she did not deserve Tomoko. 

“Please, Milady, believe this. On my honor as the King of Knights, the leader of the Round Table, the former King Arthur, I, Arturia Pendragon,” she took a breath, “I vow to be your sword. I pledge to stay by your side, to use this Holy Sword of Excalibur to protect you.” She raised her head while taking one of her Lady’s shaking hands in hers, gripping it tightly through her armor. 

Tomoko’s kindness could not be taken for granted, but that did not mean leaving it to fade into darkness.

Arturia had seen far too much darkness, far too much corruption in her past lives to let such virtue disappear again. Especially after Lancelot.

Kiritsugu may have had a point with his ideals, but he would have forgotten a girl like the one standing in front of Arturia right now. It was strange to think about him, but knowing he had sacrificed Irisviel for a hopeless wish made Arturia all the more determined when looking upwards into those blue eyes. 

As a lone Knight, she had someone to protect again. 

Arturia had someone to remind her she was human again.

“S-Saber…” Tomoko’s blue eyes merely filled with more of those thick, pearly tears. If Arturia did not know any better, she could have resembled Guinevere in her final moments. Thankfully, this was different. “You… Y-You can’t just say—” a sound that was caught between a sob and a laugh left her throat. “Art-san…”

Arturia slowly shook her head, silencing whatever protest that was on her lady’s lips. 

Perhaps this was too soon. Perhaps this was a hasty, a foolish decision. It could turn out to be a mistake paralleling her time in the Fourth Holy Grail War. But it felt just. It felt correct. It was a decision Arturia Pendragon could call her own and not one decided by fate or Merlin’s old foretellings. 

It felt like the right decision. 

Perhaps Irisviel would have loved to see this moment. 

Perhaps this was how Lancelot felt when first making love to Guinevere in secrecy. It was not the same kind of love, but there was no mistaking the warmth in Arturia’s chest reverberating from this girl’s mere presence. 

Like Shirou in some ways, other angles, not so much. Like Sakura, maybe, but more outspoken. Like Rin in their shared forwardness, but different.

Tomoko was her own person and there was no mistaking those blue eyes still trained on her.

Arturia was not sure of her exact feelings, but the words alone were genuine enough.

“I can say this and I will, Tomoko.” There was no going back. Arturia did not want to lose here. “It is because of your unrelenting kindness that I vow to care for you. I vow to love you, now and forevermore. For as long as you will have me, I will be by your side. I promise you.” Saber smiled before leaning in and pressing a kiss to the soft shaking fingers in her grip. “My clumsy, insecure, lovely Lady.” 

It was the least she could do to keep that light shining. Mistakes and cracks and all. 

Kei was right. Tomoko was sensitive, insecure. Perhaps fragile too, if not for that dream last night. But it was all imperfections that made her so human, and to see such pure emotional honesty was something Arturia unknowingly longed for after so many years. 

Perhaps, if Tomoko was in Camelot so long ago, maybe—  

Could Mordred have not rebelled in the face of such purity? 

There were so many what-ifs. 

Suddenly, there was a large sniffle and finally, finally, Arturia could see a smile on her Lady’s face. Tomoko was laughing — still shaking, but laughing, finally returning the grip Arturia had on her hand. It was so human to see her like that and in spite of how sudden the gesture was, Arturia could not help but feel relieved. “Y-You, you, you silly Knight,” she chuckled, falling to her knees to reach Arturia’s height before throwing her arms around her neck. Arturia blinked but did not hesitate to hug back, gently resting her armored gauntlets against that tangled long mane of black hair. “You shouldn’t have to dedicate your life to me—! Y-You should spend your life for yourself… Not for meeeeee…”

Oh.

Arturia chuckled too, resting her nose against her lady’s neck. Rosemary again. “It was my decision to say all that, Milady. And it is my decision to embrace you like this, to stay. If it means I am foolish and naive, so be it. A King can be selfish as well. Please remember that.” 

Something wet was starting to build up against Arturia’s shoulder, soaking her dress past the armor. The chest pressing against her breastplate was warm and real, and Tomoko was nodding jerkily. “D-Dork,” she cried, sniffling. “I-I just can’t win against you…”

What was there to win? Arturia Pendragon could not lose. 

“Tis was my intent, Milady,” Arturia smiled while tightening the embrace. “I suppose I should take your response as an affirmative?”

There’s no way I’m okay with you leaving after saying all that! 

Ah.

Instead of voicing the thought that just rang through Arturia’s mind, there was another, weaker, chuckle. “Aye… aye… D-Dork.” That phrase again. Said through a shaky voice, all the more hesitant and weak. Yet Tomoko pulled back and the sheer relief and love in her gaze pointed at Arturia alone was enough. “I-I’ll have to make you a large feast for breakfast now, Art-san. Knights need to eat too. A-And, let’s just talk about the dreams and the contract after that, okay? A-And no offense intended, but no more vows like that. I appreciate it a lot, but I don’t want to keep c-crying on you forever. Mama and Papa will wake up soon and I don’t want to be a baby forever.” 

This girl. Arturia merely chuckled and leaned in to press another kiss to Tomoko’s forehead. She spluttered loudly in surprised protest, but it was the desired reaction. Teasing was not beyond either of them. So, it was an improvement. 

Praise could not be brushed off so lightly, so Arturia whispered the words against her lady’s hair.

“You have never been a ‘baby’ in my eyes, Tomoko. You are already a proper Lady no one can ignore.”

#healing over time #writing #hoshino tomoko #arturia pendragon #fanfiction preview #long post #tw: long post #feeling like shit = good writing somehow! #i'm okay now though

[wishingforatypewriter]

The Son

Summary: In which Souma almost misses the birth of his son. 

Souma hadn’t been planning on leaving, not with his wife’s due date so close, but Erina had all but packed his bags and kicked him down the steps of their duplex. 

“I’m not going to have the kid for another two weeks—minimum,” she had said when he tried to put off his trip for the third time. “Just go to Paris and handle your affairs. I’ll live.” 

Because he knew he would never hear the end of it if he didn’t take her advice, Souma decided to go. It would be a quick trip—just three days—and he’d be back home before his wife’s next doctor’s appointment. 

He had just settled into his business class aisle seat—because he never got the aisle when he flew with Erina—when his phone started vibrating. 

“Did they close up your plane yet?” his wife asked, breathless, as soon as he answered. 

“I think they’re about to,” he said, glancing around at the flight attendants shutting overhead bins. “Why? What happened?” 

“Well...” She sighed. “If you want to finish your trip, it’s fine, but—”

Souma shook his head slightly. If he let her go on like this, she’d still be dancing around the point when he was halfway across the Pacific. “Babe, you kind of have to get on with it.” 

Erina scoffed, and in his mind’s eye Souma could see her flipping her hair back in that perpetually disgruntled manner of hers. “Well, it’s not like you need to come right away—”

“He probably does need to come now, Nakiri-san,” he heard her personal assistant, Kanon, say in the background. 

“Erina, what—”

“It appears that I am slightly in labor, so if you can um...not go to Europe it would be—” Erina trailed off then, turning away from the phone as she released an anguished sounding groan. 

Oh. Oh fuck. 

Souma was already grabbing his scarf and carry on from the overhead rack when Kanon came back on the line. “Souma-san?” she asked. 

“I’m here.”

“I don’t know if you got all that, but she wants you to meet us at St. Luke’s as soon as possible.” 

“Got it. Thanks, Kanon.” 

An airline employee tried to stop Souma as he exited the plane and started back through the tunnel. “Excuse me, sir,” she said. “We’re about to close the flight. You won’t be able to get back on.” 

“It’s fine. My wife is having a baby,” he explained. 

“Oh, congratulations,” she said, her face changing. “If you wait a few minutes, we can get all of your luggage out from under the plane.”

“Sorry, there’s no time,” he explained. “I’ll ask someone to handle everything in France.” 

And from there it was all a race against time. 

When Souma reached the correct wing of the hospital, he was met with the sight of his father sitting in the waiting room, sipping a coffee and reading a newspaper. 

“Yo, Souma.” He nodded in his son’s general direction. “Cutting it a little close there.”

“Pops? I didn’t even know you were in the country.” 

Jouichirou shrugged. “Had a feeling it was good time to come back.”

“So Doujima tracked you down? Or Shiomi-senpai?” 

“Both of them, actually,” the man admitted. “Those two really have no faith.” 

“Yukihira, you piece of shit!” Alice said as she stomped over, arms crossed in front of her. “How were you going to get on a flight to Paris when Erina was about to have your baby? What is wrong with you?”

Souma sighed, raising his hands in surrender. It did sound bad, now that he really thought about it. “I don’t know. She just really wanted me to go and—”

“But we both know Erina makes no sense! You have to—”

“Alice, it’s enough already,” Hisako said as she emerged as well. “Just let him see his wife and stop being a nuisance.” 

Alice puffed up her cheeks. “How rude, Hishoko. You sound more like Akira every day.” 

Hisako rolled her eyes at this, and then turned to Souma again. “Go on in. She’s waiting for you.” 

When he got inside, Nakiri was—no surprise—dictating an email to her personal assistant. Souma hoped the young woman, who looked a lot like Nakiri back in high school, was getting paid enough for all the shit she did for them. 

“End it there,” she said, once she saw him come in. “Tell them I’ll follow up on the rest at next week’s board meeting.”

“Next week, Erina-san?” the young girl asked, looking incredulous. 

Good shit, Kanon. 

His wife sighed, turning to glare at him, as though she could sense his amusement. “You’re right; tell them I’ll follow up in a detailed memo.”

“Right away, Nakiri-san.” 

“Thank you, Kanon. That was the last of them. You’re free for the rest of the day.” 

The young girl nodded before collecting her coat and purse. “Congratulations to you both,” she said, and then slipped out of the room. 

“You could have gone to Paris, probably,” Erina said once they were alone. “He’s taking his time.” 

“In classic Nakiri fashion,” he joked, taking her hand. “How are you feeling?”

“The doctors drugged me to kingdom come, so I’m not feeling much of anything.” Then another contraction ripped through her, and she clutched Souma’s hand hard enough to shatter bone. “I stand corrected.” 

“I shouldn’t have left,” he said, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. 

“I shouldn’t have made you,” she replied with a shrug. “We’ll get this couple shit right one of these days.” 

“Do you want anything?” he asked. “Like chocolates or a magazine?”

“All of the above,” she told him. Whatever medicine they’d pumped into her seemed to be making her drowsy. “But don’t go anywhere.” 

Some ten hours (and four cups of coffee) later, a doctor placed a son in Souma’s arms. 

The child had his mother’s amethyst eyes and mildly unimpressed expression. If the baby could speak, he’d probably ask why after all the amazing places they had him travel to in utero, they really chose to have him in this drab looking hospital room. 

But then his son looked at his face for the first time and gave an unguarded smile that reminded Souma of his late mother. He was like the fucking sun. 

“Hey,” he said. “I think he likes me.” 

“Did you think he wouldn’t?” Erina asked with a tired, tinkling laugh. “Fool.” 

“So what we calling the kid?” They had gotten down to two given names the last time they discussed the matter. 

“The birth certificate is on the table,” she said. 

When he glanced at it, he saw that she had named their firstborn Yukihira Raiden. Souma blinked twice, half-certain that he’d read it wrong.

“Yukihira?” he asked. “I thought you wanted him to be a Nakiri.” 

“He still is,” she said, waving him off and rolling onto her side.

“But—”

“Leave me alone. I’m sleeping.” 

He knew that was as much of an answer as he’d ever get. 

#shokugeki no soma #sorina #soueri #soma x erina #lil raiden #grandpa jo

[singingunderthecurtain]

DIAMOND (CEO AU Baekhyun Series) Part 7

Photo not mine, found it on Google.

Author: @julietsoddeye​ AU: CEO!Baekhyun Genre: Angst | Smut | Romance Pairing: Baekhyun x Lee Soojin (You/OC) Trigger Warning: Smut on future chapters. Mentions of car accident. Mentions of being blind. Baekhyun being an a-hole. Word Count: 2,310

Plot: After 10 years of exile to another country, you are finally back home and you were surprised to find out that you are engaged to the son of your father’s long-time friend and business partner.

On this Chapter: 

As you were walking away, Baekhyun suddenly captures your wrist and pull you roughly in the direction of the garden’s labyrinth. You squirm and writhe for freedom from his grip, but his hold on you is solid. He may look weak and flimsy sometimes, but he’s nothing like that at all.

“What the hell, Baekhyun! Let me go!”

You finally wail when you’re far away from your sister’s range of hearing and you’re both behind a really tall hedge of the garden maze.

Diamond Mini Masterlist

It was definitely one of the most awkward Lunches you’ve ever taken with anyone, ever. Thankfully though Baekhyun and Yixing did all the talking to spare you and Sunmi the tedious job. It shouldn’t be that bad considering that the two of you are sisters, but it has been 10 years since you last spoke. She never blames you for her condition because your parents berated you enough about it back then. Even after waking up from a 2-day coma, you can feel their accusations with the way they treated you.

The only constant person who was by your side through your recovery was your older brother and your aunt, who has been long gone. You wish she was still alive to this day so that you can properly thank her for her love and care.

Sunmi cried the day you left home. She kept asking for you to be beside her even after years of being exiled. You know this because your brother updates you every day then.

Baekhyun and Yixing are talking about someone’s wedding happening next week, you forgot who it was because you’re trying to concentrate really hard not to have a panic attack as you pretend to eat the meal that was served in front of you.

“Soojin-ssi…”

You heard Baekhyun calls for you. The slight irritation in his voice woke you from your thoughts.

“What?”

“I said, I need to take you shopping for something to wear for the wedding.”

“Wedding? What wedding?”

“We’re expected to attend that wedding together, you have no choice either way.”

“Oh.”

“Baekhyun Oppa…”

Sunmi softly interjects. You can almost hear Baekhyun’s neck crack when he suddenly cranes his head in Sunmi’s direction. He immediately smiles sweetly as if she can see him.

“Yes, Mimi-ya?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, anything.”

“W—why do you…”

Sunmi trails off and Baek lightly pats her forearm with his left hand to continue.

“Why do you sound like that when you talk to my eonni?”

“How do I sound like?”

Baekhyun asks.

“Like you’re holding back anger…”

Baekhyun freezes with how straightforward Sunmi was with her answer.

“I— What do you mean? I—'m not holding back ang—”

Baekhyun was so flustered all you can do is puff out a scoff.

“Stop it, Baekhyun. Don’t lie to my sister like that. Let’s stop pretending already.”

Baekhyun instantly drops the chopsticks he was holding on his right hand with what you said.

“Excuse me?”

The look he gave you almost scared you. It felt like he wanted to hit you or something.

“Sunmi, I guess you already know that Baekhyun and I are engaged right?”

Sunmi nods her head.

“Yes, mom told me.”

“And I found that out only days after I got back from America. And I found out about my engagement along with hundreds of other people. No love revolves around this at all, so please get used to the way Baekhyun and I talk to each other.”

All of them are lost for words. You don’t expect them to talk anyway after that.

“And you can’t tell the elders what happened here. They didn’t know Baekhyun treats me like shit.”

“Treat you like shit? Wow!”

Baekhyun urgently stood up from his chair, the base of it dragged on the concrete below him.

“Look who’s talking here. You’re the one who is treating me like shit, Soojin-ssi.”

He put emphasis on the way he mentions your name.

“How do I treat you like shit, Baekhyun-ssi? All I did was cooperate and endure with your bullcrap.”

You put emphasis on his name too, to mock him. You saw in the corner of your eyes Sunmi reaching her hands to Yixing as she shakes slightly with unease.

“I— You know what, you’re really frustrating! I was having a good time just now and you always have to ruin my mood. ALWAYS!”

It was now your time to stand up from your chair and throw the table napkin on your lap to the plate.

“I’m glad to always ruin your mood, you deserve that at least. Sunmi, we should catch up later. I really missed you a lot. But for now, I have to get away from him.”

“I’m—I’m sorry, Eonni. Please don’t go.”

The tears are starting to form on the sides of her eyes and Yixing was quick to dry them with his attractive and nimble fingers. Strangely, he and Baekhyun have similar pretty-looking hands. But Baekhyun pisses you off so you don’t really think about it that much.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. I will talk to you later.”

As you were walking away, Baekhyun suddenly captures your wrist and pull you roughly in the direction of the garden’s labyrinth. You squirm and writhe for freedom from his grip, but his hold on you is solid. He may look weak and flimsy sometimes, but he’s nothing like that at all.

“What the hell, Baekhyun! Let me go!”

You finally wail when you’re far away from your sister’s range of hearing and you’re both behind a really tall hedge of the garden maze.

As you were pulling your hand away from Baekhyun’s grip, he suddenly let go and you hit your arm on the twigs of the hedge, scraping your skin and it almost immediately started to bleed. Baekhyun’s eyes grew the size of the moon and grab your arm back but a lot gentler this time. He dusts off the fallen leaves and dirt fragments with the sleeves of his dress shirt. You wince as you felt the sting of Baekhyun’s shirt wiping on the multiple tiny wounds.

“Fuck! I—I’m so sorry... Fuck!”

“Let go of me, Baekhyun! You asshole!”

You try to shake Baekhyun off but he swiftly seizes you in a tight hug, burying your face in his chest. He caresses your hair as he inhales deeply as if he wants to memorize your scent in his mind.

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you trying to do, Baekhyun?”

“I’m sorry. I’m really trying here, Soojin. I just want this to work for us.”

The tenderness of Baekhyun’s voice is making your stomach do crazy flips.

“Let me go, Baekhyun. What are you doing?”

You gave up on pushing him off when he doesn’t budge. You stay cradled in his arms for a while before he completely pulls away to look at your bleeding arms. You can tell by the expression on his face that he really feels bad for the wounds on your arm.

“Your indecisiveness is confusing me, Baekhyun. What is the real deal here?”

You whisper those words, you’re sure he didn’t hear them, but he did and he instantly looks you in the eyes as if he wants to tell you everything in his mind but hesitating to spill his feelings.

“Soojin, can we talk about that next time? Let’s get your wounds cleaned, okay.”

You just nod your head yes. You know you won’t make him talk anyway. He’s stubborn and he does what he wants.

Baekhyun took you to your bedroom, he cleaned and patch you up with the first aid kit he found in your bathroom. Mia walked in on you being taken care of Baekhyun and when she was about to leave you two alone, you stopped her so that you won’t get to be alone with Baekhyun anymore. You don’t trust his hot and cold tendencies.

Apparently, your parents have to go to Japan for an emergency meeting in the Japanese branch of the company. Something about delayed shipments and other issues they need to fix as soon as possible. Mia said your father will give you the lowdown once they get home and will finally introduce you as the next CEO of the company to the board members soon.

Baekhyun said he will help and be with you each step of the way. He said he doesn’t have much help when he became a CEO and the first thing you needed is a support system. And he can be exactly that for you. Again, you nod in agreement with him, but you know his words are just false earnest and his mind will change again. He’ll be as cold as ice soon.

~~~

As you were about to leave with the girls for brunch, Baekhyun was waiting for you outside his car in the front yard. He pulls his sunglasses down to look at you as he flashes you a smile.

“Good morning.”

He greets.

“What are you doing here?”

Hisako frowns.

“I’m here to pick up my fiancé.”

A rectangular grin forms on his lips. Hisako immediately shuts her mouth with confusion dancing around her eyes. She looks at you with her mouth hanging open as if saying “Who is this person and what has he done to Byun Baekhyun.”

“Uhm no, Baekkie. We’re going out for brunch.”

Yanmei comes to the rescue.

“Uhm no, Mei-mei. I’m taking my fiancé with me.”

Baekhyun echoes Yanmei’s tone scornfully. He walks up in front of you and takes your arm to check on the new bandage Mia dressed your wounds with. He smiles with contentment as he clasp your palms together and he gently pulls you in the direction of his car.

“I—I can’t come without Mia. I nee—”

Before you can even complain, Baekhyun took his phone from his shorts pocket with the hand that’s not holding yours and speed dial your mother’s number and put it on speaker. Almost too immediately your mother answered the call.

“Yes, Baekhyun dear?”

“Mother,  is it okay if I take Soojinnie shopping without Mia?”

Baekhyun put emphasis on Soojinnie, smirking down at you. Your face soured up a little bit with his foulness on using your mother so he can have it his way again.

“Of course, my dear! You don’t need my permission if you wanted to take her out.”

You can hear the excitement in your mother’s voice from the other line and all you can do is roll your eyes and sigh in annoyance.

“Thank you, mother. I’m on my way to her now.”

Baekhyun lied convincingly.

“You kids enjoy, okay?”

“You heard that, babe?”

Baekhyun said after ending the call.

“You play nasty Baekhyun. I hate you.”

“Tell me something I don’t know already.”

“But what about bruuuunch!!!”

You heard Hisako whine but you didn’t dare remove your angry glare at Baekhyun.

“Thankfully I’m a lot smarter than you all think. I called Jongdae and I told him to take you two out.”

Just as Baekhyun said those words, an SUV pulls up on the driveway and stopped right behind Baekhyun’s car. You look behind to see Jongdae exiting from the passenger side.

“Jongdae!”

Yanmei squeals and Jongdae runs up to give her a tight hug. Hisako groans with irritation as the two gobble each other up in front of her.

“Really, Baekhyun? I’d rather third-wheel with you and Sooj.”

“I don’t think so, Hisa.”

Baekhyun clicks his tongue and point in the direction of the SUV with a nod. Chanyeol handsomely exits the vehicle with his over-sized shirt and shorts as he pushes his unstyled hair up and it fell right back down to curtain his handsome features.

Chanyeol flashes his gummy smile when he saw that Hisako’s looking at him. Hisako closes her mouth before she starts embarrassing herself with her drool.

“Yah Yeollie-yah, meet us at that Halmoni’s small restaurant by 12:30. Don’t be late.”

Baekhyun said before pushing you into his car and fastening the seatbelt for you. Chanyeol only winks at him as a reply.

“Where are you taking me?”

You ask Baekhyun as he speeds up when he exits the gate.

“I told you, we’re going shopping.”

“For what? I have a lot of clothes already?!”

“I’m not buying you just any clothes, Soojin.”

Baekhyun’s grip on the wheel is getting tighter.

“Baekhyun just— I don’t want this right now, I just want a peaceful brunch with my girlfrien—”

“Can we just forget about things and go through one day without fighting, Soojin? I’m getting tired of this already!”

Baekhyun abruptly stopped the car and hit the wheel with the ball of his palm.

“If you’re getting tired of this let’s cancel the engagement. It’s never too late, Baekhyun!”

“Why would I want to do that?”

Both his eyes and nose flares when he snaps his neck to your direction.

“Because you don’t love me! We don’t love each other!”

“We don’t need love in this world and in our lives, Soojin You know what we need?”

“What?”

You said in a shaky voice as you remove the seat belt. Baekhyun removes his and grabs both your arms as he scoots forward up to your face, both your lips almost touching. You can feel his hot and rapid breathing ghosting over your skin.

“We need to make our parents happy and the only way we can do that is through this arranged marriage. Now can we please pick you a dress that you can wear to Minseok Hyung’s wedding?”

Baekhyun more of threatens than pleads you. He grabbed the seat belt and snaps it back on when you didn’t object.

“M—Minseok?”

“You know Minseok Hyung?”

“I—I don’t know. His name sounds familiar.”

“Then you’ll find out next week if you know him.”

WAH BAEKHYUN IS SO CONFUSING WTF!!!

#exowritersnet #kpopwritingnet #EXO #exo scenarios #baekhyun scenarios #Angst #Baekhyun Angst #Smut #Romance #CEO AU #CEO!Baekhyun #Byun Baekhyun

[lozco]

X-Men: Armored CompleX by Mike Van Wagoner

The Pitch

As the X-Men universe finds itself in a time when many beloved heroes dead or powerless, there’s never been a greater opportunity for someone new to pick up the torch and fight for the rights and survival of mutants and humans alike. A task easier said than done, especially for a mutant who is destined for greatness (See Runaways Volume 2, Issue 1), but has never been looked at as something more than a side-kick to a grumpy old mutant (you know who). X-Men: Armored Complex follows Hisako Ichiki’s journey to become one of greatest and most beloved leaders of the X-Men.

The Cast

Hisako Ichiki (Armor): She’s a wonderful character with a lot of heart and soul. Her compassion for her fellow X-Men as well as her experience in battle makes her a great candidate for leadership. In this series, Hisako will have the opportunity to overcome many challenges and complexities that will ultimately refine her into a lovable leader.

Noriko Ashida (Surge): Her experience in the New Mutants and cultural ties to Japan make Nori an excellent choice to team up with Hisako in her adventures in Japan. Her powers are a good balance to Hisako, and will make for some interesting battle sequences. She will be a great strength culturally and emotionally to Hisako.

Julian Keller (Hellion): The ego of the team. Julian brings a strong challenge to Hisako’s attempt to lead this new group of mutants. Julian will be seen as a source of conflict within the team. His power, attitude, and strong sense of superiority will give Hisako a run for her money. Will he succeed in dividing the team? Will they all side with Julian and leave Hisako alone to wonder in self-doubt? Or will she be able to sort through the complexities of having a rival on her would-be team?

Peter (Pietro) Maximoff (Quicksilver): The good bad guy that ends up being good; just what every good tem needs: a bad boy. Not looking to take the lead of the team in a foreign land, he is content at helping Hisako succeed. He is also seen, a source of irony and humor for team, especially when he’s making fun of Julian’s arrogance and ego.  Standing up His powers are perfect for stealth, espionage and sabotage.

David Bond (Hijack): On assignment with Peter and Julian, David not sure of what his role is at first, but before too long finds himself as trusted advisor for Hisako.  With the threat of sentinels looming, David’s power is a must.

The first arc:

Returning to her homeland of Japan with Noriko Ashida (Surge), Hisako seeks to find out the connection with her powers and her relatives. Once there she learns the burial shrine of her ancestors has been defiled. Most of the shrine has been replaced with a duplicate and the original pieces are missing. As she further investigates, she learns that the Yokido Nakagomi Corporation (YNC) has purchase the all of regions burial grounds, including her family’s shrine.  In addition to burial grounds the YNC has also investing into a sizable holding in the Trask Industries. After much debate, Hisako and Nori finally agree to investigate the new Trask Research facility of the YNC.

Upon arrival at the site, they run into Quicksilver.  Peter is on reconnaissance with Hellion and Hijack. They have been following leads from America to Japan on the new joint merger of Trask Industries and the YNC. They have learned that this facility maybe in the process of developing a new type of sentinel. The lab looks more like a site of rituals and worship than of science and technology. The vast laboratory contains five prototype sentinels. The sentinels are inactive, and incomplete, but covered in ritualistic runes and markings. To her horror, Hisako recognizes elements of her family shrine surrounding one of five prototypes.

Perplexed by the discovery, that somehow her ancestor’s remains are being integrated into the construction of the sentinels, Hisako falls to her knees in sorrow. Julian takes the lead and orders the team to destroy the disabled sentinels. Conflict arises as Hisako, steps up to protect the sentinels with her psionic exoskeleton. She feels she cannot allow her ancestors remains be destroyed with the sentinels. How can she make sense all that is happening? How will she protect her ancestors while shutting down the sentinel operation?

As Hellion and Hisako are arguing, Hijack steps in as a voice of reason. While he suggests they destroy the facility and proposes stealing the sentinels and trying to uncover what the YNC is up to.  As he reaches out to the sentinels with his mutant power he is able to control the sentinels and move them to a safe house where the team can figure out what’s going on.

Surprise its Azazel:

As the plot unfolds Hisako and her newly formed team learn that Trask Industries and the YNC are merely pawns in a great scheme that is being masterminded by Azazel from the dimension he had been banished to. The sentinels were being redesigned to become mobile portals to allow Azazel and his minion army to make strategic strikes against humans and mutant like, from his banishment.

Author’s note:

First of all, let me disclose that up until a few months ago, I haven’t opened a comic book in over 25 years. I love them as a kid and mowed many lawns to earn enough money to run to my local comic store and buy my Uncanny X-Men, Batman and Wolverine comics.  When I was approached by Loz to do a pitch I was intrigued by the challenge and excited to do some illustration work.

However, it quickly dawned on me how little I know about the Marvel and DC universes. A lot has happened in 25 years. Far more than I can consume in the 6 weeks that I had to work on this pitch. That being said I realize that my pitch is the least informed of the pitches this year. But I’m confident that even with my lack of knowledge, I’ve still produce a strong team with depth and personality. And I’ve enjoyed the late nights that I’ve spent reconnecting with my childhood. My hope is that at least some one else has found joy in my pitch.

Thanks!

VW

 As we’ve mentioned every day, you could win a prize for commenting. In conjunction with MahMuseComics.com, and The All New Wednesday Warriors, comic store Dr. Volts is sponsoring pitch week and is giving away one X-men themed prize to one random commenter each day. So, enter the discussion, ask the pitchers questions, engage them in conversation about the pitch and you could win. Hope you enjoyed X-Men: Armored CompleX. Tune in tomorrow for our last pitch of the event, X-Men: Extreme Measures.

X-Men: Armored CompleX X-Men: Armored CompleX by Mike Van Wagoner The Pitch As the X-Men universe finds itself in a time when many beloved heroes dead or powerless, there’s never been a greater opportunity for someone new to pick up the torch and fight for the rights and survival of mutants and humans alike.

#Armor #Featured #Hellion #Pitch Week 2 #Pitch Week X

[thatcrazyfanfictionwriter]

Secret of the Sewers: Ghosts of the Past

On board the Prime Leader's personal cruiser, the Hamato siblings were all lying on their backs, looking out at the stars through the observation deck while playing their favorite game.

"I see… A Triceraton doing a headstand!" Mikey called out, pointing at a cluster of stars.

Everyone snickered at the idea, then Raph caught sight of one.

"I see… Traximus using Shredder's helmet for a bowling ball!"

That got a good laugh out of everyone, then it was Hisako's turn.

"I see… The Salamandarian/mutant turtle hybrid child of Raph and Mona Lisa!" Hisako declared. "I think I'll call her Irrilia."

All of the turtles, save for Raph, immediately busted out into fits of laughter. The Red turtle just blushed hard before grasping one of his sai. He stabbed it into the floor scant centimeters from her face. She jumped a bit as she glanced over at the weapon.

"What?" she asked. "It could happen."

"Yeah, you're the only turtle with an actual girlfriend, Raph." Mikey agreed, "More than that, you actually have a chance with her."

"Unlike Leo and Miwa." Donny commented off hand.

"Yeah, dating your sister is a bit of a taboo, even for us." Hisako added.

"You guys are never gonna let me live that down are you?" Leo asked.

"Nope!" the rest of his siblings declared in unison.

They all laughed a bit more, than Hisako bopped Leo on the arm.

"Come on Bro, it's your turn." she told him.

"Alright, alright." he replied, looking out at the stars. "I see… A space station?"

"Where?" Mikey asked, looking out into the vastness of space. "I don't see it. Is it behind that space station?"

Raph smacked Mikey upside the head as everyone looked out towards Leo's station. It resembled a tall tower, with several large shields jutting out on the sides. The panels were etched with pink lights, practically broadcasting it as an Utrom station. As they all stared, the Professor walked onto the deck.

"I came to tell you that we had arrived, but it would appear you are already aware." he declared.

"That's it then." Leo whispered. "The Utrom outpost."

"We finally made it." Donny said with a sigh.

"And about damn time too." Raph declared. "I'm sick and tired of space. I'm ready to be back on Earth."

"Yeah," Mikey agreed. "I miss Master Splinter."

"We all do Mikey." Hisako told him. "But I'm sure he'll be waiting for us once we get back."

"As long as the Utroms let us see him before getting mad at us for the mess we caused." Raph reminded her.

"I'm sure we can work things out." she said hopefully. "Besides, we can worry about that once we're all safely back on earth."

"Right." Leo agreed. "Professor, take us in."

The Professor gave a nod, then returned to the deck to start the landing procedure.

…

The hangar bay of the space station opened up, allowing the Professor to land the cruiser inside. Once the doors sealed shut behind them, the six space weary travelers all shuffled off of the cruiser into the surprisingly empty hangar bay.

"Whoa… where is everybody?" Mikey questioned. "Are they getting space coffee or something?"

"Not quite, Michelangelo." The Professor replied. "This sector of space is located on the farthest edge of the Utrom's sphere of influence. Because of this, it is very rare that any sentient life forms come here."

"I just hope there's someone here to help us." Donny said quietly.

They all walked into the station, more than a bit put off by how dark and empty it appeared. All of the Hamato siblings had their hands on their weapons on instinct.

"Guys… this is just like that scene from the new Star Trek series." Mikey whispered.

"Yeah, all we're missing is Scotty and the weird gremlin." Donny replied.

"Who are you calling a gremlin?!" a high pitched voice called out from behind them.

The six of them all jumped at the sound, turning around to see a lone Utrom floating behind them. He was on a floating platform about eye level with the lot of them, giving them all an angry glare.

"You come into my outpost, no doubt looking for my help, and you insult me?" he demanded.

"Honorable Utrom," Professor Honeycutt interjected. "I am sure that my friends meant no disrespect."

"He's right man." Mikey quickly agreed. "We were talking about a movie from our planet."

"Speaking of our planet," Donny interjected. "We were hoping you could help us get back home."

The Utrom let out a frustrated groan as he continued to stare down the six of them.

"First of all, my name is Kraang, not 'man'." he informed them all. "And second, does this look like a sky port?"

There was a moment of silence, then Donny rubbed the back of his head.

"Well… That depends." He answered. "What does a sky port look like?"

"Not like this!" Kraang exclaimed. "Now go find some sky port clerk to bother."

He was about to fly away when Hisako slid in front of him.

"Hang on." she insisted. "My brothers and I were transported to this part of space on accident. Mr. Mortu told us to-"

"Oh!" Kraang exclaimed, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Mr. Mortu sent you! I had no idea!"

Raph let out a growl.

"Okay, look here you wad of chewing gum!" he snapped, sticking a finger in Kraang's face. "We have been stuck in the shell forsaken part of space for weeks now. We've been chased, shot at, arrested, beaten up, forced to fight in gladiatorial games, and now that we finally found the stinkin' place that the purple haired freak job sent us to find, you're telling us to get lost?!"

The Professor gave the turtles a nervous look.

"Should we stop him?" he asked.

"I ain't getting involved in that." Hisako replied quickly, the other turtles quickly nodding in agreement.

"You listen here, creature-" Kraang began.

"No, you listen!" Raph shouted. "You're gonna send the six of us to Earth within the next 10 seconds, or I'm gonna find out what color your blood is. You hear me?!"

Raph was centimeters from Kraang's face, panting heavily from his sudden explosion. There was a moment of silence, then Kraang let out a gulp.

"Well… when you put it that way..." he mumbled nervously, looking down a bit, "I suppose I could fire up the Transmat."

"Yeah, you do that." Raph replied, not even blinking.

Kraang slowly started floating off with everyone following him. The Professor let out a sigh of relief as they did, giving Leonardo a look.

"That was… unexpected." The cyborg commented.

"Actually, I'm surprised Raph was able to keep calm this long." Leo admitted.

"I'm surprised he didn't slam Kraang into a wall or something." Mikey mentioned.

"Too true." Leo agreed.

The group entered a large room in the station, one that was identical to the very room that had sent the Hamato siblings on their space misadventure in the first place. Kraang has flown himself over to a large control panel, a pair of simple mechanical limbs coming out of his platform so he could do the necessary typing.

"You said your planet was Earth, yes?" Kraang asked.

"That's the one." Donny replied. "You know where it is?"

"Of course I do you-" Kraang then caught a glance of Raph, then let out a cough. "Of course I do. The planet has been under investigation by the High Council for a few stellar cycles now. Perhaps if they had taken some of my suggestions for raising the productivity of our operations rather than banish me to this backwater scrap of space, then maybe they would have completed their mission by now."

The Hamato siblings exchanged confused glances, Mikey making the 'cuckoo' motion with his finger. Finally, the Transmat device began to hum, various lights flipping on.

"There we are." Kraang declared, gesturing towards the portal. "Just step on and you will be transported right into the Utrom base located on the planet."

The Hamato siblings all looked at the portal, none of them able to keep the look of relief off their faces.

"Well guys, we're finally going home." Leo declared.

"You'll love Earth Professor." Mikey told the cyborg, wrapping his arm around him. "Nobody will try to use you, and you can lay low and do whatever you want."

"It sounds like a dream come true." the Professor mused.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Hisako asked happily. "Let's go!"

They all eagerly ran onto the Transmat, feeling that same sensation as before as swirling lights surrounded them. Soon the six of them all disappeared in the swirling light show, leaving Kraang alone once more.

…

Back at Galactic Enterprises, the portal room was suddenly filled with swirling pink lights. As they faded away, the Hamato siblings and Professor Honeycutt were left standing in the center of the Transmat, once more back on their home planet.

"We're back?" Donny asked, slightly bewildered.

"We're back!" Mikey cheered, flopping onto the ground and rubbing it as if he was giving it a hug. "Oh how I've missed you, Earth."

He then proceeded to kiss the floor repeatedly, much to the disgust of the others.

"Mikey..." Raph groaned. "Get up off the ground before-"

He cut off suddenly, hearing the sound of footsteps approaching. The others also heard the noise, all of them reaching for their weapons, even Mikey.

"Be ready guys." Leo warned. "Friendly or not, we did cause a lot of trouble last time we were here."

The door slowly slid open, but rather than the Utroms they had been expecting, in came some rather friendly faces; Casey, April, and Miwa.

"Guys!" Miwa cheered.

"You're okay!" April declared.

"Miwa!" The turtles called out.

"Casey! April!" Hisako grinned.

"It's about time you got back!" Casey chastised, giving Hisako a noogie. "We've been waiting for weeks!"

"Man has it been that long?" Donny asked.

"Yeah, you kinda lose track of time while out in space." Raph remarked.

About that time, a large figure barreled through the door, making a bee-line for Hisako. Everyone instinctively got out of the way as Leatherhead grabbed his friend, pulling her into a hug.

"Oracle..." He said softly, tears of relief rolling down his face. "You're alive..."

"Hey big guy." Hisako greeted, returning the hug in kind. "I've missed you too."

"How you guys are here?" Leo questioned, looking at Miwa. "Especially you?"

Miwa chuckled a bit.

"Would you believe we were invited?" she asked.

The turtles and Hisako all looked confused.

"Invited?" Leo repeated.

"Yeah." April replied. "Miwa called us down to the lair after you guys didn't report back when you said you would."

"We were all prepared to storm the joint, with Leatherhead tearing the doors down." Casey went on. "But when we went to the elevator to head your direction, that guardian guy was waiting for us."

"What? No way!" Mikey exclaimed. "How'd he find our lair?"

"Who do you think led Hisako to it in the first place?" A voice asked from the doorway.

They all turned to see Samson walking towards them. He had a relieved smile on his face as he saw the five returning space travelers.

"Samson!" Hisako cheered, waving happily from her position in Leatherhead's grasp.

"Hello Hisako." he greeted. "I am happy to see you all alive and well."

He then noticed the cyborg still standing on the transmat. Professor Honeycutt had let his friends enjoy their reunion, unwilling to break up their happiness.

“Though it would seem that you did not return alone.” Samson remarked.

“Oh, almost forgot.” Leo remember, mentally kicking himself. “Everyone, this is Professor Zayton Honeycutt.”

“A pleasure to meet you all.” The Professor declared, giving a small bow.

“The Professor helped us find the outpost.” Hisako explained. “But he needed our help in escaping from his home planet.”

“Yeah, he’s super smart, and this really mean guy named Dunn or whatever was threatening him and treating him badly.” Mikey added.

“I’m sure that the council can find a place for him amongst our ranks.” Samson assured them all.

"Hang on back up a bit. What did you mean by you're the one who led Hisako to our lair?" Raph questioned, more than a bit confused.

Realization dawned on Hisako.

"Your voice was the one I heard wasn't it?" she asked.

"Indeed." Samson replied. "Your home used to be an Utrom outpost long before the city became as… expansive as it is."

"And you just decided to give it to us?" Leo asked.

Samson chuckled.

"I understand that you all have questions." He commented, "And you have my word that you will get the answers you seek. However, this conversation will require a few more parties before it can commence. Professor Honeycutt, would you mind waiting here for a moment? I have a feeling that your friends will require some time to themselves."

“I wouldn’t mind in the slightest.” Honeycutt assured him. “I have always been fascinated with teleportation, and a chance to examine a working transmat device is a dream come true.”

Samson smiled, then exited the Transmat room, gesturing for the others to follow. Miwa, April, and Casey all got big grins, already knowing what to expect. Even Leatherhead seemed uncharacteristically excited. The turtles and Hisako raised eyebrows in confusion, but followed nonetheless.

…

The large group followed Samson towards a large room on the opposite end of the building, where two figures were waiting for them. One was the purple haired Mr. Mortu, and the other was a familiar figure that had the five space-weary siblings gasping in delight.

"My children." Master Splinter greeted, a smile on his face and his arms held open.

"FATHER!" the five space travelers shouted.

The turtles and Hisako rushed forward, the latter being released by Leatherhead, practically tackling Splinter with their embraces. They were all laughing and crying at the same time, Splinter doing his best to hug all of them at once.

"You're alive!" Mikey sobbed.

"You're okay!" Hisako hiccupped.

"We were so worried about you Sensei." Leo said softly, his fingers gripping Master Splinter's robes as tight as he could.

"It is alright my children." Splinter reassured. "I am alright, and we are finally together again. All of us."

He looks up at Miwa as he said that last part. She laughed a bit, then joined the family in their group hug. For a good few minutes, they all just hugged it out, unwilling and unable to let go. Eventually though, Mr. Mortu let out a small cough, adjusting his glasses. The Hamato family eventually released one another, turning to the purple haired man.

"I'm glad that the seven of you have been reunited once again." He said with a smile. "And I do apologize for the difficulty caused by our Guardian Prime. While he is one of our most capable fighters, when it comes to those he holds dear, rational thinking tends to be placed on the backburner so to speak."

"Yeah, about that." Leo began. "We're grateful for everything you did to help our father, and our sister, but I just have to ask… why?"

"Yeah, why's our sister so important to you guys?" Raph added.

Mortu gave a nod of understanding.

"I expected you would be curious about that." he remarked, walking towards a wall decorated in strange, metallic orbs. "However, I am not the one who can properly answer that question."

"Then who?" Donny wondered.

Mortu picked up one of the orbs, bringing it over to the group. He pressed a single pink button on the top, then placed it on the ground. The entire room seemed to shift, becoming this ethereal, cloudy landscape set is a seemingly endless twilight. Two figures shimmered into existence, standing before the group. One was a man, tall and muscular wearing a uniform identical to Samson's. He had sandy blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail and piercing blue eyes. Next to him was a woman, long black hair up in a bun and stormy grey eyes, also in a guardian uniform. Once they fully formed, Hisako let out a gasp. She stumbled back, tears in her eyes as long forgotten memories surfaced, memories of a time before TCRI.

"Hisako, are you alright?" Leo asked.

Tears flowed down her eyes as she stepped forward, approaching the two newcomers. They looked down at her as well, both of them becoming equally shocked.

"Richard..." the woman whispered in the man's ear, "Is that-?"

"I think it is..." The man, Richard, replied.

They both turned to her as two words slipped from Hisako's lips, almost too quiet to hear.

"Mom… Dad..."

"Mom? Dad?" Mikey asked. "Hisako are these your parents?"

"They are indeed." Samson answered, looking at the two wistfully.

"Richard and Renee Kaimera, two of the greatest guardians we could have ever asked for." Mortu introduced.

Hisako stared at the two, tentatively reaching for them. Her hand met solid flesh and all of her self-control melted away. She bawled hard, hugging them both as they returned the hug in kind.

"I had forgotten..." Hisako cried.

"Oh sweetie..." Renee cooed, petting her head. "It's not your fault."

"You were so young when we died…" Richard said softly. "And you've been through so much..."

Casey let out a sniff, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Man, I knew this would be emotional, but not even I expected this." He whispered.

"Hang on, if you're dead, how are you currently hugging Hisako?" Donny asked, the scientist part of him screaming about the various impossibilities of the scene he was witnessing.

"We Utroms keep a collective memory archive of all of our Guardians, both past and present." Mortu explained. "What Hisako is seeing is a manifestation of all they were, brought into being through techno-organic imaging."

Hisako finally released the two, her face still red. Renee wiped a tear from her daughter's eye, smiling warmly.

"My dear daughter..." she said softly, "I am so sorry for everything you suffered because of us."

"It wasn't your fault." Hisako told her.

"I'm afraid it is." Richard correctly, looking down at the ground.

"What exactly did happen all those years ago?" Leo asked.

"Yeah," Raph agreed. "After everything the five of us have gone through, I think we're entitled to some answers."

"That you are." Richard agreed.

The landscape changed, forming a cityscape that the group instantly recognized as New York City. They were standing in some back alley, the only beings visible at the moment.

"I suppose the best place to start at the beginning." Richard declared. "On the day Samson and I became part of something much greater than ourselves."

Two figures materialized in the alley. One looked like a younger Richard, perhaps no older than the turtles themselves. The other was no doubt a younger Samson.

"Richard and I had been friends for most of our lives." Samson began. "We were almost like brothers, doing everything together. One night, we were walking home after a long night of partying when we came upon an unfriendly sight."

Three more figures appeared, one was Mortu, and the other two were most likely an early version of the Purple Dragons, or one of the many street gangs that plagued New York.

"We witnessed a man being assaulted by two hooligans, attempting to mug him and leave him for dead." Richard explained.

"Neither of us had ever been ones to just stand by as innocent people were hurt, so we stepped in."

The figures began moving, playing out the fight like a photo animation video. The two hooligans were easily dispatched and sent packing, but not without attempting to shoot at the two would-be heroes. Thankfully, Mortu stepped in the way, taking the bullets. The shots did not hurt him, but they did reveal his robotic exoskeleton.

"In the end, my unnatural state was revealed." Mortu commented as the figures ceased moving. "Because of their selflessness, I offered them a choice. They could walk away, and forever wonder about what they had witnessed, or they could join me, and be introduced to a world far beyond anything they knew."

"You can guess which one we chose." Richard joked, smiling slightly.

"You went home?" Mikey asked, jokingly.

Hisako laughed a bit, an action mirrored by her siblings and her friends. Once it died down, Renee spoke up, the scenery returning to the cloudy twilight.

"It was when they joined the Guardians that your father and I met." She told Hisako. "We trained alongside one another, and then one thing led to another. Soon enough, we were married, and I was pregnant with you."

"Of course, being a Guardian is a difficult task." Richard remarked. "We had a sacred duty to protect the secret of our Utrom Allies, as well as be their tools to complete their missions."

"The three of us were assigned to a rather important mission not long after your parent's marriage." Samson continued. "We were sent to locate property stolen from the Utroms some years ago."

Mortu stepped forward, holding out a canister of an all too familiar bluish-green liquid.

"I suppose I don't need to tell you what this is." he quipped.

"Mutagen." Donny surmised.

"Indeed." Mortu replied, setting the canister aside. "Though it is far more than that. This substance is a very powerful medicine, one that heals wounds at the subatomic level, accelerating cell growth so even the most grievous of wounds can be healed in a matter of days, if not weeks."

"Uh, hate to break it to you, but for a medicine, it does a lot more harm than good." Mikey commented.

Mortu chuckled.

"That's because you have only witnessed its effects when it has become molecularly unstable." Mortu explained. "That instability is what causes mutations such as yourself, your brothers, your sensei, and your large friend behind you."

"Though we learned that even in its stable form, the medicine can have side effects under the right conditions." Renee commented, looking at Hisako with a knowing glance.

"You mean Hisako's powers, don't you?" Leo asked.

"Yes." Renee replied. "There was an incident that occurred while I was pregnant with her."

Once more the scenery morphed, becoming a rainy rooftop. Figures of Renee and Richard appeared, both of them looking almost identical to the way they appeared now.

"We'd located a large chemical truck completely filled with mutagen, ready to be shipped off." Richard explained. "We planned to hijack the shipment, reclaiming our stolen property."

The scene changed again, this time forming a large truck crashed into a small, burning house in Chinatown. Both Splinter and Miwa stumbled back, instinctively grabbing hold of one another.

"We failed..." Renee said softly, looking down. "The truck was remotely controlled, and I was unable to prevent it from colliding with the house."

"My home..." Splinter choked.

"Our home..." Miwa muttered.

"I was barely able to get Renee and myself out of the truck before the mutagen combusted." Richard said, looking at the two. "For the rest of my life I regretted being unable to save more lives that day."

"Well at least some survived that day." Splinter replied, placing a hand on Miwa's shoulder.

"Yes." Richard said with a nod. "Of course, we did not get out unscathed ourselves. Both of us were badly hurt, and were placed in healing tanks for a week to heal."

"But what's that got to do with my powers?" Hisako wondered.

"When I was exposed to the mutagen's capabilities, you were as well, and without cells in need of repair, the mutagenic medicine boosted your existing cells." Renee explained.

"In basic terms, the medicine has become an integral part of your DNA." Mortu clarified. "It's why your body can recover from wounds faster than any average person, why you can pick up skills such as Ninjutsu in such a short amount of time."

"I've always wondered about that." Donny admitted.

"And of course, your mental capabilities." Mortu finished.

Hisako looked down at her hands in surprise.

"So that's why I am the way I am..." she whispered before closing her hands, taking a deep breath, "But… how did I end up… There?"

The landscaped faded, becoming cloudy once more. However, rather than the warm colors of twilight, the place seemed a bit darker with deep blue and purple colors filling the area. Renee and Richard exchanged sad glanced, holding each other's hands.

"You had just turned three." Renee said softly. "We'd left you in the care of Samson while we went out on a recovery mission."

"We thought it would be a simple snatch and grab." Richard explained before wincing visibly. "It wasn't."

"The entire mission was a setup." Renee spat out angrily. "And we played right into his hands."

Everyone knew instinctively who she was referring to. Hisako placed a hand over the dual scars on her cheek.

"Shredder..." Splinter said softly.

"He captured up both, and tortured us." Richard told them, rubbing his arms. "He want to know who we worked for, and where to find more of the mutagen."

"Neither of us would talk." Renee stated, her fists clenched. "We would not betray the trust the Utroms had placed in us."

"After several days of this, we managed to escape, and immediately ran to our allies to warn them of what Shredder had done, and what he was willing to do to find them." Richard continued before pausing a bit. "But what we did not know was that Shredder had planned for us to escape."

"He'd placed tracers on us, and followed us right back to the old Utrom Headquarters." Renee spat. "We led that monster right to them."

Everybody winced, especially Leo, who knew all too well what that feeling was like. Miwa rubbed her arm, remembering the very same incident.

"The Shredder invaded, bringing an army of his greatest warriors." Samson remembered. "So many guardians lost their lives that day. Your parents among them Hisako."

"Those that survived helped us to flee to this place, and we began to slowly rebuild ourselves." Mortu continued. "Unfortunately, in our haste to escape, we were oblivious to you being taken by Shredder."

"We believed you had perished along with your parents." Samson admitted, looking remorseful and saddened. "For years you suffered at the hands of-"

Splinter held up a hand, Hisako already clinging to his robe and Leatherhead surrounding them both.

"Kindly refrain from mentioning the name of that monster around Hisako." He requested.

"My apologies." Samson said, looking at Hisako as his face fell more. "For everything… For all those years you lost because of our negligence."

"Had we known you were alive, we would have stopped at nothing to save you." Mortu assured her.

"Well, thankfully ole Leatherhead here did your job for you." Raph commented, giving Leatherhead a pat on the arm.

"Yes..." Richard agreed, walking over to the large mutant, placing a hand on his arm as well. "I cannot thank you enough for what you did for my daughter."

"Same to the five of you." Renee added, looking at Splinter and the turtles.

The turtles all exchanged glances.

"Us?" Mikey asked, gesturing to all of them.

"Yes." She said with a nod. "You took her in when you didn't have to. You protected her, raised her, and cared for her where we could not."

"She's our sister." Donny replied with a shrug. "Doesn't matter if her name's Kaimera or if she's human."

"Yeah, with us, family doesn't end in blood." Raph declared. "Or genetic code."

Both Richard and Renee chuckled at that, then their forms began to shimmer. Hisako saw this and walked towards them, a worried look on her face.

"What's going on?"

"The archive holocron is losing power." Mortu explained. "I'm afraid I must power it down and return it to its charging pod."

Hisako looked at Mortu, then back at the shimmering forms of her parents.

"Can I-? Can I come see them again?" she asked.

"Sweetie, you can come see us whenever you wish." Renee assured her.

"Yes, the Hamato family and their friends are welcome in Galactic Enterprises whenever they wish." Mortu declared.

"Just be sure to use the front door next time." Samson joked.

Everyone laughed as Hisako gave her parents one last hug, one that lasted until Mortu turned off the orb, returning them to the normal room and reducing the images to nothing. Hisako stood there for a moment as her arms lowered, tears rolling down her face. One by one, the turtles came to her side, followed by Leatherhead, Splinter, and then Miwa, Casey and April. Hisako then wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath and smiling.

"Thank you Samson." she told him. "You too Mr. Mortu. I always wondered what my birth parents were like."

"I only wish I could have done more to help you." Samson replied. "Perhaps then you would not have had to suffer like you did."

Hisako gave Samson a smile, then punched him on the arm.

"What happened to me was horrible, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, even Shredder." Hisako admitted. "But from all that bad, I got some good too."

She wrapped her arms around Leo's and Mikey's necks, pulling them into headlocks.

"Like these bozos for brothers." she joked. "Not to mention some amazing friends, a boyfriend who means the world to me, and even a sister of my own."

Casey, April, Leatherhead, and Miwa all grinned at Hisako's compliments, then she turned to Splinter.

"And best of all, a man I am so thankful to call my Sensei, and my father." she said happily.

Splinter felt a single tear roll down his face as his smile grew bigger. Hisako released Leo and Mikey, going to give Splinter a hug. He held her close, then released her with a tired expression on his face.

"Come my children." he declared. "I think it is time for all of us to return home."

"Sensei, you took the words right out of my mouth." Raph replied.

They all began heading for the door, Leatherhead picking up Hisako and holding her like a stuffed animal once more.

"Hey, you think we can stop for pizza on our way home?" Mikey questioned. "You would not believe the things you miss when stuck in space."

"I'm sure that can be arranged, my son." Splinter assured them.

With that, the large group left Galactic enterprises, off of them happy to be together once again.

[writer-and-artist27]

Power of Friendship

Heavily inspired by the many times I was down, only for Osie and Lang to find me and pick me up to keep going all over again. And this is a sequel to the previous fic of Hiding in the Dark, because Otoha and Kei can’t let a certain pianist wander for oh so long. Everyone deserves some light in their lives.

The themes for this little story consist of three recommendations from Lang and one last pick from me: (1) Light Up the Dark by Taylor Henderson, (2) Love Story Meets Viva La Vida from the Piano Guys, (3) the piano cover of Shut Up and Dance + Best Song Ever from the Rogers Family, and (4) Stars and Flowers (Piano Version) from Yuki Yuna is a Hero. To help with all the Friendship Feels. ;D

Dedicated to @owlsofstarlight and @langwrites. Because we’re the Writer’s Guild, and I hope fluff helps with the long night. You two have done a lot for me. It’s best to show how much, because I can’t be more thankful.

They shouldn’t have noticed. They weren’t supposed to have noticed.

For these past few years, I tried to keep my chakra on the down-low. Kei and Otoha were both sensors, and if I wanted to not trouble them with my emotions, it meant sealing off what I could. Boarding up — bottling up as much as I could.

It felt cowardly, almost hypocritical to give white lies of, “I’m okay” in the face of the Narutoverse. The fact that I was hiding away from my reincarnation buddies in spite of my own wish to be with them forever. In spite of my outer exterior encouraging emotional honesty when it came to personal problems.

Still, it didn’t change the fact that the darkness in my heart was my burden. I had to handle it. It was my weight, not theirs. Kei and Otoha had enough on their plates. They deserved more than worried tears about the future, more than my useless ideas.

They didn’t need to worry about me.

Yet, somehow, I was open enough to be caught off guard again.

“Tomo?”

Kei’s call of my nickname didn’t sound any different from usual, and even with the electric mixer on, I could still flip the switch off to turn around and face her. The cake batter could wait. It sounded like she needed something. “Mm? What is it, Kei?”

I couldn’t lie to her face like that. It was probably foolish to even try, because her hands were shoved in her jacket pockets and a wry, dry smile was on her face. “Think we can talk? Just for a bit. Otoha’s already in the other room.”  

My heart clenched on itself.

Hisako was already giving the mental push. C’mon, Tomoko-chan. Don’t freeze.

I sucked in a breath to steady myself. My chakra was still rolling around in my gut, adding to the butterflies that started popping up at Kei’s question, and I had to force it down. It wasn’t the time to be the deer in headlights. I wasn’t that little girl. I wasn’t.

This isn’t the old world, this isn’t the old world, this isn’t the old world.

I just had to keep repeating that mantra. Outwardly, I put on a small smile in return. “Sure? But…” the words felt somewhat foreign on my tongue as the first bit of honesty was already coming out. “What for, Kei?”

In the time it had taken for me to reply, Kei had only turned around to face the hallway. A single second was all it took for her to swivel her head back to meet my stare, something dark in her eyes. “Just to talk, Tomo,” she offered her hand to me. “Just to talk.”

My heart clenched again. I glanced between her open hand and the floor. “…This won’t trouble you?”

I didn’t even know where the question came from. But by the time it was already out in the air, I couldn’t stop myself.

Kei’s eyes widened a small margin, almost in surprise before softening. There was a spark in the black eyes replacing the dark from before, a spark that I could at least pinpoint as, “agreement” and “oh, you.” Fond exasperation, I think. It reminded me of — of Vy’s Dad. The same soft care. “Nah, it’s no real trouble,” she still gestured with her open hand towards me. It was hard to miss the small smile on Kei’s face. “Let’s just go to your room, Tomo. Trust me.”

For the last signal, Hisako grinned softly.

Even with my blood starting to race in my veins from all the butterflies, my hand was already resting in hers before I could consider any other options.

The walk to my room wasn’t that long. But Otoha was indeed there, letting out a soft dinosaur roar of recognition as soon as Kei opened the door. I didn’t know if the roar was of happiness or of some other emotion, but Kuroha-san seemed happy enough. “Glad to see you, Kei-Kei, To-To.”

That nickname still had some getting used to, because the heat flooding my cheeks was nothing to laugh at. “H-Hi again, Kuroha-san.”

Even without raising my head, I knew Kei was smiling. The dork. “C’mon, Tomo, less blushing, more talking.” Then my hand was being tugged and I could barely hold back from flailing as she guided me over to the floor where Kuroha-san was sitting. It didn’t take long for her to neatly plop down on a nearby seat cushion, and with her continued grip on my hand, I had no choice but to follow her example in doing the same. Because apparently the ninja had time to find the seat cushions in my closet and take them out for us to make a small group huddle.

“Um,” I said slowly, because this was not expected in the slightest. “What’s going on…?”

Otoha swiveled her head in Kei’s direction before slowly flapping a hand in the air. “Me first or you, Lang-Lang?” The small nervous laugh was unmistakable.

I was missing something. Um.

Kei sighed, and it was only then that I realized she had let go of my hand. “Might as well.” The tone had turned almost sad somehow, and I probably should have expected the next statement. Especially considering the cold air of my room somehow. My thoughts at the time chalked it up to the open window, but still.

It didn’t stop my heart from freezing once Kei turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “Tomo, I’m going to be level with you. Please cut the crap.”

“Eh?” was my rather intelligent answer. Because really, Kei had never taken that tone of voice before. Even in the few times I had seen her train with Team Minato in those sessions so long ago, she never got that short and to the point in front of me. This was new, and I didn’t know what to make of it. What left me instead of any other follow-up comment was, “What do you mean?”

Kei sighed again, and it was obvious something was weighing on her mind before Otoha interrupted with a raised hand. “To-To, you’ve been hiding your chakra away from us for the past few weeks, and we’re not in Kansas anymore. There’s no Wicked Witch to drop a house on, so what made you lose sight of the Yellow Brick Road?”

Hisako held back a knowing snort.

I was already starting to feel my hands shake. “K-Kuroha…san…”

“For better terms,” Kei added, tone going back to that same quiet, “You’ve been hiding something, Tomo. And we’re worried. What’s going on?”

Otoha’s jaw clenched before they added a soft and troubled mumble of agreement.

The urge to cry was starting to show up again. For the goddamn umpteenth time.

Of course they would notice. Of course they would.

How could I even think of hiding from my reincarnation buddies? My bestest friends in this whole wide world?

But after losing Leo and Josh…

Hisako was already hugging me. She knew. Of course she knew.

I took in the deepest breath I could muster, letting go of my chakra by just a little bit. “…Are you sure? H-Hearing me out, I mean? I’m…I’m not the best right now, and, and,” the crying urge was already starting to show in my voice, frig, “I’m kinda…yeah. Holding together. Slowly. B-Barely. Yeah.” A lump was already surfacing in my throat. “I’m—I’m trying not to cry. Again.”  

“Tomoko,” And now Kei was using my full name, what— “It’s okay. You’re with us. There’s a privacy seal on your door and Otoha and I are the only ones here.” A hand was resting over both of mine again, and it was obvious who it was. The tears were blurring my vision, but I could still make out the familiar calluses that was my first friend. “I said it before. Whatever you have to say, I’ll listen. Even now.” The smile in her voice was obvious as she squeezed my hands. “I know I still want to hear it.”

Another hand was quickly covering Kei’s, making a huddle on top of both of mine, and I tried not to jump. “Me too,” Otoha added just as quietly. I could even hear the beginnings of a comforting dinosaur trill in her voice with the gesture. “I want to hear it too, Vy-Vy.”

I didn’t deserve these two. I didn’t.

The first drops were already falling onto the pile of hands. “I-I don’t deserve you two. I just—I just don’t.” I wanted to smile, but the tears made it hard to even muster one as it kept cracking on my cheeks, the snot already starting to clog my nose. “I-I… I hid because I’m not worth it. Because I keep doubting you two. Because I’m afraid.”

Kei exhaled shakily, her voice coming out calm and controlled. “Of us? Or what?” She paused before the realization set in. “Of being alone? Of us leaving?”

Of course she would remember that talk about Ty.

The tears kept falling down on our combined hands as I could only nod jerkily.

“To-To…” Otoha’s other hand was already patting my head, and it took all I had to not lurch away from the gesture. “Dorothy didn’t leave you, and I’m not going to leave either. Although,” they paused, glancing at Kei once from what I could see through my bangs before continuing with a confused, “what would that make Kei? The Cowardly Lion? Because I’m pretty sure Kakashi’s the Scarecrow.”

Kei blinked before barking down a sudden laugh. “Os, I don’t think I’m lion-material.”

There was confusion running through my blood this time, but there was still one thing left to address. I tried not to choke. “…You knew?”

Kei and Otoha both were now turning back to stare at me again. A single second was all it took for Otoha’s voice to turn soft, their other hand patting my head all over again as a small dinosaur hum left their lips. “Yeah. Your chakra said everything, To-To. And you wear your heart on your sleeve. It was obvious. And, and we’re not going to leave you.”

The tears were falling faster now. Frig. “I-I think Kei’s the Tin Man with her swords…” But the sniffles were hard to ignore too. My chakra was flooding me like a tsunami because my limits were hit.

Hisako was still silent, hugging me.

They knew. Despite my lies, despite my hiding, they knew. They freakin’ knew. The questions were already leaving me faster than I could think on them, between the starts of sobs. “A-And you’re—you’re not going to leave? Even though I’m the girl who can’t forget the sight of her own blood? Even though I’m the girl who nearly broke her entire past family apart because she didn’t know her brother was doing something wrong? Even though—” my jaw clenched at the exact same time my heart did. “Even though I’m a useless civilian who’s worth jack shit…”

Otoha was already letting out a loud and troubled pterodactyl wail as Kei reached out with her other, free hand to squeeze my shoulder.

Frig, I was already crying, and I couldn’t even meet their eyes. I couldn’t even stop myself from asking the last question. “Why…why do you two still care?”

“Why do you stay?” was left unsaid because I couldn’t find the courage to even muster that anymore. The words were already out there, and I was going to reap whatever repercussions they had.  

I wasn’t expecting the headbutt. It was sudden, quick, and painful, but I was reeling back, and then I could only see resolute and pained black eyes. “Tomo.” Kei’s voice had turned hard, and it only vaguely registered that she was angry. What? “Tomo. You’re seriously asking that? Is it so hard to understand?” She was resting her head against mine, eyes closing slowly in time with her breathing. Even with the tears, I could still make out hers and Otoha’s hands still holding mine down from shuddering. “I've never seen you do a single thing bad enough to deserve how much weight you keep piling on your shoulders. You’re not useless, and you’re better than that.”

Those black eyes were opening to stare at me again, and I took in a shaky breath. “You’re my friend, Tomo. I don’t care about what your past says. Or the dark. I just care about you.”

My heart froze.

Hisako was smiling. There it is.

My reply was choked down to a small, “Eh?”

Kei was pulling away to give more distance, and then I could see the brown hair that was Kuroha-san. When— “To-To…” they mumbled a small, mournful noise before reaching with both hands past Kei’s fingers to touch mine. “To-To, you didn’t exclude me and forget me. You put up with my shit. You made me remember that I’m more than a faceless ninja.” A crooked grin was on their face, and I could barely find myself breathing. “You helped me remember that I’m real. So, I’m not leaving you. Lang-Lang and I, we aren’t leaving you.” They squeezed what they could of my fingers through the hand-pile. “We’re in this together, Vy-Vy. So, don’t be scared.”

The waterworks were officially on now.

I couldn’t even stop the sobs leaving my lips as my nose started to feel runny. “You two…ohmifreakinggod, you two ninja…”

Kei was smiling wryly as the tears kept falling down on our hand pile. “What Os said, all the way.” She was already reaching over with her not-wet hand to offer the start of what was looking like a big Group Hug. “C’mon, Tomo. You’re stuck with us for life, so quit hiding.”

“K-Keiiiiiiiiii…Otohaaaaaaaa…!” was the culmination of the high-pitched, choked noises that left my throat, and once Otoha was adding in a small and cute dinosaur hum, I finally lost it.

Otoha and Kei didn’t even seem to mind that I literally threw myself at them.

My heart wasn’t cold, the room felt warm, and my friends were hugging as hard as they could back. Even if my back was a bit sore from crouching for so long, even if my throat was becoming hoarse from all the crying, it didn’t change the fact that they were here.

Kei and Otoha — Lang and Os. They were here.

We were definitely Best Friends.

I could be with them. It was okay.

No doubts at all.

The darkness could finally be laid to rest.

“You doooooooorks…! H-How can you live saying that cheesy stuff~~?!”

“This coming from the girl who can’t go without a hug every day?”

“That’s what makes her To-To!”

“Heyyyyyyyyy…!”

“Aw, Tomo, it’s okay. I don’t think we meant for you to cry.”

“Th-These are happy tears, you doofus! You complete, ridiculous, insufferable, lovable, doofus!”

“One of those is not like the other, one of those just doesn’t belong~!”

“Heh. That’s how it should be.”

“You doooooooooorks…!”

“Love you too, dork.”

“We’re dorks for life!”

#silent feathers #writing #otoha kuroki #hoshino tomoko #keisuke gekko #long post #the sea and stars #osie #It's okay to not be okay #we're here #something positive #dedicated to Lang and Os