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coeurdastronaute · 2 years

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Winter Olympics 6

Previously on Winter Olympics

“Which one is Lexa?”

“You can’t recognize your girlfriend over there?” Anya scoffed and gave Clarke an offended glance.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Clarke shook her head, a blush warming her collar in the chill of the arena.

The arena was just about half-full, with most people deciding to take in the medal events before a prelim like this. But Clarke and Anya had done some runs in the morning, and fortunately were free from competition until the following week. Clarke jumped at the chance when Anya invited her to join and watch. She had planned on camping out in some restaurant and enjoying it, but this was much better. Both still wanted to go show support for their team after at the slaloms, but this pit stop was… It was important that Anya knew Lexa wasn’t her girlfriend.

“We haven’t-- I mean,” Clarke shook her head and took a deep breath before clenching her jaw. “We’re hanging out and everything is just… cool. Don’t make it a thing or weird.”

“Oh, right, because I’m the one making it weird,” Anya snorted before shifting and pointing toward a body chatting with the goalie. “Number nine.”

When the cousin became engaged in something with Bellamy, Clarke watched intently as Lexa patted her goalie’s shoulder and rejoined the warm-ups. The Swedish team was at the opposite end of the ice doing identical drills. Once Clarke figured out who she was watching though, she fixated on the way Lexa moved, how serious she looked. It seemed only fair that she finally got to see it in person.

“Alright, let’s go Woods!” Anya stood and cheered as the game began, clapping and screaming in equal measure. She pounded the glass that they sat against, right on the action. “Let’s kick some ass out there!”

Clarke smiled and mimicked the cheering as best she could, relatively not used to the atmosphere of team competition. Certainly not used to the vigor with which the athletes pushed themselves on the ice. After a particularly brutal hit, she saw blood. After another, she watched Lexa score, nearly from her knees.

“That’s right! That’s right!” Anya hopped to her feet immediately as the crowd went wild. “There we go Lex!”

As if she knew or could hear it, after celebrating with her team, Lexa pointed toward her cheering section. Clarke could see her giant smile, and wondered if she knew she was there. The camera focused on them, and she knew it’d be a clip somewhere. But that didn’t stop Anya from going wild.

“Alright, so it’s a pretty fun to watch,” Clarke finally agreed as they took their seats again.

“Always better when Lex puts on a show. My aunt once told me she was glad Lexa picked up a stick because it was really boring to watch speed skating competitions most of the time.”

“A little quicker though.”

“Probably much shorter than our days long competitions,” Anya wagered. “I’m glad you’re getting into the spirit.”

“Just glad I don’t have to root against Australia. What are you going to do when they face Canada?”

“It’s tough, but I can’t root against my cousin and uncle. I mean, I’ve been rooting for Lex since we were barely able to stand on ice. Wouldn’t be right.”

“You think it’ll be the gold medal match?”

For a long second, Anya considered while they both watched the game continue.Clarke didn’t know much, but she’d followed the scores and listened to Lexa talk about the game she loved and what the Olympics would look like over the next week or so. She knew the big bad of it was team Canada.

“I do, yeah,” Anya nodded. “It’s going to be tough. It’s kind of good and bad they play each other in the prelims next.”

Clarke nodded as if she knew what it meant, jumping only as bodies were smashed into the board in front of her.

“Jesus fuck!” she yelped.

“Yeah, that never gets old.”

By the end of the game, Lexa scored again, and so did her lovely friend who sang her a song at the party last night, while the enigmatic Em, once again, tallied a shut out. Only after the final whistle did they celebrate, the team clamouring excitedly after knocking gloves with their opponents, exchanging their pleasantries.

Lexa skated slowly by their stretch of window, putting her fist up and meeting her cousin’s hand with a huge smile.

‘You,’ she mouthed, pointing at Clarke, which only led to a wide smile from the snowboarder.

Clarke nodded and waved as Lexa put her other glove up on the window, and she pressed her hand there as well.

XXXXXXXX

“Oh wow.”

A low whistle emanated from the woman waiting outside the restaurant as Clarke approached. She rolled her eyes but approached anyway.

The directions on the little card attached to a small bouquet of flowers told her to dress nicely and meet at this specific spot, at this specific time. Blindly she followed, because she knew who would be waiting, and she was excited to escape the Village. For some reason, it felt like she was trapped there, and slowly forgetting the outside world. This was exactly what she needed, and a bit of an adventure couldn’t hurt.

And so, with little else to go on, Clarke put more effort into getting dressed up than she had in well too many months, for what felt like a very important date.

But as she walked up to the restaurant, and saw Lexa standing there, the black pea coat sitting precisely on her shoulders, buttoned up with the scarf tucked in, her hair, done and tamed, as if she hadn’t just won a game a few hours prior. She was perfect, smiling and eager.

“You clean up nice, Nine.”

“Not every day a pretty girl agrees to go on a date with me.”

With a smooth slip of her hand, Lexa tugged Clarke closer and kissed her softly, innocently-- an every day kind of kiss, pulling away with a smile.

“I didn’t actually agree, you know?”

“Call it blind faith and game-day confidence.”

“So it is a date, then?”

“Yes. If that’s okay?”

Clarke fret with Lexa’s lapel, the thick fabric of her coat itchy against her finger tips. She tried her best to hide the smile that was forming on her lips, so she twisted her mouth around to combat it as it wanted to escape. She nodded and kissed her hockey player again.

“I guess it depends. What do you have planned for us?”

“Reservations here,” she nudged her head toward the restaurant. “You said that you were craving Italian. They were busy. Something about it being a romantic holiday or something… But I was able to wrangle us a table.”

It didn’t happen when they were with her team. It didn’t even happen terribly late at night when they were talking to each other. But Lexa had a mischievous look to her when she wanted. She had it when she hugged Clarke when she won her medal. She had it when she was in the hallway when they first met.

“I heard something about that. The kids are calling it Valentine’s Day.”

“Or something,” she shrugged. “So dinner, a bar a few blocks over, and…” With a little digging, she pulled something out of her pocket. “If you wer okay with it, I thought maybe a night in a real bed might be a good Valentine’s Day gift.”

The key card flashed in its sleek, matte black sleeve. A little nervous, Lexa held her breath as Clarke considered it.

“You planned all of this?”

“Yeah,” she shrugged. “I hope it’s okay, and we definitely don’t have to do any of it. I know it was a bit presumptuous, I just have a game tomorrow and then I have to go to spend time with my grandparents, so I thought--”

Clarke tugged her lapels again, quieting the doubt. On a cold street in downtown Vancouver, as far away from the Olympic Village as they possibly could be, they stood there and were two very normal people on a date. A Valentine’s date.

“You want to be my Valentine?” Clarke murmured, her cheeks burning with the kiss and the cold in equal measure.

“If that’s alright, yeah.”

“You did all of this for me?”

“Yeah, and a little for me,” she smiled. “A big bed, lots of pillows and space, a night away to recenter my brain a bit.”

“Did it get knocked around on the ice today?”

“No, that came after.”

“Want to talk about it over dinner?”

“Nope,” Lexa took a deep breath. “Dinner is all about how wonderful you look and how much I like spending time with you. And between devotions, I would love to hear more about you.”

“Little ol’ me, huh?”

“Yeah. I mean, I don’t just toss any strange woman over my shoulder and whisk them off to bed.”

“Plan on doing it again tonight?”

“It didn’t explicitly make the agenda, but it can be arranged.” Clarke shook her head as Lexa pulled away only to open the door. “After you.”

XXXXXXXXX

There was certainly something to an actual bed, something that was foreign and delicious after a week of a twin. Her bed at home wasn’t as big as the King in the hotel room. It certainly didn’t have a sated hockey player in it, wearing nothing but a sheet around her hips and a dreamy smile on her lips.

The lights from the city twinkled through the soft flurries that began to fall at some point since their return from the bar and dinner. Clarke traced the line of muscles between Lexa’s shoulder blades as she hummed into her neck. Taller by a generous couple inches, Lexa eclipsed the snowboarder, but still, Clarke let her be a blanket. She traced the slick skin of her back, collecting sweat as it dried.

“I didn’t think you’d be at my game today,” Lexa whispered. “That was a nice surprise.”

“When did you realize it was me?”

“About halfway through the second period.”

Her back vibrated with the laugh and Clarke hugged her tighter for some reason as she shifted her hip, rubbing her knee against Lexa’s thigh.

“I had some time to kill. Thought I should take in some of the games. I’m going to watch figure skating tomorrow.”

“Well, I hope you don’t have an eye on a date with one of them.”

“I think bruisers are more my speed. Goons, I heard you were called.”

Clarke smiled in the near dark as Lexa shook her head and stretched, moving the soreness out of her muscles.

“I get to go see speed skating in a few days. My mom’s old coach is here, and she invited me.”

“Is it hard?”

“No. Not always. It’s actually incredibly easy to remember her. Being near people, being here, it makes it very loud, if that makes sense. I don’t mind it.”

It was quiet and calm and Clarke listened to the hockey players breathing. A thumb ran along her rib cage, soothing a bite that would appear in a few hours. Never in her life had Clarke had a Valentine’s Day like this. Never in her life had she grown so close to a complete stranger.

“How are you single?” Clarke whispered. “You are single, right?”

“I don’t know if I should be offended that you think I’d be someone who would cheat.”

“It’s a weird summer camp we’re in. I just wanted to make sure.”

“I imagine I’m single because, like you, I work too hard and travel too much to be in a stable relationship. At least that’s what my ex would tell you.”

“Was she right?”

“Yes and no,” Lexa sighed, lifting her head and propping herself up. “I didn’t try to find a balance. I got pretty locked in… my dad requires a lot of dedication to live up to my full potential,” she used a deep voice to mimic him. “And I haven’t told him no before. I wanted this, too. Selfishly. But I don’t think it’s impossible, to have a partner and be this dedicated to my career. We just didn’t communicate well, and I didn’t make the moves she needed. We wanted very different things.”

“And what is it that you want?”

“Besides you, repeatedly?” she smiled and Clarke held her cheeks in her hand. “I don’t know. What do you want?”

“I hadn’t thought about it, not really.”

“Well, what about now?”

“I want to win another medal. I want to figure out how to find and keep someone like you outside of that tiny Village. I think I could be good at falling for someone, and keeping it going. I think I want to go to school maybe. I don’t know.”

Lexa nodded and smiled, brushing stray hairs from Clarke’s face.

“I mean, you don’t really have to look that far, you know, to find a me.”

“That’s true. I have seemed to have captured you.”

With a slow slip of her leg, Clarke wrapped herself around Lexa like a koala, earning a laugh as she wiggled about in the giant bed. With so much space, they could finally move and not feel like they would fall off with a misplaced hand or leg. She kissed Lexa’s neck and tickled her side.

“Is this why no one’s kept you?” Lexa stilled and tried to catch her breath. “You’re kind of a handful.”

“Yeah, and I tend to snore.”

“Perhaps you don’t want to be kept.”

“That was probably true.”

When Lexa shifted, Clarke rolled their hips until she pinned her into the mattress. She wasn’t one to make such moves, but somehow feeling as if she could pin the great Lexa Woods, was a bit of an accomplishment. It was a reward, as well, when strong hands slid up her sides and back again to root her hips there.

“Can we have the serious conversation we’re skating around, after you’ve won and after I’ve won another? I think we should.”

“Even after just a week?”

“Well, but then it’ll be twice as long,” Clarke shrugged. “We should have it. I want to have it.”

“We should,” Lexa swallowed but nodded.

“If that’s what you want, of course.”

“I do. I can talk.”

“Sometimes,” Clarke teased.

She didn’t move. She held her breath and leaned forward to kiss the hockey player in the giant bed. She squeezed her hips with her thighs and felt lungs hold their breath in her hands. It was bright enough in the room that she could see Lexa’s smile. Clarke hadn’t realized that she wanted to have the conversation. She felt better to know that Lexa did too, even if it was silly, even if it was a dream and a summer camp and not a real thing. She could believe it was real because of how Lexa looked at her in that moment.

“You said you’d tell me what got in your head.”

“Did I?” Lexa cocked her head and disagreed.

“What un-centered your brain?”

Clarke sat back slightly and watched as Lexa debated it. She traced the ink on her ribs and kissed her chest. A thigh flexed behind her. The clock glowed blue, counting down to when they had to be responsible and try to sleep.

“My dad doesn’t like to shave anymore,” Lexa explained. “I know it’s because of my mom. They used to get ready in the morning, and she liked to do it for him, even if they were in a rush. I remember as a kid, she wanted to cheer him up, and so we all put shaving cream on our faces and pretended to shave our playoff beards, just like him.”

“He lost and she made it a special moment.”

“Yeah, she did that. I remember seeing them together. It felt so.. Warm? I can’t explain it. It was… I’d never truly considered what it meant to be in love. But she liked to shave his cheeks and jaw. He let her, even though she nicked him nearly every other time. Rarely she would tell him to sit when he’d forget or it got too long or they needed to talk about something. And she’d lather his face and take her time, tilting it around.”

“I think that’s the best kind of love. Those moments are precious.”

“I don’t know why I can’t stop thinking about it. About her. I don’t think I’ve thought about her this much in a long time.”

“Stress will do that. Your brain likes to compile and make it worse.”

“Yeah, something like that,” Lexa nodded after a deep breath. “My dad thinks I’m distracted, but I’m truly not. I know we joke about it, but I just… I like hanging out with you, and I don’t think it’s bad. I think I’m kicking ass, actually.”

“You are.”

“It’s not bad to think about my mom. It’s just… it’s been really heavy, I guess. My grandparents are here, and my family is a lot.”

Clarke nodded and leaned forward. She ducked under Lexa’s chin and let her hug her tightly.

“I can’t imagine the pressure you’re under.”

“It’s not so bad. I’m built for it.”

“It’s not really fair.”

“Maybe not. But I chose it, and I’m pretty happy.”

“Okay, I like that part.”

“I liked that you were at my game.”

“I might come to a few more, if that’s alright?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Cool.”

Clarke rolled her eyes and kissed below Lexa’s jaw. She liked the soft skin there. She liked the taste of it. She liked the hum she earned. Hands began to drift and she felt a renewed kind of vigor for her activities.

“You,” she whispered against the hockey player’s ear.

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entheory · 1 year

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20 november 2022 • 1209 hours

hiiiiiii I'm back after a long break ^^

some updates:

- got into the med school I wanted to go to!

- I've been living away from home for 9 months now. took some time to get used to it but I love living by myself now

- I've had experiences that I never thought I'd have (amazing btw)

so I'm back now because my prelims are starting from the 29th and I'm freaking out and I need to feel like I'm organised and have my shit together lol. anyways

love, sam

#studyblr #studyspo #study motivation #100dop #study #entheory

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thatpaintedpony · 1 year

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It’s Christmas day so you know what that means . . . year in review time! And whooo boy what a year it has been.

In February, I took Sky to the DNSW competition at SIEC for what was “supposed” to be our last real hurrah at Prelim level before we started looking to make the move to Novice. She went incredibly well, scoring a 71% in one test and a 72% in the other. Competing at SIEC was basically a walk in the park by this point, but I was absolutely thrilled by how well she went. I also had a ridden photoshoot with my best bitch Lexi and we got some absolutely stunning photos with Sky (both of us incredibly sweaty – don’t miss that about the Hawkesbury).

In May, Sky and I had our first crack at Novice in an unofficial competition with the Murrumbateman Adult Riding club. Despite barely warming up because my boot zipper broke right before my test, she put in a really solid effort. Our leg yields weren’t great and she was a little unbalanced in some of the 10m circles, but we definitely didn’t embarrass ourselves. Unfortunately, we’d already entered the ACTDA comp a couple of weeks later at Prelim, thinking we weren’t quite ready for Official novice. Turns out we definitely could have done it!

The ACTDA day was not, unfortunately, our day however. I think she was still holding some stiffness from the fence incident and she was very very tense, against the bridle and stiff. I made two errors of course in one of my tests and was a bit disappointed with it overall. Even so, we got 62 and 68% in our two tests and placed third in both, proving we were well and truly ready for the move up to Novice.

With the inaugural Hawkesbury Dressage Festival fast approaching, with us entered in both Prelim and Novice tests, and our first ever freestyle . . . I fell over and broke my hand like a knob two weeks before the festival. I’ve never been so absolutely gutted. It wasn’t even a fun story. I just slipped on some ice, and that was it.

Still, since a certain someone had pestered me into joining the committee, I had to go anyway. My amazing friends kept me from feeling too down that I couldn’t ride and put together a gorgeous birthday celebration to keep my spirits up. It was a massive undertaking over the span of 9 days and I had a lot of fun.

I did, however, catch Covid at the festival and had the worst week ever (covid sucks yall).

Once I got over the old ‘rona, I started lunging Sky again in preparation for when I might be able to ride again (she was spicy) and then in mid July at long last I was back in the saddle again. Only to get flooded, almost immediately.

I had, for some insane reason, entered NSW State Dressage Championships at the start of September, and between the INCESSANT rain, covid and my broken hand, we really did not have the most ideal lead up. We did what we could to make it work, doing walk work when it was too wet to trot, trotting when we could, but MAN. It was not the best. We spent most of our time slopping around in fetlock deep mud and it was just truly putrid. And then I had the bright idea to got to Singapore the week before the comp! Because I am well prepared. And sensible.

Anyway, Singapore was awesome, though humid, and we did make it to states, despite our massive lack of preparation. And, of course, Sky was absolutely incredible. Despite not being ridden in the leadup to the comp, she put in two lovely tests and we placed 7th and 4th which, for our first ever states was just so exciting.

The weather remained incredibly shit. Through October, we had 3 floods and nearly constant rain. Fucking La nina, I tell you.

Anyway, at the end of October, we had entered AOR Nationals and while she didn’t give me the best feel on the day, she was an absolute trooper and we still came away with a 5th place ribbon. She floated up amazing, was great in the stable, and just really was awesome. November brought, at LONG last, Equitana! 18 months after we first planned our Equitana trip, at long last we made it to Melbourne for 4 days of non-stop horsey goodness. We met up with our online horsey friends and had an incredible time just living and breathing horses.

Despite a successful competition year, we never managed to get our official Novice start. After scratching from the Festival, we tried to enter two other ACTDA comps at Novice, both cancelled due to rain. We then entered the Canberra Classic in November aaaand she pulled up lame with a horrible case of seedy toe.

And that was pretty much it. She was lame for nearly two months with the seedy toe, and we’ve just been walking a lot to try and keep her brain occupied and her muscles working while we wait for it to grow out. December is apparently not our month. So. It’s been a massive year. We went to our first State Championship, our first National Championship. Cracked 70% at Prelim, did our first (Unofficial) Novice and moved halfway across the state. On the whole, it has been a stressful, up and down sort of year. But I have sworn never to enter another Prelim on this horse and I have high hopes for Novice this year! Fingers crossed for no more disasters!

#horsblr #horses of tumblr #equestrian #equestrians of tumblr #dressage #dressage horse #my horse #my posts #sky

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herithage · 2 years

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Entry No. 35: Relaxing day

August 31st, 2022

It was raining for half the day, so I slept. After that, I took beautiful pictures of myself. I want my day to be as stress-free as this one. Although, I do wish I had something more exciting going on in my life. I started watching a new show called Paper Girls this morning. I didn't get to finish it because I was so sleepy. I'm hoping to get some sapphic stuff out of it.

I love myself. Look. I look so pretty. I can't stop listening to Beyoncé's I'm that Girl lately. Surrounding yourself with empowering anthems and things really does help. I know my eyeliner looks wonky—it always does because I use a pencil—but damn, do I make it work? I love the positive bubble I've been in since I started working to better my life. I am so in love with myself, and I am so happy.

My classroom crush replied to my FB story, and I thought I was moving on from her, but I guess not. My IG crush posted a pic of themself this morning too, and I want to write my prelims poem requirement about them. For our prelims exam in our poetry course, we are required to submit two poems: 1 group poem (me and my group will be doing heroic couplets) & 1 individual poem that must be written in one of the forms reported by our blockmates. My friend has chosen the ghazal poetic form for me, and I'm quite excited to write something that has measure. It would be a challenge.

My receiptify this month is full of Beyoncé. I don't want to be ashamed of it even though I am. A little. But how can I be ashamed for long when Beyoncé's music makes me feel so good about myself?

I'm excited about what tomorrow brings. At this point, I'll just leave my love life to the hands of the universe. It probably knows I am not yet healed from my previous relationship. That's what I realized this month. Whenever I talk to someone and something they do reminds me of my ex, I back away instantly. I am still not completely healed, but I will get there. I have faith in myself. Oh, and the universe.

Did I mention I started reading the book my professor gave me? I'm about halfway through, and I don't really know how to feel. It's not the style I typically like, but there are poems and lines that hit home for me or just similes that I just wished I thought of myself. I don't understand most of Vuong's poems. Mostly, my interpretations are just "oh, this is gay" or "oh, this is daddy issues". The poems about American politics, I don't really care for. My favorites are the ones about lovers and his father. I've been aching to write a poem about my father. Maybe I will on September.

I can't wait to write more poems. I missed this. Being inspired and wanting to write and actually writing good shit. I'm back on my game, baby.

#doomed diary

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duckymcdoorknob · 2 years

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Hello, may I request some comfort from the haikyuu boys?

I just feel sad because things didn't work out the way I wanted them to and I don't have the best health rn. Stomach pains, problems with eating and breathing (I had Corona that's why). I don't have the energy to do some things I normally do and I'm feeling unproductive.

If possible with Iwa and Bokuto.

Thank you very much <3

Yes of course!!

Sorry for such a long wait!

I hope you’re doing much better now, and if not, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

This one got very long!!

CW BELOW THE CUT: Mentions of Covid, food mention

𝐻𝑎𝑗𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐼𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑧𝑢𝑚𝑖

When Hajime heard that you had gotten sick with Covid, he waited quite impatiently to come see you.

Quite humorously, Oikawa was the one who kept him tame.

“Iwa-Chan you can’t go see them yet, they’re sick!” The setter hissed as they sat down with their lunches.

“So what?! I’ll get sick too!” Hajime barked in reply.

“Iwa, this is Covid we’re talking about. You’ll be gone during inter-high prelims.”

“Shit…” Iwa cursed, “Aaaagh how long do I have to wait?”

“At least until they aren’t contagious, so I’d say ten days.”

Well… those ten days were absolutely antagonizing for the ace.

In the meantime, Hajime prepared a small little basket to bring to you.

Inside of it was a dvd copy of your favorite movie, six packs of hot (drink) mix, two big bags of your favorite snack, some cold and cough medicine and a bottle of painkillers.

When the happy day finally came, he knocked very gently on your door, worried about how sensitive you’d be to sound.

“(Y/N) it’s me!” He called to you, “Can I come in?”

When you didn’t reply, he frowned.

He sat down on the stoop of your front porch and took his phone out to text you.

“Hey! I brought you some sustenance. Can I come in?”

After about two minutes, you replied: “I’m not entirely open to having visitors right now… but I really appreciate your gesture. Thank you so much.”

“That’s alright! I can leave it on the front porch for you!”

‘How sweet’ you thought, ‘Maybe I can tough this one out for him. He is my friend after all.’

“The front door’s unlocked; go ahead and come inside.”

“I know I’m always invited, I just wanted to check if you were ready for visitors.”

You chuckled at his comment as you dragged yourself out of bed and onto the couch.

“Hi, (Y/N). How ya’ feeling?” Iwa asked softly, shutting the door even softer.

“Like death warmed.” You reply quickly, “But, nonetheless better than I was.”

“That’s always good to hear at least.” He chimed, untying the bow he put on the top of the basket, “Here. Treats.”

The sight of the snack bags made your stomach turn.

“I’ll probably eat them later, I’m not entirely hungry at the moment.”

“Sure!” He cooed. “Want to at least put on (movie)? I’ll make you a cup of (drink).”

That sounded manageable.

“Uh. Yes please.” You replied with a sudden sheepishness.

Making your way to the couch, you sit on it patiently as you hear Hajime bustling about the kitchen.

“The mugs are-“

“In the first cabinet, to the left of the sink, top shelf. You forget I’ve been in this place more than my own.” he finished absentmindedly.

He returned with a mug of (drink), and a glass of water for himself, setting them down and clicking on the movie.

“So.” He began as the opening credits rolled through, “Did anything interesting while you were sick?”

Besides lose interest in anything that used to bring you joy in any form? Not much.

As you chuckle at your own thought, you look up to see Iwa looking at you sympathetically.

“I said that out loud didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“Sorry…”

“Hey don’t be sorry. You caught an illness that no one knows anything about. You were alone for almost two weeks, basically bedridden. It’s not your fault that this made you feel how you do. You’re not mean or weird for thinking this way, it just happens.”

“Yeah… that’s kinda why I shooed away the (snack)s. I can’t bring myself to eat much more than once a day because of how badly my stomach always hurts.”

“Oh no. I’m sorry, (Y/N). Had I known I would’ve put something else in the basket.”

You chuckle at his sweetness. “Knights in armor don’t come much shinier than you, Iwa.”

“Oh yeah?” He teased, “This knight thinks we should stop talking because the movie is about to start, and he knows how much you love quoting every single line.”

𝐾𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑜 𝐵𝑜𝑘𝑢𝑡𝑜

Bokuto, as a very wise man, made an entirely intellectual decision when he heard you were sick:

Consult in Akaashi.

His best friend helped to keep him in a good headspace, since he knew he couldn’t see you right away.

Reducing his “emo modes” with distractions, Akaashi did his best to make the ten day wait time any less agonizing.

When the happy day finally came, Bokuto went to the store and gathered your favorite things.

Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t as educated on what sick people need to consume.

He brought with him huge bottles of juice, big bags of (favorite snack) and a whole bunch of random things you enjoyed, like your favorite candles and movies.

Excitedly, he called you as he assembled a little bag for you.

“(Y/N)! How are you feeling?” He cooed into the phone, placing it on speaker.

“Significantly… less terrible.”

“That still sounds positive to me!”

“Yeah.”

“So! When you’re feeling good, you should come and watch one of the matche-“

“Maybe another time. I’m still a little iffy.”

He bit the inside of his cheek in disappointment. But, he understood. You did just have the plague.

“Sure thing! Is there anything you’d want to do soon?”

“I’m not sure. How about you?”

“We could go play golf!!”

“…you don’t know how to play golf.”

“I’d learn if it means I could hang out with you again!”

You froze on the other end of the phone. Bokuto was just trying to make you feel included and appreciated.

“How quick can you be here?” You murmured into your phone.

“What?”

“You heard me. How quick?”

And within ten minutes, the ace was knocking on your door. Little bag in one hand, hot (drink) from your favorite cafe in another.

“Hi.” Bokuto said sweetly, slipping his shoes off.

“Hi.” you mirrored his smile and invited him in, “I don’t really want to do much. But we can at least watch (movie).”

“Sounds great. Do you want some popcorn?”

You grimaced are the idea of having to fight to keep food down. “Maybe later.”

“Sure thing! Will you at least be able to stomach this?” He outstretched his arm, offering you the to-go cup.

You gaped at him, “How did you know?”

“Intuition.” He replied instantly, “You looked really grossed out when I offered you popcorn. I figured you were having issues keeping food down.”

After clicking on the movie in silence, you sighed and sat down next to Bokuto on the couch, accepting the drink cordially.

“Bo’, I feel so awful. I don’t want to do anything anymore but I’m so tired of being confined to my home.” You confessed, laying down on his thigh.

His fingers instantly found their way to run through your hair. “Mhm.”

“And I feel really guilty because all you’re trying to do is make me feel better and I barely want to do anything because it just hurts so much mentally.”

“I get it! You have nothing to feel upset about (Y/N). You were super duper sick, so no one expects you to just back into the social world that fast.” He explained.

“And if you need space, I’ll be happy to give it to you. If you don’t want any, then I’ll be glad to be attached at your side. No one blames you for what happened, so there’s no sense in blaming yourself.”

You snuggled closer into his lap and turned toward the TV to watch the movie.

“You really do get it, Bo’. Thank you for understanding.”

“Oh of course!” He chimes in response, “So what are we watching again?”

“Oh you’re soooo funny.” You said with sarcasm lacing your tongue. “Can you hear in my laughter how funny you are?”

“Aw thank you! I’m so great at making you laugh!”

“Oh I know.”

But what you didn’t know was that Bokuto actually wanted to make you laugh, and was inches away from tickling you silly…

—————♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎—————

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ribosoons · 3 years

Text

Prelims | Changkyun

Changkyun x Reader || Fluff

Warnings: none

Summary: just you, changkyun, cuddling, comforting you

a/n: wow my heart was about to leave my rib cage while writing this

gif is not mine; cant remember who made this please hmu to credit you properly ;¬;

Prelims examination has come to an end. you were tired because of the sleepless nights you had. was it worth it? no, you even barely pass your exam. you are expecting a low passing grade.

moon is up, you are walking from your uni when you decided to surprise visit your boyfriend, changkyun, on his studio because you knew he is just staying there. reaching at his place, you knock gently. waiting for response the door opened and saw your boyfriend looking at you coldly. if this is your first time meeting him you probably on your knees begging for forgiveness and run away in fear but knowing him you gave him a hug.

"how's the exam, love?" he asked patting your head and placing a kiss on the top of your head. you buried your face on his chest and hummed.

changkyun wasn't so sure what that means but he is proud of you either way. he carefully tugged you inside his place and closing the door. with you not removing you face onto his chest and just following his lead.

"you smell good" you whispered enough for him to hear. you chuckled, blushing, said, "all for you love"

you detach yourself away from him and placed down your bag on his couch and sit beside it. you boyfriend pulled his chair and sat right infront of you.

caging your knees between his thighs, he held your face as if you are the most fragile thing in his world.

"so, you haven't still told me how's your day" he said while softly caressing your cheeks with his thumb. you responded naturally on his gestures which makes you lean on his palm with him holding you whole head. hugging his free arm that is now currently holding your chin.

"it was bad" you let out a long sigh, "can i just be your trophy wife or something? i am so tried studying, it is not even paying off my hardworks. oh no, i am not even working well" again, you ended your sentence with long sigh.

you look at your boyfriend who is now currently smiling at you as if you are the most precious thing in the world.

this is one of the reasons you fell inlove in his. he may not be the person who likes to vocalize how much he loves you but he is able to make you feel loved by just staring.

"don't look at me like that" you teased, "i might fall in love again"

"oh please do" he chuckled. he is now caressing your chin.

"don't worry love, everything will pay off okay? i know you did so well and i know you will pass this sem okay? you deserve to rest, you deserves the breaks you took in between. in fact, i am so proud of you for taking breaks in between. dont be hard on yourself, take it slow and nice, okay?" you have no words. to the point you started weeping which made changkyun shock.

he immediately pulled you for a hug, burying your head on his chest with his arm wrapped around you and your head. lightly brushing your hair with his fingers he whispered more nice words in your ears which made you cry more.

"i do not deserve you" you cried.

"you are more than enough. how about we go home and spend the rest of the night cuddling?"

#monsta x fluff #monsta x scenario #monsta x scenarios #monsta x imagine #changkyun au #monsta x au #changkyun fluff #changkyun imagines #changkyun scenarios #ribosoonswrites

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captnjacksparrow · 3 years

Note

I find it to be so sad that the ultimate defence of NH shippers is that Naruto deserved to end up with someone at the end. Why would we, SNS shippers who love Naruto's character, take it away from him?

I get that Naruto and Sasuke couldn't have ended up together but it also didn't mean that Naruto deserved to get married at 19 to become some sperm factory to spew brats.

Their reasoning is just so sad. Isn't it telling of how NH shipper look at relationships? To think that everyone needs to end up with someone (hetero relationship is what they actually mean) to feel complete, or else it would be unfair to them. Kakashi didn't. Tsunade didn't. It's not like there are no precedents. I wish they could get it through their heads that NH was only endgame because of Boruto. Dot. Period. They talk about how Naruto deserved someone like Hinata because she loved him unconditionally. Does she? 🙄

I wish she had shown some of that empathy for her own highly mistreated cousin than running after a boy who couldn't even respond to her proposal.

NH really sickens me. I detest SS as well. But where SS is toxic for its own reasons, NH simply makes me gag. Because Hinata basically guilts him in the middle of a war/battle, this boy who never showed a moment of restraint before putting his own life on line for people who didn't give a shit about him, Hinata included. Why couldn't she comfort him once, even once, when he most needed it?

Sasuke understands a lot of shit and he won't take any bullshit from people. But Naruto is naive, innocent and too eager to please others. Everyone knows how much he starved for affection and acknowledgement. But at what cost? I hate Hinata's character so much. The way she took advantage of this sweet, kind, generous boy.. And to see NH shippers fetishizing their non existent bond really annoys me.

I have seen posts where Hinata is listed as one of the best female characters in shounen and it gets my goat so badly. Like how the fuck?? She is not only inferior when it comes to battle skills, her resolve and personality traits are equally terrible. What has happened to her nindo way now? All that was just for show, just to ensnare Naruto, wasn't it? How else do I see it?

It does comfort me a little to see that Boruto canon shows Naruto sleeping in three places (his office, couch and Kawaki's room) and not one of them is their own bed. But only a little. Naruto deserved so much better.

Hey @sneezemonster15 !!! Probably by the end of this post, I hope you may get extra comfort!!!

I was writing answers keeping my heart just like Naruto, being positive, bright and warm. But this ask just made me succumb to hatred. Am just going to tear this PinaTrash apart now!!!! Because my inner demon got awakened!!! For all the lies she had spouted so far!!!

And I am going to prove the claim that Hinata's confession in the Pain Arc is similar to Naruto confessing Sasuke under the bridge, is wrong!!! It's not at all similar!!!

I have seen posts where Hinata is listed as one of the best female characters in shounen and it gets my goat so badly. Like how the fuck??

I stopped talking to one of my friend when he said he likes Hinata because she waited for Naruto for so long. This shows the level of respect he had towards women. Somehow they expect a woman to wait for her husband and I hate these kind of people.

I think most of the men in this fandom are like my asshole friend. So, it's not surprising that she was listed in those rankings.

Alright Game time!!!

[[Disclaimer: This post is mildly aggressive]]

WHY HINATA IS A BIG FAT LIAR IN THE ENTIRE NARUTOVERSE?

As we all know Hinata doesn't share much screen time or panels in the Manga. She appears here and there. Her most prominent part was during Chunin Exams Prelims and her shy ‘proud failure’ talk to Naruto before his fight with Neji, Pain Arc, War Arc (part where Neji died).

[[I fucking don't care about her presence in the Itachi pursuit Arc, because Naruto himself was the background character in that Arc. And she didn't do anything there except for constantly fretting over 'Naruto-Kun' and using Byakugan couple of times]]

In all the 3 Arcs, this trash made some confession about Naruto as a Monologue or out loud.

And I always believe confessions in Naruto series is all about how they felt when they met the person they love for the first time. Whatever this trash is spouting is all about how she felt about Naruto from way back when she was 6 or 7.

Let’s see if she stayed true to her words.!!!!!

CONFESSION 1

This is the first confession she made about Naruto way back during Naruto Vs Kiba fight in the Chunin Exam’s Arc!!! Well, at that point I liked her because she seemed to be the only person who believed in him and noticed his strengths way back when she was a kid.

Oh Boy!!!! How fucking wrong I was back then???? If only I have a time machine I would go back and erase my good vibe I had for her!!!!!

“Yet Nobody would even look at Naruto... Nobody even tried to Acknowledge him”

Well, what the fuck this trash did anyway???? She noticed him when he was just 6 or 7, could have easily reached him out and acknowledged him, right???? So she just watched him from afar and let him suffer.

It’s like watching a live murder being performed before your eyes and being quiet. Then she was no different from the villagers who ignored Naruto back then.

Whereas, there’s someone else who looked at Naruto and really acknowledged him.

Despite the fact that Sasuke was also going through a much more horrible mental stress at that time, still he acknowledged Naruto’s existence and threw away a simple smile. This happened when he was just 8.

Sasuke = 1, Hinata = 0

Sasuke acknowledging Naruto’s skills just before the Prelims. Look at Naruto’s reaction. This was one of the happiest moments in Naruto’s life which he himself accepted in VoTE1 monologue.

I agree Hinata coincidentally met Naruto before his fight with Neji and acknowledged him that he was strong. But it was too late because he already got acknowledgements from Sasuke and Iruka..... With Kakashi as his sensei.

Sasuke = 2, Hinata = 0

CONFESSION 2

Here comes the string of her congenital lies. Like I’ve never seen such a liar even in Game of Thrones series. No wonder her fans are just like her and spout rabid lies easily.

“I was always chasing you...”..... Hmmm.... Alright. Next.

“Wanting to overtake you... I just wanted to walk with you... “

So, She wanted to walk with Naruto..... Why the hell she was stalking like a coward, all those times???? Oh, She is shy!!!! Then why the fuck she was spouting that she wanted to walk with him???

I understand if someone stalks Sasuke... because he was somewhat a difficult kid and will tell you, ‘Get Lost’ to your face... So people who are afraid of rejection can only stalk him.

But Naruto was not like that. He was a super friendly kid and he will easily attach to anyone who was willing to talk to him. And yet this creep just stalked him like a psycho!!!

Stalking Creepo - Moment 1

This panel appears during her confession and we can see she was stalking him like a coward. I don’t know the timeline. Maybe before he became a Genin.

Stalking Creepo - Moment 2

This is when she sends off Naruto after Chuunin Exams. Why can’t she walk with him till the Tournament Stadium??? Why is she stalking Naruto even after having a conversation with him?

Why the hell she didn’t warn Naruto to not go for Close Combat with Neji???

Stalking Creepo - Moment 3

This is at the end of Part 1.... Why couldn’t she say ‘Good Bye... See you soon’ by looking him eye to eye???

“I guess I’d better work hard myself”.... Can someone explain me what hard work she did for all those 3 years???

Stalking Creepo - Moment 4

This girl never ever attempted to walk next to him... All she did was obsessive stalking and blushing!!!! Why couldn’t she go straight to him and say, ‘Hi!!! How are you?’

Her obsessive stalking just makes my skin crawl and creeps me out!!!!

Do you know who really wanted to walk with Naruto and actually walked along with him???

I initially thought Sasuke wanted to compete with Naruto. But he genuinely wanted to walk along with him, that’s for sure.

Sasuke = 3, Hinata = 0

In that confession panel, She also said

“I wanted to be with you”

Well, Where the fuck was she when Naruto needed someone???? Am pretty sure, News of Jiraiya’s death must have been spread everywhere by this time. She knew Naruto lived with Jiraiya for 3 years to train under him. Why the fuck she didn’t come here to console him?

Whereas, there’s someone else reached out to Naruto because they genuinely worried about Naruto’s safety and tried to accompany him.

Well, I have nothing to say. If Sasuke just wanted to train, he could have gone somewhere to climb trees rather than going to Naruto’s place. Plus, If he wanted to leave, he could’ve left Naruto alone. Instead he accompanied Naruto until they tire themselves out. Also Why lie to everyone that he was going for a Walk???

Unlike Sakura and Kakashi... Sasuke didn’t want to leave him alone. He wanted to accompany him and hence reached out to him.

I’ve never once saw that PinaTrash reached out Naruto and provided any moral support. Another lie from her pathetic mouth.

Sasuke = 4, Hinata = 0

“So I’m not afraid to die protecting you”

Oh really??? Really??

Oh!!! Hinata sama what happened to you??? You neither died nor protected him successfully!!! You couldn’t even remove one chakra rods from him.

There’s someone else who protected Naruto successfully and almost died for him without any regrets.

Other than Minato and Kushina, Sasuke was the only person to die for Naruto and protected him successfully even though they weren’t acquainted so much at this point.

This is another one of her laundry list of lies!!!!

Sasuke = 5, Hinata = 0

“Because I love you”

Hmm, Wind blowing after a confession... But it’s only from her side though. There’s nothing from Naruto’s side!!!! He didn’t even acknowledge her.

“Because you’re my friend”.... Wind blows, Hair flails after a confession....

Could you find any difference?????

Well, For this confession, Both Naruto and Sasuke acknowledged each other.... And Wind affects both of them!!!!!

Sasuke = 6, Hinata = 0

“I want to stay at Naruto’s side too. I have to do my best”

This line she spouts... is when Shikamaru got back from Half-Death state because of Kurama’s chakra!!!

Well, after this I’ve never once saw her standing next to his side when it mattered. Not in Naruto Shippuden....

Sasuke = 7, Hinata = 0

Not in Boruto.

Sasuke = 8, Hinata = 0

Not even in a Family picture!!!!

This picture is from the End credits of Boruto Movie. There are countless pictures with just Naruto, Sasuke and Boruto are there... I specifically chose this picture to show how HinaTrash is being excluded from her own family!!! Isn’t this pathetic????

Why Boruto is standing between Sasuke and Naruto? Instead of standing between Hinata and Naruto.... OOPS!!!!! What is Mitsuki doing over there? Weird!!!!

And why do I feel like Sasuke and Naruto are standing close to each other whereas their respective wives are standing at a distance????

Sasuke = 9, Hinata = 0

STEALING BOYFRIEND’S LINE

I don’t have to put any thing here!!!! Because Naruto did what he said. He became Hokage... He brought back Sasuke!!!

But this trash???

“Um.... I brought Tea!!!”.... Version 1 - Narutoverse

“Is Tea Okay?”.... Version 2 - Borutoverse...

So, basically She didn’t do Jackshit!!!!! What about her Ninja Way???? Well, She forgot!!!

However, when it comes to Sasuke....

So, Sasuke is the Shadow Hokage.... The Other Hokage!!! He did adopted his boyfriend’s words and became what he said!!!

Sasuke = 10, Hinata = 0

PARENT APPROVAL

The most important and final one!!!!

Well.... If you think all the above things are coincidence... then fine. But this thing is not!!!! Definitely not!!!! Abso-fucking-lutely not!!!

“Just try not to pick a weird one.... ”

“She’s a weird person who turns her eyes away whenever I look at her!”

Now you may say, in the Anime Kushina’s word choice was translated as ‘Bad Woman’... and in the official viz translation it says ‘Don’t fall for the first girl that comes your way’.... ‘Hey Maybe you are conveniently picking the unofficial translated one!!!!’

Nope!!!

I have an ear for Japanese phonetics. I can perceive Japanese words at a moderate difficulty.

Kushina uses the term ‘hen'na onna ni hikka karai nai yo’

hen’na onna = weird woman

Naruto uses the same term ‘hen’na yatsu’

hen’na yatsu = weird person

Why should Kishimoto made Kushina to use the same term as Naruto used in Part 1??? Why Kushina expend her energy to specifically mention not to approach Weird ones???

Well Anyways, It doesn’t matter!!!

“Try to find someone like your mother”

I’ve already written a post on how Sasuke mirrors Kushina.

Yes, Sasuke may not be similar to Kushina in aesthetics. But his protective instinct is very similar to her!!! Also Sasuke’s analytical ability and natural genius is similar to Minato. No wonder Naruto obsessively chased after Sasuke in Shippuden!!! Because he gave a family vibe for Naruto!!!!

It’s also not a coincidence that Kushina was made to ask ‘Was it a girl?’ in the beginning of the flashback and ends with, ‘Find someone like me!!’.....

Yes Kushina!!! He did find someone like you.... But married someone whom you specifically told him not to!!!

Geeezzzz!!! Since this is a parental section... I am going to give +5 points

Sasuke = 15, Hinata = 0

You know, Sasuke is so protective when it comes to Naruto. He senses Danger from far away by sensing Naruto’s Chakra, gets panicked and asks Orochimaru to hurry up. He is super perceptive.

Well, I found this interesting but funny coincidence!!!! No, I take that back.... I am sure it’s not a coincidence... It’s fucking intentional!!! Take this as an absolute fun!!!!

In Chapter 615, Neji dies. Hinata frets for Naruto Kun’s big hands and all shit happens. That chapter ends with this panel.

But somehow, I don’t know what that bastard, Kishi planned on his mind. The very next chapter, in 616... starts with this following panel.

LOL..... Sasuke knew the danger.... And he sensed it!!!!!! ROFL... What was Sasuke concerned about, by the way? I truly want to know!!!!

If you don’t believe me... Just go and turn chapter 615, 616 like I mentioned... I couldn’t stop laughing at this....

And then there’s another fun stuff here,

NH shippers uses this following scene as something to validate their ship.... But it ended up being supportive for us.. LOL... I think this may be coincidental or may be not.... Take it as a fun..

In Chapter 677, Infinite Tsukuyomi gets activated. Everyone was wrapped under that Divine Tree thing. In Page 14, Pinata was shown getting wrapped. As usual her final words were, ‘Naruto-Kun’...

Immediately if you turn next page, 15, You will see Naruto sensing something bad happening outside and tries to reach out... NH shippers claims that Naruto sensed Hinata’s chakra and hence they are connected by souls and shits.... Well, Naruto and Sasuke can also sense each other whereas Pinata can’t sense anything... But that’s another story...

Let’s be generous and accept that Naruto did indeed sensed her chakra and got panicked. But what happened afterwards was the ROFL stuff.

Sasuke is grabbing Naruto!!! And stops him from doing whatever shit he was planned to.

My man, Sasuke sensed danger related to this woman not once but twice.... LOL....

Anyways......

To finish off this post!!!!

So far, all Pinata did was spouting lies and lies!!!! She is just a pathological liar.

Her existence throughout the Manga was all about confessing something about Naruto in every arc she ever appears and yet She didn’t even try to honour a single line from all of her confessions combined. All she did was stalk and wet over ‘Naruto-Kun’ like an Hentai Heroine.

Every line of her confession perfectly suits only one person. And That person is Uchiha Sasuke.

I do believe in coincidences. But this isn’t one!!!! This is just purely Deliberate and Intentional from Kishimoto’s part!!! He just made every lines of Hinata to conveniently suit Sasuke!!!

The fact that both Sasuke and Pinata noticed Naruto from their childhood is not coincidental.

The fact that every line of her confession was already fulfilled by Sasuke during their Genin days is also not coincidental.

Despite the fact that both of them noticed Naruto from their childhood, Naruto noticed only Sasuke when they were just 8.... which eerily mirrors the way Naruto ignored her confession in Pain Arc and went full-on Angst over Sasuke in the Kage Summit Arc and then went on to confess him under the Bridge... I find this very hard to be just a coincidence.

The fact that Sasuke’s protective instinct and natural genius was given to Kushina and Minato respectively might be just a coincidence. But Naruto going full-on obsessive about Sasuke is not. Probably Naruto inherently felt his family whenever he was with him just like Sasuke felt his family whenever he was with Naruto. OOPS!!!

The fact that Sasuke mirrors Kushina, Kushina asking Baby Sasuke ‘Was it a girl?’, got her blessings to be with Naruto and asking Naruto to find someone like her... screams deliberate and on purpose.

The fact that Sasuke and Hinata are polar opposites and Kushina specifically mentions not to go with someone ‘weird’ ... the same word Naruto used to describe her.... is also intentional.

Now in Borutoverse, That’s why Kishimoto intentionally wrote Sasuke to be playing a mother role to Boruto by telling stories of his father just like how Kushina told stories about Minato to Naruto. This erases Pinata from her own family and I find this deliberate too.

That’s why I feel Naruto didn’t copy Hinata’s confession in the Pain Arc and confessed it to Sasuke. It was Sasuke’s actions that was given to Hinata in the form of confession.

Lack of B**bs & V****a played a big role for this terrible mess and there’s no doubt about it. That’s why it irritates me extremely to the core!!

But Anyways, All she got was Naruto’s d*** and spewed out couple of kids and that’s about it. Naruto’s Soulmate is Sasuke and there’s no place for her there, Naruto won’t feel hopeless without her which is enough for me.

#sns #sasunarusasu #narusasu #sasunaru #antihinata #anti hinata #hinata is a pathological liar #she didn't deserve Naruto

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al3x1ss · 3 years

Text

Cheerleader Captain {HCs}

Includes: Terushima, Oikawa

THIS IS WRITTEN WITH A GENDER NEUTRAL READER!

Authors Note: This is a sort of collab with @lexysclubhouse based on our conversations LMAO, but seriously go check hers out!

If a part 2 is wanted, leave an ask!

Warnings: Cursing

Terushima

aLRIGHT KIDS LETS GET TO IT

also hello go check out Lexy’s part of this (collab? Idfk)

you two probably met while he was in practice, but since you’re the cheer captain, you needed to get the last jacket for one of your competitions coming up

so they’re on a water break and they just see a random person come in like

👀

are you lost baby gorl 😏

ANYWHO

Terushima comes up to you smirk and all

“Hey gorgeous, you lookin for me?”

You just look up at this man

Bored as hell

And you’re just SILENT

sO HES JUST LOSING CONFIDENCE LMAO

“No.”

YOU JUST SHOVE PAST HIM

HOMEBOY LOOKS LIKE A LOST PUPPY

so you go to your coach, and immediately a smile comes of your face

and he’s like oh my god

Angel 🥺

so you talk with your coach, get the jacket and say goodbye to her

jacket w a v i n g in the wind behind you like there’s literally a fan on but there’s not?

you’re just so cool to him

so he has already fallen like

IMMEDIATELY

was trying to find you but he can’t

He’s over here thinking you’re a 3rd year from how mature you were

(You’re a second year hehehehe)

so the next time he sees you, YOURE at practice!

His team wasn’t told that their gym was gonna be used for a little before practice

So his team got their early and saw your team doing a routine to “Livin’ La Vida Loca”

ONCE AGAIN HE HAS FALLEN IN LOVE AND CANT GET OUT

DUDE

YOU WITH YOUR POM POMS?

YOUR HIPS

MF ALMOST GOT A NOSEBLEED SHIT

LIKE IT WASN EVEN EROTIC

YOJ WERE JUST SO STUNNING AND COOL LIKE SHIT

HE FELT LIKE A LITERAL NERD

the words “I don’t deserve their oxygen” full on came out from his mouth

ONE OF HIS TEAMMATES JUST STARTED WHEEZING LIKE

OH MY GOD

THEIR CAPTAIN?

W I M P

Like you’re practicing in sweats but shit I mean I’d simp 😳

About 2 weeks later he hears about you guys winning your competition

At this point you kind of know him? Like after that small interaction the cheer team and volleyball team were introduced to eachother

Especially since you were going to be cheering at prelims in 2 months

So the next day he pulls you aside and confesses

Stuttering and ALL

HE GOT YOU FLOWERS

LIKE HE GOT ROSES CUZ HES A BASIC BITCH

BUT LEAVE HIM ALONE HES TRYING 🥺

Shit I’d KILL to get flowers from someone

especially him

okay lex not the time

HE TAKES YOU ON A DATE TO THIS REALLY CUTE DINER

YOU KISS HIS CHEEK AT THE END OF THE NIGHT EIRHHTHTYN

YOU LUCKY MF I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

literally the first conversation was about his tongue piercing

And he got REALLY self conscious

BUT

YOU HAD ONE TOO?

WHICH WAS SUPER COOL

LIKE OMG TWINSIES

like of course you took it out for comps and stuff but for just hanging out you had it in

You look so hot with it to him

so two weeks pass and it’s pre-lims!

At this point you’re one of Johzenji’s favorite couples

Like why didn’t y’all get together sooner you cute as FUCK

So you guys are doing a small routine while Terushima goes up to serve

ITS THE SAME LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA ROUTINE LMAO

MANS IS JUST HOLDING THE BALL STARING AT YOU

NOT KNOWING THAT THE WHISTLE BLEW ALREADY

AND THEN HE SNAPS OUT IF IT REALIZING HIS 8 SECONDS WERE UP

HE LITERALLY G A V E A POINT TO THE OTHER TEAM BECAUSE YOU WERE SO PRETTY

Now between switching sides after losing the 1st set, you walk up to him

He’s just staring at you smirking

“So, you wanna talk about that serve?”

“OH IM SOOOOORY, my pretty baby was just so beautiful, I couldn’t look away.”

THIS MAN DOESNT WALK AWAY

HE MF S K I P S

YOURE RED AS HELL

PRETTY BABY?

BEAUTIFUL?

UGH

Oikawa

heheh HES WEARINT MY NUMBER I ALWAYS SCREAM AT THIS

OKAY SO I HAD A DRESM AB THIS

AND I LOVED IT

SO ITS HAPPENING

ENJOY

OKAY

here’s what I’m thinking

Terushima HAS a cheerleading partner?

Oikawa HAD a cheerleading partner

Your schedules just never lined up and it was a mutual break up!!

You guys broke up about 3 months ago so the awkwardness is basically gone?

Like y’all are friends ya know

And yeah both of you do both still think about it randomly

mostly oikawa 👀

So they’re at practice and you come in SPRINTING

LIKE BOYS ARE ABOUT TO BLOW THE WHISTLE TO START A GAME AND THEY JUST SEE YOU ZOOM

SO EVERYONES JUST KINDA WATCHING LMAO

you don’t come out of the office for a while so they end up starting the game

you wanna know who’d up to serve

Oikawa :)

boy serves RIGHT when you come out

Like the universe was like “oh? let’s scare the mother loving SHIT out of ‘em!”

literally hits the wall next to you

“OIKAWA TOORU GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!”

MAN FREEZES

like shit

He was already gonna get scolded by iwa

but you?

he comes up to you with his arms behind his back, his eyes obviously terrified

“Do you know what you just did?”

“Yes.” 🥺

“And do you realize what you’re gonna do?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Homeboy has never eeen this side of you so he’s terrified.

And when you go to walk away he realizes you’re wearing a captains jacket

“Wait, Y/N, you got promoted?”

“Oh, yeah, I tried for it like a month ago.”

“Congratulations.”

he kinda just stares at you walk out like

Me?

oIKawA tOoRU

missing my ex?

n e v e r

okay maybe sometimes

so the next time he sees you they’re at the prelims against date tech

And he seems you come in in your uniform

wOOSH 🥰

So you guys lock eyes and y’all wave at eachother

you can see his face is r e d so you’re smiling

the game starts, you guys doing simple cheers, but as they get to the transition to the second set, you guys start doing a cheer to “Idol” by BTS that you choreographed

And seeing you as a captain?

H I T THIS MAN

HIT IT TIL IT BREAKS TYPE BEAT

he literally paused to stare at you, iwa was like

“GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER AND DROOL AFTER THE GAME”

stan iwa honestly y’all would make fun of him together whenever you guys had time to hang out

So, end of prelims, they lost to Karasuno

And you’ve been to his house maybe a few times when you guys were dating?

so you remember where it is

his mom?

kinda shocked to see you?

especially in a cheerleading uniform since she never realized you did that?

but you were talking about how you just wanted to see him

so you go upstairs and into his room and he’s just in the corner with his alien plushy sobbing

Your heart is breaking at this point for this man

You go and sit beside him, him not really acknowledging you

“Tooru, I’m really really proud of you and what you’ve become. That will not be the last time you’re on a court, and I will make sure it that as long as I live.”.

he turns to you and turns his alien pushy, instead clinging onto you

You can feel your uniform getting soaked, but you run your fingers through his hair anyway, giving him forehead kisses

after a while of crying, he lifts his head to look at you, eyes still very puffy

You look at him back and you give him a small smile

And he puts his hand on your chin

Gotta get that kiss kiss after missing you for so long

SOFT MAKEOUTS WITH OIKAWA OKAY

so here you guys are at about 2am

Talking about how you missed eachother

“Y/N, I really want to get back together with you.”

😳

“Who would I be to say no to an offer like that?”

You guys go to school the next day

Give the rest of Seijoh 4 sQUEEZES

cuz they deserve it I love them dearly

on Saturday you guys actually went on a date!!

you wanna know what song came on the radio

MF IDOL

HE TURNS TO YOU GRINNING AND GOES

“Ya know you looked really cute doing this cheer, might want to see it again~”“OIKAWA TOORU I WILL NOT HESITATE TO CRASH THIS CAR”

End note: “Just a Friend to You” begins in two days and I’m v excited! (Once again thank you for 100 notes!) (self promotion ✨) But in all seriousness, please go check out Lexy’s stuff! She’s a great writer and is so sweet ❤️

~ Lex 🖤🤍

#haikyuu!!#haikyuu #haikyuu headcanons #haikyuu x reader #oikawa headcanons #oikawa tooru #oikawa x reader #oikawa tooru x reader #terushima headcanons #terushima yūji #terushima x reader #terushima yuji x reader #haikyuu oikawa #haikyuu terushima #Royal Flush

219 notes · View notes

nonstop-haikyuu · 4 years

Text

A Bet Worth Taking

I give you a long ass Tendou smut! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to turn out as long as it did but here we are so!

Warnings: finger sucking, slight dumbification, spitting in mouth(I’m sorry Jesus Asahi), oral (both receiving), vaginal sex, fingering, dirty talk,

Word Count: 7932

It was no secret that Tendou Satori made the Aoba Johsai team uneasy. He was one of the most unpredictable middle blockers that they had ever played, shutting down Iwaizami’s spikes with an ease that made their skin crawl. But the unease that shivered down my spine was not because of his blocking abilities. Sure, he was fantastic at his position and that did make me a tad bit nervous for my boys but that was not the thing that made me squirm at the sight of him.

“Seriously, princess, Guess Monster?” Oikawa groaned, flopping against my bed. I covered my face at his response then whined, “It’s not like I intentionally caught feels for him, Tooru-chan. Iwa-chan, help me out here.” The dark haired ace raised his head from where he was studying Japanese and replied, “As much as I hate to say it, but Asskawa is right. Out of all the people we’ve faced, you’re hot for Tendou?” Burying my face in a pillow to hide my embarrassment, I answered, “I told you it wasn’t on purpose. At least it’s not Ushijima!”

The two exchanged a glance above me and Oikawa hummed his agreement before he remarked, “I guess I can kind of see why you like him.” I snapped my head up and Hajime narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend, drawing out, “Oh and why is that?” I snickered at the clear jealousy in his tone, delighted that the attention had been drawn away from me a bit, then the setter explained, “You’ve seen his fingers, Iwa-chan. Not to mention, he’s known as the Guess Monster. If he can predict what we’re going to do on the court, can you imagine what he can do off the court?”

“Exactly. Plus, he’s pretty. I don’t know, there’s just something about him that excites me.” I remarked with a shrug of my shoulders. The two shook their heads then Iwaizumi glared at Oikawa, muttering, “I don’t like the fact that you understand why she likes that bastard.” Tooru and I shared a knowing smile then I leaned into the mound of pillows against my headboard, chirping, “And just like that, the attention has shifted away from me and my strange crush.”

Little did I know, the attention would quickly snap back to me and my fascination with Tendou Satori in two weeks time, due to a practice match that Coach had set up with Shiratorizawa in preparation for the interhigh prelims that was quickly arriving. Oikawa and Iwaizumi quickly flanked me after our meeting finished and the setter tossed an arm over my shoulders, chirping, “This could be your chance to make your move, princess.”

“Ugh, I don’t even have the backbone to do eye contact for longer than ten seconds. Besides, you guys don’t even like him. Why are you encouraging me?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Iwaizumi ruffled my hair and answered, “Just cause we don’t like him on the court, doesn’t mean that we’re gonna hate him off the court. ‘Sides, we’re your best friends, we’re supposed to support you in your crushes.” I gave a small laugh and leaned into his side, muttering, “You guys are the absolute best. I don’t deserve you.”

“Aww, Iwa-chan, she said we’re the best!” Oikawa cooed, patting the top of my head. I shook his hand off then whined, “Great, now he’s never going to lose that giant ego of his.” Hajime glanced down at me in response and stated, “He wasn’t going to lose it in the first place, you just keep praising him.”

I scoffed then turned my attention to him, retorting, “Says his boyfriend who appeases his praise kink?” The duo paused at my remark and Iwaizumi grabbed the back of Oikawa’s shirt as he tried to run, snapping, “You told her that I praise you!?”

“She practically lives with us, it’s not like it’s a secret, Iwa-chan! Our walls are very thin, you know that!” the setter cried out, struggling in the grasp of the ace. I laughed quietly and stared down at the gym floor. Something told me that this particular practice match would be one unlike many others. The Guess Monster was deep under my skin and he would soon find out exactly who I liked and what I wanted.

The day had come. It was time for our practice match against Shiratorizawa. The team had gone to grab a light lunch, leaving me at the gym to help prep for score keeping and set up chairs for the coaches and me, since I was the only manager attending today. Our rivals were unsurprisingly warming up when I entered the gym.

A few of the first years turned to see who had entered, while Semi waved and Tendou cocked his head at me. Ushijma continued to fire off spikes into the blocks of the second years and I gaped at the sound of the ball smashing into the floor. Even after all these three years of seeing that ace play, it was still a deafening sound. The power was simply unmatched by most.

I approached their coaches and bowed in greeting, asking, “Could you direct me in the area of where the chairs are kept please?” Coach Washijou waved a hand at the question and answered, “I’ll have Tendou show you. This place is so big, if you’re not careful you’ll be halfway across campus.” My eyes widened at the statement and turned as the redhead turned in our direction, that lazy smile stretched across his face as he walked towards us, asking, “Need something, Coach?”

“Tendou, why don’t you show our guest to where we keep the chairs? We don’t need Aoba Johsai throwing a fight when she gets gobbled up by campus.” Something unfamiliar gleamed in the middle blocker’s eyes and he cooed in a low tone, “Oh no, we couldn’t let dear mouse-chan get eaten before she sees her team get broken down again.”

My upper lip twitched at the bait he laid out, Tendou clearly expecting me to snap back with a snide remark, but I replied, “Thank you, Tendou-kun. I appreciate you taking time out of practice to help me.”

His eyes narrowed and for a second, it was clear that he wasn’t expecting that civilized reply then he made his way out of the gym, tossing over his shoulder, “We keep the chairs and score cards in the shed out here.” I nodded in understanding and quickly followed him, eager to prepare my team’s side of the net.

We stepped inside of the shed then he flicked on a light as the door swung shut. I jumped at the sudden loud bang that echoed through the small building and turned as the middle blocker slid closer. In fact, he was so close, I could see the glisten of sweat on his skin and it made my mouth water. Stupid hormones. I had self restraint, dammit, so why can’t I show this bastard that?!

“So little mouse. Cute as ever.” Tendou cooed, twisting a bandaged finger in the string of my hoodie. I gulped at the simple motion and took a small step backwards as I replied, “Tendou-kun. As forward as ever. Ready to lose today?” A low laugh filled my senses and he leaned closer, murmuring, “Someone is brave today. But alas, we’re not losing to Seijoh. Not now, not ever.” I toyed with the hem of his jersey and tilted my head to the side, asking quietly, “Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, Guess Monster?”

“Oho, is that a wager I hear in the distance? What’s the prize if Shiratorizawa wins and by default, I win our little bet?” Tendou asked, stepping closer. I hummed at the question and tugged him down my height, murmuring, “I’ll suck your cock. But if Seijoh wins, you’re going to finger me.”

The middle blocker smirked down at me and replied, “That sounds like a win-win for me, mouse-chan. That interested in my fingers?” I bit my bottom lip at the question and wrapped my hand around his wrist before tugging his hand upwards. Red eyes narrowed then he groaned when I pulled two of his fingers into my mouth.

Tendou hummed at the suction and began pushing his fingers deeper into my mouth, my eyes fluttering half shut. He smirked down at me then murmured, “That’s it, little mouse. I can’t wait to see how pretty you are when you suck me off. Bet you’re going to be flushed and gagging for more.”

I trembled against the wall of the shed and sucked harder, desperate to wreck him before this match started. Aoba Johsai had a hell of a team, but with Tendou on top of his game, it was almost impossible to get a kill in. If I could throw him off just a bit, then maybe, our chances of winning this practice match would increase.

The bandages around his fingers were coarse against my tongue but still so delightful as he continued to finger fuck my mouth, soft groans and curses escaping him. Tendou pulled his fingers out, grinning at the spit slick against my lips connected to his fingers, and chimed, “Well it’s a good thing I keep an extra roll of tape in here in case I leave my others at home. You grab chairs, little mouse, I’m sure your team will be here any time soon.”

I nodded quickly and wiped my mouth with the edge of my hoodie sleeve, cursing the fact that our school colors were so light. Hurrying to collect three chairs, I jerked open the shed door, freezing. Standing on the other side was Iwaizumi and Oikawa. The ace had his hand outstretched towards the handle and the two shared identical looks of “What the hell happened to you?” I laughed quietly and stepped out of the building, chiming, “Hey, glad you guys finally got here. Where’s my lunch, I’m starving.”

Our captain raised a bag that had my name written in Iwa’s neat handwriting then they glanced over my shoulders to see Tendou finishing taping his fingers. The redhead met their gaze and grinned, stepping beside me and stated, “I hope you two are already to get your asses kicked today. I’ve got a lot riding on this match.” And with that, the middle blocker strolled away from us, glee pouring off him. We blinked after him then Iwaizumi whipped his head to face me, demanding, “What the hell was that?”

“T-That was nothing, I promise!” I rushed out, my cheeks heating under the incoming interrogation. Oikawa laughed at my insistence and said, “That was definitely something. What did he mean, he’s got a lot riding on this match?” I hurried past them, the chairs banging together as I sped walked back into the gym.

Our team was warming up, clearly prepared to take down their opponents. Internally, I was hoping that my best friends would leave the subject only until we finished warm-ups at least, but when I noticed them hovering over me as I made my way over to our side of the net, it was clear that they were not letting this go.

“I may have made a wager with the Guess Monster?” I squeaked as I finished setting up the last chair. Their eyes widened at the admission and Iwaizumi drew in a deep breath before he asked in a low voice, “And what exactly was the wager, princess?” I glanced behind them and took notice of Tendou watching us then mumbled, “I told him if they win that I would uh…”

“That you would what? Oikawa asked, eager for the gossip. I drew in a deep breath and hung my head before I rushed out quietly, “I would suck his dick if they win and he’d finger me if we won.” Their eyes widened to almost a comical size and I sunk into my chosen chair, burying my face in my hands as I muttered, “See, this is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you.”

“Holy shit, princess, you went for gold on that.” Iwaizumi praised, surprise still sketched his features, I gulped then murmured, “Not to mention I maybe sucked on his fingers and that’s why he had to change his tape?” And with that, I opened my lunch, giving a small prayer before digging into the noodles. Iwaizumi glanced up at Oikawa who nodded and the two squeezed me into a hug, Tooru stating, “We’re so proud of you.”

“You nerds are making this much more awkward than it needs to be. Go warm up, we don’t need either of you fucking up and getting an injury cause you’re too stupid to get ready.” I insisted, waving them away. The captain pressed a hand to his chest, pouting, “She’s as mean as you are sometimes, Iwa-chan. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’d both hate me.” The ace rolled his eyes and remarked, “Shut up, Loser-kawa, let’s kick some Shiratorizawa ass!” I cheered as they joined the team for stretches. In a matter of five minutes, this had become one of the most interesting practice matches that we would participate in.

The teams finished their warm ups and the ref blew the whistle to wave the teams forward for their thanks. Tendou glanced to the sidelines then waved at me, clearly confident in his abilities. I knew what I was doing when he agreed to the bet, but now that we were about to start, my skin was beginning to prickle with my nerves. Aoba Johsai was one of the best, but in official matches, we’ve never beat Shiratorizawa. Practice games varied in who won, depending on who they put in for their starters. Thankfully, we managed to get serving rights and with that, Oikawa was handed the ball.

Service aces was one of his specialties and anyone who played volleyball knew the way to control a game was to score right off the bat. If Tooru could manage to strike through their defense with his serve, we could build momentum off the point. I leaned forward, eager to watch my best friend do what he was best at, then hummed along to the crowd’s chanting. Even if it was a mere practice match, our cheer section had shown up for support.

Oikawa smacked the ball and it propelled forward, landing in the center of their court, just in front of their libero. I grinned at the distaste on Shiratorizawa’s faces and cheered, changing Seijoh’s score to one. We could do this. We could win.

We didn’t win. The first set Seijoh managed to win twenty five to twenty three. The second and third set, however Tendou had clearly regained his focus, blocking almost anything that Iwaizumi and Makki spiked at him. We lost by two points both sets and I couldn’t help but feel the irritation that remained after a loss. Naturally, both teams agreed to go for a second match, deciding that it would benefit all members to gain some more in-game experiences.

I settled beside Oikawa and Iwaizumi as they dragged in deep breaths between drinking water then murmured, “I’m sorry you guys lost.” Our captain tipped his head against the wall and groaned, “I’m sorry that you lost your bet with the Guess Monster.” I glanced towards the redhead at the mention and froze when I realized that he was heading towards us. Oikawa snickered at my expression then turned to his boyfriend, asking, “Should we go? Leave these two to decide when princess needs to pay up?”

“Would you shut it?” I hissed, swatting at him. Tendou stopped in front of me, stepping between my thighs, then he crooned, “So little mouse, what’s your plans for the weekend? Anything good?” I gripped the front of his jersey and pulled him closer, his hand slapping the wall beside my head as I replied, “The only plans I have is sucking your cock until you’re brainless.”

Iwaizumi coughed at my boldness and Oikawa’s cheeks burned with his embarrassment then the middle blocker grinned, tilting his head to the side, as he replied, “Well, then I don’t suppose you would mind spending the weekend at my dorm?”

“Iwa-chan, I really feel like we shouldn’t be listening to this.” Oikawa admitted, beginning to stand up. Hajime nodded in agreement then joined the rest of the team, who quickly turned away from us. Tendou stretched a hand out to me, pulling me to my feet, and he stated, “Don’t feel pressured to. We don’t even have to go through with the bet.”

I snickered quietly and stepped closer to him, admitting, “If I don’t want to go through the bet, you’ll be the first to know. Honestly, I’m glad that you offered me to stay at your dorm because I really like you and instead of being normal, the hormones jumped out.”

He laughed at my admission and brushed my hair away from my face, chirping, “That’s alright, I like a girl who’s straightforward with what she wants. So, after practice, you wanna get some dinner? Before we go back to my dorm?” I smiled up at him then replied, “If you keep being so nice to me, your reputation with Seijoh as badass Guess Monster is going to be ruined.”

“Tendou, let’s go.” his coach called for the middle blocker. The redhead smirked down at me and traced my bottom lip with his thumb before he replied, “So worth it, if I get you as a girlfriend.” With that, he hurried across the gym to join his team. It was clear that it was time for the second match to begin.

Surprisingly, Seijoh managed to take both sets, winning the second match. The coaches considered doing a third match to break the tie, but after consideration, they decided to leave it at that. It was supposed to storm and no one enjoyed driving home during a thunderstorm, especially since Shiratorizawa’s students stayed on campus and they would have to walk back to their dorms.

I grabbed my bag and Tendou waited outside of the gym while I said goodbyes to my team. Iwaizumi, Oikawa, and I paused by the doorway then the ace turned to the redhead, warning, “If you even think about hurting her, I won’t hesitate to break your fingers.” The middle blocker merely grinned and wiggled his taped fingers in Hajime’s face then replied, “I don’t intend on hurting her… at least, not in the way you’re thinking.”

My face burned at the implication and Oikawa laughed, guiding his boyfriend away as he tossed over his shoulder, “Goodbye, princess! We’ll pick you up whenever you need us to!”

Tendou stretched an arm out and asked, “Can I carry your bag for you, little mouse?” I glanced down at my backpack then reached it to him, murmuring, “If you don’t mind.” He smiled and tossed my bag over his shoulder seemingly without an ounce of effort then I slid my hand into his, asking quietly, “So since we won a match and you won a match, does that mean that we both won the bet?” He held up his ID to allow the security guard to read then he stated, “She’s my guest for the weekend, friend of mine from out of town.”

The man nodded in understanding and pushed open the door, ushering us inside. The middle blocker glanced down at me as we entered the elevator, answering, “Well, I was sort of looking forward to making you come on my fingers, so if that’s what you’re up for, sure.” There was something underlying in Tendou’s tone, his eyes darkened at my question. He was as excited as I was.

His hand raised to my cheek and tipped my face upwards, crooning, “Why’re you shaking, little mouse? Scared? Or excited?” I bit my bottom lip at the question then slid closer, whispering, “If you keep putting your fingers so close to my mouth, I’m going to gag myself on them.” He groaned at my admission then the doors slid open, allowing us to step out. Tendou guided me to his room by my hand and murmured, “God, you’re something else, little mouse. Can’t wait to see if you can suck my cock as well as you did taking my fingers.”

I hummed then he unlocked his dorm, urging me inside. He set my bag beside the door and asked, “Would you like something to eat? I have leftover katsudon if you’d like that.” Giving a quick nod, we entered the small kitchen, Tendou warming up the rice and pork.

I settled against the counter and watched as he worked to make dinner for us then he flashed a lazy smile over his shoulder, cooing, “It’s hard to focus on what I’m going when you keep looking at me like you want to eat me. Or like you want me to eat you.”

“I’m sorry.” I squeaked, burying my face in my hands. He chuckled and backed me further into the counter, those narrowed eyes dragging down my figure, replying, “Don’t be. It’s hot. If you want to skip dinner and get to dessert, I’d be more than willing.” I gave a quiet laugh and answered, “As fun as that sounds, I’m starving and I’m sure that you need to eat. You worked really hard today.”

And the evidence was clear in the sweat that still clung to his hairline. I brushed my thumb against his cheek and slid away from him, grabbing bowls to dish the katsudon evenly. I slid him his bowl and he handed me chopsticks. We ate in silence then Tendou twisted a stray piece of hair around his taped fingers, murmuring, “I can’t wait to pull your hair and fuck that pretty mouth of yours.” I coughed as I finished the last bit of my dinner and glanced upwards, murmuring, “Oh my god.”

“Oops, probably should’ve waited until you finished your food. Sorry, little mouse.” the redhead cooed, dragging his fingers down the side of my face. I leaned forwards and turned my head slightly, enough to catch the tips of his fingers in my mouth. He groaned then I slid the digits deeper and sucked hard, the middle blocker cooing, “Little mouse really enjoys my fingers. Soon you’ll have something even bigger in that pretty mouth of yours. Do you want that?” I pulled backwards and moaned, “Want it so bad, Tendou. Please, lemme suck your cock.”

He stretched his clean hand out to me then led him to his room, stating, “You’re so fucking pretty. Are you ready to suck my cock, little mouse?”

I pushed him onto the bed, reveling in the way that his eyes darkened, and I asked, “Will you take off your shirt, please?” Tendou smirked down at me then pulled his jersey over his head. I sunk to my knees and my fingers tightening in the band of his shorts. I raised an eyebrow and he nodded, urging me on. Pulling the shorts and his underwear down, his cock was revealed and my mouth watered.

Most guys did not have a pretty dick. It was simply a fact of life. But Tendou somehow had been blessed with a dick worthy of being called pretty. A chuckle broke my thoughts and my head snapped upwards. He smirked down at me and said, “Well, thank you. Never been told that before.” My face flushed with color then I whimpered, “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

“Little mouse,” Tendou sang, tangling a hand in my hair, “What a beautiful little thing you are, so eager to suck on my cock.” I tilted my head upwards and murmured, “Would you… never mind, it’s stupid and gross.” He cupped my jaw and leaned downwards, cooing, “Come on, little mouse, you can tell me anything. Go on, tell me what you want.”

“I want you to spit in my mouth.” I rushed out, the words running together. His eyes widened at my request then narrowed as he murmured, “Ahh, little mouse has a nasty side. Of course I’ll spit in your mouth, now open wide.” My eyes fluttered shut at the agreement and opened my mouth, trembling in anticipation. I jumped as he spat in my mouth then moaned when he ordered, “Now suck my cock, little mouse, come on.”

Leaning forward, I slid the head of his dick into my mouth and sucked gently. Tendou’s head tilted backwards and I sunk lower, curling my tongue around the girth. He laughed quietly then pressed at the back of my head, urging, “Go on, little mouse, you can do better than that. What, do you want me to fuck your mouth instead?” I pulled off and kissed the tip, replying, “No, I’ll do better, I promise! Just, you have to give me a bit.” He smirked down at my insistence and laid backwards, replying, “Do as you please, little mouse. I’m patient.”

I smiled up at him then began to bob down his cock, eager to please. I sunk halfway down his member and gagged a bit, earning a moan from Tendou. Delighted by the sound, I sucked harder, eager to earn more. I wrapped my hand around the base of his dick and stroked upwards to meet my lips. I continued to sink lower, drool dribbling on my fingers, and traced the thick vein with my tongue. His fingers tightened in my hair then he pushed me further down and I choked around him, moaning.

He was unraveling beneath me and I smiled at the knowledge. His hips jerked upwards as my teeth accidentally skimmed the skin of his dick then he snarled, eyes flashing with something dark and so promising. Tendou smirked as I whimpered around him then he purred, “That’s it, little mouse. What a good little whore, sucking my cock that well. I think you could handle me fucking your mouth, if you’d open up just a bit more.”

My eyes fluttered closed and pulled off enough to plead, “I-I can take it. I just needed to get used to it a bit. Please, please fuck my mouth, Tendou!” His hand tightened in my hair and he pushed me back onto his cock, forcing me to choke. I struggled for a moment then relaxed, ready for him to fuck my throat. He laughed through his groan and snapped his hips upwards, relishing in the gagging sounds filling the room.

The middle blocker smirked down at me and cooed, “Oh you’re trying so hard to take all of my cock, little mouse. C’mon, choke on my dick, take it down. You gonna let me come down your throat too?” I moaned and nodded the best I could, increasing my speed. I twisted my hand at the base of his dick then sucked hard, eager for him to come in my mouth. Tendou gave a growl and kept his fingers tight in my hair, hips jerking as his orgasm shuddered through his body.

I pulled away and his fingers snapped around my jaw, forcing my lips apart. Come dribbled down my chin then I started to swallow, only for his fingers to plunge in my mouth. My eyes widened in surprise and Tendou ordered, “Swallow. Go on, little mouse, swallow around my fingers.” Whimpering at his instruction, I gulped down at the come in my mouth and opened my mouth to prove that I had done as I was told.

He helped me onto the bed after he settled against the headboard then urged, “Come sit on my lap, little mouse and I’ll fuck you with my fingers.” I unbuttoned my top and straddled his thighs. Tendou smiled up at me then wiggled his fingers in my face, asking, “Are you going to untape my hands, baby?”

Nodding eagerly, I unraveled the bandages and gripped his shoulders, rocking into his lap. The redhead smirked down at me then his hand slipped underneath my skirt and he murmured, “Oh someone already lost her panties. Wonder where those are lying around at.”

I smiled down at him then kissed the underside of his jaw, answering quietly, “They might be in my bag. But I don’t think that really matters right now, since it’s time for you to pay up on your end of our bet.” He hummed his acknowledgement and his fingers slid against my cunt, my eyes fluttering shut. Tendou chuckled in my ear then cooed, “Oh, you’re going to be so fucking beautiful when I make you beg for me to let you come on my fingers, little mouse.”

I moaned against his jaw then rocked against his fingers as I pleaded, “Fuck me, I need your fingers, please, Tendou.” The hand on my jaw tightened and he snapped, “Open your eyes and watch me. Come on, there’s only one way I’m touching your pretty little clit, little mouse, and that’s with you watching me.” I whined and jerked in his grasp, my eyes opening, then gasped, “Fine, they’re open, now finger me, Guess Monster.”

He slid a finger in and I pressed my forehead against his, panting. Tendou bit his bottom lip then pumped the digit faster. He suckled at my neck and underside of my jaw then I whimpered into his shoulder as he increased the speed, his palm slapping against my clit.

My hips jerked against his and I gripped his wrist, insisting, “Another, I want another!” He chuckled at my statement, another shoved beside the first, and snapped, “Greedy little mouse. You’re lucky that you’re so fucking pretty, otherwise I’d make you beg for it.”

“Make me beg for it, I don’t care, just fuck me with your fingers!” I snapped, squeezing his wrist. Red eyes widened at my sudden brazenness and he pulled his fingers out. I whined at the sudden emptiness then he slammed me onto my back, warning, “You should’ve just been a good little mouse and let me build up to this. But since you wanted to be a little brat, I guess I’m just going to have to put you in your place.” Tendou pressed an arm to my hips then fucked the two fingers back into me, a squelching sound echoing the motion.

He studied me for a moment and leaned down, tongue pressed against my clit. I cried out as he slurped at the wetness then he purred, “Oh you’re so fucking sweet, can’t wait to make you come on my tongue, little mouse.” My fingers tangled through his hair and my hips rocked upwards.

Tendou chuckled at my desperation and sucked hard on my clit, fingers twisting to find my G-spot. I squealed at the pleasure racing through my veins then squirmed in his grasp, pleading, “Tendou, Tendou, please! I need- oh god!”

“What was that, little mouse? I think me finger fucking you has turned you stupid. You wanna try that again?” he asked, pulling away a bit. I hated how unbothered the bastard sounded as he continued to finger me, dark eyes trained on my thighs. My legs began to tremble then Tendou smirked, lips wrapping around my clit before sucking hard, tongue flicking faster against the taunt bud. I sobbed as he shoved his fingers inside me and growled, tongue lapping at the slick pouring down his hand.

“That’s it, be my good little mouse, come in my mouth. Do it or you’re not going for the rest of the night. I fucking mean that, you dumb little slut.” Tendou snarled, the palm of his hand slapping against my clit. I clawed at his scalp and my head slammed into the pillows as I whimpered, “Coming, gonna come, be the best for you, Tendou.”

He smirked and cooed, “That’s right, come just for me, little mouse, just like that.” He crooked his fingers hard and my legs spasmed around his shoulders. He sucked my clit hard and teeth nipped the tender bud, drawing my orgasm out quicker than anyone had ever managed to.

I fell limp into the pillows, chest heaving as the pleasure began to clear from my mind, then Tendou kissed at my neck tenderly, murmuring, “Good little mouse, was so good for your Guess Monster. Are you still in there?” I peeked an eye open then muttered, “Still in here. Would you fuck me?” He jerked back to study my expression and pulled his fingers out gently, careful not to overstimulate me, before he replied, “Only if you think you’re absolutely up for it.”

“Tendou, I’ve been wanting you to fuck me since last year and if you don’t dick me down at least three times this weekend, I’ll sue for hormonal trauma.” I threatened with no venom, curling into his lap. His clean hand wrapped around my hip then he pressed the slick fingers to my mouth, ordering, “Clean them, little mouse. We’re not done yet.” I smiled down at him, satisfied that I was getting my way, then did as he asked, suckling on his fingers.

Even without the tape, his fingers were delightful to suck on, the callouses scraping against my tongue. I sighed against the skin then I decided to try something I never considered before. I bit gently on the digits and his eyes darted towards me, a clear warning forming. His fingers began to explore my mouth, pressing against my tongue and slid on my teeth, then he yanked them out.

I whined quietly and gripped his other wrist, eager for more of his fingers stuffed in my mouth. As I pulled his hand closer, he curled his fingers into a fist and warned, “If you keep that up, I really will want to keep my fingers in your mouth all the time. I’ll have to have you over after any game, to fuck that pretty mouth of yours. Never seen anyone have this much of an oral fixation. I wonder who’s fingers you’ve had before, little mouse. Maybe that captain’s of yours?”

I shoved Tendou onto his back then snapped, “Even if I have sucked Oikawa’s fingers, it’s in the past. But for the record, I haven’t.” He smirked at my irritation and wrapped his hands around my hips, rocking into me, then teased, “Oh little mouse is just a slut for me? That’s fucking cute, baby.” I leaned down and kissed him, grinding against his cock. His tongue pressed into my mouth then sucked hard on my bottom lip, teeth nipping the sensitive skin.

“Tendou, will you fuck me, please?” I whimpered, jerking in his hold as his fingers slid against my pussy. He pushed against my shoulder and I fell onto the bed, eager for him to fuck me. Tendou searched in the top drawer then yanked out a couple of condoms, dumping the others on the bed. He ripped open the packet and rolled it down his length. He gave a tight squeeze around the base then asked, “Are you ready, little mouse? Ready for me to fuck that pretty pussy the way that you need?”

“Please, please, I am… I promise, I’m ready for you to fuck me!” He chuckled in my ear and slid his dick against my cunt, delighting in the slickness. He groaned then pressed the head to my entrance before he asked, “Are you sure? We don’t have to.” I gritted my teeth together and wrapped my legs around his waist, insisting, “You know, I always thought you’d be a sadist, what with your little song that you sing on the court and all.”

“Bold of you to assume that I’m just being cautious because I’m not prepared to show you the dark side of me.” Tendou replied, snapping his hips to bury himself in me. I gasped at the rush of pleasure and pain, gripping at his shoulders, then whimpered, “Oh that’s exactly how I imagined you.” A rough chuckle filled my ears and he murmured, “If that’s what you want, then fine, I’ll give it to you.” I smiled up at him, delighted that he was going to give me what I wanted, and he snapped his hips hard into mine, cock rubbing in places that I hadn’t been able to.

“Tendou, oh fuck!” I cried out, nails digging into his shoulder. His eyes gleamed and he bared his teeth, drawing out, “Look at the cute little mouse, already being a whiny little slut. If you can’t handle my cock now, what makes you think that you can handle me at my darkest?” I trembled in his grasp then whimpered, “Harder, give it to me harder… please!”

His hips drove into my own at my plea then he snarled, “You’re so tight for me, little mouse. And you sound so good too.” I moaned into his ear, clutching at his back and shoulder, and he pinched at my nipple, delighting as it hardened under his attention.

He moved closer, his thighs pressing my own further apart, then his free hand massaged at my inner thigh. I sighed under the ministrations and Tendou grinded against my clit before pulling out quickly. Whining at the sudden emptiness, I clung to his shoulders and gasped, “No! No,no,no,no, please!”

He chuckled at my protests and cooed, “Oh, you’re so desperate for me, little mouse, it’s pathetic. I kinda wanna shove my fingers in your mouth and gag you on them while I fuck your cunt. Would you be okay with that?” Tendou pushed just the head into my pussy and I clenched hard around it, desperate for more. He groaned at the tightness then murmured, “Answer me. Yes or no?”

“Yes, please, gag me with your fingers, stuff me with your fat cock, just do it, Guess Monster! For being so good at guessing, you suck at this right now.” I snapped, raising my hips to take more of his dick. His eyes gleamed at the obvious taunt then he snarled, “Fine, little mouse. You want my cock, I’ll give it to you until you’re drooling around my fingers and too stupid to count how many times I’ve made you come.” I moaned at the promise and encouraged, “Get to it then. Show me my favorite monster, huh?”

He slammed into me, my head disrupting the pillows at the top of the bed, then he replied, “Sex isn’t something you guess at, little mouse. You can read your partner’s body language all you want but consent is the most important part. If I don’t know what you really want, how are you supposed to have fun?” I groaned at the good point he made and the pleasure beginning to build in the pit of my stomach then whined, “Dammit, I hate that you have such strong logic! Fuck, your fingers, in my mouth, please!”

Tendou pushed two past my lips and his eyes fluttered half shut as he continued to drive his cock into me then I moaned against the skin. Never had I wanted something as bad as I wanted his fingers in my mouth. He pushed them further in to gag me and I whimpered as his free hand pushed between our hips, long fingers rubbing hard against my clit.

I jerked in his hold and he urged, “That’s it, little mouse, that’s exactly how I want you. Are you going to be my brainless little slut? Come when I tell you to, how I tell you to? Oh what a good little mouse, I’m so lucky.”

My lips fell open against his fingers but he continued to fuck my mouth, nearly in unison with how he drove into me. Drool split over the corner of my mouth as I whined against his fingers then he asked, “You gonna come, little mouse? Soak my cock so I can come too, won’t you?” He leaned down and teeth bit at my shoulder and collarbone as he pushed hard against my clit, clearly determined to make me come.

I shuddered hard and moaned, “Coming, Tendou, oh god!” That familiar smile stretched across his face then he cooed, “That’s it, little mouse, oh you’re so wet and tight.” I clawed at his back as my orgasm washed over me, my eyes slamming shut with the pleasure taking my senses. Tendou drove into me harder, chasing his own high, then groaned into the marks that he left, coming.

We curled into each other as we came to our senses then he asked, “Are you okay?” I hummed at the question and answered, “I don’t think I can feel my legs right now and my throat is sore. But honestly, I’ve never felt better.” Tendou laughed and rolled off of me, murmuring, “I was wondering… are you just wanting this to be a sex thing?”

I glanced over at him, cupping his jaw, then replied, “There’s no way in hell this is going to be just a sex thing. I’ve been crushing on you since my second year. I don’t think I have the restraint to just let it be a sex thing.” He laughed at my honesty and chirped, “That’s good. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one pining then.” He disappeared into the bathroom after throwing away his condom then offered, “You want some water while I’m up?” I called back a “Yes please” and relaxed into the mattress while waiting for the middle blocker to return.

He handed me a tall glass of cold water and began to wipe gently at my thighs and pussy to clean away the come then tossed it into a dirty basket. I curled into his side after finishing half of the water then he drank the rest, sighing into the empty glass. Tendou tugged his blanket over us and we relaxed into each other, sleep drawing us in, before he murmured, “Sleep tight, little mouse.”

Morning rolled in and by the time I woke up, Tendou was already in the kitchen making breakfast. I approached him from behind, wrapping my arms around his waist then pressed my cheek to his back . He hummed and rubbed at my thigh, murmuring, “Good morning, how’d you sleep?” I cuddled closer then muttered, “So good. Thank you.” He chuckled then continued to cook with me latched to his back then we glanced towards the small living room at a few soft knocks.

“Will you go see who’s at the door?” Tendou asked as he continued to fix our breakfast. I hummed and kissed him on the shoulder before making my way to the door. I opened it and immediately froze as I recognized the face behind it. Goshiki, Tendou’s kouhai, was in the doorway, with a backpack slung over his shoulder and confusion written across his face.

We stared at one another then Tendou joined us at the door, wrapping his arms around my waist as he leaned into me, before glancing towards our unexpected guest. I turned to him and answered, “It’s your kouhai, love.” He nodded his head briefly and chirped, “Goshiki, whatcha doing here?”

The first year glanced between us and it was clear that he was processing our relationship then he answered, “Uh, Tendou-senpai, you told me you were going to help me study my English today.” The redhead pursed his lips at the reminder and turned to face me, asking, “Do you mind if I help him study?” I smiled then shook my head, answering, “I can help if you want! It’s no big deal and I do want to spend more time with your team.”

“Aren’t you Seijoh’s manager? Why would you want to spend time with us?” Goshiki asked, tilting his head to the side. I turned to face the first year and answered, “Yeah, my team will always mean the most to me on the court, but since Tendou and I are going to try the whole dating thing, I want to get along with you guys.” The younger boy’s mouth fell open at the admission and I stated, “Anyway, Tendou made breakfast so why don’t you come in and get something to eat before we study?”

I slid my hand into Tendou’s and tugged him into the kitchen, eager for food. We quickly ate dinner and after clearing the table, we settled down, prepared to help Goshiki to the best of our abilities.

That was until Tendou began to spin the pencil he was holding in between his fingers. I bit my bottom lip, watching as he continued to explain some vocabulary to his kouhai. His eyes flickered up to me and he winked before returning to the problem at hand, like nothing had happened. My cheeks burned with the realization that he was doing this on purpose and a plan began to hatch.

I leaned closer then allowed my hand to run over his inner thigh. Tendou stiffened at the gentle touch as I continued to explain the meaning of the word and I smirked. This could work. His long fingers tapped on the table and I began to slide my hand further into his lap. Just how far could the Guess Monster hold his composure in front of his precious kouhai? Slowly, I raked my fingers against his erection, revelling in the quiet sigh he let slip, then I asked, “Does that make sense, Goshiki? I know how hard it can be.”

Tendou’s upper lip twitched with his impatience and the first year chirped, “It does! Thank you!” I began to move onto a new problem, squeezing at his cock, then the redhead jerked out of his seat as he rushed out, “Yes, well, now you know how to do it, why don’t you go back to your dorm and work on some vocabulary on your own, Goshiki?” We turned to face the middle blocker, confusion written across his kouhai’s expression, then he began to protest, “But Tendou-senpai, I really need-”

“Oh I believe in you, little ace, you can do it! Call me later if you need some help!” Tendou cut in, beginning to shove the vocabulary cards in the boy’s bag. I watched with raised eyebrows, somewhat surprised that he was practically tossing the underclassman out of his dorm with no real explanation. The redhead hustled the poor boy out of the door and waved briefly before shutting it in his face. I gave a small laugh then choked up as he faced me. The look on his face was astonishingly dark, eyes narrowed.

“What’s the matter, little mouse? You were so brave stroking my cock while you taught my little kouhai English. Where’s that boldness now?” he asked, caging me in against the table. I began to stutter out an answer, only for him to yank me into a kiss. I moaned into him, fingers tangling in his hair, then cooed, “You knew what you were doing when you spun that pencil, you monster.”

“Mm, I’m your monster now, little mouse.” he replied, that lazy grin stretched across his face. I returned his smile and chirped, “How lucky for me.” Who knew that losing a bet could bring on such wonderful consequences?

Unfortunately for Goshiki, however, he couldn’t look either of us in the face for the next two weeks, due to the fact that he had left his pencil pack on the kitchen table and had entered Tendou’s dorm in hopes of getting it back. Poor boy wasn't expecting to see his senpai eating me out on that same table.

Tags: @haikyuufairy @sporadic-moon-gazer

#tendou satori #tendou satori smut #hq tendou #tendou satori imagines #tendou satori fluff #satori tendou imagines #tendou x reader #tendou x reader smut #haikyuu smut #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu fluff #hq smut #hq imagines #tendou!#my fics #cass content

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pinkhairedlily · 3 years

Text

Chapter 6 - Student Council President Sakura

SCPS AO3 | PREVIOUS CHAPTER

“When’s your birthday, Sasuke?” Naruto asked unprompted. He was eating an onigiri in one hand and writing in a notebook with another. “Captain Haru gave me a journal and told me to fill in the dates.”

“Why are you treating it like a slam book?”

“What’s a slam book? Why are you even changing the topic?”

“July 23.”

Naruto went silent for a moment as he jotted down Sasuke’s name. “Oh, last week? During our sleepover?”

“You mean, hostage sleepover.”

“Ah shit. We didn’t get you a present. Sorry, grumpy.” Naruto’s face was sincerely apologetic and Sasuke was on the verge of nonchalantly assuring him that it was all right when he heard his following reply. “But make sure you get me one okay. It will be on October 10.”

“I wish I was allowed to physically harm you right now but your training next week will suffice,” Sasuke jested right back. “I’ll put in a word with Haru to make you suffer.” He would have said more clapbacks if they didn’t hear loud footsteps running their way.

Their two heads popped just a few inches above the bushes that lined behind the fence and saw a disheveled Sakura catching her breath with bent knees and her arms full of folders. Sasuke surmised she might have come from a council meeting.

“It’s Sakura – “ Sasuke covered Naruto’s loud mouth with his palm.

Her phone rang inside her skirt’s pockets, and her expression panicked when she saw the caller id. The folders fumbled out of her grasp when she answered it. “Oh hello, Kakashi-sensei.”

Both the boys’ brows raised in curiosity when her voice went a pitch higher.

“Ah, I’m actually out of the campus right now, Sensei. Got an errand to run. I’ll see you for consultations…..soon?” Then she ended the call. They all heard another set of footsteps nearing their location, and Sakura repeatedly said I’m screwed to herself.

Naruto wrestled out of Sasuke’s headlock and pulled a surprised Sakura inside their hiding place. The latter grumbled but quickly gathered the folders from the ground and followed suit. Three heads now looked over the bushes, and true enough, Kakashi appeared in the clearing with his phone in his hand. “That’s funny. I thought I heard her voice here.”

When they were sure he was out of their sight and earshot, Sasuke signaled a thumbs up, and Naruto, not missing a beat, started with the obvious question. “Why are you hiding from our mathematics teacher?”

Sakura blushed with intensity, her cheeks the color of cherry tomatoes with a ripeness Sasuke liked the most. She flushed so intensely she couldn’t hide it for her sake. The thought of wanting to have that kind of privilege crossed his mind. “Uh, he wanted a report from me, but I wasn’t able to finish it.” Like the self-aware person that she was, she immediately got her bearings and recognized the place. “This is behind the library.”

“It’s Sasuke’s favorite hiding place until I barged in. And now, it’s yours too.” Naruto grinned at her even when he just revealed this place’s existence to their student council president.

“Shouldn’t you be asking me permission first?” Sasuke arranged the folders first before returning them to Sakura who seemed to calm down a bit.

She laughed dryly. “Technically, it’s public property so we don’t need your permission…grumpy.”

Naruto erupted in laughter while Sasuke closed his eyes in annoyance. Two loud-mouths in what was supposed to be in his safe space and yet all he felt was just mild annoyance. Stopping his thoughts before they ran him aground, he rummaged through their storage bin and found an extra sandwich he bought this morning and the last pack of his cherry tomato juice.

He passed the food to her and gave her a little bit of scolding. “At least have your lunch first before making fun of me.”

“You’re really giving her a tomato juice?” Naruto never could hide his disgust for certain food. “Don’t tell me this is your rite of passage.”

Sasuke glared at the blonde, forcing him to shut up. “Bring any more people here, and I’ll tell your captain to drag you to hell.” That wasn’t so difficult, given that Haru has taken a liking to him, for what he didn’t know. He just treated him like a big brother would, like Itachi would.

Sakura took a sip in the middle of their banter, and she emitted a surprised sound. “So this is what it tasted like? It’s actually good.”

That was the first time someone liked what he liked, and he vaguely realized he was waiting for her opinion. With that, he had trouble suppressing the smile that started to form on his face, so he looked away and mustered his focus on the nearby yells of a practicing dragonboat team.

“Oh, I forgot, belated happy birthday Sasuke.”

He strengthened his resolve not to turn his head just as quickly because he was sure the shock was visible in his face. He was so taken aback he didn’t hear Naruto ask Sakura where she learned of it.

“I came across our class records during the meeting and saw the date. Sucks we weren’t able to get you a present. Anyway, I gotta run. I have another presentation to the principal for a personal project.” Sakura finished off her sandwich in one bite and ran out of the secluded space.

Naruto stared after her disappearing figure, the bunched-up juice carton and sandwich wrapper in his hands. “I should make her a decent lunch sometime. I don’t think she’s eating well.”

But Sasuke had another observation in mind. “Why didn’t you ask for her birthday?”

“I know already. I asked Hinata about it.”

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

Sakura tried to catch up with the baseball captain in the seniors’ hallways before she would lose him to his after classes dates with Hinata. “Haru, wait up please.”

His brown hair has grown longer to hide his undercut which Naruto wanted to replicate as he often mentioned in between their conversations in classes. It was actually a wonder how the usually demure Hinata gravitated towards Haru who had a strong personality. His annoyed gaze softened when he realized it was her calling him, his smile turning into a wide grin as she raced through the halls.

“No running, Ms. President,” he chided.

Sakura playfully punched his shoulder, her fist’s impact light as she struggled to catch her breath. “Can I at least have some of your time? I promise I won’t take long.”

The captain’s face took on an incredulous look. “How the tables have turned.”

They found themselves on a rooftop, away from the incidental eavesdroppers (if there were any), and moreover they needed some quiet space to talk about important matters. The first of which was the baseball team’s finances.

“I gotta hand this to you rather straightforwardly. The board didn’t foresee your qualification in the preliminaries hence they didn’t allot a big budget for your team – not for training, not for travel expenses, not for uniforms, and miscellaneous expenses.” He towered over her, her height a third short from his shoulders, but when he hunched them forward and leaned against the railings, he was almost shoulder to shoulder with her. “So what are your plans?”

Back in junior high, he would often ruffle her hair out of her immaculate ponytail, and this closeness wasn’t really odd because they were from the same town and grew on the same block. Distance just crept in as they made more friends and entered different circles.

“My personal savings,” Haru simply replied. “Our coach will chip in half of our projected expenses so we’re good to go.”

Sakura sighed. “As always, you don’t like to rely on anyone.”

“We’re not really too far from each other, Sakura. So what’s your plan anyway?” Haru turned with his back this time against the railing.

“Pass-the-Hat.”

Haru nodded. “And your savings.”

Sakura shook her head vehemently. “Hell no.”

“Gears are turning in your head, and I can see you’ll fill in a part with your savings. Stop it, Haruno.”

“I’m telling you, I won’t give you a part of my savings. Anyway – “

“Anyway? There’s more?” Haru hastily looked at his watch to check the time, almost formed a reply, and thought better of it, hiding his wrist from his view.

“I saw your career sheet form. You know you could always try to apply for an athletic scholarship, right?” If she can hazard a guess, Haru may not be planning at all to proceed to college. He always has his father’s fishing business to take over back in their town.

“No association would vet for a player who only qualified for prelims on his senior year.” Haru playfully ruffled her hair, the gesture she thought was once forgotten between them. “So don’t feel sorry for me. I already have Hinata to deal with.”

“You sound so pessimistic when you’re just going away for a year until she decides to follow you. Your story’s almost like a fairytale,” Sakura scoffed.

“First of all, long distance relationships don’t work and second and last of all, there’s her father to think about.” Haru let out a long sigh. “Believe me, Sakura, I want to make it work, but I feel like the distance between us had already set in even before I go.”

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

Haru was right. While Pass-the-Hat garnered lots of amounts enough to shoulder the logistics of the training of the baseball team before the semis, there wasn’t enough to pay for their new equipment. She could ask the teachers, but she knew Haru and the coach have already asked for prior favors. At the last minute before the trip got cancelled, Sakura anonymously put in two-thirds of her savings into the donations pool which the captain got wind of and somehow reached Kakashi.

While she was successful in avoiding him for the first few days of the school trip while Naruto and his team was in Fukuoka, he caught her alone as she was reading the markers outside the walls of a castle.

“Haruno Sakura.” His voice startled her. She turned around, like a good student that she was, and waved a bit too enthusiastically. “Mind telling me why you won’t talk to me outside of our council meetings? Did I say any directive that offended you or overworked you? I need to have an open communication with you kids.”

Kids. “Ah, I was just a little busy these past weeks,” Sakura assured him. She nervously fidgeted with his rubber band that was still on her wrist. His eyes followed her movements, and she hid them quickly behind her back, afraid of what he would say if he realized.

“I heard from the principal that he greenlighted your personal project, and that you will be presenting this to the board next week for a possible funding. You accomplished that on top of the feats you pulled to bring the baseball team to the semis.” As Kakashi recounted her accomplishments, she couldn’t help the blush that rose to her cheeks. She was finding it difficult to say an excuse right now. “So I’m returning your personal donation.”

Sakura stared at him directly, never mind the raven irises that drowned her in undivided attention. “What?” He smiled, highlighting even more his mole, and she gasped, breathless at the sight.

“Don’t worry your pretty head over these things. You’re too young for this. I’ll have the funds downloaded to your bank, all right.” Kakashi patted her head softly and disappeared in the meandering crowds.

She slapped the rubber band against the thin skin of her wrist repeatedly. She didn’t know whether she should feel grateful that her savings were back or feel angry that she was patronized because of her age. Didn’t Kakashi know that teenagers grow up faster than their actual age and that she had every right to worry her pretty head? When will he start seeing her as she was?

Her self-deprecating thoughts ran awry when someone took hold of her wrist that has gone red from the slap of the rubber band.

For someone who alternated between being grim-faced or stoic, Sasuke’s hand was gentle and kind. She knew that ever since she saw him in the café, all the good things in him seeping out through cracks in his wall. Right now, she knew he was worried about the supportless baseball team.

“They’re losing, aren’t they?” Sakura suppressed the overwhelming emotions from her earlier interaction with Kakashi and concocted a plan in her head.

She coordinated with the guides and had them add a stop at the baseball field at Fukuoka for one last hurrah for the team.

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

Thirty minutes later, their school witnessed how the top teams decimated Naruto’s team. No innings won, batters relentless, and Haru got injured. Sakura, sensing the dampened atmosphere among the student body, rallied yells, earning surprised looks from the team members.

Through the crowds, Sasuke saw Hinata, her fingers twirling the ends of her long braid, and her eyes scanning the place for her boyfriend…until her gaze shifted to Naruto. He traversed the space to stand beside her, breaking his own rule to remain uninvolved in other people’s affairs.

But he owed this to Naruto and Haru who never failed to include him in after practice dinners and effectively kept the gaping depression in his apartment away.

“Your boyfriend has a broken arm, but you’re looking at Naruto.” He said, even before he could announce his presence to her.

Hinata turned her face to him and repeated his words. “My boyfriend has a broken arm but I cannot look at broken limbs for too long. Thanks for pointing that out.”

“There’s a second statement after my but.”

“Hmm, my eyes just probably gravitated to him unknowingly. But it couldn’t be helped, right? He just has this bright, sunshine energy.” Hinata shrugged, seemingly confused by her words as well.

Sasuke wanted to prod more but her eyes narrowed at something behind him. When he glanced back, he saw Sakura stood in tiptoes as she hugged a downtrodden Naruto. If he wasn’t so sad, he would have blushed and awkwardly pushed his crush away, but for this instance, he choked back his sobs and eventually cried on her shoulder.

“Maybe the student council can also support other teams which are gearing up for nationals. You may suffer backlash if favoritism becomes obvious.”

He scoffed at Hinata’s advice. “I’ll tell our student council president that.”

Sasuke made his way to the blonde and pinkette, his arms engulfing both of their heads in a very rare hug. He felt Sakura stiffen beneath him while Naruto changed shoulders and cried openly against Sasuke’s shirt.

This he didn’t mind, as long as both of their faces were hidden from her view.

AO3 LINK | NEXT CHAPTER | CHAPTER 7

#SCPS #student council president sakura #sasusaku #uchiha sasuke #haruno sakura #narusaku #uzumaki naruto #kakasaku #hatake kakashi #hinata i will redeem you soon but for now you're a menace love you

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risingsouls · 2 years

Text

Recruited: Chapter 34

I lied(?). This is actually the last chapter before actually getting back into the action that coincides with the canon timeline! Long story short: I've had this idea for a long time and, when I looked things up again, I realized it took place right before the androids show up rather than a few days before the Cell Games (which, frankly, egg on my face because that makes more sense when you think about it). SO! Have one last fun thing before the proverbial shit hits the fan. :3

As usual, Lila belongs to the lovely @synthetixviola on Tumblr!

Read the rest of this fic and other junk I’ve written here!

Nabooru

Though she had flown over the island more than once, close as the proximity was to the West Desert, the sheer size and grandeur of the tournament grounds awed Nabooru. So much fanfare surrounded the World Martial Arts Tournament that the place mimicked a small city. Vendors and other entertainment lined the walkways. Restaurants and souvenir shops could be seen on every block, and a few large hotels were situated nearby. Spectators and fighters alike flocked to the gates to get a good seat to the action and sign up, respectively. With how little people regarded fighting or martial arts as a viable pastime or way to make a proper living, it shocked her to see how many people set aside their lives for an entire day to watch the tournament. And, when she and Lila approached the sign up area, she was more stunned to find many more prospective participants than expected.

Unworried about securing a seat herself, as she did not plan to compete herself, Lila explained how the tournament worked and offered a history lesson about the tournament itself and the last few held. She discussed the rules to give Nabooru a heads up of what to expect, and how, since Goku and Piccolo destroyed the last arena in their bout, they rebuilt it bigger and better to cater to how popular the event grew in the last few tournaments.

"I still don't see why you want to mess around with this," Lila said as they inched closer to the registration desk. She shifted onto her tiptoes for a better look at those in front of them, and then sized up a burly man that passed them by with a lecherous grin on his face. "This is going to be an easy win for you and not satisfying at all. And with those other cyborgs meant to turn up, I figured you would be waist deep in training. So, why bother?"

"I told you already," Nabooru sniffed, adjusting her balck jacket reading, DX Bomber Gym on the back in gold writing. The sports bra and shorts she wore matched in color scheme–the same as Nappa's–old armor and the name etched across the front of her top as well. "It's mostly to advertise for my friend's gym and dojo and drum up new business. It's only a day long, and the prize money wouldn't hurt anything."

"The friend you won't tell me about." Lila folded her arms, scarlet lips pursed. Nabooru did feel guilty keeping her in the dark, but with the vendetta she held against Nappa, she couldn't risk his safety. This shot at a second chance to try out a new life on his own terms. Perhaps someday, when she knew she could convince Lila not to hunt him down and destroy him, she would tell her that he did in fact live despite her story about his death.

"Like I said. I have my reasons."

They reached the desk and a man wearing an orange robe and purple hat urged her to write her name on the next line down and explained the process of the preliminary rounds, where they would be held, and directions to the fighters' waiting and rest area. With a smile and a thank you, Nabooru stepped out of line with Lila. "I promise. I'll tell you someday. Maybe even introduce you."

The baker rolled her chartreuse eyes and flicked dirt from beneath her manicured nail. "Yeah, yeah. Fine." A smile finally graced her lips and she winked. "Just try to make your fights interesting and we'll call it even. I'll find a window to watch the prelims from."

Nabooru nodded and beamed at her friend. "I think I can do that. I'll see you later."

She watched Lila merge back into the crowd before following the attendant's instructions to a spacious hall crowded with prospective champions awaiting the beginning of the preliminary rounds. She spent the wait grabbing a bite to eat but staying to herself, observing the, regrettably, mostly male fighters posture and brag about their abilities. Threaten each other and make bold claims of their victory over all others. A few cast her curious glances and sniggered behind their hands to the person next to them. It only made her more eager to get on with the preliminary matches so she could show them that she wasn't just a pretty girl in over her head.

Soon enough, the fighters were escorted to a large hall with eight rings sketched out. Boards in front of each bore each fighter's name and their opponent for the preliminary bouts. Scanning them, Nabooru found her name in group seven. One of the attendants ascended a small platform at the head of the room and, after calling their attention, explained the rules of the preliminary matches. Each fight would last only a minute, a winner chosen by ring out, by knock out, or if one fighter gives up. If the minute passes without a clear winner, points will decide who moved on. With a wish of luck and clean fights, he instructed them to make their way to the proper ring and prepare for the preliminaries to begin.

Crossing the room to the ring situated near the back corner, Nabooru caught a hint of violet rise up to the window out of the corner of her eye. When she glanced over, she found Lila floating outside the window as promised. As expected, the junior competition didn't appeal to the cyborg as much as watching her friend tear through hopeful adults wanting to make it big. In some ways Nabooru felt a little bad for entering. By Earthling standards, there was probably some real talent amongst the participants. But they would see their hopes dashed by someone who far outclassed them due to her training in ki which most on the planet knew little to nothing about. If she held back enough, she might be able to allow a proper challenge, but fighting with ki had become almost as inherent as not at that point. She would already have to hold back enough to ensure she didn't kill or horrifically injure anyway. Maybe this could be a challenge to see how much she could hold back. If she could truly return to her roots as a ki-less but formidable warrior.

The new challenge in mind, she stepped into the ring when her name was called. However, after her first opponent catcalled and promised to take it easy on her because she was so pretty and a date after he won, she decided he deserved a heaping helping of embarrassment and threw him from the ring immediately. Adversaries that followed and showed similar attitudes were treated the same: disposed of in seconds. Those who showed her proper respect at least received the privilege of fighting for nearly the full minute before she firmly gained the upper hand and claimed victory.

With the fast-paced nature of the preliminary fights, Nabooru stood the victor of group seven before breaking a sweat. She joined the others at the front of the room around one orange-garbed attendant while another thanked and dismissed the grumbling losers. Their attendant, tall and sporting a pencil thin mustache, explained that, after the junior division and a quick clean up, they would take center stage and draw lots to determine the matches. For now, they were free to make their way to the fighters' waiting area on the sidelines of the ring to watch the final bout of the junior competition.

Satisfied with their affirmative answers of understanding, he led them from the edge of the complex toward the center where the roar of the crowd boomed and the announcer's jubilant introduction of the finalists sprang from the speakers all around them to cut through the noise.

"What an exciting tournament this has been for these talented little tykes!" When they reached the waiting area, Nabooru spotted the commentator in the center of the ring. He sported blonde hair and a mustache, and dark sunglasses shaded his eyes. "But only one can be crowned as our first ever junior division champion! Let's give these young go-getters the fanfare they deserve and bring them out here!"

Nabooru leaned against the partition resting just behind the exit of the waiting area as the crowd cheered and applauded again. A young boy with a messy crop of brown hair shuffled passed her, flinching slightly when the full force of the crowd's cheers reached him. As if remembering his parent's warning of looking his best, he tousled his hair into a slightly less disheveled look and straightened his simple white gi. Tightening his red belt seemed to bolster his confidence, and he waved like a pro as he ascended into the ring.

"First we have 13 year old Mido ready to continue showing his discipline and know-how here on our stage!" The announcer flourished his arm out toward Mido who raised both fists in the air.

"Daddy, stop! I gotta go! Your beard is itchy, anyway, and this is embarrassing!"

Girlish giggles intertwined with booming laughter tore her attention away from the ring. One of the other adult contestants, a burly man in a brown and white martial arts uniform, a voluminous and curly crop of black hair, stubble, and a thick mustache squeezed a young, pig-tailed girl one last time before settling her back on the tiled floor. Despite her protests, she beamed up at him, sky-blue eyes alight with glee.

"I knew you'd make it this far, but it ain't over yet!" the man told her, hands on his hips. "Go show that little wimp that Videl Satan is no pushover! We're a family of champions!"

Videl bounced in place and held her arms out to either side, flexing. "I will!"

With a last, quick embrace, she scurried away from her father. "And his opponent of age 11: the fiery and powerful Videl!"

Unlike her opponent, Videl dashed out of the waiting area and sprang over the steps leading up to the ring. She waved to the cheering crowd, beaming all the while. Her father moved up to stand in the center of the entrance to cheer her on.

"Let's not keep the fans and fighters waiting!" The announcer backed off several paces to the edge of the ring and swung his arm downward in a chopping motion. "Let the match begin!"

For the first few minutes, it appeared they were both evenly matched, trading blow for blow or answering the other's brief upper hand to gain their own. Nabooru was impressed by their skill at such a young age, and equal parts surprised and proud to see a young girl with this much talent and interest in combat on the planet. For her age, she showed a hint more experience and finesse over Mido, an ability to read him a split second faster than he could her. And, combined with her refusal to hold back, she knocked the boy out of the ring, where he sprawled out in the grass trying to hold back tears. The medics rushed to him and helped him to his feet and, though his eyes shone with unshed tears, he managed a humble grin.

"And with that ring out, we have our very first Junior World Martial Arts Champion! Videl Satan!"

The crowd and her father erupted in boisterous cheers for the young fighter who looked ready to explode with joy. One of the attendants placed a gold medal bearing the tournament's mascot around her neck and an envelope in her hands, and her eyes glittered as she held it in her hands and looked it over. After a moment longer of basking in her victory, the attendant ushered her back down the stairs where she sprinted straight for her father's embrace.

"That's my girl!" he boomed, laughing and spinning her around. "Junior Champion of the World!"

One of the other fighters, a rotund man in a too small blue vest and his black hair tied up on top of his head in a small horsetail, sneered, obviously not as endeared by the display as the rest of them. "It's too bad your daddy will be doubly embarrassed now when he loses, little girl."

Videl's grin soured and she wriggled from her father's grasp. "Listen here! My dad's the strongest in the world! He's going to win, too, and we're going to be champions together!"

He and a few others snickered or scoffed. Her father shifted behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Now, Videl. Let's not besmirch your victory and my future victory with these wimps' nonsense. Run along and get you something to eat. You've earned as much dessert as you can stomach."

She flashed her father a smile and a nod. As she passed the other fighters, she blew a raspberry at them and skipped off, medal bouncing proudly against her chest.

"If you think that cutesy dad act is going to get anyone to go easy on you, you've got another thing coming." A fighter with shoulder length blonde hair and a teal suit flipped his locks over his shoulder. "This is a serious competition, not daddy daughter date night."

"Nabooru, hey!"

Attention torn away from the men exchanging banter and glad they had yet to turn their likely sexist commentary on her, Nabooru found a tall, burly figure poised at the opposite entrance to the waiting area. She couldn't help but snort over the fact that he was heeding the instructions of the attendants posted there and not barreling past them anyway. "Nappa?"

She crossed the area and slowed halfway, panic gripping her heart. "Nappa!" She shot over to him and yanked him inside to shove him against the wall and out of sight of the other spectators wandering by or trying to get a sneak peak at the contestants. She ignored the workers' protests.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, peering around the corner to ensure Lila was nowhere in the vicinity. For the first time, she truly lamented the fact that she couldn't sense the woman's energy. "You can't be here!"

"What the hell does that mean? Of course I'm going to come watch my student!" He beamed despite her growing annoyance. "Plus, I've been using your apparently near flawless performance in the preliminaries to get some of the losers to consider the gym."

"Are you at least being discreet? Trying to blend in?" She peered down at his waist. His black t-shirt hid his tail.

"Why are you being so weird? Is Vegeta here or something and you're afraid he'll do something stupid if he sees me?"

"Of course he's not here, " Nabooru scoffed. "But listen."

She tugged him down to her level by the collar of his shirt, lowering her voice. "If you see a short woman with purple, curly hair and pretty but almost eerie green eyes, steer clear of her. She does want to kill you. And yes. She is capable of doing it."

A large white board wheeling past them broke their concentration, but Nabooru immediately snapped Nappa's attention back to her with a snap of her fingers. "You got that?"

"Tch, didn't know you gave that much of a shit about me, Nabooru. I'm flattered."

She grit her teeth to keep from punching him through the wall. "This is serious Nappa!"

"Alright, alright. I'll keep on look out for a short woman with purple hair and green eyes. But if she knows what I look like, I don't know how well that will go over. I stick out like a sore thumb here."

The brief squeal of microphone feedback interrupted them again before the announcer's voice once more boomed throughout the stadium, "Alright, now that we've cleaned up and allowed for a small intermission for spectators and fighters alike, let's meet our combatants! Will the eight tournament qualifiers please make their way to the ring?"

Nabooru cursed. "Just…figure it out." She released him and coaxed him back to the door with a nudge to his side. "Find a hat. Some sunglasses. Maybe even a wig. Anything. You're smart."

The Saiyan snorted but grinned. "Fine. Get going and win me some business."

He turned away to join the flow of the crowd heading back toward the stands. Before she joined the other fighters, she saw him snatch a man's baseball cap off his head and another's sunglasses, and, ignoring their anguished cries, donned them himself and casually disappeared around the corner. As much as a man of his size could disappear, anyway.

Nabooru brought up the tail end of the procession to the ring, momentarily unnerved by the raucous applause and cheers from the crowd. Though she had fought in front of crowds before, both back home and in the underground fighting rings on Earth, she was certain she had never seen this many people in one place. She scanned the stands and found Lila seated halfway up a section on the right side of the ring, closest to the waiting area. Hands cupped around her mouth, she joined in with the hooting and hollering those around her partook in. The Gerudo returned her exuberant wave.

Lined up in the center of the ring, she half listened to the announcer explain that they would draw lots to determine the bracket, gold eyes scanning the crowd to find Nappa. He finally appeared over the steps leading to the topmost level's balcony. He leaned against the bar and, she thanked luck or him actually scouting and spotting Lila himself, for he chose a place behind the vindictive cyborg. She hoped the stupid hat and sunglasses would be enough to keep her from recognizing him fully should she somehow spot the giant.

"Without further ado! First up is…Benito!" Easily the largest of the fighters stepped forward amidst a surprisingly high-pitched and childish explosion of chanting and singing too garbled with the distance and multitude of voices to make out. However, it made the reptilian man flinch and grumble, and the lavender scales on his face turned bright blue.

The announcer adjusted his sunglasses and peered up at him as the attendant held a box out to him. "Ah, I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but aren't you Bobo the Dinosaur? From that kids' show?"

Benito bared his sharp teeth in a wicked snarl. "Not anymore damn it!" He shoved his larger, clawed hand into the box, the size tearing the opening wider and its weight nearly causing the attendant to drop it. "I'm reinventing myself as a ruthless fighter, and you had better recognize it!"

Tossing the green ball he withdrew from the box, the announcer scrambled to catch it in his free hand. Benito lumbered back to the rest of the fighters, casting each of them a pointed glare and daring them to use his former moniker. To her surprise, the others who likely recognized the same behaved and kept their comments to themselves. Perhaps they already made their digs while she confronted Nappa.

The announcer shuddered and cleared his throat. "Okay! Benito, the ruthless fighter out to prove his mettle on this global stage has drawn number four, placing him in the second matchup!"

As they placed Benito's name on the white board in the fourth slot, the announcer continued, "Next we have Jewell!"

The blonde hassling the father and daughter earlier stepped forward to the cheers and swoons of half a section of women holding up signs with his name or picture plastered on them. He blew them a kiss on his way to draw his lot. He drew the number one.

The next few fighters were called and drew their lots with less fanfare. A muscular man dressed in green called Killa drew eight, to his dismay. Next, the father who they referred to as Hercule Satan (though apparently preferred to be called Mr. Satan as he had come to be known in the circles he fought in), pulled out number five. He was followed by a man who spoke with overexaggerated bravado and wore a mask and a cape and claimed to be crime's worst nightmare, Mighty Mask. He drew number two, placing him in the first bout with Jewell. Nabooru didn't know who she would rather see lose that match.

"And next we have…" The announcer paused for a moment as he consulted his clipboard. "Ah, yes! Our only female fighter, Nabooru!"

Nabooru rolled her eyes as the catcalls and whistling tore through the rest of the applause on her way to the attendant holding the box. "A beauty to be sure, but from what I hear, she's one of the fighters here to watch for, not only does she pack quite a punch, but I'm told she went nesrly untouched in the preliminaries! An impressive feat we've only seen a few times in the history of this tournament!"

"And the nearly was only because I was holding back." She grasped one of the green spheres and removed it from the box. Number 3, which pitted her against the apparent children's television star turned martial artist. A smirk curled her lips and she showed the number to the announcer, casting him a wink. "And that was only to save my strength for the actual matches. If any of these boys will pose a challenge, that is."

She handed the ball over and strode back to the rest of the fighters, reveling in the mixture of disbelief and irritation sweeping over their visages. Knowing she wouldn't be able to go all out in any of her fights, she had to make her own fun. And trampling the fragile egos of men never failed to entertain.

The announcer informed the crowd of the number she selected and her opponent before continuing with the process. After her, he called out the name Pintar, and the rotund, vested man arrogantly strode forward to draw number six against Mr. Satan. Last was a man named Spopovich, whose imposing size and physique rivaled Nappa's, but, instead of a bald head, he sported a healthy amount of shoulder length auburn hair. He grinned broadly and waved to the crowd members cheering him on. Though obvious, he withdrew the final ball with the number seven on it. He would fight Killa in the final match of round one.

With the bracket filled, the fighters were dismissed back to the waiting area for another brief intermission before the first fight would commence. Nabooru glanced into the crowd again and found that neither Lila or Nappa appeared to have noticed each other. She hoped it stayed that way. Considering the circumstances, she doubted she could intervene fast enough to prevent Lila from seriously injuring or killing the former general.

She took up her post next to the partition again, leaning against it with her arms folded while the others milled about. "If what that announcer said is true, you might as well forfeit now, Benito."

Nabooru bent back enough to observe Killa addressing her imposing opponent, Jewell at his side. The dinosaur man merely snorted and tightened the spiked armbands around his wrists. "It's all just talk. I saw the amateurs she fought. They were probably just too into her good looks to focus. But she ain't my type, so that won't be an issue for me."

"Or the staff chose unseasoned opponents for her because she's a woman." Jewell flipped his hair and caught her glare out of the corner of his eye. He flashed her a wink. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she uses the same sorry tactics as that one woman a few tournaments ago, Ran Fan. You know the one who stripped in the ring to get an edge over her opponents?"

The two nodded and grumbled. Nabooru considered joining them; while glad that a woman made it to the actual tournament, there was no pride using a strategy like that. An opponent unable to focus because of one's good looks, while obnoxious and pathetic, was one thing, utilizing it like this woman apparently did gave women fighters a bad name. And it was more than apparent her notoriety stuck and would be assumed as the strategy for all women who would make it this far.

Caught in her own growing frustration and the urge to remove them from the tournament before they even got to fight, she failed to notice the giant Spopovich approach her. "Don't listen to them. They're obviously afraid of you. As they should be." He beamed. "I was in ring eight and caught the tail end of a few of your fights. I can tell you've been training for a long time."

Nabooru peered up at him and snorted. "They should be," she agreed. "I'll just have to prove myself in the ring, nothing wrong with that. I'll send them home crying when I win this whole thing."

His laughter echoed off the stone walls, interrupting the two fighters hassling Benito. He slapped her on the back. "I like your attitude! I guess I'll be seeing you in the final match, then!"

"I look forward to it."

Spopovich wandered off again and engaged Mighty Mask in an animated conversation. She spotted Videl darting into the area and sprinting over to her father. "Daddy!" She grabbed his hand and tugged him just inside the stadium. She pointed upward. "Since I won, I get to watch the rest of the tournament from up there! So you'll be able to hear me cheering you on for sure!"

"Is that so?" He picked her up and carried her back into the waiting area. "I get the privilege of having <i>the</i> Videl Satan cheer me on from the VIP section? I am humbled and honored!"

"And I'll help you win!"

Mr. Satan laughed and kissed her temple. "I can't lose with your unwavering support sweetie." The announcer once more took center stage, and he gently nudged her toward the stairs down the hall. "Run along. And make sure you're paying attention to the fights. You might learn a thing or two yourself!"

With a nod, Videl took off again just as the announcer's voice filled the stadium again. "Without further ado, let's get the heart-pumping action started! First up is the champion of justice, Mighty Mask versus the suave and cunning Jewell!"

The two combatants entered the ring and, once given the signal to begin, sprang at each other. As they sized each other up and tested the others mettle, it slowly became obvious that, while Mighty Mask possessed a fair amount of brute strength, he lacked finesse and focused too much on screaming the names of his silly moves to continue to pose a threat. Jewell took full advantage of the goofy tactics and, after halting him in the middle of preparing an attack he referred to as his ultimate move, the Fiery Phoenix of Blazing Comeuppance, the blonde surged forward, caught his gloved fists in the midst of his rapid-fire punches, and used his shock to toss him from the ring. The victor smiled smugly in the face of the other's protests, bowing to his fan club and blowing them kisses before returning to the waiting area.

Nabooru pushed off the partition and rolled her shoulders. "Let's keep the action rolling!" The announcer called. "The second match of round one will put the ferocious Benito against the untouchable Nabooru!"

One the way out of the waiting area, Benito shoved her to the side. "Untouchable. We'll see," he cackled. His toothy grin, however, faded when he heard the crowd chanting Bobo instead of his new alias and children singing a cutesy song about him in better unison than previously. His temple pulsed with the effort of keeping his composure and not lashing out at the entire crowd.

Nabooru followed his lead and hopped up the stairs to enter the ring, hands in the pockets of her jacket as she took her place across from Benito. The announcer glanced between the pair of them and, satisfied that they appeared ready, he raised an arm high. "Let the match begin!"

"Try this!"

Hands on his thighs and knees bent in that stance of a sumo wrestler, Benito raised his right leg high and slammed it back down. Cracks snaked through the tiles and a seismic quake shuddered the entire ring and the stands, causing gasps and cries to erupt from the crowd. Though meant to throw her off balance, his over telegraphing of his intent allowed Nabooru to brace herself to the shock, though she was silently impressed with the power of it.

As expected, he allowed little breathing room and charged, horn on his nose lowered and ready to gut her, convinced his tactic worked and banking on her needing more than a split second to maintain her balance. Horrified shrieks rose from the crowd in concern over her safety, but Nabooru only smirked as the giant's clawed feet pounded the tile on his way to her. She wriggled her hands out of her pockets at the last second and seized his horn in both of her hands. The force sent her sneakers skidding back a foot before slowing to a stalemate.

"What?! Impossible!" She felt Benito attempt to continue his charge and force her out of the ring, eyes blazing and teeth grit. Veins pulsed in his neck and temples from the effort. "There's no way you're this strong!"

"And yet here we are." Nabooru didn't wait for his reply. In tandem, she swung her knee upward and slammed his jaw down into it, teeth and bone cracking on impact. She released him and watched him wheel backward with a howl that turned into a seething growl. His yellow eyes were wild and blue blood and spittle sprayed from his lips as he shouted, "Damn you! You'll pay for that!"

He charged again, though this time he engaged her with a series of punches, the first blocked with her forearm and the next two caught in each hand. He snarled and whipped his hip toward her, swinging his tail around. She skipped over it and, tightening her grip on his fists, and, using the momentum of his twist, swung him outward and around, releasing him after a 180 degree spin. He sailed from her grip and the ring to slam into the wall of the stands. He winced from the impact and slid to the ground, blinking his great eyes in confusion.

The crowd appeared to share in his bafflement, for the stadium was nearly silent. The announcer, after a moment, broke it. "An astonishing ring out that has left everyone in attendance stunned, but makes Nabooru our winner!"

Snapped out of the daze, the crowd erupted in a mixture of praise and, to her mild surprise, booing over the defeat of the childhood icon. Nabooru snorted and smoothed out her jacket, stuffing her hands back in her pockets. As she exited the ring, the announcer added, "And though her performance was a phenomenal one, it seems like she made few fans by eliminating Bo–I mean, Benito!"

The medics dashed past her with a stretcher that appeared far too small and fragile for the gargantuan dinosaur man as another chorus of song burst from the crowd. Benito found his feet at last and waved the medics off, rubbing his head with a sour grimace. However, as the song and cheers strengthened, his visage softened to what Nabooru imagined might have been closer to what the children of Earth were used to. Bobo raised his hand and waved jubilantly to the crowd before finally leaving the arena.

"What a send-off for the beloved dinosaur! It will be tough for the next fighters to garner such passionate applause!" Nabooru returned to her place and stretched, ignoring the whispers of shock and disbelief that she won. That Benito had to have thrown and that the tournament was rigged to get a female winner. "But let's get the next pair of fighters out here!"

He waited for the cheers to subside some before continuing his introduction. "First we have Pintar whose size and attitude have served him well in the competition thus far!"

The large man sauntered past with a puffed chest and waddled up the stairs and into the ring. "And his opponent, a man who began making a name for himself in the pro wrestling circuit, Mr. Satan!"

The audience applauded and whooped again, but none louder than the girlish voice of his daughter above them. "Go daddy! You're my hero so you have to win!"

Mr. Satan twisted around on his way to wink her way before entering the ring himself. Once a safe distance away from the action, the announcer started the bout with an enthusiastic shout. Their fight lasted longer than the first two matches, Pintar's size, and only real advantage considering how sloppy his technique was, at first giving Mr. Satan trouble despite his obvious skill. However, in the end, Pintar's overconfidence in being immovable proved his folly. Mr. Satan sprang upward and landed a powerful kick to his head. Pintar toppled over and did not move for the ten count. Declared the victor, Mr. Satan threw his arms up in the air and drank in the cheers of the crowd with a hearty shout. Nabooru could hear Videl jumping up and down above them as she cheered her father on.

Spopovich and Killa entered the ring next and, thus far, their fight proved the most exciting for how evenly matched both fighters were. One gained a foothold and what might have been a win if the other didn't think on their feet. Unlike Pintar, Spopovich didn't rely on sheer size to win his battles and showed actual skill and thought in his execution of his attacks. Killa's quick speed and the power behind his punches accounted for Spopovich's size and sturdiness, keeping his opponent on his feet and sharp. In the end, Spopovich dropped Killa with a surprisingly nimble sweep of his leg. A devastating uppercut followed and, being at the edge of the ring, knocked him from it to end round one with a bang.

Another ten minute intermission was announced before the semi-finals would begin to allow the fighters and tournament personnel to rest and prepare for the semifinal round. Though she considered taking a quick trip to the stands to talk to Lila, she decided it wouldn't be worth it with such a small window of time to get there and back. Instead, she stepped outside of the waiting area. Upon spotting each other, they shared a wave. Still sitting where Nabooru found her initially. Her gaze shifted upward briefly to find Nappa exchanging a business card with a few she recognized from the preliminary rounds. Still in one piece and alive.

She returned to her spot in the waiting area. The defeated fighters departed, leaving the final four fighters alone. Spopovich stretched in the corner by himself and, when accosted by Jewell about why he was already prepping for his next match already, the giant grinned and replied, "No offense intended, but I have a feeling your match won't last as long as you believe it will."

Jewell's visage darkened and he flipped his hair over his shoulder. "Think what you want. I'm still not convinced Benito and all the rest weren't set ups. A female winner would be great PR for the tournament after all. Especially to have the junior and adult champions as one."

"Sounds like you're just threatened by the idea of a strong woman that isn't charmed by your…average at best looks." Temper finally stoked and loosening her tongue, Nabooru turned around to face Jewell. He rolled his eyes and sneered, though she didn't miss his half step backward in surprise. "Add on that she can actually fight and you're at a loss in your sexist view of the world, huh?"

"Please. There's no other explanation for you going virtually 'untouched' all this time. Everyone wanted to take it easy on the woman." He rolled his sleeves up once on each side. "Well, I won't be holding back. Just so you're aware and can begin preparing yourself for the inevitable loss."

"It would be an insult to me if you went easy on me," said Nabooru with a devilish smile, "so thank you for confirming that you'll give it your all. Unfortunately, I will have to hold back on you. Otherwise, you would end up dead. Or at least injured beyond repair."

Jewell growled. "You're all talk." He flipped around and headed for the other end of the waiting area. "We'll see how you fare against a real martial artist soon enough."

Nabooru laughed softly, equal parts amused and annoyed with his underestimation of her. His denial in the face of what he likely understood would be the end of his run in this tournament. It hardly mattered to her. She fought for Nappa and getting his gym and dojo some exposure, not fame. The money wouldn't hurt and allow her to spend time she would use fighting in the underground and Nappa's fledgling circuits to make some money for training or anything else she wanted.

Besides, if the kid's warnings came to pass, there was a decent chance she might be dead in a few day's time. The prize money would likely go to Nappa.

A fit of childish laughter brought her attention to the hallway off the waiting area. Videl had descended the stairs to visit her father during the intermission. Giggling, she threw punches and kicks into her father's hands while he urged her on. She already had power and speed, and showed a mind for combat strategy despite the playful air of their game. From what Nabooru saw in the preliminaries, she wouldn't doubt that the young firecracker could take on at least half of the adults there. If she continued on with her training, she would certainly become a force to be reckoned with in the martial arts community.

If she didn't think she was going to die in a few days, Nabooru might have suggested taking her under her wing after the tournament. A passing thought. She had never been good with kids; a protégé would probably be more than she cared to actually take on. She seemed to be in good hands with her training, at least.

"Alright! Now that we've all gotten snacks and drinks, let's get the semifinals of the 24th World Martial Arts Tournament started!"

The announcer skipped up the stairs and strode to the center of the ring amidst a burst of applause. "I don't know about you folks, but I think our first match is going to be an exciting one!" Nabooru ignored Jewell's derisive guffaw as he joined her at the archway. "A matchup of two fighters who prove they set the bar high for beauty and brawn! Let's hear it for Jewell and Nabooru!"

Nabooru walked alongside Jewell to the ring and laughed to herself at the chorus of boos intermingling with the exuberant and eager cheers. The announcer predicted correctly: removing Benito from the tournament earned her no love from the children or nostalgic adults in the audience.

She split away from her opponent at the center of the ring and squared up across from him though, unlike how he sank into a fighting stance, she remained upright, an easy smile on her lips. Jewell's mouth and eyebrows twitched, likely bothered by how she appeared not to take him seriously. Just as she wanted.

"The sheer confidence of these two fighters can be felt all the way in the back rows!" His arm shot to the sky. "And…begin!"

Still hot from hers and Spopovich's comments, Jewell charged her immediately. Punches and kicks flew in rapid but thoughtful succession. The first few forced her to drop back a few steps to avoid them. When she found his rhythm, she blocked each following attack, catching his fists or feet with her hands, arms, or a raised leg. When his eyebrows pinched further together, she feigned a theatrical yawn.

He jumped back and scoffed. "If you're so good, why don't you fight back?"

"If you're so good, why can't you impress me and give me a reason to?"

"Quiet. I'm just getting warmed up."

Nabooru raised her arms out to the side and shrugged before beckoning him to try again. Falling for the taunt, he sprang into action again, this time using more tactics to try and disorient her from fake outs to feints and more frequent shifts in position to her sides and back. Obvious sexism aside, he was a formidable fighter. Clever and his anger didn't seem to blind him too much. However, he only amounted to a comparable strength and dexterity of Hyrule's best soldiers who, to her even back then, were only a challenge if she let them be one. Disappointing, but not surprising; from her experience thus far, most human fighters who hadn't trained in ki manipulation like Goku's friends amounted to similar strength and skill as a Hylian.

Jewell aimed a punch for her face and she pivoted on her right foot to dodge out of the way and shift to his side. Crouching, she swept her leg around and caught him in the back of his knees. He fell back but caught himself on his hands and, pushing upward, sprang back to his feet. With a twist, he attempted to plant a double heeled kick to her face, easier to accomplish in her crouched position. Nabooru leaned back and sank into the splits to offer half a second more time before impact. She raised her hands in front of her face and caught him by the soles of his shoes. He yelped and his back and head slammed back to the tiled floor. Wasting no time, she shifted her grip to his ankles and tossed him to the side, sending him skidding toward the edge of the ring and granting her space to return to her feet.

“You almost had me there,” she teased as Jewell scrambled to his feet, cursing and rubbing the back of his head. “That would have hurt if you landed it.”

“Shut up! I’m finishing this now!”

A smirk curled her lips again as he bolted toward her again. He pulled back in a full-powered punch, sloppy and over telegraphed. Easy for her to step out of its range and plant her knee firmly in his vulnerable middle. He yelled out, folded over her thigh.

“No, I think <i>I’m</i> ready to end it.” She didn’t wait for a response or give him a chance to retaliate, she slammed her palm into his face–the pretty face his fan club fawned over him for. He soared sideways and his body skipped once against the tile like a stone on a pond before crashing in the grass outside the ring. At first, Nabooru worried she had overdone it when Jewell didn’t move and a weighted silence fell over the spectators and the announcer. Her smirk faded, and she crossed the ring to the edge of the ring.

“You bitch!” Jewell jumped to his feet, seething. A welt the shape of her palm had already appeared on his cheek and blood seeped from his nose. He spat out more blood and a tooth, leaving a gap in his snarl. “My face! Why my face?!”

“It felt like what you deserved.”

The announcer breathed a sigh of relief and jumped back into the ring. “And with that quick and brutal finish, Nabooru is our winner and will be moving on to the finals!”

With the encouragement, the crowd once more applauded and cheered, seeming to have forgotten about Benito’s defeat. Nabooru caught sight of Lila standing and laughing, clapping her hands high above her head. She saluted the Gerudo and Nabooru returned it before taking her leave of the ring. She cast a glance over her shoulder to see Jewell climbing onto a stretcher. Several women from his fanclub had jumped the wall to rush to his side. Nabooru snorted as they cooed and asked if they could bring him anything; his loss and compromised face hadn’t deterred his most faithful, it seemed.

By the time she reached the waiting area, Lila had descended from her place in the stands to the entrance of the waiting area. Hands on her hips, she accosted the attendant working there with a pinched scowl. Crossing the room as the announcer called Spopovich and Mr. Satan to the ring, Nabooru stepped outside.

"It's okay. I know her."

The attendant nodded. "Very well. But she stays out here."

Lila rolled her eyes and Nabooru nodded before heading toward the side of the building and some seclusion. "Is this entertaining enough for you so far?"

"Yeah, it's not bad," she responded, grinning. "I'm just glad you got that shot in on that pretty boy's face."

"He deserved it. You should have heard the garbage he was spewing before the match." Nabooru stretched her arms over her head. "He and several others couldn't believe a woman could make it this far by their own merit. I thought about tormenting him a little longer, but a swift, embarrassing defeat felt more appropriate."

"Yeah. It's too bad his fanclub is apparently full of desperate bimbos." She punched Nabooru in the arm. "But hey. One more fight and you're the champion! Who do you think will win this one?"

"Don't know. They're both pretty good, considering."

"But neither are a match for you. I almost feel sorry for these guys." Lila shrugged. "I came to tell you I'm going to sit on the roof for the last match. I'm tired of being around all those people. The dudes behind me are sloshed and I can't guarantee I won't murder them if they spill beer in my hair."

Nabooru laughed. "Alright. I'll see you after the finals."

They exchanged a wave and Lila hopped into the air and onto the roof of the waiting area, light on her feet. Nabooru headed back inside, hoping the new position didn't give her a potentially better view of Nappa. Or, if it did, his dumb hat and sunglasses would help him blend enough to subvert her suspicion of his identity.

Nabooru returned to her place in the waiting area, the crowd’s excitement ramping up with the action in the ring. Spopovich had Mr. Satan firmly on the defensive, his size successfully hiding unexpected speed he hadn’t needed to use until now. Videl clung to the archway, leaning out and yelling for her father to get it together and show him what he could do. How she knew he could do better than this because he was the greatest fighter in the world.

There. His opening. Mr. Satan saw it too. The merest slip of Spopovich’s foot and the barest loss of balance that took power and accuracy from an otherwise solid and, perhaps, match ending punch. The smaller man ducked left and landed a punch straight in the giant’s gut. He stumbled back and Mr. Satan pursued in a rapid-fire series of attacks Spopovich failed to block after four hits. Spopovich's feet continued to wheel backward and, with a powerful kick he called his Dynamite Kick, Mr. Satan knocked the gargantuan from the ring.

"And there you have it, folks! With that defining kick, Mr. Satan has secured his place in the final round!"

The crowd's flare of excitement nearly drowned his voice out, a chant of the victor's name rippling through the stands. Mr. Satan and Spopovich shared a handshake when the latter found his feet again. The patter of child-sized feet on stone sped downstairs and out of the waiting area, Videl a blur as she sprinted to the ring and hopped into her dad's arms. The pair beamed and waved to the crowd as if he had already won the tournament.

"Before the final round begins," the announcer said as the roar began to die down, "we will have one last intermission to give our two skilled finalists a short rest. Don't be late returning from your bathroom breaks, though! I have a feeling you're not going to want to miss a second of the heart-stopping action!"

With Videl at his side chattering about strategies he could use in the next match amongst exuberant encouragement, Mr. Satan returned to the waiting area. Nabooru watched the pair for a moment, arms folded and head tilted. If their response to his victories were anything to go on, the crowd's choice for the next World Martial Arts Champion had already been decided. To them, he was a shoe in and she the underdog. The stranger to the scene upsetting the best the planet had to offer. An outsider on more levels than the spectators realized about to take the title of champion.

Slipping her hands into her pockets, Nabooru walked over to the pair. "That was quite the fight," she said. Both turned to look at her. "Seeing that, I think it will be an honor to face you in the ring, Mr. Satan."

"Thanks. And you can call me Hercule." He grinned. "You're no slouch yourself! I thought that announcer was blowing smoke, but you've proven you're the real deal!"

Videl placed her hands on her hips. "You're good, lady, but my dad is better! He's going to be the champ and–"

"Aha, sweetie, I appreciate the support, but you know I can handle my own trash talk."

Videl huffed and went silent, though her glare remained fixed on Nabooru. "You're fiery. I like your spirit." The Gerudo knelt down to her level. "Think you can give me and your dad a minute? I promise I won't keep him long."

The pre-teen glanced between the pair of adults. "Fine, but make it fast, lady." She started to head back toward the stairs to the viewing area above and paused at the foot of the steps. "But if you're trying to ask my dad on a date, you can only go if you beat him!"

Nabooru laughed softly and rose to her feet as the girl disappeared. Hercule's cheeks were pink. "Sorry about her. But I take it this isn't about grabbing dinner sometime?"

"No, it's not." She waited for an attendant scribbling on a clipboard to pass before speaking again. "I want to make a deal with you."

The man's blush faded and he crossed his arms. "Listen, if you're asking me to let you win–"

"Please. Don't insult me," she snapped, cutting him off. "You and I both know how this match is going to end. You're good, but I could end the final match of this tournament in one blow."

Hercule's expression shifted from anger to defeated curiosity. "Alright, I'll hear you out."

Nabooru nodded and, with another furtive glance around their surroundings, continued. "Here's the deal: I take a dive in exchange for a 70% cut of your prize money." Hercule opened his mouth to protest but she pushed on. "It sounds like a lot but think about it. Truth is, I don't care about the fame that will come along with the title. The money hardly even matters to me, and I planned to give most of it to a friend for his gym. You've already got a name, and losing to me isn't going to help you maintain your reputation. With a win, you'll boost your name further and likely make up for the lost zeni easily through that fame. Understand?"

He hummed. "Not exactly how I wanted to get this title…"

"You either agree or you don't get the title." His sky-blue gaze sharpened for a second. But she had his attention again. "Look…I only entered this tournament to help my friend with advertising. I think I've done that quite well for him already, and I don't really have a stake in this. You have your name to think about. And your daughter idolizes you, and I can tell you don't want to let her down. Frankly…you deserve this a whole lot more than I do. It's…not my title to claim. Doesn't feel right."

"Then why make this deal at all? You could just take the fall."

She snorted derisively. "I'm not going to lose a fight on a global stage and not get something out of it." The hint of a smile graced her lips. "Besides, there's one more thing I want you to promise me."

He raised an eyebrow, lips tight, but nodded for her to continue. "Your daughter. Videl, right?" Another affirmative nod. "I want you to promise to keep her interested in martial arts while she's in your care. Nurture her love for it, and never let her believe the sexist garbage the men in the industry spout. There aren't enough female fighters out there, and I would hate to see someone with as much promise as her give up on it."

"That's all?" He chuckled. "Well, that won't be a problem. She's already proved she can put some of the adult men in their place. And she would rather train than go to the mall."

Nabooru smiled. "Good. I'm glad to hear it." She tucked her hands back in her pockets, gold eyes tracking the path of the announcer and a staff member passing along the width of the exit to the ring. "What do you say?"

Hercule was silent for a moment, mulling it over. "You've got a deal. But we have to make it look convincing." When Nabooru nodded, he added, "How should we exchange?"

"We can meet somewhere in a few days. Just tell me where."

"Orange Star City two days from now? There's a restaurant called Lima's. Around noon?" he suggested.

Another nod. "Perfect. I'll find it."

He nodded, and folded his arms over his chest. He grunted a thoughtful hum then, finally, "What did you mean by it wouldn't feel right for you? Is it because you didn't care to enter?"

"Something like that." She shrugged a shoulder and winked. "Bring all you got out there. I want a good fight, and I'm sure the audience does, too."

With a salute, she returned to her post at the partition to wait out the rest of the intermission. She could still sense Nappa's lowered energy milling about, meaning Lila either didn't notice him or didn't care for the moment. Audience members flowed back to their seats and chatted among themselves in anticipation for the finale, the sinking sun casting an orange-red glow over the arena. Finally, the announcer resumed his position in the middle of the ring.

"It's the moment you've all been waiting for! After this bout, we will crown the next World Martial Arts Champion!"

Another round of bellows and cheers as the announcer turned to the entrance of the waiting area. "Let's bring out our two finalists: Mr. Satan and Nabooru!"

Nabooru fell in step with Mr. Satan, hands in her pockets but smiling easily while he waved to the fans chanting his name. She supposed there were worse competitors she could be throwing a fight for. Hercule seemed well-liked and decent enough. She could hear Videl's own cheers rise over the din of the other spectators. She would be happy with the result, too, and Nabooru had broken the hearts of enough kids today.

For the third and final time for the day, Nabooru positioned herself across from her opponent. She shrugged off her black and gold jacket and tossed it from the ring. "It's time I take this seriously. This is the championship, after all."

Hercule eyed her, a hint of confusion flashing across his blue eyes. Finally, he caught on. "Ha! You better! I won't be as easy for you to take out as those other two schmucks!"

Nabooru chuckled and sank into her stance, knees bent and arms raised. "Mm, and that's what the other two said. You saw how they ended up."

Beaming, the announcer cut in. "Our competitors are ready to get this show on the road, so I won't keep them waiting!" He backed to the edge of the ring. "Let the match begin!"

"I'm going to make this quick!" Nabooru lunged forward, bounding toward Hercule in two leaps. A full frontal assault, each move aggressively slowed down but convincingly quick. Telegraphed enough to give him space to block or dodge if he saw fit. To her surprise, he allowed a few blows to land, stumbling back a few steps with the latest one.

"Easy." She darted after him and went for a dramatic roundhouse kick and appeared to be an overestimation of how much balance he lost in favor of a dramatic flare. Hercule smirked himself and caught her leg mid-arc.

"If this is the best you got, those guys you faced really aren't much." He yanked her forward, her planted foot slipping from beneath her, and he tossed her back to the other side of the ring. Nabooru somersaulted out of it and bounced back to her feet before she could topple over the edge of the ring.

She spat. "Lucky catch."

This time they both surged forward and met in the middle to engage in another "even" trading of blows. In truth, the charade turned out to be more fun and less of a chore than she imagined upon making the deal. A challenge to ensure she didn't overdo it as the rest of the matches had been with the addition of making sure the fight looked authentic. The ease of the latter came with the fact that Hercule was actually a seasoned fighter whose wrestling background added a different zest to his fighting style the others didn't have. For an Earthling, he truly was talented and fighting him herself eased her pride in throwing to some degree; he truly was worthy of the title of Martial Arts Champion of the World and she wasn't just handing it to some fool who didn't deserve such prestige.

Nabooru pushed him toward the edge of the ring and a victorious grin stretched across her face. "I've got you."

Snatching both of his wrists to prevent him from fighting back, she forced him back another step, his heels dangling over the ring's edge. She pushed enough weight against his resistance to cause strain, but not enough to actually force him out of the ring. A perfect scenario for him to turn the tables and earn a dramatic finish.

"Give up," she growled, pretending to struggle with his push back. "You're not getting out of this."

She vaguely heard the gasps of the crowd and the announcer's woeful commentary of this being the end for Mr. Satan. They held their position for nearing a minute before she eased up a touch, the mirage of sweaty palms slipping on his arms. Hercule did as she hoped and took full advantage of it. With a shouted, "Aha!" he released one arm from her hold. He used the momentum to pivot around her, dragging her to the precipice of the ring instead. She gasped herself and, when his leg connected with her back in a punishing sweep, she cried out as the power behind it ensured her path out of the ring. She caught herself with her hands and whipped back to her feet with a back handspring. But both her hands and feet had touched the plush grass outside the ring. The match was over.

Once they realized what happened and with the announcer's confirmation, the crowd erupted in joyous applause. Confetti rained down on the ring and Hercule held his arms high above his head, revolving in a circle to take in every grin on every face. Videl sprinted from the waiting area and into her father's arms. He laughed and perched her on his shoulder.

Nabooru clapped herself, the excitement of the arena contagious despite her "loss." Caught up in the moment, she didn't notice a man sidle up next to her.

"Your jacket."

"Hm?" Nabooru turned her head toward the voice, eyes falling on the announcer. "Oh, thank you."

"That was quite the fight," he said, clicking the switch in his microphone. "You're quite the competitor. Best I've seen in years."

"Second best," she amended, nodding toward the father and daughter drinking in the accolades from the former's victory.

He removed his sunglasses and cleared them of smudges with the hem of his jacket. He replaced them with a mischievous smile. "Just between you and me, did you–"

"Fight him with everything I had?" She took her jacket and draped it over her arm, her own smile remaining intact. "Of course. It just wasn’t quite enough. Hercule Satan is the undisputed champion."

He eyed her a moment, obviously unconvinced. However, he nodded. "That he is. But perhaps we could witness a rematch at the next tournament?"

Nabooru cast him a wink. "I'll think about it. I can't say I feel that great about losing, after all."

He smiled and tapped the side of his sunglasses. Two orange-robed attendants beckoned to the pair of them. "Ah, duty calls. The awards ceremony." He straightened his tie and flipped the microphone back on. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for these two phenomenal fighters!"

He beckoned for her to follow him back into the ring. She ascended the stairs and resumed the space next to Hercule. The announcer procured an envelope and handed it to Nabooru.

"For her stunning performance and second place, 5 million zeni!"

Nabooru bowed her head respectfully and accepted the envelope. "And, for a hard-fought first place: the prestigious title of Martial Arts Champion of the World and a whopping ten million zeni!" The announcer handed a similar envelope to Hercule and shook his hand. One attendant handed over a large belt with the tournament's crest wrought in gold in the center while the other offered a bouquet of local flowers. Videl took them from him for her father. The Gerudo smiled softly and joined in with the applause.

Within moments, her presence, gratefully seemed wholly forgotten. Seeing her chance, she took her leave, the growing crowd gathering around the boundaries of the ring parting to let her through. The passed through the waiting hall and, no sooner had she left its shelter, Lila marched up to her side.

"You threw," she hissed.

Nabooru chuckled and pulled her jacket back on and continued walking. She tucked the envelope in her jacket pocket. "Was it obvious? I thought I put on a good show."

The cyborg rolled her synthetic eyes, their dim glow more apparent in the growing darkness. "I can't believe you. Walking away from ten million zeni after putting up with all this. You're insane. Do you know how much you could do with that kind of cash?"

"It may not matter in…what? Five days?" Gold eyes shifted to the other woman, a hint of a smirk returning when her ruby lips parted but she could not enumerate a convincing retort. "Besides, it just didn't feel right for me to take that title. I'm not even an Earthling. Nevermind how mismatched I was with everyone, and just because I've had proper ki training."

She paused as they turned the corner, heading toward the outskirts of the island and a safe place to take off and head home. "Though, then again, even my regular training would have been enough to win here, likely. But at least it would have felt fair."

"Fair, she says." Despite her bitterness, the violet-haired baker found her wry smile again. "Because throwing in a worldwide tournament and giving someone who doesn't technically deserve it is fair and just, and not spitting on tradition?"

Nabooru hummed. "It feels more fair. And I think he deserved it. I gave him space to really fight me there, and I think he earned the title well enough."

Lila waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. But a woman winning for once would have been really nice."

"I know." Nabooru smiled. "You will like this part. Or perhaps think less of me for it. I made a deal with Hercule."

Her scarred brow rose, humor tugging the corners of her lips further upward. They paused their trek on an abandoned beach, well-covered by foliage from the celebration of the arena. "Oh?"

"I told him I would only throw if he gave me 70% of his winnings and to promise me that he would help keep his kid, Videl, interested in martial arts because, as you said, we need more outstanding, human, women fighters out there, and I think she's got real talent." She rested her hands on her hips. "So, with me getting runner-up and Videl continuing to make waves in the community, maybe that will be enough to spark more interest in other girls and women."

Lila laughed and clapped her on the shoulder. "You really don't know me if you thought I would think less of you for making a deal like that. The money part might be a little sleazy, but I would have done the same thing if I had your hang-ups about taking the title." Her feet left the sand. "Let's get going, though. I'm sure you're hungry after all of that."

A red aura of light encased Lila and she took off. Orange flowed around her own body and Nabooru trailed after her. A quick meal and back to training. At least a few hours before she turned in for the night. The arrival of the androids closed in on them, a near suffocating reminder of the tenuous nature of hers and the other fighters' mortality. Of whether their hard work would pay off and they would change the future, or if they would all perish as the boy from the future predicted. She and the others she had trained with had grown far stronger than three years prior. Vegeta had yet to return, and she wondered if he would at all. Was he still out there training to become a Super Saiyan? Stronger than a Super Saiyan? Had he perished in some accident or in overworking his body? Or, had he failed to achieve his goal and, therefore, would spare his pride and stay away for good?

She breathed out a sigh and ignored the tightness in her chest. The wavering of all the hope she held out for him to attain the legendary status she, Nappa, and Raditz spent their free time helping him try to achieve in order to bring Frieza to his knees. The obsession that plagued him since their return to life and the tyrant's defeat at another's hands, threatening whatever dregs of sanity the prince maintained. His life, if his habits while he trained on Earth with her were anything to go on. Though a part of her wanted him to return, to see him again and the progress he made, so long as he found some semblance of peace, whether through becoming a Super Saiyan or something else, that would be good enough for her. After all he endured, she wanted at least that for him.

Whether Vegeta showed or not didn't change facts: she would still face the androids with the others in less than five days. And she had work to do.

#fic: recruited #:: nabooru ☀#da nananaaaaaa!#this was fun to write #hope it's not too repetitive

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