#hime was staying under control

[senjutsunade]

~Envy~

Note: @idreamofdango - here you go! Sorry the editing took so long.

Tsunade’s gaze drifted lazily from the stacks of paperwork she had long since resigned herself to ignoring, settling instead on the whirlwind of motion pacing before her desk. Anko was deep in yet another impassioned monologue—this time about some new variety of dango that had apparently been an offense to her very existence.

The Hokage exhaled slowly, fingers tapping absently against the armrest of her chair. Why, exactly, this particular tragedy needed to be relayed to her remained a mystery. But given the alternative—drowning in the endless sea of documents that had buried her desk since the day she took office—Tsunade supposed there were worse fates than enduring the dramatic ramblings of a crazed Tokubetsu Jōnin.

A sudden silence pulled her attention upward.

She found herself staring into deep brown eyes, so dark they nearly bled into violet under the dim office lighting. That color had a way of unsettling her, striking something deep and primal in her chest, something she loathed acknowledging.

Anko’s glare was pointed, her arms crossed in clear irritation at the lack of engagement.

Tsunade forced herself to smirk, feigning nonchalance as she gave a single nod.

The younger woman huffed, rolling her eyes before launching right back into her rant.

“…A complete waste of my money! Can you believe the nerve? Charging that much for garbage? I swear—”

Tsunade barely heard the rest.

Her attention had already drifted, her amusement fading into something heavier, something that settled like lead in her stomach.

She had seen those eyes before.

Not on Anko.

Not on anyone living.

They belonged to ghosts, to the ones who had never made it back, to the ones she had held in her arms as their light faded.

Whoever claimed that eyes were the windows to the soul had no idea how painfully right—and dreadfully wrong—they were. Because staring into Anko’s, all Tsunade could see were the dead.

She remembered the first time she had laid eyes on Mitarashi Anko—remembered, with startling clarity, the first and only time she had ever felt jealousy toward another kunoichi.

She hadn’t cared that the girl was just a child. Hadn’t cared how petty the emotion was. All that mattered in that moment was that Anko was taking something—someone—that belonged to her.

Tsunade’s fingers curled into fists as she glared at her pale-haired teammate, disbelief and frustration warring within her.

“What do you mean you’ve taken on an apprentice?” she snapped, voice sharp with accusation.

She was already losing too much. First Jiraiya, with his idiotic decision to stay in Ame and play babysitter to a group of war orphans. And now Orochimaru? Her last tether to familiarity, to stability, was being pulled away from her, slipping through her grasp like sand.

Behind him stood a small figure, her posture straight, rigid with attention. Big, inquisitive eyes locked onto her new sensei with a quiet, worshipful reverence that made Tsunade’s stomach twist.

Orochimaru didn’t so much as flinch under her glare. If anything, his lips quirked into that insufferable smirk that always meant he was enjoying himself far too much at her expense.

“Sarutobi-sensei thought it would be a good idea,” he mused, his voice calm, detached. “Besides, young Anko here is quite the exceptional little kunoichi.”

The way he said it—so damn smug—made something burn in her chest.

“Now now, hime,” he added, his tone turning light, mocking, “no need to be jealous. I’m sure you’ll be assigned your own students soon enough—once you learn to control that temper of yours.”

He was laughing before he even turned away, motioning for the girl to follow.

And she did.

Without hesitation.

Tsunade remained rooted in place, the training ground stretching empty before her, the ghost of Orochimaru’s amusement lingering in the air.

Her hands trembled at her sides.

Shaking in rage.

She had seen the girl many times after that day, always trailing after Orochimaru like a devoted shadow. Wide, pale-brown eyes brimming with laughter, with wit, with a confidence that made Tsunade's stomach turn. That same foul taste always rose in her throat whenever she saw them together, an unfamiliar bitterness curling in the pit of her gut.

Because this girl—this mere child—had done what no one else had ever managed.

She had made Senju Tsunade envious.

At first, she told herself it was nothing. That she didn’t care. But as the months passed, and those happy, adoring eyes continued to haunt her periphery, that bitterness only deepened.

Then, one day, those eyes changed.

The shock of loss had made Tsunade numb. Dan’s death was still fresh, his blood still staining the inside of her mind, and she had nothing left in her to react when the Sandaime sat before her, his mouth forming words she barely processed.

Orochimaru. Traitor.

She just stared at the aged Hokage, empty and unblinking, as he spoke.

She wasn’t sure she could feel anything anymore.

Not until the office doors burst open.

The sharp tang of iron struck first, thick and cloying, as ANBU carried in a limp, blood-soaked body.

Familiar.

“…found in one of the labs…”

“…traitor…”

“…needs medical attention…”

She barely heard them.

Because all she could see were those eyes.

Dead. Hollow. Lifeless.

The same eyes that had once gleamed with sharp, knowing mirth. Eyes that had once mocked her with their brightness, their joy.

Now they stared at her, empty, void of everything that had once made them burn.

The eyes of death itself.

The same lifeless void that had haunted her for years.

The same emptiness that had stared back at her in her nightmares—Nawaki’s, wide and unblinking in the rain.

Dan’s, frozen in time as the light left them.

Tsunade stepped back.

No one knew she had been within Konoha’s walls that night. Summoned back in the wake of Orochimaru’s betrayal.

No one knew she had fled before dawn broke.

No one knew she had taken those eyes with her, carrying the weight of a third pair of ghosts that would keep her awake for months to come.

And soon enough, she had learned how to drown them out.

Sake became her salvation, her escape, her means of silencing the ghosts that whispered to her in the dark.

By the time she lost herself at the bottom of a bottle, she was already in debt to half of Hi no Kuni.

On her return, she'd not been ready for quite a lot.

But the one thing she was most definitely not prepared for was this.

For the ghost of the child she had abandoned, now standing before her on her first official day as Hokage.

Not for the face-splitting grin—sharp, teasing, taunting.

And certainly not for those eyes.

They were still the same. Still empty, still lifeless, still laying bare all of Tsunade’s failures for the world to see. A hollow reflection of everything she had tried to drink away, now staring her down in broad daylight.

Her breath caught.

Guilt churned in her stomach, twining with a sharp, unbidden terror, clawing its way up her throat. Perhaps that was why the young woman’s expression softened. A flicker of something less cruel, something less dead passing through those pale-brown depths.

Perhaps it was pity.

Tsunade didn’t care.

Didn’t question it.

She was just relieved—painfully, achingly relieved—to see something there at all.

“Hokage-sama?”

Tsunade never did understand how it happened.

She doubted she ever would.

Somewhere along the way, their roles had shifted. The venomous resentment, the bitterness of years past, had faded into something else entirely.

Because if she had to name the one shinobi she trusted beyond all others—the one who would never falter, never waver—she wouldn’t have to think twice.

The snake mistress would always be one of the first few names on her lips.

"Will you please listen—"

Perhaps it was the shared understanding of loss, the unspoken recognition between two people who had seen everything they loved torn away.

Perhaps it was the betrayal.

"Will you listen, already?"

A voice cut sharply through the fog of memory, yanking Tsunade back to the present. She blinked, disoriented, only to find herself staring into a face much too close for comfort.

"Personal space, Mitarashi!" she huffed, one hand shoving the grinning menace away before settling into an all-too-familiar twitch of her eye.

That smirk. Damn that smirk.

"Whatcha dreaming about?" Anko chirped, as if she hadn’t just slammed Tsunade straight into the past.

How did she do that? The sheer whiplash—the impossible shift from one extreme to another—should not be possible. It defied all logic.

"None of your business, Anko," she muttered.

Mistake.

Tsunade knew it the moment the words left her lips. She might as well have drawn a target on her forehead and handed Anko a kunai.

Predictably, the younger woman took the opening with a victorious gleam in her eye, planting herself on the disaster zone Tsunade still begrudgingly called a desk, making herself right at home.

“Would those thoughts, by chance, revolve around a white haired Perv?” Tsunade wondered if she could develop a permanent eye twitch if this subject wasn’t dropped sometime soon, as she gritted her teeth, forcing out a tense “No!”

[reeding-your-mind]

Meet Touya - Stand Out

Yandere Dabi x MHA OC One-Shot

I'm under a spell, I'm in over my head And you know I'm goin' all of the way till the end To stand out above the crowd Even if I gotta shout out loud Till mine is the only face you'll see Gonna stand out till you notice me, yeah

one-shot, soft yandere fic, isekai’d oc, yandere!dabi, child!dabi, child!oc, dabi x oc, references to neglect, manipulation.

Jogging down the street in the nice area of town had it’s pros and cons.

It was great because Ashi didn’t need to worry about being mugged while she was there, but it sucked because she was technically exercising. You see, working out was something that Ashi definitely avoided in her past life. Bad knees at 40 something years old, plus a little extra weight on her body made cardio uncomfortable, so in the end she just avoided it.

However, in this new body, Ashi was determined to do better this time. She had goals and part of those goals included staying alive this time around, only dying when she was at least eighty, surrounded by those who loved her. And in a world where the majority of the population had dangerous super powers, with those who held ill intentions often roaming her usual neighborhood and stomping grounds, surviving to a ripe old age was harder than anticipated. She’d just been mugged the other week, throwing Pops into a tizzy and Kai into a rage fueled fit, and she wasn’t looking to be a victim anymore.

And if that meant getting faster and stronger in order to protect herself, even at so young an age, then so be it.

Asking Pops to train her in self defense was easy, getting him to agree wasn’t. Even though this time around she wasn't very cute, this new face of hers had killer puppy dog eyes and eventually after a few hours of begging and bargaining, he gave in.

Kai finding out kinda killed her good mood after that, because he demanded that he be there for every session. “To make sure that Hime-sama’s sparing partners don’t bring her any harm.”

Overprotective nerd.

That was a second reason she was out jogging in a different neighborhood. Getting away from her local sociopathic BFF, better known as Chisaki Kai.

Don’t get her wrong, she loved the guy to death, but ever since she picked him up off the street and introduced him to the Shie Hassaikai, the controlling 10 year old was dead set on keeping her in his sights.

So, to get a breather from him and his borderline stalking, she decided to start exercising away from her usual neighborhood a couple days a week. Just to be on her own for once.

Luckily she was a sneaky six year old and had a knack for slipping away unnoticed. This had the side effect of causing Kai to mother hen her once she got back of course, but the time to breathe without her friend and housemate watching her every move was worth the fussing later on.

Today was an especially bad day for Kai. He had had a longer than usual breakdown over a spot on a supposedly clean glass he was drinking from that morning which caused not only his usual hyperventilating and hives, but vomiting as well.

Ashi loved Kai, and was used to his attacks, but it didn’t make the hours spent reassuring and monitoring him for accidental self harm any less stressful. At the end of the day, she ultimately decided he was stable enough for her to get out of the compound for a bit and get a sweat in at the same time.

Ashi at this point had reached the end of her usual route, panting. Wincing at the burn of her lungs and the dryness of her throat, she took a drink from the small water flask she always kept in her back pocket.

She didn’t want to go back yet, she was really enjoying her time in the uncharacteristically nice weather for this time of year. And not to mention not having to look over her shoulder as often as she usually did was doing wonders for her cortisol levels.

Mid gulp, she suddenly spotted a worn dirt path that lead between some bushes and trees.

Was that there the whole time? How come I’ve never seen it before? She thought, putting her now half empty flask away.

Deciding she could waste a few minutes exploring a nice neighborhood at sunset, she began walking through the foliage, but not without drafting a text to Kai with her current location attached.

“Quirkless” little girls can never be too careful.

The trail actually wasn’t that long, just dense enough to hide what looked like a pretty awesome, yet empty, kid’s playground.

…

Wait, scratch that. It wasn’t empty. There was a kid there, all alone it looked like.

Who would leave a rich kid out by himself at a park in the middle of what looked like a suburban forest near sundown?

Muttering to herself about irresponsible parents, Ashi determinedly walked towards the boy, intent on helping him either get home before it got dark or calling his parents using her own phone to come pick him up.

“Hey kid!” Shit, other children don’t talk like that dummy. “I mean, hiya! Whatcha doing here so late? Does your mom or dad know where you are?”

He didn’t look homeless, so she felt relatively safe mentioning parents.

Gasping, the kid looked over at her from his spot on the bench he was sitting on, nearly causing her to gasp as well.

Because not only did the motion startle her, and not only was she surprised to see the young boy was in the middle of ugly crying, but because his hair was an unmistakable mix of dark red, splotched with snowy white.

Brilliant teal eyes stared wildly up at her.

Ashi’s face paled.

Fuuuuuuuuck, it was Dabi.

Prepubescent babyface Dabi albeit, but a future serial killer nonetheless.

As if sensing her distress, even though the damn thing turned itself on every time Ashi met a new person (plot relevant or otherwise), Bond activated itself. The tinyass HUD glowed faintly at the center of her vision, overlaying the shocked young boy’s wet face and bloodshot eyes.

Bond Target?

(3/4 Slots Remaining)

YES NO

Shit, shit, shit. She thought, starting to sweat all over again. What do I do?!

Using her quirk on Kai was purely out of impulsive self preservation. He was one hundred percent going to overhaul her into a billion little specks of blood and guts if she didn’t.

But she’d been thinking about it lately, her quirk, and her goals for living a life in this new, crazy world.

The plot was already starting, and she was at the very least affecting the fourth season what with her involvement with this kid version of Overhaul. There was no going back from her place in this world now, not with her being smack dab in the middle of the yakuza and their future leader slash dictator.

Did she really want to involve herself with the Todoroki’s of all families too? With Dabi of all villains?

That’s basically getting herself on the future LOV’s radar without even having to commit a crime if she went through with this!

But…?

But what if she could stop that from happening in the first place?

Stop Dabi from becoming, well, Dabi?

What if, she thought manically, I could become his friend? Just like I did with Kai, and stop him from going to the peak? Or stop All for One from taking him afterwards? There has to be a hospital capable of saving his life nearby… Or! Stop him from going rouge after leaving the facility and use our relationship to prevent him from going all super villain on everyone!

As ideas of basically grooming a seven year old ran through Ashi’s mind, Touya stared up at the strange little girl who walked up to him without hesitation.

Everyone that lived in this neighborhood avoided the Todoroki children like the plague, not wanting to get on Endeavor’s nerves for “distracting” his spawn from their training. But this kid came right up to him! She must not be from around here, he thought sullenly. Once she found out who he was, she would run away from him, just like all the others…

Suddenly, her steel gray eyes seemed to gleam with a sort of look only the adults in Touya’s life did, a strange mixture of intelligence and determination.

CLICK

As the sun set behind the strange girl, it haloed her crimson red hair. A breeze of wind tousled it, turning it into a glowing fire crowning her little head. Her pale skin looked translucent next to the tan sand that surrounded them and her slight stature just screamed “protect me!”.

Touya had a sudden and uncontrollable urge to touch her feathery red hair, so close in color to his own.

“Do you have a fire quirk as well?” he blurted out, not knowing what to say in the presence of a pretty girl. He blushed as red as his tiny burnt hands as he heard just how thick his throat was with snot and tears.

He quickly rubbed his face on his t-shirt and sniffled in an attempt to hide the evidence of his breakdown.

Ashi barely heard the future villain’s question, too busy staring incredulously at what she had done.

Bond Complete!

[New Entry!]

Todoroki Touya Quirk: Flame Age: 7 Bond Level: 1

Fuck. She had done it. They were stuck together now, no going back.

Focusing back on Touya’s chubby, blotchy face she realized he was waiting for an answer to his question.

Shit… “Uh, sorry, but no. I don’t have a quirk.” She muttered, doing her best to appear a little sad about it. “Do you have a fire quirk?” She asked right back, widening her eyes in semi-genuine curiosity.

Fire based quirks were a dime a dozen at this point in this quirk laden society, but few of them were the son of Endeavor. And even less were the future villain Dabi.

The fangirl in her desperately wanted a look at his flames before they turned blue.

Touya straightened up, grinning. His teal eyes shone with pride. “Yeah! I gots a flame quirk! I’ve been training it and everything! Do- Do you wanna see it?” He deflated a little bit, as if she was going to say no or scold him for his enthusiasm.

Damn you, Todoroki Enji. Ashi seethed silently. She knew that the story did it’s best to humanize and redeem him, but she could never fully forgive or understand the actions of an abuser. Look at poor baby Touya here, so self conscious about his own innate power. At this point in the story, he’d probably been told not to use his flames too often, lest he burn himself.

If only he knew he had his mom’s quirk too. Ashi sighed mentally. But no one will realize that until it’s far too late for him.

Ashi widened her shiny childish eyes and drew in an only half-faked excited breath. “Would you show it to me? Really?”

All hesitation and shame left Touya’s face as he nodded fiercely and brought a lobster-red hand forward. He must’ve been practicing for hours before she came here.

“Watch me!” He declared before igniting his palm. A playful orange flame danced in the middle of his hand, about the size of a grapefruit. Ashi knew he could have easily made it larger and hotter, but it seemed like he didn’t want to scare her away with too big of a flame.

“Waaah! It’s so pretty!” She gushed genuinely, holding her hands close but not too close to feel the gentle warmth. It was hard to imagine these same flames causing so much pain and destruction later in his short life. “What does it feel like? When you hold it?”

Touya winced a little, but pushed past the stinging pain of using his quirk after practicing with it for so long. “It’s warm and tingly.” He lied.

Ashi could smell deceit a kilometer away, but let it go this one time. They’d just met after all.

“Can I sit next to you?” The sun had set by now and it was getting chilly without clouds in the sky to insulate the Earth. “You’re really warm and I’m cold.”

Touya flushed pink but nodded and scooted over to make room on the bench he’s been crying on all evening.

There was a semi-uncomfortable pause before Touya spoke up. “Are, uh. Are you a new neighbor?”

“Nah.” Ashi smiled. “I was just training in your neighborhood.”

He perked up. “Training? I thought you said you didn’t have a quirk?”

Poor social elite, unable to fathom the quirkless getting stronger. A snarky, cynical part of Ashi sneered.

Coughing a bit, she tried to answer nicely.

“I’m just training my body.” She swung her tiny legs back and forth. Despite the playground being made for kids her size, the benches were mainly for adults so her feet still hung a ways above the ground. “I get in trouble sometimes, so I decided to get stronger so that I don’t get hurt again.”

Ouch, that was maybe a little too honest there.

Luckily Touya seemed to understand, or at least tried to.

“Yeah, I get it. But… why do you get in trouble? You don’t seem bad to me.”

“Sometimes good people get hurt, no matter how well they follow the rules.” She said, staring at the play set blankly before turning to face Touya with a sly grin on her face. “But I don’t really follow the rules.”

A rush of excitement ran through Touya. A trouble maker? Her? “What rules do you break?” He couldn’t fathom anything worse than sneaking sweets or not studying.

It would break his sheltered little mind to know about her pick pocketing, larceny and accessory to murder, so Ashi just hummed. “I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

“Hah? What do you mean older? I’m definitely older than you, pipsqueak!” Touya scrunched up his face and frowned. “I’m already seven years old!” He puffed out his scrawny chest in pride.

Damn he really was older than her. Curse this tiny body!

“I’m six.” She grumbled.

“Yay! I’m older!” Touya jumped up, extinguishing his flames. “And since I’m the older one, I’m in charge!”

Ashi scoffed. “No you’re not, silly. I’m in charge.”

Touya was about to fight back, say something in defense of his declaration, when he looked into the strange girls eyes. The steel gray seemed to glow with power and experience. Touya’s knees felt weak and his skin felt hot. He swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth, parching his dry throat.

What was this feeling? Why did her eyes, those enchanting eyes, make him want to say-

“Y-Yeah… You’re in charge.”

Wait just a minute! Just who was this girl? Why did he just give in like that? His little sister was her age, and he always bossed Fuyumi around easily. What was with him?

Touya searched his mind and heart for any scrap of indignation or disappointment, but came up blank. He was totally okay with giving in to- to?

“What’s your name?” He whispered, staring probably a little too intensely at the girl.

“Tsunagari Ashi.” She said. “But don’t call me Tsunagari.”

“Shi-chan…”

“What’s your name?”

“Todoroki Touya.”

“Touya.”

“Yeah?”

Ashi tilted her head at him. “Why were you crying earlier?”

Crud, and he tried so hard to hide it too! “Uh well-”

Ashi pouted and crossed her arms. “And don’t lie to me! I always know when my friends lie to me.”

Touya stopped functioning for a few seconds.

Friends?

Him?

And Her?

As in, the both of them, together?

All thoughts of lying to Ashi dissolved with just that one word. Friends don’t lie to each other, even Touya knew that.

Only villains lie, and I’m no villain! I’m going to be a hero! He thought, solemnly.

Touya joined her back on the bench and reignited his flames, having noticed her shiver. The cold never affected him much, but she looked chilly and he didn’t want his new, first and only friend to be uncomfortable. Not when he knew he could help.

“Okay, I wont lie.” He began. “My dad, Endeavor, is the number two hero. He said I’m gonna be the one to beat All Might and take his place as number one some day.”

Ashi nodded along patiently, warming her freezing palms against the edges of Touya’s gentle fire. She already knew all of this, but hearing it from the boy’s mouth felt special, precious somehow. He was trusting her with a part of himself that he obviously didn’t like sharing.

“I’ve been training my quirk since before I can remember. Dad says my quirk could be even stronger than his one day, but for some reason I keep getting burnt. It didn’t stop Dad from training me but one day I heard my parents talking, yelling actually, about how my body isn’t compatible with my quirk.”

Ashi saw Touya clench the fist that wasn’t on fire, scrunching up the fabric of his shorts.

“And now, it’s like whatever I do isn’t good enough! My quirk isn’t good enough. My body isn’t good enough. I’m not good enough…

“And to top it all off, Mom’s pregnant again! It’s like they just keep trying to replace me! First with Fuyumi then with Natsuo and now with this new baby!” Frustrated tears began leaking from Touya’s eyes as he shouts. “All I want is for Dad to look at me again! All I want is to be seen!”

Ashi contemplated what she wanted to say for only a moment. This conversation was an opportunity to gain an advantage in their relationship. But did Ashi really want to manipulate a child, on purpose this time? She knew what her quirk was capable of by now, was that really the fate she wanted for Touya?

But any fate is better than his canon one...

“I know I’m not family, and I know it probably wont mean much when I say it, but I see you, Touya-kun.” Ashi cups her hands closer around his soft flames as their eyes met. She meant every word this time. She saw his pain, his pressure, his strong will and powerful quirk.

Congratulations!

Todoroki Touya has reached Bond Level 2

Well that was way more effective than she anticipated.

It took all day and literally giving him a home for Kai to reach level two, but with just a couple words, Touya was already there. Was the poor kid so desperate for attention that even a stranger’s acknowledgment meant so much to him?

Ashi had found out after her experience with Kai that her quirk worked for the most part without her input. Once she initiated the bond with someone, afterwards it was all on them. Back when Kai reached level two, she hadn’t done anything to trigger it, it was all his own thoughts and emotions at work.

Basically, she figured that it was all up to how the target felt about her. Not her unlocking levels via actions like in a video game. For all she knew, Kai could one day level up even if she wasn’t in the room, just based on how he felt about her at the moment.

Although, Ashi supposed, Touya was an option for her mental examples now too.

“What did you say…?” Touya’s flame flickered, threatening to go out as he whispered. His pupils were blown out and he was trembling despite his resistance to the cold air that whipped around them.

Ashi didn’t want to fuck this up. She actually really liked this kid and genuinely didn’t want to hurt his feelings by saying the wrong thing when the poor child was so sensitive to feedback. “I see that you’ve worked really hard to get to where you’re at. Your control over your flames is impressive for someone you- our age! I see your hard work. I see your pain. I see you.”

Touya’s face scrunched up and he began to sniffle. Big blobby tears ran down his face as his fire dissipated leaving Ashi cold again.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a one hundred percent chance that it was Kai, calling her to ask where she was.

She ignored her phone in favor of opening her tiny, skinny arms out for an optional hug. Seeing her obvious offer, Touya fell into the smaller child’s embrace, sobbing.

“It’ll be okay, Crybaby.” Ashi hummed into his ear, the hug warming her up just enough to avoid shivering. “It’s okay.”

Touya’s voice broke slightly as he wailed into her neck, holding her so tight she wondered if his stupid dad made him lift weights, cause damn.

Ashi must’ve spent another ten minutes petting his hair and shushing him for his outburst to soften until all that was left was his hiccups and her wet shirt.

Touya leaned back, finally yielding his grip on the young girl’s body. I swear to whatever deity that brought me here if he accidentally gave me bruises and Kai sees them, I will personally find and kill you.

The boy sniffled and rubbed his face against the back of his arm. “’M sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a crybaby. I don’t know what happened.”

“You just got a little overwhelmed, that’s all.” Ashi began to shiver again. “It happens to all of us, honestly. And you may be a crybaby, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’re my crybaby, after all.”

Touya looked like he was about to start crying again, so Ashi spoke once more. “Why don’t we make this a regular thing? Like, coming here to the park, not the crying bit. I don’t want you getting dehydrated all the time.”

Smacking his cheeks, Touya gave a watery smile. “Mm. Dad doesn’t practice with me anymore so I had to make my own schedule. Saturdays are my rest days, we can meet then?”

“It’s a deal.” Ashi smiled back.

Her phone rang again, incessantly this time. Kai must be calling her back to back now.

“Is that a phone?” Touya asked, a weird expression on his face. “Do you need to answer it?”

Ashi sighed. “Yeah, it’s probably important.”

“You have to leave, don’t you.” Touya pouted before suddenly brightening up. “I know! You can come to my place for dinner. I can show you my room too!”

Ashi took a look at her text messages and cringed. Yeah, Kai was going bananas without her.

“I’m sorry Touya, but there’s people that are worried about me and I need to go home.” Home. The concept was still new to her.

“Kay…” He crossed his arms. “But on Saturday, it’ll be you and me all day, okay?”

“It’s a promise. A pinky promise.”

“Deal!”

-

After an extended hug goodbye from her new buddy, Ashi ran to the street where she had been jogging and called Kai back. “Hime-sama!” His throat sounded horse and Ashi felt bad now for making him worry so much.

“Kai! I’m okay! I just lost track of time-”

“Hime-sama, I’m begging you, please don’t do this again.” Kai wasn’t one to plead often, even to her. “I thought I lost you! You weren’t answering your phone and it’s dark and-!”

Fuuuuuck. “You didn’t lose me Kai, I’m right here and I’ll be home soon. Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be right there.”

“Don’t leave me!” Kai raised his voice. “Stay- Stay on the phone, please. And tell me where you are, send me your location.”

“Kai, I’ll stay on the phone with you but I don’t need to tell you anything.” Ashi scolded. “Remember what we promised each other? You would respect my boundaries when I’m outside of the compound and in exchange I let you sleep over whenever you want. Please honor our agreement.” Ashi had long since given up on pretending to be a child around Kai, although she still kept up the façade around Gramps. Kai was too smart and Ashi was too lazy. Luckily, her BFF hadn’t called her out on her adult-like personality. Yet.

“… I know.” Kai took some deep breaths from over the phone. “I know.”

“Then let me walk home while you tell be about your day.”

“Yes, Hime-sama.” Now there was her antisocial best buddy!

-

As Kai told her about his day after she left, Ashi couldn’t help but worry about little Touya and his future as the mysterious and destructive Dabi. About his painful end and torturous existence.

As a fan of the franchise in her previous life, Ashi always felt bad for his character. His scars, both physical and mental called to her. All she wanted was to give him a hug across the screen.

And now here she was. Given a chance to make things right. To prevent Kai and Touya from going down paths they couldn’t come back from.

Little did she know just how much darker their paths would develop due to her existence in their lives.

What they would become for her.

What they would do in her name.

But that wasn’t for some years to come. For now, Ashi would befriend and tame her adorable little psychos, blissfully unaware of the consequences her actions would have on all of their futures...

-

YANDERE AU MASTERLIST

[the-bird-and-the-flute]

Ginsei (BLST) - 2023 Birthday

Pairing: you/Hime (female reader) x Ginsei

Warnings: fluff, suggestive ( just in case, MDNI)

Word count: 786

A/N: Happy birthday Ginsei!!!! Here is my gift for you!!! You didn't come home on your bday banner but that's okay. Ilysm <3

And 'coincidences' keep happening. When I tell y'all that gin belongs to P I know I'm not crazy hahaha. P's new song is great and they released it like one day before gin's birthday. It's destiny ^^

"Girls, are you sure you don't need help?"

"Everything is under control, brother. You don't need to worry about a thing, okay? We know what we are doing!"

"Right... So I'll keep watching TV I guess..."

"Yeah, love, we'll finish this asap. I promise. Oh, by the way, before you leave, come here and taste this sauce please."

"Hmm... It's good! I didn't know you knew how to make curry!"

"Hehe, that's the power of love for you."

"Eh... I think someone is blushing."

"No, I'm not, sister. The curry is a bit spicy, that's probably it. I'll watch TV now."

"Hahaha, I can't believe that after years together he's still that shy around you."

"Haha, I know right, but I love that about him. He is so clumsy and awkward even though he is such an ikemen."

"Please stop drooling. I know my brother is hot but you don't need to remind me of that, thank you very much."

"Ooops, sorry. Let's go back to our curry then."

While you and Ginsei's older sister are cooking to celebrate his birthday, the starless boy is wondering what you two are gossiping about him.

"I hope my sister is not telling anything embarrassed. I mean, I know Hime is used to my personality by now, but still... I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe she would like to do something different on my birthday, but apparently, she is just fine cooking for me."

"Does Hime think I'm boring..."

Lost in his thoughts, Ginsei tries to focus on the TV show he is watching, waiting patiently for dinner.

After two hours of a lot of gossip and minor mistakes making the curry, dinner is ready.

"So good..."

"Did you like the tonkatsu, brother? I made it by myself!"

"Yep, everything is so good. Thank you, girls."

"Yay, I'm glad you like it. Not gonna lie that curry is not actually my specialty, so I'm glad it's edible hahah."

"Of course it is, Hime! Everything you do is always perfect!"

"Geez, brother, you are so shy but sometimes you say some really romantic stuff out of the blue. How is that even possible?"

*blushing* "Ahh... I was just being honest though."

"Aww that's so adorable, Gin! Thank you, my starless boy. I won't say no to your praises. I love when you get excited about something I did just when you just read a new script for a new play."

*speaks almost whispering* "You're way more important than any script though."

"What did you say, Gin?"

"Oh... nothing. Nothing. I think we should get going soon. My sister needs to wake up early tomorrow."

"Oh yeah, that's true. I'll do the dishes real quick."

"I can help you, Hime."

"Nooo way, it's still your birthday. Why don't you go chat with your sister, while I finish here? We already washed a lot of utensils while we were making dinner anyway."

"If you wanna work so bad, you could replace a few burned-out light bulbs in my room, brother. I wouldn't mind hehe."

"Sure, I'll help you."

Moments later...

"There, that's the last one."

"Thank you, brother. You're a lifesaver!"

"That's nothing. Don't worry."

"Hey, before you go, can I ask you something?"

"Yep."

"You are planning to thank your Hime later, right? She really made a huge effort to organize this little party."

"Of course I will. I just don't know how yet."

"Just be you, that one is such a simp. She'll like anything you do."

"Hime likes me that much, huh..."

"Yeah, Ginsei, she does. Be more confident, would you?"

"Mhm... Okay."

At Ginsei's place...

"Eh... It's sure late. I'm sorry you'll have to stay in my place, Hime. I hope you won't get late for work tomorrow. I'll definitely escort you to work."

"Hehe, no worries. It's always nice to spend the night at your place after your birthday."

"So... I was thinking on our way home... I want to thank you so... Would you like a massage? You worked all day and still managed to cook for me."

"A massage? Ohh... That's not bad. I'll accept your offer, Gin."

Ginsei then proceeds to massage you as a reward for your hard work. As you start to relax to his touch, you can't help but moan a bit when he exerts a bit more pressure on your sore shoulders. Then...

"Gin... why did you stop? It's something the matter?"

"Hime... I just can't keep going... I'm sorry, I..."

He turns your head in his direction, kissing you roughly. His tongue eagerly searching yours, desperate to taste more of you. That's now the easiest way for him to show what he usually is too shy to say out loud.

[famicongaming]

Untold Legends

Created by first-generation Nigerian raised in the United States Untold Legends is a New Video Game Developer. Inspired by his ancestry Founder Foley Alli pays homage to his Nigerian roots in his projects. An original member of BioWare He has always loved the games created by the original team (before they were purchased by EA) because they were rich in lore and transported hime into this world where I was the main character.

Games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: Origins, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect Galaxy emersed players into the game. Other games like Like God of war, Ghost of Tsushima, and Nioh made him research war strategies and cultural significance. I want to bring an African story with the same inspiration and with enriched game play in mind. I want to inspire people to not only learn about African culture but its history and being. I draw inspiration for Orisha from my games that drive motivation to learn about different cultures.

Orisha is a fantasy open world action RPG based on the Nigerian/Yoruba (and other African) myths, legends, and history. You are thrown into the ancient world of the Nok people. There, people were peaceful, always worked together and never had conflict. These people were deified “Orishas” (Yoruba deities). You will piece together their past, learn to control their power, and free your people from the Norme's rule. Through powerful AI tool the story can change and seemingly small quests can turn into epic journeys.

This project is still under development but stay updated & support them @ https://www.untoldlegendz.com

[protags-fic-blog]

Mistakes // Toma

A/N: Some unrequited love and such. This is Toma in the heart world. Another note, the MC's name in this is Hime! (And, best experience is with the Toma playlist I posted)

this was originally supposed to go along with the mc's perspective, but i keep struggling to get ideas for a happy ending that i just gave up... but if anyone wants me to, i'll try and continue! It's under the cut, just under 1k. enjoy <3

Mistakes

My breath caught when I realized what happened. She stared back at me, just barely conscious. It wasn’t supposed to go this way.

— — —

Guilt. That’s what I felt. Absolute, unmitigated guilt. I knew it wasn’t intentional. It was a reflex, something uncontrollable. But it happened.

I glanced at Shin. He hadn’t left the hospital in days. He insisted on staying with her, only leaving to get his school work for the week when she was first admitted. He hadn’t slept well, that much was clear, but who was I to judge? He was young, irrational, and defiant—he wouldn’t listen to me, even if I was right. He never did, and never would. And look where that stubborn nature got him!

I’ve always known life isn’t fair, and I’ve always done my best to protect Hime from that, but I never expected to be a victim of this level of cruelty. I’ll admit, sticking around them isn’t helping my case, but I can’t ignore my past with her. Even if she only ever thinks of me as a sibling, even if she never understands, I’ll be okay.

Shin left the room again, not acknowledging my presence. He was going to pace again. He was desperate to let out anxiety. At least I looked in better shape than him.

I looked back to her, and was met with her emerald eyes. Immediately, I looked away, knowing that I must’ve been imagining things. But when I heard her soft voice, I knew she was awake. 

Words fell from my mouth in a jumble as my body pushed myself from the sofa. My mind told me to stop, knowing I didn’t deserve this, but my arms wrapped around her fragile torso without my control. She was so soft, so small. I wanted to cradle her, comfort her like I used to do, but I had no right. That wasn’t my job anymore.

I had to let go.

I urged my arms to unwrap themselves, stuffing my hands in my pockets to keep them there. I took a step back, just to be safe. “Sorry, overstepped the limits. Shin probably wouldn’t be happy to see that,” I remarked, forcing a small laugh.

I watched her smile fade, and her eyes go blank, like she was trying to think of something. Was she remembering what happened?

I hope not.

I kicked the back of my heel with my other foot, trying to get that selfish thought out of my head, or to at least bury the idea. She deserved to know.

But was it my fault? She-

I forced myself to think about something different, something happier. These intrusive thoughts were making me doubt the accident. But I knew.

I focused on her, watching her eyes flit mindlessly around the unfamiliar room, until they settled on me. She seemed a bit panicked. A dull pain grew in my heart, and I clenched my fists to distract myself.

Her hands flew to her head, certainly feeling around for an injury or a bandage. “Oh, don’t worry, your head wasn’t hurt. I think it was just blood loss, that’s all,” I told her. It was a bit of a lie. But it would comfort her.

She furrowed her brows, but she nodded all the same. Suddenly, her attention shifted from me to the creaking door. I took several steps back, returning to my position on the couch. I tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t. I knew she would be happy to see him. So I gestured to her.

Relinquishing my claim.

“Finally,” Shin muttered, cold as ever, but I knew he was happy to see her too. That’s what made it hurt more.

He went straight back to his rough antics. I couldn’t look away as he cupped her soft cheek, and pulled her body closer, and she accepted it as if it were normal.

Yet her eyes flicked around, panicked again. She stared right in to my eyes. Emerald green, wide with surprise, and staring straight in to me. It felt like she knew.

My cheeks were growing hot. Every degree higher, the aching of my heart grew stronger. I was going to burst soon. I bit down on my lip to keep it from quivering. This was unbearable, as if he was doing it intentionally to hurt me.

At last, he pulled away, setting her free. Her eyes flicked back to him, and she smiled. “Awake now?” Shin asked, quite roughly for someone who was trying to wake up his girlfriend.

She mumbled something unintelligible, probably a flustered ‘yes’, and nodded her head. She seemed fine, and yet I didn’t like it. “Don’t push her,” I told Shin. My voice cracked.

“She’s fine. Hime’s always been durable,” Shin retorted, glaring at me over his shoulder. He wasn’t happy with me being here. He wasn’t happy that I was stepping in, still trying to protect her like I always have. Like I failed to do.

He knew that I didn’t blame him for anything. It wasn’t his fault. But he sure treated me like I did. Was he always this way? Or was I blinded by my own selfishness?

I knew that he wanted me gone, though. “I suppose she is being discharged today. Whatever, then. I need to head home soon anyway, Waka is tired of not having me in the kitchen,” I announced, standing from the couch. I smiled as I caught Hime’s gaze, then left as naturally as I could.

I had to head home. I couldn’t bear it any more. Seeing her happy was all I wanted, but every smile she gave him was just more straw on my back.

It was no surprise that I broke.

[prettylittlebutterflie]

It All Started With A Break

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31840603

Okay, so I have fallen down the rabbit hole known as MariBat and I just can't stop all the ideas I have because of this and decided that enough is enough and I am doing it.

This is my very first fanfic - or any fic actually - but I hope you guys like it and be WARNED that some of you may find some part of this story that's similar with another and that may've been because I really liked the idea when I read it and wanna have a kinda similar thing here and the same goes with some trope of this fanfic in the future, but I'll do my best to keep it unique. I am also new to the DCU, but I'm doing research and planning to binge watch stuff and if you could please help this poor soul find a way to navigate and somehow get an idea on how that universe work (especially abt the batfam), I'll be forever grateful to thy savior.

This fic is canon until S4 Ep 1&2 (Truth & Lie) of MLU and as for the rest, I'll let you guys know.

So yeah, that's all. Enjoy and hope you guys like it. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

P.S. Sorry I kinda ranted, this is my first time actually posting smth so bear with me people

SYNOPSIS

It’s been four years ever since Hawkmoth, who now goes by the name Shadow Moth, began his reign of terror in Paris. Four years worth of akumas that have brought pain and suffering. Four years of no rest in controlling their emotions, afraid of what may come if they were controlled.

After four long years, the Miraculous Team can finally see a ray of light. Everything they have sacrificed for that one goal they all share is finally going to be repaid… Not.

Locating Hawkmoth was easier said than done, and the frustration is finally getting to them. With that, it was decided that they need a break from their hero lives — ok, maybe not. After all, Shadow Moth is proving himself to be a workaholic (like dude, don’t you have anything better to do than destroy everyone’s schedule?) — but anyways, it was clear. THEY. NEED. A. BREAK. Away from Paris. Away from Hawkmoth. Away from the frickin akumas.

So yeah, that’s how it was decided (more like forced) that they are going to America to relax, let loose, and have some fun. After all, who knows, maybe a break is all they need to get things to start getting better — or worse.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

PROLOGUE

“Alright. So, we are going to take a break—”

“For two months.”

“For two months. And because it’s supposed to be a break, that means—”

“No thinking of anything Moth related.”

“No thinking of anything Moth rela— Moth related?”

“You know, Hawkmoth, Red Moth, Shadow Moth, those Moths.”

“Right. Moths. Aside from Moths, it also means—’

“No thinking of akumas.”

“No thinking of akumas. For this entire break, we’re not going to think about—”

“Anything Miraculous related.”

“Anything Miraculous related. Alya, do you really need to do that every time I’m about to say it?”

“It’s because she knows you. We know you. It’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, how you always promise not to worry about something, especially anything Miraculous related, just to break it the moment anything related to it comes up. So, yes. She needs to say it and repeat it as much as possible for it to go through that head of yours.”

“Guys, I swear, I’m really going to follow through with this plan. I did agree that we need to unwind ourselves since we’re getting way too stressed and that won’t help us focus on our job.”

“Only after we bugged you about it. Get it? Bugged. Pfft—”

“Hey! Puns are my thing. And you shouldn’t be saying it like that. You’re making it ape-solutely obvious and that makes it not punny anymore”

“Dude, do you really have to do that? That’s so not paw-some. Pfft—”

“All puns aside, it is true that we had to convince you, Mari-hime, to agree on taking a break. Although I rarely take a break from fencing, my Mother and I are aware of the importance of having one and may I also remind you that you were the one who taught us that.”

“And that’s why I told you guys to go have one.”

“But you plus the kitty are the ones who need it the most. Remember what future-me said? About you two always leading us and how she— or rather I am the last one called upon? That means you guys are always gonna work while the rest of us may or may not be needed in some fights.”

“There is a 97.6% probability of you two showing up in fights.”

“Because we have to. It’s our responsibility as the one leading our team.”

“M’lady’s right. Besides, there were only the two of us in the beginning and with all the akumas, we just got used to it.”

“But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to rest. The music I’m hearing from both of you is filled with the stress you guys have and it doesn’t sound nice. Maybe you two unwinding will help make it more beautiful and even more powerful than before.”

“Fine. We’re all taking a break—”

“Especially you and Adrien.”

“Especially Adrien and I, for a month. Now, does anyone have any ideas on how we're gonna do that?”

“Ooh! Me, me! I have a competition coming up this summer break so I can’t really go anywhere too far since I have some training to do.”

“I’m sticking with the ape. Gotta keep an eye on him if I don’t want him messing up with the timeline. Plus, it’ll be pretty fun beating him up every time he asks for a challenge.”

“Hey!”

“The same goes for me. Someone has to make sure the correct time is recorded with not a single millisecond of it missed. Kwami knows how many times he messes it up whenever he does the recording himself.”

“Okay. So Kim, Alix, and Max will be staying in Paris. Are you guys sure that you’ll be able to take a break even if you’re in the city?”

“Yeah, we're fine. And I am totally beating you next time, little bunny.”

“Whatever. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming, y’know.”

“Anything else?”

“Oh, I have an internship in America this coming summer. The one at the Daily Planet. I just got the email and I was finally given an invite!”

“Really? Cool! Told you you’ll get it, babe!”

“Yeah! That’s really awesome, Alya! So I’m assuming you'll be accepting that?”

“You got it, girl! I mean, this is the Daily Planet we’re talkin’ about. I’ll learn so much about writing and journalism there, I’ve just got to take it.”

“So Alya’s going to America. Anyone else with plans outside of the country?”

“There will be an upcoming world-class fencing competition this summer and Mother and I have discussed my participation in it. It will be held in the States as well, specifically Gotham, two weeks before the end of the summer break. Maybe you should participate in it as well, Adrien. That way, you’ll have an excuse for your father to leave the country. I’m sure Mother will be happy to convince him as well to let you participate in it. That way, at the very least, I’ll have someone I know who’ll be an actual challenge.”

“Really? That actually sounds great! I’m sure Father would agree if your mother’s the one who suggested it. Thanks Kagami!”

“Okay. Kagami and hopefully Adrien will have a fencing competition in America too.”

“My Dad is having a tour in America right now. He’ll be having the last one at Metropolis during the summer break. He actually wants me to go with him, but I declined. It’ll be great if we all could go there and see it.”

“Dude, that’s so cool! Maybe you’ll even get to perform with your dad on stage. You did make that song with him that reached the record chart’s top. I’ve even made a playlist based on it.”

“Okay then, that makes Alya, Kagami, Adrien, and Luka going to the States. Chloe, do you also have plans to go there this summer? Maman said your mother was thinking of inviting you to be one of the models in an upcoming fashion show there.”

“She did mention something like that, but I wasn’t really paying attention to details once I found out that it’ll be outside of Paris. I’ll discuss it with her again then I can have my much needed vacation in the States.”

“So now that makes five of you going to America. Nino?”

“Well, I don’t really have any plans this summer. Just chill out and relax, y’know, make some playlist, listen to some music.”

“Ooh! How about you come with us, babe? That’ll be so cool and not all of us will be doing something most of the time while we’re there. You can just chill and relax there and maybe you could even study the kind of music they listen to and make a playlist out of it.”

“I would love to go, but I don’t think I really got the money for it. ‘Sides, my parents might not allow me to go out of the country.”

“You’re already 18 and if your parents ever say no, just tell them that you want to really relax, without keeping your emotions in check and have the freedom to let it out. I’m sure they’ll understand and unlike my Father, they actually listen to you.”

“As for the money, I have some savings and if you want I can lend you some-”

“But-”

“Lend. I’m not just giving it to you. You will have to pay me back, alright? And if you try to say no again, I’m going to insist that you don’t pay me anymore.”

“You sure? You're the best! Thanks, Minette.”

“No problem. So now that makes six of them—”

“Seven.”

“What?”

“Seven. We’re including you.”

“Me? But Alya, I already got plans this summer.”

“Plans? What plans?”

“I was planning on working on my commissions this summer an— Guys, can you all stop rolling your eyes on me and no, Chloe. I don’t need you doing it again.”

“Girl! We all agreed that we’re going to take a break this summer. How does doing your commissions sound like a break to you?”

“You all got your own thing to do this summer and mine just happens to be those. Also, the break was for anything Miraculous related. My commissions don't exactly fall under that.”

“Nope. We actually all agreed that for you, commissions should be added to the list of things you get to take a break from.”

“Adrien! I thought you’re supposed to be my partner? So much for the two of us against the world.”

“He is still your partner alright. But also, as someone who truly cares about you, he decided that you really needed a break. And besides girl, this could be your chance!”

“Chance? What chance?”

“Your pen pal! Doesn’t he live in Gotham? You could go and finally meet him. Who knows? Maybe something might happen.”

“Ooh, he’s from there? That’s awesome! You should totally go meet him. Maybe you could even go on a date or two-”

“A date?! Kim, he’s just a frie-”

“You stop right there, Dupain-Cheng! It’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! All of us already had enough with Adrikins always calling you ‘just a friend’ when it’s pretty obvious how totally untrue that statement was. We don’t need you ending up just like him, thank you very much.”

“But he really is-”

“Yeah right. If he really is just a friend, then why do you guys stay up all night talking to each other? You always immediately check your phone whenever a notif comes up and you smile like a love-sick fool whenever you read his messages for you. And don’t get me started on the way you gush about him non-stop.”

“There is something beautiful in your music whenever you talk or even think about him.”

“Your smiles are much brighter compared to before the two of you got to know each other.”

“Markov and I also have a record of your heartbeat and we have observed your heart beating faster whenever we talk about this certain topic.”

“And it's been more than a year since you two have become pen pals. The two of you are now so close that it’s a wonder why you guys still haven’t video-called each other just because you insist for your first time seeing each other to be in person.”

“I think it’s rather romantic. They’ll look into each other’s eyes for the first time then BAM! They’re finally together. But I still plan on giving him a shovel talk the first chance I get. Can’t have him break my twin’s heart without him knowing I have the god of destruction on my side.”

“What do you mean shovel talk- I mean, what even gives you the idea that he thinks of me that way for you guys to assume that we’ll end up in… in that kind of relationship?”

“He’d be an idiot if he still hasn’t fallen in love with you.”

“Literally almost everyone I know had a crush on you or have you forgotten already that my boyfriend’s one of those people?”

“I know for a fact that that’s true since I’ve already admitted that one of my reasons why I began bullying you back then was because I had a crush on you.”

“I must admit, I think I also had the same feeling towards you at the beginning of our friendship until I really got to know Luka and you helped us get together.”

“Oh! There’s also that. Do you actually know just how many people you’ve helped get together, buginette? Alya’s even written an article about it at the Ladyblog of how you are also known as Paris’s own cupid and how all of the couples you’ve paired ended up living a happy life together.”

“Everyone’s been saying how Ladybug’s the next best person they can go to if they ever want to find love after Andre.”

“And yet every time you try to pair yourself with someone, the magic just doesn’t seem to work.”

“So we all decided that we’ll be Ladybug’s cupid and pair her up with the boy she just can’t seem to get off of her head.”

“Now, you coming or what? I won’t be taking the money you’ll be lending me if you say no. I’m only going with these dudes if you also come or else I’ll just end up getting bored when there’s no one who can go around the city with me.”

“...”

“““...”””

“Fine. You guys win—”

“““YES!”””

“So here’s the final plan for the break. Kim, Alix, and Max will be staying in Paris for Kim’s competition, while the rest of us will be going to America doing our own stuff—”

“With you finally meeting your pen pal.”

“Yes. Alright. I’ll go and meet my pen pal. And during the break, no thinking about anything miraculous related. If ever there’s an akuma, only those who’ll be needed will go. Max will bring us to the akuma’s location and if there is anything going on that we can’t be excused of or if the fight goes longer than expected, Alix will bring us back in time making it look like we just went to the toilets, the usuals. Any questions?”

“““Non.”””

“Good. Operation: Taking a Break is good to go.”

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Yay! Finally got to post it. So comments? What do you guys think and who do you think who is saying what? I know there will be new holders in S4, but I decided I’ll either make them a temp or they still don’t know the other’s identities bc of stuff, so yeah. Still thinking abt it. Adios (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31840603

[arkainea1911]

So I was reading an original works fic and one of the characters mentioned how talking about things helps and...I guess I feel compelled to vent...

I'm constantly sick and worried about everything from paying the bills (that i never seem to have enough money for) , to figure out how to afford my loans and credit cards, to stressing about my job, to trying to get a new house cause the current one needs work badly. Not to mention the back taxes on the house we didn't know about and everything else that came up when his mom passed away.

I can't seem to talk to anyone about it. I can't talk to hime about it and my only coping mechanism is to dive into my fanfics push out thw world ans that not the best thing for me.

I'm just so tired of constantly having to talk myself out of having a fucking panic attack all the damn time. And there is no one I can feel like I can talk to about any of it. like this is my problem and no one would either care or really understand how I feel.

I just want to be able to afford a goddamn decent house and my bills! I want to be able to not wake up in the morning and immediately have to dive into my phone because ill start thinking too much about every damn thing! I want to be able to go to sleep at night instead of staying up late because that is the only time I feel I have control of my life! I want space so that my dogs can actually run around instead of being coupled up under me all the damn time!! I just...I just...

I'm just so tired and I feel so alone in this!! I just want to be free to actually live my life and not just work, sleep, rinse; and repeat. I feel trapped by my life and I don know how to break free.

I just...needed to get this off my chest...I don't really feel that much better but at least it's not inside me anymore. so I guess that's a plus

[weebrecs]

Recommended Romance Anime Part 2

Hi Everyone, Someone messaged me asking for straight romance anime recommendations. I already made one list here: (https://weebrecs.tumblr.com/post/157666048002/recommended-romance-anime) and I have included more below. The ones with the *** are movies. I hope you enjoy!!

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (9/10) Chiyo is the definition of adorable and loveable, at least for everyone except for the person that she likes. Nozaki is oblivious to the world around him and most of all Chiyo’s interest in him. However, Nozaki’s distance is due to him actually being a respectable shoujo mangaka. In her efforts to win his heart Chiyo finds herself acting as Nozaki’s assistant. Together they undergo hilarious situations and act out possible scenarios for Nozaki’s manga. Nozaki asks Chiyo to help him with brainstorming situations for his romance manga and Chiyo swoons just like the protagonist of the manga, and Nozaki starts wondering where the manga ends and true love begins. It is a great show to watch and has interesting character development as Chiyo goes from a girl that has a simple crush to a girl with real reason and purpose. Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School Life

Lovely Complex (8/10) If you love height differences then this is the show for you. Meet Koizumi who is much taller than the average girl and Ootani who is much shorter than the average guy. They are known as a Comedy Duo and they are constantly play tricks or making gags at the other’s expense. However, they soon learn that they have more in common then they first realized when their crushes end up falling for each other. Then as soon as they both start to realize that they might be falling for each other too the question of their mismatched heights comes up.  Romance, Comedy, Height difference

Ouran High School Host Club (8/10) Haruhi is an insanely bright and gifted girl that just wants some peace and quiet. She sneaks into a music room to get alone and stumbles into the school’s host club. Frantically she tries to remove herself from the situation and shatters an expensive vase. Since she’s a scholarship student without a lot of money she doesn’t know how she’ll pay to replace the vase. However, the host club has an option for her. Join Haruhi as she meets a delight cast of male hosts that slowly find themselves changing due to Haruhi’s influence. Haruhi starts to learn about life outside of books and the boys learn to love someone. I love how relaxed this show is at times and how crazy the characters and situations are. Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School Life

Skip Beat (9/10) Kyouko is willing to bend over backwards to help her childhood friend, Shou, in his dreams of becoming famous. Out of the goodness of her heart she helps him basically live his life. She thinks that they are perfect together then everything changes when she over hears him telling someone that Kyouko is like is his servant. Furious Kyouko stops supporting him and decides that if she built him to become a famous celebrity then she could do it for herself too. As she grows she meets someone that can help her not only gain her revenge on Shou but someone that might actually treat her right. This is an encouraging love story that shows that people that love you can bring out the best in you Romance, Comedy, Show Business, Revenge

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (8/10) This is a modern retelling of Snow White, but this time with a twist: she has red hair. There are two season of this anime and if you love romance animes with a dash of adventure you’ll love this one. Shirayuki is a skilled herbalist who is noticed by a prince. Terrified that she’ll live a kept life she escapes and is rescued by Zen (who is adorable and perfect…goodness I love him!). Zen brings her to his castle and their life begins. Slowly friendship turns into romance. Romance, Adventure

Akatsuki no Yona (9/10) When I first read the synopsis of this I thought it was going to be one of those off animes that wouldn’t win me over, but I was wrong. This show introduces Yona who is the princess of a well off kingdom, but when the King is betrayed by Yona’s cousin Yona must act swiftly. She escapes danger with her bodyguard Hak (I think you mean Hunk—sorry lol). Together they team up to save Yona’s kingdom. Action, Adventure, Reverse Harem, Romance

Ao Haru Ride (8/10) After risking everything for a boy she met in a rain shelter, Futaba is ready to turn her life around in high school. She is determined to have friends and be liked by everyone. Her plan is foolproof until the boy she met returns and so do her feelings for him. However, he is different from the boy that had betrayed Futaba in the past. Together they need to learn more about themselves and each other. This show is emotional and shows the sacrifices we all make for those we love. School Life, Blooming Romance

Fruits Basket (9/10) This show has recently been rebooted and is expecting a second season. It tells the story of Honda who has lost her mother in an accident and goes to live with her grandfather. However, as renovations are being done at her house she lies to her grandfather and tells him that she’s going to live with a friend. When she is actually pitching a tent in the woods. The esteemed Souma family actually owns the woods that Honda hides in and the prince of the school Yuki Souma invites Honda to stay in his house, but the Souma’s have a secret. They are possessed by the Chinese Zodiac spirits, and will turn into their respective animals if they’re hugged by the opposite gender. This series is adorable and super fun to watch. The characters are all special in their own way. Comedy, Zodiac, Mystery, School Life, Supernatural, Romance

***Hotarubi no Mori e (10/10) I love this movie it is so beautiful. Hotaru has been fond of the mysterious tale of the mountain god since she was six and after she loses her way in the mountain forest, she stumbles into a masked spirit named Gin. Together they begin their unlikely friendship. Gin informs Hotaru that they can play together as long as she doesn’t get too close. They start to spend every summer together and Hotaru helps Gin learn what is means to be human and love someone. Soon they find that the distance that they are keeping between them is slowly shrinking. This movie is epically beautiful, romantic, and heart wrenching. Spirit, Supernatural, Romance

Ore Monogatari!! (10/10) Are you sick of the romance animes filled with beautiful girls and handsome princes? Well then it’s time to watch Ore Monogatari staring an unlikely anime pairing: Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato. Yamato is the definition of adorable and angelic; while Takeo struggles with love due to his tall and muscular build. Takeo’s appearance might be a little rough, but under it all he has a heart of gold. However, few ever see it since Takeo’s best friend Makoto is the definition of an anime prince. Without trying Makoto is a girl magnet and Takeo finds that people only talk to him to try and get close with Makoto. But when Takeo saves Yamato he instantly falls for her. He worries that she’s only being nice to him to gain Makoto’s love, but in truth she actually like Takeo and not Makoto. I love how this shakes up the romance genre and I love Makoto and Takeo’s friendship. Every time Yamato is on the screen I swoon. She is precious! Comedy, Friendship, Romance, First Love, Dorks

Your Lie in April (10/10) This is one of those romance animes that you hear rumors about. You know it will hurt you, but you have to watch it anyway because it’s a masterpiece. It is a truly enjoyable watch! Plus, the animation is breathtaking. Kousei is a great piano player and under the tutelage of his mother he excels in the competitions.  Then his mother dies and Kousei turns from music and his world begins to turn grey. Until his world us turned upside down by Kaori, an outstanding violinist who is anything but traditional. She is free-spirited and challenges Kousei to join her in exploring music once more. Kousei starts to fall in love with music again and also finds himself falling for the girl that added color back into his world. Together they enhance each other’s musical ability and change each other’s lives. Music, Romance, Mystery, Friendship, School Life

***Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (10/10) The last year is difficult for everyone, but for Makoto it is crazy since she can literally jump through time. She doesn’t really understand this new-found power and must learn how to control it. She fosters old and new relationships and might even fall in love, but with all time travel sacrifices must be made. I really don’t want to say too much because it could ruin the plot, but just trust me—watch it. Mystery, Supernatural, Time Travel, Romance

[pinkcatharsis]

I dunno if I should legit continue this because I can’t remember where I was going with it. Read a prompt at @sloaners anon or a comment in one of their posts (fantastic art btw go check it out!) about Tsunade adopting a bb Tenzou and well. I wrote this and it’s unfinished and yeah.

I actually don’t even have a title for it. Was supposed to be an eventual YamaIru, too. Oh well!

—

Names have power, they say.

Tenzou can agree to a certain point because his experience from his missions, his targets, countless reconnaissance on high profile politicians has proven that people tend to cower from the syllables of a name if they are a threat.

Names carry prestige more than an identity.Names give history, are the pillars for legacy provided it is a name the people can accept. More often than not, it is a vessel for fear, control

They’re also a convenient excuse for people to either sing with high praise or forget because the truth is always a pill too hard to swallow.

Sometimes it lies ignored despite its great sacrifice to stop a rampaging monster, when the womb still bleeds fresh and a goodbye too soon falls from crimson lips. It is ignored because it is easier to hate someone helpless than to acknowledge a name that saved everyone.

Sometimes it is indifferent, distant, as cold as the unreadable, white irises of its clansmen.

Sometimes it lies abandoned, walls cracking, dust collecting over blood stained tatami mats where the weight of shame fueled enough strength to slice through flesh. Shame because of a choice to save one’s comrades as opposed to prioritising the mission.

Sometimes it is soaking in blood, whispers of its massacre echoing loud, and towards the end of it, the word traitor.

And sometimes, they’re just old, only remembered through history that is a core subject within the Academy walls, a prerequisite in terms of knowledge for every Konoha shinobi. They’re faded, scattered, heirless, visually only present through the carvings of stone that towers over the village.

Tenzou is conditioned to not pay any heed to something as trivial as a name. Not when he’s been conditioned, trained extremely well, that the only thing that matters is servitude to the village. That the name Konoha is the only thing of true value.

Greater people have sacrificed themselves for the good of village and now, their heir wanders Konoha’s walls shunned, sneered, hated, ignored. Their names hardly mattered in the present -- it’s like the Yellow Flash only exists as a tier to be achieved in terms of talent, hard work and mission success and nothing else. As if the man behind the legacy hardly existed.

Legacy means nothing, Tenzou realizes, in the grand scheme of things.

When you die, you just die.

It’s okay to die nameless.

*

Tenzou hears about Tsunade’s arrival tucked behind the cover of an open locker door. Apparently, Tsunade-hime is in the village for a visit. And like always, she has spent her first day sitting with her former sensei, having tea until she had flung the table across the room, out the window in a fit of uncontrolled, roiling rage.

“I think it’s because sandaime is asking her to stay,” one fellow ANBU says.

“No, it’s got something to do with her gambling debt for sure,” another says.

“Monkey says it has something to do with the council pressuring her to produce an heir,” a softer voice says.

“I thought she couldn’t?”

“Or she doesn’t want to?”

The conversation explodes, only coming to a sudden stop when the sound of a door opening puts a halt on the outright gossip that Tenzou shamefully has been eavesdropping on. Someone dares throw a table out the window in front of the Hokage? And the Hokage does nothing? Tenzou thinks back to Danzou an Root -- if any of them dared show such insubordination, that would mean at least half a day’s worth of lashings under the scorching sun and then dry fasting isolation for thirty-six hours. Not many tend to survive that but that would just mean they’re too weak to remain in Root, anyway.

“Don’t you guys have better things to do?” Kakashi’s voice cuts through with a drawl. It is followed by a series of locker doors shutting, rapid shuffling and then silence. “Oi, Tenzou. The Hokage needs you.”

Tenzou straightens, tugging his clean armor on and running a comb through his damp hair. He slams his locker shut and gives his senpai a wordless nod, acknowledging the summon.

*

A summon that suddenly renders him not so nameless anymore.

Tsunade is a towering figure, heals almost five inches high, back straight, eyebrows narrowed, hands on her hip and staring down at him like he’s a two year old.

“How old are you?”

“Fourteen,” Tenzou responds, keeping perfectly still. He isn’t intimidated by Tsunade’s persona. He’s just feeling a little too awkward because if Tsunade leaned any closer to examine him, her breasts would be ten centimeters too close to his face to be called professional, let alone proper.

“You are awfully small for a fourteen year old,” Tsunade tartly says, almost disappointed.

“I am a hundred and twenty nine and a half centimeters,” Tenzou agrees, well aware of how stunted his growth is. Danzou always factored his slow growth to the radiation and chemical exposure, a side effect to the experimentation Tenzou miraculously survived. But small doesn’t mean weak, Danzou had said, one of the few times he had been encouraging.

“Do you even eat, boy?” Tsunade scoffs.

“Yes. Five meals a day when I am in the village, continuously supplemented by calorically dense ration bars that Danzou-sama advised to--”

“Hah! Which one -- the one that tastes like sweet wet newspaper or the one that tastes like mouldy bread?” Tsunade snorts.

Tenzou finds himself stammering a little, glancing a little cluelessly at the Sandaime who is taking a very, very long drag from his pipe. Tenzou’s mouth quickly clamps shut before he can voice out his confusion. He can’t honestly say he knows what mouldy bread tastes like nor can he say he’s actually tried eating wet newspaper, let alone a sweetened one. So he goes with what he thinks is the correct response to this kind of inquiry. “The N-4150?”

“Sweet, wet newspaper. At least that old fart chose the better formula.” Tsunade rolls her eyes before taking - thank heavens - a proper step back.

Tenzou blinks once, altering between Tsunade now very put-upon expression and the Sandaime who is standing there as if he were part of the book shelf. “Hokage-sama, should I not continue consuming the N-4150?”

Sandaime rumbles an amused noise, blowing out a slow stream of tobacco smoke before he stands, rounding the table. “Why don’t you demonstrate your Mokuton skills for Tsunade, Tenzou? After all, that is the reason you were summoned here.”

It gets another eyeroll, with a bit of a scoff from Tsunade, who crosses her arms under her breasts.

“Yes, Hokage-sama,” Tenzou acknowledges.

He puts his hands together, channels just enough chakra and forms a small pot in his hands, slowly filling it with roots coiling until it sprouts green leaves, topped with large, black centered white poppies.

“Oh, white poppies,” Sandaime smiles, his face wrinkling. “An interesting choice. You see, Tsunade, Tenzou here has been studying botany for a year now. He’s a bit of an artist with his gardening. Tenzou, didn’t you recently start studying architecture as well?”

“I have only started reading some reference books three months ago, Hokage-sama,” Tenzou responds, with a bit of a nod, as his fingers tightens a little bit around the pot in his hands, not quite sure what to do with his creation-demonstration.

“Hmmm,” Sandaime hums, a touch bemused before he brings his pipe back up to his lips. “Reminds you of someone, doesn’t it, Tsunade?”

Tenzou looks at Tsunade, who in a space of a heartbeat looks far too young in a show of vulnerability, as her throat bobs when he swallows. It gets washed away when he clicks her tongue and turns to look at Tenzou, giving him a once over.

“Well, no one fucks with grandfather’s DNA, gets away with it and then keep it from me. Had it been anyone else but Danzou, Root of all places, I wouldn’t take issue! When did you discover your Mokuton skills, boy?”

“A year before I graduated from the Academy.” Tenzou swallows. “I was five years old.”

“Nine years! With that creep!” Tsuande shouts.

Sandaime’s tobacco inhale had to be the longest one Tenzou has ever seen.

Sandaime exhales, responding with a sigh, “Better late than never, hmm?”

“Fine.” Tsaunde grouches. “I’ll do it. Tenzou, you can call me okaa-san when you’re ready.”

The pot drops from Tenzou’s hands.

“Eh?”

Tenzou thinks it's a good response. Given the proverbial punch to the face he’s just received.

*

It’s not that Tenzou wants to say he cares much for the idea of family.

It’s more like he doesn’t quite know what to do with it.

(What does family even mean?)

So Tenzou, much like every other time he gets moved around like he’s no more than a potted plant, agrees.

Not like it really matters, right?

He thinks of it as just having another sort of… superior?

*

A superior that Tenzou apparently now gets to live with after all of those paperwork.

In a large, inherited estate, closed off, covered in wildly growing flora and fauna. The estate does not look like it’s been lived in for decades. There is damage from the growth of vines, some of it poking through the tatami doors, and getting to the interior of the house. There are a few soda cans littered around the gate, some old, some new. Likely the result of dares from the younger crowd of Konoha.

The once heralded Senju estate that Hashirama and Tobirama and their families once resided in is now nothing more than a shadow of its former glory. Uncared for. Outdated. Obsolete.

“Well,” Tsunade huffs. “I haven’t seen this place in, hmm, ten years maybe? Maybe twelve? Tche, what a dump.”

Tsunade toes an old, faded orange soda can by her heel, kicking it further away.

Tenzou wishes he’s no more than a spore in the ground. Should he say something? He may be a Senju by name and by experimental DNA, but that doesn’t really make him a Senju-Senju.

It’s just circumstances.

“Well? What do you think, kid? You like the house?” Tsunade holds her hand out at the once upon a time regal grounds, now overgrown with weeds and littered with random junk.

Tenzou looks at the estate again and decides to go with the most diplomatically acceptable response there is in this case.

“It’s a lot bigger than my apartment,” Tenzou politely responds, as his eyes stray towards the patch of wildly growing rosary pea and oleander growing by the gate.

Tsunade’s booming laughter echoes throughout the entire compound, bemused and real. She doubles over, slapping a hand on her knee, her laugh tapering off to a bit of a wheeze. It almost sounds nervous. A little hysterical even.

Tenzou tilts his head to the side, staring up at this woman, this new mother of his, a legendary sannin, one of the most if not the best, medic there is in the country.

Would it be rude to ask her if she is okay?

“Kid,” Tsunade snorts, shaking her head, reaching out to ruffle Tenzou’s long hair. “I like your sense of humor. You and I are going to get along just fine.”

*

Tsunade asks to see his apartment.

And then proceeds to wear what Tenzou can only assume is her analytical face. It’s peppered with a little judgment, too.

Tenzou’s current apartment is a shoebox in size, with enough space for a single bed, a small sectioned off wall by the door turned to a makeshift kitchen and a connecting bathroom that Tsunade, no doubt, will have to carefully manage her long limbs.

“You like it here?” Tsunade asks, her lips twisting at the sight of the old hotplate on the tiny kitchen counter.

“It serves its purpose.” Tenzou shrugs.

“That wasn’t my question,” Tsaunde prompts, turning that analytical gaze back to Tenzou.

Tenzou frowns, resisting the urge to reach up and rub the back of his head in partial confusion, partial irritation. It’s a comfortable space -- what is she on about? Having an opinion on something as trivial as a living space serves no purpose in the betterment of Tenzou’s skills in the field. It has no correlation to his successful mission counts. Liking something or anything for that matter doesn’t make missions easier or harder, either.

Unsure of how to respond, Tenzou resorts to Danzou’s advice when it comes to undercover. If you’re caught in a tight spot, the easiest thing to slip out of attention is to either blend with your surroundings or mirror the person in front of you.

Tenzou goes for the mirror, sloping his eyebrows down the same way Tsunade is, relaxing his shoulder to what looks like a wary slump, canting his head just the tiniest bit to the side, and responds with what he hopes is a conclusion to this conversation, “It’s all right.”

Tsunade goes quiet for a while, before she sighs slowly and curses under her breath.

“Let’s try this again,” Tsunade sighs, gesticulating with her hand towards the entirety of the small apartment. “What do you think would make this space better suited for you? Take into consideration that you are also currently studying botany and architecture.”

Tenzou looks at the small stack of reference books he had borrowed from the public library, how he has to do most of his reading on the bed. If he had to sketch on drawing paper, he usually does so on the ceiling given the lack of floor space and a full flat wall that isn’t lined with bulging pipes or the sil of the window, with the paper taped on the corners. Makes it easier for him to get on his knees and practice his pencil sketches.

“Then that’s something you should consider when you fix our house, hmm?”

Oh. So he’s fixing it.

Well.

Okay, then.

—

And yeah that’s all I got. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[maxrev]

Kissing Prompt: On the sidewalk/Celebration John/Kaidan

Whew...these boys took this and RAN with it lol. Got kind of serious but I think it turned out okay. Thanks for the ask!

From these prompts here 

                         __________________________________________

New Year’s Eve 2187

For the first time since the Reapers had been defeated, the city had been cleared of much of the debris, though still a long way to go towards being rebuilt. But on the heals of such an accomplishment, London was in full celebratory mode. Maybe Shepard and Kaidan were too. 

John was getting out of the hospital, finally able to go home. It wasn’t without cost; he’d lost his leg and had a long road of recovery ahead. 

Kaidan stepped out of the skycab and walked inside the hospital to fill out the paperwork and bring him home. He’d brought a bag of clothes for John to change into, though they probably wouldn’t fit well. He’s lost so much weight and muscle tone. 

He’d been here every day through John’s recovery and as much as possible when he began his physical therapy, wanting to know what to do once they were back at the apartment. Frustration was a constant for both of them during this time. The once fun-loving, flirty Shepard was gone, being replaced by a man who was serious and taciturn. Kaidan missed the former and was determined to get him back, though he loved John no matter what. They were together, which meant everything to Kaidan. They almost didn’t get the chance. 

“Hello, Major Alenko.” 

He nodded at the nurse, “How’re you doing, Judy?”

“Today is a good day, sir. Ready for New Year’s. It’s about time for a celebration, if you ask me.” 

Unable to argue with the sentiment, he told her, “Enjoy yourself and be careful, okay?” 

A bright smile was his response, “I will, sir. You do the same. Will you be going to watch the fireworks? It will be soon, I think, nearing dark now.” 

“No, I don’t think so.” 

His words were met with a look of understanding. John was not likely to want to be in a crowd and Kaidan was uncomfortable in them in any case. Suited them both to stay in. Signing the papers she’d placed on the counter, he turned and walked down the hallway towards the wing where John was. His heartbeat sped up in anticipation; he thought this day would never come. 

As he neared John’s room, he heard a commotion; then John’s voice. An angry voice. “I can damn well get to the door on my own!” 

“Sir, we can’t allow you to walk to the door. It’s our poli--” 

“Fuck your policy.” A loud clattering sound accompanied his words, as if he’d thrown his cane across the room. 

Kaidan quickened his pace. Maybe he could calm John and rescue the nurse, who was probably at the end of her rope. Or in fear of her life. 

He stepped into the room, reading the situation in a glance. John leaning against the side of the bed in his hospital gown, the back open from the neck down, feet flat on the floor. The cane was lying against the wall across from him. Even from here, Kaidan could see the strain on his body, shaking slightly. 

The young nurse stood behind the chair, tendrils of hair having escaped from her bun and were now clinging to her face which was bright red. It didn’t appear to be from embarrassment, either. Her hands clenched the handles, white-knuckled, but she stood her ground, a look of dogged determination on her face. She was braver than many before her. Kaidan had lost count of the nurses John had run off.

He let the door shut behind him with a whoosh, quiet but enough to grab the attention of them both. Two pairs of eyes turned to focus on the intrusion. He saw relief in the nurse’s emerald green eyes, stubborn sullenness in blue eyes currently the color of a storm tossed sea. He’d hoped today would be a celebration of their own with John finally coming home. Biting back a sigh of frustration, he nodded at the nurse to leave. She huffed but left them alone. 

Setting the bag on the bed behind John, he settled next to him. “Hey, there.” 

“Don’t even start. You’re going to be as bad - or even worse - than she was.” 

He refused to take the bait. “Am I?” 

John opened his mouth, then closed it again, body relaxing in defeat. “Sorry, Kaidan. I just...I want to leave on my own steam, you know?” 

Oh, he did but some rules were in place for a reason. “How about a compromise?” 

John turned to him, brows furrowed over clearing blue eyes, “What kind of compromise?” 

He grabbed the bag, took out John’s clothes and shoved them in his hands. “Get dressed.” 

Stubborn as he could be, John knew when Kaidan had made up his mind there was no pushing. He shuffled to the wheelchair, unable to stand, and sat down in it to slide his legs into the pants, then pulled off his gown and pulled the tee over his head. Once he was dressed, he remained still, winded. 

Looking up at Kaidan, expecting to see a smirk, he was surprised to find him not even paying attention. He was packing things into the bag, minus the hospital gown. “Thought you’d want to keep the gown. You know, easy access.” 

A strangled sound followed his statement. Kaidan finally turned, tips of his ears pink, brown eyes shiny. “Well, I could always throw it in there if you’ll miss it so much.” 

“Hell, no.” The response as emphatic. Kaidan smiled and went back to packing. “You planned this, didn’t you?” 

“To take you home? John, I’ve been planning this since the day the Normandy limped back to earth and I knew you were alive.” 

Waving his hand dismissively, John soon realized Kaidan couldn’t even see him. “No. I mean me dressing myself and getting winded, so I’d realize I needed the wheelchair.”  

Pausing in the act of packing, Kaidan turned to him. John saw his eyebrow game was strong, thick dark brows furrowed down, “No. I was going to ask you to ride in it to the front doors, then I’d just let you go out on your own steam.” 

“Oh.” 

Looking around the bed and the tables nearby, Kaidan checked to make sure he’d gathered everything. He walked over and picked up John’s cane and handed it to him with a rueful smile. The doctors and nurses had sent him home yesterday with all the supplies they thought he could possibly need amd instructions to call if they ran into a situation where they needed help. 

Zipping the bag shut, he turned. John remained in the chair, gazing at him. "What?" 

The solemn blue eyes looked away and Shepard spoke softly, an apology tumbling from his lips, "Im sorry for being such an ass. You deserve better, Kaidan."

Kaidan walked over, squatting down so they were eye level. He cupped John’s cheek, gently turning his head back to face him. "Listen to me," he paused, taking a breath to calm his emotions as his words sounded harsh even to his own ears. "There is no where else I’d rather be than right here, with you. Okay?" 

John nodded but Kaidan wasn’t convinced he believed it. He'd have to prove it then. He leaned forward but the moment was lost as the head nurse came in, a look of extreme agitation mixed with bullheaded determination on her face. She was followed by the younger one who'd been arguing with John. Kaidan stood up. He just wanted to get John hime and not have any more delays. 

"We're ready to go." His hand remained on the handle of the wheelchair, possessive. "I'll wheel him out and both of you," he looked from one to the other, "can follow us to make sure we're following proper procedure." He didn't mention his plan. 

John started to protest, "But Kaidan, you-"

"Have everything under control," he winked at John out of sight of the nurses. Shepard settled back into the chair. 

"Well, okay then." The head nurse turned to the younger one, "Michele, just follow and assist if needed," and she walk out if the room. 

Kaidan began to push the wheelchair out the door and had to bite back a groan of frustration when John motioned for him to stop. What reason could there possibly be not to just keep going? 

“It’s Michele, right?” The nurse nodded, a bit apprehensive, for which Kaidan couldn’t blame her. “I just wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. There was no reason for me to be such an asshole when you were just doing your job. I’m sorry.” 

Michele blushed to the roots of her bright red hair but nodded at the end of the speech. She seemed tongue tied and when no words followed his apology, John did what he’d always been so damn good at; he gave her a winning smile, a wink from those impossibly blue eyes and thanked her for taking care of him. 

“Let’s go, Kaidan. I’m ready.” 

Wasting no time to follow this order, Kaidan pushed him out the door Michele was currently holding open and down the corridor, bag and cane in his lap. The young nurse followed closely behind but where she’d been stubborn and determined to make John adhere to protocol, now she just walked amiably beside them, though kept her eyes trained on what was going on around them instead. Kaidan paused, brought up his omni-tool, winked at John when he turned to him with a questioning look, and resumed his pace. Over the loud speaker came a voice, “Michele, please come to the nurse’s station.” 

The young nurse glanced up in surprise, then over at the two of them, then back down the hall. Indecision written on her face, she was clearly unsure of what to do. 

“Go ahead, I can keep Commander Shepard under control to the front of the building. I promise he won’t get away.” 

Not so easily swayed, she questioned him, “Are you sure? I’m supposed to keep make sure you get to the skycab. I have my orders.” She straightened up with the importance of her job. 

Oozing reassurance, he told her, “You do and you’re right to question us but we also know sometimes new orders override the previous ones.” 

John spoke up, “He’s right. It looks like you’re receiving new orders and we wouldn’t want you to be derelict in your duties by assisting us when you have more important things to do.” 

She gazed at each of them in turn, then nodded. “You’re right. Just...be careful and send for me - or an orderly - if you need assistance.” Before they could respond, she turned and all but ran to the nurse’s station. Kaidan felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving the poor girl but John was his first priority and he’d made him a promise. 

Before they arrived at the door, Kaidan stopped and put the locks on the wheels so the chair wouldn’t move. He went around front, looked over John’s head down the hall, then glanced at him and nodded. John rose, a bit unsteady at first, but got his bearings quickly. Placing the cane on the floor, he moved forward, one slow step at a time until he was sure of himself. 

Without a backward glance, he strode out the door as the Commander Shepard and got inside the skycab waiting for them with Kaidan behind him to help only in case he stumbled. 

The ride was quiet, introspective. Kaidan watched as he took in the state of London on the way to the apartment. Much of it was making a comeback with restaurants, bars, markets and stores; more of them popping up every day. Yet, he didn’t comment, just observed. 

The skycab pulled up to their apartment, a single story and nondescript building. Other apartments had been built around it, much the same as theirs. It was rather drab but Kaidan thought the act of just bringing John home gave it more color, more character. Shepard struggled to get out by himself and finally accepted Kaidan’s help reluctantly when he couldn’t manage on his own. The skycab took off and they remained on the sidewalk, looking at their first place as a couple. 

He wrapped an arm around John’s waist, moving in close instead of pulling him over. “So, what do you think?” 

“This is it, huh? Our place?”

A rush of emotion swept over Kaidan at those words - our place. Kaidan had never dared hope after the run for the beam this day would come to be. Yet, it had and here they were. “Yeah...our place.” 

They heard explosions and both of them tensed, then offering nervous chuckles when they realized it was just fireworks going off in the distance. The bursts of light arced into the sky, a cascading kaleidoscope of colors and patterns against a black backdrop. Even the stars in the sky were muted.  

“Happy New Year’s, John.” 

“Happy New Year’s, Kaidan.” Shepard turned, gazing intently at Kaidan. “To everything new in our lives, starting this day.” 

“Yeah...to everything new.” 

Kaidan leaned in, capturing John’s mouth with his for their first kiss in their first real home. Together. 

[akimmito]

Heroes are made by the path they choose

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Master List

Chapter 18

Marinette was waiting for the moment when the Gotham vigilantes would show up, they ended up making the decision after she and Felix had a little chat with Silent Hill, she even spoke to John to ask what he knew about the two of them (of course, they had already met Robin, but their meeting was under other circumstances). John was very clear about his opinions, so she was able to have a better point of view when deciding.

They, sadly, would be the first to be recruited knowing the entire team. Unlike other members, they were recruited by two or three incumbents of the miraculous. The Aurore case, which was recommended by Chloe, Marc and Nathaniel; Silent Hill was recruited by her, Felix, and Max; Not in Hell was brought into the organization by Marc and Nathaniel (with approval from Alix and Luka). The others were led by other circumstances, such as John (who was led by her alone), Adrien (who only retired from the team due to circumstances that were out of his control), Jean (Chloe's butler ended up involved after it was done difficult to explain strange behaviors, becoming a great ally), Kim (he was initially recruited to be part of the team, but ended up only an affiliate) and Gina (how could she not realize that her granddaughter was the one who made contact with her? Maybe he couldn't discover her as Ladybug by magic, but there was nothing of the kind involved here anymore. It was easy).

So yes, Nightwing and Robin will be their first victims. The only one who completely opposed the idea was Damian, but she couldn't get any information out of him. Until minutes before meeting them.

"My father is Batman."

Marinette stayed still in those moments, but her son kept moving forward. She saw him draw one of his swords, but she was still processing his words. However, she slides it down and makes sure she doesn't forget to talk to him later. She can't go crazy in those moments.

Damian doesn't know who possessed him to say it in those moments, his mother had been asking the night before when they were alone, but he refused to say a word. And minutes, seconds, before meeting his brothers, it was not the right time. Well, the damage is done.

"You're not welcome." He's not feeling satisfaction in threatening his brothers, not at all, it's simply to maintain an image and let them know that they will not accept his games. It's just that.

Afterward, he just kept watching, watching the interaction, focusing his attention on Nightwing, who keeps his gaze fixed on his mother. He frowns, it doesn't matter if it's inside or outside the mask, Richard Grayson keeps looking at his mother; doesn't like. But his mother wouldn't notice him, would she?

No she wouldn't. She doesn't even give him a glance, she's more focused on Robin, so no, and his mother wouldn't notice Grayson. Even so, he must mark territory, he doesn't want one of his brothers as a father, although them is better than his father. No, he cannot submit to such thoughts, the man who marries his mother must be worthy of it.

When they go through the portal, the little glamor placed on him fades and he heads to the common room, where the others must be.

Marinette watches him leave, curious about her son's visible bad mood.

"Make yourself comfortable." She smiles kindly, in stark contrast to the intimidating image she was giving earlier.

"Suzaku…" She directs her gaze towards Robin, she finds it amusing that the youngest is the one who takes the reins because the responsible adult seems too lost watching her. Oh yeah, she realized, it's not subtle at all.

"Yes?"

"You mentioned that they already knew about us, how did they find out?"

"We have a contact." She doesn't remove her smile and proceeds to settle in front of Nightwing, her place would normally be at the head of the table, but she finds the attention he's giving her endearing. Oh well, what will their expression be when they see who is under the mask? It's not that she knows who they are, but she could guess, however, she will not be wandering in those directions.

“So you have a network of contacts?” Robin seems very excited by the information and seems to want to know more, much more. His curiosity is well received, especially since there is no malice, at least she cannot perceive it. "How do you open those portals? Is it related to heroes?"

"Quiet. All those questions will be clear at the meeting… so Nightwing, you didn't say anything, did a bird tear your tongue out?" This time, her smile changes to a cheekier one. John taught her to smile like that, it's a fun flirting game they have.

"I'm giving myself time to process everything, you really caught us off guard. We wanted to talk to one or two of you, I wasn't expecting us to have a meeting scheduled. ”He smiles humorously, he doesn't lie, sure, but it's not the whole reason.

"Oh, understandable. Although I could swear that the cause of your distraction was me. "Marinette is having fun, the years when she could barely talk to someone she liked, even a little, are long gone and buried, now it's much easier.

He doesn't respond to what was said because they see the others enter, being surprised to see several of them without a mask. Tim quickly recognizes Chloe Bourgeois, how not to do it, she is a MP and they have seen her several times in the news, she has very good press on her part. They also see Felix Graham of Vanily, Dick remembers him from that red carpet that Stephanie insisted on seeing months ago, in addition to the photos that Tim showed her from the newspapers of when Gabriel Agreste was arrested. The others, they don't recognize at all, although there are a couple of faces that they are sure they should recognize.

"Nice to meet you" Luka takes the initiative to say hello, sitting next to Marinette and taking his partner by the hand to take a seat next to him, Damian immediately claims the seat on the other side of his mother, refusing to take off his mask, even though everyone has put it aside.

"The pleasure is ours." Dick is the one who responds, more alert for the presence of everyone else.

"Do you have any specific questions or do you prefer to wait for us to finish explaining?" Felix asks, settling in next to Damian, the center of the table will always be where Marinette is sitting, so he will always be close to her. The Great Guardian is the main focus in any gathering, even if others don't know her importance.

"Just one." Tim responds, driven by his curiosity because he suddenly has these people who take care of his identity coming to use magic for that purpose, showing his face to them too easily. "Why are you showing us your identities?"

"We'll get to that, Robin. We'll start by introducing ourselves. ”Marinette smiles more kindly, taking a more professional approach now that everyone is settled in and the meeting has begun. Only Max is missing, but they know that he is busier with something more important. "It's hard not to recognize myself, people pay more attention to me than I'm comfortable receiving. Everyone knows me as Marie Lenoir, but my friends know my name is Marinette. ”She takes off her mask and Dick chokes on his own breath. Tim is very surprised, but doesn't show it. "He's my son, Damian.”The boy just frowns in his direction and thinks long and hard before lowering his mask.

Dick doesn't know how to feel about the Damian thing, he's a boy, a boy who surely has a lot of training or she wouldn't let him run around, right? In addition, he carries two swords with him, these being his main weapons, from what he could see of his suit, in addition to some other tools that he surely keeps in the thick belt that looks like cloth, the boy is covered in green, black and gray tones; He has even pulled his hood down revealing his tousled dark hair, very different from when he was seen at country house.

"Felix Graham of Vanily, although if you did a little research on the situation from seven years ago, you know who I am."

"Chloe Bourgeois, impossible not to know about me. I go out unnecessarily on television..."

"And I thought you loved the attention, Chloe." Nathaniel scoffs and she in response shakes her head the other way, hitting him lightly with her hair, drawing a little laugh from Alix at their childish fights that never change. "Nathaniel Kurtzberg, I'm not well known.”He shrugs, but smiles at the two guards. "And he's Marc Anciel.”

Marc just greets them with a little shyness, althoug he keeps moving forward and has made great progress by himself, plus he got his own confidence gain in his work and that's something about it that he will always be safe, no matter how uncomfortable he's in social situations.

"Alix Kudbel." She's simple with her presentation, doesn't see the need to focus too much on assuming something they might or might not know about them.

"Kagami Tsurugi, he's my boyfriend, Luka Couffaine." Simple and clear, Kagami wants to move fast to make the rules of the game clear. Having more allies was always a plan that was discussed when the MT started, but it's still a matter that puts everyone on edge. "Ideally, you should show your identities, the information that we will share with you is not something that is said to any random stranger. Mari-hime doesn't trust just anyone and her instincts are rarely wrong, but we need a guarantee."

Can the people they choose be trusted?

------

It's a Nara: We already made contact with Nightwing and Robin

Silent Hill: Oh perfect

Kiss my ass: So everything ready for the reunion on the weekend?

It’s aNara: Yes, hopefully, they will join too

Not in Hell: It will be entertaining

Kiss my ass: Of course it will! It will be so chaotic

It’s a Nara: I hope not, we will deal with serious matters

Oscar de la Rosa: I already booked the tickets for my trip to London

Divine gift: Everything perfectly calculated, excellent, Jean

Oscar de la Rosa: We must ensure that nothing gets out of control

Silent Hill: You guys are very efficient, they remind me of Alfred

Divine gift: No one can beat Alfred

Oscar de la Rosa: But it is an honor that you mention it

It’s a Nara: Who is Alfred?

Divine gift: A butler

Oscar de la Rosa: A Butler

[autistic-girl-academic]

Hypmic OC Crew: Freestyle Angels

so I’ve seen a lot of people posting their Hypmic OCs lately, and that made me want to buckle down and finalize the details for mine!

An all-female team based out of Tokyo’s Minato Ward, the Freestyle Angels are technically an independent crew - they got together to drive out crews who were abusing their claims to the territory, but aren’t interested in winning more territory themselves. (Not that they’d qualify for the DRBs anyway, of course.) Rather, they serve as a foil/rival team to the Chuohku trio.

Sumire Kuino, AKA Queen of Street

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” - Helen Keller

Occupation: Humanitarian aid organizer

Birthday: October 7th

Age: 30

Zodiac: Libra

Height: 6′0″

Weight: 165 lbs

Blood type: AB

Likes: Bargains, fixing things, dogs, birdwatching

Dislikes: Wastefulness, unpaid debts, technology, selfish people

Favorite food: Chazuke

Least favorite food: Fugu

The daughter of a corrupt businessman and his mistress. Her father was an associate of Sairo Tohoten, who helped him flee the country when he got in trouble with the authorities, leaving a young Sumire and her mother behind. Sumire’s mother, only viewing her as another mouth to feed, likewise abandoned her daughter once she’d found a new lover. Frightened at the possibility of ending up in an orphanage, Sumire struggled to fend for herself on the streets until she was taken under the wing of an older homeless man named Takayoshi. He would go on to raise Sumire as his own, with her quickly coming to call him ‘Grandpa’ and taking on his family name. Over the years, Sumire became increasingly protective of him in turn, and he and his circle of friends would jokingly call her ‘queen’ for her assertive, take-charge nature; Sumire was always exasperated by the nickname, but grudgingly grew to accept it.

Takayoshi was the sort of person who was always willing to lend a hand and always kept an eye out for those who needed it, and Sumire followed his example. After he passed away, she became a guardian for anyone with nowhere to go, spending her days building shelters, distributing food, and standing up to whoever threatened the people that depended on her. She had fleeting hopes that the Party of Words would remedy some of the ills plaguing society, but found that little changed once the H Age began. Before the formation of the Dirty Dawg, Minato Ward went through a tumultuous period where it rapidly changed hands between many crews who abused their power. Sumire stole a set of Hypnosis Mics off of one such group and began using it to defend the defenseless, forming a duo with Ageha Hinokuchi called the Rough Diamonds, then a trio once they met Kaori Sakuragi.

Her microphone takes the shape of a street sign, while her speakers are a graffiti-covered castle made from debris. Her ability, Bulwark, decreases the damage done to her allies, albeit at the cost of taking it herself. Her personal rapping style is based off of Hime.

Personality-wise, Sumire’s an incredibly caring person under an intimidating exterior; her default stone-faced expression rarely changes and she speaks very bluntly. She won’t really judge or try to control the choices of those she helps, but if she needs to put her foot down for someone’s own good, her naturally commanding presence makes it hard to not do what she says. She’s a quick learner who can fix up just about anything she puts her hands on (with the exception of hi-tech gadgets) and a highly efficient penny-pincher; show her something with a high price tag and get ready to hear a thorough breakdown of just how many groceries it could buy. Her biggest flaw is that she doesn’t always take care of herself as well as she does others, requiring her teammates to step in and force her to take the occasional break.

She deeply respects Jakurai’s work, but finds Hifumi too flashy for her tastes. She’s also helped Dice a few times in the past, but he finds her kind of terrifying and tries to avoid her. The one person who can immediately make her lose her composure is Rei; plenty of his victims have ended up on the streets, and one of them even committed suicide despite Sumire’s attempts to save them. Unless her teammates stop her, she’ll attack him on sight.

Ageha Hinokuchi, AKA HI-FLYA

“Once freedom lights its beacon in man’s heart, the gods are powerless against him” - Jean-Paul Sartre

Occupation: Fitness & self-defense instructor

Birthday: May 6th

Age: 28

Zodiac: Taurus

Height: 5′6″

Weight: 138 lbs

Blood type: B

Likes: Pro wrestling, action movies, dancing, the beach

Dislikes: Muscle cramps, energy drinks, smoking, conformity

Favorite food: Barbecue

Least favorite food: Sea cucumber

A former member of the Party of Words. As a child, she lost her parents to an armed robbery, leading her to support Otome’s goals of eliminating conventional weapons from Japan. However, she increasingly found herself unable to turn a blind eye to the ways in which the Party manipulated innocent people. Once she learned about the True Hypnosis Microphone, she attempted to sabotage the facility where they were produced, but was discovered. In the fight that followed, a fire broke out; she fell from a great height into the flames and was presumed dead by the Party members who had been trying to apprehend her. However, a friend of hers in the group discovered that she’d survived and smuggled her to safety. After recovering from her wounds, she took on a new name and face, leaving her old identity behind to become Ageha Hinokuchi.

Her goal of stopping the Party of Words remained unchanged, and for a while she was constantly on the move, collecting evidence of their crimes and trying to come up with a way to stand against them. In Minato Ward, she happened to cross paths with Sumire Kuino, who had stolen a set of Hypnosis Microphones and was using them to defend people in need. Though initially reluctant to use one herself, she was forced to when Sumire was outnumbered and lured into a trap. Sumire, who was a firm believer in always repaying what she owed, asked what she could do in exchange for Ageha saving her life. This sparked a deep bond that eventually led to Ageha divulging her past to Sumire, and they formed a duo known as the Rough Diamonds. They later met Kaori Sakuragi and rechristened themselves the Freestyle Angels (incidentally, Ageha came up with both names, the latter because she was a fan of Charlie’s Angels).

Her microphone takes the shape of a portable music player held on an armband and a pair of headphones with butterfly wings on them, while her speaker is a four-sided boxing scoreboard. Her ability, Reverb, allows her to hit her opponent twice in one go, although the second hit isn’t as strong. Her personal style is inspired by Akkogorilla.

In contrast to Sumire, Ageha is fun-loving, always wears a smile, and is overflowing with energy; this is largely due to regretting how she previously lived, as someone blindly obedient who didn’t fully appreciate the joys of life. She can quickly befriend just about anyone and is a bit of a flirt, but only to tease. All of this belies a keen observational eye, though, and she’ll play up being an airhead to make others underestimate her. She knows a wide variety of martial arts, with kickboxing and aikido being her specialties. Because she currently lives and works in Roppongi, she’s also good with foreign languages.

Ageha is a big fan of Sasara’s comedy routines. She's suspicious of Ramuda because she knows he was involved with Chuokhu, but isn’t fully aware of his nature as a clone. Likewise, she detests Rei for having worked on the True Hypnosis Mic, but is much better at hiding it than Sumire.

Kaori Sakuragi, AKA wallflower

“Be not another, if you can be yourself” - Paracelsus

Occupation: Self-employed craftsperson

Birthday: December 5th

Age: 20

Zodiac: Sagittarius

Height: 5′3″

Weight: 116 lbs

Blood type: A

Likes: Homemade things, aromatherapy, reading, gardening

Dislikes: Cameras, busy places, the dentist, controlling people

Favorite food: Croquettes

Least favorite food: Beef tongue

Child-star-turned-idol, lead singer of the wildly popular group ‘Cutie Blooms’, Kaori seemingly vanished off the face of the earth one day. In truth, years of constant media presence, overwork, and pressure to please her demanding stage mother had driven Kaori to have a mental breakdown. Unable to be in the presence of other people without suffering severe panic attacks, she shut herself up in her apartment just before the start of the H Age for two years. When a paparazzi tracked her down and began harassing her for interviews, she fled and became lost on the streets of Minato-ku, but was rescued by Sumire Kuino and Ageha Hinokuchi. Seeing them wield their Hypnosis Mics in her defense reminded her of her original love for singing, and she begged them to make her the third member of their crew.

While her teammates have been helping her work through her trauma, Kaori is still afraid of having her face or voice recognized. She keeps her features obscured by glasses and masks as much as possible, prefers to stay out of sight, and primarily communicates through a tablet that reads out what she writes; she’s very quiet and stammers a lot when she does speak. During her years as a shut-in, she learned to provide for herself in a number of ways, such as growing her own vegetables and making clothes and other handicrafts, the latter of which she sells online.

Her microphone takes the shape of her tablet and stylus, while her speaker is a greenhouse that overflows with more and more flowers as she gains confidence during battle. Her ability, Tongue-Tied, scrambles her opponent’s speech. Her personal style is based off of Haru Nemuri.

Kaori is sensitive, timid, and somewhat pessimistic, but still possesses a very strong determination deep down at her core. She despises the fake persona that was forced upon her by the idol industry and wants to “win back her true self”. The more comfortable she gets around someone, the more she shows her passionate and cheerful side. She’s also very creative and good at memorizing small details, but at the cost of sometimes getting lost in her own thoughts and not noticing what’s going on around her.

She’s an avid reader of Gentaro’s novels, having sent him lots of anonymous fanmail in the past. She’s also recently started listening to Jyushi’s music.

[shima-draws]

SPILL THE TEA OF THAT GLORIOUS ALBATROSS FANFIC SHIMA WE FANFIC WRITERS GOTCHU. (I'm talking about Letters into Paper Airplanes.)

//smacks the table AIGHT

So the basic concept was that Alba is a dumbass and decides to do something monumentally stupid by going back in time to fix the timeline. This just ends up creating a third timeline which is where the story takes place. Anyway!! Alba heads all the way back to Originia a thousand years ago to erase all traces of magic permanently so that Shion, Rchimedes, Cecily, Crea, and Lake can all live happy lives and grow up the way they were supposed to (so similar to the original alpha timeline but with a few minor changes. I know there’s the whole issue with the meteor in Elf’s future but let’s just forget about that for now lol)

Alba says goodbye to a baby Shion, and apologizes for screwing with the timeline like this. He knows for a fact that if he changes history then, like in the alpha timeline, he and Shion will never meet each other because they’ll be separated by a thousand years.

(We don’t find out any of this stuff until later in the story lol it’s actually the Big Twist but I’m going in chronological order here.)

Timeskip to years later when Shion is a young adult! This timeline is pretty similar to the “Everyone’s Safe” side story that Haruhara wrote. Shion lives a happy and carefree life in Originia with his family and with Crea. Things seem normal until he starts getting weird dreams and visions of another world, starts to see people he recognizes and some he doesn’t. Memories of his life in the other timeline keep trickling in and every time he dreams of Alba he wakes up crying because he realizes that he’s in love with him. It doesn’t take long for him to put the pieces together and realize that Alba changed his timeline—and Shion has absolutely no way of reaching him a thousand years into the future without magic. (He gets VERY angry with Alba, but it’s not like he can do much about it.)

So. He starts writing letters. Hundreds of them. And when he’s finished, he seals them inside of a time capsule that will be opened in the future, and hopefully the letters will be delivered to Alba in that time.

(This is where the fic actually starts lol, everything up until now is all backstory that gets revealed later down the road.)

A thousand years in the future...the time capsule is finally opened and under Hime-chan’s orders (and instructions from Shion) the letters start being delivered to Alba. Alba has no idea that these letters are centuries old and that the person who sent them is long dead—he merely thinks he’s gained a weird new pen pal from another region. He gets a letter once or twice a week. They start off simple—with lots of teasing and taunting (because. It’s Shion. Duh.) and Alba initially refuses to read any more of them, but eventually caves. Over time he starts getting attached to the sender of the letters and wonders just who exactly they are. As the weeks pass and Alba continues to read the letters, he starts falling in love with Shion :’) Because the tone of the letters get softer and more gentle over time as Shion’s true feelings leak through 🥺

Alba eventually decides that he’s going to find Shion and meet up with him in person. That all goes to shit when he receives Shion’s final letter, which explains everything that had happened, the changing timeline, their thousand year separation, and how this is the only way Shion could think of to reach out to him in the future because there’s no magic. Alba breaks down in TEARS because he realizes that Shion has been dead for a very very long time now, and there’s nothing he can do about it...

Or is there?

Alba decides that he’ll dedicate the rest of his life to discovering magic. Using all of the clues from Shion’s letters talking about the other timeline and studying intensely, he finally manages to create magic (it obviously takes a couple years and he gets REALLY frustrated at times but he refuses to give up). Alba then spends the next few years after that perfecting his control over magic and experimenting with time travel. Once he manages to have a breakthrough, he plans a trip to the past to meet up with Shion!!

The first thing Alba does when he sees Shion in the past is punch him in the face LMAO. Shion yells at him and says he should be the one punching Alba in the face because it’s Alba’s fault in the first place that their timeline got so fucked up. Then they have a very happy tearful reunion and Shion’s like “If anybody could break the laws of time and space and do something as crazy as invent magic just to come see me, it would be you, Hero” and Alba just laughs because. Yeah touche.

And that’s p much where it ends 🤔 Unlike the alpha timeline Alba didn’t discover magic because he really wanted to, he just did it to go find Shion. So he probably decides to stay in the past with him, because he won’t be so cruel as to rip Shion away from his family to come live with him in the future. I haven’t really thought about much more of an ending besides that lol

I did start writing it ages and ages ago, and honestly it would be a fun idea to try and tackle now...we’ll see :’) But yeah that’s the basic concept for it! I got inspired by a couple songs (the most notable being Fifteen Years of Pursuing A Cute Boy, which gave me the idea for the letters and Alba finding out about Shion’s death), I’m kinda sad I never got around to really expanding on the idea further, but I’m glad I get to share it here now ^^

[fifteenskies15]

Twisted Kaguya Hime

(Tokito Muichiro x Demon! Reader)

Summary: Demons and humans never belong together, so does demon slayer and their enemy

Admin's Note: Wow, clearly I'm on roll today, I published two stories in one day, anyways, I have come back with Muichiro's content to feed to you all Muichiro stans, this might be kinda angst since reader will be a demon unde Kokushibo control but they manage to develop a feelings for Muichiro, but let's pretend that Koku had met Mui and that Muichiro have grown up now (approximately 18-20 y/o) here, as per usual, this story is gender neutral

Also, Muichiro might be a bit lovestruck here

"Muichiro...let me tell you a little story..."

"What is it mom?"

"This is a tale of a beautiful princess called, princess Kaguya... Once upon a time... There was an old and poor bamboo cutter called Taketori no Okina, he and his wife didn't have a child and they live in poverty..."

"One day, the old man Taketori found a shining bamboo stalk he cutted it and do you know what he saw? It's a baby girl in size of his thumb, old man Taketori was so elated, he and his wife raised her like she was their daughter and not only that, there's a small gold nugget inside, so... Taketori and his wife is no longer live in poverty, and their daughter, Kaguya has grown up into a woman with an extraordinary beauty..."

"This is the part where Kaguya get her lover, right mom?"

"Many hopeful youngsters did wanted to take Kaguya as their wife, but alas she rejected them all, even with five princes lined up to offer her hand of marriage, she rejected them all regardless, the emperor Mikado is also fell in love with the beautiful princess Kaguya, but alas she's also rejected him, saying that she cannot stay in the palace, but they stay in contact together"

"But do you know, Muichiro? Every summer night when it's full moon, Princess Kaguya is always crying, her adoptive parents were greatly concerned about her, but she was unable to say what's wrong to them, until she revealed that she was not of this world and must return to her people on the Moon..."

"So that means she had to left her parents?"

"Sadly yes... Kaguya hime loves her parents and her friends in earthly being friends, she was very sad but this has to be done...the Earth is not where she belongs, however, the capital of the moon is where she belongs..."

"Even so... Kaguya always missed the protectorate and the kind humans that see her of who she is..."

------

"Muichiro..."

...

"Muichiro..."

...

"Muichiro, my dear...are you okay?"

Muichiro tear his gaze away from the moon and turn his attention to you.

A demon...

But you're more than just a demon to him and he's more than just a human to you, even though you're a demon, a being he should be hated, obliterated and sent to hell, you manage to develop a feeling towards him

...Somehow...

Somehow he manage to grow something inside you, inside your soulless and supposed to be numb body

It's none other than love...

It's been quite a while since you feel something like this, or maybe because it's the first time you feel this, all emotions you could ever remember is sadness and rage especially what your family had done to you back then...

"Fufu... You have been gazing upon the full moon, is everything okay?"

Muichiro just give you a smile "Ah, just remembered the tale my mom used to tell when I was a kid..."

"Enlighten me..."

Muichiro rest his chin on his hand, smiling at you "The tale of Princess Kaguya"

A warm smile spread on your face "Ah, I have heard that story from an old couple I met once, it's sad that Princess Kaguya had to go back to the moon to join her people..."

Muichiro nodded, looking wistful "If she's real, I wonder what she's thinking about the humanity now..."

You didn't care much about humans (except for him, of course) but you know exactly what he meant "I don't mean to be presumptuous, but she could be weeping at how humanity change in a terrible way..."

Muichiro nodded and sighed "either it demons and people the Earth is not the same as she remembered, it's quite sad when you think about it..."

"Mmh... My so called parents are one of those people," you said laying down on the grass while looking at the moon "Poor Kaguya had to face the reality of how this world is soiled"

Muichiro lay down next to you, his mint colored eyes find your (E/C) ones "Say (name) if you are Princess Kaguya and I'm the lucky man who manage to have you as my wife/husband, but you're still had to go to the moon what will you say or do?"

You looked at him with a smile and looked at the moon "even if the heavenly beings told me to stay with them, I will not listen to them, that's probably sounds bold and too forward, but what can I say?" You grabbed his hand as your fingers intertwined.

"I'm head over heels for you, and if I'm being forced to go to the moon, I will make my way just to see you even if it means I had to rope the Earth closer to the moon"

Muichiro smiled warmly at you as he gripped your hand tighter "I would too... I know you're a demon but I can't help but having strong feelings towards you..."

He sighed and looked at the moon again "It as if it was yesterday I almost killed you, I mean, well, you did almost slaughter entire village, I don't even know what came into me and... Well... Here we are, being closer and didn't care about who we are..." He said, his face illuminated by the moon.

"If...if there is a chance you could become a human again...(Name)...will you..."

Muichiro stopped, he seems unsure about continuing his word and this is so not like him, is he...being nervous? Agitated even?

"Will I... what, Muichiro?"

He took a deep breath, he sat up then look at you, directly into your eyes "I know it's been a half of year since we met but... I have been thinking... I don't want to lose you just yet, so...will you marry me?"

You widen your eyes, and you have strange feeling inside your chest...

Was it your heart beating?

...How?

How is it possible?

But you couldn't help it and you smiled...

"Muichiro..."

"Well, isn't that sickeningly sweet?"

All too familiar voice cutted you before you could say yes, and to see upper moon one.

Your creator, Kokushibo.

"Kokushibo-sama!" Your body went autopilot and bowed at him, Muichiro just froze, but it's obvious his eyes are gleaming with rage

"Now it's clear why you have been disappearing lately" his eyes looked at Muichiro who looked like he's veins about to pop, Muichiro gritted his teeth as he saw an upper moon in front of his eyes "You have been doing some disgusting thing with my descendant, I see... That behavior is clearly not something to be forgiven"

Kokushibo slowly unsheathed his sword and glaring down at you "You're awfully aware that his Lordship is not pleased with your tomfoolery, (name)..."

You gulped and freeze in fear, you have once got the taste of a punishment from your Creator and you can't imagine when his master knows about what have you been doing behind his back, before you know it, his grotesque looking sword were swung towards your head and to be blocked by Muichiro.

"Like hell I would let you touch her/him, I don't care if you're an upper moon, but if you touch her/him, I won't hesitate to fight you here and now..."

"M-Muichiro..."

Kokushibo looked at his descendant in amusement, he manage to parry his attack, causing Muichiro backed away from the impact.

"How valiant, you think you have what it takes to defeat me?"

Muichiro disregard him and looked at you "(name), are you alright, my dear?" You just nod, a warm tears trickle down from your (E/C) eyes, Kokushibo just clicked his tongue and hit Muichiro's pulse point

"Muichiro!!"

He nonchalantly stepped over him and grabbed you by your collar, as he glared at you

"(Name), I'm sure you're aware that this place is not for you and no longer your home, and on the note, humans and demons doesn't belong together..." He said as he glowered at you, you swore you could hear venom dripping from his words "...and whether you like it or not, you don't belong to him" Kokushibo said pointing at the unconscious Muichiro, and pointed his sword on his chest.

"Even though he's my descendant, my kin, he's the enemy of his Lordship, I won't hesitate to kill him right in the spot" he pressed the tip of his sword as if he was going to pierce his sword through Muichiro's beating heart.

"I'm still merciful enough because I like you (name), it's your choice... Come with me and I'll let him live... For now...or..." He pressed his blade slightly harder that blood sapping out, slowly tainted his uniform "No, no, no!! Don't kill him, please!! I will come with you, but please spare him, Kokushibo-sama!"

Kokushibo looked at you then put his sword back to his sheath, walking towards you with a smile, it's rather mocking... "It wasn't so hard now wasn't it?" He said as he put his hand on your cheek

"And I am a man of my word, I won't kill him, at least for now, and you..." He paused for a bit "...you will stay with me till that day comes" he turn his heel and looked at the sky, "The moon is beautiful, but as beautiful as it is, in few hours the moon will sink and the sun will rise, we better go unless you wanted a worse death than being killed by his Lordship"

Honestly you would rather die because of the sunshine than come with him (despite the fact he's your creator) but if it means he kept Muichiro stay alive...

Then you had no choice

You looked back at Muichiro's unconscious form and teared up slightly, and dropped something in purpose as you followed Kokushibo to fortress of infinity...

"I'm sorry, Muichiro..."

----

Few hours pass, Muichiro came back to his senses, he jolted awake and looked around "(Name)?! (name)!! Where are you?!" He winced when he felt sting on his chest.

"That bastard..."

He looked around for you and to see something gleaming under the moonlight

It's your amulet necklace...

He took it and looked at it, it has (F/F), hollyhock and ginko leaves symbol on it, he remembered the day you showed it to him

"See this amulet, Muichiro? I made it myself, I added the ginko leaves because for some reason it reminded me of you..."

"Oh really? And I could guess that (F/F) is your favorite flower... Is that supposed to be the symbol of our unification?"

"Maybe? Okay, yeah, maybe it is..."

Somehow he could feel sadness radiating off the inanimate object he's currently holding.

He knows...

He knows that you won't see each other from now on.

"(Name), my love..."

A single tear fell on the amulet as he gripped on it, sadness replaced with rage as he gaze upon the imposing, full moon

"Just like princess Kaguya, you left me to be somewhere you belong to..."

He looked at the amulet as he remembered that tonight is the last night he see you

"Just like princess Kaguya, someone take me away from you just like how they separate her from the emperor..."

He put the amulet around his neck and gripped his sword

"Of all the things had happened, I will twist the tale, just you wait, my dear..."

His once full of life mint eyes turn back into his lifeless one but it gleamed with desire and vengeance

"I will came to you, and make sure you fall into my arms once again..."

----

Admin 15: Oh damn, Mui is a lovestruck yandere in the end,....and I kinda live for it, maybe I should make something with yandere trope for my next story, hehe

Anyways, I'm so sorry that this story make no sense, I might be on roll but I guess I'm being overexcited about it

[dragonrajafanfiction]

Dragon Dancer III: The Meeting

Many shifts I envied Nono.

Her clientele was out in the open, loud, brash and fun. They were the dance on the table types who weren’t afraid to shout their vulgar intentions. And she ate it up because that was what was allowing us to stay in the Takamagahara. 

We were supposed to be hiding out and keeping a low profile, staying out of the light and there wasn’t a place in Tokyo shadier than this. But I was finding myself in deeper and deeper shadows.

I stuck to the backrooms, serving tea to the rich and famous who had reason not to state their preferences outloud. Johann, my actual lover, stayed close by, one eye on them.

Nono got the money and the tourists. I got the regulars.

After the time spent with Chisei, it felt like rolling from one existential threat to another, only now I had to pretend I wasn’t terrified every time they looked at me like I was one of the steaks on their plates. At least my ornamental fan and layers of silk  provided enough barrier between them and me that I could safely avoid their touch. But it was their eyes that made me feel dirty. I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could stand now that there seemed to be a light at the end of this tunnel.

At the end of the night, one of them left an unfavorable review, complaining to the manager that I was too standoffish. “The Whale” was apologetic saying that I had been a little under the weather recently and that my have caused my shyness.

The client in return refused to pay.

Whale approached looking aggrieved while I fanned myself, refusing to meet his eyes.

“ Tamayori - hime, please, I understand your position but I am losing money here!”

“Are you serving clients or criminals? I’m not putting myself in a position to get taken advantage of. Tamayori means look not touch! They know that going in!” I walk away, tucking myself under Johann’s arm for comfort. “I want out of here.”

“Hydra controls this entire area. You’d be apprehended before you crossed the street.”

Lu Mingfei was collecting the dirty dishes on a rolling cart. He leaned over it, exhausted. The work was a good distraction for him. He was happy that my operation on Erii was a success, but he missed her and the presence of Nono stoked his overwhelming guilt after he learned about Caesar’s vegetative state.

Fortunately, none of the Taka’s clients showed much interest in a sad, tired waiter.

The light of the dawn was already coming through the entry doors and silhouetted against it was a disheveled, rough looking person who immediately collapsed as soon as the sliding glass doors opened.

“Is this... Takamagahara?” He gasped.

Johann ran to him and picked him up off the floor. His eyes widened. “Fingel?”

“Oh... it’s you! It’s really you! I thought I’d never see you again!”

I wrinkled my nose. He smelled. Johann was trying to peel him off but the man was crying like he’d just touched land after being lost at sea.

“Fingel!” Mingfei stopped what he was doing and hurried to help him up and get him to sit at the bar.

“This is the worst internship I’ve ever had! I got chased out by the Japan branch, I couldn’t contact Cassell. I even had to eat out of the garbage and sleep on the street like a homeless person!”

I cringed. “I had no idea you were here!”

“Carli? W...why are you dressed like that?” He squinted at me. “N...never mind. Please, can you buy me some food? I haven’t eaten at all!”

I glanced at the bartender. “Can you get us something please? Anything is fine!”

The waiter turned and began making a breakfast of eggs with mushrooms, noodles and hot cocoa. In less than ten minutes, breakfast was served to all of us, but Fingel ate so quickly he turned to Johann’s plate and started eating his as well.

“How did you know we were here?” Nono walked to the bar. Mingfei moved over to make room for her, still being timid in her presence.

Once his hunger was slightly sated, he took another look at me, eyeing me the same way as my previous client. “Wow, that is one sexy number. Uh... you guys work here?” He turned to Mingfei. “And WHERE have you been! You were reported missing in action for months!”

“This is part of the mission.” Johann glared at him. “Keep your voice down.”

“I’m here on assignment too! The Principal knew they would betray Cassell! We’ve been infiltrating the Japan branch for years and I’m one of the spies! Haha...” He chuckled nervously.

Johann looked relieved. “So the Principal anticipated our situation.”

Mingfei deadpanned. “You’re the worst spy. I was with Hydra for months and you had no idea where I was.”

“You were with HYDRA? How’d you get in?!”

Mingfei ignored the question.

“Come ooooon... teach me your secret!” He fell over the counter. “What is this mission? How can I get in on it?” He took a bite and was suddenly distracted. “These eggs are really good.”

“We’re here because the White King is hatching and its moving and we have to kill it before it wakes up and destroys Tokyo like a big ol’ Godzilla...” I answered. “...and that’s not even to mention all the other zany happenings going on in the Japanese criminal underworld. We can’t contact Cassell. We’re trying to negotiate enough of a truce for the Japan branch to drop their blockade but until we get rid of a rival gang leader, they won’t budge.”

“Ooo...” Fingel was suddenly interested. “You’re working with the Japanese Mafia!”

Nono, pushing her way between us, interrupted. “How did you find us!”

“Oh... uh... some guy with a girly name showed me your picture and address. Some chick named...” He laughed. “Ruri Kazama.”

Another plate of eggs and noodles was placed in front of Fingel. “It’s not polite to so casually criticize someone’s stage name.”

The bartender’s demeanor suddenly changed. He removed his hat, letting his hair fall to his shoulders. Fingel paled and leaned away. “Hey! It’s you!”

Nono laughed and clapped her hands. “Lonely, again?”

Ruri turned to meet her eyes. “I’m always lonely.”

I smiled at him. “I had a long talk with Chisei tonight. Erii is doing well. I think he’s caught on to you, Ruri... or should I say, Chime Gen.”

Johann’s head lifted, and his eyes briefly flashed in the dim light at the bar. 

“That’s correct. Chime Gen is my real name, second son of the Gen clan and brother of Chisei.”

“I’m... just... going to keep eating...” Fingel whimpered.

“Do you want any soy sauce?” Chime asked kindly.

“And some garlic chips?” Fingel meekly responded.

“He has caught on to me. This place is my last refuge now.” He retrieved Fingel’s condiments.

“The King is moving to further his plans. Three hours ago, he contacted Tachibana.”

We all leaned in to listen carefully in a huddle. Kazama placed a small recording device on the bar top.

“Dear Major Bondarev, this is a call from the Arctic Circle, from a man dead 21 years.... Please, let me hear your voice again. Let’s reminisce about the old times with the Soviets.”

“Dr. Herzog, it’s you. So you’re not dead after all...”

Underneath the bar, Johann took my hand.

“Hahaha... please, call me the General. And I will call you Tachibana. The Soviet Union is no more and we have to be accustomed to our new identities.”

[yangssunglasses]

11 + 16, admiration

Thank you for the prompt! I additionally used prompt for Day 3 “secret” from FemslashFeb2020.

Pairing: Tsunade/Mikoto (as far as I know this might be the first fic for this random pair)

Rating: M (non-explicit)

Length: 2k+

Available on: FFN / AO3

.

admiration, secret

.

From birth, Uchiha Mikoto was ingrained with a sense of propriety. She was raised to be graceful, controlled, refined in every way, not a hair out of place, a demure smile like a mask hiding her true feelings while she served exquisite cuisine and poured drinks. A perfect yamato nadeshiko in the making.

If she used those skills to poison, cheat, steal and murder, all the better. She was a proud kunoichi of Konoha. Everything that made her an ideal future bride, also made her an effective operative. She took her natural gifts—her charm, her pretty face, the tinkling laugh hiding the mirthless, deadly eyes—and used them, no matter how dirty it made her feel. It was for the village. And for a time she was content with the missions she flawlessly completed.

Until a blonde hurricane descended upon her and swept her off her feet.

Mikoto was planted in the inn deep in the Iwa territory, gathering information about their movements and deployments in the war. Unfortunately, her fellow worker noticed her sending off a coded message. Full of worst premonitions and convinced that it was a matter of days before her cover would be blown, Mikoto sent a request for extraction.

Then the Iwa team came for her in a broad daylight, a day earlier than the fastest Konoha team would show up. She ran, with her life on the line abandoning all pretense of ever being a civilian. In her desperation she blew behind her a grand fireball, the only combat jutsu she knew, and started a fire, hoping it’d slow down the pursuing Iwa-nin.

She almost believed it actually worked when they caught her at the outskirts of the village. A wall of rock grew right in front of her, blocking her only way of escape. She turned around, but the Iwa team surrounded her, coming closer. Mikoto was well and truly cornered. Grim-faced, she pulled a dagger out of her obi, determined to make this her last stand. They would not take her back alive.

The fight was short and brutal, the Iwa-nins overwhelming her with their numbers. The dagger was kicked out of her hand and she fell to her knees in defeat as her long, beautiful hair was grabbed in a painful hold.

“Well, well, well, we’ve found ourselves a Konoha spy. Our torture master will be delighted to meet you, bitch,” the team’s leader told her and chuckled, his fellows laughing along.

Mikoto was stiff with fear, but she still looked up, locking her jaw and refusing to show any weakness. “I’m afraid I have to decline the invitation. Perhaps another time?” she said drily.

“You have a pretty voice. Don’t worry, you will sing for sensei after he burns off that pretty nose and ears!” the man replied with a laugh.

Mikoto couldn’t quite restrain her shudder. She glanced around, searching for some form of escape, but found nothing of use. She swallowed thickly and squeezed her eyes shut. If the help wasn’t coming, then she had no choice… Her tongue found the false tooth filled with a poison capsule. Just one bite and this would be over…

A fist smashed through the stone wall, a green blur shooting towards the Iwa-nin and punching straight through his ribcage. His fingers loosened, freeing Mikoto’s hair from the brutal hold. The man died with a gurgle and slid off the arm of a blonde Konoha kunoichi dressed in a standard uniform. No, not a kunoichi—a shinobi, Mikoto corrected herself. A real combat specialist.

The other two Iwa-ninja reeled in shock at their leader’s sudden demise, then attacked the woman furiously, but she effortlessly batted them away like weak pups. Except that her hits were absolutely lethal, pulverizing her foes in an instant.

The woman then turned to Mikoto with a concerned look in her amber eyes. “You okay?” she asked, scanning her for injuries. She seemed so bright, like the sun shining at noon.

Mikoto’s heart leapt and she nodded shakily. “I… I think so…” she replied.

“Let me check,” the woman decided and knelt next to her. She raised her hand, then halted, realizing it was still dripping with blood. After wiping it on the grass, she lightly put it on Mikoto’s sternum. It lit up with the green chakra of a medical ninjutsu. “Hmm… Broken ribs, give me a minute to fix that…” the woman muttered with a focused look. Mikoto sighed in relief, feeling her injuries disappear.

“All good. Now, let’s get out of here, Princess,” the woman said with a smile and got up. She extended her hand to help Mikoto up. The same hand that impaled an enemy, then healed her just as easily, was small and unbelievably soft to the touch. It felt like a hand of the finest royal lady that never worked a day in her life.

“I’m Mikoto. Thank you for your assistance, shinobi-san. I was sure the extraction team would come tomorrow,” Mikoto said, remembering her manners.

“Good thing that I was closer. And faster than those slowpokes. I’m Tsunade, by the way.”

Mikoto started. “Tsunade-hime of the Sannin?” she asked.

Tsunade laughed. “Between the two of us, you’re the princess. Let’s get going before more rock-faces come this way,” she said and pulled Mikoto along with her.

It took them three days of a grueling travel, narrowly dodging pursuers from Iwa, to get to the nearest Konoha war camp, where Tsunade cheerfully reported her mission’s success, handed Mikoto off to the brass, then skipped off to the medical tent to work her magic. Mikoto stayed behind for a briefing with her controller who would then pass on everything to Konoha.

“Good job, Uchiha. Glad to have you back in one piece,” the man clapped her on the shoulder. “Go get something to eat. You may report back tomorrow morning for your next assignment.”

Dismissed, Mikoto tiredly got up and trudged off. The field rations they had at camp were chunky and disgustingly bland, but filled her stomach. She stared at the empty wrappers, contemplating her next assignment. She knew what that meant—she’d be sent somewhere far away, maybe Kiri border, maybe back to Konoha. Three days ago it wouldn’t have mattered to her, but now her mind was filled with thoughts of blonde hair, amber eyes and that cocky grin. She needed to see Tsunade again before she had to go.

Almost without conscious decision her steps took her to the medical tent. There was a commotion inside. She heard familiar shouting and a person was hurled out of it. Tsunade appeared in the entrance, her stern face twisted in displeasure.

“And don’t come back here or I’ll kill you with my bare hands!” she threatened. The hapless soul that drew her ire scrambled back in fear, then ran.

“Is everything alright? What did she do?” Mikoto asked.

“Oh, they let you out already? Never mind, this was nothing. Just getting rid of an idiot that was going to kill a patient with her incompetence,” Tsunade explained. “Stupid council. This wouldn’t have happened if passing my recommended course was required for field medic certificate.” She looked back into the tent and exhaled. “Damn it, and we need every pair of hands in here.”

Mikoto’s heart thudded in her chest and she jumped on her chance. “Maybe I could help? I may not be a certified medic, but I’m good with a needle and I can administer first aid,” she offered.

Tsunade looked surprised at first, then took her in and grinned. “Wash your hands and you’re in. I need an assistant.”

Mikoto nodded, doing her best not to betray her eagerness for the task.

The work was bloody, long, dirty, thankless and draining. But there was also something refreshing and clean about it that Mikoto liked. In Tsunade’s world, she didn’t have to worry about being perfect. Her worth wasn’t determined by her beauty. There was no subterfuge, just a simple, straightforward goal—to heal as many as she could.

After making a whole round through the medical tent and attending all the injured, Mikoto took Tsunade outside. They sat on a bench and looked up at the stars.

Tsunade rubbed her temples tiredly, loose blonde locks slipping out of her pigtails. “Some of them won’t survive,” she said bleakly, then clenched her fists. “If only I’ve gotten here sooner, then maybe…!”

Mikoto gently took her hand, opened it and then wiped it clean with a warm, wet towel, before doing the same with the other. “Don’t beat yourself over this. You’re not god, you can’t save everyone, Tsunade-hime,” she said softly, dabbing her forehead with the towel.

Tsunade sighed and closed her eyes, relaxing under her touch as Mikoto continued to stroke her temples soothingly. “I know, I know, Princess.”

From up close, Tsunade’s features looked delicate and deceptively fragile, her eyelids smudged with little rest. Mikoto regarded her with admiration, thinking that this woman deserved the royal title bestowed upon her, but not because of her birthright. She was so much more than just a kunoichi, a warrior, a princess or a medic. Mikoto acknowledged to herself that she was merely well-bred, but Tsunade—Tsunade was noble to the very core. Her light was like the sun, shining brightly and pulling everything around into her orbit.

Mikoto chanced a look at Tsunade’s coral lips. They seemed soft and open, welcoming. On impulse, she leaned in and kissed them lightly before quickly pulling away.

Tsunade blinked. “What was that?” she asked in wonder, her tone low and breathy.

Mikoto self-consciously tucked a strand of her raven black hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, I overstepped. I’m just… grateful. In the time you used to save me, you could have healed many more injured.”

She shouldn’t have done this, she was an Uchiha, Tsunade was a Senju. Even if they weren’t both women, what she’d done was completely improper. There may be peace between their clans now, but centuries of tradition and bad blood didn’t just disappear overnight. Her fate was already decided, a husband and the children she would bear him, but her stubborn Uchiha heart didn’t listen to reason. Tsunade made her feel like no one ever had before and for the first time in her life, Mikoto yearned for something she could never truly have. She didn’t want to be refined, but bold and daring. She wanted to reach for the sun and not get burned.

Tsunade looked at her tenderly and cupped Mikoto’s cheek, stroking it with her thumb. “Don’t be stupid, Princess. You just said I can’t save everyone. I’m glad I came for you.”

Their gazes locked and Mikoto was transfixed. The amber eyes searched her for permission which she gave by tilting her chin up. Tsunade closed the distance and kissed her, gentle and firm. Mikoto was soaring among the clouds. The kiss deepened, eager lips and wet tongues exploring frantically until they parted in a daze, flushed and gasping for breath.

“How long do we have?” Tsunade asked.

“I’m leaving in the morning,” Mikoto told her. Tsunade only nodded. There was no use for sadness and regret. What mattered was the time they had now. She took Mikoto’s hand.

“Come with me,” she said and led her to a private tent, a luxury set aside for one of the Sannin.

There on a simple pallet, Tsunade made love to her, long, slim fingers opening a virginal passage, her expert touch causing Mikoto to see stars again. Mikoto worshipped her body in turn, fingers and tongue tracing fiery patterns on a golden skin and after they were both warm and sated, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

In the early morning, Mikoto woke up and dressed quietly.

“Thank you,” she whispered and kissed Tsunade on the diamond mark in the middle of her forehead, before slipping out of the tent. She could never speak of this, but she would always treasure that one stolen night with the rightful princess of Konoha. For one night, she was not a kunoichi or an Uchiha, she was just Mikoto, the lover of the most incredible woman in the world.

They never met again, but Mikoto blushed whenever she heard a mention of Tsunade. If asked about it, she always smiled demurely and lowered her gaze.

“I just admire Tsunade-hime so much. I’m quite a fan of hers. Did you know she once saved my life?” she then said. Technically, it was all true. Just not accurate. There were no more questions.

And when her son stabbed her through the heart, Mikoto took her secret to the grave.