De Novo; it is Latin phrase for starting anew and that was exactly what Jasmine—now Chiharu had yearned for in Japan, a hotspot of mutant-friendly activity. Barely escaping from the mutant discrimination and people who want to use her for their own gain; she finds brief sanctuary in Musutafu. However, her serenity is disturbed, and she finds herself uprooted when she shows off her mutant abilities to the wrong person.
1
Flashlights. Searchlights. Screaming. Gunshots. Blood.
Eyes flying open, she woke up with a silent gasp.
Feeling a heavy weight against her chest, she didn't have to look down to guess Laura had snuck into her bed in the middle of the night. Threading her fingers through her hair, she could feel Laura's body practically vibrate through the impact of her purr. Checking the clock on the nightstand, she saw she had about three minutes until she had to get up officially.
Settling back onto her pillow, she closed her eyes for a moment. Exhaling loudly through her nose, she immediately rose. Untangling herself from Hotaru's arms, she silenced her alarm clock and made her way to the bathroom. She cursed herself for sleeping in, she finished through her usual morning routine, she tied up her thick raven hair. She went back to her bedroom, gently nudging her shoulder, Chiharu reflexively jumps back as two adamantium claws rapidly swiped at her. Trying again, she called in a soft tone "Hotaru it's time to get up. I need to head to work soon." Stroking her thumb over the bridge of skin between her brows, the seven-year-old brunette groggily blinked up at her. Smiling, Chiharu softly requested her to get ready before heading downstairs to make a quick meal.
Placing a plate of omelet, rice, and fish onto the table, a sleepy Hotaru slipped into her seat and began shoveling food into her mouth. Chuckling lightly, Chiharu went around and pressed a kiss against her right temple before heading upstairs. Quickly shimming into a pair of black mesh leggings, a loose ivory crop top, and a lightweight olive-green sports hoodie; she made her way back to the kitchen to find Hotaru placing her dishes into the sink.
Nudging her with her hip, "why don't you get changed and we'll get ready to head out." Hotaru quickly nodded before scampering upstairs to her room. Making quick work of the dishes, she dried her hands and made her way to the front door. Rolling up her sleeves, she instantly began to equip herself; strapping twin dagger sheaths to the back of both her arms, small pocket knife tucked in her right bra cup and a bright pink taser in her back pocket. A small hand tapped her hip and Chiharu turned to see Hotaru ready; black jeans, plain white top, jean jacket, black converse and a small shoulder purse strapped across her body.
Chiharu barely contained her snickers, taking note of how similar their outfits matched as she slipped into a pair of pastel adidas sneakers. Grabbing her keys, both girls grabbed their respective pastel open-face helmets. Stradling the Peugeot Speedfight 4 parked right outside, she started the moped, waiting for the two arms to secure around her waist. Releasing the stand, the two zipped off to the Tatooin Shopping District.
It was easy finding a parking space between two vehicles and soon Chiharu and Hotaru were making their way down the busy street. Usually the duo would do their weekly shopping in the morning when everyone was a work or at school, but unfortunately, it seemed both girls would sleep through the alarm finding themselves swimming through the masses.
Quickly grasping onto Hotaru's hand, the dark-haired girl weaved her way skillfully through the crowd easily pinpointing the stores they needed to go to. Walking into the local grocery market, she immediately strode straight to the unoccupied clerk busy sorting through tickets and sale markers. Humming a familiar tune, the clerk looked up and he perked up almost instantly when he saw the two before him. The man reached under the counter, pulling out a large brown paper bag already filled with groceries. Handing her the large bag, and after checking if everything she requested was there, Chiharu gave Hotaru a curt nod.
The young child reached into her purse, pulling out a vial of clear liquid and a ripped piece of parchment paper. She handed both items to the clerk, who was looking overjoyed and hopeful. Stepping back, the man bowed lowly his voice shaking as he sputtered a watery thank-you.
Shifting from one leg to another, Chiharu grew uncomfortable when the man began to spew out praises and deepest gratitude. Waving her hand in front of her, she replied: "it's fine, it is the least I could do for you." Almost instantly the man began to bawl, crying over her humbleness. In response Chiharu grabbed Hotaru's shoulder, spinning the girl around and walked towards the exit with the paper bag in tow. Calling over her shoulder to remind the man to follow the directions exactly and nodding to a few other clerks, they made their exit.
The two hadn't made three steps outside when thick smoke assaulted their senses. Instantly they covered their noses, the younger pulling up the collar of her shirt over her nose as the gas affected her unusually keen sense of smell.
Chiharu grabbed her hand, pulling the girl to the side and out of the way of the stampede of people running to get away from whatever. "We have to get out of here" she shouted admits the panic, her grip tightening around Hotaru's hand. Before she could take a step to the exit, she was tugged back. Looking down, she watched as Hotaru shake her head, jerking her head back to the grocery store. Following her gaze, she caught a spotted the grocery store occupants cowering on the floor, catching a glimpse of young mother fearfully hugging a toddler to her chest.
Turning back to the brunette beside her, she tensed as the young girl look up at her expectantly. For a moment or two, they stared at each other. It wasn't until Chiharu sigh, her body becoming lax. "Fine," she mumbled and Hotaru shot her a rare triumphant grin. Running back into the store, both pinkie fingers flew up into her mouth and she whistled sharply. "Hey!" she called from the front entrance. "I need everyone to huddle up in the middle. Stay away from the windows and doors." Pointing to the clerks, she instructed them to gather all the water jugs and bottle and keep it near. Bracing herself, she leaped up and grabbed onto the metal screen, dragging it down with forceful might. "Don't worry," she gazed at the people pointedly, "-everything is going to be fine and I will come back for you when everything is over."
Behind her, Hotaru gave an awkward thumb up just before she closed the shop. It was her luck that she sealed the place in time as the tall white-haired man flew by, making contact into the screen.
Whirling around, her eyes and eyebrows shot up, at the complete chaos around them. The fire was everywhere, the air was thick with smoke and smog, broken glass laid about and costumed heroes blundering around. In amidst of everything stood looming seven to eight-foot-tall tower of sludgy green slime. It's body completely composed of slime; except for the two round eyes, two rows of white teeth and the screaming middle school boy wrapped in the midsection.
She was pretty far away and couldn't make out his words, but she could discern he was a hostage. Sweeping her head around, she spotted an ice cream creamery shop just across the street. In the storefront window, she spotted a few of three tanks of liquid nitrogen and she got an idea.
Crouching down, she quickly whispered her plan to Hotaru, who nodded in agreement. Reaching into her bag, the young girl pulled out four small vials filled with dark crimson liquid. Chiharu grinned, smashing one of the vials onto a piece of broken concrete, smearing the liquid onto the rough surface.
"Hey!" she shouted, picking up the large piece of concrete and chucking it to the slimeball. She aimed for the largest spot of green and grinned as it made contact. She then ran towards the ice creamery, on hand encasing her fist as she rammed her elbow straight into the glass, shattering it. As she did, she did not get a chance to witness the chunk of concrete sinking into the body of slime, steam beginning to rise from the green ooze and the sludge man began to howl in pain.
A loud snarl arose, and the slime mass whirled to face her. A vicious smile crossed her face and jerking her arms downwards, her foot-long daggers slipping past the sheathes and into her hands. Standing over the broken glass, she bent her knees raising both daggers in front of her. Jerking her head, she gestured for the towering sludge to come after her with a cocky smirk.
Her smirk widened as he took the bait; stepping forward and stretching an arm of slime her way. Holding her breath, she waited a moment or two, watching as the arm got closer and closer. Just as the arm came inches away from her figure, she screamed "Now!"
A flash of silver streaked across the air, cutting across the tanks of liquid nitrogen. She leaped out of the way, the sludge missing her by inches and contacting with the nitrogen. Landing onto the broken glass, she scrambled into her feet running to aid Hotaru.
Using her two vials, the brunette coated her adamantium claws with the red liquid. Letting out a roaring cry, she used it hack away the slime around the hostage, the sludge steaming away from his body to release him. The boy collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Turning onto his back, he glanced at the little girl who saved him from suffocation. "Oi, midget-" he rasped reaching a hand out to her.
Suddenly a foreign hand grasped his, hauling him to his feet. Another scooped around the midget's thighs, pulling her up and over a shoulder. With the stranger's hand still grasping his, she began to tug him away from the scene and the two began to run away from the scene.
An ear-piercing scream of agony split into the air and he looked back to see the remaining mass of sludge begin to bubble and boil furiously. He blinked and the screaming stopped, the sludge frozen completely solid.