Author's Note: Hey everyone! Got this out as soon as I could. Sorry if there are any spelling or grammatical errors I missed. I've been looking for a beta reader so if anyone is interested please let me know! other than that, hope you all enjoy this chapter! and sorry if any canon character seems out of character! I tried to keep it as real as possible!
Chapter 9: Reconcile
What came after the chaotic night was sleepless nights. Every capable hero was on duty with only short breaks between tasks. New York was in ruins. Thousands of people had been dislocated. Homeless shelters were flooded with people, churches and multiple public spaces were turned into temporary shelters. Hospitals reached capacity. Curfews in every single district was placed. Those with special quirks were called to help. Others like All Might and Rain were put on a nearly 24/7 shift to patrol the city and to capture anyone suspicious. With the damages the city sustained it was going to take months to rebuild.
But the physical damage was nothing compared to the emotional state it had left the nation in. This attack came with a death toll. No matter how many heroes were in the field risking their lives, sometimes, saving everyone is impossible. Other big cities across the states took precaution and followed suit despite the rising rumors.
8th Sin had been spotted.
At first, the news media had rushed to run Rain the Reapers name through the mud. The blurry images and phone footage that bystanders had posted to social media was all the ammunition they need to ruin the hero shrouded in shadows. Other images and videos of that night surfaced. Rain with All Might rescuing people from the collapsing building. Rain fighting an unknown criminal. Multiple heroes who she had worked with that night had vouched for her. The little boy and even by-standers came forth to defend Rain claiming they were her alibi during the time the look alike struck.
The speculation of 8th Sin arose, and it brought up the eerie question, 'Why did Rain the Reaper resemble the villain so much?'
She was sitting on the rooftop of the agency, hiding out until she figured out what her next move would be. The breeze was welcoming, calming her nerves ever so slightly. The skies were clear that day. Bright blue and warm.
She tried to call Edna for the third time in a row, the phone kept ringing until it went to her friend's voice mail.
'I called you over and over again Rain and you not once picked up!' Edna's fuming words rang in her head, the confrontation happened at Edna's door steps. Her friend had been released from the hospital earlier that day.
'Did it take the entire city to go up in flames to remember me?'
'Edna, I am so so sorry-I just got caught up in so much-'
'Yea, you always do. When was the last time you even asked me how my day was Tal? It's always about you. About All Might, about your mom. Every time shit gets real you run and hide. Tal you claim you've come along way but you've barely changed since high school.'
Rain couldn't even find anything to say to that. Her friend's unexpected clap back left her speechless.
'We made a promise that I'd never have to chase after you. But that's all I've been doing lately.'
The silence was interrupted by the vibration of her phone. It pulled her right out of her train of thoughts. All Might's name was flashing on the screen, a dorky picture she took when he wasn't paying attention was used as his avatar. They still didn't have the talk. After the reveal that 8th Sin was back, Rain shut the world out.
"What are you planning to ignore me again?"
Her eyes widened but only for a second. She caught her composure and didn't turn to face him, "Caught red handed."
"May I join you?"
Rain couldn't lie to herself. Her heart tightened that he wasn't allowing her to simply push him away, "If you're okay with associating yourself with m-"
He sat down beside her before she could even finish her sentence, "Why wouldn't I be?"
To her surprise he held out of the two little strawberry milk carton with little Japanese characters. Quietly she took it. When had he noticed that this was her favorite drink? There was silence between them for a while. The late spring breeze of April brushed through their hair. It was strange to have someone sit up high with her, offering her comfort in a place she often found herself either alone or quipping with him.
It felt different today. It was the first time in two weeks since they had a chance to take a break together. Neither one of them brought up the incident on the roof top that left an uncomfortable mark on their friendship. Why risk it when they had so much work to do? Yet today as she sat in his presence she could feel there was something completely different about him. There were no camera, no persons, to keep the Symbol of Peace act.
"You know Might…" Her thoughts trailed for a moment, "…okaasan used to get me these all the time. I had this stuff everyday for breakfast and lunch all through out my years in school. From grade school to high school," she scoffed a little, "She used to joke to my dad how if you cut me open I'd bleed strawberry milk."
"Sounds like she had quite the sense of humor," All Might light heartedly replied. Gazing over to the younger girl beside him allowing herself to be vulnerable to him. She seemed more fragile following the events that had unfolded. Her friendly personality felt retracted replaced with a quiet that made him worry for his dear friend.
"Might…" she started, she felt nervous all of a sudden, her breath getting caught in her chest, "I'm sorry I acted the way I did when you were opening up to me the other day."
"Oh- ha-ha," he laughed wholesomely, "Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have thrown that on you out of no where."
She shook her head and looked over at him. Her deep brown eyes catching his bright blue ones. The tightness in her chest never left, "My friend is right…every time shit gets real I run and hide like a coward."
"And even after doing that to you, you still jumped in and saved me. I was literally seconds away from collapsing under that building."
She paused, hesitating before adding, "You know Might…all I could think of was why I wasn't more like you. Just this awesome lovely hero who can carry the weight of the world on his shoulders with a smile."
"Sometimes I can't believe how I'm lucky. I'm really glad that out of all the heroes I ended up being your partner," she could feel her face heat up at how honest she was being, "but sometimes I feel unworthy to stand by your side. I see how some media outlets try to spin things. I never want to be someone that tarnishes your image. You are the Symbol of Peace and I'm -"
"An outstanding hero." He cut her off. Her eyes widened slightly as their eyes remained locked, she could see that her words had caused his cheeks to turn a faint red, but his voice remained unfaltered and confident, "I've never met any other hero that works as hard as you do. Your bravery and desire to help others despite how the public eye views you is inspiring. You shouldn't sell yourself short after you've come such a long way. To me, Rain the Reaper is a hero I can look up to- oh SHIT are you crying?!"
"N-no-" she sniffled and rubbed her eyes quickly. So he didn't think she was a coward? She was a hero he could look up to? She was inspiring? "Would you still think that if I were 8th Sin's daughter?"
All Might's eyes softened a little. Without thinking he patted the top of her head and leaned forward with a softer smile on his lips, "You could be the devil's daughter for all I care. My sensei used to tell me ' when the going gets tough, look back to your origins.' If she is your mother, let those origins push you to do better. Never be ashamed of where you come from. What matters is what you do now that makes you a hero."
She glanced up at him with teary eyes, Where did this side of him come from? For the first time, they were talking as themselves, not Rain the Reaper, not All Might. For a rare minute she was completely vulnerable. Her walls came crashing down with his words. Words she wanted to believe in. Without much thought, or control of her actions wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight embrace. She held on to him not even registering that perhaps she crossed any lines. To her surprise she felt his hand go to the back of her head, his fingers somehow entangled in her hair as he held her close.
Neither of them thinking, their actions happened naturally. She was in need of comfort and he was there to provide it. There were no need for words. There was a soft breeze that blew past them, "Arigatou Toshinori."
She heard him scoff under his breath and she imagined his face red, "Call me Yagi."
"This is why I didn't want Kali to be the one to face your daughter," struggled to keep his composure. It was the night after the attack and all of their subordinates were able to relocate, "Your instructions were specific. Don't be seen and make Rain look like she's attacking the city. What was so hard to follow?"
Kali, sat with her legs crossed and resting on the coffee table surrounded by many other criminals who had helped flame the chaos the night before.
"Yea, yea Des, you would've wanted to punch her in the face too if you just saw how smug she was! Tch, "She threw her head back, getting all worked up, "Gah! Just thinking about it riles me up. She honestly thinks she's better than us! US! I'm telling you! We don't need her! Why is everyone so dead set on getting her here?!"
Desidero paced back and forth furiously. Their marvelous plan-ruined! "Because of your reckless behavior, everyone knows the master is back."
"…"
"Well? Do you have nothing to say to that?"
Kali snapped and jumped to her feet, "Who CARES! UGH let them know! It's about time everyone knows our Queen is alive. I don't understand why we're still hiding ourselves. Sin can overtake this city in a heartbeat if she wanted too."
"Stop."
8th Sin's figure got up from the chair that almost seemed shrouded with darkness. She looked like a silhouette with the black that consumed every inch of her body. Her body was dressed in a short black dress that resembled a silky nightgown. Both persons sealed their lips as they stared down their leader, almost put into an instant trance as they gazed at her flesh; like staring into the galaxy from a window.
"Kali, Desidero is right," velvet, enchanting almost. it was a mix of calm and death. She stood before her disciple and rested her hand on the girl's cheek, "Darling why do you not listen?
"She looked down on me! She didn't even look excited to know you're back! Sin!" Kali's eyes were desperate, "Please let me take her place let me do-" she choked, 8th Sin's black matter coiling around her neck and lifting her up from the ground all the while her grip remained tight around the girls jaw.
"I...raised you to listen. You know what happens to children who don't listen."
"Y-yes," she choked her hands going to 8th Sin's grip.
"Then I don't want to hear another word from you," she dropped Kali to the ground and turned her back. The room was deathly silent. Everyone waited for her command, "Snip. Take Kali to the back."
"It can only be Tala."
All Might leaned forward against the railing of the boardwalk. He kept checking the time on his phone and refrained from looking around at his surroundings. No one came running up to him to ask for a photo or signature. No one was singing high praise for the hero that afternoon because today he was out as Toshinori Yagi. He wore a simple grey t-shirt under a light jacket and some green cargo pants. Usually he went for something slightly baggier so if he needed to transform his clothes wouldn't rip but today he thought it might be better to wear his skin tight costume under normal fitting clothes. His usually slicked back hair fell around his face, the back full of messy natural locks going in all directions.
'Might, I need a favor.'
'Can you come with me to a vigil?'
'Yea, is the agency asking us to make rounds?'
'No, no…this isn't work related. I want to pay my respects the victims but I don't want to go alone.'
While most heroes showed up to the many vigils that had happened across the city, Rain had only gone to one publicly and was bombarded with too many reporters shortly after. She decided it was best to lay low.
But the unexpected invite left him feeling a little restless and he was starting to realize why. He liked Rain. His thoughts trailed back to when he first met her, her confidence in herself as a hero. Her quirk was impressive and she knew how to use it to its maximum capacity. The worry that had overwhelmed him when he saw the wound on her chest and the rush of blood that went through him when she so successful brushed it off as if it were nothing.
"Hey there big guy."
Her voice. Was this it? He held his breath and turned around. The world around him moved almost in slow motion.
He stared down at the younger woman and placed a hand slightly over his mouth and nose. Woah, woah, WOAH! A part of him was tempted to turn into All Might just so he can react like an idiot but he held back. For the first time he saw her features clearly without the mask. She had soft, kind brown eyes; wide set with thick long lashes and framed with dark eyebrows. She had very minimal makeup on. Her lips were colored pink today apposed to the dark red she often went with when they were on duty. Her long voluminous hair seemed straightened and draped around her heart shaped face. Her slim figure was clad in a tight mustard color crop top with long sleeves; a simple black leather pencil skirt that stopped mid thigh and three inch platform van sneakers that helped her stand at five feet and ten inches.
"Woah…" it slipped under his breath as she awkwardly pulled her hair back behind her ear. He already thought she was pretty despite the mask but seeing her as herself felt like he had been set up on a blind date.
"What, never seen a girl without her mask on?"
He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, "No that's not it." She was very cute.
"Alright Mi-Yagi-gosh it's going to be so weird calling you by your real name Are you sure All Might wasn't written on your birth certificate?" she teased lightheartedly. It was true. He had gotten used to having her refer to him as 'Might,' 'Big Guy,' and 'Walking Building', "You can use whatever you're comfortable with. I don't mind."
She shook her head, "No, no, we're not just work buddies anymore."
"That being said, I think it's fitting to do introductions one more time. I'm Tala Jabai. But my friends call me Tal." she extended her hand to shake his, "Nice to meet you."
He laughed under his breath and took her hand, so Tala was the cute one, "Toshinori Yagi. Hajimemashita. Nice to meet you."
She smiled what he hoped to be a genuine one. Now that her mask was gone he couldn't help but stare at her features. It was amazing what difference it made. If the public only knew…
"Thanks again for coming with me," his black-haired companion broke the silence as they paced down the sidewalk, "I really didn't want to go alone."
"No need to thank me. If I can't be there for you, what kind of friend would I be?"
"A really busy one," she answered his rhetorical question.
When was the last time he had a normal conversation? When he was in college in California? When he worked along side David? It felt so alien to the big hero. It was always about heroism or his dream of being a symbol. Even those close to him couldn't provide him with normal day conversations because everyone was so busy being heroes-being part of the bigger picture.
He gave her a wholesome laugh as she lightly teased, their energy together felt light and friendly, even while they tried to reflect on what had just happened as they approached the vigil All Might couldn't help but feel comfort in her presence.
"Uh-no," he heard Rain mutter, averting his glance down at the much shorter human beside him. Did she see someone she was avoiding? Queen Bee? He let his gaze follow Rain's but saw an unfamiliar face.
"Tal?" the big hero stared at the tall woman that called Rain by her real name. She was a pretty blonde with short curly hair and blue eyes. Was she a friend? Why did she look almost…displeased that Rain was there? "What are you doing here?" she asked, "aren't you busy?"
"Edna! Hey…yea, but I was able to get some time off for this."
Her friend didn't look convinced. All Might felt taken aback by the woman's sharp eyes moving over to him, critical at their very presence, "New friend? Boyfriend?"
Rain rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "No, just a friend from school."
"Really? You never told me about him."
"Oh-yea well- he's new, Japanese transfer student," Rain tried to lie on the spot. Damn. Was she this bad at lying? No wonder she avoided cameras. The lie was so blatantly obvious on her face. All Might tried to chime in with broken English in attempt to sell it, "HA-RO. My namei is Yagi. Nice to meet yuh!"
"Edna."
'Oh shit. That was cold,' All Might thought to himself.
"I gotta go Tal."
"Ednaaa…" She muttered under her breath. Rain's shoulders slumped forward as her friend slipped into the crowd. She shook her head slightly and sighed, "Sorry about that. We're not quite on talking terms right now."
"No worries!" he tried to reassure her. He only wondered what could have caused such an uncomfortable drift between the two girls. Despite his curiosity, it wasn't his place to ask. Instead he directed his energy on vigil.
It began shortly after their arrival. The turn out was in the couple hundred, easily filling up the fields of the city park. There were people from all types of walks of life. From young and old, quirkless to animal mutation people. Candles were passed around and he took two and handed the extra to his friend. Out of respect to all those who could not be saved both he and Rain quietly took part of the vigil. There were a few people that stood to speak; some had poems to share to their deceased love ones. They urged those who came to reflect and to come together in times of fear mongering and hate. The message they should leave with was love over hate.
"Don't let fear divide us."
He felt something tug on his sleeve and he glanced down to find Rain holding on to the fabric of his sleeve. His heart skipped a beat. 'You can always count on me,' he thought to himself allowing each other this secret moment.
Odd how in a crowd of hundreds, no one knew that there stood their beloved All Might and Rain the Reaper, sharing an unspoken moment.
When all was said and done, the two found themselves walking in no particular direction. New York was being rebuilt, some parts quicker than others. Luckily there were many people with useful quirks that could speed up the building process. They passed a few construction sites down the not so busy streets. Shops that usually stayed open till late night, were closing up early due to the curfew imposed. It was only when they had walked a few blocks did Rain begin to loosen up.
"Maybe next time when the city isn't on curfew, I'll invite you to this place," Rain spoke up as she paused in front of a hole in the wall type restaurant. He glanced at the sign that read, 'Shawarma Palace', "have you had shawarma before?"
"No I don't think I have."
"Ohmygod Yagi, how many years have you been in America?" she remarked, "You're reaching old man territory and you've still never experienced shawrma? I'm shook-th."
"Old man?!" he gaped feeling his face heat up. Did she think he was old?! She wasn't the only one 'shook'-'shaken' whatever that American lingo was. He was a youthful age of thirty-three. Still full of youth and energy.
"Uh, yea. Might you're almost ten years older than me."
He was shocked. Did Americans think that was a bad thing? He couldn't comprehend what was so bad about the age gap between them. There were plenty of celebrities with bigger age gaps that were together in their media, not to mention how common it was back in Japan.
"You okay big guy?" she raised a brow after laughing at his reaction, "I'm just teasing you. You still act like you're twelve with your head stuck in the clouds."
"What?! This is so depressing, is that what you really think of me?!" His head hung low until he heard her laugh chime in and all of those feelings of embarrassment went away.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Gosh. It's so much fun teasing you. You're so silly."
"Well I'm glad that one of us is getting a kick out of this. Just don't drive me into a midlife crisis please."
She laughed again. Her smile making his heartbeat faster. He knew how hard of a time she was having with the media trying to paint her as an alley of 8th Sin. That all the speculation of her connections and origins rubbed some people off the wrong way. Despite thinking it was better for her to confront these concerns publicly, he would support her decision to remain away from the limelight until she was ready. Until then he was glad he was able to be a small ray of joy in her life.
"It's been a while since I've laughed this hard." She told him after she gained composure.
He gave her a smile, "You're a pretty strong character Tal, I'll give you that."
His unexpected complimented got the girl all flustered. It was so enticing to see her cheeks turn red at his words he had to keep his eyes forward as they walked so he wouldn't loose his cool composure, "My sensei used to tell me 'only strongest heroes can smile against all odds.'"
Their conversation for the rest of the walk was light-hearted. There was a stark difference between Rain when she had her walls up and when they were completely down. It was easy to get information out of her rather than their early games of dodging questions and leaving each other on a ledge.
This time they stood in front of the entrance of her home-a townhouse in the nicer area of New York. Woah! Investing in such a nice place. Hero compensation rivaled even A-list celebrities in this country. Especially successful ones like Rain. It was as if she could read his mind because before he said anything she answered him while looking for her keys, "This place belonged to my parents-the ones that defeated 8th Sin. After they died they left everything to me."
"It looks really nice," he looked up and then down the street, he wondered how did her home look like from the inside? What parts of her personality would be displayed? Did she leave it unmoved since the death of her parents or was she able to look past that? So many questions crossed his mind, the biggest one being; would she even let him in? Was it going to be like the countless American romantic movies where the girl and boy share a kiss on the balcony? Not that he was expecting that out of Rain. he tried to shake it out of his head. He couldn't keep thinking with his feelings. His train of thought was cut off by a strange feeling that they were being watched overwhelmed him. It was odd, the feeling was so intense he was surprised that Rain did not feel anything. Was she going to be safe?
"Well now you know where I live, how's that for opening up," she looked up at him and gave him an almost shy smile. He gave her a hearty laugh. The kind where you could tell that he was just a tad more nervous than usual. He returned her soft smile with his own, " Now I know where you live."
"Let me know next time you have time off, I'll let you come in next time," she shook the keys in her hand, "Thanks again for coming with me Yagi. It meant a lot. I have to be back on the streets in a couple hours, so I'm going to try and rest."
"Awesome! So it means we'll do this again!"
She gave a nod, "Exactly. Alright, see you in a couple hours."
It didn't bother him that she didn't invite him in, that feeling of eyes on them was unsettling. He almost couldn't wait to part ways just so he could find out what was going on. It looked like he would have a sleepless night making sure that no harm came to his friend while she rested.
That's it for this chapter! if you liked it please leave a review!
