Sick Day

by Cun

Mikoto is sick. Kuroko is her nurse. What could possibly happen? New chapter, new scene. Buckle up for a hot ride through intrigues, emotional turmoil and unexpected consequences. Please mind the rating.

10. The Cause and Effect

The Cause and Effect

XXX

"You are only using those poor little girls, even if you do not realize it."

The words kept repeating in her ears, over and over.

Mikoto wanted to deny it, but the disturbing truth was that she was beginning to think Shokuhou was right. She had more and more often found it difficult to resist. Whenever someone touched her, looked at her, smiled at her, something stirred deep within her chest. It had happened with Saten-san. With Kuroko. Her sisters. Shokuhou. And just now, even Uiharu-san… she pulled in a painful breath. Am I sick? Crazy? Or just a pervert? She stared ahead absentmindedly, not really seeing the road she was following, or the people she passed. There was no need to see; she could feel them, every signal in their bodies, betraying all there was to know. Her gaze wavered slightly. A prickling feeling tingled at the base of her skull, slowly spreading throughout her neck and head.

What is going on…?

XXX

Kuroko had not wanted to come to Joseph's, or meet anyone anywhere for that matter. Yet she found herself entering the familiar restaurant, pulled by forces she had no control over. She and Onee-sama came here a lot. It held memories she wanted to forget, but her stubborn sulkiness was being challenged. Uiharu's words were burned into her brain. Something was wrong, and Kuroko had decided to at least hear her out.

"Shirai-san!"

Two sets of hands started waving at her from within the restaurant, in the very back of the room. Both Saten-san and Uiharu were waiting for her, looking relieved. Kuroko huffed and made her way over to their table.

"There is no need to make such a big deal out of this."

"Nice to see you too!" Saten-san grinned. "We were starting to wonder if you had shriveled up in that dorm room."

"Are you okay, Shirai-san?" Uiharu looked worried, and Kuroko found herself sighing.

"I am fine."

It didn't look like they believed her, but she was not here to convince them of anything. She glanced dubiously at the free chair and opted to remain standing. "What did you need to show me?"

"Ah!" Uiharu fumbled as she pulled out her laptop. "I found it while searching for information on the case we've been working on."

It took Kuroko a few seconds to even remember what the case was. The aphrodisiac. Her fingers twitched; despite her desire to remain detached, she was curious. Even before the scene in Saten-san's dorm room, Judgment and Anti-Skill had been investigating the aphrodisiac and its effects. At first they believed the students had obtained it illegally, but after Onee-sama's exposure to the substance via the soda can, they had discovered the reported production error on the soda manufacturer's website.

Uiharu pulled open her laptop. "Here it is. I gathered the most important parts. It says it has been disclosed to a select number of individuals to prevent a general reaction of panic."

Disregarding the fact that her partner must have used rather dubious methods to get her hands on the report, Kuroko leaned forward and looked at the screen, reading out loud.

"TMN 2014 has been tested extensively on volunteer subjects before its release. The early production stages showed an alarming side effect to the drug, which prompted the temporary shutdown of production until a new recipe could be developed. The first batch of the product was donated to several research labs for further analyzing, amongst them Love Herbs Inc, which suffered the reported production error shortly after. There is an ongoing investigation into the matter on suspected attempts at putting the batch into production despite the reported error. The side effects discovered were a lingering psychological urge to answer any and all attempts at physical intimacy, and unless those urges are met, the subject shows a tendency towards violence…"

Kuroko frowned, just as her heart picked up speed. "What does this mean?"

"Is this what's been happening to Misaka-san?" Saten-san looked worried.

Kuroko huffed. "Don't be ridiculous. As if Onee-sama would be influenced by something like that. She's the most hardheaded idiot there is."

Uiharu grinned. "You're pretty big-mouthed, Shirai-san."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kuroko grabbed her ear and pulled at it.

"Ah, nothing, nothing! Ow ow ow!"

"Still, Shirai-san, don't you think there's been something off about Misaka-san lately?"

Kuroko looked at Saten-san. "Off?"

"You know, she's been acting kind of weird. Like she's been really stressed or something?"

Kuroko's gut clenched and she let go of Uiharu's ear, leaving her to rub it gingerly. "I haven't noticed." Yet she was feeling uncomfortable. If what that Anti-Skill report said was true, it explained everything.

Saten-san leaned onto the table with a disturbingly large grin. "Liaar~"

Kuroko bristled. "I do not lie!"

"Then are you just stupid?"

Kuroko smacked the table and it hopped into the air before crashing down with a clatter. Uiharu yelped and caught her laptop before it hit the floor, and Saten-san pulled back so quickly her chair tilted backwards into the wall. "Woah!"

Kuroko seethed at the longhaired girl. "I am not concerned with Onee-sama's shenanigans. She is not interested in me, so I am not interested in her." It finally came out, and it hurt more than she'd thought. The words scraped her tongue like thorns.

"Is that really what you think?" Uiharu's voice was small, and the girl was staring at her wide-eyed.

Kuroko squared her shoulders and looked away. "That is the truth."

Saten-san sighed. "I don't think you'd say that if you saw her reaction back there."

Kuroko's gaze narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"You really don't know?"

"Don't know what?"

"She doesn't remember…" Uiharu spoke up, and started when Kuroko glared at her. "M-Misaka-san said so!"

Kuroko frowned. It was annoying enough not knowing what they were talking about, but the fact that even Onee-sama knew was grating her nerves. She did not want to care. She had been rejected, thrown away, discarded, and she was over that.

"What are you talking about?" Still, she had to know.

Saten-san looked uncomfortable. "Should we tell her?"

"You will tell me right now."

Saten-san scratched her cheek. "I suppose Misaka-san hasn't told you anything…"

Kuroko narrowed her eyes. "I haven't talked to her since she moved out."

The discomfort that statement brought them was obvious, and Uiharu shifted in her chair.

"It's…" she hesitated, "it's probably not going to be pleasant."

Kuroko frowned. She walked over to her Judgment partner and looked at the screen. "Show me." She didn't want to know. But her pride would not allow her to be uninformed.

Uiharu clicked on something and turned the screen towards Kuroko.

She did not understand. On screen was herself, and she looked like she was… moaning?

"Brrf—!?" Her face flushed. "W-w-what is this!?"

Uiharu was adequately red-faced. "It's a video clip—"

"I can see that!"

"—and it was sent to Misaka-san's phone together with this message."

Uiharu pulled up the text, and Kuroko's heart stopped. It was fun playing with Misaka-san's toy~

It was her. The voice in her head, that playful tone, the words it had said, the lies it had spewed—

"Shirai-san?" Uiharu's voice split into the chaos and Kuroko focused. Her shoulders were tense and her fists shaking. She gritted her teeth.

"Did Onee-sama…" She didn't dare ask. How had Onee-sama taken that? Was that the reason she had moved out of their room? No, she told herself, Onee-sama had been forcibly moved because of the scene in the shower room. But even so...

"Well, Saten-san was the one who was there…" Uiharu glanced at Saten-san, who seemed nervous. When Kuroko looked at her as well, she jolted.

"Ah! Um, Misaka-san was really devastated when she saw that clip."

R-Really? There was a strange relief surging through Kuroko, but at the same time her guts twisted. Had she really done something like that? She stared at the screen blankly, even though the video had already finished playing. If it had really happened, she had forgotten. How could one forget something like that?

Kuroko realized now. Why Onee-sama had rejected her. Her gaze quivered and she glared at the table. To her, it must have looked like I was… but the unfairness burned in her throat. Why should I care? Onee-sama obviously doesn't! But then there was the aphrodisiac. Had it really been affecting Onee-sama all this time? It was ridiculous, yet it made everything so much clearer.

"Misaka-san said she'd found the one who did it, and would deal with it." Uiharu said, and her face looked flushed. "But I'm worried about her. She seemed… strange."

"Do you think the aphrodisiac is affecting her, even now?" Kuroko looked at Uiharu, and her insides were coiling uncomfortably. While it made everything clearer, there was also another fact. It meant that Onee-sama had been under its effect ever since that day in Saten-san's room.

The girl looked uncertain. "Maybe…"

Saten-san leaned back in her chair and sighed. "Maybe it unleashed a wild side. Now listen," she suddenly leaned forward, a glint in her eyes as she smirked. "Misaka-san is always on the hunt for more challenges, right? Maybe the aphrodisiac gave her the taste for something new, and now she's been poisoned by the lust for love."

"Onee-sama is not some kind of playboy!"

"Ooh, I can totally see her modeling on the front page of one of those women's magazines, you know? Misaka-san in a black suit, or maybe a samurai outfit! 'See the Railgun's hidden side! Is she secretly a womanizer?'"

Uiharu's eyes glittered, but Kuroko huffed. "Don't be ridiculous."

Saten-san leaned backwards again with a thoughtful look. "So what are we supposed to do? Do you think the only way to help her would be to have sex more often?"

"WHAT!?" Kuroko exploded and Uiharu stuttered in shock. That was when a familiar voice broke in.

"My, what is this intriguing conversation you're having over here in the corner?"

"K-K-Konori-senpai!?" Uiharu's voice was but a squeak, and Kuroko looked up at their senior and gulped.

"Konori-senpai, what are you doing here?" Did she hear anything!?

Konori-senpai smirked and winked at Kuroko. "Why, are you that surprised to see your senpai~?"

"Uuh…" Kuroko blinked, and the other two looked stunned.

"W-Weren't you out patrolling, Konori-senpai?" Uiharu meekly spoke up.

Konori-senpai looked proud, hands on her hips. It was uncharacteristic for her; something was obviously off. "Yes, that's where I found her, so helpful assisting a lost person. Such dedication ability is quite rare, you know?"

Kuroko frowned. "You are not Konori-senpai. Who are you?"

Konori-senpai put a finger on her lips and winked at her. "Don't you remember me, Shirai-san? I am your adorable Judgment senpai~"

Kuroko clenched her hands into fists. "You are not Konori-senpai! You - you are…" her eyes widened. No way, it can't be… yet all her instincts said it was. This was the voice she'd been hearing in her head.

Konori-senpai's lips curled into a grin. "Is your little brain starting to work? We had so many lovely conversations inside your head, it'd be sad if you didn't remember me."

Kuroko bristled. Was it really her? She glared at the Konori-senpai in front of her while bile rose in her chest. Did she really do that? Did she... did I…? And now Konori-senpai?

She clenched her jaw. "Let Konori-senpai go."

"Ooh, that's a nice vengeful look in your eyes. Are you going to take it out on your poor senpai?" She put her arms out, as if to offer the body up for grabs. "She's already going to be so confused, I feel bad~"

"As if you can feel anything!"

"Shirai-san, Konori-senpai, what's going on?" Uiharu asked in tentatively.

Kuroko was trembling with rage, but there was nothing to take it out on. This fake woman had the guts to show up, but even then she was hiding behind someone. There was no doubt anymore who was behind that video clip. This woman, who could control another person as she wanted; there was no limit to her distasteful nature. She had done the same thing to Kuroko that she was now doing to Konori-senpai. She may not remember, but her body knew. It was beyond infuriating. Terrifying.

When she spoke, Kuroko's voice held such venom that her saliva could have melted bone. "She is Shokuhou Misaki, Tokiwadai's Mental Out. The fifth ranked Level 5."

"A Level 5!?" Saten-san paled and stared up at Konori-senpai with huge eyes. "Then Konori-senpai is…"

"You might as well stop thinking about her as Konori-senpai for the time being."

"That's just—!" She looked disturbed, a perfect reflection of how Kuroko felt. She wanted to force Shokuhou out of Konori-senpai, but even with her ability that would prove difficult.

"What's with all this animosity?" Konori-senpai looked puzzled; no, Kuroko had to remind herself, this was not Konori-senpai. This was Shokuhou.

"You know, the reason why I have to use a puppet in the first place is because of a certain beloved electromaster who found it fitting to disable my vocal cords. I think you ought to look at the people around you before judging anyone else."

Kuroko fired up. "Onee-sama does not take advantage of people this way! Removing someone's free will is just sickening!"

She looked humored. "Really? Then tell me, did you get those nasty electrical burns by your own choice?"

Kuroko was taken aback, and gritted her teeth; she had no comeback. She had just remembered what happened in the shower room, how Onee-sama had so easily taken control of her entire body. It wasn't the same… yet she couldn't fight the uneasiness in her heart.

"So have you decided yet, Shirai-san?" Konori-senpai's eyes glinted with Shokuhou's humor. "Will you help Misaka-san, or watch as she sinks into despair?"

Kuroko's throat felt dry. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, let's see~ I guess it'll be easier to understand what it is once we share some small secrets, right? Like what happened inside a certain shower room."

Kuroko's panic rose. "What does that—"

"Let's start with you, Ruiko-chan!" Shokuhou pointed at Saten-san, whose eyes widened.

"W-What? I just – I just met Misaka-san and her c-clone outside the arcade, and then somehow we ended up making out in a changing room… wait, I mean, Misaka-san did it on her own, but we helped! Aah, that's not what I meant! I dressed her up and she accidentally touched my boobs!" She looked more and more panicked, and Kuroko stared at her with growing horror. Something like that had happened again? And what—

"What clone? Onee-sama's – clone?" She imagined twenty Onee-samas in a row, all begging for her attention, and her heart started beating quickly. No, no, no, that's ridiculous. She shook her head violently.

"I wonder what she's talking about~" Shokuhou seemed to be enjoying herself, made even more disturbing by the fact that she was wearing Konori-senpai's face. "How about you, Shirai-san? Surely you have something to share?"

Kuroko breathed rapidly, her tongue dry as wood. "We did it – in the shower stall at school." Don't say it! She rejected you! "I used her hand to touch myself…" She swallowed heavily, and was ready to burn away under the stares from Saten-san and Uiharu-san.

"Oh my, how naughty. Shirai-san is so perverted." The grin was lighting up the entire restaurant. "How about you, flowergirl~?"

Uiharu's face was completely red. "Misaka-san stuck her finger in me."

For a moment, Kuroko's vision went black, and when she regained focus she was on her knees, leaning on the table. "O-Onee-sama…"

"Oh my, I think that just broke her."

"U-Uiharu!?" Saten-san sounded like she couldn't breathe.

"It's not like I didn't want it!" Uiharu whined, and then gulped loudly; Kuroko banged her head into the edge of the table until her vision floated with stars. Onee-sama and Uiharu… no way. No way. No way!

"Uiharu-san is quite the feisty girl, aren't you?"

"I'm not! I'm really not!"

"Uiharu… I never would have thought… woah…"

Kuroko gritted her teeth and smacked her hands onto the table. She slowly stood up, dragging in great mouthfuls of air. "This is not important." Her lips twitched in an unnatural smile and she turned her head towards Shokuhou. "You are quite the comedian, Shokuhou-senpai."

"Oh, I'm senpai now?" She smirked, which made Kuroko's grin twist into to a snarl.

"Why are you even here?" Her fingers twitched, and she had to tell herself for the umpteenth time that hurting this woman would do no good.

Shokuhou pulled out a chair from the empty table next to them, and sat down, crossing her legs in what seemed like an all too feminine manner for Konori-senpai. "Isn't that obvious?"

Kuroko's teeth ground together. "Please enlighten us."

Shokuhou leaned forward on the table, resting her cheek on her hand and grinning up at Kuroko in the most annoying way possible, glasses glinting.

"I wonder how much longer before Misaka-san's breakdown begins."

XXX

What do I do? Mikoto gazed ahead without really seeing anything. Her steps felt heavier and heavier by the minute. How can I fix this? She wasn't even sure there was anything left to fix. But there had to be. If she couldn't fix it… no, she had to. There was no other option. But how… how…? Everything I do makes it worse.

She swayed, struck by a spell of dizziness. Passersby threw her curious glances that pricked against her skin, poked her nerves and made her feel even dizzier. She put a hand to her face. Don't look at me… she wished they would ignore her, give her room to think. She needed to figure out how to fix things. But even when they didn't look she could feel it; nerves transmitting commands from the brain to the muscles, cell phone signals fluttering through the air, wavelengths of their beating hearts, the words from their mouths, the heat from their bodies. It all mixed with the electric signals humming from the traffic lights, the cars, the signs above the stores, the lights in the buildings; everything distracted her, pulled at her focus. Shut up… She pressed her hands to her face, and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, the prickle in her head spreading to cover her entire scalp and creeping down to her shoulders. Her skin burned and her temples throbbed. Turn it off. All the stares… all the murmurs… all the distractions… stop it… stop it… Saten-san's terrified look; Kuroko's bandaged arms; Uiharu-san's pleads… STOP IT!

The prickling reached her chest, and it felt like it speared her heart. Her head was entirely numb; she couldn't really tell if there was any pain. Yet a scream tore its way from the depths of her throat, like a flood breaching a dam. However, nobody heard the scream. At the same time, lightning ripped violently through the air, striking buildings and trees and flinging pieces of asphalt into the air. The area erupted in panic, a mass of energy and emotions chaotically filling the air. Their frightened yells stroked her nerves; their rapid breaths, their frantic heartbeats, they caressed a part of her she never knew existed. It was different from anything she'd felt before. Raising her head, she stared at the sky and smiled as the sensations filled her. A thin laugh pressed its way out of her throat.

—destroy it.

The ground around her exploded upwards in a roar of black iron sand. The trees lining the road were cut down, crashing to the ground in pieces; the windows in the buildings on the other side of the road exploded, and the underground power lines burst out of the pavement in a cascade of sparks. If it won't stop, I'll destroy it. The solution was so simple, she couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it before. She felt relieved, snapping for air as exhilaration ran through her. The answer was right there, right within her grasp, and she finally had it. Destroy everything.

She laughed in relief, as the sky above darkened with rumbling clouds. Her lips pulled up into a wider smile. Stop staring. Stop talking. Stop existing. She pushed her power into the black clouds, streaks of lightning shooting across the sky with rumbles of thunder. Just let me think.

A single snake of lightning struck at the earth below with the Level 5 at its center.

XXX

There was a tremendous boom and their glasses rattled slightly.

"An earthquake?" Uiharu was already halfway down on the floor when it stilled.

"No…" Kuroko looked towards the windows, people around them looking scared and confused. Her face was sweaty. That was…

"It was real loud." Saten-san looked towards the entrance, visibly nervous.

"Oh my." Shokuhou pulled back into her chair. "I wonder if we're already too late. The tail I had on her already fled, and it didn't look good."

Kuroko's spine became icy cold.

"It's a power failure in area A!" Uiharu reported, having checked her computer. "Shirai-san, do you think that's—?"

There was no doubt. "Onee-sama…"

"Looks like your troubles have just multiplied." Shokuhou shrugged.

"Don't make it sound like it doesn't concern you!" Kuroko snapped at her.

"So what will you do?" She looked like she was still enjoying herself, twirling a lock of hair around her finger.

Kuroko made a decision. "Uiharu, please contact Anti-Skill. Ask them to concentrate on evacuating the civilians around area A."

"Y-yes!" Uiharu picked up her phone at once.

"I have already made sure no one will approach that area." Shokuhou surprisingly said something useful, yet Kuroko grew furious.

"You knew this was going to happen!?"

"You're so quick to assign blame." Shokuhou whined, and Kuroko had to focus intently on the fact that this was not actually Konori-senpai in order to stay sane. "There's no way I could know for sure. Misaka-san's barrier ability makes it impossible to read her mind, you know~?"

Kuroko fumed, but there was no time to waste on this jerk. She turned away from her and clenched her fists, drawing a deep breath. "I'm going."

Saten-san stared at her. "Shirai-san, what are you going to do?"

"I have to stop her."

Her eyes widened. "Are you crazy? If that really was Misaka-san, then—"

"Then it's my duty to either return her to her senses or stop her by force!" Kuroko bit out. "I am a Judgment member, it is my duty to protect the peace of this city!"

Saten-san looked taken aback. "This is Misaka-san, though."

Kuroko trembled all over. "Onee-sama is no less a threat to this city than any large scale terrorist attack. As long as she remains stable she is a valuable asset, however once that stability is shaken she is a dangerous anomaly in our jurisdiction."

"Listen to yourself! You're talking like she's some undetonated bomb!" Saten-san yelled at her, but Kuroko merely pursed her lips.

"Misaka-san is quite the unpredictable hazard." Shokuhou said, cocking her head.

"That is exactly why I must take action. If she goes too far, there is no telling what will happen. I must…" Kuroko swallowed heavily. "I must do something before they decide to neutralize her by other means."

"N-neutralize?" Saten-san's worry manifested itself in a stutter. "What do you mean, Shirai-san? I thought the Level 5's were near indestructible. What can they even do?" She glanced at Shokuhou, whom merely shrugged.

"I do not know what kind of countermeasures they imagine would be useful against Misaka-san. As for myself, I have all the defenses I need. If I ever go off the deep end, you're all going down with me~"

"Scary…"

Kuroko slowly shook her head. "I don't know. But there is no way this city has never thought about the possibility of a Level 5 going astray. There must be some countermeasures prepared. Whether they'll work or not is a different matter."

Shokuhou sighed lightly. "Basically, what you're saying is that we have no choice but to try and help Misaka-san before someone pulls out some trick that may or may not harm her, the city, and its inhabitants, is that right?"

Uiharu looked frightened, and Saten-san pursed her lips tightly. "Alright, Shirai-san. We're counting on you. But… please take care of yourself as well."

Kuroko nodded and prepared to teleport.

"Shirai-san." Shokuhou halted her leave by reaching out a hand. In it was a small bottle. Kuroko frowned.

"What is that?" She would not touch anything this vile woman was offering.

Her lips turned up in a small smirk. "It's a last resort."

Kuroko stared at her for a long moment, taking in the expression on Konori-senpai's face. For a moment it looked just like her senior always did. Slowly, she reached out and took the bottle.

"I do not trust you."

"I don't expect you to~"

With a scowl, Kuroko stuffed the bottle in her pocket and teleported away.

XXX

The area was entirely wasted, smoking ruins of rubble piled skyhigh. The road was full of craters, lamp posts broken and thrown haphazardly about, cars abandoned by their panicked drivers. The air was thick with static and ozone.

Silence.

It was silent at last, not a person in sight. Not a heartbeat or a spark of electric activity. Quiet.

Mikoto stood in the middle of the destruction and breathed deeply in, enjoying the solitude. Nothing fighting for her attention. No distractions. No stares or signals making her dizzy.

It was pure bliss.

But it wouldn't last. Sooner or later someone would come to fix things; she would have to face the disturbances again. But if I destroy everything before that… Her head throbbed, her eyes staring at nothing, swirling with electric genocide just waiting to be unleashed. If I destroy them all… She smirked, and her ears prickled; she knew where to go next. Places with a lot of energy, lots of people, lots of stares, sounds, wavelengths. She'd destroy those places first, and then take out the less important places. The hideouts. The underground. In the end… in the end everything will be gone. The goal was so euphoric that she snapped for breath. All the problems, all the headaches, all the questions, it would all be gone.

I'll finally be able to relax and think. She longed for it so much that the idea alone brought laughter bubbling to her throat. Silence. Peace and quiet. No more weird situations… I'll be able to figure it all out… her heart beat excitedly, and she took the first step towards her next destination. That was when her core shook, and her eyes widened. Something – someone – was there.

"Onee-sama!" A voice split the silence, and the burning sensation in her chest flared as the throbbing in her head increased in force. She turned around, and saw the source of all the confusion, misunderstandings, troubles, headaches, everything.

"Kuroko..."

XXX

Onee-sama's voice was no different, yet laced with a tension that struck Kuroko's heart with fear. It wasn't her tone alone, however; her whole appearance seemed unstable, wild. Her hair was ruffled and wavered gently, her body radiated power, yet her eyes were what gave Kuroko the real scare. They were emotionless, the eyes of someone who had given up. But something else swirled in them, a sort of desperation. When they landed on Kuroko, she unconsciously stepped backwards, sweat running down her forehead. This much from just her gaze?

Onee-sama looked bored if anything. But now her lips curled up into a dead smile with no humor. "What are you doing here?"

Kuroko jolted, and then squared her shoulders. "P-Please stop this, Onee-sama!" She backed off another step and cursed her own weakness. Yet she couldn't help it. The pressure from Onee-sama was enough to make her sweat.

"You're like an annoying fly. Get lost." She flicked her finger, and the air in front of Kuroko exploded. The blast was so powerful it flung Kuroko off her feet and into the crumbled wall of a building on the other side of the road.

"Guah!" She gasped, saliva filling her throat as the air was knocked out of her. She saw stars for a second, and her back burned from the impact.

Onee-sama was in front of her in an instant.

"Ugh—" Kuroko attempted to stand up, and Mikoto reached out and grabbed her collar, pulling her to her feet. Kuroko grimaced, staring into her eyes and gasping for breath under the overwhelming onslaught of static.

"You're so weak." Mikoto said, and her smile seemed more terrifying than ever. "It's disgusting."

Kuroko winced. "Onee-sama, please snap out of it." She hated that the only thing she could do was plead, but fighting this Onee-sama was no use.

"Shut up." Mikoto pulled Kuroko towards herself and leaned in, planting her lips on hers in a ferocious kiss.

Kuroko's eyes widened. This is… the aphrodisiac? The kiss was rough and commanding, more like a statement of dominance than a romantic gesture. But it told Kuroko something important. I can still do something. She answered the kiss as best as she could and raised her hands, grabbing Mikoto's collar. Memories of their second time together flashed through her mind. That raw anger Onee-sama had displayed, that had been hers, and not caused by that cursed potion. Ever since, she had always been under its influence in one way or another.

Had they ever really reached a conclusion to that conflict?

With a flash of determination, Kuroko pulled her Onee-sama closer and licked her lips, asking for entrance. A warning growl erupted from Mikoto's throat, and she bit down harshly on Kuroko's lip.

"Kh—" Kuroko hissed at the pain as Mikoto's teeth punctured her skin and coppery blood flowed out. Mikoto pulled back, licking the blood off her own lips. Demon… Kuroko's mind lazily provided, and she watched as the color of Onee-sama's eyes intensified. Her chest rose and fell beneath Kuroko's hands, and electric currents started dancing in her hair. The entire display was terrifying, yet Kuroko could not help the deep excitement twitching in her heart. Dangerous, so incredibly dangerous. It was everything she longed for.

"Onee-sama…" She slipped her hands over Mikoto's throat and pausing at her neck, stroking her hairline with her thumbs. "What is it you need?"

Mikoto smiled; her eyes grew distant and her skin prickled against Kuroko's hands. "I'll destroy it… everything. I can't take it anymore… so I'll get rid of it." There was no doubt she was serious, and Kuroko's heart jumped to her throat.

"Don't be silly, Onee-sama! This is the aphrodisiac messing with you!"

"There's no other way." There was a deep, bone-chilling desire quivering in her gaze. "Once it's gone, I can think. Then I'll fix everything."

Kuroko was terrified. Onee-sama's body was trembling with power just waiting to be unleashed, and her eyes were unfocused, seeing things Kuroko could not. There's too much. At this rate Onee-sama was going to leave her, and Kuroko could not follow where she was going.

"Onee-sama, destroying everything is not going to solve anything. That kind of mindset is only going to cause pain!" She pulled her closer, forcing their eyes to meet. "Please let me help you!"

Mikoto looked surprised. Then she laughed. It was short and without any humor. "I see." The sudden relief in her eyes was unsettling. "I just need to crush you."

"Eh?" Kuroko's brow was slick with sweat, and when Mikoto moved in, she backed off until her back hit the crumbled wall behind her. Mikoto met her gaze directly.

"You're the entire problem. It's always been you. What the hell do you think you're doing, Kuroko?" She leaned in and nuzzled Kuroko's cheek. "I can't stand you. I won't share you. You're mine." Their bodies were so close Kuroko could feel the static nibble at her skin through their clothes. Mikoto put a hand on Kuroko's chest, where her heart beat frantically. Her contradicting words made no sense at all, and Kuroko was frozen in place.

Mikoto unleashed a lightning bolt that struck her entire body. Kuroko screamed. Black and white dots flashed in front of her eyes and her heart skipped several seconds of normal working time. When it finally ended, Kuroko gasped for air, unable to properly fill her lungs. I'll die. She knew it with certainty right then. If she doesn't come to her senses, I'll die. Right now Onee-sama was pumped full of power, disoriented and emotional beyond anything Kuroko had ever seen. She might not even realize that her output was enough to send a human being to their grave.

The sky above them was rumbling with thunder, and Mikoto sighed.

"Yeah… when it's all gone, I'll be able to make up for it."

Lighting struck from the sky and hit the street in a blinding explosion of fire, flinging rubble through the air. Cold sweat erupted on Kuroko's neck. It's getting worse.

Mikoto had a small smile on her lips. "I'll fix everything, so don't worry about it."

Another lightning strike hit the ground further away, splitting the air with a deafening crack. It was like the warm-up for the real storm to come. Knowing Onee-sama's dormant potential, Kuroko did not want this to escalate further.

"Onee-sama, stop this!"

"What am I supposed to do? It just keeps growing…" Mikoto's eyes quivered and her smile widened as the sky rumbled again.

Kuroko gritted her teeth and made a decision that would either backfire terribly or make everything even worse; she didn't dare hope it would work. Planting her feet on the ground, she clenched her fist and pulled it back.

"Onee-samaaaa—!" With a roar that made her voice crack, she swung her fist at Mikoto, and struck her squarely in the face.

"Gah—!" Mikoto stumbled backwards, clamping her hands over her nose.

The world stopped for a few seconds. Kuroko's chest heaved, and she glared at Mikoto with sickening terror swirling in her gut. She had half expected to be incinerated before she could strike. Mikoto stared at her hands, at the blood on her fingers. Her nose had taken the brunt of the blow, and it was bleeding. Her eyes were wide.

"Kuroko…" she breathed her name like it was fire. "I'm really sorry."

It was too early for relief. "Onee-sama…"

"I just really want to hurt you right now." She looked at Kuroko and the light in her eyes sent a shiver through Kuroko's body. Something had changed, a shift in focus maybe. This dark atmosphere, this unveiled power. It was familiar and frightening and wonderful. Mikoto wiped her nose with the back of her hand and came closer.

"I will hurt you so much that you'll beg to die." The third strongest Level 5. The power she possessed was devilish and overwhelming. Her body seemed charged with it, inhuman and beautiful.

Kuroko grinned, unable to tear her eyes away even as she backed off. Onee-sama's eyes were glowing and she looked stronger, deadlier, sexier, than Kuroko had ever seen her. Fear sent her heart galloping, yet her guts twirled with excitement. She had to remind herself to breathe.

Mikoto was right in front of her now, and Kuroko grinned up at her. "Are you saying I can't fight back, Onee-sama?"

"If you fight back I'll kill you." So simple. The air seemed to be on fire; it licked the skin on her arms. She wanted to reach out and touch the burning aura, wanted to feel the pain encompassing her. But she didn't dare.

Mikoto's eyes were changing. Roused with power, they seemed darker and brighter all at once, and Kuroko knew there was no stopping this. She was trapped by the deadliest predator in the world, and it was hungry.

Kuroko pressed herself into the wall, meeting Onee-sama's eyes in challenge. Glee surged along with the terror. Onee-sama was just inches away from her. Kuroko could see the sweat drops on her collarbone beneath her shirt; the scent of burned oxygen wafted over her nostrils.

Mikoto leaned closer, planting a hand on the wall beside Kuroko's head. The sizzling heat enveloped the petrified teleporter with such intensity that she had to gasp for air.

"You're so cute it's horrible." Mikoto murmured, eyes skimming over Kuroko's body, leaving blazing trails on her skin. "I want to rip you apart."

"Please do it slowly, Onee-sama." Kuroko raised her hands and carefully stroked Mikoto's shoulders. The school vest disappeared, leaving only the white shirt. Kuroko basked in the threat looming in front of her and boldly started unbuttoning Mikoto's shirt.

"You're so worked up, Onee-sama…" her fingers worked with precise care, tension rising with each button conquered. "Kuroko is getting excited too."

Mikoto growled and the intensity of her presence rose even more.

"Even if it is but the aphrodisiac, can you blame me for liking it?" Kuroko purred, finishing the last button and slipping her hands in to touch Onee-sama's stomach. The muscles twitched and tightened beneath her fingers. "If you insist on playing the beast, I will just have to tame you, Onee-sama."

Mikoto's eyes flashed. "Stop that!"

"It's impossible to stop." While Onee-sama's fierceness grew, Kuroko thrived on it. Her stomach was working itself into a hard knot, the earlier soreness throbbing in her muscles. "Kuroko is starting to feel it as well."

Mikoto pressed herself into Kuroko's body. "No."

Kuroko snapped for air as her adrenaline rose, her heartbeat picking up speed.

"I said stop it!" Mikoto leaned in and dug her teeth into Kuroko's neck.

Kuroko gasped sharply at the streaks of pain, soon replaced by pulsating pleasure. Her eyes watered up and she stretched her neck. "Ah – Onee-sama, Kuroko is—"

Charges leapt from Onee-sama's bangs like warning shots, but Kuroko could tell she was becoming excited as well. Kuroko's arousal affected the electromaster whether she wanted it to or not; that was her one weapon. Mikoto's eyes were scalding hot, her body radiating raw power that licked Kuroko's skin, her presence intensifying by the second. Kuroko was thrilled to see this terrible side to her wonderful Onee-sama.

"You're like a devil feeding on my fear, Onee-sama." She was incredibly turned on by the small growls emanating from the depths of Onee-sama's throat. Kuroko's head spun with fear and delight, her neck burned from the bite. "Will you not eat me up?" She snaked her hands over Mikoto's stomach again. She might not have the ability to read electromagnetic waves, but she could feel the pulses in Onee-sama's body through her fingertips.

The air was chaotic, stirred up by Onee-sama's waves of electromagnetic energy. It was so intense that even Kuroko could feel them now. The charges playing in Onee-sama's hair sparked and whispered of pain to come. Mikoto gulped down a breath of air, then clenched her jaw again and looked even more determined.

Kuroko leaned up and tasted Mikoto's scalding lips. "Is it becoming too much, Onee-sama? You know you don't have to endure it on your own. You can share with Kuroko."

Mikoto's eyes glinted dangerously, but Kuroko subdued the sharp anger by lifting her arms up Mikoto's back and gently massaging her shoulder blades, at the same time nibbling at her lips. She did not try to fight the small sounds pressing out from the back of her throat, knowing that Onee-sama was unable to resist them. And sure enough, Onee-sama breathed deeper and her eyes grew wilder. The danger was tangible. Kuroko sighed in delight as it seeped into her, charging her up.

"Even though you're so wound up, you still can't seem to throw off my caressing hands, can you?" Kuroko steadily kept massaging Mikoto's back, feeling it stretch against her palms as Onee-sama subconsciously asked for more. Her lean muscles were moving and tensing beneath Kuroko's care, and Kuroko was delighted that her caress was having such a great effect. She slowly licked her lips, observing the fires that kept expanding in Onee-sama's eyes. She seemed distracted, not really looking at Kuroko. Her body trembled, fingers curling against the wall beside Kuroko's head. Her hair fluttered lightly, and Kuroko could see the blue light in her eyes indicating the increasing voltage of her ability. It is coming.

She licked her lips again, moving her hands downwards and massaging Onee-sama's lower back. Mikoto's breath deepened, her back and chest expanding, giving the impression of her growing bigger. Physical size had no meaning here though. Onee-sama's essence had already swallowed the entire area, and Kuroko had to be but a tiny piece in the giant puzzle of information being processed in her mind. Yet she was determined to stay the most important piece. Whatever it took, she would endure.

Onee-sama's breath grew shallower and her skin became static, snapping at Kuroko's fingers while she kept caressing her. Mikoto closed her eyes and shuddered, tensing up even more. Kuroko's mouth watered, her heart beating eagerly. She is so beautiful.

"Onee-sama, you shouldn't leave me alone here." Kuroko purred and sensually snaked her body into Mikoto's, lowering her hands to cup her butt.

Mikoto looked at her then, and as recognition seeped into her eyes, predatory hunger flared in them as well. She suddenly moved inwards, crushing Kuroko against the wall while static licked at her skin. Trapped by Onee-sama's searing body, Kuroko gasped for air while her insides pounded against their confines and terror surged through her veins.

"You're mine." Mikoto growled, an eerie light in her eyes. The words stung, but Kuroko reveled in them nonetheless. If nothing else she would pretend they were true. She caressed Mikoto's backside slowly.

"You will have to make me yours, Onee-sama," she purred, drawing a deep breath, chest rising against Mikoto's. It was a challenge in itself. Something sparked in Mikoto's eyes and she thrust a hand into one of Kuroko's modest breasts and roughly rubbed her hand on the soft flesh.

"Want me to rip them off?"

Kuroko flushed and moaned. Her whole body writhed in pleasure,. Her breast swelled underneath Mikoto's hand and her nipples stiffened.

A growl pushed on from the depths of Mikoto's throat and she tightened her hold on Kuroko's breast, slowly crushing it in her grip. Kuroko yelped in pain and heat shot from her breast into the rest of her body. "Ah, Onee-sama!" Her body tightened, muscles constricting on instinct and pleasure.

"Stop it." Mikoto demanded, leaning more heavily into Kuroko's body, face mere inches from hers. Her eyes were alight with power, and Kuroko knew she was far beyond the realm of humanity at this point. If she willed it, the whole neighborhood would be disintegrated in the blink of an eye. Right now however, her focus seemed not to lay on destruction, but on claiming Kuroko as her property. Kuroko just had to keep that up.

"Why don't you make me?" Kuroko grinned at Onee-sama's face, allowing the lust to cloud her eyes and draw the attention further on herself. It was overwhelming to have Onee-sama's focus fully directed at her, yet her body worked restlessly to withstand the pressure. She pulled her head back and groaned as her insides stretched. "I'm so hot—!"

Mikoto's lips roughly covered hers, perhaps as an attempt to shut her up. The heat leaking from her lips and tongue was incredible, mixing with the coppery taste left in Kuroko's mouth. Kuroko gulped it down and it swam around her stomach before settling in the depths of her core. She gave a muffled moan into the forceful kiss, body writhing, growing more aroused. She felt incredibly strong and fantastically weak at the same time.

Mikoto's chest rose and her breathing deepened. She looked distraught again, breaking the kiss and breathing slowly as the ground below them creaked and became infused with static. Tiny charges played in her bangs, eyes smoking with the amassing power that was gathering inside her mind. There was some sort of shivering mirage forming behind her, like her body was boiling hot. This is not good! Kuroko eyed the ground in distress, seeing twirls of black dust lazily floating up around them. She's losing control!

"Onee-sama, weren't you going to hurt me?" She brushed her hands over Mikoto's temples, and was rewarded by the most sensual growl she'd ever heard. Mikoto stretched her neck, not offering Kuroko a glance; she was too busy enjoying the empowering feeling building inside her.

"Onee-sama!"

"Sure." She grinned then, content and twisted. Kuroko's breath caught in her throat, mind growing numb. I'm losing her! She did not know what to do. Onee-sama was far too high on the power rush to stay within the realm of common sense.

Mikoto put a finger to her forehead. "How many volts can your brain take?"

Kuroko's eyes widened. Wha—!?

The world went white. Then black. Maybe she screamed; she wouldn't know. There was no sound or scent or light; just pitch black. Then the noise exploded in her ears. They were burning, as if her eardrums had ruptured. Flecks of color sped past in the darkness creating a dizzying effect, then there was a dull thump. Her body hit the ground in a helpless heap. She stared in the direction she thought was up. Did she blink or, was that just her eyes playing tricks with the light? She couldn't tell what she was looking at, and there was no pain. Ah. The thought slowly filled her head. Did I just die?

Someone leaned down over her, and even through the daze of stars she knew who it was.

"How was that? I just overloaded your cranial nerves. Seems like your balance was affected." Mikoto smiled down at her. "Are you excited yet, Kuroko?"

There were so many things wrong with this that Kuroko had no idea where to start, but before she could even open her mouth, Onee-sama stroked her forehead with a thumb. There was something loving in her gaze. "I'll make you feel good."

Kuroko let out a sound somewhere between a groan and a sob.

Mikoto leaned down and nuzzled Kuroko's forehead, then moved to the side of her head and let her tongue slide over Kuroko's ear. Kuroko shuddered, and Onee-sama pushed her down with a hand on her chest; her fingers stung through the clothes.

"Get excited, Kuroko." Onee-sama murmured into her ear and then bit it lightly.

I was. Kuroko stared dazedly into the air. I was, but this is too much. She gritted her teeth. Was this really Onee-sama's love? Her eyes quivered. No. This is the aphrodisiac. It's still in Onee-sama's system. She had to remember that, no matter what happened. Wonderful or terrible, Onee-sama was not herself at the moment.

Mikoto curled her fingers, the static clawing at Kuroko's chest, and she felt her heart beat oddly. She writhed, and Onee-sama grinned against her ear. A wet tongue slipped into her ear and Kuroko gasped.

"O-Onee…"

"Call me Mikoto." She breathed into her ear, and Kuroko heaved for breath.

"I can't…"

"Do it."

"I can't breathe – Onee—"

Mikoto pressed harder down on her chest, and Kuroko whimpered at the stinging sensation spreading across her skin, shuffling her legs in distress.

"Say it." Mikoto pulled back, nuzzling her cheek, and Kuroko gasped shallowly for air. Onee-sama emitted tingles that teased her nostrils, and ran across her skin, making her muscles twitch involuntarily. Does she even know what she's doing? Kuroko was terrified, and unconsciously tried to pull away from underneath her; but she was trapped, and her limbs would not listen. D-Damn it.

"Say it, Kuroko… I want to hear it from you…" She kissed her nose, then her lips, and pulled back slightly, gazing into her eyes. Kuroko's heart jumped in her chest; Onee-sama looked delirious, face flushed and eyes quivering.

Kuroko's lips moved, but she hesitated, the pain covering her body like a blanket. It was becoming hard to think. But more so, she was starting to become now, she couldn't resist Onee-sama's energy. I just have to… keep this up… until Onee-sama is…

She gritted her teeth and looked into Mikoto's eyes. "Please, Onee-sama…"

Mikoto's gaze trembled and Kuroko was surprised to see her eyes glossing over.

"Huh?" Mikoto blinked, and a single tear ran down her cheek.

She's… crying? Kuroko felt even worse. This really isn't Onee-sama's true desire. She raised her arms with some difficulty and put her hands on Mikoto's cheeks. "Let us stop."

Mikoto blinked, more tears running down her cheeks. "But you don't want me to stop."

Kuroko's chest tightened. Her body was betraying her, but she stayed stubborn. These are not Onee-sama's true feelings! She would not force her to do something she didn't want. Not again.

"My body is one thing, but my thoughts and feelings matter as well, Onee-sama. You cannot read those, can you?" She hoped not, because then she would truly be exposed.

Mikoto stared at her, and for a second it looked like she was seriously considering her words.

Then: "I'll just have to help you along then."

"What?" Kuroko's eyes widened, though her chest swirled with excitement.

"You'll change your mind in no time." Mikoto leaned down and kissed her, sliding her hand down Kuroko's stomach. Electric pulses penetrated the clothes and the flesh, entering the fibers beneath and forcing them to react. Kuroko groaned as the soreness from earlier returned full force. She pulled out of the kiss and forced her mouth to work.

"Onee-sama! This isn't you! You're still affected by the aphrodisiac – these aren't your real feelings!" Kuroko tried to reason with her, but the pulses only grew and Mikoto's gaze darkened.

"Is that what you think?"

Kuroko gasped for air through the veil of pain spreading from her abdomen. "It – it's the truth. The aphrodisiac in that soda was from a discarded batch. It had dangerous side effects like making you unable to resist physical attraction."

"Are you stupid?" Mikoto's hand slid further down. "Why would something like that hold any control over me?"

So annoyingly delicious; but this wasn't the time for such arrogance. "E-Even you are not immune to that thing!"

"Maybe not. In which case, let's use it while it lasts, hm?" Her fingers brushed over Kuroko's hip and further down, slipping up under her skirt. Kuroko drew a sharp breath.

"O-Onee-sama…"

Mikoto pulled her panties down, air tickling against her bare skin.

"How about trying something new today?" Mikoto kissed her chin and the leather belt around Kuroko's thigh tugged. "I bet you haven't used these like that, even if you're a pervert."

Kuroko's eyes widened. "What the hell are you doing!?"

"You're already wet, so it should slip in nicely." The tip of a spike touched her gently, and Kuroko swallowed. No, that's insane. Who'd even think of that!? It's genius!

Mikoto might be beyond sanity at this point. "Uiharu-san seemed to like the finger, so I'm guessing you'll like a bit more edge to the experience."

"Onee-sama, you are being way too direct!" Kuroko protested in a panic, but she was too excited to fake anxiety. Her head span and her heart throbbed. The mix of pain and pleasure was intoxicating.

"You're already so wound up though." Mikoto's voice was laden with lust. She must have been picking up Kuroko's growing arousal, and the effect was obvious. Her face was flushed and her breath was growing shallow.

"Th—" Kuroko's throat was thick, making it hard to manifest sounds. She swallowed. "Then do it, Onee-sama."

"Call me Mikoto." She leaned down, the spike playfully twirling against Kuroko's sensitive lips.

Kuroko swallowed again. "P-Please do it, M—Mikoto…"

Mikoto covered her mouth with her lips in an explosion of passion, and the spike slipped into her. Kuroko gasped into the kiss, and then the metal started vibrating against her insides. Oh god, is she using magnetism? Her eyes glossed over and her body writhed in bliss. The heat spread quickly from the vibration inside her, making her body pulsate. Not only the vibration, but the electricity used to achieve it leaked into her, doubling the effect.

"This'll be over quickly. Make it worthwhile, Kuroko." Mikoto muttered against her lips, the lust in her eyes growing denser. Kuroko's body was charged with libido and trembling, hips bucking. All Kuroko had to do was persist to the end – not that she had a choice at this point.

Black spots danced in front of her eyes and her head throbbed, yet the tension in her body was drowning out everything else. She groaned into Mikoto's mouth and the sparks dancing in Mikoto's hair snapped into the air.

I'm – coming! Kuroko grimaced as her back rose from the ground, and Mikoto licked Kuroko's lips with ferocious intensity. Kuroko trembled as the release hit her, groaning and bending her neck backwards. Her climax sent Mikoto toppling over the edge as well, yet with much more devastating effect than before. The ground around them exploded upwards and lazy black clouds sank back down. Mikoto gritted her teeth and the sparks leaping from her bangs spat wildly into the air; the clouds above them flashed with lightning.

The entire town knows we had sex… Kuroko stared up at the sky as the tension ran out of her, and Mikoto breathed heavily above her. The spike slipped out of her and Kuroko watched in a daze as Mikoto picked it up and licked it clean.

"Thanks, Kuroko." Mikoto returned the spike to its place and leaned down to kiss Kuroko once more. The taste was salty and Kuroko was struck by the oddest sensation, yet was too tired to even think about it. She stared upwards still. Why are the clouds still here?

There was this horrible feeling creeping up on her, but her eyes were drooping, her head throbbing. It was… not enough…? The thought hovered in her mind and then her eyes closed as consciousness slipped from her grasp.

XXX

Mikoto glanced at the peaceful face of her junior and smiled. She felt a lot better now, thanks to her. Kuroko's hair spilled over the ground and Mikoto leaned down, gently nuzzling her forehead. Kuroko's warm breath brushed against her throat. Her heart was still beating, gentle vibrations tickling Mikoto's skin.

You used her. The disapproving voice slid into her mind unbidden.

"No, she wanted it." That was the truth. Kuroko had not said otherwise.

You mistreated her.

"No, I made love to her." She knew that was true, yet her brow furrowed slightly.

You know you're lying. You used her again, and you hurt her again. How long are you going to keep this up?

"Shut the hell up!" Electric currents exploded in all directions, splintering the road and creating new craters on the battered surroundings. She breathed heavily, staring down at Kuroko's closed eyes. There was a calm look on Kuroko's face, almost like she'd resigned from reality.

Mikoto gritted her teeth and stood up, swaying a bit. She staggered away from Kuroko, the back of her head throbbing again. As much as she hated it, the irritating voice was right. I did it again… even though I tried to fix things, I still… Her eyes quivered and something wet ran down her cheek. Huh?

She raised a hand and touched her cheek. Bewildered, she stared at the clear drop caught on her finger. Her mind might have shut down, because she could not make heads or tails out of this. Or perhaps it was her throbbing head that distracted her. There were familiar signals fluttering through the air. She recognized those signals. They'd been around for several minutes already, uselessly trying to hide.

She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.

"Why are you here?"

The two sisters walked out from behind the pile of rubble they'd been hiding behind.

"Touma wishes to inquire about Onee-sama's well-being, Touma explains in a civil voice without revealing any sign of concern for Onee-sama's mental state."

Mikoto glanced at them from the corner of her eye.

"This is stupid, MISAKA says while clicking her tongue in annoyance. Onee-sama, have you gone mental? MISAKA asks while referring to the knocked out teleporter that Onee-sama abandoned."

Mikoto smiled. "Are you here to stop me?"

"Analyzing the situation has led us to the conclusion that there is no way for us to stop Onee-sama, Touma states in a defeated manner."

Mikoto pulled a hand through her hair, amplifying the static into a burst of visible sparks. "Then I suggest you leave me alone."

"Onee-sama is displaying intimidating behavior, Touma proposes an attempt at negotiation." While one stood as expressionless as always, the other looked more annoyed.

"Is Onee-sama really going this far for the teleperv? MISAKA says while sighing heavily in disdain."

Mikoto couldn't help but grin. "Are you waiting for me to say something like 'this is all for Kuroko'?" Bluish sparks danced from her bangs. "Yeah, that's right. The only reason someone would go this far is for the sake of someone else, right?" A chuckle pressed on in the back of throat. "Sorry to ruin your hero image, but this is all just me and what I want." The charges from her body were growing more numerous, like snakes snapping for prey. "Why does it always have to be for someone else? Just leave me alone already!"

A crack of thunder rolled across the darkening sky. The sisters did not bat an eyelash.

"Serial numbers 10032, 13577 and 10039 are stationed at their posts. We are ready to begin suppressive measures, MISAKA announces, speculating on how to best give Onee-sama the wake-up kiss."

"Touma does not share 19090's enthusiasm but will not lose to 19090, Touma says while unable to resist the influence 19090 has on the network."

They strapped on their goggles while they spoke, and Mikoto's smile widened. "Are you going to stop me? Are you trying to be funny?"

"There has thus far been no attempt at humor, Touma assures Onee-sama after analyzing the past few sentences for jokes."

"We can always have fun later, Onee-sama! MISAKA gladly offers her body while swaying her hips in an attempt at distracting Onee-sama."

Mikoto's lips pulled back in a snarl. "Then what the hell are you doing!?" The sky rumbled again.

The sisters crouched like lionesses preparing to take down their prey. "We are here to help, Onee-sama! MISAKA charges in while feeling giddy." They leapt over Kuroko's unconscious body and Mikoto's bangs sparked in response. It was normally enough to stop any thugs in their tracks. However, the sisters didn't seem to care at all.

She fired a lightning strike, but they flung their hands out and deflected it to the side.

That really pissed her off. The electricity struck the ground and she raised her arms, sending black spirals of iron sand their way. Agility was their strong point however, and the sisters dodged sideways, splitting up to advance from either side. Mikoto grinded her teeth together and the lightning leaving her body grew in force, pieces of asphalt rising in the escalating magnetic force. They fired electric shocks back at her, which dispersed on her magnetic field.

"What do you think you're going to achieve!?" Mikoto roared at them, yet their emotionless goggles kept staring her down as the distance closed between them. "I'll crush you!"

"MISAKA is not afraid of Onee-sama, MISAKA states. MISAKA was trained for an opponent that would mercilessly kill and slaughter. Onee-sama is not like that."

"Preparing for close contact, Touma declares while stepping into Onee-sama's privacy zone."

Mikoto snapped. "Are you stupid!? You guys aren't even immune to electricity!" She unleashed her power, an electric explosion striking the ground all around her. There was no dodging. They might be able to parry some of it, but the firepower was too much for a Level 2 electromaster to withstand. Yet even when their clothes tattered and burned to a crisp, the sisters did not falter. One of them grabbed her arm while collapsing to her knees, and the other clung to her leg.

"We are not immune, MISAKA confirms the accuracy of Onee-sama's statement. However…"

"…neither is Onee-sama, Touma finishes while delivering the final strike."

Mikoto's eyes widened when she saw the stun gun hidden inside her hand. It was too late to react. The current entered her system and raced through her nerves, burning everything on its way to her head. Her vision was impaired and the power welled up inside her like molten lava.

"Uaaah!" She screamed and the lightning struck wildly from her head as the overloading voltage breached it open.

"Touma welcomes… martyrdom…"

"MISAKA gladly accepts Onee-sama's love whip, MISAKA groans while collapsing at Onee-sama's feet."

Mikoto grabbed her head with a hand and heaved for breath. It may have lasted for but a second, but the mental release was a huge energy drain, and this one came way too soon after the first one. Eyes wide and sparks still leaving her head in bursts, she stared at the sisters on the ground and her throat thickened.

"Damnit…" The knot in her chest vibrated. "Damnit! Just leave me alone! I can't fix anything like this! It's just getting even worse!" She bit down on her lip so harshly that a drop of blood leaked out. Her eyes stung, welling up with moisture. She closed them tightly and turned away from the sisters. Damnit… damnit… damnit!

She stumbled along the road, and then her neck started prickling. It made her stop, and her lips twisted in a sickly grin. "Heh." Laughter grew in her chest; it was painful. "What the hell is with this circus show?" She turned her head and eyed the motorcycle speeding up the road with a quivering gaze. The broken head of the lamppost nearest to her quivered and slowly rose from the ground. "Leave me alone…"

XXX

Misaki was no stranger to hate and disgust. Once they realized what her ability could do, most people shied away and avoided her like the plague. Even her loyal followers at Tokiwadai had to be coaxed slightly into staying around. To Misaki, it was just second nature, just like randomly bursting into sparks seemed to be Misaka-san's second nature. There was no difference between the two. Yet when faced with the choice of losing control of one's free will or being assaulted by lightning strikes, most people seemed to prefer the latter, no matter the difference in the actual risk to their health.

Misaki had long since passed the point of caring about the opinions of riff-raff. She had chosen her current puppet for more than one reason, and she hoped the choice would turn out to be the right one.

Konori Mii, whose body she had borrowed for now, owned a motorcycle. That was one reason for choosing her; fast travel through the city at a time like this was crucial. Misaki did not have to know how to drive to be able to do so. She merely tapped into Konori's knowledge and let instinct do the rest.

There were two passengers behind her, clearly violating any sensible traffic laws, but those hardly mattered at the moment.

Misaki was the first to see Misaka-san as they sped along the road. She also saw the metal object hovering in front of her and the crackling fist pulled back in preparation to punch. Misaki's reaction was immediate.

"RUN!" She yelled and turned the motorcycle sideways, slamming the breaks. The girls behind her yelped and tumbled off the bike, rolling over the asphalt. Misaki jumped off as well and tumbled over the road. A moment later the orange beam shot past them, engulfing the bike in a blinding light. The shockwave followed, as well as a thunderous roar. The beam ripped apart the road and the entire area shook. Misaki shielded her face, ducking behind the collapsed remains of a tree trunk while the blast tore past. Her clothes fluttered in the aftermath, an eerie silence following the deafening roar. Misaki waited for a few more seconds, and then peeked around the tree trunk.

The road was completely wasted, a crevice dug into the surface. There was no trace of the motorcycle. It was a lot worse than Misaka-san's typical railgun. Using bigger ammunition obviously made it all the more destructive.

Is she really this delirious? Misaki glanced in the direction of Misaka-san; she was squatting down, holding her head. Feeling bad now, eh? Just realized you killed your precious friends? Misaki would have enjoyed the sight, but this kind of breakdown was not to be trifled with. She looked over at the other side of the road and saw the two girls meekly peeking out from behind a torn wall.

They looked fine, at least good enough to stare around them in shock. The Saten girl was cradling her arm; it looked like a bruise from here. Misaki concentrated her power to connect to their minds.

Are you two okay? They jolted, but quickly got the hang of it.

Um, we're fine… That was really shocking though! The flowery-headed girl looked nervous, and her friend grabbed hold of her shoulder, looking at Misaka-san's crouching form.

Is it safe to go near her?

Misaki did not know, but she wouldn't say that to them. I'll deal with Misaka-san; you two should find Shirai-san and see if she's okay.

XXX

Mikoto couldn't see the ground through the haze clouding her vision. Drops of water fell from her eyes to the ground, coloring it darker in flecks. She had no strength left to stay upright; her lips trembled, her head swirling and making her nauseous.

Destroy them… destroy the distractions… the mantra was becoming overwhelming. She ached with the desire to follow it, but her body was exhausted. I just need… a minute…

Someone was walking up to her, disturbing the attempt at collecting her head.

"Leave me alone." She didn't even turn around, sparks dancing from her bangs in warning.

The person stopped, but their gaze prickled on her skin and a flutter of annoyance stirred in her chest.

"You didn't kill them, you know?" The voice was familiar, but Mikoto didn't care who it was. Anyone stupid enough to be here at this moment could blame themselves for whatever happened.

I know they're alive. But… "I still fired at them."

The person shifted their weight. "That's true. Aaah, I guess your conscience is really killing you right now, huh, Misaka-san?" She leaned down towards her, and Mikoto's fingers twitched. "I can't read your mind but you're being awfully obvious here. Do you really love Shirai-san that much?"

Her gaze quivered and Mikoto clenched her jaw. "I hate her."

"My, that is a rather strong statement." She sighed. "Don't you think you're being dishonest with yourself here?"

Mikoto didn't answer, and she squatted down and leaned closer, whispering into her ear. "You're crying."

"Huh?" Mikoto blinked, realizing the drops of water running down her cheeks were in fact tears.

"Would you cry for someone you hate, I wonder?" Lips smirked against her ear, the motion slithering into Mikoto's mind as disturbing signals. "You didn't cry when you robbed me of my voice."

Mikoto was trembling all over. Something stirred inside her, something she'd rather keep bottled up. "Shut up…"

"Am I not reaching you? Or," a hand cupped Mikoto's chin and a smooth tongue licked away a tear on her cheek, "are you still furious with me?"

Fire unleashed in her chest and Mikoto pulled out of the grip, standing up. Her glare landed on someone she had not expected to see, and for a moment she faltered in bewilderment. "Konori-senpai?"

Konori-senpai smiled up at her. "That's a nice expression. I wish you would have worn that back in our dorm room~" She stood up as well, and Mikoto stared at her with wide eyes.

"What - what's going on? Konori-senpai… no." There was something wrong. Konori-senpai wouldn't be here.

The person in front of her looked just like her however. "What are you hoping to achieve? Are you perhaps just trying to test the rumor about a Level 5 being able to withstand the force of the military single-handedly?"

"Get the hell away from me!" Mikoto channeled her fury into her ability and it grew violently in her veins. All the waves and disturbances were infiltrating her vision and clouding her head. "Stop hiding behind other people and leave me alone! Why did you have to involve everyone!?"

"I might not be able to read your mind, Misaka-san, but that doesn't mean I can't find out what you've been doing... or who you've been doing~" Her smirk was infuriating. "Don't you think they deserve a little closure as well, after you had your way with them?"

Her words struck Mikoto in the chest and she jolted. "It's none of your business!" Her fists sparkled and the fire spread throughout her torso. "I'll do whatever it takes to fix this!"

"Such nobility. However I'd say you're on the wrong track, Misaka-san. Since when has senseless destruction solved any of your problems?" The implication of her words was so heavy, and the memories it awoke so painful.

"Shut the hell up!" Sparks leapt from her body in furious bursts. "I'll remove you and any obstacles trying to stop me! I won't let anything get in the way! If you won't get out of here, I'll force you! I don't care if you're using Konori-senpai or anyone else - I'll crush you!" She had no idea what she wanted to do. She didn't want to hurt Konori-senpai, but her head was so heavy, and that smirk so annoying—

"Are you sure about this, Misaka-san?" The smirk belonged to Shokuhou, even though the face belonged to Konori-senpai. "Are you not going to stop even now?"

Mikoto grabbed Konori-senpai's head in her hands and hardly registered the grimace of pain on her face.

"Get out of Konori-senpai."

"Heh~ Are you going to fry me out of here? Who, in the end, will end up doing damage to her in that case? You know I can leave her without any scratches at all, unlike you."

Mikoto gritted her teeth. "I - I won't let you do whatever you want with her!"

She poured her power into her hands and those smirking lips parted in a scream. Konori-senpai's eyes rolled up and she went limp. Mikoto lowered her to the ground and stared at her, heaving for breath. Trying to comprehend what she was doing. Where she was going. It was still so hard to think.

She pressed her hands into her face. All the signals, she had to get rid of the signals. Konori-senpai's heart was still beating, her brain still issuing commands to the body; to breathe, to live. It was too much, too intrusive— No, I just saved her, I'm not going to… what is wrong with me? Even Konori-senpai… Her eyes stung again, Konori-senpai's sleeping expression growing blurry. I'm so sorry…

A powerful throb shot through her body. At first she tensed up, and then she slowly turned her head. The onslaught of signals washed over her, both familiar and terrifying. No way…

XXX

There was a black nothing, a comfortable silence without worry or pain or anything. It was comfortable, but it was being disturbed. Someone was calling out for her, and her reality shook. Kuroko clenched her eyes tighter together, but after a while it became impossible to ignore the voices and the shaking, not to mention the hard surface her head was resting on.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she squinted against the light.

"Shirai-san!" Uiharu was calling her name, and her worried face came into view above her. Kuroko blinked.

"Uiharu…?"

"Are you alright, Shirai-san?" Saten-san appeared above her as well, looking worried.

"What are you… doing here?" Kuroko croaked, head swirling still.

"Shokuhou-san drove us here on Konori-senpai's motorcycle." Saten-san said. "Are you okay?"

Kuroko grimaced and attempted to move; with their help she managed to get in an upright position. "How is Onee-sama…?"

"Err…" Saten-san diverted her gaze. "She's probably not in perfect condition right now."

Kuroko looked over in the direction she was looking, and her heart sank. Shokuhou was facing Onee-sama, but it looked wholly one-sided. Onee-sama was yelling, electricity dancing around her.

"Onee-sama…" Kuroko collected her strength and tried to stand up; Uiharu and Saten-san grabbed her arms and helped her up.

"What should we do, Shirai-san?"

"Misaka-san looks furious…" Uiharu sounded frightened.

Kuroko gritted her teeth. Onee-sama was still delirious, but she also looked desperate now. Her fists crackled with electricity and her shouts were increasing in volume. This has to stop. Kuroko clenched her eyes shut and just heard Konori-senpai's scream.

She didn't want to look, but her eyes opened in squints just in time to see Konori-senpai collapse on the ground. Onee-sama stared down at her, and the electric currents died off. It looked like she shut down, eyes going downcast.

Looks like my puppet was knocked out. Did you use the last resort, Shirai-san? Shokuhou's voice was in her mind, and Kuroko's heart skipped a beat. If not, this is probably the right moment~

The bottle; Kuroko had forgotten all about it. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at it properly. "TMN?"

"She gave you an aphrodisiac?" Uiharu's eyes were wide. "But that's—!"

It's the second edition, so it won't have any lasting side effects. It's quite intriguing though; the higher level esper you are, the greater the effect. Can you imagine?

Kuroko's fingers clenched around the bottle. Her determination flared. She popped open the bottle and drew in the scent inside in a long drag of air.

"Shirai-san!?"

"We'll pull Onee-sama out of this." Kuroko said, handing the bottle to Saten-san. "Will you help me out?" Her body was already throbbing, blood rushing to her face.

"Are you okay?" Saten-san stared at her.

"Just – just aroused." Kuroko gasped, heat filling her head and limbs in terrifying amounts.

"It's that effective!?" Saten-san's eyes widened, and she eyed the bottle. Then her expression set. She took a whiff of the bottle as well, and then handed it to Uiharu.

She clumsily accepted it, looking terrified. "Wait, what are we—?"

"We're powering up!" Saten-san declared, her voice barely penetrating the pounding blood in Kuroko's ears. She looked at Onee-sama and saw that she had noticed them; the effect of the aphrodisiac must have been even more profound than Kuroko herself could tell. Seeing Onee-sama's disbelief, her lust roared. "Onee-sama…"

XXX

Mikoto stared in horror as her former roommate started walking towards her. Her body radiated power and Mikoto unconsciously took a step backwards. Her hands trembled and she clenched them, setting her jaw.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!"

"I am going to fix you, Onee-sama." Kuroko's lips twitched into a smile, and terror tore through Mikoto's throat.

"Stay away!" She backed off, but Kuroko appeared right in front of her.

"I will not back down." She grabbed Mikoto's collar and Mikoto hit the ground on her back, staring right up into the dark clouds above. Kuroko's weight settled on her hips; her body radiated lust on a level Mikoto had felt before. Mikoto's eyes welled up and she clenched them shut.

"I'll shock you, Kuroko!"

"Go ahead. Let us not dawdle, Onee-sama. I will make sure you are satisfied as many times as it takes for this to pass."

Mikoto's breath hitched when Kuroko's hands touched her stomach and her threat died under the commanding presence above her.

"We'll be here too, Misaka-san." On either side of her, Uiharu-san and Saten-san appeared, heat and determination defining their expressions. Mikoto's skin prickled under their gazes and she grabbed Kuroko's wrists.

"Wait, stop—"

Kuroko seemed to grow above her; her wrists were throbbing. "Why, Onee-sama, have you forgotten? There's no way we can stop now."

Her eyes spilled over and tears flowed down Mikoto's skin towards the ground. "Eh?"

Kuroko leaned down and kissed the corner of her eye. "Don't cry, Onee-sama. Everything will be alright."

Somehow, those words only made more tears spill out. Kuroko licked them up and started rocking back and forth above her, hips grinding together. Mikoto groaned and Kuroko deftly moved downwards, catching the sound with her lips.

"Mm?" Mikoto was shocked, and even more so when Saten-san knelt beside her and a wet tongue touched her ear. On the other side, Uiharu was holding her hand, gently stroking her knuckles.

Mikoto had no strength left. Kuroko was gently sucking on her lips and Saten-san's tongue was exploring her ear, her throat letting out small moaning sounds that slid right into Mikoto's brain. Uiharu was blushing while raising Mikoto's fingers to her mouth and sucking at them one by one. Mikoto squirmed under their care, but she was trapped.

"Don't – don't—"

"Mikoto." Kuroko purred against her lips and Mikoto froze. Kuroko glanced up at her, eyes intense, and Mikoto swallowed.

"I don't want… to hurt you…" Mikoto tried to explain while her eyes glossed over as Saten-san kept licking her earlobe. Uiharu was now stroking her arm up and down, creating goose bumps on her skin. Kuroko slid her hands up to Mikoto's chest and teleported away the bra. Mikoto shuddered at the sudden coldness, yet it was impossible to focus with all the stimuli.

"Leave this to us, Mikoto." Kuroko murmured. She moved her head down and started suckling one of Mikoto's nipples.

"Agh—" Mikoto groaned at the ticklish sensation and strained underneath her captors. "I'm sorry, Kuroko… Uiharu-san, Saten-san… I'm really sorry!"

"You don't have to apologize, Misaka-san." Saten-san's breath caressed her wet ear and sent a shiver across Mikoto's scalp. Her face flushed and she closed her eyes as the trembling spread to the rest of her body thanks to Kuroko's administrations with her breasts and Uiharu's gentle stroking and sucking on her fingers.

"We quite enjoyed it, you know?" Saten-san grinned against her ear and stuck her tongue in again, and Mikoto couldn't help the small moan pressing out of her throat. More tears trickled down her face, and this time Uiharu was the one who leaned in and caught them with her lips.

"Misaka-san, you really are wonderful. Please… let us help you too." She stroked Mikoto's elbow in slow circles. Mikoto groaned and stretched her body as their voices and actions continued to tickle her nerves. Kuroko was massaging one breast and sucking the other, occasionally nibbling the nipple with her teeth. Mikoto clenched her jaw and turned her head sideways, breaking off Saten-san's licking.

"Stop it… I can't think…"

"Isn't that the point?" Saten-san grinned and entwined her fingers into Mikoto's hair, stroking her head in lazy circles. Mikoto clenched her eyes shut and breathed shallowly. Their heart beats were escalating, and she could tell Kuroko was becoming more and more aroused. It filled her as well, a flush spreading on her face despite her protests.

"Just let us think for you right now." Uiharu-san said, stroking a thumb across Mikoto's lips. "You need to let us help you… okay?" Blushing profoundly, she leaned down and placed a small kiss on Mikoto's lips. Her excitement was tangible and the heat from her body was overwhelming. She kept playing with Mikoto's fingers and the tickling made it so hard to focus.

"Stop it…" Mikoto was breathless, protesting more out of instinct than real opposition.

"I don't think that's an option." Saten-san said. "I'm getting all hot just by looking at you and Shirai-san." She made circles on Mikoto's temple.

Mikoto grimaced, sensing the accumulating pleasure in the girls around her, and Kuroko's determination that rose as her strength kept building. The more Mikoto groaned and squirmed, the more Kuroko grew above her. Mikoto strained against it, but there was no stopping. Their touches, strokes, licks and kisses only added more and more fuel to the inferno burning in her body. Mikoto craned her neck; her nipples were stiff and Kuroko's tongue and light moans were turning her on like nothing else. It didn't help that Saten-san was stroking her head and Uiharu was sucking on her throat. Sparks danced in her bangs and she groaned in indignation and pleasure both.

"She's starting to feel it, huh?"

"She's incredibly flushed."

"Onee-sama, are you ready?" Kuroko let up her breast fondling to look at her, but Mikoto was far too aroused to give a sensible answer. Kuroko slid her hands downwards, skirt and shorts disappearing in an instant. Her fingers touched Mikoto's throbbing clit through the fabric of her panties and she gasped sharply. Kuroko started making circles and Mikoto hissed, sparks dancing from her head. Saten-san drew a sharp breath, but there was no way Mikoto could administer enough control to lead the charges away from her fingers.

"Give it to us, Onee-sama." Kuroko sounded euphoric, and Mikoto realized there were charges of electricity running up her arms. Yet she had no power left to control them, and could only watch helplessly as her ability fed the arousal of the girls around her.

The onslaught of feelings was too much. With every second, Kuroko grew more excited, more charged and determined, and Mikoto couldn't help but grow with her. Added with the touches, licks and massaging of her chest now administered by Saten-san and Uiharu-san, it was all she could do to stay sane.

"It's not – ah – long until—please!" She moaned and Kuroko grinned, a terrifying grin that spoke of lust and confidence.

"I'm ready for you, Mikoto." She seemed so in control, so powerful, and Mikoto wanted nothing more than to give herself up and resign from everything. But that was wrong.

"You'll – get – hurt!" She stared upwards, tears clouding her eyes again. Her limbs wouldn't listen and her throat was thick and throbbing, yet she couldn't help the moans slipping out every time one of them did something to her body.

"Then I'll hurt you first, and we'll be even, no?" Kuroko slipped her fingers underneath Mikoto's panties and Mikoto gasped sharply as a finger slid into her opening.

"F—"

"Yes, I'll fuck you properly, Onee-sama." Kuroko leaned down and licked her navel, and Mikoto groaned and tensed. Kuroko's finger slid up and down inside her. Pain clouded her mind, but it was also good, incredibly good.

"Damn – pervert!" She complained and writhed under their hands, but Uiharu and Saten-san held her in place, halting any attempt at escape. The sky above them rumbled and flashes of light shot across the clouds.

"Just let it reach its peak, Misaka-san." Saten-san was holding her arm, stroking it with her thumb, and kissed away another tear from the corner of her eye.

Mikoto squirmed again, clenching her teeth. "Leave me alone!"

"No can do, Misaka-san. You are irresistible, after all." Grinning, Saten-san pinched her nipple and Mikoto's back bucked. Her fingers dug into the asphalt, nails scraping against the rough surface.

"How much does it take, Mikoto?" Kuroko licked her lips and a streak of pain shot up into Mikoto's head as she inserted another finger. "You're so wet and salty down here."

"Don't say that, moron!" The blush rose to her ears, and her mind was assaulted by the different signals from their bodies. She was so aroused she didn't know what to do with herself, and it just kept accumulating. Sparks danced from her bangs and the sky rumbled again. She groaned and craned her neck as white spots danced in front of her eyes, Kuroko's skilled fingers sending her closer and closer to the edge.

She picked up voices in the back of her mind and through a fog of pleasure saw the two sisters pulling the unconscious Konori-senpai away. There were other sisters as well, on the roofs on the remaining buildings around them. Struck by a sense of relief, Mikoto closed her eyes and allowed herself to get lost in the growing tension of her body. Someone was licking her ear again; someone was trailing patterns around her navel; someone's tongue played with her nipple. Her fingers scraped against the ground and her hips rose as Kuroko's fingers moved up and down, their heartbeats gathering in her mind like fuel. It grew and grew until there was no more room, and she strained all over as the trembling intensified.

The rupture in her body was beyond euphoric. She yelled and shook all over. The world exploded around them; blinding streaks of lightning crashing into the ground, deafening thunder shaking them to their cores. Her power leaped wildly and she could feel the others reach their climax as well; Kuroko groaning above her, and Uiharu and Saten-san gasping heavily. The white light of pleasure blinded her and her body strained in their embrace, but she didn't try to escape now.

The incredible release faded at last, and Mikoto heaved for breath. When she opened her eyes, she was completely drained; sweaty and limp. The others were gasping as well, red marks on their skin here and there; her stomach lurched and she pressed her hands into her face.

"I did it again…"

Fingers grasped her hands and pulled them away. Saten-san and Uiharu-san's smiling faces gazed down at her.

"That was amazing, Misaka-san."

Uiharu was still blushing. "I've never felt like that before—!"

Mikoto stared up at the dissipating clouds, all strength drained out of her. Soon, Kuroko appeared above her, leaning down to kiss her mouth.

"I love you, Onee-sama." Her weight on top of her was reassuring, and Mikoto raised her arms and embraced her, drawing in her smell and fighting back a sob.

"Thanks, Kuroko."

Kuroko smiled, and then her eyes drooped. "I'm glad to be of help… to Onee-sama…" Her eyelids closed and her head rested on Mikoto's collarbone.

"Shirai-san!" Uiharu-san squealed.

"She fainted again? I guess we better call an ambulance or something." Saten-san looked distressed.

"It has already been taken care of, Touma reports now that Onee-sama's electro-magnetic interference has been lifted from the area."

"Uwah!? M-Misaka-san!?" Uiharu stared up at the sister, but Mikoto merely smiled.

"Thank you… for helping out."

"It was our duty, Touma says while swelling with pride at the praise. We managed to keep the barrage from doing any lethal damage, Touma assures Onee-sama." The sister glanced at Uiharu's stricken expression. "Nice to meet you, Touma greets the flowerbush. I am Touma, Onee-sama's clone, Touma introduces herself."

"C-clone!?" Uiharu looked shocked, and Mikoto laughed. Saten-san grinned as well, scratching her cheek. "M-Misaka-san, Saten-san? What's going on here?" Uiharu stared at them in distress.

"She's kind of silly, but really okay." Saten-san said. "I met her outside the arcade with Misaka-san."

"That is an incorrect statement, Touma corrects long-hair. You met MISAKA 19090 outside the arcade. You did not meet this Touma until you dragged Onee-sama into the cosplay store."

"There's more than one!? This I gotta see! Uiharu, come!"

She stood up and grabbed a bewildered Uiharu's arm, dragging her off. The sister followed them after a second, tossing a glance back at Mikoto and Kuroko.

Mikoto stroked Kuroko's hair and smiled softly. Lifting her head from the ground, she nuzzled Kuroko's forehead.

"I'm sorry, Kuroko. I'll make it up to you somehow, I promise." The only answer she got was a heavy breath from Kuroko. "I've treated you really badly, even though…" her voice dwindled and she pulled Kuroko into a tighter embrace, burying her face into the teleporter's neck. "…even though you're so important to me."

Perhaps this was the start of something more, but right at this moment, Mikoto was content with staying just like this – with the person she cared for tightly secured in her arms.

XXX

Inside a dim dorm room a girl sat on one of the beds, lips pulled back in a smirk. Seems like you'll be getting your happy ending despite it all, Misaka-san.

Misaki uncrossed her legs and stood up, walking over to the window and snaking her fingers around the edge of the curtains. I even went as far as using your senpai to help you come to your senses. She pulled the curtains apart and the sunlight cascaded in, casting shadows in the corners of the room.

She stared at the sky and her smirk quirked up into a grin. Starstruck eyes crinkled with scalding glee.

I still haven't paid you back for stealing my voice~

---

Note:

It's been a rough ride to get to this point! So much smut, feelings and confusion!

There are still tons of ideas left to explore, but as of now, I declare this arc for over and done with. Where will this abomination of a story bring our girls next? What kind of plot will spring forth for the next scenes waiting for exploration? If you stick around you might find out.

Huge thank-you's to the extremist beta readers GreatSnapper and Digeridoodler for going through this in detail and thanks to TPK as well for providing beta-reading.

Leave me your thoughts if you have any! (I sure hope you do!)

Thanks for now!