* This may contain references to the Webcomic/Manga. Proceed with caution.
* Will contain definite signs of OOC. But it was needed.
* The next few chapters may take a little longer. Only so I can try to avoid compiling two or even three episodes into one chapter.
* There may be a third – hopefully short – filler after this, but I am not sure.
* This story is meant to be fun, so the lack of details in action or the ease of which they slide into informalities or giving names when few others have the honor is deliberate.
* Fairly long AU at the end.
"You brought me here to talk about some B-Class?" The heroine snapped; bright, green eyes narrowed and piercing as she studied the man in front of her. "Why do you want to talk about Saitama?" Amai Mask asked at the same time, yellow-gold eyes torn away from his phone. The esper waved away the oddity of the fellow hero's words as she let her power pulse, lifting her into the air. "What's so vital about some low-ranking newbie, that you dare waste my time?" She ranted; coming closer to the nervous, sweating worker with every word. "He's not important." She continued, not allowing Sitch to speak.
The petite hero opened her mouth, ready to keep talking over the shaking man but another voice cut her off. "Saitama is too, important." Amai Mask snapped at the her, mouth set in an angry frown as he stood on his feet, the simplicity of his words were almost childish. The surprising actions of the A-Class made the woman freeze, some of her anger sapping away as her mind puzzled over the reaction. "What makes you say that?" She finally asked, forcing her words to remain steady and calm; eyebrows furrowed as she looked over the male. She would be hard-pressed to admit to anyone that she was becoming a little curious.
The only times that the A-Class had gotten riled up like he just was, were in moments that he felt the Hero Association or the heroes themselves weren't representing justice the way he thought it should've been. The fact that the younger male felt so strongly about this random hero was bizarre. The two contending personalities caused the heroes to fall silent. Both were broken out of their intense perusal by a stammering voice behind them. "M-Miss Tornado," Sitch started, hand shaking as he used a handkerchief to dab at the sweat coating his forehead.
"Mr. Saitama had shattered every physical record previously held in the Hero Association." The nervous man said, holding out a file towards her. The hero, Tornado of Terror let an eyebrow lift as she took the offered documents. Minutes were spent fraught in strained silence. Finally, she sniffed in disdain and threw the portfolio onto the desk. "That isn't important enough to need my presence." She said; being sure to keep her voice steady and filled with contempt.
Despite her unpleasant words, the woman's mind was racing at the knowledge it had just received. She was very shocked; and she couldn't believe it at first. But after reading the file for herself, some part of her was forced to accept this fact. That seemingly insignificant man had shattered records long-held by her fellow S-Class heroes; Tank-Top Master, Superalloy Darkshine, and Puri Puri Prisoner. They were three of the physically strongest heroes in the entire association.
The heroine didn't know which was more unnerving, the fact that the records were all broken by one man; or that this man had gone unnoticed by the Association for so long. They were supposed to be looking for this kind of thing. The woman was forced out of her silent musings by Amai Mask's words. "I was going to visit him later today." The handsome hero was saying to the Minister. "He's agreed to let me stop by after this meeting." The man waved his phone as he spoke.
"You're going to use this opportunity to ask of what he's done before he became aware of the Hero Association, aren't you?" Sitch assumed, his voice light and happy at the idea. But the female hero could see that that wasn't what the man had meant. His hesitation had gone unnoticed by the figurehead, but she could see right through it. "May I accompany you?" Tornado of Terror asked; bright green eyes meeting yellow-gold once more. She watched Amai Mask narrow his eyes, he knew that she had seen through his ruse.
The moment had passed quickly; the look of disdain wiping away from the man's face. A wide, pleased smile took its place as he clapped his hands once. "Of course, that's a great idea." The model said; surprising the minister between the powerhouse figures. "Shall we get going?" He continued, turning around and walking towards the door as the grey-haired man spluttered. "Thank you for your time Minister." The heroine said; voice sweet and alluring as she inclined her head respectfully.
The woman flew after the A-Class hero quickly; leaving the civilian to fall into his chair with a wheeze. "I'm going to regret this." The man groaned into the empty room; voice muffled and low as he held his face in his hands.
"What is your real reason to visit this man?" Tornado of Terror asked her fellow hero. Her voice was steady, but held just a hint of curiosity in it. After leaving the Minister of Justice in a daze, the pair had taken the model's car and had driven to City-Z. The silence in the car had been tense and heated with a bit of hatred. Neither hero really got along with the other; but unlike lower or weaker heroes, they managed some civility.
The woman could see the man's hands clench against the steering wheel; eyes staring out the window and unwavering from the road. A minute had passed before the man decided to answer. "He's my friend." The man said, a small smirk rising as the woman froze. The simplicity and honesty of his answer had surprised the heroine. Her small mouth had popped open for a moment; but she had schooled her expression into one of indifference.
"How did that happen?" She asked, interest leaking into her tone even as her face showed none of the emotion. Amai Mask sighed to himself before he started to speak. The majority of the drive had been spent explaining of the man's different masks; the one he showed the public, the one that hid his ruthlessness and even the one that Saitama had brought out of him. The heroine could only listen in silence as the man spoke, words tumbling from his lips; it even seemed like a weight was lifting from his chest. The woman was broken from her scrutiny when the man directed a question to her.
"Why did you want to come along?" He asked; his tone didn't hold any accusations; just curiosity like her own had. The man's expression didn't show any outwardly sign of embarrassment or regret. Instead there was a new light in his eyes. She started speaking before she had even realized it; compelled to be honest like he was. "He broke every record." She stated, not letting her eyes meet the questioning gaze she felt directed at her.
"I've seen reports of his deeds in the news and in the papers." She continued, voice quiet as she looked out the window. "People talk trash about him for everything's he's done so far. But he doesn't react to it. It's like it doesn't affect him." Her words came out softly now; barely discernible above even the quiet engine. "He seems humble and like a good person." The heroine could hear the words she spoke; but some part of her, detached from the rest found it difficult to believe what she said. "He has all of this power, yet he doesn't boast about it." She continued, only half aware of mixing, confused emotions inside of her. "He's even gotten you to change." Her words came out on a laugh, her small hand gesturing to the male next to her.
"It doesn't seem real. I want to see what he's like." She finally finished, her words falling into silence. They seemed to echo as a weight settled over the pair. Neither spoke again for the rest of the trip, or as they climbed out of the car. The heroine was so lost in her thoughts that she never even realized where they had stopped. She wasn't aware that she had subconsciously followed the actor.
The man knocked on the door, the only sound managing to break the tranquility that had washed over the heroes. Tornado of Terror floating behind him; eyebrows furrowed as she took in her surroundings. The door swung open, making her focus on the man who stood in the frame. In spite of the reports she had seen of him, and the pictures put into the paper; the person she saw was still not who she had expected. It was the same man, same lackadaisical look on his face, the same egg-like shape to his head.
But it was different too. Now that she was in front of him; it was like she couldn't breath for a moment. The energy emanating from his very being seemed to weigh her down. Her head swam with the sudden influx of power she felt. Her vision was hazy and the words exchanged between them was muffled.
"You okay?" Saitama asked, stepping closer to the small woman. Brown eyes focused and filled with worry as he looked over her petite frame. She was pale and her eyes were unfocused. The only thing that had kept her upright was the green bubble surrounding her body. It seemed to move with her will; the tint lightening from the shade it was a moment before.
The heroine could feel herself sway for a moment; vision dulling as her head pounded, the last thing she had seen were shining brown eyes before she fell unconscious. Saitama reacted without a thought, he took a step forward; arms blurring as they caught the woman as the energy around her dissipated. Once he had her cradled in his arms; Saitama turned back into his apartment, kicking the door shut quietly behind him. "Jun, do you know what happened?" He asked the model as he stepped into the small space. Out of the corner of his eye, the hero shook his head; confusion the only emotion that could be read from his face.
The man sighed to himself before turning to the other two bodies in his tiny apartment. "Genos, Sei, how about you guys?" The cyborg and child genius shook their heads in sync; yellow and hazel eyes wide with shock. The bald hero groaned in frustration, pressing his hand into his face for a moment. Saitama turned away from his guests, laying the woman down on the hastily made futon before he turned to them again. "Can any of you tell me who she is?" The frustrated man asked the room.
Genos and Jun spoke up at the same time. "She's the S-Class Hero; rank two, Tornado of Terror." Both said; Genos ending his sentence with 'Sensei' and Jun with 'Saitama.' The man opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Child Emperor. "I could only guess…" the young hero started; face oddly lit up by the screen in front of him; words slightly jumbled by the lollipop he held between his teeth. "But it looks like she had been overwhelmed." The boy looked to Saitama for a moment before looking back to his screen.
"We can contact her sister; and see if she'll know?" Sei asked. Saitama looked over to the woman on the futon before nodding his head. "Call her." He said, hand rubbing his bald head before he turned into the kitchen. Amai Mask had called the other woman and spoke in a low voice for a few minutes. "She'll be here in an hour." The man informed Saitama, accepting the tea his friend had handed to him.
"Good." Saitama nodded, his expression was between his normal, indifferent one and the serious one he had worn when the heroine had passed out. "What was the meeting about?" He asked, turning to the A-Class hero. Amai Mask had told him that he had been called to a conference; but hadn't been able to specify at the time. The man could feel tense muscles relax as he listened and drank the tea in his hands. He had been more affected by the unexpected appearance of the woman and her sudden lack of consciousness than he had felt earlier.
After the shock of seeing her limp body, each of them had eased into conversation again. None of them pointing out to the other when one would glance over at the heroine. Time seemed to inch along, but the conversation paused again as a knock broke through the apartment. "I'll get it, Sensei." Genos said, moving towards the door before Saitama. The man waved and took a long drink of the now cold tea.
"Is my sister okay?" A cool, feminine voice swept into the apartment; followed by a robust woman wearing a dark green ankle-length dress; a white fur coat draped over her shoulders and high heeled boots. Saitama noticed that the dress matched the shade of her bob-cut hair. Her eyes were the same shade as her sister's – as brief as the sight had been – but the similarities between them ended there. This woman had a curvaceous figure and she seemed to hold herself in high-esteem. But Saitama could sense, under all of that; the inferiority she felt when she looked to her sibling.
The other woman had a petite yet feminine figure, the dress showing off her thighs and a bit of her hips, and her breasts were small. Her hair was light green and extremely curly. Unlike her sister; the woman felt superior. "How did this happen?" The woman's voice asked; breaking Saitama from his observations. "I opened the door to let them in." He started; not entirely aware that he had started speaking.
"But before I knew it, she had passed out." Saitama finished, the explanation sounded lame, even to his ears; but he didn't know what else to say. It had all happened suddenly. The woman eyed him with scrutiny before she stepped closer; only Saitama's keen perception caught the surprise that flickered across her features as she saw the people in the apartment. "She'll be okay…" The lady said, after checking over the other woman for a few minutes. Saitama could hear that her sentence had been unfinished, but she didn't elaborate; so, he didn't press.
"Who are you?" The woman asked, directing the question to the bald man. Her green gaze was steady and unwavering. It took a few minutes; but she could see why her sister had been overwhelmed. The power rolling from this man was so far, immeasurable. "I'm Saitama." He introduced himself, brown eyes meeting her green before he asked, "Who are you?" The woman could feel her eyes widen in surprise, but she stifled the shock she felt.
"I'm Blizzard of Hell; B-Class, Rank one." Her tone was haughty as she introduced herself. But the attitude was more out of habit than meaning. While the man seemed unimportant and like he would be easily-manipulated; any thought of her attempts had gone out the door as soon as she had seen the company he kept. While expected, it was still surprising to see the ease with which he and the new S-Class hero; Demon Cyborg had interacted with. She could see it in the way the A-Class Rank one hero had talked to the bald man, she noted the close proximity the S-Class child genius kept with the older hero; how content both were in each other's presence.
An unfamiliar feeling planted itself in her stomach as she watched the others. A wave of want washed through her; no matter what she told her older sister, the woman never got to experience what she was seeing now. Some of the subordinates tried, but there was always something separating them. The formality of being the leader and a lackey, or her sister herself; but something was always there. The heroine was broken from her depressing thoughts when a cup was pushed into her hands.
"Thanks for coming over." A flat, emotionless voice said; despite the suddenness of his appearance beside her, the woman merely blinked as she looked to him. "No problem." She said quietly. "Thank you for calling me." Her words sounded hollow and flat; insincere. It made her feel sick. The woman sank into her melancholy thoughts again.
"You can fix things you know." Saitama said, making her focus on him again. The woman's eyes shone with confusion; the question on the tip of her tongue. "Your relationship with her." He elaborated before she could ask; his voice low and quiet as he settled next to the woman. "It's too late." She whispered, shoulders slumping with her words. There was a defeated, sad look in the green orbs now.
"It's never too late." Saitama said, the surety in his voice making the woman's neck snap up. "You just have to try again." He finished; drinking the last of his tea as he looked throughout the room. "I never thought I'd have this." He said; eyes unfocused and voice indirect. But the woman knew he was speaking to her. Instead of commenting, the woman decided to listen; she could empathize with him at least.
"You can call me Fubuki." The robust heroine said suddenly; breaking a moment of quiet between the heroes. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Saitama smile slightly; it made her stomach twist. "It's a pretty name." Was all he said; head bowed slightly in understanding of the interchange. Before they could sink into companionable silence again; her sister stirred. Fubuki shifted so that she was kneeling beside the futon instead of leaning against it.
"What the fu – ahh." The petite heroine groaned; her sentence cut off as her head pulsed with pain. Small hands went up to cradle her aching head. Eyes squeezed shut tightly as she tried to block the sudden pain. Soft, cold hands pressed against the esper's temples; the instant – but much appreciated – chill allowed the woman to relax. A minute passed as the lady leaned into the offered comfort; her muscles unraveling from their strain as she did.
Only when the woman's piercing headache had dulled to a manageable level did she remember what had happened. Her eyes snapping open suddenly; the lady moaned in pain again. That was a bad idea. The heroine breathed deeply, head bowed to block the most of the light as her blood settled from its rush. "Are you okay?" A very familiar, feminine voice asked quietly.
"I'm fine, Fubuki." The older esper's voice came out soft and almost childlike. She wanted to know why her younger sister was here; but she was so tired. Eyes shut again; the heroine reached out blindly, insistent fingers tugging on the fabric she found. The sound of the material brushing against the soft futon she had sat on was comforting to her ears. "How did you know?" The woman asked; her speech was muffled and quiet as she pressed into her sister's body.
The elder was grateful for her sister; even though they had parted on terrible terms the last time they had seen each other, she was still willing to comfort the S-Class. "Amai Mask had called me." Fubuki answered; slim, painted fingers carding through green curly locks slowly. The B-Class was a little uncomfortable; but seeing her sister in a state of weakness and Saitama's words fresh in her mind had let the younger shelf their differences and her pettiness. Her sister only responded with a confused sound, low in her throat. Fubuki wanted to explain what she thought had happened; but she knew she couldn't use their telepathic link yet.
The link allowed for them to stay connected. It could be used for communicating; though not with words, but pictures. But it also allowed her older sister to know when the younger needed help. While she hated the spat they had often gotten into; detested how her elder just put down her efforts in becoming strong. A deep-seated part of her was happy that she had such an incredible sister; though she went about it in the wrong way, Fubuki knew that her sister loved her.
Maybe they could patch their relationship. Like Saitama had said they could. It would never be perfect; it would take a long time, but it was still possible. With this in mind; the younger spoke quietly to her sister, asking her what had happened and explaining her own part in it. Even explaining the words that the bald hero had said to her.
The esper didn't speak as her sister spoke. She simply listened. She was embarrassed about the impression she had made. But she was also happy for it. Because of the weak moment, her younger sister had gotten to meet the hero she had come all this way for.
Just hearing what he had said to her, warmed the man to the heroine. She still wanted to speak to the hero for herself; but after listening to Fubuki, hearing the tone she took when she spoke of what he said, she could understand – just a little – why Amai Mask held the man in such high regard. The esper could hear quiet murmuring on the other side of the room; multiple voices speaking as they conversed with each other. But the sisters were otherwise left in a bubble of their own; slowly reconciling the damage their bond had taken. She pressed her face against her sister's shoulder again; a small smile gracing her lips as Fubuki just talked to her.
The day had passed slowly after the woman woke up. The room dividing itself as Saitama and his friends gathered together. Brown eyes watched the sisters for a moment before turning to Jun. "I don't know what you said Saitama," the model spoke in hushed tones, glancing at the psychic sisters before going back to his bald friend. "but you worked your magic again." He continued, smiling at his friend as Sei and Genos both nodded in agreement.
"What magic?" Saitama asked, confusion lacing his tone in a rare show as his eyebrows furrowed. "You bring people together." Sei said; watching the older man for a moment before his eyes widened. "You don't realize?" He questioned before he could respond. "Sensei," Genos spoke up, breaking into the conversation. "unintentionally or not, you manage to get people to come to you." The cyborg took an almost unnecessary breath before continuing.
"Silver Fang, Zombieman, myself, Metal Knight –" The teen began to ramble before Saitama turned his confused gaze to the model. "You've managed to befriend a sizeable chunk of the S-Class. The first of Class-A through C, and you didn't mean to do it?" Amai Mask finished with wide yellow-gold eyes. Saitama shook his head again; mind turning as he thought over what Jun said. "No. I never meant to do that." He confirmed, mouth set in a firm line as he went over each point.
"You have a certain charisma about you." Sei spoke up, unwrapping a lollipop before he continued. "Your power and the unknown origins of your strength is attractive. But you have this approach that will get people to act in a way they normally wouldn't." The child genius gestured to the murmuring sisters in example. "Haven't you noticed that you've gained the honor of addressing each of us by name?" Jun said, drawing the bald hero's attention again. Saitama had realized, and he knew the significance of it. But he had never thought of it in the way they are bringing up now.
Saitama said as much, watching as the A-Class shook his head in a disbelieving manner, a small smile on his lips. "Just watch, you're gonna flip the Hero Association on its head." The hero laughed; the dazed feeling of this revelation ebbing away as Saitama's eyes widened comically. "I'm just a hero for fun though." He said, the words coming automatically from his tongue. "That's why we go along with you Sensei." Genos spoke up again; yellow eyes wide and an odd gleam in them as he recorded the data. "Like bees to honey." Sei summed up, nibbling on his lollipop.
The bald man shook his head; not in denial but in incredulity. The information was undeniable when pointed out in such a way. But it was still hard to wrap his mind around. Saitama had never meant to do that; it had never happened before. So why would it start now?
The hero was interrupted in his confused thoughts when Sei and Jun had said goodbye; Sei had cram school and Jun had a photoshoot he had to get to, so both were leaving early. Saitama waved goodbye half-heartedly as he processed the information placed in front of him. But he was interrupted again twenty minutes later by Fubuki and her sister. "We have to go Saitama," Fubuki started; a small, happy smile had changed her haughty appearance into one of content. "I have to take her home." She continued, gesturing towards her sister; the woman still looked pale, but flushed at the same time.
She wore the same pleased smile, the faint green energy enshrouding her made the woman seem unreal. "Thank you." She said, her tone sincere; her body bent in a slight bow. "I hope we can meet again under better circumstances." She said before straightening. "Sure." Saitama said easily; his head tilted as he watched the heroine. She seemed embarrassed now; small fingers fidgeting with her hair as she hesitated.
Saitama waited patiently, curiosity driving the man to want to listen to what she had to say. "Thank you for helping Fubuki and I." Her words were rushed, but none of the sincerity had left it. Saitama opened his mouth to respond, but she kept going before he could. "I'd like for you to call me Tatsumaki." The woman said, her tone was demanding but there was an underlying hint of hope and insecurity. Her words caused Saitama to sigh; the conversation the men had still in the forefront of his mind.
There must be some truth to what they said. He thought to himself. The man was honored by the offer, but it still seemed surreal. "Thank you, Tatsumaki." Saitama finally responded; the heat of her glare making the man shake away his thoughts. The change was instantaneous. A genuine, happy smile; wider than the one broke onto her face.
"I'll come visit in a few days." Tatsumaki called out to him, already pulling her sister out the door. Saitama opened his mouth again; ready to say something. But before he could they were gone; the door swishing closed and shutting with a firm but quiet click. The bald hero rubbed his face roughly; groaning as he fell laid back on the floor. I'm going to have to get a bigger place. The man thought to himself miserably; an odd mixture of happiness and discontent bubbling in his stomach.
I will never get to be alone again.
In City-G, inside of a small musty home. An old woman sat at her table, great pale eyes wide as she stared ahead. The woman wasn't blinking; her milky-grey eyes were unfocused. Wrinkled, frail hands shook as she wrote on a piece of paper. The penmanship was wobbly and nearly indiscernible.
As the woman wrote the last word; the pencil fell from stiff fingers; in the silence of her home, the woman's great coughing fit fell on deaf ears. Her lungs ached with the effort as she undid the wrapper of a cough drop. Hands shaking worse than before; the woman brought the cherry-flavored hard medicine to her lips. Spittle dripped from her open, chapped lips. The elderly woman was overcome with a second bout as the cough drop went into her mouth.
Faintly, she could feel the medicine lodge in her throat. Whatever remaining color in her eyes drained away as the woman expelled her last breath; the thin paper fluttering to the floor as her body tipped onto the table.
Days later; there was a faint knocking on the door. Two, orderly men stood on the molding porch of the home. "Lady Shibabawa," One man said, he was dressed in a crisp, pressed suit with a green tie; his brown hair styled professionally as noticeable silver-rimmed glasses framed his hazel eyes. "we've come to check up on you." The man tried to call again.
His knuckles were red and a little sore; but he didn't stop knocking. After three minutes of trying to call the elderly woman's attention. The man turned to his companion and coworker. "Let's go in, we need to check on her." His tone was serious and steady; not belaying the deep-pitted feeling in his stomach. The man nodded before he approached the door.
Five minutes of trying to open the solid, oak door – one last ram of his shoulder had done it – and the pair stepped into the stale house. The first thing they noticed was a terrible smell; stronger than any they've encountered when visiting before. The men exchanged wary glances before walking slowly into the house. Bile rose in their stomach as they followed the smell to its source. "We have to report this." The bearded man with messy black hair gasped; lips barely moving as he tried desperately not to get sick.
The man with glasses nodded silently in response, a light sheen of sweat covering his forehead as his stomach rolled; he had a green tinge to his cheeks. They turned to leave but before he could turn fully; a flash of white caught his eye. Deciding to investigate; the man took a shallow breath and held it. Approaching the deceased slowly but steadily. The man crouched as he peered at a sheet of paper.
His lungs ached with the lack of air; but the man didn't turn away. He felt this piece was important. He could feel his fellow's gaze upon his back, but the man pushed it away. Picking up the paper; the man turned it over in his fingers; eyes widened in horror as his mind registered the words. Glancing between the sheet and the renowned – now departed – woman he folded the paper, carefully pocketing it before turning back to his coworker.
The men walked away quickly; their gait now urgent as they vacated the house. Neither spoke as they traveled to City-A. The situation back in City-G now seemed dreamlike. But the weight the paper held in his pocket proved otherwise. Once they were at headquarters; they bypassed other workers, going straight to the Minister for Justice office.
"Sir." The bespectacled worker finally spoke; his eyes were steady and voice urgent as he explained the situation in City-G and the finding. Grey eyes were widened in horror as Sitch took the offered paper with trembling hands. Sweat beaded his upper lip as he read the shakily written note. The man's eyes swung back and forth over and over again; unblinking as he read the note once, twice until the words echoed in his mind. Sitch took a breath; the air shaky but calming.
"Call for an emergency S-Class meeting now." He said; eyes firm and lit with determination as he processed the given information and state they had found themselves thrown in. "Yes Sir." The workers said before walking out of the office and going to do their tasks. The man was left to his racing thoughts as he read over the note again; his shoulders shook as he practically poured himself into his chair.
"Lady Shibabawa," he thought to himself, words faint even in his own mind. "what did you see?"
Disclaimer: I do not own One Punch Man or its Characters. The Creator and Author do.
Author's note: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this. I really appreciate the kind reviews people have been leaving; and the help that I have received. Soo, this chapter goes to you guys.
I hadn't expected the chapter to go the way it did, but my mind went one way and the characters took it the other and ran with it.
I am hoping to wrap this story up soon, but I can't give an exact number. I don't know how far I'm gonna go in my attempt for AU. But, I am leading into the last three episodes of the anime.
Whether I put in fillers between them or something else; I don't know. I haven't figured that out yet. But I'm hoping it turns out well either way. So, in my mind; the span of this story follows the months of summer, so I thought they were leading into august. I'll check the dates later and see if they line up.
I did have some characters point out what Saitama is unconsciously doing, but it was gonna be brought to his attention eventually. I just hope I didn't mess that bit up.