Before we get started: You guys need to listen to the song "History in the Making" By Vo Willaims... IT, TOTALLY, SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THAT'S TALKING ABOUT IZUKU MIDORIYA! IT'S REALLY A BEAUTIFUL SONG!
If you guys make YouTube videos, use this song for BNHA and other Anime that matches this song!
Also, warning for a moment of hallucination moment. Don't know if there should be a warning, but I think it would be best to leave a warning.
The Next Day...
The sun slowly rose over the building... Standing in front of the building, the seven founders of the Night Flower Hero Agency stood out.
...They stared down at the fourteen year-old girl, who they'd taken under their wing for a week... Whom they welcomed and embrace, as their own.
...
...One of which, happens to be her granduncle, whom went AWOL during the Thunderstruck Incident and, to this very day, never been heard from.
Sierra, with her backpack strapped against her back and carrying her Hero Case in her right-hand, wearing her school uniform, stared up at the seven... Then, she lowered the top-half of herself and bowed to them.
"...Thank you," she whispered. "I was able to learn on what it takes to become an Underground Pro Hero. I, even, get the chance to tap into my Elemental Abilities and learn how to control them. -She raised herself up... Beaming up at them all.- And for that, I thank you all."
...
...
...Kimama, being the first to react, sprang up and wrapped her into a hug... Sniffling, rather than voicing out her displeasure of her leaving and wanting her to stay with them.
It was so strange to have the most talkative person of the agency, to not be talkative, at all.
...
...Especially, if this may be the last time they'll see and/or hear from each other.
Sierra let go of her case and wrapped her arms around the thirty-three year-old woman, patting her on the back.
"...Tell him..." The woman whispered, pulling away to look her in the eye, grabbing both her shoulders in her hands. "You need to tell him. About your desire to be Blood-Bonded Kins. To talk to him about the Blood Bond Ritual. You must talk to him, before it's too late."
She pulled away before the teenager could say anything.
Then, Natsumi came up and patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't push yourself, and tell that big softie that he'll be seeing some friends in the garden, for not watering my orchids and not telling me that I have brave, amazing god-niece and god-nephew." She lightly ordered, patting her on her right-shoulder, again, before pulling back to go comfort her Blood-Bonded Sister.
Nobu and Kenshin both came forward.
Both kneeled before her, and each grabbed for her hands into their own.
"You know where to go, if you wish to see us." Nobu said with his Quirk, resting his forehead on the back of her hand he held.
"We'll be sending you something to your home, so you'll know the mailing address if you wish to write to us." Kenshin added in, holding her right-hand in both of his.
In response, Sierra leaned down and laid a gentle kiss on both of their foreheads.
When they finished their goodbyes, Nava came up... Dragging a sniffling Batu by the hand.
She has her hood over her head, but Sierra can smell the scent of tears coming of her.
Batu was able to gain control over his emotions and give her a proud smile... Though, the tears continued to spill from his Ebony-eyes.
He coughed, cleared his throat and kneeled to be eye-level with the teenager... Resulting him to pull her into a bear-hug, laying his head against her chest to hear her, so far, normal heat rhythm.
"You are strong." He grunted out. "You're going to make it."
Nava laid a hand on his shoulder, giving him her silent comfort, before turning to the slightly suffocating girl.
"Promise us, that you'll hang in there. And, that you'll continue to keep up with your training." She requested, pulling Batu away from the girl and to his feet. "Adahy needs to pass down his legacy to the next greatest Underground Pro Hero, when he'll have to step down."
...
...
...The only one left to say his goodbye, is the leader of the Night Flower Hero Agency, himself.
...
...
...Her granduncle... Brother to the late Angarika... Ohanzee Arashi.
The Shadow Weaver Hero, with his cane-sword in hand, walked towards her.
...
...
...
...Then, letting two hidden kunais she kept within her sleeves slide into her grasp, twisted her body to the side... Blocking the cane-sword with her right, and pushing back at a shadow-vine that came from behind with her left.
The entire time, she kept her eyes completely on Night Thorn, who's now right in front of her, acting as if he wanted to kill her.
...
...
...Then, he chuckled... Sounding very much pleased of her actions.
Then, he pulled his weapon away from her, while the vine pulled away from her left.
Sierra kneeled to her case to put away the kunais, picking it back up in the process, then stood back up, looking up at the Shadow Weaver Hero.
...
...And, in unison, the two reached out and embraced each other.
A low rumble left Adahy's chest, the sleeve of his robe covering most of her small-form when he hunched over.
Sierra responded by imitating a purr, burying her face against his upper-stomach and lower-chest area... She even felt safe and secured when the shadows from Adahy's Quirk rose up, taking a shadowy-form of Night Thorn, himself, and embraced her from behind.
...Then, she felt some of the shadows seeping through the gap of her case.
Before she could ask, the shadows pulled away and went back as a normal shadow of their master.
He patted her on top of her head, and pulled away... Which, to her surprise, found herself at the train station.
"I leave you with a parting gift," he told her. "One piece of your costume had been altered, but you'll know why it must be changed. I'll, also, send another piece of equipment for you to wear, to go with your costume, to your school."
She was very curious as to know what he sent her and what changes he made to her costume, but is more than willing to wait and see when it's time for her to put on her hero suit, again.
She bowed to her granduncle.
"Aishen, Granduncle." She whispered.
He chuckled to her thanks, then used his right-hand to lift her head up by her chin.
"...Don't give up hope," he told her in a serious tone. "Do you understand me, White Wolf? This won't be the last time we'll see each other. Recovery Girl and her colleagues are going to find the antidote to the poison, and you're going to live for a very long time. So, until they find the cure, I'm given you this final order, until we see each other, again: Fight... And don't die."
Sierra stared into his blood-red/ruby eyes through the eye socket of the wolf-skull. He was dead serious to what he was telling her, and isn't going to let her refuse his final order as her guardian of her internship.
And while she knew neither of them can truly see if she'll make it out of this... She wasn't going to accept defeat, so soon.
Animals don't give up, so easily, even when they're at death's door or in a fight they knew they can't win... And, as an Animal Quirk User, she's going to fight this, with all her might.
She raised back to her full height... Then, with a smile, she nodded her head.
"Yes, Sir."
A Few Hours Later: A the Ueno Train Station...
"Is she here yet?"
Shōta groaned at his friend's question, being the fifteenth times he asked if her train came by or not.
"Not yet, Zashi." Nemuri sighed out, leaning her head back over the bench she, Hizashi and Shōta sat in. "Her train should be here in a few minutes."
The thirty year-old pouted from there news, rapidly thumping his right-foot against the ground.
Nemuri looked over to the Voice Hero, dressed in his casual clothes and out as a normal person, raising an eyebrow at his desire for the train to hurry up.
"Seriously, Zashi. You're getting too worked up about it. And Shō is the parent here, who's being more mellow and patient to having Ra Ra back than you are." The raven-haired woman stated, yawning from the waiting.
The thirty year-old looked over at their friend.
"Aren't you?!" He questioned, sounding anxious... Even, somewhat, scared. "Serious, Nemu-chan, how are you so relaxed, after what happened this week?! We had to deal with that devil of a woman, who tried to take Ra Ra from us! Then, a few days later, we hear that the Hero Killer was taken down by Night Thorn and four students...Which, no doubt, one of them has to be her, since she's been interning at his agency! And then, to top it all off, late at night on the fifth, we learn that Arsenius escaped Tartarus! The fucking Arsenius! The one who killed Shō's one true love! The mother of our amazing, strong baby girl! And, not only poisoned her, but almost took HER away from U-!"
Immediately, Shōta triggered his Quirk and prevented Hizashi from triggering his own Quirk.
Even when he's thirty, when he gets too emotional, especially sad and/or angry, he's prone to risk activating his Quirk and, unintentionally, hurt others.
His now glowing red-eyes stared at his friend, who appeared to appreciate him to keeping his Quirk from being let loose... But, didn't seem pleased that the thirty-one year-old father wasn't getting worked up like he was on the matter of the topic.
"Thanks, Bro. But, seriously?!" He replied, waving both his arms around. "How can you be so calm, at a time like this?! Aren't you in the least worried if that bastard comes after Sweetie?!"
Shōta let out a groan of a sigh.
"Of course I am," he answered. "Why else do you think I haven't gotten much sleep this past week? Even cuddling with Iris didn't help calm my nerves for me to fall asleep."
Hizashi gaped in horror from the news.
"NANI?! Even with S.I.C., you couldn't go to sleep?!"
Nemuri and Shōta gave him a deadpan look.
"Why do you still insist using that word?" The woman asked. "It's sound as if you're implying that he's sick, when he's only cuddling to that stuffed kitty doll."
Hizashi hunched over, grumbling under his breath.
"We already went over this. It's to shorten the title we gave to Iris, when giving out her Special Cuddles."
Shōta closed his eyes, deactivating his Quirk.
"Not as if her normal cuddling isn't anything different, let alone 'not' special." He muttered.
...
...Then, they all heard the announcement over their heads.
"Now arriving, from Nagano! Passengers, please exit in an orderly fashion! Those boarding for the Nagano Train Station, please stand behind the yellow-line and allow arrivals to exit out of the train, before entering the train!"
Hizashi was already to his feet. His eyes sparkling with joy.
"SHE'S HERE!" He screamed, almost charging for the train to find his niece... Only to fall flat on his face when Shōta shot out his capture weapon from underneath his black-sleeve shirt and grabbed him by the ankle.
"Settle down, and walt." He growled, pulling the thirty year-old back to him and Nemuri. "Wait until she's off the train, and then you can pounce."
Nemuri smirked at the thirty-one year-old.
"What? Not excited to have her back?" She teased, giving him a seductive wink. "If so, Zashi and I will be more than happy to take her off of her hands."
That earned her a dangerous glare and a low growl from her friend.
"Don't even think about it." He snarled.
She giggled at his response.
"Only kidding," she assured him. "We wouldn't dare take her away from you... Unless you need us to watch over her, of course. Which, we would be more than happy to do so, in order to have some special time with our little niece, before the other teachers try to steal her from you."
...Of course, a slight red-glow of an aura covered his body, along with his eyes.
"...Keep that up, and I'll make certain that you won't get to spend any time with Honey, even while teaching her in school."
Normally, anybody who would see him like that would panic, even wet themselves, in fear... But, Nemuri only laughed at her friend's reaction and empty threat.
...Hizashi, remaining on the ground, try to crawl away from the fuming father.
'Why do you have to keep antagonizing him, Nemu?' He whimpered in his thoughts.
"...Uh... Uncle Zashi?"
A voice over his head made the air in his lungs stood still... And, looking up, the thirty year-old was positive, he was looking up at an angel... Which happens to be his pseudo-niece, whom he and the others had missed seeing, after being gone for a week and dealing with her shrew of a grandmother.
Tears ran down his face like waterfall, as he scrambled forward and, on his knees, wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"YOU'RE BACK!" He sobbed, shaking her back and forth. "WE'VE MISSED YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!"
Of course, because of his Quirk and inability to control himself, Sierra winced. And, because of his shaking and having to just get off the train and still feeling ill from the ride, she was unable to make a response.
...Instantly, Shōta came forth and punched him in the head.
The force was enough to take Hizashi by surprise and let the now dizzy girl free, who stumbled a few steps back and trying to stop her vision from spinning.
"Cut it out, Mic." He growled. "She just got off of the train. Her vertigo from riding the train hasn't worn off, yet."
During that time, Nemuri came to the girl and pulled her into a hug... With her head in-between her breasts.
"How was your internship, Sweetie?" She asked, craning her head down to rest on top. "Bet you worked your butt off, working with a scary Underground Pro Hero and not having your Aunt Nemu there to give them a little R&R-"
Sierra soon found herself being pulled away from the woman's grasp, and her chest (To her greatest relief.), and pulled to rest against her father's side.
"She'll tell you how it went, when you're not trying to suffocate her by shoving her against your chest, Nemuri-chan." He growled, gently urging his child to start walking. "Right now, we need to head for the school and turn in her costume."
"And then we're going to celebrate, by heading for the mall!" Nemuri cried out, raising a fist in the air.
Shōta cast her a glare.
"After last time, not going to happen." He said, keeping his child beside him.
She can feel the stress, anger and exhaustion coming of him. And it was making her stomach feel sick and cramping-like. It continued, as they went into the back of a small black-car.
Hizashi went behind the wheel, instructing everybody to buckle up, before starting it up and driving towards the direction towards U.A.
The radio was on... Which, like the news and other live media broadcast for the past three days, are talking about the Hero Killer: Stain.
Yet, even with it on, the ride was quiet and, somewhat, uncomfortable.
The fourteen year-old pushed back the stabbing feeling in her gut that continued to cause discomfort, as she grabbed for his right-hand with her left.
"...Dad?" She whispered, slightly leaning forward to look try and see his eyes.
Because of his poor sleep, Shōta slightly jumped at her voice. And, when he turned to stare at her... He didn't know if he's seeing it right, but he could've sworn that he sees fear... Even a hint of pain, and sorrow in her eyes.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"...Moo told me what happened, while I was gone." She revealed. "...Did she try to take me away?"
At the front of the car, Hizashi clenched his hands over the steering wheel and grinding his teeth together. Nemuri, with her arms crossed, glared out of the window with an irritated scowl.
As for her father... He let out a tiring sigh.
"She did," he confirmed. "But, thanks to the Laws of Zodiac, along with Detective Tsukauchi being there to confirm that she's lying and having video recordings of her failed attempt to blackmail us, she won't be able to try and take you away from me. And, in case she, actually, does try to kidnap you, she and the rest of her family are going to be heavily observed and had been implanted a restraining order, from Strictly Legal, himself, to alert the police if they try and get close to you."
...
...Sierra didn't know how to react to the news, besides being relieved that she'll remain with her father and that her grandmother won't come after her.
Still... It saddens her that her grandmother, the mother of her own mother, wants to take her... Only to improve her status in public, and maybe even hold her for ransom to get her father to give her money.
She lowered her head, nodding in thanks for telling her, before pulling away and was left to stare down at her backpack and case.
Shōta had a look between being upset, and angry, from the quiet, solemn reaction his daughter responded to the news.
He looked over to his friends, both of whom appeared just as sad for their niece to her choice of response.
They didn't try and bring up the topic or any other form of conversation, as they continued the drive towards the school.
...Though, not wanting her to focus towards the thought that her grandmother tried to kidnap her and knew it wasn't because she changed her ways and loves her disowned-granddaughter, Shōta reached towards Sierra and, slightly scooting a bit, pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her small-frame.
Her greenish-grey eyes widened a bit from being pulled in, but is more than happy and willing to wrap her left-arm over his back to return the embrace.
A small-smile appeared on his face, as he leaned his head on top of hers.
"...Glad to you have you back, Honey." He whispered. "The damn cat wouldn't stop meowing, since you were gone, and I can finally get some peace and quiet in the house when she clings to you to take care of her."
Hizashi snickered at his friend's using something or someone as a reason for explaining his action, rather than just tell his child how much he missed her.
A smile came on Sierra's face... But, in her heart, she's hurt by his words.
'...I'm not going to give up hope... But-... -She closed her eyes... She's fighting to prevent her eyes from forming tears.- How am I going to tell him, the family... Izu... That I'm dying?'
The Next Day, May Twenty-Second: At U.A.
"Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
"HOLY SHIT, BAKUGŌ-KUN! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HAIR?!"
Class hadn't even started yet and, the moment he made an entrance to Class 1-A, Bakugō became the center of attention... Just, not in his usual way on getting it.
...Instead, what caused the outburst laughing from Sero and Kirishima, was his, shockingly, combed down hair.
"Sh-Sh-Shut the hell up!" The oldest-boy said, his voice shaking from his body trembling in pure, restraint rage. "That damn Fiber Hero kept flattening my hair like this, that it gotten used to staying like this!"
Even from his seething explanation, the two boys continued to laugh at his hair.
His right-hand, held up, was trembling between clenching into a fist, wanting to grab one and/or both of them into his grasp to yell at them, and restraining his anger from his teaching with Best Jeanist... And, to not give their teacher the idea that he's going to pick a fight with his fellow classmate and risk getting kicked out of the Hero Program... And U.A., itself.
The two continued to laugh, tears sat at the edge of their eyes.
It made the sixteen year-old angrier.
"I-If you don't shut the f-f-f-fuck up, right now, I'll k-k-kill you both!" It was crossed between a threat, and a warning.
And, heeding his words, neither of them stopped.
Kirishima kept laughing, as Sero pointed a finger at him.
"I'd like to see you try, Pretty Boy!" He taunted, not taking his threat that serious.
Being called 'Pretty Boy', was more than Bakugō could take. And, like a volcano, his rage erupted... Which, to unknown his knowledge, got his hair to poof out in its natural, spiky-self.
"THE FUCK YOU JUST CALLED ME?!" He roared.
Sero and Kirishima continued to laugh, but were able to inform him that his hair is back to normal.
"Crap, it worked!"
"It's back to normal!"
While that was going on, Izuku, Todoroki, Tenya and Sierra stood at the back, while some of the other students stood in front of them to talk about what just happened in Hosu.
"It must've been scary!" Hagakure exclaimed, waving her invisible arms in the air.
"You guys were lucky to made it out of there, alive." Satō stated, almost sounding like a concerned but scolding parent.
"Totally!" Ashido agreed, before turning to Sierra, beaming at the girl. "If not for Ra Ra and the hero she was interning with, Night Thorn, you three could've been killed!"
Sierra, playing her part to turn the attention away from her, gave her a sheepish smile.
"Actually, I wasn't with Night Thorn to help them out." She lied, laughing nervously. "I was with two co-founders of the Night Flower Hero Agency, helping with the Nomu attack. It was four other students that were, also, interning at the agency, that helped Night Thorn saved Izu and the others, while doing their part to distract the Hero Killer until Night Thorn was able to take him down. However, I did met up with them when the fighting ended. Though, it was because that Nomu got in some lucky hits and carried me away from my group. Probably to use me as a hostage, while it decided to swoop in and use two hostages as shields."
They bought her lie; their relieved expression on their faces told her that, which wasn't very surprising.
LIAR! YOU'RE A LIAR! STOP LYING TO THEM!
Her right-arm flinched from the yelling in her head, but is able to not give away her startlement from the voice yelling in her head... As it had been doing, since yesterday.
While she remained calm and smiling on the outside, she was self-loathing and disgusted with herself on the inside.
...
With every second that she doesn't tell her friends, her god-siblings... Her own father that she's going to die, made the animal inside of her in the cage to scream. To roar... Begging, as if in pain and wanted to be put out of its misery, to tell them. To stop hiding the truth.
...
...
...
...To STOP LYING!
...
...
...
...
...And yet, she still kept quiet.
"Speaking of the Hero Killer, did you guys hear the news about him?" Ojiro questioned, turning the conversation away from the four. "Everybody on the news had been saying that he's tied with the League of Villains. -He turned to Shōji, rubbing a finger against his right-temple.- If that's true, then we should consider ourselves lucky that he didn't attend the attack at the U.S.J. Though, I have my doubts to those claims."
"Yeah, he's really scary, but what about him in that video?" Kaminari asked. "It's all over the internet."
The soon-to-be Martial Arts Hero was a bit surprised by the news of their being a video.
"Really? I didn't even know, let alone heard, about him being in a video." He admitted to the younger-male.
"Oh, yeah! It was really something." The Electrical Quirk User stated. "The way they described him was really dark, and scary. But, in a way, it also shows how tenacious he really is. It kinda makes him look cool! Don't you guys, think?!"
Those within earshot were taken back by his compliment towards the Hero Killer.
Izuku and Sierra gave him a panic, worried look.
"Kaminari-kun...!" Izuku cried out, before slightly jerking his head to Iida.
...Who, while looking calm, his eyes were slightly wide and stern at the Electric Quirk User.
Realizing his mistake, along with remembering that his older-brother was one of Stain's victims and sustained some nerve damage from the villain, immediately panicked and covered his mouth with his hand.
"Aw, Dude...!" He cried, ready to apologized for even saying such things.
...Surprising, Iida didn't snap at him.
"No. It's fine." He assured the blonde, along with the rest of the students, as he lifted his left-arm to stare down at the small-revealing of his bandages.
Sierra and Izuku were a bit surprised by how calm he was about the conversation... Especially, after he admitted to them and Todoroki that he agreed to what the Hero Killer had labeled him as and making him see the errors of his ways.
"It's true; the Hero Killer is a tenacious person... I would understand why there are some people who would believe that he was 'cool'... But, instead of helping the world, his twisted belief had turned him into a cold-blooded killer. -He turned to the god-siblings... Slightly nodding his head to them.- No matter what his motive are, murder* cannot be condoned."
Neither of the siblings held it against him... It was the truth they'd already accepted, no matter how painful it was for them to hear their uncle is a murderer.
After hearing his speech, Kaminari's worry on upsetting their class president turned into guilt, for ever thinking that the Hero Killer was cool.
"...Which is why, to prevent anybody to suffer like I have... -From dark, calm and solemn... With a swift raised of a chop hand, Tenya went back to being stern, collective and loud.- I swear, by my very life, I'll strive to become the perfect hero!"
Izuku and Sierra, with nervous, shaky smiles, were happy to see his drive had lit a fire under him and to help him press on from the mistake he caused.
Inspired by his declaration to work hard, Izuku joined in.
"Yeah! Let's all work hard!" He cried out, raising a fist in the air.
Tenya nodded his head, then raised both hands in the air.
"Everyone! It's time for class to begin! Please, take your seats!"
...
...In response, some of the students sweat-dropped at him playing the part as class representative.
"He's at it, again..." Tokoyami groaned, already getting a headache by Iida now coming up with a speech on how Class 1-A will improve and become better than ever.
"Nice going, Kaminari-kun." Kyōka blamed. "If you hadn't called the Hero Killer 'cool'..."
"Yeah... Sorry, you guys." The blonde replied, lowering his head. "...I gotta learn when to keep my mouth shut."
As his speech continues, Sierra went to take her seat... Nobody noticed her smile leaving her face and a blank, calm expression on her face.
'...Good for you, Iida. And, so long as you follow that path, you'll become one of the greatest heroes... Even more so, than even your own brother.'
As she took her seat... Her heart slammed against her chest.
Bang!
She winced at the banging, clenching her right-hand at the bottom of her shirt to avoid anybody from seeing that her chest was hurting.
'Remember the deal. You can't let anybody know... At least, not now.'
An Hour and Forty-Two Minutes Later: Field Gamma...
"I am here!" All Might shouted, saying his traditional lines to his students, all dressed in their hero costume. "It feels it's been a while since I last seen all of you. Welcome back! Now, then. I hope you're all ready for today's lesson. Today, is Hero Basic Training."
The students were very curious as to what they'll be doing.
In the front of the group, Izuku and Sierra turned to each other... They only hope, that today's training won't turn into a repeat of their first training session.
"Now, listen carefully." All Might informed his students. "We'll be having a little race, which will require all that you've learned during your internships."
Immediately, Iida, wearing his P.E. clothes, since his hero costume had been damaged from Stain and needed to be repair from Support Group, raised his right-hand.
"If this is Rescue Training, shouldn't we be at the U.S.J.?" He asked.
"Ah. That facility is specialized and specifically authorized for disaster training, only." All Might explained. "And, as I just said, this is a race."
The god-siblings now realized why they're at what looks to be a factory-like field, even before the forty-six year-old blonde started giving them a debriefing on what they'll be doing... It was a maze.
"Within Field Gamma, is a factory that's formed in a labyrinth. Even the teachers, themselves, will have some problems getting through there. You'll be competing in groups of seven. Each of you will start out in a separate location, while navigating through the area. While doing so, I'll send out a distress signal and you'll do what you can to find me. And the one who finds me first, wins the race!"
...Then, as if to make certain to not have a repeat in his last lesson... And, in a way, to remind him that he has to keep to his word, All Might added a little information to his students... Basically, as he pointed a not-so secret finger towards Bakugō.
"However, I do like to point out and ask of you to keep the damage to a bare minimum, please!"
The sixteen year-old looked over his shoulder, glaring off to avoid seeing the few laughters that some of the other students let out and not snap.
"You didn't have to point at me..." He snarled.
The first group to start the race, are: Izuku, Sero, Ashido, Kōji, Ojiro, Iida and Tokoyami.
As Sierra sat out with the rest of her classmates... Once again, having to deal with it for years, all but Ochako and Tsuyu were already counting her brother out.
"Out of all of them, even with Iida-kun still hadn't fully recovered from Stain, excluding Kōta, Midoriya-kun is at a major disadvantage." Kaminari commented.
"Even though he shows to have some training and an apparent high stamina, his Quirk isn't built for speed and leaves his body with severe injuries." Momo reminded, sounding very concerned for the dark-green/black-haired boy.
Deciding to take the time to gather up some air, Sierra chose to be in her golden-eagle form. The entire time, as she breathes through her nose, her beak opens to inhale as much of the air as she could... Even, going as far as to absorb some of the cold-temperature from the air.
'I need to make certain that I don't get overheated should I, unintentionally, use fire to help me scale the walls and/or pipes.' She thought, as she watches the seven students getting ready to start. 'They could be props, but even I don't want to take the chance on causing damages... Unlike Kacchan could do, if he does take that chance.'
"Hey, Sis!"
Stopping her focus on absorbing the air, Sierra looked over to Ochako, Tsuyu and Hagakure. Ochako, being the one to call out to her, waved her right-hand in the air.
"Come sit with us!" The sixth youngest in the class called out.
The fourteen year-old looked up at the screen, seeing her brother's face that shows he's focusing and preparing himself to trigger his Quirk, then let out a deep sigh and morphed back into her human-form.
...She wore her hero costume... With two new additions to the design: Her wolf-pelt, once white... Now, a pure-black color.
...
...
Over her face, a pelt of a black-wolf... With a mask, underneath the pelt, that's, actually, a skull.
...
...
...A top-half of a wolf-skull, she gained from the Night Flower Hero Agency, last night.
Quietly, she made her way towards the three girls.
Lifting the pelt off of her face to rest on beer left-shoulder and holding the skull against her chest, she gave them her best smile.
"Hey, guys." She greeted.
"Hey, yourself." Hagakure replied, sounding very happy to see the fourteen year-old. "You, Midoriya-kun, Iida-kun and Todoroki-kun had us all worried."
"Yeah." Ochako agreed, looking over to the invisible girl, before turning back to the youngest student in class, who sat down a few feet from them. "While it was a good thing that you weren't there to face Stain, to learn that the hero you were interning at was the one who took down the Hero Killer, we feared that you were one of those students to help hold him off."
Tsuyu remained quiet, staring at the girl with curiosity.
Sierra let out a reassuring giggle.
"Yeah. I guess it was a good thing that he had me go with one of his co-founders of the Night Flower Hero Agency. Though, I did ended up taking some hits that left me off guard and grabbed by that Nomu, which ended up finding Izu, Ten and Shō and grabbing Izu as a second hostage."
Ochako and Tsuyu gave her relieved, but sad looks on their faces. Hagakure, though invisible, was probably do the same thing.
"No matter how the outcome turned out, we're all glad and relieved that you four came out, without any life-threatening injuries." Yaoyorozu, who she and Kyōka came over to sit with the rest of the girls, expressed.
Sierra nodded her head to the fourth oldest-girl in class.
"Arigatō, Mozu (Shrike)." She thanked.
Yaoyorozu was surprised by what the youngest-girl just called her, as the other girls beamed at her when hearing the name she called Momo by.
"Is that your nickname for Yaoyorozu-chan?" Hagakure asked.
Slightly embarrassed that she let the name slip out, Sierra laid the wolf-skull next to her and pulled her knees towards her chest, nodding.
"Y... Yes." She answered. "She makes me feel as if she's a bird that others will either just judge by her appearance, or question if she can handle change... And, to me, while she possesses the beauty of the red-crowned crane, she has the determination of the shrike, for their small-status. So, I thought, Mozu would best suit her."
Asui and Ochako turned to each other... And, seeing the slight blush on Yaoyorozu's face and how she seemed touched by the girl's explanation on the name, beamed to each other on the name.
"That name, totally, suits her." Jirō commented. "It's just as cool as those nicknames you called me and Ashido, when giving us our hero names... Though, we've been meaning to ask, Sis. What do our nicknames mean?"
A slight blush appeared on Sierra's face, as she stared up at the screen.
"...Well, your nickname, Avaleigh, means 'A beautiful individual' and/or 'Desired song'. The name is a German and Persian name. While Ashna, in Sanskrit origin, means 'Friend'. Which is why I chose to give her that name, while it can also means 'One who is devoted to love' in Indian origin. -She let out a nervous laugh.- It's strange and funny, I know, but the names really suit you two and I couldn't help but give them as your guys' nicknames."
Now, it was Kyōka's turn to blush. Touched that the youngest of the group would give her such a name that was so thoughtful, so special, for somebody like her.
...Ochako, trembling from the bubbling feeling rising from her chest... Sprang up and pulled her into a hug.
"YOU'RE SO PRECIOUS!" She cried, startling most of their male classmates from the outburst.
Hagakure, thinking the same thing, also came forward and wrapped her invisible arms around the two.
"WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU IN OUR CLASS!" She declared.
Sierra, trapped in their hug, went beet red from their screams drawing the attention on them and being the reason they were screaming.
The rest of the girls simply smiled, even laughed, to help lighten the mood.
...Then, on the screen, with the large, bold GO! popped up in the center, showed the seven students taking off to find All Might.
The first on the screen was Iida, pissing to chose to runs swiftly on the ground and not scale to higher level. According to the screen, he's in third place.
Tokoyami, with Dark Shadow summoned out, popped out next. The Shadow/Raven Quirk User is using his Quirk to lung from pipe to pipe, remaining in the shadows to not have Dark Shadow be eaten by sunlight until they're near All Might's location. They're in second place.
Then, Sero, soaring through the air and in total control of his terrain came up. He's in first place, winning the race.
"Aw, man!" Kirishima awed out, amazed on how his classmate was beating the other students.
"I told ya!" Mineta boasted out, smirking in pride that he was right and was going to win the bet he made with some of the other boys. "Sero got this in the bag. He'll be the first to reach All Might."
Sierra rolled her eyes at the older-teen's cocky attitude, before looking back up at the screen.
'You got this, Izu.' She thought, waiting for her god-brother to appear on screen. 'Just stay focus, take it one step at a time, and you'll win.'
...
...
...Then, right when the screen went back to Sero... A flash of green-blur passed him.
...
...
...
...That blur, when the camera caught up to it, revealed to being Izuku Midoriya.
And, to most of the other students' shock, not only did he stole first place from Sero and was going super fast... But, as he lunged himself in the air and slightly soaring through the air... His movement is, exactly, like Bakugō.
Sierra smiled at the screen.
'That's it, Izu. Stay focus. Don't get overconfident. Pay attention to steps and landing, and you'll win.'
"No way! How is this possible?!" Jirō exclaimed, amazed by what she was seeing.
"He's able to tap into his Quirk and avoid breaking his bones, in the process?" Yaoyorozu replied, sounding very much impressed with a hint of relief.
Ochako, completely speechless, stared at the screen in awe... A blush shortly coming on her face.
Sierra beamed at her god-brother, as she looked to her left and see the astonishment and respect that Izuku is earning from their male-classmates.
...Well, all except for one classmate, who seemed a bit shook up... Even, with the clear sign of disgust and rage building on his face.
She glared at the whitish-blonde teen, but made no move to go over and straighten him.
'Take a good look at this, Kaachan.' She thought, turning tti watch her brother land on all-four to cushion his landing before he continued to pounce, leap and bound. 'What you're seeing, is from all the times we would watch you demonstrate your fighting style and how you would use your Quirk to show off your midair travels and/or attacks. So, the next time you pick a fight with Izu, he'll be ready, now that he's gotten control over his Quirk.'
As she expected to happen, Izuku found All Might, first, and won the race.
While Sero was a bit disappointed to have lost, he couldn't be angry with the green-haired teen. In fact, he and the others were very much impressed and happy to see that he's gotten control over his Quirk and had improved, dramatically.
And when they rejoined the rest of their class, most of them came up to compliment his victory and demanded to know how he was able to use his Quirk without hurting himself.
The second group to race are: Bakugō, Yaoyorozu, Mineta, Kirishima, Hagakure, Shōto and Jirō.
...It had mixed responses.
As he made certain to not cause too much damage, Bakugō only used a fraction of his Quirk to lift himself in the air, leaving only a few scorched walls... Then, once he was over the maze, he would use a whole lot more of his power, like he would normally used, and jetted across the field in search for All Might.
Yaoyorozu used her Quirk to make a jetpack and a helmet to fly in the air... And a shield, in case Mineta tries to hitch a ride on her, like he did at the Sports Festival.
Jirō traveled at ground level, using her Earphone Jack to listen for the vibrations of vocal sounds and/or footsteps.
Kirishima chose to run, as fast as he could, for the distress signal's location.
Hagakure, wearing a one-piece pink-suit, pressed a button for it to turn invisible like her and took off running... With Mineta, to her and the other females' annoyance and disturbance, trailing after her.
When it seemed like Bakugō was going to win, Todoroki, riding on his ice and making sharp turns with his fire, shot straight out and reached All Might before he did.
...And, boy, was the sixteen year-old was fuming with pure rage of hatred.
Mineta let out a high squeal of terror, and hid behind Yaoyorozu from Bakugō's physical wrath... Before being pinned to the ground and shaking in pain, when Jirō jabbed both of her Earphone Jack in both of his ears, for grabbing Momo's derrière.
Kirishima did try to help him calm down, despite being barked at to "Fuck off!" and stomped away from the group to head back to where the rest of his classmates are.
After a few moments of tension, the last group went into the maze of Field Gamma: Ochako, Asui, Shōji, Kaminari, Satō, Sierra and Yūga.
Sierra was located at the south-east of the maze, in a dark area.
Her face is covered by her pelt and skull-mask, so nobody would be able to tell what her expression is right now.
Right now, her eyes are closed, taking deep breaths.
'Focus on the steps you'll take. Don't waste energy by running, without knowing where you're going.' She thought to herself, clenching and unclenching her clawed-gloved hands.
Then, she heard the countdown.
"THREE... TWO... ONE... GO!"
Snapping her eyes open, she ran forward and started her plan, scaling the wall by jumping from wall-to-wall.
'Get to higher ground; more air and scent gathers, the higher you go.'
When she reached the top on one of the buildings, she found herself staring at large pipes around her, a few containment structure rooftops, a cooling tower and what looks to be like a water tower.
'Higher!'
She ran for the water tower, climbing up a containment structure roof and using a steam line to give her a boost to reach the water tower.
...There, a bit higher but not overhead to see how big the maze is, she can see a couple of her classmates.
To her left, she sees Shōji using his Quirk to bring out extra eyes and ears to look and hear for All Might.
Yūga, at the bottom-right of her... Was posing in front of a window, to admire his appearance.
She can smell Asui's scent from the north, but can't see her. Kirishima, from how slightly fainter his scent was compared to the Frog Quirk User, was more likely still on bottom ground level.
Ochako, who popped up at the east nearby Yūga, used her Gravity Quirk to float to the top and to travel by running on the rooftop and taking long leaps with her Quirk.
Satō's scent was just as faint as Kaminari, but steadily growing strong.
With these information, Sierra knew now was the time to start using her training to find her teacher.
She morphed into her wolf-form, along with triggering her wind, resulting her to look like a cloud-shaped wolf with blank eyes, as she did when she fought Stain with Izuku, Shōto and Iida. Then, lifting her head to the sky and her eyes closed, she focused on her hearing and smell towards the wind that, slowly but steadily, blew towards her.
'Like water, let it flow through, towards and around you. Let it tell you its travel, and you'll seek what you're searching for.' She recited her teachings in her head, breathing deeply through her nose and keeping her ears forward.
"Okay. The signal says it's coming from the west... Or, is it north? Wait. Which way am I going? Is this south? I think I'm reading the distress signal wrong."
"Boy. Gunhead's training really is paying off. I haven't felt so into shape than-... Well, ever!"
"My, don't I look magnifique (Magnificent) in this glorious outfit! And my cape, it's so éblouissant (dazzling)! I should see if they can make my armor even more pétillant (sparkling) than my cape. Oui! That would be merveilleux."
Sierra allowed their voices to flow through her cloud-like body, listening further of the sounds that are being hidden from behind their words, as the wind carries more smells to her.
...
...
...*Thump-Thump*
She snapped her blank eyes open and, launching herself off of her perch, morphed into a Philippine Eagle in midair and shot up to the sky.
She let out the Philippine Eagle call, taking the moment to flying high in the sky to gather wind into her wings and feel the warmth of the sun, before diving back down into Field Gamma.
...Then, summoning her wind to have the tips of her feathers to become wind-like and, opening her mouth for wind to travel into her body when she can't breathe, she shot straight into the maze, using all five of her senses to be her guide.
With her eyes wide open and listening to the wind rustling her feathers, she twisted and weaved over the pipes, making the sharp turns of the buildings and walls, without even bothering as to blink or to take a breath when air is traveling in and through her body.
The endorphin and adrenaline, coursing through her body, mind and heart, the strokes of the wind brushing her feathers, the taste of the wind that she welcomed to be within her... This is the feeling that makes her forget of the cruel reality that she has to live with.
...
...The burden that she carried, for over ten years, that shackles her.
...
...
...
...
...The truth and fate, that resulted her future to end up being so far from reach, no matter how fast she pushes herself to give chase.
When she neared a cooling tower, did the taste of the air told her that she's getting close and, when the smell of copper entered her nose and beak, Sierra thrusted the wind within her wings to fly faster and rise higher to where she can feel that All Might would be waiting.
...
...And there, on top of a large building of what looks to be the main building of a nuclear power plant, stood a beaming All Might, who sees her coming towards him.
And, as his usual self when playing as All Might, he let out a hearty, boasting laugh.
"And the winner of this race, is Sierra Aizawa!" He proudly announced, raising his right-hand in the air to wave at her.
The fourteen year-old rolled her eyes at his laughing, but chuckled at hearing the pride in his tone, like when he announced Izuku as the winner of the race.
She went to land, about to morph back into her human-self.
...
...Then, out in the distance, in the top-corner of her eyes, something caught her attention.
When she lifted her head, at first, she didn't see anything off.
...
...A few seconds later at staring ahead, form afar distance, at the very edge of Field Gamma, a shadowy-figure popped up.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...She then started to see red... Literally. From underneath the figure, standing far away from her and All Might, who didn't seem to take notice on what she was seeing, she started to see parts of Field Gamma being covered by red.
...
...
...She realized it was blood. And, as the blood continued to spread, the figure started to grow.
The Phillipine Eagle's slit eyes widened at the growing shadowy-figure, appearing human but not having a face and seems to be wearing a cloak, as it grew sixty feet tall and as big as a mountain.
All around her, Field Gamma was filled and consumed by an ocean of blood. Even the sky behind the figure, also, turned red. With blackish-red clouds circling over the figure's head.
...
...A clawed hand extended out from the cloak... And, pointed a sickly thin finger at her... A haunting tone, as harsh as winter and thick as venom, neither male or female, spoke out.
...
...
...Coming out of her own mouth.
"A past that still beats in vengeance and kissed the serpent's deadly lips, howls and awaits to damn the souls of the innocence! The price in blood, will neither spare or smite the one that makes the sacrifice on the altar!"
The clawed hand then opened its hand and grabbed at the stunned, terrorized bird-formed girl. Completely paralyzed by fear, she doesn't make any attempt to break free or even attack the hand that can squeeze her like a grape.
"Death waits for no given soul to knock! Life will stain the Earth! None shall be spared from the sin of the devil's work!"
...
...
...From there blank face of the figure, empty dark eye sockets stared into Sierra's greenish-grey eyes.
...
...
...An empty void... Empty existence was all she could see, followed by what she could only describe as the piercing cold touch of pain, despair...
...
...
...And, finally, a promise of death. With a final message forced out of her lungs... A message, that makes her blood go cold and shiver in her spine to pierce into the burns and cuts of her back.
"...You are not the first... And you won't be the last!"
Sierra clenched her eyes shut, wishing for whatever that was going on to stop. To stop speaking in words that makes her feel sick, which she tightened her beak to stay shut when she didn't feel anything possessing her to speak, anymore.
Her racing heart kept slamming against her chest, as the tightening of the clawed hand left her gasping for breath.
'This isn't real,' she said in her head. 'This isn't real. This ISN'T REAL!'
"Young Aizawa!"
What felt like an eternity, Sierra snapped her eyes wide open and, shaking her head to make certain what she was seeing is what it should be, found herself still hovering in the air.
...
...All around her, everything wasn't covered in blood and the cloud is clear from any clouds. It was all normal.
And the shadowy-figure was nowhere to be seen.
Looking down, she sees All Might, giving her a clear look of confusion and a hint of worry. Standing with him, the rest of the group participating in the race had made it to the location.
They seemed just as confused and worried as All Might, giving her stares that made her feel guilty and embarrassed for causing them to worry about her.
The Pro Hero motioned for her to come down.
"The race is over, Young Aizawa! You've won! It's time to head on back to U.A."
She remained in the air, still slightly panting as if she just woken up from a really bad dream, as she looked over to where she saw the shadowed figured to see if it was still there.
Only to see nobody or anything at the edge of Field Gamma. No sound, not even an off scent that proved it was there, at all.
She swallowed at three lump in her throat, staring at that specific spot for a few seconds, before she finally listened to her teacher and came down to rejoin her group.
She eases very grateful that the top-half wolf-skull is covering her face, because she didn't want anybody to see the small beads of sweat trailing down her face or notice three look of fear, of pure terror, in her eyes.
Though, as she noticed Tsuyu giving her a skeptical look and how she came to walk beside her, she knew that her imprinted-sister already knew something was wrong and isn't going to push her to tell until she's comfortable enough to reveal it.
Sierra laid a hand over her chest, feeling the beating organ still racing but slowly calming down.
'...That was no hallucination.' She thought, biting the side of her lip. 'It's something worse... Much worse.'
"Are you okay, Sis?" Ochako asked, walking to the younger-girl's right. "We've called you to come down for almost a minute. Is there something wrong?"
Immediately, the voice came back.
TELL HER! TELL ALL MIGHT! TELL IZUKU! TELL SOMEBODY! DON'T STAY SILENT! TELL THEM!
She pushed the voice back, and gave the older-girl a forced out smile.
"Sorry about that," she apologized. "I saw a stray bird flew by, and mistook it for an intruder. My intern had me be on my guard at all times, and to keep a lookout for anything that seems off."
It was a convincing lie, which the girls and other students bought. Even All Might fell for her excuse, as he praised her for being considerate of everyone's well being to make certain that nothing is out of place to cause suspicious.
...Yet, while she's relieved to have been able to dodge a bullet, her heart slammed against her chest, as if punishing her for not telling them the truth and still keeping the secret of her declining health. She had expected it, and was able to not show any response. Though, her tongue had to take part of the consequences when she bit the side of it in exchange to keep a straight face.
As the third group and All Might went to leave the maze, Izuku had a complete look of worry and concern for his sister.
Back at U.A: Girls Locker Room...
"Man, I still can't believe it!" Ashido sighed out in disappointment. "I really thought I'd improved and would be able to win this race, if I wasn't put in the same group to race with Sero. Though, I never predicted that Midori-kun would be able to win, when knowing how his Quirk would break his bones."
"I thought the exact same thing, Ashido-chan." Yaoyorozu replied, removing her pouch-belt and putting it away into her locker. "However, we've neglected to the fact that while we may seem to know what our Quirks can do since we gotten them, we often learn in time on what they can actually do and improve our control and bond over our abilities. So, for us to see the sudden change in Midoriya-kun's usage on his Quirk, is the perfect example that we've neglected to how he uses his Quirk and why it doesn't damage his body as it previously did in the past."
Ochako, having to complete her task on removing her hero costume and started on putting on her school uniform, looked over to the other side of the locker room.
...There, she watches Sierra, also finished changing out of her suit and removing the pelt and wolf-skull off her face... Standing in nothing but her black-sports bra and black-underwear, she and the other girls can see just how damaged her body really is.
They knew she was skinny, underweight... But, seeing her whole ribcage, her collarbone standing out, parts of her bones sticking up from underneath her skin and how small her breasts are... It was very disturbing for the older-girls to see how bad her health is.
They, also, saw some scars on her body. There are scars, appearing as cuts, on her legs, arms, neck, even some on her chest that poked out from underneath her sports bra and stomach, that faded and seemed like faint lines on her slightly-pale but still light-tan skin.
...
...
...Then, when she turned her back to put away the mask, in exchange to grab for her school uniform and the ointment she had to apply, that they get to see the evidence of her the abuse she endured in the past... From villains, and an ex-con, since she was four and started to being abused at the age of three.
It made them sick to how adults, villains, could hurt an innocent, defenseless child. Not having a shred of guilt or regret, as they beaten, harmed and tortured a toddler. To the point it almost left her for dead and leave her with a serious injury that harbors a poison that, over ten years and still to this very day, remains active and hurts her, resulting her to writhe in agony and literally sick to her stomach.
The fourteen year-old went to remove the straps of her bra, only to stop when Uraraka came over, in her skirt and her white-shirt over her shoulders, and helped her do the task.
"Here," she said. "I can help apply the ointment on, if you like."
Sierra was hesitant to accept her offer. But, her body is feeling a bit stiff and, with another person to help her with the applying, will give her ease to know her back is covered.
Quietly, she handed the ointment over to Ochako.
"...If you don't mind..." She replied.
Uraraka beamed up at the girl and, taking the ointment, waited for Sierra to turn her back to her and started putting on the ointment.
...
...It felt completely different, from when she was a dragon and was riding her, during the Calvary Battle.
And this, compared to how it felt when it was mixed with scales and extended muscles, was much worse.
Every bump, from scars and/or burnt skin, made Uraraka learn on how surreal her wound is. She shivered when she would glide her fingers over the area of her spine and/or ribcage, feeling how the skin tightened over the bumps that shows how very thin she is.
Even with those disturbing thoughts, Ochako is more than willing to still help her friend out. Anything to help a dear friend that anybody would be lucky to have.
The other girls weren't quite sure how to respond to the sight of the third degree burns and the many scars that didn't faded, other than stare or awkwardly looked to each other.
Sierra, looking over at the others, gave them a tiring smile.
"If you're all curious about my injury, you can ask." She reassured them. "I won't mind."
Asui, uttering a small "Rabbit." and partially out of her suit, hopped over to stand in front of the girl. Onyx-eyes stared into greenish-grey eyes.
Her black expression had the other girls a bit nervous.
Then, she finally speak... With a question that surprised the fourteen year-old.
"Your health hasn't improved. Is something wrong with your health?"
Yaoyorozu appeared flustered by the Frog Quirk User's question.
Hagakure, with her costume off and having her shirt on, was just as stunned to the question.
"Tsu-!"
Immediately, Sierra went to calm their fears.
"It's all right, Haru (Spring)." She assured them. She turned to Tsuyu, who waited patiently for the answer. "They're still searching for the antidote, so no luck, yet. Recovery Girl and her colleagues are doing the best they can. All I can do, is hope and pray that they'll find the cure for the poison. As for my current health, it seems that I'm still having trouble keeping food down and putting on weight has gotten even more difficult."
Some of the girls gasped from the news.
"Still?!" Ashido exclaimed. "But you've been eating so well, lately!"
Not only that, since you've been instructed by Recovery Girl and gotten permission by her and Aizawa-sensei, you had been drinking your shakes, during class time, to put on a few extra calories." Jirō reminded.
Sierra gave them a sheepish smile.
"Well, on account that I have a high metabolism, stress and negative emotions would get my stomach upset to prevent me from eating much, even to the point on getting upset enough to have me run for the bathroom and hack up what I've eaten."
Ochako, finished with the appliance of the ointment and taking the bandages from the younger-girl's hand to help wrap the wound up, winced at the girl's plight.
"That's gotta be very painful for you," she said. "It must've taken its toll on you the most, when you were so little."
Sierra let out a tiring sigh.
"That, it did." She confirmed. " Back Then, There Were times that if it's gets so painful, I would basically be bedridden for multiple days in a row, where I couldn't even go to the bathroom by myself from how weak I was from the pain and illness."
"And yet, despite what you had to endure at such a young age, you're in U.A. and training to become a hero." Momo stated, having her hair down to brush out the tangles before putting it back up.
"And, let's not forget, tieing in first place, after taking on the most violent person in our class!" Hagakure added in, getting her skirt on. "If Ra Ra can last through Bakugō's attacks and remained awake for the rest of the day, then she can get past that poison and hang on long enough for Recovery Girl to find the cure!"
"Totally!" Ashido cheered alongside the invisible girl, getting pumped.
Sierra simply smiled at them, as Ochako finished wrapping her back up and thanked the older-girl for her assistance, before turning to grab for her school uniform.
...When, hearing Iida yelling on the other side of the wall, had all the girls staring at the wall that separated the girl's locker room from the boy's.
There, they all saw what looks to be a small hole, a little less than the size of a quarter... And, behind the hole, hear Mineta's shouting.
...
...
...Jirō, acting quickly, with one of her Earphone Jacks jabbed into the wall to make certain what they're all assuming is correct, readied her other Earphone Jack to get ready to strike.
...And, quickly, she shot her other Earphone Jacks through the hole and the girls all heard Mineta let out a scream of agony.
All the girls glared at the hole.
"Nice one, Avaleigh." Ochako whispered, using the nickname Sierra gave to her.
"That Mineta!" Yaoyorozu grumbled. "We'll have that hole closed off, immediately."
...On the other side of the wall, all of the girls could hear Mineta's scream of agony turning to pleading for his life and begging Izuku, Iida and some of the other boys to not kill him.
"Sounds like the guys are sharing what they think about Mineta's actions and are going to close off the hole on their side, too." Ochako giggled, resulting the other girls (Excluding Kyōka) to laugh with her on how the boys are punishing Mineta for peeping on them.
Then, as Ochako turned back and finished wrapping up Sierra's back, did she noticed the younger-girl being all quiet and, seemingly, focused on the door to the locker room than laughing at Mineta's pleading for mercy.
...When she stepped over to look at her, she was a bit taken back from the look of fog and fear in her greenish-grey eyes. Her hands were slightly trembling. Even her breathing, quiet and soft, shivered in terror.
"Sis?" She whispered. "Is everything all right?"
Sierra stared off at the door for a few moments, before turning to Uraraka.
She gave her the same tired smile.
"Everything is fine," she reassured. "I'm still getting used to using my newly found abilities. Plus, using wind, literally, takes my breath away until I stop using it when it's for not breathing. It'll take some time, before I learn how to master it. -She then took the ointment from the older-girl.- Thank you, for helping me, Ocha."
All Ochako could do was smile back at the girl, as she went back to her spot to put on the rest of her school uniform... Though, while she believed her, something in the pit of her stomach felt something wasn't right.
She didn't know what it was or why, but it made her very worried for Sierra. And she was going to talk to Midoriya about it.
"All right. Before we end class, there's something important you need to be aware of." Aizawa told his students.
Everyone stayed quiet, awaiting to hear what he needs to tell them.
"Summer Break is almost here. That doesn't mean you get the chance to slack off for the month."
Many of the students shivered in fear, hoping it won't be extra class work.
"...Starting on the first week of Summer Break, we'll be going on a camping trip, to help further progress your training."
To the announcement, most of the students cheered.
"ALL RIGHT, CAMPING!"
"Big sleepover!" Ashido exclaimed, very excited to bond with the other girls and talk about boys and whatnot.
"Bath!" Mineta cheered alongside her.
"Fireworks!" Asui replied.
"Springs!" Mineta popped in.
"And S'mores." Tenya added in, doing one chop in the air.
"Skinny-dipping!" Mineta yelled out, earning many glares that he would keep bringing up what he can't wait to do for camping.
"This is so exciting! Hanging out with everybody, all Summer! I can't wait!" Hagakure cheered.
To make certain they know how serious this was going to be, Shōta triggered his Quirk.
"However...! -Immediately, with his hair standing and eyes glowing red, the students that were standing and/or out of their seats were back to sitting down and awaiting for more instructions.- Those of you who don't pass the Final Exam for the end of the Semester, will have Summer School."
From that warning, Kirishima and Kaminari turned their chairs to face their fellow classmates.
"Everyone, we all need to do our best and pass the Final Exam!" Kirishima told his friends.
"That means, we need to study and study hard!" Kaminari added in... Though, deep down, he knew he won't be doing well on the test.
"You girls better not slack off!" Mineta grunted out, wanting to see all of them go camping... And, to see most of them naked when they bathe.
Izuku, while he glared at the shortest-boy in class, looked over to see his sister's reaction.
Since they were little, she had always wanted to go camping. To live out in the woods, be away from all the stress in the city. And, of course, talk and bond with the animals.
He expected her to be just as excited as the rest of them.
Instead, he sees her keeping her head down, appearing to be reading a book, staying quiet. Also sitting on her desk, a BodyArmor Fruit Punch flavor, that was barely half-empty.
Izuku was surprised when she didn't bring her canteen. Though, he was more taken back when she told him, earlier today, that she won't be bringing in her homemade sports drink and is trying energy drink to help get her through the day.
Not that it was unusual for her to drink energy drink, and there are times she doesn't always drink the homemade sports drink. But, to hear she won't be bringing sports drink and is going to rely on energy drink or other drinks containing vitamins, it really was a major take back.
The only thing she told him, was that she needs to cut back on the sugar the sports drink have and more towards juices that contains more healthy vitamins... And that, alone, told him that her health has gotten worse.
It was very troubling for him to comprehend.
When the school bell rang to end the day, all the students got out of their chairs and began to gather their things and leave.
Izuku, getting out of his seat, went over to his quiet sister.
"Hey, Sis." He greeted, giving her his smile. "Since we'll be studying for the test, Mom will probably talk to Aizawa-sensei on having you stay over on the weekend. Maybe, if Shinsō wants to, we can see if he wants to come over and help him with his practice on sign language."
Sierra remained quiet, pausing on putting her book into her backpack for a moment to hear his thoughts on what they should do for the weekend, before resuming her task and zipping her backpack up.
She let out a tiring sigh, before turning her god-brother and giving him a tiring smile.
"I can ask him, but he'll need to ask Aunt Mimi for permission." She replied, pulling the strap over her shoulder and the two started walking towards Hound Dog's Office for another therapy session. Which will be their last session, until Summer Break is over. "You should ask Aunt Amai if that would be okay, before we make the plan. Though, I doubt she would have any issues on having one of my family member to come over. -She rubbed the back of her head, a slight blush came on her face.- Although, she'll probably keep him busy on telling him about our family and give them a list on what they need to know about me. Which would probably end up her telling him some embarrassing moments to tease me with."
Izuku chuckled at her thought, wrapping an arm over her shoulders and pulling her for a side-arm hug.
"Yeah, she probably would." He agreed. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to bond with him. After the exam, we'll be too busy on training to be able to hang out with Shinsō."
She let out a soft "Hmm...", knowing he has a point and how it would be nice to have another person in their age group to bond and share their hobbies with.
...That, and to the fact she has a limited time on how long she has left to live, made this more than enough reason to bond with her family as much as she could.
She had considered going over to see her half-siblings for the weekend, to see how Jeremy's recovering is going and hear if there had been any changes going on in their lives, but because the Final Exams is coming up she has to focus on studying.
Sierra nodded her head to her brother.
"I'll ask Dad, if he'll be all right with it."
Her response made her god-brother beam down at her, as he leaned his head over to nuzzle against her own, laughing in joy on the two of them spending time with each other.
While she laughed with him and seemed very happy... On the inside, she was sad. And if she were to give in to her emotions, she would allow herself to cry and scream, at the top of her lungs, at the sky.
Hours Later: At Home...
"Go wash up. I'll get dinner started." Shōta instructed his daughter, putting his hair up in a ponytail. "Make sure you relax, before you begin studying."
Jade, greeting them home with her meowing, ran to Sierra and rubbed against her legs, wanting the girl to feed her and give her attention.
The fourteen year-old picked the cat up and proceed to pet her, earning purrs of satisfaction from the cat.
"My Cast Young is good. My Cast Young love me. Way better than lazy Shōta."
Sierra rolled her eyes to the cat's words, as she laid a light kiss on Jade's head.
"Be nice," she gently scolded.
Shōta, hearing her talk to the purring cat, raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"...She complaining about me not giving her attention, again?"
His daughter shrugged her shoulders, as Jade decided to crawl up her school jacket and laying over her shoulders.
"Something like that," she answered.
As if to agree with her, Jade let out a big yawn of a "Rrraaawl~!"
The thirty-one year-old father let out a grumble underneath his breath.
"Ungrateful feline..." He whispered, before turning back to the fridge to figure out what to make for dinner.
...In her mind, the guilt was really getting to Sierra... And the beast, as always, is screaming at her to tell him the truth.
TELL HIM YOU'RE DYING! TELL HIM YOU'RE LEAVING HIM! HE NEEDS TO KNOW! TELL HIM! TELL HIM! TELL HIM!
*Bang!*
Her heart slammed into her chest, making her wince and to almost fall to her knees, if she didn't lean against the wall to keep her steady.
From the sudden movement, Jade quickly jumped off of her, letting out a meow of worry when she can sense her pain and the sudden change within her.
Quickly, Sierra kneeled down and petted Jade.
"...I'm okay." She said, speaking as a cat to have a discussion with Jade. "I'm just... Tired. Sore. There's no need to worry."
...Jade simply glared up at her. Her tail flickered against the ground.
A low "Rrrr..." left the cat's throat.
"You lie." The cat pointed out. "...I know the truth... -The cat lowered her head, staring down at the floor.- ...Cast Young is dying."
The teenager stopped petting the cat... She doesn't have anything to deny, or counter to the cat's claim.
She, too, stared down at the floor. Hating herself for trying to lie to the feline, and end up hurting the cat.
"...I'm sorry."
She knew the apology won't change the fact that she's dying. That she's going to be gone... She's going to leave her, Shōta and his pack, and is never going to come back.
Jade knew that it's part of life. And in life, anything can happen and the unexpected can happen upon any creature that breathes in this life. She knew not every creature will end up dying from old age; many will die from brawls and fights to the death, which leads to succumbing to death from severe wounds and/or infections. Many others would die from the cruelty and/or carelessness of human.
...There are even those who died, at very young ages, because they aren't strong enough to survive... Before they're even brought into this world... Way before they have any strength to take their breath of life.
And then there are those, like her human, that are dying from deadly illnesses and/or poisoning... A slow and painful death, that no creature should ever have to endure. So much so, that the only caring thing that a loved one should do... Is to give them a swift, and painless death.
...Yet, Jade is selfish. A domesticated animal that is attach to her caregivers, she wants to cling to them and never let them go. And she'll fight anything and anybody, even Death itself, if she could, to keep her human by her side until she passes on to the afterlife.
Whether she does have nine lives or not, she'll gladly give all of them up, if it means her human gets to live out her life.
The cat came up, laid both of her paws on Sierra's left-knee and nuzzled her head to rub against the girl's face.
"Love you, Cast Young. I, Jade, will always love you."
Hearing the meowing going on between the two, Shōta was curious as to why his daughter has yet to feed their cat and go bathe.
When he looked over and saw the girl kneeling on the ground and Jade nuzzling the girl's face, as if she's comforting her, an immediate red flag popped up in his head.
"Honey?" He called out. "Is something wrong?"
Sierra looked up at her father... And, to her shock, she sees the shadowy-figure, for a third time, standing behind him.
She swallowed at the sight of the figure. It didn't say anything to her, given her silence, but the empty sockets continued to stare at her, as if waiting to see what she would do and, like in the girl's locker, see if she would give its presence away.
TELL HIM! DO IT! TELL HIM!
Jade gently pawed on her leg, bringing her back from her shock of the figure standing behind her father to answer his question.
Sierra slowly got to her feet.
"...Dad?" She started, curling her right-arm over her stomach to rub her left-arm, very nervously. "...There's something that I need to tell you. -She looked to the side.- ...Something that I should've told you, when I got back from my internship."
To that, Shōta closed the fridge and made his way to his child, grabbing both of her shoulders to have her focus on him, before he got down on one knee to be close to eye-level with her as possible.
"What is it?" He gently urged.
Again, she looked over at the shadowy-figure, who continued to stare back at her.
She let out a deep sigh, before turning to her face... Then, she gave him the her best smile.
"I found my Granduncle!"
TBC
Yep! Gonna stop it there, so you can get angry and beg of her to stop lying and to tell the truth! Why? Because I like to torture you to wait and see what happens next time! ;P
Remember when Jirō, when she jabbed Mineta in the eye for peeping in the girl's locker room and wondered why he didn't say anything about her. It's either, because she cut him off, before he could say something about her, through the excitement on what he wanted to see in the girl's locker room.
...
...
...
...Or... Because he's friends with Kaminari and, from the way the two interacted with each other... Perhaps, he could be avoiding on hitting on her... Because, most likely, Kaminari likes her and doesn't want to be hitting on his best friend's crush.
...This is just a thought... Despite, that I TOTALLY ship Kaminari and Jirō! And none of you can stop me from doing so! ;P
*: I know, in this part, he said killing... However, to many out there, they would point out that killing and murder are different from each other.
...
...I wanna point out that, in a lot of situations, killing and murder are different.
When you take/kill the life of another, for greed/selfish desire, dark desire to just kill or even for no motive/reasoning at all, that's murder and labels you as a murderer.
When you take/kill the life of another, when your life and/or the life of a another/love one is in danger and are forced in a situation that you have to (Especially, after you go through every other possibility to avoid taking a life, and had failed.) that either you/your friend/loved one(s) die or the person that came to harm/kill you/friend/loved one(s)... It's still killing of some kind, but it doesn't label a person as a murderer. Especially, if you didn't/don't enjoy having to take a life of another.
And, before anybody asks me about video games and killing/murdering in games, please don't.
Also, I changed killing with murder, because of the difference in meaning that, actually, describes Stain and the true title on what his drive really is. While it is driven from selfish desires, society made him see a new light to see a darker-side he believes was tainting others' thoughts and used that reasoning to open people's eyes on how heroes of this timeline want to be heroes for the wrong reason... Plus, he does fight/kill villains that threaten innocent civilians and tries to cause mayhem... Especially, if it results attacking, killing, All Might.
It doesn't justify, let alone excuse, his actions for severely hurting and/or killing all those heroes... He was right on how the hero society had been tainted, and he's the product of one who's been damaged from that finding and was pushed to go down the path he chose to follow.
R&R