Chapter 106
Affection and Selfishness: A Shinobi's Duty
"So, Young Mirio seeks to battle Young Yūhi."
Aizawa hummed in reply but said nothing, tired eyes gazing out the window of the teacher's lounge to the school grounds beyond. Specifically to the girl in purple lying in midst of the blades of grass, one arm tucked behind her head as she read a book.
Even soldiers had hobbies. In the end, she was still human, a young teenager who had dreams and goals and wants and fears of her own, not a cold weapon with no conscious.
"It won't be like the Pop Quiz," he said after a lengthy, thoughtful silence. "We'll record the battle, but I have no intention of broadcasting it for the whole school to see. There won't be any flair or drama this time, or immediate lessons the students or our fellow teachers need to learn. The battle will take place after school tomorrow at Gym Gamma. I'll allow the other two members of The Big Three to spectate, and you and Midnight, if you want. Otherwise, it'll be a private battle. I want our students focused on their immediate future."
"While saving a potential meeting with The Big Three for later," Midnight noted rationally.
He nodded and glanced to his fellow Pros. All Might leaned forward on his knees, nursing a cup of tea in his weakened form. Midnight lounged back on the couch beside him, one leg sensually crossed over the other and a single arm stretch along the back of the sofa.
"Work studies are another issue the faculty will need to discuss at a later date. Until then, seeing one of The Big Three in action against Amaririsu serves no logical purpose. Their Finals are what matter at present. If the battle footage is good, we'll use it at a later date as studying material for tactics."
"Tactics?" Midnight tilted her head.
Aizawa hummed again. He had a feeling that would get their attention. He crossed his arms and stared thoughtfully at the floor.
"The Pop Quiz was explosive. We asked Yūhi to flaunt her power, to play a certain role and attack recklessly to complete the overall goal of the test. It worked. But only because of a few key contributing factors. First and foremost, Yūhi said it best herself: She is in an entirely different league than our students. Secondly, her masterful application of fear and psychological warfare effectively disoriented the entire class. And finally, she pitted two of the strongest combat specialists against each other, which allowed her to pick apart everyone else.
"That's failing to mention the fact she had Intel on all of their Quirks and personalities before the battle even began. She was fully prepared to handle them and their Quirks. This time will be different."
Midnight's eyes widened. All Might's brow furrowed.
"You're planning to withhold all information on Young Mirio's Quirk from Young Yūhi," he realized.
"Exactly. And the same goes for both of you." Aizawa met All Might's gaze. "Yūhi will be returning to her home soon. Maybe after school tomorrow. Maybe the day after. We don't know that yet. However, she took the time to aid our students and their growth when all she wanted to do was return home. I can already see the effect of their experience with Yūhi taking hold on them; it's given many of our students a shove in the right direction.
"This is my way of repaying the favor. It's why I agreed to Mirio's request. Fighting him can only help her in the future, regardless of its outcome. And the same can be said for Mirio. This is an experience I know both of them will make the best of. They'll learn, grow and become stronger for the sake of their goals. That's what I can give her, as a teacher."
It wouldn't stop the conflicts in her world. It wouldn't grant her peace. But it would test her skills, teach her weaknesses and prepare Yūhi for the battles ahead.
"So let her figure it out in combat," he continued strictly. "Yūhi is sharp. She doesn't need us to hold her hand or spoon feed her answers. And, like I said, it won't resemble the Pop Quiz. One wrong step from either of them is all it will take to decide the battle. It'll be over in a matter of minutes, one way or the other."
"All right, I see your point," All Might agreed, dipping his gaunt chin in assent to the plan. "To be quite honest, although I am pleased Young Yūhi can return home, I cannot deny the growing sadness her impending departure brings me. She is a unique child, and I value the kindness, warmth and the wisdom she has shared with me."
Midnight pursed her lips. "Admittedly, my heart aches at the thought of her leaving. We've only known each other for a few days, yet…"
Aizawa drew his eyes back to the window, to the girl lying in the grass.
Yet in that short time, illogical as it is, we've all grown comfortable with her presence. Too comfortable. It's the height of irrationality. The day she successfully summoned Osamu and Atsuko, her time in our world was limited to a handful of days at the most. We knew that. Yet, in a matter of a few days, she has made a personal impact on everyone she has encountered.
In these last few days, we've all come to appreciate Amaririsu.
From the school entrance, Aizawa observed the casually clothed Yukiko Igarashi begin crossing the grass towards Amaririsu. He shut his eyes and sighed.
He hoped Yūhi's departure wouldn't break Igarashi's heart.
Amari was blushing. The affection, the sweetness, the teasing and yearning, the love and lust, it was overwhelming her. It melted her heart, made her adolescent body react in ways she wasn't used to. And that made it all the more scandalous when a shoe lightly nudged her thigh.
"Eep!" the kunoichi squeaked, slamming her book shut. Locking away all of its secrets in a bear hug over her chest.
"Heh. Good book?" Yukiko Igarashi greeted her with a mirthful smile on her scarred lips and a cocked eyebrow. The question was inquisitive and knowing.
Amari flushed scarlet. She swallowed roughly and pushed her heart back down where it needed to be.
"Yes," she squeaked out in reply.
"Mmhm. Mind if I join you?"
"Oh, uh, sure." She relinquished one arm from the bear hug to pat the ground beside her. "You can sit here. I was sort of at a stopping point anyway. And I can always read later."
While any opportunity to spend time with Yukiko was limited. Unlike the letters she shared with Haku, and any future joint missions with Hikari, these few moments would be all she had with the High Voltage wielder. There would be no form of communication, no encountering each other again. This was it. These little moments spread between one or two days would be all they ever had.
She had to make the most of them.
Yukiko settled down beside the kunoichi, crossed her legs and, for a moment, silently observed her. Amari responded in kind. She examined the loose charcoal t-shirt that hung off her right shoulder and the strap of a black sports bra it revealed; she examined the black and white shorts that had climbed from below her knees to mid-thigh upon sitting down, and revealed the spandex shorts she wore beneath them; her hair was visibly damp, brushed from her shaved right temple to drape over her left shoulder.
She noticed light bruising on her arms, close to the skull and flintlocks tattooed on her right forearm, and assumed there were likely others she couldn't see. The bruises were new. They hadn't existed when they last saw each other an hour or so ago.
She's been sparring, Amari noted academically. It explains the sportswear. I'm amazed they didn't take today off after what they endured during the Pop Quiz. That's probably why she's still bruised. Recovery Girl's Quirk costs energy, energy Yukiko probably doesn't have to spare at the moment.
She respected her dedication. Or, well, she resembled it, too. As a notorious workaholic, the kunoichi had come home plenty of times with extra bruises. It was the nature of training and combat, and not worth running to the hospital for something so minor.
Yukiko's brow abruptly furrowed, a severe expression pulling on her face. She reached over and grabbed Amari's right hand, lifting it closer to examine it. And then leaned in for an even closer examination. The kunoichi was confused, at first.
"Bakugo," Igarashi hissed.
Amari's eyebrows rose slightly, finally recalling the burn. The minor tingling had long faded, though the light discoloration remained. She had forgotten it even happened, especially after the whirlwind of meeting Nejire, Mirio and Tamaki. The fact her kindred spirit could recognize it by appearance alone proved it wasn't the first time she'd seen it. And the sight of it on her arm was enough to cause lightning to flash in Igarashi's eyes.
"Don't worry about it," Amari dismissed softly. "It's not serious."
"I don't care if it isn't serious! He burned you, and that should be all that matters," Igarashi growled. "He's gotten away with this crap since we were kids, all because he had the potential to be a great Hero. The teachers nursed his ego and never reprimanded him for bullying other kids. Kids who were less fortunate than him, who didn't have a bright Heroic future ahead of them from their perspective. Quirkless kids got the worst of it."
Quirkless. She hadn't heard the word often, but she sensed the unsettling and familiar connotation within it. Quirkless meant lesser. Lower. Weaker. It hadn't started as such, but now it was meant to put Quirkless people in 'their place' to remind them who and what they were: Neither gifted nor special. They were useless pieces of trash the world was better off without.
It's like half-breed, Amari thought, heart stirred by another constant between their worlds. Quirkless people are now the minority. Unlike in my world, where those who don't train to be shinobi are the majority portion of civilians, those who aren't born with Quirks in this world are seen as anomalies. They're a minority of the population. And just like the Uchiha Clan, there are those who see them and treat them as trash.
Another flaw in this glamorous society. But it was easily ignored, wasn't it? Injustice against Quirkless individuals wasn't a news headline. It didn't grab attention. How many people actually knew a Quirkless person, or understood the vast dichotomy between their life experiences? How many cared? How many would be willing to stand up for it? And how many more believed Quirkless individuals were now a rare flaw in the human genome best left to die off?
This world was full of contradictions and hypocrisy. But then so was the shinobi world. It was another constant.
Yukiko was staring hard at the burn. Finally, it broke off for a snarl. Her violet eyes flashed violently. "That bastard will pay for this."
"He already did." Amari quickly grasped Yukiko's hand in hers and gently intertwined their fingers. She smiled up at the seated girl. "Trust me. I made him regret it."
"How?" Yukiko demanded, calming slightly through the physical connection.
"By proving to him that, if I wanted to, I could kill him at any moment." The kunoichi rolled her head center and stared up at the blue sky. "Engaging him in a fight wouldn't do anything. It's what he wants. It's the reaction he expects and desires most. Besides, he desperately wants a rematch to soothe his bruised and broken ego. The burn was meant to incense me into doing that, I think. Or maybe he just has zero control of his temper when someone refuses to give him his way. He's a pampered and spoiled brat, and definitely throws the tantrums to prove it."
The comment earned her an amused snort, as was the intention. She didn't want Yukiko seeking vengeance on her behalf or for their time to be consumed by dark thoughts of Bakugo.
"After he burned me, I placed him in a genjutsu where he still had my arm in his possession, where he believed he was still in control. When it was time, I showed him reality. I had him kneeling on the floor with his back to me, captured in my Shadow Possession and my kunai to the back of his neck. I'm pretty sure he was about to explode from humiliation and shock."
"The poor baby," Yukiko laughed deep in her throat. "I'm surprised he didn't throw another tantrum."
"Oh, I'm sure he's stomping his feet and screaming violently at the wind somewhere," Amari giggled. "A trio of strange upperclassmen arrived to talk to me, so he stomped off and promised we weren't finished." The kunoichi shrugged and looked back to Yukiko with a smile. "If he wants me to beat his ego with a stick the last few days I'm here, I'll happily oblige. I can bludgeon quite hard."
"You definitely proved that," Yukiko smiled charmingly.
A light chime broke the comfortable silence that followed her statement. Igarashi reached into her pocket and retrieved a red and silver flip phone, which she opened. Her eyes drew over the message, before she thumbed a message back with one hand, never letting go of Amari's hand.
"I won't be able to stay long right now," she said as she shut her phone and stuffed it back in her pocket, reluctance in her eyes and a frown on her lips. "My sister needs me to head home."
"Would it be okay if I stopped by tonight?"
Yukiko hadn't expected the request. That was clear on her face. Still, she nodded.
"Sure. Though I'm not sure how to give you directions…" she trailed off.
Amari rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll send a Shadow Clone with you, of course. She can follow you anywhere, and then when she dispels I'll know where to find you. And don't worry about me traveling on foot. Unless you're leaving this Nation, traveling won't be an issue."
From what she learned of transportation in this world, shinobi traveled farther and faster by foot daily than the average person here. It wouldn't be hard to follow Igarashi.
Yukiko nodded for a moment. Then snorted and grinned. Confused, Amari giggled nervously. "What? What's so funny?"
"You're stalking me home," she grinned.
Scrunching her nose and beginning to blush, Amari replied: "I am not stalking you."
"Following me anywhere? Maintaining distance so no one ever knows you're there? Tracking me home? All for one on one time with me? That sounds like an obsessed stalker."
The kunoichi recognized it was a joke. She recognized Yukiko was playing with her words for personal entertainment, drawing a false conclusion to tease her to the point of blushing, and was succeeding flawlessly in that plan. She recognized that her skill set as a shinobi—as proven by the Leaf's Master pervert—was designed to be the silent shadow in a room, the unblinking eye observing her targets from a distance, whether for practical mission purposes or nefarious perversion.
However, despite recognizing all of that, she couldn't help but flush in embarrassment. Especially at the insinuation beneath the phrase "one on one time" Yukiko knowingly and shamelessly used.
Igarashi laughed at her reaction. Not to the point of tears, but close enough.
She had to retaliate and turn the tables. She couldn't lose so decisively. But what was the best response? What could she say that would strike down her kindred spirits laughter and reverse their roles?
In her effort to think of a response, Amari considered what Anko Mitarashi might say or do. Then remembered the Snake Mistress wrapping an arm around her neck and groping her own chest—which had been so close to Amari's face, she was able to see the adult's dark-colored bra and cleavage through the mesh bodysuit in brain-melting detail.
"Now I can barely contain my chest and Kurenai's more woman than any man can handle!"
She quickly ejected the thought from her mind. Anko's shamelessness was one thing she couldn't copy, even with a Sharingan.
Briefly, she considered what Master Jiraiya's reaction might be. She disregarded the thought immediately. Nothing he would say or do in this situation would help her. It'd only make her seem like a hermit pervert obsessed with skulking in the bushes and watching women in varying stages of undress.
Unmitigated pervert. I hope he still hasn't recovered from the Rasengan. In fact, I hope he has nightmares of it.
"It's not stalking if you're invited over."
Amari wished her retort had been wittier. Wished it was less of a pout and more of a victorious turning of tables, but resigned to defeat. This time.
"Mmhm," Yukiko hummed charmingly. "By the way, all of the girls and some of the guys want to know if you'll be around after school tomorrow. They want to hang out before you go."
"Initially, I was planning to leave after your classes finished tomorrow," Amari admitted. "But one of those upperclassmen I mentioned challenged me to a spar, so I'll probably leave the day after. That'll also give me time to find a way to repay Miss Nemuri, Mr. Aizawa and Mr. All Might. What did everyone have in mind?"
"Going somewhere to eat. Casually."
"Is there somewhere with confections available? I'd really like to compare the sweets of this world to mine."
Yukiko smiled. "I know a good place for that. And don't worry about paying. Momo decided to pay any bill, refusing to let any of us to chip in. I don't like it, personally. I prefer to pay my own way. Anything else feels like being a leech. But Momo refuses to budge on it."
"…That could be a big bill, though. Is she sure she can pay for it?"
"Momo comes from an affluent family. Money isn't an issue for her." Yukiko shrugged. "To me, it's the principal behind it. I can at least pay for myself and you, you know?"
"Hmm." Amari placed their intertwined hands on top of her book. "I feel the same. Still, Momo isn't refusing to budge out of any malicious intent, or to make you feel like a leech or somehow lesser than her. She isn't sneering down at any of you from a gilded tower, where the wallpaper is made from your currency. She doesn't have a single cruel or snobby bone in her body, not from what I've seen.
"As Miss Nemuri told me, 'Kindness and generosity are gifts we can give each other without needing a reason.' How many gifts have you given Momo, Yukiko? Or Jiro, Tokoyami and Shoji? Or random strangers?"
Yukiko said nothing.
"You're the farthest thing from a leech," Amari pressed on. "You are not the person your mother became, Yukiko."
She struck a chord with that statement, evident by Yukiko's hand stiffening slightly in her grasp. The High Voltage wielder looked away.
Amari let the silence fill the space, lightly rubbing her thumb over the back of her kindred's spirits hand.
After a lengthy pause, Igarashi looked back at her. "I'll see you tonight, right?"
"Yep. I'll be there."
"All right." Yukiko reluctantly detangled her fingers. Then suddenly snatched Amari's book without lightning fast reflexes. "What's this book about anyway?" she asked as she hopped to her feet.
"He- hey! Amari stretched after her leg to stop her. And missed.
"It had you blushing. Is it erotica of some kind?"
"Erotica?!" she shrieked, bounding to her feet and blushing feverishly. "No! Absolutely not! My mom would bind me in an eternal genjutsu if she found me reading anything so deviant and perverse!"
"If she caught you," Yukiko replied, flipping the book open as she strolled along. "Come on. We're both teenagers. Let's not pretend to be innocent."
"My- my age has nothing to do with my taste in reading material! And I picked up that book in this schools library! Now get back here!"
"I just want to know what it's about."
Amari Body Flickered and snatched the book out of her hands, hugging it close and back to her chest as she continued to run away across the field.
"Then be polite and ask!" she reprimanded, flushing pink. "Don't steal it and flip through without knowing anything about the story it's telling!"
"You know, now I'm even more curious."
Yukiko, with her longer legs, caught up to Amari with ease. She wrapped an arm around her waist; Amari could feel the electricity thrumming through her body. With little effort, the High Voltage wielder lifted the smaller girl off her feet and peeled the book from her fingertips. She unceremoniously dropped her back onto her feet and bolted away to the other side of the field.
It was a declaration of war.
What proceeded was akin to battling an enemy shinobi for an intelligence scroll—the stakes were exceptionally high. The book traded hands several times in the collection of minutes they chased each other. Amari on more than one occasion leapt onto Yukiko's back and put her in a mock choke-hold to retrieve her precious novel. In return, Yukiko held her back by her head, using her longer reach to keep her at bay.
Igarashi learned the deadly nature of her poke.
"Ah! Hey!"
"Give it back! I'll poke you until you do!"
"Are you seri— Ah! I guess you are. Ah! Stop it!"
"That's my private property!"
"Technically it's the schools— Ah!"
They flickered over the blades of grass, tackled each other to the ground and battled for the objective with zeal.
At the end of it, Amari was on her back, breathing heavily and laughing as she attempted to poke Yukiko and reach for her book. Her kindred spirit, seated sideways on top of her stomach, kept it out of reach as she finally began reading.
"Yukiko!" the Nara whined.
"Shh. I'm trying to read."
"Yukiko!"
"Shh."
"Can't breathe."
"You'll be fine. Oh! Heh, looks like Mina was right about you," Yukiko grinned. "You are a romantic. '"I love you." The thief didn't hesitate any longer to say it. The words came out naturally, spoken with all of the love that rested within her heart.' By the way, where are they? I didn't read what came before."
Amari's cheeks felt like they were steaming. "Yo- You can't read it out loud!"
"Sure I can. So, where are they?"
"The- they're on their first real date!"
"First date?" Yukiko cocked an eyebrow. "First date and already they're saying I love you?"
"They've been best friends for longer!" Amari argued passionately, feeling the need to justify herself while struggling to escape and reclaim her book. "You're reading at a part that takes place years after they met on a suicide mission and after the galactic nightmare war that claimed millions, possibly billions of lives. The Commander barely survived it!"
"A galactic war, huh? Sounds interesting, but I think I am missing some pieces here."
"Because you didn't read what came first! You can't just pick up in the middle of a book and expect to know what has happened."
"Okay," Yukiko grinned down at her. "Enlighten me."
Amari huffed but didn't relent her struggling. "Their feelings for each other changed. They fell in love with each other! But they never said a word because of the unpredictable nature of the war. Then the Commander nearly died saving the galaxy! It's a miracle she survived. But she did and they reunited and this was the first time the thief ever said those three magical words. It's a special moment!"
"Cheesy. But cute, I suppose." Yukiko drew her eyes back to the book. "Let's read on."
Left with no choice, Amari lunged up and twisted her body, causing Yukiko to lose balance and begin to tumble back first towards the grass. The kunoichi wrapped one arm around her kindred spirit's abdomen and pushed her off of her stomach and onto the grass. Before she could recover, Amari slipped out from beneath her legs and clambered after the book, climbing on top of Yukiko in the process.
Once it was back in her possession, she hugged the book back to her chest and tried to stand up. She never had the chance. Yukiko grabbed her and spun Amari onto her back, pinning her down.
"Let's see how you like getting poked." She was grinning mercilessly.
"Noooo!" Amari cried out dramatically.
The war continued.
Midoriya watched Amaririsu and Yukiko wrestling over her book from inside of the school. It was strange, he had to admit, to see Igarashi playing around like a carefree kid. Ever since they reunited at U.A. High School, she really only smiled or laughed when she was around Jiro, Tokoyami and Shoji. Yet he always noticed the pain underneath it. The separation of the lives they'd all lived, and hers.
She made jokes, sure, and teased her friends. But Midoriya felt a presence of maturity around her, a sense of adulthood Yukiko hadn't reached in age but had gained through rough life experiences.
Here she was, though, wrestling around in the grass over a trivial thing. Laughing and smiling freely with Amaririsu. It reminded Izuku of how two siblings might act. However, the connection that formed between them was deeper than a sibling relationship, he could tell. Much deeper.
Out of their entire class, the only person who could relate to Yukiko's upbringing even a little was Todoroki, but their relationship had started out rocky, only recently growing into a mutual understanding and respect. They were survivors. Striving to be Hero's and people who did not resemble their abusers.
The rest of 1-A, though? They had lived fortunate and good lives. Jiro, Tokoyami and Shoji could express sympathy to her circumstances, but they couldn't relate their experiences to Yukiko's. None of them could.
Amaririsu could. Amaririsu understood loss, death and pain just as well as Yukiko could. Maybe their circumstances weren't identical, but they understood each other. They shared an intangible connection, like a red thread of fate that had tied them together. And his friend embraced that connection. Even though it would be taken from her, even though Amaririsu would be leaving soon, Yukiko was grasping this bond tightly, fighting against destiny to savor what time remained with this girl.
Because Amaririsu made life brighter.
Midoriya smiled softly and turned away from the window. He held onto the straps of his backpack and proceeded towards the stairs.
It had been his plan to ask Amaririsu a series of questions regarding her powers and her world, but it didn't seem appropriate to interrupt them now. He could wait. Maybe at lunch or after school tomorrow. But not now.
Not when Yukiko was the happiest he'd seen her in years.
Eventually, the war ended. It ended with aching sides and sore bellies from pokes and laughter. It ended with heavy breaths and pieces of grass stuck in their hair and on their clothes. Beads of sweat cooled warm skin, racing hearts thrummed in their throats. It felt good. Lovely. They felt alive in every sense of the word. Awake and present in the immediate moment, unclouded by the past and future.
The war ended in a stalemate. Amari was lying on her side partially over Yukiko's belly, facing the girl who had regained possession of her book. The book was closed, held firmly in the High Voltage wielder's hand. But her arms were spread over the sea of grass and her violet eyes drawn to the sky. She was smiling. Puffing a warm laugh now and then as she tried to catch her breath.
Amari watched her, smiling and giggling with her. Poking her now and then to make her squirm and laugh again. There was a blade of grass on Yukiko's forehead, stuck to it at an askew angle. The sight of it made her exhale a giggle. Igarashi's shirt was slightly rolled up her abdomen, her bent knees made her shorts slide down her thighs to reveal the spandex layer beneath.
They were both disheveled messes.
Lying her head into her bicep and elbow, she rested beneath Yukiko's ribs. Warmth and heat irradiated off her skin—off both of them. The tingle of High Voltage was absent presently. Amari's head bobbed up and down from each diaphragm breath her kindred spirit inhaled and exhaled. She calmed her own breathing, all while watching Yukiko lay serenely in the grass.
When violet eyes finally lowered to meet her gaze, she closed her eyes and smiled at Yukiko.
After a few more breaths, Igarashi straightened her legs out and sat up, causing the kunoichi to do the same. She conked her in the head lightly with the front cover of the book and returned it before hopping to her feet. Yukiko lifted her up and, after brushing herself off, left with a smile for home on the promise that they'd see each other later.
Amari sent a Shadow Clone to follow her and eagerly waited to spend more time with her.
Your time here is limited, she reminded herself as she settled back into the grass, heart still beating hard against her chest. She hugged the book to her chest. Make the most of it. Make fond memories that will last forever.
When Nemuri finished her after school duties, Amari departed the campus grounds with her. Midoriya never showed up. The Nara searched the school and surrounding area with her Byakugan, but found no sight of him. She assumed one of two things occurred. Either the stress of talking to a girl one on one became too much for him to bear, which wasn't entirely unlikely given his shyness. Or he respectfully surrendered his time to Yukiko when he saw them together.
Either way, tomorrow she would tease him for standing her up. She could already imagine his reactions, and that incentivized her to show no mercy.
She shared a light meal with Nemuri before leaving to hang out with Yukiko. The pair sat together, sharing in conversation over the Pop Quiz, the teasing she had planned for Midoriya and the little war she waged with Yukiko. The final subject led to no small amount of shameless suggestion, innuendo and teasing from the adult. Amari was a flustered, burning mess through it.
On her way out, after hugging the woman and promising to be back before midnight, Nemuri parted with one final statement.
"Oh, and Amaririsu?"
Hand on the door handle and door partially open, Amari turned back to the adult. "Yes, Miss Nemuri?"
Nemuri's smile was sadistically charming. "Remember what I told you. If you two wrestle for domination, play possum. Let her believe she's in control. And when she lowers her guard, overthrow the top and assert your dominance!" She winked. "You'll thank me later."
Amari was steaming, and certain the grim reaper had pierced his blade through her stomach. The pink flush of her fair features preceded her squeaked out, "Goodbye!" which could barely be heard over the door slamming shut behind her.
Nemuri laughed for a long while after that.
Meanwhile, while leaping from rooftop to rooftop, Amari struggled not to think of the image the R-Rated Hero had imparted onto her.
She was not successful.
It was around seven o'clock when Amari arrived at Yukiko's home—a five-story apartment building. The aspiring Hero lived with her elder sister on the fifth floor, at the farthest corner of the building from the street. Theirs wasn't the only apartment in the complex; two others were constructed behind it, practically mirror images. The only difference was the number printed on each building. Building 3 was where the Igarashi siblings lived.
Amari landed on the small balcony in a crouch. The sun would sink beneath the horizon in another hour or so, but she was confident in her memory of the landmarks she made a point to memorize, and in her eyes to lead her through the darkness of night back to Nemuri's home.
Stepping down from the balcony, she knocked on the glass slider door gently and waited. I don't sense anyone except Yukiko inside. I wonder where her sister went, thought the kunoichi. Hero business, maybe?
Yukiko emerged from somewhere beyond the view the slider door provided. Besides the change of shirt—now a loose and low-cut black shirt, printed with the Jolly Roger on its front and angel wings cut into the back of the shirt—the only two additions she noticed were a pair of silver hoop earrings on both earlobes and a white chord that stretched out of her shorts pocket, appearing to plug into her left ear.
"Most people knock on the front door," Yukiko teased upon sliding the door open.
"Most people aren't shinobi," she replied coolly. Then shrugged. "Well, not in this world, anyway."
"Good point," Igarashi chuckled, ushering her in with a gesture of her hand. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"
"Nope. I'm okay. I ate with Miss Nemuri before coming here." Amari slipped her sandals off at the slider door and placed them neatly to the side of it. "What about you?" she asked as she turned around to face her friend. "Have you eaten?"
"A little while ago," Yukiko nodded. "I was hoping to knock all my homework out before you showed up, but I still have a little left. Mind if I finish it up?"
"It's no problem," Amari waved her off, smiling. "I don't want to imagine what Mr. Aizawa would do to me if he found out I was the reason your schoolwork wasn't finished. He'd probably punish us both for irrationality."
It was decided by Yukiko that they'd hang out in the living area, since it was more open and less claustrophobic for two people than her room was. She gave Amari a quick tour of her home, showing her the locations of the bedrooms and bathroom, as well as the kitchen for any possible snacks or drinks.
The aspiring Hero retrieved her homework from her room and settled onto the couch. While she worked, Amari took in her surroundings and meandered around silently, not wanting to bother Yukiko with questions or distract her when she needed to focus.
There wasn't much by way of decorations or pictures around the small apartment. Amari assumed, correctly, that any personal pictures were inside of the siblings bedrooms. The dining area, kitchen and living space shared the same room, and from her inspection, the Igarashi siblings were not only neat, they were minimalists, too. They lived well, now, but the only real extravagant purchase she found was the flat television screen. Or extravagant from her perspective.
She didn't intrude upon the privacy of their rooms.
Yukiko finished her homework with a sigh. Reaching her hands towards the ceiling, she twisted and stretched out her upper body while seated, sighing again when she lowered her hands back into her lap. Amari quietly leaned against the back of the couch and noted the distant and almost imperceptible sound of singing emanating from the white wire inside Yukiko's ear.
"How does it work?" she asked suddenly.
"Huh?" Yukiko turned her head to face her. "How does what work?"
"The white wire in your ear. I can faintly hear singing coming from it. Is it plugged into your phone? Is that another feature of your world's cell phones?"
"Oh." Yukiko chuckled to herself, shaking her head. "Heh. I honestly thought you were asking me how quadratic functions work."
"Did you begin to sweat?" the Nara teased.
"Maybe," Yukiko smiled at her. "Newer phones do let people listen to music, but I've never seen much point to upgrading. My phone works fine. I can call and text, and that's all I need."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a thick silver rectangle, about the size of her palm. It had a flat white dial in the center that didn't appear to have any turning capabilities. Like a compass, it was marked at its north point with the word menu, at its south with a play and pause symbol and at its east and west points with two opposite facing arrows. There was a small square screen at the top, where digitalized text revealed the name of the song, artist and the time left in the song.
"This is just a portable music player. An older model. The wire here plugs in like Kyoka's Earphone Jacks, connecting the headphones I'm wearing to the device. I can listen to the music I own from it; nothing more and nothing less."
The technology of this world continued to amaze Amari. She wondered if her world would ever invent such technology, or if it was a variable of this world.
"What kind of music do you listen to?" she asked. "I wonder if there's music here that is similar to my world, since our language is the same. Or if the instruments are anything alike."
"Come over here and sit," Yukiko motioned for her to join by lightly patting the couch. I'll introduce you to some of my music."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah. Me and Kyoka listen to music and talk to each other at the same time pretty often. She's got a real ear for music. Probably could've been a singer, songwriter and guitarist if her dream wasn't to be a Pro Hero." Amari settled down on the couch next to Yukiko, who twirled her unused earphone around her finger, staring off at the balcony with a smirk on her lips. "Gave me hell when she caught me eavesdropping once. She's real weird about it, despite her talent. But I'm the same way with my sketches."
"Your sketches?" Amari tilted her head to the side. "Do you draw a lot?"
"A lot is an understatement. You'll need to sit closer. There. That'll work." Yukiko placed the earphone in her ear gently.
"I don't hear anything," the kunoichi pouted.
"That's because I paused the track," her kindred spirit chuckled. "Here. This is a favorite of mine."
Immediately her ear was greeted by the voice of who Amari was certain was an angel, drums, a string section and several other instruments she couldn't immediately place. After a collection of seconds, each instrument fell away save the beat of the drums, a piano, violins and an acoustic guitar after the powerful intro, mellowing to a softer tone to let the husky voiced angel shine. Her voice expressed layers of emotion. Amari was overwhelmed by pleasant and emotional chills.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
Yukiko hummed in agreement.
They listened through its powerful climax and crescendo to its soft finale. The whole song touched Amari's heart. Afterwards Yukiko shared with her a wide variety of musical artists, ranging from rock and pop artists to famous composers native to Japan, and even some power metal bands and epic music works from beyond her Nation. Amari listened with an open ear and curiosity. Some of it was strange compared to her world. Others were pleasant surprises she wished existed back home.
Overall, she appreciated the chance to share this with Yukiko. This chance to create a peaceful and fun memory of them together.
Yukiko lowered the volume on her music player after a while so they could talk. They sat at slight angles to face each other. Amari crossed both legs beneath her, Yukiko crossed one; the white wire earphones stretched between their ears. Violet eyes gazed deeply into hers.
"Are you ever afraid you won't live up to the expectations others set for you?" she asked at length.
"Cutting straight to the heart with that, aren't you?" the kunoichi giggled.
Yukiko smiled roguishly. "Beating around the bush is tedious. I prefer straightforward. It's not always charming, but it is honest." Her smile fell. "You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable."
"It doesn't. Am I ever afraid I won't live up to the expectations others set for me?" Amari nodded. "Always. I've been very fortunate to meet my mom and friends, to have a home and family that is as real and as loving as the home and family I lost. I've met and befriended people who haven't been so fortunate, who didn't get adopted by an amazing woman, who weren't encouraged and embraced. They were left alone in their suffering. Made to believe their existence was to be a weapon, or were consumed by blood-lust because they were treated as a monster, or were simply abandoned."
Amari lifted her hands up and looked down at them. "But despite my good fortune…I'm bound, Yukiko. Bound by my blood and the darkness in my heart I haven't been able to relinquish. Bound to a path my family left me to finish on their behalf. My family, Itachi and Aimi, they entrusted so much to me. Even Ryu did. They entrusted me to create and see a new and brighter future. They entrusted the Uchiha legacy, their hopes and dreams to me. They've asked me to lead my peers. To be a guardian and prepare them for a war against darkness I have only seen glimpses of.
"I'm afraid…I'll fail them," she admitted in a quiet voice. "That I'll let everyone down. That what I do won't be enough to save the world from the Akatsuki and Masked Man. I'm afraid others see more in me than I'm capable of. After all, I'm just one girl. I have skills and power, but…I'm still mortal. I'm still fallible. I still feel pain and doubt and fear. I can be hurt. I can suffer heartache and grief. And I don't know if I'm as strong as they think I am. Mentally, emotionally or physically."
She rested her hands back in her lap and met Yukiko's eyes. She smiled. "Still, if I just gave up I really would let everyone down. So I'll keep pushing forward. Even if it's a big drag, I'll become a guardian and prepare everyone as best as I can. And we'll stop the Akatsuki and Masked Man, together. That's the path I've chosen."
Yukiko smiled. "You're something else, Amaririsu."
"Out of this world, perhaps?"
"Oh, that was terrible!" laughed Igarashi, grinning from ear to ear.
"You're the one laughing at it!" she giggled.
"Because it was so corny!" Yukiko shoved her shoulder playfully.
And yet they were laughing, corny as it was.
"Your turn," Amari said when their laughter settled. "Are there any expectations you're afraid of failing?"
"Before this first semester started," Yukiko began, violet eyes gazing out to the slider door balcony, "there weren't any expectations to meet. It was just about surviving on the streets. All of us. Then it all fell apart. Kind of a running theme, or how it felt anyway. I was certain it was my fault, that I was just cursed to have everything I loved be wrecked."
She fell silent for a moment, pinching and rolling the hem of her shirt between her fingers. "I…wanted to die that day, you know? Tried to. I was afraid of my power for so long, but my body reacted on its own. And once I realized what I was doing, I decided that the only way to make it right was to save who I could and die in the process. Yet I'm still here. I'm still alive by the grace of All Might and the doctors who saved a worthless delinquent."
"You're not worthless, Yukiko," Amari said, frowning.
"I've never seen much worth in myself," Yukiko replied softly, not meeting her eyes. Still pinching and rolling the hem of her shirt between her fingers. "And I was a delinquent. No getting around that. It wasn't until I joined U.A. that I began to experience all the pressure and expectations. Eraser Head was a real hard ass."
"It's his way."
"I get that now," Yukiko admitted. "At the time, it just pissed me off. Felt like everyone was breathing down my neck. Like I had to walk on eggshells or be thrown back on the street. Not that I would've cared. I almost wanted them to kick me out. They wanted me to be a Hero more than I did. I wasn't even sure why I should be a Hero, especially with what happened to Dad. Didn't help that my classmates looked at me like I was a Villain. Everyone except Kyoka, Mezo and Fumikage, anyway."
"What about your sister?" the kunoichi asked curiously.
"I was afraid I'd let her down or embarrass her." Yukiko frowned. "I am who I am. I broke a lot of laws. We never mugged people or physically hurt them; we upheld a code, for a time. We helped others with less than us. But we weren't angels. And, in the end, the train attack is all the world will ever remember of us."
Yukiko leaned her arm against the back of the couch and met Amari's eyes.
"The media will never let me forget my past, and because she's my sister, they won't let her escape it," said Igarashi seriously. "My sister has busted her ass to get where she is now. She hustled and sacrificed so much, trying to save me from our mother. It's because of her and All Might I had the chance to get into U.A. If I was expelled, it would reflect poorly on her image, and image is a major aspect of Hero society.
"So I tried, for her. I tried to find a reason to be better. To be someone she and Dad could be proud of, rather than someone to be ashamed of."
"Is that how they would really feel? Or is that just your perception of yourself?"
Yukiko fell silent for a long while. Her eyes dropped, but Amari could see her mind and heart struggling against her natural instinct to shell up and change the subject. A band that played rock music with traditional Japanese musical instruments filled the silence. It was enjoyable. Like a mix of her worlds music and theirs almost.
"My perception," Yukiko admitted at length. "I told her that once. She…cried for me and held me in her arms, swearing she would never be ashamed of me. And neither would Dad." The violet storm glistened with potential rain. Yukiko looked away and recomposed herself. "I'm not…used to talking about this stuff.
"I keep a lot bundled up inside, too."
Yukiko met her eyes again with a meaningful look. "Thanks. It feels good to talk about it with someone who understands."
Amari smiled and brought her hand to rest on top of Yukiko's on the back of the couch. "Where is your sister anyway? She didn't leave because I was coming, did she?"
"No," Yukiko shook her head. "She was actually excited I invited someone over. But she got a call about some case she's working on. Wouldn't tell me the details."
The kunoichi hummed. Pro Hero life sounded as busy as shinobi life. The general structure of their missions was different from what she had learned, but the day to day grind, the training and preparations to stay in peak form and the dangerous encounters paralleled or downright intersected with shinobi life.
They didn't speak after that. Although there was no shortage of subjects for them to speak on, or questions to ask about their personal lives, they did not speak a word. They listened to the music player, swimming in each other's peaceful and comfortable presence. Connected by the wire hanging between their ears. Connected by their bond and the feelings they left unspoken.
Yukiko slipped her hand out from beneath Amari's, gently placing it on top at first. Then she began to lightly massage her thumb over the back of it. Gradually, she shifted between massaging her thumb across the back of her hand to gliding the tips of her fingers in indistinct shapes down the length of the kunoichi's fingers, along her knuckles then back to her wrist.
It felt good. Really good. The action was simple, the touch tender. Yet the simplicity did not negate its affection, its intimacy. Amari invited the touch and its intimacy. Despite knowing it would only hurt them more when she inevitably left, she invited it. It was selfish. They were being selfish.
Nothing could or would change her departure, Yukiko knew that. Amari could see it in her half-lidded violet eyes, so utterly focused on their hands and her actions, refusing to look the kunoichi in the eyes. Fear she might see discomfort or disapproval for this intimacy, maybe? Fear to face reality, perhaps?
No matter what it was, they both knew the conclusion. In the end, Amari was leaving. Asking her to stay, to have more time together, was too selfish. It was one sacrifice she couldn't make, no matter how tightly that red string was tied around their hearts.
So Yukiko never asked. And Amari never reminded her of the reality. They ignored reality and destiny to indulge selfishness even though it would hurt. Even though they would lose each other in the end. They were only human, after all. Young teenagers who wanted no regrets left in these few moments in time they would share.
Slowly, Yukiko glided her fingertips up Amari's forearm. Amari lifted her pointer and middle finger, lightly rubbing her middle knuckles back and forth on the underside of the aspiring Hero's arm, encouraging her. She uncrossed a leg and draped it off the couch. After a moment of hesitation, she timidly brought it to Yukiko's leg, gliding it up then down the length of her calf, imitating the games of footsie she had seen her mother and Asuma secretly play beneath the dining table.
Unlike her mother and Asuma, who had years of romantic experience together, she lacked any and all romantic experience. Every second to pass was pleasant and dreadful. The attempt at boldness made her heart race; she was instantly hyper-aware of the sensation of their connection of flesh, of her own breathing, Yukiko's breathing and the sound of her heart in her ears over the quiet music. Yet it made her self-conscious.
Was she doing this right? What if Yukiko didn't like it? Did it feel good? Odd? Clunky or bony? Was she pushing their selfish indulgence too far?
Almost immediately Amari wanted to pull back. To cross her leg again and bury her face into her free hand in embarrassment like the inexperienced and klutzy teenager she was.
How did her mom and Asuma do it? How did they engage in romantic or playful actions fearlessly? Did Shisui have these moments of doubt? Of fearing his affectionate gestures would end in disaster?
Before she could pull her leg back in embarrassment, Yukiko responded to her action by engaging it. Amari's cheeks warmed, but her smile was impossible to fight. It was yet another affectionate act, simple yet intimate. Slow and meticulous in movement, but making her heart race as if she were locked in heated combat. It made warmth pulse through her body. Familiar and foreign feelings awoke in her adolescent body, pleasant and strange.
As their feet played, a sharp tickling sensation raced up the bottom of her foot. The kunoichi gasped and tried to retract her leg, but Yukiko, wearing a mischievous grin, wrapped her leg around hers and pulled it back.
"You're ticklish," she teased, grinning as if she had learned an incredible secret.
It was a charming grin. But Amari retaliated with a quick attack of her own, running her big toe down the bottom of Yukiko's foot. The aspiring Hero had a similar reaction. Amari locked her leg from escaping and pulled it closer.
"You're ticklish, too," retorted the kunoichi, smirking.
Their game continued. They laughed and giggled and played. They showed affection and tenderness afterwards, all through their simple interactions. Their meaningful touches and playful intimacy. Yukiko had switched her music player to play her collection of the angel's voice. The song playing expressed affection, sorrow and loss; it was enchanting and powerful.
Amari half-listened to the soundtrack of their unspoken feelings. She uncrossed her other leg and draped it over Yukiko's lap, scooting closer. Their feet continued to dance and play together.
Yukiko glided her fingers up Amari's forearm, and off, reaching forward to brush and tuck strands of her blue hair behind her ear. Her other hand came to rest on the Nara's shin. She caressed down to her foot. Again Amari gasped as Yukiko, grinning and humming deep in her throat, drew her finger quickly up the length of it.
The gasp transformed into a giggle. Her face and body were warm. Her heart was beating out of control and her stomach had butterflies twisting and corkscrewing inside of it. Amari swallowed down her rationality and embraced her selfishness.
She locked onto the sensation of Yukiko running her palm up her leg, leisurely, tenderly. The act of scooting closer had caused her shorts to climb down her thigh. It left more flesh for her palm and fingers to dance and glide over. It tickled pleasantly, stirred the warmth and butterflies.
"Is this okay?" Yukiko asked.
"Have I strapped you in a genjutsu as punishment?"
Yukiko shut her eyes and hummed, amused by the tease. "No."
"It's okay then," Amari smiled softly, blushing. "I appreciate you asking. But this is good." She took Yukiko's other hand into her own and intertwined their fingers. "Trust me. I'm here because I want to be. I wouldn't just sit here quietly if I was uncomfortable. You would know, immediately."
"Thanks for the warning," Yukiko grinned. Her violet eyes locked onto their intertwined fingers, her palm floated down her shin and up to her thigh again. "It's only right to ask. Some people aren't like you or me. They'll endure through something uncomfortable for the wrong reasons or because they can't see an escape, or have had their escape and choice stolen from them."
"A friend of yours?" Amari asked, noticing the personal nature of her tone.
The aspiring Hero nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Three years back, before the gang fell apart. A good friend came to me, crying. Shaking. Told me her boyfriend—who had expressed his 'love' to her time and time again—pressured her into doing more than she was comfortable with. She told him she wasn't ready, but…" Her scarred lips tightened into a severe frown. "He manipulated her emotions and made it seem like she was being unreasonable, the scumbag.
"When I found out, I brought her to the police and had her tell them the same story." Yukiko's eyes darkened. "But he came from an influential family. They had the story buried before it hit mainstream. 'Boys will be boys,' is what was said."
"That's terrible," said Amari, frowning in discomfort.
"Yeah. She was a good friend," she said, regret in her voice.
"Was?"
"Yeah. Was," Yukiko sighed, eyes flicking away.
"I'm sorry, Yukiko."
Yukiko nodded slightly. "I was, too. We all were. So we made him sorry."
"May I ask what you did?"
"We handicapped him. He'll never walk again," Yukiko stated plainly. Without remorse. "And we branded her name on his forehead, that way he and his family never forget her name or their crime." She shook her head. "Didn't bring her back, though. Didn't fix anything. Didn't change the system or the world we lived in. Just left behind this hollow feeling in my chest."
Amari wasn't sure what to say or what could be said. So she didn't speak. She held onto Yukiko's hand, hoping just being here with her would be supportive enough in the absence of words.
"Still okay with a worthless delinquent like me?" Yukiko asked.
The kunoichi squeezed her hand. "Always. And you're not worthless. Don't forget who I am and what I've done, Yukiko. My hands aren't clean."
She nodded slightly. Then flicked her eyes over to meet Amari's. "Sorry for ruining the mood. I should've changed the subject."
"Nothing is ruined," Amari smiled sincerely.
"How do you figure that?"
"We're still here, aren't we? It's like…" She pursed her lips in thought. "How to say it? It's like…closing a book without memorizing what page you're on or placing a bookmark. We'll flip through some pages, revisit some things we've already read and then pick up right where we left off."
She tickled Yukiko's foot with her toe. The aspiring Hero retracted her leg, but the beginnings of a genuine and warm smile took form. Her hand rushed down to the kunoichi's foot and tickled it mercilessly, causing her to yelp and bend her leg to bury the sensitive flesh on the couch. Their toes began to play again.
"Nothing is ruined," she repeated sincerely, earnestly. "Nothing has changed from few moments ago. This is good. I want to be here, with you."
Yukiko rested her hand on the top of her knee and let it slide down the top of her thigh, almost entirely revealed; her shorts were bunched up below her waist. Amari watched her kindred spirit lean her head closer to the point of her knee, expecting her to rest her chin on it. Instead, Yukiko pressed her lips against her knee in a quick peck. The action sent electricity shooting through the kunoichi.
Neither spoke of it. Again they fell into silence, relaxing together, playing footsie and listening to music as Yukiko gently rubbed her leg. They lost themselves in the peace and affection, neither caring to track the time. So long as they were here together, time didn't matter.
Every now and then, Yukiko lightly dragged her manicured nails up the inside of her leg. The first time, Amari was shocked. Not because it hurt—it didn't. But the way her body processed the pleasant sensation left her blushing. And excited. Her body was irradiating heat. Her butterflies renewed their frenzied fluttering in her tummy. Goosebumps formed over her flesh, her skin felt hypersensitive everywhere. Her toes curled into the couch.
It was exquisite.
Yukiko kissed her knee again. Amari consciously scooted closer, and Igarashi noticed. Her fingers naturally unwound themselves from her embrace and tucked the strands of her hair behind her ear again. The kunoichi was almost sitting in her lap. Little distance separated their faces, so when Yukiko leaned in she was already there.
Their noses bumped awkwardly. Amari giggled and Yukiko laughed, leaning their foreheads together. It wasn't the action or pleasant joy either expected to feel a moment ago, but it felt wonderful. The kunoichi felt lighter somehow rather than embarrassed. Maybe it was because she had Yukiko laughing with her.
"Pretty smooth," Amari teased, blushing.
"It's been a while," she replied, chuckling.
"Rub it in."
Violet eyes rolled. "You're making a bigger deal out of first kisses than you should. My first was terrible. It was so awkward and stilted. My second was better, though that was a low bar."
"What's it like?"
"What's what like?"
Amari squirmed inside, biting the inside of her lip. They were almost there a moment ago, but she wasn't sure what it would feel like or what to do. If she could learn more by asking, maybe she could prepare better.
"…Kissing," she said the word quietly, as if speaking it louder would summon a dark demon.
"You mean 'how do I not screw up my first kiss.' Right?"
"Yes," she pouted, puffing her cheeks out.
Yukiko hummed, backed up and pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaning their foreheads together again.
"Good news for you, I already screwed it up for both of us with my smoothness." Amari giggled. Yukiko glided her hand down then up the inside of her thigh. "Relaxing is a good start. Go slow. My first kiss felt like it almost knocked a tooth out."
"Ouch," Amari giggled again.
"Exactly. So take it slow. Don't rush in. Breathe through your nose and don't slobber."
The kunoichi had to lean back and cover her mouth as she snorted and burst into giggles.
Yukiko smirked and rolled her eyes. "Laugh it up. I told you: The stigma behind first kisses is overrated."
"I'm so sorry," she giggled.
"Uh-huh." She shoved her shoulder lightly. Amari dramatically fell onto her back, still giggling. "Communication like this is always good, too," Yukiko added. "Once you figure out what you like and don't like, telling whoever you're kissing or showing them is helpful."
"Mm. Makes sense."
Yukiko reached her hand out. Amari took it and let her lift her up upright again.
"Think of kissing like…a dance. It's not about battling for supremacy and dominance, or about rushing in like a lion charging in to feast on its prey; you're finding a rhythm together. And, if you're lucky, you'll find a partner who is patient even when you screw up or one who finally tells you the mistakes you were making."
"Did you?" the kunoichi asked curiously.
"We figured it out together. More important than all of that advice…" Yukiko leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. It sent electricity down to her core, where it proceeded to pulse warmly. "Be present in the moment. Be tender. What is kissing like? To me, a real kiss is an intimate connection. The physical act is one part of that. The rest is an intangible thing. It is passion and tenderness. It is affection and lust. It is vulnerability and strength. It's you and me being here together, playing footsie, holding hands and sharing affectionate touches."
"When you say it like that, it doesn't sound as scary," she admitted in a shy voice.
Yukiko smiled warmly. "No, no it doesn't."
She took Amari's hand and intertwined their fingers again. She brought the back of the kunoichi's hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to it. Feeling bold, Amari gently tugged their joined hands closer and pressed a kiss against the back of Yukiko's hands. Unlike her friend, Amari was blushing afterwards.
Again Yukiko gently dragged her nails up the inside of her thigh. Amari shivered and squirmed. It felt good. Really good. And she was certain Yukiko realized the hypersensitivity dancing over her skin. The older girl smiled.
"Still okay?"
"Better than okay."
Igarashi hummed a warm, affectionate laugh and leaned in, nuzzling her nose against her neck and pressing a kiss beneath her ear. She shut her eyes and focused solely on the sensations Yukiko's actions provided her. Amari felt herself thrumming, almost purring. Had Nejire heard her, the upperclassmen would have likely thought she was part kitten.
When Yukiko's hand cupped her cheek, she opened her eyes again to meet the violet orbs gazing deeply into hers. Her thumb caressed softly along her cheek.
Their noses didn't bump.
Amari's first kiss wasn't rough. It didn't nearly knock her teeth out and there wasn't any slobbering. It was gentle, tender and slow. Yukiko's lips were soft and tasted of cherry. Between the fire suddenly coursing through Amari's veins and Yukiko's hands caressing her skin, she nearly fainted. Her head was swimming, her warm body pulsing and tingling, her heart racing at a full sprint.
Then it was over. The feelings remained, but the kiss was over. Yukiko rested her forehead against hers again.
"How do you feel? Still with me?" she whispered.
"Ye- yeah," Amari struggled out a verbal response.
"Overrated, right?"
"Absolutely not."
Yukiko snickered.
The entire room, from floor to ceiling, trembled without warning. The glass slider door vibrated. Both girls snapped to attention, recognizing the sound anywhere. Amari rose first and rushed to the slider door with Yukiko flipping the T.V. on to the news behind her. It was unnecessary.
The explosion and resulting tower of flames was visible from the balcony.
"What the hell is going on?" Amari muttered.
"Villain attack," Yukiko answered, voice serious. "It's all over the news."
Amari stepped away from the window and observed the news. The fire was out of control. The entire apartment building was ablaze, and from the footage there appeared to be people still inside. The only Pro Hero Amari saw there was a firefighter of some sort.
"Who is that? Is he the only one there?" she asked.
"It's Backdraft. He's a Pro Hero and firefighter. He wields a water Quirk. And from the look of it, he's the only one on site."
"How long does it take for Pro Hero's to mobilize?"
Yukiko looked at her, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "Longer than those people have."
Amari turned on her heel and slipped back into her sandals. She unwound a scroll, unsealed her harness, tantō, pouch and ninja tool box and proceeded to strap, buckle and equip her gear.
"Is this a good idea?" Yukiko asked as the kunoichi slid the door open. "Aren't you supposed to keep your identity hidden from our world? If you go there, you'll be all over the news, too. They'll think you're a vigilante mimicking Stain,"
"That's fine. I don't care what they think of me," Amari replied, hopping onto the railing. "Mr. Aizawa can chew me out tomorrow. Those people need me now."
Yukiko's hand wrapped around her wrist. "Wait a second, Amaririsu."
Amari paused and looked back with a meaningful expression. "I can't just sit here when people need me, Yukiko. It's my duty as a shinobi to protect people who cannot protect themselves. If I stay, if I don't try to save them and people die, I'll carry that regret on my conscious forever."
"I know. I'm not stopping you. Take this." She placed her flip phone into Amari's hand. "If you find the bastard responsible, press the number '2' and then the green button. It'll call my sister. She can bring him to the police."
"Right," Amari nodded.
Yukiko leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Go. Be their Hero, Amaririsu," she said as she stepped away.
The kunoichi took off with speed, dōjutsu activating and chakra flooding through her body to add enhanced speed to every stride.
She ran towards the fire. Towards the conflict shadowed in orange hues on this black night to save those crying out for help.
That was the duty of the shinobi.
That was the nature of a Hero.
A/N: For anyone curious for the specific songs they listened to the first mentioned is called Re: I Am by Aimer/SawanoHiroyuki. The rock band with traditional Japanese instruments is called Wagakki Band, though there is no specific song I have in mind. The other song for the soundtrack of their unspoken feelings was Ref: rain by Aimer. A bonus song is Trust You by I think Yuna Ito which is a song from Gundam 00.
Anyway, thank you for reading!
Review response to Guest: She really doesn't have a clue yet how troublesome Mirio will be.
Thank you for the review!
Review Response to Anonymous: I'm happy I've managed to make this arc enjoyable for you. I went into this arc kind of knowing that not everyone would be super into the My Hero world as I am, but I took it as a challenge to still make it enjoyable for everyone, even those who didn't either know about the world at all or for those not into it. I'm happy I've managed to make this arc enjoyable for you and everyone else; honestly, I didn't expect the positive reception that it has received to be so large. The interactions have been a blast to write, though, as was the Pop Quiz and the upcoming parts.
Hmm. I'm not sure if any of the My Hero characters will ever crossover to the Naruto world. Amari has the Flying Raijin accident as a reason for her world traveling, and though there are warp Quirks in My Hero, I'm not sure how or when I would do something like that to the My Hero characters. I don't want to do it just to say I did it, you know? It has to have some impact on the story, characters or world. But I won't say it will never happen. As of now, it hasn't. But there's always a chance I think of something.
I, too, look forward to finally reaching Shippuden era and all that entails with what I have planned for it. All future encounters with Tobi and Madara are events I look forward to as well.
I'm happy you've enjoyed the story so far. Thank you for reading this monster sized project I have undertaken. Barring anything terrible happening to me, I intend to stick with it until the end, though I hope I can maintain my current schedule and balance everything properly.
Thank you for the reivew!
Review Response to ChillinInKonoha: Happy you enjoyed the lighthearted nature of the last chapter. Writing Monoma, Mineta and Amari's reaction to Momo, among other parts, were definitely entertaining to write. Yep, the Big Three, specifically Mirio, have taken notice of Amari. We'll see how that turns out for her. I don't know if that kind of misunderstanding will happen, but hopefully you enjoyed this smaller surprise of Yukiko and Amari. If Mirio does fight her in his gym clothes then it is all but guaranteed Amari will die. And then be reanimated and slay him over an entirely different misunderstanding.
Well, she doesn't have control over her Uchiha charm, and even less control over her mouth at times, but I'd say it all worked out in her favor this time. Looks like she'll be meeting Backdraft, too.
We'll have to wait and see if the League of Villains has made a move or not. Or if this is all an irrational Villain's lone plan, as Aizawa might say. Or an entirely different threat.
She hasn't learned about dating, yet, but she has learned something else.
Thank you for the review!