A/N: A small bonus before tomorrow's chapter. Also-

To SplitsShot: I didn't mean to insult anyone's intelligence, just that it's not something you see often, sorry. But I'm glad you're excited for more ^_^

Anyway, enjoy.


Bonus Chapter 2: Thaw a Frozen Heart

[Several Years Ago...]

Snowfall today, once more proving how wrong the news was, why did I even watch it if all it did was report wrong and sad things? Yes, a nine... no, ten-year-old is thinking of this stuff. I think kids would be enjoying the snow outside, actually, they are, I just don't care. The snow was pretty though, even when it was really cold I still liked watching it for hours, the world turned into a wonderland, and with Christmas not far some streets were lit up at night, which was also pretty.

Illogical | Isolated | Inquiry?

"Not today, SIVA, I... want to be alone." I slumped against the window frame, staring dully at the snow building on the outside bushes and grass. My finger rose, dancing across the cool surface as it squeaked, my finger tracing an outline of candles. "Ten... so two years..." I sniffed, tucking the blanket around me as I hugged the radiator beside me

Akame has returned | Early | Unexpected outcome

SIVA was getting better with words, sure, it had taken just over two years for a super-smart computer but it was fine, listening to him was fun, I learned alot because of him. Now, SIVA is the only family I have, everything else is gone. I curled up by the window, rubbing my eyes under my mask. It was only me and him and this mask he gave me, the only personal thing I really liked.

Akame | Disliked | Inquiry?

My snort fogged up the glass. "She's not Mom, she's nice, All Might said she is, but she's not Mom, Mom is... is..." I hated thinking of her, but I wanted to but it hurts to! I don't care about anything else, Mom is dead, Dad is dead, Nana is-

Gone | Understand | It's okay

My eyes opened a little at that, my expression through the mask was the same as ever, either wide, unblinking eyes or downcast, sad and mopey. SIVA said that so clearly, was he copying me? He could do that but I don't understand why he's so weird about talking, like a... glitch, yeah, that.

Honesty | Better | Liar

Now I narrowed at my reflection. "I... I don't know what you're talking about." Though the faint warmth running to my face didn't help sell that point.

*Knock-Knock-Knock*

Hearing this, I turned and saw that Akame was standing by my door, resting her right shoulder on the frame while her hand tucked something behind her back, this was strange, she was hiding something? Shuffling all the way around I saw her smiling... differently. She always smiled so brightly but only a few times I've felt the same way, I like her but... I'm just her 'adopted' child, I'm ten but I have a brain too, and a super brain inside mine so I'm not deaf, I know I'm only here because All Might saved us.

"Hello, Yuki~!" Akame waved giddily, stepping into my room as she moved close and at an angle, I couldn't see what she was hiding, this was annoying. I gave a small wave while she knelt down in front of me, her smile was... warmer, and those eyes of hers were, um... really sweet. "After lots of bad guys, and totally not slipping on ice, ahem, I managed to worm my way out of work early just for you!"

My brow rose, slowly, a note appeared in my hands. 'Isn't that bad? Won't the other heroes get mad at you?' Akame saw this a chuckled, I flattened my eyes. 'I'm being serious'

"For someone who's ten you sure are a stick-in-the-mud," She pursed her lips, my gaze hadn't shifted and she deflated. "Okay, fine, I see your point, b-but listen, this is worth it!" Out from behind her back came the item. "Surprise, happy birthday, Yuki!"

What? My head titled, held out before me was a small, rectangular present wrapped in light blue paper, a dark blue ribbon on top with my name on a card. I know it was my birthday but why did she buy me something, I didn't want anything? "SIVA, what's inside?"

Error | Unable to identify | Interference

Now I was really confused, "How can you not tell, it's just - oh forget it," Taking the gift, Akame sat back on her legs anxiously, she was really nervous about this gift? Was it a trap? No, she's very smart but... not that smart. Shrugging, I bowed my head and pulled the bow off, then I tore at the paper slowly, peeling back the colorful paper to reveal the back of a... frame?

With a turn, I saw that it was a picture with a black border and - a-a-and...

My heart thumped in my chest, and I was starting to feel strange and fuzzy and... and really weird. My eyes wouldn't move away from the image, no matter how cold it was I stopped shivering, well, my shiver was about... something else. How did... where did... w-wh-why?

A picture of me, smiling brightly that if the old me saw it she would be confused, wondering what happened. Beside me was... my sister, she was still annoying even in a picture, her light blue hair and a stupid, wide smile with her arms around my shoulders, hugging the top of my head. Behind us was... Mom... Dad, they were smiling too, I remember this day... i-it was three d-d... da-ays b-bef-fore...

"I should have tried harder," I jolted at Akame's voice, seeing her eyes hadn't left me. "Toshinori trusted me to protect you, but... I should have tried to see how long you've grieved alone, just you and that tech in your head," Her hand moved, brushing my mask up, and I didn't stop her, for the first time since I got here I didn't let her touch it, no one touched it but I still didn't stop her

My tears ran down my face, free from the mask as her hand cupped my cheek. "I won't replace them in your heart, I only want to be someone you can lean on just as important as them. You are my daughter, flesh, and blood or not I love you dearly, and even now, I'll wait until you-"

I bit my lip, unable to hold it back any longer, the want, the need to have someone warm around me, to selfishly hoard for myself, to breakdown in their arms and scream my anger out, 'I love you too...' Notes flew out from my body as I threw my arms around... Mom's neck, I was crying, I wanted her to let me cry, I wanted to so much but... but I... '...Mom...'

That final wall broke as I poured the anguish from my soul, wishing I could scream, all I did was conjure dozens of notes, punching Akam - Mom with twig-like strength while my vision was smothered with tears.'MOMMY... DADDY... NANA...!'

"Shh..." Her right arm wrapped around my back and her left patted my head tentatively, feeling this only broke me down further, my head pressed to her chest as I listened to her heartbeat. I still couldn't talk, so everything came out as whimpers, biting my lip as I trembled in her protective arms. "I'm right here."

I may be ten but the things I know and have seen aren't normal, my life isn't normal. Any real normal I had felt so wrong and colorless, like the snow, maybe that was why I liked it because I didn't have to try and remember what things looked like, I could see the world my own way. Now, I really wanted to know, I wanted to be hugged like this alot more, I wanted to hug people like this too, it felt really warm.

Happy | Birthday | Yuki

End


Yeah, so if the odd timing of this little chapter didn't make it obvious, today marks the adorable mute Yuki's birthday! This was the defining moment Yuki accepted Akame as her new parental figure after the loss of her family and subsequent isolation with nothing but SIVA as company.

This was also what gave birth to Yuki's tactile nature. I hope this small chapter was enjoyable, appreciate the support, Happy Holidays heroes :)