When Mikoto got back to the school Tabitha and Sylphid were outside, almost as if they'd been waiting for her to get back.
Mikoto knew better, once they'd dropped off Colbert, Kirche, Saito, Siesta and Louise they'd flown back and been following her from the sky to make sure she didn't disappear into the night never to be seen again.
"Hey," Mikoto whispered as she approached Tabitha taking note of the dark rings under her eyes. "You alright?"
Tabitha nodded and Mikoto smiled slightly. "What about you Sylphid?"
Sylphid kyuied quietly, nuzzling Mikoto's chest.
Mikoto smiled softly at the action and stroked her nose.
"You should get some sleep, it's obvious you're not used to being awake long hours." Mikoto told Tabitha.
"You?" asked Tabitha tiredly.
"I will sleep in the forest somewhere" answered Mikoto.
Tabitha frowned and her eyebrows furrowed slightly in concern.
"Inside" Tabitha grabbed Mikoto's hand and tried to gently pull her towards the girls dorms.
Mikoto didn't budge.
"Tabitha I can't" she whispered sadly.
"Why?" Tabitha asked quietly.
Mikoto looked to the ground, "why? I just mercilessly dismembered a water mage and knocked out around 50 guards without trying, do you really think people would want me anywhere near a school let alone in it?" she tried to reason.
Tabitha bit her lower lip gently.
She tightened her grip on Mikoto's hand, "friend."
Mikoto's eyes widened, "w-what?" she choked in disbelief.
She couldn't believe it, even after what Tabitha had seen her do, seen the power she possessed, seen how merciless she could be, she still wanted to be her friend.
Sylphid gently pushed her head against Mikoto's back as Tabitha tried to pull her forwards again.
Mikoto still didn't budge.
"I don't deserve friends" muttered Mikoto her bangs shadowing her eyes.
Tabitha didn't know what to say but somehow she had to convince Mikoto to come inside, she couldn't risk her disappearing into the forest and never returning.
She tried to say something but Mikoto kept speaking.
"I've killed people, I've tortured people, I've destroyed people's lives, ripped families apart at this point I'm nothing but a monster?" she smiled bitterly.
Mikoto tensed as Tabitha hugged her, "not a monster" she muttered.
Mikoto frowned, "yes I am."
Tabitha shook her head.
Mikoto's eyes widened in disbelief, Tabitha truly believed she wasn't a monster.
Tears gathered in her eyes as Tabitha released her from the hug and once again gently pulled Mikoto's hand forwards.
This time Mikoto hesitantly complied.
She knew she shouldn't, she didn't deserve friends especially not ones as kind and understanding as Tabitha but a part of her wanted so badly to be accepted for who she was, who she was forced to become.
And here Tabitha was, accepting her even after seeing first hand what she was capable of.
Was she really allowed a sliver of happiness after all the blood she'd spilt.
She kept following Tabitha silently as she gently pulled her up the stairs and through the halls of the girls dorms.
They only stopped walking once they were outside Tabitha's room where Kirche was waiting for them.
"Headmaster Osmond wants to talk to us now" she tried to stifle a yawn.
Tabitha nodded not and they made their way towards the headmasters office.
Kirche knocked on the door and was almost immediately allowed entry.
She walked in first stifling a yawn with her hand, closely followed by Tabitha who was using her staff to help her walk and Mikoto who looked strangely alert despite not having slept.
They stood next to Louise and Saito who looked dead on their feet.
Headmaster Osmonds critically eyed the students that had just entered his office.
"Now that everyone's here, I've just received a report from the commander of the firearms unit detailing certain events from Count Motts manor and now expect angry and concerned letters from parents."
He stared directly at Mikoto, "what happened?"
"The Railgun raged" said Saito groggily.
Mikoto stiffened as everyone else turned to him in confusion.
Osmond's eyes narrowed in interest and slight alarm, before turning back to Mikoto who now looked wide awake.
"What is Railgun?"
"Railgun is my ability name. I originate from Academy City, a City dedicated to creating espers; people who gained an ability via scientific means. Esper abilities vary but all are ranked by power, level 0 is someone who despite going through the esper program failed to develop any ability whilst level 5 espers are said to have power equivalent to a 1 man army. Out of the 2.3 million people who lived in the city 7 of them including myself were level 5's. Recently there was a war between espers and mages following which the world ordered the mass extermination of all remaining espers."
Externally Osmond appeared calm but his thoughts were anything but.
After a few seconds Osmond gave a long suffering sigh.
"Miss Tabitha, Miss Zerbst, Mr Saito you are excused from classes for today and may return to your dorms."
Saito quickly left followed by Kirche and Tabitha who glanced worriedly at Mikoto before leaving.
Mikoto waited tensely for his decision whilst Louise tried to stifle a yawn.
"Mikoto you are a danger to magic society and most nobles would demand your immediate execution given what you've reviled but I'm willing to give you a chance."
She relaxed slightly relieved but knowing he wasn't finished.
"As you are I cannot let you roam freely in our society therefore I must insist that you attend counselling sessions here at the academy until further notice."
Mikoto contemplated this for a moment, she knew Osmond was trying to manipulate her into staying but she needed those counselling sessions not that she'd ever admit that.
She glanced at Louise raising an eyebrow at Osmond.
"As Miss Vallière summoned you she is your legal guardian."
Mikoto nodded in understanding even if she hated it.
"Huh, wha" Louise was slightly more alert after hearing her name.
"If I refuse?"
Osmond raised his eyebrows.
"Fine, I'll do it" she grumbled.
Osmond smiled, "excellent I'll arrange to have someone sent over as soon as possible."
Mikoto nodded whilst Louise looked between them confused, she'd been so out of it she hadn't heard a word they'd said.
"You may both return to your dorms."
Mikoto left and was surprised to find Tabitha waiting for her.
"Tabitha?" she gently grabbed Mikoto's hand and led her back towards her dorm room, leaving Louise to stumble to her own.
"For you" Tabitha pointed at the single bed on the far right of her room.
"You sure?" whispered Mikoto and Tabitha nodded.
Whilst Tabitha got changed Mikoto took her boots, socks and hoodie off got into the bed.
She fell asleep soon after her head touched the pillow knowing that life was going to get slightly easier.
Sorry for the wait.
My sister's now betaing my chapters and my first two chapters have been updated.
They're tons better than before.
Don't forget to review.
Till next time.