Chapter 59 - Imperfections
A/N: Small heads up, slight mature scene coming up later in this chapter, nothing crazy but viewer discretion is advised. We're starting strong! Enjoy.
[Unknown Time | Unknown Place | Unknown World]
The winter-scape howled another murky haze across the wasteland. Ruins of old, rusted ships groaned against the strain of time and force of nature. The large, hollowed-out cargo ship providing the man red tents and crates made into small huts until the storm passed were all they could use to brace the blizzard. Outside, standing at the edge of the shore facing the graveyard of metal and ancient relics left untouched, a lone leader of this group watched and waited with omnivorous eyes.
His tattered cape billowed in the wind's breeze, feeling the cloth bat against his ancient armour and barding as the fur sown to the hem of his equipment helped to stem the brittle, arctic cold. His mask let out another white cloud, icy-blue eyes lingering on the unknown that haunted the world.
"Aksis, there's nothing out here," Turning at his name, Aksis, once a disgraced machine priest turned Archon, faced one of his subordinates, his armour battered and weathered by time. He held his cloak closer to his body, attempting to see through the snowfall. "We have searched high and low, every shipment and past relic buried; Silvis was right to worry."
He stared at Kovik; he was the most innovative mind among their scouting parties, he was the one to enforce the idea alongside Aksis in scouring humanity's lost technology for a chance to rebuild their dismantled house. Motioning for Kovik to come closer, the Captain stepped forward, unafraid of what his Archon would say after his questioning tone.
What surprised the younger Fallen was that four arms held him closer, putting the thicker cloak around his frame as he watched his Archon face the coming storm without a sense of fear or dread. "You will fall ill if you are not careful," Had it been anyone else, Kovik might have missed the humorous tone in his leader's tone. "Out there is our salvation; I am proud to have so many follow my example; Silvis has done well to uphold our banner, even if it was through the aid of those that have left us with these extremes."
"Why let her live?" Kovik snarled, mandible flicking in disgust. "'Work with the Lightbearers', was it not their hands that forced us to act this way?" It was senseless to think otherwise, yet his Archon hummed at the statement.
"They are the ones that aided us against those abominations not long ago; they slew those parasites from the Moon too," Aksis listed slowly, raising a hand out toward the haze. "We are at odds due to our own making; you will see this, the line between them and us and how fragile it may be."
[Present Day...]
"Ah, it has been too long since we've had a chance to speak like this, Young Azuru," All Might sighed as he sipped on his cup of tea, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere with one of his students. Yuki continued to stare down at her cup, eyes glazed over in thought. "Young Azuru?"
"Huh? O-oh, sorry, All Might I..." She smiled, sipping her drink before wincing as she burnt her tongue. "I think I just got lost in memory again."
"Oh?" Curious, the retired hero leaned closer while Yuki thought more on the memory, feeling a chill as though she was still standing there.
"It was a long time ago, before SIVA, I was overlooking the winter wasteland ahead of me, trying to reassure Kovik of our goals and - ah, I..." Slowly, the bluette's face began to warp with that startling realisation, her hands taut against her cup as All Might looked on with a neutral but equally worried face. Yuki shuffled on her seat, brow furrowed. "It... it's happening; All Might."
His eyes were hidden a moment, speaking in the silence. "You mentioned before this was to be an inevitable outcome of your bond with SIVA, correct?" One, very hesitant nod, and so he continued. "Have you told Young Midoriya this? Does-"
"No." Abrupt and quick to silence the topic entirely. Yuki was never this reserved before, not since she was forever mute, dawning the mask that now bobbed on her left temple.
"You can't hide this-" He tried again, but she shook her head.
"I know that..." She emphasised.
"He will understand if you-" He was cut off again.
"I... I'm scared, okay!" Her voice became frail, shaking slightly while avoiding his eyes by keeping her head down. Staring at her reflection, she could only see the metal helmet bound in red wire staring back. "I'm having dreams of fighting people with fire, lightning, and some purple stuff called 'Void'; I keep hearing voices that I recognise as my brothers and sisters - I-I only have Nana, so why am I thinking and feeling like this...?"
Recently, her memories were beginning to fill with ones forgotten, or rather, SIVA's from before he became such. She could remember the names of many Fallen now, both of her House and others, the faces and voices of the humans called 'Guardians' that both attacked and defended the House. The history her mind was racing with left Yuki feeling alienated from herself and her friends, like she was becoming something inhuman.
All Might saw it, the frustration in her hands as they threatened to shatter the mug. "I held him like family All Might. Kovik, the Fallen that did this to be, ruined my life and nearly took Nana from me!" Her eyes shot up with such hatred and sorrow fighting in her irises. "I felt sorry for him! Of all... people I should hate, I wanted to-!"
"Come on, Toshinori, you're losing her!" Biting his cheek, he, with the instincts of heroism still strong, reached for the frightened, young girl.
*Pat*
Yuki's tight hold on her cup eased, feeling the hand ruffle her messy hair with a soothing, parental touch. Looking between her bangs, she found the skeletal man's smile and kind eyes watching over her like always. "You are still you, Young Azuru, but you shouldn't hide this away from Young Midoriya, haven't you hidden enough for one lifetime?"
"I... I don't know if I'll still be me anymore," She sniffed, lips quivering at his gentle hand. "I don't want to hurt him..."
This was it, All Might readied himself and spoke his uncertain words. "Then tell him the truth," He felt her jolt while his hand pulled back to sit down. "Please let this work," "It wasn't long ago Young Midoriya asked me similar questions of identity, primarily concerning his worthiness to be with you."
Yuki perked up, befuddled for why Izuku would feel that way. He was kind, honest, sweet, and a dork. How could she not find that amazing? To her, Izuku was more than she could have asked for in life. It honestly scared her to think of forgetting him. "But why?" Her meek voice rang out.
The blonde ex-hero smiled fondly at the similarity mirrored before him. "His mind was attempting to cloud his judgments, implying he wasn't someone that deserved you, and he questioned why anyone would ever reciprocate any romantic feelings toward him," Seeing the strange and almost flabbergasted looks twist at Yuki's face made him chuckle. "You both need to seriously work on your confidence in each other."
Now, he had to ask. "How do you feel you measure up to Young Midoriya?" That was a question he needed to know, both for his successor's doubts to be dashed away and for his friend's daughter to stand without fear to anchor her life anymore.
A slight blush crawled up her cheeks; even the tea couldn't do such an act on its own. "...like a pebble to a mountain," All Might's brows shot up at that, seeing the touched smile play at her lips unknowingly. "He's always done everything in his power to go beyond everyone's expectations, even if he wasn't some mighty symbol of a Quirkless boy becoming a hero, that's not what mattered; the fact he was chosen to be gifted power wasn't what made him so great,"
"It was his heart, every day he strived, breaking bones, training until he couldn't stand, at the USJ he ran to save Mr Aizawa and me despite the impossible task of facing the Nomu, he fought to save you, risking his own life, he gave up his chance to win the Festival in favour of saving Todoroki's heart," Yuki continued to list, All Might having sat back to absorb all of this and the adorable smile on the girl's face.
"Izuku fought against Stain, Kovik, Ravage, Muscular, Dren, going as far as to almost confronting All For One to save Katsuki and me to me... Izuku is unbreakable." Finishing her listing, she noted the knowing look on the blonde adult's face and felt her face tinge a deep shade of scarlet. "I... oh wow, I actually said all that."
"You should tell him that." "Not on your life." All Might paused as she crossed her arms in an 'X', the two soon breaking out with a small laugh between them.
"Well, whatever you intend to say to him, don't hesitate to open up to him," All Might sat his empty cup down to watch her evenly. "You both can't expect a relationship to stand with secrets between you; if Young Midoriya is someone you trust this much, you should feel confident in confiding in him other than me - not that you can't trust me, but-"
Yuki giggled, picking up her jacket from the back of the seat. "I'll... give it some thought; I want to have a right state of mind first," It wasn't something she wanted to just throw in Izuku's face and let that be the end of it. Compared to most of her past secrets, this was on par with her becoming a monster someday. "All Might, I..." She flashed him a toothy smile. "You're still the best hero, thank you."
He raised his hand with a chuckle. "My door is always open, Young Azuru, no matter what happens."
The walk back was quiet for Yuki. SIVA was silent, though that in of itself wasn't a breathtaking discovery, for sentient nanotechnology with the past user's consciousness embedded in it, he tended to wander down his memories and the internet. It was those times both took the time to admire their thoughts without the intervention of each other. However...
"Hey! It's Yuyu~" Blinking; the girl spun to be greeted by another fellow blue-haired student. The third year of the Big Three, Nejire. The kind-hearted and overly curious superior of Yuki waved happily upon approach with the dark contrast to her left, Amajiki. "Hi, Yuki!"
"Hi again, Nejire," She reciprocated while giving a weak smile to Amajiki; that's when her entire body felt strange. Not the kind one would feel with millions of nanomachines rummaging through your body; instead, her head became all fuzzy, and focus was becoming difficult. "Ugh, what the heck...?"
"Hey, are you okay? You look really pale?" Amajiki inquired as Nejire got much closer, staring intensely at the now flustered mask-wearing student. The ravenette quickly tried to pull his friend back. "That's not helping, Nejire..."
"Ooooh, your right, she's getting really hot," The girl placed her hand over Yuki's forehead, feeling her burning up. "It is really sunny today; remember, you have to stay hydrated, silly."
"I-I'm fine, just... I think I've got a fever," And this weird feeling in her head, why now, is this... oh no... Pushing back from Nejire's touch, she quickly balanced herself by waving her arms, putting on a front. "Haha, sorry, I gotta go, seeya!"
"Oh, okay, bye, Yuyu!" Nejire was non the wiser, smiling back at her tall, slim friend who watched Yuki run off with a great deal of haste. "Hey, did Yuyu seem kinda strange to you?"
"I think something's wrong; she looked sick." He was worried for her, but catching her now would be impossible given how fast she was running. "Maybe we should follow her."
"Aw, you really do care about her~" Nejire cooed as the Chimera-User's face burnt up at the accusation.
"I-It's happening again, S-SIVA, I... I feel so... hot." Her breathing had become erratic by the time she made it back to the dorms; her head felt heavy as well as her chest, even her skin itched from the heat crawling across her skin. This wasn't like the last few times; now, she was losing control at every thought and glance she made at people. "N-Need to... hurry..."
Shoving her body through the door, everything she could focus on with SIVA alone was directed toward those present in the lounge. What freaked her out most wasn't just a careful selection of her friends; instead, one with a curly, emerald-black mop-head. If anything, she needed to avoid him like the plague tenfold. Even though she wanted him to - "Stop!" She smacked her head off the wall, barely feeling the pain last for a second. Her skin was starting to itch too.
Her mind was failing her; logic was starting to fade and melt into thoughts that, while burned in her heart, mind, and across her face, she refused to acknowledge them, she had to get to her room, lock it, tie herself up to an anvil - Anything to escape this.
"Yo, Yuki-" Her whole body practically tire-screeched, passing the kitchen bar, eyes wavering toward Akio, who peeked up from the counter with a packet of cookies. Then, after a long pause between them, his own eyes widened before forming an 'O' with his lips. "Oh. Ooooh... I'll take your emotions as a no... carry on," Slowly, the faux-brown lot of hair slowly slipped behind the counter.
"Thank God, just a few more steps, just ignore everyone and keep your head on straight," Biting her lip, it was a struggle, but she could almost see the staircase as - "Ngh!" Her whole body suddenly spiked with pain, her skin feeling like it was peeling at specific points across her body as she fell to the floor in a heap, head down on the rug.
"Woah, you okay?" It was Kirishima. Looking up, Yuki couldn't even crop a fake smile as her body flushed with scorching heat; even as his strong, firm hands lifted her to her knees, he could see the distress on the girl's once peachy skin. "Hey, guys, Yuki's really burnin' up over here!"
"No! I... ah... hah," Even getting the right words out was starting to fail her as she pushed herself from his hands. She couldn't stay here; she had to move!
"Sis - oh crap - ah, um, eh..." Nana sprung into action, looking around frantically before pointing a hand toward someone; Yuki couldn't see who. "Miss Yaoyorozu, I need some medicine, stat!"
"What specifically?" The girl asked as the younger sibling dashed to the woman;'s side with fright.
"I'll know it when I see it, quick!" While she ran, she saw Izuku finally growing aware of the situation. "Can someone help Sis back to our room, but be careful, trust me." She said not much else before the young girl ran to the kitchen with Yaomomo.
"Yuki, what happened?" Calmly, Izuku rushed to his girlfriend's side; he put his hand over her forehead, feeling how hot her skin was to the touch. His worry grew as he looked to those present. "A fever and a bad one."
"She also lost her balance entirely," Kirishima added as he helped Izuku lift Yuki onto her shaky feet. Still, she lost her balance and fell against Izuku, much to her fright as her mind teetered on a metaphorical edge. "Hey, you got her?"
"Y-yeah, thanks," With little effort, he quickly scooped Yuki up into his arms, holding her tightly as she panted with laboured breaths. It was worrisome but not anything out of the ordinary. Nodding to the rest, he quickly moved toward the staircase. "I'll take her up to her room."
"If she gets worse, please tell us, Midoriya," Yaomomo spoke from the kitchen, dodging a carton of medication as Nana rummaged through it with haste. Had she been paying attention, she might have warned Midoriya in time, but by then, the two had vanished up the stairs in a hurry.
"Hang in there, Yuki," Izuku's voice warily sprung into her ears, but she was more focused on how great it felt to be against his chest, leaning closer to feel every ridge on his torso hidden under his shirt; it was infectious - Dammit, stop, please stop!
Eventually, inside the girl's room, he helped her to lay down on her bed, seeing her groan uncomfortably as the softness was displeasurable to her, that red flush still on her face. "...Izu...ku, I..." "Need you to get away from me; you need to stay away!" She was grinding her teeth just to keep her desires in check; this hot flush and sensation in her body was agonising
"Yuki, what's happening to you, tell me?" He asked her, moving away to her bathroom to grab a cold towel in a matter of seconds. Coming back to find her sitting up, panting heavily. "You need to rest; you're burning u-"
"Please... s-stay..." "Away from me! No... be with me - grah!" "Stupid t-thoughts!" She yelled, shoving Izuku back as she hit the wall her bed sat flush against, holding the bedsheets under her while she fought off her hunger. "I... can't... stop m-my... I..." SIVA was right to have worried prior; she didn't expect it to happen so soon, this... hunger, it was unbearable, and now with Izuku she... she couldn't...
"Yuki..." To her joy, he didn't leave, moving with the cloth to dampen her burning forehead, that alone made her shiver with relief, even if only briefly. Izuku smiled at her, trying to keep her steady. "What's going on, Yuki? Why are you suddenly breaking out in a fever?" It wasn't uncommon for her to get sick; SIVA couldn't cure things like the common cold or flu bug, but even without that, Yuki had never come out this badly before
Forcing herself into his arms, she couldn't pull away, her mind was screaming to push him back, to take control and get out, but her body kept winning, kept filling her head with ungodly nonsense of her being held down by his strong arms as she let herself be... Her eyes widened with tears, forcing her head against his chest. "I... I can't s-stop... this... feeling..." It scared her beyond measure, the growing, festering urge she had no control over; if it were like before, she'd simply hide away in her room until the morning, herself as right as rain. But now she had a partner, someone she cared deeply for, and that urge... the primal side of her mind wanted to be free.
"What feeling? Is it to do with SIVA?" One nod against his chest, feeling her sweaty palms press against his arms. If it were SIVA, then clearly it wasn't something she could naturally control, and SIVA wouldn't outright endanger Yuki in any way, not when it's saved her countless times, so why now? What caused the always cheerful, passionate girl to become so heated and emotional suddenly?
"SIVA... Aksis... h-his mind... i-in mine now..." Yuki forced her words out, growing impatient; she wanted this... she needed this! "Get a-away... I-I don't want to... I'll h-hurt you." "I want you... I want you to myself... only me..." She closed her eyes tightly, tears welling up in agony as her ears burnt with the heat in her body. "I... want you..." Her voice dramatically changed, husky and dripping with something Izuku himself dreaded that one fabled night
Lust.
The severity of Yuki's situation became apparent; even as his face burned at her undeniably inappropriate words, he had to help her. A small side of him felt a rush of adrenaline at her admittance, almost taunting Izuku to follow through with allowing the bluette. Then his heart smacked him in place. "What am I thinking!? I-I can't just use this to..." His gaze hardened, appalled by his dirty thoughts, gripping the girl's shoulders. No, he would never use Yuki like that; his stupid, teenage hormones be damned!
Unknowingly, her lips moved closer to his cool neck, bringing her lips down on his throat, feeling his heart jump. "Y-Yuki...!" She liked that; the surprise jolt in his voice made her do it again, this time closer to his collarbone, placing a carnal kiss against his shivering skin. That alone situated her thoughts against her will; SIVA could not contain this, so he remained silent; that was fine by Yuki; it left only her and Izuku.
Finally, Izuku used his position to grab Yuki's wrists, pulling her down and pinning the bluette to the bed, seeing her unable to move as his right leg pinned her legs, keeping them still. At the same time, he watched from above with worried, emerald eyes, though she saw it, a vague sense of desire too; it was alluring. "This should hold you, sorry, Yuki." Izuku apologised, keeping a stern expression
Then she snapped, realisation finally dawning on her and her actions as her face burned, unable to face him. "I-I-I'm sorry..." She hiccuped, squeezing her eyes shut at the sheer embarrassment and mortifying reality of what she just did. "I can't s-stop..." It hurt her so much that she wanted to scream, what she almost tried to do, to enact.
"Izuku Sir, I'm back!" Nana sped into view, gasping at the sight of Izuku pinning Yuki down while she squirmed. Izuku couldn't move his arms at the moment but shook his head back and forth frantically, face steaming red.
"T-T-This isn't - I-I'm not-!" Izuku panicked for what the younger girl may think. She stared with a sweaty, nervous smile, blue eyes unable to entirely comprehend the sight.
"U-um, o-oh boy..." Nana realised this was going to be one of 'those' nights, scolding herself for not grabbing an energy drink or two
Not long after giving Yuki the medication, she finally fell asleep in tears, leaving Izuku to sit by her side, rubbing her hand in circles with his thumb, worried just for what had transpired. His other hand rubbing the place she... it felt so sensational but... terrifying, more so because it wasn't as if the affection wasn't genuine, it certainly matched his dream of her a while back. But the emotions she displayed were desperately attempting to control her, to pull her away, but somehow a lustful desire overwrote it all.
Nana sat on a beanbag chair, holding Yuki's mask out. "Hey, SIVA Sir, you there?" She tapped on the mask as if knocking on a door. To Izuku's surprise, the red flash struck, and a familiar image of a flickering creature appeared, sitting on its knees while Nana sat the mask between them, the head of the Fallen observing them both behind a mask.
~Hello again, Izuku Midoriya, Nana Azuru~
"SIVA..." Izuku breathed, the creature's head nodding once
~I do not have long; Yuki's mentality must be monitored at all times during this event. Rest assured, this is a temporary affliction that will dissipate by the morrow~ That sent a wave of relief through Izuku. Still, he had to ask, no; he needed to for Yuki's sake. Seeing her so upset and out of control was almost too much to bear
"SIVA, what exactly happened to Yuki, s-she um..." He started to blush profusely. "She attempted to, to um... h-have her w-way with m-me."
SIVA didn't reply, flickering a little as he thought alone, eyeing the floor before motioning with a hand. ~This is a product of my mind, the DNA left behind in SIVA~ At this, the pair watched as the Fallen explained. ~While we are perfectly bonded after achieving one-hundred percent, my consciousness and memories remain, even before my self-awareness returned, her mind was methodically being altered with my own, so I am more compassionate due to her human emotions, she is also akin to my kind, the Fallen or Eliksni to be precise~
He elaborated further. ~When she wakes, she'll see better in darkness; Will have an uncanny ability to climb any terrain. And... certain traits too, this includes ascertaining my kind's primal instincts~ This rose a brow, Nana whistling.
"So my sis' got a weird sex drive or something?" That caught Izuku but surprised, sputtering as he blushed furiously. Nana blinked, shrugging. "Eh, I'm thirteen, Izuku Sir; I kinda had to fast-track this knowledge while hospitalised."
"W-what does that all have t-to do with Yuki?" Izuku wanted just to forget he heard that for a moment
SIVA nodded to Nana. ~She is correct on an informal point; my memories of such acts are still imprinted in my mind, like an animal's basic instinct for a mate, it has been with her since we bonded years ago, it is the reason for Yuki's tactile nature toward others, coupled with her extrovert personality~
SIVA elaborated for the two, hands on his lap. ~Sadly, the standard method would be to shut herself away until it passes, but since she had, by a biological point of view, obtained a partner, or mate, and has begun the final merging process with my DNA, these desires have grown considerably, you are fortunate Nana Azuru, and I were here~
"Dude, you can call me Nana; you're basically in my sister's head, so that makes you my... huh, alien brother, cool!" She grinned toothily, as though she merely brushed off the implications of Yuki wanting to... mate with Izuku, though that part flooded his mind and face with heated emotions, he would die from embarrassment if at all possible
One thing remained a positive concern, looking at Yuki's slumbering form. "Why didn't she say anything?" It wasn't that he was mad or upset; instead, he was confident it was something as secretive as her past trauma, becoming unable to control SIVA. This kind of effect was kept locked away that she probably felt she could hold her desires all the same.
~She worries too much~ SIVA hummed his form, beginning to flicker and fade. ~Do not allow her doubts to seep in; even my word alone cannot suppress those fears forever, Izuku Midoriya~
Now in silence bar the heavy breathing of Yuki, Nana took this moment to set the mask on the desk next to her, smiling back at Izuku's furrowed brow; he hadn't taken his eyes off Yuki. "You really love Yuki, huh?" Hearing this tension break forced his eyes to the younger sibling's simple smile. "It's mushy and weird, but she looks happy with you; even before SIVA happened, I've never seen that glow in her eyes before, hehe."
"R-really?" Still somewhat flustered, Izuku turned to her directly with hesitance, rubbing his nape. "I-it's always been Yuki who's been the affectionate one, always making moves when I just... freeze-up, I feel like I don't do anythi-"
"Boop." Nana lightly tapped a thin, black tail off his forehead, seeing the fanged smile looking down at him while the black tail with a small point retracted, wrapping around the young girl's belt, hiding under the fabric.
"Eh?" That was all he could muster. "A-a tail?" He never saw it before - heck, he didn't know Nana had one at all!
She winked, the tip poking out to wave. "Yep, it's not something I often show cause I don't want to catch it on something or for people to pull it." Then Nana blinked, seeing that same look that she remembered Yuki warning her about; it was called the 'Hero Fanboy Protocol'.
With an eye-roll, Nana poked her finger at Yuki. "Back on topic - Do you know how annoying it is to have to hear her murmur your name while you try to sleep with sensitive ears?" Again, Izuku's face couldn't possibly handle any more blood running to his freckled cheeks. "Like, seriously, if she's sayin' stuff like, 'you're the best' and 'stay with me', then you'd have to be dumb, deaf, and mute not to see how stupidly in love my sister is with you."
Now Izuku wished he just cut his losses and booked it for the doorway, sadly, the solid grip on his hand kept him from leaving, and despite Nana's... not-so-subtle choice of words, Izuku didn't want to go; his heart had picked up to a new tempo.
"Ngh..." It was early in the morning, atleast that's what Yuki's phone said once she found it in her pocket. Moving a little, she found her head up against a green wall, smelling faintly of crisp coconut and black pepper. The unique but alluring scent forcing her head to rise, finding Izuku sleeping soundly at the edge of her bed, his hand entangled with her right. For a moment, her heart rate jumped into her throat.
You are well | Nothing occurred thanks to your sister | I will give you time to... reflect
Whatever SIVA meant by that left Yuki feeling both anxious and relieved that her hormonal imbalance was corrected again. To think of what might have happened had she give in to her desires made her heart ache and her face bloom for a second. With a gracious smile, she lightly stroked her nerd's hand, slipping from his grasp to make a b-line for her bathroom.
Once inside, she was, regrettably, forced to go through a routine she hated, the Mirror, and more importantly, her body. Rubbing her eyes, what Yuki saw left her heart wary as it sank a little, hand reaching up toward the edge of her eyes. Both pupils were slit slightly, like Nana's. The pigment had changed, no longer just a light blue but now a deep red that merged perfectly with her remaining blue tint.
Bearing her teeth, she poked at her canines, inspecting them to be a millimetre or two larger. Finally, after gripping the hem of her shirt, Yuki took the painful step to stripping before the mirror, stepping back once every last article of clothing was off bar her underwear. Staring back at her was the stupid, unappealing girl whose body had changed once more.
In small patches along the sides of her face, biceps, forearms, backs of her hands, outer thighs, and shins, skin-toned scales had emerged, no bigger than a fingernail but visible nonetheless. Strangely, she looked like a dragon. Running her hands down her bare arms, then across to her sides, finally lifting them to run a thumb over her left side's blemish, she stumbled back, hitting the back wall of her small bathroom from the weight of the transformation.
You and I are now one | My memories and yours | But I am here for you
"...I knew what I agreed to, I really do, but..." Fresh tears rolled down her face, feeling her mind reflect on the memories of those that would otherwise be unknown to her, but she was Aksis now; she was another humanity's worst enemy reincarnated as a so-called 'Hero'. "...I..."
*Knock-Knock*
"Yuki-" It was Izuku, and she shot up sharply at seeing the door handle begin to dip. "-are you okay - yah!" She quickly slammed her weight into the door, blushing brightly with a hand over her chest as she slid against the door's cold surface. "S-s-sorry! I-I didn't k-know if you were o-o-okay."
"I..." Her dry lips froze, giving it some thought. "Five minutes, I... need to think for a bit." Now she missed her mask at her side, her hand rubbing the vacant spot on her head.
Reluctantly, Yuki finally mustered the courage to clothe herself and step back into her brightly decorated room, finding Izuku sat by the balcony on a chair. He was holding onto her mask, running his finger around the rim. Yuki approached slowly; his eyes widened larger than saucers at Yuki's appearance, most notably her eyes.
"Your eyes, Yuki..." That pit grew larger. For Izuku, his eyes began to memorise the new hue they took, how the soft tint of blue swam in a new sea of red, the pair intertwined like a sunrise. If he squinted from his seat, he could make out the small markings of several scales across the sides of her face; it was only two tiny patches, same for the backs of her hands that rubbed together fidgety. His heart, for a moment, forgot how to beat.
"... I told you I'm not even human anymore..." It was frail, nearly above a whisper that drove Izuku forward before she could so much as say otherwise and move away, but by then, she felt her body pinned itself between the desk and Izuku holding onto her waist tightly. "I-I'm..."
Their eyes met like any other day; she could find not a trace of disgust in Izuku's emerald eyes that left her speechless, she had never seen him this assertive before..., and it was alluring. Carefully, he slipped her mask back in place over her right temple. He was nodding at the image set before him.
"You'll still be Yuki to me," With a gentle smile, he didn't say it just for the sake of comfort; he meant it, every word, even if she gained a few more scars, even if scales adorned specks of her skin or that her eyes now reflected twilight, his heart kept skipping at her appearance and more.
Again, Izuku's boldness took hold for Yuki, bringing her lips closer to his own as she melted into his grasp and into the kiss that infected her body with a different kind of fire than the one corrupting her yesterday. Passionately she leaned in closer, snaking one arm over his shoulder to just burn up her dark thoughts a little longer; each day never felt terrible so long as she could do this a little more.
Parting with a small smack, both looked closely at one another, Yuki feeling hot under the collar just as much as Izuku. "Ugh, seriously?" The couple broke from their longing stare to blush at the sight of a sleepy Nana, her hidden tail slipping out to wave dismissively at the two as she yawned and ruffled her bedhead. "If you guys want to make out, go to Izuku Sir's room, gross."
Yuki regained a sly smile, hugging Izuku closely by the neck, not realising where she had placed his head as he burned up, eyes spinning. "What, jealous?"
Nana snorted a laugh. "As if." Then she rebounds with a smug laugh herself. "Izuku Sir is definitely having a good time, fufufu."
"Eh?" Looking down, Yuki saw his face up against her chest, face piping red before she yanked him back in a panic. "Ah, sorry! Are you okay!? I didn't suffocate you!?"
"Oh, he was suffocating, alright," Nana continued to taunt, and while it all flew over Yuki's head, the girl trying to snap her nerd out of his funk, all Izuku could think of was what Hatsumei said back in the Development Studio. 'Soft and firm'. He could feel his soul leaving his body.
"Waah, don't die on me, Zuzu!"
"I'm having second thoughts..." Yuki didn't want to do this, toes wiggling at the edge of the staircase. To her left was her sister, giving her a reassuring squeeze of her hand while smiling cutely.
"Had a first thought?" The smaller bluette inquired; all she got was a deadpan look from her sibling.
"Yeah, 'Oh Great Machine save me from this hell'!" Was Yuki's dramatic retelling, then her eyes glossed over at the turn-of-phrase she used to replace 'God'. "That's gonna get annoying pretty quickly."
"What part?" Nana tilted her head to eye her sister's wary face
"Does... everything count?" She saw the nervous, fanged smile look up at her, Yuki slouched again. "I'm not only dealing with memories that aren't my own but terms overriding and mingling with each other; it's so annoying!" She growled a little; she didn't blame SIVA for this, she knew what she signed on for, and this was just an aspect of her life she had to bear.
"It'll be okay, Yuki," Another hand squeezed her right, rubbing the back of her palm in small circles, the strange guestre always soothing her worries, alongside that sweet smile on Izuku's face. "I promise."
Her lips parted but found no words; instead, nothing was needed as the pair led the anxious girl to the ground floor. Not everyone was awake yet, but a majority were. Breathing in through her nose, Yuki stepped onto the carpet alongside her sister and ma - boyfriend. She did realise that ensuring her terminology was adjusted in time, with all of SIVA's memories flooding her own, it would be quite some time before she had her words spoken correctly again.
Entering the 'living room' together, Nana and Izuku felt Yuki's hands clench tighter, and so they returned it, keeping the fearful girl's woes at bay. The first to greet them from the sofas was none other than Akio, the brunette tilting his head side-to-side until he spotted them with a wave. "Morning gu... guys... whaaaaa?" He scrambled over the back of the sofa, now standing before Yuki, who fearfully backed away, Izuku moving to stop him, but it was too late; his face leaned closer, freezing the girl in her rigid posture. "Hmm..."
"A-kio... I-I..." It was starting to creep up on her, squeezing her reddish-blue eyes closed.
She didn't see his kind smile, poking her small scales along the right-hand side of her face. "Nice scales, you look like one of those, um... Dragon Slayers, ah, yes, like that!" Blinking, she followed his gaze, seeing only reassurance, even from the shadowy pair that observed from over the optimistic boy's shoulder. "You look really cool today, Yuki!"
"Huh, what's up with - *GASP*!" Mina appeared next, sprinting to the girl with stars in her eyes. "Oh My Gosh, Yuki! You have scales, and your eyes are different too, and so's your teeth; what happened!?"
"I-I... changed," Her voice was distant again, unsure of how to take any of this; Izuku and Nana never let go of her hands, tethering the girl to the spot as more flooded over. Now it was her other best friend, Shoto. He took this revelation with wide eyes, moving to run his hand over her cheek carefully, the others silent at his bold approach. Even Yuki was unsure of how to react.
Then he flicked her nose, seeing it scrunch up while stepping back with both arms crossed. "Yep, it's still Yuki."
The girl's lips flattened with a twitched brow, "What's that supposed to mean...?" The heterochromia boy smiled slightly at this.
"See?" He stood to one side, allowing Kirishima, Sero, Kyoka, Hagakure, and Tokoyami to voice their own words on Yuki's sudden change of character, all of which kept the girl from moving, even Izuku couldn't quite place her shocked expression.
"Hey, Yuki, you look different? Did something happen yesterday?" Then Sero waved his hands. "Not that it isn't cool, just wondering!"
"Yeah, you look like Valstrax! Kinda cool if you ask me!" Kirishima put his thumb up with a sharp grin, Kyoka leaning against his shoulder, pointing a jack at her friend.
"Is this whole 'new look' scheme of yours going to be a reoccurring theme with you?" Kyoka playful waved her jack at her eyes. "Like the eye colour, really badass."
A pair of sleeves bunched up behind Yuki, patting her shoulders with red lines appearing where cheeks would be. "You look so cool! Can your hair change colour too? Oh-oh, what about the rest of your body? *Gasp* Can you turn invisible too!?" The transparent girl beamed in Yuki's eyes, again meeting a silent, blank stare.
Tokoyami gave a silent nod, crimson eyes locking to similar orbs to his own. "Your appearance may have changed, and while the details are unclear, you are no different to us than you were yesterday," This downed the frantic questions, all sharing in Tokoyami's words. "Midoriya informed us before your arrival; rather, he informed Jiro." His thumb pointed to the rocker.
Kyoka smiled knowingly, holding up her phone with the texts between her and Izuku. "He was going off on a tangent, but I got the gist of things and told the others," The nerd in question blushed embarrassingly at this, some of the others chuckling, then Shoto spoke up.
"He was worried you might feel we'll see you differently, as Tokoyami said, you're still our friend, despite how often your looks may change, you are still you," Shoto offered another tiny smile to his closest friend, knowing how she must have felt burying all this secrecy deep down. "Hiding this from us was your choice, but when you want to talk, we'll listen."
"Yeah!" "You know it, Yuyu!" "A man's promise!" "What the others said!"
All of this was starting to overwhelm Yuki; her chest was so tight now, her heart racing as two things burned in her mind, blotting out the memories that were fresh to her mentality.
You and I are now one | My memories and yours | But I am here for you
"You'll still be Yuki to me,"
Finally, her head bowed forward, hands moving away from Nana and Izuku to hold at her heart as she collapsed to the floor, tears dripping down her face with strained sobs. At that moment, Izuku put his arm around her shaking form, Nana hugging her sister tightly with a bright smile of her own. Everyone else all sat with them, wanting to stay by the girl's side as she sobbed softly, overwhelmed by the change to her mind and body.
"It really hurts... I'm so scared... but-" She croaked out a reply, feeling the warmth on both sides of her body. "...thank you..."
To Be Continued...
This was a powerful way to start season 4, but this was bound to happen either near the end of Season 3 or now. Yuki's problems are never so simple to solve, and new feelings become transparent for the duo. This is also why I changed the rating to Mature; I want to experiment with some new themes to bear with me, ehehehe...
Buckle up, heroes; this season will be an interesting one, villains, heroes, and backstories galore! I hope you enjoyed it; I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, heroes!
Next Chapter: Imperfect Intoxication
Akio: Welp, this is bad 0_0
Izuku: What's wrong?
Akio: Hi... what are you doing here!?
Yuki: I~zu~ku~
Akio: *Facepalms* Coming up, Imperfect Intoxication
Izuku: G-go Beyond!
Yuki: Plus *Hic* Ultraaaa~