Add one strong woman but also at the same time an inexperienced young girl in all things love and a tortured mad bugman, what do you get?
Diabetus.
"Oho?" The sound of Bang's voice drew Yuha's gaze to the old man and away from Charanko and his attempts at…what could only charitably be called 'flirting'. "Back so soon?"
He shrugged his shoulders and stepped into the Dojo proper, the door sliding closed behind him with a soft 'woosh' as he swerved around his senpai and towards his teacher.
"Not out of my own volition, believe that, Sensei. It's just…" he licked his lips and sighed. "The sisters are having a…disagreement."
"Ah." The older man nodded and raised an arm, patting him on the shoulder. "And so, you did the smart thing and made yourself scarce. A wise choice, Yuha, one I didn't expect out of one as young as you."
Yuha blinked and closed his mouth.
Sure. Let's go with that. And really, did the old man really need to know that it was Fubuki herself who'd sent him away? No. Not really.
He shrugged again.
"It is what it, Sensei," he said, Bang nodding in response.
"Be that as it may, and given that, the opportunity has presented itself." The old timer placed an arm on Yuha's shoulder. "How are you holding up, son? After all, these last couple of days have been a tad…hectic," Bang said, eyes growing shadowed as he glanced at the side, a brief scowl forming, before, with a blink, the man's easygoing smile was back in place. "Do you feel ready for your match?"
Fine? Hell no! I am anything, but, fine. And yet, what choice do I have but to go on? Go on and try to deal with the repercussions of making Garou even stronger and adding to his already busted kit…
"Mwahahaha!" he let out an exaggerated laugh, All-Might's grin in place and his chest puffed up. "Of course I'm feeling fine. Why wouldn't I? As for my match," he raised his left arm, flexing his bicep. "I like my odds! I'm feeling stronger than ever!"
And that's the truth! My powerlevel has grown enormously when compared to the pathetic seven I started with…
"Are you sure, son?" Bang asked, giving another squeeze and staring deep into his eyes. "While you've grown stronger and noticeably more skilled…and quite fast at that," Bang mumbled to himself. "Don't you perhaps wish for a few more specialized techniques?" Mirth entered the old timer's eyes as he took a step back and straightened up, mirroring Yuha and flexing his own arm. "After all, I know I might not look it anymore, but, I'm a master martial artist, I know more than one style," he said, giving Yuha a one eyed wink.
But Yuha merely shook his head with a smile.
"And I trust those techniques you're alluding to are of a more offensive nature?"
"That might be the case. Interested?"
He shook his head another time.
"Sorry, Sensei, but no," he said and he could feel Bang's piercing gaze focus on him fully. The intensity enough to raise Yuha's hackles.
"M-m-mommy! P-p-please, oh radiant chocolate goddess—"
Both of them tuned out Charanko, even if they winced in tandem.
"Mmh? And why is that? Are my techniques perhaps too boring for you?"
"No. Nothing of the sort, Sensei. But, even though I'm flattered by the offer, as my bout with Garou showed, I need to get better control over my instincts, so, until such time as both of us, as well as Tatsumo—Tatsumaki deem me ready? I'll pass on those techniques, whatever they may be. And it's not like I really need more destructive techniques. I've plenty enough of them already."
Yuha flashed a grin Bang's way and, raising a thump, pointed right at his own chest.
"Besides, you've already taught me another technique, one that I still need to master. Namely, those meditation katas."
Bang snorted and crossed his arms. "It wasn't like they were anything special. Really, son, you're making them a greater deal than they are."
"Sorry, Sensei, but in this you're wrong?"
"Oya? Truly? How so?"
Yuha took a step back, gave his teacher a short bow and assumed the opening stance of the first kata, the whole thing somewhat reminiscent of Tai-chi.
"Dance with me, Sensei?"
Still blinking, Bang gave him a tiny nod, and after offering a shallower bow of his own, faced him, but just as they were about to start their slow dance.
"Sensei."
"Yes?"
"Try circulating your Ki as we go through them. That's the trick that you've been missing in regards to them and what makes them so effective."
"Oho~ Interesting."
Slipping into a slow dance, Yuha's fake grin slowly dropped, a more peaceful and neutral expression replacing it. Something far more true than all the smiles he'd wore so far.
No. I truly do not want more destructive techniques besides the ones I already have. I need to be in controland not my implanted instincts. I can't afford another fuckup of that magnitude.
His foot shifted backwards and then his whole body pivoted in a counterclockwise rotation, his arms rising and falling, one leading, one following, the slow movements, and his Sensei's guidance and companionship helping Yuha's mind to further slide into a mental crystal lake of pure calm. The roar of the ape, the lust and the fear growing dim. Dim, but not yet gone. Still, progress.
And as for the match itself? I had a couple of ideas already. His eyes glanced at the arm that had copped a feel earlier. As well as a couple of new ones, if I can but get those skill up to speed in time. But even if his newly born ideas failed?
He still had a few other plans.
And key for most of them was the fact that after his match with Garou, he'd followed his advice to Kisha and worked on his speed in activating and controlling a couple of techniques…
Were they ready for the battlefield? No. Not yet, in his opinion. But, for a 'friendly' exhibition match, and one where death was not allowed?
That was another story.
He sliped further into his trance, part of himself focused on engraving this sensation, this understanding into his very bones. So as to be ready.
After all, under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion. You fall to your level of training.
And while his instincts and emotions were a part of him, a part that he would never discard? His will was his own.
Finished with their Katas, and with Charanko having dejectedly wandered off when his attempts to woo the naive tall woman failed. Bang, had moved to the center of the Dojo, busy with his own training for the day.
After all, he had to keep sharp and keep the infirmities of old age as best as he could.
Something which Yuha's gift helped quite a bit with.
And speaking of his latest pupil, and with some hope, his inheritor.
The boy was sitting down, his back flush with the wall facing the entrance and eyes closed, legs interlocked and hands meeting in the lower middle of his stomach. The youth lost in deep meditation.
Bang's mustache twitched as he resumed his training.
For the boy had been at it for quite some time now. And it made him proud. Cause it showed that the youth was aware of his deficiencies and ever since…since his once star pupil, his shame had met Yuha, the youth, angry at himself, set out to get his battle-lust under control.
It was an ongoing process.
But, given just who one of the kid's prior teachers had been? It made sense.
After all, King's barely contained lust for battle was well known to everyone.
He exhaled and his foot, namely his knee, rose and slammed into the gut of an invisible opponent before his hands, palms flat, darted left and right, diverting the imaginary followup blows.
Still. The fact that Yuha knew of his problem and seemingly was making strides in controlling it was not enough. Bang had to be certain.
And so, his earlier offer. That of sharing with Yuha his other shame. Not that he had any intention of doing so in truth. He wouldn't create a second Garou.
No. Had the kid accepted…Well, Charanko wasn't that bad. And with ki now at his disposal might have shaped up to something passable.
Thankfully, Yuha passed with flying colors.
The kid was clearly interested, which was to be expected. They were martial artists after all. And yet…His curiosity alone was not enough to overwhelm his good sense and his fledgling control over his impulses.
Slamming an elbow into his imaginary opponent's throat and finishing them, Bang paused and nodded as he turned around, preparing for another bout.
Still. If he keeps it up? In time he'll have to learn that art as well, after all, if he is to be my inheritor he'll need to know it anyway…
He slipped into another set of moves, limbs beginning to dance and for a few hours, things continued like this, with Yuha meditating in the corner, the youth alarmingly beginning to glow red and float after some time, and yet not stopping with his mediation, while Bang made sure to keep his old muscles in tiptop shape.
'Slam!'
But all that came to a halt with the sound of the Dojo's door slamming open and all but flying off its spot as young—
"Oho?"
Pausing in the middle of a punch, Bang straightened and rubbed at his chin as a blushing Tatsumaki strolled into the room and up to a wide-eyed Yuha, the youth having fallen to the ground, startled by the girl's arrival.
"Tatsumo—Tatsumaki?"
Before the man could do more than blink, the girl huffed, and reaching out with a green-coated hand, touched the man's chest, lifting him and placing his confused form on her shoulder as she spun about and strode towards the door. Locking eyes with Bang for a moment.
"Taking the Idiot out for the night," she said, tone defensive, eyes narrowed. "I trust you have no problems with that?" Bang could hear the warning tone in the girl's words.
His eyes crinkled, and his mustache twitched.
"Hohoho~ Of course not!" he said and closed his eyes, making a shooing gesture. "Go on, have fun! It's what you youngins are supposed to be doing, anyway!"
The young esper huffed but nonetheless trod out of the door, lifting away with her prize right after.
Her heart beat within her chest at oh, something like ten-thousand miles per hour.
Still, as she flew through the air with Yuha in her grasp. A tiny smile split her lips.
"Tatsu…Tatsumaki?" speak of the devil! His confused voice causer her breath to hitch.
"Y-yeah?"
"Not that I mind spending time with you."
I-Idiot! Do you know what you're doing when you say or think things like that? Idiot! Dummy! Himbooooo!
"But, where are we going?" the man asked, shifting a tad in her grasp as he did.
She opened her mouth, but words refused to come out and her cheeks burned. So, instead, she coughed.
"Idiot! You'll find out when we get there! And—"
"Ok."
The man's simple acceptance and…and what this whole thing meant left her once again at a loss for words.
For when was the last time that someone had put up with her bossy nature and even showed an interest in her?
The answer was never.
And that was the problem, for she was treading uncharted territory here. And Puri~Puri's advice, while helpful, even if strictly in a encyclopedic manner. For she'd almost made the big man cry at one point with her lack of fashion sense and ideas over what a 'date' was supposed to be like and all that entailed had the man sob that it wasn't fair how he, in his words, "A gay man isn't supposed to know more about fashion and romance, and girl-boy romance at that than a flower in full bloom!"
The thought left her strangely touched, for despite the man's…problems. He really did care for her, it would seem.
But his help would, ironically, be of little help today. For there was no way to cover close to twenty years of experience Tatsumaki should have had in a day.
And so, in the end, besides a few basic tips and ideas for a repeat date…
If there was one.
And she very much hoped that was the case. For her prospects were already dim enough as it is.
Well. Aside from all that, in the end, she'd settled for changing nothing. Clad still in her familiar dress, one that Yuha had certainly shown his appreciation for.
Or rather.
Mostly no change. For—
"Tatsumaki?"
"Y-yes?"
"I like your hair, its lovely, and it smells nice!"
She shuddered, and the tiny, furtive smile grew.
He'd noticed. Her heart beat with joy.
Now granted, it would've been hard not to. But, Yuha was…Yuha, and also a man besides. So, she wouldn't have been that surprised had he failed to notice her longer hair.
It was a technique she rarely had reason or occasion to use—After all, long hair in a battle was generally a bad idea—A usage of her Esper power which allowed her to push her body's production of hair. Something she'd discovered as a side-effect when she'd learn how to boost, hold together, and heal herself as a result of her numerous battles...
"Thank you…" she whispered as they continued to fly.
The words were all the more meaningful, for she could tell that the big dummy still had no idea what this was about and thus, the sincerity and joy radiating from his mind was all the more important as a result.
Their landing site came into view, and she shuddered again.
This was good. R-right?
Yuha did not expect traditionally girly stuff from her, did he? No. Surely not!
…And it had little to do with the fact that she had no idea how to be girly. That was Fubuki's specialty.
Puri~Puri's words rang in her mind.
"Love, despite its appearances, is a battlefield! So, make sure to play to your strengths and not that of your opponent, nyo~!"
Landing with barely a grain of dirt disturbed, Yuha, even if still confused, let Tatsumaki guide him back to his feet and watched as the red-faced young woman—
Is she…is she blushing? Naaaah…
Spun around and made for a nearby still open shop, floating in, and judging by the owner's wide mouth and eyes, nearly giving the man a heart attack as she bought a pair of energy drinks, and promptly floated back. Throwing a can at Yuha.
Catching it with a blink, he shrugged, popping it open and taking a sip.
…it wasn't anything to write home about, and judging by Tatsumaki's grimmace she agreed.
Still. Like with beers. A free energy drink was a free energy drink. The fact that it was cold didn't hurt either!
"Tats…Tatsumaki?"
"Mmh?" the girl asked, turning blinking eyes towards him as the woman took another, this time tinier sip. Her ensuing grimace much less pronounced.
"What are we doing here? And, for that matter, where are we?"
The girl let go of her drink, the can floating in a bubble of green by her side as the girl 'humfed' and floated higher, landing on his shoulder.
Shoulder mommy get!
"I-idiot!" the girl stuttered. Stuttered! Before smacking him on the back of his head but Yuha could hear the smile in her voice. "As for your question…We're here to patrol, search for monsters and protect the citizens of F-city, of course!"
"Ah!" he nodded. That made sense, for they were clearly in the city's outskirts. The avenue's traffic having slowed down with the westering of the sun and shops beginning to close for the night, while to their left, the nearby mountain ranges loomed.
"And so, onward!" the girl said, raising a hand and pointing at the stretch of road ahead and the sidewalk beside it.
He did as asked with a shrug, the feeling of Tatsumaki's firm rear drawing a lecherous grin on his face as he activated a cozy stage five Kaio-ken and started running with the woman remaining fixed on his shoulder.
Still, as the light from the industrial lightbulbs and the dark spots in between in bathed them in alternating bouts of light and shadow, he had to ask, "But, why the outskirts?"
"To try and catch any big monster before it manages to do too much harm."
He followed the girl's pointed arm again, running in the indicated direction.
"Big as in size or in power and ranking?"
"Both," Tatsumaki said. "For the two are often connected. If you'll remember, the monster you…fought before we met the first time?"
He winced.
Yeah. He remembered, alright.
"You were on the outskirts of the city at the time."
"Ah…" for a moment he was silent and then a silly grin spread across his face. "So, and given you are my teacher both tonight and those last few days—
"Yuha—"
"Should I call you… Sensei~?"
She slapped him again.
"Idiot!"
"Ahh! I've been a bad boy! Please be kind, Sensei!"
"Idiot…" the girl huffed and, with her elbow, gently smacked him on the sides of the head.
For a few moments, they both chuckled before turning serious again.
The coast was clear, no monsters in sight, and so, following Tatsumaki's arm, he run down the exit and towards the inner parts of the city.
"So, do strong monsters always appear on the outskirts?"
Tatsumaki shook her head.
"No, not always. Most of the time? That is the case, yes? But it is not the rule, why, I—"
"Ke~ke~ke~" an ugly voice said and Yuha halted, both of them turning towards the noise. "What's this? Delivery service? A main course and an appetizer in one? Ke~ke~ke!"
And out of the shadows of an alley between houses, an alligator looking creature emerged, its teeth and claws red, and not a natural one at that.
"Yuha."
"I know," he said with a nod, as the woman floated off his shoulder and he pushed kaio-ken to stage seven, even if, according to his senses, it wasn't needed.
For the creature in front of him was strong, to be sure, but only around the level of one of the lieutenants of the Subterranean King.
And he was much stronger since then.
"So," Tatsumaki said in a low voice. "You're the reason we've been unable to locate those brave heroes?"
"Ke~ke~!" the alligator cackled. "If you mean those weaklings? Their screams were beautiful~ Especially the female's." The creature said and patted its belly, flashing a lecherous grin towards the floating woman. "Why, you look like a treat as well, perhaps—"
"Tooh…"
In a blink, it was over.
"eh?"
Behind him, the creature exploded into bits of viscera and guts, while in Yuha's hand, its trembling pulsing heart turned into mush as he squeezed with a growl.
His hand shook, and another growl ripped free from his lips.
Why…I ended this too quickly! The mongrel dared to desire swan flesh? Oh, if only I had the rinnegan I could—
A soft hand cupped his cheek and caused his thoughts to halt as he allowed the arm to guide him, and he turned with a blink.
"My hero~" Tatsumaki said with a giggle, and her cheeks were red again.
No…Surely not. I mean, what are the chances?
"Here."
"Mmh?"
Waving a finger, a can, a familiar can floated towards Tatsumaki's open hand, and she, staring straight into his eyes, took a sip.
"Blegh!"
Making him chuckle before the girl huffed, but with a tiny smile passed him the still cold beverage.
"You dropped this."
He nodded and took a sip of his own.
"Thanks Tatsumaki—" he froze and his eyes widened. He stared at the can and then stared at the nervously smiling girl.
He licked his lips.
"Ta-Tatsu—" he gulped. "Tatsumaki."
No, surely not. I'm being a fool. There's no way!
Yet even so…He had to know.
"Is…is this a d-d-date?"
The girl's voice was a whisper as her cheeks exploded into red and she lowered her gaze, playing with a strand of green hair wrapped around one of her fingers.
"Yes…"
oh…Oh!
That changed things.
He stood frozen, unsure of what to do, what to say.
Long enough that the girl swayed nervously in the air.
"Y-yuha?"
"Yeah?"
"You do l-like me? Yes? All those words and t-thoughts you've been having…They weren't lies. Were they?"
Tatsumaki's small tiny voice, a voice laden with weakness and vulnerability that did not belong in such a woman, caused him to blink out of his stupor and step closer to her, shaking his head as his fist opened by itself, the can dropping as his hands sought out the girl's own. For he somehow knew that in his hands he held the girl's very heart. And his words would shape its fate…
Grasping them as he shook his head.
"No!" he blinked. "Err, I mean yes!" His brows furrowed in irritation. "I like you!" he shouted as he shook his head. "Its just just, I mean…"
Tatsumaki giggled.
"Alright, I understand~"
"Ah good." He shook his head again. "No, or rather, YES!" But what I'm trying to say…" Yuha took another deep breath, closing his eyes as Tatsumaki let out another relieved giggle.
Shit. Why is this so hard? Why are words suddenly so hard?!
His heart felt like it could explode out his chest akin to an alien chest burster, but one borne of joy.
Slowly opening his eyes, he fixed one of the most wonderful women he'd ever have the privilege of knowing with an intense stare.
"Tatsumaki," he growled, and the girl let out an 'eep.'
Tatsumaki.
'Eep'
Does not compute!
"Y-yes?"
"Are you sure?" he asked, and the girl cocked her head.
"Sure about what?"
"This! Us! I mean…" he let go of the girl's soft warm arms and took a step back, pointing at himself. "I mean, I'm flattered, and honored and very, very happy! Believe me!" he said, and the girl smiled. "But…are you sure you want to try with…me? Cause, look at what I look like—"
Smiling, the girl shook her head and sped through the air, floating but a few inches from his face and putting a hand on his lips. Silencing him.
"I don't mind, Yuha~" she said and quick as a flash, before he could blink, leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek. Drawing back with another tiny giggle.
Oh…Butterflies…that's nice…
Tatsumaki floated backwards and for a moment her smile wavered, before a frown replaced it and she closed her eyes.
"Tatsumaki?"
She sighed and fixed him with a stern gaze.
"Yuha?"
"Yeah?"
"To use your own words, are you ok, with me?" the woman asked. "I-I mean, I'm not the most traditional or feminine of girls a-and there are a lot of things about romance I don't know and—"
He laughed, causing the girl's eyes to open wide.
"I don't mind. Tatsumaki is Tatsumaki and I wouldn't have it any other way."
The girl's entire face turned tomato red.
"Idiot!" she huffed, turning to the side and crossing her arms, and he laughed again, for upon her face a tiny smile was visible. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Ok…" the smile grew bigger.
For a few moments nobody said anything, and then Tatsumaki floated closer and, without a word, deposited herself back on his shoulder.
"Onwards!" the girl said, and he nodded.
And for the next few hours, as they traveled from city to city, Yuha's mind was free of worries.
His thoughts filled with nothing but joy as together with Tatsumaki they fought monsters and protected people, the highlight of the night being the cup of ice-cream they shared as the sun crested the nearby hills, bathing all in its glow and, with the smell of morning dew his heart nearly stopping at the joyous, innocent smile she flashed his way, cheeks red, before giggling. One that he'd forever treasure.
Well, that…
…and Tatsumaki's face when she realized that after all this training he could fly freely now, and even if not as fast as her, still fast enough to follow, and thus, she didn't need to carry him on her shoulder.
The view is nice though.
"I-I-Idiooooot!"