Hey, guys. This is BD with the continuation of "The Vixen." Previously, Izuku discovered that his stalker, Vix, was none other than his former childhood friend, Blake. In this chapter, we will take a dive deeper into their past and the events that led to Izuku's current feelings about his childhood friend.
A few years ago...
It was never a dull summer whenever Izuku visited his childhood friend Blake in Menagerie. The two kids, both driven by their dreams, spent every moment together in the woods of her village. A place that was surrounded by lush forests and breathtaking landscapes. Each night, as the stars adorned the sky, they would look up with hope and determination in their hearts, eager to pursue their aspirations.
Izuku's dreams of becoming a hero filled him with a sense of duty and responsibility. He admired the valiant knights from the tales his grandmother would tell him before bedtime. Their courage, compassion, and unwavering sense of justice inspired him deeply. He imagined himself wearing armor, wielding a mighty sword, and protecting the innocent from any harm that might befall them. To achieve this, he knew he would need to train his mind and body, honing his skills and mastering the arts of combat and chivalry.
Blake's dream of becoming a huntress stemmed from her profound connection with nature and the world around her. She found solace in the woods, where the sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds made her heart dance with joy. Inspired by the ancient stories of skilled huntresses who could navigate the wilderness and live in harmony with the creatures that inhabited it, she yearned to follow in their footsteps. She desired to become a protector of wildlife, ensuring the balance of nature remained undisturbed while also providing sustenance for her village when needed.
As they grew older, Izuku and Blake faced various challenges and obstacles, but their determination remained unshaken. Izuku sought training from the seasoned warriors in the village, learning the art of swordsmanship and tactics. He practiced tirelessly, showing perseverance and dedication even when faced with setbacks.
Blake, on the other hand, sought the wisdom of the village's elder hunters. Under their guidance, she learned the ways of tracking, archery, and survival in the wilderness. Her bond with the creatures of the forest grew stronger, and she developed a deep understanding of the delicate balance that governed their ecosystem.
Over time, they both became skilled in their respective pursuits, garnering admiration and respect from their fellow villagers. They supported each other, recognizing the shared determination that fueled their dreams. As they matured, their paths occasionally intersected, and they found themselves working together with their dreams to protect the village from external threats.
His heroism and her expertise as a huntress complemented each other. His desire to shield the village from human adversaries, while she desired to shield it from the dangers that lurked in the untamed wilderness. Together, they embodied the spirit of courage, compassion, and harmony that their dreams had always represented.
As their adventures unfolded, Izuku and Blake realized that being a hero or a huntress was not solely about wielding power or honing skills. It was about understanding the needs of others, protecting the vulnerable, and preserving the natural beauty of their world. In their pursuit of dreams, they discovered that true heroes and huntresses are those who act with integrity, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility.
And so, the two continued to dream, not just for themselves but for the betterment of the village and the world beyond. As they ventured forth on new quests, their determination to make a difference shone brighter than ever, inspiring the kids around them to dream big and work together to create a brighter future for everyone.
One evening, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village. Blake and Izuku found themselves near a tranquil stream, sitting on a moss-covered rock.
Izuku gazed at the horizon with a determined look on his face. "You know, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a hero."
Blake turned her head, staring at him with intent. "What do you mean, Icchan?"
"It's not just about swinging a sword or wearing shiny armor. It's about protecting those who can't protect themselves, standing up for what's right, and making a difference in people's lives."
"I completely agree," replied Blake, nodding thoughtfully as she looked up to the sky. "Being a huntress isn't just about hunting Grimm or mastering your skill. It's about understanding the delicate balance of nature, ensuring the survival of both the creatures and our people, and living in harmony with the wilderness."
Her response prompted the emerald-haired child to smile warmly. "You're amazing, you know that? The way you move through the forest like you're part of it, is truly remarkable. I've seen you protect yourself from wild beasts, and your skill with the bow is unparalleled. Being a chieftain runs in your veins."
Blake blushed slightly by the compliment. She held onto her ear. "Lest we forget that I'm like a ninja, duh."
"C'mon, Blakey. You know what I mean."
It gave Blake chill bumps whenever he called her by her nickname. Like a hot knife on butter, the feeling he gave her whenever her nickname was called. It for sure swelled the heart and the soul of the Faunus.
"Thank you," she responded. She regained her composure as she wanted to get back to the subject at hand. "But let's not forget your bravery when we fight. The way you lead and face danger head-on is truly heroic. You inspire me to be better, to never back down from a challenge."
"I guess we both inspire each other then." He said, letting out a tiny grin. "It's like we're two sides of the same coin, working together to protect our village and everyone we care about."
"Our village, Icchan?"
"Well…yeah. Didn't Uncle say I could become a chieftain like him someday?"
"You're not exactly…well, you know…"
"..." He dropped his head, the obviosity that he wasn't a Faunus. It was never an uncertainty of his being a human. Uncle Ghira and the elders have accepted him wholeheartedly despite not being from their tribe. Nevertheless, it never stopped him to hone his skills and to become a part of them. He could never empathize but he could sympathize. As his Aunt Kali would say, a Faunus isn't what you are but who you are.
"But it doesn't matter. You're like a bunny rabbit anyway so you're a Faunus at heart."
"Golly, thanks, Blakey!"
"That's exactly how I want you to see it, Icchan," said Blake. "It's like destiny brought us together to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses."
He stared at the sky as darkness began to nestle onto them. The beauty of seeing the stars that covered the sky, was something he could hardly see back home in Musutafu.
"I'm grateful for that. Sometimes, when the pressure weighs on me, I wonder if I can truly become the hero I want to be," replied Izuku.
Blake approached the boy, placing a comfortable hand on his shoulder. "You're already a hero in so many ways. You've helped people, you've made tough decisions, and you've shown compassion when it mattered most. The fact that you worry about living up to your ideals is a testament to your character. All Might would be a fool to not take you as his protege."
He paused, turning away as he momentarily absorbed her words. "D-do y-y-you really think so?"
"And why would I lie to you, Icchan?"
"Golly! Thank you for believing in me. And I believe in you too, as a huntress and as a person. Your connection with nature, your kindness towards all living creatures – it's something special."
She smiled warmly, holding onto the hems of her white sundress. "I don't think I could be the huntress I am without your support and encouragement. You give me the strength to face the dangers of the wilderness and to protect our village with everything I have."
The emerald-haired child stood and turned to the child who was destined to become his friend. "Let's make a promise." His candid smile exposed, widening her amber eyes. "Then let's make a promise. No matter what challenges come our way, we'll face them together. We'll be each other's pillars of support and keep each other grounded on our paths."
Her face beamed like a warm sweet potato on a cool November evening. She extended her hand and took hold of Icchan's, rubbing it affectionately. "I promise. We'll stand side by side, hero and huntress, united in our dreams and our determination to make a difference in this world."
Izuku took Blakey's hand, intertwined their hands together, and shook it. "Deal. Our village is lucky to have us, and together, we'll make it an even better place for everyone."
"Great! Now, let's kiss out on it."
Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. He blushed slightly and replied, "Eww…that's gross, Blakey!"
She felt a mix of emotions, but she appreciated his honesty. She smiled warmly, "Thank you for being open with me, Icchan. I understand that not everyone feels the same way about kissing. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or push you into something you don't like."
He looked relieved, "I'm glad you understand. I hope this won't change our friendship."
"Of course not," Blake reassured him. "Our friendship means the world to me, and I won't let my feelings get in the way of that. We can continue being great friends."
"You know, Blakey, you're an incredible friend. I'm lucky to have you in my life."
Blake beamed, feeling content with their friendship. "You're pretty amazing too, Icchan. And I'm glad we can be honest with each other."
"The signs were there that very moment on the hill. Either blame it on my naivete or sheer childhood innocence, the signs were evident and here I am facing the consequences."
Back to the present….
In his short life, Izuku has described himself in a lot of ways — dependable, earnest, honest, determined, the former punching bag of Kacchan. The kid who had a vision of becoming the next symbol of peace. Even in his quirkless days, he continued to strive for greater, working through nail, teeth and bone to make something out of himself — no matter what the devil may bring.
"Deku, honey! Where are you, sweetie. Are you playing hard to get again?"
Who knew evil girls had the prettiest of faces he thought to himself as he ran deep into the forest. A forest that was quite unfamiliar to him. He was in a panic, directionless one may say. Everything looked the same — root, tree and all. He may not know where he was going but it didn't stop his latest admirer from wanting his whereabouts.
"I love games! Spot 'em, got 'em, right? If I spot you, then I get you, right? Oh, how marvelous! I can't wait to get you because I am already spotting, I-zu-ku!"
His quirk was useless. A concoction of sweet cherry syrup laced with vicodin, propofol, and quirk-nulling drugs were to blame. Thankfully the dosage wasn't strong enough or else he wouldn't be having this discussion with himself. Enough to be conscious but not in the right frame of mind. Every step felt heavier than the next. His heartbeat heightened. His breath labored. Nevertheless, his will to live was what kept him going.
And rightfully so, he narrowly missed the arrow by a strand of his hair.
Chips of pine bark covered his head. A haughty laugh filled into the night. She was closer than he thought. Yet again, he should have known better. In the heat of the night was where her domain reign.
She just turned his sight into a liability.
"Dekkkkuuun…I've come to playyyyy!'
He kept silent. Don't breathe, he said to himself. Losing his cool wasn't going to solve problems. This shouldn't be any different than any battle he has faced during his time at UA. Quirk-nulling drugs may have inhibited him but didn't dull the senses, or lack thereof. Nevertheless, he needed to be solution-oriented. He wasn't going back to that house. He wasn't going to involve himself further with those demented parlor games they wanted to play.
She may have governance over the night but it didn't mean that she would have governance over him. He gripped his fist, being strong-willed and strong-minded, he inhaled as much as he could muster and darted out through the woods.
He couldn't call himself a believer but for this night, running by faith and not by sight had to become a virtue.
As Blake's pursuit of him led them deeper into the woods, he could feel his desperation to escape. The distance between them seemed to widen with every step, and he sensed that she was growing more determined to put an end to his relentless chase.
He could feel the weight of his body becoming heavier due to the drug-induced cocktail. Her laughter and relentless pursuit echoed in his ears, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was getting closer with each passing moment.
"I can't do this," Izuku muttered to himself, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he had to run, to escape the vulnerability that threatened to consume him if he allowed Blake to get any closer. "It's like the further I run, the closer she gets."
"Lest we forget that I'm like a ninja, duh!"
…!
"Shit!" He said to himself.
Blake descended from the tree nearby him. She swung herself forward to decrease momentum. In her hands, she sported the very weapon she procured as a child. Only this time, it was aiming at him.
He was taken aback. He was careful not to stumble. She grinned seductively, giving him the sheer certainty that he had no place to run, no place to hide.
"Oum, it's like being seven all over again," she said to him. "Why do you always have to make things so much harder for yourself? Yet again, it does excite the kink. And speaking of kinks, where were we, I-zu-ku?" The latter incited an obvious seductive giggle.
He wasn't going to give her that justice in surrendering. Turning his back, he ran in another direction. The sound of the arrow could be heard. His eyes widened when hearing the sound of his shirt tearing. A near miss, thank God, but the severity of this became bedeviling to him.
He continued running until he saw the edge of the glistening river. He came to an abrupt halt, his chest heaving from exertion. As he glanced at the rushing waters before him, his face contorted with conflicting emotions, torn between wanting to escape and knowing that he couldn't keep running forever.
His breath hitched, and for a moment, it seemed like he might turn back to face her. However, the weight of their past history, his fear, and the thought of sharing a future with her seemed to pull him toward a different decision.
Without saying a word, he took a step back, hesitated for a brief moment, and then with a sudden burst of resolve, he leaped into the river below.
As he leaped, he felt the rush of cool air enveloping him as he sailed through the night sky. Time seemed to suspend briefly as he became weightless, a fleeting moment of liberation before gravity took hold. Then, with a splash, he plunged into the river, the cold water enveloping him like a shock to his senses.
For a split second, he lost his bearings, disoriented by the darkness and the sudden immersion. The river's grip tugged at him, and he fought against the urge to panic, pushing upward to resurface. As he gasped for air, his heart raced even faster, the icy water providing both relief and a jolt of energy.
"You won't get far, Icchan," she shouted from afar. "I'll hunt you down, I promise you that! You won't escape me! You can't hide forever. I will find you, Icchan. You will love me."
He kept pushing forward, fear and determination driving him deeper into the river. Blake stood at the river's edge, fuming with anger and plotting her next move. Their paths were now set on a collision course, and the chase continued, each determined to outwit the other in this thrilling encounter.
To be continued….