Hey, guys! BD with another installment of 'The Belladonna's Favorite Catnip.' In this chapter, Blake decides to make her move on her 'revenge' towards Izuku for the actions he caused with her mother. Will he manage to survive Blake's craftiness? Enjoy!
Team Greenshade or Team IzuKali?
A few nights prior…
Tsuyu just stepped out of the shower when she heard her phone ring. She thought it was strange since she wasn't expecting anyone to call her at this ungodly hour. Quickly grabbing a towel she rushed to her bedroom to grab the phone. The last thing she needed was her mother's complaining and Samidare and Satsuki's meddling.
"Jesus, I hope it isn't Mineta. That peck on the cheek was a huge mistake. Damn the darkness in movie theaters." She could understand Minoru's plight — after all it was his money that she and Fumikage used to go out. Even if he was the last living thing in the universe, two was certainly a crowd to the frog vixen.
Preparing to make an excuse, she was about to part her mouth until she saw the caller was Blake. She arched an eyebrow. A bit peculiar for the neko to call her at this time. By now, the Faunus should be aware of the inter-universal time zones. Tightening the towel around her chest, she grabbed the phone and answered it on the tenth ring.
"Hey, Blake." The frog teen said as she sat on the bed. "Not that I mind hearing from you or talking to you, but do you know what time it is?"
"Exactly what you should be asking when I send evites for you and the others to attend the funeral of my dearly departed mother." Blake retorted. There was no apprehension in her voice. Tsuyu could understand the teenage angst with parents. Her mother didn't approve of Tsuyu using Minoru for monetary gain.
"'Rents are the worst, ribbit!" Tsuyu responded, trying her best not to laugh. "What's bugging you? What did Auntie do that would make you want her fitted for a black dress?"
"Where do I want to start?" Blake spouted out. "Remember earlier this evening when I came to you for advice?"
"Yeah. About Deku, ribbit!"
"Tsu-chan, sweetie? Remember how I feel about you using that word."
"Right…right. That's like the hard 'r' to you. Like a Faunus slur from that Cardin guy."
A bit of silence ensued. Tsuyu was fortunate that they weren't on Facetime. Lord knew that she didn't want to see the angry daggering stares coming from the amber-eyed teen. Admittedly, even when the Faunus looked angry, she made herself look cute.
Steering back to the topic, Tsuyu replied. "I can guess that things didn't work out as planned."
"Yeah…guess you can say that. Can I ask you a personal question, Tsu-chan?"
"Shoot."
"How would you feel if your mother wanted to sleep with your boyfriend?"
The frog vixen shuddered — certainly the last thing she wanted to think about. She was still having PTSD from the last time she heard her mother and father having sex. She would rather eat fireflies than to recall her parents doing it. It sounded like someone was being greased up with mayonnaise.
"The same way I would like Minoru to disappear off the face of the Earth, ribbit." Tsuyu pursed her lip. What exactly happened between the time they spoke and now? "There is no universe that could salvage that piece of work. He even makes the devil beg for Christ."
"He might have a roommate soon," responded Blake. "That fucking interloper."
"Blake, what's going on?"
"My mom fucking Izuku, that's what's going on."
"You're joking."
"Is Yang fucking here? Even she knows not to joke around when it comes to him."
Tsuyu cleared her throat. She adjusted her back to the headrest and crossed her legs. The sounds of ragged breath from the receiver continued penetrating her ears. "Jesus, Blake…" What could she say? She had only thought moments like these occurred in mangas and American Pie. "Alright, Blake. Let's be rational for a minute. Are you seriously telling me that Auntie actually porked Izuku?" She nervously laughed, more so out of disbelief.
"She porked, sauteed, seasoning, deflowered…my Izuku isn't pure anymore." Blake gnashed her teeth. "The paintbrush has been dipped. His ship has made its maiden voyage." Tsuyu could hear from the other end how this was really irritating her. "My Gambol Shroud is indiscriminate to those who cross its path. Maybe we can see what it does to Mother Dearest. Hmm-hmm!"
"First off, no murder." Tsuyu interjected. "You're too pretty for prison and you'll never see Izuku again, ribbit."
"You underestimate me, Tsu-chan." Blake retorted. "Either we leave hand in hand as lovers or side-by-side by the coroners. I'll drag him to hell with me if need be."
"Kotonoha, step beside yourself." Tsuyu said, showing a bit of worry. "Have you been eating the rapier wasp jam, eating the bologna, experimenting with Ozpin's Yan-Away pills? You do know those pills have adverse effects on non-yandere individuals, making them completely yandere."
"This was supposed to be my moment. My moment." She barked. "I had everything planned out down to a tee. I should have been the one to take his first time. Izuku belongs to me." Aggravation was turning into sadness. "Mom knew I liked him. Mom knew I wanted him, making him mine. He's my bunny rabbit. Instead, like all things, whatever is mine, it's her. And damn it, I don't believe in co-ownership. I'll do the necessary to make him mine, even if the doofus fails to recognize it."
"Firstly, he is no doofus," interjected Tsuyu. "Naive, timid, meek, somewhat dense but not a doofus, ribbit." She cleared her throat. No point of serenading herself with Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay. "Guys like Izuku have a hard time saying no. He's a product of his environment — a survivor of the abuse laid by Kacchan.
"Shy at nature and people misinterpret his kindness as weakness. Without a doubt, girls are his kryptonite. Nevertheless, his sweet nature attracts all kinds — good and bad, even mothers like yours."
Blake was silent, taking in what Tsuyu was telling her.
"Izuku needs a gentle nudge, a step in the right direction. Auntie Kali used that to her advantage, thus dipping his paintbrush. In other words, Blake the early bird gets the worm. Kitten got the cream."
"..."
"I wouldn't be too mad at the kid. He doesn't know better. Guys like him need girls like us to aid and assist him, ribbit." Tsuyu said in a calmer voice. "We're in a world in which the dynamic is open to anything. Look at it this way, Deku…"
"Deku?!"
Tsuyu cleared her throat. "Izuku is a damsel in distress and Auntie Kali is the evil witch that took him away. You're the knightess in shining armor that would go through leaps and bounds to save your damsel. Be that knightess, save your damsel!"
"Wow, Tsu-chan…do you really think I should kill Moth Balls?"
[Imagine Tsuyu dropping to the ground in comedic effect]
"No! Where in the hell is this kill talk coming from. No killing!" Tsuyu stood up to sit back on the bed.
"Who would really miss him? I mean there is his best friend Eijiro. Are you sure they are really best friends? Isn't red sus?"
"Blake, no. You aren't hurting anyone. And wait, why are we discussing this over the phone? Who knows who could be listening?"
"If it's because of us getting into legal trouble, then we just get rid of the body and all the evidence. No face, no case!" Blake countered matter-of-factly. "If the kids from Chicago can kill an opp, brag about it, and not get caught by the police, then what we're doing is a piece of cake."
"I don't speak French, who's we?" Tsuyu interjected. "Anyway, what I want you to take away from this is that if you want the rabbit, you have to have the stick. If Kali can sway him, so can you."
"So…no killing Katsuki?"
"Once again, WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT MURDER? No murder, okay?!"
"Fine~!" Blake said in an exasperated voice. "The carrot and the stick, huh?"
The frog vixen lied down and put the phone on speaker. "C'mon, Blakey. You're the most resourceful girl that I know. The type of gal that could make things gourmet…even if it tastes like shit."
A teardrop appeared on her forehead. "I'll keep that in mind." "Now it makes sense when she said my cabbage stew was a delicacy that wasn't meant for human consumption but for intergalactic life forms whose palettes were far superior than ours….bitch!"
"You've known Izuku as long as Bakugo. You got the inside scoop about him that others wouldn't know unless we were there from the beginning, ribbit." Tsuyu responded. "His likes, dislikes, dreams…desires!" The latter came out in a flirty tone. "What makes him squirm, what makes him tick. C'mon, Blakey. I ain't the only one with brains, ribbit."
"Of course not. Got the brawns as well. Yang and Ruby aren't the only ones that're kicking ass. I'm like a ninja, duh!"
"I'm like a ninja, duh!"
A pregnant pause ensued the Faunus. As if the engine in her brain began to rev, it was finally producing an idea. "Tsuyu, you freaking genius!"
"What is it?"
"Gotta go. Your senpai has some plans in the making." Blake responded. "Oh yeah…the next time you wanna read my cooking…judge the chemistry of that processing plant downstairs. Just like Minoru, it's off-balanced." She hung up the phone.
"Carrot and stick…carrot and stick…none of that won't be necessary as I know what exactly makes the boy ill with worry." A sickening smile appeared on her face as she stared at the picture of her and Izuku when they were children. "Oh, Izuku. Let's play a game that makes you squirm and tick all in one. You're mine, Izuku Midoriya!"
Back to the present….
The Belladonna family have some open land on their property that they used for miscellaneous reasons — tribal meetings, family events, festivals from different villages, and the like. In the amber eyes of the Faunus, this open field was nothing more than a practice battle ground.
The sun hung low in the evening sky, casting a yellow glow over the tranquil woods surrounding Blake Belladonna's home. Izuku found himself walking alongside her, the crunching of fallen leaves beneath their feet the only sound breaking the silence. The air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the subtle scent of pine and the mysterious allure of the Faunus.
Blake led the way with purpose, her cat-like ears twitching occasionally as she navigated the winding paths through the trees. Izuku couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the forest, but it was the look on Blake's face that captivated him. There was a determination in her amber eyes, a silent command that spoke volumes.
"Wow! Has Blake ever looked this cool?" She has always been this reserved and silent, or at least in front of her peers. He knew whenever she presented herself like this, it was with a purpose.
As they walked, the shadows seemed to dance around them, weaving tales of ancient secrets and untold mysteries. Izuku felt a strange connection to the surroundings, as if the very essence of the woods resonated with the pulse of something greater.
"Blake," Izuku spoke hesitantly, breaking the quietude between them. "Where are we going? What is this place?"
Granted, he wasn't particularly unfamiliar with the forest. This was their private playground during their younger years. The days when they played the huntress and the Grimm. A bit of regret hit his spine, especially since he was always the Grimm.
Blake turned to him, her gaze unwavering. "This is my home, Izuku. A place where the past and present coexist, where the whispers of the wind carry the stories of those who came before us."
Her words hung in the air, and Izuku sensed a weightiness to the revelation. There was more to this journey than a simple walk in the woods.
The path led them to a small clearing, bathed in the ethereal glow of the sun. Blake stopped and turned to face Izuku. The shadows played across her face, accentuating the determination etched in her expression.
"Izuku," she said, her voice a soft yet commanding melody. "There are choices we must make, paths we must follow. Resisting the call of destiny is not an option, for the threads of fate have brought us together."
The gravity of her words settled over Izuku, and he felt a shiver down his spine. He looked into Blake's eyes, searching for answers to questions he hadn't even formed yet. The forest seemed to hold its breath, awaiting his response.
As Izuku and Blake stood in the sunlit clearing, the air seemed to thicken with an unspoken tension. Blake's expression, once determined, now shifted to one of deep concern. Her cat-like ears flattened slightly, betraying the turmoil within.
"Izuku," Blake began, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and anxiety. "There's something I know, something about you... something about my mother."
Izuku's heart skipped a beat. The mention of Blake's mother sent a chill down his spine, and he felt a knot tighten in the pit of his stomach. He had always known that there was a connection between him and Blake's past, but the fear of the unknown gripped him.
"What do you mean?" Izuku stammered, his voice barely audible in the quiet night.
Blake hesitated, her amber eyes locked onto Izuku's. "My mother had secrets, ones she never shared with anyone. But somehow, she left behind clues, and I've been piecing them together. It involves you, Izuku."
Dread settled over Izuku as he grappled with the possibility that his past was intertwined with Blake's mother's secrets. He had thought he left the shadows of his history behind, but the haunted look on Blake's face suggested otherwise.
The weight of Blake's words hung in the air, and as the gravity of the situation settled over him, Izuku felt a suffocating pressure in his chest. The sun cast long shadows over the clearing, amplifying the anxiety that gripped him. Without a word, Izuku dropped to his knees, his eyes fixed on the ground, unable to meet Blake's gaze.
"Blake, I... I didn't want you to find out like this," Izuku whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the night. "I never meant for you to discover the secrets I've been carrying."
Blake's eyes bore into him, a mixture of hurt and confusion reflected in her amber gaze. The revelation of a connection between Izuku and her mother had shaken the foundation of trust they had built.
"Izuku, what is it?" Blake pressed, her voice softer now, filled with a mix of emotions. "Tell me the truth."
Izuku took a deep breath, the air feeling heavy in his lungs. He knew he couldn't hide from the truth any longer. "Your mother... she and I shared a connection." He raised his eyes to meet Blake's, and the fear of her judgment mirrored in his gaze.
"What kind of connection?" She asked him, stating the obvious.
The evening sun spilled through the leaves, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the forest floor as Izuku hesitated before his childhood friend Blake — his Blakey. The revelation weighed heavily on his shoulders, and the air seemed charged with tension as he steeled himself to confess.
"A connection that one does with a lover," Izuku responded, his voice laced with apprehension. "Blakey, I had a relationship with your mother."
Blake's eyes widened, the shock evident in her expression. She took a step back, her cat-like ears twitching involuntarily. "What? My mother and you?"
Izuku nodded, his gaze fixed on the ground as if he couldn't bear to meet Blake's eyes. "It happened a few nights ago. The night before I was supposed to leave to go back home."
"Mom…you…"
"Yes," he said, guilt visibly shown on his face. "I've slept with your mother. It should have been a one-time thing but it wasn't. It…it…" He looked away. "I've never meant to hurt you and Uncle. I never meant to hide it from you."
Blake's emotions seemed to swirl, a mix of disbelief, anger, and confusion. "How could you keep something like this from me? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"How could I?" He said, trying not to look at her. "How could I explain to my best friend, a best friend who I truly care about, that I am sleeping with her mother. It's a betrayal beyond a betrayal — something that no one should ever do. Especially to someone that you truly care and love."
Blake remained silent, her eyes searching Izuku's face for answers. The revelation had shattered the image she held of both her mother and Izuku.
"I understand if you're angry," Izuku continued, his tone pleading. "But please, Blake, I never wanted to hurt you. I care about you, and I didn't realize how much this secret would affect us."
The forest seemed to hold its breath, the evening sky began casting a pallor over the scene as the weight of the revelation hung between them. Blake, torn between her emotions, took a deep breath.
Blake's amber eyes flickered shut, shutting out the world around her as she absorbed the weight of Izuku's confession. The cool night air seemed to wrap around her, and a heavy silence hung in the clearing. She took a moment to gather herself, to process the information she had long suspected but never fully acknowledged.
"Izuku," Blake spoke, her voice steady but laced with a mixture of resignation and vulnerability. "Tell me everything. I want to hear it from you."
Izuku took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Blake, his expression one of remorse.
"You have no right to be silent, Izuku Midoriya," she said with a strong voice which made his body shake. "You can't stand in front of me and think that this is going to blow over. This involves me and my father — my father, Izuku! Therefore, I think I have the right to know what 'encounters' you and my mom involved yourselves in. NOW!"
"I never meant to hurt you, Blake," Izuku said, his voice carrying the weight of remorse.
"Now!" Blake shouted, her eyes furrowed at him.
As Blake shouted, the shadows seemed to dance around them, mirroring the turmoil in her heart. Izuku struggled to find the right words, caught between the desire to offer an explanation and the fear of making the situation worse.
"Tell me, Izuku. Tell me the things that you have done with Mother," she said. "C'mon, Izuku! You weren't so scared when you plowed that little pathetic thing in her, so why not 'fess up now."
Izuku's fear deepened, and he found himself at a loss for words. The truth had been laid bare, but the wounds inflicted by the revelation were still raw.
Izuku's fear escalated as he stepped back, realizing that something wasn't quite right. The echo of Blake's anger surrounded him, but his attention shifted to the black duffle bag she was carrying. A nagging feeling tugged at him, urging him to investigate its contents.
As he cautiously approached, curiosity and concern gnawed at him. He unzipped the bag, revealing the unmistakable shape of Blake's Gambol Shroud, her weapon of choice. A sense of foreboding settled over Izuku as he connected the dots.
"Why are you carrying your weapon?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion.
Blake's anger seemed to intensify, but her response was controlled. "Seems like you have trouble spilling the beans. Might as well give you a bit of motivation."
Izuku felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The revelation of their past and the sight of Blake's weapon fueled his concern. He realized that the truth had pushed her to a breaking point, and he feared the consequences.
"I understand you're upset, Blake," he began, trying to choose his words carefully. "But resorting to violence won't solve anything. We need to talk, not fight."
Blake's eyes narrowed, the Gambol Shroud unfolding in her hands. The sunlight glinted off the blades, casting an ominous gleam. Izuku took another step back, his instincts warning him of the danger that loomed. "It's good to know that you have been getting exercise. You're gonna need it!"
Blake's eyes remained unyielding, the Gambol Shroud now aimed at Izuku. The Gambol Shroud trembled in Blake's hands, the tension in the air palpable. Izuku knew that a single wrong move could tip the scales into a confrontation neither of them wanted.
"Hey, hey." Izuku responded nervously. "Let's talk about this."
"Not anymore. We're done talking! Now, I want your blood on my sword!"
As Blake surged forward, Izuku's instincts kicked in. With a surge of adrenaline, he activated his quirk, One For All, just in time to evade Blake's swift attack. His body moved with newfound speed and agility as he gracefully dodged the swinging blades.
Blake's eyes widened as Izuku smoothly evaded her strike, the wind from the movement ruffling his hair. Panic briefly flashed across her face as the realization set in that Izuku had the ability to match her enhanced Faunus agility.
"Blake, please, we don't have to do this!" Izuku called out, hoping to reach her through the chaos of the moment.
But Blake, consumed by a mix of anger and betrayal, pressed on. She lunged at him again, the Gambol Shroud slashing through the air. Izuku continued to dodge, his movements a dance of evasion, desperately trying to find an opportunity to break through to her.
"Oh, no Izuku. It isn't that we have to do this. I want to do this!" She renewed her assault, determination etched on her face.
The forest became a blur as Izuku sprinted through the dense vegetation, desperately trying to put distance between himself and the relentless pursuit of Blake. Each swing of her Gambol Shroud left a trail of splintered trees in her wake, the echoes of destruction mingling with the sounds of the evening.
"Come to me Izuku like you came for my mother," she shouted. Blake's determination fueled her chase, her eyes focused solely on Izuku. She slashed through the air with precision, leaving a path of devastation in her wake.
As Blake closed the gap, Izuku felt the urgency escalating. He knew that evasion alone wouldn't be enough, so he activated his quirk, One For All, to enhance his speed. The world around him blurred as he moved with newfound swiftness, narrowly avoiding each strike.
"Izuku, stop running!" Blake's voice carried a mix of frustration and anguish. Her desperation echoed through the clearing.
"I don't want to fight you, Blake!" Izuku shouted back, his words lost in the chaos of their pursuit.
Despite his efforts to avoid confrontation, the forest suffered the consequences of their clash. Trees toppled and branches snapped, bearing witness to the intensity of their conflicting emotions.
Each time Blake closed in, Izuku activated his quirk once more, weaving through the forest like a fleeting shadow. He could feel the strain on his body, but the alternative — engaging in a physical confrontation with Blake — was a choice he was desperate to avoid.
"I always knew you were a coward, Izuku. No wonder it was easy to convince Katsuki to make you s-s-s-stutter!" Blake's frustration reached a breaking point. Determined to gain an advantage, she activated her semblance. Shadows enveloped her, and she moved with a speed that surpassed even her Faunus agility. The clearing became a canvas for her enhanced movements as she closed the gap between her and Izuku.
"H-h-how d-d-dare y-you!"
For a moment, it seemed like Blake had him cornered. The shadows played tricks on the eyes, and her Gambol Shroud sliced through the air with calculated precision. Izuku's heart raced as he dodged, his enhanced speed crucial in avoiding the imminent strike.
In a split second, Blake's weapon almost connected, but Izuku, relying on his quick thinking, activated his Delaware Smash. A surge of power emanated from his fist, creating a shockwave that rippled through the air. The force of the impact sent Blake hurtling backward, breaking the momentum of her pursuit.
"I didn't want it to come to this, Blake," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "But I won't let us destroy each other."
Blake, recovering from the force of the attack, glared at him from a distance. The now moonlight cast a cold gleam on her Gambol Shroud as she stood, the determination in her eyes undiminished.
"Blake, please! We don't need to keep going like this. I'm sorry for everything, and I never wanted to hurt you."
But instead of easing the tension, Izuku's words seemed to stoke the flames of Blake's anger. Her resolve hardened, and with a swift motion, she activated her semblance once more. Shadows enveloped her, and this time, there was a dangerous intensity in her eyes.
Despite Izuku's attempts to reason with her, Blake moved with a newfound determination. The shadows danced around her, and in a blink of an eye, her semblance struck Izuku. It wasn't just a mere attempt this time — the shadows solidified into a tangible force, hitting him with a powerful blow.
Izuku staggered backward, the impact sending shockwaves through his body. Pain radiated from where Blake's semblance had struck, and he struggled to maintain his balance.
"Save your apologies, Izuku!" She took a gaze at him and began chuckling. "How's that for being hot and bothered!?" She stomped her foot. "Fight me, Izuku! I came out of your favorite place, probably can still smell her on me."
Izuku, nursing the pain from Blake's semblance attack, couldn't fathom the intensity of her anger. As the shadows lingered around her, he felt a sense of frustration building within him. He knew that her emotions were valid, but the escalating conflict seemed absurd.
"Blake, enough! We don't need to keep going like this," Izuku implored, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern. "I understand you're angry, and I'm sorry for everything. But fighting each other won't solve anything. We need to find a way to talk through this."
Blake, still surrounded by the remnants of her activated semblance, glared at him. The moonlight cast a harsh glow on the forest floor as the tension between them reached a breaking point.
"Izuku, you don't get it," she retorted, her voice strained. "You've kept so much from me. How can I trust anything you say?"
Izuku ran a hand through his hair, trying to collect his thoughts. "I get it, Blake. I messed up. But we can't let anger and pain dictate our actions. Please, let's find a way to understand each other without resorting to violence."
Despite Izuku's attempts to reason with Blake, it became clear that she was beyond the point of listening. Frustration and anger fueled her actions as she lunged at him, determined to settle the conflict through force.
In the face of her attack, Izuku knew he had to act decisively to prevent further harm and with a surge of determination, Izuku unleashed his Detroit Smash. The forceful blow collided with Blake, sending her backward with an unexpected intensity.
The world seemed to slow down as Blake teetered on the edge of a cliff, her form outlined against the sky. Panic flashed in her eyes as the realization of the precarious situation dawned upon her.
"Blake, no!" Izuku shouted, the urgency in his voice cutting through the night.
lake, clinging desperately to the precipice, pleaded for help. The urgency in her voice tugged at Izuku's heart, and he rushed to her aid.
"Izuku, please! Help me!" Blake's eyes reflected a mix of fear and desperation.
Izuku reached over the edge, determined to pull her to safety. The moonlight cast long shadows as his hand extended towards Blake. Their fingers briefly touched, but the situation became more complicated as sweat from their exertions hindered Izuku's grip.
"Blake, I won't let you fall. Just hold on!" Izuku's voice carried reassurance, but the strain on his face revealed the difficulty of the task.
Blake clung to the edge, her fingers slipping against the precipice. Panic set in as she struggled to maintain her grip.
"Izuku, please! I'm slipping!" She cried.
"Hold on. I won't let you go, Blake!"
"Please, Icchan! Help me!"
Suddenly, a realization hit Izuku like a lightning bolt. The intensity of the moment stirred memories from their shared childhood, memories that were interwoven with laughter, camaraderie, and a bond that ran deeper than he had acknowledged.
'Well, since Yang is your best friend number one, then I can be number zero.'
'That doesn't make sense, baka!'
'It doesn't have to make sense, Blakey! When you are friends, it can be whatever you want it to be.'
'I am beginning to suspect you enjoy me doing this to you.'
'Or, maybe that is what a friend does. Tell the truth?'
'God, on the last day, why don't you.'
'And you love me for it.'
'Yeah, yeah, Icchan! Nothing but love.'
"Something to remember you? Blake! We see each other every year."
'I know. But, we are getting older. This is your second year and this is my third. I know exams are going to get tougher and you will be going to different agencies for internships. I know things are going to get hectic when I go back to Beacon this fall. I just don't want us to become distant, you know.'
In a heart-wrenching moment, Blake lost her grip on the edge of the cliff, and Izuku's heart skipped a beat as she began to fall.
"Icchan!"
"Blakey!"
Without hesitation, Izuku leaped after her, the moonlit night becoming a blur as they plummeted toward the river below.
As they descended, Izuku reached out, his hand connecting with Blake's in a desperate attempt to shield her from the impending impact. The world around them distorted as they plunged into the cold embrace of the river, the water closing over them like a liquid shroud.
The river swallowed them whole, the moonlight casting rippling patterns on the surface as Izuku and Blake sank beneath the water's depths. The current tugged at them, and for a moment, all was silent except for the muffled rush of water around them.
Beneath the surface, Izuku held onto Blake, using himself as a shield to absorb the impact. The weight of the water pressed against them, and the river became a realm of blurred reflections and muted sounds. As they spiraled deeper, Izuku's instincts kicked in, propelling them toward the surface.
Breaking through the water's surface, gasping for air, Izuku clung to Blake, ensuring they both emerged from the river's depths. The moonlight painted a shimmering path on the water as they floated, their intertwined destinies now held afloat by the current of the river.
on the riverbank, Izuku emerged from the water, cradling Blake's unconscious body in his arms. Panic and urgency fueled his movements as he dragged her onto the shore. The night air carried a chill, but the warmth of the water clung to them, a stark reminder of the perilous plunge they had taken.
"Blakey..." he called out, the word hanging in the air. There was no response from her. Her limp form lay still, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him.
Determined to bring her back, Izuku took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He positioned himself beside Blake and began to perform CPR. With each compression, he could feel the urgency of the moment. He blew air into her lungs, the rhythmic pattern of his actions echoing the quiet desperation that filled the quiet night.
"Come on, Blake, wake up," he muttered between breaths and compressions. His hands moved with precision, driven by a combination of fear and determination. "Blakey, wake up! Please wake up! I'm sorry that I did this to you. Please wake up!"
Time seemed to stretch, the minutes feeling like an eternity as he worked tirelessly to bring her back. The moon held a silent vigil, indifferent to the struggles playing out on the riverbank.
"I regret what I did. I'm sorry for what I have done to you and Uncle. Please forgive me. It wasn't about Auntie. Yes, I love her and I will always love her but my love for her doesn't compare to you. I love you."
After what felt like an agonizing span, Blake coughed and sputtered, water spilling from her mouth. Izuku's heart skipped a beat as she took a gasping breath, her body responding to the efforts to resuscitate her.
Relief washed over him, and he cradled Blake in his arms, her coughs and shallow breaths signaling a return to consciousness.
"Holy Esdeath, thank God!" He said as he displayed a weak smile.
"Izuku..." Blake's voice was weak, her eyes fluttering open. "Icchan!"
"Blakey!" Tears welled in Izuku's eyes as he held Blake close, the weight of their shared experiences and the thought of almost losing Blake.
"I'm so sorry, Blake," he whispered through choked sobs, his apology carrying the weight of remorse. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I never wanted to hurt you."
Blake, still weak from the ordeal, looked up at him with a mixture of confusion and exhaustion. Her eyes, mirroring the moonlit glow, searched his face for answers, trying to grasp the depth of the emotions that unfolded in the night.
Izuku continued to hold her, the warmth of their intertwined figures offering solace in the midst of the emotional storm. The river flowed nearby, a constant reminder of the currents that had threatened to pull them under, both literally and metaphorically.
"I never wanted to lose you, Blake," he admitted, his voice trembling with emotion. "Please, let's find a way to understand each other. I can't bear the thought of losing you. I love you, Blakey!"
As Izuku looked up to the moon of Menagerie, its battered and scarred surface serving as a silent witness to the events of the night, he couldn't help but draw parallels with the moon of his own Earth. The celestial bodies seemed to share a commonality in their appearance, yet the circumstances surrounding them were vastly different.
Lost in contemplation, Izuku's gaze lingered on the moon, the scars on its surface reflecting the wounds of the world below. The night air carried a sense of stillness, and the riverbank stood as a quiet sanctuary where emotions, much like the scars on the moon, left an indelible mark on the landscape.
Unbeknownst to him, as Izuku pondered the celestial parallels, he missed the subtle transformation on Blake's face. A smile, soft and filled with understanding, graced her lips. It was a moment of quiet acceptance, an acknowledgment of the complex emotions that had woven their destinies together.
"I love you too, Izuku!"
Sometime later….
The early night Menagerie sky stretched overhead as Blake and Izuku walked in a heavy silence, the aftermath of their emotional turmoil lingering in the air. Each step carried the weight of unspoken words, and the riverbank, once a battlefield, now became a path of quiet reflection.
Oftentimes, their eyes met, seeking understanding in the silent exchange of glances. Yet, the words that needed to be spoken remained elusive, caught in the emotional tension that enveloped them. The moon cast long shadows on their figures as they moved in the stillness of the night, the river gently murmuring nearby.
Izuku held onto the duffle bag containing Blake's Gambol Shroud, a tangible reminder of the events that had unfolded. The weight of the weapon served as a silent testament to the complexities of their world, where emotions were as sharp and multifaceted as the blades it concealed.
As they approached Blake's home, the quiet anticipation of what lay ahead hung in the air. The Menagerie landscape became a backdrop to their journey, each step echoing with the unspoken resolve to navigate the aftermath of their shared struggle.
Finally reaching her doorstep, Izuku hesitated, the bag clutched in his hands. Blake, too, stood in the quiet threshold of her home, the moon casting a gentle glow on the scene. The familiar surroundings held the echo of their history, and yet, the path forward remained uncertain.
"Izuku." Blake finally broke the silence. "Thanks for saving me earlier."
The emerald-haired teen pleasantly smiled. "It is something that anyone would do."
"Even if that person wanted to plummet you into the deepest core?"
He smiled. "Yep! Even to the point that I turn into nothingness." He held onto Blake's duffle bag and handed it back to her. "I think you need to get out of those wet clothes. Don't need to catch a cold."
She nervously chuckled. "Yeah…we…I should!"
"I'll go and dry up and I'll take a shower afterwards."
"Do…" She stammered.
"Do what?"
She put her finger to her lip. "Dad just got me the latest NieR video game. Do you…"
"Sure."
"Great! And Izuku?"
"Yeah?"
She didn't answer. She walked toward the bathroom and closed the door behind her, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
As Izuku moved through the quiet spaces of Blake's home, his mind buzzed with a newfound understanding of Blake's character. The events of the night had peeled back layers of her facade, revealing the depth of her emotions and the intricate intricacies of their shared history.
He acknowledged the validity of her anger and frustration. The weight of the secrets and the unspoken emotions had taken a toll on their relationship. However, beneath the surface, Izuku sensed a forgiving spirit in Blake – a spirit forged through the bonds of their childhood friendship.
They had weathered storms together, shared laughter, and faced challenges side by side. The river of time had carved a path through their lives, and tonight's events had brought them to a pivotal moment of reckoning.
Izuku understood the complexity of Blake's emotions. Her anger was a reflection of the hurt she felt, a hurt born from the betrayal of withheld truths. Yet, he sensed a glimmer of the forgiving spirit that had defined their friendship in the past.
As he headed back to his bedroom, unbeknownst to him, there was the elder Faunus sitting in the kitchen holding a cup of tea in the darkness.
Kali smiled as she took a sip as she looked at the starry night.
"Carrot and stick, baby!"
To be continued….