Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima and My Hero Academia belongs to Kohei Horikoshi

Reminder: There will be spoilers for both Fairy Tail and My Hero Academia.

TRIGGER WARNING: This fanfiction contains violence, death, rape, sexual assault, and other material that may be sensitive to the reader.

This chapter contains: Mention of sexy time and fluff

I would like to take the time to thank everyone who has been following/favoriting, giving kudos/subscribing, and leaving reviews. It is very much appreciated, and it makes me happy knowing you're enjoying it that much to do so. Honestly, I didn't think it would get this much traction this soon.

Chapter Word Count: 7000+


Sunday, December 1, 2024

Kai is lying on his side next to Lucy, who is on her stomach, in his bed. He lightly draws circles on her back with his fingertips and watches her sleep. Fuck, does he love this woman. His Tesoro. It took almost losing her to realize it didn't matter where she was from and what she really was. He pushes her tussled hair out of the way so he can kiss her shoulder.


There's a constant ringing of the bell at the front gate.

They see on the camera someone all in black, their hood covering their head ringing the bell with a body lying on the ground next to them. Jiji knows that can't be Remnaut, not unless the guy tamed his hair down. No, that has to be the person responsible for the blue fire.

"What the hell? Who is that?" Chisaki asks out loud as he darts out the door.

"Someone open the gate!" Modoshi yells trying his best to keep up with Chisaki.

"Lucy?" Chisaki moves the hood from the person's head. "Fuck it's Lucy!" He shouts.

"Call Ms. Yamamoto and let her know we're picking her up," Modoshi instructs Kurono.

Chisaki gingerly picks up Lucy and whispers in her ear, "Don't worry Mi Tesoro. I got you."

He quickly enters the compound, taking care not to jostle her. He lays her down on the couch and removes the blanket, noticing she is wearing men's boxers and a hoodie. He instructs Kurono to fetch a set of his pajamas from his room and asks everyone to look away. He removes the hoodie and underneath it, she is in nothing more than rags. He observes bruises, cuts, and scrapes that are visible on her body. Further examination will need to be conducted by Ms. Yamamoto.

Kurono darts into the room and then turns away quickly. "Sorry."

Chisaki sighs, "It's all right Kurono. I trust you."

Ms. Yamamoto rushes over with a medical bag. She knows most of the situation from Modoshi but senses there's more. "There's no sense in dressing her just yet when I need to examine her." She looks around the room and it's packed full of men all with their backs turned. At least they have some modicum of decency. "We need more privacy."

"We'll go downstairs." Chisaki carries Lucy to one of the medical rooms down below and places her on the bed.

"You all need to leave while I examine her," the old lady insists.

Chisaki firmly replies, "Not happening."

"Fine. Everyone except you. Is that acceptable?" When she receives a nod in response, she continues, "Regardless of what I discover, you must stay calm. If you can't manage that, then you cannot stay here."

Modoshi asks, "Can you do that? You must not lose control—"

"I understand," Chisaki replies through gritted teeth.

"All right. If either of you needs anything, Kurono and I will be right outside the door."

After they leave, Ms. Yamamoto asks Chisaki to get a sheet to cover Lucy up with after he helps strip Lucy bare of the remaining garments. He hopes it's not as bad as it looks. If it is… He rakes his hand through his hair, making it stick out at all angles. He turns around because he can't watch as the old lady does a physical examination of her nether region.

"Should you even be doing this while she's passed out?"

"She chose me to be her benefactor should anything happen, and medical decisions need to be made. I may be overstepping but you're not the only one that needs to know if…" She lets out a sigh of relief. "There's no tearing or contusions or any other signs of rape. They still could have touched-"

"Don't you dare say it," He growls.

"You need to prepare yourself. We won't fully know what happened until she regains consciousness and informs us. You cannot offer her assistance if you are unable to manage your anger. Now help me dress her." After dressing her and covering her back up with the sheet for warmth, Ms. Yamamoto looks into her throat and sees signs of smoke inhalation. She pulls up Lucy's eyelids and notices her pupils have constricted. "Seems as if she was injected with some kind of drug. It would make sense since quirk canceling cuffs wouldn't work on her." She realizes what she has just spoken aloud and waits for his reaction which is an unexpected one.

Calmly he states, "I know she has magic and not quirks. She told me about it a month ago."

"If I may, how did she get kidnapped under your watch?"

Crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall he admits, "I had been ignoring her and also," he pulls the necklace out of his pocket, "I accidentally ripped this off of her…"

Ms. Yamamoto hums. She doesn't need to say that he essentially made it seem as though she was no longer associated with the Shie Hassaikai. She can only imagine what was going on in that head of his earlier thinking she must have died in that fire. Which reminds her.

"Do you have any idea how she survived and got here?"

Shaking his head, Chisaki replies, "Not a clue. I'm not sure if Pops has had anyone review the tapes yet. The only thing we were able to catch before rushing out was someone in all black with Lucy lying on the ground next to them."

"I see. Well, all I know for sure is someone drugged her, and she has a broken rib. They must have kicked her a few times. The bruising looks to be as if they had to get a good grip on her to stop her from struggling. Since there is no sign of rape from what I can tell, it's from her putting up a fight."

"Yeah, she's one hell of a fighter that's for sure."

"There's burns around the wrists." She examines them closely. "Almost like metal melted onto her skin. The person who saved her must have melted shackles off of her."

Lucy slowly wakes and tries to talk, "Ungh… Ms… Yama," She breaks out into a coughing fit.

Even though she's not sick, Kai can't help his reaction to her coughing and does his best to not let it get to him. Deciding to make himself useful while the old lady helps her sit up, he gets her a glass of water.

"Ugh, I wish I had my keys so I could summon Gemini." The bed dips and a glass of water is in her vision. She looks up to the person holding it. "K-Kai."

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear he asks, "How are you feeling?"

"I've been through worse." She grabs the glass and takes a drink and sighs in relief at the ice-cold water going down her throat. Something else enters her vision, something that makes her happier than the drink. "My keys…"

"I grabbed them from your apartment in case anyone who had anything to do with your kidnapping went back. I-"He's cut off when hugs him. She pulls his mask down and kisses him.

Lucy cries, "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me." Wiping away her tears and calming down Lucy says, "Well, right now is a good time as any to show you what my magic is." She summons Gemini and asks them to turn into Wendy.

Kai watches amazed as not only does "Wendy" heal her damaged throat, but also the burn marks on her wrists.

Lucy looks at Kai, "Wendy here is a sky dragon slayer. She has healing magic, and she can also perform enchantments."

As Lucy talks and thanks her spirit, Kai grabs her wrist and studies it, looking at it from all angles.

"Amazing, right?"

"All right, you two can discuss that later. The old man is going to want to talk to you." Ms. Yamamoto holds Lucy's hand and pats it as Kai walks out and tells them that she's awake.

Jiji gives Lucy a smile seeing her awake and looking better. He talks about how other yakuza are going to think this was their doing. When he prompts Lucy to tell them who saved her, she's reluctant.

"Lucy, we need to know. Is he a danger to us?" Kai asks.

"No, he's not. He's someone I met before I met you." Seeing the look on his face she quickly adds, "Not like that! Jeez! Anyway, he prefers no one to know who he is. Also, Remnaut was there…"

"We know."

"He's been watching my every move, and I mean EVERY move. He said he had been able to record it all and send it to Fairy Tail…" She thinks about everything Fairy Tail had to have watched. Knowing the women, more specifically Mira and Erza, the men would have been kicked out during the more intimate moments. Then there was the killing… It's horrifying and embarrassing as all hell. There's nothing she can do to change it though.

"But he can't anymore, your friend killed all of them," Jiji interjects.

"That's what he said, and I hope it's true."

Afraid to know the answer, Kai still has to ask, "What happened while you were there?"

"I was too out of it to know everything that happened. But if you're wondering if he… the answer is no."

"Well, there's no way he survived that fire so don't worry about him watching you." Ms. Yamamoto states.

"But wasn't Remnaut your only way of getting home?" Kurono mentions.

"Yeah, but if what Remnaut was saying is true, then Fairy Tail will know and search even harder." That is if Fairy Tail will see what happened. If Remnaut died in that fire...

"I wish there was a way to thank the man," Jiji says.

Lucy makes a mental note to buy Dabi a new hoodie seeing as how Kai destroyed the other one. Seeing Kai's head down and avoiding eye contact, she grabs his hand, "It's getting late. I would like to shower and get to bed."

"Of course. Good night you two."

Kai is silent as he showers with her, carefully washing her body while his thoughts wander.

"What's on your mind?" Lucy asks as she returns the favor and cleans Kai.

Kai sighs, "It's just my luck that the woman I love is from another world and any day she can find a way back to where she's from and leave me."

Lucy swallows the lump in her throat at his confession. "Who said I was leaving you?"

"But you-"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. I need to know Kai. Do you really not care about who and what I am?"

He grabs her right hand and kisses her guild mark. "I don't care where you're from. I don't care that you have magic and not quirks." He smooths her wet hair out of her face, "I was so fucking scared when I thought you were trapped in that fire… And I couldn't do anything… I may have been having trouble coming to terms with everything… but one thing I know for sure is that…" Kai steels his nerves for what he's about to say next, it's something he's never told anyone. "I love you too."

He didn't plan on anything happening after what Lucy went through. She surprised him and he learned that shower sex has its perks.

Afterward, he had a minor freakout. Lucy, thinking it had to do with having gone without a condom thought that was the issue. Since they had only been with each other that was surprisingly not a worry on his mind. They were already in the shower; they could clean themselves right after their intimate moment. When he was able to articulate what was going through his head, he instantly relaxed to find out that she was on birth control. He is nowhere near ready to be a father.


He's kept her in his room all week, threatening anyone who interrupts. If they do, it better be for a damn good reason.

He's always wondered why him out of everyone in Japan. Now he wonders why him out of everyone from both Japan and Earthland. He has no doubt she had her pick back there too. After one of their more vigorous rounds, he decided to ask.


"Back then I wasn't really interested in anyone. Well, that's not exactly true."

Kai rests his head on his hand and twirls a lock of Lucy's hair, "Natsu."

Sighing Lucy says, "Yeah. But I think that was mainly because we were ALWAYS together. We were best friends. After being away for so long, I know it wasn't romantic feelings I was feeling."

"Do you think he loved you?"

Lucy shrugs, "He loved me like any guild member. Was it romantic? I don't know; he showed love through actions, not words. Maybe everything he did was his way of expressing love. Did he want to be with me romantically? I'm not sure I'll ever know. I just hope he won't be waiting for me and finds happiness, no matter how long it takes until we see each other again."

"If you were to see him happy with anyone, who would you want it to be?"

"Hmmm…. The first person that comes to mind is Lisanna."

"Why Lisanna?"

"They were childhood friends. They spent a lot of their time together and hatched Happy's egg together. But when she was 15? 16? She "died." She got sent up to Edolas and well… I already told you that story. Anyway, before I got sent here, I believe she had a thing for Bickslow."

"Bickslow?"

"Err, yeah. I still haven't told you much about a lot of my guildmates. Well, he was a seith mage who could see and possess one's body."

"That's terrifying."

"Yeah, but he isn't. He's a good guy even if he's slightly perverted."

"So, those two could be together right now."

"I have no clue. I do know that once in a while he and our friend Cana would get together and help each other out if you know what I mean."

"Okay, so Lisanna and Bickslow were really close entering relationship territory, but he would fuck around with Cana when he had the urge instead of trying to progress the relationship with Lisanna?"

"Well, when you put it like that…"

"If they did enter a relationship, Lisanna and Bickslow, do you think Cana and Natsu would try to be in a relationship?"

Lucy clutches her stomach and begins laughing. "Oh my god! Natsu and Cana? Gildarts would kill him! Holy shit, if Fairy Tail sees this then Bickslow will be a dead man walking."

"Gildarts, the guy who has magic similar to my quirk?"

Lucy's laughing subsides, "Mmhmm. He's Cana's dad. Now that I think about it though, a relationship between Natsu and Cana would work."

"How so?"

"Natsu is the only person I can think of that would have the balls to stand up to Gildarts."

"That's the only reason?"


He's broken out of his thoughts when Lucy stirs.

Lucy slowly wakes up and hums at Kai's gentle touch. She moves onto her side so she's facing him, "Good morning."

"Morning Mi Tesoro." Kai says before kissing her. He takes it deeper, rolls over on top of her, and links his fingers with hers, hands resting on either side of her head.

"Kai, we should probably leave your room."

"Nope." He says as he kisses her jaw and down her neck.

"You've had me all to yourself the whole week."

He stops what he's doing so he can look her in the eyes, "If you're in here with me, then I know you're safe."

"Oh, Kai."

"If I could, I'd tie you up- shit I-"

"It's okay. It wasn't the first time I had been kidnapped and restrained. I told you about the time in Edolas. That was one of-"

"There were other times!"

"Kai, in my defense it's not like we spent much time this past week talking about my previous life."

"That is true. And I do want to hear more about it, but," In a deep seductive voice he continues, "I want to hear you scream my name more."


Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Modoshi is in his office working on finances, trying to find legal and safe ways to make money. Though no yakuza uses guns (unless it's a big job like back in June), a lot distribute them to make money. It's taken a lot of Modoshi's contacts to allow him to back out of it. He recently told businesses they no longer need to pay protection money, but some, like the Tanaka's, insisted on paying, so he agreed at a reduced rate. As he ponders over options, there's a knock on his door.

"Come in."

Sato opens the door and remains standing in the doorway. "There is someone here to see you," he announces.

A woman, whom he has not seen in years, enters the room accompanied by a young girl. Although he was aware of his granddaughter's existence, he had never anticipated having the opportunity to meet her.

Kai and Lucy are in the kitchen rummaging for something to eat.

"I have to tell you, I really really like Virgo's star dress," Kai says as he hugs her from behind and rests his chin on her shoulder.

"Why Kai, do you have a maid kink?" Lucy giggles and turns her head so she can kiss him.

Before he can respond someone clears their throat. "Modoshi has requested your presence."

Both of them blush and leave the room. When they get to the room, they knock.

"Come in."

"You wanted to see us?"

"Yes, close the door."

They walk further into the room Jiji relaxes in and kneels in front of him.

"There's something you don't know Chisaki."

"What are you talking about?"

"I have a daughter."

Chisaki is surprised, Lucy however is not. He looks at her accusingly, "You knew?"

Lucy shrugs, "I unintentionally heard it in his soul and it's not my place to say anything. So, where is she, your daughter?"

"She's already come and gone. However, she brought someone with her and left her here."

"Who?"

"My granddaughter."

"What? Why would she do that?" Lucy asks distraught.

Jiji steels himself for Chisaki's reaction. "She… well… my granddaughter accidentally made her father disappear."

Lucy places a hand on Kai's arm to ground him, "How did she do that?"

"She doesn't know. She came home from work and found her daughter in a corner crying and her husband's clothes that he was wearing when she left for work in a heap on the floor."

Lucy gasps, "Oh no!"

Solemnly Jiji nods, "She won't say much. Lucy, I was hoping…"

"I'd listen to her soul to get more answers."

"If that's okay, I understand if you won't."

"Of course, I will! Where is she?"

He gives her a soft smile. He goes to stand and has trouble. Both Lucy and Chisaki dart up to help him. Jiji chuckles, "Thanks. I'm getting a little too old for this."

While they wait for him to come back Lucy links her fingers with his and squeezes his hand.

"Calm down."

"It's kind of hard to when her quirk made her father disappear." Unwanted memories flash in his mind. He realizes something, "When you listen to her soul, will you be able to hear mine?"

"I'm going to be concentrating on keeping my focus solely on her. I don't know what it is you don't want me to hear but don't worry. I'll do my best to ignore yours. The times you were around when I had to use this ability, I didn't catch a lot."

"What did you catch?"

"I'll tell you later. But just do your best to think of something else."

"Like what?"

"Happier memories."

Modoshi walks back into the room with a little girl, Lucy guesses she's about 3'7 and around six years old. She has pale blue-gray hair parted in the middle and red wide innocent eyes. Poking out from the right side of her forehead is a small, brown horn. She hides behind her grandfather.

"Hi there! My name is Lucy. What's your name?"

Modoshi urges her to answer, "It's okay. Go ahead."

"E-Eri."

"That's such a pretty name Eri. How old are you?"

"F-five."

"Aw, five is such a fun age to be." Lucy begins to listen to her soul. "Tell me Eri, what kind of things do you like to do? Activities? Hobbies?"

"I like to play."

Both Kai and Modoshi sit in silence and watch Lucy interact with Eri. Kai has never seen Lucy use her ability to hear souls. How does one tell she is? That's kind of scary to think about. Someone being able to hear your secrets without your knowing about it. Before his thoughts can go down that path, he thinks of happy memories like Lucy told him to. Happy memories. Well, there was when Jiji took him in but the reason why he was on the streets to begin with… after that… He can't think of anything leading up to the night he met Lucy. Is that really all his life has been the past 15 years? Just nothing but wandering aimlessly trying to figure out his purpose and settling on finding way to repay Pops? Nothing but a bunch of violence. He rubs his forehead.

As Lucy talks to Eri, she sees all of it. Her father raising a hand to her when her mother isn't around. She watched as Eri's quirk went out of control and her father's body slowly reverted to being an infant. It kept going after that until he disappeared. Her mother comes home and takes in the scene. She shakes Eri by the shoulders demanding what happened. Eri has nightmares and goes to her mother for comfort but is ignored and told to go back to her room. Then a memory surfaces of her mother calling her a curse. She should just get rid of her. Now here she is in the care of her grandfather.

In a quiet voice, Eri asks, "Why are you crying, Lucy?"

Lucy sniffles and wipes away her tears. "Sorry." She was so absorbed in Eri's story she hadn't realized she started shedding tears. She's tempted to leap forward, gather Eri in her arms and squeeze her into a tight hug. She sees Eri rub her horn and when the little girl realizes she's doing it she quickly stops.

Feeling like the girl must be self-conscious about it Lucy gets an idea. All of a sudden, the room is enveloped in a bright light and when it dims down everyone's eyes go wide at the sight of Lucy. She had told Jiji she could do this but never showed him. She is now in an outfit that consists of a two-toned pink, short woolen hoop dress that ends at mid-thigh level. The dress leaves her shoulders and arms bare, however, her arms are covered by pink woolen arm warmers and a woolen scarf is wrapped around her neck. Her legs are covered by horizontally striped pink and black leggings. She bears a tattoo of Aries' zodiac sign on her left shoulder. Her hair is styled into bangs framing her face whilst two gold ram horns sit aside her head behind a pair of side ponytails emerge from.

"How the fu- Ow! What the he- Why are elbowing me?"

"Not in front of Eri!" Lucy hisses at Kai. She gives the little girl a soft smile. "Look, I have horns too."

Eri comes out from her hiding spot behind her grandfather, eyes wide in wonder. "H-How did you do that?" She ends her question with a yawn.

"That's a long story. Would you like to see what else I can do?"

Eri nods her head enthusiastically.

Lucy holds out her palms, "Don't be scared, I promise this won't hurt."

Eri flinches when she hears Lucy say "Wool Shot" but is surprised when it didn't hurt like she promised. She's enveloped in a bunch of pink wool. "It's so soft and warm."

"Mmhmm. You were looking a little tired so I thought I would help you out." In an instant, Eri is fast asleep in the wool. "Where is her room?"

"It's the one next to mine. Chisaki can show you."

Lucy scoops Eri into her arms and picks her up. She follows Kai out of the room and down the hall. When they reach the room, Kai holds the door open for her. She walks into a sparse room. It doesn't surprise her, Jiji hasn't had time to accommodate a room for a little girl. There's a bed and a dresser. There's a book bag in the corner. Eri's mom must have brought that for Eri.

Lucy lies Eri down on the bed and then rummages through the book bag. Not really much of anything other than a few pairs of clothes. Lucy shakes her head and summons two spirits. "Aries! Virgo!"

"Punishment Princess?" Virgo asks stoically.

"Hello, Miss Lucy," Aries says quietly.

"Hey, guys. Aries, could you please make a bed out of your wool on that mattress? Virgo, could you provide a blanket, pillow, and some clothes for Eri?"

"Right away princess."

"Of course, Miss Lucy."

Lucy had told Kai she could summon spirits, and he had still yet to see it. He looks between Lucy and the spirit she called Aries. "Why do you two look similar?"

"Huh? Oh! This is the Aries Star Dress. Because of it, I'm capable of using her wool magic." Lucy drops the star dress.

Virgo puts clothes away and then lifts Eri so Aries can make a mattress. Virgo releases Eri from her cocoon of wool and lies her on the bed. Aries covers her up with the blanket Virgo brought.

"I'm sorry if I didn't do a good job."

"You did great Aries! Thank you! You too Virgo!" They disappear and Lucy looks around. "We'll have to get some toys and books for her. And decorate this to make it more of a girl's bedroom." She feels Kai staring at her. "What?"

"You should move in."

"Kai-"

"No, hear me out. None of us here know anything about taking care of a child, let alone a little girl."

"What about my job?"

"You don't have to work."

"I like to work."

"Fine. Find one close to here. Besides, it's not like you stay at your apartment much anymore." He wants her closer and he hopes she finds a job that won't keep her away from him for long.

"Fine, but for now I would like to have my own room." Lucy agrees to move in because he is right. She's hardly been at her apartment. She's only there long enough to get what she needs. And he is also right that Eri needs a woman to take care of her. She also knows Kai is terrified of the girl's quirk. She doesn't need to hear it from him. She can tell.

"You can have the one next to mine."


Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Lucy wakes up the morning after having just spent her first night at the compound. They finally got the last bit of her things the day before. She was meant to sleep in her room, but she got woken up in the middle of the night by Kai tossing and turning as well as calling out for someone. She rushed to his room to calm him down and he asked if she could please stay with him. The look on his face told her that he needed her, emotionally. Whatever it was he had a nightmare about really shook him up.

She noticed that after meeting Eri, Kai's demeanor had changed. He tried hiding it but ultimately failed when he was in Lucy's presence.

After Kai wakes up and bids her good morning, he asks, "Aren't you going to ask what my nightmare was about?"

"Are you going to tell me if I do?"

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to talk about it yet."

Lucy rolls over and snuggles against him, hand resting over his heart, "I'm right here when you are."

"… I'm not sure what's scarier, magic or quirks. You already know that I think quirks are a plague on humanity, but people born with quirks didn't choose them, they didn't even ask for them. People on Earthland though can train to use magic if they so choose."

"There are those born with the ability to use magic but don't know it until something triggers it. My friend Erza was born with the ability to use requip magic." Lucy goes on to explain what that is and how Erza learned she had the ability.

"Were her parents capable of using magic?"

"I'm not sure about her father, but her mother was. She knew enchantment magic and she's the one who created dragon slayer magic."

Kai listens with rapt attention, and he doesn't have any questions until, "She carried Erza in her womb for over 400 years as a dragon?"

"Well it wasn't over 400 years ago Erza was conceived-"

"Everything seems to happen 400 years ago."

"Well, that was when the war between dragons started."

"Are there still dragons?"

Lucy shrugs, "Don't know. There could be a few left and are hiding in another country up in the mountains for all I know. Anyway, my friend Mira was unaware of her magical abilities until she defeated a demon at the age of 13 and took on some of its appearance. She has what is known as take-over magic, Satan Soul. She didn't like it and so she would feel less alone, her brother and sister learned their take-over magic, beast soul, and animal soul.

"Then my brother Laxus, he was born with magic and knew about it growing up, but he was always a sick child and his magic wasn't that strong. His father believing strength was everything forced a dragon slayer lacrima into his body when he was maybe 10. He was forced to learn dragon slayer magic, lightning dragon slayer magic to be more precise."

"That can be done with quirks, giving them to someone… A Dr. that I knew he…" Chisaki shakes the unwanted thoughts out of his head.

"When you're ready." Lucy places a kiss on his cheek.

There wasn't much she could say to put his mind more at ease about magic, but he was at least accepting it.

The moment is broken when Eri runs into the room, "Lucy!"

Lucy catches her and gives her a big hug, "Eri, honey. What's wrong? Was it another nightmare?" Thank goodness they are not naked under the sheets, or this would be very awkward and uncomfortable.

'Dammit Eri. You're such a nuisance.' Chisaki internally growls as he rolls out of bed and heads to the bathroom ignoring that Lucy now has Eri on his bed.

She sniffles, nods her head, and quietly says, "Yeah. I'm sorry."

"Oh Eri, it's okay. I used to have nightmares too."

He knows she's just a little girl, but dammit her story hit a little too close to home. He still can't believe Pops put him and Lucy down as Eri's caretakers. What was he thinking? He can understand Lucy, but him? Pops would also like for him to do a little research on Eri's quirk. He had asked what research needed to be done; Lucy had already explained what she saw in Eri's soul. Fuck, Eri's quirk is scary and if it were to go out of control… That's when Lucy stepped in and said that's exactly why they needed to be the ones to watch her. Eri needed to be loved and cared for. He wondered if Lucy got into Sakaki's stash, thinking he could care for a child.

When he steps out of the bathroom, he's taken aback by Eri's question directed at him.

"Can you make breakfast?" Eri asks.

"Me?" He's not sure what to make of her expectant look.

"Yeah!" She shouts excitedly. "Grandpa said you make really good food!"

Lucy laughs, "Give him a little bit of time and he will." It hasn't even been a week and Lucy is surprised by how much Eri has already grown comfortable with them.

Kai recalls a past conversation with Tooru Kirishima, when he had asked him about living a peaceful life as the caretaker for his Boss's daughter. This reminds him that he told himself that no matter how much he didn't want to, he would take care of Pop's daughter, in this case his granddaughter, should he ask. So regardless of how scared he is of Eri's quirk, he will do as asked of him. Watching Eri and Lucy interact shows him that as long as he has Lucy, he can do this.

When they leave the room Kai says, "You're good with children."

"Huh, oh yeah. Umm… There's a little girl named Asuka in the guild, she's the same age as Eri. Well, the last time I saw her that is."


Tuesday, December 24, 2024

When Lucy found out when Eri's birthday was, she very well couldn't throw a party. Jiji had told her when it was so, on Saturday, December 21 they celebrated Eri's sixth birthday. Pops asked Chisaki to contact Tooru and invite him and Yaeka so Eri could at least have someone her age there and maybe they could become good friends. And so Chisaki can talk to Tooru more about being a caretaker of a little girl. It was a good conversation until they got on the topic of The 8 Bullets. He got offended when Tooru referred to him as his henchmen things. "I'm bad at remembering names. Besides, have you taken a good look at them?" Other than that, it was a small little gathering with just a few of them so as not to overwhelm the poor girl.

The party almost went off without a hitch. Setsuno said some snarky remark about Lucy not knowing Kai was in hearing distance. Lucy got in the middle and pulled him away to somewhere with more privacy and calmed him down. She reminded him that Setsuno is still a bit salty over what happened with his girlfriend and it doesn't help she is blond as well so it probably brings up memories he would much rather not think about.

She then put Kai in Setsuno's place and asked him how he would have felt if she did that to him and he admitted that it would be worse than the secret she kept from him. Lucy had asked Kai to give Setsuno some time and if he continued to be an asshole, or it gets worse than she won't stop him from doling out punishment, her only request was to not kill the man.

Three days later, they are now preparing to celebrate Christmas. Lucy has learned that Christmas customs are a little different than they are in Earthland. Rather than being a family occasion, Christmas is more of a time for couples to enjoy a romantic date night and exchange presents as a way to celebrate their love. Despite this, Lucy and Kai opted out of that tradition because where Lucy is from it is meant to be spent with family. Couples have Valentine's Day.

The newest recruit, Soramitsu Tabe who completes the group The 8 Bullets, is at the front door before anyone else to let Lucy, Rappa, Tengai, and Hojo in who are hauling loads of food in. It doesn't surprise Lucy since his quirk is food. Many were surprised that she didn't find it odd that he was always hungry and thus obsessed with eating. She just laughed and said she wished they could meet her friend Natsu, he would give Tabe a run for his money.

"How did you get all of this KFC?" Tabe asks.

"I ordered it back in October," Lucy tells them as she unloads it all, setting it in the center of the table. "When I heard of the tradition, I made sure to make a reservation."

Kai who is in the process of helping set the table stops, "That was before…"

Lucy gives him a little nod, "Yeah…"

They eat Christmas cake after dinner. It's a light sponge cake layered with whipped cream and topped with strawberries. She ordered a couple due to there being so many people living at the compound, but there still wasn't enough for everyone. Many were okay with not getting a slice. The thought alone that she would spend so much so they could enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner was enough for them. The 8 Bullets especially since they were all taken off of the streets by Overhaul. All of them agreed that he got lucky finding Lucy. Setsuno, who is still cold towards her, loathes to agree.

After they eat, they head to the common room that Lucy and Eri decorated for the holiday.

Lucy and Kai get stuck under the mistletoe.

"Kiss. Kiss. Kiss."

"Why do they have to kiss?" Eri asks her grandfather.

"Because it's a tradition where Lucy's from." He laughs at Chisaki's and Lucy's embarrassment from being put on the spot and give each other a quick peck on the lips.

"Where is Lucy from?"

"She can tell you about it some other time," Modoshi softly tells his granddaughter.

Eri helps Lucy pass out gifts from under the Christmas tree everyone helped decorate.

They let Eri go first who opens up toys and books. After that everyone else opens theirs together.

Overhaul opens one of the gifts from the bullets. The first is a dark-olive green bomber jacket with a thick purple fur collar.

"You're always bitching about it being cold but you would never get yourself a winter jacket, so we got one for you."

"Language Rappa!" Lucy scolds him.

He opens the second and it's a magenta plague mask which is tipped and embroidered with gold. He puts both on and is pleased. The jacket keeps him warm and the mask also has a filter lining the inside. He holds back the overwhelming emotions flowing through him. He's never gotten a Christmas present from anyone other than Pops. This year the man got him some newer edition medical books. He realizes he never opened one from Lucy and when he looks at her there's a mischievous look in her eyes and she mouths 'Later'.

"Chisaki, why do you look like a bird?" Eri asks innocently.

"Oh my god." Lucy laughs.

"What?" Self-conscious he begins to take it off but Lucy halts him.

"No, don't. They look good on you. I only laughed because her question was unexpected."

Lucy gets a few books, paper, and ink for writing her novel; Jiji gets a new tie, and a new bottle of whiskey; Kurono gets a similar mask to Kai's from the bullets and when asked they replied they felt the second in command needed something similar.

The bullets and everyone else get presents, nothing too extravagant but they're thankful, nonetheless.

It's still early in the evening and despite their agreement, Kai still wants to do something with her, so he takes her out to look at the Christmas lights after Lucy gets Eri to bed. They leave everyone to celebrate and head out. They make casual conversation until they reach their destination.

"Oh wow! Kai, this is so pretty!"

"I thought you'd like it." He watches her as she looks at everything in wonder. "I would like to ask you something, something I should have asked you before."

Turning her attention to him she inquires, "What is it?"

Kai pulls the necklace out, "You already know what this means, and it doesn't have to symbolize marriage, but would you wear this again, not just for protection, but to symbolize my love for you?"

A few tears cascade down Lucy's face and she nods, "I will."

"Turn around." He removes his new mask, so it doesn't get in the way.

Lucy holds her hair up so he can put it on. After he's clasped it, he kisses the back of her neck, his breath tickling her.

"I love you, Mi Tesoro."

Lucy lets go of her hair, turns around, wraps her arms around Kai's neck, and says, "I love you too." Surrounded by the bright lights they kiss.

Kai is the one to break it, "Now about my Christmas gift."


Tuesday, December 31, 2024

They eat ozoni, a hearty soup with mochi, and rice cakes. Soba is also served and sounds of slurping echo throughout the room causing Eri to giggle. A lot of them find it to be a delightful sound.

They have a long trek ahead of them if they're going to take part in the tradition Joya no Kane, the ringing of a temple bell 108 times to purify the soul, so they make sure to get their fill.

Before they leave, Eri gets a card with money. She got two actually, one from her grandfather and one from Lucy. She was told that it was a lesson in saving money. To make sure she saves it and doesn't spend it right away.

All of them go together. Kai sticks with Lucy; Modoshi, Kurono, and Eri; The rest do their own thing and the newer members are warned not to do anything stupid.

Once again, this is a new experience for Kai, and he gets to experience it with Lucy for her first time as well.

This is much more crowded than the festival they attended in July.

Kai and Lucy are further back as the large temple bell is rung in the final hours of the year. The others are closer but that's okay with Lucy. The bell can be heard across the land. This marks the transition from the old year to the new. It is a moment of reflection, purification, and renewal. Wanting to know more about this tradition, Lucy did a lot of research, just like she did for the Tenjin Matsuri festival.

She learned that at Buddhism's core are the four noble truths, the fourth covering the 8 tenets that Chisaki has the bullets representing the corrupt versions of.

Joya no Kane represents these teachings, and the ritual involves ringing a large temple bell. The Buddhists thought that the number 108 symbolizes the earthly desires that cloud our minds and lead to suffering. Every chime of the bell represents each desire such as anger, greed, envy, etc… This ritual allows the participants to cleanse their hearts and minds.

Each toll is meant to purify the mind and soul. So, come New Year's Eve, you'll find people flocking to local temples to partake in this magical ceremony.

The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, and the moment the 108th ring fades away, there's a sense of renewal in the air. It's a spiritual experience that's hard to describe.

The tolling of these bells is a reminder of the impermanence of life, and it encourages self-reflection, helping us let go of our attachments from the past year and start fresh.

Not just the Buddhists but often visitors take turns striking the bell with a suspended wooden log, its deep sound echoes creating a moment of reflection and mindfulness. It's a time to let go of negativity, to release the burdens from the past year, and to prepare for the next with a sense of renewed sense of purpose.

The final chime is struck at midnight, marking the transition into the new year. There is much more that it symbolizes but Lucy is distracted by Kai's sudden act of affection. Holding her from behind, nuzzling his face against her neck. His anxiety from being around so many people must be getting to him because he always clings to her to ground himself.

"I can't wait until we get home." He whispers huskily in her ear.

Lucy blushes. Okay, it's more than anxiety that's getting to him.

Little Eri is asleep in her grandfather's arms, drooling all over his shoulder. Modoshi's glad Lucy's spirit got her some warmer clothes for the weather. Hell, he's glad he has Lucy there in general to help with Eri. He can't imagine how Kai would handle caring for his granddaughter without Lucy.

There's a tradition to stay up late and watch the sunrise on a hill with a clear view of the sky. Some of them make plans to stay up back at the compound while others are looking forward to their warm cozy beds.

Kai on the other hand has plans to stay up late with Lucy in his warm bed. Who knows, as long as he doesn't wear her out too much, they might still be able to watch the sunrise.


Here's two of the many sources I found for research on these traditions:

Christmas in Japan: A Brief History

(497) Joya No Kane - The Bells of Renewal 108 Chimes: Japan's New Year Tradition JollyGul - YouTube