Hello everyone! I'm back with more drama and more chapters for you! It has been a hectic week. From mountains of work, to my sister convincing me that our house was on fire-not kidding, I'm finally able to post these new chapters.
Hope you enjoy!
After seeing everything that the zoo offered, from the exhibits, daily shows, and gift shop trinkets. Sakura and Eri ventured beyond the boundaries of the zoo. With daylight still burning, they were offered the luxury of time. And so, Sakura decided to take Eri to the park for a late lunch.
They settled at a weathered picnic table, their lunches spread before them like an offering. Eri's gaze wandered, her eyes alighting upon the playground where children danced in harmonious chaos. Laughter reverberated through the air, a symphony of carefree joy that she wasn't familiar with.
Eri chewed on her sandwich, her eyes fixated on the children at play. "Sakura?" Eri began, her words carrying a sense of innocence. "Why are some of them wearing the same clothes? Is that why they're running together?"
Sakura followed Eri's gaze, her eyes landing upon a group of children engrossed in a game of tag. Clad in identical blue shirts and navy pants or skirts and yellow hats. The children were dashing about, climbing up the ladders, coming down the slides, hanging on the monkey bars, Sakura could tell Eri was more than interested in the activities. She could only imagine just how limited Eri's contact with others had been previously. So it made sense that the young girl was curious and cautious about them. She also didn't know that what lead the kids to play together in that fashion was probably because they were from the same school.
"They're in their school uniforms," Sakura explained,
Eri cocked her head, her curiosity unquenched. "School uniforms?"
Sakura paused, her gaze softening as she recognized the void in Eri's understanding. She took a moment to gather her thoughts.
"School is a place where kids go to learn about things, to read and write," Sakura began, her voice a gentle caress against the backdrop of the park's symphony. "It's a place where you make friends."
"School," Eri whispered, her voice tinged with a newfound yearning.
Sakura gave a gentle pat to Eri's cheek, wiping a crumb from the corner of her mouth. As much as she wanted to offer a place for Eri at school, that was still a milestone well into the distance with Eri's current condition as well as Sakura's own situation, she couldn't in good faith leave Eri alone with strangers. She had just started trusting Sakura and this could unravel all of that even if going to school was something Eri might really want. Now wasn't the time.
It dawned on Sakura just how much her own disposition would inconvenience Eri of having any hope of living a normal life. Something she deserved after seeing the scars that lingered on her skin.
"Would you like me to teach you? To read and write?"
Eri's smile bloomed as she nodded. "Mm!"
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The days had melded into a tapestry of routine for Sakura and Eri. Their mornings were greeted with warmth and Eri would awaken with a newfound sense of purpose, ready to tackle the chores that lay ahead with Sakura close by.
Eri was even becoming eager to leave the safety of the forest and venture further out now. She and Sakura started going to the city more often, hiding their distinguishable features well enough that they could move about without trouble.
Sakura even started taking Eri to the library, the mall, and the park. Exploration became their shared adventure, their sanctuary transformed into a sprawling playground and Eri was finally able to laugh again.
Time became an illusion, slipping through their fingers like grains of sand. In the afternoons, Sakura would engage Eri in playful games after they had a few hours of lessons. They would chase each other through the trees, their laughter echoing through the emerald canopy. But Eri enjoyed the tutoring sessions that had been added to her routine just as much as she did playing.
In the soft glow of the afternoon sun, Eri sat cross-legged at the small floor table, her eyes bright with anticipation. The tatami mat beneath her provided a firm yet comforting foundation. Her set of books lay before her, like a treasure trove waiting to be unlocked.
Sakura approached the table with gentle steps, she placed two glasses of juice on the table. The scent of citrus mingled with the faint aroma of freshly printed pages.
"Okay, Eri, let's begin," Sakura announced. Eri's heart fluttered with excitement, her determination is evident in the nod of her head.
"Yes!"
Sakura took a seat across from Eri, her fingers poised above a large flashcard displaying the character "あ" in hiragana. It's graceful strokes and curved lines seemed to dance before Eri's eyes.
"Ehhh," Eri's voice wavered uncertainly.
Sakura smiled, her encouragement unwavering. "You're close, Eri. It's 'a' like the sound of opening your mouth wide in awe."
Eri tried again, her lips parting slightly as she uttered the sound. "Ahh."
"Perfect!" Sakura praised, her voice carrying the warmth of a proud parent. She placed the flashcard beside Eri, adding to a growing stack. "Now, let's move on to the next one."
As the lesson progressed, Sakura's gentle guidance wove a tapestry of learning. She introduced each character with care, drawing parallels and analogies to make them come alive for Eri. Hiragana and katakana transformed from abstract symbols to vivid images in Eri's mind.
"The character 'か' looks like a little hat," Sakura explained, her finger tracing the triangular shape.
Eri studied the character, her brow furrowing in concentration. She took a deep breath and spoke, her voice filled with determination. "Ka!"
Sakura's face lit up with delight. "Well done, Eri! You're a fast learner,"
"Really?"
"That's right,"
With each character mastered, Eri's confidence blossomed further. She traced the curves and lines with increasing precision, her fingertips caressing the paper as if decoding a message.
"Sakura, I can't wait to read stories to you," Eri said.
She reached across the table and gently squeezed Eri's hand."I look forward to that Eri."
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With Eri on a routine, that included a set wake-up and bedtime, Sakura could take some of the days back to suit her own needs.
The moon hung high, casting a pale luminescence over the world,
The air was crisp, tinged with the scent of pine and the distant whispers of nature. The night held its breath as Sakura stepped out into what passed for a yard, a small patch of land outside the house. This was her training ground now.
Sakura closed her eyes, her body instinctively finding its center. The cool grass tickled her bare feet, grounding her.
As she settled into her meditation, Sakura's mind turned inward, her focus honing in on the ebb and flow of her chakra. The energy within her hummed, a delicate symphony waiting to be conducted. With each breath, she drew her chakra inward, seeking to reclaim the power that had dwindled within.
But as Sakura delved deeper, her body tensed with pain. Her muscles screamed as if protesting the audacity of her endeavor. It felt as if a vice had clamped around her heart, squeezing with an unyielding grip. Yet, she refused to surrender. The path to power was paved with determination and she was going to prove just how determined she truly was.
Through the fog of pain, Sakura sensed a glimmer, a flickering flame within her chakra. It danced and taunted her. Her chakra became her guide, leading her toward this elusive power she craved.
But even as she neared it, like grasping for a fleeting dream, Sakura found that it slipped through her fingers. It was like trying to hold onto a shadow, whispering away with every attempt. She strained, her spiritual fingertips stretching to capture the essence of that elusive power. It was within her grasp, and yet not fully under her control.
'Come on….' This felt a hundred times worse than when she started her training to obtain the Byakugo seal. It was like trying to swim against a current. You know that if you push, you'll likely just get swept under and hurt, but Sakura was stubborn and one of the few who managed to fight against it. And she was willing to do it again, even if this time it was against a raging ocean rather than a river.
Just as she felt her fingertips brush against the essence, a cry pierced through the night air, shattering the delicate balance of Sakura's concentration. Startled, she sprung to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest.
"ERI!"
Sakura rushed back inside the house, the echoes of her chakra still resonating within her.
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She found Eri in her room, tears streaming down her face, her fragile form trembling with anguish. At that moment, Sakura's pursuit of power faded to the background as she embraced her role as protector and comforter.
Sakura's voice was gentle, a soft murmur that sought to soothe. But unlike the other times, Eri was not calmed by her presence. In fact, she became more frantic, as if an invisible storm raged within her.
"Eri…what's the matter? Did you get hurt? Did you have a nightmare?" Sakura's voice carried a genuine concern, tinged with a hint of fear. The only response was a whisper mixed with sobs, barely audible amidst the torrent of emotions flooding the room. Sakura noticed a crackling of light like an appliance going haywire.
Eri's horn, a symbol of her unique quirk, pulsed with an erratic energy, sparking like electricity contained within. The sight sent shivers down Sakura's spine, a silent warning that something was amiss. Panic consumed Eri, her pleas desperate as she begged Sakura to stay back.
"N-No! Don't come close! D..Dangerous…"
But Sakura couldn't heed those pleas. Her unwavering concern for Eri propelled her forward, sweeping aside any hesitation. She reached out and gently lifted the girl into her arms, feeling an odd energy emanating from her fragile frame.
"Eri, is this your quirk? What's going on?" Sakura's voice trembled with concern, her eyes searching for answers in the depths of Eri's tear-filled gaze. Yet, the girl remained silent, incapable of a coherent response. Realizing that words alone would not suffice, Sakura made a determined decision—to delve deeper, to uncover the source of Eri's turmoil.
With utmost care, Sakura held Eri in place, gently restraining her as the girl thrashed and struggled to break free from her grasp. "It's alright Eri…I'm here, I'm here,"
"S-Sakura….th-this is…it's gonna hurt you!"
"Don't worry Eri, shoo, just relax,"
Calling upon her chakra, Sakura extended her senses, guiding her energy to examine the mysterious horn. It was a connection, a dance of power as she delved into the depths of Eri's quirk. And she could tell instantly that something was happening within the girl that was currently beyond her control.
As Sakura navigated the intricacies of Eri's quirk, she felt the overwhelming surge of energy, a malevolent force threatening to consume them both. Drawing upon her chakra, Sakura acted as a conductor, directing the chaotic energy with precision, taming it like a wild flame doused by water. Slowly, the surges subsided, and Sakura felt Eri's horn shrink within her grasp, the crackling energy receding.
Eri was stunned as she felt the energy leave her body, that chaotic power she couldn't handle. For the first time in her life, it had simmered down without Eri experiencing any pain. All the other times, it had been a nightmare in reality. As she made people vanish into nothing just by touching them, as it felt like her body was being ripped apart. That was the only good thing about being in that place.
Kai Chisaki always told her, that he was the only one who could prevent her from hurting others, that his power was the only way she wouldn't make any disappear.
"Eri, you understand don't you?" His voice was like ice on her back, "You should stay here. You made your father disappear. What if you hurt someone else? Isn't it better to be hurt yourself than hurt others?"
For a long while, that had been the justification for Eri not to resist further. If someone decided to help her, then they would only become a victim of either Kai or her. She shouldn't touch others, she shouldn't run, she should just stay still.
"It's okay, Eri, it's okay," Sakura murmured soothingly, her voice a lifeline amidst the sea of distress. She peered into Eri's tear-filled eyes, witnessing a torrent of emotions threatening to drown her. Eri's body convulsed with sobs, her breath ragged as she struggled to find solace.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Eri's voice trembled with remorse, each word punctuated by raw anguish. The weight of guilt and pain pressed on her, threatening to crush her fragile spirit.
Sakura sensed that something far deeper plagued Eri, a truth hidden beneath layers of suffering. She held the girl close, gently rocking her in her arms, waiting patiently as the storm of emotions raged. Slowly, the tempest abated, and Eri's sobs subsided, exhausted now.
Carrying Eri to her bed, Sakura spoke softly, her voice a tender caress, "Do you want some water?" Eri shook her head, her red and blotchy eyes peering up at Sakura.
"I'm sorry…" Eri whispered, her voice laden with remorse as if she carried the weight of the world upon her shoulders.
"Now now, there's nothing for you to say sorry for, I promise Eri. Just rest now, we can talk more when you feel better," Sakura's voice was filled with reassurance and honesty. With a tender touch, Sakura gently tucked the blankets around Eri, offering a comforting embrace.
As Eri's breathing steadied, Sakura remained by her side, her watchful eyes filled with determination. The morning light would bring new revelations, and together, they would face the shadows of the past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.
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Eri awoke later than usual, her body weary from the emotional turmoil that had plagued her the night before, she felt her face running hot and her body was trying to force her back into bed, but she was heavy with too many emotions to fall asleep just yet. Sakura, understanding the need for rest, had allowed her to sleep in, tending to the morning routine herself. The aroma of breakfast filled the air, a gentle invitation for Eri to join the world outside her room.
As Eri timidly made her way to the kitchen, her nerves betrayed her. Sakura, sensing her unease, greeted her with a reassuring smile.
"Eri, it's okay," she said softly, hoping to ease the tension that held the girl captive. Eri took a seat at the table but seemed hesitant to indulge in the meal prepared for her.
Sakura was worried because the girl's face was visibly flushed, "Eri, are you feeling okay?"
The girl jumped and nodded quickly.
After that Sakura decided to forgo the usual pleasantries and dive straight into the questions that weighed heavily on her mind.
She adopted a casual tone, hoping to put Eri at ease. "That was your quirk last night, wasn't it?"
Eri flinched, her body betraying the lingering traces of fear. Sakura reached out, gently turning Eri's face toward her. "It's alright, I promise. Eri, look at me," she implored, her voice carrying the weight of her unwavering support.
Eri hesitated but eventually met Sakura's gaze, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Sakura held her gaze, her voice steady and filled with conviction. "It's going to be okay," she reassured Eri, hoping to quell the rising tide of despair within her.
"No, it isn't," Eri responded, her voice trembling with anguish, her tears now freely flowing.
Sakura's eyes softened. She knew that Eri's perception of the events from the previous night was distorted by her inner turmoil.
"Eri, what happened last night wasn't as bad as you think," Sakura began, her voice gentle but resolute. But before she could finish her sentence, Eri's panic escalated, threatening to engulf her in its suffocating grip. Swiftly, Sakura moved to calm her, enveloping Eri in her arms, offering a sanctuary amidst the storm.
Eri trembled, her breathing ragged, but with Sakura's steady presence, she gradually regained control. As Eri's sobs subsided, Sakura continued to hold her close, her voice a gentle lullaby that pierced the darkness.
"Eri, listen to me. Nothing bad will happen. I promise to protect you, but I need to know what happened last night with your quirk. Please,"
Eri remained silent for a while, allowing Sakura's embrace to provide solace and comfort. Finally, she relented, her voice filled with vulnerability. "I... I don't know how to..."
Understanding the weight of Eri's words, Sakura gently prompted, "You can't control your quirk?"
Eri nodded timidly, her eyes searching Sakura's face for acceptance and understanding.
"Eri, do you know what your quirk is?" Sakura asked, maintaining her unwavering support even in the face of Eri's growing distress.
Once again, Eri teetered on the precipice of panic, but Sakura held her steady, refusing to let her fall. "It's alright, it's okay," Sakura reassured her, her touch a grounding force amidst the chaos that threatened to consume Eri's fragile spirit.
With tears streaming down her face, Eri finally revealed a truth she had never dared to speak aloud. "My quirk... it's bad."
Sakura kissed the top of Eri's head, her lips brushing against a crown of vulnerability. "Sweetie, a lot of quirks can be seen as dangerous. Even my own powers that can heal can also hurt people. But it's not about the quirk itself; it's about the person and how they choose to use it."
"But I can't control mine!" Eri's voice quivered with a mix of anguish and self-blame.
Sakura's tone softened her words carrying a depth of compassion. "It's not your fault, Eri. It's not your fault."
Eri sobbed, her pain overflowing. "But he said it is! He said it's my fault... people get hurt because of me! He'll hurt you because of me! My power... he... he..."
Sakura's heart clenched with both empathy and a simmering rage as she recognized the name Eri mentioned. Kai Chisaki, the orchestrator of Eri's torment. There was something more to this story, and Sakura was on the verge of uncovering its chilling truth.
"Eri, please, tell me," Sakura urged, her voice laced with a potent mixture of tenderness and determination.
"He'll come back for me," Eri whispered, her voice laden with fear.
"Eri, he won't-" Sakura began, but Eri interrupted, her voice trembling.
"He says he needs me... my power," Eri confessed, her words sending a shiver down Sakura's spine.
Curiosity mingled with concern in Sakura's eyes. "What do you mean, Eri?"
Eri took a deep breath, gathering the strength to share a story she had never dared to utter. She spoke of a little girl whose parents vanished, consumed by her uncontrollable power. She recounted her time trapped, where Kai Chisaki subjected her to his twisted experiments. Eri revealed how Kai possessed a power similar to hers, one that could disintegrate and reconstruct anything he touched. "He did it to me..."
Sakura's blood ran cold at those words. She fought to contain her anger, knowing that her wrath would only fuel Eri's fears. With a steely resolve, Sakura listened as Eri continued, revealing the extent of her suffering. "He was making something... to take away people's powers... making it with me..."
Sakura's frown deepened, her mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of Eri's revelation. "With you?" she questioned, her voice barely a whisper.
"B-blood," Eri confessed, her voice trembling with the weight of her trauma.
At that moment, Sakura's nurturing spirit collided with a fierce protectiveness. She yearned to tear apart the world, to crush the head of every member of that gang who had perpetuated Eri's suffering. The scars on Eri's body, once a mystery, now bore witness to the unspeakable horrors she had endured.