Hello fantastical readers! How have you been? I'm glad to have you back for another chapter! Now I'm not one who likes spoiling but tensions are getting high and there will be a lot more for you to look forward to in the future.
But for now read and enjoy.
Sakura's heart raced as she stood in the dimly lit room, surrounded by three imposing figures. Nighteye, the hero known for his foresight quirk, regarded her with his signature intensity, while Shouta and Tsukauchi wore stern expressions. Despite her bravado, Sakura couldn't deny the tension in the air, like a storm gathering on the horizon.
"Why are you here?" Sakura demanded, her voice laced with suspicion but no longer dripping with hostility.
Nighteye's gaze flickered between his companions before settling on Sakura. His voice was calm, almost soothing, in stark contrast to the situation. "We have a lot to discuss. But first, I need you to take a seat.
Sakura hesitated, her eyes darting from one hero to another. Her thoughts raced like a whirlwind, spinning with questions. The room felt stifling as they all sized each other up, the unspoken tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Tsukauchi, the detective, broke the silence.
"Have to say Haruno, you were not easy to track,"
"That was the point of leaving. How did you even find me?" Sakura asked.
Shouta, interjected with a hint of impatience, "You're the one who needs to answer questions here, Haruno,"
Sakura's defiant spirit flared up. "I don't need to do anything. I'm not your student, and I want to know what you've done with Eri."
Nighteye pushed up his glasses, his demeanor unfazed by Sakura's defiance. "She is safe."
Sakura's lips curled into a bitter smile, her skepticism still evident. "How ironic for you to say that after you just kidnapped her!"
Nighteye's calm exterior didn't waver as he pushed up his glasses, "We didn't kidnap the girl. We merely needed to ensure you wouldn't attempt to run away, Miss Haruno, or should I say Nemesis?"
Sakura's surprise at Nighteye's knowledge of her alter ego was well-hidden, but her train of thought was running through the track. How did he know?
Nighteye shifted the conversation back to Eri, his tone unwavering. "But to not get off subject, let's begin with this. Eri is safe and well. We will let you see her if you cooperate."
Sakura fought the urge to roll her eyes. Her concern for Eri outweighed her irritation at these heroes. She needed to see the young girl with her own eyes.
"Let's just get this over with," Sakura conceded, her voice carrying a resigned tone. She leaned back, crossing her arms, her posture mirroring indifference. "So, what do you want from me?"
Tsukauchi spoke up, his voice carrying the weight of authority and an underlying sense of urgency. "Haruno, we know that you are the underground fighter Nemesis, and we know that you've been in contact with Kai Chisaki, the leader of Shie Hassaikai. We need to know what you know about the organization."
Sakura's eyes narrowed, her guard still firmly in place. "How do you even know I'm this Nemesis?"
Tsukauchi and Shouta directed her to Nighteye, who began to explain the intricacies of his quirk. The ability to glimpse the future with a touch was a revelation to Sakura. It had allowed Nighteye to discover her true identity when she had saved him as Nemesis.
"That's when I learned the truth about your identity,"
And it was also how they knew to be here because he had looked this far into her future. Sakura hadn't expected something like this. Quirk's varied but she didn't know that some went to this extent.
Sakura's sharp tone sliced through the room. "What do you intend to do? I know that you've had some operations going on regarding the Hassaikai group. It was enough to turn away from helping that little girl."
Nighteye remained composed, but Sakura detected a hint of discomfort at her words.
"We could not risk getting on Chisaki's radar," he finally admitted.
Sakura's anger flared. "Because of that, you decided to just abandon Eri with him?"
There was no immediate response to Sakura's harsh accusation. She needed to see Eri to confirm her safety. The worry gnawed at her, threatening to unravel her resolve.
"I want to see Eri, now. Take me to her," Sakura demanded.
Tsukauchi's reply was firm, but not unkind. "Soon. But we can't risk you running off with the girl again."
Sakura huffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She dug her fingers into her palm, the pain grounding her in the moment. "Running off? I got her away from that bastard. I did what your so-called heroes didn't have the guts to do."
Her words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the moral complexities that had led her to this point.
Sakura knew that she was including Izuku in this equation and he wasn't even a certified hero yet. She was surprised that he would have let something like this happen under his watch considering how impulsive he had been, enough to break the rules and go after her and Katsuki when they were captured by The League of Villains.
Shouta's voice cut through the charged atmosphere, his eyes locked onto Sakura with a mix of sternness and concern. "Haruno, enough. You've broken so many laws right now; you should be incarcerated."
Sakura leaned forward, her eyes narrowing in a defiant glare. "And yet I'm here. Why is that?" Her question hung in the air, a challenge to their assumptions. They had witnessed her abilities; surely, they weren't foolish enough to assume she'd go down without a fight, especially now with Eri in their custody. But in her heart, despite her anger, she couldn't abandon Eri, not when they were the only ones who knew her whereabouts.
Amidst the tension, Nighteye finally broke the silence. "Alright then, we'll explain." His calm, measured voice acted as a soothing balm to the room's intensity. "We've been investigating the yakuza group Shie Hassaikai for a while now, and we believe we've found their leader's hideout. They've been distributing drugs that affect quirks. Do you know anything about that?"
Sakura's glare didn't waver as she locked eyes with Nighteye. She remained silent, her thoughts a turbulent sea, concealing her knowledge of the drug and its disturbing origin.
"Chisaki has been using his own child's blood to create these quirk-destroying bullets," Nighteye continued, "which is why, when Nemesis took her, he sent his people looking for them."
The urgency in Sakura's voice was palpable. "It seems like you're already well-informed. Since there's not much else I can help you with, I want to see Eri now."
Detective Tsukauchi added his plea, his tone measured but firm. "If you cooperate, Haruno. We need you to tell us everything you know about this yakuza group."
But Sakura stood her ground. "I want proof that Eri is safe first." Her insistence was unwavering; she couldn't risk Eri's well-being. The fragile girl was still recovering from her traumas, and this situation could trigger her regression.
In response to Sakura's demand, Shouta took out his phone. On the screen, Eri sat in a room with a few other people, including a blue-skinned woman dressed in an unmistakable hero's costume. Eri appeared more confused than scared, pointing to a screen in what was a security room.
Shouta's voice was reassuring. "She's watching you right now."
Sakura's shoulders relaxed, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Fine, I'll tell you."
With a sense of resignation, Sakura recounted every detail she knew about Shie Hassaikai and its enigmatic leader. She explained how he had sought to recruit individuals from the underground fight clubs, her words punctuated by the memories of that grim world. She described the fighter who had joined their ranks and the nature of his peculiar quirk. Sakura spared no detail as she recounted the events of her first encounter with Chisaki's organization, the turning point when Eri had attempted to escape.
Her voice turned solemn as she revealed, "I know where the main hideout is, but Chisaki also has underground tunnels that extend far through the city. If he is alerted, he will likely use those means to escape, and it's like a maze down there."
Nighteye nodded in acknowledgment. "This will be useful information for the raid."
Sakura wasn't done pressing her concerns. "So, that's your intention? Just crash into Chisaki's home and hope to catch him off guard?"
Tsukauchi clarified their position. "We've been preparing for this for a while. What we need from you is cooperation."
Sakura's gaze shifted from one hero to another, her thoughts in contemplation. Finally, she spoke, her determination unwavering. "Fine then. I want in."
"What?" Tsukauchi exclaimed, his disbelief evident. "You want to be a part of the raid?"
Sakura's response was unwavering. "Yes."
Shouta, however, remained resolute. "Not happening, Haruno. You're not a hero, and you don't even have a provisional license because you ran away."
Sakura met his gaze with an unflinching stare. "And yet I've still managed to do your jobs. But if you're worried about the semantics, I can go and take out Shie Hassaikai before you get the chance to go on your little raid and come back for Eri after."
Shouta activated his quirk, his eyes turning red, and his hair raised with his power. "Haruno…"
Sakura's voice was laced with a defiant challenge. "Think that'll stop me?"
Amidst the tension, Nighteye intervened, his voice commanding their attention. "I agree."
Tsukauchi turned to him in disbelief. "What? You want us to allow her to join the raid?"
Nighteye remained resolute. "I've seen Haruno's fight against All For One. Her cooperation would be in our best interest. Considering her latest actions, I doubt we'll be able to force her to abide. Besides, UA wouldn't want to lose track once again of its most promising student would it?"
"Not a student anymore though,"
Shouta's incredulous stare turned to Sakura, but he leaned back, conceding to Nighteye's judgment.
"Alright then," Nighteye concluded, "let's sort out the details."
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Eri was waiting anxiously in the room, her eyes brimming with worry as Sakura entered. She rushed toward her, throwing her small arms around Sakura's waist. Although she was told by Bubble Girl that Sakura would be coming for her and even allowed to look at the security screen where she could see Sakura, it didn't completely alleviate her worries. Especially when Sakura looked so upset. Eri still didn't know who these people were, they just assured her that she was safe but Eri didn't feel that way until she finally saw Sakura enter the room.
"Sakura," Eri whispered, her voice trembling.
"Hey there, it's okay. I'm sorry I took so long," Sakura knelt down and gently hugged Eri, a deep sense of guilt washing over her. Although it was only for a little while, the experience must have been more frightening for Eri. Right now, Sakura knew that she was the only one who gave her any sense of security and to have that taken away as abruptly could be negatively received.
"I'm so sorry, Eri," Sakura whispered back, her voice filled with remorse. "I wasn't going anywhere,"
Eri looked up at Sakura, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief. "You won't leave me?"
Sakura smiled softly and brushed a strand of hair from Eri's face. "No. But we do have to go now,"
Sakura looked back at Shouta, Tsukauchi, and Nighteye, her eyes turning stone cold when she picked up Eri and held her face over her shoulder.
"What about the concert?"
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As the police car left the theme park, a palpable tension hung in the air. Eri, sitting next to Sakura in the back seat, could sense that something was amiss. She clutched her stuffed animal tightly, her wide eyes darting between the adults in the car.
After a while, Eri gathered the courage to break the uneasy silence. Her voice trembled as she asked the question that had been nagging at her, "Are we... are we going back to our house?"
Before Sakura could respond, Detective Tsukauchi, who was driving, chimed in. "Don't worry; we'll make sure your things are brought to you later." His words were meant to reassure, but Eri's sense of unease only grew.
Eri realized that they weren't returning to their familiar, if somewhat rundown, house in the mountains. Confusion and anxiety welled up inside her, and she turned to Sakura with big, worried eyes. "Sakura... why aren't we going back?"
Sakura hesitated for a moment, her heart aching at the fear in Eri's eyes. She wanted to be honest with the girl, but she also didn't want to overwhelm her. 'Let's not startle her,' Sakura thought, trying to choose her words carefully.
Gently, she reached out and ruffled Eri's hair, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll tell you in a little bit, promise, okay?"
Eri nodded, her expression still uncertain, and clutched her stuffed animal even tighter. With that, the car ride continued in silence, each passing moment carrying them further away from the life they had known, into a future uncertain and full of questions.
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The police car eventually pulled up in front of a hotel. Detective Tsukauchi explained to Sakura and Eri they would stay at the hotel, where they could assign other officers, including Shouta, to keep an eye on them. The message was clear: they didn't want Sakura to attempt an escape and disappear with Eri. Sakura found it all a bit excessive, but she understood their concerns, even if she knew she could evade them if she wished.
Once inside their hotel room, Sakura gently carried Eri in. She tried to maintain a cheerful demeanor despite the circumstances. "This is nice, huh?" Sakura remarked as she looked around the room. It was a cute suite with two beds and a kitchen they wouldn't be using. "You haven't been to a hotel before, have you, Eri?"
Eri, still uncertain, looked around the room with wide eyes. She was focused on something and it wasn't the nice room free of creaky wooden floors and drafy windows. "Um..."
Sakura reassured her, "You can ask, Eri. It's okay."
Eri hesitated, her voice soft and filled with worry. "Why did we go with these people?"
Sakura decided to explain the situation in a way that wouldn't frighten her. "Remember when I told you about heroes? Well, these guys are a few of them. They're here to help us."
Eri looked apprehensive, like a deer caught in headlights.
Sakura hurried to calm her fears. "Don't worry about a thing, Eri. I promise you're safe, and I'm going to make sure it stays that way. You don't have to be afraid of these people either. They won't hurt you."
Eri seemed to relax a bit at Sakura's words. Sakura wanted to keep Eri's mind occupied and away from the worrying thoughts that might plague her. "We're just going to stay here for a little while, okay?"
Eri nodded, her small voice filled with a mix of trust and uncertainty. "Okay..."
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As night fell, Sakura and Eri ordered room service, with Sakura letting Eri choose all the treats and meals she wanted. It was Sakura's way of making up for missing Eri's first concert back at the amusement park. She couldn't help but feel a bit vindictive towards the heroes who dragged them in, wanting to indulge Eri and perhaps take a bit of petty revenge. Since they were covering everything.
Their belongings were eventually delivered to the hotel room, and Sakura and Eri enjoyed a bath together before changing into their pajamas and getting into bed. Sakura tenderly combed her fingers through Eri's hair as she broached a serious topic.
"Eri, listen to me," Sakura began gently. "Tomorrow, I need to go and take care of something, okay?"
Eri's eyes widened with panic at the thought of Sakura leaving. Sakura quickly reassured her, sensing her fear. "No, no, I'm not leaving you. I just have something important I have to take care of, and then I'll come right back."
Eri's voice quivered as she asked, "I'll be alone?"
Sakura shook her head, soothingly running her fingers through her hair. "No, sweetie. Someone's going to come and look after you while I'm away. That's why these people were here," she explained, referring to the heroes. "They need my help with something, and when I'm done, I'll come right back and get you."
Sakura couldn't bring herself to tell Eri the full extent of her intentions, especially her plan to confront Overhaul. She didn't want to terrify the girl further. Eri had been through so much, and Sakura was determined to put this dark chapter behind them. Until that happened, Eri didn't need to know all the details and potentially become trapped in a state of constant fear and uncertainty.
When her eyes finally closed, Sakura quietly left the room and went out into the hallway until she reached another room door. It wasn't long before Shouta opened for her.
"Haruno,"
"Let's make this quick, I don't want to leave Eri alone for too long,"
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She arrived, and when she asked if it was about the raid, he responded, "This isn't about the raid."
Shouta gestured for her to take a seat at the coffee table by the window, and Sakura slumped herself into the chair.
She crossed her arms and replied with a hint of defiance, "Fine, but if this is going to be another lecture about following the rules, I might as well leave right now."
Shouta's expression remained stern. "No, Haruno. Enough of this. I'm making things clear now. When all of this is over, I don't want you attempting another escape, especially not with that child."
Sakura frowned, her defiance unwavering. "You don't think I can take care of her? Because I've been doing just that, on top of saving her, which is more than any of you managed to accomplish. All for the sake of your agendas, I might add."
Shouta retorted, "Then you can agree that after everything she's been through, Eri deserves better than a life as a runaway, which she will be if she leaves with you again."
Sakura responded firmly, "You're talking as if you've got me all figured out."
Shouta activated his quirk, his eyes turning a blazing red. It was a tactic that typically silenced his other students, but Sakura saw it as a challenge and was not willing to back down. "I agree that Eri deserves to have a normal life, and I do not intend on standing in the way of that. That's why I'm making sure that Shie Hassaikai is taken out of the picture for good."
Shouta sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I heard about what happened with the girl. Midoriya was one of the first to find her. He's been frustrated about it. However, he was following orders not to rush into a fight with Overhaul under Nighteye's orders."
Sakura replied calmly, "I don't hold anything against him for following orders."
Shouta continued, "And yet you won't follow any yourself."
Sakura asserted, "Because you don't realize I'm not standing on the same platform as the others. I can make my own judgment calls."
Shouta questioned, "Like your decision to leave U.A. and become a runaway?"
Sakura responded with determination, "Yes,"
Shouta pressed further, "That's irrational."
Sakura retorted, "Why? Because you don't agree with it? Because I acted in my own interests instead of following along with the rest of your starry-eyed students?"
"By acting in your own interests, you mean breaking the law over and over again? Putting your life on the line again and again?" Shouta pointed out her repeated reckless behavior. Although he certainly agreed that she was in a different lane to his other students.
It had become too obvious that this girl had a lot more combat experience under her belt because that ability just wasn't something you achieved through normal training methods. But it concerned Shouta as well, about what Sakura had gone through and that this might fuel her belief that she could fend for herself without anyone's help.
"That's what this is about? That fight with All For One?"
"This is about more than that," Shouta stated. "You behave as if you have no regard for your life, engaging with villains without hesitating,"
"Hesitating can lead to failure," Sakura said back.
"It can also lead to your demise because you were reckless,"
"Some of us have our thoughts and actions tied more closely together than you think," Sakura countered. Shouta realized this girl was prepared for a harsh back and forth-with him. She wasn't going to back down, not because she didn't understand his argument but because she believed in another viewpoint that wouldn't be held by a novice like his students.
Sakura challenged his perspective, her voice rising, "But if you want to talk about what's irrational, how about the fact that you heroes believe that you can be completely prepared for battle and that you can somehow maintain control of a situation like that all the time?
I didn't go looking for those fights, but if I'm aware of danger and there's something I can do, I'm not going to sit around waiting for someone else to take action. Even if it's against the rules, I will never ignore when someone else's life is on the line because I believe everyone must do what's in their power."
Then Sakura looked at Shouta with a fire in her eyes that glimmered in his novice students. Like novices, eager to build their resolve brick by brick. But when he looked into Sakura's eyes, he saw that resolve, built strong, high and tall, bricks in place and solidly secured.
And honestly, it was terrifying to see a child with that kind of expression. It was one that showed she wouldn't waver no matter how hard you attempted to beat against her.
"You're still just a kid," Shouta finally said, "You don't have to put yourself in those situations,"
"I know you mean well, and you want me to be able to play along with the rest of your students. But I'm not going to pretend to play hero," Sakura gave an empty smile as if she was recalling the coldest memories.
"I haven't been a kid for a long time,"
That's all for now but the year isn't over yet and there's going to be much more to come! You can check out the full month's schedule on my Tumblr. And EARLY CHAPTERS are available for members.
Of course here's something to look forward to as well: SNEAK PEAK!
KUNOICHI AMONGST HEROES CHAPTER 54:
"Alright everyone let's get started,"
Nighteye's announcement hung in the air, casting a momentary hush over the assembled heroes. It was Rock Lock who broke the silence, a touch of impatience in his voice. "So give us the layout Nighteye,"
"We'll be engaging Shie Hassaikai today,"
"That's obvious, but what about the girl? Thought we were also looking into her whereabouts?"
Nighteye, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, leaned forward slightly, an air of solemnity surrounding him.
"As you know," he began, "we've discovered that Overhaul's daughter has been taken by an underground fighter, Nemesis." His voice was measured, every word carrying weight. "And I'm here to inform you that the girl, Eri, has been successfully retrieved."
Izuku and Mirio, struck by the electrifying news, leaped from their seats in unison, their expressions a blend of hope and concern. Mirio's voice cut through the tension, his heart laid bare as he inquired, "Is she safe?"
Nighteye's response, accompanied by a measured nod, held a glimmer of relief. "Yes, she's under guard at this moment, and Nemesis... is right here."