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 were now running around, filling the atmosphere with laughter and showing off their carefree expressions, filled with joy she wasn't familiar with until recently.
Eri chewed on her sandwich, her eyes fixated on the children at play. "Sakura?" Eri began, catching her attention. "Why are some of them wearing the same clothes? Is that why they're running together?"
Sakura followed Eri's gaze, her eyes landing on a group of children engrossed in a game of tag. They were clad in identical blue shirts and navy pants or skirts with yellow hats. They were dashing about, climbing up the ladders of the play structure, coming down the slides and hanging on the monkey bars. While Eri had shown her curiosity for the playground when she first set eyes on it, she hadn't even attempt to mention an approach. 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, her fingers tracing over her bottle of water.
"School is a place where kids go to learn about things, to read and write," Sakura said, before licking her lips. "It's a place where you make friends."
Eri lingered on the children, watching them move along with each other, playing and laughing, chasing each other and some huddling into tight circles like they had secrets to share. And for the first time Sakura heard a hint of yearning in Eri's voice.
"Make friends,"
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? You need to know that if you want to go to school someday,"
"Really?"
"Of course,"
"Mm!" Eri's smile bloomed across her face onc again.
..
..
..
Three days had melded into a flow of routine, for Sakura and Eri. Their mornings filled the girl with much more excitement, to wake up with a new sense of purpose. She was growing eager to venture out beyond the mountains. They started frequenting the library, the mall and the park. In the afternoons, Sakura would engage Eri in playful games, while the mornings she would have lessons. While Sakura couldn't give her the full experience of school, with peers, at the very least she could start returning to Eri what was rightfully hers. Her autonomy and the knowledge to wield it.
The afternoon sun was almost burning, so they turned on the fan, Eri squirmed slightly as she sat cross-legged at the small floor table. She looked at her set of books laid out in front of her like they were treasure, eager for her next subject to start.
She watched Sakura approach her with a tray and two glasses of cold juice, setting one out in front of Eri, who took in the scent of citrus that permeated. Sa
"Okay, Eri, let's begin," Sakura announced.
"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 but Sakrua didn't let that deter her. Having already assured Eri when they started that it was normal to struggle in the beginning, and reminding her that she was free to take her time until she understood.
"You're close, Eri. It's 'a' like the sound of opening your mouth wide in awe." Sakura's jaw moved, mimicking without sound.
Eri tried again, her lips parting slightly as she uttered the sound. "Ahh."
"Perfect! You're a fast learner Eri." Sakura praised, clapping at her with a proud voice. She placed the flashcard beside Eri, adding to a growing stack. "Now, let's move on to the next one."
The lessons progressed with Sakura gentle guiding Eri through the introduction of each character of hiragana and katakana. Concepts that were as relative as abstract, becoming clearer to the little girl.
"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 got that right on the first try,"
The further these lessons progressed, the more Eri's confidence seemed to grow. Becoming more than just basic lessons for her, but a sign that she was taking back something that should've been given. Eri traced the curves and lines with her fingertips, caressing the paper like she was trying to decode her message. Sakura giggled at the way her face would scrunch up, like she was trying to burn her stare straight through the parchment.
At first Sakura worried she might not be the best person to teach Eri, well that stemmed from the idea she might not be able to teach anyone. Her sensei before were not exactly light handed when it came to her and her classmates education, but Sakura was feeling pride that she could manage this task.
"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."
..
..
..
The best part about having Eri on a routine now, from waking up to bedtime, Sakura was able to take snippets of time in between to see to her own needs. Under the moonlight and crisp air tinged with pine, she stepped out into what passed as their backyard. Although it was the entire patch of land reaching out into the forest. But right now it was her training ground.
Settling on the cool grass, barefoot, Sakura began. She closed her eyes, allowing her body to instinctively find its center. Now fully engrossed in meditations, her mind turned inward, focusing on honing in on the ebb and flow of her chakra. With each breath she drew the energy, trying to control its flow. 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 shallow breaths, and sweats, Sakura sensed a glimmer, a flickering flame within her chakra. Like it 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, 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, when you pushed you just get swept away. 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, shattering the delicate balance of Sakura's concentration. Startled, she sprung to her feet and rushed back inside the house.
"ERI!"
..
..
..
She found Eri in her room, tears streaming down her face, her form looking as fragile as the first time Sakura saw her. She was trembling. 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.
"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.
That's when Sakura noticed Eri's horn, surrounded with a crackling light like an appliance going haywire. She could feel some kind of erratic energy sparking now and Sakura knew something was amiss.
Panic consumed Eri, as she held up her hand against Sakura's touch, 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 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 looked at Eri's eyes, trying to assure her, and find answers but she remained silent. Incapable of a coherent response. That's when Sakura understood that it was time to delve deeper.
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,"
She shook her head frantically. "S-Sakura….th-this is…it's gonna hurt you!"
"Don't worry Eri, shh, just relax,"
That's when Sakura placed a hand over Eri's forehead, her palm directly over her horn, pouring chakra through creating a connection. She felt the overwhelming surge of energy, one that was trying to combat against her own. Sakura acted fast, using her chakra to draw the energy and slowly willing it to extinguish, like dousing a flame with water. Slowly, the surges subsided, and Sakura felt Eri's horn shrink within her grasp, the crackling energy receding.
It took Eri a handful of minutes to believe that it had stopped, but she felt the energy that used to ripple pain through her body subside and all she knew was it happened because she was in Sakura's arms.
All the other times, it had been a nightmare in reality. As she made people vanish into nothing just by touching them. That was the only good thing about being in that place.
Kai 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 anyone 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. But for a while she had forgotten that.
"It's okay, Eri, it's okay," Sakura murmured soothingly, her voice was a lifeline amidst the sea of distress. She peered into Eri's tear-filled eyes, witnessing a surge of emotions threatening to drown her. Eri's body convulsed with sobs, her breath ragged.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Eri's voice trembled with remorse, each word punctuated by 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 for this storm to pass. Slowly, Eri's sobs subsided, exhausted now.
Carrying Eri to her bed, Sakura spoke "Do you want some water?" Eri shook her head, her red and blotchy eyes peering up at Sakura.
"I'm sorry…" Eri whispered.
"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," 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.
..
..
..
Eri woke later than usual that day, her body still weary and heavy from carrying the emotional turmoil that plagued her last night. She felt her face running hot and her body trying to force her back into bed but she couldn't sleep again. Sakura was already gone though and Eri found her in the kitchen making breakfast.
As Eri timidly made her way through the kitchen threshold but her nerves betrayed her. Sakura caught her eyes and offered a reassuring smile.
"You must be hungry. Come on Eri, it's okay." Sakura directed her to the table, and through slow footsteps that could match a mouse, Eri made her way over and took a seat. 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, but under a medic's eyes it was doing little to convince. Sakura decided not to bring it up just yet as she had an agenda that she wanted to address before things could take another turn potentially.
She adopted a casual tone, hoping to put Eri at ease. "That was your quirk last night, wasn't it?"
Eri flinched, her body showing off the lingering traces of fear. Sakura reached out, gently turning Eri's face toward her. "It's alright, I promise. Eri, look at me,"
Eri hesitated but eventually met Sakura's gaze, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Sakura held her gaze, her voice steady. "It's going to be okay,"
"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 own turmoil.
"Eri, what happened last night wasn't as bad as you think," Sakura began. 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.
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.
"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 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, lifting them up. "You can't control your quirk?"
Eri nodded timidly, her eyes searching Sakura's face for any of the signs, the same she had seen before in other people when they realized what she had done.
"Eri, do you know what your quirk is?"
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 her.
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. "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 held what Sakura could only describe as blame, all directed towards herself.
"It's not your fault, Eri. It's not your fault."
Eri sobbed harder. "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 was clenched by a fist full of rage and despair as Eri relayed her experience. Kai Chisaki had been the the orchestrate of Eri's torment, in ways that even made her stomach churn.
"Eri, please, tell me," Sakura urged.
"He'll come back for me," Eri whispered, her voice laden with fear.
"Eri, he won't-" Sakura began, but Eri interrupted.
"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 to anyone before. She told Sakura the story of a little girl, whose parents were consumed by their daughters own power, because she couldn't control it. And then how she was taken away and 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. 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?"
"B-blood," Just the word seemed to reflect every every inch of trauma Eri suffered and plaster it all over her face.
That was the moment when Sakura had to squash down her own bloodlust, trying not to let the overwhelming urge seep through the cracks of what Eri perceived as a protective layer. But as she slowly put the pieces together she further yearned to tear apart the world, to crush the head of every member of that gang who had perpetuated Eri's suffering.