GOOD EVENING MARVELOUS READERS! It is that time of the month again and in a good way! New chapters for all!
I've been diligent in writing as much as I can manage, and there's still a ways to go but like anything in life it takes one day at a time, one foot in front of the other.
But don't forget to take a well deserved break once in a while and curl up with a good read!
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As they returned to the dorm, Sakura hoped the subject of the rumors would be closed, but to her dismay, the girls were still gushing, their curiosity seemingly insatiable and they seemed to have formed a confining circle in the common area. She forgot that girls weren't as easily tamed to gossip and if you wanted to put out that kind of fire, you had to completely smother it or new life would breathe.
"What is this?"
Mina was the first to dish out, "Since the subject of dating came up earlier we were just talking about the boys."
"Fascinating." Sakura rolled her eyes playfully. "And the verdict?"
"We've established that nearly all our boys in class are undatable right now," stated Tohru.
"How'd you figure that?" Sakura chuckled.
Tsuyu started mercilessly counting down everything, "High tempers,"
"Katsuki."
"High maintenance."
"Tenya."
"Highly disturbing."
"Denki. Minoru."
"Naive. Oblivious."
"Shouto. Eijiro…Okay, I'm getting the pattern." Sakura nodded. "But basically all the boys are just so focused on training to become heroes that they aren't willing to get sidetracked with something like dating right?"
The girls nodded. It's not as if things were that much better back in her world with the boys either. Everyone had something to strive towards, and romance wasn't one of those things. The girls were a little ahead in those means, which didn't help interactions.
"But that doesn't mean we don't have some crushes going around," Giggle Mina and Ochaco shifted in her seat, flushing. "Do you like anyone Sakura?"
Sakura put her hand on her hip, smiling "You know the boys might not be datable since they prioritize their training over everything right now but I don't think it's a bad idea given your goals. I know it's fun gossiping about boys, but try and focus more on training."
"Oh boo!" Tohru moaned. "We never get to gossip about boys like normal girls and besides we work just as hard as the boys."
"And I don't mean to say you don't. But we're already at a disadvantage physically. Eventually, boys get taller than you, and they can grow stronger quicker. It might apply differently with quirks involved but…that's on the premise of luck. Trust me, you don't want to wake up one day and realize that you can't provide the boys the same protection and power that they've given you."
"I don't feel like that at all," said Tohru.
"I hope you never have to feel like that," Sakura said. For however hard she pushed herself, Sasuke and Naruto had gone further than what she thought was even possible. They tethered on the edge of death for the sake of becoming stronger, while she knew she kept within boundaries that would not risk her life. And she wasn't ashamed of that. But sometimes she did wonder, could she bring herself to that point and stay there as long as they have? And what could she have accomplished if she had been more focused in the beginning, than worrying about her image to the person she liked?
Momo cleared her throat, "Actually I've been thinking I could use a lot more training."
"You were accepted on recommendation though Yaomomo, kero," said Tsuyu. "That's amazing in itself and you've already received your provisional license."
Even at the compliment, Momo's eyes seemed disheartened. "But I know that if it came to a fight, I wouldn't be able to face off directly against Bakugou or Todoroki."
The class had been training together their special moves and everyone knew more or less where they were standing with each other. Sakura might not have any clue, but the girls and the rest of the class already knew they weren't going to do well if they had to face off with her.
Sakura sighed, "Boys have this stubbornness, a willingness to push themselves even if it means they'll break and we usually don't because it's not logical." She couldn't even count the number of times one of her friends had risked permanent damage to themselves for the sake of growing a little stronger. But that fierceness and strength they could pull in dire situations, which kept them going even at the most hopeless of times was something even Sakura knew she couldn't grasp as tightly. "That doesn't take anything away from you guys. But we need to be more careful. It's tough enough for us, and falling in love…can really make a mess of things for a girl."
The girls looked at Sakura, their silence loud as their eyes showed their intrigue, wanting her to continue. It was then she realized she might have put her foot in her mouth, but nothing spoke more than the expression Sakura had made when she gave that statement of falling in love.
"Sakura…." Mina had a mischievous look in her eyes now.
While scratching the back of her head, like she was trying to dig out the memories, Sakura spoke. "All I'm gonna say is you girls should be careful when falling in love. Because when you do, your feelings won't be easy to change. And it can affect the choices we make for ourselves. Even get in the way."
Jiro then asked, "Sakura, are you saying…you've been in love?"
"I just don't want you to have as many regrets as I do." Sakura smiled and stood up, "It's getting late. Goodnight."
The girls resumed a regular conversation about tomorrow's lessons, but Ochaco's thoughts were wrapped up in Sakura's words.
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Saturdays were supposed to be leisurely times for so many, from working-class citizens to school students. Even in a boarding system. Unfortunately for Sakura and two others, it was another day for another lesson and this time it was off campus.
Sakura, Shouto, and Katsuki were gathered in the common area before the sun was even out. Dressed in uniform, having a light breakfast in awkward silence before departing with Shouta and Toshinori who were escorting them to their destination. It was time for the remedial classes.
While she had missed the entirety of the provisional licensing exam, some strings were pulled by unknown hands that allowed Sakura to participate in the remedial classes for her provisional license. Evidently, they really wanted her to get one. Either way, Sakura chose to keep quiet on the matter and just follow along.
As they were walking down towards the bus where their teachers waited, Sakura asked what she could be expecting from this class.
Katsuki was quick to give a response but clearly not keen to answer "Huh, why should I tell you, dumbass? You'll just have to wait and see."
Somehow that was a more pleasant response from him.
"I don't think it's anything you would have a difficult time with," said Shouto.
"Oh? Can you elaborate?"
Shouta tiredly ushered the three onto the bus, telling them to make haste and ensure they were on their best behavior when interacting with the other students as well as their invigilator. Sakura raised her eyebrow at Shouta when she noted he was looking directly at her.
Boarding the bus, Sakura found herself seated beside Shouto, while Katsuki took to the opposite side several rows away from them. Their conversation continued from where they had left off earlier. With a curious tilt of her head, she turned to him for insight into what awaited them in their upcoming lessons.
"So, what have your classes been like so far?" She inquired.
Shouto took a moment to glance out the window before responding. "Well, usually we have practical tests and lectures."
"Sounds like our everyday classes."
"It's not," Shouto didn't know why, but he didn't want Sakura to keep that disappointed expression. Even if it wasn't directed at him. He wanted to see her shoulders straighten, and her lips curl. "It's a lot harder but I don't think you'll have a hard time. Last week Bakugou and I were told to watch a class of kindergarteners."
Sakura pulled back her chin, "What? Why?"
"Gang Orca said it was to help get heart. I think because we had to coax the children into listening to us."
Shouto wasn't entirely sure he fully understood the lesson itself, but he explained to Sakura how their invigulator Gang Orca had come up to them in a rage about their poor behaviour at the previous exams. They made it to the final test, where they had to save people acting as injured civillians in a disaster while fighting villains and they had all failed because according to Gang Orca, what they lacked wasn't physical ability but heart. And they needed to show they had this by coaxing a rowdy group of kids, who weren't willing to listen to anyone including their teacher.
"Now when you use the term coaxing…Do you mean you befriended them? Even Katsuki?"
Katsuki decided to interject since he couldn't take grinding his teeth listening to their chatter anymore. "It was just babysitting a bunch of brats all day, it wasn't worth shit!"
"But Bakugou, you're the one who said we needed to find the leader to win them over. You even-
"Shut up Icy Hot!"
"Heart huh?" When Shouto looked at Sakura, and saw the way her expression morphed, her eyes curling with her lips, cheeks puffing with delight, and a sparkle in her face he felt very taken aback. He had seen her smile many times, but it didn't make him feel like this. He wondered if something was wrong with his chest.
"It was... an interesting challenge, to say the least."
Unkonwbist to Shouto, Sakura's thoughts that tied to her expression were of a special blonde with the ability to become like spring sunshine to anyone's dark days. Someone who didn't have the best intellect or the strongest combat ability, yet had become one of the greatest heroes she knew, with a heart that wouldn't break.
Her hero.
That she may never get to see or thank again.
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"U.A! U.A!"
Upon entering the large Stadium like building, Sakura expected a quiet almost pahtom stroll through the hallways since there wasn't expected to be many people occupying the space that day, but there were other students from hero courses at different schools who were also present. Though from what she was told, they didn't even reach twenty people.
However one of those students was calling them rather loudly, he had an excitedly hard smile on his face, as he waved to them.
"Friend of yours?" Sakura asked the boys.
"Hell no!"
"He's from Shiketsu High," Shouto told her calmly, though Sakura saw he seemed a little dim in his expression.
There was also a girl following in a similar colored navy blue uniform. So Sakura knew she was also from that school.
"Todoroki!" He continued to wave.
"He seems to like you."
"Oh, the super hotty came back!"
"Her too."
Katsuki already looked exhausted before their training even began. They had been teamed up with the two from Shiketsu High, while the rest of the class went about their regular drills of training. He would've taken harsh physical combat over rangling preschoolers any day.
Inasa was quick to notice Sakura's presence, "Oh I've seen you before! You're that strong girl from the sports festival and Kamino!"
With a step back and a brief chuckle, Sakura greeted, "Yeah, nice to meet you,"
"It's an honor to meet you! I've seen your battles they're spectacular!"
"Okay…Let's just go."
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..
All the way to the exam area, Sakura was answering one question of Inasa's after the next. He started with the most basic random questions, her favorite food, TV shows, etc that she was relieved to arrive at the center stadium. A handful of students stood waiting with nervous ticks and anticipation.
They were standing behind an expansive, broken cityscape that would be serving as their training ground. The students became noticeably quiet when they joined, Sakura felt their eyes touching her with interest.
It wasn't long before one of them, the girl from Shiketsu, spoke up, addressing Sakura.
"It's because you fought that big villain in Kamino, so they're super interested in you."
"Huh,"
"You little sea maggots back for more?" A booming gruff voice echoed through the stadium, demanding attention and the students stiffened, falling in line, hands at sides, shoulders square, with beads of sweat on their heads as the presence drew closer.
And Sakura couldn't blame them when she saw who stepped in. The hero Gang Orca, towering over most of them, with his appearance resembling a killer whale with legs in a suit. Despite how ridiculous it is to read, the image was far more intimidating.
Shouta and Toshinori were watching things take place from the stands, commenting that once again their hero comrade was as energetic as ever. Though they wouldn't admit it, they were keeping an especially close eye on Sakura. Although she promised to remain cooperative this time around, there was still a sliver of doubt that she wouldn't make an escape.
"Ah, it looks like Gang Orca's giving the students a hard time again." Observed Toshinori. As a recent teacher, he couldn't bring himself to stand as stern despite being able to do so against villains.
"He isn't saying anything untrue," Shouta stated, resting against the bench arms folded, his head nodding.
"That's cruel Aizawa..."
"Haruno just better behave herself."
"I think it should be fine. She's a good girl Aizawa,"
Shouta gave Toshinori what could only be described as the stink eye, and while he didn't verbalize it, Toshinori was being questioned by that piercing gaze. Have you truly been paying attention to this girl? Do you realize what she's put me through as her teacher? Are you aware of how stupid your statement was? Either way, it was making the former number-one hero sink in his seat.
Gang Orca's words cut through the tense silence, his stern gaze scanning over the assembled students.
"Impressive that you decided to grace us with your presence today, failures of that simple exam," he remarked, his gaze lingering on Sakura with a mixture of scrutiny and disapproval. "And now we have yet another turd dropped in the tank. And this is especially not one you should aspire to be like, despite what news may spread. Breaking the rules for the sake of overconfidence."
The student's eyes fell on Sakura once again, but the pink-haired girl looked directly into the eye of the whale like human and said calmly. "Perhaps we wouldn't have this problem if the heroes could do their job better than this turd. Would've been a help in Kamino."
'Is she insane!?' Was the consensus thought running through the students whose jaws dropped at Sakura's bold insult towards not only Gang Orca but all heroes to what was considered the most recent greatest blunder of their careers? And they were trembling at the thought of the consequences they might face in today's training.
"We're gonna die," one of the boys muttered.
Gang Orca looked over Sakura, engulfing her with his shadow but could not break her gaze or deflate her form. He gave a sinister smile that sent a chill down the other students' spine.
"Alright then, let's just see how much better you little fish turds think you are. The test for today is scout and rescue," Gang Orca's voice boomed, "This will be a two-part training. The first test is to find one of four dummies hidden in this ruined city. Once found, the second phase will commence."
Murmurs of uncertainty rippled through and Gang Orca broke through "SPEAK UP!"
A timid voice piped up from the crowd. "How are we supposed to advance if there are only four dummies and twelve of us?"
"What do you think?" he countered, his tone laced with a hint of challenge.
There was a consensus thought that only four of them would be able to advance to the second phase of this day's training. There were some awkward glances shared amongst each other.
"Let us see what you can accomplish."
As the students watched Gang Orca depart, a sense of unease settled over them like a thick fog. Everyone wanted to do everything they could to pass these lessons and achieve their provisional license. While hundreds of other students had failed this year, they were the handful that could still hold onto hope with bleeding fingers that would be able to grasp that license card.
Then the students erupted in a cacophony of voices rising in protest. How could this be fair? Were they meant to fight amongst themselves for a chance to participate?
"I'm finding that stupid dummy," Katsuki declared gritting his teeth. "And none of the extras are going to get in my way."
As the students clamored and argued, Sakura remained strangely composed, her gaze fixed on Gang Orca who went up to the stands to speak with Toshinori and Shouta.
Seeing her fixated gaze, Shouto went up to her and asked. "What's wrong?"
Sakura's lips curled into a knowing smirk, her eyes gleaming with a glimmer of mischief. "I'm surprised none of you have figured out what this test is really about,"
"What do you mean?"
"What the hell you blabbing Fivehead!?" Katsuki's voice seemed to carry attention and Sakura took the chance to beckon the rest of the group to join in a circle. "If you all can just quiet down for a moment," she began, a secretive smile playing on her lips, "I'll explain exactly what's going on."
"Why the hell should we listen to you?" Katsuki challenged.
"Because I've played this game when I was twelve."
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
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The new Schedule for July and August are posted on my Tumblr with an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.
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As well as a SNEAK PEEK for My new Story Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatarxnaruto)
MEMBERS NOW: (bmcmember)
-NEW STORY: Kunoichi amongst Benders (Avatar x Naruto crossover) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes chapter 65, 66, 67, 68
-Kunoich amongst heroes Spin Off: Movie Part 5 (Finished)
-Kunoichi amongst Heroes WHAT IF SPIN OFF: Dorms and Exams
-Kunoichi amongst Pirates chapter 26, 27, 28, 29
-Crossroads of Fate chapter 18, 19, 20, 21
-Through the Looking Glass chapter 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
-(SEQUEL) Through the Spyglass chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
-SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CHAPTER: Shinigami amongst Shinobi
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