Chapter Text
Chapter 13
Home: The Place Where I Belong
Shuffling through the dim and silent halls of U.A High School, Aizawa scrolled through the cluster of headlines exploding on the internet over the recent incident labelled by one news organization as:
The Guardian of Light vs A Lord of Darkness: A Battle Between Titans.
Another called it The League of Villains Folly.
An article titled Why Relying on a Child Vigilante is a Tragedy for Justice caused the Pro Hero to roll his eyes and scoff.
They were all so dramatic. Irrational, too.
Every article was paired with an eye-catching thumbnail. Some preferred imagery of Amaririsu’s majestic dragon form battling against the Nomu; others preferred the shinobi herself in the heat of battle with flocks of Crows soaring in the background. One in particular had captured a picture from somewhere behind the girl as she stood flanked by her reinforcements.
Aizawa held no interest in reading the articles, skeptical the official news organizations—let alone the gossip and clickbait groups—possessed any legitimate information beyond pointless speculation and ambitious conjectures they hoped would hook in readers.
And his skepticism was well-founded. On headlines alone he gathered the general information he assumed he would find: The public was accurately presuming the League of Villains were responsible for the attack, and no one had the faintest idea of who Amaririsu was, what she was or where she came from. No one appeared to know where she vanished off to, either.
In the fervent clamor to break the story on Amaririsu, using the Guardian of Light moniker to draw attention to their articles, Aizawa suspected certain details on the incident were slipping through the cracks or becoming mere background noise to their main story. No one was mentioning the return of the retired Pro Hero Ethereal, not in their headlines anyway. And no one seemed to notice or care that Class 1-A just so happened to be at the site of the battlefield.
Sighing, Aizawa locked his phone’s screen and stuffed it into his pocket.
The League of Villains was clearly behind the Maigeeto apartment fire, he theorized. And since the media focused entirely on Amaririsu, propping her up as a potential new symbol, that man-child targeted her in broad daylight to crush her in front of the world. That he launched his attack when my students were with Amaririsu was simply an unfortunate coincidence.
She was their true target. This time his students were just potential collateral damage, innocent bystanders caught in the war between light and darkness. Aizawa was pleased they avoided combat altogether; he wouldn’t have hesitated to expel any foolish student to engage the Nomu unnecessarily.
Still, for the second consecutive day society’s eyes were drawn to yet another Villain incident in search of the Pro Heroes sworn to protect them. Once again society witnessed Amaririsu as their defender. Other lesser known Heroes had arrived on the scene, of course, aiding the evacuation of the peaceful city streets transformed into a raging battlefield as the Nomu and Amaririsu crashed through buildings, tore up the streets and flattened cars in their efforts to destroy one another. But few possessed the power or the courage to stand against the monster.
Among those Pro’s who lacked the power to fight the Nomu was none other than Eraser Head himself. He immediately dashed to the battlefield when he first heard of the incident, determined to aid Amaririsu against the monstrosity of the League of Villains however he might. It was his duty as a Pro Hero to defend the city. To hold the beast back as long as it took for the evacuations to be completed until a flashy powerhouse swept in to finish the job. And from his knowledge of the creatures, the Erasure Hero believed the shinobi was in dire need of reinforcements.
Upon witnessing Amaririsu’s Dragon Transformation combating the Nomu, Aizawa realized how sorely outmatched he was when compared to the powers of shinobi.
His Quirk, unfortunately, wasn’t useful against the Nomu. When the U.S.J. was attacked, and his arms, body and face were all but snapped apart and broken by the Nomu there, he’d tried to erase its Quirk to no avail. Or, more accurately, he had erased its Quirk, but even then it possessed super strength—power to snap his bones like twigs—without a Quirk.
As he observed the battle from a nearby rooftop, Aizawa knotted his eyebrows together and considered his options carefully—rationally. Without emotional attachment. Without the dramatics and flair of hindsight play-by-plays performed by the media.
He made the necessary judgement call within a second; in a crisis situation that was all the time any Hero had to think and act.
He couldn’t aid Amaririsu. Not against the Nomu. To recklessly leap into the duel between the dragon and the Nomu on some sort of foolish hope his capture weapon or Quirk could shift the tides of battle would not only impede Amaririsu’s ability to fight, it’d be utterly irrational. He was a distraction. A mere mortal among brawling titans. Potential collateral damage she would risk her life for, no matter how illogical it was.
I hate to say it, but I would’ve just been in her way.
For that reason, Aizawa directed his immediate efforts towards the evacuation, trusting in the shinobi and Crows to hold the monster back or destroy it, hoping he made the right call.
Had the Villains successfully slain Amaririsu, societies hope and faith in Heroes would have withered and fallen like the fleeting blooms of cherry blossoms, becoming yet another rallying call for Villains to rise from the malevolent shadows to join the League of Villains.
Aizawa could already see the headlines.
Child Slain by League of Villains.
Heroes Fail to Protect Child.
Amaririsu would’ve ceased to be a tremendous warrior and simply become ‘a child’ or ‘the child’ so-called irresponsible Heroes allowed to die. Her heroic sacrifice to protect and save countless lives wouldn’t be recognized in the slightest. The irrational media would have twisted her from a symbol of hope and inspiration to present and future Heroes, into a cautionary tale for parents to tell their children to destroy their dreams of ever becoming Heroes.
Such a tale would’ve been the equivalent of gift-wrapping the future and handing it to the Villains.
But, despite the League’s best effort, their attempt to destroy Amaririsu ended in complete disaster. Not only did they fail to destroy her, their actions had the exact opposite effect: The Guardian of Light and her symbol were growing, blooming, burning brighter than before because of their actions. Aizawa found that amusing. So amusing the corners of his lips lifted in a dark smile.
Looks like you underestimated her. Poor choice.
He meandered into the library silently. The media didn’t have the faintest idea where Amaririsu vanished off to, but he had a decent idea. After a brief call with Midnight, who confirmed Amaririsu hadn’t returned to her home, the Erasure Hero journeyed to the campus grounds to check the nurse’s office and the library.
Amaririsu wouldn’t have returned to the Igarashi household, she was too rational for such an illogical decision when the risk of further retaliation from the League of Villains was present. And she wasn’t the type of person to leave without saying goodbye.
By process of elimination, that left the school grounds or—far more irrational—roaming the city until tomorrow morning. Aizawa was pleased when he found her small frame at the same table she had occupied the first night she spent on campus grounds. They’d finally come full circle. Her arms were crossed on the table, body leaning forward so she could rest her head on them.
The Pro Hero opened his mouth to speak, but slowly shut it.
She’s asleep, he realized, fortunately before waking her. He examined her attire and physical appearance, noting a distinct lack of blood and sign of bodily harm compared to the pictures he had seen on the internet.
She’s showered since the battle. And changed her clothes, too.
Amaririsu was dressed in her oil-smudged tank top and the short-sleeved mesh undershirt she apparently hadn’t thrown away.
I have to assume one of her allies healed her injuries. Shinobi seem to have a limitless amount of potential.
He glanced up at the nearby bookcase, where he saw the silhouettes of Atsuko and Osamu looming within the shadows.
Looks like Atsuko and Osamu are asleep, too.
Aizawa, silent as a shinobi, turned on his heel and exited the library.
After their staunch defense of the city and the destruction of the Nomu, they earned a nice nap. It was the least he could give them.
Settling down on the floor, bracing his back against the wall just outside of the room, the Erasure Hero retrieved his phone again and typed out a message to All Might, Midnight, Nezu and Detective Tsukauchi that detailed Amaririsu’s location and state of sleep, as was asked of him.
Then, without waiting for their replies, he returned his phone to his pocket, crossed his arms and shut his eyes.
He needed a nap.
Aizawa was awoken from his light slumber by a soft shake. Crouched beside him was Amaririsu, who greeted the Pro Hero with a soft smile.
“I just wanted to let you know I was awake, if that was why you were napping out here on the floor. Sorry if I interrupted a regular nap.”
“You didn’t.”
Aizawa rose from the floor; Amaririsu mirrored the action. He checked his phone for the time.
Huh, barely thirty minutes has passed. Not a bad nap.
There were responses from his fellow teachers and Tsukauchi, confirming what he’d presumed to be the inevitable conclusion to their requests: They were all on their way here for an impromptu debriefing with Amaririsu on her encounter with the League of Villains, and to discuss her future plans.
He could already sense the answer to the final matter. It was in her calm body language, the presence of someone who had confidently made a life-changing decision and would not budge from her course. It was in her mismatched eyes, eyes which were fixated on the path ahead, no longer wandering in search of meticulously uncovering every detail she could of their world.
Amaririsu was spiritually home already. Physically she lingered behind for their sake, but it was temporary. It always was.
“Principal Nezu, Midnight, All Might and Detective Tsukauchi will be here shortly,” he informed, stuffing his phone into his pocket.
He glanced down at the girl and scrutinized her appearance again. Not even the slightest hint of injury, but…
“You don’t need the Old Lady to heal you?”
“No. Aimi—one of my clan-siblings—healed me before they returned home,” answered Amaririsu. “I’m the picture of health, or so I was told. Honestly, I’m surprised I was able to nap as long as I did; the Food Pill I ate has me a little wired. But I suppose the fatigue from Recovery Girl’s healing sessions, the battle, injuries and emotional exhaustion took its toll.”
Aizawa hummed. He had wondered why she seemed wide awake despite the day’s events. Naps were good, but she had coffee energy. And he didn’t.
“Let’s go sit down,” he said, gesturing to the library with a lift of his chin. “No sense standing around.”
“Okay.”
They waited in the school library together. Aizawa kept to himself, patiently sitting at the table with his arms crossed and his eyes shut. Amaririsu was writing. The light strokes of her pencil gliding over the paper, accompanied by the occasional thoughtful hum, floated peacefully through the otherwise quiet and reclusive hall.
When he asked, she explained they were letters of gratitude and sincere apologies written for Ethereal and one of his employees named Reina. As was his nature, Aizawa hummed in acknowledgement and returned to silence so he wouldn’t distract her.
It was thoughtful, if not mildly irrational. There was no way Amaririsu could have known the League of Villains would target her. Watanabe seemed to be a lone wolf; his selfish and cruel intentions for the Ito family certainly hadn’t given away his allegiance to the League of Villains. Without knowing that, they couldn’t prepare or predict Shigaraki’s ambush. It was an unfortunate situation, but none of it was truly Amaririsu’s fault.
Aizawa didn’t bother to say it. There was no point. Amaririsu was well aware of those same rational arguments. However, human hearts weren’t always rational, not in his experience. But hers was pure, and it really wasn’t his business or his place to tell her differently, so he let her write the letters in peace. He was sure Ethereal and his employee would appreciate it.
Sometime after, his fellow Pro’s and Detective Tsukauchi arrived within minutes of one another. Midnight instantly smothered Amaririsu with an emotional hug while All Might offered irrational apologies for his absence in the battle. Apparently he had been soaking in a bath, relaxing his frail and injured body.
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” the girl reassured the pair once free of Midnight’s embrace. “You can’t be everywhere at once, Mr. All Might. And your Quirk probably wouldn’t affect the Nomu since it didn’t have a nose, Miss Nemuri. So don’t beat yourselves up about it. The Nomu was defeated, I was able to fight alongside my clan-siblings and cousin, and I know for certain what path I need to walk now. It all worked out in the end.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” All Might sighed. Then smiled. “It heartens me to see you well and full of spirit despite all that has happened. Honestly, I was worried about you. But you’ve shown me once again how resilient and unwavering your Will of Fire is.”
Midnight patted her head. “I can’t say I enjoy being a helpless bystander in the face of Villainy. But as long as you’re okay, I’m happy.”
The gathered group procured chairs from the nearby tables and settled into a circle to discuss the incident. Detective Tsukauchi started off the debriefing.
“Amaririsu, first I’d like to thank you for defending the city as best you could from the Nomu. Although there was property damage, it was kept to minimum when compared to the incident in Hosu. And unlike Hosu there weren’t any serious injuries to innocent bystanders or the Pro Heroes on the scene.”
“That’s a relief,” the kunoichi sighed. “How are Mr. Kojima and Reina? And Class 1-A? I wanted to check in on them, but… I couldn’t. For their safety and the reputation of this school.” Her eyes fell away. “And there was something I needed to discuss in private with my clan-siblings.” She met the detective’s eyes again. “Are they okay, though?”
“Don’t worry. They’re in stable conditions,” Tsukauchi answered. “Miss Suzuki’s injuries were very minor. A few bruises and cuts, but nothing serious. She has regained consciousness and the doctors are confident she will be able to return home tonight. Ethereal’s injuries were mild, but nothing life threatening. Given his age, he’ll need a little longer so he can fully recover, though I expect he’ll be discharged so he can recover at home. His Quirk and the hospital aren’t a healthy mix.”
The kunoichi hummed. “I can imagine.”
“As for Class 1-A, they’re all fine,” Tsukauchi informed the group. “None of them had any serious injuries, though according to them that’s because of Amaririsu’s quick action. They mentioned something about a wall you created?”
Amaririsu nodded slowly, but lifted her gaze to the sleeping Crows perched in the shadows. “An Earth Style Jutsu. I’m happy everyone is okay. But it’s thanks to Atsuko and Osamu we managed to survive the League of Villains ambush relatively unscathed.”
“Can you tell us everything that happened? The more we can learn about the League of Villains, the better prepared we will be when the time comes to apprehend them.”
The shinobi agreed. They learned the Nomu was initially sent through a Warp Gate by the mist Villain—Kurogiri—to drop directly on top of the café. Had it not been for the Crows vigilance, knocking the giant beast off course, and Amaririsu sensing its fall, allowing her to create an Earth Wall to shield 1-A, she theorized a rational conclusion—critical injuries and possible death amidst the carnage.
The physical appearance and power of the Nomu resembled the one defeated by Endeavor in Hosu, from what she explained. And just like in Hosu, Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri were at the scene of this incident as well, observing what their pet monster would do. It hadn’t gone well for them, according to Amaririsu.
“Tomura raved about how ‘cool’ I was and how obsessed the media was over me and the Hero Killer: Stain,” she explained calmly. “How I had become a symbol they propped up despite only knowing I existed for a short time. It annoyed him. He was ridden with jealousy and hatred over the lack of attention the League of Villains was receiving, which spurred him to attack me. It was a knee-jerk reaction, and yet calculated. I stole his newest pawn, the media turned me into a symbol; I had to be removed.
“Imagine the backlash if he had killed me today. Despite my power, despite saving those people, I’m still a teenager. I’m just a kid. But I was placed on a pedestal. Had I fallen in battle, the foundation of faith in Heroes would crack and shatter. Irreversibly.
“The world would have seen a child murdered by Villains. And they would look to the Heroes,” she gestured to them with her hand, and then to Tsukauchi, “and their police officers for answers. The media would shift its narrative to all of you. The blame would be placed on your shoulders. I mean no offense, but to be blunt, your media doesn’t care who it casts as Heroes and Villains so long as people are listening to them. They don’t care what damage they may cause accidentally or purposefully with their narratives.”
Her gaze, the gaze of a soldier, switched between them. “Your media and your society has propped up Stain, a man who murdered other Pro Heroes. I heard from Class 1-A that they’ve seen stores selling masks and mock daggers of his equipment. Making a profit and gaining attention, no matter the cost, that is what your media and your society is doing right now. And they will destroy this school, its reputation, society’s faith in Heroes and the profession of Heroes if you aren’t vigilant.
“So be careful. The media is doing exactly what the Villains need them to, which brings me to my next point.”
Amaririsu paused for a moment to cross her legs beneath her on the chair. Once settled, she continued bearing her soldier gaze.
“After I cut Tomura’s hand off, I used a genjutsu to incapacitate him with the intent to finish the job after I dealt with the other two.”
“Wait a minute. You cut one of Tomura’s hands off?” Tsukauchi questioned, eyes widening.
“One of the mounted ones or his real hand?” Aizawa questioned calmly.
“Real one. I turned it to cinders afterwards,” answered the kunoichi. “He tried to use Kurogiri’s power to attack me from behind; I didn’t and don’t know what his Quirk was, but I assumed it had to do with his hand. After the burns I received from Gorō Watanabe, I didn’t want him touching me. I was also furious to learn he was responsible for pushing that man towards setting the apartment on fire.”
She scowled. “He likened everything to games. I hate people like him, treating others’ lives like they’re toys they can play with and discard… When I saw his hand reaching for me, I took it.”
“A wise decision,” Nezu nodded slightly. “Tomura Shigaraki’s Quirk is some kind of decaying ability. Had he grabbed hold of you, your clothes, flesh, bones would have all begun to decay. It is a dangerous power, and one that nearly caused Eraser Head to need his arm amputated.”
Aizawa frowned at the reminder. In that encounter, his Quirk was all that stopped Shigaraki from irreversible damage. Not that his counter amounted to anything beyond saving his arm. The Nomu broke his body and damaged his eyes immediately after he created distance between himself and Shigaraki.
“I see,” Amaririsu grimaced. “Well, he has one less hand now, assuming he can’t just replace it with one of those embalmed ones to regain his power.” Amaririsu shook her head. “Regardless, when I had him in my genjutsu, he kept crying out for his master. He never mentioned a name. Just kept begging this ‘Master’ to save him and kill me. Tomura doesn’t strike me as a mastermind, and Kurogiri has powerful bodyguard written all over him, which can only mean neither of them are the leader of the League of Villains. Not really.
“Whoever his Master is, you should consider the very real possibility he has people planted within the media organizations, or that he has orchestrated these events to chip away faith in Hero society.” She furrowed her brow, leaning her forearms onto her knees. She squinted at the floor. “Everything about the current situation aids the Villains. It’s too perfect. The attack at the U.S.J. was the first shot, this Hosu incident and the Hero Killer I’ve heard about… They’re moving the shadows. They’re taking advantage of this era of peace to set their pieces up, moving methodically and in phases.”
Again Amaririsu cast her intense gaze to all of them. Aizawa frowned, sensing the words on the tip of her tongue before she spoke them.
“The era of peace is on the brink of ending. I’d say it’s already over. This is war now, or the preamble to it. And it's only just begun. If you don’t stop Tomura and his Master in the very near future, these incidents will grow in size and damage.”
It was an ominous warning, but a rational one. Based on her personal experiences, he’d wager. The writing was on the wall. They couldn’t keep ignoring it, not if they wanted Heroes to come out the other end of it alive.
This era of peace was over.
Beyond Tomura’s and Kurogiri’s escape, there was little else they hadn’t already gathered or witnessed themselves. Amaririsu briefly glossed over the necessary Reverse Summoning of her clansmen, as well as Ethereal’s summoning of her cousin and their eventual departure. With the battle out of the way, she addressed the final matter to discuss.
“I’ve become a symbol for this world,” Amaririsu began. “But that also means I’ve become a target, too. The League of Villains has their eyes on me now. I’ve gained their leader’s interest, which is the exact opposite of what any of us wanted. My presence here has become common knowledge, and though they may never truly know where I came from or the source of my power, everyone’s eyes are on me. Good and evil. Heroes, Villains and everyday people will be looking for the Guardian of Light, for even the slightest glimpse.
“I cannot say whether or not someone spotted me entering the confection café before the attack, or if the Villains have some sort of tracking power they used to trace my location. Either is possible. But one thing is for certain: I am a danger to your students now. I threaten their very lives by being around them.”
It was an undeniable truth. They’d all known that. Yet Aizawa watched how All Might’s frail frame slouched forward, the man resting his elbows on his knees as he sighed heavily. He watched how Midnight’s bright blue eyes fell, how she shifted in her seat to regain the comfort those words had stolen.
Nezu was frowning, lamenting the reality but understanding it. Tsukauchi stared at the shinobi, who was utterly focused and calm, dealing with this situation intellectually rather than emotionally. Finally, he felt his own arms, crossed over his chest, tense.
It was all irrational, but they’d known that from the start. It hadn’t stopped them from growing attached.
“Unfortunate as it is, you’re right,” Aizawa said, nodding once. “There’s no way for us to know for sure how they tracked you down, but if they did it once, they can do it again. Even being here at the school doesn’t guarantee your safety.”
“While I agree with this general assessment,” Nezu spoke up in a lower and serious intonation of his high-pitched voice, “we should take care to examine all sides of this situation. The Villains could very well retaliate at any point and at any time, should they have access to a long-distance tracking Quirk.
“However, Amaririsu said it herself: This incident was a knee-jerk reaction of Shigaraki’s.” Nezu brought his paws together on his lap in what was his equivalent of a human interlacing their fingers. “They had no real knowledge of Amaririsu’s battle prowess, or that she had two incredibly powerful allies. It is safe to assume Shigaraki saw her as an easy target, especially when compared to All Might. But that type of underestimation led to the severing of one of his hands, and the complete defeat of another Nomu at her hands and the hands of her allies.
“I suspect the League of Villains will be more cautious in retaliating against Amaririsu. At least in the immediate future,” the Principal stated. “Shigaraki will need time to recover from the loss of his hand and the genjutsu Amaririsu inflicted upon him.”
“And from the sound of it, they’ll be looking for new recruits to build their ranks with stronger and far more dangerous Villains,” Tsukauchi added.
“Perhaps they won’t be as hasty to strike Young Yūhi again after this experience,” said All Might thoughtfully. “But we shouldn’t assume anything. We can’t relax and pretend everything will be okay. We must stay vigilant.”
“We will. But, Amaririsu, when do you plan to leave?” asked Midnight, drawing her eyes over to the shinobi.
“Tomorrow, probably in the morning,” she replied. “There’s a chance Principal Nezu is right. The Villains may be more cautious about retaliating against me, and if I’m honest, I doubt it will happen tonight or even tomorrow. But… It’s time for me to go home.”
Amaririsu cast her eyes over the group, the slightest hint of regret becoming visible on her face.
“I’ll always be grateful for all the kindness everyone has shown me and for your generosity. I’ll miss all of you and I’ll always wish I had just a little more time to spend with everyone. And I wish I could help you in your war, but…”
“You have your own war to fight,” Aizawa said for her.
“I do,” she admitted softly, nodding once. “There are people who are depending on me back home. I have to take my place as a guardian to prepare my friends and comrades for the battles ahead of us. I have to blaze a trail through the darkness to save my clansmen.” Amaririsu uncrossed her legs and rose from her seat. “I wanted to find some way to pay you all back, but this is all I can do.” She bowed deeply at the waist. “Thank you all so much for everything you’ve done for me. Had I been trapped in this world, I think I could have called it home thanks to all of you.”
The truth was finally out. They’d known it from the day she summoned Osamu this day would come, but the time had come. Amaririsu was leaving.
Aizawa surprised himself with his own resigned sigh. It was a shame, really. But this was the way it had to be, the way it was always going to be. And though she would be missed, there were others waiting for her. People who needed Amaririsu and all she represented more than they did.
In his own way, Aizawa was proud of her.
“It’s us who should be thanking you, Young Yūhi,” All Might replied softly. “Since you first arrived, you have shared your warmth and your wisdom with all of us. Our students have learned a great deal from you, and you went out of your way to defend the innocent bystanders of this world from Villainy. Not to mention dealing a serious injury to the League of Villains. You have my deepest gratitude. I know wherever your path takes you, your spirit and your Will of Fire will shine brightly, lingering on in the hearts of our students and in the hearts of those you reach out to. You will become an excellent guardian, Young Yūhi.”
“Thank you, Mr. All Might.”
“Your presence in our world and on our campus will be missed, Amaririsu,” Nezu said. “We will not forget you, so on behalf of the entire faculty and the students I want to thank you for all you have done.”
“You have my gratitude as well,” Tsukauchi said, nodding and smiling at the young girl.
“O-oh. Uh…”
Midnight smiled. “Didn’t I tell you not to worry about repaying us?”
“I suppose you did,” Amaririsu bashfully rubbed the back of her neck. “I can’t help it, though. It’s just my way.”
“You’ve done enough,” Aizawa said. “Focus on your path, Yūhi. From the sound of it, you have a lot of work ahead of you, so don’t slack off or waste time wishing you could have repaid us monetarily. You did all we asked of you, and more. So, thank you.”
With nothing else to discuss, their meeting reached its end. They returned their seats and departed the campus, with Amaririsu, Atsuko and Osamu joining Midnight one last time.
Aizawa sighed as he made his way home, thinking of his students and Amaririsu’s departure.
Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Amari awoke early the next morning. She journeyed through her morning routine at a languid pace, reminiscing about this whole time-space accident and how it started. She recalled crashing through Class 1-A’s classroom window, how she and Aizawa traded blows, how it felt to look out at a world that wasn’t her own and the stomach-churning, head-spinning and heartrending feelings of never finding her way home.
From that world-altering start, this adventure had become something more than just the terror of never returning home. She had the good fortune of meeting people those of this world called Heroes. People who had provided her hope when it all felt hopeless. People who had given her shelter, who reached through the darkness of her night terrors to save her, shared their guidance and warmth and gave her the courage to summon Osamu, opening the door to her home once more.
Amari shut the shower off and proceeded to dry herself off, mind wandering through the memories she had been gifted over the course of her stay. She thought of her tremendous successes in surviving Mei Hatsume’s eccentric madness, silently wishing the inventor the best of luck in creating her ‘babies’.
She recalled Present Mic and Aizawa’s entertaining dynamic, mentally jotting down a reminder to tell Might Guy of the challengers to his and Kakashi’s eternal rivalry; and giggling when she thought of the look on her teacher’s face as Guy dragged him off for some new insane challenge.
It would be glorious. Sweet, sweet revenge. It was said to be a dish best served cold, which could only mean it was tasty ice cream.
As she applied cocoa butter lotion to her skin, Amari thought of the Pop Quiz, the persona of the Last Shinobi and the battles that ensued, as well as the special bond she had formed with Yukiko through their communication of fists. Oh, how fun it had been to test them and herself. The heat of battle, the intensity of fighting multiple opponents at once, the challenge of it all, she cherished it. How could she not? Without the Pop Quiz, she never would have gotten to know the students of 1-A. She never would have formed such a deep connection with Yukiko.
Yukiko…
Of her many experiences in this world, it was their bond and their time together she was most grateful for. Because even though it wasn’t this life, they were allowed to love each other in the brief time they had been granted. It was a gift, truly. She would cherish the memories forever.
I wish we had more time, thought Amari while getting dressed. But…although our paths intersected at this point in time, they’re taking us in different directions now. Maybe they can intersect again in the future. Who can say?
After finishing up in the bathroom, she joined Nemuri in the kitchen for breakfast, knowing the closer they came to finishing their meals, the closer she was to saying goodbye. It wasn’t obvious in the air. They ate and chatted as if all was normal, as if there would be other breakfasts to share together in the future. It hurt to break the illusion.
When Nemuri exited her room attired in her Hero outfit, Amari was waiting for her. The kunoichi was hugging her arms over her belly, lips pursed in an uncomfortable frown.
Rather than ask, she strode forward and wrapped her arms around the woman’s midsection, embracing her tightly. She inhaled the scent of lilac one final time.
“Miss Nemuri, thank you for everything. I’ll miss you. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to repay your kindness and generosity, but—”
“Shh.” Nemuri leaned down, embracing her warmly. “You’ve done enough, Amaririsu. And I’ll miss you, too, my sweet and innocent little lady.” She stroked a hand gently over her hair. “Take care as you move forward on your path. And tell your mother she has raised a wonderful child.”
“I- I will. Thank you. For everything.”
Their embrace lasted a minute or so, neither quite willing to let go.
A few moments later, with joyful and sorrowful smiles, they set off one final time for U.A. High School.
Amari made it her mission to say goodbye to everyone she had personally met and interacted with during her stay. She started with Recovery Girl, who she bowed to and expressed immense gratitude for healing her injuries time and again. The little old nurse gave her a little candy to suck on and wished her well with a wrinkled but warm smile.
Next was Present Mic, who she found in the hallways talking to Aizawa. By the disheveled teacher’s twitching eyebrow and frustrated appearance, it was likely more accurate to say the blond-haired Hero was annoying him.
At her farewell, Present Mic let out a dramatic wail of heartbreak that screeched through the halls of U.A. and vibrated windows. Aizawa promptly elbowed him in the sternum, knocking the wind out of him.
“So cold-hearted,” Present Mic groaned. He straightened his posture and patted her on the head. “Thanks for all your help, little listener. Keep rockin’ hard when you get home, ya feel me?”
“I…think so?”
He grinned. “Then let’s hear a ‘Plus Ultra’?! Shout it for the world to hea— mmmpppph!”
“Ignore his irrationality,” said Aizawa, eyes glowing red, hair standing on ends and capture weapon binding his fellow Hero’s face and arms, mummifying him. Present Mic wriggled around and let out muffled cries. “It’s far too early for any shouting.” Aizawa’s red eyes flicked to her. “Yūhi, I’ve set aside Class 1-A’s homeroom so you can say goodbye to them. Don’t be late.”
“Right. Thank you, Mr. Aizawa.” She strolled off to continue her quest, pausing briefly to turn around and look back at the pair. She smiled and pumped a fist. “Oh, and Plus Ultra!”
It wasn’t a very loud declaration. Regardless, Present Mic—released from his binding—grinned and extended his pointer and pinky fingers out while curling his other three in.
“Rock on, my little long-distance listener!”
Aizawa glowered darkly at his fellow Pro. Amari hid a giggle behind her hand, then pressed on to bid farewell to Principal Nezu. Again he expressed his gratitude for her efforts before wishing her a bright and successful future.
“You will be missed, Amaririsu. But I know our students will continue on their paths bearing your lessons and the essence of The Guardian of Light with them,” he said.
“I hope it helps them,” replied the kunoichi, standing at the door. “Stay vigilant, Principal Nezu. Keep preparing them for the battles ahead.”
“Of course. And the same to you, Amaririsu.” The white-haired mouse, dog and bear creature smiled at her. “I hope one day our paths will cross again. Good luck, Amaririsu Yūhi.”
“Me too. And thank you.”
Students were beginning to arrive on the campus when she finished speaking with the principal, so she directed her Sensory Abilities to search for her next farewells. She wasn’t surprised to find them together.
“Mirio, Tamaki, Nejire,” she called to The Big Three, approaching them quickly.
“Amaririsu!” Nejire captured her in a swinging hug. Amari squeaked. “You were on the news again! Way to go defeating those nasty League of Villains! But you didn’t tell us you had allies with matching uniforms. Where is yours? Did they not make them for your size? I suppose a cloak would be pretty big on you.”
“Nejire, you’re doing it again,” Tamaki sighed.
“It’s okay, Tamaki,” Amari replied, hugging the girl back. Savoring the aura only she could sense one last time. “It’s a long and complicated answer, Nejire. But you’re probably right about a cloak being too big for me. Thank you for the hugs; your presence is really warm and energetic.”
“Awww! You’re welcome, Amaririsu!” She nuzzled her cheek against the top of Amari’s head. “You’re too adorable not to hug every chance I can.”
Nejire set her back down on her feet, clasping her hands behind her back and smiling brightly.
Amari smiled with regret. “This will be the last time, unfortunately.” Nejire gasped. Tamaki’s frown deepened. Mirio flattened his lips. “I’ll be leaving this Nation and returning home today. I’ve drawn too much attention from the League of Villains, and if I stick around the school I’ll endanger everyone here. So I wanted to say goodbye to you three in person and thank you all.” She bowed. “Thank you for sparring with me, Mirio. And for taking me seriously. Thank you for the hugs, Nejire. And thank you Tamaki for always trying to help out.”
“…You’re welcome,” said Tamaki, eyes lowering to the floor.
When she rose from her bow, Mirio clasped a hand onto her shoulder, smiling brightly.
“And thank you, Amaririsu. We haven’t known each other long, but after fighting you and seeing your actions on the news, I want you to know that you’re a huge inspiration to all of us. I’m going to train even harder to earn the name Lemillion, just like you’ve earned the name Guardian of Light. And when we meet again, we’ll spar to see who has improved the most.”
“I’d like that,” she smiled.
“Excellent! It’s a promise then, and no take backs!” She giggled. He patted her on the shoulder. “And now I’m going to step away carefully so Nejire can tackle you. Have fun!”
“Wait, wh— eep!”
As Mirio predicted, Nejire tackled her without restraint, floating and twirling them through the air as she squeezed the life out of and then into the kunoichi in one move.
Admittedly, she was going to miss Nejire’s surprise hugs.
I hope you three stick together as you all move towards becoming this worlds next guardians.
Yukiko was waiting for her outside of Class 1-A’s classroom. The High Voltage wielder, dressed in her school uniform, leaned on the wall beside the door with a casual air easily betrayed by the pensive pursing of her lips and uncomfortable knot formed between her eyebrows. She held a sheet of paper with dimensions matching her sketchpads, and a look in her violet eyes that made Amari want to hug her until all the tension and sorrow melted away.
She slowed her gait as she neared. The light clap of her sandals on the floor heralded her arrival before she could greet her friend, her nearly noiseless approach practically a solemn walk to the gallows evident by the deep, resigned sigh Yukiko exhaled through her nostrils.
“You know, if someone would have told me a week ago that a girl from an entirely different world was going to crash through our classroom window, vanish, reappear as a Villain only to reveal she was working with Eraser Head the whole time for a Pop Quiz, and that I would feel the way I do for you after it was all over, I would have thought they were insane,” Yukiko murmured, eyes still drawn to the paper.
Amari chuckled softly, stopping beside her. “When you say it like that, it does sound pretty insane. This has been one strange trip. A lot has happened in a matter of days. Kicking all of your butts was definitely fun.”
Yukiko snorted, the slightest upwards lift to her lips forming, encouraging the kunoichi to press on.
“I’m pretty sure Mineta will never recover. And it will take Bakugo weeks to repair his fragile ego, until you or someone else breaks it again. I got to be a dragon, twice. Best of all, I heard the voice of an angel while I had my first kiss.” Amari smirked. “And there was no slobbering or teeth knocked out.”
“Heh.”
“I also had an amazing first date with someone who will always be precious to me.”
“Amaririsu…”
Amari stepped closer, gently taking hold of Yukiko’s hand. Violet eyes finally met hers.
“I meant what I said that night. I will cherish you and all we’ve shared for as long as I live. I will never forget you, Yukiko Igarashi. My only regret is our time together was short. But everything else?” She shook her head. “I don’t regret a single moment of it, and I never will. …Do you?”
“No,” Yukiko answered sincerely, shaking her head. “No, I don’t regret anything. I…” The High Voltage wielder squeezed her eyes shut. “Goddamn it. I knew all along this was how it would end. I prepared myself for it. I thought I was ready to say it, but seeing you now…knowing this is the last time…it’s killing me inside.”
At the sound of Yukiko’s voice cracking, Amari hugged her arms around the aspiring Hero and held her tightly.
“I love you, Yukiko,” Amari said softly.
The older girl choked and grunted, her arms suddenly wrapping around Amari’s smaller frame. She buried her face and tears into her blue hair.
“Goddamn it. We really are fools, aren’t we?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I love you, damn it. I was afraid I wouldn’t have the guts to tell you. I didn’t want this to hurt more by saying it out loud or to guilt you into staying longer, but I do love you. I love you despite knowing you couldn’t stay. But every part of my heart wants me to beg you to. For a day, a week, just a little longer so I can hold you in my arms, so I can see you smile and marvel at how amazing you are,” she wept. “Because…Because with you I was happy again! I laughed like I haven’t laughed in years. My past didn’t matter anymore. I could dream of something better. I was free with you. But now I just want to cut this pain out of my heart so it stops hurting so much!”
“Then keep dreaming,” Amari urged, tears stinging her eyes. “Even if that dream changes, even if your goals change, even when it hurts you must keep walking forward. Keep laughing. Keep smiling. Follow your heart. Trust in it to lead you through the darkness. If you just keep amputating pieces of your heart to escape the pain, eventually there won’t be anything left of the person I loved. So don’t run away. Don’t sever our connection, because as long as it’s there, I will be with you wherever you go. Always.”
Yukiko choked down a sob, arms holding her tighter. Amari shut her eyes and let her tears flow freely, savoring these final moments she could share in Yukiko’s arms. She wished she could stay a little longer. A day. A week. Just a little longer. But she realized with sorrow that she couldn’t make that sacrifice.
Her heart was leading her home.
When they finally detangled, fresh tears streaking their cheeks, they were joined by a booming voice that made them jump.
“I AMMMMMM—” All Might in his golden pinstripe suit appeared beside the pair, nearly steamrolling through them. The Number One Hero thrust his large hand into the space between them. “HERE! With tissues!”
Amari and Yukiko both struggled to adjust to his unexpected and abrupt interruption. Sure enough, in his hand were a handful of neatly folded tissues inside a small plastic bag.
“Oh. Thank you, Mr. All Might,” the kunoichi thanked, taking a tissue to wipe her eyes and clean her nose.
“Were you spying on us, All Might?” Yukiko probed, taking a tissue as well.
“Not at all!” He waved off the insinuation with his free hand. “I just happened to turn the corner and witnessed both of your tears. I didn’t want either of you to have to wipe them away on your clothes, so I rushed to the teacher’s lounge and acquired these tissues for your convenient use! Now if you would wrap those up in another tissue… Thank you!” All Might turned on his heel and dashed off. “And now I’m off to find a trashcan! HA HA HA!”
When he was out of sight, Amari chuckled and shook her head. “He was totally spying on us.”
“Yeah,” Yukiko nodded, frowning. “What a nosy guy. He’ll probably be back soon, too.” The High Voltage wielder sniffed, then looked down at the paper still in her hand. After a moment of hesitation, she handed it towards Amari. “Here. I drew this for you as a goodbye gift…so you wouldn’t forget me.”
Taking the paper, Amari turned it over to see the drawing. It was them, the sketch Yukiko had been working on before their date of the picture she had taken when they were lying together. The sketch was no longer an outline. The finished product was a lifelike rendition of the photo, colored in and utterly magnificent. Just by looking at it, Amari could tell Yukiko had poured all of her love and grief into it.
“This is… Yukiko! This is wonderful! I love it! Thank you!” Amari gently hugged the picture to her chest, doing her best not to crinkle the paper as she leaned into her kindred spirit. “I’ll cherish it forever. I’m going to buy a frame and set it up in my room at my desk. Well, maybe not my desk. It’s getting crowded already, so maybe I’ll hang it on a wall where I can always look at it.”
Yukiko hugged her. “I’m happy you love it. I’m going to get the picture on my phone developed into a real picture so I always have it, just in case my phone gets broken at some point. So you can have this one to always remember me by.” She pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you, Amaririsu. For everything we’ve shared,” she murmured.
“Wait!” Amari wormed her way out of Yukiko’s grasp and activated her Byakugan, scanning the classroom quickly. She pointed at her kindred spirit. “Wait here a second. I have to give you a gift, too.”
“You really don—”
The girl was already rushing into the classroom. She ignored the other students and approached Momo Yaoyorozu directly. When the Creation wielder heard her request, she blushed, smiled and nodded firmly. It didn’t take her long to create the gift with her Quirk, and soon enough the shinobi was rushing out the door, standing in front of Yukiko with her closed hand held out.
“Open your hand. Momo was nice enough to create my gift for you just now, so you can’t refuse it.”
Yukiko obeyed the request with an amused expression. Amari unraveled the necklace and placed it into her hand. The necklace itself was a black soft cord with an adjustable clasp, but the main feature was the pendent—a kunai the size of her thumb with a fuchsia and white petal amaryllis flower adorning the blade.
“I was named after the amaryllis flower,” Amari said. “It was Ryu’s first gift to me. Oh, and Momo said it’s made from materials that won’t ever get in the way of your Quirk.” Amari closed Yukiko’s hand over the necklace. “With this pendent, now I can always be with you just like I promised. Far away physically, but always close to your heart.”
Yukiko smiled softly and exhaled. She embraced the kunoichi again.
“Thank you,” whispered Yukiko.
Amari nuzzled into her. “Stay true to yourself, Yukiko. Never stop moving forward. Become the Hero I know you can be. Show this world the light in your heart and blaze a trail towards whatever goal you choose.”
“…Will we ever see each other again?”
“Maybe. Who can say? I might crash into Class 1-B’s classroom next time.”
Yukiko laughed at that. “I’d love to see the look on Monoma’s face if that happens.”
“I’ll be sure to tell you,” Amari giggled. Then sighed, eyes shutting. “I can promise I’ll try my hardest to open the door back to this world again. Realistically, though, it could be anywhere from months to decades to figure out how to return to this world. But I will try.”
“Mm. Then you better stay alive and kick some ass in your world.”
“I will. But the same goes for you.”
“Of course. Someone has to keep that overgrown firecrackers ego in check.”
They shared another laugh. Amari squeezed Yukiko one last time and released her. As she looked up to her, she gestured down the hall with her head.
“Mr. All Might is waiting to speak to me, I think. I’ll be inside when your homeroom begins.”
Yukiko flicked her gaze down the hall, noticed the bulging shadow of the Number One Hero leaning behind the wall at the T-intersection and rolled her eyes.
“I guess I shouldn’t have expected the hallway to be private.”
Leaning down, Yukiko cupped her cheek and kissed her longingly, tenderly and with joy, grief and love. And though it was their final kiss, it was still better than ice cream.
Yukiko leaned her forehead against Amari’s as they parted, violet eyes lowered. Finally she met her eyes and said:
“I’d forgotten what love felt like. Thank you.”
“I love you, Yukiko.”
“And I love you, Amaririsu.”
The High Voltage wielder kissed her on the forehead, pulled her into one final embrace and pressed a kiss on top of her head. They held each other as long as they could before, eventually, inevitably, Yukiko released her and entered the classroom.
Amari exhaled a deep sigh. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered.
All Might did not approach with his usual boisterousness or overexcited yelling. He settled beside her and rested his massive hand on her shoulder.
“We will all miss you, Young Yūhi,” All Might spoke in a soft voice. “Although the chances are slim, I sincerely hope we will one day see each other again.”
“So do I.” Amari turned to face the massive mountain of man and bowed. “Thank you for everything, Mr. All Might. My stay here would have been more terrifying without your constant encouragement and reassurances I wouldn’t be alone.”
And also…
Amari shut her eyes and extended her senses out towards him, seeking out the purple orb again. It pulsed vibrantly as if sensing her presence. She reached out towards it, and again it leaned into her palm. Sparkling rain of shimmering purple light surrounded Amari as it burst. Then the beautiful woman with the small mole below her bottom lip—All Might’s master—appeared, smiling at the young girl.
Thank you, she resonated her own feelings for All Might’s master to feel. Take care of Mr. All Might and Midoriya, please.
His master reached her hand out and lightly poked her again on the tip of her nose, laughing softly with that warm grin on her face that could mend a broken soul. Amari giggled.
The weight of All Might’s hand resting on her head drew her back to reality, but not before his master imparted her nurturing warmth onto the kunoichi one final time, with a silent vow to watch over the two when they needed her most.
All Might’s everlasting grin was comforting. “Do you recall our first discussion in the library, Young Yūhi? You explained the Will of Fire to me, how it is the source of strength for Leaf shinobi and symbolizes the hopes and dreams of those alive and dead. Do you remember what you said next?”
She nodded. Of course she could. Those hadn’t been mere words; they were her true feelings on the Will of Fire.
“I told you I never fight alone. I always have the Wills and spirits of my family and friends following me into battle; they give me the strength to continue when I lose mine.” The Nara tilted her head to the side. “What made you bring that up?”
“When I first set out to become a Hero, my goal was to become a pillar of peace—a Hero the world could rely on to protect them from Villainy. My dream is to create a world where everyone can smile and lead happy lives, absent of the darkness and fear criminals and Villains cast across the world. But as I’ve gotten older I began to look for a successor, a single individual who could bear the burden of taking my place and the isolation it brings.
“However, somewhere along the line I stopped living up to my ideals. I had forgotten something very important—a lesson my Master taught me. But when I met you—a stranger from another world my Master reached out to, this young and small child who had experienced war and darkness but was full of light and warmth—and we discussed the Will of Fire, your dreams and your goals to protect your world, I finally remembered that lesson.”
All Might rested his hands on her shoulders. “If there ever comes a time where darkness surrounds you, Young Yūhi, and you’ve lost all of your strength, I want you to remember where you started.”
“Where I started?” she repeated.
“Yes,” he asserted with a sharp nod. “Remember your beginning. Remember your dreams. Then I want you to clench your fists, let out a roar if you must! Because in your fists and in your heart are all of your memories, all of your struggles, all your pain and love and hope woven together with the spirits of those you love and desire to protect. Feel them reaching out to you, hear them yelling your name, and hold their strength tightly in your fists. That’s the strength you’ve built, Young Yūhi. The cultivation of power—true power—handed down from those who came before you, and those who stand beside you. You will never fight alone. Do you know why?”
Before she could answer, the mountain named All Might leaned down and hugged her gently.
“Because we will be there, fighting at your side,” he declared softly. “Thank you, Young Yūhi, for all that you have done.”
Amari, to her embarrassment, couldn’t hug her arms around All Might’s massive chest. The man was ridiculously large. But she leaned into his embrace and hugged him as best she could, holding Yukiko’s drawing protectively against her torso.
“Thank you, Mr. All Might. Will you keep an eye on Yukiko and the others for me?”
“Both eyes, Young Yūhi. You can count on me.”
Finally, before they entered the classroom, All Might revealed a special gift for her with all his boisterousness. The figurine—or action-figure, as he called it—was of himself. A special limited edition, she was told, of his Silver Age costume. It was well made and seemed durable.
“We teachers wanted to give you a gift, but it was all on short notice and we were scrambling for ideas, but I came up with this!” He revealed a button on the back of the action-figure. “By pressing this button you will hear one of five specially recorded messages from Nezu, Present Mic, Nemuri, Aizawa and yours truly! I left it alone with the others so I have no idea what they said! Here, here! Press it!”
Cautiously, she pressed the button, unsure of what to expect.
“You better not be slacking off, Yūhi. If you hope to be a real guardian, you have to work hard at it,” Aizawa’s tired voice drawled from the action-figure. “Oh, and good luck.”
All Might sweat dropped. “I told him to say something encouraging or inspiring,” he whined.
Amari giggled. “It was. Don’t worry. I wonder who will be next.”
She pressed the button again.
“Heya! I’ve received your request for an inspirational quote, so here’s a hometown favorite: Go beyond, little listener! Plus Ultraaaa! Yeahhhhhhhh! How’s that for a sound bite!” Present Mic yelled from the speakers.
“Yeah, that’s about what I expected from Mic,” All Might said.
“Greetings and salutations, Amaririsu!” Nezu’s voice piped in after she pressed the button. “It’s me! Everyone’s favorite principal! I hope everything is going well in your world. Know that we’re all cheering you on!”
Another press of the button brought forth Nemuri’s voice.
“Nemuri here, I hope you are taking good care of yourself, Amaririsu. Do your best! Show no mercy to those deviants of your world! And don’t forget what I told you: Play possum, feign submission. And when they least expect it, overthrow the top to assert your dominance! Your lover will appreciate it,” she purred.
All of Amari’s blood rushed to her face. Beside her, All Might sputtered and choked on his blood.
“What th- Nemuri!” All Might choked.
“Oh, and be safe! Hugs and kisses!” Nemuri’s message finished.
All Might’s was the final message. After she listened to it, she hugged the man again and thanked him for the gift. Aizawa strolled up shortly after she finished sealing away her gifts, ushering them inside just as the bell rang with the simple statement of:
“It’s time.”
Yes, it was. Entering the classroom, the general spirit of the room was nearly as somber and sober as Lord Third’s funeral. Amari didn’t hesitate to begin speaking, meeting their gazes one at a time as she spoke.
“I don’t have a huge speech planned or a lecture for all of you. I can only wish you all the best and ask that you never stop moving forward, no matter how tough it gets. Each and every one of you has the potential to be great Heroes. But you have to work at it. Give it your all and do your best.”
She paused, her gaze lingering on Yukiko.
“Follow your hearts. Trust in them.” She looked at Jiro. “Work hard, but remember it is okay to be selfish sometimes. Hero life and shinobi life both move quickly so don’t live a life with regrets.”
Her gaze moved to Kirishima and then Asui. “Become guardians and inspire each other. Raise one another up so you can fight the battles ahead.” She looked to Midoriya. “Remember to always reach out to others in need.”
Looking to Uraraka next, she continued. “Remember where you started.” Then swept her eyes over Yaoyorozu, Todoroki and Ashido. “And don’t lose sight of where you want to go.” She smiled, flicking her eyes to Aoyama. “Dazzle this world with your heroic actions.” Finally, she looked at the students as a whole. “And stand by each other’s sides, no matter what.
“Finally…” The kunoichi bowed. “Thank you all for the memories you’ve given me. I’ll miss you.”
Ashido and Hagakure spontaneously fell into tears. Kirishima, too, she noticed.
“This…This is really it, then?” Midoriya asked reluctantly.
“Yes,” she confirmed with a nod. “It’s time for me to go home. Maybe one day I’ll find a way to return, but until that day, this is it.”
“I have a suggestion!” Iida raised his hand, standing up in his seat.
“Uh, sure, Iida,” Amari stumbled.
“Before you leave, let’s take a photo of the entire class, Amaririsu and our teachers together so we can capture this memory for everyone forever!”
“Excellent idea, Young Iida!” All Might boomed.
“Yeah! I want a picture of all of us together, too!” Ashido cheered, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“I can create a camera,” Yaoyorozu offered. “If Mr. Aizawa approves of it.”
Aizawa sighed. He knew a losing battle when he saw one.
“Fine. We’ll take it at the practice field.”
Amari stared up at the entrance to U.A. High School with Atsuko and Osamu on her shoulders. With the picture taken, her favorite book returned to the library, farewells said to Class 1-A and 1-B, and her letters for Kojima and Reina given to Yukiko, her list of excuses to remain in this world had finally reached zero.
Exhaling deeply, she pondered on what the future held for this world and the friends she made, wondering if she would ever see them again.
She shut her eyes, inhaling and exhaling one last time through her nostrils.
As long as we all keep moving forward on our paths, maybe they’ll intersect again. Who can say? I won’t say goodbye forever. So, I’ll see you later.
Take care, everyone.
She smiled and turned away, meandering towards the entrance and exit of the campus grounds.
“Atsuko, Osamu, let’s go home.”
Unlike the bright light that had heralded her arrival, the shinobi from the Leaf Village merely vanished silently on the wind without a single trace.
In the coming weeks, the world would continue to speak of the Guardian of Light: Amaririsu Yūhi despite her absence, eagerly awaiting the wandering shinobi’s return into the limelight. But as her absence persisted, she would fade out of the minds of the everyday public as greater troubles and new Heroes rose to face evil.
Still, her spirit would remain with those who encountered the shinobi from another world, her light a lingering flame the students of Class 1-A and teachers of U.A. High School held close to their hearts, inspiring them on their journey towards becoming Pro Heroes and teaching the next generation. They held onto the memories and pressed ahead on their paths, just as she asked them to.
And so The Guardian of Light: Amaririsu Yūhi faded into legend.
The lone shinobi strolled across the grassy field absent of other shinobi, her trajectory aligning her with the lonely kunai pierced into the grass at a slightly askew angle. Leaning over, she picked it up and stared at the fūinjutsu painted on the hilt.
“And this is what started it all,” Amari murmured. “A faulty Seal that sent me flying through space and time to another world. Talk about troublesome.”
Stuffing the kunai back into her pouch, the kunoichi took in the familiar training grounds, looking for even the slightest difference from when she left. Some sort of sign that, perhaps, she’d accidentally traveled to another different world.
She didn’t see one. Nothing was out of place. Not the trees, not the grass, not the blue sky above or the blazing sun. It was all just how she remembered it.
Amari left the training grounds for her home, but took her time strolling through the Leaf, savoring the familiarity, the sight of Hokage Mountain and their stone faces. The cracked face of Lord Third still needed repair. The sounds of construction and repairs were still ongoing. And, most importantly, her favorite ice cream shop and Ichiraku Ramen were exactly where they were meant to be.
When the kunoichi reached home, she hesitated to slide her key into the lock, worried it wouldn’t work. Worried the familiarity would end here, at this door to the home where she’d collapsed to her knees in tears and promised to repay everything she would ever cost the woman. The home that she’d been welcomed into, all on Kurenai’s good hunch.
The home that had become her home.
But the key did fit. It slid right in and unlocked the door. And waiting for her inside was her home, untouched from when she last saw it.
Nothing had changed. It was only then, as she stood in the entryway examining her surroundings, Amari exhaled a sigh of relief. She had expected to be overwhelmed by tears and emotion at the sight of it all, but instead she felt calm. Happy. At peace. Like she’d been gone on a serious mission for weeks, traveling across the Lands, only to now finally return home where she could just…exhale and breathe.
Kurenai was still off on a mission, she recalled as she slid her sandals off at the door. But that was okay. They would see each other as soon as her mother returned, and what a story she would have to tell Kurenai. A crazy, amazing, terrifying, lovely story.
The kunoichi climbed the stairs to her room, entered and sighed contentedly. Her team photo, the picture of her and Kurenai, and the picture with Princess Koyuki were all settled on her desk. Kaito’s cage, absent of the troublesome messenger bird, was there, too. And gleaming in the sunlight pouring in through her window was Haku’s crystallized flower.
Home. She was finally home.
Amari retrieved her scroll from her pouch and unsealed the gifts she had been given. Yukiko’s drawing brought on a smile and an ache in her heart; she held onto the picture, simply staring at Yukiko and her violet eyes for several minutes.
“I’ll need to buy a frame for this. I’ll go shopping once I’m done,” she decided out loud.
Until then, she laid it neatly on the center of her desk. Next she retrieved the action-figure of All Might. As she ruminated on where to position it on her desk, she cycled through the messages from Aizawa, Present Mic, Nezu and Nemuri again.
“I think I’ll place Mr. All Might right…here.”
The action-figure stood proudly beside her picture of Princess Koyuki. And with it set in place, she played the final message.
“Young Yūhi,” All Might’s regular voice spoke softly to her. “I know the path ahead of you is one of conflict, of adversity and war. It will be a long road. There will be hardships and grief and pain, as you already know. But no matter how dark it gets, no matter how painful your path becomes, never lose hope. Never lose the light that’s within you. Let your Will of Fire burn brightly. Challenge the status quos in your society and forge ahead towards the bright future you see. And if it ever feels hopeless, remember this: You do not face these challenges alone. We are here for you. Always.”
“Thank you, Mr. All Might.”
Finally, she retrieved the photo they had all taken together. The entirety of Class 1-A, Midnight, Aizawa, Present Mic and All Might were present for it. Everyone, except Bakugo and Aizawa, were smiling or cheering Plus Ultra, raising their fists towards the sky. Amari was seated on All Might’s shoulder, the man of the pair flexing a powerful bicep.
In the background, unbeknownst to the students and teachers at the time, were three other familiar faces: Mirio, Tamaki and Nejire.
Mirio was striking a powerful pose, flexing his arms. Nejire was floating and smiling, making peace signs with her hands. Tamaki was visibly timid, eyes looking down at the grass beneath him.
Amari smiled, noting to buy two picture frames while she was out before setting it down beside Yukiko’s picture.
“What a trip,” she said out loud. “I’ll miss all of you.”
The kunoichi lifted her gaze to her window and the Leaf Village beyond it. She sighed contentedly, smiling.
“But it’s good to be home again.”
It was good to finally be back in the place where she belonged.
