Fire Force - Blog Posts

𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐓.

Sitting in Vulcan's workshop watching him from afar as he begins to work on his newest invention. He turns to you with a face that didn't match his gaze.

"Hey, Vulcan~" you said. He got up from his chair and made a quick stride to you his arms wrapping around your waist and finding deep comfort in each roll, crevice and imperfection. His muscular arms tensed and untensed instantly. You can feel his muscles ease at your touch as his frame shadowed yours.

"Perfect timing, love"

"For what?"

Perfect timing for you to see his latest invention in act, you see it's purpose isn't to protect or attack. No, it's main purpose is to watch. To watch you get folded in half and stuffed full with Vulcan's long girthy and being cock. It just sat there as it's master did Lord knows what with the mysterious lady.

It lifelessly took note of every detail, the sounds your sloppy cunt made every time his fat cock and balls smacked your tiny frame, the way various fluids slivered down your bodies. The way Vulcan's eyes glowed with something indescribable

Does this count as exhibitionism?

Eh who cares. Whatever it is, Vulcan has taken quite the liking to it.

I WANT TO WRITE SOMETHING BUT I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING, I'M ACTUALLY TWEAKING OUT BECAUSE I JUST GOT BACK INTO 2 ANIMES WITH HELLA WRITABLE CHARACTERS

Chapter One: So Much Fire

Tokyo, Asakusa, Solar Year 196

As she stopped in front of the monument, Niobe took the time to admire the Kaminarimon with wide and crinkling mismatched eyes. The statues weren't just beautiful, but imperial and breath-taking—maybe it was the fact that it was called the “Gate of Lightning” and it had two statues of the Shinto gods Fujin and Raijin that made it so unique? Or maybe was it the giant chōchinhanging at the center of the monument? Despite the merging of many populations after the Tokyo Empire was built in Japan, Asakusa remained strictly proto-nationalist and its citizens outwardly refused to let go of their traditions to embrace diversity to adopt a ridiculous religion. Not even the damn Holy Sol could get to them, Niobe thought with a small, derisive smile as she easily rearranged her snow white afro into a bun.

She'd wanted to come to this place on her own ever since her father had spoken fondly about it, mainly because it had remained true to its traditions and values and was still ignoring the 'calling' of the Sun God. And also because the food was rumoured to be excellent (she might even learn something new). So here she was, into the resilient town that has never bowed to the Church and likely never will. The young student was so excited that she was almost bouncing on her feet, attracting some amused glances from the residents. She sure stood out in this crowd—snow white curly hair that turned dark blue-ish on its ends and was arranged in a sizeable afro reaching her shoulders, army green utility pants, white T-Shirt, white sneakers and light green jacket. The black fingerless gloves and the backpack completed her outfit, which was in total opposite with the traditional kimonos worn in the proto-nationalist Asakusa.

When she was done arranging her curls into her signature bun, the girl allowed one single curl to bounce on her right shoulder and traced it with two fingers. Then she took a huge breath, exhaled, and smiled wide. The white arrows she had as pupils pointed down while her mismatched eyes—dark blue for the right, bright violet for the left—glowed. Her fingers itched on the strap of her backpack.

“Asakusa, here I come,” Niobe sang as she sauntered inside the famed town.

The student knew she was in unknown territory, though her dear father had told her about this place, so she ought to be careful. Niobe knew next to nothing about Asakusa, except for what he'd told her and pictures of his old friends, so she didn't know what expect from its citizens. Suffice to say, it was very lively in the late afternoon; she strolled slowly, admiring each shop and drinking into all details. So many goods and restaurants to visit and try, so much freedom of speech from everyone—so much everything. It was so contrasting with Shinjuku, which was heavily influenced by the Empire and the Church, because the citizens kept their identity and weren't scared to stand up for their own values and beliefs. The religion of the Holy Sol might be the Tokyo Empire's new beacon of 'hope and light', Asakusa would stand firm.

Niobe admired that trait from the proto-nationalists. Idly, she raised a hand to stroke the nape of her neck, where she'd tattooed the kanji symbol of 'Hope'. She stopped for a moment, her eyes closed. The reason she'd decided to have this tattooed was a reminder of her resolutions, taken the day she'd celebrated her twentieth birthday with friends. The tattoo was quite recent and still itched a little, and Niobe loved it. Simple as it was, it held so much meaning for her—hope for a new age where the fears and days of Infernalization would come to an end, hope for her father to find beauty in life once again, hope for everything. As idealistic as it sounded, Niobe still wanted to believe. The Holy Sol might be the greatest hoax of all history, but as long as people drew breath, they had to live.

Her eyes now flashing in determination, Niobe stopped at a takoyaki shop and waited patiently in line. Well, as 'patiently' as she could—she was practically bouncing on her feet again, sticking her head over the shoulders of the man in front of her to peek on the cooks. It was taking everything in her not to use the man's shoulders to prop herself up on him (why did he have to be so tall?). Unfortunately, her father's teachings firmly reminded the student that she ought not to rush into anything, analyze, listen and wait, which prompted her to inhale and wait. She did so with a resting face, until it was her turn.

“Thank you, I've been meaning to try these for a long while,” Niobe said gratefully to the vendor, her smile bright and her eyes crinkling. “Is there a shop selling daifuku? I'd like some as well.”

“Five shops to your right, you can't miss it,” the cook told her cheerfully. “Enjoy your meal, white lady!”

I shall, she purred in her mind before strolling away to search for a seat somewhere she can enjoy her takoyaki. Niobe avoided people very easily, with graceful and precise steps that would remind you of an agile acrobat from the circus—which she could have been, had there been a circus in Tokyo with the animals to provide entertainment—or a very skilled ballerina. Graceful twirls on her toes when running children were about to collide with her, amazing flexibility with her legs that allowed her to confound some annoying men with lecherous eyes and smirks as she ate her takoyaki. Since her fingers were too busy picking up these delicious balls, Niobe couldn't use them to scare them off. Though deadly and terrifyingly effective on the field, her Ignition Ability and eyes would be useless on the ground with so many people surrounding her.

When the daifuku shop was in view, Niobe gobbled her last takoyaki and tossed her empty package and napkins on a nearby bin before strolling towards the shop. However, her view was blocked with three guys sliding right in front of her before she could even utter a hello to the old lady. Mismatched eyes slowly looked up and fixed their gaze on the three men, who were also looking her up and down—ogling, because this behavior reminded Niobe of some guys from the university. While she found them attractive, they had nothing on her ex-boyfriend.

“Haven't seen someone like you around these parts, otherwise I'd remember this mass of white hair,” the man in front of her drawled, most certainly the leader. He cocked his head and sent her a charming smirk. “and that gorgeous face and body. Is this your first time in Asakusa, pretty missy?”

Judging by the similar dark blue pants, white shirts with short sleeves and protective chest plates the three of them were wearing, they were most certainly pyrokinetics and part of the Hikeshi Fire brigade she'd heard about from her father. Niobe frowned just a little and crossed her arms under her cleavage (what a stupid idea to wear a white T-shirt with a V-neckline that gave way to her large breasts...).

“If it is, will you allow me to buy my daifuku?” she asked boldly with a small smile.

“We can buy you a lot more than just sweets, how about you come have a drink with us?” the guy offered, his palm raised towards her. “My treat.”

“Tempting, but not in the afternoon when I still need to be in shape to go back home,” Niobe chuckled, staring between two of the guys at the daifuku shop. Then she blinked as an idea popped in her mind, and she smiled at the three guys. “But since you've noticed that I'm a stranger, how about you give me a tour of Asakusa instead of saké?”

Smirking, the Hikeshi hovered over her with his hands on his hips. “Does that mean the gorgeous white missy is allowing us to indulge her?” he asked in a deep voice.

Surely they were not implying something deeper. Niobe lost her smile and looked away with a very disappointed expression. “Chaaaaaa!I can't even ask for a simple tour of the only town that hasn't been brainwashed by the Church and the Tokyo Empire without innuendos? Should have stayed on campus to work on my project instead of getting proposed to get sexed.”

Niobe turned away from the Hikeshi soldiers, scowling as the three men gaped in disbelief behind her and sputtered. She'd just come to Asakusa to visit this town and eat the local food, not have sex with strangers—though she was now single and free to flirt with any man interested. So not only wasn't she going to get her daifuku peacefully, but she hadn't thought that her project could have been very helpful in getting rid of these guys (project being mini and big-sized 'killer' spider robots. Fireproof spider robots!)? Damn!

“Asakusa is disappointing,” Niobe huffed, sauntering away and waving a hand in the air. “So long!”

“W-wait, I was kidding!” the Hikeshi stammered quickly as he jogged behind her. “Look, let me buy you a whole bag of daifuku!”

“So you can still get laid? A whole bag of either daifuku or sushi won't be enough to convince me to keep visiting as you've turned me off.”

She spun on her toes when one of the Hikeshi tried to grab her arm, then gave him a roundhouse kick in his back and spun a little on one foot gracefully like a ballerina. Like the skilled acrobat and contortionist she became. The soldier went crashing to the ground with a painful grunt while Niobe faced the other two Hikeshi with an annoyed scowl. Her kicking one member of the local Fire Brigade got the attention of the citizens, who started whispering excitedly among each other and stopped to watch what appeared to be the beginning of a fight.

The student huffed, staying on her toes. “I just wanted to eat your food, you know!” she exclaimed, her eyes bright. “And I've changed my mind: I. Want. My. Dai-fu-ku!”

Niobe attacked. Performing a one-handed cartwheel, she jumped high over their heads to do a handstand on the shoulder of one Hikeshi and bent the lower half of her body to slam her foot hard on the remaining soldier's cranium. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and he swayed on his feet, mumbling uncoherently before he crumbled to the floor unconscious. Not wasting time, Niobe used the Hikeshi she was holding on as a makeshift trampoline to jump higher and used the facade of a wall to bounce back the facade of the daifuku shop, then climbed on the rooftop like a spider. The student performed another cartwheel, then another handstand on her index with a smile, her legs spread apart.

“I won't wait for applause, but I'm sure you loved this,” Niobe laughed. She bent her legs forward to crouch, grabbing onto the edge once she was in crouching position to peer down at the glowering Hikeshi soldiers and the gaping citizens. She sent them a sweet, charming smile. “Why the sneer? You started this, all I wanted was daifuku.”

“And all we wanted was a drink with you, but you crossed the line by attacking one of our own!” the Hikeshi she'd kicked earlier exclaimed angrily at her, his eyes flashing. “Gorgeous and sexy lady or not, you're gonna pay for that, outsider!”

Niobe paused, blinked... then giggled with a nod, her eyes crinkling with mirth.

“Fair enough, I'll take what I deserve,” she laughed again, flipping the long curl on the side of her head. “I'll make you dance with me.”

Holding onto the edge of the rooftop, Niobe did a short handstand before jumping down to join the Hikeshi soldiers. A circle had formed around them, with the citizens now cheering up for an exciting fight—which was an enlightening proof that Asakusa was one lively town with more entertainment than Shinjuku. People over there would have already called for the police to handle such fights, cutting the excitement short. Niobe put her backpack on the floor with a smile, elated to finally be able to show off her skills with the talented pyrokinetics of this district. Though she might not need to go all out, as they may not be the strongest in the Hikeshi Fire brigade, she still wanted to be cautious; her father's teachings during her training were drilled into her to make sure that she wouldn't get cocky.

“Lesson one: always make sure to sense everything around you, not just your life but the lives of your opponents. Be hyper aware of everything.”

Always remember lesson one, as it became the most important. Since her Ignition Ability would only create more problems because of the crowd and the small space, Niobe would just have to rely on the use of her long legs, agility, speed, acrobatic skills and hyper-awareness. Chi-blocking was out of the question as it required the use of her hands and she devoted them to creation and her Ignition Ability. Taking a breath, the student faced the two Hikeshi and adopted a fighting stance—legs slightly spread, but hands in her pockets. This particular stance confused a lot of their audience and especially her opponents.

“Aren't you gonna need your hands?” the leader inquired as he adopted a fighting stance as well. “What kind of fighting style do you use?”

“Be light on your feet. Make your enemies dance if you don't feel like fighting, this will just ridicule them even more. Be the leaf in the wind.” Niobe shook her head at the two Hikeshi, her mismatched eyes crinkling.

“Ask me all the questions you want only if you manage to beat me,” she declared, cocking her head to the side with a smile. “It wouldn't be fair otherwise.”

The leader of the group scoffed in derision, attacking first. Mismatched eyes zeroed in on him, analyzing his movements. For a second, it seemed that time had slowed down and Niobe was able to figure out how he was going to strike. A high kick from above, then a blow from his right elbow, a roundhouse kick, her mind chanted to her. When everything went back to normal, her body moved fluidly: Niobe side-stepped to the right and dipped to a crouch at the same time, avoiding both the high kick and the blow from his elbow. Then she raised a leg from backwards to slam the foot into the Hikeshi's face, used the momentum to turn her body on a 180° spin and slammed the soldier on his back hard on the ground. The impact wasn't strong enough to kill him but just enough to knock him unconscious, as the cobblestone nearly gave out under his body.

When she sensed the second Hikeshi behind her, Niobe spun again on her toes to end up behind him and very close to his back. Back-to-back, she prevented him from turning around and facing her by anticipating his movements and mirroring them on the move; if he tried to turn slightly on the right, she'd turn slightly on the left. Like a mirror in movement. He tried spinning around very quickly, but Niobe was just as fast and remained behind his back, smiling at everyone. Just as intended, she wasn't really fighting the Hikeshi but merely using their movements and strength to her advantage. She remained graceful and light on her feet, like the leaf in the wind, while the Hikeshi clearly grew frustrated with her antics. As the show went on, some citizens even started cheering for her—especially the children.

“Go on, White Lady!”

“Kick their asses to the next moon!”

Huh?Niobe hummed, surprised. “Whoa, what the hell did that even mean? Got an idea?” she asked the Hikeshi. She performed a somersault and finally used one hand to do a handstand on his shoulder, looking down at him with a smile. Her body remained straight, perfectly balanced as the soldier seemed to struggle on his feet. “Hello, got an idea? I'm not really up to date with the slang and catchphrases used in Asakusa, being the outsider that I am.”

The Hikeshi grunted, remaining still on his spot. “I-It means what it means,” he croaked.

“Ooooooooh, I get it!” the student laughed.

(No, she did not get it at all).

“Get off me!”

“Why? So you can try to wreck me? I like it up here.”

“The hell is going on here? What's all this commotion about?”

Whoever had just spoken had an effect on the crowd and people stepped aside with much respect. Such authority in this deep voice got Niobe's attention and she glanced at the newcomer on the side; her keen eyes stared at a tall man with dark blue eyes, long dark hair tied in a low ponytail. Such strong features. The man looked to be in his thirties, but was elegantly built and was handsome (yeah, no use refusing to see what she saw). He was wearing the same uniform the Hikeshi soldiers wore but what made him stand out was his aura—this man was powerful, whoever the hell he was. He reminded Niobe of her father. Must be the leader of the Hikeshi Fire brigade, she thought idly. Next to him was a young man of her age, with one of the most unique pair of eyes she'd ever seen: he must have no problem hating the nickname 'Tic-Tac-Toe', since his pupils consisted of a circle and a cross. He had such a sullen face that it had to be his resting bitch face. But she also sensed power in his aura, meaning that he mustn't be a joke either.

“K-Konro,” the Hikeshi stammered, suddenly losing all of his fire.

“Hello to you, sir!” Niobe greeted with a wave of her free hand. “Might you be the leader of the Hikeshi brigade?”

The tall soldier nodded. “That's right,” he answered politely. “And who might you be to be giving my soldiers a hell of a time?”

Niobe easily spun on the soldier's shoulder, then bent backward to find a seat on both shoulders so she could talk to Konro. He swayed a little because of her weight, almost falling over, but managed to regain his balance. She tightened her legs around her 'chair' just enough to remain glued to him, despite his hands attempting to shrug her off, and waved at the two new Hikeshi with a smile. The young mang with the crimson Tic-Tac-Toe eyes narrowed his gaze at her and stiffly cocked his head to the side in confusion.

“Just a regular university student who was dying to visit Asakusa on her free time to try the local food, especially the daifuku, but was unfortunately prevented from doing so by three of your men!” she growled, pinching both cheeks of the soldier she was sitting on and pulling at the skin. “I may be an outsider to your townspeople but that surely doesn't mean I'll let myself be knocked over. Chaaaaaa, and you better not disrespect my afro!”

“I newer shaid that!” the Hikeshi complained, swaying dangerously on his feet again. “And that'sh an afro?”

She smiled toothily. “Ah, it's my pride and joy beside my creations. Can't let it go to waste or I'd be at a hairstylist for far too long and a student doesn't need to ruin herself on her hair.”

“Alright, let me get this straight: you came here to eat our food and you got accosted when about to buy sweets, they probably got bolder in their offer and you got annoyed, so you beat the crap out of them when all they probably wanted was a drink with you?” Konro mused, a brow raised in slight exasperation.

“That's a logical reaction and I'd say it was warranted,” she reasoned.

“That's a lame excuse,” the man next to Konro drawled lazily.

“The most logical reaction ever.”

“Again, that's a lame excuse.”

“You know what's more stupid than lame? Have you seen your eyes, Tic-Tac-Toe?”

His brow twitched and he took three steps forward, ignoring Konro's warning and arm to push him back. At his movement, the citizens stepped back even more so and excited, yet concerned whispers echoed around them. Niobe balanced herself very easily on her 'chair' and just readjusted him with a movement of her body whenever he was about to fall over. She leaned over to rest her heavy chest on top of his head, crossed her arms round his neck and hummed pleasantly as the young man stopped a mere feet away from the other Hikeshi. This one quivered a little bit, but the student kept her hold onto him.

Mismatched arrow eyes bore into crimson Tic-Tac-Toe eyes. Both gazes were glowing bright, reflecting the annoyance and mirth of these two. The tension was clear and thick in the air between the two, despite Niobe still smiling sweetly. Who was going to swing at the other first? Him or her? She kinda wanted to see if he was faster and what kind of Ignition Ability he had that made him so fearsome, because he exuded respect.

A moment passed between the two. Then he surprised her.

“Daifuku?” he offered.

Niobe blinked, leaned back and searched his face for any foul play—because there would be hell to pay if there was—but was rewarded by the young man patiently waiting for an answer, never straying his gaze from her. Chuckling, she nodded eagerly.

“Yes, please!”

[…]

Niobe eagerly bit into her first daifuku, her eyes closed to enjoy the heavenly taste of the sweet, and moaned. Just how good was it? The old woman was such a great cook! Two twin girls were doing exactly the same thing with an equally elated face, sitting on each side of her. The girls, whose names were Hinata and Hikage, had been in the crowd when she'd fought the Hikeshi soldiers and had immediately latched themselves on her when she'd finally got away with Konro and his protégé.

“We like you!” the twins had squealed happily.

Niobe had smiled down at them, her eyes crinkling. “Wanna share daifuku with me?” she had proposed to them, lifting the bag of sweets.

Of course they'd accepted—such bright golden eyes and adorable faces could bring anyone to their knees. So once they'd bought the daifuku, they'd pulled her to a quiet block in Asakusa to enjoy the sweets and had therefore started asking lots of questions. Hinata and Hikage were just so eager to learn more about the outsider that they almost fought together to have their question answered first. Though this was very interesting to witness, Niobe had had to step in before any pyrokinesis was used when all she wanted to do was eat some delicious daifuku.

She hadn't expected Konro and Shinmon Benimaru, his protégé, to tag along with them. Both sat on each side of Hinata and Hikage, also snacking—some sushi for Benimaru, because he disliked sweets. Niobe found it odd and almost shrieked at him. Who the hell hated sweets? He wasn't normal.

“What fighting style do you use?” Benimaru asked curiously. “I've only seen you use your legs and feet, never your hands.”

Niobe opened her eyes to look at him, then swallowed her mouthful before answering. “It's a mix of several martial arts that only requires the use of your legs and feet,” she said, crossing one long leg over the other. “You may have either heard about them or forgotten about it: capoeira, savate, taekwondo and cha quan. Mix it with contortion and acrobatic skills I've gained from my training with my father, who was adamant on teaching me his fighting style so I'd know how to defend myself. That makes me one circus freak, but I loveit. And if I don't use my hands for blows, it's because those hands are too precious for me.”

Konro, Benimaru and the twins looked at her in confusion. Niobe raised her hands with a wistful, proud smile.

“I use them to both create robots, as I'm majoring in robotics, and use my Ignition Ability—nothing else. Just the slight scrath or cut on my fingers would be a great shame. For example, take a guitarist, pianist or even a cook having to use their hands to do what they're good at: mess up their hands and how else would they be able to do what they love? They'd be utterly crushed and would probably lose their spirit, as they value their hands so much. It's their... life.” She closed her hands into fists, looking up towards the sky. “So are mine. I'd be completely useless without them. After all...”

Niobe raised her right hand in front of her and pointed her index, her eyes glowing. Bright green flames erupted around it and danced to form a big bow made of fire. Hinata and Hikage gasped and both crowded her, their golden eyes shining in awe. The student smiled a bit more as she wrapped her free arm around Hikage.

“... a sniper needs her eyes and hands to strike down from above.”

“I see,” Konro smiled. “That should explain partly why my Hikeshi soldiers said you only used your legs and feet to defeat them, that they couldn't even get a hold of you because you were too elusive. Quite impressive. And I must say that I've never encountered pyrokinetics producing and wielding green flames, you're a rarity in this world. Your heat signature must be something else.” He gave her an appreciative nod. “Be proud of your power, but don't get too cocky.”

“Your flames are green? That's so cool!” the twins crooned, lifting their covered arms and waving their long sleeves around.

Niobe smiled, but it didn't reach her ears and her eyes dulled just a little. “My pride and joy...”

She allowed the flames to die out and went back to eating the sweets, listening to Hinata and Hikage's incessant babbling. Unbeknowst to her, Tic-Tac-Toe eyes were now staring with a bit more interest, though Benimaru remained silent and observing. This was an Imperial girl, whom he firmly believed didn't belong here at all—for all he knew, she might have lied about a lot of things about herself; where her beliefs lie and allegiance lie, facts about her life so that she may gain their trust. She truly stood out in Asakusa because of her snow white hair and curls, fashion style and everything in general, yet something in Niobe was attractive (not just her beauty and body). Benimaru had no idea what, though.

Maybe fighting with her would help.

“I got a question,” Niobe suddenly asked.

Benimaru blinked, looking away in his usual resting bitch face. “What's that?” he probed.

“I may have never seen you in action when taking care of the people who turn Infernal in your turf, but word does spread around in Tokyo: Asakusa possesses very powerful fighters that are more than able to protect their own without having to rely on the Special Fire Force. I'm sure you two are very strong, most certainly the most powerful of your Hikeshi Fire brigade, but aren't you concerned that the Tokyo Empire will finally try to incorporate you all as its seventh Company?” Niobe frowned, her eyes growing serene. “Just to exploit you? Because I can see those bastards pull some move like that.”

Benimaru and Konro shared a sharp glance, silent. The student continued, her voice now a bit dull. So dull that the twins looked up at her in concern.

“Let's twist it this way: should something major happen, a catastrophe so big and deadly that it might disintegrate Tokyo and turn so many of your people into Infernals, and that you actually manage to survive this hell in your city, then the Empire would see your survival as an opportunity to coax you into the Special Fire Force and use your strength for themselves. Because they need strong soldiers to fight alongside them,” she scoffed in derision, her arms wrapping around Hinata as the young girl hopped onto her lap. “In fact, they might even see this as an other opportunity to get you to embrace the damn Holy Sol and that ridiculous religion. You're proto-nationalists, thus the Sun God is most certainly the biggest hoax you've ever heard, but admit it—they would love to succeed in converting you. Because you still hold onto the traditional values of the old Japan, and I admire that trait about Asakusa. It would be so infuriating for you to become Imperial lapdogs, having to serve the Empire when you didn't ask for anything.”

That... was a valid point. Well-thought indeed, because the Tokyo Empire was now a community of diverse people brought together under one religion to lead them all and give them a light to follow. The proto-nationalist Japan was practically extinct at this point, with the goddamn Sun God being in everyone's mouth, and all the traditional values had been forgotten. Konro looked far in the distance as he mulled over Niobe's words, while Benimaru glared and snarled with his head turned away. The silence stretched over between them, only occasionally broken by the townspeople greeting the two Hikeshi.

Just as she mentioned earlier, Niobe was nothing more than an outsider and an Imperial girl, so she shouldn't even be disturbing them with her opinions and thoughts, as they could care less about her. Konro and Benimaru could tell her to fuck off, eat the rest of her daifuku and chase her out of Asakusa, but she liked the fact that her words gave them room to think. Because the idea of the Tokyo Empire preying on the Hikeshi soldiers to exploit them was not only sickening, but very possible. She could practically see one of the captains of the Special Fire Force approaching Konro and Benimaru to announce them the 'exciting' news, which would raise their ire. Becoming Imperial lapdogs would mean following an old relic preaching about the damn Sun God, being forced to forsake old beliefs that made you who you are, and embracing some insane religion. Should something like this happen to her, Niobe's father would have her building an EMP to bomb the Holy See before seeing her in one of those fireproof coats.

“They can go to hell for all I care, we've got nothing to do with the likes of them!” Benimaru spat hotly. “I'd rather carbonise and get tephrosis than see myself paying respect to the Tokyo Empire!”

Niobe turned her keen eyes in his direction, expression carefully blank. “And even if they press the issue?” she questioned. “You'd tell the Emperor to screw himself?”

“Why not? That's an idea.”

“Mind your language, you two,” Konro scolded them coldly, yet in a much calmer tone. Then he made a sound in the back of his throat. “While I do share Beni's feelings and opinion about the Tokyo Empire, you still make a valid point. As far as I can tell, Asakusa remains the only part of Tokyo that hasn't embraced the Sun God and this nonsensical religion and likely never will. There's a certain... appeal to find in succeeding in converting us, but there's none in joining forces with the Tokyo Empire.” He scowled, looking back at her with fierce eyes. “Asakusa and its people are more than enough. We are more than enough. We don't need those zealous worshippers and their preaching about a god that means nothing to us. As long as I'm able and here, I'd never allow them to change our town and people.”

Niobe was going to hate herself for her next argument.

“And if they have resources you don't have at the moment and would probably need?” she tried once more. “I get that you can provide for yourselves without the support of the Empire and Haijima Industries, but...” She hesitated. “...should one of you get tephrosis and you don't possess the vital treatment to take care of your injured, how would you deal with it? They might actually count on what you don't possess, as they know you wouldn't be able to refuse such 'generous' offer with the right resources.”

She grabbed another daifuku, fully aware of Benimaru's hateful glare on her. The strength of such gaze made Niobe pause for a long second before she decided to face the irate Hikeshi head on, boring her emotionless eyes in his. She could tell he was barely keeping his anger in check and failing to remain calm.

“Tell me how this, in case of a deadly catastrophe occurring, isn't going to bait you?” she challenged.

“Tell me why I shouldn't break your neck right now, Imperial girl?” Benimaru countered, his eyes glowing.

“Beni!” Konro exclaimed in warning.

Her eyes widened, not out of fear, but of morbid fascination. “Because I want to live?” Niobe responded rhetorically and sarcastically. She anticipated his hand trying to grab her collar and nimbly hopped onto the bench, Hinata still nestled securely in her arms, and jumped away to land gracefully out of his reach. She released the little girl, her keen eyes still set on Benimaru. “Please don't, I'm not here to fight but to visit Asakusa. If I'm still allowed to?”

To prove her point, Niobe raised both hands in a placating gesture. She truly didn't want to fight either of them, as the student was pretty sure she'd go back home with bruises and some cracked ribs, and there was no way she'd be able to hide a wince or two when going to her lab on campus tomorrow. Clicking his tongue in irritation, Benimaru grabbed her backpack and threw it rudely at her. Niobe didn't complain, though she scowled a little, and put the daifuku in her mouth.

Hinata and Hikage looked crestfallen. “Are you leaving?” they both asked in unison, their tone sad.

“Yes,” Benimaru hissed angrily.

“Noooooope, it's too soon,” she countered smoothly, putting her backpack. “Way too soon. I haven't seen anything yet and I like to bring back souvenirs. Coming, girls?” She smiled toothily at them. “How about you make me visit your turf?”

Relieved smiles emerged on the girls' faces and both cheered loudly. Hinata snatched the bag of daifuku and evaded Benimaru's attempts at restraining her, then the two sisters ran after Niobe. Hikage jumped on the student's back to latch her arms round her neck, climb on and sit on her shoulders, with her twin walking by her side. The two Hikeshi stared after them in silence, though the youngest looked like he was about to explode like a volcano. Konro, for his part, looked quite thoughtful. After all, that outsider did make a lot of valid points he needed to carefully consider.

He could only hope that she'd been wrong about his Hikeshi Fire brigade being inducted in the Special Fire Force—that would be Asakusa's greatest humiliation yet.

[…]

Well, that was a terrifying glare, Niobe thought with a troubled gaze and a shudder as she went to lounge under a Sakura tree, Hinata and Hikage flanking her by using her body as a pillow. She'd never fully experienced real hatred before, as she wasn't one to start unnecessary fights unless poked the right way, but the Hikeshi's emotion had been strong enough to shake her to the core. Not doubt that Benimaru had been disturbed by what she'd said and must have wanted to make her eat her words by punching her lights out: the people of Asakusa really were proud of their old traditional values and cherished them, thus having their beliefs trampled by the influence of the Tokyo Empire would raise their ire and fuel more contempt towards them to another new level.

What she told them was provocative enough, so Niobe hoped that she didn't make any enemies in this town—the fight with the lecherous Hikeshi soldiers had garnered her way too much attention than she expected, and the townspeople would now recognize her a mile down the road. Even before entering Asakusa, and no doubt that the soldiers she'd defeated would share the info that a circus freak outsider with snow white hair in an afro of curls might deal a number on them all if poked the right way. Some of them had actually stared her down as she walked around with Hinata and Hikage by her side, their judgemental gazes and whispers following the trio. At the very least, none was trying to insert innuendos again and that was a win.

Niobe inhaled, then exhaled softly as she looked down. To her surprise, the twins had fallen asleep not too long ago and had nestled comfortably on her sides, snoring a little bit. A little nap wouldn't hurt, as they've been walking for quite some time, and they were still growing girls. The student couldn't hide her fond smile and her eyes softened. Just how cute were Hinata and Hikage? Cute as they were now, they'd grow to become young gorgeous women one day. And their Ignition Ability suited them both—the fox was one creature of mischief, known as a trickster well-versed in shape-shifting to confound people. The twins were actually as mischievous as a fox and must give hell to everyone in Asakusa. How comforting to see that kids could still have fun despite their world being a fucking messed up place in shambles.

Just when she was about to close her eyes and relax, Niobe sensed someone coming her way and she glanced at the person intruding with the intention to whisper-shriek at them to not wake up the two hellions nestling her sides, but the words failed her when she recognized those Tic-Tac-Toe eyes. Her twitching eyes went wide in quiet disbelief and a silent gasp escaped her throat as she tensed up, frozen. Benimaru narrowed his eyes at her, motioning her to be quiet, and approached them. His steps were light and nearly silent, showing how skilled and precise he must be (and that must be the understatement of the century).

Niobe had to peer up at him when he stopped close, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his happi coat. “I'll go on a limb and guess that you're here to skewer me alive while I'm too sleepy, toss my mangled body out of Asakusa for the maggots to feed on it, right?” she hazarded in a low voice.

The corner of his lips twitched ever so slightly that the student thought she'd dreamed it, as his expression remained cool and unimpressed.

“That's a very good idea, remind me to execute you for humiliating the members of the Hikeshi brigade,” Benimaru drawled, his voice just as low. He took a seat on her right, a bit higher near her head, and leaned back against the Sakura tree. “On the other hand, it's been a pretty tame day and I was bored out of my mind, so you entertained me quite well.”

So he wasn't going to beat her to a pulp for pissing him off earlier? Good. Niobe relaxed with a relieved sigh, looking up at the beautiful pink petals. “Happy to provide a show, even though I was merely trying to avoid getting too much attention and your fellow Hikeshi weren't going to give up. What, they'd never seen someone with white hair before?”

“Have you seen your hair color under the sun? And your mismatched eyes? You stand out like a rare creature that must be captured by some obsessed collector,” Benimaru countered. “No one in Asakusa gets attention like you did earlier.”

Niobe's mouth opened in quiet disbelief once again. That... that rude man... he was actually comparing her to some rare creature—maybe the Yeti—whose existence had never been proven in the past. She leaned her head back to stare up at him in silent horror and Benimaru looked down at her lazily.

“Apologize,” she hissed at him.

“Keep dreaming,” he deadpanned.

“You're digging your grave, Tic-Tac-Toe. White hair isn't that uncommon these days and I'll have you know that I love my afro. Not as much as being a circus freak but still—it's an achievement to have grown it to this extent. So have some respect for the afro.”

This time, she heard it and saw it: Benimaru snorted and his lips definitely twitched upward, about to curl into a smile.

“It's hair, outsider girl,” he deadpanned again. “Cut it as much as you want, it'll grow back. I'd say that having so much curls is a pain in the ass to take care of, can't imagine how messy it can get once you get out of bed.”

Niobe smiled toothily at him. “You wanna know?” she asked, half-serious.

“No, I'll pass.”

Niobe huffed silently and repositioned her head correctly under her jacket, eyes closed. This time, there was a somewhat comfortable silence that slowly managed to make her relax; the intense animosity that had surrounded Benimaru had faded a little bit, though he still seemed wary of her because she still wasn't from Asakusa. It was a start. Maybe seeing Hinata and Hikage snuggling against her without any worry made him reconsider her? Whatever it was, the student was grateful for it. The late afternoon had been very nice, despite the small argument with the Hikeshi right here, and the evening rolling by should be sweet.

“What you said earlier... I hope it never happens to Asakusa.”

Frowning, Niobe opened her eyes. “Hm?” she mused.

“Our Hikeshi Fire brigade being inducted in the Special Fire Force,” Benimaru clarified for her. “It should never happen to us. Not only do we take care of our own Infernals without the help of those Imperial lapdogs, but why the hell would we serve the damn Emperor? He has no authority over us and I certainly don't recognize the reign of that old geezer.” He clicked his tongue in irritation. “But you know what pisses me off the most? The fact that you might actually be right: should something major happen, we'd be in serious trouble.”

“You're proud of who you are and you're not ashamed to show it, that's a very admirable trait. But also vulnerable,” Niobe said, her voice becoming dull. “If the Tokyo Empire manages to get the strongest pyrokinetics of Asakusa to become Fire Soldiers, they'll be gloating for sure. Chaaaaaaa!”

The Hikeshi Fire brigade being inducted in the Special Fire Force reminded her of how her ex-boyfriend attempted to convince her to put her flames under the service of one Company, especially after an astonishing bunch of students from her university had turned Infernals. What made matters worse was that she'd discussed with them sometimes, had laughed with them, even though they weren't her best friends. The shock of seeing so many students turning had instilled so much fear into her peers that they'd mostly been too scared to even move a muscle, as the previously human students were either roaring or moaning in pain, consumed by the unnatural flames. The event happened last year, but was still so vivid in her mind that it kept replaying as if it occurred yesterday. As far as she could tell, there wasn't anyone who had the balls to put an end to the poor souls, so Niobe had unfortunately stepped in—thus revealing her Ignition Ability for the first time and how skilled she was at using it. Some arrows, that she'd curved on the side to hit many targets at once and destroy the core, had been enough to finish off the students.

Though the witnesses had been in utter shock, they'd still been able to tell that Niobe was the one who'd put the Infernals to rest with her Ignition Ability when the Special Fire Force arrived at the scene (a bit too late, even though it took her some time to garner her nerves, stop shaking and get out of her phase to finally act). Her ex-boyfriend had been the first Fire Soldier to approach her, extremely worried that she might have been hurt when he'd heard that the group of Infernals had popped up in her university. He'd also made his point clear that he wanted Niobe to be accepted in a Company, where she'd put her powers to the service of the Empire. Even though she'd be putting Infernals to rest, she'd also fight against Spontaneous Human Combustion. That would be helping.

Never had she expressed such strong desire to shoot him to hell.

Benimaru looked down at her, thoughtful. “Are you speaking from experience?” he asked curiously.

Niobe hummed sadly, her expression growing dull as she watched the darkening sky. “Yeah,” she murmured, her voice tightening with emotion. “I...maybe I'll tell you another day, if I'm still allowed to come back to Asakusa. Maybe. For now, we don't know each other and I don't feel like reviving this.”

The Hikeshi was silent for a few solid five seconds before he answered. “Fine. You owe me.”

“Stop lying,” she hissed, her eyes flashing.

“Heh. Make me,” he shot back with an irritating smirk.

The student sent him an aggravated look, which he waved off as he lounged against the tree. The nerve of that man-child!

Nevertheless, Niobe released another sigh of relief, before sitting up with the twins sprawled on her lap. She prevented their heads from slipping by putting her hands on top of them, which prompted both girls to tighten their arms around her long legs with sleepy moans. Her keen eyes were locked on the dark sky above, clear from any stars and moon. Strange as it may be, she'd always preferred such clear sky instead of one with visible stars, because she loved to lose herself into it. Sometimes it was the moon, sometimes it was the Koi fish in their pond at her father's house. It... helped clear her mind whenever she'd remember that horrible ordeal at her university. And her father's disillusionmnent.

Such trials shouldn't be plaguing people. Yet here they all were, trying to live despite the horrors caused by this inhuman death.

“Tic-Tac-Toe?” she called out.

A grumble answered her. “You forgot my name or what?” he drawled, annoyed.

“Are you going to help with Hinata and Hikage?” she asked with a small smile, looking down at the sleeping twins on her lap. “They're exhausted and need to sleep in a proper bed. Who would have expected these two foxes to be this strong? You guys definitely are something else in Asakusa, which can put the Fire Force Companies to shame very easily.”

Benimaru snorted, giving her a look. “Who the hell do you take us for, idiot? There's a reason we've never relied on the Special Fire Force whenever an Infernal had appeared in Asakusa. And... no, I'm not helping with Hinata and Hikage: they're yours since they like you.”

Niobe turned slowly to send him a scandalized look, to which he smirked victoriously. Even his eyes were crinkling in amusement. A tick mark appeared on her temple as she glared.

“What if they get hungry? What if I get hungry and they refuse to wake up?” she reasoned. “You're really going to let these two foxes mob me all they want because I can't just shake them off?”

“That's right,” Benimaru nodded.

“Aren't you an evil brat, Tic-Tac-Toe,” Niobe grumbled as she sank back down and allowed the twins to snuggle her even more by using her generous chest as a pillow. She tried to pout, but couldn't find it in her heart as she glanced down at the sisters. “Hmm...”

She stared in wonder, trying to interpret their sudden actions. Hinata and Hikage's faces were peaceful and there was a small smile Niobe couldn't miss at all: they both looked so content and serene that the student couldn't find it in herself to wake them up, even if she was getting hungry. The twins looked so innocent and fragile at this instant that it brought back some undesired memories of her childhood that she'd wanted to forget—especially about her father, who'd grown more overprotective of his daughter after an atrocious event that occurred in her younger years and the Infernal chaos at her university. Her three-years-old self hiding and cowering behind her father... a woman's sobbing... some people probably wearing white...

Mismatched eyes closed abruptly for a full minute, erasing the images, then opened once she felt she was calmer once again. Niobe had no idea if Hinata and Hikage had lived something horrific very early on in their life, as they seemed alright and undamaged, but where were their parents? It was already late in the evening, surely they wouldn't let their dear princesses out running around Asakusa this long?

“They turned Infernal,” Benimaru chimed in quietly.

Niobe leaned her head back to look up at him upside down. His eyes had lost their amusement and were now gazing down at the twins with a sullen, gloomy expression. Her throat constricted painfully at his words and she gulped silently.

“The parents?” she asked shyly, though she knew the answer.

He nodded, his expression downcast. “Happened so suddenly in the dead of the night eight years ago. They were good people who used to have problems getting children, so when the mother finally got pregnant, carried her pregnancy to full term and gave birth to Hinata and Hikage, we were all overjoyed for them. We celebrated until we couldn't stand anymore, as it was pure happiness during such dark times.” He marked a small, pregnant pause, before continuing. “The parents turned Infernal the same night after the celebration, leaving us dumbfounded, but also crushed. Hinata and Hikage were only babies who knew absolutely nothing of this world. No mother to cuddle and love, no father to lean on and learn from—nothing. Everything was taken from them at birth. After we put their parents to rest, Konro took them in.”

Benimaru closed his eyes in acceptance.

“Asakusa didn't and won't ever forget them.”

Niobe gulped again, her eyes wide in horror and expression frozen in utter shock. She couldn't even speak, only grab the twins' back in a protective gesture as a cold feeling washed over her like a maverick. Hell, Hinata and Hikage had lost everything even before they could understand they had something to begin with in this godforsaken world? Shit. She released a shaky breath, unable to speak for the time being. This was so cruel she had no words to express her sympathy for the twins, even though they didn't seem affected by their parents' death. Infernalization and death just took and took, making no difference—everyone could and would fall.

“Seems like you've given them a life, as they still laugh and smile,” Niobe said serenely. “You must love them very much.”

“Everyone does, even though they're little hellions and rascals. We'd destroy anyone who would think of harming them when they don't deserve it. They've suffered and lost enough.”

The student smiled. “That's nice,” she sighed.

The fond and protective tone in his voice convinced Niobe that Benimaru wasn't joking around, they would probably mess up any idiot who would wreck Asakusa and its people, especially the children. Though Hinata and Hikage had an Ignition Ability and were probably efficient in using it well, they still were little girls and had to be protected at all cost. The sisters had a long life ahead of them, especially with the Hikeshi Fire brigade there to make sure they didn't stray from their old values.

All of a sudden, an explosion shook the ground from where they were lounging, surprising both young adults into a sitting position. Their eyes zeroed in on the huge pillar of fire that erupted in a located part of Asakusa, but to their utmost shock, another one surged in another part of the town. Then another. Then another. Then another. Then another. Soon, there were too many to actually count them. Cries and screams erupted loudly, along with bells tolls that rang through Niobe's soul, jolting Hinata and Hikage awake on her lap.

“What the hell?” Niobe gasped, jumping to her feet with the twins now grabbing her legs from behind.

“Get Hinata and Hikage somewhere safe, we have to get all the townspeople out of here!” Benimaru barked at her urgently.

Their eyes met once, allowing Niobe to see the concern and dread Benimaru couldn't actually hide this time around—Asakusa, his precious hometown, was under attack and it was more than serious. There would be casualties, a lot of them, and this would break their spirit. And the Tokyo Empire... if it really was a catastrophe, they'd finally get to induct the Hikeshi into the Special Fire Force.

Stealing her nerves, Niobe dropped to snatch her jacket and backpack, put them on, and grabbed Hinata and Hikage to heave them in her arms, with the twins immediately latching on her with so much force that it was painful. She didn't complain though, for a single look at their faces showed the sheer fear and concern they were both feeling at the moment.

She met the Hikeshi's gaze once more, fiery. “Allow me to lend a hand after getting them to the Sumida river,” she requested. “I can be of assistance above ground and my sight is ten thousand times better than all of you combined. I'd be able to spot Infernals quickly and easily.”

He stared at her hard, searching for any foul play, but then nodded.

“If you can be useful, who am I to say no to help?” Benimaru exclaimed strongly. “Get your ass back there, okay?”

“Chaaaaaaa!My arrows are yours to use!” Niobe barked back.

They both parted ways, with him running towards his town to put the Infernals to rest and Niobe dashing at top speed towards the Sumida river. Hinata and Hikage clung to her as she ran, their faces tucked into her neck. Soft and comforting words were murmured in their ears to distract them from the screams of their people and the spreading panic and horror, even though they sounded quite hollow; she had no idea what the hell was going on in Asakusa right now, but the priority was to get everyone who didn't have fire powers and couldn't fight to a more secure place. Niobe gritted her teeth, avoiding rocks and some people with agility. More explosions were shaking the ground as she neared the river, meaning more Infernals for the Hikeshi Fire brigade.

This night would be deadly.

Skidding to a halt as she reached the river, Niobe took the time to breathe and kneeled to put the twins on the ground. The tears she noticed in their golden eyes nearly broke her heart, as their lips were also quivering and they looked on the verge of crying their hearts out. Opening her arms wide, Niobe mustered the best comforting face she could and exhaled.

“Come here, girls,” she coaxed softly.

Hinata and Hikage literally tackled her, their arms wrapped so tightly around her that she almost lost her breath. She hugged them against her when she felt them trembling in her hold, which made Niobe wish she'd spent more time with children of her age to remember how to be a child and comfort one with words. Though she wanted to reassure the girls, the words didn't seem to come out that easy. Damn her father... but maybe... maybe he could do what she couldn't on her own.

Tentatively, Niobe pressed two kisses on each forehead and looked into their eyes with a small smile.

“Okay, here's what we're going to do,” she said, taking off her backpack to hand it to them. “watch my belongings for me while I'm helping your Hikeshi. If you're scared, search for something purple and blue in my backpack and say: 'I'm scared.' Yeah?”

“Uhh... okay?” Hinata hesitated, taking the backpack from the student.

“What's in there?” Hikage inquired timidly, still clinging to her.

Niobe smiled tenderly at the twins. “My best friend and creation,” she announced proudly. “He'll keep you company and calm you down.” She stood up with a hum, turning her head towards the red chaos that was Asakusa. “I need to go and help, since I swore in front of the scariest Hikeshi. Make sure to stay by the river until all the fires have been put out, then I'll come back for you. Yeah?”

She looked back towards Hinata and Hikage, who still looked scared out of their minds, but the tears had dried and there was a hint of hope in their golden eyes. Both gulped, then nodded firmly at the same time with more brave expressions.

“Chaaaaaa!” they chorused.

Niobe chuckled, nodding. “Exactly, girls. Be well.”

She went back to Asakusa, running fast. More Infernals were appearing left and right, columns of fire erupting in different parts of the town. It was already hell and it had just started, as the night would be long if it kept going that way. Niobe took another breath as she performed acrobatic stunts to climb up on the nearest building and get on the rooftop, her keen eyes surveying the ground on all sides while she rushed towards the highest spot—that watchtower or that pagoda will be perfect—where she could see all of Asakusa. Hikeshi soldiers were guiding the panicked townspeople towards safety, shouting orders and instructions, others were taking care of the fires burning down. Good, they're not pissing their own pants, Niobe thought as she used a pole to swing herself up one of the lower roofs of the high pagoda she'd spotted earlier. The Hikeshi were excellent soldiers who managed to remain level-headed.

Niobe climbed higher on the pagoda, her movements fluid, swift and graceful, until she finally reached the rooftop and even climbed up on the pole. Once she was up, she balanced herself on one foot on the top of the pole, the student raised her gaze and finally got to see. Asakusa. Asakusa on fire. Asakusa burning. Asakusa crying for help. It was a blazing inferno she'd thought she'd never witness, worse than the chaos that had erupted in her university last year.

Mismatched arrowed-eyes moved around quickly in their sockets, zeroed in on the Infernals immediately acquired as targets with their superior sight, and locked them. More than a dozen were roaming around, their guttural moans and roars echoing all over the burning town in their decaying bodies. Niobe spun slowly on her pole to survey the other side of Asakusa, immediately spotting other Infernals and burning buildings this way too, and an anguished expression took over her lovely features. So many townspeople that turned would require a lot of pyrokinetics to use their powers to put them to rest, and if more Infernals appeared out of the blue, they'd have to keep this up all night—meaning, they might reach their limits and start overheating. Niobe desperately wanted to believe they wouldn't have to overexert themselves, but all these people suddenly turning Infernal... this wasn't natural.

“At any rate...,” she growled.

She raised her right hand to point down, her mismatched eyes glowing bright and the arrowed-pupils pointing up. Green flames swirled around to form a big bow made of fiery fire and she used her left hand to form the first arrow by pulling it back slowly. Determination shined in her gaze and features.

“... Asakusa shall survive.”

Niobe fired, her arrow slicing through the air at blinding speed and shooting right through the first Infernal that was wobbling its way towards a Hikeshi ready to finish it off the local style. The shot even made a small crater in the ground, along with a sizeable hole into the dying civilian's chest. Its flames died out around its falling and decaying body, then it evaporated in ashes. Though she had no idea who it used to be, the student still bowed her head in silent respect for a few seconds for the departed soul she'd just killed. Then raised her head once again, her excellent eyes locking onto the next Infernal, and readied her second arrow on it.

“As long as there's dread and fear, there's still room for courage. And hope. If you can be scared, then you're more than likely to feel courage and master your fears.”

“FIGHT AND SURVIVE!” Niobe shouted at the top of her voice.

She fired. And fired. And fired.

[…]

After she fired another arrow that pierced through yet another Infernal and obliterated it, Niobe gasped in pain and nearly collapsed on her feet, her bow disappearing as she braced herself on her knees. She struggled to regain her composure, sweat dribbling all over her body and causing her clothes to cling to her. Through shooting down Infernals and helping the Hikeshi soldiers, she'd changed positions to run to another spot where she could fully see her targets, as snipers needed to be on the move after the second shot. She'd run and jumped around Asakusa like a circus freak to snipe with the best precision she could muster, but it was becoming clear that she'd just about reached her limit.

How many had she killed? How many Infernals? Niobe had long lost count, but she knew there had been too many people that had turned tonight. And that had been too many people to put to rest in a disrespectful way that wasn't the local one. If she survived this hell, she'd apologize to Benimaru and Konro for all the victims that had fallen to her arrows.

Her lungs felt too hot as she was seriously struggling to breathe, her limbs numb and uncooperative. Niobe felt so light-headed that she could barely see straight, so she closed her eyes to concentrate. This sensation of being overheated was all too familiar, as she'd experienced it many times during training sessions with her demanding father—if being a beast in your domain meant overworking yourself to beyond exhaustion, then so be it. But Niobe still remained human and humans had limits. It felt like dying while still fighting to keep living at the same time, which made the sensation ten thousand times worse.

“Chaa... I can't go on anymore,” she rasped. “Any more shots and my arms and fingers will break...”

Indeed, she felt much more pain in her hands and arms, as this was where her Ignition Ability worked the most. Her ki path was located there, so it stood to reason that the pain would be much more intense down there; the nerves were irked and touched, her hands were trembling so uncontrollably that she couldn't even stop the motion if she wanted to. Niobe groaned, swaying dangerously on her feet, and she eventually started to slip from the rooftop she'd perched herself on. She couldn't stop her fall to the ground, even if she tried to hang onto the edge, and crashed on her feet before collapsing on her legs with a groan.

Fortunately, the ground hadn't been that far, but that still hurt like a bitch in her current state. So Niobe just sat there, wheezing painfully and her arms and hands trembling like leaves. Her keen eyes could only stare at the devastation of Asakusa and take in the ruined environment, since she'd exhausted herself. This was a complete disaster, and though Niobe didn't belong in Asakusa, she couldn't help but feel absolutely devastated and shocked by so much fire.

All that fire...so, so much fire...

“Sniper girl, you okay?” a familiar voice called out right behind her, just as painful.

Niobe turned, her eyes wide. Though her sight was still blurry, she managed to make out two Hikeshi soldiers stumbling towards her. The crimson Tic-Tac-Toe eyes and the bulky, taller form confirmed their identities and she let out a cough, blinking rapidly to clear her sight. Just how relieved was she to see that they had survived and were still fighting?

“I'm still alive,” she rasped, her voice guttural and exhausted when the two reached her. “Spent...burned out...my fingers and arms are too numb to move... I'm done...”

Benimaru collapsed on his knees right behind her with a painful grunt and crashed into her back, sending the two of them on the ground. Niobe didn't have the strength to push herself back up or kick the Hikeshi away, so she just lay there like a useless sack.

“Beni! Niobe!” Konro exclaimed in worry, kneeling beside them.

Wheezing painfully, Benimaru just managed to heave himself a little higher on her back, but that was it. He was just as spent and burned out as she was, unable to move, which was probably the worst in their situation—with the strongest Hikeshi being overheated, the blazing inferno that was Asakusa would swallow everything. The student grimaced in pain as Benimaru struggled to move off her, his breath hot on her shoulder blade.

“I can't breathe,” Benimaru heaved, his hands clutching her arms. “No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get any oxygen in...”

“You two are at your pyrokinetic limit, you can't go on like this,” Konro declared. He put a hand on Niobe's shoulder, squeezing it. “I can't thank you enough for your support, you have no idea how much your arrows and astounding precision have tremendously helped us in purifying our dead. Stay here, the both of you.” The Hikeshi stood up with difficulty, but still managed to. “I'll be back.”

Such words of praise would have made her proud to have been of any help, but Niobe could scarcely be grateful when the town was still burning down to a crisp and there had been so many victims. Her head lolled out as she raised her mismatched eyes to look up at Konro, scandalized.

Benimaru agreed.

“Not a chance, dumbass,” he growled as savagely as he could, his eyes glaring at his mentor. “No chance in hell are you going anywhere, we both know you're in the same boat as us...”

Niobe nodded with a slight snarl, propping herself on her elbows. “You're overheated too, don't be foolish,” she reminded harshly. “Where the hell is the damn Special Fire Force? Haven't they shown up yet?”

“Told you we can't rely on those goddamn Imperial lapdogs and thisis all the proof you needed,” Benimaru spat hatefully on top of her.

Niobe gasped, her eyes wide in utter disbelief. None had come to help the proto-nationalists? Not even the Company closest to Asakusa? How the hell could they just ignore the unnatural appearance of so many Infernals... or were they also just as swarmed that they couldn't send anyone? Such mass outbreak of Spontaneous Human Combustion in this district couldn't have gone unnoticed, so it had to be something else. In either case, this was absolutely disastrous; if other areas in Tokyo were on fire as well, then Fire Force Companies would be unable to respond to Asakusa's calls for outside help.

Damn it. She and the Hikeshi were on their own.

Clearing her throat, Niobe allowed Benimaru to lift her up by her waist as he finally mustered enough strength to sit up. She thanked him with a nod and managed to tuck her legs underneath, her gaze staring up at Konro. “Even so, we can't strain ourselves to control the fires, we're done,” she groaned, feeling guilty for saying that. “We may still be breathing, but this is our limit...”

Konro was about to argue when there was a sudden roar, red flames surging from an alleyway in such fashion that all three looked up in surprise and shock. When the fire died out, they could hear a deep guttural breathing that had Niobe's hair at the back of her head rising up. The sound was so ominous and animalistic that it made her twitch in apprehension, her instincts alerting her of an imminent danger. She almost readied her trembling hands to form the bow and arrow, but froze in shock at the sight of a horned head peeking out of the intersection.

“What the fuck?” Niobe murmured in a shaky voice.

For a second, she thought that her eyes must have some serious damage due to her exertion, but those were real horns on that... that thing's head. Whatever it was, it absolutely didn't look human at all; that wide grin on its face made her twitch violently as Benimaru tensed behind her. What the hell was that thing? An Infernal? A new kind that had never been repertoried before? She'd never seen that Infernal before and all she could do was stare at it like a dumb idiot as it walked out of the alleyway. It was so tall, so big and bulky...

“What is that thing?” Konro gasped in horror.

Niobe sputtered, at a complete loss while a hand grasped her shoulder painfully. She couldn't even tell when she and Benimaru rose to their wobbly feet, as she was focused on the demonic thing in front of them. What on earth, the student thought with wide eyes.

“A demon!” Benimaru exclaimed in utter shock.

The 'Demon Infernal' threw its head back and roared, jolting Niobe a little bit more awake. She yelped and bumped into Benimaru, the latter steadying her against him by her hips, but she didn't even notice. The student couldn't help but let her keen eyes roam over the creature, noting and analyzing whatever she could; its skin looked so resistant and solid, like scales. It looked tough, maybe too tough. Could her arrows pierce its skin and finish it off like most Infernals? That thing didn't look like the others and seemed much more different. More dangerous and deadly.

“Damn it,” she heard Konro swear.

That is, before he brutally shoved her and Benimaru into a wooden wall. Eyes widening in pure shock, Niobe gasped loudly as she turned towards the Hikeshi leader, unable to stop her flight. No, don't tell me he's going to...

“What are you doing?!” Benimaru shouted in utter disbelief, his eyes wide in fear. “KONRO!”

“HIKESHI!” Niobe screamed at the same time.

Both were unfortunately knocked out by the debris, with Niobe crashing on top of Benimaru.

“... it's too soon for both of you...” was all the student heard before her consciousness faded.

[…]

Mismatched eyes brutally opened and their owner jolted in a sitting position, but was held back by strong hands on her hips. Niobe hastily looked down at who the hell was touching her, about to use her hands, when another pair of stronger hands imprisoned her at the wrists.

Crimson Tic-Tac-Toe eyes bore into hers. She froze, blinked and gasped as recognition passed through her very slowly. Shinmon Benimaru. That was the man she fought alongside.

“You good now?” he asked in a guttural voice.

Niobe relaxed with a tired sigh and nodded.

“Yeah,” she responded in a low voice. “Sorry.”

“Don't sweat it. You were just as bone tired as I was.”

He slowly released her, shifting into a sitting position between the debris while Niobe gingerly looked up (she didn't even seem to notice that she was straddling him and neither did he). There was sunlight peeking through the cracks of the building they'd crashed into. Sunlight that—wait.

Sunlight? The student suddenly looked back down at Benimaru at the same time he'd brought his head back to also look at her, their eyes wide. Oh, no, she thought as terror coiled in her belly. Dread began filling her and she hastily scrambled to get off his lap, almost tumbling, and offered a hand that he gratefully took to help him stand up. Both pyrokinetics stumbled out of the destroyed building they'd slept in, nearly falling over again, but both managed to help each other out by hanging onto one another.

Morning was there, taunting them with his bright rays of sunlight to remind them of the tragedy that had befallen Asakusa. The lively Asakusa that was ravaged by a great fire was now a disastrous sight, with smoke billowing in the air. It took Niobe's breath away as she took in the great damages that were done to this beautiful district, eyes wide. So much had been lost. Yet...it looked like they'd won against the fires and the damn Infernals at the cost of so much.

“KONRO!” Benimaru yelled out in despair.

Such fear in his voice made her quake in her sneakers, which would add to her own emotional turmoil. Benimaru was scared shitless that something had happened to his mentor and she felthis emotions at the moment—though they had nothing in common and were still strangers to each other. Niobe used her sight, which was now clear enough, to look around the ruined town and found a figure sitting against a burned down building, a bit far from their position. She instantly recognized the Hikeshi by his figure and destroyed outfit, who looked downright exhausted, but something else made her gasp in horror, which got Benimaru's attention.

“Do you see him?” he asked urgently.

She pointed a trembling finger in Konro's direction, her features contorted in horror. “Over there, near that huge crater,” she said. “He's alive...

There was a 'but' that he immediately caught. What he saw on her face made his blood freeze in dread. He didn't like it one bit. Readjusting his grip on Niobe, Benimaru led her towards his fallen comrade. Both exhausted pyrokinetics walked painfully slow, still very much weak from the horrible fight they'd gotten into. There was so much black smoke erupting from that crater, as if something big had exploded there. It was a rather frightening sight. Whoever had done this was crazy strong.

There was a tired, small smile on Konro's face and he was slumped, most certainly unable to move around for the time being. He looked pale and spent, but what drew Niobe's horrified gaze was the blackened spots dispatched over the skin of his shoulders, going up his neck. Never mind that long scar on his nose.He was still fuming from the inside, she could tell. When the older man looked up and smiled in relief, she almost broke down at the concealed pain and couldn't help the way she covered her mouth and stared wide-eyed at his injuries.

The Demon Infernal had pushed Konro to the edge of all Third Gens.

Letting go of her, Benimaru crumbled to his knees in front of his mentor. “You okay?” he asked in concern. “Did you get the Infernal?”

“Beni, Niobe,” Konro groaned. “Yeah, just barely...”

Benimaru gasped as he finally saw what had horrified the sniper—the blackened spots on the broad shoulders of his leader, taunting and telling of what happened after he and the outsider got knocked out. Konro had fought this monster despite being overheated, knowing full well what was going to happen to him. The young Hikeshi started feeling nauseous at the perspective of having failed.

“You fought so hard you carbonised,” Benimaru breathed. Then he gulped down the lump in his throat, painfully so. He couldn't suppress the guilty groan that rose from his throat and the way he ground his teeth together to keep himself from screaming. Or how his shoulders shook lightly. “Why, Konro...? If you had let me fight with you, then you wouldn't have to push yourself so far to defeat that thing. Why didn't you trust me to help you fight?”

Because you're still so young, Niobe wanted to scream, but found her throat too constricted to even speak. She may not know them, but she could recognize one's loyalty when needed: if Konro had chosen to take a fall for Benimaru, that must be because he must have seen a great future in him. He must be very special to him, but also to Asakusa. Losing him so young could have been a devastating blow.

Despite his obvious and intensepain, the older man was still smiling at the two.

“Oh, come on, Beni,” Konro chuckled weakly. “I took you out of the fight 'cause we can't afford to lose you. Same goes for you, Niobe, even if you're not from Asakusa,” he said, his eyes finding Niobe's wide-eyed and horrified gaze. “What you did last night meant more than what the Fire Force could have done, had they come to our help. Your sniping skills are most extraordinary. You have my respect for protecting our home, although it's not yours. Thank you.”

Benimaru's eyes widened in now apparent realization.

“You idiot!” he snapped. “The only reason we're all still here is because of you. You're the one that Asakusa needs. With you hurt like this, who the hell is going to—”

His distress seemed to spark ire in Konro's being, whose arm shot out to grab Benimaru's collar to pull him abruptly forward, and the older man brutally pushed his forehead against his. This sudden movement prompted Niobe to take two steps backwards, as the moment looked too important for her to be here to witness, but her eyes wouldn't obey even though she willed them to turn away. The fiery rage and determination in Konro's eyes was almost crushing.

“That'll be your duty now, Benimaru,” he ground out, his tone final.

The younger Hikeshi gasped, shock obvious and evident in the sound he just made. Niobe closed her eyes and lightly bowed her head to Konro, addressing her thanks with the most humbling demeanor she could muster as the power transfer occurred right in front of her between the two pyrokinetics. This man, this stranger whom she'd met just yesterday before this hell, had just thanked her for protecting his hometown while no one had asked her to. He wasn't even punishing her for killing so many of his people, as she wasn't from Asakusa and had disrespected their way of sending people off after turning Infernal by shooting them down like a cold-hearted sniper.

This was too much for Niobe, who slowly slid to her knees behind Benimaru and stared at the ground with a dull gaze. She wasn't deserving of such praise and thanks, she should turn them down, get up and get the hell out of here. But as hard as she wanted to move, her limbs outright refused to obey. As much as she tried to think of her father, friends and ex-boyfriend who must be worried sick to not have heard of her all night, Niobe just couldn't fucking move. Goddamn it, her phone must be full of messages and missed calls by now!

A strong voice echoed not too far from their position, snapping her out of her phase, and she raised her head in the direction of that voice. Her eyes twitched in barely restrained anger when her keen eyes noticed the blue stripes of the famed fireproof coats.

“The Special Fire Force,” Benimaru noted as he looked in their direction too.

Konro snorted disdainfully. “'Course they show up afterthe fight,” he said in derision.

“Damn it,” Niobe finally grumbled, blinking slowly.

“There may still be Infernals around!”

“Those structures could collapse any minute!”

“Keep your distance!”

Through the thin smoke, Niobe managed to make out the number of said Fire Force Company that had finally come to help—number 4, led by SōichirōHague, a non-powered firefighter that rose through the ranks to become who he was now. Speaking of the devil, the man himself was approaching them in calm steps. The fireproof coat and the cross-shaped talisman seemed to taunt them as they stood out in the burned out Asakusa. The student suppressed a scowl as she unconsciously moved closer towards Benimaru and Konro, her eyes watching the Fire Soldier like a hawk. When the elderly man reached them, he faced all three of them with a blank expression on his scarred face—where the hell did those three scars come from? They looked recent.

“Hello, I am SōichirōHague, captain of the Special Fire Force Company 4,” he introduced himself lightly. “You're Konro, yes? I'm told that you're a local leader.”

Konro didn't even bother to address him, merely gazed up at him.

“By order of the emperor, your Hikeshi Fire brigade is hereby inducted into the Special Fire Force as Company 7,” he announced.

The words fell on both Benimaru, Konro and even Niobe like a bomb, who gasped and gawked at the elderly man. Such bombshell news churned her stomach, as she stared up dumbly at the Fire Soldier. So the Tokyo Empire had really been looking forward to some disastrous event to finally get a hold of the Hikeshi Fire brigade of Asakusa to induct them into the Special Fire Force and exploit them. Just how disgusting and selfish could that old relic be to disregard the feelings of the proto-nationalists of this town and just do as he pleased?

Benimaru was the first to react. “Screw you!” he exclaimed hotly with a scowl. “You're just afraid of what we're capable of!”

“Beni, calm down for a sec,” Konro admonished, lifting a placating hand. Then he looked away, his expression guarded. “You want us to join you guys? Well, I'd like to hear what we'd stand to gain from it.”

“You'd remain an autonomous Company, but gain the Empire's support. In addition to new funding, you'd receive equipment, supplies and skilled soldiers.” His expression never changed as he gazed down at the two Hikeshi. “I don't believe you'll find any reason to decline this offer.”

Indeed, there wasn't any. Just as Niobe had said yesterday, this hell had nearly destroyed Asakusa and had taken too many lives, had nearly defeated all the Hikeshi soldiers who'd risen to protect their hometown and on top of it, one of their mightiest pyrokinetics had gotten tephrosis by getting rid of an Infernal that took all he had even though he'd long reached overheating. This was too much for them all. So were there any reason for Konro and Benimaru to decline, despite their admirable pride?

The older Hikeshi seemed to have read her mind, as his response was practically a yes. “Sorry, I can't give you an answer immediately,” he said, his face grave and somber. “I need time to consider.”

In the corner of her eye, Niobe saw Benimaru gritting his teeth in barely restrained anger. He knew what this meant and he hated it—he loathed it. The Fire Soldier remained silent for a few seconds, before suddenly acknowledging Niobe and assessing her.

“And here's the excellent sniper who's declined our several offers to join the Special Fire Force despite her evident skills,” he mused in morbid wonder. “I'll have you know that the offers still and will probably stand until we have a favorable answer.”

Niobe remained defiantly silent, refusing to catch Benimaru and Konro's inquiring stares. Captain Hague stared back at her for a total of five seconds before swiftly turning away, surprisingly agile for someone his age.

“It would be quite reassuring to have brave soldiers like you on the Force,” he declared, walking away from them all. “I await your favorable response.”

The smoke billowed around him and cloaked his figure, until he visibly vanished from sight. Niobe sat back and released a breath she didn't even know she'd been holding back since the arrival of the Fire Soldier. Meanwhile, Benimaru whirled back towards his leader with a snarl and heated eyes. No doubt that he was beyond furious.

“You want to become an Imperial lapdog?” he yelled, irate.

Konro wasn't fazed by his fury. “If we had the resources of an official Company, we probably could have prevented a lot of damage and saved a lot of lives,” he reasoned. “If the Empire wants to exploit us, fine. We can just exploit them right back.”

Niobe gulped at the steely resignation in his voice, showing that he'd already made his choice even though it certainly disgusted him to have to put his pride aside. Truly prideful people, she thought in awe as she slowly stood to her feet with a silent groan. Her father had been right—they were really admirable. And her respect for them had gone up, despite the fact that they now had to bow to the damn emperor and the Tokyo Empire. Benimaru was internally seething, but even he understood what Konro meant; the district of Asakusa may have its fighters and protectors, they hadn't been an official Fire Force, so the Empire didn't seem to have cared much for them. Until now. Now, they were acknowledged as a real Company because of their might and that was probably the most incredible feat to accomplish. Benimaru and Konro would make a name for themselves even without having been either in the Tokyo Army or the Fire Fighter agency, as word had already spread around about their strength among the previously six Fire Force Companies.

And what's more, Captain Hague had identified Niobe as the Third Generation who'd refused offers to join a Company when presented these 'golden opportunities' since last year. A report will be certainly be written to mention her name and presence at the scene, and other Fire Soldiers would show up at her father's doorstep—or hers, since they must know where she lived—to convince her to join the Force. How could you convince a Third Generation who had no motivation and reason to join an organization led by zealous servants of a ridiculous religion and put her powers at the service of a 'Sun God'?

Her father was going to scream.

A strong hand caught her forearm and squeezed it. Hard. Niobe slowlylooked up and blinked upon seeing Benimaru's blank stare, which still seemed to convey all of his emotions. Rage, sadness, guilt, humiliation—you name it. The announcement from Captain Hague had just about finished off their wounded pride, so it almost looked like they had nothing else to lose at the moment. His stare rooted the student on the spot and she stared back with wide eyes, awaiting his words.

“I don't know you at all,” he declared. “but here's what I know: Konro's right, you helping us out last night despite not being from Asakusa means more than what those dogs from the Empire could have ever done for us. You have his respect... and mine. Asakusa owes you a lot, Niobe.”

He closed his eyes with a snarl, seemingly bracing himself for what he was about to say, then opened them again to gaze at her.

“Looks like what you said became a reality: we've become an official Fire Force Company, due to the emperor taking advantage on what happened to finally induct us. We can't do shit about it... but here's what I can actually do, if your predicament is as grave as we think it is because of what that old geezer revealed. Let me finish,” he growled when she opened her mouth to object and she clamed up with an intimidated nod. Benimaru continued. “They want you too, right? Well, let me fuck them up by recruiting you right now.”

He leaned in to slam his forehead against hers, surprising Niobe as she yelped in pain, but she quickly shut up and gawked at him. His eyes, so fiery and unique, trapped her there and burned into her mismatched, arrowed-eyes.

“What do you think, outsider? Wanna become my sniper?”

Her mouth dropped open and all she could do was stare at Benimaru dumbfounded. Utterly dumbfounded and in shock. She was sure she was a perfect interpretation of a pufferfish at the moment, because this proposition was so sudden and unexpected that she didn't know what to say. Even her brain had seemingly turned off. Niobe blinked at him once, twice, three times.

The proud Hikeshi, who despised outsiders from the Empire and would probably incinerate them all on sight just for stepping into his turf, had just invited her to become part of the foundation of Company 7 and one of his soldiers. Her, an outsider he knew nothing about. Color her stunned, because she certainly was.

And that reaction got Benimaru to scowl at her.

“Take your time responding, we have all day,” he groaned.

“Beni, give her a minute to fully process everything,” Konro admonished again. “You just blew her mind, and mine all along. We didn't expect that.”

“Whatever.”

Niobe shook her head, eyes closed for a few seconds, then inhaled and exhaled. Her eyes opened again and bore into Benimaru's with a steely resolve she'd never felt before. Because something in him just... drew her in. Slowly, the student lifted the arm he was still holding onto to present her open palm.

“Niobe. Kirishima Niobe,” she finally introduced herself, putting her surname first. “Looks like I have no choice, yeah?”

Despite the situation, Benimaru's lips quirked slightly upward as he slid his hand up her arm to put his own palm into hers and squeeze her hand.

“Shinmon Benimaru,” he said. “And no, I'm not taking any complaints and you have no choice. I'm not taking a no for an answer.”

“Then you have a sniper.”

They both squeezed hands, forging their deal.

WTF! What is wrong with their faces!?😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

“Huh? I’m definitely right-handed... Why’s Excalibur in my left hand?”

he’s so stupid

i love him

Ok I lied I did not draw huamei, I drew Maki!!

Shinra and Arthur! Sho!! Fire force!!!

Instagram wasn’t too fond of this one so far, it kinda flopped. But if there are any fire force nerds like me out there, here you go!!

HES SO CUTE I CANT

These are all of them so far!! I finished the show today, maybe I’ll draw huamei next. She’s super cool.

1st time drawing Shinra Kusakabe fanart hope you like it

how many fandom’s do you like?

Oh, wow so many. Let’s start with different channels:

Cartoon Network: any show from the early 2000-10s to Craig of the Creek; plus any anime that was on it like Bakugan and Beyblade

Disney: early 2000-10s sitcoms, TOH, GF, Ducktales (2017), Big Hero 6/MCU, etc.

Nickelodeon: Spongebob, some old sitcoms by D*n Schn*ider, Henry Danger is the last show

For fandoms outside of TV, I’ve seen Camp Camp, Ever After High; used to watch Mianite videos; listen to multiple broadway musicals (Hamilton, Heathers, ITH, DEH, 21 Chump Street, Kinky Boots); watched some shows for stay at home moms like Roseanne, That 70s Show, the Goldbergs, the middle, etc.

I am not avid in book fandoms except for the Artemis Fowl Series (don’t speak of the film).

For the anime that I care about: Bakugan, Beyblade, Fire Force, Magi, JJBA, PPP Mermaid, Haikyuu, HXH, Ass Class, and Azumanga. There’s a few more but I really don’t participate in the fandom for those anime, I just watch them and move on.

This is just a handful of stuff I remember. I try to join fandoms often. I’ll try to put a full list in the tags

Where are the Joker x Licht shippers on this blasted website??? None of you Fire Force fans ship them. The audacity of this godforsaken place.

This might be old news. But… Shinra has trouble around pretty girls (same dude) and…… Arthur.

Arthur.

The dude who’s supposed to be his ‘rival’.

I’m just saying that’s kinda sus dude.

Shinarthur hc part2

-It’s cannon that Shinra likes break dancing but I think Arthur prefers ballroom dancing but is more than happy to watch and participate in Shinra’s favourite type of dancing.

-Arthur tried it once but ended up straining his wrist and making a fool of himself. It was pretty embarrassing- but Shinras laughter was totally worth it.

-Vulcan 100% was the first one to comment on their feelings in Company 8. Everyone else knew something was up but was to respectful to comment. Vulcan however has no chill.

-Obi is a bit worried as your not allowed to work in the same Company as your SO and some Companies are very religious. But despite all that Sister Iris and may other Company leaders have been very supportive, if not confused.

-Princess Hibana 100% tried to set those dumbasses up. And is totally their hype women. After she gets past the fact that Shinra doesn’t like her, she realises she respected him more than loved him. (I mean she still does love him. It’s just no longer romantic)

-Ogun is never the 3rd wheel. Mainly because it’s a fucking tricycle ride with those 3, as only one of them has the singular brain cell at any one time. Furthermore, Shinra and Arthur aren’t much different than they use to be and the only difference there is, is that they are all more physically affectionate with each other and there’s more pet names and flirting.

-Ogun also likes to tease them about their relationship and how long it took for them to actually get together. Arthur and Shinra don’t really mind it, and tease Ogun back for embarrassing things he said and did in an effort to play matchmaker.

-Obi is very supportive but ends up acting as a parental figure and gives the boys individual the ‘shovel talks’. It’s pretty funny to outsiders but the duo are pretty horrified in the moment.

-Iris 100% is also supportive but because of religious reasons doesn’t really ‘get it’ for a while but after Maki explains everything, she is ready to fight anyone who is homophobic.

-also Iris ends up coming out as bi later on, everyone supports her.

-Tamiki ends up using they/them pronouns and Shinra and them bond over being non binary, victor joins them as he is also non binary.

-victor uses all pronouns.

-Hibana likes to tease them about how they ever ended up together and she and Arthur have this friendship where they both ‘insult/make fun of each other’

-After Arthur tells Shinra about him being abandoned, Shinra decides that he is never leaving Arthur ever (not that he planned to) and doesn’t leave his side for 2 weeks. Arthur reassures him that he knows Shinra won’t abandon him but makes him promise to always come back and not die.

-Both of them have a lot of trauma and spend countless nights up late processing and supporting each other through it.

-They end up getting therapy at some point and they often go together for support and comfort

Hii I’m Blue!! I will start to post some of my oneshots on here, feel free to request anything!! Besides proships..😞 I will be posting art on here from time to time!!😙

Okarun sketches because he's a cutie patootie and no one can tell me otherwise

Dandadan has become one of my favorite things, and Okarun and Momo have become my favorite Main characters. I need them to kiss or I'll go insane. (Yes I'm caught up with the manga)

Here is a bonus sketch page of some of my favorite MCs on one page

(my art isn't all that good ATM due to health but I swear better drawings will arrive one day)

I'm bored right now so if any of you want to send me asks, go ahead. Maybe about anime or really anything. Preferably not about Star Wars, tho.

i love one(1) dumbass

Fire Force

Rest easy

Fire Force × SIAMÉS The Wolf

MASTERLIST [REQUEST OPEN]

Rules-

I don't write nsfw bc

I physically cant write

That shit

No Sexual assault

Or anything bad (not here)

I do Fluff, and sweet shit like cuddles pls gimme things to write

I do head cannons, one shots, Angst too

And maybe Character x Character idk

I write for Fem/Male/Genderneutral, and Trans readers Male x Male GN X FEM/MALE TRANS X FEM/MALE

female x Female etc I'll write it allllllll

I write for multiple fandoms

-BLACK CLOVER-

-BNHA-

-BSD-

-DEMON SLAYER-

-DR.STONE-

-FAIRYTALE-

-FIRE FORCE-

-GENSHIN IMPACT-

-HAIKYUU-

-JJK-

-MAGI-

-SK8- (NOT ADAM)

-TOKYO REVENGERS- (SFW ONLY)

-VANITAS-

And random requests too-

(I might change this soon or not idk)

----------------

I HAVE TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM

don't message me on tumbler pls

PLEASE ALWAYS READ RULES BEFORE REQUESTING