Mary stared at the two vanilla folders in front of her desk with the names: "Kai Chisaki, Overhaul" written on the label in the right-hand corner to her right, and the other with the name: "Tomura Shigaraki" sitting to her left. She knew both males were villains hiding in the shadows of Japan, waiting for the chance for hero society to fall and crumble, so they may both rise to power.
One of them would become her fiancée and mate.
The other could become a possible enemy.
Her grandfather had picked both candidates, hoping that the offspring of either union would bare strong great-grandchildren with the male. He had left the decision to her, saying that he would be fine with either. He knew both of their foster fathers, the great powerful All For One, the ancient old boogeyman in Japan, who was currently in hiding or long since thought were dead, but her grandfather knew he was still alive. The "crafty old demon" he'd call him, or the current head of Shie Hassaikai, Pops. A fellow yakuza group who still followed the old ways during the time without quirks and when the crime syndicates had once ruled over Japan and one of the few strong remaining groups still active, even with All Might's watchful protection.
All Might may be the world's greatest hero, but he can't save everyone. Some people fall through the cracks, outcasts, forgotten, abandoned or turn to crime as a way to survive and are broken.
Mary groaned, standing from her chair. She needed to clear her head, think things over. Which one was the leaser of the two evil? She doubts that she wanted to be watched and studied underneath All For Ones gaze, the last thing she wanted was to be used in his and the crazy doctor's experiments. Or worse her children. The thought made her heartache.
As for Pop, she never met the man, but her grandfather told her stories of him in his youth and that the older man had always thought of her mother as his own daughter. For the past two year, Mary and Pops had been talking over the phone every week. He welcomed Mary into his family with open arms, knowing how stubborn his adoptive son could be.
It wasn't Pops she was worried about getting along with, but Chisaki himself.
Mary would keep the promise their clan heads had arranged for both her and Kai Chisaki.
Heading towards her room, she passed her grandfather's office and study.
"I wonder, if that boy is as must as a stick in the mud as ever." Her grandfather murmured, sounding amused. But of course, he would be entertained.
Mary inhaled slowly, exhaled, and repeated, her heels clacking over the marble. The silky gown swished against her legs. She kneeled before her grandfather; head bowed in reverence between passing, then moved on. He ignored her in favor of his book, his clawed fingers dragging loudly over the page with a patience that she didn't have at the moment.
She swallowed all of her emotions.
Mary went to her room. She wasn't surprised that her older sister was lying atop her bed after getting back from the hospital from her monthly checkup. Unlike Mary, June had always been born sickly and frail, but it didn't stop her from overindulging in the finer things and exotic pleasures.
"It's easy to make men fall for you." June smirked, "Shall I teach you how, my baby sister?" She giggles, "Hehe, what fun."
"No, thank you." Mary pulled out her black duffle bag, packing without meeting her sisters' violet eyes. "Whatever pervy thing you want to teach me I don't need it."
June sighed, resting her chin in the palm of her hand, ignoring the bandages on her arm from getting her blood drawn, iron, blood cells checked and transferred. "Men are easy and foolish, it's the same for women."
"Have fun with that." Mary replied, yanking off her dress and heels, rehanging it and pulling out her more comfortable clothes: a white and pink knee-high stocks, pink tennis skirt and light grey sweatshirt. Paring it with her favorite low inch heels, then changed her mind for some tennis shoes. She remained silent as she continued to pack her essentials and pink wolf plush she's had since she was a child. All of her fighting weapons and wear were already on route to Japan a few days ago and waiting for her in her temporary apartment.
"Oh, Mar. Why are you so resevered today?" June smiled sweetly while cutting an apple, slowly and gracefully. "Are you finally in love with someone, I can tell. But who? Who has caught the attention of the female wolf's eye, hmm? A Hero or a Villain? Both?"
"It's none of your business about my love life." Mary huffed. "You may act like a delicate flower, but I know your true nature." She glanced over her shoulder and gave a halfhearted glare, lips tugging into a smug smirk. "A spiteful, scheming man-eater."
June didn't react or flinch, she kept smiling and this time spoke with a teasing tone. "Oh? Is someone jealous?"
"Hell no." Mary growled, her nose winkling and snorting. I can smell the scent of three men and their seed all over you as you try to cover it up with the shampoo the hospital provides. "Just because you can get somebody's attention doesn't mean you're attractive." She stated, crossing her arms and looking out the window. "You pretend that you're interested in them."
"That may be true; however, you doesn't have to make yourself unvaluable." She finishes slices all of the apples and scoots the plate in between them, a simple peace offering, knowing her baby sister loves apples and oranges ever since she was a baby. "Just close your heart, or else they'll break it." She holds her slices in the palm of her hand and eats them, muttering in between bites and chewing. "Then they win. It's that simple."
Everything steams from desire and emotions.
Possession, submission, dominance, destruction. All of it, it's the same feeling of thrill of ecstasy that takes over the shifters body; it's all the fog of desire and the want for acceptance.
Mary grabs a piece of apple and eats it slowly, humming in answer.
The trash talking and teasing didn't bother either of them. They were always close and thick as thieves. They only had each other when their grandfather was out of the house for business. June could defend herself, but she's unable to shift into a wolf. She's tried. Nothing. Her strength and senses would become heightened during an emergency or during a full moon, but nothing more. She was sick with the rare genetic defect born to non-shifters from their bloodline.
Mary was the same, given her wolf ears and tail. Giving her the appearance of a Heteromorph or Mutant.
June nudged her sister's leg with her foot. "Come on, live a little my sweet baby sister. It's a foreign country; you are allowed to have a fling or two before you actually do get married it him."
Mary glanced at her sister. "I don't have that luxury." She said softly, frowning. "I've been promised to marry Kai Chisaki and something tells me he wouldn't like his future bride to be fooling around with anybody." She shrugs. "You know how territorial mobster men are with their females. They are as bad as actual hounds with a big, fat, juicy bone, they will devour it and attack any male sniffing around."
"Oh, come on." June groans dramatically. "You can't fool me; you like bad boys with a capital B."
"I do not." Mary argues, despite feeling herself grinning, knowing her sister was right. She did like bad boys. Not ones who committed petty crimes, but dangerous and confidant, strong males whose eyes draw her in like a moth to a burning building. Someone wild, untamed and unchained and yet will stare at her as if he'll die if he doesn't kiss her with all the flames of hell and passion. Someone who could keep up with her and her inner wolf's mischief.
"Uh huh." June hummed, pursing her lips and rolling her eyes. "I packed you an adult goodie bag anyways." She winked, smirking when she caught her younger sisters blushing face.
"You didn't." Mary blink.
"Sure, as hell did." June stood from the bed, strutting towards the large, hard oak wood double doors. "If your stick in the mud husband isn't a pent up, sex and love started man baby and wet blanket, then you need to have a little bit of self-love." She twirled, wiggling her brows. "Remember, Mar, self-love is best love." June closed the door behind her.
Mary sighed, wondering what she had ever done to have a sister like June. Then again, it wasn't all bad. June became her mother and teacher when their grandfather wasn't around. No matter how tired and worn-out June after her hospital visits; she would always play with her, teach her the best hiding places and weapons training. For a sickly woman, if push comes to shove June could throw a mean punish and had a happy trigger finger.
She glanced around her room. All her childhood memories were here. The woods she's explore to her hearts content whenever she left restless and needed to run, wild and free in her wolf form. The orphans she'd look after and find new homes for, the men she'd trained personally and who she had to keep in line.
She was leaving her whole life behind and going to Japan. Mary knew she'd come back every once in a while, moon goddess above, if her new husband allowed it. She'd love to come back for certain holidays, if weather allowed it. Well, here's to a new adventure and assignment. The she wolf stared down at the two envelopes she had been staring all morning, wishing they'd catch fire.
=== 14 hour slight later, Japan ---
One of the things Mary had inherited from her grandfather was her stubborn streak and overly curious and mischievous nature, but her mother's gentle and patience.
The traditional tattoo's her pack wore were similar to the yakuza only instead of demons and dragons, they had the moon, a giant wolf, moonflowers and a thankful prayer to the moon goddess itches into their skin as well as their family crest. If any member dared betray their trust or gift bestowed to them from her grandfather, her or birth given gift, they tattoo would be removed with a silver knife from their backs in front of the whole pack and their families, being beaten, forced to repent and die of silver poisoning.
It's known that members of her pack were menacing and rowdy, but as far as she was concerned, they were all bark, no bite. Well, to her, at least. Then again, the was Hans Bliche, The General's granddaughter, their King.
Many of her grandfather's older miliary soldiers and brothers in arms, looked after and trained newly turned and recruits, or chosen to remain in service until the end of their days. They are all hard asses, devastingly handsome men who adore their wives, mates and children. They don't cut anybody any slack, either. Screw up once, you get a warning. Screw up twice, they are stuck on chore duty on top of double training and relearning the basic drills.
She refills the glass under a waiters curious and amused gaze.
"How are you holding up there in the land of the rising, sun, Maria?" Grandpa asks with a half-smile. "Getting homesick yet? Need me to come and bring you home?"
"Living the dream, gramps," she replies, grinning. "And loving it."
She's fully aware of the ogling on her body from the locals. She was a foreigner with wolfish features and curvy without a care in the world with two of her most trusted bodyguards following behind her.
Dabi winks and downs the whiskey first, then sips his beer.
"Glad to hear it. When Pop's first said he met you before the brat, and told me the boy was tailing you, I thought the old bastard was pullin' my leg," he laughed into the phone. "I knew the boy was attached to you as a pup, but it appears the stubborn, antisocial and arrogant birdy has a soft spot for you." "He's a ruthless, headstrong and smart male with a powerful quirk. Besides, Pop's and me want some grandkids running around soon."
"Gramps," Mary laughed, slightly scolding. "You can't force him to overstep his fear of germs and human contact away at the drop of a hat. These things take time." She shakes her head. "Besides, it's best if we take things slow and at his own pace. Don't wanna scare the poor man. Japanese men are more shy."
"Nah, you wouldn't. Your just as fierce and brave as your mother, goddess rest her soul." He sighed into the phone, no doubt giving a warm smile. "Chisaki is a stern and pressy young man, but I still can't imagine a better suited husband for you. He's fiercely loyal to Pop's and your mother, plus he was attached to you. Plus, we can finally join our clans at last. You are a more suited mistress of the Shie Hassaikai, than that coward of a ungrateful brat the old man had." He growled in irritation over the phone.
She knew that her grandfather was recuing to Pop's daughter, who wanted nothing to do with the yakuza even though she was her mother's friend. She broke away from the Shie Hassaikai as soon as she was an adult, never looking back or remaining in contact with her father. She supposes she wanted to live a normal life, which makes sense, but Mary still felt bad for Pops.
Mary knew her mother remained by Pop's side and residence while she was in Japan until her death.
"Your mother had a way of softening and melting people's hearts, then you were born, I don't blame them. I know the old man and boy was never the same." He chuckled dryly. "You are the shining light in our lives, and I'll gladly give that brat a good beating, if he dares mistreat you."
"Gramps, I'll be fine." She reassured. "I gotta go. I'm meeting Pop's at this new cafe he found for me." He pauses and takes a deep breath, and adds, "Give him a hug for me and tease the brat until I get there. Don't let any of those young punks push you around. You're my blood, remember that."
She's the princess of her clan, stepped out of one gilded cage and into another one.
The yakuza world is made up of power, money, and violence. Death, drugs and sex.
If two heads agree to an arranged marriage, or if the bride is given as payment for a debt owed, they will collect. If the brides runs, the groom will chase her down to the ends of the earth, no matter how hard she fights, begs and pleads; it won't change her fate. She will become his wife, whether she chooses to stand by his side at the alter or being forced on her knees.
Disobedience has consequences.
Punishing ones.
💜💚🐦⬛💚💜
The informant slides into the booth across from Overhaul, casting a glance around the cafe before shifting his gaze back to the yakuza. The man was unsavory and didn't meet the plague doctor's high standard of cleanliness and hygiene, which was bad enough to make his skin crawl and gloved hand itch and twitch. It wasn't his lack of personal hygiene that unnerved the yakuza, but his practiced smile and poor acting skills.
The sooner their business transaction was done and over, the sooner Overhaul can get on with his day. The curl of his lip communicating his discomfort refused to flatten underneath his mask.
Overhaul usually has an air and aura of coaxing people into giving him information, not the other way around. This man Ito recommended; he didn't trust him. How could be tell the information he's giving him was true or false?
"Karasu?" The man muttered softly.
Crow? Overhaul's thin brow twitched in irritation that's the code name Ito had chosen for their dealing? Instead of verbally answering he inclined his head in acknowledgement. If Ito hadn't been a loyal and high-ranking informant for decades underneath Pops, the man would have become a pile of blood splatter or sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
The though of his angel made Overhaul's lips twitch into a hint of a smile. "Now, that that's out of the way. What do you have for me since Ito couldn't make it to our usually meeting spot?"
"The silver fox will arrive a day early." The man stammering nervously, drinking his warmth coffee. Silver fox was a code name for Silver, Mary Bliche. Silver Wolf would have been too obvious sound anyone eavesdrops on their conversation. "Will arrive around lunch tomorrow, sir." He gulped, opening his jacket pocket, pulling out the usual vanilla envelope onto the table and scooting it to the middle as both Ito and Overhaul had instructed.
"Excellent." Overhaul's hand twitched, impatience tingling beneath his skin. He forced himself to relax before leaning forward, laying his gloved fingertips on the folder and dragging it carefully, slowly in his direction. He opened it with easy and care, scanning the daily reports, then shifting his hungry and longing gaze on the pictures hidden beneath each individual report.
She wore a baby blue knee length sundress with sunflowers that molded perfectly against her, accentuating her plush curves and breasts, she hair loose and falling free behind her back, a small matching clutch purse hanging on her shoulder and a pair of white wedge heels on her feet. A very pleasing and modest sundress with a minimal, teasing hint of cleavage poking through the top and a white and black choker hanging from her neck. The mob boss kept his expression flat, even if, his cheeks grew heated beneath his black duster mask. Such an innocent piece of clothing and yet, she could turn anything she wore into the most eye catching and sinful outfit. "You already destroyed the roll of film, didn't you? These are the only copies?" The yakuza pressed lightly, voice flat as he lifted his gaze to meet fearful coward sitting in-front of him. "Yes?"
The man paled, nodding his head. "Y-Yes, Sir."
Overhaul narrowed his eyes; he didn't like that. The hesitation, the nervous twitching and hitch within his voice, gave him completely away. "Don't disrespect me and take me for an imbecile," he warned, tapping a gloved index finger on the picture in front of him, activating his quirk, the picture shredding into thousands of pieces, then scattered onto the table. "Are we clear?" His cold, merciless eyes drilling holes into the man flinching across from him and frantically nodding his head.
"U-Understood, Sir." His breathing ragged, close to a near panic attack or wetting himself. Maybe the latter?
"Good," The yakuza touched the torn pieces of the photograph, activating his power again, as if by magic it reassembled and became whole again. "Tell Ito that he's never to bring you before me every again." He proceeded to carefully repackage the papers and photos into the folder, then stood to his feet, dusting off imaginary lint. "Now, get out of my sight."
The man nearly leaped out of the booth only to trip and fall when Overhaul tripped him with his foot. "Get rid of the copies you printed out, you perverse miscreant. Or I'll know." The thought of this bastard having a single copy of Mary's beautiful pictures and doing something indecent made his angry spike and his blood red hot in his veins. He wiped his hands with a handkerchief and cleansed his skin with hand sanitizer as he watched the man leave, scared for his weak, miserable life.
Luckily, the old cafe was owned by The Shie Hassaikai, so anything conducted within the establishment, the owner and his wife never talked. They served Pops and would in time would underneath Overhaul's in time. The pair wished him farewell as he placed money out of his walled and set it gingerly onto the counter as he left, "Until next time, Mr and Mrs Tanaka." He paused in the doorway, half turning and added, "Next time, I'll bring Pops along."
"Thank you, Young Master." The elderly couple replied back, watching the young yakuza leave.
"Do you think he will comeback with the Young Miss?" Mrs Tanaka wondered out loud, smiling fondly.
"Only time will tell." Mr Tanaka replied, frowning. "Maybe then The Young Master will smile again?"
The pair had watched Kai Chisaki grow up. The little boy Lady Sara had found and brought him and her daughters here for eat often, much to the young Kai's annoyance, but he ate every bite without complaint. The Shie Hassaikai would often throw parties and gathers within their restaurant, everyone happy and cheerful, busy, always busy until poor Lady Sara's death. Only a few weeks later when Pops came together alone with young Kai Chisaki did they find out about the tragedy and that one day the cute, happy go-lucky, bright eyed she-wolf toddler would return.
Mrs Tanaka would never forgetting seeing the young miss as a newborn and the first time she got to hold her. They pair never could have children of their own, so it had become a blessing to experience for both of them. The way she smiled and tried to reach for her glasses, or watching the baby take her first steps within their restaurant, then would run towards them. She became the granddaughter they never had.
They could only hope to see her again soon.
Pops wouldn't be around forever and Kai needed to start his own family. None of the woman around him had ever caught his eye, made him curious to know about them, he didn't know who would even be able to meet his high standards.
An excuse he'd use when foreign and lesser Yakuza Bosses tried to offer him their daughters. Knowing Kai himself had already been spoken for. Shameless. Disrespectful.
Kai Chisaki had already pledged himself to another, a promise he'd intended to keep.
Soon she would be back.
As if the heavens had answered his prayers, he noticed something that made his heavy-lidded eyes grow wide.
He felt his breath catch in his throat underneath his mask when he noticed a familiar set of wolfish ears and long silverish white hair on a woman in front of him.
Golden eyes trailing the back of her body when he noticed she had a wolf tail to match, fluffy and long above her tail bone. He wondered, if her eyes were two-toned, one yellow and the other purple. Could it be his Mary? Had she finally returned to Japan after all this time? He felt his heart thud hard in his chest, his gloved hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. He usually hated the thought of touching anything in this rat infested, filthy streets, and yet, he was tempted to reach out for her and call her name.
His fists curled, not out of amusement at watching the man flinch every time his gloves ceased, but as an attempt to rein in the desire surging through him. He stared at the young woman, a foreigner standing in front of the crosswalk, who captured his attention in a way no other woman had before. A woman whose skin was pale and had a healthy weight, plush yet curvy, and the way she held herself, the confidence she oozed spoke of hidden strength hidden. The woman intrigued him. Filled him with a sudden urge to strip her of her clothes and see what lay beneath.
Hesitating, he decided to remain hidden.
Kai walked down the street, following behind, but keeping his distance. He wondered if she looked more like her mother with the same cute, fanged smile and kind eyes as she did in her pictures.
His sharp gaze searched his surroundings.
He recognized this place; him and Pops frequented this fancy coffee shop many times in his youth. They hadn't got in years. He watched her go inside, talk with the waitress and followed her towards the back. That's when he noticed Pops already seated at a table and waiting. What was Pops doing here?
Kai waited a few minutes then entered the same shop, finding Hari already seated a few rows across from the She-Wolf and Pops. He sat down on the opposite side of the table and ordered a coffee black.
"Who is that?" Kai mutter out loud, not turning his heated gaze away from the young woman, admiring how her leggings clung to her legs, hips and ass. He noticed her ears twitching and tail swishing every once in a while, as she talked with Pops, smiling brightly. Enjoyed her hot chocolate and strawberry shortcake parfait as she ate and savored every bite, eating in pure bless. His eyes noticing the way she would cutely cover her mouth, but from his angle he could see the she-wolf lick her lips to get any stray syrup or whipped cream with her tongue.
The cute yet tempted action caused Kai's cheeks to burn underneath his mask as he imagined that her sinful mouth could do to him, he felt himself start to grow hot and hard in his seat.
"Ah, The General's second Granddaughter." Chrono explained, if the man beside him was confused by his line of questioning or at his interest in the woman, he didn't show it. "It's her. She's back."
Kai's intuition was correct; she had come back. But why was she talking with Pops? "Do you know why she's meeting with Pops here?" His features remained neutral as he listened, trying to downplay his interest but couldn't restrain the grin spreading across his face. Communicating with her would be easier if she spoke Japanese, seeing as his own English was rusty, but he might want to re-review more.
Kai picked up his black coffee and down it, wiping his face with a napkin and rose from his seat as Hari finished his lunch and paid. "Come, let's leave them be for now. I'm sure Pops will inform us when he arrives back home within an hour or so." he said, recovering the lower half of his face with a duster mask despite his reluctance to tear his attention away from the wolf girl. Sneaking a final glance, he followed Hari outside. Heading down the street, Hari was babbling about something, and Kai wasn't listening as his mind tried to come up with ideas on how he could reintroduce himself to her again.
After five minutes of walking, Kai's phone rang. He pulled it out of his pants pocket and his thin brows rose, Pops? He answered, keeping his voice neutral and calm, even if his heart was not. "Hello, Pops?"
The old man's voice greeted him over the speaker, a knowing tone in his voice. "Kai, I noticed you in the cafe and wondered why you didn't approach me." He laughed, teasing. "Did you grow shy of the cute little miss with me?"
Hari couldn't help, but snicker from Pops words. He noticed his friend's odd behavior as well but didn't want to comment on it. He's so obvious. His shoulders shook as he covered his mouth with the back of his hand.
Kai turned his eyes to his companion, giving an icy glare as his brows twitched. "No." he bit out. "I didn't want to be rude and rein yours or the young lady's time." He shook his head, trying to shove the distracting thoughts out of his mind. He couldn't help the jealous pang growing and festering in his gut, and was become more and more restless, which was absurd, he needed to remain focused on his plans and goal.
Hell, he hadn't seen the she-wolf in neatly fifteen years and he was already wanting to turn back around, sit down and demand answers.
Why hadn't she returned back to Japan sooner? Why did Pops keep this secret from him?
🌸🌸🌸🐺🌸🌸🌸
Mary glanced across the coffee shop door during a moment of pause; Pops was busy with his phone call while she was one-third done with her strawberry shortcake parfait Pops insisted on paying for her as his treat for welcoming her back. Mary sensed someone watched her, not unusual with many Japanese citizens or other foreigners staring at her wolf tail and ears, or how much meat and sweets she eats. The wolf within her loved meat while Mary herself enjoyed sweet treats, grandpa always teased that she's trying to fatten herself up so normal human males wouldn't be tempted to snatch her away. But there was something more to the gaze she felt lingering on her today. Whoever was watching her didn't have coffee, sweets or food on their mind as their heated gaze dragged across her body, eyeing her up like Mary was to be their next meal, or something more sinful, she could smell it was a male. His predatory, hunger and lust hit her like invisible arrows and pin pricks all over her body, and Mary found herself suppressing the urge to shiver.
Mary didn't want to believe it, sure, the occasional human or other quirk users with animistic quirks were interested in her, asking her questions, she would play along since it's easier to say she didn't have a quirk unlike another human with a mutant quirk or features. Nor could she believe the hungry gaze had come from the male she caught a glimpse of by another male's side. He was older than her, but not by much, How old was he? Damn, it's hard to tell with Japanese men. Although, his golden gaze caught her attention, the color of melted gold, the dark green bombers jacket with a purple furred collar and that's all she could see besides his broad shoulders and his scent oozing power as he got up and left with the male with a snow-white raincoat and a white duster mask. Now that she thought about it, the golden eyed male had a black duster mask of his own.
She will have to ask Pops. Awe, speak of the devil. She had finished her order and smiled brightly, bowing politely, "Thank you again, Pops for treating me today."
Pops laughed, smiling brightly, pulling money out of his wallet and placing it down on the table. "It was no problem, my dear. Thank you for meeting me so quickly after your flight here. I couldn't wait any longer to see you all grown up." His smile widened into a genuine and happy one. Nostalgia evident in his face. "You look just as beautiful as your mother; god bless her soul." He offered her his hand, helping her from her seat and she accepted while grabbing her purse. He frowned and clicked his tongue, leading them outside and he grumbled, "Kai was here earlier, but he left without saying a word, so I gave him an earful. I apologize again, but I couldn't wait until we got home. I swear I taught him better than that."
Mary giggled, followed behind the older Japanese man. She remembers him from the pictures and letters he would occasionally send every month, but here lately, he wanted to talk to her over the phone, usually whenever Kai wasn't home. "Perhaps he was shy. You mentioned that we haven't seen each other since I was a baby, he probably still seeing me as a little kid instead of an adult." Throughout the walk she failed to drown out the thoughts of the man and his lustful gaze. She was surprised indeed, but she had to remind herself, the reason why she had come to Japan and met Pops first before meeting Kai Chisaki. "I noticed him and someone else, but I couldn't tell from where I was sitting. Was that Chisaki?" Her decision to come to Japan had become an easy one having always had a fascination with the country, history, language, and pop culture for years.
"You are correct, haha." Pops chuckled in amusement. "No matter how cold, scary and intimidating the boy acts, he's still socially awkward kid underneath all that stoic and calm nature. You are free to tease him all you like." He stopped at the stop light, turning towards her once more seeing as both of their men were waiting for them on standby, he smiled brighter. "Well, I will see you tonight, my dear. I'm sure your grandfather will come by soon for lunch."
She nodded her head, returning his smile. "Yes, thank you again for the early morning snack. It was delicious. I have to try the rest another time."
Keys jingled as Mary unlocked the door to her apartment. She flipped the light switched and bathed the room in a fluorescent glow, knowing that if her sister were here, she'd release a vampire-like hiss and grimace. The thought had a giggle escape her lips; she bent down and hopped on one foot as she removed her snow-dampened boots one at a time.
She flopped onto her bed and unpacked her bag to settle in for a long night of studying and to work on her latest target. With a sigh escaping her lips, she sat upon her bed with the blue light of her laptop illuminating her face in the darkness.
After working for two hours, Mary changed into her pajamas to relax before getting ready for dinner with Chisaki and Pops, which consisted of a black wool tank top and an old pair of flannel pants.
Mary backed off, but Chisaki's reaction only piqued her interest.
She climbed into bed with her laptop and read over her notes for another hour before finally heading in the direction of the shower.
The sky was the brightest and bluest, mixed with orange, purple and pink, fluffiest clouds that Mary had seen. It appeared flat and thin through the layers of glass, each shade slightly different. As a child, she'd watch the moon from her bedroom back in her homeland; she believed that the moon was her guardian and would follow her everywhere. Now, the childish dream was long since dead.
And yet, even in her dreams, she still dreams about the moon. Either she'd be floating in it, light and darkness mixing together in a pool of blue and black, above and below, at each side and squeezing the breath and air out of her lungs, or she'd be falling from it, falling and falling, forever falling, until her entire existence was covered in darkness.
It was now fully dark, the stars glittered brightly.
After bathing she headed into the laundry room, it was warm and smelled of fabric softener. The washing machine and clothing rack outside on the deck with towels dried and waiting to be picked, folded, and put away. Mary stripped and loaded the washer, along with the rest of her dirty clothes inside the machine and started it. She walked nude towards her room, dropping the black duffle bag into a closet, she slipped on a clean pair of panties, tied her hair into a messy bun, and pulled an old shirt over her head. Sighing as she noticed the vivid bruises on her back, ribs, and a case of road rash on her elbow, only now did she feel its sting. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying and where the woman had punched her. She deserved more than the pain she felt.
She heard the washing machine starting to slosh and throbs, and the scent of the tripod activating and becoming a soapy mess with the water. She pads to her bed and falls backward, landing in soft, warm, and fresh bedding. Mary rolls onto her stomach, face buried in her pillow, and sobs a few dry sobs before the tears came, scalding tears on her cheeks, down her face, and then falling down onto her pillow, soaking it.
It was times like this when the she-wolf felt vulnerable. She wished a male was behind her to comfort her and wash away the pain, regret, and self-loathing she felt. Who would be crazy enough to take her? She was a killing machine, a killer and murderer, hiding behind fake smiles, and desperately lonely and craved human attention and affection. She was a mess. Whoever became her mate would have to be as equally fucked up mess to understand her. She'd doubt, a kind and innocent male would take her, not with her being the legendary mad yakuza's granddaughter, hovering over her shoulders and in the shadows.
Mary sighed, sniffed and wiped her face with the back of her hand. She couldn't stay here, sulk and eat ice cream for dinner like she wanted. No, she needed to get dressed for her dinner with Kai Chisaki and Pops. Then tomorrow would be the marriage interview. A traditional arranged marriage process that took two people and forcing them to spend time together, seeing if they were compatible or not. It sounded boring. But a deal is a deal. Knowing The Shie Hassaikai and Pops honored traditions, it was a requirement.
--------- End of Chapter 1 ------
I'm back! I had to revise Chapter one and find missing scenes which I accidentally saved in the wrong doc or folder, oops. XD My computer is a mess. But I hope everyone is excited for the big reunion between Kai and Mary. Our poor birdman is already a smitten kitten and Mary has no idea.
I originally had Mary run into Dabi after meeting Pops, but I couldn't find it 😅 Either I have to do more digging or add it later.
Drawing of Mary, done by @kurumi-igarashi, here on tumblr! (Please go give her some love!)
Darkest Wolf: Overhaul x Mary (x Dabi x Shiggy) 🌸Prologue 1 🌸Prologue 2 🌸Prologue 3 🌸Chapter 2
Nightmares. She startles awake through the entirety of the night from nightmares plaguing her but she quickly crashes from exhaustion. The desert. The sun beating down on her as she wipes the sweat from her brow. A traitor to her home, a hero to her country, a traitor to her family, a hero to her platoon. Explosions. Screaming. Blood everywhere. All she sees is her dragging her comrade whose legs were blown off. Shielding a child from seeing her family executed as she holds her shaking form.
When Faekah awakens in the morning, at least she believes it's morning, she groans softly as she lifts her head up slowly. Wiping her hands over her face to try and brush the night away. She blinks and looks around her scattered papers before noticing the blanket draped over her shoulders. She removes the blanket curiously as she furrows her brow at wondering when this appeared, then a slight blush creeps over her cheeks. There's only person who could have put the blanket on her, and the thought sends a wave of embarrassment through her. Then she looks over to see a plate of food sitting off to the side where there's a hole in the scattered papers. Faekah takes the plate and nibbles on the food as she looks over her papers trying to piece together her thoughts. She seems to be tracking one thought in particular but the problem is she thinks it's entirely impossible and solely rests on speculation. She hears a stir in the air and turns around to see Mother Miranda standing there expectantly.
"Good morning," Mother Miranda says quietly.
"Good morning," Faekah responds.
"Any luck?" She asks, walking over looking over the table.
"Well um...I have a theory but it's preposterous."
"Let me hear."
"Well first I have a question, um, how does the mutamycete work? It's not like anything I've seen but somehow it's living."
"To be perfectly candid even I do not truly know how it works but as you have seen it shows properties of a parasitic mold. Hence why I was able to make the Cadou so easily."
"I see, and everyone in this village is infected somehow? Apart of the mutamycete?"
"Yes."
"I see."
Mother Miranda tilts her head slightly, "what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
Faekah looks away to hide her blush, pretending to look through some papers and settling on one that's seemingly unimportant.
"My theory is involves two hurdles: one being how do we know for certain we're imbuing Eva's essence into the host, and the second..goes against everything I stand for." Faekah turns around on her seat, firmly looking at Mother Miranda, "I need a fetus. Preferably from outside of the village."
Mother Miranda stiffens but remains collected, "alive or dead?"
"Preferably alive. I also need some of your DNA, actually I would want the DNA from Eva but I assume that's not possible."
"You want to imbue a fetus with the essence of Eva, and presumably the Cadou or strain of the mutamycete."
"Exactly!" Faekah responds excitedly.
Mother Miranda remains neutral, instead she goes to one of the desks and pulls out a filing cabinet searching through it before taking out a rather thick folder. She hands the folder to Faekah, the file labeled 'E-001' weighs heavily in her hand. It doesn't take much for her to assume Mother Miranda has already tried this route. Of course she has. Faekah opens the file and begins reading the notes. There's a few names she doesn't recognize, but otherwise the train of thought is exactly like hers. They took an embryo, infused it with DNA from Eva and a strain of the mold, and created an actual human being they named Eveline.
Faekah flips through the pages seeing that was a horrendous idea. She proved to be unstable, causing mass casualties, and eventually a large enough ecological disaster in Louisiana for the BSAA to get involved. Faekah remembers that. People whispered about it for months at work but no one knew for certain what it was or what caused it, they were told it was an unfortunate accident that killed a small family and a sheriff. Faekah knew there was more to it and this confirmed her suspicions.
"Who are 'the connections'? They're mentioned a few times in this," Faekah asks.
"An organization I thought had the same sentiment as I did. A way to bring back human life. No, instead they did what all humans want to do: make a weapon."
"Of course."
Faekah sits back in defeat, sighing heavily as she looks at the final page: a newspaper clipping of the Baker family tragedy.
"Now you are all caught up," Mother Miranda says sarcastically.
Faekah's mind didn't stop turning, she mulled over the information and flipped through the pages once more. Something didn't add up. It wasn't Eveline's fault, it was a product of her design and raising. She was aged too quickly, required too much.
"What if we did it organically?" Faekah asks.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...what if we started with an egg instead of an embryo? Raised it through maturity naturally instead of synthetically? I'm going to assume there's children in this village, and that the mold is passed genetically from parent to child. So we know the mold can survive in children."
There's a gleam in Mother Miranda's eyes, "I might be able to simulate a womb so we can see the process. It'll be slow, but you might be onto something Faekah."
Faekah smiles and watches as Mother Miranda begins clearing space and she follows by clearing the desk nearest her. Once all the desks are cleared Mother Miranda begins taking out equipment and now it's Faekah's turn to hover. Mother Miranda looks over her shoulder at her then shifts to the side to give Faekah room to watch. It's fascinating to watch Mother Miranda work, her mind follows the same track as Faekah which is a breath of fresh air. Someone who understands. It's also fun to see the little ticks Mother Miranda does, clearly having some form of OCD and ADHD by repeatedly doing something or getting distracted by something.
Faekah steps in and helps her by holding pieces of glass together while she puts together some machinery. She hums thoughtfully before pausing her movements and running her hand underneath her mask over her chin.
"There's only one facility I know that's successfully raised a sheep from fertilization to birth without the mother. I'll need to get some of their equipment or at least the schematics."
"Do you need help?"
"No, you rest up, I'll have everything prepared tomorrow."
Faekah nods her head and leaves the lab to rest in her room, crashing finally to give her brain a break. Thankfully no nightmares which means she sleeps hard, heavy, and even snores. When she awakens she stretches and groans softly, sighing heavily as she touches her hair in realization that she's utterly gross from not showering. She looks through the room and decides to check the dresser just for fun and to her surprise, finds clothing in there. It's not her normal style but she's thankful for the items regardless as she grabs what she assumes to be a neatly folded dress. She hates dresses, but she knows better than to complain when something is gifted to her.
However taking a bath makes her miss her old apartment. She has to boil water if she wants warm water, but thankfully there's a spout inside the bathroom she only has to pump. She pours the hot water into the tub to make it lukewarm and quickly bathes herself before it cools. Once she's nice and clean she eats some fruit left out on the counter of the kitchen before returning to the lab. Once again it's completely different; the desks and tables are gone except for two tables, there's a large machine on one far corner and a clear window looking into an empty basin. Faekah whistles in amazement as she looks at the machine.
"How did you...you know I don't want to know," Faekah chuckles.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes I am. Now, where are we going to get an egg?"
"Already done."
Mother Miranda moves a microscope and Faekah looks through into the basin to see an cluster of eggs ready. Faekah smiles but shivers slightly, really trying not to think about how Mother Miranda got this. Faekah moves to one of the tables seeing a few vials of blood liquid labeled 'MM' and another tube of yellowish liquid labeled 'E.' This must be Mother Miranda and Eva's DNA.
"May I ask...how did you get Eva's DNA?"
"I never cremated her. So I extracted bone morrow."
"Most people might think this is crazy, but Eva is really lucky to have a mother go to such lengths for her."
There's a long silence and Faekah worries she said something wrong before Mother Miranda's voice, uncharacteristically quiet, breaks through.
"How did you know I was her mother?"
Faekah tenses, "well, at first I thought maybe she was a past lover, but I assumed that lifestyle wasn't tolerated here. So the second option was she had to be a child."
Mother Miranda chuckles, "what lifestyle is that?"
"Being gay..."
There's a sudden presence behind her and she knows Mother Miranda is hovering behind her, making her swallow nervously. Two hands grasp her shoulders and she tenses, her breathing heavy as her heart hammers in her chest.
"My word is law, and I could care less who people bed. I've been alive for over a hundred years. Attraction is primal, instinctual, and contrary to popular belief, it is entirely natural. Even here, in my village, entirely cut off from the clutches of the outside world, there are still those who divulge in same sex relations. There are many dangers that lurk here, myself included, but love is something sacred in its own right, even I cannot touch love."
Faekah relaxes and swallows back some uncomfortable feelings that try to wiggle their way up. She nods her head in understanding without looking up from her desk, the hand on her shoulders release them and the presence leaves. Faekah sighs softly, a remote village in the middle of nowhere is more progressive than half the world, more than her parents. She swallows again and wets her lips before trying to refocus on her task.
