Chapter 46: Eri's exploration

Hello everyone! I have returned with the hopes of helping you escape the reality of this world. I hope to be moving with my other projects, but those updates will be announced on my tumblr page.

HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER!

For as long as Eri could remember, her childhood was filled with four walls, a roof, and a ceiling. Her parents were blurring images from a dream, and even her grandfather, who took her in had a fading face. And everyone else around her recently had just been plague masks and long coats.

Kai didn't allow her to touch the sun, even from her window, her room was buried underground, dark and cold.

There was nothing there for her, but pain and isolation. She didn't know that she would be escaping that day, but when the opportunity was there, Eri jumped at the chance. Willing to risk her life for the unknown, because it couldn't have been worse than what she knew in that room, in that place.

She didn't know that her feet would feel different when she walked on a ground of dirt compared to a ground of concrete, she didn't know the feeling of the changing winds and she didn't know the comfort of the sun's warmth. Not until today.

"Tell me if your feet hurt or if you get tired okay," Eri thought she had misplaced Sakura's presence, unaware that the kunoichi was deliberately quieting herself for Eri's content.

When Sakura told Eri to get ready for a walk, she didn't know what to expect and when Sakura explained that they were going to have a picnic in the mountains, Eri had to ask what a picnic was. That astounded Sakura, in the worst way, and she wondered if Kai had kept the girl locked up her entire life until this point.

She still didn't know the full story, but she needed Eri to get comfortable with her. Since she didn't seem that content around others, Sakura thought a day out in the wilderness was best. But she hadn't expected this much curiosity and fascination, as the girl was drinking in the sight of every tree, every bush, and every insect, bird, and animal that crossed their path.

Because she preferred to keep to herself, Sakura had to guess when Eri was forming questions about the environment. So she watched silently and carefully from a safe distance. Sakura wanted Eri to explore without feeling burdened by her presence. So she stepped quietly, breathed softly, and spoke as tenderly as possible.

When Eri saw a squirrel, eating an acorn she stopped to stare up at the fuzzy creature on the branch. Her eyes were wide as she followed the sway of its fluffy tail.

The rustling of the leaves underfoot had caught the squirrel's attention, and it froze mid-chew, its bright eyes flicking up to meet the girl's gaze. For a moment, the two just stared at each other, the girl in wonder and the squirrel in cautious curiosity.

As the squirrel resumed its feast, the girl slowly took a step forward, then another. But as she drew closer, the squirrel skittered away, darting up the tree trunk with lightning speed. Eri gasped in fright and stepped back, bumping into Sakura's legs. She was caught before she could fall.

Sakura held back a chuckle, gently standing Eri straight. "That's a squirrel,"

"Squirrel," Eri repeated like she was memorizing the name for the first time.

"They live in places with a lot of trees, and typically a lot of food they like," Eri stared at Sakura with the caution of a cat. "They like acorns and peanuts. You can get them to come close to you if you offer to feed them, but they're careful around anything bigger than them, that's why they run into the trees,"

"It's scared of me?"

"It's in their nature to be careful, that's how it survives. But they don't always just run and hide when they see us coming so you'll get to see more of them in the forest,"

Despite her disappointment, the little girl couldn't help but stare at the branch, thinking about the squirrel and its bushy tail.

Walking through the forest in the mountains is an experience that engages all the senses. The crisp air has a hint of pine and an earthy aroma that invigorates your lungs. The rustling of the leaves as the wind blows through the trees creates a peaceful symphony that surrounds you. The towering trees enclose the forest. It was an encompassing experience for Eri.

The forest is teeming with life, and as the two ventured deeper into the woods, Sakura made it a point to spot all of the wildlife so that Eri could enjoy it all. The birds' cheerful chirps and the insects' buzzing add to the forest's harmony. No wild boar or deer but even so, Eri seemed to marvel at the sight she was offered.

'Maybe we should go to the zoo,' The thought just came to mind as she watched Eri's movements. This was a case of the long road to recovery, and Sakura knew she couldn't shirk this because she was the one who saved Eri. And to abandon her now would make Sakura's actions futile.

Eri needed to feel secure now. Even though she was away from that place, Sakura knew that trauma could run so deep that even escaping the source wouldn't save you.

After walking for a while, Sakura realized that they still had quite a ways to go before reaching their destination. She tried to pick up Eri, but the young girl flinched at the sudden movement. Sakura understood immediately that Eri was not used to being touched or carried in a secure manner that didn't hold ill intent, and decided to just slow the pace instead.

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As they continued their journey, the landscape opened up into a wide field, where a variety of colorful flowers bloomed, and a small stream of water ran through as well. Eri gasped in amazement at the sight, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Sakura smiled, pleased with Eri's reaction. "You can go ahead and look around and play, but after we eat something," she said, taking out some rice balls and soda from her bag. She set up a picnic sight for them and settled quickly on the grass.

Eri eagerly ate the rice balls and drank the soda almost hurriedly, her eyes darting around the field, eager to explore. Sakura could tell that the girl wanted to frolic and have fun. Lunch was enjoyed with the tranquility of nature.

Sakura took Eri to the water to go and dip her feet in. Eri squealed as the water tickled her toes.

Sakura watched as the sun's rays danced on the water's surface, causing the fish to sparkle like diamonds. She could see the look of wonder and amazement on Eri's face as she gazed at the creatures swimming beneath the water. Sakura gently suggested that Eri try to catch one, but the young girl shook her head, a look of concern crossing her features.

"I don't want to hurt them," Eri said softly.

Sakura smiled at the young girl's compassion, even those as small as the fish in the pond. She knelt next to Eri and placed a hand on her shoulder, careful not to startle her. Though Eri didn't seem to be eager for contact, she at least didn't flinch this time.

"That's very kind of you, Eri," she said, "and it shows what a good heart you have. It's important to respect all living creatures, no matter how small they may be."

Together, they sat by the pond, watching as the fish swam lazily in the water. Sakura pointed out the different types of fish, and their colors and patterns, and explained how they all had a special place in the ecosystem.

As they sat there, a dragonfly landed on Eri's hand, its iridescent wings shimmering in the sunlight. Eri watched in awe as the insect perched on her finger, its delicate legs clinging to her skin. Sakura smiled, knowing that this was a moment that Eri would never forget.

"Look at that," Sakura said, pointing to the dragonfly. "It's amazing how even the smallest creatures can be so beautiful."

Eri nodded, her eyes fixed on the dragonfly. "It's so pretty," she said softly.

Sakura stood up, brushing the grass from her pants. "Come on, Eri. Let's go explore some more."

Eri stood up, her hand still outstretched as the dragonfly took flight. Together, they continued their journey, their hearts filled with wonder and curiosity about the world around them.

As the day wore on, Sakura realized that Eri didn't know much about the world, even less than she did. But for now, she was happy to show Eri as much as she could.

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"Do you want to play some games?" Sakura asked.

"What are games?" Eri asked innocently, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Sakura's heart sank at the question. It was clear that Eri had been kept isolated from the world for most of her life. It was clear that she had a lot of work to do to help Eri adjust to the world outside of Hassaikai.

"Games are things we do for fun," she explained gently. "We can play different types of games outdoors, like racing or three sticks,"

Eri's eyes sparkled with excitement, but even so, Sakura noticed that the girl hadn't once lifted her face into a smile.

Sakura decided to teach Eri how to play three sticks, a simple game that only needed a lot of space and the ability to run and jump. Eri was hesitant at the beginning when she saw Sakura hopping over the sticks that were placed so closely together, but Sakura explained that they would eventually space them apart after each jump. The game didn't last too long, with Eri's stamina and height, the odds weren't in her favor, but that hadn't dissuaded her. When the sticks were laid out too far and Eri just wanted to give up, Sakura told her to just run as fast as she could and jump.

It didn't make sense to Eri, to put in that effort when she knew she wouldn't be able to make it passed the first jump, but Sakura kept on cheering her on that she gave in.

Eri ran across the field and that's when she felt the rush of excitement of her actions. The last time she ran, it was to escape, and it was full of fear, but that wasn't the case now, and for the first time, Eri was able to run for the fun of it and she could feel the excitement from it. Her lungs burned, and her heart was racing, but there was no fear when she took action.

She didn't make it to the second stick, but she didn't care.

Next, they played red light, green light. Eri was a bit confused at first, but Sakura patiently explained the rules until she understood.

The warmth of the sun on their skin and the gentle rustling of leaves in the background created a perfect ambiance for their outdoor playtime.

As they continued playing, Sakura noticed that Eri was getting better and better at the game. Her movements became more coordinated and her reaction time was quicker. It was as if a newfound energy had awakened in the young girl.

Eri even suggested playing the game backward, with Sakura calling out "green light" instead of "red light." Sakura was impressed by her creativity and willingness to explore new ideas.

After a while, they took a break and sat down, sipping on some water to quench their thirst. Sakura could see that Eri was tired but her eyes were shining with more life.

Sakura didn't know that this day would be remembered by Eri for a long time. She had shown her a glimpse of the beauty and joy of the outside world and had given her a taste of freedom and playfulness that she had never known. It was a small step, but one that could change Eri's life forever.

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The sun had already set by the time they were heading back, and with Eri's energy spent, Sakura offered the girl a piggyback ride. Eri rested her head on Sakura's shoulder, her eyes drifting closed as the older girl walked them through the forest without stumbling a step, despite the darkness.

"I hope you had fun today,"

Eri muttered, "Fun?"

It was as if she was learning foreign concepts that should've come as an inheritance to all children. Eri didn't know how to play any games, she didn't smile, she couldn't laugh and she didn't know what it meant to have fun.

"How did today make you feel?" Sakura decided to go another way about asking the girl.

In silence, Eri contemplated harder on the thought than she anticipated she would. But when she recalled all the events today, from the walk through the forest to see the animals, her chest felt like it was stuttering, and a warmth swelled in her.

"Like I want to do it again," Eri answered, "I don't know, but….it's not a bad feeling, I think,"

That was enough to make Sakura smile.

"That's good,"

"It is?"

Sakura nodded, adjusting Eri on her back, "If you want to do this again, it means you enjoyed it. You had fun,"

Eri's cheeks flushed a little, and her eyes shone with wonder, "Fun,"

Sakura's heart swelled with warmth at Eri's words. She knew that there were still challenges ahead, but at least she had been able to give Eri a little sense of security and freedom, and hopefully happiness.

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Izuku slumped through the halls of Height's Alliance, his head hung low and eyes dropping. He flunked yet another training session that should've been simple with his power, but he just couldn't concentrate on anything, not to mention his classes were tanking. He had been reprimanded by two teachers for drifting during lessons, and Shouta for losing focus in the practical lessons.

He was thrilled to be accepted as an intern by Nighteye's agency. This hero had worked under All Might for years and his ability Foresight was worth gushing over. He even trained one of the top Third Years of U.A Mirio Togata. So of course it was disheartening that the only reason Nighteye accepted Izuku as an intern was to convince him to surrender One for All to Mirio. As he didn't believe a quirkless novice like Izuku was fit for the role of the next Symbol of Peace.

It was even harder for Izuku to keep his composure there, after the encounter with Kai Chissaki, and his daughter. Their agency was watching out for the Hassassakai group to catch them in illegal activity, but Izuku wasn't able to move freely to help the girl who had begged him because of this.

Nighteye even berated him for wanting to act in that manner.

'Be patient,' Is what he was ordered and although he followed through with the hero's demands, Izuku has not been at peace since then. He knew that heroes made difficult decisions and would lead difficult lives, but just like his classmates, he didn't have any real experience when it came to complications like this, and he couldn't anticipate how it would affect him psychologically.

'What would Sakura say?'

Izuku wouldn't be able to forget the way she carried herself and acted on her beliefs, even when her actions were berated over and over again, she never wavered. That was how certain she was of herself and what she stood for. Although Izuku didn't understand it himself. He admired her strength, not only her power but her ability to stand firm on what she thought was the right course of action.

He wanted to get to know her better. He wanted to hear her story; how she got to that point which was so clearly ahead of the rest of her peers. She had given him advice, and not just on his fighting style. Which had improved. He would've liked her input.

'Even if she did break the rules,' Then again, he had done the same when getting lost in the moment. Throwing rationality to the wind and even getting his classmates in trouble with him. But he thought he was getting better, and that he would be able to earn back the trust Aizawa had so blatantly stated they'd damaged. At least it wasn't beyond repair.

But she had left. And no one understood or knew why.

While she was considered a runaway now, Shouta had kept them informed when there were sightings of her so they knew she was still here. When Izuku came back from his work studies, after the incident with Eri, he always thought about how Sakura might've handled the situation. Would she have allowed her senior peer to stop her from rescuing the girl?

'If it was Sakura, she would probably be able to save her in one punch,' That's just how good she had proven to be. Even when she was outnumbered against the League of Villains and All for One, she put her life on the line to protect Katsuki. And didn't even flinch at the notion of death.

Izuku still felt chills when it seemed that Kai was ready to attack them in that alley, the bloodlust. He sometimes thought it should've made him move quicker, made him stand between Kai and Eri. Instead, he had to pull away and it weighed on him.

Now, Izuku hadn't been able to get Eri out of his head. He wasn't sure what was happening to her.

"I couldn't do anything,"

"Midoriya," Izuku yelped turning on his heel to meet Shouto's blank stare. He had been listening to Izuku unknowingly mutter to himself, with that scrunched-up expression.

"What's the matter?"

Shouto looked like he was ready for bed. There were some bruises and bandages over his face. He and Katsuki were sporting a similar look due to their Provisional license exam course. Another outrageous outcome was that Shouto and Katsuki failed their Provisional licensing exam, while the rest of them managed to make it. Izuku had a feeling it was by the skin of their teeth though.

But if they were able to pass their course, they would be caught up to the rest of their classmates again. The only downside was, they weren't allowed to join the internships, because of this. Katsuki was especially bitter about this.

Izuku was specifically instructed not to discuss the case Nighteye's agency was working on, which included his encounter with Kai and Eri. But much like his muttering, Izuku was oblivious to the fact that he had no poker face. And Shouto wasn't all that great at reading the room.

"I was just thinking about Sakura," The way Shouto's eyes changed, it was like watching a cat's ears stand on alert.

"Aizawa-sensei said they haven't seen her since she stopped that train,"

Yes, the heroes had made quite a showing with that. The villain had escaped, but at least they were able to prevent casualties. There was even footage caught of Sakura stopping a train by herself. She looked fine as well. Not even a strike to the heart was enough to stop her.

"I wish she would come back,"

He was sincere in his deflection. Izuku thought about how his mother almost refused to allow him to return to school. The teachers had to go to everyone's parents and get permission personally for this. And surprisingly no one put up much resistance. The parents trusted UA with their kids, despite the events.

Izuku had gone to Toshinori to ask why Sakura hadn't returned to school, and he explained she ran away. He assumed t was because she didn't want to be placed in a dorm system. That's when Toshinoir also shed light on Sakura's entire situation and origin.

"I'm not sure about all the details, but when I spoke to the commission they explained that Sakura showed signs of amnesia and that they couldn't track any existing relatives. She refused to be placed in the foster system, so they offered to allow her to live on her own like she wanted as long as she attended UA."

Izuku wasn't able to make sense of the explanation but had wondered if that was the reason Sakura seemed so indifferent towards hero training and classes. Of course, he was told not to give out this information since it was classified and if Shouta heard about this he would strangle Toshinori since this was meant only for the teacher's ears.

That made Izuku feel a bit guilty that he knew something so personal about Sakura.

'Everything is such a mess,'