NANBAKA X READER

Chapter 30

A/N:
Sorry for the long wait. I had a few complication when editing the chapter. Everything glitched out for a moment and messed everything up so I had to delete and redo the chapter twice! It's all fixed now though so I hope you enjoy!

Your POV

My eyes fluttered open as I awoke but soon squinted due to the sudden shining of sunlight in my eyes. ‘Did I fall asleep again?’ I asked myself but felt something holding me and quickly looked up to find Jyugo there fast asleep. ‘Oh god that actually happened?! I thought that was a dream too!’ I internally freaked out as I quickly wiggled my way out of Jyugo’s arms. My face felt like it was on fire as I stared at Jyugo. “I can’t believe I allowed myself to be so vulnerable! What if Elf showed up! We all could have been killed!” I recalled last night's dream and shivered. 

‘That didn’t actually happen but why does it feel like it did?’ I asked myself as I approached the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. There was no sign of the wound he inflicted on me so it wasn’t real. It really was a dream. But that scar he had shown me was bothering me. “He said I was the one who did it but… if I really did do that, then why don’t I remember?” I clenched my fists as I tried to recall if that actually happened. I quickly shook my head and looked to the ground. 

“Do they really know I’m here?” I asked myself. “If they do, I need to find a way out of here before they hurt my friends.” I mumbled. A look of determination came to my face as I lifted my hood over my head and approached the cell door. ‘I’m gonna miss these guys but I’d rather leave so they are safe than have them be at risk of being killed all because Elf and that bastard with the scar can track me.’ I thought and smiled sadly at the sleeping group before reaching the lock. Slowly, I removed it and, as quietly as I could, I opened the door and stepped out.

But, before I could go any further, someone spoke. “Where are you going?” I slowly turned around and found Nico there, rubbing his eyes. I presume he had just woken up. “Hey Nico. I’m just gonna get some fresh air.” I told him with the biggest smile I could give him. He just smiled at me through tired eyes. “Could I come with you?” He asked and I shook my head. “Why don’t you stay here and get some sleep.” I said and he nodded. He was like a child and I couldn’t help but chuckle. He was so adorable. “Don’t stay out too late F/N. You need to sleep too.” He muttered before falling asleep again.

‘I couldn’t leave these guys even if I wanted to.’ I thought and sighed. These guys were my family now. Hajime, Momoko, Jyugo, Samon, everyone. If I leave now, without saying anything, how will everyone react? Also, if I leave, I won’t have anyone. I’ll be all alone like I was before. I couldn’t help but shiver at the thought. Being alone is the worst. Having no one to talk to. Having no one there to comfort you when you're scared. Being all by yourself when you need someone there for you is something I can’t stand. I’ve been alone before and… I barely managed to survive on my own. 

My thoughts. My memories. The things I’ve been through ate away at me, making me feel nothing but fear. But, coming here made me feel… happy. “I can’t leave these guys. I don’t think I would make it out by myself anyway. I need them with me.” Muttering this to myself, I closed the cell door and sat down beside Nico, who was fast asleep. “I shouldn’t listen to what Elf said in that dream. He might have been lying for crying out loud!" I sighed as I stared down at my hand. “Even if he does show up, I will protect the ones I care about. Even if it costs me my life.” I balled my hand into a fist and nodded to myself.

“What are you talking about?” I heard Jyugo say from behind me and I quickly turned around. “Oh… hey Jyugo. I didn’t know you were awake.” I said and he just stared at me. “Is something bothering you? You've been acting weird since last night.” He said and I shook my head and smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright.” I told him but he just stared at me. “Your nightmare. Is that what’s bothering you?” I jumped at his words and looked away from him. “You can tell me. You know that right?” He said and I nodded. “I just… I don’t think you would be comfortable with me telling you what happened.” I said and he looked at me confused.

“What exactly do you mean?” He asked and I hesitated for a moment. “It involves Elf.” I saw him jump as anger suddenly filled his eyes. “See, I told you.” I turned away from him and sighed. ‘He’s the only one who would understand my emotions but, if he’s gonna react like this just hearing his name, I don’t know how he will react when I tell him everything.’ I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I turned to find it to be Jyugo. “You can tell me about it if it will help. I know I’m the only one here who knows how you feel, so if you need to talk, I’m here.” He smiled and I smiled slightly. 

I was a little surprised by his actions though. This was the first time I’ve seen him genuinely concerned about anything. “Are you sure you’ll be alright if I tell you? You already get angry just hearing his name. I don’t want to upset you.” I said and Jyugo nodded in return. "I'll be alright." I was still hesitant but I decided to tell him everything. Me seeing my parents again, them disappearing and revealing it to be Elf. Elf saying that they are able to track me and him showing me his scar and about him almost killing me. I could see Jyugo’s anger along with his concern and worry. 

“You know, I was actually going to leave because of all that but Nico had woken up, making me hesitant on leaving.” I admitted and Jyugo sighed. “Don’t worry so much. They won’t be able to get in here easily with all the booby traps and guards here.” Jyugo reassured but I was still uneasy. “Well, I managed to get past them once with Uno. Are you sure he won’t be able to get here?” I asked and Jyugo faltered for a moment before nodding. “Yeah so don’t sweat it, alright.” He said and I nodded. “Alright.” I was still unsure about it but, if Jyugo says it will be ok, then I’ll trust him on that.

But there was something that wouldn’t leave me alone. That scar Elf showed me. Was it even real or was it merely a figment of my imagination? And why did he say I did it? ‘Maybe Jyugo can help me figure this out.’ I thought and turned to him again. “Jyugo.” I said and he turned to me. “Do you ever… recall Elf getting hurt badly while you were in that place?” I was nervous about asking him this but I needed an answer. Jyugo, as I could tell, was put off by my question but still answered it. 

“Yes. I believe so. I recall him heavily bleeding one time though I can’t tell you who caused that injury. He deserved it though. It probably left a huge scar.” My body tensed up this response. “Do you… remember where he was injured?” I asked. If Elf really was injured on the chest then there was a higher chance he wasn’t lying and I might have actually caused that scar. “I can’t remember clearly but I think it was across his stomach and up his chest. I want to know who had the power to do that to him.” Jyugo’s words faded as I processed what he said. 

‘So… Elf wasn’t lying? And it wasn’t my imagination? Was it really me who did that?’ Feeling an overwhelming sense of fear, confusion, and worry, my breathing grew heavy and my heart rate increased. ‘I did that. I really did, didn’t I? I caused that injury but how? I’ve never had the courage to attack him. He’s much more powerful than I am so how? When and how did I do it?’ While asking myself these questions, I began to realize something. 

‘That’s right. How could I forget? The experiment did more than enhance my strength and senses. It made me…’ I felt something shaking me and I quickly came to my senses and found Jyugo there, shaking me back and forth. “F/N?” He questioned once he realized I was staring at him. “Don’t stare off into space like that you idiot. I was calling your name for a while and you weren’t responding. You scared me.” He said and I looked at him confused. “Scared you? How did I scare you? Were you worried?” I asked and noticed his cheeks turned light pink. I chuckled. ‘So cute.’ I thought.

“What’s so funny?” He asked and I shook my head. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” I told him and he huffed in annoyance. I noticed Hajime approaching and waved. “You idiots have training today.” He said, sounding annoyed. “Are you ok Hajime?” I asked and he sighed. “No, that damn Monkey is coming to my training ground today.” He said. I couldn’t help but smile. “What’s so bad about that? It will be more fun if other inmates are there! I’ll wake the others.” I cheered. Hajime looked like he was ready to say something but I didn’t bother to listen as I ran to wake up the others.