Low Voltage [Closed]

The sun hung high in the sky, its rays of light desperately trying to penetrate a solid layer of clouds.  A dim gray tint shone on everything.  With a strong wind, a bit of a chill, and a dark and gloomy atmosphere, it was a perfect day for enjoying a relaxing day indoors at Hephaestus.  Reading a book, watching a movie, cuddling up with a special someone.  Perhaps some would take out some sheet music and play an instrument.  Maybe they'd play a video game or two to pass some time.  All of these things would be great, except for one problem.  Any room that didn't have a window was pitch black, and those with windows only had the dim light that could penetrate the clouds to light them.  The power was completely out.  There were a few small places with backup generators that still hadn't lost power, but much of the surrounding area in the city was also powerless.  The lack of artificial light made the gloomy day even darker.  Occasionally there'd be a flicker seen from within a building.  A student thought to have candles and lit them, some used their powers for light, and others just happened to have battery powered light sources that had yet to lose their charge.  There were many who didn't have these capabilities, and thus many students went outside into the murk and gloom.  It wasn't a particularly good day to do much, so most hung around outside their dorms, talking to friends.  Some got some equipment and played various sports to pass the time.  Most of these people were just playing to kill time, they didn't play the sport normally nor did that have interest in playing it under normal conditions.  However, there were those who used it as a chance to train in some way, be it with their powers, combat, or simply something they enjoyed that they could do in a powerless environment.  Regardless, there was one thing that was for sure.  Hephaestus, while by no means immune to a power outage (obviously), is not a place that simply loses power.  With how much money and how many talented people exist within it, a power outage on this scale was most unusual.

Within the Academy there was an equipment room.  Within this equipment room was various equipment for various activities.  And a short distance away was a 5'0 ape descendant who no more knew her destiny than a cow knows how to crochet a hat.  The small girl stood, back straight, as she looked intently forward.  Only one of her red eyes remained open, as she put all of her focus into a single spot.  Her purple hair blew in the breeze, due west.  As the wind picked up, she shifted her body east.  Her left arm remained extended, while the light slowly pulled back.  As she relaxed the fingers on her right hand, and a loud thunk could be heard in the distance.  The girl let out a breath as she lowered her arm.  Minami Shimada didn't exactly have much she had to do on this very day.  She finished all her work, and without power there wasn't much she felt like doing in her dorm.  Walking over, Minami reached into a target and pulled an arrow out, just half an inch to the left of the bullseye.  It would actually have been easy for her to read or do something in those dark buildings, her ability to see in the dark was fairly good.  However, she just wasn't in the mood.  Looking up to the sky, she stretched out her arm, bow in hand.  Minami actually practiced archery, and today seemed like as good a day as any to get some practice.  Sadly, the bow she was using was starting to get old.  In a bit of an air headed move, she forgot to grab her own bow and arrows.  The one she was using probably didn't have too much life left in it.

She let out a large yawn as she got back into position, small little fangs showing slightly.  Getting used to archery again was a pain.  She definitely enjoyed it, but she wasn't used to her strength.  She went from being weak little Minami to being able to (accidentally) put someone through a wall.  Theoretically that should make Archery easier, but just the fact that things feel different was throwing her off.  Her last shot was a lucky shot, as ever since she "changed" she had been a bit further off the bullseye.  It was painfully consistent at times too, earlier she had performed a robin hood 5 inches from the center of the target.  Save for the protective guard she had over half her chest, she wore fairly casual clothing.  Her top was a blue t-shirt with a nice looking tank top over it, a combination that went surprisingly well together.  She wore a pair of purple shorts, leaving most of her legs exposed.  Her hair was tied together with it's usual yellow bow.  She looked around for a few moments.  There sure were a lot of people around.  She wondered if maybe she'd meet anyone, or even see someone she knew.  Though there weren't too many people that she actually knew at this school.  Thinking about it, she sighed.  Everyone she knows at home would be shocked to see her come back with red eyes and a slight hint of fangs.  She had no idea how they'd react.  The fangs were small so they shouldn't be a big deal, but she might have to lie and say she's wearing colored contacts.  She got back into stance, and prepared to fire another arrow.  She was focused on what she was doing, so until the arrow was released she likely wouldn't notice anyone who didn't bring attention to themselves.  Of course once she fired, she would become painfully aware of her surroundings.

Without any distractions, Minami relaxed her fingers and let the arrow fly.  It flew through the air before sticking to the target with a thunk.  Minami lowered the bow just slightly to witness the result.  The result was more or less the same.  She got a line breaker, the arrow striking the line connecting the 8 and 9 point score areas.  Standard rules state that the shot would count as a 9 point shot, but Minami was more focused on the distance from the bullseye.  She was still focused on the shot when a voice rung out behind her.  "Hey... Not a bad shot, but I think you need a different bow."  "EEEP"  Minami was most certainly not ready for someone to be right behind her, jumping and subsequently smacking her bow into the side of her head.  "Ow."  She lightly rubbed the side of her head as she turned to her assailant.  It was only when Minami's eyes made contact with her that she realized it was Kirino.  Minami had failed recognize the voice because of the start she experienced.

Lighting up like the New York skyline, the only thing stopping Minami from tackling Kirino was fear she'd find her strange.  "Hiya Kirino!"  With each word, happiness emanated from her voice.  However, why was Kirino here?  In truth, Minami should have known but she between the focus and the glee, it slipped her mind they had made plans to get together.  "What'chya doing here? "  Minami said innocently, smiling as she spoke obviously a little oblivious.  A few moments passed before the fog clouding her mind lifted and she remembered.  "Oh."  Minami gave herself a bit of a facepalm realizing what just happened.  "Sorry, I was so focused I think I forgot...hehe."  She laughed nervously with a bit of a goofy smile on her face.  She listened intently to Kirino, which would have lasted longer had Kirino not mentioned the rage beast.  Wait that Rage Beast?  That jerk, whom Minami never seemed to be the target of because of her less than womanly frame, was rather large and frightening.  She definitely didn't like the guy.  "Are you okay!?"  Minami began to flail her arms in front of Kirino in worry, literally anyone who witnessed this would expect Minami to turn into a chibi.  Yet she semi-calmed down after a moment and gave Kirino a serious look.  "You aren't hurt are you?"  She spoke as she gently brought her hands to Kirino's arms and gently began checking for injuries.

She didn't think about it before acting, but this was really the first time she had actually felt any part of Kirino outside any aid Kirino gave her in danger situations.  It didn't take long for Minami to get a bit distracted.  Kirino was toned, and Minami could feel the muscles that she had.  Yet at the same time, while definitely firm, her arms had a softness about it.  Honestly, she really liked how it felt and for a moment failed to catch herself sliding her hands up and down Kirino's arm.  However, after that moment the young vampire suddenly realized what she was doing and pulled her hands a way, blushing a little, before going back to focusing.  "You don't seem injured, he didn't do anything to you did her?"  She'd listen to Kirino before the conversation moved on to the dusty old bow Minami was using.  Even Kirino seemed to realize that Minami wasn't using a proper bow.  "Oh, that was my fault.  I wasn't thinking and kinda...left my own bow back at home."  What Minami didn't realize was how her own bow was probably of the wrong weight now that she was stronger.  She needed more resistance on the draw.  Kirino then proceeded to point this out.  Minami looked and a bead of sweat dripped down her head.  "Blunt, as usual."  A light breeze blew sending Minami's ponytail waving in the breeze as she nodded to Kirino.  "I guess I should get a new one.  For now though, I can make due with this."  Minami clapped her hands together.  "Have you ever done archery Kirino?"

She asked as if it was an incredibly important question, even though it didn't really change much.  It was one of the few past times she really had even before she came to this academy.  Maybe it'd be something she was better than Kirino at!  Though to be fair, Minami already had the advantage in math.

Minami felt a little bad that she had forgotten her plans with Kirino.  She knew that Kirino obviously wouldn't find it a huge deal, since to be fair she was getting into a groove (or at least trying to).  Kirino accepted it and told her it wasn't a big deal, but for some reason it felt like one.  Granted she then proceeded to forget this "big deal" when Kirino announced why she was held up.  Kirino began to explain she was fine she got cut off by Minami's...gentle touch?  Honestly neither of them probably knew exactly what to make of the scenario.  As soon as Kirino spoke up, Minami practically jumped.  It was then that she realized what she was doing.  "Oh, umm...I was just...I...uh..."  Minami failed to successfully make any sort of smooth recovery.  The best choice would have been to just admit that it felt nice, but Minami was way too embarrassed.  Her face was practically beet red.  She wanted to find a hole and curl up in it until no one was around, but Kirino moved on and changed the subject back for Minami.

Well duh she was going to be fine.  Minami felt a little silly now.  It was KIRINO for Cthulhu's sake.  Out of everyone Minami had ever met, she was the most capable of protecting herself.  She listened until Kirino finished, explaining he was all bark and no bite.  "This is you we're talking about, I don't know why I worried so much."  Of course even knowing it was Kirino, next time something happened she'd still manage to worry.  "That guy always messed with girls around me, I hope that now he'll stop.  Even though for some reason he never messed with me, he always frightened me."  Minami of course was happy to not be bothered by him, but of course there was always the question as to why in these scenarios.  She wasn't a fighter though, so she knew it was definitely a good thing.  Even so, there was an ever so subtle hint of "I guess I'm not that pretty" hidden within her face, behind the obvious "I don't like fighting but I hope you taught him a lesson" look.

The conversation moved over to her bow, and Kirino explained what she had meant before trying to explain that it wasn't meant to offend.  "I know."  Minami sighed as she said the words.  Kirino was RIGHT, and she was really upset about it for some reason.  She moved on to whether Kirino had ever done archery, but the answer turned out to be a disappointing no.  Being better than someone at something doesn't mean much when they've never done it.  Kirino was stronger, faster, a better fighter, and a lot more attractive than she was, so she had hoped Kirino had done archery so that Minami could possibly be better.  Though, if Kirino had been better that would have sunk Minami right into the ground.  It was dumb and she knew it, buuuuut she couldn't help it.  Then again, this means she could teach Kirino.  This she had not thought of, and her face lit up, though since she didn't convey what she was thinking at first her face would have seemed to light up for seemingly no reason.  It was made worse by Kirino's choice to state that she could show her how it's done one day.  She softened back to a nice normal smile and nodded.

Minami was just about to draw another arrow before Kirino continued to push for getting Minami a better bow.  As much as she enjoyed getting things, she didn't feel like shopping.  She had hoped the conversation would have moved past this.  Yet Kirino was right.  All she was doing was getting used to a bow that'd always be more difficult for her to use.  Really feeling how the arrow would travel was difficult now that the string provided so little resistance to her.  "You're right about everything today.  Let me just finish this round and we can go."  She WAS going to be stubborn just to at least see what she scored at the end of this round, drawing the arrow.  Her back straightened out, and she began to get into position before...  *CRACK  Suddenly the ancient poorly kept bow snapped.  "Son of a..."  Minami called out, probably shocking people who weren't used to her speaking like that, but realistically she did say things like this once in awhile.  The top half pegged her right on the side of the head, and actually she might have been bleeding a little.  She had a cut on her head, but it was small enough that it she'd be perfectly fine.  Actually all she needed was to get out of light and it'd heal right up.  Wouldn't be hard with the power out.  The bottom half also managed to nail her right in the crotch, and while not as crippling as it would be for a man, it still hurt like hell.  Thankfully the arrow harmlessly dropped to the ground since she hadn't released the string.  "Yep."  She said with slight pain.  "I think I'm ready to go get a new bow now.  Ow."  She cringed for a bit before trying to stand up straight.  It took her a few moments because of the pain around her lower regions, but she was better at taking a hit thanks to her new powers so she wasn't particularly crippled.  "Yeah...definitely should have listened to you."  She said as she rubbed her head and squirmed her legs a little.  

"There should be a place not far from here." Minami began to walk, her legs awkwardly pressed together due to pain, though after a few steps she got used to it and mostly went to a normal walk. She pointed off in the distance. "It's over in that direction, remember? I'm pretty sure we've passed it together before...I hope it isn't closed." Minami took the lead for a bit. She wasn't exactly hurrying, but most people don't hurry when they've been nailed in both the head and lower regions, unless it is to escape whatever hit them there. Minami kept thinking until she remembered. "Remember? It's next to that restaurant I took you to that one time." That's when Minami saw something out of the corner of her eye. She looked up really quick at a nearby light. Did it just...flicker? The power was out so it shouldn't have. In actuality it did flicker, but it was so subtle only those with a sensitivity to light, like Minami, likely saw it unless they were looking for it. "Hey, did that light just flicker?" She asked Kirino, pointing up to the streetlight in question. A few moments passed and...nothing happened. "That's strange, I swear I just saw it flicker." She turned back to Kirino again and explained. Kirino probably thought she was crazy. Of course a moment later there was a light sound of glass breaking, turning around really quick it seems that the bulb in the streetlight had just exploded. That was it though, the bulb just kind of broke. Truthfully, it happens from time to time. Though usually only when the light is powered. "That was...weird." Kirino took a place close by Kirino's side for safety, even though there was probably nothing to be afraid of, and pointed ahead. "It's down a few blocks straight ahead, lets go." Minami could not shake the uneasy feeling that she had.

As Minami cringed in definite pain, Kirino showed her obvious concern. Yet for some reason why was she shaking her head and sighing? Actually that was the easy part to explain, she didn't listen to Kirino and her stubbornness got her hurt. No, that part that was easy to explain. The hard part was why was Kirino smirking at her? Was she just predictable like that? Whatever Minami was thinking, honestly it probably wasn't what was going through Kirino's head. Especially since Kirino came up and gently wiped the blood from Minami's face. Surprisingly, even her hand touching the wound didn't cause it to hurt...well, not more than it already did. She commented on the cut, but as Minami expected, it wasn't bad. If a metal bow had snapped she might be in worse shape. Still, she appreciated Kirino wiping the blood from her face, even if in some ways it was a tad silly. It was sweet. Kirino didn't rub the whole situation in though. She just moved on and brought the topic back to actually getting a new bow. Minami was fully prepared to try and forget what just happened and follow along. "Lets go." She said with an awkward smile.

Kirino described the location of a sporting goods store that might have something. It made sense she wouldn't know anything archery specific. So Minami described the shop, but Kirino didn't really add anything to it. Minami didn't get around to asking how Kirino was, because the light flicker spooked her. Somehow Kirino didn't see it. Minami looked at Kirino with eyes that just screamed "Please don't think I'm crazy." When the bulb broke, Kirino took her more seriously. Minami slipped right up next to her before Kirino could tell her to stick close. She felt secure when she was close to Kirino. Unfortunately she may have been slightly deluded that Kirino really was the strongest thing around. To put so much on ANY one person's shoulders was unfair, no matter who it might be. Minami had powers, but she was too frightened by her state's unpredictability to actually hone them. Minami nodded vigorously when Kirino suggested they head back to their rooms. "Yeah...I don't feel so good either." The stress of the situation made her nauseous. Thus for a little while they sped to their rooms. Yet there was an interruption.

"Oh Minami is it." Minami heard a familiar voice, and like a bunny poking it's head out of it's hole she poked her head out from the other side of Kirino. "Oh Mr. Bailey, hello." Minami said, though not as cheerful as she usually would. "You okay? Strange day today." Mr. Bailey was a rather aged man, though he looked incredibly healthy for his 68 years. He was also rather large. Minami nodded, though there was obvious apprehension. "Worried are you? Can't say I blame ya. This is very unusual, which is why I was going to check on a nearby power station. I think something's gone amiss." The large man stroked his mild grey beard before coming to a conclusion. "Say, you ladies don't mind coming with me? It's not a full blown power plant so there isn't threat of you youngins being harmed if you keep yer distance, but I'd prefer someone be there to call for help if I get shocked. Don't want my heart to stop and no one be around." He gave off a hearty laugh at that, but he was completely honest about appreciating the help. The nearby power station wasn't generating power, but more distributing the power. If something went wrong, it'd likely cause problems in the area around it. Seeing as it was unmanned, there'd be no one to reset it or fix it in case of a faulty connection. Mr. Bailey worked around this area managing the power grid, and despite his elderly status did his job quite well.

Minami turned to Kirino. "Oh, this is Kirino. She's a close friend of mine. Kirino, this is Mr. Bailey. He helps maintain the electrical grid in the city. I've helped him with some heavy packages since I'm a lot stronger than I used to be, heheh." Minami awkwardly laughed as Mr. Bailey let out a hearty laugh. "She's the strongest little thing I've ever had the pleasure of conversing with. Though I've helped her carry things, quite a strange little lady what with th..." Minami cut Mr. Bailey off. "Ahahaha, heheh, now now Kirino doesn't need to hear about that...heh...heh..." Minami turned back to Kirino quickly changing the subject. "You mind if we help him Kirino? I'd hate it if something happened and no one was around to help him." She was sort of expecting Kirino to send her off while she went to personally help the man, but then again that didn't make sense. Kirino was uncomfortable with what was going on so she'd want to stick together. Still, Minami knew Mr. Bailey was a trustworthy man. He wouldn't say to go somewhere if he thought it'd really be dangerous for them. As long as Kirino gave the okay, they'd follow Mr. Bailey down the block, conversing with the elderly man. "So how have your classes been going? Scoring high marks I reckon?" The man would let out a chuckle, he was a rather jolly fellow. However if Kirino protested, Minami would argue. "I know you're worried, but we can't just leave him to do it alone! What if he needs someone to call for help?" Minami would not budge on the matter, and they'd begin traveling to the station with Mr. Bailey, much the same as before, conversation and all.

Minami held in a small almost squeak like noise as Kirino pulled her in.  She had no idea what to say or do at this point.  She was completely dumbstruck.  She did not expect Kirino to pull her so close like that, she knew Kirino guarded her but Minami failed to understand that she was a little...protective?  Was Kirino being protective?  Somehow though, in the pit of her stomach, it made Minami feel a little low.  Not because she needed to be protected, she wasn't a fighter.  What made her feel low was that Kirino was always stuck fighting Minami's battles for her.  Was this all she was?  A rich girl who couldn't take care of herself?  It was fine before because she didn't have powers, but now that she had powers she still managed to be dead weight.  She overlooked the fact that detail that her usually never ending cheerfulness generally improved everyone's mood.  She actually shook a little as a result of her worrying, which Kirino would definitely feel.  Despite that, she did press herself into Kirino a bit.

When Mister Bailey saw Kirino's grip on Minami he chuckled a bit.  The introductions happened, but when Minami cut Mr. Bailey she looked to Kirino and saw the eyebrow raised.  Minami was no more comfortable, and a cold sweat began to cover her.  No, Kirino must never know.  It was shit luck Mr. Bailey saw it, one of the most embarrassing moments of her life.  Kirino?  Minami would die.  She quickly changed the subject to helping Mr. Bailey.  Kirino didn't argue, so they began to follow the man.  Minami hadn't been thinking about her grades much, so she actually had to think about it.  As she was thinking, Kirino went on about how math was useless to her.  Minami began to giggle.  "Useless?  That's why you come to me for help right?"  She kept giggling a bit.  She still remembers when she taught Kirino math better than the teacher.  That was about the same day she did her not so famous calculus is useless rant.  "Maybe for you it is, but ya wouldn't believe how much good math has done for me."  Mr. Bailey let out another hearty laugh, before listening to Kirino's questions.

"Yeah, this power out is really freaky."  Mr. Bailey shook his head.  "It's that strangeness that's confusing.  Nothing like this should be happening, tis why I want someone to be there just in case.  Still, there shouldn't be anything dangerous so long as you stay away from the main power switch.  That's my job."  After a brief period they arrived at the station Mr. Bailey spoke of.  "Here we are."  He said as he went to unlock the door, but it was already unlocked.  "What the...this should be locked."  Turning back to Minami and Kirino he spoke once more.  "Stay here."  He sternly spoke this time.  Was the door being unlocked that dangerous?  With the circumstances maybe someone dangerous was in there.  As he hurried in Minami turned to Kirino.  "Should we have let him go in?  Of the door was unlocked when it wasn't meant to..."  Minami trailed off as she looked to Kirino for an answer.  If something happened to Mr. Bailey because they sat out here, or let him go in, she'd feel really bad.  She went to go use her cellphone before realizing.  "Crap, I haven't been able to charge my phone.  It died."  She couldn't call for help in that case.

Unless urged ahead by Kirino, Minami would simply stand outside with her.  However, there was a rather loud bang from within the station, and the sound of an elderly man screaming in pain could be heard.  In fact, it sounded like an explosion mixed with an electrical discharge.  Minami began to run inside, turning to Kirino.  "I'll be right back, I'm going to go get him out of there."  She was acting rashly, and instead of listening to anything Kirino had to say to stop her (if she tried to) she ran on inside.  Following the main hall, she opened the door into the main room.  It was a strange room, filled with wires and switches, and against one of the walls...  "Crap!"  Minami called out as she ran over to the body of Mr. Bailey.  She shook him trying to wake him up, but...he was...dead?  No, he was breathing.  Somehow he was just unconscious.  She looked over to the other side of the room though.  A massive amount of electrical static enveloped the other side of the room, and at the center was a huge amount of electricity, traveling through the air like a Nikola Tesla fan's wet dream.  At the center was a body, and it turned to look at Minami.  Minami froze up, she was scared to death at whatever it was.  

"It's...all....MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!"  The body shrieked in a faintly male voice as it went shooting across the room at immense speed.  Minami jumped to the side desperately to avoid it and the body slammed into the wall.  Minami crawled away a bit, but the door was on the other side of the room...could she even make it?  Whatever this was, it seemed to not care that Mr. Bailey was still alive.  It was scrawny looking, but enveloped in what looked like a yellow/purple glow, static all around it's body.  Over where it had been standing, a large wire had been torn open and had been shoved onto the thing's body.  Minami went to grab Mr. Bailey, but had to jump to dodge again as it came for her.  Somehow Mr. Bailey hadn't been struck again.  She had no choice, she needed to get help.  She needed the police of a powerful teacher or something!  Kirino was there, but Kirino already got hurt once because of Minami.  She didn't want a repeat.  As the thing dented another wall Minami made a break for the door.  She was just about to get there when a flash went past her, and before she knew it a fist was planted into her face.  This sent Minami flying back into a wall on the other end of the room.  Some of her hair was standing on end from the sheer volume of energy emanating from her "foe".  She stood back up but by the time she reached her feet the thing was about to charge her again.  She was still disoriented, so the dodge likely wouldn't happen in time.  The thing began to charge up energy, standing still as it built up.  Stillness granted a good view, a scrawny male body with blond hair shooting in all directions from the electrical discharge, it looked like a mad scientist.  It wore a school shirt, this was a student?  It's pose made intent obvious, it was going to slam into Minami with every ounce of force it could.  If it wasn't cut off of intercepted, Minami was likely going to be just as conscious as Mr. Bailey. "YoU WIlL NOt StOP ME!"

Before being utterly vaporized a sudden shadow was cast over Minami, the light of the electricity being blocked by some object.  This wasn't just an object though, before Minami knew it she heard something she had never heard in her life, and never wanted to hear.  Eyes widening, Minami looked on in horror as Kirino took the blast for her, screaming in what could only be described as agony.  Minami couldn't seem to utter a sound.  She couldn't believe it, she didn't want to believe it, but for Kirino's sake, she had to.  Kirino was not only injured, but put through immense pain.  Pain that was meant for Minami.  Injuries that weren't Kirino's to suffer.  Screams that weren't meant to ever see the light of day.  Kirino was scorched, burnt, and definitely took massive damage from the attack.  Minami was definitely shaking.  In spite of all of this, Kirino still bravely defended Minami.  Despite the fact that she took serious injuries, she threatened the strange boy.  And somehow Kirino had the nerve to ask Minami if she was alright.  Hearing this, tears almost began to stream down Minami's face.

"You...idiot."  Minami shook her head violently.  "YOU IDIOT!"  Minami cried out.  "Am I okay?  Am 'I' okay?  What's wrong with you..."  Minami's voice began to break up, she couldn't even speak right.  "You're...all burnt up...you're in pain...your face is all burnt...and you ask if I'm alright..."  Minami wiped some of the tears out of her eyes.  "You're hurt..."  Behind them the crazed student seemed to not pay much attention at all to the scene and seemed ready to hit Kirino again.  "LEAVE KIRINO ALONE!"  Minami shouted at the top of her lungs at the boy.  Sadness, the sadness she had been expressing, was not on her voice though.  No, Minami had something none thought her capable of in her voice.  Anger.  Rage.  She was pissed.  The boy didn't care though.  To him, these 2 were interrupting his "charging".  So he charged up another blast, quicker (but as a result weaker) and flung it straight at Kirino.

Minami fought through the pain she felt after smashing into a wall and rushed forward, shoving Kirino out of the way of the blast, but as a result taking the hit herself, sending her back into a wall again.  Her shirt turned a little black, and now Minami's arms and stomach were burned.  Some of her stomach showed, as well as some of her bra, as some small holes were burnt into the shirt.  "Don't die...for me...run."  Minami forced out.  The crazed battery continued his assault, beginning to rapidly fire small orbs of electricity at Kirino.  They traveled quickly, and were numerous, but were much much weaker than his previous attacks.  Afterwards, the boy would use his electricity to move fast enough to practically teleport behind Kirino, and charge up an electrified punch that would likely cause some damage if it struck.  Afterwards, he'd hold his arms out in front of him, firing another blast of electricity, recoiling him backwards, and upon getting a short distance from Kirino, he'd turn on Minami, moving in for a more lightly charged up electricity punch straight for Minami's face.  As Minami saw him approaching, she uttered one last thing before the perceived end.  "Get out of here...now's your chance."

Minami's distress seemed to affect Kirino, as all focus was on Minami.  The strange student took advantage, whether intentionally or not remained to be known, but Minami refused to let it hurt Kirino anymore.  Minami could barely hear Kirino's voice as she was smashed backwards with force no human should be forced to endure.  Yet, she didn't simply fly back into the wall.  She was caught by Kirino's arm, and pulled in tight.  Minami let out a little "sss" noise through her teeth due to the soreness of her body, but she soon found they were sliding and ended up behind a wall.  A flurry of shots barely missing over and over again, trailing just behind the two.  As they ended up behind the wall it was quickly demolished.  Minami clung close to Kirino, things were going so fast she didn't know what else to do.  Before she did know it though, she was flung away.  Minami shouted Kirino's name as Kirino took the blow.  As she watched Kirino take more damage, she began to beg Kirino to get out of there.

Minami's eyes widened as the boy was about to finish her off, after getting Kirino out of the way.  She began to scream in fear, but suddenly he froze.  She looked up, confused, and then like a frightened animal began to scurry to the side in case he suddenly went to finish the attack.  It did not matter though, as suddenly a sword went through his heart.  "Kirino!"  Minami shouted as she watched her be propelled backwards from one last jolt of electricity.  Minami began to scramble to reach Kirino, but...  "YoU waNT mY POWeR...yOu doN'T DeSERvE It."  Minami turned to see the boy was still alive and moving.  HOW?  He had a sword through his heart.  Was the electricity somehow powering his body?  Shrieking like a banshee, the boy charged at Minami once more, electricity shooting out behind him as if it was propelling him forward.  A blade of lightning formed in his hand, son of a bitch this might actually be the end!  "HUAAAAAAAAA!" There was a flash of light.  "There's still life in me yet!"  Minami looked on to see Mr. Bailey, his hand had changed.  His hand was a blade, not just a blade, it was on fire.  His entire forearm was replaced with the flaming blade, and he had stopped the boy in his tracks.  "Go, go to your friend!  I'll handle this delinquent."  Mr. Bailey swung his arm and sent the boy flying back into a wall effortlessly.  Minami didn't know what to make of it, but she ran over to Kirino.  She sat down next to Kirino, tears welling in her eyes once more.  "Kirino...I...I..."  She tried to speak, but the words failed her.  Blood was coming out of Kirino's mouth.  Minami then decided not to speak, she went and ripped off a piece of her shirt.  It was already wrecked anyway.  She raised it up to Kirino's mouth and began to gently wipe the blood away, and wipe all the dirt away from her burns.

The sounds of combat came from behind, Mr. Bailey and the boy seemed to be clashing but it ended when Mr. Bailey got a solid slash straight down the center of the thing's body.  With that, the electrical terror was no more.  Minami turned back to Kirino and continued to gently clean her off, before she realized Kirino was losing consciousness.  Minami was scared, what if she never woke up?  Wait, what happened back in London?  Kirino was injured then too...but Minami did something.  What was it?  Minami held her hands over Kirino's body.  She tried to will something to happen...but nothing.  "Damn it come on..."  She tried again, same result.  "Please this has to work!"  A third time.  A fourth.  A fifth.  The tenth time passed and still nothing.  Minami seemed to have been tapping into something because she was panting with exhaustion, but she couldn't do anything with her energy.  Mr. Bailey could only watch.  The cops had entered the room by this point, and it was attempt number 18.  Still nothing.  Mr. Bailey explained the situation to the cops before the turned to Minami.  "You look like you're exhausting yourself...save your energy, you both need help."  Minami refused to even acknowledge his presence.  She tried again.  "Wake up Kirino."  As she continued the cops asked for the ambulance to bring a stretcher in.  Attempt number 20.  "Wake up."  Suddenly a flash of light and Minami's hands began to glow.  With her hands, Kirino's wounds also began to glow.  Slowly Kirino's body would be enveloped in a warmth.  Minami had succeeded...she succeeded!  "I did it...I did it!"  She was amazed, but immediately focused on Kirino.  Healing Kirino's wounds slowly, but to the best of her ability.  No one dared remove Minami from Kirino, and after a time Kirino's wounds, while still there, were much less severe.  With that Minami passed out onto the unconscious Kirino's lap.  From there, the two would be taken to a hospital to be treated and checked, and kept in the same room.  At this point though, Kirino was no worse off than Minami due to the healing.

Time passed and Minami's eyes weakly opened.  There was nothing but the ceiling.  She blinked a bit and turned her head, she took a few moments to realize she was in a hospital room.  The grogginess and soreness overwhelmed her senses, making logical deduction difficult.  What happened?  She was hurt...yes, that did happen.  She was injured, and Kirino...Kirino!  Suddenly here eyes shot open all the way.  Kirino was hurt!  She tried to help her, but...but she wouldn't wake up!  Minami looked around frantically, until she realized there was someone in an adjacent bed.  She stopped and looked closer.  It was Kirino.  They had been placed into the same room.  Minami pushed herself up, and fought through the pain and exhaustion that held her body.  She stood up and limped over to Kirino's bed.  She looked down.  It was all her fault.  She never stopped to think, she always tried to help even when there was nothing she could do.  In the end, it got Kirino hurt.  Minami began to cry again.  It was all her fault, if she had just stayed with Kirino and called the police.  If she hadn't run in like that.  If she could actually pull her own weight.  She held her hand to Kirino's forehead, then gently stroked down to her cheek.  Her face was still a little burned up, but Minami's healing may have saved Kirino from being scarred at least.  "I'm so sorry...I can't do anything right...and you got hurt because of it.  I don't think and you almost died as a result...this is all my fault."  Minami continued to sob, as she tightly held onto Kirino's hand.  She just wanted her friend to open her eyes.  She wanted reassurance that she was definitely alive.

Kirino opened her eyes, and it had to be one of the happiest moments of Minami's life.  In spite of her efforts before, she worried Kirino might never wake up.  She didn't know what she'd do if Kirino died.  At this school Minami had only 2 people she could call friends, and out of the two Kirino meant the most to her.  Honestly was beginning to question that.  Not that she didn't want her to mean so much, but seeing Kirino injured made her really think about it.  Before her pondering could get to the answer though, Kirino turned her attention to Minami.  "You're alive."  Is all she could say at first.  Kirino was alive, and right now that's what mattered.  Her failure to think ahead,  her impulsiveness, hadn't caused Kirino's death.  Kirino though went straight to the point, as usual.  Minami blinked.  Did she seriously just ask that?  Minami had almost gotten BOTH of them killed, and all Kirino seemed to care about was if she was okay.  She was such an idiot, and yet at the same time she was happy Kirino cared.  Still, Minami still cared more about Kirino than herself.

"I'm fine..."  Minami began.  "I'm standing here...aren't I?"  She let out a small smile that betrayed the plethora of conflicting feelings inside of her.  She couldn't deny though that Kirino still being alive made her happy, it was the only thing allowing her to even bring the smile out.  She brushed a few stray hairs she saw in Kirino's face to the side.  "You're such an idiot."  Minami said abruptly, still being gentle with Kirino physically but her voice was definitely annoyed.  "The hell is wrong with you!  You should have just run!  Left me!  Es...scaped!"  Minami was almost glaring at Kirino.  "I was dumb!  I was reckless!  I screwed up!  I shouldn't have gone in, but you shouldn't have followed!  You almost died trying to fix it!  What if you had died, huh!?  There are people who care about you...how would they feel to learn you died?  It has to hurt...learning that someone close to you died."  

Minami's breathing was speeding up a lot.  She wasn't used to being this upset, this worked up.  She was so emotionally invested in this that she just couldn't help it.  "Why..."  She began, her face dropping to a more down expression, her voice low.  "Just...why.  Why didn't you run.  I was begging you to leave...and yet you stayed.  Why did you keep taking those hits for me...what was even the point?"  After that Minami just remained silent.  Her voice was practically non existent as she finished the statement as well.  Her hand kept holding Kirino's tightly.  Her face and arms were both badly bruised.  Actually it was her whole body, but those were the only things exposed.  Even so she was completely ignoring her injuries, she was too focused on Kirino. She was shaking pretty badly at this point, this whole thing causing her to lose most of her composure.

Kirino was obviously not very surprised that she was still alive.  There was a point where Minami shared the sentiment, but she has become painfully aware her friend was not immortal.  Both times her friend got injured it was somehow involving her.  When Minami began to irritably lecture and question Kirino, Kirino wasn't exactly enthused.  Her immediate reaction was to mention math, but as Minami continued Kirino got pissed off.  Angrily glaring at Minami, she explained that the pain of losing someone is why she went in.  Minami was so worked up she didn't fully comprehend what was just said and kept going.  As Minami just kept asking why, Kirino finally got annoyed and pulled Minami in by the shirt.  Minami's mouth slammed shut and she froze up.  She just stared silently as Kirino effectively shouted at her.  Being pulled in like this normally would send every alarm bell off in a person's head, yet while she was a tad frightened, it wasn't AT Kirino.  Minami trusted Kirino more than anyone else.  She was merely frightened at the situation, she didn't want Kirino to be so mad.

Kirino though made a point.  No, she couldn't expect Kirino not to do those things.  No, the day will never come when Kirino runs.  She was stubborn like that.  In all honesty that was probably why Minami was so attached to her.  She was a good friend, the best she's ever had.  As Kirino released her she just swallowed a bit before Kirino looked away.  Minami was still frozen, but she tried to speak.  "Kirino."  Kirino cut her off though, but refused to look at her, save for a quick cursory glance.  Minami had fucked up.  Not just running in there without checking, she already knew that was a fuck up.  She was really just upset at herself for taking it out on Kirino.  She was the one who really goofed and it was easier to blame Kirino for trying to save her than to blame herself for needing to be saved.  Even if she was just blaming Kirino for trying to save her out of desire for Kirino to live, blame was still blame.

With a sigh, Minami began to speak.  "What is wrong with me."  She shook her head.  "I'm the one who screwed up...and what do I do?  Take it out on you."  Minami took a seat in a chair directly next to the head of Kirino's bed and buried her head into her hands, which were propped up by her elbows.  Her stomach growled a bit since she had exhausted her energy supply, but she didn't focus on it.  She knew she had a bit more time before things got messy, definitely enough for this conversation to eventually resolve.  The one good thing about Kirino's anger was it snapped the little spitfire back down to reality.  "I'm sorry."  She finally said.  "You didn't do anything wrong.  Yet here I am, yelling at you."  She took a deep breath and turned to Kirino.  "A little overdue...but thank you."  She finally said the much owed thank you to Kirino.  It had taken way too long, Kirino risked her life for her.  Scared for her or not, Kirino needed it.  Rather she deserved it.  Still Minami still had to ask, she had to know.  "Can I...ask you something?  Why...me?  Why are you so protective over me of all people?"

Kirino's tone continued to rub salt in the wounds, but Minami wasn't going to complain.  She had fucked up, and she deserved it.  Besides, a little salt actually helps wounds heal.  It wasn't like she was tossing cyanide in them.  In the end no permanent damage was done, only learning.  Her little heart was still sunk, and she might still kick herself in private over the mistakes.  Actually if Kirino hadn't gotten so pissed off, who knows how long it would have taken Minami to make all these realizations.  Still as Kirino kept laying on the judgement, Minami sunk a little in her chair.  When Minami finally thanked Kirino though, the conversation finally seemed to soften up.  However, what Kirino felt was obvious was in fact very different.  Why Minami.  That was the question that Minami had.  While it was obvious Kirino was her friend, thaaaaaat isn't exactly what she meant.  There had been something she had been denying to herself.  Actually, it's more like she didn't understand it.  It came up every time she was around Kirino, but she either ignored it or had to push it aside due to more important matters.

So what was the answer?  "We're friends aren't we?"  That was the answer.  That was a fact obvious to anyone who knew anything about those two as a duo.  Yet the response from Minami, especially after Kirino generalized it, threw a lot of questions up in the air.  "Because we're friends...of course..."  There wasn't happiness or joy in those words.  What was contained in them was a little bit of disappointment, and a little bit of sadness.  Just friends huh?  Minami was indeed unaware that Kirino didn't have many friends, and in fact Minami may have been her only one.  She may have been one of the most important people in Kirino's life.  Lives need a balance, and in a way the two balanced each other.  The same could be said about Kirino's involvement in Minami's life.  Hell, Kirino WAS the most important person in Minami's life, she's saved it twice.  That might be why she seems to feel more strongly about Kirino than Kirino feels about her.  Not to mention, Kirino was unconscious both times Minami helped her massively.  Did Kirino even know what Minami's powers did?

Minami sighed.  "I'm going to get stronger."  She stated looking down towards the floor.  "When you went down before, unconscious, and I thought you might die...I desperately tried to access my powers again and again.  Every time I tried it failed.  I practically went unconscious trying."  Minami took a deep breath.  "My power...isn't for fighting, it isn't about defeating someone like yours is.  It's for protecting."  Minami turned to look towards Kirino.  "I have things I want to...no, I will protect.  That I..."  Her voice dropped in volume slightly.  "...need to protect.  And...I have to be able to use the power without knocking myself out."  She looked away.  The room was pretty silent.  Only Minami and Kirino were in it at the moment.  Minami's stomach growled again, this time extremely loudly.  She was going to need a little something soon or else.  She looked back to Kirino and smiled awkwardly.  "Hahaha."  She awkwardly let out the mix between "ha's" and "heh's".  "I'm...probably gonna have to tell em I can't eat normal food aren't I?"  She scratched the back of her head.

Her instinct kicked in, and maybe it was her first time using her powers on purpose, but there was something she knew she needed to, or at least wanted to do. She leaned over to Kirino. "Relax." Minami bit into Kirino's neck, but took minimal blood. Just a tiny bit made it into Minami's mouth. Instead Kirino would probably feel something flowing into her body. Nothing malicious, most likely soothing considering the nature of Minami's powers. What Minami understood after doing it was that she had just marked Kirino. As of yet she couldn't track Kirino with it, but Minami's regeneration would be kicked on whenever she fed off of Kirino. It was both a sign of reliance, as well as attachment to Kirino. She knew Kirino had lost blood, so she didn't feed fully. "I know you were hurt, I didn't take much." Minami said with a bit of a smile. "Just trust me." She said with a now surprisingly confident smile.