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Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Categories:
F/MMulti
Fandoms:
転生したらスライムだった件 - 伏瀬 | Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - FuseThe Beginning After the End - TurtleMe
Relationships:
Manas: Ciel/Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest/VelzardManas: Ciel & Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest & Velzard
Characters:
Rimuru TempestManas: Ciel (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Velzard (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Arthur LeywinJasmine FlamesworthTessia EralithCaera DenoirSeris (The Beginning After the End)Agrona VritraSylvia IndrathSylvie (The Beginning After the End)Varay Aurae
Additional Tags:
MagicAetherRomanceDramaPsychological TraumaTraumaThrillerIsekai and TransmigrationTime TravelTime ShenanigansReality BendingDeveloping RelationshipCharacter DeathCharacter DevelopmentAngstFluff and AngstCrossoverCrossovers & Fandom FusionsFate & DestinyFateAngst and TragedyTragedyFanfictionCross-Posted on WattpadBlood and ViolenceOriginal Character(s)
Language:
English
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Published:2024-12-19Updated:2025-03-18Words:107,665Chapters:20/?Comments:10Kudos:24Bookmarks:10Hits:2,552
A New Life [TbatexTensura]
Asuryii
Chapter 7: The Howl of Wuthering Emotion .
Chapter Text
Chapter 7: The Howl of Wuthering Emotion
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Rimuru POV:
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Anticipation- a feeling characterized by things like worry, anxiety, maybe even dread. In this moment I can't control the palpitations of my anxious heart sat in a limbo from anticipation. The rampant and violent firing of neurons in my mind as I search for any and all possible ways to get the answer I wish to hear. A slight tremble I can feel in my gaze as I stare hopefully yet also hopelessly at the Twin Horns as a whole.
It's a lovely feeling. It's like a rampaging gale of howling, wuthering winds. A violent mess of possibilities and probabilities, even as I faced death itself such feelings never occurred to me. My mind, body, and soul never breathed anticipation bordering on desperation like I was now.
I'm not sure myself how I appear in the eyes of the Twin Horns– in the eyes of Jasmine. I could only pray, hope, and desire that made eyes despite the subtle tremble to them radiate a hunger like no other- one only satiated by feeding an empty wasteland- an abyss devoid of all aspects of life, all of life itself.
I can only take a subtle narrowing of my gaze as a show of my will and intent. Though that as an action remains fruitless. I'm a child in their eyes, I'm the definition of a liability.
Tugging at their heartstrings and attempting a seemingly arrogant display of confidence and resolute will wouldn't help me. An unwavering gaze only means so much from one so bereft of development, experience, and growth.
My hand grasping Jasmine's pant leg likely didn't help my case but my mind didn't want to let go, holding her pant leg gave me a semblance of comfort. We locked eyes for an instant, a moment so short I couldn't grasp her emotions, her thoughts, and feelings.
This didn't help the anxiety consuming my being.
"Rimuru-" It was a single word somewhat guilt-ridden that escaped Angela's slightly pursed lips, a gentle hand on her shoulder from Durden helping her catch herself. The silent conversation between the Horn's continued.
'I'll accept reality' I knew deep down that my resolute thought was nothing but a lie. I knew, I knew with no room for questioning. I wouldn't readily accept being denied the reality I wished for. Even if it meant drawing the meager amount of aether I recovered after laying awake all night, I would escape the possible grasp of them to experience these endless glades filled with beasts and perilous dangers around every corner.
Unconsciously I grasped at my chest tightly, more accurately my shirt, an action I hadn't realized I'd taken as my unconscious mind and desires followed the will of my very soul without a second to contemplate. Though I was aware of the look, my expression in this moment radiated as I saw my reflection in the pupil of Adam's sharp gaze; insanity, insatiable hunger for knowledge, and a look reminiscent of one who's gazed into a fathomless abyss- only to have his gaze returned.
The veritable smirk that crossed my face for a split second before my conscious mind realized my unconscious actions was one I'd only seen from those who thought they'd found the very depths of the dark, finally reaching a light unlike they and anyone else ever bore witness too.
My appearance in the reflection from his pupils expressed more than I wanted to express.
It expressed…too much.
The look in Adam's eyes as our gazes met for but a moment was one of horrid realization. His surprise and wary flicker of his gaze spoke of a silent realization of the insanity shown in another person's eyes.
In his eyes at the moment, I looked like a rampant veritable monster waiting for the time to take hold of what it desired.
The lapse in my judgment and awareness of my own body left me distraught somewhat, but more than anything- beyond any shadow of doubt I felt embarrassed. I'd expressed a side to me I wished to never show to anyone.
Even if it was for just a single moment that didn't matter, I still showed the deepest depths of my person in that instant.
A resolved look filled the parties eyes as they intended to share the verdict, "I will be-" Reynold's the party leader stepped forward intending to speak, likely to share the verdict of the party but his train of thought was stopped, entirely halted, and shattered in a moment.
Unexpectedly and clearly to everyone's dismay, I included– a small figure quickly swept me up in her arms. Her narrow red eyes looked at me warmly for a moment before she turned to the group again and spoke.
"I've decided I'm adopting Rimuru," Without so much as an explanation Jasmine made a declaration that left everyone shell shocked. I couldn't hide my surprise as I could feel my jaw fall somewhat slack and my eyes widened in utter surprise but more than that I felt my face contort as it turned into a smile.
My young mind, impressionable and undeveloped as it was, couldn't contain my emotions and feelings fully. My lips began to quiver and my eyes grew wet, I couldn't hear the opposed responses or questions from the other Twin Horns as it fell on deaf ears. The weight of my mind muting everything around me. I felt, I felt as if tears were to fall with a second's notice, but I didn't want to cry.
I didn't want to appear weak; weak, meager, and small. I was strong, I cou-my train of thought attempting to force my heart to listen to my conscious mind was interrupted as I felt warmth radiate from within my chest. A gentle hand pressing my face softly into her shoulder, subtly caressing my head with her soft fingers. Comfort filled my body, peace settled in my mind- It was as if a burden and weight on my heart was lifted.
I'd never imagined or could imagine in a million years, the aloof and kept to herself girl I met just a day prior would feel so warm and comforting– so nostalgic. I realized it as tears silently fell from my eyes, my small body feeling exhausted and losing consciousness.
Unconsciously and unaware to me, I spoke a single word before my mental fatigue encapsulated me.
"Mom"
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Jasmine POV:
—----------------------------------------------------
A silent discussion happened as Rimuru made his desire to stay with us clear.
No one spoke a word but it was clear what everyone was saying to each other. They didn't agree with Rimuru's wish, the wish of the orphaned boy ridden with endless secrets who grasped desperately at my pant leg.
I doubted he could even tell how tightly he grasped my pant leg or even of the slight quivering of his arm. He gripped at my pant leg tighter than his body could, an unconscious hope expressed from this small notion.
I took a second to look down towards him- away from the conversation of eyes between my fellow Twin Horn members. His eyes quivered, quaked, and trembled slightly. His lips weren't touching as they remained somewhat pursed, it was as if he knew our verdict and was ready to argue his case, a case he had no words yet so many to speak on.
I don't know why but Rimuru, I find him interesting. We met just yesterday but this little boy had successfully drawn my attention, the ire radiated in his eyes when he assumed us bandits- the seemingly odd belief and trust he gained in me even in a tense situation no matter how you spin it. This and more kept me entertained, curious, and interested in this little boy. He was an oddity.
Unconsciously I knew why I gravitated to him and felt interested if not attached to him instantly, his eyes. It was his eyes. The look in his eyes was like the one I saw in the mirror looking back at me the day my family- the Flamesworth's had forsaken me, casted me aside.
A mix of betrayal, desperation, hope, anxiety, anger, but more than anything a look of self-hate. This boy who couldn't be older than 3 or 4 reminded me so much of myself. I didn't even have to think of how our appearances looked somewhat similar; it was all in his eyes.
It was as if he was one of my Kin. I knew he wasn't but I could feel it.
The more I got to hear from him, and looked into him even with the little circumstantial evidence I had, the more I felt attached to him.
The area we first met him- I couldn't feel a drop of wind mana, the violet aura he radiated unlike anything I'd seen before, and the way he told only half-truths to any questions he got up until his desire was asked. Everything made me more curious of him, more interested, more attracted.
I felt as if I stared at him for a long time despite it only being a moment before his eyes and my own met.
Desperation. It was the only thing I could see in his eyes now. I wanted to hold his gaze, to speak to him silently but I couldn't as my unconscious mind forced me to look away. I could feel it, a feeling I never felt as I saw his desperation and silent pleas. I felt my heart pain.
A boy entirely unrelated to me until the day prior left my heart feeling like I'd been stabbed clean through by a stake from a single look in his eyes.
I tried to push those odd feelings aside as I rejoined the silent conversation with the Horn's as it came to a close.
I knew unequivocally without room to question that the decision was to take Rimuru to the nearest town, to find him a place to stay and leave- a return uncertain, any future meetings left to chance, the connection with him severed forevermore.
I didn't want to admit it for some reason but I knew it was the best course of action. Adventurers don't live a life so kind to children– let alone one so small like Rimuru. It didn't matter that I knew he lied about the pack of mana beasts corpses we found him surrounded by. The subtle slice on his arm I noticed before he was aware of our group that disappeared seemingly like it was never there made me question it first. Then the odd feelings in my head as he spoke made it clear to me, he hadn't spoken the truth. Looking back at the way he acted towards us at first, his hostility despite being clearly drained. He wasn't a simple child.
No child should be able to radiate a silent yet potent killing intent like that, even one who feels trapped like a caged animal after a tragic experience.
I bit into my lip somewhat frustrated and confused as I felt his hand leave my pant leg, my eyes quickly flickered back to him. The expression and intent I felt leaking out of him was clear.
He wasn't ready to leave us, he felt comfortable with us already in some way- he felt attached to me, but he was ready to run; he knew an argument was futile, so all he could do was escape.
I would be able to catch him. This I was certain of, but I wasn't sure I'd have the will to shatter his dreams and resolve by dragging him to a town.
His gaze and the almost insane look on his face made it clear. He would stay with us, or he would run away and remain in the Beast Glades. This look on his face and in his eyes wouldn't last, a conscious realization quickly erased any traces of insanity from his gaze but in its place the desperation returned.
The same pain filled my heart– only twice over seeing this~ I knew I needed to harden my heart. The pleading in his eyes, the feeling of kinship. These all didn't matter, his safety and sanctity mattered more.
It did sound fun in my head. Traveling with Rimuru in toe, eventually cracking that shell of his- being able to hear the truth from him. My gaze trailed back towards him, the rustling grass from Reynolds feet as he stepped forward to share the verdict to Rimuru.
Reynolds was the party leader, but he was also in this case willing to take the ire and sadness all directed at him from refusing Rimuru his wish.
It was cruel in all honesty~asking him what he wanted. Knowing his answer and desires likely wouldn't be answered but we can't change that and Reynolds was ready to take the burden of being the one to refuse Rimuru.
Not just as the party leader but as an adult.
I wanted to apologize oddly enough to him, for us asking what he wanted; for his wish being unfulfilled but inwardly I also wanted an apology. One from myself.
I wanted my own heart to apologize to me for getting attached to this boy I'd just met.
'I'm Rimuru. Rimuru-' thinking back it was adorable his hesitation and how he was unsure of if he should say his full name. He acted as if it was a taboo, and then he went ahead and declared himself as a Djinn, which upon deeper contemplation seemed to be a hidden people or race.
I don't know why but thinking back- Holding Rimuru, having him in my arms. His small breathes, the rising of his chest in patterns, and the peace he radiated as he slept in my arms was nice.
I wouldn't say I'm a kid-person considering my nature but I didn't feel issues or any hassle being near Rimuru.
'It's odd isn't it, I feel as if my heart is decided but my logic and reasoning won't accept or acknowledge it. Maybe even this thought is backwards, I don't know….what should I do?' My thoughts, my heart, and my logic all remained in conflict. I was at a loss as Reynolds spoke.
"I will-" I didn't know what happened as my body seemed to move unconsciously, no, that wasn't right my body followed my heart. I hadn't realized until I scooped Rimuru in my arms and held him gently. "Be-" Reynolds stopped talking immediately as he realized I picked up Rimuru, his face and the rest of the Twin Horns all shared the same look.
Confusion, disbelief, curiosity, and shock. They couldn't seem to understand why I did this but I knew.
I was following my heart, so I didn't listen to my logic, to my mind. "I've decided, I'm adopting Rimuru." The group was silent for a moment as my words hung in the air before a mountain of questions fell before me along with protests. But. I didn't fully pay attention as I felt Rimuru in my arms quiver slightly.
'He's a strong kid, but he's been through a lot,' I softly pressed his face into my shoulder. I felt like he was going to cry but I knew he didn't want to be seen crying- he wanted to remain strong.
I couldn't do much as I began to respond to the protests and questions from my party members, but I did what I could and felt was right. I gently caressed his head, my fingers running through his soft almost silk like hair. My shoulder felt slightly damp as it was clear his tears silently leaked onto my shoulder. He seemed to shrink in my arms. His face pressed into my shoulder. It was like a weight on his shoulders, in his heart, and enveloping him- practically drowning him slowly dissipated and relief filled his body.
Relief and comfort. I couldn't see or confirm this but I could sense it, almost like a 6th sense. I felt my heart somewhat ease as I held him in my arms.
I truly let my heart take the reins and guide me, I said I'd adopt him. I can't help but marvel and laugh at my heart's decision. But it didn't sound so bad.
"Jasmine, please explain to me. What ar-" Alice's question was interrupted as a silent mutter was heard by everyone. Normally you would miss the silent words one muttered under their breath but in this tense situation where everyone was extremely attentive we all heard it.
Mom.
A single word.
A word that no one expected to hear.
One that left everyone silent, unable to find words.
I couldn't help but smile and laugh lightly at this. It felt surreal but it was clear to me. Clear as day. "I want to take Rimuru in. I want to raise him. I wanna be a mother."
I knew at this moment I was smiling wider than I had ever smiled before. My heart was resolute in its stance, and now I was resolved.
"I guess we'll be stuck together for awhile now Rimuru."
To hell with worrying, it was some turn of fate that Rimuru and us happened upon each other. It's not like my family would care, let alone be bothered by this adoption. They'll ignore it like they ignore me. But that's fine, even If I know that Rimuru was likely just thinking of his mother he lost. It doesn't bother me, I just have to make sure I raise her son right. And raise him like he was my own.
'From now on we'll be family.' I pressed my cheek into Rimuru's head slightly as I held him tightly yet gently in my arms. My smile forced my eyes closed. None of the Twin Horn's had said anything after my response and Rimuru's muttering but a single sigh of defeat and acceptance made my smile widen more.
I truly looked forward to this.
To the future. To being a mom– to being his mom.
Chapter 7 End~ 3011 Words
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