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Pat*eon : Belamy20
Naruto: Uchiha Shiroge Rebellion
That was not a request; it was a command.
The silent, murky green waters of the Black Lake seemed to receive an order. The surface surged suddenly as if boiling.
But instead of crashing against the shore, the water defied gravity, curling upward into a thick waterspout.
Like an awakened transparent python, it lunged through the air at the roaring bonfire!
HISS——!
The massive clash of water and fire wasn't an explosion, but a more heart-palpitating hiss of rapid cooling.
The lake water wrapped precisely around the entire burning wood pile like a giant, flowing transparent dome, sealing the flames and all potential smoke tightly inside.
Vic's control was astonishing. He manipulated the water flow so delicately that not a single drop splashed into the narrow gap at the base of the wood pile.
No smoke escaped, no sparks flew. There was only the sizzle of rapidly cooling wood, sounding like a dying sigh.
Faced with absolute hydrokinetic power, the flames died down instantly.
Almost the same moment the fire was extinguished, a black figure crawled nimbly out of the gap beneath the wood pile.
It was Wednesday.
Her pale face was smudged with some ash, but her eyes shone alarmingly bright. Clutched tightly in her arms was a manuscript with slightly charred edges—
The manuscript she valued as her life.
However, just as she crawled out of danger, before she could even stand steady, an ominous, tooth-aching crack-crack sound reached her ears.
It was the groan of the wood structure, brittle after burning, unable to bear its own weight and about to collapse!
Before meeting Vic, Wednesday might have thought meeting her end in such dramatic destruction, holding the manuscript she just saved, was an aesthetically pleasing finale fitting for an Addams.
She might have even adjusted her posture to look more composed.
But now, that thought only flashed by before being replaced by an unfamiliar emotion.
Not fear of death itself, but a kind of... reluctance.
Her manuscript wasn't archived yet. Her "boundary testing" with Vic had just yielded preliminary results.
She could not end here in such an unprepared, unaesthetic manner.
This "reluctance" made her shudder more than death itself.
However, the expected heavy impact and searing pain did not descend.
The moment the wood pile collapsed with a crash—
A wet but incredibly strong hand pierced through the chaotic falling wood and lingering steam, grabbing her wrist with absolute precision!
An irresistible force pulled her.
Wednesday felt her body go light. She was yanked violently out of the ruins, inertia sending her headfirst into a chest that was equally soaked but radiating vigorous heat.
"Cough... cough cough..."
Wednesday choked out a few mouthfuls of ash-scented air, lifting her eyes—wetted by the water and appearing even darker—to look up.
Vic's face filled her vision, inches away.
His wet hair was plastered to his forehead. His eyes still held lingering shock, rage, and fear. His chest heaved violently under her palm, like a bellows.
Water droplets slid down his tense jawline—one drop, two drops—landing on her cold cheek, scalding hot.
Was it lake water, or... something else?
Wednesday was stunned, forgetting even to break free from his embrace immediately.
She could clearly feel his racing heartbeat through their wet clothes, pounding against her eardrums, more powerful than any words.
Vic's arms hooped around her tight as iron bands, the force almost making her bones ache.
He lowered his head, his forehead almost touching hers. His scorching breath sprayed on her face. His voice was terribly hoarse, carrying the tremors of a survivor:
"Wednesday Addams... you fcking... you almost... I almost thought..."
He was incoherent, seemingly wanting to curse but choking up. Finally, it turned into a heavy gasp containing too many emotions.
"Vic."
Wednesday finally found her voice. Although slightly raspy, it was strangely calm.
"Your hands are shaking."
Vic froze. Only then did he realize the arms wrapped around her were indeed trembling uncontrollably.
He tried to tighten his grip but feared hurting her.
An unprecedented panic—mixed with the relief of regaining what was lost and surging emotions—crashed inside his chest, almost drowning him.
He lowered his head abruptly. With a kiss smelling of lake water and smoke—a nearly savage kiss—he pressed heavily onto Wednesday's pale lips.
This kiss had no technique to speak of. Only pure, scorching confirmation and possession.
Not far away, the crowd stunned by this heaven-turning reversal finally snapped back to reality.
Enid watched the embracing pair and let out a long sigh of relief. Thank god they're okay.
Standing at the edge of the crowd, Pugsley—who was subconsciously still holding the half-eaten giant chocolate bar Vic had shoved at him—looked up, his mouth forming an 'O'. His pale face was filled with shock as he murmured to himself:
"Is brother-in-law really this powerful? That's way cooler than my electric sparks."
Venom's black head poked out slowly from Vic's soaked shoulder. His raspy voice offered a comment, seemingly wanting more:
"Tsk, brother. Although the posture was ugly and the kissing technique sucked... it was awesome."
And further away, in the shadows, the redheaded girl with twin braids—
The "Solo Stan" who worshipped Wednesday fanatically—was staring dead at the embracing couple, especially at Vic. The anger burning in her eyes was almost solidifying into substance.
"Victor Black..."
She squeezed the name through her teeth.
"How dare you... how dare you defile Wednesday like that!"
The students recovered from their shock, cheering sincerely for this dramatic rescue.
Applause and cheers surged like a tide, breaking the dead silence.
Camera flashes popped continuously again. This time, they weren't capturing the bonfire, but the embracing Vic and Wednesday—
This image had far more impact and viral value than a burning falcon.
Acting Principal Barry Dort wiped nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.
Thank goodness no one is hurt...
If the star students of Nevermore Academy had an accident at the party he presided over, he would probably be eaten alive by certain "caring-makes-chaos" parents or factions first.
He quickly put on a concerned yet official smile and stepped forward to comfort everyone and control the scene.
However, not everyone felt "relieved" by this scene.
The redhead with twin braids bit her lower lip so hard it almost bled.
Watching the surrounding people cheer and bless them, she felt a poisonous fire of jealousy nearly burn away her reason.
"Victor Black..."
She whispered the name again.
"Just you wait... You are not worthy of her... You only defile her perfection... I will prove that I am the one qualified to stand by her side!"
She turned abruptly, pushed through the crowd, and disappeared into the darkness.
A dangerous idea was breeding madly in her heart.