Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shouta Aizawa never particularly cared for children. He didn't hate children. He just wasn't a fan of children. They were loud, cried way too much for his liking, high maintenance, thrived on attention, and were sticky. Always so sticky. It was for these reasons that he figured he'd never have children of his own and he was okay with that.

Who needs kids when you have four needy cats? They were practically the same thing.

Aizawa was sure of this when one of his cats woke him by smothering his face. How this cat hadn't killed him yet was beyond him. "Mornin' Sora…" He reached up with both of his hands and pulled his black ghost striped cat off of his face. The moment he spoke: his other three cats immediately jumped up onto his bed and started to cry for his attention.

Tora, a fluffy orange tabby, came up and tried to push Sora out of his way. This caused the two of them to start play-fighting with each other on the side of Aizawa.

Miso, an orange, white, and black calico, just jumped over her brothers and landed directly on Aizawa's face. "Oof!" Aizawa couldn't suppress his grunt. Miso rubbed herself under his chin and happily smacked him in the face with her fluffy tail.

Finally came Chobi. A rarity that Shouta was proud to find. A black, gray, and orange Tortoiseshell male cat. Chobi, unlike the others, didn't immediately run to Aizawa. He, instead, chose to lay down and started to play with the edge of a blanket.

"Okay, I'm up." He grunted before finally sitting up fully. Snatching his phone up from his nightstand. Aizawa rubbed his tired eyes to look at the time. He knew it had to be early in the morning by the lack of sunlight streaming through his window. So, it didn't shock him when his phone read: 5:48 in the morning. "Hey, five hours of sleep. Not bad." Aizawa stretched his arms over his head before reaching up to pet Miso under the chin. "Okay, gremlins, let me get my coffee and then I'll feed you." He told his cats before he got to his feet and stalked for the kitchen.

Instantly all four cats raced after him to the kitchen. Tora jumped on to the counter, Miso and Chobi both stayed by his feet, crying needily like they haven't been fed in eons, and Sora decided now would be a good time to slide across the kitchen tiles like it was an ice rink.

Aizawa started the coffee pot, and while that was brewing he reached under the sink for the cat food. Tiny war cries filled his kitchen and drowned out the sound of his dripping coffee pot. All the cats rushed to their food bowls; which Aizawa happily filled for them.

Finally, once the last bowl was filled, silence. Except for happy munching.

Aizawa put the cat food back and pulled out a mug to start pouring himself a cup of coffee. Aizawa sat at his kitchen table and just enjoyed the time spent with himself. He was living his best life right now. With just him and his cats in a little one bedroom apartment and a job that… would be considered too dangerous for most.

Speaking of his job.

Aizawa looked at his phone for the time. Only twenty minutes passed. 'I'll finish this cup and go on an early morning patrol.' He decided fairly quickly. Eventually he finished his cup and got dressed and ready for the day. He said goodbye to his cats and locked the apartment door behind him. He put his goggles over his eyes and took off for the alleyways nearest him.

While the pro-hero's patrolled the main streets and stayed in the public eye, underground heros, like himself, stuck to the alleyways and backstreets. Which he was happy for. He hated being scrutinized by the public for his every move.

Using his capture weapon, a scarf made out of steel wire alloy and interwoven with nanofibers. It was flexible and did its job well. Never once did this scarf fail him. Using the scarf to latch on to a flag rod on the side of the building, Aizawa propelled himself up to the corner of a rooftop and perched himself there.

He had a pretty good view spread out before him in the early morning hours as the sun was just starting to creep up over the horizon and turn the sky a baby blue. He always loved this view. Even if he, himself, looked like a gargoyle on the roof.

Aizawa squatted down and silently observed the view below. His eyes scanned the intersecting alleyways below him for any suspicious movements. When he saw nothing after a few moments, Aizawa jumped from the rooftop. He used his scarf to wrap around a light pole and take him to another roof.

'Is it too soon for a cigarette break?' He half-joked when he saw nothing of interest as he rested his arms on his knees to watch down below him. Of course he didn't smoke… much. Smoking would be illogical for a hero who has to keep in top physical shape for the job, that being said sometimes a cigarette is needed to pass time.

For roughly the next ten minutes Aizawa bounced from rooftop to rooftop looking for anything that would garner his attention. For a moment he thought maybe he would be lucky enough to have a slow and easy morning, but it soon seemed that wouldn't be the case.

It was maybe thirty or so minutes into his patrol and he finally spotted something.

It almost seemed like nothing. Just two guys snooping around an alleyway like they've lost something important. They were looking behind trash cans, kicking boxes out of their way, and even opening dumpsters. If they were just looking around the ground it might not have gotten Aizawa's attention but they were making a lot of noise.

Aizawa let out a yawn before quietly jumping down to a lower roof so he could assess the men a little better.

He stood perched on the edge of the rooftop and looked down at the men below. The duo stayed close to one another while they looked for their missing item.

The first male that was currently digging through the dumpster, looked to be of average height and build. If he had a quirk it wasn't visible. His hair was pink in color cut just below the nape of his neck. He didn't look too muscular. The only thing about him that was raising any flags to Aizawa was the fact that he was wearing a white coat. A lab coat.

The other guy honestly wasn't any different, say for his brown hair. He was maybe two or three inches taller than his counterpart, but all the same he too was frantically looking for something by knocking over trash cans and boxes all the same.

As the seconds ticked on the men were both growing increasingly more frustrated to the point that the one with brown hair suddenly exclaimed out "This is bullshit!" as he kicked over a trash can so hard that it clattered so loudly that it scared a few stray raccoons.

Aizawa was ready to turn around and look for something else to entertain him when the man with pink hair hissed out: "Be quiet! You'll draw someone to our location!"

'Interesting.'

Aizawa took this moment to stealthily and quietly jump down from the rooftop and into the alleyway. Neither male heard him as he started to approach. It wasn't until he was ten or so feet from them did he speak. "Lose something?" He inquired. Both men quickly turned to face him. Aizawa kept his hands in his pockets as he watched the two men carefully behind his goggles.

Both men looked nervous, and now that Aizawa was face to face with them he noticed something particular. The one with pink hair had brown eyes while the one with brown hair had pink eyes and they looked identical facial wise.

It was the one with pink hair who spoke up: "You a hero?" There was a tone in his voice that didn't sit right with Aizawa.

"Maybe." Aizawa answered flatley. "Should I be worried?" He decided to answer back.

This time the one with brown hair spoke up swiftly. "No! Forgive my brother." He stepped in between the two of them and laughed nervously at Aizawa. "I'm Dr. Kiku Isa, and my brother there is Dr. Tashiro Isa. You see, this is embarrassing, but we work for the clinic up the street there-." Kiku pointed towards where the Alley ended and Aizawa looked to see that there was a small clinic just up the street within walking distance.

"-And two little boys managed to escape."

"Excuse me?" Aizawa turned back around in shock.

"I know! Completely embarrassing it was our fault we left the door open and they ran because they were getting a shot." Kiku quickly explained in a frantic voice. "We checked the cameras and we know they ran in this direction. It was less than five minutes ago and if you could help us find them we would be… just so so grateful!"

Aizawa almost wanted to chuckle at this situation. 'Children.' he thought while being mildly amused. "Of course. Just point me in the direction you think they went."

"If you could look down that way-" Kiku pointed to the alley to their left that split off into two different directions. "We'd appreciate it."

Without another word Aizawa started walking towards the alley in question. "... are you sure?" Aizawa heard Kiku- no… that had to be Tashiro asking. They sounded so alike it was almost scary. It made Aizawa's heckles start to rise. 'They're hiding something.' he decided fairly quickly.

Aizawa stopped walking and turned back towards the brothers. Both of them had moved on away from him and he was tempted to return to them to see what-

-Feeling eyes on the back of his head, Aizawa turned his head back around to where the alley split off to the right. He saw a glimpse of something purple and narrowed his eyes behind his goggles. Aizawa didn't walk towards the alley. Instead he used his scarf to grab on to a corner of the building and propelled himself up. When he was on the side of the building he then looked down.

Sure enough. There were two little boys hiding in the alley. If he had to guess on the spot they looked to both be around five or six years in age. One had wild lilac colored hair and the other had a mop of green curls on his head. The one with green hair looked to be unconscious and that both boys were wearing plain white shirts and shorts and had no shoes on.

Aizawa used his scarf to wrap the middle of a power line and hung himself upside down. From there he slowly lowered himself upside. This kept his movements quiet as he got closer to the boys without startling them.

The closer he got the more he was able to see. Like how the purple haired boy was covered in scratches, most healed,but there was one his neck that looked pretty deep and was still bleeding.

The unconscious one didn't have a scratch on him. Which was odd.

When he got even closer he saw the boy with green hair was littered in freckles, but his pale face was flushed red and his breathing looked labored. Aizawa figured it out pretty quick. 'He's sick.'

Finally, Aizawa got down to his scarf's limit almost directly behind the purple haired boy who had the green haired boy laying in his lap. "We just have to hope he gives up, Zuchan…"

"Me? Or the doctor?"

The boy yelped and jumped quickly. He wrapped his arms around 'Zuchan' holding the other boy closer to him in an attempt to protect him. "Crap!" The little boy cried out as he was now attempting to carry Zuchan. Aizawa lowered himself to the ground while the purple haired boy tried to run away all while dragging the other around. It was almost pitiful to watch if it weren't also slightly tragic. 'He could get away faster if he weren't carrying the other one.' Aizawa thought before he simply used his scarf to wrap around the little boys and tried to pull them back.

The kid with the purple hair wasn't letting up though as he tried to fight against the scarf, but it did nothing but tug on Aizawa's neck a little.

The little purple haired kid started to whine and cry. "I don't want to go back! You can't make me!" This didn't sound like a child afraid of getting a shot or seeing the doctor. This sounded like a kid scared for his life.

"Calm down-" Aizawa slowly approached.

The kid spun to look Aizawa in the eye. His own face is now tear stained and filled with horror. "No!"

Aizawa stopped as his mind suddenly felt blank. 'Let us go, turn around, and stay there-' The little boy's voice resounded through his head. Aizawa's body moved on its own, he had no control over his movements as he unraveled his scarf from around the boys.

'What am I doing?' Aizawa thought as he retracted his scarf so it was back around his neck.

Instantly the boy tried to take off again, Aizawa turned his body and started to walk away from the boys until he was facing the wall completely. 'What am I doing? Why am I just standing here… I can't move.'

"There you are!"

There was a sharp scream from the purple haired boy. "No! I won't go back!"

"Thanks for getting rid of that hero for me! Makes this a whole lot easier-" There was another scream of duress from the child and Aizawa was just standing there with his back to the action.

There were grunts and the sound of a scuffle. "Damn-" There was a sudden high pitched scream from the man. "He's biting me!"

Aizawa had to assume it was the purple haired kid that was making almost animalistic noises as he was digging his teeth deep into this guy. "Help us!" the voice suddenly called and fluttered around Aizawa's brain before his mind was freed completely.

Aizawa wasted no time, he turned, charged, and jumped immediately for Tashiro as his assumption was right. The purple haired kid had the guy's arm in his mouth and was biting down hard. So hard that his teeth were sunk into Tashiro's arm and blood was splattered on the floor around them while Tashiro shrieked in pain. His boot made contact with Tashiro face. Tashiro flew back as did the purple haired kid.

Thankfully the kid didn't land with Tashrio. Instead he landed just a few feet away. "They took Zuchan! You have to stop them please!" The kid pointed down the alley before he got to his feet and started running in the same direction he was pointing. "Zuchan!"

"Whoa-!" Aizawa, being swift, used his scarf to bring the kid back to him before he could run head first into danger. "-Stay here. I'll get your friend back. Okay?"

"...Okay… but you should- That doctor- His quirk... well… the one with pink hair. That one." The kid pointed to the unconscious doctor. "Isn't the real doctor! It's his quirk. I can't explain it, but he can only make two of himself and each time they look a little different and they act slightly different as well."

"So, the one with brown hair is the real deal and Tashiro is the clone?"

"Yes… look. He's already got rid of Kiku."

True to what the kid said, when Aizawa looked Tashiro Isa was no more than just a pile of ash. Even his clothes were gone. "So, be careful. Odds are he'll make another clone of himself."

"Thanks for the warning, Kid. I'll get Zuchan back for you and then I want an explanation."

Aizawa didn't wait for a response as he took off running towards where the kid had pointed him too. 'I knew something wasn't right with those two men! I should have listened to my gut and used erasure on them; it would have exposed their quirk right away. Hopefully, I won't be too late.' Aizawa ran up a wall in record time. He just needed a low rooftop to see his surroundings.

Aizawa perched himself on the corner of the roof, and lifted his goggles off of his head to get a better unobstructed view of his surroundings.

'There!' Aizawa saw movement in a nearby alley intersection and saw Kiku making a break for the main street. He put his goggles back on his face and leapt off of the rooftop and to the next one. 'Don't think I'll stop if you make this public, asshole!' Aizawa snarled as he darted across the rooftop at an alarming speed.

Kiku was thankfully still in the alley by the time Aizawa finally caught up to him, he did have Zuchan in his arms. The kid was out cold and curled up against the man's chest like a prize he wanted to protect.

Aizawa leapt from the building and in mid-air used his scarf to wrap around Kiku upper arms, but he didn't stop there. He kept erasure on and stared Kiku down so he couldn't make a clone of himself. Aizawa then came down, wrapping his legs around Kiku upper body and twisting his lower body so Kiku was forced to let go of the child while he was slammed into the ground.

Aizawa slapped one hand on Kiku's head and kept his knees planted into the middle of Kiku back, keeping him pinned to the asphalt.

"Who are you and what do you want with these kids!?"

"I'm…" Kiku seemed to grimace in pain as he started to sweat. "Dammit. I'm just a pediatrician! The boys got scared and ran off-"

"-Bullshit." Aizawa snarled as he dug his knee deeper into the man's back. Kiku gasped in pain. "That's a clinic, not a children's hospital for starters and if you were really concerned about these boys you would have involved the cops. So, I'm going to ask again, and if you give me an answer I don't like, I'm going to smash your face into the asphalt over and over again." Aizawa threatened as he tightened his grip on Kiku hair.

"Who are you? And what do you want with these kids!"

"I-... I was paid okay! I never met the guy. I was paid to watch over these brats-" Aizawa smashed the man's face into the asphalt like promised. Kiku let out a grunt of pain at the sound of a sickening crack coming from his nose.

"We're getting somewhere now, aren't we? But I want the truth and nothing less!"

"Okay! I was paid to watch them. I swear. I never met the boss, but it's some big underground lab! The boys got out. I wanted to get them back before anyone noticed."

Aizawa picked the man's head up and smashed it into the asphalt yet again. This time the man screamed in pain. "What did they want with them!?"

"I don't know. I swear! Please-" Kiku started to cough and there was a small clatter. Aizawa saw blood and bits of white- several of his teeth chipped from the impact and that's what Aizawa was seeing. "Please believe me! I was just paid to watch and make sure the boys got from point A to point B!"

Aizawa felt his hands tremble lightly. He wanted to smash Kiku face in just one more time for good measure, but ultimately decided against it. Underground hero or not, it wouldn't look good. "Fine, I'll leave the rest of the cops to ask, then. In the meantime-" It was a swift jab to the face that knocked Kiku out cold. "Stay down."

Finally, Aizawa was able to blink. "Jesus, that has to be a record." Aizawa could only grumble as he lifted his goggles from his face and pulled out eye drops from his pocket. Lifting his head up, he allowed the drops to fall into his eyes and grant him relief. Once he was sure he would be okay, Aizawa dialed for the cops and gave them information on where to find him and the boys

It was in the middle of this important phone call did he suddenly feel something tug on his pant leg.

"Yeah, the villain has been restrained and I'm watching him, and- I- Uh…" Aizawa looked down to see the curly haired boy was now up and on his feet. Zuchan looked up at Aizawa with the most innocent green eyes. His face was still flushed and he looked feverish. "-Uh. Have two little boys with me, so if you could get here quickly. I'd appreciate it." Aizawa hung up fairly quickly after that.

Aizawa was never one for children. But he wasn't heartless. "Hey there, buddy." He slowly crouched down so they were eye to eye. The boy said nothing for a moment as he wrapped his arms around Aizawa's leg.

"Is Hichan okay?" Zuchan whispered, it was almost borderline inaudible and if Aizawa wasn't focusing on the boy he might not have even heard him.

"Hichan, I take it that's the little purple haired boy?" Aizawa inquired as he automatically planted his hand into this kid's thick green curls. The little feverish boy lethargically nodded against Aizawa's leg and sniffled before he started softly sobbing. 'Poor kid is scared and sick on top of it.'

"Don't cry, okay? The police are going to come and bring you back to your mom and dad."

The little boy sniffled and rubbed at his eyes with one hand while he clung to Aizawa's leg with his free hand. "C'mon…" Aizawa offered the little boy his hand and the boy took it. "Lets go and find Hichan and get you two reunited. We'll figure out where to go from there."

Chapter Text

After the villain was taken into custody, Aizawa only felt it right to accompany the two boys to the hospital as they were clearly scared. In the ambulance he finally learned their actual names. Hitoshi and Izuku and they were both five years old.

Hitoshi had been the one to fess up their names. He even gave his last name to Aizawa, but not Izuku's last name as he didn't know Izuku's last name.

Almost as soon as Izuku laid down on the stretcher he was out like a light. Izuku's fever was something clearly hellish in nature and the paramedics were trying to bring it down to the best of their abilities.

What happened next almost seemed to happen out of nowhere.

"Poor kid." The paramedic cooed as she prepped out an IV needle to stick into Izuku's arm. It was clear she wanted to give him saline.

"That's a big needle..." Hitoshi's voice was teetering between concern and dangerous. Aizawa, who had been dozing off, cracked an eye open.

"Yes, it is, but don't worry with my quirk-" The paramedic suddenly stopped. Like, just completely and utterly stopped. She put the needle down and just sat on the ground of the ambulance. Her eyes were vacant, void of any emotion as the poor woman just sat there.

"What did you just do?" Aizawa inquired and he leaned forward with his arms on his knees. He could use erasure and fix this in a heartbeat, but he had to admit, he was curious about this kid's quirk.

"Nothing…" Hitoshi tried to lie, but little children aren't particularly good at lying. Especially when Hitoshi was trying his hardest to avoid eye contact with Aizawa.

"Now, I don't think this is 'nothing'. Izuku needs liquids. He's really sick."

"But… the needle is big and Zuchan doesn't like needles." Hitoshi almost seemed to whine. Aizawa sighed and rubbed his hand over his face in slight irritation. 'Children…' He looked at the woman using erasure and in just a moment she came back to them looking confused as all hell, but she slowly stood and got right back to work.

"C'mere…" Aizawa decided a heart-to-heart was needed between the two of them. He patted his knee in an invitation. He didn't think Hitoshi would actually accept this invite, but to his surprise the kid slowly climbed down from the stretcher and crawled up to Aizawa's knee. Aizawa placed a hand on Hitoshi's back to keep him steady during the ride to the hospital. "I know you're scared for Izuku, and I know you must be scared as well, but you don't do that to people. I know you did the same thing to me in the alley, we just want to help. I promise."

Hitoshi kept a frown on his face. "Okay… I just don't want anything bad to happen…"

"I know you don't kid… but look." Aizawa pointed and Hitoshi looked over his shoulder. The nurse had gotten the IV in with no problems, though she did look a little more wary when she and Hitoshi shared a look. "Izuku is perfectly fine and you-" Aizawa lightly poked Hitoshi in the chest. "-owe someone an apology."

Hitoshi looked at the paramedic and then back at Aizawa. "I… I'm sorry…" Hitoshi looked back at the paramedic and placed his two index fingers together in embarrassment. "For brainwashing you that is."

"Is that what happened? Talk about a powerful quirk." The paramedic breathed in shock.

"Brainwashing, huh?" Aizawa chuckled.

"Yep! Izuku thinks it's really cool! He's the first to like my quirk, most of my classmates said my quirk was scary and they stopped being my friends…"

"Oh? Are you and Izuku classmates?"

"No. I never met him before-" Hitoshi's voice died down in his throat and his look became forlorn.

"Before you were kidnapped?"

Hitoshi nodded solemnly.

Aizawa pulled Hitoshi's head into his chest. "Don't worry. We'll get you home to your parents before too long now. You and Izuku."

Hitoshi muttered softly against Aizawa's chest. Aizawa didn't hear him, but it sounded something along the lines of: "I don't think so, but thanks for trying…"

'Poor kid sounds so tired.' Aizawa didn't mind when Hitoshi just kept his head resting on Aizawa's chest with his thumb in his mouth. It really didn't take long for Hitoshi to fall asleep.

"Sir?" The paramedic inquired after it was clear that Hitoshi was asleep.

"Yes?"

"We're coming up to the hospital in ten minutes. You could put him on the stretcher, now would probably be the best time."

"Uh…" Aizawa looked down at the little boy in his arms. Hitoshi looked at peace, and did Aizawa really want to potentially wake the poor child? This was probably the first time, in god knows how long, Hitoshi was able to relax and sleep. "Nah. I can hold him. It's no problem." Aizawa decided. "Just tell me which way I need to go when we get to the hospital."

The paramedic simply nodded and focused back on Izuku, but she continued to speak. "That child, Hitoshi, his quirk is rather dangerous."

"Yeah…" Aizawa breathed out. "I know what you're saying, but I don't agree with you. The quirk is only as dangerous as it's user. The kid's scared so it's only natural he'd use his quirk to his advantage."

The paramedic scrunched her nose up in disagreement. "If you ask me, quirks like his-"

"-Well, I'm not asking you. He's a child." Aizawa didn't let her finish her sentence. His tone was clipped and cold and it was more than enough to shut her up.

The ride was rather tense after that, but Aizawa didn't care. Eventually, they made it to the hospital and true to his word, Aizawa carried Hitoshi the whole way inside the hospital and into a room where Hitoshi was swept away by doctors and nurses alike. Aizawa watched them go and put his hands into his pockets. 'Good luck, you two.' Aizawa then turned his heel and walked out of the hospital, wishing the children a good life and knowing that the cops'll do the rest.

Maybe he'll stop by and check on how they're doing after a few days.

Aizawa lazily scratched behind Tora's ears. The orange cat was sitting on his lap while he watched TV. Sora was sitting on the end of the couch taking a nap, Miso was currently running around like a crackhead, and Chobi is doing… something.

After his hectic morning a couple of days ago, Aizawa felt at peace with his cats while he lazily watched some TV. Though, he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't occasionally hear Hitoshi's little voice in his head. Aizawa didn't know why, but those little boys just kept coming back into his mind. "Zuchan doesn't like needles."

Or that little whisper, the one that kept changing around in Aizawa's mind because he knows he heard Hitoshi wrong. 'I don't think so, but thanks for trying.'

'I don't think so, they can't stop crying.'

'I don't want to go, because they're lying.'

Aizawa sighed and used a free hand to rub at his face and he gave his head a good shake. "I'm thinking too much into things." He decided. He just wanted to watch TV. Was that too much to ask for?

No sooner had he downed his cup of coffee did his work phone suddenly start to ring. Turning the TV on mute, Aizawa answered his phone. "Eraserhead." He grunted in greeting. He placed his feet on the coffee table as the person on the other end started to speak.

"Eraserhead, this is Detective Osada, I'm currently working on the case regarding the two little boys you helped rescue a couple days prior."

Tora decided now was a good time to start kneading at Aizawa's pants. "Yeah?" Aizawa tried to pick his cat up with one hand, but Tora dug his claws into his pants and now refused to let go.

"Well, some interesting details came up regarding the boys and it's rather urgent. Do you think you can come to the hospital tomorrow morning? The sooner the better."

"Shit, I can come tonight if you want." Aizawa now cradled the phone between his shoulder and his cheek while he tried to free himself from Tora's grasp. The cat was winning this fight.

"Really?" The man sounded surprised by this. "I mean if it's no trouble, because this is… kinda big."

"Yeah, I'm not doing anything at the moment. I can be there in… forty minutes, maybe an hour at the latest." Aizawa guessed and suddenly flinched when Sora decided to jump on the couch and headbutt him for affection, all while Tora was still attached to his pants.

"That's great. I'll let the social worker know so they can meet us."

Aizawa felt his body perk at that and his eyes narrowed as his cats were suddenly forgotten. "A social worker?"

"Like I said, Eraserhead. It's bad."

The hospital was a lot more dismal at night. Not as many people were running around and nobody really seemed to be in a hurry. Aizawa walked towards the pediatric ward where he knew the boys would be held. This was per Detective Osada's instructions. They were to meet at the ward and talk to the boys. Apparently, Hitoshi only liked to talk to Aizawa and nobody else. Aizawa felt slightly honored that he had made an impact on the boy…

but something just didn't feel right.

"Mr. Eraserhead." A voice from behind caused Aizawa to stop and turn. Walking up to him had to be Detective Osada, a gruff, older, and squat man with a scruffy pepper colored beard and short hair to match in color. The man had to be a foot shorter than Aizawa, stopping just at Aizawa's shoulders. "It's fantastic to meet you." The Detective offered his hand and Aizawa took it.

"Likewise."

"I was hoping to get here before you, but got delayed by traffic." The Detective told him as they started walking together.

"So, what's this about?"

"Ah, straight to the point, I see. Although I want to wait for the Social worker, I guess I can fill you in on the major breakthroughs on the way." Osada said and the two of them walked into an elevator together. The Pediatric ward was on the fifth floor, so they did have some time to kill in the cramped space.

"Let's start with the easiest. Izuku. Once his fever broke we questioned him. It wasn't easy as Hitoshi wanted to be with him. We had to constantly try and get him to leave. At one point Hitoshi threw a tantrum and had to be locked into his room after attempting to use his quirk on an officer.-" Aizawa didn't know if he should smile or eyeroll. That kid was going places in the future, still, Hitoshi was going to need help with that quirk of his.

"Still, After questioning Izuku it's clear, the poor kid doesn't remember anything. He didn't even know his own age. He only knew his first name. It is an extreme case of amnesia from how I see it, It may or may not be quirk related. I ran his first name, and his features, through a list of missing children within the last three years and nobody came up."

Aizawa wasn't sure he heard Osada correctly. "Nobody? That can't be right, he has to belong to someone."

"I ran it three times to be sure the system wasn't glitching. There is no missing child named Izuku, more yet: there's no child that looks like him that's missing. It's like Izuku just showed up out of the blue, but there's one more thing that might be the reason why: Izuku has an extra pinky toe bone."

"He's quirkless?"

'That explains Hitoshi's protectiveness.' Aizawa thought.

"Yep. So, we're sure he was abandoned because of it."

"I guess that explains the social worker then."

"...Partially… you see, once we were finally able to talk to Hitoshi and learn his last name… we managed to find out who his parents were and…" The detective sighed as he trailed off. "They were dead, Eraserhead. They've been dead for over a year, murdered and, I'm positive Hitoshi witnessed it. That's part of the reason I asked you to be here. The sooner we know what happened to his parents, the sooner we can put the people who hurt them to justice. Also, from what I'm told. Hitoshi only likes you."

Finally, Aizawa managed to decipher what Hitoshi had told him in the ambulance a couple days ago. "I can't go, because they're dying."

"Shit…" Aizawa sighed out. "Poor kid. No wonder he's so protective of Izuku."

"You can say that again, but do you understand why a social worker is needed?"

"Yeah, I figured they were just kidnapped. I didn't think it'd go down a rabbit hole." As Aizawa said this the door to the elevator opened and they stepped out into the pediatric ward.

"Room thirteen is where they're being held." The Detective told Aizawa.

The pediatric ward was rather quiet at night, though on occasion Aizawa could hear sobs or whimpers coming from the rooms. The floor wasn't exactly lively, so it didn't take long for a nurse to spot them. "Can I help you, gentlemen?" The nurse inquired as she made a bee-line for the two of them. "The pediatric ward isn't accepting visitors at this hour." She tried to shoo them away, which Aizawa found reasonable if not a bit rude and suspicious in a way.

Aizawa flashed his hero license to the nurse and Osada did the same with his badge. "Forgive us for this intrusion, but we need to speak to Hitoshi Shinsou and Izuku."

"I'm sorry, but it's late and the boys are probably sleeping." The nurse told them flatley. Aizawa's eyes darted to her name tag. Rui Mori was her name. Aizawa looked back up at her. He had a feeling he was going to need to remember her: 'Black hair, blue eyes, gapped teeth, slightly heavyset, and blue freckled.' He noted all of her noticeable features.

"Well, I'm sorry, but we need to talk to them, ma'am."

"You can't, I'm sorry-"

Aizawa proceeded to walk past the woman. "We don't have time for this." He dismissed her with a hand wave.

"Excuse me!"

"You're excused!"

'10, 11, 12-' Aizawa approached door thirteen with the detective not far behind him. The nurse was fuming and she suddenly shoved Aizawa with her shoulder, stopping him from opening the door. "I said- oh!" Aizawa snatched her with his capture weapon and forced her out of his way.

He then opened the door, and he saw red at what he was witnessing.

Hitoshi was not only bound to his bed via bed cuffs, but the hospital staff felt it necessary to gag the boy with a wide thick piece of cloth around his mouth. Hitoshi wasn't alone in this either as they had done the same thing with Izuku. "What the actual fuck?!" Aizawa hissed in anger before storming over to Hitoshi while Detective Osada went for Izuku.

"I'm going to touch you, okay?" Osada told Izuku before he started to undo the bounds around his hands.

In his anger Aizawa nearly forgot to warn Hitoshi. "Don't be scared. I'm going to touch you, but it's just to get these bonds off." He told the child before he started working on getting the cuffs off. It didn't take long for Aizawa to free Hitoshi, and instantly the boy wrapped his arms around Aizawa's neck in appreciation.

"Why did you think to bind these kids up like criminals!?" Osada demanded as he approached the nurse.

"We only do this at night, you have to understand! That one-" She pointed to Hitoshi. "-Has a dangerous quirk that he likes to abuse and that one-" She pointed to Izuku next. "Can't sit still for the life of him! He's constantly trying to get out of bed, and won't shut up-"

"They're goddamned children!" Aizawa hissed between clenched teeth as he stood; Hitoshi clinging to him like a Koala. "And something is telling me that Hitoshi isn't 'abusing' his quirk as much as you like to think. He's five. No five year old has full control over their power."

The nurse made a sour face at Aizawa. "Oh please, don't tell me you wouldn't do the sam-"

"I wouldn't! Because I'm not heartless! Are you aware that these kids are traumatized? That they're hurting? Or do you only think of yourself in these situations?"

Rui stuttered at this before her face flushed red. "I'm doing what I'm trained to do."

Neither Aizawa nor Osada spoke next. "And that involves binding children?" There, in the doorway stood a male. He was tall and slender with long limbs, with long electric blue hair put up in a ponytail with glasses to match the bright color of his hair. Instantly Aizawa saw what his quirk could be as this man had four arms instead of two. He was using two arms to write on a clipboard while the other two of his arms were digging into a bag. "Higashi Suzuki, social services." He pulled a badge out of his backpack. He walked to Rui and looked at her name card.

"Rui Mori, is it? You can bet that CPS will be investigating the hospital after this. as well as investigating you. This is absolutely abhorrent and I will not stand by it." Higashi scowled before walking past the woman and up to Osada. Maybe it was the shame or it could be embarrassment but Rui swiftly turned and walked out of the room after that. Aizawa was sure he saw tears.

"Gentleman, as glad as I am to put this place to justice, I'm sure this isn't the main reason I was called here." Higashi inquired as he used one of his four hands to lightly pat Hitoshi's head. Hitoshi lifted his head off of Aizawa's chest and pouted at this sudden display of affection.

"Yes, there is…" Osada walked over to Aizawa and Hitoshi. "Hitoshi, we need to ask you some questions regarding your parents. Don't worry, you're not in trouble. We just need to know what happened."

Hitoshi frowned at this as he clung to Aizawa's shirt tighter. "I-I…" Hitoshi stammered as he suddenly looked afraid. Aizawa took this moment to grab onto Hitoshi's little hand with his free hand.

"It's okay. I'll stay here with you." He told the boy. "I'm not going anywhere-" Suddenly, there was a tug on his pants leg. Izuku was standing beside him now watching with an intense stare. Aizawa knew instantly what the other boy wanted. So, Aizawa sat on the bed. This allowed Izuku to climb into his lap.

"Oh my, these boys seem to like you. I can't even get Izuku to give me a high-five. Let alone get him to sit in my lap." Higashi chuckled a little as he pulled up a chair. Osada did so as well, and like Higashi he pulled out a pad and paper to write down.

"I can barely get the kid to talk to me." Osada commented next.

Aizawa shrugged. "Kids are like cats. Once one approves attention and the others will want attention as well." He told them, though he had a feeling that wasn't exactly the case.

Izuku was a funny one: He wanted the best of both worlds. He sat on Aizawa's knee, while simultaneously hugging Hitoshi tightly with both of his arms, with his head on laying onHitoshi's chest.

It was clear, to Aizawa at least, that both of these boys leaned heavily on one another during their entrapment and kidnapping. "It's okay, Hitoshi. Like I said, you aren't in any trouble and nobody will judge you. Please… can you tell us what happened to your mommy and daddy?" Osada asked once again.

Yua Shinsou and Dai Shinsou were brutally murdered one sunny April day last year. What day? Hitoshi didn't remember.

From what he could remember, two men had knocked on their door.

Hitoshi sounded scarily emotionless as he retold his story. "There was fighting. They were… yelling at my dad about something. I didn't know what at the time, but I'm sure they were arguing about me. They wanted me. My daddy was yelling at them and told my mom to call the cops…"

"You see… the thing about my dad is… he was quirkless, so he never stood a chance when the man with axes for hands swung… I remember watching his head roll..."

'Jesus Christ. I never could have thought…' Aizawa held on to the boys tighter.

"Mommy snatched me up and tried to run for the sliding door at the back, but there were more of them waiting for us." Hitoshi clutched at Aizawa's chest as he recalled this.

"Mommy had a quirk, unlike daddy. It wasn't strong. Mommy could make a quirk that was kind of a forcefield that would stop people for a small time, but it wasn't exactly strong… I remember the man with Axes for hands barreling towards us. Mommies forcefield wasn't strong enough to stop him and- and- She… she wrapped me in a hug and-and…" Hitoshi's emotions came back as he started to cry. "She kissed me on the head- and- I miss my mommy and daddy!" Hitoshi suddenly sobbed before covering his eyes with his hands.

It was on instinct that Aizawa lightly patted Hitoshi's hair to comfort him. Izuku remained silent, but, like Aizawa, he seemed to hold Hitoshi just a little tighter. Hitoshi instantly used Izuku's shoulder to cry on. Though nobody asked him to, Hitoshi continued on with his story: "A-After they-they killed her. They sn-snatched me up and-and I remember the man with Axe hand-hands told me; if I tried to run he'd do to me what he did-did to my parents." He said between sobs.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Hitoshi, and trust me, we're going to do all we can to find the people who did this to you and your family, and Izuku, we hadn't forgotten you, young man. We'll do our best to find your family and someone to fix your memories. I swear this to both of you." The detective promised both boys. "I have to ask, do you remember what any of the men who broke into your house looked like?"

Hitoshi thought about it for a moment before frowning. "Only the man with Axe hands. He was really really tall and had lots of muscles. His hair was cut short, down to his head and he had a-a beard around his mouth. He was covered in tattoos. I remember he had a big lion that covered the entirety of his left arm." Hitoshi explained, mimicking the length of the tattoo with his hand. The detective wrote this all down.

"Detective, a word outside?" Higashi inquired as he suddenly stood from his seat.

"Of course." With that both men walked out of the hospital room.

"Can I lay you down?" Aizawa asked the boys as it was clear to him, their time was coming to an end again. Yet, Aizawa didn't want to let the boys go, he wanted to keep them safe, both of them.

Hitoshi was still crying, though not as hard, yet he nodded all the same. Izuku simply nodded. 'Fuck this hospital.' Aizawa scowled as he moved the binds so the cuffs were hanging off the side of the bed. 'These boys deserve so much better.' Aizawa pulled the covers back and Hitoshi was the first to crawl on to the bed. Aizawa didn't even have time to stand before Izuku darted from his lap and crawled right next to Hitoshi. "Izuku, don't you want to sleep in your own bed?" Aizawa inquired.

"No." The little boy finally spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "I'll stay with Hichan. He's clearly upset if you can't tell, but thank you." And just like that Izuku vanished under the covers with Hitoshi not far behind him. Them vanishing under the covers was their way of telling adults they wanted to be alone and Aizawa could respect that.

Still, Aizawa couldn't help it: he snorted. 'This kid.' He thought with a small grin. "Alright, goodnight."

Aizawa then left the room, there, just outside the door was just Higashi. Higashi had all four of his arms crossed over his chest and seemed to be contemplating something. Aizawa shut the door and approached the man. He figured Osada had made his leave already.

"Is there anything else you may need me for?" He inquired as he approached.

"Not unless you can fix unhealthy attachments or give Izuku a quirk." Higashi sighed. "Their case isn't going to be an easy one. You see, I already tried to see if there are any family members to take Hitoshi in, but alas, his only living family member is an elderly grandmother who can't care for him. Meaning both of them are going to have to go into foster care for the time being. I'm sure you noticed. Their attachment to one another isn't healthy in the slightest. A symptom of trauma. I fear putting them in the system. There's no way someone is willing to take both of them… and I've seen first hand how Hitoshi gets when Izuku is taken away from him…"

Aizawa swallowed hard at this. "I see…"

"And it's not just Hitoshi. Izuku can get just as riled up as Hitoshi. They've formed such a bond that the mere idea of separating scares them. It also doesn't help that Izuku is quirkless. I hate to say it, but nobody is going to treat him well…"

'Don't do it, Shouta. They're kids, not cats. You don't even like kids. Hospital personnel felt it needed to bind up children. CHILDREN! If they can't help these kids then how can I possibly expect complete and utter strangers to help them? Can I really walk away from them and sleep well when I know I can train and help these kids rise up past this? I know I can foster them.'

"I mean… What if… maybe… possibly, I can foster them. Just so you can have some time to look for a suitable home for the both of them or, better yet, find someone to fix Izuku's memories, and you don't need to rush and throw them into a home that won't treat them right"

"Ha, very funny." Higashi laughed, he actually laughed at Aizawa's suggestion. When he saw that Aizawa wasn't joking, his smile dropped. "Oh, you're serious?"

"I am."

Higashi narrowed his eyes now. "Why? Publicity? Is your hero ranking not good enough for you?"

"Underground hero, I stay out of the public eye."

"Then why?"

"... Because, I'm a hero who sees two little kids who clearly need help that the foster system can't provide. If you put those kids in a foster home, they're just going to face more trauma and hardship."

Higashi set his jaw tight and seemed to think about it. "I will… consider your proposal, Eraserhead." He said after a few minutes had passed. "Expect a phone call in the morning." Higashi then turned his heel and left.

Aizawa smirked, and whipped out his cellphone.

You see, Shouta Aizawa was never one for kids, but that wasn't going to stop him from searching for a three-bedroom home to rent out for a while.

Chapter Text

"Again."

thirteen-year-old Izuku narrowed his eyes and focused on Hitoshi. Both boys stood in a fighting stance as they stared down one another. Izuku slowly stepped to the side and Hitoshi mirrored this movement by stepping just as well so they were circling, but not facing away from their opponent. Finally, Izuku moved, a strike, swift and towards Hitoshi's face, but Hitoshi reacted just as quickly by making a grab for Izuku's wrist in an attempt to stop the attack, only the attack was a fakeout. The moment Hitoshi looked away to catch Izuku's wrist, Izuku swept his dominant leg and hooked it behind Hitoshi's knee, but this came with a price as it caused both boys to suddenly lose balance and fall on top of each other.

Both boys cried out in surprise as they tumbled to the ground in a heap.

Aizawa sighed and shook his head, still, though the boys couldn't see it he had a small smile on his face as he did this. 'They're getting better.' Still, he wiped the smile off of his face and crouched down to the bundle of limbs. "Izuku, why did you think sweeping Hitoshi's leg was a good idea when he had you by the wrist?" Aizawa inquired.

"Uh…" Izuku's face went blank as he tried to think of an excuse. "In my defense: I didn't think he'd grab me?" He settled on saying with an awkward smile.

Hitoshi started to laugh at this.

Aizawa sighed again and checked his watch. "Well, if we keep going we'll be late. So go and shower and get ready for school. We'll discuss more in the car."

"Okay, dad." Both boys had said in sync as they both helped each other to their feet and started to dust themselves off before retreating for the house.

Shouta Aizawa was never one for kids, but by some miracle he adopted two boys he had no plans on adopting in the first place, he had them in his care for eight years but adopted them five years ago, but regardless, both boys had grown to be almost unrecognizable from all those years ago.

From clinging to one another for dear life to learning how to fight…

Granted they still clung to each other, but not as intensely.

Aizawa bent down and picked up a forgotten towel on the ground.

Of course, Higashi and Osada had tried to do their best with Izuku. They did what they promised and brought a person who could 'fix' or 'repair' broken memories via their quirk… but…

"I'm sorry." The woman stood and bowed to them apologetically after she had touched five-year-old Izuku's head. "But after only a few short seconds, I can tell you. There's nothing there."

"What do you mean by that?" Higashi had demanded. His eyes wide with slight shock.

"I mean, he has no memories to fix because he has no past memories. It's almost like… they were wiped from his mind." She explained softly to them. "I'm sorry." She repeated before bowing once again.

"Do you know anyone who could-" It was Osada that tried to speak next, but the woman cut him off.

"-If I can be honest. I don't think you're going to get his memories back. Not without confronting the person who either took them or wiped them in the first place…"

Aizawa smacked the towel a few times, getting any dirt and sand out of it. Particles flew and his pants got dirty.

Izuku's memories eventually became a lost cause. Higashi and Osada tried, god, did they try. Izuku was the missing puzzle piece they needed to know why all of this had happened, but each and everyone they had attempted to bring in, four different people with memory quirks, all said the same. His memories were missing or wiped purposely and they couldn't be repaired. It was frustrating, but nothing could be done about it.

Osada had even gone as far as to put Izuku in the local paper to identify his family, but nobody came.

"I've got no choice, Aizawa." Osada had told him as the two met for tea one chilly december. The two of them watched as the, now eight-year-old boys, chased each other around the large yard in a game of tag. "Izuku is officially a Yamada Taro according to the nation. No real name, no biological family. It's almost making me think of human trafficking. Still, he's officially adoptable. Hitoshi and him both that is…"

Aizawa walked inside of his three bed-room home and shut the sliding glass door behind him. The boys had been in his care for three years when they were both allowed to be up for adoption.

Aizawa had no plans to adopt these two boys. Of course he knew by not adopting he'd be shaking the boys to their core. After all, they've only known him and only liked him. Aizawa had an interview with some potential families that were willing to adopt both boys and he was ready for his child-free life again. Just him and his cats. It'd be illogical for him to say that he wouldn't miss the boys. Of course he would! But it was best this way: His job was dangerous. Too dangerous to care for children.

And then Izuku had been the first to call him dad.

It was then did Aizawa realize his biggest mistake. Not only did he allow them to get attached to him, that was inevitable, but he became attached to them. It was at that very moment at the dinner table where Izuku had asked such a mundane question: "Can you pass the salt, dad?" did Aizawa realize: 'I can't give them up to someone else. I just can't.'

Once the adoption was complete then came Aizawa's next step. Izuku's birthday. The kid couldn't remember it and Hitoshi didn't know it either. Aizawa tried to do the math, but just confused himself, and then, it was Hizashi who had an actually smart idea for once. "Just give them the same birthday. They're practically twins already." And that's how Aizawa got around that little snag fairly quickly. Besides, it made both boys happy to be able to tell people that they were twins.

Aizawa was now focusing on training the boys. Hitoshi's quirk was powerful, but he wasn't best in hand-to-hand and Izuku's quirkless. Knowing hand-to-hand was the best option for both boys. It was a precaution that Aizawa was more than happy to fill. After all, those that originally took the boys may come back. Well.. they could try anyway.

Of course it wasn't perfect, no family was, Aizawa had butted heads with both boys on more than one occasion.

Hitoshi came out of his bedroom, his hair was still wet from his shower; put up in a low ponytail hanging off of his shoulder. He had changed out of his training clothes and was wearing his gakuran. The collar of his shirt was crooked and Aizawa put the towel to the side so he could fix Hitoshi's collar. "Behave today." Aizawa warned. "If I get a call that you've been in another fight I swear I'm taking away anything and everything that has a screen."

"I'll try." Hitoshi sighed. "It's not my fault they ask for a fight."

Aizawa held in a snort at that. "Remember what I've told you: You don't start fights. You can finish them, but you don't start them."

When picking middle schools for his boys he had a few choices with where he was located. Aizawa had narrowed it down to two. A private middle school or Aldera Middle school. Aldera was almost chosen but he heard horror stories from disgruntled parents of quirkless kids and ultimately chose The private middle school for Izuku's sake.

"I know. Just one more year and me and Izuku won't have to worry about these assholes anymore."

"Language."

"Dad, do you think we'll get into UA?" Hitoshi changed the subject on a dime.

"If you get into another fight I'll make sure you don't."

"I'm being serious."

"As am I."

"Dad."

Aizawa sighed a small smile gracing his lips. "You've got a whole year until the UA exams, I think as long as you and your brother keep training there's a possibility." Aizawa told Hitoshi.

"Yeah… you're right." Hitoshi laughed a little with relief. "As long as we keep training…"

That was when Izuku came down, his own hair wet from his quick shower. Izuku cursed with a permanent baby face looked akin to ten and not thirteen. This, coupled with the fact that he was quirkless and adopted, seemed to have made him a bit of a target amongst his peers. Hence Hitoshi's reasoning for getting into so many fights.

Izuku tried to just skirt past his father, but Aizawa, after knowing this kid for so long, instantly knew that Izuku was trying to hide something from him. Quickly he stopped Izuku by grabbing the back of his collar. "Ah!" Vocalizing a buzzer noise, Aizawa pulled Izuku back. "What's in the backpack?"

"Nothing-"

Aizawa was already unzipping the All Might backpack that Izuku had. "Then you won't mind if I check- ah, thought so. Izuku-" Aizawa pulled out one of his capture scarves and resisted the urge to strangle Izuku with it. "A capture weapon is still a weapon, Izuku. You know you can't bring this to school, are you trying to get expelled?" Aizawa huffed and put his scarf to the side. "Ten laps around the backyard when you get home."

"Urg, ten-!"

"Do you want to make it thirty?"

"Ten is fine…" Izuku quickly shut up.

"Good, it's fifteen now."

Izuku chewed on the inside of his cheek to keep from protesting. Aizawa looked at Hitoshi. Hitoshi looked at him before putting his hands up. "I don't have one, I swear." Hitoshi told him before taking his bag off. "Check if you must."

Aizawa looked at the bag but didn't grab it. A few passing seconds went by before Aizawa waved Hitoshi off. "I trust you. Now get out of here, both of you. Before you become late." He ushered them out the door. Eventually, both of his boys left the house and Aizawa let out a sigh of annoyance. "Children! I should have just stuck to the cats." Speaking of cats. It was time to feed them.

"Alright, spill. Why'd you take Dad's scarf, Zuchan?" Hitoshi asked as the two of them walked along the sidewalk.

"Well, dad said not to start fights, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, the fight can't start if the instigator is restrained."

Hitoshi gave a sudden laugh at this. "Brilliant! Shame you got caught."

"Yeah, next time, maybe- Whoa!" Izuku suddenly gasped before jogging ahead of Hitoshi. "Did you see that, Hichan? It looks like a villain attack!" He excitedly pointed up a little ways ahead of them towards a shopping district. It did in fact look like a battle of sorts had broken out.

"Zuchan, wait, don't run off!" Hitoshi was swift to take off right behind his brother.

As they ran, Izuku was already trying to fish his journal out along with a pen. "I can't wait to add more to my journal!"

"Just don't take forever like last time!"

"Five minutes! I promise!- It's Kamui Woods!" Izuku was bouncing on the balls of his feet as he stopped to observe. Hitoshi was next to him in a second.

There, a safe enough distance away, was the commotion. There stood a huge villain. He easily towered above all as he roared out in anger. His head is similar to that of a shark's head in shape and size alone. "Wow! That villain is giant!" Izuku gushed as he was already writing at an insane speed muttering the whole time to himself. Hitoshi watched him before looking back at the fight.

Kamui Woods was using his quirk to try and restrain the villain and Izuku was like a kid on christmas day. Hitoshi watched as his brother excitedly wrote, as well as analyzed Kamui Woods, and Hitoshi smiled. 'I'm glad he can be himself.' Hitoshi could watch Izuku gush about hero's all day. Izuku just looked so happy.

Five minutes came and Hitoshi looked at his watch for the time. 'One more minute won't hurt.'

'Maybe today won't be so bad.'

Hitoshi thought that just too soon. He thought that after the first period, things seemed to be going well, they weren't late for school, and people seemed to be leaving them alone. Then… lunch happened.

Both boys preferred to eat on the roof of school, less populated, plus the view was nice.

It had started normal enough, both boys were eating their bento's that they had packed earlier that day. Izuku, being the fast eater he was, finished first and was now running his hands through Hitoshi's long hair in an attempt to braid it. "Have you considered wearing it short?" Izuku asked. Hitoshi twinged in pain as Izuku had hit a snag with his fingers as he took the hair tie out.

"Nah, not really. When it's short it has a mind of its own. At least while it's long I can control it with a hair tie."

Izuku hummed. Hitshoi could feel him separating a few locks of hair. Hitoshi brought some rice to his mouth and chewed before chuckling. "I remember when dad had to give you the 'hold still!' smack on the head when he'd try to do your hair."

"Please, he still gives me the 'hold still!' smack on the head. Now it's just not for doing my hair. God, I was such a little pain when he would try to do my hair."

They could only both chuckle at the memory of Izuku whining while Aizawa tried to get his to cooperate. "But to be fair to you. Dad really didn't know how to care for type 3A hair at the time. Remember the time you cried because you thought you looked like Ronald Mcdonald?"

"Don't remind me!" Izuku barked out a loud laugh at the memory. "I just can't believe your hair is type 2A. Dad knew how to deal with that! Even if it is fluffier than Miso."

Hitoshi dipped his head back so he could look at Izuku while smiling. "You're just jealous."

Izuku stuck his tongue out in retaliation. "Maybe. So what if I am- also-" Izuku lightly swatted Hitoshi's head. "Hold still!"

"Ow! Brat." Hitoshi had a grin on his face as he moved and looked forward, allowing Izuku to continue his quest to braid Hitoshi's hair. There was a bit of silence between the two of them as Izuku focused solely on making the braid perfect. His tongue was even poking out of the corner of his mouth as he did so. Hitoshi focused on finishing up his meal all while trying to keep still.

"Hey, Hichan… I've been wondering…" There was a curiosity in Izuku's tone now as he started to slow down on his braiding.

"Yeah?"

"Do… Do you think I have what it takes to get into UA? I mean… at least you have a quirk. I'm at a huge disadvantage."

"Ha!"

Hitoshi groaned as a familiar ear piercing laugh grated his inner ears.

Akisho Shin came stalking up to the two of them with his hands in his pockets.

Akisho was the cause of all of Hitoshi's and Izuku's middle school problems. If he could vanish off the face of the earth it would make Hitoshi so, so, happy.

Akisho was taller than Hitoshi. Akisho was at least a head taller than Hitoshi. He had frizzy wild burgundy colored hair that reached his shoulders, it seriously looked like he never brushed his hair, ever. He wasn't exactly muscular, but he didn't need muscles. His quirk did most of his talking. Honestly, for Hitoshi, Akisho's quirk wasn't all that great, but was still powerful.

All Akisho needed was touch and he could make people move like they were his puppets with his own body. He likes to call himself 'The marionette.' Maybe Hitoshi wasn't impressed because it was an inferior version of his own quirk. Or maybe it was because Akisho nearly killed Izuku by making him walk out in the middle of traffic one day, or maybe, just maybe, it was the double standard. Hitoshi was ostracized for his quirk and yet Akisho was borderline praised for how 'useful' and 'cool' his quirk was.

It pissed Hitoshi off to no end and Akisho knows it.

"You think you're getting into UA? Ha! I mean I know their standards are pretty low given the teachers that work there, but I don't think they'll let some quirkless kid in."

"Watch your mouth, Akisho." Hitoshi stood abruptly and placed himself between Izuku and Akisho.

Akisho smiled and then dragged his fingers across his lips, mimicking a zipper. He then looked from Hitoshi to Izuku.

"You want to make it with the big dogs but you need your 'brother' here to protect you at every turn. Do you think he's going to be there for you when you have to fight villains for the first time? No, he has to focus on himself, and face it, you'll just drag him down. Just like how you dragged down your original family. I mean they hated you so much that they didn't even care that you were missing. How sad is that?"

"Fuck off!" Hitoshi grabbed Akisho's collar only briefly before pushing him to the ground. "Don't you listen to him, Zuchan! You can do it, both dad and I believe in you and that's all you need."

The damage had been done, unfortunately. Izuku quickly looked away from his brother and curled his knees to his chest.

Akisho let out a laugh and he got to his feet. "Look, he knows I'm right."

"I'm giving you one last chance to walk away, Akisho. I promised my dad I wouldn't get into a fight today. Don't make me break it." Hitoshi raised his fists up.

"There you go again, Hitoshi, running to Izuku's aid. Seriously, Izuku, you need to learn to fight your own battles and not have your brother dearest do it for you. It gets old and you'll get nowhere in life." Akisho then turned and walked away leaving the two of them alone.

"Asshole!" Hitoshi snarled at Akisho's retreating form. "One day… I'll happily rub it in his face when we both become heros." Hitoshi walked up to Izuku and squatted down next to him. "Don't take what he says to heart, Zuchan. He's just an ass who doesn't know what he's saying."

"..." Izuku let out a sigh and quietly raked his fingers through his hair, stopping his hand at the back of his head so his hair was out of his eyes. "But… he's right." Izuku whispered softly.

"No he's not-"

"-He is, Hichan. At least… he's right that you do tend to jump into battles that should be mine and mine alone. I appreciate it, I really do, but if I get into UA… I can't have you jumping in to fight for me."

"There's no if. You're getting in." Izuku's eyes flickered up to Hitoshi as Hitoshi brought his hand out for Izuku to take. Izuku did so, he had no clue how cold his hands were until he touched Hitoshi's warm hands. "And… I do jump in a lot, but that's only because I want to make sure nothing happens to you. I don't know what I'd do if…" Hitoshi frowned and scratched the back of his head.

Izuku leaned in and wrapped Hitoshi into a tight hug. "I know." Hitoshi ran his fingers through Izuku's curly hair before leaning in and nuzzling Izuku's soft hair with his nose. "Still… let's try and dial it back, please? Not everybody is trying to kill me."

Hitoshi sucked in a breath through his teeth. "I'll try."

"Maybe he's right…" Izuku muttered to himself as he walked down the street. School had just gotten out not too long ago and Izuku wanted to go to the nearest gas station before going home. Usually, Hitoshi would join Izuku on his daily walk to the gas station, but Hitoshi had to stay behind for detention. It was a previous detention from earlier this week. Izuku actually wanted to stay behind, but Hitoshi waved him off only asking one thing of Izuku: "Get me a meatbun from the gas station?"

"Maybe I should just give up on my dream." Izuku flipped through his journal, landing on a picture of his prototype hero costume. "After all, Akisho makes a point."

It was a mixture of his two favorite heroes: Rabbit ears hood and a fake smile over his mouth, from All Might, and slotted goggles and a capture weapon like his dad. Obviously there was a bit more to it, but those were the basics and would keep his identity hidden, something his dad pressured into them. Izuku really wanted his own capture weapon. Maybe not a scarf, the scarf was too hard for him to properly control, something more akin to a rope or, if possible, have his sleeves be capture weapons. Something he could control with only his arms.

Still, Akisho's words kept echoing in Izuku's mind. Even if by some miracle Izuku got into UA it wasn't exactly going to be an easy ride. If anything it might even be worse if all these people with super strong quirks met him. Someone with no quirk-

"Remember, Izuku you can-"

It was like Izuku was violently and suddenly stabbed in the back of the head. Dropping his journal to the ground; Izuku grasped at his hair as he collapsed to his knees. His breath hitched and nearly died in his throat. All he could hear was a violent ringing in his ears and he gasped out and covered his eyes as the light outside almost seemed to intensify tenfold.

As soon as the pain started it was over just as quickly.

Izuku kept his eyes squeezed shut for several seconds as he tried to level his breathing. 'What was that?' was the first coherent thought Izuku had after the ringing and pain had stopped. "I heard a voice…"

Izuku blinked and slowly started to stand up, his arms were shaking and his legs felt oddly numb, but he was okay. 'Was I hit with a stray quirk?' it almost seemed possible, but…

That felt…

It felt like a memory. That voice. Izuku knew that voice. He didn't know who it belonged to but he knew that voice from somewhere. "I… I have to tell dad!" Izuku suddenly started to grin madly. If this was a memory then maybe-

'Ugh!' Gagging at a sudden wretched smell that invaded every pore in his nose, Izuku covered his mouth. He had then turned around, ready to sprint back home and announce to his dad that he (maybe possibly) just had a memory. It was just a voice and nothing visual but it was still something. But his happiness was short-lived. The moment he turned he realized he wasn't exactly alone.

There stood a villain that seemed to be made entirely of pollution condensed into sludge had rounded the corner and Izuku realized his sudden predicament. He was under an overpass and basically alone. Izuku's heart rate quickened. 'His body is made entirely of sludge, what fighting knowledge I know will be useless. My hands will just sink into his body.'

"If you're ever in a situation where you fear for your life and you can't fight, the best thing you can do is scream. Scream for help, that you're being attacked, do not scream fire. It won't work and I hate that they teach that in school." His father's voice came to his mind.

"Well… what have I got here? A perfect little vessel-" The sludge villain suddenly rushed for Izuku at an alarming speed.

"I'm-!" Izuku opened his mouth prepared to scream his lungs out for anybody to hear, but that's where he made his fatal mistake. Before Izuku knew it he couldn't speak, he couldn't even breathe as the villain violated his mouth and was trying to squeeze his body down Izuku's throat.

Izuku was up in the air, his limbs useless as the Villain had him in a tight grip just a few feet off of the ground. The Villain's sludge wrapped around his entire body, as his sludge inched deeper and deeper down Izuku's throat. 'Help! Help! I can't breathe! Hichan! Dad! Someone!' Izuku's mind went blank with panic as he tried to claw at the villain, but his meek attack did little to the monster made of sludge and pollution.

Time was slowing down, his vision was starting to darken, and he realized that he was dying. 'It wasn't supposed to be like this! I-I want to be a hero like All Might, like my dad!'

The villain was talking to him but Izuku couldn't hear him over his own moral panic. His lungs screamed in protest over the lack of oxygen and his clawing became weaker and weaker as he pitifully kicked his legs.

'Dad… Hichan… I'm sorry.' Was the last thought he had before he passed out.

Though, before he fully passed out, Izuku was sure he heard a noise. It sounded like clattering. Like something heavy and made of metal hit the ground.

Chapter Text

"This move could be useful to the two of you, so I need the both of you to focus." Aizawa snapped his fingers, gaining both boy's attention. "Izuku, you first."

Izuku smiled and eagerly ran up so he was in front of his father. "Okay, arms up like you're ready to attack." Aizawa ordered and Izuku did just that. He raised his arms like he was prepared for a fight. "Good, and now, I-" his father paused before pulling a small butter knife out of somewhere on his person. "-Have a knife."

"What? Are you gonna spread butter on Zuchan's forehead?" Hichan couldn't help but snigger. He quickly ate his words as with a well placed flick of his wrist, Aizawa threw the knife, and it stuck to the tree just a few inches from Hitoshi's head. Hitoshi's eyes darted from the butter knife to their father.

"It's still a knife, jackass. Now, toss it back." Aizawa demanded.

Hitoshi did so without much complaint.

"Okay-" Aizawa held the butter knife up once more. "-I have a knife-"

"Wah!-" Izuku had no time to react as Aizawa suddenly grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in close, the tip of the butter knife against his neck. It was now Izuku realized why his father had chosen a butter knife as his weapon of choice.

"-and I want everything you have. Your bag, phone, and money. Now. All of it. How do you defend yourself?"

Izuku was close to his father, uncomfortably so. 'I can't try and sweep his leg out. It'll bring the both of us down and leave me potentially open for an attack. So… I should try and hit him in the face.'

So, Izuku went for an uppercut. Aizawa seemed to sense this and he nodded. When Izuku mimicked an uppercut, lightly placing his closed fist on the bottom of Aizawa's jaw. "Uppercut, not bad, but let me tell you the truth. You're going to be punching my jaw with your knuckles. That's going to split your knuckles open and possibly even break a bone or two in your hand." Aizawa explained and he lowered the butter knife from Izuku's neck.

"So, today, I'm going to show you two another form of attack. The palm strike. The palm strike is less likely to hurt your hands or break your bones and it'll daze your opponent giving you the opportunity to get away."'

Aizawa then looked at Izuku. "Are you okay?"

Izuku blinked in surprise before nodding. "I'm fine, dad."

"Wake up."

"Dad?"

"Fanboy-"

"-Hey, Fanboy, you okay down there?"

Izuku opened his eyes to someone standing over him lightly hitting his face-

His training took over before his logic did. Izuku used his open palm to strike under the man's chin. The man let out a gag of surprise as a small spray of blood left his mouth. "Oh, Jesus!" Izuku cried out and he jumped in surprise as he tried to scramble back away from the stranger.

Then, Izuku realized just who he had struck.

All Might.

He struck the number one hero in the world… directly in the face.

"Ah!" The scream that left Izuku's mouth was so high pitched that it could have mimicked a bird's call. Izuku clambered around so he was bowing on his hands and knees in front of All Might. "Forgive me! I was startled."

"Woof!" All Might gave his head a good shake, a small bruise resting under his chin now. "Now that woke me up! That was a good hit! Are you alright there, fanboy?"

Izuku looked up cautiously. "You're not mad?"

"Of course not, my boy! I'd say that's a pretty normal reaction after being attacked by a villain."

'Attacked by a- the sludge villain!' Horror must have etched itself across Izuku's face because All Might suddenly let out a booming laugh and clapped Izuku on the shoulder.

"Not to worry, my boy! He's not going anywhere-" All Might pulled a soda bottle out of his cargo pants pocket. "See." Inside of said bottle was the villain. The villain and Izuku locked eyes and Izuku could hear the villain shouting through the bottle, though it was heavily muffled. Izuku then smiled with relief.

"That… does make me feel better. Thank you, All Might." Izuku bowed in respect. "If it's not too much, do you think I could get an autograph? My brother will flip when he learns I got to meet you and my dad-..." Izuku's smile suddenly slipped as he stood up in alarm. "My dad is going to flip." He whispered in shock. 'What am I going to tell dad? That I let my guard down and got attacked by a villain and nearly died?! Yeah, that'll go over well. Maybe I don't have what it takes to be a hero after all and dad'll see it just as well…'

It seemed All Might didn't hear the last part. "Already have! Just check your notebook! Well, this has been fun, but I should really take this guy to the police station!"

'Maybe All Might- no- don't bother the man anymore than you already have… just one more question before he leaves- oh no!' Izuku, having been stuck in his head for too long, saw All Might gettin ready to leap off into the air. 'Stop him!'

"Wait, I have-"

"Until next time!"

Izuku had no memory of what happened next. One minute he was on the ground rushing towards All Might and then the next… he was in the air. Clinging to All Might's leg like a toddler as the wind whipped at his face. Oh god, if his father heard of this… Izuku would be grounded till college.

It took a painstakingly long time for All Might to even notice Izuku. "W-What!?"

"I just have a question! I'm sorry!" Izuku cried over the winds that whipped his face back at disgusting speeds.

"Alright, fanboy, just hang on." All Might seemed to sigh in annoyance at this as he planted one of his big hands on Izuku's head, most likely just to keep Izuku still, and to make sure he doesn't go flying off by accident. It didn't take All Might long to find a suitable place to land, up on top of a large building.

The moment they landed, Izuku fell to his butt and sighed out as he looked at the sky.

"Now, I've seen some reckless things in my day, but I have to say that was one of the most, if not the most reckless thing I've ever had the displeasure of witnessing. What if I hadn't noticed you? What if you had slipped?" Getting scolded was never fun, it was doubly so when it was your own personal and favorite hero doing the scolding.

"I'm sorry!" Izuku quickly scrambled so he was once again bowing in apology to All Might. "I know it was a stupid thing to do but… I just wanted to ask you a question and I didn't think I'd ever have this opportunity again-"

All Might, clearly in a hurry, cut Izuku off. "I'm sorry, kid, but I can't answer any more questions you have, I have to go." He looked ready to take off again, and honestly, Izuku knew he deserved it, but dammit, he wasn't satisfied with that! He needed an answer.

"Please! I'm quirkless, I just need to know if I have what it takes to be a hero… to be… well, to be like you… is it possible?"

"You're… quirkless?" All Might paused before he could leap away. Izuku swallowed hard.

"My dad and my twin both believe in me, and that's great. I couldn't be happier… but they both have quirks and, they couldn't understand what it's like to be fully quirkless-"

'Is All Might smoking?' Izuku thought as he looked at All Might fully. Smoke levitated off of All Might's body like he was on fire from the inside out. That was the only thought he could have before All Might 'poofed!' into a cloud of white smoke. Another scream ripped through Izuku's throat as a different man now stood in front of him.

This man was a stick. A walking skeleton- a ghoul! Complete with sunken in black eyes. This man was the complete opposite of All Might in every way shape and form. Then he coughed and Izuku screamed again as a spray of blood left Notmight's mouth. "Who are you!? What did you do to All Might!? Oh god, did I get kidnapped?!"

'Dad's going to kill me.'

"Calm down-" Notmight continue to cough until eventually his fit died down. "And keep quiet! Do you want the world to hear you?!" He lightly hissed at Izuku.

"I-I don't understand." Izuku whispered in shock. "There's no way you can be the real All Might. No way!"

"I am All Might." The man sighed out and in doing so even more blood seemed to pour out of his open mouth. Once again Izuku couldn't help but scream, only now he was screaming because of how much blood All Might was losing by the second!

"But how can you be All Might?! All Might is big and buff and you…" Izuku guestered to the twig of a man before trailing off. "Well… nevermind."

A low and loud sigh left All Might's mouth as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay, you know how at the beach guys suck in their gut and try to buff up to impress the ladies? That's what I'm doing."

"...Eh?!"

Izuku honestly couldn't believe what he was hearing right now. All Might was just… faking it? Buffing himself up to look more intimidating?! Izuku's mind was currently short circuiting and the only thing he could think to say at that moment was: "But how… why?"

A loud sigh escaped All Might's mouth as he crouched down. "I guess there's no harm in showing you now." And with that declaration All Might lifted his shirt up and Izuku saw it.

The wound that made Izuku's stomach churn. It stretched from All Might's stomach and webbed its way up to his torso with dull red scars.

"Pretty bad, right? It's much worse than it looks." All Might told him. "I got into a fight five years ago that destroyed most of my respiratory organs and decimated my stomach. Because of it, I can only be a hero for three hours a day."

Izuku's mind reeled as he tried to think back to the battles All Might had been in five years ago. "Five years… Toxic Chainsaw? Was it him?"

"Wow, you really know your stuff, kid, but no. This never made the news." All Might finally lowered his shirt and gave his head a soft shake. "You asked me if you could be a hero while quirkless… It's great that your dad and twin have faith in you, but… it's a dangerous world out there kid. To not have a quirk would leave you at a huge disadvantage and almost defenseless against those with quirks." All Might told him. "You could always go into police work, although with heroes around, the police often get the short end of the stick when it comes to any hero work."

Izuku sighed softly and looked down at his red shoes.

"That being said. All though it's not realistic… that doesn't mean your dream isn't unreachable." Izuku never perked up faster at All Might's words. All Might scratched his face. "It's really not my place to tell you if you have what it takes to be a hero or not because of your quirklessness. You seem bright." All Might put a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "And smart to boot. Your future should be up to you. No one else. You never know if you don't try."

Izuku almost wanted to cry. Granted it wasn't exactly a 'yes.' but it wasn't a 'no' either.

"You'll have to crawl your way through hell and back, and work ten times harder than any of your peers. Do you think you can commit to that?

Izuku didn't even need to think about it. "Of course! I'm willing to do anything to reach my goal of being a hero!"

"Then, there's your answer." There was a little more mirth in All Might's smile now as he suddenly put his hand on Izuku's head and gave his curls a small ruffle. Izuku was practically vibrating because All Might was ruffling his hair!

"Now, I should get going-" All Might ran his fingers through his own hair now. "I trust you can make your way back home fine."

"Yes!"

"Good."

In a rush, All Might was gone, down the emergency stairs of the building.

Finally, Izuku's legs gave out and he collapsed onto his back to look up at the sky. 'Did that really just happen?' He thought as he watched a cloud lazily move in the sky. 'It wasn't a yes or a no. It should be up to me… ' All Might's words were repeating in Izuku's head on loop over and over again.

An explosion suddenly sounded through the air and it made Izuku jump up to his feet. "What the hell?" He whispered in shock as he looked towards the noise. It looked like it was coming from the shopping district just a few blocks away.

'You did a good thing, Yagi. You didn't crush a kid's impossible dream.' Toshinori slowly shut the door behind him. Now on the bottom level and on the outside. Toshinori just wanted to put this whole thing behind him. Really, even though a part of him felt bad. He was basically lying to that kid and to himself by default.

He knows what it's like to be quirkless more than anybody, and he knows that being quirkless back then was different in today's standards. Izuku wouldn't stand a chance out there. It was the cold hard truth. Still, Toshinori just couldn't bring himself to destroy the boy's dream.

A small cough left Toshinori's mouth followed by a small spray of blood.

"Alright, you-" Toshinori reached down for the soda bottle that should have been in his pocket, but he felt nothing but air. Fear gripped him like an ice cold vise as he looked down at his pants. "Oh no." He could only gasp out. The bottle wasn't there.

The villain escaped.

Off in the distance it sounded like an explosion went off.

Three missed calls from: You're my dad! Oogie woogie!

Four missed calls from: Hypno.

One missed call from: Uncle Cockatoo.

One missed call from: Auntie Midnight.

Izuku was trembling as he looked at his phone in his hands. He was walking down the street, wanting to go home. His phone had been on silent the whole time, and because he was beyond late everyone was rightfully worried about him.

He was in the middle of debating if he should call dad or Hichan first when an explosion sounded off not too far away from him.

"Oh man, did I accidently walk towards the fight? I shouldn't…" Izuku looked up at the smoke that wasn't too far away from him. The smell was almost sickening as it invaded the inside of his throat and nostrils. Still, Izuku moved to get a better view of the fight for himself. 'I'm already late and dad'll…kill… me.' Izuku's mind slowed to a crawl as he got into view of the fight.

Kamui Woods was holding back the crowd with a web of wood the criss crossed in every direction. "Please stay back!" Kamui called to the crowd in desperation.

Izuku's heart absolutely sank once he saw everything.

The sludge villain was in the center of the shopping plaza, The sludge was wrapped around a new victim, whoever this victim of his was seemed to have some sort of fire quirk as fire would burst out of the palms of his hands- no…

An explosion quirk.

This quirk was a dangerous one-

'Remember what dad said. No such thing as a dangerous quirk. Just dangerous people.' Izuku reminded himself. Regardless of if this person was dangerous or not, his quirk was the reason for the fire, and the reason why no hero could help in this situation. The area that the villain chose to attack was just small enough to where Mt. Lady couldn't squeeze herself in, because of the fires: Kamui Woods couldn't jump in and help the victim, and the other heroes were busy keeping the crowd back as well as putting out the fires.

'I don't understand, All Might had him trapped away in a bottle-' Izuku couldn't stop his gasp of shock once he realized: He caused the sludge villain to fall out of All Might's pant pocket when he clung on to the Hero's leg.

This was all his doing.

Izuku dropped his phone just as it lit up indicating that someone was calling him. His hands went over his mouth in shock. 'You caused this. This is your fault! How can you be so damn stupid?!' Izuku could only stare in shock at the pure chaos in front of him. It was a bad situation that was only getting worse as the seconds ticked by.

The poor person caught up in the villain…

Izuku saw a glimpse of red eyes and blonde hair-

And the next thing he knew he was running. 'What am I doing?!-'

"Kid- stop!" Kamui woods yelled and tried to grab Izuku, but Izuku was too fast for him. He ducked under Kamui's makeshift barrier and booked it for the sludge villain at full speed.

'Why am I- because I just can't let that kid die! He's just a kid! Like me!' Izuku realized his motivation, but yet, in the back of his mind, Izuku could hear it. A voice. A mocking child-like voice that was gruff and full of contempt and borderline hatred.

Izuku couldn't focus on the little voice in the back of his mind as he realized that this person couldn't breathe as sludge was oozing down his throat, Izuku would know that first hand. The first thing he did as he ran was rip his backpack off of his shoulder and he swung it at the villain, all while screaming himself hoarse.

"You again!- AH!" The sludge villain let out a shriek of pain as a book from Izuku's backpack struck him right in the eye. The villain's body seemed to move as he tried to rub at his hurt eye, this allowed the teenager to rip his face free from the sludge. He let out a weak wheezing cough, spitting up sludge and slime from his face.

'A weak spot! Remember what dad taught you, a villain is only as strong as his weak point-' Izuku cocked his arm back and curled his hand into a fist. 'And he has not one but two of them!' Izuku then threw his punch. He struck the sludge villain directly in his second eye. It was a soft, spongy feeling.

"...what?" Izuku heard the teen whisper so softly that it was almost inaudible with the chaos going on around them. Izuku never got a chance to look at the teenager or even talk to him.

"You absolute bastard!" Suddenly his arm was grabbed by sludge and before Izuku knew it he was trapped in the disgusting oozing fluid, and the villain was lifting him off of the ground. "I'll make you pay for that-" It seemed the villain was able to move his eyes all around his sludge like body, but Izuku wasn't dumb. The villain couldn't see them if he had moved his eyes behind his body so, his eyes had to be somewhere where he would be able to see both of them.

And Izuku was able to find just where one of the villain's eyes were. It was peering at Izuku at the bottom of the villain's body. 'Weak point!' It was right in the perfect kicking range for Izuku. He sprang his leg back and kicked as hard as he possibly could. He knew it did more than just hurt by the scream the villain gave, but this also came with a price on Izuku's end.

The villain decided to just toss Izuku away like he was nothing but trash. It was a harsh toss that sent Izuku flying away from the action.

Honestly, Izuku was lucky he didn't hit a patch of fire as he rolled to a stop near an alleyway. 'Ouch.' Izuku's mind spun for a moment as he slowly sat up on his arms. His vision was slightly blurry, but with a quick shake of his head he was able to correct it. When he managed to get a good look at what was happening he saw All Might- the actual All Might buffed up in front of the villain-

And that was only for a second before Izuku went flying for the second time in under thirty seconds. This gust of wind was so intense and so insane that it sent Izuku into the alleyway, and he kept on flying back farther and farther. Izuku gasped and cried out as he hit the ground more times than he'd like to count. He was desperately seeking something, anything to anchor him to the ground. Eventually, he found it, a fire exit staircase hanging on a building.

Izuku had to hold on to the staircase for dear life for several long agonizing seconds until finally the insane wind died down.

Izuku then hung there like a rag doll. His trembling hands clasped tightly around the bottom rail of the staircase as his legs limply dangled in the air. 'Holy shit…' was the only coherent thought in Izuku's head.

Then it started to sprinkle.

'Rain wasn't predicted for today.' Izuku looked up at the sky in slight bewilderment. 'Wait a minute… did All Might change the weather? With just a punch?!' Izuku blinked a little in shock before he just sighed. "Incredible. Critically injured and he can still do amazing things." He whispered to himself before he finally let go of the railing of the stairway. The drop wasn't far, but it didn't exactly feel great on his ankles either.

Izuku was tired. Beyond tired. He just wanted to go home in all honesty. Put this day behind him and focus on training for UA. He blinked at a weight in his hand and saw he had his phone. 'Odd. I thought I dropped this.' Izuku thought before shrugging. 'Weird day.' He chalked it up to that and that alone.

He shoved his phone into his back pocket and walked up to the edge of the alleyway. As much as he wanted to go home, he needed his backpack and school supplies.

His dad, though an understanding man, would not understand this. Especially if he learned that Izuku actively put himself in danger.

While the other heroes worked on cleaning up the scene, a couple even praising the blonde teenager for being brave during the whole attack, and All Might was busy talking to the press. Izuku watched them for a few moments. He knew if he walked out into the fray he'd probably get scolded or worse asked questions by the press. So, he decided to just stay put, hidden away in the alley. Though, he realized his little hiding place wasn't as hidden as he thought as at one point he and All Might locked eyes with one another. Izuku begged him to keep quiet by putting his fingers to his lips. All Might seemed to be understanding this as he looked away.

It was then did Izuku decide to finally call his family back. He had a feeling he had time to spare with all the heroes working to clean up the place.

So, he got himself situated on a rocky and unstable milk crate hidden away against the wall of the alleyway. He flipped over the milk crate and sat down before calling his father.

It rang once, before: "Where. The hell. Are you?" His father's voice was flat as usual, but there was an underlying tone of anger deep in his voice that told Izuku he was in deep trouble.

"I'm sorry, Dad…" Izuku whispered and shifted himself on the milk crate.

"Izuku, you should have been home hours ago. This is beyond 'I'm sorry'. This is unacceptable. You had me worried, Hitoshi worried, Hizashi and Nemuri just as well. I'm practically out the door ready to look for you."

"I know. I know… I kind of got mixed up with a villain."

There was silence on the other end of the phone. It lasted two seconds, three, four-

"Tell me where you are. Now."

"Dad-"

"Now. Izuku."

So, Izuku told him where he was. "I'm sticking close to the alleyway. I just need to get my bag."

"I'll be there in ten minutes. Don't you dare move."

Aizawa hung up after that and Izuku felt a dread creep and settle into his stomach. "I'm so dead…"

The excitement of the battle started to die down shortly after Izuku's phone call, and when the coast seemed to be clear, Izuku got up from his hiding spot. His legs ached and his arms felt oddly heavy. Still, he started to collect his things and put them away in his bag.

He was maybe thirty seconds into this when suddenly a hand started to help him collect his scattered papers. Izuku looked up in alarm, but he relaxed a little when he saw it was All Might, but in his smaller form not his buffed up one. 'Small Might. Makes it easier for me anyways.'

"I'm sorry." Izuku whispered as he tapped a few papers on the ground to get them straight again. "I don't know why I did what I did." He continued to whisper.

"As you should be, you're a bit of a troublemaker it seems… but in all reality…I also owe you an apology." Small might told him with a grunt. Izuku stopped collecting his papers and looked up.

"Why would you need to apologize?"

Small Might handed Izuku some papers and he happily took them. "Because, even though I told you it was up to you to be a hero, I didn't fully believe you had what it takes and today… you proved to me that you do have what it takes. Izuku, you were a hero today. At least to me."

A lump formed into Izuku's throat as he dropped his papers to the ground. Tears started to well into the corners of his eyes and before he knew it he was weeping. He wasn't sobbing, just weeping. But, these were weeps of happiness. "I'm- I'm sorry! I just…" Izuku sucked in a loud and shaky breath. "That's all I really ever wanted to hear…" A small hiccup left his mouth as his weeping was threatening to turn into sobbing. "And I prom-promise, All M- sir, I promise you, I'm going to try and be the best hero I can be."

"I know you will… because if you'll allow me, young Izuku. I want to train you."

Izuku felt like he could start crying all over again as he slowly looked at All Might with wide and wet eyes.

"I can't explain everything here, there are too many people that could possibly overhear us." Small Might dropped his voice to a whisper so small that Izuku almost couldn't hear him. Izuku wiped his unshed tears away from his eyes as he leaned in. "Can I get your phone number? I have questions about your life that I need to know in order for this to work."

Izuku didn't need to think twice about it. Fishing a pen out of his bag he scribbled his phone number down on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to Small Might. However, this moment between them didn't last when Izuku's spidey sense seemed to kick in and he lifted his head up. Off in the distance he saw his father looking over the sea of people clearly trying to locate him. "My dad is here. I have to go, if I don't respond, I might be grounded… or dead-"

Small Might's face twisted in horror and Izuku quickly corrected himself.

"I shouldn't say that. He's a loving dad really, he is, but I need to get going." Izuku's voice was quick and hurried as collected the rest of his things and haphazardly shoved them in his bag. "Oh, real quick. I go to Kaisei Middle school." Izuku really wasn't sure if Small Might heard him or not, but he didn't have time to repeat himself as he waved his father down. "Dad, I'm over here!"

"You charged at a villain!? Have you lost your mind?!"

As much as Izuku wanted to lie to his father. He couldn't. At least, he couldn't lie about what he did as he tried to save the other teenager. He kept most of the All Might stuff a secret, say for All Might saving him the first and second time.

Izuku kept his head ducked down as his father paced up and down in front of him.

They were back home now in the kitchen. Hitoshi was immediately sent to his room just for the sheer fact that he may try to intervene or worse, add to the berating. Izuku eyed Tora sitting on the counter top and he went to pet the cat in an attempt to soothe his nerves.

"Don't touch the cat focus on me." Aizawa practically hissed as he continued to pace. "Just what were you thinking, Izuku?"

Izuku brought his hand to his side. "I wasn't thinking-"

"-That's apparent."

"I saw the guy being held hostage and… dad. He was just another teenager, he couldn't be older than me and…I don't know, my feet moved before my mind did. I know what I did was stupid and I know what I did was beyond reckless, but I was the one that allowed that boy to breathe again when the heroes couldn't."

"So, that's why you did what you did? To gain fame because you know I do not approve-"

"Of course I didn't do it because of fame!" Izuku knew he was probably going to regret raising his voice at his father, but he couldn't help it. He started to get a little heated, so much so that his face was flushing and his heart was skipping a beat. "I did it because the hero's couldn't do anything to help that boy! He was drowning in sludge! I wasn't about to watch someone die when I could do something to help him! I didn't even know the guy, dad! Are you going to stand there and tell me you would have let him die if you were in my shoes?!"

This time it was Aizawa who seemed to flush a little. "Do not twist this around on me, Izuku! And if I were there of course I would have helped the boy, but there's a difference between you and me-"

"What? That you have a quirk!?"

Aizawa stopped his pacing and in a sudden displacement of a lost temper he slammed his fist on the countertop with such a harsh THUMP! That it not only caused the counter top to vibrate but also caused Tora to take off running. His eyes flashed a ferocious red and his hair rose to the air.

"No! That I'm a fucking prohero! It's my job to save people and you need to remember something important here and now. You are a child, this has nothing to do with your lack of a quirk! You aren't a pro, far from it, I understand you want to save people. Hell, Izuku, I even commend you for it because so few people actually want that these days, but what you did wasn't even reckless. It was so, so, stupid! If you would have died because you charged into a fight that wasn't even yours to start with… did you even think of me? Or Hitoshi?"

Aizawa's eyes returned to normal and his hair lowered around his face. His father put his hand on Izuku's shoulder and leaned down so they were now eye-to-eye. He then lowered his voice. "Don't you think your brother lost enough people in his lifetime?"

"..." Izuku sniffled and raised a hand to wipe his tears away as he did think about it: Hitoshi learning the news that he had died from the sludge villain and is now alone with only their father. How Hitoshi would probably have even more nightmares now, no one he could crawl into bed with when the nightmares got too much. It just filled Izuku with so much guilt that it caused him to lightly cry.

Yet… Izuku didn't regret helping that boy from the sludge villain. He only regretted the idea of leaving Hichan behind.

Izuku sniffled lightly and wiped his tears away with the palm of his hand.

Aizawa sighed. "Just… go to your room. We'll discuss punishment later."

Izuku went to his room as requested… but he snatched up Miso on his way. The calico mewed when he did this. Izuku shut his door, threw his stuff on his floor and plopped onto his bed with Miso on his chest. Seeming to understand that he was upset, Miso stayed in place and rubbed her head against his face while purring.

Izuku quietly scratched under Miso's chin for a while as he lay there lost in his thoughts. His thoughts were everywhere while he tried to decompress from the day's event. His thoughts would be of the boy he had helped save. How the boy looked just slightly familiar to Izuku, but he couldn't figure out why. Then they would shift to the sludge villain, the feeling of the thick sludge that would coat the inside of his throat still lingered and it made him gag every now and again. Then his memories would go to All Might and the injury.

It was a lot and he couldn't even focus on one thought for too long.

Eventually, Izuku dozed off. His body needed the rest after such a day and experience.

He only woke up slightly to the sound of someone opening his door, probably to let Miso out. He heard a sigh before his father came in. Izuku continued to lay there and try to go back to sleep hoping his father hadn't picked up that he had awoken. Aizawa quietly bent down and started to untie Izuku's shoes. In a few seconds he had the shoes off of his feet and down on the floor below. "What am I going to do with you?"

His father then left shortly after that.

It wasn't too long after that when his door opened again and he felt a weight on the edge of his bed and before he knew it, Izuku was wrapped up into the loving arms of his brother. Hitoshi mumbled slightly as he nuzzled against the crook of Izuku's neck. "Please don't do something like that again, Zuchan…" Hitoshi whispered.

Izuku mumbled his reply, but he really wasn't sure what he had said in response to his brother's request. Still, Izuku wrapped his arms around Hitoshi and nuzzled against his brother's chest. Izuku wish he could say it was one of the better sleeps he had, but that would be lying. He kept waking up with the fear that something was creeping, no, oozing down his windpipe in hopes of taking his body over. Even with Hichan holding him tight, those dreams and those feelings refused to leave him alone.

Chapter Text

"You want to go jogging after school?" His father inquired; an eyebrow raised up to meet his hairline.

"I want to be faster. I don't want a repeat of the sludge villain."

"..." Aizawa shut his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, clearly thinking it over. It took about thirty seconds before he got an answer. "Fine, but give me your phone first."

Izuku chewed on the inside of his cheek, and did as instructed. His father opened it with ease before tapping on it a few times. "I also don't want a repeat of the sludge villain." Aizawa commented. "And because I love you, and until I can trust you properly, you now have a tracker app on your phone. This'll tell me your location if I need it."

On a small bench at the local park. Toshinori (The name he preferred to be called in his smaller form.) was asking questions about Izuku's home life, his diet, and his father. These were all things Toshinori needed to know in order to help train Izuku to be in his top shape. Toshinori was quietly typing on his phone after each and every question.

Toshinori was frowning as Izuku informed him of what his dad had done. "I wanted to fight it, but… My dad is stubborn, and smart to boot. He would have known something was up."

"I see. It's not the end of the world… It seems he's just paranoid, which is good in today's world." All Might muttered. "Which brings me to my next question, one I've been suspecting for a while now. Is your dad a prohero?"

"Yes!" Izuku beamed. "But he's underground, so you probably might not have heard of him."

"I thought as much. That explains things, and you said he trains you in the mornings. What kind of training?"

"He teaches us basic self defense, some martial arts, and sometimes he teaches us how to use binding cloths, though I'm not the best at it yet."

"Binding cloths? Heh, reminds me of someone I know." Toshinori chuckled. "But I'm like… ninety percent sure he's child-free."

"Oh!" Izuku snapped his fingers. "Dad also has us enrolled in acrobatics, he wants us to be as flexible as we can be by the end of the year. It's something he was self-taught in. So, there's that as well."

Toshinori couldn't help but whistle. "An underground hero and one hell of a teacher by the sounds of it." He wrote it down on his phone. "Now, your diet?"

"Oh. Dad makes sure we get all the major food groups, he makes sure our diet is pretty healthy and not too many fatty or sweet things. He wants us to be in our top form."

"I expected as much, still, I want you to write down what you eat in a day so I can gauge what may or may not need to be tweaked."

Izuku nodded. "Understood!"

"Alright, I think that's all for now. Thank you, young… uh… what is your last name?"

Izuku bit the inside of his cheek again. "Mmm…" He hesitated. "Tora. Izuku Tora."

"And why do I feel like that's not right?"

"It's… well… you can guess…" Izuku tapped his two index fingers together.

"Your dad?"

Izuku nodded. "It's on all official school work papers, but it's not my official last name. He's… he's scared, you see." Izuku never thought he'd ever describe his dad as 'scared' before. But it was the best word for this situation. Aizawa was scared. He was scared of someone recognizing his name and going after his boys. So, he pulled strings. Legally, Izuku and Hitoshi had Aizawa's last name, but on paper at school and other functions needed for it, it was changed to Tora.

Tora.

Aizawa named them after his cat.

What's interesting is that Hitoshi didn't need to have his last name changed, hell, he could have hyphenated it, but he didn't want his last name anymore. His last name was just a reminder of what he lost. Those were Hitoshi's exact words on the subject.

"Hm, very well. I won't push it. Tora it is. Izuku Tora has a nice ring to it anyways."

Izuku couldn't help but beam again.

"Alright, that should do it. Remember, text me a list of what you eat in a day… that does remind me. How is that you still have your phone? I figured it would have been confiscated."

"Dad gave me a choice. Either he takes away all electronics for three months or I run around the yard until I collapse…"

"... how lo-"

"Four hours. Not counting how many times I stopped to catch my breath or drink some water."

"Wow. Impressive."

"Thank you."

"Anyways, I should get going now."

"Likewise! See you soon!" Izuku waved Toshinori goodbye before standing up, and stretching his body. He was in athletic wear and after stretching his upper body, Izuku quickly did some high knee steps before taking off in a jog. He wasn't lying to his dad. Even though he was training with All Might, Izuku also wanted to be faster and better.

He had to be.

Once Izuku gave Toshinori all he ate in a day, and finished up some more questions, their training and his diet (which really wasn't much different, just more meat less rice.) was underway. Because of Izuku's schedule, and because of the fact that his father trains him and his brother in the morning, Toshinori had Izuku after school.

Izuku was a little confused when Toshinori brought them to Takoba beach. A beach that was once beautiful but now littered with trash and pollution.

"I trust your fathers training in flexibility and speed, my training will be focusing more on muscle. You're going to need as much muscle as you can get Young Tora. And trust me, the combination of muscle and flexibility will come in handy as a hero!"

"I'm ready!" Izuku declared loudly and proudly.

"Great! You are going to clean the beach!"

"Eh?!"

"Yes!" In a puff of smoke All Might appeared and it was almost like he was an entirely new person. "You see, this rotting pile of trash? This is going to work out all of your major muscle groups in the upcoming months!"

"Oh. I see…" Izuku looked at all the abandoned appliances, trash, and items surrounding them. He felt a little overwhelmed by it. Who throws a refrigerator on a beach?! Still, his dad didn't raise a quitter. "Very well." Izuku rolled his shoulder blade in it's socket. "Tell me where to start."

And thus, they're training began and Izuku's life somehow got more chaotic in the process.

It was three months into training when the first and most noticeable chaotic thing happened to Izuku. It was when a new kid transferred to their school. Izuku was really only half paying attention when this kid was introduced by the teacher. Really, Izuku was focusing on his grip strength under the table. It wasn't until the kid spoke did it gain Izuku's attention.

"Yo! The name is Denki Kaminari! But you guys can just call me Kaminari- that's how things work here… right?"

Izuku whipped his head up at the loud voice of this newcomer.

Kaminari stood there suddenly looking very unsure of himself. His hair was blonde, cut short, with a black lightning streak through the right of his bangs. His eyes bore the same yellow electric blonde that his hair did. It gave Izuku a sort of… Pikachu vibe. But in a good way. A cute way. He had an accent and when Izuku thought about it, it clicked.

'He's American.'

A couple of students snickered at Kaminari as he awkwardly scratched at his face in embarrassment.

"Wow, not exactly a bright one is he." Akisho laughed a snotty laugh that made Izuku's nose scrunch. Kaminari winced at this and continued to scratch at the side of his face.

"Yes, that's how things work here." It was Hitoshi that came to Kaminari's aid. All while shooting a glare Akisho's way. "And don't let fuckmouth over there get the better of you. All he does is run his stupid mouth."

"Hitoshi Tora!" The teacher snarled almost immediately. "You- I- Office. Just go. I am not putting up with you and your attitude today." In a bout of frustration the teacher pointed towards the door.

Izuku rubbed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. 'What the hell, Hitoshi? Since when do you speak up for the new guy?' Izuku inquired in his head as he watched his brother leave. Hitoshi never bothers with new kids, nor does Izuku to some extent. Mainly because the new kids want nothing to do with Izuku, him being quirkless and all, but Hitoshi was another story. Hitoshi just never liked the idea of making friends. It was easier for him to be friends with Izuku than to have someone else to worry about.

So, for Hitoshi to stick up for someone else was… different. It actually left Izuku a little stunned in all reality.

"What about you, thing number two? Have any smart comments?" The teacher snapped in Izuku's direction. Izuku just quietly shook his head and went back to taking notes. He would have to talk to Hitoshi later.

"Good. Kaminari, you may take your seat now."

Class continued on as normal after that. Izuku quietly mumbled under his breath as he wrote down his notes. This was much to the annoyance of his nearby classmates. He silently used the grip strength, occasionally switching hands every now and again. Thank goodness, he was ambidextrous.

Finally, class ended for lunch and Izuku immediately packed up and grabbed his bento. He knew he'd be alone now that Hitoshi was, most likely, serving lunch detention for his little outburst, but that was fine. It gave Izuku more time to focus on training and what he needed to improve.

He was going to move that fridge on the beach if it was the last thing he did!

So, up to the rooftop Izuku went.

Izuku was now following All Might's diet plan, Just more on the meats and less on the carb heavy stuff. Quietly, Izuku opened his bento once he was seated on the rooftop.

It was so quiet, serene and Izuku soaked up the quietness to the best of his abilities. It would be one of the few moments he would get.

"Hey! You're a rooftop kid too!"

Annnnd it was gone.

Izuku looked over his shoulder at Kaminari. "Uh… yeah, I guess." Izuku answered politely as Kaminari came up and simply plopped down next to him.

Izuku tilted his head at this before he lifted his bento up and started to eat.

"So, I was told that you and that purple haired kid are uh… brothers?"

"Hitoshi. And yes, we're… well, we're twins actually."

Kaminari's eyes lit up. "No way! I've always wanted a twin!"

Izuku chuckled before taking another bite of his food. He chewed, and then swallowed. "I can't help but notice your accent. Are you from America?"

"Ah, you picked up on that did you?" Kaminari rubbed the back of his head with an awkward lopsided smile plastered on his face. "Yep. Well, I'm half. My dad is American. I was living with him in America while my Mom stayed in Japan."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Oh."

"Yeah, they do not like each other." Kaminari then laughed. "But that's fine!"

'Fine?'

Izuku just simply took in another bite of food while Kaminari continued to speak. "I was actually supposed to stay in America, y'know? But, I told my dad that I really wanted to be a hero and that the American schools just don't stack up to the school my mom went to. It took literally a whole year to get my dad to break."

"I see, and that's why you're in Japan now, I take it."

"Yeppers!" Kaminari started to eat his own food and talk with his mouthful at the same time. "I'mma go to yewa!"

"UA? No kidding, Hichan and I were hoping to go there as well!" Izuku now smiled at Kaminari.

Kaminari looked confused as he swallowed his food down. "H…Hichan?"

"Oh! Hitoshi, I call him Hichan!" Izuku scrambled a bit before blushing.

"I see. Still, I have to ask now… uh… is it… true?" Kaminari wiggled a little closer to Izuku now as if he didn't want anybody to hear.

"Is what true?" Izuku inquired before taking a bite of his food.

"That you and Hitoshi uh…" Kaminari swallowed hard and made a face before he put his two index fingers together pointedly. "Y'know?... are banging?"

Izuku spat his food out. "We're brothers!" He cried out in complete and total indignation.

"That's just the word in the school yard if you get me-"

"Akisho!" Izuku threw his arms up in anger. "That- oh that… Fuckmouth!" He stabbed his chopsticks into his bento in anger.

"What even is a fuckmouth?"

"It's what Akisho is!" Izuku opened his mouth and took a big bite of food. Now eating out of anger, Izuku shoveled a few more bites into his mouth, extending his cheeks out by doing so. 'Fuckwit, fuckface, fucking asshole. I've had just about enough of him.'

Kaminari rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "So you and Hitoshi aren't-"

"Bro-th-ers! We're brothers! Why would I even- yes, we're close, but to even insinuate that we'd- Urg!"

"..." Kaminari ducked his head at Izuku's rant. "Sorry…"

Izuku couldn't be mad at Kaminari. It wasn't his fault that Akisho was… well, a fuckmouth. "Not your fault. You didn't know. Still, you shouldn't listen to rumors."

"Yeah, I really should have just thought about it before speaking. I…I really should think before I speak." Kaminari chuckled softly, if not, awkwardly. "I just heard and I wanted to know if was true."

"Hey, man. I get it. It's not as easy as people think." Izuku huffed before crossing his legs. "Just know that any lewd rumors regarding me or Hichan are lies."

"Understood! Now… is the other thing true? Are you really quirkless?"

"Yep. And if that bugs you there's the door." Izuku pointed to the rooftop doorway with his chopsticks.

"No- no, it doesn't!" Kaminari waved his hands in his face drastically. Izuku must have had a look on his face because Kaminari added: "I mean it! It's interesting! My grandfather on my dad's side is quirkless!"

Izuku chuckled. "It's fine…and I'm sorry if I came off as rude…"

"It's no problem. I'm sure if I were in your shoes I'd be the same way." Kaminari sniffed.

"So, if you don't mind me asking. What is your quirk?"

Kaminari beamed at Izuku. "Electrification! Basically, I'm a human taser!"

"That's so cool!"

The rest of lunch was just the two of them talking about Kaminari's quirk. Izuku took his notebook out as he asked a boat load of questions to Kaminari, which the blonde was more than happy to answer.

And that's how Izuku made friends with a chaotic, loud blonde. The exact opposite of his brother.

Izuku was happy with training.

Really. He was. His dad was working on getting him and Hitoshi flexible and agile while All Might trained his muscles.

But man if Izuku wasn't tired. It's been five months, and he still had five more months to go. It felt so far but so close at the same time.

His stamina wasn't completely empty, he always had just enough energy to go each and every morning to night, but he still felt so drained. It was worth it. It was worth it. He was going to be a hero even if it was the last thing he did, and he wasn't going to be any hero, he was going to be the successor to All Might. He was going to get his dream and finally have a quirk and Izuku was going to work and work until his limbs fell off.

Which they felt like they were doing right now as he tried to pick up a microwave. He was getting stronger, he knew he was, the microwave wasn't as heavy as it once was to him. Still, his grip slipped and the microwave tumbled to the sandy ground. Izuku, in a panic to grab it, fell but somehow managed to trip over himself because of a discarded fishing net. Izuku was now laying there with his upper body on the fridge while his legs were tangled up below him in a net.

Tiredly, Izuku groaned and looked over his shoulder at All Might. His mentor wasn't even paying attention to him as he spoke to some very happy fans.

Izuku wasn't lazy, not in the slightest, but damn if he wasn't tired. He laid there for a few seconds and eyed up a discarded blender on the ground just a few feet in front of him- who throws a blender away on a beach?!

Izuku reached out in an attempt to grab the blender, but it was just out of his reach. "Eh!" Izuku grunted as he tried to reach for the blender with his arms outstretched as far as they could go. He opened and closed his hands like a toddler wanting something from their parents. He closed his eyes as he continued to struggle against the net. Kicking and twisting his legs in an attempt to be freed. Izuku didn't know what he'd even gain from doing this. All he knew was that he was exhausted and just wanted to get this beach cleaned-

"Huh?" Izuku opened his eyes.

Something cool and smooth was touching his open palms.

Izuku looked at the blender now resting between his hands. He then looked back at All Might, thinking maybe his mentor had something to do with this. No, All Might was still talking to his two fans. Izuku looked back at the blender, and down where it once laid. The spot it was once embedded in is now an empty spot in the sand.

"...What?" Izuku breathed out in alarm. "What?!" Izuku tried to stand, but the stupid net caused him to fall back down to his knees, nearly slamming them into the fridge. "Did I… did I bring you to me?" He whispered in shock at the blender. Like it was going to answer back.

'No. I'm quirkless, this is a… fluke? A freak of nature? There's no way that I…'

Izuku swallowed.

"You okay over there, fanboy?" All Might's voice boomed over to him. The two fans were now long gone.

Izuku debated on telling his mentor what just happened, but ultimately decided not to. Not until Izuku knew exactly what had just happened. "I'm fine! Just caught in a net." Izuku muttered as he put the blender down on the fridge. "No worries!" He beamed back at his mentor.

Once Izuku freed himself from the net. A process that took a painfully long time. He looked at the blender one last time before going back to his training. The first thing he was going to focus on was the net. That thing had to go. Still, even though he was focusing on finishing his training, Izuku had some serious questions.

The first and most obvious one being: Was he really quirkless?

You'd think he'd know that question…

But Izuku was still missing five years of his life.

'What are those memories hiding?' Izuku had thought as he watched the sky start to turn a rusty shade of orange. 'And who's the one responsible for getting rid of them.' He swallowed hard before physically picking up the blender. 'And why did they do it?'

Chapter Text

Aizawa wasn't an idiot.

His sons knew this but also liked to think that he was, in fact, an idiot. But he wasn't an idiot, and that's why it pisses his sons off so much when they can't get away with anything they shouldn't be doing.

Like Izuku.

Izuku claims to be jogging for the past five months, yet he's packing on muscles on more than just his legs. He's been bringing grip strengths to school, something Aizawa knew he hadn't bought him, and he's been training with Aizawa's dumbbells. So, clearly, Izuku was being trained by someone else and it was showing.

Izuku's reaction times have been picking up as well when it comes to physical combat. Granted, so has Hitoshi's; both boys were getting faster with combat training and more flexible thanks to acrobatics classes on the weekends.

Still, that wasn't the point, Izuku was training with someone else and Aizawa didn't like it. It's not even the fact that he's training with another person in his spare time, it's the fact that Izuku is keeping it a secret. Which is sending red flags into Aizawa's brain.

So, Aizawa decided to do what he does best in these situations, make sure his child is okay and safe. He followed Izuku from school.

Aizawa stayed on the rooftops as he jogged along; keeping pace with Izuku. At one point, Aizawa had to jog on the power lines. Eventually, they both made it their destination. Takoba beach. Aizawa kept his distance on a nearby rooftop. "What on earth?" Aizawa whispered as he moved his slotted goggles up onto his head to get a better look down below.

Izuku was simply cleaning the beach. Taking up trash and bringing it to a giant rentable dumpster no doubt awaiting pick up. Izuku was just quietly doing this by himself for a while and Aizawa wondered if Izuku simply did research on muscle groups and how to work them all out at once. It seemed logical, at first. 'If that were the case then why wouldn't he tell me that he was doing this or Hitoshi. He loves Hitoshi and would, undoubtedly, want his brother to get just as strong as him.' Aizawa thought as he watched Izuku work.

'He's gained more muscle than I thought.' Izuku was carrying a box spring mattress by himself. That thing had to be at least sixty pounds.

Then, maybe thirty minutes later, the truth came out. "You're early, my boy!"

Aizawa rubbed his tongue against the inside of his cheek as he watched Toshinori come up to Izuku on the beach. Toshinori was in his skinny form, something Aizawa, as well as the rest of the staff at UA, learned about not too long ago.

Irritation started arising deep inside of Aizawa's belly. 'Now it makes sense, doesn't it? He gets saved by All Might, and now All Might is training him. And judging by the fact that Toshinori is in his skinny form means that Izuku already knows, and has to keep it a secret, hence why Hitoshi doesn't know.' Aizawa snorted in annoyance.

"Yes, I wanted to get a headstart today." Izuku eagerly told Toshinori. "Especially since we're coming up on a two-week break in school after tomorrow."

"Great! I love that attitude!" In a puff of smoke, Toshinori was gone, replaced by All Might. However, the puffed up form didn't last. Clearly, he's used up his time limit for the day.

Aizawa reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of gum. He no longer smoked when bored, gave up the habit when he adopted the boys, now he replaced it with chewing gum. Popping a piece into his mouth; he started to chew away. The sweetness of spearmint overloading his taste buds.

"Yeah, training is really going to be kicking off these next two weeks, between you, dad, and acrobatic classes. But I'm ready for it!"

Aizawa could feel Izuku grin from his spot on the rooftop. Quietly, Aizawa popped a bubble.

"Excellent! Now, I want you to stop what you're doing. I want you to bench press this microwave!" With no effort at all, All Might picked up a microwave with one hand. It looked heavy and expensive. No doubt fifty to sixty pounds tops.

"Yes, sir!"

Aizawa narrowed his eyes as Izuku did as he was told. He got down on the floor and All Might put the microwave on Izuku's feet. 'There's no support. That's insanely dangerous! His legs could give out or worse, he could get a compact fracture from the weight if he doesn't have the proper support- Oh I'm going to kill Toshinori.' Toshinori clearly had the right idea, but he's going about it all wrong.

Aizawa popped another bubble.

It wasn't all Izuku's fault, it's clear, to Aizawa at least, that Toshinori has no fucking clue how to teach or train.

Izuku didn't break a bone, thank god, and after about fifty reps he was back on his feet throwing trash out.

All Might would coach Izuku along, make him move faster, nothing as bad as bench pressing a microwave on the sandy floor. Granted this whole thing was dangerous and just asking for a future tetanus shot. The beach was uneven and the sand provided a danger as it hid things like glass, needles, and rusty metal. One wrong fall was all it would take.

'Toshinori, your idea is there but you're going about it all wrong. This is a biohazard zone at worst and a disaster at best. You are the number one hero in the world and you… couldn't afford a gym membership?'

Another popped bubble. Aizawa grumbled as the sticky gum got caught in his stubble.

Aizawa didn't agree, not one bit. Though he had a feeling he knew why Toshinori wanted this place cleaned and it was a noble cause, of course, there was just too much to factor in. This needed professional cleaning, not a thirteen-year-old boy.

Finally, after a few hours of this, the two went their separate ways. Aizawa watched Izuku start jogging towards home while Toshinori walked off towards his car. Aizawa followed Toshinori, and quickly jogged ahead of Toshinori.

He used his scarf and hung upside down from a power line. Then slowly started to lower himself down as Toshinori was, seemingly, unaware of his presence. It wasn't until Aizawa was almost completely down did Toshinori stop walking. "I know you're there." Toshinori suddenly said, of course he would pick up on someone's presence near him. He was the number one hero after all. Shame Toshinori turned the wrong way.

Aizawa lowered himself all the way when Toshinori's head was turned away. When Toshinori turned back around his eyes widened almost comically while he took a step back. "Jesus, Aizawa!" Toshinori put his hands on his chest. "Warn a guy!"

Aizawa shifted his body so he was now upright and on the floor. He let his scarf pool back around his neck and he grabbed his goggles from up top his head.

Toshinori sucked in several deep breaths and seemed to swallow down some blood threatening to spill out of his mouth. "What are you doing?" Toshinori demanded.

"Just wondering what you're doing," Aizawa responded as he brought his goggles down from the top of his head and down around his neck. "What's with the boy? Hm?"

"The boy- oh, you saw that?" Toshinori pointed back to the beach and then looked back around at Aizawa. "That? Oh, just a fanboy is all."

"A fanboy, huh?"

"Yep."

"Seemed like you knew him."

"I treat everybody like I know them. After all, they know me!" Toshinori grinned.

Aizawa scowled behind his scarf. "Is that so?..."

'Judging by his reaction, he has no clue I'm Izuku's father…' Aizawa sized Toshinori up for a moment before shoving his hands into his pockets. '...I'm going to keep it that way.'

"Just watch yourself, those fanboys can be dangerous." Aizawa turned away from Toshinori before vanishing up to the roof of the building. 'Let's see how far this goes.'

Three days have passed since Aizawa made the discovery, and the three of them, Hitoshi, Izuku, and himself were sitting down finishing up dinner. Aizawa was almost sure that Izuku was getting ready to confess to them about what he was doing with All Might. His gaze was far away and his eyes were white in color showing that he was lost in deep thought.

It was Tuesday, meaning Hitoshi washed the dishes, Aizawa would put them away, and Izuku would take the trash out.

Hitoshi had heard it first, before Aizawa, because he put the plate he was washing back into the soapy water and snapped his head towards Izuku's direction. "Dad."

Mutter

"It's your turn," Hitoshi grumbled before he went back to washing the dishes.

Aizawa looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "Izuku." He tried to get his son's attention, but it was too late.

Muttermuttermuttermuttermutter

"Izuk-"

Muttermyeyeswereclosedmuttermuttermuttermutter

Aizawa walked over to Izuku.

Muttermutteritshouldbepossiblemuttermuttermyhands?muttermutter

Aizawa crouched down so he was at eye level with Izuku. Aizawa reached over, grabbed the top of Izuku's head with one of his hands, and twisted Izuku's head around so they were now face-to-face. "Izuku. Come back to me." Aizawa used his free hand to snap his fingers rapidly in front of Izuku's face.

Izuku blinked and the color returned to his eyes.

"...I was doing it again, wasn't I?" Izuku whispered.

"Yes, you were. Wanna talk about what's on your mind?" Aizawa inquired.

Izuku blinked slowly as he frowned. "... I just wanted to ask… are you sure I'm quirkless?"

There was a clatter from the kitchen. Aizawa looked over his shoulder to see that Hitoshi had, seemingly, dropped a plate into the water again by accident. Aizawa narrowed his eyes at this but focused back around to Izuku.

"Lest you forget-" Aizawa took it upon himself to fix Izuku's collar. "-we went to three different doctors on the subject. They all confirmed it, you have the extra toe joint."

"I know…"

"Besides, if you did have a quirk we would have known by now. Wouldn't we?"

Izuku licked his lips. "Yeah, yeah! You're right. Sorry." A soft sigh left Izuku's mouth as he rubbed at his face. "I just thought that maybe… I'm thinking too much about it, I'm sure."

Aizawa nodded at this. "Possibly. Now, could you please go and take the trash out?"

"Of course." Izuku scooted out of his chair and got up. He stretched his arms above his head before going to the trash can. The trashbag was always a little heavy, living with three people in a house would do that, but now, Aizawa watched as Izuku hardly struggled to lift the trash bag out of the can and tie it. Then, looking like a deranged Santa Claus, Izuku threw the bag over his shoulder and went for the front door.

When the front door shut behind him, Aizawa looked over at Hitoshi. Hitoshi had his head down and was scrubbing a plate above the sink. "Are you okay?" Aizawa inquired.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" It was a fast reaction and a defensive one as well. It made Aizawa narrow his eyes slightly.

"You've been washing that same plate for five minutes now."

Hitoshi blinked in surprise, looked at the plate, and huffed. "I figured you like a thorough cleaning." then put the plate on the drying rack. Aizawa couldn't help but chuckle as he walked over to Hitoshi.

"What do you think about Izuku's question?" Hitoshi suddenly asked as he started washing a set of chopsticks.

Aizawa shrugged. "Nerves probably. Izuku is worried about getting into UA. Which reminds me, I need to talk to Nedzu…" Aizawa mumbled before shrugging. "Izuku thinks a quirk would be a magical cure all for him."

Hitoshi pursed his lips to the side at this. He looked like he had something on him mind, but if he did, he didn't voice it. Instead he just finished up cleaning the dishes before retreating to his bedroom immediately after.

Sweat perked and started to pour down Izuku's face. His legs were in the air, his shoulders and neck pressed firmly against the floor; the only part of him that was on the floor really. He had both of his hands against his hips while his father stood above him, hands on Izuku's shoes, keeping him balanced. His upper back was hurting, and he could feel the strain of his legs being suspended in the air for as long as they have. Aizawa tilted his head before letting go of Izuku's shoes, but Izuku didn't let his legs down. "Thirty seconds…" Aizawa said before starting the stop watch.

Izuku bit back a groan. His back was already threatening to give out and his shoulders were screaming in pain. That was when his dad squatted down next to him, showing him the stop watch. "Now that I've got your attention, I have a question." Aizawa flatly said.

"You want to interrogate me now?" Izuku breathed out.

"Yes, you're vulnerable and in an uncomfortable position." There was a familiar smile on his fathers lips. The smile Aizawa would get when he knew he had just played somebody for the fool. And that he did. Izuku should have guessed his father would pull something like this.

Well, at least his father was honest.

"Fine, ask your question." Izuku's eyes darted from his father's eyes to the stopwatch. The seconds were ticking by so slow, too slow. Izuku looked away from his dad as he looked up at the sky. His legs were threatening to buckle, to come crashing down, but Izuku was willing them to stay up right.

"Alright, I've noticed that you've been packing on some muscle these past few months and that your diet changed. Who's training you?"

'Shit.'

Izuku grunted as his left knee nearly buckled. "Nobody."

"Hm, and why do I find that hard to believe? Izuku, I'm not dumb. You don't just gain muscle mass from only jogging." Izuku looked at the timer, only fifteen seconds had ticked by.

"Okay, fine, you caught me…" Izuku groaned a little as his body started to ache and protested against the strain he was being put under. "I've been… cleaning a beach."

"By yourself?"

Izuku looked at the stop watch. Ten more seconds to go. "Yeah. I've been learning about muscle gain and I figured I can do community service on top of it."

"Hm." Aizawa hummed and stood up. "Cleaning a beach…" Aizawa then walked over to Izuku's legs. "All by yourself? Why not have Hitoshi help you?"

"..." Izuku grumbled something under his breath. "I…" If he was going to say something, it died in his throat. "How much longer?"

Aizawa tilted his head and that familiar cynical smile graced over Aizawa's face as he showed off his teeth. "Until you answer the question, Izuku."

'Ah, fuck.'

"I… I just didn't want to bug him with cleaning is all."

Aizawa let out a soft sigh and slapped Izuku's shoe. This caused Izuku's legs to just flop down. "Ah!" Izuku cried in pain as his back was adjusting to being flat on the floor now.

"I don't know how I feel about you going off to clean a beach by yourself. Especially not Takoba beach."

Izuku sucked in a deep breath before suddenly opening his eyes and frowning at his father. "I… I never said I was cleaning Takoba beach, dad." Izuku then rolled onto his side and propped an elbow up so he could look at his father.

Aizawa snorted. "It's the only beach in the area that's ransacked with trash. It's pretty logical that's the beach you'd be going to." Aizawa then tossed something in Izuku's direction. Izuku quickly scrambled to grab it. It was just a water bottle. "Hydrate, kid."

Izuku let out a snort but did as his father asked of him. 'That was close…'

Izuku sighed out heavily as he looked over at his alarm clock. 4:27 am the red light blinked at him and he was just glad that school was out for the next week and a half. He rubbed his tired eyes. Slowly, Izuku sat up and ran his fingers through his curls to get them out of his face. His eyes dropped slightly and he quietly wrapped his blanket over his shoulders and wiggled out of his bed.

His stomach gurgled and Izuku decided he needed a small, moderately portioned midnight snack. His dad wasn't home so waking him wouldn't be an issue. Izuku shuffled his way into the kitchen with his All Might blanket covering his head like a hood and draped over his body imitating a cloak.

Opening the fridge, Izuku looked at the leftovers for something to munch on. "Oh, fried pork." Leftover fried pork from the night before. Izuku popped open the tupperware and shut the fridge with his hip. He placed the lid on the counter and looked for some chopsticks. He found them sticking out of the drying rack on the sink.

Izuku looked at the chopsticks, then down at the leftover pork. 'Is it possible?' Izuku wondered as he thought about the day before. When the blender magically came to his hands. He's been thinking about it since it happened.

"No. I'm quirkless, I have the toe joint. What happened the other day was a… a fluke." Izuku whispered to himself before looking back down at his food.

Another loud and irritated sigh left Izuku's mouth. He then shut his eyes and extended his hand out. He stood there for a few seconds with his hands out but for the longest time, nothing happened. So, Izuku cracked one of his eyes open, the chopsticks hadn't moved from their spot on the drying rack. Izuku couldn't stop the pout from gracing his lips.

'Like I said. A fluke.' Izuku threw his hands up before looking down at the fried pork slices. "So, it wasn't because my eyes were closed." He looked back at the chopsticks. "Then…maybe…" He brought his hand out and focused purely on the chopsticks just a measly few feet away. He raised his hand. 'Come to me.' He closed his hand and opened it.

The chopsticks wobbled.

Izuku gasped, dropping the tupperware of fried pork slices. He looked at the chopsticks with wide eyes. 'Did… no…no.' Izuku stared at his palms, down at the floor, then back at the chopsticks. Izuku's hands were starting to shake. He looked back at the chopsticks and with shaky hands, He raised them both up and stared at the chopsticks. With both hands raised in front of him, he opened and closed both of his hands.

The set of chopsticks wobbled before slowly rising up and out of the drying rack.

His breath hitched into his throat as he watched the chopsticks. Each time he opened and closed his hands the chops moved to him. Closer and closer the chopsticks came to him until… he felt the smooth wood touch against the palm of his hands. Izuku felt his eyes widen as his whole body shook from head to toe.

Izuku clasped his hands around the wooden chopsticks. 'I just did that.'

"I just did that."

"... I just did that."

"I just did that!?"

"Oh my god! Oh my god!"

Izuku couldn't think, he could hardly breathe! "I have a quirk- I have a quirk!"

'Hichan.'

Izuku couldn't have run faster to his brother's room. He nearly slipped on the hardwood floors as he raced as fast as his legs allowed him all the way to his brother's bedroom. "Hichan! Hichan!"

Izuku excitedly threw his brother's door open. Hitoshi nearly jumped out of his skin as he flopped around his bed like a fish out of water. "Wh-what- what?!" Hitoshi jumped and sat up swiftly, his hair puffed out around his face, his lavender colored eyes wide with concern.

Izuku was jumping on the balls of his feet. He felt excited, thrilled even. "I have a -"

Izuku snapped his eyes open. He looked up at his ceiling with wide and confused eyes. 'What?…'

"Zuchan-" Hitoshi opened Izuku's bedroom door. "You ready?" Hitoshi was dressed in his working out clothes. Hitoshi tilted his head and smiled at Izuku. He then started to stretch his shoulders.

Izuku looked at Hitoshi feeling rather… confused. "Ready?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Training. Dad told me to wake you."

Izuku brought his hand to his face and rubbed the crown of his head. "But… what happened?"

"Something happened?" Hitoshi shrugged as he continued to smile an awkward lopsided smile.

"I…" Izuku tried to think. 'What happened last night. Wasn't I… I was excited… about something? No. Yes.'

"Earth to Izuku. You still with me?" Hitoshi waved his hand in front of Izuku's face.

"When… When did I go to bed last night?"

Hitoshi shrugged. "Around ten? Maybe a little later. I mean, you came into my room last night around four. You looked so excited and then you had this weird blank look on your face and then you left. I thought maybe you were sleep walking, or had a night terror. So, are you getting up or do I have to drag you out of bed?"

"I… okay. Okay. I'm up." Izuku threw his arms up in defeat. "I just…I was excited about something, but…"

Izuku wiggled out of bed before stretching his arms above his head. "Shoo! Let me get dressed." Izuku gestured with his hands forcing Hitoshi out of his doorway. "And… uh." Izuku grabbed onto his door and looked at Hitoshi. "I- I was going to tell you something. But.. I… forgot."

"If you forgot, then it wasn't important."

"I guess."

"Get dressed."

"Yeah, tell dad I'll be there in five."

Izuku then shut his bedroom door and stopped. He stared intensely at his door frame before shaking his head vigorously. 'Am I… am I missing another memory?'

Chapter Text

Hitoshi didn't know how Izuku could put up with Kaminari. Kaminari was loud and constantly inside people's personal spaces. It often drove Hitoshi up the wall whenever Kaminari would lean in extra close while talking. Yet, it didn't seem to bug Izuku.

The three of them were paired together for a history project. It was the last project of the year, they had four months to get it done and it was worth twenty percent of their final.

Once again, Kaminari went to ask a question, getting right into Hitoshi's personal space. Hitoshi growled and put his index finger directly on Kaminari's forehead. "Back. Up." Hitoshi hissed between clenched teeth before pushing Kaminari back with his finger.

"Hichan, don't be mean." Izuku spoke in a deadpan voice as he started to shuffle through his notes in an attempt to find his history notes.

"Yeah, Hichan. Don't be a meanie."

"I will knock your ass out." Hitoshi let out another hiss as he lightly slammed his fist into the table.

"Aw, Zuchan doesn't mind if I call him that."

"No, I mind. I just don't vocalize it- found it." Izuku pulled out the set of notes he was looking for and placed them on the table.

"So. What are we doing again, exactly?" Kaminari inquired as he quietly looked at the notes.

Hitoshi rolled his eyes. "God, you need adderall. We're learning about the great quirk war between Japan and America."

"And… Why do we have to learn about some war that took place fifty odd years ago?"

"Well, we're here to put our opinions on the matter. On whether or not quirks should be involved in war-" Izuku started to say but was suddenly cut off by a piece of paper being thrown violently against his head.

"-Or if the quirkless should be left out of war." Akisho's smarmy voice grated on Hitoshi's ears. "Which, They should. By the way."

Kaminari's nose scrunched up in distaste.

Hitoshi swallowed hard and scowled at Akisho.

"He's not wrong, though." Izuku suddenly said, his voice was soft.

"Of course he's wrong, Zuchan." Hitoshi looked at his brother with a raised eyebrow. "The quirkless shouldn't be excluded from war."

"I get why you'd think that, Hichan, but you need to think about this from a logical perspective, not a biased perspective. The quirkless are a liability in this case. Those with strong and powerful quirks are best suited for the battlefield; it would be illogical to put the quirkless in the middle of a fight with quirks involved."

"Stop sounding like dad." Hitoshi rolled his eyes.

"But I'm right. If the other side allows people with quirks to fight in a war and our side doesn't, that puts Japan at a serious disadvantage in a fight." Izuku stated.

"Then where does it stop?" Kaminari suddenly said as he stretched himself across Izuku's desk, no doubt an attempt to gain Izuku's attention. It worked as Izuku raised an eyebrow silently urging Kaminari to continue. "Where does it stop?" Kaminari repeated in a softer voice.

"We stop putting the quirkless in the military, then when does it stop? The quirkless can't be in the military, well they're useless anyways. Just ban them from being cops, those with quirks can replace them just as well. Lawyers, Nurses, Doctors? Nah, those with quirks are more preferable- do I need to keep going?"

Izuku sucked in a deep breath. Quietly he brought his thumb up and started to chew on the side of his nail. "You make a good point..." Izuku whispered.

"See, Zuchan?" Hitoshi lowered his head down to his desk and rested it on his folded arms. "If Kaminari can make a good point, then clearly, we have something to go on."

"Aw, I knew you loved me, Hichan-" Kaminari never got to finish his sentence before Hitoshi smacked him with a notebook. It was a gentle smack but a smack nonetheless. "Oof."

Izuku snorted through his nose. "This whole scenario is a lose-lose situation." Izuku then said as he leafed through his notes. "We shouldn't exclude the quirkless… but we can't exclude those with quirks either…"

"...Maybe we could find a compromise?" Hitoshi inquired.

"A compromise?" Kaminari asked next.

"That's a good idea… that'll also set us apart from everyone else." Izuku grabbed his open notebook and flipped to a blank page. "There has to be a compromise here. It shouldn't be one side or the other. There's no logic in that. Now, hear me out. The quirkless don't stay out of the military, just off the frontlines."

Kaminari snapped his fingers. "Put them in the back. Have them be the people behind the scenes. Minimal danger that way."

"Exactly!" Izuku beamed broadly as he started to quickly write information down. "Hitoshi, can you look up the quirkless during the great quirk war? See if there's any of great importance."

"Yeah, no problem."

Izuku looked at Kaminari and leaned in a little. "Kami, can you-"

"Kami?" Hitoshi poked his head between Kaminari and Izuku.

"Yes, Kami, Hichan." Izuku poked Hitoshi's forehead.

"He loves me~" Kaminari grinned and Hitoshi simply stuck his tongue out at him in response.

"Regardless, Kami. Can you please go and research a bit of the quirk singularity theory?"

"Yeah, but why? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything!"

Hitoshi smiled a bit when he saw the little smile form on Izuku's face. Once the ball got rolling it was hard for Izuku to stop. His brother was excited and it showed. "We're talking about today's wars, so by quirk singularity theory it can show how much stronger quirks can get generation after generation." Izuku scrambled swiftly and grabbed a different notebook. He then quickly flipped through the pages.

"Okay, okay." Kaminari smiled just as he whipped his phone out. "But what about you, Zuku?"

"Zuku?" Hitoshi narrowed his eyes at Kaminari.

"Yes, Hichan, Zuku." Izuku responded to Hitoshi with a little smile. "But also, to answer your question, I'm going to look into the military of today. Find important quirkless figures or heroes. I'm also going to take and compare the technology of today versus back then- where's my pen?"

Hitoshi sighed and raised his head from his arms. "Right, I guess I should start looking for important quirkless people back then. Although-" Hitoshi paused to turn his back to the two of them so he could grab his bag from the floor. "-There were a lot more quirkless back then-"

"Whoa!" Kaminari's yell made Hitoshi quickly turn back around.

"What?!"

"What?" Izuku looked at Kaminari with wide eyes.

"Didn't you see what you just did?!" Kaminari practically shouted; he sounded awestruck and elated as he got right into Izuku's personal space. Izuku jumped a little and backed up in his seat. His smile went lopsided and his eyes went wide with surprise.

Hitoshi responded quickly by grabbing the back of Kaminari's collar. "Back up!"

"I'm sorry, but did you seriously miss that? Zuku, that pen just like… floated into your hand when you were looking away."

"What?" Izuku blinked. "I think you're mistaken." Izuku gave a little awkward laugh.

"No, no, I saw it."

"Well, then you must be seeing things." Hitoshi quickly joined in.

Kaminari looked at Izuku, Izuku just shrugged silently and started to write. Kaminari frowned and turned to Hitoshi before looking back at Izuku. "Are you sure you don't have a quirk?"

"If I had a quirk, I would have known about it by now, Kami."

"But… I saw-"

"-I'm going to have to agree with Hichan, Kami, you might just be seeing things."

Kaminari looked back over at Hitoshi. Hitoshi just shrugged. "You… maybe I am…" Kaminari calmed down and sat back in his seat. However; Hitoshi didn't miss the way Kaminari was opening and closing his hand like he was trying to pull something to him.

"Okay, you two problem children ready?" Aizawa asked as he stood between Izuku and Hitoshi.

"Yes!" Izuku was practically vibrating with excitement. He was jumping up and down on the balls of his feet. Meanwhile, Hitoshi was on the calmer side as he started to lower himself down.

Both boys had one of Aizawa's scarves around their necks. They both had the scarf wrapped around their arms, poised and ready to strike. They were both getting better with the capture weapons. They weren't masters, far from it, but they were better. "Remember, don't strangle each other- go!" Aizawa jumped back swiftly. A scarf went flying. Hitoshi's scarf managed to wrap around Izuku's wrist. With a grunt, Hitoshi went to pull Izuku in.

'Izuku's allowing it?' Aizawa wondered.

Well it turns out there was a method to Izuku's madness. He allowed Hitoshi to bring him, just so he could throw a low stomach punch. The punch looked soft, well as soft as a punch can be, but it still was close enough to Hitoshi's genitals that it made Hitoshi instantly double over with a loud "Gah! You titanic ass!"

Hitoshi then lowered himself to the ground while holding his pelvic area where Izuku had punched. A low groan leaving his mouth.

Izuku's hands went to his mouth in shock. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you that hard!"

Aizawa's lips upturned just a little as he tried to hold back a laugh. "Okay…" Letting out a breath, Aizawa straightened himself back up. "Izuku, your movement was smart and analyzed. You let Hitoshi believe he was going to wrangle you in and you used that to his advantage. You even remembered to go for his…er… weak spot."

"Fuck!" Hitoshi let out a growl while still holding on to his pelvic area. "Don't act like you aren't enjoying this, dad!"

Aizawa couldn't help it. He chuckled a little. Quickly he stabilized himself before shaking his head. "Nope. Not enjoying it."

Izuku suddenly let out a gasp before he started laughing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't laugh-I-" a snort left his mouth and he started to chortle. Hitoshi simply raised one hand up and then pointed his middle finger up in the air directed in Izuku's direction.

"Alright. Alright." Aizawa walked over and offered his hand. Hitoshi took it. "But you've learned a lesson, Hitoshi. Never underestimate your opponent. When you're out there fighting villains, it doesn't matter if that villain looks like a little pigtailed girl, you never underestimate what they can do."

"Right."

"Good." Aizawa backed up. "Now, I want you two to try again."

Hitoshi nodded and started to reel the capture weapon back to his arms. Izuku jumped back several steps and lowered himself to the ground. This time it seemed Izuku was going to use his capture scarf as he let it snack down just a bit below his arms. 'Or he could be using it as a ruse.' Aizawa stuck his hands inside his pockets and narrowed his eyes.

Once both boys were in their battle stance, Aizawa took a big step back. "Go!"

This time it was Izuku who moved first. He was charging, but that was his downfall. In one quick movement Hitoshi had Izuku's right arm completely engulfed in his capture scarf. Hitoshi grunted, turned his heel so his back was too Izuku and used all of his weight to pull Izuku up, off of the ground, and over Hitoshi's shoulder.

Izuku struck the ground shoulder first, smacking it so hard against the dirt that it made a small divot in the grass. Izuku did not give up however. Instead he used this to his own advantage and when he fell, he grabbed a hold of Hitoshi's capture weapon that was still wrapped tightly around his wrist. Izuku managed to get back up on his feet and he tugged on the scarf as hard as he possibly could.

Well, all the muscle gain Izuku got wasn't for naught. Izuku brought Hitoshi down to the ground. However; it seemed that Hitoshi wasn't going to go down that easily. Hitoshi somersaulted and once his legs were close enough he kicked Izuku's legs out from under him. Izuku crashed to the ground and Hitoshi pounced.

No punches were thrown, but the two struggled, turning and tossing in a heap trying to be the one on top.

Aizawa watched with interest. 'Hitoshi… oh. I see now. Clever.'

Hitoshi was being meticulous with how he was doing this. First he would try to pin Izuku to the ground, in which Izuku would undoubtedly find a way to twist his body and flip himself on top of Hitoshi. It was about the third or fourth time Hitoshi managed to get himself on top of Izuku when his grand plan finally came to fruition. "What are you doing?!" Izuku had snapped out in irritation.

"This!-" with both hands wrapped around the ends of his capture scarf, Hitoshi pulled as hard as he possibly could. All of the bands of the capture scarf he managed to wrap around Izuku's limbs seized up. Izuku gasped in shock once he was completely captured. His limbs up in the air, useless in battle.

"You… even avoided my neck…" Izuku mumbled. "Impressive!"

"Impressive indeed. You managed to wrap Izuku up without him knowing. You used the fact that Izuku would try and wrestle you against him and tangled him up. Giving you the opportunity. That being said. I wouldn't rely too heavily on that. Most people will kick, punch, and bite you to get out. That being said, Izuku, you aren't using your capture weapon, Why?"

Izuku made a face. "Sorry, dad. I've just been going for more head on approaches, but I'll try and use it a little more."

"Hm. I know you're apprehensive about the capture weapon because you aren't that good at it, but you can't get better if you don't try."

"Yeah, you're right!"

"Alright, that's enough for tonight, the sun is setting and I've got a patrol I have to be on in a few hours."

Both boys sighed in relief. Hitoshi didn't let Izuku go right away however; "Oh, right before I forget-" With one swift jab of his fist, Hitoshi got Izuku right in the pelvis. Then he released the capture weapon from around Izuku.

Izuku let out a cry of pain. "You dick!" he then wrapped both arms around his pelvis. "Fuck, that hurt!"

Aizawa wanted to be mad, really, he did, but he couldn't. Still, what Hitoshi did was still wrong… if not a little funny. "Hitoshi that was uncalled for, training was over, fifteen laps around the yard."

"Worth it." Hitoshi shrugged and immediately started jogging.

It took a minute or two, but Izuku eventually got back to his feet. Once the pain subsided he approached Aizawa. "Hey, dad, can I talk to you?"

"Of course."

"Uh…It's rather strange, but… I… I don't know."

Aizawa put his hands on his hips. "C'mon kid, speak actual sentences I can understand."

Izuku sighed and looked at his fingers. "I think…I think I'm missing another memory."

"What?" Aizawa stiffened almost immediately. "How can you tell? Is it recent or are you missing another childhood memory?"

"Recent. I think. I don't know…I'm so confused, that's the problem." Aizawa could see it written all over Izuku's face. The concern and confusion that was.

"Okay, when did this happen?"

"A week ago."

"And you're telling me this now?"

"Well, like I said: I'm so confused I couldn't tell if I was only dreaming or if I'm actually missing a memory, but I think I am." Izuku grabbed his hair a little and twisted a curly lock around one of his fingers.

"Okay… Okay. Why do you think you're missing a memory? Let's start with that."

"It's hard to… to explain really, but I have this vague feeling of being… excited over something. Something I know I was going to tell Hichan. I don't know what though. It's not like losing a train of thought, this feels deeper than that." Izuku whispered urgently to his father.

"What do you remember? What part of your memory do you think is blank?"

"I remember… being really restless one night. I couldn't sleep, so I got up to get some food."

"Was I home?"

"No. You were on patrol. I remember that."

'So, last Tuesday, I think.' Aizawa made a mental note. "Okay, you got some food."

"Well…then I woke up to Hitoshi waking me the next morning."

"Hm…" Aizawa thought for a moment. "What time did you go to eat?"

Izuku shook his head. "Around four-thirty, I think. It's all… weirdly fuzzy." Izuku felt himself start to talk with his hands as he made wild movements.

"... wait, did you go to eat the leftover fried pork?"

Izuku snapped his fingers. "Yes, I remember that!"

"Okay, so here's the thing. I found that pork in the trash that morning when I returned home. Do you remember throwing it out."

"No. According to Hichan I stormed into his room but then I got this blank look on my face and just left."

"That's…less than ideal. That's actually horrifying to hear. We might need to set up another appointment for a memory specialist."

Izuku's shoulders slumped at those words. "Urg, not another one of those specialists."

"I know you hate them, but it's best we make sure you don't have some sort of amnesia or disease."

"Yeah, but they poke and prod through my memories. It just makes me feel violated."

"I know, but it's for the best, okay? Just know that me and Hitoshi will be right there with you."

Izuku nodded. "Okay. Okay. Yeah, I'll endure it." He breathed out before moving his fingers through his hair. "I'm… I'm gonna go shower, now. I'll see you tomorrow. Oh-" Izuku went to turn, but he stopped and quickly turned back around. That was when Izuku wrapped his arms around Aizawa's torso. "I won't lie… I'm a little scared…" Izuku muttered softly against Aizawa's chest. A soft sigh left Aizawa's nose before he lightly raked his fingers through Izuku's wild curls.

"You'll be fine. Like I said, Hitoshi and I will be right there."

"Not about that…'' The mumble lightly rumbled against Aizawa's chest. "What if I lose my memories of you or Hichan too? The last thing I want is to be as confused as I was seven years ago. No memories, no real sense of identity or worth…"

"You won't-" Aizawa started to run his fingers through Izuku's hair in a more soothing way. "-I'll make sure of it."

They went to a memory specialist, not even a week later. Izuku groaned as he held on to his spinning head. God, how he hated memory specialists. The woman in question was someone Izuku hadn't met before. Her quirk was a little different from all the others he'd been too in the past. She could look through his memories like looking at a film, kind of like Sir Nighteye's quirk.

Ms. Watasumi was her name. She was a pretty woman, thin, and tall, with deep teal colored hair and tiger orange eyes. In order for her quirk to work, she had to keep all ten fingers on her client and both of them had to be very still. She preferred to keep her fingers on her client's scalp. The downside of her quirk was that the longer she looked the more sickly feeling her client would get. For Izuku, right now it was dizziness.

Aizawa had saved her one night and so this session was free.

"You had every right to come to me, Eraserhead." Watasumi said as she sat down in her own seat and started to write on a chart. "A memory was removed." Watasumi sighed and rubbed at her nose.

"I'm not doubting you, but how can you tell?" Hitoshi inquired suddenly. He walked over to Izuku and quietly grabbed his hand. "I mean the other doctors just said his memory was up and gone."

"Yes, well, my quirk is different. I see memory as a film. Izuku's memory from a week ago has been… burned so to say."

"Burned? That's a new one." Aizawa shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Yes, it's not that new, at least not to me, if I can be honest with you." Watasumi reached into her drawer and pulled out a pair of thick black reading glasses. "Someone took the effort to remove his memories. "It's like… there's something there that they don't want him to know."

"I just wanted to get a midnight snack." Izuku mumbled weakly. "How is that grounds for a memory removal?"

"I don't know…" Watasumi pursed her lips to the side. "But someone saw fit to remove it."

Aizawa chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Can you tell if maybe Izuku got hit by a stray quirk?"

"Or…it could be the same person who took his memories seven years ago." Hitoshi offered up suddenly.

"That's right…" Watasumi leaned down and opened her bottom drawer. "It's mentioned in your file that you're missing five years of memories- well… give or take three years. Regardless; it could be possible that someone had a long term quirk put on Izuku… but it doesn't make much sense to me." She read through the file. "Whoever did this wanted Izuku to forget something of great importance…"

Everyone frowned at the doctor's words. "... how do we fix it?" Aizawa finally questioned. "Because I don't want Izuku to keep losing his memories."

Watasumi smiled a little. "Izuku, there's a vending machine in the waiting room." Watasumi reached into her purse and pulled out a couple of yen. "Go get yourself a ginger ale to clear up your dizziness. Hitoshi, go with him. Get yourself someone as well."

Both boys looked at each other, shrugged, and grabbed the money. "Thanks. We'll go and wait in the waiting room then." Hitoshi said before grabbing Izuku's hand and leading him away. Once the door was shut, Watasumi looked at Aizawa. "Izuku isn't going to like this. I already know he doesn't like memory appointments, so he's going to hate what I have planned."

"Oh boy." Aizawa sighed in annoyance.

"Like I said. I see things in film. Izuku's film is burnt… but, what I can do, that not a lot of people know, is that the longer I have with my client I can actually fix the film myself."

"What? Can you?"

"Yep. I had this little boy come in. He couldn't be older than twelve. He had a younger sister. His sister had the quirk to remove and replace memories so to say. Poor girl, it wasn't her fault, but she made him forget every single one of his family members. Like I said. I've seen burnt film before, and this is how I know Izuku's memories were taken by force. It took… roughly six sessions but I got the boy's memories back in order."

"That's incredible. When can we start the first session?"

"Yes, I'm glad you're on board, Eraserhead, but there are things I should tell you before we start signing. What I'm doing is going to be extremely invasive. I have to go through Izuku's memories and basically stitch them back together piece by piece. This involves going into repressed memories. Also, this has to be a once a month deal. If not once every two months. Izuku got dizzy after just ten minutes of me going through his memories. During these appointments I'll be doing it for an hour at a time."

"Meaning he's going to be out of commission-"

"For roughly two days afterwards, yes."

"God…" Aizawa made a face before lightly scuffing his foot against the tilted floor. "But it can be done in one session? I mean it only took you six months to get the other kid to remember his whole family."

"That depends."

"On?"

"Those missing five years of his life. I can repair those, you know. It's just gonna take a while and a lot of patience."

Aizawa shoved his hands into his pocket before looking out at the waiting room. Hitoshi was sitting on a chair while Izuku sat on the floor between Hitoshi's legs. Izuku had his eyes closed while he held onto a can of ginger ale. "...Let's get them into UA first. We'll discuss appointments afterwards."

"-Change!"

"Tora, my boy-"

"Change!" Izuku ran as fast as his legs would allow him towards All Might. Izuku knew he must have looked crazed as he charged towards his mentor. There Toshinori stood on the beach in his buffed up form ready to start for their day. Izuku was all for it, but today was different. Today, he was being followed. Izuku could feel his heart pounding away as he made a bee-line for All Might. "Change back! Hurry!"

Toshinori didn't even question it. There was an explosion of smoke before Toshinori was back in his skinny form. It was right on time as the moment All Might disappeared Izuku's stalker rounded the corner.

"Ah-ha!" Hitoshi declared, like he had caught Izuku in some great scandal. Izuku had his hands on his knees, doubled over while sucking in several greedy breaths. He looked from Izuku to Toshinori. "If I…" Hitoshi sucked in his own deep breaths as he walked past Toshinori and towards Izuku. "If I didn't know any better-" Hitoshi swallowed hard and then pointed at Izuku. "I'd say you were trying to get rid of me."

"Hichan! I'm offended!" Izuku jumped to his feet and put his hand on his chest. "How could you even say such things-"

"Oh, shut it, you ass!" Hitoshi shoved Izuku to the sandy ground of the beach. He then turned to Toshinori. "What's with Skeletor here?"

"I don't know him." Izuku quickly stood and grabbed Hitoshi's shoulders. "Really."

"He's smoking-"

"It's probably his quirk. Stop harassing people, Hichan."

Hitoshi huffed. "But Zuchan!"

"Stop whining." Izuku spun Hitoshi around and started to lead Hitoshi away from the beach. "I jogged with you like you wanted-

"-More like ran away from me."

"-now go home."

"But dad's on a mission!" Hitoshi whined before throwing his head back a bit. "I'll be all alone for hours."

"Then take those hours to train, like I am."

"Em!" Hitoshi grunted in response. "Bitch."

"Bastard. Now beat it!" Izuku shoved Hitoshi down the alleyway. "I'll be home by six!"

"I hate you!"

"You love me!"

Once Hitoshi was finally out of sight. Izuku slumped his shoulders. "Jesus Christ." He breathed out slowly.

"...Was that your brother?" Toshinori inquired after a few seconds of silence between the two of them.

"My twin? Yep! That's him. He's been… really clingy as of late. Sorry about all that by the way."

"Wow you two do not look alike, but at the same time I see the similarities…" Izuku raised an eyebrow at Toshinori. "I mean. It's there. You have green hair and green eyes; he has purple hair and purple eyes. You both have genetics that match your hair and eye color."

"You said it, not me." Izuku raised his hands with a smile. He then started to stretch his shoulders. "Anyways, back to it?"

"Of course! Young Tora!"

Izuku was buzzing. 'One more month. One more month!' his mind would constantly yell and scream at him. One more month until the entrance exams for UA to start. Everyone was abuzz really. They had just finished their last projects and turned in their history project last week. So, all that was left was studying for finals and bulking up to the best of their ability. The beach was getting cleaner and cleaner each day, but not clean enough, not to Izuku's liking that was.

'If I spend five hours cleaning today: I can get a small section cleaned, but not enough. No. no. I should spend longer if I can. One more month, I have one more month to get this beach as clean as I possibly can and to pack on more muscles.'

"Izuku-" He felt a hand on his head and his head was twisted so he was facing his father again. "Pork belly?" His father said softly as he showed the plate of pork belly strips in front of his nose.

"...Yes, please."

"Okay." Aizawa put three strips of Pork Belly on Izuku's plate before walking away. Izuku shook his head and quietly poked at his egg yolk, breaking it and spilling the yellow nectar down the pork belly strips. Hitoshi took his seat next to Izuku and soon Aizawa sat down just as well.

At first there was silence as everyone just quietly ate. Izuku dipped his pork belly into his egg yolk before putting it into his mouth.

Aizawa sipped at his coffee before heavily sighing. He then placed his mug down with a soft 'clink' against the wooden table. "Okay, I think it's time we talked about UA."

Izuku paused mid-bite; Hitoshi stopped with his chopsticks in his mouth.

"You two will not be taking the entrance exam. It's too dangerous and it's biased towards those with quirks. I wish I could get you in on recommendation, but I'll be honest with you both, even with my recommendation you will be laughed at out of the room. So, I talked to Nedzu about this. You are going to show your capabilities in front of Nedzu. Hitoshi, he wants to see your quirk and how far you've come along with the capture weapon, as well as how fast and capable you can handle yourself. Izuku-"

Izuku stiffened in his seat.

"-Nedzu knows you're quirkless and even though he was a little apprehensive I managed to talk him into seeing you just as well. He wants to see your capabilities in battle, just like Hitoshi, and he was interested in your reaction times. This will take place the day after UA exams so the schedules don't get mixed up. Train. Train. Train. I mean it, you two. I really wish I could train you guys more than I already have but with the exam's coming and finals… Me, Nemuri, and Hizashi are all swamped. Focus on your strengths."

Both boys looked at each other then nodded. "We're going to do our best, dad!" Hitoshi grinned; determination lit brightly behind his lavender eyes.

"Good, and I know you both will."

Chapter Text

The feeling of triumph was such a euphoric feeling for Izuku. He was pumped and just couldn't believe he actually managed to do it.

Izuku let out a loud victorious bellow for all around to hear him. He didn't care if the sun was only just rising up and he was possibly waking or disturbing the people nearby. Izuku couldn't believe he had finally done it. He had not only cleaned the beach, but he also managed to move the fridge and brought it to the side of the road for pick up. The beach was now officially cleaned.

There, Izuku stood off on the side of the road, on top of said fridge, screaming in triumph.

"Holy crap- you… you cleaned it all!" Toshinori gasped as he approached Izuku swiftly. Izuku was still screaming at the top of his lungs. He felt invigorated and alive as his nerves burned from his final work out on this beach. Once Izuku finally stopped his screaming he went to turn towards Toshinori, he felt his foot slip and next thing he knew he was tumbling down.

Thankfully, All Might swooped in and caught him just before he fell. "Young Izuku, I couldn't be prouder of you!"

Izuku felt his face heat up at the praise. "Thank you!"

"Look at this." All Might put him down before fishing for his phone. After a few minutes of him tapping away he pulled up a picture. It was one of Izuku on the first day of their training. The one where All Might was sitting up top the fridge. He had snapped a picture of Izuku while he was trying (and failing) to drag the fridge with some rope. "This was you just a little under a year ago. Slightly scrawny with not enough muscle, but look at you now."

Izuku grinned. He felt… well… at his best. A feeling he enjoyed and made him feel more empowered than ever. He was strong. He was strong!

"My boy, do you think you're ready to receive my quirk?" All Might put a big hand on Izuku's shoulder.

"Yes! Just tell me what I have to do!"

"Eat this!"

Izuku felt at a loss of words as All Might showed him a glittering piece of his long strand of blonde hair. "Eh? You want me… too… eat-"

"-Yes! Eat my hair! Go on now." All Might dropped the hair into Izuku's palm.

"..." Izuku stared at the hair. "... Why?" Izuku finally looked at All Might. His voice quivered lightly.

"My quirk can only be passed down through DNA! This is the most logical way for me to give you my quirk."

'He's not wrong. The only other options are spit, blood, or- not gonna go there.'

"Oh god." Izuku scrunched his face up. 'Try and not think about it.' He tried to tell himself. Taking several deep breaths; Izuku tilted his head back, opened his mouth, and tried to just drop the hair down his throat, hoping it wouldn't be too bad this way.

Oh. It was bad.

The hair coiled down his throat and stuck there. It left Izuku's throat itching, and him gagging. He could feel it as it just sat at the back of his throat and refused to go down. In fact, Izuku was sure he could reach back there and pull it back out- it moved down about an inch and he gagged before coughing. "Wa-Water! Ple-please!"

All Might quickly handed him his water bottle and Izuku decided to chug it down. The feeling of a hair stuck to the side of your esophagus wasn't exactly a pleasant one. It was a feeling that Izuku wanted to forget soon. Eventually, with a lot of swallowing and water, the hair dislodged and went down his throat and into his stomach. A shudder ran through his body, and Izuku shook his head vigorously.

"Great! Now you should go and get ready!"

"...Get ready, sir?" Izuku looked over his shoulder at All Might in question. "Are we going to go and train together!?" He excitedly asked. The idea of finally getting to properly train and test this quirk made Izuku giddy with excitement.

"What? No! For the UA entrance exam! I took the liberty of signing you up! You best be off before you're late!"

Izuku's smile dropped slightly. "The… exam." At that moment his fathers words rang back into his brain. He wasn't going to be taking the exam, not until tomorrow where he'd be talking to Nedzu himself and showing off his skills. Izuku could have sworn he told All Might this, but there was a possibility that it could have slipped his mind. This last month was crazy. "Uh- All Might, I thought-"

"Ah, ah. No time to argue, Young Tora. You must be going. Remember this: When you want to harness the power of One for All. All you have to do is clench your buttcheeks and yell 'Smash!' at the top of your lungs."

"But-"

"I must be going!"

"All Might-!"

"I look forward to seeing you!"

Izuku watched as with a mighty leap All Might flew away from him immediately; with a gust of wind that sent Izuku's curly hair flying back. Then, All Might was gone completely leaving Izuku standing there.

"... Oh… oh no. Maybe… it won't be so bad. I mean, it's not like dad will be watching…right? Only Nedzu will… right? Yeah, that makes sense. If dad were watching the exams he'd tell us… right?" Izuku sucked in a slow deep breath and slowly crouched down to the sandy earth so he was squatting.

"This is a death sentence once dad finds out… but it's what All Might wants and I can't disappoint him."

So, Izuku let out a slow breath from his lungs and stood up. "Let's do this. I'm ready."

Against all better judgement and any common sense, Izuku decided to disobey his father. A costly risk. Izuku slipped on his sweatpants and matching jacket that he kept in his bag, over his workout shorts and rushed for UA. 'I can't believe I'm doing this.' Those six words just kept playing in his head on repeat over and over again.

'I can't believe I'm doing this!'

Izuku felt like he was in a daze as he now stood in front of UA's gates. This building looked humongous as it towered above him. '...I…' Izuku stepped through the gates and stood there proudly. 'I can do this. I refuse to let All Might down! I'll explain everything I can to my dad when it's said and done. I-' Izuku took a step forward and accidently stepped on his shoelace. Next thing he knew he was falling. '-I'm a failure. Why am I even trying? I should just turn around'

"Oh!" A soft voice suddenly said and someone touched his back. Next thing Izuku knew he was floating. "I hope you don't mind me using my quirk on you." A girl suddenly appeared in front of Izuku's vision before she let him go.

She was cute with short brown hair cut into a bob that framed her face. Her cheeks were always constantly blushing it seemed and her eyes were big and doe like. It really helped that they were brown in color giving her an innocent look.

"Uh- no. Of course not! Thank you!" Izuku jumped as he felt his face start to heat up from embarrassment. "That's an impressive quirk."

This time the girl blushed. "Th-thank you! I look forward to seeing you in the exam!" She quickly said before taking off for the front door.

Izuku breathed out for a moment before- 'I can't believe I just talked to a girl!' He would have jumped with excitement, but managed to keep his composure-

"Izuku?"

Izuku never spun around faster. For a terrifying second, Izuku worried it was his father. But no, it wasn't. Izuku was face to face with-

"Tenya! It's been so long!" Izuku wasted no time hugging his friend. Iida was more than happy to hug him back.

Iida and Izuku became friends in grade school. However, when middle school came around they were put into two separate schools so contact has been scarce between the two. They texted on the occasion, but nothing more than that. "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're here for the exam?" Iida quickly pushed Izuku back and held on to Izuku's shoulder blades.

"Y-Yeah, I am." Izuku gave Iida a shaky smile. "It's a bit… complicated…" Izuku whispered.

"Tora, that's dangerous." Iida made a wild chopping motion before lightly hitting Izuku's head. "You should not be here. I understand you've dreamed of being a hero, but you're… well…" Iida slowed down before dropping it entirely.

"Iida, I understand you're worried about me, but trust me. I can handle myself out there." He grabbed onto Iida's wrist. Iida looked skeptical.

"I don't know, Tora… It would irresponsible of me to allow this-"

"Iida. Please. Just trust me on this?" Izuku whispered in a soft voice. "I have to do this." He was one second away from begging his old friend not to say anything. Iida never met Izuku's father, thank goodness, but he had connections to the other teachers via his elder brother.

"..." Iida sucked in a slow breath through his nose as he thought about it for a moment. "Fine. Fine. Just be careful, Izuku. We don't know what this exam entails."

Izuku nodded. "Of course, I'm always careful!"

Iida gave him a look that suggested otherwise. "Be. careful." Iida said again, this time a little more slowly before finally walking away from Izuku.

Izuku breathed in and looked at the doors. 'I'll be careful… I don't know what All Might's quirk really entails, but I'm ready to try it out.'

True to his word, All Might had taken it upon himself to sign Izuku up for the exam. He was secretly hoping that he would be denied at the door, but nope.

'The fact that he managed to do this without my permission or my dad's premission is insane.' Izuku thought to himself. He had finished the written exam, but man, he knew if he passed it would be just barely. This was riding on the final combat exam now.

"Zuku- hey! Zuku! Up here!" Kaminari's voice suddenly rang around the auditorium and made Izuku's heart stop. Izuku looked up towards Kaminari's voice and sighed out. 'So much for keeping a low profile.'

Izuku swiftly ran up the steps and took his seat next to Kaminari. "Dude, if you're here then where's 'Toshi?"

'I don't think Hichan's gonna like that nickname.'

"Uh… it's complicated." Izuku told Kaminari as he reached into his bag and pulled out a beanie. Two people recognized him, and that was two people too many, so it was time for the beanie. It was just a black beanie. He put it just above his eyes and sighed. "He won't be coming."

"Oh, okay then." Kaminari let it drop.

"All right, Listeners!"

"Oh shit." Izuku whispered in shock as he tried to slink into his seat as his Uncle Cockatoo (AKA: Present Mic. AKA: Hizashi Yamada.) came strolling out to the stage in the middle of the auditorium stage. Izuku lowered the beanie even more, to the point that it was slightly obstructing his view.

"You good, Zuku?" Kaminari whispered as he watched Izuku.

"Y-yeah…"

Kaminari clearly didn't believe him as he continued to stare at Izuku, but eventually he just shrugged and went to listen to Present Mic.

Izuku wished he had more time to bring a notebook so he could write down all this information. It didn't help that he had to keep his muttering to a minimum so as not to get caught. but the gist was that there were three robots. Easy, medium, and hard. Easy robots were worth one point, medium worth two, and hard were worth three points.

Present Mic was starting to move on away from the robots when Iida suddenly shot up from his seat.

"Hold on!"

'Oh no… don't tell me he thinks this will be too hard on me-'

"You've failed to explain what the fourth robot does!" Iida urgently declared. A few scant replies mumbled in agreement with him.

Izuku couldn't help but blink in surprise. 'How could I have missed it?' He wondered as he bit on one of his knuckles to stop himself from muttering. The more paranoid part of himself knew that they were keeping that robot a secret for a reason.

"Hm? Oh that old thing! You don't need to worry about it. It's a Zeropointer! Meaning it's worth absolutely zero points!"

'Then why have it?' Izuku narrowed his eyes as he stared at the robot silhouette in question. 'There's got to be something more to it.' Izuku hummed in his thoughts. That was when Kaminari nudged him.

"You good, man? You've been gnawing on your index finger for a while now." Kaminari leaned in and whispered softly. He looked fully concerned at Izuku as he asked this.

Izuku took his finger out of his mouth. He could feel the indents of where his teeth were digging in. "I'm fine. I'm just nervous and trying not to mutter."

"Yeah, I'm nervous too, man. Here, just chew on my pencil." Kaminari offered the wooden pencil up and Izuku took it.

"Thanks." Izuku then started to gnaw on the pencil. The feeling of his teeth sinking into the wood was a welcomed one at that moment. He just hoped he wouldn't swallow lead or splinters. '

Oh god, what am I doing? Is it too late to back out? Maybe I should-' at one point during his talk, Present Mic turned in Izuku's direction. '-He knows! He knows it's me! I should just walk out-' Present Mic then turned away enthusiastically pointing to the screen explaining how many points they needed to get in order to pass and how many seats were there to fill.

There were only forty seats for the hero course in UA. That was a low percentage of passing. The pencil snapped in half inside of his mouth. Izuku spat out the splitters and lead into the palm of his hand. 'Oh jeez.' Izuku thought before he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. 'Is it too late to back out?'

'No. I can do this! I have to do this. For All Might!'

"And it's time! I wish you all the best of luck!"

'I can do this. I will do this!'

"Hey man. Good luck, okay!" Kaminari offered up a closed fist for a fist bump. "I'm rooting for you!" He smiled at Izuku.

Izuku returned the fist bump in full though his hands were shaky. "Yeah, I look forward to seeing you in the hero course. You, Hichan, and me!"

Then, they went their separate ways as they had to go to different gyms. He wondered if it was because they went to the same Middle school. That was something All Might needed to know in order to sign Izuku up after all.

So, off he went.

There were so many people waiting at the doors that it made Izuku a little overwhelmed. He started to pace around in a circle, his muttering finally catching up to him as he muttered and muttered and muttered. There was just so much all at once. The fear, the excitement, and the sheer thrill of it all. It was almost like the sludge villain all over again only ten times more intense. It was… exhilarating!

"Uh…Tora…" Suddenly a hand was on his shoulder and he looked at Iida. "Calm down, you're getting looks." Iida whispered to him. Sure enough, when Izuku looked, he saw that people were staring at him. Why wouldn't they? He almost wanted to laugh with how nervous he was. "Are you sure you can handle this? If you can't, you can just back out. It's fine."

"Ha!" The laugh came out a little more aggressive than Izuku would like to admit. "No. Nope. I made a commitment!" He put both of his fists on his hips proudly.

"You're putting yourself in danger." Iida reprimanded him. As he spoke, Iida pulled his glasses off and started to wipe them on his shirt. "Izuku, I'm the only one here that knows the truth. You're quirkless. You're my friend, yes, but I can ignore this. Those robots look-" Iida dropped his glasses by accident and both of them bent down to pick them up off of the ground.

The glasses gravitated into Izuku's hand in less than a second.

Both boys stared at the glasses.

"...You were saying?" Izuku couldn't help but grin as he handed Iida his glasses back.

"Wh…When? When did it manifest?"

"Uh-"

'-You're putting yourself in danger!-' Izuku clutched at the side of his head at the sudden voice that reverberated through his head. It felt like it was piercing his skull; cracking it in two. But like before when it happened before the sludge villain attack… the pain was gone as soon as it happened. There was no intense ringing this time though, but that didn't mean it was welcome.

Izuku swallowed a lump and looked at Iida as confusion rose to his mind. "What-" Izuku never got to finish his sentence as there was a buzzer that rang so loud that it made the ground shake just a little. Then the doors to the gym opened up like a grand curtain ready to start a show.

"Hey! Good luck in there!" Izuku skipped a few steps before turning and grinning at Iida. "I'll see you in the hero course!"

"Izuku wait-"

Izuku took off full speed inside the gym. ' All Might never mentioned that he could levitate objects… I don't think he can. I would remember that. Meaning… this is my quirk? No, I've never had a quirk… It doesn't matter right now! Let's see what this new power can do!'

Izuku charged in head first with the rest of the crowd. Most if not everyone was already laying claims to robots as they took them down quickly and efficiently with their quirks. Izuku was impressed and wished that he had time to analyze some of these quirks for himself. He didn't have the time-

A robot skirted right in front of him, Izuku nearly slid to a stop as he stared at the massive thing. For a moment fear was instilled into his heart as he stared this robot down. 'I have an attraction quirk and it's part of All Might's quirk…' He raised both of his hands up. He remembered Iida's glasses, how they just flew into his hands. 'If I can attract things to myself, then it's only logical that I can attract things I reach out for or things I want.' He thought and he reached both of his hands out for the robot.

Izuku knew exactly what he wanted from this beast. He wanted it's engine.

There was a rattling from deep inside the beast as the robot's body started to freeze and stutter. Then it happened. An electrical explosion of oil and wires as the engine was violently ripped out of it's chest cavity-

'Dodge!'

Izuku dropped his hands and jumped to the side as the engine came barreling towards him. The engine dropped dead at his feet the moment he stopped focusing on it. 'Holy shit… I just did that.'

The robot fell down.

"Wake me up when something interesting happens." Aizawa grunted as he snuggled into his sleeping back. Hizashi had gifted it to him as a joke, but the joke was on Hizashi because Aizawa uses it every day. All the teachers stood inside the monitor room. It was that time of year again, the time to watch applicants fight against robots and determine who was the best.

"I must say!" Nedzu turned in his chair, a cup of piping hot tea in his little furry paw. "These applicants this year are something else. Some of their quirks are quite impressive!"

"I'll say!" Toshinori nodded in agreement as he stood off to the side watching the camera's with a weird glint in his eyes. A glint that Aizawa didn't like.

'He's planning something. Something with Izuku… but what?' Aizawa wondered in his thoughts as he watched the back of Toshinori's head.

Hizashi was the next one to speak as he shoved his face in front of Aizawa's. "C'mon, Shou! Don't you want to see the new potential applicants?"

"I'll see them in my classroom." Aizawa grumbled. "No point in possibly getting attached now."

"Don't be like that Shou! Look, I see the Iida boy! He's really kicking some robot butt." Aizawa could feel Nemuri's grin. "It's all a turn on!" she wiggled in her spot.

"Whoa! Look at that kid. He just like… ripped the robot's head off." Hizashi happily exclaimed.

"Explosion boy looks promising." Vlad spoke up.

Aizawa sighed and just wriggled deeper into his sleeping bag. They'll entertain themselves for the next few minutes.

"Now… that's funny." Toshinori suddenly said and for some reason that caught Aizawa's attention. He cracked an eye open and waited. "When… I thought…" Toshinori sounded confused and Hizashi came over to Toshinori.

"You're watching that one?" Hizashi inquired as he pointed at the screen.

"Yeah. His… er…quirk. He just ripped the motor out of the robot. I wasn't expecting it."

"Oh! Yeah! It looks like he has some sort of telekinesis quirk… he just did it again… he looks… uh…Shou?"

Aizawa opened his other eye. "What?" he lazily drawled out.

"...Am I crazy? Is that your son?" Hizashi inquired as he pointed at the screen. Toshinori made a noise. It sounded like he had just swallowed a golf ball.

"It better not be. I told my children that they weren't taking the exams." Aizawa started to remove himself from the sleeping bag. This, of course, caused the others to crowd around the screen in question.

Nemuri started to squirm in delight. "Yeah, the beanie is slipping off. I'm seeing green. It must be Izuku! Oh, the disobedience! Nothing gets me turned on more!"

"Move." Aizawa shoved himself past the other teachers so he was now in front of the monitor that they were all looking at. "Izuku knows better than to disobey me. Besides, I told him it was way too dangerous to do the entrance exam." Aizawa hissed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

'They're mistaken-' Aizawa thought as he scanned the screen. Finally, he saw it. The kid was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Yet, any robot that came his way, he was using his quirk- some sort of object attraction quirk- to violently rip the robot's motor/engine out of it's metal body. Yes, the body type could be Izuku, yes, the beanie was slipping showing green hair, but the hair didn't look curly, and yes, Izuku owned those exact same clothes, but it wasn't Izuku.

"It's not Izuku, he doesn't have a-" Right as Aizawa was talking, the beanie slipped off fully when the kid was sprinting. Curly hair. Green curly hair, and freckles. So many freckles. This was Izuku. His face was towards the camera so there was no denying it now. "...What the fuck…" Aizawa felt his hair start to rise. "He… shouldn't have been able to get in. You need permission to do the exam and I never gave him permission!" Aizawa snarled as his anger started to rise.

"Not only that, but we should have been able to detect his application based on his last name alone." Nedzu hummed as he swiftly turned towards his computer and started to type away. "Let me see real quick."

Aizawa's hair lowered as he leaned in to watch the screen. "I don't understand…" he grumbled. 'Where did that quirk come from?' Another robot crossed paths with Izuku, but someone with a navel laser managed to defeat it before Izuku could.

Aizawa's eyes flickered towards the points. Izuku had only six points to his name. It wasn't a lot, but still, Aizawa didn't like this. Not one bit. Izuku betrayed him, and not only that, he's been hiding the fact that he had a quirk-

'He was quirkless this morning. I know that. If he had an object attraction quirk, I would know. He's never used it around me.'

"Ah, that would explain it." Nedzu suddenly spoke up, making everyone look at him. "It seems Izuku went under his pseudo last name of Tora. Not Aizawa. Let's see who signed the permission form if you didn't-"

Nedzu never got to that part. The time was ticking by and it was time for the Zeropointers to emerge. It was all part of their plan. To test and see who would react best out of fear. To help those when they may or may not need it.

Obviously, mostly everyone in the gym with Izuku went the opposite way. The robots were worth zero points and they were massive. No one wanted to risk getting hurt. Aizawa could see it, Izuku was freaking out.

But there was a problem.

Someone was stuck.

"Help me!"

Izuku, who was ready to flee and never look back, turned his head to see the girl that had helped him earlier. She was calling out for anyone who would listen as she reached out towards the fleeting crowd. "I'm stuck!" She cried out in fear. Her lower body had been pinned between a piece of rubble from a building that the robot knocked into and the ground

'That robot is getting closer to her- she'll be pulverized!' Izuku came to the conclusion fairly quickly. The girl was doing her best to wiggle free, but even still-

It was like the sludge villain all over again. Only this time…Izuku had the advantage…

Izuku ran for the girl. "Hang on!-" He cried out as he reached out for her. He wanted to use his newfound quirk to yank her out and take off running, but he came to a realization. 'I'd have to get the debris off of her first and foremost. That'll take too much time! She'll never get out in time- No-' Izuku clenched his fist in determination.

'I'll just have to take it down myself!' A power surged violently through his whole body. He could feel it just under his skin ready to burst. He didn't care about the points, not when someone's life was on the line.

When you want to harness the power of One for All. All you have to do is clench your buttcheeks and yell:

"SMASH!"

Aizawa was a strong man. He prided himself in being stoic and unable to show his true emotions even in the most serious of times, but for the first time in his life, Aizawa Shouta felt faint.

His legs nearly gave out when he saw Izuku jump up and punch the Zeropointer. Oh, but that wasn't the worst. The punch was strong. Strong enough to smash in the Zeropointer's face and send it crumpling back like it was made of paper. It was also strong enough to break Izuku's arm- and the jump broke both of his legs!

"Stop!" Aizawa had actually screamed out. His hair raised and his eyes fully red in color. He had tried to subconsciously stop Izuku's quirk before it got this far.

Izuku went limp in the air before he started to fall. The attack had left him unconscious. For Aizawa he thought Izuku was falling in slow motion. He thought 'Oh my god, Hitoshi is going to be crushed.' as Izuku was plummeting towards his death-

The breath that Aizawa had been holding in left his mouth when two things happened. A boy with engines in his legs had leapt to Izuku using the fallen debris to his advantage. He wrapped Izuku in a hug in an attempt to shield him from the ground. That was when the girl that was originally stuck, managed to free herself and came to both of their aids.

She floated up to them and managed to quickly smack the other boy on the shoulder right before they were to hit the unforgiving ground. They floated there for several seconds before the girl released her quirk and all three of them gently hit the ground.

"H-Holy shit. Is Izuku okay?" Hizashi inquired but Aizawa was, strangely, having a hard time hearing Hizashi at that moment. "We gotta send Recovery Girl in there. Three broken limbs…" For Aizawa, Hizashi started to fade out as he stared directly at Toshinori.

'Smash…Izuku screamed smash before he struck the Zeropointer. That quirk was almost directly like All Might's. He was training with All Might…'

Aizawa had Toshinori in his sights and it seemed…Toshinori knew this. Toshinori was doing everything he could to avoid eye contact with Aizawa at that moment. In fact… Toshinori was inching for the door-

'Izuku trained with All Might. All Might saved Izuku… Izuku's moves were a lot like All Might's… Izuku needs permission to do the exam…' Aizawa's head slowly turned towards Nedzu's monitor. From where he was standing he could see it. The reason why Izuku's name was never caught.

It was under Tora, and Aizawa could say with certainty by looking at the photocopy of the information slip, that Izuku did not fill anything out. That wasn't Izuku's handwriting. At the bottom of the photocopy was who signed granting permission: Toshinori Yagi.

Aizawa snarled, turning towards Toshinori. "You…" Both of his fists were clenched to his side.

"I had no clue…" Toshinori whispered with wide eyes. "I swear to god-"

"-He was quirkless this morning…" Aizawa felt his upper lip raise a bit as he took a step towards Toshinori. His capture weapon started to rise around him and slither into his hands. Aizawa was itching for a fight.

Toshinori put his hands up in defense. "Let's talk about this in private… please. I know you're a reasonable man-"

"My son has three broken limbs… three… and you want to talk?" Aizawa took another step towards Toshinori.

"Shou… maybe you should calm down before you do anything." Hizashi came up and pulled on one of Aizawa's arms to bring him back just a step. Nemuri came over just the same and pulled on his other arm. Both of them kept Aizawa back from potentially attacking the number one hero in the world.

"Shouta, look. Izuku's fine." Nemuri pointed towards the screen in question. Aizawa looked over his shoulder and saw that Recovery Girl had made her way into the gym. With one big smooch to the forehead Izuku's bones started to heal and reset.

It was nice to see Izuku whole again. His bones went back into place, he was going to be sore for a day or two, but otherwise he was okay. "Somebody tell Recovery Girl to send him to the infirmary." Aizawa grunted as he nodded towards the screen. "You-" He turned and pointed at Toshinori. "Teachers lounge, now." He hissed between clenched teeth while pointing out of the room.

Toshinori nodded. "Okay, Okay." He kept his hands up and slowly backed out of the doorway, never once taking his eyes off of Aizawa. Despite his anger, Aizawa couldn't help but think: 'Smart man.'

"Keep Izuku with Recovery Girl. Nobody else talk to him until I had the chance to talk to him." Aizawa growled as he took his arms away from Hizashi and Nemuri. "I'll be back." He stalked out of the room.

As he walked up towards the teacher lounge Aizawa only felt rage course through his veins. The image of Izuku breaking his bones played in his head over and over again. The half second he feared that Izuku was dead as he limply fell through the air.

Aizawa approached the door to the teachers lounge and felt his hands start to tremble in rage. Finally, he threw the door open so hard that he was afraid he broke it. "What the fuck was that back there." Aizawa hissed as he approached Toshinori. Aizawa grabbed Toshinori's tie and forced the elder hero down to his level so they were eye-to-eye. "My son was quirkless when he left this morning. Do you think I'm dumb?! You've been training with Izuku for almost a year."

"You knew I was training him…"

"If you call what you did training! That was just glorified community service at best! You didn't teach him any fighting moves! Or self defense techniques! Or how to use the quirk you gave him! The most you did was almost give him tetanus; Although at this point I would have preferred the tetanus!"

"Aizawa, I had no clue he was your son. He kept your privacy and his real last name a complete and utter secret from me. If I would have known… I would have reconsidered-"

"What does it entail. The quirk. Tell me, I want to know everything." Aizawa hissed as he let go of Toshinori's tie. He allowed Toshinori to stand up straight. Toshinori rubbed his neck uncomfortably.

"I can't-" Toshinori didn't get to say another word.

Aizawa turned, both ends of his capture weapons wrapped around Toshinori's skinny neck. "That wasn't a suggestion!" Aizawa hissed between clenched teeth. "You are going to tell me everything about this quirk. I know you've already gone over your limit for today, Toshinori. I read the news. I will beat your ass from here to next Friday if you even try to refuse me again! That was my son broken on the floor! My son! No quirk is without its downside. What's yours?" Aizawa's hair rose up above his shoulders and his eyes turned red as he stared Toshinori down.

Toshinori's mouth twitched. "Aizawa. I am truly sorry-" His voice wheezed from the pressure that the capture scarf was putting him under. It wasn't painful, yet, but one wrong word and Toshinori was going to choke. Toshinori felt blood well up in his throat and had no choice but to cough it up. "But I can't- It has to be a secret!-" Aizawa tightened his capture weapon around Toshinori's neck.

"I don't care!" Aizawa seethed in anger. "You're going to tell me, Toshinori. I bashed a guy's head into the pavement for my children's safety, don't think I won't do the same to you!"

Toshinori's eyes went wide behind their sunken sockets. "I-" Toshinori sounded short of breath as his face started to turn red. His big hands went up towards the captured weapon out of desperation. "-Can't!"

"I love my children, Toshinori, they are my world, my everything! Adopting them was the happiest day of my life! And one of them nearly died because of you!-" Aizawa cut himself off and quickly put his hand to his mouth. He could feel it. Tears building behind his eyes threatening to overpour and leave. His eyes were burning, but that may have been because of his quirk. Aizawa lowered his hand. "-So you- you- better start talking! This is the last chance I'm giving you, Toshinori!"

Aizawa felt a tear leave his eye as he stared Toshinori down. There was a silence between the two men.

"It's-" Toshinori coughed out; leaving blood flecks on Aizawa's scarf. "It's called 'One for All.' It's a quirk that gets more powerful with each user, my master passed it on to me and I passed it on to Izuku…"

Aizawa relaxed his shoulders just a bit before he let his scarf go limp around Toshinori's neck. "Okay… why him?" Aizawa used his finger to quickly wipe the tears out of his eyes.

"I saw myself in him and I know he can do it. He can rise up and be the next symbol of peace-"

"-You didn't actually tell him that, did you?"

"-Of course I did."

"Fucking idiot! That's too much pressure at once. Getting a new quirk and being told that he is going to be the next symbol of peace. No. I know Izuku. He'll be upset that he's not immediately great at this quirk- speaking of this quirk- did you ever train him on how to use it?!"

"I didn't have time when I gave it to him this morning-"

The scarf was back around Toshinori's neck causing the elder to gag out in surprise. "Let me get this whole story straight… You, a celebrity that my son idolizes, decide to 'privately' train my underage son for a year, and force him to keep this all quiet, and when the 'training' is done you put Izuku in the entrance exam and put yourself as his guardian because you gave him a quirk this morning and didn't even bother training him on how to use it?!"

To say Aizawa was pissed was an understatement. He was so mad he had spittle flying from his mouth at the end.

"When you word it that way-"

"Take it back."

"What?"

"The quirk. Take it back! If you're 'too busy' to properly train my son, a dangerous quirk that you gifted him, then I don't want him to have it."

"Aizawa. It doesn't work that way! Once it's been passed on. It's been passed! I can't take it back." Toshinori wheezed.

"Are you fucking kidding me, Yagi!?" Aizawa had half a mind to just strangle Toshinori here and now. He was too stupid to live, a danger to society at this point. It was tempting, but he restrained himself. "...Fine. Fine." Aizawa reeled his capture scarf back around his neck. His hair still stayed high above his head and his eyes were really burning at this point. "You better clear your schedule, because you're about to be un-busy."

"Huh-"

Aizawa allowed his hair to lower and he blinked. "-Because you made the decision to give my son this quirk, you're solely responsible for training him until he learns it. Oh, and don't think I'll be giving you two privacy any time soon either. I'll be there just as well. You made your bed, Toshinori. Now you get to lay in it!"

"Aizawa-"

"No, now because of you everything has been messed up. I don't even know if he'll be admitted into UA at this point, you better hope he gets in."

"He saved a girl. He'll get in."

"Toshinori, he was supposed to meet with Nedzu tomorrow. We had a test set up for him and everything. This looks horrible! What you did very well could shift Nedzu's view on Izuku. I hope you know that you messed up, big time."

There was a knock on the teacher's lounge door and Hizashi cautiously opened the door just a crack so he could peek in. There was a moment as both Aizawa and Toshinori looked at him. "Izuku is awake. His arm is in a sling, but aside from that his other limbs seem to be fine." Hizashi told Aizawa. He was keeping his distance, which was probably for the best.

"I'll be there in a moment, Hizashi. Thank you."

"I expected the lounge to be destroyed… or to see you mutilating Toshi'."

"Blood is hard to wash out of clothes. Besides…" Aizawa turned away from Toshinori. "We're done here. You best stay out of my line of sight for the rest of the day, Toshinori. I might change my mind on hurting you. Now if you don't mind, I have a child to yell at…"

Chapter Text

Izuku stood by the open window of the infirmary. He peered down wondering if the drop would kill him or not. 'It might break my leg.' He thought as he adjusted the sling on his arm. Izuku could feel the dread fill into the pit of his stomach. The dread telling him that he was absolutely fucked and should be planning his own funeral now. His dad knew. Oh, Izuku didn't need anybody to tell him that, he could tell by the atmosphere that surrounded all of UA. There was murder in the air.

"This would be so much easier if I had a capture scarf-" The door of the infirmary slammed open. Izuku screamed and all he saw were red eyes and raised black hair. At that very moment he decided 'fuck it' and attempted to jump out of the window. Yeah, that plan went as well as… well, the entrance exam. His father's capture weapon got to him before he could climb up the window sill. Izuku gasped as the scarf wrapped tightly around his torso, forcing his good arm to the side and his bad arm to squish painfully against his chest.

"Wai-wait!-" Panic settled in as Izuku fell onto his back. Inch by inch he was pulled against the floor. "Da-dad! I'm-I'm sensing you might be upset!"

"-You deliberately disobeyed me!-"

"I'm-"

"You broke three limbs, Izuku, three!"

"-Please! Just let me expl-"

"What the fuck were you thinking?!" Aizawa hissed between his tightly clenched teeth. Izuku made an attempt to stop his father, but all he did was just pitfully kick his feet as he tried, and failed, to get back up from the ground. Inch by inch he was being pulled in and deliberately. His father wanted him to squirm.

"Pl-please don't kill me! I know it looks bad-"

His father stopped pulling him in. That terrified Izuku more than being pulled in. "It… looks bad…" Aizawa repeated in a slow tone.

"Uh-oh-" Was all Izuku could say before Aizawa yanked him and before Izuku knew it he slid directly to Aizawa's feet. Aizawa then pulled on his capture weapon. Izuku felt all the air in his lungs get squeezed out of him from that one tug alone. "Ack!"

"This doesn't just look bad, Izuku!"

"I'm sorry!" Izuku wheezed while his legs started to instinctively kick against the floor. "I'm sorry! I swear! I can-I can explain!"

"Okay-" Suddenly Izuku was off of the ground as his dad held him up with his capture weapon. The two of them were face-to-face now. Izuku could see just how pissed his father was. This wasn't like the sludge villain, this was a different kind of anger, one that Izuku couldn't properly place. It was an anger that his father had never expressed to him before and it terrified Izuku down to his core. "-Explain. Now."

"I will-"

"Good. Oh, and before you give me some half-baked lie, Toshinori already explained that he gave you the quirk. So. Let me ask. Why would you willingly take a quirk from someone and not even think about the consequences!?"

'How'd he know I got it from All Might?!' Izuku gasped out as he felt a sharp pain dig into his side from the capture scarf. He could barely breathe, only given just enough room to let in swift and shallow breaths. "I- I just wanted to be a hero!" He managed to rasp out weakly. "I just wanted… a chance-"

"I was giving you a chance! Nedzu was going to give you a chance!-"

"No! I mean a chance to be… normal. To fit in! You don't know what it's like to be quirkless!" His father opened his mouth, clearly ready to dispute this. For once in his life, Izuku cut his father off. "-No. I know exactly what you're going to say, dad. 'I fight quirkless.' or 'Hitoshi has to fight quirkless!' No. It's not the same! You have a quirk! Hichan has a quirk! I don't have a quirk… Well, I didn't. Now I have a quirk!"

Aizawa's mouth shut with an audible 'snap' of his teeth.

"You said it yourself, dad. Nedzu was apprehensive about me because of my quirklessness!"

Aizawa felt his lips turn down into a frown. Slowly, he placed Izuku back on the ground. He then reeled his scarf back into his hands. Izuku let out an immediate breath of relief once he was able to breathe normally again. He wouldn't say it, but he almost felt like he was going to pass out for a second there. Aizawa crossed his arms over his chest and scowled down at his son.

"Fine. I can see your reasoning there and maybe it's my fault for being so blunt with you…but that doesn't excuse what you did. You still accepted a quirk without knowing the consequences. This quirk is dangerous; anyone with a brain can see that and because of that I now have to help train you to learn how to use it! Your body is barely able to handle this power."

Izuku looked down at his shoes. "I know."

That was when two hands suddenly cradled the sides of his face before he was forced to look back up at his father. "I thought you died, Izuku."

There was a moment of silence before Izuku placed his head on Aizawa's chest. "I think using the telekinesis quirk combined with the punch and jumping over did it."

"Where did that telekinesis quirk come from?"

"Dunno. I didn't even know I had it until it caused Iida's glasses to fly into my hand."

Aizawa frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.

"... now, for my next question." Aizawa moved on from the subject and grabbed onto both of Izuku's shoulders. "Why the fuck would you squanter your chance with Nedzu and go to the entrance exam, against my personal wishes? I told both you and Hitoshi that the entrance exam was way too dangerous! Not only that, but you just got this weird quirk that Toshinori gave you and you decided that the exam would be the best way to 'test it out'?"

"No! That's not really… I didn't want to… I… I didn't want to upset All Might. He sprung it on me and-and I know I shouldn't have gone but I just wanted to show him that I can do it! I didn't think that you'd be watching…"

Aizawa took his hands off of Izuku's shoulders and sucked in a slow and deep breath. "Not all the blame is on you some is also on me. Most of it is on Toshinori-"

"-Why would you get any blame?"

"Because. I've known you've been training with Toshinori for months now. I knew he was planning something, but I didn't know what. I should have either put a stop to it or demanded to know what he was doing. If it were up to me, Izuku, you would be giving Toshinori that quirk back this second."

Izuku bit his lip. The idea of giving back the quirk so soon after getting it made him… unbelievably disappointed.

"However; Toshinori has gracefully informed me that once the quirk has been passed on there's no way for him to take it back. So, we're going to have to train you and get you into quirk counseling and we now have to pray you get into UA after this stunt."

"Wait-" Izuku put a hand up. "What do you mean 'we're going to have to train you.'?"

"If you think for a damn second that I'm allowing you to keep being alone with Toshinori after this, you're wrong. Neither you nor Toshinori can be trusted. So, I'm going to help train you. Besides, I'm probably your best bet here. That quirk is dangerous and until you get a good enough handle on it I don't want you using it unless we're training. Understood?"

Izuku swallowed hard but nodded all the same. "Okay… that's fair."

"Good. Also you're grounded."

"Ah!"

"Izuku do you want to try that again?" Aizawa now leaned in so they were almost eye-to-eye.

"...Sorry." He ducked his head down and looked down at the shoes.

"The fact that you even thought you weren't going to be grounded is astonishing to me." Aizawa narrowed his eyes as he put his hands on his hips. "Also, since I'm here, give me your phone." Aizawa brought his hand out and made a 'give me' gesture with his right hand. "You aren't going to need it for a while."

Izuku grumbled under his breath before fishing into his pockets. He eventually pulled out his cellphone and placed it into his father's palm. "Thank you." After a moment Aizawa put the phone into his own back pocket. "And when we get home you can say goodbye to your TV and laptop. Oh, and you won't be going anywhere without telling me. No more spontaneous gas station trips or secret training with All Might."

Izuku bit his lip to keep from protesting knowing that if he did it'd only get worse.

Aizawa interlocked his fingers before cracking them. "I'm leaving Hitoshi up to you. Consider that a punishment in itself as well. I'm sure this'll go over real well with him."

"What the fuck happened?"

Those were the first words out of Hitoshi's mouth when Izuku and Aizawa walked through the front door.

Hitoshi's eyes were wide as he looked at Izuku's bandaged arm that rested in a sling.

"Izuku's grounded until I say otherwise. That's what happened." Aizawa responded as he immediately walked past Hitoshi. He went straight for the coffee pot. All he had to do was press a button and his coffee pot started to brew.

Hitoshi walked over to Izuku. "What did you do?" He whispered to his brother in a soft voice. Izuku looked past his brother and into the kitchen where his father stood there waiting by his coffee pot. Aizawa just stared back at Izuku with a raised eyebrow but he said nothing.

"It's nothing. I just broke my arm…" Izuku looked away from his father and now away from Hitoshi as he just stared at the ceiling. "...annnnd maybe both of my legs as well-" Izuku might as well as told Hitoshi that he snapped his neck in two by the look of absolute horror that etched on Hitoshi's face. "But those were healed an-and my arm is healed too! Just not all the way! Recovery Girl couldn't heal it all-"

Hitoshi cut him off. "Recovery Girl… you went to UA?"

Aizawa chuckled and grabbed his finished coffee. He started to pour the hot liquid into a mug. "Here we go." Both boys looked at their father before back at each other.

"Uh… yeah. I did." With a slow breath in, Izuku held on to his arm in the sling as he looked at Hitoshi. Hitoshi's eyes were wide with a mixture of confusion and fear.

"Why would you go to UA? We're not supposed to go 'till tomorrow."

"Uh."

There was suddenly a loud slurping and once again both boys looked at their father. Aizawa was leaning against the counter obnoxiously slurping the top of his coffee. 'He's loving this.' was all Izuku could think as he watched Aizawa for a few more seconds.

Izuku tapped his foot for a moment. This was a band-aid. One that Izuku was trying to slowly peel off, but now it was time to just rip it off. "I have a quirk!"

Hitoshi's face crumbled. "N… No you don't." Hitoshi then forced out a laugh. "You almost got me there, but, c'mon, you're quirkless, Zuchan."

"Ah, uh. No. I have a quirk…now."

"Now? No. Izuku, that's not funny."

Aizawa's obnoxious slurping stopped dead. Izuku's mind stalled for a good second or two as he stared at Hitoshi. 'Did he just… call me Izuku?' Never in their years of being brothers has Hitoshi ever called Izuku by his full first name. It was almost surreal to hear it.

"Uh." Izuku ran his free hand through his hair. "Sorry… but I'm not joking."

"We've discussed this. It's impossible for you to have a quirk."

Izuku blinked. "...When did we discuss this, Hichan?"

Hitoshi paused for a moment and then cleared his throat. "I dunno…" He mumbled and ran his own fingers through his thick hair. "A month ago at the dinner table, right dad?" Hitoshi looked back at their father. "Three doctors and what not!"

Izuku nodded. 'Right.' "Well. Their diagnosis wasn't wrong. I am supposed to be quirkless. But I'm not." Hitoshi walked over and grabbed a mug for himself. He was shaking his head the whole time, clearly trying to deny it in his mind. Izuku felt like he was slowly pulling the band-aid off again. So Izuku decided to try to be as honest as he can…without revealing that it was All Might that gave him the quirk. Hitoshi grabbed the coffee pot and poured the rest of the coffee into his own cup- "Hitoshi someone gave me a quirk."

There was a SMASH! As Hitoshi dropped the pot of coffee on the floor. "Shit!" Aizawa was quick and grabbed the nearest towel. Aizawa quickly got to the floor and picked the shards up with a towel. He was thankful that Hitoshi just emptied the coffee pot. When Aizawa stood, the first thing he noticed was the silence and the fact that Hitoshi hadn't moved from his spot from the by coffee pot. He was just standing there… staring at the counter top. He looked… murderous.

Then Aizawa turned his head to Izuku.

Izuku's eyes were completely blank. Void of life and white in color. His glassy eyes just stared at nothing while his mouth hung slightly open. 'Brainwashing.'

"Hitoshi…let him go." Aizawa could only hiss as he threw the towel, glass shards and all, into the trash can. "We've discussed this. You can't just brainwash people when you're angry with them."

Hitoshi's fists shook at his sides, his brow furrowed, and he folded his lips. He then started to violently shake his head. "No- no. I won't do it." He whispered. "I won't go back. I can't go back."

"I don't want to go back! You can't make me!" A little five year old Hitoshi Shinsou screamed at Aizawa as he tried to desperately flee with Izuku. The memory is still fresh in Aizawa's mind.

"Hitoshi… you aren't going back…" Aizawa reached out to touch Hitoshi's shoulder, but surprising Hitoshi jerked away.

"No! He'll find us. If Izuku sought him out he'll find us for sure! I can't go back!" It was like Hitoshi regressed. Like he was five again. All of those fears clearly rushed back to him. Hitoshi started to smack the sides of his head with his closed fists. "They're going to take us!"

"Whoa-" Aizawa, now acting quick before Hitoshi could hurt himself, grabbed onto both of Hitoshi's wrists and held them still. "Nobody is taking you or Izuku anywhere. Do you hear me? If they even attempt they're going to have to go through me. That is not an easy feat. and you can relax. It wasn't who you think it was. I can assure you that."

'Still…this is the first time I'm hearing of a 'he'.' Aizawa kept his thoughts a secret for now. He'd question Hitoshi about it when he wasn't so distressed.

Hitoshi bit his lip and vigorously started to shake his head. He shook his head so hard that his hair flew with the movement. "No! It was! He's the only one-"

"It was All Might." Aizawa said in a soft voice. "Izuku, I'm sorry. I know you wanted to keep it a secret… but we can't." He turned to Izuku, who was still under Brainwashing, and apologized. That was when he activated erasure on Izuku. Izuku blinked before shaking his head for a moment.

"All Might?" Hitoshi breathed out his eyes wet with unshed tears. "All Might… I don't understand. His quirk is… super strength or super punch."

"Nobody knows what his quirk is…until now."

"It's called One for All." Izuku joined in. "I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd freak out this badly! I know it's a shock to hear, but it is All Might's quirk. I never went to… I don't know who…"

"All For one…" Hitoshi whispered in shock as his eyes grew wide with fear.

"No, One for All." Aizawa corrected him. "Apparently, from what I was told about after the fact, it gets stronger with each user and Izuku here is the ninth one. Trust me. I'm not happy about this either, Hitoshi, but Izuku can't give the quirk back to Toshinori, so we're stuck with this."

Hitoshi licked his dry lips before shaking his head. "You…" He looked at Izuku. He just shook his head. "You may have just doomed us all." Was the last thing Hitoshi said before he walked away and out of the kitchen. His coffee was now long forgotten on the countertop.

"Wow…" Aizawa whispered. "I had no clue… clearly we need to up therapy for him… three times a month is excessive however. I should talk to him, alone as well." As Aizawa rambled to himself he turned and grabbed the broom to sweep up any glass shards left behind from the coffee pot.

While Aizawa swept the floor. He noticed that Izuku was just standing there and for a moment he wondered if Hitoshi had brainwashed him again. No, it didn't seem like it. He was staring hard at the countertop. His jaw set and his lips pursed. "All For One." Izuku whispered.

Aizawa rolled his eyes. "One for All-"

"No…" Izuku shut his eyes and squeezed them shut while rubbing at his temples. "It just sounds… I think I need to lay down…" Izuku whispered as he turned away from his dad briskly. Several pained gasps left his mouth as he squeezed the bridge of his nose. "I'm suddenly not feeling that hot."

Before Aizawa could stop him, Izuku walked away from the kitchen. This just left Aizawa alone trying to figure out what the fuck was going on with his two sons.

Aizawa gave Hitoshi space before confronting him. Two hours felt long enough. So, cautiously, Aizawa knocked on the door. There wasn't a response from the otherside. So, Aizawa turned the doorknob; it was unlocked. Opening the door, Aizawa knocked again.

Hitoshi was lying on his stomach. Earbuds in his ears, a pillow was under his chest while he stared at his phone. Music, metal by the sounds of it, was playing loudly through his earphones. His eyes darted from his phone to Aizawa. Hitoshi shut his eyes before sighing out loudly and yanking out one earbud. "I don't want to talk about it." was the first thing out of Hitoshi's mouth.

"Sorry, but not talking about it isn't an option." Aizawa came in and shut the door behind him. He sat on the edge of Hitoshi's bed. Hitoshi grumbled and shifted so he was now lying lazily on his side.

"Dad, I appreciate your concern-"

"Good, then you'll listen to me." Aizawa leaned back so his back was to the wall. "What's the problem? Why do you think we're doomed?"

"..." Hitoshi's mouth turned down into a frown. "Call it intuition."

"I'll call it what it really is. Paranoia."

Hitoshi swallowed there was an audible click in his throat as his Adam's Apple bobbed with the movement. "I thought… I thought I was over it. Really, I can handle the nightmares that plague my mind every night. But… I'm scared again."

"Because Izuku did something dumb?"

"...It's more than that…"

"Hitoshi, I agree, Izuku did something insanely dumb, more than dumb, moronic actually. But nobody is going to be banging down the front door over this. They'd be fools to try anyways…"

His words did nothing to ease Hitoshi's mood. Hitoshi kept the frown on his face as he picked at the end of his pillow. "Be honest with me. Do we need to up your therapy appointments?"

Hitoshi scrunched his nose at that. "I see that therapist more than he sees his family. I don't think so."

Aizawa absentmindedly reached over and placed a hand on Hitoshi's head. "Okay…" He breathed out softly. "Hitoshi, I want to help you. You went through something horrific eight years ago. You watched your family being slaughtered in front of you and the lab-" Hitoshi winced at the mention of the lab. "-But I still want to help ease your mind."

"... You can't. Forgetting the lab for a minute, I still… I still see the man with Axe Hands in my mind sometimes… I… he said he was going to come after me if I tried to run. I ran… and I… I still expect him to come through that door."

"..." Aizawa ran his fingers through Hitoshi's fluffy hair. Hitoshi leaned into Aizawa's touch absentmindedly. Aizawa shut his eyes as he thought to himself for a moment. "I know it's not much but, if it'll ease your mind even just a little bit, what if I placed cameras around the house? Both inside and out?"

Hitoshi perked his head up a little bit at that. "Cameras?"

"Yeah, it's something I've been thinking about for a while now anyways. I'm thinking of motion sensored ones that'll stream to my phone. This way, when I'm away on missions or off with UA, I'll be able to know you two are safe."

Hitoshi licked his dry lips as he thought about it. "That… doesn't sound too bad actually."

"Yeah, I thought the same thing. Also, this way I can watch your dumbass brother and make sure he doesn't try and sneak away without me knowing."

A snort left Hitoshi's nose at this. "Wow. He's grounded grounded. Isn't he?"

"Oh, you have no fucking idea. We can only hope he gets into UA."

"... I hope he does… I hope I do too."

"As long as you stick to your training I'm sure you'll do fine."

Hitoshi hummed at this as he laid back down on his stomach. "I'm nervous." His voice was muffled through his pillow.

"Not illogical." Aizawa sat there for a moment or two before standing up. "I guess I should start looking for cameras online. Are you good by yourself?"

"Yeah, I should be fine…"

"And it shouldn't be said, but if you ever feel unsafe just tell me."

Hitoshi looked up at his dad with soft eyes. "I know…" He whispered back to Aizawa before placing his earbud into his ear and resuming his metal music. Aizawa turned and walked out of Hitoshi's bedroom. Once the door clicked shut, Aizawa leaned his back against Hitoshi's door before rubbing vigorously at his eyes.

"God, what a day." Aizawa sighed out and looked up at the ceiling.

He didn't look up for long when he felt something rub against his leg. Looking down, Aizawa smiled at Tora. "Hey, kitty." Leaning down he picked his cat up. Aizawa frowned. Tora felt lighter than usual. "Have you lost weight? We can't have that."

Chapter Text

Aizawa sighed as he leaned heavily against the back of his couch. He should be asleep. Looking at time on the wall clock it showed that it was currently half-past four in the morning. He needed to rest. Especially when he had Hitoshi's entrance exam in the morning tomorrow. Hitoshi was going to want him there, but Aizawa couldn't sleep.

Not with everything weighing heavily on his mind: Izuku's new quirk, Hitoshi's freak out and paranoia, and UA, whether or not his boys would get in. It was a lot to think about all at once. He shifted in his seat and looked up at the spackled ceiling. Dark brown dust popped out at him and he knew he should dust it…. maybe he could make Izuku dust it as punishment.

With a soft mewling noise, Miso and Chobi both jumped on the couch. "Hey guys." Aizawa lazily smiled as he extended his hand out to them. An open invitation for them to sit on his lap. They happily did so. "I miss the days when it was just us four. If you guys messed up or broke something it wasn't as bad." Aizawa couldn't help but chuckle.

Miso purred and rubbed her cheek against Aizawa's scruffy chin. "You're looking at little gray there, arent'cha?" Aizawa scratched under Miso's chin. Miso, though a calico with lots of different colored patches, had a black patch around her whole nose and muzzle. Once inky black now peppered with gray.

Chobi wasn't any better with gray dotting around his own muzzle and eyes. His eyes drooped slightly as did his whiskers. "We're all getting old."

There was another soft mew before Sora jumped up to join her siblings. Sora had no interest in sucking up to Aizawa as she started to groom her privates then and there. Her grays were more prominent as her top coat was mostly black. "How I wish you guys could live forever with me and the boys." Aizawa couldn't help but coo as he picked Miso up so they were face to face. He couldn't help himself as he made soft kissing noises to Miso as the cat dangled above him limply.

The soft moment was abruptly ruined by an audible 'click' of a cell phone camera.

Aizawa brought Miso down to his lap and looked at Hitoshi. Hitoshi grinned before he snapped another photo. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"Probably the same reason you aren't- by the way- say hi to my new lock screen." Hitoshi smiled as he flashed his phone screen to his dad. No surprise it was the picture he just snapped a few moments prior. Hitoshi then walked over to the couch and scooped Sora up into his arms. He then sat down on the empty seat.

"You have to get some sleep, Hitoshi. The exam is in… three hours."

"I've slept plenty." Hitoshi shrugged as he started to scratch under Sora's chin. Sora purred at this. "And if you try to send me to my room, I'll just lay in bed and watch Tiktok until seven."

Aizawa gave a snort at this. "Smartass." He couldn't help but give a small smile. "How is it that you aren't even biologically mine and you act so much like me?"

"Nature versus nurture."

Aizawa grinned a little as he ruffled Hitoshi's hair. He looked back over at the clock on the wall before standing. "I would make coffee, but the pot is broken-"

"-Sorry."

"-Regardless, I'm going to make some hot chocolate. Want some?"

"Nothing better than four AM hot chocolate."

'He's not wrong.' Aizawa thought as he shuffled his way into the kitchen. The moment he stepped foot into the kitchen his cats were at his feet. Whining and mewling. All except one. "Hitoshi?" Aizawa called and reached into the cabinet to grab the box of hot chocolate.

"Yeah?" Hitoshi called from the living room.

"Where's Tora?"

"In Zuchan's room, I think."

"Hm." Aizawa hummed and put the kettle on the stove. "Izuku has always been that cat's favorite. Even though I adopted the cat." He was talking more to himself than to Hitoshi at this point. Seeing how he was up. He decided to treat his cats while waiting for the kettle to finish. He grabbed the can of tuna and his cats went wild. He no longer had cats, but wailing screaming babies all wanting a piece of what he had.

"Alright, alright-" hooking his finger into the tab on the top he opened the can of tuna with ease and went to place it on the ground. He hardly got it there before Sora, Miso, and Chobi lunged for the treat.

"Animals, I swear. I hope you're happy." He was stopped by his cell phone going off in his pocket. "Who on earth-" Aizawa grabbed his phone and resisted the urge to roll his eyes as the name Higashi Suzuki flashed on his screen. With a click of a button he answered the call. "It's a little late to be calling me, don't you think?"

"Ah, but I knew you'd be up. It would be… how you say? : Illogical to call you during the daytime as that's when you sleep and are the busiest."

Aizawa wouldn't be lying if he said he wasn't impressed with Higashi's impression of his voice. It was almost spot on. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're mocking me."

"Me mocking? Never!" Higashi feigned ignorance and Aizawa could just imagine him putting one of his four hands on his chest.

"Surely you didn't call me at four in the morning just to lie to my ears, and I know the next home visit isn't for another six weeks." Aizawa reached into the cabinet and pulled out two mugs. He cradled the phone between his ear and his shoulder as he started to open the hot chocolate packets.

"And you'd be right… I have… sad news."

"Oh?"

"It's Ishii Shinsou."

Aizawa stopped. "Hitoshi's Biological grandmother?"

"The very same." Higashi sighed heavily on the other line. "She hasn't got long, Aizawa. I'm saying a week max… she wants to see him. It's literally her dying wish."

'Great.' Was the only thought in Aizawa's head. "Does she want to see her grandson, or does she want to see her son? There's a difference."

This time Higashi sighed heavily on the other side. The kettle started to whistle and Aizawa took it off of the heat to silence it. He kept the kettle in his hand. "Dai. She wants to see Dai. As far as I know she doesn't even know, or remembers, that Hitoshi exists."

"Then no. I'm sorry, but you know how he feels about going to see her. He hates being mixed up with his father."

"This is a ninety-year-old woman's dying wish, Aizawa."

A bit of anger flared through Aizawa's veins. "Higashi, not to be too rude here, but I have to keep my own mother at bay when it comes to my children. What makes you think I care about a ninety-year-old with no relation to me?"

"Are you talking about Ishii?"

"Jesus!" Aizawa couldn't help but jump at Hitoshi's voice that came from directly behind him. "Don't do that!" Aizawa held the kettle up to show Hitoshi, who was only a foot or so away from him. "I'm holding a kettle. I could have hurt you." He put the kettle down on a cold stovetop

Hitoshi wasn't fazed by this as he pursed his lips to the side. He then reasked his question: "Are you talking about Ishii?"

Aizawa sucked in a breath. "Hold on, Higashi-" He put his hand over the receiver and focused on Hitoshi. "Yes, yes we were. She's got less than a week and she wants to see…" The words died on Aizawa's tongue. He couldn't say it.

"Dai…" Hitoshi started to gnaw at his bottom lip. "I dunno."

"You don't have to."

"But… she's dying. Dad. Before it was different, but now… she's…" Hitoshi looked at his feet as his face started to flush. "She's the last…"

'The last Shinsou.' Aizawa sadly thought.

"..."

"You don't have to make a decision right now."

"I know, but I have to make one soon because she's… she only has a week left if that… how about today? After my entrance exam. I can see her then… if that's okay with you that is, but I want Zuchan with me… if that's okay with you. Seeing how he's grounded and all…"

Aizawa hoped he wasn't making a face. He didn't care that Hitoshi wanted to bring Izuku with him, that was to be expected, but he didn't know how he felt about Hitoshi wanting to see her after the exam. Aizawa, personally, felt it might be too much pressure during an already stressful time. Hitoshi already wasn't sleeping when he needed to.

"Not today. You have too much going on as is. I'd rather it be tomorrow."

Hitoshi wrung the bottom of his shirt in his hands. He seemed to think about it before nodding. "Tomorrow then…"

Aizawa put his phone back to his ear. "You there?"

"I thought you forgot about me there for a minute."

"You got a date. Tomorrow."

Aizawa could hear Higashi visibly brighten at this news. "Is that so? That's great? How's… around five pm? After school?"

"That should be fine."

"Thank you, Eraserhead."

"How many times have I told you to call me Aizawa?"

Aizawa could feel Higashi's smile bloom across his face. "One too many, I'm sure. Have a good rest of your morning." and with that, Higashi hung up the phone. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and didn't need to look. He knew Hitoshi was wiping tears away from his eyes. So, he just grabbed the kettle and filled the mugs with hot water. After giving each mug a good stir with a spoon, he grabbed the first mug and turned to Hitoshi.

Hitoshi took it. "Thank you." He whispered.

"C'mon, kid. Let's go watch cat videos in the living room until you inevitably pass out."

"I'm not going to pass out."

He passed out with his head in Aizawa's lap after thirty minutes.

"You got this, Hichan!" Izuku cheered his brother on as they approached the gates of UA. It was pretty dead compared to yesterday, as expected. Usually, nobody would be in on a sunday, but seeing how this was Hitoshi's own exam (and supposed to be Izuku's as well) there was an exception.

Hitoshi asked if he would be allowed to have a capture weapon, but no dice. The entrance exam is about your quirk and how good you can be to UA as a hero.

Hitoshi shook his hands vigorously before wiping the sweat on his pants. "I'm ready!"

"Good. You'll do fine." Aizawa patted Hitoshi's hair. "I can't go in with you past the doors, sadly."

Hitoshi nodded frantically, almost like he was trying to reassure himself above anyone else at that moment. "I'll do fine…" He wheezed. "I really wish you were with me, Zuchan."

"Even if he was, your tests would have been separate." Aizawa swiftly told Hitoshi. That was when the doors to UA opened.

"Ah! Right on time, I expected nothing less from you, Aizawa!" Nedzu beamed as he walked through the front doors. Hitoshi was starting to vibrate with equal parts excitement and fear coursing through his veins. "Come right this way, Hitoshi, so we can get you started as soon as possible."

"Y-yes, sir." Hitoshi scrambled swiftly towards Nedzu. He gave one last look towards his dad and Izuku.

Izuku was grinning and he flashed Hitoshi a thumbs up with his good arm. Aizawa simply waved.

The doors shut obediently behind them. This left Hitoshi with only Nedzu. Hitoshi felt himself being angry at Izuku for going to the official entrance exam. Really, Hitoshi was just mad that he didn't have his brother's hand to hold now. He needed that comforting feeling now more than ever, but this was fine. He was fine.

"So, your exam is a little different from our usual entrance exams, given your quirk isn't physical based. So, we're going to be testing your physical strength in a different way, as well as testing your quirk."

Hitoshi nodded eagerly as he constantly had to adjust his walking speed to match Nedzu's. It wasn't as easy as it looked with how long Hitoshi's legs were and Nedzu seemed to know this as the principal suddenly looked at Hitoshi and gave a little grin causing his whiskers to twitch. "You're so tall." he complimented Hitoshi.

"Er… thanks." Hitoshi awkwardly grinned back at Nedzu.

Eventually, after that little exchange they walked out to the back of the school where the gyms sat. Once the gyms were in eyesight Nedzu continued to speak to Hitoshi. "Now, your goal today is to get from the start to the finish. The finish line is at the very end of Gym beta, it has a banner with my face on it."

Hitoshi nodded along. 'Sounds easy, but I have a feeling it won't be that simple.'

"Okay. Anything else I need to know?" He asked once they approached the doors to the fake city. 'The fact that this is a gym to them, insane!'

"Hmmm just to be careful, good luck!"

Hitoshi couldn't help but gasp when Nedzu pushed him through the giant doors. "Oka-" Hitoshi didn't even get to finish when the doors practically slammed shut behind him. This only left a vast emptiness in return. Hitoshi blinked and looked at the giant door before focusing back at the city before him. 'If I remember what dad said about these gyms they're all mini functional cities.' Hitoshi stood there; he shut his eyes and he could hear the hum of electricity running through the city.

"Be careful and good luck." Hitoshi repeated with a sigh. "Make it from point A to point B… alright. Let's do this." He could see his goal right there just before him at the very end of the gym. So, he started to walk. Not only did he wish for his brother, but he also wished for his father's capture weapon. It would have provided some comfort. He felt like someone, or something, was going to pop out at him any minute now.

'Maybe I should run it?' He thought as he stared at the goal ahead of him. He narrowed his eyes and picked up speed from a walk to a leisurely jog. 'Too easy. Way too easy. Something isn't right-'

Hitoshi's mind just couldn't catch up with what happened to him next. There was a blinding white light, Hitoshi's body was flung back a few feet, and he lost his hearing all at once. Crying out, he grabbed on to his ears as they rang. He heard nothing except intense ringing for several long agonizing seconds. It was only when the ringing started to die down did it fully hit Hitoshi what had happened. He stepped on a bomb. A bomb!

The bombs were weak, they had to be, they were more akin to flashbangs with just a little more blast force.

"Oh my god, I'm in a minefield." He could see it once the dust had started to settle. Little piles of raised dirt littered all down his path. He couldn't help but smirk as he started to rise up, being sure to look all around him so he didn't step on another mine by accident. His legs shook as he stood up fully. No amount of coffee could ever wake him up as much as that just did.

'So, they booby trapped the main road. I guess, the next best thing to do is to go off the road. Try from the alleyways, or I can try and brave the road. I'm flexible, but am I flexible enough to avoid every bomb? And, something is telling me I should try to avoid as many bombs as I can, I bet they're keeping score on that.' Hitoshi stood there and thought about what to do next.

Should he take the easy way and go off the road? Or try and brave it?

'Alleyways are more cramped, if there are bombs there I'd be more likely to find them.'

That thought alone made up Hitoshi's mind. Keeping mindful of where he stepped, he skirted off of the main road and ran for the nearest alleyway.

"Each alley should be connected, it's like a maze, yes, but if I play my cards right, it should lead me right to the exit!" He declared to no one. Jumping over a lump buried in the dirt, Hitoshi had to duck before a fire escape ladder nearly clonked him right in the head.

He stopped for a moment, just a moment, and looked up at the ladder with interest. "Unless…" A cheshire like grin suddenly appeared on his face. He grabbed onto the ladder with eagerness and started to climb up it. Thank goodness, Hitoshi was never afraid of heights. Up the ladder he went until he was on the rooftop of the building. It was maybe three stories high. He looked around before climbing up the very edge of the roof.

There was another building just within jumping distance, so he prepared himself mentally, and jumped. For just a brief moment he was weightless before he made contact with the other building. Hitoshi made sure to land on his side and roll to a stop. "That worked…" He grinned before popping back up to his feet. He had a new plan, one he liked a lot better.

Hitoshi turned his heel and ran to the edge of this building. There were three buildings surrounding this one, and they were all too high for him to land on the roof. The one closest to him had a fire escape that he could possibly jump too. Though he wouldn't land on the fire escape, he'd probably have to grab the bars and hoist himself up. It was risky if he missed.

'I'm not here to play it safe. No hero is. I'm going to be a hero with Zuchan if it's the last thing I do.' He felt excitement coursing through his veins and he started to jog in place to try and calm down some of those nerves building up. "I got this."

So, he stepped back a bit, then took a small running start, and charged. He jumped once he was at the very edge of the building. The fire escape was actually closer than he expected it to be. His ribs took a harsh hit the moment they made contact with the metal. "Oof!" He cried out. That was going to hurt in the morning.

Hitoshi managed to hook his feet into the slots of the bars and hoist himself up and over the railing. The moment his feet were on, somewhat, solid ground he sighed out to himself and rubbed his ribs. "Okay… now let's scale this thing."

He put his pain to the side and got himself on top of the railing. Instead of climbing the stairs up the fire escape, he decided to climb the side of the fire escape. It felt faster than climbing stairs. He had a pretty good strategy going. He would hook his fingers up the railing, using his upper body strength to hoist himself up, to where he stood on top of the railing once he got that far up. With his height to his advantage he could just grab the bottom of the next railing up and repeat the process. He did this until he got to the end of the railing. From there it was a quick jump and he was on top of the roof.

Once he was on the roof he immediately landed on his back and looked up at the sky. He needed a minute. His arms were absolutely aching and he had sweat starting to bead at the crown of his head. That took a lot out of him. 'But you're not done yet.' the voice in his head told him.

"Yeah, yeah, shuddup." Hitoshi, begrudgingly, forced himself off of his back and up to his feet. He cautiously walked up to the edge of the building he was standing on. 'It's pretty tall, so hopefully there'll be small buildings around-'

There was only one building close enough to him for him to jump, but… the jump was far. It wasn't undoable, but he'd have to get a running start and make sure he footed it right otherwise he'd have a broken leg. The drop was pretty long as well.

'Maybe I should just try and brave the ground? It might be faster.'

BOOM!

Hitoshi whipped his head around so fast he was afraid he'd give himself whiplash. He had to move his long hair from his face to get a good look at what was in front of him. Apparently, this was Nedzu's way of telling him to hurry up as a massive robot was coming his way. "Oh." It set off every bomb in it's path and it wasn't even fazed.

Hitoshi turned back around and looked at how much farther he was from the exit. Three buildings away at least. Then he could gun it from the ground and try to avoid as many bombs as he could.

"Oh, fuck me!" Hitoshi grabbed his hair tie from his wrist and swiftly tied his hair up so it was out of his face. Still, he couldn't help but smirk a little. 'I knew it wasn't going to be this easy.' Skirting back a few steps, Hitoshi bent down in the starting position for track runners. The world almost seemed to slow down for him and for a brief moment the only thing he could hear was his own breath as he exhaled a slow and shaky breath.

Then he ran.

Hitoshi ran like he never had before. This run was brief, but it did the job. He got to the edge of the building and jumped. He was weightless for a lot longer than he expected. He felt like he was flying, if only for a few short seconds. The edge of the other building came a lot sooner than expected. Hitoshi realized, almost too late, that he wasn't going to land correctly. He had to protect his head, and on instinct he curled up on his side so that took the brunt of the impact.

It knocked the wind directly out of him and he was sure he blacked out for a microsecond. A low groan left his mouth like a ghostly wail. "F-fuck that one hurt." He curled his arm around his ribs before shaking his head to clear it. 'Robot! Move now, think later!' his brain reminded him that there was a giant robot out for his blood and if he didn't move he was probably going to be crushed.

Hitoshi scrambled to his feet once he realized he could feel this behemoth coming his way.

Thank goodness the next couple of roofs were short ones and easy to reach. He ignored any and all pain as he jumped from one roof to the next. The robot was closing in, closer and closer still. Little bright explosions at it's wheels, but it didn't care one bit about that.

"Almost there!" He felt joy as he slid down the last roof and onto the fire escape. He did the same thing he had done before, only in reverse. Instead of climbing up the railings, he was doing his best to scale down without hurting himself even farther. Adrenaline keeping his pain at bay for the time being.

The moment his feet touched the ground, Hitoshi did a quick look around to make sure he was away from any bombs and started to gun it for the exit-

"Help me!"

"Oh, come on!" Hitoshi threw his arms up and spun around on his heel. It sounded like the voice, a little girl's voice. It came from the opposite way of the exit down the alley. 'What the hell is a little girl doing here?!' he could only ask himself before puffing out in irritation. 'Fuck it- no- do the right thing, Hitoshi- why?- urg- right thing! Right thing! What would Zuchan do?- do I even need to ask?!' with an eye roll. Hitoshi ran towards the voice.

"Over here!" He called out to the child. "Follow my voice, quickly! There's a robot-" He looked back over his shoulder. The robot was getting closer and closer by the second. Not only was it setting off bombs, but it was hitting and destorying buildings in it's path. Hitoshi's anxiety was picking up to a dangerous level.

"I'm scared!" The girl wailed.

"Oh for-" Hitoshi ran his hands down his face before running deeper into the alley. "Keep talking to me! Why are you here!?" He called as he ran.

"I…I managed to sneak in! I was just so curious!"

Hitoshi turned down a connecting Alley. "There you are!" He called as he skidded to a halt.

'Little girl, blonde, no older than nine.' He took her description briefly before running to her. "C'mon! Before we're crushed-" He grabbed her.

"No! I don't want to go that way!" She immediately whined and tried to pull her arm out of Hitoshi's hand. "It's towards the robot!"

"Stop it! We need to go this way, that's where the exit is!"

"I'm scared! I don't want to!" She continued to whine and cry. Hitoshi gritted his teeth. The robot was almost uncomfortably close. Pieces of buildings were flying in every which direction. If they didn't leave soon they'd be crushed by either the robot or the debris. 'Less than a minute!'

"Okay, okay, think, think…" Only one option, that wasn't leaving the child behind, came to his mind. "Can I use my quirk on you?!"

"What?!"

"My quirk! I can make it so you won't be scared!" Okay, a lie. He was going to make it so she was still. But she didn't need to know that.

"I…" a high pitched whine left her mouth. "Okay!"

That's all he needed. The child immediately stilled. Hitoshi picked her up bridal style and ran. He ran like his life absolutely depended on it. Which, it kinda did.

When he finally freed himself from the alleyway, he didn't even stop to see how close the robot was to him now. He knew it was right there. So close that he could smell the oil and obnoxious fumes that radiated off it's stinky metal body. He kept the little girl close to his chest as he made it back on the main road.

The exit was maybe fifty yards away from him. He was working on adrenaline and his own wits. He jumped past almost every bomb coming his way. A flying piece of building came down in front of him and set off a bomb only inches away from his face.

Hitoshi shut his eyes from the brightness, but didn't dare stop running. 'Too slow. Child, heavy…' He feared he wasn't going to make it. He was right there. The exit was right there!

'I won't give up! Not now! Not ever! I'll be a hero! I'll protect everyone when the time comes!'

Hitoshi's legs seemed to speed up on their own. He actually felt like he was running on air. His mind only saw the goal before him, and once he was close enough, he leaped through the exit gates. He used his own body to shield the girl from the blow on the ground. Together the two of them rolled to a stop.

"Holy shit…" He breathed out and let go of the little girl. They were safe and that's all that mattered right now. He put his hands to his face and sucked in several loud and deep breaths. The robot had stopped just at the gates. Any longer and he wouldn't have made it. 'How was that safer than the entrance exam?!'

Then he heard it. Clapping.

"Good job, Hitoshi! Impressive and effective!"

He looked up at Nedzu. "Thank you!" He gave the principal a thumbs up from his spot on the ground. Realizing he left the little girl under his quirk, he released her before he slowly sat up.

"Are you okay?" He asked her.

The girl's lower lip wobbled before she put her hands on her hips. "You lied!"

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to get us both out of there safely. I hope you understand."

She only let out a loud 'hmph!' before turning away from him.

Nedzu let out a squeaking sound (a laugh?) before he fully approached Hitoshi and offered his paw. "Now what?" Hitoshi inquired as he started to stand. At that moment all of his pain came rushing back to him and he instinctively curled his arm around his ribs.

"Now we're going to send you to Recovery Girl. Seems like you hurt yourself a bit. It must run in the family!" Hitoshi didn't laugh. "Then the rest is up to me." Nedzu's whiskers twitched a bit at this. "Come on, I'll lead you to Recovery Girl."

Hitoshi smiled a bit as he awkwardly followed Nedzu, but he stopped for the moment. "The little girl?" He looked around for her, but she seemed to have vanished in thin air.

"No need to worry about her."

"But-"

"We can't keep Recovery Girl waiting, Hitoshi."

While Hitoshi took his exam, and after Izuku got his arm healed, the two of them waited outside of UA in the car. Aizawa had shifted in his own seat, wishing for his sleeping bag right about now. He was laying down with the driver seat all the way back. Izuku looked at his dad before looking out of the windshield. He was bored and starting to feel restless, as well as nervous for Hichan. He needed something to take his mind off of his nerves.

Looking away from his dad, he focused on the bits of change in the cup holder. He thought about looking at the years, he saw some really old coins from the early 2000's the other day and liked the designs. So, he shifted in his seat and reached out to grab some change.

All the change immediately shot up into his open palm. 'I don't think I can get used to this.'

"What did I say about using your quirk?" His father grunted in annoyance. "You do it again, I'll make you run laps around the yard."

"I didn't mean to. I have no control over this." Izuku softly said in his own defense. "However-" Grabbing the lever to the passenger seat, Izuku lowered himself all the way down so he and his dad were eye to eye.

"No."

"Just a bit of training, you and me-"

"No."

"It won't be much. I just want to test the object attraction quirk. Not All Might's."

"No."

Izuku pouted. "Nothing major like the robot motors. Just change?" He opened his palm to show all the change he had. "Just to pass the time. You don't even need to sit up. Just watch so I don't mess up somehow."

Aizawa sighed out heavily. "Fine." He wouldn't admit it, but he was also rather curious about his son's object attraction quirk.

Izuku lazily let all the change drop back into the cup holder. 'Okay. I don't want all of the change.' He decided as he let his hand hover over the change. 'I want… the yen." He eyed the golden coin up and down as he held his hand standy. There was a small rattle as the yen moved some coins to the side as it shot up into Izuku's palm.

"Hm. Not bad, What else can you do?" Aizawa rested his head on his open palm while he propped his elbow up.

Izuku prepared himself for a moment and he opened his palm. The coin fell into the cup holder with a soft tink! Izuku closed his palm before he opened it again. The golden yen coin started to slowly float to him. He shut his hand half way and for a brief moment it paused in mid-air. He held it like that. It stayed there for roughly two seconds before it completely fell back into the cup holder.

"Hm. So you can slow it down or speed it up."

"Yes, and I can stop it if I wanted."

"How do you know to do that?"

"Do what?"

Aizawa lazily opened and closed his palm, mimicking Izuku's moves. "That."

"Uh… I don't know. It just sort of came to me. Like it was something I was supposed to do." Izuku explained. Aizawa seemed to ponder this before shrugging it off.

"Okay…" He rolled his eyes and forced himself to sit up. He pulled the seat up just as well. "C'mon. I'm curious." He then opened the door and got out.

"Oh!" Izuku happily pulled his own seat up and got out of the car eagerly.

Izuku and his dad met in the middle. "Stay there." His father ordered and Izuku stopped. They were maybe ten feet away from each other. "Take something off my person. Anything."

Izuku analyzed what his father had on. His usual black outfit, capture scarf, and goggles hidden under the scarf. At first, Izuku wanted to take his father's capture scarf. It was the biggest and easiest thing for him to try and grab. 'Dad'll be expecting that.'

Izuku swung his right arm out and focused on his father's yellow goggles in his mind. It happened so quickly. His father, expecting the scarf, grabbed on to it tightly in an attempt to keep it. His goggles went flying off from around his neck and smacked Izuku's open palm. Izuku beamed at his father's confused face.

"...Good job, now give them back."

Izuku tossed the goggles back to his father. "That quirk'll come in handy. I'm sure. Just be careful using it."

"...So I can use it?!"

"Yes, it doesn't seem like it's hurting you. Don't abuse it and get lazy!"

"I won't!"

"Hello!"

Both Izuku and Aizawa looked over to see Hitoshi returning with Nedzu. "Hichan!" Izuku waved to his brother. "How'd you do!?"

Hitoshi picked up his walk to a jog. "Good!"

The two brothers met and they shared a brief hug. "Okay you two," Aizawa came in between and lightly pushed the two apart. "It's only been thirty minutes."

"Dad! It was awesome! I broke two ribs!"

"What?!"

Izuku grinned. "Did Recovery Girl heal you?"

"Yep! Her quirk is so cool!" Hitoshi rubbed the back of his head as he smiled.

"Izuku, Hitoshi, I wish I can tell you that you'd both been accepted, but unfortunately it doesn't work like that. I must review your test results just like everybody else. You'll both know your results in a week and it'll come in the mail!" Nedzu smiled at the two boys.

"Thank you, Principal Nedzu." Izuku bowed respectfully. "And I do apologize about yesterday."

"Yes, thank you for giving me this opportunity." Hitoshi bowed next to Izuku.

"Of course. Aizawa, I'll be seeing you tomorrow morning?"

"You know it." Aizawa came up behind his two boys and grabbed each of their shoulders with each hand.

Nedzu's whiskers twitched as he turned towards UA. He raised one of his furry paws and gave the trio one last wave. "Enjoy the rest of your weekend, boys!"

Chapter Text

Retirement homes, god how Aizawa hated retirement homes. He hoped and prayed when he got too old his boys wouldn't just dump him into one of these hell holes. Retirement homes already reeked of disinfectant, but the disinfectant was a ruse to hide the underlying smell of old feces and urine.

"Whenever you're ready, Hitoshi." Aizawa told his son as they stood in front of Ishii's bedroom door. "We're both going to be right here if you need us."

Originally, Higashi was going to meet up with them today, but circumstances surrounding his job forced him to cancel. Which was fine, they didn't need him. They were going to stay so Hitoshi could say goodbye to Ishii for one final time.

Hitoshi wiped his sweaty palms on his school pants, they didn't have time to change after school, before he pulled his hair back into a ponytail and used the hair tie on his wrist to tie it back. "Okay, I'm ready." He said when the hair tie snapped into place. He reached over for the door to Ishii's room and walked inside.

"Is it time for my snack already?" came the soft and wary voice of Ishii Shinsou.

Hitoshi paused just a few feet from her. His body no longer responded as he stared at his biological grandmother.

She was bedridden, something he figured out but just didn't expect to see. She was hooked up to so many tubes and machines that it was hard to keep track of it all. Ishii hardly had the strength to lift her head so she can only lamely turn it to look at Hitoshi. Her eyes were milky white in color, but had some vision in them as the moment she saw him her eyes just lit up.

"Dai…"

Hitoshi cringed almost immediately. His mouth felt sealed shut as he just stared at the woman laying before him. His fingers twitched at his sides and he just looked at her unable to bring himself to say anything.

"Where have you been? I've been so worried about you." Ishii brought her hand out with the palm facing up. She wanted his hand to hold. Hitoshi felt his body freeze as he raised his hand up, but didn't extend it out to his grandmother. "You're late for dinner." Ishii commented with a small smile on her face. For just a brief moment Hitoshi saw this scene from outside his body, but the experience didn't last for long.

He sucked in a slow and deep breath before he finally forced his hand over to Ishii. His hand trembled as he lightly placed it in her palm. Her skin was soft, wrinkled, and cold to the touch. She smiled at him as Hitoshi took his seat across from her.

"You need to get a haircut. It's so frizzy and long. Too long." Ishii commented as she looked at him. With her long spindly fingers she reached over towards Hitoshi and lightly ran two fingers through a lock of his hair that was hanging out of his ponytail holder.

"I like it long…" Hitoshi's voice sounded forign in his ears as he whispered this to Ishii. His voice shook slightly and he sucked in a deep breath.

Ishii snorted at him. She "Such a rebel, Dai."

Hitoshi couldn't help it, the air just became so heavy that he had to break the silence, he laughed out a shaky and scared little laugh. "Was I?" He choked out. 'I hate this. I hate this so much.'

"Oh yes, you always disobeyed me. Always stayed out after dark, despite me telling you to be back home at a certain time… yes, you're such a little trouble maker, but that's okay. I love you all the same. My little Dai… Huh?"

Suddenly, Ishii became aware of Aizawa and Izuku standing behind Hitoshi. When she did, Hitoshi saw recognition light behind her muted eyes. "I remember you…" She said suddenly while pointing past Hitoshi. A small little smile gracing her lips. She moved her hand up and down a couple of times as she grinned a little wider.

Hitoshi followed her finger and realized she was pointing at-

"Me?" Izuku pointed at himself while he looked from Aizawa to Hitoshi in surprise. "Oh no, you're mistaken-" Izuku quickly waved his hands in front of his person as he gave an awkward smile at Ishii.

"No… You never made my bed right, nor my coffee. It was always way too sweet when you made it."

"Ishii-" Hitoshi quickly spoke to bring his grandmother back to the present. "Grandma- mom- let's change the subject-" He didn't know who to be right now. Hitoshi Aizawa? Hitoshi Shinsou? Or Dai Shinsou? It's all too complicated.

"-I mean she's nice enough, but it's not hard to make a coffee-"

"-Please, let's talk about something else." Hitoshi quickly interrupted her. "That's nobody, in fact they were leaving." Hitoshi looked over his shoulder at Izuku and his father. There was a moment of confusion before the two of them both just backed out of the room at his request. Hitoshi let out a relaxed breath once the door shut behind them. Why they even came in behind him was beyond him.

Hitoshi focused back around at Ishii and quietly placed his other hand on top of Ishii's. Maybe he could just rip the bandaid off and leave before he's forced to stay even longer. "I can't stay for long. I just wanted to come back to tell you goodbye."

"Oh, Sukotto, we have all the time in the world… all the time in the world…" Ishii whispered as she looked up at the ceiling now. Her eyes far away in another time.

'Sukotto… Sukotto Shinsou? My grandfather?' Hitoshi only ever heard that name once before, but was never given the privilege of meeting him as Sukotto passed away shortly after Hitoshi was born. He didn't even remember what Sukotto looked like. Even if he tried to concentrate on the man's image in his mind. It just came up blank.

Ishii smiled as she focused back around to Hitoshi now. "You're just as handsome as the day I met you." She reached over and touched Hitoshi's cheek.

Hitoshi reached up and touched the back of her hand. "I'm going to have to go." He whispered in a soft voice. "It was nice seeing you again." Hitoshi slowly started to stand up, but Ishii frowned at him and it made Hitoshi stop. Especially when Ishii grasped his hand and held it with enough grip to make him pause.

"Wait, Dai… don't leave me again; I don't think my heart can take it."

Hitoshi didn't know what happened or what came over him but he felt tears suddenly perk into the corners of his eyes. He felt both sad and angry all at once. A part of him, a deep and angry part of Hitoshi hidden away in the very corner of his soul wanted to yell at her. He wanted to say: "You had him for over thirty-five years, I hardly remember him! Dai was murdered in front of me and it wasn't fair" Hitoshi was angry, yes, but there was another little voice in his head that was talking now.

'She's in the same boat as you, don't you dare forget that. You lost your father, yes, but she not only lost her son but doesn't even remember losing him. Can you imagine being told day after day that your son is dead? Only to forget it.' It was Hitoshi's conscience talking and everyday it sounded more and more like Aizawa.

So, Hitoshi sat back down with a soft sigh. "I won't be gone for long." He finally managed to choke out before wiping his tears away again. "In fact, I'm sure we'll be meeting together again fairly soon. Sooner than you might think, actually."

"Well… that makes me happy, Dai. You've always been such a good son to your momma. Though you rarely visit me these days." She patted the back of his hand lovingly.

"...I need to go." Hitoshi finally pushed himself fully out of the chair. If he stayed any longer he knew he was going to have a panic attack or a crying fit. "Just know… that I love you and goodbye, for now." Hitoshi turned his back to her and he bit his wobbling lip to keep it still.

"Oh…" Ishii let out a sad noise. "Well, If you're leaving, can you bring that woman back? She knows how to make my coffee the way I like!"

Aizawa and Izuku stayed outside of the door. Aizawa shoved his hands into his pants pockets and Izuku tilted his head to the side. "That was weird." Izuku finally said after a few seconds.

"Yes, but she's elderly and possibly dealing with Alzheimers." Aizawa sighed with a soft shrug. "Confusion is, unfortunately, common." He then looked at his son out of the corner of his eye.

Aizawa would be lying if he said it didn't bug him. She looked directly at Izuku and said: "I remember you." It left a bad taste in Aizawa's mouth. As far as he was told (and as far as he knows) Izuku and Ishii never spoke to each other aside from today. Not only that but Ishii called Izuku a 'she'. Meaning she didn't see Izuku; Ishii saw a woman. A woman that must have looked an awful lot like Izuku.

"Hey, I saw a vending machine at the help desk. I'm going to get a canned coffee. Do you want a soda?" Aizawa inquired as he looked at Izuku.

Izuku let out a soft hum. "Uh… sure? A pepsi. If they have one."

"Okay." Aizawa shoved both hands into his pockets. "Hitoshi likes cherry cola, right?"

"Yep!"

"I'll be back." He grumbled as he started walking away. Of course he wasn't just going to get a couple of drinks. He had his own motives and he wanted to know if he was right. 'You're being stupid, Shouta…' The little voice in his head whispered. 'I know it's probably just a woman with green hair that made Ishii think of Izuku, but still… what if this woman could be the missing piece?...'

Izuku was an enigma as well as his biological family. Nobody ever claimed him up as their own (their loss), but running his DNA through the system turned up nothing, but he wasn't from out of the country meaning his family was somewhere in Japan. Yet, nobody came for him. Not a single soul. So, what family doesn't want their kid or nephew back?

Aizawa approached the front desk. There was a frizzy yellow haired bookkeeper with the face of a green lizard and scales to match, sitting at the desk. She seemed to be chewing gum. Loudly. With her mouth open. Aizawa was already feeling his irritation rise. He quietly put his hand on the desk and leaned down a bit. "I just have a question."

"If it's abuse concerns I can give you a phone number-"

"-No." Aizawa put his hand up, stopping her right there. "I just need to ask. Is there a woman with green hair that works here?"

The lady looked at Aizawa and slowed down her gum chewing, but didn't stop it, she then sized him up and down with her eyes. "No." she stretched her voice as she continued to look him up and down. Aizawa huffed in irritation and reached into his pocket. He then pulled out his license.

"I'm a prohero. I don't want a lot. I just want an honest answer to my question. She should have olive green hair and maybe green eyes and freckles to match."

"Looking for the baby mama to that boy of yours?" The bookkeeper leaned back into her chair with a biggest grin on her face as she continued to obnoxiously chew her gum.

Aizawa could only let out a mirthless breathy laugh in response. "Something to that effect, I guess."

"Well, I hate to tell you, sugah, but as far as I know, nobody here, nurse or otherwise, has green hair, eyes, or freckles. But, if you're looking for another baby mama-"

"-And we're done. Thanks." Aizawa swiftly turned and walked away from the frizzy haired bookkeeper. He stalked over to the vending machine and bought the soda he said he would. Once done he walked back to Izuku.

As Aizawa was walking up to Izuku, he saw Hitoshi exit out of his grandmother's room. Hitoshi was quietly wiping the tears away from his eyes, and once he was out in the hallway he gave himself a good shake.

Izuku saw the tears fairly quickly and hugged Hitoshi tightly. Hitoshi put on a brave face and sniffled softly before wiping the rest of his tears away with his palm. "I'm fine. It's fine." Hitoshi sniffled again. "Just a lot of emotions at once."

"Did you get to say goodbye?" Aizawa inquired as he threw the cherry cola to Hitoshi. Hitoshi nodded as he nervously tapped on the tab of the soda.

"Yeah, as best as I could anyway. She didn't just see me as Dai. She saw me as Sukotto Shinsou, my grandfather." Hitoshi whispered. "That somehow feels better than being mistaken for my dad." He ran his fingers through his ponytail before sighing out. He then opened the can of soda and took a sip. "Ca-can we just go now? Please. I don't know how much longer I can take being here."

Tuesday rolled around fairly quickly, as it was the next day, and it was time for them to get their grade for the big assignment. Their group waited anxiously with baited breath as the teacher made her rounds returning each assignment to each group of students. When finally, she dropped theirs off and…

A big red A shone brightly on their combined assignment and Hitoshi couldn't help it, he was grinning.

"High five!" Kaminari offered as he raised his right hand up. Izuku took up the mantle on that and slapped Kaminari's palm with his own.

"Ah!" Izuku shrieked out in pain as he was, inevitably, shocked by Kaminari. "Fuck, that hurt!" Izuku shook his hand violently. Hitoshi let out a surprise laugh at this.

"I'm so sorry!" Kaminari put his hands over his mouth in shock.

"It's fine!" Izuku shot back up in a second. "It was just a… shock. Heh!" Izuku grinned at the pun to which Kaminari gave Izuku a thumbs-up in response.

Hitoshi smiled softly as he leaned back in his chair. "We did good."

"That's what you say."

Hitoshi's eyes must have rolled all the way to the back of his head as Akisho's voice grated against his ears. "What do you want?!" Hitoshi rolled his head back so he was now looking at Akisho upside down. "Ugh, I don't know how, but you'd somehow look uglier upside down." Hitoshi hissed as he sneered at Akisho.

Akisho returned the sneer in full as he crossed his arms. "I'd say the same to you, but you've always been ugly. A face only a mother could love- oh wait."

"Fuck you."

"I'd never give you the pleasure."

"What do you want, Akisho?" Izuku asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes.

"You three have been pissing me off lately. I know the three of you tried to get into UA, and I know UA is low on standards but you three are just too below the bar. I'll be laughing when you get that rejection letter." Akisho sniggered. "You'll all be the laughing stock of this whole school, then again, you three have always been that."

"And when you get your rejection letter we'll make sure you never forget it." Kaminari could only grin as he crossed one leg over the other all while shrugging at Akisho.

"I would never apply to that school." Akisho snarled as he got into Kaminari's face.

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure I saw you at the entrance exam. What? Did Shiketsu high turn you down?"

"Keep it up, Sparky! I can make you do whatever I want if you test me too hard."

"Try it. And you'll be standing in the middle of the main hallway naked." Hitoshi swiftly threatened as he stood from his chair now. He immediately wedged himself between Kaminari and Akisho. Akisho's nostril rose in a sneer as he took a step forward so he and Hitoshi were practically nose-to-nose.

Izuku came up to Kaminari's right and put himself slightly in front of the blonde as well. His arms crossed. "I appreciate it, guys, but I'm sure I can take Akisho myself." Kaminari gave an awkward laugh as he said this.

There was a heavy silence between the two as Akisho and Hitoshi only glared at one another. "Go back to your boyfriends, Tora." Akisho hissed as he turned his back to Hitoshi. "We all know what you and Izuku do in your spare time. It's disgusting."

"Go fuck yourself." Hitoshi waved Akisho off. "You know, you're so obsessed with my brother and me it's almost scary. It's like… you have a crush on us or something."

"Ugh. I'd rather lay with my own dog than have a quirkless touch me." Akisho turned back to face Hitoshi before focusing back on Izuku. Akisho sneered one last time at Izuku before he then walked away flipping them the bird as he did so.

It was Izuku that spoke next. His eyebrow raised as he watched Akisho leave. Izuku didn't look so threatening now as he relaxed and put his hand to his chin in thought. "Interesting."

"What? That he's still a dicknoodle?" Hitoshi asked as he went to sit back down. "Because, I'm not surprised."

"No it's not that… it's… nothing… maybe I'm just thinking too much into things." Izuku then gave a shrug in response as he grabbed his bag and placed it in his lap. "It's just strange is all."

Saturday afternoon, 1:47pm to be more specific was when Izuku and Hitoshi both got UA's response letters. They're dad was away at UA to finish up his roster for next year's class. He'd be back before too long. To say both boys were excited was an understatement. They both looked at their envelopes that sat on the dinning table while holding onto each other's arms.

"I'm scared, I botched my exam- I- I don't know if I can do this…" Izuku breathed out nervously while he clung to Hitoshi for dear life.

"I know how you feel… should we… open them both at the same time?"

Izuku shook his head. "It's a projection, I know the type. They'll just speak over each other and we won't hear it."

Both brothers looked at each other then back at the envelopes afraid they might combust into ash any minute now. "Should we wait for dad?" Hitoshi breathed out while he clung at Izuku's arms, digging his nails into his brother's soft flesh.

"...No. It's a bandaid… we need to rip it off. To know if we got in or not. I'll… just take mine to my room and you'll take yours. This way, it'll be a surprise, right?"

"I guess."

Though no brother made an attempt to remove himself from the other as they just stared long and hard at the packages on the table. Finally, with shaky hands, Izuku let go of Hitoshi's arms and reached for his letter. He paused just before grabbing it. His hand hesitated over the envelope before he simply snatched it up.

"Alright…" Izuku mumbled before he turned for his room. "I can do this…"

He shut his door and seconds later he heard Hitoshi's own footsteps before his door shut as well.

Izuku sat down at his desk and eagerly ripped the package open. The little projector instantly popped out and Izuku nearly dropped it in shock. Once it was secured in his hands, he gently placed it down on his desk, sat up straight, and pressed play.

A little projection flickered for a second before All Might appeared right in front of Izuku. He was beaming from ear-to-ear with that familiar smile. "Hello, young Tora. Or should I say young-er Aizawa! That was quite a…shock to learn, my boy." All Might awkwardly rubbed the front of his neck before shaking his head.

"Regardless of all that! I'm sorry for not getting in contact with you sooner, however, from what was…graciously told to me by Young- old Aizawa- no that doesn't feel right….You'll be surprised to learn that starting this upcoming new school year I will be teaching at UA! " Someone from the otherside of the camera got All Might's attention. "Huh? I'm not grandstanding- Okay- okay. I'm moving along."

All Might focused right back around to the camera. "Regardless of all of that! Getting the move on as they say. You will be happy to know that you passed the written exam with flying colors!"

Izuku knew that he had passed the written exam, his issue laid with the physical exam. The one he botched horribly. Izuku's leg started to shake up and down as he tapped his fingers anxiously against the edge of his desk.

"However, we both know on the practical test you only managed to score six points. Which isn't exactly what UA was looking for…"

Izuku sighed and let his head hang. He failed, pure and simple, he had one chance and he blew it to smithereens. Tears perked into the corners of his eyes and he squeezed his eyes shut tight. Hopefully there'll be room for him in the General Studies at this point.

"That being said. Though it is clear that you failed the practical exam, you'll be pleased to learn that there were other points you earned."

Izuku looked back up at the projection. 'Other points?' he could only think as he stared at All Might; with wide wet eyes."You see Young Izuku, we, the judges, were looking for more than just smashing robots to bits and bolts. We were also looking for heroic people to earn rescue points."

Young Izuku, you rescued that young girl even though it would have been easier for you to turn and run with the rest of the students. You risked life and limb for her and for that, you get rescue points that bring your score up, but it doesn't end there. Remember the girl? Well, guess what? What goes around comes around in my book. Have a look."

The scene on the projector changed and it showed the girl that Izuku had saved that day. She seemed to be approaching Present Mic. 'who's recording this… and why?' Izuku thought for just a brief moment before he shook his head and focused on the scene in front of him.

"Well, hello, little listener! What can I do for you today?" Present Mic had asked as he smiled at the brown haired girl.

The girl blushed a little as she rubbed the back of her head. "That boy that they wheeled away on a stretcher, I wanted to know if he was alright?"

"Oh! Yeah, he woke up not that long ago, actually. He'll be just fine!"

The girl sighed at that. "That's a relief. I was really worried about him. I also wanted to ask a question. Is it possible for me to transfer some of my points over to him? You see, Mr. Mic. He would have gotten more points if he hadn't had stopped to help me and I feel guilty!"

Present Mic grinned at the girl before patting her head. "You don't need to worry about that, little missy."

That was when All Might came back on screen. "It's really touching and for her willing to sacrifice her points and for the fact that she helped rescue you as well. She also gets rescue points and it doesn't just end with her either! That Iida boy, the one who managed to grab you out of the sky before you hit the ground. He also gets rescue points!" The image flickered over to a video of Izuku falling only to be swiftly caught by Iida.

'If I ever get my phone back. I need to thank him a thousand times over. He really saved my hide back there.' Izuku really didn't think about it at the time, but watching his own limbs flap aimlessly in the wind as he plummeted, unconscious, to, what would have been, his death. He owed a lot to Iida.

All Might turned his head. "Yes, I'm getting to it." All Might seemed to huff in annoyance before turning back to the camera once more. "Young Izuku, you didn't pass the practical exam, but what you did do was pass the entrance exam with a grand total of sixty rescue points. So combined with the points you had accumulated, you made sixty-six points. More than enough to pass! Welcome, Izuku Aizawa, to UA high school!"

Izuku felt a feeling of euphoria flood his entire nervous system as happy tears now sprung into his eyes. 'I-'

His door slammed open and he turned to Hitoshi.

"Did… did you-?" Hitoshi was out of breath and he was smiling. By god, he was smiling ear-to-ear.

"I passed!"

Hitoshi let out a happy cry as he let out his own tears of happiness. "So did I!"

"You did it!" Izuku shot up from his seat like it was on fire as he rushed towards Hitoshi. Both boys felt, and looked like, school girls as they embraced and happily jumped up and down.

"We did it!" Hitoshi laughed with him and Izuku kept the long embrace going. "We're going to be heroes!"

"We're going to be heroes!"

"We're going to UA High school!"

"Fuck yeah we are!"

Of course Aizawa knew ahead of his boys that they had gotten into UA. However; the way he found out was less than ideal.

There he was, sitting at his desk in the teachers lounge, looking over his roster for the new school year. He took down names and identified their quirks. At the same time Vlad was a little less than happy about his own roster, so much so that he let Aizawa know about it numerous times.

"I swear Nedzu gives you the ones with the best quirks, Aizawa. My students, their quirks… they're okay. But look at yours. You got a boy who can make explosions! Or even Todoroki! That boy can make both fire and ice! And what do I get?... A boy that can make…" Vlad sighed heavily before continuing. "Sticky balls pop off of his head…"

Aizawa snorted. "Sucks to be you, I guess." Was all Aizawa could say about it as he went back to his roster. He then stopped dead in his tracks. "That… can't be right…" Aizawa frowned as he reread the names in front of him.

Hitoshi Aizawa.

Quirk: Brainwashing.

Izuku Aizawa.

Quirk: Superpower/Object attraction.

"Hm? Got a student with a lame quirk finally?"

"... This has to be a mistake…" Aizawa was up and out of his seat in a second. "I mean, It's not a mistake that they're in the hero course; I'm glad they got accepted but- They shouldn't be with me." Aizawa felt more like Izuku as he muttered and walked away from Vlad and the teacher's dorm all together. The roster was still in his hands as he immediately made his way to Nedzu's office. Despite it being Saturday, Aizawa knew Nedzuwas in his office.

As he walked his confusion turned to anger. 'This is no accident. That rodent just lives for drama.' Aizawa scowled as he picked up the pace. 'He has to know this can't fly. They're my sons! I can't be their teacher. They have to go to Vlad!'

Buuut then there was that other part of his brain. Vlad can't train them! I've been training them for years now. I know how they work. I'm their father-Ah. See, that. That right there is why I can't train them.'

He almost felt torn about this.

Aizawa knocked on Nedzu's door. There was a moment of pause before- "Come on in!" Aizawa opened the door. As he was walking up Nedzu spoke. He was grinning, but it was a feral grin, one Aizawa knew all too well. "Ah, Shouta. How are you liking your roster for next year?"

"You put them in there on purpose!" Aizawa snarled as he slammed the roster down on the desk. "Hitoshi and Izuku cannot be in my class."

"I disagree!" There wasn't even a moment of hesitation on Nedzu's part. He then turned in his chair and hopped down. "Aizawa, you know your boys better than anybody. Who better to teach them?"

"It opens the door for rumors of nepotism if word got out-"

"Then keep their last name as Tora, I don't mind." Nedzu reached up for his tea cup. Which he took a sip on. "Keep it hidden if you must."

"I can't-"

"Besides, somebody has to watch Izuku with that new quirk of his. We all saw it, his bones break like twigs. He needs you, Shouta. You can erase his quirk at a moment's notice. Vlad can't do that."

"Fine. Fine! I can see Izuku. Hitoshi is different. He doesn't need me to teach him."

Nedzu smiled that little feral smile once again. Aizawa could see it, the joy behind those beady little black eyes. "I can't separate twins! It's unbecoming." Was all Nedzu had to say about that before he turned and sat right back down in his seat. He took one long over exaggerated sip of his tea before placing it back down on its saucer. "Is there anything else, Aizawa?"

"... No…" Aizawa let out a long and heavy sigh. "No, I guess not." he seethed out as he snatched his roster back up.

"This year is going to be fun." Nedzu giggled with joy before he cackled. He cackled so hard that his tea cup shivered so violently in his little paws that the liquid was threatening to spill over the sides.

'Fucking sadistic little rodent…' Aizawa rubbed his temples as he stalked out of Nedzu's office. "This year and the two following it is going to be a nightmare."

Chapter Text

Toshinori and Izuku finally got a moment to talk to one another. They decided to meet on the beach they cleaned together. It had been the day after Izuku and Hitoshi received their acceptance letters.

All Might was standing there in his skinny form, waiting for Izuku. "All Might!" Izuku yelled in excitement as he jogged up to his hero and mentor.

There was a spray of blood from All Might's mouth as he coughed out an uneasy: "-Who's that?!"

"All Might is here!?" A voice yelled in excitement off in the distance and Izuku saw people standing on the pier just a little ways away from them.

"Say it was a mistake!" All Might coughed again in a hurried semi-whisper to Izuku.

"Oh-ah! My bad! He's not All Might!" Izuku scrambled to cover his mistake.

"Boo! You suck!" The man responded with a scoff. The two of them then stalked away. Both Toshinori and Izuku sighed out in relief. Once the coast was clear, The two looked at each other.

"I'm surprised it's just you. Aizawa told me clearly that we weren't allowed to be alone together anymore." Toshinori explained while looking around.

"He's on the roof." Izuku simply pointed off towards the road where a couple of expensive houses on stilts sat. There, on the top of the pointed roof of one of these houses Aizawa stood-er-squatted on. He was zoned in on them. Watching with interest, no doubt listening all the same. "He didn't think he was needed since we aren't training. Just talking."

Toshinori gave a small wave to Aizawa; it was not returned. "Right, Training is going to be… interesting." Toshinori ticked his tongue at this before he turned back to Izuku. "Regardless, you must be excited."

"Yes! I can't believe I actually got into UA! It's all so insane!" Izuku couldn't help it, he started to happily stim his fingers by tapping them all together in a fast and rhythmic way. Toshinori only smiled at him.

"Yes, you worked hard!"

"That being said… I do have to tell you something. I'm sorry, dad and I wanted to keep it a secret from Hichan, but… he freaked out real bad. We had to tell him you gave me the quirk." Izuku's little stim died down as he hung his head. "Forgive me."

Toshinori sighed. "I had a feeling." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "He won't tell anybody, right?"

"You have his word! Dad explained to him why it's imperative we keep this quiet."

"That's good… why'd he freak out?"

"I dunno…I told him I had a quirk and he just… lost it. It really didn't help when I told him that someone gave me the quirk." Izuku gave a soft sigh as he remembered the night in question. "He brainwashed me! He never uses his quirk on me…"

"That is alarming… it almost sounds like he may have had a run in with-" Toshinori looked at Izuku's confused face and trailed off. "Never mind, it's not important. It's probably not who I'm thinking of anyways."

Izuku nodded before smiling again. "Regardless, you have my word, Hichan won't tell a soul. He's not happy, but he knows it was my choice to do this."

Toshinori gave a nod at this. "Well, maybe it's for the best your immediate family knows. Less questioning that way, but please, don't tell anybody else."

"You have my word. Nobody else will know."

"Good." Toshinori reached over and put a hand on Izuku's shoulder as he smiled at the young boy. "We need to talk about training now. It's odd to me that you haven't grasped One for All right away. I never had this problem when One for All was transferred to me."

"Yes, well, Izuku isn't you." It was like he teleported as Aizawa was now directly behind Toshinori.

"A warning, Aizawa!" Aizawa had startled Toshinori so badly that it accidentally caused the older man to puff up into All Might by accident. There was a gush of blood that exited All Might's mouth before he immediately reverted back down into Small Might. "Warn a guy when you do that!"

Aizawa ignored Toshinori's yell and simply lightly hit the top of Toshinori's head with the down side of his fist. It clearly didn't hurt as it was less than a tap of pressure. "Izuku isn't you. You can't compare him to yourself. You may have immediately understood how this power works but he doesn't. We need to fix that as soon as possible so he's not always breaking his bones. Izuku, show him."

"I had a theory that I could maybe displace my power. So, with dad's permission, I threw a ball to see how far I could throw it using One for All. I used the power with my fingers instead of my arm. The ball went pretty far and my theory was right… but uh…" Izuku made an ashamed face as he pulled up his right sleeve to show Toshinori his two main fingers bandaged and were placed in a splint.

Toshinori was gentle as he grabbed the injured hand to inspect it. Izuku's index and middle fingers were purple in color as well as tied together with the splint. Leading down from his two fingers was a brace attaching around his wrist to limit movement to his two fingers. "Does it hurt?"

Aizawa didn't even hesitate as he smacked the back of Toshinori's head. Toshinori flinched at the sudden attack. "Does that hurt, jackass?"

"Point taken, thank you Aizawa." Toshinori's voice was curt as he rubbed at the back of his head.

"I can handle it." Izuku smiled at Toshinori. "I have a really high pain tolerance! Once when I was eight I dislocated my shoulder and didn't even scream… Hichan did though…"

"That he does have. I've never seen a child with such a high pain tolerance." Aizawa clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth a few times as he shook his head.

"I see." Toshinori gave Izuku his hand back. "So you can put power behind your limbs."

"Yeah, but I still break my bones."

"Yes, we should get together for training. So we can stop this from happening. The sooner the better in my book!" Toshinori smiled and placed his hands on his hips. "When's a good time for you, Aizawa?"

"I'm thinking once his fingers heal. I'm taking him to see Recovery Girl tomorrow, hopefully this will be the last time we bug that poor old woman." Aizawa reached across and pulled on Izuku's ear. Not enough to hurt but enough to gain his attention. "Look, I don't want you constantly going to Recovery Girl with broken bones when you're in UA. She knows I'm your father and it reflects back on me."

"Understood." Izuku slightly whimpered and Aizawa let go of his ear.

"Now," Aizawa focused back around to Toshinori. "I've already set him up for quirk counseling, that'll start next week. Combined with his acrobatics classes once a week, training with me, studies, and now with his memory appointment-"

"His what?" Toshinori blinked in surprise.

"...You never told him." Aizawa swiftly looked at Izuku. Izuku's eyes went wide as he tried to think back to his talks with Toshinori, all the times they were alone together, Izuku never once brought up his missing memories.

"No… I don't think I did. I'm sorry, All Might. I'm missing memories."

There was a spray of blood that released from Toshinori's mouth like a wild fountain. "Wha-"

"It's not chronic! I should say. I'm missing the first five years of my life, and a more recent memory that's cause for alarm. So, once a month we're having a lady dig through my memories to try and fix what's been wiped."

"Wiped? Meaning-"

"Yes, someone removed those memories. We don't know who or why." Aizawa finished for Toshinori as he shoved his hands into his pants pockets. "For two-to-three days after the memory appointments Izuku will basically be out of commission. This lady is the best but her quirk…It'll make him physically sick. If it wasn't important I wouldn't usually be putting Izuku through this." Aizawa reached over and lightly placed his hand on top of Izuku's head.

"I see…" Toshinori looked at Izuku. "What was so private that a villain felt the need to take your memories from you, my boy?"

"I believe it was the same person who kidnapped Hichan and I when we were five."

There was another gusher of blood, and unfortunately, Toshinori was standing just a little too close to Izuku when this one happened. "Kidnapped!?" Flecks of blood landed directly on Izuku's face, causing the boy to grimace before he awkwardly wiped at his face all it did was smear the blood.

"Ew." Was all Izuku could say as his face twisted in disgust.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Toshinori quickly fumbled for something to wipe the blood up with.

Then, it happened. Toshinori only watched as Aizawa, with one hand, grabbed Izuku's chin forcing his son to look at him. He then used the edge of his scarf to wipe Izuku's face. Only it wasn't exactly a gentle wipe. Toshinori tried his hardest not to laugh as Aizawa did a quick, but aggressive wipe to all of Izuku's face like he was a toddler.

"Dad-dad! I'm not a baby-" Izuku immediately tried to pry Aizawa's hands off of him.

"Shush." It didn't work. Aizawa was still much stronger than Izuku in that regard. In fact, all it took was a small wrist slap from Aizawa and Izuku immediately gave up. Eventually, Aizawa removed the edge of his scarf from Izuku's face. It was cleaner now. Though, there was still a smudge on Izuku's left cheek-

-Nope, Aizawa immediately wiped it up with the same force as before. Toshinori couldn't be sure, but he thought maybe Aizawa accidently wiped a freckle or two off of Izuku with how much force he had used. "Done." Finally the scarf was lowered.

"Thanks." There was no actual gratitude in Izuku's voice as he said this.

It was cute. The whole ordeal was just adorable and Toshinori wasn't expecting it, which was the best part of seeing Aizawa be so… fatherly towards Izuku. Aizawa has always been a hardass, especially towards his students and fellow teachers. So, to see a softer side was… welcoming.

"I'm not wiping your face." Aizawa suddenly said in a deadpanned voice, reminding Toshinori that he still had blood dripping down his chin and neck.

"Sorry! I got distracted." Toshinori found his handkerchief in his pocket and quickly wiped the blood away from his mouth. "Young Izuku, you were really kidnapped as a child?"

"Yes?" He stated it like a question which was concerning. "Hichan knows what happened more than I do. He's the one with his memories still intact."

"What does he remember?"

"I can't tell you." Izuku's response had been breathy, scared almost, his eyes went wide, and his skin paled making his freckles stand out predominantly on his face. He put his hand to his mouth as if he himself were reliving the memory.

"That's none of your business, Toshinori." Aizawa, on the other hand, turned aggressive in less than a second. His teeth slightly bared, a snarl on his lips. His shoulders squared and muscles tense.

Toshinori put his hands up. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking when I asked. I shouldn't have pried."

There was a moment of silence before both family members relaxed again. "Let's just move on." Aizawa sighed as he rubbed at a knot in his shoulder before he rolled his head from side-to-side. "Please."

"Training time?"

Aizawa shut his eyes. "Next week. School will be over by that time. Monday morning. My house. Nine AM."

"Sounds like a plan."

It wasn't until the literal last day of school did Kaminari finally get the results from UA back. Izuku was afraid for a minute, as was Kaminari.

"We're all going to be heroes!" Kaminari scooped Izuku and Hitoshi into a tight hug as he grinned ear-to-ear. All three of them got accepted into UA. It was almost surreal for Izuku to learn. He really feared at least one of them would be rejected, namely himself, but that's not the case. They all got in, and they'll all become heroes!

Izuku felt eyes on him, and he turned to see Akisho glaring daggers. The moment they locked eyes, Akisho looked away with an eye roll. There were no boisterous threats from Akisho, no insults, in fact he looked rather quiet. His silence told Izuku enough.

With it being the last day of their middle school experience the teacher really didn't have anything planned with finals finished up, so a lot of teachers simply allowed the students to talk amongst themselves.

Kaminari immediately planted his but on top of his desk once they were done hugging. "Oh man, I can't wait! Do you think we'll be in the same class?" He eagerly asked as he swung his feet back and forth excitedly.

"Dunno, there are two classes for the heroic course. So, there is a possibility we get different classes." Izuku commented as he took his seat on his own desk.

Hitoshi almost seemed to pale a little at that as he stared at his shoes. "I hope we don't." He whispered almost nervously. It was like Kaminari read Hitoshi's mind at that moment and he smiled.

"Please! You two are twins, there's no way you'll get separated!" Kaminari laughed as he slapped Hitoshi on the shoulder.

Izuku spoke next, slightly leaning into Kaminari's right. "I don't think he was just talking about us, Kami. I'm pretty sure he wants you to be in that class as well."

Hitoshi instantly tensed a little. "No- nope wasn't- nah!" He tried to wave it off, but there was a faint dust of pink across his cheeks. One he was trying, and failing, to hide. "Totally just talking about Zuchan." Hitoshi immediately looked down at the floor in a last ditch attempt to hide his face.

Izuku and Kaminari looked at each other before they both started grinning. "Sure, whatever you say, Hichan." Izuku leaned back against his desk and smiled.

"Huh? What happened here, Zuku?" Suddenly Izuku's right hand was grabbed by Kaminari. His index and middle finger had healed, obviously, but there was still some bruising from Recovery Girl as she didn't heal them completely. They were usable, but sore.

"It's nothing. I accidentally slammed them into the car door." Izuku lied with a shrug. "It doesn't hurt. So no worries."

Kaminari shuddered violently at that. "Urg! I can't imagine."

Izuku brought his hand back down and smiled at Kaminari. Still, in the back of his mind, a little voice was speaking. 'He's gonna know once you're in UA that you have a quirk now. You should tell him. Obviously not the whole truth, just lie and say you realized you were misdiagnosed.' Izuku blinked before looking down at his bruised fingers. 'Later.' He decided.

Time ticked on with the three of them casually talking about their plans for UA. Izuku was even brave enough to show Kaminari his potential hero costume. Akisho shooting looks their way the whole time. Soon, the bell rang and it was time for lunch. "I have to go to the restroom, could you please take my bento up to the roof?" Izuku asked as he handed his lunch box to Hitoshi.

"Yeah, yeah, just hurry up or I'll eat all of your sticky rice." Hitoshi smirked as he took his brother's lunch box.

"You better not!" Izuku pouted as his brother and Kaminari made their way out of the classroom. Izuku only huffed before he walked the opposite way of his brother and towards the nearest bathroom. Izuku did what he needed to do, flushed, and it wasn't until he was in the middle of washing his hands did the bathroom door open.

Izuku wanted to roll his eyes when Akisho stalked inside. Izuku decided to just keep his head down and go past Akisho… but Akisho hadn't moved from the door. In fact, Akisho had his back on the door. It wasn't until Izuku finally looked up did Akisho finally move. His movement? He locked the deadbolt of the bathroom door.

'Oh shit.' Izuku thought as he flicked the excess water off of his hands into the sink.

Izuku didn't speak, Akisho didn't speak, no, both of them just stared intensely at each other. After a few more minutes of just staring, Izuku finally broke the silence.

"Whatever you're thinking. Don't. It won't end well."

"Are you threatening me?" Akisho sneered as he took a step closer towards Izuku. Izuku took a step back.

"No, Akisho, I'm not."

"What? You think just because you got into UA you can boss me around now?"

"No-" Suddenly, Izuku saw a hand coming for him. Out of reflex, Izuku ducked down, out of Akisho's reach and swiftly jumped to the side. He rammed his shoulder directly into a stall in an attempt to get away. "Akisho, just-"

Akisho made another attempt to grab at Izuku. Izuku managed to jump out of the way, but only just barely. "If you make another grab at me; I'll be forced to defend myself! I don't want to attack you, Akisho." Izuku made sure to yell this out loud enough for his voice to reverberate off of the tiled walls of the bathroom.

Akisho narrowed his eyes before he started to visibly grind his teeth. "How did you get into the UA heroic class but I didn't!? How could someone who's quirkless be able to even step foot into UA!? I should have taken that spot! It belonged to me and me alone!"

Izuku sighed out. "Akisho, I'm sorry-"

"I refused to be pitied by the likes of you!" Akisho, once again, went to grapple Izuku. Izuku ducked, but followed through with his threat. He managed to duck under Akisho's right arm, and he wrapped one arm on Akisho's bicep, and then grabbed Akisho's wrist with both of his hands and forced it to bend downwards. "Ah!" Akisho cried out in pain as he nearly crumpled to his knees as Izuku applied uncomfortable pressure down on Akisho's wrist.

"Please, Akisho-"

Akisho was smiling. His breath uneasy while sweat formed at his brow. "You-" His eyes turned deadly as his smile turned completely sinister. "-fucked up!" Akisho used his free hand to slam his palm directly into the side of Izuku's face.

Izuku tasted blood and the sudden force of the attack made him take a startled step back. He fell into a stall door that wasn't locked, the door swung open from Izuku's weight and he fell to the floor, smacking his head on the side of the toilet.

Izuku's head swam for a second, maybe two, as he hit the floor beside the toilet. Izuku went to stand, but all he felt was a flood of pain erupt against his face as Akisho kicked Izuku directly in the face. Izuku's body reacted swiftly as he suddenly kicked his own leg out, getting Akisho directly in the knee.

Akisho fell to the ground as his knee gave out. Izuku scrambled to his feet and in less than a second he managed to tackle Akisho around the middle. There wasn't much of a struggle as Izuku now had the upper hand; pinning Akisho's arms above his head. "Now, calm down!" Izuku hissed between clenched teeth. He could feel his nose bleeding and watched as several fat droplets landed directly on Akisho's face. There was a few seconds of silence before Akisho sniffled suddenly.

"I don't understand…" Tears sprung into the corners of Akisho's eyes. "You're quirkless, you're supposed to be weak…"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Akisho. But I'm not weak just because I'm quirkless."

Akisho tried to struggle against Izuku's grip, but it did nothing. "It wasn't supposed to be like this! I was supposed to be the one to go to UA. I thought if you were out of the picture-"

"-You'd get Hichan all to yourself?" Izuku finished with a head tilt and Akisho's face turned red, be it from embarrassment or anger Izuku didn't know. "I figured it out when Hichan accused you of having a crush on one of us; you said you'd never lay with someone quirkless and I figured Kaminari hadn't been here long enough for you to form a crush on him. You never mentioned Hichan in that conversation."

Akisho hissed as he looked away from Izuku. "Fine… fine. You think you're so smart, asshole? Did you know that Hitoshi actually knows this?!"

Izuku blinked in surprise. "What? There's no way."

"I confessed to him at the start of the year. I told him how I've been crushing on him since elementary school and you know what your brother did?" Akisho leaned his neck up so he and Izuku were nose-to-nose. "He laughed. He told me that he could never be with me because I made you wander out in traffic once, we were ten, and he refused to let it go. It's always been about you when it comes to Hitoshi. Always!

"The funny thing is, I'm being stupid, I know I am. I told myself: If you don't get into the hero course, then maybe, just maybe, Hitoshi will move on with his life without you. But I know. I fucking know. If you wouldn't have gotten into the hero course in UA. Hitoshi would turn down his own spot to be with you."

"He wouldn't-"

"He would, Izuku! He would turn down everything if it means being by your side. He loves you so much that he doesn't see other people. They mean nothing to Hitoshi."

Izuku felt his eyes soften as he sighed and slowly got off of Akisho and sat on his butt. "You could have used your quirk on me multiple times in this fight, but you didn't."

"..." Akisho sat up on his thigh and pushed his frizzy hair back from his face with one of his hands. "I couldn't." Akisho whispered softly as he lowered his eyes to the dirty tiled floor beneath them. "You know that day I had you walk into traffic. I was just trying to show off. I wanted to impress him… instead I made him hate me from that day onward."

Izuku frowned before he stood up. He wiped his hands off on his pants and reached out for Akisho. Akisho looked at Izuku's hand before sighing and taking Izuku's hand into his own. "Also, sorry for- you know- kicking you in the face."

"This?" Izuku turned to look at himself in the mirror. His nose didn't look broken, thank god, but it had been bleeding by the dried and crusted blood that trailed down from his nostrils, chin, and ending at the base of his neck. "Easy clean up."

"Hitoshi is going to kill me…"

"He won't know. Consider it a graduation present." Izuku turned on the tap to the sink and grabbed a paper towel from the holder. He ran it under the cold water and once it was saturated with water he wrung it out and started to dab at the blood under his nose. Izuku was painfully aware that Akisho was right behind him, watching him try and wash away the evidence. Izuku looked over his shoulder at Akisho. "Go on." Izuku gestured his head towards the door before he went right back to wiping the blood off of his face.

"Thank you. I'll see you around." Akisho's shoulders slumped a little, yet he had a small smile on his face as he left the bathroom.

Izuku sighed and winced a little when the cold paper towel pressed against a sensitive part of his nose. "Yep, that's gonna swell." He mumbled once he saw the tender red skin already starting to puff up on the left side of his nose. He also saw a bit of a bruise forming just under his right eye. "And as far as anybody is going to know, I tripped and slammed into a locker."

And that's exactly what he told Hitoshi and Kaminari when he finally got to the roof. Izuku's exact words were: "I'm sorry I'm late! You won't believe it. I tripped on my own damn shoelace and slammed directly into an open locker!" He yelled in mock frustration and even threw his hands up for good measure.

Kaminari didn't suspect a thing and if Hitoshi suspected anything he only let it show once. When he flickered his eyes from the bruise on Izuku's face and frowned. Hitoshi didn't voice his concerns once. Which was interesting and Izuku figured it was because when he finally got to open his bento-

"You jerk!" Izuku threw his chopsticks at a laughing Hitoshi.

"I warned you I'd eat your rice!"

Toshinori felt like his every move was being watched, because it was. As he lightly sparred with young Izuku he was being watched by both Aizawa and Izuku's twin brother. Man, he could feel Hitoshi's anger from where he was standing.

"What happened to your face?" Toshinori asked as he pointed to the bruise on the side of Izuku's nose and right under his eye. The bruise under Izuku's right eye was what caught Toshinori's attention. The bruise was dark, almost black in the process of healing, but it was curved downwards in a perfect arch.

"I tripped and ran into a locker." Izuku responded with a smile.

"Young Izuku, that bruise under your eye is curved. Almost like a-"

'-Shoe. That's the curve of the top of a shoe. Somebody kicked him in the face.' Toshinori realized it fairly quickly. And if Toshinori figured it out that quickly, there wasn't a single doubt in his mind that Aizawa already knew it just as well.

Izuku's eyes went wide as he looked at Toshinori. 'So, he's keeping a secret. Very well.'

"Never mind. I was thinking of something else! Besides, it's not that important!" Toshinori smiled and that made Izuku visibly relax. "So, One for All-" Toshinori saw it out of the corner of his eye, Hitoshi visibly shuddered like a cold wind smacked him right down the spine. "I need to ask, when you were training with your father the other day, how did it feel right before you put the power behind your fingers."

Izuku swallowed as he looked at the two fingers in question. They looked good as new; say for some slight bruising. "I don't know if I can properly explain it. But if I could… it felt like a bunch of power all at once right before my fingers broke. Kind of like… I don't know… putting a raw egg in the microwave and waiting for it to explode."

"A little lamer than what I was expecting, but I guess as good of an analysis as any." Toshinori admitted. "So, I think the best exercise for you here is control. You're using way too much power from what I'm gathering. Your body can't handle it all, hence the broken bones."

Izuku put his fingers to his chin as he thought. "That would make sense. I've been going from nothing to a hundred percent of power since I got this quirk. So the next best action would be to lower my percentage, but what would be a good percent to start at? And what if I go just slightly over the percentage needed? What if I do just a zero-point percent? Would that be possible- Muttermuttermutter."

Toshinori blinked as Izuku rapidly fired questions at him. 'How can one kid talk so fast?'

Aizawa calmly strolled up to Izuku and simply put his hand on top of Izuku's head and twisted said head so Izuku was now facing him. Then, Aizawa flicked Izuku's forehead. It was a gentle flick, one Toshinori would even describe as 'lovingly.' Well, as lovingly as a flick to the forehead could be. "Stop thinking so much about it." Aizawa told him in a soft voice before he walked back to the spot he was standing at previously.

"Right, right, sorry." Izuku rubbed his forehead. "So, what you're saying is that I should lower my percentage down to a reasonable amount and gradually build from there?" Izuku focused back around at Toshinori.

"Yes, that would be best, but for now we need to see if you really can lower how much power you put behind your attacks."

"You're right." Izuku immediately turned his head to his dad. "Can we?"

Aizawa's lips thinned into a line. "We just healed your fingers, Izuku, but I know we need to know if you can lower or change the amount of power you can use, so…" Aizawa sighed. "Use your left hand. I'll get a doctor ready." Aizawa grumbled the last part as he took out his phone. "Someone other than Recovery Girl, she'll have my head."

"Here-" Hitoshi grabbed a nearby ball and tossed it.

Toshinori was a little startled when he heard the ball jingle and he soon realized it was a cat toy Hitoshi had tossed. A little ball with a bell in the middle. Toshinori silently came up behind Izuku as Izuku put the ball in his left hand. "Okay, I want you to only use your fingers when tossing this ball up. We want the ball to come back to us, so keep your palm up and only toss the ball in the air, not away from you." Toshinori instructed calmly as he guided Izuku's hand the way he wanted it.

Izuku rested the ball between his thumb, index, and middle finger on his left hand. "If you can, only try and use these two like you did on your other hand." Toshinori touched Izuku's middle and index finger.

"Understood." Izuku stiffened his body up as he was preparing to toss the ball. "How low do you want me to go percentage wise?"

"As low as you can possibly go, my boy."

"Okay. I'm ready."

Toshinori backed up a step and gave Izuku room. Izuku sucked in a soft breath, exhaled, before he had a determined look on his face. He moved his left hand down and the whole world just seemed to pause. It went dead silent between all parties. Then, Izuku tossed the ball and-

It rose about maybe three inches in the air before it fell to the ground with a soft jingle of the bell.

"...Okay so that was no percentage. Turns out I went a little too low on that one." Izuku explained as he leaned down to pick the ball right back up. "Let's try that again."

Toshinori exhaled a breath he had been holding. "Yes, my boy, let's."

When Izuku did try again, the ball definitely went a lot higher than before. It went as high as the roof of Aizawa's house. Which had to be a story high. "Tch!" Toshinori had been so focused on the cat toy that when Izuku made a sound of pain it immediately made him look in Izuku's direction. Izuku was cradling his fingers to his chest while gritting his teeth from the obvious pain. The fingers were most definitely broken.

"That's… good." Izuku smiled through his pain. "That was absolutely lower than last time. What was it last time, dad?"

"Seven hundred meters."

"Y-Yeah. I lowered the percentage. I tried to visualize the egg in the microwave when I did it and it helped. I think I lowered it to about… forty percent? Maybe a little lower than that. It's not an exact science but… it's something." Izuku let go of his fingers and Toshinori saw just how bad it looked close up.

Izuku's fingers were absolutely broken. The two fingers a deep unnatural shade of purple, the bones, though not visible, had to be broken in two by the grimace that Izuku was trying his best to hide.

"So, even forty percent is too dangerous?" Hitoshi grumbled as he approached Izuku. "How much lower do you need to go in order to stop breaking your bones because, uh, broken bones aren't a good look on anyone." Hitoshi then gently grabbed Izuku's palm and kindly held on to Izuku's hand, being mindful of the two very obvious broken fingers. Hitoshi lightly rubbed his hand up and down Izuku's wrist in an attempt to sooth Izuku's pain without going near his fingers.

"As low as I can make it. There has to be a percent. I'll go down even lower next time, ten percent, maybe even five percent,- hell- I can use my ring and pinky finger right now if you want-"

"No." It was unanimous all across the board as everyone, except Izuku, shut that idea down instantly.

"Please, young Izuku, don't keep hurting yourself. I know you're eager and we're getting somewhere, but it's best if we take this slow." Toshinori put a hand on Izuku's shoulder.

Toshinori heard a grumble and immediately recognized it as Hitoshi. He had spoken low, under his breath that it was hard to make out, Izuku hadn't heard it at the very least, but Toshinori had. His years in heroics always kept his ears sharp so to hear potential villains nearby.

"He never should have gotten that dangerous quirk." Was what Hitoshi had grumbled as he continued to gently caress Izuku's wrist. Hitoshi's eyes flickered to Toshinori for a moment before focusing right back on his brother.

Aizawa approached. "Leave us to talk, okay? A healer is on their way."

"C'mon Zuchan. Let's ice your fingers." Hitoshi needed no more incentive to get Izuku away from Toshinori. The two of them soon disappeared into the house.

"Is it me, or does he hate me?" Toshinori asked once he and Aizawa were alone.

"Hitoshi? Don't take it to heart. He doesn't hate you; he hates the quirk." Aizawa approached a little more with his hands in his pockets. "I don't blame him. I hate that damn quirk just as well." Aizawa confessed. "But we're stuck with it…" He gave his head a short shake.

"Don't worry, Aizawa, I can say with confidence that we'll get Izuku up to speed in no time. Between you, me, and a quirk counselor? Izuku'll stop breaking his bones!"

"You better fucking hope so, Toshinori. I'm getting kind of sick having his bones reset."

Toshinori didn't reply right away as he peered inside the house. He could see Hitoshi holding onto Izuku's right hand as they held his left hand in a bath of ice water.

"C'mon. Let's go inside and wait for the healer. You thirsty?"

"No, I should probably take off actually." Toshinori looked at his phone for the time. "I have a feeling training is over anyways."

Aizawa snorted in response. "Fine, have it your way. Just break my child's bones and leave."

"Heh, I didn't think you had a sense of humor, Aizawa."

Aizawa gave yet another snort in response to Toshinori's comment but he didn't verbally respond this time around. He opened the sliding door to the house and allowed Toshinori to walk through first.

Izuku turned his head towards Toshinori and tried once again to smile through his pain. "We'll try again later. I'll go even lower, I promise." Izuku's voice was a little unsteady but his smile was unwavering.

"Just don't push yourself, My boy. I think your family would rather you be in one piece, right Young Hitoshi?"

"..." Hitoshi didn't respond as he just looked away from Toshinori.

When it became clear that Hitoshi wasn't going to respond, Toshinori only nodded to himself. "Well, I'm going to take off. Take care."

"Good bye, All Might-!" Izuku kept the smile on his face as he turned to focus right back to his hand in the bowl of ice water. "Oh!" Izuku gasped suddenly as Hitoshi shoved a little round red pill into his mouth.

"Ibuprofen. It'll help with the pain."

"How long were you carrying that on you?"

"What, are you a lawyer?"

Toshinori made his escape after that.

The healer that Aizawa had called wasn't as efficient as Recovery Girl, so by the time the first day of UA had come his two fingers on his left hand were still in a brace. They'd only need a day or two more before the splint could be fully removed.

Both boys stood in front of UA's doors and Izuku slowly reached a hand out. Hitoshi didn't even need to look, he took Izuku's good hand into his own. People just kept on walking by the duo without even giving them a second glance. "I can't believe we did it. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up." Hitoshi whispered softly to Izuku.

"I know, I feel the same way." Izuku tightened his grip on Hitoshi's hand.

"Our first steps into UA…" Hitoshi and Izuku both sucked in a slow and deep breath before together they both lifted their right legs and took one big step into the school in unison.

"To class 1-A!" Izuku suddenly demanded boldly.

"To class 1-A!" Hitoshi yelled at him and the two of them were off.

They sped-walked down the hallway, each giddy with excitement. "I hope Kami and Iida are in the same class as us." Izuku smiled. "If Iida got in, that is…" He finished in a softer voice.

"Honestly, Zuchan? I'm just glad you and I are in the same class. I wouldn't have it any other way, you know?"

Izuku frowned a little as he was forced back to what Akisho had said on the last day of middle school. That Hitoshi would have probably given up his spot in the heroic course if Izuku hadn't gotten in… would the same be true if they would have gotten different classrooms as well?

Izuku didn't know.

As they approached class room 1-A, pushing past a few straggling students, they both became aware of yelling. It was muffled, harsh, and scolding. It sounded like it was coming from 1-A.

Hitoshi approached the door first and put his ear to it. He then turned to Izuku and nodded, confirming that the yelling was indeed coming from their classroom. "Oh boy, sounds like we got the rowdy class this year." Izuku sighed with a smile. "Let's just hope they don't bring us down." He then reached for the doorknob and opened it.

"-You are disgracing UA! I must demand you put your feet down on the ground where they belong!" Iida scolded in a loud voice as he chopped his hand at the blonde boy he was currently berating.

Izuku tilted his head. This blonde… he looked familiar. Like an actor you see on a TV show. One you recognize but you don't know the name of. His hair was spiked out in all different directions, reminding Izuku of an explosion. His eyes were candy red in color. Piercing and full of anger. He had a nasty sneer on his face as he looked at Iida.

"Fuck off, Glasses!" The blonde all but yelled in response to Iida. "Go bug one of these other extras!"

"Hey, just who are you calling an extra!" A familiar voice chimed in.

"Kami!" Izuku immediately put the angry blonde to the back of his mind as Kaminari came into his view.

"Zuku! Same class!"

"Same class!"

Izuku happily leaped a few paces before rushing to hug Kaminari.

"Same class, yeah."

"Oh! It's you!" Another familiar voice chimed in as a girl entered the room. Izuku spun around and smiled as his face suddenly turned red. It was the girl from the Entrance Exam. She smiled as she approached Izuku. "I was hoping you'd be in the same class as me."

"Right? I was hoping to see you again too. Thank you-"

"No, I should be thanking you." The girl got really close to his face as she grinned happily at Izuku. "You really saved me back there in the entrance exam! Can I get your name, please?"

"Ah!" Izuku knew he was blushing as he tried to lamely hide his face behind his arms. "Iz-Izuku Tora…" He whispered.

"Ochako Uraraka!" She extended her hand out for a handshake and Izuku gently took it in return.

"Zuchan, care to explain?" Hitoshi leaned into Izuku's right.

"Yeah Zuku, care to explain?" Kaminari was more teasing as he leaned into Izuku's right.

"Tora! I'm so glad to see you're alright!" Iida came skirting over as he put two big hands on Izuku's shoulders. "You had me worried. Not only that, but I apologize. I assumed you couldn't handle the entrance exam and I was wrong-"

"It's okay, Iida. Thank you. I think I would have died if you hadn't leapt up and saved me!" Izuku had spun around to face Iida.

"What in the world happened during your entrance exam, Zuku?"

Izuku, Iida, and the Ochako all opened their mouths to respond, but they didn't get a chance as the blonde boy from before suddenly spoke. "Is this a fucking joke?"

Everyone turned towards him. The boy had his feet down on the ground now. His fists were clenched up top his desk as he was just glaring at Izuku. Like Izuku had personally snubbed his family or something. The boy's teeth were gnashed together and his jaw was grinding so hard that he could hear his teeth clicking against one another.

"I'm sorry?" Izuku smiled awkwardly as he faced the boy. Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say as the boy shot from his seat and suddenly rushed at Izuku with such anger and speed that made Izuku flinch. He took a step back, and tripped over someone's backpack, but thankfully, Iida came to his aid and managed to grab him before he fell to the ground.

"Is this a joke, fucking Deku?!" The boy had screamed at him.

'Deku…'

The boy didn't get to Izuku, Hitoshi was quicker than anybody else. He swung his arm out right before the stranger got to Izuku, catching the boy straight to the chest with the side of his closed fist. There was an audible 'thump!' when Hitoshi fist made contact with the boy's sternum.

The boy was instantly thrown off of his momentum and gasped out in surprise before he stumbled back over his own two feet. Several loud painful gasps left the boy's mouth as he grasped at his chest where Hitoshi had struck.

"What the fuck is your problem?!" Hitoshi snarled out.

"What's going on?" Another girl, one that was invisible, say for the clothes on her back, had asked as she came in. More people came in surrounding the trio.

"Okay this has gone too far." Iida had remained calm as he got between the blonde boy and Hitoshi. "Can everybody please get to their seats? "

The blonde got to his feet and glared at Izuku before focusing right at Hitoshi. "And who are you to go to Deku's aid?" He pointed at Hitoshi and dared to take another step forward towards Hitoshi, but Iida kept his stance firm and refused to move, keeping himself as a barrier of sorts.

Hitoshi's shoulders squared. "I don't know who this 'Deku' is, but I know you went straight for my brother and so I responded appropriately." Hitoshi hissed right back. "I don't handle threats to my family well."

This caused the boy to blink in surprise. "Your brother?-" He then turned angry, it seemed anger was just the blonde's default emotion. His eyes almost seemed to go comically wide as he got even angier, it reminded Izuku of an angry dog. A chihuahua or a similar breed. "Do you think I'm fucking stupid!?"

"I do." Hitoshi smirked.

"I'll kill you, you Barney the dinosaur wannabe!" The blonde absolutely roared in rage.

"-I have been standing here for over thirty seconds-" Several students cried out in alarm and twisted towards the door of the classroom where their teacher was standing in the middle of the doorway standing inside of a sleeping bag. Izuku tensed almost immediately at the voice. It was-

Hitoshi and Izuku shared a look as their father removed himself from his sleeping bag.

For a moment the two brothers both had telepathy.

'Did you know?' Izuku silently asked in surprise.

'No.' Hitoshi shook his head in response as they looked back at their father.

"I am Shouta Aizawa, your homeroom teacher, but you will call me, Mr. Aizawa."

'Oh. Oh shit.' Izuku thought as his father strolled straight to the podium.

"I want all of your butts in your seats the moment I step through that door. Do I make myself clear?" Aizawa snarled and kicked his sleeping behind his desk. "...well? Why are you all still standing? Butts in chairs." He hissed impatiently and immediately everybody scrambled for their seats. "It is absolutely unacceptable and I expect you all to work getting into your seat before I arrive, understood?"

"Yes, Sensei." Was what mostly everybody said.

"Good, now, I'll be saying roll. If I call your name I want you to respond."

Izuku quickly learned the boy's name. Bakugo, Katsuki. When his name was called he yelled out. "I'm here and none of you extras forget it! I'm better than all of you!"

"Jesus, does this guy have an ego or what?" Hitoshi whispered into Izuku's ear. Izuku bit his lip in a smile.

"Izuku Tora?"

"Here."

"Hitoshi Tora?"

"Right here."

"Good. The both of you will be known at Tora I, and Tora H, understood?"

"Yes sir."

Bakugo twisted his head over his shoulder to glare at Izuku. When they locked eyes he immediately sneered at Izuku but didn't say anything.

'What did I do to make him hate me?' Izuku thought to himself before he looked out of the window for a moment.

Eventually, Aizawa finished up the roll call and he looked at all twenty students before him. "Good, now, everybody stand up and I want you to go to the locker rooms and change into your gym uniforms. We're going outside today."

There was a mummer of confusion amongst everyone as they looked around at one another.

Kirishima, a boy with red spikey hair, asked "Already?"

"It's only the first day of school." Kaminari gave an awkward laugh.

Sero smiled. "This man doesn't waste time!"

"But what about orientation?" Ochako inquired.

Aizawa growled, his hair suddenly raised and his eyes turned red. "If I wanted your opinions or questions I would have asked for them. When I tell you guys to do something, you do it, no questions. Am I clear?"

The class stilled and quieted down in less than a second.

"Good. Now, go to the locker rooms. I'll explain the rest after you've all changed."

The students all quickly got to their feet and stalked towards the door, however-

"Tora I, Tora H, stay. I want a word with you."

Hitoshi and Izuku both stopped immediately as the others swiftly walked by them. It didn't take long before the classroom was completely empty and it left the three of them. Once the door was shut, Aizawa crossed his arms over his chest. "Wanna explain what I walked into earlier? Hm? Hitoshi? Fighting? On the first day?" Aizawa seethed in rage as he got right into Hitoshi's face.

"He charged at Zuchan." Hitoshi whispered and Izuku nodded. "I swear, I wasn't looking for a fight. I did what I did out of defense. Also, why did you tell us you'd be our teacher?"

"Don't change the subject, Hitoshi."

"They boy, Just out of the blue, got super combative and yelled at me. He looked like he was going to beat me. I swear we didn't do anything." Izuku whispered, backing his brother up.

Aizawa shut his eyes before sighing and getting out of Hitoshi's face. "I'm going to look at the cameras and I swear if you both are lying."

"We're not." Both Hitoshi and Izuku responded at the same time.

"I mean it. No more fighting. Understood?"

"Yes, dad." Izuku nodded slowly and ducked his head down.

"Yeah, loud and clear." Hitoshi shoved his fists into his pants pockets.

"Good. Go get changed."

Chapter Text

By the time Izuku and Hitoshi managed to get to the changing rooms, Bakugo had already gotten changed and was gone. 'Thank goodness.' Izuku thought. Kaminari was waiting for them.

"Dude, did you two get in trouble?" Kaminari asked as the two of them got to their lockers and started to strip.

"No, he just wanted to know what the ruckus was." Hitoshi answered first as he took his shirt off and tossed it haphazardly into his locker.

Izuku was a little more polite as he neatly folded his shirt.

"Uhhhh-" Kaminari stuttered and Izuku was sure his brain literally short-circuited. Izuku looked over his shoulder to see Kaminari, red in the face, steam practically coming out of his ears as he stared intensely at Hitoshi's shirtless form.

'Interesting reaction.' Izuku thought. 'He better get out of here, he might faint if he sees Hichan without his pants.' Izuku started to unbutton his own pants as he thought this.

"Hm, I like this fabric." Hitoshi mumbled to himself as he rubbed the hem of the gym shirt between his thumb and index finger. "Breathable and cool."

Izuku could see what his brother meant. The fabric did feel nice. It was comfortable, but it wasn't unsurprising, UA is anything but cheap when it comes to their uniforms. All of their clothing was comfortable. The school even went as far as to make sensory friendly clothing for those with sensory issues.

Kaminari stayed when Hitoshi was taking off his pants and sure enough-

There was the sound of electricity buzzing before Kaminari let out a surprise yelp of pain. Izuku was already in his gym pants by the time he spun around. Kaminari's nose was lightly bleeding, and his hair stuck up a little crazier now. He was giving them a shaky thumbs up. "I'm fine! I'm- hoo! It's hot in here, y'know. I gotta- I gotta go!" Kaminari then made his grand escape as he ran away, not before running right into Tokoyami.

"Sorry!" Kaminari yelped as he backed up and ran.

"What is his problem?" Hitoshi inquired as he finished putting on his shoes.

"No clue." Izuku lied while he felt a tiny smile play on his lips. "No clue at all. You ready?"

"Yep!"

Izuku and Hitoshi were the last two out of the changing room, but they weren't too far behind everyone else. Eventually everyone was all lined up and waiting on their instructions. Their teacher stood in front of everyone with his hands in his pockets.

Hearing a growl, Izuku looked to see Bakugo glaring enraged daggers at him. Like Izuku personally snubbed him or something to that effect. 'Sorry for breathing…' Was all Izuku could think as he looked away from Bakugo.

Once all twenty students were standing there in front of him, Mr. Aizawa simply pulled out a tennis ball and walked up to Bakugo.

Bakugo reached out and took the ball from the teacher. "I want you to throw this as hard as you can, using your quirk."

There were happy gasps amongst the crowd. Nobody spoke as Bakugo looked at the ball in his hand before his face broke out into a grin. Bakugo strolled a little forward, cocked his arm back, and Izuku watched as Bakugo's hand started to glow a bright orange before-

BOOM!

"Die!" Bakugo had all but screamed as he sent the tennis ball flying. An explosion leaving the palm of his hand as it looked like his ball was on fire as it streaked across the sky. There was a wave of heat that blasted everyone in the face as an after shock.

"Die?" Izuku asked in his confusion as he looked at Hitoshi.

"Sociopath." Hitoshi huffed and put his hands in his pocket.

Mr. Aizawa showed them a score. Izuku blinked in surprise. Seven hundred meters. The same amount Izuku managed to do the day before when he broke two fingers on his right hand. Some other students gasped out in surprise.

"It's good, but it can be better. You all haven't been able to test your quirks to their limits because they don't want middle schoolers using their quirks. Well, that ends today. I will be scoring you all on your fifty meter dash, strength grip, Pole vault, sit ups, and as you all just saw, the pitch." Mr. Aizawa said.

"You mean, from now on we can finally use our quirks!?" Kirishima had gasped happily.

"Awesome!" Kaminari clapped his hands in his excitement.

Mr. Aizawa suddenly got a dark look over his face as the students continued to cheer happily. Only Izuku and Hitoshi stayed quiet. They knew their father. Mr. Aizawa was planning something and it made Izuku reach over and hold Hitoshi's hand. Hitoshi clasped his fingers around Izuku's and they waited for the shoe to drop.

"So, you think it'll be all fun and games now, do you?" Mr. Aizawa growled as he shoved his hands into his pockets and glowered at the students. "Well, if you think you're here to have a good time then you can leave. You are here to be heroes and I will train you as such. This isn't a fun retreat. Let's up the stakes: The person who scores the lowest in this class will be expelled."

Oh. The silence was heavy.

"Y-You can't do that… Can you?" The Frenchman, Aoyama, asked in a scared whisper as he stared a head with wide eyes.

'He can and he very much will.' Izuku thought as he stared ahead a million miles away. He and Hitoshi looked at each other once more. He then looked back at his father. For a moment he caught his dad's eye. Izuku was never one to back down from a challenge, especially not ones his father gave him and Hitoshi. And Aizawa has given them a lot of challenges throughout the years. Aizawa narrowed his eyes at Izuku.

Izuku responded by nodding. 'Challenge accepted, old man. I'll beat your test. Hitoshi and I both.'

The fifty meter dash was first. Everyone had to go in to groups of four and wait their turns. All of these kids had some impressive quirks. Izuku had to say he felt honored to be by their side as he watched them use their quirks to their advantage. Bakugo surprised him when he used his quirk to fly across the finish line.

Izuku was itching for his pen and journal.

Hitoshi had an advantage when it came to the meter. His legs. So, between the two of them, he won the dash. Izuku wasn't dead last, second to last wasn't too bad…

Izuku did better than Hitoshi on the grip strength. But he didn't stand a chance compared to Shouji, Kirishima, and Sato. Unfortunately, Hitoshi came in last on that one, he gave it his all despite knowing he wouldn't do too good. Izuku quietly patted his shoulder. "You did your best."

"It doesn't feel fair." Hitoshi grumbled a little in a whisper as they walked away.

"I know, but think about it. It's not just us right now. Kaminari and Hagakure don't have quirks that can help them out during this test either." Izuku whispered. "We're all on our own basically. We just have to try our very best… and pray."

"Yeah, you're right. At least a pole vault should be a breeze, right?"

"With our acrobatic experience? You bet!"

Hitoshi loved showing off. That's one of the first things Izuku learned about Hitoshi. So, whenever an opportunity arose that allowed Hitoshi to show himself off he never missed it. Hitoshi was smiling as he stared down the pole vault.

The vault itself wasn't big, not like the one used in the olympics anyways. It was smaller so basically anyone could vault over it as long as they knew what to do.

Hitoshi held the stick close to his chest before he charged. He ran fast, his training kicking in before he struck the pole into the ground and lifted himself off the ground.

Izuku couldn't hide his smile as Hitoshi flew up and looked absolutely weightless as he spun in the air, once, twice, three times before he landed. Clearly his gymnastics took over, but he still got pretty far. Hell, a couple of students clapped for him when he landed almost perfectly. Gymnastics really took over when he held his arms out as he landed.

"Psh." Bakugo huffed in irritation. Izuku felt a bit of agitation rise up in his chest.

"You did great, Hichan!" Izuku immediately called out. Honestly, he did it just to piss Bakugo off and it worked as Bakugo's eyebrows furrowed almost comically as a large vein looked ready to pop on his forehead. Izuku smugly grinned at Bakugo. "Something wrong?"

"No, because you'll be out of this class soon enough." Bakugo snarled as he bit on his tongue to keep himself from yelling most likely.

"Heh, that's what you think." Izuku narrowed his own eyes at Bakugo. 'I want to beat him at something. Just to wipe that stupid look off of his stupid smug face.'

Hitoshi walked up and tossed the pole at Izuku. "Your turn."

Izuku was a little less confident in his abilities to pole jump. Hitoshi was great at acrobatics and gymnastics alike, Izuku was good but he didn't feel he was as good as his twin. Clearly this must have been shown on his face because Hitoshi bumped his hip into Izuku. "Don't forget, you have something of an advantage in this one. Not just with your knowledge of acrobatics either."

'I have an advantage…' Izuku thought as he looked at the pole in his hands. 'Not just with acrobatics…what could he mean by that?... oh.' The idea struck him and Izuku spun to his brother. Izuku then hugged Hitoshi tightly.

"You're a genius!" He couldn't hide his grin. Now fully pumped and excited, Izuku practically ran to the starting point.

"Eh? What does that mean, 'Toshi." Kaminari had been the one to ask.

"-What does it matter?! Deku will be the first one out of here and I'm sure you'll be directly behind him, Eyebags!" Bakugo interrupted before Hitoshi could speak. "He's quir-

Izuku didn't hear what was said next as his blood was pumping directly in his ears, drowning everyone out. A plan was forming in his head and he knew he had to time it right. Then he charged. He ran as fast as he possibly could. Izuku ran past his father, and Izuku couldn't help it, he smiled brightly at his dad before he used the pole to catapult himself up into the air.

Like with Hitoshi, Izuku did show off, just a little as he did a flip. The flip was needed so he was back facing the pole. The world felt like it was moving in slow motion as he watched the pole lifelessly start to fall towards the ground. Izuku reached his hand out for the pole.

It stilled for a moment before it came flying towards him.

This was the tricky part. Izuku had to be facing the pole as the end came flying towards him like a rocket. Izuku held his breath as he continued to slowly fall; he reached both of his arms up and above his head, causing the pole to follow his movements. Closer and closer it was coming until-

"I got it- Wah!" Izuku caught it between both of his hands, but the trajectory and the velocity of the pole caused him to go flying back so suddenly that he flipped backwards. "Gah!" Izuku cried out in pain as he slammed the pole back into the ground so suddenly that it caused the wooden stick to jam into his stomach. He only used this to his advantage and pushed himself off of the pole. Using this new momentum to make him go even farther than he would have normally.

The next thing he knew he was staring at the sky before his father was suddenly in his vision.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah… heh. That was wild." Izuku grinned. "I never thought of trying that!" He threw his hands up in triumph.

"Way to go!" Ochako clapped.

"Rather smart, if not reckless!" Iida gave a little laugh as he clapped as well.

His dad didn't want to show it. Not with the other children watching, but Izuku could see it. A teeny tiny little smile. "Let's try and keep the injuries to a minimum." He offered his hand out and Izuku took it.

He got his wish in the end with his little move. He did a longer and farther jump than Bakugou. However, the cost was the perfectly round bruise embedded into his stomach.

However, when he finally got up to his feet, he noticed something interesting. Bakugo's face.

He was shocked.

'Is this guy such an egomaniac that he doesn't think he can be beaten at something?' Izuku thought as he gave Bakugo the side eye before Izuku returned to Hitoshi. "Zuku, I knew you had a quirk!" Kaminari came up from behind and wrapped his arms around Izuku's shoulders in a hug. "I knew that pen floated up into your hand! You've been holding out on me, man!"

'The pen…' Izuku blinked at Kaminari's words. 'That's right, a while back Kaminari mentioned how a pen floated into my hand. I hadn't realized it, but then it proves it. This object attraction quirk. It's mine.' Izuku looked at his hands.

'But what caused it to surface? Why hadn't I realized it before?'

Izuku wanted to think more about it, but he couldn't not while the assessment test was still in full swing.

After the pole vault test, came the sit-up test. Ochako offered to spot him, while Kaminari spotted Hitoshi. Izuku didn't come in last. No, Hitoshi did with Izuku second to last. They both felt rather awful. Izuku felt his father's eyes bore into them. 'Is he ashamed? Should we be at the top of the list?' Izuku had thought as he looked away from his dad. As usual, his father was just emotionless, not letting any emotion show on his face anywhere.

Eventually came time for the final test. The pitch.

Because Katsuki had demonstrated, he didn't have to go again. So, one by one students threw their balls to the best of their abilities. Izuku watched, amazed, as Ochako's ball slowly floated up, up, up, up-

"Infinity!?" Everyone had yelled as Aizawa showed them her score. Ochako happily skipped back so she was beside Izuku.

'Well, we know who's gonna win this one.' Izuku smiled back at Ochako. He went up next. Izuku was tempted to use one-for-all in an attempt to bring his score up. But he knew, oh how Izuku knew if he would to use that quirk without his dad's permission he'd be running the yard until he collapsed.

So, Izuku simply levitated the ball to him and threw it as far as possible. He was dead last with a measly sixity meter throw.

Hitoshi was next.

He grabbed the ball out of Aizawa's hand, but he didn't get to step up to the plate as Bakugo suddenly opened his mouth. "Make your last pitch, quirkless loser. You're clearly gonna go, next to you that is." Bakugo turned to Izuku.

Hitoshi stopped and glared at Bakugo from over his shoulder.

"Excuse me?" Izuku spat quickly in Bakugo's direction. "One: Hichan has a quirk! Two: We're not going anywhere."

"If he has a quirk then why hasn't he used it? At least you used your quirk, as lame as it is."

"My quirk isn't combat based." Hitoshi spoke next. "But I will be more than happy to give you a demonstration." Hitoshi brought his arm down as his teeth gnashed together. "God knows I've been dying to show it to you."

"Heh! Give it your best shot-" Bakugo's eyes went vacant. His red irises turned milky in color as his jaw went slack.

"Good, since you like to run that mouth of yours so much, why don't you come here and take this ball for me." Hitoshi demanded as he held the ball out. Bakugo slowly trudged over and obediently took the ball from Hitoshi. "Throw it like you had earlier, with the explosion." Hitoshi put his hands on his hips as he backed away from Bakugo.

Like from earlier, Bakugo's right hand started to glow a striking orange color before he swung his arm out violently.

BOOM!

Like before, there was a wave of heat that hit them all directly in the face as there was a wide arch of fire before the ball went flying off in the distance and vanished.

There was a silence as their classmates just stared in shock and awe at what just happened. "I can brainwash people. That's my quirk. Judge me if you want, but I was born with this quirk and I plan on using it to become a hero." Before Hitoshi could cut the connection between him and Bakugo, Aizawa showed the class his score.

The exact same score as Bakugo's.

"But, Sensei! Hitoshi didn't even throw the ball himself. He used Bakugo to do it!" A blonde boy, Ojiro, had quickly spoken up.

"You're right. That being said, he used his quirk to his advantage. How is this any different than Izuku bringing the pole back to him so he can jump longer? Or Iida using his boosters to run farther in the fifty meter dash? Don't forget. I'm assessing your quirks." Aizawa lowered the score counter so it was facing the ground now.

"But his quirk is dan-" Hagakure had started to say and Izuku cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

"It's not 'dangerous'. The only thing that makes a quirk dangerous is the holder." Izuku quickly spoke up on his brother's behalf. "Look at Ochako for example. She could easily send any one of you to space, but she won't. What makes Hichan any different?"

A few people broke out in mutters while others nodded along, agreeing with what Izuku had just said.

Hitoshi started to walk away and towards Izuku, but he was stopped by Aizawa. "Tora H, are you going to release Bakugo?"

"Oh, right. Silly me, I almost forgot." Hitoshi smiled a little smugly as he said this. "It was almost too quiet." He then blinked and Bakugo was released.

He stood there, confused as he frantically looked around. "What the fuck- who the fuck? What did you do to me, Eyebags!" Bakugo, once again, charged directly for Hitoshi. Bakugo used his explosions to fly his way towards Hitoshi to try and get there quicker than he would normally.

Hitoshi seemed to bristle and he brought his hands up, ready to throw down with Bakugo. "Bring it! I'll beat your ass, you pomeranian fuck-"

It never got that far. Aizawa's scarf wrapped around not only Bakugo, but Hitoshi as well. Bakugo was stopped dead in his tracks and found, fairly quickly, that he couldn't fight against Aizawa's capture weapon. Aizawa had personally wrapped his scarf around Hitoshi's mouth. Hitoshi didn't even try to fight it. He just sighed and allowed his arms to fall to the side.

"Let me make one thing personally clear amongst all of you. I don't tolerate fighting nor bullying. You are future heros and you are to act like it. Am I clear?"

The rest of class 1-A mumbled their response of: "yes, sir."

"Good." Aizawa released Hitoshi and Bakugo. Bakugo fell face first to the ground once he was let go. Hitoshi only huffed in slight irritation before returning to Izuku. Bakugo got right back up to his feet and grumbled in anger before storming back to the rest of the class.

"Alright, let's go. Your scores should be up."

Aizawa then stalked past the class with his hands in his pockets. The air turned to stress in seconds. Who was going to be expelled.

"It might be me." Hitoshi whispered solemnly as they walked together.

Izuku thought about what Akisho had said back in the bathrooms. "If you go. I go. We'll both be together. No matter what." Izuku squeezed Hitoshi's hand.

So all together, class 1-A huddled around a holographic scoreboard. Izuku felt Hitoshi squeeze his hand just a little tighter. "Zuchan… I'm last." Hitoshi squeaked, the fear evident in his voice.

Izuku felt his throat tighten as he reached over with his other hand to pat Hitoshi's hand. Izuku wasn't much better really as he was second to last. "I stand by what I said, Hichan. If you go. I go." He couldn't believe his time in the hero course was so short.

A couple of students gave Hitoshi pitying looks. and Izuku feels anger boil in his blood. 'What the hell were you thinking, dad? Were you just long-conning Hichan and me this whole time?' Izuku could only think in frustration.

As if to answer his thoughts, Aizawa spoke. "The results are clear as day. The student being expelled is…"

Hitoshi swallowed hard and Izuku put his head on his brother's shoulder. "It was so short lived…" Hitoshi whispered in anger.

"...No one!" Aizawa smiled that damned smile that he's given Izuku and Hitoshi many times. That flat smile showing off his teeth. "It was a logical ruseTM !"

"Are you kidding!?" Izuku had suddenly screamed out in defiance and he wasn't the only one as other students also screamed their frustration.

"I am not. I wanted you all to try your best on this and what better motivation than the fear of being expelled?" Mr. Aizawa had said with that same smile still plastered on his face.

"Am I the only one who knew that?" A girl with thick dark black hair put up into a ponytail had asked with a slight scoff.

Izuku couldn't really pay too much attention to her as Hitoshi had simply leaned in and hugged him. "Holy shit, out of all the things…" Hitoshi had whispered to him. "God, scared the crap out of me."

"I know what you're saying- oh-" Izuku gasped when his shoulder was bumped. He looked up to see Bakugo.

"This isn't over, Deku." Bakugo hissed at him before stalking away-

'Who walks like that casually?' Izuku thought as he watched Bakugo walk, squat, knees bent, with his shoulders back.

It almost made Izuku laugh, but he managed to keep his composure.

Aizawa's smile fell from his face and he went back to being emotionless. "Alright, go get changed. The bell's gonna ring soon and I'm not writing you guys late passes."

They had Present Mic for an English teacher, and Midnight was their Math teacher, but seeing how it's the first day of school most of their other classes just handed out the syllabus and instructed how they wanted the class to act for the school year.

Lunch came, and Izuku was ready to go to the roof with Hichan, as they would usually. Izuku kind of figured that any friendship potential was destroyed when they learned about how Hitoshi's quirk worked, but surprisingly-

"Deku, come eat with me and Iida!" Ochako suddenly jumped into Izuku's field of vision. "You too Hichan!"

Hitoshi immediately tensed.

"I'm sorry, Deku?" Izuku blinked innocently at Ochako.

"Oh? Is that not your name? I just figured because that one boy calls you that all the time-"

"It's an insult." Hitoshi chimed in. "He's calling Izuku 'useless'. I don't even know why. We don't know the guy." Hitoshi growled. "Also, It's Hitoshi. Only Izuku can call me Hichan. No offense or anything…" He then turned away from Ochako.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Ochako frowned. She turned slightly forlorn and Izuku immediately jumped in.

"A common mistake! And please don't let Hichan get to you. He's always blunt with people. You can call me-"

"-'Zuku!" Kaminari came up and placed his chin on the top of Izuku's head. He let his whole body go limp, placing a lot of weight on Izuku. "I'm too tired to go to the rooftop."

" 'Zuku… I like that! It has such a nice ring to it!" Ochako smiled and Izuku immediately blushed a bright red.

" 'Zuku it is!" He agreed.

"You three should eat with Iida and I! C'mon, it's gotta be better than eating on the rooftop!" Ochako suddenly said with a smile.

And for the first time since elementary school, Hitoshi and Izuku actually ate in the cafeteria with other people. It was almost insane to think about.

"Ah, Tora, I wanted to ask. How's your stomach? That pole had to hurt." Iida had inquired as he started to eat his lunch. Izuku had just opened his bento and grabbed a riceball. Quietly he dunked it into his little tupperware of soy sauce before he answered.

"Sore. Really sore actually. I didn't think my plan would actually work!" Izuku laughed before taking a bite out of his riceball. His mouth was slightly full when he spoke and so he put his hand in front of his mouth so as not to seem rude.

"I should really be thanking Hichan! I hadn't even considered using my object attraction quirk to my advantage."

"Oh! that reminds me," Kaminari swiftly turned to Hitoshi. "'Toshi! That spin you did when you vaulted over the bar was insane! You didn't tell me you were a gymnast!"

Hitoshi blushed a very light pink and swallowed down his mouth full of food. "Zuchan and I do acrobatics on the weekends. Gymnastics is one of them."

"Oh! That's so smart!" Ochako suddenly chirped happily. "You two must be really flexible!"

"Acrobatics, I never thought of that…" Iida commented as he looked at his own arms. "Heaven knows I could be a little more flexible."

"If gymnastics is one, what other one do you two do?" Kaminari inquired.

"I can answer that. We also do silk acrobatics as well as trapeze, however, those are only on the occasion."

"Wow!" Ochako looked absolutely impressed. "Can we see you two trapeze act! That would be so cool."

"She's right! That would be amazing, 'Toshi! Watching you and Izuku swinging around in the air!"

Izuku blushed this time around as he took another bite of his rice ball. "I dunno about that. We're not as good at trapeze as we are at gymnastics."

"He's right. We're still constantly letting go of one another. I don't think you'd like to see us just falling into a safety net the whole time." Hitoshi also took a bite of his food as he spoke. He wasn't as polite as Izuku as he spoke without covering his mouth.

Izuku felt eyes on him. He turned his head over his shoulder to see Bakugo. The sociopath was just glowering at Izuku. Bakugo was eating his food slowly and deliberately while he glared at Izuku the whole time. It was, in all honesty, a little off putting.

"Son of a bitch. What is this guy's problem?" Hitoshi slammed his fist down in irritation.

"You guys say he doesn't know you… then how'd he know 'Zuku was quirkless before?" Kaminari suddenly asked and Izuku turned to him in surprise.

"What? When did this happen?" Izuku asked and Kaminari looked a little confused before turning to Hitoshi.

"You didn't tell him? It was during the pole vault. As you were jumping, Bakugo said, and I quote: "Deku will be the first one out of here and I'm sure you'll be directly behind him, Eyebags. He's quirkless!" Kaminari did a pretty funny job of mocking Bakugo's rough and gruff voice.

"Oh yeah!" Ochako snapped her fingers. "And Hitoshi said: "You can't possibly know that, you angry mutt." Ochako's impression of Hitoshi wasn't spot on, but she did use her chopsticks to mimic Hitoshi's eyebrows at the time and made them into an angry V shape over her own eyes. And it made her burst into a fit of giggles. Which made Izuku laugh a little as well.

"Yep! And then Izuku brought the pole to him and you should have seen Bakugo's face. He looked so stunned. It shut him up, for once today."

Izuku looked at Hitoshi before standing up. "Okay, that's it." Izuku suddenly said as he grabbed his bento box. "I'm going to talk to him."

"Whoa, there's no need-" Hitoshi spoke up next but was cut off by Izuku.

"He clearly knows something, Hichan. I don't think he's just being a bully to be a bully. I'm going to talk to him." Hitoshi went to stand, but Izuku stopped him. "By myself." Izuku put his hand up to stop his brother.

Hitoshi pursed his lips to the side before sitting back down. "Very well."

"I'll be back." He whispered. Izuku turned towards Bakugo. The moment they made eye contact with each other Bakugo's eyes turned white in color and turned comically angry while he gnashed his teeth.

"Don't you dare-!" Bakugo started to yell, but it fell on deaf ears as Izuku put his food down at the seat across from Bakugo.

There was a beat of silence as Bakugo looked from the bento then back to Izuku, who sat down. "Are you hard of hearing, Deku!" Bakugo all but roared. He roared so loudly that the cafeteria immediately quieted down as people stared in their direction.

"No. But are you?" Izuku honestly asked as he grabbed his half-eaten rice ball.

"Do you want to die?!"

"I'm being serious. Are you hard of hearing? It seems like it with how much you yell and scream. Those explosions of yours might be making you hard of hearing."

"I'll kill you!"

Izuku heard a chair scrape from behind him and he raised his hand up. A signal. Hitoshi stopped before he rose from his chair. "We're fine."

Hitoshi grumbled and must have sat right back down.

Izuku then focused back at Bakugo. "Rice Ball?" He offered one of his two remaining rice ball's to Bakugo. Bakugo stuttered for a moment before his eyes returned to normal.

"Keep your shitty food." Bakugo waved Izuku off with an angry huff. Izuku shrugged and continued to eat.

"So, you know I have to ask. Do I know you? Or, do you know me? It seems like you know me, but… I don't know you." Izuku asked after he swallowed his food down.

"Tch." Bakugo huffed again as he looked down at his own food. "I don't know." Bakugo admitted. "You just- you fucking look like someone I knew once, okay? But, you can't possibly be him." Bakugo stabbed his food with his chopsticks.

"Why can't I be him?"

"He's quirkless, for starters, and… he's dead."

"Oh. I'm sorry." Izuku frowned at the news given to him.

"Don't you fucking pity me!"

"I'm not." Izuku put his hands up in front of him. "I swear… I assume his name was Deku?" Izuku thought for a moment before he grimaced. 'Who names their kid Deku?'

"Tch." There was that noise again. "Idiot. Here's the thing. You look identical to him. Curly green hair, freckles, the works. You- you even share his name. Izuku. But, like I said. He is- was quirkless." Bakugo growled. "It's like my mom says, if it look like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck, it's a fucking duck!" He slammed his fist down in anger and his chopsticks rattled from the impact.

"You say… he's dead?" Izuku felt a buzzing in the back of his skull. It felt like fuzz was slowly starting to fill his brain. It itched and tickled a little. Something was wrong.

"... I look at you- I can't say. I really can't. You look like you could be his twin."

"But…Hichan is my twin." Izuku mumbled softly as his brain continued to feel fuzzy and there was a soft ringing in his ears.

Bakugo snorted. "Yeah, whatever, and All Might is my uncle." He rolled his eyes. He then looked at Izuku. "Are you sure you don't remember me? I don't look familiar to you in the slightest?" Bakugo inquired and for a solid second the two of them just stared at each other.

He did look familiar. That's the thing. Izuku was certain he knew Bakugo from somewhere! He looked so familiar and the longer Izuku looked the more intense the static and ringing became.

Then the fuzziness, the static feeling, and the ringing stopped. "I'm missing the first five years of my memories." Izuku said almost as if he was on autopilot. His voice was monotone and he wondered if he was under Hitoshi's control with how emotionless he had become.

"What the fuck did you just say to me?" Bakugo's voice turned tense as Izuku started to rise up to his feet.

"I-I probably shouldn't ha-have- I'm sorry- I-" Izuku's mind was suddenly flooded with panic after being so void of emotion just moments before. His mind was telling him to run and far away from Bakugo Katsuki-

'I can't pronounce your name, so from now on you'll be K̸͎̩͗̒a̶̩̺̯͍͌͂ặ̵͌c̸͈͍̊̃̌̚ḧ̶̗̹́͆͠͝a̸̡̳͖̅̿́̈́n̸̠̺̪͔̈́̌͊- Hichan! and you're gonna be my bestest friend ever!'

Izuku's hand automatically slapped over his mouth to stop himself from yelling out as the memory physically hurt his head. Sweat poured down the back of his neck and he felt his whole body tense up. Bakugo sat up almost immediately at this wild movement. "I have to go!" Izuku then bolted. Not just from Bakugo, but out of the cafeteria entirely.

"Zuchan!" Izuku heard the sound of a clattering chair, before the sound of footsteps immediately chasing after him.

Izuku had made it out of the cafeteria and down the hallway before Hitoshi caught up with him. It didn't take much with Hitoshi's long legs to his advantage. Hitoshi had grabbed Izuku by the shoulder first before he managed to grab Izuku's arm with his other hand. He tugged Izuku, forcing him to a stop and to take a wild step back. This almost made Izuku fall to his butt, but Hitoshi kept a steady grip on his arm.

"Wh-what happened?" Hitoshi breathed in and out heavily in surprise.

"I-I don't know!" Izuku grabbed onto his head and tangled his fingers into his wild curly hair. His chest heaved up and down, be it from the running or an oncoming panic attack. "I don't know! I don't know, Hichan!" Izuku then attached himself to Hitoshi's chest and grabbed onto the back of his brother's jacket.

"Hey, it's okay. It's okay. I'm here." Hitoshi whispered as he lightly patted Izuku's back.

There's a name on the tip of Izuku's tongue. It was right there. Like a word someone would know but just didn't know the name of. Just like Bakugo. A person he knew but didn't know at the same time.

'Kaac-… Kaa-...Ka-...Katsuki. Bakugo Katsuki.'

"C'mon Zuchan!" Little four-year-old Hitoshi yelled from a distance as he waved Izuku down. "Are you scared 'cause you know I'll beat you?" Hitoshi had continued to yell.

Izuku hesitantly shook his head. "Nah-uh!"

Suddenly two different kids appeared behind Hitoshi. They had no faces, just blank slates. "Then c'mon!"

Izuku hurried so he was right behind Hitoshi. Even as a little four year-old Hitoshi had such long legs and made it hard to keep up with. Not that it mattered, everytime Izuku tried to get too close the three of them would all take off in a run, trying to get away from him.

"Ew! He's quirkless, don't let him touch me. I don't want to be quirkless!" One boy yelled out as he ran.

"He-hey! That's not nice! Hichan! Tell them that's not nice!" Izuku whined as he continued to chase after the trio. Usually, Hitoshi would defend his twin. He had more than a few bruises to show for that fact, but he didn't, not today.

"You know it's true, you make everybody you touch quirkless, because you're quirkless, a curse!"

"I do not! Stop being mean, Ka-" Hitoshi's image flickers for a second. No longer purple haired and purple eyed, but red eyed and blonde haired. His smirk turned into a malicious smile. Before he flickered back to normal. "Hichan, I'm gonna tell my mommy!" Izuku had scrambled to keep up with the three of them. He tripped on more than one occasion.

The scene almost seemed to change as they were all now running on a fallen tree right above a flowing crystal blue river. Hitoshi then stopped running and twisted his body around so suddenly that it caused some of the bark beneath his feet to break off.

"Stupid, quirkless, crybaby, Deku- Wah!" Suddenly one of his feet slipped along with a slick piece of moss and down Hitoshi-

No.

Down Bakugo went into the river.

"Kaa-"

"Wake up!"

Izuku's eyes snapped open as a fearful scream left his mouth. Hitoshi was above him, he had Izuku's arms pinned above his head. Hitoshi was breathing heavily, his eyes wide with fear as he looked down at Izuku. Hitoshi's hands trembled as he held on tightly to Izuku's wrists. "Ar-... are you back with me?" Hitoshi whispered fearfully. Izuku licked his dry lips as he took note that his brother was still in his own PJ's. So, Izuku looked at his alarm clock by his bed, gifted by his father after he took Izuku's phone. It was only four in the morning.

"What happened?" Izuku whispered back to his brother. Fear laced in Izuku's voice.

"You were thrashing in your sleep." Hitoshi finally let go of Izuku's wrist and slowly lowered himself back down to the floor beside Izuku's bed. "I was afraid you were going to hurt yourself. Are you okay?"

"I… that dream was… It felt so real. I think it was." Izuku sat up in his bed and put his hand to his face. "A stupid, quirkless, crybaby Deku..." He whispered back to himself.

"Bakugo." Hitoshi growled in anger. "Clearly that bully just got under your skin today." Hitoshi huffed before he suddenly crawled into bed with Izuku. Izuku sank back down into his covers and together the two of them threw the covers over their heads.

"I don't think so, Hichan. I think it's more than that. I think…I actually knew him." Izuku murmured to his brother.

"Maybe you did, but clearly he wasn't your friend."

Izuku opened his mouth ready to dispute, but he thought better of it. He didn't have all the facts. "I don't know." He settled on saying. "I really don't. All I do know is that it's giving me one hell of a headache." He gave a dry laugh before resting his head on Hitoshi's shoulder. "And I feel like I'm going crazy."

"You're not."

"He said his friend was dead, that he looked exactly like me."

"Well, you're not dead last I checked."

"No, but I am missing."

There was a beat of silence before Hitoshi shook his head. "No. They had a chance to claim you up. They gave up that right five years ago. I think you just have the misfortune of looking like his dead friend and he's taking it out on you. God knows how many times I thought I saw my mom or dad in a crowd."

"It's too many coincidences."

There was another beat of silence between the two before Hitoshi hummed. "Besides. You have to think about it. It's always been you and I. Who is he to come barging in and claim you to be his deceased friend all of a sudden?"

"...Yeah. You're right. It does seem strange. Besides. You give better hugs and cuddles." Izuku shifted so he was now wrapped up into Hitoshi's arms.

"Damn right. Bakugo is about as cuddly as a damn cactus."

Together they stayed like that under the covers until they both fell into a much easier sleep in one another's arms. Until their father came in a few hours later and yanked the covers off them.

"Don't you two think you're getting a little too old to be sleeping in one another's bed?" Was the question their father posed once they stirred.

Neither boy had an answer.

Chapter Text

The class was better about getting into their seats before Mr. Aizawa got to the doorway. Of course there were still a few stragglers that tried, but ultimately failed to get into their seats. Poor Kaminari got the end of Mr. Aizawa's scarf, when he was still standing by the time Aizawa crossed the threshold.

"I'm sorry!" Kaminari wheezed and Mr. Aizawa tightened his capture weapon around Kaminari's torso and stomach. "I'm sorry!" He wheezed again, his voice sounding breathy and desperate for air.

"I mean it when I say I want your butts in chairs!"

"Underst-" Kaminari wheezed and tried to take a deep breath in; face now turning a nasty shade of red. "Understood, sir!" Kaminari finally managed to get out of constricted lungs.

"Good." Aizawa let Kaminari drop to the ground. Kaminari took in several rapid fire deep breaths as he brought his hand to his neck. "That goes for all of you. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir!" Everybody chimed in, some giving Kaminari pitying glances, while others were trying their hardest not to laugh at Kaminari, who shakily got into his seat.

Aizawa walked towards his desk and leaned down to pick up his bright yellow sleeping bag. "So, today will not be taught by me-" By the time Aizawa zipped up his sleeping bag from the inside, their classroom door suddenly burst open.

"I am standing in the doorway like a normal person!" All Might declared as he poked his head through the doorway in such a way that he was basically bowing through the threshold of the doorway.

"All Might!" Everyone, even Izuku, cheered as their favorite hero happily jumped so he was in the middle of the classroom, standing right at the podium he kept his signature smile on his face the whole time as he spoke.

"He's wearing his silver age costume! It's such a classic!" Izuku beamed while he gushed over the outfit All Might was wearing.

"Yeah, pretty cool." Hitoshi grinned while he started to put his hair up into a ponytail.

"All right, listen up you lot! Today we will be teaching you zygoats about the trial of battle with a hero vs villain simulation battle! It's one of the ways we can get your hero foundation going and get you weaklings properly trained!"

Some people cheered. Ready for the excitement of hero training, Izuku was one of those people that happily clapped along with his peers.

"Now, before we get going to the battlegrounds there's one important thing that you guys will need-" At his words a panel in the wall opened up revealing numbered cases.

"Our hero costumes!" The whole class shouted in exhilaration. Even Hitoshi shouted while clapping.

"Quiet down." Aizawa warned as he slithered into ther view. "Or I'll make you all do it in your gym uniforms." He seethed and everyone clammed up immediately.

"Alright class, one-by-one take your case that is assigned by your seat number." All Might ordered in a much softer voice. "And once you have your gear go ahead and go down to the locker rooms. We'll meet up at ground beta." All Might ordered and like instructed one by one the students got up to collect their suitcase.

Izuku felt himself start to vibrate with excitement. 'I'm before Hichan~' He thought in giddiness. It wasn't because he wanted his outfit first, but he had a surprise for Hitoshi. One he didn't want his brother to see just yet.

When it was finally his turn Izuku shot up from his seat and rushed to grab his case. The moment it was in his hands he bolted.

"Whoa, Young Tora sure is excited!" All Might laughed as Izuku ran.

"Walk!" Aizawa called after him and Izuku grumbled as he slowed his pace to a speed walk. Once he was out of the classroom and in the hallway. He went back to a run.

"'Zuku!" Kaminari laughed.

"I gotta get changed first!" Izuku laughed as he turned to face Kaminari and gave a little skip in his step. He then focused back around and ran his way towards the changing rooms.

"Are you sure about this?" Aizawa had inquired as he looked over Izuku's final drawing of his hero costume. "You won't be able to change it until later."

Izuku looked over his blueprints and hummed. He double checked over everything. "The only thing I'm not so about is…" Izuku brought his fingers to his chin and quietly muttered to himself. Finally, Izuku shook his head violently. "Nope! Nope not second guessing myself! Yes, it's final!"

"Okay. I'm taking it now…" Aizawa took the paper. "You won't be getting it back… all changes are final until way later-"

"It's fine. I think I can live with it for now." Izuku smiled at his dad. Izuku then kicked his feet happily. "I can't wait to show Hichan."

Izuku was ten steps ahead of his brother. Choosing to change in a stall rather than by his locker. At the time it was just him and Bakugo as the people before them had already finished changing.

"Nerd, the fuck?" Bakugo ordered as Izuku locked the stall door.

"It's a surprise!...to Hichan. Not to you." Izuku corrected quickly as he started to strip.

"Whatever." Bakugo just huffed as he rolled his eyes (Izuku assumed). "You and Eyebags are really that close, huh?" He inquired.

"Well, Duh." Izuku couldn't help but laugh at the, seemingly, silly question. He folded his clothes on the floor and opened his suitcase. 'It's awesome!' He thought as he looked at the main part of his costume. "I told you. He's my twin."

"Yeah, and like I said: All Might is my uncle. Really, what is he to you?"

Izuku hummed as he opened his mouth to say: "My brother?" But he stopped as he was halfway through putting his costume on. "..." His brow furrowed a little as he really thought about it. "Hichan is…" He paused again before he beamed, though Bakugo couldn't see it.

"Can't think of anything nice to say?" There was a smugness in Bakugo's voice.

"No." Izuku continued to smile as he zipped himself into the underlayer of his hero costume. "The opposite really. I have too many good things to say. I guess-" Izuku grabbed the second piece of his costume, his gloves, and rolled them onto his person. "-To sum it up, the best I can say is that Hichan is my protector and best friend. Next to our dad he's always looking out for me and he makes sure I'm safe. It's always been the two of us for as long as I could remember." Izuku leaned down and put his shoes on. "He's always there when I need him. Always."

"... Whatever." There was the sound of a locker slamming shut as Bakugo grumbled. "I don't care anymore, you damn nerd."

"Oh, okay."

Izuku finished putting his costume on and opened the stall door. He knew he had probably seconds to get his clothes in his locker so he zoomed as fast as he could to his locker, opened it and just shoved his clothes in. He then slammed his locker shut and ran for the entrance to ground beta.

Izuku then put his hood up over his eyes, instantly his vision turned lavender in color, and brought his respirator up to his mouth. Granted he'd probably won't need it, but it wasn't just a respirator, as it was also a subtle permanent smile. 'Hitoshi is going to love this.' Izuku thought as he walked up to ground Beta where he'd meet with his other classmates.

"'Zuku, is that you in there?" Ochako bounded towards him, a bit of glee in her eyes as she did so. "I almost didn't recognize you."

"Thanks! My dad says it's best to try and keep your face hidden if you can! That way villains with a vengeance will have a harder time tracking you down." Izuku was glad he was wearing his respirator and hood now as he knew he was blushing. "You look good!"

This time Ochako blushed. "Thanks, it's a little tighter than I expected." She giggled nervously. "But it's lightweight! Which is perfect for my quirk." She tugged on a part of her black and pink skin tight suit. "Oh, hang on-" She then turned and picked something off of the ground. A bright pink helmet. She then put it on her face. The plexiglass was pink, but completely see through. "There!"

"Right, you have a zero gravity quirk. If you'll have me, I'd like to analyze your quirk sometime- bu-but that's if you want! I'm not trying to force you or anything!" He instantly panicked, fearful he might have been rude.

Ochako laughed again. "Sure! Anytime."

"Tora?" Iida suddenly came up to the two of them. His face was hidden behind a helmet, but Izuku could tell he was smiling. He wore something akin to a knight costume with his face completely hidden by a knight's helmet. Though his costume had engines poking out of his back and boosters by his legs to allow him maximum speed with no risk to his clothes. "Why, you look positively-"

"Purple?!" Hitoshi choked from behind.

Izuku spun and, in his own shock, pointed at his twin. "G-Green!?"

Well, it turns out they both had the same idea.

Izuku's surprise. His entire costume was dark purple in color, this was minus his boots, gloves, and knee pads. They were all black. He wanted to keep his red boots, but those would clash with his purple scheme. For his hood he kept eye holes protected by lighter, lavender colored, shatter proof glass. He kept the rabbit ears for his original design, a subtle nod to All Might with how they stuck up.

Yes, originally Izuku wanted capture weapon-esque sleeves. However, his father pointed out that it was impractical. So, he scrapped them for now. In fact, Izuku was sure he wasn't going the capture weapon route like his father and brother.

Now, Hitoshi's outfit was interesting. Unlike Izuku he had a capture scarf wrapped snugly around his neck. The scarf was much like their own father's in color. A dark gray. However, unlike their father, Hitoshi's outfit was a dark forest green. He wore a jumpsuit with a red belt around his middle. He also wore black combat boots that were laced up to his knees. Hitoshi had a metal device that was currently hanging down by his neck. His pride and joy that he and dad had been working on perfecting.

The voice modifier. It was perfect for Hitoshi's quirk and most certainly going to give him the advantage.

"Heh. Great minds really think alike." Hitoshi commented as he approached with his hands in his pockets. "Purple looks good on you, Zuchan."

"And green looks good on you." Izuku couldn't help but laugh as he lowered his respirator so it hung around his neck.

"God! You two are insufferable!" Bakugo all but groaned out in annoyance.

"And jealousy looks good on you." Hitoshi didn't even miss a beat. "What's the matter, don't get enough love at home, you chihuahua?"

Bakugo's eyes went angry again. White and comically slanted downwards to showcase his rage. "Watch yourself, Mindfuck." He growled between clenched teeth.

"'Zuku, 'Toshi! What do you think? Awesome right?" Kaminari saved them from any more interaction with Bakugo as he caught both of their attention.

Kaminari wore a simplistic outfit. He wore a white shirt under a black jacket that had lightning bolts down the sides and around the collar. His pants were very much like their gym uniform pants. Black to match the jacket with long white lines down the center of each leg.

"Oh, not bad. Special fabric?" Izuku asked as he lightly felt one of Kaminari's sleeves with his fingers.

"Of course! It's made so it won't burn when I use my quirk!" Kaminari grinned.

"Smart." Hitoshi leaned down and lightly pulled up on Kaminari's right pant leg. Just enough to show an ankle.

"Ah." Kaminari blushed a little at this sudden notion.

"What about those socks of yours?" Hitoshi then inquired next as he pointed down at the socks in question. Considering the socks had little sushi rolls imprinted on them, Izuku had a feeling that they were not made to resist high voltage shocks.

"Ah…uh…" Kaminari's face lightly fell once he realized he had made a mistake.

"I'd get that fixed next time. Simple fix for now, just take your socks off."

"But I'll get blisters and my feet will sweat!" Kaminari whined.

"I'd rather get blistered than singed by a sock." Izuku chimed in next.

Kaminari grumbled a little but immediately sat down to take his shoes off. "Be friends with the smart people, they said. It'll be fun, they said."

Izuku and Hitoshi both laughed a little as Kaminari started to take his socks off.

"Eyes on me!" Came All Might's booming voice and next thing everyone knew their teacher dove into their view. A powerful gust of wind following his grand entrance. "Look at you, zygoats! So young and yet so powerful looking! It's a beautiful thing to see!" His eyes landed on Izuku and he simply gave his head a shake.

What was All Might thinking about?

Still, Izuku smiled as he looked around at everyone. His eyes landed on Todoroki and his smile slipped a little. Todoroki's costume was interesting to say the least with his entire costume color being a silvery white color and his left side covered in fake ice in an attempt to keep the white color going. 'Is he hiding his left side? Why?" Izuku wondered if it had to do with the scar on the same side of his face. Was Todoroki ashamed of it? Wanted to keep it hidden from the rest of the world?

Or did it go even deeper than that?

Hitoshi lightly bumped into Izuku. "Pay attention." He hissed to his brother.

"Sorry." Izuku whispered as he focused right back around to All Might.

"-Now, for this trial this will be an indoor type of simulation. A lot of villainy is often committed indoors, despite what the news outlets will tell you. So, it would only make sense for us to train you how to fight indoors. You must be mindful of your space and potential debris for the outside.

"Now, the rules. There will be two teams. One team will be hero's and the other team will be villains. The villains will be guarding a nuclear weapon, whereas the heroes will be trying to capture the weapon or capture the villains. Each team will have fifteen minutes to think of a plan and then the heroes will have fifteen minutes to try and take the nuke from the villains. If they manage to do that they'll win. However; if the villain team manages to keep their weapon, or they manage to capture both hero's they'll win. Does everybody understand?"

"Yes, sensei!" Everyone yelled in understanding.

"Good! Now there will be two people per team and each team will be randomly selected! While each simulation is carried out the rest of us will be watching the battle through security cameras planted around the building." All Might explained and he turned towards a screen. "So, let's not waste any time! Who are our first team of heroes!?" All Might yelled at the screen.

Images flickered in rapid fire in front of them as the first two people were chosen at random-

"Oh." Izuku didn't expect to be up so soon!

He was paired with Todoroki.

"Interesting." Todoroki muttered as he stood next to Izuku. "Just try and keep up with me."

"I will!" Izuku smiled as he stood next to Todoroki and stood by his side. "Who are we up against!? We'll send them packing!" Izuku demanded with renewed determination as he pointed at the screen. Todoroki simply snorted in response to Izuku.

Once again rapid fire images of other students flashed on screen-

"Oh." Izuku gulped while his eyes went wide. Lady luck had a sense of humor.

"Oh." All Might seemed to share the exact same nervousness Izuku had.

There was a cackling laugh in the back. It was Kaminari.

"Oh hell no! I am not working with that sociopath!" Hitoshi declared as he pointed at Bakugo.

"Oh please, you're just upset you're not with your 'twin'." Bakugo made sure to make air quotes around the word 'twin' as he growled at Hitoshi. "Besides, the feeling is likewise, you'll just slow me down!"

"I am not, I just don't like you." Hitoshi crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll take anybody else in this class."

"This- is a great learning moment!" All Might suddenly declared to try, and fail, to break the tension between both parties. "Heroes are often paired together and, more times than not, heroes are paired with other heroes that they may not like. Differences need to be put aside for the sake of a mission." All Might suddenly wedged himself between Bakugo and Hitoshi. He put one arm around Hitoshi and one arm around Bakugo.

"Besides, who knows! You two may even get along during this simulation." All Might continued to smile while he pulled the two of them into a sideways hug.

'Not that simple, once Hichan doesn't like someone it's almost impossible for him to warm up to that person again.' Izuku thought. 'Akisho is a good example.'

"The day I like him is the day my brain stops working!" Hitoshi hissed between clenched teeth as All Might continued to give the two of them a squeeze.

"Likewise, eyebags. Let's just get this stupid simulation over with." Bakugo hissed right back; matching Hitoshi's energy with his own.

"Agreed." Hitoshi crossed his arms over his chest in anger and looked away from Bakugo.

"Er. Good. Good! See? You guys are already agreeing on something! Why don't you four get to Ground Beta and get situated?" All Might was practically begging with his voice as he pushed Hitoshi and Bakugo forward and then gestured for Izuku and Todoroki to do so.

Izuku smiled and allowed Todoroki to take the lead. Todoroki huffed and walked and Izuku followed him.

"Oh man, this first battle is probably going to end in someone's death." Kaminari continued to cackle as Izuku walked past him. "My vote is Bakugo is going to die!"

"You're wrong, Hitoshi is totally dead." Someone, Mina, Izuku thinks, said next with her own laugh.

"No, you're both wrong. Those two are going to kill each other." A male had joined in, Sero, with mirth laced in his voice.

Izuku and Todoroki went into the gym before Izuku could hear anymore between the students. 'This is… going to be interesting.'

Izuku was trying not to let his nervousness show as their fifteen minutes of planning were almost up. They had come up with a decent plan after Izuku had told Todoroki about Hitoshi's quirk and how it worked. A plan Izuku hoped would work. If not, that's fine. Izuku always had a backup plan.

"I've been meaning to ask you-" Todoroki said as Izuku was stimming his fingers on his right hand. He connected each finger to his thumb in a quick session.

"Hm?" Izuku hummed as he turned to face Todoroki. Never once did he stop his stimming.

"Why do you call your brother 'Hichan?' Why not just call him 'Hitoshi'?"

"Hichan? Well, I've always called him that as far back as I remember. Something about his name being too hard to pronounce. I think. Besides, he calls me 'Zuchan.' so it's fair game."

"But aren't you concerned about how it looks in public? It's rather… erm… childish."

Izuku blinked and stopped his stimming as he thought about what Todoroki said. "I really don't think about what other people think about me and Hichan. In the end, they're opinions often don't matter. Especially to strangers."

Todoroki hummed. "Very well. Then let me pose another question. Don't you think your relationship with your brother is a little… too close?"

"Not at all!-..." Izuku twirled a curl around his finger. "...is that what you think?"

"I just… you guys are always touching. And most of the time you don't even know it from what I've gathered. Yesterday, for example. During math you reached your left hand back to place it on his desk and he took it. If it's not hand holding it's hugging. I've…" Todoroki looked confused for a very serious moment. "Are sibling relationships supposed to be all touchy-feely?"

'Oh. He has siblings.'

"Well, no. I don't think so anyways. I think the best way to describe it with me and Hichan is that… our love language is touch!" Izuku smiled and Todoroki kept his frown on his face.

"Love…language?" Todoroki then tilted his head cutely.

Before Izuku could answer, a buzzer sounded throughout the building. "Let the simulation begin!" All Might's voice boomed throughout the whole gym.

"I'll explain later! C'mon." Izuku grabbed onto Todoroki's non-ice covered hand and together they marched into the building.

'I wonder what plan Hichan had cooked up with Bakugo!'

"You're a fucking idiot and you're the reason we're going to fail. But fine. Fuck you. You want to run off and beat them on your own because you're so much better than me and my quirk. Go. Enjoy getting your ass kicked and losing!" Hitoshi threw his hands out as he yelled out to Bakugo's retreating form. "Egomaniac sociopath…"

He couldn't even get a word in edgewise on the plan. The plan? Let Bakugo handle it and stay out of his fucking way.

Fine.

Hitoshi was fine being on guard duty as he stood in front of the weapon. Of course, he was going to try his all to defend it from Todoroki and Izuku, but his brother knew his quirk and how it worked and no doubt already told Todoroki.

'You just hate me, don't you?' Hitoshi looked at the ceiling at any invisible deity he could think of. He then shrugged at the ceiling. 'It had to be Zuchan! The only person in the class that knows how my quirk works fully. Bah.' He then waved his arms once again as he stood there.

"Mhm." Hitoshi suddenly felt a chill down his spine and he breathed out a little shaky breath. When he breathed out he instantly noticed something alarming.

He could see his breath.

Then came the noise. The loud crinkling of ice breaking and forming and it was getting louder and louder as time passed. 'What exactly was Todoroki's quirk again?'

Before Hitoshi could properly react, a wall of freezing cold ice slammed and wrapped around his ankles. Holding him in place. "Oh. It's like that." Hitoshi hissed as the ice was immediately seeping into his pants legs and burning his skin. He tried to wiggle his ankles free, but no dice. He was stuck in place. "Well… this might be over sooner than I thought. I wonder if Mr. I'm-better-than-you, is doing any better?"

Hitoshi then came to a horrific realization as he looked down at his ankles. The cracking noise of ice breaking and forming never stopped. It was slowly, and painstakingly, crawling up his legs.

Bakugo was not doing any better.

"C-Cold." He shivered as he walked cautiously along the ice covered hallway. His one fucking weakness was cold and of course he had to up against the guy that can make ice. The peppermint looking bastard coated the whole building in his ice making it unbelievably cold and slippery.

Bakugo tensed at the sound of hurried footsteps. They were coming from down the hallway to his left. As much as he wanted to use his explosions to make himself fly across the hallway he couldn't. The cold meant he couldn't sweat. No sweat? No explosions.

"Fucking quirkless Deku." He growled in irritation. He didn't care what Deku said. That was his quirkless Deku.

His friend… was swallowed by a black hole.

"Kaachan! Save me!" Was the last thing four-year-old worthless Deku had screamed as he reached desperately for his best friend, but Bakugo couldn't move from his spot as he watched it happen. Horrified and slightly amazed as Deku just…vanished.

That day had haunted Bakugo for the last nine years. Watching as his… his…

Watching as Deku, the worthless quirkless crybaby Deku, got taken just like that. In the snap of a finger he was gone. The blackhole killed him, it had to have. It was a villain attack gone bad.

At least that's what Bakugo had thought until yesterday.

Bakugo huffed out, a steam of air leaving his mouth at this action as he took off running towards the footsteps.

"I'm missing the first five years of my memories."

"That changes today. You're not going to make a fool out of me!"

"I still think we should have encased them in ice completely." Todoroki had huffed out a puff of air as the two of them ran along the ice covered hallway.

"It's less fun that way!"

"It's not about having fun." Todoroki growled at Izuku.

"C'mon, we have to give them a chance."

"Are you just saying that because your brother is on the other team?"

"...Okay maybe a little. But it's more than that. I want to see- Look out!" Izuku had reacted before Todoroki and he had reached out, pushing his palm against Todoroki's back he managed to get Todoroki out of the way right as Bakugo had jumped around the corner.

"I got you, De-" Bakugo reached for him, but Izuku had responded by striking his palm up and hard against the softer part of Bakugo's cheek. "Gak!" Was the noise Bakugo had made. Izuku watched him as at first he was stunned with his head turned to the side.

"Go!" Izuku barked at Todoroki. "Leave Bakugo to me, go get the bomb!"

Todoroki paused, looking ready to fight it, but instead he skipped back a few steps and ran for the bomb.

Then Bakugo snapped his head in Izuku's direction. Red eyes bloodshot and filled with unbridled rage. "I'm going to kill you." Bakugo had growled between clenched teeth.

'I believe it.'

Izuku couldn't help it. He smiled. "Bring it!" He raised his fists up. His hands were trembling slightly, but he chalked that up to adrenaline.

"Say my name." Bakugo suddenly demanded and Izuku blinked in surprise.

"...Bakugo?"

Bakugo's teeth gnashed together in anger and he swung. Izuku gasped and went to take a step back, but his foot slipped on some ice. It still worked out as he managed to dodge the attack. Even though he landed on his butt.

"Say my name!" Bakugo all but roared at Izuku as he went to grab at him again. Izuku, now using the ice to his advantage. Pushed himself between Bakugo's legs. Izuku then used his own feet to knock out Bakugo's left leg from under him. Bakugo was down on the ice just as well.

Bakugo let out an enraged growl of frustration when he landed.

Izuku scrambled, literally, to his feet. His shoes kept slipping against Todoroki's ice and for a good two seconds he was actually just running in place. Bakugo had suddenly grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled Izuku back down to the ground. "My name!" Bakugo demanded as he was now on top of Izuku.

Then there was pain as Bakugo had struck him across the face. Hard. Bakugo had not only used his closed fist, but the edge of his gauntlet had caught Izuku just as well. "Say it!"

"Ow! You socio-"

"Stop calling me that!" There was another explosion of pain as Bakugo hit him again across the face. Izuku felt something crack.

"Then stop acting like one!" Izuku reached up and grabbed Bakugo's gauntlet to stop him from hitting him again. Izuku then, once again, used the ice to his own advantage and pushed himself out from under Bakugo.

"Say my name!"

"Bakugo!"

"Dammit! That's not it." Bakugo tried to use his left hand, but Izuku, now out far enough from under Bakugo, kicked him directly in the face before he could strike Izuku again. Only Izuku didn't stop there. Once properly stunned, Izuku wrapped both of his legs around Bakugo's shoulders and twisted his whole body up. Immediately their positions were switched with Izuku directly on top of Bakugo.

"Then I don't understand what you want from me!" Izuku said with a worried tone. Two fat blood droplets landed directly on Bakugo's face and Izuku realized that his nose was most likely injured. Or his lip.

"You really don't remember?"

"I told you already-"

Bakugo grinned a sadistic grin. Their small fight had made him sweat despite the cold. "Then I guess I'll just have to beat those memories back into you!"

Bakugo had then reached his hand up and Izuku got an explosion directly to his face. The bright light and loud noise was more than enough to stun him. Bakugo pushed Izuku off of him and Izuku fell to his back.

Then he felt pain as Bakugo stomped on his chest. Izuku's breath got caught in his throat and for several long agonizing seconds he couldn't breathe-

"You need to be better, Izuku."

A kick to the face. Pain. Just pain. Izuku could taste blood as his head bounced off of the floor violently. He knew for sure his nose was broken this time around.

"Look what you made me do, Izuku."

"Young Bakugo, that's enough! He's down!" All Might's voice suddenly boomed through the speakers.

Bakugo ignored it as he picked Izuku up by his collar and punched him in the face again. "Say my name! Say it!"

"Remember Izuku, you can-"

Another punch this time to the gut.

"If you can't behave then I'll just have to take Hitoshi away from you again. Clearly he's a bad influence and needs to be punished as such."

Izuku reached up and caught the fist coming his way; a sudden anger filling deep inside of his chest. Through the blood and pain he bared his teeth. "No." Izuku suddenly growled as he got back to his feet. He twisted their hand uncomfortably. "You're not hurting him! Not again- and not ever!"

One for all surged through his whole being. He felt amazing, renewed almost, and with this new feeling, Izuku punched.

It was only when his fist made contact did he realize. He was punching a fellow student. Not the disembodied voice inside his head. Izuku, surprisingly, felt no pain, but Bakugo did when he was thrown through the nearest wall.

Izuku breathed out heavily and looked down at his hand and arm.

It wasn't broken.

Stumbling a little, Izuku then cautiously poked his head through the whole in the wall he had made. Bakugo was sprawled out on the ground unconscious. Izuku watched him for several long seconds until he saw Bakugo's chest rise. "Oh thank goodness." Izuku breathed out and fell to his knees.

"Uuuuuuugh!" He groaned in pain as he cradled his sore face. His left eye was already starting to swell shut and he tasted blood. He knew his nose was broken and both of his lips was undoubtedly busted.

That voice was replaying in his head. Over and over and over again. Like a broken record player.

"If you can't behave then I'll just have to take Hitoshi away from you again. Clearly he's a bad influence and needs to be punished as such."

Hitoshi was freezing. The ice had crawled and crept its way up to his torso. He was shivering and could hardly move. "F-Fuck." He breathed out as his body shook. With both hands he gripped on to the capture scarf. God, was he thankful for it. It was his only warmth.

"Young Bakugo, that's enough! He's down!" All Might's booming voice echoed all around them and Hitoshi continued to violently shiver in his place.

'Of course that crazy son of a bitch is beating somebody right now. It better not be Zuchan.' Hitoshi thought as he brought his hands up to his mouth and breathed on his frozen finger tips.

Hearing a noise to his right, with some effort on his part, Hitoshi turned his head towards the doorway. There, Todoroki stood. "W-Well… he-he-hello the-there." Hitoshi continued to shutter and shiver. "F-fancy mee-meeting you- fuck!- here." He gasped out. The ice started to climb higher on his body.

Todoroki, the fucker, just started to walk past him. Towards the missile. "H-Hey! Don't be-be rud-rude!" Hitoshi tried to invite him back. "Wh-why trap a-a guy if not-not to tal-talk?"

Todoroki was getting closer and closer to the weapon. Once he was actually close enough, Hitoshi pounced. Grabbing his capture weapon with semi-frozen fingers, he swung it out and grabbed Todoroki's arm before he could grab it. Todoroki gasped out and his eyes went wide with alarm.

"Yo-you're parent's sh-should teach you better." Hitoshi growled as he tried to tug Todoroki closer to him. Todoroki fought against the capture weapon and tried to yank his hand out of it. But it was never easy to get out of a capture weapon once one was ensnared. Todoroki growled and pulled against the weapon.

"L-" Todoroki looked ready to speak, but stopped just before he slipped up. He just growled in annoyance.

"Hey- wa-wait a -you look fine-" Hitoshi suddenly came to a realization. Todoroki didn't look like he had been beaten so badly that All Might needed to step in. 'Oh that rat bastard.'

Todoroki knew exactly what Hitoshi was thinking and he let his guard down. "Your love for your brother is going to be your downfall!-"

Hitoshi, already angry, didn't need any more prompting. He immediately took hold over Todoroki's mind. "Ge-get this i-ice off of-of me!" He stuttered in desperation.

He really didn't know how it was going to work. Hitoshi figured that Todoroki would start chipping away with a weapon or something.

No.

Todoroki touched the ice with his left hand, which was now almost to Hitoshi's scarf, and melted the ice. Hitoshi could only watch, amazed, as the ice sizzled under Todoroki's left hand. Steam evaporated into the air at this action. It was amazing to watch in all honesty.

Hitoshi sighed in relief as the ice quickly dissipated away from him. His clothes were soaked, but that was fine. He'd take being sopping wet over being encased in ice again. "Thanks. Now, why don't you-"

"-Not ever!"

There was an earth shattering BANG! From below; it made Hitoshi gasp in surprise. He immediately turned his head towards the sound. 'That didn't sound like boom-boom boy's explosion- Did Izuku use One for All!? He needs me!'

Hitoshi immediately went to run, to make sure his brother was okay and in one piece, but he stopped himself. 'You're a villain, remember? If he's broken you'll win.' He looked up at the clock. They had a minute left. He could just stand here and win.

….

…

Izuku's energy was draining. He found himself leaning against the wall for support as he tried to go up the stairs. The fight, along with his use of One for All, had taken a lot more out of him than he realized. It might have also been the fault of those memories resurfacing as well.

His feet slipped on an icy step and he tumbled sliding down each and every step painfully to the bottom. Landing on his back, Izuku groaned in pain as he looked at the ceiling. 'We're going to lose. Todoroki must have spoken to Hichan.' He thought rather sadly, but at the same time he felt happy for Hitoshi.

"Heroes win!"

'Did I hear that right? So, Todoroki didn't speak to him after all? Good job.'

"Zuchan?!" Hitoshi's worried voice screamed throughout the building. "Zuchan!"

"O-" Izuku coughed up a small bit of blood, probably from his busted lips that were still bleeding. "Over here!" cried out as he tried to sit up. Hitoshi appeared up top the staircase and he paused.

Izuku heard Hitoshi's breathing shake once he saw his state. He knew he had to look bad. "I'm-" Izuku went to stand. "It doesn't hurt that-" He swayed on his feet. Hitoshi jumped down the rest of the stairs. He nearly slid, but he didn't seem to care about that as he grabbed Izuku.

"Holy shit." Hitoshi breathed out.

"..." Feeling eyes on him, Izuku looked up to the top of the steps to see Todoroki. There was something in his eyes. Contempt? Disgust?

Izuku really didn't care.

"You…" came Hitoshi's snarl.

Izuku turned to look over his shoulder. Bakugo was awake and rubbing his, undoubtedly, sore stomach where Izuku had struck him. Bakugo's eyes landed on Hitoshi and he bared his teeth in anger.

"Hichan, let it go. It's part of the simulation. Please-" Izuku whispered as he grabbed on to Hitoshi's sleeve. He didn't want Hitoshi to get in trouble for fighting again.

"Fighting is part of the simulation. Beating a fellow student and classmate is not!" Hitoshi went to take a step forward, shoulders squared and teeth grinding. He was ready for a showdown.

"I'll beat your ass just as well." Bakugo suddenly bristled in his own anger.

"I'd like to see you try!"

That was when Todoroki stepped in. Literally. He stomped on the ground and a flood of ice immediately encased all of their ankles keeping them in place. "Enough. It's over. Move on." Todoroki hissed as he came down. He then, surprisingly, took Izuku's arm. "You love your brother, we get it. So why don't you actually help him? He's bleeding and no doubt in pain, but by all means. Fight someone." Todoroki snapped in Hitoshi's direction.

Todoroki then tugged on Izuku's arm and led him away from Hitoshi. "I mean, Izuku said it himself, did he not? Let it go."

"Tch." Recovery Girl clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she gently dabbed at Izuku's broken nose. "Why do I have a feeling you're going to be a regular here."

Izuku flinched a little as she continued to wipe the blood off and away from his bruised eye and broken nose. " 'm sorry." He mumbled weakly. He had to mumble now because his lips were swollen. "Ow…" He couldn't help but say and wince when she dabbed a little too hard against his blackened eye.

After Todoroki had dropped him off, he went back to ground Beta, but not before saying something that Izuku hadn't expected. "Hitoshi threw the match. He wanted to check on you so badly he couldn't just stand there and wait for the clock."

'Hichan…'

The door opened suddenly and: "Oh, Jesus christ." Aizawa breathed out at Izuku's face.

" 'Sn't hurt." Izuku tried to wave it off, but his father wasn't having it. He was extremely gentle as he tilted Izuku's head up to get a full scale of all of his injuries.

"Can you heal it all?" Aizawa asked Recovery girl.

"Unfortunately not all today. Too many tiny fractures and injuries to his face in total, but I should be able to heal his broken nose and eye socket first and foremost. I'll give him some gummies to help with the pain, scrapes, and scratches, and the rest I'll have to heal either tomorrow or the day after." Recovery Girl informed Aizawa as she then stood on her toes and gave Izuku a kiss to the forehead with her elastic-esque lips.

Izuku immediately sighed in relief as the pressure behind his swollen eye started to dissipate and his nose reset, but felt even more tired than before. He felt like he could sleep for a decade if not longer.

"So, what happened exactly?" Aizawa asked Izuku. Izuku felt himself sway sleepily.

"Battle simulation. Me and Todoroki Vs Hichan and Bakugo." Izuku started to explain as he laid down on the bed so his head was nestled on the pillow. Izuku then yawned. "Bakugo went crazy. Demanded I say his name. But his name wasn't his name? I dunno." Izuku shook his head in confusion. "Bakugo started to beat me, so I punched him through a wall…" Izuku was losing his fight with sleep as his eyes started to close on their own accord.

"Wait, what? You punched him through a wall?!"

"Mmm. He threatened to take Hichan away and punish him…"

"What do you mean by that?! Izuku?... Izuku?!" Aizawa shook his son, but it was too late, Izuku was asleep.

"I'd leave him. I can guarantee he won't be waking up any time soon. " Recovery Girl told Aizawa as she typed on her computer. "He was already drained when he came in."

Aizawa looked at Izuku before he sighed in irritation. "Okay, it's fine. I'll just see what happened whenever All Might gives me the footage. Thank goodness it records sound… but why do I feel like I'm going to have to have a talk with Hitoshi just as well?"

Chapter Text

Izuku finally woke up from his quirk induced coma. Izuku slowly sat up, the thin blanket sliding off of his shoulders and making him cold all over. "Mmm." Izuku groaned softly as he tiredly rubbed at his eyes. His face was sore all over and when he ran his tongue over his lips he felt a smoothness from a busted bottom and top lip. Smacking his lips a couple of times he looked over at Recovery Girl who was typing away on her computer.

"How long was I out for?" He inquired, his voice scratchy and sounding strange to his own ears.

"Roughly four hours. How are you feeling?" Recovery Girl swiveled in her chair to face him.

"Fine. Still tired, but fine."

"That's good, dear. You slept through all of your remaining classes, but I think if you hurry you can catch the end of your last period." Recovery Girl then turned back to her computer.

Izuku nodded before he swung his legs off of the bed he was resting on on. "Thank you." He told Recovery Girl before he slipped into his open untied shoes. 'Dad must have untied them for me.' He thought. Once he stood up fully he felt a little light headed.

"You might still be a little woozy, also your nose may bleed again, so avoid blowing your nose until I can finish healing you tomorrow." Recovery Girl told him and Izuku sleepily nodded.

"Understood, thank you again."

"Of course, oh, and before you go. Take a small handful of gummies, to help with any pain." She pointed towards a glass jar filled to the brim with gummies. Izuku nodded and took a small handful and shoved them in his pocket.

Izuku then left shortly after that. As he walked down the hallway, Izuku realized his nose was clogged, forcing him to breathe out of his mouth. "Bakugo really went hard on me." He couldn't help but give a mirthless chuckle as he walked through the silent hallways of UA all the way back to 1-A.

Getting to the 1-A door, Izuku approached it and got ready to open it-

'Danger!'

Izuku jumped back just in the nick of time as the door swung open. First he saw a shoe before the owner lowered it to the ground.

"Bakugo." Izuku greeted him with an uneasy smile.

"Don't kick the door open! Do you have no shame?!" Came Iida's yell of disapproval.

Bakugo growled before shoving Izuku with his shoulder. "Outta my way, nerd."

"Oh- sorry." Izuku took a step back as Bakugo started to stalk down the hallway. As Izuku watched Bakugo leave he couldn't stop himself.

"Bakugo." He said it just loud enough for Bakugo to hear him, and he instantly regretted it, but it was too late to back out now as Bakugo spun around. Bakugo immediately had steam leaving his nostrils, his eyes white and slanted downward in his anger.

Izuku swallowed down his fear as he felt himself quake a little at Bakugo's ire. "I-I just wanted to say… I'm sorry about your friend." He didn't even know where it came from as he said it. Izuku quietly picked at a piece of lint hanging on his shirt.

"I don't need your stupid fucking pity." Bakugo all but snarled in Izuku's direction.

"I'm not him." Izuku blurted out before Bakugo could turn to leave. "I'm sorry, Bakugo, but… I don't think I'm him."

"... Whatever. You're right, you're not him. He's better than you."

'Ouch.'

"Just stay out of my way, Deku. I'll crush you and avenge the friend I lost, just you wait."

'Still keeping that name, huh?'

Bakugo then promptly turned away from Izuku and started to walk. Izuku watched him go before he turned towards the classroom where he saw everybody crowding the doorway, clearly listening in.

"Fated rivals." Ochako whispered with a bit of fire in her eyes.

Izuku couldn't help it, he laughed and jogged up to the rest of his peers. "So, what'd I miss while I was out?"

"Do you think you're up for a balancing act?" Izuku asked as he poked his head into Hitoshi's bedroom. Hitoshi blinked and looked at Izuku before grinning and leaning back in his chair.

"That sounds like someone bored, Zuchan." Izuku snorted at Hitoshi's shit eating grin. "Is being grounded finally catching up?"

"Look, I did all of my homework already and it's not even time for dinner. I need something to stimulate me in these trying times!"

"Zuchan, you have two black eyes and a barely healed nose. Are you sure you want to try a balancing act right now? If you fall your face will just…evaporate-" Hitoshi tried to stifle his laugh but he wound up snickering at the image in his mind.

Izuku pouted a bit before he put his hands on his hips. "You could have just said 'no'. I'll just try dad's still rings-"

"Nah, I'm bored too." Hitoshi got up from his chair.

"Yes!" Izuku pumped his fists happily and Hitoshi saw just how prepared Izuku was as he was in his beam shoes. Hitoshi grabbed his own beam shoes and quickly slipped them on over his feet. Together the two of them went to the backyard.

"Okay, how are we doing this?" Hitoshi inquired as he laid a towel on the grass. A nice cold breeze brushed past the two of them and Izuku hummed while he stripped down to his shorts and tank top. "Are you balancing on me or do you want me to balance on you?"

"Well," Izuku got down and started to stretch his legs out. Hitoshi immediately followed suit and stretched his own legs mirroring his brother. "Last time I had you balance on me, so I think I should balance on you. In fairness."

"Fine. Are we doing the wheel?"

"Nah, that'll really be pushing it with my injuries. Just a quick balancing act."

"Fine."

Once they were both properly stretched out Hitoshi got down on the towel and laid on his back.

"Remember, this is as much of a trust exercise as a physical one." Their gymnast teacher had told the two of them. "Hitoshi." The teacher turned to him in question. "Do you trust Izuku?"

"Duh, he's my brother."

"Izuku." Now Izuku was under the teacher's gaze. "Do you trust Hitoshi?"

"I would die for Hichan!"

The shocked look on their teacher's face was priceless. One that had sent Hitoshi into an absolute laughing fit. Izuku later admitted that he was nervous and just wanted to prove the point to the teacher that he, yes, trusts his brother.

"Okay, so how are we doing this officially? Where are you balancing?"

"I think I'm going to try and go upside down." Izuku rolled his shoulder in his socket before he turned to Hitoshi.

"Oh, but the wheel is pushing it."

"Upside down is not pushing it. I've done it so many times I lost count and so have you."

Hitoshi rolled his eyes but kept the smile on his face regardless. "All right, whenever you're ready." Izuku walked over and together he and his brother attached their hands, interlocking their fingers to keep a steady grip. Izuku put his feet on the soles of Hitoshi's. Hitoshi's legs gave a little shake as he raised Izuku up a bit.

"Okay…" Hitoshi breathed out once his legs steadied and he got used to Izuku's weight. "God, I miss you when you were a twig!" He grunted while he lifted his legs a little higher.

"Are you calling me fat?" Izuku teased while he started to lift one of his feet off of Hitoshi's soles.

"You aren't exactly light."

"Maybe you just need to lift more."

"Heh, I can bench press one-fifty, you know." Hitoshi's arms were now completely straight in the air.

"Ehhh…" Izuku only gave an awkward laugh. "Okay, I'm going to lift off now."

"Do it."

Izuku breathed out and prepared himself. "Okay. Three…" He lightly bounced. "Two…" He bounced again. "One!" At that declaration he kicked himself off of Hitoshi's feet and used his momentum to hang upside down while his brother held his hands as still as he could.

For a very fearful second, Izuku thought he might have used too much force behind his kick and that he was going to just fling himself over his brother but, thankfully, he managed to steady himself and keep his legs straight Then…

They did it.

Hitoshi's arms were quaking slightly from Izuku's weight and Izuku's own arms were shaking and the two just stared intensely while trying to keep focus on their balance. Izuku felt powerful like this. He felt like he could do anything.

Hitoshi grinned while puffs of air left his mouth. "God, you look like shit with those bruises." He finally managed to huff out.

Izuku gave one lone laugh. "I can only imagine."

In a snap of a finger, Hitoshi's grin suddenly fell to one of concern and Izuku could only wonder why. Until two fat blood droplets suddenly fell directly on Hitoshi's face. "Oh!" Izuku, suddenly panicked, lost his balance. His legs fell forward and he couldn't correct himself in time. This caused his body to swing downwards and Hitoshi accidentally let go.

Izuku was going to fall directly on top of Hitoshi. Hitoshi, clearly expecting this, tried to brace himself for the blow. On instinct, Izuku closed his eyes.

That was when there was a familiar feeling of a scarf wrapping tightly around his wrist and next thing Izuku knew he was yanked back and away from Hitoshi before he could land directly on his brother. Izuku fell on his back and looked up at his father.

"I already have one child that breaks his bones too often for my liking. Don't make it two." Their father sighed with slight relief. "What were you thinking going upside down like that? That was only asking for trouble." Aizawa interrogated while he held his hand out for Izuku to take. Izuku was more than happy to take his father's hand. "Go shove some toilet paper up your nose to stop the bleeding."

Izuku nodded and quickly scampered away to do as instructed.

Once he was inside, Aizawa turned towards Hitoshi. "We need to talk."

"Oh boy." Hitoshi stood and dusted himself off. "I didn't do it." He quickly defended himself.

"No, you're not in trouble-well- no- we'll discuss that tomorrow in class. I need to ask a question regarding battle training today."

Hitoshi sighed a deep and heavy sigh. "Look, I didn't fight him, okay. I almost did, but I didn't."

"No. Not that, trust me, we will talk about that but not now. Did Izuku tell you why he used one-for-all against Bakugo?"

Hitoshi shook his head. "No? I never asked. I kind of forgot in all honesty. I mean it's justified. Bakugo is a dick."

"Hitoshi, he told me and he said Bakugo said something, but after reviewing the footage and listening I realized Bakugo didn't say what Izuku said he did."

"Well, what did Zuchan think Bakugo said."

Aizawa rubbed the back of his head almost like he was about to say something he really didn't want to. "Hitoshi. Izuku informed me that you were taken away from him as punishment."

Hitoshi paused. His whole body just felt numb as he absorbed his father's words. Hitoshi then brought his hands up to his own shirt collar and started to twist at it. "Zuchan…remembered?"

"So, it's true then?"

Hitoshi swallowed hard as he continued to twist and wring his collar violently in his hands.

"Ow! No! I'll be good! I'll be good! Stop it!" Izuku had wailed out in fear as one of the men had grabbed him by his upper arm and was yanking him down the hallway. Hitoshi could only watch as he was being pulled in the opposite direction away from Izuku-

"It… was a vice versa situation. We were often kept away from each other. Sometimes we were…" Hitoshi breathed out uneasily as he felt his shirt tear slightly from how tightly he was holding on to it. "We were beaten for misbehavior if a situation ever called for it. He only saved the beatings for escape attempts though."

"Dammit Hitoshi. I really wish you would have told me all those years ago." Aizawa cursed. "We need every detail for your cases, you know."

"I was five and scared!" Hitoshi couldn't help but lash out all the same as he let go of his shirt collar finally.

"I know…I know." Aizawa gave his head a good shake. "It's just… don't you trust me?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I trust you, you're my dad."

"Then why am I just learning about something as important as this now?"

Hitoshi looked away from his father. Unable to look him in the eye. "I just… it's one of the things I found myself pushing in the back of my mind hoping to forget. I didn't exactly enjoy getting beaten nor did I enjoy-" Hitoshi cut himself off.

"What?"

Hitoshi felt his lips purse. He didn't want to speak about it. Nor did he want to remember. It just bubbled back up to the surface. He shook his head a slow and unsteady shake.

"Hitoshi, you can tell me. You know you can."

Hitoshi shut his eyes before he put his hand to his mouth. 'Fuck. Why'd I have to remember that now.' He felt tears perking in the corners of his eyes. "They… I was forced to watch." He wheezed out as he brought his hand away for a moment. "As they beat Zuchan in front of me…" He finally coughed out as he tried to push his tears back. "If my memory is correct: It was our…fifth escape attempt that led them to that. I don't know if I ever said this before but…Zuchan is lucky he doesn't have his memories of that hellscape." Hitoshi then leaned down and picked the towel off of the ground.

Aizawa let out a deep sigh from inside of his ribcage. "I'm sorry. I know that place was awful, but it's in the past now."

"No, not entirely." Hitoshi didn't even miss a beat as he smacked the towel against his leg a couple of times to get any loose dirt off of it. "Not until the man who ran it is dead."

"How do you know he's not? It's been eight years."

Hitoshi didn't answer right away as he turned his back to his dad and started to walk towards the door. "Trust me, you'd know."

"Who is he exactly? You've never mentioned him before and it seems like you had interactions with him."

"...I never got his name. I just know that he's a man you never want to cross paths with. I will say, I'm surprised."

"About what?"

"That he never took a special interest in you. He liked quirks. A lot. And yours seemed like one he'd like." Was all Hitoshi said before he finally walked inside, leaving his father on the lawn.

"Aizawa." Toshinori sighed as he walked inside of Aizawa's home.

"Bone-breaker." Aizawa grunted in response as he shut the door behind Toshinori. Toshinori didn't exactly look impressed at Aizawa's new nickname for him.

"Ha-ha. So, are you sure you want to do some training today? I mean, Izuku still has to be bruised up."

"Oh, he is. His nose likes to randomly bleed at times, but it's nothing too bad. Besides, he wanted this."

"He did? And you're allowing it?"

"Well, he discovered something. C'mon let's not keep him waiting. I want to hear what he has to say."

Together, the two adults walked from the front door to the living room where Izuku and Hitoshi were sitting on the couch next to one another. Hitoshi looked over his shoulder at Toshinori before he looked away and crossed one leg over the other. 'He really doesn't like me.' Toshinori almost wanted to cry with how cold this boy was.

"Toshinori!" Izuku, the opposite of his brother, jumped up with excitement. He twisted in his seat and hoisted himself up on his knees and leaned his arms on the back of this couch. "I'm glad you came!" Toshinori grimaced at Izuku's face. Granted, it's better than before as the bruises on his face were in the process of healing and not angry shades of black and blue.

"Of course, my boy. So, what is it that you need to tell me?"

"Well, I was thinking about it, if my memory serves right, I used One For All to punch Bakugo."

Toshinori nodded as did Aizawa. "I watched it several times, you had to have." Aizawa commented as he looked down at Izuku. "Despite the fact I didn't want you to use it."

"I hadn't meant to! I told you, it just happened. He made me remember, I didn't even see Bakugo."

"Then who did you see?"

Izuku paused as he thought about it. Then, after a minute or two he just shook his head. "Nobody. I was fighting a voice."

Aizawa let out a mild sigh of annoyance and shook his head. "We'll talk about it later. So, you used One for All to punch Bakugo?"

"Oh, yes!" Izuku happily gave a little bounce as he became excited. "So, I'm sure both of you noticed that my arm was in one piece and hadn't been broken from the attack. I think, even though I was fighting a voice in my head-"

"You sound insane." Hitoshi turned his head to grin at his brother.

Izuku turned and flicked Hitoshi's forehead. "Hush."

"Mm!" Hitoshi scrunched his nose up and rubbed where he was flicked.

Izuku turned back towards the adults. "Even though I thought I was fighting a voice, I still knew I was fighting a person."

"Hm…" Toshinori nodded at Izuku's words. "Do you think that maybe you subconsciously lowered your power input?"

"Yes, but I'm not done. You see, I was so angry and honestly… afraid. You see, I think… I think I've been using the quirk wrong."

Aizawa straightened up. "How could you use a quirk wrong?"

"Well. I was doing it how I've been seeing it done from watching you and Hichan. I've been turning the quirk on and off! I think I've been treating it like an emitter. Like Brainwashing or Erasure or even my own-" Izuku turned his body and reached one of his hands out towards the remote sitting on the coffee table. In an instant the remote shot up and slapped into his open palm. "-Object attraction quirk. Which is an emitter quirk that I can turn on and off."

Toshinori's eyes went wide as he listened to what Izuku was saying.

"I don't think I'm supposed to turn it on and off. I think that's one of the major reasons I break my bones."

"So, you think you're supposed to keep it on all the time? It's a quirk that never stops?" Hitoshi inquired next as he leaned against the side of the arm rest.

"Kind of. I'm thinking it needs to be constantly running through me. I shouldn't be turning it on and off because it's not an emitter! It's-"

"It's like Hizashi's quirk." Aizawa suddenly piped in. "Yes, Hizashi is an emitter, he's the prime example of one, but his quirk is on all the time! I mean, the moment he was born he made the doctors, nurses, and his parents bleed from the ears. It's always on and he can only control it so he won't accidentally hurt anybody."

"My boy, you might be onto something here. This may be the reason why you have such a hard time controlling One for All. How'd you even come to this realization?"

"During the fight with Bakugo. Before I punched him? I had triggered one for all throughout my whole body in my anger and fear. And, I think you're right. It was so much easier to control it through my whole body-"

Toshinori vanished in an instant, All Might now in his place. "Young Tora, I request you punch me!"

"Absolutely not!" Izuku yelled with no hesitation towards All Might. "I-I can't punch the symbol of peace!"

"I wanna see you punch him." Hitoshi grinned, but the grin didn't last as Aizawa suddenly grabbed his ear and gave it a pull. "Ow!" He hissed.

"Be nice. Regardless… I want to see it too. I think you're right, Izuku. However, we need to see this first hand and, let's face it here, All Might is your best punching option especially if you know punching a human will subconsciously lower your power level."

Izuku made a face as he slunk down so only his eyes and the top of his head peeked out at the two adults. "...I… okay…" He squeaked out in his fear. Izuku's big green eyes gone wide with terror at the idea of punching his idol and mentor.

It was decided to be outside in the backyard. It was safer that way and also the damage, if any, would be minimum.

Izuku stood in front of All Might, shivering, but not from the chilly night air. "Okay, so we know from last time we trained: forty percent is too high. Even with this new revelation of yours. I want you to try and go lower. Way lower. Let's do five percent. Think you can do that?"

Izuku thought about it. "I can try. It shouldn't be impossible." With shaking limbs, he raised his fists up. "I can't believe I'm going to punch All Might."

'One for All, don't fail me.' Izuku had thought as he felt his quirk surge through his veins. The immense power quaking just beneath his skin. Lighting him up like a glow stick. Hitoshi breathed out something that Izuku couldn't quite hear, and his father… well, if he was impressed or shocked he didn't let it show. Izuku could spend hours watching the lights under his skin and around his person.

However, the light show ended though the quirk was still surging through his whole person.

"It's not the first time you punched me, my boy! So don't be scared!" All Might tried to calm Izuku down while he continued to grin that familiar smile.

"Wait! You punched him before?!" Hitoshi yelled.

"It wasn't a punch, it was a palm strike!-" Izuku gasped suddenly at the blur in the corner of his eye.

All Might, growing impatient, or seeing a moment to strike, charged directly at Izuku. Izuku, having sensed the attack, jumped back.

A punch was thrown his way and Izuku just hardly managed to miss All Might's mighty fist coming his way by dodging to the left-

He dodged to the right-

Izuku watched All Might as he continued to dodge his mentor's onslaught of punches. 'He's not doing this maliciously. I don't think so. Is he trying to force me into a corner? To make me fight him?' Izuku thought as he managed to duck under All Might's fist. He could feel the air above him move and ruffle his hair from how hard and fast All Might was swinging. One hit and Izuku might just wake up in the hospital.

'All Might is the very definition of a powerhouse. How would dad go about trying to punch him- Oh, that's an easy answer actually. He'd use his size to his advantage.'

Izuku, cocked his fists back, he could feel the familiar tingle of One for All as the power threatened to grow to an unbelievable force. Izuku focused on the power in his arm and imagined the egg in the microwave. The one threatening to explode any second. So, he forced the power to dial back to, what he hoped, was about five percent. Then he jabbed.

He did not swing. He jabbed there was a difference. Especially since he aimed directly for All Might's throat.

Well, good news: Izuku didn't break his hand or his arm for that matter.

Bad news: All Might had disappeared in a puff of smoke the moment Izuku's fist made contact with his exposed throat.

Worst news: Toshinori was writhing on the ground grabbing at his throat while he bled from the mouth and tried to breathe.

"Ah!" Izuku couldn't help but scream. "I'm so sorry!" He rushed to Toshinori's aid.

"Don't. You. Dare. Laugh." Came Aizawa's voice as he immediately scolded Hitoshi, who looked ready to break down in a barely controlled laughing fit. He had his hands over his mouth in an attempt to hold back his laughter. Aizawa had a tight grip on his capture weapon, making it clear that if Hitoshi did laugh he'd be meeting the end of their father's scarf.

Thankfully, after a few terrifying seconds passed by, Toshinori coughed. That wet cough gave way to him breathing. Toshinori sucked in a big deep breath. He breathed in, coughed up wet thick droplets of blood, and breathed out.

"I am so sorry!" Izuku repeated just as loudly. "Do you need water? I can get you water!?"

"No-" Toshinori coughed and put a hand up. "No-" He wheezed out before finally being able to sit up. "Like father, like son, I guess." His voice was scratchy and continued to wheeze while he rubbed at his sore, and probably bruised, throat. "Seriously what is with you guys and going for the throat?"

"We're short and you're tall." Was all Aizawa had to say. "The throat is the easiest place for us as it's actually right at eye level and at an easy height for us to reach, unlike your face. You could see our punch coming for that and try to dodge."

"I see, you train your boys well."

"Thank you for noticing. I want them to be prepared for when they actually face off against villains."

"Still, please, tell me that was five percent, young Tora."

Izuku nodded eagerly. "It was. I had a better grip on my power levels with the quirk running through my veins."

Toshinori fell back on his back suddenly. "Great! Let's try and keep the bone breaking to a minimum from now on!"

"Dad?" Izuku turned towards Aizawa in question. His eyes wide and practically pleading.

"Hm. I still don't like the quirk and it's still highly dangerous to you. That being said, if you can show me that you can use it properly without breaking your bones every time you use it, I'll consider loosening restrictions on it. For now, I only want you to use it when I say it's okay during class. Understood?"

"Yes! That's more than last time." Izuku pumped his fist happily.

Aizawa snorted a half laugh before he reached over and lightly ruffled Izuku's curls. "Still, be careful. I don't like seeing you with broken bones.

The next morning it seemed reporters got wind of All Might working at UA. They were swarming the school like rats trying to get any scoop they could. Hitoshi and Izuku approached the gates to UA. The reporters swooped in like hungry vultures .

"Boy! Is it true All Might is working at UA?!" Was the only question Izuku was able to make out. Instantly he clammed up at all of the camera's flashing in his direction. His blood turned to ice and his lips into cement unable to move.

"No comment." Hitoshi had been the one to speak as he grabbed Izuku's shoulders and started to push his brother past the sea of reporters.

"C'mon give us a scoop, kid! Surely you have to know something?!" Another reporter, a male, had all but yelled at Hitoshi as he shoved a microphone in Hitoshi's face.

"Nah." Hitoshi leaned in and said to the microphone.

"What about you?!" Another microphone was shoved in Izuku's face and he instantly covered his beet red face. Suddenly Izuku's arm was grabbed and he yanked out of Hitoshi's grasp.

"Kid, just tell us something!" One reporter had all but demanded as he grabbed both of Izuku's arms.

"Zuchan-" Hitoshi tried to step in but another reporter grabbed him all the same.

"What can you tell us about All Might? Did he tell you to call that boy Zuchan?!" A female reporter shoved a mic in Hitoshi's face.

"No, I call him Zuchan because he's my fucking brother- get off of me!"

"Ow!" Izuku yelped. He yelped more out of reflex than out of actual pain. He just wasn't expecting to be grabbed as harshly as he was. But that yelp was more than enough. Suddenly a familiar scarf was wrapped tightly around the reporter's face and he was forced to let go of Izuku.

"I know you're not accosting my students." Aizawa's growl from behind Hitoshi. "Let them go and leave before I call the police.

"But we deserve a scoop! We've been camping out here all night!" A different reporter had whined indignantly.

Aizawa's hair rose up and his eyes turned a deep shade of crimson. "I said leave!"

"Let's go, Zuchan!" The moment he was freed, Hitoshi wasted no time snatching Izuku by the hand and using his ID to get them both into UA before they could be grabbed again. As soon as they crossed the threshold there were yells of protest from disgruntled reporters. They were all shouting at once and neither Izuku nor Hitoshi could hear what was said, but what they did hear in just mere seconds could make even the bravest hero jump.

An alarm blared so loudly that it reverberated throughout the whole campus. Izuku couldn't help but cry out in alarm and was slightly ashamed to admit he curled against Hitoshi a bit while covering his ears. Hitoshi covered his own ears to try and tone down the insistent alarm. Then it felt like there was a small earthquake beneath their feet. However as soon as it happened it was over just as quickly.

When the alarm finally stopped, both boys turned to look behind them.

The UA gate was now officially blocked off by a barrier and so was every other possible entrance. Hitoshi only gave a huffing laugh.

"Some asshole tried to pass the gate. Give them an A for effort, but everybody knows that UA doesn't fuck around when it comes to intruders." Bakugo suddenly growled from behind the two of them. Bakugo then went out of his way to push himself between the two brothers.

"Oh." Izuku blinked at the sudden intrusion. "Alright then…"

"By the way." Bakugo suddenly stopped walking and turned to glare at them. "You would have fucking lost yesterday if Barney over there hadn't have thrown the match. So, don't get cocky around me."

"I wasn't going to be? I'm fully aware of the situation." Izuku plainly said as he rubbed at his shoulder. Izuku then smiled and pointed directly at Bakugo. "It's fine though. We'll have a rematch! And I'll win for real next time!"

Bakugo paused at Izuku's optimism before he suddenly scowled and huffed. "Whatever." and just like that he left the two of them alone.

"Let's go and get some breakfast before it's too late." Hitoshi tugged on Izuku's hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."

After a quick breakfast they walked to their classroom. "Good morning!" Ochako greeted once they were inside.

"Morning!" Izuku chirped right back and walked up to her desk while Hitoshi went for his own desk.

"So, 'Zuku, I've been meaning to ask. Do you have any tips for someone who…maybe can't afford gymnastic classes?"

"Can't afford… well…" Izuku leaned against the desk behind him. "I would suggest maybe try your nearby park. They have plenty of things you can possibly balance on and help with your upper body strength. But, if you'd like, maybe after school today we can go to one of the school gyms and I can help you. I'm no expert but I can at least help you be more limber."

Ochako immediately turned red all the way to the tips of her ears. "Th-that sounds great!"

Izuku smiled at her. "Yeah!"

More students started to pile in and Izuku waved and made small talk with some of them. "Mornin' Kaminari!" He greeted his yellowed haired friend.

"..." Kaminari ignored Izuku's greeting and simply sat down in his chair.

'Oh… he must be tired and not up for talking. Hichan can get that way some mornings.' Izuku thought before he sat down at his own desk.

The very moment the door rattled, everyone who was standing was immediately in their chairs. Mr. Aizawa opened the door and looked at everyone. "Good." He grunted. "You're getting better."

"Now," Aizawa stalked up to his podium. "There's a couple things I want to say before we start today. I watched all of your combat trials. Bakugo."

Bakugo perked up.

"You show a great deal of promise. However, you're letting your own personal bias and anger get in the way. You need to learn to let things go and move on. That being said, if your anger keeps up I will be forced to put you into Anger management classes. What you did to Tora I is borderline unacceptable."

Bakugo slumped in his seat. "Heard." He grumbled in annoyance.

"Good. Tora H."

Izuku felt Hitoshi shift in his seat. "Yes, D- Sir."

"You have the skills to do great things. But your devotion to your brother is blinding you. You would have won that battle trial and you know it. This is something you all need to know. It's okay to have friendships or even be in love with other heroes, but you cannot let that get in the way of your mission or goal." Aizawa lightly hissed as he scanned his eyes over every student in his class. "You won't make it far if you do."

"Yes, Sensei!" Everyone shouted. Minus Hitoshi who seemed to shift uncomfortably.

Aizawa nodded and then straightened up. " Okay, Today you all will begin doing something greatly important for your future as heroes." He paused and let his words hang in the air forcing everyone to jump to the edge of their seats. "You'll be needing a class representative."

There was a heavy sigh of relief in the air. "Finally! Something normal!" A couple of kids had happily announced.

"What's so great about a class rep." Hitoshi sleepily grumbled as he rested his head on his desk.

"A class representative shows promising leading skills and great composure for sometimes stressful situations. Something hero agencies will be looking for in the future!" Iida chimed in as he pointed at Hitoshi.

"I want to be class rep!" Kaminari jumped up, making Izuku jump a little at Kaminari's energy spike.

"No! I should be!" Mina yelled.

"You're all wrong! It should be me! You losers are beneath me!" Bakugo snarled.

"I don't care how it's done." Aizawa stepped into his bright yellow sleeping bag. "Just make sure you get it done before lunch." he then zipped the bag all the way to his neck and curled up behind his desk.

There was a bunch of yelling from everyone in the class. People saying that they should be or would be the perfect class representative. Izuku stayed quiet, he really didn't care about being a leader.

"Quiet- quiet!" Iida suddenly yelled amongst everyone causing every person to quiet down. "There is clearly only one true way to do this we must put it to a vote!"

"That's lame. We don't know each other well enough to do that. Everyone'll just vote for themselves." Ojiro commented first.

"Yes, but it is the best way." Ochako agreed with Iida.

"I don't care how it gets done. I just want it done." Aizawa poked his head up. "Now stop wasting time." He growled his eyes flashing a dangerous shade of red.

It was agreed that they would put it to an anonymous vote. People would write down who they want as the class representative and Iida would be the one to tally it down on the board by their names.

Izuku didn't vote for himself. Nah, he didn't seem himself as being class representative, so he gave his vote to Hitoshi. Hitoshi always took the reins and wasn't afraid of public speaking.

Soon all the votes were tallied and as expected most people voted for themselves, but not everybody did.

Aoyama- I

Mina-I

Tsuyu- I

Iida-0

Ochako-0

Ojiro-I

Kaminari-0

Kirishima-I

Kouda-0

Satou-I

Shoji-I

Jirou-I

Sero-I

Tokoyami-I

Todoroki-0

Hagakure-I

Bakugo-I

Tora I- IIII

Tora H- I I

Yaoyorozu- I I

Still, Izuku really didn't expect to get the most votes in the whole class. Four people voted for him.

Four!?

He had to check multiple times to make sure he was reading that right.

"Who the fuck voted for Deku?!" Bakugo snarled as he slammed his fist against his desk.

"What? You didn't think anybody would vote for you, right?" Kaminari couldn't help but meanly laugh at Bakugo.

"Watch it!"

"It's decided! Our class representative will be Tora I!" Iida declared as he thrusted one of his arms at Izuku boldly. Still, Izuku could see it in his face. Iida looked rather disappointed that nobody voted for him.

'If nobody voted for him then who did he vote for?' Izuku thought as he slowly got up and walked up towards the podium. He felt all eyes on him and instantly he felt himself start to squirm a little under their gaze.

"So, for your first action as class representative, who is going to be your vice representative?" Iida demanded.

Bakugo scoffed. "Why ask. It's going to be that 'twin' of his." He then stuck his tongue out and rolled his eyes.

"Ah- er- em…" Izuku clammed up as Bakugo made a point. Izuku wanted nothing more than to have Hitoshi by his side…

But it wasn't fair to Momo. Yet, if he chose Momo he felt like it wasn't fair to Hitoshi either.

"Flip a coin!" Izuku yelled out. "I don't feel at liberty to make this decision. So… let lady luck decide!"

The good thing is that neither of them had to stand as Hitoshi just turned, sitting backwards in his chair now, towards Momo. "You got a coin?" He asked.

"I do." Momo took a yen coin out of her blazer. She put the coin on top of her closed fist. "Call it."

"Tails." Hitoshi answered and Momo flipped the coin up into the air.

The whole class seemed to hold their breath as they watched the coin twirl in the air before it came crashing back down on her fist. Yaomomo covered it with her hand and paused waiting for a second or two.

She removed her hand. "...Tails." She sighed heavily.

"Yes!" Hitoshi jumped from his seat.

"Of course…" Bakugo rolled his eyes in disgust.

That did make Izuku feel a little better to have Hitoshi at his side. They smiled at each other.

"Okay, Tora I is class representative and Tora H is his deputy. These two are in charge." Aizawa commented as he slunk up for just a second before slinking back down behind his desk.

"You know. This won't be too bad!" Tsuyu said with a bit of a smile.

"Yeah, I can get behind Tora I as class representative and it helps that his brother is his deputy, you know? They already work so well together." Kirishimia agreed with Tsuyu.

Soon, a few scant agreements came from their classmates and Izuku couldn't help but feel a bit… prideful about this. He's never been voted on before let alone win.

"I promise! I'll do my best at being class rep!"

"So, you didn't even vote for yourself?" Iida had inquired as he and Izuku sat down at the table together. Izuku forgot to pack a bento today, so it was Lunchrush's lunch today. Which was fine by him.

"Nah-uh. I voted for Hichan."

"I see. Well, you can rest assured that you had my vote."

"Really? But you risked not having any votes for yourself."

"I see a leader in you, Tora. and I'm not the only one apparently-"

"Nope!" Ochako came sliding up, her lunch tray in her hands. She sat next to Izuku. "I voted for you!"

"As did I. Which is funny." Hitoshi commented as he took Izuku's left. "Because you voted for me…"

"So then…who's the fourth person?"

"Most likely, Kami. Kaminari, I mean." Hitoshi blushed suddenly.

"Yeah, you're probably right. Where is Kami?" Izuku looked around for their blonde friend, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Hitoshi shrugged at that. "No clue." He broke his chopsticks apart and started eating. Izuku did the same. For a moment there was no talking at their table as they all ate.

Ochako broke the silence. "Mmm! Lunchrush's food is so good! This is seriously some of the best rice I've ever had!"

"Yeah! It is pretty good!" Izuku agreed.

Hitoshi then spoke as he stabbed at his rice. Changing the subject suddenly. "Hey, Iida, I've been thinking. You wanted class rep really badly. Why did you vote for Zuchan?"

"Yeah, I mean you do look the part for class rep after all!" Ochako chimed in with a smile.

"I honestly didn't feel that I was suited for the job. I thought about it and wanting the position doesn't mean I'm suited for it. The Iida agency taught me that lesson."

"Agency?" Ochako asked with wide eyes.

'Oh right, I almost forgot. He's from a long line of Heroes.' Izuku thought for a moment. Feeling eyes on him. Izuku suddenly looked over his shoulder. Kaminari was standing there. Lunch in hand. Izuku smiled and gestured for him to come and sit.

Kaminari didn't. Instead, he actually used his index finger to gesture to Izuku to come to him. Izuku tilted his head and then pointed to Hitoshi with his thumb.

Kaminari shook his head.

"-I've been meaning to ask. Iida, is your family, like, super rich?" Ochako had asked and Izuku stood.

"I'll be right back. Please, carry on without me." He smiled at them.

"Hm?" Hitoshi hummed and watched his brother leave but when he saw Izuku walking over to Kaminari he didn't bother to get up.

"What's up, Kami?" Izuku smiled once he approached his friend. "You can sit with us, you know-"

"Am I a joke to you?"

"Huh?" Izuku blinked in surprise at Kaminari's accusing tone. "No. Why?"

"I thought we were friends."

"We are. Did I do something to upset you? If I did, I'm sorry."

"It's just… Why didn't you tell me you had two quirks? That's all I want to know, man. Why did you try and play it off like you didn't even know you had a quirk."

'Oh, right, everyone saw me punch Bakugo through a wall.'

Izuku looked Kaminari right in the eye when he spoke next. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you by not telling you. Truth be told, Kaminari. I didn't know I had these quirks until recently and I just forgot to mention it to you. It's not that you're not my friend. I swear. With everything happening, it just slipped my mind."

Kaminari gave a bit of a snort. "It's just… it hurt. Learning that you not only had telekinesis, or something similar, but also that you had super strength. You could have punched Akisho for us."

Izuku laughed at that. "No, I couldn't have. In fact, because of how late the super strength quirk manifested I have very little control over it. Kaminari, it breaks my bones if I mishandle it. That's what happened at the entrance exam." Izuku lowered his voice to a whisper. "I really am sorry if I made you feel like we weren't friends. Or if you felt offended."

"Fine. Fine. I guess I can forgive you. If you get another quirk, I want to be the first to know!"

Izuku laughed. "Fine." He joked. "We good?" He offered his fist for a fist bump.

"Yeah." Kaminari returned it in full.

"Good, now come and eat with us-"

Right as Izuku was turning to face the table again an alarm bleared through the entire lunch room. "We have a code three on campus. We need everybody to get to safe point. I repeat. Code three on campus."

Chairs clattered and lunches were abandoned as a bunch of students got up to run. Izuku flagged down the nearest student. "What's a code three!?" He asked the stranger.

"Somebody managed to get past the school security! We have to get to a safe area in the school! This has never happened before!" The boy yelled before running down the hallway.

"Let's go." Izuku grabbed Kaminari's hand. He wanted to wait for Hitoshi, but he was immediately lost in the panicked crowd. Kaminari was forced to drop his lunch as the two of them ran.

It was absolute mayhem. Students of all grades were crammed into one hallway, yelling, screaming, and just all out panicking in general. Izuku was glad he wasn't claustrophobic-

'But Hichan is!' His mind told him in his own ensuing anxiety rising in his chest.

"Ow!" Kaminari yelped when somebody stepped directly on his foot. "This is insane, man!"

"I know!" Izuku screamed out to him. He kept his grip on Kaminari's hand tight. Not wanting to risk losing him in the crowd. 'Where are the teachers?! This is insane!' An elbow was thrown out and caught Izuku in the back of the head, knocking him down to his knees. He nearly brought Kaminari down with him.

"'Zuku-" Kaminari tried to help him to his feet, but suddenly he was shoved and brought to the ground.

"Ow!" This time Izuku yelped when someone stepped on his hand. "Stop-" someone was stepping on his back forcing him back to the ground. 'Oh god, I'm going to be trampled.' He fearfully thought-

"Get the fuck off of him!" Came Bakugo's yell, and next thing Izuku knew, the person who had stepped on him was ripped off of him. "Are you blind or just stupid!?" Bakugo then grabbed Izuku by his arm. "Get the fuck up, nerd!" Izuku was hoisted to his feet. Bakugo then lunged past Izuku and pushed the person who was currently trying to stop on top of Kaminari.

"Th-Thanks, man." Kaminari breathed out as he was helped to his feet.

Suddenly Iida flew above all of them and landed directly on the emergency exit sign above their heads. "Everybody stop! You all need to calm down!" Iida roared over the crowd. "It's not a real threat! The reporters just managed to get on school grounds! Now we are UA students and we need to act like it! Please! Everybody needs to make an orderly line out the door and stop shoving. Please."

'The reporters…' Izuku thought with wide eyes as he watched Iida.

He turned towards the nearest window, even though he couldn't see out of it fully with everybody in his way. He only had one thought. 'How'd they get past UA's defenses?'

Hitoshi was late getting back to class and Izuku was trying so hard not to let his panic show as he stood at the podium alone. He wasn't terribly late, Only late by a few seconds but he was late regardless.

'Was he hurt? Stepped on? Crushed?' Izuku had thought in his panic. But it turned out he panicked for nothing. As moments later, Hitoshi walked through the door. His hair was out of it's ponytail and absolutely all over the place. His school outfit was a little haphazard, and he was paler than normal. Izuku could see a thin layer of sweat coating Hitoshi's brow.

"Tora H. You're late." Aizawa hissed from his sleeping bag. "Explain."

"I was vomiting." Hitoshi responded as he ran his fingers through his already frazzled hair. "I'm claustrophobic and that who shitshow back there triggered it. I'm sorry." He apologized as he stood next to Izuku. Hitoshi then tried to wipe his brow with his arm.

Hitoshi and Izuku both strolled up to the podium. "Now, before you guys have any questions on what we're going to do as class representative and vice representative, I have an announcement to make. I'm stepping down as vice." He said plain as day. "I'm sorry, after what happened back there, I realized I actually don't have what it takes to be Vice Representative. So, with Izuku's approval I'd like to give my spot to someone more deserving. Iida." Hitoshi gestured towards Iida as he finished talking.

"Hichan… Yes! I agree a hundred percent! Iida, back there you managed to calm down a whole crowd of people. You absolutely deserve the role." Izuku smiled at Hitoshi as his brother stalked back to his seat where he immediately laid his head against the cool desk.

Iida was next to Izuku in a second. "I swear! As vice class representative I will do my best for each and every one of you!"

"This is a waste of time. I don't care who is where. Just move on." Aizawa hissed at Izuku from his spot on the floor.

"Yes, we're done now. I swear!" Izuku jumped.

"Good." Aizawa now suddenly stood and unzipped himself from his sleeping bag. Then the panel in the wall opened showing their cases for their costumes. "Get everybody lined up. We're suiting up. We're all going on a little field trip."

Chapter Text

"Everybody line up. Single file, please. In order with your number." Izuku smiled boldly as he gestured towards the bus doors.

"You heard the class representative! Single file!" Iida, more sternly and loudly, barked while chopping at everyone that passed by him. "No cutting nor bumping."

"God do you ever shut-up." Bakugo mumbled aggressively as he boarded the bus. "Don't you fuckin' sit next to me, Mindfuck." He snapped at Hitoshi who was right behind him.

"Oh, you fucking wish."

"Language!" Iida slid in between Hitoshi and Bakugo and gave them both chops on the back of the head. "As vice representative I will not put up with your foul mouths!"

"Ow! Jeez, I'm sorry." Hitoshi grumbled while he boarded the bus.

"I'm not. Piss off, Glasses." Bakugo hissed all the same. "And if you touch me again I'll break all your fingers!" He yelled before he disappeared on the bus.

One-by-one everyone boarded the bus with Iida and Izuku getting on dead last. Both of them took their respective seats. Izuku, naturally, sat next to Hitoshi, however he noticed that Todoroki was practically sitting in the aisle as Aoyama was laying down holding on to his stomach.

"Is everything okay?" Izuku asked and sat up on his knees to get a better look at Aoyama. "Is he alright?"

"It's fine, Mon Ami." Aoyama seemed to struggle to say as he squirmed a little in his seat. "My tummy just hurts."

'That's right, he mentioned that while doing the pole vault. He can only use his quirk for so long before his stomach starts to hurt. He must be prone to tummy aches, poor guy.' Izuku thought for a moment before looking at Todoroki.

"Todoroki, if you want, you can sit with me and Hichan. This way you're not sitting on the edge of the seat and Aoyama could fully lay down." Izuku offered.

There was a moment of silence as Todoroki seemed to think about it. "Very well." He took up the offer and got up from his sliver of a seat. Izuku immediately squished himself into Hitoshi, who grunted as he was shoved into the window. "Jeez, Zuchan. I can't make myself smaller, you know." Hitoshi gave an uneasy laugh.

Todoroki sat stiffly next to Izuku. There was room for three, yes, but it was a tight fit. In fact Izuku and Todoroki's legs were touching. Izuku looked at Todoroki and smiled warmly at him.

"Hey, Tora H, I have a question." came the familiar voice of Tsuyu as the bus finally started to move. She was sitting directly behind them so that made the conversation a lot easier.

"Yeah?" Hitoshi tried to shift in his seat and wound up nearly clipping Izuku with his elbow as he twisted around to look at her. "What is it, Tsuyu?"

" Call me Tsu. I couldn't help but notice that you use a capture scarf, much like Mr. Aizawa-"

"-Yeah!" Kaminari suddenly jumped a little from his seat as he snapped his fingers. "I meant to ask you about that during lunch, but obviously that didn't happen."

"-Regardless." Tsuyu grumbled as she shot an annoyed look towards Kaminari. "That's a rare capture weapon one I've only ever seen on Mr. Aizawa. Does he train you?"

Both Hitoshi and Izuku froze. 'Crap! She makes a good point.'

"No." Hitoshi quickly, maybe a little too quickly, responded. Hitoshi then rubbed at his nose before answering again. "He inspired me with his capture weapon. That's all." Well, it wasn't a complete lie.

"An Inspiration-" Mina had commented as she lightly rubbed at her chin. It was like a lightbulb had gone off above her head suddenly as she beamed. She nearly threw herself over her seat in her excitement. "-is that code for he saved you?! Mr. Aizawa! Did you save him?!"

"Quiet." Came the sleepy drawl of their teacher.

"I-uh- help me." Hitoshi shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he whispered desperately to Izuku.

Izuku was careful when he turned in his seat. "We saw him in action when we were kids. Hichan really liked the idea of having his own capture weapon like that." Izuku covered for his brother.

"Yeah, I get it." Kirishima suddenly chimed in as he leaned up on his own seat from afar. "You and Mr. Aizawa both have simple quirks that are powerful in their own rights but you need assistance. That brainwashing quirk of yours is pretty awesome."

Hitoshi's face dusted with pink for a second. "I-... thanks." He lowered himself down just a little.

"Hey, Tora I. That powerhouse quirk of yours, what does it entail exactly?" Kirishima turned to Izuku.

"Oh, it's just your standard power enhancing quirk. Kind of like yours. Only instead of hardening I simply become stronger, but I need to be careful because otherwise I could break my bones."

"Oh man, that sounds awful. Still, once you get it fine tuned, combined with your telekinesis you could be a really great pro!"

This time, Izuku blushed. Immediately he rubbed at the back of his head while giving a lopsided smile. "From what I could see with your hardening you have what it takes to be a pro as well! That's a really useful augmentation quirk!"

"Yeah, but do you know who really has what it takes to go pro. It's Bakugo and Todoroki. They both have super powerful quirks with few limitations."

"That's true, but Bakugo is so angry all the time, I can't exactly see him being number one." Tsuyu teased while she stuck her tongue out playfully.

Bakugo growled before slamming his fist down. "You want to say that again?! You know I'll just kick your ass!" He stood abruptly from his seat ready to throw down.

Tsuyu only grinned before she pointed at Bakugo. "See?"

"It's kind of funny." Kaminari leaned heavily against the back of his seat. "We only just met you three days ago, so it's pretty telling that we all know your personality is flaming turds mixed with stinky day old garbage." The more Kaminari spoke, the angrier Bakugo became. He gritted his teeth so hard that Izuku was afraid he was about to break a tooth.

"Ha!" Hitoshi slapped his knee as he barked out a sudden laugh. Hei then curled in on himself as he started to wheeze. Izuku jumped a little, slamming into Todoroki by accident. Hitoshi's laughter was infectious. Next thing Izuku knew he was starting to laugh just the same. Not as hard as his brother, but he was still laughing.

"I'll be the one laughing when I slam both of your heads into a wall!" Bakugo all but roared in his rage.

"Alright, quiet down." That was when Mr. Aizawa stood from his seat. "We're approaching our designation."

Instantly any laughter and talking had quieted to a halt as the bus started to slow down to a stop. "Remember, today we're learning about the trial of the rescue with pro-hero Thirteen."

"Thirteen! She's so amazing!" Ochako started to beam. "I love her black hole quirk!"

"If you're done." Aizawa softly hissed in Ochako's direction and the girl immediately clammed up, stiff and rigid. Once he was sure she wasn't going to interrupt him, he continued on. "The facility we're going to be in will be large and potentially dangerous, and I want you all to be careful and pay attention to your surroundings."

"Yes, Sensei!" Everyone agreed obediently.

"Good." The bus came to a halt in front of the large building and just outside was prohero Thirteen. She immediately waved and Izuku felt excitement flood through his person and clearly it wasn't just him.

Still, Izuku was class representative so he kept his composure and promptly stood with Iida not too far behind him. "Alright, everyone. Please walk in a single file line to the doors." Izuku calmly spoke once he got to the front of the bus. He felt more like a flight attendant than a class representative, but whatever. "No shoving, and please wait for the next person in front of you to move before you leave your seats." Izuku kept his tone calm as he instructed his classmates forward.

It all went well except for Bakugo shoulder checking him on the way out. Izuku was the last person off the bus. Iida was waiting for him on the other side. "You're doing good." Iida complimented.

"Thank you." Izuku commented right back before the two of them joined their classmates. Izuku noticed that Aizawa and Thirteen were having a private conversation with one another. Izuku was absolutely sure he heard All Might being mentioned while Thirteen held up three fingers to Aizawa.

'Ah, he ran out of time. What a shame, I really wanted to train with him today.' Izuku thought rather sadly.

"Wow, it's really prohero, Thirteen!" Mina gushed excitedly.

"Hello." Thirteen greeted them. "A lot of promising young hero's this year. More than last, right, Aizawa?"

Both Izuku and Hitoshi covered their mouths to keep from laughing. Oh, yeah, they've known of the infamous class 1-A that had pissed their dad off so badly that all twenty of them got expelled. But nobody else did.

Aizawa didn't laugh. Instead he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Let's not get off track. Thirteen, please explain to the students what this building is."

"Yes, of course! What you children are looking at is the Unforeseen simulation joint! Or USJ for short!"

"That's exactly like Universal studio Japan!" Several students had cried out. That made Thirteen giggle lightly as she waved them off with a dismiss of her hand.

"Regardless of that, there's a serious discussion we need to have if you kids'll follow me." Thirteen gestured for them to follow and all twenty of them did excitedly. The moment they stepped into the USJ building Izuku smelt many smells. Ranging from the rancid smell of stagnant water to a smoldering fire.

"Wow, this place is huge!" Sero commented with a whistle.

"Yes it is." Thirteen shut her eyes and Izuku could tell that meant she was smiling. "Still, there's something you all must know before we continue with the trial. We need to discuss quirks."

There were soft hums from all around from his classmates.

"For those of you that don't know, my quirk, black hole, is a quirk that sucks up any organic matter, it's so strong and so powerful that not even light can escape it." She explained and even demonstrated by opening one of her finger caps and sucking up a couple of nearby rocks. The rocks were there and then gone within seconds.

"Cool!" Several students had called out and even Izuku couldn't help but grin at the demonstration. She recapped her finger with ease before she turned back to the students.

"Everything that gets sucked up into my black hole is immediately disintegrated into dust. Here's something you all need to know, as useful and valuable as my quirk is, it's also highly deadly." Any cheers were squashed down in an instant at such a serious tone. Everyone had quieted down and suddenly looked somber. "So, I wanted to tell you, that while your quirks are undoubtedly powerful, I want you guys to learn restraint during this exercise as a quirk, even a weak one, can be deadly."

Izuku shut his eyes as he thought about what she had just said. 'Deadly.' that word ricocheted around his head and it was clear that he wasn't the only one who was thinking about it. Hitoshi looked uncomfortable.

It was in the middle of this somber moment that it happened.

"What the-?" Aizawa had suddenly jumped from where he was standing.

At first Izuku mistook it for smoke coming from the fire area, but he realized rather quickly that it was thicker than smoke and it was purple in color. It was almost stifling and it made Izuku's head spin.

"No-" Bakugo suddenly hissed. It was weird, he almost sounded distressed and when Izuku looked at him… he looked unchanged.

Izuku looked towards Hitoshi. Hitoshi was looking in the center of the USJ. Izuku followed his brother's gaze and saw that's where the purple smoke was collecting from. Right in the center of the room. There was something familiar about this smoke and Izuku hated it.

That was when a hand had emerged from the smoke- no portal-in question. Several students had gasped in shock when a person pushed the smoke down to look at all of them. He had a hand, one that wasn't his, planted in the center of his face. The only eye that they could see looked down right crazed.

"Well, well…" A raspy voice called out as the person stepped through the smoke portal with ease. "What have we here? Where is All Might? I was told he'd be joining your class today."

Izuku felt a pull towards this person. It was the same feeling he had with Bakugo when he first met him. The feeling that you know someone but their name eludes you. Izuku took a step forward. Several others wanted to get a better look just as well.

More and more people emerged from the smoke. In fact, the smoke started to make more portals around the USJ to allow as many people in as possible.

"Is this part of the simulation?" Momo had inquired.

"Stand back!" Aizawa suddenly barked and Izuku watched as he put his goggles on-

'No.'

"Those are villains!" He jumped to the edge of the railing to get a better look down below.

"Villains…Hichan-..." Izuku had turned to look at his brother but he stopped short when he saw the horrified look etched on Hitoshi's face. Never has his brother ever looked so terrified. "Hichan?"

Hitoshi opened his mouth.

All that came out was a sharp gasp. Then another gasp, and another, and another-

"Hichan? It's okay-"

"It's-" Hitoshi shut his eyes tightly and curled in on himself. More and more rapid fire gasps left his mouth. At this point, Izuku wasn't scared of the villains, but he was more afraid for his brother. "It's-" He suddenly cried out and Izuku felt his own blood turn to ice at his brother's sudden and shrill cry. "He found me!"

"Who!?" Izuku demanded as he grabbed Hitoshi's wrist.

"The man with axe hands!"

Izuku whipped around to look at the entourage of villains. Izuku then saw him, the man responsible for the Shinsou massacre. The man with axe hands.

Only his hands weren't axes today, it seemed he was going for swords. Just as Hitoshi had described, at least seven feet tall, except his hair, which Hitoshi had said was blonde, was cut down into a buzzcut. There, on his arm was the large lion tattoo. "Shit." Their father cursed out. "Everybody stay together, Thirteen, protect the students!-"

"You can't seriously be thinking of fighting them!" Izuku barked at his father as he grabbed at his sleeve. "There are way too many-"

"You can't!" Hitoshi almost sobbed as he grabbed fists full of his own hair. "You can't! Not against him!"

"Your quirk won't be able to cancel out that many, not only that-"

"Izuku." His father put his hand up to stop him from talking any farther. His hair rose and his eyes flashed red behind his yellow goggles. "You won't get anywhere without taking a few risks." Was the last thing his father said before he jumped off of the railing and into the fray.

"D-" Hitoshi covered his own mouth before the dreaded word left.

"He'll be okay." Izuku tried to reassure his brother, but he was having issue's reassuring himself of that fact. Yes, their dad was skilled. He worked hard for his skills, but he was one against many many villains.

The raspy voice from below them spoke, but Izuku couldn't hear what was being said. Izuku locked eyes with the first man who entered. The smoky portal is now gone, replaced with a purple smokey man standing next to the lanky baby blue haired man with grayish skin.

"C'mon!" Kaminari grabbed Izuku's and Hitoshi's hands. "Let's get out of here."

"We can't just-" Hitoshi wasn't going that easily. "I have to- I can't lose-" His breath was hitching madly as more gasps left his mouth.

Never has Izuku ever seen Hitoshi so uncomposed before. It scared him. He heard the grunts from below as his father bashed different villains left and right. How long until The man with axe hands would get to him?

'Will he meet the same fate as- no. No I won't think about that-'

"Stop them!" Was all Izuku heard as he and the others tried to run for the door.

That was when the man made of smoke appeared right in front of them, halting their escape. Kids gasped, some even screamed. The man almost seemed to float like smoke as he stood there. His bright yellow colored eyes watching the students in front of them.

"Hichan-"

Izuku knew this person.

And it appeared it was vice versa. The moment they locked eyes; his narrowed knowingly. "We're here for All Might." He declared. "We, the league of villains, demand his audience."

"Kids! Get behind me!" Thirteen barked as she raised one of her hands threateningly at the man of smoke. Izuku was more than ready to move back with Hichan in tow-

"Ah!" He cried when his leg was suddenly yanked from under him and he was forced to let go of both Hitoshi and Kaminari.

"I wouldn't do that." The man said plainly as his smoke was starting to reel Izuku in slowly.

"K̷̮̩̐̈́̏̓̋͠͝ḁ̸͈̘͈͎̙͙̤͎̠̾c̴̡͍͍̘̱͍̣͙̭͈͐̓̌ç̸̬̺͎̳͙̱̣͐̃͐̍͝ḩ̴͇͎̬̣̪͉̩̣͋̊ä̷͈̗͇̙̥͛̊̈͒̄̕ṉ̶̨̛̱̹̱̤̝̦̄́̒̊̀̃̃ Save me!" Izuku reached desperately for the boy in front of him as the smoke slowly sucked him in, unforgiving, and smothering him to the point that he almost felt like he couldn't breathe. The boy in front of him flickering between his brother and-

"Let him go!" Bakugo screamed in rage. There was a flash of light followed by the sound of a firework going off and next thing Izuku knew, he was freed. There was a flash of red as Kirishima had quickly got in front of Izuku.

Hitoshi had freed himself from his scared stupor and ran towards Izuku. "Zuchan!" Hitoshi reached for him-

"Oh yes, I remember you! You're not getting in our way this time-" There was a wave of purple smoke that slammed Hitoshi's form and sent him flying into a nearby wall. The back of Hitoshi's head struck the wall knocking him out cold.

"Hichan-" Izuku tried to get up, but was stopped when darkness engulfed all of them in a powerful wind threatening to suck him up. The man of smoke was saying something, but Izuku wasn't listening. He was trying to get up, to run to his brother but the smoke was sucking him up. Several students got the smart idea to duck down, grab the railings, even each other.

Izuku watched in horror as Hitosh got sucked up in the purple smothering smoke with little to no resistance because he was unconscious. Izuku felt his body rise up into the air. "Hi-chaaaan!" He cried out desperately as he and his twin were forcefully separated from one another.

Hitoshi woke up at the worst possible time. He woke up to falling. He was falling and he didn't know why he was falling. A scream ripped through his throat once it had clicked that he was possibly falling to his death.

"Dark Shadow!"

"Got 'em!"

He was saved when something snatched him from around his middle and he was pulled a little more safely towards the ground. Once his feet were on the ground, he looked up at his savior. "Tokoyami, right?" Hitoshi breathed out heavily and uneasily.

"Correct."

"Thanks for the save, I- ow- owe you." Hitoshi hissed when his hand rubbed against the sore spot on the back of his head. When he pulled his fingers back he saw a thin layer of blood. "Damn…"

"That looks like it hurts. Do you need to sit down?" Tokoyami inquired as he took a step closer towards Hitoshi.

"No- I think I'll be fine- ow. Son of a bitch." Hitoshi had accidently touched the spot again and he was cursing at his stupidity that time. "I don't have time to sit-"

There was a ripping noise that made him stop and turn towards Tokoyami who was now ripping his cloak. He ripped one long thick strip clean off with the help of Dark Shadow. Once it was determined to be long enough to his satisfaction, Tokoyami nodded and simply walked up to Hitoshi. He wrapped the cloth around Hitoshi's head like a bandana. Making sure it was covering the sore and still bleeding wound on the back of his head.

Hitoshi couldn't stop his hiss of pain.

"I couldn't help but hear. One of the Villains seemed to have gotten you spooked. I take it you've met him." Tokoyami asked as he worked on tying the cloth.

"Yeah." Hitoshi whispered. "I have… I was hoping I'd never see him again… and now Mr. Aizawa is fighting him and-"

Hitoshi grabbed at his heart. The memory of his biological father's head rolling on the ground as his body falls limply to the floor was still fresh into his mind. Only now, instead of his biological father, it's his adoptive father who just falls to the floor. Dead. Never to move again. Tears perked into Hitoshi's eyes. "-I can't let him get hurt." He whispered nervously.

"Hm. Then it's probably best if we get moving." Tokoyami instructed and for the first time Hitoshi had stopped to look around at the area they were in.

"Where are we exactly? I know this is still the USJ but…" He looked up at the seemingly endless amount of rain that was downpouring on them. They looked to be in a city-

"Best guess? The downpour zone." Tokoyami commented as he looked around. "Fine by me." He then said while Dark Shadow started to nuzzle him. "I'm just glad they didn't send me to the fire zone. The light would have weakened Dark Shadow considerably.

Hitoshi quickly looked around in every direction for an exit. He didn't see one. "Our best option is to just go straight, there has to be an exit somewhere-"

"Well-" Something wrapped around Tokoyami's upper arm and drew him back harshly. "What have we here?!" Hitoshi realized it was a hand just a little too late. The owner of said hand stretched his arm out twenty or so feet in order to grab Tokoyami.

"Let him go!" Hitoshi snarled as he grabbed onto his capture scarf and reeled it out, grabbing Tokoyami's other arm and for a very horrific moment Hitoshi realized he was playing a messed up game of tug o' war with this stretchy limbed villain. Hitoshi planted his feet firmly into the ground. 'I can't keep this up for long, his shoulder will pop out of his socket!' Hitoshi thought as he tried to think of his next move.

It was Tokoyami that had the next move planned out.

"Dark Shadow!"

"Say no more!"

There was a cry from Dark Shadow as the quirk slammed directly into the villain's torso, forcing him to let go of Tokoyami. Tokoyami fell to the ground and Hitoshi reeled his capture weapon back. "Are you alright-" Hitoshi went running for Tokoyami-

Call it a sixth sense that made Hitoshi spin around, using his capture scarf once again, this time on another villain that was trying to sneak up on him from behind. The scarf wrapped around the villain's arms and forced them to her side.

There was nothing special about this woman. She looked average, maybe a bit forgettable even. She had no visible quirk that Hitoshi could really see. Still, he wasn't about to let his guard down. This woman had an air about her that he didn't like. Hitoshi gnashed his teeth together impatiently as this woman smiled. It was this smile that made Hitoshi reach up with one hand to put his voice modifier on over his face.

"You're not All Might, you'll do all the same!" The woman, who Hitoshi now realized was crazed, screamed out before she tugged viciously on the capture scarf. There was the sound of the cloth tearing before the woman freed herself. Her nails were now long, at least five or so inches in length and thickness, and, from the looks of it, sharp as all hell. She tore straight through steel alloy like it was butter, shortening Hitoshi's capture scarf considerably.

Hitoshi immediately had to jump back once he realized she was rushing at him. "What do you want with All Might!?" He demanded of her.

"We're going to make sure today is his last day alive-" The woman stopped suddenly, her eyes losing all color as her jaw went slack.

"Well, then you didn't do your research did you? If you had, you would have known better than to talk to me." Hitoshi smirked behind his voice modulator. "Now do me a favor and point me towards the exit." He demanded all the same and the woman paused before numbly pointing off to the left with one of her clawed hands.

"That quirk of yours is incredibly powerful." Tokoyami commented.

"As is yours." Hitoshi started to jog towards where the woman pointed. As they passed her, Hitoshi spoke again. "Go to the nearest building and lock yourself inside." He ordered and she turned with no hesitation.

"Aren't you going to have to let her go?"

"Yep. But the great news about that is that by the time I do she'll be locked in a building. I can't believe she tore through my scarf!" He looked at the mangled end of his scarf in disbelief.

"Isn't there a range to your quirk? I figured it was considering you threw the match against Todoroki to go and check up on your brother."

"A range? No. I can keep them under my control for as long as I see fit. The reason I let Todoroki go was because I couldn't concentrate on him and Zuchan at the same time. Especially considering how badly Bakugo had beat Zuchan." Hitoshi explained as he tucked the damaged end of his scarf into his collar for the time being. "I knew I was going to let him go regardless…"

"You weren't always planning on throwing that match, were you?"

"No. Of course not. If Bakugo hadn't gone apeshit I would have given it my all to defend that thing." Hitoshi scratched at his face nervously.

"Hm. I see." Tokoyami shut his eyes for a moment before the two of them picked up their pace into a jog. "You clearly love your brother."

"Yeah, I do. I hope he's okay-" It was then where they both were forced to stop in the middle of an intersection before they could continue.

two different types of villains stood circling each second of the intersection. This meant they circled the two of them by proxy. 'Shit.' Hitoshi thought with a growl.

The two of them had very visible quirks. The first being a man with dark blue reptile-like skin and a reptilian face. His eyes were almost completely black in color and he would occasionally flick his tongue out to clean his snout.

The second man with a visible quirk was a man that looked like a cactus. That wasn't a hyperbole. He looks like a cactus. His skin was a deep green with sharp yellow spines coming out of every bit of his skin there was. Even when he smiled. 'His poor mother.' was the only thought in Hitoshi's head at that moment.

These villains looked blood hungry as they stared the two children down like they were their next meal. "And just where do you two think you're going?" Cacti had snarled. When he moved Hitoshi heard the sound of small objects falling from his person, meaning he lost his sharp little spines a lot.

"Get out of our way!" Tokoyami demanded as he stood next to Hitoshi.

That was when the blue reptile man melted to the floor. He became limbless as he slithered along the floor so quickly that by the time Hitoshi dared to blink he was already back in his human form directly in front of Hitoshi. His little blue tongue flicked in and out of his mouth rapidly, threatening to lick Hitoshi's face if he wasn't careful.

"If we decline? What will you junior heroes in training do then? Look at you, so scared, trembling like a kitten-" Hitoshi, remembering the night before, threw his arm back and punched the man directly in the throat.

"Get the fuck out of my way!" Hitoshi roared in rage as the man started to choke. He grasped on to his throat in desperation while he fell back to the ground a horrible gagging noise leaving his mouth as he desperately tried to breathe. "I'm not playing this game with you fuckers right now!"

"You brat!" Cacti roared. He moved his arms in a wide arc and Hitoshi saw just what Cacti's quirk fully entailed as tens, if not hundreds, of sharp cactus spines were aimed and locked on to him.

They never made it as Dark Shadow quickly shielded Hitoshi from the attack. That gave Hitoshi just enough time to get down to his knees and throw out his shortened, scarf. The scarf only just barely managed to wrap around Cacti's legs, but that was fine. Hitoshi yanked the man's legs out from under him with a simple pull.

Cacti went down, but Hitoshi wasn't done. Once the man was down, Hitoshi reeled the capture weapon back into his hands only to shoot it out again, wrapping around Cacti's upper arms. Hitoshi ran, pulling the villain into him, and then Hitoshi jumped. Hitoshi thrusted his knee up to meet the cactus man's nose. There was a sickening crack through the air as Hitoshi broke this villain's nose for sure. The man fell with a grunt, but he wasn't unconscious.

"You-" The man was immediately silenced when Dark Shadow came flying out of nowhere and slammed into him directly. Cacti went flying back into the nearby building. Now he was unconscious without a doubt.

Hitoshi turned to Tokoyami "Nice job-" that was when suddenly something long and lanky wrapped around Hitoshi's throat and tightened around it.

"You abssssolute menace!" Snake-man seethed as he was now a lot smaller in stature, just small enough to go unnoticed before it was too late. Hitoshi gagged as the man constricted against his airway. His breathing was instantly stopped and he felt his face turn hot from this, no doubt flushing an ugly shade of red.

Hitoshi tried to reach up and scratch at the scales of this snake, but his nails hardly did any damage. "How doesssss it feel!?" If it were possible the man tightened himself around Hitoshi's neck.

Suddenly, Tokoyami's hand shot out, grasping the snake by its tail with one hand and it's head with his other and then he pulled. Within a second the snake was off. Hitoshi collapsed to his butt as he grabbed onto his neck. 'Forget dad. That's gotta be the worst by far.' Hitoshi could only think as he rubbed at his neck uneasily.

Tokoyami still had a Snake-man in his clutches. Snake-man was writhing, trying to get out, but not transforming back to normal size. Was he too scared to? Knowing that they'd probably attack him while he was transforming? Then Tokoyami simply smiled. "Dark Shadow, care to do the honors?"

"With pleasure!"

Tokoyami then tossed snake-man into the air with ease just in time for Dark Shadow to strike him and away the little snake flew. Where did he go? They didn't know, but Hitoshi was sure he wasn't coming back.

That was when Hitoshi walked up to Tokoyami. Hitoshi then rested his arm on Tokoyami's shoulder and smiled. "We make a good team."

"I agree."

"Now, let's find the nearest exit and get out of here before more villains show up."

Aizawa grunted as he punched a nameless villain to the ground. Several villains tried to rush at him, but with the help of his scarf he managed to propel himself upwards and once at a safe enough distance he wrapped his scarf around two villains and smacked them into one another knocking them out.

He breathed out heavily once he landed nimbly on his feet. His hair lowered to his shoulders for just a second before he was back up and moving. These villains were endless. It felt like no matter how many he managed to knock down, two more took their places.

He charged at a small female villain, kicking her legs out from under her before punching her right in the face. Down she went like a lead weight. Down again his hair went and he stopped for just a second. Someone was behind him, but not approaching. So, he turned.

"This one is mine."

"..." Aizawa didn't speak as he grabbed at his capture scarf and his hair rose.

'The man with Axe Hands.' He thought to himself as the man was standing in front of him, his face split into a smug grin. His hands were not axes, but rather swords. Aizawa watched as this man's left hand morphed from a shiny sword to a sharp looking broad axe. 'I've been waiting for this day…' Aizawa almost felt a little giddy as he got down a little lower, ready to charge.

"Eight years ago, you murdered Yua and Dai Shinsou in cold blood and I have been dreaming of this moment ever sense I learned of your horrific deed…"

"Shinsou…shinsou… that name sure does sound familiar-" The man lightly knocked the blunt side of his axe against his head like he was thinking. He then smiled a shit-eating grin "Are you talking about that purple-haired brat! Don't tell me he's still alive! Was that his scream I heard? I can't wait to see him again."

Aizawa grounded his teeth in rage. "Not while I'm still standing you won't!" Aizawa then charged. He activated his quirk and the man with Axe Hands became the man with Normal Hands. Much to the man's confusion.

This man may have been bulkier than Aizawa, but he wasn't stronger as Aizawa easily wrapped the man up into his capture weapon. With an angry war cry ripping from his throat, Aizawa flung the villain over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Down the man with Axe hands went as he hit his skull and then he fell limply to the ground.

Aizawa snorted and reeled his scarf back. "We're not done. I'm going to come back to you, just you wait." Aizawa all but snarled in the direction towards the man with Axe Hands. "When all of this is said and done… I'm going to break every bone in your fucking body!" Aizawa swung his leg out, kicking an approaching villain directly in the stomach without looking.

He had more villains to fight for the time being. Aizawa turned towards who he assumed to be the leader of this 'league of villains'.' 'I'm coming for you next.'

"I'm so happy you're okay." Kaminari quickly attached himself to Izuku. Izuku, soaked to the bone, was a little apprehensive about hugging his human taser of a friend, but did so regardless.

Izuku, Tsu, Kaminari, and Koda had all wound up in the same zone together. The flooding zone.

Izuku was almost immediately snapped at by a villain but thankfully Tsu had saved, not only him, but Koda as well with that tongue of hers. Kaminari had landed directly on the boat and now here they all were.

Once he and Kaminari separated Izuku felt his body shiver from his cold sopping wet clothes. Izuku tried to not let his coldness show as he and everybody else crouched down in a small group in an attempt to hide from the villains surrounding the ship. "An-anybody hurt?" Izuku asked in a whisper. They all shook their heads. "Good. Good." He nodded.

"So, what do we do now?" Kaminari whispered softly as he pointed towards the villains waiting on him.

"Well, we have to be careful for the time being, they may know our quirks-" Izuku was cut off by Tsu, who shook her head.

"No, actually, I don't think that's true at all. If they had, they wouldn't have put me here in the water if you think about it."

"That's right. I also have a huge advantage with water." Kaminari nodded along with Tsu.

"Okay, so then they don't know our quirks. Which can be an advantage to us." Izuku whispered as he started to think about it in his head.

"Whoa man, it almost sounds like you want to fight them." Kaminari gave an uneasy giggle as he looked at Izuku with slightly worried eyes. "Wouldn't it be best to just wait for the pros?

"Kami, no alarm went off. Not one. Someone has to be tampering with the security system, I'm willing to bet… I don't think the pros are coming. At least, not for a while."

"Yeah, and not only that, but I feel like they won't just sit there for too much longer." Tsu pointed down at the villains waiting down below in the water. "Fighting is our only option."

It was the drastic movement from Kouda that made Izuku look towards the quiet student. Kouda had his hands over his face and was shivering violently. He shook his head from side to side as well. He looked terrified.

"I'm with you on that man." Kaminari was also trembling ever so slightly.

"I think we should all quickly explain our quirks and what they do. That way we can formulate a plan off of this ship the best we can." Izuku moved in closer towards the group. "and … Kouda." Izuku leaned forward and put his hand on the other boys. "I know you're scared, but you have my word, I'm not going to let anything happen to you, any of you, if I can help it. It's my job as class representative to protect you guys."

His words seemed to put Kouda a little more at ease as his trembling relaxed just a tad and he looked at Izuku with wet eyes. Then he lifted his hands up and he started to finger spell.

"I don't like violence, but if it'll help get us out of here… I can command animals with my voice. I can make them do things to help, like having birds scout a head or even have them attack if the situation calls for it."

That was when Izuku raised his own hands up so he could use both sign language and speak at the same time. "I see. While a useful quirk, I don't think it can help us in this situation. As far as I'm aware, the USJ doesn't have any animals."

"I didn't know you knew sign language, 'Zuku." Kaminari suddenly commented in slight awe.

"Hm? Yeah, I have a deaf uncle. It's no big deal. Back to the task at hand. Tsu? What's your quirk like?" Izuku asked as he continued to finger spell for Kouda.

"Me? Well, there's not much to my quirk, I can basically do everything that a frog can! That includes jumping really high, sticking to walls, and I can extend my tongue really far and can even use it to grab on to people or objects." Tsu started and Izuku nodded, wishing for his notebook so he could write this all down. "Oh! And I can camouflage myself as well as secrete a toxin, but it's mostly harmless. I can also spit my stomach out to clean it."

"Oh cool!" Izuku nodded along. He'd have to ask her questions about it later when the situation wasn't so dire. "Kami?" He turned to his friend.

"Oh, well, you know most of my quirk. I'm basically a human taser and I can emit electricity. I can often even absorb electricity. Now, I can throw my quirk out up to a certain distance, but I have no control over it, meaning it can hurt anybody and everybody. Also if I accidentally go over my wattage limit I'm left in a very vulnerable state for up to an hour. Zuku?"

Izuku nodded and sighed. "I have two quirks. Object attraction, which is as it sounds. If I see an object I want it'll automatically come to me. I can speed up, slow down, or even stop it's projection towards me. Now, my second quirk is a little tricky. I'm sure you all saw during the battle trial that it's a strength quirk, which is true. However, if I'm not careful about my percentage level I can very easily break my bones. It's rather finicky like that. That and… my dad doesn't want me using it until I stop breaking my bones."

"Your dad? He's not here, Zuku. Besides, I'm sure he'll understand given the situation!" Kaminari scoffed.

"Mm…" Izuku twisted the hem of his shirt in his hands before he looked down at the villains below them. "...You're right. He'll have to understand, besides, it's not like he can ground me, can he?"

'Hichan would get it.' Izuku thought before he stood. "Alright. How are we dealing with this lot?" Izuku asked his group.

Izuku could feel it in the air as they discussed their plan; The villains were growing restless and agitated in the water. He could hear them shuffling around, but not coming up to the boat. Because Tsu was right earlier, these villains don't know their quirks. So, the villains had no clue just what they're dealing with.

The plan was simple. Izuku was going to create a loud distraction. That'll give Tsu enough time to grab Kaminari with her tongue along with Izuku. Izuku was going to hold on to Kouda so as not to overwhelm Tsu too much and from there they were just going to swim until they'd reach land.

"Be careful Izuku." Kaminari reached up and gently pulled on Izuku's hand. "If you die, Toshi will probably kill me and then himself."

"Dark, but not wrong." Izuku whispered back with a bit of a laugh. "Alright, remember the plan. Kouda, stay close okay?" Izuku signed to Kouda and Kouda nervously nodded while giving him a thumbs up. "Alright." It was then did he jump up on to the railing of the boat.

Izuku sucked in the deepest breath he could possibly muster before shouting out: "Eyes on me, fuckmouths!" His yell was so loud that he could hear it echo and reverberate all around. "Get out of my SCHOOOL!" Izuku braced his wrist on top of the other as his quirk flared and he saw sparks of green run throughout his body right before he flicked his fingers in the direction of the villains. "Ah!" Izuku grunted in pain as the two fingers he used broke. He didn't want to risk his attack being too weak, so he decided that he could sacrifice two fingers for this and used One-for-all at a hundred percent.

This action was more than strong enough to create a violent whirlpool that sucked all the villains in like a vacuum.

Tsu wrapped Izuku up in her tongue and Izuku swiftly grabbed Kouda, hoisting the quiet boy over his shoulder with ease.

That was when Kaminari did something surprising. Lightning cracked around him, Izuku felt his hair rise from the static in the air. Kaminari only needed to charge up for a few seconds before he threw his arms out. "Take this!" He sent an electric wave down towards the water. It was like watching a blanket of electricity fall directly into the water.

The screams the villains gave as they were being electrocuted in the water were horrific.

"Jesus christ, Kami…" Izuku whispered in his shock.

"Heh…hehe…"

"Kami? Er…" Izuku slowly blinked as he looked at his friend. Kaminari had a rather dopey look on his face. He had his hands up, giving Izuku, Tsu, and Kouda a shaky thumbs up. "Oh. He must have gone over his limit." Izuku took note of the small trail of blood running from Kaminari's nose.

"So, this is what he meant when he said he was vulnerable." Tsu responded. "Still, color me impressed, you guys are pretty amazing."

Izuku felt his face heat up from the praise. "Thanks…"

When they hit the water, Tsu had to carry Kaminari on her back while she swam underwater. Kaminari still did that little laugh while he flashed them all a thumbs up. Izuku and Koda both swam close together and it didn't take too much longer for them all to hit land.

"Man, that was risky, I'm glad it paid off." Izuku mumbled nervously as he started to stand. He quietly nursed his broken fingers.

"You're telling me- Kouda, can you hold on to Kaminari so he doesn't accidentally drown himself?" Tsu asked and Kouda obliged, holding Kaminari up bridal style so the risk of accidental drowning was decreased.

"Heh…Heh." Kaminari continued to flash his thumbs up towards Kouda.

"Now what do we do?-" Tsu had started to inquire, but she stopped once she saw Izuku's hand. "Are you okay? That looks like it hurts."

"I'm fine." Izuku quickly covered his hand with his sleeve. "As for your question, our best course of action is to try and find a way out to get help from the adults." Izuku told her and she nodded.

"I agree- is that Mr. Aizawa?"

Izuku immediately turned to look where she was looking and he watched as his father fought for a few seconds. "We should- we should help him." He breathed out as his heart fluttered nervously in his chest. A fear overtook Izuku in a second as he watched his dad.

His dad was fast and limber, expertly dodging left and right, but he had to be running out of steam. "He needs help."

'He needs me!'

"Hold up, Tora I. We can't just run in. Let's swim up and wait for an opening." Tsu put a hand on his chest and for good reason. Izuku never realized he was about to take off until she had touched him. Izuku looked at her nervously before nodding.

"You're right, C'mon." Izuku slunk back into the water and started to quietly swim up to the plaza, but also in a place where they were able to keep hidden. Kouda kept his hold on Kaminari, and even put a hand over his mouth to keep his little 'heh's' quiet.

'Dad.' Izuku watched his father fight, expertly dodging left and right while knocking villain after villain down. Still, Izuku knew his father. He was running out of steam. Each time he stopped to take a breather, Aizawa was panting heavily and sweat was beading down his face, soaking his hair. Then it was right back into the fray when another villain would inevitably attack.

The man who caused this, the man with hands all over his body, started to rush at Aizawa. "So, you must be the final boss!" Aizawa hissed before he shot his capture weapon out at the man. Aizawa charged, managing to slam his elbow into the villain's torso. Izuku, Tsu, and Kouda all gasped happily at this. 'Dad has this. He always has things under contro-' Izuku's thoughts were cut off once he saw that the villain had his dad's elbow in his grasp."

"-It wasn't easy to spot when you were constantly jumping around. But I finally found your tell. Your hair." Aizawa let out a grunt of pain and Izuku could only watch in horror as his father's elbow started to turn a sickening shade of gray right before the clothes disintegrated. "You're having to blink a lot more often-"

Izuku's horror only grew as the skin around his father's elbow turned to ash along with the blood as it was showing his muscles. 'No…' Izuku bit his lip. 'Stop it.'

"You really shouldn't push yourself too hard now, Eraser. You might just fall apart." The skin caked away falling down like tiles from a roof.

A loud and sharp gasp left Izuku's mouth.

Aizawa managed to swing his other arm, punching the man away from him. The villain gasped out in shock as he fell to the ground. Aizawa took several steps back away from the villain only to immediately almost be attacked by another one.

Even with one of his arms down for the count, Aizawa still managed to defend himself by kicking said villain away from him and dodging away from another one. It still wasn't enough though as soon, he was surrounded.

"That stupid quirk of yours isn't made for long drawn out battles, is it, Eraserhead?" The blue haired villain mocked as he got up.

Izuku felt that familiar buzzing in his head as he heard this man speak. He knew him. Izuku knew he knew him.

"You work more with stealthy situations. One-on-one battles. Player vs player. Not for a big battle royale like this. You know this and yet still you didn't hesitate to jump into the middle of the fray. Why? For your students, to put their minds at ease?"

One villain, one with sharp metal claws, tried to swing at Aizawa, but Aizawa managed to wrap them up before they could get that far and he sent them flying. The group that had him surrounded all tried to attack, but Aizawa managed to knock each and every one of them down.

His breathing was heavier, more labored, but still, Aizawa turned towards the main villain and tugged on his scarf, letting his hair rise up once more.

"You're still standing! You are so cool! But, I guess I should tell you." The bird-like behemoth appeared out of nowhere beside Aizawa. Aizawa gasped out and turned his head, but he turned too late- "I'm not the final boss."

Izuku's eyes went wide as whimpers left his mouth. He could only watch in absolute horror as this creature beat his father into the ground. Blood went flying everywhere as his father cried out in pain with each attack. 'Nonononono-'

"D…dad…" Izuku whimpered his heart felt like it was ready to implode. The idea of losing his father horrified him. He wasn't ready to lose his dad, not now, not like this. "Stop…" Izuku was moving before his mind was. "Don't hurt him-" The creature bashed his father's head into the ground. More blood spilt. "I said stop!" Before he knew it he was standing in front of the creature.

"Hm?" The villain almost seemed to laugh at this, but his laughter was short lived, because the creature, whatever it was. It stopped.

The brutal fight was over in seconds. His father laid there whimpering softly while this thing had his in its grip. Izuku swallowed hard as he clenched his fists by his side. The creature trilled in confusion as it tilted it's head at Izuku quizzically.

"... Nomu, you listen to me. But, I guess I have some questions now…" The scraggly villain suddenly hissed before he rounded on Izuku. "Who are you to control my Nomu? A player two?" He then started to scratch at his neck.

Izuku felt himself start to shake a little while he swallowed hard.

"You look familiar to boot…"

'Did I really control that thing?'

"Izuku!" It was Tsu's cry that made him turn his head just in time to see something glittering coming at him. Izuku only just barely managed to dodge getting his head chopped clean off of his head, but not fast enough to save his cheek as the edge of an ax dug into the soft part of his cheek.

"Ah!" He stumbled back and grasped on to his bleeding cheek. He then looked up at the man with Axe hands.

"Izuku- Nomu, catch him!"

Izuku didn't have time to react. First he held his bleeding cheek and then next thing he knew he was being put into a hold; pressed against this Nomu's chest so he couldn't move.

"Let me go!" Izuku swung his fist back behind his head in an attempt to hit Nomu against the side of his head. "Detroit Smash!" Izuku roared out as One-for-all coursed through his veins and body.

Nothing. Happened. The creature wasn't even phased.

"Sm…smash? Don't tell me you're acquainted with All Might, Izuku. Besides, it's not like that little attack will do anything against my Nomu. It's the anti-symbol of peace. Made specifically to negate any attack he may do to it. A powerful creation indeed!"

"Don't talk to me like we know each other- Let me go!" Izuku roared at Nomu. It worked once, why not try it again. The creature's grip went slack for only a second before it tightened.

'Fine…' Izuku wheezed out uneasily as he looked towards his friends. They were still in the water. Tsu looked like she wanted to jump in, but he didn't blame her for not. This creature, this villain, they were no joke.

"You absolute idiot, you could have killed him!"

"I thought you wanted them dead, Shigaraki."

Shig-

Shigaraki…

"Tomachan!"

"What, Izu-sama?"

Izuku knew that name. The buzzing in his skull intensified tenfold and almost made Izuku feel sick.

"Things changed. The prodigal son has returned to us."

Chapter Text

Even after my parent's deaths, I never stopped fighting. I never stopped screaming for them to save me as they had in the past. Even though back then. I knew they were gone and they would never come back.

Hitoshi kicked against the man holding him. This man wasn't the man with Axe Hands, but rather some big goon. "I want my mommy!" Hitoshi screamed before he violently threw his head back, smacking the man right in the nose with the back of his head.

"Ack!" The man dropped Hitoshi and instantly the boy took off running. "You brat! Get back here!" There were heavy foot falls behind him and Hitoshi immediately turned a sharp corner and prayed for a hiding place. Instead he rammed his body right into someone else. Hitoshi gasped as he fell back on his butt.

He gasped when he saw another little boy around the same age as him. The boy had green curly hair and bright green eyes that stood out greatly against the pure white clothing he was wearing. This little boy wasn't alone as an adult male stood behind him. The man was tall, probably taller than the man with axe hands. He wore a plain, but expensive looking suit. His hair was white and the curls almost matched the little boy's curls. When he looked down at Hitoshi, Hitoshi saw that this man had red eyes.

Instantly Hitoshi felt on edge and afraid. This man had an air about him that chilled Hitoshi to the very bone. He started to scramble away while scared gasps left his mouth. "No- no…" Hitoshi managed to curl himself against the nearest wall while he shook violently. "I just- I want to go home."

"And just who are you?" The man asked with a curious head tilt. "Kome? Who is this boy?" This man then turned towards the man who had Hitoshi in his grasp earlier.

"Shinsou, sir."

"Shinsou… ah…" The man slowly turned to Kome in particular. "This wasn't the person I asked to be collected."

Kome huffed while he bowed his head. "I apologize. The man you sent to collect them, he killed our original target. We figured the child was better than nothing. He has a brainwashing quirk, found that out the hard way. we figured that would interest you."

Hitoshi put his hands to his eyes as a scream ripped through his throat. His own scream echoed around the tight too-bright hallway. "I just want to go  home !" Hitoshi all but shrieked as he grabbed fists full of his hair.

"I have no use for him nor his quirk. Maybe I could make him into a Nomu, make him useful-"

I never knew it at the time. I only realized way later on in life, when we were officially safe that you saved my life. Did you know this at the time, Zuchan?

The boy dropped down so he and Hitoshi were face-to-face. The boy was squatting and with his face so close to Hitoshi's, Hitoshi could see other little details better. Like the millions of freckles that littered his face and body.

"Izuku, what are you doing?" The man inquired as he turned to look at the boy in question.

"I like him." Izuku whispered, his eyes slightly wide while he shook a little.

"Oh?" That got the man's attention as he came over and put his hands on Izuku's shoulder. "Do you?" When he looked down at Izuku, Izuku looked up at him and nodded.

"Can I keep him?" Izuku questioned and Hitoshi bit his tongue. More than anything Hitoshi wanted to yell, he wanted to scream that he wasn't some stray dog that they can keep, but he didn't. Deep down he knew better than to yell. That he needed to stay quiet if he wanted to keep living.

"Well, give me a reason why we should and I'll consider it."

"He's my age."

"And?"

"...I like his quirk."

"You haven't seen it yet, my boy."

"Well, from what I gathered. His quirk might be wasted on a Nomu."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. From the little I heard. His quirk isn't activated by touch, nor is it a quirk that he can just will on a person. He probably needs something like… speech or a response to activate it. Am I right, Kome?" Izuku turned towards the man in question.

Kome gave a very nervous nod. "Ye-yes."

Izuku then looked up at the white haired man again. "Making him into a Nomu would be a waste, daddy. Unless you plan on making him into an intelligent one, which may not even work out. So, why not keep him. He could be… my second brother. With a quirk like his and with Tomachan protecting me I will absolutely be safe from any and all harm."

'Daddy' paused as he thought on Izuku's words. "Very well. You got your wish. You-" The white haired man pointed at Hitoshi. "-Are a very lucky boy."

"I am a very lucky boy." Hitoshi commented out loud. This caused Tokoyami to look at him in confusion while the two of them ran.

"Are you alright?" Tokoyami asked as they both carefully slid down a particularly steep foot hill. "You went quiet for a while. I was starting to get worried."

"I'm fine." Hitoshi stopped and looked down at the other foothill they were approaching. Once he saw that this one was steeper than the last so he turned and reached for Tokoyami's hand. Tokoyami hesitated for a moment before he reached and took Hitoshi's hand into his own.

Hitoshi took the lead and carefully slid down the hill helping to keep Tokoyami up right. They were getting closer to the plaza now. That was when Hitoshi stopped suddenly and he dropped to his knees, letting go of Tokoyami. Hitoshi grabbed onto his head. 'It's gone!' but that thought only lasted for a moment, a second if even, before he felt normal again.

'Oh, nononono. This is bad.' Hitoshi was shaking as Tokoyami looked at him with wide eyes.

"Are you alright?!"

"I…need to find my brother." Hitoshi whispered as he got back up to his feet. "C'mon!" with that he took off running.

He continued to run. They were getting close to the plaza and Hitoshi could see that some villains were still standing but most were down and out for the count. The ones still standing didn't bug him, except for the giant one that had their back to them. They were too far to make out any features, they were just blobs and shapes to Hitoshi.

'Where's dad?! I don't see him any more.' Hitoshi realized once they were getting closer and closer to the group that his father was nowhere to be seen.

The closer to the group they got, the more features Hitoshi was able to make out. Like how it looked like the giant of the group was holding on to someone. Keeping them from escaping. 'It's dad. It has to be.' Hitoshi thought with a growl.

Hitoshi spotted an abandoned rebar on the ground and snatched it up as he ran. If his father was in trouble then dammit, Hitoshi wasn't just going to stand there.

Closer and closer Hitoshi fell upon the group of villains, the leader, the one with the hands plastered all over his body seemed to be in a heated discussion with-

Hitoshi stopped short. Just like that his bloodshed dissipated when he realized that the man with Axe Hands was standing right there. Well, maybe it was best he stopped because that was when Tokoyami tackled him. The tackle was surprising but not uncalled for.

"Do you have a death wish?" Tokoyami hissed as the two of them hid behind a bush for cover. "You need to stop and think before you act."

"Yeah." Dark Shadow emerged and struck Hitoshi against the skull. This made Hitoshi whine and cover his head.

Hitoshi was ready to bite back at Tokoyami but he stopped when another familiar voice cut through the air. One that made Hitoshi be reminded of his head wound.

"Tomura Shigaraki. I have grave news, a student has managed to escape and is probably asking the pro's for help as we speak."

Hitoshi and Tokoyami both cautiously peeked up over the bush to see who the man of smoke was speaking to. He was talking to the man with hands all over his body and almost instantly Hitoshi dropped down so he was no longer looking at the two of them.

'That's Tomura Shigaraki?! I've only heard of him in passing, I never met him. Then… that means they are back. He's still around and this isn't just a random villain attack.' Hitoshi felt a gasp leave his mouth and feared he was going to lose control of his emotions again.

Tokoyami put his hand over Hitoshi's mouth to keep him quiet, and possibly grounded.

Shigaraki let out an unhappy whine and this was followed by the sound of repetitive scratching. "Oh Kurogiri, if you weren't our warp gate out of here I would have turned you to dust by now! At least tell me you got rid of Thirteen?"

"The space hero will not be bothering us anymore."

'No! Not Thirteen!' Hitoshi's mind ran wild with the idea that Thirteen had been defeated. 'At least she hadn't been killed…' There was little relief to that thought. Then Hitoshi looked over at the man made of smoke.

'That's right. Kurogiri… he remembers me, but I think we only met once. During one of our escape attempts, he caught us. He nearly caught us on our last escape attempt as well… He's going to send us back- no-' Shinsou clenched the rebar tightly with both of his hands. 'We will never go back to that hellhole.'

"I guess that's it then. Let's just take what we got and go home-"

"Are you kidding me! I never even got to chop a single head off of someone's shoulders!" Axe Hands practically whined while he waved his axes around violently.

"You do make a point. I guess we could ruin the Symbol of Peace's pride before we leave-" With that Shigaraki turned and that's when Hitoshi saw that Tsu, Kouda, and Kaminari were in the water and Shigaraki was going for the most defenseless one. Kaminari who clearly wasn't all there and in Kouda's arms on top of it all.

'Everything he touches turns to dust. So, it's best you learn how to protect my son otherwise Tomura will be coming for you next.' Hitoshi from memory alone because it terrified him. It was something instilled in him as a fear, a knife hovering over his head threatening to fall.

Then in seconds, Shigaraki had his hand clamped tightly on Kaminari's forehead. But nothing happened.

"Oh, Eraserhead, you are just so cool-" Shigaraki turned and the behemoth of a man moved and Hitoshi finally got to see where his father had been this whole time.

He was a bloody and broken pile on the floor, just hardly able to raise his head up to stare at Shigaraki, to stop him from turning Kaminari to ash.

"Tell you what, Raion, cut Eraserhead's head off." Shigaraki gave a dismissive wave. "He's just become a nuisance at this point. And this will be a mercy killing."

"No!" Came Izuku's shout and that's when Hitoshi realized something horrific. That giant bird man had Izuku in his clutches.

Tsu sprung into action. Grabbing Kaminari from Kouda with her tongue. "Run!" She told Kouda who was now freaking out and shaking from his spot in the water.

"Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami yelled and Dark Shadow shot out from Tokoyami, blocking Shigaraki's attack and actually forced Shigaraki to take a step away. "Go! Hurry!" Kouda took a scared step back, tears sprung in his eyes as silent cries left his mouth.

Raion sported that same manic grin that Hitoshi remembered all those years ago as he charged for Aizawa. Hitoshi's caregiver. Hitoshi's father. "No…" Hitoshi whispered as he gripped the rebar so tightly in his gloved hands it hurt. "Not again…" He stood.

Raion was getting closer to his father.

"Stop…" Hitoshi took a step closer as he readied the rebar in his hands.

Hitoshi was never noticed as Raion got ready to swing-

"I'm not going to lose another family to you!" Hitoshi roared and ran. A deep scream ripped through Hitoshi's mouth as he swung the pipe, blocking Raion's axes from getting to Aizawa. There was an actual spark when the metal from Raion's axes struck the rebar and he actually looked a little shocked that someone would dare stop him from murdering. Hitoshi's legs nearly gave out from the weight Raion was putting on the bar.

"Well, well, who do we have here?" Raion smirked as he added more weight against Hitoshi's bar. "Hitoshi Shinsou, right? I remember you… more specifically your screams when I cut your mother's head off of her shoulders right in front of your eyes!"

"Don't hurt him- don't hurt him!" Izuku shrieked and Hitoshi could hear the tears in his brother's voice. Out of the corner of his eye, Hitoshi could see Izuku kicking against the giant being in an attempt to get free.

Raion's eye color flickered. From their normal brown color to a whitish color as his strength depleted for just a moment. Hitoshi nearly collapsed to his knees as he dared to look at Izuku. "S-" Hitoshi growled as the tip of Raion's ax threatened to nick Hitoshi's nose.

Hitoshi felt his arms shake as he tried his hardest to push Raion's arms up and away from him. "You think you're big and brave, huh? What kind of a man cuts down a harmless mother!" Hitoshi spat in Raion's face, making the man shake his head in disbelief, but Raion didn't respond. He just smirked and forced more weight down on the bar. This nearly brought Hitoshi down fully to his knees. "You! You fucking coward! You decapitated my mother in front of me! She was harmless!" Hitoshi roared more in desperation to get Raion to talk to him.

"And I'll do the same to you!-"

Right when Hitoshi was going to activate his quirk to silent Raion there was an explosion towards the USJ doors that caused both of them to turn their heads towards the explosion in question.

"I thought something was wrong when neither Aizawa nor Thirteen were answering their phones." A voice that sounded like it came from the heavens echoed all around them. "I cannot begin to think of the horrors you kids faced, but fear not, children. For I am here!" All Might roared in rage, a very prominent scowl on his face as he ripped his tie off of his form.

Hitoshi let out a tiny but happy gasp. "All Might!"

"It's All Might!" Izuku cheered and his voice broke with excitement.

"We're saved!" Tsu cried.

Hitoshi made the mistake of allowing his form and grip to slack on the rebar and Raion used that to his advantage; smacking it right out of Hitoshi's hand and sending the bar flying away from him; Raion smiled. "I'm going to enjoy this!-" Raion threw his arm back and it was more on instinct did Hitoshi lift his hands up in a pitiful attempt to protect his neck.

Well, it turns out it was for nothing. There was a violent gust of wind and Hitoshi gasped as Raion was suddenly gone. With one solid punch, All Might sent Raion flying into the water. Hitoshi paused for a moment, and it was only when All Might was standing in front of him, did Hitoshi fall to his butt.

"Than-Thank you!" a whine left Hitoshi's mouth as he felt tears perk and fall from his eyes in seconds. It wasn't until the danger was gone did Hitoshi realize that he almost wasn't going to make it.

"Ah, All Might." Shigaraki started to scratch at his neck.

"You kids, take Aizawa and get out of here." All Might didn't even acknowledge Shigaraki as he directed Tsu, Kouda, Kaminari, and Tokoyami towards their downed teacher, and to Hitoshi by proxy.

Tsu jumped, Kaminari still wrapped in her tongue, and she was the first to Aizawa while Tokoyami and Kouda both ran.

"I- I'm not leaving without my brother." Hitoshi swallowed so hard that he could feel his throat click. He then slowly stood and stared the giant beast down.

Shigaraki let out a dry laugh. "Your brother?"

Hitoshi growled and took a step forward ready to throw down, but All Might stuck his arm out stopping Hitoshi in his tracks. "Stop. Let me handle this, young Tora." All Might spoke in a low voice.

Feeling movement beside him, Hitoshi turned and saw Kouda pick Aizawa up with ease and placed him on Kouda's back. Hitoshi saw that yes, Aizawa was still awake. Hitoshi felt torn for a moment as he looked back and forth between his father and his brother.

"Now, you dastardly villains, if you have beef with me that is fine, but you will not hold a child hostage! Let him go!"

"Unfortunately not, Symbol of Peace." Shigaraki had a mocking tone in his voice as he then gestured towards Izuku in question. "This one belongs to us."

"How many times do I have to say it!? I don't know you! Let me go!" Izuku violently kicked his legs against the creature holding him. Izuku's quirk flickered as green lightning moved through his body in a 'blink and you'll miss it' way.

'Stop, calm down. You nearly took it once!' Hitoshi thought as he felt that familiar feeling that nearly brought him to his knees again. He wanted nothing more than to yell at his brother to stop, but he couldn't if he did then…

Everything he worked so hard to conceal would be for nothing.

"Then it appears we're at an impasse because I will not let you leave with that student of mine. Why? Because I am here! Carolina…" All Might was powering up for an attack and for a very real moment Hitoshi feared that All Might was going to sacrifice his brother by attacking the giant bird that had Izuku in his grip, but no.

It was right as All Might swung did his plan come to light. He actually swung towards Shigaraki. "Smash!"

"Nomu!"

Izuku was dropped like a sack of potatoes as the creature jumped in front of Shigaraki to protect him.

'That's a Nomu!?' Hitoshi thought with wide eyes. He was nearly turned into that?!

As Izuku fell he braced himself with his arms and he looked up at All Might with wide eyes. "All Might! That thing it-"

"-It's the anti-symbol of peace!" Shigaraki expanded his arms out as he declared this once the punch landed and Nomu didn't move. "It has shock absorption, meaning no matter how hard you punch you can't send it flying, but it really was a good try."

"Hi- Tora H, Get your brother!" Aizawa barked, his voice deep, raspy, and slightly gurgled as he spat blood out on Kouda by accident. "S-sorry." He wheezed.

"Right! You guys go on ahead! Get him to safety!" Hitoshi went running for Izuku as the others quickly went running back towards the entrance. He reached his hand out "Let's get out of-" Hitoshi was shocked when Izuku knocked his hand back rather harshly.

"No-" Izuku hissed as he stood to his feet. His legs wobbled uneasily. Hitoshi noticed fairly quickly that Izuku was not just pale but was sweating while his body shook.

"It's best if we just let All Might handle it, Izuku. He's the pro after all besides-" Hitoshi leaned down. "It's an order from dad." He whispered to Izuku. Izuku's breath hitched as he stumbled a little. "You don't look well, you need to rest."

"I…I can't leave." Izuku whispered back.

"Well, I must thank you for telling me about Nomu's shock absorption! I have other ways of defeating such a creature!" All Might quickly grabbed Nomu from around its middle, hoisted this beast up before suplexing it.

For a moment things seemed to be looking up, but that didn't last long. Purple smoke appeared right blow All Might and he let out a startled cry of pain and Izuku let out a soft and startled gasp at what they were witnessing.

Kurogiri used his quirk to transport the Nomu's head and hands directly below All Might so the Nomu was now squeezing All Might's sides tightly with its big meaty hands. "I do not like having blood in my portals, but if it means getting rid of you then I'll gladly do it." Kurogiri snarled and his portal started to tighten around All Might-

"Leave him alone!" Izuku then charged. His quirk activating giving him an increased speed. He then reached his arm out and the rebar that Raion had knocked out of Hitoshi's hands earlier flew into Izuku's hands.

That was when his brother slammed the end of the bar into the Nomu's eye.

"Oh fuck!" Hitoshi couldn't help but scream out in terror.

The Nomu let out a shriek of pure pain as it released All Might, but it wasn't down for the count and neither was Izuku as he pulled the bar out of the Nomu's eye.

But… it didn't end there.

"Got you!" Came Bakugo's shout as the blonde used a loud explosion to attack Kurogiri. Then He grabbed onto the back of Kurogiri's neck where a metal plate was just barely visible to the naked eye. Bakugo then pinned Kurogiri to the ground effortlessly. "Heh! I knew there had to be a body on you somewhere, you weird portal freak!"

It didn't end there either as suddenly ice came flooding in freezing half of Nomu's body.

All of this combined allowed All Might to escape the creature's grasp.

"I was informed of your plans to kill the Symbol of Peace." Todoroki gave a growl as he walked towards their group. "Luckily I ran into Bakugo and Kirishima on the way here and we've come to stop you."

Hitoshi watched as Kirishima tried to attack Shigaraki but he just barely missed as Shigaraki dodged out of the way. This caused Kirishima to jump back to Bakugo just as quickly.

Izuku was shaking a little more noticeably as he held the rebar tightly in his hands, one end now bloodied. and Hitoshi could feel it in his own mind. What Izuku wanted. 'Stop.'

"Now don't you try anything fucking funny. Or else I swear they'll be taking you out of here in pieces!" Bakugo hissed to Kurogiri.

"That's not very heroic." Kirishima gave an awkward laugh and Bakugo actually chuckled.

"Well, neither is stabbing someone in the eye, but it seems Deku isn't as useless or cowardly as I originally thought."

"Tora I, you don't look so good bro." Kirishima took a step towards him. Hitoshi saw that Izuku was staring right at Shigaraki.

'Don't you fucking do it!' Hitoshi took a big step forward ready to stop his brother.

"Aw, Izu-Sama, I almost missed that murderous look on your face." Shigaraki all but mocked Izuku. Izuku's breath quickened.

"I-" Izuku paused to breathe in as he tightened his grip considerably on the rebar. "-Don't know you!"

That was when Shigaraki turned to Hitoshi. Hitoshi felt his blood turn to ice, like Todoroki was freezing him stiff. He said nothing and that made Hitoshi even more anxious. "Well, I can't have you pinning my portal out of here, can I? Nomu, kill boom-boom boy so we can get out of here-"

It was on that command did the Nomu break free of Todoroki's ice but it caused half of his body, the half that Izuku had stabbed to boot, to break, but if there's one thing Hitoshi learned, it's that he shouldn't get his hopes up as the Nomu regenerated. Not only did it heal it's missing limbs, but the eye that Izuku had taken out as well.

"What?! It has more than one quirk!?" All Might cried out in shock as he watched this.

"Oh yes! I never said shock absorption was its only quirk symbol of peace!" Shigaraki cried victoriously. "This Nomu was made specifically to fight and counter your attacks! Now, Nomu! Kill the explosion brat!"

The Nomu jumped ready to attack. Bakugo let out a gasp and for a moment even Hitoshi felt like the worst may happen.

Two things happened. One: All Might was faster than the Nomu and managed to grab Bakugo and Kirishima right in the nick of time, jumping them to safety.

Two:

"Don't hurt him!" Izuku roared out and the Nomu stopped and trilled in confusion.

'It's gone!' Hitoshi collapsed to his knees as he grabbed at his head. 'Stop! Stop! STOP!'

"Attacking children, how low can you get?! Do you have no mercy!?" All Might growled. If he had questions about Izuku he wasn't asking.

Hitoshi slowly got to his feet. As he reached for his brother almost blindly. 'Give it back!' Hitoshi stumbled as he grabbed at Izuku's shoulder.

"Well, I had a choice. My ally or your student. I mean, as long as we're on the subject. Maybe you've forgotten, but he-" Shigaraki pointed towards Izuku. "-Stabbed my Nomu. Why is reckless violence only good if it's the heroes doing it? You heroes create violence to solve violence!"

"Fuck you! You attacked us first!" Izuku yelled back at Shigaraki. "What did you expect us to just lay there and take the beating you give us!? You attacked us, you nearly killed our teacher and Thirteen did you just think we weren't going to fight back!?"

Hitoshi clamped both of his hands on Izuku's shoulder and he could feel his brother's shaking was even more violent than last time.

"You don't look so good, Izu-sama-"

"I. Don't. Know. You! So stop calling me that you-you- basement dwelling man-child, who sounds like they eat a carton of cigarettes for breakfast everyday!" Izuku shrieked in a mixture of exhaustion and irritation. He then dropped the rebar to the ground.

Shigaraki tensed and he got down like he was ready to attack. Izuku squatted down as his quirk flared out all around him. His exhaustion was pushed to the side as green lighting flickered all around his limbs.

It never got that far as while they were having that little fight, All Might had squared up on the Nomu and their fists had collided. This sent Izuku flying back into Hitoshi's arms and the two boys rolled to a stop. Hitoshi made sure he took the brunt of the fall as he wrapped Izuku up tightly.

Izuku was shaking even more violently in Hitoshi's arms now. "Give it back." Hitoshi whispered to Izuku. Hitoshi left no room for argument as he grabbed onto Izuku's hands. Izuku only shook his head softly from side to side.

"I don't- I don't have anything-"

"You do."

All Might was yelling, something about the Nomu having a limit to it's shock absorption, but in all reality, Hitoshi wasn't listening.

"Hey-" Kirishima came rushing to them. "Are you two okay? Tora I, you look awful." Kirishima offered his hand and Hitoshi took it, using both Kirishima and himself to get Izuku to his feet.

Izuku stumbled and his legs nearly gave out as his knees buckled.

"-Plus Ultra!" The trio turned swiftly just in time to see the Nomu go flying out of the USJ through the roof. A relief flooded Hitoshi in an instant. "Heh, I've really gotten weaker, in my hayday it would have taken five good punches to do that. Tops. Now? That was over three hundred." Hitoshi could see smoke leaving All Might's form and felt on edge.

"Good, we're not needed anymore." Todoroki sighed out in relief as he reached for Izuku. "Can you walk?" He asked softly.

Izuku had only gotten paler as the time went on and he truly looked awful. "I-"

"Hitoshi Shinsou! This isn't over-"

"Mother fucker!" Hitoshi cursed as he turned just in time to dodge as Raion's, now soaked to the bone, axes came swinging down. Bakugo came to Hitoshi's aide, surprisingly. He used his explosion to stun Raion just long enough to kick him away.

"Shinsou!? I thought your name was Tora?" Todoroki asked as he tried to use his ice to freeze Raion in place, but with his axes it didn't work and the man was free within seconds charging again. However, with his wet form he was shivering now, making him slower than before.

"It's a long story!-" Hitoshi felt defenseless as he jumped back just in time to avoid another slice for his head.

"Stop." Izuku wheezed.

There was too much happening at once. Between Raion attacking Hitoshi and not being knocked down, to Shigaraki who wasn't going to give up. "Stop!" He cried again as he buried his hands into his curls.

Shigaraki charged for All Might, his hand outstretched ready to try and turn the hero to dust.

"Izu-Sama." Shigaraki's voice rang throughout his head.

"Give it back." Hitoshi had hissed in his ear.

"I almost missed the murderous look on your face."

"Give it back."

"Remember Izuku, you can- you can- you can have any quirk your heart desires." A man had once said to him.

"Everybody stop!" Izuku howled so loudly that he felt his vocal cords stretch and tear. And…it worked. Those around stopped; freezing in place. Eyes blank and mouths slack-jawed. This included those on his side as well. From Hitoshi to Shigaraki and even Kurogiri was affected, Izuku felt dizzier and dizzier the longer he tried to keep this quirk in place.

He stumbled towards All Might, hoping to push him awake so he could finish the job. Izuku's legs nearly gave out as he felt something wet running down his face. Was it tears? Had he been crying? It wouldn't surprise him. His head was killing him, feeling like it was going to explode as his brain throbbed against his skull violently. "All-" Izuku's vision started to blur and darken around the edges.

It lasted only two maybe three seconds tops before he let go of everyone at once. Izuku fell right at All Might's feet. He felt sick, dizzy, and like he was knocking on death's door.

"Sorry for the wait everyone! I've returned with the teachers!" came Iida's proud voice.

A gunshot rang through the whole of USJ striking Shigaraki in the shoulder.

Hitoshi jumped back as a bullet struck Raion right in his left hand.

"Shigaraki!" Kurogiri made a portal, but he was just a little too late as more and more bullets flew striking Shigaraki in non-fatal area's.

"You're not leaving me!" Raion jumped through the portal in record time.

"You coward!" Hitoshi roared in anger.

"This isn't over! One way or another! You're going to come back to us, Izu-sama! One way or another, father misses you!" Shigaraki promised right before the portal vanished.

"Oh-" All Might fell to his butt as he shrunk down into his tiny form. The smoke surrounding him was more than enough camouflage for them.

Izuku clamped a hand over his nose as he now realized that the wetness was coming from his bleeding nose. The blood wasn't light either as droplets fell past his fingers. He felt sick and before he knew it, on top of the bloody nose, he vomited up his lunch.

'Not right- not mine- not right- not mine!' Izuku's mind was a flurry of thoughts. "Hey-" Toshinori put a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Are you okay, young Tora?"

"Not-" Izuku tried to speak but he cut himself off as he felt himself shaking and shivering again. "Not mine!" Was all he managed to say before he felt sick again. His body was freezing and that's when he realized he was currently at the start of a fever.

"Breathe- here." Toshinori ripped the sleeve off of his white shirt and held it to Izuku's nose. "That's a lot of blood. Did you get hurt?"

'He needs to know!' Izuku then grasped onto Toshinori desperately. "Not- mine!"

"What's not, please, just tell me."

"Hi-" Izuku felt even more lightheaded as the tunnel vision almost completely overtook his eyesight. "Hichan's quirk… It's not…mine." Was the last thing Izuku managed to wheeze out before darkness completely took over him.

Chapter Text

Toshinori never liked hospitals, he's been in and out of them way too many times over the years for his liking. However, in this situation he wasn't given a choice as he looked at Detective Tsukauchi next to him in the elevator. It's been only a day after the USJ attack and Toshinori held on tightly to the two mammoth sunflowers in his hands. One for Aizawa and one for Izuku.

"I still don't understand." Toshinori mumbled as he scratched at his neck.

"About what happened to Izuku?" Tsukauchi asked and Toshinori nodded in response.

"He had a seizure in my arms… I was honest to god afraid that he was going to die in my arms. He was bleeding from his nose and couldn't form a complete sentence. He just kept saying that 'Hitoshi's quirk isn't mine.' which… I don't know. It makes no sense." Toshinori shook his head as he sighed. "I'm just glad the paramedics managed to stabilize him."

"Yes, it is a good thing." Tsukauchi hummed as the elevator finally dinged and the two of them stepped off into the post-critical unit. "Let's try and talk to Izuku first. See if he can tell us what he knows."

"Agreed, I'm especially interested in this 'father' the villain mentioned." Tsukauchi kept in step with Toshinori.

"Don't be surprised if he won't know. Izuku has memory problems and that villain was… crazed to say lightly." Toshinori grimaced at the insane look in Shigaraki's eyes as he stared at Izuku.

Tsukuachi only hummed as they continued to walk down the busy post-critical hallway. People walked past them without giving them a second glance. Why would they? Toshinori wasn't in his All Might form. Toshinori looked at names on the doors and eventually he found the one he was looking for.

Aizawa, Izuku.

Aizawa, Shouta.

"Alright, just be aware if Hitoshi's in there he can be a bit quirky-" Toshinori started to warn Tsukauchi about how…quirky Hitoshi Aizawa could be when it comes to his brother, but suddenly Izuku's door opened.

"Well, that could have gone better." Came a male's voice; before the man was out of the door. He had four long arms and he used all four of his arms to smooth out his colorful orange blazer. His hair was a bright teal color and when he turned to look at Toshinori and Tsukauchi he had orange cat-like eyes hidden behind electric blue glasses. "Oh, hello there. Are you here to see Izuku?" He smiled at them.

"Yes," Toshinori started as he smiled warmly at the man. "I'm one of his teachers." He brought his hand out and the man took it with his lower left hand. "I brought detective Tsukauchi with me to talk to him-"

"Oh!" The man's eyes lit up. "How sweet, but there's no need-"

It was right on cue that the door opened again, and a pudgy elderly man walked out of Izuku's door. He had a scruffy beard surrounding his mouth and chin. When he turned to look at them, he smiled and his eyes crinkled in the corners. "Tsukauchi, it's wonderful to see you again."

"Detective Osada… What's a homicide detective doing questioning children?" Tsukauchi inquired as he stepped up to Osada in question.

Osada's smile turned to a bit of a frown. "Ah, well, I've been on these boys' cases since the very beginning. It's, ah, unfortunate what happened to poor Hitoshi, but it makes me smile knowing he's in safe hands with Aizawa… I just hope Aizawa can bounce back from this. Poor guy." Osada lightly scratched his cheek.

"What happened to young Hitoshi?" Toshinori couldn't stop himself from asking the detective and Osada's face turned grave.

"I was told the man with Axe Hands was in the USJ, was that true?" Osada asked Toshinori.

"The man with Axe Hands…I think I know who you're referring to. The one I had to stop from beheading, young Hitoshi."

The man with four arms put his upper right hand to his mouth in shock. "No wonder he doesn't want to talk about it. I thought he was just being difficult… well… he was but, you know."

"Yes, well, The man with Axe Hands…Rion, I think I heard Hitoshi call him, he's responsible for the Shinsou bloodbath."

"The Shinsou bloodbath, my god, I had just joined the force when that took place, those pictures gave me nightmares for weeks…and if you're bringing it up then…" Tsukauchi's eyes suddenly lit up. "The boy was found?!"

"Yes, and that boy is Hitoshi."

"Eight years later and I'm just now learning this…"

"It was Aizawa's choice. He feared that Rion would come back for Hitoshi if he knew he not only got away from his kidnappers, but was adopted on top of it." Osada sighed heavily as he looked back towards the door.

"The Shinsou bloodbath. I've never even heard of such a thing." Toshinori scratched at his head. "With a name like that, you'd think I would."

"It wasn't actually called that. It's what the police called it at the time." Tsukauchi explained. "It was… I wasn't one of the responding officers, thank god, I think I would have quit. But from the pictures alone it was horrific. Two young people mowed down like nothing. Beheaded clean through and their son was missing."

"And you want to know the worst thing about it, Tsukauchi? Hitoshi saw the whole thing. Both of them."

Tsukauchi went quiet before he turned to Toshinori. "Maybe that's why this boy is 'quirky'. Wouldn't you say, Toshi?"

Toshinori blushed before ducking his head down. "I had no clue."

Tsukauchi suddenly tapped at his hat. "But wait a minute. The file said that the Shinsou's only had one son."

"They do." Osada nodded.

"But Izuku and Hitoshi are brothers?" Tsukauchi inquired a little confused.

"Ah, this is where I step in. Hello, Suzuki Higashi at your service." He extended both of her lower hands for both men to take while he used his upper right hand to pull at his earlobe a little nervously. Once their handshake was over and pulled his arms back to his side. "I work with CPS and I'm the social worker for both Izuku and Hitoshi. You see, when Hitoshi was found all those years ago he wasn't alone."

"Izuku was with him." Toshinori had a feeling he knew where this was going. "And let me guess. Izuku had no memory."

"Ah, Aizawa told you about that detail, did he? Yes. Izuku had no memory. He didn't even know his last name. The boys were attached at the hip from the moment they were saved. Hitoshi didn't want to be separated from Izuku, it was that bad. So, it was no surprise to anyone that they'd started calling each other brothers."

"That's strange. Kidnapped victims usually want to try and distance themselves from their trauma, but Hitoshi and Izuku… in a very strange sense-" Toshinori muttered.

"Don't you dare forget that at the time these boys were both five years of age. Not only that but Izuku had no memories, Hitoshi was all he knew, on top of the fact that Hitoshi witnessed the death of his parents first hand." Higashi immediately scolded Toshinori, making him clam up.

"Right. I apologize. I was just saying. It almost sounds like a weird form of Stockholm syndrome the more I think about it."

"Stockholm syndrome? That… that makes no…" Higashi was trying to open his mouth to argue but each time he cut himself off by thinking. "Izuku didn't kidnap him." He settled on saying a little smugly to Toshinori's accusation.

"Well, if you think about-" Toshinori was ready to retaliate, but then Izuku's door slammed open. 'Speak of the devil.' Toshinori thought as a very cranky, and even more tired looking Hitoshi Aizawa threw himself out of the room. He had a death grip on the doorframe that was so tight that his knuckles turned white. Toshinori was quick to notice that Hitoshi was still in his hero uniform. Though now it was rumbled and looked a mess on him.

"If you're going to talk about someone then do it out of earshot!" He hissed between clenched teeth at the adults. "And I don't have Stockholm syndrome!" He practically screamed before slamming the door shut with a snap.

Higashi sighed heavily before dropping his voice to a whisper. "He's been short with everyone. Not that I can blame him. He nearly lost his adoptive father and brother on the same day. I tried to get him to talk to me to open up. To not bottle his emotions up, but… it didn't work. So, if you're going to try and talk to him. I suggest you do it when Izuku and Aizawa are both up and walking."

"Well, we really just want to talk to Izuku, Hitoshi can listen if he likes-"

Osada sighed a loud and tired sigh. "You don't get it do you? Izuku is still unconscious from the USJ attack. It's why Hitoshi is the way he is right now. He has to fret over both his father and his brother basically being comatose while he's awake and okay. To put it bluntly. You're not talking to anybody, at least not today."

"Oh." Toshinori blinked, he felt both frustrated and concerned. "Well… I'll just drop these off-" He gestured towards the sunflowers in his hands. "-and we can visit the hospital again tomorrow, Tsukauchi."

Tsukauchi nodded. "Yeah, sounds like a plan."

Toshinori walked past the other two and walked into the hospital room. He quietly shut the door behind him and looked around the room.

Both Aizawa and Izuku were laying in beds adjacent to one another. Aizawa was covered in both bandages and casts alike. He was so motionless that even after staring at him for a long time, Toshinori would have worried the man was dead if not for the heart monitor beeping calmly beside him. There were stuffed animals, cards, and flowers covering his nightstand. No doubt from the students he risked his life for.

Then there was Izuku. Izuku wasn't alone on his bed. Hitoshi had wedged himself on the twin-sized bed. He was on top of the covers while Izuku was laying under them.

Hitoshi's concussion was completely healed by Recovery Girl, it's like Osada said. The only one awake and well while his family lay injured.

Hitoshi had his arms wrapped around Izuku's torso, his head under Izuku's chin with his face against the base of Izuku's neck. Toshinori watched them for a moment and took note of the fact that Hitoshi was most definitely wiping tears from his eyes while occasionally giving out shuddering uneven breaths.

Toshinori placed a sunflower in a vase by Aizawa's nightstand and moved to do the same for Izuku.

Izuku had some cards on his nightstand, but not as many as Aizawa had, which was really to be expected.

The closer to Izuku he got, the more Toshinori could see. Like how red Izuku's face was as he panted through his killer fever. Toshinori stopped and gently reached over to touch Izuku's forehead. He really didn't know why he'd expect anything different than the obvious when he felt just how hot Izuku's forehead was.

Toshinori put the flower in the vase and he spoke softly towards Hitoshi. "I'm sorry about your parents. If I would have known that that man had done that-"

"-I don't need your fucking pity." Hitoshi all but hissed in his enraged state. "I get that you're the 'Symbol of peace' and all that, but I cannot stress this enough. I literally don't care right now! Why can't you adults see that I just want to be left alone?! My dad and my brother are both in the hospital and you guys are all up in my face wanting me to talk. Or keep bringing up my past trauma, or theorizing that I have some mental illness because I love my brother! Just leave!"

Honestly, the tone and disrespect Toshinori was receiving was enough to throw him off. Never has anybody spoken to him like that, even in his skinny-form he'd received at least the basic amount of respect from his students. A part of him almost opened his mouth to scold the boy for being so disrespectful, but the last thing he needed was for him and Hitoshi to get into some sort of screaming match in the hospital.

"Very well." Toshinori said curtly before leaving the room as requested. The moment the door shut he looked at the other adults. Higashi only gave him a sly smile.

"You spoke to him, didn't you?"

"Mr. Eraser?"

Aizawa sat up with a start as light suddenly flooded his darkened bedroom. Breathing hard for a moment he feared he had an intruder at the strange tiny figure in his doorway, until he remembered he was fostering two children.

He rubbed his eyes with his hand tiredly before his eyes adjusted and he saw he was looking at Izuku. The little boy was in his All Might onesie that Hizashi insisted on buying him. He had tears in his eyes as he shook a little violently in his spot. "W-What?" Aizawa breathed in and out heavily once his heart started to calm down.

"I-I had a scary dream." Izuku whimpered through his tears.

"Oh." Aizawa blinked. He knew that this was a possibility he just didn't think it'd be so soon. He can't get attached to these little boys. So, he laid back down in his bed. "I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure Hitoshi would be more than willing to comfort you-"

"I had a scary dream too." Came Hitoshi's own shaky voice came and he appeared in the doorway dressed in his Endeavor onesie.

Aizawa sighed heavily before sitting back up and looked at the two little boys. Both boys had tears in their eyes as they held onto each other's hands. "Well… I can't exactly help with that, boys. The dreams are done and over with-"

"Can we sleep with you tonight?" Izuku boldly cut Aizawa off.

"Absolutely not. It's completely inappropriate and illogical. You both are too old to be sleeping in my bed."

He figured that would be the end of that. But he forgot how resilient children could be sometimes. "Please?" Izuku whimpered.

Aizawa made a mistake. He looked at the two boys again. They were still shivering where they stood and holding on to one another like they were afraid the other was going to leave. He sighed again before falling back onto his pillow. "Fine-"

He didn't get another word in before both boys launched themselves at his bed. Izuku snuggled himself on Aizawa's right while Hitoshi made himself comfortable to Aizawa's left.

Aizawa would never admit this out loud, but this was surprisingly comfortable for him. 'Don't get attached.' He reminded himself. "Okay- okay! This is only for tonight. Do you two hear me. You will not be crawling into my bed every night. This is a one time only special. Do you both hear me?"

He received sleepy nods from both boys. "Good, now go to sleep-"

-Aizawa groaned at the sheer amount of pain coursing through his body. Opening his eyes he could only see through an open slit that still blocked some of his vision. 'Oh god, how long have I been out?' He thought as he tried to move his neck to look around, but he found that to be almost impossible to do.

'A full-body cast. Of course. That, what was it again, Nomu? It fucked me up good.' His memory was spotty, but it was still there, which was good in its own right. Aizawa awkwardly shifted around his bed so he was sitting up in a position so he could look around the room to the best of his abilities-

"-What am I going to do?" Hitoshi truly had looked worse for wear as he was now pacing around the hospital room. He had Aizawa's scarf in his hands and was wringing the scarf violently as he continued to pace. From what Aizawa could see Hitoshi's eye bags had bags of their own. His usual fluffy hair was a little less fluffy as it hung limply down to his shoulders and around his face. His eyes looked red-ringed, a sign he had been crying. As if to prove this point, Hitoshi used his palm to wipe tears from his eyes. He sniffled and exhaled a slow breath.

"I…" Hitoshi trailed off and looked over to Izuku. Hitoshi sighed heavily before sitting on the edge of Izuku's bed. "I don't know what to do." He confessed before he brought his feet up on the edge of the bed and buried his face into his knees before wrapping his arms around them. "I just want my quirk back."

'I'm sorry, what?' Aizawa bit back the question on his tongue. Had he heard that right? Hitoshi got his quirk taken? 'No.' He decided after thinking about it. 'I had to have heard him wrong.' Hitoshi's voice was muffled and Aizawa figured he had to have heard wrong. It just didn't make any sense for Hitoshi to lose his quirk. Still, he wouldn't be a good father if he didn't ask.

"Hitoshi?"

Hitoshi gasped before he threw his head up to look at Aizawa with wide wet eyes. "D-dad! You're awake!" He gave a shaky smile and he wiped his eyes again. Aizawa noticed that the area around Hitoshi's eyes, more specifically, under his eyes, were raw from all the tear wiping he's been doing.

"How long have I been out?" Aizawa inquired as Hitoshi quickly scrambled over to his bed.

"A day." Hitoshi whimpered as he suddenly, but gently, wrapped his arms around Aizawa's middle. "Please don't scare me like that again." If Aizawa had control of his arms at the moment he would have patted Hitoshi's hair. So, he had to do something he wasn't exactly good at. Using his words to comfort Hitoshi instead.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." Hitoshi sniffled in response as he buried his face gently into Aizawa's cast. "What happened to your brother?" He thought to try and change the subject.

Hitoshi sniffled again before humming out a low whine. "Don't know." His voice was flat as he said it. "He… we think someone managed to strike his head. He had a seizure and a major nosebleed. They managed to stabilize him, but he's asleep now with a fever. I heard they wanted to give him an ice bath if it doesn't break by tomorrow morning."

Aizawa grunted. "A…fever?" His memories were forced back to the little five-year-old with a burning fever that lasted for three days.

"Yeah…" Hitoshi looked up at his father and rubbed at his raw skin around his eyes. "I'm-I'm sorry, I know I usually don't cry like-like this." He sniffled.

"I don't blame you. I can only imagine the stress you've been under the last couple of days."

Hitoshi sniffled again before he curled up against his father on the bed. Something he hadn't done since he was five. He laid on the very edge of the bed threatening to fall any second while he kept his arms wrapped around Aizawa. Then, just like that in the snap of a finger, Aizawa heard Hitoshi's breathing start to slowly level out.

'How long have you been awake for?' Aizawa thought, fully concerned for his son. He wished for control of his arms so he could pat Hitoshi's head, but he couldn't. 'Probably until he was sure one of us would wake up.' Still, now Aizawa was kicking himself. He never got to ask Hitoshi about what he meant when he said he wanted his quirk back.

"Hey, Shou." Hizashi came into the hospital. His long blonde hair was down and put up into a ponytail. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he cautiously sat in a chair across from Aizawa's bed. He kept his voice low so as not to wake Hitoshi, who was still asleep, curled up against Aizawa's side with his arms wrapped around his father.

"I can't feel much, you know, being in a full body cast and all." Aizawa also kept his voice low.

Hizashi gave a weak sigh as he reached over and ran his fingers through Hitoshi's hair. Hitoshi, unconsciously leaned into Hizashi's touch. "How long has the little listener been out for?"

"An hour, maybe two. I don't think he's slept at all since the attack."

"I believe it… I was rather worried about you after it was all said and done. I'm just glad you're alive." Hizashi pulled himself over to gently peck the outside of Aizawa's cast where his cheek would be.

"Careful." Aizawa told him softly. "Not in front of the boys."

"They're both asleep, Shou." Hizashi sighed before sitting back down. "Besides, I think they're old enough to know that we're in a relationship." He whispered.

This time Aizawa was the one to sigh. "I understand where you're coming from, but I just don't want to risk mentally uprooting everything they know."

Hizashi gave a sad little smile. "These boys are lucky to have you show. You are completely devoted to them."

"Somebody needs to be."

There was a comfortable silence between the two adults. Then Hizashi gave a nervous laugh. "Alright, it's time to rip the band-aid off. I called your mother. She should be here by tomorrow to help you with your injuries and the boys."

"Get out."

"Shou. I know you and your mother have a strained relationship. But you need help. The boys won't be able to help when they're in school-"

"-Funny you assumed I wouldn't be going back to school once I'm released-"

"-You're not."

"I am."

"Shou, you need to rest. That Nomu nearly killed you."

"Yes, and those students need to see that I'm still going, even after all that happened. So, whenever I'm released I'll be going back to class. Call my mother and tell her not to bother-"

"I'm not doing that, Shou."

"Fine, just dial her number for me and put the phone to my ear-"

"No, Shou."

Aizawa only sighed. "I don't need my mother watching me or the boys."

"Can't you just suck up your pride for a week and allow your mom to help take care of you?"

"No."

"...Too bad." Hizashi gave an awkward laugh as he sat back in his seat. "Besides, she's worried, Shouta, why shouldn't she be? And from what I gathered, she wants to see you."

A long and tired sigh left Aizawa's mouth, but he said nothing more regarding the issue other than. "I'm too tired to deal with this right now."

"...Get some rest, your mother will be here soon." Hizashi stood up and kissed the top of Aizawa's head, well, the top of his cast, but the sentiment was there.

"Daddy?" Little Izuku poked his head into his father's study. Aizawa was typing away at his computer and he stopped the moment Izuku had spoken.

"What are you doing up? It's past your bedtime." Aizawa asked while also beckoning Izuku into his office with his finger. Izuku walked in and immediately clambered onto Aizawa's lap. Aizawa was gentle as he put a hand on the small of Izuku's back to keep him from falling.

"Hitoshi is upset with me." Izuku mumbled as he then rested his head against Aizawa's chest. Aizawa hummed in acknowledgment as he shifted a bit so he continued to type away at his computer. He then moved Izuku more towards his chest and put his chin on top of Izuku's head so he could use both of his hands to type.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Aizawa inquired after a minute.

"Mmm…I think I took Hitoshi's quirk by mistake and it hurts. It hurts a lot actually. My body is hot and cold at the same time, my head hurts, and my nose started to bleed. Now Hitoshi is quirkless!"

"Well, why don't you keep Hitoshi's quirk. You see, Izuku, you can take the quirks of the newer generation and Hitoshi's quirk seems like a perfect starter quirk for you. Eventually your body will adjust to the drawback."

"It's not right, daddy. It's Hitoshi's quirk and he needs it to protect me, remember?" Izuku admitted while he nuzzled his nose into Aizawa's shirt. It smelt nice. Like his cologne. Even though he was close to his dad, his body still shivered from the fever coursing through his body.

"Very well, if that's how you see it. Then just give it back."

"I don't know how."

"We went over this. You know how." Aizawa looked down at his son before he tucked one of his curls behind his ear. It was strange. Even stranger when Aizawa picked him up and nuzzled his nose against Izuku's. "But, I can't fault you. You're only a tot."

'Dad is never this affectionate.'

"Now, in order to give Hitoshi his quirk back, you have to think about it. Visualize in your mind you having the quirk and giving it back to him. Alright? Can you do that for me?"

Izuku frowned and he let his hair fall into his face while he thought about it. He could see it clear in his mind. The little ball of light in his head. The more he visualized it the more it made his head hurt. His head felt like it was going to explode as his brain thudded. Red mist swirled around his body as he thought harder and harder about the quirk.

He thought about Hitoshi and how the quirk belonged to him. The red continued to flicker through his body as Izuku shut his eyes and thought about giving the quirk back to Hitoshi. He watched as it was transferred from his body to Hitoshi's in his mind's eye.

Then he looked up at Aizawa. Only it wasn't Aizawa's lap he was sitting in anymore. Izuku saw thick curly white hair and red eyes-

"-It's gone!" Izuku woke up with a start as he immediately sat up in his bed. He made a mad grab for his head. The pressure he had felt before was now immediately gone, his headache all but evaporated out of his mind. All that remained was his fever. Izuku breathed in and out heavily. He felt like he had the wind knocked out of him for several seconds while he caught his breath.

Izuku swallowed hard as he took a look around at the room he was in. He was in a hospital room along with his father and brother. He looked at the window to judge the time of day and saw it was night time. His father appeared to be asleep and in a full body cast. 'I hope Daddy's okay- Dad. Not daddy.' Izuku gave his head a good shake. Never has he ever called Aizawa 'daddy'.

"Zuchan?" Hitoshi was in his face in a second. God, did he look awful. Izuku smiled at his brother.

"Hichan! I'm so happy-"

'Huh.' Izuku felt confused as his body suddenly fell limp while he looked at his brother. 'Is this…is this Hitoshi's brainwashing? Why am I still lucid? What are you doing, Hichan?'

Hitoshi was shaking as he seemed like he was going to reach over to touch Izuku's shoulders, but he stopped himself from doing so. He let his head hang as he clenched his fists to the sides. He then looked up at Izuku and Izuku saw he had tears in his eyes.

'Hichan?'

"I need you to do me a favor, Izuku. I need you to forget-"

Chapter Text

Aoi Aizawa arrived at the hospital within two hours of Hizashi's warning. Which was impressive because she lived three hours away.

She was just as Shouta remembered. Her black hair tied up into a tight knotted bun on the back of her head. Out of the bun her hair was very similar to Shouta's own. Wavy and hard to control unless put up to keep out of the face. The difference here is that Aizawa didn't mind it when his hair was down, but his mother couldn't stand it.

She, like him, preferred color to wear was black. Black goes with everything and was just a logical choice all around. Today, she wore her black and white checkered top, black skirt, and black heels.

Yeah, Aizawa was a lot like his mother in more than a few ways, which was why they tended to buttheads. That old saying 'you are your own worst enemy.' holds some truth.

"Shouta." His mother breathed out once she saw him sitting there in his hospital bed in his full body cast.

"Life-giver." He grunted in response; much to his mother's annoyance. His mother rolled her eyes before looking over at the other bed adjacent to Shouta.

"Er…I see you haven't stopped those boys from doing that." Aoi muttered towards Hitoshi and Izuku who were both asleep directly under the covers. A sign that they don't want to be disturbed by the world. Something they did as children and still do today. "It's… Shou. It's inappropriate at their age."

"If you came here to judge my parenting and my boys then you can leave." Aizawa would point towards the door, but the cast stopped him from doing just that.

His mother sighed. "Still so sensitive." She took a seat next to Shouta's bed. " And still completely in love with those two boys since the day you fostered them."

"Illogical. I was trying to keep them at a distance when I fostered them."

"Please. It's illogical to say you didn't care for them when you were first starting." Aoi rolled her eyes before letting out a short laugh. "I knew the moment I saw you reading a book on how to care for curly hair for Izuku that you were going to adopt them. I still remember your face while reading the book. It was the cutest thing! You had your nose all scrunched up like it was the most confusing thing that you've ever read!"

Shouta was glad for the cast as it was doing a wonderful job at hiding his blush.

His mother then reached over and gently patted his arm that was hidden by the cast. "How are you feeling?" Aoi changed the subject and Shouta sighed.

"I'm in pain, but it gets a little more manageable with each day. Especially when Recovery Girl comes in to help. I should be out of the body cast by tonight. I'll still be bandaged but at least I'll be mobile."

"Well, that's good and all, but I'll still be hanging around for the whole week to make sure you don't over do it! And I'll help with the boys."

"Please don't."

"Ah, too late. Already decided."

Aizawa was going to kill Hizashi once he was out of this cast.

"Mother, I don't need a babysitter, the boys can take care of me-"

"Between school, homework, and their own mental stability after this is all said and done? I think not. They can hardly take care of themselves as is."

"Mother."

"It's true and you know it. Look, I love those boys. I do, but they don't have the best mental stability-"

"Mother, they're right there."

"And they're asleep. Now-" Aoi got up from her seat and sat on the edge of his bed before lowering her voice. "Since you can't escape, you're going to listen to me for once, Shouta."

'Oh boy. Here we go again.' Aizawa could only think and was now wishing he could get up and leave. "I know you think you can do everything on your own. You can't. Especially not now. Shouta you're going to need help and those boys-" She pointed to the bed. "-Are going to be so focused on each other that they won't be able to help you. Scold me all you want, deny it all you want. But you know I'm right. Hitoshi is the worst of the two and we've both seen how he gets when he accidently regresses and you can bet your ass he's regressing right now."

"M-" He couldn't even speak as she cut him off.

"Now, I know, normally you'd rush in to help Hitoshi, but guess what? You can't. Not like this." She gestured at all of Shouta.

"Well, as long as we're being honest. You're not exactly the best at comfort, mother."

Aoi gave one lone dry laugh. "Well, we're just going to have to see about that. Aren't we?" She said in challenge. "Because guess what? No matter how much a fit you pitch, I'm not leaving until the week is over." She leaned down so her golden colored eyes were staring into his onyx colored eyes.

'A goddamned menace, this woman.'

Then she stood up and turned towards the boys and both of them had paused.

Izuku was up. He was just sitting up staring at them. His eyes were wide as confusion was etched across his face. 'Shit! How much of that did he hear?' Aizawa didn't even hear Izuku move and judging by his mother's reaction, she hadn't either.

Izuku blinked tightly. He blinked like when he opened his eyes again he was going to be elsewhere. When he realized that 'yes, this is where I am.' his confusion seemed to grow. He reached up and started to scratch his head.

"Let me handle this-" Aoi hissed before standing.

"Mother-"

"Why…" Izuku whispered. "...What?" He perked once he noticed his father. Then he said the words that will probably forever be the bane of Shouta Aizawa's existence. Izuku's breath shuttered in fear. "Dad!? What happened to you!?"

Click.

Izuku wanted to blink at the bright penlight currently being shined directly into his eyeball, but the doctor was holding his eye open, stopping him from doing so.

Click.

The penlight clicked off. And the doctor pried Izuku's other eye open. This allowed Izuku to shut his previous eye and spots danced around his vision.

Click.

The penlight clicked right back on and Izuku flinched.

"Well, good news. There's no immediate sign of brain damage." The doctor clicked his penlight off as he pulled away from Izuku who blinked vigorously. "It looks like it's just a case of acute amnesia."

"Yeah, that's what I was afraid of." Shouta sighed.

"It's not illogical, you know." Aoi jumped in quickly. "The attack was traumatic and he might have hit his head on the ground."

"It wouldn't be as bad or even as concerning if it wasn't Izuku having memory problems."

"Ouch. Dad." Izuku lamely joked from his bed as the doctor pulled away.

"Still, regardless, it's mentioned in his file that amnesia happens often. I'd like to get him in for an MRI scan. Just to make sure there aren't any tumors or anything else possibly affecting his health." The doctor then stood up, he then paused and looked down at Hitoshi, who was still asleep by Izuku's side. He said nothing about Hitoshi before walking for the door. "I'll be back." He called over his shoulder.

"You really don't remember the attack?" Aoi asked once the doctor was gone.

"Mother." Aizawa hissed.

"Why would I make it up?" Izuku instantly challenged without really thinking about it.

"I didn't say you made it up." Aoi huffed in her defense as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"No but you're implying it." This made Aoi flush a little and Izuku just looked at her in confusion before he lightly threw his hands up. "Why would I make it up? What do I gain from that?"

Aoi didn't respond but she didn't need to. Izuku knew exactly what she was thinking. 'Attention.' which in itself was ironic because Izuku hated attention.

Izuku sighed before wiggling under his covers a bit. "So…" He finally decided to say. "What happened?"

"What do you remember?" Aizawa asked right back.

Izuku put his hand on his head as he thought about it. His head was starting to pound just trying to fill in the blanks. "Bus ride." He groaned. "Todoroki sat with us because Aoyama had a belly ache…Bakugo was yelling. Tsu nearly caught on that we know you." Izuku recounted before groaning a bit in pain.

There was a flash of memory behind his shut eyes. A boat. Water-

Him shoving a rod through someone's eye socket and the sickening pop it made once it was fully inserted-

Izuku tried to hide his pain. Tried. But his head truly felt like it was about to explode from the pressure alone. "Villains. I think-I don't know." He shook his head as he answered. God, he hoped it was a villain he stabbed through the eye.

"Well, that's good, but don't strain yourself trying to remember, okay? For all we know this could just be regular traumatic amnesia like mother said." Shouta quickly told Izuku. "Once I'm up and running like normal we'll book another appointment with Dr. Watasumi."

Izuku didn't even fight it like he normally would. He didn't even groan in protest. Instead he just nodded. "Okay." He agreed without a fight. "I don't… I don't want to keep forgetting things." he whispered to himself rather than to his father or grandmother at this point. Then, he sat up more fully.

"So. This attack. What happened?"

After Izuku's MRI scan came back all clear, and after Recovery Girl kissed Shouta allowing him to heal enough so he was out of the full body cast. He was still bandaged and his arms and legs were in casts, but he was allowed to 'move' around again. Meaning he could stand and walk or rather waddle around. His movement was limited, but it was better than before.

They were all shoved into a car ready to go back home.

Hitoshi had woken up for a short while, but immediately fell back asleep once in the car with his head in Izuku's lap. Shouta had also fallen asleep in the front seat thanks to Recovery Girl's quirk, while Aoi drove them.

"Izuku?" Aoi suddenly chirped from the driver seat.

"Yes, Grandma?"

"You know you can push Hitoshi's head off of you. You're not a pillow, dear."

Izuku felt his mouth twist in a small grimace. He had a feeling he knew where this was going to go with his grandmother. "It's okay, Grandma. I really don't mind when Hichan rests his head on me."

Aoi inhaled sharply through her nose at this. "I get that you don't mind, sweetheart, but what will others think?" She asked in a rather patronizing tone towards Izuku while she smiled a sickly sweet smile at him all the same.

"Well…" Izuku blinked a little. "There aren't others in this car and I don't care what they think." He shrugged at her. Aoi frowned at this as she sighed out yet again.

"It's just… it's weird."

"Okay.. but you're aware that we went over something traumatic, right? You're aware that the Man with Axe hands was there, right? My brother needs comfort and love now more than ever right now. I don't remember what happened, so I don't need as much comfort, but Hichan does."

Aoi just let it drop after that with a soft "Yeah, whatever." in a dismissive voice. Izuku knew he hit a nerve, but it's like he said. He doesn't care. He can't really bring himself to care.

The rest of the ride was silent and Izuku ran his fingers through Hitoshi's fluffy hair. Eventually they made it back to the house in pure silence. Izuku woke Hitoshi as Aoi was helping Shouta out of the car.

"Mmm. Sleepy." Hitoshi groaned as he slowly stood up out of the car. He stretched his arms above his head before letting out another groan.

"C'mon, Hichan-" Izuku took his brother's hand and started to pull him towards the front door. "I'll get you to bed. You look exhausted."

"I am." He yawned as he sluggishly started to walk towards the door.

"C'mon boys, let's not take all day." Aoi grunted impatiently as she and Shouta came up from behind them.

"Mother…" Aizawa sighed sleepily as his eyes started to droop.

Izuku and Hitoshi both walked with a little more umph in their step. Izuku was the one to unlock the door and the moment he unlocked it he was attacked-

By screaming, crying, wailing cats.

"Hey kitties!" Izuku smiled as he lightly nudged them out of the way of the door to allow everyone to walk through.

Tora rubbed himself frantically against Izuku's legs, and Izuku couldn't stop himself from bending down to pick Tora up and hold him. Tora started to purr once he was being held like a baby. 'He feels lighter than I remember.' Izuku thought for a moment.

"Whew…that's ripe." Aoi made a repulsed face as she scrunched her face up. "Shoo!" She gave Chobi a light nudge with her foot. "I see you still have these cats."

"Of course. I love them." Shouta responded rather logically.

"I swear you're just doing this because I never let you have cats as a child. It's not my fault your stepfather was allergic, you know?"

Shouta snorted as Aoi helped lower him down to the couch. "It was hardly an allergy. I doubt it was an allergy at all, but I'm not ready for that argument again. Just lay me down so I can get some sleep, please."

"C'mon, Hichan." Izuku shut the front door and started to lead his brother towards his bedroom. "Let me help you."

"Oh, uh, yeah. No worries, just make sure you put him in his room. Izuku." Aoi spoke again in that familiar sickly sweet tone that was already grating on Izuku's nerves. And it wasn't just him either.

"Mother." Shouta huffed. "Could you please get me some water?"

"Of course, Shouta." His mother nodded towards Aizawa before focusing back on the boys for a moment, before turning and walking towards the kitchen.

"I'm going to lay Hichan down and I'll clean out the litter boxes." Izuku whispered to his father.

"Thank you, I'm sure Nem already fed the cats, but make sure they have food regardless. Oh, and please wash the litter boxes and put new litter in. I don't want to hear the old lady complain for the week she's here."

"No problem."

"I appreciate it." Aizawa sighed as he got comfortable on the couch.

Izuku went to put Hitoshi into his own room, but Hitoshi swerved and went directly for Izuku's. "I don't care what that hag says." He huffed in annoyance as they both walked into Izuku's room.

"Does your spite have no bounds?"

"It does not."

Izuku shut his door and Hitoshi sat down on the edge of Izuku's bed. His head hung as he shut his eyes. Izuku got down on his knees to untie Hitoshi's shoes. "I know you're exhausted. You were practically awake for twenty-four hours and only got four hours of sleep." He commented as he gently removed Hitoshi's boot before going for the second boot. "But I'm refusing to let you sleep in your hero costume any longer." Izuku then removed the other boot and placed it next to its twin.

He then went to his dresser and pulled out a tank top and sleeping shorts before throwing them directly at Hitoshi's face. Because Hitoshi's eyes were closed he jumped when the clothes were thrown at him. "Get changed and lay down. I'm going to go and clean the litter boxes."

Izuku turned to leave, but Hitoshi grabbed him, wrapping his arms tightly around Izuku's back and pulling his brother into him. "I'm glad you're okay." Hitoshi's voice was muffled against Izuku's back. "I was scared."

"I know you were, but we're fine now. So, please, just lay down and get some sleep." Izuku requested and Hitoshi mumbled again.

"You know I love you, right?" His grip tightened.

'That attack really messed him up.' Izuku thought.

"Of course, I love you too, Hichan. Now, get changed and get some sleep, please."

Finally, Hitoshi let Izuku go before falling back on the bed. "Mkay." He mumbled and Izuku left after that hoping that his brother would get changed.

Izuku then went to work on his chores. First, he fed the cats. Given them all kibble in their own bowls, which made them all fairly happy. While the cats were happily eating, Izuku moved on to the first litter box. There were two litter boxes in the house. One in the bathroom and one at the end of the hallway outside of Izuku's door. He went for the hallway first.

Izuku grabbed the litter box and went back to the kitchen with it. He dumped the litter into the trashcan and made sure to use the scooper to scrape any stubborn feces off. Once it was completely clean he went outside with the box, a rag, and dawn dish soap.

He was in the middle of scrubbing the litter box out with the hose when Aoi came out of the sliding door. "Hello, dear." She smiled as she sat in a nearby lawn chair.

"Hello," Izuku greeted her as he put the hose down and went back to scrubbing.

"Can we talk?"

"Aren't we already?"

Aoi crossed her arms over her chest. "Please don't get smart with me."

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "What do you need, Grandma?"

Aoi uncrossed her arms and she frowned a little. "I'm going to be real with you, Izuku. Shouta is probably going to be going to work tomorrow. He's as stubborn as a mule and I don't think I can stop him from doing so. I just want you to please keep an eye on him while he's there."

"Oh yeah, of course! No problem, Grandma. I'll absolutely keep an eye on dad."

Aoi sighed out. "Thank you… how are you feeling anyways?"

Izuku could only shrug. "Fine, I guess. Like I said before I don't remember anything that happened. Well…I am scared. I hate the fact that I've lost another memory and… I don't want to lose anymore." Izuku rinsed out the suds in the litter box.

"Well, there's something else I want to talk to you about."

Izuku shook the soaking wet litter box to get any extra water droplets out. "Yes?"

"I know you love your brother. That's fine, you can love your brother, but you have to see how inappropriate your relationship has gotten. It was fine when you guys were kids, when you were five-"

"-Grandma-"

"-Don't. Interrupt me. Let me speak." Aoi quickly hissed and Izuku shut his mouth. "As I was saying. You two are almost adults, you're training to be heroes. Don't you think it's time you two stopped sleeping in each other's bed?"

"No. If I need comfort, I know Hitoshi is across the hall and if Hitoshi needs comfort he knows I'm across the hall. We need each other, more so for Hitoshi. You are aware how many nightmares he gets right? and It'll probably double thanks to the USJ attack. He's going to need me now more than ever. And I'm sorry if It'll upset you, Grandma, but I'm going to be there for him, everytime." With those final words, Izuku stopped shaking the litter box and marched back inside.

From there he filled the box with fresh crystal litter and set it back in the hallway.

Then he repeated the process with the second litter box. Only this time when he went to wash the box out in the yard, his grandmother was gone. He found her later when he was putting the freshly littered box inside of the bathroom. She was setting herself up in the living room. Ready to call it a night on the loveseat while Shouta slept on the couch. "I trust you can make dinner for you and your brother tonight?" She had asked once he passed her buy.

"Of course, Grandma. I can make dinner for you as well if you'd like." Izuku gave her a little smile.

"No thanks."

And that was the end of their conversation for the rest of the night.

"-Dude! You're okay!" Kaminari had been the very first of Class 1-A to greet Izuku the moment he walked through the door. Kaminari rushed to Izuku and wrapped him into a tight hug. "I was so worried when I heard that you had a seizure!"

"I'm sorry- what?!" Izuku hated the fact that he was missing a big chunk of his memory and it really didn't help some of the looks he was receiving from some of his other classmates. It was a mixture of pity, but some had… concerned looks. Not like they were concerned about him, more rather that they were concerned about being in the same classroom as he was. Or that they were afraid. and he had no idea why.

Izuku may not have had an idea why they were afraid of him, but it seemed Hitoshi did. Because that was when Hitoshi marched right up to the podium with a renewed sense of vigor. "Listen up." He called to the class.

"I may not be your vice president anymore and that's fine. You don't even have to listen to me if you don't want to. But I am going to make one thing very clear for all of you. The USJ attack was traumatic, yes, you all saw and heard things that arguably…I wished you never had." Hitoshi scratched at the side of his neck. "But know this here and now, because I can see it in your eyes. All of you. My brother and I have nothing to do with those villains that attacked the school."

There was a silence for a moment as his words sank in. "But one of them called Izuku-" It was Tsu that spoke up only to be immediately shot down by Bakugo of all people.

"-Look, I hate to admit it, Frog, but I believe them. I watched as fucking Deku shoved a rod through that Nomu's eye and nearly threw hands with that Shitty leader of theirs." Bakugo put his feet up on his desk.

'So I did shove a rod through a villain's eye!' Izuku felt his eyes go wide.

"That's true." Todoroki hummed from his seat. "He fought the villains every step of the way and he never backed down-"

"-Well…I hate to be a buzzkill but, we're all still forgetting about that weird timelapse we all experienced. But maybe Tora I can explain it?" Kirishima said suddenly.

"Timelapse?" Aoyama inquired with wide eyes as he turned to look at Kirishima.

"Yeah, it was the strangest thing. One minute we're trying to stop this dude from cutting Tora H's head off then next thing we know we're all just standing there and Tora I is on the ground having a seizure!"

"..." Izuku felt his brow just furrow as he backed away from Kaminari before turning to Hitoshi. "I actually had a seizure!?" He demanded to know and Hitoshi sighed as he stepped from the podium.

"I thought dad told you-"

"You don't remember!?" Bakugo inquired with a bark in his voice making Izuku jump.

Izuku grabbed onto his arm. "I have to be honest with you all. I have no memory of the USJ attack, unfortunately. I think if I had a seizure I must have hit my head on the ground..." Izuku muttered.

Instantly whispers broke out amongst his peers.

Izuku felt like he was back in middle school again as the whispers were about him undoubtedly. He heard the words "What a coincidence." quite a bit as he took his seat.

'... They think I'm part of the villains now…' He thought rather sadly. Izuku wanted nothing more than to bang his head against a wall to force his memories back to the surface. So he could at least explain what they wanted him too. But he couldn't and that made him look suspicious.

He reached back to Hitoshi's desk. Hitoshi took his hand and gently rubbed his thumb over the back of Izuku's hand. A comforting gesture and one Izuku appreciated. 'At least I'll always have Hichan.'

The door to their room opened. Most of the class were in awe to see Mr. Aizawa hobble his way into the classroom, but not Izuku, and not Hitoshi. "Welcome back." Mr. Aizawa grunted in greeting to the class. Everyone, say for the obvious, in the class was too stunned to speak back to him as he made his way to the podium. Once he was in the center of the room, he spoke again:

"I'm glad to see you all well and are in good shape. Because you're going to need to be. Because It's time we start talking about the Sports Festival."

Chapter Text

Toshinori sighed out as he straightened out his jacket. Then, with a bento in his hands, he buffed himself up to All Might in a puff of smoke. Out of his office he went. He was met with a sea of students hurrying off towards the lunch room. Some students excitedly stopped to give him happy stares, and even a few wanted an autograph, which he was more than happy to give. However; he quickly had to turn some students away when he spotted the familiar faces of 1-A. They weren't the particular face of Izuku Aizawa he was looking for, but maybe they could help him find his protege.

All Might quickly slid up to his students. It was a small group consisting of Iida, Ochako, and Tsuyu and that was all All Might needed. "Hello, young heroes!" He called to the group in his excitement.

"Oh! Hello, All Might!" Ochako had been the first to greet him with a smile.

"All Might! It's great to see you up and well after the USJ attack!" Iida chimed in next in his familiar stern voice.

"Please! That Nomu had nothing on me!" He flexed his muscles to prove a point. "But regardless of that, I need to speak to Young Tora I! Have any of you seen him?"

His students turned silent. Ochako suddenly sported an awkward look on her face as she scratched at her cheek. "All Might, you were there with Tora I in the USJ, right? After I left with Mr. Aizawa and the others?" Young Tsuyu suddenly asked as she took a step forward.

"Er, yes, yes I was! Rest assured, Tora I and his brother were safe the entire time I was there!"

"Well, that's not what we were worrying about. It's just… isn't it odd all those things that the villain was saying about Tora I? Like, they called him the 'prodigal son.' and 'Izu-Sama.'." Tsu explained softly to All Might.

"It's not just him either. Right before we were all separated, that portal villain downright said he remembered Tora H and exclaimed: "You aren't getting in our way this time!" before slamming him into a wall… it's all rather… it's suspicious, All Might." Iida sucked in a breath as he said this before he sighed. "I know Tora I from elementary school and… well… I just can't help but be concerned everyday. He… he didn't have a quirk back then and now he has two? It just doesn't make sense."

All Might allowed himself to soften for these kids' sake. 'Of course, they're still shaken up from the whole attack, and I can see their sides of things. However, I know Izuku and Hitoshi personally whereas these children don't. At least not really.'

"I get it." All Might kept his voice level and non-judgmental as he spoke. "You're still scared from the attack. However; I can say with absolute certainty that neither Tora I or Tora H are in cahoots with the villains. Those villains were clearly crazed. Besides, let's just say I know their dad. He's a good man and a hero."

That did help as the group seemed to relax, but not everybody. "But… Tora I doesn't remember the attack and isn't that at least a little suspicious?" Tsuyu inquired in a soft voice. "I don't want to think the worst of my fellow students, but the sheer fact that he forgot everything during the attack is just… it's bizarre."

Toshinori had to force the blood in the back of his throat down before he spat it up in front of his students. "H-he doesn't remember?" He asked unable to hide his shock.

"Not a thing." Ochako lowered her gaze to the ground. "He doesn't even remember that he had a massive seizure…" She started to gnaw at her lip.

"Look…I shouldn't tell you kids this, but if it'll put your minds at ease… Young Tora I has memory issues. He always has. It's in his medical chart. I think the trauma of it all caused him to forget." It was a truth mixed with a lie. What these kids didn't know wouldn't hurt them, and yeah, Toshinori felt bad about having to tell them about Izuku's memory problems, but it seemed to be the right thing to do as all of the teens immediately backed off with shocked faces.

"I had no clue…" Iida was the one to say with a gasp. "Tora I has never told me. I mean…there was that one time in grade three…"

"What'd he say?" Ochako inquired completely curious at this point as Iida rubbed at his chin.

"We were just kids. We were talking during our down time. It was such an off handed comment. He told me that he doesn't remember his mother's name. I thought he was talking about her actual name, but now… cupped with what Kirishima told us about Tora H's last name being Shinsou… it could very well be that he doesn't know who she is…"

"Oh…" Ochako lowered her head guilty. "Are we bad people?"

"No, of course not. You three went through something traumatic and scary. Something I wish I would have gotten there sooner to help prevent." All Might got down on one knee so he was kneeling in front of all three teens. "That being said. While you aren't bad people, you probably shouldn't voice those concerns to the two Tora's." He told them all only for them all to frown and look away. "Judging by your reactions it's a little late for that advice isn't it?"

"We didn't exactly tone our skeptism down in class, no…" Ochako made a face while she picked at her nails.

"Then, I'd start with a sincere apology to both of them, now. Do any of you know where Tora I is?"

"...The rooftop…" Tsuyu winced as she said it.

"Okay, thank you, all of you." All Might had said before he fully stood up.

He left the teenagers after that. 'So, Young Izuku is missing his memories. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. This isn't good and I feel it's something I should have a conversation with Aizawa about. It's bad enough that he's already missing recent memories, but to forget all of the USJ attack?...I have to agree with young Tsuyu, it is suspicious. But not in the way she's thinking.'

True to their words, All Might found Young Izuku on the school rooftop. Only he wasn't alone. Hitoshi was sitting with Izuku, his head on Izuku's shoulder, however; it wasn't just Hitoshi. Young Kaminari was sitting on the other side of Izuku, his arms wrapped around Izuku's middle holding his friend in a tight hug.

"-They'll realize they're being jerks sooner rather than later, so don't you worry, 'Zuku." Kaminari hummed softly as he nuzzled himself against Izuku's side.

"I was just hoping I wouldn't be eating on this rooftop so soon." A sigh left Izuku's mouth as he seemed to be looking out at the view before him.

"Nah, we're rooftop kids, through and through." Hitoshi grumbled sleepily as he then reached down to eat some of his rice, while not once removing his head from Izuku's shoulder.

"Young Tora-" All three teens jumped and turned to look at All Might. He immediately put his hands up in defense. "-Just me!"

Izuku and Kaminari sighed in relief while Hitoshi just narrowed his eyes at All Might. If looks could kill, All Might was sure he'd be dead. Hitoshi then turned his head back around and immediately went back to his food. 'Why does that boy hate me so much?' Was the only thought Toshinori had for a moment before he focused back on Izuku.

"I was going to ask if you'd like to have lunch with me, but I see you're already having lunch."

"Oh yeah, sorry, All Might, if I would have known I wouldn't have come to the roof. But we can meet up after school if that'll suit you!" He offered with an obviously forced smile. "Hichan and I will be staying after for a while regardless."

"Yes, that should work just fine then. I'll make tea."

Izuku smiled a little bigger and a little less forced this time. "That sounds lovely. I'll be there." He then focused back around to his lunch shortly after. Toshinori bowed his head before taking off all the same.

Toshinori was ready to turn back into his thinner form when- "Hey! All Might-" The door pounded open and Toshinori quickly made sure he looked presentable as he spun around to face an energetic Kaminari.

The blonde haired teen was quickly descending the stairs at such a rate that Toshinori was afraid he was going to fall. He did trip, but thankfully he didn't fall. Kaminari stopped just a few steps before All Might. He was panting and breathing heavily as he leaned against the railing for support. "If- If you seeing him is-is about the USJ-" Kaminari wheezed in to catch his breath and All Might chuckled a little at that. "Izuku doesn't have a mean bone in his body, I s-swear!"

"Young Kaminari." All Might smiled. "I appreciate you protecting Izuku, but it's not necessary, really. Us talking together has nothing to do with what your classmates think. You have my word."

"Oh… Oh thank god," Kaminari put his hands on his knees and he leaned down. He sucked in several deep breaths before smiling. "That makes me feel a little better. He's been rather distraught about this whole memory thing and our classmates being jerks…"

"Has he really? How bad?"

"Well he's not going to show it." Kaminari rolled his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I known 'Zuku long enough to know to pick up on his mannerisms. He says he's fine, but he's not smiling and he just looks forlorn, like a kicked puppy… It's not his fault he has memory issues, you know." Kaminari tsked his tongue as he said this before sighing. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't hold you up anymore than I have already. Just, thank you for not jumping to the worse conclusion like some people."

"Whoo! Man am I beat. I'm ready to go home and call it a day!" Ochako exclaimed as she stood up before stretching her arms over her head.

Izuku stood up just as well and Hitoshi was right behind him. "I'm going to be in Gym Alpha training with Kaminari after class." Hitoshi told him in a soft voice. "Just come and find us when your done with All Might, yeah?"

"Of course, Hichan!"

"Of CoUrSe, HicHaN." Bakugo openly mocked in a grating high-pitched voice, sticking his tongue out at the end as if he was tasting something gross. He then mimicked hanging himself with an invisible noose. "God you two are insufferable." He then straightened himself up with an eyeroll.

Hitoshi only put his hands on his hips while he scowled. "I'm sorry nobody loved you as a child."

"Hichan. Behave, don't stoop to his level." Izuku huffed.

"I'm sorry, Zuchan." Hitoshi then turned back to Bakugo with a heavy sigh like he was going to apologize. "You've done so well this far with your current education level, do you want an animal cracker or some apple juice?"

"Hichan!"

Steam left Bakugo's nostrils before explosions erupted from his palms. "I'll end your bloodline!"

"You know if you had half a fucking brain I might actually consider you a threat."

More explusions left Bakugo now as he turned almost comically angry at this point. A battle cry left his throat. "You. Me. Gym alpha after school, mindfuck!-"

A scream ripped through the classroom causing everyone to stop what they were doing to turn and look in the direction of the door. There, Mina and Ochako stood both girls looking stunned. Everyone in the classroom quickly jogged towards the door to see the commotion and-

Izuku was sure the whole school was standing outside of their door.

"Why are they just standing there?" Kaminari leaned in to ask Izuku in a soft voice.

"No clue."

Whispers broke out amongst the crowd blocking the doorway. Some laughed, others didn't.

"Excuse me!" Iida stormed up towards the group of students and immediately chopped his hand at them. "You cannot block our way out!" He barked out at the others and more whispers broke out.

"What are you guys doing?" Sero had asked next.

"Isn't it obvious? They're scoping out the competition with the sports festival coming. Not only that, but we survived a villain attack." Bakugo had huffed out as he pushed past Izuku in order to stand in the front to face the crowd.

"Excuse me-" Suddenly, a little person pushed past the rest of the class. He had a lisp and Izuku noted that he had a mutation quirk with purple round balls attached to his head that reminded Izuku of grapes. "I just need to see who I'm up against here. You're looking at the next number one hero- why… hello ladies." The boy bit his lip as he looked Ochaco and Mina up and down like they were his next meal.

"Ew." Was all Mina had to say about that. "In your dreams, creep."

"The name is Mineta. Mineta Minoru-" Mineta's beady little eyes fell on Izuku and he curled up next to him, borderline attaching himself to Izuku's leg. Izuku made a noise as he extended his leg out in an attempt to keep Mineta as far away from him as possible.

"No thanks-"

"-Boys aren't really my thing but you're just ambiguous enough that I'm willing to make an exception- oh!" The back of Mineta's blazer was snatched and he was lifted off of the ground by a very unamused Hitoshi.

"Fuck. Off. Before I drop kick you into a new life." Hitoshi threatened between clenched teeth making sure to get right into Mineta's face while doing so. He then dropped Mineta to the floor.

"Okay, point taken. Man, you're scary."

"I'm not ambiguous…am I?" Izuku turned to Kaminari for answers.

Kaminari made a so-so gesture with his hand. "I mean, when you speak it's clear, but you've got such a squishable baby-face-"

"Squishable? I'd say annoying." A painfully familiar voice cut through the crowd.

Hitoshi, Izuku, and Kaminari all at the same time let out the same noise. "Aurgh!" was the collective noise they all made as, who else? Akisho Shin came sauntering up to them.

"Aw, don't act like you lot didn't miss me." Akisho smirked as he got up into Hitoshi's face in particular. Izuku noted that Akisho's usually frizzy hair was brushed and slicked back now, no doubt he was trying to look a little more presentable.

"I thought you didn't make it into UA, Akisho." Izuku inquired as he crossed his arms over his chest. Akisho smirked as he looked from Hitoshi down to Izuku.

"No. I didn't make it into the hero course, they had a spot for me in general education of course. But, that's going to change, isn't it? With the sports festival coming up that means people will see our potential, it also means that those that don't do well… well, you can say goodbye to your spots in the hero course. I'm coming for yours-" Akisho threateningly got into Hitoshi's face once again. They were inches apart. "So, don't get comfortable, Hitoshi, I don't know how you managed to get into the hero course, but just know it won't be for long."

"Get out of my face if you know what's good for you." Hitoshi snarled and his fists immediately balled up.

Akisho hummed then turned right back to Izuku. "I heard you had a seizure. I hope you get better." Then he turned and left.

"...Was…Akisho nice to me?" Izuku only asked after the teen was gone.

"Who was that exactly, Tora I?" Iida had been the one to ask, followed by a curious chorus from his classmates, Bakugo included. and for a moment Izuku didn't want to answer, but he remained civil to his classmate, even if he was a little peeved with them at the moment.

"Our old bully." Was all Izuku said on the subject. "Anyways, I need to go now. Excuse me-" Izuku started to push past other students. "I need to leave, please."

"Move it, you bunch of extras!" Came Bakugo's snarl as he rudely pushed past the others.

"Heh, that's a new one." Hitoshi chuckled.

"You can't just call people extras!" Iida exclaimed.

Izuku stopped listening once he was fully through the crowd. Once he was freed he immediately took off for All Might's office. After all, he had a promise to keep!

"So, memory loss?" Toshinori gave a deep and heavy sigh as he pushed his hot jasmine tea over towards Izuku. Izuku had lost his school blazer and let it hang on the side of the chair he was sitting at while he loosened his tie.

"Yeah. It…hasn't been easy." Izuku admitted as he picked the hot tea up and lightly blew on it before taking a sip. "I see bits and pieces if I concentrate. Like, I remember stabbing someone through the eye with a rod of sorts-"

"Yeah, that you did. I couldn't believe it and neither could your brother. It was a villain called Nomu."

"No…mu. Nomu… no…mu?" It was like Izuku was tasting the word to see how he liked it. It made his brow and nose both scrunch up in displeasure. "It sounds familiar." he admitted but let his head hang as he picked at some loose string on his shirt. "I'm sorry, but I don't remember completely." He whispered.

Toshinori reached acrossed and gently cupped Izuku's hands with his own. His hands were so large that they completely engulfed Izuku's hands. "It's not your fault. Don't worry, I'll help you every step of the way, Young Tora."

"Thank you, All Might. I do appreciate it. Hopefully Dr. Watasumi will be able to recover most, if not all, of my memories."

"Hm. When's your next appointment with them?"

Izuku shrugged. "Dad said whenever he gets out of the bandages. So, in the next couple of weeks after the sports festival."

"Hm. Very well." Though that wasn't sitting well with Toshinori, but he wouldn't say it out loud. He let go of Izuku's hands and leaned back. "Now, to change the subject. The sports festival. Are you excited?"

"Oh! Of course! Hichan and I are going to be training real hard! Especially since Hichan's quirk requires a lot of hand-to-hand combat and we can't use any support items."

Toshinori smiled as he lifted his tea up to take a drink. Izuku mimicked this and took a drink of his own tea. He then winced at the temperature of the tea as he felt his taste buds burn off. "So you know the sports festival is a big deal?"

"Oh yeah, I know. Lots of people will be watching, heroes included, it's how we could potentially be recruited." Izuku hummed as he took another sip of the tea, he could only wince again as he hadn't learned from his previous mistake.

"Yes, it's how also potential heroes can make names for themselves just as well. It's best to start making waves now. Seeing how we have two weeks before the festival, I felt it fit to help train you with your quirk during that time."

"Oh wow, really?" Izuku beamed at Toshinori and his mentor chuckled a little.

"Yeah, I haven't exactly been a good mentor as of late. Besides, we want to get you to at least ten percent before the festival. Five percent is decent, but the higher we can get your percentage level the better." Toshinori told him and Izuku nodded in agreement.

"Okay, just know, if we do this at my house, you're going to meet my grandmother."

"Aizawa has a mother? I mean, of course I've known he has a mother, but… he's never mentioned her… then again he never mentioned you nor your brother."

"My father is very private."

"Yes, I can see that. What's your grandmother like?"

"Grandma?..." Izuku swallowed a little at the question before he licked his lips. "She's nice, but she can be…judgmental at times."

"Oh, well, I look forward to meeting her, because I'd like to start training tomorrow."

Izuku smiled. "I can't wait!"

"..."

"..."

"Do you want to repeat back what you asked, Toshinori?" Aizawa lightly growled to the elder hero and Toshinori sighed as he dabbed at his lips.

"I just simply asked if it were possible for me to take Young Izuku to his memory appointments. I understand you can't because…well…" Toshinori gestured up and down Aizawa's form. "And Young Izuku needs to see this doctor sooner rather than later-"

"Do you not think I know that?" If Aizawa had his fists he'd be banging on on his desk right about now, but unfortunately that was bandaged up. "I know he needs help. I'm aware, and I'm aware that right now I'm useless. However, you asking me to take my son to a doctor's appointment is borderline insulting."

"I just…Aizawa he doesn't remember a thing-"

"I know and you are over stepping your boundaries right now."

"It's one less thing you can worry about-"

"One less thing!? Toshinori do you not know what those appointments entail?! No, you don't, but I do. Do you think that she's just gonna 'pop' those memories back into his head? No, it comes at a price. These appointments are personal and private. Not only will she be digging through his memories that are there, but it also takes a huge strain on Izuku's body just the same." Aizawa stood up and hobbled over to Toshinori so these two where only a few inches a part. "It makes Izuku physically sick, he'll be out of commission for two days at most trying to heal from what she's done. I can't care for him when he's like that and I'm like this.-"

"I could." Toshinori offered without thinking.

"Excuse me?"

"He can stay at my place for those days. I can help care for him-"

"-Get out." Aizawa immediately pointed his bandaged arm towards his classroom door. "You're over stepping and you need to leave before you upset me anymore."

"You know, I bet if I were Hizashi you'd take me up on that offer. In fact you might even think it was a great idea."

Silence. Both ment just stared at each other. Toshinori didn't need to see Aizawa to know that he was bristling with rage. No, the glowing red eyes, rising hair, and rising bandages told Toshinori that. "Get. Out."

"...Fine. but this isn't over…"

"Is that a threat?"

"I'm not stupid, Aizawa. Despite what you think."

Chapter Text

Izuku had more bruises than skin at this point, but he was happy with these bruises, these were bruises of accomplishment! He worked hard for these bruises. He had bruises on his face, arms, and chest from his many spars with Hitoshi, and the same could be said for Hitoshi who also had many bruises lining his body from the spars. Both boys have become faster with hand-to-hand and it was showing.

He also had bruises on his fingers, so many bruises, those bruises were from his training with All Might. His body was adjusting to One-for-All and getting use to higher percentages. He wasn't at ten percent, like Toshinori wanted, but rather eight percent.

"It's better than five percent." Izuku had told Toshinori proudly before he left after their last training session before the Sports Festival.

"That it is, my boy. You're getting better." Toshinori lightly ruffled Izuku's hair. He then looked down at Izuku's bruised fingers. "That being said, during the Sports Festival tomorrow, don't go crazy, the last thing we need is you breaking more bones. I'm sure your father is liable to kill me if you do."

"Understood!" Izuku smiled and saluted Toshinori. "Besides…uh… how do I put this…I haven't been just training on One-for-All." He explained to his mentor with a knowing smile.

"My boy, what do you have planned?" Toshinori asked rather cautiously and Izuku could only smile a smile that would make his father proud.

"You'll see! No need to worry! Have a nice night, Toshinori!" With that Izuku shut the door on his mentor before anymore words could be said. He then turned around to where Hitoshi was-

"Don't-!" Izuku wheezed in shock as he put his hand on his chest. "Don't scare me like that, Hichan!" He then gave a weak laugh as he walked past his brother.

Hitoshi gave his own weak laugh. "You reminded me of a red panda, you know how when they get startled they'll throw their arms up in the air and collapse?" He teased.

"Could you blame me? You've gotten better about being quiet when you walk." Izuku walked into the kitchen to grab a drink.

"Gotta be if I'm going underground, like dad." Hitoshi sat down at the kitchen table while Izuku grabbed a juice box.

"Want one?"

"Sure."

Izuku tossed his brother a juice box to which Hitoshi expertly caught it. "Tomorrow's the day…" Izuku mused as he sat next to Hitoshi.

"Yeah…I won't lie, I'm nervous… you?"

"How can I not be…" Izuku whispered as he looked at the grape juice box in his hands. "All those people watching me, being televised on live TV, and…" A shudder ran down Izuku's spine.

"Well, no matter what, we're a team." Hitoshi raised his juice box and Izuku lightly tapped his own juice box against Hitoshi's and smiled warmly.

"Forever and always. You and I against the world…"

"Against the world… forever and always…"

Izuku didn't miss his brother's forlorn face as Hitoshi stared down at his unopened juice box, the straw still attached to the back. Izuku noticed ever since the USJ attack his brother seemed to be smiling less and always looked worried.

So, Izuku reached over and grabbed Hitoshi's hand. "Hey…if you need to talk, you know I'm all ears, right?"

Hitoshi looked at him and only offered a lazy smile before grasping on to Izuku's hand all the same. "I know. I know. It's just the stress from the Sports Festival. Nothing to worry too much on, Zuchan."

Izuku took a sip of his juice as he leaned against his chair with a sigh. "Welp…I'm going to call it a night." He crushed the juice box once he was finished with it. "See you tomorrow and… no hard feelings when I win the Sports Festival, right?"

"Ha! If anyone is winning the Sports Festival it's going to be me!"

Despite the fact that Aoi Aizawa said she was going to leave after only one week, she decided to stay to witness the Sports Festival first hand. "Go give the rest of them hell, boys! I'll be rooting for you in the stands!" She told Izuku and Hitoshi as she dropped them off at the student entrance.

The moment the car was gone Kaminari approached. "Was that your mother?" He inquired as he watched the car go.

"Oh no." Izuku shook his head. "That's our grandmother. We only have a father."

Kaminari gave a soft "huh. Interesting…" and then smiled as he wrapped his arms around both of their shoulders as he wedged himself between them. "Oh man, I'm nervous!" He continued to grin. Izuku could feel Kaminari's hands shake ever so slightly.

"You're telling me, I hardly slept last night." Hitoshi whispered nervously and Izuku nodded along with his brother.

"Same. I nearly threw up on the way here… but we're all going to do our best! I know we will!"

"Yeah, the others don't stand a chance, now come on. Let's go change and join the others." Kaminari urged.

After running to the lockers to change, the trio swiftly changed into their gym uniforms, something all participating students will be wearing, say for the support class who got to wear their own equipment on top of their gym uniform. Still, they finished up and met up with the rest of Class 1A in their own awaiting room.

The tension was heavy in the air from everyone's nerves. Izuku couldn't help but notice that Todoroki kept looking at him. In fact a lot of their classmates were looking at him but quickly looking away. He could only lower his gaze in their direction. 'They still don't trust me-'

"I'm sorry." Ochako suddenly spoke. Her voice made everyone turn to her in question. Several classmates raised eyebrows at her while others tilted their heads. "Tora I. I'm sorry." She sighed weakly. "I never should have suspected you or your brother for the USJ attack. I wasn't there to witness what the others have so… I have no right to think you'd betray us. That and…I did some research on trauma and…it turns out in order for the mind to protect itself…it'll often try and forget the trauma. That and…I miss you at lunch. It's not the same."

"Ochako…" Izuku whispered before sighing. "Thank you. It hasn't been easy forgetting everything that happened. I want to answer the questions you all have. The timeskip, the fact that the villain seemed like he knew me according to some of you… but I swear on my life that I didn't know them."

"I'm sorry as well." Tsu apologized next as she looked from Izuku to Hitoshi. "To both of you. Because thinking about it…even if you knew the villains there's no way it was in a good way. Tora H… I heard it all while you were fighting with the villain with the Axes-"

"-Save it." Hitoshi suddenly growled as his expression turned tense.

Izuku lightly patted his brother's shoulder.

"Shinsou…that's what he called you-" Todoroki whispered next.

"-I don't-" Hitoshi huffed in an attempt to calm himself before he accidently lost control. "I'd rather not talk about that, please." He growled lowly.

There was more silence before Bakugo spoke. "Look, what happened, happened. Let's just move on and call it a fucking learning experience. None of us caused the USJ attack…" He grumbled. "The villains came in when the reporters got on campus, remember? Now, can we move the fuck on?"

There were mumbles from everyone. Soft 'yeah's and 'fine by me.' filled the room.

"Great, we're all fucking chummy again." Bakugo huffed as he stood. "Which will make it all that better when I wipe the floor with you losers!' He boasted loudly and brashly and smacked the table with his hand making those nearby jump.

That caused several outcries from the others. The tension, though still there, was less thick as everyone seemed to relax just a little more.

Izuku smiled as he brought his knees up to his chest and watched his classmates. He wrapped his arms around his knees as he looked from classmate to classmate.

'They're all highly skilled in their quirks, and I know I'm going to have to do my absolute best in this, we all are… everyone has a high shot of winning this sports festival. The one I know I'm going to have to look out for the most is Bakugo. His quirk is… powerful… strong… what would it be like to have a quirk like that?' He felt his mind almost drift lazily as he looked at Bakugo, who was now making small explosions in his palms, his anger apparent as Kaminari had said something to tick him off…again.

Izuku focused on those explosions.

"Stupid, useless, quirkless, Deku!-"

"He doesn't deserve a quirk like that if that's how he treated you."

Izuku blinked hard as a stabbing pain seemed to suddenly hit his head. The last thing he wanted to do was concern his peers after they had just apologized to him, so he tried to keep his face straight…

'Why… why did that sound like Hichan?' Izuku wondered as he stared intensely at the ground.

'Stop it. Just stop, you're acting crazy. It's nerves. It has to be-'

"Take his quirk, Izuku-"

"-Tora I." Todoroki approached him and Izuku looked up at him.

"Yes?!" Izuku hadn't meant to shout, but Todoroki had startled him out of his thoughts. Which, in all honesty, was welcomed. "-Sorry… yes?" He inquired a bit softly, though the damage had been done and a couple of students had looked his way. Hitoshi being one of them.

"You're close to All Might, are you not?"

"I- Uh… yes." He felt no need to lie. "But, it's only because he and I have similar style quirks." He did fib on that one, just a tad.

"Then it's settled. From here on out, during this festival you're my enemy and I'll make it my mission to bring you down."

"Yo, wanna run that by me again?" Hitoshi spoke cooly towards Todoroki. His glare now apparent as he stared Todoroki down. "What's with the declaration of war all of a sudden?"

"I don't remeber telling this to you." Todoroki snarled in Hitoshi's direction. "I was talking to Tora I. Stop jumping in when someone wasn't even talking to you." Todoroki then turned back to Izuku.

Izuku swallowed hard before giving a nod. "I understand." He told Todoroki after a moment. "Techincally, during this whole Sports Festival, we're all enemies and at war with one another to be the best of the best. I look forward to sparring with you for the number one spot, Todoroki." Izuku gave a small smile towards Todoroki.

Todoroki blinked at Izuku's reaction. "...Tch." He then grunted before turning. It was right as he turned away did a bell sound overhead making everyone look up. "It's time…"

"Finally." Hitoshi grunted and raised a hand to which Izuku took to help him up to his feet.

Izuku responded with a nervous and twitchy smile. "Let the games begin."

Everyone rounded up together in the stadium to a roaring crowd of thousands. There were so many people, from the students to the audience and…

Izuku immediately lost all feeling in the tips of his fingers. "Oh god…" He squeaked nervously. So many people- too many people.

'But I've got to make a name for myself. I've got to show everyone that 'I am here!'.' He exhaled shakily.

Midnight came out to greet the insatiable crowd and students alike. She cracked her signature style whip. That simple crack of the whip quieted down the crowd. Everyone waited with baited breath as Midnight started to speak. A microphone at her lips to help her be heard by all. "Welcome to the annual UA Sports Festival! I'm Midnight the R-rated hero and I'll be the referee for this year!" She announced and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

"Now, before we officially began with our first game; The race. We'll have the student who won the most points in the entrance exam give a speech! Come on up, Bakugo Katski!"

All eyes were on Bakugo in an instant.

Bakugo heaved a tired sigh before slowly trudging his way up to the podium that Midnight had set up for him. His whole movement was just lax and bored as he gripped both sides of the podium in his hands. He stared out at everyone for several long seconds. Then…he sighed. "I just want to say…" He paused for a moment as he swallowed. "-I'm going to win."

"YOU CAN'T JUST SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!" Everyone in 1A, Hitoshi included, bellowed at once. As everyone else started to Boo him (and their class by proxy.).

'Oh man! If the other classes didn't hate us before they sure do now!' Izuku almost wanted to whine. He doubled over as his stomach gave an uneasy churn. 'I think I'm going to hurl…'

Izuku felt a hand softly pat his back before gently moving in a circular motion. He looked up, expecting Hitoshi, but was surprised to see Iida being the one to do this. Izuku nodded at Iida, making sure to give him a small smile in response. Sucking in a deep breath, Izuku stood back up and tried his best to ignore his queasy stomach.

Bakugo hopped off the stage and Izuku could see Midnight laughing with her microphone now off for the moment. Once she composed herself, she turned her mic back on and continued like that didn't just happen. "Alright! As mentioned before our first challenge for these inspiring young heroes is going to be the obstacle course race!" Midnight paused to breathe in before continuing.

"Now, how this race is going to work is like this! You students are going to run in a circle around the perimeter of the outer arena! Through the different obstacles we have set up for you along the way, and make your way across the finish line in time for the next round in the festival! All quirks are allowed! It wouldn't be a turn on other wise~" She cooed sudectively before continuing. "Are you ready!?"

There was a cheer amongst the students and audience alike.

Midnight cracked her whip again before pointing towards where they needed to be. "Then you better get to the starting line!" A whistle sounded and the students swiftly rushed towards where the starting line was. Izuku grabbed on to Hitoshi's hand more in an attempt to keep his brother close than anything else.

There were so many people that the air became hot and heavy with the sheer amount body heat.

Once at the starting point everyone stood around waiting for that dreaded call to start running. They were all crammed in like sardines in a can. Izuku looked at the gate where a red light hung above them threatening to turn green at any minute.

Izuku started to run in place while shaking his hands in an attempt to get the nerves out. "Oh god. Oh god. Oh god." He whispered frantically

Hitoshi looked at his brother. "Do your best, yeah?"

"Naturally. Same to you."

"Are you ready?!" Midnight's voice sounded through the speakers that were all around them.

Several students ducked low, ready to take off running for their lives.

"Get set…" Midnight teased them and she knew what she was doing. Izuku patted Hitoshi on the back.

"Good luck." He whispered to Hitoshi.

"GO!"

Everyone took off all at once the light above the gate turned green. There were screams almost immediately as all the students seemed to crash into one another. Izuku was nearly one of these people to rush right in.

The corridor was too narrow for everyone that was crammed in. This was their first obstacle.

Izuku was quick to grab Hitoshi's sleeve, stopping his brother from running off. "Wait, Hichan."

Hitoshi stopped and looked at his brother. Together they watched the students cramming themselves up at the start of the gate.

All of them practically trampling over one another an attempt to start the actual race. Izuku saw Todoroki and Bakugo both speed past everyone with their quirks. Bakugo using his explosions to almost fly-

"Take his quirk, Izuku-"

-And Todoroki using his ice to skate away as fast as he possibly can.

Hitoshi grinned. "My time as come-" Hitoshi scooped out the students nearby before he sauntered off instead of running.

"Hi-" Izuku never got to finish as Hitoshi pushed against a kid with butterfly-esque wings.

"Sorry!" Hitoshi grunted.

"Watch it-" The butterfly kid barked but just as quickly their eyes went wide and their jaw slack.

"Zuchan!" Hitoshi kept that grin on his face as he pointed the kid. "C'mon!"

It was a simple command from Hitoshi. Fly them over the gate.

"Sorry, Hichan, but I can't rely on you forever." Izuku whispered before he focused forward and crouched down low. one-for-all circulating through his veins. Then, Izuku gave his brother one last look. "Good luck!" Hitoshi's face looked crestfallen and almost made Izuku feel bad, but it didn't stop him.

Izuku took off like a bullet. one-for-all blowing the other students down and out of his way with the wind created. Up, he jumped over the gate and not a moment too soon as Todoroki shot back a wave of ice freezing the remaining students in place. A path of ice that Izuku just managed to avoid with his jump. Up in the air he hung for only a second. He turned around to see Hitoshi being carried by Butterfly-wings.

Izuku crashed to the ground. He rolled and took off running again. He saw purple out of the corner of his eye and just barely missed a ball that was aiming for his foot. Skiddering around it and sliding on the ice.

"IT'S A ROBOT INFERNO!" Present mic roared to the students as they all stared at awe at the zero pointers that crowded their way. It made Izuku skid to another halt, nearly slipping on the ice before him.

Todoroki shot up with his ice, smacking a robot down with little to no effort at all.

Izuku felt one-for-all activate through his veins. He opened his eyes before he zipped off; an idea already in his mind. "Zuchan!" Hitoshi shouted in shock, but it was too late, Izuku had already taken off.

'Don't go over eight percent!' Izuku thought to himself as he leaned down low. The ice threatening to make him slip any second now. Getting closer, closer, closer to the first Zero pointer he saw- Izuku used his arms to create a pressure of wind and pushed himself off of the ground with the help of Todoroki's ice. High above the zero pointer he went.

'Ha!' He thought triumphantly, he felt free being the high in the air. So high he could see everything around him, including the next obstacle course which had deep endless looking pits-

'Oh. How am I going to land?' He thought almost a little too late as gravity took over and he started to declerate towards the ground.

Well, thankfully, Shoto Todoroki saved Izuku from a broken leg, or worse, when he created another giant wave of ice. Izuku smacked his shoulder full force into an ice pillar as he went sliding down the ice in question. There was a crack when his shoulder struck the hard ice.

The ice was cold, obviously, but it also nicked and cut at his face and right arm as he slid down at a rapid decceleration. He hit the ground with a thud. The breath knocked clean out of him.

A shadow fell over Izuku and his eyes went wide as the Zero Pointer started to fall. The ice failing at a rapid pace. Cracking and melting alike. He scrambled but he couldn't get any traction from the ice surrounding him. 'I don't have a choice!' He raised his injured arm up ready to punch and sacrifice his right arm-

"I got you!"

Arms wrapped around him in a heartbeat and suddenly Izuku was grabbed and the two of them rolled away from the falling robot. Before he could register anything his arm was grabbed and he was forced to his feet-

Ochako looked back at him and smiled. Her face was dirty and her eyes were bright with excitement. "Consider us even for when you saved me!" She beamed at him.

Izuku felt his breath hitch as he laughed. "Totally!"

The two of them had an unspoken moment where they decided to just stay and work together.

A smaller villain robot set their eyes on the duo and this was when Izuku stepped in. With an outstretched hand he focused on the robot's motor like it was the entrance exam all over again. The motor came crashing out of the robot and the two of them swiftly ducked and rolled as the motor crashed behind them.

The robot fell down, a large metal slat falling off with this movement, no doubt from the chest compartment that was now destroyed. A light bulb went off over Izuku's head. He knew what he had saw earlier while in the air. That pit looked deep and…

"Ochako!" He called to his temporary teammate. "I have an idea, if you'll let me explain." He grabbed the metal slat in a hurry and the two of them took off with the rest.

He explained his idea as they came up to, what Present Mic calls it, The fall.

Ochako was all for it and Izuku couldn't be happier.

Todoroki and Bakugo were still a head by a decent amount, all ready half-way through the fall and what it entails.

Izuku laid the slat down just a little ways away from the falls. Ochako sat on it with her legs under her thighs. "Hang on, because this thing doesn't exactly have seatbelts." He gave her a shaky grin as he grabbed on to the end of the slate. Ochako white knuckled the sides of the slat with all of her strength.

One-for-all ran through Izuku and using eight percent he started running. Ochako let out a loud cry as they were coming up towards the edge at a fast rate. "Get ready!" Izuku warned. He wanted to go faster! Faster! Faster! His legs protested this as he threatened to go over his eight percent-

"Now!" He called and jumped on to the slat, right behind Ochako as they flew over the first chasm. Fly above their classmates. Fly far- farther-

Both of them screamed as metal slat started to lose momentum just as the end of the The Fall was coming up towards them. The ground quickly meeting them- "Now, Ochako!" Izuku roared and Ochako held her breath as she grabbed on to the sides of the metal slat, activating her quirk right before they landed.

"Release!" The metal slat fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Both of them let out a sigh of relief. "See you on the other side!" Izuku called to her and ran again. She laughed and took off right behind him.

Todoroki and Bakugo weren't too far now, and neither was the finish line.

'Todoroki's not using his ice and there's a reason for it.' Izuku thought as he took off in a jog-

BANG!

Izuku fell to his side as he was hit was a barrage of light and high pressure-

'What was that- landmines!' He gasped once he realized…Then he smiled.

He outstretched his arm behind him- the metal slat that was only a few feet away came into his hand and he ran. He already knew what to look out for, raised piles of dirt. He felt in his element as he dodged around the mines.

Using One-for-all he created wind pressure and shot off towards Bakugo and Todoroki who were duking it out for first place, dentonating a couple landmines in the process, but it didn't affect Izuku.

'Forgive me for what I have to do, but I can't let you win!' Izuku thought as he approached both Todoroki and Bakugo at a fast pace-

Both of them turned in shock and rage at Izuku's approach that set off a series of mines as he came up to them-

Izuku threw the metal piece like it was a frisbee and aimed for both Todoroki and Bakugo-

The distraction worked as both boys used their quirks to attack the metal slate in an attempt to avoid being hit. This allowed Izuku to gain just a small lead as he whipped past the two of them.

"Deku!" Bakugo roared-

But Izuku wasn't done.

He couldn't stop his smile as he spun around in the air. He knew he looked crazed as he brought both of his arms out in front of him. That smile never leaving his mouth.

Then he thought of the mines. More specifically the mines behind Todoroki and Bakugo.

Neither boy expected it as they were struck with mine after mine that rushed towards Izuku.

The move felt dirty, but Todoroki was the one that declared war.

Then, Izuku hit the ground, he rolled, turned towards the finish line and just bolted with one-for-all. Faster, faster, faster! He had to win!

Something snapped but he didn't care. He couldn't bring himself to care. Izuku felt the wind at his back as the stadium opened up to him and he was greeted with a roaring crowd-

Confetti flew from the skies as he skidded, and rolled on to his back.

"IZUKU TORA OF CLASS 1A WINS THE OBSTACLE RACE!" Present Mic roared elated through the microphone and the crowd cheered-

The crowd cheered for him.

Izuku covered his eyes with his arm as a laugh bubbled up. He won! He won!

"Dammit…" Todoroki hissed as he came in second.

"You fucking cheated, Deku!" Bakugo cursed as he kicked at the dirt.

Izuku sat up and just continued to smile as others started to pile in. "Zuku!" Kaminari rushed to him. Kaminari wrapped Izuku in a tight hug before helping him to his feet.

"Ah!" Izuku cursed in pain as he put pressure on his right leg. and Kaminari immediately held him tighter. "It's fine-"

"Zuchan!"

Hitoshi landed on the ground. The boy with the butterfly wings slowly sank down to his knees right behind Hitoshi. His eyes white and jaw slack. His wings…they lost their color. Before they looked like a monarch butterfly's wing, but now they were clear, transparent.

Hitoshi looked at the boy and released him from his hold before rushing towards his brother.

The poor boy looked so confused as they looked around frantically.

"You did it!" Hitoshi hugged his brother tightly. "I'm proud of you!"

" 'Toshi, I think he's hurt." Kaminari softly spoke.

"It's nothing." Izuku tried to wave it off, but with his win and his adrenaline running on low he felt pain. Pain radiating from his left shoulder and right leg to be more specific.

"Idiot-" Hitoshi hissed as he grabbed on Izuku's ear for good measure. "You went and over did it with that stupid quirk." He whispered solely in Izuku's ear as Izuku grunted at the ear pull.

"It's fine, Hichan. I'll just have to see Recovery Girl."

"She won't be able to heal you every time, Zuchan." Hitoshi fussed.

"I know… I know. I'll go easy from here on out, I promise. Just please, let go of my ear."

"You better." Hitoshi huffed as he let go of his brother's ear. "Now go, before the next battle is announced!"

Izuku nodded and hobbled towards a robot that would take him to Recovery Girl who was on standby in a special office for this Festival.

'I won.' He thought as he leaned on the robot for support as he hobbled away. He felt determination run through his veins. 'And I'm going to win this Sports Festival and make a name for myself! I promise!'

Chapter Text

The cavalry battle was next. They were allowed to have up to four people for this. In order to see who was going on to the next round. Each team had a set number of points on a headband. They must wear their headbands on their person and can't keep them hidden on their clothes. They can't hide it under their clothes as that would be considered cheating.

And because Izuku won the race he got the grand prize of ten million points literally on his head!

He wanted to curl up into a ball and die.

"Okay…" Hitoshi mumbled as he took a big step towards his brother. "So, we have two, we just need two more. Leave that to me-" Hitoshi turned his mind set on Butterfly wings-

"No- no mind control. At least not yet. Hichan. Let's think and ask around before we go to the extreme."

Hitoshi sucked on his teeth in exaggeration. "I finally get the go ahead to use my quirk and I can't." He half whined.

"Calm down." Izuku mumbled as he looked around at all the other teams forming around them. They still had thirteen minutes before the time was up, still, there were so many people, people that Izuku didn't know the quirk too and vise versa.

"Hey! Kaminari, over here!" Hitoshi suddenly called as he waved his friend down.

Kaminari turned to look at them before rushing right on over. "Hey guys!" He greeted.

'Kaminari would be a good team member to have with his electricity.' Izuku thought, however, his thoughts were swiftly dashed.

"-Look, before you ask, because I know you're going to…I'm sorry. I already agreed to join Todoroki's team."

"You traitor." Izuku joked immediately while playfully tapping Kaminari's shoulder to show no hard feelings.

"Hm." Hitoshi blushed and chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Well, I wasn't going to ask you anway." He waved Kaminari off while turning away from the blonde.

"He's joking." Izuku whispered to Kaminari.

"I know, he's a terrible liar."

Both of them shared a quick laugh before Kaminari turned and bounded away. "See you on the battlefield! I won't go easy on you!"

"I don't expect you to!"

"Welp, I'm going to pick someone- oh." Hitoshi went to turn away but stopped immediately as Koda was standing there looking…well…nervous.

'Do you still need people for your team?' Koda anxiously finger spelled to both of them.

"Uh…yeah, we do." Hitoshi rubbed at the back of his head.

'May I be apart of your team? The others either ignore me or don't see me. Either way, I'm free.'

"Hey, that'd be great, Koda." Izuku spoke as he started to finger spell just the same.

Koda smiled.

"Okay, three down…just one more to go, but who-" Izuku was interrupted by a lispy voice.

"Fear not. Your hero has come!" Mineta grinned while raising his eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner.

"..." Izuku looked Mineta up and down before sighing. "What's you're quirk?" He inquired rather displeased but willing to at least hear the little guy out.

"Heh, you won't be able to resist me once you learn. What my super awesome quirk can do. See, sweetie-"

"-Urg." Izuku rolled his eyes.

"These balls on my head aren't just used for decoration. I can pop them off with ease and they'll grow back," To prove his point he popped one of the purple balls off of his head and one immediately grew in it's place. "They're super sticky. They stick to anything and everything, not me of course because I'm just built different." He boisted himself up. Again, to prove his point, he threw said ball and it stuck- directly against Akisho's skull.

"Ha!" Hitoshi laughed while pointing as Akisho reached up to get said ball off of his head and only succeeded in getting both of his hands caught.

"So, what do you say? Impressed?"

Izuku's face was blank as he thought about it. 'You know…it's actually not that bad. I could have him use his quirk along with mine to maybe pin others down and I could use my object attraction- hm, but he's too small to be a horse…-"

"Okay! I know it's not that impressive as some of the other quirks you've encountered! But you don't have to give me that look, okay?!" Mineta all but cried while shaking.

"No, Mineta, I'm just thinking-"

"You can't be serious," Hitoshi whispered while pulling on Izuku's ear. "He's a creep."

"With a useful quirk, Hichan. I think Mineta will be a good addition. With the four of us we actually have a good team that can rival some of the others. The name of the game is to win as many points as possible, right? Well, everyone will be on us the moment the bell rings." Izuku explained. "We could use someone who can pin others to the ground if needed."

Hitoshi scowled while putting his hands on his hips. "Are you sure about this, he can't exactly be a horse."

"He can't, but what he can do is ride on my shoulders like a periscope of sorts."

"Oh, but that's dangerous, Zuchan…" Hitoshi mumbled as he thought about it. "One wrong move and you go toppling off of Koda and I."

"It's like dad says, you won't get anywhere without taking a few risks…when did he say that exactly?" Izuku scratched at his head. The memory sounded familiar…

"Ignore it… but if that's how you feel…okay, I won't challenge you. I just hope you know what you're doing."

Izuku nodded before turning to Mineta. "You got the job!"

"Yes! You won't regret this!"

"I sure hope not." Izuku whispered as he looked at the timer. They had five more minutes to go. "Alright… we need to think of a plan."

They had thirty minutes to survive. Thirty long minutes. It made Izuku's palms sweat as they all got ready. It was decided that instead of being a periscope, that Mineta would instead be a surprise as he clung to Izuku's back like a koala. He would keep a look out for Izuku's blindspot.

They all had their parts to play, Koda's involved actually talking to animals, which Izuku found insanely cool as Koda whispered soft commands into the bird's ears or to the lone rat that had come to them, beckoning to Koda's call.

Izuku took his shoes off but decided to keep his socks on for this. As Koda and Hitoshi held on to his feet.

All the teams had their eyes on him like he was their next meal, arguably, he was. It was Hitoshi who had the idea for Izuku to wrap the headband around his upper arm and not around his head. It would be harder to get that way. Instead, Izuku wrapped Hitoshi's headband around his head. Hitoshi's little fifteen pointer would be a great distraction for those not paying attention.

The air became heavy as everyone stood baited and ready to leap.

"Remember the plan…" Izuku whispered to his teammates.

"Hm!" Hitoshi nodded while grinning. Koda was trembling slightly but nodded all the same.

"You got it, sweetcheeks-" Izuku reached behind his head and smacked Mineta up top the head, earning a soft "ow!" in response.

"BEGIN!" Present Mic roared out-

Like predicted everyone rushed towards Izuku feverishly practically salivating to get their hands on that ten million pointer.

"Take this!" Mineta bellowed out as he used one hand to cling to Izuku and the other he threw his balls down at a rapid pace. It worked in slowing some down, but not everybody.

"Now!" Hitoshi called out and Izuku used One-for-all creating a wind current just strong enough to lift himself and Mineta up into the air avoiding most that leapt towards him.

"Deku!" turning, Izuku just hardly avoided an enraged Bakugo's explosion to the face.

"Mineta!" Izuku called as they started to descend.

"Gotcha, babe! Take this!"

Bakugo made a startled noise as he was struck with one of Mineta's sticky balls right to the face. He growled as he made an attempt to dislodge it, but like Akisho only moments earlier he found his hands to be stuck as well. Bakugo cried out as he tried to fight with the purple monstrosity.

Izuku then used his object attraction quirk. Taking Bakugo's two hundred points, right as Bakugo managed to dislodge the purple ball. Izuku blew him a kiss with two fingers while showing off his prize. "Thanks, Kacchan!" He teased before sticking his tongue out. "I'll cherish this forever!"

"Izuku Tora once again shows his object attraction quirk. A quirk that was undoubtedly made for this." Their dad's voice shot through the speakers, reminding them that their dad was in fact watching. "A good move, no doubt, but he knows he shouldn't be too reliant on it."

Bakugo's face was priceless as he fell, his teammates swiftly caught him.

Izuku landed safely back on Hitoshi's and Koda's shoulders. Thank goodness both people were strong.

They weren't out of the woods yet as more people were still rushing at them. This included Ochako and her team. She was teamed up with a girl from the support class and Tokoyami. And they were coming for them from the air. The support team girl was able to use some of her gadgets which included a jet pack. Combined with Ochako's float…

"Koda! Do it!" Izuku cried out and Koda nodded nervously.

"F-Friends! Hear my cries and pleas for help!" Koda spoke, he actually spoke. Both Izuku and Hitoshi looked at him wide eyed, but not for long as they had to move again before someone else got to them.

Koda's quirk had worked as a swarm of pigeons descended upon Ochako and her team. There were cries of alarm as the pigeons mercilessly pecked at them. Dark Shadow shot out and swatted at several of the birds.

Izuku swiftly put the two hundred pointer around his neck as they continued to run away from the opposing teams-

'An earthquake?!' Izuku thought as the ground started to violently shake and move-

"Dammit!" Hitoshi growled. "I'm sinking!"

"It's someone's quirk! The ground is like quick sand!" Mineta said from Izuku's back. He started to climb a little higher.

Izuku wasn't the only one affected as those also on the ground found themselves sinking deep within it. More panicked cries but for a different reason. It was a trap as they violently tried to fight being sucked into the ground.

Izuku looked around though the chaos and he pinpointed just who was doing it as the student had in his hand in the ground causing all of this. Izuku narrowed his eyes. 'I can create wind pressure…' It was on a whim did he stack one hand on top of the other, bracing his wrist. Then he flicked. He got the guy and knocked him back just a little ways. He knew purposely pushing people wasn't allowed, but he wasn't trying to push the kid, just trying to stop him. It worked, the ground stopped moving.

"Dammit! Dammit! I'm stuck!" Hitoshi cursed once it was said and done. Izuku looked down and saw that Hitoshi's left leg was stuck ankle deep into the concrete ground. No amount of tugging or pulling could dislodge it.

Izuku looked at the clock. Ten more minutes left.

'Can we survive ten minutes stuck in the ground?' Izuku hadn't planned on this. The others were approaching again. He saw his classmates- Todoroki- coming for his blood.

"Alright…. Koda… can you talk to rats?" Izuku asked and Koda nodded feverishly. "Call them. The birds as well if you can. I have a plan."

Koda's mouth twisted a little but he nodded again.

Izuku then turned towards Mineta. "Get on my shoulders!"

Mineta twisted himself around so he could easily sit on Izuku's shoulders. "Hitoshi… hang on. You're going to get a little close to some rats."

"Hm!" Hitoshi held on tight while nodding.

"Mineta. Throw your purple sphere's out everywhere, hurry. Block as many people as you can. Aim for their feet!"

"Say no more!"

It became chaos after that. The moment the rats and mice descended upon the stage was bad, but joined in with the birds, not just pigeons, but crows and ravens all the same came flying, pecking anybody and everyone in their wake.

Students screamed in terror as the rats tried to claw up their pants, others tried to get away from the pecking birds, this causing several people to drop their riders in an attempt to flee. It was just absolute chaos and anarchy-

It made Izuku grin. He couldn't stop his smile as the others ran-

Of course not everyone was swayed by rats and birds. Others, Bakugo, Todoroki, and Ochako, just to name a few, were more than happy to use the distraction in an attempt to rush at them.

"Deku!" Bakugo roared as he charged forward with his team. Izuku got ready to jump as Bakugo literally roared at him. "I'm going to kill you!"

"Heh…" Izuku smiled more to himself than anybody else. "I'd like to see you try!" Izuku boldly called out to Bakugo as he, Izuku, threw his arms out rather dramatically.

Hitoshi tensed from under him. "Zuchan…It's just a game, remember?" Hitoshi whispered to his brother.

"Of course. Of course. Just putting that smug bastard in his place-"

Izuku grabbed on to his head as a harsh pain suddenly drilled itself into his skull with such a force that it almost made him sick.

"Take his quirk, Izuku-"

"Uh…Tora?" Mineta whispered as he lightly tapped Izuku's head.

Bakugo was rushing at them using his explosions.

If that weren't bad enough, Todoroki and his team were rushing at them. "No hard feelings, Zuku!" Kaminari yelled as he was one of the ones in the front.

"Tora!" Mineta whined now as he started hitting Izuku a little more frantically.

"He doesn't deserve a quirk if that's how he treats you-" Hitoshi whispered to Izuku as the two of them sat on his small white bed. Side-by-side they sat. The bed was so small that they were touching thighs. "He sounds like a real ass, if you ask me." Hitoshi then declared as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Hitoshi…that's a bad word…"

"Ass."

"Hitoshi!" Izuku giggled while kicking his feet happily.-

"Izuku, you ass!" Hitoshi bellowed out. "Snap out of it!"

By the time Izuku looked up it was too late. Bakugo had gunned it for him and managed to snatch the headband around Izuku's head. "Got it!" Bakugo roared victoriously as he used his explosions to get back to his group without touching the ground. "God dammit!" He then roared when he saw it was only the fifteen pointer. Not that it mattered, he had a lot more headbands than before.

Izuku felt stunned for a moment, but couldn't stay stunned for long.

"Tora-" Todoroki made a mad grab for Izuku's arm, to which Izuku reached out and summoned two of the headbands Todoroki had around his neck. They were backwards, a smart move that Izuku was beating himself up on. He should have done that. Still, with his object attraction on his side, Izuku managed to snag the ones Todoroki had. He didn't know which ones, and he couldn't care. Not now anyways. "You think you're so clever with that quirk of yours!" Todoroki snarled as he rounded back and used his ice to try and knock Izuku down.

"Better than you! You have two quirks and refuse to use one! At least Zuchan uses both of his!" Hitoshi spoke for Izuku.

"I told you to stay-"

It was a trap that Todoroki fell for hook line and sinker. He went limp.

"Todoroki!" Momo was quick though and smacked Todoroki's arm, freeing him from Hitoshi's quirk almost immediately- "Ah!" She cried in alarm when Mineta threw a sticky ball right dab in the middle of her chest.

Izuku flicked his fingers, knocking Todoroki back, but not off.

He dared to look at the clock.

How time flies.

They had just a minute left.

Izuku considered himself lucky that someone got Bakugo's attention for the time being.

'Okay…it's time for the big plan. I don't have much of a choice at this rate.' Izuku sucked in a slow and deep breath.

Todoroki and his team had backed up, regrouping, planning.

'I hope this works.'

"Mineta, get on Hichan's back."

"Hichan?"

"Me, jackass!" Hitoshi hissed.

Mineta clambered down from Izuku's back and on to Hitoshi's.

Izuku stood up and shook his sweaty palms. "Todoroki!" He called to the dual haired boy. Todoroki looked at him with narrowed eyes. Izuku took the ten million pointer off of his arm and tauntedly held it up. "You want it?!" Using one for all and creating a small pocket of wind, Izuku did the boldest, riskiest move he could think of. He tossed it in the air. "Come and get it!"

Then, Izuku leapt using one for all to help him get high. Up the air he went. 'It's just like acrobatics with dad!' He thought as he twisted his body in the air. He felt light, weightless, like he was flying.

There was the cracking of ice as Todoroki came rushing after the ten million pointer at a fast rate.

Together they both caught the headband at the exact same time. "Let go!" Todoroki demanded. Izuku felt a smirk play at his lips. They were close, so close that when, in one last ditch effort to get the band, Todoroki created a spark of flame with his left hand. It startled Izuku as he felt some of his hair get singed from this, but just as quickly as the attack came, it vanished. Todoroki looked shocked.

Still, Izuku let the band go all the same. "Fine, but I'm taking the rest!" With that declaration on his part, Izuku used his object attraction quirk and took the remaining four headbands off of Todoroki's neck with ease. The bands shot into Izuku's hand and Izuku kicked Todoroki away from him while in the air.

Izuku then did the same thing he did for Bakugo. He blew a kiss. "Thanks!"

He could have sworn he saw Todoroki blush as the two of them fell.

"Gotcha!" Hitoshi called as he managed to grab Izuku before he hit the ground.

"TIME!" Present Mic called.

Izuku fell limp against his brother.

"Are you okay?!" Mineta had been the one to ask.

"Whoo!" Izuku cheered as he pumped his fist. "Never better…never better." He looked at all the headbands in his hand.

Hitoshi was freed from the ground shortly after that and whistled. "Uuuugh!" It was like the weight of the world freed itself from Hitoshi's shoulder as he fell down on his back. Then, he and Izuku looked at each other before laughing.

"You guys were awesome!" Izuku cheered to Koda and Mineta alike. "Seriously! We never would have gotten this far without you guys!"

"I have to admit. I was skeptical…but Mineta, you pulled through." Hitoshi breathed out a laugh.

Todoroki and his team won first place in the Cavalry battle with ten million points. Izuku and his team won second with eight hundred and fifty points, Bakugo's team was next with eight hundred points, and finally the last team to advance to the last round was…Akisho's, who had a total of seven hundred and fifty points.

"LUNCH TIME! I say it's about time these students got their hour break for lunch, don't the rest of you?!" Mic called to the crowd.

"Thank god! I'm starved!" Kaminari came up and smacked Izuku on the back along with Hitoshi. "I think I saw some delicious looking riceballs!" He called like they weren't just at each other's throats only minutes ago.

Still, some food sounded good. All that excitement made Izuku hungry.

However; as he started to retreat with his brother and Kaminari, he was grabbed by Todoroki. Izuku didn't get to make a noise as Todoroki lead him away from the rest of his classmates and into a more secluded and private location. Hitoshi never noticed Izuku's absence as he was too focused on Kaminari for the time being.

Still, eventually it was just Todoroki and Izuku. "Tora I…be honest with me…Is All Might your father?"

In all honesty, Izuku had no idea how to react to that and in his shocked state he could only say: " Ha! No! Aizawa is-" He covered his mouth, but it was too late. Todoroki's jaw was dropped and his eyes wide. The cat was out of the bag and Izuku's father was going to maim him for this.

Chapter Text

"Did you just say Mr. Aizawa is your father?"

Izuku looked intensely at the ground as he kept his hands tightly over his mouth. He knew his eyes were bugging out of his skull and that there was no coming back from this. Izuku was almost shaking as he stared at Todoroki. Who looked equally, if not even more, shocked than Izuku.

"N…No- I didn't say Mr. Aizawa" Izuku knew he had to think fast and he went with the first excuse he could think of. "-Aizawa is a really popular last name, you know…" He lowered his hands.

"Tora." Todoroki put his hands on his hips while narrowing his dual colored eyes.

"I'm not an idiot. I looked up you and your brother before this. As far as the internet can tell me: Hitoshi Tora and Izuku Tora do not exist on any social media platform. That Tora, is a fake name. However; I remembered that one of the villains called Hitoshi 'Shinsou.' and upon searching that I came across a news article. So, learning that Hitoshi is an orphan told me the same thing about you….I assumed that All Might had been the one to adopt you two and told you to change your names to Tora in an attempt to protect you… but it being Mr. Aizawa…"

Todoroki breathed as he leaned against the wall while putting his hand to his face. "I should have seen it." He looked more forlorn that his theory had been wrong than shocked.

Izuku honestly felt confused. "How?"

"It's obvious. That's how. Mr. Aizawa always seems to keep a close eye on you and Hitoshi alike. During the first day of school when Tora H defended you against Bakugo, Aizawa called on you two to hang back, he didn't talk to Bakugo. Then, right before the USJ attack, Tsuyu asked if you knew Mr. Aizawa because Hitoshi uses a capture a weapon like Mr. Aizawa, Hitoshi fumbled over his excuse until you came to his rescue. It was all there…" Todoroki whispered as he tapped his chin.

"...Fine. You got us. Mr. Aizawa is our father. Our Adoptive father, but, Todoroki, I need you to promise me-" Izuku grabbed on to Todoroki's arms in desperation. "You can't tell anyone." He whispered weakly. "If word got out that Aizawa is our father it'll lead to speculation that Hitoshi and I only got in due to nepotism or-"

"-Save it." Todoroki pushed Izuku's hands off of him. "I won't tell anybody, but I think you're all being ridiculous by hiding your real name. After all…" A shadow fell over Todoroki's face as he seemed to glower at Izuku. "I'm the son of the number two hero in all of Japan… do you think I got in through nepotism?"

"Well…you got in through the recommendation program… then again, so did Mineta. Regardless…from what I know about the recommendation program you still need to put in work in order to get in."

"Good point. Just…forget it, okay."

Izuku sighed and leaned down, putting his hands on his knees. "Todoroki…what do you want? I know you didn't drag me all this way just to ask me if All Might is my dad."

"...I don't know how you did it…but you- you- managed to make me break my personal pledge."

"Oh?" Izuku looked up at him.

"I made a vow. That I will win this sports festival without using my left side. My fire side."

"... You know that you could have done so much more if you would have used your fire during the race or even the cavalry battle, right?"

Todoroki closed his hand into a tight fist. "I will never use my left side." He snarled. "I'll never use his side."

"His side?" Izuku whispered softly, but not soft enough as Todoroki shot him a glare.

"You don't know? I figured the son of a teacher would have been taught this…"

Izuku shifted his eyes from side-to-side. "Know what?"

"About quirk marriages. About how I was created just to be the perfect hero. I am nothing more than a means to an end to my 'father'. Because he's the number two hero, he created me to defeat All Might."

Izuku didn't know why but he felt a strong pull to what Todoroki was telling him. It made him swallow hard as he stared at Todoroki.

"To be the next number one hero, that is." Todoroki finished as he looked away from Izuku and down at his scuffed up shoes. "But…I refuse to be his tool! I refuse to bow down to his demands! And I refuse to use my fire. Which pisses him off the longer I don't use it."

"Todoroki…"

"I hate him!" Todoroki snarled. "It's because of him I got this scar…" He then brought his hand up to touch the base of the scar at his left eye. "He drove my mother insane."

Izuku listened intently as Shoto explained everything to him. How his scar came to be, how abusive Endeavor was behind closed doors, how Endeavor punched a five-year-old Shoto in the stomach for not being 'good enough.'

'A five-year-old…' Izuku's thoughts repeated in his skull as he watched Todoroki intensely relive those awful memories.

"So, now you must know why I must beat you. Even if All Might isn't your father, you're still clearly close to him-" Izuku took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Todoroki's shoulders. "W-What are you doing?!" Todoroki gasped in surprise.

"You're being silly." Izuku whispered to Todoroki. " 'Roki…it's your quirk. Not his. It's always been your quirk. It's your power."

Todoroki's gasp caught in his throat and he paused with his hands just hovering over Izuku's shoulders. "My…quirk- you're wrong-"

"I'm not." Izuku looked up at Todoroki and grabbed one on to Todoroki's left hand. "This is your hand. Is it not? It's not Endeavor's hands, not his body, it's yours! Don't get rid of your bodily autonomy because of Endeavor-"

Izuku felt heat. "Ah!" He cried in surprise as he let go of Todoroki's of left hand which had burnt him.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" Todoroki was swift as he grabbed Izuku's hand and pointed Izuku's palm upwards where an angry red blister was already started to form across almost the entirety of his palm. Todoroki quickly used his right hand to cool Izuku's burn. "I- That's never-" Todoroki gave his head a quick shake while his mouth twisted nervously. "I'm sorry." He finally whispered.

There was some silence between the duo as Todoroki laid his left hand gently on top of Izuku's right hand in an attempt to cool the skin without freezing it.

"Todoroki?" Izuku whispered as he looked up at Todoroki. "I understand your desire to piss off your father. Really, even though I can't properly explain it… I feel your struggle almost personally." Izuku felt his chest tighten as… a mischievous smile played across his lips.

"I was under the impression that Mr. Aizawa was a good father to you."

"He is and I'm not talking about him when I said that…" Izuku just couldn't explain it. Why he was smiling the way he was. "Regardless, Todoroki, you're doing it all wrong. You want to piss off your father by winning against me without using your fire? Then you're doing it the hard way."

"I'm sorry?"

Izuku kept that smile on his face as he leaned in to Todoroki's ear and started to whisper.

They were so close that he could see how wild Izuku's hair had become because of the last two rounds they endured. Todoroki didn't know why, but he almost wanted to touch those wild curls. To run his hands through them until they weren't so wild, until they were just manageable. But he'd die of embarrassment if he did such a thing.

Todoroki hung on Izuku's every word until Izuku was done. The shock clear as he let out a startled gasp on Izuku's offer. "But…that's up to you." Izuku finished as he pulled back. "It's a fifty-fifty win regardless of what the third round may or may not be."

"... I need…I need to think about it."

Izuku nodded and backed off. "Anyways. I'm getting some lunch. Care to join?"

"...No. No, thank you. I need time alone to think about your offer."

"Very well."

Izuku then turned and jogged away from Todoroki. Todoroki watched Izuku go running for the concession stands. Towards his brother and Kaminari no doubt.

"You are a mysterious person, Izuku Aizawa. I…nobody has ever given me these weird…feelings…" Todoroki sucked in a breath as his heart beated furiously. This feeling was a rush, new and exciting.

"There you are," Hitoshi huffed as Izuku came jogging up to him and Kaminari alike. "Here-" Hitoshi shoved a bowl in Izuku's hands. "Pork Katsudon."

Izuku was already salivating as he looked at the crispy fried pork. "You're the best!" He cheered as he grabbed the chopsticks. "What'd you guys get?" He asked as they all sat down a nearby empty table together.

"I'm going light. Takoyaki, I don't know what the third round will bring so I can't afford to go heavy." Kaminari explained as he opened his little box of Takoyaki.

"I'm starved. I went with pork curry and rice," Hitoshi responded tiredly as he undid his hair from it's hair tie. For a moment he let his long hair fall down around his shoulders. "My hair nearly came out during the cavalry battle."

Kaminari paused his first takoyaki ball only inches away from his mouth as he stared at Hitoshi. "That little titch kept pulling on it near the end like I was a damn horse." Hitoshi continued to grumble as he was bundling his hair back up in his hands.

Izuku broke his chopsticks and dug in, greedily inhaling a piece of pork. Like Hitoshi, he too was starved. His nerves only allowed him to eat a single piece of toast for breakfast. "You should consider cutting your hair-" Izuku started with his mouth half-full. Hitoshi tied his hair back up.

"Don't you dare say such blasphemous things, Izuku!" Kaminari, while blushing heavily, slammed his chopsticks down heatedly. Both Izuku and Hitoshi paused and slowly turned to look at Kaminari in question. Hitoshi just looked baffled while Izuku sported a smile.

"Oh?" Izuku baited with an innocent head tilt. "I'm just thinking logically, Kami."

Kaminari continued to blush while a slew of, what could be described as, noises left his mouth in rapid succession. "-Nothing!" Was the only coherent word he finally managed to say. "Just forget I said anything okay?!" It was with that did Kaminari take off fully running from their table with his food in tow.

"I grow more and more concerned for that boy every day." Hitoshi shook his head.

"He has a crush on you, you know."

"Of course I know. I've known since the battle simulation." The two resumed eating.

"How do you feel about it?"

"How should I feel about it? It's just a crush, besides, Kaminari leans way more towards girls than guys. He'll get over me once a pretty girl shows interest in him."

"So, you're not going to turn him down?"

"Nah, better to just play dumb than break his heart. Wanna trade pork pieces?"

"Sure."

They quickly gobbled up their lunch after that, wanting to get back to the stadium before the rest of the students-

SLAM!

Neither boy flinched when Akisho slammed his hands down on their table. He was glaring at Izuku in question. "I thought you were quirkless." He spat the word out like it was poison.

"I thought so too, funny how fate turns out, isn't it?" Izuku inquired as he and Hitoshi stood up.

"Whoa-" Akisho got in front of Izuku stopping him from walking away. "No, you're not walking away from this. How'd you get that quirk, Izuku?"

Hitoshi made a noise but didn't speak.

"Excuse me? 'Get?' It's mine. Both of them, thank you very much. I didn't 'get' it from anyone, Akisho."

"Bullshit." Akisho poked Izuku in the chest and Izuku huffed puffing his cheeks out in irritation.

"Last I recalled, we weren't friends. Even if I did get these quirks from someone, which isn't even possible, I wouldn't tell you. Now, you're in my way-" All civil feelings gone, Izuku pushed Akisho to the side. "See you in the next round."

Izuku started to walk away ready to get into the stadium where round three, the final round, would be announced. He was maybe ten feet away when he noticed that Hitoshi wasn't following him. "Hichan-?" He looked behind him and saw Hitoshi talking to Akisho.

Was talking the right word? It look more like intimidating. The way Hitoshi stared intensely at Akisho and was so close to the other boy that Hitoshi was practically on top of him. Akisho was glaring right back at Hitoshi. However, there was something else in Akisho's black eyes, knowing and maybe even a bit of fear. Akisho snarled something back at Hitoshi to which Hitoshi snatched Akisho by his collar-

"Hichan!" Izuku roared out making his brother and Akisho whip their heads in his direction. "Leave him alone! You'll get your chance in the next round!"

Hitoshi's eyes darted from Izuku to Akisho. He then, begrudgingly, dropped Akisho. Hitoshi then jogged right back up to Izuku. Izuku sighed. "What am I going to do with you?" He teased as the two of them walked in step. "You really don't have to go jumping in everytime someone says something mean to me, you know? I was kind of hoping…"

Hitoshi raised an eyebrow. "Hoping?"

Izuku shoved both of his hands into his gym pockets and let his shoulders slump. "Forget it."

'I was hoping by winning the first race on my own with out your help would prove to you…that I don't need your help anymore. That I can fight my own battles and fights.' He thought rather sadly as he looked at his shoes. Kicking a stray pebble away, Izuku looked back up. 'Maybe this round will be different…it depends on what Todoroki wants to do.'

The third round was a one-on-one battle between the four teams that won the cavalry battle. The fights were set up so no one fought on their own team for the first round at the very least. Izuku stared at the brackets.

It was like luck was laughing at him like how it laughed at him during the battle simulation,

Round one battles.

Izuku VS Akisho

Todoroki VS Sero

Koda VS Kendo

Mineta VS Ashido

Momo VS Shino

Iida VS Kirishima

Kaminari VS Monoma

Hitoshi VS Bakugo

"It had to be Akisho." Izuku whispered angrily as he paced around the waiting room. "Not only that, but whoever wins goes up against Todoroki in the next round. If Todoroki wins his own round that is."

Izuku sat down and pulled out his notebook. Thank goodness he remembered to bring this with him. He just had it stuffed into his locker until now. "I should be thankful," He ruffled through the pages until he got to where he wanted to be. "It's someone who's quirk I know well, meanwhile, Akisho doesn't know my quirks."

Akisho, the Marionette, the Puppetmaster… His quirk was straight forward. Much like Hitoshi's own quirk he can control people. Unlike Hitoshi, he doesn't need speech, he needs touch. Which could be easy enough to avoid. His quirk also has a major drawback, which is that he needs to move with those under his control. Granted walking in place should be simple enough, but still. It's a tiring quirk to use, no doubt.

"Akisho is taller than I am with longer legs. Meaning he can reach farther and even leap farther if it comes to it. I'll have to use one-for-all to flick him away and out of bounds. It seems easy enough…"

"How'd you get that quirk, Izuku."

Akisho sounded almost genuine, at the time Izuku hadn't realized it as he was too frustrated with Akisho to hear it. Leaning back into his chair, he tapped his fingers against the table as his mind flashed back to Hitoshi. That intense look on his face as he leaned into Akisho's own face. The anger.

The fear.

The knowing from both parties…

It kind of pissed Izuku off in all honesty. Hitoshi's been hiding something from him, Izuku wasn't an idiot, far from it in fact. Not only that but the increased protectiveness his twin acquired was almost smothering at times.

"Take his quirk, Izuku-"

"Urg!" Izuku grabbed at his head at the stabbing pain. It felt like someone was trying to get to his brain with an ice pick. It hurt. His breathing turned ragged as he stared down at his notebook. "Get out of my head!" He cried to the voice that's been torturing him during this whole festival thus far.

He didn't even want Akisho's quirk!

Finally, the pain started to die down and Izuku slowly sat back and sighed. He heard the sound of a buzzer outside of the room followed by:

"Izuku Tora and Akisho Shin please make your way to the stage."

"It's time."

"Man, I can't believe the girls didn't believe me about Aizawa wanting them to be cheerleaders." Kaminari whined as he leaned against Hitoshi.

Hitoshi's leg shook up and down as he stared down at the battleground. It was empty now, but soon Izuku and Akisho would be the first ones up. The first ones to fight. He could do nothing but watch. "Yeah well… it was a dumb idea. Maybe if Mineta had tried to get the 1B girls involved as well…" Hitoshi tried to talk to keep his mind off his growing anxiety as his leg continued to shake.

"I'll kill you-" Those where the last words Hitoshi had almost yelled at Akisho. And he meant it. He meant every word.

It made Hitoshi's hands tremble.

"Hey-" Kaminari saw this and grabbed both of Hitoshi's hands into his own. "Izuku is going to wipe the floor with Akisho!"

'Bless you…' Hitoshi turned away from Kaminari.

'It wasn't Akisho that had went to All for one. It was his own father, a quirkless man unable to get a job due to his quirklessness. He just needed one quirk to help his family. One… the fact that someone so close to All for one was right next to us this entire time makes my blood boil.' Hitoshi thought as he watched Akisho and Izuku both step out. They were on opposite ends of the platform.

'Was he a spy? Is he a spy now? Or… is he okay? Is Akisho safe to be around?' Hitoshi's breath turned shaky as he wrapped his hands around Kaminari's for support. "Don't go easy on him, Zuchan. Fuck him up."

"Well, maybe I'll just tell your precious Zuchan about All for one, get his memory in check because I'm not an idiot. I know he went to All for one the way my own quirkless father had-!"

"-I'll kill you-"

'If he knows what's good for him…he'll keep his fucking mouth shut.'

Kaminari stood suddenly making Hitoshi look at him with surprise. Kaminari let go of Hitoshi's hands and cupped his own hands over his mouth. "Go, 'Zuku! Show Akisho we're not going to take his bullshit anymore!" Kaminari roared.

Then, a surprising cheer-

"You better win, Deku!" Bakugo's own voice soared over everyone's, this caused a shocked hush to fall over the crowd as all eyes were on him. He stood up on the top of his chair. "I still have beef with you!"

It was like a domino effect as all of 1A cheered for Izuku. Izuku's eyes went wide as he looked from person to person cheering him on.

"Beat his ass, Zuchan!" Hitoshi cheered with the rest of 1A. "You- You have permission to fight him this time! It's not middle school anymore! Don't you dare hold back either!"

Izuku smiled at Hitoshi's words.

Hitoshi hated that smile… it's the same smile Izuku's been sporting all day.

It looked exactly like All for one's damned smile.

Izuku immediately dodged right as Akisho lunged for him. Rolling on the ground for a moment, Izuku shot right back up to his feet. He went to flick air at Akisho to blow him out of the ring, but Akisho was faster than Izuku anticipated. Akisho charged for Izuku again, making Izuku jump back to avoid being grappled.

Akisho growled as he turned to face Izuku. "You've gotten faster." He grinned and the two of them started to circle around, waiting for the other to make the first move. "I remember there was a time when I could easily punch you."

"Heh." Izuku smiled. "Sorry to disappoint you, Akisho-" Izuku raised his right hand up and put it in a flicking position. Akisho gave a laugh.

"What? Are you going to flick my forehead?-"

Izuku created a small gust a wind.

Akisho threw his arms up to protect his face as he flew back only a small bit but not far enough to disqualify him. "Urg!" Akisho grunted out in surprise as he nearly fell on his back from the force. "So, it's not just telekinesis you have?" He grinned a little. "Tell me…" Akisho lowered his arms as well as his head. "What did you have to do for him to give you two?"

Izuku's smile dropped as Akisho whisper the last part to him.

Izuku shook his head. "You're talking nonsense." He responded loudly and put his fists up.

Akisho rushed towards Izuku, Izuku saw Akisho raise his right hand up ready to strike, so he dodged to the left quickly.

SLAP!

Izuku fell for a trap as Akisho slapped him across the face with his free hand. "Gotcha!"

Izuku had no control over his body. To prove this, Akisho raised his left hand up high in the air and Izuku was forced to do the same. 'Dammit! It's like grade school all over again.' Izuku thought-

A noise of surprise left his mouth as he felt like he was being whirled by his arms.

'Faster, Daddy!' Little Izuku cheered as Aizawa-

No-

Someone else-

-Had both of Izuku's arms in his hands as he whirled the little boy around in a big circle. Little Izuku's feet left the ground as his father spun around faster as requested. "Wheee!-"

Izuku grunted as his right hand raised with Akisho's own right hand. "Dodge this-"

"-Oof!" Izuku grunted as he harshly punched himself in the face. It hurt as Akisho put a lot of power behind the attack.

"You know…I could just have you walk out of the arena. But the rules clearly state that you could also be unconscious or unable to move, right?"

"Urk!" Izuku's right arm was jutted out violently. "You wouldn't dare!" Izuku snarled.

Izuku's right hand raised up in the familiar flicking position that he's grown used to using. Izuku watched his own hand tremble as he tried to fight against Akisho's quirk. "Let's see how you do against your 'own' quirk." Akisho grinned.

'No! I won't! Not for you!' Izuku gnashed his teeth as his hand trembled against Akisho's hold. Akisho's smile fell just a tad as Izuku fought against him.

One for all crackled under Izuku's skin as he and Akisho fought for control.

Akisho's own teeth gnashed as he tried to literally force Izuku's hand.

'I won't lose to you! I can't!' Izuku thought as for a very real moment they looked like they were at a standstill. One for all continued to crackle, green lightning shooting off all over Izuku's body. He could feel it, the power itching to be released-

Izuku felt nothing but pain as one for all shot off in his middle finger. Akisho let a out gasp as he tumbled back a couple of steps. Izuku looked at right hand, his middle finger, it was a deep purple color, a telltale sign that he had broken it.

Still, Izuku wasted no time grabbing Akisho by the throat and hoisting him up off of the ground with his right hand. His left hand was still under Akisho's control. As he had a grip on Akisho's neck, his left hand grabbed on to his right wrist in an attempt to free Akisho from his grip. Akisho's face started to turn red as he desperately kick, but because he was off the ground it did nothing.

Izuku looked at Akisho before he used One for all in his right arm to throw Akisho away from him and out of bounds.

"Akisho Shin is out of bounds! Izuku Tora advances to the next round!" Midnight yelled while giving her whip a good crack. Izuku gave a sigh of relief as his shoulders slumped slightly. He then walked over to Akisho.

Akisho was sitting up, his head hanging low while his burgundy colored hair was in front of his face. "Damn…" He breathed out. "I was really hoping I'd win."

Izuku leaned down he braced his bad hand on his leg while using his left hand to reach for Akisho.

Akisho looked at him before sighing. "You even look like the bastard, you know." Akisho huffed softly as he grabbed on to Izuku's hand. "Though…it's been so long since I saw that bastard's face…" He whispered and Izuku pulled him to his feet.

"Who are you talking about, Akisho, please just tell me that?"

"..." Akisho let go of Izuku's hand and started to walk away but not before growling in frustration. "Ask your 'twin'. He knows exactly who I'm talking about."

Recovery Girl gave a sigh as she gently took Izuku's hand into her own. "What am I going to do with you, my dear?" She asked as she gave his finger a quick inspection.

"I'm sorry…"

"You've got to be careful, one day you'll come across an injury that I might not be able to heal if you keep this up." She lectured before kissing his hand. It took a few seconds, but it worked and his finger healed completely. Izuku flexed the finger up and down and nodded.

"Thank you, Recovery Girl, hopefully this'll be the last time I'll see you today!"

"I doubt it."

Jumping up from his seat, Izuku stretched his arms above his head. "Thanks again, Recovery Girl!" He called to the nurse as he opened the door-

"Jesus!" He jumped as he looked at Todoroki who was on the other side of the door looking ready to knock. "You startled me…" Izuku whispered as he put a hand on his heart.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course." Izuku quietly walked through the door and shut it behind him.

"Walk with me." Todoroki demanded and the two of them started to walk down the hallway together. Todoroki had dark circles under his eyes as he looked pissed off at the world. There was some silence between the two of them say for their shoes squeaking against the linoleum.

"Is everything okay?" Izuku questioned softly.

"..." Todoroki stared at the ground with an intense hatred. "I hate Endeavor…I hate him."

Izuku lightly patted the area between Todoroki's shoulder. "I'm sorry." He whispered to Todoroki.

Todoroki stared at the ground. "I face up against Sero next. I plan on winning."

"I'm sure you do."

"Then you know what that means?"

"That the next round we face off against one another. Yes."

Todoroki sucked in a deep breath. "Let's do it."

"Seriously?!" Izuku whipped his head at Todoroki in surprise. "I'm not going to lie, I didn't think you'd want to."

"At this point…I just want to piss him off more than anything." Todoroki grabbed at his chest with his left hand so tightly and harshly that Izuku could see whisps of smoke rising from his palm, no doubt his quirk threatening to burn a hole into his shirt. "I told him what you told me…that I won't let him take my bodily autonomy away from him and you know what he told me?"

"What?"

"That I had none…That I'm his tool for winning. I'm going to show him…he's wrong even if it means I lose."

Izuku smiled as he then took his hand and wrapped an arm around Todoroki's shoulders, pulling the dualed hair boy in close. "Todoroki, I'm going to teach you something that might even be better than revenge. I'm going to teach you how to be spiteful. Something Hichan and I both are very fluent in. Just make sure you win again Sero, okay?"

"That won't be a problem."

A problem it wasn't.

At first it seemed like Sero had the upper hand in the match by wrapping Todoroki up in his tape, but Todoroki shut. It. Down.

One stomp of his foot and Sero was absolutely incased in ice, ice so high that it nearly hit the audience, so high that it was higher than the stadium. It was absolutely breath taking.

It took a while for the glacier to melt, but once it did everyone was able to move on to the next round. Koda VS Kendo from 1B. Kendo won that one. Poor Koda as strong as he was and even with the help of the pigeons couldn't help him when Kendo used her giant fist to smack him out of bounds. Hard.

After that was Mineta VS Ashido. In all honesty, Mineta could have won with his quirk, but he was just too busy trying to flirt and being an all around creep by groping her. Mina managed to incapicitate Mineta by wrapping him up in a slimy case of her acid along with his sticky balls. She melted down his purple sticky balls to the point that it actually stuck to him, pinning him to the floor. She showed no mercy. Aside from some minor acidic burns to his person, Mineta would be perfectly fine.

Next up was Momo VS Shino, or as Izuku and Hitoshi knew him as, Butterfly wings. His wings were back to the style of a monarch's. Izuku then learned during Shino's fight with Momo that his wings lose color when he flies. Once completely transparent he could no longer fly until the color returns. Shino tried to blow Momo out of the ring with powerful gusts of wind, but in the end Momo won when she created a metal shield and used the light from the sun to blind Shino. She then tossed the shield like it was a frisbee hitting Shino directly in the head, knocking him out instantly as the shield was made of metal.

Next up was Iida and Kirishima. It was a tough battle speed VS strength. No matter how strong Iida's kicks were they just seemed to bounce off of Kirishima's body. At the cost of Iida's legs. Each kick to Kirishima's rock hard body cut into Iida's flesh. It almost seemed like Kirishima was going to win as they were nearing the end. In desperation Iida tried a new move that Izuku hadn't seen before. It was fast and powerful to boot, but it just wasn't enough and it caused Iida's engines to stall allowing Kirishima to sink the win by flipping Iida over his shoulder and out of bounds.

Izuku's notebook was filling up and fast. All these quirks and what they can do, it was a dream come true for him. He wrote so fast that he was sure the paper was smoking.

It was time for the final two battles. Kaminari VS Monoma from 1B. And Hitoshi VS Bakugo.

"Good luck, Kami!" Izuku flashed Kaminari a thumbs up. Nervously Kaminari swallowed as he made his way down the stadium steps. Instead of going to the back to prepare, Kaminari stayed with Izuku and Hitoshi to help his frayed nerves and now time was up.

Hitoshi looked absolutely terrified. So terrified that Izuku felt it best not to bug his brother until it was over. Izuku pityed his brother so hard. 'I wish you would have gotten Akisho and I could have gotten Bakugo.' He thought as he rubbed Hitoshi's tense shoulders.

Hitoshi's shoulder suddenly jerked. "Oops!" Monoma gasped out in surprise as he grasped on to Hitoshi's shoulder to keep himself from falling down the steps. "Sorry about that." Monoma apologized as he seemed to tighten his grip on Hitoshi's shoulder. "Hitoshi, was it?"

"Yeah." Hitoshi growled a little.

Monoma gave Hitoshi a smile. "I've seen you use your quirk during the race and during the cavalry battle. It seems you just need a response to work it, right?"

"...yes?" Hitoshi now looked Monoma up and down, untrusting.

"What a powerful quirk…heh…thank you." Monoma finally let go of Hitoshi's shoulder as he jogged down the steps.

"What was that about?" Hitoshi inquired and Izuku shrugged.

"Maybe he just likes your quirk, Hichan. It is a powerful one after all."

"..."

Kaminari and Monoma stepped out ready to start their battle only a minute later.

"Go Kami! Show him what 1A is made of!" Izuku roared over the crowd. Kaminari flashed Izuku a thumbs up.

"Begin!"

"Tell me something, Pikachu." Monoma started before Kaminari made any move. Monoma raked his fingers through his hair, only pulling the blonde strands back and out of his face. "Do you really think you can beat me?!" He gave a loud almost maniacal laugh as he asked this.

"I know I can!-"

Then… it happened.

Kaminari's face went slack and his eyes lost all color.

"What the-" Hitoshi slowly stood up from his spot. "That's-"

"Why don't you do me a favor. Walk out of bounds for me." Monoma made a 'shooing' motion with his hand as he said this.

"Monoma Neito! Quirk: Copy! After coming into physical contact with someone, depending on the quirk, he can copy that person's quirk for a short amount of time!" Present Mic announced to the crowd.

"Tch! That bastard!" Hitoshi growled as he looked at the shoulder that Monoma had touched only moments ago. "He just needed to know how it worked…"

"Kami! Snap out of it!" Izuku practically threw himself over the seat in front of him to yell out to his friend. "Kami! KAMI!"

"Save your breath…" Hitoshi sat back down slowly. He looked pissed as he stared at the arena. "You know as well as I do, once someone is under my control it's almost impossible to come out of it. No amount of yelling will snap him out of it. Only touch."

Izuku puffed his cheeks out as they watched Kaminari walk out of bounds.

Monoma probably had the shortest win there was.

"Okay…I'm up next." Hitoshi shook his hands as he stared ahead. He had fifteen minutes to plan against Bakugo. "I won't lie…I'm a little nervous. It's no secret Bakugo hates me so, the sociopath will probably enjoy whatever he's going to do to me." Hitoshi whispered to Izuku. "Any pointers?"

"The biggest one I can give you is to be careful." Izuku whispered back. "He's probably going to try and blast you out of the ring immediately. You need to get him to talk to you."

"Which will be hard. He knows how my quirk works and won't open his mouth, not for me anyways."

"Yes, so my suggestion with Bakugo? Cut deep. Insult him get him mad so he'll have to talk to you. Hold nothing back and dodge."

Before Hitoshi could say anything more he was struck in the back of the head. "Stop fucking cheating off of Deku and face me yourself, or are you too scared?" Bakugo demanded as he looked down at Hitoshi.

"Fuck you."

"See you on the battlefield, Mindfuck. Though if I were you? It'd be less embarrassing if you'd just give up here and now." Bakugo strolled down the steps nonchalauntly.

Hitoshi gnashed his teeth together. "We'll see about that." He then got up and walked away from his seat. "I'm going to win the festival. Prove to the world, that I have what it takes to be looked at."

'Hichan…' Izuku thought as he watched his brother go. 'Between the two of us…you have what it takes to be looked at. You could be number one! I know it.'

Hitoshi looked at Bakugo as Bakugo looked at him. The crowd was roaring, cheering, waiting for the bloodshed to begin, but Hitoshi blocked it all out. His only target was Bakugo.

"Begin!"

Immediately Hitoshi dodged to the side and Izuku had told him right. Bakugo had tried to blast him out of the ring. The blast wasn't a little one either. "Tch." Bakugo sucked on his teeth. "Come on, eyebags-" Another blast coming Hitoshi's way and he only just managed to avoid it as he dodged to the right. He could feel the heat from Bakugo's attack as it was uncomfortable, like opening an oven door and getting smacked with that wave of heat.

Hitoshi tried to charge, but Bakugo did another large explosion, this one did knock Hitoshi back, but not down-

'If he knocks my feet out from under me, I'm screwed. He'll just hit me with blast after blast until I'm out.' Hitoshi thought as he closed his eyes from the heat.

"You're pathetic!" Hitoshi roared to Bakugo. "Look at you, you think you can win so easily! I'm going to pop that manhattan sized ego-"

Another explosion. Hitoshi felt his feet move back a few inches as he raised his arm up to protect his face from the debris. "Urg!" He grunted as he was forced down to his knee try and slow himself down.

Another explosion-

Another one-

Another one-

'Is this how I go down?' Hitoshi as thought as he was bombed with explosion after explosion. He started to feel the effect of the heat as parts of his skin, namely around his face, started to peel, to blister, to burn.

Bakugo paused just long enough for Hitoshi to get back up on his feet. Hitoshi took only one step-

BOOM!

Another one. This one knocking Hitoshi on to his side. It hurt. His skin hurt. The heat was almost unbearable. Bit of the platform fell around him and pebbles fell on his body.

Hitoshi went to stand up, another explosion, this one knocked him off of his feet and he did a flip before landing on his thigh. It knocked the wind out of him something horrible.

It wasn't until he got his breath back did Hitoshi hear booing. They were booing him he realized only moments later.

"Someone put that purple one out of his misery!"

"This is just pitiful!"

"Just give up!"

"Is he quirkless!? Give it a rest sweetie! You've met your match!"

They laughed and they jeered in his direction.

"Did this kid really think he had a chance!? How pathetic!"

It almost made Hitoshi want to cry. 'I'm trying dammit!' He thought as he dared to look up at Bakugo.

When Bakugo didn't attack anymore, he looked at him more fully, Bakugo was standing there, bored, hand in his pocket, one hand ready to attack if Hitoshi even so much as made a move.

'Dammit…damn this dumb system!' Hitoshi gnashed his teeth as his body shook. Bakugo was smirking. Hitoshi wanted to punch that stupid smirk off of his face.

"Fuck you!" Hitoshi looked towards his brother's yell. There, standing on his chair, proud and bold as bold could be, Izuku stood as he pointed towards the people that started the booing.

"What did you say, punk!?" The hero demanded as he stood on his own chair.

"You heard me! Fuck you! That's my brother and he may not have a super flashy quirk but he doesn't need one! He's the best and his quirk is powerful! How dare you boo him! He's going to be in the top ten! Just you wait! He deserves it more than you!"

"Yeah! So stop running your mouth or we'll shut it for you!" Kaminari barked as he also stood on his own chair both of them raising their fists threateningly.

"Things are really heating up in the stands it seems-" There was scuffle for the mic before Aizawa came on replacing Present Mic.

"One: Izuku Tora and Kaminari Denki, sit your asses down. Two: Hitoshi has a powerful quirk. One that can rival even that of Bakugo's if used right. It's not flashy, but it's useful. Do not underestimate my students. They are all powerful in their own rights with their own styles and quirks."

Hitoshi smiled as he looked down at the ground below him.

"Give up yet?" Bakugo demanded cooly.

'Get him angry. Make him talk… I have something that'll do it. It's a risk but… I'm going to win this festival.' Hitoshi slowly pushed himself up to his knees. Just his knees. Bakugo raised a hand ready to make another explosion. Looking behind him, Hitoshi saw he was only meer inches away from the out of bounds.

"You know…you stand there in front of me and say that you were once a friend to my brother, but I know that can't be true. My brother would never be friends with someone like you."

"..." Bakugo narrowed his eyes.

"After all…What kind of friend pushes their best friend in the river when all that friend was just trying to help them up!" Hitoshi yelled at Bakugo.

Bakugo's eyes went wide. "How could you possibly-"

It worked. Holy crap. It worked and Bakugo was under Hitoshi's control.

Shakily, Hitoshi stood to his feet. His whole body trembling. His breathing ragged while he stared at Bakugo. "Walk…out of bounds." Hitoshi demanded between breaths while pointing towards where he wanted Bakugo wanted to go.

Bakugo did.

He walked out of bounds.

"Bakugo Katsuki is out of bounds! Hitoshi Tora is the winner!"

Hitoshi didn't release Bakugo in fear of the retribution to come. No, Hitoshi didn't release Bakugo until he, Hitoshi, was half-way towards Recovery Girl's office.

The sound of an explosion going off less than thirty seconds later told him just how mad Bakugo was. Hitoshi was surprised he even heard it with how badly his ears were ringing. So, this told Hitoshi that Bakugo was pissed and Hitoshi didn't doubt it. Still, Only one thing was on Hitoshi's mind right now. One lone sentence.

'I never should have said what I said.'

Chapter Text

"If it's not one it's the other," Recovery Girl gave a weak sigh as she looked over Hitoshi's burns. "These sports festivals get more and more violent each year. I keep asking Nedzu to place some more rules down to reduce injuries to you students, but does he listen to me? No. Never." She scoffed as she took both sides of Hitoshi's face in her hands. Her hands were cold to the touch, but then again Hitoshi's face was warm from the burns. Still, it felt nice and he leaned into her touch.

He knew his face looked bad, dirty, red, and covered with various burn blisters. The worst offender being a big liquid filled blister about the size of a quarter under his right eye. He had a few more blisters on his chin, and forehead, but these weren't as big nor as painful. Thankfully, or unfortunately, his face took the brunt of Bakugo's quirk during their quick battle. Recovery Girl gently tilted his head to the side to inspect the burns from a different angle. She then sighed once more before extending her lips-

Hitoshi dodged.

"..." Recovery Girl had no expression as she stared at him.

"Sorry, force of habit. I'm not big on…kissing." He grumbled before leaning down. "Plus your lips extending like that kind of freak me out, no offense." He forced a laugh and he was now at her level.

"Hmph." Regardless of her feelings, Recovery Girl gave Hitoshi a quick peck on the cheek. Hitoshi slumped weakly against the wall as his stamina took a dip. "Are you alright?" She quickly asked.

"Fine…" He rubbed between his eyes. "Perfectly fine, just…give me a moment." Hitoshi then yawned and stretched his arms back in an attempt to stretch his shoulders out. Still, despite feeling tired he felt a lot better and his face no longer stung with various burns and blisters.

"Do you need to rest for a while?"

"No. I should be good, thank you." Hitoshi got up from the cot that Recovery Girl had him sit on. "I should get back to the stands, I'm sure Zuchan is worried about me." He gave her a weak smile as he made his way towards the door.

"Very well, just be careful out there." She ordered and smacked her cane on the ground for good measure as well as a bit of a threat.

"Y-yes ma'am!"

Hitoshi walked out of the infirmary. Down the solitary hallway he walked, it was so quiet that he could hear the buzzing of the lights above him-

The lights buzzed right next to Hitoshi's head as he pulled back the vent from the air duct. "This time…this will be the one that will grant my freedom." he whispered to himself as he climbed into the air duct. The area wobbled under his weight and Hitoshi let out a soft "oh!" in shock before he steadied himself. He sat on the edge and looked down at the small room. 'May be this be the last time I see this dreaded room-'

"Toshichan, where are you going?"

Hitoshi whipped his head down. "Oh no-"

"Gah!" Lost in the past, Hitoshi failed to see Bakugo's approach until it was too late. Bakugo had jumped on Hitoshi, grabbing him by his shoulders, jerking him forward before slamming him down to the ground. Bakugo kept his knee planted firmly on the middle of Hitoshi's back as he grabbed on to Hitoshi's right arm and pulled it to it's fullest extent and twisted. He then put pressure on Hitoshi's arm making him cry out. "Fuck!"

"Alright, Mindfuck…how'd you know about me pushing Deku into the river, huh?" Bakugo snarled.

"I never said you pushed hi-" Hitoshi suppressed another cry of pain as Bakugo added even more pressure to Hitoshi's arm, Hitoshi felt it threaten to break. That's what he felt anyways.

"Don't you fucking lie to me!" Bakugo roared. "I'll break your fucking arm, Mindfuck! Don't test me right now!"

"Idiot! I don't know-"

"Is it you?" Bakugo growled as he applied just a bit more pressure to Hitoshi's arm. Hitoshi let out another cry of pain as he tried his hardest to scramble away, but Bakugo was heavy. Bakugo's breathing turned heavy and ragged as his teeth gnashed and clicked together. "Are you the one fucking with Deku's memories? I know you can make people do anything you tell them too…does forgetting things count?" He whispered softly almost retrospectively.

Hitoshi had his quirk at the ready. He didn't have to put up with this. 'Tell him to jump off the roof while you're at it.' That more devious part of his brain told him, but, thankfully, it didn't have to get that far as his savior came to his rescue.

"Bakugo!" Aizawa barked through his bandages.

Bakugo made a noise of surprise as he looked up at Aizawa with, what Hitoshi assumed to be, wide scared eyes.

"Get off of him." Aizawa snarled as he hobbled his way up to them. "I told you, you can't win all the time and you can't throw tantrums every time you lose. Be happy you got as far as you did and learn from it for next time."

Bakugo's grip on Hitoshi's arm shook a little, like he was debating it. "Fine!" He snarled as he threw Hitoshi's arm down. Hitoshi groaned when Bakugo got off of him. Hitoshi ignored his aching arm as he stood up, sneering at Bakugo.

"Whatever, listen to me, Eyebags, you may have won against me but you did so underhandedly. I know you know more than what you've been giving us and that's how you threw me off, but now I know…"

"You don't know jack." Hitoshi spat towards Bakugo.

"Hm… don't get too comfortable with how things have been…" Bakugo started to walk away from both Shouta and Hitoshi alike. He shoved his hands into his pockets and slouched his shoulders down. "Because things will change in the future."

"Bakugo, do not threaten your fellow classmates, that's enough." Aizawa told him and Bakugo looked over his shoulder. There was something in those red eyes. Something that rubbed Hitoshi the wrong way.

"Listen, teach… I'm not the only one in class who's noticed this but there's some manipulation going on between Deku and Eyebags-"

"Bakugo, enough-"

Bakugo just couldn't let it rest as he turned and pointed at Hitoshi. "You can deny that quirk of his makes it possible that he could do anything to Deku if he wanted-"

"Bakugo?" It was Izuku that spoke from behind Bakugo. Bakugo turned-

SLAP!

The sound reverberated through hallway. Bakugo's head jerked almost violently to the side from the hit as he took a step back cradling his reddened cheek.

"That's enough!" Izuku snarled. Izuku's green eyes looked almost murderous as he took a step towards Bakugo. "I've heard many things about my brother and I, but what you just said is honestly one of the sickest things I've ever had the displeasure of hearing, and I heard a rumor about us sleeping together. My brother would never use his quirk to harm me! Get that through your thick skull right now. Just because you lost-" Izuku walked away from Bakugo and towards Hitoshi. "-Doesn't mean you get to throw around sick rumors."

Bakugo's fist clenched tightly to his side.

"Please, Bakugo…go back to the stands, or I'll be forced to escort you out of the remainder of the Sports Festival if you keep this up." Aizawa ordered.

"... fine. Fine. but before I do, I just have one thing to say… the name I wanted you to say, Deku…during the battle trial? You said it during the cavalry battle. So, that tells me-" Bakugo looked up at Izuku. "-You are my old friend no matter how much you try to deny it! And that means…well…" Bakugo turned away and finally stalked off. "I shouldn't ruin all the surprises, should I?"

"..." The trio watched him go.

"Thanks, dad…" Hitoshi whispered once Bakugo was gone and out of their line of sight. "If you hadn't have shown up I think he would have broken my arm." Hitoshi rubbed his arm for good measure.

"It's unacceptable of him. I'll see about getting him to Hound Dog when this is all over. That boy clearly has issues. Maybe Hound Dog can help him regulate his emotions." Aizawa grumbled and then turned to Hitoshi and Izuku. "Regardless, I just came here to check up on you. Those burns looked bad."

"They weren't pleasant, but I'll live." Hitoshi responded as he looked at his dad. "Recovery Girl did a good job at healing me."

"Good job on advancing into the next round, both of you." Aizawa looked at both of his boys. "I also came by to ask, however, that comment you used on Bakugo. The one about the river?"

"Oh yeah! That's why I came over as well! What did you mean by that?" Izuku asked as he focused on Hitoshi.

Hitoshi paused as he looked from his father to his brother. "That? Heh. He just seems like the type to push his 'friend' into the river. That's all. It was all just an assessment of his character on my part."

"..." Izuku's brow furrowed as he stared at his brother. His mouth only slightly agape as he looked like he was fishing through his memories.

Memories that wouldn't be there.

"Clever but… oddly specific." Aizawa commented.

"Well, I was going to say that he threw his friend down the stairs, as he seemed the type, but that felt like it was going a tad too far." Hitoshi lied while looking at his dad.

"Hm…good choice."

Hitoshi felt arms warp around his one arm and he looked at Izuku. Izuku pressed his face against his brother's bicep before sighing. "I have to go and meet with Toshinori, just try and stay out of trouble okay?" Izuku asked and Hitoshi gave a weak laugh.

"It's like you don't even know me, Zuchan."

"Mm!" Izuku gave a soft squeeze before letting go of his brother. "Next time you see me, I'll be up against 'Roki!" Izuku then bounded away.

Hitoshi blinked. Then looked at his dad with a raised eyebrow. " 'Roki?" Hitoshi inquired with a bit of a disbelieving scoff.

"I met Endeavor on the way here… do you want to know something concerning?" Aizawa asked making Hitoshi look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"That Endeavor knew I was Izuku's guardian. That tells me one thing and one thing only-"

"He went through sealed records…" Hitoshi huffed. "That means he knows about my parents, no doubt."

A shadow passed over Aizawa's bandaged face. "That's not the worst thing. Izuku is planning something. I know he is. He's got that look and air about him. The same one when he was trying to keep his training with All Might a secret. If this involves Todoroki…and it's something stupid…god help us all…"

"My boy, you're doing great." Toshinori quickly offered Izuku a cup of already made tea. They had roughly five minutes until Izuku had to go and wait for his battle with Todoroki. "You're really getting a handle on One for all. All you have to do now is win and you'll show the world that you were here!"

"Er… right…" Izuku took a small sip of the hot liquid while not meeting his mentor's eyes.

"Hm? Why are you suddenly so hesitant?"

"...Toshinori…as the number one hero…clearly you've worked with Endeavor before…right?"

"Heh…just spoke with him earlier. He's…" Toshinori trailed off. "Well… he's a hero."

'An abuser. He punched a five year old for not 'being good enough'. He doesn't deserve that super powerful fire quirk of his.' Izuku darkly thought as he stared at his own reflection in the tea. 'He's no hero.'

"Izuku?" Toshinori snapped his fingers in Izuku's face. "I don't like that face you have. It's the same one you had at the USJ."

"..." Izuku blinked as he looked at Toshinori for a moment. "I- Sorry. I just got caught up in my thoughts." He admitted. "I was just curious about the number two hero, is all." He then gave Toshinori a quick dismissive wave and then took a sip of his drink. "I should go, thanks for the tea!"

"Of course! I look forward to seeing the battle between you and young Todoroki!"

'No you won't. Nobody will.' Izuku almost wanted to smile, but he didn't. Instead, he just kept his head down. He walked into the building, finishing his tea, he threw the empty cup into a nearby bin before jogging up the first flight of steps.

He then stopped and sniffed the air. He smelt…smoke. Like something was burning.

Well, he got his answer when Endeavor himself turned the corner. The two of them locked eyes, Endeavor's eyes were narrowed and Izuku scowled at this.

'He doesn't deserve that quirk.' Izuku thought almost hatefully.

'He punched a five-year-old. Disgrace. Horrible man. Doesn't deserve it.'

"Excuse me-" Izuku tried to squeeze past Endeavor, but that was when the larger man caught him by his arm. Endeavor's hand engulfed Izuku's bicep as he pulled Izuku down a step.

"I've been watching you closely, Izuku Aizawa-" Endeavor started his voice gruff and deep that made Izuku feel like a child. "Your a person born with two quirks, just like my Shoto. Yet, one of your quirks, is very similar that that of All Might's own."

"Hm." Izuku grunted in response. "I've been told that, yes, now please-"

Endeavor tightened his grip and Izuku tensed as Endeavor's hand turned warm.

Doesn't deserve that quirk. Take it. Take it away from him. Punish him.

"My son will be the one to bring All Might down, which is why he must win against you, do you understand this? You will give my son an honorable battle, one that he will win. "

Take it. Take it from him.

Izuku could feel something. Something inching towards Endeavor in question.

Red. Red. All Izuku could see was red tendrils- but Endeavor couldn't see this.

Punish Endeavor.

Farther up the tendrils rose from Izuku, inching closer, closer still towards Endeavor.

"Heroes are the guilty ones, Izuku. They only gaslight people into thinking they're good. They've got more blood on their hands than us…"

"Hello?!" Endeavor barked out in Izuku's face.

Izuku felt his chest rise up and down fearfully. Tendrils, so many tendrils only mere inches from Endeavor's face. Ready, at his command-

Izuku blinked. He blinked so harshly that his eyes hurt.. There were no red tendrils surrounding Endeavor. Nothing but him and the number two hero. "I'm not All Might-" Grabbing on to Endeavor's wrist, Izuku pried Endeavor's hand off of his arm. "And Todoroki isn't you. So, do me a favor- fuck off…before I do something I might regret." Izuku hissed before walking past Endeavor.

Punish him-

'Later. I'll make sure he gets what's coming to him. Him and every other hero that-' Izuku gnashed his teeth together as his form almost violently shook- then he stopped as a gasp left his mouth. 'What am I saying?!' He thought as he leaned against a nearby wall. His hands shook a little as he pressed his head against the cool feeling wall, his face suddenly feeling hot.

'What were those tendrils? They were red and it almost reminded me of whisps, not quite there… Then again…' He pulled himself off of the wall and touched his forehead. 'I think this sports festival is just stressing me out. Right?' He thought back to the image of Endeavor, the red, almost see through, tendrils threatening to plung into him. 'When I blinked they were gone. Maybe Endeavor just made me see red, literally.'

Izuku's face continued to heat up as he felt himself wobble just a little.

He got to the student waiting room/planning room and opened the door.

"Ah, Tora I-" Todoroki got up from his chair as he calmly walked up to Izuku. "Are you alright?" Todoroki inquired as he came up to Izuku.

"I'm fine…" Izuku breathed out. "I ran into your dad, real charmer there." Izuku only huffed before sitting down in a nearby chair.

"I'm sorry. What did the bastard want?" Todoroki snarled.

"Just to give you a 'honorable' battle… Urg…" Izuku put his hand on his face and shut his eyes. "I can't imagine living with him… he pisses me off." Izuku whispered angirly.

Todoroki sat next to him and put the back of his hand on Izuku's forehead. "Tora I, you're burning up- Here." Since it was his right hand; Todoroki used his ice to make his hand cold which made Izuku press against him.

"Tora-"

Izuku grabbed on to Todoroki's hand with both of his hands. "Izuku…" he whispered. "Please, you already know Aizawa is my father. So, stop calling me Tora. It's not even my real last name."

"...Izuku. Are you ready to piss a lot of people off?" Todoroki asked with a small chuckle.

"Oh yeah, I'm already gearing up for the lecture my dad is going to give me." Izuku returned Todoroki's smile.

"I'm worried about what my dad is going to do, I won't lie…" Todoroki admitted as he turned away from Izuku.

Punish Endeavor-

Grabbing his notebook, Izuku went to a blank page. From there he hastily started to scribble.

"Izuku-...?" Todoroki only gave him a puzzled look when Izuku shoved what he wrote in Todoroki's face.

"I shouldn't do this. I know I shouldn't. I know dad'll kill me if he finds out but…This is my address and under that is my phone number- though, at the moment I'm still grounded so don't text yet. Regardless, if Endeavor hits you, if you feel unsafe, come to me." Izuku then let out an 'oh' took the paper back and quickly scribbled down some more information before handing it back to Todoroki.

"Don't use the front door. Come to my window, this way if dad's home he won't know." Izuku included directions to his window in particular.

"But… I can't-"

"Take it." Izuku urged slightly.

Todoroki took the paper like it was toxic to the touch. Gently and between two fingers. "But…what if you're sleeping? Or not home?"

"I'll keep my window open. If I'm not home, come in, I won't mind. If I'm sleeping just be sure to wake me. A little shake usually does it."

"...Izuku…" Todoroki looked at the paper before smiling a little. "Okay… thank you."

It was no sooner had he said that did Midnight's voice come through the speakers.

"Izuku Tora and Shoto Todoroki to the arena!"

"Ready to piss a stadium full of people off?" Izuku repeated Todoroki's question from earlier as he stood up. Todoroki smiled and gently rose his hand up for a high-five. To which Izuku gave him.

"I'm ready." Todoroki mischievously grinned.

Together the two of them stand in a face-off. Izuku stared Todoroki down, Todoroki stared Izuku down. They look ready for the battle of the century. Their classmates hang by with baited breath, waiting, salivating for the bloodlust about to happen. Who will win?

Only fate will tell.

"Begin!" Present Mic announced.

They don't rush at each other like wild animals wanting the first strike. No, they both calmly walk up to each other. Step by step they get closer. It's the calm before the storm. The audience is hanging by their very seat by the time the two boys wordlessly get within mere feet of each other.

A hush falls over the crowd as they wait. Wondering just what these boys are going to do. It got so quiet that Izuku could hear Present Mic's chair squeak from the box he was sitting in with Aizawa. He mentally prepared himself for the ass chewing of a lifetime when this is over.

Todorok looked at him, he looked at Todoroki.

Todoroki raised his fist in front of him, Izuku followed suit.

Confused murmurs run through the crowd. Izuku's heart was pounding, but not with fear, with exhilaration…and he suppresses the urge to laugh by biting his lip.

"Prepare to lose." Todoroki said.

"Likewise."

… silence before.

"Once, twice, shoot!" Both boys cried as they raised their fist up and down.

Izuku went with Paper.

Todoroki with scissors.

"Ah, better luck next time..." Izuku sighed rather dramatically, he then huffed and shoved his hands in his pockets before turning and walking out of bounds.

Todoroki sighed. "Damn."

The crowd erupts in rage. Izuku is trying so hard not to laugh. It was chaos for sure. The outrage was glorious. But he couldn't stop his smirk as he watched Endeavor light up. Nearly singeing several people in the process from his tantrum.

Oh, But the shocked look on Toshinori's face was just as priceless.

Todoroki hopped down next to Izuku and the two of them hurried away from the booing crowd.

It wasn't until they were in a secluded part of the stadium. Just the two of them not a soul in sight, the only sound they could hear was their own excited breathing echoing around them. Did they look at each, grin, before double over laughing. "Oh my god! That was great!" Izuku raised his hand up and Todoroki high-fived it.

"Did you see Endeavor!?"

"How could I not!?" Izuku gasped between laughs, tears threatening to fall from his eyes as he doubled over again. Eventually they calmed down, only their own gasps could be heard as they caught their breath. Izuku then lightly patted Todoroki on the shoulder. "C'mon! Let's stay out of the stadium for the remainder of the second round. Let the crowd cool off."

"Uh, okay, what should we do?"

"Let's go and get some food! Heavens knows I could use a snack right about now!"

Hitoshi had a whirlwind of emotions inside of him. He wanted to laugh, cry, be proud and be embarrassed by his brother all in one go. He covered his red face with his hand while leaning heavily against a wheezing Kaminari.

"Talk about a bait-bait- and -and switch!" Kaminari guffawed while smacking his own leg. Tears spilling from his eyes. He wasn't the only one howling with laughter. Kirishima and Sero also seemed to have found this funny.

"I'm going to kill him!" Hitoshi whined dramatically before flopping into Kaminari's lap.

"Ack- look at my hands!" Kaminari frantically waved his hands around for all to see, not that Hitoshi cared. "My hands are here!"

"I don't understand how he and Todorki could just… throw their spots away like that!?" Ochako gasped.

"They didn't take this seriously!" Iida snarled a little uncharacteristically. "It makes Class 1A look like fools!" He chopped his hand up and down. "It's absoloutely appalling and I hope Mr. Aizawa has a word with both of them!-" Iida grunted as he grabbed his ringing phone. "Forgive me, I have to take this..." He commented as he scooted out of his seat and down the stairs so he could have some privacy.

"I dunno…I mean, it's kinda manly. They had to know that doing that would cause such a negative reaction and yet they still did it." Kirishima responded while composing himself from his previous laughing fit.

"I disagree…" Tokoyami sighed from his spot next to Kaminari. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I agree with Iida, it makes us look like idiots who don't care."

"Yeah!" Dark Shadow popped up for a second before retreating due to the sunlight.

"Furthermore…we were all there this morning. We saw and heard Todoroki say he was going to beat Tora I. They were giving it all in the first two rounds. Why give up now?" Shouji leaned down beore focusing on Hitoshi.

Hitoshi peeked from between his fingers at Shouji and huffed. "Well don't look at me! I sure as hell didn't know he was going to do this!" He gave another grumble before twisting a little. He felt his face heat up as his mouth scrunched in anger. "It would have been nice to know…" He whispered and leaned in-

"Eep!" Kaminari gasped, his face turning red, with both of his hands covering his mouth to suppress anymore surprise noises, and Hitoshi's eyes went wide once he realized he was practically nuzzling Kaminari's stomach with his nose. Instantly Hitoshi sat up, nearly clipping Kaminari in the chin with his forehead in the process.

"I am so sorry!" He apologized and sat right back into his own seat, if not rather stiffly. Both boys turned bright red, their faces practically glowing.

"Uh-..Alright! Next up! Itsuka Kendo VS Mina Ashido!" Present Mic quickly tried to whip the crowd back up and into shape. But the damage had been done, unfortunately. Some hecklers were less than happy. Demanding if these two where at least going to take this seriously.

'Zuchan…I hope you're happy with the damage you caused…' Hitoshi rubbed at his legs while biting his lip. 'I saw it, the others might not have, but I did. That damned smile. Do I-?...Should I? It's getting riskier with so many people involved. In the past I could get away with it because it was just us but…'

Hitoshi started to feel like he was trapped in a small dark box. Unable to escape because he's the one constantly keeping the door shut. But he had to keep the door shut, because the monster on the other side…

It was something to be feared. Something that Hitoshi had to keep at bay by blocking the doorway. The beast that scratched deeper and deeper, that scratched so deep that Hitoshi could see the light from the other side of the box from those deep indents.

It terrified him to his core.

"Toshichan!" The beast would call.

Over and over…and over….and over again. It's white hair sometimes glinting in the light.

'Never again. I don't care what it takes. I won't let you out. I won't let you hurt him. Not again.'

Shoto and Izuku where in the middle of sharing some mochi together when Endeavor had finally caught up with them in the vendor village.

"You think you're funny do you-" Izuku gasped when his arm was harshly grabbed. This time Endeavor didn't hold back as he gripped Izuku's arm hard. The same with Todoroki's own arm. Todoroki let out a grunt of pain at this when Endeavor pulled them both back. Making them drop their treats. "Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable! I told you to give my son an honorable battle and you do this?! Shoto…I expected better."

"Rock, Paper, Scissors is very honorable! Thank you very much!" Izuku snarled right back at Endeavor. Then, Izuku rose his foot up and kicked the number two hero directly in the shin.

It worked and Endeavor cursed, letting go of both of them. Izuku acted quickly. Wedging himself between Endeavor and Shoto in an instant. "Hit me." Izuku almost barked. "Go ahead, show all of these vendors and civilians how the great Endeavor hits children when they don't do what he wants!"

"Keep testing me, boy, and I might!" Endeavor got right up into Izuku's face.

"Do it!" Izuku urged snarling. His form starting to shake-

Take it. Take his quirk. Give me a reason! Take it! Take it!  TAKE IT-

Endeavor raised his hand up, ready to backhand Izuku.

Izuku braced himself.

Whack!

Endeavor sure as hell didn't account for Aoi Aizawa smacking him upside the head with her purse. "Now that's enough!" Aoi snarled as she shoved a stunned Endeavor away. "My son might not be able to attack you, but I sure as hell can!" Aoi pushed Izuku back. "You two-" She turned to Izuku and Todoroki and pointed venomously at them. "Get to Shouta, he has some words he wants to have you both. You-" She turned back to Endeavor and grabbed him by his ear, lowering him down to her level.

Her eyes glowing a deep shade of gold as her purse and the rocks on the floor by her feet started to rise, her pissed off state clearly evident by this. It didn't just stop from rocks, liter within a ten feet radius started to rise. "-We're going to have some words. Number two hero or not, that's my grandson you nearly smacked and I don't take kindly to that! That is a child!"

Izuku pulled on Todoroki's sleeve and noticed frost. Frost clung to Todoroki's form and was starting to melt. It was only on half of his body his right half, of course. Todoroki shook a breath leaving his mouth that hung in the air. "C'mon…" Izuku whispered while he took Todoroki's right hand into his own. "Lets go and meet with Mr. Aizawa."

Mina won against Kendo, using her slimy acid to stick Kendo to the ground. When Kendo had tried to use her big fist to free herself, Mina had kicked Kendo in the face with an impressive round house kick. This knocked Kendo out and sunk the win for Mina.

Both Izuku and Todorki saw this from the room they were being held in. They had to wait until the match was done for Aizawa to shamble in. Bandages or not, both arms stuck in slings or not, he looked pissed and both boys ducked their heads down.

"Never in my years have I seen such disgrace." Aizawa growled as he hobbled over to Izuku and Todoroki. "You should both feel ashamed for what you did. You didn't take this seriously and you made, not just 1A but 1B by proxy, look like they didn't care about the sports festival- people are still booing."

"I'm sorry we didn't give into their bloodlust." Izuku huffed.

"Don't get smart with me. Now is not the time."

Izuku rolled his eyes before crossing his arms over his chest. Todoroki watched Izuku for a moment before back at Aizawa.

"It was my idea." Todoroki suddenly said and Izuku looked at him in shock.

"No!-"

Todoroki raised a hand to silence Izuku. "-Don't listen to him, Aizawa-sensei, please. I just… I hate my father! I wanted to…I wanted to humiliate him, my dad I mean, so I approached Iz-Tora I and I asked him to do this. I never should have dragged him down with me. I take full responsibility…I'll…I'll apologize to the whole arena and in return I'll even give Izuku my spot in the tournament for this-"

"-Todoroki, no!-"

"-Don't listen to him. I begged Tora I to keep this quiet. Please… don't be mad at him."

Aizawa looked from Todoroki to Izuku. His eyes narrowed for a moment. "I was told by my mother that Endeavor tried to hit you, Tora I. Is this true?"

"...Yes." Izuku confessed while looking at his dad before looking away.

"Todoroki. Does your father hit you?" He asked and Todoroki went quiet. He grabbed on to his pants, unable to look Aizawa in the eye.

"Yes…" Todoroki swallowed hard. "But…don't get CPS involved, please…it does nothing." Todoroki whispered desperately. "I just wanted to humiliate my father…nothing more. Please…" Todoroki's voice shook at the end of his plea while he finally looked up at Aizawa.

"..." Aizawa groaned before shaking his head. "What's done is done." Aizawa stated boldly. "If you want to give your spot to Tora I, then that's up to you, but truthfully…I wouldn't bother. The crowd is pissed and no hero will take either of you seriously after this stunt." Aizawa started for the door, but not before looking over his shoulder at the duo.

"..." Todoroki slumped a little in his seat.

"Fuck. That! 'Roki, you fight hard in the next round. It's over for me, but not for you. You show that world what you're made of." Izuku turned to Todoroki. Ignoring his father for the moment. "You fight against Mina and you give her hell. And Todoroki, you do what I can't. You show the world that you are here. That you deserve this spot. Because, dammit, Rock, Paper, scissors is very honorable!" Izuku yelled. "And when you win the sports festival you tell everyone that!"

"Tora…" Todoroki breathed out. His eyes softened and he stood. "I will! I'm not done, not by a long shot!"

Aizawa looked at them before tipping his head. "Fine. That being said, you're going to be faced with indignation by the crowd-"

"Fuck that crowd and what they think-"

"Izuku, enough with the 'f' bombs!" Aizawa broke character as he snapped at Izuku swiftly. "You're getting too excited and need to calm down."

Izuku sat down quickly.

Aizawa turned back to Todoroki. "I just hope you're prepared for the backlash, is all I'm trying to say."

"As prepared as I'll ever be."

"Alright, though if I can make a suggestion with the two of you? Stay out of the crowd's line of sight until your match is up. I think you're the last two people they want to see." Aizawa then turned and left the two of them alone in the room over looking the battleground below them.

It wasn't all bad. Actually it was preferable as it wasn't as loud and overstimulating as it was when they were in their seats. Being the room allowed them to one: Be in air conditioning, and two: watch and observe from a safe distance.

They watched as Momo and Kirishima were up next against each other. Momo had the same problem with Kirishima as Iida had, that he just too strong. Nothing she threw at him worked. He was fast too and able to dodge most, if not all of her melee attacks. She tried the shield a second time, but even that was nothing against Kirishima. In the end, Kirishima won when he kicked her shield, sending Momo flying out of bounds.

"Hichan is up next." Izuku commented as he scooted closer to Todoroki.

"Yes, against Monoma. The copy quirk. Do you think your bother could win?"

"Without a doubt! Hichan just has to get Monoma to talk-"

"Yes, but Monoma knows how it works and Monoma is…rather eccentric himself."

"Good point, it also depends if he's copying Hichan's quirk or not… … Roki?"

"Hm"

"Why'd you take the blame for my idea?" Izuku asked softly while blushing. "You didn't have to."

"You got ready to take a blow from my father to protect me. I felt it fair that I took a blow from your father to protect you. Though…I feel like his is more verbal in a sense."

Izuku blushed before leaning his head on Todoroki's shoulder. "Thank you."

Hitoshi stretched as he looked at Monoma who was across from him. Monoma smirked at Hitoshi before…

Winking.

Hitoshi felt his face heat up before he shook his head. 'Warfare.' He thought bitterly.

"I hope you don't plan on playing Rock, paper, scissors with me, because it won't work." Monoma laughed as he stepped forward.

Hitoshi kept his mouth shut. Of course, Monoma hasn't touched him since the initial first contact over an hour ago, but he didn't know how long Monoma's quirk stays in affect for. So, he'd rather not risk it. Instead he raises his fists up.

"Begin!" Present Mic bellows.

Monoma starts to cackle as he rushes towards Hitoshi at a feverish pace. Hitoshi doesn't move, not right away, instead he waited, posed, ready to strike. Closer Monoma comes for him. Hitoshi narrowed his eyes before dodging down right as Monoma raised his hand to strike. Once down, Hitoshi jabbed directly into Monoma's gut.

A gasp of shock leaves Monoma's mouth as he doubles over for a brief moment, just long enough for Hitoshi to upper cut him in one swift motion. Monoma gave a sharp cry from this as he took a step back. Monoma then jerked his head down with a bloodied toothy grin. Both lips busted from Hitoshi's attack.

"I was hoping you'd do that!" Monoma continued to grin. "I ran into someone on my way here-"

"Ack!" Hitoshi had no control as his arms violently moved on their own accord.

"Akisho, his name was. He wanted me to copy his quirk- oh, he says this is from him-"

"Oof!" Hitoshi roughly punched himself across his own face. He tasted blood from his own attack and he growled at Monoma.

'I hate his quirk! Truthfully…any quirk that can take another quirk… I detest with my whole being!' Hitoshi thought as Monoma started to walk, forcing Hitoshi to walk with him. "Now, I'm not as cruel as Akisho, I'll just walk you out myself-"

Hitoshi growned as he started move closer and closer out of bounds. 'Dammit! There has to be a way out of his-'

Hitoshi's legs stuttered in step as he tried to fight the control. There was some fight there, a fight to be a had, but he needed more willpower.

"You know, Akisho also mentioned that he wanted to tell you personally, that your brother is out of his league- that he will come for his debt soon. Who is he? Exactly?" Monoma asked as he tapped his chin. "Akisho said his name was-"

Hitoshi's feet nearly stopped at Monoma's words. "Don't!" Hitoshi nearly pleaded as he broke his silence. The last thing he needed was Izuku hearing that name. He's worked so hard keeping All for one a secret!

"Oh? Hit a spot did I? What was it?" Monoma grinned. "All-"

"Stop!"

"All-"

Hitoshi snarled as he fought against Monoma's control, his feet actually stopping, despite the fact that Monoma was still marching in place.

Monoma paused his marching at this. "Maybe the name doesn't matter. But Akisho assures me that this person is coming after your brother and if you ask me after his last performance whoever this villain is should just take him!" Monoma cackled. "He'd be doing all of UA a favor! All for-

Hitoshi broke free. With a scream he charged at Monoma. Forgetting for a very real moment that he, Hitoshi, had a quirk that could have actively stopped Monoma by now, He tackled Monoma to the ground. The two of them twisted and turned in a violent struggle for power over the other.

Monoma would get Hitoshi on his back, but Hitoshi was more nimble than Monoma and would eventually get Monoma on his back. Hitoshi felt like he was back in grade school when he stradled himself down on Monoma and punched. He punched Monoma directly in the face. But he wasn't done.

Hitoshi wanted silence from Monoma. He punched again this time with his right hand, then his left, and again. Over and and over and over. 'Shut up! Shut up! Shutupshutupshutupshutup!' Hitoshi had no idea just how violent he was being. Not when his knuckles split open. Not when blood landed on his face, not when Monoma went quiet-

"Enough, this has gotten out of hand!"

Hitoshi smelt something sweet for a brief moment before he collapsed weakly to his side. His eyes felt heavy as his mind started to…drift off… like before you fall…asleep…

"One doesn't take this seriously and the other goes full apeshit!" Aizawa groaned into his bandaged hands as he rested his head on the desk.

Hizashi muted his own mic as he scooted back his rolly chair. He then whistled. "Wow… What set Hitoshi off like that. Like he could have just used his quirk-"

"I know he could have just used his quirk!" Aizawa groaned. "It had to be the threat to Izuku, it just had to be. Ever since the USJ Hitoshi has gone from overprotective to borderline possessive over Izuku. It's gotten to the point that Hitoshi's starting to lock me out of certain things."

"I know Hitoshi has some deep rooted trauma regarding family… I know he sees a therapist what…three times a month? Have you considered a therapist regarding grief counseling?" Hizashi inquired as he lightly patted the area between Shouta's shoulders.

"I dunno…" Aizawa sighed as he leaned into Hizashi's touch a bit. "I really don't. I swear, Hizashi, Hitoshi is regressing and Izuku is…I don't know with Izuku. You didn't hear him earlier, he just didn't even sound like himself. He was getting loud and snarky with me. He's always a bit snarky but…this was different and according to mom he was baiting Endeavor into hitting him!... I think they both need a therapist; that the USJ royally messed with their heads in different ways."

"But…Izuku doesn't remember the USJ attack."

"That's the scary thing isn't it?... doesn't remember it but it still fucks with him… I'm so tired, Hizashi…" Aizawa confessed weakly as he stared at his own blurry reflection in the desk. "So tired…"

True to what Izuku asked of him, Todoroki faced the backlash with a brave face. Not once giving the hecklers even so much as a look as he faced off against Mina.

It was the two of them were dancing. Mina skirting around Todoroki's ice attack by skating on her own acid. She would come up on him and he would dodge out of the way just as quickly. He'd try and knock her down with his ice, but surprisingly, his ice never once phased her. She giggled and laughed the whole time.

Todoroki then tried to encase her in his ice in a last ditch effort to win. Same with Sero, he stamped on the ground and used a giant wall of ice to be her tomb. He figured when she didn't emerge at first that he had won-

Until her hot corrosive acid burned through his tomb. "Nice try, Freezerburn!" She teased lovingly to with a flirtatious wink. "But you're going to have to be better than that to trap me!" She twirled on the ground as she used her acid to get behind Shoto-

Then he was kicked directly in the back. This forced him on his stomach, directly in her acid. He felt like a bug stuck in sticky paper. He scrambled, kicked, and whined as he tried to get out of her acid, but he was stuck.

'It's your quirk not his!' Izuku's words had struck a cord with him. A cord that nobody has ever been able to replicate. Todoroki felt his flames flicker beneath his fingers on his left hand and attempt to free himself, no doubt…

But…

He couldn't do it.

So he, Shoto Todoroki, met his match. Mina Ashido won.

Hitoshi would unfortunately be disqualified with his match against Kirshima as he never showed, still knocked unconscious from Midnight's quirk. It probably didn't help that the poor boy was only running on less than two hours of sleep from the night before.

This left one final battle between Mina Ashido and Eijiro Kirshima to determine the sports festival.

Mina was fast and Kirishima was sturdy. The crowd was roaring, the earlier antics between Todoroki and Izuku now long forgotten the final two fought it out for first place. To the best for 1A.

Mina's acid veil was great for blocking Kirishima's swift melee attacks. Around and around Mina would spin around Kirishima, doing her best to block his attacks with one hand while using her other hand to shoot acid down at his feet. Eating away at Kirishima's shoes as well as sticking him in place. Kirishima would harden his feet and free himself from her thick sticky acid, but the more she piled one, the harder it became until eventually, Kirishima met his match.

"Mina Ashido is the winner!" Present Mic announced to a roaring crowd. People stood for Mina while they clapped and Mina openly weeped with joy as she watched this.

Mina, Kirishima, and Hitoshi The top three winners of the UA sports festival.

Again, Hitoshi was still knocked unconscious. Thus unable to take his medal from All Might when the time came. Something Toshinori was honestly a little disappointed about as he gave each and everyone of them a small speech while giving them their well deserved medals.

Toshinori had some questions for Hitoshi.

Oh well, another time it would seem.

Mina cheered and bounced happily from the podium, her excitement well placed while tears of joy perked in the corner of her eyes. "I did it! I can't believe it!" This was a high that Mina would ride for a very long time, that's clear.

With the Sports Festival finally over that could only mean one thing was around the corner. The internships coming up. Toshinori prayed Torino would get his letter in time… That being said, he should pray someone, anyone would take Izuku for an internship given the stunt he pulled with Todoroki.

"All Might!" Bakugo came up to Toshinori, in his All Might form, obviously. His posture was slack as he approached the elder hero.

"Young Bakugo! You did great out there-"

"-I need to talk to you." Bakugo tapped his shoe on the ground as he looked a little nervous. "...About Deku… and about that 'brother' of his."

Chapter Text

"Boys-"

Izuku and Hitoshi both turned around to look at their father and grandmother.

They had returned home only a few moments prior, the ride in the car stiff and high with tension. Nobody spoke, nobody wanted to speak. The sports festival was a disaster and it was both of their fault. This was the first time Shouta spoke to them since returning. Both boys tensed, ready for the verbal lashing their father was preparing to give them.

"...Tomorrow morning, around seven, I'll be going to UA with mother. I'll be getting the rest of these bandages off, then after that I'll be taking mother to the train station so she can return home-"

'Finally.' both boys had thought as they looked at Aoi. Still, Izuku owed her, despite her pestering over the boys being 'too close' as she puts it, she still saved Izuku from being hit by Endeavor. He knew he should thank her before she leaves tomorrow.

"-So, I'm sure by the time you two wake up we'll be gone. I don't know when I'll be back as I want to train a bit to make sure everything works properly, but regardless, I want you guys to clean the litter boxes and take the chicken out before I get home. Got it? Oh and Don't burn the house down while I'm gone."

"Understood." Both Hitoshi and Izuku spoke in tired unison.

"Good…I'm going to lay down. It's been… well… I don't think I need to say it." Shouta gave a grumble as he wobbled his way to his bedroom. The sun was only starting to set outside and Aoi watched him go.

"I think I'm going to start dinner. Miso soup sounds good." Aoi hummed softly as she started to walk towards the kitchen.

Hitoshi looked down at his knuckles and ran a hand over the scabs. "I'm… going to lay down. I have a lot to think about…" He mumbled weakly and turned. Izuku watched him go, his head down, his eyes looked dark, brooding…. Sad.

That just left Izuku.

Now that he was calm he felt confused and oddly guilty. At first, he had thought that he was right, but now he was starting to see just how he was wrong. The dirty looks he got from passersby on the way to the car told him that.

Still, Izuku was confused by himself. His actions and how weird he felt about it all. It made him feel tired and he was about to follow Hitoshi and just lay down for a while to try and get a clear perspective on things-

"Izuku, dear?" Aoi poked her head out of the kitchen making Izuku turn towards her.

"Uh- yes, Grandma?"

"The tofu is on a high shelf and I just can't reach it. Could you please get it for me so I don't have to get a chair?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course." Izuku walked his towards the kitchen. Aoi smiled at him and pointed up at the box of tofu. Izuku, tired, simply used his object attraction quirk to bring the tofu down. "Here you go-" Aoi grabbed Izuku's hand and leaned in to his face. Her eyes flashing that familiar dangerous gold color. A sigh that she wasn't happen.

"Now- you listen to me," She hissed softly. "I don't care that you played rock, paper, scissors in the sports festival. Really, I don't. What I do care for, however-" Aoi tightened her grip on his hand. "I do not appreciate you trying to goat Endeavor into hitting you! What if he would have used his quirk? What if I hadn't have come there in time?! That was beyond reckless!"

"I just-"

"Listen to me, Izuku. Your father has been through enough. You picking fights with the number two hero isn't helping him in the slightest!"

"But-"

"No. Enough. You can't justify this, I don't want you to justify this. I want you to do better. Because one day you're going to wake up and neither your father, myself, nor Hitoshi will be there to protect you. Just remember that." Aoi gave a weak scoff as she let go of Izuku's hand.

Izuku frowned as he put the tofu down on the counter a little harsher than he had meant to. "You don't think I know that?" Izuku growled back at his grandmother. "You don't think I've been trying to get Hitoshi to back off jumping to my rescue? You don't think I'm trying to do things on my own without them to help me? I'm trying and I didn't ask for your opinion." With that huff he stormed away from his grandmother.

With an angry snort leaving his nose, Izuku stormed into his bedroom and snapped his door shut for good measure. He threw himself face down on his bed. Izuku let his feet hang off of the side of the bed. 'Well… that could have gone better.' He thought bitterly.

Kicking his shoes off. Izuku put his feet fully on the bed and curled up onto his side and tucked his knees up to his chest. 'Why am I so angry? I don't want to be angry, but I am.' He thought to himself and curled his arms around his knees so he was in a tight ball on his bed.

Angry tears misted against Izuku's eyes. He felt his face heat up. 'Do they just see me as weak? All of them?' He thought to himself as a pout played on his lips. 'When I was quirkless, then yeah, maybe… but now? I'm not weak! I'm working hard to be strong! I'm not some delicate doll. I'm going to fall and get hurt, or punched more than once. I understand that going after and antagonizing Endeavor may not have been smart, I know that… of course I know that, but someone has to stand up to bullies like him!'

Izuku sniffled weakly and reached a fist up to wipe his tears away from his eyes. He then huffed and relaxed his body. 'Whatever…' He felt a little defeated in all honesty. His eyes started to feel heavy as the events of the day started to really weigh on his mind and body. Izuku was tired. Really tired.

He just wanted to sleep forever and forget about this day.

'Tomorrow is a new day…' Was the last thought he had before he started to slowly drift off. He just needed some time alone from the world and everyone else and what better than a nap?

However, there would be no respite in his dreams. First he would hear whispering in his ears as he tried to sleep. Whispering from different people with none of the voices sounding the slightest bit familiar to him.

He felt like he was surrounded by several different people and when Izuku finally looked up and over his shoulder all he could see were darken silhouettes. Only their eyes glowed a hellish yellow as they stared down at him, as they judged him. Izuku counted these people.

There were eight. Eight people surrounded him and from what he could gather only one was a woman.

"Should we trust him?"

"I'm unsure. What we witnessed earlier… was alarming but…"

"I told you Toshinori made a mistake choosing this one."

"Don't be so hasty, two. Toshinori is a great judge on character. I will admit that what we saw earlier was alarming but lets not jump to conclusions…I'm more interested in that brother of his." The female was the one to speak this.

"I agree with seven, that brother is up to no good. You saw what he did. He's not only reverting number nine, but he's also making it so we can't see what's being hidden."

'Hitoshi?' Izuku can't help but think as he stared at the people surrounding him. They just stared at him. No longer talking. No, they were studying him.

Finally, one of the dark shadows moved.

Izuku felt odd when the dark shadow leaned down so they were eye to eye. He couldn't quite put it, but he felt a strange… kinship with this person. They were the leader of the eight people without a doubt. Those bright yellow eyes bore into Izuku's eyes. "Number nine-" The person addressed him in such a matter that it made Izuku feel like he was being scolded for something.

'Is that me? Am I Number nine to these people?' he thought.

"-What is your quirk?"

Izuku wanted to speak but he found he had no mouth to do so. He also saw that one by one these shadows were starting to slowly fade out of his line of site.

"Object attraction." Izuku thought that these shadows could at the very least read his mind.

"No, Nine…" The figure shook his head as they started to fade out. He was the last to do so, but before he fully left, his eyes flashed before Izuku. Green. A bright emerald green similar to Izuku's own green eyes. Then the shadow said: "Your quirk. What's your quirk?"

Izuku woke with a start. He ignored the ache in his neck and bones from sleeping in such a tightly curled position. Breathing heavily he swallowed hard before rubbing at his sweaty face. It was such a simple dream, but one that scared him. All of those eyes staring at him- those green eyes looking at him.

"Object attraction is my quirk." He grumbled a little and looked out the window. It was dark out now. The outside was quiet say for the crickets that chirped and cicadas that screamed.

He looked over at his alarm clock and saw it was nearly midnight. 'Grandma never woke me for dinner…' was the first coherent thought he had. He didn't really care about that to be completely honest, he wasn't even hungry, but still…it made him laugh a little as he pressed hands against his eyes and fell back onto his pillow.

"It was just a dream…" He breathed uneasily. He tried to shake those yellow eyes staring at him, but he was having a hard time doing so. "Just a dream…" He was now trying to convince himself as he pressed his hands harder against his eyes, so hard in fact that he saw spots dance around his blackened vision.

Eventually he did lower his hands down to his stomach and sighed while watching his fan lazily spin round and round. 'They mentioned Toshinori by name… this is something I should talk to him about on Monday. I need to talk to Iida as well, I saw what happened to his brother through Hichan's phone on the car ride home. I hope Tensei is okay.'

Izuku tries, god does he try to forget those eyes in his dreams. The scrutinizing gaze they put him under, but for some ungodly reason he can't.

'That brother of his… reverting number nine…can't see what's been hidden.' Izuku thought as he swallowed hard and glanced out the window once more. 'It was just a dream, Hichan isn't doing anything to me…'

'It was just so surreal. I don't understand a lick of it.'

Izuku would eventually get back to sleep at around two AM. But this dream wasn't much better than the last, if anything it was worse… At least people weren't staring at him so he could say that much.

His second dream started better than the last at least. In this dream he flew. He flew high above Musutafu at a fast rate. A man on a mission. He saw the night life for himself. People out and about happily living their life without a care in the world.

Normally, Izuku, basically being a fly on the wall at this point, would love to stand by and observe these people. Their lives, and more importantly, their very many quirks. Yet, tonight he ignored them. No, he flew past the night life and past these very people.

That was until he got to a quiet house. A house with all of it's lights off and all of it's residents sound asleep. He could feel just how many people lived in this home. Four.

Izuku needn't bother with doors as he simply let himself in. He didn't bother looking around, it was the residents that interested him nothing else. He slipped into the first room he saw.

There a woman slept. Her head turned to the side, her arm up to the side of her head. Her fingers occasionally twitching while she slept. Her hair was a mixture of white and red, beside her on her nightstand laid a pair of glasses. Izuku leaned in to look at her. Gently he touched her forehead.

Fuyumi Todoroki…

She didn't interest him. Her quirk was a simple weak ice quirk. When he pulled back she made a face in her sleep before turning over onto her side rather violently.

Izuku moved on from this room.

Into the next bedroom he went. This one was different from Fuyumi. Beer cans littered the floor and the room itself was a mess with clothes strewn all over the place. Izuku silently floated next to the boy in question. This boy slept with a pillow over his face. Their head turned to the side to allow easy breathing. Because of the pillow, Izuku couldn't see this person's face or hair color. His hand was over the cover and that's all Izuku needed. He touched the boy's hand…

Natsuo Todoroki…

Another weak ice quirk that didn't interest Izuku in the slightest. Once Izuku retracted his hand, Natsuo grumbled and, still asleep, he reached up and slapped at his own hand before relaxing again.

Izuku gave a weak grumble before moving on to the third room.

This room was much cleaner, not a thing out of place. It's occupant slept rather fitfully in their bed. Another boy. Izuku flew up to the side of this boy and stared at him as he slept. He was curled on his side, his face twisted in either pain or rage as his body shook.

'Pretty…' Izuku sleepily thought as he reached over and gently ran his fingers through that peppermint colored hair, on the red side that was. Once he touched the boy and buried his fingers through that hair he got the information he wanted.

Finally, someone with a powerful quirk… Shoto Todoroki, half ice-half fire.

The name…it struck a cord with Izuku but he just…couldn't…

It didn't matter. It was a quirk. A quirk that would serve him well-

Shoto suddenly shot up at Izuku's touch. His dual colored eyes wide while he panted and sweat dripped down his face. Shoto didn't see Izuku, no surprise there. He brought his hand up to his red hair where Izuku had been petting. His hand quivered.

Izuku felt  anger . Not at being interrupted. He could take this boy's quirk whenever he felt like it, thank you very much, no, he felt anger at seeing the black eye this boy was sporting on his right eye.

Anger turned to fury.

His head whipped towards the last room and Izuku left Shoto Todoroki alone. No, he had bigger fish to fry it seemed.

There was a bully that needed to be  punished .

He was in the master bedroom in the blink of an eye.

The man was asleep, yes, but even in his sleep the man was on guard. Izuku leaned down and touched the man's hand.

Enji was his name.

His quirk was strong as were his fists. There was nothing Izuku could do about the weight of the man's fists when they swung, but he could do something about that powerful fire quirk of his.

Tendrils shot from Izuku and into Enji.

By the time Enji woke with a gasp seconds later it was too late. His precious fire quirk was gone. A scream left Enji Todoroki's mouth only mere moments later once he felt the hollowness where his quirk had once been. This scream was so loud that it woke the others. Lights turned on one by one as people rushed out of their rooms to see what had happened.

Izuku simply floated up and flew away…

Hitoshi's eyes snapped open at the sound of screaming. More specifically, at the sound of Izuku screaming.

"Zuchan!?" His body tangled up in his blanket, Hitoshi nearly fell flat on his face as he quickly and urgently tried to wrestle himself free from his imprisonment. He gave the blanket a good kick and finally scrambled to his feet.

Hitoshi nearly ripped his door off of the hinges as he almost slid on the hardwood floor in his haste. Izuku's screaming intensified as Hitoshi rushed to Izuku's bedroom. Throwing the door open, Hitoshi realized that Izuku wasn't in his bedroom, but in the bathroom.

Turning away from Izuku's room, he rushed towards the bathroom, but he stopped once he saw the cats.

All four cats were huddled up in a corner of the hallway. Hissing and spitting, their fur bristled and their backs were arched high. Not a good sign.

"Zuchan?!" He rushed to the bathroom door deciding to ignore the cats for the time being. He went to open the bathroom door but it was locked. Izuku's screaming didn't stop. He sounded like he was in pain.

Hitoshi then smelt…smoke?

"Zuchan! Open the door!" He demanded while pounded as hard as he could. 'Dad! Where's dad?! Where's Grandma!?" Hitoshi didn't have time to think about them when all at once Izuku's screams stopped.

That was more alarming than anything.

"Zuchan!?"

Nothing.

The door suddenly opened. It opened with a slow and deliberate creak making Hitoshi stop as he reached for the door knob. Opening the door slowly, Hitoshi spoke in a cautious voice. "Zu-" A gasp left Hitoshi's mouth. He felt his pupils shrink into pinpricks as he stared, horrified at the sight before him.

There, on the floor of the bathroom, Izuku sat on his knees. He was cradling both hands close to his chest. A black burn spot in the perfect shape of a handprint sat in front of him on the floor, next to his scattered clothes. Several of which were singed completely and were blackened. Along with the clothes Izuku were currently wearing.

The gym uniform he had on yesterday, he had slept in. It was littered with burn marks. Not just that, but were the clothes were burnt so was his skin. These raged from burn blisters to actual burns that needed medical attention.

…but that's not what made Hitoshi gasp.

Izuku's hair…

It was turning white. Pure white. Not just white, but the curls were straightening out making his hair longer down to his shoulders. Only the ends of his hair showed a tiny bit of green and had a bit of wave to it. When Izuku looked up he had tears in his eyes.

His eyes that were alternating between red and green.

"What's…happening… to me?" Izuku wheezed out weakly.

He then slowly started to stand.

Hitoshi gulped.

Izuku swayed on his feet but took a step towards Hitoshi. "To-...Toshichan… it hurts…it hurts…" He whimpered painfully.

Hitoshi took a step back. "Stay…" He breathed out uneasily. "-Away from me!" Hitoshi snarled out as his whole form bristled.

Izuku stopped. His eyes still alternating between red and green, he looked confused as he reached out towards Hitoshi. "I don't… I don't understand…" Izuku whimpered tears misting up in his eyes. "Toshichan-"

"Stop! Don't call me that!" Hitoshi yelled.

Izuku whimpered. "What did I do?"

"Just go. Go away!" Hitoshi grabbed on to his ears while shutting his eyes and shaking his head violently. "I don't know how you managed to come back, but I don't want you here! Leave!"

Izuku swayed on his feet before collapsing to his knees on the bathroom floor. "Leave…" He repeated, slowly, and cautiously.

Then, Izuku looked up at Hitoshi. His eyes stopped alternating. Instead they stayed red while the rest of his hair turned stark white and hung just a little past his shoulders. "That's not nice, Toshichan…" Izuku whispered while making direct eye contact with Hitoshi.

Hitoshi shook and swallowed hard, so hard that he felt a click in his throat. He felt sweat run down the base of his neck and down his collarbone as a chill grasped him and ran down his entire body.

That was when fire erupted from the palm of Izuku's hand. "Clearly…I need to teach you how to be nice to others!-" He looked ready to throw and Hitoshi got ready to dodge, but just as suddenly as it happened a scream left Izuku's mouth as he grabbed at his head.

"I can't hurt Hichan!" Izuku cried to himself. "Stop it! Stop it!" He violently smacked himself in the face. Izuku literally fought with himself as he suddenly swung his head and smacked it against the bathroom counter. Izuku gave another scream while digging his nails into the top of his scalp.

Hitoshi felt paralyzed as he watched this all go down. 'It's the same as back then… that day we managed to get out… Izuku never liked it when his All for one quirk took over.'

"H-Hichan…" Izuku gave a weak whimper towards his brother. "I don't have long! Get rid of them! Quick!-"

"-Make it stop! Before it takes over again!" five-year-old Izuku grasped on to Hitoshi's shoulders tightly. "Hurry, before it can take your quirk again!"

"H-How!"

"Make me forget-"

"Izuku…" Hitoshi activated his quirk and just the same as all those years before; Izuku's internal struggle with himself came to a stop. Only it was different now.

Now, Hitoshi knew how to use his quirk and what to say.

Back then, Hitoshi had said the wrong thing. Back then, in his panicked state, five-year-old Hitoshi had told Izuku to: "Forget everything!"

"Izuku." He walked up to his brother and planted his hands firmly on Izuku's shoulders. "Forget about this moment. Forget about your white hair and red eyes! It doesn't exist! Anything associated with it doesn't exist!"

There was a moment of silence as Hitoshi pulled Izuku into his arms. "Forget about All for One. It doesn't exist… what you experienced was a dream. Sleep for a while, okay?" He whispered while running his fingers through Izuku's hair. 'Same as the USJ. Same when you discovered your 'quirk'. It was all a dream.'

Slowly, but surely, Izuku's hair started to spring back, curls coiling up and the green returning. This wasn't Hitoshi's first rodeo, but this was the scariest one and the close. Still, Hitoshi knew that when Izuku would return his eyes would go back to green all the same. Izuku slumped against Hitoshi his eyes shut while he slept.

Hitoshi sighed and looked at the damage done. 'How…how am I going to explain this one?' he thought as he looked from Izuku's singed clothing…to his burnt flesh. 'And where in the fuck did that fire quirk come from!?'

Chapter Text

"Remember, Children. With a lot of a hard work and dedication, there's nothing you can't put your minds too!" All Might boldly and proudly told the tiny children that clung to his very form. These children were dressed in white hospital gowns and some even hooked to machines were sick. Mainly with cancer.

It was a little boy's wish to see All Might and to have the rest of the children in the cancer ward to see him too. So, here he was. They were so tiny, frail, and fragile. It broke Toshinori's heart knowing the suffering these children were currently going through.

A little girl, no older than five, swayed to her feet and started to walk towards him. She stumbled and nearly fell- making All Might reach out towards her to stop her from falling. He planted his hand against her back. His hand was larger than her back which made it easy for the little girl to get her footing.

"C-Can I…" She breathed out softly through her oxygen tube. "Can I be a hero too?" She whispered softly to him. He took his hand off of her back and took her teeny tiny hand into his overly large one. "Even though I'm…quirkless?"

All Might softened his face. "I had a boy ask me that same question and you know what I told him?"

"Wh-What?"

"That he could do anything he put his mind too as long as he was willing to put the work in. Tell me, my girl, when you get better are you willing to put the work in?"

She wiped her nose with her arm and gave his vigorous nod. "I will- I have to!"

"Then, you too can be a hero." He smiled a gentle smile at her. Which made her smile.

"I can't wait to tell-tell mo-mommy…" The girl then turned her head away from him to cough.

"All Might?" The door to the ward opened and a nurse with bright blue hair stepped into the room. She held a clipboard next to her chest while she gave him a kind smile. "Your time is up." She informed him and all the boys and girls whined.

"No worries, children!" All Might groaned as he slowly started to get up, grunting as his knees protested this movement. "I'll be sure to return in the future! And I want all of you-" He pointed at the kids. "-To do everything you can to get better, you hear me?"

The children smiled at him and it warmed his heart. "Yes, All Might!" They all cheered and All Might nodded. satisfied.

"Good, I must be off, boys and girls!" With a mighty leap he was out the door. One last trick for the kids. They clapped happily as the door shut behind him.

"Thank you again, All Might." The nurse gave him another warm smile. "You're just what these children need to help get their hopes back up."

"Of course, children need hope these days." He and the nurse started to walk.

"You have a nice day, Mr. All Might. I hope to see you again in the future." With those last words the nurse turned down the hallway and walked away from him. All Might watched her go for a second before he started for the elevator. Stepping inside of the lonely compartment, He went down to the first floor.

The ride was quiet and left him with his thoughts. He lowered out of his massive form for the elevator ride to give his body a quick break. Coughing heavily, Toshinori grabbed a napkin from his pocket. The napkin itself was a silk napkin and colored red so to hide the blood stains as he coughed blood into it.

His whole thin sickly frame shook as a particularly hard cough left his mouth. Along with a gob of bloody mucus. Wincing at what he coughed up, he wrapped it in the red handkerchief and shoved that into his pocket as he was coming up to the first floor. Sucking a deep breath, he braced himself and buffed right back up into All Might.

Right on time as the door opened an a family got on as All Might got off. He gave them a nod when they gushed at his presence. He gave them a simple thumbs up and they giggled happily right as the elevator doors closed.

All Might walked over to the reception desk. "Leaving so soon?" The receptionist asked.

"Yeah. Other things to attend to and what not- huh?" Something purple caught the corner of his eyes and All Might turned his head.

There sitting in the waiting room, Hitoshi Aizawa sat. He had his elbows on his legs and his fingers were intlocked tightly. So tightly that even from where All Might stood he could see Hitoshi's white knuckles. His leg was jiggling up and down in a fast-rate.

'...Young Aizawa is getting healed by Recovery Girl today, then…why is he here?'

The receptionist followed All Might's gaze and gave a weak laugh. "That one…"

"Hm? What about him?"

"Came in not that long ago." The receptionist looked at a paper in front of her and put it into a bin before reaching over and grabbing a pen so she could write down on a form. She paused and looked over at Hitoshi then to All Might. "Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but…rumors of abuse are already circulating around that one and his brother." She mumbled softly.

"What do you mean- where's his brother?" All Might instantly noted that Izuku was not with Hitoshi.

"Burn ward. Poor kid looked a wreck when that one brought him in." The woman gnawed on the end of her pen as she continued. "Severe burns all up and down his body. The purple one stated that their cat had jumped on the handle of a pot that had hot oil in it and it splashed all over his brother…"

"..." All Might leaned in. "But?" He whispered.

"...The kid's clothes…they were oil stained, but it looked…staged. Not only that but, the burns don't add up. His hands were absolutely covered in burns, but there's no way oil did that unless he dunked his hands in the oil. And the kid had a massive bruise forming from…here to here." The nurse pointed at her temple and went up with her other hand ending at the crown of her head.

"He was slammed into something, or hit with something, it doesn't end there. He had scratches along his face and another bruise on his right cheek. It just screams abuse… but that one isn't talking…" She looked back at Hitoshi then down at her form. "And the other one has a fever and can barely respond when we ask him a question."

"A fever?" All Might asked in a soft voice as his eyes went wide. 'Didn't he have a fever after the USJ attack?'

"Yeah, real bad one."

"I see…" All Might turned towards Hitoshi. "Can I see him?" He knew the answer before the nurse responded.

"Kid is currently being seen, unfortunately. Nobody can see him until the doctor says so."

"Thank you."

This put a damper on his current plans of going home and relaxing for the rest of the day, but Toshinori had questions. Questions for Hitoshi Aizawa and what better time than now?

"Listen… I know I'm not alone, a few others in 1A have noticed how…weird their relationship is." Bakugo huffed as his teethed gnashed together in anger. "But he said something to me during our fight-"

"The river comment?"

"Yes, the river comment. All Might- That did happen. I pushed Izuku into the river when we were four!" Bakugo exploded. "But the Panda shouldn't know that. How come He knows more than Izuku?"

"Young Bakugo, what exactly are you saying here?"

"Please…Listen to me…" Bakugo looked away from All might for a moment as his face turned red with a genuine blush skirting across his cheeks. A blush one would give of nervousness.

"Nobody ever listens when I tell this story…I had a childhood friend by the name of Izuku who was quirkless. We were friends for as long as I could remember, then when I was four I was playing with Izuku and some of the other kids in the neighborhood. We were just goofing around, as little kids do. When out of nowhere this blackhole came and swallowed Izuku up. It grabbed him by his midsection and started to suck him in-"

"-That sounds like-"

"The portal guy from the USJ, yes, I already made the connection. I was just so stunned that I couldn't do anything. He cried and wailed as he reached to me and I did nothing. Eventually, I got my shit together and ran to my mom. We called the cops and the cops got some new up and coming hero to check out the scene, I can't remember who exactly."

"What happened, Young Bakugo?"

Bakugo's glare didn't give All Might any hope for the outcome. He kicked the dirt beneath him. "The hero didn't even fucking bother. The moment it came out that Deku was quirkless, the hero shrugged and just said "Welp. There's nothing here I can do. The kid is probably dead."." Tears, actual tears sprung in Bakugo's eyes and aggressively he wiped them away with his arm. "And the cops just went along with it. They never bothered to look for him, All Might. I know that Izuku Tora is the same Izuku from my childhood. He looks exactly like him, talks like him, and acts like him. But nobody will listen to me!"

"Young Bakugo…"

"What makes it worse, even though the only proof I have is what I just told you about Eyebags. I think he's the one messing with Deku's memories."

"Whoa there, Young Bakugo, that's a big claim."

"I know it is. But you have to put Eyebag's quirk into play here. He can make people do anything. Well, maybe not anything. I think there are some limitations. But isn't it convenient that during the whole USJ attack these villains are claiming to know Deku and Eyebags, one of which was probably the one that kidnapped Deku all those years ago? Then after the fact, after he's been left alone with Eyebags, Deku doesn't remember a single thing about the attack and he's clinging to Eyebags like a damn lifeline?"

"..."

"It's sketchy."

"...Young Bakugo, I… have your brought these concerns to Aizawa?"

"...I couldn't… I know he tries to pass it off the best he can but he's close to them. Too close. I see it, the little things he does for them that he won't with others. Like pat them on the shoulder or the back, or even after the fight I had with Eyebags, Mr. Aizawa had gone down to Recovery Girl's office to check on him. I didn't see him do that for the others that got injured."

"Well, you were wise to come to me. I'll look into it…let's keep this between us for the time being." All Might put his finger to his lips as he spoke.

"So…Mr. Aizawa is close to them then?"

"I can't say that, unfortunately."

"Right."

"Young Hitoshi-"

"-Oh fuck!" Hitoshi whipped his head at the sound of All Might's voice as he looked ready to bolt from his seat. He actually managed to jump up a bit, but All Might grabbed on to Hitoshi's sleeve and pulled him back down to his seat gently. "Sit. What are you doing here? And where is your father or brother?" He'd start small, act like he didn't know why Hitoshi was here in the first place, get the boy to open up to him.

Hitoshi swallowed hard as he turned his head away from All Might abruptly. "Dad is at UA…" Hitoshi whispered nervously.

"I see…then where is Young Izuku?"

"There was an incident."

"Incident?"

"Yes, Izuku was frying something when one of our cats jumped on the handle of the pot…he got burnt real bad by the oil." Hitoshi wrung his hands tight against his chest.

'Izuku. Not Zuchan.' Toshinori thought weakly as he looked at Hitoshi up and down. "Is your father coming?"

"..." Hitoshi's mouth twisted a little as he continued to wring his hands tightly together. "Dad has been through so much." He whispered. "I don't want to worry him. Not only that but he's finally getting his bandages off. He wants to run around like he did before. No doubt growing restless."

"I see…" All Might sat back in his chair. The chair squeaked at this jostle of movement and the two sat in relative silence. Hitoshi kept looking at All Might out of the corner of his eyes before he stiffened and lowered his hands.

"...What are you doing, All Might?" Hitoshi finally whispered there was a bite in his voice. A bite All Might was far too familiar with when it came to Hitoshi Aizawa. "Don't you have somewhere to be? So big interview or sales pitch? Why are you here?" Hitoshi clutched at his pants as he said this.

"Well, I guess I could ask you the same thing, young Hitoshi. Why are you here?"

"I told you why."

"Yes, yes you did. Didn't you? But…why not go to UA? Call your father have Recovery Girl handle this? I feel like Shouta should have been notified of this if you had to take Izuku to the hospital- wait… You live…what five? Six miles away from here? Did you walk?!"

"No!" Hitoshi scoffed at the idea. "I got an uber!... I'm not dumb…"

"Oh an uber, of course, silly me. I would have figured …you know…an ambulance if the burns were that bad."

Hitoshi's face flushed red as he turned away from All Might. A small pout threatening to play on Hitoshi's lips as his nose scrunched up. It would have been rather cute if not for the situation. A sentence then left Hitoshi's mouth. Just two words, two words that made All Might look at him with a raised eyebrow. "I'm trying!"

"Yeah, you're trying all right. Trying to exclude others from this mishap."

"I-" Hitoshi tensed up and honestly Toshinori feared that Hitoshi might start swinging in a moment. He didn't. Well, he physically didn't. No, Hitoshi verbally threw the first punch. "I don't have to explain anything to a fake!"

'It's just disrespect after disrespect with this boy.'

"Young Hitoshi-" But it was too late. Hitoshi had abruptly stood.

"No, we're done. Leave me alone if all you're going to do is accuse me!" He snapped right back at Toshinori before storming off.

"We're the angriest when we've been caught in a lie." That's something I heard once and I believe it's true here.' Toshinori thought as he watched Hitoshi storm up to the desk clerk and speak with the lady behind the desk. No doubt asking about Izuku's condition. 'Very well, Young Hitoshi. If you want to play like that. Then I'll play.' All Might stood from his seat and started for the hospital doors.

He knew Hitoshi was watching him.

Hitoshi will no doubt think that he had won.

Little did Hitoshi actually know that Toshinori was just stepping out to make a couple of phone calls. The first one to Aizawa, because dammit, if one of his kids was in the hospital, Aizawa needed to know. The second to Recovery Girl, because if anybody can heal Izuku, it's her. Nobody comes close. The third to Tsukauchi for obvious reasons…

And the last to Higashi Suzuki.

"Shhh…" Hitoshi whispered as he quickly brought the cup of water to Izuku's lips. His brother panted through his killer fever. This fever no doubt worse than the last. He held Izuku up with one arm so he wouldn't choke on the liquid. The moment the cool water touched Izuku's lips he guzzled it down.

"What- what-" Izuku whimpered out once he pulled away from the water in question.

"You got burnt by oil. Don't worry, okay?" Hitoshi continued to whisper.

Izuku's clothes had to be removed for this as the burns took up a good part of his body. Of course, as Hitoshi witnessed earlier the majority of his burns were on his hands and chest from the unknown fire quirk he had obtained. Those were all slowly healing, but because of the slowness, as in it'd probably take a whole day if not a little more, the wounds needed to be cleaned and bandaged.

"I- I don't remember-"

"Of course you do." Hitoshi continued to whisper while he ran his fingers through Izuku's curls. 'I wish I could instill memories in you. But I can't put in what's not there. My quirk can take but can't give.' If he had that power it would make his life so much easier. Trust him, he tried. God, how he tried to give Izuku false memories. "Your fever is messing with your brain. But you were frying some prawns for lunch. For the two of us. When Tora jumped on the pot handle and splashed you. Remember now?"

Izuku groaned as his stomach took a sour turn. He then put his face into the crook of his elbow while he continued to pant. "I…I guess…" He weakly swallowed. "Dad's going to be pissed…" A small cry left his mouth.

"He won't be happy, but he can't blame you."

There was yelling outside of their room. Yelling that put Hitoshi on edge. Yelling that made Hitoshi's stomach churn. Because, despite the fact that it was muffled, Hitoshi recognized his father's voice anywhere. "Toshi…" Izuku continued to whimper. "I'm hot. I feel like I'm on fire." He then lowered his arm and looked at Hitoshi.

"It's the burns, Zuchan." Hitoshi whispered weakly as he continued to run his fingers through Izuku's curls.

The yelling was getting louder and Hitoshi fought the urge to block the door as his father was approaching and fast. 'Of course All Might informed him…' Hitoshi gave a bitter snort at All Might.

'We were fine before he came along with that quirk… which has been making me wonder… is that quirk…One for All is it effecting All for One inside of Zuchan? I may not be as smart as Zuchan, but the names are not a coincidence! They can't be… Could One for All be what awoken the monster inside of Izuku?"

Of course this wasn't the first time the monster has been awoken, there has been the time when Izuku came to him about the object attraction quirk he had…but still, that didn't fully awaken the beast inside of Izuku. Only a lock of Izuku's hair had turned white during that fight. No, this morning was the first time in eight years did Izuku's hair fully turn white and his eyes turn red. It was the first time that Izuku had called him by that dreaded nickname…Toshichan.

Hitoshi couldn't explain it because he didn't understand it. He didn't want to call it DID or a split personality because he wasn't sure it was one. The best explanation he had when it came to the two Izuku's the green haired one and the white haired one was that the white haired one was a quirk personified. It almost felt like a sentient quirk. A part of Izuku that lived and breathed but had it's own thoughts and ideas.

Violent and horrific thoughts and ideas that Hitoshi had bore witness to more than once.

They were right outside the door now. Many voices, not just his father's were joining in on the yelling. So many voices that Hitoshi couldn't make out just what was being said.

Hitoshi's heart pounded heavily in his chest as he prepared himself for the lie. 'What's one more? You're already sitting on a mountain top of lies, aren't you? Shame on you, Hitoshi. Can't ever bring yourself to tell your father the truth.'

'I can't. I can't drag him in this mess too. He can't know, if he knows then… then…'

The image of Shouta Aizawa being brutally impaled by All for One's red and black rivets. His quirk forcibly removed from his body while the life drains from his eyes-

It broke Hitoshi's heart and made him shake. He had to lie. He had to protect his dad.

Finally, the door to the hospital room opened and Hitoshi braced himself for more yelling. Yes, there was yelling, and when he cracked an eye open he saw Recovery Girl standing there in the door.

His father was there, yes, but he was too busy yelling at All Might to notice Hitoshi. "-You had no right! You arrogant dickweed!"

"I have every right when I feel that a student of mine is being-"

"-say that word and you will die here and now!" Hitoshi watched as his father lunged, but was held back by Hizashi.

"Shou, Stop it!"

Recovery Girl promptly shut the door after that. "Hello there, dearies." She greeted the two of them.

"R-Recovery Girl…" Izuku whispered as he continued to pant through his fever. Honestly, Hitoshi thought he had passed out a while ago. Hitoshi quietly placed his hand on top of Izuku's head and Izuku leaned against his touch. "Co-cold…" was all he had to say relieved.

"Oh my." Recovery Girl was quick as she washed her hands and put on a pair of gloves. "I wasn't told that you were suffering from a fever, just some burns. This may change things." She acted like she owned the place as she went through the drawers and eventually pulled out an unopened thermometer. She opened it and walked over to Izuku. "Ah~" She cooed.

Izuku opened his mouth on command and Recovery Girl put the device under his tongue and in between his lips. "Now, dear, why don't you tell me what happened."

Hitoshi opened his mouth. She raised a hand. "Izuku, please." Her voice was firm, but not unkind.

"Mmm…" Izuku whimpered a little finding it a little hard to speak with the thermometer in his mouth. So, they waited until the thermometer beeped. Recovery Girl removed the thermometer and looked at it. She winced at the temperature that was revealed to her. "Oh dear, have you been given any tylenol or advil yet?" She asked.

Izuku shivered against Hitoshi and weakly shook his head. "No m-ma'am."

Recovery Girl hummed and walked towards the medicine cabinet. "Why don't you tell me what happened then? The burns?"

Izuku looked at Hitoshi before focusing on Recovery Girl. "I-I was frying pr-prawns for lunch when Miso jumped on the pot handle. The oil splashed all over me." He whimpered while resting his head against Hitoshi's chest.

'Tora, Izuku! Not Miso!'

Hitoshi touched Izuku's forehead. Sweat was clinging to his face which in turned caused some of his hair to stick to him.

Recovery Girl came back to Izuku and Hitoshi already had the water at the ready. Because of the bandages, Hitoshi had to help put the pills in Izuku's mouth. Izuku shook but managed to put the pills in his mouth and swallowed it down with the help of Hitoshi giving him some water.

"I see, that's unfortunate. May I see your hands?"

Izuku reached both of his hands up and gently Recovery Girl unwrapped the bandages.

"Oh-" She swallowed a little hard as she inspected the burns across Izuku's hands. It was mainly his palms and fingers that took the brunt of it all. They were discolored and the flesh twisted into what it used to be. It made Hitoshi's stomach churn looking at those burns. She inspected them for a moment.

"Good…can you undo the bandage on your chest for me? I just need to see how bad that one is as well."

Izuku did so and Hitoshi swallowed hard. The thing about the burn on his chest; if one were to look hard enough they could see a hand print. Izuku's hand print, to be exact. But they wouldn't know that. He only hoped that with Recovery Girl's age she wouldn't be able to see it perfectly.

"Under normal circumstances, I'd heal you up with the best of my abilities, but…" She looked at Izuku's sweaty form. "I can tell you don't have much stamina. This fever is something out of a nightmare." She whispered to him.

"That's okay. Thank you for-for coming regardless…" Izuku shut his eyes and only mere seconds later he passed out with his head on Hitoshi's chest.

Hitoshi ran his fingers through Izuku's damp hair and looked at Recovery Girl.

"Now, where were you when all of this happened?" Recovery Girl inquired as she looked back at Hitoshi.

"Room. As you can see-" He gestured to his outfit, that was still his gym uniform from the following day. "I was actually asleep when it happened. I woke up to his screams-" he winced. "-it terrified me…"

The door to the room opened again. Again, Hitoshi could hear yelling, the same mash of loud voices that was almost impossible to make out. "If you're here to scream at these boys- oh."

Hitoshi uncomfortably shifted as Higashi looked at him. "Don't worry, I have no intentions of doing such." Higashi gave Recovery Girl a sweet smile as he took several steps forward.

"Oh, he has a fever," Higashi whispered as he placed one of his four hands on Izuku's forehead. "Poor thing gets so sick so easily."

"Yes, he has a 104 fever. I gave him some tylenol, and Hitoshi I understand that you and him are close, but you shouldn't be holding him. Keep him covered with a thin sheet so he doesn't overheat."

Hitoshi blinked at Recovery Girl's words and, rather painstakingly, he pried Izuku off of him and laid him down on the pillows. Izuku didn't even so much as stir.

"Now, Hitoshi, why don't you tell me what happened? Yeah?" Higashi softly asked as he walked up to Hitoshi.

"Well…I was asleep. I woke to Izuku screaming and I scrambled out of bed. I rush into the kitchen and Izuku's on the ground, his hands are blistered and I can see that his shirt was sticking to him in some places and that he's got these blisters in certain places. Mainly his hands." Hitoshi explained to Higashi in the most sincere 'scared brother' voice he could possibly muster.

"... you say his shirt stuck to him?" Recovery Girl inquired as she looked at Izuku's chart.

"Yeah. It was bad." He winced a little for good measure.

"Zuchan, he explained it to me as I called for an uber. One of the cats jumped on the pot he was using to fry prawns… I hope he's going to be okay."

"You called an uber?" Higashi's eyebrows rose to meet his hairline as did Recovery Girl's.

Hitoshi twisted the hem of his shirt. "I understand it wasn't the best decision, I was panicked and…I didn't want to worry dad. You have to understand all he's been through… he was finally getting his bandages taken off today. He seemed so happy and I thought that maybe… maybe this could be resolved quickly and quietly." Hitoshi whispered to Higashi. Out of everything, that wasn't a lie.

Higashi sighed and put a hand on Hitoshi's cheek. "I won't sugarcoat it for you, Hitoshi. Your father is facing some trouble because of your actions-" There was a crash outside and more yelling. "-As I'm sure you can hear. You should have alerted your father the moment this whole situation happened."

"I agree." Recovery Girl chimed in as she put Izuku's chart back into the little pocket by the foot of the bed.

"... How bad is it?" Hitoshi whispered

"Well, I'll have to do a welfare check after all of this done to make sure everything is okay at home. And I'll have to ask some standard questions-" The door opened and Higashi looked over his shoulder.

A man stepped in. He stood as tall as Hitoshi. He had black hair tucked into a beige fedora and a beige trench coat to match. He took his hat off and before he could speak Higashi scoffed. "Of this is ridiculous. No!" Higashi marched up to the man.

"I understand you're concerns, Mr. Suzuki, but I've been personally asked to question Hitoshi-"

"-No." Higashi snarled at the man in question. "This is my territory and there is no need for you to be here. I'm sorry, but I'm the social worker. I'll ask the questions, you can return back to…wherever you came from!" Higashi gave a dismissive wave with one of his hands.

"I'm sorry but All Might asked me-"

"I don't care if the president of Japan asked you to question this child. This is my case."

The man sighed. He then licked his lips and shook his head. "I see this isn't going to be easy."

"Is there a problem?"

"There is actually. But, I shouldn't bring it up in front of the children-"

The man's shoulder was harshly grabbed and he was pulled by an enraged Shouta. "That's enough. Out. All of you." Aizawa huffed as he opened the door for Recovery Girl and Higashi a like. "I'd like to talk to my sons."

Shouta was out of his bandages. As far as Hitoshi could see the only thing remaining from USJ was the scar under his father's left eye. Hitoshi had a feeling that wasn't his father's only reminder of the attack.

Still Hitoshi wanted to die. His father's eyes were red and his hair was threatening to rise any second now. He was livid.

"Aizawa, I hate to inform you this, but I can't leave you alone with the boys. It's my duty as a social worker to make sure they're safe-"

"Excuse me?" Shouta huffed at Higashi.

"You're clearly high strung and angry. I mean, I just witnessed you try and punch All Might. I can't with a good conscious leave you guys alone."

"My anger towards All Might has nothing to do with my boys."

"Aizawa. I'm not leaving." To prove this, Higashi sat down in a nearby chair and patiently crossed all four arms across his chest and stomach to prove this point.

"Fine." Shouta huffed, "Everybody else leave." He gestured out the door.

It then became just the four of them. Izuku was out cold, so Shouta's gaze was on Hitoshi. He pointed at Hitoshi. "How dare you try and keep me out of the loop!" He hissed accusingly at Hitoshi.

"Dad-"

"-No. No. Let me speak and you're going to look at me. When I do so." Shouta's used his finger to push Hitoshi's chin up so Hitoshi was looking at him and only him. Hitoshi looked at his father's nose. A trick he learned if you wanted someone to believe you were making eye contact.

"I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but it's stopping. And it's stopping now. You love and want to protect Izuku, I get it, we all get it, but's gone far beyond that. It's getting to the point that not just classmates are speculating some sort of gross behavior behind closed doors, but other teachers as well. I just had a physical altercation with All Might over all of this. Enough is enough, Hitoshi. You're shutting people out of your life again and I don't like it."

"What are you going to do?" Hitoshi almost wanted to whimper. The thought of separation…it scared him. A deep fear that he didn't know if he could handle.

Shouta sighed. "Therapy is clearly in order. Family therapy between all of us so we can all get a clear picture of the problem. Along with stricter boundaries between you and your brother. For starters: No more sleeping in the same bed together. You aren't children any more. Honestly…I should have put my foot down on that long ago. So, I will take some responsibility in that regard. The next thing? I don't care that you guys are physically affectionate, but you have to stop holding hands in class." Shouta rubbed between this temples while he shut his eyes.

Honestly, Hitoshi could manage with the hand holding…but the bed thing…that was a old habit that was hard to break.

"That's all I can think of on the top of my head for the time being. I'm sure there will be more." Shouta finally lowered his finger from under Hitoshi's chin and looked at Izuku. "So…what the hell happened?"

Shouta was thankful for Hizashi in many ways. If not for him, Shouta probably would have killed All Might in the hospital. All Might has been overstepping as of late but the accusation of abuse? It sent Shouta over the edge.

Right now he was just thankful for Hizashi keeping him grounded for the time being.

He and Hitoshi had returned home not too long ago. Izuku couldn't come back with how high his fever currently was. Hitoshi wanted to stay, but Shouta wasn't having it. Hitoshi locked himself away in his room after that.

Hizashi had come in not too long after they had and met with Shouta in his bedroom. Now, here they sat. Hizashi having his head on Shouta's back, his arms and legs wrapped around him like a plant of sorts as he held on tight. Not willing to let go. Shouta really hasn't spoken in the last ten minutes. His mind abuzz.

"Did you see the kitchen?" Shouta finally asked after the prolonged silence. He hadn't.

"I did." Hizashi's voice was muffled but loud enough to where Shouta could hear him. "I was curious."

"And?"

"Well, it's like Hitoshi said. There was a pot of oil on the floor where Tora had jumped. There was also oil all over the floor. However, your cats, Tora included, kind of tampered with the scene of the crime. They were licking the oil up off the floor. Don't worry, I cleaned it up."

Shouta went quiet again. This time for just a little while longer than he had before. He let his hair hang in front of his face as he thought again. Hizashi was gentle as he rubbed soothing circles around Shouta's shoulders and biceps. "...I kind of wish you hadn't have."

"Hm?"

"Cleaned up the oil…I should have seen it for myself."

"You don't believe Hitoshi's story?"

"... No. I don't. It just doesn't make sense how Izuku's hands got that badly burnt. Not only that, but I read the file. Izuku had bits of fabric stuck to his skin that they had to peel off with tweezers. They describe the fabric as blue and burnt. Izuku wasn't wearing a blue shirt. He was wearing a red collared shirt that, yes, had oil stains where Izuku got burnt the worst but… it just doesn't feel right and I don't know why. It feels… faked. Mainly because of the blue fabric."

Hizashi rested his head up top Shouta's shoulder and gave yet another hum. "Did you look at the fabric they collected off of Izuku?"

"I did. Hizashi…I know for a fact that like Hitoshi, Izuku went to bed in his gym uniform which is blue…"

"But when Izuku woke up, didn't you ask him about what happened? Surely he would have known what clothes he was wearing."

"I did, and thanks for getting Hitoshi out of the room for that by the way… Still, Izuku has a killer fever so I can't take his words seriously right now, but, he followed Hitoshi's story to a T…except for one detail."

"Oh?"

"He didn't say Tora did it. He said Miso did it. Again, he has a fever, so he could just be mixing cats up. After all, both are orange… still, it's not sitting right with me, none of it is."

"...What are you going to do?"

"I want to see Izuku's gym clothes. Yet, I have a feeling that if I go into Izuku's room they won't be in his hamper."

Hizashi shifted, finally releasing Shouta from his grip. It made Shouta miss the heat that Hizashi was providing. The blonde sat next to Shouta and looked at him. "If not there, then where?"

"...Let's start with the garbage cans out by the road. If not there… then we'll try a neighbors trash can."

"Oh boy. You're going to get some stares for this, you know that don't you? But what if you're wrong about this and it really was oil?"

Shouta gave a scoff. "I'll eat my scarf."

"Daddy…"

"Oh dear, again? It's late, Izuku."

Four-year-old Izuku cried softly. His face was hot, his whole body was hot for that matter. The remnants of vomit clung to his chin. "I threw up!"

"Uh-oh." His dad came over and picked him up with ease. Holding Izuku on his hip as he walked, his father eventually sat down on his couch and held Izuku close to his chest. Izuku softly weeped against his father's chest.

"I hate this quirk!" Izuku continued to weep helplessly. "It makes me sick every time I use it."

"I know." His father's words were soft as he rubbed comforting circles against his son's back. "Such is a price, but soon you'll be able to use it with ease. I know it."

Izuku whimpered and rubbed both of his hands against his face sloppily. Accidently smearing some of the remaining vomit against other parts of his face by doing so. "I don't like white-haired me. They're mean."

His father grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket and lightly licked it. There he lifted Izuku's face up and gently wiped the vomit away. "All for one is a super powerful quirk, yes, and yes, the 'white-haired you' as you put it is most definitely abrasive. It's nothing we can't tame. I just wish you wouldn't fight it. That's your quirk, you know. Soon, when we manage to merge both of our quirks together, you won't be able to fight it off. You should just let the quirk take over fully. Eventually, it'll exhaust itself."

"They were going to hurt Tomachan! I couldn't let it do that!"

"Hm. You get that from your mother, that's for sure. I often wonder how she's doing."

Izuku rested his head against his father's chest. His face was burning. It was hot, too hot. "Mommy…" He tried to think of his mother. But he couldn't remember her face or anything about her. Or maybe that was just the fever talking.

He looked up at his father and his father gave him a loving smile- before wildly shifting appearances right before Izuku's eyes. Instead of white hair and red eyes, his father now had black hair and onyx colored eyes. Eyes that were only red when angry or activating his quirk.

"Do you feel better?" Shouta asked Izuku as he ran his fingers through the mop of curls on Izuku's head. Izuku smiled and leaned into his father's touch. He wrapped his arms around his father's chest and kept that smile on his face.

"I do now that you're here, dad."

Chapter Text

Shouta swiftly knocked on his neighbor's door. This was the third neighbor he was currently bothering while Hizashi was working on the other side of the street. It took a moment and Shouta nearly went to knock again when the door opened. "Oh, Aizawa." His neighbor, a man who's name he never bothered to learn.

He and Shouta stood at the same height and even had the same hair color. Though the man's eyes were completely white in color. His seeing eye dog, a little black and tan corgi sat down at the man's feet; the leash held loosely in the man's hand.

"I'm sorry to bother you… how'd you know it was me?" His curiosity just couldn't be quelled.

"Your scent! On top of being blind, my quirk is the ability to smell things almost the same as a dog." The man happily responded.

"Oh." Shouta hummed a little thoughtful before giving his head a shake. 'Focus.' "I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to search through your trash cans out by the street." He told his neighbor in a straight faced voice.

"Oh? Is this for heroics or something like that?" The man inquired with a headtilt.

"Mmm… more so it has to do with my children. I believe one is hiding something from me. I understand this is a strange request and I wouldn't ask if it weren't important."

"Ah, children. Those two boys are coming up what? Fifteen- sixteen now?"

"Yeah. They are."

"Say no more. Soon they're gonna start sneaking out. I know my little ones did!" The man laughed. "Not like it was hard, right?"

"Not my boys. They know better than to do something as dumb as sneaking out." Shouta grunted a little defensively.

The man gave Shouta a little sly but knowing smile. "You say that, Aizawa. But clearly one if not both are keeping secrets now, aren't they? Hence why you need to look through my trash?"

Shouta would never think this again…but he was glad his neighbor was blind so the neighbor couldn't see the blush rising against his face.

"Ah. Well, perhaps I'm being too bold here. Regardless, go ahead. I don't know what you plan to find-" The man looked like he was ready to turn away and shut the door but he stopped. "Oh, that reminds me. Is everything okay at your home? I smelt smoke earlier this morning."

Shouta stopped. "Smoke?" He asked and looked back at the neighbor.

"Yeah. Smelt like something was burning real bad."

"Burning… interesting. Everything is fine, thank you for your concern."

The man gave him a small smile, a wave, and said one final thing. "I hope you find what you're looking for." He then shut the door.

Jogging up to the trashcan off to the side of the road, Shouta opened the metal lid and peered inside. He grabbed gloves that he had brought for this occasion and snapped them on with ease. Then he opened the first bag.

The only thing he really found was just old and spoiled food. Food that had rotten and made Shouta scrunch his nose up in disgust. There was nothing of note and it made Shouta sigh as he retied the bag. 'This is the third spot I hit and nothing. Hitoshi…where did you throw those clothes out? And what aren't you telling me? Why is it such a big secret?'

He put the lid back on the trash can and shook his head. He then he started off for the next neighbor.

"Nothing?"

Shouta gave a small jump as he looked over at his blind neighbor. The man now looked like he was going out for a stroll. Dressed in simple clothes with his little dog in a tiny harness. He had sunglasses on his face and he smiled in Shouta's direction. "Uh. No, but thanks regardless."

"Man, whatever your kid is hiding he really doesn't want you to see. I remember when my young one did something similar." He gave a friendly little laugh at the memory. "They apparently got their hands on some weed, of course, I never found out until they confessed earlier this year. Now that they're an adult and whatnot. They said they felt so silly, they went up the street and tried to smoke behind the gas station. Probably best in all reality. With my sniffer and all."

"...The gas station…" Aizawa whispered. 'Hitoshi and Izuku both frequent the gas station up the road. Until I grounded Izuku that was… It wouldn't be out of the way on their way to the hospital…'

Aizawa looked at his neighbor before sighing. "If my kid were to throw something away. Something he desperately doesn't want me or anybody else to see, but was on a bit of a time crunch. Is it possible that he might have stopped by the gas station to throw said item out?"

The elderly man kept his smile on his face. "Now, I don't know your boys too much, Aizawa. I know you just a little more than I know them. You're a prohero and so it's natural for you to be a tad stricter than most. I mean… you're digging through trash to catch your kid in a lie. But being strict must come with the territory of being a hero, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Then, yeah, If I knew my strict hero father would try and call my bluff. I'd throw items far away from this area. I'd start with the gas station. Follow his trail from there if you can."

"Thanks- er…"

"Shirakawa."

Aizawa bowed, more out of reflex than anything. "Thank you, Shirakawa. We should… I don't know… see each other more often if possible."

"Clean your litter boxes out more often and I'll consider it."

One quick drive to the gas station with Hizashi later, they were soon right in front of the dumpster in question.

"And if it's not here?" Hizashi inquired as he and Shouta expertly jumped the fence blocking off the dumpster from the public. It was shameful how easy it was to just hop over. They didn't even try. No lock, not even barbed wire. "Then what?"

Shouta hummed as he approached the large dumpster. "Then…I'll give up for the time being. Figure something else out and let Hitoshi think he's won." Shouta walked up to the dumpster and pulled out another pair of latex gloves. He handed the pair to Hizashi and grabbed his own pair.

Both put their respective gloves on and Shouta leapt up on to the top of the dumpster. Steadying himself up top the second lid. The lid in question dipped slightly but didn't give out. Hizashi took another approach he grabbed the first lid of the dumpster and stood on the protruding side. Together they both grabbed the first lid and opened it up.

They expected a dumpster full of bags and rotten food. But what they got was an empty dumpster. "...What's today?" Shouta whispered as he stared rather dismayed at the barren inside of the gas station dumpster.

"Saturday…"

"And, best guess is that this dumpster gets cleaned out every saturday afternoon…well played, Hitoshi. Well…played. Okay…" Aizawa shut the dumpster lid and jumped down. "That's fine."

"It is?" Hizashi inquired as he jumped down from the dumpster all the same.

"Yes, because I have other ways of catching my sons in a lie. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but I will figure out what Hitoshi hiding from me. Him and Izuku both…"