Chapter Text
It’s clear that Yuki is quite surprised to see these people. I guess they really are her friends. However… it makes me wonder. Mom was clearly hopeful about her being here, so they cared a great deal about her. Why didn’t she choose to go back to them?
“Yuki… you’re really here.” mom says, tears clear in her eyes.
“Yeah. From the looks of it… almost the entire gang is here…”
“Tensei had his little brother to watch over. His parents were going out of town and he couldn’t come with us. He’s in the middle of a case.” The dark haired succubus says.
“So did everyone make their dreams happen?” Yuki asks.
She is met with a lot of nodding and sad smiles. “Everyone… except for you, listener. Why’d you leave?” the vampiric cockatoo says.
When Yuki looks away slightly I wrap her in a hug. “You don’t have to say anything, sis, if it upsets you this much.”
“I might have an inkling as to why, actually.” Mom says, lead me and Yuki to look at her. “It was your parents, wasn’t it.”
An admittedly telling silence follows those words. After a fair bit of time, likely a minute or two, she relents. “Yes. They… they called me a monstrous freak, after years of neglect because they thought I was Quirkless.” Oh I’m going to kill someone. “It disillusioned me to how you’d all react. When I met these kids, I thought it’d be the only place that I’d belong. However, they reminded me that you all would have accepted me, no matter what. But… I couldn’t leave them. These kids have been shit on so much, and I couldn’t just abandon them.”
It’s Nedzu who steps up. “I believe you’re already a fine hero, Yuki-can. After all, you’ve helped a group of young children who needed it, Young Yuki-san.”
Yuki starts crying slightly. “I’m… I’m glad you think so, sensei.”
While this is all nice, and has answered several questions that I’ve had over the years, that doesn’t mean that I’m happy. Yuki is my sister, and to hear she was ignored by her own parents for something she couldn’t control, and then disowning her -again, for something that she couldn’t control- really pisses me off. You do not mess with my family and get to live happily ever after. I don’t care if it happened before I met Yuki, or after .
Y̷̙͊ọ̷̔u̵͙̚ ̷̨̎d̷͖̉ö̴̝ ̸̠͠ñ̸̯õ̶̗t̷͍̀ ̴̺̀m̷̼̾e̸͛͜s̶̑ͅs̵̜̐ ̸̮͛w̸͈͑i̶̛ͅt̶̫͊ḩ̵̀ ̵̪̔m̶̢͒y̵̝̐ ̸̪̓f̷̺̒a̵͝ͅm̶͓̊i̴̙͐l̷̲̄ý̵̨!̸͕̊
“Well, this conversation is just riveting. ” Rai says. “Might I suggest you drop it , before Sana over there decides to leave and comes back with bodies.”
“I have no idea where these people live, Rai. How would I even find them?”
“They’re in jail. After Yuki… died, they were seen as the parents who pretended that their daughter never existed, which caused them to be investigated by social services. The years of neglect and minor abuse piled against them and they went to jail for it because they refused to pay anything for “Someone who doesn’t matter, and is very dead.” However, the possibility of you being alive was brought up, since we knew that your body simply vanished. Of its own accord. Which they denied, despite having video proof of you returning home the day you died. After you had been officially declared dead. I don’t think they’re going to be leaving prison anytime soon, nevermind the fact that it’s been determined that they’re unfit to be parents, and you’ll never have to go back to them.” Nedzu says, sounding happy about it. I have a suspicious feeling that he had a part to play in that ordeal.
Apparently, so does Yuki. “Thank you Nedzu-Sensei. But, I do agree with Rai. As happy as I am to know that they won’t be able to hurt me, or anyone, ever again, I just want to move past it all. To move past them .” Yuki stops and takes a breath that I know for a fact she doesn’t actually need. And then- “They didn’t like me for something out of my control. They were informed about the fact that my Quirk had an obscure activation trigger, but they decided that that meant that I was Quirkless, and therefore worthless.”
I interrupt here. “No one is worthless. Quirk or Magic, it doesn’t matter; they mean nothing. A person always has worth. A person’s worth is based on who they are, and I’ve noticed that many humans don’t even realize that. It’s… upsetting. And even if you’re an absolutely horrible person, you still have worth. If these people couldn’t see what I see in you, Yuki, then they’re blind as fuck.”
I hug Yuki again as she says “Thank you, Sana.”
“Don’t mention it. Anyway, you all need to get set up, and I need to get started on dinner. If anyone wants to help, you can do so after you’re done setting up.”
I watch as they get to work, and while they do so, I go to grab meat to grill, and some vegetables to cook. It’s important to have a balanced diet, that much I know. I’ve read enough books about it to know its importance when you’re growing. I’m thinking… Grilled steak with mashed potatoes, carrots and celery. Maybe add some mint to the potatoes, to give them flavor. Yeah… it’s a plan. Of course, I have to grab some extra carrots solely because Rini will eat a few while we’re cooking. It always happens, and it’s why we grow extra carrots.
Grabbing what I need, I head outside and set the stuff down on the prep station. Using water magic to wash my hands, I grab a knife so that I can cut the vegetables and a pot for the potatoes. As for the meat, I simply grab our wire grill and set it over top of the firepit, which I then proceed to light. Like I said, it is a primitive setup, but it’s one that works for us.
Rini joined me and started cutting the vegi’s, while I started to season the meat and thaw it quickly. Never let it be said that knowing Magic is pointless. Sure I can’t master any of it properly, but I’ve learned some techniques that help with everyday life. For example, I can heat my hands enough that they can safely thaw meat in about a minute. I can also read the wind itself, but that’s not exactly important here. “Rini is ready to make food, Sana.”
I chuckle at my sisters antics, but I nod and we set to work, working in tandem with each other. Which is why when the kids approach us looking ready to help, a part of me is slightly worried that our sync will be messed up, but I have to remember that I offered to let them help.
And that is exactly what they ask. “Do you mind if we help?” the greenette asks me.
“Can you cook?” is my response. Mostly because I realize that Rini wants to get to know people our age. And… a part of me does as well, but… I’m nervous. I don’t know these people. How do I know they won’t attack me or my sisters?
“Why the fuck do you think we’re here, Foxy?” ‘Kacchan’ says.
“I don’t know. I don’t know why any of your group is here, but if you want to help, you can start by washing your hands and either helping Rini cut the vegetables or help me with grilling the steak.” I respond, honest to a fault, I think the saying is.
“You wanna know why we’re here, you’d be better off asking the Rat. Seemed adamant about coming here for some reason.” Kacchan says.
Then the gorgeous girl looks at him and says “Katsuki-kun, you shouldn’t call Nedzu a rat! I understand the sentiment, but you have to understand just how rude it is!” Holy shit! “What?! Is something wrong?”
“Wait, did I say that out loud?”I ask. When everyone, even Rini, nods, I mull over my words to try and find the best way to continue. “Well, your voice fits your appearance; absolutely beautiful. It’s like listening to an angel sing! And please don’t ask me how I can make that comparison.”
“Aw, thank you. You aren’t put off by the fact that I’m almost wolfish, are you?~” she asks in a sultry tone I know well. Rai is a succubus, after all.
“Not really. Let me put it this way: this is one fox that wouldn’t mind spending time with a wolf~” I can tease as well. Maybe not well, but I can.
“Gross. Go flirt somewhere else!” Katsuki says bluntly.
“Oh please, Katsuki-kun, if Sana here were male you’d be trying the same thing and you know it!”
“Oh, shut up, Haru!”
Haru? “Spring… I like that. Haru-san… a name befitting a gorgeous beauty.” I mutter.
Perhaps a little too loudly, ‘cause Rai, who’d approached us, goes “Sana! My dear sister, I had no idea you could be so romantic! If I did, I would have teased you a little more~.”
“Well, it would appear that that is my job now, little succubus.” Haru-san says, voice containing a tone of finality.
Rai, for her part, simply smiled and said “Absolutely, my dear raiju. I’m not going to get in the way of this; it’s the best thing I’ve seen since I first saw Rini smile!”
Haru-san nods, and then the greenette appears and helps me with cooking a little side dish for someone else: Inari Sushi and Fried Tofu. “Why are you helping me with this?” I ask her.
“I enjoy this meal as well. I’m Midoriya, by the way. Midoriya Sakura. My sister, the girl you were flirting with, is Midoriya Haru.” she says in response. And while it’s a surprisingly kind introduction, that doesn’t mean that I’m suddenly going to just trust them completely. That’ll take time. As it is, I do add some more ingredients.
“So how is it that two kitsune, whatever the hell dad is, a raiju, a trio of vampires, a duo of succubi, a Yokai of origins unknown and a handful of humans ended up camping together?” I ask, ignoring the quiet “Fuck!” from Katsuki.
“Aunt Komari never stopped looking for you.” Sakura-san says, and while it actually touches my heart that she never forgot about me, this knowledge doesn’t answer my question. I would have said something, but Sakura-san apparently wasn’t done. “She needed a break, however. She was… starting to crack, in a way. So Nedzu started setting this up for her. She asked some of her friends if they’d be willing to go as well, and all of us wanted to be there for her. Somewhere in the decision for a location, Nedzu found this place, but he wouldn’t tell anyone why he was so adamant about us coming here. Something about finding something important, but I get the feeling that not even he knew what it was.”
Wow. That’s an interesting thought. “Indeed I did not, Young Midoriya.” comes Nedzu’s voice, cheerful as ever. “Not until we actually arrived and met Young Toyomitsu and her sisters! Which is something that I’d like to talk to you alone about, Young Sana. It… pertains to a mutual acquaintance of ours.”
Looking at the Yokai, I can immediately tell who he’s talking about. Sighing, I tell him to wait a minute and start plating my offering for Inari, and then look at Nedzu again. “Follow me.” I then look at Rai and Rini. “You two are in charge here until we return. No one is allowed to follow us. You two know my rule about this place.”
“No one is allowed to disturb the ‘Sacred Grove’. We know. Go, we’ll take care of things. Don’t forget the incense.” Rai responds playfully, however I just stare at her. “Right. Inventory. You don’t find those jokes funny. Sorry, Sana.”
“It’s all right, I know you are trying to lighten the mood. Just… This talk is probably going to be important. I have the incense and more.”
“I know. Go, we’ll manage things here. Oi, Yokai.” Rai grabs Nedzus attention. “If she comes back upset, we’re blaming you, am I clear?”
I see Nedzu smile. “As crystal.” When Rai nods at him, we start walking. We’re specifically walking towards a specific part of the glade that I have a more… physical illusion hiding something. More specifically, a… route. Once we’re standing in front of it, I hand Nedzu the plate I’m holding, and move my hand in a clawlike motion against a strange looking tree. I enjoy Nedzus little squeak of surprise when he watches the tree vanish and the path forward appear.
“Shocking, isn’t it.” I ask him, taking the plate back.
“Just a little. I wouldn’t have imagined you to be capable of something like that at your age.” the Yokai admits.
I chuckle a little at his response. “Well then, maybe you’d believe it a little more if I tell you that I didn’t do it alone. And while I’ll admit that it was solely my own power that greeted that illusion, I was instructed by someone on how to do so.” I tell him. I actually laugh when he squeaks again when, after we’ve passed a certain threshold, the tree reappears. “Go ahead and try it.” I watch as he tries what he saw me do, and chuckle as nothing happens. “Only a fox spirit can undo it. Yes, Yuki could float right through it, but she understands why I find it important that this area isn’t disturbed. It was the reason I even felt the need to say something; you brought other fox spirits with you.”
Nedzu simply cackles. “That is quite ingenious. Was that your idea, or your teachers?”
“Mine. I… will admit to having built something where we are going. Something I don’t want damaged.” I explain to the being.
Nedzu, thankfully, just nods and says “Well, that I can understand. By the way, where exactly are we headed?”
Looking at him, I neither smile nor sigh. “The heart of the forest. My own personal little sanctuary when I’m having a truly bad day. To my own personal shrine to Inari.”
It takes maybe ten minutes to actually reach the place. In that time, I can feel Nedzu think about something, but rather than ask, I continue walking instead. I’m a fox on a mission, even if I’m kinda dreading the following talk. Once we do arrive, I go about placing the plate of food on the altar and setting and lighting incense, and then praying. Once that is done, I turn towards Nedzu and motion for him to sit. “I know you have some questions first. Ask them.”
“The tree in your illusion… why did it look the way it did?” is his first question.
“I told you that it was made using my own power, but that I was instructed on how to make it in the first place.” Nedzu nods, and so I continue. “I was told that how you picture things is very important there.”
“Indeed. So why does it look like four smaller trees interwoven within each other?”
“I was picturing me and my sisters at the time.” Nedzu quirks his head slightly to his right. “Each one is unique, but broken. We’ve all weathered storms of our own, but we are not alone. We’ve all got our own demons, but the others are there. When one of us is down, the other three are there to help us get back on our feet. We all have our faults. We have our problems. In some way, each of us is broken.” I watch as his expression turns sad, and then stand up and look at the shrine. “But… despite this, we’re all there for each other. We’re interwoven within each other’s fate, and there is no place we’d rather be. We all prop each other up when we need it. We all help the others, and provide a shoulder to cry on. Yes… we might all be broken in some way… but that doesn’t change the fact that we help keep each other afloat in the storm that is our lives.” I turn back to the Yokai. “Is that answer satisfactory?”
He nods and hums a bit. “Yes. I do believe that explains your dynamic with each other quite a bit.” he says cheerfully. “My next question, if I may?” I do not respond, but I do motion for him to continue while I sit back down. “How did you meet Inari?”
I raise an eyebrow. “How do you know I ever have met them? For all you know, I could just worship them.”
The Yokai chuckles. “Earlier, when you mentioned you had a close connection, I could tell that you left something out. And I myself have some… connections to the deity of rice, fertility and foxes, so I can tell the difference between knowing them and simply worshiping them.”
I look at him for a good minute, calculating. Are these the words of a truthful being, or someone looking to make a very poor joke. I guess I stared too long, because the Yokai reaches into his rather fancy vest and pulls out a small fox charm and then, somewhat reluctantly, hands it to me. Turning the thing over in my hand, it quickly becomes clear to me just who gave it to him. It’s a personal charm… one that Inari makes for her close friends. Handing it back to Nedzu, I reach around my neck and grab a cord with my own charm and show it to him. Every charm, despite looking exactly the same to the untrained eye, is actually completely different. Inari makes them differently for each person. For example; Nedzus has onyx eyes and is standing on stalk of rice, and mine has amethyst eyes and is standing over a fox cub, but all of them are unique in some way, even though there is only a handful of them in the world.
“I met her here, and before you ask, I asked if she had a preference and she told me, and I quote, ‘All of it is technically accurate. Call me what makes you most comfortable.’. She always appears like a young female adult, and is always helpful, even if all she does is talk or listen to us, acting like a mom. Rai sometimes calls her our ‘Divine Protector’. Says that we can’t rely on her to survive and I agree. It’s detrimental and would lead us to being overdependent on other people, which isn’t healthy.”
Nedzu nods and smiles. “I quite agree, but it is always good to have people you know that you can depend on. I like to believe that I can depend on all of my teachers.”
“A principal?” When Nedzu nods, I hum and wonder why. “You don’t strike me as the kind of person who’d be happy running a school.”
“I help to teach the next generation of heroes, and more! At U.A. we teach everything from future heroes, support heroes and analysts to florists and business owners.”
“Florists seems a little… specific, Nedzu.”
“Funny story that. Remind me to tell you at some point.” he says chuckling, before switching priorities. “For now, we should focus on the real reason I asked for us to be alone. It has to do with why we’re all here in the first place.”
“Sakura mentioned that you set up a camping trip to help mom relax.”
“She is well informed then.”
“Perhaps it’d be best to skip to the point where you even found this place, cause it seemed as if you knew we were here, just without the specific knowledge of it actually being us.”
“That would be because I was told to expect to find that which I was looking for here… by Inari.”
That got my attention. Why would Inari lead them here? “Explain.”
“While I was trying to find a good campsite to take us all to, Inari appeared to talk with me. I will admit to being surprised, as they rarely do so. So I prepared some tea…”
Nedzu’s POV, Flashback, about a week ago
“So, to what do I owe this visit, old friend?” I ask, setting the teacup in front of the deity in my office.
I watch my old friend, one of the extremely few people I would trust with my deepest secrets, drink from the cup. “Juniper Berry and Honey. I appreciate it, my friend. Now, as for why I’m here… a little bird told me that you’re planning a camping trip. Is this true?”
“It is. One of my teachers has a missing child, and while she has so far refused to abandon her daughter, which I am secretly proud of, she’s had no luck in several years, and is starting to show signs of exhaustion and is on the verge of a mental breakdown. I am hoping that taking a break will reinvigorate her.”
Inari nods whilst they take my words in. “Do you happen to have a location in mind already?” my friend asks with a look on their face that has an emotion behind it that I cannot place currently.
“I do not. That is something that has eluded me, as of the present. I want my friend to be able to relax, not have to contend with noises and drunkards partying. Besides, most of the campsites I have looked at have been booked solid, and while a few promises here or there could expedite the process, that still takes time.” I respond, admittedly frustrated. I am worried that if we wait too long, Komari might actually snap before we find her child. When I hear my friend hum in thought, I ask “Is something the matter?”
“Not wrong, per se… however… I have a suggestion on where you can go. It is isolated and you won’t find a calmer location.” my friend responds.
“Oh?” This suggestion intrigues me. Why are they here for this? Why bother with this? “And what spurred on your suggestion. Forgive me, my friend, if I sound ungrateful, but even you have to admit that you do not do something like this without reason.”
“Your worry is understandable, my friend. There… there are some children there that I wish to save. I am aware that me getting involved like this is unusual, but if I don’t, you’ll never find them.”
“I find myself intrigued, Inari. What is so special about these kids that you felt the need to do this?” I ask them, going through possible reasons for Inari to feel the need to get involved like this.
However, it would appear that none of what I could have come up with is accurate. “They have been… used. Not in a good way, and I would rather avoid triggering you, my friend.” That alone does not paint a very good picture, and gives me an… unpleasant idea on what they’ve been through. “And while one of them hasn’t had the same experiences as the others, it’s still been rough for her. I want to save them, but I have little way of doing so without getting them help. Help that you are more qualified to give them than I am, my friend.”
“Well, color me intrigued! As a group of heroes, we’d be neglecting our jobs if we turned you down, and since I imagine you won’t tell me what their names are, all I will ask is where they are!” I respond, genuinely hoping to help these kids in need. And it’s true, if we ignored these children, we’d be completely ignoring the very reason heroes even exist; to help and save people.
Inari nods their head and continues to sip at their tea. “I am glad that you think so, Nedzu.” they say.
“Thank you. Now, would you mind telling me where they are, currently?”
“Not at all. I’d ask if you had a map, but knowing you, you’d have several of the area that I need to show you.”
“Indeed. So, what area?”
“The Hokkaido area.” I grab several of the maps I own for that area, and then ask Inari to follow me. Thankfully, it’s after hours, maybe five in the evening, so I don’t have to worry about someone like Aizawa-san asking questions. I take Inari to the conference room; the room that we use to determine class make-up, have meetings and… war councils. That last one is fun for me… not so fun for whoever I am targeting. The main reason I’ve brought Inari here is because the table here is much larger than the one in my office; they’ll have a lot more space to put the maps. Entering the room, Inari immediately gets to work, setting down the maps and looking at them with a scrutiny I very rarely see anywhere. They must really want to help these children. After maybe ten minutes of searching for… wherever they were looking for, they finally exclaim “Here!”
When I look at where on the map they’re pointing, I find myself shocked, which doesn’t happen often. Where my friend is pointing is a location that didn’t exist two and a half hundred years ago. During the Dawn of Quirks a forest randomly popped up several miles northeast of Sapporo, Hokkaido. Humans believe that it’s the result of a Quirk, but I know better. Given the fact that it popped up as quickly as it did during a time when Quirks were rather weak, and humans were fighting against themself (which does not surprise me), compiled with the fact that anyone that has entered the forest either hasn’t returned, or has comeback scarred and without memory of what they saw, suggests a more… magical reason. Further proof for this theory is that, while they’re alive, the trees are incredibly tough; not even steel can actively get through the trunks. As such, given that no one, not even me, has been able to learn anything about the forest, it has gained a nickname: “The Forest of Mystery? Why would they be there?”
Inari rerolls the maps and we walk back to my office. “A place most wouldn’t dare enter. Provided you can safely traverse the dense trees, it’s a great place to be if you’re trying to not be found.” Inari says, which brings to mind the sheer number of people that have gone missing trying to explore that forest.
“Inari…” I start before they interrupt. “I have not killed anyone, and the animals that inhabit the forest aren’t typically violent. The uh... 'deaths' happened because the trees are very…” My friend looks at me. “...maze-like. It is why so few escaped. We had to wipe their memory though, even if as a courtesy. The magical community has spent millennia hiding from humans. It wouldn’t do to have someone expose them and the… hunts start again.” This concerns me, but also confirms my theory as to how the forest itself was born. Thankfully, it is around here that we arrive back at my office, and I set about pouring more tea for myself and my friend. “Which is why I recommend that you follow this.”
Inari hands me a rolled up piece of paper. When I unroll it, it turns out to be a hand drawn map. Something on it draws my attention. “Markers? Why would there be markers? Very few of the people who went in there came back out.”
“Let’s just say I’ll be getting help setting those up. They’re not exactly happy about the thought of leading people right to them, but agreed nonetheless. They’ll be there.”
“Well, if you have faith in them, so will I. So let me ask one question; who are they?” I say cheerfully.
Inari starts laughing, which immediately clues me into the fact that they aren’t going to answer with names. “My dear friend. If I told you that, it’d ruin the surprise! I thought you would have liked the challenge of trying to figure it out.”
I myself chuckle in response. “I do, but I would rather know now if they’ll be a danger, even if slightly, than to learn the hard way.”
Almost immediately, I watch as my friends face falls. “Oh one of them might be. Don’t get me wrong, they won’t be dangerous under normal circumstances, but they’re very protective of the others, and will not respond to them being endangered positively, nor will they completely trust you even if you show them the charm I gave you. At least, not immediately; that will take time. Please Nedzu, you are the only person I can ask to do this. Those kids deserve a chance at as normal a life as possible for them, and they aren’t going to get it stuck in the middle of that forest.”
Just how rough have these kids had it? “I will help, if only to help these kids, but I might need some pointers on how to gain their trust.”
Inari nods for a minute and then says “Don’t push them, and do not endanger them. Maybe bring friends of yours that aren’t human, it might increase your chances. The one I’m worried about enjoys chess, try that. Just… don’t expect to steamroll them like you usually do, dear friend.” I find myself intrigued. They’re good at chess? Interesting. Maybe I can introduce them to shogi. “Above all, the best way to get to one of them is through the other three. They all have their problems, and trust each other completely, but three of the four are more curious or accepting than the fourth.”
That is indeed helpful. However… “How will I know which one to watch for?”
Inari, for their part, simply smiles in a way that suggests pain for their enemies. Sometimes I wonder where people think I got that smile from, but then I remind myself that my friendship with Inari isn’t common knowledge. “Simple, Nedzu. All of them are different species. One of them is a Poltergeist, one a Succubus. The third is a Hanyo with a rabbit Quirk. The last is a Fox Spirit. You’re going to want to watch the fox.”
I match Inari’s smile, appreciating the irony. “You specifically mentioning the charm you give your friends suddenly makes sense, my friend.”
Inari nods but then looks out the window. “I need to get going, my friend, but I have one last piece of advice.” When I motion for them to continue, they do so. “Don’t go looking for them, they’ll find you, and arrive in the early afternoon, or you’ll miss them.”
While that technically counts as two pieces of advice, I say nothing about it. Instead, I say “I will make sure to leave early then. See you again, my friend.”
Inari nods, but I do not miss them say “Please save them.” before disappearing entirely. Walking over to the window of my office and looking out of it, I watch as a few of the first year Gen Ed students play a game of soccer in one of the fields. “I will, my friend. I promise.”
Sana’s POV, present time
“So that was the reason for the markers…” I say in response to the story the Yokai told. Quite frankly (and I do not know anybody by that name) I am kind of surprised by just how far Inari is willing to go to help us. Normally she doesn’t get involved like this. Why are we so special? Why go through this much trouble for us?
“Is something the matter, Young Toyomitsu?” Nedzu asks, shaking me from my thoughts.
“Just have a lot of questions.” I respond. “Most are around the lines of ‘Why us?’ You were right when you said that Inari getting involved like this is unusual. While she has given us all pointers on how to do certain things, she has never gotten involved physically, always letting us do it. So to help like this is… while it is touching, it’s confusing and strange.
“While I cannot say what spurred them on to act like this, I can tell you this: my friend would not have acted if you didn’t deserve it. Maybe the reason is currently elusive to you, I can assure you that it is there, just waiting for you to find it. It might not take very-” Nedzu says, but then I remember what he told me; about knowing what we’ve been through, and find the answer surprisingly quickly.
“I reminded her of you, a very close friend of hers, and she wanted to give us the same kind of chance at normalcy that you yourself got. She always was more benevolent than other deities.”
“You are correct, Young Sana.” came Inari’s voice. Turning to look at the shrine, I see Inari sitting there, eating the meal I made her. “However, I do not have the means to provide you and your sisters with such normalcy. My old friend here, however, does. So I pushed him in the right direction.”
“I’m going to be honest here. A part of me is somewhat angry with you for bringing potentially dangerous people here.” I stop and look at the Yokai briefly. “However, the other part of me appreciates that you care so much as to ask for outside help.” I stop for a second again, this time to rub my forehead, as I can feel a headache forming. “However… me and my sister will never be ‘normal’. Not after what’s happened to us all. We might be able to pretend, but it wouldn’t be the same, and I think you know that.”
Inari, to her credit, looks sheepishly at me and nods. “I do, but I also have faith that you’ll find a way to exist outside of this forest. Will it take time? Yes, even I understand that. But I have faith that the four of you will pull it off, somehow.”
Looking at the fond look in her eyes, all I can really do is sigh. “I believe you, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am worried. Besides, you know my stance here.”
Inari smiles gently. “I do. You will not go anywhere if even one of your sisters wishes to stay behind. However… I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
Sighing again, I look up at her again. “I know… that’s what scares me. Life where I cannot predict what comes next. How do I keep my sisters safe if I can’t predict where the danger might come from?”
“By learning to read people!” Nedzu says, cheerfully. “It is a skill that has helped me out greatly, and is a skill I can teach you. Maybe over the two weeks that we’re here, so that you have that skill ready at hand!” Then he looks as if he is contemplating a question. “By the way, is it true that you like chess?”
I snort slightly, because the question is funny to me. “Yes. At this point, my sisters refuse to play with me. Yuki kept saying that I reminded her of someone. I’m going to guess that someone is you.”
“Quite right, young Sana. I tend to play chess and shogi with my personal students. I haven’t taken any since Yuki and Komari, your sister and mother respectively.”
“In that case, I’d like to challenge you to a game of chess, you unknown Yokai.” I say, glad that I can finally challenge someone again. “However, I have a question.” Nedzu and Inari both motion for me to continue. “What the hell is a Hanyo? I know multiple Yokai species and quite a lot of magical ones as well, but I have never heard of a Hanyo.”
Inari and Nedzu both chuckle, but it is Inari that answers. “A Hanyo is someone that has parentage split between a Human and a Yokai. In the past, and I’m talking thousands of years ago, they were ostracized by both humans and yokai, but when Humans started hunting them just like everything else, they became more accepted by the magical community.”
Sighing and scowling, I quietly wonder why Humans trying to get rid of what they don’t understand doesn’t surprise me. It needs to stop. A large part of the magical community had hoped that it would stop when people, human or otherwise, started to develop Quirks. Instead, Quirks caused humans to have an even better “reason” to hate each other! Why humans have to hate what they don’t understand still bugs me, because what they hate, that have a tendency to either try to enslave, or at least treat as if below them, or eradicate. Many myths from around the world have a lot more truth to them than most people think.
“Ignoring the annoying qualities of Humans as a whole, since I have rather recently seen humans that clearly know about and accept us. Instead, let’s focus on the fact that we should probably start heading back. It is late, and I am getting rather hungry. And based on the way that your stomach is growling, Nedzu, so are you.”
Nedzu laughs at my statement. “Indeed I am.” He then looks at Inari. “It was nice to see you again, my friend.”
“And I you, Nedzu.” Inari replies.
“Inari, a question. Do you happen to know what dad is?” I ask suddenly.
“I knew the moment he stepped foot in this forest, but something tells me that you do not actually want me to answer with what he is. Just to confirm that I know.” Inari responds.
And she is right, I prefer the challenge of trying to find out. “You would be correct.”
Inari simply smiles. “Well, since I know that you would prefer to find out yourself, all I’m going to do is say this: your father is not originally from Japan.”
… “That really narrows it down. Thank you.” And surprisingly, I mean it.
Inari, however, doesn’t think so. “Don’t get sassy with me.” Then I realize she is teasing me.
“I am not. It does genuinely help. For example, by saying that he isn’t originally from Japan, I can immediately rule out all forms of Yokai. That also means that he isn’t from the ocean originally, since the waters around Japan’s immediate area also count, and you know that. This means that whatever he is, it has to originally come from land, as all magical beings that typically inhabit the ocean are normally the same regardless of the region, just some slight variations. Mostly skin, scale or common hair colors. If I can find out his original nationality, then I can significantly narrow down the list of possible options. Then from there I can simply go through the list of common beings in the area. If that doesn’t answer my question, then I can start looking up the more uncommon beings. I’m actually looking forward to the challenge.”
Nedzu started laughing towards the end of me talking. Glad he finds something I said funny. “I am going to enjoy teaching you, Young Sana.” Ah so that is what this is about.
“I am confused as to why that is so funny.” I say.
Inari chuckles slightly. “When Nedzu is excited, he tends to start laughing.” Ah.
“Well, that explains the laughing. Anyways, we really should go.” I respond.
“I agree. Go on, you two. I will see the both of you at another time.” Inari says. “By the way, Sana-” I turn to look at her again. “-your cooking is amazing as always.”
“Thank you.” Inari simply nods, and then she disappears, leaving the plate behind.
After I grab the plate, I start walking back, with Nedzu climbing onto my shoulder. While walking I think about certain things that have been revealed to me. “Is something the matter?” Nedzu asks about five minutes into the walk back.
“What exactly would you teach me, and why me?” I ask.
Nedzu chuckles, something I have begun to notice that he does a lot. “I would be teaching you and your sisters until the end of the school year, so that you would be up to par with any future schoolmates. Beyond that, if you so desire, I can teach you specifically some more things, and don’t worry. I will challenge all of you academically so that we can determine where you all are, intelligence wise, and Yuki, if she so desires, can join U.A. next year, as she was a student when she died. However, since we changed many things, from class sizes to how everything is taught when we transitioned from a high school to a university, it would have to be as a first year. But for you, something tells me that I will be your main teacher.” He is not the only one with that kind of feeling, but for now I will keep that to myself. “I know this might upset you, but how do you feel about a test?”
I stop walking, briefly flashing back to my time in the lab. “It… won’t involve needles, will it?” I decide to ask, openly nervous.
“It does not. Just a pen and a lot of questions on paper. I call it the ‘Hell Test’. It is a test I give to my personal students to determine where they are academically or to test them.”
I think about it, but… I can certainly appreciate his honesty. “Fine. Just… no needles.”
“Well… that might be a problem.” When I ask him why, his expression becomes pained. “Well, if you all leave with us, we won’t have a choice but to get you checked out medically, and that will , unfortunately, involve needles. However, I will have this all performed at U.A., with someone that I trust, and one that you trust. After all, Primrose works at U.A. now, as one of our school nurses!”
“...Well, I am glad that she has a better… employer than a kidnapper and a scoundrel.” I say slowly.
“Indeed. And while I will admit that several of your tormentors are still unaccounted for, I will also help keep you and your sisters safe.”
“Thank you. Maybe I’ll take this ‘Hell Test’ after we eat and have a game of chess.”
Nedzu then shifts as I resume walking. “If I may ask one more question.” he says.
“Depends on the question.” I say in response.
“How did you build everything? From what we know about this forest, the trees should be nearly impossible to cut down.”
Not what I was expecting, to be honest. “Simple: I didn’t cut them down. Just because the trees here are super durable, doesn’t mean that they can’t die or be uprooted by a storm. Those are the trees we used. You’ll find that, even dead, the trees maintain their durability, and if you know how to process them, it’s possible to use them to make things. That, and a chisel on boulders, and perhaps a fair amount of earth magic.”
“Ah, so I take it that you are not alone in this forest.”
I laugh at this. “No, we are not. There are a ton of elemental faeries, plus a few Yokai that typically inhabit trees. There is also a small settlement of freshwater merpeople at the bottom of the lake, and despite being connected to the ocean via underwater caves, they aren’t as prickly or stubborn as the typical saltwater merpeople.”
“I take it you have some relations with them.”
“You are correct, Nedzu.” At this point we’ve reached the tree, but I have sat down for now to explain and answer his questions. “They also understand that we sometimes have no choice but to eat seafood, living in a forest.”
Nedzu hums and nods. “And are there any other beings in this forest?”
“There are. There are about a dozen or so ghosts that simply wish to be left alone, and so we do that, though there is one that will occasionally talk to me about his life and show off his whittling. He’s nice, but I never bothered to ask his name; said something about being the fourth. No idea what that means, but I guess he just became the fourth hermit in his family. Other than the ghosts, there’s also the staple beings in a forest: Dryads and tree spirits. Other than that, there’s just the Lamia and a few Succubi that lurk around.” I was going to stand up and end it there, but then I remember the supposed ‘deaths’. “Actually, about those last two, they’re the reason so many people… well, ‘died’, entering this forest. They didn’t actually die, they simply chose to stay because a ‘pretty girl batted her eyes at me.’ And with the merpeople here, that’s… somewhat problematic.”
Nedzu hums and says “Oh?”
“You know the theory in our side of the world, that a merpersons tears can prolong someones life?” I ask him. I watch as he confirms, and so I continue. “I can confirm that they’re true. I don’t often meet these people, but I have talked with the Dryads about it. Hell, there’s a poly lesbian couple between a human, a lamia and a succubus here! They’re the ones who helped me realize that I am very gay, and the human female was born about one hundred and three years ago!”
Nedzu chuckles again. “I take it that she isn’t human any longer.”
I nod. “Don’t think that she was human when I first met her, either, considering she had a tail, but I’m kinda glad she is happy.”
Nedzu smiles kindly, something I was starting to doubt he could do. “Well, good for them. Anyways, I am now famished.”
“Agreed.” I then stand up, pick Nedzu up and place him back on my shoulder, and rake my claws against the tree, and walk into the clearing. Immediately, everyone stops and looks at us.
“Where have you two been? Dinner’s been ready for the last half hour!” is Rai’s immediate reaction.
Me and Nedzu say “Talking” at the same time, and with different tones. His is cheerful while mine is indifferent.
“About?” mom asks.
While I wasn’t expecting to be asked that, I decide to say the first thing that came to mind: “You don’t want to know.” with a smile that was probably a bit much, considering many of the people Nedzu brought with him suddenly pale and start paying an absurd amount of attention to their plates.
Nedzu starts laughing at their reaction, and not in a friendly way. It’s as if he is intentionally trying to creep them out… so I decide to start matching his laugh, and cause a little bit of chaos. What changes my laugh from keeping with Nedzus is Mister Shota whispering “Oh, kami, there’s two of them…”