Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Four years. That’s how long it’s been since me, Rini and Rai escaped from hell. Maybe not quite so literally, but it certainly felt like it. Three years, eight months and six days. That’s how long it’s been since meeting Yuki, a girl that died rather violently years before I was born, and brought her with us. Three years, six months, a week and three days since we found the forest that we now call home.

I feel like some would question my ability to remember the dates certain things have happened given my age, but when you live in either a dirty lab or a quiet forest, you gain habits of counting days, but whether or not it’s a good habit is anyone’s guess.

I just didn’t expect the past to catch up to us. At least, not in the way that it did.

It was a seemingly ordinary day. Approximately one twenty two in the afternoon. Around this time I often sit beside the lake at the center of the forest so that I can think. Usually about what to make for dinner, or about my little projects, or what I’ve recently read in a book that I… acquired. Not always through legal means… I think. I'm not entirely sure what constitutes as stealing. This time however, I’m not alone. My sister Rini joined me, so instead we’re engaging in idle conversation with each other. 

That’s when it happened.

A bush nearby rustled, and thanks to my hearing, I can instantly tell that it isn’t an animal. “Come on, I thought I heard a voice from around here!” a young voice says. A young girl’s voice. 

Turning to Rini quickly I whisper “Hide!” before moving. Rini follows me quickly, but not without looking back. She was always the curious one, despite what we went through, which is something I'm glad for. The fact that she didn't lose a childish sense of wonder.

As I take to the trees, I watch as a young girl with raven hair, done up in a ponytail enters the clearing near the lake. She had what looked like gray eye’s, and was wearing a dress that I can tell from here is made of silk. 

“Momo-san, hold on. We don’t know this area so we shouldn’t go too far!” says a young boy with green hair and eyes. What intrigues me is that the boy is clearly wearing a dress. Maybe I’m wrong on the ‘boy’ thing here.  Another thing that intrigues me here is that said child has an illusion hiding fox ears and a tail. Do I have a kindred Kitsune here? Wait... I'm only half Kitsune. I suppose, then, that it'd be more accurate to say that I have a kindred Fox Spirit.

The bush rustles again and a boy with spiky ash blonde hair comes out. “The nerd’s right, Ponytail. Plus, after Aunty Komari lost her daughter, I don’t want her to have to worry much. She’s still looking, remember?” the boy says somewhat aggressively. 

I tilt my head slightly; confused. Why does the name Komari sound so familiar to me? Regardless, I look at Rini and motion for her to be quiet. Once she nods, I move slowly to ensure the children don’t notice me until I’m behind them. Once I am behind them, I drop down silently. “Who are you?” I ask with little patience. If these kids are here to harm my sisters, I will not be nice.

“Fucking hell!” The blonde boy says, turning and punching with his right; a right hook. I grab his arm before he can land it, and in response the boy opens his palm and his hand explodes in my face.

It doesn't hurt too heavily, but it does hurt. Squeezing his arm and twisting it, I say “That wasn’t very nice. You waltz into my home and try to attack me. I’m not exactly inclined to be nice, you know.”

The greenette, strangely enough, put’s his(?) hands up. “I’m sorry miss, you just startled us! I’m sure Kacchan here would be willing to stand down and apologize. Right, Kacchan?” He(?) seemed to be silently pleading with his friend.

I look from the greenette to the blonde and raise an eyebrow. Eventually the boy let some of the tension leave his shoulders, so I let him go. “Sorry.” The boy says, not looking at me. 

As I look at them I notice that the boy that attacked me has an aura of a red color. The greenette, ironically enough, has an aura that is predominantly green, with slight hints of pink and white. The raven haired girl has an aura of yellow with a bit of turquoise in it.

Sighing and pinching the bridge of my nose, I look at them and open my mouth to say something, but a new voice comes up from behind. “Kids, are you alright? Inko was certain that something had... happened…” Turning around I find myself looking at a mirror image of myself. A woman who appeared to be within her younger years, but containing an air of maturity, with snow-white hair and purple eyes, as well as fox ears. “Oh…” she says, sounding surprised. 

Not long (meaning very quickly) after she said that, the bushes behind her moved and out came two more young girls, each striking in their own way. The first to catch my attention did so because she was very clearly dead. How long she’s been like this is not my guess. She looks to have once had blue hair and eyes. She’s dressed in overalls that are tied around her waist and a black shirt, but appears to be lacking shoes for some reason. She quickly goes to the greenette and hovers over their shoulder, and proceeds to glare a hole into me. I don’t particularly care, but apparently, she’s very protective of the kid.

(Something odd happens when the ghost puts her hand on the not-boys shoulder; when she squeezes her hand, clearly making proper contact with them, the kid reaches up and squeezes the hand on their shoulder. I’m going to have to ask about that later. Maybe I really do have a kindred spirit here. Especially since his(?) friends don’t seem to be fazed by this behavior, suggesting they know about this.)

The second grabbed my attention because she is absolutely gorgeous. She has ocean blue hair and electric yellow eyes. Her hair has a streak of white in it, like sea foam among the waves. She has a wolfish tail and ears. She’s wearing a blue and green dress with a green rose pin in her hair. She looks at me funny, then sits down and scratches her right ear with her foot, which is kind of impressive flexibility. Though, if I’m being honest, she and the ghost look very similar to each other. I almost wonder if they’re related somehow.

As I look at them, I notice that the ghost has an aura that is equally split between blue and green. Meanwhile, the gorgeous girl has a very pink aura, which I think fits for some reason.

Hearing movement from the woman, I turned around, my eyes back on her. She looks like she’s seen a ghost. It’s a little worrying, if I'm being honest. I'm concerned that she might need to sit down. “S-Sana?” she asks, voice clearly shaky, but containing hope, something I... understand better than I should. 

How does she know my name? “Who’s asking?” I respond, trying to ignore the fact that this woman seems familiar, even though I’m fairly certain that I’ve never seen her before.

“D… Do you not… remember me?” she asks, sounding somewhat distraught.

“Honestly? No. But… despite being sure that I’ve never seen you before in my life, you feel very familiar. As if I know you, just not in physical memory.” I respond after a brief moment.

The woman opens her mouth as if she’s going to say something, but then closes it and started contemplating something. After what felt like an eternity, she eventually does something that I didn’t expect her to do: she started humming. A song that I know . A… lullaby that I vaguely remember my mother singing before I was kidnapped. A lullaby that I myself have sung for Rini when her nightmares get really bad. I start humming along with her while Rini stops hiding, likely having noticing the lullaby. Eventually, after having finished humming the entire song, I look at her as if I just watched her grow another head; in shock, awe, and no small amount of surprised. After looking for words for a good minute or so, I finally manage to say “M… mom?” When she nods, tears filling her eyes, I feel myself start to cry. ”But.. But you’re not… You’re not dead.” I manage, vaguely remembering her covered in blood from a long time ago. 

Maybe I could have chosen my words a bit better, because the blonde boy screams “And what the fuck is that supposed to mean, Foxy?!” at me.

“It’s fine Katsuki. Sana likely remembers the day she was kidnapped. In case you forgot, I nearly died that day. I probably would have if Tai hadn’t turned the corner at the right time to see me get stabbed.” the woman, Mom, says sternly.  The boy looked… subdued for now. I swear he muttered something along the lines of “Sorry aunty.”

This causes me to look at him funny. I don’t see any connection visibly between us, so I assume it’s not a blood connection, but even cousins can look vastly different from each other. So, I decide to ask. “Are we cousins?” The kid gapes at me, with a “Hah?” so I explain, in case he doesn’t understand. “I heard you call her ‘aunty’. If she’s my mom, and you’re calling her that, then the possibility exists.” 

Mom giggles, drawing my attention to her again. “Is something funny?” I ask as Rini grabs my hand.

Mom clearly notices Rini’s presence, and mentions it. “It would seem you inherited my intelligence, my girl. And who is this little bunny?”

I look at Rini who says “Rini is Rini.” When mom puts a hand on Rini’s head, she sniffs it, which is normal for her. When mom notices this she puts her hand in front of Rini, who continues to sniff it. “Rini thinks you smell nice. Like strawberries and carrots, with some vanilla.” RIni says eventually. Mom startles slightly, only for Rini to lean into her hand. I chuckle seeing moms shock, and notice that it’s a shared sentiment among the group of kids with her. All of them except for the… uh… not boy(?), who is scribbling in a notebook that I could swear they didn’t have before now. Which I personally think is fascinating. Where did it come from?

Mom looks at Rini intensely, and I’d worry about why if she didn’t think out loud. “You look so much like Rumi it’s incredible.” Who’s Rumi, I wonder. 

“Um, aunty?” the not boy says, grabbing moms attention. “I think we should bring them with us, or go with them. Preferably go.” They look worried about something. 

This causes mom to think about something, and I’m not entirely sure I want to know what. Eventually, however, she eventually asks “Um, Sana, are there more here than just the two of you?” 

Ah. So that’s what it is. At least, I hope it is. “Yes. Two. They’re back at… home.” I say, before turning to look at the greenette. “I’m actually kinda impressed you thought about that greeny.” I tell him, all while thinking about my faerie friends. I hope Terra is keeping Ignis happy. And I’m sure that Aqua and Sylph are talking while flying around the garden. “I’m glad you did, personally. I might not have gone with you at all if you hadn’t. My sisters, like Rini here, are all extremely important to me. I refuse to simply abandon them. I don't care who you are, I'm not leaving them.” 

Mom smiles at my words. “I’m glad. I, personally, would not ask you to. However, if I may ask, what are their names?” she states, then asks. 

Shrugging, and with Rini’s permission, I say “Rai and Yuki. None of us have known last names, and Yuki is very closed off about her past.”

Mom stiffens when I say Yuki’s name, and her expression becomes very conflicted when I mention her unknown past, suggesting that she might know Yuki. “Well, I can’t wait to meet them. For now, we should head to our campsite, so that I can explain to the others what’s happening. Plus, I would like to introduce you to your father.” mom says. 

This makes me think. I don’t really remember my dad much; nothing except a kind smile. “What’s he like? I don’t remember him much either.” I say, ever so slightly worried that that kind smile has changed. That the kindness has been replaced with something… darker.

Mom smiles and chuckles. “Don’t worry so much. I can see it in your eyes. Taishiro is an amazing man. He has spent a lot of time, both on and off the field, looking for you like I have. He blames himself for what happened, but is determined to find you, like I am.” mom says. I’m glad she’s certain that my dad is such a good person, but until I meet the guy personally, I'm going to continue to worry. 

Shrugging, because as much as I'm worried about people being a danger, I don't care, so I turn to Rini, who looks like she’s contemplating something. “The decision is ultimately up to you, Rini. You know that I have no real preference.” 

Rini’s ears move and turn ever so slightly while she looks at everyone. Eventually, after a few minutes, Rini seems to perk up. “Rini thinks it’s a good idea, Sana. They seem like genuinely nice people!”

Chuckling, I turn and look at mom. “Lead the way.” However, I do not miss the concerned look she sends Rini’s way. I’ll ask later, if she herself doesn’t. For now, I suppose we should follow her.

Just before we set off, my foot (cause I don’t currently have shoes, mostly because the only pair I ever owned fell apart years ago)  makes contact with the hilt of a knife; one that is covered is a substance that I think is sap. I decide to pick up the knife, since it most likely belongs to mom.

We don’t follow mom for very long before we reach our destination, but on the way here, I notice that several of the trees have a deep mark in them, as if to guide someone. Out of curiosity, I place moms knife against one of the marks and find that it’s a perfect match. Suddenly I realize why it was even necessary; mom can’t see the ghost girl, but knows that she exists, so she lent her a knife to mark her way to the younger ones in her party. Clever.

Once we enter the clearing they were setting up a campsite in, mom quickly runs towards a large man that admittedly looks kinda like a marshmallow. He’s wearing a large yellow sweater and blue sweatpants. “Tai! You’re not going to believe it!”

The man laughs as he grabs her and twirls her around the air, and It is here that I notice just how tall the man is; he’s got to be at least seven feet tall! 

“Well, Komi, what won’t I believe?” the man says, with a fondness in his voice and a gentle smile on his face. 

Mom moves the man’s head to face me. “I found her, Tai! Our little girl! She’s ok!” 

Dad, I discover, loses the smile to be replaced with shock and disbelief. I watch as other adults come over from where they were to see what’s up. One of which is a somewhat chubby lady with green hair and a kind aura of a calming turquoise that resembles the greenette a lot. There’s also the woman that has to be the ash blonde’s mother, who has an aura of a rich red that matches the boy’s significantly. Beside her is a man with brown hair and glasses, who has a turquoise aura as well. There’s also a man with yellow hair and red eyes that has an aura of orange, and screams LOUD. I can already feel a headache forming. Beside him is a man with light blue hair and eyes who seemed to be very happy and had an aura of a very rich yellow. On the blonde’s other side was a man with red eyes, black hair and eye bags almost as bad as mine. I can also tell that the man isn’t human; neither are what I assume are his partners. The man has a red aura mixed with trace amounts of green and black. A bit away from them is a woman with sky blue eyes and dark-purple hair, who has an aura that is equal parts orange and purple. I can tell that she isn’t human either. Beside her is a woman with green hair and eyes, with a topaz yellow aura and a rather big smile. For the first time, I take in moms aura; she has a pink and brown aura, while dad has a brown and white aura. Coming up behind them is a… holy shit! I think I know who Rumi is now. Her and Rini really do look alike. Miss Rumi has white hair and red eyes, as well as a bunny quirk; like Rini. Although, Rini’s is more pronounced; Rini has rabbit feet and fur on her legs and arms. I don’t think Miss Rumi does. She has an aura that is both red and orange, the two mixing together seamlessly. Finally, I look at the smallest of their members; a Yokai with confusing features that I’m not even going to attempt to guess. He has an aura of purple and red, and an air of danger. This is quite the diverse group.

Dad slowly approaches me and says the following: “Sana? Is that really you?” 

I nod slightly. “Yeah, that’s me.” I’m not entirely sure, yet, but I’m willing to… learn. I don’t know them, but Rini hasn’t responded negatively yet, and their auras didn’t contain anything that was cause for concern. Well... no one except the diminutive Yokai. However, I'm going to choose to ignore it. For now.

However, Rini starts sniffing the air for some reason, which makes me nervous. “Rini smells carrots. Can Rini have a carrot please?” Oh gods. I’m not nervous anymore, but do not get in between Rini and carrots. It doesn’t end well. The bruises from last time are still healing.

Rumi-san shows up with a second carrot, and hands it to Rini, who takes it gratefully. The two just look at each other while they eat their carrots. Deciding that I am not going to get much out of them right now, and not wanting to interrupt Rini when she has a carrot in her hand, I turn back to dad. Who is standing there smiling softly again. 

“I’m so happy that you’re alright.” dad says, tears forming in his eyes.

I scoff at that, somewhat. “Alright, but not ok. I haven’t been ok in years, and we live in a forest. However, I understand the sentiment, and appreciate it, so thank you, dad.”

“Tai, our little girl has a few others besides Rini here. Does everyone think it’d be alright to move our camp?” mom says.

The tired vampire looks at me. “That would depend entirely on your daughter, Komari.”

“Shota.” mom says, clearly exasperated. “I get that you are constantly tired, and ‘logical’, but you know better than this.”

The man simply scoffs, but I understand where he’s coming from. “Well, I don’t think it’d be a bad idea. But I will make this known: if you hurt my sisters, then you and I will have a very personal… talk .” I’m smiling at this, but I think the other people can tell that it isn’t a particularly friendly one, and I’m pretty sure the way I’m gripping a bow that I grabbed from Inventory helps get my point across. Several of them are looking between me and the Yokai.

“Nedzu. Am I seeing things, or is that a human you?” the man with the yellow hair (and looks like a fucking cockatoo) asked. 

I chuckle, which draws attention to me. “Human. You say that as if I am one; as if you are. What’s the saying people are fond of?” I stop to think. “Oh ya. ‘It takes one to know one.’” When his, and Shota’s, eyes widen slightly, I laugh. What can I say, the way they reacted was funny to me. 

“You’re… like us?” Shota asks slowly.

I start laughing pretty hard. “These ears of mine aren’t due to a quirk, you know. Just like I’m sure that your fangs aren’t a part of a Quirk, mister vampire.” I can feel myself start laughing again when I see the way that Mister Shota reacts to me calling him out.

As I finally manage to control my own laughter, I notice the greenette hold their hand out towards Katsuki, who in turn just rolls his eyes and hands them what I think is money. “Yeah, yeah nerd. You guessed that the hobo was a vampire. Gloat all you want, you zombie fox.”

The vampire in question looked over to them and narrowed his eyes. “You don’t look anything like a fox, kid.” he says eventually.

I chuckle a little at this. “That would be because they’re casting an illusion that’s hiding the more… kitsune parts of themself.” When everyone looks at me in shock, some for a different reason than the others, all I do is shrug. “What? It takes a fox spirit to see a fox spirit. I thought you would have realized what I was when I mentioned I wasn’t human!” I bring a hand up to my ears. “These aren’t for show you know.” I’ll admit to everyone here that their ingenuity is… lacking. Everyone except the Yokai, who was simply cackling. I then turn to Katsuki. “Based on the way your surprise showed itself, I’m going to guess that you already knew.” The boy nods, but so do all of the kids, as well as who I’m pretty sure is the kid’s mother. 

“It would have been very difficult for me to not know what my daughter is.” the woman in question says, chuckling slightly. 

“Oh thank the gods! I had no idea what her gender was. She’s so masculine, and despite that is comfortable in a dress. It was confusing!”

The girl giggles. “I’m in the midst of transitioning from male to female.”

“Ah. That  explains that.” is my response to that. Good for her.

This causes the girl to undo her illusion and show the Kitsune appendages. “Sister look! Fox girl, like you!” Rini says quickly, hopping up and down. Frankly, it’s adorable.

“Yes, Rini. She’s like me… but also not. I think she’s a full Kitsune. I, however, am not.”

This catches several peoples attention. “You aren’t?” asks the greenette. 

I shake my head. “No, I am not. I’m only half Kitsune. The other half of my biology is that of a Myobu. Basically, I have a strong connection to Inari. A… very strong connection.” I purposely leave out the fact that I talk to Inari most days. A fact I think the Yokai might have picked up on, if the way he’s looking at me is any indication, with his ears twitching. “Well, that is currently not the point. Like I said, I have no problem personally with you camping near our home. As long as you do not harm my sisters.”

Everyone nods and starts moving in different directions. When I notice that the ghost is alone, I approach her before I can lose my chance. Putting a hand on her shoulder, I manage to grab her attention. “If you need me to relay a message to her, I can.” I say. Only pausing because something occurs to me. “However, something tells me that that isn’t necessary.”

The ghost looks at me in shock. “You… you can see me?”

“Yup.” I respond, nodding. 

“Huh. I think you should meet my sister. Properly I mean She’ll likely enjoy having someone to relate to.” the ghost says. I had a feeling that that girl could see them. 

“After.” 

The ghost nods and then disappears, likely off to find her own sister. Which is about the time mom approaches me, expression somewhat blank. “Hey, Sana.” she says. 

“This has to do with the way you reacted to the name Yuki, doesn’t it.” It’s not a question. 

Mom nods, expression changing to a grimace for a second, before returning to being carefully blank. “It does. Can I ask you to describe her? If you’re willing. You see, several of us knew a girl with that name, and if you’re alive, then-”

“Then she might be too.” I finish for her. Sighing I run the idea through my head for a minute or two, and then sigh again. “Black hair that reaches her lower back, and heterochromia; the left eye is blue, and the right is purple. She is fairly built, and has tanned skin. Standing on the ground she’d be approximately five foot seven inches. She has a scar vertically on her right eye, and has several others around her arms and legs. She has a streak of kindness several times longer than she is tall, but is a force to be reckoned with if angered.” The longer I kept talking, the more moms expression went from blank to shocked. I also noticed that several people were staring at us, and were becoming shocked and pale, like mom. “And before you or your friends ask me how she’s alive, I would like to mention that she isn’t. However, she isn’t dead either.”

Shota, the vampire who looks as if he’s seen a ghost, squints at me. “Explain.” he says, causing mom to jump. 

“Her Quirk. Apparently it came in after she’d died. So she’s neither living nor dead, but rather undead . I figure you’d react as if she’s still completely living if you saw her without this knowledge.”

Shota, his friends and mom nod slowly. The Yokai, Nedzu, clearly having heard that as well, sinse he's sitting on moms shoulder, sucks in a breath. This is one of the few times since I met the guy several minutes ago that he hasn’t had a somewhat creepy smile on his face. Why he’s sitting on moms shoulder is something I don’t understand, nor am I sure I want to understand it right now. 

“Anyway, you should finish packing your things. The time for this kind of shit’ll come later.” I say to break both the silence and the tension. The others, including mom, nod, and mom puts Nedzu on the ground and walks over to dad. Leaving me alone with the admittedly creepy Yokai.

“You seem to be rather… cautious about our presence, young lady.” he says, voice chipper. 

“Yeah, well the last time I met strangers was before finding this forest and building our home. They purposely stepped on my tail, and called us pathetic. Before that was Yuki. Before her was the lab we escaped from. That I set on fire to cause a distraction. You’ll forgive me if I’m a little cautious about your presence, sir. After all, the odds aren't in your favor.”

Nedzu simply looks up at me. Worried about his neck, I decided to pick the Yokai up and put him on my own shoulder. He’s so… soft. His fur is like a pillow. Eventually, Nedzu says “Why were you in a lab if you felt the need to escape?” He looks as if he already knows the answer, but just doesn’t want to believe it.

“What makes you think we were there willingly?” I ask him simply.

I watch as Nedzu’s face slowly becomes shadowed and his expression changes to one that I think is anger. “Are you telling me that you were there because you were being used as experiments?” 

“Yeah. Me, Rai and Rini. It’s why Rini speaks in the third person and not the first. Quirk experimentation. Which I now know is illegal, thanks to some reading.” 

Nedzu continues to get angrier and angrier. “I see…” 

“Well, don’t let it ruffle your fur. Sure, I have three Quirks, but I met Yuki, Rai and Rini because of it, so I guess something good came out of it.”

“What about your sisters?”

“Well, they never managed to get into proper experiments on Rai, so she still doesn’t have one. Given that she’s not human either, it means little. And if you're wondering, she's a Succubus, like the dark haired lady over there." I point at said woman for emphasis. "As for Rini, they managed a bit of experimentation with her, but rather than having multiple Quirks, she still has one. Somehow, the Quirk they managed to give her actually fused with her rabbit quirk. We call her Quirk Electrical Rabbit. I am not going to explain it right now. Mostly because I shouldn’t have to do so; not with that name.”

“And… how many of your Quirks are naturally yours if I may ask.”

“You may, I suppose. Two of them. You know how Quirks work with our side of the world; more often than not, we either have multiple Quirks, or no Quirk at all. It would appear that your resident Kitsune is one of the outliers.”

Nedzu nods, finally smiling again. “Indeed.”

I chuckle slightly. “Well, I guess that’s good. That you understand this.”

“Will you tell me about them?”

“No. At least, not right now. Yes, I do, in fact, know magic. However, I haven’t mastered it, nor can I.” 

“Oh? And why is that?”

I chuckle at that question. “I know five elements. Water, Fire, Earth, Wind and Ice. I know too many kinds of magic to properly master any of them.”

Nedzu starts laughing at this. Glad he finds this funny. “Perhaps you can’t master them the way a practitioner of one type would. However, you can always find a work around if you try hard enough, such as finding a way to combine elements.”

Here is where I pick him up off my shoulder and hold him at eye level. I hold him there and we look into each other’s eyes for a good minute or two. I have absolutely no idea what I’m even looking for in his beady little eyes, but I’m looking for… something, I guess. Eventually, however, I smirk at him, showing off my own fangs. “What makes you think that I haven’t already started doing so? I just don’t practice with fire as often as the others; mostly because I live in a forest and don’t want to burn it down.”

Nedzu nods his head. “And I can respect that. However, when our trip is over, I wouldn’t mind letting you use some of U.A’s facilities to experiment.” Then he blanches and quickly adds on “With your magic!” with a nervous smile.

I chuckle and smile gently. “I know what you meant, but I thank you for being concerned enough to worry about your wording, and the possible effect it might have had.” I then think about something else, somewhat eager to change the subject a little. “By the way, you seem oddly convinced that I’ll simply leave the only real home I can remember.”

Nedzu laughs at this. “Call it a hunch that I have.”

I chuckle. “You seem like the kind of person who trusts their gut. Well, for a touch of finality, the decision isn’t up to me. I’ll go anywhere my sisters do. And protect them from anything, if need be.”

Nedzu nods as if he accepts my answer. “A respectable answer. As a sign of good will, I will tell you something about myself.” I raise an eyebrow at his words, but say nothing.  And I do not miss the way Nedzu seems to deflate. “I… know what it’s like. What you went through.”

… Oh… I... don’t know what to say to that, and I’m pretty sure it shows. Eventually, I decide to… hug the Yokai of unknown species, and I do not miss how he stiffens at the contact. Finally, I mange to find words to say. “I’m sorry to hear that. I really am. No one should have to go through what we did. Human, animal, Yokai, magical being, it doesn’t matter. No one should have to experience that.”

“While I agree wholeheartedly with that statement, I did get my own little form of revenge.” Nedzu says slowly, but cheerfully. I raise my eyebrow again, with a slight smile on my face. “I do believe that they’re still finding some of the pieces of man who personally experimented on me.” he explains chipperly. 

I think about it for a minute or two and start laughing at the thought. “I may have gotten my own then.” This time, Nedzu’s eyebrow raises. He lets out a small “Oh?” that I find a little funny. “They should have known better than to keep exclusively paper research. As we were escaping, I spilled all of it over their main lab and set it on fire.” I tell him. I then think about something else. “I might have also severed the main scientist’s head from his body when he threatened to rape Rai, but I can’t find it in me to care.”

It’s around here that Nedzu starts cackling again. “Oh indeed! Leaving the head on a pike in the labs was a very nice touch, I must say.”

I raise my eyebrow again. “You saw that?”

Nedzu nods. “I was one of the Heroes that was on your case. It’s because it resonated with me, and I’ve already told you why.” Indeed. I can see why. “I’m just glad the Young Primrose was able to contact me discreetly.”

“Primrose?! Is she alright?” I’m still worried. She was actively trying to help us escape, but simply disappeared one day.

Nedzu chuckles at my haste. “Indeed she is. We managed to remove her from her situation and provide her with protection, and in return, she helped us find your location. Admittedly, when we arrived to find the compound ablaze, we all feared the worst. All of us, except for Primrose herself. She was very certain that you had escaped and were the source of the fire. I believed she said that you were very cunning, and quite powerful.”

I chuckle a little. “I’m glad. She was actively against what they were doing to us, tried helping us escape, and when that failed, she promised to get help. She didn’t deserve having her life’s work threatened the way it was.”

“You know about that?” Nedzu asks, sounding somewhat surprised.

“One of the people there had a Quirk that could induce a state similar to being drunk. He used it on her as part of what I believe was meant to be a prank. She started ranting about just how much she hated being there, but that she couldn’t let them destroy her life’s work. Something about the use of either certain Quirks or technology to clone removed organs. Something about using a mesh that is being considered by people I don’t know.”

“Oh? You didn’t get a name?”

“No, and I chose not to ask. However, this is what led to me trusting her a little. Eventually, she said that she’d contacted someone, and said they could help. When she disappeared, however, we realized we wouldn’t be safe for much longer, so we put an old plan of mine into action and set about getting ready to escape from that hellhole. I’ve already told you about most of what happened next.”

Nedzu chuckles a little. “I see. Well, I’m just glad that you’re all safe and sound.”

“Thanks. I think…”

That’s when someone coughs behind us. Rather than jump, I simply turn around to face them. “Done then?” When I’m met with several nods, and vocal confirmation, I continue. “Good. Well then, follow me. The trees grow thicker towards our home and can be confusing if you don’t know them.”

What follows is a humorous example of why you should watch your fitting in a forest: most everyone was occasionally tripping on the roots of trees, or getting hit in the face with the branches.

“You find this funny, Foxy?!” ‘Kacchan’ asks me angrily.

“Honestly, yes. Mostly because I used to do the same thing when we were first getting used to living here. Beleaf me when I say that it’s actually humorous.”

I turn and watch as the boy’s eyes widen a smidge. “No…” he says, almost as if he’s witnessing a major crime, or one of his friends committing a murder.

I soon find out why. “I cannot beleaf you just went there. I’m sure that was a mosstake.” the trans girl says.

This is where I start chuckling. “Oh, I’m very sure it wasn’t. I can be quite punny when I want to be, my friend. It’s actually quite humorous, you know. But sometimes…” I bend down and grab a fallen twig and then balance it on my nose. “...they can be a bit… on the nose.”

I hear Kacchan say “Oh my god, shut up…” under his breath.

“Well, you should know that we’re almost there. It’s just around the corner here. Beleaf me, it’s quite a sight. It’s all handmade or hand grown.”

“Shut up, shut up, shutup!” under Kacchans breath again.

“I wood show you around the glade itself, but for now you should see where you’ll be staying.”

I ignore Kacchan (I wonder if that is really the boy’s name) getting silently more and more angry, and turn around a corner and watch as they all see the house we built. It’s a single story, but built somewhat well, I like to think. Course this is the fourth one, but the first was barely more than a shack, and the second was rushed and collapsed (Thankfully not on us). As for the third, I accidentally burnt it down practicing with flames, which is why I only do so near the lake now. It’s also why I found a way to treat it to be as fireproof as I could possibly manage with natural materials. Off to the side is a tool shed that has gardening tools, and beside that is a large wood box. Around the center of the glade is an admittedly primitive cooking setup consisting of a stone oven and a carefully carved stone counter for prep, and a few tables reminiscent of picnic tables. Nearby is a firepit that we use to grill and stew things, with log benches around it. To the right side of the house is a flower garden that isn’t very large, but it is functional. Off to the right of that is a wooden setup for a few beehives. To the left of the house, between it and the tool shed, is a much bigger garden that we use to grow food, and is also Rini’s responsibility. She loves that, as do I, so I often help her, if I can. On the other side of the glade, opposite the house is my… workshop. Inside is a workbench and a forge, as well as the cauldron I use in tandem with Alchemy. No, I did not know what I was doing when I first started using the forge. But at this point, I like to think that I do.

Inside the house itself, it’s segmented into three rooms. The first is the entryway. Self-explanatory. The second, on the right side of the entryway facing the door is the bedroom. None of us own enough to need our own room, and me, Rai and Rini aren’t very comfortable sleeping away from each other, while Yuki likes to be our little Guardian Spirit. On the other side is a small library and lounge area, even though we all stay outside most days. After I accidentally burnt down the third house, we discovered a cave that is naturally cold thanks to the surprising amount of Ice Faeries inside. Part of why we grow flowers is allowing us to use their home to store food in exchange for flowers. (The other part is because of a mixture of me enjoying how they smell and the bees) So, we store easily perishable food deeper in the cave to be frozen, and closer to the house is stuff that would only need to be refrigerated. 

As for Rai’s responsibility, she’s in charge of watching the house and caring for the small animals that come and go. Since we all know first aid, she likes to help. She and Yuki also help however they can with the gardening and the cooking and the cleaning. It’s a system that works so far, since me and Rini have specific talents in either some form of cooking or gardening. For example, I can grill and stew like nobody’s business, and Rini is an amazing baker and is really good at steaming things, and we’re both equally good at frying and roasting.

Yuki’s responsibility is to help wherever she can, mostly because she seems to be a jack of all trades, and likes helping. She also helps to keep our… heh, our spirits up. Which is appreciated.

Turning to look at the group I’ve brought here. “Well, welcome to our home. It isn’t much, but to us, it’s exactly that; home.” I then turn back round and yell “Oi! Rai, Yuki, we’re back, and we brought company!”

It doesn’t take long for both girls to appear; Rai from inside the house, and Yuki from the shed. Both look at our guests, but Yuki freezes when she does so. “G-guys?!”

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…”

Chapter Text

After me and Nedzu finally stop laughing, Mom coughs and grabs our attention. “Nedzu?” When Nedzu hums in response, she says “No World Domination, no overthrowing the government, and no gang obliteration until my daughter is thirteen, ok?”

“Of course, Komari-san.” Nedzu says, clapping his paws together.

I walk over to where two plates of food are set up for me and Nedzu and grab both. Then I return to Nedzus side and hand him one of the plates. “Food.” Nedzu takes it without any fuss. Then he follows me towards the fire pit.

“Without you here, getting the fire lit was a pain. Thankfully, Ignis was here.” Rai comments. “You two took a fair bit just to talk. What was it about?”

“Inari led them here, to try and… give us a chance at a somewhat proper life. Apparently it meant quite a bit to her, that we get the same kind of chance that Nedzu here received.” I answer, seeing no reason to withhold that information.

“And how do you feel about that?” Rai asks me. 

“Like I told Inari, a part of me is upset about it, but a greater part of me understands it and appreciates that she worried so strongly about us to get involved so personally.”

Rai nods, knowing just how odd it is for Inari to act like this; just how unusual this kind of action can be. So I decide to do something I do quite well; I analyzed the situation. Of course, in this situation, there’s not much for me to analyze. Attempting to understand the gods and the way they do things is just asking to go insane. The gods work in ways mortals cannot fully comprehend, and there is no point in trying; they always find a way to surprise you.

“Well, regardless, we’re back, we’re hungry and I know less than half of you, which still makes me nervous.” I say.

Rai chuckles and says “You seem a little more open to the idea, Sana.”

“Rai, you know as well as I do, Inari probably knew enough about them the second they entered the forest to accurately judge their characters. If she had seen something she didn’t like, she’d have stopped them from joining us. So, as much as this worries me, and admittedly frightens me, I might as well deal with the hand I’ve been dealt.”

Rai simply shrugs and sits next to Rini. Since Miss Rumi is sitting on her other side, I wind up sitting between mom and dad. Still weird that I have parents, when we’re pretty sure that Rai and Rini’s are actually dead. But… given the way Rini is interacting with Miss Rumi, and the way that Rai is interacting with the succubi across from her, makes me confident that they’d be alright. I just hope they’re close by after this, since I really doubt that any of my sisters are going to want to stay. At least, not long term. A part of me will always belong here, but I will go anywhere my sisters do. 

“So, little listeners, how about some introductions, so we can all get to know each other, yeah?” the yellow vampire suggests.

“I have only really heard you talk once and I already have a headache.” I say.

“Sana!” Rai admonishes me. 

“Forgive me if I can’t turn my ability to see the auras of people off, and his screams loud. Not to mention the sudden amount of people.” I remind her, holding my head.

Rai quickly deflates and says “Right… Sorry about that…”

“It’s alright. It’s usually manageable, but with the sudden influx of people, it’s actually quite difficult to ignore.” I reply.

When I turn back to look at the yellow, and loud, vampire, I instead find the tired and dark haired one, holding out a hand with what look like pills in it and a cup of water. When all I can say is “Uh…” he himself says “Headache medication. It’ll help.”

Raising an eyebrow, I look at his face and reply “I hope you understand that I do not have a very good experience with this.”

He actually nods and simply hands me the cup. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small white bottle and hands it to me. “Your sister, Rai, gave us the short version of what you’ve been through.” I can’t even attempt to blame her for that. It’s better that way; I likely would have given too much information. Without meaning to.

As I read the bottle, and discover that the pills are, indeed, meant to help with headaches after I compared one of the pills inside the bottle to the ones in his hand, I give him back the bottle, grab the meds and take them. “Thanks. How long until they work?”

“A few minutes. Just know that this-”

“Isn’t a cure. It’s a treatment. I know the difference… unfortunately. Thank you, though, for trying to make sure I don’t treat this as a solution, while trying to ensure that I also know that taking this doesn’t make me weak.” I interrupt.

“How…?”

I point to my eyes. “I can see the auras of people. It’s a part of a Quirk of mine, and I can’t turn this ability off. It’s what leads to my headaches. Yours flashed with worry when I thanked you and asked how long until they started working. And I… appreciate it. I just inferred from there how you felt.”

“That’s actually really cool. Can it work through walls?” Sakura-san says, pulling out a notebook from… somewhere.

Sighing, I say “Yes… unfortunately. I can essentially “see” every living being within a certain radius around me, which is… a real pain in the ass.”

The girl winces in response to that, as if she knows something about that. Given her ability to see the dead, I don’t doubt that she does. “I know a thing or two about that…” Sakura-san says while scratching behind her head.

“I’m sure you do… considering the… uh… you know… ghost that’s following you around.” I say, awkwardly, unsure of how many of her friends know about that.

“They know.” she says. Then she stops, puts a finger on her chin and amends her statement to “Well, those I know personally know.”

“Wait, you can see ghosts?” the vampire, Shota asks, sounding surprised. 

Sakura-san chuckles a little. “Yeah. See, hear, interact with, I can do that. I just don’t advertise it.” Then she turns towards me. “My question is how you can see Fuuka, Sana-san.”

“I’m a medium.” is my honest response.

Mom quickly adds “It runs in my own mothers side of the family. It simply skipped me. My mother called it a blessing.”

“Be grateful. The dead can be a right fuckin pain to listen to. Some just don’t shut the fuck up about how they died, and others act like Zombies; constantly moaning and groaning. Sure, there are a lot that are put together, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t annoying to have to listen to them. Nevermind the fact that many do not realize that ghosts can alter their appearance, and present themselves the way they died. I hope you realize that I alone have likely seen the results of some of the worst ways to die in todays world, and I am eight years old. To say nothing of what Sakura-san must have seen.” I say remembering a few of the ghosts that I’ve met in the city during the winter, when I have to… resort to less than ethical ways to feed my sisters because it’s hard to grow anything in the cold, and it’s harder to hunt.

Mom looks at Sakura-san. “Is it really that bad?”

Sakura nods grimly. “It can be. Especially when you’re young and don’t know what they want, which can make a young mind see them as demons, or at least dangerous. It was Uncle Masaru who helped me with that.”

“And what did Masaru do that helped?” mom asks.

“He asked me a question. ‘Do you know what they want? They may be scary now, but maybe if you asked if they simply wanted help, they wouldn’t be as scary then.’ It really helped me put it into perspective, but I have to agree with Sana; there are ghosts that simply don’t want help. They can be stubborn, clinging to some semblance of life and refusing to accept that they’re dead. But there are others that stick around for other reasons. For example; there are ghosts that stay because they’re waiting for someone to die. Sure, many of them can be vengeful, and are waiting for their killer to die so that they can tear them apart, but there a lot more that are either waiting for their loved ones to join them so that they can pass on together, or following after a hero that either saved them or someone they loved.” Then she looks at Shota-san. “For example; you, Eraserhead, have the feel of a couple of friendly ghosts.”

“You know who I am?” the vampire asks. 

Sakura-san nods and smiles softly. “Yeah. With a Quirk like mine, you inevitably develop insomnia. While walking around Musutafu at night once, I wound up on a rooftop. You showed up and tried to talk me down before I told you that I wasn’t planning on jumping. We’ve talked occasionally since then.”

“Huh… Well, it’s good to see you again, kid.” Shota says. 

“Indeed. Maybe we can continue our late night talks. Though maybe not about my analysis. We are basically on vacation.”

Shota-san snorts. “Yeah. We agreed to leave the work at home, but I’m sure we could find something to talk about.”

Katsuki looks between Sakura and Shota before chuckling. “You know, nerd, when you said that you’d met an Underground Hero one night, I thought you were joking. Or talking about another ghost. How in the actual hell did you meet each other?”

“I’m sure that by this point, Katsuki-san, you’re well aware of my insomnia.” Katsuki nods, and thus Sakura-san continues. “I was walking around Musutafu one night to try and tire myself out and found myself on the roof of an abandoned building to watch the nightlife of the city. Like I said earlier, Eraserhead came by, saw me and tried to convince me to not jump. It took a bit to convince him that I had no intentions of it, and that I was simply people watching.”

“And I am glad you succeeded. Your analytical abilities are some of the best I’ve seen, especially for someone your age.” Shota says. 

“I’m not taking money, Eraserhead.” Is Sakura-sans immediate response. Sounds like this comes up often. 

The man simply chuckles. “I figured, which is why I opted to simply give it to your mother. Think of it as the Underground’s faith in your ability to become a hero, Kid.” 

Sakura-san simply sighs, and then ignores it. “Thanks I suppose.”

“Don’t mention it.” Shota says. Then he shifts slightly. “While we’re talking about your parents, I noticed that your father isn’t here. Was he unable to join us?”

I watch as a good chunk of the people here wince. “Dad’s dead. He was… an Underground Hero, and he died in the field when I was maybe two. We barely had a body to bury, Mom says.” Sakura-san says sadly. 

Shota-san winces. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

“Don’t be, Eraserhead-san. Everyone gets curious, it’s not a trait exclusive to cats.” Sakura’s mother says. 

“I appreciate it. If I may ask, which hero was he?”

“The Fire Breathing Hero: Salamander.” Miss Midoriya says.

Shota-san winces again. “Why is it always the good ones?” he asks no one in particular.

I clear my throat… loudly, to draw attention. “This conversation is clearly upsetting people, and I would like to avoid upsetting the mood. Someone mentioned introductions earlier.” 

“That’s right. It was my suggestion, so I’ll go first.” The loud, Yellow vampire says. 

“Name, species, Quirk or Quirk’s, and something about yourself.” Rai says. 

The loud vampire laughs. “A little traditional, little listener, but I like it. I’m Yamada Hizashi, or the hero Present Mic. I’m a vampire that Sho turned. My Quirk, Voice, allows me to scream at decibels most people can’t handle, let alone reach. I have a daily radio show, called ‘Put Your Hands Up Radio’.”

Yuki perks up. “Is it successful?” she asks. Yamada-san doesn’t say anything, but he smiles and nods. “Ha! I told you you’d be a good talk show host, Zashi!”

“I’ll go next. I’m Shirakumo Oboro. My Quirk, Cloud, allows me to form relatively dense clouds, which can be used to fly around or store objects. I’m also a turned vampire, also by Sho. I married Sho and Zash.”

“YES!! OT3! OT3!” Yuki screams suddenly.

“I am going to ignore that so we can move on. Also, Yuki?” She looks at me and hums in recognition. “My ears!”

“Sorry, Sana.” she says. 

“I forgive you, it was just sudden.” I respond.

The black haired Vampire is the one that continues. “My name is Shota Aizawa. I’m a Vampire. My Quirk, Erasure, allows me to essentially ‘erase’ Emitter and Transformation Quirks as long as I can see the user. I like cats.” Fascinating.

It’s the ravenette succubus that goes next. “My name is Nemuri Kayama-Fukukado. I’m a Succubus. My Quirk, Somnambulist, allows me to produce a gas that can put people to sleep. It works better on those attracted to women. As for a fun fact about myself… I’m married to Joke here!”

“NEMURI KAYAMA!” Yuki screams after ensuring that I know she’s about to do so, which I appreciate. “WE DO NOT CALL PEOPLE ‘JOKES’!”

Several of her friends chuckle, but it’s Yamada-san that speaks. “She’s not. It’s her Hero name; Mrs. Joke. Those close to her simply ignore the Mrs. part and call her Joke.”

Yuki looks at him for a good minute before slapping herself in the face and saying “I am so out of the loop here.”

“It’s alright, Yuki-san. We… really wished you could have been there, you know. As it is, we can simply introduce you to the ways we live from now on!” Kayama-san says. At least she’s optimistic about it.

Yuki smiles softly at Kayama-sans words. “I suppose that is true.”

The woman that I currently only know as ‘Joke’ goes next. “My name is Emi Fukukado-Kayama, Nemuri’s wife. I’m a Lesser Succubus that-”

“No such thing.” I interrupt. “‘Lesser’ is a human thing. They viewed it that way simply because you weren’t born a Succubus. That does not make you ‘lesser’ than other Succubi.”

Emi-san chuckles. “Nemuri says that all the time. Anyway, Nemuri turned me. My Quirk, Outburst, allows me to cause people to laugh uncontrollably, which makes it easier to take down villains. As for the fun fact, I’m a little like Eraser here; I like cats.”

Nice. From here, it’s mom that goes next. “My name is Komari Toyomitsu. I’m a Kitsune with four tails. My Quirk, Enchant, allows me to give extraordinary qualities to otherwise ordinary objects. The quality, however, has to make sense in proportion to the object. I’m incapable of giving something not meant to hold items the quality to hold an unlimited number of things, for example. I’m known as the Enchanting Hero: Enchantress. I also married Marshmallow man here.” Mom puts her arms around Dad.

“Heh…” I chuckle.

“Is something funny, Sana?” Rai asks suddenly. 

“Marshmallow Dad.” Is all I say.

“Sana, as your older sister, I must say that if you’re calling him fat, I’m obligated to hit you upside the head for that, and then reprimand you.” Yuki says sternly.

“I am not. I am saying that he looks like he gives warm hugs. And cuddly.”

“Oh…”

Dad goes next, all while chuckling. “My name is Taishiro Toyomitsu. I’m a Fae.”

Before dad can continue, Rai says “Wait, are you Scottish or Irish?”

“Scottish.” Is dads reply.

“This explains so much!” Rai says in response, throwing her hands up.

“What do you mean?” Mom asks.

“I love Sana, I really do. But when she gets truly angry, she becomes impossible to understand. I’ve only seen her like that once, after that man mentioned raping me, and I still, after four years of trying my damndest trying to find out, have absolutely no idea what in the hell you said to the man before you severed his head from his shoulders.” Rai explains.

Completely ignoring her casually telling these people that I, at four years old, became guilty of murder, and the way several people flinch at her casually mentioning rape, say “I’m not explaining, Rai. Rini is right there.” 

It’s a bit of a thing with us in trying to keep Rini as close to pure and innocent as possible, even if that’s already impossible given her trauma.

“Figures.” Rai says. 

“Anyways,” Dad says suddenly, also ignoring the casual mention of murder. “My Quirk, Fat Absorption, allows me to adhere things to my body fat, which is why I’m so big. As an interesting fact, for a time, Komi-san actually owned me.”

“I’m sorry, what?!” Yuki says what I was thinking.

Dad goes into an explanation of how Fae and names work, and that if you either give your real name to a Fae, or receive a Fae’s real name, one party basically owns the other. “When we first met, I was so love struck by her beauty I gave her my name first. My real name. When I followed her to Japan, she gave me a new name and offered to return my real one. I declined until we started dating, which is when she returned it anyways.”

That appears to pacify Yuki. In fact… “Love at first sight, oh how romantic!”

Clearing my throat, I grab her attention and say “Sana to the undead romantic. Can we please continue?”

Yuki blushes (which is impressive, considering she no longer has any blood) and confirms that, yes, we may continue.

Miss Midoriya goes next. “My name is Inko Midoriya. My Quirk, Telekinetic Float, allows me to float small objects towards me; its a combination of my mothers Quirk, Float, and my fathers Quirk, Telekinesis. I’m actually completely human; my late husband, Hisashi, was a Kitsune with three tails. He actually held Sakura and said that he felt that she would be a girl by ten.”

Sakura-san actually picks up on that. “Wait, is that why you weren’t surprised when I told you I was trans?” Inko-san smiles and nods. “Huh…”

“I’m Mitsuki Bakugou. My Quirk, called Glycerin, causes me to sweat the chemical itself, which is part of why I look so young. Like Inko, I’m completely human. I’ve known Komari and Inko since we were all in middle school.” The Bakugou matriarch says. 

Her husband goes next, and I have to wonder how their relationship works. “Masaru Bakugou. I sweat acid because of my Quirk. I’m human, Like Inko and Mitsuki. I’m not very brash, unlike Mitsuki.”

“Good Gods, you’re soft spoken.” I say. He simply smiles and nods.

The bunny goes next. “Rumi Usagiyama. Quirks called Rabbit; if you’re smart I won’t have to explain it, nor am I going to. I’m only half human, not sure what the other half is. I’m already willing to kill someone for the bunny there.” She poin’t at Rini. “I’m also Komaris adopted sister.” She says after a minute.

“Pardon?” I ask.

“My mother had myself and my twin sister, Momo-chan’s mother, but she wasn’t in a position at the time to care for both of us, so she had to put one of us up for adoption.” Mom says in explanation. 

“And you were the one that got put up.” I infer.

Mom nods. “Yeah, but she was still a part of my life up until she died when I was in high school. I was even invited to the funeral. When her situation had improved I was offered the chance to come and live with her. I turned it down. Not because I didn’t like her, but because I didn’t want to just abandon Ma and Rumi. She understood that; even said she was proud of me for it. Apparently, she’s where I get my Kitsune nature from. Harumi took after our father.”

Huh… nice person. Kinda wish I could meet her. “Aunt Komari and Aunt Rumi have been a mainstay in my life since I was born.” The raven haired girl says, and I can now infer that her name is Momo.

Wait… “Hang on. If you’re adopted, how do you know about the whole medium thing?” I ask.

Mom startles slightly. “One of the things my mother told me. She seemed happy it skipped me and my sister. Hearing how bad it can get, I think I am too. I’m sorry about that, by the way.”

I shrug at the same time as Sakura. “It is what it is.” I respond.

The last adult, Nedzu, goes. “Am I a dog, a mouse or a bear? It matters not, I am Nedzu, the principal of U.A.”

“Somehow, I’m willing to believe all of the above. You’re a Yokai of origins unknown, and also chimeric in nature.” I say suddenly.

Nedzu himself starts grinning and looks at mom. “She inherited your intelligence Komari.”

“I noticed. I’m so proud.” mom replies.

Laughing, the Yokai turns back towards the group in full and continues. “As Young Sana has stated, I am a Yokai, but not even I am quite sure what my original species was. My Quirk, High Specs, increases my intelligence quite significantly. There are many that have called me the most intelligent being on the planet. I am quite fond of tea, and enjoy teaching.”

It’s the kids’ turn to introduce themselves. Sakura-san starts. “My name is Sakura Midoriya. As stated before, I’m a Kitsune. I have two tails, currently. My Quirk I call Spectral Interaction. With it, I can interact with, or more specifically, see, hear and touch, the spirits of the dead. Interestingly, it seems that the longer I’m around them, the stronger they get. At some point they basically regain the strength they had in life, and then they continue to get stronger from there. It would also seem that, in certain cases, they regain the ability to use their Quirk. Like Fuka, for instance. I’m not yet sure of the criteria for what qualifies as a Quirk a ghost could theoretically use, but I’m working on finding out. 

Since Fuka is here, but most of you can’t see her, I’ll introduce her. Her name is Fuka, not sure if she cares for her last name. From what she’s told me, her Quirk’s were called Connection and Night-Eye. For a while she and I believed that, in death, only the former was usable. Not like it’d matter, to be honest; all ghosts can see fine in the dark. Connection allowed her to connect her own spirit to a person, sharing that persons Quirk with her, and her other Quirk with them. Night-Eye allowed her to see just as well in the dark as in the light. Interestingly, when she accidentally used Connection on me, I gained a copy of Night-Eye, which has suggested that she does actually retain the ability to use Night-Eye, but can’t tell the difference, ‘cause like I said, ghosts eyesight is unaffected by how dark the area is.

As for Species, Fuka appears to be a Riju like Haru. We didn’t know that until we met Haru two and a half years ago. Long story there.” Sakura says. It’s a lot of information.

But… I have a question. “Have you ever asked why she looks so much like Haru?”

“...I have not.” Is Sakura-sans reply. 

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot to be honest. I had a younger brother when I died. I loved him, but I also knew he could protect himself, so I went around trying to find a purpose in my afterlife. He was about fourteen when I died, so it’s possible that he could’ve had kids, since I died around forty years ago.” The ghost in question says, and me and Sakura-san quickly relay that information to everyone. 

Nedzu puts a paw on his chin and hums. Then he looks at Fuka-san, or more specifically her general area, and says “After our trip, I might be able to help you find him, if that is alright with you, Young Sakamoto.”

Fuka is silent for a moment. “You… remember me?” Her bonded sibling again relayed her message. 

“How could I forget? When one student basically murders another then blames the dead student, you don’t forget that kind of thing. Besides, myself and Young Ryuji occasionally meet up and talk about those days and how far we’ve come over tea.” Nedzu takes out a tea cup from only Inari knows where and sips at the drink. “It wouldn’t be hard to ask if I could bring along Sakura-san next time.”

Fuka is silent for a bit. Enough to worry Sakura-san. “Fuka-san? Are you okay?” 

Fuka, for her part, nods and says “I’m… fine.” Then she looks at Nedzu. “I’d like that.” While Sakura hugs Fuka, I relay her three word message to Nedzu, who in turn pulls out what I believe is called a cellphone, taps on the thing and then puts it away again, before saying “It’s done. This is hardly the first time one of us has brought someone along.” When Fuka says thank you in response, Sakura-san relays that to Nedzu, who nods.

Haru-san clears her throat and speaks up. “That got… uncomfortable. I’d offer a hug but, I’m pretty sure she’d go right through me.”

I watch as Fuka-san smiles and hugs Haru, and will openly admit to being shocked when Fuka makes genuine contact. “Fuka’s a poltergeist, remember? Never mind the fact that she and I have been together since I was three. It stands to reason that she’d be able to at least interact with others when she wants to.”

That… does actually make sense. “Well, I’m glad she’s feeling a little better.” Haru says. “Anyways, I’m Haru Midoriya. I’m adopted, but would rather remain where I am. I’m a Raiju. My Quirk, Electrical Absorption, allows me to absorb the power from an electrical current, which I can then discharge normally, given my nature as a Raiju. I do have a second Quirk, but… I recently learned that it affects me mentally… in a way.”

“Are you alright?” Miss Inko asks Haru, concern clear in her voice. 

“Depends on how you look at it, mom.” Haru-san responds. “I’ve taken to calling it Overcharge, and it works in tandem with Electrical Absorption. While Absorption allows me to absorb electrical energy, Overcharge allows me to store it nigh indefinitely. I don’t know if there is a limit to how much I can store, or what the upper area of said limit might be, nor do I understand what might happen if I exceed said limit.” Harus sister and mother look at each other at the moment she says that, which suggests that they might. “What I do know, strangely enough, is that Overcharge affects my hormones, as well as my brain.

The more of a charge I’m carrying, the faster my brain seems to function, and the higher my metabolism. However… Overcharge affects my hormones in more ways than just that…” 

“Horny or perverted?” Rai asks suddenly, which seems to catch Haru off guard.

“What?”

Rai reiterates. “Horny or perverted?” When Haru just looks at her, clearly confused (and I’ll admit that not even I know what Rai’s talking about), Rai elaborates. “In this case it’s Succubi terminology. Here, perverted basically means that you have the libido, the sex drive, whatever you want to call it, as well as thoughts that are traditionally better left to yourself, and you have every intention to fulfill those fantasies of yours, even if you have to resort to the… stereotypical succubus method. Meanwhile horny means that you have the thoughts, and the fantasies, but you don’t intend to do anything with them. For some, it’s a matter of principle, for others, they want to wait until they’re older, and others still simply aren’t interested in romance or sex, so their fantasies tend to reflect that anyways.” When a few people, interestingly excluding the two Succubi and Nedzu, look at Rai, she sighs. “What? Succubi can’t be asexual or aromantic?”

I actually giggle at this. “I think it might have something to do with the fact that you even know all of that.”

“Oh.” Rai giggles alongside me. “Succubi have an innate knowledge when it comes to this kind of stuff. Don’t ask me, or the older Succubi, to explain it, cause I doubt they could. At least, not in a way that’d make sense, and if they can, please tell me too.”

Nemuri-san chuckles. “If I may.” She says slowly, a small smile present upon her face.

“Please! I need to know how I can know this stuff, but not understand it.” Rai states. 

Nemuris smile gets a little bigger. “Of course. It actually comes down to intuition; like you said, Succubi have an innate sort of knowledge when it comes to this kind of thing. We Succubi are lust and sex incarnate, and as such things related to romance and sexuality tend to be second nature for us. It gets better as we get older, and gain experience to help us understand our innate knowledge. Even having an older Succubus tell us how to make sense of it doesn’t fully help; we need to experience it for ourselves to fully understand it. After all, Even though we share a species, all Succubi are fundamentally different at heart.”

Rai is silent while she takes in Nemuri-sans’ words. “Huh. That… makes a lot of sense, actually.” Rai stops briefly to contemplate Kayama-sans words. Then she shakes her head and says “That’s for me to contemplate on my own time.” Then she turns back towards Haru-san. “Anyways, let me ask again, know that everything has been explained. Horny, or perverted.”

“Horny. For the second reason; even if I have the thoughts, I’m not going to do anything with them right now. I’m too young to do anything with those thoughts right now.” Haru replies.

Rai smiles and nods. “And that is perfectly fine. Anyone who can’t respect that isn’t worth your time.” Inko and Sakura nod enthusiastically at that.

“Thank you.” Haru says. “Speaking of this kind of stuff, theres something I gotta ask.”

“It’s about whether or not we actually consume souls, right?” Rai asks. Haru-san nods and all Rai can do is shrug. “I don’t know how to answer that. Why don’t we redirect that question towards the two resident succubi with experience?”

Nemuri-san laughs, but before she can say anything, I interject and say “We’ve probably heard worse, go ahead.”

Nemuri winces (why, I don’t know), but she says “We don’t actually have the ability to steal or eat souls. Our main food source is actually tantric energy, or the subtle and often hidden energy created during… intimate moments. You’ll find that a lot of Succubi are successful… um… dancers… lets go with that… Yeah…” She looks uncomfortable. 

“Anyways-” she says far too quickly. “-we don't need tantric energy to survive. We can eat regular food and have it sustain us, it's just that tantric energy fills us up faster and for longer.”

Haru eventually (and thankfully) returns to the topic at hand, after a minute or two of silence. “So yeah, that answers that. Anyways, if me mentioning being adopted doesn’t count as a fun fact, I’d say this as one: I prefer the female form to the male one.” 

I turn to face her so fast that I’m quite certain that I gave myself whiplash and cracked the bones in my neck. I know that the sound was noticeable. I know that because Rai and Yuki look at me in concern. Haru-san giggles at me. 

“Are you lovebirds done?” The younger Bakugou, Katsuki, asks, sounding annoyed.

Haru and I both say nothing, but Haru-san does stick her tongue out at him. The boy in question just rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Guess I’ll go next. Bakugou Katsuki. I sweat nitroglycerin, and can ignite it with my palms. It’s called Explosion. I’m human, like my parents. I am gay as hell.” Short and sweet.

“The raven haired girl goes next. “My name is Momo. Momo Yaoyorozu. Originally I believed myself to be human, but recently we discovered that my father has a large amount of magic in his blood, and I took after him in that aspect.” 

“A witch then.” I say, before realizing how that could be taken.

Apparently, I didn’t realize it fast enough, ‘cause Sakura-san says “Excuse me?” in a… not at all friendly tone.

“Old shit in our community. Very old, actually. Back before Christians and people similar to them perverted the meaning, calling someone a Witch or Warlock essentially meant that they were completely human, but had an abnormally high quantity of magic in their blood. In our community, Sakura-san, we still use the original meaning.” I explain. 

Sakura-sans face relaxes as I speak. “Oh.” She eventually says. “Sorry for, uh… reacting the way I did.”

“‘S alright. I realized after I said it how poorly it could be taken.” I say, before turning to Momo-san again. “Just be warned; in the past Witches and Warlocks were susceptible to being easily turned by more magically inclined species capable of transforming humans. That is still quite true in todays world, but while still very much true, it has become much harder to find a Witch or Warlock who knows what they are, and isn’t somehow hiding it from others.” 

Momo-san turns to me and nods. “I appreciate the warning, Sans-san.” I simply nod and let her continue. “My Quirk, Creation, lets me use the lipids in my body to create any non-living material, so long as I understand its atomic makeup. As for the fact…” She looks at Haru-san somewhat tentatively. “Well… me and Sakura-san plan on dating when we’re both ten.”

Haru-san, for her part, is simply… quiet, for a good minute or two, which clearly puts Momo on edge. After said minute or two, Haru turns towards Katsuki and holds her hand out. “They aren’t dating yet , but the planned age to start falls within my bet.”

Katsuki digs what I know to be called a wallet out of his pocket and hands Haru approximately two thousand yen. “Damnit. You two couldn’t have waited one more year?”

Momo-san and Sakura-san look at each other then back at the others, before laughing. “We should’ve known. We are that kind of group.” Says Sakura-san.

Haru just shrugs and puts her… winnings in her pocket (I didn’t know dresses came with pockets) and says “We really are. Though… I get the feeling that our group is only going to get bigger.” She says it while looking right at me.

“Well then, I guess that, at bare minimum, Sana’s joining us.” Momo says, as if that’s all there is to it. At least the option for Yuki, Rai and Rini to join is there. 

“I guess it’s our turn.” Yuki says. “I’ll start. I’m Yuki. Just Yuki, I… care not about my last name. My family wants to abandon me over something I cannot control, I’m going to abandon them. Anyways, I’m pretty sure I’m both human, and not because of my Quirk. You see, my Quirk, Ethereal Apparition, only came in after my heart had stopped. Before that, it was believed that I had a Quirk with an obscure trigger.”

“A Hidden Quirk.” Sakura-san says. “And you’re certain that your hearts stopped?”

“Yes, we are.” I reply. “No heartbeat, no need to either sleep or eat, no requirement to breathe, and she shouldn’t be capable of blushing, since, by all definition, she no longer has any blood.”

Sakura-san hums, clearly in thought. Eventually, she looks at Yuki and says “I’d say that you qualify more as a ghost with a Quirk, but that’s just me.”

“Thank you for your thoughts, Sakura-san.” Yuki says, bowing out of respect. “Anyways. As you can see, I’m undead regardless. Fun fact wise… I retained my ability to taste food, and will still eat, even though I have no need to.”

I chuckle. “What Yuki is neglecting to mention is that we’re nearly eighty percent sure that simply eating actually strengthens her ability to possess things.”

“Sana, you know that I don’t like possessing people.”

“I do. But you could have mentioned being able to possess inanimate objects, miss ‘I’m going to possess a book so that Sana cannot open it and has to go outside.’” I say, slightly exasperated. 

“I will not apologize for that. You shouldn't be inside all day.” Yuki says defiantly, as if the day I’m referring to was nice.

“It was raining, Yuki!” I say.

“... I still refuse to apologize. In lieu of a proper adult, it’s my job to ensure that all of you are well taken care of, and you really shouldn’t remain inside reading, miss ‘I can, have, and will remain inside either reading or tinkering.’”

All I can do is sigh, but when I go to say something Rini joins the conversation: “Rini does not like it when we fight!” When we all look at her, she continues. “Rini will go next, so that she may help change the subject. Rini is… well, Rini! Rini… thinks she is human.”

“According to Inari, no. You are not. Apparently, you qualify as a… Hanyo, or someone with both Human and Yokai ancestry.” I tell her.

“Ah. Rini is a Hanyo! Thank you Sana.” Rini says, before continuing. “Rini’s Quirk is called Electrical Rabbit. She has the qualities of a Rabbit like Rumi-san, but Rini comes with the added ability to create and discharge electricity. Rini creates electricity by rubbing her fur to create a static charge. Rini likes carrots!”

Rumi-san looks at Rini, then turns to face me. “Do I want to know, or would it possibly make me want to kill someone.” It isn’t a question, but a statement.

“The latter. It’s a longer story than you know, and I am… uncomfortable telling it right now. Just know that it doesn’t bother us as much as it did in the past.” I reply, honest about it. It really doesn’t bother us.

Rumi grumbles, and I can hear her mutter about ‘going on a hunt and finding whoever did this to these kids.’ It… makes me feel better about their presence that at least one of them is willing to go to such extremes for us.

Rai continues, which means that I’ll be last… Oh well. “I’m Rai. As stated before, I’m a Succubus. I’m actually Quirkless, but know some minor Wind Magic. I also know a very small amount of… Ahem, Lust magic. A Succubus speciality.” She then looks at Nemuri and Emi and says “I learned from the Succubi that inhabit the forest, and only because I had someone threaten to…” She then clears her throat while looking away. I watch as the two aforementioned Succubi wince again, along with several other people, and then I watch as Nemuri-san slowly gets angry, before she manages to school her expression. “I… honestly haven’t thought about it until recently. Anyways… I like to talk about romance, and will read romance novels, no matter how cliche or trashy it may seem.”

Here Miss Nemuri finally starts smiling again. “We’ll have to talk later then, young one.”

“I suppose we will, oh Wise one” Rai says, playing along and nodding. 

Sighing, knowing it’s my turn. “Sana Toymitsu, apparently. I'm a Kitsune with one tail. I think its because of dads Fae blood. Since you know about the experimentation-”

“Um… actually, Sana?” Rai says, slowly. I acknowledge her and she says “I never explicitly told them about that…”

Great. “Fantastic. Incredibly long story short, me, Rai and Rini were kidnapped and their parents supposedly killed.” I gesture towards Rai and Rini there. “For the first four years of our lives, Me and Rini went through barbaric and often torturous experimentation. They never got to Rai because I willingly went through more to try and prevent them from doing so to both Rai and Rini. Clearly, I only succeeded with Rai.”

Rumi-san interrupts me here. “Wait, so Rinis Quirk…”

I sigh. “Yeah. They were only able to properly activate a single Quirk with both me and Rini, and in Rini’s case, it basically fused itself with her Rabbit Quirk. Hence, Electrical Rabbit.”

“I’m going to kill somebody…” Rumi ‘mutters’ far too loudly.

Here I have the option to either laugh, or sigh again. After internal discussion, I decide on the former. I laugh. “I beat you to it. The man who threatened to…” Following Rai’s example, I clear my throat and then continue. “I removed his head, and stuck it on a pike in his lab. He was the head scientist, but I don’t know who he worked for, nor do I really care. We’re away from there, that is enough for me right now.” I then chuckle and say “Anyway, me and Rini have been sick a lot in the past. This is because when the Quirk they were trying to force onto us was incompatible with us, their… attempts to force it to activate through… well, torture, were pointless, and the Quirk would leave our systems, leaving us very ill. It was basically up to our immune systems to do the job, since the only time they would give us medicine was to keep us alive, otherwise, only Primrose cared. She’d try to sneak us as much extra stuff as she could without getting caught.

Beyond that, they went through many different Quirks… or at least their essences, with me alone. Wasn’t fun, but…” I turn to look at Yuki. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

A few people freak out here, but mom, sounding less concerned and more like she already knows the answer and wants it said aloud, is the one to ask “And why would you prefer that?”

Me, Rai and Rini look at each other, and then, simultaneously, point at Yuki. “Rini would like to have met Yuki.” Rini says, with me and Rai confirming that we feel the same way.

I do, however, say “If we hadn’t escaped, we likely wouldn’t have run into Yuki, and we like her presence, thank you very much. The three of us have talked about it, and we’d gladly change nothing and go through everything all over again if it meant meeting her.”

Yuki blushes (again, this shouldn’t be possible), but says nothing for about a minute. Eventually, she manages to say “Thank you, girls.”

We acknowledge the gratitude, and thus I continue. “You’re welcome, Yuki. Anyways, since you know that now, may I get on with it?” Everyone confirms that, yes, I can drop the subject and continue. “Well, I can say that, because of the experimentation, I have three Quirks, but two of them are biologically mine. I’ll start in the order of them activating. First would be Aura. Aura is a somewhat emotion based Quirk, since the Auras I can see typically show me the better part of a person’s personality, but they’ll flash a certain color when that person feels a particularly strong emotion, like anger, or joy. Otherwise, your Auras are a static color that typically helps with judging your character. Unfortunately, this is the source of my near constant headaches. This is because it’s mostly an emotional Quirk, and the ability to see Auras is a factor that I cannot control, nor turn off. However, that isn’t all Aura is good for. I can condense the auras around me into tangible forms.” I do exactly that, creating a sword. Looking at it, I continue. “Usually, I create weaponry, but-” I reshape the sword into a sickle. “-I’m capable of other things. Like farming tools.”

Sakura-san, who had pulled a notebook out of nowhere when Rai had started talking, stops writing, and looks at me. “Is there a size limit to what you can make, and can you make things other than tools or weapons?” She then asks more questions that I don’t fully hear… or understand, since her talking gets repeatedly faster and faster. It gets really hard to keep up. 

“Oi, nerd. Slow down.” Katsuki says, with a small smile and a fond tone. Sakura-san blushes.

I choose to answer the two questions I heard. “I only heard your first two questions, but the answer to them both is yes. The smallest I can make something is about the size of a small dagger. For the second question…” Rather than answer, I show them instead. I condense the auras of the people around me into the form of armor. Sadly, I’ve never seen what it looked like. I would really like to do so, so that I could draw it.

Yuki, bless her undead heart, asks “Hey, sensei? Do you think I could borrow your phone for a minute?” Nedzu says nothing, but produces a cell phone from his vest (making me wonder how in the hell he fit it in there, concidering the fact that he's maybe three feet tall), and hands it to Yuki, who turns to me and holds the thing up. After a bright flash that blinds me (which Yuki apologizes profusely for), Yuki pokes the object a few times, seemingly getting frustrated (likely because her spectral nature is probably messing with the tech in the object), and finally hands me the thing, explaining that she “Took a picture, of you, so that you’ll finally be able to see what it looks like.”

Skeptical, I look at the ‘picture’, and find myself astounded. It looks… incredible. My tail isn’t armored, but that’s fine with me. The ‘helmet’ is less a helmet, and more a circlet with a large gem in the middle of it and a hood with holes for my ears, and the end of the hood looks to have metal inlaid with it. I can’t tell from this angle, but it looks like the cape or cloak connected to the hood and breastplate has some kind of intricate design on it. When I attempt to figure out how to take a picture of the cape, Sakura-san takes the ‘phone’ from me, does whatever needs to be done, and hands it back to me, showing me the second picture, as well as how to see the first when I’m done. 

Embroidered onto the cape or cloak is a large hexagonal gem, with five of the ends containing elemental symbols; ones for fire, ice, earth, wind and water. The sixth end is empty at the moment (which leads me to believe I might learn another type of magic in the future. Great, that’s the last thing I need; to be even more powerful). In the middle of the large gem is a fox (the fox looks like it’s sleeping), and three more symbols forming a triangle around the fox. The one at the highest point is a small, glowing (though it’s admittedly hard to notice on the already glowing armor, made a little easier by the fabric the cape being white, and the symbols and embroidery are all blue) sword and shield. It’s hard to tell if there is anything on the shield, or if it’s plain. The symbol in the lower left is of a cauldron, which has three bubbles coming out of it. There’s not much else there. The final symbol, the one on the bottom right, is of a closed, but plain, chest. I already know what these three signify, but I’ll get to that. I will, however, note that there looks to be a spot in between the hood and cape/cloak for my hair (I had been asked to move it out of the way for the second picture. Now I know why).

Looking at the armor again, I quickly take notice that the breastplate isn’t bulky like I had always thought. Instead, it’d be a bit more accurate to say that it looks tight, but fit. It’s… basically an armored bodysuit with a draconian fabric (basically dragon scales in fabric form) that was very flexible, allowing me to bend easily (which for me is kind of necessary), covering my stomach. Thankfully, the top part that covers my upper chest is metallic in nature, but it’s quite comfortable regardless. In fact, I think the bra-like part might be padded for comfort. There aren’t any pauldrons, meaning my shoulders are otherwise bare. I will admit that I prefer this, what with the way I move when I fight (I spar with Inari and some of the older and experienced beings in the forest). The gauntlets appear to be a smooth metal, and if it wasn’t for the fact that everything is a glowing blue, I’d mistake all of it for ebony (which, fun fact, is nigh impossible to get your hands on, unless you're dealing with dwarves, who are... kinda picky about their business partners). The fingers of the gauntlets end in points, rather than being rounded; essentially, the gauntlets give me claws that I can use in desperation. The gauntlets themselves don’t go beyond my elbows… the fabric connected to them, however, does; ending around the middle of my biceps. The fabric looks and feels almost like silk, and partially throws off the color scheme of the armor, being white, like the cape, instead of blue. However, I think it fits.

When I get to the lower half of my body, I notice that the sabatons and greaves were connected to more of that same draconian fabric that ends around my mid thighs (all of the fabric appears to be white compared to the blue metal, and upon closer inspection, appears to be the same kind of draconian fabric), with a skirt the opposite of the hood. Rather than starting with fabric and ending with a thin amount of metal, it starts with a thick amount of metal and ends in fabric. I am not brave enough to lift the skirt to see how the bodysuit-like breastplate ends after the skirt starts, not with everyone around. Outside of the cape/cloak itself, everything looks somewhat plain, and I get the feeling that that has something to do with my lack of experience in life. I have trauma… that’s about it. At least I can continue to dance in the armor, or my preferred way of fighting, which involves a lot of moving. Hey, I gotta have hobbies. 

We all have our hobbies. I personally read, craft, sing and dance. I’m not a very good singer, but I’m quite good at dancing. At least, that’s what I think. Yuki also reads, as do Rai and Rini. Yuki also enjoys helping Rini with her cooking and me with my tinkering, while both Rai and Rini swim in the lake for fun. Beyond that, I’m not quite sure what else they do.

Anyways, when I look up from the ‘phone’ to hand it back to Nedzu, I immediately take notice of the way that Haru-san is looking at me… She’s drooling. When I raise an eye at this, she blurts out “Holy shit, she’s gorgeous.”

Chuckling as Nedzu takes his phone back, I say “Well then we’re even. I’ve already thought the same thing about you.” I chuckle again when she laughs. “Anyways, that’s the other possible application of Aura. Moving on, Alchemy. 

Alchemy allows me to create just about anything non-living from just about anything save for living tissue. Plants, I can use. Animals and people, not so much. Not while they’re alive anyways.”

Several people seemed surprised by that last part. “You’ve done something with a corpse before?” Mom asks.

Sighing I explain. “Once, and by accident. A squirrel fell into the cauldron I need to use in tandem with Alchemy through a hole in the roof of my workshop. I know it was dead because living things hop right out. This squirrel did not. I don’t disrespect the dead.”

Sakura-san nods. “I’ve seen what can happen to people who disrespect the dead. It isn’t pretty.”

“Indeed.” I say. “Anyway, with time, I’m capable of making just about anything, including food, though I prefer not to do so this way. However, I need three things; one of them is a mental thing and the third is a somewhat abstract concept. The first thing I need is materials, as well as intimate knowledge on said materials. Second, I need to understand what I’m trying to make. What it’s used for, how it functions, all of that.. The final thing I need is time. If I so much as attempt to rush a project, the final product will be… brittle. It’s still usable, but it won’t last very long, so if I willingly make you something this way while we’re all here, don’t expect any miracles.”

My wording appears to startle some of them. “‘While we’re all here’? What do you mean by that, Sana?” Rai is the one to ask. 

“It’s a hunch both me and Inari have. For now, it’ll remain unsaid.” I say.

Rai looks at me and sighs. “If you have a hunch that is backed by the resident deity, then who am I to argue. Besides, clearly it won’t hurt us, since you wouldn’t have mentioned it if it could.”

I give her a small smile. “Perhaps not physically. But in this scenario, I cannot prevent the mental and emotional pain.”

That was my hint, which she actually picks up on. “Oh. You really think that’ll happen?”

Instead of answering I point at Rini, who, after her introduction, has since cuddled into Rumi-san. “Plus Yuki is friends with several of them, and you have two Succubi plotting your immediate adoption.”

Rai laughs at that, before stopping and turning to look at the two Succubi in question. “I will not deny it.” Nemuri-san says.

“Oh…” Rai says, before becoming somewhat silent.

I chuckle and then continue. “Anyways, I can make food, weapons, tools, and I can even upgrade and strengthen said weapons and tools. It’s fun for me, but hard work, believe it or not. Like smithing.”

“Oh? You can smith?” comes Nedzu’s voice.

I chuckle again and use Inventory to grab my smithing hammer and a singed apron. “Yup. That building there-” I point to my workshop. “-is my workshop. It’s partially built into a cave, which is where the forge itself is, as well as an armory and a small storage location for materials. Don’t ask about the armory. It’s kinda… personal, and I don’t know you all too well yet.”

Nedzu, in that same cheery voice, says the following “I actually think that you having an armory shows confidence in your work, and further exemplifies just how much you enjoy it as well.”

… Well then. “Thank you. I… really do enjoy it. Plus… it’s a way to destress, to be honest, but we aren’t here to talk about my hobbies. Not right now, at least.” Nedzu motions for me to continue, all while smiling. “Beyond what I’ve already told you, Alchemy can be used, at least somewhat, in tandem with my last Quirk, Inventory.

Inventory allows me to store inanimate objects, as well as plants, in a… well, I guess either the term ‘Hammer Space’ or ‘Sub-dimension’ works here. I typically store spare clothing, ammunition for my crossbow and bow, and some of my weapons. Armor as well, but only a few light sets right now. The sub-dimension only has so much space that I can use, but consequently, that same space gets bigger the more I use it. It’s the easiest of my Quirks to train, especially since I use it a lot .”

Sakura-san again has some questions, but this time she manages to say them at a pace I can keep up with. “Is it possible for you to put on clothing or armor with the Quirk itself? Are you capable of entering the sub-space? How do you find something that might be metaphorically buried by everything else?” were the highlights.

I chuckle a bit at the last question, reach over to her, grab her pen and place it into Inventory. “I’ll answer the last question first. If I bury something in other things, then I have to mentally sift through everything to grab it.” I do exactly that, mentally sifting through Inventory, and, after nearly ten minutes, I finally produce a book that Primrose gave me years ago so that I’d have something to read. “This book happens to be the very first thing I ever put into Inventory. I’m guessing you noticed the amount of time it took to retrieve it.” It’s more a statement than a question, so I emphasize it as such. Sakura-san nods, and so I continue onwards. “Good. This was at the bottom of the pile. On the other hand…” I open my right hand and pull Sakura’s pen out. Because it was at the top, it took less than a second. Once in my hand properly, I hand it over to Sakura-san. “I be leaf this is yours.” 

Sakura takes her pen back and says “That was so fast compared to the book. Is it affected by weight?”

Chuckling I say “It is not. It’s affected by how deep into Inventory it is. The book was at the bottom, being the first thing in there, but your pen was only recently put in, so it was at the top and I didn’t have to dig for it. Anyways, it was through the use of both Alchemy and Inventory that I learned that there’s a bit of a category system for the materials that I can use with Alchemy. I’m working on understanding the system currently, but this isn’t the point. To answer the other two questions of importance here. Sort of to the first, and no to the second. I can put on small things like necklaces, rings and bracelets, but currently not clothes or armor. However, since it is possible to equip jewelry directly from Inventory, I know that it’s possible to do so. I’m still working on it right now. As for entering the sub-space, that isn’t possible. At least, it isn’t right now. It might be possible in the future, but right now? Sin suerte.” 

I sigh and continue, knowing that this is about to get really complicated. “Well, those are my Quirks, but I… I have something else as well. I’m a… well the term I’ve been led to believe is correct here is ‘Pact Magus’.”

“A what?” several people ask, not just the humans. I notice that Nedzu, mom and dad, Miss Inko, Rumi-san and the two succubi aren’t among those that asked.

Mom interjects here and explains (Thankfully; I have no idea how to explain it in a way that would make sense). “A Pact Magus, or Mage, is a magic user whose strength and magic comes from Pacts with Elemental Faeries. Contrary to popular belief, a Pact Mage isn’t limited to a single Pact. One of the strongest recorded Pact Mages had three Pacts and reportedly treated his faeries like queens. He reportedly lived to be one hundred and fifteen, before dying of old age. The weakest recorded Pact Mage actually had a Pact with every known Element, and treated their faeries like garbage. This one disappeared about fifty years ago, so no one knows what happened to them.”

“Wait, Komari, I’m confused.” Yamada-san says. “If these Pacts grant power, then wouldn’t more of them make someone stronger as opposed to less?”

I interrupt mom quickly because I at least understand this bit. “It’s because of the way they were treated. Our Pacts are largely both spiritual and emotional. After all, Elemental Faeries are essentially pure, unadulterated magic given living form, emotions and thought. When they form a Pact with someone, they bond on a spiritual level. Some have compared it to sharing your soul with another, and I quite agree with that sentiment. Anyways, the Faerie themselves are responsible for the magical energy that the recipient actually receives. Typically, it’s acknowledged that, if they hate or fear you, you aren’t going to receive much magic. 

In fact, one of the residents of the forest actually told me a story this last fall. It was about a man that bonded with a pretty mellow Fire Elemental. In the story, the man had wanted power over flame, and he had the patience of a toddler. He was always yelling at the poor faerie, never treated her with equality or respect, and was a horrible person. As a satisfying result (for me), what flame he could produce wouldn’t have lit a candle. He was limited to a miniscule flame that fit in the palm of his hand… and had zero heat . Basically, he could do carnival tricks. Eventually, the mans daughter, who respected the faerie and actually liked being around her, tricked her father into transferring his Pact to her (yes, that is possible. Don’t bother asking about it; it’s a process that involves intricacies that I simply don’t understand), and ran away, taking the faerie with her.

For some context, this happened about… ninety five years ago. Anyways the girl spent maybe ten years on the run, which is impressive considering her father was relentless in her pursuit, but she eventually found her way here. Even then, this forest had already gained its name as the ‘Forest of Mystery’. And before you say anything, like I told Nedzu earlier, not as many people died in these trees as you think; they simply never left because of the magical beings in the forest. Anyways the girl, like many other people, found solace in these trees, found love, and chose to stay. She treated the Faerie well, but eventually released her, since the girl had no desire to become her father, nor did she want the Faerie held down by her desire to remain here forever.”

“That’s actually a nice story, little listener, but I thought you’d have told a somewhat more true story.” Yamada-san says, the doubter.

I laugh. “Oh, but I did.” 

“Really?” the yellow and loud vampire asks.

I nod and laugh again. I look at Nedzu before saying anything, however. “I told you about her earlier, Nedzu.” His eyes don’t widen per se, but he does look at me with a look that is somewhere between surprised and interested. “Plus… Ignis is right there .” I say, pointing just above Nedzus’ head.

The Faerie in question is sitting on Nedzus head. “Are you comfortable, little Faerie?” he asks.

Actually, as I look around for a moment, I notice that my faeries are mingling like the people. Sylph is hanging around Yuki (who can see them, strangely enough. Actually, all of my sisters can. Likely due to consistent exposure to magical energy on Rini’s part), and Terra’s sitting on Rini’s head (those two are basically best friends). I’ve already pointed out Ignis, so there’s Aqua, who’s interactions with mom have left me curious about who transferred Aqua’s contract to me.

Ignis pats his head and says “For the most part. It’s comfortable, but your fur is a little more coarse than Sana’s hair.”

Nedzu laughs at that. He doesn’t say anything, but he reaches up and gently grabs Ignis, leaves his seat and walks over to me and hands me Ignis. I chuckle, place Ignis on my own head and then look at Yamada. “Something you have to understand, Yamada-san, that might help with understanding the story. The father didn’t like the fact that his daughter was a lesbian , and this forest is filled with magical beings, many of which take a feminine form naturally, like Succubi and Lamia. Dryads very rarely take a masculine form, but male Dryads do exist. The girl from the story is now in a poly relationship with a Succubus and a Lamia. One of those two can turn a human. Does that explain how it happened so long ago, yet I met the girl in the story?”

“A little, actually. I still struggle to understand how it could have actually happened, but the added context helps, little listener.” says the man.

Chuckling, I say “Regardless, I should continue. I have four pacts… Ironically, they are Water, Wind, Earth and Fire. That’s the order I bonded with them. I also have access to Ice magic. I like to think that I treat my Faerie companions correctly.”

“Don’t let her fool you. The four of us are treated like Goddesses. I’m pretty sure that Sana has four small statues of us at that shrine she built for Inari.” Ignis says. 

I don’t hesitate in saying “I am going to neither confirm nor deny that.” while also practically glaring at Nedzu, who has seen the statues that I did indeed make and place there; basically daring the Yokai to say something. 

Ignis, the little firecracker, looks at Nedzu, who we know can see her, and says nothing. I imagine that she’s silently asking him about them, and I’m sitting here silently trying to tell him ‘Don’t you dare.’ Apparently he gets the message. “I am not going to confirm whether or not said statues might exist.” Oh thank Inari. (I thought far too quickly) “However, I will say that the likeness is incredible.”

“Gods dammit, you fucking Yokai!” I screech. “Now they’re going to think I’m a creep!”

“On the contrary, Sana-san…” Aqua starts. “We’re actually quite flattered.” Terra finishes. 

Sylph, who hasn’t said anything, is just laughing. I doubt she was actually surprised; she’s been teaching me to listen to the Voice of the Wind, something Wind Faeries can do naturally, so I expected her to know. She actually confirms it too “Oh don’t look so surprised, the Wind tells me many things. At least Sana remembers that.”

Terra, Ignis and Aqua pause, before deciding to laugh alongside Sylph. I, however, am trying to cover my face currently. “Sana, seriously. It’s actually quite flattering. Think of it like this: those statues serve as proof of how much we mean to you, and the fact that they exist proves how much you mean to us.”

“I’ll… try to remember that.” I say slowly. I then look at Nedzu.

Before I can say anything to the Yokai, however, Mom puts a hand on my shoulder and grabs my attention. “Something you have to understand, my girl, is that Nedzu typically thrives on chaos, but even then, he doesn’t say things that he doesn’t mean.”

“I will keep that in mind. I still need to give out a fun fact.” I say, slightly annoyed, but grateful for the explanation. Mom nods and motions for me to finish. I think about this for a good minute, and finally say “As you’ve likely been told I’m guilty of murder… I’m also guilty of theft.”

“I’m sorry, Sana. You’re WHAT?!” comes Rai’s voice.

Lowering my head I explain. “Winters, when it’s hard to grow things, and hunting is difficult. Where do you think I got all of the stuff to keep us going?”

“Sana, you didn’t-” Rai starts.

I don’t let her finish. “No, Rai. My options were to either steal so we could eat or watch you all starve. I know what I’m choosing.”

“Actually,” mom starts saying. “You technically aren’t guilty of either. The murder happened in self defense and the defense of another. So that’s nullified. The thefts on the other hand, if I have my facts straight, you left something on the counter near the front of the building, correct?”

“Yeah, I did.” I say, sighing. “Magic crystals. They’re pretty, but ultimately useless to humans. Why?”

Mom chuckles. “You’re right. Magic crystals are useless. To humans . The owner of that store isn’t human. She knew immediately what they were. Having no practical use for them, she sold them to the right people. According to her, she owes you quite a lot of money, my girl. You took from the store called ‘The Icy Oasis’, right?”

“With the oasis-like sign, yeah. Why is that important though?” I reply, genuinely confused.

“Helga, the owner (she’s from Iceland, before you ask about the name) doesn’t want to press charges, since you did pay for everything. Add this to the fact that she has come to expect your visits during the winter.”

… “Huh. I was wondering why some stuff was simply left on the counter at the front. I’ll have to thank her.” I say. I’m somewhat surprised by the knowledge that She wanted to help us.

“Is… is that everyone? I would like to eat now.”

When several people nod, I stand and start walking away. “Little listener, where are you going?” Yamada-san asks.

“Away. After all of this, I need some time… to think.” I say slowly. “I’ll be back, but I need some time alone.”

When mom goes to say something, Yuki puts a hand on her shoulder, shakes her head and says “Go. I’ll explain.”

“Thank you, Yuki.”

“If I may, so as to not overwhelm you tomorrow…” comes Nedzus voice.

I sigh and say “Speak.”

“We have two more joining us. They were unable to do so today.”

“Wait, you mean Sogeki and Kaina are joining us?” mom asks. 

I don’t hear what the answer to that is. All I do is sigh and lament the fact that apparently more people are joining us. “Sana, are you okay with that?” I hear Yuki ask. I don’t answer long enough for Yuki to become concerned. “Sana…?” 

I suddenly turn around and ask mom “Do you trust the two joining late?”

Mom looks at me funny, but she does answer. “Both can be… odd, but there’s almost no other sharpshooters that I’d trust besides these two to have my back. They can be trusted.”

I look up at the stars as they appear more and more, and the only thing I can really think right now is ‘Why?’ Eventually I look at Yuki and mom and reply. “Fine. I’ll keep an eye out for two more people. But I’m drawing the line here; no more after this. My head can only take so much, to say nothing of my nerves.”

“Of course.” Nedzu says, cheer in his voice.

I roll my eyes, and turn around and start walking off again, only to stop. I turn to Nedzu, say “We’ll play chess tomorrow. I simply don’t have the mental capacity, nor the energy, to do it tonight.”, and turn right back around and walk away. 

The last thing I hear from the group (which admittedly makes me laugh) is as follows: “Nedzu, what is she talking about?” from Aizawa. Nedzus response is to laugh again. As I walk away I chuckle silently, while secretly bemoaning the coming days, as they’re about to be very hectic. I’ll find a way to deal with it, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to enjoy it.

… Oh well. I just hope Inari knows what she’s doing.