Summary:

After the tragic death of his friend Izuku, Shoji believes that something sinister is haunting his master, Todoroki. Shoji turns to his past lover and Spiritualist, Tokoyami, to ask for help in solving the mystery of Izuku's murder and the dark force trying to kill Todoroki. With Tokoyami's ability to enter and contact the Spirit World, he is the only one who can save them. Whatever force is out to do Todoroki harm, it is not Izuku's ghost. Together, Tokoyami and Shoji help to unravel the reason why Izuku is protecting Todoroki while rekindling their broken relationship along the way. But their past comes up to haunt them in a way that may just be connected to the same shadow stalking the halls of Endeavor Manor.

Notes:

***I can't help it! It's October, it's autumn, it's Halloween, and it is Tokoyami's birthday month! Tokoyami and Shoji do not get enough love or recognition in the fandom, and they are my OTP. So, keeping in context with this spooky time of year, I cannot help but write a ghostly murder mystery!
***Shoji and Tokoyami are the main pairing of this story regardless of the summary. Todoroki and Izuku are the secondary pairing, and there will be scenes about the two of them as the fic progresses.
***There is limited use of quirks in this fic, such as Shoji only has six arms and a large mouth, no morphing of smaller mouths or ears. Tokoyami does not have Dark Shadow following him around, although Dark Shadow will be a character later in the story.
***There will be scary scenes in this story, but no horror-movie style gore or anything of the like. I prefer 'bumps in the night' and 'shadows in the hall' over blood and guts. I used to get in trouble in school (and slumber parties) for telling scary stories!
***I hope you enjoy this spooky, romantic, tragic tale for Tokoyami's birthday and the month of October! Please read and review! I love to hear from you!

Chapter Management

Chapter Text

'How the gentle wind, beckons through the trees

As autumn colors fall.

Dancing in a swirl of golden memories,

The loveliest lies of all.'

-Into the Unknown (Over the Garden Wall)

Prologue

A cold gust of wind comes in through the open window, awakening the young man in bed. The room is dark save for the dying fire. He sees the curtains floating like a ghostly veil. It is raining. No, a thunderstorm. He gets out of bed, slides into his slippers, and goes over to the window, pushing the curtains out of his way. The ocean is raging, its waves crashing against the cliffs with the storm. A rumble of thunder and a flash of purple creep over the horizon.

His hands linger on the window as the rain turns into a torrent, splattering on the dark stones. The cliff. He thinks of that fateful night when the love of his life had an unfortunate accident and fell to the rocky surface below. They found him the next day after searching the grounds. A maid let out a cry of horror. The others flocked the cliff, himself included. The shock of the tragic event didn't hit him until later when the body was hoisted from the rocks. It was sheer luck that the ocean waves did not sweep the body away.

He closes the window with a slam, the curtains fluttering back into place, and the rain now drums in echoes on the glass. He rests his forehead against the white panel, picturing a pair of bright green eyes and a smiling face.

'Shoto~' A familiar, ghostly voice whispers his name in the dark.

He spins around, searching the room for the source of the voice. In the corner, by his violin, he sees the silhouette of a person. A shadow. It looks just like-.

"Izuku?" He carefully approaches the apparition, fearing that, at any moment, it will fade away as it has done many times before. As he reaches out his hand to touch his lover, he finds only shadows and air. Nothing. "It's my head playing tricks again,"

Going to his end table, he uncorks a small bottle of medicine and takes a swig of it. The bitter taste burns the back of his throat, but it will help him to fall back to sleep. Almost every night he has these dreams, these apparitions, where he sees or hears Izuku. It's not just at night but during the day as well. 'It's just your grief over the death of your soldier friend,' the doctors tell him. But he believes it's more than just grief. Izuku is here with him, haunting him, but for what he does not know. Izuku did not have a cruel bone in his body, so why would he come back to torment him?

The medicine starts to take effect, making his eyelids heavy. The storm rages outside, wind whistling with thunder rumbling in drawn-out groans. His door squeaks though he doesn't open his eyes. Most likely one of the servants coming in to check the window. There is pressure on the foot of his bed as if someone or something is crawling towards him. 'Not again!'

Before he can launch himself out of bed, there is fierce pressure on his throat, phantom hands squeezing, trying to crush his windpipe. He thrashes on the mattress, struggling to get away, batting at the air. Through the fighting, he manages to knock the medicine bottles and lantern onto the floor. The shattering sounds alert the household.

"Master Todoroki!"

The pressure releases from his throat, and Todoroki gasps for air. "S-Shoji!" The large servant helps him to sit up, wrapping three strong arms around him. "S-Summon the doctor,"

"No," Shoji says. "This has gone too far. We need more than a doctor!"

Todoroki rubs his throat. "W-what else is there?"

"I'll go into the city first thing tomorrow," Shoji tells him. "I know of someone who may be able to help."

Chapter 1: The Curious Shop

Shoji's horse clops through puddles on the cobblestone street left over from last night's rain. A motor vehicle passes by, shooting out a puff of black smoke that startles his horse. Shoji gently calms the animal, and they continue to their destination. Men tip their hats to Shoji in passing, and he returns the polite gesture. The town clock chimes eight times, and Shoji picked up the pace. Master Todoroki needs helps, and the only one that can aid them in this matter is the man Shoji thought he would never see again.

Riding up to the front of the shop, Shoji dismounts and ties the horse to the iron post, giving it a firm pat on the neck. The shop is tiny, nestled within the row of houses on Ichabod Street. The sign above the front steps reads, 'Ravenshadow Apothecary.' The shop has not changed; its iron skull shaped doorknocker still has the name 'Tokoyami' on the label beneath it.

'He's never moved,' Shoji says to himself, craning his neck to look up at the windows of Tokoyami's apartment. He's spent many nights up there, but that was a distant memory.

Shoji knocks on the door and hears a familiar voice call for him to come in. The shop still smells the same, incense and herbs; he notices while removing his floppy hat to place on the coat stand. The wallpaper has changed to a dark purple with a black medallion design. Carpets are the same, imported from somewhere across the sea. Furniture and decorations haven't changed much either. All around there are curious objects from strange abnormalities to items about the 'occult.' There is more than just spiritualism in this house, and Shoji thinks of the first time he entered this place four years ago.

"May I help you?"

Shoji follows the voice into the living room where he sees the person he's come for sitting at a table littered in macabre objects used for contacting the 'other world.'

"Hello, Tokoyami,"

"Shoji?" Tokoyami stands from his chair. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to ask a favor of you,"

Tokoyami is still in disbelief at the sight of his past lover appearing in his shop after so long. Shoji hasn't changed since they parted ways four years ago, one towards war and the other to university. Tokoyami's shock turns to despair and anger.

"You certainly have a lot of nerve coming here after all this time," Tokoyami says, trying to hide the irritation in his tone. "Is there a particular reason why I heard of your safe return from the innkeeper rather than receiving a personal telegram from you?"

Shoji feels ashamed about that and shudders under Tokoyami's hard, dark stare. "I didn't think you would want to hear from me...after the way we parted."

"A telegram would have still been appreciated to know you came back alive and unharmed," Tokoyami counters while walking around the séance table.

"I'm not here to bring up the past," Shoji says. "I come asking a favor,"

Tokoyami crosses his arms and leans back against the table. "I'm certain this is a favor for someone else. You would know better than to come to me requesting a favor after all this time."

"It's for my master," Shoji answers. "He's haunted by something sinister in his house. I know this because I've witnessed it myself on numerous occasions."

Tokoyami was silent for a moment, studying Shoji, then asks, "Who is your master?"

"Shoto Todoroki. I was in his unit during the war. I stood by him, and we became friends. After our part of the war was done, he offered me a job at his home. I had nowhere else to go," Shoji quickly lowers his gaze to the floor so to not meet Tokoyami's eyes. He could have come back here, to Tokoyami. Instead, he stayed away and followed his commander.

"I see," Tokoyami uncrosses his arms. "Have a seat, and you can tell me more over tea."

Shoji takes a seat on the purple couch, tracing the embroidered patterns with one hand while patiently waiting for Tokoyami to return. They've spent a lot of nights on this couch, and it still feels the same as he remembers it. Leave it to Tokoyami to never get rid of his spooky things. Shoji knows all the furniture in this room is custom made. He's even made some of it himself. The glass curio filled with rare, strange, and exotic items. The roll top desk, the center table in front of him, and the séance table. The request for this furniture is how they first met. Shoji remembers it fondly.

'There's a customer in the front, Shoji! See to them!'

'Yes, sir,' When Shoji walks out to the front desk, he sees a young male of the Avian race dressed all in black with a top hat that is a bit too big. 'May I help you?'

'I would like to put in an order for some furniture. Here is the artwork for the shapes and designs.'

Shoji accepts the pieces of paper with skillfully drawn pictures. 'I am not the manager, but I can tell you that this will take some time and it will cost you. To be honest, you may want to take these designs to a bigger company.'

'No. I've seen the skill of your manager when working with wood and I would like to do my business here.'

Shoji gives a small nod. 'Alright. Let me discuss it with my manager. Please wait a moment.'

After accepting the job, Tokoyami had come by every day to check the status of the furniture. Most of the time it was Shoji doing the heavy work with his manager carving the designs. Shoji started to enjoy and look forward to Tokoyami's company, and once the work was done, Shoji thought that would be the end of their communication. Instead, Tokoyami came by the next day, and the next, and their relationship built up from there.

"Here you are," Tokoyami places a teacup in front of Shoji on the table. He sets the silver tray with his cup and teapot beside a small plate of treats.

Shoji blows on the tea and lowers his mask to sip it. In normal circumstances, he never removes his mask, but Tokoyami is no stranger to his elongated mouth. "You remember how I like it,"

Tokoyami puts a bit of sugar into his and stirs. "I do. We've had tea in this spot many times," he takes a sip then turns his attention to Shoji. "Now then, you're here because you say something evil haunts your master? I will need to know more than that."

"To be honest, I don't know who, or what, the dark spirit is. That's what we call it; the dark spirit. Todoroki says the ghost of his dead lover haunts him, but both he and I know that Izuku is not the malevolent force behind these vicious attacks."

"Izuku...that name sounds familiar," Tokoyami says. "I know of the Todoroki family; they have a large port in the trading industry. Do you refer to your master by his last name?"

"When we're not in the presence of others," Shoji says. "You read the papers, so you likely know Izuku's name from there. He is the servant who was found at the bottom of the cliff behind Endeavor Manor."

Tokoyami carefully places his teacup on the saucer. "Yes, I do remember reading that. It wasn't too long ago. Terrible accident, if that's what it was."

Shoji shifts uncomfortably on the sofa. "I don't believe it was an accident. I believe someone pushed him."

"Have you mentioned this to Todoroki?" Shoji nods. "And has he contacted detectives?"

"No. Todoroki doesn't want to involve the police in this matter. As far as the city knows, Izuku slipped on the wet rocks while walking too close to the edge of the cliff. You see, Izuku started as a soldier with me in Todoroki's unit. They grew close during the war, very close, and then Todoroki hired Izuku to work for him. They continued on their secret relationship with only myself knowing about it. If Todoroki's father found out, it would have been disastrous for Izuku. Old family names that hold high positions of power do not like it when servants and masters mingle romantically."

Tokoyami tilts his head slightly while taking in Shoji's information. "So, is it possible that his father found out about them? He may have paid someone to push Izuku and make it look like an accident."

"No, that's not Enji Todoroki's way of handling things," Shoji says. "He's the type of person who would confront Izuku himself, not have him murdered. And that doesn't explain the evil force in the house. No one wants to talk about it, and Enji Todoroki is on business across the sea. If people learn that his son, Shoto Todoroki, is seeing ghosts, then you know the rumors will set every tongue in this city wagging. I know my master. I know Todoroki, and I know Izuku. Todoroki is not crazy, and Izuku would never try to hurt him."

"What do you need from me?"

"I need you to come to Endeavor Manor and use your spiritual abilities to discover what is happening there. Todoroki's grief over the terrible loss of his lover does weigh on his mind, but that still does not explain the evil. The dark spirit tries to kill or harm Todoroki almost every day. Last night he was almost strangled by that unseen force."

Tokoyami takes another sip of his tea. "Do you know when this evil force started?"

"A short time after Izuku's death. Maybe two or three days,"

"Hm. You said you knew Izuku well. Did he have any estranged family? Or past lovers who may have been jealous of his relationship with Todoroki?"

"No. Izuku has never mentioned anything about a past lover."

"That doesn't mean he didn't have one,"

"Yes, but they kept their relationship away from prying eyes."

Tokoyami shrugs his shoulders. "That doesn't mean he didn't let it slip to someone by accident, say if he had too much to drink,"

"Izuku doesn't drink," Shoji says, then corrects himself. "Didn't." He looks down into his teacup.

"He didn't drink."

Silence fell between them for a moment.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Shoji," Tokoyami says. "I do not mean to speak ill of your friend. I would like to know more about the situation before I place myself in the middle of it. I'm asking general questions."

"I understand. That's why I came to you. You can speak to the dead and see things others can't. I need you to come to Endeavor Manor with me. We have to put our past issues behind us. We're adults now, not children. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Tokoyami's heart misses a beat when Shoji smiles that wide mouth grin of his. He's reminded of what that mouth and extra-long mutant tongue can do. He's grateful for his dark feathers covering the heat in his cheeks. "When would you like me to leave?"

"As soon as possible!" Shoji says quickly. "Tonight, if you can. Have your things packed and ready to go. I will send someone to bring them to the manor."

"But-"

"Call a car. I will reimburse you when you arrive,"

"Shoji, this is a bit sudden and last minute,"

"Please, Fumikage, I need you as soon as possible,"

Tokoyami places his teacup on the tray. Whenever Shoji says his first name like that it is hard to say 'no.' Never has he seen such desperation in Shoji's black eyes. "Alright. I will start packing essentials now, and I should arrive by nightfall,"

"Thank you for doing this," Shoji stands up from the sofa and slips his mask back up. "And we will pay you for your services."

"We'll discuss that at a later time," Tokoyami stands up as well to lead Shoji out. "It was good seeing you again, Mezou,"

Shoji stops in the doorway and looks down at Tokoyami. "I'm grateful to you for helping me with this," he says. "I wouldn't have been surprised if you had turned me away once you saw me. I admit that I should have let you know that I had returned...but the way we parted..."

Tokoyami shakes his head. "That too is for another time. We'll meet again tonight, Shoji. Good day."

Shoji places his floppy hat on his head. "Until tonight."

It was late by the time Tokoyami arrives at Endeavor Manor. He asks the driver to bring his items to the porch while he takes a quick stroll to the cliff with a lantern. The waves flow gently over and around the rocks on the shore below. Anyone who falls from this height will likely die on impact with the rocks. If not, then their suffering would be short before passing on.

Tokoyami guides the lantern along the cliff's edge, holding his top hat on his head to keep the ocean breeze from taking it. He places the light down beside him and uses his beak to remove a black glove so he can feel the surface of the rocks. Smooth. Easy to slip and stumble over the edge; a perfect way to make a murder look like an accident. If Tokoyami sees Izuku's ghost in the manor, he can assume Izuku was pushed over the edge. And whatever the evil force is, it could be the one who murdered Izuku. That is just his assumption, though. Making contact with the dead and entering the spirit world to solve this case is his top priority.

"There you are. I can barely see you,"

Tokoyami holds the lantern to see Shoji. "Oh, hello Shoji. I was looking around the area. Do you know the spot where Izuku fell?"

"Over this way," Shoji motions for Tokoyami to follow him along the cliff and points to the spot.

"How did he land?"

"On his back,"

Tokoyami doesn't sense any ghostly presence in the area. "His spirit is not here,"

"He may be in the manor. But what does him landing on his back have to do with anything?"

Tokoyami lifts the lantern higher so he can see Shoji's face. "It's likely that he was pushed," he says. "There is a chance his body shifted or flipped while falling, but going by the assumption that Izuku's spirit is haunting the manor, it's safe to assume someone pushed him."

"But I don't know of anyone who would want to do Izuku harm," Shoji says.

"You don't know who he was or who he kept company with before the war," Tokoyami points out. "Everyone has secrets, Shoji." Tokoyami turns the lantern to the manor. "If Izuku's spirit is in there, I should be able to learn what happened from him. But ghosts often have a short time keeping form in our world long enough to get answers in just one sitting."

"Right," He clears his throat. "Anyway, it's cold out here by the sea. We should go inside while

Todoroki is still awake so you can meet him."

Tokoyami did not care for glamorous style to live the luxurious life such as the Todorokis. While he wasn't poor, the very thought of wasting money on trivial things like painted ceilings and crown molding seems ridiculous. At least his possessions hold meaning and are of use. He would rather have money in the bank and live with what he needs, not what he wants. Endeavor Manor is a little over the top in that sense. The chandelier in the main entryway obnoxiously screams 'wealth' and 'privilege.'

"After you speak with Todoroki, I will show you to your room."

"I would like a tour of the manor before then if that's alright?"

"It's getting late, though. You had to travel a long way, and I thought you might be tired,"

Tokoyami pauses in walking, forcing Shoji to stop as well.

"Four years has been a long time," Tokoyami says. "You've forgotten my motto."

Shoji smiles under the mask. He remembers now. "Revel in the dark,"

"Yes. I enjoy the night more than the day."

Shoji lets out a little chuckle and leads Tokoyami to main parlor room.

As they get closer to the parlor, Tokoyami can hear the sound of piano music. Shoji opens the double doors and stands to one side, allowing Tokoyami to enter first. At the piano sits a young man with two different colors of hair, one side white, the other red. The man is wearing all black, a sign of mourning if they are not part of the occult. He must be the master of the house.

"Master Shoto, Fumikage Tokoyami has arrived," Shoji says.

Todoroki's fingers pause on the piano keys. He stands up from the bench and closes the lid before turning to greet Tokoyami.

"Fumikage Tokoyami, I welcome you to my home," Todoroki says with a polite bow. "My friend Shoji has spoken highly of you and your skills with contacting the Spirit World," He holds out his hand. "Please, have a seat. I'm sure you have questions for me, as I have some for you as well."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Tokoyami takes a seat on the white sofa after declining the offer for a brandy.

"Should I leave, Master Shoto?" Shoji asks.

"No. I would like you to stay," Todoroki says. "Help yourself to brandy or wine, if you like," He turns back to Tokoyami. "Oh, would you prefer wine instead?"

"I'll have a glass, thank you," Tokoyami lets Shoji hand them both glasses of wine before moving to stand behind Todoroki's sofa as the dutiful servant he is.

Todoroki holds out his wine glass. "To new friends,"

"Yes," Tokoyami didn't know what to stay in response to Todoroki's kind toast. Most people shun or avoid him, but can suddenly tolerate his relationship with the occult when they need something of him, such as medicine or a spell. As he takes a sip in time with Todoroki, Tokoyami can see why Shoji and Todoroki became friends. Todoroki, like Shoji, is not quick to judge and, despite a stoic exterior, can be passionate about friends and other people. It is one of the first qualities Tokoyami saw in Shoji when they met.

"How would you like me to refer to you?" Todoroki asks.

"My last name is fine,"

"Very well then, Tokoyami; I first have to ask you this question. Do you sense anything in this room with us now?"

Tokoyami did not answer right away, taking a moment to think first. "To be honest, I have yet to sense anything evil. There is a spiritual presence here, but I wouldn't call it a haunting. At least not yet," He takes another sip of wine. "I only just arrived. It may take a little while before my senses can pick up on ghostly activity."

"Yes, I can understand that," Todoroki says. "I'm guessing Shoji told the story? Do know that whatever passes between us in this room, in private, must never be leaked outside these walls. Do I make myself clear, Tokoyami?"

There is a tone of authority underneath Todoroki's calm expression. As a hired service and a guest, Tokoyami is duty-bound to oblige. "Yes."

"That is not in Tokoyami's character," Shoji adds.

"Master Todoroki, let me start by saying I am sorry for your loss," Tokoyami says. "May I ask, how was Izuku acting the last time you saw him? Did he look troubled? Concerned? Frightened?"

"He seemed rather occupied with something. But he always overthought things about a variety of topics, so I didn't think it strange or unusual."

"Were you seeing much of him in the last few days before it happened?"

"Tokoyami, why are you asking these questions?" Todoroki asks.

"I am trying to figure out if Izuku fell or if he was pushed. Do you think he fell, Master Todoroki?"

Todoroki stares at his upside down reflection in the wine glass. "At first I did, but when the strange happenings started my thoughts changed. The doctors say it's my flashbacks from the war playing tricks with my mind," he ran a hand through his hair.

"But it isn't," Shoji adds. "Something here is trying to do you harm, and it's not Izuku."

Tokoyami places his wine glass on the table in front of him and folds his hands to rest on his crossed legs. "Perhaps Izuku is trying to protect you from something," He offers the idea, which peeks their interest, so he continues. "If Izuku was, pushed, he must have learned or found out about something he wasn't supposed to. Shoji did not know the answer to this, but you might. Did Izuku have anyone that didn't like him? Did he ever tell you of past lovers or estranged family members?"

"No, he didn't," Todoroki answers. "I know that for a fact because I was his first,"

"That doesn't mean he didn't have a previous relationship, or if someone admired him from afar. If someone was harassing him, would he tell you?"

"I believe he would,"

"Then-" Tokoyami's interrupted by the fire suddenly blazing out of control.

Shoji shields Todoroki from the fire with all six arms.

Tokoyami immediately senses a dark force and moves to stand in front of the raging fire. He shouts out a command, a spell, that makes the fire shrink back to its regular size. 'There is something evil here, and it's angry.' He says to himself.

As Tokoyami turns to check on the others, he comes face-to-face with a spirit. Startled by the ghost's sudden appearance, Tokoyami takes a small step back. The spectral form in front of him is not the Dark Spirit. Tokoyami's never seen a phantom like this one, with rolling wisps of white dancing around the glasslike form. He has short curly hair and freckles, and though he is smiling, Tokoyami can see and hear the sadness coming from the phantom. He follows it with his eyes as it glides to Todoroki's side, seeking to comfort the other.

'Izuku?' Tokoyami can remember the picture of Izuku he saw in the newspaper. This ghost is Izuku, and it's as he thought; Izuku is trying to protect Todoroki. But from what exactly? Tokoyami hears the fire hissing behind him. 'Who are you?' he glances over his shoulder at the fire, hoping for an answer but not expecting one. When the sounds stop, the evil force is gone.

By the time he returned to the others, Izuku's ghost has gone, leaving just Todoroki and Shoji.

"What did you do?" Todoroki asks him, referring to the spell.

"It was a protection spell," Tokoyami says.

"Did you see Izuku?" Todoroki asks.

Tokoyami hesitates to answer, wondering if he should tell Todoroki the truth or withhold it until he can gather more information.

"Tokoyami, tell the truth," Shoji's voice is a bit harsh, and he knows it.

"Yes, I did see him," Tokoyami answers. "He's protecting you, Master Todoroki, from whatever was making itself known in that fire."

Todoroki's mismatched eyes gleamed with hope. "So, Izuku really is here? It's not my grief making me think he's here?"

"Your lover is here with you, but that's all I can say as of now. There is much I still need to do before I can assist you further." He turns back to the fire. 'I need to keep you away from them,' the fire hisses. 'Oh, so you're still here.'

The fire is suddenly snuffed out.

TBC