Author's Note: Hey, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot that there's some spoilers that pertain to the after math of the battle between All Might and All for One. This story takes place around in between the end of that and the beginning of the Internship Arc, so there might be spoilers for that too.

In a darkened bar that she was certain could not be open to the public, Kaho Ryu kept her senses on alert; she half entertained the idea of asking the mist-like gentleman to make her a neat whiskey, but decided now was not the time for requests or lighthearted joking.

"Hey, hey, Dragon Lady really came!" Toga swung her legs back and forth, her slender body perched on one of the wobbly stools as she surveyed Kaho with a pleased grin. Dabi was leaning back behind the bar with a dull expression, seemingly not paying attention; Kurogiri stood further to the bench, much more watchful and serious than any of the other members of the League as Shigaraki walked a few paces forward.

"Giran, I assume you were smart enough to not reveal my identity to them?" Kaho asked the arms dealer who had escorted her inside the building.

The older man smiled carelessly and nodded as he lifted his half finished cigarette to his lips. "Now why would I want to risk losing a loyal customer? Do I look stupid?"

"You look distrustful." Kaho commented as he gaze slide to Shigaraki and the other villains. "In fact, everyone here looks pretty suspicious. You sure know some strange people."

"What an introduction. Hey there missy, want to tell us your name yourself?" Twice was messing around with the cherry in his Old-Fashioned, twirling it around by the stem in his fingers before just barely lifting the bottom of his mask to eat it whole.

"That young lady said it herself." Kaho nodded to Toga. "Not exactly what I would pick mind you, but the press and the public have decided it's a fitting code name. I don't mind if you all would prefer me to use your aliases."

"I'm Himiko Toga!" Toga piped up with little pause; Kaho tensed as she caught sight of the other girl's hand go into her cardigan. "Oh don't worry, I won't do anything unless Tomura-kun tells me to...but I would be fascinated to see how much you bleed~"

"That's enough Toga." Shigaraki spoke up for the first time; his voice was so hoarse, Kaho would have thought it belonged to an old man or a very sick invalid. The hand on his face reminded her of a twisted type of surgical mask.

"You're Shigaraki, yes? Giran told me about you, but I heard some tidbits from the grapevine." Kaho said, as she put a hand on her hip and surveyed him. "Not to mention that whole Stain fiasco."

Shigaraki's eyes narrowed just so, making the creases deepen. "Let me guess...a fan?"

"No. I never met the guy myself. And I really wouldn't want to."

"Mr. Stain is amazing!" Toga's flushed cheeks darkened at the very mention of the rogue's name; Dabi's eyes went to ceiling, but Kurogiri had yet to vocalize himself, choosing to wait patiently for Shigaraki's reaction.

"Scared?"

"I can't say I'd be able to match his skill." Kaho confessed. "Or his blood lust. No pun intended."

Toga and Twice were chuckling, but their reactions did nothing to ease Kaho's tension; it was clear these two had a few screws loose. Kurogiri was an ominous figure, and she most definitely couldn't help feel unnerved at Dabi's presence.

"What are you looking at?"

Dabi raised an eyebrow; Kaho couldn't help wonder how one obtained the look of a living rag doll of a corpse and she didn't think he'd be in the mood to talk about it.

"What's your name?"

"I go by Dabi."

"Still the closed off one, eh?" Giran chuckled as Dabi went back to his listless staring into nothing. "Shigaraki, I know you aren't fond of rudeness, but I hope my client's reluctance to give her name won't affect my commission?"

"I hardly call being cautious a reason to be reprimanded." Kaho remarked. "Stop making me out like I'm difficult before I even know what he wants."

"My main concern is my funds you know."

Kaho rolled her eyes lightly. "As if you don't make enough money. Anyway, excuse me Shigaraki, I assure you if I find this job to my liking, then I'm more than capable of cooperation."

"This meeting is to discuss much more than some job opportunity Miss. Dragon." Shigaraki spoke genially enough. "It's more of an offer to join a very promising organization."

Kaho cocked her hip and gave him a dry smile. "Organization, huh? Is that what the League of Villains is calling themselves?"

"Do you take issue with it?"

"No issue. Just an opinion."

Shigaraki regarded her for a moment; suddenly, Twice was speaking up.

"Hey Dragon Lady, check this out!" he stuck out his exposed tongue; it was harder for him to pronounce his words properly, but he somehow managed to keep speaking as the tied up stem rested on the tip of his tongue. "I can make a pretzel if I wanted to; what's your Quirk anyway? Do you have wings to go with those fangs?!"

Kaho almost laughed. "Afraid flight has nothing to do with my powers, though it would come in handy."

"Then just what is it that would make you useful?" Dabi inquired with a mildly critical tone. "Don't tell me you're some bloodsucker?"

Kaho's lips curved just so. "Hm. Giran, are you done with your cigarette?"

Giran was in fact just reaching into his jacket for a new, unopened pack. "Aw man, seriously?"

"Don't you trust me?" Kaho asked as he grudgingly took out a yet to be smoked cigarette and held it some inches from his face.

"Occasionally."

"Just don't move." Kaho turned to him and smiled. "Oh wait, you might want to stand back."

"Shit!"

Giran had to in fact leap out of the way as a blast of fire came shooting out at him; the circumference of the mini inferno nearly filled the hallway and charred the walls.

"Dammit, you almost burned off my eyebrows!" Giran looked despondently at his cigarette, which was less than a tiny pile of ash on the floor in front of him; he was crouched halfway to the ground.

"Oh, it was just a joke. I don't have a reason to kill you anyway." Kaho reminded him with as she blew smoke from her lips; they took shape in soft loops as they floated into the hall. With a sharp eye, she turned back to observe Shigaraki for his expression, or what she could see if it.

"So, now that you've seen a bit of what I can do, what can you do for me?"

The others in the room were looking at her with some approval; Toga was downright ecstatic and Twice was clapping and cheering like she had just performed a entertaining feat. Maybe almost burning a man alive was their idea of excitement.

"I'm not quite sold. What else can you do?"

"What, you want me to do a trick?"

"She's a hell of a shot." Giran spoke on Kaho's behalf at Shigaraki's dull tone. "Give her a gun and she might manage to kill you even faster than if she used that Dragon Breath of hers; she has a pretty decent physical strength too, though I couldn't say where that comes from."

"That's all well and good, but I can't say how much I appreciate her mouth."

Kaho sighed and scratched the back of her head. "Look, just what is it that you wanted me here for? Did you want to hire me as muscle?"

Shigaraki's fingers twitched and he cocked his head. "Are you willing to do anything for a fee?"

"Well, almost anything." Kaho smiled slyly.

"With eyes like those, I doubt any potential clients would be too keen to take up an offer." Giran added.

Kaho sent him a look; her slit pupil gaze at least served to cow him into shutting up for the time being; the memory of his nearly melted off skin already was a good incentive. With a wry smile, Kaho gave her attention to Shigaraki. "I will say, I'm not one for selling just any service. I'm more of a hired gun than anything else you could say. Do you want to draw up a contract for a hit?"

"Always getting right down to business. Same Ryu-chan."

Kaho gave Giran a look. "Way to give them half my identity."

"Ryu?! Talk about a coincidence! Well, if you want, you can call me Jin Bubaigawara. Or Jin-kun. Or Twice-kun. Jin-kun has a nice ring to it though….oh, I just realized somethin'!" Twice said as he stroked his clothed chin. "Dabi already has fire powers, so we don't exactly need another fire based member, do we? But then, if you could use weapons, and we have another cute girl on the team...then the more the merrier, right Dabi?"

"I don't care one way or the other, as long as she doesn't get in the way." Dabi said from his corner.

"Shigaraki, it would seem she would provide us with some useful talents." Kurogiri spoke carefully. "Ms. Ryu, allow us to explain exactly what the objective of this meeting is; we didn't ask your associate to bring you here just for a one time contract. We wish for you to join our ranks in the League of Villains; your membership would be greatly appreciated if you could lend us your strength and Quirk to help us achieve our goals."

Kaho looked at him with some skepticism. "I don't suppose your goals are in the line of 'taking over the world', or some such nonsense?"

"Miss Dragon, I don't think you're seeing just what we can offer you; that is what you're the most concerned with, right? If that's the case, we can provide you with more than enough monetary gains, and that's not even to say the power that comes from numbers, particularly when our numbers will soon far outclass those delusional heroes."

Kaho could not see much of his expression, but Shigaraki's shaky tone was quite pleased at the prospect of getting one up on the people he seemed to regard with so much disdain. His fingers were twitching almost rapidly as he spoke, and his piercing crimson eyes were flashing as he explained just what she had to gain.

"Everyone here has their own reasons for why they're here. A chance to challenge the corruption of the professional hero system, to live by their own standards and rules, to gain power, protection, to make the world a place we can be the ones on top, a chance to be among like minded comrades. You see Miss Dragon, we may all have our differing opinions and goals, but we can all agree on one thing; we don't care much for how the world works currently and we desire to do something about it and take what we want. You're a woman who knows what she wants. I like that. I'm sure we could come to some sort of arrangement that would satisfy your own motives. I commend you for your honesty on just what you hope to obtain, so please, if you have any further questions, feel free to ask away."

Kaho blinked and put her hand on her hip once more, the other hanging limply at her side as her eyes surveyed his own; she liked to see a person's face. It was easier to gage their intentions, and most people could leave themselves exposed through the tiniest tells. Unfortunately, Shigaraki's face was blocked and Kaho felt it a shame for the current situation; he seemed to be an emotionally unstable man to put it lightly, a fact which could provide her with some leverage in negotiations.

"I do have a couple questions Shigaraki."

"By all means."

"I take it you're definitely the leader of the League nowadays, yeah?"

"That's correct. Points for doing your research beforehand. Giran told me you were thorough."

"And you're saying I'll make a good bundle if I work for you guys? I'll tell you right now, I have no intentions of spouting some lies about joining for the greater good or belonging or any of that. I'd be in it for the cash and once that runs out, I'd be gone." Kaho said. "Not that I'd sell you guys out afterward. That's bad for business if people think you're a rat."

"Shigaraki…"

Kaho looked over at Kurogiri; the room felt filled with a surfacing sort of tension, and that was saying something with a group of hostile killers, illegal dealers, and villains in the room. Everyone in fact had their eyes trained on Shigaraki; Kaho herself could now see it in the way his body was trembling, but it was not in anxiety or anger. His eyes were still flashing, but it was in amusement; then out of nowhere, she heard his raspy laughter, soft and chilling her to the bone as he put his arms over his stomach.

"You're very blunt, aren't you Miss Dragon? You're the type who goes through the game looking for the bonus stages, anything to hit those extra points for the big jackpot. Well, who am I to judge? If that's really what you want, then fine; better to have someone who won't argue with me or refuse orders based on principles or morals."

"That does sound easiest." Kaho agreed. "You know what they say, money makes the world go 'round. Most people in my line of work don't have the motives or perspective your type do."

"Is that so? Then tell me," Shigaraki's laughter had stopped, his hands now hanging in front of him once more. "What do you mean by 'my type'?"

"Shigaraki, answer me one last question before I give you my own answer." One side of Kaho's lips curved to a light half smile. "I can't help wonder, just what is it you hope to gain from leading all these people. In your lingo, what's your endgame, so to speak?"

"Ah, since you asked so politely, I'll oblige your question. I think it will give you a better idea of just what other prizes you could win." Shigaraki told her with a hint of excitement; she could tell he was trying to sell her his offer and that despite his standoffish attitude in the beginning, he was more eager to have her at his disposal. "Don't you hate it how our soceity works with the emergence of pro heroes? You seem like a woman who sees the bigger picture, I'm sure you know a bit of what I'm referring to. You see it every day no doubt, people, tons of them, all going about their lives without a care in the world. But have you given thought to why that is? Why is that, when we live in a population where the majority of citizens have some sort of Quirk that could be used to the public at large? In that sort of environment, wouldn't you say these people would be more on their guard Miss Dragon?"

"Yes, I suppose you have a point. You never can tell half the time who has what kind of Quirk."

"Exactly! Oh it really pisses me off Miss Dragon; all these idiots, they have this illusion of peace because of heroes like All Might, heroes who they completely rely on to swoop in and save the day. The majority of these sheep have their own powers to use, but they won't do it; they all assume someone else will wipe up the mess, that a hero will come along to restore order. Isn't that stupid Miss Dragon? Why, if you went to a gathering of people and killed someone right there in broad daylight, would anyone actually come forward to help? Or would they keep walking, content in the idea they don't have to hold the responsibility on their shoulders...but hey, without a world of heroes, a world without All Might, who's to say society won't begin to right their own wrongs, take care of the dangers and crimes they see before them because they know when it comes down to it, they'd be better off-Miss Dragon? Ah, you see how silly it all is, don't you?"

Kaho's fangs peeking over her lips. "Something really bad must have happened to you, huh?"

Her smile was not mocking or unkind; it was the smile one might give a crying child as they fussed over a little matter like a bump or a scrap. It was gently patronizing. It was infuriating.

"Let me take a shot in the dark; you got screwed over and no one helped you, so now you're going to take it out on the world? Well, guess what? People already know how awful things are." Kaho chuckled. "Oh sure, there's some naive fools out there, but the vast majority of people all over the world realize that, at least to some extent, you can't rely on anyone. Not even heroes like the Symbol of Peace. But it's not like they can just spend their lives bitching and moaning like you do."

"You-"

"Tomura Shigaraki, stop!"

Kurogiri seemed to have moved at the speed of light; Shigaraki's hand was splayed, just inches away from Kaho's face, but his whole body was being constricted by his comrades's Quirk; a few seconds more, and his pointer and middle finger would be dug into her eyes. She looked around the room briefly, but no one else was making a move to attack her; she supposed they were more obedient to Shigaraki than she presumed. Kaho had been fully ready to have to fight them off to escape after shooting her mouth off; in hindsight, she should have just politely rejected the offer and been on her way, but she was losing her patience the more he spoke.

"Thanks for considering me, but I make enough money on my own; besides, I don't need the pros cracking down on me if I join up with you. At any rate, I don't want to work under someone who acts so high and mighty when your goals aren't too different than any street gangs. I'm not sure how long I could listen to how you preach as if you knew so much about the way the world works." Kaho told Shigaraki as he struggled to free himself from Kurogiri's portal; his eyes promised if he could, he would disintegrate her in seconds. "Look, it's your life. If I were you, I'd just try not to spend it so miserable about things you can't change. It's a lot nicer that way."

"Hey, what the hell?" Giran didn't look particularly phased, but he did seem mildly miffed. "It was bad enough there was almost a scuffle the last time I brought in recruits, but you just have to piss off one of my best associates?"

"If he's not the complete child he seems, I'm sure Shigaraki won't hold my conduct against you. He's lucky I didn't decide to kiss him." Kaho looked to Kurogiri. "I've got a job in an hour. If that's all, may I be on my way?"

"It would be best."

"Dammit Kurogiri, let me go now! I don't care, I'll crush her myself!"

"I'm going, I'm going. Good luck Shigaraki; it was a pleasure meeting you all." Kaho waved her hand to the room before striding out the door.

"Kurogiri-!"

"Tomura Shigaraki, you must be more mindful of how you present yourself in front of your subordinates." Kurogiri whispered in what would have been a calming tone if his voice was not so subtly sinister; still, the advice was apparently passable for Shigaraki. He had in fact already ceased his movement and even remained still once Kurogiri deactivated his Quirk and returned to his post behind the bar.

"What the hell did that scale covered money grubber mean anyway?"

"Huh? Oh, you mean that kiss bit." Giran chuckled. "Sometimes Kaho likes to use a special sneak attack; that Dragon Breath can turn you to ash inside out. I'm just glad to have not seen it for myself."

"Whatever. I'm turning in. Kurogiri, pay Giran for his tip off."

No one bothered to convince him to stay at the bar; Shigaraki had clearly had murder in his eyes and if not for Kurogiri's interference, would have killed Kaho without a second thought. But then, how did they expect him to react to such impudence? And from a lowlife like her who was no better than any of them.

Shigaraki slammed his door closed behind him; his hands launched forward, tossing items like books and paper every which way from his desk, his sheets and pillow flung off the bed, and even his own alarm clock turned to dust before he had gotten truly calmed down. Each destroyed object was a body part; her slender hand, her taut leg, her curved torso, her heart shaped face, all turned to little more than remains, less than that even.

"Who does she think she is, talking to me like like that? How dare that-that-!"

Shigaraki stood in the middle of his room, breathing hard and shallow as he pictured her simple, mild smile as she spoke the bare bones truth. It was not the first time someone had picked apart his motives. But it was the first time anyone had hit so close to home, and that someone was a common gun for hire, a woman who cared for no one and nothing but her own welfare, much like everyone else in the world. It made hate burn inside him like flames, this hot and intense hostility at the idea that such a person could see right through him.

"I think I'll take a quick side quest."