There are infinite universes, infinite possibilities. For every decision you make, there are hundreds of thousands of possible outcomes, infinitely expanding and growing in the universe. Time is different than a straight line-it's a maze of endless possibilities. It would be pointless to ever try and control something as great and powerful as time itself. But this does not stop humans from trying to unravel what they can.
Long auburn hair, hidden in a baseball cap itches her scalp, but she's too focused on the map running through her brain.
Coffee spill, slip, apology, tip, attention, noticed, police.
Coffee spill, run, attention, police.
Leave, run in, conversation, noticed, police.
Left turn, back step, sidestep, alley, meeting.
Left turn it is then.
The young woman took a deep breath, turned left, carefully evading the waiter with his tray exiting the kitchens. She sidestepped around the gentleman leaving the restroom and exited out the back of the restaurant without making a scene. When her boots hit the crumbling pavement of the alley behind the restaurant, she exhales. Her eyes wander sideways and time slows down.
Pull a gun, threaten him, outclassed, broken wrist.
Speak, enquire, opportunity.
She doesn't pull her gun.
"Who are you?" He body moves on its own, pulling towards the shadows as she locks eyes with the man, gaze lingering on the cigarette between his teeth.
Lung cancer, choking, coughing, surgery, death, nothing, burns, addiction-shut up-
"I've been watching you kid, you're slippery, i'll admit. Like you can see five steps ahead." Dark sunglasses obscure her view of his eyes, but she can feel them on her.
"You can't win a fight against me." She says confidently, tilting her head slightly. It was strange-this hadn't been the most likely of outcomes she had seen.
"I'm not going to fight you, but you already know that." She squinted, more suspicious now that before. He was onto her-but how? She needed answers.
"I'm only here to speak with you. Persuade you, if you may." Dirty fingers pushed black locks of hair from his forehead, cigarette falling to the pavement. She held her breath, not responding.
"The names not important," his loafers crossed the alley way, standing only a foot from her, "We've been looking for someone with a skill set similar to yours. We're forming a group-a group of unique individuals."
"If an assassin is what your looking for-or some weird sex thing, count me out." She lightly shoved his chest, huffing in frustration. What a waste of her time-she needed to get back to her spot before someone else took it.
"Ah-ah," his fingers wrapped around her wrist and she grit her teeth, narrowing her gaze," at least hear me out first little lady." He took her silence for compliance.
"What if I told you, you'd never have to worry about where to sleep again? About where to get your next meal? I can put you up in a house, food, a good set up. My employer isn't unreasonable."
"I'm listening." He released her wrist and she folded her arms.
He could tell he had her attention, but the skeptical look in her eye made him cautious. He wasn't really supposed to take no for an answer and he really wasn't looking for a fight he knew he was very capable of losing. Time to step up his game.
"It's not fair, is it? How these emerging heroes get praise, money, fame, everything handed to them on a silver platter-when people like us," he motioned between the two, "are barely getting by? They boast on the news about taking down evil and always doing the right thing. Like it's that easy, like everyone has the privilege to succeed in today's society. They act like everything is black and white and people like you, the strong but forgotten are treated like dirt, forgotten at the bottom of society." He could see the gears turning in her head.
She was so angry, frustrated and sad. As a child, she could see so much-too much. There were so many futures she could see for herself as a child where she ended up with the perfect family, happy and smiling and together. And as the years flew by, those became less and less. She hadn't seen a future where she was safe and happy in years. But right now, she could see herself in a room with a bed-a real bed, foot in her stomach and a book in her hands. That was the closest thing she'd seen to a happy ending for herself in early a decade.
"Come with me. There's a man, he sees the world like you do, a flawed system that needs healing. He thrives in the grey area, like you. He wants to change the world-end this rising heroism facade that people are falling for. With a quirk like yours, he knows we'll all be one step closer to changing everything for the better. Imagine a future where young women such as yourself don't have to depend on dumpsters, dirty work and scrounging just to survive."
Her heart was heavy, but as he spoke, pain melted away. All she ever wanted was to make a difference, to be something, mean something to someone. After all the years of neglect and struggle-this could be her chance. She doesn't have to open her mind to know this is the future path she was meant to take.
Green eyes meet red, crooked teeth evident behind her smirk.
"When do I start?"
"Mommy?" Hazel eyes, pools of honey and warmth entrap her's; a smile is impossible to keep from her scarred face.
"Yes, Haruka?" Tanned fingers run through tangled, curly orange locks.
"Do you think I can be a hero? Like All Might? Or Endeavor? I wanna be super strong and big! And then I can protect you and papa!" The child's smile revealed crooked teeth and an honest heart. Hana smiled at her child despite the way her heart sunk at their choice of words.
"Haru, you don't have to be super strong and big to be a hero-you don't even have to be a hero. Wouldn't you just like to stay here with your father and I? And help us keep up the house? We can get more horses too and stay here as a family forever. It's so peaceful out here, neh?" She knew trying to convince Haru to give up hero dreams was unrealistic. There were hundreds of futures she could see-and nearly all of them involved Haru becoming something great.
None of those had her in them either.
It was worth a shot though, to pretend she could stay happy forever with her baby and her husband on their perfect sliver of paradise.
"Mama," Haru whined, "I don't wanna stay here forever! I wanna move to the city! And get on one of those big bus things! And go to school with other kids who have quirks like mine!" Hana doubted anyone had a quirk like her child-they were a unique and powerful individual.
But Haru wasn't wrong about getting to meet other people or going to school. Hana and Toshi had been homeschooling Haru for a few years and their interaction with other kids was basically nonexistent.
They couldn't hold on to this perfect life forever. Perhaps it was time her and her husband had a talk.
"Alright Haru, I'll make you a cape tonight okay? A hero costume you can wear around and practice in. Why don't you go inside and wash up for dinner. Send you father out, neh? I want to speak with him for a minute while you get changed." She leaned down to kiss her child on the forehead, smiling into their hair.
"Okay mommy!" Little brown boots made their way back through the house and Hana exhaled, smile fading with every passing second.
Her life had been full of confusion and anger and pain. She had deserved all of it and she was so incredibly thankful she got the chance to have a perfect life, even if it was only for a few years. It was more than she deserved.
But all good things must come to an end. There was nothing she could ever do to atone for her sins, but she could protect the only two people she cared about in the whole universe, the only two people who deserved every kindness she had to offer.
Now was a time for sacrifice.
A/N: Alright, first chapter of the rewrite up. Obviously, Haru is still our main character, but we've got a lot to build and a lot to set up. It's confusing, I know, but it's going to have to be that way for a while. Everything will make sense eventually-I promise. I didn't really get to edit this because I'm going to work in like ten minutes, but I wanted to get something out just so you guys have an idea of what's different this time around. I'd appreciate a review but its chill if you don't. I write for myself, really. :)